The 2020 ranking includes real estate developers Phat Dat Real Estate Development JSC and Century Land JSC (Cen Land), paper manufacturer Dong Hai JSC Ben Tre, seafood processing firm Nam Viet Corporation, Taseco Air Services JSC, and stationery producer Thien Long Group Corporation. Forbes Asia stated that this year's list incorporated the companies' overall track record in measures such as debt, sales, and earnings per share growth.

Cen Land is one of the real estate firms to be listed on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange and highly appreciated by investors. According to the company's 2019 annual report, its total revenue was over VND2.3 trillion ($100 million), reaching 91 per cent of the year's plan. Meanwhile, pre-tax profit was over VND491.2 billion ($21.36 million), reaching 87 per cent of the plan. Finally, after-tax profit was VND392.7 billion ($17.1 million), up 22.7 per cent on-year.

Revenue and after-tax profit of Cen Land in 2014-2020

Despite the COVID-19 lockdown, from the outset of this year, Cen Land has achieved breakthroughs thanks to timely and quick response.

In the first six months of the year, revenue from real estate sales and services reached about VND711 billion ($30.9 million). Gross profit from sales and services is VND287 billion ($12.48 million). Total pre-tax profit is VND176 billion ($7.65 million) while after-tax profit is VND139 billion ($6 million).

Cen Land has set big targets for 2020. As such, the company aims for a total revenue of about VND2.4 trillion ($104.35 million), of which revenue from real estate sales and brokerage is to be VND1.3 trillion ($56.5 million); from real estate transfer is to be VND1.1 trillion ($47.83 million); revenue from advertising and event organising services is to be VND42 billion ($1.83 million); and revenue from office leasing and other services is to be VND15 billion ($652,170).

Recently, Cen Land has won the Dot Property Vietnam Awards 2020 for Vietnam's Best Real Estate Agencies and Vietnam's Best Property Consultancy Firms.

Growth strategy

Currently, Cen Land is the leading brokerage firm in the northern market with the highest number of properties for sale. Cen Land has offered 176 projects to the market, with over 20,000 real estate products ranging from apartments, terraced houses, villas, to condotels with a total value of more than VND78 trillion ($3.4 billion).

To expand supply, Cen Land has entered into a co-operation with M.I.K Group to become the sales agency of Imperia Smart City. Cen Land has also been assigned to sell The Terra Hao Nam and Grandeur Palace Giang Vo of the developer Van Phu-Invest. Cen Land is selling real estate projects in key markets such as Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc in the resort real estate segment with Casamia Hoi An and VinWonders Phu Quoc.

Cen Land has just signed the partnership agreement with Dwell Realty Vietnam to distribute 100 apartments for customers from Hong Kong (China).

In addition, the company continues to develop the Cen Homes proptech platform and launch an online real estate valuation tool. After two months of upgrading, the app has more than 15,000 downloads on both iOS and Android with over 90 per cent 5-star reviews.

Eurowindow River Park is the first high-rise project in Dong Anh, overlooking the Red River and the Duong River

Capturing the market trends, Cen Land launched Cen Cuckoo  the first large-scale serviced apartment model in Vietnam, which is currently being adopted in Eurowindow River Park apartment buildings (Dong Anh, Hanoi). Cen Land will also expanded its ecosystem with the Cen Zone industrial real estate agency for about 300 industrial parks in Vietnam.

The representative of Cen Land shared in the midst of COVID-19 that many successful transactions have been wrapped up through the Cen Homes proptech platform and the sales force of the company.
Calgary's air quality was rated as unhealthy as higher-polluting regions of China on Monday evening, as heavy smoke blew into the city from wildfires in California.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special air quality statement for the city and surrounding areas at 7:26 p.m., warning that a cold front was moving through southern Alberta bringing in smoke that would reduce visibility and air quality.

The statement ended as of 9:19 p.m.

"What it's doing is actually mixing down some of the smoke that's higher up in the atmosphere from wildfires in California," said Ron Mark, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. "There are fires in B.C. of course as well, and some of that smoke is contributing."

Wildfires in California have destroyed more than 1,000 homes, and have forced more than 200,000 people to flee their communities.

Mark said children, seniors and people with lung problems, like asthma, are especially at risk of negative impacts to their health from the smoke.

"Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath," the agency's statement read.

"People with lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, can be particularly sensitive to air pollution. They will generally experience more serious health effects at lower levels. Pollution can aggravate their diseases, leading to increased medication use, doctor and emergency room visits, and hospital visits."

The World Air Quality Index, a non-profit that tracks air quality from monitoring stations around the world, rated the city's air quality as 152, in the "unhealthy" range, as of 7 p.m. That rating is comparable to China's air quality rating, which was sitting at 155. Clean air is in the 0 to 50 range.

The air in Santa Cruz, California, near the worst of the state's wildfires, was at 298, near the upper end of the scale.

Calgary's air quality had returned to a "good" rating as of 9 p.m.

Story continues

Alberta Health Services website suggests people should close outside windows and doors, avoid running air conditioners, and not using wood burning fireplaces while smoke advisories are in effect.

If you must drive somewhere, keep windows and vents closed and run car fans on recirculate, AHS said. It's also best to reduce levels of physical activity to decrease inhalation of pollutants.

Mark said the smoke was expected to be short-lived, and conditions would improve overnight.

An up-to-date list of weather alerts is available on Environment Canada's website.
The coronavirus pandemic has spread swiftly to almost every corner of the world, infecting more than 23.57 million people and claiming at least 811,000 lives. Early in the pandemic, there was limited data on whether being infected would provide long-lasting immunity against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (orange)also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (green) cultured in the lab. Image captured and colorized at NIAID's Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, Montana. Credit: NIAID

Previous reports of re-infection were noted in several countries, but a definite conclusion of whether it could occur was still unclear. Some experts said that detecting the virus again may mean that these are virus particles or remnants and are not infectious.

Now, a recent report says that a man in Hong Kong is the world's first case of SARS-CoV-2 re-infection.

Here is the press release: pic.twitter.com/oLruPSMdPV  Lilian Cheng (@cwylilian) August 24, 2020

A team of researchers at the University of Hong Kong said that they have proven that a 33-year-old man was infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus for a second time. The man was discharged from a hospital in April but contracted the infection again after returning from Spain via the United Kingdom in August.

The man had symptoms the first time around, but for his second bout of infection, he was asymptomatic. The preprint study, which has been accepted for publication in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, confirmed that the man was re-infected 142 days after his first bout.

Some main parts from the report, if someone wants to read it thoroughly. pic.twitter.com/JIC8coiML7  Lilian Cheng (@cwylilian) August 24, 2020

Is re-infection possible?

The researchers said that many believed that COVID-19 patients who have recovered develop immunity against re-infection since they developed a serum neutralizing antibody response.

However, as the pandemic evolved, there is evidence that some patients have waning antibody levels after a few months, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may persist in the human population, akin to common cold-associated human coronaviruses, even if patients have acquired antibody level after several months.

The case of the man in Hong Kong also shows that for him, his immunity for the virus is short-lived, since he was re-infected 4.5 months after his first infection.

"There are reports that the virus RNA can wax and wane in the respiratory secretions of convalescent patients for up to three months. It is unclear whether these patients are prolonged virus shedders or have re-infection by another strain of SARS-CoV-2 as no viral genome sequencing is performed to differentiate these two possibilities," the researchers said.

The study

The researchers found that viral genomes from the first and second infections belong to different lineages. Overall, a total of 24 nucleotides differ between the viruses from the patient's first and second episodes of the infection. Further, amino acid differences are seen in nine proteins, including A 58-amino acid truncation of ORF8 protein that was only present in the first episode.

According to the genetic analysis conducted by the team, the first infection was a strain of SARS-CoV-2 most closely related to the strains from England or the United States. Meanwhile, the second infection was closely related to strains from England and Switzerland.

Herd immunity is unlikely

The researchers suggest that herd immunity is unlikely to eliminated COVID-19 on its own. Also, a potential vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 may not provide lifelong immunity to the infection.

"Since the immunity can be short-lasting after natural infection, vaccination should also be considered for those with one episode of the infection. Patients with previous COVID-19 infection should also comply with epidemiological control measures such as universal masking and social distancing.

The researchers emphasized that those who have recovered from the illness should not be complacent in terms of public health measures. Recovered patients should still practice proper hand hygiene, physical distancing, and wearing of masks in public places.

However, health experts say that the case is rare and other cases across the globe have not experienced re-infection even after three months after recovering.

"Given the number of global infections to date, seeing one case of re-infection is not that surprising even if it is a very rare occurrence," Dr. Jeffrey Barrett, senior scientific consultant for the Covid-19 genome project at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said. "It may be that second infections, when they do occur, are not serious - though we don't know whether this person was infectious during their second episode," he added.
Thats not to say something cant happen between now and November, but this is the week that Trump needs a reboot. Because its not likely he can change impressions voters have of him, whether pro or con, he and others by necessity will have to try to tear down Biden. On opening day of the convention, much of the focus appeared aimed primarily at energizing the already energized. It was left to a few of the final speakers to reach more broadly.
GERING  Winners in the COVID-19-delayed Oregon Trail Days Rod n Custom Car Show held August 21 were recently announced.

Show Chairperson Mike Minzey said plaques were awarded to the top four entries as selected by show participants. All four of the awards were considered equal.

Chevrolets thoroughly dominated the show as the top four were all representatives of the brand.

Winners were Jack Schmidt of Scottsbluff with his red and white 1960 Impala convertible; Loveland, Colorados Shawna Hoffer with her blue 1971 Chevelle; the 1965 purple C10 pickup of Terrytowns Nadine Schledewitz; and a 1955 black and gray Bel Air convertible shown by Teri Metcalf of Scottsbluff.

Participant numbers were down considerably from the normal eighties to 36, Minzey said, and that may be contributed to COVID-19 health measures and concerns, a rescheduled date, and the drastically reduced activities of OTD.

Ten communities within Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming were represented. Spectator traffic was considered steady, gradually picking up as the evening progressed.

Sponsors Frank Parts, Kare Heilbrun State Farm Insurance, Pony Express Station, Logoz, High Plains Budweiser, Scotts Bluff Area Visitors Bureau and Scottsbluff Valley Street Rods were thanked for their support of the show.

Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
B oris Johnson has said the UK needs to stop being embarrassed about its history in response to reports that the songs Land Of Hope And Glory and Rule Britannia will be performed without the words at the Last Night of the Proms.

Downing Street said the patriotic anthems should not be dropped from the performance this year after reports that organisers feared a backlash in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests.

After Number 10 waded into the controversy, the BBC issued a statement on Monday night saying Land Of Hope And Glory and Rule Britannia! will be performed at the Last Night Of The Proms, but without singing.

The Prime Minister told reporters: I was gonna tweet about this, but I just want to say if it is correct, which I cannot believe that it really is, but if it is correct, that the BBC is saying that they will not sing the words of Land Of Hope And Glory or Rule Britannia! as they traditionally do at the end of The Last Night of The Proms.

I think its time we stopped our cringing embarrassment about our history, about our traditions, and about our culture, and we stopped this general fight of self-recrimination and wetness, I wanted to get that off my chest.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson elbow bumps a welder during his visit to Appledore Shipyard in Devon which was bought by InfraStrata / Getty Images

BBC director-general Lord Hall told BBCs media editor Amol Rajan the broadcaster had come to the right conclusion".

Asked whether there had been a discussion about dropping songs because of their association with Britains imperial history, Lord Hall said: The whole thing has been discussed by David (Pickard, the director) and his colleagues of course it has.

The point is theyve come to the right conclusion, which is its very, very hard in an Albert Hall that takes over 5,000 people to have the atmosphere of the Last Night Of The Proms

Its quite hard creatively and artistically to make that work. I think theyve come to the right conclusion. Who knows what will happen next year. I suspect it will be back.

The fact is we have come to the right conclusion, which is a creative and artistic conclusion, he said on the World At One on BBC Radio 4.

The audience enjoying the BBC Last Night of the Proms in 2014 / PA

The BBC said there had been unjustified personal attacks on social media on Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska, who will be at the helm of the Last Night this year.

Decisions about the Proms are made by the BBC, in consultation with all artists involved, it said.

There will be no live audience to sing along and wave flags because of coronavirus restrictions.

The national anthem will still be sung during the event, which will air on BBC Radio 3 and on BBC One and feature soprano Golda Schultz and the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall in London. A new arrangement of Jerusalem will also be included.

Rule, Britannia Sung At Bbc Proms

The BBC said: The Proms will reinvent the Last Night in this extraordinary year so that it respects the traditions and spirit of the event whilst adapting to very different circumstances at this moment in time.

With much reduced musical forces and no live audience, the Proms will curate a concert that includes familiar, patriotic elements such as Jerusalem and the national anthem, and bring in new moments capturing the mood of this unique time, including Youll Never Walk Alone, presenting a poignant and inclusive event for 2020.

The programme will include a new arrangement by Errollyn Wallen of Hubert Parrys Jerusalem alongside new orchestral versions of Pomp And Circumstance March No 1 Land Of Hope And Glory (arr Anne Dudley) and Rule Britannia! as part of the Sea Songs, as Henry Wood did in 1905.

Earlier, a Number 10 spokesman said Mr Johnson believes in tackling the substance not the symbols of problems, after the Sunday Times reported that the songs could face the axe.

This is a decision and a matter for the organisers of the Proms and the BBC, the spokesman said.

But the PM previously has set out his position on like issues and has been clear that, while he understands the strong emotions involved in these discussions, we need to tackle the substance of problems, not the symbols.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden tweeted: Rule Britannia! and Land of Hope and Glory are highlights of the Last Night of the Proms.

(I) Share concerns of many about their potential removal and have raised this with (the) BBC.

Confident forward-looking nations dont erase their history, they add to it.

Kehinde Andrews, a professor of Black Studies at Birmingham University, told Good Morning Britain that the songs, which date back to the days of the British Empire, do not represent the UK of the 21st century.

He argued that the songs should have been left behind years ago.

Loading....

"I'm sorry, but the fact that we're having this conversation now - that is a disgrace. I remember my school 20 years ago took Rule Britannia off the hymn sheet because they realised it was totally inappropriate and offensive."

Additional reporting by PA Media.
The British cruise line Cunard announced today that it is canceling all cruises through March 25, 2021, and then will operate on a modified schedule because of uncertainty surrounding the industry during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Given the current uncertainty, the complexity of our scheduled World Voyage with our international mix of guests visiting many countries and continents, each with its own evolving travel regulations was a very real factor in our decision making, the cruise line said in a news release.

Cunard said it will extend its pause in operations from November 2020 until March 25, 2021 for its ship Queen Elizabeth; until April 18, 2021 for Queen Mary 2 and until May 16, 2021 for Queen Victoria.

Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said, We are so sorry to all those guests who were due to sail on any of the cancelled voyages and for the disappointment this news will cause.

After very careful consideration and reviewing the latest guidance, we simply do not feel it would be sensible to start sailing again with our current schedule so we have reviewed future itineraries.

Queen Elizabeth has returned to the UK and with ongoing uncertainty over the re-opening of many ports and countries, it is sadly not practical to continue her planned itineraries for 2021.

We are extending our pause in operations and making some itinerary changes for 2021 and 2022.

Here's Simon Palethorpe, President of Cunard, with an update https://t.co/BEloxtRwnR pic.twitter.com/WAtbEHlrvg  cunardline (@cunardline) August 25, 2020 Sample HTML block

In addition, all of Queen Elizabeths scheduled sailings from March 26, 2021, and Dec. 13, 2021, in and around Australia, Japan and Alaska, are canceled.

Cunard said it instead will offer European cruises of shorter duration from three to 14 nights, leaving from Southampton that will start in late March 2021.

New trips on Queen Elizabeth can be booked beginning Sept. 29, 2020.

The cruise line also is offering a World Voyage on Queen Mary 2 in 2022. The World Voyage was cut short this year and the one scheduled for 2021 is canceled. Palethorpe said, This will replace her scheduled sailings departing January 3, 2022 to April 3, 2022, including the voyage to South America.

The new 118 night adventure will depart roundtrip from New York on January 3, 2022 and include calls to Greece, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Australia and Bali before returning to Southampton via Abu Dhabi, Oman, Italy and Portugal.

The ship will sail through the Suez Canal both on the outbound journey and on return. It will be bookable, either as a full world voyage or as one of six sectors, from September 8, 2020.

READ MORE

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, on Monday, swore Mr. John Allotey into office as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, replacing the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.



Mr. Allotey was in an acting capacity until his confirmation as the substantive CEO and served as the Deputy CEO of the Commission.



Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as "Sir John", died on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at the Intensive Care Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.



Meanwhile, Togbega Tsedze Atakora VII, Paramount Chief of Alavanyo Traditional Area, has also been sworn in as a Board Member of the Commission, replacing the late Togbega Gabusu VI, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area.



At a brief ceremony at the Ministry in Accra, Mr. Asomah-Cheremeh charged the two personalities to be bold, forthright, and work assiduously to propel the Commission to a higher level.



He administered the Oaths of Office, Secrecy, and Allegiance to the two gentlemen.



The Minister urged them to continue the good works of the former CEO and execute the mandate of the Commission.



Mr. Allotey, in his acceptance remarks, expressed gratitude to the President for the honour and pledged to work closely with all the stakeholders to achieve the vision and mission of the Commission.



Togbega Atakora, on his part, expressed appreciation to the President for the honour done him.



He commended the former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and current Energy Minister, Mr. John-Peter Amewu, for the good works done at the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region during his tenure as the Municipal Chief Executive.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
More than three-quarters of oil workers in Scotland have considered retraining to find jobs in the renewables industries as 80 percent of Scottish oil and gas workers believe that their careers could be impacted by actions being taken to tackle climate change, a survey for industry body Scottish Renewables showed on Tuesday.

The new study found that 77 percent of oil workers in Scotland are positive about retraining to join the renewables industry, the survey found, as the UK offshore oil and gas industry, as well as the sector employment, suffered from the coronavirus crisis and the plunge in oil prices and demand.

Earlier this year, OGUK, the leading representative body for the UKs offshore oil and gas industry, warned that up to 30,000 jobs could be lost in the UK North Sea oil and gas sector as a result of the crisis.

OGUK called for the transition to net-zero to be put at the heart of recovery plans.

If the UK is to maintain its supply of domestic energy, protect jobs and build the critical infrastructure it needs to transition to a net zero future, ours is an industry worth fighting for, OGUK Chief Executive Deirdre Michie said in April.

Its why OGUK is today outlining a three-stage framework with a range of measures for governments and regulators to support industry now, stimulate a recovery and accelerate the transition to a net zero future, Michie added.

Currently, the equivalent of 90 percent of Scotlands electricity demand is met from renewables like wind and solar power, Scottish Renewables said, noting that the clean energy sector is an opportunity for the oil and gas workers who are now facing redundancies.

These professionals possess a high level of skills and expertise which, with the right support from government to create a clear pipeline of projects to meet our climate change targets, can be utilised to help develop and grow the renewable energy workforce we will need, Scottish Renewables Chief Executive Claire Mack said.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
According to a July report from Yelp, more than 1,100 businesses shut their doors across Connecticut during the coronavirus pandemic.

Between March 1 and July 10, 1,162 businesses in Connecticut closed their doors, both temporarily and permanently, according to data provided from the crowd-sourced review website Yelp. Of those businesses, 671 were noted as permanently closed as of July 10.

As of July 10, 72,842 businesses were listed as permanently closed nationwide out of the 132,580 total currently closed businesses according to Yelp.

Data was compiled by Yelp based on reported businesses closures on the website as well as consumer search data, consumer interest by business category and diners seated through Yelp.

Scroll below to see which Connecticut metro areas were most impacted by the most business closures:
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Nordstrom

In and around Houston, many of us are working from home in efforts to stop the community spread of COVID-19. Because of that, standard work attire has changed quite a bit. Once upon a time, we donned our best business attire to head into the office. Now, our wardrobes are much more casual.

Some of us can roll out of bed and head straight to our home office without changing. But, let's not forget the web meetings tribe. These are the people who have days filled with Zoom meetings which requires them to still look presentable or half presentable, that is.
Jack Nguyen, partner at international accounting and advisory firm Mazars in Vietnam

There is no doubt that the global supply chain is now evolving and pivoting from China to elsewhere, particularly to ASEAN. Companies operating in China were already starting to shift their manufacturing plants to other lower labour-cost countries a few years ago.

The emergence of the US-China trade spat in 2018 continued the supply chain shift away from China as companies looked to lower their export costs to the United States. However, the two factors mentioned pale in comparison to the tsunami of companies that will shift out of China in the coming years as a result of COVID-19.

Companies around the world have been shocked by the concentration of their manufacturing in China and the tremendous challenge of accessing supplies, particularly personal protective equipment and pharma products, during the height of the pandemic.

Many economies will vie for the companies that are looking to relocate out of China, and those currently oft-mentioned to benefit from the supply chain shift include Mexico, India, Taiwan, and ASEAN markets.

But by all accounts, Vietnam should be the first choice for companies looking to relocate. Vietnam has been mentioned in numerous news outlets and media channels around the world as the country that will benefit the most from the supply chain pivot.

Undoubtedly, other ASEAN countries will also benefit but Vietnam is in the best position to be the new host of companies moving out of China.

The reasons most mentioned are its maturing manufacturing industry, its geographical proximity to China, its emerging skilled and lower-cost labour force, the continuing ease of doing business, and investor-friendly investment laws.

Even before the US-China trade war, Vietnam was widely viewed as the most attractive country for foreign investment. In its most recent ranking of the most suitable locations for global manufacturing among 48 countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific, Cushman & Wakefield ranked Vietnam as the second most cost-competitive manufacturing hub in the world.

Already, since the pandemic outbreak some of the biggest brands in the world have moved their manufacturing out of China to Vietnam. These brand names include Hasbro, Nintendo, Samsung, and Skechers. Apple suppliers Foxconn and Goertek have also moved their operations to Vietnam.

This is already being seen on the ground. There is not a week that goes by when I do not get a call from European or North American companies asking Mazars to assist them moving their manufacturing operations and set up business in Vietnam. However, for Vietnam to maintain its foreign investment momentum and be the leading choice for foreign investors, it must invest and improve itself in several areas.

Even as a clear favourite, Vietnam needs new incentives to attract restructuring manufacturers, Photo: Duc Thanh

Ease of doing business

There is a sense that Vietnam is consciously rolling out policies to improve the ease of doing business for foreign companies. According to the World Bank annual ratings in 2019 and 2018, Vietnam was ranked 70th and 69th, respectively, which is a dramatic improvement from the early 2010s when it was ranked consistently in the high 90s.

Vietnam needs to improve in various areas to continue its climb in the rankings. Less red tape and bureaucracy will go a long way to improve this area. In addition, ending petty corruption and seeking more transparency in issuing business licences and tax assessments will also help.

Investment incentives

The Vietnamese government has identified key areas that it wants investments in. Whereas in the past, when it manufactured low-end garments and textiles after opening its economy in the 1990s, Vietnam is now looking to shift away from low-tech manufacturing products.

Vietnams preference for foreign investments is now in the high-tech manufacturing of automotive vehicles, electronics, medical equipment, and high-end machinery. Thus, the sectors that are receiving preferential treatment or high priority areas for investments are:

- High-tech activities and high-tech ancillary products;

- New energy, clean energy, renewable energy, and energy-saving products;

- Production of key electronic, mechanical products, agricultural machinery, cars, car parts, and shipbuilding;

- Medical examination and treatment, production of medicines, medicine ingredients, and essential medicines;

- Production of IT products, software products, and digital contents;

- Preschool, compulsory, and vocational education; and

- Cultivation, processing of agricultural, forestry, and aquaculture products; afforestation and forest protection; salt production, fishing, and ancillary fishing services; production of plant varieties, animal breads, and biotechnology.

Free trade agreements

Vietnam has in the past decade signed many bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements (FTA). Its recent FTAs include the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the EU-Vietnam FTA. These FTAs will reduce trade tariffs and give it access to markets in North Asia, Europe, and North and South America.

These FTAs should entice European and American export companies to produce their goods in Vietnam and export back to their markets. The trade deals will also give Vietnamese companies access to best business practices and high-tech manufacturing that should improve Vietnams labour productivity.

Demographics and labour

Vietnam, compared to China and other regional countries, is still a country with low labour costs. Wages in Vietnam is about half of what it is in China and lower than neighbouring countries like Singapore and Malaysia.

Vietnams demographics are also very ideal for the countrys development. The workforce is young and large in which the median age is about 30.

Culturally, Vietnam is very similar to China. This factor, along with its land border with China, will make it easier for companies to shift production to Vietnam without the need to uproot its entire supply chain. This will give manufacturers time to develop the local supply chain needed.

Infrastructure funding

As Vietnam readies itself for the increase in manufacturing investments, it needs to improve its infrastructure, particularly in transport and electricity. Regular blackouts and daily traffic jams in the big cities are occurring more frequently, reducing the countrys effectiveness to produce and move goods.

Though many large-scale transport projects are being planned, there should be a focus and priority for projects that can ease traffic gridlocks.

Vietnams focus on renewable energy such as solar and wind power in recent years is encouraging. The annual increase in Vietnams industrial capacity requires more energy than ever and a diversification away from hydropower will help Vietnams production in the future.

Productivity via education and high-tech machineries

Vietnam continues to rank low in productivity when compared to neighbours Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Two areas that need to improve to raise Vietnams productivity are investing in high-tech machineries and developing skilled labour, particularly middle management.

The various FTAs will help Vietnam improve in both areas. While the factors mentioned may seem arduous, Vietnam is already on its way to addressing most of those raised here.

Vietnam was a great investment destination well before the US-China trade war and the pandemic, but post-coronavirus it will be the preferred country for the supply chain move from China.

Successfully addressing all the factors raised will require government willpower and focus, but it is not impossible. The best part for Vietnam is that the country is already recognised as the preferred country for foreign investment and supply chain diversification.

All Vietnam now needs to do is maintain its current momentum, make the necessary improvements, stay the course, and it will be the country that will benefit most in ASEAN from the supply chain shift.
Outwardly, the events may seem similar, but there is one fundamental difference between them, Kuleba said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said the fundamental difference between the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine, which took place in 2013-2014, and the protests that are underway in Belarus, is that Ukrainians sought to change the vector of the country's development, while Belarusians express their dissatisfaction only with the ruling elite.

"I would not compare the situation in 2014 in Ukraine, namely the Maidan, the Revolution of Dignity, and the current events in Belarus. Outwardly, they may seem similar, but there is one fundamental difference between them: in 2014, the Ukrainians sought the development of their state as a European one, it was a matter of choice, whether to return to the Russian-controlled space, or continue moving into a large European family," he said at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Kyiv on August 24, an UNIAN correspondent reports.

"We do not see this choice in Belarus now," Kuleba said.

"We believe that Belarusians, first of all, express their dissatisfaction with the ruling elite, which has been holding power in the country for decades, but now there are no talks in Belarus about choosing the movement of this country," the minister said.

Read alsoKey to Donbas peace lies in Moscow  KulebaKuleba said this is a fundamental difference and must be taken into account.

First of all, the Belarusian people must make a choice, he said.

The minister added the EU would decide how to support the Belarusians in the future based on their choice.

Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine

Mass protests began in the capital city of Kyiv and other Ukrainian settlements after the refusal of the Ukrainian authorities to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. Further escalation of the confrontation led to demands for the resignation of the government and President Viktor Yanukovych, as well as clashes between protesters and law enforcers.

Most people were killed in February 2014 during clashes with law enforcers downtown Kyiv, as well as from bullets from snipers  over 100 people, hundreds were wounded.

The protests, which lasted from late November 2013 till the end of February 2014, were called Euromaidan, Maidan, and later the Revolution of Dignity.

Belarus protests: background
Germanys Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has appealed for de-escalation of tension in the eastern Mediterranean between NATO allies Greece and Turkey, warning that a spark could lead to a disaster.

While a visit to both countries failed to make any concrete deals, Maas said on Tuesday there is still a readiness for dialogue by the two neighbours as both sides do not want to settle their dispute by military means.

I hear from all sides that the readiness to dialogue exists and that is why we regard it as achievable, Maas said at a news conference in Ankara with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, after earlier visiting Greece.

Greece and Turkey have been locked in an increasingly acrimonious dispute for weeks  placing their militaries on alert and sending warships to shadow each other  over maritime boundaries and offshore prospecting rights.

Both countries announced military exercises on Tuesday in sections of a broad area between Crete and Cyprus, where the Turkish research vessel Oruc Reis is carrying out seismic research escorted by Turkish warships.

Athens says the vessel is over the Greek continental shelf, where it has exclusive rights on potential undersea gas and oil deposits, and has sent its warships to shadow the Turkish flotilla.

Late last year, Ankara reached an agreement with the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya that it says grants Turkey drilling rights across a corridor of the eastern Mediterranean  much of it within the maritime jurisdiction Greece also claims.

Greece, Cyprus and other regional actors have denounced the Turkish-Libyan agreement as illegal, which Turkey denies.

Turkey is also prospecting for hydrocarbons in waters where Cyprus claims exclusive economic rights.

The current situation in the eastern Mediterranean is  playing with fire, and any spark  however small  could lead to a disaster, Maas said earlier after meeting his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias.

No one can have an interest in that, and certainly not in a military confrontation between NATO partners and neighbours.

Maximalist approach

Maas said he had travelled to Athens with two messages: One message is that Germany and the whole European Union stand by Greece in firm solidarity.

The other  equally important  message is that what we now need absolutely and immediately are signals of de-escalation and a readiness for dialogue, he said.

For his part, Cavusoglu said on Tuesday Greece must abandon its maximalist approach and conditions for dialogue to begin, adding that Ankara also expects the EU to act as an honest and objective mediator.

We are open to talks without pre-conditions, he told reporters. But, when one side starts imposing pre-conditions, then there are many things we will put forth too. Before anything, Greece needs to abandon its maximalist approach, he added.

Maas and Dendias addressing reporters in Athens [Stringer/Eurokinissi/AFP]

Neo-Ottoman

Dendias, meanwhile, accused Turkey of continuing to provoke its neighbour and displaying neo-Ottoman ideology. He said Greece would protect its sovereign rights and interests against its much bigger and more heavily armed neighbour.





As we speak, Turkey continues to act illegally, to escalate, to provoke, Dendias said. Instead of a de-escalation, we are witnessing new provocations. We are witnessing the attempt to implement expansionist aims against neighbours and allies.

Lawrence Brennan, a retired US navy captain and a Professor of Admiralty and International Maritime Law at Fordham Law School told Al Jazeera that Greece and Turkey will need to look to compromise.

The problem has been escalating for months, there is a risk of military intervention and the rhetoric continues to heat up, Brennan said.

To have two NATO allies come to blows, whether its intentionally or accidentally would be a horrible event that would set back progress and economic development for years if not decades, Brennan said.

Maass visits came as Greece begins a navy and air force exercise southeast of Crete and south of the Greek island of Kastellorizo.

Turkeys defence ministry tweeted that two Turkish frigates and an Italian destroyer also conducted training in the eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday to improve coordination and interoperability.

A Turkish official had said the training would last for just a few hours.

Adding to the tangle of overlapping drills, Cypruss defence ministry said warplanes and navy ships from France, Italy, Greece and Cyprus would be holding air and sea military exercises off the east Mediterranean island nation starting on Wednesday.

France and Greece will deploy both aircraft and warships as part of the August 26-28 drills, while Cyprus will activate its air defence system to test its capabilities.

A binding and peaceful solution of the disputed questions in the eastern Mediterranean ultimately will only be possible via direct talks between Greece and Turkey, as already were agreed once and should actually long since have taken place, Maas said.

It is clear that such talks can only take place and be successful in a constructive environment, and for that, all destructive activities must be ended and provocations refrained from in the time ahead of us, he added.

Germany has been seeking to mediate in the crisis for weeks now, Chancellor Angela Merkel having conducted talks separately with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The talks come ahead of an EU foreign ministers conference set to take place on Thursday and Friday in Berlin.
A 10th person has been charged with terrorism offences as part of a police crackdown on dissident republican group the New IRA.

Eight have already appeared before Belfast Magistrates Court following 10 arrests as part of Operation Arbacia and two more will be brought before a district judge in the morning.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray described the operation as significant and carefully planned.

Op Arbacia  ninth person charged. pic.twitter.com/gXwMC9ZHty  Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) August 24, 2020

Last week the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested 10 people, eight men and two women, under the terrorism act as part of a significant and carefully planned operation called Arbacia, she said.

This is an ongoing and co-ordinated investigation into activities of the New IRA and involves partners such as MI5, An Garda Siochana, Police Scotland and the Metropolitan Police Service.

Eight people have been charged with a total of 34 terrorist offences. All have been remanded in custody.

I can now confirm a ninth person has been charged with four terrorist offences. Overall these offences include directing terrorism, preparatory acts of terrorism, membership of a proscribed organisation, conspiracy of possess explosives with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life. These offences speak for themselves.

The New IRA is believed to be responsible for the shooting death of journalist Lyra McKee while she observed a riot in Londonderry in April 2019.

A police road block close to the scene where an explosive device was detonated at Wattle Bridge close to Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh, as police and Army bomb disposal officers were searching the area (PA)

It is currently believed to be the largest of the dissident republican groups in Northern Ireland, and has been blamed for a number of attacks on police, including a bomb attack in Wattlebridge, Co Fermanagh in August 2019 and five letter bombs found at locations across Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland in March 2019.

ACC Gray later added: A 10th person has been charged as part of Operation Arbacia, an ongoing investigation into the activities of the New IRA.

A 62-year-old man from Scotland has been charged with an offence of preparatory acts of terrorism.

He is due to appear at Laganside Court on Tuesday 25 August.

She described Operation Arbacia as a longer term probe into every aspect of the activities of the New IRA in its entirety. Keeping the public safe is at the heart of this operation, she said.

Previous investigations have shown time and time again that we have seen the New IRA does not care who it hurts or what it destroys. They do not care about the communities they come from, they care for no one. They are reckless, they are manipulative and they exploit.

We have seen how they send young people on to the streets, how they dont care if kids are likely to find guns and explosives where they are playing. It is really disappointing that decades on from the Good Friday Agreement there are still groups who are using and hiding bombs and bullets in residential areas and putting their own agendas above the rights of the community who want to live and thrive in peace.

Communities are key and have shown their power in coming together to protect each other during a global pandemic. Now is the time to continue the effort, policing with the community is at the heart of what we do, we are committed towards working with communities towards meaningful change.
Apple is all set to open its online store in India next month. The store will be ready for operations ahead of the Diwali festive season in the country when consumer spending sees a massive uptick.

Regulations from the Indian government meant that Apple was not allowed to open its direct online store in the country so far. However, the rules were relaxed by the Indian government last year and Apple had planned to launch its online store in the country within months after that. Due to the coronavirus pandemic though, Apples plans got delayed by a few months though. The regulations had mandated that Apple and other foreign tech companies source at least 30 percent of the components used in their products locally.

Apple is also working on opening its first retail store in India in Mumbai slated to open sometime next year in BKC. This will be followed by another retail store in Bangalore, right in the heart of the city near Minsk Square. Apple owning a digital store in India will be a big move as the company shifts at least a part of its supply chain to India due to the US-China trade war. Apple recently also started assembling the new iPhone SE and the iPhone 11 in India to meet local demand. This allows the company to bypass a number of custom duties that it would have otherwise had to pay had the devices been directly imported from China.

Apple products are already available online through major e-retailers like Flipkart, Amazon, and various other Apple authorized resellers. However, Apple having its own direct digital store in the country should offer customers a superior shopping experience similar to the US and other markets.

We Want to Hear From You

Are you excited about Apple opening its online store in India? Will you prefer to buy products from the companys online store over other e-retailers?

[Via Bloomberg
The Indian army and the Chinese Peoples Liberation army may be caught in a tense border stand-off along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh but both armies are likely to send troop contingents to Russia next month to take part in a multi-lateral exercise, people familiar with the developments said on Tuesday.

Talks between the two armies to reduce border tensions are stuck in a stalemate and the disengagement process in Ladakh has hit a roadblock.

The Pakistan army is also likely to take part in the exercise Kavkaz-2020, said one of the officials cited above. Eighteen countries are expected to take part in the exercise, including the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

While it is not uncommon for the armies of India, China and Pakistan to be part of multi-nation exercises on neutral territories (they even deploy alongside in United Nations peace missions), the exercise planned next month assumes importance because of the ongoing border row in the Ladakh sector, said a second official.

Participation of Pakistan and China in this annual event as part of the SCO should not be contextualised in the perspective of the India-China border row, said former army vice chief Lieutenant General AS Lamba (retd).

India is sending a tri-services contingent of 150 to 200 personnel to Russia for the drills scheduled from September 15 to 26. Details of the Chinese and Pakistani participation are not known.

India and China were unable to bridge their differences on the disengagement and de-escalation process along the LAC during diplomatic talks last week, with New Delhi emphasising the need to resolve outstanding issues speedily, as reported by Hindustan Times on August 20.

People familiar with developments during the meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs dismissed an assertion in a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry that the two sides had positively evaluated the progress in the disengagement process.

The military dialogue between senior commanders from the two sides has hit a roadblock due to Chinese reluctance to restore status quo ante in some key friction areas along the LAC. The commanders set the time-frame and method of disengagement while the WMCC monitors the process.

No dates have yet been fixed for the next round of talks between corps commander-ranked officers who have so far met five times but failed to break the deadlock.
Note: This article first appeared in the July edition of the Counter Markets newsletter.

In 1982, Special Advisor to the Department of Educations Office of Research and Improvement, Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt, blew the whistle on Project BEST (Better Education Skills through Technology). A sub-project of President Ronald Reagans Private Sector Initiative, Project BEST was a plan to corporatize the American education system through public-private partnerships with Big Tech companies which replace human teachers with Skinnerian teaching machines programmed with psychological conditioning algorithms that train students for workforce placement in a planned economy.

Now, almost fifty years later, the next phase of Project BEST is being rammed through under the duress of COVID-19 lockdown, which has forced the entire US education system to shut down brick-and-mortar classrooms with human teachers in order to convert to virtual schools that deliver online instruction through adaptive learning software (the modern digitalized version of the Skinner box teaching computers engineered for Project BEST) and socio-emotional learning (SEL) biofeedback wearables (devices that data-mine students stimulus-response biometrics to implement Skinnerian operant-conditioning).

While teachers and students are held virtual hostage during COVID lockdown, Disaster Capitalists are using the Shock Doctrine of Creative Destruction to exploit the crisis by deregulating the new federal rules for Distance Learning and Innovation (85 FR 18638), which relax the oversight requirements for adaptive learning systems of artificial intelligence, such as Knewton and Clever, which are both funded by Bilderberger Peter Thiel: the speech writer for former US Secretary of Education Bill Bennet, who was in charge of Project BEST. At the same time, emergency COVID funds are being dished out by the current Secretary of Ed, Betsy DeVos, as the Department of Ed is paying out federal CARES Act aid to finance school districts in their efforts to upgrade their technology infrastructure with adaptive-learning AI and SEL data-mining that can be facilitated through virtual charter-schooling corporations, such as K12 Inc., which was set up by Bennett and funded by DeVos.

Fueled by this windfall of CARES stimulus, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on May 5th his emergency COVID plans to Build Back Better through a partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Bilderberger Eric Schmidt, who is Technical Advisor of Alphabet Inc., which is Googles parent company. This partnership between the State of New York, the Technical Advisor of Googles parent company, and the Gates Foundation is called Reimagine Education: the same subtitle that Secretary DeVos has given to a special CARES competition called Reimagine Workforce Preparation.

After much public backlash following Cuomos announcement to Reimagine Education, the corporate media has published no further reports detailing any specifics of this public-private educational partnership between New York, the Gates Foundation, and Alphabets CEO. But a review of the Gates Foundations educational grants over the months during COVID lockdown indicate that New Yorks Reimagine partnership will Build Back Better by implementing Big Data platforms that aggregate adaptive-learning algorithms and SEL biometrics from the entire student body in order to track such cognitive-behavioral and socioemotional data for the purposes of prescribing students into workforce job castes through virtual career pathways curriculums regimented by a technocratically planned economy.

Reimagine Surveillance Capitalism with InnovateEDU and Google Classroom

Looking into grantees in the Gates Foundations Grants database, it appears that Gates contracts with the New York non-profit InnovateEDU, which partners with Google, are a key pillar of the Reimagine Education revolution being pushed by Gates, Cuomo, and Schmidt. In the months of April and May during COVID lockdown, the Gates Foundation paid out two grants to the New York-based InnovateEDU, which has recently developed a Data Extraction Tool for Google Classroom During COVID-19. By aggregating all student and teacher data collected through Google Classroom Connector, InnovateEDUs Data Extraction Tool links up with Googles BigQuery in order to centralize and streamline data-mining of student-learning metrics, including cognitive-behavioral and socio-emotional algorithms, which can track students into career-pathways programmed to fill job quotas in a planned economy.

Funded by a total of $2,297,584 in Gates Foundation grants, InnovateEDU describes itself on its website as

a Brooklyn-based [New York] non-profit whose mission is to eliminate the achievement gap by accelerating innovation in Common Core-aligned, next generation learning models and tools that serve, inform, and enhance teaching and learning. InnovateEDU convenes students, teachers, entrepreneurs, and designers to re-imagine [my emphasis] and reinvent education We address trends in education, including: growth and use of technology and broadband infrastructure, advances in the learning sciences, [and] the societal drive toward personalization as an aspect of education innovation.

Notice that the New York-based InnvoateEDU self-describes its mission with the slogan re-imagine . . . education, which echoes the title of Governor Cuomos Reimagine Education partnership the Gates Foundation and Alphabets Technical Advisor, Eric Schmidt, who was also the former CEO of Google.

The Brooklyn-based InnovateEDU, which partners with innovation-friendly New York City public schools, is jockeying to help with COVID distance learning by personalizing student edu-conditioning through next generation learning models and tools facilitated by a corporate partnership with Google: a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. where Schmidt is currently CEO.

A press release from InnovateEDU announces that its contract with Google sets up a free, open-source Google Classroom Connector to any school or district that utilizes G Suite for Education. The PR Newswire press release, which is titled InnovateEDU Develops Free, Open-Source Data Extraction Tool for Google Classroom During COVID-19, states that,

Once a school or district runs the Google Classroom Connector in their Google Cloud environment, they will be able to:

Bring all of the Google Classroom data to one place in BigQuery;

Gain access to a variety of Google Classroom data ranging from percentage of students completing assignments or the number of classes that have been created;

Copy and use InnovateEDUs Google Classroom report templates in their own Data Studio instance; and

Maintain data securely in their districts Google Cloud environment and allows administrators and teachers to gain meaningful insights into Google Classroom.

To simplify, this corporate partnership between Google and InnovateEDU aggregates Google Classroom data from students and instructors by tabulating their teaching and learning metrics into the BigQuery database, which can be data-mined by school administrators and their public-private ed-tech partners in order to improve learning outcomes by personalizing digital lessons, including competency-based workforce-conditioning lessons tailored to students unique cognitive-behavioral and socio-emotional psychometrics.

In sum, five days before (April 30th) and then seven days after (May 12th) New Yorks Governor Cuomo announced his Reimagine Education partnership with Alphabets Eric Schmidt and the Gates Foundation (May 5th), New Yorks InnovateEDU, which reimagine[s] . . . education, received two grants from the Gates Foundation. Six days later (May 18th), InnovateEDU announced its mission to help COVID distance learning through its new BigQuery data-mining partnership with Google: a subsidiary of Schmidts Alphabet Inc.

Google Wants to Send Your Kids Socio-Emotional Wellness Checks to Data-Mine Their Mental Health

About two weeks before Cuomo announced New Yorks Reimagine partnership with Schmidt and Gates, Google published an article on its Keyword blog titled Check in on Emotional Well-Being During Distance Learning, which promotes the use of various Google platforms to facilitate social emotional learning to help students with the added stresses of COVID lockdown. The author of the Google Keyword article, Alicia Salmeron, who is a member of the Google for Education Team, encourages teachers to utilize Googles G Suite for Education (GSFE) to [c]reate emotional check-in opportunities by

[u]s[ing] Google Forms to reach out to students with an emotional-health questionnaire  The responses, which are collected in a Google Sheet, can guide teachers in identifying which students need more support. Encouraging students to write out their emotions is a good tool for allowing students to become self-aware about what theyre feeling and why  Teachers can use Google Classroom to send wellness reminders to studentseverything from a quick message like Take a quick movement break! to sharing a mindfulness activity from YouTube.

With the help of InnovatEDUs BigQuery partnership, all student socioemotional data recorded on Googles GSFE platforms can be aggregated and data-mined to improve personalized SEL lessons that are aligned with standardized SEL competencies regimented by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), which is endorsed by Google.

It should be noted here that GSFE, formerly known as Google Apps for Education (GAFE), was sued by University of California-Berkley students, along with hundreds of class-action litigants from twenty-one other states, because GAFE allegedly excavated their student emails to extract data for noneducational market R&D. Education Week reports that,

[i]n 2014, during a federal class-action lawsuit that was ultimately settled, Google acknowledged to Education Week that it inappropriately scanned and indexed the email messages of millions of students using the service. Google officials say the company has since stopped that practice. Nonetheless, Googles GSFE has also come under fire from another lawsuit filed by former Mississippi State Attorney General, Jim Hood, who publicly stated that, [t]hrough this lawsuit, we want to know the extent of Googles data mining and marketing of student information to third parties . . . I dont think there could be any motivation other than greed for a company to deliberately keep secret how it collects and uses student information.

With so many lawsuits filed against Google for its illegal data-mining of GAFE/GSFE apps, how will InnovateEDUs partnership with BigQuery be used to ramp up Googles dragnet practices of tracking and selling student data, including socioemotional-learning metrics, to third parties?

In the meantime, during the COVID lockdown, the Gates Foundation has issued a $213,640 grant to the Fund for the City of New York to support research around the relationship between growth in SEL competencies and growth in academic outcomes. This Gates grant bankrolls the City of New York to finance competency-based SEL, which is streamlined by Google through the use of GSFE apps that are data-mined by BigQuery linked to the New York-based InnovateEDU, which is funded by the Gates Foundation.

From inBloom to Learnsphere to BigQuery . . . from Big Data to Big Brother

This BigQuery datahub, which compiles InnovateEDUs Google Classroom data into a single digital platform, is essentially akin to the Learnsphere database that is modeled after the defunct inBloom data-cloud. In my book, School World Order: The Technocratic Globalization of Corporatized Education, I document how Learnsphere, like its inBloom predecessor, is a massive public-private repository that aggregates data, such as students cognitive-behavioral and socio-emotional learning analytics, from schools across the globe in order to build better e-learning products through machine learning and deep learning algorithms engineered for the purposes of evolving artificial intelligence for ed-tech.

Originally called the Shared Learning Collaborative, inBloom was created with funding from the Gates Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, both of which are currently financing InnovateEDU. From 2011 to 2014, inBloom partnered with the New York City School District to tabulate copious student data through an operating system from the NewsCorp subsidiary Wireless Generation, which then aggregated these student data in a web cloud managed by the Amazon Corporation, which has also built a similar web-based computing cloud that streamlines data dossiers for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

In 2014, after fighting against testimony from the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), and after battling a lawsuit filed with the New York State Supreme Court, inBloom caved in to mounting public backlash against its third-party data-sharing practices as it terminated all of its contracts and shut down all operations.

Picking up where inBloom left off, a $5 million grant from the federal government through the National Science Foundation was dispersed to Carnegie Mellon University for the purposes of launching Learnsphere, a not-for-profit distributed repository for digitally sharing student data with third parties including for-profit vendors. Learnspheres distributed infrastructure consists of several interconnected datahubs, including an ASSISTments data repository [that] contains datasets from secondary school interactions with an online tutoring system, in many cases as part of online experiments of what learning works best.

In addition, Learnsphere data-miners can utilize

[t]he Educational Data Mining Workbench [which] support[s] learning scientists to perform a number of analytic tasks including 1) define and modify behavior categories of interest (e.g., gaming, unresponsiveness, off-task conversation, help avoidance), 2) label previously collected educational log data with the categories of interest, 3) validate inter-rater reliability between multiple labelers of the same educational log data corpus, and 4) provide support for running the labeled data through a machine-learning tool, such as WEKA or RapidMine.

To simplify, Learnspheres Data Mining Workbench aggregates student data so that learning scientists can evolve AI ed-tech through a machine-learning tool that scans learning analytics from behavior categories, such as cognitive-behavioral stimulus-response algorithms and socioemotional-biofeedback algorithms that track unresponsiveness, off-task conversation, help avoidance, etc.

According to Learnspheres LearnLab DataShops, the learning scientists who are eligible to access Learnspheres digital edu-conditioning databanks include Educational data miner[s], such as Computer scientist[s], Psychometrician[s], [and] Learning analytics researcher[s]; Course developer[s] [and] Educational technology researcher[s], such as ITS/AIED researcher[s] [and] User modeling researcher[s]; and Psychologist[s], such as Cognitive scientist[s] [and] Educational psychologist[s].

In brief, Learnspheres distributed databases are collated so that learning engineers can synthesize massive pools of students psychological data for the purposes of evolving adaptive-learning and SEL-biofeedback algorithms to build artificial intelligence for ed-tech.

Like Learnsphere and inBloom, InnovateEDUs BigQuery partnership is a similar Big Data project geared to streamline and accelerate the evolution of socioemotional-biofeedback and cognitive-behavioral adaptive-learning algorithms for the purposes of progressively engineering learning analytics delivered through post-human artificial intelligence designed by Big Tech companies that partner with Big Government to manage a techno-fascist planned economy. It should be noted here that the Gates-funded InnovateEDU is also financed by the Chan Zuckerberg Foundation, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the Silicon Valley Family Foundation, the New York Community Trust, and the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development.

In addition, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of InnovateEDU, Erin Mote, has

work[ed] with Intel, Cisco, Google and HP. Erin has served in an advisory capacity to the White House/OSTPs US Ignite Initiative, the Presidents Global Development Innovation Policy, the State Departments TechCamp program, and the Obama Administrations intra-agency process for Rio 2.0 and Rio+20. Erin served as the founding Chief of Party for the USAID Global Broadband and Innovations Alliance  a $19.5 million global technology expansion project.

It should also be noted that Mote leads the development of Cortex, a next generation learning platform, student information system, and formative assessment engine that supports personalized learning. Motes colleague, Nicolle Beneventano, is InnovateEDUs Project Manager for Cortex, which shares its own Ed-Fi operational data store (ODS) with Learnspheres Big Data repository.

In sum, between BigQuery and Cortex, InnovateEDUs reimagine data-mining partnerships are expanding upon Learnspheres distributed infrastructure of Big Data analytics designed to evolve post-human AI ed-tech.

Disrupting Class with Creative Destruction

The Gates Foundations Reimagine Education initiative is part of its larger Disaster Capitalist mission to exploit COVID lockdown as an opportunity for Creative Destruction that will ram through the mass-institutionalization of disruptive technologies which destroy the tradition of human teachers in brick-and-mortar schoolrooms in order to create a new public-private industry of learning analytics engineered by communitarian partnerships between Big Tech and Big Government.

The partnership between Google and the Gates-financed InnovateEDU is a prime example of how the Reimagine Education campaign is fueled by a Disaster Capitalist stratagem to capitalize on Joseph Schumpeters economic principle of Creative Destruction by heavily subsidizing disruptive ed-tech that digitally automates school lessons through virtual classrooms which facilitate COVID distance learning by replacing human teachers and brick-and-mortar schoolhouses while the latter are forced to shut down due to COVID lockdown. According to InnovateEDUs company website, InnovateEDU is committed to massively disrupting [my emphasis] K-12 public education by focusing on the development of scalable tools and practices that leverage innovation, technology [my emphasis], and new human capital systems to improve education for all students and close the achievement gap.

By advancing technology to massively disrupt . . . education for the purposes of leverag[ing] innovation, InnovateEDU is explicitly proclaiming its commitment to Schumpeters Creative Destruction economics. And by exploiting the Shock Doctrine of COVID lockdown as an opportunity to partner with Google and the Gates Foundation to massively expand Big Data-mining through BigQuery, InnovateEDU is clearly exploiting Disaster Capitalist schemes to Build Back Better by enhancing its creative disruption of traditional schooling with technocratic AI learning analytics.

In brief, through partnerships with BigQuery and Cortex, the Gates-financed InnovateEDU is fulfilling its reimagination of education by expanding ed-tech data-tracking that massively disrupts traditional schooling by streamlining massive pools of cognitive-behavioral and socio-emotional learning analytics to improve AI algorithms which will destroy traditional teacher feedback as new automated instructional algorithms are created to disrupt human teacher feedback with digital stimulus-response feedback programmed to condition students for workforce competence in a techno-fascist planned economy managed by human capital systems.

In alignment with the Gates Foundations disruptive tech partnership with InnovateEDU, the Gates philanthropy has paid out $1,375,414 to the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, which declares itself a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank dedicated to improving the world through Disruptive Innovation  [T]he Institute offers a unique framework for understanding many of societys most pressing issues including education, healthcare, and economic prosperity.

In the fields of K-12 Education and Higher Education, the Clayton Christensen thinktank promotes advancements in disruptive ed-tech Software and Hardware (including adaptive learning courseware and other artificial intelligence programs). The thinktank also advocates for disruptive innovation in K-12 and higher education through partnerships with For-Profit Providers on the cutting edge of Data & Assessment, Personalized and Blended Learning, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Social Capital, Competency-Based Learning, and Workforce Readiness.

On May 27th during the COVID lockdown, three weeks after the announcement of the Gates-Schmidt-Cuomo collaboration to Reimagine Education, the Gates Foundation issued a special $294,914 grant to the Institute for Disruptive Innovation for the purposes of understand[ing] what motivates districts to adopt continuous improvement practices to improve outcomes that are predictive of post-secondary success.

To sum up, the Gates Foundations partnerships with InnovateEDU and the Institute for Disruptive Innovation are illustrative of the Gates philanthropys broader Disaster Capitalist enterprise, which is stage-managing the Creative Destruction of the old schooling system in order to usher in a new techno-fascist system of AI edu-conditioning that Naomi Klein calls a Screen New Deal. Built on surveillance capitalism, what Klein labels as the Screen New Deal is nothing less than the next phase of Project BEST as the Gates Foundation bankrolls Reimagine Education partnerships with Big Tech corporations that deploy disruptive technologies for tracking students learning analytics into psychological profiles which rank the students cognitive-behavioral and socio-emotional competence algorithms into Social Credit Scores that determine their job placement in a digital workforce caste system.

Reimagine a Global Screen New Deal: Build Back a Better School World Order

The Gates Foundations Screen New Deal is not limited to the Reimagine Education initiative in the State of New York. Indeed, the Gates Foundations Reimagine campaign is being mirrored by the US Department of Education, which has issued a national Reimagine Workforce Preparation competition that awards CARES stimulus money to schools applying for grants that pay for new career pathways curriculums facilitated by adaptive learning courseware and other virtual e-learning management systems online. Expanding the Screen New Deal agenda beyond the USA, the Gates Foundation has dumped out over a quarter billion dollars in grants to Reimagine educational institutions across the globe.

During the COVID-lockdown months from March 1st through June 2nd, the Gates Foundation poured out at least 203 grants totaling no less than $228,261,262 to Reimagine education systems across the globe. These Gates grants financed corporate charter schools, public-private community schools, virtual/online edu-corporations, ed-tech companies, socioemotional-learning non-profits and universities on basically every continent. Altogether, these combined grants set up public-private ed-tech infrastructures for social distance learning networks to be AI data-mined by Chinese-style Social Credit algorithms which score students cognitive-behavioral, socio-emotional, and biological health metrics to determine the students access to education, employment, healthcare, housing, transportation, and even due process.

Post-Human AI Ed-Tech: More than 10% of this quarter billion dollars was allocated for the advancement of post-human education through the technocratic digitalization of teaching and learning. Specifically, $29,639,942 was assigned to pay for improvements in internet connectivity, ed-tech, instructional systems, virtual instruction, virtual tutoring, simulations, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other digital tools and computer platforms to provide distance learning and blended learning that utilize data and algorithms to enable self-directed learning and personalize[d] learning for competency-based education.

More than 10% of this quarter billion dollars was allocated for the advancement of post-human education through the technocratic digitalization of teaching and learning. Specifically, $29,639,942 was assigned to pay for improvements in internet connectivity, ed-tech, instructional systems, virtual instruction, virtual tutoring, simulations, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other digital tools and computer platforms to provide distance learning and blended learning that utilize data and algorithms to enable self-directed learning and personalize[d] learning for competency-based education. Corporate-Fascist Workforce Planning: Another 9.8% ($22,523,954) has been allotted to finance the corporatization of education through public-private charter schools, including virtual charter schools and other school choice programs, including workforce development and economic planning projects, such as career pathways, cradle-to-career, and other school-to-work initiatives for lifelong learning.

Another 9.8% ($22,523,954) has been allotted to finance the corporatization of education through public-private charter schools, including virtual charter schools and other school choice programs, including workforce development and economic planning projects, such as career pathways, cradle-to-career, and other school-to-work initiatives for lifelong learning. COVID Tech Upgrades for Distance Learning and Contact Tracing: Another 24% ($56,404,599) is issued specifically for COVID expenses, including technology infrastructure upgrades to facilitate distance learning and other social distancing procedures along with COVID surveillance for testing, tracking, and treatment. It should be noted that an additional $119,284,137 (52%) are disseminated to Global Health projects at universities, such as human organ chip research and vaccine studies between Zheijiang University of China and GAVI (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations), which partners with Microsoft at the ID2020 Global Biometric Identification project: an international thinktank that promotes an Orwellian version of blockchain technologies to microchip the whole planet.

With more than a quarter billion dollars dumped into a hi-tech concoction of post-human AI ed-tech that tracks psychometric and biometric data for workforce placement and contact tracing of COVID-19, it is evident that the Gates Foundations technocratic stratagem to Reimagine global education is aiming to Build Back Better by setting up a global surveillance grid that institutes a worldwide system of dystopian Social Credit, which will utilize the internet of things to data-mine students digital psychological profiles in order to virtually dictate whether they get access to schools, jobs, hospitals, housing, transportation, and even due process.

Welcome to the School World Order.

***

John Klyczek has an MA in English and has taught college rhetoric and research argumentation for over eight years. His literary scholarship concentrates on the history of global eugenics and Aldous Huxleys dystopic novel, Brave New World. He is the author of School World Order: The Technocratic Globalization of Corporatized Education (TrineDay Books); and he is a contributor to the Centre for Research on Globalization, OpEdNews, the Intrepid Report, the Dissident Voice, Blacklisted News, Activist Post, News With Views, The Saker, Rense News, David Icke News, Natural News, and the SGT Report. He is also the Director of Writing and Editing at Black Freighter Productions (BFP) Books. His website is schoolworldorder.info.
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), has commended governments policy proposal of the provision of free Wi-Fi facilities at all Senior Secondary Schools and public tertiary institutions nationwide if given another four-year mandate in the upcoming presidential elections in December 2020.



According to the President of NAGRAT, Eric Angel Carbonu, the implementation of the promise will among other things, lift the associated cost burden on institutions.



This promise means that the huge challenge is going to be taken away from us; that is the cost in acquiring and purchasing data. It is a very useful thing if it is done. It will help us and help teaching and learning. We all know that in this COVID-19 era if we have had a very strong infrastructural base in IT, we wouldnt have had problems, he said in an interview on Accra based radio station, Citi FM on Monday, August 24, 2020.



Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at the launch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)s 2020 manifesto in Cape Coast over the weekend, promised that Senior High Schools and tertiary institutions will be provided free Wi-Fi for their studies.



We will also complete the provision of free Wi-Fi in all Senior Secondary Schools and public tertiary institutions, he added.



He also has revealed that tertiary students will be able to access students loans without the need for a guarantor if the Akufo-Addo led government is given another four-year mandate in the upcoming December elections.



The beneficiaries will be given a year moratorium after NSS before they will be required to pay back the loans, he said.



He added that the Nana Addo administration will also focus on improving 10,000 low-performing schools in the country.



This, he said, will be done by giving them additional funding and support the teachers so they can raise the level of performance these schools.



In addition, he said the Akufo-Addo led government will build module senior high schools in Zongo communities in the 16 regions of Ghana.



According to Dr. Bawumia, government will increase resources and infrastructure for special need education across the country.



The Vice President also said that the administration will expand infrastructure to increase access to professional legal education.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Father and son kayakers were rescued by a New Jersey State Police marine unit on Barnegat Bay off Island Beach State Park late Sunday after they were unable to make it to shore before nightfall, a police report said.

Ken Staunton and his son, Christopher, were unable to navigate back to the docks from where they launched following an unexpected storm and the onset of darkness, State Police spokesman Trooper Alejandro Goez said.

At 10:10 p.m., two troopers, Detective Sgt. Kenneth Lutz and Sgt. Christopher Carney, set out to find the pair who had been fishing in the bay.

They found the pair around 11:30 p.m. stranded in the Sedge Island off the southwestern edge of Island Beach State Park. Shallow water near the island led to the pair paddling a short distance out to a State Police rescue boat after troopers illuminated the path. The troopers then brought them to shore.

Father and son were safely returned to shore. Neither was injured in the ordeal.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
The Serbian Minister for Finance, Sinisa Mali, has said the government will assist Air Serbia with the repayment of two loans, valued 52.9 million US dollars and 63 million dollars, noting that the carrier is of national interest. The airline, which unsuccessfully attempted to reduce the repayment of the loans by 82% each, will see the first of the two mature next month. Mr Mali, who was the Chairman of the Air Serbia Supervisory Board at the time the loans were issued in 2015 and 2016, said, We are negotiating with the creditors. While I cant reveal the contents of those talks, I can say that we will certainly help Air Serbia. We are working towards resolving this problem together with our partners at Etihad Airways.





The two loans were issued by two international funding vehicles comprised of local and international investment funds named Etihad Airways Partners I BV and Etihad Airways Partners II BV. They distributed 700 million US dollars in loans between the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates and its equity partners for a mixture of capital expenditure and investment in fleet, as well as for refinancing. This June, Air Serbia informed the funding vehicle that due to the financial strain caused by the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic it may not be able to meet its obligations and payments. It proposed revised amounts and loan repayment deadlines.





Commenting on the governments plans to financially assist Air Serbia in the coming period, Mr Mali noted over the weekend, All carriers across the world are in an extremely difficult position. Our Air Serbia is no exception. This is likely the biggest crisis ever faced by the aviation industry, and, as a result, states must help their airlines. Due to the pandemic, and the corresponding economic crisis, the European Union has adopted new state aid rules. The rules have been significantly relaxed and enable the state to help improve the liquidity of companies which have been particularly affected by the coronavirus crisis. Mr Mali added, The Ministry for Finance has adopted two protocols, through which we have harmonised our regulations with the abovementioned European directives. Therefore, Air Serbia is a company of national interest and the state will help it. Air Serbia was the beneficiary of 19.7 million euros in state aid last year.




A Spirit Airlines jet comes in for a landing at McCarran International Airport on May 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Spirit Airlines pilots' union on Tuesday said it reached an agreement with the company that will avoid involuntary furloughs of around 600 pilots when federal aid that has helped protect airline jobs runs out in October.

About half of Spirit's more than 2,500 pilots would work fewer hours, a reduction in costs that helps the company avoid involuntary cuts, said the Air Line Pilots Association, their union.

Spirit had said it could furlough about 2,500 people throughout the company but the "actual number will be a small fraction of that," thanks to volunteers that signed up for voluntary leaves.

Earlier Tuesday, American Airlines said it is planning to cut 19,000 jobs  including 1,600 of its 15,000 pilots  in October, unless it gets more federal aid.

JetBlue Airways' pilots are also set to avoid furloughs until at least May thanks to a cost-cutting agreement between the company and its the pilots' union. Southwest Airlines has said it doesn't plan to furlough any workers this year because so many opted for voluntary leaves of absence or buyouts.

Delta Air Lines and its pilots' union are sparring over potential solutions to avoid job cuts. The Atlanta-based carrier on Monday said it plans to furlough 1,941 pilots this fall unless the two parties can agree on a plan.
PEI holds largest PNP draw ever Prince Edward Island issued 305 invitations to Express Entry, Labour Impact, and Business Impact immigration candidates. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

Prince Edward Island has released details of two Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws in August. One of them was the biggest draw the program has ever seen.

After issuing just eight invitations to Express Entry and Labour Impact candidates on August 11, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) distributed 305 invitations to candidates in all streams on August 20.

Of the 305 invitations issued, 28 went to Business Impact candidates. The remaining 277 invitations went to Express Entry and Labour Impact candidates, though the PEI PNP does not provide a breakdown of how many invitations were issued in each of these categories.

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

The PEI PNP specified that the people who were invited in August had stated that they are currently living and working in the province. Candidates were invited if they had filed Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles before June 2020.

PEI Express Entry Category

The PEI PNPs Express Entry Category is aligned with the Canadian governments Express Entry system.

Express Entry manages the applications for three economic-class immigration categories: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.

Eligible candidates are given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for their age, work experience, education, and language proficiency in English and French.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are given an additional 600 points toward their CRS score, and are effectively guaranteed an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

In order to be considered for a provincial nomination from PEI, Express Entry candidates need to create an EOI profile with the PEI PNP.

EOI profiles are given points based on the provinces unique points grid. The highest-scoring candidates are then invited to apply through monthly draws.

The PEI PNP did not provide a breakdown of how many Express Entry and Labour Impact candidates were invited, nor the minimum EOI score required for each category.

Labour Impact Category

The Labour Impact Category is for foreign nationals who have a valid job offer in PEI, and have support from their employer. It is divided into three streams: Skilled Worker, Critical Worker, and International Graduate.

Candidates in this category must also submit an EOI profile in order to be considered for a provincial nomination through the Labour Impact Category.

Business Impact Category

The 28 candidates who were invited through the Business Impact Category on August 20 needed a minimum EOI score of 112. These invitations were issued under the Work Permit Stream, which is for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to own and operate a business in PEI.

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved
New Delhi, Aug 25 : Intelligence agencies have issued an alert after information was received that secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has given a call for a 'Punjab Bandh' at the end of this month.

The pro-Khalistan group, which was declared an "unlawful association" by the Ministry of Home Affairs in July last year, in a recent message called for a "Punjab Bandh" on August 31 to commemorate the 25th death anniversary of Dilawar Singh -- the assassin of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.

Congress leader Beant Singh, who was the Chief Minister of Punjab from 1992 to 1995, and 16 others were killed in a car bombing outside the Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995. Dilawar Singh, a Punjab Police officer, had acted as a suicide bomber to assassinate Beant Singh.

In its bandh call, the SFJ has offered reimbursement of travel expenses for return trip to Amritsar to Sikhs who will attend Ardas at Akal Takht on August 31.

A high alert has been issued and Punjab Police has been asked to make foolproof arrangements to avoid any untoward incident in the state, as SFJ's main promoter Gurpatwant Pannun, a New York-based attorney who practices as a lawyer for asylum seekers in the US, called for the 'bandh'.

Pannun, in the call, mentioned that Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh in 2012 had declared Beant Singh's assassin Dilawar Singh as a "Qaumi Shaheed".

"SFJ is humbled to offer this seva to Sikhs in Punjab who wish to attend Ardas at Akal Takht on August 31," said the call.

Citing an Amnesty International report on the situation in Punjab during 1992-95, Pannun stated that "Bhai Shaheed Dilawar Singh indeed put a halt to the genocide of Sikhs under Beant's rule. We urge people of Punjab to shut down all businesses except essential services such as clinics and pharmacies on August 31 in respect of Quami Shaheed Dilawar Singh," added Pannun.

Citing the 1995 report by Amnesty International on the situation in Punjab, Pannun said "grave human rights violations have been perpetrated in Punjab by the police in their efforts to suppress an often violent campaign for the establishment of a Sikh homeland in a state called Khalistan." These violations, he claimed, include scores of "disappearances, extrajudicial killings, widespread torture, unacknowledged detentions as well as deaths in custody". The US-based SFJ outfit, Indian agencies say, has links with Pakistan-based terrorist organisations.

Formed in 2007 with Avtar Singh Pannun as its President along with Gurpatwant Pannun, the source said SFJ is running its secessionist campaign for the last three years in the garb of 'Referendum 2020' for the "self-determination of Sikhs" which it plans to hold in November 2020 in India and in countries where the Sikh diaspora exists.

Wanted terrorists in India - Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Paramjit Singh Pamma - are the principal proponents of the outfit and 'Referendum 2020' in Canada and the UK, respectively. The Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year declared SFJ as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Jerry Falwell Jr. agreed to resign as president of Liberty University on Monday,according to the university's general counsel, after a series of sordid scandals rocked the school he has led since 2007.

Falwell, a real estate developer who became a passionate defender of President Donald Trump, took over the Christian university his father helped found to evangelize the world in 2007. His leadership dramatically increased the school's growth and clout, but critics increasingly worried that he had lost sight of the spiritual mission of the university.

Falwell agreed to resign from the school's presidency and board of directors Monday but reversed course, according to a statement from David Corry, the university's general counsel, telling his attorneys not to tender the letter for immediate resignation.

The school's executive committee met Monday and plans to meet again Tuesday morning before a conference call with the full board of trustees.

Opposition to his presidency had been growing but came to a dramatic head after two new reports about a young man Falwell and his wife befriended at a Florida pool, went into business with and who allegedly was sexually connected to the couple. One report depicted Falwell as the victim of an obsessive affair, the other as an eager participant manipulating a naive young man. On Monday night, Falwell said a Reuters report, which described him as having watched his wife while having sex with another man, is false.

But late in the day, Falwell's purported exit became complicated. Reached by phone Monday night, Falwell said he was not resigning. He referred further questions to his public relations team, which did not comment. According to Corry, a resignation process had begun, then broke down. Discussions between the two sides continued Monday evening.

Falwell said late Monday, in response to the university's statement, that he did resign, but that "it's still up in the air."

Falwell had been placed on paid leave Aug. 7 after he posted a provocative picture of himself and his wife's assistant on social media. Both had their zippers partially down, and Falwell was holding a dark beverage that he joked was nonalcoholic and "a prop only." Drinking or being around alcohol as well as sexual promiscuity are banned for students under Liberty's personal code of conduct. Liberty board members had said in a statement Friday that they were investigating.

Acting president Jerry Prevo said in a statement, "I call upon the University community and supporters to be in prayer for the University and for all its leadership, past, present and future, as we walk with the Lord through this stormy time of transition."

Liberty University was founded in 1971 to "train champions for Christ," and many at the school revere the memory of Falwell's father, Jerry Falwell Sr., the prominent evangelist who was one of the school's founders.

Monday was Liberty's first day of classes.

For many years, Falwell Jr. was best known for lifting the university out of debt, shoring up its finances, improving its physical campus and leading growth in enrollment.

He made national headlines when he endorsed Trump in 2016, one of the first prominent evangelicals to do so. He also garnered criticism for the endorsement from students and graduates. A former chairman of Liberty's executive committee, Mark DeMoss, resigned over the endorsement, saying Trump's campaign was a rejection of the values the university promotes.

A series of scandals increased concern among some graduates, students and other supporters of the university.

At a Liberty convocation in 2015, Falwell said a San Bernardino, Calif., shooting that year could have been prevented if people had concealed-carry permits and had guns to "end those Muslims before they walked in killing."

In May, Falwell tweeted a photo of a mask decorated with an image of a person in Ku Klux Klan robes and another in blackface, in an attempt to taunt Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, over his blackface scandal in connection with a medical school yearbook. Falwell deleted the tweet and apologized, but several students and staff members left the school in protest.

The board faced pressure to take action, with pastors and influential supporters including Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., a Southern Baptist minister and former Liberty instructor, calling for his resignation. A group of graduates, Save71, called for Falwell's permanent removal. "We put no faith in riches or comfort, in status or power," they wrote. "We put our faith in Christ alone, and we want Liberty University to follow Him."

On Sunday night, a columnist at the conservative Washington Examiner newspaper published an exclusive statement from Falwell saying he has been seeking counseling after finding out his wife, Becki, had an affair with a man the couple met in 2012. In the piece, Falwell characterized the relationship as akin to "fatal attraction" and said the man threatened to reveal the affair if they did not pay him hefty sums.

The column quoted the man, who has been identified in previous reporting by Politico, BuzzFeed and others as Giancarlo Granda, as denying Falwell's allegations.

On Monday, Reuters quoted Granda as saying that from 2012 until 2018 he had a sexual relationship with Becki Falwell - one about which her husband knew all along. According to Reuters, Granda denied any intent to extort the Falwells and said he was intending to negotiate a buyout from his business arrangement.

The Reuters report also said Falwell was in the room watching as his wife and Granda had sex. Falwell's legal team denied that allegation. In Falwell's earlier statement Sunday, he said the affair was "something in which I was not involved."

Becki Falwell did not return calls or text messages seeking comment Monday. Efforts to reach Granda on Monday were not successful.

Robert Jeffress, a Southern Baptist pastor in Dallas who also supports Trump, said he has high regard for the university and has spoken there several times. He said he was unaware of Granda's allegations about Falwell and his wife.

"Jerry has done a great job in building a tremendous school," Jeffress said. "The allegations, if true, should be a warning of the destructive power of sin."

Karen Swallow Prior, an English professor who worked for the university for 21 years, said morale at the school has been low under Falwell's "authoritarian" leadership. She said that frustration has been building over the past several months, and that there were several recent incidents that particularly upset Liberty students and graduates.

She said that Falwell's behavior often played out on social media, and that the school's leadership was often ignorant of how he treated some people.

"It's been months, if not years, of having a leader whose power and words have been unchecked," said Prior, who now works for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

After graduating from the University of Virginia's law school in 1987, Falwell became a commercial real estate developer and lawyer. At Liberty, where he became general counsel, he used his business acumen to make tireless efforts to get the school out of debt that in the 1990s was reported to be as high as $100 million.

He pursued grants, cultivated relationships with big donors and studied the market for various educational programs Liberty could start.

Part of the affinity Liberty's students and staff had for him stemmed from the feeling that he was a big reason for Liberty's recovery. After decades of debt, it now has endowment assets of $1.6 billion - up from $6.3 million when he took over in 2007.

Falwell's many controversies put a renewed spotlight on the school's board of trustees, which includes his brother Jonathan Falwell, pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, Billy Graham's grandson evangelist Will Graham and Penny Nance, president of the conservative group Concerned Women for America. Members of the board did not say anything publicly for years until this month when Falwell posted the provocative photo.

- - -

The Washington Post's Eddy Palanzo contributed to this report.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 13:57 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4048de8 1 National Firli,Firli-Bahuri,KPK,Corruption-Eradication-Comission,ethics,ethic-probe,ethical-violation,helicopter,helicopter-taxi Free

Corruption Eradication Commission chairman Firli Bahuri has said his salary is enough to rent a helicopter, dismissing suspicion that a recent trip he made using a helicopter taxi service is an ethics violation.

I used my salary to expedite and simplify my tasks. I did all of that to support my duties and not for luxury. My salary is enough to rent a helicopter, not to live a life of luxury, the two-star police general said in a written statement on Monday as quoted by tempo.co.

Firli published the statement in advance of his ethics hearing with the antigraft bodys supervisory council scheduled for Tuesday. He was accused of committing an ethics violation following reports of him using a private helicopter on a personal trip from South Sumatra's capital of Palembang to the city of Baturaja in the same province in June.

The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Community (MAKI) reported Firli to the supervisory council, accusing the chair of living a hedonistic lifestyle.

Firli confirmed that he would attend Tuesdays hearing. This mechanism is an activity to clarify and explain in detail the object of the problem. I really appreciate this process, he said. (mfp)
GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ  Despite recent changes announced by Gov. Phil Murphy as it relates to remote schooling and in-person gatherings, the Gloucester Township K-8 Public School District still plans to reopen with a mix of in-person and remote learning in the fall amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Many districts have been changing their plans after Gov. Phil Murphy announced that school districts may begin their academic year using a full-remote option if needed.



However, Gloucester Township has decided not to pursue that option. The district's planned 100 percent remote learning plan remains in place. The plan has been submitted to the county and is awaiting approval. Read more here: Gloucester Twp. Schools To Offer Remote, In-Person Learning



New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.



The districts reopening plan was discussed during Monday nights Board of Education meeting.

At that time, Gloucester Township Director of Curriculum and Instruction Tim Trow clarified that when Murphy announced the ability to begin the year with an all-remote option, districts were required to submit a plan that showed why they wont be able to reopen for in-person instruction for the first day of school, and to provide a date in which they would be ready.



He said Gloucester Township will face the same challenges reopening whether they start in full remote mode or not, and he believes the district is ready to open for at least some in-person instruction.



Superintendent of Schools John Bilodeau said the Camden County superintendents all met on Friday, and there was an emphasis placed on opening in-person. Any district that wanted to open full-remote would have to provide a detailed plan showing why it was absolutely necessary, and giving a date as to when they will reopen for in-person learning.



In Camden County, there are three districts that plan to reopen with an all-remote option, including Camden, Collingswood and Haddon Heights. Read more here: NJ Schools With Remote Instruction To Grow To 180: Heres Where



Story continues

It wont be perfect on entry, but the district is ready, Bilodeau said.



The district will be ready to go full-remote if needed. Schools will close if there are two or more cases linked across cohorts within 14 days. Schools would be closed for 14 days, according to a presentation made during Monday nights Board of Education meeting.



Schools will also close if community spread continues to rise, and Camden County goes from being at moderate risk to high risk. The county has been at moderate risk since May 23, Bilodeau said.



Board Member Jennifer ODonnell asked if the opposite was true; if the pandemic ended during the year, was a return to full in-person learning possible.



If the science changes, and they believe the risk factor is low, we intend to go back, Bilodeau said.



He added it wouldnt be a quick return. If the pandemic ends during a marking period, the district would finish out that marking period as is and aim for a return to full in-person learning for the beginning of the next marking period.



Its a difficult question to answer because we dont know where were going, Bilodeau said.



The reopening plan presented in July includes a hybrid option that calls for students to be split into two groups. One group would attend school on Monday and Tuesday, and the other would attend on Wednesday and Thursday. On the days in which their group is not in school, students will be learning remotely. All schools will learn remotely on Friday. Students who choose the hybrid option will have the same teachers all five days.



There will be a separate group of teachers assigned to remote learning than those who are assigned to hybrid instruction.



During Monday nights meeting, Bilodeau and Trow estimated that 30 percent of a schools normal student population will be in attendance on a given day. Lunch will be eaten in the cafeteria, but they envision a scenario in which a large lunch table that typically seats 15-20 students will instead seat three, spaced out and all facing the same way.



They also clarified that all face coverings are to be made of cloth, with no valve. Parents should purchase more than one mask for each of their students, and the district has copious amounts of face coverings it will be able to give to students and staff in the event of an emergency.



See more stories about New Jersey's coronavirus recovery.



Students and staff will be screened daily at arrival and denied admission/sent home if they have an elevated temperature or other symptoms of the coronavirus.



There is a four-step plan in place in a case in which a student or staff member tests positive for the coronavirus. Contact tracing will be handled by the Camden County Department of Health.



Any student who becomes sick throughout the course of the day will be sent to the nurse's office as they would be under any circumstances. The nurse will immediately notify parents, and the parents will be asked to pick their child up as quickly as possible.



Read more here: Gloucester Township Schools Are Considering These Reopening Plans



Students who were prescribed medication that must be kept at school will still be able to keep their medicine with the nurse at their school.



Transportation will be offered to students. Many parents expressed the desire to take their children to school on their own. For those who take the bus, there will be assigned seating that will be strictly followed for contact tracing purposes. No more than two children will be assigned to a seat, and there will only be one where possible.

Chromebooks and other necessary materials will be provided to students for remote learning. All equipment, including safety and learning materials, has already arrived or will arrive by Sept. 8, according to officials.



Enhanced Instruction will blend live/recorded instruction and self-paced work under the supervision of the teacher. The teacher would receive updated/revised curricular and instructional guidance developed by administrative/teacher committees over the summer.



Daily attendance would be taken/required with the possibility of required/live classes particularly in the middle school.



See related: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

This article originally appeared on the Gloucester Township Patch
Trevor Noah has revealed he's 'in no rush' to return to The Daily Show studio in his cover story for Variety's September issue.

'I dont want to put [the production staff] in a position where they feel like they have to say yes, or they might be injured,' said the 36-year-old, reflecting on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has almost all late night and talk shows broadcasting from home.

'I do not wish to make the same mistake America made, and that is rushing to go back to normal when nothing is normal,' the South African comedian continued.

Playing it safe: Trevor Noah has revealed he's 'in no rush' to return to The Daily Show studio in his cover story for Variety's September issue

A perceived rush to reopen the United States has been widely blamed for a 'second wave' of the potentially fatal coronavirus, which has so far affected 5.75million Americans and claimed the lives of more than 177,000.

Noah aired the first episode of The Daily Social Distancing Show from his home on March 23.

The funnyman told Variety that he's found some benefits to not recording the show in front of his usual live audience.

'When you make the show with a live audience, you are at the mercy of those people. Those 200 people determine what is or isnt funny, what is or isnt too far.'

Trevor said he feels more at ease talking frankly about subjects such as the police killing of Breonna Taylor than he would were there a live audience in front of him. If and when normal returns, he added, 'maybe Ill find a hybrid approach.'

The new abnormal: Noah aired the first episode of The Daily Social Distancing Show from his home on March 23

Freedom: The funnyman told Variety that he's found some benefits to not recording the show in front of his usual live audience

Noah also admitted to feeling relieved he wasn't on air when the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis, Minnesota cops in May.

'I was glad that we werent on the air. I couldnt speak. I had to listen.'

The anchor also spoke about the criticism when he took over The Daily Show from long-running host Jon Stewart in 2015.

'I fell into the trap of listening to what people were saying about what a worldview is,' began Noah.

'When people said, "Hes going to bring a global perspective," I thought that meant that I had to tell people about whats going on in Kashmir and whats going on in Mogadishu.'

'Then I realized no, a global perspective is not talking about whats happening around the globe. Its being shaped by the idea that we live together on the globe.'

'And then I realized that I can talk about Donald Trump, and I can explain to you why this man is like so many African dictators weve seen.'

Pre-pandemic: Trevor said he feels more at ease talking frankly about subjects such as the police killing of Breonna Taylor than he would were there a live audience in front of him. Seen here in January 2020

A new perspective: 'I realized that I can talk about Donald Trump, and I can explain to you why this man is like so many African dictators weve seen,' said Noah of what he brings to late night TV

The Daily Show is just one of many late night and talk shows moving to an at-home model.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert are all being hosted from home.

Meanwhile Jimmy Kimmel has taken 'a couple of months' off his show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with guest hosts like David Spade, Dua Lipa and Sean Hayes filling in during his hiatus.
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday (August 25, 2020) said that the countrys COVID-19 mortality rate stands at 1.58% which is one of the lowest in the world.

Addressing a press briefing, Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Union Health Ministry, said, The COVID-19 mortality rate in India stands at 1.58% which is one of the lowest in the world. In the last 24 hours, the number of active cases has reduced by 6,400.

The recovery rate is now more than 75%, Rajesh Bhushan said.

The Union Health Ministry official further stated that today, the recovered cases are 3.4 times more than the active cases in the country.

Active cases are only 22.2% of the total cases. The recovery rate is now more than 75%, Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan said.

Sharing more detail, Rajesh Bhushan said, Out of the total COVID-19 active cases in India, only 2.7% patients are on oxygen support, 1.92% patients are in ICU and 0.29% patients are on ventilator support.

Rajesh Bhushan also said that on the basis of 7-day rolling average, COVID-19 positivity rate was 11 per cent in first week of August, it has now come down to 8 % today.

COVID testing improved from 363 tests per million per day on August 1 to more than 600 tests per million per day at present, the Health Ministry official said.

To a question on Russian COVID-19 vaccine, he said as far as Sputnik-5 vaccine (COVID-19 vaccine developed in Russia) is concerned, India and Russia are in communication. Some initial information has been shared in this regard.

Speaking on his turn, Prof (Dr.) Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR, said, ICMR sero survey is publication in-progress. It should appear by this week in the Indian Journal of Medical Research. It has been peer reviewed.

The second national sero-survey should be completed in the first week September, he added.

Three COVID-19 vaccines are ahead in the race in India. Serum Institute's vaccine is in phase 2(B) & phase 3 trials and Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila's vaccines have completed phase 1 trial, the ICMR Director General said.

The ICMR D-G said that irresponsible, less cautious people who are not wearing masks, are driving the pandemic in India.

India's COVID-19 case tally crossed 31 lakh mark with 60,975 fresh cases and 848 deaths in the last 24 hours.

The COVID-19 case tally in the country has risen to 31,67,324 including 7,04,348 active cases, 24,04,585 cured/discharged/migrated & 58,390 deaths, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in its bulletin at 8 AM on Tuesday.

It may be recalled that on Monday, the country`s total coronavirus count reached 31,06,349 which includes 23,38,036 cured/discharged/migrated cases. The death toll due to COVI-19 stood at 57,542, it said.
Kochi, Aug 25 : The Kerala High Court on Tuesday declined to stay the Centre's move to lease out Thiruvananthapuram international airport to Adani Enterprises, as demanded by the Kerala government.

The Court however posted the case for detailed hearing for September 15 and asked the State government to come with their points before September 9. In its plea, the Kerala government has said the decision to lease out the airport under the PPP model for 50 years came at a time when a petition against it is pending in the Kerala High Court.

Last week an all-party meeting called by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to prevent the transfer deal from going through at any cost and on Monday the Kerala Assembly passed a unanimous resolution, asking the Centre to hand the airport to a state-run company that had participated in the tender process, but lost out to Adani Enterprises.

In Kerala, barring the BJP and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, other parties, including the CPI-M and the Congress have strongly opposed this deal. In February 2019, the financial bid for privatising five airports in the country was opened and it was won by Adani Enterprises. The other airports that the Adani firm got are situated in Mangaluru, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Jaipur.

The Kerala government too placed a bid, but the Adani firm won it by quoting a bigger amount. While the Kerala government firm bid for Rs 135 per passenger, the Adani firm quoted Rs 168. However, the entire business community has wholeheartedly welcomed the decision of the Centre.
NEW YORK, NY -- The combination of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin (AZM) has been linked to significant cardiovascular risks, including mortality, in the largest safety study ever performed on both HCQ and HCQ+AZM. This network study, led by the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics community, was recently published in Lancet Rheumatology.

OHDSI has established an international network of researchers and observational health databases with a central coordinating center housed at the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Columbia University.

In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, HCQ treatment in the short term (30 days) was found to not carry excess risk of complications associated with its use, but HCQ treatment in the long term had a 65% relative increase in cardiovascular-related mortality, compared to sulfasalazine.

HCQ + AZM had a cardiovascular mortality risk that was more than twice (2.19) as high as the comparative treatment even in the short term based on findings from more than 320,000 users of that combination therapy. This treatment also produced a 15-20% increased rate of angina/chest pain and heart failure.

This study, first published on MedRxiv, has already made significant impacts in the healthcare community. On April 23, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) cited the study in a warning about the risk of serious side effects with chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. In July, the EMA again highlighted the study, among other efforts within the OHDSI community, in its eighth revision of The European Network of Centres for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance (ENCePP) Guide on Methodological Standards in Pharmacoepidemiology.

This is the first published study to be generated from the OHDSI COVID Study-a-thon, a global effort in March to set the foundation for OHDSI efforts to design and execute network observational studies around characterization, patient-level prediction and population-level effect estimation to inform decision-making around the global pandemic. Multiple studies, several of which are highlighted later, have been posted to MedRxiv and are currently under peer review.

HCQ, a drug commonly used in the treatment of malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gained early attention during the pandemic as a potential COVID-19 treatment. The short-term (<30 days) safety profile did not identify excess risk in any of 16 severe adverse events as compared to a similar RA drug, sulfasalazine (SSZ). Long-term HCQ therapy was associated with a 65% increase in cardiovascular mortality as compared to SSZ.

"Hydroxychloroquine, both alone and in combination with azithromycin, gained strong consideration as a potential COVID treatment without a large-scale study of its overall safety profile," said Daniel Prieto-Alhambra, PhD, co-senior author on this study. "We had access to an unprecedented amount of data on this drug, and we were relieved to find no worrying side effects in the short-term use of hydroxychloroquine. However, when prescribed in combination with azithromycin, it may induce heart failure and cardiovascular mortality and we would urge caution in using the two together."

This study examined more than 950,000 HCQ users through deidentified electronic health records and administrative claims data over a 20-year period. Records were collected from 14 different databases spanning six nations (Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, United States) and then mapped to the OMOP Common Data Model to generate this large-scale analysis.

"At medical school we were taught to 'first do no harm' and to me, our study focuses on this core belief of modern medicine," said Jennifer Lane, MD, who served as co-lead author on this study along with Jamie Weaver. "OHDSI has the power to investigate this question in a very thorough way and to go through rigorous steps. We are looking at patients from the general population, which is why it is so important to look at data from multiple countries. There are reasons why you may get bias from one data source, but if we find a signal in the Netherlands, and we find it in Spain, and we find it in the U.S., then we know we have something."

The study was developed and executed by the OHDSI (Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics) community, a multi-stakeholder, interdisciplinary collaborative to bring out the value of health data through large-scale analytics. All solutions are open-source, and links to the study protocol, code and results are posted at the bottom of this release.

"It required a global effort to generate this level of reproducible, reliable real-world evidence to inform decision-making around COVID treatment," said Patrick Ryan, PhD, co-senior author on this study. "Our community collaborated for years to develop the high-level analytics which set the course for these studies. Standardizing data for nearly 1,000,000 patients on hydroxychloroquine provides confidence in these findings, and we are pleased to see that this study has already helped make a positive clinical impact as treatment options continue to be evaluated."

###

More OHDSI network studies, including a multi-institutional characterization study of hospitalized COVID patients and prediction models that would assist in hospitalization decision-making, have been posted to MedRxiv and are currently under peer review. All updates on OHDSI efforts on COVID-19 will be posted here and within OHDSI community forums, as well as shared on both the community Twitter and LinkedIn feeds.
Victorian schools are on track to reopen in term four as the number of new cases of COVID-19 falls.

Education Minister James Merlino says he is confident that students in Victoria will return to the classroom in term four, based on the downward trend in community transmission of COVID-19 under stage four restrictions.

Victorian Education Minister James Merlino says he is confident students will return to face-to-face classes in term four. Credit:Justin McManus

Once schools reopen, small group tutoring sessions for students who have fallen behind are also being considered, both in term four and next year, the minister said.

Students in years 3 to 10 will have missed about 17 weeks of face-to-face classes by the end of term three. Those in other years will have missed about 12 weeks.
On the banks of the Rio Grande, on the Mexican side of the border between the American state of Texas and the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, is a situation that by any account was a COVID-19 nightmare waiting to happen. In tents crowded along the river near the town of Matamoros, around 1,500 migrants await their chance to have a hearing that will allow them to enter the United States as asylum-seekers. You might worry, as I did, that the close quarters of the camp would make these already vulnerable people even more vulnerable to the coronavirus. But so far, case numbers have been limited, and people have stayed healthy. How have they done it?

Advertisement

The migrants at Matamoros are fleeing political situations and violence that in many other cases would make them refugees, but they are not refugees due to the complicated ramifications of the United States governments Migrant Protection Protocols and decisions made by the Mexican government. That means they do not have access to the complex international system that supports refugees. But they do have people in their corner. Medical care in the camp is run by a relatively tiny American NGO, Global Response Management, which was founded in 2017 by Pete Reed, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, and Alex Potter, a seasoned nurse and photojournalist, who had been in Iraq and saw the need for a humanitarian organization willing to work in areas of war and conflict. After time spent working in Bangladesh and Yemen, the organization acquired a reputation for going in where few others would. When GRM executive director Helen Perry first went to Matamoros, she found hundreds of people camped along the Rio Grande, within sight of the U.S. border, with no access to water, toilets, or medical care. Because the state of Tamaulipas is controlled by drug cartels, not many other organizations had been willing to take on the risk of working there, Perry told me, but that is exactly the kind of situation GRM exists to ameliorate.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

So far, only about 50 people have tested positive, many have been asymptomatic, and almost none have been sick.

So, in September, they opened a clinic, found volunteers to staff it, and, given the dire situation, involved themselves in providing water and sanitation. Six months later, they were faced with the prospect of managing a pandemic in a low-resource situationthe town of Matamoros, with a population of 500,000, has only eight ventilators. Isolating people and maintaining social distancing is virtually impossible in a tent camp. And would they have enough volunteers to keep the clinic staffed? (I had been scheduled to volunteer there in May, but like many others, my employers travel restrictions precluded me from going.) Fearing the worst and knowing they had a vulnerable, malnourished population to care for, the GRM team prepared extensively for COVID-19.

Advertisement

Knowing there would be no guarantee of an available ventilator at the hospital in Matamoros if they did have to transport someone, they began preparations in March that would enable them to care for patients on site, said Andrea Leiner, GRMs director of strategic management plans. They built a field hospital. They acquired items that would allow them to care for COVID-19 patients in a low-resource setting: oxygen concentrators to give oxygen extracted from the air to patients, monitors to help them keep a close eye on critically ill patients, and a transport ventilator in case they were in a situation where they had to send a patient to a local hospital. Borrowing from Ebola preparation and knowing they might run out of personal protective equipment, they stocked reusable Tyvek suits. They set up an isolation area. Because they wouldnt have easy access to the gold standard of COVID-19 testing in the form of PCR tests, they ordered antibody tests. The camp had been short of the recommended number of toilets for the population, so another important preparation came from doubling the number to 120 and implementing a sanitizing protocol after each use. They handed out cloth masks to the camps occupants, along with vitamin D and multivitamins, and they simultaneously focused on educating the various microcommunities within the camp about what was going on. (The migrants from each country have a leader, and GRM worked with those people to educate the camp and counteract misinformation about the virus.)

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

They made it to June before the first COVID-19 cases were identified in the camp population. At first, they tried isolation. However, many of the 20 patients they attempted to isolate were asymptomatic, and because the isolation area was outside the camp, people were reluctant to go to it, understandable for a population that has been displaced over and over throughout their lives. Realizing that isolating patients was eroding their trust, GRM began recommending self-isolation in their tents but not enforcing it, and offering testing to those who came to the clinic but not requiring that either. They continued to focus on aggressive prevention measures. So far, only about 50 people have tested positive, many have been asymptomatic, and almost none have been sick. Only one patient, requiring oxygen, was transported to the nearby field hospital, set up to aid Mexicans with COVID-19. GRMs field hospital, with oxygen concentrators and a single transport ventilator, remains unused, even while the town of Matamoros has had more than 3,000 cases of its own.

Advertisement

There are a variety of possible reasons for the relatively low impact of COVID-19 on the camps population, according to Perry. Although the rate of malnutrition is high, the average age is fairly young. People who were sick at baseline or had severe underlying conditions probably did not survive the arduous journeys that got most people to the camp. Besides sleeping in tents, they are mostly outdoors in hot, humid conditions that the virus doesnt like. And many are wearing masks. So even if they do get infected, they are likely getting a smaller viral load, now widely believed to be protective against severe infection. No staff at the clinic have become sick either, likely as a result of ensuring sufficient PPE supplies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Like the migrant workers in my own ER who are told they have COVID-19, the reaction of many in the camp when they test positive is resignation, but the reaction of some, especially those who are asymptomatic, is disbelief. Like many all over the world, some migrants believe the virus is a hoax. And not surprisingly for people who have been abused and lied to by their own governments, and ours, many see it as a way to control them. COVID isnt the worst thing in the world to them, Sam Bishop, GRMs project manager in Matamoros, told me. And COVID-19 hasnt deterred new migrants from fleeing violence and persecutionthey are still arriving in the camp.

Advertisement

Even if COVID infections havent ravaged the camp, the pandemic is still affecting migrants lives. Because of COVID-19, asylum court dates are postponed and hearings arent happening. For example, one asylum-seekers hearing was pushed from June 23 to Aug. 1, and then pushed back again to October. Each time the hearing is moved, the migrant must walk to the U.S. border and be given a slip for their next date from a box of appointment slips. Needless to say, this constant postponement of court dates has further eroded their trust in the authorities and the process, and migrants are boarding buses to other places on the border where things are supposedly better. (Also, in the name of COVID-19, the U.S. government gets what it wants, which is to keep these migrants out.)

Advertisement

Initially, COVID-19 affected the availability of volunteers, as hospitals like mine restricted their employees travel, but lately thats changed, and the clinic has been able to maintain adequate staffing. Additionally, the clinic utilizes asylum-seekers from Cuba and Nicaragua with medical training to provide caredoctors, nurses, and a pharmacist. As fellow migrants, they are able to gain trust with patients in a way that American volunteers cannot.

Advertisement

There are other disasters besides COVID-19 to content with. Hurricane Hanna brought flooding to the camp, and the clinic had to move to the sidewalk outside the camp. The field hospital had to be taken down. Tents had to be moved, and things became even more crowded. Some migrants had to move to shelters in the city. Many others were terrified of evacuating, worried about what would happen if they left the small ground they had claim to. Trust in information is so severely eroded, and they fear that each additional disaster presents an opportunity for others to control them (which it does) and an excuse to relocate them against their will.

The situation in the Matamoros camp could be a lot worse. Still, the situation as it stands highlights the fact that for the worlds desperate, it is not necessarily COVID-19 itself that is most frightening, but the downstream effects of COVID-19 on the reality they were living in already.
It is an enduring political question amid a pandemic recession, double-digit unemployment and a recovery that appears to be slowing: Why does President Trump continue to get higher marks on economic issues in polls than his predecessors Barack Obama, George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush enjoyed when they stood for re-election? Mr. Trumps relative strength on the economy, and whether Joseph R. Biden Jr. can cut into it over the next 10 weeks, are among the crucial dynamics in battleground states in the Midwest and the Sun Belt that are expected to decide the election. Many of ...
Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's wife Ami Modi, a US citizen, on the basis of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) request in connection with its probe into the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

A senior ED official linked to the probe told IANS, "The Interpol has issued RCN against Ami Modi on the basis of the PMLA case against her."

The notice, which acts as an international arrest warrant, will begin the process for extradition. The RCN was issued after the ED probe found that Ami Modi was the beneficiary of the alleged purchase of two apartments at Central Park in New York using $30 million from the money which her husband allegedly obtained fraudulently from the PNB through Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit.

Last year in September, Interpol issued a RCN against Nehal Modi, brother of Nirav Modi, on charges of money laundering, at the request of the ED.

The ED is probing the money laundering case against Nirav Modi, who is currently lodged in a London jail, his sister Purvi Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi of the Geetanjali Group.

Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are under investigation by both the CBI and the ED. Choksi is now believed to be in Antigua.
The OTTO REVO NC2 RSM, when combined with Sonim devices and ESChat PTT service, provides a rugged, reliable, cellular-based PTT solution, designed for first responders and industrial workers who have to deal with extreme environments on a daily basis.

"We are thrilled to offer the first OTTO RSM fully powered by a mobile phone," said John Graff, CMO, Sonim Technologies. "OTTO is known for their high-quality audio products for land mobile radios, and we are excited to offer the OTTO RSM for our ultra-rugged cellular devices to customers that rely on critical communications for their operations."

Key features of the RSM compatibility with Sonim's XP8 and XP5s devices include:

The OTTO RSM is physically secured to and powered by the XP8/XP5s through Sonim's SecureAudio interface, a capability unique to Sonim devices.

Full duplex audio supports both PTT and traditional voice calls.

The OTTO REVO NC2 RSM meets Sonim's ultra-rugged, IP-68 and Mil-Std-810G performance standards, with noise cancellation. Plus, the RSM includes a built-in debris screen to protect internal components from dust and dirt impacting transmission clarity. It includes a large PTT button, volume control slider, listen-only headset jack and emergency button. The optional listen-only earpiece jack allows for covert listening in secure, quiet settings. In addition, a built-in emergency button on the RSM is mapped to the emergency button on the Sonim device making it easy to initiate lone worker or man-down alerts. OTTO provides a 3-year limited liability warranty. The solution is available via Sonim and leading resellers in the U.S. and Canada.

ESChat is the leading solution for carrier independent Secure Push-to-Talk (PTT) over LTE communications. ESChat includes AES-256 encrypted PTT voice and multimedia (text and image) messaging. ESChat also provides live and historical (bread crumb) tracking and mapping. Used by all branches of the U.S. Military, as well as federal, state, and local public safety agencies, ESChat is able to operate over and across any wireless network, including all commercial carriers, private 3G/4G/5G networks, and Wi-Fi. ESChat supports standards-based interoperability with LMR radio networks.

About Sonim

Sonim Technologies is a leading U.S. provider of ultra-rugged mobility solutions designed specifically for task workers physically engaged in their work environments, often in mission-critical roles. The Sonim solution includes ultra-rugged mobile phones, a suite of industrial-grade accessories, and data and workflow applications which are collectively designed to increase worker productivity, communication and safety on the job site. Please visit https://sonimtech.com/.

SOURCE Sonim Technologies, Inc.
The first jab in the unprecedented one-two punch expected to land on coastal Louisiana turned out to be a bit of a whiff Monday as Hurricane Marco sputtered and weakened to a tropical storm, though Tropical Storm Laura still threatened to deliver a haymaker to the Lake Charles area, with predictions it would reach the coast as a strong Category 2 hurricane late Wednesday.

Update: Hurricane Laura to form in the Gulf soon, and Marco is now a depression

Still, National Hurricane Center forecasters warned it remains unclear exactly where Laura, always thought to be the bigger threat, will ultimately make landfall, and that its path could shift west into Texas or east toward central Louisiana.

As of Monday evening, Laura was forecast to bring a catastrophic storm surge to coastal portions of southwestern Louisiana and eastern Texas that could resemble the effects of 2008s Hurricane Ike, or, if Laura strengthens before landfall, 2005s Hurricane Rita. The hurricane center forecast landfall at 1 a.m. Thursday in Cameron Parish with winds up to 105 mph and predicted surge heights greater than 9 feet above ground level along the coast from Cameron to St. Mary parishes, interspersed with areas of surge of at least 6 feet.

Small towns like Gueydan, Erath and Delcambre are in the path of that high surge, said Roger Erickson, a meteorologist with the Lake Charles office of the National Weather Service.

At. 4 p.m., Laura was about 175 miles east of the western tip of Cuba, with top winds of 60 mph, moving west-northwest at 20 mph. On this path, Laura was poised to move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico overnight, where it is expected to pick up strength and become a hurricane by Tuesday. It is during this period that the track could possibly shift further, prompting Gov. John Bel Edwards and other local officials to offer stern warnings against any complacency that might set in following Marco's fizzle into a weakened, disorganized system.

Marco was forecast to make landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River and pass over the West Bank at tropical depression strength at about 4 a.m. Monday with winds of 35 mph, continuing to move northwest at 7 mph. On that path, it is expected be near Lafayette by 1 p.m. Tuesday with winds of just 30 mph.

Some government offices in metro New Orleans were scheduled to reopen Tuesday for what is likely to be a brief return to normal before possibly shutting down again for Laura.

"We are in no way out of the woods," Mayor LaToya Cantrell said.

We are just getting geared up for the next one, said Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng, adding she thinks conditions are ripe for Laura to strengthen quickly.

Jefferson had ordered evacuations Sunday for Grand Isle and Jean Lafitte, two low-lying areas outside of the federal levee protection system that are typically hard hit. Tens of thousands of sandbags had been put down there as well, Lee Sheng said.

And though Laura is currently aimed to the west, parish offices will stay closed through Tuesday. Parish leaders will likely make decisions about further closures on Tuesday, she said.

Even a slight turn to the east is a big difference, she said.

Officials in St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes similarly warned that areas prone to flooding could see problems from significant rainfall.

The hurricane center warned Laura would produce rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, with isolated areas seeing 12 inches along the west central coast near the Texas-Louisiana border, though there were no projections specific to New Orleans.

A storm surge watch is now in effect from San Luis Pass, Texas, to Ocean Springs, Miss., including Lakes Pontchartrain, Maurepas and Borgne for areas outside the New Orleans area hurricane levee system. A hurricane watch is in effect from just west of Morgan City to Port Bolivar, Texas. A tropical storm watch is in effect from Morgan City to the mouth of the Mississippi River

Lafayette is within the area under a hurricane watch, while West Baton Rouge Parish is under a tropical storm watch, but not East Baton Rouge Parish.

Lake Charles and Westlake also could see some flooding, the result of water backing up because of the surge pushing into the Calcasieu River, said Erickson, who is the weather service's lead forecaster.

Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up

Officials in Cameron, Calcasieu and Vermilion parishes all issued a mix of voluntary and mandatory evacuations for coastal areas on Monday, following the lead of parishes to their east that issued voluntary or mandatory evacuations in advance of Marco.

Determining exactly where Laura's surge will pose a threat, and the storm's intensity at landfall, remain the biggest challenge for National Hurricane Center forecasters during the next two days, said center director Ed Rappaport.

He said there's still a chance the surge threat could shift east towards central Louisiana, putting Morgan City and maybe even New Orleans at risk, or it could shift west into Texas, creating a true repeat of Ike's devastation.

The highest surge levels usually occur 30 miles to the east of the center, while the 20 miles to the west of the center is usually the area with the lowest surge, he said. The water level is lower to the west because the hurricanes winds will be blowing south, pushing water out of coastal areas.

Hurricane forecast computer models are attempting to capture the key factors that will determine where Laura goes ashore, and how intense its winds will be, Rappaport said.

The key factors include strong high pressure to the north and east of Laura that was pushing it northwest towards the Florida Straits and the Gulf of Mexico on Monday and into Tuesday. The high pressure is expected to weaken enough for Laura to begin moving in a more northerly direction, but when that occurs will determine where it makes landfall.

Once the storm reaches the Gulf, sea surface temperatures will help determine the storms intensification, along with how quickly Lauras internal pattern of thunderstorms and winds recovers from being nearly ripped apart by Hispanolas mountains on Sunday.

It takes some time to recover from that interaction and Laura had still not done that by Monday afternoon, Rappaport said. It contained a large area of clouds and gusty winds, but its core had not become organized sufficiently to reach hurricane strength.

The storm must still survive crossing over the land of western Cuba before entering the Gulf overnight, he said.

Then Laura will move over the deep, warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which should act like a stove top burner in intensifying the storm quickly to hurricane strength. The remainder of the Gulfs sea surface temperatures are about 88 degrees, warm enough to help the storm continue to intensify.

Forecasters should have a better idea of how Laura deals with those factors by Tuesday afternoon.

To see how Laura's surge might affect where you live or work, go to the National Hurricane Center's potential storm surge flooding map.

On Monday, residents throughout the New Orleans area primed with news of evacuations and storm warnings waited under an alternately cloudy and sunny sky, a steady breeze the only reminder of Marco's presence in the Gulf. The music of street musicians echoed through the mostly empty streets of the French Quarter, and despite sunny skies, rows of cars were perched atop neutral grounds in many low-lying neighborhoods.

Most schools throughout the metro area were scheduled to remain closed to in-class instruction through Tuesday.

All 99 of the city's drainage pumps have been working and available for use since Sunday. Four of the its turbines and five large generators were also ready to provide power at the electrical standard used by many of the pumps, the Sewerage & Water Board said. A series of frequency changers are also up and running to convert power from Entergy if needed.

All that puts the drainage system roughly on par with its status ever since a fifth turbine exploded and was damaged last year, putting it out of commission for at least the near future. The system has enough electricity available to run all its pumps, but less backup power to bring online should something go wrong than officials typically prefer.

Regardless of the availability of pumps or power, there are limits to the rate at which the drainage system can pump water out of the city. That means a storm that drops a lot of water in a short period can still cause flooding before the pumps are able to catch up.

Olivia Nicholson unpacked groceries in front of her French Quarter apartment Monday afternoon, a day after she and her sister Shaunda balked at the line at Costco that went all the way around the building.

"Today? No line," she said. "I got a buggy and I walked in the store, shopped  no line to check out."

She said there were only about 10 people in front of her afterwards at Trader Joe's in Metairie and she was inside in under five minutes.

"I knew a lot of people would probably have to go to work today and a lot had done their shopping yesterday, but I didn't think it would be that empty ..." she said. "And it didn't even rain on me packing the car or anything."

-Staff writers Jeff Adelson, Jessica Williams, Della Hasselle, Mark Schleifstein and Faimon Roberts contributed to this report.
Taliban Delegation In Pakistan To Talk Afghan Peace

By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal August 24, 2020

A Taliban political team arrived in Pakistan on August 24 amid ongoing efforts to start negotiations between the Afghan government and the militants.

The talks, envisaged under a landmark peace agreement signed in February between Washington and the Taliban, had been expected to start earlier this month but were stymied by a series of delays.

The militants' delegation, headed by Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, will discuss with Pakistan's leaders the "recent developments in Afghanistan's peace process," according to a tweet by Suhail Shaheen, the spokesman for the Taliban political office.

Shaheen added that the "relaxation and facilitation of people's movement and trade between the two neighboring countries" will also be on the agenda.

The visit comes a day after the Taliban chief announced a beefed up negotiating team that includes nearly half of the Taliban leadership council and has the power to set agendas, decide strategy, and even sign agreements with the Kabul government.

That Taliban team is headed by the militants' chief negotiator, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai.

Pakistan earlier gave the go-ahead to implement UN sanctions against a number of outlawed groups, including the Taliban.

The sanctions restrict travel, freeze assets, limit fundraising, and outlaw weapons sales. The UN has allowed travel for the purpose of peace negotiations but for a limited number of Taliban figures.

Baradar, who is on the sanctions list, spent eight years in jail in Pakistan until his release in 2018.

Baradar and U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who negotiated the U.S.-Taliban deal, signed the agreement on February 29.

The Afghan government and the Taliban are deadlocked over outstanding prisoner releases. Kabul wants the Taliban to free 22 Afghan commandos they hold captive while the Taliban demand the release of a final 320 Taliban prisoners held in Afghan jails.

The release of the remaining prisoners was approved by a traditional Afghan council or Loya Jirga called by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani earlier this month but the government later said the Taliban were still holding Afghan soldiers and halted freeing the Taliban.

With reporting by AP and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/30799838.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Scientists have revealed how nanomaterials inspired by insect wings are able to destroy bacteria on contact.

Common whitetail dragonfly. Public domain image by Christopher Johnson (Insects Unlocked, University of Texas at Austin)

The wings of cicadas and dragonflies are natural bacteria killers, a phenomenon that has spurred researchers searching for ways to defeat drug-resistant superbugs.

New anti-bacterial surfaces are being developed, featuring different nanopatterns that mimic the deadly action of insect wings, but scientists are only beginning to unravel the mysteries of how they work.

In a review published in Nature Reviews Microbiology, researchers have detailed exactly how these patterns destroy bacteria - stretching, slicing or tearing them apart.

Insect wings inspire new ways to fight superbugs | RMIT University Play

Lead author, RMIT Universitys Distinguished Professor Elena Ivanova, said finding non-chemical ways of killing bacteria was critical, with more than 700,000 people dying each year due to drug-resistant bacterial infection.

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is one of the greatest threats to global health and routine treatment of infection is becoming increasingly difficult. When we look to nature for ideas, we find insects have evolved highly effective anti-bacterial systems. If we can understand exactly how insect-inspired nanopatterns kill bacteria, we can be more precise in engineering these shapes to improve their effectiveness against infections. Our ultimate goal is to develop low-cost and scaleable anti-bacterial surfaces for use in implants and in hospitals, to deliver powerful new weapons in the fight against deadly superbugs. Professor Elena Ivanova, Lead author, RMIT University

Bacteria-killing surfaces

The wings of cicadas and dragonflies are covered in tiny nanopillars, which were the first nanopatterns developed by scientists aiming to imitate their bactericidal effects.

Since then, theyve also precisely engineered other nanoshapes like sheets and wires, all designed to physically damage bacteria cells.

Bacteria that land on these nanostructures find themselves pulled, stretched or sliced apart, rupturing the bacterial cell membrane and eventually killing them.

The new review for the first time categorizes the different ways these surface nanopatterns deliver the necessary mechanical forces to burst the cell membrane.

Our synthetic biomimetic nanostructures vary substantially in their anti-bacterial performance and its not always clear why. We have also struggled to work out the optimal shape and dimensions of a particular nanopattern, to maximize its lethal power. While the synthetic surfaces weve been developing take nature to the next level, even looking at dragonflies, for example, we see that different species have wings that are better at killing some bacteria than others. When we examine the wings at the nanoscale, we see differences in the density, height and diameter of the nanopillars that cover the surfaces of these wings, so we know that getting the nanostructures right is key. Professor Elena Ivanova

Ivanova said producing nanostructured surfaces in large volumes cost-effectively, so they could be used in medical or industrial applications, remained a challenge.

But recent advancements in nanofabrication technologies have shown promise for opening a new era of biomedical antimicrobial nanotechnology, she said.

A pioneer in biomimetic antibacterial surfaces, Distinguished Professor Elena Ivanova leads the Mechano-bactericidal Surfaces research group in the School of Science at RMIT.

Her research is supported with funding from the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Research Hubs and Industrial Transformation Training Centre schemes, and the CASS Foundation.

Mechano-bactericidal actions of nanostructured surfaces, with RMIT co-authors Dr Denver Linklater and Professor Russell Crawford as well as co-authors from the Universitat Rovira I Virgili, The Ohio State University, University of Southampton and Swinburne University of Technology is published in Nature Review Microbiology (DOI: 10.1038/s41579-020-0414-z).
Life Dynamics Calls for Congressional Investigation and Defunding of 'Big Abortion' for Matters Related to Racial Discrimination and Hate Crimes

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Life Dynamics

Aug. 25, 2020

DENTON, Texas, Aug. 25, 2020 /Christian Newswire/ -- Life Dynamics, the Texas based organization that produced the film, Maafa 21, documenting that abortion was legalized as an instrument of eugenics and black genocide, responded to dramatic admissions by several former employees of Planned Parenthood and other pro-choice organizations.

These employees are publicly saying that they witnessed overt and widespread racism inside these groups. In recent weeks, similar reports have leaked out of the abortion industry in which other employees have made the same charge.

Life Dynamics president, Mark Crutcher, addressed these revelations, saying, "This should surprise absolutely no one. In our documentary, Maafa 21, we proved that the American abortion industry was founded by people with a sinister racial agenda and it would be the very definition of stupidity to think they would think more highly of their minority employees and clients than they think of the minority populations they are trying to wipe out."

Crutcher went on to call it a national scandal that, for decades, state and federal governments have been giving these racist organizations hundreds-of-millions of taxpayer dollars every year. He asserts that, "There is no more moral justification for giving money to Planned Parenthood than there is for giving it to the Klan." In response, he is calling for the immediate defunding of these groups and a congressional investigation into matters related to racial discrimination and hate crimes by these organizations.

Life Dynamics has a long history of carrying out covert operations within the abortion industry and Crutcher says he is putting together an aggressive campaign to get whistleblower employees -- past and present -- to come forward. He is also recruiting other conservative and pro-life organizations to join him in this campaign, and encouraging people to sign a petition for the defunding of these groups. "In the era of Black Lives Matter it is indefensible that we are using taxpayer dollars to fund racism."

To learn more about Life Dynamics and Mark Crutcher visit: http://lifedynamics.com/about-us/

SOURCE Life Dynamics

CONTACT: Sheila Crutcher, 940-380-8800, sheila@lifedynamics.com

Related Links

lifedynamics.com/about-us
'If the Biden-Harris team makes it to the White House, India's headaches will multiply,' observes Aditi Phadnis.

IMAGE: US Senator Kamala Harris accepts the Democratic vice presidential nomination at the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention, August 19, 2020. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Almost a year ago, in September 2019, Narendra Modi attended a huge meeting at Houston, Texas, organised by the Indian Diaspora, where he took President Donald Trump by the hand and roared: 'Abki baar, Trump sarkar'.

His prediction may turn out to be right. If not, India faces the prospects of a White House that could be prickly to it -- for many reasons.

With Democrat candidate for the US presidency, Joe Biden, having settled on the feisty, tough Kamala Harris to be his running mate, Chennai's Besant Nagar might be ecstatic that a local girl has made good. But South Block will be much more measured.

Harris's grandparents lived in Chennai and she says she owes a lot in her value system to the morning walks she would take as a little girl with her grandfather, a middle-rung civil servant, and his friends.

They would talk of corruption, civil rights, of right and wrong. Harris's mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a scientist, left for the US, one among the many who migrated to that country in the 1950s and 1960s.

While doing her PhD at University of California at Berkeley, she met and married a brilliant young Jamaican economist, Donald Harris. Kamala and her sister Maya were born in the US.

IMAGE: Joe Biden with Kamala Harris. Photograph: Kind courtesy @JoeBiden/Twitter

Does Harris see herself as Indian? Or as a black?

In an interview, journalist Aziz Haniffa cited the example of politicians like Bobby Jindal who had to deny their ethnic origins to make themselves acceptable in US politics and asked Harris about her racial origins.

Harris said: 'One is not to the exclusion of the other -- I believe that point is at the heart of this matter. We have to stop seeing issues and people through a plate-glass window as though we were one-dimensional. Instead, we have to see that most people exist through a prism and they are a sum of many factors, ...that is just the reality of it.'

But bureaucracies rarely see things that way. Harris's struggles -- to be noticed and recognised as black/Indian -- encountered many obstacles.

In 2003, she was elected to become San Francisco's first woman district attorney. She was re-elected though she refused to endorse the death penalty.

She virtually doubled the state's conviction rate, was unforgiving in punishing racial crimes and child abuse.

When a sitting senator retired, she contested her seat and won. She was the second black woman to be elected to the US Senate.

IMAGE: Kamala Harris with her youngest aunt Mahalakshmi.

As senator, Harris caused grown men to shake in their shoes when she cross-questioned them in Senate hearings. One such was Jeff Sessions, former senator and US attorney general. 'I'm not able to be rushed this fast,' he once said to her when faced with her relentless questioning. 'It makes me nervous.'

It is this quality that India will have to look out for. Syrupy comments about walks on Chennai beaches and Kanjivaram saris notwithstanding, Harris took a stand when her friend and United States Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal was disinvited from a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in December last year after she introduced a resolution urging India to lift all the restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir imposed after revoking Article 370.

Jaishankar said he had no interest in meeting Jayapal and others like her. 'It's wrong for any foreign government to tell Congress what members are allowed in meetings on Capitol Hill,' Harris said in a tweet, adding she stood with Jayapal.

It is hardly surprising that leading Pakistani newspaper Dawn was chuffed about Harris's new job. The newspaper recalled Harris's 2019 statement. 'We have to remind the Kashmiris that they are not alone in the world... There is a need to intervene if the situation demands,' she was quoted as saying.

US political analysts say Harris is being projected as a black candidate to balance Biden's politics in the current environment of the Black Lives Matter movement.

She is expected to draw the centrist elements of the Democrats to Biden.

They believe that there are only two conditions in which Trump might win the November elections -- if there is a vaccine by then; and if the economy has a V-shaped rebound.

If the Biden-Harris team makes it to the White House, India's headaches will multiply.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
Ghislaine Maxwell has lost her bid to be transferred out of solitary confinement and into general population as she awaits trial inside a 'hell-hole' Brooklyn prison.

On Tuesday, Judge Alison J. Nathan denied the request from Jeffrey Epstein's alleged madam after her lawyers argued that she is unable to properly prepare for trial due to being monitored 24/7.

The judge also rejected a request by Maxwell's lawyers for prosecutors to disclose the identities of three alleged victims who claim to have been sexually abused by Epstein and Maxwell when they were underage.

Judge Nathan called the disclosure of the identities 'premature' as the case isn't scheduled to go to trial until next year.

Judge Alison J. Nathan denied Ghislaine Maxwell's request to be moved out of solitary confinement to the general population at Brooklyn prison on Tuesday (seen in a court sketch in July)

The 58-year-old's lawyers argued in a letter earlier this month that she is being subjected to daily searches and constant surveillance, which are impeding her from preparing for trial, while in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn (pictured)

Maxwell previously complained about conditions inside the Brooklyn jail where she is being kept ahead of her trial.

The 58-year-old British socialite was taken off suicide watch earlier this month but is being searched multiple times each day and is under constant watch of the guards, her lawyers said.

Her lawyers said in a letter to the judge on August 10 that the searches and surveillance should be stopped.

The British socialite's attorney asked Judge Alison Nathan (pictured) for permission to identify three alleged victims, to which she denied

'Ms. Maxwell has been treated less favorably than a typical pretrial detainee, and this has impacted her ability to assist in her defense,' the lawyers wrote. 'It has become apparent that the BOP's treatment of Ms. Maxwell is a reaction to the circumstances surrounding the pretrial detention and death of Mr. Epstein.'

The letter stated that because of 'what occurred with Mr. Epstein, Ms. Maxwell is being treated worse than other similarly situated pretrial detainees, which significantly impacts her ability to prepare a defense and be ready for trial.'

Her legal team said in the letter that she is only being subjected to the 'onerous' conditions because friend Epstein died while awaiting trial, in what was ruled a suicide.

Her lawyers claim she has been under constant surveillance by prison psychologists who have been evaluating her for hours without her consent and has also been forced to undergo body scans.

'She continues to be surveilled 24 hours a day by security cameras and by multiple prison guards, many of whom do not appear to be regular MDC personnel,' the lawyers wrote. 'These prison guards constantly observe Ms. Maxwell and take notes on her every activity, including her phone conversations with defense counsel.'

The letter asked that Maxwell 'be released to the general population and be granted the privileges given to other pretrial detainees'.

It also requested for her to be given more computer time in order to review the reams of documents relating to her case.

The judge did alter her confinement to allow Maxwell access to discovery materials 13 hours a day, seven days a week.

Further, his team asked that she be given the names of three anonymous women who are accusing her of grooming and abusing them, but the judge denied that request as well.

Her lawyers argued, 'Maxwell cannot prepare for or receive a fair trial without this information,' but the judge disagreed.

Court documents filed Tuesday show the judge denied request to disclose victims' identities and called it 'premature' as the case isn't scheduled to go to trial until next year

Jeffrey Epstein was initially charged with sex trafficking in Florida in 2006, before being hit with a 53-page FBI indictment the following year.

In 2008, he was offered a controversial plea deal that saw him sentenced to 18 months in prison for soliciting underage prostitutes.

He was then rearrested in July 2019 and charged with sex trafficking, when he was moved to a maximum security jail in Manhattan.

On August 10 he was found unconscious in his cell with injuries to his neck and later died in what was officially ruled a suicide.

Epstein had been on suicide watch but was taken off just days before his death, on the condition that he be placed with a cellmate and constantly monitored.

But the day before his body was found his cellmate was moved out and not replaced, and guards failed to carry out checks on him.

Maxwell, who is accused of acting as Epstein's 'madam' by finding him young women to abuse and then 'training' them to comply with his desires, was arrested on July 2, nearly a year after his death

Maxwell was moved on July 6 to Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, once described by a judge as 'like a third-world country'

Maxwell, who is accused of acting as Epstein's 'madam' by finding him young women to abuse and then 'training' them to comply with his desires, was arrested on July 2 at a mansion she owned in New Hampshire.

The socialite - who once mixed with celebrities, presidents and royalty at high-class parties - was moved on July 6 to Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, once described by a judge as 'like a third-world country'

Guards at the jail, which is different to the one where Jeffrey Epstein died last year, have been jailed for raping female prisoners, while the jail also lost power for an entire week during winter last year - leaving inmates locked in freezing, dark cells.

In total Maxwell is facing six counts - four relating to child sex trafficking, and two of perjury for lying under oath about the trafficking during a previous lawsuit.

If convicted on all charges, she is facing up to 35 years behind bars.
File image: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Bret Stephens

If Joe Biden isnt careful, Donald Trump might have a new nickname for him: Shutdown Joe. Or maybe, Shut Down Joe. Those monikers came to mind after the former vice presidents biggest blunder in the campaign thus far.

Im referring to Bidens comment, in his interview last week with ABCs David Muir, that if scientists advised him to shut down the country again to contain a winter surge of COVID-19 and the flu, I would shut it down; I would listen to the scientists. Its the sort of remark that surely plays well with voters who already support him. It might even have notional majority support.

But it doesnt help with the voters Biden needs to avoid antagonizing in swing districts.

Few stories bring that reality into sharper focus than Simon Romeros report in Mondays Times on New Mexicos neck-and-neck congressional race between first-term Democratic incumbent, Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, and Yvette Herrell, her Republican challenger. New Mexico has trended Democratic in recent years, and a June poll had Biden with a comfortable lead in the state.

But Romero reports red-hot anger in the district over the restrictive coronavirus policies of the Democratic governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, that have helped keep case counts low at a painful economic price. There is open defiance by sheriffs, business owners and many others of Ms. Lujan Grishams policies. Turnout in the GOP primary surged by more than 40% over 2016, as against a Democratic increase of 5%.

The strategy of running hard to the right by avowing loyalty to Mr. Trump while blasting Democrats for problems associated with the pandemic, Romero adds, could be working for Ms. Herrell, who lost the 2018 race by fewer than 4,000 votes.

Whats happening in Torres Smalls district, which in 2016 went for Trump by a 10-point margin, isnt going to decide the presidential race, even in New Mexico. But it offers a taste of a powerful current of anxiety and resentment that Trump has positioned himself to exploit, and that  to judge by his shutdown remark  Biden doesnt seem to grasp.

The anxiety is from people hanging on by their fingernails (if theyre still hanging on at all) to jobs, businesses, livelihoods and homes on account of a pandemic whose toll in lives and health can be weighed against the costs of fighting it. In the hierarchy of fears, what is COVID-19 to a healthy 35-year-old restaurateur next to the prospect of losing everything except a meager government check?

The resentment goes just as deep among those who feel talked down to by people whose own track record as experts leaves something to be desired. Remember when (on Feb. 29) the surgeon general tweeted, Seriously people  STOP BUYING MASKS? Remember when the most urgent national need was for more ventilators  until those fears proved largely unfounded? Remember the scientists who hypocritically failed to abide by the sort of strictures they demanded of the public?

None of this is a failure of science per se, or an excuse for reckless personal behavior. It is certainly no justification for Trumps appalling management of the crisis, particularly his failure to promote and provide for adequate testing. But it is a failure by people who claim to speak, with unassailable authority, in the name of science. And loose talk of nationwide shutdowns plays into the fears of voters who feel they have been both impoverished and patronized.

The danger Biden now courts is twofold. He is promising to hand over his decision-making authority to unelected people who, whatever their education, expertise or virtues, havent gained the trust of fence-sitting voters.

And he is proposing to resort to a strategy that, as Wall Street Journal reporter Greg Ip reported Monday, is now being viewed by some economists and even health experts as an overly blunt and economically costly tool that could have been avoided in favor of alternative strategies that could slow the spread of the epidemic at much less cost.

All of this creates a dangerous opening for Trump. Voters wont necessarily turn to Biden if they feel he will merely rubber-stamp the same set of policies that they wanted to avoid in the first place. Democracies elect leaders to lead, not defer; to occasionally buck conventional wisdom, not parrot it

Biden and his advisers may suppose theyre on a glide path to reelection against a manifestly flawed and failed incumbent. But they face an opponent who fights best when hes cornered, and who will take the same ruthless political advantage of Bidens line that George W. Bushs campaign did of John Kerrys calamitous classic about the Iraq War, I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it. The Hippocratic oath for the Biden campaign should be, First, do no self-harm.

The next time Biden is asked about lockdowns, he might cite a line from John F. Kennedy: Scientists alone can establish the objectives of their research, the 35th president said, But society, in extending support to science, must take into account its own needs. Thats a line to win over a wavering voter.

c.2020 The New York Times Company
Tijuana, Mexico -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/25/2020 -- Dr. Mexico Border Clinic part of Mexico Dental Group is the leading dental clinic in Tijuana. As the name suggests, this is a border clinic just beside San Diego, California is one of the most preferred dental clinic by Americans who are looking for affordable dental services. Patients from the USA of have to get to San Diego to reach the border. The rest will be taken care by the clinic right from arranging transport to and from the border to the accommodation of choice.



Dr. Mexico Border Clinic contributes largely to Mexico's growing dental tourism by offering affordable and quality care. The clinic takes pride in sharing with their clients that it costs only 1/4th of the prices against the prices that they are charged in the American dental clinics. The qualified, board certified and experienced dentists take care of the patients and offer best in class dental procedures including Root Canals, Dentures, Dental Implants, Crowns, Bridges, Cavity Filling and more.



To know more visit http://mexicodentalgroup.com/



About http://mexicodentalgroup.com/

Dr. Mexico Border Clinic is a part of Mexico Dental Group, a leading dental clinic based at Tijuana, Mexico. The clinic consists of the best and state-of-the-art dental equipment to conduct all kinds of medical and cosmetic dental procedures with the best staff on board.



Media Contact



Dr. Mexico Border Clinic

Address: Av Via de Juventud 8800 Int. 2202, Empleados Federales, 22010 Tijuana, B.C.

Phone: 619-906-7415

Email: BorderClinic@drmexico.dental

Website: http://mexicodentalgroup.com
Sudan said Tuesday it cannot establish diplomatic relations with Israel for now, dashing hopes for a speedy breakthrough during a visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok told Pompeo that Sudans transitional government  which replaced ousted strongman Omar al-Bashir last year and is set to rule until 2022 elections  has no mandate to take such a weighty step.

The announcement was a setback to a charm offensive by the US and Israel to forge more ties between the Jewish state and the Arab world following a landmark US-brokered August 13 agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Israel remains technically at war with Sudan, an East African country which for years supported hardline Islamist forces under Bashir, and which remains on a US State Department blacklist of backers of terrorism.

Hamdok urged the US not to link the subject of lifting Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and the subject of normalisation with Israel, his spokesman said.

The coalition which led Sudans protest movement, the Forces of Freedom and Change, noted the right of Palestinians to their land and to a free and dignified life and argued that the government has no mandate to normalise ties with Israel.

Hamdoks office said he had made the same point to Pompeo, the first US secretary of state to visit Sudan since Condoleezza Rice went there in 2005.

The prime minister clarified that the transitional period in Sudan is being led by a wide alliance with a specific agenda  to complete the transition, achieve peace and stability in the country and hold free elections, government spokesman Faisal Saleh said in a statement.

Hamdok told Pompeo that his interim government does not have a mandate beyond these tasks or to decide on normalisation with Israel, the statement said.

 Terror watch-list 

When Pompeo arrived hours earlier, he tweeted that he had flown to Khartoum on a historic first official non-stop flight from Tel Aviv.

The US top diplomat also met Sudans Sovereign Council chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for talks which the State Department had said would express US support for deepening the Sudan-Israel relationship.

Netanyahu had met Burhan in February in Uganda and later announced that they had agreed to cooperate towards normalising ties. Sudans cabinet however later denied that Burhan had made such a promise.

Sudans new joint civilian-military transitional government has vowed to break with the Bashir era and launched sweeping social and political reforms.

The cash-strapped country hopes Washington will soon take it off its terrorism blacklist as it seeks to fully re-integrate into the international community and attract more aid and investment.

Sudan has been on Washingtons terror list since 1993 because of its earlier support for jihadists, including Osama bin Laden, who lived in the country for years in the 1990s before heading to Afghanistan.

Sudan has been in talks on compensating the victims of Bashir-era Al-Qaeda attacks, including the 2000 USS Cole bombing in Yemen and the simultaneous 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

Hamdok wrote on Twitter that he and Pompeo had a direct & transparent conversation regarding delisting Sudan from the terror list and on receiving US government support.

I continue to look forward to positive tangible steps in supporting the glorious Sudanese revolution, Hamdok wrote.

 Economic crisis 

For Sudan, the question of normalising Israel ties is highly sensitive.

It was in Khartoum in 1967 that Arab leaders, their nations reeling from a blistering defeat against Israel in the Six-Day War, adopted their famous Three Nos resolution: no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with it.

Sudan expert Marc Lavergne of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) called Tuesdays developments a failure for the Americans, who thought they could force a poor and fragile country like Sudan to normalise its relations with Israel.

But the Sudanese government reacted wisely, he said. Sudan is already divided enough, theres no need to add more with (the question of) normalisation with Israel, on which theres no consensus. Sudan has other fish to fry with all the problems it has.

Pompeos visit came as Sudan faces a deep economic crisis, laid low by long years of US sanctions and the 2011 secession of the oil-rich south.

The United Nations says more than 9.6 million people  almost a quarter of Sudans population  suffer severe food insecurity.

Bashir is on trial over the Islamist-backed coup that brought him to power over three decades ago, and the transitional government is at pains to distance itself from his legacy.

It has agreed in principle to hand Bashir over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague where he faces charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the 2003 Darfur conflict.

burs-sk-fz/par
It is one of the most abundant shale plays in the world, with oil reserves of up to 16 billion barrels and gas reserves of 308 trillion cubic metersresources that could guarantee a countrys energy independence and turn it into a relevant international supplier of oil and gas.

But only if the price is right.

Vaca Muerta was Argentinas hope for energy independence and even international success as an exporter of oil and gas. But that was before the oil price crash and before yet another financial crisis in the South American country that slowed energy investments. Nevertheless, Big Oil is not leaving Argentina, suggesting that there are still benefits to be reaped from a presence in the Dead Cow formation.

Exxon was earlier this month granted an exploration license for a block in Vaca Muerta by the Neuquen provincial government. The news is important as the license comes amid an industry-wide shift from growth to retrenchment, with costs getting cut everywhere they can be cut, projects getting delayedespecially exploration projectsand capex plans getting radically revised.

The license Exxon scored is a long-term one, for 35 years. As part of the deal, Exxon will drill and complete two wells over the next four years. If these yield positive results, the supermajor will then drill as many as 44 wells.

It is too early to praise Exxon for not quitting on Vaca Muerta, but the new license is a positive sign for the long-termif not the short-termfuture of the shale play. Another supermajor who is betting on the long-term attractiveness of the Vaca Muerta is Shell. The Anglo-Dutch supermajor said recently that it would delay some projects in the play but would not be going away.

In the long term, Vaca Muerta has the ability to be competitive [internationally], Shell Argentina president, Sean Rooney, told media earlier this month. I am confident that we are seeing a delay of one to two years until we can resume new investments. Related: Two Major Shale Drillers Plan Layoffs



Vaca Muertas development, even before the latest colossal oil industry crash, was marred in various challenges. For one thing, production costs were too high because of the lack of infrastructure in place and the fact that things like frac sand and water had to be transported over long distances to reach the wells. For another, pro-business president Mauricio Macris reformist government lost the last election with another financial crisis rattling Argentina, dampening appetites for expansion in the Vaca Muerta, especially after the new government featured ex-president Christina Fernandes as vice-president, Oilprice.coms Latin America correspondent Matthew Smith wrote recently.

Fernandez led the nationalization of YPF in 2012 and now sparked worry among energy companies that the new government could again embark on an interventionist agenda despite assurances from the vice-president that this would not be the case, Smith noted.

Despite all these problems, all is not lost. Production costs have been falling in the Vaca Muerta, so the improvement in oil prices we have seen since this springs lows would motivate some drilling. According to a Wood Mackenzie analyst, as long as Brent is above $30 a barrel, the most developed parts of the Vaca Muerta would again start making economic sense, Bloomberg reported in April. Brent is not trading above $40 a barrel, and while this may be too low for Middle Eastern producers, it is high enough for some Vaca Muerta projects.

In addition to the favorable price development, President Alberto Fernandes has pledged to the energy industry to support it with new legislation safeguarding investments already made in the shale play. Some argue that these safeguards will not be enough to spur on more drilling, compromising not just Argentinas entry into the international oil market but its energy independence, especially in gas. Others believe, based on supermajors continued presence in the play, the Dead Cow could become the next Permian, only with even lower production costs.

Government estimates from a couple of years ago saw the Vaca Muerta boost national oil production to some 1 million bpd and gas production to 260 million bpd by 2023. State energy major YPF had plans to expand its LNG export capacity, although it had to drop these this year as the LNG glut weighed on prices. Shell has also had to revise its plans for boosting Vaca Muerta production to 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily by 2021. Others have delayed growth plans as well. But none has exited the play yet.

There are currently eight drilling crews in the Vaca Muerta, according to Argentine media. That is down from 36 in November last year. Of course, hardly anyone would have expected that the shale play would remain untouched by the latest storms in global oil and gas. And yet, Shell and Equinor partnered in January to buy a new block in the Vaca Muerta from Schlumberger. True, in January, no one had any idea about what was coming in March and April, but in Argentina, things were already difficult for oil and gas companies. That acquisition and now Exxons new license to drill suggest that despite the multiple challenges, the Dead Cow still has rich enough potential to compensate for those.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com



More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 19:51:26|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

MOGADISHU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Tuesday primary healthcare visits and childhood vaccination coverage have sharply declined in Somalia amid the COVID-19 pandemic as infectious diseases surge.

The charity said the drop in healthcare visits has raised concerns that diseases such as respiratory infections, measles, and acute watery diarrhea (AWD) as well as malnutrition could be going untreated, while floods have forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.

"We are also seeing a decline in clinic visits during the pandemic, which is deeply worrying in that preventable deaths from diseases such as malaria or complications in childbirth could claim more lives than COVID-19 itself," Ana Maria Guzman, the health coordinator for the ICRC in Somalia said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

Guzman said the fight against COVID-19 has put an additional strain on health care resources and is stretching the charity's ability to respond to multiple health threats at the same time.

"What we have already seen in our community-based surveillance tool is what is at stake if we focus all of our resources on fighting COVID-19 and neglect seasonal disease outbreaks like AWD and vaccination campaigns against measles and other preventable illnesses," she said.

The ICRC said it has documented seven times more cases of suspected AWD than possible COVID-19 cases in the last two months, underscoring what is at risk if seasonal disease outbreaks are neglected.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), healthcare visits to Somali Red Crescent clinics by children under five and pregnant women dropped by more than 50 percent from about 181,000 medical consultations in the first seven months of 2019 to nearly 83,000 in the same period this year.

Vaccination coverage for children against diphtheria, hepatitis B, tetanus and whooping cough declined from 77 percent in 2019 to 56 percent in June 2020, WHO said.

Habiba Ahmed, a Somali Red Crescent nurse who works in a clinic in Balcad said the floods have forced people into displacement camps where they have little clean water, sanitation, or food.

"We are seeing AWD cases rise, with most patients coming from villages on the outskirts of Balcad in Middle Shabelle who have had to walk long distances to reach our clinic," Ahmed added. Enditem
The Holiday Guru is always on hand to answer your questions.

This week the issues tackled include what to do if an air bridge agreement ends, getting refunds from Tui and re-arranging hotel stays.

Q. I am possibly going to Crete in October. If the air bridge agreement with Greece ends, do I have to return immediately or can I stay for the whole of my holiday and then quarantine when I return? Having seen the scramble back from France, Im no longer sure.

Sue Kauder, via email.

One reader, who is due to visit Crete in October, asks if the air bridge agreement with Greece ends, does she have to return to the UK immediately?

A. Should the Government take Greece off the list of countries exempt from quarantine while you are out there, you would be free to stay for the rest of your holiday and quarantine visit www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors .

Q. I am writing on behalf of my parents-in-law, aged 77 and 79. They are due a refund for a cancelled Celebrity Silhouette cruise in May, sold by Tui at a cost of 2,884.62. They have phoned the helpline several times with no success, and have even written to Tui HQ with no reply. Their experience of computers extends as far as knowing they exist.

Neil Mackay, via email.

A. It is possible that your parents-in- law have been sent a refund credit note via email. This will have their refund credit number, which they will need to input at tui.co.uk/destinations/info/coronavirus after following the refund link. Refunds are currently taking up to four weeks due to a backlog.

A spokeswoman for Tui says that phone lines have improved, and the current wait time is less than three minutes. The company is looking into the case and should be in touch soon.

Q. We booked a stay at a Jurys Inn in Dublin on March 4 for a trip this December. We took the non-flexible room price. Due to the Irish travel restrictions we would like to postpone until the same weekend next year, but the hotel told me that unless Government advice alters, we will still need to go. Im confused. Can you help?

Neil Bull, via email.

Another reader asks for the Guru's help in re-arranging a trip to Dublin, pictured

A. This seems harsh. We asked Jurys Inn why such a simple switch could not be made - after all, visitors movements are restricted for 14 days. A spokesperson said the confusion came as the hotel chains computer system will only allow bookings 365 days ahead. A note is being made on your booking to allow the December 2021 change.

Q. I am going to Greece on September 6, but my email account with the completed Passenger Locator Form has shut down and I cant remember my password. Should I start again with a new email?

Paul Tunnicliffe, via email.

A. Yes, that would be the most sensible course of action. To do so, visit the travel.gov.gr website.

HAVE YOU BEEN SCAMMED?

Aside from delays to refunds, have you been caught up in a holiday scam during the coronavirus pandemic, or encountered travel firms that let you down in an underhand way? Let us know at holidayplanner@dailymail.co.uk.
The Hangreen, a 19.1-meter building mostly made of wood, stands in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The five-story structure symbolizes the new trend of eco-friendly construction in Korea. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min



Korea embraces timber as key construction material



By Jung Min-ho





Korea Forest Service Deputy Minister Choi Byeong-am speaks during a recent interview with The Korea Times at his office in Daejeon. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min

YEONGJU/DAEJEON  For more than a century, concrete and steel have replaced wood as primary building materials, especially for tall structures. But thanks to increasing demand for "greener construction" and technological advances, timber is back in style.



The Hangreen, a 19.1-meter wooden building in Yeongju, symbolizes the new trend in Korea. The five-story structure, mainly made of Korean larch, a common tree species here, marks only the beginning of a new era of architecture, according to Choi Byeong-am, deputy minister of the Korea Forest Service (KFS).



"Imagine a wooden skyscraper in the heart of Seoul," Choi said. "You may see it in the near future. Wooden buildings are more eco-friendly, sustainable and aesthetic than concrete ones. Increasingly, people are rediscovering the value of the old material."





The interior of the Hangreen / Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min



The biggest development in timber construction of the past few decades is "mass timber," which refers to composite-wood systems that combine multiple layers of planks into larger structural elements; cross-laminated timber (CLT), its most common form, makes it possible to build tall buildings by offering high strength.



So, in theory, architects and engineers today can build a modern town  or an entire city  mostly out of wood. This is one of the plans Choi has in mind.



"In collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, we are planning to select a few towns or cities (most likely three) next year and will transform them into sort of like wooden towns or cities as part of the government's urban renewal projects," he said.



"To make it possible, we should ease regulations on wooden structures, including the height limit of 18 meters (the Hangreen was an exception), which the ministry has been considering positively. Besides, we need to improve our technology, which, at the current level, enables us only to construct a 12-story building (about 36 meters)."



The world's tallest timber building is the 18-story Mjostarnet tower in Brumunddal, Norway. Completed last year, it is 85.4 meters high and includes a hotel, offices and private homes. HoHo in Seestadt Aspern, near Vienna, Austria, is the second tallest at 84 meters. But Japan, another country known for its advanced wood construction technology, is planning to build a 350-meter tower in Tokyo  a project expected to be finished in 2041  to challenge them.



According to the KFS, only 17 percent of wood used in Korea is domestic timber. But this is projected to increase to 30 percent by 2035, given that the country started a massive tree planting campaign about 50 years ago.



"Many trees will be mature enough to be used in the coming decade or so," Choi said. "This means Korea will soon enter a new era of opportunity."











The 85.4-meter Mjostarnet tower in Norway is the world's tallest timber building. Courtesy of Vjus



Mass timber is sturdy as concrete and just as fireproof



One of the most popular misconceptions about wooden buildings is that they are a lot more hazardous than ones made of concrete and steel in the event of a fire.



But mass timber is not like dry sticks. It is difficult to ignite in the first place and, if a fire occurs, it takes quite a long time to burn completely. For instance, the Hangreen has a fire-resistance rating of two hours  the duration that a material can withstand exposure to fire.



In addition, when the wood burns, it does so in a predictable way, unlike buildings made of concrete, steel, glass and other materials, which can suddenly explode or snap.





It is difficult to ignite mass timber. If a fire occurs, the wood burns slowly and predictably. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min



The bottom line is that there is no such thing as a "perfectly fireproof" building. All materials are combustible, albeit to varying degrees, and can pose a hazard to life and property.



"Concerns about wooden buildings' fire safety are overblown," Choi said. "Such worries will disappear as more people get to see and learn about modern wooden buildings."



Designed and built correctly, wooden buildings are also very durable. Across the world, there are many examples that have survived for hundreds of years with proper care.



Mass timber has proved to perform well in earthquakes. If damaged, the material can be repaired relatively easily; concrete buildings with extensive cracks are more difficult to fix.



In addition, wood is lighter and less time is required to build a structure from it.



"It would take twice as much time to build something like the Hangreen with concrete," Choi said. "Wood is more expensive  about five to 10 percent higher. But lower labor costs for reduced construction time can help offset the material cost."





A dense forest in Yeongju / Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min
StudentLife Student Support Programs The decision to rebrand our Student Support Programs as StudentLife was made to better differentiate the programs unique focus on services dedicated to supporting educational environments and populations.

Empathia, Inc., an industry-leading provider of quality, customized behavioral solutions, has formally rebranded its student support programs as StudentLife. These programs offer a full spectrum of services that support students needs in all aspects of a higher education setting.

Higher education institutions continue to experience increased demand for mental health, crisis and life resources, with the current pandemic further adding to this strain. With decades of behavioral health and crisis management experience, Empathias dedicated team of professionals stands ready to provide specialized solutions to student populations, staff and faculty.

The decision to rebrand our Student Support Programs as StudentLife was made to better differentiate the programs unique focus on services dedicated to supporting educational environments and populations, said Carol Wilson, Empathia President & CEO. StudentLife brings the same high level of competence, compassion, commitment and care that Empathia is widely known for.

Through StudentLife, students who are struggling to manage challenges like mental health, finances and financial aid, housing, transportation, legal concerns and other daily stressors, will have convenient access to specialized support.

StudentLife services include mental health and wellbeing counseling, student/life resources and critical incident response. These programs expand access for students, including those living off campus or engaging in online learning by providing 24/7 availability to in-person and virtual services. StudentLife also provides dedicated, 24/7 access for staff and faculty to consult on student-related issues. These services are available to supplement existing resources, supporting students anywhere in the country.

Our StudentLife programs support and empower students to embrace the opportunities and engaging learning environments that educational institutions work so hard to provide, said Wilson.

For more information on StudentLife visit: empathia.com/student-support-programs

About Empathia, Inc.

Empathia is an industry-leading, full-service global provider of employee assistance, student support, crisis management and workplace culture optimization. For over 35 years, Empathia has delivered reliable, quality-driven services to organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to multi-campus academic institutions. By offering a variety of services, organizations are able to customize programs to ensure their goals are achieved. For more information, visit empathia.com.
WASHINGTON: Jerry Falwell Jr, a towering force in the U.S. evangelical Christian movement whose endorsement played a key role in President Donald Trumps 2016 victory, has resigned as president of Liberty University, the school said on Tuesday.

Falwells dramatic departure as head of one of the worlds largest Christian universities came a day after Reuters reported that a business partner of the Falwell family had come forward with a stunning allegation: that he had been in a years-long sexual relationship involving Falwells wife and the evangelical leader.

To read the Reuters report about the affair, click https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-falwell-relationship

Falwell, who for over a decade served as president of the university founded by his father, did not respond to a request for comment.

Tuesdays announcement from the university put an end to a day of fevered back-and-forth over Falwells fate. Falwell, 58, had initially agreed to resign shortly after the Reuters report appeared, but then changed his mind following media reports about his decision, according to the university.

Falwells departure represents a remarkable fall from grace for a man who has been a potent force in American conservative politics.

His endorsement in 2016 helped Trump, a thrice-married New York reality TV star, win evangelical voters in a crowded Republican field that included more established conservatives such as Senator Ted Cruz.

The revelations about Falwell may have little effect on Trumps chances in 2020, however. In the years since winning Falwells backing, Trump built up his own diehard base of support within the evangelical movement.

A June survey by the Pew Research Center showed that a strong majority of white evangelicals - some 72% of them -approved of Trumps handling of the job, down modestly from 78% in April.

The Reuters report on Monday was the latest in a string of personal embarrassments for Falwell.

The university chief had taken an indefinite leave of absence from Liberty earlier in the month. That step, announced in a terse statement from the schools board of trustees, came days after Falwell posted, then deleted, an Instagram photo of himself with his pants unzipped, standing with his arm around a young woman whose pants were also partly undone. Falwell later told a local radio station that the picture was meant as a good-natured joke.

On Monday, Reuters reported the allegations of Giancarlo Granda. Granda told Reuters he was 20 when he met Jerry and Becki Falwell while working as a pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in March 2012. Starting that month and continuing into 2018, Granda told Reuters that the relationship involved him having sex with Becki Falwell while Jerry Falwell looked on.

Granda shared with Reuters texts and other material that he said supported his account of a sexual relationship with the couple.

On Sunday night, as Reuters was preparing to publish the article, Jerry Falwell issued a statement in which he said Becki Falwell had had an affair with Granda. Becki Falwell did not respond to questions from Reuters.

Falwells statement did not mention Grandas allegation of a love triangle and he did not address questions from Reuters about the matter.

The statement also said Granda had been trying to extort money from the couple over the matter.

Granda denies any such intent, saying he was seeking to negotiate a buyout from a business arrangement he says he had with the couple.

Falwells departure leaves a big gap at Liberty, based in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has been dominated for decades by Falwell Jr and, before him, by his late father, who in an earlier era was a major force in Republican Party politics.

Liberty said Falwell Jr would be paid severance at a level dictated by his employment agreement - and that the school would not be adjusting that previously agreed sum. Liberty spokesman Scott Lamb did not respond to a question about how much money Falwell would receive in severance pay.

Falwells son, Jerry Falwell III, known as Trey," has worked as a vice president at the school. Lamb did not respond to a request for comment on whether Trey Falwell remains employed at the school.

Save71, a group of Liberty alumni, students, and faculty that have called for new leadership, welcomed Falwells departure.

The group in a statement said Libertys board has abdicated their moral and fiduciary duties for years" and permitted Falwell and his family to run the school like a personal business at the expense of its faculty and its students."

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
Sanjay Dutts wife Maanayata Dutt has shared a beautiful picture of their two children, twins Shahraan and Iqra, along with a heartfelt note. Sanjay was diagnosed with lung cancer this month and has been undergoing treatment in Mumbai for now.

Sharing the picture of the nine-year-olds, twinning in white ethnic wear and striking the same pose, Maanayata wrote, Sands are shifting.... God...protect your peace...answer your prayers #love #grace #positivity #dutts #ganpatibappamorya #beautifullife #thankyougod.

Sanjays eldest daughter Trishala Dutt reacted to the picture with a folded hand and heart emojis. Trishala is Sanjays daughter with first wife Richa.

Maanayatas followers also said that their prayers are with her family. A fan wrote, everything will be alright. Another commented, He will be back super soon.

Sanjay Dutt and Maanayata Dutt leaving for the hospital in Tuesday. (Varinder Chawla)

On Saturday, Dutt took to Twitter to mark the beginning of the ten-day festival. The celebrations arent as huge as they used to be every year but the faith in Bappa remains the same. I wish that this auspicious festival removes all the obstacles from our lives and bless us all with health and happiness. Ganpati Bappa Morya, he wrote alongside a photo featuring him and Maanayata.

The actor is currently undergoing preliminary treatment at a city hospital. Earlier this week, Maanayata had said depending on the coronavirus situation, they will formalise their plans to go abroad for Sanjays treatment.

Also read: When Juhi Chawla won the national costume round at Miss Universe in a lehenga and nose ring, watch throwback video

For those asking, Sanju will complete his preliminary treatment in Mumbai. We will formulate further plans of travel depending on how and when the covid situation eases. As of now, Sanju is in the best hands of our esteemed doctors at Kokilaben hospital, she had said in a statement. Maanayata had also said that their family was shaken up but determined to fight tooth and nail.

Dutt was admitted to Lilavati Hospital on August 8 after he complained of breathlessness. After his discharge on August 10, the actor tweeted about taking a short break from work owing to medical treatment.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Two Mumbai police officers were summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday in connection with the death of Bollywood actor Suhant Singh Rajput.

The officers - inspector Bhushan Belnekar and sub-inspector Vaibhav Jagtap - were under quarantine after they tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago.

Belnekar was discharged a few days ago. But is currently under quarantine, as per the doctors advice, said a senior police officer, requesting anonymity.

Mumbai police officials said the CBI is likely to summon senior police officers, including the senior police inspectors and officers above him as well.

The central agencys probe team has been in Mumbai since Friday last after the Supreme Court approved the ongoing CBI investigation recommended by the Bihar government into the death of Sushant Rajput.

The team continued to question the actors cook Neeraj Singh, domestic help Keshav Bachner, roommate and creative manager Siddharth Pithani, chartered accountant Sandeep Shridhar and house manager Samuel Miranda in DRDO guest house in Santacruz (east).

On Monday, the CBI team had questioned employees of Waterstone Resort in Andheri (East) where Rajput had spent two months last year.

The same afternoon, a CBI team also visited and met the team of Cooper Hospital doctors who conducted the autopsy.

Rajputs father had filed a police complaint in Patna, accusing Rhea Chakraborty - her sons friend - and her family of abetting his sons suicide and misappropriating his money.

The CBI is yet to call Rhea Chakraborty for questioning.

Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment on June 14. He was 34.
The few Wisconsin delegates who traveled to this weeks Republican National Convention in North Carolina said the event  which was downsized due to the states COVID-19-related restrictions  is successful so far.

Despite criticism from Republicans that last weeks Democratic National Convention had shifted to a nearly entirely online event, this weeks RNC has shifted to a similar format, with states only allowed to send six delegates each to the downsized event. The majority of delegates and GOP regulars are not expected to attend the event in person.

It would have been great to have the entire Wisconsin delegation down here, Wisconsin delegate Tom Schreibel said Monday.

But while the format has shifted away from a more traditional convention, Schreibel said there was no shortage of GOP enthusiasm Monday in Charlotte. Both President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the event.

Schreibel, 57, said he sees that same energy back in Wisconsin.

The fervor is there, he said. The Trump supporters really see the true need and theyre fired up to work hard these next few months. In all the years Ive been in politics, Ive never seen the base this fired up.

Schreibel, along with fellow RNC committee members Mary Buestrin and Charlotte Rassmussen, a member of the credentialing committee, and Andrew Hitt, the states Republican Party chairman, were the only Wisconsin delegates to travel to the convention.

Buestrin could not be reached for comment, while Schreibel, Rassmussen and Hitt said they planned to return to Wisconsin on Monday evening.

Precautions taken

Rassmussen, who attended previous conventions in Cleveland and Tampa, said COVID-19 restrictions forced Republicans to hold an abbreviated event this year, with committee meetings taking place over the weekend.

We really just did the business and we all knew how important it is and how historic it is because this is the first time this has ever happened, Rassmussen said on Monday. Everybody was very energetic and very much with the president.  We see it in Wisconsin, we see it when were on the ground over the last three months. People are very, very excited about the presidents re-election.

Speaking from the convention in North Carolina, Hitt said participating delegates took multiple precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including coronavirus tests at home before departing Wisconsin and again after arriving in Charlotte.

Attendees also have filled out daily symptom questionnaires and have contact-tracer chips on their personal credentials that record whenever a participant is within six feet of another person. Masks have been worn throughout the convention, Hitt added.

A lot of precautions taking place down here, Hitt said on a call with delegates.

Wisconsin represents

As he delivered Wisconsins delegate votes for Trump on Monday, Hitt touted Wisconsins status as the birthplace of the Republican Party and the Dairylands world-famous cheese curds, and blamed the toppling of the Capitol grounds Forward statue earlier this year on Joe Bidens defund the police allies. Biden has said he opposes defunding police departments.

In response to the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died earlier this year in Minneapolis police custody, protesters in Madison knocked down the statues of Forward, which has come to represent womens rights, and Hans Christian Heg, a Wisconsin abolitionist killed in a Civil War battle.

Wisconsin once again finds itself amid protests related to police treatment of Black people following the shooting of a Black man by Kenosha police on Sunday.

Hitt also criticized Bidens lack of a formal campaign stop in Wisconsin  something Republicans have often compared with 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clintons decision not to campaign in the state.

President speaks

Speaking at North Carolinas convention, Trump also drew attention to Bidens decision earlier this month to not attend the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, which shifted to an entirely online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joe Biden was going to have their convention in Milwaukee and they didnt go. They didnt do it, Trump said. We did this out of respect for your state. We didnt do this for any other reason than respect for the state of North Carolina.  I think youre going to remember that frankly on Nov. 3.

While Biden attended last weeks DNC virtually from Delaware, Trump and Pence made campaign stops in Wisconsin.

(Biden) hasnt even been to Wisconsin one time since the start of his campaign for president, former Gov. Scott Walker said as he introduced the vice president on Monday. Mike Pence and Donald Trump will come back, not just to Wisconsin but to North Carolina and every other place across this country.
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran wont accept any additional demands beyond its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, the countrys top nuclear official declared Tuesday as the chief of the U.N. nuclear watchdog made his first visit to Iran.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived in Iran on Monday to press for access to sites where the Islamic Republic is suspected of having stored or used undeclared nuclear material. Grossi took over the IAEA after the sudden death of its late director-general Yukiya Amano last year.

Grossis visit comes as the U.S. is pushing to snapback U.N. sanctions on Iran for allegedly violating the nuclear deal with world powers.

The IAEA repeatedly found Iran in compliance with the agreement until last year, when Tehran began breaking the deals limits on nuclear enrichment in response to heavy U.S. sanctions following President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrawing America from the accord. Iran now no longer follows any of its limits, but continues to allow IAEA inspectors and surveillance at nuclear sites in the country.

Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, spoke during a joint press conference in Tehran with Grossi.

Definitely Iran will not accept demands beyond (its) nuclear commitments. We do act based on our own national interests, Salehi said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

Grossi faced a series of questions from local Iranian journalists implicitly criticizing the IAEA, especially over him pushing Iran for access to possible nuclear sites thought to be from the early 2000s, before Iran signed the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Iran maintains IAEA inspectors have no legal basis to inspect the sites.

We have encountered a couple of points we need still to find agreement, he said, calling IAEAs relations with Iran intense.

We have, with Iran, a large number of questions which we are working together (on), Grossi said. This is going to continue.

However, Salehi also declared a new chapter has begun between Iran and the IAEA, saying he had constructive talks with Grossi. He said both sides are working on a joint statement about their further co-operation.

Later on Tuesday, Grossi met with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who expressed hope for further co-ordination between Iran and the IAEA, media reported.

The biggest amount of co-operation between Iran and the agency is in the safeguard field and the path can continue in the same framework, Zarif was quoted as saying.

He said co-operation can be extended through resolving differences based on mutual trust and co-operation.

On Sunday, Iran said the IAEA was seeking access and inspection at two places near the capital, Tehran, and the central Iranian city of Isfahan.

Last year, the U.N. agency said that of the two sites that Iran has blocked access to, one was partially demolished in 2004. At the other, the agency said it observed activities consistent with efforts to sanitize the facility from July 2019 onward.

A third site, the agency said, had undergone extensive sanitization and levelling in 2003 and 2004 and there would be no verification value in inspecting it.

___

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

Read more about:
Miss Masala Dosa team resumed the shoot of their film by following all the safety guidelines laid by the state government.The writer,director & producer of the film Alok Shrivastava told us that the first schedule has been shot in Shimla & other parts of Himachal Pradesh. Owing to the coronavirus pandemic travelling back to Shimla with the unit was not an option so he had to recreate this set of Shimla police station in Mumbai. Miss Masala Dosa is a love story of a college student & her professor based in Palampur Himachal Pradesh.

The police station sequence was shot with actors Ojas Rawal, Lavina Israni, Mannu Punjabi, Mrinmai Kolwalkar & Prashant Naryanan. Prashant is playing a cameo but has an impactful role. He has acted in Alok Shrivastavas last year release Endcounterin a lead role.He says Alok & I go back a long way. Since its a very tough time for the producers I did not want to charge for this & did it for the friendship I share with Alok & I completely trust his vision.The sequence was completed with utmost safety.The film also has veteran actors like Hiten Tejwani, Anil Dhawan ,Bijendra Kala,Shalinee Kapoor & Ashutosh Sinha.The shoot of the film will be completed shortly.

Disclaimer: This is a company press release. No HT journalist is involved in creation of this content.




French Canadian CEO helps break cultural barriers







French Tech Community Seoul is hosting a discussion about communication and teamwork across cultural groups, this Thursday. Simon Bureau, founder and CEO of Vectis Corporation, will lead the discussion by sharing his own experiences and offering advice. Vectis, founded in 1998, provides corporate training for Korean companies seeking to improve communication with foreign managers, overseas partners or clients. Bureau also served previously as chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Korea and has published two business books in Korean.









The event will be held in English from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in southern Seoul. A limited number of seats are available on-site and the event will also be held live on Zoom. Visit

for more information or to register.











N. Korean monster movie screened







Collectif Eco-Solidaire is screening the infamous 1985 North Korean monster movie "Pulgasari" this Friday at 7 p.m.







Often referred to as the "North Korean version of Godzilla," "Pulgasari" was directed by South Korean filmmaker Shin Sang-ok who was abducted by then-future North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who sought to establish a critically acclaimed domestic film industry. Shin and his ex-wife Choi Eun-hee made six movies there before escaping in 1986.







Collectif Eco-Solidaire is a nonprofit organization founded in January 2020 by French citizens living in Korea and Taiwan gathered around common values based on ecology, equality and solidarity.









The screening will be held at the cultural space KOTE in Insa-dong, in Korean with English subtitles. Visit

or

for more information.















Film Forum offers English subtitles







A small theater located between Yonsei University and Ewha Womans University is beginning screenings of Korean-language films with English subtitles this week. Screenings of three films will be offered at different times, alongside foreign films and Korean films that are not subtitled.







The three Korean films with English subtitles are "Days in a Summer," "An Old Lady" and "Moving On."









Visit

or

for the full schedule and more information.


















Russian Supreme Court to hear opposition figures 2012 riot case sentence vacation claim

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

18:13 25/08/2020

MOSCOW, August 25 (RAPSI)  The Supreme Courts Presidium will consider the possibility of vacation of sentence against Russian opposition activists Sergey Udaltsov and Leonid Razvozzhayev in the 2012 Bolotnaya Square riot case on September 16, according to the courts press service.

Udaltsov and Razvozzhayev asked the Supreme Court to overturn their sentence in the 2012 Bolotnaya Square riot case basing on the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). According to lawyer Dmitry Agranovsky, the ECHR has held that Russia had violated Part 1 of the Article 6 of the European Convention for Human Rights (Right to a fair trial) by convicting the opposition activists based on the testimony of another defendant Konstantin Lebedev, who had signed a plea deal with investigators.

Over 400 people were arrested and scores injured in the Bolotnaya Square protests that turned violent in May 2012. Dozens were later charged with inciting riots and assault on law enforcement officers.

Riot organizers Leonid Razvozzhayev and Udaltsov were sentenced to 4.5 years in prison each based partly on testimony by Konstantin Lebedev, who was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison but released on parole.

Other convicts in the riots case received punishment ranging from suspended sentences to four years in prison. Several defendants were pardoned; one is undergoing compulsory mental treatment.

In November 2019, the ECHR refused to declare the activists prosecution politically motivated, however, it recognized violation of their right to a fair trial and awarded Razvozzhayev and Udaltsov 11,000 and 9,000 euros in compensation respectively.
400-plus faith leaders say gov't-funded Christian foster care orgs must place kids with gay couples

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

An interfaith coalition of more than 400 faith leaders signed a legal brief for a U.S. Supreme Court case arguing that Christian foster care agencies contracted with the government must place children in same-sex households.

The amicus brief was filed last week in the Supreme Court case of Sharonell Fulton et al. v. City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, et al., supporting the decision of Philadelphia officials to end their contract with Catholic Social Services over its religious objections to placing children with same-sex couples.

The brief takes issue with what the faith leaders call a false dichotomy between LGBT equality and the free exercise of religion and rejects an unfounded constitutional right to discriminate against same-sex couples when providing public child welfare services under a taxpayer-funded government contract.

Personal religious views are entitled to the utmost respect but do not provide a license to write those views into government contracts to provide public services and thus dictate how those services are provided, stated the brief in part.

Within the diverse panorama of American religious thought, a large and growing portion of the religious community welcomes, accepts, and celebrates LGBT individuals and their families and rejects the notion that they should be subject to discrimination based on differing religious views.

The petitioners also rejected the argument that antidiscrimination standards would force [Catholic Social Services] and other religious foster care agencies to violate their religious beliefs about marriage and give up their ministry.

Existing constitutional principles protect the autonomy of religious entities and individuals to teach and shape their religious beliefs concerning sexuality, marriage, and family life and to preserve religious practices that comport with their respective tenets, continued the brief.

Philadelphia is enforcing nondiscrimination as a secular policy, regardless of the agencys religious affiliation or beliefs (or lack thereof) and regardless of whether or not the discrimination is motivated by religion.

In addition to individual clergy, progressive faith groups that have signed onto the brief include the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ, the Union for Reform Judaism, the Unitarian Universalist Association, Covenant Network of Presbyterians, the Methodist Federation for Social Action, Muslims for Progressive Values, and Reconciling Ministries Network, among others.

The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies of The Episcopal Church, was the lead petitioner for the interfaith groups amicus brief.

As Episcopalians, we believe in the equality of LGBTQ families because of our faith, not in spite of it, said Jennings in a statement released Monday.

It is a false choice to suggest that we must choose either religious freedom or solidarity with our LGBTQ siblings in Christ.

In 2018, Philadelphia officials decided to stop the placement of children in homes of foster parents affiliated with Catholic Social Services and Bethany Christian Services of Greater Delaware Valley.

At issue was that both Christian foster care agencies refused on religious grounds to place children in the homes of same-sex couples, which the city considered discriminatory.

While Bethany changed its policy, foster parents and others who worked with Catholic Social Services sued the city, claiming their decision violated the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Plaintiff Fulton fostered around 40 children during her 25 years of working with Catholic Social Services, and plaintiff Toni Simms-Busch was a former social worker who adopted her foster children through Catholic Social Services.

Becket, a law firm that has successfully argued religious liberty cases before the Supreme Court, is helping to represent the plaintiffs.

In Philadelphia, there are dozens of private agencies that partner with LGBTQ foster parents. And same-sex couples have been fostering kids in Philadelphia for years with their help. Nothing about this case would change that, Becket said.

Catholic Social Services wants to continue serving vulnerable kids and foster families without compromising its beliefs (as it has done successfully for the last 100 years) alongside a diverse network of other agencies also serving the Philadelphia community. Catholic Social Services has loving families ready to care for kids today, but the government is keeping them on the sidelines.

In April 2019, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit unanimously ruled in favor of the city, reaffirming a lower court's decision.

[The First Amendment] does not prohibit government regulation of religiously motivated conduct so long as that regulation is not a veiled attempt to suppress disfavored religious beliefs, ruled the Third Circuit panel.

CSS may assert that the citys actions were not driven by a sincere commitment to equality but rather by anti-religious and anti-Catholic bias (and is of course able to introduce additional evidence as this case proceeds), the current record does not show religious persecution or bias.

In February, the Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments in the case during its next session, with a decision expected by the high court next June.
Sri Lankas Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has begun preliminary measures aimed at introducing nationwide mobile number portability (MNP).

Announcing the move on Twitter, the regulator said: TRC initiates preliminary steps on implementing number portability which would enable consumers to select service providers without change of existing mobile numbers.

TRCSL neglected to provide an estimated timeframe for the move, and TeleGeography reports that the pace of introducing MNP to Sri Lanka could be described as glacial. The regulator first considered the idea in 2008 before asking for consulting firms for input on the required regulations in 2010.

Thereafter, little was said on the matter until early 2014, when TCRSLs then-director general Anusha Palpita stated that MNP had effectively been shelved until a larger percentage of Sri Lankas mobile subscribers switched to postpaid plans, arguing that MNP would not be cost-effective with a majority of prepaid subscribers.

At the time, Palpita said: The main beneficiary of [MNP] and those demanding it [will be] post-paid mobile subscribers. In Sri Lankas case, however, we have less than 10% of the total mobile subscriber population owning a post-paid mobile connection. Therefore, in my opinion implementation of MNP will not be cost-effective at the moment.

Another factor that has deterred TCRSL from pushing ahead with MNP is the implementation costs, as it fears that operators would attempt to pass these on to their user bases. This would disproportionately affect prepaid subscribers who were not benefitting from the service.
<! >

By Ebere Agozie

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said that he did not procure witnesses to testify against anybody before the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel.

This panel is probing the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

Malami, in a statement issued by Dr Umar Gwandu, his media aide on Monday in Abuja, said he was not saddled with any responsibility to procure witnesses for the panel, nor did he conspire to witch-hunt anybody.

He said the attention of the office of the minister was drawn to `a flimsy allegation made by one Victor Giwa, Esq alleging that he connived with one Mr Donald Wokoma to witch-hunt him for refusing to testify against Magu before the Justice Salami-led panel.

He, however, dismissed the allegation as `fictitious, unfounded and a figment of the imagination of mischief makers as Malami never discussed such an issue with the said Giwa.

The Honourable Attorney-General never met Giwa and has never discussed any issue with the so-called Donald Wokoma nor did he ask anybody, personally or by proxy, to engage the so-called Victor to testify against Magu.

He did not set up the investigation panel to probe Magu and is not saddled with any responsibility to procure witness(es) for the panel.

He added that the Attorney-General was never a member of the panel, nor does not fall within the realm of the AGFs authority to invite witness(es) for a presidential probe panel.

The claim by Victor Giwa, Esq is therefore fictitious, unfounded and a figment of the imagination of mischief makers who want to court unnecessary attention and tarnish the good image of the Minister

They are also labouring ceaselessly, these days, to falsely cast aspersions on the AGFs hard-earned reputation.

The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation hereby calls on the so-called Victor Giwa to come and substantiate his allegations with details of the following:

When did Victor Giwa meet the AGF on the issue? Where did he meet the AGF on the issue? How was the meeting? Was it by proxy? Or did the AGF send a representative?.

 In what capacity was the representative, if any, sent? What were the terms of their engagement? What was the claimed `offer? How was the so-called offer to testify against Magu made? Who were the witnesses?, the statement read.

Giwa had in a statement on Sunday, alleged that it was Malami who instigated his arrest and that of one Fatima Hassan, after they refused to implicate Magu in evidence they gave before the Justice Salami-led panel last week.

NAN

Related
President of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Arayik Haroutyunyan today convened a working consultation devoted to the support programs for the Armenians of Lebanon, as reported the press service of the President of Artsakh.

Head of the task force in charge of organizing and coordinating the efforts for providing material assistance to the Armenian community of Lebanon, Chief Advisor to the President of Artsakh-Special Assignments Ambassador Rudik Hyusnunts delivered a report in which he stated that in addition to the AMD 25,000,000 allocated from the reserve fund of the state budget, the Government of Artsakh has collected more than AMD 17,000,000 at the expense of extra-budgetary funds for humanitarian aid. He also informed that the first two families of Lebanese-Armenian repatriates have arrived in Artsakh and that all conditions have been created for their stay.

President Haroutyunyan stressed that even though it is extremely important to maintain the integrity of the Armenian community of Lebanon, the Government of Artsakh is ready to receive the Armenians of Lebanon and provide them with shelters, jobs and other social guarantees.
GALVESTON, Texas - In the largest U.S. evacuation of the pandemic, more than half a million people were ordered to flee the Gulf Coast on Tuesday as Laura strengthened into a hurricane that forecasters said could slam Texas and Louisiana with ferocious winds, heavy flooding and the power to push seawater miles inland.

More than 385,000 residents were told to flee the Texas cities of Beaumont, Galveston and Port Arthur, and another 200,000 were ordered to leave low-lying Calcasieu Parish in southwestern Louisiana, where forecasters said as much as 13 feet (4 metres) of storm surge topped by waves could submerge whole communities.

Forecasters Tuesday night expected the storm to increase in strength by 33%, from 90 mph (144 kmh) to 120 mph (193 kmh) in just 24 hours. They project Laura to strike the coast as a major Category 3 hurricane. The strengthening may slow or stop just before landfall, forecasters said.

The waters are warm enough everywhere there to support a major hurricane, Category 3 or even higher. The waters are very warm where the storm is now and will be for the entire path up until the Gulf Coast, National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Ed Rappaport said.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Laura is shaping up to look a lot like Hurricane Rita did 15 years ago when it ravaged southwest Louisiana.

Were going to have significant flooding in places that dont normally see it, he said.

Ocean water was expected to push onto land along more than 450 miles (724 kilometres) of coast from Texas to Mississippi. Hurricane warnings were issued from San Luis Pass, Texas, to Intracoastal City, Louisiana, and storm surge warnings from the Port Arthur, Texas, flood protection system to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The evacuations could get even bigger if the storms track veers to the east or west, said Craig Fugate, the former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Fearing that people would not evacuate in time, Edwards said those in southwest Louisiana need to be where they intend to ride out Laura by noon Wednesday, when the state will start feeling the storms effects.

Officials urged people to stay with relatives or in hotel rooms to avoid spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Buses were stocked with protective equipment and disinfectant, and they would carry fewer passengers to keep people apart, Texas officials said.

Whitney Frazier, 29, of Beaumont spent Tuesday morning trying to get transportation to a high school where she could board a bus to leave the area.

Especially with everything with COVID going on already on top of a mandatory evacuation, its very stressful, Frazier said.

The storm also imperiled a centre of the U.S. energy industry. The government said 84% of Gulf oil production and an estimated 61% of natural gas production were shut down. Nearly 300 platforms have been evacuated.

While oil prices often spike before a major storm as production slows, consumers are unlikely to see big price changes because the pandemic decimated demand for fuel.

As of Tuesday evening, Laura was 435 miles (700 kilometres) southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, travelling west-northwest at 17 mph (28 kmh). Its peak winds were 85 mph (140 kph).

Laura passed Cuba after killing nearly two dozen people on the island of Hispaniola, including 20 in Haiti and three in the Dominican Republic, where it knocked out power and caused intense flooding. The deaths reportedly included a 10-year-old girl whose home was hit by a tree and a mother and young son crushed by a collapsing wall.

As much as 15 inches (38 centimetres) of rain could fall in some parts of Louisiana, said Donald Jones, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

At Grand Isle, Louisiana, Nicole Fantiny said she planned to ride out the hurricane on the barrier island along with a few dozen other people.

It could still change, but we keep on hoping and praying that it keeps on going further west like its doing, said Fantiny, who manages a restaurant.

In Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas, mandatory evacuation orders went into effect shortly before daybreak Tuesday. If you decide to stay, youre staying on your own, Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie said.

Shelters opened with cots set farther apart to curb coronavirus infections. People planning to enter shelters were told to bring just one bag of personal belongings each, and a mask to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Hopefully its not that threatening to people, to lives, because people are hesitant to go anywhere due to COVID, Robert Duffy said as he placed sandbags around his home in Morgan City, Louisiana. Nobody wants to sleep on a gym floor with 200 other people. Its kind of hard to do social distancing.

Officials in Houston asked residents to prepare supplies in case they lose power for a few days or need to evacuate homes along the coast. Some in the area are still recovering from Hurricane Harvey three years ago.

Lauras arrival comes just days before the Aug. 29 anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which breached the levees in New Orleans, flattened much of the Mississippi coast and killed as many as 1,800 people in 2005. Less than a month later, Hurricane Rita struck southwest Louisiana as a Category 3 storm.

Laura wasnt much of a concern for Kerry Joe Richard of Stephensville, Louisiana. As the storm approached, he was angling for catfish from a small dock overlooking the bayou thats behind his elevated wood-frame home.

The only thing Im worried about is if the fish quit biting, he said.

___

Plaisance reported from Stephensville, Louisiana. Associated Press writers Juan Lozano in Houston; Jeff Martin in Marietta, Georgia; Seth Borenstein in Kensington, Maryland; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge; Louisiana; Kevin McGill in New Orleans; Jay Reeves in Birmingham, Alabama; Evens Sanon in Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Cathy Bussewitz in New York; and Paul Weber in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.
Sajjan Kumar By

The pre-scripted theatrics and rhetoric along expected and familiar lines in the Congress Working Committee meeting over the issue of leadership succession in the grand old party resembles an observation of Karl Marx. Commenting on the farcical and self-staged coup by Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte on 2 December 1851 in France in his long essay The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte, Marx commented, Hegel remarks somewhere that all great, world-historical facts and personages occur, as it were, twice.

He has forgotten to add: the first time as tragedy, the second as farce. With the benefit of hindsight, with respect to the Congress succession crisis, the tragedy was in the events between 1997-1999. Back then, within a year of becoming a primary member of the party, Sonia Gandhi was elected as its presidentafter the unceremonious removal of then chief Sitaram Kesari and subsequent expulsion of three senior leaders, Sharad Pawar, P A Sangma and Tariq Anwar, for opposing her declaration as the partys prime ministerial candidate for the 1999 Lok Sabha elections on the grounds of her foreign origin. The template of a Gandhi resigning in the face of criticism, which is followed by a chorus of emotional outbursts by the rank and file of the party and their twin demandswithdrawal of the resignation letter and strict punishment to the dissidentswas firmly entrenched.

The farce is in the repetition of the same template now after 21 years. Consider this: As per the party constitution, it is the members of the Pradesh Congress Committees who happen to be the delegates of the party with the votes to nominate a candidate for party president and elect him/her. Ironically, at present, most of the Pradesh Congress Committee members have been competing to show their unflinching faith in the Gandhis leadership, including the ones in Andhra Pradesh where the Congress is effectively reduced to the status of a signboard party.

The farce is that they are not even taking sides between the mother and son. Rather, the attempt is to harmonise their loyalty between the two. We find a standard resolution by them requesting Sonia Gandhi to continue as party president with the carefully worded qualification that in case she refuses to do so on health grounds, Rahul Gandhi should take over as the Congress chief. Where is the real choice? This farce of the ongoing CWC meeting is also problematic for its deliberate obliviousness to the popular societal perception, which is twofold.

One, the majority of the people do not accept the Gandhis as their leader and two, they arent even hopeful that the party could have an autonomous and grounded non-Gandhi as its president. In this backdrop, the drowning chorus by the leaders in reaction to the not-so-critical letter by the 23 senior leaders betrays the state of the party, which is exclusively concerned with the choices of the leaders and workers, without taking any cognisance of the electorates perception.

Further, the real crisis afflicting the party is not the unpopular status of the Gandhis. Rather, its the cliched argument offered by the family apologists that the party cannot afford to have a leadership from outside the family despite the substantial waning in the Gandhis popularity. This circularity of logic is the very malaise that has placed the Congress in a downward spiral since 2014.

That the party cant entertain the very possibility of a non-Gandhi chief at a time when the Gandhis are perceived as baggage by the majority of people reveals its status-quoist mindset where winning electionsa necessary and sufficient condition for political relevanceseems to be a secondary matter. This also betrays a collective lack of passion for politics that only reinforces the image of the Congress as a lazy and non-serious party.

This crisis has serious implications for the state of parliamentary democracy in India on account of the Congress being the prime opposition party. The successive failure of the party, particularly its top leadership, to strike a popular chord with the people and organise them around the issues affecting the electorate in the last six years has meant that the ruling regime has been given a free pass. Therefore, it is high time that the party comes out of the suffocating clutches of the decadent Rajya Sabha-club leaders, who need the family more than the family needs them.

Their domineering presence has ensured that being aspirational in the party is an unpardonable sin, particularly in younger leaders. With notable exceptions, they are the unelected gatekeepers, the guardian council who owe their well-entrenched power and positions to their unflinching loyalty to the family rather than their popularity among the masses.

Faced with a legitimacy crisis, what the Congress needs now is a quantum leap of trust in an autonomous non-Gandhi leadership and freedom from the unfounded assumption that this would lead to the collapse of the party. Such a move may fail to revive the electoral fortunes of the party in the short run, but it would certainly lead to a change in the negative perception that the party is beholden to a family and therefore is colossally short on internal democracy. However, this seems to be wishful thinking. As of now, given the state of affairs, the farce of the succession debate in the Congress is set to continue and its most expected outcome would be this: The grand old party will end up convincing the people that the BJP is there for the long haul.

Sajjan Kumar

Political analyst with Peoples Pulse, a Hyderabad-based research organisation

(peoplespulse.hyd@gmail.com)
MECOSTA COUNTY  Mecosta County reported no new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, however, two previously diagnosed cases were transferred to the county's total.

The District Health Department No. 10 reported two cases, which were diagnosed positive in April, were transferred to the county and are now included in the total. The cases bring Mecosta County's new total to 75.

Jeannine Taylor, a public information officer for the health department, explained the two positive cases from April were not due to anyone moving to Mecosta County, but rather they were incorrectly recorded earlier this year.

"It was found these two cases were residents of Mecosta County but they were listed incorrectly by the state as living in Wayne County," she said.

In Lake County, there also were no new cases were reported Tuesday, keeping the county's total at 28 confirmed cases.

The Central Michigan District Health Department also reported no new cases in Osceola County, keeping its total confirmed cases at 67, with zero deaths and 55 recoveries.

The DHD No. 10 serves residents in Mecosta, Crawford, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Newaygo, Oceana and Wexford counties.

Here is Tuesdays breakdown of coronavirus numbers within the health departments jurisdiction:

Cumulative total:

 1,249 positive COVID-19 cases in the DHD No. 10s jurisdiction.

 104 positive cases in Crawford County

 48 positive cases in Kalkaska County

 28 positive cases in Lake County

 42 positive cases in Manistee County

 102 positive cases in Mason County

 29 positive cases in Missaukee County

 273 positive cases in Newaygo County

 472 positive cases in Oceana County

 76 positive cases in Wexford County

Deaths:

 23 deaths from COVID-19 in the DHD No. 10s jurisdiction. Deaths are included in the positive cases listed above.

 5 deaths in Crawford County

 4 deaths in Kalkaska County

 2 deaths in Mecosta County

 1 death in Manistee County

 1 death in Missaukee County

 6 deaths in Oceana County

 4 deaths in Wexford County

Recoveries:

 1,015 recoveries from from COVID-19 in the DHD No. 10s jurisdiction (based on whether individuals are still alive 30 days past the confirmed date).

 80 recoveries in Crawford County

 30 recoveries in Kalkaska County

 14 recoveries in Lake County

 30 recoveries in Manistee County

 83 recoveries in Mason County

 45 recoveries in Mecosta County

 25 recoveries in Missaukee County

 233 recoveries in Newaygo County

 432 recoveries in Oceana County

 43 recoveries in Wexford County

As of Tuesday, there are 98,439 confirmed cases and 6,417 confirmed deaths in Michigan.
Wavemaker Global President Ajit Varghese has stepped down according to media reports. He had spent 14 years with the company in various leadership roles.

Varghese joined WPPs media buying arm Maxus (now Wavemaker) in 2006 as Managing Director, South Asia. In 2014, he was elevated to APAC CEO and moved to Singapore. In 2018, WPP merged its agencies Maxus and MEC to form Wavemaker. Varghese moved to London in a new role as President, Marketing Development.

Varghese has 25 years of experience with previous stints at media buying agencies Madison and Initiative.
New Delhi: Axis Bank on Monday said it will acquire 17 per cent stake in Max Life Insurance instead of the 29 per cent proposed earlier as per a revised deal.

Axis Bank currently holds about 1 per cent stake in Max Life and is the biggest banking channel partner for the distribution of the insurer's products. Products sold through the bank reportedly account for 54 per cent of Max Life's revenues.

As per the definitive agreement signed between Axis Bank and Max Financial Services (MFS), the holding company of Max Life, the private sector bank was to pick up an additional 29 per cent stake in the life insurer.

"In this regard, we would like to inform you that following recent developments, Axis Bank now proposes to acquire 17.002 per cent of the equity share capital of Max Life, resulting in total ownership of 18 per cent post the transaction. The parties have executed the definitive agreements," the bank said in a regulatory filing.

Axis Bank and Max Life will shortly approach the respective regulatory authorities with revised applications for their approval, it said.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals from Irdai, RBI and the Competition Commission of India, it added.

Some changes were made to the deal last month following correspondence from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) received by the company.

MFS holds 72.5 per cent stake in Max Life and Japan-based Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (MSI) owns 25.5 per cent stake.

Post completion of the series of transactions, Max Life will become an 82:18 joint venture between MFS and Axis Bank.

Max Life had made an attempt to merge with HDFC Life in 2017 but they did not receive regulatory approvals reportedly due to the complexity of the deal.

Interestingly, the deal was brokered by the then HDFC Life CEO Amitabh Chaudhry, who is now the CEO of Axis Bank.

Following failure of the deal, Max Group made several attempts to sell part of its stake but was not successful.
When Scott Morrison spoke to the first day of the National Youth Commission's virtual "youth futures summit" on Monday, he sought to assure the young people that, difficult as the pandemic and the economy are at the moment, there is another side to it, "where Australia emerges once again, where we actually do go back to the life that we loved".

I'm sure that's true. But if past recessions are any guide, most of us will have recovered from the coronacession and be back enjoying the life we love long before most of the present crop of youngsters leaving education have found themselves a decent job.

Illustration: Simon Letch Credit:

If the past is any guide, the government won't do nearly as much as it should to help those youngsters who, "through no fault of their own", as Morrison would say, had the immense misfortune to be born in the wrong year or three.

And, quite apart from the pain so many young people will suffer, the money the taxpayer saves from that neglect is likely to be exceeded by all the subsequent cost to the budget in healthcare, unemployment benefits and workers whose reduced incomes mean they don't pay as much tax as they might have.
The police in Oyo State on Tuesday said a man was on Monday shot dead near the Government House, Ibadan, by suspected armed robbers who had trailed him from a bank.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the middle-aged man, Taoreed Alao, was killed at Secretariat Road in Agodi, Ibadan, the state capital.

He was shot at about 1:30 p.m. after the robbers trailing him from a commercial bank forced him to stop his motorbike.

It was learnt that the deceased had just withdrawn N150,000 and another N296,000 at the commercial bank in Bodija area of Ibadan.

Police spokesperson in the state, Olugbenga Fadeyi, who confirmed the killing to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, said Mr Alao was rushed to the state-owned Adeoyo Hospital where he later died.

READ ALSO:

He added that the corpse of the deceased was deposited at the hospital.

At about 1145 hrs at opposite Oyo state environmental task force, one Taoreed Alao, m 45 yrs, was shot by suspected assailants.

His Bajaj motorcycle was taken away while he was rushed to Adeoyo hospital where he later died.

 2 mobiles and cash sum of 90,000 were recovered from him. Corpse deposited at the same hospital. Efforts intensified, pls.
At least 12 people have been killed and scores wounded in attacks across Afghanistan, including in a Taliban truck bombing that targeted a military base used by Afghan commandos, officials said.

The suicide truck bomber in the northern province of Balkh killed three people, including two Afghan commandos and a civilian, according to the provincial governor's spokesman, Munir Ahmad Farhad.

Hanif Rezaie, a spokesman for Afghan forces in the north of the country, said on August 25 that initial military reports suggested at least six commandos and about 35 civilians were wounded in that explosion. He said the blast also destroyed or damaged dozens of nearby civilians houses.

"Most of the wounded civilians are women and children," Rezaie said.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the Balkh attack in a tweet, claiming that "tens" of military personnel were killed. The Taliban often exaggerate their battlefield claims.

Meanwhile, an August 25 attack on a checkpoint of pro-government forces in Ghor Province killed eight soldiers and wounded five, the provincial governor's spokesman, Arif Aber, said.

Aber said the attack in Ghor's Shahrak district triggered a five-hour gunbattle.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for that attack. But authorities blamed the Taliban, who have claimed numerous previous attacks on security checkpoints in Ghor Province.

Meanwhile in Kabul, a roadside bomb killed a police officer and a policewoman and her driver were wounded when unknown attackers opened fire on them, Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks in Kabul.

Both the Taliban and extremists from the so-called Islamic State (IS) militant group are active in Kabul. IS militants have claimed most of the attacks in the Afghan capital in recent months.

Despite efforts to launch peace talks between the government and the Taliban, Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of the war.

The start of the talks envisaged under a U.S.-Taliban peace agreement signed in February has been hampered by multiple delays that have frustrated Washington.

There had been expectations that the negotiations would begin earlier in August.

A United Nations report released in July said 1,282 people were killed by violence in Afghanistan during the first six months of 2020.

With reporting by AP and dpa
Nine patients were evacuated after fire broke out at an ICU of a government hospital in Jamnagar city in on Tuesday, officials said.

Nobody was injured in the incident, they said. There were no coronavirus patients in the ward.

The fire erupted at an Intensive Care Unit at the Guru Gobind Singh (GG) Government Hospital around 3 pm and was brought under control within an hour, said Jamnagar collector Ravi Shankar.

GG Government Hospital is one of the main civil hospitals in the Saurashtra region.

As per the preliminary probe, short circuit was the cause of the fire, the collector said.

"All the nine patients admitted in the ICU ward were shifted to other wards by doctors and fire brigade staff," Shankar said.

"Old wiring, thermocol and wooden panels led to the blaze spreading," he said, adding that electrical wiring of the entire hospital will be checked to prevent another such incident.

Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr Deepak Tiwari confirmed that no one was injured.

"All the nine patients in the ICU were rescued in time and shifted to other wards. Three of them were on ventilator while six were on oxygen support," said Dr Tiwari.

A video of the incident showed hospital staff and relatives of patients carrying inmates of the ICU in their arms through thick smoke.

Fire at a private COVID hospital in Ahmedabad had claimed eight lives earlier this month.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
2 killed, 1 feared trapped after being hit by shooting stones in India's Uttarakhand

NEW DELHI, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and one was feared trapped Monday after being hit by shooting stones in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, officials said.

The shooting stones drifted on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway in Pauri Garhwal district, about 192 km east of Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand.

"Early today shooting stones hit two people here, killing them on spot," an official in Pauri Garhwal said. "Another person is feared trapped under the boulders near the Kaudiyala area."

Following the incident, authorities rushed State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel to carry out rescue efforts.

On Sunday night the Badrinath stretch of highway in the Chamoli district was blocked due to a landslide. The efforts to clear the debris were underway until last reports poured in.

A video aired on television channels showed a group of people running away from the spot where a large amount of debris was seen falling from the adjacent cliff on the highway.

Officials said the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway has been blocked at several points as rains triggered landslides and drifting rocks from the hillocks close to the road.

Reports said more than 100 roads, including four national highways, are still blocked owing to heavy rain in several parts of the state. Authorities have pressed in over 200 earthmovers and heavy machinery to clear the roads and ensure free movement of traffic.

Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the state between Aug. 25 and Aug. 28.

The ongoing monsoon season in India is at its peak. The downpour accompanied with it has triggered floods in several Indian states.
The Department of Health has reopened after nothing suspicious was uncovered in a package that had been delivered to the building this afternoon.

Gardai were called to the scene following an alert about a suspicious package this afternoon.

Staff were evacuated and the Army Bomb Disposal Unit, along with firefighters from Donnybrook and Tara Street fire stations attended the scene on Baggot Street Lower.

Following inspection, nothing suspicious was found.

Gardai say they are in the process of re-opening the building, and enquiries into the source of the package are continuing.

Department of Health evacuated following discovery of suspicious package

The Department of Health in Dublin has been evacuated this afternoon.

A spokesperson for the Department confirmed that staff were asked to evacuate the departments head office in Miesian Plaza.

According to gardai, a suspicious parcel was discovered in the building on Baggot Street Lower.

Following a request from An Garda Siochana at around 1.30pm, an Army Bomb Disposal Team from Cathal Brugha Barracks attended the scene.

Gardai and emergency services are also on the scene.

Firefighters from Donnybrook and Tara St fire stations as well as their HazMat unit are working with gardai and the Defence Forces to make the scene safe.

Baggot Street Lower had been closed to traffic between Fitzwilliam Street and Herbert Street but has since reopened.
Taiwan's economic affairs department on Monday declared that the operator of the e-commerce platform Taobao Taiwan is a mainland investment and will be fined.

The department claimed that Taobao Taiwan's parent company, British-registered Claddagh Venture Investment Co., was controlled by mainland-based Alibaba Group, though Alibaba Group only holds 28.77 percent of its shares.

A company is deemed a mainland investment if more than 30 percent of its shares are held by a mainland entity.

Taobao Taiwan will face a fine of 410,000 new Taiwan dollars (about 14,000 U.S. dollars) for breaching the laws on mainland investments, the department said in a statement.

Claddagh Venture Investment Co. should fix its problems within six months or stop Taobao Taiwan's operation, the department said.

The company can either transform its ownership structure to become a foreign company as Taiwan requires, or abide by the rules that apply to mainland-invested companies, which would mean it could not have advertisements on its website or use third-party payment systems, the department said.

Claddagh Venture Investment Co. opened a branch in Taiwan in July 2019, and started to operate Taobao Taiwan in October 2019.
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party leaders took a dig at the Congress saying the top post in the party is reserved for Gandhi family members and the Congress leaders re-imposed their faith in the leadership of interim president Sonia Gandhi and former chief Rahul Gandhi.

The comments came during the seven-hour-long virtual Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Monday, in which party leaders asked Sonia Gandhi to continue for another six months. Gandhi asked the CWC to start the process to elect the new president.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took a jibe at the Congress high command on Monday saying all the posts in the Congress are reserved for a family whereas an ordinary party worker in the BJP can become an MLA, MP, chief minister and even Prime Minister. He said this while addressing a gathering of the BJP workers in their programme in Gwalior on Monday during the partys membership drive in Gwalior-Chambal region.

Also read: Seed of letter germinated at dinner hosted by Tharoor five months ago

Congress leaders dont have courage to hear truth. Sycophants are considered as loyal and those who tell truth are considered as traitors, said Chouhan, while referring to a letter written by some Congress leaders to Sonia Gandhi asking for restructuring of the party.

When Jyotiraditya Scindiaji raised voice for justice to people he was accused of colluding with BJP. In the same way, the senior Congress leaders like Kapil Sibal and Ghulam Nabi Azad are being accused when they are demanding a full-fledged president in the Congress. No one can save such a party, said Chouhan.

However, Scindia refused to comment saying that the rumbling in the Congress was its internal matter.

Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra said the Congress was like a school where only headmasters child tops the class. Former Union minister and BJP leader Uma Bharti said the Congress needs a grassroot leader like Mahatma Gandhi if it wants to revive.

Hours before the CWCs meeting state Congress president Kamal Nath and Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh, both former chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh, sought to throw their weight behind the leadership of Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a series of tweets late night on Sunday. Several Congress leaders asked Sonia Gandhi to continue as party president.

Jharkhand Congress president Dr Rameshwar Oraon in a letter to Sonia Gandhi requested her not to resign from the post of the party president.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot earlier in the day had expressed faith in leadership of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and said the party could not survive without them.

Also read: Sonia stays in charge of Congress after acrimonious CWC meet

Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Sonia asking her remain as party president and convince Rahul Gandhi to take up the partys top post if her health does not permit to continue in her role.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
It's a recurring scene in politics through the last century and into the 21st  masses of demonstrators turning out to tear down a president or a prime minister. But mass protests against a king or queen seemed to be a relic, a very 20th-century thing.

Until now. Growing numbers of Thais last month started taking to the streets to protest against not only their prime minister but also against their king. The case against a prime minister who seized power in a military coup seems pretty conventional. But a king?

King Maha Vajiralongkorn was never popular. Credit:Bureau of the Royal Household via AP

Why are tens of thousands of Thais, in protests that have now spread across most of the country's provinces, risking jail to demand that the Australian-educated King Vajiralongkorn, also styled Rama X, be deprived of his powers and privileges? Especially when we have long heard of the godlike reverence in which the Thai people hold their king.

But the old king is dead. Reverence for the quarter-millennium reign of the Chakri dynasty appears largely to have gone with him. Apart from the Thais on the streets, more than 1 million have joined a Facebook group, Royalist Marketplace, to debate the future of the monarchy.
P resident Trumps eldest son took centre stage at the launch of the Republican Party convention as he branded his fathers White House rival the Loch Ness monster of the swamp.

Donald Trump Jr attacked Joe Biden for his more than 40 years of public service in Washington, first as a senator and then as vice-president under Barack Obama.

Joe Biden is basically the Loch Ness monster of the swamp, he ranted. For the past half-century, hes been lurking around in there. He sticks his head up every now and then to run for president, then he disappears and doesnt do much in between.

Despite promising an upbeat conference against a backdrop of divisions over race and the pandemic, Republicans instead painted a dystopian picture of socialist chaos if Mr Trump is not re-elected in November.

Trump Jr attempted to appeal to Joe Biden's middle-class supporters / REUTERS

Like the other speakers at the launch of the four-night event, Donald Jr, 42, played down the impact of the pandemic that has killed more than 180,000 people in the US, praising the Presidents handling of the crisis and blaming China.

He said a Democrat win in November would destroy Americas economy. Bidens radical Left-wing policies would stop our economic recovery cold. Hes already talking about shutting the country down again. Its madness, he added.

They put political correctness ahead of the safety and security of the American people, he said of the Democrats. Anarchists have been flooding our streets, and Democrat mayors are ordering the police to stand down.

Kimberly Guilfoyle, the National Chair of the 'Trump Victory Finance Committee' delivers a pre-recorded speech / REUTERS

The President  who is lagging behind his rival in the polls  launched the convention with warnings that America would face a nightmare future under Mr Biden.

Mr Trump, breaking with tradition to be ever-present at the event rather than waiting for his big speech on the final night on Thursday, warned that the American dream would be dead if he is beaten.

After being formally nominated as the partys presidential candidate, he repeated his unsubstantiated campaign claim that the Democrats would try to steal the election by rigging the number of postal votes.

Donald Trump Jr labels his father's rival 'Beijing Biden' in Republican National Convention speech

Mr Trump also taunted critics worried he will try to do away with laws preventing more than two terms in office by telling supporters in Charlotte, North Carolina: If you really want to drive them crazy, chant for 12 more years.

As the speeches were delivered, Democrats were busy pointing out Americas growing pandemic death toll and called on voters to remove the President from office.

The party tweeted: Trumps chaotic convention highlights the failed leadership of the GOP [Grand Old Party] in the White House and the Senate. They oversaw a failed pandemic response and sat on their hands as families cried out for relief.

Republicans are making much of the decision to hold a partly live convention the week after Democrats stuck to a virtual format.

It will be a family affair with First Lady Melania giving the keynote speech tonight and the Presidents son and daughter, Eric and Tiffany, also appearing. Ivanka Trump will introduce her father on Thursday.
President Donald Trump has brokered a historic peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, or UAE. It is the first agreement to normalize relations between Israel and a major Arab country in 25 years. The hope is that more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the UAEs lead and normalize relations with Israel.

The agreement will be known as the Abraham Accord as the Biblical figure of Abraham is considered to be the father of the three main religions in the region: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. As U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman explained, No person better symbolizes the potential for unity among all these three great faiths than Abraham.

The Abraham Accord is a major breakthrough for Muslims throughout the world who wish to come to pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, as they will now be able to fly directly to Tel Aviv from Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE. By encouraging more visits, it will help counter the extremists who use the false narrative that the Al Aqsa Mosque is under attack and that Muslims cannot pray at this holy site.

As President Trump made clear on his first visit to the Middle East in 2017, the problems in the Middle East can only be solved when people of all faiths come together to fight Islamic extremism and pursue economic opportunity for people of all faiths.

Under the peace accord, Israel and the UAE will exchange embassies and ambassadors and begin cooperation across the board on a broad range of areas, including tourism, education, healthcare, trade, and security.

Ultimately, the Abraham Accord lays the groundwork for finding a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Our vision, said President Trump, is one of peace, security, and prosperity in this region and in the world. Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God.
Donovan Nguyen was arrested Monday and charged with impersonating a federal agent. (U.S. District Court)

Last May, agents from the State Departments Diplomatic Security Service showed up at an Orange County retirement community to serve a search warrant. They were joined by a man wearing a ballistic vest, a pistol strapped to his thigh and a badge on his chest, who introduced himself as a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations.

Donovan Nguyen accompanied the agents and was the first one through the door of the home they searched, one of the State Department agents recalled last month to a real agent with Homeland Security Investigations.

Nguyen, the agent wrote in an affidavit, is a civilian who has masqueraded as a federal agent for years, parading around in body armor, openly carrying firearms, pulling over motorists with red and blue lights installed in his pickup truck, and purchasing guns with fake Department of Homeland Security credentials.

Nguyen, who lives in the city of Orange, was arrested Monday and charged with impersonating a federal agent. It wasnt immediately clear from court records if he had a lawyer.

Nguyen, 34, most recently worked as a security guard at Laguna Woods Village, a gated retirement community in Orange County, according to the affidavit.

David A. Prince, the special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations' Los Angeles office, said agents spoke with Nguyen and his family on Monday and learned he had tried to get a job with several federal agencies, without success. Nguyen had wanted to do something that would perhaps make his family proud, Prince said in an interview.

Investigators served search warrants on several sites Monday and seized dozens of long guns and pistols, along with silencers, body armor, shields and police badges, Prince said. Nguyen had also used Homeland Security letterhead to acquire high-capacity magazines prohibited to the public, Prince said.

This guy amassed an arsenal that could have outfitted a third of my office, he said.

Saying his conduct shocks the conscience, Prince criticized Nguyen for threatening public safety and diminishing the agencys credibility at a time when law enforcement officers are under a level of scrutiny theyve never experienced before in the United States.

Story continues

Jeffrey J. Gilgallon, the special agent in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcements Office of Professional Responsibility in Los Angeles, said more impostor federal agents have cropped up in recent years, possibly because ICE has been more frequently in the news.

In 2018, a Fontana man was sentenced to two years in prison for impersonating a Homeland Security agent. Matthew Ryan Johnston admitted using red and blue lights installed in his car to pull over motorists, including one incident in which he gave chase, sirens flashing, and caused a traffic accident. Investigators found an arsenal of long guns in his home and a cache of explosives buried in the desert, court records show.

They have this kind of wannabe mentality, Gilgallon said in an interview. Not only do they like impersonating law enforcement officers, they also like to be around them, and thats usually their downfall.

Federal agents were tipped to Nguyen in June by investigators from the Riverside County district attorneys office, court records show.

The owner of a gun store in Riverside had reported a potential criminal case to the county prosecutors office and asked its investigators to partner with Nguyen. The gun salesman had sold Nguyen seven firearms over the years, with Nguyen presenting credentials at each purchase identifying him as a lieutenant with the Department of Homeland Security, the affidavit said.

Riverside investigators left Nguyen several voicemails, and in June, he called them back, according to the affidavit. Nguyen said he had reviewed the gun dealers tip but wasnt willing to take the case because a witness had been deported, the affidavit said.

His story really didnt make sense, Gilgallon said, and the veteran Riverside investigators called our office and started asking questions. No one by that name worked for the agency, investigators quickly determined, and they started digging into Nguyens background.

They found his LinkedIn profile, which describes him as a 12-year agent, and a YouTube interview in which he introduces himself as a special agent and discusses federal immigration policies.

Investigators learned Nguyen had previously worked for a contractor that provided security at a Department of Homeland Security base in Riverside, the Air and Marine Operations Center. One of Nguyens duties was to print access cards for employees and visitors, the affidavit said.

Nguyen was barred from the base in 2015 after an internal investigation found he had printed fake Homeland Security credentials for himself and two co-workers, according to the affidavit.

The Riverside gun salesman told investigators Nguyen and the co-workers used the ID cards to buy weapons. Presenting law enforcement credentials "allowed him to avoid taking and paying for certain firearm safety courses required by the State of California," the affidavit said.

After being ousted from the Riverside base, Nguyen took a job as a supervisor at Laguna Woods Village, an upscale retirement community, where he worked alongside a number of retired police officers, the affidavit said.

Although the communitys security guards were supposed to be unarmed, Nguyen carried firearms openly and attributed the weaponry to his job as a federal agent, employees told investigators.

Tom Siviglia, a security manager and a retired Cypress police officer, said Nguyen often showed up to work late and left early, explaining he was "doing his agent duties, the affidavit said. He often came to the retirement community tacted out  wearing full tactical gear  and carrying a handgun, Siviglia told investigators.

Nguyen kept a plaque on his desk that identified him as a captain with the Department of Homeland Security, the affidavit said. He sent emails from a dhs.gov account hed kept from his time working at the Riverside base, signing off emails with a signature that identified him as the director of an unspecified JTF, or joint task force, according to the affidavit.

With Carlos Rojas, the retirement community's security director and Santa Anas former police chief, Nguyen discussed the civil unrest sweeping the country in which DHS agents have played a prominent and controversial role,the affidavit. Nguyen texted Rojas, We got orders to shoot freely just now."

Nguyen used red and blue lights installed in his Toyota Tacoma to pull over co-workers, the affidavit said. Robert Martinez, a retired police officer, told investigators he was leaving work when he saw red and blue lights in his rear-view mirror and heard a siren chirp. He pulled over and Nguyen pulled alongside him, the affidavit said.

Did I scare you, Martinez? he recalled Nguyen saying, before laughing and driving away.

Of all his alleged charades, the most daring came when a pair of agents from the State Department showed up at Laguna Woods Village to serve a warrant in May 2019.

Nguyen greeted the State Department agents in tactical raid gear, a thigh holster with a weapon and ballistic vest displaying an HSI badge, the affidavit said. Explaining he was assigned to a terrorism task force and had worked all night, Nguyen said he still wanted to help them serve the warrant, one of the agents recalled him saying.

He accompanied the State Department agents and was the first one through the door of the home they searched, the agents reported.

Prince, the Homeland Security official, said the public should be on guard for impostor agents; real federal agents dont work alone  we travel in twos or more  and would rarely pull a motorist over, he said. Thats a sign something is not right."

If you suspect an agent is not who he says he is, Prince said, ask for his identification, take down his badge information, go to a safe location and call that agencys office immediately.
New breakthrough allows professional web creators to oversee and implement a design system thereby reducing design debt, eliminating inconsistencies and saving precious time

TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Elementor , the leading WordPress website building platform, announced today that with their new version 3.0 release, website designers can, for the first time, implement an advanced and comprehensive design system on WordPress sites.

Introducing Elementor 3.0: Create Faster, More Consistent Websites with New Professional Features Elementor releases version 3.0 (PRNewsfoto/Elementor)

Elementor's new functionality gives web design professionals the ability to view and control any web element on their sites from a centralized hub, thus streamlining the implementation of a design system. With it, users can now apply sitewide changes to overall layout, typography, color, style, images, logos, favicons, buttons, and form fields.

Implementing design system capabilities means advanced website builders can now cut through workflows, design and edit new and existing websites at lightning speeds, shortening time-to-market while maintaining brand and visual consistency.

With WordPress powering 38% of all websites on the internet - at 15 times the size of its closest competitor - this release brings a new way of designing websites to the largest web creation environment in the world. The new breakthrough rolled out by Elementor builds on the advantages provided by the open source platform including its flexibility, customization and adaptability to changing needs, and adds a new dimension to WordPress.

"Elementor V3.0 brings comprehensive design system capabilities to WordPress and allows website creators to build sites in ways previously not possible," said Yoni Luksenberg, CEO of Elementor. "By allowing users to spend less time on unnecessary legwork, they can shift focus to the important aspects of their design. With Elementor V3.0, we are providing our community not only with powerful features, but we are also enabling a new professional standard in a way that will revolutionize the workflow of web creators and designers."

About Elementor

Elementor is the leading website builder platform on WordPress. Serving over 5 million websites, Elementor's code-free, open-source platform, empowers web professionals including web developers, designers, and marketers in 152 markets. Elementor's mission is to radically simplify web building, enabling web professionals and agencies to unleash their creative and business potential. For more information visit www.elementor.com or follow us on Facebook .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1243364/Elementor.jpg

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8wiLAsuIZ4

SOURCE Elementor

Related Links

http://www.elementor.com


"I've tried to look at California, but there's fire everywhere because of climate change," Colbert said. "By the way, her ex-husband is the governor of California. I'm guessing that was not an amicable split. But I think I know who was awarded custody of the rage, because when it came to the president's agenda, she had some very nuanced screams."
WHY the apparent rush to proceed with the project at this time when the priority should be to stop the spread of Covid-19 infection and help the people recover from the socio-economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic? Toledo City is home to poor fisherfolks dependent on the Tanon Strait for their food and livelihood. Ironically, the local government seemed to be preoccupied with an ecologically destructive project that will put the health and well-being of their poor coastal communities in jeopardy.

This was the statement of international non-government organization Oceana on the reported go-signal by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu for the Toledo City local government to proceed with the reclamation project.

The dumping and filling of the coast of Toledo City should not be allowed because of the huge environmental impact it will cause apart from displacing artisanal fisherfolk. The project will destroy the protected seascape of Tanon Strait that is an important migration corridor and habitat for marine mammals, with at least 14 species found in its waters. This will also endanger the livelihood of small artisanal fisherfolks dependent on the rich fisheries resources of this narrow body of water between Negros and Cebu for their livelihood, said Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana vice president.

Oceana and several non-government organizations opposed a planned reclamation project of the past administration in Toledo City. Tanon Strait has a rich marine biodiversity that harbors some 70-100 species of fish, 20 species of crustaceans, 26 species of mangroves, and 18,830 hectares of coral reefs.

The ocean protection group added that the reclamation is inconsistent with the Tanon Strait Protected Seascape approved management plan.

Section 20 of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018 Enipas, Republic Act (RA) 11038, requires that, "(o) Constructing, erecting, or maintaining any kind of structure, fence or enclosure, conducting any business enterprise within the protected area without prior clearance from the Protected Area Management Bureau (PAMB) and permit from the DENR, or conducting these activities in a manner that is inconsistent with the management plan duly approved by the PAMB.

Story continues

This dump and fill project in Toledo is required to go through a rigid process under the Environmental Impact Assessment System Act, the Fisheries Code as amended and several conservation laws, apart from the Enipas Act. Under the Local Government Code, for any substantial alteration in the territorial boundaries of the LGUs, it is required to have a national law and a plebiscite for such an undertaking. Will the local government comply with the law? said Ramos.

Ramos added that apart from a comprehensive Environmental Impact Study and participatory process, an Environmental Compliance Certificate, an area clearance, and the authority to reclaim from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) are required in addition to the PAMB approval.

Executive Order 74 signed by President Duterte mandates cumulative impact assessment and hydrodynamic modeling, among other requirements.

Likewise, the Climate Change Act requires that local governments and all government agencies integrate climate impacts in all its policies and programs.

According to Oceana, a project that will destroy fishing grounds and marine habitats and displace fisherfolk cannot provide food security and resiliency that should be a priority amid the pandemic and climate crisis that the Filipino people face.

Toledo City is host to carbon-emitting coal fired power plants which can impact the health of the people and the waterways including Tanon Strait.

Way back in 2015, Oceana sent a letter interrogatories to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Economic Development Authority (Neda), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on the mandates of Toledo City and government agencies to protect the environment under various environmental laws.

Together with partners from the civil society sector and government, it conducted underwater assessment in the proposed area targeted for reclamation and found rare species of sea grass and marine creatures.

The PRA declared then that their office has not received any application to reclaim nor an approval of the said project. The project did not push through.

Oceana is an international advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the worlds oceans. Since 2014, it has been working closely with national and local government agencies, civil society, fisherfolk and other stakeholders to restore the abundance of Philippine fisheries and marine resources. (PR)
Sure, it might be warm Wednesday, but what about the rest of the week?
Till recently, iPhone production in India was limited to older models at a lower price tag. So far, Apple has localised production of five smartphone models - iPhone SE (1st Gen), 6S, 7, XR and 11.

iPhone 12 (5G) range is expected to start at Rs 70,000.

Stepping up its thrust on manufacturing in India, American tech giant Apple is planning to roll out locally made models of its upcoming iPhone 12 by the middle of next year, sources close to the development have said.

This will be the seventh iPhone model to be made in the country, giving a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modis Atmanirbhar vision.

Also, the local production of its latest iPhone SE (2020) is expected to begin by the end of this year.

Till recently, iPhone production in India was limited to older models at a lower price tag.

So far, Apple has localised production of five smartphone models - iPhone SE (1st Gen), 6S, 7, XR and 11.

The Cupertino-headquartered firms manufacturing partner, Taiwan-based Wistron, has already begun a trial run for the iPhone 12 project at its new facility near Bengaluru.

The contract manufacturer, with a planned investment of over Rs 2,900 crore, has also initiated the hiring process for the same.

It plans to employ some 10,000 workers at the new facility in a phased manner, while around 1,000 are already at work.

The plant has already received over half of its planned investment and is expected to be fully operational by October.

Expansion of Wistrons production capacity is in line with Apples mid-term goals - adding newer models quickly into its Made in India portfolio.

Sources said while the new facility in Narasapura (Karnataka) could be dedicated for the upcoming iPhone 12, its existing plant in Bengaluru will be used to produce iPhone SE (2020).

The American multinational had recently confirmed that its next-generation iPhone 12 would be delayed beyond September in global retail stores.

"Last year, we started selling iPhones in late September. This year, we expect supply to be available a few weeks later, Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri had said in an earnings call without giving reasons.

Analysts attributed the delay to lower consumer demand and manufacturing hurdles during the pandemic.

In a change in stand, Apple is now betting on India aggressively.

While it began local production with iPhone SE (1st Gen) in 2017 at Wistrons Bengaluru facility, it added 6S a year later. However, both have now been discontinued as newer models like XR and 11 became popular.

The shift has left capacity at Wistrons facilities unutilised.

The move to produce iPhone 12 in India is part of Apples long-term plan to reduce dependence on China.

Initiatives such as production linked incentive (PLI) scheme have paved the way for further localisation.

Currently, its largest partner Foxconn assembles iPhone 7, XR and 11 at its Sri City facility near Hyderabad.

The second generation SE handsets, launched in April, is currently the cheapest iPhone available in the market with a starting price of Rs 42,500.

The iPhone 12 (5G) range is expected to start at Rs 70,000.

Analysts at IDC, a market intelligence firm, pointed out that iPhone SE (2020) became one of the top five sold models in the above-Rs 40,000 price range during the April-June quarter.

Apple continued to dominate the segment with a market share of 48.8 per cent, followed by Samsung and OnePlus, it said.

"Through the latest launch of its most affordable iPhone SE (2020), Apple is looking forward to encouraging the transition of more users from Android to IOS to gain share in the overall ecosystem.

"It kept the top spot in the segment, driven by strong demand for iPhone 11," analysts at Counterpoint Research said.

In fact, the overwhelming response for iPhone 11 accelerated Apples plans for local production of iPhone 12.

Prior to that, two to three-year-old models used to drive sales.

According to Counterpoint, Apple became one of the fastest-growing brands in October-December 2019, driven by iPhone 11 and XR.

Multiple price cuts on its XR (launched in 2018) device, thanks to manufacturing in India, helped.

"Additionally, 2019 saw the fastest rollout of Apples new iPhones (11 series) in India, with aggressive pricing and a good channel strategy."

Photograph: Regis Duvignau/Reuters
Mumbai, Aug 26 : Bollywood actor and late actor Sushant Singh Rajput's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty never ever consumed drugs and is ready for any test, her lawyer said on Tuesday after reports that her chats with few people mentioned usage of drugs.

The response came after some media channels claimed that her chats showed a drug angle.

Satish Maneshinde, in a statement, said: "Rhea has never consumed drugs in her life time. She's ready for a blood test any time." Earlier in the day, the Enforcement Directorate had written to the Narcotics Control Bureau seeking their guidance in the drug angle in the case.

The source said that the agency wants to ascertain if there was some drug syndicate angle involved in the case of Sushant, who was found dead at his flat in Mumbai's Bandra on June 14.

The ED has registered a case of money laundering on the basis of the Bihar Police FIR filed on the complaint of Sushant's father K.K. Singh. The agency has already recorded the statement of Sushant's father, his sisters Priyanka Singh, and Meetu Singh in connection with the case.

It has also recorded the statement of Rhea, her brother Showik, father Indrajit, Sushant's ex-manager Shruti Modi, flatmate Siddharth Pithani, house manager Samuel Miranda, chartered accountant Sandeep Sridhar, Rhea's CA Ritesh Shah and others.

Meanwhile, a team of CBI's SIT, which is in Mumbai to probe the death of the actor on Tuesday continued their questioning of Pithani, Sushant's personal staff Neeraj Singh, his CA Sridhar and accountant Rajat Mewati. According to sources, the CBI team has also summoned two Mumbai Police personnel in connection with the case.

The CBI team has visited the flat of Sushant twice along with the forensic team and Pithani, Neeraj and Dipesh Sawant. In the last four days, it has also twice visited the Waterstone resort, where Sushant stayed for two months and the Cooper hospital where his autopsy was done.

The agency is yet to summon Rhea and her family members.

The CBI has also sought help from AIIMS Forensic Department to understand the autopsy report of Sushant. The time of death was missing from the seven page report. The CBI team earlier in the day briefed their superiors in Delhi about the latest developments and findings in the case.

The CBI took over the probe after the Supreme Court gave its nod for the federal probe agency to investigate.

Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Pashinyan: UK has been strong partner of newly independent Armenia

Israel hopes UN will unanimously condemn Holocaust denial

Armenia, Ukraine depositories sign memorandum of cooperation

Azerbaijan advises Armenia to correctly assess the new geopolitical realities and draw conclusions

Australia, UK to fight back against cyberattacks from China, Russia and Iran

Protesting residents of Armenias Parakar community march to territorial administration ministry

Armenia government approves protocol on implementation of readmission agreement with Lithuania

Iran suspends gas supplies to Turkey

MFA: Armenia has no preconditions for border delimitation

621 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Paris to have place named after Hrant Dink

Armenias Parakar enlarged community residents protesting outside government building

Turkey opposition party MPs petition for parliamentary inquiry into Hrant Dink assassination

France, Germany, Italy and Spain call on Israel to halt construction in East Jerusalem

Armenia parliament speaker in US, meets with Nancy Pelosi

Iranian MFA: Relations between Iran and Russia have moved into a new diverse, intensified direction

Biden says invasion of Ukraine will be disaster for Russia

Newspaper: Armenia PM Pashinyan plans to hold Presidents office

Newspaper: Opposition Armenia bloc, led by ex-President Kocharyan, starting new processes

Taliban PM calls on Muslim countries to be first to formally recognize their government

Saudi Arabia records lowest temperature in 30 years

Erdogan's visit to Ukraine scheduled for February 3

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

Newspaper: Armenia ex-President Sargsyan to give interview instead of press conference

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

World is on verge of country defaults

French Foreign Ministry considers unacceptable Azerbaijan statements about Pecresse

US to return two valuable artifacts over 4,000 years old to Iraq

Germany may consider halting Nord Stream 2 if Russia attacks Ukraine

Israel successfully completes test of anti-ballistic missile system

Plane landing in Sochi struck by lightning

Putin and Aliyev discuss Ukraine situation

Greek PM Mitsotakis threatens Turkey with sanctions

Handelsblatt: US and EU abandon idea of disconnecting Russia from SWIFT international payment system

Artsakh President meets representatives of non-governmental organizations

Avalanche kills person in Iran

Erdogan says he is pleased with decline in volatility of lira

NEWS.am daily digest: 18.01.22

Turkey and Azerbaijan to start laying gas pipeline to supply Nakhichevan

UK begins to supply Ukraine with anti-tank weapons

Armenian PM holds meeting on Armenia's Transformation Strategy until 2050

Nagorno-Karabakh: Remains of another Armenian soldier found in Jrakan region

Tehran to not accept any border change in South Caucasus

Dollar holding relatively steady in Armenia

Armenia special representative: Future process depends on Turkeys constructiveness degree

Erdogan: Gas from Mediterranean to Europe can only be pumped through Turkey

Iranian Consul General discusses customs cooperation in Nakhijevan
The U.S. military's top cyber official said Russia launched a 'concerted effort' in 2018 to meddle with the U.S.'s midterm elections and was successfully fought off.

Gen. Paul Nakasone, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command and the director of the National Security Agency, wrote in Foreign Affairs Tuesday that Cyber Command and the NSA teamed up 'to protect against meddling in the midterm elections.'

'Experts from both organizations formed the Russia Small Group, a task force created to ensure that democratic processes were executed unfettered by Russian activity,' Nakasone recalled.

Paul Nakasone, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command and the director of the National Security Agency, says in a Foreign Affairs piece published Tuesday that the military's cyber fighters are increasingly prepared to engage in combat with online adversaries

Nakasone wrote that the Russia Small Group, which consisted of members of the Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, allowed the 2018 midterms to happen 'unfettered by Russian activity.' Russian President Vladimir Putin is photographed Tuesday

The Russia Small Group found areas where the technical infrastructure could be compromised, which then allowed the Department of Homeland Security to 'harden the security of election infrastructure.'

The group also shared information with the Federal Bureau of Investigation so the agency could go after foreign trolls on U.S. social media platforms, Nakasone wrote.

Cyber Command also participated in what are called 'hunt forward' missions, where foreign countries allow American operatives to search for malware on their networks, which in turn prepares them for threats aimed at the U.S.

'Thanks to these and other efforts, the United States disrupted a concerted effort to undermine the midterm elections,' Nakasone wrote. 'Together with its partners, Cyber Command is doing all of this and more for the 2020 elections.'

The broader point of Nakasone's piece in Foreign Affairs, which was co-written by Michael Sulmeyer, his senior adviser, was to defend the U.S.'s more aggressive stance in cyberspace, saying the mission has evolved over the last decade from 'a reactive and defensive posture' to keep pace with sophisticated threats.

Nakasone and Sulmeyer wrote that the military's cyber fighters are increasingly prepared to engage in combat with online adversaries rather than wait to repair networks after they've been penetrated.

'We learned that we cannot afford to wait for cyber attacks to affect our military networks. We learned that defending our military networks requires executing operations outside our military networks. The threat evolved, and we evolved to meet it,' wrote Nakasone.

As an example, Nakasone cited a mission from last October in which Cyber Command dispatched an elite team of experts to Montenegro to join forces with the tiny Balkan state targeted by Russia-linked hackers.

This particular 'hunt forward' mission helped protect an ally but was also an opportunity for the U.S. to improve its own cyber defenses before the 2020 election, Nakasone wrote.

The proactive strategy is a change from a decade ago when Cyber Command was first established in the wake of a punishing cyber attack on the Defense Department's classified and unclassified networks.

Cyber Command, created in 2010 to protect U.S. military networks, was initially more focused on 'securing network perimeters.'

In recent years, though, Cyber Command has gone on the offensive, as 68 cyber protection teams 'proactively hunt for adversary malware on our own networks rather than simply waiting for an intrusion to be identified,' Nakasone said.

It's also doing more to combat adversaries on an ongoing basis and to broadly share information about malicious software it uncovers to make it a less effective threat.

'Some have speculated that competing with adversaries in cyberspace will increase the risk of escalation - from hacking to all-out war. The thinking goes that by competing more proactively in cyberspace, the risk of miscalculation, error, or accident increases and could escalate to a crisis,' Nakasone wrote.

He said that while Cyber Command takes those concerns seriously, 'We are confident that this more proactive approach enables Cyber Command to conduct operations that impose costs while responsibly managing escalation.

In addition, inaction poses its own risks: that Chinese espionage, Russian intimidation, Iranian coercion, North Korean burglary, and terrorist propaganda will continue unabated.'
Former IPS officer Annamalai Kuppusamy, dubbed as Karnatakas Singham joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday.

He joined the BJP at party headquarters in Delhi in the presence of national general secretary P Muralidhar Rao and Tamil Nadu BJP president L Murugan.

A native of Tamil Nadu, Kuppusamy has spent 10 years in Karnataka. He resigned from the police service in 2019.

Exactly a year after he quit, Annamalai had announced via a Facebook live that he would be entering Tamil Nadu politics and was preparing to contest in the 2021 Assembly polls in the state.

Annamalai earned the reputation of a tough police after he dealt with 2017 riots in Bababudangiri in Chikkamagaluru and took on criminals, radicalisation and communal elements in coastal Karnataka region.
Four years ago at a boisterous, chant-filled Republican National Convention, Donald Trump succeeded in portraying America as a grim, frightful place sowing death and destruction abroad while plagued by poverty, violence and chaos at home.

No small feat, given that the nation was in the midst of a record economic expansion and in the process of winding down in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Were not sure how Trumps rhetoric would go over this year now that the picture he painted four years ago actually bears some resemblance to reality.

Americans in 2020 have good reason to fear, whether for their childrens safety, their loved ones lives or for their own livelihoods as they struggle to hold tight to precarious employment, to keep the lights on and the mortgage paid.

No one could have predicted the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic and Trump certainly didnt start it. The murderous blame for its initial spread lies squarely on China and its deceitful cover-up. But the presidents nonchalance, seasonal flu comparisons, misleading messaging and general logistical incompetence have left us in economic crisis.

More than 5.5 million people in the United States are infected and more than 176,000 have died. Despite hints of rebound, the unemployment rate hovers around 10 percent.

Going into the Republican National Convention this week, Trump will have to do the opposite of 2016: give Republicans, and any uncommitted American voter who may be watching, a little hope.

Not the hope and light and love Joe Biden promised at the Democratic National Convention. People dont turn to Trump for that.

In The Before Times, circa February, concerns of many Trump-supporting Republicans included building the wall, lowering taxes, protecting gun rights, appointing conservative judges, limiting abortion access and standing up to China.

Republican priorities have grown more pragmatic still: They want to live. They want to work. They want to know their president will do a better job of protecting the nation if he is given four more years.

And yes, they want to know that rioting in the streets of some cities following the death of George Floyd while in police custody will cease. Of course, such fires are more easily calmed by leaders who dont fan the flames.

While the grand convention spectacles of Americas major political parties, even in virtual formats, are welcome distractions from our mundane realities while stuck at home, many Americans want more than a big bash.

The glitz, the flowing wardrobe of American flags, the Apprentice-inspired high drama - may not be enough for a Republican voter feeding his kids out of a food pantry for the first time.

Nor is such a voter likely to care much about a dark cloud of bad news hanging over Trumps head from the past week, including his former chief strategist Steve Bannons arrest on fraud charges, another court ruling rejecting the presidents bid to shield his federal tax returns, and his own sister Maryanne Trump Barry saying in secretly recorded audio that the president couldnt be trusted.

Trump will need to persuade voters he has a clear vision for how to steer America out of this pandemic mess, something Democrats struggled to do as well. And Trump will have to do it without the roar of crowds that usually feed him.

Hell get several shots, though, with this apparent plan to speak not once but every night.

Kellyanne Conway, Trumps counselor who is also scheduled to speak, told reporters that we definitely want to improve on the dour and sour mood of the D.N.C. One might assume that also means avoiding the presidents own dour tone in his American Carnage inaugural address, one of the darkest ever delivered.

Republicans other deviation from Democrats - and from history? Ditch the former presidents.

Democrats, in their bid for one big happy family, gave prime time speaking slots to a slew of former Democratic presidents, first ladies and unsuccessful presidential nominees - an approach Conway criticized as old guard-laden.

Trump wont have that problem since the Republican old guard seems content to stay away. That includes his only living Republican predecessor, George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, the partys 2012 presidential nominee, and Romneys running mate, former House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Its a stark a reminder of how far the GOP has drifted. So is the list of speakers who did make the cut, including the McCloskeys, the St. Louis couple who stood outside their home and pointed guns at passing protesters they claimed to fear, and Nick Sandmann, the former MAGA hat-wearing Covington Catholic student whose exchange with a Native American elder went viral.

The schedule also includes a few of the partys brighter lights: former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, along with South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.

This years GOP convention must have higher ambitions than paying homage to Trump. Hes no longer just a candidate. Hes the incumbent making the case for four more years amid a monumental crisis.

By the looks of Trumps sagging poll numbers, hes got some explaining to do.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : In a bid to ensure free food to all eligible disabled persons (Divyang) under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), the Central government has again asked the states to cover all eligible disabled persons under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, has sent letters to the Chief Secretaries of all states and union territories requesting them to ensure that all eligible disabled persons are included under the National Food Security Act 2013, said an official statement on Tuesday.

The Chief Secretaries have been requested to personally intervene in the matter and direct the concerned departments/officials and especially district administrations to ensure that an appropriate mechanism is put in place and the entire government machinery is mobilised in mission mode for compliance of the directions issued by the Department of Food and Public Distribution to the state governments/UTs, said the statement.

Earlier, directions were issued to the states/UTs vide a letter dated August 22, 2020. The Department of Food & Public Distribution advised all states/UTs to ensure that all disabled persons, who are eligible as per the identification criteria for the beneficiaries under the NFSA, are covered under the National Food Security Act 2013 and they get their entitled quota of foodgrains under NFSA and PMGKAY as per the provisions of the Act.

It was also stated in the letter that those not already covered should be covered with fresh ration cards to be issued as per the eligibility criteria. It was reiterated that disability is one of the criteria for inclusion of beneficiaries under AAY households and as disabled persons are a vulnerable section of the society. The letter advised that it is imperative that they are also covered by States/UTs under the priority households as per the criteria of identification evolved by them.

Section 38 of the National Food Security Act mandates that the Central government may from time to time give directions to the state governments for effective implementation of the provisions of the Act, said the Ministry.

Each member of the beneficiary family of the NFSA is getting 5 kg free rice/wheat, while one kg free whole chana is provided to each family per month under the PMGKAY. It was initially started for three months -- April, May and June -- but now the scheme has been extended for five months till November.
More than a month after a recording surfaced claiming to show the Fanwood police chief making discriminatory and sexist comments, the chief has filed suit against the head of the office investigating him, Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay Ruotolo.

Fanwood Police Chief Richard Trigo claims in the lawsuit filed Monday that Ruotolo reneged on their agreement that he would step down from his chiefs duties July 13, and in exchange, her office would not formally investigate him, which could delay or ultimately block his pension.

Trigo, who denies saying anything inappropriate, went on leave July 13 in advance of his already-scheduled Sept. 1 retirement. He didnt resign immediately, according to court filings by his attorney, Josh McMahon, mainly so that his health insurance would cover his terminally ill wife. She has since died.

In addition to launching that investigation, Ruotolo has taken the unusual step of taking over leadership of the borough police department and placing two of her colleagues in leadership roles until a new chief can be selected. Her office has now superseded the authority of police departments in Fanwood, Clark and Hillside within the last few months.

The prosecutors office said it does not comment on ongoing litigation.

Trigos problems with the prosecutors office began in early July after an audio recording was posted on Youtube purporting to show him making comments about state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who is Sikh and wears a turban, and former acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park.

In the recording, he allegedly says Park is pretty hot and she got wide ones. He allegedly said of Grewal, That...guy with the turban? I wanna pull him like a top.

It isnt clear how or when the recordings were made, or by whom.

McMahon maintains the chief said nothing inappropriate and the recordings were manipulated and spliced together by persons upset with the reform and progress the Fanwood Police Department has made under Chief Trigos leadership, including his hiring and promotion of minorities.

After the audio was posted, Ruotolo told NJ Advance Media in statements that her office was investigating and if the video was authenticated, Trigo should step down or she would take disciplinary action to remove him.

In the lawsuit, McMahon says Ruotolo was determined to oust Trigo because Grewal is her boss and appointed her. Trigo was anxious to avoid an internal affairs investigation not just because it could affect his pension, but because the publicity was impacting his family in his wifes final days.

McMahon claims in the suit that he negotiated with prosecutors office Lt. Brian OMalley about Trigo agreeing to step down  via a voluntary leave until his Sept. 1 retirement  as Ruotolo demanded. If Trigo did not submit his plans to step down to the Fanwood mayor by 9 p.m. on July 10, OMalley would issue the target letter that signaled the formal launch of the investigation at the direction of Ruotolo, McMahon wrote in the suit.

Trigo and McMahon did submit the plans to the mayor and believed the prosecutors office was abiding by its agreement to not launch the investigation, the suit said.

However, in an email two days later, Ruotolo denied that her office had ever promised not to investigate Trigo if he went on leave, according to exhibits attached to the lawsuit.

Trigo was ultimately served with the target letter July 22, four days before his wife, Margaret Trigo, 56, died at home, the suit said. His pension review by the state has been postponed pending administrative review, the suit said.

McMahon said his client is willing to cooperate in any investigation but was forced to file the lawsuit to compel Ms. Ruotolo to honor the agreement to which she and her office voluntarily entered, so that the chief and his children may mourn the loss of his wife and their mother, who tragically passed away a few weeks ago.

Trigo also has the support of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, which is asking the court to be able to file briefs on Trigos behalf. The organization has also asked Grewal to intervene in the case.

It robs him of everything in the agreement. He wanted to spend those days with his wife without worrying about this. [Ruotolo] robbed him of that, Association of Chiefs of Police attorney Vito A. Gagliardi Jr. said. Starting next week, his family will have no income and no benefits as they mourn his wife.

Trigo started with the Fanwood Police Department in 1991 and became chief in 2010. He makes $171,521 annually, according to state pension records.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
Sunder Sham Arora

Chandigarh: Industries and Commerce Minister Sunder Sham Arora on Tuesday said that he had tested positive for Covid-19.

I have been tested positive for COVID-19 & has quarantined myself at my Chandigarh residence. I request all those persons who came in contact with me during last few days please get tested for coronavirus infection. Otherwise, I am at present not having any physical problem, Arora wrote on his Facebook page.

Advertisement

Sunder Sham AroraPunjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh wished him a speedy recovery.

Wishing my Cabinet colleague Industry & Commerce Minister Sunder Sham Arora Ji who has tested positive for #Covid19 a speedy recovery. Look forward to him joining us at work soon, said the CM in his tweet.

Capt Amarinder Singh tweet

Advertisement

Arora, who is a legislator from Hoshiarpur seat, was the fourth minister of Amarinder Singh-led Congress government to have contracted the virus.

The one-day session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be held on August 28 here. Earlier, three ministers Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Gurpreet Singh Kangar and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa tested positive for coronavirus.
With the 2020 presidential election in the United States just three months away, many Americans are still concerned about the safety of going in polling places and voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the choice of "mail-in" and absentee voting comes to mind.

As the US remains to be the country with the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world, many Americans are still confused about whether they will be eligible to vote through other methods. According to Brookings Institution has stated that the most secure way that Americans can cast their votes in the middle of the pandemic is through voting by mail.

However, given the fact that most Americans are still new to mail-in voting, it is usually confused with absentee voting. In a report by Newsweek, it explained the difference between the mail-in ballot and absentee ballots.

How is Mail-in Voting Different from Absentee Voting?

There have been several instances that the two terms have been interchanged even by state officials. In a statement by Brooking Institution's director for effective management, Elaine Kamarck she differentiated the two saying that for absentee voting, the responsibility to apply for an absentee ballot relies on the voted.

She also stated that in 'Universal Mail-in Ballot states' all voters who are registered will automatically receive a ballot in their mail.

Read also: What is QAnon? Facts About The Conspiracy Theory Affecting Voters in Presidential Elections

According to Heavy.com, the states of Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii have adopted the universal mail-in ballot system. This means that most of the counties in the said states, if not all of them, will be sending out ballots to their residents who are registered to vote and such votes will be cast through the mail.

On the other hand, unlike mail-in voting that does not cover all the states, absentee voting is possible in every state in the US. This means that when a registered voter requests for an absentee ballot in case they cannot be present and vote in person on the day of the election they can do so.

However, there are only a number of reasons that are acceptable for absentee voting. Those who can choose to be an absentee voter are:

1. Students living outside the country.

2. Citizens who are registered to vote but are outside the country.

3. Sick and disabled voters

4. People at work or in jury duty during the poll hours.

5. Those with religious beliefs or practices preventing them from going to polling centers.

6. Election workers or poll watchers

7. Those who are in prison yet are still eligible to vote.

Meanwhile, there are also several states that allow absentee voting despite not having the aforementioned reasons. States are known to allow no-excuse absentee ballot are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Washington DC, Florida Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

As the presidential election approaches, the percentage of Americans that have become eligible to vote through the mail has significantly increased. Despite the issues that has been thrown in its way, it seems that many are choosing to mail in their votes in order to stay safe from the virus and at the same time practice their right of suffrage.



Related article: Fact Check: Is the Voter's Party Revealed in Ballot Envelopes?

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required!

Stay logged in to skip the surveys.
Advertisement

Firefighters rescued campers, police shut roads and rail lines were blocked today as the second named storm of August battered Britain with strong winds and brought a washout end to staycations across the country.

Storm Francis swept in this morning with gusts of 74mph and 1.6 inches of rain already recorded, causing chaos for commuters and holidaymakers - and large waves around the South West including the Bristol Channel.

Two people were feared drowned in the River Taff in Wales, with one believed to have entered the water in Cardiff near the Principality Stadium and another thought to be a capsized canoeist eight miles north in Taffs Well. A woman was also rescued elsewhere in Cardiff at the River Ely in Leckwith following reports of a person in difficulty.

Campers - especially those on the last week of the school holidays - faced the threat of trees being uprooted and power lines downed, with fire crews rescuing nine people staying near a fast-flowing river in South Wales.

Firefighters managed to get to the group in two boats at St Clears in Carmarthenshire after the alarm was raised at 7am today, and also rescued two dogs. Crews also gave medical treatment to one man and evacuated 30 other people from a flooded caravan site in Wiseman's Bridge, while 12 caravans were also removed from the site.

Homes in Llanelli were flooded by 'about a foot of water' while there was further flooding across South Wales, the train line between Neath and Cardiff was flooded and a fallen tree blocked the Caerphilly to Rhymney rail route.

Police said water on roads in the Bryntirion area of Bridgend was knee deep, a car was stranded in flooding at the 15th century Dipping Bridge at Merthyr Mawr, and a tree blocked a main road in Dunmurry, Belfast.

The M48 bridge across the River Severn was closed in both directions, a fallen tree temporarily blocked the A30 in Cornwall, while another stopped trains running between Gunnislake in Cornwall and Plymouth in Devon.

Parts of northern England had to 0.8in (20mm) of rain in just a few hours this morning, with Northern Ireland reporting up to 1.6in (40mm). Several places in England and Wales have seen their highest ever gusts of wind provisionally recorded in August.

Gusts of 74mph were recorded at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, Wales - the highest August gust in this location since 1994. Aberdaron in the Welsh county of Gwynedd recorded 71mph, the highest since 1996. Gusts of 68mph were recorded at Pembrey Sands, 52mph at Shobdon in Herefordshire, and 49mph at Pershore in Worcestershire.

Waves crash over the Cobb at Lyme Regis in Dorset this afternoon as the UK faces stormy conditions today and tomorrow

Fire and Rescue Service workers search the River Taff in Cardiff today after reports a woman had fallen in the water

Huge waves hit the North East coast at Seaburn beachfront promenade in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, this morning

Firefighters help rescue campers today after a campsite flooded near Wisemans Bridge in Pembrokeshire, South Wales

People try to stand against the strong winds at Langland Bay point on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales today

Rescue crews at Llandaff Rowing Club in South Wales today after reports of a canoeist having capsized in the River Taff

Walkers on a windy Tynemouth beach this morning with two dogs as Storm Francis brings strong winds to Britain

Fire crews rescued nine people staying at Lakeside campsite at St Clears in Carmarthenshire, South Wales, this morning

Large waves hit the coast at Porthcawl in South Wales where gusts on exposed coasts and hills are predicted up to 70mph

Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said 'Storm Francis arrived early on Tuesday morning, bringing another spell of wet and windy weather for the UK over the next few days.

'Wind speeds this strong are unusual during August and may come as a surprise to people spending time outdoors trying to catch the last few days of summer. A number of severe weather warnings have been issued.'

In Northern Ireland, hundreds of people were today rescued from their homes in County Down after a river burst its banks and left the town looking 'like a disaster zone.'

Rescuers used a boat to help residents in Newcastle, near the Mourne Mountains, after more than 300 homes were flooded and streets were left under three or four feet of water.

Stormont Assembly member Colin McGrath said: 'It is like a disaster zone.'

Those living in the Shimna Road area have been battling floodwaters since the river the road is named after overflowed.

Stormont's Infrastructure Department added: 'Multi-agency partners are currently on the ground working in partnership responding to the impacts of Storm Francis.

Met Office issues three warnings for Britain YELLOW RAIN WARNING: 0am today to 6am tomorrow 3.5in (90mm) of rain

Northern Ireland, Scotland and North West England AMBER WIND WARNING: 2pm today to 10pm today 70mph wind gusts

Wales and the Midlands YELLOW WIND WARNING: 9am today to 9am tomorrow 70mph wind gusts

England and Wales Advertisement

'Due to the heavy rainfall, the Shimna River has burst its banks in places and there are significant reports of flooding in the Newcastle area.

'Staff were on the ground from early morning distributing sandbags and providing assistance to property owners.'

Throughout Northern Ireland, the department's teams continued to clear essential infrastructure to reduce the risk of flooding to homes.

It added: 'Close monitoring of water levels is ongoing and will continue until the weather warnings have elapsed.'

A number of roads have been closed.

Geoff Simmons, from South Down, took his children to creche on Tuesday morning and had to take a 20-mile detour over the mountains in wild conditions to get home.

He said: 'Serious rain overnight in Newcastle, County Down. The sea looks angry.'

A warning for heavy rain and wind remains in place for Tuesday until 6am on Wednesday and it is possible this could lead to debris on the road, fallen trees and spray or large waves on coastal routes.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said it was dealing with significant flooding in the Bryansford Avenue area of Newcastle.

'Our specialist rescue team, flood response teams and local crews are in attendance,' a statement said. 'A number of people have been rescued from their homes and the response is ongoing.'

Nationalist SDLP Stormont representative Mr McGrath said up to 300 homes in the town had been affected and some streets were under three or four feet of water.

Fire crews also attended a flooding incident in Maghera to help rescue a number of people trapped in their home.

The emergency service said: 'We want to reassure the public we are prepared and well-rehearsed in terms of our contingency planning in readiness for the strong possibility of flooding in parts of Northern Ireland across the afternoon and we have redeployed resources accordingly.

'We are working closely with our colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Coastguard and other statutory agencies right across Northern Ireland to assist members of the public.'

The Fairy Glen River in Rostrevor, near Newry in Co Down, has also burst its banks.

The weather conditions worsen in Seaham, County Durham, this morning as Storm Francis arrives in the UK

Waves crash into the seafront this morning at Tramore in County Waterford on the South East coast of the Republic Ireland

A DFDS ferry arrives in bad weather at the Port of Dover in Kent this morning as winds of up to 70mph are expected

A flooded home off Barrack Street in Bantry, West Cork, is pictured today following severe flooding in the Republic of Ireland

Huge waves crash onto the Dawlish seafront in Devon today as a service travels along the tracks in the stormy conditions

It comes after chaotic scenes in London last night, with drivers forced to wade through waterlogged roads as drains struggled to clear the rain fast enough - and other motorists swerved into the path of oncoming traffic.

Severe wind and rain weather warnings have been put in place for much of the UK today, with the storm arriving from the Atlantic overnight and travelling eastwards before reaching the North Sea tomorrow.

An amber warning was issued for strong winds across Wales, the Midlands and into Lincolnshire from 2pm to 10pm today, amid fears over tiles being blown from roofs and possible power cuts and mobile phone outages.

The gusts could cause 'danger to life' from flying debris, damage to buildings and disruption to travel services, forecasters said as they also issued a yellow wind warning running for 24 hours from 9am this morning.

The rain is expected to be heaviest in Northern Ireland and south-west Scotland, where up to 3.5in (90mm) could fall  well above the monthly August average of 2.8in (70mm)  bringing a risk of localised flooding.

Carmarthenshire councillor Rob James told BBC Radio Wales' Breakfast show that there was 'about a foot of water' in homes in Llanelli, adding: 'Drivers need to take care when driving and don't take any risks.'

Mount Batten in Plymouth and Mace Head in County Galway in western Ireland both had gusts of 51mph overnight, while 30.8mm (1.2in) of rain fell between 5pm and 11pm yesterday in parts of County Kerry.

Waves crash over the Cobb at Lyme Regis in Dorset this afternoon as the Met Office issued an amber weather warning

Waves hits the sea wall at Teignmouth in Devon this morning as a family walk near the water

Waves crash over the Cobb in Lyme Regis this afternoon during the second named storm of August

Waves crash against the harbour wall during Storm Francis at Newhaven in East Sussex this afternoon

A surfer enjoys the waves at Langland Bay on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales today as Storm Francis brings strong winds

Rescue crews at Llandaff Rowing Club after reports of a canoeist having capsized in the River Taff near Cardiff today

An Environment Agency recording taken between 11pm yesterday and 7am today logged 65.8mm (2.6in) dropping at White Barrow in Devon.

In the same period, Natural Resources Wales recorded 61.4mm (2.4in) falling at Tavernspite in Carmarthenshire, Wales, while Spite in Glamorganshire saw 56.2mm (2.2in).

There was widespread damage in West Cork after heavy rainfall left roads and properties flooded. There was also flooding in Bantry, including The Square, New Street, Bridge Street and Main Street, damaging almost 50 homes.

Cork County Council said the damage was caused after prolonged intense rainfall on already saturated ground, adding that while flood waters have been cleared, some roads have been damaged and are currently closed.

A 30ft tree fell onto a pathway in Hull, East Yorkshire, this morning although no one was passing at the time

Waves crash against the harbour wall at Porthcawl in South Wales today as the Met Office issued an amber weather warning

Windsurfers make the most of the gusty conditions off Hayling Island in Hampshire this afternoon

A woman shelters from the heavy rain under an umbrella in Liverpool city centre this morning as Storm Francis hits the UK

Firefighters help rescue campers today near Wisemans Bridge, a coastal hamlet between Amroth and Saundersfoot in Wales

A woman with long hair struggles to walk on the seafront at West Bay in Dorset today in the strong winds from Storm Francis

Cars battle through a semi-flooded road after heavy rain fell this morning in Peterborough as Storm Francis hits the country

Flooding at the 15th century Dipping Bridge in Merthyr Mawr, near Bridgend, South Wales, saw police close the road today

The wind catches a woman's hair in London as Storm Francis hit the UK this morning with strong gusts across the country

Heavy rainfall overnight has resulted in flooding on Ouseburn Road in Newcastle-upon-Tyne this morning

A rainbow forms in the distance as waves hit boulders on the shoreline at Westward Ho! in Devon this morning

Flooding on the train line between Mountain Ash and Aberdare in South Wales this morning

Storm Francis engulfs the UK and brings torrential rain and strong winds, putting parts of the country at risk of flooding

Downpours in Bandon also caused flooding at Brady's Lane and Bridge Street, which the council said has been cleared.

Mother-of-three, 29, and father-of-two, 37, died when their car span off dual carriageway and hit tree in heavy rain during Storm Ellen Mother-of-three Tanya Jackson, 29, and Brett Rogers, a 37-year-old dad-of-two, were travelling through Derbyshire in a Vauxhall Insignia that skidded off the road and smashed into a tree on Saturday afternoon. A former school pal of Tanya's said he believed the couple had been in a recent relationship together. He said: 'It's such a tragedy. She had two girls and a boy - they are only young. 'She was very quiet at school but she was always pretty popular. She's been taken so young. It's so sad.' Emergency services were called to the A52, around 100 yards from the M1 junction, at 4.55pm on Saturday, August 22. The incident happened as the last of Storm Ellen's heavy rain fell on the area. Originally only the westbound carriageway was closed but police soon shut the entire A52. Advertisement

The council said that the intense rainfall overwhelmed the system.

Other flooded areas include Dunmanway, Rosscarbery, Connonagh, Clonakilty, Drimoleague, Leap, Ballydehob, Passage West and Youghal. Skibbereen escaped further flooding after it was badly hit by Storm Ellen last week.

Road users have been urged to exercise 'extreme caution' while work is carried out to clear the affected routes.

Videos and images posted on social media show extensive flooding across Bantry.

Bantry Bay Rovers posted on Twitter: 'We are sending our thoughts to everyone impacted by last night's flooding and our sincere thanks to all of the members of the emergency services and community volunteers who have been working to keep our community safe.'

Electricity firm ESB said power was lost in hundreds of homes and businesses in Cork, Wexford, Limerick and Carlow.

Met Eireann said that it will remain wet across the north and west with further flooding likely.

Meanwhile the Environment Agency issued 17 flood alerts across England, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency imposed a further ten.

Alex Deakin from the Met Office said it will be 'wet and windy for large chunks of the UK'.

He added: 'The bands of rain move into Northern Ireland and stick around, move into Scotland and hang around for most of the day.'

The rain warning  which began at midnight overnight covers an area in Scotland including the A83 Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll and the railway line south of Stonehaven in Kincardineshire.

A ScotRail train was derailed by a landslide near Stonehaven earlier this month, killing three people and injuring six others.

The Met Office imposed multiple weather warnings for today

A spell of strong winds will develop across the South West of England and Wales this morning (left), before spreading east across other parts of England and Wales overnight, clearing into the North Sea tomorrow (right)

The Police Service of Northern Ireland tweeted this photograph of a tree blocking a main road today in Dunmurry, Belfast

Waves crashing into the seafront at Tramore in County Waterford on the South East coast of Ireland this morning

Treacherous driving conditions on the A14 near Cambridge this morning as Storm Francis arrives with heavy rain

A woman has her hair blown in the wind at Euston Circus in London today as the stormy conditions sweep across Britain

The flooded Dewi Fawr river running through Lakeside campsite in St Clears in South Wales this morning

Lorries travel through treacherous driving conditions on the A14 near Cambridge this morning amid heavy rain

The M48 bridge across the River Severn was closed in both directions due to the high winds this afternoon

A dog walker goes out in rain on Wimbledon Common in South West London this morning as Storm Francis hits Britain

Windsurfers on the sea at Westward Ho! in Devon this morning as winds of up to 70mph are expected along the coast

Two people are feared drowned in River Taff in Wales with searches in two different spots Two people are feared drowned in the River Taff in Wales - with police mounting searches in two different spots of the swollen river hit by Storm Francis. One man is believed to have entered the water in Cardiff city centre close to the iconic Principality Stadium. Helicopters and rescue boats are at the scene. A spokesman for South Wales Police said: 'We are currently searching the River Taff in Cardiff, following reports of a person having entered the water near the Principality Stadium.' They are also searching another stretch of the river eight miles north in Taffs Well as they look for a kayaker who is believed to have capsized. The spokesman said: 'A river search is underway in Taffs Well, following reports of a canoeist having capsized. If you believe the report relates to you and you have safely left the water, please let us know.' Families were also saved from a flooded campsite in St Clears, Carmarthenshire, as Storm Francis sent fast flowing water gushing towards their tents. Nine campers and two dogs were rescued after a nearby river burst its banks and flooded their field. Advertisement

Nicky Maxey from the Met Office said: 'Since we began naming storms in 2014, we have never had one in August. Now we have two.'

She added: 'For Scotland and Northern Ireland, the real worry is for the amount of rain which Storm Francis contains. It's a low-pressure system being fired across the Atlantic by a jet stream running at 120 knots (138mph). It deepens rapidly as it arrives to a position which is pretty strong for this time of year.'

The Met Office said some communities could be cut off by flooded roads and travel services may be badly hit, with parts of Scotland particularly under threat.

ScotRail said it was advising customers to check their journey on its app or website before they travel, while CalMac ferry routes on Scotland's West Coast were placed on a warning of a 'heightened risk of disruption'.

Although autumn doesn't begin until September 1, temperatures are set to drop to 16C (61F) to 18C (64F), making it feel cooler than in recent weeks.

The storm is expected to clear by tomorrow lunchtime but forecasters said it is unlikely the heatwaves of earlier in the month will return in time for the bank holiday weekend.

Instead the conditions are likely to be changeable, with a mixture of sunshine and scattered showers for most parts. The bad weather follows a similar spell of unseasonable conditions last week when Storm Ellen hit the UK.

The Met Office has never had two named storms in August since the process started in 2015, but Francis comes on the back of Ellen which struck last week and caused power outages.

It was blamed for several deaths, including that of a seven-year-old who died in Bobbing, Kent, on Friday after being struck by a tree toppled by strong winds.

Ellen also saw 15-year-old Nicola Williams swept to her death in the Rhymney River in Llanrumney, Cardiff, and a 50-year-old holidaymaker die in the sea near Helston, west Cornwall, after getting into difficulties.

Meanwhile Mark Spence, 47, was also killed after being struck by debris as he slept when the chimney stack was blown through the roof of his home, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, on Sunday.

A van is left stranded in Heol Las which became flooded in the Llansamlet area of Swansea in South Wales this morning

Waves crash into the seafront this morning at Tramore in County Waterford on the South East coast of Ireland

Heavy rain hits a main road in Peterborough this morning as Cambridgeshire is among the counties hit by Storm Francis

A stranded caravan at Lakeside campsite near St Clears in South Wales today as the region is hit by severe flooding

Vehicles drive in spray on the M25 near London Heathrow Airport this morning as Storm Francis hits the UK

Firefighters at Lakeside campsite near St Clears in South Wales this morning as flooding hits parts of the country

Treacherous driving conditions on the A14 near Cambridge this morning as Storm Francis arrives bringing heavy rain

Staff at Benson's charity shop in Bantry, West Cork, are pictured today during the clean up operation following flooding

Flooding this morning at Briton Ferry in Neath, South Wales, as Storm Francis sweeps across parts of Britain

Rod Dennis, spokesman for RAC Breakdown, said the storm could cause problems for those on the roads over the next 24 hours. 'Drivers look set for yet more miserable conditions in the run-up to the bank holiday,' he said.

'At the very least, surface spray on the roads will be a problem, but if conditions deteriorate further there's the prospect of localised flooding and falling branches which could both negatively affect journey times.

'Drivers must be on their guard and, even though it's August, trips by car look likely to be anything but plain sailing. Never attempt to drive through floods unless you are sure the water is shallow enough for you to make it through.'

Similarly, the RNLI warned people to take care on the coastline and not to enter the water where a red flag is flying.

Surfers in Perranporth, Cornwall, ride last Friday on a rare river wave caused by a tidal phenomenon known as a bore, which is sparked when a large storm swell combines with a spring tide and channels seawater up a narrow stream

Surfers ride the rare river wave in Perranporth, Cornwall, last Friday which was caused by a the 'bore' tidal phenomenon

Forecasters said the winds were 'unusual' for August, but would have to go some way to beat the current record wind gust speed of 87mph recorded at The Needles on the Isle of Wight in August 1996.

Likewise, the wettest August on record in the UK was in 1912 when 167.3mm (6.6in) was recorded across the country as a whole.

Between August 1 and 22, the UK as a whole had seen some 72.7mm (2.9in) of rainfall - around four-fifths of the average rainfall for the month.

No further storm is currently forecast this month, meaning the next storm will begin with A rather than G, as the storm-naming calendar resets on September 1.
On Day 5 of its probe into the death case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput , the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday summoned two Mumbai Police officers, inspector Bhushan Belnekar and sub-inspector Vaibhav Jagtap, for questioning.

While Belnekar was probing the case before it was transferred to CBI, Jagtap was present at Cooper Hospital during the post mortem of the actors body, said sources from Mumbai Police.

Belnekar and Jagtap are in quarantine after they were tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago. Belnekar was discharged from hospital a few days ago. But his reports came positive again and he is in quarantine, said a senior police officer, who did not wish to be named.

Sources said the CBI is likely to summon senior police officers too in the case. Meanwhile. the central agency continued to question the late actors cook Neeraj Singh, domestic help Keshav Bachner, roommate and creative manager Siddharth Pithani, chartered accountant Sandeep Shridhar and house manager Samuel Miranda at the DRDO guest house in Santacruz (East).

On Monday, the CBI team questioned employees of Waterstone Resort in Andheri (East), where Rajput spent two months last year. The same afternoon, the team also visited Cooper Hospital and met the doctors who conducted the autopsy.

Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment on June 14 and a case of accidental death was registered by Mumbai Police. The post-mortem report concluded Rajput died by suicide. The probe into Rajputs death was handed over to CBI by the Supreme Court on August 19, after the court upheld the validity of a first information report (FIR) lodged by Bihar Police in response to a complaint filed in Patna by Rajputs father, KK Singh.
JCPOA Joint Commission nothing to do with recent developments/ UAE makes a big mistake

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Mon / 24 August 2020 / 14:04

Tehran (ISNA) - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh referred to the US government's historic isolation in the world after its failed bid at the United Nations Security Council to extend an arms embargo on Iran, stressing Washington has failed to create a consensus against the Islamic Republic.

Speaking at his first press conference on Monday, Saeed Khatibzadeh said, "The US suffered a historic defeat after the UN Security Council voted against its proposed resolution on the extension of the UN arms embargo on Iran that is going to expire in October under Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)".

Criticizing the frustrated US for use of the fake term "snapback mechanism", he warned that Iran's response to any violation of the JCPOA and the UNSC Resolution 2231 that endorses the agreement will be decisive.

Mentioning Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif's recent visit to Lebanon, Khatibzade said, "Zarif paid a visit to Lebanon, during which he met with Lebanese officials and announced Iran's solidarity and cooperation with the Lebanese government and people".

Elsewhere in his remarks, the spokesman emphasized, "Iran-Venezuela relations are based on mutual interests of the two countries and have nothing to do with third countries".

Saeed Khatibzadeh has also pointed to the upcoming visit of Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi to Tehran and said, "The two sides are to resolve their mutual issues during this visit. After the endorsement of the JCPOA, Iran and the IAEA have experienced a high level of cooperation and Iran has provided the best access to its sites and facilities".

He also announced that Rafael Grossi during his visit to Tehran is to meet with Zarif.

About the next meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) which will be held in Vienna on September 1, he said, "The meeting will be held according to its seasonal procedure. Of course it was delayed for a few days but its date was set and it has nothing to do with the recent developments".

He expressed hope that the single voice that has heard in this commission regarding the issue of the JCPOA will be maintained.

"Iran's deputy Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi will head the Iranian delegation in the next meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission," the spokesman added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Saeed Khatibzadeh said, "Iran emphasizes interaction with its neighboring countries. The Islamic Republic is provider of security and stability in the region and we opposes the presence of components that want to destroy this condition and cause insecurity and instability in the region".

About United Arab Emirates's decision to normalize its relations with Israel, he noted, "The UAE made a big mistake and we hope the country to revise its measure soon".

"Iran will give a response to any threats made by the Zionists against the regional peace and security," he added.

End Item

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The Chinese military has almost no combat experience, analyst Timothy Heath wrote for the California think-tank RAND. But that inexperience might not matter very much, Heath explained, The National Interest writes in the article Achilles' Heel: China's Military Has a Combat-Experience Problem. "The few combat veterans who remain in service will all retire within the next few years, which means the military will soon have no personnel with firsthand combat experience."

Whether China had made sufficient efforts to overcome the sizable gaps in the quality of its command, training rigor, integration, and other factors could prove important if the conflict drags on. But even then, the ultimate outcome of a long war between the two global powers will likely be decided by factors beyond the control of generals and admirals, such as economic strength, political cohesion and national resolve.

Today, China's military has an increasingly impressive high-tech arsenal, but its ability to use these weapons and equipment remains unclear. There are reasons to be skeptical. The last time the People's Liberation Army fought a major conflict was in 1979, when "a seasoned Vietnamese military demolished a bungled Chinese invasion," according to Heath. At the time, the Vietnamese military was still fresh from its defeat of U.S. and allied forces in the early 1970s. The Chinese Communist Party, by contrast, had gutted its own armed forces through politically-motivated purges.

"The deleterious consequences are evident in the PLA's reversion to discredited, but low-skill, tactics like the human-wave assault, as well as in the inability of infantrymen to navigate or read maps and the inaccuracy of artillerymen due to unfamiliarity with procedures for measuring distances and calculating firing distances," Heath wrote. "The ghost of that defeat still hovers over the PLA," he continued. "In China, authorities have largely chosen to ignore an embarrassing conflict that fits awkwardly with Beijing's narrative of a peaceful rise, but the official silence has left many PLA veterans disillusioned about their participation in the war." "The few combat veterans who remain in service will all retire within the next few years, which means the military will soon have no personnel with firsthand combat experience."

But that doesn't mean Beijing can't "win" a major war. Although it's debatable whether any party truly would "win" in such a conflict, given the potentially profound loss of life and the economic, ecological and political chaos that surely would result from the war. "Win" in this case can only mean: one side achieves its own immediate strategic goals while preventing its opponent from doing the same. Heath looked to history to explain the role combat experience plays in a war's outcome.

The U.S. military early in World War II lacked experience but possessed the resources, will-to-fight and institutional foundation -- training, education and capacity for official self-correction -- to quickly recover from battlefield defeats such as the German army's rout of American troops at Kasserine Pass in North Africa in 1943.

By contrast, the Iraqi military in 1991 was experienced, having fought Iran for eight years starting in 1980. But its equipment, doctrine and institutions were inadequate. A less-experienced U.S.-led coalition prevailed over the Iraqis, owing in part to the Americans' excellent equipment, training and readiness, all holdovers from the Cold War -- a conflict that involved very little shooting between the major rivals but ample preparation on both sides.

Today the U.S. military possesses arguably more combat experience than any other armed forces, owing to the long-term American-led operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. But it's debatable whether this experience in low-intensity warfare would matter in what would probably be a high-tech war with China.

"At the strategic level, a war between Chinese and U.S. forces would likely involve high-intensity combat that neither side has experienced," Heath wrote. "The outcome of an initial clash could go either way. With adequate preparation and planning and under ideal circumstances, it is possible that China could prevail in a first battle."

"But since the initial clash probably would not end the war," he continued, "U.S. forces could be expected to use their formidable advantages to adapt and improve their performance in subsequent engagements, just as they rallied following their initial rout at Kasserine Pass to defeat Germany." "Whether China had made sufficient efforts to overcome the sizable gaps in the quality of its command, training rigor, integration, and other factors could prove important if the conflict drags on. But even then, the ultimate outcome of a long war between the two global powers will likely be decided by factors beyond the control of generals and admirals, such as economic strength, political cohesion and national resolve." Today, China's military has an increasingly impressive high-tech arsenal, but its ability to use these weapons and equipment remains unclear. There are reasons to be skeptical.
BETHLEHEM, Pa., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and B. Braun Medical Inc., a global market leader1 in regional anesthesia and pain management, today announced 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Onvision, a breakthrough ultrasound guidance solution for real-time needle tip tracking. Available exclusively on the latest version of the B. Braun and Philips Xperius ultrasound system together with the dedicated Stimuplex Onvision needle, Onvision gives anesthesiologists the confidence to accurately position the needle tip inside the body for Peripheral Nerve Blocks (PNBs).

Accurate needle placement is critical to the success of regional anesthesia procedures such as PNBs. While real-time ultrasound imaging has proved to be a valuable tool for needle guidance, failure to optimally visualize the needle tip remains a challenge, with 10-15% of all PNBs ineffective after a single-injection technique.2 In real-time, Onvision accurately indicates where the needle tip is inside the body, both in and out of the ultrasound viewing plane.3 It helps the user align the needle with the probe in a user-friendly interface that can lead to a reduction in procedural time.4

"When I first started to use Onvision, I didn't think that we would increase the number of out-of-plane procedures, but I was happily surprised we did," said Paul Kessler M.D., Ph.D., Vice Chairman, Clinic of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt (Germany). "Onvision gives you the extra assurance to perform deep and difficult blocks both in-and out-of-plane."

FDA clearance for Onvision represents the latest advance in a multi-year strategic alliance between Philips and B. Braun to innovate in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, a rapidly growing alternative to general anesthesia. Regional anesthesia is an essential part of pain therapy and offers clear advantages when compared to general anesthesia such as pain elimination during and after surgery,5 improved functional outcomes,6 and faster mobilization.7

"The increased confidence and predictability offered by the Xperius Ultrasound System and Onvision Needle Tip Tracking is empowering more anesthesiologists to embrace regional anesthesia as a viable and effective alternative to general anesthesia," said Tobin Taylor-Bhatia, Head of Innovation for Image Guided Therapy at Philips. "By innovating together with B. Braun we've created a solution to one of the biggest challenges in regional anesthesia  accurate positioning of the needle tip in the body."

"Onvision is the groundbreaking technology that allows anesthesiologists the predictability4 and confidence4 they need while positioning the needle during a procedure," said Dr. Angela Karpf, MD, Corporate Vice President of Medical Affairs at B. Braun. "B. Braun continues to add products to our regional anesthesia therapy portfolio that help achieve faster postsurgical recoveries, optimize procedural workflow and enhance user experience."

Together, B. Braun's Stimuplex Onvision needles and Philips' Onvision needle tip tracking technology indicate the position of the needle tip in relation to the ultrasound viewing plane to an accuracy of 3mm.3 A sensitive micro-sensor placed on the needle, combined with advanced signal processing and visualization techniques on the Xperius system, indicate the real-time location of the needle tip in relation to the 2D ultrasound viewing plane. The solution provides greater flexibility in needle trajectory8 and can reduce procedure times.4

In addition to FDA clearance, the Onvision solution is CE marked. It is available for sale across the EU and in Chile and is expected to be available in the United States in Q4 2020. For more information about Onvision in the US visit bbraunusa.com/onvision.

1 2019Q2 All Regional Anesthesia Products  Total Market HC & OPM Dollars (GHX, IQVIA [MDSA] & B.Braun Actual Data)

2 Paqueron X. Time Sequence of Sensory Changes after Upper Extremity Block. Anesthesiology 2004; 101:162-8.

3 Test Report Validation - NTT for PNB, Document Number: D000245353, Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V.

4 Kasine, T., et al. Needle tip tracking for ultrasoundguided peripheral nerve block proceduresAn observer blinded, randomised, controlled, crossover study on a phantom model. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2019;00:18. https: //doi. org/10.1111/aas.13379

5 Liu SS. Strodtbeck WM, Richman JM. Wu CL. A comparison of regional versus general anesthesia for ambulatory anesthesia: A meta-analysis of randomized control trials. Anesth Analg. 2005 Dec;101(6):1634-42.

6 Cohen NP, Levine WN, Marra G, et al. Indwelling interscalene catheter anesthesia in the surgical management of stiff shoulder: a report of 100 consecutive cases. J Shoulder Elbow Surgery. 2000;9:268-274

7 Nielsen et al. Outcomes after RA. Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2005 Summer; 43(3):96.

8 Test Report Validation - NTT for PNB, Document Number: D000245352, Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V.

Onvision needle is manufactured by B Braun and the Onvision module for Xperius is manufactured by Philips. Onvision is a registered trademark of B. Braun and Philips. Stimuplex is a registered trademark of B. Braun Medical Inc.

About B. Braun

B. Braun Medical Inc., a leader in infusion therapy and pain management, develops, manufactures, and markets innovative medical products and services to the healthcare industry. Other key product areas include nutrition, pharmacy admixture and dialysis. The company is committed to eliminating preventable treatment errors and enhancing patient, clinician and environmental safety. B. Braun Medical is headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and is part of the B. Braun Group of Companies in the U.S., which includes B. Braun Interventional Systems, Aesculap and CAPS.

Globally, the B. Braun Group of Companies employs more than 64,000 employees in 64 countries. Guided by its Sharing Expertise philosophy, B. Braun continuously exchanges knowledge with customers, partners and clinicians to address the critical issues of improving care and lowering costs. To learn more about B. Braun Medical, explore our website.

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2019 sales of EUR 19.5 billion and employs approximately 81,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

SOURCE B. Braun Medical Inc.

Related Links

www.bbraun.com


The salary of health workers in Ukraine is almost 30 percent lower than the average salary in the country, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has said.

"I believe that the salary of a doctor who came after the internship should start from UAH 20,000-25,000. Of course, it is very difficult to do it at once, but I believe that starting from January 1, this salary should increase radically. It should increase significantly. [...] Only a worker who receives a competitive salary can provide qualified medical care. It cannot be the case that the salary in the healthcare sector is almost 30% lower than the average salary in the country," Stepanov said at a briefing on Tuesday, August 25.

He said that the number of people with medical education who go abroad grows every year. According to him, young workers are not ready to accept low salaries in Ukraine.

The second stage of medical reform, which started on April 1, stipulates that health care facilities that provide specialized and highly specialized medical care will receive funds under an agreement with the National Health Service of Ukraine.

At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he could not agree to the second stage of medical reform in its current form, as about 50,000 health professionals could be dismissed and more than 300 hospitals could be closed due to the new funding mechanism.

op
YEREVAN.  Deputy ministers of economy Tigran Gabrielyan and Arman Khojoyan visited a fish farm that was established within the framework of the Lake Sevan trout source restoration and fish farming development program in Gegharkunik Province of Armenia.

The purpose of the visit was to get acquainted on the spot with the breeding, preservation, and reproduction of the several subspecies of trout endemic to Lake Sevan, the Ministry of Economy informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Also, the automatic fish sorting devicewhich makes it possible to sort fish by weight and transfer between netswas launched in the coastal area of Lake Sevanand in the presence of the deputy ministers.

During their visit, the Armenian officials also referred to the agricultural programs being implemented and the measures being carried out within the framework of state assistance, and the existing problems fish breeding as well as the perspective programs for the development of the fish farm were discussed.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Mardika Parama (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 17:46 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c40648e9 1 Business Jokowi,toll-road,Aceh-Besar,sigli-banda-aceh-toll-road,infrastructure,trans-sumatra Free

President Joko Jokowi Widodo inaugurated on Tuesday the Indrapuri-Blang Bintang section of the Sigli-Banda Aceh toll road, the first ever toll road in Aceh province, pledging to continue the country's infrastructure projects amid the ongoing health crisis.

The Indrapuri-Blang Bintang section, constructed by state-owned construction company Hutama Karya, stretches 13.5 kilometers and is expected to ease access to the Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport, which is located in Blang Bintang district.

During the inauguration ceremony, Jokowi lauded the speedy land acquisition process for the Sigli-Banda Aceh toll road, which has reached 86 percent completion.

The land acquisition process was very quick. If this scheme is implemented in other toll road construction projects, we could operate those roads in no time, he said during the online broadcast of the inauguration.

The Sigli-Banda Aceh toll road project began in 2018 with a total investment of more than Rp 12 trillion (US$816 million). The toll road spans 74.1 km and is divided into six sections.

According to an official statement by the Public Works and Housing Ministry, the Sigli-Banda Aceh toll road will cut the travel time between the two regions to only an hour from around three hours previously.

The toll road is part of the 2,900 km trans-Sumatra toll road megaproject, connecting Aceh, the northernmost province in the island, to Lampung, near the Sunda Strait.

Jokowi also said the government would plow through its infrastructure projects amid the COVID-19 pandemic to boost Indonesias competitiveness and provide job opportunities during the economic downturn.

While we are facing the COVID-19 pandemic, we must continue our infrastructure development because logistical costs remain high in our country. Infrastructure development could also become a strategy for our national economic recovery.

The President said he aimed for the trans-Sumatra toll road project to be completed by 2024, adding that it would provide jobs for 296,000 people in the process.

The megaproject, which also includes the 61-km Medan-Kualanamu-Tebing Tinggi toll road that started operating last year, has employed 24,700 workers as of Tuesday, according to Jokowi.

Due to the pandemics impacts on the economy, at least 3.7 million people have been left jobless, with unemployment projected to reach around 10 million people by the year-end, data from the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) shows.

Earlier this month, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said the ministry would transform a number of regular infrastructure projects this year to employ 80,000 workers in labor intensive industries, in addition to its regular cash for a work program (PKT) that targeted to absorb more than 600,000 workers.

The ministry plans to disburse Rp 11.5 trillion for the PKT.

Speaking during the launch, Indonesian Toll Road Authority (BPJT) head Danang Parikesit said 648 km of the total trans-Sumatra toll road was in operation as of Tuesday, while some 514 km were still in the construction phase.

Danang further said that the entire Sigli-Banda Aceh toll road was expected to operate fully by December 2021.

Our next priority is to extend the toll road toward Banda Aceh to connect the city with the Sultan Iskandar Muda [International] Airport. We will also connect other economic growth centers with the toll road, such as the industrial zone in Ladong and Malahayati seaport.
LAS VEGAS - Joe Biden and his Democratic Party used their convention last week to argue that the underpinnings of American Democracy hang in the balance this November. This week, its President Donald Trumps turn.

Republicans will renominate the president and highlight four years of the Trump administration and promises he delivered on, such as overturning business regulations, pulling out of international agreements, appointing two U.S. Supreme Court justices and transforming the U.S. immigration system.

While Democrats held an entirely virtual convention, pulled off without any major technical mishaps, the Republicans are holding a pared-down version of an in-person gathering on Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina. The convention runs through Thursday and includes a presidential speech from the White House South Lawn and a vice-presidential address from Fort McHenry in Baltimore.

The convention was originally scheduled to be held in Charlotte until Trump moved it to Jacksonville, Florida, with the hope the Republican-led state would allow thousands to attend. But Trump had to scrap that plan as coronavirus cases continued to climb.

What to watch at the convention:

RENOMINATION AND THE PLATFORM

The GOP has planned for six delegates from each state and territory, for a total of 336, to attend in-person proceedings for the conventions first day in Charlotte. Theyll hold a rollcall vote to renominate the president, but unlike the Democrats, it wont be a prime-time affair. Instead, the voting will take place Monday morning, with a recap shown during the evenings programming. Delegates will also vote on several resolutions, including measures defending Octobers Columbus Day holiday, which honours the polarizing 15th century explorer, and opposing cancel culture.

TRUMPS MESSAGE

Trump gives a formal acceptance speech Thursday night from the South Lawn, but hes expected to make an appearance every night in the 10 p.m. Eastern hour. Its unclear to what extent hell make remarks, but Mondays theme, Land of Promise highlights how Trump helped renew the American dream. Speakers are likely to renew Trumps focus from last week drawing contrasts with his Democratic opponent and portraying Biden as an ineffective career politician and a puppet of the radical left, aligning him with progressives like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. While Democrats repeatedly mentioned the impact of the virus and hammered Trumps response to it, expect Republicans to defend the president on the issue but feature it less prominently.

HINTS FOR 2024

Republicans seen as potential 2024 presidential candidates are sprinkled throughout the weeks proceedings. On Monday, two potential contenders from the Palmetto State will get their chance in the spotlight: Former Ambassador to the U.N. and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, followed by South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who is set to give the prominent closing speech.

THE BASE AND BACKERS

Democrats tried to show a united, diverse base and featured Republicans backing Biden. Trump has thus far focused more on his loyal base than expanding his coalition. Mondays lineup mostly stays in that vein.

The opening days speakers include some of the presidents staunchest supporters, such as Reps. Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz; Charlie Kirk, the president of the pro-Trump organization Turning Point USA; the presidents son Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is also the campaigns national finance chair.

Others include House Republican Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and Sean Parnell, a Republican congressional candidate in Pennsylvania. Also speaking: Tanya Weinreis, a Montana coffee shop owner who received federal loans to pay her employees during the coronavirus; Andrew Pollack, whose daughter was killed in the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida; and Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple who waved firearms at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their home this summer.

After Democrats pointedly included Republicans during their convention, Republicans have one slated to speak Monday: Vernon Jones, a Democratic state lawmaker from Georgia who announced in April he was breaking with his party and endorsing Trump. Jones initially announced he was resigning from office after his endorsement but changed his mind, deciding to serve out his term.

WHO WONT BE THERE

The Democratic convention featured every living Democratic president and the partys 2004 presidential nominee, John Kerry. The Republican Party, transformed under Trump, is not expected to feature at its convention the only living GOP ex-president, President George W. Bush, or the partys 2012 nominee. Mitt Romney. Neither man voted for Trump in 2016 or has endorsed him this year.

HOW TO WATCH

The daytime business of the GOP delegates will be available starting at 9 a.m. ET on the GOP conventions social media channels and AT&T U-VERSE, Direct TV, Twitch, Youtube and Amazon Prime TV. The convention will continue streaming at those places when the prime-time programming starts at 8:30 p.m. ET (a half-hour earlier than the DNC convention) and runs through 11 p.m. ET. CNN, C-SPAN, MSNBC and PBS will air the full prime-time presentation while ABC, CBS, Fox News Channel and NBC will air the final hour, from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

___

This story has been correct to show that the Parnell speaking Monday is a Pennsylvania congressional candidate, not the former governor. It has also been corrected to show that Vernon Jones is a current state lawmaker, not a former lawmaker. He announced he was resigning but later changed his mind.
We've lost count of how many times insiders have accumulated shares in a company that goes on to improve markedly. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of examples of share prices declining precipitously after insiders have sold shares. So we'll take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in AirBoss of America Corp. (TSE:BOS).

What Is Insider Buying?

Most investors know that it is quite permissible for company leaders, such as directors of the board, to buy and sell stock in the company. However, rules govern insider transactions, and certain disclosures are required.

We don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions. But equally, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. For example, a Harvard University study found that 'insider purchases earn abnormal returns of more than 6% per year'.

View our latest analysis for AirBoss of America

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At AirBoss of America

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by insider James Flatt for CA$1.5m worth of shares, at about CA$7.48 per share. Even though the purchase was made at a significantly lower price than the recent price (CA$21.41), we still think insider buying is a positive. While it does suggest insiders consider the stock undervalued at lower prices, this transaction doesn't tell us much about what they think of current prices.

In the last twelve months insiders purchased 274.87k shares for CA$2.3m. But they sold 31.00k shares for CA$232k. In the last twelve months there was more buying than selling by AirBoss of America insiders. They paid about CA$8.26 on average. To my mind it is good that insiders have invested their own money in the company. But we must note that the investments were made at well below today's share price. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

Story continues

AirBoss of America is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

AirBoss of America Insiders Bought Stock Recently

Over the last three months, we've seen a bit of insider buying at AirBoss of America. Independent Director Mary Matthews bought CA$49k worth of shares in that time. It's great to see that insiders are only buying, not selling. However, in this case the amount invested recently is quite small.

Does AirBoss of America Boast High Insider Ownership?

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. It's great to see that AirBoss of America insiders own 47% of the company, worth about CA$234m. Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders.

What Might The Insider Transactions At AirBoss of America Tell Us?

We note a that there has been a bit of insider buying recently (but no selling). Overall the buying isn't worth writing home about. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. With high insider ownership and encouraging transactions, it seems like AirBoss of America insiders think the business has merit. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for AirBoss of America you should be aware of.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
Post actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death, his producer-friend Sandip Ssingh was one of the first ones to arrive at his residence and reportedly, took control of all the requirements at the hospital as well as at home. Later, he even shared an emotional post on his Instagram page to express his grief over the actor's death. He also revealed that he and Sushant were to team up for a patriotic film titled Vande Bharatam.

However now, according to the latest revelation made by Times Now, it has surfaced that Sandip Ssingh and Sushant Singh Rajput were not in touch with each other since the last 10 months.

According to the call records of Sandip Singh, accessed by Times Now, Sandip Ssingh's last telephonic conversation with Sushant Singh Rajput dates back to September 2019.

Further, the call records accessed by Time Now also reveal that Sandip had contacted the ambulance driver two days after Sushant's demise on 16 June. The Times Now report stated that a total of four calls were exchanged between the two. While most of them were on 14 June, the report mentioned that Sandip called the ambulance driver on 16 June and the phone call lasted for almost two minutes.

Meanwhile, earlier, in an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat, Karni Sena National Youth President Surjeet Singh Rathore, who took actress Rhea Chakraborty to see Sushant for the last time at the Cooper Hospital mortuary, alleged that Sandip Ssingh is the mastermind and said that he should be arrested.

Sushant Singh Rajput's death case is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The actor was found dead at his Bandra flat in Mumbai on June 14, 2020.

ALSO READ: Shibani Dandekar Reacts To Rumours Of Being 'Mystery Girl' Outside Sushant Singh Rajput's Apartment

ALSO READ: Rhea Chakraborty's Friends Claim Actress Gave Up Film Offers To Take Care Of Sushant Singh Rajput
McKinney stands against racism

In the article, Candidate for North Omaha legislative seat decides against seeking pardon, published Aug. 19, readers have multiple clues to decipher the true agenda of the mysterious backstory. Does The World-Herald want an investigation into the State Board of Pardons (governor, state attorney general and secretary of state), who are clearly perpetuating racist policies by placing dead last nationally in how many times hearings are held? Or does The World-Herald want to ensure that we know that candidate for state legislative office McKinney has experienced police profiling by racking up 12 misdemeanor convictions? Or possibly the clues point to how the United States Postal Service is being affected here in Omaha since McKinneys notice of upcoming parole hearing must be lost in the mail? Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the morning giving way to a few showers late. High 71F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 38F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Advertisement

Coronavirus cases across the United States have now declined for the fifth straight week but South Dakota has seen a 50 percent increase in infections following its annual motorcycle rally that drew in tens of thousands of people.

The country is now averaging just over 42,000 new COVID-19 infections a day for the first time since late June.

The number of infections dropped 17 percent in the week ending August 23 compared to the previous seven days with 35 states reporting a decline in new cases.

Eight states reported a week-on-week increase of more than 10 percent, including South Dakota, North Carolina, Mississippi, Illinois, Arkansas, Wyoming, North Dakota and Maine, according to a Reuters tally of state and county reports.

The state that saw the biggest increase in cases last week was South Dakota at 50 percent with 1,000 new infections, according to a Reuters tally of state and county reports.

Coronavirus cases across the United States have now declined for the fifth straight week with the country now averaging just over 42,000 new COVID-19 infections a day for the first time since late June

The number of infections dropped 17 percent in the week ending August 23 compared to the previous seven days with 35 states reporting a decline in new cases

Infections have been rising since the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which drew more than 100,000 people from all over the country from August 7 to 16.

At least two dozens COVID-19 cases in South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska have now been linked back to the rally.

South Dakota's health department issued several warnings last week saying that three people who spent several hours at bars in Sturgis and a tattoo parlor had tested positive and had potentially exposed others.

The state, which now has 11,200 cases, has been experiencing an uptick of COVID-19 infections with cases steadily rising over the last month.

At least seven cases in Nebraska's pandhandle region in the state's west have been linked to the rally. Meanwhile, health officials in Minnesota confirmed that 15 residents had tested positive for COVID-19 after being exposed at the rally.

The uptick in these states is well below the triple digits reported in June and July in the hotspots of California, Texas, Arizona and Florida. The increases are nowhere near enough to reflect an uptick in the national trend.

Meanwhile, national deaths are now also declining having dropped below an average of 1,000 per day for the first time in a month.

The average number of fatalities due to COVID-19 was at 972 as of Monday.

Deaths, which had been plateauing nationally for about three weeks, are a lagging indicator and can potentially rise several weeks after new cases start to decline.

While still high, the current daily death rate in the US remains below levels seen in April when an average of 2,000 people were dying per day from COVID-19.

National deaths are now also declining having dropped below an average of 1,000 per day for the first time in a month. Deaths, which had been plateauing nationally for about three weeks, are a lagging indicator and can potentially rise several weeks after new cases start to decline

National deaths are now also declining having dropped below an average of 1,000 per day for the first time in a month. Nine states have seen deaths increase more than 50 percent in the last week, including Wyoming, Delaware, Missouri, Maine, Alaska, Kentucky, Arkansas, Virginia and New Hampshire

Coronavirus infections in the US have now topped 5.7 million and more than 177,000 have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic started.

The month-long national decline in cases is due mainly to the significant drop off in the hotspot states of California, Arizona, Florida and Texas after infections peaked there in mid-July.

The hotspot states, as well as others with high infections rates across the country, all implemented mitigation measures around July in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.

Of the hotspot states driving down the national infection rate, California and Texas implemented statewide mask mandates when out in public.

In the absence of statewide orders, some Florida and Arizona counties have required residents to wear masks.

All four hotspot states shut down bars and all but Florida also forced gyms to close.

The current decline in deaths and cases comes a month after President Donald Trump, who for months refused to publicly wear a mask, urged Americans to cover their faces in public to stop the spread.

CDC director Robert Redfield had predicted just days ago that deaths would start to decline this week, saying it was a direct result of mitigation measures like mask wearing and the closure of bars in hotspot states.

Redfield said it can often take weeks before the effects of those measures are reflected in the daily numbers due to the lag between deaths and positive tests.

Infections have been rising since the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which drew more than 100,000 people from all over the country from August 7 to 16

South Dakota's health department issued several warnings last week saying that three people who spent several hours at bars in Sturgis and a tattoo parlor had tested positive and had potentially exposed others

'It is important to understand these interventions are going to have a lag, that lag is going to be three to four weeks,' he said in an interview with the Journal of the American Medical Association last Thursday.

Redfield noted that southern states, which have been the hardest hit amid the pandemic, are seeing a progressive drop in cases.

Health experts in these some of these southern states have also linked the drop off in cases to mitigation measures put in place.

In Florida, a large share of the summer surge in infections particularly occurred in teenagers and young adults who are less likely to be hospitalized and die from the virus.

Experts had warned that younger people, however, could have gone on to infect their elderly or at risk relatives, which could explain the surging death toll in Florida last month.

Dr Mary Jo Trepka, chair of the epidemiology department at the Florida International University, credited the bar closures and local mask mandates for reversing the trends, the New York Times reports.

Dr Jo Gerald, who works on public health policy at the University of Arizona, said the huge decline in cases and deaths in Arizona was a direct result of mask orders, closures of bars and gyms and additional news coverage of the risks.

Health experts, however, have warned Americans not to become complacent because, even as COVID-19 infections continue to drop, they are still the highest in the world.

'We basically have 50 laboratory experiments going on right now, and every state has a slightly different policy approach,' Dr Gerald said.

'If we get complacent, this thing could get out of control again. And we'll have even less safety margin to manage it because we're starting from a higher place.'
The septuagenarian leader currently holds dual posts of president of Madhya Pradesh Congress and leader of Congress Legislature Party

Bhopal: Amid ongoing churning in Congress over leadership issue, former chief minister Kamal Nath on Monday threw his weight behind partys interim president Sonia Gandhi unequivocally to continue in the post.

Nath, without the slightest hesitation, said Gandhi should continue to lead the party, while fielding a question by reporters on the issue.

I have already made it clear that Ms Gandhi should head the party, he said.

The Congress veteran, whose proximity to the Nehru-Gandhi family being a buddy of late Sanjay Gandhi is well known in Delhi political circle, ran a series of tweets a little past midnight on Sunday, to express his unambiguous support to Gandhi to lead the party at this juncture.

It is nonsense to question Gandhis leadership and suggest for alternative to her (to head the party). I appeal to her to continue to lead the party to strengthen it, a twitter post by him said.

We should not forget that Gandhi led the party to victory in 2004 Lok Sabha elections and ensured former prime minister late Atal Behari Vajpayee to retire (from politics) despite all kinds of rumours spread against her, another twitter post by him said.

Nath said he was fortunate to get a chance to work with Indira Gandhi ji, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in his four-decade-long political career.

The septuagenarian leader currently holds dual posts of president of Madhya Pradesh Congress and leader of Congress Legislature Party in the state.

Another Congress veteran Digvijay Singh said either Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi must lead the party at the crucial juncture and dismissed the suggestion to give leadership of the party to a leader outside non- Nehru-Gandhi family holding that A Congress without (leadership of) Nehru-Gandhi family cannot be imagined.
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- City and state officials announced Tuesday that they would join other localities in a lawsuit challenging federal actions against the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

New York state, New York City, New Jersey, Hawaii, and the city and county of San Francisco filed the lawsuit against President Donald Trump, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, and the USPS.

The suit characterized multiple actions, including overtime cuts and a prohibition on late trips, in and around the post office as intended to disrupt absentee voting in the upcoming election.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said she hopes the lawsuit, filed a day after DeJoy finished testifying before Congress, ensures that Americans can safely vote in November, and that they receive other much-needed mail.

This USPS slowdown is nothing more than a voter suppression tactic, she said. Yet, this time, these authoritarian actions are not only jeopardizing our democracy and fundamental right to vote, but the immediate health and financial well-being of Americans across the nation.

USPS Spokesman David Partenheimer did not have a comment on the lawsuit, but pointed to DeJoys testimony and a Friday-published fact sheet.

The fact sheet repeated the USPS position that it has the capacity to handle the expected increase in absentee ballots related to the coronavirus, and that perceived reductions, like blue postal box removal, have been going on for years under multiple administrations.

For example, the USPS removed 4,370 postal boxes in 2013 under former President Barack Obama, and 1,677 in 2019 under the Trump Administration.

DeJoy, who has donated to Trumps election efforts, has no experience working in the USPS, but headed a company that contracted with the government service. He inherited a postal service in June that has suffered financially during the coronavirus after years of snail mail declines and federal requirements to preemptively fund its retiree healthcare benefits.

According to the fact sheet, DeJoy has only implemented two vague changes since taking over. Hes required trucks to run on-time and on-schedule and (realigned) the Postal Services reporting structure. The sheet claims that (o)n-time transportation has gone up from 89% to 97% in a few weeks.

Internal USPS documents obtained and released by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform over the weekend show declines in service and increased delays.

On Aug. 18, DeJoy said he would pause the policy changes in question, but has yet to show any efforts toward that goal, according to the lawsuit.

During his Monday testimony he claimed the plans affecting delivery services were put into effect before he arrived, and declined to reverse their implementation when asked by Rep. Katie Porter (D-California)

Democrats have also taken issue with the presidents opposition to $25 billion in emergency postal funding over his baseless objections to mail-in voting, which is how he votes. He made the claims during a Fox Business interview on Aug. 13

A few days later, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows attempted to put the onus for USPS funding on congressional Democrats during a CNN interview, and said the presidents position is against universal mail-in voting not requested absentee ballots. Only nine states currently take the universal approach -- New York is not one.

Meadows said funding for the post office could be included in a COVID relief bill. The Democrat-held House of Representatives passed the funding over the weekend.

On Tuesday, Rep. Max Rose voiced his support for the lawsuit led by AG James, and for cause pointed to the internal USPS documents released by his chamber of Congress.

Seniors, small business owners, veterans, and so many other Americans need their mail delivered on time to pay the bills, stay healthy and live their lives, Rose (D-Staten Island/South Brooklyn said. I will not be satisfied until these changes are repealed and am glad to see Attorney General James take action to do just that.
ABC NewsBy MIKE GUDGELL, JIM VOJTECK and MEREDITH DELISO, ABC News



(SAN FRANCISCO) -- The California Supreme Court overturned the death penalty sentence for Scott Peterson, who was found guilty of murdering his pregnant wife in a highly publicized case, based on judicial error.



Scott Peterson, 47, was convicted in 2004 of one count of first-degree murder for killing his wife, Laci Peterson -- who was nearly 8 months pregnant at the time -- and one count of second-degree murder for killing their unborn son.



Laci Peterson, 27, disappeared on Christmas Eve 2002. The bodies of Laci and her unborn son were found in San Francisco Bay in April 2003.



In a written decision Monday, the court upheld Scott Peterson's guilty judgment.



"Peterson contends his trial was flawed for multiple reasons, beginning with the unusual amount of pretrial publicity that surrounded the case," the court said. "We reject Peterson's claim that he received an unfair trial as to guilt and thus affirm his convictions for murder."



But the court did note that "the trial court made a series of clear and significant errors in jury selection that, under long-standing United States Supreme Court precedent, undermined Peterson's right to an impartial jury at the penalty phase."



The court said it was required to reverse the death sentence after determining that the trial court "erroneously dismissed" prospective jurors who said they opposed the death penalty, "even though the jurors gave no indication that their views would prevent them from following the law."



"We are grateful for the California Supreme Court's unanimous recognition that if the state wishes to put someone to death, it must proceed to trial only with a fairly selected jury," Cliff Gardner, Scott Peterson's appellate attorney, said in a written statement.



The Stanislaus County prosecutor, Birgit Fladager, can decide to retry the penalty phase, though a decision will not likely be made until the court decides on Scott Peterson's pending habeas petition.



"[While] we are disappointed that such a biased jury selection process results in a reversal of only the death sentence, we look forward to the Court's review of the new forensic and eyewitness evidence of innocence," Gardner continued in the statement.



The family of Scott Peterson said in a statement that they were grateful the court "recognized the injustice of Scotts death penalty."



"For a long and difficult 18 years, we have believed unwaveringly in Scotts innocence, so todays decision by the court is a big step toward justice," they said.



The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office declined to comment on the decision.



Sharon Rocha, Laci Peterson's mother, also declined to comment.



Laci Peterson was last seen at her family home in Modesto, California. Scott Peterson reported his wife missing on Dec. 24, 2002. Meanwhile, his mistress, Amber Frey, secretly worked with police to help convict him. A jury unanimously found him guilty of murdering his wife and unborn child, and a judge sentenced him to die by lethal injection. He has since remained behind bars on death row at the San Quentin State Prison.



Frey, in a statement released through her attorney, Gloria Allred, to ABC News, said she was "relieved" the court did not reverse Scott Peterson's convictions for murder. As for seeking the death penalty again, "the District Attorney should consult with Laci's family and honor their decision," she said.



In a 2017 A&E documentary series, "The Murder of Laci Peterson," Scott Peterson described the moment he heard his guilty verdict.



"It was crazy, just this amazing, horrible, physical reaction I had," he said. "I couldn't feel my feet on the floor. I couldn't feel the chair I was sitting in. My vision got a little blurry."



California's last execution was in 2006, under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on executions while he is in office.



Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
An SUV smashed into a roadside outdoor dining area in New York's Upper East Side on Monday night, leaving one person in hospital and two more injured.

The black Cadillac Escalade SUV was involved in a collision with a white Audi sedan outside Delizia 92, an Italian restaurant on East 92nd Street and Second Avenue.

Authorities rushed to the scene after the black SUV bulldozed through wooden fencing surrounding the outdoor dining area.

Tents were left mangled as car parts and wood barriers littered the streets.

The roadside eating space is similar to many that have been set up amid New York City's coronavirus restrictions - which allow outdoor dining at restaurants but ban indoor eating.

The crash took place outside Delizia 92, an Upper East Side restaurant, on Monday night

Three people were injured in the crash but none of the eatery's patrons were hurt

Many restaurants have been allowed to cordon off areas at the side of the street or on sidewalks and cycle lanes, so they can continue to serve patrons with safe social distancing.

Video shows the carnage following the crash, with people seen standing off to the side as first responders work on the scene.

The driver behind the wheel of the Audi suffered some minor injuries.

They were taken to the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, the New York Post reports.

According to the FDNY, two more people had to be treated at the scene.

None of the people who were injured were restaurant patrons, police shared.

A black SUV and a white Audi collided, sending the SUV flying into the tents

The driver of the Audi suffered injuries but the SUV was the vehicle that crashed into the eatery, sending wooden barriers flying
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mister Rogers' life-changing influence on a cynical journalist in the film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Gymnast Rachael Denhollander's quest for justice for sexual assault survivors like herself in the book What Is a Girl Worth? Comedy writer Jeannie Gaffigan's humorous and faith-filled reflections on her battle with a brain tumor in When Life Gives You Pears. These are some of the stories featured in the 20 winning feature films, TV programs, and books for adults and young people being honored with Christopher Awards in the program's 71st year.

The Christopher Awards were created in 1949 to celebrate writers, producers, directors, authors, and illustrators whose work "affirms the highest values of the human spirit" and reflects the Christopher motto, "It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."

"Our motto of bringing light to the world is ever so relevant during this pandemic, and these Christopher Award winners add that much-needed light and understanding through the stories they tell," said Tony Rossi, The Christophers' Director of Communications. "Mark Twain once observed that travel is fatal to prejudice and narrow-mindedness. The projects we're honoring allow us to travel without leaving home, taking us behind prison walls, into battle during World War II, and into the minds and hearts of people struggling to forgive grave wrongs. In so doing, they remind us of our common humanity, the power of faith and God's grace, and each individual's ability to make a difference."

Winners in the various categories are:

TV & Cable

On the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion that turned the tide of World War II, American soldiers who took part in the battle travel to France and recall the heroism and horrors they experienced in Return to Normandy from ABC News World News Tonight with David Muir and Nightline. Young people with physical disabilities take part in a special dance program that demonstrates their can-do spirit, as well as the powers of inclusion and a loving community, in America ReFramed: Perfectly Normal For Me (World Channel and American Documentary, Inc.). The four-part documentary College Behind Bars (PBS) profiles a small group of incarcerated men and women transforming their lives as they pursue college degrees in one of the most rigorous and effective prison education programs in the United States.

In Dolly Parton's Heartstrings: These Old Bones (Netflix), family, faith, and forgiveness come into play when a young lawyer struggles to maintain her principles while suing a clairvoyant old woman with whom she feels a mysterious connection. I Am Somebody's Child: The Regina Louise Story (Lifetime) dramatizes the true story of an African American foster child who is separated from the loving white case worker who wants to adopt her because of the state's racial policies. In the romantic drama Two Turtle Doves (Hallmark Movies and Mysteries), three people grieving the loss of loved ones during the Christmas season find healing and joy through talking about their grief with each other instead of keeping it bottled up.

Feature Films

In A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (TriStar Pictures), an assignment to interview children's television host Mister Rogers inspires a cynical journalist to face his demons and transform his family relationships for the better. Just Mercy (Warner Bros. Pictures) chronicles crusading lawyer Bryan Stevenson's real-life battle to exonerate an innocent African American man condemned to death row in Alabama, following a trial marked by racism and lies. Tired of living in a nursing home for senior citizens, a young man with Down syndrome escapes and embarks on an exciting and dangerous road trip with two lost souls who become like family in The Peanut Butter Falcon (Roadside Attractions).

Books for Adults

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jennifer Berry Hawes explores the difficult road to healing and forgiveness faced by family members and the community at large after the racist murders of nine members of Charleston, South Carolina's Emanuel AME Church in Grace Will Lead Us Home (St. Martin's Press). Chris Edmonds reveals his father Roddie's untold story of courage, which saved the lives of hundreds of American soldiers being held in a Nazi POW camp during World War II, in No Surrender (HarperOne/Harper Collins), written with Douglas Century. After discovering that professional and personal success leave many feeling unfulfilled, best-selling author David Brooks turns his attention to the quest for moral joy found in living a selfless life of purpose in The Second Mountain (Random House/Penguin Random House).

Attorney and former gymnast Rachael Denhollander documents her relentless pursuit of justice for herself and hundreds of her fellow athletes, who were sexually assaulted by USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, in What Is a Girl Worth? (Tyndale Momentum/Tyndale House Publishers). Jeannie Gaffigan, mother of five and comedy writing partner of husband Jim Gaffigan, revisits her 2017 diagnosis with a life-threatening brain tumor, her arduous surgery and recovery, and her renewed gratitude for God, family, and friends in When Life Gives You Pears (Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group).

Books for Young People

One More Hug by Megan Alexander, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata (Preschool and up, Aladdin/Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing), follows a young boy from infancy through his departure for college, reminding readers about the difference that unconditional love can make in a child's life. Sergeant Billy by Mireille Messier, illustrated by Kass Reich (Kindergarten and Up, Tundra Books/Penguin Random House), shares the true story of a goat who joined a Canadian battalion during World War I, saved the lives of his comrades, and returned home a hero. The promise of liberty for a Jewish mother and daughter fleeing persecution in their homeland comes to life in the early-twentieth century tale Gittel's Journey by Leslea Newman, illustrated in period style by Amy June Bates (ages 6 and up, Abrams Books for Young Readers).

A girl's rift with her best friend over their town's annual pumpkin race leads her to learn lessons about forgiveness, character, and her unhealthy obsession with winning in The Pumpkin War by Cathleen Young (ages 8 and up, Wendy Lamb Books, Penguin Random House). In Nazi Germany, two boysone Christian, one Jewishtry to make sense of the growing violence and anti-Semitism around them as they're faced with life-and-death moral choices in Crushing the Red Flowers by Jennifer Voigt Kaplan (ages 10 and up, IG Publishing). With the help of a seemingly-magical wishing well, three sixth graders discover that acts of kindness can have positive ripple effects and that storytelling can bring people together in A Drop of Hope by Keith Calabrese (young adult, Scholastic Press).

The Christophers, a nonprofit founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity. The ancient Chinese proverb"It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness" guides its publishing, radio, and awards programs. More information is available at www.christophers.org.

Contact: David Reich 914 325-9997 [email protected]

SOURCE The Christophers

Related Links

http://www.christophers.org


Recently released numbers from U.S. Travel Association show tourism in Tennessee hit a record-high $23 billion in domestic and international travel spending in 2019, marking a decade of consecutive growth. Tennessee also saw 126 million domestic person stays in 2019, up 5.7 percent from 119 million the previous year. Tennessee tourism was on a record track in the first three months of 2020 before COVID-19. The Coronavirus pandemic is the largest crisis to hit the travel, leisure and hospitality industries in history, shutting down almost all travel activities and threatening the security of businesses and employees the industry supports.

Tennessee is a world-renowned destination, and I look forward to the time when we can gather together again at our festivals, sporting events and more, said Governor Bill Lee. Tourism is our states second largest industry. Coming off another record year, this data underscores the tremendous positive tourism impact on our states revenue. As weve seen now more than ever, travel and tourism are vital to restoring economic health and recovery in Tennessee.

In 2019, Tennessee outpaced the nation in all areas of travel; including tax revenue, expenditures, payroll and employment. The leisure and hospitality industry produced more jobs than any other industry. Last year, travelers in Tennessee spent an estimated $64 million per day. Tourism generated over $75 million in new state and local tax dollars in 2019, approximately half of which directly supports public education. Those tax dollars also support public safety, health and human services, business and economic development. Travel in Tennessee generated 195,000 jobs and $1.92 billion in state and local tax revenue. Revenue generated saved each household in the state $748 in taxes, an increased savings of almost $40 compared to 2018.

These numbers reflect tourisms significant impact prior to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. U.S. Travel Association predicts the travel economy in Tennessee could see a 35-45% decline in 2020 from 2019.

With our businesses taking the Tennessee Pledge , our restaurants, businesses and attractions are ready for safe travel, said Commissioner Mark Ezell, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. I encourage travelers to safely explore, support local businesses and attractions, create family memories, discover outdoor scenic beauty where social distancing is a natural, take road trips, explore rural destinations and hidden gems that drive visitation. Our goal is to become the best non-beach tourism state in America. Were constantly exploring new opportunities to inspire growth across the state, drive jobs and economic growth, including in rural, at-risk and distressed counties.

Tourism is a significant economic driver for our state; ensuring we are able to maintain a safe environment for both visitors and residents is necessary to the livelihoods of the many people who depend on this industry, said Craig Ross, chairman of Tennessee Tourism Committee and President of Dollywood.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development received $25 million in CARES Act funding to remarket the severely devastated industry to aid in its recovery, promote safety and inspire responsible travel. Funding will be used to demonstrate how travelers can safely enjoy activities and attractions; promote outdoor activities; a campaign with messaging around masks, social distancing and sanitization; and safety messaging, digital screens and infrastructure at all 16 Tennessee Welcome Centers. $15 million in grants is available for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) in all 95 counties. Additional funding will support Tennessee State Parks and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Puducherry:

With only a few days left for the current year to come to a close, Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi on Monday said she has loved this year of pain and gain.

In her twitter message, Bedi, who assumed charge as the Lt Governor of Puducherry on May 29, tweeted that she had seen both pain and gain in abundance for prosperous Puducherry this year.

She also pointed out that she was blessed to serve Puducherry and was fortunate to see solutions available and cooperative team.

All that is needed is team and field work with? right intention, the message said.

Bedi had been in the limelight since becoming the Lt Governor. She had been on week-end visits to various parts of the Union Territory to see for herself the progress of work under operation garbage and implementation of Swachh Bharat.

The former IPS officer would either go in her official car or by pedalling through the town and its suburbans to various pockets.

She has been preaching the need for cleanest Puducherry and open defection free Puducherry.

She had also launched the Shramdhaan movement in various pockets and joining hands with the volunteers of various outfits she had engaged herself in removing the garbage from places like rural areas.

Of late, Bedi been bringing to focus the need for Puducherry adopting cashless transaction.

She had even held open house meetings with officials and staff of various departments of the territorial government recently, calling upon them to acquaint themselves with the nuances of digital banking and also train the people under their purview in their respective areas.

She has even gone on record, stating at a meeting, that digital banking and cashless transactions aim at reducing corruption in government.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Zappos today begins a fresh chapter under a new top leader.

Following Tony Hsiehs move to step down as CEO after 21 years, Kedar Deshpande has taken the reins at the Amazon-owned company. Importantly, Deshpande  who joined Zappos in 2011  understands the unique corporate culture and company values that Zappos is well known for. He will lead Zappos as the retailer continues to expand beyond its footwear roots and competes in a digital space that is more competitive than ever before.

More from Footwear News

Like many employees at Zappos, Deshpande has steadily risen through the ranks during his nine years at the company.

Deshpande has held eight different roles, including portfolio manager, product manager, senior manager of marketing, director of marketing and product management, GM of ecommerce technology and marketing, VP of technology and marketing and COO. (He was elevated to the COO role about a year ago.)

Last year, Deshpande was instrumental in opening an office in Los Angeles characterized as a creation studio. The team there is tasked with developing content across multiple platforms, but with a particular focus on engaging consumers on social media. We put in a dedicated social team in L.A., and the reason they are based there is because thats the audience [we want to reach], said Deshpande in a 2019 FN interview.

The new CEO, who has also worked at General Electric and PepsiCo, told employees about Hsiehs departure in an email late yesterday.

Im reaching out to share that Tony has decided to retire as CEO of Zappos. We want to thank Tony for his 20 years of work on behalf of Zappos customers and employees and wish him well in his next chapter, Deshpande wrote in the email. Effective today, I will be assuming the role of CEO and will be working to make this a seamless transition. As always, we are focused on wowing customers and the 10 core values that drive us every day.
An insurer may be liable for $14 million of a mortgage companys settlement with the estates of two Chicago firefighters who were killed while battling a blaze at an abandoned laundry, a federal appellate court ruled Monday.

A district court judge had ruled that no coverage was owed under the excess liability policy issued by a Chubb unit because of an exclusion for properties held by a mortgagee in procession. But a panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that there was a question of whether the policyholder, Apex Mortgage Corp., was actually in possession of the property at 1738-1744 E. 75th St.

The district court determined Apex indisputably possessed the property, but we think the court jumped the gun, the court said.

The case is Apex Mortgage Corp. v. Great Northern Insurance Co.

The City of Chicago had cited the owners of the former Sing Way Commercial Shirt Service for 14 code violations. The court said the property was in disrepair, exposed to the elements, trashed and open to vagrants.

The buildings owners, Chuck and Richard Dai, had defaulted on their mortgage. When Apex threatened foreclosure, the Dais offered to give the deed to Apex. The company accepted subject to an inspection to ensure the property was marketable.

Apex inspected the property, installed new locks on the building and a tarp over the roof, but decided there was no point in pursuing foreclosure, Apexs lawyers said in court pleadings. Apex returned the deed to the Dais in April 2009 with a letter reminding them they owned the building and urging them to secure the property. The Dais say they never got the letter.

On Dec. 22, 2010, the Chicago Fire Department responded to a fire at the property. The roof collapsed about 20 minutes after that call came in, killing firefighters Corey Ankum and Edward Stringer, who had entered the building to search for homeless occupants. Two other firefighters were buried in the rubble, but survived.

The firefighters estates filed wrongful death actions against Apex, which the mortgage company settled for $15 million.

Apexs primary liability insurer, Great Northern Insurance Co., paid the $1 million policy limit after Apex filed suit. Apex sought to recover the remaining $14 million from its excess policy with Federal Insurance Co., but Federal said no coverage was owed because of the exclusion.

District Court Judge Virginia M. Kendall agreed with Federal that Apex was a mortgagee in possession at the time of the fire and granted summary judgment in Federals favor. But the 7th Circuit said the facts in evidence provide room to argue otherwise.

The panel said Chuck Dai ordered a handyman to board up the property after the city cited him for code violations. He never made the other repairs that were ordered and eventually was sentenced to 180 days in jail for his negligence. Chuck Dai did not contest the citys allegations that he controlled the property during those criminal proceedings.

The court also rejected Federals argument that Apex effectively admitted it was in possession of the property when it agreed to a settlement with the firefighters estates.

Settlement does not create a judicial ruling, the panel said. Nor does it vindicate a plaintiffs theory of liability. Parties can settle for any number of reasons and the obligation to pay comes from the settlement itself (an agreement), not from one partys liability.

The court remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings.
Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. takes part in a town hall with First Lady Melania Trump in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 5, 2019. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Liberty University Accepts Jerry Falwell Jr.s Resignation

Liberty University accepted the resignation of President Jarry Falwell Jr. on Tuesday.

The schools Board of Trustees accepted Falwells resignation as president and chancellor and his resignation from the colleges board of directors.

I am so encouraged by the unity of Christ that I saw exemplified by our Board today. Liberty Universitys future is very bright and in capable hands of leaders who are committed to being good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted! Dr. Allen McFarland, acting board chairman, said in a statement sent to The Epoch Times.

Our students are ready to be world changers as Champions for Christ. Their spirit is strong as they look to the future. I intend to do all I can to nurture their spiritual side as they grow academically and enjoy all our campus has to offer, added Jerry Prevo, the acting president of the school.

Falwell, a lawyer, had been president of the private Christian university since 2007 before being placed on indefinite leave earlier this month.

Falwell, 58, posted a photograph of himself with a woman on Instagram. Both had their pants unbuttoned.

Falwell later described the woman as a close family friend and said the photo was a way of poking fun at the womans pregnant belly.

A second scandal erupted this week when a former business partner of Falwell and his wife claimed he was involved in a sexual relationship with them from March 2012 into 2018. Falwell has disputed the characterizations made by Giancarlo Granda, the business partner, and accused Granda of trying to blackmail him.

Falwell told news outlets late Monday that he was resigning.

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. (L) and Becki Falwell (R) take part in a town hall with First Lady Melania Trump in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 5, 2019. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The day saw Falwell initially agree to resign before immediately reversing course, according to school officials. He submitted a resignation letter late Monday to members of the Board of Trustees Executive Committee.

Falwell said the board didnt follow proper procedure when it placed him on leave.

The board put me on leave, took away my duties as prez, and thats not permitted by my contract, Falwell told The Wall Street Journal. And they put me on leave because of pressure from self-righteous people.

Liberty University said in an earlier statement that things had changed since Falwell agreed to go on a leave of absence.

Additional matters came to light that made it clear that it would not be in the best interest of the university for him to return from leave and serve as President, the university stated.

The Executive Committee met this morning and a conference call gathering of the full Board was planned for tomorrow.

Prevo called on the school community and its supporters to pray for the college and its leadership as we walk with the Lord through this stormy time of transition.

In a separate statement to ABC News, Falwell said he wasnt called to be a pastor.

My calling was to use my legal and business expertise to make Liberty University the evangelical version of Notre Dame, Falwell said. Some of us are called to be preachers; that wasnt mine. I was called to make Liberty University the greatest Christian university in the world, and I couldnt have done that as a preacher.

Falwell, a lawyer, took the helm of the private Christian university in 2007, succeeding his late father.
GALVESTON  As Tropical Storm Laura moved closer to the Texas Gulf Coast, officials, business owners and residents in Galveston prepared by collecting loose debris, stocking up on emergency gear and pulling boats from the water.

Others, meanwhile, waited for a clearer forecast before deciding to evacuate or board up their homes with plywood.

Galveston County Judge Mark Henry issued a disaster declaration Monday afternoon in anticipation of the storms potential impact and planned to issue voluntary evacuation orders for the Bolivar Peninsula starting Tuesday morning. The most recent forecast showed the storm would likely make landfall just east of Sabine Pass, he said, but meteorologists anticipated to have a more confident forecast late Monday.

In the city, Mayor Pro Tem Craig Brown issued a voluntary evacuation for residents living in low-lying areas and west of the Seawall that was set to go into effect Monday afternoon, but warned it could become mandatory.

There is still a high degree of uncertainty regarding the track and strength of this storm, and residents should be aware changes could occur quickly, necessitating a mandatory evacuation of the island as early as tonight or tomorrow morning depending on developments in the storm, city officials said in a statement.

State officials started sending approximately 50 buses to be positioned in or near the county and 25 ambulances, Henry said.

Be prepared, he said. A difference of 50 miles for a storm that traveled 2,000 is not that big of a job and that would make all the difference in the world to us here.

Galveston Island Beach Patrol officials started removing some 32 lifeguard towers early Monday morning as well as beach equipment from underneath the beach pavilion and several hundred trash cans from the beachfront, said Peter Davis, chief of the beach patrol and Park Board Police Department. Waves had risen about 1  feet to 2 feet by noon, he said, and officials expected to raise red flags  signaling to non-swimmers and children to avoid the water due to dangerous conditions, and to experienced swimmers not to go into water above their waist  in the afternoon. They were likely to remain raised through the weekend. Water officials had also issued advisories about rip currents, he said.

We want to plan for a worst-case scenario, said Davis, identifying such a situation as a Category 2 or 3 hurricane. Weve got it down. But its always dangerous and its always scary because you cant really predict these storms with any certainty.

Among those bracing for the worst were Miles Delgado and his twin brothers, Sam and Max. The three hosed down their 42-foot fishing charter boat, the Twisted Sisters, as they prepared to take it from the waters of the Galveston Yacht Basin and move it to higher ground on the mainland.

Delgado, a captain, said fishing trips for the week had already been canceled. They had been averaging two 12-hour journeys a week, but even trips scheduled for next week seemed unrealistic.

Shell stay above sea level  try to keep her dry, keep her safe, he said.

I have a feeling this isnt going to be that bad, Delgado, 25, of Houston, before adding that Hurricane Harvey in 2017 turned out to be far worse than expected. Well just see.

At Broadway Drug Store, where Hurricane Ike in 2008 caused flooding up to chest level, Ariadna Moreno said the pharmacys staff  three of them on Monday afternoon  was receiving about three times as many more calls than a regular day as people wanted to ensure they had enough medication supply.

Although she had bought several gallon-sized water bottles and emergency food, Moreno said she was not scared.

Thats just me, she said, adding that some relatives had suggested evacuating. If it hits us, it hits us. Everything is replaceable.

Across Broadway Avenue at Chalmers Hardware & Embroidery, owner Mark Bassett said customers started flocking to the shop on Saturday and again Monday after he was closed on Sunday. Flashlights, batteries, fasteners for plywood, padlocks, chains and anchors were flying off the shelves as people prepared to secure RVs and trailers  and themselves.

Like numerous residents, he had yet to decide whether he would board up his home and shop. He may take shelter in the store, he said as a stream of customers shuffled in and out, but he was waiting to see a clearer forecast. He reflected on the most difficult hours that hurricanes bring: Nighttime, when whipping winds move walls and shake glass and all he can do is listen to the storm howl in the darkness.

They are humbling, he said of the sounds, tearing up and pausing.

We are resilient, he added.

alejandro.serrano@chron.com
Regional

Central team to visit Assam to assess flood damage

Guwahati, Aug 24 (IANS) | Publish Date: 8/24/2020 1:29:30 PM IST

A six-member central team would arrive in Assam on Wednesday to assess the damage caused by the monsoon floods that affected 57 lakh people and killed at least 113 people between May 22 and August 20, officials said on Monday.

Assams Revenue Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary M.S. Manivannan said that the central team led by Sandeep Poundrik, Joint Secretary (Mitigation), National Disaster Management Authority, would visit some flood-affected districts to assess the damage to property, crops and various other assets including river dams.

During the three-day visit to the state, the central team would hold meetings with senior officials of the Assam government and disaster management authority, Manivannan told IANS over phone. He said that the Assam government has sent an interim flood damage report to the Centre and has demanded around Rs 2,300 crore as compensation for the tragedy.

The floods since May and until August 20 had caused huge damage to the infrastructure including roads, bridges and embankments.

He also said that over 81,000 people were rescued by the National Disaster Response Force and Assam State Disaster Response Force personnel.

Like previous years, Assam this year too witnessed devastating floods that killed 113 people in 22 districts, while 26 others were killed in landslides since May 22. With a respite in monsoon rains, the situation significantly improved in the first week of this month even as 57 lakh people have been affected in 5,378 villages in 30 of the states 33 districts.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) officials, a total of 2,65,402 hectares of crops in 30 districts are badly affected while the worst-hit 11 districts are Goalpara, Morigaon, Bongaigaon, Dhemaji, Baksa, Nagaon, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Sonitpur, Jorhat and Kamrup. The floods also badly hit domestic and wild animals in various sanctuaries and national parks including the world-famous Kaziranga National Park, where 18 rhinos and 135 wild animals died due to the havoc of the deluge. Kaziranga National Park Director Karmashree P. Sivakumar said that 172 wild animals have been rescued from floodwaters, even though over 95 per cent of the park remained inundated until July 23.
She was a star writer at New York and later married its co-founder, Clay Felker, who encouraged her to write big stories. In one of her earliest articles, she traveled with Robert F. Kennedys 1968 presidential campaign. She wrote presciently about subjects that marked turns in the culture, including blended families and drug addiction.

Image Ms. Sheehys 1976 book was a New York Times best-seller for more than three years. The Library of Congress ranked it as one of the 10 most influential books of modern times.

[Read about how Ms. Sheehys books helped readers define their lives.]

Of her 17 books, the most prominent and influential was Passages (1976), which examined the predictable crises of adult life and how to use them as opportunities for creative change. It sold 10 million copies, was named by the Library of Congress as one of the 10 most influential books of modern times and remained on The New York Timess best-seller list for more than three years.

As she noted in the books foreword, most studies of lifes mileposts were focused on children and older people, but she wanted to look at those in the vast middle. The rest of us, she wrote, are out there in the mainstream of a spinning and distracted society, trying to make some sense of our one and only voyage through its ambiguities.

But she offered hope to those struggling through middle age, concluding that older is better.

Ms. Sheehy built the concept of passages into a franchise, spinning off more books and articles that examined other stages of life: The Silent Passage (1992), about menopause; New Passages: Mapping Your Life Across Time (1995), which proclaimed middle age obsolete and explored new options after age 50; and Understanding Mens Passages (1998).

She capped off the passages theme with two later books. After serving as the primary caregiver for several years for Mr. Felker, who died in 2008 at 82, she wrote Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos into Confidence (2010). And in Daring: My Passages: A Memoir (2014), she wrote about her own life, although many reviewers complained that she was not as revealing as they had hoped she would be.
The Philippines has become more aggressive in sending its ships and aircraft to challenge Chinese ships within the Filipino EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) which extends 380 kilometers from the coastline. In the last two decades China has aggressively asserted its claimed ownership of most of the South China Sea. This claim was first made after World War II but not often acted on, except in the 1970s against Vietnam. In the last decade China has more aggressively asserted its claims om the South China Sea but has not opened fire on anyone illegally operating in the South China Sea. There has been some violence against Filipino fishing boats operating within the Filipino EEZ. This included a May 2020 incident when Chinese coast guard ships seized fishing equipment from a Filipino fishing boat that was actively fishing. This angered many Filipinos, and encouraged the government to keep up the hostile statements and military activities against the Chinese intruders.

In 2016 an international court declared the Chinese claims illegal. China ignored the ruling and has been protecting Chinese claims mainly through propaganda and intimidation. The Philippines admits that it has not got sufficient military forces to oppose China. The local coalition opposed to the Chinese claims does have the military capability to block Chinese forces. That coalition includes the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea and several other local nations. For the moment it is a war of words and its up to China to escalate that to open warfare. China has not opened fire since 1974 when they fought a naval battle with the South Vietnamese near the Paracel islands, and took control after sinking one of the four Vietnamese warships and chasing the others away. Since Vietnam was united in 1975 China has continued to claim areas within the Vietnamese EEZ and used intimidation to enforce those claims.

Plagues

The nationwide quarantine was lifted two months ago, except for Manila and other major cities. There are calls to keep the lockdown in cities, despite the fact that the quarantine in urban areas is crippling the economy. The government has not got the resources to feed and care for so many urban Filipinos who are confined to their homes. Many of the confined are going hungry and not willing to quietly starve to death. People are defying the lockdown to survive all manner of privation. In the last week some quarantine restrictions have been lifted in Manila and other cities. More are to follow.

Covid19 cases in the Philippines were concentrated in cities, especially the capital Manila. Overall, the Philippines has suffered 27 covid19 (coronavirus) deaths per million population so far, which is up from nine per million in early June. Confirmed cases per million has gone from 200 to 1,730 known cases of the virus per million people. In early April the government ordered a nationwide lockdown to halt the spread of the virus and make it easier to treat those who have it. Many Filipinos did the simple math and realized that the efforts to halt the spread of the virus are more dangerous than the virus itself.

Neighbors Malaysia currently has had 286 cases and four deaths per million, Singapore has 9,700 confirmed cases per million and five deaths per million while Indonesia has 560 cases per million and 24 deaths per million. The Philippines has an advantage because it has no land borders with any other nation. The Philippines consists of 7,600 islands, which further limits the spread of the virus. The number of confirmed cases is more a matter of how many people could be tested. An accurate count of covid19 deaths depends on the ability to test those who die, or are dying from covid19. This coronavirus has symptoms similar to many other existing diseases and the breathing problems that often kill covid19 victims are similar to those dying from pneumonia. This is a common cause of death for the elderly or those already weakened by other diseases. These comprise a disproportionate number of known covid19 fatalities. The number of confirmed cases is just that, people who have been tested and found to be, or has been infected. Its been known from the beginning (thanks to being able to test everyone on cruise ships and warships) that 80 percent of the population suffers no ill effects from the virus and half those who do get it feel no ill effects. The death rate for covid19 is low compared to the killer epidemics of the past (smallpox, typhoid, and so on) but higher than most strains of influenzas that appear each year. Scary but not that scary.

Offshore Blowback

A major side effect of the covid19 pandemic is the reduction in remittances sent back to the Philippines by the ten million Filipinos who work overseas. In 2019 this came to $33.5 billion, which was about nine percent of national GDP. In 2020, for the first time since 2001, there will be no growth in remittance income which will decline a few percent at most. Those overseas Filipinos are ten percent of the population. In effect, a fifth of the Filipino workforce is employed outside the Philippines and twelve percent of households in the Philippines depend on remittance income. Filipinos are very popular overseas workers because of their energy, skills and ability to speak English well. There are no jobs at home for all this talent because of the corruption that stifles economic growth. The Philippines is among the ten most corrupt nations in the world.

Worldwide, Filipino remittances income has the greatest impact on the home country. Two other nations (China and India) receive more remittance income ($60-70 billion each) but both these nations have far larger populations and GDP. In 2020 remittance income declined less than did the GDP of overseas countries where Filipinos worked, indicating that even in a virus induced global recession the Filipinos were more effective at coping with the disaster.

August 18, 2020: In the south (Lanao del Sur province) ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) took credit for killing a policeman. The few dozen ISIL members here formerly belonged to BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters), a group originally created to demand independence for the Moslems in the south. By 2014 the majority of Moslems and Christians in the Philippines agreed to an autonomous Moslem region on the southwest coast of Mindanao (the large southern island) and the string of smaller islands (Sulu, Basilan, Tawi, Tawi) extending from southwestern Mindanao towards Malaysia. The new Moslem entity (Bangasamoro) has more autonomy, but makes the Moslems down there responsible to maintaining the peace. This is no small matter because, more than elsewhere in the Philippines, the Moslem south has long had many more clan militias that believed it was their right to engage in private wars. Not all the clans share the official attitudes about who has the right to make war in Bangasamoro.

Bangasamoro governs the four million Moslems in Mindanao. Down there the Moslems are outnumbered by Christians who had moved there in the last half century. Nationwide there are about 11 million Moslems and nearly 90 million Christians. The Christian Filipinos are better organized, more industrious and more economically successful. The Moslems believe they should run Mindanao even if they are the minority, because Mindanao is the local "Islamic homeland." While some in the government are willing to concede this, the Christian majority in Mindanao (and the rest of the Philippines) does not. Because of this groups like BIFF are treated as outlaws in Bangasamoro and have lost support and members since 2014.

August 13, 2020: Senior Abu Sayyaf leader Anduljihad Susukan surrendered to the government. This was arranged by one of the local militias in Bangasamoro that used to be tolerant of Abu Sayyaf but are now hunting the Islamic terrorists. Anduljihad Susukan recently lost an arm in combat. The army thought Susukan was dead but Susukan had survived the wound and sought out MNLF leader Nur Misuari, who agreed to arrange for Susukan to surrender to the government. Susukan is wanted for 23 murders and five kidnappings plus other crimes. The MNLF is a Moslem separatist group that made peace with the government in the 1990s and helped with the establishment of Bangasamoro. The MNLF still controls some armed militias.

August 10, 2020: In the north (Ilocos Sur province) an army patrol encountered five NPA rebels, who fired on the soldiers. One soldier, all five NPA and a civilian bystander died.

August 4, 2020: In Beirut, Lebanon four Filipino expatriates were killed and twenty wounded when a warehouse with 2,700 tons of explosives in it detonated, killing nearly 200 people and wounding over 5,000. Lebanon has thousands of Filipino workers and many of them have been leaving because of the growing disorder and violence there. That mayhem has crippled the local economy, which leads to high unemployment rates. Filipinos tend to go back to the Philippines before seeking another overseas job.

July 31, 2020: In the south (Davao del Norte province) a firefight between troops and NPA rebels resulted in one NPA gunman killed while the rest got away. The fighting caused over 500 local civilians to flee their homes to avoid the gunfire.

In the north (Ilocos Sur province) a soldier was killed and three wounded when his patrol encountered NPA landmines.

July 29, 2020: Nineteen days after it was put into service the frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) departed to participate in the 2020 RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) naval exercises during August 17 to 31. These are held every two years and not all Pacific rim nations are invited. In 2018 a Chinese intelligence collection ship arrived off Hawaii to unofficially observe the RIMPAC international military exercises. In late May the United States withdrew its invitation for China to attend the 2018 RIMPAC. This exercise has been held since 1971 and is currently held every two years for nations that are dependent on freedom of the seas in the Pacific Ocean. During the Cold War (that ended in 1991) RIMPAC was about how to deal with the Russian threat. China was first invited to attend in 2014. RIMPAC is the largest international naval exercises held anywhere. There are usually twenty or more nations participating plus other invited to observe. Even when China was invited to observe RIMPAC one of their Chinese intelligence collection ships would show up as an unofficial observer.

This is the first time the Philippines has been able to attend with a modern warship. The Jose Rizal is the first of two South Korean frigates that were ordered in 2016. These cost $169 million each and are smaller versions of the South Korean FFX (Incheon class) frigate.

The Rizal class frigates are 2,600-ton ships armed with a 76mm gun, a SMASH 30mm autocannon RWS (Remotely Operated System). This is Turkish system using the American Bushmaster 2 cannon. It has 150 rounds of ammo that can be fired singly or at up to 200 rounds a minute (3-4 a second) at targets up to three kilometers distant. The Italian 76mm cannon is also RWS and can fire 85 rounds a minute at targets up to 20 kilometers distant. Rizal is equipped to handle a CIWS (close in weapons system) like Phalanx but is not yet armed with one. There are also mounts for four 12.7mm machine-guns.

The Rizal is called a missile frigate because it has lots of missiles. There are four South Korean anti-ship missiles (sort of improved Harpoons) with a range of 160 kilometers. There are also four South Korean 320mm lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes with a range of 19 kilometers. There are two twin-launchers for Mistral heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles with a range of six kilometers. There is also space for an eight cell VLS (vertical launching system) but, as with the CIWS the fire control system can handle these if installed. There is also a hanger and landing pad for a helicopter. There are also two RHIBs (rigid inflatable speedboats) for landing parties.

Leaving out the CIWS and VLS cells and using the simpler Mistral anti-aircraft missiles kept the price down. The Rizal can also handle a towed sonar but does not have one. There is a sonar built into the hull. There is a 3-D air search radar as well as a navigation radar, a fire control radar and an electro-optical tracking system. The Rizal has a crew of 65 with accommodations for twenty more sailors plus 25 passengers. Top speed is 48 kilometers an hour and range is 8,300 kilometers. Endurance is 30 days. While the Rizals are capable to long-range cruises most of their time will be spent patrolling coastal waters and the Filipino EEZ. Given that the Philippines consists of 7,600 islands, there is plenty of coastline. Some of those islands are in the South China Sea and claimed by China.
August 25 : Its a day for the smartphone buyers today as they have three options to choose from Poco M2 Pro, Redmi Note 9 Pro, and Realme Narzo 10. All three smartphones are on sale in India today.

While the budget-friendly Poco M2 Pro will be available via Flipkart, Redmi Note 9 Pro can be purchased via Amazon.in and Mi.com. Realme Narzo 10 will go on flash sale once again on Flipkart and Realme.com.

Price of Poco M2 Pro

Launched in India in July this year, Poco M2 Pro is available in three colour optionsOut of the Blue, Green and Greener, and Two Shades of Black, and three RAM with storage variants. While the 4GB with 64GB storage model carries a price tag of Rs. 13,999, the 6GB with 64GB storage variant costs Rs. 14,999, and the 6GB with 128GB variant has a price of Rs. 16,999.

Flipkart offers several discountsa 5 percent on Axis Bank Buzz credit card, Rs. 75 flat discount on RuPay debit card, and a 10 percent discount on Federal Bank debit cards. Buyers can also avail no-cost EMI options starting from Rs. 1,667 per month.

Price of Redmi Note 9 Pro

Redmi Note 9 Pro was launched in India in March this year. The 4GB with 64GB storage option comes at Rs. 13,999, while the 6GB with 128GB variant can be bought for Rs. 16,999. The handset that comes in three colour optionsAurora Blue, Glacier White, and Interstellar Black, is also available via MI Home or retail outlets. If purchased from Mi.com, buyers can get double data per recharge via Airtel with Rs. 298 and Rs. 398 unlimited packs. On the other hand, Amazon offers no cost EMI deals starting at Rs. 659.

Price of Realme Narzo 10

Realme Narzo 10 was launched in India in May this year. The smartphones single model 4GB RAM with 128GB storage option comes at Rs. 11,999. The device is available in three colour optionsThat Blue, That Green, and That White.
An international team of archaeologists has found and studied 104 enigmatic stone structures called mustatils in the southern part of the Nefud Desert in northern Arabia. Theyve also provided the first chronometric age estimate for this type of structure  a radiocarbon date of 5000 BCE  and described their landscape positions, architecture and associated culture.

Between 10,000 and 6,000 years ago the Arabian Peninsula saw the most recent of the Green Arabia periods, when increased rainfall transformed this generally arid region, said lead author Dr. Huw Groucutt from the Max Planck Institutes for Chemical Ecology, the Science of Human History, and Biogeochemistry and colleagues from Germany, the UK, Australia and Saudi Arabia.

The transition to the Neolithic in Arabia occurred during this period of climatic amelioration.

Various forms of stone structures are abundant in northern Arabia, and it has been speculated that some of these dated to the Neolithic, but there has been little research on their character and chronology.

Dr. Groucutt and co-authors carried out detailed inspection of high-resolution satellite data to identify the distribution of mustatils in the southern Nefud Desert, between the cities of Hail and Tayma.

They identified a total of 104 mustatils and found that these structures typically consist of two large platforms, connected by parallel long walls, sometimes extending over 600 m (1,969 feet) in length.

The mustatils of the southern Nefud Desert are relatively homogenous, they said.

They are elongated rectangles, with 102 out of 104 examples having two long walls, and the other two having three.

One of the examples with three walls is also the only clear example where the distal platforms extend outwards further than the point at which the long connecting walls join the platform.

At one site, the scientists found an assemblage of animal bones, which included both wild animals and possibly domestic cattle or wild auroch.

They also recovered a piece of charcoal from a section inside the platform and dated it to around 7,000 years ago.

The function of mustatils remains enigmatic, though based on our combined satellite and field findings, some possibilities can be highlighted and explored by future research, they said.

A number of features evident on the ground, and not visible on satellite imagery, furnish crucial information on mustatils.

For instance, the long walls are very low and typically lack obvious entry points, and therefore do not seem to be obviously functional as something like animal corrals.

Likewise, the morphology and landscape position of these structures argue against other pragmatic possibilities such as water storage.

While mustatils are often located near prominent landscape features such as lakes and sandstone jebels, they do not seem to emphasise being highly visible in the landscape, in contrast to many (but not all) later structures, such as different forms of cairns/tombs.

What becomes clear on the ground is that structures are primarily defined in structural terms by large stone platforms at either end, with the low walls between them denoting a perhaps conceptually, rather than effectively, enclosed space.

The team also discovered a painted rock on the interior face of one of the mustatils.

This painted, and faced, slab shows that the interior face of the platforms was sometimes decorated, indicating a consideration of the presence of viewers who were inside the space created by the platforms and the walls.

Our interpretation of mustatils is that they are ritual sites, where groups of people met to perform some kind of currently unknown social activities, Dr. Groucutt said.

Perhaps they were sites of animal sacrifices, or feasts.

The fact that sometimes several of the structures were built right next to each other may suggest that the very act of their construction was a kind of social bonding exercise.

The research is described in a paper published in The Holocene.

_____

Huw S. Groucutt et al. Monumental landscapes of the Holocene humid period in Northern Arabia: The mustatil phenomenon. The Holocene, published online August 17, 2020; doi: 10.1177/0959683620950449
President Trump speaks Monday during the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

Like the scientists working to develop COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, President Trump desperately wants to announce a cure that will signal the beginning of the end of the pandemic that has killed more than 177,000 Americans.

Unlike the scientists, however, the president isnt content to wait until there is actual proof of a cure to make that announcement.

On Sunday, Trump held a televised press conference to personally give Americans the good news about a historic breakthrough for treating COVID-19 infections that is safe and will save countless lives. The breakthrough in question? An experimental treatment in which blood plasma from people who have recovered from the coronavirus is injected into those who are sick, thus transferring protective antibodies.

The treatment does hold some promise, but scientists are skeptical that it is truly a breakthrough. One study by the Mayo Clinic sponsored by the National Institutes of Health found that COVID-19 patients who received plasma therapy within three days of diagnosis showed a statistically significant, if still small, improvement of mortality over patients who received it later in the infection.

But the study did not have a control group of patients who received a placebo, and it has not been peer-reviewed. For those reasons, top health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, urged the Food and Drug Administration not to give it emergency approval. Nevertheless, the FDA did exactly that a day after Trump complained the "deep state" at the FDA was obstructing COVID-19 medicines to make him look bad, giving him something to crow about on the eve of the Republican National Convention.

Indeed it seems that even if the plasma therapy is as effective as the president says it will be, it may not be enough to stop the pandemic. On Monday, Hong Kong researchers reported the first documented case of someone who'd recovered from COVID-19 becoming infected again. Thats dispiriting because it means that antibody treatments and vaccines may not provide lasting protection against infection.

Story continues

Trumps zeal for a COVID-19 cure would be laudable if his motives werent so nakedly self-serving and the results so problematic. When Trump decided that hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, was a magic cure when paired with a powerful antibiotic, he would not stop talking about its promise, leading one hapless man to die after self medicating with chloroquine phosphate. The FDA gave hydroxychloroquine emergency approval as well, but pulled it later after risks of the drug began outweighing the potential benefits.

Thank goodness the FDA wasn't so reckless to humor the president when he mused that it might be useful to test bleach injections or internal ultraviolet light as COVID-19 treatments. We shudder to think what Trump might cook up for an October surprise, such as a rushed vaccine that hasn't completed its third and most extensive phase of clinical trials.

We all want to find a cure for COVID-19 so life can return to something like normal. But if the credibility of the agency tasked with ensuring treatments are safe and effective continues to be eroded by Trump's manipulations, will Americans trust one if and when one comes along?
Swedish teen climate change campaigner on Tuesday threw her weight behind postponing the NEET and the JEE exams in India in view of the coronavirus, saying it is deeply unfair that students are asked to appear in the tests during the pandemic.

Several students and political leaders across the country, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and DMK President M K Stalin, have urged the central government to postpone the examination until the spread of the COVID-19 was brought under control.

Voicing her support to the calls for the deferment of the key national examinations, Thunberg took to Twitter, saying it is deeply unfair for the students.

It's deeply unfair that students of India are asked to sit national exams during the Covid-19 pandemic and while millions have also been impacted by the extreme floods. I stand with their call to #PostponeJEE_NEETinCOVID, she said in a tweet.

Thunberg, 17, has become a leading voice for action on climate change, inspiring millions of students to join protests around the world. She was named Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2019.

Two years ago, she started missing lessons most Fridays to protest outside the Swedish Parliament building, in what turned out to be the beginning of a huge environmental movement.

The chorus for postponing the various examinations, including NEET and JEE, grew louder on Sunday with over 4,000 students observing a day-long hunger strike to press for the demand in view of the rising COVID-19 cases.

The protest came on a day Gandhi said the government must listen to the 'mann ki baat' of students and arrive at "an acceptable solution" and his party demanded that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) be deferred.

According to the leftist All India Students Association (AISA), over 4,200 students observed the day-long hunger strike at their respective home demanding that CBSE compartment exams of Classes 10 and 12 be cancelled and entrance exams such as the UGC-NET, CLAT, NEET and JEE be postponed.

Aspirants appear in the JEE for admission into the premier engineering colleges and the NEET for undergraduate medical courses.

The JEE (Main) is scheduled to be held between September 1 and 6, while the JEE (Advanced) on September 27. The NEET will be held on September 13.

With 60,975 people testing positive for the infection in a day, India's COVID-19 tally on Tuesday rose to 31,67,323, while recoveries surged to 24,04,585, pushing the recovery rate to 75.92 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The death toll climbed to 58,390 with 848 fatalities being reported in a span of 24-hours, it 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.)
A government reshuffle took place in Oman last week as part of new Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik Al-Saids efforts to face up to the countrys many challenges

Internal changes in the Sultanate of Oman led the news bulletins in the Arab countries and beyond last week in a development that was out of place for the usually quiet Arab Gulf country.

The new ruler of the country, Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik Al-Said, has revamped the government in the sort of reshuffle not common in Oman, perhaps as a way of asserting his authority after assuming power in January this year after the death of the late sultan Qaboos Bin Said who had ruled Oman for half a century.

Some analysts in the region and beyond tried to read more into the changes, concluding that the government reshuffle might mean a shift in Omani foreign policy, especially towards its neighbours and its position on regional and international issues. Yet, on the face of it, the changes were widely expected as the new sultan has been establishing his position and choosing a team to lead the country in facing its many challenges.

Change in Oman would ordinarily have been more gradual and taken a longer time, but the unprecedented situation created by the Covid-19 pandemic combined with dwindling national revenues as a result of a drop in oil prices provided an opportunity for Sultan Haitham to make many changes in one go.

He issued 28 decrees on 18 August that not only reshuffled members of the government but also changed the countrys administrative structure down to the regions and appointed many new figures.

The main changes were domestic and focused on the economy of Oman at a time of major challenges. Ministries were consolidated and scaled down as part of efforts to squeeze public spending, and Omans new cabinet now consists of 19 ministers compared to 26 before the reshuffle.

Some responsibilities previously held by the sultan were devolved onto ministers, and Oman now has both a foreign minister and a finance minister, previously roles kept by the late sultan Qaboos himself, with ministers of state responsible only for implementing policy.

Though Oman still does not have a separate defence minister, Sultan Haitham previously created the position of deputy prime minister for defence affairs to oversee this portfolio, appointing his brother Shihab Bin Tarik Al-Said to oversee the defence of the country. In the new reshuffle, former minister responsible for defence affairs Badr Bin Saud Al-Busaidi and secretary to the Ministry of Defence Mohamed Al-Rasbi were replaced.

Another deputy prime ministerial role created in the changes was taken by the sultans older cousin Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al-Said. The two new deputy prime ministers will now assume responsibilities previously confined to the sultan, who is also prime minister of Oman.

The reason why some commentators have identified possible changes in Omans foreign policy as a result of the reshuffle was because veteran minister of state for foreign affairs Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdallah, the Arab worlds longest-serving foreign minister, was let go, with former secretary of the defence ministry Badr Bin Hamad Al-Busaidi being appointed instead.

Bin Alawi has been seen by some in the region as the reason for Omans tilting towards Iran and Qatar, though in fact he was just executing Omans foreign policy as decided by the sultan and according to Omans general principle of non-alignment in any regional or international disputes.

The new foreign minister has been part of the Omani diplomatic corps for so long that he will surely follow the same path.

Another veteran who left the council of ministers, as the Omani cabinet is called, was former minister of state for finance Darwish Al-Balushi, who was replaced by financial expert Sultan Al-Habsi who has formerly served in a number of senior positions, including as secretary-general of the Supreme Council for Planning and head of the Oman Tax Authority.

The private sector in Oman and outside has welcomed his appointment, along with new Commerce and Industry Minister Qais Al-Yusuf who has replaced Ali Al-Sunaidy, seeing both changes as steps towards further opening and diversifying the countrys economy.

Former American ambassador to Oman Marc J Sievers wrote on the website of the Atlantic Council, a US think tank, that while I was ambassador from 2016 to 2019, sultan Qaboos generally included some combination of minister Bin Alawi, minister Al-Balushi and minister Al-Sunaidy when receiving American or British senior officials in meetings and subsequent lavish official dinners. Now that the three are no longer ministers, it will be interesting to see whom Sultan Haitham includes when he receives senior visitors from abroad.

One other noticeable feature of the cabinet reshuffle was the inclusion of more women in government. Two female ministers were added to the council of ministers, bringing the total number of women in the cabinet to five.

However, the main focus of the changes was on the economy, which now has a ministry to itself instead of being part of the Finance Ministry. This in itself is a message to the world outside, and especially to global markets, that Sultan Haitham is keen on reforming Omans economy.

Muscat is reaching out to international financial institutions for a $2 billion loan to invest in its free-trade zones. Credit-ratings agency Moodys recently downgraded Oman and put its outlook as negative, warning that the countrys efforts in dealing with its economic problems were slow and fall short of stabilising government debt levels.

Omans debt now stands at around 60 per cent of GDP.

In a report released on 24 August, the consultancy Global Data welcomed the government reshuffle in Oman, especially the new appointments to economic posts.

The appointments came one day after Omans sovereign rating was further downgraded by Fitch Ratings. The sultanates new BB- rating, accompanied by a negative outlook, is three notches below investment grade and places it at the same level as Brazil and Bangladesh. It underscores the consistently worsening budgetary challenges Oman has faced since oil prices crashed in 2014, it noted.

Sultan Haitham has reiterated many times that he will follow the same path as his predecessor in ruling the country. While this may apply to Omans foreign policy and its relations with its neighbours in the tense region of the Gulf, in domestic affairs, and particularly in the economy, the new ruler of Oman has been faced with unprecedented circumstances, and he will need to find ways to face them.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


He insists that much of the archive is indeed straw; Joes fiction, all of it unpublished, is deemed largely unreadable. But bad writing is often more revealing of the writer than the slickest or most seamless work. Sanderson left four or five novels worth, plus a great stack of letters home, mostly to his mother, and numerous notebooks and journals. Tobars raw material also included the letters and eyewitness accounts of family members, girlfriends, journalists, traveling companions and, from the dirty war in El Salvador, fellow rebels. Sandersons war diaries, based on a matter of months in El Salvador, run to over 200,000 words.

Tobar  needlessly self-conscious about being a Hispanic author writing a novel about a man who isnt  does a heroic job making sense of a two-decade stash of material and bringing this soldier of fortune to life, in all his maddening contradictions.

Sanderson arrived in El Salvador at a crucial time, amid a terrible civil war, and was impressed with the resolve of guerrilla fighters against an unjust regime. This period  which saw the mass killing of civilians, the rape of nuns, the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero  has been ably documented by some of the very journalists Sanderson met, introducing himself with his nom de guerre, Lucas. In Tobars telling, Raymond Bonner from The New York Times talks to him, the war photographer Susan Meiselas takes his picture (the gringo guerrillero slung in a hammock, war weary, carbine on lap, eyes averted) and The Washington Posts Alma Guillermoprieto is also on the scene. They have no idea who this misplaced gringo might be. Bonner asks, So why are you here? Lucas answers, Im writing a book, and later clarifies, Sorta like John Reed in the Russian Revolution.

At this point  he has less than a year to live  the war has become an infernal nightmare, and when Sanderson and his rebel companeros stumble into the village of El Mozote, they find the entire community of around a thousand souls murdered by the U.S.-trained Atlacatl Battalion. The episode has been described as the worst massacre of the Salvadoran war, and one of the most savage in Latin American history. After years of wandering more or less aimlessly, Sanderson finds direction in the carnage; he becomes so committed that he pursues and kills at least two government soldiers.

Around this time, in a poignant moment, he confides to a fellow rebel that hed like to go home and be a propagandist (and stay alive in Indiana). But he is in rural northeastern El Salvador, struggling from village to village, and before he can escape north through Honduras his patrol comes under heavy fire. He is fatally wounded and hastily buried on a mud bank, his name misspelled as Anderson when the news gets out.

In the course of the book Sanderson grows into manhood and tests his convictions, apparently resisting the truth that while bivouacking and hitchhiking may yield ideas, they are not ideal conditions for the writing of novels. I know this to be true, since Joe is my exact contemporary and so many of his itineraries were my own. I was teaching in East Africa when he was climbing Mount Kili; I was traipsing through El Salvador (for a book) the year before he joined the revolution. Two of my best friends were killed in Biafra. I laughed in recognition when Joe got stuck in a miserable spot near Herat in far western Afghanistan: I too had languished in the tiny, squalid, xenophobic outpost of Islam Qala (also known as Kafir Qala).

Sanderson did not succeed in his ambition to write the Great American Novel  or even a good one. But he martyred himself in that effort. He lived, loved, traveled widely, was foolhardy, became resolute and ceased to be a road bum when he committed himself to a cause. The book illustrates how such a wanderer is continually in search of the accidental, and how such laborious travel is transformative. It may not be a true novel or his full biography but it is certainly an eloquent epitaph.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.  The first night of the Republican National Convention offered a sweeping defense of President Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic and depicted Democrats as a threat to an America engulfed in national protests.

"From a global pandemic to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, 2020 has tested our nation in ways we haven't seen for decades," said Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. "Make no mistake: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris want a cultural revolution. A fundamentally different America. If we let them, they will turn our country into a socialist utopia."

The backdrop for Trump's convention: an America in turmoil as the pandemic rages and protests continue calling for an end to racial injustice. The convention pulled frequently at those threads, bouncing between praising the federal response to the coronavirus and casting Democrats as socialists who would stoke racial animosity and allow riots to rage.

"They put political correctness ahead of the safety and security of the American people," Donald Trump Jr. said. "Anarchists have been flooding our streets, and Democrat mayors are ordering the police to stand down."

Republicans tried to counter Trump critics who say the president is a racist, inviting supporters of diverse backgrounds to speak and offering a different portrait of the country than one plagued by systemic racism.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, considered a likely candidate to run for president as a Republican in 2024, defended America's racial dynamics, offering a personal story of her immigrant parents.

"In much of the Democratic Party, it's now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie. America is not a racist country," Haley said. "America is a story that's a work in progress. Now is the time to build on that progress and make America even freer, fairer and better for everyone. That's why it's tragic to see so much of the Democratic Party turn a blind eye toward riots and rage."

Story continues

Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, credited his political success in part to "the evolution of the Southern heart."

"In an overwhelmingly white district, the voters judged me not the color of my skin, but the content of my character," Scott said of his first run for Congress.

Former NFL running back Herschel Walker, who is Black, said it "hurt my soul" to hear Trump being called a racist.

"Growing up in the Deep South, I've seen racism up close. I know what it is. And it isn't Donald Trump," Walker said.

Democratic state Rep. Vernon Jones of Georgia, a Trump supporter who is Black, condemned his party for taking Black voters for granted, saying, "The Democratic Party does not want Black people to leave their mental plantation."

The messages were contrasted with those of guests who depicted protesters, most of whom are Black, as violent and dangerous, warning that Democrats would usher in more unrest.

"Democrats no longer view the government's job as protecting honest citizens from criminals but rather protecting criminals from honest citizens," said Mark McCloskey, who along with his wife, Patricia McCloskey, gained national attention when they pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters marching past their home in St. Louis.

Patricia McCloskey said: "So make no mistake: No matter where you live, your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats' America. What you saw happen to us could just as easily happen to any of you watching from quiet neighborhoods around the country."

Throughout the evening, Republicans also sought to depict the pandemic in an optimistic tone, touting medical treatments and detailing the response overseen by the federal government. A series of videos showed cheering health care workers and a nation in recovery, with no mention of the almost 180,000 people who have died.

"Just imagine what 2020 would've looked like, fighting for your life, without Donald Trump fighting for it, too," said Natalie Harp of California, who talked about battling a rare cancer. "In January, there'd have been no China travel ban. Millions would've died. Millions more would've been infected  for there'd be no record levels of testing."

The president entered his convention trailing Democratic rival Joe Biden in the polls, and he faces a torrent of criticism for his administration's handling of the pandemic. This week's convention will be his most aggressive attempt yet to turn the national sentiment in his favor.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, sought to present a softer side of Trump, sharing a story about how the president took time to speak to his family after his nephew died in a car crash two years ago.

"Democrats won't let you go to church, but they'll let you protest," Jordan said. "Democrats won't let you go to work, but they'll let you riot. Democrats won't let you go to school, but they'll let you loot. President Trump has fought against their crazy ideas."

Trump, who is scheduled to appear every night of the convention, met with first responders at the White House in a recorded video to discuss their experiences with the coronavirus. Trump appeared again later in the evening in another video recorded from the White House with six hostages who were rescued from foreign captivity during his administration.

Image: Ronna McDaniel (Susan Walsh / AP)

Democrats hosted their convention last week, conducting the event almost entirely remotely and getting high praise for its production value. The Republican convention will feature videos, but it will conclude each night with a more traditional format featuring a series of speakers on a single stage.

Download the NBC News app for alerts and all the latest on the Republican convention.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., one of Trump's most fervent defenders, mocked Biden for not holding more events outside of his home during the pandemic.

"I'm speaking from an auditorium emptier than Joe Biden's daily schedule," Gaetz said.

Gaetz called a Biden administration a "horror movie."

"They'll disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home and invite MS-13 to live next door," Gaetz said. "And the defunded police aren't on their way."

CORRECTION (Aug. 24, 2020, 7:10 p.m. ET): A photo caption on a previous version of this article misidentified Tim Scott's congressional position. He is a senator, not a House member.
About 150 San Francisco small business owners, flanked by their would-be customers, demanded immediate financial relief and specific reopening plans outside San Francisco City Hall on Tuesday morning.

Masked and separated, leaders from industries unable to reopen since the mid-March shelter in place detailed financial hardship that have some businesses on the verge of complete collapse amid the coronavirus pandemic.

None of us want to be out in the middle of a pandemic, said MX3 Fitness co-owner Dave Karraker, whose two gyms have had to lay off 10 people and amassed more than $20,000 in debt since March. None of us want to be out here in this air quality. None of us wanted to have to call Grandma and ask her to watch the kids for a couple of hours, because Ive got to go to down to City Hall and beg them to save my business. Unbelievably, theyre not watching as one business goes under. Theyre watching as entire business sectors collapse.

According to Yelp, more than 2,000 Bay Area businesses were marked as permanently closed between March and July 10. Lending Tree found in a study this month that San Francisco small businesses had the fifth-grimmest outlook among all major U.S. cities  besting only Austin, San Antonio, San Jose and New York.

Many of those shuttered have been small businesses.

Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle

Commercial real estate agent Stu Gerry has represented 116 San Francisco small business owners in negotiations with landlords since mid-March. He said 7% closed for good in July, the number bumped to 33% this month, and he expects it to balloon to 90% soon.

Business owners carried signs that included If masks work, let us work to Open now or close for good to Feeding my child is essential business.

The group included owners of fitness, personal care and nightlife businesses, which are forbidden from opening indoor operations as San Francisco remains on the state watch list. A timeline for reopening is unclear, but Gov. Gavin Newsom said he plans to release guidelines this week.

The protest drew Supervisors Matt Haney and Rafael Mandelman from City Hall outside to address the crowd.

Just because weve been put on the watch list, it does not mean that we get to stop working on the problem, said Mandelman. Lets let people know when, if and how were going to reopen, and if the answer is going to be no for some set of folks, let them know that. Then, people can make reasonable choices and move forward.

Mayor London Breed initially paused the citys reopening plan in late June, citing a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases. The reopening pause became indefinite July 17 when San Francisco was added to the states watch list.

More than a month since the pause, business owners expressed frustration and pleaded for more aid. The city has loans and grant programs for businesses affected by coronavirus, but applications are closed for many programs.

Billy Polson and the 86 independent fitness trainers who work out of his gym, Diakadi, have been limited to online and outdoor sessions.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

Were exhausted, he said. Weve got to get some help, if we have any chance to survive.

Locals Barbershop owner Gabe Sandejas said his business has mostly relied on donations he received at his fathers funeral in March.

I came to the realization that Im considered a number, a number from the unfortunate group that has been severely impacted and a number from the group that is still being kicked while were already on the ground, he said.

Craig Joyner, who has owned Great Tan for 28 years, said his Payroll Protection Program money ran out in mid-July. He has nothing left to pay landlords at his Union or Castro salons, and he said his employees are talking about moving out of the city.

This is a s show, Joyner said.

Rusty Simmons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rsimmons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron
The six-year-long program is part of a large-scale initiative from the SSF, aligned with the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The labs of Alexey Amunts and Paul Hudson will become part of the new SSF Research Center for Future Advanced Technology for Sustainability, which will receive 50 million SEK in total.

"The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research wants to contribute to meeting the UN's sustainability goals. Therefore, we are looking for solutions to some of the most pressing problems regarding climate change, energy and food supply, and disease control", says CEO Lars Hultman.

There are several research consortia around the world working to improve crop productivity and robustness. The new Swedish center will complement these with an additional research angle and by applying a novel combination of techniques that are, in Sweden, only present together at SciLifeLab. These include systems proteomics, cryo-EM, and high-throughput screening of genetic libraries.

"The SSF selected our proposal partly on the strength of SciLifeLab's infrastructure and research environment, so it is an opportunity for us to wield SciLifeLab in a new arena", says SciLifeLab Fellow Paul Hudson.

The center, that is composed of several different partners, will have a scientific advisory board that includes world-leading plant scientists that are engaged in other large initiatives to improve plant productivity.

Working within the field of Plant Biotechnology, the new center will pursue molecular engineering of chloroplasts to enhance both light utilization and metabolic efficiency. An overall goal is to enhance crop productivity via genetic engineering of the chloroplast.

"We will explore the metabolism of the chloroplast, the "engine" of the plant cell, and execute modifications of their light-harvesting proteins and key carbon metabolism enzymes. While the center will first focus on the model plant Arabidopsis, we expect findings to be applicable to other C3 crops, such as wheat or soybeans", says Paul Hudson.

C3 plants are in comparison to C4 plants such as maize, sugarcane, and sorghum less efficient at utilizing carbon dioxide in photorespiration. As a consequence, C4 plants tend to be more productive in high light and temperature environments.

The four centers were selected by the SSF based on the quality of the proposed scientific work, and how each fits a global challenge. Each center will receive 50 MSEK as financial support, and their work is expected to contribute to the development of Swedens long-term competitiveness.

"The new center is anchored in the advanced facilities at SciLifeLab, and therefore it is our commitment to continue developing collaborative science at SciLifeLab's Campus Solna node in the upcoming six years", says Alexey Amunts.

###
Lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Monday declined Supreme Court's order of apologising for his tweets that he was held guilty for, by the top court. During the hearing on Tuesday, the top court took a break of half an hour so Bhushan may consider abjuring his statement and may consider withdrawing his remarks.

After refusing to tender an apology, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Prashant Bhushan to introspect his decision. Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan to apologize for his remarks against the Chief Justice of India, S.A. Bobde and the Supreme Court.

Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, who was representing Bhushan, said that he should be forgiven and asked the top court to let him off the hook with a warning. He further appealed the Court to display statesmanship instead of hatred.

During the hearing, the Court took a break of half an hour to allow Bhushan to re-consider abjuring his statement, which is about a hundred pages long. The statement read that he would not apologise and that the people of India have faith in the court to uphold the rule of law rather than the unchecked rule of the executive.

Also read: Raigad building collapse: 2 dead, 18 feared trapped, PM expresses grief

Also read: Congress leadership row: Sonia Gandhi likely to form committee for assistance

He outrightly refused to apologise for his statements in the three days time given to him to think over the matter. He stated that his tweets were based on his beliefs and offering an insincere apology would only be a stain on his conscience.

In the hearing today, Justice Arun Mishra asked Prashant Bhushan what is wrong in apologising if you have hurt someone. He further said that for how long the system would suffer all this as he was retiring in a few days. He asked if it would be okay if Bhushan or others start attacking him as well. Justice Arun Mishra said that Bhushan should apply balm if he has caused hurt.

The Supreme Court asked the Attorney General as to what can be done to improve the situation, not hiding the fact that they were hoping for a different statement. Venugopal replied that many retired judges had spoken of corruption within the high ranks of the jury. He added that these statements are for the Court to look at its unethical practices and end them.

Justin Arun Mishra said that he does not believe that what he said was wrong. People make mistakes and at times, they can even make them with only good in mind. But if he does believe he did something wrong, then what can be done if someone thinks they have not done anything bad. He asked what is the point of a warning if he thinks to have done nothing wrong? He has made plenty of disrespectable remarks against the Court and its judiciary.

When Venugopal asked for the court to ignore his response, Justice Mishra replied as to how could they not. All are saying that they have not even viewed his statement which is a graver accusation for them. If they were to get rid of it, then everyone would say that they are not honouring freedom of speech.

Justice Mishra said that his Bhushans response claims the court of turning into an executive-minded congregation. He asked how could they let this slip away. The order of importance which they assign to their cases has always been criticised. There were negative remarks against the Court during the Ayodhya Ram Mandir case as well.

Rajeev Dhawan, Bhushans lawyer, said that the Supreme Court should endure criticism and extreme criticism at that. He said that their shoulders are broad enough. Dhawan also recalled the case in West Bengal, wherein Justice Mishra acquitted Mamata Banerjee when she claimed that all judges were corrupt. In the hearing on August 20th, the court had demanded an unconditional apology and that Bhushan retract his statement.

Dhawan said that no Court demand something of someone like this. He said that they are basically forcing him to do as they say. He added that an apology cannot be taken genuinely, an apology should be made with a sincere mind and Bhushan clearly states what his beliefs are. He requested that the court revert its judgement on Bhushans guilty status. He said that an apology cannot be forced out of someone.

He continued that when the Court warns someone not to repeat themself, then they have the right to ask what is it that they should not repeat again. Their voice cannot be quietened forever.

The Court asked how should they punish Bhushan, and Dhawan asked the Court not to grant him martyrdom. He added that the criticism of this case is dependant on the punishment he will be given and that this case will come to a conclusion only if the Court shows proper statesmanship.

Also read: Delhi metro may resume from September, awaits Centres nod
Syria: 'terror blast' causes temporary countrywide blackout

Iran Press TV

Monday, 24 August 2020 5:51 AM

An explosion caused by a "terrorist attack" against a major gas pipeline in Syria has caused a temporary countrywide blackout.

Reporting on Monday, the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) cited Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Ghanem as saying that the entire country was left without power overnight after the blast at the Arab Gas Pipeline that feeds the country's southern power stations.

The al-Ikhbariya TV channel cited him as identifying the location of the blast as the stretch of the pipeline that runs between the towns of Ad Dumayr and Adra, northwest of the capital of Damascus.

"After an assessment of the situation, it was determined that the explosion that took place on the gas pipeline between Adra and Al-Dumayr had been caused by a terrorist attack," the minister was quoted as saying.

Electricity Minister Muhammad Zuhair Kharboutli, however, said some power stations were eventually reconnected and power provided to vital infrastructure. By dawn, electricity was gradually returning to several provinces, he added.

This is not the first time incidents hit Syria's gas system since 2011, when the Arab country found itself in the grip of rampant foreign-backed violence.

A major incident came in 2013, when foreign-backed militants shelled a gas pipeline, plunging much of the country into a similar blackout.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The Federal Court decision which has been claimed as a win by the state government in its battle with Clive Palmer over its border restrictions has articulated the risks involved in opening up to states that have eliminated COVID-19.

While Justice Darryl Rangiah found the 'hard border' was the most effective method of keeping the virus out of the state, he said there was a low risk infected people would enter Western Australia if restrictions were dropped with South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory.

Clive Palmer has been battling WA Premier Mark McGowan's border closure in court. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen/Trevor Collens

There was a very low risk if border restrictions were dropped with Tasmania, where the disease has been eliminated.

These risks were determined by Justice Rangiah after taking into account the possibility of "border hopping", where people travel from state to state before departing for WA. The effect of this is lessened by travel restrictions placed on other states and coronavirus hotspots.
NIC.ru is a major Russian domain name registrar and hosting provider. HostBil integration allows to sell and manage Nic.ru domain names out of the box. HostBill enables automated domain registration, automated domain transfers and automated renewals. HostBill also ensures NIC.ru  HostBill synchronization, which allows your staff members to update HostBill domain records with registry details, ie. to make sure that domain renewal/expiration dates are in sync. With this integration customers can manage their domains: update domain contacts and nameservers in their client area. This integration is free and available to all HostBill users!Peach Payments enables simple, seamless and secure transactions for business and consumers in Africa. Peach Payments provides all the tools and solutions needed to sell across any digital channel while ensuring a safe experience for merchants and end customers. HostBill integration allows to accept payments using Peach Payments gateway out of the box. Payments are processed onsite. The gateway supports tokenization, so HostBill will not store the credit card details. It also allows to process recurring charges. The integration is free for all HostBill users!FPX Payment  Financial Process Exchange  is an online payment system that allows consumers to make real time online payments using their existing current or savings account. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Central Bank of Malaysia, and eleven other major Malaysian financial institutions are members of the PayNet Group, which owns and operates FPX. FPX provides consumers with the convenience to purchase at their retail websites and online stores. FPX payments is a common payment method in Malaysia.Now you can use Stripe Payment Intents gateway and Payment Methods APIs to accept FPX. FPX is a single-use payment method. Customers pay with FPX by redirecting from your website, sending you payment, then returning to your website where you get immediate notification on whether the payment succeeded or failed.The exact customer experience will vary depending on their bank, however the FPX payment flow is well understood and intuitive to Malaysian customers.HostBill Password Manager module allows to easily manage your passwords and share them in a secure way. The module gives you control over who can view, edit and delete password at the per-password level. Sending passwords over email is always risky, especially when emails are logged. New feature added to the module enabled email template function to replace secrets/passwords in your email with expiring links to reveal passwords. Secret URL will show your client a page to reveal his password, and once displayed the link will expire within 24hrs from revealing.- new features for domain order page,- new ticket notification settings for clients,- new order notification for admin,- update to credit notes.and more!Read more about it on our blog at: https://blog.hostbillapp.com/2020/0...pe-intents-fpx-payment-gateway-and-more-news/ ***HostBill is a powerful and flexible, all-in-one automation, billing, client management and support platform for online businesses. HostBill handles all aspects of running a successful online business, from client acquisition, through invoicing and payment collection, automated service provisioning and management, to customer service and support. Extensive range of advanced features, multitude of modules and apps and integration with various control panels, domain registrars, payment gateways, order pages, client panels and more, make it the most comprehensive solution on the market for Hosting, Cloud/IaaS/VPS Solutions Providers, Domain name and SSL Resellers around the globe to automate and manage their online businesses.
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
Former Karnataka IPS officer K Annamalai joins BJP

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

New Delhi, Aug 25: Former IPS officer Annamalai Kuppusamy on Tuesday joined the BJP at party headquarters in Delhi in the presence of BJP national general secretary P Muralidhar Rao and Tamil Nadu BJP president L Murugan. The saffron party has braced itself for the crucial Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu next year.

Annamalai, who is also known as "Singam", served in Karnataka for nearly a decade, resigned from service in 2019 to "work among the people".

Earlier, Annamalai told reporters that BJP is a nationalist party and he is a nationalist in the first place. "I think BJP will be able to give a new vision and direction to Tamil Nadu," Annamalai had said.

To slam AAP govt, Delhi BJP asks Anna Hazare to join its 'mass movement'

It can be seen that Annamalai launched an organisation to work with farmers in Karur and Coimbatore after he resigned from service. He had maintained that he was not taking a political plunge anytime soon.

Usain Bolt tests Covid-19 positive, Chris Gayle was at his party | Oneindia News

He said he is joining BJP unconditionally and his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the things that made him take the decision.

"The call to join the BJP was taken very late. I feel political change is important than social change and that is why I decided to take the political plunge now," he said.

CWC: After seven hours, Congress was back to square oneThe former IPS officer believes BJP has been wrongly represented in Tamil Nadu. "The party is not perceived the way it is here in other states. A wrong perception of BJP has been created here," he said.

Before submitting his resignation last year, Annamalai had said that he had given a lot of thought about quitting the police service for almost a year.

"I have done my policing work and wore Khaki with a lot of pride. But I always believe that in our life we can do other work too. I am resigning with pride and happiness," Annamalai had said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Senior U.S. and Israeli officials will take the first commercial flight between Israel and the United Arab Emirates next week, flying from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi in a symbolic and substantive demonstration of improved ties since the countries' historic agreement this month to normalize relations.

The flight, likely on an Israeli El-Al airliner emblazoned with the Jewish state's national colors of blue and white and the Star of David, will be the first known direct trip by the flag-carrier to a Gulf Arab country and an important sign of progress in implementing the Aug. 13 agreement between Israel and the UAE, officials said Tuesday.

U.S. officials said the U.S. delegation on board will be headed by President Donald Trumps senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner and will include national security adviser Robert OBrien, Mideast envoy Avi Berkowitz and envoy for Iran Brian Hook, administration officials said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, announced that his national security adviser, Meir Ben-Shabbat, would lead Israel's delegation. A number of Israeli government ministries will also send representatives, including the directors of the foreign and defense ministries and the national aviation authority, he said.

Netanyahu said the talks would advance peace and normalization with the UAE and would focus on flights and tourism, trade, business, energy, security and health, including the coronavirus pandemic.

This is a historic agreement, Netanayahu said. It will spur growth. It will help bring general economic growth, especially during the coronavirus era. I hope that other countries in our region will join the circle of peace.

The flight also would indicate Saudi support for the deal. Saudi Arabia has voiced lukewarm support and until now has not said whether they would allow the two countries to use its airspace for direct flights. Without Saudi acquiescence, flights would likely have to take a roundabout and potentially risky route around Yemen and through the Persian Gulf.

Story continues

U.S. officials said the flight and the subsequent meetings between Israeli and UAE officials would be a centerpiece of Kushner's next trip to the Middle East, which is set to begin this weekend.

In addition to Israel and the UAE, Kushner's team is expected to visit Bahrain, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Qatar on what will be the second of two high-profile trips to the region by senior Trump administration officials. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is currently in Bahrain on the third leg of a Mideast tour that began in Israel and Sudan.

The flurry of activity comes as the Trump administration presses ahead with ambitious plans to promote Arab-Israeli rapprochement even in the absence of a settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which had long been seen as a prerequisite for the Jewish state to reach peace deals with all of its Arab neighbors.

Trump has made the matter a priority and his efforts have picked up steam in the months before November's presidential election, in which he is counting on support from conservative American Jews and the evangelical Christian community.

The UAE is just the third Arab country to agree to official relations with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan. Israeli and American officials have expressed hope that other Gulf Arab countries will soon follow suit, with relations based on mutual commercial and security interests, and their shared enmity toward Iran.
VICTOR, Idaho, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kate's Real Food (KRF), the wholesome, USDA organic energy bars made from high quality ingredients, and named the "Best Little Energy Bar in America" by Forbes, are now available in Walmarts across the country, including the metro areas of Denver, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, Scottsdale, Sacramento, and Albany. Kate's expansion into Walmart highlights consumer demand for organics, the fastest growing sector of the U.S. food industry, and Walmart's growing "better for you" organic segment.

KRF was discovered by a senior Walmart Executive on a trip to Jackson Hole, WY in 2019, which ultimately landed the product on Walmart shelves this year. Walmart is an integral part of Kate's strategy, to reinvent and disrupt the energy bar category. KRF is excited to team with Walmart as they focus on offering more affordable organic and gluten-free foods to customers. To facilitate Kate's rapid growth, the company has partnered with a vertically integrated manufacturer located in Bedford, PA.

"Offering the highest quality, best tasting, organic energy bars to more consumers around the country is a thrill," said Kate Schade, Founder of Kate's Real Food. "We will continue to grow with leading partners like Walmart who support the expanding customer interest in healthy lifestyle choices like organic snacking."

KRF makes six delicious, energy bars with real ingredients and no artificial sweeteners. Each one is USDA certified organic, gluten free, non-GMO, and sweetened with organic honey. Filled with real, whole food, including organic oats, organic nut butters, and organic fruit such as apricots and cherries providing vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants your body needs.

Visit your local Walmart today and look for Kates' Real Food, and for more information visit katesrealfood.com .

About Kate's Real Food:

Our story began with Kate, in search of the next adventure. To support her busy lifestyle, she needed an energy bar that tasted great and was made from organic ingredients. When she couldn't find one, she decided to make her own. Kate's Real Food is still committed to fueling adventures with organic, great-tasting products. Today, they can be found nationally on Amazon, and Backcountry.com, and regionally in Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Walmart, Central Market, Food City, Market of Choice, Huckleberry's, and Raley's.

Media Contact:

Sarah Steinwand

[email protected]

720.299.9888

SOURCE Kate's Real Food

Related Links

http://katesrealfood.com


Does rain reign? New conceptual model shows why changes in rain may matter more than temperature changes to tropical animals



Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020



A male Violaceous Trogon in a rainstorm in Costa Rica. Photo courtesy of Cristian Bonilla Poveda. | Download this photo.

MANHATTAN  Precipitation patterns, along with temperature, dictate where tropical forests are distributed around the world. Surprisingly, though, scientists know very little about the direct effects of rainfall on tropical animals.



A new conceptual framework developed by Kansas State University and University of Illinois researchers focuses on tropical systems and calls for the scientific community to formally consider the role of precipitation in tropical animals' ecological niche, which is the set of biological and environmental factors that optimize their life.



"We understand exactly how most animals respond to temperature, but the same is not true for rain," said Alice Boyle, associate professor in the Division of Biology at K-State and lead author of "Hygric Niches for Tropical Endotherms" published recently in the open access journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution.



"When animal biologists see rainfall effects in their studies, they assume it must be about how plants are responding to rainfall and how that affects the food supply for the organisms they're studying," Boyle said. "But there can be direct physiological consequences of rain related to feeding behavior, predation, pathogens and more. There's a lot more going on than food supply."



In the article, Boyle and co-authors Elsie Shogren and Jeff Brawn propose and define what they call the "hygric niche": the collection of physiological, behavioral, and ecological processes and interactions predicting how endothermic  or warm-blooded  organisms perform under a given precipitation scenario. Shogren, who earned her doctorate in biology at K-State where she was a member of Boyle's lab, is now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Rochester. Brawn is a professor of natural resources and environmental sciences at Illinois.



"Before this, there was no unifying conceptual framework to understand why responses to precipitation might differ between species or even within the same species, depending on the location of the study," Boyle said. "We've heard from scientists who have said, 'Wow, how come I've never thought about this before?' I think this new framework is probably going to change the way many people study the distributions, physiology and demographic responses of endotherms."



Brawn adds, "This concept has implications for conservation of sensitive organisms, long term. In terms of planning where to invest conservation dollars or where to prioritize habitat, we should be looking at rainfall refugia where precipitation regimes are likely to stay intact over time."



Because the effects of temperature and moisture are so difficult to disentangle, the team developed the concept of the hygric niche using decades of bird and mammal research from the tropics. Temperature in these equatorial landscapes varies little on an annual basis, but rainfall can vary widely, with some locations experiencing distinct dry and wet seasons, and others experiencing daily precipitation throughout the year. Unfortunately, in many tropical locations, these millennia-old patterns are now shifting due to climate and land use change.



"Human-caused changes to climate are resulting in some areas getting wetter and other areas getting drier," Boyle said. "Also, it is not just the amount of precipitation that is changing; the timing and magnitude of storms are also changing, and we have very little idea of how any of this will affect animals."



In their article, the researchers describe ways in which precipitation  too little or too much  can affect organisms at the individual, population and community levels. While rain clearly affects food supply, it also can affect foraging behavior, reproductive and population growth rates, and competitive interactions in subtle ways that might be difficult for researchers to trace back to any particular source. And even small shifts in tropical rainfall patterns could have large effects.



"Even if you can see intact forest out to the horizon, if the precipitation regimes change, the integrity of that ecosystem may be compromised. And that's concerning," Brawn said.



Although the concept was conceived with tropical systems in mind, the researchers suggest it can and should be applied to ecosystems and organisms outside the tropics, with a bit of tweaking and further study.



"I work in both tropical and grassland systems, with a major focus of my work on grassland birds  one of the most threatened groups of birds in North America  and understanding how temporal variation in precipitation affects those populations," Boyle said. "Most of the work I do is in Kansas on the Konza Prairie. So the questions and the concepts are broadly applicable. It's just that it was more tractable to lay them out and argue for their importance in tropical systems."



Laying out a new ecological concept requires lots of testing by the research community to identify its limitations, and that's just what Boyle and Brawn hope will happen.



"The next steps involve the research community testing key assumptions and predictions of our model," Boyle said. "One of the hardest but most important tasks is to understand whether rainfall affects different animal species for the same or different reasons  is it really mostly about food, or are these less-obvious physiological costs more important than we thought? Answering these questions will be crucial to doing effective conservation and climate change mitigation in the tropics."



The work was supported by a $200,000 National Science Foundation Division of Environmental Biology grant to Boyle.






South Africans feeling the pinch of COVID-19

A study by Rhodes University's Professor Michael Rogan in collaboration with University of Cape Towns Caroline Skinner of the African Centre for Cities on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the informal economy has found that the typical earnings for women in informal self-employment decreased by nearly 70% between February and April 2020.

"Women should be better supported as they were the most vulnerable and the most severely affected group during the COVID-19 outbreak," said Prof Rogan.

Prof Rogan alongside Nelson Mandela Universitys Professor Nomalanga Mkhize presented and discussed this and other findings of the study at a webinar hosted by Professor Cyril Nhlanhla Mbatha from Rhodes University's Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) recently. In attendance were 90 participants from various institutions of higher learning, government departments, private organisations and members of the media.

Following the announcement of the national lockdown by the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, most workplaces were forced to halt all operations, leaving many South Africans without jobs. This was the motivation for the study titled: The COVID-19 crisis and the impact on South Africas Informal Economy. "Around March and April, it was clear that we did not have much data on the impact COVID-19 would have on households and the labour market in South Africa. A project to collect non-medical data on the impact of the pandemic was initiated by researchers from Stellenbosch University (https://cramsurvey.org/ ). I submitted a proposal for an analysis and policy paper on the impacts of the pandemic on the South African informal economy," Prof Rogan explained.

The research uses the South African National Income Dynamics Study Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM) data, a broadly national representative survey. The survey team conducted telephonic interviews with more than 7,000 individuals between May and June 2020. The questionnaire covered multiple themes, but since it was designed to not take more than 20 minutes of the respondents time, only a few employment-related questions were possible. Despite the limited length of the survey, the NIDS-CRAM data allowed for the analysis of three groups of informal workers namely: the self-employed (in the informal sector), informal employees (both inside and outside of the informal sector), and casual workers. It also allowed for important analysis by gender and, for those who did not lose their livelihoods entirely between February and April, for comparisons between formal and informal employment. However, Prof Rogan said the data did not allow for the identification of total job losses in the informal economy between February and April, nor the impacts by industry or place of work (e.g. households).

Other key findings of the study include:

Just under a third (31%) of informal workers who did not lose their livelihoods were completely locked out of employment in April - compared with 26% of those in the formal employment sector.

About 37% of the informally self-employed reported zero earnings in April.

On average, for those who were informally employed in both February and April, average hours worked per week decreased by 32%.

For the typical informal worker that was employed in both February and April, the hours worked per week decreased by as much as 50%.

Women in the informal economy saw a decrease of 49% in the typical hours worked in April, while men in informal employment saw a 25% decrease in typical hours.

Prof Mkhize said the research results were alarming. "The picture painted by the research is very scary and it is not so much because of COVID-19 but it is because of the very bad socio-economic situation we live in. We need to learn from this because in the Eastern Cape we have young Black men who are not given a chance to be part of a formal process to become responsible citizens of the country. The COVID-19 crisis has forced us to be locally intelligent so we can save peoples lives. We need localised targeted interventions that can support not just the local economy but the social fabric of the country," she said.

She also emphasised that the pandemic exposed the damage to livelihoods people are facing on the ground. "Whether there is a pandemic or not, there is a serious socio-economic crisis facing many unemployed people in South Africa. The government should look at making food parcels and the R350 COVID-19 relief aid permanent," she added.

Professor Rogan recommended that as the most vulnerable and severely affected group during the pandemic, women should be supported as follows:

the Child Support Grant allocation should be increased for each child ;

there must be an increase in the amounts of grants in line with international norms;

the government must reframe the special COVID-19 grant. Two-thirds of the 2.7 million recipients (by end of June) were men;

the government must reform its Unemployed Insurance Fund as very few domestic workers have received claims and;

in the longer-term, the government needs rethink the role of the informal economy.

The research was funded by Allan and Gill Gray philanthropy, FEM Education Foundation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. The research team also shared the findings of the study with government and engaged on issues of employment, hunger and food security. The national departments of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; Treasury, Health and the National Planning Commission in the Office of the Presidency were part of the study.

Prof Rogan said this was the first round of research and four more rounds of surveys were planned to take place throughout 2020 where the additional rounds would aim to determine which workers and households have recovered from the initial economic shock of the pandemic and lockdown. The data is open source and is available to future researchers/collaborators.

Find the full proceedings of the ISER webinar on YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/JQfeTmiq5mw. The full study report is available on: https://bit.ly/34krLvY

This is an ongoing discussion and people can follow along via the ISER webpage: https://www.ru.ac.za/iser/

Prof Rogan donated the honorarium he received from the research project to the Rhodes University COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Source: Communications

Please help us to raise funds so that we can give all our students a chance to access online teaching and learning. Covid-19 has disrupted our students' education. Don't let the digital divide put their future at risk. Visit www.ru.ac.za/rucoronavirusgateway to donate
Nigeria will on Tuesday receive its Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free certificate from the World Health Organisation (WHO), following approval from Independent Africa Regional Certification Commission (ARCC).

The implication of the certificate from WHO is that Nigeria is now without poliomyelitis, or polio, for short, after many years of battling it.

Nigeria is the last country in Africa to achieve this milestone. This means the continent is now polio-free.

This is a remarkable breakthrough considering the fact that seven years ago, the country had accounted for more than half of all polio cases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization(WHO).

According to experts, polio is a highly contagious viral infection that causes serious health defects including infantile paralysis, breathing problems, or even death.

It has no cure but can be prevented by polio vaccine which has helped in reducing the incidence of polio by over 99 per cent from 1988, when more than 350, 000 children have paralyzed annually in 125 endemic countries, to 33 reported cases in 2018.

With no new cases for three consecutive years, Nigeria became eligible to be certified free of polio in August 2019. This is the requisite period for any country to be certified polio-free.

The virus will now remain in only two countries  Afghanistan and Pakistan  and the entire African continent would be free, with the world inching closer to ending yet another viral disease just as Smallpox in1980.

The last four cases of wild poliovirus occurred in Borno State, Nigeria in 2016, an area where the terrorist group Boko Harams presence has hampered health workers ability to immunise children. The country also saw a spike in cases in 2006 fueled by strong community resistance to vaccination.

In response, the Nigerian government and its partners used innovative ways to reach children in these hard-t- access areas, said Dr Pascal Mkanda, coordinator of the WHO Polio Eradication Programme, according to Devex.

This included vaccinating children while visiting market areas as well as expanding community surveillance of the virus.

The Seven Polio Heroes

PREMIUM TIMES brings you the seven categories of heroes who helped Nigeria fight the deadly infection to a stop.

With a combination of new tactics, their efforts ensured that the 600,000 children under the age of five missing out on vaccination three years ago was reduced to 60,000 today.

1) The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)

The task of eradicating polio meant overcoming immense logistical challenges.

Without a combined effort of donors, local and international partners in collaboration with the Nigerian government, the goal will be stalled by funding gaps.

Nigeria has little cold storage for vaccines, poor infrastructure, and many remote communities coupled with a high level of illiteracy and awareness.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a public-private partnership launched in 1988 with a goal of ending polio worldwide, was most pivotal in bridging funding and technical gaps.

It was driven by the Nigerian government with five partners  the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Billions of dollars have been invested through WHO and UNICEF with the support of donors and partners including the Dangote Foundation, European Union, Rotary, GAVI, JICA, the World Bank and the Governments of Canada, Germany, Japan, among others.

The financial support saw the training and mobilisation of local volunteers who helped the rural communities across Northern Nigeria where polio prevailed to accept the polio vaccines.

Support from the initiative enabled the west African country to procure enough vaccines, store them and conduct widespread immunisation programs even in remote areas.

2) UNICEF-trained community volunteer mobilisers

Advertisements



Over the past few years, hundreds of thousands of volunteers have repeatedly vaccinated roughly 50 million Nigerian children under the age of five.

However, it was the resilience of a network of nearly 20 000 UNICEF-trained community mobilisers, influencers and communication experts deployed across 14 northern high risk Nigerian states that heralded the final push to end polio in the last three years.

Despite billions of foreign aid pumped into polio eradication, the major challenge has remained to bridge the barrier of suspicion and acceptance of immunisation programs, especially in rural Northern Nigeria.

Anything that has to do with western medicine and vaccination is often treated with suspicion in those parts. Advocacy, however, found success with these 20, 000 mediators.

They were able to penetrate because they were mostly from the communities. They served as the link between interventions and the people.

Their job is to go for door to door counselling of parents about the importance of the polio vaccine in order to ensure that no child falls victim to polio or any other preventable childhood disease.

3) Nigerian Soldiers

Without the Nigerian army, vaccination would not have reached several violence-prone communities.

In the three countries where Polio has remained active, the most afflicted regions are those where the governments reach is weakest and the presence of Islamic militants is strongest.

Borno is the stronghold of Boko Haram and the last state to document polio in Nigeria. Several communities in the state are under the grip of the dreaded sect, making health workers unable to get the polio vaccine to children in those communities.

The decision of the Nigerian military to get involved in conducting polio vaccination in these locations was key.

They led health workers into trapped communities in the state for routine immunisation.

4) President Muhammadu Buhari

Asides insecurity and funding gaps, the deep suspicions in many corners over the safety of vaccines heightened in the last years of polio.

PREMIUM TIMES in 2017 reported how false vaccination rumours caused panic within the country.

The resulting fright forced schools to shut down in many parts of the country following a rumour that an unusual injection was being administered on school children.

Asides the UNICEF-trained community mobilisers, President Muhammadu Buhari also played an important role in dousing the tension which eventually aided the penetration of polio vaccines.

His decision to vaccinate his own grandchildren against the virus helped ease the mind of many Nigerians.

5) Traditional Rulers

Traditional rulers with the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto acted as vaccine advocates by easing the work of the nearly 20, 000 volunteers working in the frontlines with communities.

Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III [Photo Credit: Daily Trust]

The collaboration with the traditional rulers in the north and the Sultan Foundation has helped UNICEF to engage more than 42,000 traditional leaders at the community level in Nigeria, said UNICEF.

This has helped the government and all key polio partners to push towards the last mile.

They worked tirelessly to ensure polio teams reach every house in the communities, while also helping families to understand, trust, and accept the vaccine.

6) Health workers

Any success story of ending polio around the world would not be complete without the mention of health workers. This is no difference in Nigeria.

At the heart of polio eradication efforts stand health workers across the country who put themselves on the frontline daily to get vaccines to children.

Combining the vaccination with other health services, including check-ups and malaria treatment, was one of the most efficient strategies devised by health workers to make routine immunisation more acceptable to especially the 87 million extremely poor Nigerians.

7) Nigerian Governors

The governors of the 36 states of Nigeria, especially those from key polio-infected areas of the country, were very pivotal to ending the viral infection.

The governors had recognized that to urgently fill ongoing vaccination coverage gaps during polio immunisation campaigns requiring active leadership, engagement, and accountability by the political leadership from the states and districts (Local Government Areas  LGAs) is much needed. To this effect, they signed the Abuja Commitments to Polio Eradication in Nigeria in 2009, publicly committing themselves to provide the necessary active leadership which will mobilise the state and LGA civil administrations to reach at least 90% of all children with the polio vaccine.

Successive governments followed up with where their predecessors left off even while contending with insurgency and other violent crimes stalling progress.

Kano State was arguably the epicentre of Nigerias poliovirus epidemic, accounting for over 80% of total cases in the country as of six years ago.

A major setback in Kano came in 2003 when then-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau  banned polio vaccines on the premise that local scientists had discovered that the vaccines could lead to infertility, particularly among girls.

Nigerian Health Watch reported how the Boko Haram insurgency did its own damage ten years ago when 11 polio vaccinators were shot dead in the line of duty in Kano metropolis by gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded sect.

Notably, upon assumption of offices, the Governors of Kano and Sokoto, Nigerias very high-risk polio states, promised to surpass the gains recorded by their predecessors in a renewed commitment to stamp out the paralysing disease.

READ ALSO:

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Kano State Governor, convened the state Task Force on Immunization meeting with all the 44 local government chairmen (LGA) and other top government functionaries.

The Sokoto State government, on the other hand, led the charge in releasing counterpart funds to assist with, among others, campaign operations and procurement of pluses to increase immunisation uptake and contact tracing.

Shortly after the last two cases were found in Borno State, the state government swiftly set up an outbreak response (OBR) on August, 2016 to detect and vaccinate children below five years of age in the two affected local government areas (LGAs) of Jere, Gwoza and three (3) surrounding LGAs of Mafa, Maiduguri Municipal Council (MMC) and Bama.

By the end of the first day, a total of 201, 290 children were vaccinated with 662 receiving their zero or first-time oral polio vaccine polio (OPV) dose, according to data from WHO.
Keen to head back to the island of gods? Dont hold your breath: Balis provincial governor Wayan Koster yesterday sank optimistic Aussies hopes with the following, backtracking on remarks by Indonesias Co-ordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Pandjaitan, who earlier this month sparked fresh Bali Bubble hopes among Australians (before, to be fair, moderating his own remarks).

The Indonesian government still enforces a policy that prohibits its citizens from travelling abroad, at least until the end of 2020. In line with that, the Indonesian government has not been able to open the door of entry for foreign tourists to Indonesia until the end of 2020, because Indonesia is still in the red zone category.

In other words, contrary to what government officials had previously insisted, foreign tourists will be banned from Bali until the end of 2020. This comes after a period of confusion, where, after beginning to allow domestic tourists to visit Bali from July the 31st, officials claimed Bali would reopen to international visitors on the 11th of September.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua (@sofitelbalinusadua) on May 27, 2020 at 6:21am PDT

This still does not preclude the potential for a Bali Bubble next year, but provides a timely reminder of how quickly an idea can be withdrawn (rumours are now abounding that we could be visiting Hawaii by October, despite the bubble still being very much in the proposal stage).

Given we are yet to find a way to open all our domestic borders without squabbles, these international travel bubble plans will prove tricky. Yes: Hawaii may be more attractive a proposition for the Australian authorities to negotiate with due to the higher testing rates (and the fact it has fewer confirmed cases of the virus).

But for the time being Australians are banned from travelling internationally point blank, unless they attain a special essential exemption from the government (and New Zealand will be first in line for any travel corridor talks, in any case).

RELATED: Experts Reveal The First Countries Australians Will Likely Be Allowed To Travel To

That be as it may, Balis economy is heavily reliant on foreign tourists and has been devastated by the pandemic, with hotel occupancy rates having dropped by up to 95 per cent, as the 1.3 million Australians who travelled to the island in 2019 (understandably) having failed to materialize this year.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by TERESE  Travel & Lifestyle (@saltyblondesoul) on Aug 21, 2020 at 12:01pm PDT

So expect the bubble conversation to be floated again next year.

Read Next
Nuclear weapons are inhumane weapons, said Miyazaki, who lives in Evanston. When they are used they produce catastrophic effects. They also produce long-term effects on human health and the environment. Even if they are not used their sheer existence deepens our mutual distrust by promoting the idea that threats to use these weapons are necessary for world peace.
The United States is weighing formally labeling Chinas brutal repression of ethnic Muslim minority Uighurs a genocide, two Trump administration officials said.

Activists and lawmakers have been pushing for the genocide designation in recent months, but mere consideration of the possibility by the U.S. government could further damage badly frayed ties between Beijing and Washington. It also comes in the heat of the 2020 presidential campaign, in which the two sides have jousted over which candidate would be tougher on China. A spokesperson for Joe Biden noted that the former vice president supports the label  a factor that could influence President Donald Trumps calculations.

The internal administration discussions are still at the early stages, involving working level officials at the State Department, the National Security Council and the Department of Homeland Security, according to the administration officials who spoke to POLITICO on condition of anonymity. If theres not enough consensus to use the term genocide, the administration could instead accuse the Chinese leadership of other atrocities, such as crimes against humanity or ethnic cleansing.

White House national security adviser Robert OBrien has accused Chinas communist leaders of running concentration camps for Uighurs in Xinjiang, a northwestern province home to millions of Uighurs. A member of a United Nations human rights panel said in 2018 that China had turned the Uighur autonomous region into something that resembles a massive internment camp, where people are held without charge and little recourse to get legal representation to be released. More than a million Uighurs are believed to be held in such facilities.

Uighur rights groups have accused the Chinese government of torturing many Uighurs, forcing Uighur women to get abortions and be sterilized, feeding some detainees poorly and trying to wipe away their distinct ethnic culture, including forcing many to denounce Islam and chant Communist Party slogans. Beijing also uses extensive surveillance technology to track Uighurs.

Story continues

Genocide declarations are rare, legally tricky and highly politically sensitive. U.S. officials have at times tried to avoid such declarations in the past, not least because, in theory, international law would compel some sort of American intervention  though not necessarily the military kind.

China is a rising power with a veto on the United Nations Security Council, so U.S. advocates of the genocide label may face higher than usual political hurdles. But Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with China on trade and the coronavirus pandemic. He may be willing to go with the genocide label, despite allegations by former national security adviser John Bolton  which Trump denies  that the president told Chinese President Xi Jinping he approves of the treatment of the Uighurs.

State Department spokespeople would neither confirm nor deny that a genocide label is under discussion. We are working hard to encourage the Peoples Republic of China to cease its human rights abuses in Xinjiang and are constantly evaluating various measures, a spokesperson said. We do not comment on potential actions.

NSC spokesman John Ullyot also didnt address the genocide discussion but did say in a statement: The Chinese Communist Partys atrocities also include the largest incarceration of an ethnic minority since World War II. Where the previous administration and many other world leaders delivered speeches and empty rhetoric, President Trump has taken bold action. A DHS spokesman declined to comment.

The term ethnic cleansing carries little weight in international law, but U.S. officials have used it at times instead of genocide. For instance, the Trump administration called Myanmars mass killing and large-scale expulsion of Rohingya Muslims  which began three years ago this week  an ethnic cleansing, imposing sanctions on some of the alleged perpetrators.

The State Department, through its Office of Global Criminal Justice, has traditionally taken the lead on investigating and designating genocides. Under the Obama administration, it declared that the Islamic State terrorist group committed genocide against Christians, Yazidis and other groups in Iraq and Syria. But despite intense pressure from scholars and activists, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been unwilling to declare the Rohingyas case a genocide. State Department officials said that, among other things, Pompeo worries that leveling a genocide accusation against Myanmar could lead its government to tighten its embrace of China, undermining Americas influence in Asia.

The administrations support for a Muslim community like the Uighurs would seem to be at odds with Trumps past anti-Islam comments and his executive orders that bar the citizens of several Muslim-majority countries from the United States.

But the case of the Uighurs is useful in two political contexts. One is to rally international support for Trumps attempts to beat back growing Chinese global power. The other is as part of the Trump administrations campaign to promote global religious freedom, an initiative designed to appeal to Trumps evangelical Christian supporters who fear for their religious brethren in China and beyond.

The Trump administration has already imposed economic and visa sanctions on Chinese officials who have been implicated in the repression and blacklisted Chinese entities that have helped China with its persecution of the Uighurs. Earlier this summer, U.S. lawmakers passed, and Trump signed, a bill that paved the way for many of those sanctions. A genocide or crimes against humanity declaration could make it easier to refer those Chinese officials to international tribunals tasked with investigating and punishing perpetrators of genocide.

At the very least, the genocide label would be part of a name and shame strategy to hold China accountable and urge it to change its behavior toward the Uighurs, according to a senior administration official.

The crime of genocide is generally interpreted to cover acts committed with the intent of destroying a group in whole or in part, according to the United Nations. One element can include measures intended to prevent births within a group.

Its unclear what sort of data, metrics and sources U.S. officials are presently turning to as they determine whether to use the genocide label. Even if they were to use the label, its not clear what the U.S. can do to fulfill any international obligation to try to stop the genocide, beyond imposing sanctions.

The situation would highlight the limits of what any government can do, especially when dealing with a superpower that can block collective action at the United Nations, a former Obama administration official said.

Earlier this year, to rebut the charges, the Chinese Embassy in Washington mounted an exhibition in its lobby with more than 40 panels giving Beijings side of the story. The camps, Chinese officials say, are meant to teach Uighurs vocational skills and Mandarin, so they can get jobs.

A Chinese Embassy spokesman referred POLITICO to Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbins comments on the issue a month ago. The issue concerning Xinjiang is by no means about human rights, religion or ethnicity, but about combating violent terrorism and separatism, he said. The embassy spokesman also included a link to a new documentary from a Chinese state-controlled international TV channel titled: Lies and truth: Vocational education and training in Xinjiang, which carries a warning that the film contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.

Trump has made his tough stance on China one of the central planks of his reelection campaign; in recent months, senior administration officials, including Pompeo, OBrien and Attorney General William Barr have given hawkish speeches laying out the administrations views on China and its strategy to combat the Chinese Communist Partys growing power.

Trump has also pursued executive actions to check Chinas power, such as signing executive orders to crack down on TikTok and WeChat, social media networks that are owned by Chinese companies. But he has said little about human rights in China  notably the Communist Partys crackdown in Hong Kong, where the Beijing government has gradually encroached on political freedom and rammed through draconian laws in the name of national security.

Lawmakers in both parties have grown increasingly critical of China on human rights issues, including the treatment of the Uighurs. More than 75 senators and congressmen, including the top members of several key committees, wrote a letter to Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in early July calling on the administration to make an official determination as to whether the Chinese government is responsible for perpetrating atrocity crimes, including genocide, against Uighurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslim ethnic minorities.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who helped lead the letter, told POLITICO in a statement that it is "critical for accountability and justice that the United States make a formal determination of whether the atrocities being committed constitute crimes against humanity and genocide.

If Biden wins the presidency in November, China will also be one of his main foreign policy challenges. The former vice president has slammed Beijing over its treatment of the Uighurs, while criticizing Trump for not doing more to help them. Chinas internment of nearly one million Uighur Muslims is among the worst abuses of human rights in the world today, Biden tweeted last November. The U.S. cannot be silent  we must speak out against this oppression and relentlessly defend human rights around the world.

The unspeakable oppression that Uighurs and other ethnic minorities have suffered at the hands of Chinas authoritarian government is genocide and Joe Biden stands against it in the strongest terms, Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said in an statement. If the Trump administration does indeed choose to call this out for what it is, as Joe Biden already did, the pressing question is what will Donald Trump do to take action. He must also apologize for condoning this horrifying treatment of Uighurs.

Gregory Stanton, founding president of the nonprofit Genocide Watch, praised the Trump administration for considering the genocide label. He said Chinas attempts to prevent births among Uighurs can amount to legal genocide.

It is time, he said. Genocide is not a partisan issue. It is an issue of universal human rights.
(Photo : Pixabay) Viking Stock: Norse Horse Can Withstand Iceland's Elements All Year-Round

The Norse horse is a hardy beast that can withstand Iceland's elements year-round, and so they are ideal to use as a means of transportation in heavy snow. This Viking stock can withstand it even as the snow clings to its teddy bear-like coat, having been purebred for 1,000 years.

In the west of Iceland, near Borgarnes, is where a herd of Norse horse lives. Hestaland horseriding is run by Gudmar who said that the best way to be close to nature in the area is through being on horseback. In that way, one would be able to notice something that they usually do not see.

Although Icelandic horses have low-slung bodies, anyone who rides them would still experience a smooth ride and perhaps a new perspective in seeing the beautiful view.

Norse Horse as Part of the Life in Iceland

Iceland seems the only place where horses can fly instead of their usual three gaits- walk, trot, and canter or gallop. Uniquely, these Icelandic horses have five as they like to surprise their riders by bursting into a merry four-beat single-foot gait known as 'tolt.'

The ancestors of these magical beasts came from those that were brought by the Norse settlers more than 1,000 years ago, hence, the name Norse horse. Since then, they have played a significant role in Icelandic life.

They have been used as a means of transportation in the heavy snow. But in spring, communities would jump on horseback to round up the wild-roaming sheep of the farmers.

The picture of people living close to nature is best seen in the western part of the country, near Reykjavik, where more than 360,000 population live, but beyond the golden circle where most tourists flock.

Read Also: Archaeologists Unearthed Oldest Viking Settlement in Iceland Decades Before They Are Supposed to Settle in the Island





Touring Iceland

Anyone who wants to tour Iceland should visit the Krauma baths to experience their steaming-hot geothermal water surrounded in the silence of the mountains and enjoy a mug of frothy beer. The place is located ninety minutes from the country's capital.

The west side of the country is the snow-spotted lava fields and mountains that are reflected in the lakes. The scene seems to stretch to infinity with no forests insight.

The tiny town in the western part of Iceland is a gateway to the Viking region, where the Stedji beer brewery can be found. Water in the area is so pure, coming from the glaciers, which makes Iceland a magnet for microbrewers although beer that is above 2.25% has been banned already in 1989.

Exploring further in the 56-mile-long Snaefellsnes peninsula, often described as little Iceland for its diverse mountains, its jewel Snaefellsjokull glacier at the tip, sleepy fishing villages, and gothic black sand beaches have immortalized the 1864 novel Journey to the Center of the Earth written by Jules Verne.

West Iceland maybe once a mysterious place that the Vikings have landed on, but today it has become for its citizens to explore even its most remote areas. Locals would recommend experiencing the wild adventure of seeing the country as much as how the Vikings did in the past through soaring the tundra on the back of a Norse horse.

Read More: Norway is Excavating First-Ever Viking Ship in 115 Years But Needs to Save it First From Fungus





Check out for more news and information on Norse Horse and Iceland on Science Times.
Pulwama attack: NIA charges 19 including Masood Azhar, his brother Rauf Asghar

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 25: The National Investigation Agency has filed its chargesheet in the Pulwama attack case.

Pulwama Terror Attack: NIA names Masood Azhar and his brother as plotters in the chargesheet

19 terrorists including Jaish-e-Mohammad chief, Maulana Masood Azhar have been named in the chargesheet. The NIA has also charged Rauf Asghar, brother of Azhar and the launchpad commander of the JeM, Ammar Alvi. Seven persons have been arrested in the case while 5 are still absconding.

The 13,000 page chargesheet was filed at the special court in Jammu. It names Mohammad Umer Farooq as the key conspirator of the attack. He is the nephew of Azhar and son of IC-814 hijacker Ibrahim Azhar.

A hit at Balakot ensured JeM set aside plan for another Pulwama attack

In its chargesheet, the NIA said that it has enough evidence to show that Farooq was in touch with the JeM leadership in Pakistan. Further the chargesheet also says that 200 kilograms of explosives was used to trigger the blast. 35 kgs of the RDX was brought in from Pakistan while the rest was locally procured nitro-glycerine and ammonium nitrate.

An NIA official tells OneIndia that the investigation relied heavily on digital and scientific evidence and went on for over one year.

Further the NIA said that Farooq had entered India in 2018 and he had played the lead role in assembling the IED. It may be recalled that he was killed in an encounter on March 29 along with Kamran, an IED expert.

The NIA has also named Ismail Saifullahm who along with Farooq had crossed the border.

He is however absconding. Another absconding accused in the chargesheet is Sameer Dar.

Pulwama: The 200 kg explosive had 35 kilograms of RDX procured from Pakistan

He had managed to escape from the encounter site after Farooq and Kamran were killed.

The probe by the NIA revealed that the RDX used in the attack was procured from Pakistan. The JeM terrorists had infiltrated into India and the NIA has video evidence of the same. The NIA also detailed the role of Adil Ahmed Dar, the suicide bomber who rammed the explosive laden vehicle into the CRPF convoy at Pulwama.

The NIA said that the original plan was to strike on February 6 2019. However the plan was delayed as the highway was closed due to snow. It was Shakir Bashir at whose house the bomb was prepared who had noticed work being undertaken by a road opening party.

He in turn alerted Farooq about the same, following which the attack was carried out.

Further the NIA noted that that the suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar who drove the vehicle had noted which bus in the CRPF convoy had the maximum number of jawans.

The NIA also said that the the JeM had planned another big attack after Pulwama, but the Balakot strike on the JeM facility made them cancel their plans.

Pulwamas suicide bomber had noted bus in CRPF convoy which had most bombers: NIA

The NIA it may be recalled had also arrested Shakir Bashir Magrey, a furniture shop owner at Lethpora on the charge that he had provided logistic support to the bomber. He is also accused of procuring the battery, ammonium nitrate that was used to fabricate the IED.

Further the NIA had also arrested Tariq Ahmad Shah and his daughter Insha Jan for providing shelter to the terrorists. The others to be named in the chargesheet would be Mohammad Rather, Bilal Ahmed Kuchey, Mohammad Abbas Rather and Waiz ul Islam. Each of these persons helped in both procurement as well as logistics.
Over 20,000 pilgrims have visited the Char Dham shrines in Uttarakhand in the past two months ever since the entry of pilgrims was allowed to these revered Himalayan shrines.

Officials from Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board said that around 35,000 e-passes have been issued to pilgrims of which over 20,000 have already visited the shrines. The response has been good despite the pandemic and soaring Covid-19 cases.

Ravinath Raman, chief executive officer of Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board said, It is the effort of the state government that there should be a gradual influx of pilgrims in the four shrines so that tourism and pilgrimage can get momentum. The yatra is getting a good response also. Now people from outside the state can also travel by making e-pass for Char Dham Yatra and fulfilling the health-related standards.

Also read: Uttarakhand cop arrested for allegedly raping minor daughter of differently-abled couple

Since July 1, a total of 35,028 e-passes have been issued by the Board to pilgrims from within and outside the state.

Raman added that all social and physical distancing norms are being followed at the temples while giving entry to pilgrims. The officials further informed that the response has slightly reduced due to monsoon. With bad roads, not all pilgrims are able to reach the shrines.

A Covid-19 test from a laboratory certified by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is mandatory for pilgrims visiting from outside the state.

In the last week of July, the Uttarakhand government had decided to allow pilgrims from other states to visit Char Dham shrines with some conditions.

According to the new guidelines, the pilgrims will need to have an RT-PCR negative report conducted within 72 hours of entering the state. If they dont have a negative report then they will be required to complete the mandatory quarantine period after entering the state before proceeding with the pilgrimage to Char Dham shrines.

The pilgrims are also required to upload their negative RT-PCR report or a declaration on having completed the quarantine on the website of the Char Dham board. They will also need to keep all these documents with them during the pilgrimage.
The tug-of-war between the publics right to know where COVID-19 outbreaks are happening and protecting the privacy of those who test positive could make it difficult to control the disease if theres a resurgence in the fall, experts warn.

Only seven of Ontarios 34 public health units report occupation outside of health-care professions publicly, a Star analysis found, and the provincial government has left the decision on whether to publicize workplace outbreaks up to individual units.

The result is an inconsistent mix of public information about the presence of the virus in workplaces across the province.

Public health units should make occupation- and workplace-related outbreaks publicly available, said Ahmed Al-Jaishi, epidemiologist and PhD candidate in health research methodology at McMaster University, noting the data would allow the public to understand risks in their community, take appropriate precautions  and hold decision-makers accountable for their response to the pandemic.

It is vital for public health surveillance systems to capture peoples occupation and workplace information because these can impact the risk of COVID-19 transmission, Al-Jaishi added, stressing that without data on occupations, the public health community cant identify work- and industry-related outbreaks, evaluate risks among various workers or implement precautions to mitigate risks.

Knowing this information helps people make decisions on what risks theyre willing to take and what risks theyre willing to forgo.

The Star found that even though most public health units in Ontario dont publicly identify the workplace sector, let alone the specific establishment, they do track and investigate confirmed cases and collect details  including occupation  to help contain the spread of the virus.

Many, though, said they could not release information on specific workplace outbreaks because it would be too easy to identify the business or individuals.

Even in Toronto, a city of 2.9 million, privacy is still cited as a concern, despite the municipality becoming a hot spot in Canada for coronavirus cases in the first half of 2020. To date, the city has recorded more than 1,100 deaths.

While we recognize the desire to have access to more information, we must balance the public health reason for the release of the information and the right to privacy by individual cases, said Dr. Vinita Dubey, Torontos associate medical officer of health, in an email to the Star.

However, she said Toronto Public Health has investigated a number of clusters of COVID-19 cases occurring in workplaces since the pandemic began and worked with them to put preventive measures in place.

In these settings where outbreaks have occurred, there has been little to no interaction with members of the public, and so the potential risk to the broader public has been low, Dubey said.

In some situations, TPH has gone public about workplace cases, as it did on Aug. 14 when it warned 550 employees and patrons of the Brass Rail Tavern, a strip club on Yonge Street, after a worker tested positive for COVID-19. It has also identified grocery stores where outbreaks have occurred.

But in other cases, TPH has remained silent. The Star reported earlier this month that nearly 200 workers at industrial bakery FGF Brands contracted COVID-19  resulting in one death  and yet TPH did not report this information to the public.

Many fear further outbreaks as the summer holidays wind down, people return to work in a reopened Ontario and students head back to the classroom. It raises the question: in an outbreak, should public health trump individual rights to privacy?

Jim Kellner, an infectious disease expert and professor at the University of Calgarys Cumming School of Medicine, said there has to be a balance.

I get that in small counties if you highlight that mom and pops restaurant over here has one or two cases, that could be damaging to them, he said. But on the other hand its a public safety issue, which has to trump it. It just has to be done in a way that this is not about punishment. This is about public awareness.

To facilitate contact tracing in Alberta, the names of establishments are made public when there are two or more cases in health-care facilities or long-term-care homes  five if it is a bar or restaurant, though Kellner said the province is considering lowering that to two.

There is no such requirement in Ontario, where its left to local public health units to decide if or when to make the public aware of workplace outbreaks. The province also has no common definition of a workplace outbreak.

Across the country, early on in the pandemic, you could link most cases to households or travel or facilities, said Kellner. Now, so many are from the community with no known contact source and that makes it much more difficult to control disease when you cant trace it accurately.

Al-Jaishi noted that Ontario already publishes identifiable information when it comes to outbreaks in long-term-care homes, even when homes have fewer than five cases.

It seems like a double standard to publish data on one sector but not others, he said.

From an epidemiological point of view, Al-Jaishi said the availability of workplace and occupational outbreak data would allow researchers like him and others to better track the movement of the virus and sound the alarm if necessary.

In having the data and looking at the sectors that are highest risk, we can now begin to plan any new outbreaks and future health emergencies, he said. Its vital.

Among those health units that have published comprehensive occupational information is Ottawa Public Health. In its June weekly epidemiology supplement, it included occupations reported by confirmed COVID-19 cases of workers 15 years of age and over. Categories included business, finance and administration; education, law and government services; art, culture and recreation; and sales and service.

Information on the occupations of those infected with COVID-19 can improve our understanding of who may be at higher risk and how the disease is spreading, said Dr. Brent Moloughney, Ottawas associate medical officer of health, in a June statement.

Peel Region, which includes Mississauga and Brampton, is one of Ontarios larger health units and has been hit hard by COVID-19. To date, Peel has recorded more than 7,300 confirmed cases and 322 virus-related deaths.

The region is one of the seven public health units that has publicly broken out confirmed cases into occupational categories beyond health care. In May, the region published occupational information on 482 cases showing that most worked in a health-care setting. The most commonly reported in non-health-care occupations were correctional/detention facility officers, government workers and labour/factory workers.

Were very happy to release the data around occupations because I think it really helps to drive home both information around who in our community has really been touched by this disease, said Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peels medical officer of health. We know that COVID-19 has disparate impacts depending on who and where you might be in the community.

He added that releasing broad categories of occupation and workplace data is helpful in spotting disease patterns and trends without identifying individuals.

Loh stressed that if there is any risk to the public, the region will disclose that an outbreak has occurred.

For example, if this is a retail store or a grocery store or a restaurant, and we identify that there may have been a risk to the public due to a case that worked there, then we will go ahead and advise the public when and where the exposure may have occurred so that people can actually identify and take measures to isolate, he said.

Not all public health units are the size of Peels, which has a relatively large staff that includes epidemiologists who analyze data, help inform decisions to break chains of virus transmission and investigate outbreaks.

Some smaller units, like North Bay Parry Sound District, told the Star they have few cases but dont post data that could potentially identify an individual or a workplace.

Conversely, Windsor-Essex County publicly posts confirmed cases in employment fields important to the region  health care and agri-farm workers  but cant give more detailed reporting as their case numbers soar, said Windsor-Essex spokesperson Michael Janisse.

We have limited resources and currently do not have the capacity to provide that level of information, especially given the current high number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in our region and the work involved in contact management, Janisse said.

Windsor-Essex has more than 2,300 confirmed cases of the virus to date.

At the provincial level, some jobs have been red-flagged. Public Health Ontario releases weekly epidemiologic summaries that list outbreak settings, including some workplaces, such as group homes, correctional facilities and daycares, but specific names of businesses and locations are not included.

The province has a list of 15 occupations it considers have the highest risk for infection and confirmed cases who work in these fields are asked to report their occupation. They include doctors, farm workers, first responders, nurses, dentists, lab workers, homeless shelter staff and correctional facility employees.

Most other occupations, including the nearly 130,000 teachers that will soon be heading back to the classroom, arent tracked. Those occupations are only listed on positive tests if the person decides to disclose their profession.

And while this information is entered into the provinces antiquated integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), there is no requirement that it is reported publicly.

According to health ministry spokesperson David Jensen, public health units track cases and outbreaks to understand the epidemiology of COVID-19 in their community, and guide public health action including outbreak response.

The ministry uses this information for monitoring and surveillance to inform decisions at the provincial level (e.g., to determine higher risk settings and inform guidance), he said.

Colin Furness, an infection control epidemiologist at the University of Toronto, said many local public health units simply lack enough staff to collect and publish workplace and occupational outbreak data.

Public health units are overwhelmed, they are overburdened. They dont get the luxury (of) time to sort of say, well, what would be really cool to do, he said.

But thats why you need leadership from the top to say we need resources to do this and this is why were doing it and to convey that to all stakeholders.

When asked if the government should make it mandatory to report all occupations for confirmed cases, Loh said the answer is not straightforward.

He said though there is keen public interest in COVID-19 data, a persons privacy must be weighed against the needs of the local community when publishing potentially identifying information.

The balance that were always striving for is that information that will either allow the public to reduce their risk or to take precautions to reduce their risk versus also trying to balance the right of privacy to individuals at specific workplaces that may have been impacted, Loh said.

We do recognize that this is a disease that has significant stigma and discrimination thats been associated with it, he continued. Weve seen in certain instances where you get very, very, very specific with the data  you can really ruin someones life or someones business if youre not careful.

Kenyon Wallace is a Toronto-based investigative reporter for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @KenyonWallace or reach him via email: kwallace@thestar.ca
Its every parents worst nightmare: a positive case of COVID-19 at their childs school.

Most central Pa. schools are opening their doors, either full or part-time, in the next few weeks, leaving many parents uncertain of how long the doors will really stay open.

As schools are reopening across the country, stories are rolling in of Coronavirus spreading. Georgia reported nearly 2,500 students had to quarantine after schools opened in the Cherokee County School District, according to the New York Times, and a school in Indiana had a positive case reported on the first day that school reopened.

Locally, a student-athlete from the Middletown School District and a teacher from Central Dauphin School District both recently tested positive for COVID-19.

Districts in the area say they are closely following the Department of Health and Department of Educations guidelines for responding to confirmed COVID-19 cases, contact tracing and potentially closing schools. Families can expect phone calls, text messages and email alerts if schools close.

All school districts are required to create a Health and Safety Plan  a guidebook for safe school operations in the age of COVID-19  before opening their doors. Part of that plan includes developing a plan for notifying families of reported positive cases and school closures.

Most districts say they will notify the DOH if a positive case is reported and follow their recommendations. Then, they will communicate with families in the district on the next steps, like closing the school. Some pieces of information, like the identity of who is infected, cannot be broadcasted to families because it violates HIPAA laws.

Superintendent of Newport School District, Ryan Neuhard, said the district will follow DOH guidelines and do what they say to do in the event of an outbreak.

Well provide as much information and details as were allowed through HIPAA and FERPA laws ... we will provide as much information as we can to families and continue to be transparent as we always have, he said.

Jim Hazen, spokesman for Lower Dauphin School District, said the process of notifying parents of positive cases would be similar to notifying them about whooping cough or measles.

The Department of Health would notify us if we had a case of whooping cough. They would have us send home a letter with the symptoms to warn parents, he said. Really, the process is incredibly similar to what theyve already got in place for other communicable diseases.

The biggest thing families can do to prevent an outbreak from occurring, though, is to monitor their children before dropping them off at school.

If a kid or staff member is sick, they need to stay home until they are better or they are cleared to come back to school, Hazen said. We love them, but we dont want them coming to school when theyre sick right now.

What if theres a symptomatic person at school?

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) created a flowchart for schools if a student or staff member has symptoms while physically at school.

If the symptoms are consistent with COVID-19, the flowchart recommends that the individual is isolated and sent home with a referral for a coronavirus test.

If the test comes back positive, the DOH will contact the individual or their parent, as well as the school, for further guidance. That typically includes isolating the individual, conducting contact tracing and working with the school on next steps.

If the symptoms are not consistent with COVID-19, the DOH recommends following normal school district protocol. According to the chart, the DOH does not need to be notified if there is a symptomatic person on a school campus  they only need to be notified when there is a positive case reported.

What if there are confirmed COVID cases at a school?

PDE created a matrix for schools to follow in the event of a confirmed case on one of their school campuses.

The DOH will conduct contact tracing and provide guidance on next steps for school districts, Superintendent of Lower Dauphin School District Robert Schultz said in a video message to families. Because there are several factors and every school district is different, there could be some variability between school districts who report positive cases as they figure out the next steps.

The way I interpret that is, the Department of Health takes the lead and we will assist them with information when they request information from us as a school district, Schultz said.

The matrix compares the rate of community spread with the number of confirmed cases in a school district.

It is important to note that a significant and/or widespread outbreak may require moving to a more remote-based instructional model more quickly, according to the PDE website. DOH will provide proactive consultative assistance to school entities should such an outbreak occur.

Here are the top takeaways according to the Department of Health:

If community transmission is low and more than five individuals or more than 5% of people in a given school building test COVID positive, its recommended schools close for 14 days for cleaning.

If community transmission is substantial, those standards are much lower. If one person tests positive, schools are recommended to move to a fully remote instructional model.

If community transmission is moderate, DOH recommends schools close for 5-7 days for cleaning if there are 2-4 students who are COVID positive.

Heres the full decision matrix:

When an entire school is recommended to close, lengths of closure time will vary by level of community transmission and number of cases. This allows public health staff the necessary time to complete case investigations and contact tracing and to provide schools with other appropriate public health advice like cleaning and disinfecting, according to the PDE website.

What are other factors that could close schools?

Positive cases at schools could lead to closures, but if there is substantial spread in the community, DOH recommends schools close completely until the rates are safer.

The DOH created a matrix of determining whether schools should allow in-person classes or not. It looks at the incidence rate per 100,000 residents and or the percentage of positive cases in a given county.

Based on the latest data, Dauphin County is at a moderate level of community transmission and it is recommended classes be held at a hybrid level or completely in person with proper safeguards in place.

If fewer than 10 new cases are reported within a seven-day period in a county, it will automatically qualify as low level community transmission, according to the DOH.

For more information:
Mercury is working the Washington beat for Alibaba Group, Chinas most valuable technology company, as trade tensions grow between the US and China.

The Omnicom unit is handling technology policy, access to US capital markets and issues related to e-commerce.

President Trump has threatened to sanction China social media companies ByteDance and Tencent, owners of the TikTok video site and WeChat messaging app, respectively.

Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang told investors on Aug. 20 that his company is keeping a close eye on the very fluid US policies toward China.

He reassured Trump that Alibaba poses no threat to the US.

As the worlds largest e-commerce platform, Alibabas primary commercial focus in the U.S. is to support American brands, retailers, small businesses and farmers to sell to consumers and trade partners in China as well as other key markets around the world, Zhang said on the earnings call.

Alibabas mission to make it easy to do business anywhere is aligned with the interests of China and the US, added Zhang,.

Mercurys Alibaba team features Adam Bramwell, chief of staff to Delaware Democratic Senator Chris Coons, a good friend of Joe Biden; Bryan Lanza, communications director for the Trump transition team; and John Lonergan, long-time consultant to former New York Republican governor George Pataki.

Taiwan on Aug. 25 declared Taobao Taiwan, a platform linked to Alibaba, a potential risk to its national security.
"At Simonds we stand together with the rest of Victoria and remain committed to stopping the spread of COVID-19."

Those words were posted on construction giant Simonds Group's website at the start of stage four restrictions in Melbourne on August 2  just a week before group executive director Mark Simonds set sail with members of his family for Queensland on his yacht the Lady Pamela. Also on board was Hannah Fox, whose father, Peter Fox  executive chairman of Linfox  had already made his way to the Sunshine State under a quarantine exemption for truck drivers.

Mark Simonds, his wife, Cheryl, and the Lady Pamela. Credit:A Current Affair

When challenged, Mr Fox told reporters: "I am allowed to reside here. It's completely official." Yet while it may be that wealthy Australians have remained within the letter of the law when it comes to restrictions on movement, we believe the spirit of that law is being abused in ways that undermine governments' message that, as a nation, we are all in this together. If the Simonds Group does "understand the key role we play in the states economy and the responsibility that comes with this for our customers, our staff and the wider community", as its August 2 message put it, its boss has a funny way of showing his solidarity.

Late yesterday, the Queensland government revoked its decision to allow the Lady Pamela group a quarantine exemption, forcing them into a two-week lockdown.
James White, the assistant chief of the Detroit Police Department, has been selected as the new executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the operational arm of a governor-appointed commission charged with investigating alleged discrimination.

White is being offered the position on Friday, Aug. 28. If he chooses to take it, he is expected to start on Sept. 21. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission, tasked with hiring an executive director for the department, picked White during an Aug. 24 special meeting. Stacie Clayton, the commissions chair, said there were seven excellent candidates who were interviewed.

The commission, which is appointed by the governor, is charged with investigating alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color or national origin, genetic information, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, and physical and mental disability.

Related: Discrimination complaints against Grand Rapids police still being investigated

Clayton said White was chosen because hes an experienced administrator (who will) provide thoughtful, yet strong, leadership for the department and its employees.

Mr. Whites guidance of the Detroit Police Departments Civil Rights Integrity Bureau, along with his graduate-level degrees in business and sociology, will allow him to lay the groundwork to move the MDCR into a new era, Clayton said. We look forward to working with Mr. White to create initiatives that will further our goal of making Michigan a more equitable, just and welcoming state for all.

White has 25 years of experience in law enforcement.

Related: Civil Rights Director dismissed after comments objectifying women

The commission ousted its previous executive director, Agustin Arbulu, after he was accused of making comments objectifying women. The commission had previously voted to keep Arbulu, but reversed course at the tail end of a nearly seven-hour meeting in August 2019, part of which took place in closed session.

Arbulu came under fire when a department employee reported he had made comments objectifying a woman outside a meeting.

A summary report of the incident says Arbulu more likely than not made comments about a blonde woman outside of a middle school where he was participating in a forum, making comments such as would you look at that woman, and other remarks.

After the incident, Arbulu said hed made a mistake.

The commission narrowed down its search to a finalist once before to Harvey Hollins III, but rejected his appointment in June because of his ties to the Flint Water Crisis and former Gov. Rick Snyder. He was the former director of the Michigan Office of Urban Initiatives.

The director position pays between $160,000-$170,000 a year.

Read more on MLive:

Gov. Whitmer calls for civil rights directors ouster, bans him from cabinet meetings

Michigan Department of Civil Rights Director likely made comments objectifying women, investigation finds

Michigan Civil Rights Commission rejects director finalist with Flint water crisis baggage
Jacob Blake is paralyzed from the waist down after police officers shot him in the back eight times on Sunday night, his father tells the Chicago Sun-Times.

Police shot Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, on a street in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as he was getting into his SUV, where his children were sitting inside. Video of the shooting quickly started circulating, and turned Kenosha into the latest center of protests against police brutality and racism.

Blake's father, also named Jacob Blake, told the Sun-Times that when he talked to the younger Blake on Sunday morning, he was preparing to celebrate his son's eighth birthday. But now, there are "eight holes" in his Blake's body, and his lower body is paralyzed with no word on if his injury is permanent, the elder Blake said. Witnesses say Blake was trying to break up a verbal fight when two police officers arrived at the scene.

Protests broke out Sunday night at the scene of the shooting and at the Kenosha County Public Safety Building and have continued since. The city instituted a curfew and Gov. Tony Evers (D) called in 125 members of the National Guard on Monday, but people stayed out anyway and set some buildings on fire later that night. Peaceful protests have continued throughout the day as well.

To Blake's father, the police were "the flint as well as the gasoline" sparking those fires and protest, he told the Sun-Times. "Those police officers that shot my son like a dog in the street are responsible for everything that has happened in the city of Kenosha," he continued. Read more of what Jacob Blake's father had to say at the Chicago Sun-Times.

More stories from theweek.com

Trump's RNC role is a much bigger mistake than Republicans realize

Hurricane Laura is now forecast to hit Texas and Louisiana as a 'catastrophic' Category 4 storm

Pam Bondi blasts Joe Biden over nepotism just before Tiffany Trump speaks at RNC


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2020) - FALCON GOLD CORP. (TSXV: FG), (FSE: 3FA), (OTC Pink: FGLDF); ("Falcon" or "the Company") is pleased to announce it has acquired 4,440 hectares ("ha") of mining land 110 kilometers ("km") northeast of Red Lake, ON in the Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt on Springpole Lake. Falcon's new Springpole West Property comprises 197 claims containing 217 units and extends from McNaughton Township northeast for approximately 22 km where its most northeastern cells are less than 4 km from the Springpole Gold deposit.

The claims cover 13.5 km of strike length along a gold-bearing silicified mafic volcanic - sedimentary rock contact and a major property-wide fault zone. Historical work has indicated significant gold and silver values on surface and at depth. In 1979, Sherritt Gordon Mines Ltd. intersected 19.40 g/t Au over 30 centimeters in a diamond drill hole within the deformation zone hosted in a quartz vein-stockwork system. In addition, massive sulphide pods along the fault zone have reportedly been exploited by past operators with surface grab samples returning up to 8.38% Zn, 16 g/t Ag and 0.05 g/t Au and drilling of geophysical anomalies intersected 0.25% Cu, 2.68% Zn, and 0.05 g/t Au over 1 meter (BP Resources, 1985).

The Property is directly tied on to First Mining Gold Corp.'s ("First Mining") Springpole Gold Deposit, which is reported as one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in Canada, and contains the same geological terrain as that world class gold deposit. First Mining completed their preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") in November 2019 and reported an Indicated Resource of 139.1 Mt grading 1.04 g/t Au and 5.4 g/t Ag, containing 4,670,000 ounces of Au and 24,190,000 ounces of Ag as well as an Inferred Resource of 11.4 Mt averaging 0.63 g/t Au and 3.1 g/t Ag, containing 230,000 ounces of Au and 1,120,000 ounces of Ag.

The area is accessible by floatplane, ATV trail, and winter road. The Property is within 6 km of an all-weather gravel road and hydro-electric transmission lines are close by.

Mr. Karim Rayani, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our new Springpole West Gold Property adds a large, strategic land package to Falcon's portfolio in the mining friendly Red Lake gold district. Falcon continues to add significant shareholder value by acquiring projects with demonstrated potential in proximity to larger players such Agnico Eagle Mines at Central Canada and now with Springpole West and First Mining. With First Mining improving the local infrastructure in partnership with local First Nations communities and the Ontario Government, the Company identified the rising potential of the area that prompted us to aggressively acquire this large package of gold and silver mining claims. Our next steps will focus on collection and digitizing of all available historical work in order to plan and initiate Falcon's work programs as soon as practical."







FIGURE 1: Falcon Gold's Springpole West Project in Northwest Ontario, Canada

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4151/62470_c166e83064e01a02_003full.jpg





Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Alex Pleson, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Falcon Gold Corp. & the Central Canada Gold Mine Project

Falcon is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on generating, acquiring, and exploring opportunities in the Americas. Falcon's flagship project, the Central Canada Gold Mine, is approximately 20 km south east of Agnico Eagle's Hammond Reef Gold Deposit which has Measured & Indicated estimated resources of 208 million tonnes containing 4.5 million ounces of gold. The Hammond Reef gold property lies on the Hammond fault which is a splay off of the Quetico Fault Zone ("QFZ") and may be the control for the gold deposit. The Central Gold property lies on a similar major splay of the QFZ.

History of Central Canada gold mine includes;

1901 to 1907 - Shaft constructed to a depth of 12 m and 27 oz of gold from 18 tons using a stamp mill.

1930 to 1934 - Central Canada Mines Ltd. installed a 75 ton per day gold mill. Development work included 1,829 m of drilling and a vertical shaft to a depth of 45 m with about 42 m of crosscuts and drifts on the 100 m level. In December, 1934 the mine had reportedly outlined approximately 230,000 ounces of gold with an average grade of 9.9 g/t Au.

1935 - With the on-going financial crisis of the Great Depression, the Central Canada Mines was unable to fund operations and the mine ceased operations.

1965 - Anjamin Mines completed diamond drilling and in hole S2 returned a 2 ft section of 37.0 g/t Au and hole S3 assayed 44.0 g/t Au across 7 ft.

1985 - Interquest Resources Corp. drilled 13 diamond holes totaling 1,840 m in which a 3.8 ft intersection showed 30.0 g/t Au.

2010 to 2012 - TerraX Minerals Inc. conducted programs that included line cutting, geological surveys and drilled 363 m.

July 2020 - Falcon Gold Corp. completed its inaugural 7-hole program for totaling 1,055 m of core. In addition, the Company acquired by staking an additional 7,477 ha of mineral claims consisting of 369 units immediately south and northwest of Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.'s Hammond Reef property.

The Company also holds 3 additional projects. The Camping Lake Gold property in the world-renowned Red Lake mining camp, a 49% interest in the Burton Gold property with Iamgold near Sudbury Ontario, and the Spitfire-Sunny Boy Gold Claims near Merritt, B.C.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Falcon Gold Corp.

"Karim Rayani"

Karim Rayani

Chief Executive Officer, Director

Telephone: (604) 716-0551

Email: info@falcongold.ca

Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, etc. Forward looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62470
Amid a political crisis in Mali, a new development has come up on August 24, after three days of talks between Malis military leaders and western African mediators, no decision came on the transition of government in a politically fractured state. Western African nations despatched their mediators to Mali last week in a bid to reverse Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's removal from power. According to the international media report, a diplomat said talks between two parties focused on, who will lead Mali and for how long, rather than again giving power to ousted President Keita.

Read: Mali Junta Agrees To Release Ousted President, Presents 3-year Military Rule Plan: Report

The coup has raised geopolitical instability in the region and neighboring countries believe this will increase the threat of hard-line Islamic militancy in the region. Ismael Wague, the Malian Air Force deputy chief of staff said, this week mediators would report to regional heads of the state, and final decision on the interim administration in Mali would be decided locally.

While talking to reporters Wague said, Nothing has been decided. Everyone has given their point of view, The final decision of the structure of the transition will be made by us Malians here.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who led the regional mediation was given access to President Kieta and while talking with media he said President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita told the delegation that he has resigned from the Presidents post and he does not want to return to politics and want the country to return to civilian rule.

Read: Mali's Coup Leaders' Meeting With West African Mediators Ended After Just 20 Minutes

Junta agrees to release President

Meanwhile, Malis military junta has reportedly agreed to release the ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and put forward a plan for a military-led transitional body for the next three years. Members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a 15-member regional bloc, are holding closed-door meetings with the junta to decide on Malis political future.

(With inputs from agency)

Read: Mali Mutiny: UN Chief Demands 'Immediate Release' Of President Keita, Prime Minister Cisse

Read: Mali Soldiers Promise To Organise Fresh Elections Soon Amid Political Crisis
A block development council (BDC) member was shot dead in a clash between two groups in Nawada market of Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh on Monday night, police said.

A bullet hit BDC member Surendra Yadav, 35, when a man allegedly opened fire during a heated discussion over the panchayat elections. Locals rushed Yadav to hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

A senior police officer said teams had been formed to solve the murder case. The local administration has deployed a police contingent in the area as a precautionary measure to maintain peace after the incident.




By Baek Byung-yeul







Hyundai Motor's technological capability has been recognized by a U.S. research institute as the carmaker topped J.D. Power's latest innovation rankings.







According to J.D. Power's 2020 U.S. Tech Experience Index, Tuesday, Hyundai Motor received a score of 556 in the overall innovation ranking of the mass market segment to top the index that classes automakers on technological innovation.







Hyundai was followed by Subaru with a score of 541, Kia Motors with 538, Nissan with 534 and Ram with 520. "Hyundai offers an above average level of technologies and scores well for excellence in execution," J.D. Power said.







When combining with the index for luxury cars, Volvo topped the list with 617, followed by BMW with 583 and Cadillac with 577. Genesis, Hyundai Motor Group's luxury car brand, ranked fifth in the overall ranking with 559.







The Tech Experience Index research is based on responses from 82,527 owners of new 2020 model vehicle who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership.







The study analyzes 34 technologies, which are divided into four categories  convenience; emerging automation; energy and sustainability; and infotainment and connectivity.







Hyundai Motor's sister company Kia Motors' SUV brand Sportage won the infotainment and connectivity award in the mass market segment. Genesis' G70 compact sedan received the luxury model emerging automation award for rear cross traffic warning technology.


Almost a million Rohingya refugees stuck in Bangladesh mark three years since escaping from Myanmar on Tuesday, with coronavirus forcing them to hold a day-long silent protest inside their flimsy, leaky huts.

An August 2017 military operation  that has triggered genocide charges at the UNs top court  drove 750,000 Rohingya out of Myanmars Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh, to join 200,000 who fled earlier.

Three years later and with no work or decent education for their children, there is little prospect of a return to the country, where members of the mostly Muslim minority have long been treated as inferior intruders.

Myanmars military killed more than 10,000 of our people. They carried out mass murders and rapes and drove our people from their home, Mohib Ullah, a Rohingya leader in the camps, told AFP.

For the second anniversary last year, Ullah led a rally of about 200,000 protesters at Kutupalong, the largest of the network of camps in southeast Bangladesh, where 600,000 people live in cramped and unsanitary conditions.

But the Bangladeshi authorities, increasingly impatient with the Rohingya and who a year ago cut internet access in the camps, have banned gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The sprawling camps have been cut off from the rest of Bangladesh, with the military erecting barbed-wire fences around the perimeters. Inside, movement has been restricted.

Fears the deadly virus could spread like wildfire  because physical distancing is almost impossible  have not been borne out, with just 84 infections confirmed and six deaths.

The Rohingya will mark Genocide Remembrance Day with silence and prayers in their rickety homes all day, Ullah said.

There will be no rallies, no work, no prayers at mosques, no NGO or aid activities, no schools, no madrasas and no food distribution, he added.

 Apartheid 

Bangladesh has signed an agreement with Myanmar to return the refugees. But the Rohingya refuse to go without guarantees for their safety and proper rights.

About 600,000 Rohingya remain in Myanmar, but most are not regarded as citizens, living in what Amnesty International describes as apartheid conditions.

The Rohingya are not convinced of the sincerity of the Myanmar authorities, Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud bin Momen said.

Khin Maung, a 25-year-old Rohingya activist who lost 10 relatives in the horrors of 2017, said the mood in the camps was very depressed.

We want justice for the murders. We also want to go back home. But I dont see any immediate hopes. It may take years, Maung, who leads a Rohingya youth group, said.

He said the desperation had led hundreds to flee the camps this year on rickety boats often arranged by unscrupulous trafficking gangs.

At least 24 refugees are believed to have drowned off Malaysia last month in the latest in a string of tragedies. The lone survivor managed to swim to shore.

Myanmar needs to accept an international solution that provides for the safe, voluntary return of Rohingya refugees, while an understandably stretched Bangladesh should not make conditions inhospitable for refugees who have nowhere to go, said Brad Adams from Human Rights Watch.
The Mumbai crime branch arrested three more persons, from Ghatkopar and Chembur areas on Tuesday, in connection with the murder of a real estate developer at Dharwad district in Karnataka on August 6.

The three arrested accused are identified as Nilesh Govind Nandgaokar, 40, Sunil alias Mama Deoram Banao de, 55, and Navnath Arjun Dolas, 35. The Mumbai crime branch had arrested mastermind Rajendra Mohansingh Rawat alias Raju Nepali from Borivli on Monday.

Crime branch officials said all the three were shooters, and an accomplice of theirs who also shot at the developer is still hiding in Mumbai. The crime branch is on the lookout for other accused.

Crime branch officers said that Rawat, an associate of gangster Yusuf Suleiman Kadri alias Yusuf Bachkana from the past 10 years, had arranged for the shooters to murder the developer at the gangsters behest for 10 lakh. Bachkana allegedly gave Rawat the contract over a financial dispute with the developer. The plot to kill the real estate developer was laid down in June and 2 lakh was transferred in Rawats account, said deputy commissioner of police Akbar Pathan of the crime branch.

Rawats name cropped up after the seven people arrested by Karnataka Police in connection with the real estate developers murder revealed his name and claimed that they were given the contract by Rawat, added Pathan. A police team from Karnataka then came to Mumbai and nabbed Rawat from Borivli area with the help of Mumbai crime branch officers.

During the further inquiry, it was learnt that the shooters were from Mumbai and the accused who was arrested by Karnataka police had helped shooters for recce and provided vehicles to them to flee from the city after the murder. Police sub-inspector Sanjay Surve got information and laid a trap and arrested them from Wadala area. During inquiry, Nadgaokar confessed that he was involved in a diamond robbery a case which was registered in VP road police station in 2014. He met Rawat and Bachkana in Arthur road jail where he became part of their gang, said police inspector Satish Taware of unit 7.

Two months ago, he met Rawat who made him talk to Bachkana at Hindalga central jail in Belgavi district of Karnataka, said officers. Each of the shooters was promised 2 lakh for the builders murder. The accused were brought to the unit office in Ghatkopar and during interrogation, they confessed the crime. They were handed over to the Karnataka police, said Talware.

Rawat was in touch with Bachkana and was still working with him despite the latter being lodged in Karnataka jail. During his interrogation, Rawat confessed that he was given a contract of 10 lakh to arrange shooters. After scrutinising Rawats bank account, police found that 2 lakh was transferred into his account before the murder, said crime branch official. Rawat has a 2013 attempt to murder case and other cases under the Arms Act registered against him at Kasturba police station at Vanrai police station in 2009.
For some, the decision of whether to evacuate or stay was as unclear Monday morning as the projected paths of tropical storms Marco and Laura.

But one look at the empty gas pumps and busy sandbag stations showed most Southeast Texans werent taking chances.

While Tropical Storm Marco is projected to hit east of Southeast Texas, Tropical Storm Laura is expected to make landfall in Southwest Louisiana or Southeast Texas with the potential to be upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane.

The track is still subject to change and could veer in either direction.

In Port Arthur, Thurman Bartie issued a mandatory evacuation for 6 a.m. Tuesday. But before that, the city set up three locations for residents to pick up sandbags. A group of city workers, volunteers and Port Arthur Councilmember Thomas Kinlaw were there to help those loading up their vehicles.

By 8 p.m., a mandatory evacuation of all of of Jefferson County was called for 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.

We still have a few hundred more cars and we are servicing our city of Port Arthur. We are going to service as many vehicles as we can  thats our goal, Kinlaw said before the mandatory evacuation order was given. We have some hard workers and volunteers out here doing a really good job.

In Nederland, Tara Ramirez pulled her wagon to load some sandbags at Doornbos Park. She has lived next door to the park for three years. When the sandbag giveaway began at 10 a.m., cars were lined up for a quarter-mile. By 1:30 p.m., the line stretched back beyond 27th Street.

It got bad in (Tropical Storm) Harvey, but we didnt get water inside, Ramirez said. Were leaving for Livingston (Tuesday).

Nederland City Manager Chris Duque said the city planned to give out 5,000 bags of sand. By Monday afternoon, he said they were still on the first bundle of 1,000 bags. The city set up three sand mounds at the back of the park, allowing two cars per mound at a time to promote social distancing. Duque said the city added two more piles Monday afternoon to help the line move faster.

He said sandbag giveaway will continue Tuesday if weather permits.

Many residents did not wait until Monday to prepare and stocked up on hurricane supplies over the previous weekend. Jon Drago, owner of Drago Hardware Co. in Port Arthur, said hurricane clips, batteries and generator parts are currently out of stock. Both batteries and generator parts are to be restocked Tuesday, he said; but he is not sure if the store will restock the hurricane items.

Meanwhile is Silsbee, locals were stocking up on groceries and supplies.

Imran Ali, who owns several corner stores and a restaurant, said he is stocked on emergency supplies, and will be open until the last minute for residents in need.

First comes the community for us, Ali said. We are trying to fill up the gas tanks in advance, trying to fill up all the necessary items like water, batteries, flashlights, anything that people in any kind of emergency need. Ice, smaller things which they can not go anywhere to grab in times of emergency so they can come to the corner store and grab those from there.

Ali also owns a store in Fannett, a town that experienced extensive flooding last September as a result of Tropical Depression Imelda.

I stayed there during Tropical Depression Imelda, since it was the only store in the area, Ali said. When it comes to community, you have to give back what you get from the community.

Some in Silsbee have evacuated.

But for those that have livestock, like Tatika Leckelt, leaving isnt an option.

Im worried  but we have no plans to be evacuated because we have no way to transport our goats, Leckelt said. We have 20 goats so we will stay here and ride it out, that way if a tree comes down and they happen to get out or whatever, Ill be able to get a handle on it and recoup all of them.

Leckelt said the 20 goats are her main source of income.

Im more worried about the winds than anything, she said. Not the flooding.

As a precaution, her and her husband are moving the goats to one large enclosure with a shelter attached to it.

Id say it is pretty much all the same thing down here, she said, Everybody is stocking up on gas for generators and just trying to secure anything on their properties that could blow away.

jorge.ramos@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/byjorgeramos

chris.moore@beaumontenterprise.com.

twitter.com/chris_moore09

isaac.windes@hearstnp.com

twitter.com/isaacwindes
Welcome to Limbe Archives

Three persons died in Limbe on Sunday, August 23 after eating cassava, and beans that had been inadvertently contaminated by a lethal pesticide locally called mocap.

Pascaline Enieh died along with her son, two-year-old Miracle Ikome as well as Epie, a 17-year-old student of GHS Bonadikombo.

It is said that Pascaline, mother of three, cooked cassava and beans early on Saturday, August 22. She ate the food along with her two children, Blessing Etondi Ikome and Miracle Ikome.

Her eldest daughter, Lois, reportedly refused to eat the food, protesting against the way the beans had been cooked.

A neighbor to the diseased, Hosea Mufu, is quoted as saying that the stated food was also eaten by Pascalines relative who came visiting.

In the process of heating the beans for supper, a pack of mocap is said to have fallen on the lid of the pot. Pascaline supposedly asked her 14-year-old daughter who was heating the food to carefully remove the pesticide, ensuring that it did not get into the food.

It is believed that some fine particles of the mocap had unfortunately found their way into the beans.

Approximately three hours, or thereabouts, after consuming the ill-fated food, Pascaline started complaining of pains on her legs. She was rushed to the Presbyterian Hospital in Down Beach Limbe and later died on her way to the Limbe Regional Hospital where she had been referred.

When Miracle Ikome, the two-year-old son of the diseased complained of symptoms similar to that of his mother, it dawned on the one who heated the food that it could be the effect of the mocap.

But before I could call back some other children including 17-year-old Emile Epie had already eaten the beans. After Pascaline had taken their super with cassava, some rice had to be cooked and 17-year-old Epie, a form five student of GHS Bonadikombo, joined other five kids and feasted on the ill-fated beans with rice that had been prepared that Saturday evening, The Post quotes Mufu, neighbor to the diseased, as saying.

Pascaline's two-year-old son is said to have died after his mother.

Five others who ate the beans were made to drink large quantities of palm oil as first aid before they were rushed to the hospital. Family sources say they are out of danger.

Epie, who reportedly did not drink the palm oil, died.

'Mocap' is mostly used by farmers to kill pests known to attack the leaves of plantain and banana plants. The pesticide is understood to be lethal when consumed by humans.
Advertisement

The English country mansion at the centre of a scandal involving Spain's former King Juan Carlos I has been plagued by 'incidents' and a break-in since it was bought by his mistress, her lawyers say.

Lawyers for Corinna Larsen, the former mistress of King Juan Carlos I and the owner of the Chyknell Hall Estate in Shropshire, spoke of 'a number of incidents' at the property in addition to a mysterious 2017 burglary.

Larsen bought the 6million mansion in 2015, three years after receiving a 65million (58million) gift from the then-monarch which Swiss investigators suspect was linked to a 76million payment from Saudi Arabia.

Reports say Larsen spent another 6million on renovations, to the surprise of locals who told The Times that 'it was already such a nice estate' and 'it felt like ripping out a perfectly nice kitchen just for the sake of it'.

Larsen denies claims of money laundering and her lawyers say that Chyknell Hall is not in the crosshairs of the Swiss investigation, but the swirling claims have prompted the former King to leave Spain for Abu Dhabi.

The grounds of Chyknell Hall Estate, which is set across 200 acres near Bridgnorth in Shropshire and is at the centre of a scandal involving Spain's former King Juan Carlos I

Spanish King Juan Carlos gave a 65million gift to Corinna Larsen (pictured together in 2006), which she says was a gift of appreciation, three years before she bought the Shropshire estate

Residents near Chyknell Hall said Corinna Larsen - also known as Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein - had been the 'talk of the hamlet' since she moved in but 'does not get involved much in the community'.

One local told the Times that 'when she moved in there was a lot of work carried out and people wondered why, it was already such a nice estate'.

'It felt like ripping out a perfectly nice kitchen just for the sake of it,' they added.

The property's fences and security systems were beefed up after Larsen moved in, but a burglar allegedly broke in three years ago and lawyers spoke of other 'incidents' without explaining further.

Larsen told the Mail on Sunday earlier this year that she suspected she was being harassed by Spanish security services.

The only sign of the 2017 break-in was a disc-shaped piece of glass removed from her first-floor bedroom window, she said, with nothing taken from the home.

'It shows a high level of competence, not only to execute it, but to know which bedroom was hers,' said her chief of staff Adam Crookshank.

The Chyknell Hall Estate in Shropshire (pictured) was sold to the ex-lover of Spain's former King Juan Carlos I in 2015 - a purchase now reportedly being investigated in Switzerland

The Regency home has been refurbished to a high standard, but has kept original features

Larsen, a Danish-born business consultant, has been under investigation for suspected money laundering since 2018 but lawyers say the claims are 'baseless'.

According to El Pais, she has told Swiss prosecutors she bought the property through a trust fund registered in Panama that listed her son, who was 13 at the time, as its beneficiary.

The purchase of Chyknell Hall is said to have attracted interest in Switzerland because it followed the gift from Juan Carlos and because of the 'opaque structure' which she allegedly set up to buy it.

Larsen last week said Juan Carlos had earlier made the 'enormously generous gift' out of 'gratitude for looking after him' and because he valued her son.

Speaking to BBC News, Larsen - who was the king's lover from 2004 to 2009 - said that Juan Carlos had asked for the money back in a 'tantrum' in 2014.

'At some point he realised I wasn't going to return, and he went completely ballistic. He asked for everything back. I think it was just a tantrum he threw,' she said.

However, she said Juan Carlos had told Swiss investigators that 'he never actually asked for the money back'.

The Chyknell Hall Estate comes complete with a Grade II-listed house and five cottages

The 11-bedroom Chyknell Hall was built in 1814 and has only changed hands twice since

Larsen is one of three people under investigation over the $100million which Juan Carlos received from late Saudi king Abdullah in a Swiss bank account in 2008.

Both Larsen and Juan Carlos have denied that she held money in the former King's name.

In a letter dated August 2018 which Juan Carlos sent to his Swiss lawyer Dante Canonica, he said the donation made to Larsen in 2012 'was irrevocable'.

'I never received any amount back from her. I have never asked for it,' Juan Carlos wrote in French, in the letter published by Spanish media last week.

'Madame Corinna zu Sayn Wittgenstein has therefore never held money on my behalf, contrary to what may have been suggested in the Spanish media.'

Juan Carlos has been married to his wife Sofia since 1962 and reports of his relationship with Larsen generated a wave of sympathy for the former queen. The queens official biographer described Juan Carlos as liking all women except the one he chose as a wife.

Despite his self-imposed exile Juan Carlos, who abdicated in 2014, has said he remains available to prosecutors.

The estate in Shropshire set across 200 acres features an outdoor swimming pool

Prosecutors are now said to investigating the purchase of Chyknell Hall (interior pictured)

Spanish King Juan Carlos and Danish-born business consultant Corinna Larsen, also known as Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein at a dinner in Stuttgart in 2006

In June, Spain's supreme court opened a a preliminary investigation into his involvement in a high-speed rail contract in Saudi Arabia.

Justice minister Juan Carlos Campo said the former king would return to Spain to respond to judges if required. 'I'm convinced that when justice calls him, he will attend,' Campo said.

Juan Carlos's whereabouts were the subject of mystery earlier this month until the royal palace confirmed he had been in the United Arab Emirates since August 3.

In a letter to his son Felipe, he said he wanted the current King to reign untroubled 'amid the public repercussions that certain past events in my private life are generating'.

King Felipe thanked Juan Carlos for his decision, pointing to 'the historic importance that his father's reign represents' for democracy in Spain.

Juan Carlos was crowned in 1975 after being groomed as the successor of Spain's long-serving dictator Francisco Franco - but to the dismay of Franco loyalists, the King quickly implemented reforms that led to democratic elections in 1977.

After an attempted military coup in 1981, Juan Carlos gave a television broadcast in support of the government and Spain's young democracy.

However, his popularity waned amid a tax fraud case involving members of the royal family, as well as an ill-advised hunting trip to Botswana.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 00:16:13|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of the political representatives of the Afghan Taliban met Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad on Tuesday and discussed progress in the Afghan peace process and the early start of intra-Afghan negotiations, the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan said.

Welcoming the delegation headed by Taliban's top political leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Qureshi underscored "(Pakistani) Prime Minister Imran Khan's consistent stance that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a political settlement was the only way forward," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Highlighting Pakistan's positive contribution to the peace and reconciliation process, culminating in the U.S.-Taliban peace agreement in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Feb. 29, Qureshi underlined that "this historic opportunity must be seized by the Afghan stakeholders to secure an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive negotiated political solution."

Qureshi reiterated Pakistan's commitment to a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, according to the statement.

He also emphasized the implementation of the U.S.-Taliban peace agreement, in its entirety, paving the way for the earliest possible commencement of intra-Afghan Negotiations.

Qureshi cautioned against "spoilers" who did not wish to see the return of peace in the region and said Pakistan will continue to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process for durable peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.

He also highlighted the importance of Pakistan-Afghanistan ties based on amity, shared history and geography and reaffirmed Pakistan's abiding solidarity with the brotherly people of Afghanistan.

Baradar thanked the Pakistani foreign minister for the invitation and affirmed support for efforts for peace, security and development in Afghanistan, the statement said, adding that the delegation also thanked the government and people of Pakistan for their consistent support to the people of Afghanistan, including for graciously hosting Afghan refugees for over four decades.

A Taliban delegation led by Baradar had also visited Pakistan in October 2019 for wide-ranging consultations on the Afghan peace and reconciliation process, the statement said. Enditem
Australia's Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, has defended his position on the use of natural gas after being criticised by some of the nation's leading climate change scientists, saying it would remain one of the nation's key energy sources.

"There will be times when supply from renewable electricity generators will be inadequate to meet demand and occasionally such periods will last many days and affect adjacent jurisdictions," Dr Finkel wrote.

Dr Alan Finkel has defended his position on the use of natural gas following criticism from a group of Australian climate scientists. Credit:Jessica Hromas

On Monday The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age reported that a group of 25 leading Australian scientists had written to Dr Finkel, voicing their concern that his support for the use of gas was not supported by scientific evidence about the need for the rapid abandonment of fossil fuels to tackle climate change.

They were particularly concerned about elements of Dr Finkel's address to the National Press Club earlier this year, which preceded the government's adoption of an economic stimulus policy backed by an expansion of the gas industry.
WASHINGTON  Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is slated to address the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, a move that upends decades of precedent and ethics guidelines aimed at separating America's national security and foreign policy decision-makers from the whims of partisan politics.

The speech, which was recorded in Israel and is slated to air Tuesday night, is now under investigation by the House Foreign Affairs Committee's subpanel on oversight. The subcommittee's chairman, Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, called the speech "highly unusual and likely unprecedented" and suggested, "it may also be illegal."

It has also made waves among former diplomats and foreign policy experts, who say his address, recorded while on official travel, smashes through the last remaining guardrails intended to protect the nation's top diplomat from the dirty business of political campaigns.

"The optics are awful," said Daniel Drezner, professor of international politics at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. "Foreign policy is supposed to stop at the water's edge, and in theory, the Secretary of State representing the national interest is not supposed to take a partisan position on anything," added Drezner, a critic of President Donald Trump.

"I want to be very clear, there is zero diplomatic value added to this speech," he said. "Any speech by America's chief diplomat that sows greater division in the United States is not going to add any value."

"This is a deeply damaging decision for American diplomacy," said Brett Bruen, who served as a diplomat for 12 years in the Bush and Obama administrations. "After months of questionable decisions by the secretary, diplomats are already pretty darn dispirited."

"This just further exacerbates their sense that Pompeo doesn't seem to think the rules apply to him," added Bruen, the former director of global engagement at the White House and president of international consulting firm Global Situation Room.

Pompeo's decision to address the convention from Jerusalem, the first stop on a four-day State Department trip to the Middle East, has sparked concerns that U.S. taxpayers may be footing a portion of the travel bill.

The State Department said that America's top diplomat will address the convention in "his personal capacity." It also said that no resources from the Department of State will be used, including staff, who will not have a role in preparing Pompeo's remarks.

"The State Department will not bear any costs in conjunction with this appearance," a State Department representative added.

That distinction struck ethics watchdogs as dubious.

"Secretary Pompeo can't just flip a switch and go back and forth between serving as America's chief diplomat and a Republican political operative while he's in the Middle East on the government dime," said Donald Sherman, deputy director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

"I think Secretary Pompeo's conduct here is emblematic of the Trump administration's approach to the Hatch Act and ethical norms relating to mixing official government conduct and political activity, the standards that apply to regular government employees just don't apply to the president's cronies," Sherman added.

Signed into law in 1939, the Hatch Act bars employees of the executive branch from using their official positions to actively support or oppose any candidate for federal office. The Trump campaign has previously shrugged off complaints about the use of federal resources as partisan props, saying it is in compliance with the law.

"It's shocking to have a secretary of State use the instruments of American foreign policy for such brazen domestic political purpose," Kori Schake, director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, told CNBC.

"It's completely inappropriate," added Schake, a career civil servant with a bipartisan background and stints at the Departments of Defense, State and National Security Council at the White House. "It drags foreign countries into American domestic politics in a way that's not good for those countries sustaining bipartisan support in the American Congress," she said.

"It also suggests that American foreign policy is driven solely by electoral concerns as the precedent, rather than by enduring American interests that have bipartisan support," Schake added.

Heather Hurlburt, who was a speechwriter for former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, said Pompeo's decision to address the convention will ultimately make "U.S. diplomacy less effective."

"Every stop on Pompeo's trip, not just the one to Israel, raises the question of, how are you using us as pawns in your domestic politics," Hurlburt, director of the New Models of Policy Change project at New America's Political Reform program, told CNBC. "And that, again, is a waste of taxpayers' money; you could stay home and play domestic politics from home."
With markets on an upward trend, now would seem an odd time to shift toward dividend stocks. But there are advantages to this traditional defensive play. Dividend stocks will provide some portfolio protection should markets fall again. While they tend to show less share appreciation than the average, they also show less depreciation in down times. And, a reliable dividend always pays out  in good times and bad.

So, lets look at dividend stocks. The TipRanks Dividend Calendar makes it easy to locate the markets dividend champs  those stocks with Strong Buy ratings from the analyst community, high upside potential, and reliable, high-yield dividends. Thats a trifecta of perfect signals, highlighting defensive plays that will offer multiple avenues for return on investment.

Weve started the footwork for you. Here are three stocks showing all three of those positive signals  a Strong Buy consensus rating, an upside in the high teens or better, and dividend yields above 5%. Lets look at the details, along with commentary from Wall Streets analysts.

New Residential Investment (NRZ)

We start with a real estate investment trust (REIT), New York-based New Residential. This company holds a widely diversified portfolio, including original loans, residential mortgages, and mortgage servicing rights. The companys investments are tied mainly to mortgage services, making its business model more complex than most of its peers. Mortgage servicing rights, totaling over $3 billion, make up 54% of the portfolio.

Like much of the market, New Residential saw significant pressures in 1H20, stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic dislocations caused by the containment measures. The companys earnings slipped in the first and second quarters, and revenues remain under pressure. In addition, the stocks share price slid in February/March, and has not yet regained pre-crisis levels. All of this has impacted the dividend, in some ways good and other ways bad.

Story continues

First, the bad news. NRZ slashed its dividend in the first quarter, and the payment remains low. Q1 saw a payment of 5 cents per common share, down from the historical 50 cents. In Q2, the company increased the dividend payment to 10 cents, in response to improving cash flow.

Now the good news. NRZ reported over $1 billion in available cash in the second quarter, allowing management to raise the dividend. And with share prices low, the 10-cent dividend payment gives a yield of 5.18%. This compares favorably to the 2% average yield found among S&P-listed companies.

Covering New Residential for investment firm Raymond James, 5-star analyst Stephen Laws maintained his Buy rating and raised his price target to $10.50. His new target implies a robust upside of 33%. (To watch Laws track record, click here)

Backing his stance, Laws writes, We expect strong origination volumes and attractive gain on sale margins to drive near-term results Book value was $10.77 per share on June 30, up slightly from $10.71 per share on March 31... Given the strong mortgage banking outlook and improved portfolio financing, we believe a multiple in line with book value is appropriate.

The Strong Buy analyst consensus rating on NRZ is based on 7 reviews, and it is unanimous  all of the recent reviews are Buys. Shares are selling for $7.88 and the average price target of $10.07 suggests it has a one-year upside potential of 28%. (See NRZ stock analysis on TipRanks)

National Retail Properties (NNN)

Next on our list, National Retail Properties, is another REIT, but with a twist. National invests in freestanding retail units, with a portfolio containing more than 3,100 properties across 48 states (only Hawaii and Vermont are excluded). The companys leading tenant, making up 5% of the portfolio, is 7-11; the second largest tenant is Mister Car Wash. National Retail has market cap of $6 billion, and boasts that it has raised the dividend payment every year for 31 years.

So, lets look at the current dividend. NNN currently pays out 52 cents per common share, and even in the coronavirus crisis it held that payment steady. The companys most recent dividend declaration was in July; the payment was increased from the previous level of 51.5 cents, and marked the start of the 31st year with a dividend increase. The 52-cent payment annualizes to $2.08 per share, and gives an impressive yield of 5.75%.

The reliable dividend is supported by positive earnings. In Q1, when most companies saw sharp declines due to the health and economic crises, NNNs EPS rose to 71 cents. Q2 saw an earnings contraction, to 65 cents, but that is still more than enough to cover the dividend without dipping into the companys cash reserves. The dividend payout ratio is 80%, indicating both the companys commitment to paying out earnings as dividends  and its ability to afford the payment.

B. Riley FBR analyst Craig Kucera likes what he sees in National Retail Properties, especially the companys ability to collect rents and maintain liquidity. He writes, NNN boosted 2Q20 collections to 69% (with 21% deferred), while July's collections improved further to 84% (and 6% deferred) With 90% of tenant rent collection issues worked out and expected to be recovered by the end of 2021, $225M of cash on hand and $900M of LOC availability, and a more encapsulated cash flow/NAV downside than in early 2Q20, we believe investors should take advantage of NNN's discounted valuation to peers.

In line with his comments, Kucera maintains his Buy rating. His $45 price target suggests a one-year upside for the stock of 27%. (To watch Kuceras track record, click here)

National Retail Properties has 5 recent analyst reviews, split 4 to 1 between Buy and Hold, giving the stock a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating. The stocks $41 average price target implies an 18% upside potential from the current $34.68 trading price. (See NNN stock analysis on TipRanks)

TCF Financial Corporation (TCF)

The third stock on our list is a holding company, with multiple bank subsidiaries in the financial sector. The most recognizable subsidiary, TCF Bank, is based in Detroit, Michigan, and has 476 branches in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Colorado. TCF Financial boasts a market cap over $4 billion.

The social lockdown policies put in place to fight the coronavirus hurt TCF, mainly by reducing traffic at the bank branches. EPS and revenue both fell in 1H20, although both remained strongly positive. The steepest declines were in the first quarter; Q2 saw sequential EPS gains, and the outlook for Q3 is for further EPS gains.

During the half, TCF maintained its dividend payment, keeping up the 35-cent payment per common share. The current declaration, made earlier this month for payment on September 1, marks the fifth quarter in a row with the dividend at this level. With an annualized payment of $1.40, the dividend is yielding 5.2%.

JPMorgans Steven Alexopolous is covering TCF shares, and writes, With TCF well-positioned for a strong 4Q20 and 2021, we continue to expect that a Midwest banking powerhouse has now been created, with the company standing out not only from a growth perspective, but [also] from a credit risk perspective.

Alexopolouss Buy rating is bolstered by a $31 price target, implying a 12-month growth potential of 15%. At that, his outlook is somewhat conservative  the average price target on TCF is $36, suggesting the stock has room for 34% growth in the coming year. The shares are currently trading for $26.79. TCF has a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating, based on 4 Buys and 1 Hold set in recent weeks. (See TCF stock analysis on TipRanks)

To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analyst. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.
Petoskey, Kalkaska duo set to release new album

Northern Michigan band John Piatek & Friends are set to release their second album right on the heels of their debut release just some six months ago.
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High around 45F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Snow may mix in late. Low 33F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Meghan Markle has called on women to vote at this year's U.S. national elections in November, with a rally cry of "We all know what is at stake."

Markle currently holds the title the Duchess of Sussex. She has headquartered Donald Trump previously and joined a panel of star speakers.

Markle is also part of conversation in Michelle Obama's When We All Vote group.

She said that all they hope to honor people who arrived before them to safeguard the ones that come after them.

"All of us know what is at stake this year. I understand it, I feel all of you know it in case you're here in this enjoyable event."

However, Markle's participation in the said virtual voting registration event created a stir on social media, with mixed reactions.

Royal Title Removed

Some are calling for her to lose her royal tile Duchess of Sussex for allegedly violation a royal protocol.

The said violation was her participation in a virtual event Michelle Obama's non-partisan organization When We All Vote.

Members of British royal family are expected not to discuss politics. However, this might not be applicable to her and her husband Prince Harry.

The two had already stepped back from their royal duties in January and no longer formally represent Queen Elizabeth.

Broadcaster Piers Morgan is among people calling for Markle's royal title removal.

Piers said through a tweet that the Queen must strip the Sussexes off their titles.

"They can't remain as royals & spout off about foreign elections in such a brazenly partisan way," Piers was quoted in a tweet.

Commentator Julia Hartley-Brewer also said that losing their title is not cancelling culture as it is a breach of their employment contract.

Brewer said you can not be a royal and meddle in politics, adding that the point of royals is they are above political fray.

"It's not cancel culture, it's a breach of their employment contract as HRHs. PS. I'm a republican," Brewer tweeted.

When We All Vote

When We All Vote is a non-profit organization created in hopes to increase participation in the upcoming U.S. elections on November.

The said organization was launched in 2018 by co-chairs Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw.

When We All Vote managed to organize around 2,500 local voter registration events across the country.

The organization also managed to engage 200 million Americans online about the importance of voting.

When We All Voted was also created to host a week of events with The United States of Women, which is a gender equity organization out of the Obama administration's White House Council on Women and Girls.

During her participation, Markle said that women of color had to wait decades longer to gain the right to vote.

Markle added that women in marginalized communities are still struggling to see that right come to fruition.

Check these out:

You'll Never Guess What Meghan Markle's Favorite Country Is

'Who Do You Think You Are': Meghan Markle, Palace Staff Fought Over Excessive Demands

The Real Score Between Tom Cruise And Meghan Markle
Thousands of secondary pupils will have to wear masks at school after yet another education U-turn.

With just days to go before children return, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson last night said face coverings will be compulsory in the communal areas of schools covered by local lockdowns.

A decision on whether to wear masks in other schools will be left to individual heads.

The move will be seen as a sop to unions and came hours after the Government said it had no plans to require their use.

The eleventh-hour U-turn followed new advice from the World Health Organisation at the weekend.

Mr Williamson said last night: 'Our priority is to get children back to school safely. At each stage we have listened to the latest medical and scientific advice.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson last night said face coverings will be compulsory in the communal areas of schools covered by local lockdowns. Pictured, Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his visit to Appledore Shipyard in Devon on Tuesday

'We have therefore decided to follow the World Health Organisation's new advice. In local lockdown areas children in year seven and above should wear face coverings in communal spaces.

'Outside of local lockdown areas face coverings won't be required in schools, though schools will have the flexibility to introduce measures if they believe it is right in their specific circumstances.

'I hope these steps will provide parents, pupils and teachers with further reassurance.' The Department for Education said the rules would also apply in sixth-form colleges and universities.

But Tory MP Marcus Fysh described the decision as 'utterly wrong'.

He said: 'The country should be getting back to normal, not pandering to this scientifically illiterate guff.'

The volte-face came hours after Scotland said secondaries would receive 'obligatory guidance' that pupils should wear face coverings when moving around schools.

Some teaching unions leapt on the Scottish move to pressure ministers.

Katherine Birbalsingh, head of the Michaela Community School in Wembley, north-west London, tweeted that 'masks mean mayhem'. Pictured, on Monday pupils from Bloomfield Collegiate School in Belfast were back in school for the first time since March

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, called for the U-turn to be 'sooner rather than later.' However, other heads voiced worries.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: 'This will undoubtedly come at an additional and unforeseen cost, and may result in shortages as demand increases.

'The Government needs to guarantee that enough masks will be available to schools and that the costs of getting hold of them are met in full and without delay.'

Meanwhile, Katherine Birbalsingh, head of the Michaela Community School in Wembley, north-west London, tweeted that 'masks mean mayhem'.

Professor Russell Viner, a member of the Government's Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies, previously said 'there is very little evidence for the use of masks in schools'. Pictured, pupils at St Paul's High School in Glasgow on August 12

'[Pupils] will be pulling at each other's masks, repositioning their own masks constantly, bullying each other over choice of mask etc,' she predicted.

'Add that to rise in chatter because teachers will not be able to hold kids to account for talking.

'Kids will wear dirty reused masks. They will share masks. They will spit in each other masks and lick them for a joke.' Ian Noon, of the National Deaf Children's Society, said masks would present serious challenges for deaf pupils who need to read lips.

'For some, there may be little point in them even attending school or college if they cannot understand their teachers and classmates,' he said.

The WHO recommends children over 12 wear coverings where social distancing is difficult. It said rules should be based on whether there is widespread transmission of coronavirus in the community.

Joshua Lee disinfects tables at Queen's Hill Primary School in Costessey near Norwich, as they prepare to reopen

Asked yesterday about a potential shift on the policy, Boris Johnson said: 'If there are things we have to do to vary the advice on medical grounds, we will, of course, do that.

'But as the chief medical officer and all our scientific advisers, have said, schools are safe.'

Professor Russell Viner, a member of the Government's Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies, previously said 'there is very little evidence for the use of masks in schools'.

He told the BBC's Newsnight: 'I think for young children we're very clear it is not a good idea. For teenagers, again, we don't have the evidence this is useful.'

Q&A What does the science say? Experts insist there is no strong evidence that children should wear masks in school. This is partly because most schools have been closed for six months  preventing research taking place. Previous studies suggest masks could reduce the spread of flu and colds among older children. However the drawbacks include extremely low compliance, discomfort, breathing difficulties and overheating. What does the World Health Organisation say? The WHO say over-12s should follow the same mask guidelines as adults. But it stresses that schools are 'special settings' where other factors must be taken into account. The local rate of infection, as well as measures to enforce social distancing within the school, should be considered. The WHO also warn of 'potential harms and adverse effects of mask wearing' and say they could result in a false sense of security among youngsters, reducing other measures such as hand-washing. Do masks help? Cotton masks lower the risk of infection by 54 per cent and paper masks by 39 per cent. By introducing masks in communal areas where keeping a distance is difficult, they could reduce the spread. Public Health England research suggests that transmission in schools is rare, with youngsters far more likely to catch the virus at home. Just one in 10,000 schools experienced an outbreak when they reopened in June. Could they be harmful? They could increase the spread of the virus in schools by harbouring the virus. Professor Russell Viner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: 'Because [younger children] touch their face and they are constantly worried about the mask, it actually could spread the virus more.' There are also concerns masks could reduce communication, especially for children with learning disabilities or hearing. Why not wear them in primary schools too? Younger children are less likely to catch or transmit the virus and persuading a class of infants to wear a mask comes with difficulties. The WHO says the under-fives should not wear masks and those aged six to 11 should wear masks based on how risky the situation is, such as if they are ill or seeing elderly relatives. What do other countries do? Some including Denmark, the first EU country to reopen schools, don't require masks. In France, secondary pupils wear them unless a metre apart. Some German states make masks compulsory in communal areas. In China, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam, schools require them for almost all children. Donald Trump has said he will send 125million reusable masks to US schools as they prepare to reopen. Advertisement

The NEW school rules for the Class of Covid 2020: How contact sport will be avoided, pupils will be in age group 'bubbles' and if two children get sick the WHOLE year will be sent home

School life will be very different when pupils eventually return to school after six months - with contact sports avoided, pupils kept in age group 'bubbles' and the threat of everyone going home if two children get sick.

The UK's Chief Medical Officers all agree that it is safe for children to go back, but headteachers will have to take a raft of precautions to prevent any outbreaks and stamp them out if they occur.

Boris Johnson has repeatedly voiced his determination to get pupils back to school in September, but a series of rows have hampered trust among parents and pupils.

Last week the government was slammed for overseeing an exams fiasco in England, which saw pupils handed much lower grades than they were predicted before any changes were reversed.

Mr Johnson has also signalled he could follow Nicola Sturgeon's lead in making face masks mandatory in the classroom. After previously insisting this would not happen, he said today that ministers would look at 'changing evidence'.

The Department of Education has produced detailed guidance for the return to the classroom, which has been published on its website.

Getting the bus to school is still allowed... but walking or cycling is prefered

Pupils using school buses will be expected to stay in their bubbles.

Those who usually use public transport can continue to do so, but cycling and walking will be encouraged.

Schools may introduce staggered start times so pupils can travel at quieter times.

Pupils will be grouped into small 'bubbles', although the Department of Education guidance does not specify their precise size

No more standing outside headmaster's office and detentions could be banned

Pupils will be grouped into small 'bubbles', although the Department of Education guidance does not specify their precise size. MailOnline has contacted a spokesman for comment.

However, one headteacher has suggested these bubbles could consist of as many as 150 pupils.

Pupils will therefore not be able to stand unsupervised on their own outside the headmaster's office, or be held in detention or isolation as punishment.

One teacher told The Sun: 'Social distancing rules mean the idea of putting a child and teacher on their own for an hour in detention after school is a non-starter.

'It is one change pupils will be cheering about  but it may leave teachers pulling their hairs out.'

Break times will still go ahead but pupils will be segragated into year groups - including separate toilets and common rooms

Pepe Di'Iasio, of Wales High School in Rotherham, Sheffield, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We're keeping each of our year groups separate so there's 350 students in each bubble, each year group will have their own social area, their own toilets.'

In all schools, everyone will be expected to regularly wash their hands and always use tissues for sneezes and coughs.

Schools will also have to introduce 'enhanced cleaning procedures', although masks will not have to be worn. Kitchens will continue to operate as normal, albeit with extra hygiene precautions.

Assemblies or collective worship with more than one bubble will be avoided.

Pupils will wear school uniform as usual but will be urged to only bring 'essentials', including a lunch boxes, books, stationery and mobile phones.

Breakfast or After-school clubs will continue but trips will be banned

Activities like breakfast and after-school clubs will be expected to continue as normal.

Music lessons can also continue, but there will be extra precautions if people are 'singing, chanting or playing wind instruments' because this can spread Covid even if people aren't sat close to each other.

Headteachers can mitigate against this risk by having more social distancing and reducing class sizes to no more than 15.

School trips both in the UK and abroad will be discouraged.

Assemblies and hymn singing will be banned but smaller meetings with bubbles will go ahead

The traditional morning meeting of the whole school will no longer be able to go ahead due to fears of spreading Covid.

Pupils will be kept in bubbles of 50 or more, making the prospect of the entire school meeting an impossibilty.

Singing and chanting is also believed to further the spread of Covid, making the mass-gatherings out of the question.

The Department for Education says contact sports 'should be avoided', so football could be off the cards

The end of rugby! Games and PE will carry on as normal - but contact sports will be banned and equipment will be cleaned after use

Schools will be expected to continue with team sports and PE lessons.

Pupils will have to be kept in their bubbles and equipment cleaned after each use.

However, in one major change, the Department for Education says contact sports 'should be avoided', meaning sports like rugby will not be able to go ahead as before.

What if there's an outbreak?

If schools have two or more confirmed cases within 14 days, or there is an overall rise in sickness absence, this will be categorised as an 'outbreak' and the school will have to contact the local health protection team.

This could lead to a mobile testing unit being dispatched to test the infected pupil's class, followed by their year group, and even the whole school if necessary.

An outbreak could result in the whole year or school being sent home as a precaution.

However, government says that 'whole school closure based on cases within the school will not generally be necessary, and should not be considered except on the advice of health protection teams'.

Schools will be expected to be able to offer 'immediate remote education' if there is a local outbreak or a second national lockdown.

Do I have to send my child back?

Yes, from September it will be compulsory for all pupils to return to school, with parents threatened with fines if they refuse.

This includes most children who were previously shielding, as this advice was paused on August 1.

However, pupils who have coronavirus symptoms or have come into close contact with someone displaying them will required to self-isolate at home.
Police of northern Lao Cai Province with 21 Chinese who entered Vietnam illegally, August 24, 2020. Photo courtesy of Lao Cai police.

Police in the northern border province of Lao Cai arrested 21 Chinese staying illegally in Vietnam on Monday and discovered they are wanted in China for fraud.

The 17 men and four women are wanted by the Chinese police for allegedly appropriating property by fraud, Lao Cai newspaper reported.

Around 100 soldiers and police officers raided an apartment block at the Kim Thanh commercial area and found them along with 300 electronic devices, including laptops, tablets and mobile phones.

An investigation showed that they had illegally crossed the border from China and were given refuge by one of them, who has dual Vietnamese-Chinese citizenship.

To avoid suspicion, they had raised chickens and ducks and had a 24-hour lookout while their apartments were guarded by gates and fences.

A series of arrests against illegal Chinese entrants have been made in Vietnam in recent weeks as the country beefed up border control following the resurgence of Covid-19 in late July.
China is holding another round of military drills in the South China Sea amid an uptick in such activity in the area highlighting growing tensions. The Maritime Safety Administration said the exercises would run from Monday through Sunday. It warned outside vessels to steer 5 nautical miles (9.26 kilometres) clear of the drill area but otherwise gave no details.

China announced late last month that it had held drills in the South China Sea involving long-range bombers and other aircraft. Chinese forces have also confronted US Naval vessels conducting "freedom of navigation operations" near Chinese-held islands, as well as forces from Australia and countries that challenge China''s claim to the entire strategic waterway.

China reportedly called together diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations last month to seek their backing after a new diplomatic challenge from the US. It's not clear if the meeting, reported Monday by Hong Kong's South China Morning Post newspaper, yielded any immediate gains as talks between China and ASEAN remain in limbo.

The meeting in Beijing was called three weeks after the US rejected nearly all of Beijing's South China Sea claims and in effect sided with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei in each of their territorial spats with Beijing. China responded by saying the US was trying to sow discord and was meddling in an Asian dispute to flex its muscles and incite a confrontation.

Also read: India-China standoff: Military options on table if talks fail, says General Bipin Rawat

According to the newspaper report, during the meeting in Beijing in early August, a Chinese official expressed concern about the risk from military activities by "non-regional countries," a term Beijing uses to refer to the U.S. as well as its allies Japan and Australia. The Philippine government filed a diplomatic protest after Chinese forces seized fishing equipment set up by Filipinos in disputed Scarborough Shoal.

China seized the shoal after a tense sea standoff in 2012, and the Philippines brought its disputes to international arbitration the following year. The tribunal in 2016 invalidated China's claims to virtually the entire South China Sea, but Beijing continues to ignore and defy the decision.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said in a statement Thursday that the Philippines "also resolutely objected" to China continuing to issue radio challenges to Philippine aircraft patrolling over the disputed waters. A Chinese government spokesperson responded Friday that its coast guard was enforcing the law in Chinese waters, and that the Philippine aircraft had harmed China's sovereignty and threatened its security.

Vietnam has asked Malaysia to investigate a coast guard vessel that fired shots at two Vietnamese fishing boats, killing one fisherman. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency said officers fired in self-defense after two Vietnamese boats entered Malaysian waters late on August 16. Fishermen aboard threw gasoline bombs and tried to ram their vessel. One Vietnamese fisherman was killed and 18 others were detained, the agency said.

Also read: US, China discuss economic coordination, implementation of Phase 1 trade deal

Vietnam's Foreign Ministry asked Malaysia to investigate and "reprimand officers who killed the Vietnamese citizen and treat other Vietnamese fishermen and their properties in a humane way." The US Navy says the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan and its strike group entered the South China Sea earlier this month and have been carrying out air operations.

China routinely objects to US naval activity in the sea, especially when more than one strike group is present, as happened earlier this year, and when they involve operations with navies from other countries. The strike group includes the carrier, its air wing, the guided missile cruiser USS Antietam, and the destroyers USS Mustin and USS Rafael Peralta.

The force "conducted flight operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and high-end maritime stability operations and exercises," its commander said in a news release. "Operations in the South China Sea continue to demonstrate enduring US commitment to allies and partners, and a cooperative approach to regional stability and freedom of the seas," the release said.

Also read: PM Modi warns China from Red Fort, raises Ladakh clashes in I-Day speech
A university lecturer who stabbed seven teenagers in a Sydney park has been found not guilty of all charges due to mental illness.

Shannon Brett Morrison, who worked at UNSW, was drunk when he attacked the gang of youths in Cameron Park in Turramurra in January 2015.

The 35-year-old shared four bottles of wine with a former colleague at a restaurant before taking to the teenagers with a flick knife, the court heard.

The teenagers were aged between 15 and 19 and received stab wounds, including a girl whose lung was punctured and a male who was stabbed in the neck.

Morrison returned a blood-alcohol reading of 0.23 per cent after the attack.

Shannon Brett Morrison (pictured) attacked a group of teenagers in Turramurra in 2015

The Downing Centre Court jury had previously heard Morrison was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the attack and experienced paranoid and delusional behaviour.

He would sleep with a knife by his bed and had bought spyware out of concern colleagues were talking behind his back and had put surveillance on him.

The Hornsby man was installing a seventh CCTV camera in his two-bedroom apartment on the day of the attack.

Judge Gina O'Rourke told the jury there was no reason to cast doubt, and a decision of not guilty on the grounds of mental illness was the appropriate verdict.

Morrison was drunk when he injured seven teenagers using his flick knife in Cameron Park (pictured)

Prosecutor Fiona Gray also submitted the jury should return a verdict that Morrison had been mentally ill.

Morrison, who began to cry as the jury delivered its verdict and is adequately medicated since the attack, testified that he felt terrible for what he had done.

'My job is to help people with cancer,' he said.

Morrison pleaded not guilty to six charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one charge of possessing a prohibited weapon, being the knife.

The court heard he accepted he was highly intoxicated after leaving the boozy lunch.

His barrister Phillip Boulten on Monday said his 'extremely intelligent' client had laboured under the illness since childhood, but still attained a master's degree and worked full-time as a project manager for a pharmaceutical company.

Morrison's bail conditions are to remain pending a sentence hearing set for November 6.
Michigan Republicans said they expect voters will hear an optimistic message during their partys national convention this week.

Christopher Velazco, state director for the Trump campaign, said the Republican convention will feature a positive vision for the countrys future. Trump delivered a firey grievance-filled speech after being officially declared the GOP presidential nominee, but the four nights of programming feature hopeful themes of Land of Promise, Land of Opportunity, Land of Heroes and Land of Greatness.

Thats going to be in very stark contrast to the fear-mongering and the hollow virtue-signaling that we saw was rampant during the spectacle last week, Velazco said during an online pre-show event. Democrats really used the national spotlight of their convention to lecture us about everything that they want us to believe is wrong with our country. Our convention over the next four days is going to be the complete opposite.

Recent surveys of American voters have shown a majority of the country believes things are headed in the wrong direction. The COVID-19 pandemic killed 177,000 Americans, including 6,665 in Michigan. Michigans unemployment rate is slowly recovering since lockdown orders were eased over the summer but still sat at 8.7% in July.

GOP delegates in North Carolina did not adopt an official platform for the first time since the party was founded, citing the scaled back convention, but expressed support for Trump and his policy positions. The first speakers who took the stage Monday night praised Trump for improving the country but also issued dire warnings about the impact of Democratic leadership.

In his remarks Monday night, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, said Democrats would disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home and invite MS-13 to live next door. Later in the night, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said Democrats are allowing crime, violence, mob rule in the countrys cities.

Michigan Republicans have a full schedule of volunteer training and voter engagement events planned around the convention this week. The first was held Monday afternoon at the GOP headquarters in Oakland County, where roughly 20 voters attended.

Oakland County GOP chair Rocky Raczkowski told voters that their communities are ground zero for the election in 2020 for Michigan. Trump won Michigan by only 10,704 votes in 2016, and Republicans are hoping to prevent Democratic votes from growing in the countys suburban communities.

Trump campaign adviser Meshawn Maddock highlighted some of the violence occurring during ongoing protests against police brutality across the country.

How many of you guys are noticing the burning, looting videos of all of our great cities; anybody seeing that stuff? Maddock said. Its like a giant elephant in the room. At the DNC convention, they never mentioned any of that.

Maddock said women voters in those cities must be terrified.

They must look out their kitchen window and have some fear, Maddock said. Is their business going to survive, can they ever send their kids back to school, do they have grocery stores to buy groceries in? I dont think the Democrats want us to think in suburbia ... about those women, our sisters and mothers in these great cities being ransacked. But we are thinking about them.

Maddock told the crowd about her visit to the White House earlier this month with other grassroots GOP organizers. The president handed her a signed 5-page list of accomplishments, and Maddock shared copies with the group.

At the same moment, Trump was accepting the Republican Partys nomination on stage at the RNC in North Carolina. The president dedicated most of his nearly hourlong speech to identifying various problems he said are caused by Democratic leadership.

Trump pledged to fund law enforcement agencies and hire more police while warning Biden would appoint radical judges to the Supreme Court.

Your American dream will be dead if that happens, Trump said.

When asked how she feels about the state of the country, Troy resident Betty Nonakowski did not hesitate with her answer.

I am for law and justice and I believe the law is not being taken care of, the 76-year-old said. Right now in Michigan, I think were doing great. We have Fox News on and were hearing whats happening all over the country. Were saddened because we feel that Democratic governors are not standing behind their police and their people.

I believe they have their head in the sand, Nonakowski said. They dont understand what President Trump has done for us.

Madison Heights resident Mary Harp, 52, said she isnt impressed with Bidens record throughout his long political career. Harp, a U.S. Navy veteran, trusts Trump to handle the coronavirus.

I dont have to agree with everything he says or like everything about his personal life because thats really none of my business, Harp said. He supports our Constitution ... I support this president because he fights for everyday Americans.

Harp suggested Democratic governors are at fault for the recent economic recession. She said mandated shutdowns in Michigan have gone on too long.

Terry Bowman, co-chair of the Michigan GOP and a national adviser for the Trump campaigns outreach to working-class voters, highlighted the presidents economic accomplishments during an online event before the convention. Bowman said Trumps work to pass a new free trade deal with North American trading partners is pushing more union workers in manufacturing industries to support the president.

Trump won Michigan by flipping working-class communities in Gennessee and Macomb counties. Bowman said these voters are sticking with the president and are hopeful he will lead the country through the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.

We had the best economy that weve had ever had, we had the lowest unemployment in all categories, and then COVID-19 hit and then we had to shut it down, Bowman said.

Bowman said Trump is already overseeing the economic recovery. He said God has chosen Trump to help the country move forward and be prosperous.

READ MORE ON MLIVE:

Michigans Republican delegates cast votes to re-nominate President Donald Trump at RNC

Vice President Mike Pence to visit Traverse City Friday after Republican National Convention

Postmaster general faces scrutiny over impact of mail delays on presidential election
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: By quickly rallying behind Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, senior leaders on Monday managed to defer an intra-Congress crisis which threatened to rock the party, even as it is yet to fully recover from back-to-back electoral defeats, and take on the BJP government at the Centre.

However, some in the party feel the leadership should have taken the initiative to talk to the senior leaders who wrote the letter two weeks ago, so the entire episode could have been avoided.

The demand  or request  made by 23 senior Congress leaders in a letter, which appeared to be one of internal dissent, was only to press for a full-fledged party president at the national level, a senior arty leader said, adding that the party leadership should have immediately taken the 23 leaders -- which included Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kapil Sibal and Veerappa Moily -- into confidence to understand their concerns behind writing the letter.

ALSO READ | Tragedy and farce in Congress leadership debate

However, senior party leader BL Shankar said when Rahul Gandhi resigned in 2019 after the Lok Sabha elections, owning responsibility for the partys defeat, he had asked the party to choose the next president.

It was the responsibility of the CWC and AICC to choose a president, and Sonia, Rahul or any other leader cannot be blamed for it, he said.

ALSO READ | Sonia Gandhi to continue as interim Congress president; new chief to be elected within six months

While the crisis exposed apparent differences among top party leaders, Congress leaders in Karnataka hope the party will emerge stronger after the current crisis.

All minor issues will be resolved and the party will emerge much stronger, said KPCC Working President Eshwar Khandre.

Congress workers across the country want Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to lead the party, and yet again their wish has been proved right.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on August 25, 2020

2020/08/25

Xinhua News Agency: The third LMC leaders' meeting was held in a video format yesterday. At the meeting, Premier Li Keqiang stressed the need to expand and deepen sub-regional cooperation and make water resources cooperation a highlight. Could you tell me more about it?

Zhao Lijian: Like you said, water resources cooperation is indeed a big highlight of this leaders' meeting. The LMC was initiated to promote cooperation on water resources, and it is true that water resources have always been the most important area of cooperation and the focus of every leaders' meeting. Let me briefly review the outcomes of the previous leaders' meetings. The first leaders' meeting proposed the establishment of a water resources cooperation center, and the second announced the formulation of a five-year action plan for water resources cooperation. Subsequently, countries held the first water resources cooperation forum and the first ministerial conference on water resources cooperation. At yesterday's meeting, Premier Li Keqiang announced that starting this year, China will share with the five countries of the Mekong River the annual hydrological information of the Lancang River, and jointly build an information-sharing platform on water resources cooperation. This once again shows China's open and transparent attitude towards such cooperation as the upstream country. In the context of intensified global climate change and frequent natural disasters, strengthening cooperation on hydrological information sharing will help Lancang-Mekong countries strengthen integrated river basin management, enhance water resources management capacity, and strengthen cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation.

Another major focus of this meeting is to synergize the LMC with the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, which is an important route that covers all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in western China and connects them with ASEAN and the Eurasian continent. Some countries along the Mekong River have taken part in this Corridor. Through it, they export agricultural products and other competitive products to China and then to the markets of Central Asia and Europe, which has played a significant role in driving up trade. In the first seven months of this year, China-Vietnam (Nanning-Hanoi) cross-border direct freight trains made 96 trips, a 256% year-on-year increase. The first batch of Vietnamese timber was transported to Chongqing through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. It saved nearly one month compared with the traditional river-sea combined transportation. At present, all countries are highly concerned about the post-epidemic economic recovery and whether the industrial and supply chains will remain unclogged. The coordination between the LMC and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor will further facilitate the foreign trade of the Mekong countries and make good use of markets of hundreds of millions of people. This is great news. It will also boost cooperation in production capacity, cross-border economy, infrastructure and other areas, and deepen regional connectivity and development. This will undoubtedly provide new impetus for the recovery of the Lancang-Mekong countries.

Over the past two years, Laos has actively fulfilled its co-chairmanship in working closely with China and other parties to move the LMC from a period of rapid expansion to the current period of comprehensive development. China commends and deeply appreciates Laos' efforts. At yesterday's meeting, Myanmar took over the oar as a symbol of co-chairmanship in the form of "cloud transfer". China will actively support Myanmar in executing its role as co-chair, increase resources input, keep to the cooperation direction, and ensure the LMC's focus on development and livelihood.

Bloomberg: The US and China reaffirmed their commitment to the phase one trade deal in a telephone call this morning, discussing the protection of intellectual property rights and removing impediments to American companies in financial services and agriculture. Both sides also agreed to create conditions to push the deal forward. Does the foreign minister have anything further to add in relation to this reaffirmation of the phase one trade deal? And I'm also curious if TikTok and WeChat was discussed as part of the negotiations?

Zhao Lijian: This is a long question, to which I have a short answer. China has put out the press release. For more specific I would refer you to the competent authority.

Shenzhen TV: During the 30th Meeting of States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which was just concluded, Ambassador Duan Jielong, the Chinese nominee, was successfully elected as a member of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Could you comment on that?

Zhao Lijian: The election of members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea was held on August 24 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The Chinese candidate was successfully elected with 149 votes during the first round of voting. His term will be from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2029. Taking this opportunity, I'd like to thank all States Parties that supported the Chinese candidate, and congratulate the judges from Cameroon, Italy, Malta, Ukraine and Chile who are also elected members of the ITLOS.

The ITLOS is an important international judicial institution established according to the UNCLOS. China always attaches high importance to and fully supports the Tribunal's work. Ambassador Duan Jielong received broad support from most States Parties, which demonstrates the international community's recognition of his capacity and China's contribution to the Tribunal over the past two decades or so, as well as the world's resolve to uphold multilateralism and international rule of law. China's success in the election illustrates once again that certain country's suppression of the Chinese nominee out of selfish interest is both unwelcome and futile. We believe the elected ITLOS members will faithfully fulfill their duties and contribute to the Tribunal's work and peaceful settlement of maritime disputes.

China Review News: According to the US State Department website, during his visit to Israel, Secretary of State Pompeo said at a press availability with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that they exchanged views on "the Chinese Communist Party posing a major threat to the world" and he believed that the international community clearly sees such a threat from the CCP. What is China's comment?

Zhao Lijian: For some time, this politician you mentioned has been vilifying and smearing China out of ideological bias and selfish interests. But China will never allow it to run amok and confuse the public. You should have noticed that the relevant Chinese media published Fact check: Pompeo's fact-twisting China speech versus the truth. It documents Pompeo's preposterous lies which are born of ignorance of history and reality and Cold War and zero-sum game mentality.

Let me add two more points here:

First, some US politicians paint the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government as "heretics" to justify their sinister intentions of waging an "ideological crusade". As long as China stays committed to the path of peaceful development it independently chooses for itself and does not follow the path designed by the United States, they will see China as an eyesore and oppose China whenever they could. I would like to tell these people that the leadership of the Communist Party of China is a choice of history and the people. "Without the CPC, there would be no New China" is a fact wholeheartedly acknowledged by the Chinese people. No one can turn a blind eye to the fact that the CPC is endorsed and supported by the Chinese people. Any attempt to change or even contain China will not succeed and is bound to fail.

Second, some politicians in the US want to make "China threat" a catchphrase, but both the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Constitution of the Communist Party of China explicitly stipulate that China adheres to the path of peaceful development and opposes hegemony, a pledge that has never been made by the US side. Take a look at the current regional and international hot-spot and sensitive issues, which one is China's fault? ! And are there any issues that don't have some American politicians running around on the stage and behind the curtain? ! These people must recognize and accept the fact that for the international community, including the United States, China is a positive force for global peace and prosperity, not a negative factor; an opportunity, not a threat.

Bloomberg: Does the ministry have any comment on Australia effectively blocking the purchase of a local dairy company to China's Mengniu Dairy? The Treasury of Australia said the purchase was "contrary to national interest". Did Australia give any further explanation to China? And does China accept this reasoning? Does the ministry have any comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: I'm not aware of that and suggest you place your inquiries with the companies concerned and the competent authority.

In principle, the Chinese government always asks Chinese businesses to abide by international rules and laws and regulations of their host countries when pursuing cooperation overseas. We hope Australia will provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for all foreign companies investing and operating there.

AFP: Could you please give us more details on Foreign Minister Wang Yi's upcoming visit to France? Could you confirm whether he will meet with President Emmanuel Macron?

Zhao Lijian: During his visit to France, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with French leaders and hold talks and meetings with Foreign Minister Le Drian and Diplomatic Counselor to French President Bonne respectively to exchange views on deepening China-France and China-Europe relations, promoting exchange and cooperation in various areas, upholding multilateralism and other international issues of mutual concern.

China and France are comprehensive strategic partners. China-France relations have long been leading China-Europe relations. There has been a sound momentum in bilateral relations. From the beginning of this year, President Xi have had four telephone conversations with President Macron and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang have had 12 with Foreign Minister Le Drian and Diplomatic Counselor to French President Bonne. Confronted with the pandemic, China and France stood together with solidarity and mutual support. Both are committed to supporting the leading role of the UN and WHO in international anti-epidemic cooperation, and took the lead in resuming high-level institutional dialogue after the situation eased, playing a positive role in enhancing international solidarity against the pandemic and ensuring the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the profound changes unseen in a century and added to instability and uncertainties in the international landscape, rampant unilateralism and protectionism poses a persistent threat to mankind's peace, security and development. China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major powers with a tradition of independent decision-making, need to stay true to the direction pointed out by the two heads of state's consensus, uphold multilateralism, strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral fora like the UN and G20, deepen strategic and practical cooperation in all sectors and jointly contribute to the sustained sound development of China-France and China-Europe relations as well as world peace, stability and development.

Kyodo News: My question is about COVID-19 vaccine. WHO recently called on countries to join COVAX. On August 24, Director General Tedros said more than 170 countries have expressed readiness to join. So does China have any plan to join COVAX?

Zhao Lijian: China firmly supports developing countries' efforts in the health sector and honors its pledge of turning COVID-19 vaccine a global public good. We will continue to draw on our strength in vaccine R&D and production and work with the international community for progress in the global cause of vaccination.

Financial Times: Can you give us an update on progress for the G20 debt standstill scheme? Has China come to any agreements to restructure debt with specific countries? In particular, has an agreement been reached with Angola? And if so, can you give us any details?

Zhao Lijian: China attaches high importance to addressing the impact of COVID-19 on African countries and other developing countries. We relate to their financial difficulties and support the international community in working together to relieve their debt burden, so that those countries can focus their resources on handling the virus and stabilizing their economies. Since the G20's Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) was adopted in April, China has been implementing the DSSI following the consensus of G20 countries. Now we have received debt relief requests from over 20 countries, and have reached agreement with more than 10 of them by the end of July. Consultations are being held between China and other requesting countries and progress has been made in this regard.

China earnestly implements the solemn commitments made by President Xi Jinping at the World Health Assembly and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19. We are working with the international community to give greater support to countries that are hardest hit by the coronavirus and are under heavy financial stress. We also encourage Chinese financial institutions to respond to the DSSI and to hold friendly consultations with African countries according to market principles to work out arrangements for commercial loans with sovereign guarantees. Positive outcomes have been achieved.

For many developing countries, the World Bank and other multilateral development banks are their important and even main creditors. Commercial institutions in developed countries also hold much of their debt. It is imperative that these institutions take part in the debt relief process. China calls on relevant sides to accelerate actions and fully deliver their commitments. China will work with other G20 members to implement the DSSI and, on that basis, urge the G20 to extend debt service suspension still further for countries concerned.

Regarding your question on a specific country, I'll leave that to the competent authorities.

Bloomberg: This is a question about Chinese nationals in Singapore. We understand that Chinese nationals in Singapore have expressed concern to the embassy there that they're unable to get COVID-19 test that they need to enter China. Can you explain why this is so and what is the Chinese embassy doing to help Chinese nationals stuck in Singapore? Also, there has been an increased number of COVID-19 cases from people flying from Singapore to China. Could this threaten the green lane agreement China has with Singapore?

Zhao Lijian: I haven't read reports on that. I'd like to stress that the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions, under the guidance of Chinese authorities, have been providing assistance to overseas Chinese to the best of their capability. For Chinese nationals abroad, our diplomatic and consular missions are the home that always has their back.
China's grain inventory has been kept at a high level, with abundant government grain reserves and policy reserves, an official with the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration said on Monday.

The ratio of China's grain inventory to consumption far exceeds the warning level designated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the stockpile of rice and wheat, two staple grains of the country, can feed the whole population for more than one year, the official said in an interview with Xinhua.

Thanks to bumper harvests in the past years, as well as strong grain reserves, China has managed to keep grain prices at a generally stable level amid fluctuations in international prices, the official noted.

The country will step up the protection of arable land and stabilize grain output, while enhancing management of grain reserves, the official said.
Gunfire was exchanged between a group of activists and Bedford County residents Monday night, police say, resulting in one activist sustaining non-life-threatening injuries from the shooting.

While a live social media video of the incident made the news on Tuesday, many of the details of what happened are still part of an active investigation, Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Trooper Brent Miller said at a press conference Tuesday, which was broadcast on WTAE.

Miller said a group of activists was traveling from Milwaukee to Washington D.C. when there was an incident between the activists and two Bedford County residents on the 800 block of Lincoln Highway in Juniata Township around 11:35 p.m. Monday.

Gunfire was exchanged between the activists and the residents and one activist was struck, Miller said. The residents involved are being questioned by state police investigators.

The activist who was shot was taken to the Conemaugh Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Miller said the state police Troop G and A Major Case Teams are investigating, along with the Bedford County District Attorneys Office. Interviews are being conducted, evidence is being gathered, and there are multiple reviews of the evidence in progress, Miller said.

According to Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers, the property owner had asked the group to leave the private property numerous times. An argument broke out and shots were fired, according to Crime Stoppers.

WTAJ is reporting that the station spoke to the property owners, who say they asked the group to vacate the private property numerous times.

At least some of the altercation was caught on a live stream being broadcast on social media by the protest groups leader, Frank Nitty.

12ABC WISN in Wisconsin is reporting that in one of the videos, Nitty can be heard telling the other demonstrators to get in their vehicles, before another person is heard saying loudly, Were leaving, you dont have to be violent.

The protesters live stream video shows what appears to be two people standing in a driveway on an unidentified street; one of them appears to have a long gun, 12ABC writes, adding:

"This dude is shooting at us," Nitty can be heard saying before a vehicle pulls slightly forward blocking the camera's view of the person with the gun.

At least two shots can be heard.

The group started marching Aug. 4 and planned to arrive in Washington D.C. for the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jrs I Have a Dream speech, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The Pennsylvania State Police Heritage Affairs Section, a specialized unit dedicated to building relationships with historically underserved communities, is assisting in the investigation, police say.

Lt. William Slaton, commander of the Heritage Affairs Section, said in todays press conference that the section works with communities that traditionally do not have a good relationship with the police and monitors and responds to potential hate crimes. He noted no one is insinuating that this situation here had any type of hate or racial animus to it, adding the section was there to provide support and guidance and to engage with the activists.

Those who witnessed the actual incident, not the video, are asked to call Crime Stoppers, 1-800-4-PA-TIPS.

Another press conference is expected to be held this afternoon.

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
It would take a woman who claimed close to a quarter of a million pounds in fake benefit claims almost 280 years to pay it back, a court has heard.

Describing the case against Gemma McCartan (37) as "one of the worst I have come across", Newry Crown Court Judge Gordon Kerr QC revealed that at the rate she is repaying the 212,997 she swindled from the state "it would take 276 years" for her to make full restitution.

He said while her offences clearly merited a jail sentence "the court will always be slow to send someone to prison where there are young children's futures involved".

He said the "one factor that sways the court" was the medical evidence in relation to two of her children, so it was "with a degree of reluctance" that he was suspending her two-year prison sentence for three years.

Appearing at court via video-link from her solicitor's office, McCartan, from Ardfield Crescent in Warrenpoint, pleaded guilty to eight counts of benefit fraud in relation to income support and housing benefit over a 14-year period beginning on April 18, 2002.

Prosecuting counsel Geraldine McCullough told the court how McCartan filed claims for income support and housing benefit but had failed to disclose that she was living with her partner, adding that both claims were "fraudulent from the outset".

She revealed that in total McCartan had received overpayments totalling 212,997, adding that she had already entered a repayment scheme and had paid some of it back.

Judge Kerr said that going by the repayment rate, he had calculated it would take 276 years to pay it all back.

Ms McCullough said while McCartan has admitted her guilt and had a clear record, the offences were aggravated because of how long they lasted, that they were fraudulent from the start and the extremely large amount of money involved.

Defence counsel Bobbie Rea outlined how McCartan was left with four children with no help or support from her ex-husband, and that despite the large amount involved "there's no evidence of a lavish lifestyle".

"It's an horrendous amount of money and an horrendous period of time," conceded the lawyer, who made an impassioned plea to Judge Kerr to treat the case as an exceptional one given the medical evidence about two of her four children.

Sentencing McCartan, the judge highlighted that essentially "this woman was stealing in excess of 13,000 every year from the state". He added: "It was quite a disgraceful and blatant case of fraud."

Suspending the jail sentence, the judge told McCartan he had to make it absolutely clear that if she reoffended in the next three years she would have to serve the two-year sentence in addition to any other sentence.

"This is your chance, you don't get another one," he warned.
BarcelonaOn 20 September 2017, CUP elected officials, party members and sympathisers physically prevented Spains National Police from entering the separatist partys HQ without a search warrant, after officers had spotted several people leaving the premises with referendum propaganda material. On 3 August this year, two Spanish police officers turned up requesting the CUPs campaign budget for the 2017 independence referendum and the budget of the CUPs parliamentary group for the same year, as well as a list of the individuals who made up the far-left partys leadership in 2017. This newspaper has learnt that Spains Anti-Corruption Prosecutor has filed charges against CUP members over the funds (168,666) that the anti-capitalist party spent to persuade voters to support independence in the referendum held on 1 October 2017.

The investigation was prompted by a resolution proposal from unionist party Ciudadanos in the Catalan Parliament and it has meant that several of the CUPs referendum campaign suppliers have been deposed in court. On Monday this week a then-member of the party leadership also appeared in court as a defendant. The depositions, which began in February but were paused due to the coronavirus, started up again a few weeks ago. The resolution that Ciudadanos submitted last year points out that public funds paid to parliamentary groups from the Catalan Parliaments budget to support their activities may never be used to finance unlawful acts, such as the illegal vote of 1 October 2017, as they refer to the referendum on independence. Therefore, the CUP may be facing convictions for a crime of misappropriation of funds after spending public cash from their parliamentary group on their referendum campaign. As a matter of fact, in the 2017 accounts report detailing the public funds received the CUP listed a number of expenses to do with advertising, propaganda and PPRR for the October referendum. The report was published by the Accounts and Treasury Auditor of the Catalan Parliament, an independent body that oversees the expenses of the various political groups represented in the Catalan chamber.

Using the information provided in the report, Ciudadanos urged Catalonias Public Audit Office to ascertain, in no more than six months, whether public funds paid to parliamentary groups had been used to cover referendum expenses after the Constitutional Court had repeatedly warned the Catalan government to refrain from using any budget items to call or stage the independence referendum. Now the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor has taken the matter into his own hands and will determine whether a court must see the case or drop it altogether for lack of evidence.

Determination to turn the probe into a court case

Legal sources within the CUP recognise that the procedures are ticking along fast enough for the case not to be dismissed: The Prosecutor initiated the investigation on his own accord and, therefore, it is safe to assume that he believes there are sufficient grounds for a criminal case and up to fifteen people have been called to testify already, which proves that it is a comprehensive investigation that will end up in court. After slamming the State for choosing the path of a harsh crackdown, the same sources emphasise that no funds were spent on the referendum itself, but on the campaign and that you cannot group together the finances of staging a vote and the cash spent promoting it.

The investigation, led by Spains National Police, concerns over 400 rallies organised by the CUP across Catalonia, campaign posters printed for the occasion, a book (Referendum 2017: la clau que obre el pany [Referendum 2017: the Key the Unlocks the Door]) and a tv ad (Ara comenca el mambo [Now Its Time to Mambo]) which showed former and current CUP MPs pushing a van off a cliff as a symbol of culminating the independence process. It was all part of the CUPs campaign titled Si. Viure vol dir prendre partit [Yes. Living means taking a stand] which the radical left, separatist party devised to rally Yes voters in 2017.

The Prosecutor has targeted the CUPs campaign because the other pro-independence parties (CDC, ERC, Democrates and MES) chose not to run one of their own. Their coalition only had to account for a 17,690 invoice paid to Teatre Nacional de Catalunya after a request from Spains justice. This expense was incurred in a public event held on 4 July 2017 where the referendum law was unveiled, with then-president Carles Puigdemont and VP Oriol Junqueras in attendance. The CUP lawyers note that they were not indicted in the Supreme Courts case [over that expense], nor in the case handled by Court 13, so this would provide an ideal precedent to ask the Prosecutor why the CUP is being charged now.

The work of CUP members

Eulalia Reguant, who was a CUP MP in 2017, criticises that fact that the PSOE-Podemos coalition government in Madrid hasnt eased off the judicialisation of the Catalan independence process. Under the most progressive Spanish government ever, Catalonias political prisoners are still behind bars and now the Public Prosecutor whose top boss is appointed by the executive branch has initiated an investigation against the political views and actions of this party. It is a head-on attack against the freedom of expression and political association, Reguant says, and she adds that they have convicted those who called the referendum and now they are after those of us who defended and promoted it. The former CUP MP makes it very clear that they have always been upfront and have never hidden any referendum expenses. Our party members worked very hard to make the vote possible and part of the public funds we received were spent promoting the referendum, she remarks.

Lluc Salellas, who was the CUPs leadership spokesman in 2018, believes that the case is evidence that the CUP went all in so that the referendum would be a success. Salellas, who is now a local councillor, says that we were the only ones who took the initiative to stage rallies and now they are trying to criminalise that huge effort. The probe, according to him, confirms the repressive nature of Spains 1978 regime and opens a new door for the persecution of political parties.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24

By Tamilla Mammadova  Trend:

Representatives of Chinese companies will arrive in Georgia on August 25 and 26, Trend reports via the Georgian Road Department.

The first party of representatives arrived on August 21 and August 23, the departments statement reads.

The first deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure and chairman of the Road Department, Irakli Karseladze have met with representatives of the Chinese companies and discussed the details of Chinese worker participation in the construction of Rikoti and Kvesheti-Kobi highway sections.

As reported, having passed the quarantine regime, 500 Chinese specialists will engage in highway construction works.

"The Chinese companies will provide PCR testing for their workers at the Georgian border, transport them to quarantine zones, under the Georgian legislation. After the 14 days, the workers will pass repeated testing and will engage in construction works, under the supervision of medical professionals. About 500 workers are expected will engage in the construction works", the department noted.

Chinese workers were invited to Georgia to implement infrastructural projects on time.

"Georgia has not suspended implementation of infrastructural projects amid the pandemic, but the pace of execution of some of these projects have been essentially slowed down because the country lacks a qualified workforce. To efficiently carry out the construction works and achieve progress, we have invited an additional workforce from China. Turkish specialists have already engaged in Batumi Bypass Road and Grigoleti-Kobuleti projects. They have already passed the quarantine regime. Georgia also considers applications of various contactor companies," the road departments statement reads.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila61979356
The Smoke

7Plus

This big-budget English drama about a team of London firefighters has lots of bells and whistles. The action scenes are amazing and the cast is great: Jamie Bamber stars as the troubled macho crew leader Kev, alongside Jodie Whittaker (his girlfriend) and Taron Egerton (the new kid on the crew). The drama itself is strictly B-grade, but entertaining in a sudsy Chicago Fire sort of way, and the whole thing has that British television gloss. WEDNESDAY Shaun Micallef's Mad As Hell

ABC, 8.30pm

He's a man with a lot of plates spinning/fingers in pies/choose your own metaphor: scripted comedy, documentaries and (pre-COVID) live shows. But this absurd, tragicomic satire is Shaun Micallef's sweet spot, the vehicle that lets his talents really shine. That sharp legal brain seems to effortlessly spot all the ways in which the Emperor is, in fact, nude. The slightly mad part of that brain frames his material in ways only Micallef could imagine. The word play is exquisite. And he's the opposite of a prima donna, relishing surrounding himself with mates  comedic and dramatic - and nurturing their talent. Kat Stewart was an early collaborator. This season Christie Whelan Brown joins the crew, and she's terrific.

THURSDAY Wok vs Pot with Marion And Silvia

SBS Food, 8pm

Two of the most charismatic TV cooks around right now team up for this delightful new series reminiscent of that classic, The Cook and the Chef. As the title suggests, in this iteration Italian expat Silvia Colloca and Thai/Aussie (and Masterchef favourite) Marion Grasby take an ingredient (say, rice) and each cook it in their own style. The warmth between the two women is evident, as is the genuine expertise of both. Both women manage to give us some great "who knew?" tips along with their recipes. And both definitely inspire us to have a crack at home. Silvia Colloca and Marion Grasby team up for Wok X Pot on SBS. Credit:SBS James Cameron's History of Science Fiction

SBS Viceland, 8.30pm

Sometimes when a famous person's name is attached to a documentary their actual involvement is minimal. Not so here, where James Cameron regularly appears chatting with pals, including Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Christopher Nolan. But this is much more than a bunch of middle-aged filmmakers patting each other on the back. It's a satisfyingly thorough investigation of one of those most underrated genres in fiction. As well as notable directors there's intelligent input from actors (Sigourney Weaver, Will Smith, Keanu Reeves); film technicians; film critics, commentators and academics; sci-fi novelists and actual scientists. It's a rich brew that opens up an exploration of the way sci-fi works as a vehicle for not just imagining the future but examining the past and interrogating the present  as well as being wildly entertaining. The nuts and bolts of making great sci-fi also gets a run and there's some fun archival footage, including Ray Bradbury talking about how much he enjoyed Close Encounters of the Third Kind. (He saw it twice, and cried both times.)

Gogglebox (series return)

Ten, 8.40pm

It's the gift that keeps on giving. Not only have a whole lot of "OG" Goggleboxers gone on to greater things (or at least other Ten projects) the refreshed crew  along with old favourites  keep coming back, multiple times every year, to entertain and comfort us. Not to mention conveniently plugging the schedule for the networks, which in these COVID-blasted times is no small thing. For those of us locked up tight at home, there's not much else to do but watch telly (and watch other people watching telly). For those allowed out into the world, the other key purpose of Gogglebox has always been to keep you updated with all the latest shows  and what to think about them  without having to actually watch them yourself. Gogglebox Australia returns to TV screens this Thursday. Motherland

ABC Comedy, 9.30pm

Comedies about how ghastly it is being a mother abound, and this is a middling entrant to the lists. Inevitably it often traverses familiar territory, thinly disguising its lack of insights with lots of fast talking and arm waving. On the upside Motherland has a cracking cast, headed by Anna Maxwell Martin and including the sublime Diane Morgan. And there's an equally impressive writing team, guaranteeing at least a few laughs, and a couple of sharp observations. FRIDAY Greek Island Odyssey

SBS, 7.30pm

The third episode of historian Bettany Hughes' six-part voyage around the Greek islands sees her visiting Santorini, Naxos and Siphnos. She's retracing the journey of Odysseus, legendary king of Ithaca and hero of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, and she approaches the expedition with the upbeat manner of a primary school teacher who's excited about her subject.

Loading On the volcanic Santorini, "an island that's had an explosive influence on the story of the world", she visits a disused boat-building shed. Then, as she explores "the Pompeii of Greece", she confides, "Now you're in for a bit of a treat because I think that this is one of the most inspiring places in the ancient world". Wine-loving Naxos, home of Dionysus, is "an island of pleasures and treasures", and she explores the rich history of Siphnos, with its gold and silver mines. Sunny, picturesque, garnished with tidbits about Greek gods. SATURDAY Last Tango in Halifax

ABC, 8.20pm

Created and written by the estimable Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley), this beautifully nuanced story of the late-in-life romance between Alan (Derek Jacobi) and Celia (Anne Reid) has, over five impressive seasons, blossomed into a rich multi-generational study of family and relationships. Set in Wainwright's favoured West Yorkshire country and graced by a dream cast that includes Nicola Walker and Sarah Lancashire, it achieves an admirable balance between satisfying character development and engaging plot momentum. As Celia's contentious kitchen renovation gets underway, Alan's relationship with young shoplifter Harrison (Liam McCheyne) grows in unexpected ways, as does the rapport between Caroline (Lancashire) and her husband's more recent partner, best-selling author Judith (Ronni Ancona).
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnegie Women's Health on the Upper East side of New York is now offering BioTE, a method of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or BHRT. The Carnegie Women's Health team will offer the treatment to women and men, especially women going through menopause, but there is a wide range of BioTE indications for women and men of all ages.

BioTe Hormone Replacement Therapy

Pellet Hormone Therapy

One of the reasons that BioTE is a unique treatment is that the hormones are delivered through pellets, about the size of a grain of rice, which are inserted under the skin through a miniscule incision. Typically, the pellet is inserted on the patient's upper buttock. The bioidentical hormones contained within the pellet are then gradually absorbed by the body, providing consistent relief from the patient's symptoms over 3-6 months. A key advantage to replacing hormones in this manner is that doses that are precisely calibrated to individual patients and their symptoms.

Treating Symptoms of Menopause

Hormonal imbalance during menopause can lead to a range of symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, disruptions in sleep or vaginal dryness. During menopause, levels of estrogen decrease; this can begin as early as the 30s but is most commonly seen in the mid-40s through early 50s. The hormones used in BioTE treatment are bioidentical, meaning they are the same as those naturally produced by the body. Once administered, these begin to relieve the symptoms caused by lowered estrogen levels during menopause.

BioTE for Hormone Therapy

Menopause is not the only reason that the physicians of Carnegie Women's Health recommend BioTE. The treatment can also be used by women experiencing hormone imbalance at any stage of life, as some patients never have balanced hormones. This can cause symptoms including extreme mood swings or excessively uncomfortable menstrual cycles. Women with such symptoms can greatly benefit from the consistent relief offered by pellet hormone therapy, and enjoy a higher quality of life as a result. BioTE BHRT therapy is also an ideal treatment for men seeking relief from lower levels of testosterone, most frequently associated with the aging process.

How to Get Started with BioTE

To learn whether someone is a candidate for BioTE, patients can schedule an appointment with Carnegie Women's Health. Their team of expert OB/GYNs can evaluate a patient's symptoms and blood chemistry to determine whether BioTE hormone therapy is right for them.

Media Contact

Leslie Protomastro

315-948-8056

[email protected]

SOURCE Carnegie Women's Health
Kemah Siverand, who was cut by the Seattle Seahawks last week for trying to sneak a woman into his hotel room during training camp, issued an apology to the team on social media on Monday.

The rookie cornerback, who signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, apologized for his poor decision and immaturity.

I made a mistake, let people down, and am truly sorry. Thank you to everyone that reached out to offer support. pic.twitter.com/bBtkAwtCyq  Kemah Siverand (@TheKSiverand) August 24, 2020

Siverand, out of Oklahoma State, dressed the woman in Seahawks gear during the incident. He and the woman were seen on a hotel security camera footage and he was released Aug. 11.

As an undrafted free agent, Siverand faced an uphill road to earning a spot on the initial 53-man roster. However, he may have been able to earn a spot on the expanded practice roster. That wont happen with the Seahawks.

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday lauded the commitment of the First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo towards improving maternal and child health in the country within the last three years of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos government.



Mr Yaw Dabie, a former organiser of the NPP in the then Brong-Ahafo Region who made the commendation asked Ghanaians to acknowledge as well the unparalleled contributions of, Mrs Samira Bawumia and the Chief of Staff, Mrs Akosua Frema Ose-Opare to national development.



He observed that the selfless and dedicated services of the three stateswomen in the past three years in government were unmatched, describing their capabilities as a virtuous picture of biblical womanhood.



In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Odumase in the Sunyani West District of the Bono Region, Mr. Dabie highlighted some achievements of the First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and advised Ghanaians to renew the mandate of the government in the Election 2020.



He emphasised the construction of mother-baby units, adolescent health corners and public libraries in parts of the country were unprecedented and indices of uncorrupted administration, adding the trio needed another opportunity to contribute towards national reconstruction processes.



Mr Dabie noted that President Akufo-Addos government had done a lot to better the lives of the people, and it was up to the media and the NPP communication team to highlight the achievements to guide voters to make informed decisions when they go to the polls on December 7.



These three stateswomen are working hard in government to help alleviate the socio-economic plight of women. Indeed, they have not failed the government in their respective leadership positions and Ghanaians must reward them for that.



The best reward we can give to their meritorious services to the nation is to ensure that we all vote to retain the NPP in power so that an opportunity would be created for them and other women of substance to serve in government, Mr. Dabie stated.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield will return to their This Morning presenting roles next week after their summer break.

The TV duo will be back on screens on September 1, taking back the reins back from Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford who stood in for them during their hiatus.

It comes after Holly, 39, had to cut her seven-week family holiday to Portugal short so she could quarantine for two weeks to be ready to return to the show in time.

We're back! Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield will return to their This Morning presenting roles next week after their summer break (pictured on March 10)

The show will be back with all of its regular segments and appearances from show favourites such as John Torode, Gino D'Acampo and wellness expert Liz Earle.

The autumn shows will also include a new four-part 'Best of British' series where Nigel Havers will tour around Britain.

Viewers will also be treated to a three-episode series called 'Dr Scott's Super Dogs' which will see the show's resident vet meet dogs who are helping to save lives across the country.

Taking over: The TV duo will be back on screens on September 1, taking back the reins back from Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford (pictured) who stood in for them during their hiatus

Last week it was revealed that Holly was forced to end her seven-week family holiday to go into quarantine so that she could return on time to host.

The TV presenter had planned to fly home from the Algarve at the end of August for her summer break.

But UK government Covid-19 restrictions at the time meant all passengers returning to Britain from Portugal must self-isolate for 14 days.

As a result, the TV star flew home a fortnight early and quarantined with her husband Dan Baldwin and their three children at their London home .

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.'

A source close to Holly said of the arrangement: 'Holly isn't ''unhappy'' to be returning, but happy to do what is necessary to keep everyone safe'.

Getaway: Last week it was revealed that Holly was forced to end her seven-week family holiday to go into quarantine so that she could return on time to host

Their return comes after Holly countered claims she is considering leaving the show after 11 years.

It was reported that the popular TV presenter was seeking other opportunities on prime time TV after setting up her own management company, Roxy Management, earlier this year.

However, a source close to the 39-year-old star told the MailOnline that Holly is happier than ever on the flagship mid-morning show and has 'no plans to leave.'

'Thank you': Holly thanked This Morning viewers for sticking around during 'this new way of broadcasting' before bidding them farewell ahead of her summer break last month

The insider said: 'Holly loves This Morning and working with Phil. She is the happiest that shes ever been on the show and has no plans to leave.'

The comments come after The Sun claimed last week that she was considering leaving to focus on new opportunities.

They reported that she was planning on focusing more on her career now her children Harry, 11, Belle, nine, and Chester, five, are getting older.

A source speaking to the publication claimed: 'Holly is unique in that women like her and want to be her friend and men are attracted to her as she's so beautiful. She has universal appeal.

'While she loves This Morning, her four-day-a-week live TV stint is a huge drain on her time and requires a lot of energy, plus she's been doing it for 11 years now.'

MailOnline has contacted Holly, Phillip Schofield and This Morning representatives for comment.

It is understood Holly and Phil are currently earning close to 1 million a year for their roles  up about a quarter from their current 750,000 annual salaries.
Reading, PA (19601)

Today

Cloudy with morning snow ending, then windy and turning colder with falling temps and some afternoon clearing. A coating to 1-2" of snow expected in the morning. .

Tonight

Partly cloudy, windy, and very cold. Wind chills near or below zero later at night.
The military stand-off between India and China is now nearing four months with no prospect of a resolution in near future

New Delhi: In a strong message, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on Monday said that India has "military options" to deal with the Chinese transgressions in Eastern Ladakh if talks between both the countries at the military and diplomatic level don't yield any results.

"The military option to deal with transgressions by the Chinese Army in Ladakh are on but it will be exercised only if talks at the military and the diplomatic level fail," Gen Rawat was quoted by a news agency. However, he refused to discuss in detail the military options that India could exercise to push back the transgressions by the Chinese Army in Ladakh sector, said the news agency report.

The military stand-off between India and China is now nearing four months with no prospect of a resolution in near future.

The talks between the two sides have been going on for the last three months including five Lieutenant General-level talks but have failed to yield any results, so far.

In fact it seems that China has only used this period of negotiations with India to further consolidate its position in areas where it has violated the line of actual control. This makes an option of using military against China now more difficult than when these violations were first detected in May.

There are some reports which suggest that China has stated laying down optical fiber in Pangong Tso to consolidate its position.

Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a stand-off in Pangong Tso, Gogra Post, and Depsang-DBO sectors in Ladakh.
The focus of the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement turned to Kenosha following the shooting of a man by a Kenosha Police officer Sunday, captured on video that spread quickly on social media.

The city erupted in protest after the shooting, with some protesters clashing with police, breaking windows, setting fires and looting businesses downtown.

Jacob Blake, 29, was shot after police were called to the 2800 block of 40th Street at 5:11 p.m. Sunday for a domestic dispute.

Witnesses said Blake had come to the scene to break up a fight, but then had a dispute with police. The video shows Blake walking to a parked SUV followed by an officer with a gun drawn. As Blake attempts to get into the vehicle, the officer can be seen grabbing his shirt and pointing his gun. The gunfire is audible as a woman standing nearby screams. Witnesses said Blakes three young children were inside the parked vehicle.

The video sparked national outrage and calls for justice, including from Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for president.

These shots pierce the soul of our nation, Biden stated. Jill and I pray for Jacobs recovery and for his children.

According to local officials and statements from family members on social media, Blake survived surgery at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee and is in serious condition.

An online fundraiser for Blake raised nearly $300,000 in seven hours.

The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Justice is investigating the shooting, and the officers involved are on administrative leave. When the probe is complete, its recommendations will be handed over to Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley for a decision on possible charges.

Graveley said he is hopeful the U.S. Attorneys office will conduct an investigation, saying the federal agency reached out about it. Its my hope that they will do a parallel civil rights investigation, he said. Im hoping they will do an investigation that takes place at the same time, which will allow this community to heal sooner.

My heart goes out to Jacob Blakes family, Mayor John Antaramian said. The commitment I make to the family and to the officer and everyone else is that justice will be served, that people will be held responsible and that we will know the truth.

Local officials put out a plea for protesters to remain peaceful Monday as the National Guard was called in to provide additional security.

What occurred last night in the city of Kenosha is unacceptable, Antaramian said. Rioting and looting is not something that is acceptable in this community, and therefore that also has consequences.

As Anatarmian spoke, protesters were battering the door of the Kenosha Public Safety Building.

City and county officials, along with longtime local civil rights organizers and Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, had called a news conference at Civic Center Park Monday afternoon to discuss the shooting, the investigation and the protests.

When about 100 protesters turned up, organizers made the decision based on security concerns to move it inside the Public Safety Building.

Anatarmian attempted to speak outside. Regrettably, in attempting to hopefully calm people down I was not overly successful, Antarmian said, his voice shaking.

As Antarmaian and County Executive Jim Kreuser spoke, protesters could be heard shouting outside and banging on the door.

They just broke the door, a police officer said, interrupting the news conference. The door is broken, this is no longer secure, we have to move people back.

Law enforcement in tactical gear moved through the assembled reporters and television crews inside the building as other officers moved officials and the media into another area of the building behind locked doors.

Outside, police used pepper spray to move protesters away from the building.

The chaotic scene as local officials called for justice and peaceful protest underlined the challenge facing the community.

Protests calling for reform of policing and the criminal justice system have been ongoing around the country, including Kenosha, since the death of George Floyd in May. Floyd died after a Minneapolis Police Officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes.

With the exception of one day months ago, protests in Kenosha had been peaceful.

That changed Sunday night.

SheShe Berryman and Jamarcus Blaze live less than a block from Civic Center Park, a center of protests Sunday and Monday. They watched from their porch and the park Sunday night. They said the scene became frightening as protesters set fire to city trucks set up to control movement of vehicles, and set fire to buildings and a nearby car lot.

There were protesters and then there were opportunists, Blaze said.

The couple described one person breaking a window at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum on the west side of the park and attempting to set the building on fire, while other protesters tried to stop the attack.

Blaze said the video of the shooting is horrifying, and he believes those police officers should have been weeded out of the department in the past. I just feel like thats something they should have been able to see  the main thing with officers is to de-escalate the situation.

Speaking at the press conference, Kaul said he could not give details of the investigation into the shooting. He would not say whether Blake had a gun in the car, or give any information about the identity of the officers involved. He said that information would be given later.

Our goal is very simple: We are going to vigorously and fully investigate the facts of this case, Kaul said. And in this case, as well as any other case we investigate, our pursuit of justice will be unwavering.

The shooting occurred as Kenosha has been struggling through a period of unusual violence. There were two shooting homicides in the city last week, one just outside the city on Sheridan Road. Also, a Kenosha Police officer was shot Aug. 8 while investigating a call about a man entering vehicles  it was the first time a city police officer was shot on duty in decades. That officer survived.

The Wisconsin law that requires police shootings be investigated by outside agencies has its roots in another shooting by Kenosha Police.

In 2004, police shot 21-year-old Michael Bell after an officer confronted him outside his family home after a traffic infraction. Bell died when he was shot by an officer who said Bell was attempting to grab his gun.

In 2014, after lobbying from Bells father, also named Michael Bell, the law was changed to require those independent investigations. Prior to that change, police agencies investigated their own officers after incidents where deadly force was used.

Bell was in Civic Center Park for the protests Monday, holding a photo of his son.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Two years ago, having recently moved back to the inner-city streets that formed the backdrop to the most pivotal moments of my coming of age, I wrote my own version of a love letter to Northbridge.

But far from living in fear every day, I love my community. And, as a long-time subscriber to the philosophy of Public Enemy, I don't believe the hype, and you shouldn't either.

Dubbed "Fear City" on Monday by The West Australian, Northbridge has once again taken centre stage as the metropolitan area's most violent neighbourhood.

If you believe the headlines, I live in the scariest suburb of Perth.

In it I reminisced about the "grotty little punks, circus freaks, musos, artists, students and mostly under-employed" cast of characters who became  and remain  my friends, and who Northbridge "embraced and nurtured".

I acknowledged that yes, parts of the suburb were ugly, and there were blocks that didn't always feel safe, but I countered those observations with anecdotes from my own experience of Mrs Franulovich, who lived next door and used to bring us homemade grappa and cannoli, and of Antonio, who used to  and continues to  skateboard down Lake Street with his long dreads trailing behind him while whistling a catchy tune.

This is not a frightening place to live. This is our home.

And, I'm fairly sure if we took a look at where the majority of those giving Northbridge a bad name actually lived, it wouldn't be anywhere near William Street or James Street, or any street within the 6003 postcode.

In fact, of the 11 people charged over the weekend in relation to the latest violent incident in Northbridge, which saw police officers punched and spat at, not one lives in the suburb once again maligned by the actions of violent visitors. The closest any of them live to Northbridge is more than 10 kilometres away, in Balga.
Fear of flying: A number of Irish people have had to cancel holidays abroad due to coronavirus. Stock picture

Half of consumers say they have lost money because they have been forced to cancel a big life event such as a wedding or holiday.

The average loss is close to 700, according to 1,000 Irish people in a global survey commissioned by mobile bank N26.

Most people say they have pulled back on big purchases such as cars because of the pandemic.

Some eight out of 10 people say they have been forced to cancel or postpone a life event such as a wedding or major holiday, due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

This has left many people feeling that they have put their lives on hold.

The global impact of Covid-19 has meant that 47pc of the consumers questioned lost an average 694.49 from cancelled plans this year.

Job

Some of the big events that have been cancelled or put on hold include going on a big holiday abroad, followed by buying a new car and starting a new job.

These were closely followed by paying off debts and moving house.

The study, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,005 Irish consumers, showed people here had saved an average of almost 1,900 for plans that ended up having to be cancelled or postponed.

This is despite an average of 694.49 having been lost as a result of the forced changes.

Huge numbers have now put money into kitchen extensions, home appliances and buying new laptops, the survey which was carried out this month by Sapio Research found.

Some 10,026 people living in Europe and the US were surveyed for the study.

Close to eight out of 10 Irish people had major purchases or life events planned for this, such as buying a new car, starting a new job and going on a big holiday abroad.

The survey also asked people about their feelings towards international travel.

Nearly two thirds of consumers here were planning to go abroad this year.

However, only 10pc of these said those plans were going ahead as scheduled.

A majority said they were worried about foreign travel starting up again.

The top concerns were that it would increase the number of Irish Covid-19 cases, followed by worries for personal health or that of a loved one.

Many were also concerned about getting locked down in a foreign country.

As consumer sentiment towards foreign travel shifts, the research showed a clear trend towards people opting for 'staycations'.

Seven out of 10 of Irish consumers said they were considering or have already taken a staycation.

Almost a third said this was the first time they had been on this type of holiday.

A fear of travelling abroad and then getting locked down in a foreign country was the main reason for 52pc of those taking a staycation for the first time.

The beach is the favourite destination for a staycation for most countries, with rural and mountainous destinations close runners-up. City breaks are far less likely.

Director at N26 Kelly McConville said: "Our lives have been transformed since the start of the Covid-19 crisis and as major life plans have been cancelled or postponed, it's left many of us feeling like life has been put on hold."

She said the pandemic had seen an uplift in the use of cards over cash and a shift towards electronic banking.
At least one person was killed and 60 were rescued after a five-storey residential building collapsed in Mahad city in the Raigad district of Maharashtra on Monday (August 24) evening. Sources said that 20-25 people are still feared trapped inside the rubble of the collapsed structure. Rescue operations are still underway.

Maharashtra Ministers Aditi Tatkare and Eknath Shinde arrive at the spot on Monday evening to take stock of the rescue operations. "Around 60 people rescued, 25-30 are still feared to be trapped under the debris," Tatakare told ANI.

"3 NDRF teams are here. One death reported so far. Injured are being treated and some are discharged. Those with serious injuries were taken to Mumbai for advanced treatment. Probe has begun. We want that Special Investigation Team be constituted," added Tatkare

The building was constructed around 5-6 years ago and there were around 40 flats in the building. Rescue teams and canine squads were deployed at the scene of the collapse, an NDRF official told PTI.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray spoke to the district officials and asked them to expedite the rescue and relief work, another official said.

As the building began to collapse, around 70 people in the building ran out and managed to save their lives, the official said. "We also came to know that many families are not residing in the building as they went to their native places due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown," she said.

Raigad District Superintendent of Police Anil Paraskar said PWD department officials and local people were helping in the rescue operation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "The collapse of a building in Raigad, Maharashtra is very tragic. Have spoken to DG @NDRFHQ to provide all possible assistance, teams are on the way and will be assisting with the rescue operations as soon as possible. Praying for everyones safety,"
MONTREALThe whole idea of working, suited men turning the 9-to-5 into a horny game appealed to the execs of MenAtPlay, so the company has just released its latest title Executive Pleasures 2, now available for both the retail and wholesale markets.

Executive Pleasures 2 stars Antonio Miracle, Dani Robles, Darius Ferdynand, Enzo Rimenez, Ken Rodeo, Ken Summers, Klein Kerr, Noel Santoro, Robbie Rojo and Xavi Duran as hot, hunky, impeccably dressed men in raunchy office scenarios.

"We are pleased to present this second installment of the Executive Pleasures title line," said a studio rep. "The entire cast of sexy and talented performers will make this DVD an instant hit with the MenAtPlay fans."

Fans may also want to be on the lookout for the studio's next title, Meeting in Progress, scheduled for a September 1 release.

For a look at the box art and hardcore preview of Executive Pleasures 2, click here.

Fans can find MenAtPlay online at MenAtPlay.com and on Twitter @menatplaycom.

For more information, contact Nicolas F. of StunnerMedia's licensing department at [email protected].
Representative image

live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday declined to stay the further proceedings in leasing out Thiruvananthapuram international airport to Adani Enterprises.

Considering an application by the Kerala government seeking the stay, the court adjourned the case for detailed hearing.

Directing the government to produce the documents before September 9, the bench said a detailed hearing in the matter will be held on September 15.

In its application, the state government said unless the stay is granted, it will be put to irreparable injury and hardship.

The state government filed the application in the court, after an all-party-meeting in the state demanded withdrawal of the Union Cabinet's decision last week to lease out the airport to Adani Enterprises.

Last year, the high court had dismissed the petition challenging the decision, terming it as not maintainable under Article 226 of the Constitution.

The state government then filed an appeal before the Supreme Court against the high court order.

The apex court set aside the judgement of the high court and the matter was remanded back to it for a decision on merit.

Referring to the top court directive, the state government said, "all further proceedings in relation to grant of lease with regard to operation, management and development of Thiruvananthapuram international airport to Adani Enterprises Ltd, is to be stayed pending disposal of the aforementioned writ petition."
The Alabama Department of Public Health on Monday explained new guidelines for which coronavirus symptoms matter most and when students need to be sent home from school.

To keep schools from sending home too many children for runny noses or allergies, ADPH revised parts of their back to school toolkit and now distinguishes between major and minor symptoms. ADPH now advises sending students home to isolate and sending home their close contacts home to quarantine only in the case of major symptomsa new cough, a new loss of taste or smell or a new bout of difficulty breathing.

In initial guidance, ADPH did not distinguish between major and minor symptoms. Alabama Health Officer Scott Harris said the department had received a lot of feedback from school officials asking when students and close contacts need to be sent home.

"I think by stratifying those symptoms in terms of major and minor symptoms that'll make it somewhat easier for us to do," Harris said, "so that we don't end up with a situation where an entire classroom or classrooms gets sent home for someone with a single minor symptom."

The department is now using the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions division of symptoms as major and minor, with major symptoms being a new cough, a new loss of taste or smell or a new bout of difficulty breathing. Students with major symptoms need to be sent home and those in close contactwithin six feet for 15 minutes or morealso should be sent home.

The Alabama Department of Public Health has revised the back-to-school toolkit.

State Superintendent Eric Mackey told AL.com he became aware of the changes Monday morning. I think it was to avoid confusion as some medical providers were concerned that children with allergies, etc. may have been identified, Mackey said.

The training comes as nearly 120 school districts are already back in school, nearly 100 of those holding in-person school.

Though exact numbers are not known, hundreds of students across Alabama have been sent home after either having symptoms or being determined to have been in "close contact" with a student or other person who showed symptoms.

Close contact is defined as within six feet of someonewhether wearing a mask or notfor 15 minutes or more. Those 15 minutes can either be continuous or cumulative over the course of the day, ADPH officials clarified.

The revised guidance means fewer reporting requirements to ADPH, as only students with major symptoms and their close contacts need to be reported through the department's report card.

"We identified that there were concerns about the report card being completed for so many children," ADPH Chief Medical Officer Mary McIntyre said. " A lot of those minor symptoms, that consist of runny nose, congestionwe all know those are things children get especially when they first get back in school."

Students showing minor symptoms might still need to be sent home, McIntyre said, just as they always were pre-COVID, for things like nausea or fever.

ADPH held a webinar Monday afternoon and many of the questions from viewers surrounded how long students should quarantine if they are symptomatic versus being a close contact.

According to the revised guidance, if a student has one or more major symptoms of COVID-19, the student needs to be sent home to isolate for 10 days, being fever free for 24 hours on the final day. Students in close contact should be sent home for 14 days.

If a student has minor symptoms, schools can follow their regular protocol and do not have to identify close contacts to the symptomatic student.

The quarantine and isolation periods must be completed even if the student with major symptoms receives a negative COVID-19 test. That goes for close contacts, too. The quarantine and isolation periods must be adhered to because of the time it takes for the virus to incubate, McIntyre said.

Harris said ADPH will release new provisional quarantine and isolation guidance when Gov. Kay Ivey issues a new safer at home order next week. The current order expires Aug. 31.

Other revisions include dropping the requirement for schools to share bus and classroom seating charts with ADPH. But, Harris said, schools should keep those charts updated for in-school contact tracing.

The toolkit contains new forms, including one to give parents when their child is sent home from school to isolate or quarantine. And a new flow chart to clarify the quarantine and isolation process is included in the revised guidance, too.

ADPH District Medical Officer Karen Landers said schools should not feel like they have failed if they have a case of COVID-19 among students or staff. School officials should continue to do their best to mitigate the spread.

You cant really keep COVID-19 out of the school because youve already got COVID-19, Landers said.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Imran Khan will find it difficult to strike-off accusations that India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim currently lives in Pakistan. Dawood is not bothered about showing pictures of his residence in Karachi, passport, and bank accounts details, but is upset over the Zee News expose of his relationship with Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat, according to sources.

The DNA report will seek answers from Prime Minister Imran Khan to clarify Dawood's presence in Pakistan, citing the clinching evidence. Here are five questions that Imran Khan should answer:

1. If India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim is not in Pakistan, then whose CNIC number is made at his Karachi address? If Dawood is not present in Pakistan then how was this number issued in his name? Notably, every Pakistani citizen is issued a CNIC number like Aadhaar card in India.

2. The Pakistan PM should answer about the house built in the Clifton area of Karachi--D-13 Block 4, KDA, Scheme 5. Not only Dawood Ibrahim, but many other members of his family also live at this address. The CNIC numbers of Dawood's wife, his son, and his daughters have also been issued at this address. If Dawood Ibrahim does not live in Pakistan then who lives in this house?

3. The passports shown by Zee News have been issued in Pakistan, and they also bear the Pakistan government's seal and show the pictures of Dawood and his family. If Dawood is not in Pakistan, Imran Khan should respond to how did Dawood and his family get these passports?

4. If Dawood Ibrahim is not in Pakistan then why did it not freeze the bank accounts of the underworld don and family in the cities of Pakistan?

5. PM Imran Khan should also answer that on whose recommendation did Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat get the civilian honour like Tamga-e-Imtiaz? If Mehwish is not being patronised by Dawood then how did a mediocre actress become a big name in Pakistan's film industry overnight?.

Notably, the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) issued in the name of Dawood Ibrahim is not an ordinary number. The 13 digit CNIC number- 42301-27390 990-has decoded today. Its first five numbers indicate the address of a person.

When a CNIC number starts with 1 in Pakistan, it means the card is made at an address in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; number 2 indicates that the person is a resident of Federally Administered Tribal Areas; 3 means Punjab; 4 means Sindh; 5 means Balochistan; 6 means Islamabad; and 7 means Gilgit Baltistan.

The second digit shows the division of a person's house in that province, the third digit shows the tehsil, the fourth digit shows the local union council, the fifth digit gives the home address of the person.

The 7 digits, however, describes the family tree of the cardholder, and the last number shows if the cardholder is a male or a female. If the last number is odd, it means the CNIC holder is male, while the even last digit means it belongs to a woman.

When we searched the initial 5 Digits of Dawood Ibrahim's CNIC number, it took us to the Clifton area of Karachi. We have already told you about Dawood's family tree. Dawood's last number on CNIC is 9 which is an Odd number, therefore, the card is issued in the name of a man.

Despite these details, the Imran Khan government has denied the presence of Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan.

India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim is responsible for the 1993 serial bomb blasts in Bombay that killed 257 people, injuring more than 1400 people. After these serial bomb blasts, Dawood fled Pakistan from Dubai and made Karachi his new destination.
Racism in the Church: Pastor AR Bernard offers spiritual, practical tools to combat injustice

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Prominent New York City megachurch pastor A.R. Bernard is offering some solutions on how to combat injustice in churches and the wider society.

The senior pastor of the Christian Cultural Center spoke with The Christian Post for an in-depth look at the history of racism in America and how it informed the Western church.

"There are those who want to not look at the history and move forward. They say, Well, can we just start from here and build in the future? But look, if you don't understand yesterday, you'll be confused about today and you will repeat the past tomorrow, Bernard said.

Racism, he said, "is a human social construct" that "goes back to 600 years of European imperialism." In America, slavery was an economic system and "racialization was necessary in order to create a class system that had the white power elite on top," he noted.

I understand that when you have an economic system that's based upon a forced labor of slaves and all of that is taken away from you, that is devastating. And that was the major issue for the South. They sought to recapture that by other means. So organizations re-formed like the Ku Klux Klan and other organizations to make the transition of Africans into American society difficult, he said, citing Jim Crow and vagrancy laws.

In his interview with CP (watch below), Bernard also discussed: how the founding fathers did not have "black and brown individuals" in mind when writing the Declaration of Independence and yet God providentially used their words to promote equality, the Black Lives Matter movement and why he has been able to separate the movement from the organization, white superiority and classism, and the role of white evangelicals and how they interpreted Scripture with regard to race.

"The evangelical community that developed out of conservatism and who subscribe to the apocalyptic vision and rejected progressive social reform, they developed a hermeneutic of segregation that reinforced that in this nation," he contended. "So if you have a hermeneutic of segregation, it means you have a lens that sees the Bible as God endorsing the separation of races, the subjugation of what you deem inferior people."

The 66-year-old pastor, who was named one of NY's 50 Most Powerful People in Brooklyn in 2018 by City & State, further pointed to what he argued is "the deficiency in the doctrine of sin," where many evangelicals believe that "sin is only in the individual" and getting that person "saved" would resolve all problems.

"Sin manifests itself in the individual but it also manifests societally in societal systems, structures, codes, policy, laws that have to change," he stressed. "So if we dont deal with sin not only in the individual but in social systems and structures, then what happens when the person gets saved? Things dont change within that society."

While much change is needed, he sees at least one big difference between now and the '60s  white pastors have been calling him, expressing empathy and asking what they can do following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died on Memorial Day while in police custody.

He encouraged ongoing conversations but advised that pastors become informed before they speak out.

"To my white brothers and sisters, use your voice, use your platform, use your sphere of influence, speak out. But be informed, get smart, talk to someone that knows what they're talking about, read, understand the history, and don't come from a place of white privilege," he said.

"I see some white pastors convening conversation, and I asked, 'Well, where do they get the qualifications to have that conversation?' And then what comes out in the conversation shows that they weren't qualified to have that conversation. That leads back to white privilege  like 'I can have this conversation.' No! I think that we need to learn to listen, to be quiet to listen and learn at this period. Know what you're talking about."

Bernard also said not to minimize the importance of prayer.

"We know that there are principalities and powers at work in this world that are influencing, informing and shaping people and institutions and governments towards deceit, towards chaos, towards injustice. Prayer is powerful in that prayer changes atmospheres, and we must never, never underestimate the power of an atmosphere because an atmosphere creates the environment for miracles to take place. So pray and don't minimize prayer."

Other ways the Church can get involved, Bernard encouraged:

"Advocacy: There are policies, there are systems that are in place, there are legal codes that are in place that reinforce discrimination, marginalization, disenfranchisement. Advocate against those policies and advocate for policies that bring equity, that bring justice, that remove discrimination, marginalization, and disenfranchisement.

"Activism: And that's where you become vocal, you got a voice, you become vocal to the disruption of the status quo because unless the status quo becomes so untenable, so inconvenient, people will not look to change. So the status quo has to become so untenable, so inconvenient that change is the only alternative. Activism engages, it gets out there to change that status quo. Maybe you're called to protest. That's where you have the gift to organize, to gather people around an issue, coordinate acts of civil gathering and even civil disobedience, you know, where peaceful, nonviolent action is taken to express your pushback against social systems and structures, their inequities, their deficiencies, especially as it relates to particular people, minorities.

"Convening: Maybe youre called to convene. Maybe you have a platform that you can invite other voices in to speak to the issue, informed voices to speak to the issue. Maybe you're willing to lend your platform to the conversation.

"Development: Replacing those broken systems, replacing those codes, those structures, bringing equity, economic development. You have the power. I was on a call with JPMorgan Chase and their executives, and they're asking, 'What can we do? How can we get involved in this conversation?'

"You have to know your lane too; not everybody is called to all of this. Maybe one person is called to prayer, another to development, another to advocacy. Know your lane, be qualified for that lane, understand if your gifts, talents and abilities bring you there and then go for it."

Watch the video for the full interview, where Bernard also addresses those who may feel disillusioned by Christianity, confusion around forgiveness, denialism and the Spirit of Truth.
A man working security at an upscale California retirement community has been arrested and charged with impersonating a federal agent for years.

According to a criminal complaint that was unsealed on Monday, Donovan Pham Nguyen, 34, of Riverside, pretended to be a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, wore tactical gear, carried guns, drove around in a pickup truck equipped with police lights and a siren, and even accompanied real federal officers on a raid last spring.

An affidavit filed with the complaint alleges that Nguyen never worked for HSI, although he previously was a privately contracted security guard at a Department of Homeland Security facility.

Security guard Donovan Pham Nguyen, 34, has been charged with false impersonation of a federal officer, accused of pretending to be a Homeland Security Investigations agent for years

One of his duties was to print access cards for staff and visitors, according to the affidavit.

Nguyen left that job in 2015 after an internal investigation was launched resulting from allegations that he printed fake HSI identification documents, according to the court filing.

In May 2019, while working for a private security company at the Laguna Woods Village retirement community in Orange County, Nguyen allegedly presented himself as an HSI special agent to real agents with the US Department of States Diplomatic Security Service preparing to execute an arrest warrant.

The affidavit stated that Nguyen wore a ballistic vest with a badge affixed to his chest and had a pistol strapped to his thigh, claimed he was on a terrorism task force and he was the first person through the door of the home the State Department agents were searching, reported The Los Angeles Times.

In June 2020, Nguyen discussed a potential criminal investigation with members of the Riverside County District Attorneys Office after an introduction from a mutual friend.

At the meeting, Nguyen again claimed to be an HSI employee, according to the affidavit. Following the meeting, Nguyen informed the District Attorneys Office that, after discussing the matter with his supervisor, HSI could not assist the district attorney in the investigation.

An affidavit alleges that Nguyen, who worked security at a retirement community, wore tactical gear, carried guns and drove a pickup truck with police lights and a siren

Nguyen allegedly used a false DHS identification to buy guns, which allowed him to avoid taking and paying for certain firearm safety courses required by California law.

He also allegedly used his purported duties as an HSI special agent to excuse his frequent absences from work at a private security firm, where he has worked since 2013.

His coworkers at the firm reported seeing an HSI badge, a DHS plaque, and various tactical gear, including a ballistic shield, inside of Nguyens office.

They also reported that Nguyens personal Toyota Tacoma pickup truck had been equipped with red and blue lights and a siren, which he allegedly used to pull over motorists, the affidavit states.

Nguyen also allegedly handed out HSI memorabilia, mugs and coins to people at his office.

Nguyens LinkedIn profile posted his current employment as 'Department of Homeland Security Agent,' indicating he was employed with DHS since June 2008. Nguyen also appeared in a YouTube video that purports to be an interview of him as a long-time HSI special agent discussing immigration policies, according to the affidavit.

Nguyens LinkedIn profile posted his current employment as 'Department of Homeland Security Agent.' He never worked for HSI, although he previously was a privately contracted security guard at a Department of Homeland Security facility

David Prince, the special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles office, told the Times that Nguyen and his family on Monday told agents that he had made multiple failed attempts to get a job with several federal agencies.

Nguyen had wanted 'to do something that would perhaps make his family proud,' Prince said.

Investigators executed search warrants on several sites Monday allegedly connected to Nguyen and seized dozens of long guns and pistols; silencers; body armor; shields and badges.

According to Prince, Nguyen had also used Homeland Security letterhead to buy high-capacity magazines that are not available to the general public.

'This guy amassed an arsenal that could have outfitted a third of my office,' Prince said, adding that Nguyen's behavior 'shocks the conscience.'

Nguyen made his initial appearance in United States District Court in Santa Ana on Monday. If convicted of false impersonation of a federal officer, he could face up to three years in federal prison.
Los Angeles, Aug 25 : Actor-comedian Kevin Hart has revealed that he battled Covid-19 around the same time as Hollywood superstar Tom Hanks.

Hart made the revelation during a stand-up set, while performing at the iteration of Dave Chappelle's "An Intimate Socially Distanced Affair" show in Ohio, reports pagesix.com.

"The problem is that I had it around the same time as Tom Hanks, and I couldn't say anything because he's more famous than I am," Hart said of his diagnosis.

Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson revealed their coronavirus diagnosis on March 11. Hart was quite active on social media around that time.

Hart's illness came months after he suffered major back injuries in a car accident.

Earlier in an interview with IANS, Hart shared that he found a new meaning to life after the horrific accident. The actor-comedian said that he realised that nothing in life is guaranteed, and that makes him stay "more present" for his family and friends.

"Life and your perspective change as you grow old," Hart told IANS when asked how did perspective of life changed for him after the near-fatal car crash.

"As you grow old, you understand and you appreciate...You have a different understanding of what you had before. It makes you (stay) more present with the ones you love, the ones who mean the most from friends to family...You understand that nothing in life is guaranteed. It doesn't have to be like that... So take every second in," he added.
The arrival of specially modified Boeing 777 aircraft part of the Air India One fleet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been delayed due to operational issues, officials aware of the development said.

The delivery of the aircraft was scheduled for August 25 but has been delayed due to certain operational issues. It may now take two to three weeks more to deliver, a senior government official said requesting anonymity.

The Centre had sent a team of senior officials from the Indian Air Force and Air India for escorting the aircraft back to India and assessing the technical requirements, a second official said.

The government has planned to procure two such specially modified Boeing-777 aircraft, capable of countering missile threats with its own missile defence system, called the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS).

The modified aircrafts were set to match the US Presidents Air Force One in terms of security measures.

Air India One is the call sign of any aircraft with the President or Prime Minister of India on board. The aircraft is operated as a VVIP flight by the Indian Air Force.

Air India One, the highly customized wide-bodied Boeing 777-300 ERs, meant exclusively for the Indian Prime Minister, President and the Vice-President, is set to land in Delhi by early next week.

When contacted by HT, Air India spokesperson said: We would not like to comment on this. Boeing Indias spokesperson also declined to comment on the matter.

The planes will come equipped with self-protection suites (SPS) consisting of aircraft infrared countermeasures, advanced integrated defensive electronic warfare suite and counter-measures dispensing system to protect them from inbound missiles, Hindustan Times had reported on June 4.

Air India had sent a pair of new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to a Boeing facility in Dallas to be refurbished for VVIP travel, including installation of missile defence systems worth USD 190 million. Aircraft records from open source websites showed both jets were less than 3 years old and have been sparingly used.

The new long-haul aircraft will be used exclusively by PM Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu.

At present the three dignitaries fly Air Indias Boeing-747 planes that the state-run airline deploys on commercial flights. These are temporarily reconfigured for the dignitaries when they need to travel, with the call sign changing to Air India One.

The Boeing-747 planes that are chartered from Air India for use by the three dignitaries are two decades old.

The modified aircraft will also have Bharat and India written over it along with the Ashoka emblem.

The new planes have been configured to give PM Modi some generous office space, meeting rooms, a wide array of communication systems and a section for handling medical emergencies. The aircraft can fly between the US and India without having to stop for refuelling.
PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6

This is the third part in a series. The first part was published on August 20. The second part was published on August 21. The fourth part was published on Saturday, August 29. The fifth part will be published on September 3.

Following the completion of his Manifesto for the Emergency Conference of the Fourth International, Trotskys relentless and punishing schedule of writing projects was interrupted by an event he had long foreseen, though its exact date could not have been predicted. In the early morning hours of May 24, 1940, the Mexican painter and fanatical Stalinist David Alfaro Siqueiros led a squad of assassins, armed with 45-caliber Thompson submachine guns, 30-caliber automatic rifles and incendiary bombs, in an assault against the leader of the Fourth International.

David Alfaro Siqueiros

The assassins did not have to storm the villa on the Avenida Viena. The guard on duty, Robert Sheldon Harte, unlocked the iron gate and allowed the assassins to enter. The gunmen clearly were familiar with the entire layout of the compound. One group moved toward the section of the villa that housed the bedroom of Trotsky and his wife Natalia and that of their grandson Seva. Another group moved rapidly to the opposite end of the courtyard, outside the section of the compound where Trotskys guards were quartered. While the second group of gunmen laid down fire in the direction of the guards rooms, effectively pinning them down and rendering them totally ineffective, the main team of assassins entered Trotskys bedroom.

The room was dark, and the assassins fired wildly in all directions. Trotsky had taken a sleeping pill upon retiring for the night and was groggy as he was awakened by the gunfire. Natalia responded more quickly and saved Trotskys life. As he recalled in Stalin Seeks My Death, an account of the assault written in the first week of June 1940:

My wife had already jumped from her bed. The shooting continued incessantly. My wife later told me that she helped me to the floor, pushing me into the space between the bed and the wall. This was quite true. She had remained standing, beside the wall, as if to shield me with her body. But by means of whispers and gestures I convinced her to lie flat on the floor. The shots came from all sides, it was difficult to tell just from where. At one point my wife, as she later told me, was able clearly to distinguish spurts of fire from a gun; consequently, the shooting was being done right in the room although we could not see anybody. My impression is that altogether some two hundred shots were fired, of which about one hundred fell right beside us. Splinters of glass from windowpanes and chips from walls flew in all directions. A little later I felt that my right leg had been slightly wounded in two places. [1]

As the gunmen withdrew from the room, Trotsky heard his 14-year-old grandson, Seva, cry out. Trotsky recalled this terrible moment:

The voice of the child in the darkness under the gunfire remains the most tragic recollection of that night. The boyafter the first shot had cut his bed diagonally as evidenced by marks left on the door and wallthrew himself under the bed. One of the assailants, apparently in a panic, fired into the bed, the bullet passed through the mattress, struck our grandson in the big toe and embedded itself in the floor. The assailants threw two incendiary bombs and left our grandsons bedroom. Crying, Grandfather! he ran after them into the patio, leaving a trail of blood behind him and, under gunfire, rushed into the room of one of the guards. [2]

Trotsky credited his survival to a fortunate accident.

The beds were under crossfire. Perhaps the assailants were afraid to hit each other and instinctively fired higher or lower than they should have. But that is only a psychological conjecture. It is also possible that my wife and I came to the aid of the happy accident by not losing our heads, not flying around the room, not crying out or calling for help when it was hopeless to do so, not shooting when it was senseless, but remained quietly on the floor pretending to be dead. [3]

The assassination squad made its escape, not realizing that its mission had ended in failure. Trotsky left his room and entered the courtyard, from which the smoke from gunfire was still rising. He was searching for members of the guard, who were still in their rooms. None of them had been trained to react to an assault of this character. Their efforts to return fire had been sporadic and ineffective. Harold Robins machine gun jammed on the first round. He learned later that the wrong ammunition had been loaded into the weapon. Robins recalled that Trotskys demeanor was remarkably calm. Having experienced numerous battles during the savage Russian Civil War of 1918-21, the former supreme commander of the Red Army was not unfamiliar with gun fire. But Robins also sensed that Trotsky was disappointed with the utterly ineffective response of his guards. [4]

The guards discovered that a detail of Mexican police, who had been assigned to man a post outside the villa, had been tied up. On Trotskys instructions, they were immediately unbound. A more disturbing discovery was that Robert Sheldon Harte had departed with the assailants, which immediately aroused suspicions that he was involved in the conspiracy. In the absence of definite evidence of Hartes involvement, Trotsky upheld his innocencea position that seemed to be vindicated when the guards body was discovered several weeks later.

For reasons that can be well understood, Trotsky was reluctant, in the immediate aftermath of the assault, to level an accusation against Harte. But he did not exclude the possibility that Harte had acted in collusion with the GPU. Despite all precautions, Trotsky wrote, it is, of course, impossible to consider as absolutely excluded the possibility that an isolated agent of the GPU could worm his way into the guard. [5] He noted that Harte, due to his disappearance, had come under suspicion. But based on the evidence then available, Trotsky was not prepared to conclude that Harte was guilty. He accepted the possibility that new information might require a reevaluation of Hartes role. Whatever the final verdict, he continued, If contrary to all my suppositions such a participation should be confirmed, then it would change nothing essential in the character of the assault. With the aid of one of the members of the guard or without this aid, the GPU organized a conspiracy to kill me and burn my archives. [6]

Trotsky expressed confidence in the SWPs choice of guards. They were all sent here after special selection by my experienced and old friends. [7] What Trotsky did not know was that the Socialist Workers Party did not seriously vet the individuals it dispatched from the United States to Coyoacan. In the case of Harte, the 25-year-old New Yorker had virtually no political history in the SWP. After his sons disappearance, his father, Jesse Harte, a wealthy businessman and friend of J. Edgar Hoover, flew to Mexico. In the course of meetings with the Mexican police, the elder Harte informed them that a photo of Stalin had been found in his sons New York apartment. When this information was leaked to the press somewhat later, Trotsky sent Jesse Harte a telegram, asking for confirmation of this report. Harte replied with an unequivocal and dishonest denial: DEFINITELY DETERMINED STALINS PICTURE NOT IN SHELDONS ROOM. [8]

Robert Sheldon Harte

As part of the investigation into the assassination of Trotsky, which it initiated in 1975, the International Committee of the Fourth International reviewed all the evidence relating to Sheldon Hartes role in the May 24 raid. The ICFI concluded that Harte was, indeed, a participant in the conspiracy. This finding was denounced by the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), led by Joseph Hansen, and its allies in anti-Trotskyist Pabloite organizations all over the world, who were bitterly opposed to the exposure of Stalinist and other police agents inside the Fourth International. They denounced the investigation into Trotskys assassination as agent baiting. The ICFI was accused in a public statement issued by the SWP and its international allies of desecrating the grave of Robert Sheldon Harte. [9]

The release of GPU archives following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 established definitively that Harte was a Stalinist agent, who played a critical role in the May 24 attempt on Trotskys life. Several days after the assassination attempt, the GPU rewarded Harte for his treachery by murdering him. Contemptuous of the young traitor, Siqueiros and his accomplices viewed Harte as an unreliable individual who might talk if he were eventually questioned by police. While Harte slept, they fired a bullet into his brain, threw his body into a dirt pit and covered it with lime. Harts decomposed remains were discovered several weeks later.

Despite the obvious fact that the attempt on Trotskys life had been carried out on Stalins orders, the hirelings of the GPU operating in the Mexican Communist Party, the trade unions and newspapers initiated a campaign to disorient public opinion by claiming that the May 24 raid was actually a self-assault, initiated by Trotsky himself. In two major articles, Stalin Seeks My Death and The Comintern and the GPUthe latter was completed on August 17, 1940, only three days before the second, and successful, attack, carried out by Ramon MercaderTrotsky subjected the Stalinist lies to a devastating refutation.

In The Comintern and the GPU, Trotsky exposed the absurdity of the claim that he would have or could have orchestrated the May 24 attack.

What aims could I pursue venturing on so monstrous, repugnant, and dangerous an enterprise? No one has explained it to this day. It is hinted that I wanted to blacken Stalin and his GPU. But would another assault add anything at all to the reputation of a man who has destroyed the entire old generation of the Bolshevik Party? It is said that I wish to prove the existence of the Fifth Column. Why? What for? Besides, GPU agents are quite sufficient for the perpetration of an assault; there is no need for the mysterious Fifth Column. It is said that I wished to create difficulties for the Mexican government. What possible motives could I have for creating difficulties for the only government that has been hospitable to me? It is said that I wanted to provoke a war between the United States and Mexico. But this explanation completely belongs to the domain of delirium. In order to provoke such a war, it would have been in any case much more expedient to have organized an assault on an American ambassador or on oil magnates and not a revolutionist-Bolshevik, alien to and hateful to imperialist circles. When Stalin organizes an attempt to assassinate me, the meaning of his actions is clear: he wants to destroy his enemy number one. Stalin incurs no risks thereby; he acts at long distance. On the contrary, by organizing self-assault I have to assume responsibility for such an enterprise myself; I risk my own fate, the fate of my family, my political reputation and the reputation of the movement which I serve. What would I gain from it? But even if one were to allow the impossible, namely, that after renouncing the cause of my whole life, and trampling underfoot common sense and my own vital interests, I did decide to organize self-assault for the sake of some unknown goal, then there still remains the following question: Where and how did I obtain twenty executors? How did I supply them with police uniforms? How did I arm them? How did I equip them with all the necessary things? etc. etc. In other words, how did a man, who lives almost completely isolated from the outside world, contrive to fulfill an enterprise conceivable only for a powerful apparatus? Let me confess that I feel awkward in subjecting to criticism an idea that is beneath all criticism. [10]

In his analysis of the GPUs political preparation of the assault, Trotsky provided fresh evidence of his extraordinary perspicacity. He called attention to the Extraordinary Congress of the Mexican Communist Party, which had been held in March of 1940. The main theme that dominated the congress was the need to exterminate Trotskyism. Trotsky surmised that the congresss decision to expel Hernan Laborde, the secretary general of the Mexican Communist Party, and Valentin Campa, a leading figure in the trade unions, was bound up with the need to remove from positions of authority individual leaders who were reluctant to involve the party in a politically dangerous and unpopular assassination plot. Trotsky emphasized that the initiative for this purge clearly came from outside the organization, that is, from the GPU acting on the directives of the Kremlin regime. Explaining that the implementation of the brutal organizational changes at the congress would have required several months to prepare, Trotsky argued that the order for the assassination attempt had arrived from Moscow in November or December 1939.

Trotskys analysis of the protracted preparations for the May 24 assault and the significance of the Mexican CPs Extraordinary Congress has been substantiated by recent scholarship, which has demonstrated that planning for Trotskys murder began in the spring of 1939. Laborde was approached by an agent of the GPU who was operating under the cover of the Comintern. The agents mission was to seek the cooperation of the PCM Secretariat in plans to eliminate Trotsky. Laborde allegedly consulted with Campa and Rafael Carrillo [another leading member of the Mexican CP] and reached the conclusion that not only would such a move endanger the PCMs relations with the Cardenas government, but that it was in any case unnecessary since Trotsky was a spent force. [11]

The GPU did not agree with Laborde and Campas assessment of Trotskys political influence. Laborde, Campa and Carrillo traveled to New York in May 1939 to seek support from Earl Browder, leader of the Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA), for opposition to an attack on Trotsky. They were not successful. The decision to convene an extraordinary congress was taken at the September 1939 plenum of the Mexican CPs National Committee. According to scholar Barry Carr, the CPUSA and the Comintern were concerned over the inadequacies of the Mexican partys anti-Trotsky campaign and over its supposedly shallow defense of Soviet foreign policy, particularly the decision to intervene militarily in Finland in November 1939. [12]

The first public call for the Extraordinary Congress was issued in November. Comintern delegates from Europe, actually agents of the GPU, began arriving in Mexico from Europe. Among them was Vittorio Codovilla, who had been stationed in Spain. Carr writes that the Comintern envoys were dissatisfied with the preparations and agenda of the planned congress.

Codovilla suggested a complete rewriting of the agenda and a concentration on one essential point so as not to distract the attention of delegates. He went on to outline the structure of the revised agenda, including a new item on the struggle against the enemies of the people (with the main theme being the struggle against Trotskyism) The envoys did not limit their activities to suggestions about the format of the Extraordinary Congresss preliminary documents. They also urged the party to conduct a house cleaning prior to the Congress, expelling Trotskyists the services of exiled Spanish communists were offered for this latter task. [13]

Stalin viewed Trotsky as the most serious political threat to his regime. He had come to view the decision to deport Trotsky from the Soviet Union in 1929 as his greatest political mistake. Stalin had assumed that Trotsky, isolated in a foreign country, would be incapable of mounting serious opposition to the Kremlin. Stalin was mistaken. As Trotsky noted, Events have shown, however, that it is possible to participate in political life without possessing either an apparatus or material resources. [14] Stalins biographer, Dmitri Volkogonov, who had access to his subjects private papers, wrote that the dictator was obsessed by Trotskys ghost.

He [Stalin] thought of Trotsky when he had to sit and listen to Molotov, Kaganovich, Khrushchev and Zhdanov [members of the Stalinist Politburo]. Trotsky was of a different caliber intellectually, with his grasp of organization and his talents as a speaker and writer. In every way he was far superior to this bunch of bureaucrats, but he was also superior to Stalin and Stalin knew it. How could I have let such an enemy slip through my fingers? he almost wailed. On one occasion he confessed to his small circle that this had been one of the biggest mistakes of his life The thought that Trotsky was speaking not only for himself, but for all his silent supporters and the oppositionists inside the USSR, was particularly painful to Stalin. When he read Trotskys works, such as The Stalin School of Falsification, An Open Letter to Members of the Bolshevik Party, or The Stalinist Thermidor, the Leader almost lost his self control. [15]

Stalins hatred of Trotsky was not of a purely, or even predominately, personal character. The homicidal dimensions of his rage were the concentrated expression of the hostility that the ruling bureaucracy, as a privileged caste, felt toward its most implacable opponent. As Trotsky explained in The Comintern and the GPU:

The Moscow oligarchys hatred of me is engendered by its deep-rooted conviction that I betrayed it. This accusation has a historical meaning of its own. The Soviet bureaucracy did not elevate Stalin to leadership at once and without vacillation. Until 1924 Stalin was unknown even among the broader party circles, let alone the population, and as I have already said he did not enjoy popularity in the ranks of the bureaucracy itself. The new ruling stratum had hopes that I would undertake the defense of its privileges. No few efforts were expended in this direction. Only after the bureaucracy became convinced that I did not intend to defend its interests against the toilers, but on the contrary the interests of the toilers against the new aristocracy, was the complete turn toward Stalin made, and I was proclaimed traitor. This epithet on the lips of the privileged caste constitutes evidence of my loyalty to the cause of the working class. It is not accidental that 90 percent of those revolutionists who built the Bolshevik Party, made the October Revolution, created the Soviet state and the Red Army, and led the civil war were destroyed as traitors in the course of the past twelve years. On the other hand, the Stalinist apparatus has taken into its ranks during this period people the overwhelming majority of whom stood on the other side of the barricades in the years of the revolution. [16]

The political degeneration and moral decay were not confined to the Soviet Communist Party. The same insidious process was to be observed throughout the Comintern, whose leading personnel in every country had been changed in line with the political and ideological requirements of the Kremlin. National leaders were chosen not on the basis of their revolutionary intransigence, political intelligence and personal integrity. What the Kremlin sought in the individuals it selected as leaders of national parties was spinelessness, opportunism and willingness to take orders. Trotsky was very familiar with the type favored by Stalin:

Lacking independent stature, independent ideas, independent influence, the leaders of the sections of the Comintern are only too well aware that their position and reputations stand and fall with the position and reputation of the Kremlin. In the material sense, as will be later shown, they live on the handouts of the GPU. Their struggle for existence resolves itself therefore into a rabid defense of the Kremlin against any and all opposition. They cannot fail to sense the correctness and therefore the danger of the criticism which comes from the so-called Trotskyists. But this only redoubles their hatred of me and my co-thinkers. Like their Kremlin masters, the leaders of the Communist parties are unable to criticize the real ideas of the Fourth International and are forced to resort to falsifications and frame-ups which are exported from Moscow in unlimited quantities. There is nothing national in the conduct of the Mexican Stalinists; they merely translate into Spanish the policies of Stalin and the orders of the GPU. [17]

Trotsky documented the systematic corruption of the Comintern sections fostered by the GPU. Bribes, backed by threats, replaced political argument as a means of ensuring the implementation of policies desired by the Kremlin.

Leon Trotsky

The outbreak of World War II intensified Stalins fear of Trotsky. Despite Stalins desperate hope that Hitler would adhere to the Non-Aggression Pact and refrain from invading the Soviet Union, he certainly realized that, notwithstanding all the concessions he had made to Hitler, the danger of a German invasion was very real. If and when that occurred, the disastrous consequences of Stalins policieswhich included the launching of a bloody purge of the military in 1937-38 that involved the physical annihilation of the Red Armys most experienced and capable generals and approximately three-quarters of its officer corpswould leave the regime totally discredited. The defeats suffered by the tsarist armies during World War I had been a major factor in the eruption of the Russian Revolution only a little more than 20 years earlier. The tsar, who had assumed supreme command of the military, was swept from power. Did there not exist, therefore, the possibility that a new war would result in an uprising within the Soviet Union, especially if the outbreak of war were followed by defeats caused by the incompetence of the regime? Stalin was certainly familiar with the essay written in 1937 by the celebrated writer and revolutionary Victor Serge. Despite all the persecutions, Serge wrote, the Old Manas Trotsky was affectionately called by so many of his followershad not been forgotten by the Soviet people.

As long as the Old Man lives, there will be no security for the triumphant bureaucracy. One mind of the October revolution remains, and that is the mind of a true leader. At the first shock, the masses will turn towards him. In the third month of a war, when the difficulties begin, nothing will prevent the entire nation from turning to the organizer of victory. [18]

There was yet another reason why Stalin sought Trotskys death. The Kremlin dictator knew that Trotsky was hard at work on a biography of Stalin. One of the aims of the May 24 raid had been to destroy Trotskys archives. Stalin certainly assumed that among Trotskys papers was the manuscript of the biography, which the May 24 raid failed to locate and destroy. The only way the completion of the biography could be prevented was to murder its author. Stalin feared the consequences of Trotskys exposure of his background, his political mediocrity, his minor role in the history of the Bolshevik party prior to 1917 and during the Revolution, his incompetence during the Civil War, and, above all, the pattern of disloyalty and treachery that led Lenin to conclude in early 1923 that Stalin had to be removed from his post as general secretary. Stalins determination to stop the completion and publication of the biography was certainly a major factor in the very short period of timeless than three monthsthat elapsed between the unsuccessful assault of May 24 and the assassination carried out by Ramon Mercader on August 20, 1940.

The assassination did, in fact, prevent the completion of the biography. But Trotsky left behind a large manuscript that provided an extraordinary insight into Stalins personality and political evolution. It was not until 1946 that Trotskys biography was published; but this version was incompetently organized, mixing together completed chapters with fragments of notes and passages that had not been clearly integrated by Trotsky into the biographical narrative. The translator, Charles Malamuth, was incompetent. As early as 1939, based on what he had seen of Malamuths initial efforts to translate sections of the manuscript, Trotsky complained: Malamuth seems to have at least three qualities: he does not know Russian; he does not know English; and he is tremendously pretentious. [19]

Still worse, following the assassination, Malamuth took extraordinary liberties with Trotskys text, arbitrarily inserting his own words and phrases, intentionally imposing on the biography opinions that directly contradicted those of the author. Malamuths interpolations frequently extended for several pages, thus diluting and distorting the narrative as written by Trotsky. This was the only version of the biography to which the general public had access for approximately 70 years. In 2016, a new version of the biography was published, with a far more conscientious approach to the translation and organization of the manuscript and previously unassimilated fragments. [20]

In the final volume of his Trotsky trilogy, Isaac Deutscher wrote that the biography of Stalineven if the author had lived to complete itwould probably have remained his weakest work. This criticism, which arose from Deutschers political objections to Trotskys unequivocal appraisal of Stalinism as counterrevolutionary, is profoundly wrong. Despite the fact that the biography was left incomplete, both in terms of its content and the evident absence of a final editing process that would have enabled the great writer to impart the full scope of his artistry to the manuscript, Trotskys Stalin is a masterpiece. Countless biographies of Stalin have been written, including one by Deutscher that presented Stalin as a political giant. None of these works comes close to matching Trotskys biography in terms of political depth, psychological insight and literary brilliance.

Trotskys biography is informed by an unequaled knowledge of the economic, social, cultural and political environment in which the revolutionary workers movement developed throughout the vast Russian Empire. Trotskys recreation of Stalins personality is not a caricature. The persona of Djughashvili-Stalin, as Trotsky demonstrates, was shaped by the backward conditions of his family upbringing and the cultural and political environment within which his early political activities unfolded.

This is not the place for a comprehensive and detailed review of this extraordinary work. But the one critical element of the biography to which attention must be called is Trotskys preoccupation with the objective conditions, and the reflective subjective processes, which made possible Stalins rise to supreme power. Trotsky calls attention repeatedly to the change in the social culture of the Bolshevik Party in the aftermath of the Civil War. The party that led the revolution provided a heroic example of such solidarity, such idealistic resurgence, such devotion, such selflessness as to be almost beyond comparison with any other movement in history. [21]

Within the Bolshevik Party there were internal debates, conflicts, in a word, all those things that are a natural part of human existence. As for members of the Central Committee, they too were only human, but a special epoch lifted them above themselves. Without idealizing anything, and without closing ones eyes to human weaknesses, we can nevertheless say that in those years, the air that one breathed in the party was that of the mountain peaks. [22]

But the atmosphere changed in the aftermath of the Civil War, as new, untested and socially alien elements poured into the party. There were episodic efforts to protect the party against the influx of careerists. But objective conditions were moving in an unfavorable direction.

After the Civil War, and especially after the defeat of the revolution in Germany, the Bolsheviks no longer felt like warriors on the march. At the same time, the Party passed from the revolutionary period to the sedentary one. Not a few marriages took place during the years of the Civil War. Toward its end, couples produced children. The question of apartments, of furnishings, of the family began to assume an ever greater importance. The ties of revolutionary solidarity which had overcome difficulties on the whole were replaced to a considerable degree with ties of bureaucratic and material dependants. Before, it was possible to win by means of revolutionary ideals alone. Now, many people began to win with material positions and privileges. [23]

Trotsky was not arguing for a perpetual and unattainable asceticism remote from all personal and material concerns. He himself had four children. He was, rather, explaining how a conservative social environment gradually developed within the party and interacted with far-reaching socioeconomic processes within the country, associated with the New Economic Policys revival of a capitalist market. The renewed importance of private enterprise in the countryside created a sudden acceptance and even encouragement of social inequality. The emphasis placed by Trotsky and his supporters in the Left Opposition on equality came under attack. Stalin adapted to and exploited this mood. Equality was proclaimed by the bureaucracy as a petty-bourgeois prejudice. The animus to equality was accompanied by a growing hostility to the perspective of permanent revolution:

The theory of socialism in one country was championed in that period by a bloc of the bureaucracy with the agrarian and urban petty-bourgeoisie. The struggle against equality welded the bureaucracy more strongly than ever, not only to the agrarian and urban petty-bourgeoisie, but to the labour aristocracy as well. Inequality became the common social basis, the source and raison detre of these allies. Thus economic and political bonds united the bureaucracy and the petty-bourgeoisie from 1923 to 1928. [24]

Stalins rise to power was bound up with the crystallization of the bureaucratic apparatus and its growing awareness of its specific interests. In this respect, Stalin presents a completely exceptional phenomenon. He is neither a thinker, nor a writer, nor an orator. He assumed power before the masses had learned to discern his figure from others at the celebratory marches on the Red Square. Stalin rose to power not thanks to personal qualities, but to an impersonal apparatus. And it was not he who created the apparatus, but the apparatus that created him. [25]

Trotsky shattered the myth of Stalin by revealing the socioeconomic and class relations from which it emerged. This myth, Trotsky wrote, is devoid of any artistic qualities. It is only capable of astonishing the imagination through the grandiose sweep of shamelessness that corresponds completely with the character of the greedy caste of upstarts, which wishes to hasten the day when it has become master in the house. [26]

Trotskys description of Stalins relationship to his entourage of corrupt satraps brings to mind the satires of Juvenal:

Caligula made his favorite horse a Senator. Stalin has no favorite horse and so far there is no equine deputy sitting in the Supreme Soviet. However, the members of the Supreme Soviet have as little influence on the course of affairs in the Soviet Union as did Caligulas horse, or for that matter even the influence his Senators had on the affairs of Rome. The Praetorian Guard stood above the people and in a certain sense even above the state. It had to have an Emperor as final arbiter. The Stalinist bureaucracy is a modern counterpart of the Praetorian Guard with Stalin as its Supreme Leader. Stalins power is a modern form of Caesarism. It is a monarchy without a crown, and so far, without an heir apparent. [27]

In the realm of politics, Trotsky was the greatest mind of his age. He posed an intolerable threat to the Stalinist regime, which functioned in the final analysis as an agency of world imperialism. It could not allow him to live. Trotsky understood very well the forces arrayed against him: I can therefore state that I live on this earth not in accordance with the rule, but as an exception to the rule. [28] But even in the face of such extreme danger, Trotsky maintained an extraordinary degree of personal objectivity:

In a reactionary epoch such as ours, a revolutionist is compelled to swim against the stream. I am doing this to the best of my ability. The pressure of world reaction has expressed itself perhaps most implacably in my personal fate and the fate of those close to me. I do not at all see in this any merit of mine: this is the result of the interlacing of historical circumstances. [29]



To be continued.

[1] Writings of Leon Trotsky 1939-40, p. 233

[2] Ibid, pp. 233-34

[3] Ibid, p. 235

[4] The author of this essay engaged in numerous discussions with Harold Robins (1908-1987) during our collaboration in the 1970s and 1980s on the International Committees investigation into the assassination of Trotsky.



[5] Writings of Leon Trotsky 1939-40, p. 247

[6] Ibid, p. 248

[7] Ibid, p. 247

[8] Patenaude, Bertrand M., Trotsky: Downfall of a Revolutionary (HarperCollins e-books. Kindle Edition), p. 256

[9] Healys Big Lie, in Education for Socialists, December 1976, p. 36



[10] Writings of Leon Trotsky 1939-40, pp. 363-64

[11] Barry Carr, Crisis in Mexican Communism: The Extraordinary Congress of the Mexican Communist Party, Science & Society, Spring, 1987, Vol. 51, No. 1, p. 50

[12] Ibid, p. 51

[13] Ibid, p. 54



[14] Writings of Leon Trotsky 1939-40, p. 352



[15] Stalin: Triumph & Tragedy, translated by Harold Shukman (New York, 1988), pp. 254-256.



[16] Writings of Leon Trotsky 1939-40, p, 350

[17] Ibid, p. 351



[18] From Lenin to Stalin (New York, 1937), p. 104



[19] Writings of Leon Trotsky: Supplement 1934-40 (New York, 1979), p. 830

[20] The translator and editor of this new edition is Alan Woods. Though he is associated with a left-wing political tendency with which the International Committee has well-known and fundamental political differences, Woods efforts in producing this edition of Trotskys Stalin deserve appreciative recognition and commendation.

[21] Leon Trotsky, Stalin, edited and translated by Alan Woods (London, 2016), p. 545

[22] Ibid

[23] Ibid

[24] Ibid, p. 565

[25] Ibid, p. 676

[26] Ibid, p. 672

[27] Ibid



[28] Writings of Leon Trotsky 1939-40, p. 250

[29] Ibid
A US Senator has recently come under flak for a bizarre donation request, which involves people skipping a meal.

Arizona Senator Martha McSally, allegedly asked her supporters to skip a meal in the day, and donate the money to her campaign, instead.

A video from McSallys campaign event in northern Arizona went viral on social media. In the video, the Republican senator is seen telling her supporters to fast a meal and donate the money to her election campaign.

Were doing our part to catch up, you know, to get our message out," says McSally in the video. But it takes resources. So, anybody can give, Im not ashamed to ask, to invest. If you can give a dollar, five dollars if you can fast a meal and give what that would be."

Arizona Senator @MarthaMcSally, who is down five points in the polls vs @CaptMarkKelly, suggests to her supporters that they fast a meal and give her campaign the money that they saved from fasting. pic.twitter.com/MrH2DXax8d Yashar Ali  (@yashar) August 22, 2020

McSally campaign spokeswoman, Caroline Anderegg, however later dismissed the comment as a joke and called the video edited.

Anyone who is taking this selectively edited clip seriously is being intellectually dishonest.Mark Kelly cant run on the issues so his team is pushing some BS non-story to get RTs. Congrats guys. https://t.co/xnSUck4VRW  Caroline Anderegg (@cfanderegg) August 22, 2020

People, however, were not convinced.

Oh please oh please give us the context not_productive    (@not_productive) August 22, 2020

Watching you try to spin this is like watching someone drown. Jesse Clark (@PandaSalesman) August 22, 2020

Play the 'unedited' clip then. Right now. Dee's Appointed (@Dees_sturbed) August 22, 2020

How can you argue against a literal direct quote with audio   (@NoahBrookz) August 22, 2020

Usually someone would provide the full context if they thought the edited video was not truthful. So, we're waiting to be shown that McSally is not a scummy human being. puppymonkeybaby (@apzanolli) August 22, 2020

But the clarification, however, didnt come.

McSally, who had fallen behind in polls in Arizona, had earlier tried breaking with conservatives to endorse a temporary extension of a $600 per week supplemental benefits
Garbage and dump trucks were set ablaze by rioters near the Kenosha County Courthouse where they had been set up to prevent damage to the building. The building was still damaged and was later closed. (Sean Krajacic/Kenosha News via AP)
South Korean Defence Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo on Tuesday said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, seems to be in control of a key unit of Pyongyang's ruling Workers' Party.

Asked by a lawmaker during a National Assembly session if Kim Yo-jong has a substantial grip on the party's Organization and Guidance Department, the Minister said that he did thought so, reports Yonhap News Agency.

But Kim Jong-un is believed to maintain his sole control of the party, the regime and the military, while he has delegated some "roles and responsibilities" to his aides, Jeong said.

On a view that Kim Yo-jong oversees Pyongyang's strategy on Seoul and Washington, the Minister said: "It appears to be true, as she expressed so."

Kim Yo-jong is the younger sister of Kim Jong-un and the only one of his siblings considered a close and powerful ally, the BBC reported.

She first gained international attention in 2018, when she was the first member of the Kim dynasty to visit South Korea.

She was part of the delegation to the Winter Olympics, where North and South competed as a joint team.

Kim Yo-jong also worked alongside her brother at international summits, including his meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, China's Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.
Bobby Stevens's backup plan for his backup plan encountered an obstacle a few months ago. In March the coronavirus pandemic closed the Kentucky government building where he was set to take his commercial driver's license test, which he started studying for after he got dismissed by his second coal company in a year, where he'd started working after the first one went bankrupt.

The bankruptcy of coal giant Blackjewel, which terminated Stevens and about 1,700 other workers in four states, made international news last summer when some of them blocked railroad tracks in Harlan County, Kentucky, over unpaid wages. It didn't take long for Stevens's next employer, Perry County Coal, to start making its own cuts. "I guess we're going to be like a dying breed," says Stevens. The son of a coal worker, he got his first mining job when he was 18 years old. Now, at 30, he's leaving the industry.

Mining has always been physically risky, and right now the job is more insecure than ever. The industry is collapsing. Last year, U.S. coal consumption declined by 13% from the previous year, plunging at the fastest rate in 65 years. Wind and solar are becoming cheap and widespread, boosting hopes for a healthier, lower-emissions future -- and fueling a slew of bankruptcies. For the first time on record, the world's coal-fired power capacity decreased in the first half of this year, as plant closures outpaced the activation of new ones.

(Michael Bloomberg, the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News, has committed $500 million to launch Beyond Carbon, a campaign aimed at closing the remaining coal-powered plants in the U.S. by 2030.)

For years, economists have said that coal's cost to the environment more than cancels out its benefit to the economy (a 2011 study in the American Economic Review found coal creates more than twice as much damage as value). But with little government action to protect the workers, the industry's decline has left them in the lurch.

While many miners may see the end of coal coming, the axed Blackjewel workers had to grapple with an uncertain future more abruptly than most because of the sudden closure of their workplace. Some who were working in Harlan County have left in hopes of staying in the coal business. Others are giving up on coal and holding on to Harlan -- for now. The Blackjewel bankruptcy, which united the miners in protest, has now dispersed them.

"It was a scary thing to think about starting over," says former Blackjewel employee Collin Cornette, who's been studying to become a machinist, "because for so many years I was defined as a miner. That's who I was."

Stevens passed his driving test after the local office reopened in May. But with in-state job openings still scarce, he's awaiting word on whether the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will grant a waiver letting him work despite an eye issue from his childhood. He was able to take his driving course for free thanks to a program run by a local government-funded nonprofit.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has pledged to spend $2 trillion leading a "clean energy revolution" that would include "an unprecedented investment" to help coal communities diversify their economies as the industry fades, with a new task force established to assist them in leveraging a mix of public and private money to create quality jobs. The Green New Deal framework popularized by activists and lawmakers such as New York's Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which Biden hasn't fully embraced, makes some more specific commitments, including "wage and benefit parity" for former miners.

Recently, Congress has been moving in the opposite direction, with the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate refusing to extend the $600 boost to weekly unemployment benefits approved earlier this year to address the surge in pandemic layoffs.

But some in Kentucky see a need for drastic steps. "Unless there's some radical restructuring of the global economy, U.S. economy, and particularly our economy here," the region's future "doesn't look very promising," says Roy Silver, a sociology professor at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College.

"If they would just bring something to replace coal," Stevens says, "everybody wouldn't be fighting about coal."

One afternoon in July 2019, a few weeks after Blackjewel had terminated him and his fellow miners, Jeff Willig received a call from a former co-worker with some aggravating news. After failing to pay employees for their last few weeks of work, Blackjewel was gearing up to ship out coal by rail that workers had unknowingly mined for free.

"Honey, I'm going to go stop a train," Willig told his wife. Then he did.

Willig and four other former employees planted themselves on the tracks to halt the train, which was loaded up with about $1 million of coal (less than two-thirds what it would've been worth 40 years ago). They stared down the train as it rolled forward, stopping within 20 feet of them. Police arrived but didn't make the men budge.

"I showed up and asked the state police, who were eating pizza with my clients, 'Are you going to ask them to move?' " recalls attorney Ned Pillersdorf, who represented the miners in their case against the company. "They said, 'No.' "

Within a few days, the train company, CSX, concluded its engines could be put to better use elsewhere and brokered a deal with the activists to let the vehicle through, leaving Blackjewel's coal behind. The miners camped out nearby, determined to keep their cause visible and their coal stationary for as long as they went unpaid.

Over the weeks that followed, out-of-state activists showed up to help. ("They said they were anarchists," says Willig of one group, "but they were very nice.") The Trump administration went to court to support what had originally seemed a fanciful idea: preventing the coal from shipping out until the miners got paid.

Blackjewel agreed in October to pay $5 million to its former workers, and a comprehensive settlement with undisclosed terms followed in March. By then the miners had moved on, or were trying to.

Willig found work on the production line at a Smithfield Foods plant. "I think the future of the coal mining industry is done," he said last year, looking out at the tracks where he'd stopped a train. He went back to school after the blockade was over, hoping to start a career in fiber optics, but left after six months because he couldn't afford to go any longer without a paycheck. After Blackjewel, he says, "I'm not going to rely on, 'Who's the next person that's going to come in here and do the same thing?'"

Harlan is iconic U.S. coal country. It's the site of 1930s strikes and sometimes-violent showdowns that earned it the title "Bloody Harlan." Today, with coal squeezed by rising renewable energy sources and stung by growing concern over climate change, Harlan may be the place hit hardest by the coal industry's decline.

(Some say that wasn't the only thing that plagued Blackjewel's miners. Workers alleged in their lawsuit that Blackjewel was part of a larger group of coal companies controlled by former CEO Jeff Hoops and "not in fact bankrupt," despite its claims to the contrary. In a January bankruptcy court filing, Blackjewel itself accused Hoops of shifting tens of millions of dollars out of the company for his family's benefit. Hoops and Blackjewel have both denied the allegations against them; Stephen Lerner, Blackjewel's attorney, says the company is "pleased to have reached a settlement" with the workers.)

Dan Mosley, a miner's son and former banker who's now the county's judge-executive (its top elected official), has been trying to woo outside companies. Harlan County conducted a survey showing former miners are willing to accept jobs that pay as little as $17 an hour -- around $35,000 a year. With overtime pay, a veteran miner at Blackjewel could earn $100,000 in a year.

"We know that we're never going to land a company that's going to create 2,000 jobs, like an Amazon," says Mosley. But he'd like to attract employers in aerospace or auto parts. He wears an armband reading "ThereIsAFuture.org," the website for a nonprofit trying to boost the Appalachian economy. Harlan's poverty and unemployment rates in recent years have been more than twice the country's, according to Appalachian Regional Commission data.

Four companies have so far come to visit a "build-ready" site, formerly part of a golf course, the county is pitching for construction projects. None has reached a deal. One wanted to pay former miners so poorly that Mosley decided it would be counterproductive. "We don't have a lot of flat land," he says, "and we don't need to be tying up a property that is very valuable with $8-an-hour jobs."

Pavlina Tcherneva, an economics professor at Bard College, says the coal industry's decline doesn't have to drive a drastic rise in unemployment. "We tend to think of it as this natural thing," she says, "and there's almost this kind of acceptance that there's nothing we can do about that."

One way the federal government can ensure former miners aren't left unemployed is by directly employing them. The U.S. could hire miners at a living wage to do tasks such as elder and child care, solar panel installation, and remediating the environmental damage caused by coal, says Tcherneva, author of a recent book, "The Case for a Job Guarantee." She says direct government spending on job creation has a bigger bang for the buck than indirectly coaxing employment out of big corporations through tax breaks. Those positions wouldn't match the pay of mining jobs, Tcherneva says, but the government jobs would be a backstop against unemployment and complement direct payments and job training for displaced workers.

In June, U.S. House Democrats put forward a proposal of their own, suggesting the creation of a National Economic Transition Office that would support former miners and other displaced workers through a mix of wage replacement, paid retraining, health-care help, and job placement assistance.

Others would go further. In March, a week after the coronavirus was officially deemed a pandemic, a group of academics and advocates released a proposal to tackle economic and climate change crises with a "green stimulus" of at least $2 trillion now and almost $1 trillion more each year. The program, they wrote, should last "until the economy is fully decarbonized and the unemployment rate is below 3.5%." That proposal would fund projects including expanded electric-vehicle manufacturing, retrofitting buildings to be energy efficient, and urban farming, as well as offering displaced fossil fuel workers job training and housing assistance and covering their lost wages for five years.

The federal government could make Harlan a hub for producing wind turbines or electric buses, says Mark Paul, who co-authored the proposal and is an assistant economics professor at the New College of Florida. One way to ensure this succeeds is to have the government promise to buy from companies that build buses or turbines in Harlan.

Federal investment in green jobs yields three to four times as many jobs per dollar as in fossil fuels, says Paul, and job creation in regions with steep unemployment has a particularly high multiplier effect: Putting people to work in government-backed manufacturing also benefits the service workers who depend on local spending. "The economy desperately needs somebody to step in and spend trillions of dollars," says Paul. "The only entity powerful enough to do that is the federal government."

Bring up the Green New Deal with some former Blackjewel employees, and you'll get skepticism. "The government comes in, and they put all these restrictions, and they starved this town to death by running these mining jobs out," says John Swanson, who worked as a surface miner for Blackjewel, "and they just walk out." He worries Harlan will become a ghost town.

But ask if the government should be doing more to create options for out-of-work miners, and many of those same people will tell you they'd gladly take good-paying jobs in renewable energy. "You think if they brought a well-paying solar panel plant here that people wouldn't take that job?" says Willig. "People would take that job. I mean, I myself would."

Swanson had planned last year to look for a mining job in Virginia. But then his fifth child was born, and during the baby's few weeks in an intensive care unit, he got to know some of the male nurses. He started imagining himself doing the same work. The "machismo" factor had made it hard to see himself shifting from mining to care work, he says, "but it would be a good way to just provide." Now he's back in school, in a nursing program. "If I maybe want to jump, now is the time that I need to do it."

Signs of change abound. Harlan's Kentucky Coal Museum, a building with artifacts including old mining picks, helmets, and a dress worn by Coal Miner's Daughter Loretta Lynn, last year hosted a TV interview with some of the Blackjewel activists who'd blocked the train. On the roof of the museum, there are solar panels.
Dublin, Aug 25 : The Irish government has issued an advisory for parents of primary and secondary students as part of its latest efforts to prepare for a safe reopening of schools next week.

The two-page Back to School Advice for Parents, which was issued by the Irish Department of Education and Skills on Monday, comes in 21 foreign languages, including French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Pashto, Kurdish and Somali, reports Xinhua news agency.

There are an estimated one million students studying at some 4,000 primary and secondary schools in Ireland, according to a report by the national radio and television broadcaster RTE.

According to the advisory, all the staff and students at secondary schools must wear face coverings where it is impossible to maintain the 2-metre social distancing and wearing a face covering when waiting for and aboard a school bus is mandatory for all secondary school students.

Parents of secondary school students are also advised to encourage their children to go to school on foot or bike.

Younger children at primary schools may not be required to practice physical distancing, but they may be organized into pods, it said.

To ensure social distancing on school buses, Irish Minister for Education Norma Foley said last week that her department has decided to cut the capacity on secondary school transport by 50 per cent.

This requires an additional 1,600 school buses across Ireland next week, she said, adding that her department is now in discussion with Bus Eireann to roll out the additional required capacity as quickly and speedily as possible.

The Irish Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on Monday announced a $5.9 million funding for the support of students' mental health and wellbeing at colleges and universities.

Part of the funding will be used to recruit additional student counsellors and assistant psychologists, said the department in a statement.

Last month, the Irish government announced a 375-million-euro school reopening plan, of which 75 million euros will be used to alter buildings and classrooms to ensure one-meter physical distancing at secondary schools, according to Foley.

On Monday night, the Department of Health reported 147 new coronavirus cases in Ireland, which took the total to 28,116, while the death toll stood at 1,777.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Moodys Investors Service on Tuesday affirmed the long-term local and foreign currency deposit ratings of State Bank of India (SBI) at Baa3.

Baa rating indicates moderate credit risk.

However, the global rating agency, in a statement, said it has downgraded SBIs Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) and adjusted BCA to ba2 from ba1 on account of concern on asset quality due to moratorium.

The downgrade of SBIs BCA to ba2 from ba1 reflects Moodys view that the banks asset quality and profitability will deteriorate, it said.

ba indicates substantial credit risk.

As a result, Moodys has also downgraded SBIs foreign currency preferred stock non-cumulative MTN (medium term note) program rating to (P)B2 from (P)B1, and the rating of the preferred stock non-cumulative (Basel III compliant Additional Tier 1 securities) bond issued out of its DIFC branch to B2(hyb) from B1(hyb), the statement said.

The resultant weakening in internal capital generation will reverse improvements in the banks financial metrics achieved over the past two years, it added.

Moodys has maintained SBIs rating outlook, where applicable, as negative, in line with the outlook on Indias sovereign rating.

This rating action concludes the review initiated on SBIs BCA, adjusted BCA, junior securities, and the junior securities of its London, Hong Kong, DIFC and Nassau branches initiated on 2 June 2020, it said.

The economic shock from the coronavirus pandemic will exacerbate an already material slowdown in Indias economic growth, weakening borrowers credit profiles and hurting Indian banks asset quality, Moodys said.

Prolonged financial stress among rural households, weak job creation and a credit crunch among non-bank financial companies will lead to a rise in non-performing loans, delaying the ongoing clean-up of banks balance sheet over the past two years, it said.

Prior to the review for downgrade, Moodys had expected that improvements to SBIs asset quality and profitability would result in financial metrics in line with global peers with ba1 BCAs.

SBIs asset quality improved in the quarter ended June 2020, with its gross non-performing loan ratio declining to 5.4 per cent from 7.5 per cent a year ago.

However, Moodys said, the ratio is potentially understated because it does not include loans on which the bank has granted payment deferrals.

As of June 2020, it said, about 9.5 per cent of SBIs loans were under a repayment moratorium until the end of August 2020.

After the loan deferment period ends, the RBI has permitted Indian banks to restructure loans to borrowers whose earnings and businesses have been impacted by the pandemic.

In line with the trend for other Indian peers, Moodys expects SBI to restructure loans.

However, it said, uncertainty around the length and depth of Indias economic slowdown make it difficult to estimate what portion of restructured loans will eventually turn into non-performing loans.
Tourist dumped on Venice pier after mocking boat staff and passengers.

A foreign tourist, believed to be German, was forcibly removed from a vaporetto boat in Venice after repeatedly refusing to wear his face mask and mocking the crew and local passengers who asked him to respect the covid-19 precautions.

The tourist had a mask but reportedly kept taking it off, ignoring the pleas of staff and fellow passengers.

The altercation took place on 21 August at S. Zaccaria pier, behind Piazza S. Marco, when the tourist stepped onto the platform to make way for those getting off, reports Italian news agency ANSA.

When he tried to board again, several times, he was met with a wall of passengers who refused to let him on, with one enraged man needing to be restrained in his efforts to ensure the tourist didn't set foot on board.

In the end the boat steamed off and left the unwanted tourist behind.

In Italy masks must be worn in public areas where social distancing is not possible between 18.00 and 06.00.
For some students, going back to school could be deadly.

Rebecca Tabor is one. Three years ago, she had a heart transplant and takes medication that suppresses her immune system to keep her body from rejecting it. So when the University of Louisiana at Lafayette brought students back to campus this month, she concluded going back was too big a risk. Instead, she'll take classes virtually from her parents' home. For exams, though, she'll still have to commute to campus, over two hours away.

Tabor is a senior and needs to take a science lab to graduate. That, along with any semblance of a normal 21-year-old's life, will have to wait. A school spokesperson said it's up to students with special needs to work out accommodations with professors or, if that doesn't work, contact administrators.

"I've had to do a lot of work to make sure everything is both safe and feasible for me to accomplish," Tabor said.

Relatively little is known about how Covid-19 affects young people: Research indicates that a small percentage may suffer long-term symptoms after infection. Advocates of reopening say that places like Northern Europe where classrooms never closed or opened with few problems show that the young are less likely to transmit the virus or get seriously ill. But teachers in many states have pushed back on efforts to refill classrooms, saying protective measures are inadequate. Those with health conditions that make them more vulnerable to Covid-19 see school as just one more way the pandemic has upended their lives.

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidance to recommend schools offer remote work or learning opportunities for anyone at higher risk due to other health conditions.

"Everyone's constraints are really different," said Emily Oster, an economist at Brown University who has studied school reopenings. "We're all kind of facing a lot of choices, which we basically have no idea how to make."

The concern has heightened as outbreaks force more schools to revert to remote learning. And for many like Tabor, even a small risk is a massive gamble.

Dave Kitzinger is a 64-year-old heart transplant recipient. His 15-year-old son "desperately wants" to go back when his suburban Pittsburgh high school reopens, but they're worried. The district voted last week to stay on-line for the first nine weeks of the semester, though, giving them more time to consider the options.

"He wants to see his friends. He wants to be back in that environment. But he's concerned he's going to go and bring something home," Kitzinger said. When contacted for comment, the superintendent said that anyone uncomfortable with in-person instruction will have a virtual option. Kitzinger said, though, that he feels going back remotely would be hard on his son. "It's a crummy position to be in. I'm so concerned about him losing such a big part of his early adulthood."

Shauna Perry works with immune-compromised patients in Maine as a nurse. Her husband recently received a transplant that resulted in complications, prompting them to rethink what to do as their daughter starts kindergarten. They needed a creative plan that lets Perry work without risking her husband's or patients' health. So their daughter will stream kindergarten classes from her preschool, which has just a few kids.

"There were no other options," she said. "We don't have a lot of family support. I am the main income provider and I have our health insurance. So we really didn't have a choice."

Her daughter's kindergarten didn't respond to requests for comment.

Perry, Kitzinger and Tabor are members of a Facebook group for transplant recipients, and what to do about schools is a regular topic. There's no consensus, so participants share the plans they've cobbled together to help the others with ideas on how to protect their health without compromising education.

Nationally, about 61% of kindergarten through high school students will attend school virtually, according to a survey of public-school districts by Burbio, a New York-based data service. About 20% will have in-person classes and more than 18% are hybrid, Burbio found. One percent are undecided. About 75% of the top 700 U.S. universities plan to allow students on campus, even those staying online.

The CDC recommends schools prioritize bringing students back, but any decision needs to be based on local guidance. Mass testing isn't recommended, while symptom screenings, masks and temperature checks are. President Donald Trump has pushed for all levels of schools to bring students back, saying "virtual is not as good as being there."

But even low case numbers in the community don't shield schools enough, according to Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute. There isn't enough testing and contact tracing in place to safely reopen for anyone, he said.

And "if you're immunocompromised, even if you're healthy, it's a risk," he said.

In Muskogee, Oklahoma, Madison Shoemaker, 22, and her mother care for her 7-year-old niece, who was diagnosed in early March with primary immunodeficiency disorder and must avoid public spaces. "She can't even fight off a cold right now, so fighting off Covid is not an option," Shoemaker said.

The district has a fully online option, but keeping the first-grader home means Shoemaker, who plans to finish college in December and has two jobs, has to cut back on work. "That's going to be a huge financial impact on us," she said.

The district encourages masks for those in second grade and below and requires them above that age and said its E-Learning Academy will be available beyond this year. The "superintendent feels that providing an online option is part of the future of education," according to an emailed statement.

Shoemaker is also concerned about her niece's mental health as she's "super isolated." Still, normalcy isn't an option now.

"People want to get back to work," she said. "They don't understand that there's other situations besides their own that are much more complicated."

The nuances of these situations generate lots of tension, Oster said.

"If you send your kids back to school, it's because you don't care about public health, and if you don't send your kids back to school, it's because you're a paranoid loser," said Oster, who has two youngsters. "It's dialed up a lot of the judgment, which, of course, doesn't make it any easier to make these decisions."

For Nancy Souza, a 58-year-old special-education teacher from Manteca, California, going back to work has meant socially distancing from her husband, who has brain cancer.

The district has brought teachers back while students attend remotely, since "teachers deserve to have equitable access to their learning environment and all the resources and tools unique to their subject area," said Victoria Brunn, the district's community outreach director. Souza's assistants are required to wear masks and socially distance in the classroom, measures that her husband's doctor said lowered the risk enough for her to return.

But two weeks ago, an assistant tested positive and they had to self-isolate. Since then, she's kept away from her husband and slept in a different room. Souza said her principal allowed her to shift to online. Thirty-five others have also been allowed to work from home, Brunn said.

"We didn't even go back to school with students and we are already on quarantine," Souza said. "If I can't even go to school with adults using precautions, then how am I supposed to be able do that with 16 students?"
CORAL GABLES, Fla., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- HighPoint Technology Solutions announces today the acquisition of Smart Planner from The Burgundy Group, Inc. Smart Planner is the market leader in automated course sequencing for degree planning at PeopleSoft higher education institutions.

Smart Planner was launched in mid-2012 to help students graduate on time. The Burgundy Group team grew Smart Planner across a diverse group of innovative institutions that includes multiple CSUs, the University of Central Florida and New York University, to name a few.

All told, over 500,000 students use Smart Planner to plan an efficient path to graduation.

Today's acquisition by HighPoint further cements its intention and focus to further improve student success and on-time completion for students at PeopleSoft institutions.

"We are happy to continue Smart Planner's legacy that started almost a decade ago. Demand for our suite of student success tools in class scheduling, advising, student experience, messaging, and our own degree planning solutions for PeopleSoft is increasing. Institutions are growing more frustrated with third-party approaches that are typically built to accommodate multiple Student Information Systems (SIS's). This creates a watered-down approach that doesn't provide the rich features and capabilities students and institutions demand.

Additionally, given a tough environment for institutions to purchase new and unproven SIS's due to the high costs and risks, and the current state of Higher Ed during a pandemic, it will potentially be a long time before schools start looking for SIS replacements. Our goal is to extend the life of PeopleSoft through a modern suite of tools that can keep their investment relevant for years to come. We look forward to working with these innovative schools and with Jeff Davis and his team on the transition process." George Amalor, Founder and CEO of HighPoint.

Developing a pathway to on-time graduation in an automated fashion is still one of the thorniest challenges to solve in Higher Education. Improvements in this area save students, parents as well as taxpayers billions of dollars annually. Based on Department of Education's reports, only 37% of all students graduated from the same institution eight years later  down from 45% last year. The graduation rate for Two-Year institutions was 27% and 48% at Four-Year institutions.

"We are thrilled that Smart Planner is now in the hands of HighPoint. Their commitment to student success with PeopleSoft institutions over the past 14 years makes this a great fit. We are now focused on expanding our investments and energy into our thriving Managed Services business currently being used at institutions like University of Arizona, Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, and University of Texas System." Jeff Davis, Partner at The Burgundy Group.

About HighPoint: HighPoint has partnered with close to 160 PeopleSoft institutions and with over 350 products licensed they are the leaders in student success solutions for PeopleSoft institutions. The company believes in helping institutions get more out of their Oracle investments through better outcomes, faster deployments and compelling user experiences. HighPoint products include a broad array of solutions for Advising, Class Scheduling, Degree Planning, Messaging, Student Experience and Messaging needs.

About Burgundy: The Burgundy Group provides PeopleSoft environment management services to higher education clients. Burgundy provides its services either on premise or in the AWS cloud. Burgundy services include proprietary migration tools and environment generating automations for the AWS cloud. Burgundy's PeopleSoft environment automations for the AWS cloud can build out, from nothing but an artifact, a complete PeopleSoft environment in about 40 minutes. The automations materially improve environment performance and substantially reduce clients' AWS costs.

SOURCE HighPoint Technology Solutions

Related Links

https://www.mhighpoint.com


The case of the alleged 'poisoning' of the Russian rabble rouser Alexey Navalny is becoming more curious.

Navalny fell ill on August 20 during a flight from Tomsk in Siberia to Moscow. The plane made an emergency landing in Omsk where he was transferred to a hospital. Navalny fell into a coma. The doctors diagnosed a sharp drop in his blood sugar. Navalny has diabetes and his symptoms as described were consistent with a diabetic shock. We therefore (somewhat prematurely) concluded that Navalny was not poisoned.

After a day and a half in the Omsk hospital the patient stabilized. On request of his family he was flown to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital. The Charite is a very large (14,000 employees) state run university clinic that is leading in many medical fields. Its laboratories found effects consistent with the ingestion of, or contact with, a cholinesterase inhibitor:

Following his admission, Mr. Navalny underwent extensive examination by a team of Charite physicians. Clinical findings indicate poisoning with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors. The specific substance involved remains unknown, and a further series of comprehensive testing has been initiated. The effect of the poison  namely, the inhibition of cholinesterase in the body  was confirmed by multiple tests in independent laboratories. As a result of this diagnosis, the patient is now being treated with the antidote atropine.

Cholinesterase is needed in the human nerve system to break down acetylcholine which is a signaling substance between synapses. Inhibitors of cholinesterase are used in the therapy of Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, anxiety disorder and other illnesses. Cholinesterase inhibitors can be found in certain plant extracts or synthesized. There are two types of cholinesterase inhibitors, carbamates and organophosphates. Both types are also widely used as pesticides. During World War II organophosphates were developed as chemical weapons (tabun, sarin, soman) but not widely used.

The wording of the Charite statement seems to imply that the laboratory results point to the potential effects of a cholinesterase inhibitors, not to a specific substance itself. This is consistent with a statement by the clinic in Omsk which insists that no cholinesterase inhibitors, i.e a 'poison', were found:

When Alexey Navalny was admitted to the in-patient clinic, he was examined for a wide range of narcotics, synthetic substances, psychedelic drugs and medical substances, including cholinesterase inhibitors. The result was negative, said Sabayev, chief of the acute poisoning unit at the Omsk emergency care hospital where Navalny was treated before being airlifted to Germany. Besides, he did not have a clinical picture, specific for poisoning with substances from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors, Sabayev, who is also the top toxicologist in the Omsk Region and the Siberian Federal District, added.

We can be quite sure that a trained toxicologist would recognize a Cholinergic crisis. There is however a documented case from India in which an organophosphate poisoning was falsely interpreted as diabetic ketoacidosis (hat tip Bernd Neuner):

We present a 15-year-old girl who was initially treated for diabetic ketoacidosis with further worsening of her general condition. This delayed recovery, coupled with focused investigations, finally led us to a diagnosis and the appropriate management of an intentional overdose with organophosphorous (OP) pesticide, presenting as diabetic ketoacidosis.

But according to Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov the Russian doctors made the right diagnosis and applied the correct therapy (machine translation):

The statement by German doctors on the diagnosis of FBK founder Alexei Navalny is nothing new for Russian specialists, Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the Russian President, told reporters. We have not yet learned anything new from this statement. We specifically contacted our doctors and asked how, from a professional point of view, we can relate to what was written. The fact is that the fact of this lowered cholinesterase was established in the first hours by our doctors in a hospital in Omsk. And the atropine, which the Germans are talking about and which is now being given to the patient, began to be administered during the first hour of the patients stay in intensive care, said Peskov. The presidential spokesman stressed that the level of cholinesterase may decrease for a variety of reasons, including from taking a number of medications. At the same time, German doctors did not identify a toxic substance in Navalnys analyzes. Therefore, it is very important here to find out what caused the decrease in cholinesterase levels. And neither our doctors, nor the Germans have yet been able to establish the cause. At least, this follows from the statement of our German doctors colleagues. There is no substance, unfortunately, it cannot be established, analyzes do not show it, Peskov explained. He stressed that the analytical data of Russian and German doctors are the same, but the conclusions are different. We do not understand why our German colleagues are in such a hurry, using the word poisoning. You know, this version was among the first that our doctors considered, but I repeat once again: the substance has not yet been established. Maybe the Germans have some data, said Peskov, noting that Russian doctors are ready to provide samples of the first tests.

If Navalny was poisoned - which is not established - the next question must be how Navalny came into contact with a cholinesterase inhibitor. Was the contact caused by himself or by someone else? Was it intentionally or unintentionally?

Navalnys spokeswomen has insisted that the only substance Navalny ingested that morning was a tea from an airport bar. A CCTV video from the airport shows that the tea was brought from the bar by a person that then sits down with Navalny. They presumably traveled together. How would the airport barkeeper, if he supposedly poisoned Navalny, knew for whom the tea was?

As 'western' media continue with their "Putin poisoned Navalny" nonsense it is important to again point out that other people have more reason to harm Navalny than the Kremlin does:

During the last years Navalny has made some enemies by uncovering corruption cases. His latest one was about the local governor of Tomsk. It was also the reason why he had flown there. Should Navaly become the victim of a crime the suspects should be sought there.
Fire balloons and air raids ratchet up tension as Hamas pushes for the complete removal of Israels devastating siege.

Gaza City  The threat of a new Gaza war continues to rise as Palestinians demand an end to the devastating 13-year-long blockade and Israel tightens the screws on Gazas economy while targeting Hamas positions.

Israeli warplanes and tanks bombed Hamas military sites early on Tuesday in response to the incendiary balloons launched from Gaza towards Israels south, according to an Israeli army statement.

It was the 16th day in a row that Israel launched attacks against Hamass infrastructure and agricultural land in the Gaza Strip. Gazas military factions did not respond on Wednesday, although they previously launched rockets towards Israel after attacks last week.

No serious injuries were reported on either side.

The current escalation between Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and Israel was caused by the launching of incendiary balloons by Palestinians into southern Israel in the past two weeks as a way to pressure Israel to lift its crippling blockade imposed in 2007. The rigged balloons and kites often start blazes on farms in Israel.





Over the past two years, following the momentum of the Great March of Return protests, multiple deals were reached between Palestinian factions in Gaza and Israel with the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations.

Hamas, which governs Gaza, was to provide security along the demarcation dividing the Palestinians and Israelis, in return for Israels alleviation of the blockade.

But Palestinian leaders in Gaza accused Israel of continuing to renege on implementing its side of the bargain.

According to local Palestinian media reports, Israel has failed to extend Gazas allowed fishing zone to 20 nautical miles, allow the construction of a new power line into the Gaza Strip, permit Gazas power plant to operate on natural gas, and facilitate the movement of goods, including the entry of 1,200 trucks a day, through the Karem Abu Salem (known as Kerem Shalom to Israelis) crossing.

In response to the launching of incendiary balloons, Israel has taken punitive measures against Gaza by restricting goods coming through the crossing, fully closing the sea to Gazas fishermen, and halting fuel supplies, causing the territorys sole power plant to shut down with electricity reduced to four hours a day.

The current escalation is a confrontation between the Palestinian factions who are fighting to lift the blockade on Gaza, and Israel who is fighting twice as hard to keep the blockade in place, political analyst Husam al-Dajani told Al Jazeera.

Israeli soldiers gather near the barrier with the Gaza Strip on August 16 [Menahem Kahana/AFP]

Whenever the Palestinians protest and demand that the blockade be lifted or even alleviated, Israel responds by further tightening the blockade and further exacerbating the crises in Gaza, he added.

By doing this, Israel is adding more fuel to the fire and directing the situation towards further escalation and instability. You solve a problem by addressing its cause, not by exacerbating the cause.

Al-Dajani said the standoff could lead to another full-blown military confrontation.

And now Israel is threatening Gaza with another military operation, its astonishing that Israel wouldnt even consider easing its blockade on Gaza and would contemplate any other alternative, he said.

Situation exploding





Hamas official Basem Naim told Al Jazeera despite efforts to prevent the situation from exploding, Israel continues to escalate the Gaza siege and evade committing to previous agreements.

The Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip are living under unbearably miserable and grim conditions  Gazas factions have told the mediators that Gaza will not remain silent under these tragic conditions.

Gazas armed groups and Israeli forces are now on high alert and gearing up for further confrontation. Hamas officials say this time they will not cooperate until Israel fully lifts its blockade on Gaza.

In preparation for an escalation, the Israeli army on Sunday reinforced the deployment of Iron Dome missile batteries in the south.

Meanwhile, incendiary-balloon units released a statement on Saturday saying: We will not retreat and will not rest until the demands of our people are met and the blockade is lifted.

In Gaza, Palestinian factions are united behind the demand for Israel to lift the blockade.

On Friday, Gazas Joint Chamber of the Palestinian Resistance Factions, which includes 13 armed groups, issued a statement.

We will not allow the enemy to continue the unjust siege on our people  It is the right of our people to express, by all appropriate means, their rejection of the blockade, it said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to assassinate Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders if the fire balloons continue, and suggested another war on Gaza is possible.

Economic calamity

Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007 when Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip.

The siege has inflicted severe hardship on residents. The poverty rate among Gazas population has reached 53 percent, while extreme poverty stands at 33.8 percent, according to statistics by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS).





About 68 percent of families do not have enough to eat, while 80 percent of Gazans are dependent on aid. The areas unemployment rate stands at 45.1 percent, according to PCBS.

The Israeli occupation wants to keep the blockade in place on the Gaza Strip, said Talal Abu Zarifa, senior member of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Israel wants to enforce calm in Gaza without lifting the siege, and the Palestinians reject that equation.

Abu Zarifa added: When the occupation closes the crossings and prevents fishing at sea, these acts constitute collective punishment and this is against international and humanitarian law.

He noted the occupation bears responsibility for everything that happens in the Gaza Strip.

The international community must pressure Israel to lift the blockade and stop all forms of collective punishment on the Palestinian people, Abu Zarifa added.

Naim said the suffering of Gazans has become a forgotten issue.

In light of that, the Palestinian people and Palestinian factions have no other option other than to take the initiative and raise their voice against this deteriorating humanitarian situation, and say we will not accept that we die in silence, he said.
(Newser)  The wife of a Miami police officer died after becoming trapped in the back seat of her husband's police-issued SUV. Clara Paulino was apparently looking for something in the back seat of the Ford Explorer, parked at her Miami Shores home, on Friday afternoon when she became trapped inside, reports the Miami Herald. The back seat was caged with locking doors that could only be opened from the outside, WTVJ reports. Paulino was trapped for around four hours, unable to reach the horn, as temperatures reached into the 90s, per the Herald. "Clearly, she was panicked and trying to get out," a law enforcement source tells the outlet, noting 56-year-old Paulino's fingerprints were all over the SUV's interior.

story continues below

Aristides Paulino, 58, a 25-year veteran of the department, had returned home Friday morning after covering the midnight shift and then went to sleep, perhaps leaving his SUV unlocked, per the Herald. His wife is believed to have entered the vehicle sometime around 1pm. Her husband and one of their sons found her body around 5:30pm. One son, reached by the Herald on Monday, said the family was not ready to speak about the incident. "We havent even buried her yet and its a lot of pain," he said. The Miami-Dade County medical examiner's office has yet to give a cause or manner of death. The source tells the Herald that Paulino may have had health issues that contributed to her death. (Read more Miami stories.)
(Natural News) More violence is erupting in Americas streets, this time in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where protesters are reportedly now showing up armed to demonstrate against the local police department.

After another alleged police-involved shooting resulted in a black many dying, Antifa and Black Lives Matter (BLM) extremists staged a standoff where they blocked an armored police car from proceeding down a street.

Reports indicate that at least two armed rioters approached the moving vehicle, prompting police who were positioned on top of it to begin lobbing tear gas canisters at the crowd. Just moments later, at least one of these armed protesters began firing at police, escalating the situation even further.

Video footage of the incident, which you can watch below, depicts a war-like scene in which mostly white young people surrounded the armored police vehicle and threatened those inside of it with violence.

This is insane. BLM rioters armed with semi-auto rifles have shut down the street in #Kenosha and ordered a Sheriffs vehicle to stop. Video by @livesmattershow. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/cDhmOBG1p9  Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) August 24, 2020

A younger-looking white male with an assault weapon was then seen pointing his firearm at the vehicle as he threatened to shoot. This resulted in a tear gas grenade being launched out of the vehicle, quickly clearing the streets.

The loud bangs sounded distinctively like gunshots and  after the person filming the video shifted to the direction the shots apparently came from, an armed rioter was there with his weapon raised, writes Dylan Gwinn for Breitbart News.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers immediately condemns police without knowing any details about shooting

The incident that set this all off was captured by video from the second floor of a building across the street. A black man is seen in the footage walking around an SUV as police officers yelled at him to stop. The man then tried to enter the SUV, presumably to grab a weapon, prompting the officers to start shooting.

What is strange about the footage is that there was no apparent recoil from the first officers firearm being discharged. The officer behind him also appeared to have shot some rounds, though this would have been outside normal protocol as the first officer was right in front of him and could have easily been injured or killed himself.

It was a strange situation, to say the least. But it quickly erupted into chaos, with even Gov. Tony Evers issuing a statement against the police officers, despite not knowing any of the details as to what actually transpired.

While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country, Evers said in a highly-charged political statement.

We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equity, and accountability for black lives in our country.

Evers went on to condemn the excessive use of force and immediate escalation that supposedly happens every time a police officer engages with black Wisconsinites.

I have said all along that although we must offer our empathy, equally important is our action. In the coming days, we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long, Evers further gushed.

In the moments after the incident, angry blacks began pouring out of their homes to scream at the police and throw bricks and other projectiles at them. One officer was reportedly struck in the head with what appeared to be a brick, resulting in him being knocked unconscious, much like what happened to independent journalist Andy Ngo, who was badly injured by a concrete milkshake back in 2019 simply for making an appearance during a Portland Antifa protest.

More related stories about the chaos and violence spilling over into Americas streets can be found at Chaos.news.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

Twitter.com

NaturalNews.com
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  President Rodrigo Duterte denied ties to a private group's push to shift to a revolutionary government.

"Wala akong pakialam diyan, wala akong kilala sa mga tao na 'yan, at hindi ko iyan trabaho," he said in a taped speech that aired on Tuesday.

[Translation: I do not care about that. I know no one from the group and that is not part of my job.]

Last week, the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee launched an event to express support for a Duterte-led revolutionary government  which the group said will help fast-track the establishment of federalism before the Presidents term ends in 2022. They said a revolutionary government is the way to go to heal all the ills of our society without amending the 1987 Constitution.

Duterte, in a 2017 speech, threatened to declare a revolutionary government to fix the country's problems.

There are still no moves to tackle constitutional amendments in the Senate and House of Representatives so far, after lawmakers noted that they need to focus on the government's battle against COVID-19. A lawyers' group said the proposal should be prohibited to progress further.

There is no legal basis for any revolutionary government," Integrated Bar of the Philippines President Domingo Cayosa told CNN Philippines. "Because the essence of a revolutionary government is that it is established outside the law  extraconstitutionally, extralegally.

Vice President Leni Robredo also raised suspicions over brewing talks of a revolutionary government among administration supporters. She warned that such an initiative coming from those who support the administration is illegal and may only be seeking to overthrow the Constitution.
Foresight offers an innovative workers compensation program for safety-critical verticals

San Francisco, CA, August 18, 2020  Foresight recently announced its technology-first workers compensation program for brokers serving businesses in historically hazardous industries, making it the first commercial insurtech MGU to focus on the middle market. To date, Foresight has raised $20.5 million from industrial technology venture capital firms, led by Brick and Mortar Ventures and Builders VC (investors in Oscar Health).

Foresight is shaking up the traditional workers compensation model by wrapping risk management technology and services into every policy. Where lowering workers compensation premiums generally takes at least three years, Foresight monitors safety engagement and rewards proactive insureds sooner.

Developed over six years and with the help of multimillion-dollar private investment funds, Foresights proprietary technology streamlines risk management for brokers and insureds. All safety data captured using the software is private to the insured except for the safety score, a machine learning-based metric that measures overall safety engagement against industry best practices and company history. Foresight uses the safety score to credit the insured and lower their premiums faster.

Its common for middle-market, blue-collar businesses to invest heavily in safety improvements while also paying high workers compensation premiums, says David Fontain, founder and CEO of Foresight. Were using technology to strengthen the correlation between safety and lowered premiums so that industry in the US is more profitable and safer overall.

In addition to providing technology for the insured, appointed brokers do business digitally on the Foresight platform as well. Features like in-app risk submission, compliance reporting, and claims management streamline client support processes.

Our risk management technology has been evaluated by a top actuarial firm and found to consistently reduce incident frequency by up to 57%, says Emilio Figueroa, Foresights Chief Insurance Officer. Because our technology is effective, were able to offer competitive rates for hundreds of class codes spanning the construction, manufacturing, logistics, light industrial, and agriculture verticals.

Foresight is now appointing a group of founding broker partners specializing in middle-market business in Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas, Nevada, and Oklahoma. Foresight expects to launch workers compensation in the eastern US later this year and a general liability line in early 2021.

About Foresight

Foresight insures safety-critical businesses with the first technology-based workers compensation program. An insurtech MGU specializing in the middle market, Foresight wraps its proprietary risk management software into every policy, improving safety engagement and reducing workplace incident frequency by up to 57%. With a digital submission process and in-app claims management and reporting, Foresight provides unrivaled value for brokers and businesses seeking safety and savings through technology. Learn more at getforesight.com and follow Foresight on LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Lindsey Holzberger

lindsey@getforesight.com

(864) 451-2769

Foresight Commercial Insurance

785 Market Street, Suite 600

San Francisco, CA 94103

+1 (800) 965-3012

Topics Agencies Workers' Compensation InsurTech Tech Talent Risk Management
WASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro is launching an investigation on Mike Pompeos involvement in the Republican National Convention, saying it is likely unprecedented for a sitting secretary of state to speak at a partisan convention.

The San Antonio Democrat, who leads an investigations panel on the Foreign Affairs Committee that oversees the State Department, says Pompeos speech may also be illegal.

GUNNING FOR THE GAVEL: Castro seeks leadership of powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee

Pompeo is expected to address the convention on Tuesday via video recorded while he was in Israel on government business. Pompeo reportedly filmed the speech on Monday while in Jerusalem. The State Department and RNC have both said the Republican Party was picking up the tab for the address and no taxpayer money was used. The State Department says the move was cleared by four teams of lawyers, McClatchy reported.

Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel said in a CBS interview that it is appropriate for Pompeo to highlight policies that have made the lives better of the American people.

The programming, the staging, everything that were doing will be paid for by the Republican National Committee and the campaign, she said in the interview.

But Castro wrote in a letter on Tuesday that State Department guidance makes it readily apparent the speech may violate the Hatch Act, which bans federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty. Castro wrote to State Department Deputy Secretary Stephen Biegun demanding more information on Pompeos speech, writing that the subcommittee on oversight and investigations that he leads intends to examine this issue carefully.

The American people deserve a full investigation, Castro said in a statement. The Trump administration and Secretary Pompeo have shown a gross disregard not only of basic ethics, but also a blatant willingness to violate federal law for political gain. Congress has a responsibility to stand up for the rule of law and hold them accountable for this corrupt behavior.

Castro pointed to a State Department memo issued in December that prohibits U.S. citizen employees and their spouses and family members from engaging in partisan political activities abroad related to U.S. elections, including attending campaign rallies and other partisan political events.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

The move to launch a high profile investigation comes as Castro, the Foreign Affairs Committee vice chairman, is openly pursuing the committees top post. Castro is challenging more senior  and moderate  members of the party for the gavel left by U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel, a New York Democrat who lost a primary to a progressive challenger earlier this month after serving more than three decades in Congress.

Castro is pitching foreign policy centered on proactive diplomacy and says that for too long, our foreign policy has been dominated by military and other coercive tools like sanctions.

ben.wermund@chron.com
KETCHIKAN, Alaska, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Salmon Falls Resort , an intimate full-service waterfront resort in Ketchikan, Alaska, announces an extended booking season through Oct. 1, 2020. Situated at the southernmost entrance to Alaska's iconic Inside Passage, located just 90 minutes from Seattle, the resort is unveiling incredible all-inclusive travel specials and thrilling new offerings for travelers seeking last-minute trips and boundless outdoor explorations.

With just 51 rooms, the resort has catered to discerning travelers for more than 30 years and is best known for its majestic setting and world-class salmon fishing. Ketchikan has been called "The Salmon Capital of the World," and the area is beloved for its rich Alaskan culture and breathtaking wilderness. The vast natural splendor in the midst of the Tongass National Forest on Revillagigedo Island lends itself to adventure and social distancing.

"We are thrilled to introduce an extended season with exciting new programming and favorable rates in a time when travelers are seeking a change from their daily routines," said Matt Herod, General Manager, Salmon Falls Resort. "Salmon Falls Resort is an accessible and safe destination surrounded by the world's most beautiful scenery, yet just a short flight away from the West Coast."

For a limited time, the resort is offering its popular all-inclusive guided fishing package with special rates starting at $1,500 for three nights, available for travel through the end of September. Three meals per day, airport transfers, fishing gear, accommodations, fishing and catch processing are all included. Cancellations are accepted up to 72 hours prior to arrival with no penalty or fee. Guests also have the opportunity to lock in remarkable rates now for stays next season, beginning May 1, 2021, with all-inclusive room prices starting at $350 per night.

New experiences at the resort for 2021 will focus on adventure, cultural and culinary themes that honor the extraordinary setting and heritage of the Alaskan Panhandle. Standout offerings include fishing expeditions to remote locales, flightseeing float plane tours to the Misty Fjords National Monument and guided bear watching throughout the Alaskan rainforest.

Rooms at Salmon Falls Resort are outfitted in lodge-style decor accentuated by deep earthy tones with custom wood finishes and native Alaskan art. The resort boasts stunning views of the western Behm Canal and mountain ranges. Guests enjoy access to Timbers restaurant on-site, which is open to the public, and features an array of delectable Alaskan seafood specialties paired with wines, microbrews and live music each weekend. Flexible indoor/outdoor meeting and event spaces are ideal for corporate incentive groups and breathtaking weddings. The resort is open seasonally, typically from May through late September.

Salmon Falls Resort's sister property, Edgewater Inn Restaurant & Marina, is located 15 minutes away in downtown Ketchikan area and is open year-round. Rates start at $169 per night. Popular activities for both resorts include hiking, kayaking, bear spotting, rainforest ziplining, whale watching and shopping from local artisans.

Committed to providing a safe environment for guests and staff, the resort has modified its policies and operating procedures with insight from the world's leading health authorities. Enhanced health and safety measures due to COVID-19 include social distancing throughout the resort, stringent cleaning measures, personal protective equipment for staff, in-room safety kits and more. Upon arrival at Ketchikan International Airport, guests must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Alaska. Salmon Falls will assist with optional testing services and send tests directly to travelers if requested.

Salmon Falls Resort and Edgewater Inn Restaurant & Marina are owned by Caliber and managed by Highgate. For reservations and more information on Salmon Falls Resort, please call 800-247-9059 or visit www.salmonfallsresort.com. Follow Salmon Falls on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalmonFallsResort and Instagram at @SalmonFallsAK.

For reservations and more information on Edgewater Inn Restaurant & Marina, please call 907-247-2600 or visit https://www.ketchikanedgewaterinn.com/. Follow Edgewater Inn on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KetchikanEdgewaterInn/ and Instagram at @EdgewaterInnAK.

About Caliber:

Founded during the depths of the 2008-09 recession, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based real estate investment firm now manages approximately $400 million in assets with another $550 million in developmentincluding multi-family, commercial, hospitality, self-storage, medical, and in federally designated opportunity zones across the Southwest. Caliber is a six-time consecutive honoree of Inc. 500|5000 "Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America." www.CaliberCo.com

About Highgate:

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint. The hospitality forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, and Seattle. www.highgate.com.

SOURCE Salmon Falls Resort

Related Links

http://www.salmonfallsresort.com


Businessman Ponomarev faces tax evasion trial in Moscow Region

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

09:46 25/08/2020

MOSCOW, August 25 (RAPSI)  A court in Solnechnogorsk, a town near Moscow, will hear a criminal case over tax evasion and attempted fraud against businessman Konstantin Ponomarev already convicted of false denunciation, his attorney Vladimir Postanyuk has told RAPSI.

According to the lawyer, they received a relevant official notification from the Prosecutor Generals Office of Russia.

On July 9, 2019, a court in Lyubertsy, a town in the Moscow Region, found Ponomarev guilty of false denunciation and passed the sentence on him. His lawyer Maxim Zagorsky received 7 years and 8 months behind bars. He was also banned from practicing law for 3 years. A judge held that the defendants committed several crimes related to evidence simulation. The attorney was an organizer of the criminal group, the ruling read.

In mid-October 2019, the Moscow Regional Court recalculated the term of actual punishment given to Ponomarev and reduced it by 6.5 months. Actual punishment of Zagorsky in the case was also recalculated. The sentence came into force.

The trial of Ponomarev and Zagorsky began in December 2018. Investigators considered initiation of criminal proceedings by a private person on Ponomarevs appeal as false denunciation.

The defendants pleaded not guilty and insisted on acquittal.

Ponomarev was embroiled in a long-standing dispute with IKEA that opted to rent diesel generators to power its shopping malls in St. Petersburg. Five criminal cases were opened against the businessman at the request of the Swedish retailer. However, a probe over alleged fraud found nothing, and the cases were dropped.

The businessman believes that the false denunciation case was resulted from the conflict with IKEA. Ponomarev claims that the company thus wants to stretch the time and siphon assets in order to avoid paying a multibillion debt to him.




Rwanda and Uganda, which had put in place some of the earliest and strictest lockdowns in Africa, have hit record numbers of daily coronavirus cases, prompting authorities to threaten a return of harsh measures.

Rwanda on Sunday announced a record 200 cases in a single day, and has recorded almost a third of its 3,089 cases in the past two weeks.

Uganda on Saturday hit a record 318 cases in a day, more than half of them from a cluster in a prison in the northern Amuru district, which amounts to 13 percent of its total 2,362 cases.

Both countries took drastic measures restricting movement in March when they had only a handful of cases, and have since seen only a trickle of infections.

Authorities have blamed the spike on complacency, and fatigue with social distancing measures.

"A large number of new COVID-19 patients in the country are infected in public places and in markets and shops. Those are the main places where people take off their masks or wear them badly," Rwanda's health ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Rwanda -- which suspended all public transport, shut borders and businesses and asked people to remain indoors -- lifted its lockdown in May. A curfew from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am remains in place.

However shortly after re-opening, cases began to rise, prompting authorities to impose targeted measures on affected districts and villages.

Last week, Kigali authorities shut two crowded markets after tests showed that over 100 traders and their contacts had contracted the virus.

'Difficult decisions'

Rwandan Health Minister Daniel Ngamije told state television last week that a second lockdown was not out of the question, even though "it is difficult" to impose it.

"People must understand that if cases of coronavirus continue to escalate, difficult decisions will have to be made," he said.

Government has also said it will review plans to re-open schools in September.

Rwanda has deployed police officers to arrest individuals who are not social distancing or not wearing masks, and sends offenders to all-night lectures on the dangers of the coronavirus.

Uganda has slowly eased its lockdown measures in recent months, with some sectors of the economy and schools still closed.

Betty Olive Kamya, a member of the national taskforce on COVID-19, told AFP the country was battling to get citizens to comply with measures to curb the virus, with most new infections from public transport or political rallies.

"Unless people change the way they conduct themselves and observe the guidelines on COVID-19, we may experience another lockdown and soon," she said.

"The president will be making an announcement on the way forward on whether to have another lockdown or not by end of this week."

As in much of the region, the death rate in both countries remains relatively low. Rwanda has recorded 12 deaths and Uganda 22.

strs-fb/erc
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Tatiana Kalinovskaya (Agence France-Presse) Minsk, Belarus  Tue, August 25, 2020 08:50 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c403244e 2 World Belarus,politics,protest,Alexander-Lukashenko Free

Belarusian authorities stepped up arrests of political opponents and strike leaders Monday, after Sunday saw the latest unprecedented demonstration against President Alexander Lukashenko's disputed re-election.

While the protest movement against Lukashenko's 26-year reign entered its third week, the man known as "Europe's last dictator" responded with fresh rhetoric and martial imagery.

Most prominently, Nobel Literature Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich was summoned for questioning over her ties to the opposition.

Alexievich, who won the Nobel Prize in 2015, has supported opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and is a member of the Coordination Council set up by her allies to oversee a peaceful transition of power, although the 72-year-old writer has not attended its sessions.

The Investigative Committee summoned Alexievich for questioning on Wednesday as a witness in an ongoing criminal probe into the council's creation, focusing on alleged calls to seize power.

Another presidium member, former arts minister and diplomat Pavel Latushko, faces questioning on Tuesday.

The announcement came hours after police reported the detention of two other Coordination Council members on suspicion of organizing illegal strikes.

Meanwhile a top US diplomat met Tikhanovskaya in Lithuania after tens of thousands took part in some of the largest protests in the country's recent history for a second Sunday in a row.

'We are under pressure'

Tikhanovskaya fled to neighboring Lithuania after August 9 polls that she claims to have won against Lukashenko. His insistence on his own landslide victory and police violence against demonstrators have sparked the huge protests against his rule.

The opposition said two members of its Coordination Council were detained on Monday: Sergei Dylevsky, a tractor plant worker who has come to prominence as a strike leader and Olga Kovalkova, a member of Tikhanovskaya's staff.

Allies of Tikhanovskaya formed the council this month to oversee efforts for a peaceful transition of power.

"We are under pressure. This morning two members of the presidium of the Coordination Council were detained," another presidium member, Liliya Vlasova, told a press conference.

Vlasova, a lawyer and mediator, said Dylevsky and Kovalkova were accused of illegally organizing a strike, an administrative offence.

A mobile phone video by a witness posted by news site Tut.by apparently showed Dylevsky and Kovalkova being led to a police van, watched by uniformed workers from the Belarus tractor plant.

Three more people were arrested Monday evening on the sidelines of an opposition protest in capital Minsk.

Call with Putin

"We consider these actions of the authorities are absolutely unlawful," Vlasova said. "We are negotiators."

Vlasova said that investigators had also summoned her for questioning later Monday.

In the industrial city of Soligorsk, police detained a strike leader at the Belaruskaly potash plant, Anatoly Bokun, and another, Alexander Lavrinovich, at the MZKT plant, which makes heavy-duty trucks, factory workers told AFP.

US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun met Tikhanovskaya in Lithuania, calling her a "very impressive person".

He condemned "the violation of human rights and brutality that we've seen play out in Belarus," saying Belarusians must "determine their own future".

Tikhanovskaya said Lukashenko "does not have the support either of the Belarusian people or the international community".

Visiting Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called for Lukashenko "not to resort to violence, to respect the rights of the protesters".

The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had spoken by phone with Lukashenko on Monday, the latest in a series of calls between the two leaders, whose countries are closely linked.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised protesters for lack of "provocations" and said law enforcement behaved "very appropriately" during Sunday's demonstration.

While police did not crack down at the time, the opposition warned Monday that anyone who took part could potentially be detained.

'Belarus will not waver'

As the vast crowd of protesters held their unsanctioned march through Minsk, Lukashenko mounted a bizarre display of force.

Footage released by his press service showed him landing at his residence in Minsk with his 15-year-old son Nikolai, both in bullet-proof vests and carrying assault rifles. He then praised riot police manning a heavily fortified barricade as "beautiful guys".

On Monday the presidency and state news agency Belta used the footage in a montage set to stirring music, titled "Belarus will not waver". It featured scenes of heavily armed riot police and warnings that Lukashenko will impose "order".

Tikhanovskaya's campaign ally and Coordination Council member Maria Kolesnikova on Monday called for an official investigation into how Nikolai, a minor, was allowed to carry a combat weapon, and ridiculed Lukashenko.

"We think it's very strange when someone who heads a country allows himself to run about in very strange clothing, with a very strange weapon in the center of Minsk," she said.

"If he thinks 80 percent of Belarusians voted for him, why does he fearfully hide behind barbed wire and those chains of 'beautiful guys?'"
Mumbai, Aug 25 : Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has been shooting at home once in a while, even as the pandemic-induced lockdown is being relaxed. On Tuesday, she shared a glimpse of a recent shoot at home.

In the picture she posted on Instagram, Kareena is seen posing with her make-up team, whom she called her "warriors".

"Another day, another shoot... my warriors," Kareena captioned the image.

Kareena and her husband, actor Saif Ali Khan, are currently expecting their second child. The couple announced the news a few days ago.

"We are very pleased to announce that we are expecting an addition to our family!! Thank you to all our well wishers for all their love and support," read a statement issued by Kareena and Saif, who have a son named Taimur, born in 2016.

On the work front, Kareena will be seen in the Aamir Khan-starrer "Laal Singh Chaddha", which is an adaptation of the 1994 Hollywood hit, "Forrest Gump", starring Tom Hanks.
The Oppo A53 will be launched in India on August 25. The budget smartphone is expected to be priced under Rs 15,000 and is confirmed to go on sale today at 3 pm via Flipkart.

Oppo A53 launch in India: Where to watch the live stream

Oppo A53 launch event is scheduled to begin at 12:30 pm today in India. The company will be hosting a live stream of the Oppo A53 India launch event, which would be broadcast on its YouTube channel (linked below).

Oppo A53 price in India



Witness the launch of #OPPOA53 - first @oppo smartphone with 90Hz in sub 15k section and worlds sleekest smartphone with a 5000mAh battery. It is truly an experience that is #FasterAndSmoother

Tune in today at 12:30 PMhttps://t.co/Sl5hAgcMWR

 Tasleem Arif (@tasleemarifk) August 25, 2020

Oppo A53 will be priced in the sub-Rs 15,000 category as confirmed by the companys India VP, Tasleem Arif.

Also check: Best smartphones under Rs 15,000 in India as of August 2020

Oppo A53 specifications

The smartphone has already been launched in Indonesia. Oppo A53 features a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 20:9 aspect ratio. Oppo A53 also opts for a punch-hole camera cutout in the upper left corner of the screen that houses a 16 MP, f/2.0 selfie shooter.

Oppo A53 2020 gets powered by a Snapdragon 460 SoC and packs a 5,000 mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. The phone runs on Android 10 with the ColorOS 7.2 skin.

On the back, the Oppo A53 features a triple camera setup with a 13 MP primary sensor at the helm. The other two camera sensors include a 2 MP depth sensor and 2 MP macro camera. The phone also features a rear-mounted fingerprint reader.

Oppo A53 comes in two colours Electric Black or Fancy Blue.
He is set to open a bizarre 'healing clinic' in Byron Bay.

And now Pete Evans is promoting an off-grid alternative lifestyle community - with no running water or power to homes.

The former My Kitchen Rules judge, 47, shared a four minute long video to Facebook on Sunday, inviting others to 'create a new lifestyle' for themselves at Nightcap Village in Wollumbin, Northern NSW.

That's different! Disgraced celebrity chef Pete Evans is now promoting an off-grid community in Northern NSW, with no running water or power to homes, on social media

'Exciting new adventure awaits for anyone wishing to create a new lifestyle for themselves and their family,' he shared to his 1.5 million followers.

The teaser clip remained vague about the community, but encouraged interested parties to register for an information pack.

'This is walking it, this is living it. This is actually making a difference, I believe,' the known conspiracy theorist said of the community.

His ramble continued: 'And the difference it will make is showing that it can be done. Showing why it must be done, that it needs to be done, and for that to be replicated over and over and over. This should be shouted to everybody.'

On the promotional trail: The former My Kitchen Rules judge, 47, shared a four minute long video to Facebook on Sunday, inviting others to 'create a new lifestyle' for themselves at Nightcap Village in Wollumbin, Northern NSW

'Self-reliance, self-empowerment, connection to Earth, connection to spirit, connection to each other.

'Theres not much else to say, but Im f***ing in,' he concluded.

The community's website indicates there is no running water, but boasts there is a good supply from nearby creeks, dams and that 'rainfall in this area is also very sound'.

The 300 individual plots up for sale do not have electricity, however there is an 'industrial shed in the middle of the property' which has power and options for the homes is still on the 'table for research and discussion'.

The endorsement comes as Pete, who lost his lucrative $800,000-a-year job at Channel Seven in May because of his dangerous and unscientific views, is preparing to leave Sydney permanently to work at his own wellness clinic about an hour's drive from Nightcap village.

Pete and his wife, Kiwi glamour model Nicola Robinson, 42, are preparing to open their Evolve Health Labs clinic in Australia's hippie capital of Byron Bay.

According to the company's Instagram account, the clinic will offer 'transformational practices' such as 'cold and conscious breath-work' and 'cryotherapy'.

Pete owns a farm just a short drive from Byron Bay, and has been self-isolating on the property with his family for much of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evacuees walk to board buses Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Galveston, Texas. The evacuees are being taken to Austin, Texas, as Hurricane Laura heads toward the Gulf Coast. David J. Phillip | AP

The coronavirus pandemic has thrown a new twist on emergency preparedness in Texas as officials prepare for Hurricane Laura to make landfall as soon as Wednesday. The state is trying to evacuate residents in high-risk areas in a socially distanced manner, Gov. Greg Abbott said at a news briefing on Tuesday. Officials are encouraging evacuees to head for hotels where they can self-isolate instead of potentially crowded evacuation centers. The state is also providing protective equipment, such as masks, as well as Covid-19 testing services at shelter locations.

"We are responding to Hurricane Laura while also responding to a pandemic," Abbott said. "And we are not taking our eye off of what needs to be done to adequately respond to the pandemic, so several things are being done as we assist those who are evacuating that's different from what has been done in the past." Hundreds of thousands of Texas residents have been instructed to evacuate the cities of Galveston and Port Arthur, Abbott said, as well as Jasper, Jefferson, Newton and Orange counties. Still others were told to flee in parts of southwestern Louisiana, which is also expected to be struck by the hurricane. Abbott said more evacuation notices could come. The storm is projected to become a Category 3 hurricane before it makes landfall, Abbott said, adding that "it could increase to be a Category 4 hurricane." He said officials are taking steps to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among evacuees during the storm. The coronavirus spread rapidly throughout Texas, especially the Houston area, earlier this summer. It has infected more than 580,300 people and killed at least 11,300 people in the state, according to the state's department of health. But the state has made substantial progress in bringing the outbreak under control with newly diagnosed cases per day down from an average of about 10,400 on July 22 to about 5,500, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. "Bottom line is this, and that is the state and local governments are fully aware that they are dealing with a pandemic while they're responding to Hurricane Laura, and they're taking all necessary protocols to make sure that they reduce the spread of Covid-19," he said. "Just because a hurricane is coming to Texas does not mean Covid-19 either has or is going to leave Texas. Covid-19 is going to be in Texas throughout the course of the hurricane."
A survey of teachers by the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) has revealed the depth of opposition to the Johnson governments reopening of schools in Britain, and widespread support for a general strike.

Posted on teacher Facebook groups August 16-19, the survey canvassed opinion among parents and educators toward the governments drive to fully reopen schools at the start of September, despite the escalating spread of COVID-19.

More than 200 parents and staff from secondary, primary and early years settings responded to the survey, from locations across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Despite an avalanche of government and media propaganda, the survey registered overwhelming opposition to the resumption of classes under such unsafe conditions.

We get one life, if we get this wrong, our children will be more damaged by their parents or teachers dying than being temporarily home schooled, explained one teacher in support of the call for a general strike. [The] government are more interested in economy than lives of teachers, pupils and families, wrote another.

The WSWS survey used qualitative research methods, with open-ended questions allowing teachers to express their views on issues including government guidance for schools and the inadequacy of safety measures. In revealing the attitude of staff and parents to the actions of the Labour Party and the trade unions, the survey showed how the pandemic is producing sharp shifts in consciousness and political orientation.

Teachers condemned government propaganda and denounced Labours support for the school reopening. More than half of respondents said they would participate in a general strike and nearly one quarter signed up to receive the new Socialist Equality Party (SEP) Educators Newsletter.

Government guidelines and conditions in schools

The government and a pliant media have painted an entirely false picture of a safe return to school in September. No such scenario exists. Their lies are blown to pieces by nearly every response received by the WSWS teachers survey.

Dozens of respondents had been given no information on how their schools would be operated in just a few weeks time. Deborah, from Lincolnshire with a son in secondary school, told the WSWS she had received no information, no risk assessment. Andrea, working in a primary/secondary school in Chesterfield, said I am still waiting to see a risk assessment and my anxiety is through the roof. Another respondent wrote that they had yet to be informed by school of changes made to protect pupils. I am not impressed or comfortable with this. Helen, from South Gloucestershire, said she was Unclear about the procedure, in terms of who needs to isolate and when, in the event of a positive case.

Where people did know the guidance, they reported it was inadequate and contradictory.

Clare, a secondary school teacher in West Lancashire, explained, the guidance given by the government is nonsensical and completely out of step with more recent research (that children do spread COVID19 and can have long term health implications from the virus), and the governments own guidelines for other situations (e.g. social distancing and wearing face masks indoors). Jane, also a secondary school teacher, in Carmarthenshire in Wales, agreed, Gov guidance is pathetic and not following all the evidence [of the] R number increasing.

Many focussed on the sham of the governments bubble system, supposedly separating children into different quarantine groups. Some explained that their education settings would have bubbles of up to 300 childrenthe size of some entire primary schools.

Samantha, a primary school teacher from Bradford, West Yorkshire, where the number of COVID-19 cases are among the highest in the UK and rising, said, We have bubbles of 2 year-groups, 120+ kids. I believe per guidance staff are allowed to move between bubbles and I have not been made aware of any zones set up as of yet. No matter what, the bubbles themselves are pointless as I know of siblings of classmate in all other bubbles and older siblings in two local secondary schools. These bubbles will POP!

Mandy, a primary school teacher in Crawley, West Sussex, wrote, Bubbles of year groups90, that then mix with another bubble in the toilets. Then all year groups mix at breakfast and after school club. Staff all moving. MADNESS!

Masks have not been mandated in schools, despite the fact, as West Yorkshire secondary school teacher Becki explains, You have to wear masks in crowded places a crowded school with no ventilation apparently is fine (and special needs schools will be worse as kids have more needs and less understanding about hygiene, health etc). A primary school teacher expressed their worry that, Cramped classrooms and all children facing the front will mean that I will be receiving all the viral load in my direction with no mask to at least prevent me from breathing some of it in. Alice, at a primary/secondary school in Surrey, described how, Many want to wear masks but as the government guidance doesnt direct or recommend they are made to feel they cant.

One respondent from Walsall reported practically no safety measures in their school: No staggered timings, children attend all Classes and subjects exactly as usual, children all move around the site together on the bell. 1450 students... Students are to be asked to clean equipment themselves on the lesson changeover... Signage reminding of distancing and hand washing seems to be the only change.

Hayley, another Walsall teacher, wrote, We still dont have warm running water for hand washing.

Unsafe to return to classes

On the basis of these appalling conditions, and the wider development of the pandemic across the UK, an overwhelming majority of respondents answered that it was not safe to reopen schools.

One said, With an uptrend in cases and the scientists/doctors fearing a second wave, it is counter-intuitive that any parent would feel confident about a return to school face to face, with or without Government propaganda. Not after this Government has caused thousands of avoidable deaths by getting things wrong and delaying lockdown.

Lisa, at a secondary school/sixth form in London, replied, We are being told in my Borough that we will be put under local lockdown if numbers keep rising, yet they think it is perfectly OK to send children back to school. The logic behind sending children back to school during another wave of coronavirus is crazy. Reopening is definitely not safe, according to a primary school teacher in Belfast, who added, the no. of people testing positive is increasing again.

I dont believe any school setting can be safe enough for our children right now, wrote Cheryl, a primary school teacher in Lancashire. Samantha, from Bradford, said schools will pose a large risk for shielded families like ours in an area where local restrictions are in place and numbers continue to rise.

Amy, working in early years in Shrewsbury, said her education setting has done what they can, but their hands are tied. The gov shouldnt be allowing them to open. Agnieszka, in a secondary school/sixth form college in London, answered similarly, My school has done what they could within poor guidelines and no additional funding offered from government- I dont think its safe.

Its clearly not safe. Gov = Liars!, wrote Steve, a supply teacher in a primary school in Devon.

Multiple survey respondents drew attention in their comments to the fact that the government was prioritising the economy over health and lives.

#backtoschoolsafely is just an eye wash. Government is ignoring extra clubs kids visit to outside and within schools, social interaction and commitments of the kids and their siblings or parents is also getting ignored by government. Government is intentionally ignoring it as they are just worried about economy, said Bhawana, at a primary/secondary school in London.

Sarah, working at a primary school in Surrey, told the WSWS, I have no faith in the measures put in place by the government. I believe they are using schools as cheap child care to get parents back to work for the sake of the economy. Another person wrote, Think government are more interested in economy than lives of teachers, pupils and families. A respondent from Lambeth wrote, Its clearly wealth before health.

Teachers and parents are scared and angry

These conditions are fuelling growing concerns and resistance among education workers and parents towards the reopening of schools.

Bob, a secondary school teacher in Walsall, explained, Teachers and staff are being hung out to dry, and both students and staff being used as guinea pigs. Alice reported that Staff are nervous at her primary/secondary school in Surrey, and at Helens primary school in Durham lots of parents are getting very anxious. She is really angry at feeling bullied into sending my children into school when I dont feel its safe.

One respondent noted, We all know, and doctors/research/own Government advisers have said, that a return to schools can trigger a second wave.

The responses included some genuinely harrowing personal stories from people with serious health conditions, or caring for people with them, who will be placed in an impossible position come September.

A parent in Lancashire explained, We have been shielding our extremely vulnerable daughter since beginning of March. Forcing return to school & threatening fines for non compliance while the pandemic is still rife worldwide is inhuman. What have we even shielded for?? Another parent, Christine from Newcastle upon Tyne, said, Im 3 weeks post-transplant and have no immune system due to anti-rejection drugs. My yr 11 child has shielded with me since March and as a family we are very concerned about him carrying the virus home to me.

Hayley wrote, This is concerning due to my daughter going for surgery and myself as a single parent. My health isnt great and having four children makes my bubble humongous and defeats why I shielded in the first place when the virus is very much still there.

Education workers share the same fears. I teach teenagers, how can I (I have a respiratory condition) be safe with no masks allowed for many hours in closed space with 30 18-year olds???, asked Agnieszka. She explained, Many of my colleagues, even very young and healthy ones, are updating their wills and making arrangements within family to minimise risks.

Lisa, a secondary school teacher in Wokingham, said, As someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable, Im scared. Another teacher, at a primary school, explained, Im vulnerable as I have asthma and lung scarring from a pulmonary embolism two years ago. I certainly dont feel safe.

School workers responded that they were being intimidated into keeping quiet about their concerns:

Some colleagues are scared but too frightened to say anything says Andrea, in Chesterfield. Another teacher, at a primary/secondary school in Walsall, told the WSWS, we have been gagged from speaking out about the dangers, the deaths of education staff have been dismissed. The staff at my school have been threatened with disciplinary action if we speak out.

The trade unions and the Labour Party have been disgraceful

This situation is a devastating indictment of Labour and the education unions, who are fully behind the governments Back to School Safely campaign. Responses to the WSWS survey revealed tremendous hostility towards these organisations, whose actions were variously described as appalling, spineless, shambolic, scandalous, disgraceful, disgusting and pathetic.

Deborah, from Lincolnshire, said, So disappointed, feel like we are being dictated too. There isnt even support from unions. This is all [about] getting parents back to work not school. Helen, explained, It incenses me. I have paid union subscriptions for 20 years and I expect better representation for my protection. Unions have been toothless, wrote Katherine, a secondary school teacher in Tyneside, They stated 5 targets had to be met before schools returned. They have NOT been met but unions have given in.

Teachers feel like they are simply being thrown into the fire, said James, working in a secondary school in Carmarthenshire. Anne, working in early years in Colchester, agreed that teachers were Just being thrown under a bus.

On the Labour Party, Bob from Walsall and Jane from Carmarthenshire both wrote that there is in effect no opposition to the Tory government. Claudia, a secondary school teacher in Birmingham, said, I am furious about it. No real opposition to speak of in this country. Steven in Devon agreed, [Sir Keir] Starmers Labour position is awful.

Many respondents stated that there was no difference between Labour and the Tory government.

Its pathetic. Keir Starmer is blue through and through, said Amy. Sarah, in Surrey, said she thought the Labour Party has rolled over and joined the Tories The Tories want their herd immunity and what better way to ensure every child has been in contact with the virus than opening schools? Labour Party? You mean the Red Tories? asked Mary, at a primary/secondary school in Glasgow.

Hayley wrote that both the Tories and Labour fear the economic downturn more than they fear the loss of life.

Some have left or considered leaving Labour over this issue. I have been a loyal member of the Labour Party for years. But not now. I feel very let down over this, wrote Sue, a secondary school teacher. Katherine explained, I have voted Labour all my life but Starmer has now lost my support. A primary/secondary school teacher in Cornwall will also be cancelling my membership. Rachel, at a primary school in Norfolk has already left the Labour party over it. I feel utterly betrayed by them and the ignoring of parents and teachers concerns.

Labour is a joke, another respondent said, Starmer is a joke. They dont have the working class backs. Becki, from West Yorkshire, wrote, Labour is meant to be for the people, none of the government is for the people anymore. Our democracy is an illusion, said Lisa.

Support for a general strike against the unsafe reopening of schools

Under these conditions, the WSWS survey found a significant majority of respondents in favour of participating in a general strike. Many indicated that they would fully, gladly, totally or completely support such action .

Jane, a secondary/sixth form teacher in Staffordshire explained, if it saves lives, yes, we should. Strike!, said primary teacher Steve, This failing government has and is failing us and our children! One secondary school teacher described a general strike as The only way.

Rachel explained, I think its a good idea. We get one life, if we get this wrong, our children will be more damaged by their parents or teachers dying than being temporarily home schooled.

These responses are a powerful indication of oppositional sentiment among a wide section of parents and education workers. They point to the popular basis that exists for a struggle against Johnson and his criminal reopening of schools. However, the Tory government, the Labour Party and the trade unions are all working to browbeat, isolate and demobilise school workers to prevent such a development, which would shatter the return to work drive demanded by big business.

From the beginning of the pandemic, the WSWS and the Socialist Equality Party have argued that the measures and resources dedicated to ensuring the safety and continued functioning of society must be allocated not based on what the ruling elite are willing to pay, but on what the working class needs. We insist that the fight for those measures and resources must be waged independently of the bankrupt Labour and trade union bureaucracy.

On August 8, the SEP in Britain called for the formation of an interconnected network of rank-and-file committees to prepare for a general strike against the opening of schools and the murderous policy of the ruling class. We called for a massive expansion of testing and tracing and for full funding for online education and for health and social care outside of school until the virus is eradicated.

Events since then, and the response found by this survey, have fully justified that approach. In the next weeks, the SEP will expand its work among school workers to organise a fightback against unsafe school reopenings. An Educators Newsletter has been established to connect and coordinate struggles across the country. We call on all school staff and parents to sign up today.




Haiti - Agriculture : President Moise promises 0% interest agricultural loans





On Monday August 24 at the National Palace, President Jovenel Moise proceeded to the installation of the Board of Directors of the National Bank for Agricultural Development (BNDA).



"The idea of establishing BNDA for over a million farmers had caused me a lot of trouble. This Bank, which is now born, had been in the drawers since 1989. It took courage for this project to take shape."



Today that dream has come true and I hope that with BNDA, agricultural financing will be guaranteed and agriculture will see better days. Farmers have a right to look to the future with much more hope and confidence.



With the creation of the National Bank for Agricultural Development (BNDA), it is clear that the bet is daring. The challenge is big. But I am firmly determined to face obstacles of all kinds to enable Haiti to emerge from the rut of underdevelopment," declared the Head of State



Member of the Board of BNDA :

President: Fraude Joseph

Vice-President: Michelle Guillaume, vice-president

Managing Director: Ulrick Emmanuel Noel

Members: Cassandra Lauture and Martin Jean-Louis



President Moise instructed Ulrick Emmanuel Noel, the Director General of BNDA, to make 0% interest credit available to farmers from the next winter season.



In addition, in order to prevent loan applicants from going to Port-au-Prince, the 95 Communal Agricultural Offices (BACs) throughout the country will serve as branches of the BNDA. Offices where farmers and agricultural cooperatives can apply for credit.



The beneficiaries will have until the end of their harvests to repay their loan, said Jovenel Moise, who asked future borrowers to respect their commitments made with the National Bank for Agricultural Development.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Monument Re announced today that, subject to regulatory approval, it has agreed to acquire Charles Taylor Group's Isle of Man operations, which principally comprises its life insurance company, LCL International Life Assurance Company Limited and Charles Taylor Holdings (IOM) Limited. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Manfred Maske, CEO of Monument Re Group, said: "We are very pleased to have worked with the Charles Taylor team to reach an agreement to acquire their Isle of Man operations. The signing of this transaction establishes our presence on the island and represents a key step in executing our strategy in the Crown Dependencies."

Rob Brown, Charles Taylor Group CEO, said, "Monument Re is a great new owner for our Isle of Man business. Our decision to proceed with this transaction resulted from the ongoing evaluation of our business to ensure the right offerings, operating structure and competitive positioning for our clients and for our long-term success. The divestment of the Isle of Man operation was a natural conclusion of this assessment and results in a simpler group with a clear focus on non-life insurance services across our core claims services, technology and insurance management offerings."

Jeffrey More, CEO of Charles Taylor Insurance Services (IOM) said, "We have enjoyed an extended period of success under Charles Taylor's ownership, which has included making a number of acquisitions as we have built the business. I am delighted that we are joining Monument Re and look forward to playing our part in driving further growth."

Both Monument Re and Charles Taylor are committed to providing seamless continuity of services during the period of transition.

Change of control of the companies will follow satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals.

Fenchurch Advisory Partners acted as financial adviser to Charles Taylor.

About the Charles Taylor Group

Charles Taylor is a global provider of professional services and technology solutions dedicated to enabling the global insurance market to do its business fundamentally better. Dating back to 1884, Charles Taylor now employs approximately 3000 staff in more than 120 locations spread across 30 countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

Charles Taylor believes that it holds a distinctive position in its markets in that it is able to provide professional services and technology solutions in order to support every stage of the insurance lifecycle and every aspect of the insurance operating model. Charles Taylor serves a diversified blue-chip international customer base that includes national and international insurance companies, mutuals, captives, MGAs, Lloyd's syndicates and reinsurers, along with brokers, distributors and corporate insureds.

About Monument Re

Monument Re Limited is a life Reinsurance and Insurance Holding Company with a presence in Bermuda, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Guernsey, with branches in Spain, Italy, France and Germany. Monument Re operates as a reinsurer and acquirer of European asset-intensive portfolios. Through this strategy, Monument Re assumes asset-based risks within its risk appetite and efficiently operates these businesses or portfolios.

Monument Re is subject to Group Supervision by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

To learn more, please visit www.monumentregroup.com or contact Manfred Maske, CEO, info@monumentregroup.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005290/en/

Contacts:

Philippa Ushio

Prosek Partners

+1 858 373 7052

pro-charlestaylor@prosek.com



Manfred Maske, CEO, info@monumentregroup.com
BBC boss David Pickard (pictured) is behind the 'creative' decision to censor Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory at Last Night of the Proms

The BBC boss behind the 'creative' decision to censor Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory at Last Night of the Proms previously said he didn't want the concert to be a 'political platform'.

David Pickard became director of the BBC Proms in 2015 after holding various prestigious roles in classical music - including as general director of opera house Glyndebourne.

Upon his BBC appointment, he said he wanted to bring 'world-class classical music to the widest possible audience' and was praised for his ability to introduce new listeners to the genre.

Now, the London-born Cambridge graduate is at the centre of controversy surrounding the BBC's decision to drop the singing of patriotic anthems at this year's concert after critics dubbed them 'racist'.

In 2019, Mr Pickard told The Daily Telegraph he didn't want the Proms to be a 'political platform' after remainers gave out EU flags to audience members before the event the year prior.

His hopes were dashed, however, when the 2019 concert was also hijacked by flag-bearing anti-Brexit campaigners.

Jamie Barton waving the the rainbow flag at the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, London last year, while singing Rule Britannia

The 2019 Last Night of the Proms was hijacked by people waving EU flags amid the row over Brexit (pictured)

Finnish conductor issues statement saying she did NOT axe rule Britannia A Finnish conductor caught up in a row over the Last Night of the Proms has issued a statement insisting she is not responsible for axing Rule Britannia and recognises it as an 'important part of the event'. BBC sources cited in the Sunday Times claimed Dalia Stasevska, 35, was one of those keen to 'modernise' the event and reduce the patriotic elements involved. Ms Stasevska, who has voiced her support for Black Lives Matter, was swept up in controversy following reports that she had concerns about the words to Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory. But Ms Stasevska has now spoken out in a statement, issued on her behalf by management company HarrisonParrott, insisting she had no part in the BBC's decision to not have the patriotic anthems sung. It piles pressure onto BBC Proms director David Pickard after director general Lord Hall backed his creative decision and confirmed that he and his team had taken Rule Britannia's links to colonialism into account. Ms Stasevska said in the statement: 'I am so honoured to be part of this year's BBC Proms and its iconic Last Night. 'I understand its prominence in the UK classical music calendar and wider cultural landscape. It is incredibly exciting to be part of an event with such long-standing tradition. 'It is testament to the unfailing work and commitment of the organisers that the Proms can proceed at all this year. 'However, in recent days there has been a good deal of inaccurate speculation about my role in determining the format of this year's Last Night Of The Proms. 'This false speculation has led to abuse and threats towards me and my family which is why I am speaking out. 'For the record I have played no role in deciding the traditional elements of the programme, I recognise these are an important part of the event.' Advertisement

And this year's audience-free event has again been marred by politics after Boris Johnson waded into the anthems row, condemning the BBC for 'wetness' over its decision to drop the singing.

The national broadcaster initially considered dropping the patriotic songs after criticism of their supposed links to slavery and colonialism, but after a huge row bosses rowed back and announced they would be played instead, but not sung.

They claim that the lack of an audience to sing along is behind the 'creative' decision.

BBC director-general Lord Hall - who is due to step down in September - said he backed the decision.

He told the BBC's media editor Amol Rajan: 'They've come to the right conclusion.'

Asked whether there had been a discussion about dropping songs because of their association with Britain's imperial history, Lord Hall said: 'The whole thing has been discussed by David (Pickard) and his colleagues of course it has.'

When Mr Pickard took over as director in 2015, controller of BBC Radio 3 Alan Davey told Cambridge's Corpus Christi College - where Mr Pickard was a student - that the piano player would 'bring a whole host of fresh ideas' to the concert.

Mr Pickard said: 'Like so many people, my interest in classical music was inspired by visits to the Proms as a teenager and it has been my privilege to play a role as a contributor for the past 20 years, firstly with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and more recently with the annual Glyndebourne Prom.

'I look forward now to building on the founding principles of the Proms - to bring world-class classical music to the widest possible audience.'

His groundbreaking initiatives included a 'Proms at ' series which looked at music in unusual spaces - including a multi-storey car park in London.

Speaking his aims prior to the 2017 proms, Mr Pickard said: 'It is 122 years since the first season of "Henry Wood Promenade Concerts" and 90 years since the BBC took over responsibility for the festival.

'The world has changed considerably since 1895, but the BBC Proms continues to uphold the same founding principles of those very first concerts: to bring the best of classical music to the widest possible audiences.'

A BBC spokesperson said: 'For the avoidance of any doubt, these songs will be sung next year. We obviously share the disappointment of everyone that the Proms will have to be different but believe this is the best solution in the circumstances and look forward to their traditional return next year.'

What is the history of Rule, Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory? Rule, Britannia originates from the poem of the same name by Scottish poet and playwright James Thomson, and was set to music by English composer Thomas Arne in 1740. It gained popularity in the UK after it was first played in London in 1745 and became symbolic of the British Empire, most closely associated with the British Navy. The song has been used as part of a number of compositions, including Wagner's concert overture in D Major in 1837 and Beethoven's orchestral work, Wellington's Victory. The song has been an integral part of the annual Remembrance Day ceremony since 1930, when it became the first song played in the programme known as The Traditional Music. It regained popularity at the end of WWII in 1945 after it was played at the ceremonial surrender of the Japanese imperial army in Singapore. Rule, Britannia is usually played annually during at the BBC's Last Night of the Proms. Left-wing critics claimed its inclusion has promoted controversy in recent years as it was deemed too patriotic. The song 'Land of Hope and Glory' is based on the trio theme from Elgar's Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1, which was originally premiered in 1901. It caught the attention of King Edward VII after it became the only piece in the history of the Proms to receive a double encore. King Edward suggested that this trio would make a good song, and so Elgar worked it into the last section of his Coronation Ode, to be performed at King Edward's coronation. Advertisement

The BBC prompted a fresh row after announcing that traditional favourites such as Land Of Hope And Glory will be performed without lyrics at the Proms (pictured in 2012)
 Flash

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa surged to 1,187,937 as the death toll from the pandemic rose to 27,779, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Monday.

The number of people who recovered from their COVID-19 infections rose to 906,691 as of Monday, said Africa CDC, a specialized healthcare agency of the African Union (AU) Commission, in its latest situation update.

South Africa currently has the most COVID-19 cases, which hit 609,773. The country also has the highest number of deaths related to COVID-19, at 13,059, according to figures from the Africa CDC.

Egypt came next with 97,340 confirmed cases and 5,262 deaths, followed by Nigeria with 52,227 cases and 1,002 deaths, Africa CDC said.

The southern Africa region is the most affected area in terms of confirmed cases, followed by northern Africa and western Africa regions, it was noted.

According to the Africa CDC, Ethiopia is also one of the African countries that have reported a growing number of positive COVID-19 cases during the past few weeks.

The East African country had until Monday morning reported 40,671 total confirmed COVID-19 cases as the death toll from the pandemic rose to 678. Some 14,995 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered so far, according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Health.

On Saturday, the continental disease control and prevention agency had urged the continent to avoid coronavirus "prevention fatigue."

The urgent call was made by John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa CDC, who noted "a slight decrease" in COVID-19 infection rates on the continent, and said this "gives some signs of hope that we are beginning to bend the curve slowly," an AU statement issued on Saturday quoted Nkengasong as saying.

The Africa CDC Director, however, cautioned the continent "to maintain and increase the use of masks, social distancing, and to ramp up testing, even as countries begin to ease lockdown measures."

"We do not want the population to show prevention fatigue," Nkengasong said, adding that "we are dealing with a delicate virus that can easily flare up again very quickly, as has been witnessed in other parts of the world."

In the past week, Africa reported an average of 10,344 new cases per day, compared to 11,494 the week before and 14,447 the previous week, according to figures from the Africa CDC.

The Africa CDC also announced that Africa is working towards "trusted testing" for COVID-19 to protect travel and borders. This will entail mutual recognition of certified COVID-19 testing among all member states, to allow for smooth movement across the continent.

Nkengasong said the Partnership for Increased COVID19 Testing (PACT) "will be used to enhance surveillance in different economic sectors."

The continental PACT initiative, which was rolled out in June when the continent had conducted under 400,000 tests, had a target of 10 million tests across the continent.

A few months later, 10,256,000 tests have been conducted, the majority of them in ten countries that are South Africa, Morocco, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Uganda and Mauritius.

The Africa CDC also disclosed a new target of 20 million tests has now been set for the period from now until the beginning of November, to capitalize on the gains recorded so far.
Thousands of domestic university students are returning to Wuhan, China, where the Covid-19 pandemic originated, as campuses have been reopened there with strict social distancing norms in place around seven months after physical classes were suspended.

Also read: Oxford coronavirus vaccine data could go to regulators this year

International students, including hundreds from India, are still not allowed to return to Wuhan, the capital of the central Chinese Hubei province, because of the grim pandemic situation outside China. On-campus classes are expected to begin in a week.

Universities and schools were shut indefinitely in Wuhan after the city was locked down on January 23 to contain the Covid-19 spread. The disease first emerged at a seafood and meat market in this central Chinese city before spreading to the rest of China, and then the world, infecting millions and battering the global economy.

Schools were reopened in a staggered manner as the outbreak slowed in China even as university campuses remained shut mainly because of the infection risks associated with student dormitories.

Returning students will need to carry their updated health cards, showing them as negative for the virus.

As of Monday, over 9,000 students had returned to the Wuhan University from different parts of China, official news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday. Another 20,000 students were expected to return in batches.

Students currently outside the Chinese mainland are still not allowed to return to their universities, Li Qin, deputy minister of the universitys student affairs department, told tabloid Global Times.

Several hundred Indian students are enrolled at medical universities in Hubei. They will be unable to resume on-campus classes until the Chinese government allows international students to return.

For Wuhan, it has been a gradual return to normalcy since the lockdown was lifted in early April. Mass testing of residents followed the lifting of strict curbs on movement.

A video recently of a pool party at the Wuhan Maya Beach Water Park, showing half-submerged, tightly-packed partygoers without masks and with DJs blaring music went viral online.

Chinese state media defended the gathering. Wuhan, once badly hit by the coronavirus epidemic and then locked down for 76 days since late January, now has the epidemic under control, with no new local Covid-19 cases reported for months, official English news channel CGTN reported.

Mainland China reported 84,981 Covid-19 cases and 4,634 deaths as of Monday. Hubei has reported 68,139 cases, mostly in Wuhan, and 63,626 have been cured and discharged from hospitals. The disease has claimed 4,512 lives in the province, a majority of them in Wuhan.
Update:

San Antonio police arrested a man who allegedly ran from a 18-wheeler crash near Interstate 35 North on Tuesday.

Sacramento Martinez, 32, was arrested after he was seen running from the rollover, according to the San Antonio Police Department. A man was found dead in the cab of the 18-wheeler.

Officers located Martinez and found that he had an active felony warrant out of Austin. He was brought to police headquarters to be interviewed and arrested for the warrant out of Austin.

Original:

Police believe there is a connection between a man who was found shot to death inside an 18-wheeler in San Antonio to a woman who was found shot to death in a vehicle in New Braunfels.

At 3:15 a.m. Tuesday, San Antonio police responded to a call about an 18-wheeler driving erratically near Austin Street, located just east of Interstate 35 north of the downtown area. The individual who called police followed the truck and found that it had been turned over on its side.

When police arrived, they found a 45-year-old man dead in the cab, though it is unclear if he was the driver or passenger.

FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox

According to police, the 18-wheeler may have been the same truck authorities said sped away from a crime scene 45 minutes earlier in New Braunfels, where police and Comal County Sheriff deputies were called to a single vehicle accident near the 3900 block of Interstate 35 and found a 33-year-old Austin woman shot to death in the passenger seat of a black Ford Expedition.

While New Braunfels police officers were responding to that scene, another call came in for a possible shooting at a TA Truck Stop in the 4800 block of Interstate 35.

Witnesses told police they heard a number of gunshots before an 18-wheeler sped out of the truck stop parking lot. Officers were unable to locate a vehicle or any signs of a shooting until San Antonio police found the 18-wheeler.

SAPD has a suspect in custody, but no additional information has been released. The shooting victims have also not been identified.

Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway
An indigenous group is set to vote this week on whether to authorize oil and gas fracking in Western Australia and related infrastructure in a project that, if approved, could become Australia's largest fracking and oil-producing venture.

Karajarri Traditional Lands Association (KTLA) native title holders will vote on August 28 on whether to approve the project, the association's chief executive Martin Bin Rashid told ABC, declining to be interviewed or comment on the vote.

The Great Sandy Desert Project by Australian company Theia Energy proposes to frack unconventional oil and gas resources in west Kimberley, having successfully drilled a discovery well back in 2015. The company said that the project has substantial potential for development.

Theia Energy has said that the fracking project, alongside an oil pipeline and ports, could require capital investment of US$55.3 billion (77 billion Australian dollars), ABC reported last year. Theia Energy has said that it has found up to 57 billion barrels of oil at the prospect.

"It will probably end up being the biggest oil project in Australia," KTLA chairman Thomas King told ABC in August 2019.

The association expects there could be enormous benefits for the indigenous community, but whether the "Karajarri people feel that is something they want to entertain still remains to be decided," King said last year.

The project was not a proposal but an investment brochure, Theia Energy's chief operating officer Jop van Hattum told ABC last year, noting that "There are a lot of assumptions in the economic model at this stage."

With oil and gas prices hitting multi-year lows earlier this year and the global oil and gas industry still suffering from the coronavirus-inflicted crisis, it is unclear how the project could get multi-billion-dollar financing.

As with many other fracking projects outside the United States, costs and environmental opposition could derail the Australian project.

"At this time in history, is the Western Australia Govt going to support this climate busting fracking, ports, and oil pipeline project for west Kimberley?" Environs Kimberley says.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Tech giant Google will always pay the tax it is required to pay in the United Kingdom, the companys UK managing director has said.

Ronan Harris told ITVs Good Morning Britain on Tuesday that the firm paid around the same amount of tax globally as other similar-sized companies across all industries.

But he said a bone of contention around the issue appeared to be with the vast majority of its tax being paid to the US state of California, where the companys head office is located.

Googles UK managing director Ronan Harris (Yui Mok/PA)

He said the amount of tax the firm should pay in the UK was a matter for the UK Government to set.

Google paid 44 million in corporation tax in the UK last year, and handed out more than 1 billion in pay and bonuses to its 4,439 staff in the country, according to accounts filed with Companies House.

The tax payment is down on the 66 million paid a year earlier, due to profits falling following a hiring spree of 800 workers, including 400 new research and development (R&D) staff.

Googles UK operation is primarily used as the marketing and sales division of its European operation, which is headquartered in Dublin, where taxes are lower.

Asked about the difference in Googles tax payments, Mr Harris said: Like any business our revenues and our profits go up and down, so thats accounting for some of the variation in those figures.

He continued: But I think the bone of contention is the vast majority of that (overall) tax is paid in California, where our head office is.

And the conversation between international governments at the moment is: is there a fair apportionment of that tax so that more of it is paid, not in California, but in the countries where we are doing lots of businesses?

The UK Government is attempting to crack down on the use of profits and cash being shifted to countries with lower tax levels, and is planning a 2% digital service tax.

Story continues

If introduced, Google would see 2% of its 1.6 billion sales in the UK taxed, bringing in an extra 32 million. Sales were up compared with 1.4 billion recorded a year earlier.

Instead, it paid the 44 million bill on pre-tax profits of 225.8 million, down on 246.3 million pre-tax profits the year before.

Mr Harris was repeatedly asked whether Google would be willing to pay more tax in the UK, to which he responded: We will always pay the tax we are required to pay in the UK, and that is a matter for the UK Government to set.

Google has been contacted for further information about its tax payments in California.
An arms trafficker in Mexico has revealed that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel paid $22,800 for an arsenal of assault weapons and sniper rifles just days before a failed attempt to assassinate Mexico City's police chief.

Omar Garcia Harfuch suffered three gun shot wounds in the early morning ambush attack that left two bodyguards and a civilian dead in Lomas de Chaputelpec, a neighborhood in the borough of Miguel Hidalgo on June 26.

The weapon dealer, identified as El Reynol by Mexican newspaper El Universal, said the deal took place at a safehouse in the Mexico City borough of Gustavo A. Madero on June 24.

Pictured: Weapons recovered from the scene which were reportedly used by the heavily armed gunmen when they attacked the Mexico City police chief this morning

Mexico City police chief Omar Garcia Harfuch (left) at his hospital bed during a visit with mayor Claudia Sheinbaum

Pictured: Local media reported that this image shows the Mexico City police chief being treated at the scene by paramedics. Harfuch was shot three times and one of his bodyguards died trying to protect him

El Reynol said the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was highly recommended by a party whose identity was not disclosed.

The cartel purchased 20 AR-15 rifles and three .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifles - which were all previously unused - and 10,000 rounds of ammunition.

'They really wanted to kill Harfuch,' El Reynol said. 'That weaponry is only requested by the large groups or the self-defense groups and the drug traffickers that are in [the state of] Guerrero. If they had gotten the grenades, I think the police chief would not have been spared.'

The arms dealer told El Universal that his group was well aware their weapons had been used in the failed plot to assassinate Mexico City's top cop.

'We don't ask what the weapons are used for or who buys them,' El Reynol said.

'Two days after we saw what had happened to Harfuch, we learned that those who bought the weapons were the same dudes.

El Reynol said the cartel's weapons buyers did not pose any worries when they made the inquiry into purchasing the arsenal of weapons.

'There was no breakdowns [in the negotiation with them], they paid and that's it,' he said. 'This is how business should be done. We never knew who they were, but they were well recommended and I tell you, they knew what they were doing and what they were getting into.'

Pictured are 12 of the individuals who are alleged to have participated in the June 26 attack that wounded Omar Garcia Harfuch, the police chief of Mexico City, and left three people dead

Pictured are three of over 20 individuals who have been arrested in connection with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel's alleged plot to assassinate the police chief of Mexico City on June 26

Surveillance image showed about two dozen armed men opening fire from a truck's flatbed after they intercepted Garcia Harfuch's convoy.

Mexico's National Intelligence Agency confirmed after the gun battle that it knew of an imminent attack that was being planned against high-ranking official after listening to a recording that involved alleged members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the country's most dangerous cartels.

The attack on Garcia Harfuch was the first on a Mexico City police chief since 2008 when Julio Cesar Sanchez Amaya, the then chief of the Federal District's Public Security, was targeted by the Sinaloa Cartel in a failed car bombing.

The police said in a statement that gunmen armed with .50 caliber sniper rifles and grenades exchanged fire with the Garcia Harfuch security detail.

The Mexico City prosecutor's office said the cartel hired the assassins three weeks before the shooting. They were split into groups of four with seven armed men in each group. One of the individuals who was arrested is a native of Colombia.

More than 20 individuals have been arrested in connection to the tragic attack.
In the World Health Organisation's latest epidemiological update which was issued on August 24, it said that the novel coronavirus continues to expand. However, rise in cases and deaths has decreased globally except for southeast Asia and the eastern Mediterranean regions. According to the update, the United States of America remains the hardest hit region.

COVID-19 pace slows across the globe, excluding few regions

Reports suggest that the United States accounts for more than half of the newly emerged cases globally at 62 per cent. The WHO reportedly said that for the week ending on August 23, over 1.7 million new Covid-19 cases and 39,000 new deaths were reported from all across the globe. Reports suggest that the novel coronavirus has infected more than 23.65 million people and 811,895 have died globally. Southeast Asia is the second most worst hit area. It has reportedly recorded a jump of 28% of new cases and 15% of deaths.

Read: COVID-19: Schools In South Korea Shut Again, Spain Introduces New Restrictions

India continues to report the majority of cases from the region. However, the virus is also spreading at a fast pace in Nepal. The WHO reportedly said that in Africa the situation has improved as cases and deaths have decreased by 8% and 11% respectively in the past week. This is due to a dip in the cases in regions like, Algeria, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal and South Africa. As a result of this, the South African cinema industry has put on a united front for the first time to reopen on August 28 the cinemas which have been shut down across the country for the past five months due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

According to the reports, the cases in Europe have drastically increased over the last three weeks. As a result of this, the economy has dropped again. Companies in Europe are cutting jobs for a sixth consecutive month, though not by as much as in April, with layoffs biggest in the manufacturing sector. Experts have said that the outlook for the economy is closely tied to the number of reported coronavirus cases and whether a second wave of outbreaks will keep schools from reopening and restrict shops, restaurants and other businesses from operating. However, a decrease of as less as 1 per cent was reported in the recent week. Also, the number of deaths continue to decrease across the continent.

Read: New Zealand Reports 7 New Community Virus Cases

In the Western Pacific region, including, Japan, Australia, Singapore, China and Vietnam, the cases have reportedly dropped by 5 per cent. However, South Korea has reported an increase of 180 pe cent in cases. Initially South Korea gained a lot of praise for its success in tackling the novel coronavirus. The country used measures like extensive testing and aggressive contact-tracing. However, health ministry official Yoon Tae-ho said that the health investigators had been unable to determine the transmission routes of about 20% of the recent cases and this has been raising concerns over the silent spreaders.

Read: COVID-19: Hypertension Medicines May Improve Survival Chances, Says New Study

Also Read: COVID-19 Tracing Apps Ineffective In Curbing Virus Transmission? Read What Study Says

(Image Credits: Unsplash)
Nicola Sturgeon insisted a new complaints policy include the conduct of former ministers - Getty Images Europe

Nicola Sturgeon left civil servants drawing up the complaints policy used against Alex Salmond with no doubt that it should cover the conduct of former ministers, an inquiry has heard.

James Hynd, the Scottish Government mandarin tasked with creating the policy, said she was "keen" to make the change and her views were made known in a draft letter that was circulated to officials.

In the letter to Leslie Evans, her most senior mandarin, Ms Sturgeon said she "wanted to make clear that the arrangements you are putting in place to address any complaints from staff should include any complaint received about the conduct of current or former Ministers in the Scottish Government."

Mr Hynd told a specially-convened Holyrood committee that he responded with assurances that he had already decided that the policy should cover retrospective complaints against former ministers.

But he said Ms Sturgeon then sent another, final version of the letter anyway as she was "keen for the record and for the avoidance of doubt to make sure that the procedure and whatever review we were undertaking covered former ministers."

The letter was sent in Nov 2017, around the same time Ms Evans told the committee she first raised concerns about Mr Salmond directly with Ms Sturgeon.

Ms Evans told the inquiry last week that she told Ms Sturgeon that Sky News were investigating an incident at Edinburgh Airport, and that Mr Salmond had contacted government staff about it.

James Hynd, Head of Cabinet, Parliament and Governance Division, Scottish Government - PA

But Mr Hynd vehemently denied the new policy was designed to target Mr Salmond, saying he was unaware of any allegations against the former First Minister until August the following year when newspaper reports emerged.

He insisted it was "entirely legitimate" for Liz Lloyd, Ms Sturgeon's chief of staff, to be involved when the policy was being drawn up.

The inquiry also heard evidence from Nicola Richards, the Scottish Government"s director of people, who defended sharing the draft policy with two women who expressed "concerns" about Mr Salmond, including one who later used it to lodge a complaint.

Story continues

She said it was shared with the latter woman partly so she could make an "informed decision" about whether to make a formal complaint.

However, Alison Johnstone, a Green committee member, questioned whether "lines were blurred" as "you have a policy being drafted being shared with someone who then goes on to be a complainant."

Jackie Baillie, a Labour MSP, also expressed concerns about "missing documents" not handed over by the Scottish Government, forcing her to base some of her questions to the two mandarins on information provided by unnamed sources.

Officials launched a formal investigation into Mr Salmond in January 2018 following allegations from civil servants that were lodged within weeks of Ms Sturgeon signing off the new policy.

But Mr Salmond won a judicial review last year when Scotlands highest civil court found that the way the Scottish Government investigation was handled was unlawful.

The case was abandoned on the eve of a Court of Session hearing after the government admitted it had breached its own guidelines by appointing an investigating officer who had prior involvement with two civil servants who had made complaints.

The SNP administration he once led paid him 512,250 of taxpayers' money to cover his legal costs after the judge Lord Pentland ruled the inquiry was "procedurally unfair" and "tainted with apparent bias".

Although the committees inquiry into the debacle was suspended when Mr Salmond was charged with sexual offences, it was kickstarted after in March this year when he was acquitted of all 13 charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Among the witnesses lined up to give evidence under oath are Mr Salmond, Ms Sturgeon and her husband, Peter Murrell, who is also the SNP's chief executive.

Nicola Richards swearing an oath to tell the truth - PA

Mr Hynd, the Scottish Government's head of Cabinet, parliament and governance division, told the inquiry that he had identified a "gap" in the previous complaints procedure for dealing with allegations against former ministers.

He said he said he was effectively "starting from scratch" in drawing up the policy, saying nothing similar existed in the UK Government.

Questioned by Ms Baillie about Ms Sturgeon's letter insisting former ministers be included, he said "we were already there" before she made her views known.

He said a draft of Ms Sturgeon's letter was circulated before the final version was sent on Nov 22. However, he said he was working from Nov 7 on including former ministers in the policy.

Mr Hynd said a "reasonably small" number of people were involved in drawing up the policy, including Ms Lloyd on one or two occasions.

He said she was particularly keen to ensure that Ms Evans could give the green light to investigations against current ministers without getting the First Minister's approval.

Although he said he was unaware the draft document had been shared with a future complainant, he did not think any feedback changed it.

This is bizarre - @jackiebmsp is having to ask questions based on emails / messages @scotgov has not provided to the committee but which Mr Hynd appeared to confirm the existence of https://t.co/bSgn6Jyqjl  Simon Johnson (@simon_telegraph) August 25, 2020

Pressed why it was shared, Ms Richards said she was trying to establish "whether this would have made any difference to them at the time, would it have made it more possible to raise issues about a First Minister or former First Minister."

She added: "It was done so that if they decided to proceed to formal complaint, they had an awareness of the policy likely to be applied."

Ms Richards also said she had had a hard copy of it when she spoke to a second woman but that they "did not come forward with a complaint".

However, several committee members questioned why the policy had not been more widely shared with other civil servants who claimed to have experience of sexual harassment or women's groups.
Culminating its probe into a fatal terror attack that left 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel dead in South Kashmir last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet in Jammu on Tuesday against 19 people including Masood Azhar, the chief of banned terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, for planning the suicide operation.

Giving details of the chargesheet, NIA spokesperson Sonia Narang, who is also serving as deputy inspector general in the agency, said the chargesheet marks the culmination of a year-and-a-half long 'painstaking and meticulous' investigation with valuable inputs received from other central and state government agencies as well as foreign law-enforcement agencies.

"A lot of digital, forensic, documentary and oral evidence establishing a fool-proof case against the accused for this dastardly and barbaric attack has been collected.

"The charge sheet has brought on record the all-out involvement of Pakistan-based entities to carry out terrorist strikes in India and to incite and provoke Kashmiri youth," she said.

The 13,500-page chargesheet names Masood Azhar, his brothers Abdul Rauf and Ammar Alvi, and his nephew Mohammed Umer Farooq who had infiltrated into India in April 2018 and was subsequently killed in one of the encounters in South Kashmir.

Besides Azhar's brothers, the NIA named Sameer Dar and Ashaq Ahmed Nengroo, both residents of Pulwama in South Kashmir, and Mohd Ismail, a Pakistani national, as absconders in its chargesheet and secured non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against all six from the special court in Jammu.

"NBWs have been issued against the absconding accused and further investigation in the case is continued," Narang said.

Leading the investigation into the 'blind case', as seven accused wanted in it were killed in different encounters in 2019, a team led by joint director of NIA Anil Shukla gathered evidences and statements of terrorists and their sympathisers arrested in different cases in order to expose the conspiracy hatched for executing the audacious attack on the para-military convoy, officials said.

According to the chargesheet, the suicide attack was the result of a well-planned criminal conspiracy hatched by Pakistan-based leadership of terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Terming Masood Azhar's nephew as the main conspirator, the NIA said Farooq visited Afghanistan for explosives training in 2016-17 and infiltrated into India through the International Border at Jammu-Samba Sector in April, 2018.

He took over as JeM Commander of Pulwama.

Farooq along with his Pakistani compatriots Mohd. Kamran, Mohd. Ismail alias Saifullah and Qari Yasir and local associates Sameer Dar and Adil Ahmad Dar planned and prepared for the attack on security forces using IEDs.

The other accused -- Shakir Bashir, Insha Jan, Peer Tariq Ahmad Shah and Bilal Ahmad Kuchey -- provided all logistics and harboured the JeM terrorists in their houses.

From December, 2018 onwards, Bashir started doing reconnaissance of the movement and deployment of security forces on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway while another accused Mudasir Ahmad Khan started arranging Gelatin sticks and handed them over to him.

RDX was brought by the Pakistani terrorists who infiltrated into India.

Bashir collected the explosive material like Aluminium powder and Calcium-Ammonium Nitrate and stocked them at his house for making the IED.

In January last year, Sajjad Ahmad Bhat purchased a Maruti EECO car, for the purpose of carrying out the IED attack, which was kept in the front-yard of Bashir's house.

This case also brings to light the use of e-commerce platforms by the planners in the terror module for purchase of high-end batteries, phones and some chemicals.

The chargesheet said Waiz-Ul-Islam, arrested from Srinagar, ordered 4 kg of Aluminium powder from his Amazon account on the directions of accused Mohd. Ismail and gave the same to him.

The video clip of the suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar was finished by January end last year as the terrorists were planning to carry out the attack on security forces in the first week of February but had to shelve it following closure of the national highway due to snow.

The vehicle was fitted with two IED containers -- 160 kg and 40 kg -- comprising an explosive cocktail of RDX, Calcium-Ammonium Nitrate, Gelatin Sticks and Aluminium powder.

On resumption of traffic, Shakir Bashir drove Dar till the National Highway, after which the suicide bomber took charge of the vehicle and drove on, carrying out the suicide attack by ramming the car laden with 200 kg of high-grade explosives into a bus of the CRPF convoy, 'resulting in 40 CRPF personnel getting martyred and damage to the tune of Rs.32,90,719 to public property'.

The investigation has revealed that the Pakistan-based JeM leadership consisting of Masood Azhar, Rouf Asgar and Ammar Alvi were continuously giving directions and guidance to the Pakistani JeM terrorists who had infiltrated into India both before and after the attack.

They had also planned to carry out another suicide attack which got averted due to Balakot strikes and due to the killing of the main conspirator Mohd Umar Farooq by the security forces. Further, due to international pressure, Pakistan lied low, the probe agency said.

The probe also showed 'a well-crafted mechanism by Pakistani establishment to push terrorists into the Indian territory from the launch pads located in Shakargarh (Pakistan) opposite Samba-Kathua Sector in Jammu'.
Monsoon has been in its active phase in the past five days and several parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan recorded exceptionally high rain over the weekend according to data with India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Kadi and Umerpada in Gujarat recorded 33 and 26 cm of rainfall respectively. In Saurashtra and Kutch, Jodia recorded 34 cm of rain; Kadi recorded 33 cm, followed by Tankara (27 cm), Umerpada (26 cm), Morbi (25 cm), Becharaji (22 cm), Saraswati (21 cm) and Kandla Aerodrome and Surendranagar recorded 18 cm of rainfall on Sunday.

Nine persons died and 1,900 people were moved to safer places in Gujarat on Monday due to extreme rain according to a report by PTI.

Also read: Heavy rain lashes Bihar, flood situation remains grim

Other places that recorded extremely heavy rain in the past week include several parts of Odisha with Salepur and Nischintacoil recording 30 cm of rain on August 19. Several parts of Chhattisgarh and west Madhya Pradesh reported 20 to 30 cm rain on August 20, 21 and 22. Parts in east Rajasthan, like Lohari, Banswara, Bhungra, recorded 18 to 20 cm rain in 24 hours.

Gujarat has recorded 179 percent excess rain while Rajasthan saw 33 percent excess rain in August alone. The IMD has forecast very heavy rains in northwest India including Delhi on August 26 and 27.

A low-pressure area is lying over southwest Rajasthan. It is likely to persist for the next 24 hours. The monsoon trough is active and south of its normal position (Ganganagar to Bay of Bengal). It is likely to remain active during the next 2-3 days. Due to these favourable conditions, widespread and heavy to very heavy rain is likely over Gujarat and southwest Rajasthan on August 25.

Another low-pressure area is lying over North Bay of Bengal. It is likely to become more marked during the next 2 days. Under its influence, widespread and very heavy rain is likely over Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand during next 3-4 days and over Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan from August 26 to 28. Extremely heavy rain is also very likely over Odisha on August 25 and 26.

Also read: Yamuna moves towards warning mark as Haryana releases water

Due to the convergence of lower-level easterlies from Bay of Bengal and south-westerlies from Arabian Sea, rainfall activity is likely to increase over northwest India from August 25 with peak intensity on August 26 and 27. Under its influence, widespread and very heavy rain is likely over northwest India during August 26 to 28.

Parts of central and western India have recorded very high rainfall and flooding. The low-pressure area over southwest Rajasthan will gradually weaken and the vortex in that region will break leading to moisture incursion in northwest India. That is when we are likely to see heavy rains in Delhi, said RK Jenamani, senior scientist, national weather forecasting centre.

One or two spells of moderate rain/thundershowers with isolated heavy rain is likely on August 26 night till forenoon of August 28, said Kuldeep Shrivastava, head, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre. Monsoon trough is likely to run very close to Delhi NCR from August 25 to 28, he added.

On Monday, 24 Stations (15 in Bihar, 4 in Uttar Pradesh, 2 Assam, 1 each in Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal) were flowing in severe flood situations. Severe flood is declared when the water level touches or exceeds the danger level but is below the highest flood level (HFL).

Flood-affected districts include Narmada, Tapi, Damanganga, Mahi, Sabarmati in Gujarat and West flowing Rivers in Kutch, such as Narmada and Upper Chambal and Mahi in Madhya Pradesh and Chambal and its tributaries, Mahi, Sabarmati, Luni in Rajasthan.

Monsoon rain since June 1 over the country is 8 percent excess with 5 percent excess over east and northeast India; 14 percent deficient over northwest India; 14 percent surplus over central India and 25 percent surplus over south peninsula.
The finalists have been selected for Florida Farm Bureau's 2020 Achievement in Agriculture, Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet awards. The awards honor young farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18-35 for their hard work, innovation and ability to solve top agricultural challenges. The finalists will compete mid-October and the award winners will be announced at the Florida Farm Bureau Virtual Annual Meeting, Oct. 22, 2020.

The 2020 Achievement in Agriculture Award finalists are:

Chance Clay (Putnam County): Clay is a cattle, timber and blueberry farmer in San Mateo.

Michael and Brooke Hill (Lake County): The Hills manage Southern Hill Farms, a U-Pick and commercial blueberry farm in Clermont.

Dennis and Sarah Beth Carlton (Hillsborough County): The Carltons are cattle ranchers and strawberry growers in Dover.

The Achievement in Agriculture Award recognizes members of Florida Farm Bureaus Young Farmers and Ranchers program who excel in their involvement in agriculture, leadership abilities and participation in Farm Bureau and other civic and service organizations. Each Achievement in Agriculture award finalist will undergo an on-site farm visit by a team of qualified judges as part of the final selection process.

The 2020 Excellence in Agriculture Award finalists are:

KLeigh Combs (Duval County): Combs is the supervisor for her familys Agritourism program in addition to managing other entities of the family ranch.

Matt Griffin (Lake County): Griffin is an experienced farm manager with a B.S. degree in Food & Resource Economics. He is a past member of the Florida Farm Bureau State Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Group.

Scarlett Jackson (Polk County): Jackson serves on the Florida Farm Bureau State Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Group and is the Executive Director of the Florida FFA Foundation.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award is based on an applicants involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other civic organizations.

The 2020 Discussion Meet finalists are:

Tyler Pittman (Alachua): Pittman is a Gilchrist County Extension Agent and serves on the Alachua County Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.

Rebecca Hall (Alachua): Hall is the co-founder and vice president of Promised Land Family Ministries. The mission of the non-profit is to teach children about God through agriculture.

Matthew Gonzalez (Levy County): Gonzalez holds a BAS in Diversified Agriculture and is the current farm consultant manager at Sparr Building and Farm Supply.

Ben Morris (Palm Beach County): Ben Morris is a member of the Florida Farm Bureau State Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Group. He works for Farm Credit of Florida.

The Discussion Meet contest is designed to simulate a committee meeting during which discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic.

Florida Farm Bureau, the states largest general agricultural organization, represents more than 142,000 member-families. We serve to enhance farm enterprise and improve rural communities.

Note to editors: This news release should be of particular interest to media covering Alachua, Duval, Hillsborough, Lake, Levy, Palm Beach, Polk and Putnam counties. Contact michele.curts@ffbf.org to schedule an interview with the award finalists.

Media contacts:

Rachael Smith, Interim Public Relations Director

352.374.1521

rachael.smith@ffbf.org

Michele Curts, Leadership Programs Coordinator

352.374.1541

michele.curts@ffbf.org

# # #
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing its support of small businesses that have been unjustly denied insurance coverage for losses suffered due to shutdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading plaintiffs law firm Grant & Eisenhofer has filed a pair of class actions against 11 insurance companies.

The suits were brought on behalf of a fitness center in Tennessee and a group of Philadelphia cafes and wine and beer bars, respectively. They were filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia.

Defendants include Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Co. (PIIC), and Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Co., as well as nine of its domestic underwriting subsidiaries.

Grant & Eisenhofer's clients purchased insurance policies that indemnified them for suspension of business activities and/or the rendering of their premises as unusable  the fate of businesses nationwide as a result of shutdown orders imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus.

The filings follow a lawsuit Grant & Eisenhofer brought in June against Markel Insurance Co. for refusing to cover losses suffered by franchisees of Anytime Fitness, a chain of gyms that was shuttered in the wake of the pandemic.

"We continue to see small enterprises that purchased commercial insurance policies denied compensation for the catastrophic losses they suffered as a result of the state-imposed shutdowns of non-essential businesses," said Grant & Eisenhofer director Adam Gomez.

"Regarding our clients and others in similar circumstances, their insurance companies and underwriters have shamefully evaded their contractual responsibility to cover loss of income and other unforeseen expenses resulting directly from suspension of operations due to the pandemic restrictions," Mr. Gomez added. All of these small businesses duly and timely paid their premiums. We intend to hold their insurers  enormous national and international concerns  to their side of the contracts they signed, and to secure the financial support they paid for and deserve."

The lawsuits seek declaratory judgments that losses suffered due to COVID-related shutdowns are covered by the plaintiffs' insurance policies. The suits also allege breach of contract on the part of the insurance companies as well as breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. Plaintiffs seek appropriate compensatory and punitive damages.

The plaintiffs seek to join with similarly situated businesses in their respective industries who have bought insurance policies offering coverage for loss of business income, and have had such coverage denied during the period of shutdown.

Tria Cafe Complaint

On Aug. 25 Grant & Eisenhofer filed suit on behalf of Tria Cafe, Alaska Cafe, and Tria Taproom, related businesses located in Philadelphia. Each had purchased a policy from American Automobile Insurance Co. that, the complaint states, "protected Plaintiffs against the actual loss of business income due to a suspension of Plaintiffs' respective operations."

Eating establishments in Philadelphia were forced to close on March 17 on orders of the mayor, health commissioner, and state governor. At their reopening on June 5, they were allowed no more than 25 customers at a time or 25% capacity, and required to operate with an exhaustive list of restrictions to encourage social distancing and preserve customer and employee health.

The complaint states, "Contrary to the plain language of the Policies, and to AAIC's corresponding promises and contractual obligations, on July 9, 2020, AAIC refused to pay for Plaintiffs' respective losses and expenses under the terms of the Policies."

David Kwass, co-owner of the Tria Group, discussed the restaurants and bars' reasons for spearheading litigation against these insurers. "It's common sense that if a multinational insurer collects premiums year after year, it can't just refuse reimbursement to a customer who suffers business interruptions beyond their control. What else is business interruption insurance for? Valuing corporate profits ahead of the local folks who work in neighborhood businesses is outrageous."

NBS Fitness Complaint

On Aug. 20 Grant & Eisenhofer filed suit on behalf of NBS Fitness, a gym in Cordova, Tenn., east of Memphis. NBS was forced to close on March 23 on the order of Gov. Bill Lee; since its May 4 reopening, NBS and other fitness centers in Tennessee have had to restrict usage of their facilities to 25% occupancy and limit the time clients spend on the premises. Gyms have also had to move equipment to accommodate social distancing, and conduct extra cleaning and disinfecting.

The Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Co.'s denial of coverage to NSB was arbitrary and peremptory, according to the complaint: "It did so without performing a reasonable investigation into NBS' claimed loss and without communicating its final denial of coverage in writing. Rather, NBS was informed of PIIC's denial of its claim for coverage when NBS accessed PIIC's online claim summary and found a message stating only that the claim had been 'Closed  No Payment.'"

Grant & Eisenhofer director Elizabeth Graham, also working on the coverage cases, noted: "Insurance exists as a safety so that small businesses have a fighting chance in extreme circumstances such as we are witnessing now. For insurers to go back on their word and cut small businesses loose when they most need help is unconscionable. We intend to hold them accountable to their own contracts."

About Grant & Eisenhofer P.A.

Grant & Eisenhofer is one of the U.S.'s leading litigation firms, with a highly successful track record representing plaintiffs in complex litigation and arbitration matters. The firm has offices in Wilmington (Delaware), New York, Chicago, Birmingham, and San Francisco, and an international docket of high-profile cases. G&E's clients include institutional investors and other plaintiffs in U.S. and international securities matters, derivative and corporate governance lawsuits, shareholder activism matters, bankruptcy litigation, antitrust actions, consumer class actions, whistleblower cases involving the False Claims Act, mass tort and environmental suits, birth injury litigation, intellectual property disputes, and civil rights suits. The firm has recovered over $27 billion for clients in the last ten years, and has twice been cited by RiskMetrics for securing the highest average investor recovery in securities class actions. G&E has been named one of the country's top plaintiffs' law firms by The National Law Journal for more than a decade, and was named one of the U.S.'s "Most Feared Plaintiffs Firms" as well as one of Delaware's "Regional Powerhouses for 2018" by Law360. For more information, visit www.gelaw.com.

SOURCE Grant & Eisenhofer

Related Links

https://www.gelaw.com


STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- About $2,000 was taken from a doctors office in Concord, according to police -- marking the second theft reported from a medical office in the area the same morning.

On Monday at about 11:20 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call of a grand larceny at Island Medical Consultants at 11 Ralph Place, according to a spokeswoman for the NYPD.

A male employee told police that five envelopes containing about $2,000 were missing, the police spokeswoman said.

Police have made no arrests and the investigation continues, the NYPD spokeswoman said.

She said there is no description of the individual(s) sought for questioning in connection to this incident.

No apparent signs of forced entry into the facility were found, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

Doctors Aldo Arpaia and Bartholomew Savino, who head the practice that specializes in internal medicine, were not immediately available for comment.

BURGLARY SEVERAL BLOCKS AWAY

Several blocks away, a different medical practice also contacted police on Monday about an alleged burglary.

A heist at a Dongan Hills doctors office over the weekend netted a 40-sheet prescription pad and over $5,000 dollars in cash, police said.

Police were seen outside the office of Dr. Azher Siddiqi located at 1147 Richmond Road Monday morning. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

The incident occurred on Sunday between 6 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., according to police, when an unknown individual entered the office of Dr. Azher Siddiqi located at 1147 Richmond Road.

Once inside, police said the prescription pad, a safe and around $5,600 were stolen.

Police have not indicated that the two incidents are related.
If you need a test, you should get a test and you shouldnt be worried about the cost, Bowser said in a statement. This is one more way we can keep Washingtonians safe and work to stop the spread of covid-19.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican nominee for Georgia's 14th Congressional District, said in a tweet on Tuesday that President Trump has invited her to the White House to attend his acceptance speech on Thursday evening.

Why it matters: Greene has repeatedly made offensive remarks about Black people, Jews and Muslims in Facebook videos, and she has publicly supported the QAnon movement and other far-right conspiracy theories.

Context: QAnon purports, without proof, that posts by an anonymous internet user, who they believe works for the federal government, are alluding to a secret war that a cabal of pedophiles and cannibals is waging against President Trump.

The FBI flagged internet conspiracy theories like QAnon as potential domestic terrorist threats in 2019.

Greene told Fox News last week that her QAnon-supporting videos no longer represent her and that "once I started finding misinformation, I decided that I would choose another path."

What she's saying: "Im honored and thrilled to be invited to attend President Trumps acceptance speech Thursday evening at the White House," Greene tweeted. "Im also equally excited to vote for him again November 3rd, and Im working hard all over Georgia to help him win."

The White House and the Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comments.

A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted.

House Republican leaders, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, criticized Greene after Facebook videos surfaced of her claiming that Black people "are held slaves to the Democratic Party." McCarthy has since said she will be welcomed into the GOP conference if she wins in November.

Greene has also said she believes Muslims should not serve in government, called George Soros a Nazi and claimed that the 2017 Las Vegas shooting was a targeted operation to help pass "anti-gun legislation." Soros is a Holocaust survivor.

In 2017 blog posts, Greene speculated that the 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, was an "inside job," and she promoted "Pizzagate," a baseless conspiracy alleging that some Democratic Party leaders are running a human-trafficking and pedophilia ring, according to CNN.

The big picture: Trump congratulated Greene in early August for winning the Republican nomination for Georgia's 14th district, calling her a "future Republican star." She is likely to win a seat in the House in November's general election.

President Trump claimed at a press conference last week that he does not know a lot about QAnon, but that he understands its supporters "like me very much" and that they "love America."

On Tuesday, a pair of bipartisan lawmakers introduced a House resolution to condemn QAnon.

Go deeper: QAnon's 2020 resurgence
Republican National Committee members and delegates gathered inside the Charlotte Convention Center Monday morning for their roll call to renominate President Trump.

Despite a statewide mask mandate, many of the delegates gathering were not wearing masks indoors. Members of the Hawaii delegation posed for pictures with their arms around each other and no face masks on. Everyone participating is being tested for the coronavirus every day.

The daily programming for the convention begins at 9 a.m. Eastern time Monday through Thursday but, as with the Democratic convention, the big speeches will happen at night.

The Times will stream the convention every evening, accompanied by chat-based live analysis from our reporters and real-time highlights from the speeches. The official livestream will be available on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Twitch and Amazon Prime. ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News will cover the convention from 10 to 11 p.m. every night; CNN from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.; MSNBC from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.; PBS from 8 to 11 p.m.; and C-SPAN at 9 a.m. and then at 8:30 p.m.
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The use of antibiotics in people with COVID-19 could result in increased resistance to the drugs' benefits among the wider population, a new study suggests.

Patients hospitalised as a result of the virus are being given a combination of medications to prevent possible secondary bacterial infections.

However, research by the University of Plymouth and Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust suggests their increased use during the pandemic could be placing an additional burden on waste water treatment works.

Writing in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, scientists say this could lead to raised levels of antibiotics within the UK's rivers or coastal waters which may in turn result in an increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), where bacteria become resistant to the action of antibiotics.

This would be particularly acute in receiving waters from waste water treatment works serving large hospitals, or emergency 'Nightingale' hospitals, where there is a concentration of COVID-19 patients.

The findings are based on reports that up to 95% of COVID-19 inpatients are being prescribed antibiotics as part of their treatment, and concerns that such a large-scale drug administration could have wider environmental implications.

Sean Comber, Professor of Environmental Chemistry in Plymouth and the article's lead author, said: "COVID-19 has had an impact on almost every aspect of our lives. But this study shows its legacy could be felt long after the current pandemic has been brought under control. From our previous research, we know that significant quantities of commonly prescribed drugs do pass through treatment works and into our water courses. By developing a greater understanding of their effects, we can potentially inform future decisions on prescribing during pandemics, but also on the location of emergency hospitals and wider drug and waste management."

The COVID-19 guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests patients with COVID-19 should be treated with doxycycline and either amoxicillin or a combination of other medications if a bacterial infection is suspected, but to withhold or stop antibiotics if a bacterial infection is unlikely.

Neil Powell, Consultant Pharmacist at the Royal Cornwall Hospital said: "Common with other hospitalised patients in the UK, and other countries, the majority of our patients with COVID symptoms were prescribed antibiotics because it is very difficult to know whether a patient presenting with symptoms of COVID has an overlying bacterial infection or not. We did a lot of work to try and identify those patients who were unlikely to have a bacterial infection complicating their viral COVID infections in an attempt to reduce the amount of antibiotic exposure to our patients and consequently the environment."

This research combined patient numbers for UK emergency hospitals set up temporarily around the country with waste water treatment work capacity and available river water dilution serving the emergency hospital and associated town.

Using available environmental impact data and modelling tools developed by the UK water industry, it focussed on one UK emergency hospital - Harrogate, geared up to treat around 500 people - and showed the risks posed by doxycycline was low, assuming the hospital was at full capacity.

Tom Hutchinson, Professor of Environment and Health at the University and a co-author on the research, added: "This is a comprehensive environmental safety assessment which addresses potential risks to fish populations and the food webs they depend on. The data for amoxicillin indicated that while there was little threat of direct impacts on fish populations and other wildlife, there is a potential environmental concern for selection of AMR if at 100% capacity."

Amoxicillin is used to treat everything from pneumonia and throat infections to skin and ear infections.

Mathew Upton, Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University and a co-author on the research, added: "Antibiotics underpin all of modern medicine, but AMR is an issue that could impact millions of lives in the decades to come. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing immense suffering and loss of life across the globe, but AMR has been - and will remain - one of the most significant threats to global human health. We conducted this study so that we can begin to understand the wider impact of global pandemics on human health. It is clear that mass prescribing of antibiotics will lead to increased levels in the environment and we know this can select for resistant bacteria. Studies like this are essential so that we can plan how to guide antibiotic prescription in future pandemics."

###
You are here: World

 Flash

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday that it is expelling an Austrian diplomat in tit-for-tat retaliation.

Austrian Ambassador Johannes Aigner was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry to receive "a strong protest" for the "unjustified decision" of the Austrian side to expel a Russian diplomat, the statement said.

In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, a diplomat of the Austrian embassy in Russia was announced persona non grata, it said.

Vienna is expelling a Russian diplomat for industrial espionage "for years" in a high-tech company with the support of an Austrian citizen, Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung reported on Monday.
Update (October 29): Two months after leaving Liberty University, Jerry Falwell Jr. is s uing the school for defamation. The former university president alleges Liberty officials accepted false claims against him to force his resignation and then engaged in a campaign to tarnish, minimize, and outright destroy the legacy of the Falwell family and Mr. Falwell's reputation. Falwell had reportedly been granted a $10.5 million severage package under his contract.

Monday was a big day for Liberty University. The school began the first day of classes as President Jerry Falwell Jr.s name trended on Twitter due to recent news reports about the involvement of a young man in the conservative Christian leaders marriage.

By the end of the day, Falwell had agreed to resign, rescinded his resignation, and submitted it again. The board of trustees officially accepted Falwells resignation on Tuesday.

Falwell had been put on leave two and a half weeks ago after sharing a provocative vacation photo on Instagram. The additional reports made it clear that it would not be in Libertys best interest for him to return, the Christian college said Monday night in a statement.

After leading the school through historic growth since 2007, Falwell ultimately agreed to leave because he wants whats best for the school, he told the Wall Street Journal. The evangelical university confirmed in a statement that its heartfelt prayers are with him and his family as he steps away from his lifes work.

I call upon the University community and supporters to be in prayer for the University and for all its leadership, past, present and future, as we walk with the Lord through this stormy time of transition, said acting president Jerry Prevo, an Alaska pastor who had served as board chair before he stepped in to lead while Falwell was on leave.

Falwell joins a regrettable list of prominent evangelical leaders brought down by sexual scandal.

Falwell said in a statement to the Washington Examiner Sunday night that his wife, Becki, had an affair with a pool boy-turned-business partner, alleging that he and his wife were now being extorted. In a Reuters investigation published Monday morning, the 29-year-old Florida man, Giancarlo Granda, said he had been in a relationship with the Falwells, with Jerrys knowledge, from 2012 to 2018. Falwell said in his statement, prior to Reuters airing Grandas claims, that he was not involved and called Grandas account 90 percent false.

Questions around Falwells ties to Granda and Falwells investment in a Miami hostel previously came up in investigations in Politico and the Miami Herald.

Critics also expressed frustration about the racial climate on campus, brought to the forefront by a divisive tweet in May that led several African Americans to cut ties with Liberty and dozens of African American alumni to call for his resignation.

For the past few years, concerned members of the Liberty community say they worried that nothing would be done. They assumed because of Falwells influence at Liberty, and the loyalty of a board made up of Jerry Falwell Sr.s associates and Falwell Jr.s own appointees, he may never be held into account.

But then a viral photo turned upnot from media investigations, but Falwells own Instagram account. He is posed next to a woman and both have their zippers down. After backlash, Falwell agreed to take an indefinite leave of absence, which he recently characterized as a sabbatical, though it came at the boards request.

Some critics of Falwell told CT at the time they were shocked to see the school take action.

The move also had trustees considering whether Falwell should stay in his position, even before hearing the news about the Falwells alleged sexual tryst.

The concerns could no longer be dismissed as baseless attacks from the outside, said Suzanna Krivulskaya, a professor at California State University San Marcos who writes about the history of American evangelical sex scandals.

She likened Falwells narrative to the pattern of institutional denial, then temporary leave, then permanent oustings Christians have seen modeled around leaders such as Jim Bakker, Ted Haggard, and Billy James Hargis. Krivulskaya observed that cases involving accusations of homosexuality and allegations of bisexualitywhere theres another man involved often prompt a quicker response and swifter condemnation.

Falwell Sr., Falwells father and Libertys founder, knew how sexual misdeeds could hurt ministry relationships and impede the work of evangelism. He famously took over for televangelist Jim Bakker after an alleged sexual indiscretion and coverup at the PTL Club in the 1980s.

Among evangelicals, sexual scandals hit on several levels. Theres the hypocrisy of a leader espousing sex between one man and one woman while not obeying the teaching himself. But theres also the grief of how sexual brokenness damages people, families, and ministries.

The past 24 hours of news related to Liberty University and Jerry Falwell Jr. and his family is sad. Whatever portion of it is true, it is a reminder of just how deeply entangling sin can become and our deep need for genuine spiritual renewal from Christ each and every day, said Virginia pastor and Liberty alumnus Colby Garman, who signed a petition the week prior calling for Falwells removal.

As I have said before, it will be best for the school to make a permanent leadership change immediately and allow the Falwell family to work out these matters in private. Prayers for all involved.

The impact of Falwells departure will extend beyond the school. Falwell is a big name in evangelicalism because of his fathers legacy and the success of Liberty, which has grown to an enrollment of more than 120,000 students. Lately, he has also become known as a close friend of President Donald Trump. He serves as a faith adviser to Trump and has hosted the president on campus.

David Dockery, president of the International Alliance for Christian Education, said, The news will certainly have implications for all who serve in Christian higher education as well as for evangelicalism at-large, at least from the vantage point of perceptions among those looking on from the outside.

Liberty is somewhat of an exceptional example in the Christian college landscape. It is not a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), though fellow evangelical schools, looped in with Liberty and its leader in media accounts, are surely embarrassed by Falwell, Bill Ringenberg, author of The Christian College: A History of Protestant Higher Education in America, told CT.

Even at the helm of what was once the countrys largest Christian college, Falwell never claimed to be the spiritual leader in his familythats his brother Jonathan Falwell, who succeeded their father as pastor of his other institutional legacy, Thomas Road Baptist Church. Instead, Falwell had positioned himself as steering Liberty like a business.

Many attribute that strategy as leading to Libertys massive growth in online education, sports, and enrollment.

Jerry has done a great job in building a tremendous school, Robert Jeffress, fellow Trump supporter and pastor of First Baptist Dallas, told the Washington Post. The allegations, if true, should be a warning of the destructive power of sin.

But his leadership has also tainted the schools Christian witness, critics say.

Quan McLaurin, who resigned as a diversity director at Liberty, fears the board has only acted to hold its leader accountable when the negative press stands to affect its bottom line. He criticized leaders for not acting sooner or in response to the racial matters that have come up on campus. He called Falwells resignation a great step in the right direction, but not enough and wants to see true accountability and ethical behavior from the top.

Dockery, like many fellow Christian leaders, extended prayers for Libertys leadership.

With the amazing resources with which they have been blessed, he said, we hope that the Board will prioritize their calling to rigorous academics and an unapologetic Christian commitment that will allow them to maximize their impact and influence in the world of higher education as well as in their service to church and society.

Johnnie Moore, who previously served as the schools vice president of communications during his 13-year tenure at the school, said its mission will continue even without a Falwell at the helm.

Liberty would not exist but for the Falwells. Yet, the brilliance of its original mission and vision was transcended long ago, said Moore, founder of the evangelical marketing firm The Kairos Company. Liberty is an institution designed to thrive for the cause of Christ today and for generations. I am sure members of the communitypast and presentwill pray and will work together to ensure that Liberty's best days are ahead."

Additional reporting by Daniel Silliman.
Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (469) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (809) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (950) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sep 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (683) Dec 2021 (693) Jan 2022 (443)
Poliovirus: A virus that once paralyzed tens of thousands of children a year is said to have been eradicated on the African continent, though a minor vaccine-derived strain still infects hundreds.

India: At least 17 people were injured in the collapse of an apartment building in Mumbai, according to news reports, and about 30 people were pulled to safety. Dozens more may still be trapped in the debris.

New Zealand massacre trial: The final phase of the murder and terrorism case after last years attack at two mosques is underway and is scheduled to last four days. It presents complex legal and logistical challenges and, for victims, the emotional turmoil of confronting their assailant.

TikTok: The popular video app sued the U.S. government on Monday, accusing the Trump administration of depriving it of due process when the president issued an executive order banning its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, from making transactions in the U.S.

Snapshot: Above, a concert that was also a scientific experiment to help create safety measures for live events around the world. In Leipzig, Germany, volunteers who had been tested for the virus beforehand were gathered in an arena with distanced seating. Outfitted with tracking devices, masks and fluorescent disinfectant, they were then asked to do things like visit concession stands and restrooms with varying degrees of social distancing in an effort to determine which scenarios pose the greatest risk for transmission.

What were reading: This Los Angeles Times story about the long history of militant activism in Portland, Ore. Its helpful context for whats been happening there for the past couple of months, writes Melina Delkic, on the Briefings team.
Financially, he could probably make BT more efficient by thinking like a buyout firm. Start by acknowledging the infrastructure-like qualities of Openreach and its high borrowing capacity. A private equity bidder could raise perhaps 15 billion pounds against the asset, New Street reckons. BTs reported leverage has recently risen due to new accounting rules that add leases into the equation. Look through that and BTs net debt could be less than 2.5 times its Ebitda this year, pension deficit included, New Street judges. Investors are usually comfortable with the ratio nudging 3.
Actor Kangana Ranaut on Monday thanked Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Shweta Singh Kirti and, by extension, the family of the late actor, for acknowledging her role in advocating the case of Sushants death.

Shweta, tweeting a video of their lawyer Vikas Singhs interview to India TV where he clarified his stance on Kanganas role in the case, had written: I salute each and every warrior of Bhai... you guys are our strength and real hero in every which way. Right now our goal should be to stay united for the right cause. Requesting unity and understanding. #Warriors4SSR #JusticeForSushant.

Thank you Shweta di... thank you for your kind words, the usual suspects are being mischievous, thank you for squashing all the rumours against me  https://t.co/pgasgh589I  Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) August 24, 2020

In the video, Vikas says, Neither me nor anyone else has any complaints against Kangana. She has raised her voice against the discrimination practised in the film industry. She has been rather vocal on the topic, Sushant too has been a victim of it. All I had said is that the issue of death didnt look to have a a direct connection (with what she has been saying). However, if some logic emerges and CBI unearths a direct link with discrimination or an attempt to suppress someone, as practised in the industry, then CBI will make the necessary inquiries.

Also Watch | Power of social media in Sushant case inspired me: Kangana Ranaut on Twitter debut

Retweeting Shwetas said tweet, Kangana wrote: Thank you Shweta di... thank you for your kind words, the usual suspects are being mischievous, thank you for squashing all the rumours against me. In response, Shweta wrote: Stay Strong and Fight on!

 Stay Strong and Fight on!  https://t.co/4syvICi8mN  shweta singh kirti (@shwetasinghkirt) August 24, 2020

It may be recalled that a few days back, Vikas had made an unflattering comment on Kanganas role in the entire Sushant Singh death case. In an interview to Pinkvilla, Vikas Singh said, Shes trying to further her own agenda and attack people she has a personal issue with to settle her own scores. She seems to be on her own trip. The familys FIR has nothing to do with her claims at all.

Also read: Kangana Ranaut isnt Sushant Singh Rajputs friend nor his representative, only highlighting discrimination: lawyer Vikas Singh

He had later clarified his statement to say that she is basically highlighting the general discrimination in media. He had told IANS: Kangana is not Sushants friend. She is basically highlighting the general discrimination in media. The issue that she is raising is correct, but she is not Sushant Singh Rajputs representative and neither is she carrying on his case. She is bringing out a general problem in the industry. Sushant may also have been a victim (of nepotism), but she is not representing him. Woh Sushant ka nahi kar rahi kuch bhi (she isnt doing anything for Sushant). She is only doing her own.

Follow @htshowbiz on Twitter
On August 26, Americans celebrate the 100th anniversary of passage into law of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states that 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.On that day, 26 million American women gained the right to help decide how their country is to function in the future.

The womens suffrage movement was officially launched during the first womens rights convention in 1848. Over the following 70 years, suffragistsboth women and men-tried every way possible to legalize womens right to vote.

They launched a drive to pass a constitutional amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote, a long and tedious process. In the meantime, some women tried to vote illegally and filed lawsuits when their attempts were rejected, hoping the judges would side with them.

When that failed, they worked on the state level, where they were much more successful: by the time the 19th Amendment became the law of the land, over half of all states, most of them in the West, had already granted voting rights to women.

After making its slow way through the Congress, in June 1919, the 19th amendment finally received the votes necessary to be sent to the states for ratification by the required 3/4ths of the-then-48 states. Tennessee became the last state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920.

In a famous speech from 1873, one of the main leaders of the Womens Suffrage movement, Susan B. Anthony, looked to the opening words of the U.S. Constitution as a justification for the enfranchisement of women: "We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and established this constitution for the United States of America."

It was we, the people, not we, the white male citizens, nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed this Union, she said.And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people-women as well as men.
MONTREAL - Quebec does not intend to change its back-to-school plan, despite criticism from doctors and scientists who have called it inadequate, Health Minister Christian Dube said Tuesday.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 25/8/2020 (512 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A server wears a face mask as he talks to customers at a restaurant in Montreal, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

MONTREAL - Quebec does not intend to change its back-to-school plan, despite criticism from doctors and scientists who have called it inadequate, Health Minister Christian Dube said Tuesday.

The strategy was conceived in partnership with experts in the health and education fields and it will not be modified in response to concerns raised in an open letter signed by some 150 doctors and scientists, Dube told reporters in Montreal.

"Our plan is solid," he said.

"We're always open to suggestion, but I think at this time we have a clear plan, we have a way to go with schools, we'll go this way and if we need to adjust, as we've done in the last six months, we'll adjust."

Dube pointed out that the province successfully reopened most elementary schools in May, and that the number of new cases have been declining even as Quebec reopened its economy and allowed inter-regional travel.

The province's current rate of positive tests, which stands at about 10 cases per million citizens, makes Quebec "one of the places where COVID is best controlled in the world," he said.

Dube said he wants to keep that number below 20 cases per million, or about 160 new cases per day, at which point he would consider making big changes.

In the open letter sent Monday to Dube as well as to Premier Francois Legault and to other officials, the signatories said the government's health directives for students aren't sufficient, school ventilation systems need to be updated, and families must be offered remote learning options.

The signatories are calling on the government to encourage social distancing within classrooms, require mask-wearing inside classrooms, and to oblige schools to screen children for symptoms of COVID-19.

George Thanassoulis, an associate professor of medicine at McGill University and the letter's main author, said Tuesday the province has done a good job reducing the number of active COVID-19 cases.

And while he doesn't want to scare his fellow parents, he said he believes now is the time to be careful and to make sure that all the progress isn't lost in the coming weeks when children go back to school.

"We all agree school is the best place for our kids, but more steps could be taken to ensure the safety of the children, the teachers and really our community," he said in a phone interview.

Thanassoulis said he was particularly surprised to learn that physical distancing requirements won't be enforced within classrooms, despite government messaging on the importance keeping a one or two-metre distance from other people.

He said classrooms can contain up to 30 students, even at a time when private indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people or less.

The government's plan mandates that students in Grade 5 and up must wear masks in common areas, but not while they're seated in class. Each classroom will be its own "bubble," and students will not be required to maintain a two-metre distance with their classmates.

Premier Francois Legault, speaking in St-Hyacinthe, acknowledged that the plan has its critics, but maintained that it had been carefully thought out to "ensure safety of both students and teachers."

"Some would like us to go further, wear masks in class, but we think, and public health thinks, it's not necessary to go so far," he said.

Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Meanwhile, Quebec reported 62 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and three additional deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus.

But officials said the total number of deaths increased only by two, to 5,746, because one death previously added to the tally turned out to be unrelated.

Hospitalizations increased by three to 118, while the number of people in intensive care remained stable at 12.

Officials completed 9,231 tests on Aug. 23, the last day for which testing data is available. That number is significantly lower than in recent days.

There have been a total of 61,803 COVID-19 cases in Quebec, of which 54,850 are considered recovered.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2020.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- For the first seven months of the year, China imported a total of 430,000 vehicles (including chassis), posting a year-on-year slump of 30.1%, and saw the year-to-date import value of automobiles reach 142.8 billion yuan ($20,637,328,908), according to Sinomach Automobile Co.,Ltd., China's largest dealer of imported vehicles.

In July, the automobile import volume fell 12.7% year on year to roughly 69,000 units, which are worth 22.87 billion yuan ($3,305,152,046).

(Lexus ES, photo source: Lexus)



In the Jan.-Jul. period, China's deliveries of imported PVs tumbled 20.8% from a year ago to 516,284 units, of which 84,791 units were handed over to consumers in July. Compared to June, the year-on-year decrease in July deliveries contracted to 3.4% due to the relatively small base number for the year-ago period.

The cars and SUVs accounted for 95.7% of the Jan.-Jul. imported PV deliveries in China. Specifically, the sales of imported cars and SUVs plunged 20.4% and 21.4% over a year earlier respectively to 208,612 units and 285,716 units. With 21,956 units sold so far this year, the imported MPV sector logged a 15.9% decline compared to the same period a year ago.

Among the top 10 imported auto brands by July deliveries, Lexus was honored the champion with 21,962 vehicles sold in the worlds largest auto market. The Toyota-owned luxury brand gained a robust 24.9% year-on-year growth thanks to the impetus from the Lexus ES. Mercedes-Benz took the runner-up place, seeing its sales of imported vehicles soar 46.7% to 15,034 units with the GLE-Class serving as the main driver. The other two brands achieving growth were Audi (+26.9%) and Nissan (+27.8%), which were ranked sixth and tenth respectively.

The other six brands on the top 10 listBMW, Toyota, Porsche, Land Rover, Volkswagen and Subaruwere all bruised by year-over-year drop.

The landscape of the top 10 imported auto brands by year-to-date deliveries was somewhat different over the previous months. The No.1 was still Lexus whose Jan.-Jul. deliveries climbed 8% to 118,746 units, while Mercedes-Benz moved up to the runner-up place with a delivery volume of 81,768 units, 1,168 units more than that of BMW.
Farmers are being called on to get involved in LEAF Open Farm Sunday by sharing their own clips, photos and stories of food and farming.

Food and biodiversity will be at the heart of the two-day virtual event on 19 and 20 September.

It follows the first virtual Online Farm Sunday held in June to mark the original date of farmings annual open day.

Organisers Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) said farmers can take part through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #LOFS20.

It said the pandemic had highlighted the value of food as well as the countryside, all in which farmers played a 'fundamental role' in.

The focus on the Saturday 19 September event is nutritious food, seasonal recipes and cookery demonstrations.

For the following event, farmers across Britain are invited to virtually open their farm gates and show the public how their food is produced.

Farmers will also be encouraged to go live on Facebook, send in videos and share photographs about their wildlife and biodiversity highlights.

Annabel Shackleton, LEAF Open Farm Sunday Manager, said the virtual events will tell the stories of British farming to the public.

It is not the event we had originally planned for 2020, but in fact both of our virtual events  in June and in September - provide an opportunity to involve more farmers.

"These could be farmers who may not have been able to host a LEAF Open Farm Sunday event, but who can dip their toe in this year with as little as one photo or a self-made video on their social channels.

"What we want to show is a really rich and diverse kaleidoscope of farming stories from the people who can tell them best, Ms Shackleton said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Exports of electrical goods from Turkey to China dipped by 3.54 percent in the first seven months of 2020, compared to the same period of 2019, making up slightly over $58.9 million, the Turkish Trade Ministry told Trend on August 25.

In July 2020, Turkeys export of electrical goods to China spiked by 47.05 percent compared to July 2019 and made up more than $10.2 million.

The export of electrical goods from Turkey to international markets declined by 9.8 percent from January through July 2020, compared to the same period of 2019, amounting to nearly $5.7 billion. Turkeys export of electrical products amounted to 6.3 percent of the country's total export over this period.

Turkey exported the electrical goods worth $988 million to foreign markets in July 2020, which is 4.3 percent more compared to the same month of 2019. Meanwhile, Turkeys export of electrical products in July 2020 made up 6.6 percent of the country's total export.

Over the past 12 months (from July 2019 through July 2020), Turkey exported the electrical goods in the amount of over $10.6 billion abroad.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
The Swedish furniture giant, IKEA, has donated $1.2 million to Michigans COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative, which is being used to provide resources to vulnerable residents.

Its the largest donation that has been given to the fund yet, and was announced on Aug. 25. IKEA Retail U.S. donation will be used to support Michigans ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts and other critical services.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said shes grateful IKEA has stepped up during this difficult time to ensure we have the funding we need to provide critical services to Michiganders impacted by COVID-19.

This donation will be crucial to saving lives and providing much-needed support throughout our COVID-19 response, Whitmer stated in an Aug. 25 press release. Michigan families, frontline workers, and small businesses have done their part to slow the spread of the virus, but the fight is not over yet.

Related: Michigan National Guard to continue coronavirus help through Dec. 31, but with less federal funding

Javier Quinones, IKEA Retail U.S. president, stated the company has been compliant with the governors Stay Home Stay Safe order and is happy to give back to ensure the state has money to support essential services and goods for those who need it.

We are appreciative of the ongoing support from the state of Michigan, including the unemployment funds paid to our co-workers who were furloughed in the early weeks of the pandemic, Quinones said. People are the heart of our business, and the state unemployment benefits helped IKEA US co-workers during a difficult time. We now have a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on our business, and weve decided to pay it forward to support the ongoing COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative in our local communities.

Michigan currently pays unemployed workers up to $326 a week. On Aug. 18, the state announced it plans on participating in a federal program that would give an extra $300 per week to unemployed workers.

Related: Michigan opts in on an extra $300 a week in federal unemployment money

The states COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative leverages federal resources, including FEMA funds, that require a match to give critical services and needs to people. The donations allocated are used to feed children and provide protective equipment as needed.

IKEA is one of several businesses donating to the fund, according to the Aug. 25 press release.

Earlier this month, Ford Motor Company partnered with the state to donate 1.5 million masks that will go directly to low-income schools, the city of Detroit, Federally Qualified Health Centers, some COVID-19 testing sites and to other organizations. Additionally, CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens all partnered with the state to expand Michigans testing capacity which helped to flatten the curve and control the spread of COVID-19.

Read more on MLive:

Downtown Bay City businesses receiving $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funds

Applications for COVID-19 relief for Jackson residents now open

Michigans budget shortfall likely smaller than expected, but big challenges still loom
File / Bob Luckey Jr. / Hearst Connecticut Media

GREENWICH  A Maryland man was arrested over the weekend on charges of forgery and identity theft after an incident on Greenwich Avenue, according to police.

Cristian Cuilei, 29, of Marlboro Park, Forestville, entered a retail store on the Avenue and attempted to make a purchase with fraudulent documents Friday afternoon, police said.
Video conferencing app Zoom faced outage in several parts of the world on Monday evening. Users from America and Europe complained of not being able to join calls on Zoom but now the issue has been resolved and services have been resumed. While some people thronged Twitter to complain about Zoom not working, some celebrated Zoom's outage as that would mean no online classes or students and no online meeting for professionals.

As per reports, users only complained of not being able to join Zoom Meetings or hosting Zoom webinars. Other important features like Zoom Chat, Zoom Phone were working for some of the users. DownDetector showed that the users in North America and some parts of Europe were worst affected. The company was quick to acknowledge the issue and assure the users that they are "deploying a fix" as soon as possible. "Thanks for your patience! Meeting and webinar service has been restored for the majority of users. Some of you may still be unable to sign up for paid accounts, upgrade, or manage your service on our website," Zoom tweeted from its official account after restoring the services.

Zoom CEO and Co-founder Eric also acknowledged the issue and apologized to the users for the inconvenience. He wrote, "Today @zoom_us

had a service disruption that affected many of our customers. We know the responsibility we have to keep your meetings, classrooms & important events running. I'm personally very sorry & we will all do our best to prevent this from happening in the future.

Considering how important video-conferencing apps have become for users across the globe, a minor glitch in the apps can affect the business of an organization immensely. While the working professionals expressed their displeasure over Zoom's outage on a Monday, students surely had a ball.

Zoom rose to fame during the coronavirus pandemic and became the most reliable video conferencing platform across the globe. Although too many security and privacy flaws like Zoombombing and others were discovered on the app, it didn't hinder its popularity that only grew with every passing month. Zoom now has a lot of competitors in the market including Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Google Duo, Facebook Messenger Rooms among others. Even with so many competitors around, Zoom continues to thrive and in no way has any of the new video conferencing apps, affected Zoom's business in any way.
Democrats started their convention last week with Eva Longoria, a famous Hollywood actress who played a housewife on TV. Well, Im actually a real housewife and a mom from Michigan with two wonderful kids in public school who happens to be the only  only the second woman in 164 years to run the Republican Party. Four years ago, President Trump started a movement unlike any other. And over the next four days, we will hear from a few of the millions of hardworking everyday Americans who have benefited from his leadership. Florida  Georgia  Guam  Indiana  Iowa  Kansas  Kentucky  Tennessee  Texas!  are excited to nominate   Donald J. Trump   and Vice President Mike Pence   for four more years. Thank you for all youve done. Hes taken on the swamp, all of the swamp  the Democrats, the press and the Never Trumpers. And when you take on the swamp, the swamp fights back. This election is a battle for the soul of America. Your choice is clear: Do you support the cancel culture, the cosmopolitan elites of Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden, who blame America first? Do you think America is to blame? Or do you believe in American greatness? Ladies and gentlemen, leaders and fighters for freedom and liberty and the American dream, the best is yet to come! I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. They came to America and settled in a small Southern town. My father wore a turban. My mother wore a sari. I was a brown girl in a black and white world. We faced discrimination and hardship, but my parents never gave in to grievance and hate. My mom built a successful business. My dad taught 30 years at a historically black college. And the people of South Carolina chose me as their first minority and first female governor. America is a story thats a work in progress. Now is the time to build on that progress and make America even freer, fairer and better for everyone. Thats why its so tragic to see so much of the Democratic Party turning a blind eye towards riots and rage. The American people know we can do better. America isnt perfect, but the principles we hold dear are perfect. If theres one thing Ive learned, its that even on our worst day we are blessed to live in America. Our founders believed there was nothing more important than protecting our God-given right to think for ourselves. Now the left, theyre trying to cancel all of those founders. They dont seem to understand this important principle: In order to improve in the future, we must learn from our past, not erase it. So were not going to tear down monuments and forget the people who built our great nation. Instead, we will learn from our past so we dont repeat any mistakes. We dont give in to cancel culture or the radical and factually baseless belief that things are worse today than in the 1860s or the 1960s. We have work to do. But I believe in the goodness of America, the promise that all men and all women are created equal. Our side is working on policy while Joe Bidens radical Democrats are trying to permanently transform what it means to be an American. Make no mistake: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris want a cultural revolution, a fundamentally different America. If we let them, they will turn our country into a socialist utopia. And history has taught us that path only leads to pain and misery, especially for hard-working people hoping to rise. Instead, we must focus on the promise of the American journey.
Tenants farmers have been told to be in the driving seat for farm rent reviews this autumn against the backdrop of 'significant changes' in government policy.

The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) said the end of the Brexit transition period would bring new opportunities for tenant farmers, but also major challenges.

It urged farmers to 'take the initiative' on rent reviews this autumn amid changes in government policy and the trading environment.

TFA National Chairman, Mark Coulman said farmers need to look at whether their rent commitments were 'truly sustainable' within these new circumstances.

"The removal of direct payments, the creation of new environmental schemes and additional friction expected in our trading relationships with the EU, all mean it is essential to ensure that we are controlling our costs.

"Rent reviews triggered this autumn may not take effect for another 12 months, but they will set rent levels at least for the following three years, he said.

Tenants acquiring additional land on new Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs) are also urged by the TFA to take a cautious approach in how they tender for that land.

Mr Coulman said tender rents for new Farm Business Tenancies were running at 'unsustainably high levels'.

"Routinely, we see that they are almost double the average levels of rent as recorded in the Defra rent survey," he added.

"Landlords are using short lengths of term and threats of remarketing land to keep rent levels very high. This approach has got to change.

He said that given the uncertainty ahead, landlords should seek long-term agreements with tenants paying sustainable levels of rent and avoid regular agents fees in remarketing properties in short cycles.

Long-term tenancies provide opportunities for investment, growth and sustainable income for both parties, he added.

"Long-term tenancies are also a better fit for the new schemes being developed by government which propose paying farmers to produce public benefits from farmland, said Mr Coulman.

The TFA is on hand to provide advice, information and support in triggering a rent review or in pursuing negotiations for a rent reduction.
It looks like cashierless technology by Amazon Go may come to Whole Foods by the start of next year as reported by The New York Post. Amazon began introducing this tech in 2016 but now it looks like it may come to fruition.

Amazon Go has made big promises over the years with its business model. Back in 2018, it claimed 3000 stores would open by 2021. More recently, Amazon has promised to offer podcasts on two of its services.

Cashierless tech currently operates in its Go convenience stores. However, this would be a new venture into a different company marking an expansion for Amazon Go.

Advertisement

Cashierless technology may come to Whole Foods

The possibility of cashierless technology by Amazon Go coming to whole foods is an interesting one. As reported by The Verge, this technology uses cameras, sensors, and computer vision. It allows customers to walk out of the store with groceries in hand and avoid long checkout lines.

The original report suggests that this will be the final project for Jeff Wilke, CEO of Amazons worldwide consumer division. He will retire next year so this looks like his final hurrah before he hangs up his boots.

Amazon first acquired Whole Foods in 2017 wondered if this technology would be integrated. It has taken a while but it looks like this has finally begun to occur.

Advertisement

Amazon to replace jobs with cashierless technology

The model is a nice one and is a very convenient innovation for many. However, this new technology is very likely to replace jobs with machines.

When Amazon announced that it would sell this technology to retailers the United Food and Commercial Workers Union criticized the tech giant. It was worried about the prospect of workers losing their jobs to automation.

In a statement, it said this was a direct threat to 16 million American retail jobs and is part of a ruthless strategy to eliminate as many good jobs as possible.

Advertisement

Thus far Amazon has declined to comment on the rumors. However, this story does seem to add up given Amazons desire to sell this tech and its links to Whole Foods.

However, pressure from unions about automation and getting rid of jobs could be a stumbling block. This sort of automated technology is likely to be the future in many places in society.

However, how quickly this sort of technology moves through society will be interesting. Much will have to do with societys views and receptiveness of this technology which in places could be very hostile.
Southeastern Channel student news reporter Raychelle Riley, of Denham Springs, a senior at Southeastern Louisiana University, was recently awarded the prestigious 2020 Student Broadcasting Scholarship given annually by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters. TV and radio professionals from throughout the state selected Riley from all college television and radio students in Louisiana. Riley was awarded the $2,000 scholarship at the LABs annual Prestige Awards ceremony.


Reports Record FY2020 Results

Sydney, Aug 25, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - MNF Group Limited ( ASX:MNF ) ( FRA:M2S ), the leading voice communications software provider, today announces its financial results for the full year ending 30 June 2020, with a record profit which was at the top-end of stated guidance.Financial highlights:- EBITDA increased 27% to $38.2 million (FY2019: $30.0 million)- Revenue increased 7% to $230.9 million (FY2019: $215.6 million) and recurring revenue rose 27% to $101.5 million (FY2019: $79.8 million) demonstrating the success of MNF's strategy to increase recurring revenue- NPAT increased 20% to $11.95 million (FY2019: $9.94 million)- Underlying NPAT-A increased 18% to $16.6 million (FY2019: $14.1 million)- Earnings per share rose 10% to 14.88 cents per shareThe company's strong profit performance and cash position has allowed the Board to declare a final dividend of 3.6 cents per share fully franked, bringing the full year dividend to 6.1 cents per share.FY2020 Financial Performance OverviewMNF Group CEO, Mr Rene Sugo said: "MNF delivered a robust FY 2020 performance, maintaining the momentum delivered in the first half of the year to deliver results at the top end of guidance. As a key provider of software for telecommunications and unified communication technologies, we saw increased demand for our products resulting in strong uplifts in revenue, with a focus on recurring revenue."After a strong first half, some products performed particularly well as a result of the structural and behavioral changes to voice and collaborative technology caused by the pandemic. As people transitioned from workplaces and schools to homes, seeking new ways to stay connected and adjust to new ways of working, we experienced a surge in traffic volumes across all customer segments in March and April. While traffic patterns have settled since the highs of March, we have seen new trends emerge, many of which are here to stay."It is clear that over a period of just a few weeks, customers in the UCaaS, CPaaS and collaboration use-case areas experienced rapid growth in demand, equivalent to over three years of normal growth. On the other hand, demand for other use-cases like mobile roaming and small business phone systems have stagnated due to travel restrictions or economic uncertainty."Through the pandemic, our priority has been the health and safety of our people and the reliable continuity of business operations. The response of the MNF team to the pandemic has been admirable with the global team transitioning to working from home seamlessly, while continuing to maintain our high standard of service for customers and develop software that underpins and enables critical communications services across the globe. The global team will continue to work from home until it is safe to return to the workplace."Supported by a strong balance sheet and cash position, I am pleased to report our results were at the top-end of guidance and we were not reliant on Australian Government COVID-19 assistance schemes for this result."Operational HighlightsPhone numbers on network, the key performance indicator for future growth, reached 4.5 million numbers as of 30 June 2020, representing organic growth of 17% on the prior year. Growth in phone numbers, which is the company's largest recurring revenue product, supported a 27% increase in the Group's total recurring revenue to $101.5 million and a 24% increase in recurring margin to $59.7 million. EBITDA margin continued its upward trend reaching 17% of total revenue, demonstrating our ability to manage costs while driving earnings.Customers in the UCaaS, CPaaS and collaboration spaces experienced a Net Retention Rate4 of 123% in the second half when compared to the prior corresponding period. These customers continue to perform strongly and are expected to continue to benefit from the structural tail-winds post-pandemic.Update on SingaporeA key growth pillar for the company is to expand its service offerings to the Asia-Pacific region, starting with Singapore. While the pandemic impacted local testing, the project is still on track with a technical trial with key customers and other stakeholders due to commence in December 2020. A full production launch is expected in March 2021.OutlookMNF acknowledges that the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve and while currently there is strong demand for MNF's services, the external environment predicts a significant degree of uncertainty.We have seen traffic patterns settle in the last six to eight weeks with steady volumes about 175% above pre-pandemic levels for key use cases such as UCaaS, CPaaS and collaboration. Usage of other use cases such as audio conferencing, small business phone systems and mobile roaming continue to be lower than pre-pandemic levels. Despite these factors, overall, MNF continues to operate at higher gross margins than pre-pandemic levels.Rene Sugo commented: "We are seeing a new normal in the use of collaboration technology, with the pandemic accelerating the adoption of new ways of communicating, which will support the growth of MNF. However, areas such as mobile roaming and small business products are experiencing some challenges and while we expect these to make a full recovery post-COVID, they are providing short-term headwinds into FY21. Similarly, while traditional audio conferencing benefitted during the lock-down, it is now declining as a result of the shift to the newer, online collaboration tools."We remain committed to our strategic pillars to grow market share, expand our footprint across the APAC region, build long-term strategic relationships with our customers and invest in products to build resilience, scale and automation."Results briefingThere will be a webinar and results presentation held on Tuesday 25 August at 9:00am AEDT. For registration and details, please visit:A recorded version of this webinar will be made available for later viewing at the same web address.To view the FY20 Results Presentation , please visit:To view the FY20 Financial Report, please visit:About Symbio Holdings Limited

Symbio Holdings Limited (ASX:SYM) is one of Asia-Pacific's fastest growing technology companies. Listed on the ASX since 2006 and twice winner of the Forbes Asia-Pacific "Best under a Billion" award. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the company has over 500 people located across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. Symbio develops and operates a global communications network and software suite enabling some of the world's leading innovators to deliver new-generation communications solutions.

As the world moves to IP, Symbio is building the brands, services, network and technology to lead the way.
Advertisement

The parents of Jacob Blake have spoken out against the 'violence and destruction' that has rocked Kenosha, Wisconsin in response to their son's shooting by police, and said they're praying for all involved, including police officers.

In an emotional press conference on Tuesday, Julia Jackson and Jacob Blake Sr spoke publicly for the first time since police officers shot their son multiple times in the back as he entered his car on Sunday.

'They shot my son seven times, seven times, like he didn't matter,' Blake Sr said tearfully as he spoke to reporters alongside other family members and lawyers.

'But my son matters. He's a human being and he matters.'

Jackson said, 'Citizens, police officers, firemen, clergy, politicians: do Jacob justice on this level and examine your hearts. We need healing. As I pray for my son's healing, physically, emotionally and spiritually, I also have been praying, even before this, for the healing of our country.'

The family's attorney Ben Crump, who is also representing the family of George Floyd, revealed Blake was undergoing surgery, adding that the bullets severed his spinal cord, shattered his vertebrae and severely damaged his organs.

'It's going to take a miracle for Jacob Blake Jr. to ever walk again,' Crump said.

Scroll down for video

Jacob Blake's parents, Jacob Blake Sr (center) and Julia Jackson (second from right), arrived with family members outside the County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Tuesday for a press conference following their son's shooting by police

Blake's mother Julia Jackson (left) denounced the 'violence and destruction' that has rocked the city of Kenosha in the wake of the shooting and pleaded for calm on Tuesday. His father Jacob Blake Sr (right) became emotional as he spoke out against the cops who shot his son seven times

Jacob Blake was shot in the back by Wisconsin police on Sunday as his three young sons watched on. He is now paralyzed from the waist down after his body was riddled with bullets, his father says. Blake is pictured above being treated just moments after the shooting

Blake, who is a father of six, is now in a stable condition in hospital after undergoing surgery

The shooting was captured on cellphone video and has ignited new protests over racial injustice in several cities, just three months after the death of Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police touched off a wider reckoning on race.

Heavily armed civilians were filmed protecting businesses in Kenosha after arsonists set buildings alight, torching much of the black business district Monday.

Blake's mother Julia during the press conference condemned the violence saying it did not reflect the feelings and values of their family and pleaded for calm and 'healing'.

'As I drove through the city, I noticed a lot of damage. It doesn't reflect my son or my family,' Jackson said, holding back tears.

'If Jacob knew what was going on, as far as that goes, the violence and the destruction, he would be very unpleased. So I really am asking and encouraging everyone in Wisconsin and abroad to take a moment and examine your hearts.

Jackson also denounced the racial tensions that have plagued the country and called for unity among all races.

'How dare we hate what we are. We are humans. God did not make one type of tree or flower or fish or grass or rock. How dare we you ask him to make one type of human that looks just like you,' she said.

'I am not talking to just Caucasian people. I am talking to everyone. White, black, Japanese, Chinese, red, brown. No one is superior to the other. The only supreme being is God himself. Please, let's begin to pray for healing for our nation.'

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump updated the public on Blake's condition adding that it's 'going to take a miracle for Jacob Blake Jr to ever walk again'

Kenosha firefighter puts out hot spots near the corner of 22nd street and Roosevelt Street in Kenosha, following another night of rioting in the city that stem from the shooting of Jacob Blake by police

Volunteers pitch in to help with clean up at B&L Office Furniture Inc. on 60th Street in Kenosha after the riots

She also revealed that the first thing her son said to her when she saw him was that he was sorry.

'He said, "I don't want to be a burden on you guys",' Jackson said. '"I want to be with my children, and I don't think I'll walk again."'

Three of the younger Blake's sons - aged three, five and eight - were in the car at the time of the shooting, Crump said. It was the eight-year-old's birthday, he added.

Lawyers for the family also described the extent of Blake's injuries revealing he now has holes in stomach and is currently undergoing surgery.

'He had a bullet go through some of all his spinal cord. He has holes in his stomach, he had to have nearly his entire colon, small intestines removed, damage to kidney and liver, and was shot in the arm,' Attorney Patrick Salvi said.

'Jacob has a long road ahead of him. Not going to be his last surgery. Long road to recovery. We are going to hope and pray for as good as a recovery as we can get. Jacob is going to fight hard.'

The legal team plans to file a civil lawsuit against the police department over the shooting. Police have said little about what happened, other than that they were responding to a domestic dispute.

The officers involved have not been named. The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating.

Cars burn at a small car dealership. It was set on fire the previous night with most of the vehicles being destroyed in the fire. Protesters came back the following night to finish burning the vehicles over the police shooting of Jacob Blake

he State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections building burns as flames engulf the facility that was set on fire by protesters over the police shooting of Jacob Blake

A city block was cordoned off Tuesday, so officials could survey damage. Several storefronts were badly damaged. Smoke filled the air and visibility was low as firefighters used water cannons on still smoldering buildings

After a night during which protests devolved into unrest, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers called for calm Tuesday, while also declaring a state of emergency under which he doubled the National Guard deployment in Kenosha from 125 to 250.

The night before crowds destroyed dozens of buildings and set more than 30 fires in the southeastern Wisconsin city's downtown.

'We cannot allow the cycle of systemic racism and injustice to continue,' said Evers, who is facing mounting pressure from Republicans over his handling of the unrest.

'We also cannot continue going down this path of damage and destruction.'

It comes after the emergence of a second video, which was taken from a different angle to the initial cellphone footage, that appears to show Blake wrestling with officers in the lead up to the shooting.

Both videos capture Blake walking to the driver's side of his SUV and opening the door when the officer started shooting.

Blake's father said he learned Sunday night that officers had shot his son and that he saw the now-viral cellphone video of the incident online just a few minutes later.

'What justified all those shots?' his father said. 'What justified doing that in front of my grandsons? What are we doing?

'I want to put my hand on my son's cheek and kiss him on his forehead, and then I'll be OK. I'll kiss him with my mask. The first thing I want to do is touch my son.'

The police shooting of Blake in front of his three young sons has led to two nights of violent unrest in the city that is located between Milwaukee and Chicago

A second cellphone video that emerged later appeared to show Blake wrestling with two officers beside the SUV prior to the shooting

Blake and at least two officers were filmed wrestling with each other on the pavement near his SUV, according to this second video

After the first video went viral on social media, a second cellphone video emerged that appeared to show Blake wrestling with at least two officers beside the SUV prior to the shooting.

Blake managed to break free and was shown in the video walking to the driver's side of his SUV.

Both videos show the moment Blake walked from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door while officers followed him with their guns pointed as they shouted at him.

As Blake opened the door and leaned into the SUV where his three children - aged 8, 5 and 3 - were, an officer grabbed his shirt from behind and opened fire while Blake had his back turned. At least seven shots could be heard.

The officers involved have since been placed on administrative leave, which is standard practice in a shooting by police. Authorities released no details about the officers.

Kenosha police do not have body cameras but do have body microphones.

The man who said he made the initial cellphone video, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell: 'Drop the knife! Drop the knife!' before the gunfire erupted. He said he didn't see a knife in Blake's hands.

White said that before the gunfire, he looked out his window and saw six or seven women shouting at each other on the sidewalk.

A few moments later, Blake drove up in his SUV and told his son, who was standing nearby, to get in the vehicle, according to White. White said Blake did not say anything to the women.

The images above show the moments leading up to the shooting. Blake (seen in the white shirt) walks away from a police officer who has his gun drawn and is ordering him to stop

Donnell and Tamika Lauderdale were spotted washing the blood off the road on Monday after Blake was shot a day earlier

White said he left the window for a few minutes, and when he came back, saw three officers wrestling with Blake. One punched Blake in the ribs, and another used a stun gun on him, White said. He said Blake got free and started walking away as officers yelled about a knife.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Blake's family, said Blake was 'simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident.'

According to online records, Kenosha County prosecutors recently charged Blake with third-degree sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse

Police did not immediately confirm either man's account. They did, however, confirm they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute when they encountered Blake.

Blake's fiancee, Laquisha Booker, told WTMJ-TV that the couple's three children were in the back seat of the SUV when police shot him.

'That man just literally grabbed him by his shirt and looked the other way and was just shooting him. With the kids in the back screaming. Screaming,' Booker said.

Blake's father told the Chicago Sun Times that his son also has three other children.

Anger over the shooting spilled into the streets of Kenosha for a second night on Monday, with police again firing tear gas at hundreds of protesters who defied a curfew, threw bottles and shot fireworks at law enforcement guarding the courthouse.

Crump, who has also represented the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, said Blake's family has asked that demonstrations in response to his shooting remain peaceful.

'They don't believe violence to be the solution,' he said.

The shooting drew condemnation from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who also called out 125 members of the National Guard on Monday after protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear the previous night.

The governor said he has seen no information to suggest Blake had a knife or other weapon, but that the case is still being investigated by the state Justice Department.

Evers was quick to condemn the bloodshed, saying that while not all details were known 'what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.'

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said the officers 'must be held accountable.'

Anger over the shooting spilled into the streets of Kenosha for a second night on Monday, with police again firing tear gas at hundreds of protesters who defied a curfew

Demonstrators throw tear gas back at law enforcement on August 24. Hours into the curfew, the mostly peaceful demonstration turned violent. Commercial and government buildings were set ablaze, along with vehicles in car dealership lots

Law enforcement officers face angry crowds during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake

Police attempt to push back protesters outside the Kenosha County Courthouse late on Monday

Protestores took turns posing in front of a burning garbage truck during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officers

A city garbage truck burns during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officers, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Republicans and the police union accused the politicians of rushing to judgment, reflecting the deep partisan divide in Wisconsin, a key presidential battleground state.

Wisconsin GOP members decried the violent protests, echoing the law-and-order theme that President Donald Trump has been using in his reelection campaign.

The shooting drew condemnation from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who also called out 125 members of the National Guard on Monday after protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear the previous night

'As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident,' Pete Deates, president of the Kenosha police union, said in a statement.

He called the governor's statement 'wholly irresponsible.'

Details have since emerged about Blake's criminal past, including a recent arrest for sexual assault.

According to online records, Kenosha County prosecutors charged Blake with third-degree sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse.

It was unclear whether that case had anything to do with the shooting.

In 2015, Blake was also charged with resisting arrest and carrying a concealed weapon after he pulled a gun at a local bar in Racine.

Blake's grandfather, Jacob Blake Sr., was a prominent minister and civil rights leader in the Chicago area who helped organize a march and spoke in support of a comprehensive housing law in Evanston, Illinois, days after the 1968 slaying of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Rachel Noerdlinger, publicist for the National Action Network, told The Associated Press that the Rev. Al Sharpton spoke on Monday to Blake's father, who called the civil rights leader for his support.

Blake's father will speak at Sharpton's March on Washington commemoration on Friday, Noerdlinger said.

Karissa Lewis, national field director of Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of more than 150 Black-led organizations that make up the broader Black Lives Matter movement, said the shooting was yet another example of why activists have called for defunding police departments.

'There's no amount of training or reform that can teach a police officer that it's wrong to shoot a Black man in the back seven times while his children watch,' Lewis said.

The letters 'BLM' are emblazoned in blood-red paint on the outside of a vandalized jewelry store in downtown Kenosha

One local business hit particularly hard by the unruly scenes was Car Source, a local automobile dealership

The interior of a burned out restaurant is seen on Monday after a night of unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Kenosha residents woke Monday morning to broken and charred storefronts, with dozens of cars and trucks in the street burnt out, such as this one above

Protesters hold signs supporting Black Lives Matter during a demonstration in front of the Kenosha County Court House on Monday
Every August since 2007, the international music festival "We Gather Friends" is hosted by the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Eight different programs on August 17-27 are presented on the festival poster. On August 22, an open concert "Children of the Sun" was held at the Rachmaninov Concert Hall of the Conservatory. Just like Azerbaijan, South American countries are drenched in almost all-year-round sunshine. For Azerbaijanis and Latin Americans, life is tied to it. Young musicians from Latin America and Azerbaijan demonstrated how the sun is reflected in the music of their distinctive cultures.

Trumpeter Anvar Karimov and violinist Emin Huseynov shared how they feel when performing in front of an audience for the first time after a long hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.



"It is a great happiness to feel this again, being on the stage and giving people emotions. I have three compositions by Azerbaijani authors in my program - Tofig Guliyev, Niyazi, and Musa Mirzoyev. Nocturne by Musa Mirzoev, as well as lezginka arranged for trumpet and piano, and Niyazi's romance 'Arzu'", Anvar Karimov said.

"We have already lost the habit of playing on stage. We were quarantined, passed the exams online. We are very grateful to the conservatory for giving us a chance to perform, play on stage in the Rachmaninov Concert Hall. My program includes a mugham composed by Fikret Amirov and Latin American El Diablo Suelto," Emin Huseynov said.

According to Clarinetist Paula Andrea Gallego Gutierrez, the combination of Azerbaijani and Latin American music is exotic: "This is very interesting, very attractive music for the Russian audience. We have a lot in common. We are old friends, it is very easy for us to play together, share different emotions. For the first time I played in Russia at the same festival - "We Gather Friends". I performed, then I had a clarinet lesson with a teacher and he invited me to come again. And now I have been performing in Russia for six years."
(TNS) - Some 330,000 Southeast Texas residents will officially be under a mandatory evacuation order as of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday as part of the first mandatory pre-hurricane evacuations in Southeast Texas in more than a decade.All residents of Orange and Jefferson counties were ordered to leave as Tropical Storm Laura slugged its way toward the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where it was projected to strengthen into at least a Category 2 hurricane. . Throughout the day, forecasters grew increasingly certain that it would make landfall around the Texas-Louisiana border.Around 8 p.m., they informed Jefferson County officials that the increased certainty now included a direction change that prompted the order.Its what I call the 2020 conundrum, County Judge Jeff Branick said before being given the update. If it goes 20 miles to the east, we should be OK. If it goes 20 miles to the west, we better hold on.Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bill Bartie was the first to order evacuations.Just go to higher ground, Bartie said, announcing the evacuation was to begin at 6 a.m. Go to San Antonio. Go to Austin. Get away from here.Bartie acknowledged the lingering uncertainty among modeling projections and said he would be willing to relax the order should the forecast change for the better. But with a potential storm surge of between 9 and 11 feet for his area, he said he felt it was time for action.The National Weather Services Lake Charles office warned that the storm could inundate Sabine Pass, the Port Arthur levee and parts of Hilldebradt and Taylor bayous under more than 6 feet of water. That convinced Branick to issue a partial evacuation order Monday evening for the affected areas.That order later was expanded to the entire county based on the new information.All area cities were expected to issue their own mirroring Branicks.Beaumont Mayor Becky warned residents who choose to stay that emergency services personnel would cease operations once wind speeds reach 35 miles per hour.Bartie said his city has made arrangements to help transport individuals who cant get themselves out of Port Arthur. Like so much else this year, those plans are complicated by the coronavirus and the requirements for social distancing. For example, he said, buses can take only 15 people  fewer than half the usual capacity.In Orange County, residents who cant evacuate themselves can board buses that will be leaving from Lamar State College, 410 Front St. in Orange, or Vidor Elementary School at 400 Old U.S. 90. Individuals who cannot get to one of the transportation sites can call their city or, for the unincorporated areas, county to receive assistance.The Texas Department of Transportation had no immediate plans Monday night was not anticipating starting contraflow in the Southeast Texas area.Such a decision would be made in concert with the Department of Public Safety.Official orders notwithstanding, many Southeast Texans spent Monday preparing for the storm.Residents filled sandbags, boarded up their windows and shopped for essentials. Government officials issued disaster declarations and continued tweaking plans for shelter, rescues and other emergency responses, should they be necessary.Many Southeast Texas school districts, which have struggled to reopen after the coronavirus shutdown last spring, announced they would close once again.When determining whether to heed voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders, among other storm-related decisions, Entergy Texas recommends residents review their emergency plans and make any needed changes as if theyre going to be without power.Vice President of Customer Service Stuart Barrett suggested residents use the companys storm planning tool at entergystormcenter.com to help make those decisions.With disaster declarations issued, other planning for potential needs, such as a shelter for residents and restoring power from downed power lines, continued. While Southeast Texas has done its fair share of storm planning, officials are doing so this time through the lens of coronavirus.For example, to observe social distancing, Jefferson County officials have been working with the Red Cross on sheltering residents. But this year, that could include the use of hotel rooms to allow individuals to social distance.Its unclear what the cost difference would be between that and a shelter at Ford Park or some other arrangement that deploys the use of, essentially, a large room with beds set up in it.A disaster declaration issued Monday afternoon from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and President Donald Trump clears the way for federal government reimbursement for evacuations and shelters, according to a news release from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.Texas is grateful to President Trump and our partners at FEMA for quickly granting this Federal Emergency Declaration, Abbott said in the release. As tropical storms Marco and Laura head toward the coast, the state of Texas is working with local and federal partners to ensure our communities have the resources they need to respond to these storms.The declaration joins others that have been issued by all Southeast Texas counties and several municipalities as well.For area residents planning to stay in their homes, Entergy Texas warned that coronavirus-related precautions could extend power restoration wait times, especially if there are widespread outages. Crews will continue to practice social distancing while in the field and customers are asked to stay away from work zones.Entergy Texas Senior Communications Specialist Allie Payne noted that the company has several months of experience working with such precautions  powering customers ability to work from home and emergency operations center and hospitals that are fighting the pandemic.Even still, it means fewer workers will be stretched across a larger number of staging sites. But Entergy is working with its regional partners and has additional equipment such as drones and airboats should it be necessary.kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.comtwitter.com/KaitlinBain2020 the Beaumont Enterprise (Beaumont, Texas)Visit the Beaumont Enterprise (Beaumont, Texas) at www.beaumontenterprise.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LL
Ukraine will significantly limit Hasidic pilgrimage to the town of Uman for Rosh Hashanah celebrations.

The issue was discussed at a traditional conference call chaired by President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrinform reports with reference to the press service of the Head of State.

"At the request of the Prime Minister of Israel, a decision was made to significantly limit the pilgrimage of Hasids to the town of Uman for Rosh Hashanah celebrations," reads the statement of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

It was also noted that the COVID-19 rate is growing worldwide, so the Ukrainian government us currently elaborating the regulations to ban the entry into Ukraine for the foreign nationals from the countries that fall into the "red zone" category for 30 days.

The ban will not apply to drivers of transit vehicles and representatives of humanitarian missions.

On August 17, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine supported the decision to limit the foreigners visits to Uman to celebrate Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), which is marked this year on September 18-20.

On August 17, Uman town mayor Oleksandr Tsebriy said he was ready to block entrances to the city in case of a mass arrival of Hasidic pilgrims.

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement, was buried in the town of Uman in Cherkasy region, central Ukraine. The town became a place of massive pilgrimage. Each autumn, 20-30 thousand pilgrims from different countries come here to celebrate the Jewish New Year.

ol
Midland County recorded five new confirmed coronavirus cases Monday, while a health department reports 82 cases now have been related to Central Michigan University students returning last week to the Mount Pleasant area.

The Central Michigan District Health Department, which oversees Isabella County, said 75 of the cases are confirmed and seven are probable.

"Our investigations have shown that many individuals that have tested positive live with several roommates or have attended large social gatherings," according to a CMDHD press release issued Monday afternoon. "Case counts include current students, former students and those living in the community who were identified as being associated with other cases related to return to school."

The CMDHD issued an emergency order late Monday afternoon to limit the size of social gatherings or events within Union Township and the City of Mount Pleasant. No more than 25 people may gather at outdoor events. The order takes effect at 8 p.m. Monday and will remain in effect until amended or rescinded

Fall on-campus classes began Aug. 17 at CMU.

CMU, on its website, said it will remain open for face-to-face instruction for as long as officials are able to manage and mitigate the risks related to COVID-19. The website showed 54 new confirmed cases for the week of Aug. 17-23; there were five new confirmed cases the week before. The university is reporting 79 positive cases since June 15.

"There is no set threshold or number of cases that would trigger a shift to remote instruction," says a statement on CMU's website. "If we reach a point in which it is no longer safe to offer in-person instruction, we have prepared for a variety of scenarios and possible futures, including a shift back to remote-only instruction. We will monitor our situation carefully and make adjustments and decisions appropriately as we move forward."

If a college student tests positive and is living in Isabella County, the case is counted in Isabella Countys totals, according to the release. If a college student tests positive and is living at their permanent home residence outside of Isabella County, the case is counted in their home countys totals.

Students who are sick and return to their permanent residence to quarantine still will be counted in the total number associated with the CMU outbreak. These cases are identified in the Michigan Disease Surveillance System with a unique identifier, health officials said.

The state on Friday announced an issue with the reporting of electronic lab results and said higher than expected numbers of daily case counts should be expected for a few days as the valid results are processed and entered into the reporting system.

With Monday's numbers, Midland County's pandemic total stands at 301 confirmed cases with 84 probable cases and 10 deaths.

Monday, Aug. 24 daily numbers

Bay County: Nine cases were added; pandemic total stands at 697 cases, 83 probable, 39 deaths.

Gladwin County: No cases were added; pandemic total stands at 67 cases, seven probable, two deaths.

Isabella County: 40 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 297 cases, 40 probable, nine deaths.

Saginaw County: 29 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 2,245 cases, 142 probable, 127 deaths and three probable deaths.

The state on Monday added 868 new cases and four deaths.

Overall, Michigan is at 97,660 cases and 6,397 deaths.

Testing

The state report shows as of Aug. 24, Midland County has performed 10,263 diagnostic tests and 745 serology (antibodies) tests, totaling 11,008 tests. Gladwin County is listed as having administered 3,998 diagnostic tests and 127 serology (antibodies) tests, totaling 4,125 tests.

Midland County's seven-day rolling positivity rate on Aug. 21 was listed at 2.0%, and low risk of spread. Gladwin County was listed at 1.2% and low risk. The Saginaw region, which includes 12-counties including Midland, Gladwin, Bay and Saginaw counties, was listed at 4.0% and medium risk and Michigan at 3.3%, and medium risk. A positivity rate of less than 3% indicates a lack of community spread, according to Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Department of Health and Human Services chief medical executive.

As of Aug. 24, MidMichigan Health  which covers a 23-county region and has medical centers at seven sites, including Midland  has completed a total of 18,715 tests. Of those, 17,629 were negative, 220 positive and 866 are pending.

Nursing Homes

Brittany Manor in Midland is listed in the state report as having four cumulative cases and one death among residents as of Aug. 23, and five cumulative cases and no deaths among staff. Midland King's Daughters is reporting one cumulative case among staff and Medilodge of Midland is reporting two cumulative cases among staff. The other reporting facility, Stratford Pines, is reporting no cases.

Gladwin Pines Nursing Home is listed as having two cumulative confirmed cases and no deaths among residents as of Aug. 23, and one confirmed case and no deaths among staff. Gladwin Nursing & Rehabilitation Community, the other long-term health facility reporting to the state, is reporting one cumulative confirmed case among residents and three cumulative cases among staff.

Recovered

As of Aug. 20, the Midland County health department website lists 259 recovered cases and 28 hospitalizations since the pandemic start.

The state lists the total recovered at 72,580 cases, as of Aug. 21, which represents COVID-19 confirmed individuals with an onset date on or prior to July 22, according to the state website, mich.gov.

Midland County Health Department data

People younger than 40 make up 57.2% of total Midland County cases, confirmed and probable, as of Aug. 20.

Of Midland County's 369 confirmed and probable cases, 79 cases are in 0-19 age range; 74 in 20-29 age range; 58 in 30-39 age range; 53 in 40-49 age range; 50 in 50-59 age range; 22 in 60-69 age range; 19 in 70-79 age range, and 14 in 80+ age range, as of Aug. 20.

Of Midland's 10 deaths, five have been female and five male. One was between the ages of 50-50; three were between ages of 70-79, and six were 80 years and older.

As of Aug. 20, 81.9% of cases have fallen within the 48640 and 48642 (mostly Midland) zip codes. Next highest were 48657 (Sanford) with 7.% of cases and 48618 (Coleman) with 6.2% of cases.

Cases by race, as of Aug. 20: 87.9% were listed as caucasian; 2.3% as Black; 4% as Asian; 1.1% listed as two or more races; and 6% were unknown.

MidMichigan Health statistics

Patient census: MidMichigan Health system is listed as having eight COVID-19 patients, including one COVID-19 patient in ICU, and 68% bed occupancy, as of Aug. 24.

PPE days on hand as of Aug. 24: The health system reported 15-21 days for N95 masks; 0-6 days for surgical masks; 7-14 days for surgical gowns; 21+ days for shields and 7-14 days for gloves.

Need help?

If you think you've been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your health care provider for medical advice. If he/she isn't available, call MidMichigan Urgent Care in Midland at 989-633-1350 or MidMichigan Medical Center's Emergency Department in Midland at 989-839-3100.

MidMichigan Health has a COVID-19 informational hotline with a reminder of CDC guidelines and recommendations. The hotline can be reached toll-free at 800-445-7356 or 989-794-7600. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also has a hotline number for Michigan residents for questions about COVID-19. The number is 1-888-535-6136 and is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also e-mail COVID19@michigan.gov. E-mails will be answered seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

If you are feeling anxious, stressed, depressed and feel you need to talk to someone, reach out to Community Mental Health for Central Michigan by calling 800-317-0708.

Recommendations for public

 Socially distance at least 6 feet from non-household members.

 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

 Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

 If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

 Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

 Wear face coverings in public.

 Stay home when sick.

 Covering coughs and sneezes.

 Throw used tissues in the trash right after use.

 Routinely clean frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning wipe or spray.
Iran's gas export capacity hits 80 million cu/m per day: Minister

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Aug 24, IRNA -- Iranian Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh pointed to the operation of Iran's sixth and ninth gas transmission lines and said that Iran's total capacity increases to 80 million cubic meters per day.

Zanganeh made the remarks in the inaugural ceremony of three plans for the sixth and ninth gas transmission lines, 5 compressor stations, Bushehr petrochemical and the west of Karoun and accessories.

He went on to say that Iran's oil industry, despite the strongest pressure and foreign sanctions, was not only successful in operation but also carried out development plans.

In the ceremony, Zangeneh said that during the National Government week this year, oil and gas industry plans to be inaugurated would hit 4.7 billion.

"The investment fund for the construction of Iran's sixth and ninth gas transmission lines has been 3 billion, the volume of investments in petrochemicals at Bushehr would hit 1.3 billion and at the west of Karoun power plant is estimated to be 320 million and all of these projects will be inaugurated today.

"There is a long-distance between the main gas production centers in the south with consumption intentions in the center and the east, and the west and the north, so we need a 12 - inch pipeline and pressure - strengthening stations, which will be needed for each cost line between $1.5 million to $2.5 million, each station also needs 75 million.

When we want to move 600 million cubic meters of gas from Asaluyeh - Southern Iran - to other parts of the country, "we need more than six pipelines and dozens of pressure" - strengthening stations, said Zangeneh.

The investments in these projects are 3.1 billion, of which 1.1 billion have been carried out by the private sector.

The pipeline will sustain gas exports as far as 80 million cubic meters of gas exports are now available, Iranian Petroleum Minister said.

6125**2050

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Amid rising Covid-19 cases in Ludhiana, police commissioner Rakesh Agrawal on Tuesday banned the setting up of stalls, kiosks and reheris in front of shops.

After the administration imposed odd-even rule to open markets in the city to contain the spread of the disease, some shopkeepers were selling their products on a stalls and kept their shops closed, defeating the purpose, following which the order was issued.

Also, people were not following social distancing rules while standing around raheris and stalls. The order will remain in forces for next two months.
Russell Moore, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, is trying to educate Christians about the cultural and demographic genocide that China is perpetrating against its Muslim population.

Why it matters: "If no one in the world is going to notice that someone is gone, then the CCP can do whatever it wants," says Moore.

What's happening: In addition to a webinar with Uighur activists he held last week on the issue, Moore has written about repression of the Uighurs for the Wall Street Journal, has tweeted frequently about it and is working with U.S. officials on the issue.

His immediate goal is simply to spread awareness among Christians, Moore told Axios in an interview.

"Churches have been very receptive and alarmed that they did not know sooner that this was happening. Thats what I hear most often, is people asking why they didnt know that this was taking place," said Moore, adding that Uighurs have seemed "invisible" to many Americans.

"And I think their invisibility is what empowers the CCP to continue their actions. If no one in the world is going to notice that someone is gone, then the CCP can do whatever it wants."

Background: Southern Baptists are the largest evangelical Christian group in the U.S., a group that has overwhelmingly supported President Trump despite the president's history of statements and policies targeting Muslims.

In the past few months, the Trump administration has levied sanctions on numerous CCP officials over human rights violations against Muslims. The sanctions have brought praise from human rights activists but also accusations of hypocrisy due to the Trump administration's discriminatory policies targeting Muslims.

Moore was openly critical of Trump during the 2016 presidential race  which almost cost him his job  and he later opposed Trump's Muslim travel ban that denied entrance to the U.S. to most citizens of several Muslim-majority countries.

Between the lines: By invoking Christian values, Moore is working to translate an issue centered around Muslim vulnerability for a conservative American Christian audience  a group that in recent years has not been inclined to view Muslims with compassion.

"The way of Jesus Christ says we pay attention to our neighbor on the side of the road who is being persecuted and who is being beaten," Moore said in a video posted to Twitter on Aug. 21.

"We must not allow China to confiscate what belongs only to God: the lives, souls and consciences of vulnerable human beings," he wrote in a September 2019 Wall Street Journal op-ed.

Go deeper: The world's Muslims are facing unprecedented repression
This week marks exactly three years since the Myanmar military poured into Rakhine State and launched a vicious operation against the Rohingya people. Over the course of a few weeks, thousands of women, men and children were killed, mutilated and raped, whole villages were burned to the ground, and hundreds of thousands fled into neighbouring Bangladesh.

Even for us Rohingya, who have been oppressed and rendered stateless in our home country for decades, the savagery of the violence in 2017 was unprecedented. Today, our plight has mostly disappeared from the headlines in international media, but our people are still suffering. We need the worlds help more than ever to end the genocide against us in Myanmar.

Close to a million Rohingya continue to live as refugees in Bangladesh, mainly in the southeastern district of Coxs Bazar. Bangladesh has generously welcomed and hosted people who fled for their lives, but an overcrowded refugee camp is no place for a life of dignity. A whole generation of Rohingya children is growing up in deplorable conditions, with little access to education, or hope for the future.

What the refugees want the most is to return home to Myanmar, but that is simply not possible today. The 600,000 Rohingya who remain in Rakhine State live in an open-air prison. Every aspect of their lives is controlled by the state: To leave ones village to attend school, to make a living or to go to a hospital usually requires special permission or a well-placed bribe.

At the moment, Myanmar is gearing up to hold a general election on November 8. It is the first vote since the historic election in 2015, when Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) won in a landslide, ending decades of direct military rule. Many Rohingya supported the NLD at that time, but have since grown bitterly disillusioned with the partys policies. Aung San Suu Kyi and her civilian government have proven complicit in the genocide against us by continuing to support the armys actions and denying on international platforms what is happening on the ground.

Although in the past, many Rohingya in Myanmar were able to vote and run in elections, today they are being barred from both. In 2015, Myanmar abruptly withdrew temporary citizenship cards from ethnic Rohingya, which had given them the right to vote. This year, the authorities have also rejected members of the Rohingya community who have tried to register to run in the elections, claiming their parents were not citizens and that they, therefore, did not meet the criteria. This is despite the fact that some of these candidates have been allowed to run in previous elections.

There still is a glimmer of hope for the Rohingya, however: the momentum behind the international justice process. Last November, the Gambia filed a case against Myanmar in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of committing genocide against the Rohingya. A few days later, the International Criminal Court announced that it was launching an investigation into the Myanmar military for crimes against humanity.

In January this year, the ICJ ordered Myanmar to end genocidal practices against the Rohingya, and to report regularly on how it complies with these orders. But even though the government has claimed it was improving conditions in Rakhine State since, in reality, almost nothing has changed. If anything, conditions have become even worse this year for the Rohingya, as fighting between the military and armed groups has intensified while the pandemic has swept through the region.

My own organisation, the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, has also brought a case against Aung San Suu Kyi, her government and the military before the Argentinian judiciary. It relies on the principle of universal jurisdiction  the notion that some heinous crimes can be tried anywhere, regardless of where they took place.

But for these efforts to be effective, we need the international communitys support. We have spent the past three years telling the world about our plight and telling the same stories over and over again. In return, we have received little more than sympathy and empty promises.

The world has failed to take concrete action to help the Rohingya. Despite the overwhelming evidence against Myanmar of their crimes, our reality is the same  Rohingya are suffering, whether in villages in Rakhine State or in refugee camps in Bangladesh.

The UN Security Council has remained paralysed for three years, failing to condemn Myanmar. The US and the EU have imposed individual sanctions on members of the security forces, but they do not go far enough in pressuring the military leadership. They have also refused to use the term genocide, in part because that would bring with it some legal obligations to act.

Rohingya are only asking for an opportunity to live a life of dignity in our own country. The oppression that has rendered us stateless and prisoners in our own homes must end immediately. Those responsible for the violence against us must be held to account to prevent it from ever happening again.

These are big but far from impossible tasks  history shows that genocidal regimes do not last long. One year from now, on the next anniversary, I hope we will have gotten closer to making this a reality.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
The Trump administration is considering whether to formally label Chinas treatment of Uighurs a genocide, Politico reported on Tuesday.

A genocide designation by the U.S. government could have political and legal consequences for the country. If the genocide label is approved, it could pressure the U.S. to intervene in some form to counteract the genocide, though not necessarily through military means. The designation would also be sure to further inflame tensions between the U.S. and China that have soared during the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Security Council, State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security are still weighing whether to use the term, Trump administration officials told Politico. The administration could designate Chinas treatment of Uighurs as crimes against humanity or ethnic cleansing if there is not enough support for a formal designation of genocide.

A spokesman for the Joe Biden presidential campaign said Biden supports the genocide designation, which could influence President Trumps final decision on the matter.

China has imprisoned over one million Uighurs and other Muslims from the province of Xinjiang in reeducation camps aimed to stamp out detainees Islamic faith and indoctrinate them in communist party ideology. White House national security adviser Robert OBrien has referred to the facilities as concentration camps, and reports of torture, rape, and other abuses have emerged from the camps.

China is also implementing a campaign of forced sterilizations and abortions on Uighur women.

By 2019, Xinjiang planned to subject at least 80 percent of women of childbearing age in the rural south of Xinjiang to intrusive birth prevention surgeries (IUDs or sterilizations), with actual shares likely being much higher, Adrian Zenz, a China studies fellow at the Jamestown Institute, wrote in his study of the sterilization campaign.

More from National Review
A group of furious bystanders have lashed out at a cameraman filming the scene where a heavily-tattooed man was gunned down outside his home in broad daylight.

Businessman Mohamed Saab, 37, was found with gunshot wounds to his shoulder, ribs and leg outside a home in Knoll Avenue in Turrella, in Sydney's south, just before 7am on Wednesday morning.

Neighbours swarmed the street as the father-of-two was hauled into an ambulance and taken to St George Hospital in a serious condition.

Shocked onlookers then quickly turned on media crews who were also at the scene.

'Look at this c*** recording me, what did I say,' a man in hooded sweatshirt says.

'What wrong with ya?' his friend in a high-vis shirt then asks.

'You should be recording the scene, not me.'

A heavily-tattooed man has been rushed to hospital in serious condition after being shot several times in a suburban street in Sydney's south

Mohamed Saab, 37, was found with gunshot wounds to his shoulder, ribs and leg outside a home in Knoll Avenue in Turrella, in Sydney's south, just before 7am on Wednesday morning

Many have been left shaken by the shooting of the well-known businessman who they say is a 'role model'.

Investigators are still piecing together what sparked the shootingm which they believe was targeted.

A dark sedan was spotted leaving the area moments.

Police cordoned off the area before forensic officers to arrived.

A group of furious bystanders have lashed out at a cameraman filming the scene where a heavily-tattooed man was gunned down outside his home in broad daylight

He was treated at the scene before being taken to St George Hospital in a serious condition

Police have cordoned off the area as they await for forensic officers to arrive (pictured: Investigators at the scene)

'Some of the information that has come forward leads us to believe this was not a random incident,' Chief Inspector Chris Hill said.

Investigators were seen sweeping the area in search of any evidence, they are yet to find the weapon.

A neighbour said she was 'really surprised' by the shooting.

She said the victim was a 'nice man'.

As inquiries continue, anyone who was in the area or who has information has been urged to come forward.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 07:54:12|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- International counter-terrorism efforts should follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and should address the root causes of terrorism, said a Chinese envoy on Monday.

International counter-terrorism cooperation should follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and continue to leverage the central coordinating role of the United Nations and the Security Council with unified standards, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

In fighting terrorism, there is a need to respect the primary responsibility of member states and the sovereignty of the countries concerned, he told a virtual meeting of the Security Council on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

He also called for the comprehensive implementation of relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. "During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to further promote multilateralism and strengthen international cooperation in a joint effort to fight terrorism."

Geng asked for integrated policies to address the root causes as well as the symptoms of terrorism to eradicate its breeding grounds.

The international community should push for political settlement of hot-spot issues, resolve differences peacefully, assist UN member states in poverty reduction and eradication and sustainable development, and encourage dialogue among civilizations and religions, he said.

He called for support for an important role by regional organizations such as the African Union. Assistance should be given to developing countries, especially African countries, to help build capacity for counter-terrorism and de-radicalization, he said.

There is an urgent need for the international community to strengthen cooperation in fighting and overcoming COVID-19 and reduce its impact on terrorist threats, said Geng.

It is important to enhance international judicial cooperation and adapt to the new trends and features of terrorism, he said.

"We should focus on the key issues, such as foreign terrorist fighters, the diversified means of terrorist financing, the misuse of the Internet and communication technologies by terrorists, and the collusion of terrorist organizations with organized crime. We should attach great importance to the impact of COVID-19 on counter-terrorism, and take timely measures to prevent terrorists from exploiting loopholes caused by the pandemic."

As an important player in the global fight against terrorism, China resolutely implements all relevant UN resolutions, actively participates in international and regional counter-terrorism cooperation, works closely with other member states in sharing intelligence and combating terrorist financing, transnational organized crime and cyber terrorism, he said.

China will work with the international community to analyze in depth the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global terrorist activities, and continue to have bilateral and multilateral exchanges and capacity-building cooperation with other countries, especially developing countries, he said.

China will continue to provide political and financial support to UN counter-terrorism efforts for the maintenance of international peace and security, said Geng. Enditem
New Delhi, Aug 25 : As global tourist destinations open slowly amid the domestic recovery in the gradual unlock phase, things may get better during the upcoming festive season and the tourism sector can return to some normalcy by the end of the year, online travel major MakeMyTrip said on Tuesday.

The Indian tourism industry has been severely hit due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Vipul Prakash, Chief Operating Officer, MakeMyTrip, the industry is expecting to gain its momentum during the upcoming festive season.

"We have seen improvements with the opening of major markets like Europe, Dubai and Maldives, along with others for certain visa holders and we are expecting them to open for everyone soon. Over the end of the year, we are expecting the situation to improve for us,'' Prakash told IANS.

In the first five months of this year, international tourist arrivals decreased by more than half and some $320 billion worth of exports from tourism were lost.

Overall, some 120 million direct jobs in tourism are at risk, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday.

MakeMyTrip is not expecting things to normalise 100 per cent but with more flights and better policies, the tourism industry can be brought back on track.

"We have sent a full set of suggestions to the government for the revival of the industry and we are expecting them to revert soon," Prakash said.

The company on Tuesday announced the launch of a dedicated platform called "myPartner" for travel agents to empower and assist them in offering seamless and enhanced travel booking experience to travellers.

The myPartner platform will enable them to offer a variety of travel choices, bundled with customisation, personalisation and travel booking convenience for their customers.

"The travel ecosystem demands deeper and wider collaboration among all stakeholders in the value chain in order to make a sustained recovery as the sector has been hit hard by the pandemic," Prakash said.

"Through our new MyPartner offering, we are very proud to give access to our rich content and inventory of domestic and international hotels at best prices to travel agents in the country".

As Indians return to travelling in the new normal, travel agents leveraging the platform will be able to offer options that adhere to MakeMyTrip's 'mySafety' standards which are designed in accordance with the guidelines issued by the health authorities.

"The mySafety standard focuses on prioritizing safety across all travel touchpoints offering a safer environment throughout the travel journey," said the company.
Oregon man caught in Lyon County with $760,000 of marijuana
New Delhi, Aug 25 : India may be gradually unlocking, but the recovery of travel, and future of millions of people associated with the tourism industry, is still uncertain. As social distancing turns out to be the way to go for many years to come, travel businesses must adapt now for tomorrow.

A recent survey by Nasscom indicated the impact of Covid-19 on India's startup ecosystem, and found out that nearly 70 per cent of the startups will only be able to last for around three months. Looking at how badly the travel industry has been impacted, many of these startups are likely to be a travel startups.

"Stepping ahead into an uncertain future, the travel startup ecosystem is preparing for the new era of travel where everything will be changed and brand-new. Businesses will need to be prepared today for tomorrow's travellers, and innovation is truly the need of the hour in order to meet the standard needs of quality travel. We cannot say for sure when it will all re-start but we need to be prepared for the future of travelling. Many travel startups are trying to bring changes into their business models and rethinking the way they used to function," Pritesh Khare, CEO, India Voyage, a travel startup told IANSlife.

He added that these changes are permanent only till the vaccine arrives. "We might also see hike in the prices of accommodation, food, transportation because of the market gap and the Covid security innovations and precautions. Also the hygiene factor that used to be on the least priority would be on the top most priority be it international or domestic travelling." Here is how he thinks the industry will change post the containment of the virus:

Local travel over international travel

In future people might only want to travel local keeping in mind its shorter distance hence making it a safer choice for them. In fact even the aviation industry would consider offering a different kind of seat choices which might be limited than what it used to be pre-Covid. International travel will be more expensive, hence people will choose to travel local.

Rural tourism over cities In the post-Corona world the travel is going to take a very unusual turn. Businesses that are into local stays, eco stays, village tours, skill-based tours and educational tours might see a good rise in future as people will be travelling with a desire to live sustainable and simple.

Road trips over local transport Road trips across the nation will be a safer option to take-up. Private taxis and mechanics' businesses will see a rise as public transport is going to be very challenging in the future and people might want to avoid it for a healthy living. As in future social distancing is going to be a way of living. Any form of physical touch will be avoided by the travellers.

Travelling industry as a whole needs to navigate through its possibilities, restoring the economy of the travel industry into place.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Israeli Prime Minister and his chief coalition partner said Monday that they had both accepted a proposal to delay a fateful budget vote, averting the collapse of their fractious alliance and preventing a fourth election in less than two years.

The twin announcements by Netanyahu and the alternate prime minister, Benny Gantz, cleared the way for parliament to proceed with a proposal to delay the budget vote until December. The vote would leave what has been a troubled alliance intact for at least a few more months.

Netanyahu had accepted the proposal on Sunday, seeming to clear the way for it to proceed. But throughout the day, Netanyahu's Likud party and Gantz's Blue and White continued to accuse each other of undermining the deal.

Facing a midnight deadline, both men announced late Monday that they had instructed their parties to support the proposal.

If we come to election, blood will be spilled in the streets, Gantz said in a nationally televised statement. The country needs a government that faces the needs of Israeli society, and not infighting.

Just before Gantz's remarks, Netanyahu released a videotaped statement, saying: The last thing the state of needs now is election."



After battling to stalemates in three inconclusive elections in under a year, Netanyahu and Gantz agreed to form a coalition government in May in order to spare the country another vote during the coronavirus crisis. Since then, they have feuded on virtually every issue.

In his address, Gantz angrily accused Likud of waging a personal campaign of incitement against him and said that things would have to change. He also accused Netanyahu, who is on trial for a series of corruption charges, of taking decisions to protect himself, instead of the interests of the country.

I will not allow anyone to undermine democracy, he said, calling for a new chapter of cooperation. Netanyahu, if you seek to cooperate for the sake of the citizens of Israel, my hand remains outstretched," he added. "If you intend tricks, or harming the rule of law, I will prevent it.

Under their coalition deal, the rivals faced a midnight deadline to approve a budget. Otherwise, the government would collapse, triggering a new election.

Monday's compromise simply delays the budget vote by several months, setting the stage for a similar showdown at the end of the year.

Netanyahu has called for a one-year budget, citing the challenges and economic damage caused by the coronavirus crisis. Gantz insists that they approve a two-year budget, as agreed upon in their original power-sharing deal.

But the crisis has deeper roots in the troubled partnership between Netanyahu and Gantz, the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak and the prime minister's ongoing corruption trial.

Critics have accused Netanyahu of trying to reshape the coalition deal or force new elections in hopes of gaining control over key legal appointments, including the attorney general, state prosecutor and national police chief, with the goal of delaying or cancelling his trial.

In his statement, Netanyahu said he had pledged not to intervene in the key appointments.

(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.)
While luxury real estate sales may be sagging in hard-hit Manhattan, the top end of the San Francisco market has remained surprisingly buoyant. Case in point: A posh Pacific Heights home once owned by actor Meg Ryan and her former husband, Dennis Quaid, just sold for $17.3 million. The deal, reports Mansion Global, is one of many trophy homes to sell during the pandemic in San Francisco, where large and luxurious private homes are far harder to come by than in Los Angeles or New York City.

The propertywhich was originally listed for just under $20 million back in Aprilis certainly appealing. Built 130 years ago, the Queen Anne Victorianstyle home is typical of the upscale mansions dotting Pacific and Presidio Heights, two of the most exclusive neighborhoods in San Francisco.

Jacob Elliott

Spanning some 7,000 square feet and offering five bedrooms, seven total bathrooms, a pair of family rooms, a living room, and a formal dining room, the home is gracious and grand. Theres also a newly completed chef-kitchen along with a top-floor pentroom, a leisure-focused space that makes the most of the homes panoramic San Francisco Bay views.

Despite its age, the home has undergone a series of recent updates and upgrades. The previous owners, for instance, worked with local firm Tim Murphy Design Associates back when they first bought it in 2014. Murphys overhaul was comprehensive but retained key original details, including thick crown molding and decorative millwork, as showcased in the welcoming entryway, according to Dwell.

Jacob Elliott

The owners then undertook additional improvements in partnership with San Franciscobased interior designer Nicole Hollis. We were hired early in the redesign process to consult on the selection of interior finishes, custom cabinetry, hardware, and the design of each custom fireplace surround, Holliss firm said to Dwell back in April. We spearheaded the selection of all furniture, window treatments, wall coverings, accessories and the majority of the decorative lighting.

Story continues

Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan Time & Life Pictures

Holliss work came long after Ryan first purchased the home back in 1990 with then husband Quaid at the height of her early fame following her leading role in When Harry Met Sally as well as roles in Innerspace and D.O.A., both of which featured Quaid. The two owned the home brieflyultimately selling it in 1991 just before they separated and later divorced. The current ownersa young couple with two childrenare, like many affluent Bay Area residents, involved in the high-tech sector. According to Mansion Global, the family sold the home after moving to Europe.

The sale was brokered by Neill Bassi of Sothebys International Realty, who boasted of the homes top three levels[offering] spectacular views of the bay, Alcatraz Island and Angel Island, when it first came on the market this spring.

Jacob Elliott

See the video.

Bassis colleague Jeff Gibson, who heads Sothebys San Francisco office, says the former Ryan home sale illustrates the unexpected vibrancy of the citys top-end market. Theres been a tremendous amount of activity in the past four to six weeks, he said to Mansion Global. Were all kind of shaking our headsits very, very active at all price levels.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
Boris Johnson has accused the BBC of wetness for removing the lyrics of Rule, Britannia! at the Last Night of the Proms.

The prime minister criticised the corporation for its decision to have the anthem, along with Land Of Hope And Glory, performed without its words.

The move comes in the face of criticism that the traditional anthems lyrics contain references to colonialism and slavery.

On Tuesday, Johnson said: "I think it's time we stopped our cringing embarrassment about our history, about our traditions and about our culture.

The BBC has said Land Of Hope And Glory and Rule, Britannia! will be performed at the Last Night Of The Proms but without lyrics. (PA)

"And we stop this general bout of self-recrimination and wetness.

In an interview during a visit to a shipyard in Devon, Johnson said: They're trying to restrain me from saying this.

He added: "I wanted to get that off my chest".

Prime minister Boris Johnson, during a visit to Appledore Shipyard in Devon on Tuesday, has criticised the BBC. (PA)

Downing Street had previously distanced itself from the BBCs decision and culture secretary Oliver Dowden has written to the corporation about the issue.

Read more: France to impose 'tit-for-tat' quarantine measures on UK

Father Marcus Walker, rector at Great St Bartholomews in London, tweeted: Hilarious that people are dressing the BBC promising orchestral versions of Land Of Hope And Glory and Rule Britannia as a retreat.

Its nothing of the sort, its gutting the songs of their words  of their meaning. You may think thats a good thing or not, but its no retreat.

Hilarious that people are dressing the BBC promising orchestral versions of Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia as a retreat; its nothing of the sort, its gutting the songs of their words - of their meaning. You may think thats a good thing or not, but its no retreat.  Marcus Walker (@WalkerMarcus) August 24, 2020

Business secretary Alok Sharma suggested the BBC use subtitles so viewers can sing along at home.

He told Times Radio: Weve heard the BBCs position that they will maintain the traditions. Personally, I would like to see the lyrics sung and of course it is always possible to put lyrics up as subtitles on the screen so if people want to they can join in at home.

Story continues

There will be no live audience at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 12 September because of coronavirus restrictions.

In a statement, the BBC said: With much reduced musical forces and no live audience, the Proms will curate a concert that includes familiar, patriotic elements such as Jerusalem and the national anthem, and bring in new moments capturing the mood of this unique time, including Youll Never Walk Alone, presenting a poignant and inclusive event for 2020.

Dalia Stasevska, from Finland, is conducting the Last Night of the Proms this year, with soprano Golda Schultz and the BBC Symphony Orchestra performing.

The corporations statement said: We very much regret the unjustified personal attacks on Dalia Stasevska, BBC Symphony Orchestra principal guest conductor, made on social media and elsewhere.

Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska will conduct the Last Night Of The Proms next month. (Getty Images)

As ever, decisions about the Proms are made by the BBC, in consultation with all artists involved.

The BBC said a new arrangement of Jerusalem will be performed, along with orchestral versions of Land Of Hope And Glory and Rule, Britannia!

In the statement, the broadcaster said: The programme will include a new arrangement by Errollyn Wallen of Hubert Parrys Jerusalem alongside new orchestral versions of Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1 Land Of Hope And Glory (arr. Anne Dudley) and Rule, Britannia! as part of the Sea Songs, as Henry Wood did in 1905.

The lyrics of Rule, Britannia! are based on a poem by James Thomson. It was set to music by Thomas Arne in 1740.

Its lyrics include: Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves! / Britons never, never, never will be slaves.

"The nations, not so blest as thee / Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall.

"While thou shalt flourish great and free / The dread and envy of them all.

When asked on the matter, Number 10 spokesman said prime minister Boris Johnson believes in tackling the substance not the symbols of problems.

Read more: The true age of Earth's core has been discovered

This is a decision and a matter for the organisers of the Proms and the BBC, the spokesman said.

But the PM previously has set out his position on like issues and has been clear that while he understands the strong emotions involved in these discussions, we need to tackle the substance of problems, not the symbols.

There will be no audience at the Royal Albert Hall for this year's Last Night Of The Proms. (PA)

Dowden said on Monday that confident, forward-looking nations dont erase their history.

He wrote on Twitter: Rule, Britannia! and Land of Hope and Glory are highlights of the Last Night of the Proms. Share concerns of many about their potential removal and have raised this with BBC.

Confident forward-looking nations dont erase their history, they add to it.

The former chairman of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, Trevor Phillips, on Tuesday told Times Radio that the BBC panicked when it came to issues of race.

The real problem the corporation has is that it is always in a panic about race, and one of the reasons it is always in a panic is that it has no confidence.

The principle reason it has no confidence is that there is no ethnic diversity at the top of its decision-making tree, he said.

What you have is rooms full of white men panicking that someone is going to think they are racist.
System error

error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.

context: ... 21: </%method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25

/usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951

/var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17

/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0486413658)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0486a03d50)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0486413658)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0486a03d50)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0486402ec0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0486a03d50)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0486a03d50)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0485adc368)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f04865d2178)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f04865d2178)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
Washington, Aug 25 : A US health official has expressed concerns over "the lack of mask wearing and social distancing" at the ongoing Republican National Convention (RNC) in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In a statement on Monday, Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris said that she has shared her concerns with RNC officials after noticing that delegates were not wearing masks or maintaining distance during Monday's inaugural event, reports Xinhua news agency.

"I have been assured that they are working hard to address these issues. All attendees agreed to comply with the requirements prior to attending and were informed that these requirements would be enforced," he said.

Harris further said that she hoped the RNC's inability to follow the rules does not result in additional coronavirus cases in communities, stressing that the inability to follow the plan will make it more difficult to approve similar requests in the future.

North Carolina officials granted the RNC an exception to the 10-person cap on indoor activities.

Just a few reporters were invited to the convention floor.

On Monday, the first day of the RNC, 336 delegates gathered inside the Charlotte Convention Center for a roll call vote that formally nominated sitting President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for the party's 2020 presidential ticket.

The delegates received tests and temperature checks and were instructed to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Both Trump and Pence made an appearance at the convention centre on Monday.

Before the RNC began, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told CBS News on Sunday that convention officials were doing everything necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus among attendees.

The rest of the RNC convention, which will run through later this week, will be largely virtual.

But Trump's acceptance speech from the White House South Lawn on Thursday night is expected to have a visible live audience.

The RNC has been largely scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump had planned to move his acceptance speech to Jacksonville, Florida but he later called it off after infections surged in "The Sunshine State".
New Delhi, Aug 25 : Indian-origin researchers at Facebook AI have developed a system that enables a machine to generate a dance for any input music, creating original, creative dance routines for any music that you feed it.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) system uses finely-tuned search procedures to stay synchronised and surprising, the two main criteria of a creative dance.

The system co-created by research scientist Devi Parikh analyses a music track from nearly any genre and, just moments later, cooks up some synchronised moves.

The system's code, which is now available for download, works by detecting similarities in a song at two different points in time and then searches for similar patterns in dance move sequences.

Since the system's only computational constraint is ensuring that its movements synchronize with the music, "it is able to generate novel dance routines, which human judges have evaluated as highly creative in comparison to other generated dances," Facebook said.

"The AI generates new sequences of movements that might not have come naturally to people," Parikh said.

"It adds a layer of creativity, because you can visualize a dance in a different form." The lead researcher behind the system, Purva Tendulkar, who works at Georgia Tech, is keen to emphasize that dancing AI is about assisting the creative process, not taking control of it.

"Our dancing agents are meant to augment, not replace, human creations by combining the best of what people and machines each excel at." Parikh and Tendulkar said the system could someday provide inspiration and creative insights for dancers and choreographers, whether they are amateurs busting some moves in front of the bathroom mirror, or dance industry professionals looking for a new take on a classical ballet production.

In the longer run, dancing AI might have potential in video games or fitness apps where people imitate the movements of an avatar.

Parikh said that her system is different from traditional dancing AI because it doesn't learn from humans and then mimic them.

"It generates completely original moves to any music," she said in a statement.

The Facebook researchers use a range of dancing agents, including pulsating discs, deforming geometric shapes and humanoid stick figures.

"The same dance visualized with different patterns or other agents affects the way people perceive the movement and the creative value they draw out of it," Tendulkar added.

Parikh's system is still in the early days of development, but dancing AI that can invent real-time moves in a Zumba class may not be too far off.

Parikh is working on more than dancing AI.

She has built creative AI systems that generate visual artifacts or motifs for people who are keeping journals or diaries, which allows them to record their feelings in abstract as well as concrete ways.

Parikh has also developed an unsupervised approach to creating typography that can doodle themes and words, as well as a different system for neuro-symbolic generative art, Facebook said.
The obvious question that comes to mind watching Vanessa Engles documentary The Unbelievable Story of Carl Beech (Monday night) is just how the hell did police ever give a shred of credence to the web of outrageous lies spun by Beech, a fantasist and paedophile who claimed hed been sexually abused as a boy by a cabal of powerful, high-ranking establishment figures?

If youre looking for an answer, the short one might be Jimmy Savile. When Beech, identified only as Nick at the time to protect his anonymity, first contacted police in 2012 to say hed been raped by multiple men, including his deceased army officer stepfather Fred Beech and Savile, the latter had been dead for a year and the scale of his monstrous abuse over decades finally revealed to the world.

Post-Savile, said criminologist Richard Hoskins, the nature of how police dealt with sexual abuse changed and the pendulum had swung the other way. They were hungry for high-profile convictions.

Still, at first the police disregarded Beechs claims. It was only in 2014, after Beech had applied for compensation being offered to Saviles victims (which he was granted; he used it to buy a Ford Mustang) and began to repeat his allegations in a blog, that the Met really took notice. So did the media.

Expand Close Made allegations: Carl Beech was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and fraud, for which he was sentenced to 18 years in prison / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Made allegations: Carl Beech was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and fraud, for which he was sentenced to 18 years in prison

Mark Conrad, a journalist with news website Exaro, read Beechs blog and arranged to meet him. Conrad saw the story as his big break and swallowed Beechs yarn hook, line and sinker. Soon, the major newspapers  broadsheets as well as tabloids  were all over it.

Read More

Beech, a former nurse who held an administrative job with the NHS, had dreamed up some sensational embellishments since first approaching the police. He wrote that hed been raped and tortured in the 1970s and 80s by members of a paedophile ring he called The Group.

He listed 12 men, including former prime minister Edward Heath, former MP Harvey Proctor, former home secretary Leon (Lord) Brittan, diplomat Peter Hayman and retired field marshal Lord Bramall, whose son Nick said: The police wanted it to be true. This was like the Holy Grail of abuse, and they were seduced by it.

In videotaped police interviews, Beech talked about how the men somehow knew where he lived. They took him out of school regularly and brought him to various locations, including military bases.

The more Beech revealed to police, the bigger and more bizarre the lies grew. He claimed hed witnessed three boys being murdered, by hit-and-run, stabbing and strangulation.

Video of the Day

The police sprang into action, mounting Operation Midland. Lives were turned upside down, reputations were tarnished. There were simultaneous dawn raids on the two homes of Lord Brittan, whod recently died, and his widow. Their housekeeper recalled they took all his paperwork  and his tatty old slippers. Lord Bramalls house was also raided.

Operation Midland lasted two years, swallowed up 2.5m (2.8m) million and found no evidence, because there was none to find. Doubts eventually began to creep in, but the police could easily have discovered Beech was a liar earlier if theyd followed some basic steps. Like checking his computer, which was found to contain hardcore child pornography (this eventually led to his arrest in Sweden and 18-year prison sentence). Or checking his school attendance record, which showed no mysterious absences.

Beech claimed Edward Heath raped him in a double bed aboard his racing yacht. If the police had probed further, theyd have known racing yachts have hammocks, not beds. Incredibly, they didnt even bother interviewing Beechs ex-wife Dawn, who knew nothing of his allegations until she recognised his silhouette in a Panorama interview, but would at least have alerted them to his oddness.

Unbelievable doesnt begin to describe this travesty and tragedy.

The Unbelievable Story of Carl Beech (BBC2) - 4 stars
Indian history is replete with stories of musicians who were said to summon rains or light lamps by singing ragas. Mr. Jasraj was one such artist.

During an early morning concert in Varanasi in 1996 on the grounds of the Sankat Mochan temple, he was immersed in the Todi raga when a deer bounded up to the stage and stayed to listen until the end, he recalled in an interview with The Hindustan Times. It was a good omen, he said.

In May 1998, at the beginning of the hot Indian summer, Mr. Jasraj was invited to sing at an outdoor gathering at the home of a senior bureaucrat in Delhi. After performing for more than two hours, he decided to sing the Dhulia Malhar raga, the first in a series usually sung before the onset of monsoons, when the air is filled with fine dust.

As he sang, the climate began to visibly change, his daughter, Durga Jasraj, who was accompanying him on the tanpura, recalled in a 2019 interview. It got so windy that the backdrop and marigold garlands hung around were ripped off and sent flying. The dust storm turned into a downpour, and all the dignitaries ran for cover. When it wouldnt subside, the concert was shifted to a room inside.

Over an eight-decade career, Mr. Jasraj won numerous awards, including three of the highest civilian honors for Indian citizens: the Padma Vibhushan in 2000, the Padma Bhushan in 1990 and the Padma Shri in 1975. Last year, he became the first Indian musician to have a minor planet named after him: Panditjasraj, which orbits the sun between Mars and Jupiter.
Using a novel technique which enables high resolution imaging of damaged lung tissues, scientists have found the changes caused by severe Covid-19 in the structure of the organs blood vessels and air sacs, findings that may support the development of new treatment methods against the disease.

In the study, published in the journal eLife, the scientists developed a new X-ray technique which enables high resolution and three-dimensional imaging of lung tissues infected with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Using the new method, the researchers, including those from the University of Gottingen in Germany, observed significant changes in the blood vessels, inflammation, and a deposition of proteins and dead cells on the walls of the lungs tiny air sacs called alveoli. They said these changes make gas exchange by the organ either difficult or impossible.

According to the scientists, the new imaging approach allows these changes to be visualised for the first time in larger tissue volumes, without cutting and staining, or damaging the tissue. They said it is particularly well suited for tracing small blood vessels and their branches in three dimensions, localising cells of the immune systems present at inflammation sites, and measuring the thickness of the alveolar walls. Due to the three-dimensional reconstruction of the lung tissues, the researchers said the data could also be used to simulate gas exchange in the organ.

Since X-rays penetrate deep into tissue, they said scientists can use the method to understand the relation between the microscopic tissue structure and the larger function of an organ. Based on this first proof-of-concept study, we propose multi-scale phase contrast X-ray tomography as a tool to unravel the pathophysiology of Covid-19, the researchers wrote in the study.

The scientists believe the technique will support the development of treatment methods, and medicines to prevent or alleviate severe lung damage in Covid-19, or to promote recovery.

It is only when we can clearly see and understand what is really going on, that we can develop targeted interventions and drugs, said Danny Jonigk, a co-author of the study from Medical University Hannover in Germany.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 23:39:06|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

NEW DELHI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- India's federal health ministry on Tuesday said New Delhi was in talks with Moscow on lines of Sputnik-V COVID-19 vaccine.

Sputnik-5 vaccine was launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 11. Russia became the first country in the world to launch vaccine against the COVID-19 disease. The vaccine will be rolled out by the end of this month.

"As far as Sputnik-5 vaccine is concerned, India and Russia are in communication. Some initial information has been shared, while some detailed information is awaited," said Rajesh Bhushan, a senior health ministry official.

Meanwhile, India's top health research body, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), on Tuesday said three vaccine candidates are the frontrunners in the country.

"Three COVID-19 vaccines are ahead in the race in India. Serum Institute's vaccine is in phase 2(B) and phase 3 trials and Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila's vaccines have completed phase 1 trial," said Balram Bhargava, director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research.

India on Tuesday reported 60,975 new cases and 848 deaths of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. The number has pushed the nationwide infection tally to 3,167,323 including 58,390 fatalities. Enditem
Schools are likely to look very different when they reopen

Thirteen things parents and students should know on returning to school:

Face masks are mandatory in secondary schools

Face masks/coverings are mandatory in secondary schools and should be worn by both staff and students. Primary students do not have to wear masks, according to public health advice. However, teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and other staff will have to wear masks where 2m social distancing cant be met.

Pupils should use standard blue masks. Nick Killian, from Ratoath College board of management, reminded students that masks should not become a fashion statement, and shouldn't offend or intimidate other students. "Its not halloween, it's back to school," he said.

There are exceptions

Face coverings should NOT be worn by anyone who has breathing difficulties, whos unable to remove the covering without assistance, or by anyone with special needs and who may get upset or uncomfortable wearing the covering.

Temperature checks are not recommended

Temperature checks are not recommended in schools by the Government. Fever isnt a symptom consistent with Covid-19 in children, according to public health guidance.

Symptomatic children should not attend school

Parents are advised if their child has symptoms, including a temperature of 38C and above, a cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties or/and loss or change of smell, they shouldnt be attending school. However, runny noses are to be expected in school age children and shouldnt be a reason to stay off.

School visits only by appointment

School visitors must be minimised and visits must be made by appointment. Visitors have to maintain a 2m social distance from those they meet.

Rules on self-isolating

Schools can refuse access to pupils/staff if there is concern that anyone has not fulfilled the mandatory requirement to self-isolate for 14 days following return from any non green list countries.

Parents should consult GPs on testing

If a parent fears their child has Covid-19, they must keep the child at home and completely avoid all contact with others, self-isolating. Parents should phone their GP if they are concerned and they can advise on testing.

Rules on return to school post-testing

Children can return to school if they have been given a negative Covid-19 test and are 48 hours without any symptoms. But any children who have tested positive for Covid-19 need to remain at home until they havent had a temperature above 38C for five days and if its been 14 days since they first developed symptoms.

Though childrens temperatures wont be taken at school. Temperatures are taken in French schools, though not across Europe.

Staggered break times for different 'bubbles'

In many situations schools will divide children into pods of four or six. Children will be separated from their teacher and other tables by at least 1m. And each class bubble will be separate from other classes. That means staggered break times and dividing the playground into areas for different classes.

Some schools are asking children not to bring lunch boxes, as a way of preventing contamination between home and school. Paper bags are seen as preferable.

Most schools will favour pre-packaged meals being eaten at school and lunchtimes being staggered. Some schools are looking at having some lessons and lunchtimes outside.

Staggered pick up and drop off times too

There will be staggered drop off and pick up times at schools, with classes being released at different times to prevent parents congregating in groups outside the school.

School buses will run on 'buddy' system



Buddy systems are being rolled out for children who take the bus to school. Students will have to sit next to the same child each day. However, anyone who can walk or cycle to school is being encouraged to do so by the Government.

Moving digital to avoid contamination

Some schools are expected to move towards students using tablets rather than children handwriting in copy books, as a way to avoid contamination.
Five of the Louisville police officers involved in the controversial raid that left Breonna Taylor dead also participated in a botched raid in 2018 that left a family 'traumatized,' it has been revealed.

Mario Daugherty, his girlfriend Ashlea Burr, and their two children, then ages 13 and 14, were at home when cops burst through their door and fired flash bangs on a search warrant, according to Vice News.

According to the search warrant, officers had received a complaint that marijuana was being grown and sold out of Daugherty's house.

The raid recovered only a small amount of marijuana, however, and no evidence of intent to sell. According to Daughtery's attorney, the individuals named in the search warrant were previous residents who lived there before him. Daugherty was never charged.

Mario Daugherty, his girlfriend Ashlea Burr (with him above), and their two children, then ages 13 and 14, were at home when cops burst through their door and fired flash bangs

According to the search warrant, officers had received a complaint that marijuana was being grown and sold out of Daugherty's house - but no charges were ever brought

At least five of the officers involved in the raid would go on to take part in Breonna Taylor's case, according to Vice.

Officers Brett Hankison, Myles Cosgrove, Mike Campbell, Mike Nobles were present for the execution of the raid on Taylor's home, and Joshua Jaynes requested the search warrant.

Hankison has since been fired. His termination letter says he 'displayed an extreme indifference to human life' during the raid on Taylor's home.

Daugherty sued the city in October 2019, calling attention to 'no-knock' police raid tactics.

Although the warrant used to search his home was not a no-knock, bodycam video of the raid shows that police burst through the front door with a battering ram as they simultaneously shouted 'Police! Search warrant!'

'It was just so loud and it just caught everybody off guard nobody knew what was really going on,' Daugherty told WHAS-TV in June. 'I thought I was actually ready to be killed that day.'

Although the warrant used to search his home was not a no-knock, bodycam video of the raid shows that police burst through the front door with a battering ram

Bodycam footage shows the raid on the family's home in October 2018

The family says they were left 'traumatized' by the raid and later sued the city

'It was just so loud and it just caught everybody off guard nobody knew what was really going on,' said Daugherty, seen above with Burr

'By the time I came through, [Daugherty] was on the floor and I had some kids screaming on the steps and it was just chaos,' Burr said.

One of Daugherty's daughters, who was 14 at the time, ran out the back of the house thinking they were being robbed as SWAT members broke through the door.

Officers found her in the alley behind her house, in the rain, and yelling at her with guns drawn to get on the ground.

Now, Daugherty says he wishes the city had taken his lawsuit seriously and reformed police raid practices before Taylor's death.

Taylor, a paramedic, was shot eight times after officers used a battering ram to knock down her door while serving a search warrant and returned fire into the apartment after midnight on March 13.

One officer was shot by Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, who said he thought an intruder was breaking into the home.

The target of the warrant was an alleged drug dealer named Jamarcus Glover, who was arrested on trafficking charges the same night 10 miles away on a separate warrant. Taylor had a previous relationship with Glover.

Sgt. Johnathan Mattingly, who was shot in the leg by Walker, spoke to Louisville Police internal investigators about two weeks after the raid, and said that police expected Taylor to be alone in the house because Glover was known to be elsewhere.

Taylor (above), an EMT in Louisville, died as police returned fire at her boyfriend while executing a search warrant in a drug investigation of her ex-boyfriend Jamarcus Glover

Mattingly said ahead of the raid officers were told Taylor's ground floor apartment was a 'soft target' and Taylor 'should be there alone, because they knew where their target was and I guess they thought that he was her only boyfriend or only acquaintance.'

Mattingly told investigators in the interview recording that officers briefed on the raid were told Glover had packages sent to her apartment in her name.

Taylor 'possibly held dope for him, received the packages and held his money,' Mattingly said he was told of Taylor's involvement. No drugs were found at Taylor's home.

Taylor's death, along with the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minnesota, set off months of protests, as well as a call for the officers who shot Taylor to be criminally charged.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is currently leading an investigation into Taylor's death.

Cameron revealed earlier this month that hes waiting for information on ballistics tests being conducted by the FBI.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Orleans late last week indicted 11 individuals in connection with a scam to create crashes between cars and 18-wheelers and cash in on insurance payments.

The indictment, handed down by U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana Peter Strasser is for alleged "staged" accidents with tractor-trailers going back to 2017.

The indictment alleges seven counts of mail fraud against each of the individuals because the funds used to pay them were sent via the U.S. Postal Service.

The latest indictments follow a guilty plea by Damian Labeaud earlier this month to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Press coverage in New Orleans at the time of Labeaud's guilty plea made several references to the prospect that he had agreed to plead guilty to only one charge because he was cooperating with prosecutors in identifying other individuals involved.

The Labeaud guilty plea follows earlier indictments that had caught up six individuals connected to the scheme.

The latest indictment handed down Friday makes for some intriguing reading, spelling out the way the plan allegedly worked. It involved individuals who were classified as "slammers," described in the indictment as "an individual who drove a vehicle and intentionally collided with 18-wheel tractor-trailers in order to stage accidents," and "spotters," described as "an individual who would follow a slammer in a separate vehicle and would pick up the slammer after the staged accident in order to flee the scene and evade detection."

Louisiana's high truck insurance rates recently led the state to implement several tort reform steps that the Louisiana Motor Trucking Association supported.

The indictment also says the operation was directed by five attorneys who are not identified by name but were said to be personal injury lawyers in the state, spread out over two separate law firms. The attorneys are identified only as A, B, C, D and E.

Story continues

New Orleans television station WWL has reported that New Orleans attorney Daniel Patrick Keating is likely one of the attorneys who had been in regular contact with Lebeaud at the time of the staged accidents, based on cellphone records and civil suit documents. The television station reported that Keating has declined several requests to comment.

Lebeaud is identified by name in the latest indictment but is not a defendant, having pleaded out. But the recap of what the indicted individuals are charged with spell out how he worked with some of them in what the indictment says was "scheme and artifice to defraud."

According to the indictment, Labeaud and defendant Roderick Hickman would get $1,000 per passenger for accidents with tractor-trailers and $500 per passenger for accidents that did not involve tractor-trailers.

The indictment says the pair brought 20 cases to the attorneys. But that's just a small portion of what the indictment said were 100 accidents that the pair staged.

Attorneys, Labeaud and Hickman would communicate using fishing terms, the indictment said. The indictment gives some examples of text messages between Labeaud and one of the attorneys: "How u doin today homie? I got 2 real nice big one for u rite now bro I will see u n about 1 hour OK?" According to the indictment, this exchange took place soon after one of the staged accidents.

The attorneys "directed Labeaud to change the locations of the staged accidents, to vary the number of passengers, to avoid talking to the police and to avoid cameras," the indictment said.

The rest of the indictment is filled with stories that are sure to leave truck drivers shaking their heads in disbelief. Labeaud allegedly saw a Freightliner pulling onto a highway and intentionally collided with it. He did the same with a 2017 Peterbilt. In both cases, there were passengers in the car who the indictment said were part of the scheme. They allegedly would change seats in the car after the crash so that different individuals would appear to be the driver in all cases, while Labeaud would get away from the site.

According to a prepared statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the lawyers "in some cases ... knew that the participants were uninjured but referred them to medical providers for treatment to increase the value of subsequent lawsuits."

As a result, the U.S. Attorney's Office said, insurers and trucking companies paid out $277,500 because of these "fraudulent claims."

More articles by John Kingston

Uber, Lyft get months to comply with driver classification ruling

Appeals court agreed Amazon can't force Flex drivers into arbitration

Update: FMCSA poses questions on broker reporting requirements

See more from Benzinga

 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 16:48 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c405dbf4 4 News Malioboro,tourism,Yogyakarta,yogyakarta-tourism,travel,destination Free

Yogyakarta's popular destination Malioboro welcomed 18,375 visitors during the long weekend starting from Thursday as the city's tourism slowly revives from the pandemic.

According to Malioboro Task Unit (UPT) head Ekwanto, the tourist site attracted 4,781 visitors on Thursday, 3,772 travelers on Friday, followed by 5,149 and 4,673 people on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Many of the visitors came from outside the city such as Bandung, Jakarta, Surakarta, Pekalongan and many more. They were mostly family groups and arrived in private cars, Ekwanto said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Malioboro area has been divided into five zones to control peoples movement.

Zone 1 covers the area from Grand Inna Malioboro Hotel to Malioboro Mall; Zone 2 is Malioboro Mall to Mutiara Hotel; Zone 3 is Transjogja Bus Stop to Suryatmajan; Zone 4 covers the area from Suryatmajan to Pabringan; and Zone 5 is Pabringan to the zero kilometer point.

The most popular area among tourists is Zone 2, particularly in front of the Malioboro Mall, said Ekwanto. Staff often had to move visitors who spent too much time there, crowding the zone.

Yogyakarta deputy mayor Heroe Poerwadi said the administration planned to organize mass rapid testing for all Malioboro management staff, including members of the Public Order Agency (SatPol PP), Transportation Agency and Jogoboro (special field team deployed in the Malioboro area), during the long weekend.

This week we will conduct rapid testing for the field officers; there are 136 of them in total, Heroe said.

Other than Malioboro, Yogyakarta has also reopened other tourist attractions, particularly popular outdoor destinations such as Agrowisata Bhumi Merapi and Panguk Kediwung Hill. (gis/kes)
Though Ogawas words carry a rare gentleness with which even the toughest moments in The Memory Police are delivered, the horrors experienced by the protagonists are obstinately palpable.

My grandmother who turned 84 this year, lost her elder sister a little over a month ago. She was just a couple of years older than my grandma and someone whom my grandma had created her fondest childhood memories with, on a tea estate near north Bengal where their father was posted when they were growing up. In recent years, they lived only two hours away from each other, spoke on the phone every now and then, and tried to meet whenever their health permitted. They spoke to each other animatedly each time they met, with a kind of theatricality which is perhaps only possible between sisters. Because of what the world has experienced in the last few months, and because both of them belonged to that age which fell into the most susceptible group, they couldnt see each other when one of them was exiting stage for the last time. Among countless other things which this virus has taken from us, it also has forced some vulnerable categories of people forgo the opportunity of certain closures. My grandmother and her sister unfortunately missed saying their final goodbyes; an incompleteness no one else can see or ever fill again.

When I heard this news I found it ironic that I was in the middle of reading Yoko Ogawas minimal yet visceral novel The Memory Police, which deals with big ideas of authoritarian regimes and vanishing memories with a kind of lightness of touch that only a writer of Ogawas calibre could have achieved. But then again, one thing which 2020 has taught us is that its time we stop classifying quotidian details of life as ironies, in a year in which each day has stirred up a new hornets nest. First released in Japan in 1994, The Memory Police was translated from Japanese by Stephen Snyder only in 2019, and after winning rave reviews worldwide, its currently on the shortlist of the 2020 International Booker Prize which will be announced on 26 August.

On a mysterious island cut off from the rest of the world, citizens go about their days in The Memory Police with a detached passivity, as various objects  roses, photographs, perfume, birds  continue to disappear around them. All of this happens under the close surveillance of The Memory Police the name given to the fascist military police force which stands guard over this island, ensuring that the extinct objects are erased from the memories of its citizens; anybody who is unable to forget is immediately arrested and made to disappear as well. The unnamed narrator is a writer whos working on her new novel when we meet her in the book. But when her editor becomes the next target of The Memory Police, she takes it upon herself to protect him by constructing a secret room inside her house with the help of an old man who becomes her lone compatriot in this daunting journey  to shelter one man from the storm that awaits him.

It isnt too difficult to draw parallels between the universe of the novel and the increasingly hyper-nationalistic, dictatorial governments the past decade has seen rapidly take control over the world. And though Ogawas words carry a rare gentleness with which even the toughest moments in the book are delivered, the horrors experienced by the protagonists are obstinately palpable. Governments almost everywhere tend to view artists with suspicion, and even as threats, which are also what makes the novel seem so urgent, because even though this was written almost twenty-six years ago nothing much seems to have changed since then.

Hence, it is not surprising that the prime adversaries of The Memory Police are those who remember; memory is a weapon on this island, a source of both dissent and rebellion. Artists make us remember and recollect even things we otherwise wish to let go. Leonardo da Vincis The Last Supper reminds us that Jesus was betrayed, Bob Dylans Blowin' in the Wind keeps the Vietnam War alive in our hearts, Rohinton Mistrys exquisite A Fine Balance takes the readers back to the dark days of The Emergency in India. In a particularly chilling scene in the book, when a woman is being dragged away by the force as books burn on pyres all over the island, the last words shes heard saying are, No one can erase the stories! Those in power have historically tried to rewrite every record of state oppression to suit their narratives, but art and artists have always found themselves standing between the ways of the powerful and the erasure of truths. In The Memory Police, as novels are disappeared and the writer starts forgetting how to type or build coherent sentences, we are made aware of this reality.

In Ogawas terrifying vision of this world, we engage with memory as protest  as a near-sentient being facing an iniquitous opposition which functions with the sole purpose of destroying it. In a post-COVID-19 world, which is still largely struggling to cope with the physical as well as mental ramifications of the disease, our memories are being permanently altered due to the social conditions wrought by the virus which has separated thousands of people from their friends and families. Someone I know attended their best friends wedding through a Zoom call; someone else appeared at their grandparents funeral on a webcam. I heard stories of people madly in love with each other even earlier this year, who arent able to stand each other anymore after being forced to stay together during the lockdown; a friend had to expose himself on camera to a doctor because he needed to get a rash checked and now says will perpetually live with the apprehension that images of his private parts are floating somewhere in the annals of the internet.

Through centuries of practice, human beings have become accustomed to encountering new beginnings and ends in a recognisable design. Whether its marriage or death, a matter of separation or medical diagnosis  our acceptable participation methods have always been socially predetermined. We hug our best friend on their wedding day and drink till we drop, we mourn the passing of our grandparent by sharing our grief with family, what happens inside a doctors chamber becomes a significant addition in the journal of our private life. But there is no cleverness in battling the alterations were enduring right now because all we will be offered in return is more indifference. So we must learn how to carry this cross, but also assist others in carrying theirs  as Ogawas characters do even amidst immense subjugation.

The weight of memories is heavy, but lugging the weight of inexplicable memories can seem like a Sisyphean task. Especially in a country like ours, where we also have the collective burden of living with miserable stories of thousands of its citizens, who suffered and even lost their lives on the streets from hunger, heat, and indescribable pain simply because they were stranded and wanted to return to their homes. Theres a scene in the novel in which the old man asks, If we do remember something, what do we do then? And R, the editor who remembers everything, replies, Nothing in particular. Were all free to do as we choose with our own memories. To ensure the sustainability of that very choice, we must carefully remember this moment in the history of humankind. We must remember that we struggled and survived this time together. The Memory Police is also an intense celebration of forgotten objects. When Im able to go home next, Ill try and flip through our old family albums to find a photograph of my grandmother and her sister together  there must be one somewhere. And Ill keep it next to my grandmas bed for her to see. When she does, maybe, just maybe, for a few hours shell forget that her sister is now gone. Her heart will tell her that shes just a phone call away. And her memories will rekindle and come alive once again.
Hashiri, a Michelin-starred, kaiseki-style sushi restaurant in San Francisco, has been told to take down its "dining domes" by city officials. The clear plastic dining domes in historic Mint Plaza were meant to give diners a unique experience during the pandemic. But some said they highlighted the disparity between the high-end restaurant and the local homeless population on the other side of the enclosures.

On Aug. 13, the restaurant was told to remove the domes because they do not provide sufficient airflow to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. On Tuesday, Hashiri issued a thank you to its patrons for their support on Instagram.

"... Many of you may be aware of the challenges we encounter and the recent visit by the health department that ordered a cease & desist for use of geodesic domes in the plaza," read the post. "We deeply apologize to our patrons with reservation and the intent to dine with us in our igloo geodesic domes. Unfortunately, we are currently unable to offer our dining experience in the geodesic domes, however we are still open for regular service."

The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 13 following a complaint regarding the use of enclosures for outdoor dining.

"We are taking the extra measures to offer a safe / peaceful dining experience and working on multiple proposals to the Health department. Please stay tuned we will work towards an ideal outcome!" the management wrote on Instagram.

The restaurant, located in the SoMa (South of Market) neighborhood, set up the domes the first week of August and introduced them on Facebook by offering a five-course dining experience priced at $200 per person.

"DPH conducted a complaint investigation at Hashiri Restaurant on 8/13/20," read a statement emailed to TODAY Food. "The inspection report was issued to the restaurant and required a cease and desist of the use of the igloos due to the enclosed nature of the igloo structure which may not allow for adequate air flow. Per HO Directive No 2020-16b, free flow of air through an outdoor dining space is a service requirement (Exhibit A, Sec 1.7). The health inspector discussed possible modifications to the igloos with management and welcomes a submission of a proposal for DPH review and approval before use."

Story continues

The citation noted that Hashiri, which has three dining domes that seat a maximum of four people each, was in violation of local directives that Umbrellas, canopies, and other shade structures are only allowed if they do not have sides and allow for the free flow of air through the space.

"The key to outdoor dining is the free flow of air," Dr. Anne Rimoin, professor of epidemiology at UCLA told TODAY. "Its not clear to me that these domes will keep people in them safe nor the servers who would have to enter the domes to serve the people inside them, who would be dining presumably without masks on, with poor airflow. Given the current setup, it seems that these domes might end up promoting transmission instead of preventing it."

Related: Is it safe to eat at restaurants now? It can be if you know the rules and follow them, experts say.

"Its devastating for us," Hashiri manager Kenichiro Matsuura told TODAY regarding the shutdown of what he thought was a viable solution to the ban on indoor dining as many restaurants have struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic. Matsuura said they had tried regular outdoor dining in June but encountered problems keeping their diners and staff safe.

"A lot of restaurants were doing the greenhouse concept so we improvised on that and encountered these geodesic igloo domes," he explained. "They are good for blocking wind and garbage blowing in."

Matsuura said that no inspector actually went inside the igloos, which have two windows and a door, before determining they had inadequate ventilation.

The domes have been modified to allow air to flow through. (Kenichiro Matsuura)

The restaurant took down the coverings and has continued service inside just the shells of the domes. Following a new health inspection Wednesday, Hashiri was cleared to reopen with the modified igloos that have four feet of clearance around the bottom of the entire circumference, which will allow for more ventilation. Matsuura said they reopened for dinner service Wednesday and that the city has been working with them to find a solution.

"We want to work with them to make an ideal experience," he said.

As for the accusations that the restaurant is trying to shelter its diners from the homeless, Matsuura said that is untrue.

"I never used the term 'homelessness,'" he said. "I want to clarify, its unwanted energy and unsafe crowds and a drug pandemic that we have to deal with. We are a community team. We clean the plaza. Weve been as supportive as possible."

It's unclear what impact the temporary igloo shutdown will have on other restaurants that have come up with creative ways to serve customers during the pandemic. It's not the first time a restaurant has made use of plastic barriers: One restaurant in Ohio even used shower curtains to separate tables and maintain social distancing.
Nigeria used data systems, community engagement and innovative technology to monitor and predict the occurrence of polio outbreaks as part of the countrys efforts to eliminate the disease, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday.

Mr Buhari spoke at the forum where Africa was formally certified wild polio virus free during the virtual session of the 70th World Health Organisation (WHO) regional committee for Africa, the presidency said in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Nigeria and the rest of Africa were formally certified free of the wild polio virus on Tuesday by the WHO after no case of the virus was detected on the continent in the last three years.

African Region is officially declared free of wild polio! Congratulations to all countries, partners & health workers, the WHO tweeted on Tuesday.

Nigeria is the last African country to eliminate the virus which can be prevented with adequate vaccination. Seven years ago, Nigeria accounted for half of the worlds polio cases.

In the statement by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, Mr Buhari also commended billionaires Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote for their contributions to Nigerias successful fight against polio.

African Regional Certification Commission #ARCC for polio eradication officially certified the WHOAfricanregion polio-free. [photo credit: @Fmohnigeria]

Read Mr Adesinas full statement below.

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja expressed optimism that African countries can defeat the coronavirus pandemic in the same manner they eradicated the Wild Polio Virus on the continent.

President Buhari spoke at the formal certification of the Wild Polio Virus eradication in the African region during the virtual session of the 70th World Health Organisation (WHO) regional committee for Africa.

I recall that shortly after assuming office in May 2015, I made a pledge to Nigerians that I would not bequeath a polio-endemic country to my successor.

This certification is, therefore, a personal fulfillment of that pledge to not only Nigerians, but to all Africans.

At a time when the global community is battling the COVID-19 pandemic, this achievement strengthens my conviction that with the requisite political will, investments and strategies, as well as citizens commitment, we will flatten the epidemic curve.

I can affirm the commitment of all African leaders to this course of action, the president said in his remarks celebrating the historic feat.

The president assured the global community that Nigeria will sustain the momentum and leverage on the lessons learnt from polio eradication to strengthen her health system, especially primary health care, and prioritize health security.

He said Nigeria used data systems, community engagement and innovative technology to monitor and predict the occurrence of polio outbreaks, adding that these same skills and tools are being used to fight COVID-19 and the multi-country outbreaks of Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Viruses.

President Buhari, who described the achievement as a truly historic moment, commended President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Chairman of the African Union, under whose leadership, Africa crossed the finishing line.

He recounted that the journey to eradicate the virus dates back to 1996, when Nelson Mandela of blessed memory launched the Kick Polio out of Africa campaign.

The Nigerian leader also used the occasion to congratulate Dr. Matshidiso Moeti and the WHO Regional Committee for Africa on their untiring efforts, contributions and leadership towards polio eradication in Africa.

We must guard this achievement of the eradication of Wild Polio Virus in Africa jealously and ensure that we take all necessary steps to prevent a resurgence of this dreaded disease.

This will require maintaining the highest quality of surveillance and sustaining population immunity through increasing routine immunization coverage and supplemental immunization activities.

It is heartwarming to note how the strong partnership between the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and Governments of African countries worked tirelessly and collaboratively to deliver this success, he said.

The president further commended the decades of hard work and resilience of health workers and volunteers across the region, Ministers of Health and other stakeholders such as political, traditional, religious and community leaders who provided the required support and leadership.

I would also like to appreciate the invaluable support of our donors, development and local partners such as WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, GAVI, USAID, European Union, Emeka Offor Foundation, the Japanese and German Governments, numerous NGOs and faith-based organizations.

Advertisements



These are truly the heroes and heroines of many battles that have made us triumphant in the war against polio, he said.

Stressing the need to sustain vaccination of children in Africa, the President urged African governments to continue investments in the health sector because healthy populations create wealthy nations.

We must continue to build trust between Government institutions, leaders and citizens, so that we can unite as a people and confront the health and socio-economic challenges we face together, he said.

In his remarks, Chairman, Aliko Dangote Foundation and Africas foremost philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, urged governments across Africa to increase their budget allocations to the healthcare sector, to help ensure improved basic healthcare for the people.

Mr Dangote expressed deep satisfaction at the final eradication of wild polio in Nigeria, and by extension Africa after years of hard work and collaboration among stakeholders.

Mr Dangote, who played a major role through his foundation in the eradication of polio in Nigeria, said, I want to commend our African leaders, especially my own President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria for his leadership. All levels of government have successfully come together to make this day possible.
A five-year-old girl has been plucked from the ocean after she drifted half a mile from the coast on an inflatable unicorn.

The child floated away from the Greek town of Antirrio in the Gulf of Corith while playing in the water with her parents on Sunday.

The terrified couple called the port authorities and a ferry, named the Salaminomachos, was called to pick the child up.

Footage taken of the rescue showed the child sitting calmly on the colourful inflatable as the ferry approached.

The child floated half a mile away from the town of Antirrio in the Gulf of Corith where she was playing in the water with her parents on Sunday

Her terrified parents called the port authorities and a ferry, named the Salaminomachos, was called to pick the child up

Reports claimed the girl 'escaped the parents' attention' before she floated out into the sea.

She was scooped up into the arms of one of the ferry's crew before being safely returned to her parents.

It comes just a fortnight after a six-year-old boy was swept out to sea on an inflatable swan.

Builder Sam McKeeder, from Towyn, said the boy was about 200 metres off the shore at Black Rock Sands in North Wales when he found him face-down and unconscious in the water on August 8.

She was scooped up into the arms of one of the ferry's crew before being safely returned to her relieved parents

Reports claimed the girl 'escaped the parents' attention' before floating out into the sea

The grandfather, who was on the beach with his family when he heard the child's mother shout for help, patted the boy on the back before he threw up and started breathing again.

'He was totally unconscious, I turned him around and patted him on his back and then a lot of water and sick came up, and he started breathing again,' the granddad told North Wales Live.

The boy's father had been told to stay onshore by the coast guard while he called 999 and waited for his son with and by the time the boy got to shore there were paramedics waiting for him.

The boy was given oxygen and airlifted to Ysbyty Gwynedd by a coastguard rescue helicopter.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the hospital for the second time in a week, fueling speculation he may be facing a serious health issue.

Following his visit to Tokyo's Keio University Hospital, Abe, 65, told reporters he was following up on a previous visit and to undergo additional tests.

He would not elaborate on why the tests were given. The four-hour visit follows an examination last week that took about eight hours.

The hospital visit comes the same day Abe becomes Japan's longest-serving prime minister, having served 2,799 days -- breaking the previous record held by his great-uncle Eisaku Sato.


Cognizant, one of the worlds leading professional services companies, and Grundfos, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technology, today announced funding support for the restoration of the Sembakkam Lake in Chennai.

Cognizant will contribute more than INR 2.7 crores and Grundfos will contribute INR 1.7 crores and up to INR 7.5 lakhs in kind for civil works, wastewater treatment, and landscaping to rejuvenate the 100-acre lake that flows into the Pallikaranai wetland, one of south Indias last remaining natural marshlands.

The two companies will collaborate with the India chapter of The Nature Conservancy, one of the worlds largest conservation organisations, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, and Chennai-based Care Earth Trust, a non-governmental organization that works in the area of biodiversity conservation.

Expected to be completed in 2021, the work will involve cleaning the inlets and outlets, improving the lakes connectivity with upstream and downstream water bodies, building an eco-friendly wastewater treatment system, and constructing walkways and green buffer zones along the lake.

The project will help clear the lake of solid wastes, silt and invasive plant species, improve the lakes storage capacity by 50%, enhance groundwater recharge and improve water quality. It will benefit over 10,000 households living around the lake and conserve the local biodiversity consisting of around 180 plant species (including 11 aquatic species) and more than 65 bird species. One of the goals of the project is to provide a natural recreational space to the local community and involve them in the maintenance of the water body.

In addition, after the COVID-19 situation improves, volunteers from Cognizant Outreach, Cognizants employee-led volunteering program, and Grundfos, together with project partners, will run a range of community engagement and awareness initiatives, expert talks, lake festivals and tree plantation drives a to ensure long-term impact of the restoration project.

Poul Due Jensen, Group Executive Vice President, CSO, Grundfos, said, Grundfos pioneers solutions to the worlds water and climate challenges and improves quality of life for people. We are also committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #6 (Water and Sanitation) and we have set very ambitious and concrete goals for ourselves. By 2030, Grundfos will save 50 billion cubic metres of fresh water through efficiency and treatment and will have contributed to providing safely managed drinking water to 300 million people in need. Our support towards the restoration of the Sembakkam Lake is aligned to delivering on these objectives. By restoring this lake, we are not only strengthening its ecosystem, but also the connection between people and nature by providing a platform to connect them with the waterbody and its habitat.

Muthu Kumaran, Global Head of Delivery for Cognizant Digital Business and the head of Cognizants Chennai operations, said, We are pleased to be a part of this much-needed lake rejuvenation project as part of our commitment to a greener, healthier, more sustainable environment. The Sembakkam Lake is one of Chennais 54 inter-connected lakes of the Pallikaranai watershed basin that are critical to the citys water security and resilience to floods and droughts. We believe this initiative has the potential to become an inspiring example of how the coming together of various stakeholders for a rejuvenation project of this scale can redefine the future sustainability of urban ecology. We congratulate Care Earth Trust, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, The Nature Conservancy, and all individual as well as corporate contributors to the project for their remarkable work towards restoring this vital lake to its former glory.

Seema Paul, Managing Director of The Nature Conservancy's India Program, said, The support of Cognizant and Grundfos is vital to taking up the critical eco-restoration work at Sembakkam Lake. We are deploying science-based and nature-led solutions using constructed wetland systems that use minimal energy, require zero chemical additives, and are inexpensive for wastewater treatment at the lake. We will continue monitoring the lake even after the completion of the project to ensure sustainable maintenance. Bringing together our learnings from this project, we are developing a best practices guideline to catalyse scale-up of scientific and holistic, wetland restoration across the city.

Some of the other experts involved in this project are the Consortia of FINISH society, Indian Leather Institute Foundation (ILIFO), The Solutions Centre (TSC) and Oasis Designs.
Brisbanes heritage-listed Lamb House is now protected from demolition until November 17.

Lamb House was built as the family home of prominent Queensland Street draper John Lamb in 1901-02 and is today still owned by Joy Lamb.

Lamb House and part of its large garden, which should all be kept intact. Credit:Tony Moore

Lamb House has been on the Queensland Heritage Register since October 1992.

A large hole in the roof has not been repaired and any rain will damage the top floor of the Kangaroo Point property.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg may have used a private meeting with President Donald Trump and U.S. Senators last year to raise red flags concerning the threat from the popular video-sharing app, TikTok, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

At a private dinner held at the White House in October 2019, Zuckerberg made the case to President Trump that the rise of Chinese internet companies threatens American business, and should be a bigger concern than reining in Facebook, WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

In these meetings, Zuckerberg is said to have resounded the same fears he voiced in a meeting with students of Georgetown University in October.

On TikTok, the Chinese app growing quickly around the world, mentions of protests are censored, even in the U.S. Is that the internet we want? Zuckerberg told students. It does not share Facebooks commitment to free speech and poses a risk to American values and technological supremacy.

According to WSJ, it was reportedly after the meeting with the Facebook CEO that the government began to worry about the potential threats from TikTok activity.

Following the meeting, Tom Cotton  the Republican Senator for Arkansas and Chuck Schumer, the most senior Democrat in the Senate, wrote a letter to intelligence officials demanding an inquiry into TikTok, which eventually led to a national security review of the company.

On the other hand, TikToks Chinese parent company, ByteDance have been aiming Facebook for some time and its use of American politics.

In July this year, TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer took a jab at Facebook saying that TikTok welcomes competition, but only if its fair.

We think fair competition makes all of us better. To those who wish to launch competitive products, we say bring it on. Facebook is even launching another copycat product, Reels (tied to Instagram) after their other copycat Lasso failed quickly, Mayer wrote in a blog post.

But lets focus our energies on fair and open competition in service of our consumers, rather than maligning attacks by our competitor  namely Facebook  disguised as patriotism and designed to put an end to our very presence in the U.S.

Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order blocking all U.S. transactions with ByteDance Ltd., starting September 20, as it considers TikTok a potential threat to the country. The order demands Bytedance to sell off its US assets citing concerns over the handling of user data.

A Facebook spokesperson in an emailed statement on Monday said that Zuckerberg has never encouraged for a ban on TikTok.

Zuckerberg has repeatedly said publicly that the biggest competitors to US tech companies are Chinese companies, with values that dont align with democratic ideals like free speech, said the Facebook spokesperson. Its ludicrous to suggest that long-standing national security concerns  raised by policymakers on both sides of the aisle  have been shaped by Marks statements alone.
Marcia Ritz and Jerry Rehmke were the rare business owners who actually saw their sales double amid the COVID-19 lockdowns. Lake Berryessa was booming with activity  the lush green hills, turquoise lake and remote feel all added up to the perfect quarantine getaway for those cooped up in the city or suburbs.

Normally in the summer when I have to shop for the store I would just go Tuesday and Wednesday in one car, said Ritz, who owns Spanish Flat Country Store and Deli on the south west side of the lake. But this year I was shopping Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and we needed two cars.

The cars were so full with merchandise that you couldnt see out the back window! added Rehmke, her husband.

Now, who knows what is going to happen.

All but the eastern portion of Lake Berryessa was ravaged by fire last week, turning the lovely greenery into black and ashy swaths of land. Gone are many of the flowers and trees that made Ritz, 77, fall in love with the idyllic waterfront town as a teenager. She still remembers the first time she laid eyes on it: 59 years ago on Memorial Day weekend.

It was beautiful, she said standing outside her general store. It was really beautiful.

The official damage to the area surrounding Lake Berryessa is still unclear, but Sandy Storck, chief of the Capell Valley Fire Station, said she knew of quite a few neighborhoods that were pretty much gone. The timing couldnt have been worse, she said.

People were just finding this as a fun area during COVID, she said. But now everything is burned.

As hundreds of fires burn through the state, other Northern California quarantine havens have been threatened  from the gorgeous vineyards in Dry Creek Valley to the summer paradise of Guerneville, where droves of tourists had been swimming, fishing and paddling on the Russian River. In Lake Berryessa, the fire tore through some docks at Markley Cove Marina, a popular spot on the lake where people would lug picnic baskets on their boats for a day out on the water.

One of the decimated neighborhoods in the lakefront town was the Spanish Flat Mobile Villa, which is right across from Ritzs store. Its where she lived, too, and kept all of her original artwork that she meticulously and beautifully painted with pastel, graphite and colored pencils over the years. While the general store was largely unscathed, the mobile home village was mostly flattened, torched and mangled. The few recognizable things in the rubble were satellite dishes, a BBQ, a charred stove, and what was once probably a stack of books and a lunchbox.

Firefighter Brandon Norths family also lived in the mobile park. He was driving back to the Capell Valley station last week when the fire hit, and stopped by the mobile park to see if his parents home was okay. He was devastated at what he came upon: Towering flames and familiar faces running from them. But even as his parents mobile home burned to the ground, he jumped into action as a firefighter and started evacuating their neighborhood.

The way the fire was burning there, it wouldnt matter how many engines were out there, he said. It was just too hot right there.

It was a sad irony for him  someone who has been fighting fires for about two years  to have to evacuate his own neighborhood and then watch his own home burn. His fiancees parents also lost their home in the fire that night. Chief Storck set up a GoFundMe for the couple, who are both volunteer firefighters, to help them and their families recover.

Ive been to big fires before out of county, North said, inside the volunteer fire station. But its a little different when its in your front yard.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

For him, the days since the lightning strikes that caused hundreds of fires to erupt across California have really started to blend together. It was his eighth  or maybe ninth  day in a row on the front line, and he was exhausted. Firefighters have been stretched thin over the past week, as they battle some of the largest blazes in the states history.

It hasnt slowed our department down, Storck said. They just continue to do what they were doing.

A man named Miles, who declined to provide his last name, said he bought a mobile home in Spanish Flats just six days before the fire hit. It was a beautiful spot, affordable and close to his contract job. He also felt safe knowing that it was just a few miles from the fire station, and that wildfires havent really hit Lake Berreyssa in the past few years.

When he came back to the neighborhood Monday, he was infuriated to see it leveled to the ground.

I always thought Spanish Flats was safe because of its proximity to the station, but no one showed up to the gun fight, it seems, he said, leaning against his truck.

But Ritz, who watched the inferno billow into the sky for several hours from a pontoon, said she doesnt know what else the first responders could have done to save the beloved town that so many had just seem to discover.

I think they did what they could, she said. A lot of people would say they should have done more, but they are stretched so thin. There are fires everywhere.

Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 06:30:37|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ROME, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Tuesday that starting "a new Cold War" is to reverse the course of history and kidnap the whole world.

Wang made the remarks at a press briefing here with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio after their talks.

Responding to a question regarding China's comments on the so-called "new Cold War" that China and the U.S. are possibly heading into, Wang said China does not intend to engage in such a Cold War and is firmly against any hype about a so-called "new Cold War."

Claiming to launch "a new Cold war" is to reverse the course of history, to serve one's own interests and to kidnap people from all over the world, he said.

In Wang's view, such an attempt "is against the world development trend. And I think countries in the world are not going to be behind this mentality. Instead we are going to join hand to oppose anyone who is trying to drag us back into that 'law of the jungle'."

Italy is the first leg in Wang's first foreign tour as the COVID-19 epidemic eases. The official visit in Europe from Aug. 25 to Sept. 1 will also take him to the Netherlands, Norway, France and Germany. Enditem


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
The Government is advising parents it is OK to send their children to school if they are sneezing or have a runny nose.

As one million students prepare to go to school, new health advice has been issued to parents ahead of the reopening of classrooms across the country.

Parents have been told that it is "usually OK" to send kids to school or childcare if they do not have a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more, do not have a cough and have not been in close contact with anyone who has coronavirus.

If a child only has nasal symptoms, such as a runny nose or sneezing, parents should not keep them home from school.

However, if a child has a temperature above 38C, has a cough, has a loss or changed sense of taste or smell and shortness of breath, they should remain at home and see a GP as soon as possible.

"Most of the time, you do not need to phone your GP if a runny nose or sneezing are your child's only symptoms. Talk to your pharmacist instead," the advice said.

If a child has the coronavirus symptoms outlined above, parents will need to isolate their child. Anyone who lives in the household will have to restrict their movements until a diagnosis has been made.

Parents are being urged to "make sure your child knows how to use a tissue to cover coughs or sneezes or to cough or sneeze into their elbow".

The new advice will be sent out to homes from schools and will be published on the Department of Education's website.

Previous advice had said parents should not send a child to school or childcare if they displayed any flu-like symptoms.

Meanwhile, a leading consultant has rejected a warning for parents not to send their children to primary school with alcohol-based hand sanitisers in their schoolbag.

Professor Cliona Ni Cheallaigh, an infectious disease consultant at St James's Hospital, urged parents to give their children hand sanitiser to bring to school.

Her comments follow an alert from the National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC), which said it would be like "sending a child to school with a naggin of vodka".

The NPIC, which is based at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, notes that a 100ml bottle of 80pc alcohol hand sanitiser contains the same amount of alcohol as a 200ml bottle of 40pc vodka.

Risks

However, Professor Ni Cheallaigh said "most reputable brands have a special ingredient to make it taste bitter, so it's very unlikely children would drink it".

"I suppose - like everything - with Covid it's a balancing of the risk and the benefits.

"The risk is a small child might drink it and become unwell and the benefit is keeping a large number of children's hands cleaner and less likely to transmit Covid, so I think, on balance, I would be recommending it," she said on RTE's Today with Claire Byrne.

"I am planning on putting sanitiser into my child's bag," she added.

"I think every moment you sanitise your hands, every time is of benefit, so I would envisage having it on your desk before you go to sharpen your pencil or go up to give your teacher something."
Good Morning America

On the eve of the one-year anniversary of his inauguration, President Joe Biden held a formal news conference at the White House Wednesday, answering reporter questions on his handling of the pandemic, the economy and legislative agenda, characterizing the country as unified -- but not as much as it could be -- and raised eyebrows by saying Russia was likely to invade Ukraine. "It's been a year of challenges, but it's also many years of enormous progress," Biden said to begin, ticking through his administration's successes before fielding questions from reporters. With Biden facing the limits of what he can accomplish with an evenly-divided Senate, unable to get either his signature social spending package or major voting rights reform through Congress in recent weeks, and with the pandemic still raging well into its second, his approval rating in polls has hit an all-time low.
When the paramedics arrived, they found a 20-year-old woman, later identified as Ms. Beauchamp, who was not breathing. The paramedics performed CPR and other life-reviving methods for 30 minutes, Chief Menifee said. Given medical readings and the condition of the patient, it was determined at that time that she did not have signs of life.

In an interview with WDIV-TV, Ms. Beauchamps mother, Erica Lattimore, said the emergency responders had then told her that her daughter had died. They said, Maam, shes gone, Ms. Lattimore said. I told them, Are you absolutely 100 percent sure that shes gone? They said, Yes, maam, shes gone.

Ms. Lattimore could not be reached on Tuesday.

Later on Sunday morning, after spending more than two hours in a body bag, Ms. Beauchamp arrived at the James H. Cole Home for Funerals, where an employee discovered that she was alive, breathing with her eyes open, Mr. Fieger said. The funeral home, he said, then called Ms. Lattimore and sent Ms. Beauchamp to the hospital.

This devastated my life, Ms. Lattimore told WDIV.

On Monday, the Southfield Fire Department issued a second statement saying an emergency department physician had pronounced Ms. Beauchamp dead based on medical information that emergency responders provided by phone from the scene.

The Southfield Fire and Police Departments followed all appropriate city, county and state protocols and procedures in this case, the department said, adding that the city was investigating the matter. The Oakland County Medical Control Authority is also investigating, the Fire Department said, and will report its findings to the Michigan Bureau of E.M.S., Trauma and Preparedness.
THE Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu said on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, that two suicide bombers may have been involved in the latest attack in Jolo, Sulu.

Brigadier General William Gonzales, JTF Sulu commander, said they have acquired closed circuit television (CCTV) footage that showed a suicide bomber may have also caused the first explosion.

The alleged bomber could not be identified, however, because the body was torn into pieces.

Authorities earlier said a female suicide bomber had caused the second explosion.

Gonzales said: Based on the CCTV footage, the first explosion may have been a case of suicide bombing also. We have not identified the body because it was torn into pieces. In the second explosion, we were able to identify the perpetrator as a woman.

The two explosions killed 15 people, including seven soldiers, a Special Action Force (SAF) policeman and six civilians. A total of 75 people were wounded.

The first occurred at 11:50 a.m. in front of a grocery store where the soldiers were procuring supplies while the second followed at 1 p.m. around 100 meters away from the site of the first blast.

Authorities earlier said the first blast came from an improvised explosive device planted in a motorcycle parked in front of the grocery store.

A female suicide bomber set off the second explosion while she was being accosted by a soldier.

Philippine Army Chief Cirilito Sobejana said they were monitoring two female suicide bombers who might have caused the explosions.

Following the two suicide bombing incidents, the Central Command (Centcom) urged the public to be vigilant and look out for any suspicious individuals.

Centcom is asking the publics help to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.

According to Army Captain Joe Patrick Martinez, commander of the 3rd Civil Relation Group in Centcom, the military, with the help of police from the Visayas region, is keeping an eye out for any activity from terrorist groups in Mindanao.

Story continues

We still urge everyone to be vigilant because this is a shared responsibility, people should also be alert and we constantly remind the public that any suspicious individual or situation should be reported, said Martinez.

In light of the recent tragedy, Centcom assured the public that the Visayas region is safe from terrorist attacks for now.

Martinez said the Naval Forces Central, the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Coastguard are watching the waters and monitoring who comes in and out of the region.

The region was put on red alert status five months ago since the lockdown was implemented due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Martinez clarified that they have not received any direct threats from terrorist groups aside from the New Peoples Army, which the military has been pursuing in Negros island and other parts of the Visayas region.

However, he believes that this is no reason so be complacent as any place, no matter how peaceful, can still be a target of a terrorist attack at any time. (SunStar Philippines / AYB / CBQ)
Pansuwan Na Kaew, a representative of a royalist group, stands outside the Japanese Embassy in Bangkok as he reads out demands for Tokyo to deport Thai anti-monarchist Pavin Chachavalpongpun, Aug. 25, 2020.

Facebook acknowledged Tuesday it had shut down a popular page critical of the Thai monarchy at the governments request, but said it would challenge the order in court as an obstacle to free speech and doing business in Thailand.

The social media giant said it had moved to restrict access to the page of the Royalist Marketplace group with more than 1 million members. The Facebook page is hosted by Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai lecturer at Kyoto University and noted critic of the Thai monarchy.

Facebook was ordered to block the page amid a groundswell of youth-led anti-government protests that have also called for reforming the all-powerful monarchy.

After careful review, Facebook has determined that we are compelled to restrict access to content which the Thai government has deemed to be illegal, a spokesperson for the Silicon Valley powerhouse said in a statement to Thai media on Tuesday. Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law and have a chilling effect on peoples ability to express themselves.

Facebook, however, warned it would fight back and that Thailand risked losing the company as an investor.

We work to protect and defend the rights of all internet users and are preparing to legally challenge this request, Facebook said. Excessive government actions like this also undermine our ability to reliably invest in Thailand, including maintaining an office, safeguarding our employees, and directly supporting businesses that rely on Facebook.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha defended his governments move to order Facebook to block the Royalist Marketplace page.

In regards to the handling of those pages, we follow the laws  seeking court orders  and never exercised the so-called dictatorships power, which I dont have, Prayuth told reporters. If they sue us, we will fight according to Thai laws. Freedom must not breach Thai laws.

If Facebook faced any possible legal action, this was due to content on Royalist Marketplaces page and not because of the government, he said.

Thailands monarchy is shielded by Lese-Majeste, a law that strictly guards against royal defamation. People convicted of speech perceived as critical of the royals can be sent to prison for up to 15 years. But critics say that Thailands Sedition Act, rather than Lese-Majeste, has become a tool used to suppress dissidents lately.

Prayuth has said King Maha Vajiralongkorn had asked him to reduce the exercise of the law against royal defamation. About a dozen people have been charged with sedition since Aug. 3, when the anti-government protestors expanded their demands to include reforming the status of the monarchy.

As the protests continue, the crackdown on social media companies has been stepped up. Thai authorities recently said they will obtain court orders to deny access to posts and URLs on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter that they believe insult the monarchy. These authorities have also threatened to sue these social media platforms if they dont comply.

Puttipong Punnagun, the minister for digital economy and society, said he already sent court orders to Facebook, YouTube and Twitter

We sent court orders to the platform operators to delete misinformation content within 15 days, Puttipong said. If they erase them, we wont sue them. There were 1,120 [urls] deemed royally defaming.

The order to block access to the Facebook page hosted by Pavin drew a sharp and swift response from New York-based Human Rights Watch.

Thailands government is again abusing its overbroad and rights-abusing laws to force Facebook to restrict content that is protected by the human right to free speech. Make no mistake, it is Thailand that is breaking the law here  international law protecting freedom of expression, John Sifton, the groups Asia Advocacy director, said in a statement.

Facebook should fight the governments demands in every forum it can, to protect Thai peoples human rights. Concerned governments around the world should protest Thailands abusive threats, he said.

This is 2020, you cant hide information

Pavin, for his part, said he would not buckle under pressure.

I vowed to fight to defend freedom of speech to criticize the monarchy in my country, the academic said on his personal Facebook page after his groups page was blocked.

Pavin then started a new private group, also on Facebook, and more than 640,000 members signed up.

The more you try to block the group, the more eager the people want to know, he said on his personal Facebook page. This is 2020, you cant hide information.

Pavin has had run-ins with the Thai government in the past. In April 2017, the government banned citizens from interacting online with him and two other outspoken critics of the monarchy, according to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.

This year, the lecturer has lent and continues to voice support for the student-led anti-government protests. The protests, called the Free Youth Movement have become the Free People Movement.

Protestors have three main demands. They want the government to stop harassing dissidents, they are demanding Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha dissolve the parliament and hold new elections and they are calling for amendments to the military-backed constitution which allows senators to vote for a candidate for premier.

Since Aug. 3, the Free People Movement has been agitating to curtail the monarchys power. Protesters say the monarchy has more power than the system allows. They advocate a constitutional monarchy with the king as head of state under the constitution.

In a separate development Tuesday, a group of royalists submitted a letter to the representative of the Japanese Embassy in Bangkok, demanding it muffle Pavin, sack him from Kyoto University and deport him to Thailand.

The Japanese government must show sincerity that it doesnt give Pavin support, Pansuwan Na Kaew said in a statement read out to a Japanese official. The people of Thailand hope for a response from the Japanese government.
The Ghana Union Movement (GUM) Presidential Candidate, Christian Kwabena Andrews (Osofo Kyiriabosom) says, although Ghanas debt stock has surged by GHC16.9 billion in the first quarter of 2020, it has little to show for it.



Ghanas inability to industrialize its agriculture and bolster the manufacturing industry as well as over-reliance on foreign credit to support various sectors of the economy, he noted, continued to sink the country deep into indebtedness.



This excessive borrowing, he added, deprived citizens of economic and employment opportunities, access to quality health care, shelter, social security, potable drinking water, energy, accessible roads, and other developmental infrastructure.



According to him, the two dominating political parties - the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC)  had both failed to transform the country although it was endowed with natural resources and labour.



In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Rev Lenin BK Trotsky, Political Scientist for GUM, said the NPP and NDC had no excuse for their abysmal failure of the people of Ghana, but only that they lacked designs of homegrown policies to serve the populace.



Although there had been some attempts such as the Akufo-Addos flagship One District One Factory, one village one dam, and rearing for food and jobs, he said it was failed promise

In his view, John Mahama coming back had nothing to offer the people because his records showed and that he failed woefully to fix unemployment issues, fight corruption and put the nation at great financial risk by borrowing excessively from the IMF.



In respect of the woeful performances of the two dominating political establishments, Mr Trotsky said if the electorate considered worthy of their votes, the GUM party would use homegrown policy to administer Ghana and provide opportunities for rapid economic takeoff.

The party also condemned the tribal division creeping into Ghana politics, saying people from different ethnic backgrounds fought side by side with Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah for the country to gain independence.



In GUMs mini-manifesto, Osofo Kyiriabosom said the Movement was poised to build a society of people, where tribalism, corruption, nepotism and cronyism would be a thing of the past, advising where there is division, there is strife and evil also thrives...



He added that the question of who is a Ghanaian had already been provided for in the 1992 Constitution, but a true Ghanaian is one who is greater in his soul than in his class, creed, political party or the section in which he lives.



He said, To be a Ghanaian, a man must have a Ghanaian soul and believe in the spiritual realities upon which Ghana rests and out of which Ghana was born.



"A Ghanaian was created to light mankind with those passions, which lift and not by the passions that separate and debase.



Ghanaians improve the ideals of man and make them see finer things, causing them to get rid of the things that divide and establish things that unite."

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
At the time, Mr Dale's solicitor Tony Hargreaves had been probing Ms Gobbo's past relationship with police through a series of subpoenas. The motions were being hotly contested by Victoria Police because exposure of her work as a police informer would have profoundly affected her credibility during a trial and endangered her personal safety. Former detective Paul Dale during his criminal proceedings in March 2010 Credit:Craig Abraham When the criminal proceedings against Mr Dale collapsed in the wake of Williams death, senior police launched a special taskforce to investigate the circumstances of his murder. Documents obtained by the royal commission show this included running Operation Mogals, an investigation into the alleged leak of highly confidential information about the case. The information is believed to have both damaged the case against Mr Dale and also exposed details about Williams and Ms Gobbo's cooperation as a key prosecution witnesses. The police document from June 2010 describes how investigators held a strong suspicion that Ms Gobbo was responsible and that she had been cooperating with the Herald Sun and Mr Dale  or at least with representatives connected to them  on several occasions during the legal proceedings. Police nominated Ms Gobbo as a potential source for the news article about Williams' daughter's school fees.

"It is alleged, in consideration of ALL facts, that the media releases have contributed to Carl WILLIAMS' murder. The media clearly highlighted WILLIAMS' co-operation with police against unsolved gangland murders and corrupt police," the document said. The police investigation also laid out a case that Ms Gobbo had been responsible for helping Mr Dale's defence to seek specific information through subpoenas that was potentially problematic for the police case against Mr Dale. The documents they sought included those laying out Ms Gobbo's shadowy history with police and potential inducements she might have been offered to testify. To be clear, it was completely contrary for Ms Gobbos interests to leak any information to Paul Dale or his lawyers. Nicola Gobbo Investigators again became suspicious of how the defence were able to name specific documents, by title, which had not been previously discussed in court. This information allowed the defence to file subpoenas seeking out specific information which would otherwise have been unknown to them. It also allowed the media to publish an article with specific information which would otherwise have been unknown to them [about Ms Gobbo's cooperation with Victoria Police], the document said. It does not speculate about Ms Gobbo's alleged motives for leaking.

The highly-sensitive police assessment is marked with handwritten notes from then deputy commissioner Ken Jones that included a warning to then chief commissioner of police Simon Overland: Simon. Eyes only discussions. Significant implications for us / govt ... I have not taken a copy. The allegations of collaboration have been slammed by Ms Gobbo, as well as Mr Dale and his former solicitor Tony Hargreaves. Ms Gobbo denies that she leaked any information to Mr Dale or his lawyers as alleged in the document," Ms Gobbo said in a statement to The Age. "The obvious effect of providing anything to Mr Dale (or to his defence) at that time was that it would have the very serious potential to reveal her role as a human source, and put her life in jeopardy. Ms Gobbo said she believes some of the information police referred to had been aired in open court and some material was leaked, but not by her. She also said police were monitoring her phones in 2010 and this could confirm she was not the source.

In the lead-up to Mr Dales trial, Ms Gobbo had been refusing to cooperate with the prosecution amid complaints Victoria Police had failed to honour the assurances, promises and representations made to her if she went into witness protection, according to a letter she wrote in January 2010 also obtained by the royal commission. Ms Gobbo was also threatening at the time to sue Victoria Police for compensation if her demands were not met. That lawsuit was settled in mid-2010 for $2.88 million. Despite the launch of the Operation Mogals investigation, senior police attempted again just months later to use Ms Gobbo as the key witness in another criminal case brought against Mr Dale (she never testified and he was acquitted). The near exposure of Ms Gobbo's lengthy history as a registered police informer during the Dale proceedings sparked a series of secret reviews about the appropriateness of her use. The fallout from those ultimately resulted in the public exposure of the worst scandal in Australian legal history and the current royal commission. No charges were laid as a result of Operational Mogals, meaning the suspicions outlined in the document were never formally alleged against Ms Gobbo. A Victoria Police spokeswoman told The Age: Following a thorough investigation and legal advice, it was determined there was insufficient evidence to prosecute any person. As with any inactive investigation, any further information, intelligence or evidence provided may prove invaluable and we encourage anyone with information to make a confidential report to Crime Stoppers, she said.
Swaying disillusioned Republicans and unaffiliated voters has become a point of emphasis for former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., whose campaign released on Monday a list of 27 former Republican members of Congress who had endorsed him against President Trump.

The first name on the list was former Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, who drew the ire of Mr. Trump and Republicans in 2018 when he voted to delay the Supreme Court confirmation vote of Brett M. Kavanaugh so that the F.B.I. could investigate sexual assault allegations against the judge.

Mr. Flake ultimately voted to confirm Justice Kavanaugh and left office less than three months later, at the end of his term.

In a Facebook Live broadcast on Monday afternoon that was shared by the Biden campaign, Mr. Flake said that he was gravely concerned about Mr. Trumps conduct as president. He said that under Mr. Trump, the country had given in to the impulse to mistake political opponents for enemies.
WARSZAWA, Poland, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 30, 2020, opinion leaders in virology and epidemiology will participate in the International Conference COVID-19.



The event will bring together more than 150 specialists: doctors, professors, scientists, leading researchers of the Ebola vaccine, and other viruses. Among the speakers at the conference are Nobel Prize winner in Physiology and Medicine, Australian virologist Peter Doherty and Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry Michael Levitt.



Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization Zsuzsanna Jakab will make a welcoming speech at the opening of the conference.



Also, speakers at the conference will be:



Oyewale Tomori, Nigeria - Redeemer's University, former President of the Nigerian Academy of Sciences, has studied viral infections including Ebola, yellow fever and Lassa fever.



Pedro Simas, Portugal - The Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM) at the University of Lisbon, one of the creators of the reusable mask that disables coronavirus upon contact with fabric



Polly Roy, UK - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Officer of the Order of the British Empire for service in Virus research.



Alla Mironenko, Ukraine - Gromashevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases of the NAMS of Ukraine, Doctor of Science, 30 years experience in the field of infectious diseases.



Anupam Varma, India - President of the World Society for Virology, former President of the Indian Virology Society, Honorary Scientist of INSA Emeritus.



The event will be held as online broadcasts on YouTube and Facebook.



The first broadcast will start on September 30 at 6:00 GMT. The conference will be broadcasted in the format of two-hour sessions. Each session will bring together 15 speakers and will end with a block of questions from viewers and participants. One hour break between broadcasts will take place.



In total there will be 10 live broadcasts, the conference will last 30 hours and will end on October 1 at 11:00 GMT.



The final session summing up the event will start on October 1 at 12:00 GMT.



From October 2, 2020, all the video records of the sessions will be available on the conference website and the event channel on YouTube.



The conference is being organized by the Foundation for the support of International Projects based in Warsaw, Poland.



The media are welcome to cooperate with the organizers of the conference.



The partners of the conference will be able to talk to the participants by video call.



More detailed information about the conference and its participants is available on the project website https://www.education-forum.com/ru/covid.



In order to realize any of the 17 goals of sustainable development of the world, including defeating Coronavirus infection (COVID-19), we need to develop a quality education today. Today, COVID-19 does not defeat us, but makes us stop - the virus stops the growth of the global economy, and the global educational and medical community forces us to look for a solution and, most importantly, unite in finding a solution to defeat COVID-19.



The unification of the global medical community in the fight against COVID-19 once again confirms the correctness of the path we have chosen to achieve all the goals of sustainable development of the world.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.



SOURCE COVID-19 International Conference

Related Links

https://www.education-forum.com/ru/covid


South Africa: Commission reflects on COVID-19 lessons

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the world, it has also brought key lessons for not only individuals but also business and government alike.

As more continues to be discovered about the pandemic, its arrival has tested the mettle and resilience of communities, as citizens, business and state institutions have been forced to adapt to a new way of life.

Recently South Africas National Consumer Commission (NCC) reflected on the impact of COVID-19 on its operations.

The commission, which is responsible for administering the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), is the primary regulator of consumer-business interaction in South Africa.

In March, South Africa put in place a national lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the virus as citizens came to grips with the need to remain indoors while also adjusting to wearing a facemask when heading to the shops.

In addition to the loaf of bread, carton of milk, and the occasional chocolate bar or two, citizens were heading to the shops to buy supplies of facemasks, sanitisers and latex gloves.

For a while, shelves meant to contain products like sanitisers stood empty in some stores and when re-stocked, were soon empty again.

During this period of COVID-19, we started with this issue of price gouging where consumers were really struggling with issues of prices that were being escalated, says acting NCC Commissioner Thezi Mabuza.

In the period between March and August 2020, the Commission was inundated with complaints that relate to price escalations.

About 3000 complaints relating to prices were reported to the Commission, which is an agency of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).

The complaints were addressed in subsequent investigations.

Some suppliers admitted to contravening the CPA and as a result, instead of refunding consumers, suppliers are atoning for their misdemeanours by donating proceeds from the sales to charity.

Because the goods in question were fast moving goods, they will donate masks and sanitisers to non-profit organisations, she tells SAnews.

On the other side of the fence, there have been suppliers who maintain that they have not contravened the CPA.

[In such instances] we really had to take them to the Competition Tribunal so that the matter will be adjudicated upon, says the acting commissioner and adds that one company has been slapped with a R100 million fine.

The chaos brought by the pandemic has also resulted in flight cancelations among others, which suppliers could not honour. In cases where services could not be rendered, engagements were held and the issues resolved.

Sometimes complaints were referred to the Consumer Goods and Service Ombudsman (CGSO) for mediation while work continued to ensure that the CPA is adhered to.

We entered into agreements with some of the suppliers to say that they either offer vouchers, which are not limited, for consumers to access the service at a later stage, and, where possible, refund consumers.

Up to now, indeed, we have received very few complaints where consumers are coming back to say the supplier is not willing to give the voucher.

Among the other range of complaints received by the Commission, were those around the quick depletion of allocated data and cases where routers were not functioning properly, as more South Africans started working from home.

While some of these complaints were referred to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), the NCC intervened in complaints relating to gadgets, router and handsets as stipulated in the CPA.

Most of the suppliers when contacted are very quick to remedy the situation, to make sure that consumers are either refunded or the devices are exchanged.

A recent joint law enforcement operation slammed the brakes on a sophisticated pyramid scheme that fleeced 230 000 unsuspecting investors of millions of rands amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

Details of the pyramid scheme were revealed by the National Prosecuting Authority, Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and the NCC at a press briefing.

The scheme was probed by the NCC after an East London resident laid a complaint.

Mabuza thanked South Africans for remaining vigilant of their rights in the course of the COVID-19 storm.

What I want to appreciate is the support we have received from South Africans, especially around the issue of price gouging wherein we had the highest number of complaints in just one quarter, says the acting commissioner.

There were, however, challenges around small shops, like spaza shops where citizens could not get recourse.

Because of the lockdown, we were unable to travel. Most people did not get recourse because in a spaza shop, theres no email and theres no registered director. We ended up not being able to finalise some of those complaints up until lockdown level 3.

The CPA requires the NCC as chief regulator of consumer-business interaction in the country, to ensure that processes and rules of the Competition Tribunal are followed when dealing with complaints.

One of the rules of the Tribunal is that we make sure that a complaint is actually signed by the complainant. So you can imagine [what happens in a case] where a gogo doesnt have email.

To remedy such situations, the Commission has set up a toll-free number (0800 014 880) to enable consumers to file complaints.

The pandemic has provided the NCC with learning opportunities.

The crisis presented opportunities for the commission to learn. For instance in most cases NCC officials do not have to go and serve an investigation certificate.

So weve come up with mechanisms to either call the supplier to say can you allow us to serve you through email? If they say yes, that makes it quicker even in dealing with the matter. Also with consumers, we had to come up with better ways of saying can you consent through an email to say that this is your complaint, even if you did not sign it? she remarks.

Change, it is often said, is the only constant in life and the NCC continues to refine its operations to meet the needs of South Africas people.

These are the systems that we now have to set up and ensure that people can at least file a complaint by just using their cellphones, said Mabuza.

While the race to rid the world of the virus continues, the pandemic has provided an opportunity for all sectors of society to reflect, to learn and take action to refine operations. SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The deeply impoverished South American country of Guyana in recent years was heralded as the hottest new oil boom in the Americas. A series of large offshore oil discoveries by integrated global energy major ExxonMobil catapulted Guyana into the spotlight. Earlier this year Exxon made its 16th oil discovery in the offshore Stabroek Block. The oil giant also revised upward its estimated recoverable resources in Guyana to more than 8 million barrels of oil equivalent, highlighting the countrys considerable hydrocarbon potential. There was further good news at the end of July 2020 with Hess, which is partnered with Exxon and CNOOC to develop the Stabroek Block, reporting that appraisal drilling of the Yellowtail well had identified two more reservoirs. The low breakeven costs associated with operating in Guyanas offshore oil fields, with Hess estimating they are an industry-low $35 per barrel, coupled with the considerable exploration upside is attracting significant interest from energy majors around the globe.

Stabroek Block

Source: Hess.

These factors underscore the tremendous potential held by the Stabroek Block and the considerable revenue it will generate for Guyanas impoverished economy.

While those elements point to a prosperous future for Guyana, bitterly disputed March 2020 elections and an ensuing political crisis indicate that the poverty-stricken former British colony may not be able to fully realize its petroleum wealth. A political impasse arose after the March elections with Guyanas two major political parties claiming victory. The post-election dispute triggered a ballot recount, allegations of electoral fraud against both political parties, and numerous court cases.

Related: Investment Funds Could Miss Out On Multi-Year Bull Run In Oil & Gas Stocks

The ongoing crisis amplified existing ethnic tensions worsening the political wrangling and battle for control of Guyanas substantial oil wealth. The deepening political dilemma saw the U.S. impose sanctions comprised of visa restrictions for any citizens of Guyana Washington believed were undermining democracy.

Earlier this month, Guyanas opposition The People's Progressive Party was found to have won the bitterly contested election bringing an end to months of dispute which was crippling investment in the countrys burgeoning oil industry. The former British colonys vast oil wealth has already transformed it into the worlds fastest-growing economy, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The IMF predicts that Guyanas gross domestic product will expand 53% this year alone and by another 6% in 2021.

Key to maintaining this growth and the development of what is considered the second poorest country in South America is attracting the substantial foreign investment needed to develop Guyanas vast oil wealth. The appointment of opposition leader Mohamed Irfaan Ali earlier this month as president has resolved, for the time being, the political impasse which existed since March. That is an important step to realizing Guyanas vast oil wealth.

Nonetheless, outgoing incumbent David Granger made it clear that he will keep contesting the election results, meaning that the current peace may be short-lived. The exploitation of Guyanas vast hydrocarbon wealth is further complicated by claims of irregularities in the contracting process with Exxon.

Considerable concerns were raised that the agreement, made by former President Grangers government, was sealed on terms that are disadvantageous to deeply impoverished Guyana. Exxon, it is alleged, used rushed negotiating tactics with inexperienced Guyanan officials to obtain very favorable terms. According to analysis from industry consultant Open Oil, the Stabroek deal could cost Guyana up to $55 billion.

Related: Two Major Shale Drillers Plan Layoffs



In response to the controversy, the newly appointed Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat initiated a review of Exxons 2016 Payara production sharing agreement. Exxon made the Payara oil discovery in 2016 and is in the process of developing the projects 45 wells, which on completion will have the capacity to produce 220,000 barrels of crude daily. A key gripe expressed in local media is that the set 2% royalty rate is too low and significantly less than the royalties charged in other South American jurisdictions. The ministry has established a team of international experts including Former Alberta premier and Canadian Queens Counsel Alison Redford to review the development plans for the Payara asset.

These latest developments are amplifying concerns that Exxons plans to develop its offshore oil assets in Guyana will be delayed. According to industry consultants Rystad Energy, if the 2023 start-up date of the Payara project is delayed by one year, around $1.5 billion in oil revenues for Guyana, Exxon, and the project partners will be lost. President Alis administration is also in the process of formulating a policy on local content requirements for foreign oil companies operating in Guyana. That could further complicate the governments review of the Payara project and create an additional burden for Exxon.

Any delays could seriously impact the projected growth of Guyanas oil industry, revenues, and production. Earlier this year before the March elections and resultant political crisis, Rystad estimated Guyanas production would reach 1.2 million barrels of crude daily by 2030, making it the third-largest producer in Latin America, generating around $30 billion of revenue annually. That would be transformative for one of the regions poorest countries.

There are fears that Latin American resource nationalism could be taking root in President Alis government as it moves to review existing contracts and push for more favorable terms. If oil nationalism emerges, it would be a significant deterrent for foreign energy majors, driving away the urgently required investment and technology needed to tap Guyanas offshore oil resources. This would derail projected economic growth and development in the deeply impoverished former British colony.

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Environmentalists and Alaska natives are challenging the Trump administrations decision to sell drilling rights in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, arguing the government gave short shrift to the impact on polar bears and the regions other wildlife.

The groups said they filed a pair of lawsuits Monday in a U.S. district court in Alaska, setting up an election-year battle over the controversial plan, even as the Interior Department prepares for a possible auction.

One of the challenges is led by the Gwichin Steering Committee, an organization representing indigenous people who dont live in the refuge but subsist on the Porcupine Caribou herd that migrates through it. The Gwichin call the caribou calving grounds on the coastal plain the sacred place where life begins.

MIDEAST: Trumps OPEC push fails to avert U.S. oil industrys breakdown

The Interior Departments decision to violate lands sacred to my people and essential to the health of the Porcupine caribou herd is an attack on our rights, our culture and our way of life, the committees executive director, Bernadette Demientieff, said Monday. We have lived and thrived in the Arctic for thousands of years. We have listened and learned from our elders, and we know we must stand united to protect future generations, and that means going to court to protect the caribou herd and sacred lands.

Other challengers include the Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Biological Diversity, Alaska Wilderness League and The Wilderness Society.

The groups argue the Interior Departments Bureau of Land Management violated federal law by glossing over the potential negative effects of oil development in the Arctic refuges 1.56-million-acre coastal plain and failing to sufficiently consider alternatives that would minimize the risks. They also accuse Interiors Fish and Wildlife Service of violating the Endangered Species Act and administrative law by determining the leasing program wouldnt jeopardize polar bears or their critical habitat.

This is a congressionally mandated energy development program that leaves 92% of the refuge completely off-limits to development, the Interior Department said in an emailed statement. The departments decision regarding where and when development can take place includes extensive protections for wildlife, including caribou and polar bears.

FUEL FIX: Get our energy news in your inbox each weekday.

Congress in 2017 passed a law requiring two auctions of at least 400,000 acres worth of oil leases in the coastal plain before Dec. 22, 2024. But the Interior Department last week went further by authorizing leasing across the entire coastal plain. The agency rejected narrower alternatives that would make less acreage available, with more restrictions on development.

The coastal plain is estimated to hold as much as 11.8 billion barrels of technically recoverable crude, yet environmentalists argue tapping that oil imperils one of the countrys last truly wild places and the Arctic foxes, polar bears, caribou and migratory birds that thrive in it.

The cases are Gwichin Steering Committee v. David Bernhardt and National Audubon Society v. David Bernhardt, both U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska (Anchorage).

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
A step-father has revealed how his cancer has become terminal after NHS doctors cancelled his potentially life-saving surgery due to Covid-19.

Adrian Rogers, 46, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in July 2018 which had spread to his liver.

He was given 18 months of gruelling chemotherapy in order to shrink the tumours in the liver to an operable state.

In February, Mr Rogers and his wife, Amanda, 48, who has three children, were given a glimmer of hope when a surgeon said that the powerful drugs had worked.

His surgery, to remove 70 per cent of his liver, was scheduled for early April at Manchester Royal Infirmary, with a bowel operation later on.

But when the coronavirus hit, doctors decided it was 'too risky' to go ahead with his surgery, making him one of thousands of patients whose treatment was postponed because they were deemed too vulnerable to catching Covid-19 while in hospital.

The scaffolding supervisor, from Retford, Nottinghamshire, has now been told his cancer is terminal, meaning it cannot be treated.

He was told the number of tumours on his bowels and liver has swelled from six to 20 while his chemotherapy was paused.

Mr Rogers is now receiving palliative chemotherapy while his family fund-raise for a 300-a-week drug called bevacizumab, sold under the brand name Avastin, which they hope could prolong his life.

Cancer charities have warned of a ticking time-bomb of the disease because so many appointments and procedures had to be cancelled by the NHS so hospitals could make way for an expected deluge of coronavirus patients.

Cancer Research UK has warned that thousands of people could die prematurely as a result of delays to treatments during the height of Britain's Covid-19 crisis.

Adrian Rogers, 46, says his cancer has turned terminal after NHS doctors cancelled his potentially life-saving surgery due to Covid-19

Mr Rogers and his wife, Amanda, 48, who has three children, were given a glimmer of hope in February when a surgeon said that the chemotherapy had got his bowel to an operable state

Mr Rogers is just one of the casualties of the huge NHS backlog caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the UK.

Thousands of cancer patients' treatments were delayed or cancelled either to free up beds for Covid-19 patients or because it was not safe for them to go to hospital.

Cancer patients often have a compromised immune system due to the treatments they are given, making them more susceptible to infection.

And if they do catch Covid-19, the implications would be more severe than a healthy person, with a higher risk of death.

A survey by Cancer Research UK revealed that one in three cancer patients across the UK have had their treatment impacted by the pandemic, with hundreds left fearful of the implications of this.

The scale of the problem was worsened by the revelation that up to four in 10 hospital beds for urgent treatment were empty in April - even though thousands of people with non-coronavirus illnesses desperately needed treatment.

BRITONS MORE LIKELY TO DIE OF SOME CANCERS THAN 15 YEARS AGO DUE TO THE PANDEMIC Britons are now more likely to die from some types of cancer than they were 15 years ago because of the coronavirus pandemic, shock research has suggested. Academics modelled what effect the disruption of cancer services will have by 2025. They found around 3,500 patients with four of the most common forms of the disease  breast, lung, bowel and oesophageal  could have their lives cut short. Death rates from bowel cancer are estimated to soar by up to 17 per cent because of delayed diagnoses  the equivalent of 1,445 to 1,563 patients. This would cause the five-year survival rate to drop to around 51.5 per cent  similar to levels seen in 2003, it was claimed. London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine scientists also revealed survival outcomes for breast and oesophageal cancer may drop to levels seen in 2005 and 2006, respectively. They modelled that breast cancer could claim 281 and 344 more lives, roughly an 8 to 10 per cent increase. There could be a six per cent (330342) and five per cent (1,235-1,372) rise in deaths from oesophageal and lung cancer, respectively. The research, published in Lancet Oncology, drew on NHS cancer registration and hospital data of more than 93,000 patients diagnosed in 2010-2012. They used this data to estimate the effect of delays in diagnosis on cancer survival for four main types of the disease. The model, which the researchers described as conservative, assumed the current drop off in referrals will continue for the next year. NHS hospitals must adhere to strict social distancing measures and services as they try to get back up and running. The researchers did not say what their findings would mean for the five-year survival rates in the study. The Sun newspaper is believed to have made the calculations. Advertisement

And more than 8,000 private hospital beds in England, bought by the NHS in March, went unused because NHS intensive care wards were not overrun as expected.

Mr Rogers, who is step-father to Mrs Rogers' three children Laura, 25, and twins Edward and Alexander, 21, is one of the first forgotten cancer patients of the pandemic to tell his story.

He said: 'I feel like the Government left us high and dry.

'We were hearing in the news how there were all these private hospitals that were supposed to be set aside for people with other illnesses to have treatment.

'But they were apparently just empty.

'It is hard to take in that there were places where I could have gone to have treatment, but they just chose to cancel it instead.

'I do believe that more could have been done to make sure I had my operation when it was an option.

'There have still been other illnesses that have needed treating during this time, too - not just Covid.'

Mrs Rogers, who has been with Mr Rogers for 17 years and has been married to him since 2016, said it was 'devastating' when they were told that Mr Rogers's operation had been cancelled.

She said: 'We thought we were getting somewhere, and then Covid came and spoiled all our plans.

'He was responding brilliantly to the chemotherapy.

'When he was diagnosed, the cancer had already spread to his liver.'

Mrs Rogers, a former school kitchen supervisor, added: 'The chemotherapy was working really well, and it got him to the stage where he was operable on both sides of his bowel, and on his liver.

'We spoke to the surgeon in February, and he told Adrian to come off the chemo for eight weeks to get ready for the surgery.

'But then Covid hit. His surgeon phoned us up and he was really nice about it.

'He said that the decision of whether to go ahead with Adrian's operation had to be put before a board, but that he had recommended that Adrian should still be operated on.

'But the board made their decision and said no. They decided it was too risky.'

NHS trusts and health boards had to make decisions about treatment on a case-by-case basis for various illnesses during the height of the pandemic.

Most people with advanced bowel cancer that has spread to the liver will die from their cancer. But for some people, surgery to remove liver secondaries can cure the cancer.

If stage four bowel cancer has spread into the liver and it can be removed with surgery, around 25 to 40 per cent will survive their cancer for five years or more after they're diagnosed, while some live for several more.

Even if a large amount of the liver is removed, as was planned for Mr Rogers, parts of the liver are able to re-grow.

Removing secondary cancers from the liver is specialised surgery and is carried out in major liver cancer centres, according to Cancer Research UK.

During the time that Mr Rogers was off chemotherapy, between February and July, his tumours spread. He now has 20 tumours in his liver area.

Mr Rogers was able to start back on chemotherapy last month, and has had three cycles since then.

When Covid-19 hit, doctors decided it was 'too risky' for Mr Rogers to go ahead with his surgery. The scaffolding supervisor, from Retford, Nottinghamshire, has now been told his cancer is terminal, meaning it cannot be treated

Mr Rogers, who is step-dad to Mrs Rogers' three children Laura, 25, and twins Edward and Alexander, 21, said: 'I feel like the government left us high and dry'

Mrs Rogers said: 'He's no longer operable, because there just wouldn't be any liver left afterwards.'

But the family are not giving up hope and switched to a new target after Mrs Rogers found out about a drug called bevacizumab, marketed as Avastin.

Unlike chemotherapy that attacks the cancer cells, the purpose of Avastin is to block the blood supply that feeds the tumour, stopping it from growing.

The family hope the drug will give them more time with Mr Rogers but doctors have said he will never be cancer-free.

Mrs Rogers said: 'We were told that Adrian can either stop treatment and enjoy what time he has left - or, Avastin can be given alongside more chemotherapy, and that could work.

'If Adrian was having private care, he would automatically get Avastin as standard. But as we are on the NHS, we have to self-fund this for him.'

Avastin is used for a range of cancers but only privately. The drug, administered via a drip alongside chemotherapy, costs 600 per fortnight.

So Mrs Rogers has now set up a fundraising page in a desperate attempt to be able to afford the treatment  and has raised almost 12,000 in less than two weeks.

The 'amazing' amount is enough to fund more than seven months of Avastin treatment for Mr Rogers - and he is keen to get started as soon as possible.

He will receive his first dose of the drug on September 4, at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.

Mr Rogers said: 'We've got to keep our hopes up. I'm so used to accepting chemotherapy now, that this is just the next thing for me.

'But I was responding to the chemotherapy well before all this, so hopefully it will be the same with Avastin.

'I'm just taking every day as it comes.'

Mrs Rogers said: 'We won't know until he starts the course how well it will work for him, or whether it will get him back to an operable state.

'For some people it works really well, and for others not so well. We'll have to wait and see how he responds to it.

'But he was responding brilliantly to the chemotherapy before - better than the doctors expected. We're hoping that this will work well for him, too.'

Speaking in general terms, Cancer Research UK's Chief Executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: 'Covid-19 has undoubtedly put a huge strain on people affected by cancer.

'It has had an extraordinary impact on their care and wellbeing.

'We've been hearing many of these stories over the past few months.'

In a recent survey carried out by the charity, around 70 per cent of the 1,900 respondents reported feeling more frustrated and anxious about having a recurrence of their diagnosis.

Professor Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK's chief clinician, added that the impact of Covid-19 on cancer patients during the pandemic has been profound.

He said: 'I've had some difficult conversations with patients throughout the pandemic to explain adjustments to their treatment plans.

'It has been a stressful and lonely time for many patients, worried about coming to hospital for fear of catching the virus or having their treatment delayed or altered.'

To donate to Mr Roger's treatment, visit GoFundMe.

A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said: 'In order to best protect the safety of our patients and staff, at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak the Trust temporarily paused some services in adherence with national guidance.

'This is the same course of action carried out by NHS providers across the country to enable an appropriate response to the pandemic. The suspension of these services has regrettably meant that some patients have had to wait longer than anticipated to receive treatment.

'In line with NHS guidance, we have continued to provide cancer care with patients consent during COVID-19, except when it is considered that the risks of treatment outweigh any benefit to the patient.

'Due to patient confidentiality the Trust does not comment on individual cases and so it would not be appropriate to comment further.'
A 53-year-old businessman and two others, including his son, were arrested for allegedly assaulting four police officials at south Delhis Chittaranjan Park (CR Park) police station Monday night following a fight the three had with the owner and driver of a BMW car over a collision, police said.

The three  Ajay Mahipal, his son Rohan,21 and his friend Anish Raghav,21, were booked for rash driving and assaulting policemen on duty and a case was registered under Sections 279, 186, 353, 332 and 34 of Indian Penal Code. The accident and the assault took place around 9.30 pm at a market near I-block in CR Park, the police said.

Deputy commissioner of police (south) Atul Kumar Thakur said that the police control room had received a call regarding an accident in CR Park area. An inspector and three policemen immediately reached there and found two vehicles  a BMW and a Micra car  in damaged condition.

Two occupants of the Micra car, Rohan and Anish Raghav, were allegedly assaulting the driver of the BMW and arguing with an elderly man sitting inside the SUV. When some passerby tried to intervene, the two men hurled abuses on them and asked them to stay away, said a police officer.

As the four policemen tried to intervene, the two men began assaulting them as well. They tore their uniform. In the meantime, Rohans father Ajay Mahipal, also arrived in his car and allegedly joined them in assaulting the policemen, the BMW driver and misbehaving with the public, said the officer, requesting not to be named.

The police sent reinforcement to control the situation. Both the parties were brought to the police station, where the trio allegedly created a commotion, slapped police personnel and fought with them, said DCP Thakur.

We registered a case and arrested the three men. The cars, including the damaged BMW, were impounded, added the DCP.

DCP Thakur said that Mahipal is into the business of producing railway track clips while his son and his friend are pursuing a mass communication course from a private institute in Noida.
T he continued delays to Crossrail [Standard, August 21] are just part of a nationwide crisis in railway development. The high-speed line from London to Birmingham and beyond is being deferred even further into the future.

The completion of the Great Western and Midland electrification schemes has been cancelled, with the introduction of that ridiculous Seventies throwback the bi-mode train, which can take power either from a diesel engine or electrification  but when using the latter, is still lugging around the weight of the engine. As another example of the lack of joined-up thinking in naional policy, even new stretches of tramway in Birmingham are going ahead unelectrified, to placate uninformed aesthetes.

Here in London, getting Crossrail done will require a new approach by politicians, one taking railways seriously.

Charles E L Gilman

Editor's reply

Dear Charles

I share your disappointment at the latest delay to Crossrail and agree that this and other rail improvements across the country remain as vital as ever, despite the recent drop in passenger numbers. Faster cross-country links, HS2, and better local services can all boost the countrys economic efficiency, help reduce pollution and make life easier for the people in the areas concerned, while London still needs projects such as the Bakerloo extension and other upgrades to go ahead.

Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor

National Trusts travel puzzle

The National Trust wants to reduce visitors journey times to its properties to help cut its climate impact. For most people the bulk of the distance (other than trips to properties close to home) involves travel to a region one is visiting on holiday or short breaks. How does the Trust think it can cut those journey lengths?

Jonathan Longstaff
KHARTOUM: Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday that he was not mandated to normalise ties with Israel and the issue should not be linked to Sudans removal from a U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list.

Pompeo arrived from Israel on what he said was the first official non-stop flight between the two countries, as the United States promotes stronger Sudan-Israel ties.

He met Hamdok and ruling council head Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, tweeting that Sudans democratic transition was a once in a generation opportunity".

The United States has been restoring relations with Sudan following the ousting of former Islamist leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019 after mass protests. The country is one year into a 39-month political transition in which the military and civilians are sharing power.

Its economy is in crisis and authorities have been pushing to end the U.S. terrorism listing, which prevents Sudan from accessing financing from international lenders.

Pompeos visit follows an accord between Israel and the UAE this month to forge full relations, and comes as Israel and the United States push more Arab countries to follow.

In February, Burhan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Uganda, a meeting condemned by Sudanese protesters. He afterwards cast doubt on any rapid normalisation of relations, though Israeli aircraft soon began overflying Sudan.

Ties with Israel are a sensitive issue in Sudan, which was among the hardline Muslim foes of Israel under Bashir. The government sacked its foreign ministry spokesman last week after he called the UAE decision to normalise relations with Israel a brave and bold step".

Hamdok told Pompeo that the transitional government does not have a mandate  to decide on normalisation with Israel" and the matter would be decided after Sudans transitional bodies were formed, according to government spokesman Faisal Saleh.

A legislative body to serve alongside the ruling council and the government is yet to be formed.

The Prime Minister called on the U.S. administration to separate the process of removing Sudan from the list of states sponsoring terrorism and the issue of normalization with Israel," Saleh said.

Washington sanctioned Sudan over its alleged support for militant groups and the civil war in Darfur. Trade sanctions were lifted in 2017.

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 International Committee of the Red Cross began talks in connection with the capture of an Armenian officer, Azerbaijani media reported referring to Ilaha Huseynova, a representative for the Azerbaijani office of ICRC.

The ICRC is in contact on this issue with the competent authorities of both sides, she noted.

Under its mandate, the Committee visits persons detained, checks their treatment and conditions of detention, and also helps them to keep in touch with their families, she added.

Officer Gurgen Alaverdyan got lost Sunday amid unfavorable weather conditions and was captured.
Police arrest stolen vehicle suspect who fled, entered occupied home

The homeowner was able to get out of the home safely, but Aberdeen police are now negotiating the surrender of the suspect.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Anthony Lodico, executive superintendent for Staten Island schools in District 31, is retiring from the New York City Department of Education (DOE).

Effective Oct. 1, Lodico will retire after a 36-year career serving the students and families of New York City.

I am honored to have worked with so many educators who prioritized mindfulness, hope and compassion in their work with Staten Islands young people, said Lodico. The team of educators in Staten Island is dedicated to ensuring every child in our borough has the tools they individually need to develop to their full potential and they will continue fighting for educational equity.

Lodico began his professional career as an English and drama teacher at Port Richmond High School, as well as an adviser and then assistant principal. He spent 18 years at Port Richmond High School before he became principal of Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn in 2004. He later became the superintendent of high schools in Manhattan.

Lodico then served as the superintendent for District 31 and Staten Island high schools since 2014, and was later appointed to executive superintendent of Staten Island in 2018 -- as part of City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza changes to the DOEs leadership team that included nine executive superintendents and a chief academic officer.

Anthony is a true public servant to the families and educators of Staten Island and his compassionate leadership will be missed, said Carranza. He built a strong team that fights every day to ensure every Staten Island student receives an excellent education and well make sure every school community is supported during the transition.

Lodico sent a letter Tuesday to the Staten Island school community with news of his retirement, thanking colleagues, community members, and partners for being a part of his journey.

When I began my teaching career in October 1984, I never imagined the blessings and opportunities that would be offered to me, he said in the letter. It has been a rewarding and fulfilling career; and it has been a privilege and an honor to have worked in four of our five boroughs. I have learned so much from impactful leaders, teachers, staff, and students and their families, across New York City.

He added that, in the world of education, success is contingent upon the value of being a lifelong learner, collaborator and a listener. He said he hopes that his collaboration with others and the things he has learned through listening will leave a positive impact on the school system and students.

The DOE is beginning a search for a new executive superintendent of Staten Island.

In the meantime, Executive Superintendent of Brooklyn South Barbara Freeman will provide support for the Staten Island borough/citywide office.

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 26, 2020 - 01:48 | All, Japan

A man in his 60s apparently fell into a 30-meter-deep oil tank Tuesday while operating heavy machinery at a construction site near Tokyo, police said.

The man was placing dirt around the oil tank at the site for a park in Yokohama's Kanazawa Ward when the accident took place. There were no fences around the oil tank, the police said.

A local fire department received a report of the accident at around 4:15 p.m. Police and rescue workers had to suspend their initial rescue operations as night fell, citing the risk of further accidents in the dark.

The authorities plan to resume their search on Wednesday morning.
On a Sunday afternoon in early March, I am nearly nude and belly down on a massage table in an airy Altbau, squirming fitfully as my alternative therapist digs the tip of her elbow into my left rhomboid muscle. She commands me to fully relax and be present in my body, but I still dont know howeven after a year of weekly sessions to manage burnout tendencies and traumaand I worry that my anxiety annoys her. Pressure gives way to pain: I let out a muffled shriek as my hands cramp up into crab claws and my entire body starts to tingle. Good, she says succinctly in a German accent.

As I dress, we agree this will be our last appointment for a while. COVID-19 has already devastated Italy and Spain and, although Germany eagerly awaits official orders from the federal chancellor, its beginning to feel irresponsible to conduct business as usual. Theres no need to panic, though, she reminds me. Panic gets us nowhere.

Over the following months, as the coronavirus proceeded to steal our loved ones, dismantle global economies, and quash our best-laid plans, the German response remained unflappable. Panic gets us nowhere, I realized, was not simply my therapists advice but a cultural mantra.

Although Germany is one of the wealthiest and most medically advanced nations in the world, German health care remains steeped in Teetrinken und Ruhen (drinking tea and rest). As a rule, health workers are careful to treat symptoms holistically so as not to cause unnecessary damage, and this has held true even despite a global pandemic, with coronavirus testing centers advising people to stay home and drink tea.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, a former citizen of communist East Germany for whom freedom of movement beyond the Iron Curtain was a hard-won right, didnt issue a lockdown right away, believing that abruptly stripping people of their liberties might induce panic. Instead, businesses and institutions closed gradually: first Berlins beloved techno clubs, art galleries, and concert venues, then dine-in restaurants and schools. Generous financial support for gig workers and artists in need was deposited swiftly and with minimal paperwork. Germanys already robust unemployment benefits expanded, and the government offered Kurzarbeitergeld (financial support for reduced working hours) to enable some of my peers to drop down to one or two working hours per day and help companies avoid layoffs. "The situation is serious. Take it seriously. Merkel cautioned. You dont need to tell Germans to take a situation seriously twice: My fellow Berliners and I stayed home, drank tea, and rested.

Story continues

For me at least, life in the U.S. lacked this kind of simplicity and guidance. When my partner, Dylan, asked me to start fresh with him in Berlin four years ago, I agreed. We moved with our registered emotional support dog in tow, two suitcases of painstakingly pared-down belongings apiece, and enough money set aside in savings to help us through a settling-in period. On the plane ride to the next phase of our lives, Dylans molar crown fell out in a granola baran omen of chaos, perhaps, and a not so gentle reminder that we were uninsured.

Six months in, we had already lived in three different apartments: A friends loaner flat, a glorified dorm room with a flooding shower, and a sublet on top of Berlin Dungeon, a haunted tourist attraction whose employees enjoyed their smoke breaks in our courtyard dressed as bloody 18th-century ghouls. We struggled to acquire freelance artist visas, and once we had them, I remained woefully unemployeduntil, suddenly, I wasnt. Within a week, I became abruptly overemployed, and in over my head.

Back home Id relied on certain small luxuries of the wellness industrythe Whole Foods salad bar, ashwagandha/reishi/manuka honey/hemp milk lattes, and exorbitantly priced barre classesto cope and self-soothe in times of overwhelmingness. Without them, I started to experience anxiety attacks of the hyperventilating, crumpled-in-a-door-frame variety. I developed perioral dermatitis all over my face, and, in reactive displays of what happens when you fail to meet your own existential requirements, became prone to exploding tears of rage.

I now see this fraught, rash-y, wailing period of my life as a symptomatic withdrawal from my addiction to American hustle culture. Id accepted that life was for optimizing the pursuit of perfection and productivity, and that if I couldnt be my best self for whatever reasoninsomnia, conflict with a loved one, financial insecurity in a foreign country, take your pickI was failing.

Not so in Berlin. In Germany, burnout is considered an epidemic and entitles full-time employees with a qualified doctors note to six weeks of employer-paid leave. Many burnout cases also qualify for a Kur (literally cure), where those afflicted are sent to a certified health spa for up to three weeks and given a customized nutrition plan, exercise program, and healing treatments to prevent or manage stress-related illness and chronic conditionsall fully covered by Krankenkasse (insurance, or literally sickness cashbox). Rest is a national priority.

In the beginning, I not only resisted Berlins holistic approach to burnout, I felt personally attacked by it.

Rest had never been a priority for me. In the U.S., my dance with burnout had two moves: manic overexertion, or incapacitated in bed, typically with takeout balanced precariously on my stomach and a Gilmore Girls rerun slumped against my eyeballs. There was no in-between, and throughout my life in the U.S., everything around me seemed to condoneeven celebratemy exhausting routine. I chalked it up to an entrepreneurial spirit, my Capricorn Sun, and more or less made it the basis of my whole identity. As a result, Berlins rejection of burnout made me feel rejected, not to mention lost and frustrated about having apparently existed for over three decades without a personality.

So in the beginning, I not only resisted Berlins holistic approach to burnout, but I also felt personally attacked by it. It also became evident that I didnt understand the meaning of holistic. In a past life, I worked 90-hour weeks but considered myself immune to burnout. I drank juice! I bought CBD oil, CBD gummies, CBD bath bombs, and CBD coffee; I once spent $55 on the infamous yoni egg because I read that actively squeezing an expensive rock with my pelvic floor muscles would keep me from living in my head and on my phone: In other words, I got Gooped. It didnt occur to me that I was trying to heal in reversethat no amount of celery juice could cure my chronic fatigue, digestive distress, and burgeoning disconnection from my body and self. I could have avoided the need for all that flashy stuff by first pursuing rest.

Recognizing that all my earnest pre-Berlin healing attempts were just expensive Band-Aids was, quite frankly, a drag. Once I acknowledged that I had always operated in survival mode, though, I was free to start healing forward: to remember who I am without the overachieving impulses and superfluous vagina crystals, disembroil from some of my destructive patterns, and stop trying to prove myself to no one in particular. Its all work in progress, of course, but it feels simpler now that my environment supports this work. I wish everyones environment supported this work.

Preventive health care, in all its forms, is baked into German history. Naturopathic medicine in Germany began with Saint Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century Benedictine abbess who purportedly used tinctures, herbs, and crystals on villagers in need of healing. Big Pharma has roots here too: Bayer AG, forefather of pharmaceuticals and creator of aspirin, was founded in Prussia.

Germany also has history to thank for the feasibility of paying for care. Nineteenth-century German chancellor Otto von Bismarck was the first to mandate public insurance, and the way it worked then is mostly the way it works now: Employers, employees/freelancers, and the government all pay into insurance funds, resulting in a universal multi-payer health care system wherein both holistic and conventional medicine are made, as I would soon find out, quite cheap.

Fixing Dylans granola-felled crown was free, even without insurance, because the dentist was feeling generous and liked Dylans Chicago Bulls sweatshirt. A friend of mine was billed 20 euros out of pocket for an ambulance ride and two emergency surgeries that would have bankrupted her in the States. Even private holistic practitioners can afford to keep their services relatively inexpensive or offer trades: In return for a few months of services, I edited my alternative therapists screenplay. Physical therapy is covered by public Krankenkasse, and traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and visits to the herbalist are covered by private insurance that costs me 16 euros a month.

Unlike Germany, America has a corporatized health care system and a trillion-dollar wellness industry trying to fill in the health care systems holistic gaps. I no longer view the wellness industry as the angel on my shoulder, but one of two tiny Lucifersevil twins of symbiotic capitalism; where Big Pharma fails, Big Wellness profits, and vice versa. If we can afford to participate in American wellness culture (and marketing would have us think that we cant afford not to), are we spending our money on long-term care or just makeshift fixes?

Instead of prescribing rest, the American health care system and the American wellness industry offer temporary solutions to help us push throughand both industries ultimately profit off of peoples burnout.

Watching this all play out during a global crisis has been instructive. As social distancing measures all but disappear in Berlin, the COVID-19 death rate among infected patients remains low, possibly due to a strong intensive-care program, widespread testing, and early preparedness. But I have to believe that widespread faith in Chancellor Merkels sensible, steadfast leadership has also contributed to Germanys anomalous well-being: Feeling safe, Im learning, actually keeps us physiologically safer. It makes sense that people who arent forced to exist in survival mode, who have the capacity and modeling to address issues at their root, and who can believe with unwavering assurance that theyll be able to make ends meet even in the worst of circumstances, are less vulnerable to burnout and therefore less vulnerable to illness. By this logic, a rational administration is another form of preventive health care that residents of the United States dont have access to.

Prolonged stress is the root cause of so many of our health problems. Burnout leaves us susceptible to cardiovascular disease, respiratory issues, and infection as a result of compromised immunity. But instead of prescribing rest, the American health care system and the American wellness industry offer temporary solutions to help us push throughand both industries ultimately profit off of peoples burnout. Our intense working hours, our mass consumption, our overstimulation, our endless schlep toward perfection all fuel the machine, and the price to keep the machine running is American lives.

Learning to first pursue rest has, at times, felt alienating and lonely. I have glowered at German pharmacists for prescribing me time to treat what I know full well is a yeast infection. (Vaginalpilz, by the way, translates to vagina mushroom.) I have waited impatiently as a German cashier ignores me and my drug store purchases to finish their sandwich or purl another row on the hat theyre knitting at the register, and I have on multiple occasions received an automated email explaining that the specific person I need to contact for something urgent will be on leave for the next three to six months. So while I find that German health care largely functions as a harmonious marriage between holism and modernity, it sometimes moves at a comically lackadaisical pace. Finding a psychotherapist covered by public insurance, for instance, can take months of phone calls, unexpectedly canceled sessions, and more red tape than depressed people are typically apt to handle. Nothing is perfectnot even close.

But living and healing in Berlin has also reminded me of who I am without all the superfluous stuffnot an overzealous producer or consumer, but a human with evolving needs; a human who believes everyone deserves care; a human who was courageous/stupid enough to move to a foreign country without a plan and lucky enough to receive some of its benefits during a global crisis.

The city is almost fully open. Berliners with bleached mushroom cuts and androgynous black tunics obediently don their fetish masks to board the U-Bahn. An older woman, craving familiarity, braves the grocery store for one solitary dark, seedy loaf of German bread. I meet some friends at a forest rave, where everyone dances together from a safe distance, as if this is how theyve always done things. Im grateful to unlearn my old ways among them.

Originally Appeared on Bon Appetit
Public Health experts in North Carolina have raised concerns about officials at this years Republican National Convention not enforcing Covid-19 regulations.

Gibbie Harris, Mecklenburg public health director, said she was concerned about the lack of face mask-wearing at the event, which began on Monday at the Charlotte Convention Center.

I have just shared concern about the lack of mask-wearing and social distancing in the room at the RNC Roll Call Meeting with the RNC Convention staff, Ms Harris said in a statement on Monday.

I have been assured that they are working hard to address these issues. All attendees agreed to comply with the requirements prior to attending and were informed that these requirements would be enforced.

According to the Charlotte Observer, RNC officials had previously assured Ms Harriss office that they would enforce North Carolinas statewide mandate on face masks, which stipulates that they must be worn in public places.

On the day that Mr Trump officially accepted the Republican Party nomination for president, around 300 party delegates gathered at the convention centre.

Photos from inside the RNC show some delegates appearing to flout the rules by not wearing face masks  and appearing to continue doing so even after Ms Harris had raised the issue with GOP staff running the convention, the Charlotte Observer report states.

Images also showed some attendees huddling together in small groups and shaking hands during intervals in the days proceedings. The Independent has contacted the RNC for comment.

The first day of the 2020 Republican convention began early in the day as Mr Trump and his vice president Mike Pence accepted their nominations to re-run for office.

Recommended Trump makes bid for empathy on opening night of RNC

The president paid a surprise visit to the city, where he warned delegates that the only way they can take this election away from us is if this is a rigged election, raising anew his unsupported concerns about Americans expected reliance on mail voting during the pandemic.

Experts say mail voting has proven remarkably secure.

The fact the Republicans gathered at all stood in contrast to the Democrats, who held an all-virtual convention last week. The Democratic programming included a well-received roll call video montage featuring diverse officials from across the nation.

On day two of the convention, Republicans will hear from Eric, Tiffany and Melania Trump, as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Senator Rand Paul. Nicholas Sandmann, who featured in a viral video last year in front of the Lincoln Memorial in the nations capital, is also scheduled to speak.
LifeStyle

The best Lifestyle shows are right here, from Australia and around the world. Catch up with the experts on home design and interiors, food and cooking, the property market, and get fresh ideas with the savviest of renovators. Whether you need inspiration for cooking up a storm, to refresh a tired room, or tips to sell your property, Foxtel Lifestyle will always something new for you to watch. Enjoy your favourite experts like Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, or Shaynna Blaze and Jamie Oliver live or On Demand.
Donald Trump Jr., the eldest child of President Donald Trump, warned of the consequences that the country might face if voters do not reelect his father in the 2020 election.

Trump Jr., 42, and his girlfriend and former San Francisco First Lady Kimberly Guilfoyle rallied GOP voters on the first night of the Republican National Convention (RNC).

They painted a dark picture of a future and warned a nation in decline if voters didn't reelect his father.

"People of faith are under attack. You're not allowed to go to church, but mass chaos in the streets gets a pass. It's almost like this election is shaping up to be a church, work, and school vs. rioting, looting, and vandalism - or, in the words of Biden and the Democrats, 'peaceful protesting'," Trump Jr. said.

According to LATimes, Trump Jr. is among the most popular and forceful surrogates on the President's campaign trail. Trump Jr. is also regularly using his massive social media presence to reach out to his father's supporters. However, he is a controversial figure who routinely pushes out and disproves conspiracy theories.

The oldest son of the President praised his father and described him as "the man who represents a bright and beautiful future for all."

Trump Jr. also reiterated his father's record of combating the health crisis due to COVID-19. The younger Trump emphasized that the President acted quickly and ensured that ventilators go to hospitals, which are needed most, as the virus began to spread.

Trump Jr. also said that his father delivered personal protective equipment (PPE) to the brave frontliners and "rallied the mighty American private sector to tackle the new challenge."

"There is more work to do, but there is light at the end of the tunnel," the President's son said.

Pointing to an economy that was nearly flattened by the coronavirus, the younger Trump highlighted that "job gains are outpacing what the so-called experts expected."

Trump Jr. has become a top Republican fundraiser and his father's most-requested campaign surrogate as he excites the party's populist base, as per FoxNews.

On the other hand, Trump Jr.'s 51-year-old girlfriend, whose parents are from Puerto Rico and Ireland, spoke about her experience on the first night of RNC.

"As a first-generation American, I know how dangerous their socialist agenda is," Guilfoyle said.

She added that her mother, Mercedes, was a special education teacher from Puerto Rico and her father was also an immigrant who came to the U.S. in pursuit of the American dream. Guilfoyle noted that she considers it her duty to fight and protect that dream.

Guilfoyle also also railed against the Democrats, traffickers spilling across the border, warning of rioters destroying cities, and socialist policies taking root in the nation's schools.

This year, the San Francisco native became the national chairwoman of the Trump Victory Finance committee, and with Trump Jr., they often headline fundraising events together.

Check these out:

Stimulus Check Frauds Horribly Spike to Over $100 Million Losses from US Citizens

House Approves a Legislation that Includes $25 Billion Aid to US Postal Service

Stimulus Checks, Second Round: Possible to Come After Voting for US Postal Service Funding
A mum has been slammed for an online au pair advertisement which offered $900 for nine days of work.

The mother-of-two, from Sydney's North Shore, is looking for a 'happy lady' to assist the family's live-in au pair in September.

She explained the 'host mum was going in for surgery' in an ad posted to a Facebook group for nannies, au pairs and babysitters.

'I need a happy lady who is reliable and helpful to assist our current live-in au pair with all duties,' the ad reads.

A mum has been slammed for an online au pair advertisement which offered $900 for nine days of work (stock image)

The successful applicant will stay in the family's 'luxury home' for nine days and will be paid $900.

She would be required to work for nine hours each day, with a five-hour break in the middle. The working hours are 6am to 10.30am and 3.30pm to 8pm.

The post said the worker would get 'extras' including free internet and use of the cinema room.

'You will be working alongside our full-time live-in au pair to assist her with all duties related to home and our two daughters, aged ten and three,' the ad concluded.

Members of the Facebook group quickly questioned the cash incentive on offer, claiming young women were being ripped off for the number of hours of work.

'I think this is taking advantage of young females,' wrote one.

The mother-of-two, from Sydney's North Shore, is looking for a 'happy lady' to assist the family's live-in au pair in September. She explained the 'host mum was going in for surgery' in an ad posted to a Facebook group for nannies, au pairs and babysitters

'Working 63 hours a week is clearly not an au pair position, but a nanny one, and should be paid as such.

'Just because 'someone in need might want this position' does not make it fair.

'No one should be allowed to pay less than minimum wage because people are desperate.'

'Very sad to see people taking full advantage of young females in unprecedented times,' another wrote.

A third said: 'As it's only for nine days, the 'au pair' would still need to pay her rent.'

But others argued it was a good offer for those struggling to come by work.

'There are a lot of students without jobs, and au pairs without a host family, so $900 for nine days with accommodation and food is good,' one said.

'I agree, it'd help someone in a tough situation,' another added.
Kimberly Guilfoyle, the former Fox News host who now reportedly earns $180,000 a year traveling to promote President Trump, delivered an animated prime-time speech Monday during the first night of the Republican National Convention. Most of her remarks focused on Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, portraying his agenda for America as aimed at authoritarian strong-man socialism and rampant crime. She also suggested Puerto Rico isn't part of the U.S. and said Democrats had ruined California, her home state, currently run by ex-husband Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

"As a first-generation American, I know how dangerous their socialist agenda is," Guilfoyle said of Biden's proposals. "My mother, Mercedes, was a special education teacher from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. My father, also an immigrant, came to this nation in pursuit of the American Dream." That dream brought him from Ireland to San Francisco, where Guilfoyle was born and raised. Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917.

"The socialist policies which destroyed places like Cuba and Venezuela must not take root in our cities and our schools," Guilfoyle said. "If you want to see the socialist Biden-Harris future for our country, just take a look at California," which the Democrats have turned from a sort of paradise "into a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets, and blackouts in homes. In President Trump's America, we light things up, we don't dim them down." The rolling blackouts in the state now are due to rampant wildfires, unusually high temperatures, and also the large amounts of energy being used on things like air conditioning and, well, lighting things up.

Near the end, Guilfoyle turned to promoting what she called Trump's sunny plans for the U.S., getting progressively louder until she yelled the finale to the empty room: "The best is yet to come!" Watch below.

More stories from theweek.com

Black Monday for the religious right

Alaska attorney general resigns after sending inappropriate texts to state employee

House Democrat launches investigation into Pompeo's RNC speech


Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the online event (Photo: VNA)

Vientiane - Leaders of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) countries have spoken highly of their cooperation over the last two years and how it has contributed to improving living standards among people in the region, according to Lao media.

They made the comments at the third MLC Leaders Meeting held online on August 24 and chaired by Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.



Present at the virtual meeting were also Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, and Myanmar President U Win Myint.



They provided positive feedback on the implementation of the five-year action plan (2018-2022) within the MLC framework, as well as projects financed by a LMC special fund worth 300 million USD, both of which have contributed to promoting socio-economic development along the Mekong River.



The Lao PM praised the joint efforts of MLC member countries in carrying out human resources development projects, including of management staff and policy makers



Concluding the meeting, leaders from the six member countries - China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam - adopted the Vientiane Declaration and documents on future cooperation.
DevDays Asia 2020 Online features six keynote speakers and more than 50 sessions focused on seven main themes, including Data & AI, Business Applications, Cloud and DevOps, the Modern Workplace, Open Source, Security, and Industry Solutions. The conference, runs from August 19 th to August 26 th , is packed with panel discussions, keynote presentations, digital workshops, an online Hackathon, and sharing of the industry trends and technology development on Microsoft platforms. In response to the post pandemic new normal, this year's DevDays Asia is held fully digital, gathering IT experts, developers, students, and technology enthusiasts from all over the Asia Pacific region, and promoting Taiwan as a regional hub for tech talent.

''Based on the 5+2 Innovative Industries Plan, the Taiwan government has proposed six core strategic industries to help make Taiwan a force in the global economy." Taiwan's Executive Yuan Vice Premier Shen Jong-chin said. "Microsoft will be a key partner in accelerating the development and transformation of Taiwan's information and digital industries, strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises, and boosting employment and economic momentum."

Reiterating Microsoft's commitment to skill up Taiwan's next generation of tech talents, Microsoft Taiwan's General Manager Ken Sun said, ''COVID-19 has served as the catalyst that accelerated digital transformation journey across industries, with the adoption of data and AI as a key differentiator in their road to recovery." "'Tech Intensity' is a crucial factor contributing to business resiliency. Developers play a pivotal role because they stand at the forefront of the industrial transformation, leading the way to greater technology breakthrough. We look forward to connecting Taiwan's tech talent with global resources, as well as creating a comprehensive learning experience for them on the latest technology trends and industry practices.'' said Ken Sun, General Manager of Microsoft Taiwan.

Speaking at the press conference, Taiwan's Vice Minister of Economic Affairs, Lin Chuan-Neng hopes that private and public partnership will create more impact to Taiwan's businesses, ''At a time when enterprises are embracing the next wave of digitalization, we will join forces with Microsoft to not only connect world-class resources, but also embrace a brighter digital future. This year, DevDays Asia will bring together the best developers from the Asia Pacific region to exchange ideas and strengthen the tech intensity of talent and enterprises, empowering greater innovation."

In addition to raising the tech intensity of Asia-Pacific talent, Microsoft has partnered with Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs since 2017 to implement the IoT-as-a-Service Acceleration Program. The first phase began in 2017, aimed to include develop integrated IoT, technical enablement and increasing Taiwan IoT industry's global footprint. In just a few years, Microsoft has successfully secured 189 partnerships with Taiwanese manufacturers, helping more than 500 local enterprises obtain Microsoft network device certifications, creating a total output value of more than NT$3.64 billion (USD$123,691,750), including software and hardware sales and optimization of value-added services.

Dr. Hedy Ho, Chief of Marketing and Operations at Microsoft Taiwan announced the second phase of their collaboration, the establishment of the IoT Center of Excellence in Taiwan. The center lays out a future blueprint to realize value of AIoT and 5G opportunities for Taiwan high tech industries. Dr. Ho said, "The mission of our program is to accelerate 5GAIoT industry growth in Taiwan, with a special focus on the digital transformation to elevate industrial value chain and innovate business models. This Microsoft and Taiwan government joint program offers a great opportunity to leverage Microsoft partner ecosystem and shine in the global market. We look for to empower Taiwan IoT Industries to reimagine a future with endless possibilities."

SOURCE Microsoft Taiwan
African nations say they would strive to reach a successful conclusion to talks over the $4bn hydropower dam.

Ethiopia and Sudan have said they would make every effort to reach a deal on a giant hydropower dam on the Blue Nile River that has caused a bitter dispute between Addis Ababa and Cairo over water supplies.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Tuesday in the latest effort by the African nations to reach an agreement over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The two sides emphasised they would make every possible effort to reach a successful conclusion to the current tripartite negotiations, said a joint statement issued by Ethiopia and Sudan.

The talks between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt should lead to a formula that makes the dam a tool for regional integration, the statement added.

The two nations also lauded the African Union for its mediation in the matter, calling it a move that embodied African solutions for African problems.

Earlier this month, the three nations had agreed to present draft proposals over the management of the hydroelectric dam.





The GERD, situated in western Ethiopia on the Blue Nile River, has been contentious since Ethiopia broke ground on the $4bn project in 2011.

Negotiations have previously faltered over a demand from Egypt and Sudan that any deal should be legally binding, over the mechanism for resolving future disputes, and over how to manage the dam during periods of reduced rainfall or drought.

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 (19.5 trillion gallons) reservoir, sparking fear and confusion in Sudan and Egypt.

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 a 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.
To go around propagating that Physician Assistants in Ghana are not well trained for which reason they must be supervised by doctors is an insult to any rational thinking person. I have heard rumors and read articles to the effect that medical doctors in Ghana, at least their lobbyists, are scheming to make the physician assistant program as useless as they can.

I encountered a form signed by Dr, Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the director-general at the Ghana health service, where he endorsed that enrolled nurses and community health nurses (many of whom do not even have a diploma) can now go on study leave to read BSc. Physician assistantship.

There is nothing wrong with allowing health professionals to advance in their professional fields. My problem however is that I encountered a study leave form where a Senior Physician Assistant who had one of these same doctors as his district director of health denying him the opportunity to also advance to become a medical doctor.

What is the difference between a physician assistants work and the work of a medical doctor? Maybe I am yet to find out but the comment I read concerning why the senior physician assistant couldnt progress to take the medical course was simply because the director in his wisdom was of the view that the two courses were unrelated.

Physician Assistants attend to patients independently at their various places of work, be it at a health center, clinic or the hospital, and the patients they attend to are not dead. They are rational just like a banker, a policeman or even a Judge and can see, investigate, assess and refer cases to where they can be adequately solved. This is the same even at teaching hospitals where professors abound and M.Os struggle to find their feet during ward rounds. So I wonder why anyone so reasonable would think that because P.As mainly serve in the villages their service is not compactible with what is done by doctors and so cannot be granted study leave to read medicine.

When Ghanaian medical doctors begin to whisper about other healthcare professionals whom they think are not well trained, what are they actually referring to? Are they talking about a student who did not enter an institution from SHS with at least 6As 2Bs or they simply mean a person who read Physician Assistantship in any accredited university be it in Ghana or outside Ghana and has returned to practice in Ghana?

Let us face it. I am a physician Assistant simply because I am not interested in being a medical doctor. I think the doctors instead of saving lives are more interested in being greedy, self-centered, and above all hypocritical than they want to save lives.

Even whilst in training I could see that many Ghanaian doctors do not have that minimum level of intelligence that grants them the ability to think as scientists. Let me tell you a few stories of doctors I have encountered whilst still a student on clinical. I will tell you about a foreign-trained Ghanaian doctor, a Ghanaian trained doctor on housemanship, and then a Ghanaian trained doctor who is a Medical officer.

Sometime 2014 whilst I was still under training, I had the opportunity to be mentored by a Snr. Ghanaian doctor. He was an Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist and he had two of us to mentor, a fourth-year medical student from Ukraine and then myself a second-year physician assistant student.

This snr doctor mentored us for a while on how he was attending to patients. How he took the complaints examined and gave medications to suit the diagnoses. Whilst in the midst of it, there was an emergency (from I gathered from the phone call he received) so he quickly finished with his last patient and left us in the office to attend to whoever comes but to call on him where we are not sure.

Looking at it rationally, the medical student was senior to me so I gave him the main seat and took the side seat. In no time a child was rushed in. The mother complained that the child was usually itchy at night and showed us some rashes that we examined. I saw a heat rash, the tiny bumps surrounded by red skin on the childs back and around the neck. In order not to make it seem like we were two learners, I observed throughout. But even without him asking what I also thought should be our intervention he quickly scribbled Whitfields ointment and signed off.

I later asked him what he diagnosed and he said miliaria. I didnt know what it was then but as soon as possible I reached for my smartphone and realized that miliaria was the same as the heat rash but Whitfields was not the right medication. The patient might have already taken her medication by the time I realized it so I didnt want to make a case of it. After all he was training to be a medical doctor in Ukraine, maybe their textbooks differ.

The next experience I had was at no other place than at the Tema General Hospital. This was a place where many house officers came to do their house job. I wont talk about how petty they could get when it comes to their usual free lunch so let me just talk about the makeup doctor I, sorry let me say we encountered there.

This lady was a graduate from KNUST medical school. Anytime I saw her she was always on her smartphone shopping online for makeups, dresses, and shoes but whenever she sees student PAs then she begins to act up. One day during ward rounds at the emergency unit at the same facility she was asked by the senior medical officer to clerk an unconscious or was it a semi-unconscious patient that was rushed in.

I didnt have a look at the folder or what she might have written in there but just when she seems to have finished writing whatever she wanted to write at the patients bedside, she walked coyly to my friend who was also a P.A student, to ask him what she should score the unconscious patient on the Glasgow Coma Scale. We were both shocked at that point because to score anyone you just dont look at them from afar and score them, you would have to let them respond to a number of stimuli and then score them accordingly.

A few years ago, after I had finished the program, I saw her on one of our prime television channels giving a health talk to the public. At the time I knew her she couldnt even organize a presentation. I guess from even such a terrible beginning she has now gathered the needed confidence to do a health talk.

The most recent and final experience that made me give up on trying to determine the difference between a doctor and Physician Assistant was with a child in a ward I had been assigned to. This child was rushed in with loose bloody stool which contained insignificant faecal matter. The child was admitted by a medical officer and the initial diagnosis was dysentery with a differential of gastroenteritis.

I had continued managing the child for these conditions with the usual parenteral antibiotics for more than 24 hours but noticed no sign of improvement which was very strange from the little and experience I had derived from practice. I further examined the abdomen of the 3-month-old child and realized that there was more to what we were treating. I approached the medical officer who admitted the child and asked him to visit the ward and possibly re-examine the child.

The next day when I went back to the ward he had simply come to change the class of antibiotics to a more potent and expensive one. He wasnt one of the MOs who could use the ultrasound scan machine so I humbly approached the Medical Superintendent of the hospital to discuss the child. I gave him a brief history and concluded I was suspecting a case of intussusception.

He straight away laughed and asked if I knew what I was talking about. Usual of me I smiled and told him I do. He still did not believe me so I pleaded that he go and see the child for himself but he refused and directed me back to the same MO who had admitted the child and came to change just the antibiotics.

I told him I had already done that and he has come to see and has not done any changes except in the medication. I became so forceful that he finally asked me to go and bring the child myself for him to examine in the procedure room because he wasnt going to the ward. It didnt mean much to me so I discussed it with the mother and she followed me with the child to the procedure room.

He observed the child as I laid him on the examination table, toughed his abdomen, and as usual of doctors started asking about things I may not possibly have done. Did you do DRE I didnt answer that so he asked me to get him some gloves and gel. Not to bother you with the details the child ended up that night on the theatre bench.

He was confirmed to have intussusception and no one aside from the childs relative who thought I was simply a good doctor appreciated my effort. Not even the medical officer who only came to change the antibiotics came to apologize for not doing a thorough investigation when I ask him to.

Bad Medical doctors are everywhere, needless to mention the series of incidents that have been reported in the media lately at the ridge hospital where there are no P.As. And I can continue on this tangent and even tell you about a colleague in SHS who is now a doctor that I have personally hinted on what to write on his paper in our final WASSCE Chemistry exams.

Today he is also one of those who think they are superhumans just because they have become doctors. And I am sure almost everyone in Ghana knows a dumb person who by virtue of how much they can pay entered the medical school as either fee-paying and went abroad and returned as a doctor and is practicing.

But it shouldnt be so, doctors should not reduce the medical profession to the level where people in the practice would have to be disgracing and bad-mouthing one another as a way to gain superiority and gain monetary advantage from the government. This does not heal the patients that need the services of the health professionals. The medical profession comes in stages.

The work of nurses cannot be done by a doctor alone and that is why even nurses progress in various fields, be it eye care, theatre nursing, anesthetics, etc. so that where there are no doctors, these professionals can function to ameliorate the health of patients. The same way, the work of P.A is not that of a doctor. So why are they getting so insecure and want to play a supervisory role? Have they suddenly become so many in the country that they now need more work to do?

I have been a part of a healthcare team that screened the first badge of free Senior High School students of various health conditions in the Keta District. All the prescribers in the team who went to the field to attend to these students were Physician Assistants. We were told not to sign the forms as they will have to be vetted to ensure a thorough work was done.

The medical superintendent did not even visit the field once but I was told he would have to sign the forms. After the work was done and Government sent money to the hospital to be used in paying all the health workers who undertook this project, this med sup and those he considered his team shared the money among themselves.

As a member of the team who was on the field, I didnt even receive a dime and when I asked I was told that my name was omitted from the money list signed by the meds and they dont know why. For many doctors, this is the only reason why they have to be made supervisors of other health professionals. It is not about the job that they so willingly want to do, but it has everything to do with the greed for gain, the insecurity and their unending desire to get paid for work they havent done.

We truly must train our health professionals well. The doctors, the physician assistants, the nurses and all, we need to train them well morally and above all professionally. But the question has always been about where to find the angel to train us all.

Author: M.A.Y Kulewosi

Email :[email protected]
India and Vietnam on Tuesday agreed to add new momentum to their economic and defence engagement besides resolving to explore closer cooperation in sectors like civil nuclear energy and space.

The decisions were taken at a virtual meeting of the Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation which was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh.

"Both sides reviewed the recent developments in Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed the future trajectory of their wide-ranging engagement," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

"They agreed to add new momentum to the economic and defence engagement between the two countries and to explore closer cooperation in emerging areas such as civil nuclear energy, space, marine sciences and new technologies," it said in a statement.

It is learnt that the overall situation in South China Sea also figured in the talks. However, there is no official confirmation to it.

China claims sovereignty over all of South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons. However, several ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries, including Vietnam, Philippines and Brunei, have counter claims.

Last week, Vietnamese ambassador Pham Sanh Chau briefed Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla about the escalating tension in the South China sea after China significantly ramped up its military presence in the region.

Both sides agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral forums, including at the UN Security Council based on their strong convergence of views on many global and regional issues, the MEA said adding they also agreed to step up cooperation and coordination at important regional forums under the ASEAN framework.

?It said the co-chairs exchanged views on regional and issues of mutual interest, especially in the context of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

"Concluded the 17th Joint Commission Meeting. Thank Deputy PM and FM @FMPhamBinhMinh for co-chairing. Our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership keeps growing. Ensures peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

The MEA said Jaishankar expressed India's full support to Vietnam's chairmanship of ASEAN this year and appreciated the positive leadership provided by Vietnam to the bloc in a year when the world is faced with the COVID-19 pandemic.

"?India and Vietnam also agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation in line with India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN's Outlook on Indo-Pacific to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region," the MEA said.

"India invited Vietnam to collaborate on one of the seven pillars of the IPOI," it added.

An agreement for cooperation between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam was sealed on the margins of the Joint Commission Meeting.

A separate MoU was finalised between National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi and Scientific Research Institute of Sea and Islands, Hanoi.

In the meeting, Jaishankar underlined Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) for enhancing resilience and human-centric globalisation as the basis for India's economic revival, the MEA said.

He also reaffirmed India's development and capacity building assistance to Vietnam through initiatives such as Quick Impact Projects (QIP).

(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.)
Trump admin. rescinds rule barring international students from taking only online classes

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

UPDATE: 4 p.m. ET July 14: The Trump administration has agreed to rescind a new policy announced last week that couldve forced international college students on F1 visas to leave the United States if their schools are not offering in-person classes in the fall.

U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs in Massachusetts announced Tuesday that the administration has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology seeking to block the rule.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Burroughs confirmed that the government will rescind the policy and withdraw a related frequently-asked-questions document.

The settlement was praised by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, one of several faith-based organizations that voiced opposition to the rule.

Their proposal lacked compassion and fell short of American ideals, InterVarsity President Tom Lin said in a statement.

Original:

After announcing that all fall courses at its Pasadena campus will be online, Fuller Theological Seminary in California expressed a willingness Monday to alter plans for the fall semester so that international students wont be required to leave the United States under a federal rule.

In a statement, the evangelical institution voiced its opposition to a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement rule announced last week that impacts the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

The rule, which has been opposed by several education groups, universities and faith-based organizations, requires international students to either leave the U.S. or transfer schools if they are enrolled at institutions that will have only online classes in the fall.

Fuller, which was founded in 1947 and has over 2,600 students enrolled, vowed in its statement to do everything within its power to develop plans for the fall quarter that will enable our international students to fulfill their visa requirements and remain in the U.S. to continue their studies.

Fuller is waiting on specifics of rules from the Department of Homeland Security to know which legal parameters must be satisfied.

The Department of Homeland Security has added more burdensome requirements to international students amidst a global pandemic that not only compounds uncertainty but puts students at risk  simply because their educational institutions were forced to move classes online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the statement from the institution reads.



Under the new rule, international students already in the U.S. must either depart the country or transfer to a school where there will be in-person instruction to maintain their lawful status. Students who do not obey the order may face removal proceedings.

In late May, Fuller announced that all fall quarter courses on the Pasadena campus would be done fully online.

At the time, Fuller explained that administrators were exploring options for limited in-person classes at its regional campuses in Arizona and Texas but could not guarantee that such classes would be possible. Chances for in-person classes in Houston or Phoenix this fall might be in jeopardy as both Arizona and Texas have seen spikes in infections in recent weeks, but not a rise in deaths.

Fuller stressed in May that it would remain cautious in its approach. The school stressed that it did not want to reopen prematurely, risk public health and then have to deal with a second coronavirus outbreak that would require a shift back to online classes.

Fullers statement Monday reiterated the schools support for its international body, calling it one of the distinguishing factors of the university.

These international students contribute in immeasurable ways to our community and our mission in the world and deepen our understanding of theology, missiology, and psychology, the Fuller statement stresses. When they leave Fuller, they expand our reach around the world as scholars and practitioners whose work we continue to support. Fuller is a far better institution because of our international students.

Fullers announcement on Monday comes as the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, an educational association of which Fuller is a member of, is lobbying officials at the Department of Education for changes to the new policies.

CCCU President Shirley Hoogstra signed onto a letter last week led by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and also signed by leaders of several other Christian organizations sent to Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf.

The letter argued that requiring international students to leave the country just because their education this fall will be done entirely online could cause them financial disruption as they have paid tuition, secured housing, and incurred other costs.

Through no fault of their own, their universities and colleges have moved exclusively to on-line courses this fall to restrain the spread of COVID-19, the July 10 letter reads.

Fuller is monitoring the lawsuits filed by universities and states seeking to block the rule as some critics have accused President Donald Trump of using international students as a political issue to urge universities to reopen on-campus classes.

Whatever the outcome of these efforts by the CCCU and the pending litigation, Fuller will work toward protecting our international students and their ability to remain in the U.S., Fuller declared Monday.
T here is no increased risk of severe Covid-19 for healthy pregnant women, a new study suggests.

It comes after pregnant women in the UK were included on a list of those deemed to be at moderate risk at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

While there was no concrete evidence, pregnant women were added to the list of those deemed to be vulnerable as a precaution.

But a new observational study concludes that healthy pregnant women are at no higher risk of severe disease than women who are not pregnant.

However, like the general population, pregnant women who have some pre-existing conditions are at an increased risk of more severe Covid-19.

Those who have lung disease or diabetes are among those highlighted as being at increased risk, according to the study  which is yet to be peer-reviewed and has been published as a pre-print.

Coronavirus hits the UK - In pictures 1 /81 Coronavirus hits the UK - In pictures A deserted Westminster Bridge PA A man wearing a face mask or covering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, walks past customers sat outside a restaurant AFP via Getty Images Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Runners pass cardboard cutouts of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William during the London Marathon in London AP An empty escalator at Charing Coss London Underground tube station Jeremy Selwyn Electronic bilboards displays a message warning people to stay home in Sheffield PA A sign is displayed in the window of a student accommodation building following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Mancheste Reuters People take part in a 'We Do Not Consent' rally at Trafalgar Square, organised by Stop New Normal, to protest against coronavirus restrictions, in Londo AP People sing and dance in Leicester Square on the eve on the 10PM curfew Reuters Hearts painted by a team of artists from Upfest are seen in the grass at Queen Square, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Bristol Reuters Graffiti reads 'good luck and stay safe', as the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases grow around the world, under a bridge in London Reuters A sign is pictured in Soho, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in London Reuters Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures, during a coronavirus briefing in Downing Street, London AP A person runs past posters with a message of hope, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Manchester REUTERS Riot police face protesters who took part in a 'We Do Not Consent' rally at Trafalgar Square, organised by Stop New Normal, to protest against coronavirus restrictions in London AP An image of The Queen eith quotes from her broadcast to the UK and the Commonwealth in relation to the Coronavirus epidemic are displayed on lights in London's Piccadilly Circus PA Military vehicles cross Westminster Bridge after members of the 101 Logistic Brigade delivered a consignment of medical masks to St Thomas' hospital Getty Images Durdle Door in Dorset Reuters Captain Tom Moore via Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Coronavirus outbreak PA An NHS worker reacts at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital during the Clap for our Carers campaign in support of the NHS Reuters Goats which have taken over the deserted streets of Llandudno @AndrewStuart via PA Tobias Weller PA Novikov restaurant in London with its shutters pulled down while the restaurant is closed London Landscapes: Hyde Park and the Serpentine, central London. Matt Writtle A newspaper vendor in Manchester city centre giving away free toilet rolls with every paper bought as shops run low on supplies due to fears over the spread of the coronavirus PA Theo Clay looks out of his window next to his hand-drawn picture of a rainbow in Liverpool, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue Reuters A young man cuts another man's hair on top of a closed hairdresser in Oxford Reuters General view of the new NHS Nightingale Hospital, built to fight against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in London via Reuters Jason Baird is seen dressed as Spiderman during his daily exercise to cheer up local children in Stockport, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters A woman wearing a face mask walks past Buckingham Palace Getty Images A man holds mobile phone displaying a text message alert sent by the government warning that new rules are in force across the UK and people must stay at home PA Medical staff on the Covid-19 ward at the Neath Port Talbot Hospital, in Wales, as the health services continue their response to the coronavirus outbreak. PA Prime Minister Boris Johnson taking part in a virtual Cabinet meeting with his top team of ministers PA A shopper walks past empty shelves in a Lidl store on in Wallington. After spates of "panic buying" cleared supermarket shelves of items like toilet paper and cleaning products, stores across the UK have introduced limits on purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have also created special time slots for the elderly and other shoppers vulnerable to the new coronavirus. Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour PA Mia, aged 8 and her brother Jack, aged 5 from Essex, continue their school work at home, after being sent home due to the coronavirus PA Children are painting 'Chase the rainbows' artwork and springing up in windows across the country Reuters Social distancing in Primrose Hill Jeremy Selwyn A general view of a locked gate at Anfield, Liverpool as The Premier League has been suspended PA Homeless people in London AFP via Getty Images A piece of art by the artist, known as the Rebel Bear has appeared on a wall on Bank Street in Glasgow. The new addition to Glasgow's street art is capturing the global Coronavirus crisis. The piece features a woman and a man pulling back to give each other a kiss PA The Queen leaves Buckingham Palace, London, for Windsor Castle to socially distance herself amid the coronavirus pandemic PA A general view on Grey street, Newcastle as coronavirus cases grow around the world Reuters Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA Britain's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty (L) and Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance look on as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he speaks during a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) news conference inside 10 Downing Street Reuters The ticket-validation terminals at the tram stop on Edinburgh's Princes Street are cleaned following the coronavirus outbreak. PA Locked school gates at Rockcliffe First School in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear PA A sign at a Sainsbury's supermarket informs customers that limits have been set on a small number of products as the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases grow around the world Reuters Jawad Javed delivers coronavirus protection kits that he and his wife have put together to the vulnerable people of their community of Stenhousemuir, between Glasgow and Edinburgh AFP via Getty Images A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" Getty Images A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A pedestrian walks past graffiti that reads "Diseases are in the City" in Edinburgh AFP via Getty Images Staff from The Lyric Theatre, London inform patrons, as it shuts its doors PA A quiet looking George IV Bridge in Edinburgh PA A quieter than usual British Museum Getty Images A racegoer attends Cheltenham in a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com A commuter wears a face mask at London Bridge Station Jeremy Selwyn A empty restaurant in the Bull Ring Shopping Centre Getty Images A deserted Trafalgar Square in London PA Passengers determined to avoid the coronavirus before leaving the UK arrive at Gatwick Airport Getty Images

Researchers said that pregnant women with pre-existing conditions require careful monitoring if they become infected with the new coronavirus.

The team from Kings College London drew on data from people in Britain and Sweden participating in the Covid Symptom Study app and responses to the US-based Facebook Covid-19 Symptom Survey.

In the first group, the researchers analysed self-reported health data from around 14,000 pregnant women using the Covid Symptom Study app.

Coronavirus in England: Areas with most new cases per 100,000 people

Among this group, 629 were deemed likely to have Covid-19 based on their symptoms and 21 were taken to hospital.

Scientists compared this with data from 387,000 non-pregnant female app users, where just over 25,000 were suspected to have the disease and nearly 600 ended up in hospital.

For the second group, the team looked at around 1.3 million survey responses from women, including nearly 42,000 from those who said they were pregnant. Just 2.9 per cent of the pregnant respondents were suspected to have Covid-19, compared with 4 per cent of the non-pregnant women.

Among those who did not require hospital care, the most frequent symptoms were loss of sense of taste and smell (anosmia) and headache.

For pregnant women who were taken to hospital, they frequently reported symptoms of a persistent cough and chest pain.

There was an increased incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting in the group of pregnant women who became most severely ill with Covid-19, which could be confused with similar symptoms that are due to the pregnancy itself, the researchers said.

Marc Modat, senior lecturer at Kings College London, said: Our study highlights the power of gathering and analysing large-scale health data to understand how Covid-19 affects different groups within the population.

We need to encourage as many people as possible to use simple health technology like the Covid Symptom Study app to shed light on this new disease and monitor its progress over the months ahead.

Dr Erika Molteni from Kings College London added: Although our findings should be reassuring for healthy women who are pregnant at this time, it highlights the importance of protecting those with underlying health conditions and keeping a close eye on them during their pregnancy, particularly if they start showing symptoms of Covid-19.

Its vital that we all keep taking steps to protect the health of everyone in our communities by sticking to social distancing guidelines, wearing face coverings in public and following good hand hygiene practices.
A suspected Islamic State militant planning what Turkish authorities have labeled a sensational attack was detained in Istanbul, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported Tuesday. Details were scant; the militant, identified solely by the initials H.S., was apprehended in a raid on a hotel in the citys Kucukcekmece suburb. The mans nationality was not revealed but he had crossed illegally in to the border province of Gaziantep from Syria and was in possession of an automatic rifle, ammunition and spare magazines. He had staked out Istanbuls central Taksim Square, frequented by tourists and home to numerous bars, in apparent preparation for the attack, Anadolu reported.

Police detained six other suspected IS militants in the central Anatolian province of Kayseri in dawn raids, the English-language Daily Sabah reported.

No information about their provenance or plans is available. Coming on the heels of a separate anti-IS raid in the province of Bursa this month, the arrests point to Turkey having a festering IS problem. The most recent Defense Department inspector generals report on the US military mission in Iraq and Syria called its NATO ally a a major facilitation hub for IS operatives, financing and weapons. It acknowledged, however, that Turkey was doing more in recent years to counter IS as the group seeks to resurrect itself in Iraq and Syria.

Turkey designated IS as a terrorist organization in 2013, but it has long been accused of serving as a jihadi highway with security forces looking the other way as thousands of foreign fighters and Turkish nationals flowed illicitly through its porous 911-kilometer (566-mile) border with Syria.

A June 29 report by the International Crisis Group, an independent conflict prevention organization, estimated that 5,000-9,000 Turkish nationals, more than from most countries, had traveled to Syria to live in the IS caliphate before it crumbled definitively in March 2019 at the hands of the US-led coalition and their Kurdish allies. Thousands have since returned, with many slipping undetected back across the border.

Turkey has boasted of secret missions to exfiltrate Turkish IS fighters families from the notorious al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria. Its unclear what sort of vetting, if any, such individuals undergo ahead of their repatriation. Prosecutors and judges largely assume that women who went to Syria or Iraq to live under [IS] rule were simply obeying their husbands and had little agency, the report observed. Yet its been well established that women contributed to some of the worst excesses of IS, including the enslavement of Yazidi women and children.

Berkay Mandiraci, a Crisis Group analyst who co-authored the report, said as of the end of 2019 there were around 450 Turkish citizens and 750 foreigners from 40 different countries being held in Turkish prisons over their alleged links to the jihadis. Particularly since 2017, Turkish security agencies have devised effective, hard security measures to keep in check IS operatives in Turkey, including returnees from Syria and Iraq. They have done so by tracking individuals through intensive surveillance, intimidating those who they assessed remain engaged with militants, and by infiltrating into what is left of IS networks, Mandiraci told Al-Monitor.

Turkey was finally jolted into action when IS attacked a police station in Gaziantep in May 2016 and went on to target the countrys multi-billion-dollar tourism industry. Until then, the jihadis had focused their attacks on pro-Kurdish activists, killing 147 people in separate attacks in Suruc, Diyarbakir and Ankara in 2015, just as the Turkish military escalated its attacks against US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces combatting IS.

These measures, together with IS diminished allure, have helped prevent new attacks since January 2017, Mandiraci said. However, there remains an unknown and sizeable number of IS-affiliated foreigners in Turkey who are connected to lesser known cells and far harder to track down, he added.

An abiding problem is that Turkish officials continue to view IS as a lesser threat than Kurdish insurgents and alleged disciples of the Pennsylvania-based preacher Fethullah Gulen who sought to bloodily overthrow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a thwarted coup in July 2016. They might want to reconsider that order. Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi, a British specialist on militant groups in Syria, recalled that IS considers Erdogan and the Turkish government apostates on account of the system of government there, and are hence seen as legitimate targets.

Erdogans increasingly overt embrace of political Islam, telegraphed by last month's conversion of the world famous Hagia Sophia cathedral to a mosque, has left the jihadis unimpressed. Al-Tamimi told Al-Monitor, The Islamic State outlined its position on the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque in issue 243 of its al-Naba newsletter. [It] rejects the idea that opening the Haghia Sophia as a mosque justifies the means by which it was realized: namely, resorting to the arbitration of a court deemed un-Islamic. Al-Tamimi continued, The group asserts the greatest interest is Tawheed [the oneness of God] and rejecting shirk [the sin of idolatry], and that is to take precedence over something like the opening of the Hagia Sophia as a mosque.
On Monday, Sonia Gandhi was requested by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to continue to lead the party till a session of AICC is held.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi may have a small committee to assist party her and also appoint vice-presidents, party sources said. Sonia Gandhi was on Monday requested by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to continue to lead the party till a session of AICC is held. The sources said some leaders may be attached to her to decrease her workload.

With the CWC meeting held in the backdrop of the letter of 20 party leaders to Sonia Gandhi which raised some heckles, several leaders expressed their views in the meeting lasted for over seven hours. The letter spoke about the need for sweeping reforms including full time active leadership, referred to need of institutional collective leadership to guide the partys revival and sought elections to CWC.

Party leader Ahmed Patel is learnt to have asked Anand Sharma, who is a signatory to the letter, about the mention of collective leadership in the letter and its implications. He is also learnt to have said that Sharma was an expert in drafting and asked if he had read the letter before signing it.

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput case LIVE news updates: CBI summons Pithani for third consecutive day

Also read: High voltage drama at CWC meet over Rahuls colluding with BJP charge

Sources said party leader Rahul Gandhi said that the letter was leaked to media, which he alleged was in the grip of BJP. Mukul Wasnik is learnt to have said that he owes his position to Sonia Gandhi and he signed the letter keeping in mind the best interests of the party and raised issues with a clean heart.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is learnt to have told the committee that everyone should be heard in the party. Rajiv Satav is learnt to have taken potshots at some leaders who had taken written the letter. Sonia Gandhi said at the meeting that she did not have ill-will against anyone.

The CWC on Monday again unanimously requested Sonia Gandhi to continue to lead the Indian National Congress until such time as circumstances will permit an AICC session to be convened.

The crucial meeting of CWC, the partys highest decision-making body, adopted a resolution which authorised Sonia Gandhi to affect necessary organisational changes that she may deem appropriate to take on the challenges faced by the party.

Apart from hailing the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, the CWC also lauded the role of party leader Rahul Gandhi, saying he has resolutely led the fight against the BJP-led government from the front.

The resolution said CWC makes it clear that no one will be or can be permitted to undermine or weaken the party and its leadership at this juncture.

It said the responsibility of every Congress worker and leader today is to fight the pernicious assault on Indias democracy, pluralism and diversity by the Modi Government.

The resolution said inner-party issues cannot be deliberated through the media or in public for and urged and advises all concerned to raise such issues only in party fora in the interest of propriety and discipline.

Sonia Gandhi was appointed as an interim president on August 10, 2019, by the CWC after Rahul Gandhi stepped down as party chief taking the responsibility for the partys dismal performance in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Also read: Prashant Bhushan refuses to say sorry to SC, says apology would be contempt of my conscience
A dangerous driver who killed a hero firefighter during the catastrophic Black Summer has been jailed.

Novak John Selby, 47, was behind the wheel of the car which smashed into a ute carrying two firefighters near Thornton, north-east of Melbourne, on January 3.

Father of two, Mat Kavanagh, 43, died on impact, leaving behind wife Jude to raise their two young children alone.

Father of two, Mat Kavanagh, 43, (Pictured with wife Jude) died after being hit near Thornton, north-east of Melbourne, on January 3

Selby initially blamed the driver of the other car for the crash, but later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and submitted an apology to the family.

The 47-year-old was on Tuesday sentenced to two years and three months in jail.

Selby was driving along Goulburn Valley Highway when he veered onto the wrong side of the road and slammed into the oncoming vehicle.

The car was carrying two fire management workers who had been visiting campsites in the alpine region.

While police discovered cannabis in Selby's system at the time of the crash it was found the tragedy was a result of 'momentary inattention.'

Kavanagh (pictured) worked for Forest Fire Management Victoria and had fought bushfires in Marysville on Black Saturday in 2009

Kavanagh had been visiting campsites in the alpine region (pictured) to check no fires were left burning during the Black Summer bushfires in January 2020

In handing down the sentence Judge Gavan Meredith took into account a 'degree of remorse' by the driver, as outlined in a letter of apology from Selby.

He said the driver's actions had resulted in 'catastrophic consequences' for the victim's family.

His devastated wife told the court: 'I've never lost anything so suddenly before. I no longer have a husband to share the highs and lows of life.

'It's not fair that the kids will grow up without their father.'

Selby will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 15 months behind bars.
I WAS informed that there were some persons who reacted violently to my column last Monday, Aug. 24, entitled Stop using rapid test-DOH. They even accused me of spreading fake news, imputing malice, being ignorant and kulang sa pansin.

First, on spreading fake news? I just quoted an online CNN Philippines report published last Aug. 22. Second, malice is only in the minds of malicious people. Third, ignorant? I think I am not that dumb because I can comprehend what I read. Lastly, I dont need to make a gimmick so that people will read or listen to me. I am just expressing my thought and took a stand on issues. As the SunStar motto says: Take a stand.

An appointed official who, like me, has no medical background lectured me about the various types of Covid-19 tests on his Facebook page where he attached my column. I must admit that I dont have any medical background. I did not have any medical subject during my college days because I was in the field of broadcast journalism. If I discussed issues about medical matters in my columns and broadcast an issue like Covid, they are a product of painstaking, thorough reading and comprehension on the subject matter, doing research and quoting experts.

But, wait a minute, why should they take it personally against me when I was just quoting Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire? They should argue and debate with Vergeire and not with Bobby Nalzaro. The article was based on Vergeires virtual forum with local chief executives warning them about the use of rapid anti-body test, that its not accurate and reliable. This theory was also supported by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Maybe my comment on a hidden agenda as reason for pushing the rapid anti-body testing despite it being discouraged offended them. Well, I am not pointing an accusing finger against anybody as committing corruption or doing shenanigans, but that is a natural public reaction and perception. Why force the issue when experts discourage the use of the rapid test? We know how some government officials deal with transactions. They resort to overpricing, under the table transactions and commissions and the suppliers are their business associates, relatives and dummies.

Story continues

They also accused me of being an anti-Duterte. No, I am not anti-Duterte. In fact, I supported some of the policies of this administration. What I dont like is that there are some people in this administration who are using their power and influence to take advantage of this situation for their own personal gain and selfish interest. They are opportunists.

*****

Does the government have the power to charge any individual who refuses to undergo a swab test? Yes. The Department of Health (DOH) announced last Monday, Aug. 24, that people who refuse to undergo swab test might face stiff fines or a jail term.

Vergeire said this is covered by Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, which prohibits non-cooperation of individuals.

Let us remember that if you refuse a swab test or do not cooperate with local health officials, you are not the only one affected because this is an infectious disease. You can infect your family and the entire community, Vergeire said.

She explained that if you have been approached by the local government to get swabbed, it means you were identified to be exposed or you have symptoms. Under RA 11332, a violation may be punished with a fine of not less than P20,000 but not more than P50,000 or imprisonment of not less than a month but not more than six months.
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a meeting with weekly bazaar associations, in New Delhi on Aug 25, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a meeting with weekly bazaar associations, in New Delhi on Aug 25, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a meeting with weekly bazaar associations, in New Delhi on Aug 25, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a meeting with weekly bazaar associations, in New Delhi on Aug 25, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Aug 25 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced that a system will be developed for revamping weekly markets on the lines of Hong Kong, with the aim to convert them into popular tourist destinations.

Noting that there is a need to reopen the shops and businesses that remained shut for a long period of time due to the Coronavirus-triggered crisis, Kejriwal said: "Currently, we are having a fragile situation... and there is no source of revenue or tax for the Delhi government." He, however, assured that his government has planned a management system that would ensure the subsidies being provided to the people do not stop.

"We could have stopped the subsidies including the free bus rides for women, and on water and electricity but decided to keep them going because this is the need of the hour," Kejriwal said, while expressing his views in a meeting with the weekly market associations.

The meeting was organised to discuss measures to revive the sector in the national capital following the Delhi Disaster Management Authority's recent decision to allow opening of weekly markets on a trial basis.

In this direction, Kejriwal sought the help of the people, including the market associations, to strengthen the economy of Delhi.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, however, requested the associations to maintain social distancing in the markets, sounding a warning that if they fail to do so the government officials may initiate action and that could have an effect on the flow of customers.

"This is important so that the opening of markets on a trial basis is soon converted into a permanent plan by the Lt. Governor, and I will be able to advocate for the permanent opening of all weekly markets," Kejriwal said.

He said the government will create a proper management system so that more people are attracted to the weekly markets in the coming days.

"The area of Chandni Chowk has been revamped. More and more tourists will start visiting the area. We will develop a system for setting up weekly markets so that tourists from countries like the US also visit the weekly markets," the AAP leader said.

"We will also develop a proper system just like it is done in countries like Hong Kong," he added.

Talking on the health scenario, he said: "We have controlled dengue in the national capital last year, and also controlled the coronavirus pandemic this year." Kejriwal said the Delhi model of fighting coronavirus is discussed across the entire world.
Belarusian authorities stepped up arrests of political opponents and strike leaders Monday, after Sunday saw the latest unprecedented demonstration against President Alexander Lukashenko's disputed re-election.

While the protest movement against Lukashenko's 26-year reign entered its third week, the man known as "Europe's last dictator" responded with fresh rhetoric and martial imagery.

Most prominently, Nobel Literature Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich was summoned for questioning over her ties to the opposition.

Alexievich, who won the Nobel Prize in 2015, has supported opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and is a member of the Coordination Council set up by her allies to oversee a peaceful transition of power, although the 72-year-old writer has not attended its sessions.

The Investigative Committee summoned Alexievich for questioning on Wednesday as a witness in an ongoing criminal probe into the council's creation, focusing on alleged calls to seize power.

Another presidium member, former arts minister and diplomat Pavel Latushko, faces questioning on Tuesday.

The announcement came hours after police reported the detention of two other Coordination Council members on suspicion of organising illegal strikes.

Meanwhile a top US diplomat met Tikhanovskaya in Lithuania after tens of thousands took part in some of the largest protests in the country's recent history for a second Sunday in a row.

'We are under pressure'

Tikhanovskaya fled to neighbouring Lithuania after August 9 polls that she claims to have won against Lukashenko. His insistence on his own landslide victory and police violence against demonstrators have sparked the huge protests against his rule.

The opposition said two members of its Coordination Council were detained on Monday: Sergei Dylevsky, a tractor plant worker who has come to prominence as a strike leader and Olga Kovalkova, a member of Tikhanovskaya's staff.

Story continues

Allies of Tikhanovskaya formed the council this month to oversee efforts for a peaceful transition of power.

"We are under pressure. This morning two members of the presidium of the Coordination Council were detained," another presidium member, Liliya Vlasova, told a press conference.

Vlasova, a lawyer and mediator, said Dylevsky and Kovalkova were accused of illegally organising a strike, an administrative offence.

A mobile phone video by a witness posted by news site Tut.by apparently showed Dylevsky and Kovalkova being led to a police van, watched by uniformed workers from the Belarus tractor plant.

Three more people were arrested Monday evening on the sidelines of an opposition protest in capital Minsk.

Call with Putin

"We consider these actions of the authorities are absolutely unlawful," Vlasova said. "We are negotiators."

Vlasova said that investigators had also summoned her for questioning later Monday.

In the industrial city of Soligorsk, police detained a strike leader at the Belaruskaly potash plant, Anatoly Bokun, and another, Alexander Lavrinovich, at the MZKT plant, which makes heavy-duty trucks, factory workers told AFP.

US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun met Tikhanovskaya in Lithuania, calling her a "very impressive person".

He condemned "the violation of human rights and brutality that we've seen play out in Belarus," saying Belarusians must "determine their own future".

Tikhanovskaya said Lukashenko "does not have the support either of the Belarusian people or the international community".

Visiting Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called for Lukashenko "not to resort to violence, to respect the rights of the protesters".

The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had spoken by phone with Lukashenko on Monday, the latest in a series of calls between the two leaders, whose countries are closely linked.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised protesters for lack of "provocations" and said law enforcement behaved "very appropriately" during Sunday's demonstration.

While police did not crack down at the time, the opposition warned Monday that anyone who took part could potentially be detained.

'Belarus will not waver'

As the vast crowd of protesters held their unsanctioned march through Minsk, Lukashenko mounted a bizarre display of force.

Footage released by his press service showed him landing at his residence in Minsk with his 15-year-old son Nikolai, both in bullet-proof vests and carrying assault rifles. He then praised riot police manning a heavily fortified barricade as "beautiful guys".

On Monday the presidency and state news agency Belta used the footage in a montage set to stirring music, titled "Belarus will not waver". It featured scenes of heavily armed riot police and warnings that Lukashenko will impose "order".

Tikhanovskaya's campaign ally and Coordination Council member Maria Kolesnikova on Monday called for an official investigation into how Nikolai, a minor, was allowed to carry a combat weapon, and ridiculed Lukashenko.

"We think it's very strange when someone who heads a country allows himself to run about in very strange clothing, with a very strange weapon in the centre of Minsk," she said.

"If he thinks 80 percent of Belarusians voted for him, why does he fearfully hide behind barbed wire and those chains of 'beautiful guys'?"

(AFP)
MANZINI  We were ready.

This is what teachers said on the first day of reopening of schools for Form III pupils.

Most attested that it was a smooth reopening following a five months closure. When this reporter visited the schools located within the city of Manzini, lessons were already underway as Form III pupils started with COVID-19 training, conducted by educators who are members of the schools COVID-19 task teams.

During a tour of Manzini Nazarene High School, Geography teacher and the schools COVID-19 task team leader, Bongani Ndlangamandla, said although the announcement for Form IIIs to return to school came at short notice, the school was prepared to accommodate the 158 pupils.

Upon entry into the school, there were hand-washing facilities available at the gate.

Facilities

There are four such facilities on the schools premises, with two additional facilities within the boarding facilities. According to Ndlangamandla, the school has adopted a shift system for learning which will see Form III pupils commence lessons from 7:10am to 12:30pm, while Form V pupils will start from 12:30pm to 4:30pm. This, Ndlangamandla said, was the schools system in ensuring that there was no contact between the two grades, however, it would be altered as more grades were set to return to school.

Ndlangamandla explained that the returning Form III boarders were isolated upon their arrival on Sunday afternoon. He stated that the Form III boarders were to be isolated for a period of 14 days, as per the World Health Organisations recommendations.

The Form III boarders were admitted and immediately taken to isolation, so they have not been in contact with the Form V boarders. This applies during meal times as well, as the boarders are allocated separate meal times according to their grades, and gender, so they are not in contact with each other during this time, he added.

On the other hand, Salesian High School Deputy Head teacher Ernest Dlamini said the school was excited to welcome returning Form IIIs, as there was a lot of ground to be covered. He stated that the learners were already at the school gate at 6:40am, ready for the COVID-19 orientation.

There are currently 120 Form III pupils who we need to adhere to the precautionary measures we were advised to follow by government. We have divided them into six classrooms, with about 20 pupils in each classroom. We are making sure the learners are practising social distancing within the classrooms, and outside on the play ground.

I was impressed with the pupils responses to returning to class, as they expressed they were eager to learn, he said. Amaan Patel and Lunga Maseko said they were excited to be back in class and prepare for exams.

Maseko stated most of the pupils had lost hope in completing the year, so it was a relief to return to school.

The teachers have armed us with the necessary precautionary measures, which we hope will be maintained until the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

Exceptional

The important thing is for me to finish the year strong, and with exceptional results, he stated. Patel shared the same sentiments, adding that he put all his effort in preparing for the final examination.

It was really good seeing my friends again after five months, but it is time to get down to work now.

I have been preparing for the final examination since the beginning of the year, and I am grateful to finally return to school and be empowered by my teachers to do better, he added. Manzini Regional Education Officer (REO) Nhlanhla Dlamini said schools had already prepared for the return of the Form Vs, so the return of Form III pupils did not pose major challenges.

However, there were some schools that expressed that their coffers were running low, however, government has promised to assist in order to accommodate the staggered re-entry of other levels, he said.
Mumbai: Choreographer-filmmaker Remo D'Souza on Monday donated blood at Mumbai's famous Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati Utsav.

The blood donation camp at Lalbaug during the Ganesh Chaturthi festivity is well known, and Remo posted on Instagram his experience of taking part in the activity.

"Bappa has always showered his blessings on us. I was very lucky that I could this year give instead of asking ....a very good initiative by @lalbaugcharaja blood donation and plasma donation drive," Remo wrote.

Along with it, he has uploaded a few pictures of him giving blood.

Remo also donated kits that comprise mask, head cover, alcohol wipes, gloves, shoe covers and sanitisers.




By Jung Min-ho







Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha apologized Monday over the handling of sexual allegations against a senior Korean diplomat once stationed in New Zealand.





"We received the investigation results from Cheong Wa Dae that there were problems in the ministry's response," Kang said during a meeting. "The case has become a diplomatic burden for the government, causing concern to the public. I'm sorry."





The statement comes about a month after President Moon Jae-in promised to deal with the case promptly during a phone conversation with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.





A local employee at Korea's Embassy in Wellington has accused the diplomat of groping his body parts against his will three times in 2017. The case came to attention after local media highlighted it.





Before Ardern's direct request, a spokeswoman at New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told The Korea Times that the New Zealand government was disappointed that the Korean government did not cooperate with earlier requests from New Zealand police.





Kang vowed to strengthen communication with New Zealand authorities to resolve the case and apply stricter standards for future sexual misconduct cases.





The diplomat, who later moved to a post in the Philippines, has returned to Korea at the ministry's order. He is expected to be questioned soon after a 14-day self-isolation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.





It is unclear whether the presidential office and the ministry will accept a New Zealand police request to send him back for an investigation there.





Speaking to Korean media, the diplomat admitted there had been physical contact, but he denied sexually harassing the employee.


Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (R) stands at a fence guarding a federal courthouse as tear gas drifts by, in Portland, Ore., on July 23, 2020. (Karina Brown via AP)

Portland Mayor: Unrest Will Ultimately Burn Itself Out

Rioters again set fire to the Portland police union building on Monday

Portlands mayor claimed the unrest thats plagued the city since May will burn itself out, in remarks published just hours before rioters set fire to the police union building and attacked police officers.

I believe this will ultimately burn itself out, Ted Wheeler, a Democrat who serves as the citys mayor and police commissioner, told Oregon Public Broadcasting (OBP).

Wheeler said hes working on a plan that will accelerate the end of the rioting.

City and state officials have struggled to quell the unrest.

Wheeler said a mix of appeasement and deescalation, or having officers not engage with demonstrators, was working until federal officers surged to the city last month to protect a U.S. courthouse that Trump administration officials said was nearly overwhelmed.

In a briefing on July 17, Wheeler revealed his plan.

Rioters set fire to the Portland Police Association office in north Portland, Ore., on Aug. 24, 2020. (Portland Police Bureau)

We get rid of the feds. Number two, we contain and deescalate the situation. Number three, we clean up downtown. Number four, we open up for business. Thats the plan, he told reporters.

That hasnt worked. Repeated clashes at the courthouse stopped by the end of the month, but rioters have turned to other buildings, including police precincts and the Portland Police Association office.

Sixty-two people have been arrested since Sunday night as things seem to be intensifying, not dying down.

For at least the third time, a crowd on Monday targeted the police union building in north Portland. They cut power to the office and lit the building on fire, the Portland Police Bureau said in an incident summary. Someone poured what appeared to be an accelerant on the fire, causing it to quickly get bigger.

Police officers moved in to disperse the mob and clashed with rioters for hours, ultimately arresting 25 people, primarily Portland residents. A baton, a dagger, and multiple knives were among the weapons found on those arrested. Charges included interfering with an officer, riot, and disorderly conduct.

Many charges will likely be dropped under a new policy from the district attorney who oversees the city.

Earlier Tuesday, acting Homeland Security Security Chad Wolf urged Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, to take action.

Weapons found on those arrested in north Portland, Ore., on Aug. 24, 2020. (Portland Police Bureau)

Brown should deploy the National Guard, send Oregon state officers back to Portland, or request assistance from the Trump administration, according to Wolf.

Portland law enforcement is doing what they can but need help to proactively address violence, he said.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, sent National Guardsmen to Kenosha Monday to try to help keep the peace, but rioting still took place overnight.

Wheeler blamed the continued violence in his city on a small group of people. The main question, he told OBP, is, How do you hold that small number of people accountable without infringing on the First Amendment rights of everyone else?

Police officers have tried a number of different tactics, he added.

Theyve tried everything from not showing up to preemptively dispersing crowds, and some of those strategies, in my opinion, have worked well. Others have not worked well, he said. My expectation is the police bureau will evolve, and as they see a need for change, theyll change.
MCHENRY, Ill., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Medela has been awarded a group purchasing agreement for Suction Canisters Yankauers with Premier Inc. Effective August 1, the new agreement allows Premier members, at their discretion, to take advantage of special pricing and terms pre-negotiated by Premier for airway suction device and virus filters.

"Premier's COVID-19 expedited sourcing process allows us to support the immediate and urgent product needs of their healthcare members across the country," said Melissa Gonzales, RN, BSN, and executive vice president of the Americas for Medela. "This global healthcare crisis has placed unprecedented burdens on our healthcare systems, and it is our responsibility to deliver the essential portable suction solutions, like our Vario 18 AC, needed to support patient care and recovery."

Medela has been a pioneer in suction technology for nearly 60 years and manufactures a suite of medical suction pumps that are essential for the treatment of COVID-19 patients who require hospital or intensive medical care. Produced in the United States, the Vario 18 AC is light weight and offers a virus filter to prevent cross contamination in the hospital setting. The low noise level of the suction pump allows staff to stay focused wherever suctioning takes place, provides easy setup and handling with variable vacuum levels that are simple to adjust, and features a safety push-button to prevent accidental re-adjustment. Medela assembles the Vario 18 AC pumps which are critical for the COVID-19 response at their U.S. headquarter facilities in McHenry, Illinois.

Premier is a leading healthcare improvement company, uniting an alliance of approximately 4,000 U.S. hospitals and 175,000 other providers to transform healthcare. With integrated data and analytics, collaboratives, supply chain solutions, and advisory and other services, Premier enables better care and outcomes at a lower cost.

For information about the Vario 18 AC access and availability visit Medela's website.

To learn more about ways Medela is aiding COVID-19 efforts visit the: COVID-19 information hub.

About Medela LLC

Medela's US-based manufacturing and development facility is headquartered in McHenry, Illinois. Medela Healthcare is a global manufacturer of medical vacuum solutions that are respected and trusted by doctors and healthcare professionals from around the world. Medela's Healthcare business seeks to improve the lives of patients, doctors and hospital staffs through constant innovation and our passion to understand the challenges that patients and clinicians face in their daily lives. Life is precious and needs passionate people  like those at Medela  to provide progressive care. For more information, visit www.medela.com.

SOURCE Medela LLC

Related Links

http://www.medela.com


A Black Republican freshman at the University of Alabama today lashed out at Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddoxs crackdown on bars and said he may run against Maddox next year.

C.J. Pearson, president of the Free Thinker Project, said he plans to put together an exploratory committee to run for mayor of Tuscaloosa.

Maddoxs pandemic-response measures include the closing of all bars, eliminating bar services at restaurants and mask mandates, which Pearson called an overreaction. He said hes been talking to business owners who are struggling to provide for themselves and their families.

We need to believe in the right of people to be self-responsible, to make choices for themselves, Pearson told AL.com.

Pearson, from Atlanta, recently moved to Tuscaloosa to attend the University of Alabama.

Mayor Maddoxs gross overreaction and ridiculous mandates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are devastating local businesses and needlessly stripping away personal liberties, Pearson said in a statement released to news media. I cannot be silent. After witnessing his overreaching and irresponsible behavior, I feel compelled to take action for the future of our city and look into running for mayor of Tuscaloosa.

Maddox responded to a request for comment from AL.com: My hometown continues to face a healthcare and economic crisis due to COVID-19 and my focus is on saving lives and livelihoods, he said.

Maddox was first elected mayor of Tuscaloosa in 2005 and won a fourth term in 2017.

Pearson describes himself as a social media influencer who has 376,400 followers on Twitter.

The mayors draconian orders and unconstitutional arrests prove hes drunk on power and has no regard for Tuscaloosa residents rights, Pearson said in his statement. We deserve better. It is time for a leader will protect our freedoms first and implement common-sense actions to keep our community safe while ensuring our economy continues to thrive through the pandemic recession.
ALLENDALE, MI  As Maddy Evans helped her parents unload their car to move into her new dorm, she felt many of the same nerves every college freshman typically feels. The Grand Valley State University freshman was nervous to be leaving her parents, and wondering if she will be able to adjust to college life.

But another worry was also on Evans mind: concern about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and whether she will be sent home early because of it.
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- The engineering fee for the proposed roundabout at Howe and Shurmer roads has risen by 16 percent.

City Council last month approved a $23,000 change order for EMH&T, the New Albany, Ohio, firm designing the roundabout. The change order increases the design fee from the original $141,415 to $164,415.

Lori Daley, the citys assistant engineer, said construction plans for the Howe-Shurmer roundabout are being finalized.

However, council President Matt Schonhut told cleveland.com Tuesday (Aug. 25) that the project is on hold.

The roundabout, like many projects, is currently not being discussed to be completed at this time due to the financial impacts of the (COVID-19) pandemic on the citys finances, Schonhut said in an email to cleveland.com. It may be revisited sometime in the future.

The extra costs EMH&T charged the city were related to an April 2019 public meeting, where company officials explained the proposed roundabout to residents. Public education, including two meetings with residents, was part of the original design contract but, according to a July 20 EMH&T letter to city officials, did not include several services that EMH&T ended up providing.

There are many acceptable methods for public education, Daley said in a Tuesday email to cleveland.com. After hearing specific concerns of residents, we wanted EMH&T to focus on those and come up with a clear and concise way to present to the public.

Additional services provided by EMH&T included:

 Software that allowed EMH&T to simulate visually how traffic would flow at Howe-Shurmer with both a roundabout and the existing traffic light. Daley said that under the original contract, the firm would have prepared only two-dimensional graphic boards.

 Software that included the Howe-Pomeroy Boulevard intersection, about 1,300 feet north of Howe-Shurmer, in the simulation to show how traffic in the two intersections would interact. This was after residents living south of Shurmer expressed concern that the existing Howe-Shurmer traffic light was all that gave them a break from Howe traffic. The (computer) model was used to show the general public that the signal at Pomeroy ... will effectively meter traffic in the same way the traffic signal at Shurmer Road does (now), EMH&T said in its letter.

 A 3D rendering of the proposed roundabout from various perspectives, which helped show drivers unaccustomed to roundabouts how to move through them.

 A two-page frequently-asked-questions document for residents.

 Responses to more than 100 comments and questions from residents for the city to post on its website.

 Exhibits displayed at the April 2019 public meeting and postage for invitations to the meeting mailed to residents.

In January 2019, council voted 5-1 to hire EMH&T to design the Howe-Shurmer roundabout just south of Ohio 82 and SouthPark Mall.

At the time, Schonhut said hiring EMH&T didnt necessarily mean that the city would move forward with construction of the roundabout. He said that decision would come later during EMH&Ts design process.

City officials have viewed Howe-Shurmer as a traffic problem for several years. Howe runs north to south and connects Ohio 82 and Interstate 71 to the southern part of Strongsville and northern Brunswick.

City administration officials have said that a February 2018 study by Euthenics Inc., a Cleveland engineering firm, showed that a roundabout would reduce congestion and improve safety at Howe-Shurmer.

Read more from the Sun Star Courier.
Kimberley Harlow, 29, stole $291,450 between November 2017 and December 2018

A cocaine addict stole almost $300,000 from the media agency she worked for and splurged the cash on drugs, nights out and takeaway meals for her and her girlfriend.

Kimberley Harlow, 29, worked as the head of digital and creative at Essential Media Communications in Melbourne when she stole $291,450 between November 2017 and December 2018.

Harlow created 132 fake invoices priced between $300-$11,000 that were paid to the company she owned with her business partner and ex-girlfriend Allegra Wilson.

She charged the company for work that did not exist such as video editing and digital services, before sending the money to Condiment Creative Pty Ltd, the Herald Sun reports.

When chief operating officer Natalie Dubois questioned Harlow on why the expenses were over budget, she was always given a 'legitimate response'.

The County Court on Thursday heard that Ms Dubois held a performance review in November 2018 where she told Harlow her work performance had 'significantly' declined over the year.

Ms Dubois issued the 29-year-old with a 'first and final' warning but Harlow blamed her partner's mental health issues for her performance and she continued stealing money.

Harlow created 132 fake invoices priced between $300-$11,000 that were paid to the company she owned with her business partner and ex-girlfriend Allegra Wilson (pictured together)

The media agency's accountant traced the unexpected costs to Condiment Creative, which shared the same BSB as Harlow's bank account.

An investigation found Harlow and her former girlfriend were directors of the company.

Harlow finally admitted to her boss that she stole the money.

She told senior management that she needed the funds because she and her ex-girlfriend had a cocaine addiction and she 'owed people money', the court heard.

Further investigation found some of the money was transferred to other people while the rest was used to fund flights, hotels, bars, parking and UberEats.

When Harlow was caught and reported to police there was just $301.16 remaining in the account.

Police attempted to talk to her in February 2019 but she had fled to a drug rehabilitation facility in Queensland before she was finally tracked down and arrested in June 2019.

Ms Dubois issued a victim statement saying Harlow's theft had 'damaged' projects and affected the agency's reputation.

The County Court on Thursday heard that Ms Dubois held a performance review in November 2018 where she told Harlow (second from right) her work performance had 'significantly' declined over the year

The media agency's accountant traced the unexpected costs to Condiment Creative, which shared the same BSB as Harlow's bank account

'(Harlow's) dishonesty was a betrayal of not just the owners but the entire company and its ethos and values,' Ms Dubois said in the statement.

'Alongside Kim's brazen fraud of the company, we also discovered a record of misconduct and disregard for our team members and clients that had gone undiscovered due to her senior position of trust within the company.'

Ms Dubois said the incident caused 'significant trauma' to the agency and created stress across 'the entire organisation'.

'Kim's behaviour had a serious impact on our culture and the friendly and trusting environment cultivated over many years,' the impact statement said.

Harlow pleaded guilty to theft and is due to be sentenced by Judge Michael Tinney on Tuesday.
AS THOUSANDS of pupils return to the 'new normal' classroom experience amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy is urging people to be supportive and patient.

Speaking ahead of the reopening of schools, Bishop Leahy spoke of the importance of schools to our communities and paid tribute to all involved in the process, not least principals for their leadership during the summer months.

He said that we must stick with the HSE guidelines in preventing the spread of disease.

While there is a natural quiver of nervousness around what lies ahead, we should all strive to create an atmosphere of mutual support, he said.

That will mean an extra supplement of patience, understanding and forbearance. It will be a challenging time, so we need to be patient and we need to encourage.

He said that while it is "inevitable" there will be moments of irritation, "we cannot let them take over".

The daily vaccine of patience, understanding and a gentle approach will go a long way to ensure the re-opening of schools will be as positive an experience as possible for all.

We all need to be grateful for those who have risen to the challenge to get the schools ready to meet the Covid-19 disruption. In particular, I want to commend school principals for going way beyond the call of duty in working out the practical arrangements for school re-opening. I am mindful too of pupils, teachers and members of management boards who will have to re-adjust to all kinds of new ways.

The school re-opening calls on all of us to do our part by encouraging all concerned. It is good for the children and young people to be resuming a structure that facilitates their personal growth. It is important that we promote all the advice given by the health authorities, especially about hand-washing and social distancing.

He added: As schools re-open, I want to assure the pupils, teachers and staff of my prayers and the prayers of the Diocese of Limerick. We appreciate this is both a wonderful time and a challenging time for all concerned.

It is wonderful the schools are re-opening. Schools are the heartbeat of communities across the Diocese. Life thrives when they are up and running. Perhaps we dont always appreciate it, but, along with the pupils, we all benefit from the community life that schools generate.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  President Rodrigo Duterte told Cabinet officials to account for fund releases for COVID-19 response programs under their respective agencies.

"Upon my oath of office, 'wag kayong mag-alala. Lahat ng pera na nagastos dito sa away ng COVID ay maa-account [do not worry. All money spent in battling COVID-19 will be accounted for]," Duterte said in his Monday night speech which aired Tuesday morning.

"I will hold myself responsible for this solemn duty of answering for and in behalf of the Executive department of all the funds that were spent in the fight against COVID," he added.

The government has so far spent 376.6 billion for coronavirus response measures, according to the Budget Department.

RELATED: Govt must borrow more funds for COVID-19 response, lawmaker says

Duterte then ordered the national COVID-19 task force and all other departments to disclose how funds are spent, including the intended purpose of all other remaining funds every month  the same requirement sought under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.

The President initially wanted a report every two weeks. He also told public offices to publish all procurement proposals in newspapers.

He then defended his choice of placing former military officials to head agencies, including chief COVID-19 response implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr.: "I am sure na 'yung mga taong iniwanan ko ng pera... they are military men na nakilala ko noon pa, matagal nang panahon. Alam ko they are a bunch of honest persons. 'Wag kayong mag-alala, ikukwenta namin ang pera lahat."

[Trasnslation: I am sure that these people with whom I entrusted the money with... they are military men I have known for a long time. I know they are a bunch of honest persons. Do not worry, we will account for all the money.]

The other retired military officers who are part of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases are Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano.

READ: UN sounds alarm on PH's 'highly militarized' lockdown response

Duterte also appealed to Congress to install all possible safeguards to ensure that the newly-ratified Bayanihan 2 Act will be safe from corruption. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III added that various stimulus measures should be directly released to banks and e-wallet accounts of beneficiaries to avoid handling of cash and possible leakages.

The President also told Filipinos not to confuse COVID-19 spending with issues surrounding PhilHealth.

"'Yung PhilHealth ang dapat imbestigahan, dapat i-prosecute lahat, dapat ikulong. Itong pinag-uusapan ay hindi ho PhilHealth, pera ito sa COVID [It is PhilHealth which needs to be investigated, officials involved have to be prosecuted and jailed. We're talking about COVID-19 funds now, not PhilHealth]," he said.

Duterte added he will make sure that PhilHealth officials are jailed for reported corruption.
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that the world's second-biggest economy is facing a period of 'turbulent change' and that rising external markets risk required policymakers to increasingly rely on domestic demand to spur growth.

Xi, chairing a seminar on Monday with a group of policy advisors and state economists, discussed the country's mid- to long-term economic trends in preparation for the drafting of the 14th Five-year plan.

The five-yearly economic blueprint is expected to be unveiled in the annual parliament meeting next year, and Xi said China must be prepared for "a period of turbulent change" as the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated protectionism, hammered the world economy and disrupted supply chains.

"In the coming period, we will face more and more headwinds in the external environment, and we must be prepared to deal with a series of new risks and challenges," he said, according to comments released by state news agency Xinhua late Monday night.

Xi said the domestic market will "dominate the national economic cycle" in the future, but vowed to further open up China's economy.

While Xi didn't make direct references to intensifying US-China tensions, he signaled China's willingness to work on issues with the United States.

"We must actively cooperate with all countries, regions and enterprises who are willing to cooperate with us, including states, localities and enterprises in the United States," he said.

The United States and China have been engaged in nearly two years of tit-for-tat tariffs and angry rhetoric, with tensions between the two economic superpowers spilling into other areas.

The US has sanctioned companies and individuals linked to a security crackdown in Hong Kong and human rights, banned a Chinese owned video app, penalized Chinese academics and closed Beijings consulate in Houston in recent months.

Xi also stressed the importance of technological innovation, adding without elaborating that China must "make breakthroughs in key core technologies as soon as possible."
COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, September 11th, 2020, Wreaths Across America calls for every American to stand outside and wave a flag for one minute at 8:46AM and then again at 9:03 AM.

At 8:46 a.m., On Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, five hijackers took control of American Airlines Flight 11 and flew it into the heart of New York City and the northern facade of the World Trade Center's North Tower (1 WTC).

At 9:03 a.m., five other hijackers crashed United Airlines Flight 175 into the southern facade of the South Tower (2 WTC).

Following the events of 9/11, three patriotic women (Elaine Greene, Joann Miller and Carmen Foote) were moved to find an old American flag they had stored at home and stand on a hill in Freeport, Maine, waving that flag to honor victims. These women became nationally known as "The Freeport Flag Ladies," and proudly hoisted the Stars and Stripes every Tuesday morning for the following 18 years.

After they retired on September 11, 2019, (their last 9/11 remembrance) the following Tuesday, September 17, 2019, Wreaths Across America took the helm and continued the weekly flag waving tradition along US Route 1 in Jonesboro, Maine, on land donated by the organization's founder Morrill Worcester leading to the new Acadia National Cemetery.

Since that time Mr. Worcester has added a mile stretch of American flags (105 in total) on both sides of the road that lead to the entrance of Acadia National Cemetery which will open to the public for the first time on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. Mr. Worcester also donated the land for this new National Cemetery to be built in his hometown.

"Each Tuesday, we are joined by dozens of members of the local community and curious people stopping to be part of something meaningful," said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America, and wife of Morrill Worcester. "Especially over the last six months, this flag waving has taken on new meaning for us all and given a spark of hope and patriotism during this difficult time in our country."

Participants are encouraged to take video and pictures of their participation in the national flag waving and share them with Wreaths Across America, their family and their friends to help REMEMBER, HONOR and TEACH the generation born after 9/11, how hard times can strengthen us as a nation. Please use the hashtag #FlagsAcrosstheCountry and #AmericaStrong when posting on social media and tag the Wreaths Across America Official Facebook page.

"My husband and the community's commitment to the mission and continuation of this important weekly tradition has taken on the additional meaning of American unity during this uncertain time," added Karen. "I hope Americans will see this as an opportunity to not only honor those directly affected by 9/11, but also to follow in the footsteps of "The Freeport Flag Ladies."

Wreaths Across America is the non-profit organization best known for placing veterans' wreaths on the headstones of our nation's fallen at Arlington National Cemetery. However, the organization, in total, places more than 2 million sponsored wreaths at over 2200 participating locations nationwide and offers other programs throughout the calendar year. These programs remember the events of 9/11 in their own way such as The Mobile Education Exhibit which will be visiting Kentucky in September and will join in the national flag waving effort. Radio host Michael W. Hale of Wreaths Across America Radio will hold on-air tributes, and the on-line store will be selling #AmericaStrong signs made by the brother of "Lone Survivor" Marcus Lutrell (who gave a special family message during the Wreaths Across America Virtual Concert now streaming on Showcase NOW).

You can sponsor a wreath for $15 at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ . Each sponsorship goes toward a fresh balsam veteran's wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest on Saturday, December 19, 2020, as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

More photos and video are available upon request.

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization's mission  Remember, Honor, Teach  is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.



For more information or to sponsor a wreath please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

SOURCE Wreaths Across America

Related Links

http://www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org


Pompeo says U.S. to keep Israel's military edge

JERUSALEM, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that the U.S. will continue to ensure Israel's military edge in the Middle East under any future weapons deals involving the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

"The United States has a legal requirement with respect to qualitative military edge. We will continue to honor that," Pompeo said while making joint statements in Jerusalem alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu said he was reassured on the issue by the state secretary.

Pompeo said he hoped that other Arab countries would follow the United Arab Emirates and form diplomatic ties with Israel. "I am hopeful that we will see other Arab nations join in this," Pompeo said.

A U.S.-brokered deal to normalize ties between Israel and the UAE was announced on Aug. 13.

Last week, local Israeli media reported that the White House is planning a "giant" sale of F-35 warplanes as part of the deal.

Pompeo arrived in Israel on Monday, kick-starting his five-day trip to the region. He has meetings scheduled also with Israel's Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
By Linda Sieg and Kiyoshi Takenaka

TOKYO, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's recent visits to hospital have raised concern whether he will be able to stay on as leader of the world's third-biggest economy until the Sept. 2021 end of his term as ruling party chief, and hence, premier.

Abe plans to hold a news conference on his health as soon as this week, domestic media said on Tuesday. He has been expected to reshuffle his cabinet and top ruling party posts next month.

An extra session of parliament is likely from October or later, media said, and an election for parliament's powerful lower house must be held by late October 2021.

Here are the procedures to be followed if Abe is incapacitated, or if he resigns.

ABE INCAPACITATED, ACTING PM STEPS IN

Article 9 of Japan's cabinet law says that if a prime minister is prevented from discharging his functions, or the post is vacant, a minister of state he has designated in advance will temporarily perform the role.

In such a scenario, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as finance minister, is first in line to step in for Abe, followed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

The move could be temporary, for example if Abe is hospitalised but expected to resume his duties afterwards.

The law sets no limit on how long the acting prime minister can stay. In April 2000, after prime minister Keizo Obuchi suffered a stroke and fell into a coma, Mikio Aoki, who was then the chief cabinet secretary, stepped in for a few days until a new party leader and premier was chosen.

An acting prime minister cannot call a snap election but can oversee budget compilation, conclude treaties and order mobilisation of the military.

ABE RESIGNS, NEW LEADER ELECTED

If Abe announces an intention to resign, that would trigger an election within his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to replace him as its president, followed by a vote in parliament to elect a new prime minister.

Abe and his cabinet would continue to run the government until a new premier is elected, but could not adopt new policies.

Story continues

The winner of the party election would then hold the post until the end of Abe's term in September 2021.

The new LDP president is virtually assured the premiership, since the party has a majority in parliament's lower house.

Usually, the party must announce the election for its leader a month in advance, and its MPs vote along with grassroots members.

In case of a sudden resignation, however, an extraordinary vote has to be called "at the soonest date possible" with participants narrowed to MPs and representatives of the party's local chapters.

In 2007, for example, the LDP held a leadership election within 11 days of Abe's sudden resignation, which capped a troubled year in office as he battled poor health. (Reporting by Linda Sieg; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
IAEA has access to Iranian sites more than any country: Spox

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Aug 24, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said that said in his first press conference that Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have had ups and downs in relations, but, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action led to the highest level cooperation.

The access the IAEA has to the Iranian nuclear sites is the most ever in the history of the Agency, said Khatibzadeh on Monday.

Congratulating the National Government Week, he said that the Governments have always defended the interests of the people in the past four decades.

He added that in the past turbulent seven years, the Government has tried powerfully to defend the rights of the people.

Despite strong objections, like those of the US, "We are witnessing the emergence of a powerful Iran," he said.

Regarding the recent trip of Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif to Lebanon to express Iran's people and government's solidarity with the Lebanese people and government, he said that Zarif had meetings with Lebanese officials and Hassan Nasrullah and spoke with Palestinian foreign minister and the head of the Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas about occupied lands and to express solidarity with Palestinians.

He added that Senior Assistant to Foreign Minister in Special Political Affairs Ali Asghar Khaji met with Syrian President Bashar Assad and discuss the Astana peace process.

He added that the Iranian delegation in Geneva is represented in the Syrian constitution committee and will have meetings with the peace guarantors' delegations on the sidelines of the Syria meeting.

Referring to Zarif's message to Qatari Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, he wished success and health for al-Busaidi and his predecessor Yusuf bin Alavi.

Khatibzadeh also talked about the new failures of the United States in the United Nations Security Council, he said the US demanded to distribute a statement among the UNSC members but Zarif registered a letter in the secretariat before his US counterpart Mike Pompeo. In it, all the legal bases that proved Washington has no right to put forth the issue, so Iran was the plaintiff and the US the defendant.

He added all the children of this land defended its esteem with all their power, which was fortunately successful.

Touching Iran-Venezuela relations, he said that the relations between the two countries are based on national interests of both parties and do not concern any third country and that the relations have strengthened in the recent years and have been attacked by the US due to independence.

He said regardless of who the ship belongs to what the US does is "piracy". However, neither the ship nor the cargo belonged to Iran. Zarif's tweet is quite clear, the spokesman said.

Answering a question about IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi to Tehran and its relation with the trigger mechanism, he said that if by "trigger mechanism" you mean the snapback, it is a false word that the US has put; it has not been mentioned in the UNSCR 2231, adding that Iran has been expecting Grossi's visit since last autumn, but the coronavirus outbreak postponed it.

He said as long as the Agency acts with impartiality and independence, and far from political pressures of a third party, there will be no problems between the IAEA and Tehran.

He added that Grossi will come to Tehran tonight and will meet with President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Zarif, and Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Regarding the trips of Pompeo to the region for forming a coalition against Iran, he asked if anyone has seen a country more isolated than the US in the history of the international relations. In their own home, they could persuade only one country to accompany them

Don't worry about coalition making against Iran, for they couldn't do so in their own home, he added.

9417**1416

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






BANGOR TWP, MI  An assisted living facility in Bay Countys Bangor Township is seeing a number of COVID-19 cases, the health department has confirmed.

The outbreak at Sheffield Bay Assisted Living and Memory Care, 4471 Sheffield Place, began in early August, said Bay County Health Department Director Joel Strasz.

There have been some fatalities with them, Strasz said. I think there have been six over the last few weeks. Four of them were on hospice care.

Strasz added Tuesday, Aug. 25, there have been more than 20 positive coronavirus cases associated with the facility.

We have been in direct contact and communication with them and the state of Michigan over the last three weeks, Strasz said. We meet with them several times a week to try to get them to manage the situation.

Sign for Sheffield Bay Assisted Living and Memory Care, 4471 Sheffield Place in Bangor Township

Staff at Sheffield Bay declined to comment on the matter when contacted by MLive, saying they would likely issue a press release in the future.

Strasz said Sheffield Bay is not a skilled nursing facility.

Every assisted living facility isnt built same way, Strasz said. Some have more robust structure, especially with medical needs. Some are more apartment buildings with some assistance. Some are in between.

Sheffield Bays road signs identify the facility as Sheffield Place and its website says staff includes licensed nurses, certified dementia practitioners and nursing assistants.

Though Sheffield Bay has been working with the health department to curb the virus spread, the facility has been dealing with a staff shortage, as it has been since the pandemic began, Strasz said.

How the outbreak began there is not known, he said.

Typically, what we see with some of these facilities is someone doesnt report their symptoms or they may misinterpret their symptoms for allergies or something else, Strasz said. It really depends on the situation. Weve had long-term care facilities throughout the course of this pandemic that have had pretty significant outbreaks. Weve had three other facilities I know of right off the bat that have had outbreaks.

Bay County as of Tuesday has seen 700 positive coronavirus cases and 83 probable positives, resulting in 40 deaths.

Read more:

Womens emergency shelter in Saginaw sees increase in coronavirus cases

Michigan ranks well in nationwide report on coronavirus risk in nursing homes

Bay City homeless shelter employee tests positive for coronavirus
For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.

Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Premier Daniel Andrews wants to extend the time limit on a state of emergency being in place in Victoria by 12 months. The move has turned into a bunfight with political opponents calling it a power grab while lawyers are worried about the continuing imposition on human rights. The Premier, meanwhile, says the extension is just a logistical exercise that allows the Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, to easily access powers to change the restrictions during this pandemic. So what are these powers? What's a state of emergency? And what's the problem with extending it? What is a state of emergency? A state of emergency was declared under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act in March to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and since then has been extended six times. A state of emergency gives the Chief Health Officer wide-ranging powers to put in place the restrictions with which we are all now too familiar  rules such as wearing face masks and staying home, isolating people with COVID-19 and detaining people in quarantine.

Advertisement

They are all things that can only be declared under a state of emergency so, yes, those powers would be lost if that state of emergency wasnt in place, Sutton has said. Under Victorian law, a state of emergency may be extended by four weeks but the total period cannot exceed six months. Loading Why the extension  and what is being extended? Why? Because the pandemic is not over and there could be more outbreaks at any time. Also, the current six-month-long state of emergency is due to expire on September 13. The Premier wants to introduce a bill to Parliament (in the week starting August 31) to extend by 12 months the time limit for the state of emergency. But even though the upper limit would be 12 months, he said he would extend a state of emergency only by a month at a time. In other words, he wants to make it possible  but not inevitable  for a state of emergency to exist for 12 months on top of the six that has already been in place. Without a state of emergency, the Premier says introducing new measures to deal with the virus could take weeks or months to pass through Parliament and "in a health crisis like this, where the situation changes daily, that just isn't workable".

Advertisement

Andrews says the law wasnt written with such a prolonged and infectious virus in mind. Itll be in place not a day longer than it needs to be, he has said. The Premier has said an extension would also bring Victoria into line with other states. Other states are able to to extend and extend and extend further. They dont have any limits. We, under these arrangements, will simply continue the existing set of tools, if you like. Each state and territory has different periods of time that a state of emergency can operate for but no limits on how many times it can be extended. The current proposed extension in Victoria would have to go through Parliament and would be voted on in the upper house where MPs are already signalling theyd oppose it, although there was support among crossbenchers for extensions of three or six more months.

Advertisement

So would that mean were in lockdown for another year? The Premier says no and nor does it mean a state of emergency would last a year either. The Chief Health Officer would have to extend lockdown as a separate measure  it doesn't automatically follow from being in a state of emergency. Restrictions have already moved from stage three to stage four, for example, all under a state of emergency. The Premier has flagged that rules will change as time goes on. "Once we get those numbers down, we will be able to have an easier set of rules," he has said. Loading So whats the problem? The state of emergency gives the chief health officer and the government significant powers  and the proposed extension of those powers is not sitting well with some. Former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett called the Premier a "megalomaniac" while Opposition Leader Michael OBrien said the extension could mean Victorians were locked up for another 12 months and away from their jobs. He said democracy, accountability and transparency would also suffer. Human rights lawyer Felicity Gerry, QC, says an extension is problematic. The approach that the government has to take has to be proportionate and accountable, which requires a great deal more public engagement then were currently seeing, she says.

Advertisement

She says while the government imposed emergency laws to protect people from infection the laws themselves shouldnt compromise the right to health. The longer lockdowns go on, she says, the more it affects peoples wellbeing. We are now at the point where people are being seriously affected by measures that are supposed to be protecting us, she says. In her view, the emergency powers shouldnt be in place for longer than a six-week period and a review of how the powers were operating needed to be done at least every month. Civil rights organisation Liberty Victoria says the government is effectively writing itself a blank cheque with a 12-month extension, which is inconsistent with the preservation of human rights. They backed the call for four-weekly reviews to ensure limits on human rights and freedoms would continue only where necessary, called for Parliament to resume sitting as soon as possible and urged for a standing committee to be formed so the public voice could be heard. But the past president of the Australian Medical Association, Tony Bartone, said the extension was a necessary logistical manoeuvre. It wasnt a signal that [Victoria] was going to extend the current lockdown  and perhaps thats how some people interpreted it  but it is about having the necessary ability to allow the Chief Health Officers directives to be enforced, Dr Bartone told the Today Show. He said he appreciated the call caught people by surprise, with the stage four lockdown taking its toll psychologically on Melburnians. It is a journey of faith, it is a journey of getting to the other side, and we all have a part to play  and we have to be very careful about the way we introduce new measures and take everyone along with us, Dr Bartone said.

Advertisement
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, shares of Papa John's International, Inc. PZZA have gained 61.6% in the past six months, compared with the industrys increase of 1.3%. The companys sustained international expansion plans, strategic partnerships, strong digital platform and various sales continue to drive performance. While most of the industry participants failed to register positive comparable restaurant sales in second-quarter 2020, Papa John's delivered positive comps during the same time period. Lets delve deeper.

Key Catalysts

Many of Papa Johns restaurants are located in international markets like Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Portugal and China, which continue to perform strongly. The China region continues to experience growth, driven by the companys optimized restaurant model, brand design enhancements and increased integration with third-party aggregators that are broadening its accessibility channels. Papa John's has inked developmental agreements in several regions including Mexico, Egypt, Russia, Spain, Chile, the Netherlands, Colombia and Boston. In 2019, it opened 233 international units, bringing the total number of open units to more than 2,100 stores across 48 countries outside the United States, including Portugal and Pakistan. The company added 92 net worldwide units in 2019.



Papa Johns is investing heavily in technology-driven initiatives like digital ordering to boost sales. The companys online and digital marketing activities have increased significantly over the past few years in response to increasing use of online and mobile web technology. In fact, Papa Johns remains committed toward providing a better customer experience with enhancements to its digital ordering process.





Meanwhile, Papa Johns continues to invest in direct customer delivery. In March 2020, the company re-engineered its ordering and delivery process with the launch of no contact delivery. Notably, it drove substantial gains in satisfaction metrics and delivered seamless customer experience during the second quarter.



The company remains focused on product introduction to drive growth. Notably, menu innovations like Garlic Parmesan Crust, toasted handheld Papadias and Jalapeno Popper Rolls continue to witness solid popularity among customers, thereby driving the top line. Backed by better brand positioning, the new products have driven higher ticket and traffic across dayparts without cannibalizing core premium products and complexing operations at other stores.



In July 2020, the company in collaboration with Shaquille O'Neal (Papa John's board member and restaurant owner) launched a new Shaq-a-Roni pizza. Markedly, the launch has struck the right chord with consumers and generated more than $2 million in charitable contributions.



Strong sales building initiatives and digitalization drove the companys comparable restaurant sales in second-quarter 2020. The company recorded positive comparable sales growth in second-quarter 2020, which marks the second straight quarter of comps growth. Global restaurant sales climbed 19.1% against the year-ago quarters fall of 3.8%. Further, domestic company-owned restaurant comps rose 22.6% in the reported quarter against a decline of 6.8% in the year-ago quarter.

Story continues

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Papa Johns, which share space with Domino's Pizza, Inc. DPZ, currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



Some better-ranked stocks in the same space include Jack in the Box Inc. JACKand El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. LOCO. Jack in the Box sport a Zacks Rank #1, while El Pollo Loco carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).



Jack in the Box 2021 earnings are expected to surge 17.7%.



El Pollo Loco has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 94.1%, on average.

The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All

Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.



See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>



Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



Jack In The Box Inc. (JACK) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Dominos Pizza Inc (DPZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Papa Johns International, Inc. (PZZA) : Free Stock Analysis Report



El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Members of the public enjoy their first drink in a pub as they reopened earlier this summer. (Getty)

Stag and hen parties should not take place during the coronavirus pandemic, the Welsh health minister has said.

Vaughan Gething appealed for those planning to attend weddings to exercise common sense as Wales and the rest of the UK seeks to avoid a second wave of the pandemic.

In Wales, people from the same household or extended household are allowed to meet indoors at pubs and other hospitality venues.

However, guidance says people should limit their contact with others outside of those groups.

Gething told the Welsh governments COVID-19 press briefing: I remember my own stag event and people from different households, more than a dozen different households, going together to meet, to sleep in two different caravans and go out to a range of different venues.

Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething appealed for revellers to use common sense. (Getty)

Thats exactly what shouldnt happen now because of the risks that we now face.

So its an appeal to our common sense in the way that we want to maintain the freedoms that we have unlocked, because actually if coronavirus goes up and we see a further upswing, we may end up having to roll back on some of those freedoms.

Read more: Sage expert warns of choice between pubs and schools as virus cases grow

Wales reopened its pubs much later than England, with pubs, cafes and restaurants only able to serve people indoors from earlier this month.

First minister Mark Drakeford said he wanted to allow people to enjoy socialising "while they can".

Drakeford has previously urged people to continue to abide by social-distancing rules when going to the pub and meeting in groups.

"If we stop now, there is a real risk we will see new outbreaks of coronavirus and we may have to reverse some of these restrictions to control its spread again," he said.

"We are facing the likelihood of a resurgence of the virus over the autumn and winter  this will not be over by Christmas.

"We all have an ongoing responsibility to keep Wales safe."

Coronavirus: what happened today

Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter
The United States Embassy in India in partnership with Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace (WISCOMP) on Monday held a virtual award ceremony to honour people across India for their efforts in helping make educational spaces safe and inclusive for all students.

The WISCOMP, a South Asian think tank, and Public Affairs Section of US Embassy organised the Sahaas Award ceremony to honour the individuals who have shown exemplary courage to address gender discrimination to enrich the canvas of gender sensitivity.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, the US embassys Public Affairs minister-counsellor, David Kennedy, applauded the collaboration between US and Indian higher-education administrators in sharing best practices to improve gender equality in university campuses across India.

In her opening remarks, WISCOMP Director Meenakshi Gopinath said: This coming together of leaders is particularly significant as the education system is repositioning itself to adjust its functioning to the new normal.

Ensuring that the educational rights of women and sexual minorities are not compromised in the new technology-enabled lecture halls will mean that attention is paid to both what is taught and how it is taught, she added.

The Saahas award recipients - working in regions throughout India - offer innovative approaches to make educational spaces safe and inclusive. A host of higher-education experts, human-rights advocates, and business leaders attended the ceremony.

Among the award recipients were Dr Sheeba KM, professor, Sree Sankaracharaya University of Sanskrit Kalady, Kerala; Professor Atima Sharma Dwivedi, principal Kanya Maha Vidyalaya Jalandar; Professor Rakhee Kalita Moral, Associate Professor Cotton University Guwahati Assam.

The WISCOMP is a peace-building initiative in South Asia. Established in 1999, it foregrounds womens leadership in the areas of peace and security and promotes cultures of pluralism and coexistence in the region

Over the past two years, the US Mission to India has partnered with WISCOMP to share best practices from the United States and India on how to ensure that higher-education campuses are safe and welcoming for women.
San Francisco, Aug 25 : At least 7,012 fires in California have burnt 1.5 million acres of land in the state so far this year, according to authorities.

At this time last year, 4,292 fires had burned 56,000 acres, Xinhua news agency quoted California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) as saying on Monday.

Northern California's LNU Complex fire, the largest blaze in the state which grew to 350,000 acres in size as of Monday, have destroyed 871 buildings, damaged 234 and threatened 30,500, while its containment grew to 22 per cent, Cal Fire reported.

Five people have died in the LNU Complex, bringing the state's total toll to seven.

Of the 350-plus recreation sites in the San Francisco Bay Area, only about 150 are still open.

Parks were being closed due to smoke, dangerous fire conditions or fire activity, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said Monday that more than 14,000 firefighters and more than 2,400 engines now are working to contain the hundreds of wildfires.

Some 2,200 residents are in emergency shelters around the state.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
NASA Researcher Arrested for False Statements and Wire Fraud in Relation to China's Talents Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 24, 2020

Texas A&M University Professor Working on U.S. Space Projects Allegedly Hid Affiliations with Chinese State Owned Academic and Commercial Institutions

A criminal complaint has been unsealed today, charging Zhengdong Cheng, 53, of College Station, Texas, for conspiracy, making false statements and wire fraud.

Texas A&M University (TAMU) Professor Zhengdong Cheng is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon today at 10 a.m. in Houston, Texas. Authorities took him into custody Sunday, Aug. 23.

Cheng allegedly led a team conducting research for NASA. According to the criminal complaint, for several years he willfully took steps to obscure his affiliations and collaboration with a Chinese University and at least one Chinese-owned company. The terms of Cheng's grant prohibited participation, collaboration or coordination with China, any Chinese-owned company or any Chinese University, according to the charges.

"Once again, we have witnessed the criminal consequences that can arise from undisclosed participation in the Chinese government's talent program," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. "Professor Cheng allegedly made false statements to his university and to NASA regarding his affiliations with the Chinese government. The Department of Justice will continue seeking to bring participation in these talent programs to light and to expose the exploitation of our nation and our prized research institutions."

"China is building an economy and academic institutions with bricks stolen from others all around the world," said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick for the Southern District of Texas. "While 1.4 million foreign researchers and academics are here in the U.S. for the right reasons, the Chinese Talents Program exploits our open and free universities. These conflicts must be disclosed, and we will hold those accountable when such conflict violates the law."

"As alleged, Zhengdong Cheng knowingly deceived NASA officials about his association with Chinese owned companies and universities, willingly accepted U.S. government funding, and defrauded his university," said Assistant Director Alan Kohler, Jr. of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division. "The FBI is committed to aggressively pursuing those individuals who try and undercut our U.S. research institutions and government agencies by concealing their participation in Chinese talent recruitment programs and to hold them accountable for their actions."

"NASA's funding restrictions are in place to protect taxpayer-financed research dollars and intellectual property," said Special Agent in Charge Mark Zielinski, NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) - Eastern Field Office. "We will continue pursue anyone who attempts to circumvent these guidelines and conceal affiliations with Chinese institutions and companies in order to obtain NASA grant money."

"Dr. Cheng is accused of hiding his affiliation with the Guangdong University of Technology, along with other foreign universities, while disregarding the rules established under his NASA contract during his employment at TAMU," said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner. "These alleged actions came to light through the tireless work of the FBI-Bryan Resident Agency and NASA-OIG investigative teams. We are grateful to TAMU, TAMU System and TAMU Engineering Experiment Station for providing significant assistance through their partnership with us throughout this case."

The charges allege Cheng and TAMU received funds based on Cheng knowingly providing false information to TAMU and consequently to NASA. In addition to the funds, Cheng personally benefited from his affiliation with TAMU and NASA with increased access to unique NASA resources, such as the International Space Station, according to the complaint. This access allegedly allowed Cheng to further his standing in China at Guangdong University of Technology and other universities. The charges further allege he held senior research positions there unknown to TAMU and NASA and was able to serve in the People's Republic of China Talents program. China's Talents Plans are allegedly designed to attract, recruit and cultivate high-level scientific talent in furtherance of China's scientific development, economic prosperity and national security.

The FBI-Bryan Resident Agency and NASA-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of TAMU. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Ferko and S. Mark McIntyre are prosecuting the case with the assistance of trial attorney Matthew McKenzie of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Attachment(s): Download cheng_complaint.pdf

Topic(s):

Counterintelligence and Export Control

National Security

Component(s):

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - Texas, Southern

Press Release Number: 20-814

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






A constable was killed and at least three others got injured when the roof of a barrack at Kanpur police lines collapsed late on Monday night, the police said.

Constable Arvind Kumar died due to injuries and others were being treated, said Superintendent of Police (Kanpur West) Anil Kumar. The debris at the police lines was being cleared on a war footing as some more personnel were feared trapped under it.

Senior Superintendent of Police Preetinder Singh expressed his condolences and said that compensation will be given to the bereaving family.

Also read: Covid-19 - No public functions, religious gatherings in UP till September 30

The barrack is one of several at the central police lines. The roof collapsed at around 10.30 pm after which other policemen rushed to the site and pulled out four of their colleagues. They were immediately taken to a private hospital where one of them died. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been called in to take over the rescue and relief work.
Even though many countries are still reeling under the first wave of coronavirus and fail to curb the escalating number of infected people, health experts warn of another wave which may be triggered in winters ahead of vaccine creation. Researchers across the world are competing against one another to come up first with a drug that could beat the fast-speading pandemic but they may not be fast enough as the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still spreading at an alarming rate and may survive longer during the winters.

As uncertainty looms over how the virus will behave in colder temperatures, an infectious disease expert and former WHO virologist, Klaus Stohr, had said in an interview with Bloomberg, The epidemiological behaviour of this virus will not be that much different from other respiratory diseases. During winter, they come back. There will be another wave, and it will be very serious. More than 90% of the population is susceptible. If we do not tighten again to a serious lockdown or similar measures, the virus is going to cause a significant outbreak. Winter is coming before the vaccine. 

However, this was not the first time that Stohr sounded the alarm on the pandemic. He has been urging governments for years to prepare for the grim possibility of a pandemic ever since he identified a coronavirus as the cause of SARS in 2003. Later in 2007, he left the WHO to join drugmaker Novartis AG before retiring a couple of years ago.

Painting a sobering picture, Stohr had predicted in July this year that the world will be divided into two groups by the next year - those with vaccines like Germany and those with no vaccines like Brazil, Argentina or Chile which may never get a single dose and still have to cope. He said, I would assume that by the middle of next year a significant portion of the world will have antibodies. That will increase gradually over time. Then there will be a third wave, and when that is over, I would think that 80% of the world may have antibodies if lockdowns are not instituted, which I doubt.

Echoing his thoughts, Englands chief medical officer, Chris Whitty told News Sky, Planning for the next winter, it would be foolish to plan on the basis we will have a vaccine. Now that may be wrong - a lot of people are doing a huge amount scientifically, logistically to make sure thats a pessimistic statement, to try and see if we can get a vaccine at an extraordinarily fast speed but we have to check it works and we have to make sure its safe and these things do take time.

With the large scale immunisation gearing to be another future challenge and no vaccine in view for another six months, health experts suggest planning around current resources. Witty said, We should plan on the basis we will not have a vaccine and then if one does prove to be effective and safe and available then were in a strong position to be able to use it and that will be great but we should be planning on the basis of what we currently have.

Even Stohr had suggested that since vaccines will not be available for the majority of the world, we have to find a way to open our community in a way that supports our long-term medical goal, which is the least number of casualties over time, knowing that you cannot avoid the spread of infection. 

Giving a little hope, Stohr had revealed that conventional vaccines, different approaches, vector vaccines and mRNA could make very promising differences. He had said that coronavirus is not a particularly difficult virus to handle.

With alerts from health experts, monsoons taking a leave in another couple of weeks and winter just around the corner, it will be crucial to abide by certain norms to survive another wave of COVID-19. Regularly sanitise places, practise respiratory and hand hygiene measures, strictly follow social distancing rules without any lackadaisical approach and ramp up the testing for coronavirus so as to prevent COVID-19 from accelerating especially to the most susceptible and vulnerable sections of the society.

Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter
The two major political parties in the Edo State governorship election slated for September 19, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, on Tuesday tackled each other over alleged plans to scuttle the ward-to-ward campaign in Owan East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

A chieftain of the APC in the state and former deputy chief whip of the House of Representatives, Pally Iriase, raised the alarm over acts of violence and intimidation allegedly masterminded by the state government and its agents to scuttle the ward-to-ward rallies scheduled for Tuesday in the council.

Mr Iriase called on security agencies to help Edo State maintain democratic values during the forthcoming governorship election.

He specifically accused the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, and the chairman of Owan East LGA, Andrew Osigwe, of embarking on violent acts since Monday, designed to disrupt the planned ward rallies in the local government area.

Mr Iriase alleged that Mr Osigwe led hoodlums to destroy the APC campaign podium, chairs, and canopies meant for a political rally at Ihievbe community.

But reacting swiftly to the claims, Mr Osigwe said both Mr Obaseki and himself are law-abiding citizens of the state and the country and therefore cannot be involved in such violent acts.

The council chairman charged the APC to make room for a peaceful, free and fair governorship polls in the state.

Mr Osigwe said, my governor and I are law-abiding citizens, we will never do such a thing. Even when they came to Afuze and they did their local government rally, they did not apply for the stadium yet I allowed them to use it. Why didnt I send people to go and scatter the event? If they have an internal crisis among themselves they should go and sort it out. They should stop bringing Godwin Obaseki and myself into it.

Confirm what I just told you now; when they came, the public field that they used, they did not apply for it, but I allowed them to use it. I only told them to go and pay N5,000 on the very day they came for the rally.

What do I know about that (destruction of campaign podium, chairs, and canopies)? Tell them not to put my name in connection with anything violent. The vice-chairman that they removed, was he not the one that gave him the gun with which they used to come to scatter the council after he (Vice-chairman) was impeached?

Everything we have done throughout the campaigns in this election is to maintain peace; we have never carried out an act of aggression. Let them leave me alone, they should mobilize their people, let me mobilize my people too. That is what election is supposed to be.

However, Mr Iriase pointed out that at Ihievbe, APC leaders in the area had avoided public school fields and paid for the foreground of the Catholic Church as the venue, yet Obasekis agents went on the orgy of destruction in that church premises.

According to the former whip, the governor and his agents led by the council chairman of Owan East LGA have since yesterday (Monday) embarked on violent acts of brigandage and intimidation to scuttle the scheduled ward to ward rallies in Owan East Local Government Area today, (Tuesday).

At Otuo, APC sought to use the same primary school field that Obaseki and the PDP used for their rally over a week ago but the governors alleged hoodlums led by the council chairman came to disrupt preparations, chanting war songs in the process.

Also, at Arokho, the same gang of hoodlums chased away the workers preparing the campaign podium in the same school field used by Obaseki and the PDP barely a week ago.

Meanwhile, a political pressure group; Joint Forces for the Defence of Democracy in Edo (JFDDE) on Tuesday staged a protest in Benin City accusing the PDP of sponsoring violence ahead of the governorship election.

They said the arraignment and subsequent remand of seven persons over possession of firearms during the recent crisis involving the state House of Assembly complex was an indication that the PDP was behind the violence.

A Benin City High Court on Monday remanded seven persons nabbed by the police with suspected illegal firearms during the invasion of the Edo State House of Assembly on August 6.

The protesting group went to the High Court premises and the state police command armed with placards with inscriptions such as Election nor be war, Put an end to election violence, and Edo election must be violence-free, among others.

A spokesperson for the group, Felix Isere said, We are here to let the police know that the people involved in the criminal acts are high-powered PDP members who are sponsoring them.

In his response, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, dispelled the allegation.

Members of the group should look inwards and towards the APC who are known for hiring thugs and procurement of arms. The PDP and its candidate are known for peace and have been preaching peace since the campaigns; we cannot indulge in any acts of hiring thugs for violence or procurement of arms, Mr Nehikhare said.
Thapelo Manyathela

25.08.2020 LISTEN

Its 2013 Im working as a freelance sound engineer in my aunt's backroom. At this point Ive recorded, mixed and mastered five projects that havent hit any major stores. This for me at the time was disheartening, in light of how much work and sleepless nights Ive put in on projects I thought would blow up. Its not like the music was bad, I mean people were responding well to it - in our circle of family and friends. But that was not enough - we needed more ears and eyes to push the boundary beyond family and friends to broaden the spectrum and get noticed.

One would say: you need to know someone that knows someone in order to stretch your horizon and gain publicity. The thing is, they never tell you who this someone is. You would have to forgive me for thinking that this someone is dressed in a black suit, guarding the gates to the land of milk and honey (aka fame) with the hammer of Thor. What does this even mean? Who holds the right to enter this promised land? The elite maybe? I dont know.

The truth is, the so-called elite does not exist, it's all folklore, a grown man's tale. On the other hand, actual gatekeepers do exist but they do not rule with the hammer of Thor. Instead, they roam the street with notepads; and rule with an iron pen and quick fingers. Who are these gatekeepers? We call them the media. These men and women are the real pioneers of information distribution in a world of print and online media. These are the people you call to get that burning press release out to the world beyond your backroom. You can often go from zero to hero overnight, and that's the honest reality.

Just like any existing brand, your objective is to engage with your potential audience through networking, relationship building and sharing your story. In the words of Seth Godin A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a customer's decision to choose one product or service over another. Trust me, it doesnt take a rocket scientist to make this happen, but it does take one to maintain relationships. If you are already hyperventilating because you are not a rocket scientist, you can buckle up and relax. By the end of this piece, youll know what it takes to be a rocket scientist in the public relations (PR) field to nurse those important relationships. I know it sounds like a mismatch, but we need rocket scientists to hit the ground running. Pay careful attention to the following, and youll be ready to stimulate publicity around your brand.

Create a hook: Make sure you have a story that draws your audience into your web of awesomeness. According to Robyn Gravestock, a hook could be your headline, an image, a video, a thought-provoking question, an amazing statistic or even a PR stunt deliberately designed to add newsworthy value to a clients message.

Make sure you have a story that draws your audience into your web of awesomeness. According to Robyn Gravestock, a hook could be your headline, an image, a video, a thought-provoking question, an amazing statistic or even a PR stunt deliberately designed to add newsworthy value to a clients message. Create press kits: Creating informative content (that could include photographs, news and a sample of your work, for instance) is something that's taken for granted. You would need this to show a journalist that you are serious about what you are presenting and that their thoughts count when it comes to sampling your product.

Creating informative content (that could include photographs, news and a sample of your work, for instance) is something that's taken for granted. You would need this to show a journalist that you are serious about what you are presenting and that their thoughts count when it comes to sampling your product. Create a contact list: I used to be under the impression that a journalist is a journalist, and they write and publish anything that comes their way. Well let me just say, I got a rude awakening when my stories werent published. For any brand to succeed it needs to know where to place stories in order to get the best outcome. A list of specific media contacts that are aligned with your brand would be a good start to get the word out there. This makes the stress of content distribution a bit lighter because you have an idea of where you are headed.

I used to be under the impression that a journalist is a journalist, and they write and publish anything that comes their way. Well let me just say, I got a rude awakening when my stories werent published. For any brand to succeed it needs to know where to place stories in order to get the best outcome. A list of specific media contacts that are aligned with your brand would be a good start to get the word out there. This makes the stress of content distribution a bit lighter because you have an idea of where you are headed. Build Relationships: Again, it doesnt take a rocket scientist to build relationships but it does take one to maintain them. At this point, you need to make sure that you are in frequent communication with the contacts you have built. Most PR agencies build relationships well, but then leave them hanging by the wayside because they cant maintain them. How do you maintain these relationships, you may ask. Have coffee or lunch date with journalists but keep in mind you are building and maintaining a relationship so no pitching will be done on the day - bring yourself and leave the pitch at home. Muck Rack statistics show that 63% of journalists view their relationships with PR pros as mutually beneficial, if not quite a partnership.

Again, it doesnt take a rocket scientist to build relationships but it does take one to maintain them. At this point, you need to make sure that you are in frequent communication with the contacts you have built. Most PR agencies build relationships well, but then leave them hanging by the wayside because they cant maintain them. How do you maintain these relationships, you may ask. Have coffee or lunch date with journalists but keep in mind you are building and maintaining a relationship so no pitching will be done on the day - bring yourself and leave the pitch at home. Muck Rack statistics show that 63% of journalists view their relationships with PR pros as mutually beneficial, if not quite a partnership. Be part of the scene: This would be an extension of building relationships and will fall under networking. Being present at external events will give you huge points not only with the media but also with potential stakeholders as you become recognizable and hard to miss.

This would be an extension of building relationships and will fall under networking. Being present at external events will give you huge points not only with the media but also with potential stakeholders as you become recognizable and hard to miss. Create your own medium for press: According to Optinmonster 60% of people find it hard to produce content consistently. What I grew to notice is that most agencies rely solely on what they give the media and forget to build their own platform when the media doesnt bite. Its important to have these platforms where content (like interactive social media pages that share client news and successes) are showcased. This shows the past, present and future of the brand as a whole, which builds transparency not only with the media, but with potential clients that would like to get involved with your brand as well.

In the words of Gary Vaynerchuk You cant be successful by just saying ityou have to have the talent to learn and also be willing to put in the work.

For the sake of your brand's growth, you need to familiarize ourselves with the above text. That's a message from me to the guy in the backroom frustrated at the world because nothing is coming together. I would suggest building that contact list and making friends in the right places - that way you are aligned with your journo friends that want to help your brand get some exposure. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to build relationships but it does take one to maintain them. Tap into your inner scientist and maintain those relationships.
RTHK: Wisconsin calls in National Guard amid shooting fury

Wisconsin's governor ordered National Guard troops sent to the city of Kenosha on Monday in anticipation of another night of civil unrest after police there shot a Black man several times in the back as his three children looked on.

Governor Tony Evers called up the guard about an hour before Kenosha's mayor faced dozens of protesters who tried to force their way into the city public safety building demanding the arrest of officers involved in Sunday's shooting, which left Jacob Blake in hospital.

Blake, 29, was listed in stable condition following surgery, his father told news media on Monday. His three young sons witnessed the shooting from just a few feet away while sitting in the family's car, according to the family attorney.

Video of the deadly encounter taken by an onlooker showed Blake walking toward the driver's side of a gray SUV followed by two officers with their guns drawn at his back. Seven gunshots are then heard as Blake, who appears unarmed, opens the car door and a woman nearby jumps up and down in disbelief.

It was unknown whether the officers saw something inside the vehicle that prompted them to shoot Blake. It was also not clear whether one or both officers opened fire.

Crowds gathered at the scene, and some demonstrators set fires and threw bricks and Molotov cocktails at police, leading authorities to close public buildings in the area. Activists said they were organising another night of demonstrations for Monday night.

Earlier on Monday afternoon, however, tensions boiled over when Mayor John Antaramian sought to address scores of protesters outside the city's public safety building when a planned news conference was moved inside minutes before it was to have started, according to a Reuters witness.

Drowned out by the shouting, jeering crowd, the mayor ducked back into the building, and demonstrators tried to push their way through the entrance behind him, scuffling with police who struggled to block their way as the door broke from its hinges.

Moments later 15 to 20 officers in riot gear poured out of the building dousing the protesters with pepper spray as the crowd dispersed.

Evers, a Democrat, said he ordered state Guard troops to Kenosha, a city of about 100,000 about 64 kilometres south of Milwaukee on Lake Michigan, at the request of local officials to support law enforcement in maintaining order. (Reuters)

______________________________

Last updated: 2020-08-25 HKT 09:02

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The white police officer who shot black 29-year-old Jacob Blake in the back, triggering a new wave of violent protests in America, was named by US officials on Wednesday, as NBA players led an unprecedented wave of sports walkouts against racism and police brutality.

Anger and grief have built since Sunday, when a seven-year veteran of the police force in Kenosha, Wisconsin shot Blake seven times at point blank range while three of his children watched in the Midwestern city.

The US Department of Justice announced late Wednesday it was opening a civil rights investigation into Blake's shooting.

Local law enforcement had maintained silence as nightly protests descended into violence, and two people were shot dead when armed vigilantes clashed with demonstrators on Tuesday night. A 17-year-old teenager has since been arrested for murder.

But on Wednesday the Wisconsin Department of Justice gave its first official account of Blake's shooting, saying he had a knife "in his possession" when officer Rusten Sheskey fired his gun into his back.

It was not clear from the statement if the knife, recovered from inside the car, was in Blake's hands when he was shot or at any other point during the altercation. He survived, but may be paralyzed for life.

Officers were sent to a residence in Kenosha following a domestic disturbance and during the incident "attempted to arrest" Blake, unsuccessfully tasering him, the statement said.

"Mr Blake walked around his vehicle, opened the driver's side door, and leaned forward. While holding onto Mr Blake's shirt, Officer Rusten Sheskey fired his service weapon 7 times. Officer Sheskey fired the weapon into Mr Blake's back," it said.

Subsequently, the statement said, agents "recovered a knife from the driver's side floorboard of Mr Blake's vehicle."

Blake's shooting comes just three months after another African American man, George Floyd, suffocated beneath the knee of a white officer in Minneapolis, igniting the most widespread civil unrest in the country in decades.

Story continues

On Wednesday frustrated sportsmen and women took a new stand with NBA basketball players, tennis star Naomi Osaka, baseball and soccer players all pulling out of fixtures in protest.

"Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today cannot be on basketball," players for the Milwaukee Bucks, whose base is just to the north of Kenosha, said in a statement after boycotting their game.

- 17-year-old arrested -

Kenosha city officials ordered a 7:00 pm to 7:00 am curfew through Sunday in hopes of bringing calm after Tuesday's deadly violence, which occurred as mostly white armed vigilantes flocked to the site of protests, saying they were there to defend private property.

Videos showed one of the vigilantes shooting at protesters with an assault rifle. The man then walks down the street freely, gun slung across his chest, while protesters scatter and police vehicles drive past him.

Two men were killed and one wounded in the arm in the shooting.

Police in Antioch, Illinois, southwest of Kenosha, said Wednesday they had arrested a 17-year-old on murder charges following the killings.

The suspect has been identified as Kyle Rittenhouse, a local youth whose social media accounts reportedly pointed at an affinity for guns and law enforcement.

Facebook said it had removed the accounts of the teen suspect, along with pages of a local militia in Kenosha.

"We've designated this shooting as a mass murder and have removed the shooter's accounts from Facebook and Instagram," the internet giant told AFP.

- 'Find another way' -

Two hours after the curfew began Wednesday night about 200 Black Lives Matter protesters marched through the city of Kenosha. A helicopter buzzed overhead, but there was no sign of police.

"I defy the curfew to stand for justice," 33-year-old hotel worker Nicola Marie told AFP.

"I am very nervous that there is no police around. I don't really know what's going to happen," she added.

In Los Angeles violence broke out early Thursday morning between anti-racism protesters and police inside a downtown tunnel, when officers surrounded a group of about 100 and tried to make arrests, footage from ABC News showed.

Scuffles took place and rubber bullets were fired during ugly scenes that followed a march of about 300 people through the area.

Trump's comments made clear the violence would also be fodder for the ongoing presidential race, with the election just over two months away.

His campaign has portrayed anti-police protests in numerous cities as an extreme leftist threat to the country.

Democratic rival Joe Biden meanwhile said he has spoken to Blake's family, and promised them "justice."

"What I saw on that video makes me sick," Biden said of the shooting footage. "I told them justice must and will be done."

str-st/ec/axn/je
Ken and Anna Kupferschmid of rural Paxton went through a rough August  contracting the COVID-19 virus. As of last week they were practically recovered and planned to return to work Monday.
New Iran Spokesman Says Normalization Of UAE's Ties With Israel Was 'Big Mistake'

Radio Farda August 24, 2020

The new spokesman of Iran's Foreign Ministry has characterized the normalization of the United Arab Emirates' ties with Israel as "a scar on the face of the Muslim world."

Saeed Khatibzadeh, who was speaking on Monday, August 24 about United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to the region said that "the UAE has made a big mistake and we hope it will correct its behavior."

He added, "Israel cannot protect its own security and is facing many problems in the occupied territories," and that "the Islamic Republic of Iran is serious about its national interests and security and the UAE will be held accountable for even the slightest threats against Iran."

Iran attaches high priority to its relations with its neighbors, he said, and the country will oppose any factor that would adversely affect the relations with neighboring nations by creating insecurity and instability.

Speaking about the possibility of more countries normalizing their relations with Israel, Khatibzadeh said that "Israel will do anything for legitimacy. However, miscalculations by countries normalizing their ties with Israel will have consequences," with Khatibzadeh declining to comment on what those consequences may be.

Khatibzadeh also spoke about recent incidents involving the seizure of Iranian fishing boats by the UAE forces."We sent our message immediately after the incident and summoned UAE's charge' d'affaires in Tehran and protested about the development," he said, with the UAE later acknowledging its responsibility and officially apologizing to Iran.

He added that the UAE is going to compensate for the damages made to the Iranian fishing boat, and Iran will follow the case through its completion.

Meanwhile, answering a question about Iran's relations with Venezuela, Khatibzadeh said that Iran "[knows] how to circumvent US sanctions and our transactions with Venezuela are based on Iran's national interests."

As for Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro's interest in purchasing missiles from Iran, "The Venezuelan President has said this in response to a laughable claim by another country's officials, however, we have not received any request in this connection," Khatibzadeh said.

Referring to the US officials' statements about confiscating Iran's gasoline shipments for Venezuela, Khatibzadeh called the ships' seizure an act of piracy, regardless of who owned the ships. "Iran was not the owner of the ships or what they carried," Khatibzadeh said. "Nor were the ships sailing under the Iranian flag. The Americans lied to themselves once again, but everybody knows what they said was not true."

Meanwhile, he strongly criticized what he called "interventionist remarks" by the US Department of State's spokeswoman Morgan Ortega, but did not specify which comments he was referring to. However, he opined that his US counterpart should focus on the problems her country is facing all over the world. He further called Ortega's remarks "annoying" and said her statements "should not be taken seriously."

In another part of the news conference, Khatibzadeh was asked about the IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi's visit to Iran. He said Grossi will be Iranian Atomic Energy Organization chief Ali Akbar Salehi's guest, and will also meet with the Iranian President and Foreign Minister during the visit.

Asked about his expectations for Grossi's trip, Khatibzadeh said the visit is meant to strengthen cooperation between Iran and the IAEA, and that he was sure the visit will solve recent problems with the agency.

The IAEA board of governor has been calling for its inspectors to gain access to two Iranian nuclear sites that they have not yet been allowed to inspect.

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/new-iran- spokesman-says-normalization-of-uae-s-ties-with- israel-was-big-mistake-/30800097.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






It had been many years since Catalina* had finished her law degree when fear for her familys safety and anger over what was happening in her native Nicaragua compelled her to move in with protesting students on a university campus as part of mass antigovernment demonstrations in 2018.

One night, a homemade explosive was lobbed through the window and detonated on her right foot.

Though she underwent surgery to save her foot, the serious injuries she sustained in the explosion required extensive treatment. Fearing she could be targeted for abduction, Catalina often used disguises when she went for appointments with her doctors. Eventually, the fear of being detained for her role in the protests led her to flee across the border to neighboring Costa Rica, where she applied for asylum.

Her wounds festering, and unable to afford a doctor in Costa Rica, she went without treatment for several months  running the risk of becoming permanently disabled. Then she heard of an initiative by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, that gives 6,000 refugees and asylum seekers access to Costa Ricas robust public health system.

When I heard of the medical insurance provided by UNHCR, it was a blessing, said Catalina, a 44-year-old lawyer and mother of two.

Initially spearheaded by students and the elderly, the wave of demonstrations in Nicaragua in 2018 quickly garnered support from white collar professionals like Catalina, including teachers, doctors and journalists, as well as farmers. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights estimates that more than 300 demonstrators were killed in the protests.

When I heard of the medical insurance provided by UNHCR, it was a blessing.

Catalina felt compelled to become involved and opened her house as a makeshift aid centre for protesters, where she and others fed and clothed demonstrators and dispensed basic first aid. But her act of solidarity soon also turned her into a target for retaliation.

To escape possible attacks and avoid putting her two teenage daughters in danger, Catalina joined protesters on the campus of a nearby university. One night, while she and other demonstrators were sleeping in a classroom, a loud noise awoke her. She went to the window to see what it was. A homemade explosive went in through the window and exploded on her, destroying half of her foot.

I was bleeding and they carried me  to the hospital, she said. A block away from the car I began feeling cold and thought I would die. One of the young men kept telling me to stay away from the light. I thought only of my daughters.

At the hospital, she underwent surgery and was swiftly released because the medical staff feared that those who were behind the attack might track her down. Still, her wounds required continued treatment, so for several months, she dyed her hair or wore hats in a bid to keep from being identified and detained.

But Catalina suspected that paramilitary groups were closing in on her. She felt her only chance to survive was to flee Nicaragua. She bundled up a few belongings and, despite her still-unhealed wounds, managed to cross the Central American nations southern land border into Costa Rica, all alone.

A Costa Rican doctor examines the injuries Catalina sustained during protests back home in Nicaragua.  UNHCR/Luis Roberto Solano Vargas

Catalina prepares the food kits that she hands out to homeless people, refugees, and others in need in her host country, Costa Rica.  UNHCR/Luis Roberto Solano Vargas

She is one of more than 100,000 Nicaraguans estimated to have fled persecution and human rights violations in the wake of the protest movement. Like her, more than 86,000 of them have sought protection in Costa Rica.

While she had managed to escape danger, Catalina was still struggling with her injuries. Without a job, she was not able to afford medical care in Costa Rica. And as a refugee, with no medical insurance, she was not able to access the countrys public health system.

I began feeling cold and thought I would die .... I thought only of my daughters.

But an agreement signed between the Costa Rican Social Security System and UNHCR changed that for Catalina and thousands of others like her. The agreement extended coverage under the countrys public health system to 6,000 extremely vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers.

Maria Jose Barth Vega, UNHCRs public health officer in Costa Rica, underscored that people forced to flee their homelands often tend to suffer from chronic ailments that require long-term care, adding that the stresses of leaving home sometimes make their conditions worse.

Many refugees and asylum-seekers have injuries and trauma that require urgent medical attention. Effective access to health services is a must for them to rebuild their lives with dignity ,  she explained.

The initiative has taken on even greater importance amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit the Americas particularly hard. As a result, UNHCR tweaked the program to also target refugees and asylum seekers who face higher risks due to the coronavirus, such as the elderly.

Thanks to the programme, Catalina was able to resume her treatment. As her physical injuries have healed, so too have the emotional scars.

Catalina is now back to what she most enjoys: helping others. Working with a religious organization and other Nicaraguans in Costa Rica, she has helped organize initiatives to provide aid to the homeless and other vulnerable people in her host country.

Helping others helps me, she said.

*Name changed for protection reasons.
This grant will help me complete these projects, Glass said.

Eva Rocha, another artist and grant recipient from Richmond, said that she hasnt been able to afford materials for her sculptures during the pandemic. She had to start using recycled materials, like egg cartons and cans, to create her work. But now, with the help of the grant, she will be able to buy plaster and other textiles for her pieces.

Art is fundamental. Its a channel of communication, a powerful way to communicate. In times like these, especially for minorities or people who dont have access to funds, its important for those channels to stay open, Rocha, a native of Brazil, said.

The grants have already been mailed, overnight, to the recipients. We didnt want to wait a minute, knowing the dire circumstances of artists statewide, Nyerges said.

The Virginia Artist Relief Fellowship Program will distribute a total of $200,000 in funding.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has once again clarified that the JEE 2020 and NEET 2020 examinations will be held as per schedule. The testing body said the number of examination centres for JEE Main and NEET 2020 has been increased to 660 and 3,843 from 570 and 2,546, respectively.

JEE Main 2020 is the entrance examination for admission into engineering colleges. It will be held between September 1 and September 9. NEET 2020 is the entrance examination for entry into undergraduate medical courses and is scheduled for September 13.

In the case of JEE Main, which will be a computer-based test held in examination centres, the number of shifts have been increased to 12 from 8 earlier. Further, the number of candidates per shift have been decreased to 85,000 from 1,32,000 earlier.

On August 21, the testing body had reiterated that JEE Main and NEET will be held as per schedule.

NTA said that 8,58,000 candidates have registered for JEE Main 2020 and 1.59 million candidates have registered for NEET (UG) 2020.

JEE Main 2020 admit cards have been already issued while for NEET 2020, the admit cards will be released shortly. NTA said more than 99 percent of candidates will get their first choice of examination centre cities.

"To meet the social distancing norms, there has been a substantial increase in the examination centres," said NTA.

There has been a growing clamour to postpone JEE/NEET examination with India having reported 3.16 million positive coronavirus cases.

Several public personalities including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra Tourism and Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray, Bollywood actor Sonu Sood and climate activist Greta Thunberg having called for JEE/NEET to be postponed.

The Supreme Court had on August 17 dismissed pleas to direct NTA to postpone JEE Main and NEET due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Following this, Supreme Court (SC) advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava had even written to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) seeking the postponement of JEE Main 2020, JEE Advanced 2020 and NEET 2020 exam dates.

NTA said in its statement on August 24 that social distancing will be maintained in exam halls. It added that entry and exit of candidates will be staggered.
SANTA FE  An Albuquerque police officer whose life changed during the course of an on-duty call will address the Republican National Convention on Wednesday.

Ryan Holets, who has worked for the Albuquerque Police Department for nine years, will speak on the same day as Vice President Mike Pence, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and other GOP officials, according to an RNC schedule.

In 2017, Holets and his wife adopted the baby of a pregnant women with a heroin addiction that he met while responding to a call about drug use behind a convenience store.

The baby, Hope, was born with heroin and crystal meth in her system and had to endure detox for about two weeks, suffering withdrawal symptoms.

Holets, whose story got national attention, was also a guest of President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the presidents 2018 State of the Union address.

An APD spokesman said Holets had informed Police Chief Michael Geier he will record his speech remotely and will focus his remarks on the countrys opioid epidemic.

He will not be in uniform and will be representing himself and his familys story of adoption, APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said.

New Mexico Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce officially cast the states 22 delegate votes for Trump during the opening day of the RNC on Monday.

Meanwhile, Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer is also scheduled to speak during the four-day RNC. The Navajo Nations president Jonathan Nez addressed the Democratic National Convention last week.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and senior leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to some of the dissenting leaders, including leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, after Mondays stormy meeting of the Congress Working Committee in a bid to address the prevailing unrest in the party, people familiar with the developments said.

A Congress functionary said on condition of anonymity that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi called up some of the senior leaders -- among the group of 23 who wrote a letter to Sonia Gandhi asking for structural changes in the party -- and conveyed to them that they hold no grudges.

The leaders who wrote to Sonia Gandhi included Azad, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Jitin Prasada, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Mukul Wasnik, Manish Tiwari, Shashi Tharoor, and Prithiviraj Chavan.

Also read: Shiv Sena slams Cong MLAs protest, calls it akin to questioning Sonia and Rahul

In the letter, they demanded a complete overhaul of the organisation, a full-time president and constitution of a parliamentary board that will include the Gandhi family as the collective leadership if Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were not willing to accept the party chiefs post.

The people cited above said that the calls were a follow-up to Sonia Gandhis concluding remarks at the CWC meeting when she said that she has no ill-will and let bygones be bygones and the need of the hour is to fight against those who are failing the country -- in an apparent reference to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

We are a large family. We have differences and different views on many occasions, but, we come together as one. The need of the hour is to fight for the cause of the people and the forces that are failing this country. Organisational issues are always addressed within the organisation. And the process of constitution and reconstitution is a continuous one, she said.

I do not hold any ill-will against any colleague or any other thought of any other nature, for I treat all of you as part of the family. Irrespective of how hurtful the remarks or in the past many years of any colleague may have been, I have always risen above them to keep the Congress family together and to fight for the cause of the people, the Congress chief added.

Also read | Congress turmoil: A look at past instances involving letters

Rahul Gandhi had called up Sibal on Monday during the CWC meeting after the former Union minister tweeted in response to media reports claiming that the former Congress chief had said the dissenters were colluding with the BJP.

Sibal later withdrew his tweet, saying that Rahul Gandhi had clarified that the reports were incorrect and that the words attributed to him were wrong.

The Congress functionary quoted in the first instance said that Sonia Gandhi will soon form a committee that will help her in the partys day-to-day functioning.

The functionary indicated that it will be a small panel that will share Sonia Gandhis burden till a session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) is held within six months if the Covid-19 situation improves by then and a new party president elected. For the AICC session, ways and means have to be devised, he said.

The decisions were taken at the CWC meeting where Sonia Gandhi was asked to continue on the post till a new president is elected.

After the seven-hour meeting in which 48 of the 52 members came down heavily on the four letter-writers present in the meeting  Azad, Wasnik, Sharma and Prasada -- Sonia Gandhi agreed to continue but said this arrangement cannot remain open-ended as the new party chief has to be selected soon.

She also asked leaders, especially the seniors, to desist from raising organisational issues outside the party forum.

On Tuesday, many signatories took to twitter to refute those calling them dissenters.

Friends, we are not dissenters but proponents of revival: the letter was not a challenge to leadership but a parchment of action to strengthen the party: universally truth is best defence whether it be Court or Public Affairs: history acknowledges the brave & not the timid, tweeted partys Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha.

Anand Sharma agreed with him and said their intention was to convey shared concerns over the present environment in the county and it was done with the best interest of the party in their hearts.

Well said. The letter was written with the best interest of the party in our hearts and conveying shared concerns over the present environment in the country and sustained assault on the foundational values of the constitution, Sharma said in response to Tankhas tweet.

Wasnik also responded to Tankhas tweet. Well said. Sooner than later those who saw the letter as an offence will also realise that the issues raised are worth consideration, he tweeted.

Sharma further said that having a full time, active and visible leadership, devolution of powers to state units and revamping the CWC in line with the party constitution were some of the key suggestions made by the 23 leaders in their letter to Sonia Gandhi to revive the organisation.

Earlier in the day, Sibal posted a cryptic tweet, saying: Its not about a post. Its about my country which matters most.

A leader belonging to the group of dissenters said they were satisfied with the outcome of the CWC meet but would wait and watch before deciding about their future course of action.

Former Union minister M Veerappa Moily, who is also one of the signatories, said they were sorry if their action had hurt Sonia Gandhis feelings. If we have hurt her feelings, we are sorry for it, Moily said, asserting they never questioned her Gandhi family leadership.

However, he defended being a signatory to the letter saying there is a need for rejuvenating and restructuring the party.

Moily also disapproved of the media leak of the letter and called for an internal party enquiry to find out those behind it and wanted them to be punished.

Soniaji is like a mother to the party. There is no question of any intention to hurt her feelings. If we have hurt her feelings, we are sorry for it, he said.

Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi will also interact through video-conferencing with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, four Congress chief ministers  Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan), Captain Amarinder Singh (Punjab), Bhupesh Baghel (Chhattisgarh) and V Narayanasamy (Puducherry), Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and his Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren on the GST, NEET and JEE issues

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Gaming initiatives backed by Ho-Chunk Inc. , the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe , can't appear on the November ballot, Nebraska Secretary of State Robert B. Evnen announced.

Keep the Money in Nebraska collected enough signatures for three separate initiatives to appear on the ballot. But Evnen in a news release on Tuesday said the language in two of them was "confusing" because they didn't focus on a single subject. A third is considered to be "logrolling," or the trading of favors, which he said is outlawed in the state.

The Constitutional right to bring forward initiative petitions for a vote of the people is fundamental to our state governance and is to be zealously protected," Evnen wrote in a determination letter sent to state citizens who challenged the initiatives. "Part of the protection of the right of initiative is to assure that such petitions are neither misleading nor manipulative.

Jake and Megan Olesiak discuss how expanded casino gaming will help not only Nebraska property owners, but communities and the horse racing and ag industry, too. Vote FOR all three measures this November 3rd.https://t.co/TYAmkUXnUp  Keep the Money in Nebraska (@NECasinos2020) August 14, 2020

In the news release, Evnen said his determination could be challenged in court. The final ballot for the November 6 election must be certified by September 11, he added.

Keep the Money in Nebraska plans to file suit in the Supreme Court of Nebraska in response to the decision. Evnen is being named as the defendant. [ Application for Leave to File an Original Action

The initiatives, if approved by voters, authorize casino-style gaming at racetracks in Nebraska. Doing so would also open the door for Class III gaming on Indian lands in the state.

Casino-style gaming is legal in every state that borders Nebraska. The state has consistently refused to negotiate with tribes for Class III gaming, a category that includes slot machines and most table and card games.

The petitions submitted by the backers of Keep the Money in Nebraska are: Games of Chance  Constitutional Amendment Petition Games of Chance  Racetrack Petition and Games of Chance  Tax Petition

Besides Ho-Chunk Inc., the sponsors of the petitions are the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and Omaha Exposition and Racing.

Ho-Chunk Inc. owns Indianz.Com. The website operates independently is not involved in the activities of the corporation.

Read More on the Story

Join the Conversation
Police in the southern New South Wales (NSW) border city of Albury check cars crossing the state border from Victoria on July 8, 2020. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

NSW-Victoria Border Restrictions to Be Eased

Travel restrictions for residents on the NSW-Victoria border could soon be eased, with the NSW government considering extending the travel zone to give more freedom to border communities.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the coalition government would look to extend the border zone from 2.5 to 50 kilometres over the next 10 days.

He said this would give more freedom to those on both sides of the border to work and function as a community.

Barilaro also flagged further changes including increasing the distance agricultural workers can travel.

Further changes we are working towards include allowing the agriculture workforce to travel across the border, initially within a 100 kilometre radius, and creating quarantine areas closer to the border, Barilaro tweeted on Aug. 25.

It comes as the Premier Gladys Berejiklian backed the states hotel quarantine system despite a virus-positive security guard being fined twice for failing to isolate while waiting for his test results.

Berejiklian says the process is monitored by police daily and audited regularly, but notes no system is foolproof.

The latest advice I have received from the police and our authorities is that the system we have should remain and is sound, she told reporters on Aug. 25.

If there are any systemic issues then, of course, we will deal with them.

The 22-year-old security guard was fined $2000 for visiting Westfield Burwood after his test on Aug. 20 and Burwoods Service NSW building on Aug. 21 afternoon.

The Campsie man was on Aug. 22 confirmed as the second Marriott hotel security guard to catch the virus, and was fined on Aug. 23.

It comes as police began relocating 366 guests from the Travelodge Hotel Sydney after it was found not to be meeting the expectations of the quarantine program.

Hotels in the quarantine program must have robust infection control measures with personal protective equipment to be properly used by staff, including security guards and police.

The relocation operation started on Aug. 25 afternoon and was expected to take about 12 hours to complete.

The premier noted NSW had borne the brunt of Australians returning home and entering hotel quarantine with some 50,000 returned travellers going through the system so far.

We are doing this on behalf of the nation because other states are frankly not upping how many people they are accepting every day, Berejiklian said.

It comes as NSW recorded three new cases in the 24 hours to 8 p.m. on Aug. 24, including one returned traveller in hotel quarantine and two close contacts of previously known cases.

One of those is a healthcare worker at Liverpool Hospital and the other is a student from Our Lady of Mercy College in Parramatta. Both have been in self-isolation during their infectious periods.

Berejiklian says the high numbers of people coming forward for testing has helped the state move into a stronger position to control the virus spread.

However, she says pandemics are unpredictable and challenging, warning that NSW is not out of the woods yet.

Every day is a battle against the disease. No day is easy, she said.

One of the best decisions I made was putting police in charge of the operations of the entire response to the pandemic from day one to allow our health experts to do what they are brilliant at and that is deal with the disease itself.

By Dominica Sanda
DMK President M K Stalin urged the Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal to postpone the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) 2020 in view of the difficulties faced by the students appearing for the examinations.

In a letter to Pokhriyal, Stalin urged that no decision should be made in haste putting the lives of students at stake and said the government should act keeping the well-being and future of students in mind and postpone the exams until COVID-19 was brought under control.

Apart from the havoc wreaked by COVID-19, many parts are yet to recover from the recent floods that ravaged people's livelihoods. Students and parents are under enormous mental stress, trying to cope up with the testing times, he said.

Stalin said, With the present restrictions on public transport, the allotted exam centres are not uniformly accessible to all and it will not be possible for students belonging to rural areas and less-privileged sections to reach the exam centres. They will be put under a great disadvantage against their affluent counterparts.

To prove his point he stated that around 35,000 students could not appear for the Higher Secondary Class examination conducted by the Tamil Nadu government on March 24, 2020.

Around 25 lakh students were expected to sit for this years NEET and JEE and the National Testing Agency (NTA) had made it mandatory for them to give an undertaking that they were neither COVID-19 positive nor had any symptoms for the same, he said.

However, in light of the fact that most of the infected population in India remains asymptomatic, demanding self-declaration from the students does not seem to be effective in any possible way. If those appearing for the exams contract the virus, there are high possibilities of witnessing another wave of infections across the country, Stalin warned.
Pakistan: PFF to initiate drive against deep-sea fishing trawlers

August 25,2020 | Source: The International News

The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum has vowed to initiate a campaign against deep-sea fishing trawlers spotted near the Karachi Port Trust. Held at Ibrahim Hyderi on Friday, an organisational meeting was headed by Chairman Muhammad Ali Shah in which it was discussed that the federal government had once again begun to process licenses for deep-sea vessels under a policy to fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around 20 miles off the coast in Sindh and Balochistan.



Around a dozen trawlers are parked around the KPT, the meeting was informed. Since a policy on deep-sea fishing had not been approved, an inquiry should be conducted to find out who had allowed the deep-sea trawlers to stay in Pakistani waters, the meeting demanded. They questioned when fish stocks were so much depleted, around 72 per cent, then why there was a deep-sea fishing policy in the making. Shah said the expansion of fishing into the deep sea was a grave threat to the livelihood of small fishers and marine ecology. Therefore, it is a violation of national laws and international commitments. If the provincial assemblies have not approved the policy then it is also a violation of the constitution.



He said since the ecology of territorial waters and livelihoods in provinces would be harmed deeply, it was indeed the constitutional privilege of provinces to reject the policy as an illegitimate exercise of the federal jurisdiction over the EEZ. Our grave objection to this action is two-fold, he said. It threatens the livelihoods of small fishers by depriving them of catch today, and in future by ecologically destructive practices of these vessels



Shah said the food and agricultural organisations latest fish stock assessment conducted with the support of the federal government had painted a very dismal picture of the countrys marine fish stock. According to the assessment report, more than 72 per cent of the fish stock in coastal areas of Pakistan has declined.



The meeting discussed that the federal governments might have the authority to regulate deep-sea fishing which was beyond 12 nautical miles from the baseline to the exclusive economic zone stretching over 200 nautical miles across the coastline; however, fishing is a provincial subject and the provinces have authority to regulate fisheries in the sea or freshwater bodies. PFF Vice Chairman Mustafa Mirani, General Secretary Saeed Baloch and other office-bearers attended the meeting.
BADEN  Sir John A. Macdonald is going into storage.

Councillors in Wilmot Township agreed early Tuesday morning to remove the controversial statue of Canadas first prime minister from the grounds of Castle Kilbride in Baden. The statue will be held in a rented storage facility until a more fulsome consultation about its fate, and that of the entire Prime Ministers Path statue project, can be undertaken.

(I am) very much not wanting to see action on this deferred any further, said Coun. Jenn Pfenning. A number of us have spoken very clearly that we see the temporary relocation of the Sir John A. statue out of sight to be the key to creating some calm where we can have productive, respectful dialogue.

In a four-hour online discussion hampered by technical glitches, councillors decided that leaving the Macdonald statue in public view any longer would only serve to continue to cause harm to Indigenous residents and others traumatized by Macdonalds legacy of Indigenous oppression.

Mayor Les Armstrong and Coun. Barry Fisher voted against moving the statue to storage.

Presented with a staff report outlining three possibilities for the statues temporary relocation, Coun. Angie Hallman expressed concern that Indigenous community members had not been consulted about the proposed locations. I sent an introductory email to peoples of the Indigenous community to discuss this, so I feel that that was not upheld, Hallman said.

Do we leave out the people who own the statue, the citizens of Wilmot? Armstrong asked later. Youre saying that the citizens, the owners of the statue, have no say in what happens to it?

Last month, council decided the statue would be relocated to a location that does not harm any members of the Indigenous community, and pledged to retain a consultant to address the Prime Ministers Path project and a permanent location for the Macdonald statue.

Two of the options presented Monday by staff involved storing the Macdonald statue in a rented or township facility, but a lack of suitable space makes a township facility unworkable. The third option would have seen the Macdonald statue moved from its prominent location to a spot further away, but still publicly accessible, on the Prime Ministers Path.

That third option came with a pledge from citizen Glen Mathers that all related costs would be covered by public donations. The two storage options came with cost estimates ranging from $9,650 to $12,750.

I find that we are treading on perhaps some unethical territory, with a group of citizens sort of hijacking our decision-making by offering to move the statue at their cost, said Coun. Cheryl Gordijk.

The statue has been vandalized on several occasions this year, and has been the site of contentious protests from those on both sides of the debate over its merits and appropriateness.

Councillors heard from 11 delegations on Monday night, with some arguing the statue can be used as an educational tool to spark a complete, honest discussion of Macdonalds legacy, both good and bad. Others said the statues presence in a public setting causes unnecessary and unwarranted harm.

Indigenous people have stepped up and shared their trauma, and done all of this work and all of this emotional labour to demonstrate why this statue is harmful in the public eye, said Kate Laing.

The issue has become a narrow, too often nasty argument about what to do with a piece of public art, said Mary-Eileen McClear. I think we all agree that true reconciliation must go far deeper than just the removal of a statue.

The statues creator, artist Ruth Abernethy, said the mandate guiding the prime ministers collection includes a scrutiny of leadership. Be assured that the script behind this portrait collection holds no intention to shame anyone, or deny any aspect of their story.

Acknowledging that a one-sided, incomplete story is inadequate, Abernethy offered to sculpt three Indigenous portraits as a start, with subjects selected by an Indigenous-led consultation process.

The project to install a total of 22 prime minister statues from different artists along a walking trail beside Castle Kilbride and township offices was put on hold last month, pending the consultation process that will include members of the Indigenous community and other marginalized groups affected by the Prime Ministers Path. There are five statues installed at the site, including Macdonald.

That pause means that Macdonald will be joined in storage by Sir John Abbott, Sir John Thompson, Sir Mackenzie Bowell and Sir Charles Tupper  the grouping of those four prime ministers, dubbed The Unfortunate Four, was to be installed and unveiled in June, but that was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Costs are expected to run between $11,750 and $12,750 for the removal of the Macdonald statue and a seven-month stay in storage for the five figures. For security reasons, the location of the storage facility wont be disclosed.
Blackstone Group Inc. will see a $5 billion gain from selling a stake in the largest liquefied natural gas export terminal in the U.S.

The firms private equity business is unloading its stake of just over 40 percent of Cheniere Energy Partners to Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and its own affiliated infrastructure group, according to a filing Monday.

Brookfield negotiated the terms of the transaction, including a $34.25 per unit sale price that values the deal at $7 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. Blackstones infrastructure unit matched those terms after performing its own due diligence, said the people, who asked not to be named because the details arent public.

Representatives for Blackstone and Brookfield declined to comment.

The infrastructure funds are betting on Cheniere to continue to thrive amid short-term challenges to U.S. LNG exports. The Houston-based terminal operator is generating $4.3 billion annually from Sabine Pass and a smaller terminal in Texas through its fixed-fee contract structure, protecting it from the collapse in prices after the Covid-19 pandemic and a mild winter hammered consumption.

While global demand is returning seasonally, the long-term outlook for the fuel is also positive with more nations switching to gas from coal amid concerns about climate change.

Bloomberg News first reported discussions around Brookfields infrastructure group acquiring a minority position in Cheniere Energy Partners earlier this month. The firm reported an initial investment in 2016 and as of June had accumulated a 0.34 percent holding.

Blackstone Energy Partners made a $1.5 billion investment in 2012 in Cheniere Energy Partners, which was created by Cheniere Energy Inc. to develop the $25 billion Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana. That project, which is underpinned by 20-year contracts with major global traders and utilities, shipped its first cargo in February 2016.

More than 85% of the production volume at Sabine Pass is contracted and is expected to earn about $3.3 billion in fixed fees annually by the time the sixth liquefaction unit starts up in less than three years.

Brookfields investment in Cheniere also comes after the asset manager purchased a 25 percent equity interest in Dominion Energy Inc.s much-smaller Cove Point LNG terminal in Maryland for about $2.1 billion. This summer, Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway also bought a 25 percent stake and took over operations at Cove Point as part of a $4 billion deal for Dominion gas assets.

For Blackstones public shareholders, the sale is expected to generate distributable earnings of $0.16 per share, including $0.13 a share upon closing expected in the third quarter, the people said.
A helpful teenager is now being remembered as a hero after she drowned during a selfless rescue mission. The 18-year-old swimmer witnessed several children struggling in the rough waters of a Minnesota lake and rushed to their aid but tragically paid with her own life.

A group of children was enjoying an afternoon swim on Aug. 17 in a river near a dam on Clearwater Lake in Leonard, northern Minnesota, when they ran into trouble. [S]ome of them were caught up in the turbulent water that was coming over the dam, Clearwater County Sheriffs Office explained in a Facebook post.

The water level at the dam was considerably higher due to the large amount of rain received recently, they clarified.

Upon seeing the young group struggling in the water, Raina Lynn Neeland swam toward the dam to help. According to her family, the people in the group were her younger cousins aged 10, 8, and 6, reports Kare 11. According to eyewitnesses, she managed to pull some of the children to safety. However, unfortunately, she was then pulled under the churning water herself.

Deputies from Clearwater County Sheriffs office, members of the Clearbrook Fire Department, and Bagley Sanford Ambulances arrived at the scene and took over the diligent efforts of bystanders, some of whom had retrieved and were trying to revive the unconscious teen.

Clearwater Lake in Leonard, northern Minnesota (Screenshot/Google Maps)

Neeland, however, remained unresponsive. Witnesses had estimated that she had been in the water for approximately ten minutes, said the Sheriffs Office.

Sanford Life Flight arrived and took over the resuscitative efforts but to no avail. Neeland was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

One 8-year-old girl, dragged from the treacherous undercurrent that later took Neeland, was also unresponsive when she came out of the water. But quick-thinking bystanders performed lifesaving resuscitation. When medics arrived on the scene, the child was breathing on her own.

Raina Lynn Neeland. (Courtesy of Cease Family Funeral Home/GoFundMe)

Hundreds of netizens responded to Clearwater County Sheriffs Offices post on Facebook, praising the 18-year-old swimmers heroic efforts and mourning the towns tragic loss. Neeland was a Clearwater County resident herself, hailing from rural Bagley.

I truly hope her family can find comfort in knowing their daughter, loved one, died being a hero so that the babies could live on, wrote one netizen.

This broke my heart, wrote another. [T]his is one selfless act one can do for another human being. Hope the family realizes what a true hero their daughter is and finds comfort that shes flying high with the angels [] she truly is one.

Neelands full name was released to news media after her family had been informed of what transpired.

As her family mourns her death, Neelands grandmother and aunt said that she wanted to become a law enforcement officer and was responsible. Additionally, as she was raised by her grandmother and stayed with her, she helped her care for the younger children at home.

She always wanted to help people and protect people, and thats exactly what she did, Lenny Neeland, her grandmother, told Kare 11. I thank God for Raina, that she saved my other grandkids, because this could have been worse than it is now.

Clearwater County Sheriffs Office in Bagley, Minnesota (Screenshot/Google Maps)

Just weeks prior, a 44-year-old father of two lost his life in Lake Michigan while trying to rescue his children from a deadly rip current. The children, aged 12 and 17, survived.

The family was visiting Lions Park Beach in St. Joseph, southeastern Michigan, on July 30. Four swimmers in total got caught in an undertow, St. Joseph Public Safety Department said in a statement.

The 17 and 12-year-old were rescued by St. Joseph Reserve Officer Everett Gaston, they explained. However, the 44-year-old male drowned. The father, from Indiana, was retrieved and pulled ashore but was later pronounced dead at nearby Spectrum Health Lakeland.

One of the four swimmers who were rescued, Meghan Lynch told WSBT, We were being kind of reckless  probably shouldnt have been swimming, but thats kind of the lesson to be learned.

Dont go out there when its this bad, she advised.

We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hiring a financial planner can make a significant difference in a person's life by improving their financial situation, as well as reducing the stress associated with reaching long term financial goals such as retirement. That said, hiring a great financial planner can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are thousands of financial planners to choose from, and it's difficult to identify which ones have both the aligned incentives and the competence to earn the trust of a client. That's why it's important to interview more than one financial planner, rather than hire the first one that has the right credentials. A proper interview allows the client to understand the services an advisor offers, their philosophy and prices. Zoe Financial makes the process easier by identifying the top 10 questions to ask a financial planner.

Zoe Financial

The Top 10 Questions to Ask A Financial Planner

1. What is your firm's philosophy?

When it comes to their firm's philosophy, the financial planner should have a very clear answer as to where they add value. Although there are many ways that they can answer, clients should be cautious of planners that highlight their portfolio performance, or emphasize financial products they would recommend without first understanding your specific situation. Do they focus solely on investments or provide comprehensive planning? Their answer can provide clues on if the services they offer are right for you.

2. How do you get compensated?

Those looking for financial help should feel confident they understand how their financial planner gets paid. They should be certain that there aren't alternative motives behind their services and recommended investment vehicles. For example, if they work off commission, they will likely try to sell products that yield them the highest commission rather than the one that is more applicable to your situation. For instance, if they work for an insurance company, they may try to persuade their clients to buy insurance products rather than invest in low-cost investment vehicles. All things considered, clients should be very clear about how the financial planner is compensated for their services.

3. What services are included in the fee offered?

Financial planning fees vary widely depending on the service provided and the level of customization. As a result, it is critical to ask specific questions about which services are included in the fee paid. For instance, do they provide tax planning and estate planning as part of the service? Will there be additional fees if the consumer changes their financial plan? How often will you meet to discuss the progress of my financial plan?

4. Are you associated with any broker-dealer?

This goes hand-in-hand with incentives. If an advisor is associated with a broker dealer, they are likely to have incentives to sell financial products. This is an indication that they will most likely not be working in the client's best interest 100% of the time.

5. What financial planning services do you offer?

It is very important that clients find financial planners who have expertise in the areas that they need. For example, some financial planners have spent years helping clients manage their investment portfolio as they approach retirement, while others might be really strong in estate planning. Not all clients are the same, just as not all financial planners have the same experience. The key lies in finding a planner that is well-equipped to help the client reach their specific goals.

Zoe Financial offers examples of some other financial planning services questions to ask a financial planner:

"Do you offer investment advice for retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs?

Do you offer estate or college planning services?

How will you help me manage an inheritance or my business?"

6. What is your approach to investment planning?

When it comes to investment planning, a great financial planner will want to understand their client's complete financial situation before making any recommendations. The planner should understand their short-term and long-term goals as well as their risk tolerance and risk capacity. Anyone looking for a financial planner should be cautious of planners that immediately start talking about their stock market performance. Andres Garcia-Amaya, founder of Zoe Financial, states, "We are big believers that the value-added of a great financial planner is not to 'beat the market', but to rather be your household Chief Financial Officer (CFO)."

7. What is your tax planning strategy?

Taxes play a big role in everyday life, as well as financial plans. A great financial planner will be able to assist in optimizing their client's taxes. A successful tax planning strategy analyzes income, assets, and liabilities to determine where their taxes can be optimized in the short and long term.

For example, if a person hires a financial planner to help them with creating a holistic retirement plan, they should consider which account offers the best tax benefits. For some, traditional IRAs may be the best choice, while others could benefit from Roth IRAs.

8. Why do you think I'm an ideal client?

This question should be asked towards the end of the interview. An advisor's response will show whether or not they truly understand the client's financial plan and goals. If they do, they should be able to identify how they are planning on helping them reach their financial goals.

9. Can you tell me about a time you helped a similar client make progress?

This question is related to the type of services that the advisor offers. If they truly have experience, they should be able to give different examples. If they hesitate or give vague answers, it could be an indicator that they don't have experience with similar clients.

Zoe Financial knows how important it is that consumers are matched with financial planners that can help them with their specific goals or pain points. Their award-winning algorithm connects clients with planners based on their unique financial situation. This ensures that the financial planner has the relevant experience, skills, and processes that are best suited for each client.

10. How often will we review our plan?

Everyone has different preferences as to how often they want to review their financial plan. Some people only want to look at it once a year. Other people prefer to look at it every few months. It's important to be clear about how in-the-loop they want to be. In addition, if the advisor doesn't seem to like the idea of meeting quarterly or semi-annually it likely will be an indication that you will not receive a "high touch" service.

The Easiest Way to Interview a Financial Planner

Finding a top financial advisor shouldn't be a headache. By diligently vetting each financial planner that applies to the Zoe Financial network and having a matching algorithm in place, Zoe makes the process of interviewing a financial planner a breeze. Zoe strongly recommends that consumers interview at least two financial advisors before signing a contract. This allows them to feel confident in their skills and determine if they're a right match.

About Zoe Financial

Zoe Financial's award-winning algorithm enables individuals to discover and connect with highly vetted, top fiduciary advisors in their area. All financial advisors in the Zoe Network are vetted and verified fiduciaries, along with having top credentials, education, and experience. Zoe's service provides support from start to finish during an individual's financial advisor search. All consultation calls and interviews with Zoe's network of advisors are completely free and are offered via video chat or traditional phone call depending on an individual's preference.

Press Contact:

[email protected]

Related Images

how-to-interview-an-advisor.jpg

How to Interview an Advisor

SOURCE Zoe Financial
Guwahati, Aug 25 : Thirteen police personnel were among 252 people who succumbed to Covid-19 in Assam even as the authorities have so far conducted over two million tests, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the Assam Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Gyanendra Pratap Singh, 3,394 police personnel in the state have tested positive for Covid-19 while 2,863 have already recovered. "Unfortunately, we've lost 13 colleagues," said Singh, a senior IPS officer, in a tweet.

Senior police officials infected by the deadly virus include Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Deputy Inspector General (Administration), three Superintendents of Police of Dhubri, Tinsukia and Kokrajhar districts and Additional Superintendent of Police of Tinsukia.

The police chief and most other senior police officials, however, recovered from the disease. National Health Mission (NHM) officials in Assam said that so far 92,619 people tested positive for the virus and 252 among them died. Of the total 92,619 positive cases, 19,274 are active cases, 73,090 have recovered and three migrated out of the state.

NHM officials said that the number of recovered patients in Assam is more than 3.8 times the number of active patients. "Over 2,000,909 samples were tested in 17 laboratories till Monday night. Assam so far conducted 58,347 tests per million," they added.

Meanwhile, with the rising coronavirus cases, lockdown restrictions would be re-imposed in Barak Valley region in southern Assam comprising three districts - Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj - from August 27 to September 4 to tame the spread of COVID-19. The Barak Valley region, the gateway to Tripura, Mizoram and western Manipur, would also remain in lockdown on September 5 and 6, as the entire Assam observes a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) lockdown.

Emergency services, government offices, public construction work, agriculture and allied works will be out of the purview of the orders, separately issued by the District Magistrates of Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chrome News Track is a yet another exclusive from Chrome Data Analytics and Media which conducts study on News Content aired across India by choosing the "Most Aired, Most Watched and Most Discussed News of the week".

The automated data is picked from 30200 Chrome DM Panel Homes across India. It analyses the effectiveness of News aired on television every week and categorises it through three broad segments namely Most Aired, Most Watched and Most Discussed.

Most Aired News in Week 33:

According to the Chrome News Track data for the Week 33 - 2020, Sushant Singh Rajput Commits Suicide was the most Aired News this week, followed by News about Coronavirus disease (Covid-19). The News about Vaishno devi yatra 2020 stood at the 3rd Facebook controversy in indian politics was next in the list and News about Bihar assembly election 2020 managed to take the fifth and the last spot.

Most Watched News in Week 33:

The data also unveils that Sushant Singh Rajput Commits Suicide was the most watched news for the week grabbing maximum eyeballs, followed by Bihar assembly election 2020. The news about Coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Facebook controversy in indian politics & Vaishno devi yatra 2020 also generated interests amongst viewers and are placed at 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively in the list.

Most Discussed News in Week 33:

On the other hand, taking a closer view of the Most Discussed News category, the news about Sushant Singh Rajput Commits Suicide has been the talk of the nation making it the most discussed news whereas the News Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) happens to be the 2nd most discussed news as per the automated data picked from 30200 Chrome DM Panel Homes. Bihar assembly election 2020 became the 3rd most discussed news among masses. Vaishno devi yatra 2020 and Facebook controversy in indian politics are placed at 4th & 5th respectively in the list.
With Hypocrisy and Self-Dealing, Our Elites Have Squandered Our Trust

Commentary

On Aug. 24, Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned as president of Liberty University, the Baptist school founded by his father, a major Evangelical figure.

A tale of sexual impropriety was the cause, of course. Its always the cause. Oh, drinking, too, as he posted online a picture of himself, fly down, toasting the camera with a glass of booze. Baptists frown at that, maybe almost as much as they do when they hear accusations of strange erotic affairs. Or card playing. And so out Falwell goes, despite his reputation as the man who excavated Liberty University from the mountain of debt his father had left behind.

We shouldnt exaggerate his sins. Falwell isnt being frog-marched to jail for his misbehaviorsprimarily because, even if they happened, they werent criminal. In that, he is unlike his counterparts Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and statutory rapist, and Harvey Weinstein, the film mogul and serial molester of actresses.

That monster pair thought their power and political acquaintances would keep them from being exposed as criminals. Falwell was just an ordinary hypocrite of the kind they sell wholesale: a man who preached one thing to keep his position while practicing something different with his wife and the pool boy. (And isnt there something off-key in the very phrase pool boy? I mean, if youre an Evangelical leader with a pool boy, the chute is already greased for your long slide down to public scandal and perdition.)

But the hypocrisy isnt unimportant. Epstein supported all the standard causes of the left, while pimping underage girls. When Weinstein was forced out of his movie company after decades of sexual oppression, he announced his resignation as an opportunity to give his full attention to fighting the National Rifle Association, as though that liberal piety would save him.

It didnt. But then, the National Rifle Association has received its own share of bad publicity in recent months. Released financial documents seem to show that the organizations leaders had spent donated funds on self-dealing contracts for family members and lots of personal expenses: clothing, private flights, fancy vacations. That kind of thing.

We really have a terrible overclass. For years now, weve been forced to hear about the misconduct of everyone from Bill Clinton to the bosses of activist organizations. The transgressions of actors from Bill Cosby to Kevin Spacey. The indiscretions of politicians from Donald Trumps dalliance with a porn actress to Katie Hills lascivious hair-brushings with one of her congressional staffers.

Whats the point of gaining influence in America? Far too often it appears nothing but personal gain and a sexual indulgence that would have raised eyebrows at an orgy in Ancient Rome.

This parade of hypocrisy, this ceaseless drumbeat of revelation, has taken its toll on the nation. Yes, to some degree it was always thus. People are people, from the old Babylon of Bronze Age Mesopotamia to the new Babylon of modern America.

Always some of them will take advantage of their positions. Always some of them will use their power for coercion. Always some of them will mouth sanctimonious cliches while their hand reaches under the table to take a bribe or fondle a young person.

Americans were always thought to be naive in not accepting that this is the way of things. But recent years of these titillations still havent worn us down into acceptance. Theyve only made us more mistrustful and furious. Theyve produced a nation that believes its political, financial, and cultural elites seek only their own interests. And so we get Donald Trump elected president as a corrective to this. And so we get rioters torching police stations in Portland, Oregon.

The differences between the populist Trump voters and the radical Antifa activists are far greater than any similarity, of course, beginning with the leftist political violence on display for months in the major America cities.

But the two groups do have a set of shared characteristics we ought to notice. They both mistrust the old ruling class, for example. They both believe that the common good isnt being served. They both have the origins of their anger in a long-building sense of betrayal.

How does a person become wealthy in a lifetime of elected office? How does someone fly famous people in a private jet to a private island of underage girls? How does a man dominate the movie industry for years, while making starlets watch him masturbating? The answer is that they belong to a class that lost its moral authority to rulebut kept on ruling, often in the name of claimed moral stature.

Trumps political genius was in part to have positioned himself to express voters anger at the old elites, even though he had been one of them. He found a way to make his personal awareness of national class corruption and hypocrisy an electoral advantage.

In another sense, however, Trump was elected as a symbol of our national mistrust. The view of Washington as a swamp, the sense of government as intrusive busybodies, the notion of an unelected deep state that directs the national bureaucracy for the benefit of its own classall of this is born from a well-earned disbelief in the authority figures who seem, as a class, to have taken their power as a lifetime pass to a satyricon and an easy-money machine.

If, in this context, Trump is a placeholder for conservative anger, so for anger on the left is Joe Bidena man who may be the most placeholderish of placeholders ever to receive a major partys nomination. He operates almost entirely in symbolic space: the empty vessel with which Democrats seek to carry their causes into the White House.

Along the way, weve lost trust in our authorities, our governmental leaders, our media commentators, and cultural icons. And why not? What have the nations elite done to make us trust them?

Joseph Bottum, Ph.D., is director of the Classics Institute at Dakota State University. His most recent book is The Decline of the Novel.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Infosys Ltd is quoting at Rs 941, down 0.68% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The stock jumped 17.25% in last one year as compared to a 3.89% rally in NIFTY and a 13.14% spurt in the Nifty IT index.

Infosys Ltd is down for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 941, down 0.68% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0.19% on the day, quoting at 11488.35. The Sensex is at 38893.69, up 0.24%.Infosys Ltd has eased around 0.79% in last one month.Meanwhile, Nifty IT index of which Infosys Ltd is a constituent, has increased around 1.99% in last one month and is currently quoting at 18010.95, down 0.19% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 35.09 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 88.64 lakh shares in last one month.

The benchmark August futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 943.5, down 0.69% on the day. Infosys Ltd jumped 17.25% in last one year as compared to a 3.89% rally in NIFTY and a 13.14% spurt in the Nifty IT index.

The PE of the stock is 25.25 based on TTM earnings ending June 20.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
More support for South Australians. Image: Getty

Casual workers in South Australia will now be eligible for $1,500 in income support should they be required to enter 14 days of coronavirus quarantine, in a bid to keep sick people from going to work.

The funding is also open to workers who need to care for someone else needing to quarantine for 14 days, provided they are an Australian citizen or hold the necessary visa or permanent residency. They also cant be receiving JobKeeper or JobSeeker payments and must be able to show that they would normally have been working during those 14 days. Workers who do not have any leave left are also eligible.

Similar to Victorias scheme, workers who are considered to be affected by a Covid-19 cluster are also eligible for $300 as they await their test results. The South Australia chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier identifies the clusters.

The last thing we want is for any South Australian to have to make a choice between putting food on the table and protecting the community from possible infection and a potential second wave, Health Minister Stephen Wade said on Tuesday.

Lack of leave entitlements for workers, particularly casual workers, is considered a significant risk factor in not complying with isolation requirements.

Weve seen interstate the serious consequences of individuals who have continued to work while showing symptoms of Covid-19 or awaiting test results  with data from Victoria indicating as many as nine out of 10 people who later tested positive for coronavirus were not self-isolating between the onset of symptoms and getting a test.

He said the payments remove the financial burden on workers as the state attempts to remain hypervigilant to protect the most vulnerable community members, particularly those in residential aged care.

He noted that a large proportion of the aged and disability care workforce is made up of casual workers.

However, returned international travellers will be unable to claim the payments as they enter their mandatory 14 day quarantine.

Story continues

To apply, South Australians will need to meet the eligibility criteria and apply through the Department for Human Services.

The workers employer will also receive confirmation of a pandemic leave payment as an additional measure to keep at-risk workers at home.

Want to take control of your finances and your future? Join the Womens Money Movement on LinkedIn and follow Yahoo Finance Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California at San Diego found yet another health risk associated with smoking e-cigarettes.

According to their findings, consumers who vape are increasingly more susceptible to a condition known as leaky gut. This happens when holes have developed in the gut lining that bacteria can leak through, which can ultimately cause inflammation throughout the entire body.

This is the first study that demonstrates how chronic exposure to e-cigarettes increases the guts susceptibility to bacterial infections, leading to chronic inflammation, and other health concerns, said researcher Soumita Das, PhD. Given the importance of the gut barrier in the maintenance of the bodys immune homeostasis, the findings provide valuable insight into the potential long-term harmful effects chronic use of e-cigarettes [has] on our health.

Risks to gut health

To better understand how gut health is impacted by e-cigarettes, the researchers created 3D models of the human intestinal system using stem cells. They then used the models to mimic the process of smoking an e-cigarette and analyzed the effects of smoking on the models gut reaction.

The researchers found that chemical additives used in e-cigarettes -- specifically propylene glycol and vegetable glycerol -- are responsible for damage to the intestines. Ultimately, these chemicals damage the guts protective barrier, which is what initiates gut inflammation.

While this is concerning for overall gut health, the researchers explained that it can also have greater complications for consumers immune systems. Once these chemicals break through the intestines, they have direct access to the immune system, which can make consumers more susceptible to infections.

The safety of e-cigarettes has been debated fiercely on both sides, said researcher Dr. Pradipta Ghosh. Nicotine content, and its addictive nature, has always been the major focus of those who argue against its safety, whereas lack of chemicals in the carcinogens that are present in the cigarette smoke has been touted by the makers of e-cigarettes when marketing these products as a healthy alternative. In reality, its the chemicals making up the vapor liquid that we should be more concerned about as they are the cause of gut inflammation.

Though vaping rates have declined in recent months -- especially for young people -- the researchers hope that consumers understand the severity of the long-term risks associated with smoking e-cigarettes.

The gut lining is an amazing entity, said researcher Dr. Ghosh. It is comprised of a single layer of cells that are meant to seal the body from trillions of microbes, defend our immune system, and at the same time allow absorption of essential nutrients. Anything we eat or drink, our lifestyle choices in other words, has the ability to impact our gut microbes, the gut barrier, and overall health. Now we know that what we smoke, such as e-cigarettes, negatively impacts it as well.
Hackers linked to North Korea have used LinkedIn as part of a major heist to steal cryptocurrency, new research has revealed.

The notorious Lazarus Group, which was behind the 2014 cyber attacks on Sony, carried out an attack against a cryptocurrency organisation using a tailored job advert posted to the professional social network.

Researchers at the security firm F-Secure, who uncovered the attack, said it was part of a broader campaign targeting organisations in at least 14 different countries.

Our research, which included insights from our incident response, managed detection and response, and tactical defence units, found that this attack bears a number of similarities with known Lazarus Group activity, so were confident they were behind the incident, said Matt Lawrence, F-Secures director of detection response.

The evidence also suggests this is part of an ongoing campaign targeting organisations in over a dozen countries, which makes the attribution important.

Countries caught up in the campaign include the United Kingdom, United States, China, Germany, Russia and South Korea.

Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Satoshi Nakamoto creates the first bitcoin block in 2009 On 3 January, 2009, the genesis block of bitcoin appeared. It came less than a year after the pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto detailed the cryptocurrency in a paper titled 'Bitcoin: A peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System' Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin is used as a currency for the first time On 22 May, 2010, the first ever real-world bitcoin transaction took place. Lazlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas for 10,000 bitcoins  the equivalent of $90 million at today's prices Lazlo Hanyecz Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Silk Road opens for business Bitcoin soon gained notoriety for its use on the dark web. The Silk Road marketplace, established in 2011, was the first of hundreds of sites to offer illegal drugs and services in exchange for bitcoin Screenshot Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures The first bitcoin ATM appears On 29 October, 2013, the first ever bitcoin ATM was installed in a coffee shop in Vancouver, Canada. The machine allowed people to exchange bitcoins for cash Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures The fall of MtGox The world's biggest bitcoin exchange, MtGox, filed for bankruptcy in February 2014 after losing almost 750,000 of its customers bitcoins. At the time, this was around 7 per cent of all bitcoins and the market inevitably crashed Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Would the real Satoshi Nakamoto please stand up In 2015, Australian police raided the home of Craig Wright after the entrepreneur claimed he was Satoshi Nakamoto. He later rescinded the claim Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's big split On 1 August, 2017, an unresolvable dispute within the bitcoin community saw the network split. The fork of bitcoin's underlying blockchain technology spawned a new cryptocurrency: Bitcoin cash Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's price sky rockets Towards the end of 2017, the price of bitcoin surged to almost $20,000. This represented a 1,300 per cent increase from its price at the start of the year Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures What goes up... Bitcoin price crashes spectacularly, losing half of its value in a matter of days Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin plunges The cryptocurrency eventually bottoms out below $4,000 in 2019 before slowly rebuilding momentum to outperform more traditional assets Getty Images

The latest attack involved creating a fake job offer tailored to the profile of a system administrator within the target organisation.

The malicious document was part of a phishing attack designed to extract the target's personal information and other private data needed to access their online accounts and ultimately steal bitcoin and other cryptocurrency.

Paul Rockwell, head of trust and safety at LinkedIn, told The Independent: We actively seek out signs of state-sponsored activity on the platform and quickly take action against bad actors in order to protect our members.

"We enforce our policies, which are very clear: the creation of a fake account or fraudulent activity with an intent to mislead or lie to our members is a violation of our terms of service.

North Korea has shown a strong interest in cryptocurrency in recent years, as its decentralised and semi-anonymous nature offers a way to bypass crippling economic sanctions, launder money and finance military development.

In 2019, Pyongyang hosted a controversial blockchain and cryptocurrency conference, inviting international experts to speak and attend the event.

Following the conference, one deverloper was arrested and charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

F-Secure warned that attacks on cryptocurrency firms will likely continue, as well as other crypto-related attacks.

"Lazarus Group's activities are a continuous threat: the phishing campaign associated with this attack has been observed continuing into 2020, raising the need for awareness and ongoing vigilance among organisations operating in the targeted verticals," F-Secure's report concluded.

"It is F-Secure's assessment that the group will continue to target organisations within the cryptocurrency vertical while it remains such a profitable pursuit."
The Hennessey Fire grew by only a small amount Monday night as Cal Fire continues to expand containment in Napa County. On Tuesday afternoon, more evacuation orders were reduced to warnings.

Cal Fire reported at 7 a.m. Tuesday that the fire which has encircled Lake Berryessa totaled 296,050 acres, an increase of 1,448 acres overnight. Starting by lightning strikes on Aug. 17, the fire is now 29% contained.

Resources for containing the Hennessey Fire and other parts of the LNU Complex have increased substantially. There are now 304 fire engines, 50 water tenders, 12 helicopters, 18 crews, 41 dozers, and nearly 2,200 personnel, said Cal Fire Chief Sean Kavanagh at Tuesdays press conference at the Napa County Fairgrounds.

Additionally, by the end of the week, 12 National Guard crews, with about 250 people, will join efforts on the LNU Complex.

From an operational standpoint were optimistic about everything thats taking place here, Kavanagh said.

The situation is still changing and are still some trouble areas. Some evacuation orders are still in place, but also some will be lifted Tuesday, officials said.

The Hennessey Fire has killed three members of a Napa County family and two civilians in Solano County.

The LNU Lightning Complex has destroyed 937 structures, including dozens of homes in rural Napa County.

On Monday afternoon, large air tankers were able to dump 87,000 gallons of retardant on blazes within the LNU Lightning Complex. As of Tuesday morning, a total of 8.2 million gallons have been dropped since the fires started on Aug. 17 from lightning strikes in Napa and Sonoma counties, Cal Fire reported.

The area from Fairfield north to Atlas Peak is being cleaned up to prepare for repopulation, said Operation chief Chris Waters. The same is true from Atlas Peak to Calistoga and Angwin.

The northwest portion of the fire is now the highest priority, from Palisades up to Middletown and is the last, most difficult piece we have to pick up, Waters said. Were hoping today, with a break in the weather the last two days, we get the opportunity to do so.

On Tuesday afternoon, additional mandatory evacuations were modified to warnings. They include Silverado Trail south from Deer Park Road to Highway 128 (Sage Canyon Road) to include the areas of Fawn Park, Madrone Knolls, Meadowood, Howell Mountain Road including roads off of Howell Mountain Road up to and including Conn Valley Road, Taplin Road, Rutherford Hill Road, and Long Ranch Road.

Highway 128 (Sage Canyon Road) will be placed under the Evacuation Warning up to Chiles Pope Valley Road.

Moskowite Corner on Highway 121 will remain under an evacuation order, and Deer Park Road leading up to the communities of Deer Park and Angwin, along with all roads in between, will also remain under an evacuation order. Howell Mountain Road also remains under an evacuation order, the county said.

The Hennessey Fire is part of the larger LNU Lightning Complex in Napa and Sonoma counties that has consumed 352,913 acres, making it the third largest fire in California history. At over 360,000 acres, the SCU Lightning Complex fire is the second largest. Combined, they dwarf the Thomas fire, which at 281,893 acres shattered the records just three years ago.

Evacuations which have affected 17,000 Napa County residents were lifted in Atlas Peak, Soda Canyon and Monticello Road areas Monday afternoon.

Cal Fire cautioned that the fire is still capable of extreme behavior depending on terrain and weather conditions.

The National Weather Service predicted Tuesday that the weather over the next several days will benefit fire-stricken areas, with somewhat cooler temperatures and a marine layer of fog moving farther inland at night.

Smoke from regional wildfires will continue to drift into the area, creating unhealthy conditions at times. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued a Spare the Air Alert and an Air Quality Advisory for Tuesday and Wednesday.

People are encouraged to limit outdoor activities and avoid unnecessary exposure. Air conditioning units and vehicle vent systems can be set to recirculate to prevent outside air from moving inside.

The Weekly Calistogan editor Cynthia Sweeney contributed to this story.

Editors Note: Because of the public safety implications of the wildfires, we are providing access to this article free of charge. To support local journalism, please visit

You can reach City Editor Kevin Courtney at kcourtney@napanews.com or at 707-256-2217.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Gavin Williamson has told parents to cut out the gossiping at the school gates when dropping off their children, to cut the risk of spreading coronavirus.

The Education Secretary said they should be 'really considerate' and just ''drop their children off and then get on with all the tasks of their day' when classrooms reopen next week.

The return of children to school is a key test for the Education Secretary, who is already under pressure following the U-turn over A-level and GCSE grades.

In an interview with the Evening Standard, Mr Williamson conceded that not all children may be back in class on the first day but his goal was to see them coming back 'over the next few weeks'.

Schools are introducing measures including one-way systems and staggered start times to prevent gatherings of people which could potentially spread coronavirus.

'We're asking all parents to show understanding and consideration to the whole school community,' he said.

'Most schools have put in place staggered starts to make sure that there's a swift and good flow-through of parents, and we just ask people to be respectful of the systems that are being put into place.

'We'd ask parents just to be really considerate, make sure they're able to drop their children off and then get on with all the tasks of their day.'

The Education Secretary said parents should be 'really considerate' and just ''drop their children off and then get on with all the tasks of their day' when classrooms reopen next week

The under-fire minister spoke as he battles to get all pupils back to school next week, amid union resistance over safety fears

The under-fire minister spoke as he battles to get all pupils back to school next week, amid union resistance over safety fears.

Downing Street was warned today that headteachers won't fine parents who decide to keep their children home.

It came as Boris Johnson today appeared to lay the groundwork for a humiliating U-turn on pupils wearing face masks in school as he said 'if we need to change the advice then of course we will'.

Currently head teachers in England are being told that face coverings will not be necessary in schools when they reopen next week as long as they adhere to hygiene rules.

But Nicola Sturgeon has said secondary school pupils in Scotland will be required to wear masks when in communal areas and when travelling between classes, piling the pressure on the PM to change tack.

That move was confirmed this morning by Scotland'a Education Secretary John Swinney who said secondary schools will be given 'obligatory guidance' that pupils should wear masks when outside the classroom from next Monday.

Downing Street and senior ministers have insisted in recent days that there were no plans to review the guidance in England.

But Mr Johnson has now signalled there could be a change in approach as he said: 'On the issue of whether or not to wear masks in some contexts - you know, we'll look at the the changing medical evidence as we go on. If we need to change the advice then of course we will.'

He added: 'If there are things we have to do to vary the advice on medical grounds, we will, of course, do that.

'But as the chief medical officer, all our scientific advisers, have said, schools are safe.'

His comments came as the Welsh government announced it is conducting a review into whether face masks should be worn in its schools.

Teaching unions have seized on the issue, with the Association of School and College Leaders demanding Mr Johnson follow Ms Sturgeon's lead.

The Government is desperately trying to persuade parents to send their children back to school amid lingering safety fears and the face masks issue risks undermining the efforts of ministers.

There is now growing speculation that Ms Sturgeon's decision to act first on face masks in schools will ultimately force Number 10 to reverse its stance.

It would not be the first time that the SNP leader has humiliated Mr Johnson during the pandemic.

She has repeatedly gazumped the PM throughout the crisis, taking action before the UK Government on things including announcing a ban on large social gatherings, closing schools and saying that the original three week lockdown would be extended.

The Scottish government was also the first to act in the wake of the recent exam results furore.
Just like Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly also has an emotional weekend ahead of him in the Belgian Ardennes. Last year, Anthoine Hubert lost his life on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit during the Formula 2 race and was a very good friend of Gasly.

Busy weeks

"Now we come to Spa, Monza and Mugello together. It will be the third triple-header of the year. We were used to back-to-back pairs of races but this is quite different with nine races in eleven weeks. I think we will feel it a bit, although it is more intense for the engineers and mechanics", Gasly said in a preview of AlphaTauri.

Difficult weekend

Gasly says Spa is his favorite track because of all the high speed corners. The Frenchman has already won GP2 in 2016 and is looking forward to racing through the Ardennes again this year. But it will be a tough weekend mentally for Gasly. "However, this year, returning to Belgium will also be a sad moment, because it is just one year ago that Anthoine lost his life after that terrible accident."

"I had known him since I was seven years old in karting, we were in the same school together organised by the French motorsport federation, from when I was 13 to 19 and we shared an apartment for six years. I think everyone in the paddock will take time to think of him", concludes Gasly.
Representative image

Canada's Brookfield Asset Management is in preliminary discussions to acquire 13.5 million square feet of RMZ Corp's commercial property for Rs 12,000 crore ($1.6 billion).

Brookfield plans to purchase RMZ's assets in cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai and Gurugram, in one of the largest deals in India's commercial real estate space, The Economic Times reported.

RMZ Corp's properties in Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad are not included in this transaction, the report said.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report.

"Both entities are re-looking at the assets to be transferred under this deal as the developer is keen to retain some of its flagship projects, including RMZ Ecospace. The deal is expected to conclude by October-end," a source told the publication.

RMZ will likely use some of the proceeds to clear Rs 13,500 crore of its debt and invest in expansion, the report said. RMZ has set a target of becoming a zero-debt entity in the near term.

"RMZ plans to speed up the process of acquisition and have a portfolio of 85 million sq ft of office space by 2025," a source told the paper.
After Belarusian Journalists Quit State TV, Russians Fill The Void

By Matthew Luxmoore August 24, 2020

MOSCOW -- For almost a decade, Syarhey Kozlovich had been employed by the sprawling apparatus of Belarusian state TV. From his debut as a lowly member of the technical team in 2011, he worked his way up to becoming a presenter on Belarus-1, the country's main television channel.

The day after the fraud-marred August 9 election that extended the 26-year rule of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, however, Kozlovich decided he'd had enough. Thousands of people, among them his friends, had taken to the streets of Minsk to protest the results, only to be met with a violent police crackdown.

In an Instagram post, Kozlovich announced he was quitting. "This was a childhood dream that I devoted 10 years to," he wrote on August 11. "But yesterday I sat in the studio for the final time."

Less than two weeks later, Kozlovich's position had been filled, as had the jobs of numerous other state journalists across Belarus who had quit or been fired for supporting the opposition movement.

The jobs weren't filled by fellow Belarusians, though, but by state TV journalists from Russia, which has backed Lukashenka and was now apparently assisting his efforts to retain power.

Belarus's government channels are used to lauding the policies and pronouncements of Lukashenka, the former collective-farm boss who has ruled the small post-Soviet state since 1994. State news agencies have for years been issuing press releases expressing similar sentiments.

Lukashenka's government initially denied the reports that Russian journalists had arrived to guide coverage, but the atmosphere on state media soon changed.

With opposition protests convulsing the country almost daily, gone were the staid updates about harvest yields or the latest coronavirus figures. Slick propaganda videos slamming protesters as agents of the West began appearing.

"Paid-off scum who refer to themselves as the people are ready for $20 to sell their own mothers," read the text in one such clip posted by the state news agency BelTA, superimposed over images of angry mobs wreaking havoc. "Now they want to return to our streets, to dismantle everything we've spent so many years building."

The arrival of journalists from Russia isn't the same thing as Moscow's dispatch of "little green men" who mysteriously appeared in Crimea prior to Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula in 2014, and later turned out to be Russian troops in disguise.

But, critics say, they, and the media messaging they're bringing, are a clear indication of how Moscow hopes to strengthen Lukashenka's position.

"Two planes filled with Russian journalists arrived to fill our places in exchange for high salaries," Alyona Martinovskaya, a journalist at Belarus-3, told the Tut.by news agency on August 19.

The revelation resounded with observers both in Belarus and abroad amid widespread questions about the Kremlin's reaction to Belarus's unrest. It's also stoked speculation over what other moves Russia might take to shore up Lukashenka's government or even help stamp out the protest movement.

In an interview with RFE/RL, Kozlovich said state TV's coverage of the protests were for him the "final straw." "I had a morning shift live on air, where we were supposed to discuss events that had happened the previous night," he said. "I understood that this information, even if not utterly fabricated, was nonetheless so biased that it presented a completely different picture of events."

It wasn't just state TV that was mobilizing in the effort to rally support for Lukashenka.

On the Telegram messenger app, the channel of Lukashenka's press pool launched a series of "stickers"-- simple images that users can attach to a message--that profess support for Lukashenka's campaign to crush the opposition or even defend harsh police tactics.

The information offensive appeared to coincide with measures to restrict the spread of competing facts.

Prior to August 9 election, at least 100 foreign journalists were denied accreditation to enter the country and cover events, according to the country's journalism association. Several foreign reporters who did enter have been beaten and deported from the country, often slapped with a five-year entry ban.

On August 17, Komsomolskaya pravda, a popular Moscow-based tabloid that also publishes a Belarus edition, planned to place on its cover a photograph of the largest opposition protest in the country's history, when an estimated 200,000 gathered the previous evening.

But the printing house announced that its printing press broke, and the edition never came out. A few days later, according to multiple reports, the government began blocking several dozen opposition-friendly websites.

On August 21, Lukashenka finally confirmed that he had "asked the Russians" to send "two or three teams" of Russian journalists to work in the state media holding company that includes Kozlovich's Belarus-1 channel.

In an appearance before factory workers in the town of Dzyarzhynsk, Lukashenka said the imported journalists' job was to replace those employees who had "jumped onto the streets and begun protesting."

One of the teams would join his presidential press pool, he said, adding, "Let our youth see how they work."

With reporting by Current Time

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/after- belarusian-journalists-quit-state-tv-russians- fill-the-void/30800576.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






With more and more brokerages offering a platform to trade and invest in the US market, a large number of India's retail investors appear to be ready to bet on US equities.

A social media poll conducted by Moneycontrol showed that as many as 65 percent of the total respondents on Twitter said they will invest in the US equities.

On Linkedin, this percentage was at 66, indicating that the retail investors of the country are looking for opportunities in offshore markets, too.

The trend

Data from Google Trends reveals that the search term FAANG company has seen a breakout in India from April  the first full month of the nationwide lockdown  to date.

FAANG is an acronym that refers to the stocks of five prominent American technology companies: Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Alphabet (GOOG) (formerly known as Google).

Media reports have been suggesting Indian equity investors, who are known to always keep a close watch on most blue-chip stocks that form a part of the Sensex and Nifty, are increasingly tracking US stocks as well.

Investors want to invest in new-age technology companies and while India offers such opportunities, there are more opportunities in the international markets, said Arun Chaudhry, Head, Online Business & Product Development, Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

Indian investors are now conscious of the fact that diversification of portfolio is important. The newer investors are regular users of companies like Netflix, Amazon and Google, among others, and so know the potential, he added.

ICICI Securities (I-Sec) on August 17 said it had joined hands with Interactive Brokers LLC, a US-based online brokerage firm, to offer its customers the opportunity to invest in the US markets digitally, tapping the growing interest of Indian investors in the American equities.

Axis Securities, a subsidiary of Axis Bank, on August 18 announced the launch of Global Investing, a smart solution platform for Indian retail investors to help them invest in the US stock market.

What does it mean?

In simple terms, now you can invest in US equities using one of the platforms provided by the brokerages.

Diversification of bets by investing in the international markets is helpful when the domestic market is volatile or witnessing a correction.

However, experts point out that even though the gates are now open for domestic investors to look for opportunities outside, it will not have any significant impact on the Indian market.

"At best, it may result in some outflow of HNI money. US equities are mostly expensive and India's retail investors prefer to play in small and mid-caps to gain big," said G. Chokkalingam, Founder and Managing Director of Equinomics Research & Advisory Services.

Chokkalingam pointed out that domestic investors are more comfortable in tracking the newsflow of the Indian market. Tracking developments of US companies is difficult for many.

The US markets are one of the best-performing markets at this juncture as it has recovered better than their global peers in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

In the short term, it is possible that the high valuation of US equities will make it less attractive.

Read more: Not FAANG, but Indian investors are lapping up FAAMNG stocks

Should you invest in US equities?

They say there is always a Bull Market somewhere in the world, even as there is a Bear Market elsewhere at the very same time!

Experts highlight that an investor should diversify across industries, asset classes, and markets. Most Indian investors have a domestic bias as they mainly concentrate on Indian stocks and mutual funds, missing out on global growth opportunities.

Investing in international stocks/funds allow investors to benefit from international growth stories and diversifies/reduces the risk associated with an investment in a single country, especially in times of market volatility due to domestic factors.

However, US equities do not only mean Amazon, Google, Facebook and Microsoft. Before you take a jump into the US markets, you need to do the same level of research that you do for the domestic equities before investing.

Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities, points out that geographical diversification through equities will not eliminate positive correlation with the Indian market entirely as it is not a separate asset class altogether; it is horizontal diversification and a part of investors equity allocation.

"Countries, economies and their stock markets have become highly interconnected. Indian markets are highly sensitive to foreign fund flows and thus global sentiments apart from India Incs fundamental situation," he said.

US markets are big so the opportunities are also in plenty. Roughly, US equity markets are the largest in the world, with a market cap of around $30 trillion, representing around 35 percent of the global stock market capitalisation.

Vikas Gupta, CEO & Chief Investment Strategist, OmniScience Capital highlighted that US-listed companies, as a group, can be considered truly global with more than 40 percent revenues coming from international markets such as Europe and Asia.

Ideally, it should not be the question of whether one should invest in the US equities or not. It is about, if you know the fundamentals and if you see the opportunity, you take the call.

The above report is compiled from information available on public platforms. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Rob Carr/Associated Press

Crude and gasoline futures both climbed to levels not seen since before the pandemic as Hurricane Laura rattled toward a key stretch of the U.S. Gulf Coast that is home to the nations greatest concentration of refining capacity.

U.S. gasoline futures jumped 2.1% and crude futures added 1.7% Tuesday, bringing both contracts to the highest since early March. The storm is expected to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday along the Texas-Louisiana coast as a Category 3 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. More than 84% of oil output in the Gulf of Mexico has now shut and refiners including Exxon Mobil Corp. and Citgo Petroleum Corp. have reduced operations or closed plants in preparation.
Lucknow:

In what could be a fresh irritant to Akhilesh Yadav, his warring uncle and state SP chief Shivpal Yadav on Monday took back in the party fold MLA Rampal Yadav, who was expelled by the chief minister in his previous capacity as head of state SP unit.

Expulsion of Rampal was revoked with the expectation that he will be devoted and disciplined, a party release issued by SP State President Shivpal Yadav said.

Rampal was expelled from the party early this year by the then state president Akhilesh for maligning partys image and his involvements in illegal activities and irregularities.

Shivpal subsequently took over as the state SP chief from his nephew during a bitter power struggle in the ruling party.

Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) had razed the Sitapur MLAs illegal complex in April and arrested him along with eight others, including his relative former MLA Rajendra Yadav, for allegedly attacking the LDA team.

Rampal was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a lower court after he was booked under various sections of IPC including 307 (attempt to murder) and 7 Criminal Law amendment act late on Thursday night.

The MLA and his supporters had also clashed with police and LDA team after which police used lathicharge to disperse the mob.

In Sitapur, the MLAs Sparsh Hotel was also demolished as it was against norms.

Rampal, who is SP MLA from Biswan seat of Sitapur, was suspended from the party last year during panchayat polls after he fielded his son Jitendra for the post of district panchayat chairman against his partys official candidate. Jitendra won the election.

However, after elections, his suspension was revoked.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 12:32:58|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TIANJIN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The customs in north China's Tianjin Municipality have seized more than 2,000 tonnes of smuggled solid waste, the customs said Tuesday.

The solid waste - industrial residue containing zinc - was smuggled in from Mexico and Malaysia, according to the customs. China bans the import of such solid waste.

Five suspects involved in the case have been placed under "criminal compulsory measures," and further investigation is underway.

China began importing solid waste as a source of raw materials in the 1980s. Given rising public concerns over environmental pollution and China's green development drive, the country decided to phase out and halt such imports by the end of 2019, except for those containing resources that are not substitutable. Enditem
New Delhi, Aug 25 : Justice Arun Mishra, during the hearing on the sentencing of advocate Prashant Bhushan convicted in a contempt case, said it was painful to read Bhushan's reply in justification of his tweets.

A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Mishra and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Krishan Murari observed that if somebody like Bhushan, with experience of over 30 years, says something then people tend to believe him. The bench said people will think whatever Bhushan is saying is correct, and if it were somebody else then it was easier to ignore. But when Bhushan says something it has some effect, added the bench.

Justice Mishra noted that there is a difference between a politician and an officer of the court. He added that he is not making a comment on Bhushan, but this is something happening these days. He added, people go to the press in sub judice matters and make all kinds of comments.

Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, representing Bhushan, contended before the court that it should not make him a martyr, and this controversy will end when the court shows statesmanship. "If you want to bar him from practice, you will have to hear him first," submitted Dhavan.

Justice Mishra said that many people have criticised the top court, but how many people have been convicted or punished? Citing Bhushan's 2009 contempt case, Justice Mishra added there is another case pending since 2009, and asked if he has been punished there? "I have to demit office and it is painful to deal with all this," said Justice Mishra. The hearing on the matter is in progress.
BOSTON, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC) has received a commitment from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross), the state's largest not-for-profit health plan, to invest $50,000 to enhance the content and delivery of GNEMSDC's Development Program for minority owned businesses. The Development Program, focused on companies "certified" as a minority business enterprise (MBE) by GNEMSDC, includes three elements: One-on-One Business Consulting; Subject Matter Training on areas that include financial management, process improvement, strategic planning, and marketing; and the GNEMSDC Advanced Leadership Program which utilizes the Kaufman Foundation's FastTrac curriculum.

With this investment from Blue Cross and expected investments from other leading organizations, GNEMSDC will expand the scope of its Development Program beyond just the 250 currently certified MBEs in New England, and will enhance its content, staffing, and deliverables.

"We hope that this investment by Blue Cross will lead to financial support from others in New England and allow us to continue to build an even more effective Development Program to make New England's minority businesses stronger," said Peter Hurst, the President and CEO of GNEMSDC. "Minority business development helps reduce the country's racial wealth gap, and our MBE Development Program has contributed to the health and growth of our MBEs. COVID 19's adverse impact on minority owned businesses requires a laser-like focus on the levers that drive MBEs' success, including: access to contracts with buyers in the private sector and the public sector; access to intellectual capital that allows MBEs' owners to be more effective leaders and managers; and access to financial capital that supports their growth, whether one contract at a time or through mergers and acquisitions."

"Supporting the economic health of our diverse communities is a business imperative for Blue Cross. Taking action to address racial and economic inequity is not just the right thing to do, it's good business," said Andrew Dreyfus, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. "We're proud to be the first company to pledge our support for the GNEMSDC's new initiative to help minority-owned companies grow and encourage other employers to consider supporting this important effort."

About the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council

Operating from offices in Boston, Massachusetts and New Haven, Connecticut, GNEMSDC (www.gnemsdc.org) promotes economic inclusion and minority business development. The 250 minority businesses certified by GNEMSDC have aggregate revenue of $2.7 Billion and over 20 thousand employees (65% of whom are ethnic minorities). GNEMSDC connects our corporate members with our MBEs, our corporate members with each other, and our small MBEs with our larger MBEs. Our Development Program ensures that our MBEs are contract ready when opportunities arise. Our Advocacy focuses on the impact of minority business development in making communities stronger. An independent economic impact study on GNEMSDC's MBEs found that their economic impacts included: GDP contribution of $4.3 Billion; wages supported of $1.9 Billion; and total jobs supported of over 32 thousand. Connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are committed to the relentless pursuit of quality, affordable health care with an unparalleled consumer experience. Consistent with our promise to always put our members first, we are rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council

Related Links

www.gnemsdc.org


Sri K. Chandrasekhara Rao Chief Minister, Telangana State

Sub: Fire and explosion incident at Hydropower Station in Srisailam

Respected Chief Minister,

Hyderabad 24.08.2020

We grieve the tragic and avoidable death of 9 fellow citizens and TSGENCO employees. After following the news on the fire and explosion incident in the left bank hydropower station at Srisailam, we are now convinced that these deaths were unnecessary and are the result of complete lack of safety culture in TSGENCO. We list here the reasons we believe have caused the tragic loss of lives.

These deaths were a result of inadequate safety provisions in the design of the hydropower station building. There is no evidence that this hydropower station was built to international standards such as aRecommended Practice for Hydroelectric Generating Stations, NFPA 851a in absence of any national standards. No safety up gradation was done to meet the current safety standards after two previous flooding incidents (1998 & 2009) and one fire accident in 2019 at the right bank station.

There is no mention of any fire alarm alert to the employees after noticing the fire. All powerhouses require a fire alarm system designed to meet NFPA 72 standard. Were there smoke, heat or flame detectors in the station?

It appears that no fire hazard risk assessment was carried out for the station. Did the station obtain fire safety permission and renewed it regularly?

No emergency action plan and employee training for emergencies such as fire or flood exists. We come to this conclusion based on the failure of the employees to properly conduct an evacuation as per a predetermined plan. Life safety comes first in such situations.

There is no fire suppression system. Portable extinguishers were used to fight panel fire. Fire can double in size every 30 seconds and fire extinguishers are inadequate after initial stages of fire.

We wonder why a fire engine is kept at the station when water at adequate pressure is available just outside the station. aHydroelectric facilities have an advantage over their fossil fuel-fired cousins by virtue of having an unlimited supply of water for fire protection at their fingertips. Medium- and high-head If the employees were trained in fire safety and had at least a rudimentary understanding of fire science, they would have attempted to exit the building immediately after failing to contain fire with extinguishers. hydroelectric facilities have an added advantage: The water is already under sufficient pressure for fire protection use.a aThe application of water to a generator may appear counterintuitive at first glance, but there are no known cases where a properly designed water spray system has caused any significant damage to a generator.a (Dominique Dieken, Power, 2009)

Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) requires: aThe employees or attendants of assembly occupancies shall be trained and drilled in the duties they are to perform in case of fire, panic, or other emergency to effect orderly exiting.a

No adequate means of egress. Situation was similar to the Watts Bar plant as described in the fire investigation report. aPersonnel working within both the control building and the powerhouse faced challenges in exiting during the fire. As described earlier in this report, the layout and design of the control building resulted in a limited means of egress for personnel in the control building. In the case of this fire, personnel had to pass above the fire to reach the exit. Had there been any significant delay, personnel in the building could have been seriously harmed trying to escape.a

Lessons learned from Watts Bar hydroelectric plant fire in USA in 2002: aOne of the most important lessons learned from this fire is the importance of compliance with the Life Safety Code. ... There are very few means of egress from the powerhouse, and several places where an employee could be trapped and seriously injured or killed. Worse, there was no emergency lighting, and employees were plunged into total darkness when the power failed. Only the quick thinking of a floor supervisor ensured the safe exit of employees. As a result of this fire, TVA has realized the importance of the life safety code, and plans to bring all of its hydroelectric plants into compliance.a Conditions in Srisailam plant are similar.

There are standard limits to the maximum distance to a fire escape from anywhere in the plant based on the fire risk. Exit routes should have adequate emergency lighting for 1.50 hours after the alarm for evacuation is given. Two alternative routes of evacuation are to be provided for escape for each floor.

Fire protection doors with at least two hour fire rating are required to isolate the evacuating personnel from fire and smoke. According to article in aPowera published in April 2009 on aFire Protection in Modern Hydropower Stationsa : aPowerhouses, other than small ones with only one or two levels, generally require two enclosed stair towers with a two-hour fire rating.a

Investigation report in to Watts bar plant fire shows that similar problems affected the personnel working at the plant during fire. Lack of afrequent training on and demonstrations of emergency and evacuation proceduresa at Srisailam led to tragic deaths. aThe design of the powerhouse also contributed to existing problems. The building is a large windowless structure, with heavy machinery and other dangers located throughout. It, too, has very limited means of egress, with exits to ground level on the west end and an exit to the top of the dam on the east end. The powerhouse has several levels, both above and below the waterline, with exits located on only one level. (emphasis added) When power to the building was lost, workers were plunged into complete darkness. Personnel would have had to rely on their knowledge of the building and their sense of touch and hearing to exit the building. Luckily, a supervisor on the floor had a flashlight, and was able to find people and lead them safely from the building. TVAas review of life safety issues will likely include increased exit lighting per NFPA 101 7.8.1.a

When the generation was shut down without any provision for standby power to emergency services like ventilation and lighting, the effect of smoke became predominant in absence of any exhaust ventilation. Fire also exhausted oxygen to the levels that humans cannot sustain breathing.

There are several combustibles like hydraulic and lubrication oils in a hydropower station and they contribute to fire and smoke. Smoke is more harmful than fire as it incapacitates a person in two subsequent breaths without leaving anytime to react. Those remaining in the station were overwhelmed by the smoke and lost life. Proper escape route would have saved those lives.

In light of several lapses listed above, any investigation into the accident should involve an independent body of experts in fire protection engineering, fire safety, fire hazard assessment, power generation and related disciplines who do not have any conflicts of interest. Nowhere in the world are such industrial accidents investigated by police officers and career bureaucrats. Fire at Watts Bar Hydroelectric plant in 2002 was investigated by US Fire Administration. Purpose of any investigation is not to blame individuals but to identify human and systemic causes for such incidents to take corrective action to prevent future accidents. All people of Telangana are stakeholders in the investigation into the incident. Any investigation should involve public consultation. We the undersigned are willing to interact with the investigating expert team and give our inputs online or in person. Investigation reports should be made public.

We are also unable to agree with valuing the dead differently in payment of compensation. Real world is suffering from severe social and economic inequalities that are causing concern to eminent economists like Prof Stiglitz, Thomas Pikety, Emanuel Saez, Herman Daly and others. We have conditions that reflect the description in Charles Dickensas aTale of Two Citiesa . Let us at least treat all the dead in the incident as equals. All Indians are equal as enshrined in our constitution.

We urge the government of Telangana to begin safety audit for the hydropower

stations in our state and implement all relevant international safety standards as

highlighted in points above at all these stations.

We humbly urge you to understand our anguish and concern at the loss of lives and property and a desire for a professional investigation as is done in the developed world. Development is not merely increasing wealth. It also implies developing a culture that sustains that wealth generation.

Sincerely,

Dr EAS Sarma, Former Secretary, Ministry of Power, GoI

Justice Chandra Kumar, President, Telangana Rythu Sankshema Samithi

Dr Sandeep Pandey, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee

Capt J. Rama Rao, Indian Navy (Retd)

Sagar Dhara, Former UNEP Consultant

Shankar Sharma, Power Policy Expert

Himanshu Thakkar, South Asia Network on Dams and River Projects

Dr Lubna Sarwath, General Secretary, Socialist Party of India, Telangana Scientists for People

Human Rights Forum

Jana Vignana Vedika

India March for Science, Telangana

Telangana Vidyavantula Vedika

National Alliance of Peoples Movements, Telangana

South Asia Peoples Action on Climate Crisis

(Dr K Babu Rao) Scientists for People

(Dr K Venkat Reddy) Scientists for People
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 09:02 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4033dc0 1 National AGO-building-fire,Jakarta-administration,ST-Burhanuddin,djoko-tjandra,pinangki-malasari,Komisi-Kejaksaan,corruption-case,DPR Free

Lawmakers and the Prosecutors Commission (KomJak) have called on the Attorney Generals Office (AGO) to reassure the public that its work will not be affected by the fire that gutted its main office building in South Jakarta over the weekend, as police look into possible foul play.

The massive blaze broke out on Saturday evening on the sixth floor of the AGO building in Kebayoran Baru before spreading to the entire structure. No casualties were reported after firefighters battled for more than 10 hours to bring the fire under control, according to the South Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency.

The chairman of House of Representatives Commission III overseeing law enforcement, Herman Hery, called for Attorney General ST Burhanuddin to set up an independent team to thoroughly investigate the cause of the fire.

I urge the Attorney General to establish a special team with the National Police to discover [the cause of] this incident. Most importantly, the investigation into this incident should be conducted in a transparent and professional manner, Herman said in a statement on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician also expressed the hope that the fire would not significantly affect the work of the AGO.

Separately, Komjak chairman Barita Simanjuntak said the AGO should reassure the public that its duties could still be effectively carried out so as to avoid further speculation over the incident.

We hope that the process of handling legal cases can resume [as usual], which will also serve to provide reassurances that [the AGOs] public service duties are not affected, Barita told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Speculation is rife that the incident could be an attempt to obstruct ongoing AGO investigations into several high-profile cases, with concerns that case dossiers may have been destroyed in the blaze.

AGO spokesman Hari Setiyono insisted that the case files and dossiers currently handled by the AGO were stored in a separate building.

The dossiers for extraordinary crimes are stored at the office of the assistant attorney general for extraordinary crimes, which is located quite far from [the incident], he said, while the dossiers for general crimes are stored at the office of the assistant attorney general for general crimes, which is also safe.

State prosecutors are in the midst of handling a number of high-profile cases, including that of Djoko Soegiarto Tjandra, a recently recaptured graft convict who was implicated in the 1998 Bank Bali graft scandal.

Read also: Where has Rp 540 billion in Bank Bali evidence gone?: Ex-KPK chairman

The AGO was also looking into the case of Pinangki Sirna Malasari, a prosecutor who was recently arrested after she allegedly accepted bribes amounting to US$500,000 from Djoko.

Additionally, the AGO was investigating alleged corruption in state-owned insurer Jiwasraya. It had named 13 asset-management companies, three former executives of Jiwasraya and a Financial Services Authority (OJK) official as suspects.

The fire started in a part of the building that previously served as the office for the AGOs human resources, legal and planning departments, as well as its intelligence office. It was also where Attorney General Burhanuddin and Deputy Attorney General Untung Arimuladi worked.

This was not the first time that the Attorney General's Office (AGO) building caught fire. In 2003, the office's control room, located next to the then-vacant office for the deputy attorney general, caught fire. The building also experienced two fires in 1979. (JP/Hengky Wijaya)

The attorney general confirmed that his office would continue providing public services as usual.

Today, along with the deputy attorney general and the assistant attorney general for development and counsel [Jambin], Ive started working at our education and training campus in Ragunan [South Jakarta], Burhanuddin said on Monday.

Although our building was burned down, it will not affect our activities.

Read also: Police assign special team to investigate AGO fire

Hari said that the AGO would be consulting with the Jakarta administration as to whether the building could be renovated after the investigation into the incident is wrapped up.

Because it is part of a cultural heritage area, we will ask for the Jakarta administrations permission in regard to renovation or rebuilding efforts, he said.

The head of the Jakarta Cultural Agencys preservation department, Novriandi S. Husodo, said in a statement that the AGO building itself was not a cultural heritage site, as per Jakarta Gubernatorial Decree No. 475/1993, but that it was treated as such because it fulfilled the necessary criteria. The building is currently undergoing the process of being designated as a heritage site.

The police sent a forensics team on Monday to the building to investigate the cause of the incident and check its structural integrity, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Commr. Yusri Yunus said.

He declined to give an estimate of the potential losses incurred as a result of the incident, citing the ongoing investigation.

Read also: Police to question at least 15 witnesses regarding AGO fire

Some 900 people from the Jambins office had been relocated to the AGOs education and training campus in Ragunan, while around 200 people from the AGOs intelligence office will temporarily work from another training campus in Ceger, East Jakarta.
The worldwide retail network may have taken a step back due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but none of that affects the world's most valuable company. Yes, we're talking about Apple, which just opened a brand new store in Singapore.

It's not just an ordinary store that we're talking about here. Just take a look at this -

Yeah, it's floating. It's the most over-the-top thing Apple has ever done and you know what? We dig it. It fits Apple's image of showing off the pricey and unique design. It's the most "Apple thing" we've seen in a while, which is what makes it so fascinating.



So, this particular retail store is located in Singapore on the city's state's waterfront. It's called Apple Marina Bay Sands and holds the tag for the first floating Apple store in the world. It looks like a giant glowing orb on water.

This is Apple's third store in Singapore and what a way to put their name in the news with it. During the day, the store looks like some sort of a spaceship, but at night it just turns into a glowing orb. Looks absolutely insane, right?

Here's a teaser video from Apple to show off their new store -

Heres Apples fun teaser video for the upcoming Marina Bay Sands store in Singapore: pic.twitter.com/ngDHk1apDV  MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) August 24, 2020

Well, we can't for the pandemic lockdowns to get over so we can visit Singapore and check the store out in all its glory.
JACKSON COUNTY, Mississippi -- After a few days of concern, including the possibility of the two storms joining in the Gulf of Mexico, it appeared as of Tuesday afternoon neither Tropical Storm Marco nor Hurricane Laura would have much of an impact -- if any -- on the local area.

Tropical Storm Marco made landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River around 6 p.m. Tuesday with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph as the storm had already begun to weaken and lose organization as it approached landfall.

Hurricane Laura, however, was expected to continue to gain strength throughout Tuesday and Wednesday and forecasters were expecting Laura to make landfall as possibly a Category 2 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Its expected path would have Laura making landfall in southwest Louisiana or southeast Texas Wednesday night. Some local impact was expected, with a possible storm surge of 1-3 feet from Ocean Springs to the Alabama border.

If that much, said Earl Etheridge, Director of Jackson County Emergency Management when asked about the potential for rain and minor flooding. But yes, thats the latest forecast.

At the end of last week, local and state government declared states of emergency in anticipation of the two storms and there was concern Marco and Laura could potentially join forces in the Gulf of Mexico in what is known as the Fujiwhara effect.

Essentially, in that scenario the two storms would come in close enough proximity to each other they would begin a tropical two-step of sorts, in which two areas of low pressure begin to rotate counterclockwise around a commond midpoint -- dancing together, as some called it. That rotation can throw one or both storms far off their expected track.

Etheridge, however, said such a scenario was never a real concern with Marco and Laura.

They were too far apart, he said. There was a movie called The Perfect Storm, but Im not George Clooney and youre not Marky Mark, so its not going to happen.

What often happens with two storms like this is one will tear the other one up. One will fall to pieces. But it can happen. They talk about them dancing around each other, but with these, the atmosphere wasnt conducive to that happening. It was more media hype than anything.

In any event, Etheridge was thankful Jackson County had avoided any significant storm impact.

Ill take that anytime we can get it, he said.
Nearly three years after a Walmart employee brought a proposal to the company to provide private spaces for moms to breastfeed in its stores, the retail chain is announcing plans to place breastfeeding pods in 100 more stores, with the hope of placing pods in nearly all of its U.S. stores in the coming years.

"At times I get a little emotional about the impact this is going to have on nursing mothers," said Tennille Webb, the Walmart employee who proposed the pods. "The scope of the impact that this can have for our associates and customers makes this a really exciting development."

Webb, the mom of a now nearly 3-year-old son, was recently back from maternity leave, still breastfeeding and traveling several times a month for work in late 2017 when she saw a freestanding lactation suite, or breastfeeding pod, inside an airport.

Webb used the pod, made by the Vermont-based company Mamava, to pump in between flights and then brought the idea to place Mamava pods in Walmart stores back to her colleagues and bosses in Bentonville, Arkansas.

PHOTO: Tennille Webb poses with her son in front of a Mamava breastfeeding pod at a Walmart store. (Tennille Webb/Walmart)

Walmart launched a pilot test with three Mamava pods in three stores last year and is now bringing the pods to more stores across the country. The company made the announcement on Tuesday, the start of Black Breastfeeding Week in the U.S., a week intended to raise awareness of being black and breastfeeding.

"It means a lot to me that I was able to speak up, that my idea was heard and the end result was the implementation of the program," said Webb. "I did not run across a single leader that did not understand, empathize and then once they heard about it, champion the idea."

MORE: This new mom shared her manager's response to her plan to pump at work and it's what all women want

Webb said the thought of her son kept her continue to push to see her idea become a reality.

"From the start, to keep myself going through the various conversations and approvals and questions, I thought back to what kind of example do I want to be for my child, for my son?" she said. "I want to show him to be bold, how to be brave, how to speak up when you see something."

Story continues

PHOTO: Tennille Webb poses with her son in front of a Mamava breastfeeding pod at a Walmart store. (Tennille Webb/Walmart)

Walmart, which has 4,700 stores across the U.S., is the first retailer in the country to install Mamava pods in stores, according to both Walmart and Mamava.

The Mamava pods are available for both customers and Walmart associates to use at no charge.

Mamava describes its product as an "all-in-one turnkey lactation solution for offices and public spaces," according to its website.

Each pod contains amenities that breastfeeding moms need like plugs, seating space and air control. The pods can be opened via the Mamava app, which also lets users know the location of the pod nearest their location.

PHOTO: A Mamava breastfeeding pod is available for use at a Walmart store. Walmart plans to expand the number of Mamava breastfeeding pods in its U.S. stores. (Courtesy Walmart)

Moms can also control the air flow in the pod and dim the lights via the app.

Walmart received feedback from moms in the three pilot cities that they really appreciated that Walmart offered the pod and really liked the features and convenience of the pod. The company also saw repeat users of the pods, according to Anne Hatfield, Walmart's director of global communications.

MORE: Breastfeeding basics: All of your questions answered

"Weve gotten such a great response so far," she said. "We have a culture at Walmart where we want to hear these ideas. Were always looking for new ways to serve customers and new ways to support our associates."

By the end of August, Mamava will have delivered just over 100 pods to Walmart stores across the country.

PHOTO: Tennille Webb, left, poses with Mamava executive Nikkie Kent in front of a breastfeeding pod in a Walmart store. (Courtesy Walmart)

Mamava pods will be added to Walmart stores in the coming years as the stores undergo their scheduled renovations.

People can find out whether their local Walmart store has a breastfeeding pod via the Mamava app.

"Over the past five years we have placed our pods in airports, stadiums, convention centers, and a myriad of workplaces," Mamava CEO Sascha Mayer said in a statement. "The Walmart placements are our most public and impactful as they are going to be accessible to many more moms. Our hope is that this sort of infrastructure in store communicates support for the important work of breastfeeding and pumping, and more parents decide to breastfeed because of it."

This employee got Walmart to expand breastfeeding stations in stores across the country originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
Editors note: This story has been updated for reflect the correct gender of a manager quoted in the story

Almost $48,000 was raised to buy school supplies for Albuquerque Public Schools students in need thanks to dual fundraising drives by the Corporate Volunteer Council of New Mexico and the One Albuquerque Fund.

Donations were collected online and by phone from organizations, businesses and individuals, organizers said in a news release. The One Albuquerque Fund raised $12,895 and the CVCNM added $35,000.

The total of almost $48,000 was handed over to the Albuquerque Public School Foundation to buy school supplies for students.

Thanks  for this amazing show of community support during this time when the needs are ever-growing, said Vaisu Bronk, manager of Volunteer Programs and Special Projects and an APS CVCNM member, in a statement.

Having basic school supplies for their students is a relief for many families experiencing economic uncertainty right now, she said. The supply drive empowers our students to show up ready to learn and thrive with the necessary tools for the classroom and for working on assignments at home.

Organizers noted that more than 60% of APS students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, and a national survey shows that teachers spend over $500 of their own money every year to help their students get supplies, according to the release.

The CVCNM School Supply Drive is an annual event. This year the One Albuquerque Fund has stepped in to organize the event virtually.

We welcome suggestions for the daily Bright Spot. Send to newsroom@abqjournal.com.
S ix more Met Police officers are facing a misconduct probe over allegations of selfies taken at the scene where two sisters were stabbed to death in a north London park.

Two officers were arrested in June when claims first emerged that non-official and inappropriate photos featuring the bodies of sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman had been taken in Fryent Country Park and shared on WhatsApp.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation and the two officers, arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, were suspended from duty.

The Met has now revealed that six more officers, all from the North East Command, are under investigation for alleged misconduct over the incident, while other allegations of wrongdoing outside the Wembley case have emerged.

The IOPC has concluded its investigation and handed a report to the Mets Directorate of Professional Standards as well as to the Crown Prosecution Service.

When the selfie claims first emerged, Commander Paul Brogden said: I am horrified and disgusted by the nature of these allegations, a sentiment which will be shared by colleagues throughout the organisation. If true, these actions are morally reprehensible and anyone involved will be robustly dealt with.

Ms Smallman, 27, and Ms Henry, 46, were both daughters of former Chelmsford Archdeacon Wilhelmina Smallman, the first woman from a minority ethnic background to hold the title of Archdeacon in the Anglican church.

They had met with friends in the park at around 7pm on June 5 to celebrate Ms Henrys birthday, and by midnight only the two sisters remained.

After the sisters failed to return home, member of their family and friends filed a number of missing persons reports and their bodies were eventually found more than 36 hours later.

PA

In a statement this afternoon, the Met said: On Wednesday, 17 June the MPSs Directorate of Professional Standards was informed of allegations that non-official and inappropriate photographs had been taken by police at the crime scene in Fryent Country Park, Wembley in relation to the murders of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman. These images were shared on a closed WhatsApp group.

The MPS made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which launched an independent investigation.

Two MPS officers were arrested on Monday, 22 June by the IOPC on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. They have since been released under investigation.

Both officers  who are based on the North East Command  have been suspended from duty.

The IOPC has completed its investigation and has sent a report to the MPS which is currently being reviewed by the Directorate of Professional Standards. The report will also be sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

During the course of the investigation, further possible misconduct matters came to light, and the IOPC have advised six additional officers that they are under investigation for misconduct in relation to the inappropriate and non-official photographs.

In addition, possible misconduct unrelated to the Wembley incident, and involving a small number of officers, has been identified by the IOPC.

The two women were celebrating Ms Henry's birthday on the night of their murder by a stranger

The family of the murdered sisters have been kept informed of developments in the misconduct probe, the Met added.

Loading....

Danyal Hussein, 18, from Blackheath has been charged with the murders of both women, and is due to appear in court next month to enter his pleas.
As fall approaches rapidly, many are wondering if the race for a vaccine will bear fruit as early as January 2021. I am a physician-scientist and infectious diseases specialist at the University of Virginia, where I care for patients and conduct research into COVID-19.

I am occasionally asked how I can be sure that researchers will develop a successful vaccine to prevent COVID-19. After all, we still dont have one for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Here is where the current research stands, where I think we will be in five months and why you can be optimistic about the ...
WASHINGTON: Responding to an outcry from medical experts, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn on Tuesday apologized for overstating the life-saving benefits of treating COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma.

Scientists and medical experts have been pushing back against the claims about the treatment since President Donald Trumps announcement on Sunday that the FDA had decided to issue emergency authorization for convalescent plasma, taken from patients who have recovered from the coronavirus and rich in antibodies.

Trump hailed the decision as a historic breakthrough even though the treatments value has not been established. The announcement on the eve of Trumps Republican National Convention raised suspicions that it was politically motivated to offset critics of the presidents handling of the pandemic.

Hahn had echoed Trump in saying that 35 more people out of 100 would survive the coronavirus if they were treated with the plasma. That claim vastly overstated preliminary findings of Mayo Clinic observation.

The 35% figure drew condemnation from other scientists and some former FDA officials, who called on Hahn to correct the record.

I have been criticized for remarks I made Sunday night about the benefits of convalescent plasma. The criticism is entirely justified. What I should have said better is that the data show a relative risk reduction not an absolute risk reduction, Hahn tweeted.

The FDA made the decision based on data the Mayo Clinic collected from hospitals around the country that were using plasma on patients in wildly varying ways  and there was no comparison group of untreated patients, meaning no conclusions can be drawn about overall survival. People who received plasma with the highest levels of antibodies fared better than those given plasma with fewer antibodies, and those treated sooner after diagnosis fared better than those treated later.

Its extraordinary to me that a person involved in clinical trials could make that mistake, said Dr. Peter Lurie, a former FDA official under the Obama administration who now leads the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest. Its mind-boggling.

Hahn has been working to bolster confidence in the agencys scientific process, stating in interviews and articles that the FDA will not approve any vaccine that doesnt meet preset standards for safety and efficacy.

Lurie said Hahns performance at the press conference undermined his credibility, particularly among FDA staff.

I think within the agency his credibility is massively reduced as a result, Lurie said.

On Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, called Hahn a disappointment and said House committees were looking into FDA actions.

Trump has recently accused some FDA staff, without evidence, of deliberately holding up new treatments for political reasons. And Trumps chief of staff, Mark Meadows, said over the weekend that FDA scientists need to feel the heat."

The administration has sunk vast resources into the race for a vaccine, and Trump aides have been hoping that swift progress could help the president ahead of Novembers election.

At Sundays briefing Hahn did not correct Trumps description of the regulatory move as a breakthrough. He also did not contradict Trumps unsupported claim of a deep state effort at the agency working to slow down approvals.

Former FDA officials said the political pressure and attacks against the FDA carry enormous risk of undermining trust in the agency just when its needed most. A vaccine will only be effective against the virus if it is widely taken by the U.S. population.

I think the constant pressure, the name-calling, the perception that decisions are made under pressure is damaging, said Dr. Jesse Goodman of Georgetown University, who previously served as FDAs chief scientist. We need the American people to have full confidence that medicines and vaccines are safe,

Convalescent plasma is a century-old approach to treating the flu, measles and other viruses. But the evidence so far has not been conclusive about whether it works, when to administer it and what dose is needed.

The FDA emergency authorization is expected to increase its availability to additional hospitals. But more than 70,000 Americans have already received the therapy under FDAs expanded access program. That program tracks patients response, but cannot prove whether the plasma played a role in their recovery.

Some scientists worry the broadened FDA access to the treatment will make it harder to complete studies of whether the treatment actually works. Those studies require randomizing patients to either receive plasma or a dummy infusion.

___

Associated Press writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.

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
Ithaca, N.Y.  Ithaca police are searching for a man they say fired a gun at least two other people during a fight late Monday afternoon.

Police said the shooting happened in the parking lot of Kinney Drugs, 513 N. Cayuga St., around 5:42 p.m.

The shooting was part of a larger altercation that involved around four people. During this altercation, an adult man was seen chasing at least two younger males in and around the 500 block of North Cayuga Street and fired shots at them, police said.

Police searched the area for those involved in the altercation, but did not find anyone. No injuries have been reported.

Police believe one of the people involved in the fight may have fled westbound on Cascadilla Street in a newer-model blue pickup truck.

Ithaca police ask that anyone with information to contact them at (607) 330-0000.
Cape Town-based Biotech Africa is launching a new testing platform that will allow for the ultra-high throughput of Covid-19 tests, at a fraction of the current testing costs.

This is in response to the shortage of test kits in South Africa, which has resulted in only around three and a half million tests having been conducted in a population of close to 60 million.South Africa has the fifth highest number of Covid-19 cases in the world, but only around 5% of our total population has been tested to date. The current testing capacity is around 30,000 tests a day by the state, which is simply not enough for a population the size of ours, says Paul Anley, BioTech Africa CEO.BioTech Africas new testing technology will allow for up to 50,000 tests to be conducted every day, with potential for additional capacity of 200,000 tests to be added later if required.The testing platform will be launching within four weeks, as a result the biotech company seeks to begin engagement with government, corporate South Africa and other potential stakeholders.The biotechnology industry needs the support of government, corporate and industry South Africa, in overcoming the many high barriers to entry the sector faces, which include funding, regulation and local manufacturing of products at scale. We believe that with their help and working together as a country, we will be able to bring the virus under control and start rebuilding our lives, Anley explains.PhD Jenny Leslie, COO of Biotech Africa, explains that the high throughput platform technology is open source and therefore key reagents can be acquired from any supplier. Many testing platforms being used in South Africa can only make use of components from specific suppliers,, which are in short supply due to global demand.The diagnostic platform further employs the same technology as those that were used to test the entire population of Wuhan, China, in just a few days.Another advantage is that we can pool a number of samples in one test. This means an entire group or family to be tested in one reaction. If the test is negative, it means that the full sample group does not have Covid-19, which saves time and money when compared with individual testing. However, if Covid-19 has been detected in the group test sample, each person will then be individually tested, to determine who is infected, explains Leslie.Although able to test using current methods of sampling, BioTech Africas preferred testing approach is far less invasive than those currently in use, requiring only a saliva sample collected via an air-tight tube, which is then sealed in a collection bag.This means no uncomfortable object up your nose or the need for a specialist nurse practitioner, who would normally be required to conduct the sample collection.Testing at BioTech Africas laboratories is highly automated, which means less room for human error and faster results.An added benefit is that the test will not only check for the virus, but will screen the same saliva sample for antibodies too  which means people who test negative are able to discover whether they have already had the virus without knowing, and therefore have antibodies, explains Anley.BioTech Africa firmly believes that mass testing is the most practical solution towards opening up our economy in the fastest, safest and most equitable way. The devastation that the lockdown and lack of adequate state support caused to workers, households and businesses has been of seismic proportions.Through mass testing, South Africans across the entire country will be able to begin putting the pieces of their lives back together and better provide for their families. Entire workforces and learning institutions can be tested before admittance, allowing the infected to be isolated and treated, meaning that more sectors will be able to be reopened safely, Leslie further explains.The Covid-19 diagnostic sampling kits will be sold at selected pharmacies nationwide and will cost around half of existing tests. R850 is the current cost of private testing, while the state pays between R400 and R500 per test, Anley adds.South Africa has the requisite knowledge and world-class expertise required to fight the pandemic, as evidenced by BioTech Africas successful history in developing and manufacturing recombinant proteins used in the manufacture of HIV diagnostic tests and other human infectious diseases.To beat the pandemic, the industry needs support from all levels of society, especially corporate South Africa and the government agencies. Working together is the only way that we will overcome the ramifications of the virus, concludes Anley and Leslie.BioTech Africa are specialists in recombinant protein production and bioprocessing. Driven by the global requirement for improved in vitro diagnostics, their current range of highly purified recombinant proteins are used in the manufacture of diagnostic test kits for point of care rapid diagnostics, and research institutions.They offer a variety of protein expression platforms along with a host of other protein services, including protein refolding and structural biology analysis.
SHANGHAI  Shenzhen and Guangzhou may be only an hours train ride from each other, but to compare the two Chinese cities is like night and day.

The former is the shiny and immigrant-driven tech capital that has risen from the shadows of Hong Kong, while the other is a key historic port and axis of old-school Cantonese culture. What they do share in common  other than being both located in Guangdong province  is that they are two of the most important powerhouses in Chinas south, with each influential in its own right.

More from WWD

Lately it is Shenzhen that has grabbed a lot of the limelight. Brands like Burberry have invested big in the area. The British fashion house recently unveiled its experiential retail Burberry x Tencent store there, a collaboration with WeChats owner that fuses physical and digital elements and lets shoppers use their phones to game their way around the store. Beyond that, Balenciaga is due to open a major store in Shenzhen this fall and its where SND, the hotshot retailer from Chongqing, chose to open its first outpost outside of western China.

These investments are no mere coincidence. With neighboring Hong Kong battling its third COVID-19 outbreak and ongoing political problems, a significant amount of consumer spending on fashion has been repatriated to Shenzhen.

Yichi Zhang, the founder of ASP Consulting and a former Vogue China editor, said her industry peers are reporting their top-selling stores are now in Shenzhen.

Thats why you see so many store events in Shenzhen recently, Zhang said.

A native Shenzhenite herself, Zhang said the city has quickly evolved since 1980, when it was set up as Chinas first economic zone. The city is marked by its large youth population and one made up of immigrants from other parts of the country.

They tend to be high-value customers, she said. Shenzhen will be the place if you are seeking purchasing power, but you also cant neglect the fact that Shenzhen is 14 minutes away from central Hong Kong by speed train [COVID-19 aside]. People in Shenzhen do not mind traveling a little bit to get a better selection or price when it comes to buying foreign luxury brands.

Story continues

The retail scene in Shenzhen, although scattered, is dominated by MixC, the chain of malls owned by China Resources Holdings, and in particular, its Luohu and Tiandi locations. Ultimately, Shenzhen is a border town and its geography reflects that  with the city developing as a long strip along the border it shares with Hong Kong, meaning there are several city hubs.

The clientele is quite different [across the city], said Bohan Qiu, founder of the agency Boh Project and also a native of Shenzhen. The eastern parts of Luohu and Futian were developed earlier and were also the commercial centers 10 to 15 years ago. But as Shenzhens urban development has expanded west, districts such as Nanshan and now Qianhai are concentrated with tech giants and new elites. We compare it to L.A. sometimes as you have to drive to many places.

A lot of the tech companies in Shenzhen are going global, so the mind-set is very different, he continued. They are a lot more open-minded, super connected with Hong Kong and also a lot have lived abroad and the mindset is very international and easy to absorb new cultures and new things.

Even though Shenzhen is described as the Silicon Valley of China, thanks to it being the base of global, high-profile tech companies like Huawei and DJI, its dress code tends to be a lot flashier than say, San Franciscos Bay Area. Instead, its Guangzhou that has a laid-back approach to dressing.

As the capital of Guangdong province, Guangzhou has been an important city since the mid-Qing dynasty, and thus home to Chinas oldest trade show, the Canton Fair. Modern-day Hong Kong-based conglomerates such as Jardine Matheson, Wheelock and Swire all started their businesses in the former French and British concessions of Shamian Island on the eastern side of the city.

To visit Guangzhou is to relish in distinctly Cantonese culture  immersed in great food and in the dialect of Cantonese, which is the same dialect dominant in Hong Kong. In contrast, most people in Shenzhen, a melting pot of arrivals, do not ever learn to speak Cantonese.

Over the years Guangzhou, on the contrary, has kept expanding east. Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, Beijing Road Shopping District, Haizhu Square, Wuyang New Town and Taojin Road were the historic districts for shopping, and still enjoy popularity among tourists and local residents. But Zhujiang New Town is now a draw, with fashion lovers increasingly checking out the dazzling flagship stores in International Grand City Mall, G.T. Land Plaza, Guangzhou Friendship Store and Mall of the World, and K11.

But the most prime retail real estate is on Tianhe Road, where Taikoo Hui, One Link Walk, Grandview Mall, Parc Central, Teem Plaza, Grandby Department Store and Victory Plaza sit next to each other, offering all the major international brands, from Louis Vuitton to Zara, and countless small shops selling so-called extra orders  i.e., designer goods straight from the factories.

Given its rich history, Guangzhou also offers worthwhile street-level shopping. The neighborhood of Dongshankou was frequented by the famous at the turn of the 20th century and is now filled with curated boutiques, indie galleries and trendy bars.

Labelhoods Guangzhou store, A Brick by Labelhood, made its home in the neighborhood and it occupies a well-preserved, Western-style red brick house built in the Thirties. Tasha Liu, cofounder of Labelhood, said she expanded the retail concept to Guangzhou because she was so in love with the building and its unique location.

People value the quality of life more than anything, said Liu of Guangzhou. Compared with consumers in Shenzhen, consumers in Guangzhou pay more attention to practicality. They care more about the design itself, instead of how famous the brand is. They dont really go for trends or bold designs, they prefer items made with nice fabrics and details. And if they like it, they dont care about the price point.

Some, like Yueqi Qi, a Central Saint Martins-trained designer, from Guangzhou had a more critical view of the citys practical and conservative fashion choices, however.

My first thought about fashion in Guangzhou is that most people dont care about fashion, Qi said. Most of the men I see in Guangzhou wear sandals and prefer not to wear a shirt, but they will throw on a T-shirt to oblige social etiquette.

Guangzhou natives tend to be nonchalant about their wealth. An old man wearing a tank top and flip-flops walking in the street could very well own a few buildings in the city center, and a wealthy housewife may bring a Birkin bag to the wet market to carry her groceries in.

Nonetheless, it is the city that helped Hermes haul in an estimated $2.7 million in a single day from just one location right as COVID-19 began to subside in China. A sales representative working at a luxury brand in Taikoo Hui, Guangzhous leading luxury mall, explained the seeming taste contradiction by saying that many luxury shoppers prefer the more generic designs over bestsellers or runway pieces in the city.

The generational shopping preferences are quite obvious, he said. The younger generation will ask for the same bag that a celebrity just wore or something they saw in a magazine, but the older generation will go for bags with big space and traditional shapes that we dont even promote. But these bags sell really well, he said. Our Shenzhen store sees less of a phenomenon like this.

Renee Lu, marketing director of The Fashion Door, which has shops in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan and Suzhou, agreed that Guangzhous consumers are more conservative in taste but they should not be underestimated. Guangzhou has also benefited from a repatriation of spending recently. The city has been a popular source of immigration since the 18th century and wealthy overseas Chinese have come back in big numbers due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Their generous spending helped The Fashion Door triple its monthly sales target last month, Lu said.

While it would be easy to characterize the relationship between these two cities as a rivalry, its how they fit together thats more pertinent. The Chinese governments roadmap for economic development is intensely focused on mega-city clusters. Nineteen city clusters have been identified across the country, but the three that are of global relevance are Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta Greater Bay Area.

The Greater Bay Area, first mentioned in Chinas 13th Five-Year Plan in 2016, includes Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong as the primary growth nodes but also Dongguan, Foshan, Zhongshan, Huizhou, Jiangmen, Zhuhai, Zhaoqing and Macau. Each city is connected by highway and high-speed rail, and a dozen inter-city metro lines and multiple bridges are under construction to provide even better connectivity in order to boost economic output from the area from the 12 percent it contributed to national gross domestic product in 2018.

A June JLL report on the GBA expects Shenzhens growth trajectory will focus on innovation-heavy industries like AI, 5G, robotics, and genetics, while Guangzhou focus will be on more labor-intensive sectors like e-commerce, mobile apps, software and game development.

Talent has poured into the GBA from across China to the tune of over a million new arrivals per year; working-age residents form half or more of the population of many GBA cities, significantly higher than other parts of China, the report said.

It added: While new supply in the retail sector has been substantial, with Guangzhou and Shenzhen seeing 2.1 million and 3.2 million square meters of prime supply respectively over 2015 to 2019, space provision per capita in the GBA continues to trail Shanghai and Beijing and lags behind the average of Chinas 12 largest cities.

John Yao, general manager for the North Face China, described the sister cities as a perfect combination of tradition and innovation. The two cities both have a huge potentialthey can complement each other in a very good way.

Related:

How Hong Kong Can Define Its Next Chapter >>

The Rules of the Media Game in China >>

Shenzhen Fashion Scene Emerges from Factory Capital >>

SND, Chongqings Coolest Concept Store Goes National >>
On Demand

We have a new story every day on the front page of thephuketnews.com. Also like us on our Facebook page (facebook.com/thephuketnews) and be the first to watch all the new stories. Finally you can watch any segment, any time by going to thephuketnews.com/tv where all the stories are listed for you to enjoy. All our programs can be enjoyed in High Definition when watching on the internet.

In-Room VDO


Officials in the Florida Keys plan to release genetically modified mosquitoes next year in an effort to fight insect-borne diseases.

Genetically modified means an organisms genetic structure has been changed through genetic engineering.

The test project in the Keys, a group of islands off Floridas southern coast, will involve the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The mosquito is not native to Florida. But it does transmit several diseases to humans, including dengue fever and the Zika virus.

In the Keys, nearly 50 cases of dengue have been reported so far this year.

The project is led by biotechnology company Oxitec. It is an American-owned company based in Britain. The plan calls for the release of millions of male, genetically modified mosquitoes to mate with females that bite humans.

The company says its male mosquitoes, which do not bite, are genetically engineered with a protein that makes any female offspring unable to survive. The process aims to lower the overall population of the insects to reduce the transmission of disease.

Kevin Gorman is an Oxitec scientist. He told The Associated Press the company completed similar projects in the Cayman Islands and Brazil that went extremely well.

We have released over a billion of our mosquitoes over the years, Gorman said. There is no potential for risk to the environment or humans.

In a press release, Oxitec noted numerous studies by government agencies supporting the safety of the project. The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the experimental project. Several government agencies in Florida approved it as well.

Some groups, however, worry that the use of genetically modified organisms could change the planets natural balance. At a recent meeting of the Florida Keys mosquito control board, several people questioned the effects of the project.

You have no idea what that will do, Barry Wray told the board. He is the director of the Florida Keys Environmental Coalition.

Some experts have also questioned whether or not the modified mosquitoes can effectively crash the mosquito population in Florida as planned.

The mosquitoes created in a lab have not gone through a natural selection process, in which only the fittest survive and mate, said Max Moreno, an expert in mosquito-borne diseases at Indiana University. He is not involved with the company or the test project.

Moreno asked, Once they are released in the natural environment, will they be as fit as the naturally occurring males and able to outcompete them for mates?

Another question is whether the mosquitoes could have unplanned effects on the environment. For example, if a spider, frog or bird eats the mosquito, will the modified protein have any effect on the predator?

Moreno said an ecosystem is so complex and involves so many species that it would be nearly impossible to test all of them beforehand in a laboratory.

Still, Keys mosquito board members voted 4-1 in favor of the project. One of the supporters was Jill Cranny-Gage. She told the meeting that insecticides and other chemical methods have become less effective against the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

The science is there, Cranny-Gage said. Were trying everything in our power, and were running out of options.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

transmit  v. to cause a virus of disease to be given to others

offspring  n. the child of a person or animal

potential  n. qualities or abilities that may develop and permit someone or something to succeed

predator  n. animal that hunts and kills other animals for food

ecosystem  n. a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment

species  n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

beforehand  adv. before a particular time or event

option  n. a choice
ONE

The Geek Squad Guy

June 2009February 2010

It came in off the street one daya tip, a lead, a rumorwhatever you cared to call it, it was one of the strangest things they had heard in their careers. Chapo Guzman, the world-famous drug lord, had hired a young IT guy and the kid had built him a sophisticated system of high-end cell phones and secret servers, all of it ingeniously encrypted. The unconfirmed reportperhaps that was the best way to describe ithad arrived that Friday in June 2009 when a tipster walked into the lobby of the FBIs field division office in New York. After his story had been vetted downstairs, it made its way up seven flights of stairs and landed with a curious thud among the crowded cubicles of C-23, the Latin American drug squad. For more than thirty years, the elite team of agents and their bosses had hunted some of the drug trades biggest criminals, and while tall tales of their antics circulated constantly through its squad room near the courts in Lower Manhattan, no one in the unit knew what to make of this one. The tipsters account seemed credible enough but it was sorely lacking details: the only facts he had offered on the young technician were a first nameChristianand that he was from Medellin, Colombia. All sorts of kooks spouting all sorts of nonsense showed up all the time at FBI facilities, claiming they had inside information on the Kennedy killing or knew someone who knew someone who knew where Jimmy Hoffa was. In what were still the early days of Internet telephony, it seemed a bit far-fetched that a twentysomething hacker had reached a deal with the worlds most wanted fugitive and furnished him in hiding with a private form of Skype. As alluring as it sounded, it was just the sort of thing that would probably turn out to be a myth.

In the middle of a drug war, chasing myths was not enough to send C-23 into the field: reality was keeping the unit busy on its own. Three years after Mexico had launched a crusade against its brutal cartel kingpins, the country had erupted into incomparable violence, and much of the chaos had rolled downhill into American investigative files. Just that winter, a psychopath who called himself the Stewmaker had been caught near Tijuana after having boiled three hundred bodies down to renderings in caustic vats of acid. Two weeks later, a retired Mexican general was murdered in Cancun, his kneecaps shattered and his corpse propped up behind the steering wheel of a pickup truck abandoned on a highway. Since late 2006, the countrys seven drug clans had all been at war with one another or the governmentor sometimes both at onceand ten thousand people had already lost their lives. C-23 and other US law enforcement agencies pitched in when they could, opening cases and offering intelligence to their counterparts in Mexico. But in the past several months, conditions at the border had only gotten worse and had metastasized from an ordinary security emergency into something that resembled a full-scale insurrection. From the American point of view, the Sisyphean struggle to end the bloodshedand to stem the flow of drugs heading northseemed increasingly impossible despite the constant seizures, the federal indictments and the helicopter gunships sent as foreign aid.

[ Return to the review of El Jefe. ]

In this target-rich environment, Chapo Guzman was an interesting case. While he was neither the wealthiest nor the most sadistic trafficker in Mexico, he was by a matter of degree the most illustrious. His famous alias, El Chapooften rendered Shorty but more accurately a reference to his squat, stocky framewas globally familiar, with a recognition level that rivaled that of movie stars and presidents. Not since Pablo Escobar had ruled over Colombia had la pista secretathe secret path of the narcotics businessseen a figure who was both a major criminal and a mass celebrity. For nearly twenty years, Guzman had been at the center of the drug trade, involved in some of its best-known capers and disasters. In 1993, in his earliest brush with fame, he was sent to jail in Mexico for the murder of a Roman Catholic cardinal, Juan Jesus Posadas Ocampo, whose daylight killing at the Guadalajara airport introduced the world to the threat presented by Mexican cartels. Eight years later, in a move that earned him full folkloric status, Guzman had escaped from prison, slipping out in a laundry cart after paying off his jailers.

Ever since, he had been on the run, moving back and forth among a half-dozen hideouts deep in the Sierra Madre mountains, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Though he lived like an outlaw, he was treated like a kingloved by some, feared by many and inarguably one of the most powerful men in Mexico. A single word from him from one of his mountain dens could set in motion tractor-trailers in Nogales, planes in Cartagena and merchant freighters in Colon. At fifty-twoan improbable age in an industry that did not promote longevityGuzman had reached the height of his career, running his business freely and warring against his rivals, all while playing cat and mouse with those among the Mexican authorities who werent on his payroll. While the American government was after him as well, a contrarian consensus had emerged in parts of Washington that at least he was contained in the Sierras, where he was spending exorbitant sums on his security and could not engage in the same bloody havoc that emergent mafias, like the Zetas or La Familia Michoacan, had recently been wreaking in the lowlands. It was also the case that no onenot the FBI, the DEA, nor their cousins in the intelligence communityhad ever mounted a successful capture operation in the rugged region he had fled to. In the past two years alone, a panoply of American agencies had helped arrest Otto Herrera, Guzmans connection to Colombias cartels; Juan Carlos Ramirez, one of his top suppliers; and Jesus El Rey Zambada, the brother of El Mayo Zambada, his most important partner. The heir to Guzmans throneMayos son, Vicentewas in jail in Mexico City, and Pedro and Margarito Flores, the twin brothers who had handled much of his American distribution, were about to start recording him for US drug officials. By mid-2009, Guzman himself was already under indictment in San Diego and Tucson and would soon face further charges in Brooklyn and Chicago. But after all of thiscountless hours of investigative and prosecutorial efforthe had never spent a single day in an American court of law.
A tenth person has been charged with terrorism offences by police investigating dissident republican group the New IRA.

Eight people have already appeared before Belfast Magistrates Court following 10 arrests as part of Operation Arbacia and two more will now be brought before a district judge on Tuesday morning.

The New IRA is believed to be responsible for the shooting death of journalist Lyra McKee while she observed a riot in Londonderry, also known as Derry, in April 2019.

Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray, of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), said eight men and two women have been arrested under the terrorism act as part of the significant and carefully planned operation.

Eight people have been charged with a total of 34 terrorist offences, while a ninth person faces four charges and the tenth person, a 62-year-old man from Scotland, has been charged with one offence.

Overall, the offences include directing terrorism, preparatory acts of terrorism, membership of a proscribed organisation, conspiracy to possess explosives with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life.

The New IRA is believed to be the largest of the dissident republican groups in Northern Ireland, and has been blamed for a number of attacks on police, including a bomb attack in Wattlebridge, County Fermanagh, in August 2019 and five letter bombs found at locations across Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland in March 2019.

Ms Gray described Operation Arbacia as a longer term co-ordinated probe into every aspect of the activities of the New IRA in its entirety involving partners including MI5.

She added: Previous investigations have shown time and time again that we have seen the New IRA does not care who it hurts or what it destroys.

They do not care about the communities they come from; they care for no one. They are reckless, they are manipulative and they exploit.

It is really disappointing that decades on from the Good Friday Agreement there are still groups who are using and hiding bombs and bullets in residential areas and putting their own agendas above the rights of the community who want to live and thrive in peace.

Additional reporting by Press Association
Posted by Chris on at 04:15 PM CST

MONDO PRESENTS THE PREMIERE PHYSICAL RELEASE OF THE MANDALORIAN: SEASON ONE

SOUNDTRACK ON VINYL







Austin, TX - August 24, 2020  Mondo, in conjunction with Walt Disney Records, is proud to present the premiere physical release of Ludwig Goransson's complete Season One soundtrack to The Mandalorian as an 8XLP Box Set.



It's no longer a secret that Ludwig Goransson is the most talented and exciting person working in film and television music right now, says Mo Shafeek, Mondo Creative Director of Music. But what goes unspoken is his chameleon-like ability to play within multiple genres, even within single cues of his songwriting for the screen. His music for films like Creed and Black Panther showcase not only his collaborative nature, but also his relationship to pop and hip hop, as well as blending untraditional instrumentation with traditional orchestras.



His score for The Mandalorian is similarly masterful in its ability to be wildly experimental while never feeling out of place - like a synth spaghetti western score that feels inspired in equal parts to Ennio Morricone, John Williams and Hans Zimmer, while also never feeling like a pastiche. We are honored to be the home for this complete score.



This limited edition, one time pressing features music from all eight episodes, each pressed on their own 180 Gram vinyl disc, with original artwork by Paul Mann, and housed in a heavy-duty slipcase adorned with Mando's mudhorn Signet. The soundtrack will be available for pre-order on Wednesday, August 26 at MondoShop.com.

When it comes toart, you've probably heard of Mondo before. They produce some incredible licensed art prints pretty regularly. They just announced a newproduct that should have fans ofseries chomping at the bit.From Mondo:The soundtrack will retail for $200.00 and is limited to one copy per person.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 14:30:43|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

The worldwide semiconductor and smartphone industries, including those in the United States, are bracing for extreme disruptions after Washington recently tightened its restrictions on Chinese tech giant Huawei's ability to obtain critical components, most significantly, chips. On Aug. 17, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its decision to require foreign manufacturers using U.S. technology to get a license if they plan to sell semiconductors to Huawei. The new rule, analysts say, deals a huge blow to Huawei, and will create a chilling effect throughout the global supply chains.
A Pennsylvania homeowner shot a Black Lives Matter protester with a long-range rifle during a cross-country march from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Washington DC Monday night.

Horrifying footage captured the moment the peaceful protesters were set upon by two white men who emerged from a nearby property in Cambria County and began firing shots at the crowd.

One man was struck by a bullet and rushed to hospital while fellow demonstrators jumped into cars and fled the scene.

The protesters were taking part in a march through several states calling for an end to racism and police brutality, culminating in an event in the nation's capital on August 28 to mark the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I have a dream' speech.

A Pennsylvania homeowner shot a Black Lives Matter protester with a long-range rifle during a cross-country march from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Washington DC Monday night

Horrifying footage captured the moment the peaceful protesters were set upon by two white men who emerged from a nearby property in Cambria County and began firing shots at the crowd

One man was struck by a bullet and rushed to hospital while fellow demonstrators jumped into cars and fled the scene

The footage begins with protesters seen walking along a road in the dark, before a gunshot rings out.

Several people in the group appear to be confused, looking around them while one of them says: 'That was a gunshot.'

The smartphone camera pans round toward a property two men are seen emerging from.

One of the men fires another shot and screams ring out, with the protesters running toward their cars.

Activist Frank Nitty, who filmed the incident and shared it on social media, is heard telling everyone to get back to their cars.

'Get back to the cars,' he says. 'Y'all get in the cars.'

Panicked protesters are seen piling into cars while shouting is heard.

The two men, one holding a rifle, are seen at the end of the driveway.

'This dude's shooting at us,' the man filming says.

As cars start to drive off, the men fire more shots at the protesters.

The video becomes unclear as people scramble into vehicles and shouts are heard.

One man was injured in the shooting, with a separate livestream video showing other protesters trying to stem the bleeding and apply pressure to his wounds as they sped away from the gunfire, according to Newsweek.

The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was in a stable condition.

Police said two individuals are being questioned over the shooting.

Anti-racism protests have been taking place across America for more than three months after a white cop 'murdered' unarmed black man George Floyd on Memorial Day by kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes. Pictured a New York protest

Demonstrations have been ignited further after cops have killed several other black people in recent months. Pictured a Minneapolis protest

Protesters in Kenosha Wisconsin Monday demand justice after unarmed black man Jacob Blake was shot in the back eight times and left paralyzed by Wisconsin police while his three young sons watched on

Nitty began the cross-country march on August 4, walking 30 miles each day to reach Washington DC by August 28 where they will commemorate Luther King Jr.'s speech.

The group is stopping in several cities along the way to raise awareness about police brutality and racial injustice.

Anti-racism protests have been taking place across America for more than three months after a white cop 'murdered' unarmed black man George Floyd on Memorial Day by kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes.

Demonstrations have been ignited further after cops have killed or seriously injured several other black people in recent months.

Just weeks after Floyd's death, Rayshard Brooks was shot dead outside a Wendy's drive-thru in Atlanta while he was running away from cops.

On Sunday, unarmed black man Jacob Blake as shot in the back eight times and left paralyzed by Wisconsin police while his three young sons watched on.
General Hiftar is not supporting the four-day old ceasefire agreement. His LNA (Libyan National Army) is concentrating forces in the coastal city of Sirte while Turkish forces keep arriving from western Libya and deploying for an attack on the city. To Hiftar this indicates that the Turks have no intention of maintaining the ceasefire.

The ceasefire agreement was brokered by Russia in Moscow. Hiftar was not invited, in part because the negotiations were mainly between Russia and Turkey. Representatives of the GNA (UN created Government of National Accord) and HoR (House of Representatives government, the last elected one) were there to approve or disapprove whatever the Russians and Turks agreed on. These talks were embarrassing for the Libyans, and Arabs in general, because once more Europeans were deciding the fate of Arabs. This view of the situation is understood by most Libyans and Arabs and made worse by the fact that the Arab nations are not able to stop it. The Russians and Turks take advantage of the corruption and fragmentation among the Arabs to bribe or intimidate those who oppose them.

Turkey has recruited over 30,000 Syrians to serve as mercenaries in Syria and Libya and is continuing to recruit, train and fly Syrian mercs to Libya. Turkey has worked with Syrian Arab mercenaries for a long time, not just in the last few years in northern Syria, but for centuries before that. Turkey offers acceptable terms and tends to fulfill its agreements. Despite all that Turkish military efforts in Syria (and Libya) are stalled.

Until the Turks showed up Hiftar had been successful at defeating Western plans for Libya. Those Western machinations were embodied in the GNA government, which was a UN creation that never attracted a lot of support in Libya. Hiftar and the HoR government did and because of that had a lot of Arab nations actively supporting it.

Scheming Frenemies

Russia and Turkey are allies in Syria but are actually fighting each other in Libya. In late 2019 Turkey intervened on the side of the UN backed GNA government. GNA is weak and backs Islamic rule, which is why it was about to be eliminated by the Russian backed Libyan HoR government and its more competent LNA forces. Another advantage was that LNA was backed by Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Turkey intervened in return for a signed agreement giving them the right to drill for oil in disputed waters between Libya and Turkey. In Syria Russian airstrikes have killed Turkish troops while the Turks have killed Syrian troops. The Libya fighting led to NATO countries openly backing Greece in the maritime dispute with Turkey that led to the Libya invasion. Turkey, Russia and Iran continue to pretend they are all friends and allies of Syria but the reality is different and becoming more visible and violent. Many Libyans fear that Russia and Turkey are planning to grab the Libyan oil and keep it for themselves. Theres nothing to be grabbed in Syria.

Turkey does not seem to fear an Egyptian military response to their invasion of western Libya. Egyptian forces are gathering at the Libyan border. The official Turkish view is that Egypt is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudis Arabia and the UAE who have been backing the anti-Islamic terrorist/Moslem Brotherhood LNA in Libya for years. The Turks may underestimate the Arab hostility towards their aggression in North Africa. Iranian involvement is more recent and after the religious dictatorship took power in the 1980s Kaddafi was one of the few Arab rulers the Iranians could do business with. Because of that, Iranian interference is not welcome either.

Smugglers Rejoice

The people smugglers have benefitted from the Turkish invasion. While the LCG (Libyan Coast Guard) cracked down on the smugglers the Turks didnt care. In part this because back in Turkey the government tolerates people smugglers arranging (for a fee from the illegal migrant) to get Arabs, Africans or Asians from Turkey to Europe. The LCG is something of a mercenary outfit that is not controlled by anyone in Libya. The LNG was founded and sustained by Italy, which pays the LCG to keep illegal migrants from reaching Italy.

Protestors Persist

For the last four days people in Tripoli and Misrata have been gathering in the streets to protest GNA misrule. For the last few days, the local militias that protect the GNA have been shooting at the protestors to discourage them. The GNA insists that the protestors are hostile agents seeking to disrupt GNA rule. The irony is not lost on the protestors, who are desperately protesting GNA incompetence, corruption and calling in former imperial overlord Turkey to keep the GNA in power.

The recent Russo-Turk ceasefire also helped trigger anti-government demonstrations in Tripoli and Misrara. Western media tend to describe the protestors as angry about poverty, corruption and bad government. Western media tend to ignore or play down the Western meddling angle. But this is a big deal in the Arab world and not a paranoid fantasy in Libya. Another reality in Libya is that corruption is rampant and national unity is weak. These two vices existed during the decades of Kaddafi rule and were exploited to keep Kaddafi in power. By 2011 most Libyans admitted they understood this scam and wanted no more of it. Like Tunisia and Egypt, the 2011 Arab Spring only succeeded in overthrowing corrupt governments in North Africa. Tunisia, where the Arab Spring uprisings began, had the most successful revolution. Egypt reverted to an elected dictatorship within a few years and Libya is still fighting for a solution.

The irony of all this is that while Kaddafi was a corrupt dictator, he was a successful nationalist. He kept most foreign, especially Western, influence out of the country. Now the foreigners are back, including ancient foe Egypt, more recent imperial ruler Turley and colonial overlord Italy. Russia bought as much influence as it could get during the Cold War and is trying to get some of that back. Except for Hiftar and the LNA, Libyans have not had much success keeping the foreigners and their an offer you cant refuse tactics out.

August 24, 2020: The GNA, in response to the persistent anti-government protests in Tripoli and Misrata promised to replace some government ministers. This seemed to anger the protesters who saw this as an empty gesture, much like all the previous GNA actions.

August 23, 2020: Covid19 continues to slowly spread throughout the country. Tracking that spread is hampered by the lack of much health care capabilities. There used to be more health care but that has faded away since the revolution in 2011. Up to March 2020 no one in Libya has been tested and found to have covid19. All Libyans agree that it is important to keep it that way. As recently as May only 75 cases had been identified in Libya and three deaths confirmed. Since May there has been more progress in testing and tracking the extent of the virus. Currently 11,000 cases have been confirmed and 199 deaths attributed to covid19. That works out to 1,600 cases per million people and 29 deaths per million. The actual numbers are believed to be several times higher.

Covid19 is most dangerous in crowded urban areas, like GNA controlled Tripoli and Misrata. In LNA controlled Tobruk and Benghazi there is no quarantine, just a night time curfew imposed by the eastern H0R government the LNA works for.

In neighboring Algeria there have been about 33 deaths per million population. Thats much less than the world average of 105 deaths per million. Neighbor Tunisia had six deaths per million. For Morocco it is 25 and Egypt is 51.

August 21, 2020: The GNA and HoR governments both announced a ceasefire and agreement to hold elections in March while also forming a joint police force to maintain order in the coastal city of Sirte and the inland town of Jufra. Sirte is controlled by the LNA and threatened with attack by the Turkish invaders.

The LNA controls Jufra where it has a major airbase that is also used by the Russian Air Force. Jufra is 650, kilometers south of Tripoli or Misrata and hosts Russian instructors for Libyan pilots of MiG-29 and Su-24 aircraft as well as Libyan maintainers for both aircraft.

The ceasefire agreement also calls for the LNA controlled oil facilities to resume operation and for oil revenue to be sent to bank accounts outside Libya that are monitored by foreign auditing firms. This auditing arrangement is part of anti-corruption effort to ensure that most of the oil revenue goes to purchase essential items for all Libyans. Most Libyans are dependent on oil income to avoid abject poverty. Currently the Libyan economy is not developed sufficiently to provide a comfortable standard-of-living for all six million Libyans.

LNA supporters Egypt and the UAE praised the new agreement, as did the UN, which also demanded that all foreign troops leave Libya. That demand was mainly about the Turks who have no intention in leaving.

August 20, 2020: Turkey is negotiating with the GNA to obtain a 99-year lease on part of the port of Misrara for a naval base. Turkey is also seeking control of the al Watiyah airbase, which its forces already control. Al Watiyah air base is 135 kilometers southeast of Tripoli and controlled by the LNA until Turkish forces captured in May. Egypt and other North African countries oppose any Turkish bases in Libya, as do Italy, France and Spain. Turkey is also offering to make major economic investments in Libya and wants assurances that these investments would be protected. A Turkish military base in Libya would help with those security needs and would be staffed with Turkish, not mercenary troops.

August 19, 2020: General Hiftar announced a temporary reopening of oil export facilities so that oil storage tanks can be emptied (into ships for export customers) and undergo long-delayed maintenance. The LNA shut down oil exports at the beginning of the year because of Turkish invasion and accusations that the GNA was mishandling oil income.

August 18, 2020: Egypt is organizing a military training program for a tribal coalition in eastern Libya. Some of the tribesmen will receive military training in Egypt. The ten Libya tribes involved have ancient links with Egypt and some of the tribes straddle the border. About 14 million Egyptians have family or ancestral ties in Libya. Before the civil war a million Egyptians worked in Libya, and accounted for over 80 percent of the foreign workforce. This large foreign workforce is typical of Arab oil states. Foreign workers handle skilled jobs that few locals are qualified for and many more jobs that Libyans disdain. Over 80 percent of the Egyptian workforce in Libya lost their jobs due to financial problems or anti-foreigner violence. Egypt wants peace and prosperity to return to Libya because that will also mean the return of Egyptian workers. Before the 2011 war began the 6.5 million Libyans had a per capita GDP of about $10,000 (50 percent more if adjusted for purchasing power parity). Many Libyans were content to get by on a low-stress government job and let foreign workers keep the economy going.

August 11, 2020: West of the coastal city of Sirte, LNA warplanes attacked a convoy of Turkish mercenaries trying to establish a base on the city outskirts.

August 9, 2020: Satellite photos show that Turkey has brought in Turkish made Korkut self-propelled armored anti-aircraft systems equipped with twin 35mm autocannon and several portable (Stinger or Russian equivalent) anti-aircraft missiles. The 35mm gun is a popular weapon for armored, self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery. Systems of this type were first developed in Europe. These fire 2.5 kg (5.5 pound) rounds at the rate of 300 a minute. Max altitude is about 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). The 35mm projectiles weigh up to .75 kg (1.65 pounds). This AAA (Anti-Aircraft Artillery) is still useful against helicopters and transports and jets that are moving slowly over the battlefield.

August 7, 2020: Russia has brought in a S-300 or S-400 SAM (Surface-to- Air Missile) system at the LNA battery for the main oil export port of Ras Lanuf.

July 30, 2020: Turkey is trying to diminish Arab criticism of its Libyan invasion. For example, today Turkish police arrested and agreed to turn over to Algeria Guermit Bounouira, a retired Algerian army officer who had fled, with his family to Turkey in March. That rapid exit was to avoid embarrassing questions about what Bounouira while working for his late boss, Ahmed Salah, the military supreme commander who persuaded long-time president Bouteflika to resign in April 2019. Salah died unexpectedly of a heart attack on December 23rd. Salah was thought to be in reasonably good health for a man of 79. He was buried two days later and left the newly elected president with one less potential obstacle to the fundamental political changes most Algerians want.

Salahs successor, Said Chengriha, was appointed by the new president and is seen as loyal to the goals of the new government. Former aides to Salah were a different matter. Bounouira was the private secretary for Salah and lost his job when Salah died. It turned out that Bounouira had quietly collected a large number of secret documents and even items not written down while working for Salah. Bounouira had already used that information to get rich and feared discovery. That is why he fled to Turkey and quickly began the process of becoming a Turkish citizen. Bounouira was in touch with a lot of other exiled Algerian officers and government officials wanted for corruption. The Algerian government was eager to get custody of Bounouira and Turkey was eager to reduce Algerian criticism of the Turkish military operations in Libya. Bounouira was in front of an Algeria court by August 3rd. Suddenly there was less Algerian criticism of what was going on in Libya. That might not last long if it turns out Bounouira provided Turkey with a lot of sensitive information in order to expedite becoming a Turkish citizen. Meanwhile Bounouira is being charged with embezzlement, selling secret documents and confidential information from the Ministry of National Defense as well as consorting with Algerians wanted by the courts but had fled the country. In addition, Bounouira is also suspected of using his position to illegally acquire property in Algeria and abroad. Turkey also has a lot of investments in Algeria and is a major trading partner (about three billion dollars worth a year) and would rather see that increased than reduced because of what is going on in Libya. That happened quickly as Algeria warned that Egyptian plans to arm Libyan tribes with heavy weapons to fight the invading Turks would turn Libya into another Somalia. Libya will never become another Somalia but Libyans are concerned about returning to the status of a province of the Turkish empire.

Algeria has no interest in sending Algerian troops to Libya as peacekeepers or to eject the Turkish invaders. Like all the other North African countries, except Egypt, Algeria wants a peaceful settlement to the fighting in Libya. With the recent (since late 2019) Turkish intervention peace in Libya may be later rather than sooner.

July 26, 2020: The Arab world has noticed that Turkey is actively fighting Arabs in Libya, Syria and Iraq and ready to get involved elsewhere as well. Centuries of Turkish rule over Arabs ended a century ago when the Western allies defeated the Ottoman Empire. The Turks are determined to keep their own separatists and Arab Islamic terrorists under control in or near Turkey, no matter what the cost.
I f youve not heard of Aveva, dont beat yourself up about it. Few outside the world of industrial software have.

But its come a long way since its launch as a government research institute, the Computer Aided Design Centre, in 1967.

The idea was to make UK factories global leaders of efficiency and quality by adopting CAD techniques.

The dismal 1970s put paid to that ambition, but the CADCentre in Cambridge did good work, privatisating in 1983 and renaming itself Aveva in 2001.

It has since blazed a trail in factory IT, and a more recent takeover of French manufacturer Schneider Electrics software arm sent it storming up the FTSE-100.

Today it has reversed the trend of British tech being bought by Americans, spending $5 billion on a California software firm.

So, three cheers to the City for backing UK technology firms, but on this stormy, grey day, a swallow does not a summer make.

While its true Avevas takeover of OSIsoft is being funded by a $3.5 billion rights issue in the Square Mile, most of it will be ponied up by its majority shareholder, Schneider of France.

Meanwhile, there are few signs of other big UK-owned tech players looming on the horizon.

As we speak, OSISoft backer SoftBank is flogging Arm, our chip-designing jewel in the crown, to Nvidia of the US.

London has cemented its position as the world leading centre for AI, but most of our efforts are still US-owned.

For now, Aveva, 60% French, is the closest thing weve got to a UK-funded tech giant.
NEW HAVEN  City Health Director Martiza Bond is reminding residents, including all students returning to the city, to continue to practice social distancing and wear masks as COVID-19 cases start to creep up in New Haven.

Bond said the city has had 66 positive cases in the two-week period from Aug. 10-23, up from the 36 reported for the two weeks prior.

The infection breakdown shows at least 27 percent of the most recent cases involved Black residents, while at least 30 percent were Latino residents. This continues the pattern set since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March with minority residents facing greater risk from the virus.

The data for these two weeks in August shows 6 percent of the individuals are white, while 35 percent are residents of unknown race or ethnicity. The numbers are inconclusive because not all testing agencies record the race or ethnicity of those who are positive for the virus.

The oldest person with COVID-19 was 71 years old, while the average was 23 years old. The largest grouping of positive cases for the two-week period was for individuals age 23 to 49, according to this data.

Bond said a map pinpointing where the cases are shows the small outbreak is communitywide. She said New Haven was averaging 1 to 2 cases daily at the end of last month, but that now ranges from 6 to 9 cases per day.

We cant become complacent. This pandemic is real, a silent attacker, for which there is no cure or vaccine, the health director said.

Bond said she has observed that while people are wearing masks, they are not putting 6 feet between each other as recommended to be socially distant. The last requirement is frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer.

She said Albertus Magnus College has reported two students with the virus, as did Southern Connecticut State University. Bond said she is waiting for Yale University to send its figures showing a breakdown of the number of staff and students who have contracted the coronavirus.

She said the colleges are socially isolating positive cases and will follow up with contact tracing.

Mayor Justin Elicker, in a recent citywide alert, also reminded residents to be cooperative in stemming the spread of the virus.

I know we are all trying to enjoy the outdoors, and be safe with our family, friends and loved ones, but we must do so with the health and safety of our fellow friends and neighbors, he said.

Those who need to get tested should call the New Haven Health Department at 203-946-4949.

mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com; 203-641-2577
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Pet Insurance Market Growth & Trends

The global pet insurance market size is expected to reach USD 14.9 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., exhibiting a CAGR of 16.3%. Rapidly growing consumer awareness and product acceptance has benefited the market. According to Department of Clinical Veterinary Science (CVS) and Pet Food Institute (PFI), 30.0% of the pets in Sweden and almost 23.0% of the pets in the U.K. are covered by these insurance policies. However, less than 1.0% of the pets in the U.S. are insured.

Industry operators or players in pet insurance primarily compete with consumers who choose to self-fund pet medications and veterinary costs. However, with increasing availability of advanced technology and growing usage of veterinary services, costs are expected to increase. This increase in costs and with marketing efforts by players, the adoption of pet insurance has increased.

The market is growing as veterinary care is expensive and many owners cannot afford it; however, with insurance, they can claim around 90.0% of veterinary bills. Besides, rise in number of pet injuries and prevalence of diseases is also aiding growth. As per veterinary records, 2017, almost one in every three pets need urgent veterinary care every year. Furthermore, new strategies being undertaken by players are expected to aid further growth. For instance, MoreThan, a pet insurance company, in 2019, formed a partnership with PitPat, the dog activity monitor manufacturer, offering cash rewards of up to USD 112 to owners who exercised their pets regularly.

Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Pet Insurance Market Report

Pet Insurance Market Report Highlights

Agency held the dominant share of the sales channel segment as of 2018, owing to large customer base

Bancassurance is anticipated to exhibit lucrative growth over the forecast period. The key driver includes large and established bank network across the globe

Dog insurance segment was the dominant application in 2018. Increase in the number of dog owners across the globe is the key driver for this segment

The cats segment is anticipated to grow at an exponential rate throughout the forecast period. Cats are increasingly being adopted in Canada and preferred over dogs

On basis of product, accident and illness insurance had the largest share as of 2018. The key drivers of the segment are high veterinary treatment & diagnostic costs, rise of companion animal population, and increase in awareness about pet insurance

The key drivers of the segment include increasing health issues in animals and high treatment costs

In 2018, Europe held a dominant share of the regional segment.

North America held the second largest revenue share as of 2018. The key drivers of the pet insurance market are a rise in companion animal population and increase in awareness

Some key players are Petplan Limited; Trupanion, Inc.; Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company; Hartville Group, Inc.; Pethealth, Inc.; PetFirst Healthcare LLC; Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada, Inc.; and Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, LLC

Pet Insurance Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the pet insurance market on the basis of the product, animal type, sales channel and region:

Pet Insurance Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2028)

Accident and Illness

Accident Only

Pet Insurance Animal Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2028)

Dogs

Cats

Others

Pet Insurance Sales Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2028)

Agency

Broker

Bancassurance

Direct Writing

Pet insurance Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2028)

North America US. Canada Mexico

Europe UK Germany France Italy Spain Russia Sweden Norway

Asia Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea

Central & South America Brazil Argentina

MEA South Africa Saudi Arabia



About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.
Cookie Preferences Cookie List

Cookie List

A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website  when visited by a user  asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies  which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting  for our advertising and marketing efforts. More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking technologies for the following purposes:

Strictly Necessary Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a sale of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Functional Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a sale of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Performance Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a sale of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Sale of Personal Data

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated sale of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.

Social Media Cookies

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated sale of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.

Targeting Cookies

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated sale of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.
CHESEAUX-SUR-LAUSANNE, Switzerland, and PHOENIX, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kudelski Security, the cybersecurity division within the Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S), today announced that it has been recognized by Forrester as a leader in their report, The Forrester Wave: Midsize Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs), Q3 2020.

"We're thrilled by what we believe is both Forrester's recognition of the quality of our capabilities as well as of our continued growth," said Kudelski Security CEO Andrew Howard. "Being evaluated as a Wave Leader 2020 among global midsize managed security services providers is, for us, the result of our exponential growth in both the U.S. and Europe as well as our continued innovation in service development. We're proud to serve as a trusted partner for some of the world's most prestigious brands, providing the customized, innovative solutions they need to stay protected in today's threat environment."

The Forrester Wave evaluated and ranked 12 top midsize MSSPs based on current offerings, strategy and market presence and identified Kudelski Security as one of three leaders in the evaluation.

In the report, Forrester notes: "Companies seeking a white glove, context-heavy MSS, as well as those looking for an MSSP that can provide ICS native MSS, should strongly consider Kudelski Security." It adds that industrial control system (ICS) services are a differentiator for Kudelski Security, noting that the company is "one of the few providers with clear ability to deliver MSS for ICS environments that were not solely dependent on vendor hardware solutions." The report also recognized Kudelski Security's Cyber Fusion Center (CFC) as being able to "make recommendations for remediation steps specific to each customer."

Kudelski Security received its highest scores in the event analysis and correlation: networks/endpoints and applications, solution usability, and delivery model strategy criteria.

"We have continued to develop our strategy with a focus on security outcomes for our clients," said Alton Kizziah, chief strategy officer and vice president of global managed security services, Kudelski Security. "In addition to our MSS and MDR capabilities, we have expanded our portfolio to include monitoring support for operational technology and industrial control system capabilities to meet growing global demand. We're proud to be able to help clients defend against the attacks that IT-OT convergence has exposed them to, while having the confidence that their business operations are protected."

In addition to the Forrester Wave report, Kudelski Security was recently included some of the firm's other managed security industry research, Now Tech: Global and Emerging Managed Security Service Providers, Q2 2020 and Now Tech: European Cybersecurity Incident Response Services, Q1 2020, which help security leaders understand the value they can expect from service providers and select vendors based on size and functionality. These recognitions add to a growing list of industry recognition that demonstrates the change Kudelski Security is bringing to the MSSP landscape.

For more information about Kudelski Security's managed security services, visit: kudelskisecurity.com/services/managed-security/.

About Kudelski Security

Kudelski Security is the premier advisor and cybersecurity innovator for today's most security-conscious organizations. Our long-term approach to client partnerships enables us to continuously evaluate their security posture to recommend solutions that reduce business risk, maintain compliance and increase overall security effectiveness. With clients that include Fortune 500 enterprises and government organizations in Europe and across the United States, we address the most complex environments through an unparalleled set of solution capabilities including consulting, technology, managed security services and custom innovation. For more information, visit www.kudelskisecurity.com.

Media Contact

John Van Blaricum

Vice President, Global Marketing

+1 650 966 4320

[email protected]

SOURCE Kudelski Security

Related Links

http://www.kudelskisecurity.com


(Photo : Unsplash) (Photo : Unsplash) (Photo : Pixabay)

A strange discovery by scientists shows a bizarre shooting of cold gas "bullets" right in the middle of the Milky Way Galaxy leaves researchers baffled on the source. The Milky Way's odd shot gives scientists huge clues that hint the future of the galaxy!

The Milky Way Galaxy uses different types of gas found on the cosmic space to form new stars and heavenly bodies that are essential to the growth and survival of the universe. The universe contains a massive collection of stars that came from the efforts of the entire galaxy to keep them alive.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) ages the Milky Way Galaxy to be 13.6 billion years old. Most galaxies were formed during the universe's early years that dates back to 13.8 billion years ago-the most recent galaxy known to be created 500 million years old, as of now.

The Australian National University recently published a study that focused on the mysterious gas clouds that expel right in the middle of the Milky Way. Professor Naomi McClure-Griffiths from the Australian National University (ANU) said that this phenomenon is a way of the galaxy "to shoot itself in the foot." The scientists see this happening as a kind of "self-harm" done by the Milky Way.

"When you drive out a lot of mass, you're losing some of the material that could be used to form stars, and if you lose enough of it, the galaxy can't form stars at all anymore." Prof. McClure-Griffth said.

ALSO READ: Overworked Star-Betelgeuse not Diminishing, Plasma Turned Dark Clouds Covered Surface, No Cause for Alarm says NASA

Milky Way's Cold Gas

Milky Way's cold gas plume right in the center of the vast space may suggest that impending doom is coming. However, scientists and researchers are not threatened by this, instead, excites and amazes them because of its active status.

Is 'Fermi Bubble' the source?

The star-forming gas shoots itself right in the middle of the galaxy and becomes lost in the process. The Milky Way's Fermi Bubble, two giant orbs that emit hot gas and cosmic rays, were discovered a decade ago and hints of the wind present right at the center.

However, scientists note that this is not the source because the current gas found is cold and dense. Cold and dense gasses move around less likely due to their massive structure, and the "bullet-like" movement of the said cold gas is a phenomenon which the scientists find odd.

Saggitarius A* Black Hole, Is it the cause?

Sci-News.com reports that this phenomenon is quite unclear. The Supermassive Black Hole named Sagittarius A* that is found in the middle region of the Milky Way does not contribute or generate the shooting of cold gas.

Sagittarius A* is a black hole is classified as "Supermasive" due to its size that is four million times the mass of the Solar System's Sun.

Milky Way's Cold Gas, is it dangerous?

Scientist refers to this phenomenon as the "first-of-its-kind" because this is the Milky Way's first observed happening that divulges cold gas right in the middle of the galaxy, without any known source. Several observations are seen with distant galaxies with significantly larger black holes within them, according to Dr Enrico Di Teodoro from John Hopkins University.

Currently, there are no known facts with regards to the dangers or threats it brings to the whole galaxy with the Milky Way losing its star-forming gas. Scientists continue to study and understand the reason behind the cold-gas' bizarre expulsion right in the middle of space.

This study is recently published in the Journal Nature last Wednesday, August 19.

ALSO READ: Wonder What It's Like to Travel to the Speed of Light? NASA's Cute Animation Will Show You





This article is owned by Tech Times





Written by Isaiah Alonzo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
China announced a series of proposals to promote Lancang-Mekong cooperation on Monday as Premier Li Keqiang attended the third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) leaders' meeting in Beijing via video link.

"Starting from this year, China will share the Lancang River's hydrological data for the whole year with the Mekong countries," Li said at the meeting.

He noted that China will work with other LMC countries to establish a Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Information Sharing Platform to better tackle climate change and natural disasters such as floods and droughts.

On promoting connectivity, Li proposed synergizing the LMC with the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, which traverses western China and connects Southeast Asia with the Eurasian continent.

"Greater synergy between the LMC and the New Trade Corridor will make trade routes more convenient and enable the leveraging of more resources from western and southwestern China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, and thus channel more inputs to the Mekong countries," said Li.

Regarding the ongoing global anti-pandemic efforts, Li said once developed and deployed in China, COVID-19 vaccines will be provided to Mekong countries on a priority basis.

Lancang and Mekong differ in name, but refer to the same river. It is called the Lancang River in China, while in its downstream after flowing out of China's Yunnan Province, it is called the Mekong River, running across Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Linked by mountains and rivers, the six LMC countries feature cultural similarities, enjoy profound traditional friendship and share closely inter-connected security and development interests.

The LMC mechanism was launched in March 2016, as the first LMC leaders' meeting was held in Sanya in south China's Hainan Province.




DORADO, Puerto Rico, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As students across the country acclimate to a COVID-19 era approach to the fall semester, Money announces its seventh annual ranking of the "Best Colleges in America for Your Money," putting more weight this year on affordability factors including the net price of a degree and new data to capture costs for students at different income levels. The Money team also looked at factors such as graduation rates, tuition fees, student debt, and career earnings. The resulting list consists of 700-plus colleges where students are likely to graduate with affordable debt levels and go on to earn a livable wage. According to Money, the top spot on its "Best Colleges in America" list for 2020 goes to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by Stanford and Princeton Universities in second and third place, respectively.

Money's Top 10 "Best Colleges in America for Your Money" are as follows:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Stanford University Princeton University University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Duke University University of Virginia Yale University Vanderbilt University University of California, San Diego University of California, Davis

For Money's complete list of the "Best Colleges in America for Your Money," go here . Money ranked colleges using this methodology.

"Choosing whether and where to go to college is one of the biggest financial decisions we make  and even more so this fall because of the pandemic. Our rankings can help parents and college-bound students make educated decisions about their future, even in these unpredictable times," said Kaitlin Mulhere, lead editor of Best Colleges and Education Editor at Money.

The pandemic and downturn of the economy has forced families to question whether college is "worth it," as students face a reduced college experience of remote courses and the absence of student life  while paying the same price for their education. In a new feature story, Money reporters explain why economic recessions stress the importance of a college degree and how their approach to the "Best Colleges in America for Your Money" holds value now more than ever. The Money team also shares a series of timely stories geared to helping readers choose the best college to fit their interests and needs during these unprecedented times.

Highlights include:

How the Pandemic Will Change the Way You Apply to College This Year : Hundreds of colleges have implemented standardized-test-optional policies. Which colleges are going SAT/ACT optional? Are more people applying to schools closer to home? Is it easier to get into a competitive college via the waitlist? What will happen to merit aid? How should students address the coronavirus crisis in their college applications, and how can we expect admissions officers to respond?





Hundreds of colleges have implemented standardized-test-optional policies. Which colleges are going SAT/ACT optional? Are more people applying to schools closer to home? Is it easier to get into a competitive college via the waitlist? What will happen to merit aid? How should students address the coronavirus crisis in their college applications, and how can we expect admissions officers to respond? Black Lives Matteron Campus: How to Pick a College That Values Diversity : In light of this summer's focus on racial inequity, the Money team reports on how to find a college that shares values on anti-racism, including what statistics to look for, how to assess the curriculum and inclusion programs, and what questions to ask faculty and administrators when touring campus. The story includes interviews from incoming freshmen on how they navigated the college decision-making process and found a school that supports diversity initiatives and people of color.

Additionally, Money editors share insight on graduation rates and student debt broken down by race.

How Colleges Are Handling Financial Aid When More Students Are Needing It Due to the Recession: While many households are experiencing financial instability, widespread job loss, and a decrease in income created by the coronavirus lockdown, families are trying to navigate how to get more money to pay for college bills and what they can do to appeal for more financial aid. Are colleges increasing their need-based aid? How have student loan rates been impacted by the pandemic and the CARES Act ? How has fundraising changed as a result of the recession? How many appeals for more aid have colleges received this year? How does that compare to previous years?

The Money team offers the most current information and guidance for families on student loan rates and more.

Why Isn't Tuition Lower If My Classes Are All Online : Students across the country are complaining about having to pay the same price for virtual courses as they do for normal, face-to-face instruction. Money reporters explain why it's not easy  or in some cases, possible  for colleges to simply cut the cost of education, even when courses are online.





Students across the country are complaining about having to pay the same price for virtual courses as they do for normal, face-to-face instruction. Money reporters explain why it's not easy  or in some cases, possible  for colleges to simply cut the cost of education, even when courses are online. Experts Worry Coronavirus Will Cause More Colleges to Close. Here's How to Assess a College's Financial Health Before You Enroll: Money reporters provide insight on the trend of small, tuition-dependent private colleges closing and why coronavirus might speed that up. They also share more on how colleges are suffering financially and which ones will survive.

ABOUT MONEY:

Money has a nearly 50-year legacy of guiding people to financial victories with up-to-date information, education, and tools. Money, a digital destination, helps create richer lives for everyonein every sense of the word. Signature franchises include a bevy of Best-In categories such as Best Mortgage Lenders , Best Life Insurance , Best Auto Insurance , Best VA Loans , Best Homeowner Insurance , Best High-Yield Savings Accounts , Best Credit Cards , Best Colleges , Best Student Loans , Best Student Loan Refinance Companies , Best in Travel, and Best Places to Live, with an aim to improve your finances and promote your well-being. For more information, visit Money.com .

SOURCE Money

Related Links

https://money.com


Dr. Jennings comes to the community non-profit health plan from Johns Hopkins, where she was Academic Director of the Preventive Medicine Residency Program and a Principle Investigator with the International Vaccine Access Center

Dr. Mary Carol Jennings, MD, MPH is now Chief Medical Officer for Sendero Health Plans

Dr. Mary Carol Jennings, MD, MPH is now Chief Medical Officer for Sendero Health Plans

Austin, TX, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sendero Health Plans today announced that Mary Carol Jennings, MD, MPH is joining the local community non-profit health plan as Chief Medical Officer. In her role, Dr. Jennings will help lead Senderos mission of delivering high-quality, equitable health care to the Travis County area, and especially to under-served and lower income households in our community.

Sendero's values and mine align  we share a deep commitment to serving under-served communities and providing vital health care options with a high quality of care, Dr. Jennings said. That care not only extends to what patients receive from Sendero's network of providers, but the care is demonstrated by every person within the company, from the people who answer member calls to the leadership team who constantly look for ways to improve our members' health care experience.

A board-certified preventive medicine physician with a special focus on communicable disease prevention and health equity, Dr. Jennings most recently served as the Director of Reproductive and Maternal Health Initiatives for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Healths International Vaccine Access Center. While at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Jennings also directed international research and policy initiatives across multiple departments and served as a core faculty member and Academic Director of the schools preventive medicine residency training program. Shecontinues to serve on the faculty and as an advisor on community health and disease prevention issues.

Dr. Jennings research and public health practice focuses on innovation and community engagement to improve vaccine and health service delivery, with special attention on serving neglected and low-resourced populations. For the past four years, she ran a multi-country vaccine access collaborative in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the U.S.-based global NGO, JSI.

Story continues

Dr. Jennings grew up in small-town rural South Carolina. She completed her undergraduate degree in neuroscience from the College of William & Mary and received her medical degree from the University of South Carolina, where she focused on rural medicine and primary care. She completed two years of clinical training in obstetrics and gynecology before leaving to serve as a senior fellow in womens health for a policy think tank based in Washington, D.C., overseeing regulatory and safety programs and initiatives. She went on to complete a residency in general preventive medicine and public health and obtained a Master of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Dr. Jennings medical and faculty background and passion for public health makes her a wonderful addition to Senderos leadership team  especially given the health challenges faced by community members today, said Wes Durkalski, CEO of Sendero Health Plans. Dr. Jennings knowledge and enthusiasm for her new role with our community health plan will significantly contribute to the health of Sendero members and our community."

Dr. Jennings replaces Dr. Robert Allison, who left Sendero to join the CDCto support the World Health Organizations (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Office in the Philippines.

# # #

Formed in 2011, Sendero Health Plans, Inc. is a community-based nonprofit Health Maintenance Organization supported by the Travis County Health District, known as Central Health, dedicated to improving the health of the community by providing affordable, quality healthcare coverage, especially for Travis County residents with low income. Sendero offers its IdealCare and SelectCare plans on the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace and is available in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, Fayette, Lee and Caldwell counties.

Attachment

CONTACT: Bill Noble Sendero Health Plans 512-296-4651 bnoble@noblestrategic.com




In this file photo taken on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny takes part in a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow. The German hospital treating Navalny says tests indicate that he was poisoned. Read more

All who worry about the future of democracy in the Trump era should follow the story of Alexei Navalny, the latest Kremlin critic to be poisoned.

As Republican speakers toss around the words freedom and democracy at a reality-lite GOP convention, Russias most prominent opposition leader lies in a coma, after evacuation from Siberia to a Berlin hospital. Donald Trump has said nary a word about Navalny, in sharp contrast to Germanys Angela Merkel and Frances Emmanuel Macron, who demanded answers from Russia.

Trumps silence is unsurprising, since he never criticizes Vladimir Putin, despite a long list of murdered Kremlin critics. When asked in 2015 about the killing of many Russian journalists, Trump replied, Well, I think that our country does plenty of killing, too. In other words, the GOP nominee believes American democracy is no different than a Kremlin kleptocracy.

But Navalny would beg to differ about democracy. He achieved remarkable success in building grassroots organizations across Russia  which is why Putin fears him. His courage should inspire Americans daunted by Trumps threats to undermine the 2020 election. It puts the GOP to shame.

 READ MORE: The Belarus crisis has lessons for Trump's fragile America | Trudy Rubin

I last interviewed the dynamic, then 41-year-old Navalny in Moscow in March 2018, in his sleek modern office, staffed by casually dressed young Russians who typify his legions of followers.

I arrived there after visiting the volunteer memorial at the spot where the leading liberal opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was gunned down right under the Kremlin walls in 2015. It was an assassination that could not have happened without Kremlin approval and the most blatant in an endless series of killings and poisonings of opposition figures at home and abroad.

Banned from state-controlled media, Navalny campaigned against Kremlin corruption on YouTube, the Telegram messaging service, and other social media. His group put together astonishing videos revealing official corruption, including former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the head of Russias national guard, and other Kremlin favorites. The videos got millions of hits.

Banned from running in the last presidential election, or from forming a political party, Navalny was called a fascist and a traitor by Kremlin trolls. He was arrested, repeatedly jailed, and physically attacked.

But he never faltered, shifting his goal to convincing Russians that rigged elections didnt mean their aspirations were fruitless. We understood the basic decision of Putin is to be a lifetime president and die in the Kremlin like a tsar, he told me.

These rigged percentages are leverage to persuade people everything is fruitless, that resistance is impossible. He tried to prove that wasnt the case.

Was he afraid of being murdered, I asked. Right now the cost is higher than they want, he told me, adding with grim humor, Maybe they are still saving this tool.

So why would he Kremlin target him now?

Probably because Putin is getting nervous. Beset by low oil prices, and a stagnant economy, Russians in the boonies are getting restless.

Navalny had developed a smart voting system, urging dissatisfied Russians to vote for anyone but the Kremlins United Russia party, rather than split their vote amongst the several toothless opposition parties permitted to run.

Navalny started building networks all across the country, trying to build support at the municipal, district, and regional level, building structures from the bottom up, I was told by Yevgenia Albats, a leading Russian journalist and one of Russias few remaining independent commentators. This has never been done before in Russia.

 READ MORE: Putin, facing resistance, needs a Trump win more than ever | Trudy Rubin

The result could be seen in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk, where smart voting elected a governor not from the Kremlin party who was responsive to local needs. Clearly this made Putin unhappy. When the governor was suddenly arrested, tens of thousands came to the streets, and demonstrations continue.

With local elections upcoming in Russia, and parliamentary elections next year, Putin may well have feared that Navalnys smart voting would undermine Kremlin control of the country.

Add to that the demonstrations in Belarus, which borders Russia, where tens of thousands are protesting against an election rigged by Europes last dictator, Alexander Lukashenko. Because Navalny is the only leader of the Russian opposition, they [the Kremlin] look at Minsk and see what Lukashenko did very successfully, totally eliminating leaders, says Albats.

Navalnys tea was apparently poisoned at an airport in the Siberian city of Tomsk, where he had been rallying independent candidates. This is a kind of Russia-wide campaigning to reach the average Ivan that no other critic has dared to do.

Of course he will go home if he wakes up, says Albats, if the poison didnt destroy his brain.

But what should an American leader do? Albats notes that Americas all-important soft power lies in the illusion that the American people really care about freedom and liberty. Do you really care about Navalny? she asks.

Unlike Trump, Joe Biden has decried Navalnys poisoning, and said he would defend our democratic values and stand up to autocrats like Putin. At minimum, the president should publicly stand with Macron and Merkel in demanding answers from Putin about Navalny. That is, if he gives a whit about democracy, here or abroad.
Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man who was shot at least seven times by police officers over the weekend, may never walk again, family and lawyers said Tuesday.

"The medical diagnosis right now is that he is paralyzed," attorney Ben Crump said in a press conference Tuesday. "It is going to take a miracle for Jacob Blake Jr. to ever walk again."

Blake was shot in the back multiple times Sunday by Kenosha Police Department officers responding to a domestic violence call, according to Crump, who is representing Blakes family. Police have released little information about what led to the shooting and havent said why officers approached Blake.

Day 2 of protests: Wisconsin protesters rally for second night against 'shocking and outrageous' police shooting of Jacob Blake

Graphic video circulating on social media shows Blake walking toward a car, followed by an officer who has a weapon drawn.

Blake opens the car door and reaches into the vehicle, and an officer tugs on his shirt. At least seven gunshots can be heard, followed by a car horn. Two officers can be seen in the video near the car; it is unclear what happened before the video was recorded. Crump said Blakes three sons were in the car when Blake was shot.

"They shot my son seven times. Seven times. Like he didn't matter," Jacob Blake Sr. said in the press conference. "But my son matters. He's a human being, and he matters."

The officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The department is leading the investigation into the incident and said it aims to present a report within 30 days.

Here's what we know on Tuesday:

Fires, tear gas: National Guard deploys to Kenosha County

A large crowd gathered at the Kenosha courthouse Monday evening for the second day of protests, and members of law enforcement barricaded the area, according to local reports. Some Interstate 94 exit ramps in Kenosha County were closed, too.

Story continues

Officers used tear gas to disperse protesters in front of the courthouse and protesters threw water bottles at officers in riot gear after the county's 8 p.m. curfew went into effect, according to reports from the scene.

By late Monday, a truck had been lit on fire, recreating a scene from Sunday's protests that saw city trucks on fire. The danger appeared to build deeper into the night: Several structures, including a Wisconsin Department of Corrections building, were set on fire in Kenosha. A local furniture store was also completely engulfed in flames.

Demonstrators participate in a march on August 24, 2020 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. A night of civil unrest occurred after the shooting of Jacob Blake, 29, on August 23. Blake was shot multiple times in the back by Wisconsin police officers after attempting to enter into the drivers side of a vehicle.

The National Guard was deployed to Kenosha County on Monday "to help protect critical infrastructure and assist in maintaining public safety and the ability of individuals to peacefully protest," the Guards public affairs office said in a statement. State Gov. Tony Evers called the deployment a "limited mobilization" at the time.

The governor then increased the National Guard presence in Kenosha on Tuesday. "We are assessing the damage to state property and will be increasing the presence of the Wisconsin National Guard to ensure individuals can exercise their right safely, protect state buildings and critical infrastructure, and support first responders and fire fighters," Evers said Tuesday afternoon.

Roughly five hours later, President Donald Trump, apparently unaware that Evers had already called in the National Guard, tweeted that the governor should call in the National Guard.

Governor should call in the National Guard in Wisconsin. It is ready, willing, and more than able. End problem FAST!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2020

ACLU of Wisconsin Executive Director Chris Ott called the National Guard move unnecessary and urged law enforcement in the area to avoid arrests and displays of force. In particular, Ott warned against the use of tear gas.

Kenosha police shooting updates: Fires blazing in several Kenosha locations, protests continue in Madison

Protests in Wisconsins capital city started around 9 p.m., drawing out hundreds of protesters who were largely peaceful. As night fell, the protests became more tumultuous as the number of people in the crowd dwindled slightly.

Some people started dumpster and trash fires, broke windows and looted businesses, according to city police. A Journal Sentinel reporter saw people looting Warby Parker and other stores along State Street, and noted that windows at UW Credit Union on the square surrounding the capitol were completely bashed in.

Some people threw rocks, bottles and other projectiles at officers during the course of the night, police said, and "chemical agents were utilized." Six people were arrested, including one person armed with a handgun, according to police.

More protests were expected in Wisconsin Tuesday, and Evers declared a state of emergency.

Blakes mother, Julia Jackson, called on protesters to be peaceful.

"We really just need prayers. As I was riding through here, the city, I noticed a lot of damage. It doesnt reflect my son or my family. If Jacob knew what was going on as far as that goes  the violence and the destruction  he would be very unpleased," Jackson said, adding, "We need healing."

Who is Jacob Blake?

Blake, 29, has three sons ages 8, 5 and 3, Crump said. Neighbors who live near the shooting scene described Blake as a friendly, fun-loving person who often was seen with his children.

Its just awful, said Stella London, 82, who heard the gunfire Sunday night.

Blake often greeted her as he passed by her home, she said. Another neighbor said he helped them with car trouble a few weeks ago.

"Jacob Blake is a loving father of six that deserves proper medical attention and legal representation," Blake's family wrote on a GoFundMe website that has raised more than $1,000,000 in donations.

The family of Jacob Blake, pictured here, is raising money online for his medical and legal expenses.

Blake had an open warrant stemming from a domestic case in May, but police officials have not said if the officers were aware of the warrant when they responded to the call Sunday. Online records indicate a warrant was issued in the case in early July.

Blakes grandfather, Jacob Blake Sr., was a prominent minister and civil rights leader in the Chicago area who helped organize a march and spoke in support of a comprehensive housing law in Evanston, Illinois, days after the 1968 slaying of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

What is Blake's condition?

Blake suffered "at least seven" gunshot wounds, possibly eight, family and lawyers said Tuesday. He underwent surgery Sunday night and was undergoing surgery again Tuesday afternoon.

Blake had parts of his colon and small intestine removed, suffered damaged to his kidney and liver and had at least one bullet go through "some or all" of his spinal cord, family layer Patrick Salvi said. He was also shot in the arm, Salvi said.

"I dont think he really knows what happened at this point. Hes not there yet," Jackson said.

LeBron James on police shootings: 'We are scared as Black people in America'

Kenosha officials delayed police body cameras for years

City and law enforcement leaders in Kenosha, Wisconsin, unanimously endorsed the use of body cameras in 2017 as a way to increase police accountability and collect evidence at scenes of domestic violence, among other benefits.

But since then, they have balked at the price tag, raised policy concerns and put off implementation. The delays meant that officers who were on the scene of Sundays shooting of Jacob Blake while responding to a domestic call were not equipped with technology that could give their perspective on an incident that has roiled the nation.

This is a tragedy. But at least some good could come from this if this is finally the incident where Kenosha says, weve got to get body cameras on these cops right away, said Kevin Mathewson, a former member of the common council.

Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian confirmed Monday that current plans call for the city to buy them in 2022  more than five years after he endorsed their adoption. Kenosha officers do have cameras in their squad cars, but its unclear whether any captured the shooting.

Unrest continues across the country

There were protests elsewhere on Monday, too.

Hundreds of people peacefully gathered in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle.

In Minneapolis, where George Floyd was killed by a now-fired police officer on Memorial Day, about 100 people gathered outside a downtown detention center Monday evening, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office said. Demonstrators broke windows at the detention center, and 11 were arrested, the office said.

In Des Moines, nearly 200 protesters marched through the streets with fists up in the air, chanting "What's his name? Jacob Blake!"

A protester holds his fist in the air during a protest against racial injustice and police brutality early in the morning on August 23, 2020 in Portland, Oregon.

A police precinct was set on fire during a protest in Portland, Oregon, prompting authorities to declare a riot and deploy tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Protesters had marched to the precinct from a park, chanting the name Jacob Blake."

Smaller protests also cropped up in Chicago, in Appleton and Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in Providence, Rhode Island, in Rockford, Illinois, and elsewhere.

"This is a national issue," family lawyer BIvory LaMarr said in the press conference Tuesday. "Heaven is full to its capacity with victims who have been taken at the hands of law enforcement. Its at capacity, and thats probably one of the reasons Jacob lives today."

Breonna Taylor protesters take to Louisville streets in 'massive demonstration'

A massive demonstration" is expected throughout Louisville on Tuesday to reinvigorate protests over the death of Breonna Taylor, nearly three months after protesters first took to the city's streets.

The demonstration will mark the end of BreonnaCon, a four-day event meant to draw attention to her case. The event was organized by New York-based social justice organization Until Freedom, which was behind the July sit-in at Attorney General Daniel Camerons house. The group's leaders have been in Louisville for the past month to lead protests in the name of Taylor and racial justice.

The Louisville Metro Police Department has designated Tuesday as an All Work-Day," meaning all LMPD personnel will be available for duty.

Protesters are expected to gather at South Central Park at 2 p.m. and march to the LMPD Training Academy, which is in the southern part of Louisville, a couple of blocks from Churchill Downs. The direct action is scheduled for 5 p.m., and after arriving at the academy, Until Freedom leadership said the protesters will continue to another location but did not disclose where.

Lafayette police shooting: Family seeks peaceful protest as demonstrations continue

Protesters speaking out against the killing of 31-year-old Trayford Pellerin by Lafayette, La. police should remain peaceful, and officers responsible for his death should be fired, his family urged Monday night.

Surrounded by Pellerin's grandmother, father and aunt, his mother asked that Lafayette protests honor him by those marching in the streets and holding demonstrations across the city avoiding violence.

"I want the public to help keep his name going. But in a good way," said Michelle Pellerin, the victim's mother. "We are not for the violence and bloodshed. Enough blood has been shed."

Monday marked the third day of protests across the city since Pellerin died in a burst of gunfire as officers approached him at a gas station Friday night.

Contributing: Ashley Luthern, Gina Barton and Ricardo Torres, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Andrea May Sahouri and Katie Akin, Des Moines Register; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jacob Blake police shooting protests; unrest in Portland, Louisville
By Trend

Chairperson of Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova had a phone talk with Chairman of Turkeys Grand National Assembly Mustafa Sentop, Trend reports on August 24.

In the course of the talk, Gafarova congratulated Sentop and all the Turkish people on the occasion of Turkey's discovery of large reserves of natural gas in the Black Sea.

"During the phone talk, I congratulated Mustafa Sentop and all Turkish people on the occasion of the discovery of a gas field with large reserves in the Black Sea by fraternal Turkey both on my own behalf and on behalf of all members of [Azerbaijani] parliament," she said.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
New Delhi: Notwithstanding the open rebellion by a section of its senior leadership, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Monday decided that Sonia Gandhi would remain the partys interim president for the next six months during which time an AICC session would be called and a new chief would be elected.

Mrs Gandhi, however, said that she bore no ill-will towards anybody, referring to more than 23 leaders, including stalwarts like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, who were signatories to the letter which complained about a drift in the party, called for sweeping changes to the AICC and the election of a permanent president, someone who is full-time, visible.

Ending the meeting on an emotional note, Mrs Gandhi said, I am hurt but they are my colleagues. Bygones are bygones, let us work together.

In the seven-hour long meeting of the CWC, the leaking and timing of the letter was discussed more than its content. However, what the letter and the subsequent acrimonious and often emotional discussion did manage to achieve was in effect stalling the return of Rahul Gandhi as the president for another six months or till an AICC session is called.

This would be a dampener for Team Rahul who have been clamouring for his return as the party president.

Mr Gandhi had resigned from his post after the partys massive defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in which he lost even his family bastion of Amethi.

Asking his mother Sonia Gandhi to continue as the interim president instead, a resolution passed at the end of the CWC meet said: The CWC has extensively deliberated on the letters The CWC makes it clear that no one will be or can be permitted to undermine or weaken the party and its leadership at this juncture. The responsibility of every Congress worker and leader today is to fight the pernicious assault on Indias democracy, pluralism and diversity by the Modi government.

It said that the voices of our two leaders (Sonia and Rahul) have inspired a generation of Indians, both within and outside of the Indian National Congress, to rise and demand answers from this government which seeks to desperately distract the people through shallow and manufactured issues.

The CWC further noted that inner-party issues cannot be deliberated through the media or in public fora.

Over 23 Congress leaders had in the letter, called for "effective leadership" that will be "visible" and "active" in the field. While calling for "honest introspection, it suggested reforms, including decentralisation of power, empowerment of state units and organizational elections at every level. The letter also said that the Nehru-Gandhi family will "always remain an integral part of the collective leadership" of the Congress Party.

The meeting began Monday morning on a highly acrimonious note with reports suggesting that Mr Gandhi accused the leaders who wrote the letter of being on the side of the BJP.

Mr Gandhi also questioned the timing of the letter and attacked them for going public against the leadership, saying differences need to be discussed in party platforms and not the media.

He said the letter came at a time when Sonia Gandhi was hospitalised and the party was fighting with the BJP in Rajasthan to save its government, sources said.

Kapil Sibal, one of those who signed the letter, but is not part of the CWC, tweeted: Rahul says 'we are colluding with BJP'. Succeeded in Rajasthan High Court defending the Congress Party. Defending party in Manipur to bring down BJP government. Last 30 years have never made a statement in favour of BJP on any issue. Yet 'we are colluding with the BJP'!"

However, a little later he clarified that he was withdrawing the tweet.

"Was informed by Rahul Gandhi personally that he never said what was attributed to him. I therefore withdraw my tweet," he said.

Mr Azad also clarified that he was speaking about other leaders accusing him of siding with BJP and not Mr Gandhi.
Launching a virulent attack on the DMK, BJP national president J P Nadda on Monday said that party was protecting people who were not working for the nation and were inciting the feelings of others against the spirit of the nation.

Addressing the BJP State executive meeting via video conference, Nadda urged the people to not vote for the DMK in the next election as the party did not allow the assimilation into the national mainstream and was confident that the BJP would win more seats in the local body and Assembly elections.

He cited the construction of the temple for Lord Ram in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and the withdrawal of special status for Jammu and Kashmir as two big things that party members should use to highlight the idea that India was one from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Calling upon the people to ensure that divisive forces did not become strong in the State, he referred to Karuppar Kootam, the promoters of the Youtube channel that allegedly denigrated the hymns sung in praise of Lord Murugan, Kantha Shasthi Kavacham.

Urging the State unit to counter elements like Karuppar Kootam by coming up with matching content, he asked his party members devise mechanisms to win elections, favouring WhatsApp groups at the level of the booth committees to take the speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders to the people.

The WhatsApp groups should discuss national, regional and local issues, emphasising on youth, women, tribal people, Dalits and people at the grassroots and try to bring them to the mainstream he said.

Tamil Nadu, which had been talking about Tamil language, should know that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aimed at encouraging education through one's mother tongue. He regretted that the NEP was being opposed for imposition of Hindi by the DMK and also the ruling AIADMK.

Nadda asked his party members to talk about NEP to the people and also to do a deeper study into it to ensure that the people of the State were brought into the national mainstream.

Stalin hits back at Nadda

DMK President M K Stalin lashed out at BJP chief J P Nadda for targeting the DMK, instead of giving constructive advice to his party members, while addressing his partys State executive through video conference on Monday.

BJP was the party that stood against Tamil culture and national integration, Stalin said in a statement, recalling an earlier undemocratic remark by BJP leader Muralidhar Rao that the BJP would not allow M K Stalin to become the Chief Minister.

The arrogance of holding power at the Centre had led to the BJP stifling democracy from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and attacking the DMK by riding on the back of the State government, which was just a puppet in its hands, Stalin said.

Taking objection to Naddas remarks at the meeting that DMK was anti-development and nationalism, Stalin said DMK was a democratic party having deep belief in development and nationalism and striving hard to protect democratic norms and uphold the basic freedom of the people.

He recalled that the party stood up against Emergency and paid a price for it by losing power and said that the BJP had now imposed an undeclared Emergency. States powers were being taken away, the countrys plurality had been defaced, a dominant language was being imposed over others mother tongue and social justice was being undermined, Stalin said.

Accusing the BJP of locking up political leaders who raise their voice for democracy in their homes and putting in jail under draconian laws social activists, intellectuals who speak in favour of freedom of expression and writers, he said.

The basic duty of democracy was to raise ones voice against all these and it was the responsibility of the DMK, which was the third largest party in Parliament, he said.

It was a cheap tactic of BJP leaders to term as anti-Indians and anti-nationals all those who speak the truth aloud and ask for their rights and the BJP chief was not an exemption, Stalin said and added that the Constitution described India as an Union of States.
DOYLESTOWN >> A man and woman will face decades in state prison for the repeated sexual assault of three children under the age of 13, abuse that they also filmed in more than 40 videos of child pornography. Leonard F. Hewitt Sr. 51, and Krystyn Anne Smock, 40, both of Bristol Township, committed the acts for more than four years...
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Bharat Book Bureau Provides the Trending Market Research Report on US Blood Bank Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Analysis - by Type (Whole Blood, RBC, Platelets, Plasma, and WBC), Function (Collection, Processing, Testing, Storage, and Transportation), Bank Type (Private and Public), End User (Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Pharmaceutical Companies, and Others)under Biotechnology Category. The report offers a collection of superior market research, market analysis, competitive intelligence and Market reports.

The US Blood Bank Market is expected to reach US$ 6,025.26 millionby 2027 from US$3,975.02 million in 2019;it is expectedto grow with a CAGR of 5.5% from 2020 to 2027.The growth of the marketis attributed to the key factors such as the high prevalence of hematologic diseases and rise in the number of road accidents. On the other hand, the market growth would be hindered by the disability of blood banks to comply with regulations.

Distracted driving is a growing concern in the US. As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the country witnesses ~5.5 million car accidents, accounting for 3 million injuries and 40,000 fatalities each year. Also, ~60,000 injuries and 5,000 deaths occur as a result of truck accidents each year. Rising accident count in the country is leading to high demand for blood for treating trauma cases and carrying out surgeries. For instance, as per The American National Red Cross, a single-car accident patient can require ~100 units of blood. In the last few years, cases of fatal injuries have increased in the US.

Request a free sample copy US Blood Bank Market Report @

https://www.bharatbook.com/marketreports/sample/reports/2150208









As per the National Center for Health Statistics, ~31 million injured people seek medical treatment each year in the country. Of these, ~2 million are severe enough to require some form of hospitalization. Apart from this, workplace injuries have also increased in the last few years. As per the National Safety Council, a worker is injured at the workplace every 7 seconds. Thus, increasing accidents, trauma cases, and severe injuries are emphasizing the huge requirement of stored blood, thereby boosting the blood bank market in the country.

Based on type, the US blood bank market is segmented into whole blood, plasma, RBC, platelets, and WBC. In 2019, the whole blood segment held the largest share of the market. Moreover, the plasma segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

Based on the function, the US blood bank marketwas segmented intotesting, processing, storage, transportation, and collection.The testingsegment held the largest share of the market in 2019 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based onbank type, the US blood bank marketissegmented into private and public. In 2019,the privatesegment accounted for a larger share of the market andis anticipated to register a higherCAGR during the forecast period.

The market has been segmented on the basis of end user into hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, pharmaceutical companies, and others. The hospitals segment accounted for the largest market share in 2019, and the market for the same is also anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

A few of the major primary and secondary sources referred to while preparing this report on the US blood bank market areAmerican Association of Blood Banks (AABB), America's Blood Centers (ABC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Reason To Buy

Understand the US blood bank market landscape and identify market segments that are most likely to guarantee a strong return

Stay ahead of the race by comprehending the ever-changing competitive market landscape

Efficiently plan mergers and acquisitions, and partnership deals in the US blood bank market by identifying market segments with the most promising probable sales

Make knowledgeable business decisions from perceptive and comprehensive analysis of the performance of various segments of the market.

Obtain revenue forecast for the market based on various segmentsfor the period 20192027

Browse our full report with Table of Content : https://www.bharatbook.com/marketreports/us-blood-bank-market-forecast-to-2027-covid-19-impact-and-analysis-by-type-whole-blood-rbc-platelets-plasma-and/2150208

About Bharat Book Bureau:

Bharat Book is Your One-Stop-Shop with an exhaustive coverage of 4,80,000 reports and insights that includes latest Market Study, Market Trends & Analysis, Forecasts Customized Intelligence, Newsletters and Online Databases. Overall a comprehensive coverage of major industries with a further segmentation of 100+ subsectors.



Contact us at:

Bharat Book Bureau

Tel: +91 22 27810772 / 27810773

Email: poonam@bharatbook.com

Website: www.bharatbook.com
The Indian State has a novel way of dealing with what seem to be intractable armed conflicts. Engage (with stakeholders, including rebels); assert (the States authority) and coerce; divide (especially rebel groups which are often prone to fragmentation); concede (but only partially, without compromising on core principles); and repeat the cycle. The template has been applied, with varying degrees of success, in different contexts. But broadly, it helps ensure peace without concessions, maintains the centrality of the State, and either weakens rebel groups or creates incentives for them to stay within the framework of a peace agreement.

The Naga peace talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M), which started in 1997, have followed a similar trajectory. Asias oldest insurgency, when talks began, appeared intractable  Naga groups were insistent on their distinct identity; they wanted a Greater Nagaland, which included Naga-speaking parts of other Indian states and Myanmar; they saw Nagaland as sovereign, with its own symbols. New Delhi was clear that neither would a Greater Nagaland be possible, nor would these groups be allowed to claim absolute sovereignty. But to keep the peace, the State often, rhetorically, accepted the distinct identity of Nagas; it informally allowed NSCN (I-M) to operate (including allowing it to function as a de facto parallel regime which had its own armed militia and collected tax); it also bridged differences and accepted the idea of shared sovereignty, a form of asymmetric federalism.

But there was no pact, and the perils of prolonged talks are now visible. RN Ravi, the key interlocutor for the Naga talks and now Nagalands governor, expressed the States exasperation at the operation of a parallel regime when he criticised armed gangs. NSCN(I-M), exasperated by the lack of a tangible solution despite a framework agreement signed in 2015, and annoyed at what it perceives as lack of respect, wants a new interlocutor and structure for talks. The geopolitical churn makes the situation more challenging  remember China has historically encouraged many armed insurgents in the Northeast, and given the current state of India-China ties, renewed Chinese support for those against the Indian State is quite possible. The Naga peace process is an achievement. It has kept the peace in a region troubled almost since Independence. New Delhi must sustain it and break the stalemate, by reviving talks and institutionalising an agreement. The old template must be tweaked to accommodate new realities.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 17:57:56|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ZHENGZHOU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's Yellow River is undergoing its sixth flood of the year due to continuous rainfall, the Yellow River Conservancy Commission, within the Ministry of Water Resources, said on Tuesday.

Due to the inbound water flow and recent heavy rains, the amount of water flowing per second at the Tongguan hydrologic station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province has increased to 5,230 cubic meters, the commission said.

The commission issued a blue alert for flooding, asking local governments along the Yellow River, China's second-longest, to continue monitoring the situation.

China has a four-tier, color-coded warning system for flooding, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. Enditem
New Delhi: The Congress has formed an informal panel of at least four members to look into allegations that Facebook overrode its own content moderation policy to enable hate speech by politicians of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), two members of the panel said on Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

The panel, set up under the legal cell headed by Vivek Tankha, comprises four young lawyers who are also attached to the Congress party. Varun Chopra, Vaibhav Srivastava, Kuber Bodh and Varun Tankha are the members of the group.

The move comes after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke against manipulation of our hard-earned democracy and a protest letter written by the party to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg following a report in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that the social media company was going easy on hate speech by BJP members to protect its business interests in India.

According to the two panel members cited above, they are now busy gathering information before deciding their next course of actionpolitical as well as any possible legal recourseagainst Facebooks alleged lenience towards the BJP.

The WSJ report, based on interviews with unnamed Facebook insiders, said the companys senior India policy executive Ankhi Das intervened in internal content review processes to stop a ban on BJPs Telangana lawmaker Raja Singh, whose posts targeted the Muslim community. It said Das told staff members that punishing violations by BJP politicians would damage the companys business prospects.

According to a Congress functionary, the panel has already held preliminary discussions and is setting the objectives it would pursue, indicating that the party will not drop the issue.

After the WSJ report was published, the Opposition launched protests against both Facebook and the BJP. Rahul Gandhi tweeted, We cannot allow any manipulation of our hard-earned democracy through bias, fake news & hate speech. As exposed by @WSJ, Facebooks involvement in peddling fake and hate news needs to be questioned by all Indians.

To be sure, the principal opposition party is still seen to be lagging behind the BJP in social media outreach. After the report was published n the WSJ, the party wrote a letter to Zuckerberg. saying Facebook may be a willing participant in thwarting the rights and values Indias founding leaders sacrificed their lives for.

K C Venugopal, the Congress general secretary (organisation), also alleged that the social media company provided the BJP with favourable treatment on election-related issues. He called it a damning and serious allegation that Facebook was interfering in Indias electoral democracy.

The informal panel formed by the Congress has been asked to look into more such cases of alleged lenience towards the BJP for making a stronger case against Facebook.

The choice of four legal brains to function under the legal cell headed by Tankha, a lawyer, makes it an interesting pack. It also possibly indicates that the Congress wants to prepare a document backed by legal argument to take on Facebook.

As it is, the party has decided to raise the WSJ report in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament that is due to start in September.

Facebook has come out with a statement saying, it is and always has been an open, transparent and non-partisan platform where people can express themselves freely.

Over the last few days, we have been accused of bias in the way we enforce our policies. We take allegations of bias incredibly seriously, and want to make it clear that we denounce hate and bigotry in any form. We take this opportunity to offer clarity on policy development and enforcement at Facebook. Our Community Standards define what stays on our platform and are enforced globally, said the Facebook statement.

First and foremost, we want to make it clear that we denounce hate in any form. Our Community Standards, which outline what is and isnt allowed on Facebook, have clear and very detailed policies against hate speech, which prohibit attacks on people on the basis of protected characteristics, including religion, ethnicity, caste and national origin, added the statement.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
By AFP

SAO PAULO: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, said Tuesday he has tested positive for the new coronavirus but was asymptomatic.

The 39-year-old senator's office said in a statement he was "feeling fine," isolating at home and taking the anti-malaria drug chloroquine, which his father has aggressively pushed as a treatment for COVID-19 despite studies finding it is ineffective against the virus.

Known for his staunch support of his father, the younger Bolsonaro is under investigation for an alleged embezzlement scheme when he was a state lawmaker for Rio de Janeiro.

He is the fourth member of the presidential family to test positive for the virus.

Bolsonaro himself, 65, caught it last month, forcing the far-right leader, a fierce critic of lockdown measures against the virus, into quarantine for three weeks.

First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro, 38, tested positive days later. The president's fourth son, 22-year-old Jair Renan, tested positive last week.

The virus, which Bolsonaro has compared to a "little flu," has infected more than 3.6 million people and killed more than 115,000 in Brazil, the second-highest numbers in the world, after the United States.
Richard Wershe Jr, once the youngest paid informant in FBI history, sensationally walked free last month after 32 years in prison.

As 14-year-old 'White Boy Rick,' he was taught to pedal drugs and was planted in one of the most notorious gangs in Detroit.

He helped bring down dirty cops and drug lords but when he was arrested on drug charges, the system that brought him into a life of crime abandoned him and refused to intervene as he was sentenced to a life behind bars.

Now, Wershe, 51, has broken his silence for the first time since becoming a free man on July 20.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, he remarkably 'harbors no anger,' but instead revealed his plans to advocate for change in the system that 'treated him roughchewed him up and spat him out.'

Wershe said: 'I can tell you this, I have more peace in my life now than I've ever had.

'I have been made to feel welcome and accepted. I wasn't sure it would be that way. But a lot of people seem to feel and see I had a rough deal. I go to pay for a meal, and someone recognizes me as ''White Boy Rick,'' and they say, ''I got this''.'

DailyMail.com has learned that Wershe, who served his last three years in prison in Florida, has returned to Michigan to start building the life he never had a chance to start and is engaged to a woman he has known since high school.

Richard Wershe Jr, once the youngest paid informant in FBI history, sensationally walked free last month after 32 years in prison. Now, Wershe, 51, has broken his silence for the first time since becoming a free man. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, he remarkably 'harbors no anger,' but instead revealed his plans to advocate for change in the system that 'treated him roughchewed him up and spat him out'

As 14-year-old 'White Boy Rick,' he was taught to pedal drugs and was planted in one of the most notorious gangs in Detroit

He helped bring down dirty cops and drug lords but, when he was arrested on drug charges, the system that brought him into a life of crime abandoned him and refused to intervene as he was sentenced to a life behind bars

DailyMail.com has learned that Wershe, who served his last three years in prison in Florida, has returned to Michigan to start building the life he never had a chance to start and is engaged to a woman he has known since high school. Pictured: The East Detroit neighborhood where Wershe grew up and pedaled drugs as White Boy Rick. He was raised on Hampshire Street (pictured) and Dickerson across the road from his paternal grandparents

But while Wershe is acclimatizing to life on the outside, he told DailyMail.com he is working on plans to use his voice to advocate for prison reform.

He said: 'You tell me how it's right that I served 32 years for a non-violent crime and someone who has raped or killed walks free in a few years.

'Did I do something wrong? Absolutely. But where is the equity in a system that puts non-violent criminals away while killers walk free?

'I'm working to advocate for people who are in the same situation as I was  non-violent offenders who are in maximum security prisons or serving substantial sentences beyond what they should be. Where is the equity in justice? That's what I want to advocate for.'

You tell me how it's right that I served 32 years for a non-violent crime and someone who has raped or killed walks free in a few years.

For his part Wershe was the longest-serving non-violent juvenile offender in Michigan state's history and was repeatedly denied parole, though he was a model prisoner.

His sentence in 1988 was the result of draconian drug laws introduced in the state at a time when drug crime was rampant in the streets of Detroit.

Possession of more than 650 grams of cocaine carried a mandatory life sentence  Wershe was found in possession of 17 pounds and $30,000 in cash.

His trial made headlines as images of the baby-faced felon appeared all over the news. He was painted as a 17-year-old drug lord, an unlikely mastermind who ran the mean streets of Detroit. His story has inspired books and movies over the years, including one starring Matthew McConaughey and, more recently, documentary '650 Lifer: The Legend of White Boy Rick.'

That documentary laid bare the extent to which the myth of White Boy Rick was a construct of the corrupt public servants on whom Wershe had informed.

His trial made headlines as images of the baby-faced felon appeared all over the news. He was painted as a 17-year-old drug lord, an unlikely mastermind who ran the mean streets of Detroit

For his part Wershe was the longest-serving non-violent juvenile offender in Michigan state's history and was repeatedly denied parole, though he was a model prisoner. But while Wershe is acclimatizing to life on the outside, he told DailyMail.com he is working on plans to use his voice to advocate for prison reform. He said: 'You tell me how it's right that I served 32 years for a non-violent crime and someone who has raped or killed walks free in a few years. Did I do something wrong? Absolutely. But where is the equity in a system that puts non-violent criminals away while killers walk free?'

He was also sold out by his own father, the notorious street hustler and con-artist Richard Wershe Sr (pictured together). Wershe Sr brokered a deal with the FBI when it became clear that information he was providing was really coming from his son

Convicted hitman Nathaniel Craft told documentary makers that Detroit's Head of Homicide Gilbert 'Gil' Hill ordered a hit on the teenage informant because he knew too much about the corrupt links between Detroit's police, mayoral office and the real drug kingpins.

Craft admitted involvement in 30 killings to federal prosecutors but served less time than Wershe.

Meanwhile former drug lord Johnny Curry, who ran the deadly gang that Wershe infiltrated, dismissed the notion that 'White Boy Rick,' was anything but a small-time dealer.

Curry said, 'On a scale of one to 10, I would say White Boy Rick was about a two. He was nowhere near me.'

'I did way more than he could possibly have ever done to get that kind of sentence.'

But, in an illustration of his breathtaking proximity to power and the corruption that went to the heart of the city at the time, Curry was married to the Mayor of Detroit, Coleman Young's niece, Cathy Volsan.

Cathy was 'untouchable' and was provided with police protection on the taxpayers' dime.

But Wershe, who had a brief affair with Volsan while Curry was in prison, eventually found out that he was entirely expendable.

Looking back on his days as an informant Wershe said: 'All I did was what I was asked and all it did was tell the truth.

'I was asked to go out there and get information about some people that were involved in the drug trade, and their connections, and how the drugs were coming in. They got me involved in this. I was a kid. I made poor decisions.'

He was also sold out by his own father, the notorious street hustler and con-artist Richard Wershe Sr. Wershe Sr brokered a deal with the FBI when it became clear that information he was providing was really coming from his son.

Wershe was taught by law enforcement how to pedal drugs and was planted inside one of the city's most dangerous gangs. At the age of 15, he was wearing a mink coat and running with Johnny Curry

Meanwhile former drug lord Johnny Curry, who ran the deadly gang that Wershe infiltrated, dismissed the notion that 'White Boy Rick,' was anything but a small-time dealer. Curry was married to the Mayor of Detroit, Coleman Young's niece, Cathy Volsan (pictured together). Cathy was 'untouchable' and was provided with police protection on the taxpayers' dime

But Wershe, who had a brief affair with Volsan while Curry was in prison, eventually found out that he was entirely expendable. Convicted hitman Nathaniel Craft previously claimed that Detroit's Head of Homicide Gilbert 'Gil' Hill ordered a hit on Wershe because he knew too much about the corrupt links between Detroit's police, mayoral office and the real drug kingpins. Pictured: Detroit Mayor Coleman Young

Over the next few decades, Wershe watched as hitmen and murderers served their time and were released around him. And he languished in jail unable to see his two daughters and son grow up

Years later Wershe Sr. told an interviewer, 'I took the money. I wasn't doing all that well at the time. And I thought it was the right thing  keep some drug dealers off the street and get paid for it.'

Wershe was taught by law enforcement how to pedal drugs and was planted inside one of the city's most dangerous gangs. At the age of 15, he was wearing a mink coat and running with Johnny Curry.

He told the FBI that Curry had spoken of paying a bribe to a Detroit detective inspector to quash an investigation into the murder of a 13-year-old boy.

Curry later admitted to investigators he had paid Detroit Police Homicide Inspector Gilbert 'Gil' Hill $10,000 to have the murder probe go away.

Wershe was shot in the stomach when Curry suspected him of being an informant. But his handlers sent him straight back into the field in a bluff that served to convince Curry he had been wrong.

Looking back on his days as an informant Wershe said: 'All I did was what I was asked and all it did was tell the truth'

But in 1986, the FBI dropped Wershe as an informant without warning. As he later recalled they 'just stopped calling,' leaving him with nothing but the skills he had learned on the street. The following year he was arrested on drug possession charges.

At his trial the judge described him as 'worse than a mass murderer,' though all now admit that the myth of White Boy Rick was overblown by those who stood to gain the most from having him put away.

Wershe Sr tried to get the FBI to help his son but they refused to intervene. According to his former handler Herman Groman, the truth is that the Bureau and the Justice Department did nothing for fear of scrutiny and criticism for recruiting a teenage boy in the first place.

Over the next few decades, Wershe watched as hitmen and murderers served their time and were released around him. And he languished in jail unable to see his two daughters and son grow up.

Speaking to the Detroit News in 2017 Wershe said: 'I've lost a lot of my life to things that aren't true. I was never the drug dealerwho was this huge kingpin. That couldn't be more wrong. I sold drugs for 11 months.'

Addressing Wershe's 'long overdue release,' former handler Groman said recently it's a 'difficult thing for me to process.'

He admitted: 'He was locked up when he was 17 years old for a non-violent drug crime  possession  and largely in part because of his cooperation with the FBI, and more specifically with me, on a major police corruption case, he essentially wound up not getting any credit for that and he ended up spending more than 30 years in prison.'
Almost three weeks after the University of Mumbai announced that all affiliated colleges need to start regular online lectures for the 2020-21 academic year, the varsity has released details on how to carry forward the new form of classes.

For starters, college teachers have been asked to divide each subject into four quadrants  video lecture, specially prepared reading material that can be downloaded/printed, self-assessment tests through tests/quizzes and an online discussion forum to clear all doubts of students.

The circular further states that in case of students struggling to participate in online lectures due to lack of equipment or internet connections, colleges should also make such lectures available on YouTube/Facebook, share notes via email/WhatsApp and personally dial students and provide counselling.

Also read: Police to file FIR against 5 in Raigad building collapse in Maharashtra

Teachers should also form small groups of five to ten students for better communication within the group to discuss regular lessons and get their feedback as well. Counselling sessions should also be conducted and teachers should be in regular touch with parents as well, states the circular which dated August 24.

While several teachers have found students adapting to online classes well, the Bombay University and College Teachers Union (BUCTU) has called this move far from reality, especially in the case of students in rural Maharashtra. MU is assuming all students are sitting in their homes in Mumbai and other big cities but what about students stuck in their hometowns in rural Maharashtra with no electricity at present to even charge their phones, mostly due to the incessant rains? asked one of the members of the BUCTU.

Previously, the MU had released a circular on August 2 addressed to all affiliated colleges. It stated that with the completion of admissions for all batches, except first-year undergraduate and postgraduate graduate courses, colleges should start virtual lectures only for the new academic year August 7 onwards.

Several teacher organisations from across the state had raised objection to this sudden decision by the university, especially amid lack of clarity given by the varsity about how these classes would be conducted for students stuck in their hometowns in rural Maharashtra due to the ongoing lockdown.
The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to a 77-year old retired Army pensioner from West Bengal accused of raping a 13-year old girl after the DNA report showed that he was not the father of the child born to the rape survivor.

A division bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul overturned a June 5 order of Calcutta High Court in this regard after the state government conceded before the Supreme Court that the DNA report showed that the accused, Jayanta Chatterjee, was not the father of the child as claimed by the survivor.

In view of the aforesaid, we have no hesitation in saying that the petitioner (Chatterjee) should be enlarged on bail on the terms and conditions to the satisfaction of the trial court, the bench which also comprised Justice Ajay Rastogi said.

The petitioner was falsely implicated by the father of the victim because of personal enmity on account of a landlord-tenant dispute between them. The DNA test did not match with the accused meaning thereby that the petitioner was not the father of the child. Therefore, the court granted bail, Chatterjees lawyer, Jayant Mohan told HT.

A case was registered against Chatterjee on May 11 at the Matigara police station based on the complaint by one Dilip Karmakar, the father of the rape survivor. Karmakar had alleged that his daughter had showed unnatural behaviour and on questioning, the girl revealed that Chatterjee had raped and impregnated her. Chatterjee was charged for offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POSCO) and was arrested on May 12. He was remanded to judicial custody on May 26. The rape survivor gave birth to a baby girl on July 5.

Chatterjee had contended before the Supreme Court that Karmakar, who was his tenant, was neither paying the monthly rent nor vacating the premises and the false complaint was filed to incarcerate Chatterjee.

He had also repeatedly raised the argument before the high court and top court that he is incapable of sexual activity since he is 84 years old. The state government had, however, submitted that Chatterjee was only 77 years old as per official records.

The ludicrousness of the allegations are rife on the face of it considering the age of the petitioner. As per the well-established principles of medical jurisprudence, such allegations are improbable due to the age of the petitioner and due to ailments of diabetes and high blood sugar (which the petitioner is suffering from), the plea stated.

The petitioner had also requested for a DNA test to prove his innocence. The Supreme Court after hearing Chatterjees lawyer, senior counsel Kapil Sibal, had ordered a DNA test on July 9.

With the DNA test absolving Chatterjee, he also claimed compensation against Karmakar for filing a false case.

Senior counsel for the petitioner (Chatterjee) further submits that it is out of a landlord-tenant dispute that a false case has been filed and that he should be given appropriate compensation. If that be the position, it is for the appellant to take necessary steps in this behalf in accordance with law claiming compensation in accordance with law, the court said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-24 23:33:56|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

URUMQI, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has relaxed management rules for some "epidemic-free" residential communities, starting Sunday, due to the easing of the recent outbreak of COVID-19 infections.

The adjustment covers all residential communities in Dabancheng District, Urumqi County and Ganquanpu Economic Development Zone, as well as several "epidemic-free" neighborhoods in six other districts, the municipal epidemic prevention and control headquarters said Monday.

Supermarkets, convenience stores and produce markets are permitted to resume business during specified hours, while epidemic prevention measures are being strengthened in these residential communities.

Residents are required to wear masks, maintain a physical distance between individuals, and avoid gatherings, while personnel in the communities will carry out cleaning and disinfection of public areas at least six times a day.

On July 15, Urumqi confirmed one new COVID-19 case and the city has applied lockdown measures in its residential communities and villages since July 17.

By Sunday, Xinjiang had 183 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 57 asymptomatic cases, with 4,193 people still under medical observation.

No newly confirmed or asymptomatic COVID-19 cases have been reported in Xinjiang since Aug. 18. Enditem
JasonDoiy/Getty Images

For the second year in a row, Texans reign superior with regard to the attractiveness of their accents, according to international media company Big 7 Travel.

Could it be because of Austin's famous resident Matthew McConaughey's southern drawl? Whatever the reason, a poll done by the travel recommendations website said that individuals from around the world agreed that a Texan accent was the sexiest accent in the United States.
Tourism is an important source of foreign exchange for Mauritius, an island nation in East Africa which boasts UN world heritage sites, white sandy beaches, unique tropical marine plants and animals, and lush forests and waterfalls.

For many holidaymakers, Mauritius is a dream holiday destination as it has stamped its position as being one of the most popular tourist spot, according to 2019 government statistics on tourism, which is the third pillar of the economy after manufacturing and agriculture. In the past two decades, tourist arrivals have increased at an average annual rate of 9% with a corresponding increase of about 21% in tourism receipts.

The Tourism Ministry says this is due to the fact that Mauritius possesses a wide range of natural and man-made attractions, enjoys a sub-tropical climate with clear warm sea waters, attractive beaches and tropical fauna and flora complemented by a multi-ethnic and cultural population that is friendly and welcoming.

On July 25, however, the crystal-clear turquoise lagoons turned dark black, with satellite images showing a dark oil slick spreading in the protected precious waters of the Mahebourg coral lagoon, a pristine coastal area in Mauritius full of endangered and exotic plants and animals.

The culprit was the MV Wakashio, a bulk carrier owned by Japans Nagasaki Shipping Company which ran aground carrying 4,180 tons of oil, about 1,000 tons of which spilled in the lagoon.

Dead fishes and oil-soaked birds

What is threatened? Scientists say that the effect that the oil spill has had on the fragile marine ecosystem cannot be established right now, but it is massive.

Coral reefs that have lived for centuries have been deprived of oxygen by the oil, locals who spoke to Anadolu Agency confirmed, seeing dead starfish and eels among other aquatic animals floating in the ocean, some they say could not be rescued.

The oceans are a breeding ground for seabirds and turtles. We have seen many of them lying dead on the beach. Crabs are covered in oil. Many of the dead animals wash ashore every day. When we come for the community cleaning project, we take pictures and upload them on social media to raise awareness, said Jean Bibi, a local who works at the Mahebourg village hall.

All we see while cleaning are dead fishes and oil-soaked birds.

Jacques Abdool, who operates a food stall near the Al Umairan Beau Vallon Mosque, has also been helping locals clean up the ocean and save the animals covered in oil.

It is sad to see a bird on the verge of death. You know you cant help it because of the damage that the oil has had on it. As locals who care about their environment, we have done what we cannot do not as experts. There are fishers who are out of work. Many people depend on the ocean for everything. It is sad and disheartening.

The environmental disaster has already caused a lot of ecosystem distress, according to a spot check done by Anadolu Agency after speaking to members of the affected communities living near where the accident happened.

On social media, residents have been sharing pictures of mostly dead, oiled birds, sea turtles and the ornate day geckos which are only found in Mauritius.

Mangroves, which act as fish nurseries and homes to various species of animals, have also been coated in oil. This may in the long run affect coastal communities which depend on fishing to earn a living. Over 70 species of fish and 30 species of corals have been affected.

Despite laying their eggs all year round in cycles, sea turtles in Mauritius mostly lay them on the sandy beaches in May and June, with the eggs eventually hatching between July and August. Experts argue that in the affected areas of the island nation, a whole generation of new turtles will die or have already died from asphyxiation.

Economic impact

Experts say it is too soon to predict how severe the impact of the oil spill will be on the Mauritian economy, though as for the fishing communities who depend on the lagoon, the effects are immediate and no fish is being found in the oil-polluted waters.

Julien Laksh is a tour guide at the Blue Bay beach. He told Anadolu Agency that for us now, we have no work. The seas used to be clear as glass, and someone could see up to the bottom of the ocean [which is] really beautiful. But now it is black with a feeling of death. No tourist wants to see that. Even fishes wont come to such places.

Laksh added that fish prices have gone up near the Blue Bay beach and fishers now have to go deep in the ocean to find fish.

This is because some areas have been closed by the police for cleaning, and some are so polluted that it has affected our daily staple food and daily life.

The oil spill has had a ripple effect on people who depend on the ocean to survive, harming various businesses. A lot of sectors that depend on tourism will be affected, including restaurants, tourist shops, hotels, and guest houses.

Global warning

Paula Kahumbu, a conservationist who serves as the chief executive director of ---Wildlife Direct, is a charity organization registered in Kenya and the US, told Anadolu Agency that the damage that the oil spill has had on the marine ecosystem around Blue Bay Marine Park and the Mahebourg coral lagoon will last for generations.

The impact of this oil spill is catastrophic. It will affect generations to come. It is important that the owners of that ship and the country Japan that have registered the ship, take some responsibility because they registered a ship that had huge global consequences over their activities or their actions, she said.

When the ship first hit that reef, the response should have been faster. They should have contained that spill. It should have never reached the level it reached. We have technology, we have knowledge. It could have never happened in Japan. We have to demand that Japan takes part of that responsibility and the owners of that ship take responsibility also.

She added that the oil spill is a global warning of the impact of our activities on nature. The restoration of nature can take decades or hundreds of years, and it will take a very long time for Mauritius to recover from this spill.

She said the cost of recovery is also far greater than the value generated from the oil that spilled, noting that the accident is a warning to all countries, especially developing countries, to make sure that they have in place all the necessary legislation and enforcement to ensure that these accidents do not happen.

They need to do very clear risk assessments. Countries like Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda that are now talking about oil exploration oil transportation -- they need to really make sure that we never have a similar situation where we have oil spills that we are not prepared for, she added.

Environmentalist Louisa Chinyavu said it will take a long time for Mauritiuss ecosystem to recover from the problems caused by the oil spill.

We have had a lot of habitat loss. This is, for example, the nesting period of the sea turtles and the hunchback green sea turtles which nest in specific areas. If there are any eggs that have been laid, they have been killed.

Chinyavu underscored that with some species threatened and others critically endangered, the destruction of such a habitat will have lasting damage. We can have this kind of species no longer thriving or no longer there because their habitat has been damaged.

Image Credit:  AA
Eiza Gonzalez was spotted this Tuesday stepping out to pick up a iced green beverage in Los Angeles.

The 30-year-old actress emphasized her curves in a pair of olive green leggings and pulled on a casual beige T-shirt.

Accessorizing with a pair of cat-eye sunglasses, she wore her dark hair down and rounded off the look with pale pink sneakers.

Sizzling sensation: Eiza Gonzalez was spotted this Tuesday stepping out to pick up a iced green beverage in Los Angeles

Eiza made sure to take the precaution of wearing a mask as she emerged from lockdown amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Baby Driver actress' latest outing comes a day after she had some body art applied to the crook of her left arm.

She paid a visit to celebrity tattoo artist Winter Stone to get ink of what appeared to be an image of her kissing herself.

Posting a black and white image of the completed tattoo to her Insta Stories that day she hinted that it was about 'self love.'

Off she goes: The 30-year-old actress emphasized her curves in a pair of olive green leggings and pulled on a casual beige T-shirt

Winter has plied his trade for such famous names as Lady Gaga, Mandy Moore and Miley Cyrus, according to a profile in The Hollywood Reporter.

Meanwhile earlier this month Eiza was glimpsed wearing a mask after she left an outdoor Malibu birthday party for silver fox director Taika Waititi.

She was spotted in June getting cozy with 24-year-old movie star Timothee Chalamet on a getaway to Cabo San Lucas.

Eiza and Timothee flew private to the tourist hot spot and spent five days there together, setting off rumors of a romance.

New work: The Baby Driver actress' latest outing comes a day after she had some body art applied to the crook of her left arm

The dynamic duo 'couldn't keep their hands off of each other and had many romantic moments,' an E! News source spilled.

They had a 'playful and fun' vibe on their holiday during which 'They swam together and took walks on the beach.'

According to the source: 'He brought his guitar with him and was carrying it around wherever he went. He loved to serenade Eiza and she looked on adoringly.'

'Self love': She paid a visit to celebrity tattoo artist Winter Stone to get ink of what appeared to be an image of her kissing herself

Timothee was profiled for this year's May issue of British Vogue which described the A Rainy Day In New York star as 'currently single.'

The phrase indicated the end of his relationship with Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis' daughter Lily-Rose Depp, who co-starred with Timothee in The King.

A couple of years ago in 2018 Eiza had a whirlwind romance with movie dreamboat Josh Duhamel, who had recently split from his wife Fergie.
OTTAWA - Canada's chief public health officer is warning against the spread of online untruths about vaccines, as a new survey suggests some Canadians are worried about getting inoculated against COVID-19.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 25/8/2020 (512 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam responds to a question during a news conference Tuesday August 25, 2020 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - Canada's chief public health officer is warning against the spread of online untruths about vaccines, as a new survey suggests some Canadians are worried about getting inoculated against COVID-19.

Dr. Theresa Tam made the comments during a news conference Tuesday while responding to the Statistics Canada survey, which found nearly one-quarter of respondents unlikely or unsure whether they would get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Many experts and political leaders have touted the successful development and widespread rollout of a vaccine as essential for an eventual return to normalcy, including the full reopening of economies and ending physical distancing.

More than 76 per cent of respondents in the Statistics Canada survey indicated they would likely get inoculated if and when a vaccine is ready. Yet 14 per cent said they were somewhat or very unlikely to do so. Nine per cent remained unsure.

Those who indicated they were unlikely to get a vaccine were asked to identify the reasons for their reluctance. More than half cited a lack of confidence in its safety while a similar number said they were worried about potential risks and side effects.

About one-quarter of respondents, who were allowed to give more than one answer, said they did not consider it necessary to get the vaccine while about 10 per cent indicated they did not believe in vaccines at all.

More than one-third said they would likely just wait until the vaccine seemed safe.

The survey also indicated younger Canadians and those who don't have a university degree are more likely to be hesitant or nervous about a vaccine than those who are older and more educated.

The crowd-sourced survey of around 4,000 Canadians was conducted between June 15-21. It cannot be given a margin of error because the participants do not represent a random sample.

Asked about the survey, Tam underscored the importance of "vaccine confidence," describing it as integral to the successful rollout of vaccine.

She went on to promise that regulators won't take any shortcuts with safety despite the government agreeing to several changes to the clinical-trial process to get a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed faster.

"Just because it's an accelerated process to get vaccines for Canadians does not mean we're going to shortchange anything on safety and effectiveness," Tam said. "I do have confidence in our regulatory system."

Tam also took aim at the spread of falsehoods about vaccines online.

"I do think social media and internet companies do have responsibilities in terms of their role in the space," she said.

"So I would look towards different partners, different government departments also coming together to look at how we better address some of the misinformation that's in that space."

She is not the first to speak out on this issue, as some have blamed the growing number and influence of anti-vaccination groups online for a resurgence in childhood diseases such as measles.

Facebook announced last year that it would be cracking down on so-called "anti-vaxxer" groups, which included labelling posts deemed as containing false information about vaccines. The social media giant now being sued by one such group in California.

Josh Greenberg, a communications professor at Carleton University who has been studying Canadians' attitudes towards a COVID-19 vaccine, said safety concerns aren't unexpected, given the pressure governments and industry are facing to get something working fast.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Yet he said it is essential that Ottawa push back against misinformation campaigns, which have been growing in numbers and influence even as governments around the world have been slow to react.

"When you look at issues like COVID-19 and the campaign to ready or prepare the public for the eventual release of a vaccine, you're talking about a battle for both hearts and minds," Greenberg said.

"It's not just an information battle of trying to make sure that people have accurate information, but that you are persuading them in such a way that they trust the veracity of the information you're providing and they also trust the source of that information."

While the world is rushing to find a vaccine for COVID-19, new reports of several people having been reinfected with the novel coronavirus after testing positive once before raise concerns that it might be a moving target.

Deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo said the cases in Hong Kong, Belgium and the Netherlands highlight ongoing questions about immunity to COVID-19 and the need for an effective vaccine.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2020.
A Taco Bell employee in Tennessee is being hailed a hero for saving a mans life after he passed out in the drive-thru.

Sonja Nixon Frazier, the night shift manager at a Taco Bell restaurant in Clarksville, doesnt usually work during the day. But on Aug. 12, in a fortunate turn of events, she happened to be on duty when she and two co-workers noticed a car driving in the wrong direction.

We saw the driver was slumped over the wheel so we ran to him and pulled him out of the car, Frazier, 37, told CNN. I checked for a pulse and found that it was vague. I almost couldnt find it at first. My coworker called 911, but I noticed his fingertips, his ears, and his lips were all blue.

Frazier immediately flipped him over and began performing CPR while talking to the man and telling him everything was going to be okay. After approximately 11 minutes of CPR, first responders arrived at the scene and took over.

A Taco Bell employee gave a man CPR after he passed out in the drive-thru. (Courtesy of Taco Bell)

I saw him grab one of their arms when they were lifting him up in the stretcher and that was when I knew he would be okay, Frazier said. I dont look at myself as a hero. This is what I was supposed to do. It doesnt matter who he was or what skin color he had. I knew I was there to save his life. But it really was overwhelming emotionally. After I just smoked a cigarette and cried.

Marquita Johnson, the Clarksville Taco Bell general manager, said she was in tears when she found out what happened. She says she was not surprised that Frazier immediately stepped in when she realized the man was in danger.

She normally works the night shift, but I needed her there with me on that day. She is a genuine person always willing to help anyone and everyone whenever she can, Johnson said. She is my hero. Im honored to be her boss.

Risking her life to save his

Frazier, who has two children, was a home health care worker for more than six years before joining Taco Bell, where shes been employed for 13 years.

She also suffers from sarcoidosis, a rare lung disease that puts her more at risk from the CCP virus.

I have been really scared about Covid-19, Frazier said. My preexisting condition can be deadly. But that never crossed my mind. It really didnt. All that mattered to me was saving that mans life. I wasnt going to leave him.

Sonja Nixon Frazier, right, and her two children. (Courtesy of Sonja Nixon Frazier)

After the incident, Frazier, who knew the mans name from his license, found him on Facebook and sent him a message to make sure he was okay.

I was never going to forget his face or his name, she said. I sent him a message telling him who I am, and he responded thanking me for saving his life and asking me how he could repay me. I told him knowing he was okay was enough repayment for me.

The man, who told Frazier he wanted to stay anonymous, promised her they would someday meet again in person.

We are incredibly proud to hear of the heroism and courage displayed by these team members to save a customers life in Clarksville, TN, a Taco Bell spokesperson told the news outlet.

Frazier hopes her story will encourage everyone to take a first aid class to learn CPR in case a loved one or a stranger needs help.

CNN Wire contributed to this report.
Black banh mi with beef and cheese (Photo: VNA)

Quang Ninh - A new kind of "banh mi" called "banh mi den" (black bread) in Quang Ninh province has caught much attention in recent time for its complete opposite colour to the regular golden yellow Vietnamese staple.

The black "banh mi" was inspired by the land where it comes from, Quang Ninh, home to Vietnam's biggest coal reserve. The northern province is dubbed "the land of coal mines."

Nguyen Van Quyet, a co-founder of BAMIMO, shared that he came up with the idea of baking black bread from a story of Tran Khac Tuan, another co-founder of BAMIMO. He felt nostalgia for baguettes serving workers in coal mines.

In the past, the baguettes were specially made for the miners meals. His father and other relatives brought the baguettes home for him.

So he thought why not elevate the baguettes and sell them.

The ingredient that makes the black colour for the baguette is mainly from ink sacs, Quyet said.

I go to the market and purchase ink sacs from fresh cuttlefish. When the cuttlefish are still fresh then the colour will be nice and pure black. It also doesnt have a fishy smell.

The ingredients of this "banh mi" is different from that of traditional ones: pate, egg, pork and lettuce.

But thats not all visitors will find at BAMIMO.

Here to match the cuttlefish ink used for colouring, seafood fillings are the order of the day such as crab and squid cakes.

It also comes with a combination of beef and cheese.

Customers can order online to get a taste of this sandwich, but many prefer to come in person to experience it at the store.

Doan Phuong Anh, 20, living in Cam Pha city, said it takes her 30 minutes away from here. "After work one day, my brother brought these banh mi home for my mother and me."

I was impressed with the appearance of the banh mi which is totally black. So today, my close friend and I came here to try other flavours.

I like the cheese ground beefcake the most, it is really fragrant and rich with pepper flavour.

I am also curious about what ingredient can make the banh mi this black and wonder if it has any special flavour compare to normal banh mi.

Widely welcomed by local and nearby residents, the founders expect to open more new stalls and hope the black banh mi can become a signature dish of Quang Ninh.

We hope it can soon be local food, a Quang Ninh speciality. When people go to Quang Ninh, they will think about black banh mi, about BAMIMO, Quyet said.

It may be black in colour, but there is nothing dull about this sandwich.

The shop is located at No.28 Phu Gia 3 residential complex, Vinhomes Ben Doan, Ha Long town, Quang Ninh province. It opens from 6h30 am to 9 pm.

Banh mi is a favorite snack among both locals and tourists in Vietnam. A typical banh mi costs about 20,000 VND. Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post called Vietnamese banh mi "a cheap snack and global hit, while British travel publication Culture Trip hailed it among the worlds best street snacks.

A typical banh mi is stuffed with anything from grilled pork, cold cuts and cucumber slices to cilantro, pickled carrots, liver pate, and a swipe of mayonnaise.
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has said that almost all fuel oil that had leaked from Japanese-owned ship off the country's coast has been pumped out. He noted that the entire operation had been a race against time amid fears of the ship breaking down and causing more damage.

The MV Wakashio was believed to have been carrying 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil but ran aground on a coral reef on July 25. According to reports, the pumped out oil has been transferred to shore by helicopter and to another ship owned by the same firm, Nagashiki Shipping.

Mauritius is known to be the home of world-famous coral reefs. France had sent a military aircraft with pollution-control equipment from its nearby island of Reunion and Japan has deployed a six-member team to assist the efforts made to contain the environmental disaster.

Read - Distressing Pictures: In Indian Ocean, Mauritius Struggles To Combat Calamitous Oil Spill

At the site of the spill in the south-east of the island, Mauritius coast guard and several police units are also present. Mauritius PM is reported to have said that over 3,000 of the 4,000 tonnes of oil from the ships fuel storages has been pumped out. The remaining is on board somewhere else.

Even Police spokesperson Shiva Cooten has reportedly assured that even though there is still work to do, the situation is under control. Previously, police chief Khemraj Servansing had informed that the cracks in the ship keep increasing and the authorities had ramped-up their deployment plan, along with the French Navy making provisions for high sea booms.

Read - Mauritius Seeks Compensation As Cleanup Continues

Mauritius PM declared emergency

On August 7, Mauritius PM had declared a state of emergency over the oil spill and had called for international assistance. Since then, volunteers have been assembling straw from fields and filling up sacks to make barriers against the oil spilt. According to reports, even the satellite images showed a dark slick spreading in the turquoise waters near the wetlands that government considers very sensitive to the marine ecology.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said that when the biodiversity is in peril, there is an urgency to take action. However, as per media agency reports, activists and environmentalists have still raised questions as to why the government did not take more swift action to control the spill when it had occurred on July 25 on a reef.

Read - Analyst On Mauritius Oil Spill; Clear-up Continues

Read - Mauritius Races To Contain Oil Spill, Protect Coastline

(Image Credits: AP)
Highlights Nokia 5.3 brings a big screen that is 6.5-inches in sizes and has a notch.

The photography on the Nokia 5.3 is handled by four rear cameras and one on the front.

Nokia 5.3 originally launched at HMD Global's March event.

Nokia 5.3 has gone official in India months after it appeared on the India website. The latest budget smartphone from Nokia has a beautiful design, which has become pretty standard for Nokia smartphones. It brings the Snapdragon 665 processor under the hood, which is a little old but is a quite capable chipset. And the biggest upgrade it has over its predecessors is the cameras that are three in number on the Nokia 5.3. Before we talk about the Nokia 5.3 and its specifications, let us get the price out of our way first.

Nokia 5.3 India Price

The Nokia 5.3 will be available in two storage variants: the 4GB RAM version costs Rs 13,999 and the 6GB version is priced at Rs 15,499. It comes in Cyan, Sand, and Charcoal colours. The sale will begin from September 1 but pre-bookings are now live on Amazon and Nokia online store.

If you are a Jio customer, you get benefits worth Rs 4,000 on Rs 349 recharge plan, which include Rs 2,000 instant cashback from Jio and vouchers worth Rs 2,000 from partners.

Nokia 5.3 Specifications

HMD Global does not want you to focus much on the specifications but the experience its smartphones have to offer. Yet, it has to give you something so that you are able to tell Nokia phones apart from the rest. These specifications are usually not much in line with what Nokia's rivals launch their smartphones, and it is something that you as a buyer should consider. Let us jump in.

Nokia 5.3 has a 6.5-inch HD+ display that has a waterdrop-style notch at the top. There is no Widevine L1 certification on the display, which means you cannot watch HD videos on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. Powering the smartphone is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor, which is a little dated before the Snapdragon 720G that the Poco M2 Pro has to offer. But it gets the job done. You will not feel much hassle multitasking on the smartphone and only heavy tasks can put the processor under pressure.

For photography, you get four cameras at the back - a 13-megapixel main sensor, a 5-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a depth camera. And the selfies are handled by the front-facing 8-megapixel camera that sits inside the notch. The Nokia 5.3 runs Android 10 under the Android One programme, which means there is no bloatware and you get stock Android-like experience on it. Nokia 5.3 has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 4G VoLTE, and a USB-C port. There is a fingerprint sensor on the back of the Nokia 5.3, apart from facial scanning.

Nokia 5.3 is backed by a 4000mAh battery that does not support any fast charging standards. It charges at up to 10W from the bundled charger.
Eleven people have been in indicted in what law enforcement officials say is an expanding probe into tractor-trailer accidents staged in New Orleans, Louisiana, to defraud trucking and insurance companies.

The 11 accused  10 from Louisiana and one from Arkansas  are charged in a seven-count federal indictment, according to United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser. The charges are: one count of Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371; and six counts of Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of five years for Count 1 and 20 years as to Counts 2-7. Upon their release from prison, each defendant can be placed on a term of supervised release for up to five years and fined up to $250,000.00 per count.

The Aug. 21 indictment charges the defendants and others with intentionally staging automobile accidents with tractor-trailers in New Orleans to defraud trucking and insurance companies. Charges in the current indictment relate to an incident on March 27, 2017, in which various defendants were involved in an alleged intentional collision with an 18-wheeler. The charges also stem from another alleged intentional crash with an 18-wheeler that occurred on May 17, as well as an alleged additional staged accident that took place 30 minutes later.

According to the indictment, one or more attorneys paid two participants to stage the accidents. Following the accidents participants were referred to the attorneys. In some cases, the attorneys knew that the participants were uninjured but referred them to medical providers for treatment to increase the value of subsequent lawsuits, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

In total, the victim trucking and insurance companies paid out $277,500.00 for these alleged fraudulent claims.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, the current indictment is connected to a previous one in which five persons were charged in a similar staged accident scheme involving tractor-trailers.

Source: U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana

Related:

Topics Auto Fraud USA Louisiana Abuse Molestation
More than two weeks after the powerful derecho windstorm devastated a large swath of the US Midwest on August 10, the working class and poor in the hard-hit state of Iowa are still suffering from the catastrophic damage caused by the storm in the face of a lack of resources or urgency from local, state and federal government agencies.

A total of 1.9 million residents across the region lost power due to the storm, with 1.4 million maximum simultaneous outages, broken down by state to 759,000 in Illinois, 585,000 in Iowa, 283,000 in Indiana, and 345,000 in other states such as Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Four total deaths due to the direct impact of the storm were reported, three in Iowa and one in Indiana. To add to the criminality of the response of the ruling class and government, there exist no warning systems for derechos although they have occurred in the past, a repetition of the failure to warn residents of tornados in many parts of the Midwest and South or to raise alarms in California over the wildfires that swept through the northern part of the state in 2018.

Ella Shears, left, and Mary Walker watch workers remove branches on a power line in their neighborhood, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

In Linn County, Iowa, where winds reached their highest velocity at 140 mph, residents face a serious humanitarian crisis. In the city of Cedar Rapids, the second-largest city in the state with a population of 126,326, every one of the citys 60,000 homes and businesses were damaged to some degree, according to Mayor Brad Hart. Across Iowa, the storm severely damaged an estimated 82,000 homes. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, roads were impassible, cell phone service was very spotty, and trash removal was stopped across much of the state.

At a Monday press conference on the state of emergency in the city, Cedar Rapids Department of Public Works officials explained that crews are continuing to work to remove an estimated 48,000 tons of debris from curbsides. To underscore both the city and states utter lack of preparation for such a disaster, officials noted that massive piles of debris in Cedar Rapids are continuing to pile up, with residents responsible for moving and hauling felled trees and other debris to their curbs for pickup. The total timeframe for cleanup and removal of tree debris in the Cedar Rapids area is expected to take months.

The city is using an outside contractor for pickup, meaning that it does not have the resources itself to coordinate cleanup from a natural disaster despite the recent experiences of major floods in the city in 2008 and 2016.

Meanwhile, traffic signals are still not fully operational, and most street and safety road signs have not been repaired. A curfew in Cedar Rapids that had been set following the storm to keep residents off hazardous roads, blocked by felled trees and power lines, has now been lifted indefinitely, yet roads are still blocked or unsafe for travel in several areas.

Beth Malicki of local Iowa news station KCRG spoke to PBS about the anger of the residents toward the callous response of officials at all levels of government toward their immediate needs What residents say they need most is the basics. Shelter, food, water, ice to keep insulin cold. They're not asking...to rebuild everything, because right now, this is a humanitarian crisis," she said.

Describing the popular response to the pace of aid and lack of any organization, she continued, "They're outraged; that's an understatement. There's been this lack of urgency in covering it. It's so desperate that people from nearby communities that weren't as hard-hit are going door-to-door to check on people

The anger, she noted, is directed at "decision-makers who they feel did not move quickly and effectively enough at all levels," local, state and federal. "We've found people stuck in their homes...that's not our job as media...we're not supposed to be emergency responders, or advocates of anything but the truth."

Malicki went on to admit that FEMA had called her newsroom because they were not able to get through to Cedar Rapids city officials to find out where aid was needed. "These people are living in imagery that is unimaginable to be happening in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the United States of America."

With the lack of any coordinated government response, residents must rely on charitable organizations for food assistance. At the press conference, the Salvation Army reported that 1,250 people were served lunch and dinner by the organization in the past week, but because the gym cafeteria was damaged by the storm, it has only the resources to provide grab-and-go meals twice daily on Wednesdays and Thursdays, hardly enough for the number of residents who are in need.

Cedar Rapids officials could not provide an update on exactly how many residents have been displaced, but estimate that 1,700 housing units were impacted by the stormfar lower than reported across other media outletsand that the need for housing assistance for families will likely extend to two to three months in an area where temporary housing in hotels and motels is continuously in flux.

Among the many residents who had their homes completely destroyed are several hundred families living in an apartment complex in Cedar Rapids that is home mainly to refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Micronesia, who are all the more vulnerable due to their tenuous immigration status and inability to understand English. After the storm, most residents had nowhere to go and many stayed in dangerous apartments with no roofs and with wires hanging down and nails and sharp objects jutting from walls.

Volunteer Kelly McMann described the desperate conditions to PBS, explaining, "It feels like [were] in a third-world nation here, this is like our version of a [Hurricane] Katrina, minus the deaths." The comparison to the devastating 2005 hurricane was apt, in both the scope of its damage and the governments negligent response.

Cedar Rapids city manager Jeff Pomeranz defended the city's highly inadequate response to the crisis in saying, "This is an unprecedented disaster...we've got council members working around the clock trying to make sure residents have a place to go."

Alliant Energy, which supplies power to Linn County, where Cedar Rapids sits, reported that 99 percent of customers finally had power restored 13 days post-storm. Mayor Hart told reporters at Mondays press conference that all power should be restored in the city in the coming daysover two weeks after the storm endedand that only 650 city residents still remain without power. In his comments, he made clear that the city is relying heavily on volunteer firefighters for recovery efforts, further underscoring the total lack of preparedness for the storm.

Hart went on to detail the austerity aid packages for residents that are being provided through Federal Emergency Management Agency grants requested by Republican Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. These include disaster loans of up to $200,000 in low-interest loans to homeowners, and additional assistance to homeowners and renters of up to $40,000 for terms of up to 30 years.

Governor Reynolds is scheduled to visit Cedar Rapids Tuesday to announce the distribution of Small Business Administration loans to businesses, many of which have been completely destroyed.

The widespread damage from the storm also threatens a possible food shortage in the US in the coming year, as over 14 million acres of crops were wiped out as wind gusts whipped across the state, exacerbating the hunger crisis brought on by job losses and rising food prices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact to Iowas farmland was so great that it was visible on satellite images taken by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Crops were flattened by the winds and had leaves stripped away by hail. Lance Lillibridge of the Iowa Corn Growers Association told Fox News that the storm destroyed 8.7 million acres of corn and 5.3 million acres of soybean, resulting in "a looming natural disaster that could affect the nation's food supply."

According to Lillibridge, without federal aid, many farmers will be in a dangerous situation where they "will probably just go under and be done." Even greater of a concern is the destruction of giant grain storage bins across the state that imploded under the force of the winds, which reached sustained speeds of 80-140 mph lasting for 40-50 mins, equivalent to a category 4 hurricane. The duration of high wind gusts was longer than derechos of the past, which typically endured less than 30 mins.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects the August 2020 derecho will be one of the costliest storm events in the past decade, with agricultural economists estimating damage of $4 billion. While the state at all levels has been utterly slow to respond with even the bare minimum of aid, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, whose company announced in February the opening of its first fulfillment center in the state just outside of Iowa City, increased his net worth by $13 billion during a single day in July.

As it was with the wildfires in California and the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, the criminal nature of the ruling class is revealed in its response to the humanitarian crisis in Iowa. The government and the corporations are allowed to get off scot-free, and the working class is left to pay for its negligence.

The Trump administration has treated the derecho as if it was another thunderstorm that residents will push through, a mirroring of the same attitude taken by the ruling class toward the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Reynolds waited until August 13 to declare a disaster in the state and did not request federal aid until August 16, asking for only $4 billion from the federal government.

The Trump administration approved a paltry $45 million of Governor Reynolds' aid request on August 17, covering 16 counties, for debris removal and repairs to government buildings and utilities. The administration did not immediately approve the individual assistance request for 27 counties that includes $82.7 million for homes destroyed or with major damage and $3.77 billion for agriculture damage to farmland, grain bins and buildings and $100 million for private utility repairs. An amended individual assistance plan, with cuts that Reynolds agreed to, was implemented on August 20.
Oil companies have shut in roughly 82 per cent of offshore oil production in the Gulf of Mexico and are securing refineries and petrochemical plants as two tropical storms barrel toward Louisiana and Texas.

Tropical storm Marco approached the Louisiana coast Monday afternoon, while tropical storm Laura is poised to strengthen into a hurricane Tuesday as it sweeps across the Gulf of Mexico before nearing the Louisiana and Texas coastline late Wednesday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The region is the heart of Americas fuel-making and chemicals corridor, home to nearly half of the nations refining capacity, according to the Energy Information Administration. Roughly 1.5 million barrels a day worth of oil output in the Gulf had been shut off as of Monday, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, or around 14 per cent of the oil produced in the U.S.

Gulf Coast refineries, typically located in low-lying coastal areas, are vulnerable to both wind damage that affects power grids and prolonged flooding that can affect pumps and other ground-level equipment. Hurricane Harvey, for example, forced roughly a quarter of U.S. refining capacity to close in 2017 when the storm inundated the Houston area.

Chemical facilities face similar dangers, but a temporary loss of some petrochemical products isnt likely to affect consumers, analysts said.

If the path of Laura, expected to be the more powerful of the two storms, moves further into Texas, the impact on U.S. refineries could be more significant, said Andy Lipow, an oil analyst at Lipow Oil Associates LLC in Houston. But Lipow said he didnt expect a substantial supply disruption from either storm as inventories of gasoline and diesel were both well above last years levels.

Severe weather can send prices at the pump soaring, but American drivers are unlikely to see major impacts this time around because demand remains depressed due to COVID-19, fuel stockpiles are high and refiners elsewhere likely could pick up any slack.

If there is an impact from the storm, its more likely to be local outages, local disruption, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, referring to Laura. It should not be a pricing event.

U.S. benchmark oil prices increased less than one per cent Monday, to nearly $43 (U.S.) a barrel. Regular gasoline prices averaged about $2.20 a gallon, according to GasBuddy, around 15 per cent below year-ago prices.

U.S. fuel makers have already reduced processing this year in light of weak demand due to the coronavirus pandemic. If the tropical storms cause refineries to shut down in parts of Louisiana, for example, refiners in the Houston area could easily ramp up fuel production, said Sandy Fielden, an analyst at financial services firm Morningstar Inc.

Theres no shortage of product, Fielden said. Its not a tight market.

U.S. refiners were operating at around 81 per cent of capacity in mid-August, down from around 96 per cent a year earlier, according to the EIA.

Offshore, Exxon Mobil Corp. has evacuated personnel from its one Gulf of Mexico platform, with minimal impact to its production, while the companys Gulf Coast refinery operations were normal, spokesperson Todd Spitler said.

ExxonMobil is closely monitoring the storms and continues to prepare for severe weather at offshore and coastal operations in the Gulf of Mexico, Spitler said.

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, meanwhile, had paused production at all but one of the nine assets it operates in the Gulf of Mexico and evacuated non-essential personnel. Chevron Corp. also pumped the brakes on offshore production in the region and evacuated employees and contractors.

BP PLC shut in Gulf of Mexico production and evacuated people working offshore as well as those at a facility near New Orleans.

Colonial Pipeline Co., which ships fuels into the northeast U.S. from the Houston area, said it was in contact with refiners and didnt have plans to shut down any portion of its system.
The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday filed a charge sheet before Delhi court against Pakistan-based Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin and 11 others for allegedly laundering money for financing terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The agency said the charge sheet is also related to blasts carried out by the terror group in Jammu and Kashmir in 2011 in alleged connivance with the Pakistani government and its spying arm Inter-Services Intelligence.

The prosecution complaint, ED's equivalent to charge sheet, has urged the court for confiscating attached assets totalling to Rs 1.22 crores in the case, besides other punishment under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The case is likely to be taken up by the court soon.

The central probe agency had filed a criminal case of money laundering after taking cognisance of a National Investigating Agency (NIA) charge sheet filed against Salahuddin, Mohammad Shafi Shah and others under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The ED charge sheet filed before a special court under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) named Mohammad Shafi Shah alias Doctor/Dawood/Nisar, Talib Lali alias Talib Hussain Lali/Waseem/Abu Umer, Mohd Yusuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin, Gulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan, Umer Farooq Shera alias Mehboob-ul-Haq, Manzoor Ahmed Dar alias Masroor Dar, Zaffar Hussain Bhat alias Khursheed, Nazir Ahmad Dar alias Shabir Ellahi/Khalid, Abdul Majeed Sofi alias Majeed Bisati/Shaheen, Mubarak Shah, Muzaffar Ahmad Dar/Gaznavi/Mohd Ali and Mushtaq Ahmad Lone alias Mushtaq Aalam.

The agency said it took over probe in the case after taking congnisance of a 2011 first information report of the NIA in which Mohammad Shafi Shah and his associates were alleged to be involved in execution of sensational blasts in Jammu and Kashmir and huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from them.

The ED said its money laundering investigation found 'that Hizbul Mujahideen-- the most active terror outfit in Kashmir, has been responsible for funding terrorist and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir headed by Syed Salahuddin-- its self-styled commander based out of Rawalpindi in Pakistan'.

"The funding of terrorism activities on Indian soil had been organised by a trust called JKART (Jammu & Kashmir Affectees Relief Trust) which was operating in connivance with the government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the ISI," the ED said.

"It is also revealed, the ED said, that the terror funds were sent to India through the hawala channel, barter traders and human carriers."

"The funds were further distributed through hawala, human carriers and banking channels to the next of kin of active as well as dead Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists," the agency said.

The 'master minds' behind the distribution of these funds, allegedly used for financing of terrorist activities in the Kashmir valley, were Mohammad Shafi and Talib Lali, residents of Bandipora in J-K, Muzaffar Ahmed Dar of Budgam and Mushtaq Ahmed Lone of Anantnag.

The agency said it has earlier attached 13 properties, worth Rs 1.22 crore, 'belonging' to seven terrorists as part of this investigation.
The New York State attorney generals office has asked a judge to order President Trumps son Eric to testify under oath in an inquiry into the Trump familys real estate firm, court papers show.

The filings in state court in Manhattan, made public on Monday, also ask the judge to order the real estate company, the Trump Organization, to hand over documents about four properties the attorney generals office is investigating as part of an inquiry begun last year, one that the office says the company has stalled for months.

Eric Trump, the executive vice president of the company, abruptly canceled an interview under oath with the attorney generals office last month, and last week the Trump Organization told the office that the company and its lawyers would not comply with seven subpoenas related to the investigation.

Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, started the civil inquiry in March 2019 after President Trumps former lawyer, Michael D. Cohen, told Congress that the president had inflated his assets in financial statements to banks when seeking loans and understated them elsewhere to reduce his taxes.
A vigil took place last night for a teenager who died in a collision with a bus in north Dublin.

Ballymun native Shane Murphy (17) was on a motorbike when he died following a collision with a Dublin Bus on Sunday.

He was travelling along the R122 and the R108 at St Margaret's, Finglas when he was fatally injured just before 8pm.

His body was removed from the scene and taken to the mortuary where a post-mortem will take place.

The bus driver, a man in his 50s, did not sustain any injuries but was treated for shock at the scene.

Hundreds of locals gathered near the scene of the accident last night to pay their respects to Shane.

A large number of teenagers and young adults converged at a field off the R108 to bid farewell, some fired off firecrackers as a tribute.

A young woman who lived near Shane in Poppintree said the boy was very popular in the area and will be sadly missed by his family.

He was the second-eldest of five children and was well known at the local GAA club where he played hurling, she told the Herald.

"The family is just devastated," she said. "So many people came out to show their respects."

The road was closed for some time on Sunday while gardai investigated the scene.

They are appealing for any witnesses or drivers with dashcam footage to contact them. Dublin Bus said in a statement that the bus was out of service at the time and that no customers were on board.

Shane was a former member of the Cumann Baire Setanta GAA club in Ballymun, which expressed its condolences last night.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of a former club member Shane Murphy this evening.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time," the club said in a statement.

Devastating

Tributes also poured in from loved ones as the community tried to come to grips with the teenager's passing.

"Sorry to hear about Shane, such a nice kid and a great laugh rest in peace little man," one tribute read.

Local Fianna Fail councillor Keith Connolly extended his condolences to Mr Murphy's family, saying: "From what I heard he was a very likeable character and was involved in the GAA and other clubs. Obviously, losing someone of that age is devastating for the community too."

Gardai are appealing to any road users who may have travelled the road to contact Finglas Garda Station.
"We are beyond grateful to Vortic for their generous contributions and continued support," says Sam Cannan, founder of Veterans Watchmaker Initiative. "With this donation, we will be able to continue to provide veterans with the training necessary to repair timepieces and restore their own dignity of purpose."

As part of the presentation held in Odessa, Delaware, VWI revealed the plans for a new service center dedicated in honor of Vortic's co-founder, R.T. Custer, and unveiled a plaque officially naming the structure the R.T. Custer Vortic Building.

"VWI turned the tables on us with the surprise dedication," says Custer, "I'm humbled to be a part of an organization that is paving the way for future watchmakers and provides an invaluable service to our veterans. I'm excited for what the future holds for VWI and am thankful to be a small part of their success."

VWI expects the new service center to be complete by the fall of 2020. In continuation of the partnership, Vortic, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado, will launch this year's Military Edition on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2020, and again pledges to donate $500 from the sale of each watch to VWI.

To learn more about Vortic Watch Company and Veterans Watchmaker Initiative and to make donations, please visit www.vorticwatches.com/military and http://veteranswatchmakerinitiative.org.

About Vortic Watch Company

Founded at Penn State University in 2013, Vortic Watch Company preserves American history one watch at a time. Most antique American pocket watches today are scrapped for precious metal value of their gold or silver cases. Vortic instead salvages, restores and transforms those pieces of American history into unique wristwatches. Each and every timepiece is one of a kind, and built by hand in the Fort Collins, Colorado workshop.

SOURCE Vortic Watch Company

Related Links

https://www.vorticwatches.com


British drugmaker AstraZeneca has begun testing an antibody-based cocktail for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, adding to recent signs of progress on possible medical solutions to the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The London-listed firm, already among the leading players in the global race to develop a successful vaccine, said the study would evaluate if AZD7442, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), was safe and tolerable in up to 48 healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 55 years.

If the UK-based early-stage trial, which has dosed its participants, shows AZD7442 is safe, AstraZeneca said it would proceed to test it as both a preventative treatment for COVID-19 and a medicine for patients who have it, in larger, mid-to-late-stage studies.

AstraZeneca shares were up about 1% at 87 pounds ($114) in early trading.

Development of mAbs to target the virus, an approach already being tested by Regeneron, ELi Lilly, Roche and Molecular Partners, has been endorsed by leading scientists.

mAbs mimic natural antibodies generated in the body to fight off infection and can be synthesised in the laboratory to treat diseases in patients. Current uses include treatment of some types of cancers.

U.S. infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci has called them "almost a sure bet" against COVID-19, and AstraZeneca in June received $23.7 million in funding from U.S. government agencies to advance development of antibody-based treatments for COVID-19.

"This combination of antibodies, coupled to our proprietary half-life extension technology, has the potential to improve both the effectiveness and durability of use in addition to reducing the likelihood of viral resistance," said Astra's executive vice president of biopharmaceuticals R&D Mene Pangalos.

Though vaccines are at the heart of the long-term fight against the pandemic, alternative treatments are also being advanced, and the United States on Sunday authorized use of recovered COVID-19 patients' plasma to treat those who are ill.

The Financial Times reported at the weekend that President Donald Trump's administration was considering a fast-tracked approval of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine before November's elections.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.

Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!
The Shillong Times, the oldest English broadsheet newspaper in northeast India, was temporarily shut down by the local administration on August 23 for allegedly violating Covid-19 health protocols. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Indian affiliate the Indian journalists Union (IJU) are concerned by the governments forced shutdown and urge the authorities to allow the media outlet to continue operations as an essential service.

The East Khasi Hills district administration of Meghalaya state imposed a 10 day shutdown of the newspaper after three of its staffers tested positive for the Covid-19. The administration, also accusing the newspaper of violating Covid-19 health protocols, sealed the newspaper premises and declared the newspapers office in Rilbong a containment area. The shutdown order, the first of its type in India, issued by the government outlined that the newspaper violated all protocols of social distancing, wearing of face masks and hand sanitization among others.

With the imposition of shutdown, the Shillong Times is not seen on the newsstands for the first time of its 75 years history.

The newspapers management however notes that their voice being stifled at the cruel hands of the law as they had diligently adhered to Covid-19 protocols. The Shillong Times editor Patricia Mukhim accuses the government of issuing the order without conducting a proper and objective inspection of the building and the activities of the Shillong Times staffers. Manas Chaudhuri, the newspapers owner and former editor, accuses the governments decision of being presumptuous.

The IJU Secretary General Sabina Inderjit said: The ad-hoc order to close the newspaper sends wrong message to public. The authorities should have discussed the issue with the newspapers management before. Therefore, the IJU urges authorities to heed to the newspapers request to allow continue its operation.

The IFJ said: The abrupt closure notice by the administration is a violation of press freedom and the rights of workers. We urge authorities to withdraw the order and allow the newspaper to continue its operation while maintaining adherence to Covid-19 health protocols and safety measures.
New Brunswick's economy is projected to fully rebound and grow 1.2 per cent beyond its pre-pandemic levels by next year, the second best rate of recovery in Canada, according to the latest economic outlook from the Bank of Montreal.

The bank updates provincial economic projections weekly and in its latest edition suggests five provinces are likely to see their economies get back to 2019 levels by 2021 although only Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick are picked to move more than 1 per cent higher.

It's a development the bank's chief economist Douglas Porter is crediting largely to the provinces' successful handling of the COVID-19 crises.

"I put it down mostly to the better performance with the virus in general," said Porter.

"The Maritimes have fared much better than the rest of the country to the point where they can almost operate close to normal now, certainly closer than much of the rest of the country."

National economy won't bounce back until 2022

By contrast the national economy is not expected by the bank to get fully past its 2019 gross domestic product levels until 2022.

Nevertheless the handling of New Brunswick's economy has become a central issue in the province's provincial election campaign with Liberals contending not enough is being done to support recovery.

We're doing well right now in comparison to other provinces. I am not going to promise you things with your tax dollars to buy your vote. - PC Leader Blaine Higgs

On Monday Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers continued his attack that PC Leader Blaine Higgs should be accessing more infrastructure money from Ottawa, matching it with provincial funds and spending it on needed projects to stimulate more growth.

"We need to stabilize our province's situation. Right now New Brunswick is headed for the wall." said Vickers.

"If we continue at this pace it will take decades to recover."

COVID-19 pushes budget into the red

Story continues

Roger Melanson, Liberal campaign finance spokesperson and the province's former finance minister, said even if New Brunswick is projected to weather the current economic downturn better than other provinces, that does not undermine Liberal election messaging that Higgs is mismanaging the recovery.

"If our provincial government would want to partner with the federal government and some municipalities our growth would be even more significant," said Melanson.

CBC News

Melanson said he could not give an exact figure on how much more money the province should be spending.

The pandemic has pushed New Brunswick's budget into the red although the province has kept a tighter lid on its finances than all other provinces.

Last week the New Brunswick's Department of Finance, released an updated fiscal outlook projecting a budget deficit of $304.9 million this year.

At $390 per person, it will be the smallest per capita deficit in Canada among the ten provinces, which as a group are spending an average of $2,400 per person more than they are raising in revenue. The federal government's deficit this year is more than $9,000 per person

CBC News

But even with a lower deficit than other provinces this year New Brunswick still has the second highest debt level as a percentage of its economy after Newfoundland and Labrador.

On Monday Higgs said the province will be better served by not spending more.

"We're doing well right now in comparison to other provinces," he said.

"I am not going to promise you things with your tax dollars to buy your vote."

Economist advises to 'stay flexible'

Porter said governments around the world are debating how much to spend on recovery and how much to hold in reserve in case the virus mounts a return this fall or winter.

"My advice would basically be stay flexible and see how things develop," said Porter.

"New Brunswick is in better shape (than other provinces) and there's probably a little less immediate requirement for government to step in at this point."
Over the past few months, we have seen a national reckoning around issues of race and policing, with millions taking to the streets to protest the unjust treatment of Black and brown Americans by our broken criminal justice system. Now, for the first time in years, a majority of the public agrees with the need to reform policing. Whats needed now is the ability to channel this public support into legislative change  and that can only happen if we have leaders at all levels of government who are truly and demonstrably committed to the work of dismantling systemic racism.

As a Black man and the City Council President in Springfield, Massachusetts, I have been on the frontlines of the fight for racial justice in my city. And, as the father of Black children, I have a deep understanding of the life-and-death stakes and the need to confront these issues head-on.

Thats why Im supporting Mayor Alex Morses campaign for Congress. Mayor Morse is a committed ally to the fight for racial justice, and has shown his commitment throughout his time in office. His opponent, the thirty-year incumbent Richard Neal, has been a reluctant supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and has been unwilling to reflect on the damage he has done  both as Congressman and when he was mayor of Springfield  to that effort.

As mayor, Alex Morse oversees the Holyoke Police Department. In the eight years since he took office, hes implemented a strategy of community policing. Thanks in large part to Mayor Morses leadership, forty percent of officers are people of color who grew up in the community, and ninety percent have been trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation. During Mayor Morses whole time in office, no officer has had to even fire a shot.

Morse has led the charge to fully repurpose all of the Holyoke Police Departments military equipment and implemented #8CantWait policies, which places new restrictions on the use of force. This includes banning chokeholds and strangleholds, banning shooting at moving vehicles, and requiring that all use of force be reported. He has also put in place a Civilian Review Committee to review the citys policing policies and provide feedback and recommendations, and signed onto the Mayors Pledge issued by the Obama Foundations My Brothers Keeper Alliance.

Now, all police departments face big challenges, and the Holyoke Police Department is no exception. Recent attack ads by allies of Congressman Neal highlight an unfortunate incident from the year 2014, in which a 12-year-old was injured in an encounter with Holyoke police. The city settled with the family. But these ads misconstrue key facts of the case in an attempt to criticize the mayors record. Moreover, federal qualified immunity statutes make the city party to such lawsuits, and make it impossible for the mayor to comment publicly on this case.

As a candidate for Congress, Mayor Morse has voiced his support for state and federal reforms to end qualified immunity. Moreover, he has supported federal bans on facial recognition technology and requirements that all officers wear body cameras and submit to implicit bias training. During a Black community town hall I helped organize, I heard firsthand from Mayor Morse about his commitment to combating racism in our country and ensuring that officers live up to their promise to protect and serve.

I know Alex Morse, and I know he would never turn a blind eye to injustice. His record on racial and social justice is clear. He was the only mayor in Massachusetts to support marijuana legalization  combating the harmful effects of prohibition on communities of color  and he declared Holyoke a sanctuary city in 2014. When President Trump threatened to strip federal funding from sanctuary cities, Mayor Morse stood fast in defense of his vision of an inclusive, welcoming community. He led the charge to fully repurpose all of the Holyoke Police Departments military equipment and implemented #8CantWait policies, which places new restrictions on the use of force. All of these steps indicate Morses strong commitment to stronger, safer, more just communities.

Congressman Neal, while a supporter of civil rights, has too often failed to grasp the scale of the challenge or to propose solutions that meet the moment adequately. Similarly, hes failed to reckon with his own flawed record. When Neal was mayor of my city of Springfield, his police department wrongfully imprisoned a Black man, Mark Schand, for a murder he didnt commit. Just last year, a jury awarded Schand $27 million.

Moreover, Neal has been silent as one of his biggest supporters, Mayor Domenic Sarno of Springfield, has embraced Trumpism locally. This is important to me. As City Council President, I have taken the fight right to Sarno on these issues. Ive organized local events. Ive pushed for a police commission. Ive spoken up for the rights of the undocumented residents our city. Support from Congressman Neal could have helped me in this fight for our citys most vulnerable, but he has remained silent.

When the George Floyd protests first broke out, Mayor Morse released a thoughtful meditation on race and policing in America. He wrote: I will do everything in my power to align my words and actions with the cause of anti-racism, to wring as much bias out of myself as I can, to continue to keep my heart open to my fellow Americans. Thats the type of honest and self-critical leadership we need on the federal level. We deserve better.

Justin Hurst is president of the Springfield City Council.
To say that the year 2020 is strange is an under-statement for these time. Everyone is facing serious personal and economic challenges. This is especially true in the Texas wine industry.

After asking many wineries, the answers were relatively the same all over Texas. Local winery owner James Barber with Blue Epiphany Winery, replied, we're doing "OK" but not well.

As you're aware, Gov. Greg Abbott has shut down "bars and similar establishments" which this time he expanded to include winery, brewery and distillery tasting rooms. You know more than anyone that we are certainly NOT bars, but nevertheless, here we are ... shut.

Susan Auler with Fall Creek Winery in the Texas Hill Country replied to my inquiry, Since the beginning of COVID-19 era back in March, we have been limited to carry-out and online sales except for month of June, when guests came rushing back to visit us and enjoy our two beautiful winery properties. Since we adopted tableside serving of tastings several years ago, we were happy to get back to treating our customers to good service, education and hospitality as we were accustomed to doing in a very safe, sanitary and socially distanced manner. Unfortunately, the Governors task force shut wineries down again at the later part of June, so this was a continuation of the financial drain, while we continued to keep all full time employees on board.

Kristi Ward with Llano Estacado Winery in Lubbock told me, Our Tasting Room is closed for tours and tastings. We are only allowed to do curbside service. A large part of our business has been lost because of not being able to do tastings. Customers want to come in and try new wines before they buy. We are located outside of the city limits so this limits us even more because we do not get a lot of traffic out here. We have run a few specials on wines that our customers cannot buy in stores to draw them out here to the winery. Our Event Center has also been hit very hard over the last few months. We have had to cancel or reschedule many weddings. June through August we typically have a wedding every weekend. This year we have had a total of three small weddings. Some wineries around us have started to open up for outside service but we do not offer any food or have a large patio for our customers to sit outside. TABC has allowed wineries to apply as a restaurant but you still have to keep your alcohol sales below 51 percent and offer food. We did not think this would work for us.

Bruce Anderson at Sunset Winery also told me, When COVID-19 first reared its ugly head, my only employee bowed out and has been pretty well home bound since -- taking care of his very fragile wife. I cut back on hours, and eliminated tastings but continued to welcome guests to enjoy wine at appropriate distances on our deck and of course we stopped having events. All that cut into revenue. I scheduled a private event now and then. Had one scheduled for today -- until TABC came out with their latest rules implementing the Governor's mandates.

Every winery in Texas I have visited is going through the same scenario. Every winery believes that Gov. Abbotts mandate of lumping wineries in the same classification as bar is wrong. Now here is where you as the consumer can help Texas wineries in these strange times. Contact Gov. Greg Abbotts Office to ask him via Executive Order to take wineries out of the same classification as bars.

Allow wineries to open with restrictions on occupancy both inside the tasting rooms and outside on the winery grounds. All wine tastings should be via reservations and seated at isolated tables with masked servers providing wine tastings using pre-poured servings of flights of wines with tastings notes. These types of precautions should provide the type of controls to keep the COVID-19 in control. A concerted effort in contacting Gov. Abbott and his office will hopefully allow wineries to re-open with controls in place. Texas wine supporters can lean more at savetexaswineries.org and #SaveTexasWineries. Can we count on you to support this cause?

Ron Saikowski may be reached at rsaikowski@comcast.net.
An exhibition dedicated to the history of the "Solidarity" trade union from Poland of 1989 can be admired, starting Tuesday, on the fence of the former Royal Palace.

According to a release from the National Museum of Art of Romania (MNAR), sent on Tuesday to AGERPRES, entitled "The 40th anniversary of the Solidarity Revolution", the exhibition is being prepared in Romanian by the Polish Institute in Bucharest.

"The '40th anniversary of the Solidarity Revolution' can be watched outdoors until September 10, being displayed on the fence of the former Royal Palace, right in the vicinity of Revolution Square. The exhibition is held on the 40th anniversary of the Solidarity union's founding in Poland, which contributed to the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe," the quoted source said.

Between September 10 and 30, the exhibition will be on display on the fence of the Museum of Art Collections on no. 111 Calea Victoriei.

The Independent Trade Union "Solidarity" was officially registered on September 17, 1980, due to a large wave of workers' strikes, and at its peak gathered 10 million Poles. The union gave hope for a dignified, better life in freedom.

The great social movement "Solidarity", led by Lech Walesa, helped people organize and express their wishes, and the country's communist authorities were forced to negotiate and reach agreements with trade unionists. The slogan "There is no freedom without solidarity" became the message of a peaceful revolution and remained in the minds of Poles for years.

Led by "Solidarity" through peaceful methods, the 1989 revolution led to the fall of communism in Poland. It also caused an avalanche that affected the entire so-called Eastern bloc and ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall, and later with the end of Nicolae Ceausescu's dictatorship in Romania.

AGERPRES .
By Ayya Lmahamad

An online business forum was held on August 25 with the participation of leading textile companies of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijani enterprises and retailers interested in Uzbek products.

The forum titled Made in Uzbekistan was organized at the initiative of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Azerbaijan.

The main goal of the forum, which is held for the second time, is to create opportunities for manufacturers of export-oriented textile products to find a new distributor, expand partner network, create joint ventures with Azerbaijani companies.

Addressing the forum, newly-appointed Ambassador of Uzbekistan Bahrom Ashrafkhanov said that packages of measures to support the affected sectors of the economy have been adopted and are being implemented in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

He stressed that a great interest of participants from business structures of the two countries gives confidence that this business forum will become a milestone event in the further strengthening and development of Uzbek- Azerbaijani relations.

On his turn, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Nematov noted that holding of such events becomes a good tradition in relations between two countries, making a worthy contribution to further development of mutually beneficial partnership relations.

Nematov expressed his confidence that the forum will create opportunities for Uzbek producers of export-oriented textile products to find a new distributor, expand partner network and organize joint ventures with Azerbaijani companies.

Additionally, it was stated that the possibilities of development of cooperation in the sphere of agro-industrial complex will be studied, including the use of Azerbaijan's experience in cultivation of hazelnut, pomegranate and other crops.

It should be noted that Uzbek Ambassador to Azerbaijan Bahrom Ashrafkhanov met with the Deputy Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan Elmir Velizade on August 20.

During the meeting, the sides discussed issues of further development of cooperation in the field of transport and logistics, using the opportunities of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, as well as the Baku International Sea Trade Port.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
FREDERICTONThe New Brunswick Medical Society is calling on political parties to make health care the top priority of the provincial election campaign.

President Dr. Chris Goodyear said Tuesday that COVID-19 has highlighted the need for more spending in the health-care network.

Were advocating for a different approach, but thats going to entail higher spending, he said in an interview. We are in the middle of a global pandemic and that has shed a lot of light on the cracks in our health-care system.

For too long, New Brunswicks health system has remained stagnant and now is the time for tangible change to improve access to care, he said.

Our approach is to work with the next government ... and sit down and discuss what health care is going to look like in the province of New Brunswick for the next 10 to 20 years, Goodyear said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that government and health-care professionals can work together to respond to the needs of the public when faced with unprecedented challenges, he said.

Goodyear said New Brunswicks health system is suffering from a shortage of professionals and hospital beds, and has some of the longest wait times for surgery in the country.

More than 30,000 New Brunswickers are without a family doctor, he said. The province needs a centralized system that a health professional interested in working in New Brunswick can call to get all their questions answered, he added.

Goodyear said the medical society isnt taking sides in this election.

We want to sit down with the next government of the province, along with other health-care professionals and really look at what the needs of New Brunswickers are going forward, he said.

Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers said Tuesday if his party is elected, hell prevent health authorities from closing rural hospitals and rural emergency rooms.

Our health-care system should make New Brunswickers feel more safe, not less safe, Vickers said outside the Sussex Health Centre, during a campaign stop in Sussex.

If the Progressive Conservatives under leader Blaine Higgs are re-elected, he warned, theyll bring back a plan to cut services.

It wont just be emergency rooms, Vickers said. It will be other cuts as well. Lets not forget that emergency rooms were just part of phase one of Higgs plan to cut health care. There was a phase two he never revealed to New Brunswickers.

Former Tory deputy premier Robert Gauvin left the party in February to sit as an Independent in protest over health-care reforms that would have seen the nighttime closure of emergency rooms at some rural hospitals.

Higgs government later scrapped the idea because of public backlash and gaps identified in the plan.

Gauvin, who is now running for the Liberals, said Tuesday he believes Higgs still wants to make the cuts. He wanted this, and now he wants a majority, Gauvin said.

But Higgs has repeatedly said in recent weeks he wont cut emergency room services.

There will be no closures of ERs in these hospitals, Higgs said Tuesday in Moncton. We are looking at how we manage our health-care system, but there will be no closures of ERs.

We will work with every community to understand how we can best utilize the hospitals that exist to deliver health care anywhere in this province, he said.

If re-elected, Higgs continued, his government would advance its 10-year housing plan and get more people off the waiting list for subsidized housing. He said his 2020 budget provided a $5.4-million increase to social assistance rates.

Over the life of the agreement, weve set a target of eliminating 1,200 households from the waiting list for subsidized housing, Higgs told reporters. By 2022, 151 new subsidized housing units will be created.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Alliance used its daily news conference to call for more support for people battling drug addictions.

We know that helping people to overcome drug addiction is the key to a healthier individual, which benefits the entire community, candidate Michelle Conroy said in Miramichi.

We need to help those who are drug-addicted so we can contain the crime happening in our area, she said.

Green Leader David Coon said Tuesday a Green government would ensure people living with disabilities are fully included in New Brunswick society.

While we have successfully included children with disabilities into our school system, we fail to include people with disabilities in our broader society, he said.

A Green government would introduce a number of initiatives to help disabled people, he promised, such tabling a New Brunswick accessibility act.

The provincial election is set for Sept. 14.

Read more about:
Describing herself as a proud daughter of Indian immigrants who wore a turban and a saree, top Republican politician has narrated her story to strongly reject the Democratic Party's "fashionable" statement that "America is racist."



The 48-year-old former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Haley is the only Indian-American listed so far to be speaking at the Republican National Convention which on Thursday would formally re-nominate President Donald Trump as its candidate for the November 3 presidential election.

Twice elected as the Governor of South Carolina, Haley said, In much of the Democratic Party, it's now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie. America is not a racist country."



This is personal for me. I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. They came to America and settled in a small southern town. My father wore a turban. My mother wore a sari. I was a brown girl in a black and white world, she said on Monday at the mostly virtual four-day convention.

Haley said her family faced discrimination and hardship but her parents never gave in to grievance and hate.

"My mom built a successful business. My dad taught 30 years at a historically Black college. And the people of South Carolina chose me as their first minority and first female governor, Haley said.

America is a story that's a work in progress. Now is the time to build on that progress, and make America even freer, fairer, and better for everyone. That's why it's tragic to see so much of the Democratic Party turn a blind eye toward riots and rage, she said.

She said the American people know they can do better.

"And of course we know that every single black life is valuable. The black cops who've been shot in the line of duty they matter. The black small business owners who've watched their life's work go up in flames they matter," she said.

"The black kids who've been gunned down on the playground their lives matter too. And their lives are being ruined and stolen by the violence on our streets, she said.

She said things were not like this five years back.

It doesn't have to be like this. It wasn't like this in South Carolina five years ago. Our state came face-to-face with evil. A white supremacist walked into Mother Emanuel Church during Bible Study," she said, referring to the 2015 Charleston church shooting, in which nine African Americans were killed.

"Twelve African Americans pulled up a chair and prayed with him for an hour. Then he began to shoot, she said.

After that horrific tragedy, we didn't turn against each other. We came together black and white, Democrat and Republican. Together, we made the hard choices needed to heal and removed a divisive symbol, peacefully and respectfully," she added.

What happened then should give us hope now, Haley said.

"America isn't perfect. But the principles we hold dear are perfect. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that even on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America, Haley said.

It's time to keep that blessing alive for the next generation. This President, and this Party, are committed to that noble task. We seek a nation that rises together, not falls apart in anarchy and anger. We know that the only way to overcome America's challenges is to embrace America's strengths, she said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Syracuse, N.Y.  Astronaut and Syracuse native Jeanette Epps has finally gotten what shes been working for all her life: A six-month expedition aboard the International Space Station.

Epps was assigned to NASAs Boeing Starliner-1 mission, the first operational crewed flight on that spacecraft to the orbiting space laboratory, NASA announced Tuesday. She will join fellow astronauts Sunita Williams and John Cassada.

They are both wonderful people to work with, so Im looking forward to the mission, Epps said in a short video she posted on Twitter.

Epps was born in Syracuse and attended Clary Middle School. She graduated from Corcoran High School in 1988 and went on to 11 1/2 more years of schooling, beginning at Le Moyne College. She graduated with a degree in physics in 1992. She eventually earned her doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland.

She was part of NASA 20th astronaut class, announced in 2009. She was one of nine selected out of 3,500 applicants. Before that, she spent seven years as a technical intelligence officer with the Central Intelligence Agency.

She was scheduled for a spaceflight previously that would have launched in 2018. In January 2018, however, NASA abruptly announced that she was removed from the flight and did not provide a reason.

It was really tough at first,' she said previously. But things happen, and how you deal with it is important. It doesnt change the things I accomplished.

The flight in 2018 would have made her the first African American crew member to live on the International Space Station. A NASA spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether her selection for the crew announced today made history in that way.

Epps will join her fellow astronauts for the six-month expedition that launches next year aboard Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. NASA is working with private companies to develop capacity to carry crews to low-Earth orbit and to the ISS, according to a news release.

Contact reporter Patrick Lohmann at (315)766-6670 or PLohmann@Syracuse.com.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 23:09:39|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

MOSCOW, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Russian MiG-31BM interceptor jet was scrambled Tuesday to prevent a possible violation of the country's border by a Norwegian plane over the Barents Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

"On Aug. 25, Russian airspace control systems detected an air target approaching the Russian border over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea," the ministry's Zvezda broadcasting service said in a statement.

The MiG's crew identified the aerial object from a safe distance as a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion patrol aircraft, it said.

After the Norwegian plane flew away from the Russian border, the Russian jet safely returned to its airfield, Zvezda said.

The Russian aircraft proceeded in strict compliance with international airspace rules, it added. Enditem
CHICAGO, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Bluedog Design, a Chicago based award-winning, innovative brand and growth consultancy, has been recognized nationally as a 2020 Great Place to Work-Certified Company. Leveraging 30 years of research to quantify the current state of workplace culture Great Place to Work Certification shows how companies compare to the best in the world. Using their rigorous methodology, they gather and evaluate employee feedback and recognize companies who have built high-trust, high-performance company cultures. Every year, they conduct the world's largest study of workplace excellence and hold the gold standard benchmarks for your country, industry, location and more.

Bluedog Design Celebrates

"I am thrilled to be able to say Bluedog Design is a Great Place to Work-Certified Company," said Michelle Hayward, CEO of Bluedog Design. "I want to first thank everyone that contributed to this award and secondly, I would like to thank all our clients and partners for challenging us to be the best we can be in providing creative and growth-generating solutions to complex issues."

In order to be recognized as a Great Place to Work-Certified Company Bluedog Design team members voluntarily submitted evaluations on topics and areas ranging from management's competency at running the business, hiring practices, team member management and coordination, employee responsibility, company vision and stability. Across the board Bluedog Design achieved the highest ratings.

"When I started Bluedog I knew getting the right people and creating a positive and supportive environment was as important for us as doing the exciting work with Blue Chip or Fortune 500 clients," added Hayward. "I am proud of everything that we have achieved but what gives me joy is how our Bluedoggers feel about coming to work and engaging with one another."

The accolade is another award for Bluedog Design which in the past three years has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by Crain's Chicago Business (2018, 2019, 2020) as well as 2018 Crain's Chicago Business No. 1 ranked Top Workplace for Women. www.bluedogdesign.com

Media Contact:

Elon Werner

[email protected]

214-244-1184

SOURCE Bluedog Design

Related Links

https://www.bluedogdesign.com/


A suspected high-ranking Cartel Del Noreste leader has been linked to the fatal ambush of five public servants in 2017, state authorities said.

The Tamaulipas attorney generals office announced Monday that Eden Guadalupe Villarreal Gomez, who is also known as La Teniente is facing a murder charge.

Authorities said that there was enough evidence to link Villarreal Gomez to the shooting death of five public servants with the regional coordination of the attorney generals office in Nuevo Laredo.

Villarreal Gomez will remain in custody pending further court hearings.

The Attorney General's Office of the State of Tamaulipas reaffirms its commitment to use all legal means at its disposal so as not to leave unpunished those events that harm society and threaten the lives of Tamaulipas, authorities said.

Mexican authorities said they dealt a blow to the Cartel Del Noreste with the arrest of Villarreal Gomez on Aug. 4 in Nuevo Laredo. She was a high-ranking leader in the criminal organization and sicario recruiter for the cartel.

On Aug. 6, shootouts and blockades caused the World Trade Bridge to close for about two hours. Tamaulipas state police officers came under fire. Gunfire struck one marked unit and disabled it. Suspected gunmen also attacked state cops en route to provide backup.

A recent armed confrontation between the Mexican military and suspected gunmen took place Aug. 9. Authorities did not release information about the incident that ended in Colonia Benito Juarez.

Social media reports indicate that at least eight assailants died in the clash. A vehicle pursuit occurred in the area prior to the fatal shootout, according to reports.
Biotechnology giant CSL and its global colleagues are powering forward with the development of a coronavirus-fighting product that researchers hope could have advantages over the plasma transfusion treatment President Donald Trump announced approvals for this week.

The US Food and Drug Administration announced on Monday it had granted emergency use authorisation for convalescent plasma as a treatment for coronavirus. The treatment involves taking plasma, the yellow liquid in blood, from recovered coronavirus patients and transfusing this into those fighting COVID-19.

Biotech giants across the US are encouraging donors to come into centres and save lives in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit:Penny Stephens

The approval sparked controversy in research communities, with President Trump championing the strength of the treatment while a group of top US health officials including Dr Anthony Fauci said more evidence was needed to show the plasma worked.

There has been a global race to collect plasma from recovered coronavirus patients to study how it can be used to treat the disease. Earlier this year CSL joined a group of multinational biotechnology companies called the CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance, to work on developing a plasma-based treatment for COVID-19.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 15:07 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4055f83 4 National AGO,AGO-building-fire,kejaksaan-agung,kebakaran,Fire-and-Rescue-Agency,fire,fire-accidents,South-Jakarta,Jakarta-Selatan,detainee,tahanan Free

Twenty-five detainees have returned to detention facilities at the Attorney Generals Office (AGO) in South Jakarta two days after a blaze gutted its main building on Saturday evening.

The detainees were evacuated to the South Jakarta District Attorney building at 9 p.m. on Saturday shortly after the fire broke out.

AGO spokesman Hari Setiyono said the cells where the detainees had been held were in good condition as they were located in a separate building that did not catch on fire.



"The AGO's prosecution director had checked the detention facilities conditions and they are in good condition, so we returned [the detainees] to their original cells," Hari said on Monday as reported by kompas.com.

Read also: AGO inferno

Hari said the detainees were transported to the AGO's office gradually from Sunday afternoon to Monday morning after the main building stopped smoldering.



The fire broke out on the sixth floor of the main AGO building on Saturday and engulfed its entire structure. The fire lasted for more than 10 hours, according to the South Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency.



It took 325 personnel and 65 fire engines to extinguish the flames at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.



Hari said the detainees were evacuated after smoke reached their cells.



"For their health and safety, we evacuated them right after smoke reached their cells," he said.



Hari said the office of the assistant attorney general for intelligence and human resources department had sustained most of the damage from the blaze.



The AGO claims the fire did not destroy important data or documents. (nal)
T he heartbroken girlfriend of a young musician stabbed to death in south London today described him as a caring and charismatic family man.

Salem Koudou, 20, was knifed multiple times as youths armed with knives clashed on the Angell Town estate in Brixton on Thursday evening. He was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries.

His girlfriend laid flowers at the scene yesterday on what would have been his 21st birthday. She told the Standard that Mr Koudou had gained 11 GCSEs and had ambitions in music and finance.

The former Stockwell Park school pupil was born in Paris after his family moved from Senegal and spoke perfect French and English.

We had been together for four years. He was so caring and charismatic he loved his family, he adored them, she said.

He was extremely bright as well as being the best comedian ever. At one stage he was making money doing foreign exchange trading from his laptop. He was good at it. He was also into music and was a drill rapper  again he was getting successful, he had real talent. Its heartbreaking.

The girlfriend, who did not want to be named, said Mr Koudou had been in trouble with the police but had turned his life around.

She added: There are rumours on social media that he had argued with a certain person but I can not confirm or deny that. The truth is I dont know for definite. All I know is that his family and I are grieving, I am devastated and heartbroken.

Mr Koudou was found with stab injuries on Wynne Road after police were called to the brawl in nearby Overton Road, which locals likened to a war zone.

An overturned car was found at the crime scene and a 26-year-old man was also discovered stabbed and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was originally arrested on suspicion of murder but has been released.

A 19-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder and GBH. He has been released on bail to return to a south London police station next month. Police are appealing for more witnesses to come forward.
Meghan Markle may be one of the most well known faces in the world, but that didn't stop her from coming over all starstruck when she sat down with activist Gloria Steinem for a conversation about women's rights, representation, and the importance of voting.

The 39-year-old Duchess of Sussex appeared overwhelmed with excitement at points during her 'backyard chat' with Gloria, 86, which was filmed last month for Makers Women, a women's empowerment platform that will stream the Q&A in full on Wednesday.

However, in a short teaser clip that was posted on social media on Tuesday afternoon, viewers get a glimpse at Meghan and Gloria together, looking totally at east while relaxing in wooden deck chairs in a lush yard.

Teaming up: Meghan Markle - and her beloved dogs - sat down for a 'backyard chat' with activist Gloria Steinem (pictured) during which they discussed voting and women's rights

At one point, the pair are even joined by Meghan's beloved dogs, black Labrador Pula, and rescue beagle Guy, who happily wandered into the camera shot during the chat, and lay down at the Duchess's feet while she continued chatting with Gloria.

'[The dog] wants to be on camera,' Gloria jokes while gesturing at Pula, who Meghan and Harry adopted together in 2018, shortly after they tied the knot. The Duchess of Sussex rescued Guy the beagle before she met Prince Harry and moved the pup to London with her back in 2017, leaving her other rescue dog - Bogart - behind.

The black-and-white clip - which was shot last month by filmmaker and photographer Matt Sayles - shows the two women sitting in the shade of a large tree, with a wooden table placed between their chairs, which appear to have been spaced in order to comply with social distancing regulations.

Meghan certainly looks at home in the scenic surroundings, and at one point is seen checking something on her phone, and popping on a straw sunhat to complete her chic all-white look - a far cry from the multiple virtual summits and conference calls that she has done in recent months, all of which see her sitting down and staring straight into the camera.

She also made no attempt to hide her admiration for Gloria, gushing happily about how 'great' it was to be chatting with the famed feminist.

'Today is a pretty great day, for me it's a pretty great day,' Meghan is seen saying to the activist, who shared her opinions about the upcoming election - and the importance of each and every vote - with the Duchess.

During the conversation, the mother-of-one - who moved back to the US with Prince Harry and their son Archie in January, also expressed her joy at being back in her home country.

'Meg, welcome home, I'm so glad that you're home,' Gloria said to the Duchess at the start of the clip, prompting Meghan to respond: 'Thank you. Me too, for so many reasons.'

At ease: The Duchess of Sussex, 39, looked entirely at ease during the conversation - although she could not resist gushing about how excited she was to be chatting with Gloria, 86

While sharing the clip on Instagram, Makers Women described the conversation between the two women as a 'historic backyard chat', while sharing a few details about what Gloria and Meghan discussed.

'Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex and Gloria Steinem discuss representation, why each vote matters and how all women are linked, not ranked,"' the caption read. 'MAKERS has an exclusive look at that historic backyard chat! Q&A to come tomorrow.'

Early on in the clip, Meghan makes an impassioned statement about women's right to vote, telling Gloria: 'People forget how hard women like you and so many others before you fought for us to be where we are right now,' to which the activist responds, 'If you don't vote you don't exist... it's the only place we are all equal, in the voting booth.'

The activist, who was one of the most prominent figures of the Women Liberation's movement of the 1960s and 1970s, goes on to focus on young women, telling Meghan that it is essential for the youth to vote because it is their future that they are deciding on - not hers.

The importance of voting, and women's rights, are topics that Meghan has become well versed on, having herself spoken out at great length about the significance of the upcoming election as she moves to become more politically active in the wake of her stepping down as a senior royal.

Just last week, the mother-of-one made a bold plea to women across the US to take part in the 2020 presidential election, speaking out about the need for 'change' at an online voter summit, while telling participants: 'If we aren't part of the solution, we are part of the problem.'

Meghan made her stance on the 2020 presidential race incredibly clear when she addressed viewers at the When All Women Vote Couch Party - an online event organized by non-profit organization When We All Vote, which was founded by 'her friend' Michelle Obama.

Appearing as the opening speaker at the summit, Meghan expressed her 'excitement' at taking part, before telling those involved with the organization: 'We need [your work] now more than ever.'

'I'm really thrilled that you asked me to be a part of this,' the mother-of-one began, adding: 'I think this is such an exceptional time [and I am] happy to be here for my friend Michelle Obama's When We All Vote, and to kick off the When All Women Vote Couch Party.'

Speaking out: Last week, Meghan urged women across the US to vote in the 2020 election, telling a digital voter summit, 'If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem'

Speaking directly to the volunteers and workers tuned into the summit, Meghan continued: 'It is fair to say that we are all very grateful for your work because we need it now really more than ever.'

Although the Duchess of Sussex has not named the candidate that she plans to vote for in the election, she made it incredibly clear that she believes there needs to be a change to the current administration, warning summit participants that 'there is so much work to be done' before they cast their votes.

'When I think about voting and why this is so exceptionally important for all of us, I would frame it as: We vote to honor those who came before us and to protect those who will come after us because that's what community is all about and that's specifically what this election is all about,' she said.

'We're only 75 days away from election day and that is so very close and yet there is so much work to be done in that amount of time because we all know what is at stake this year.

'I know it, I think all of you certainly know it. And if you're here on this fun event with us then you are just as mobilized and energized to see the change that we all need and deserve.'

If we aren't part of the solution, we are part of the problem. If you aren't going out there and voting you are complicit. If you are complacent, you are complicit

The Duchess of Sussex then turned her attention to the 19th Amendment, celebrating the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote - while also pointing out the fact that women of color had to wait decades longer to earn that same right.

'And as we look at things today, though it had taken decades longer for women of color to get the right to vote, even today we are watching so many women in different communities who are marginalized still struggling to see that right come to fruition,' she said. 'And that is simply not OK.'

She continued her speech by blasting attempts at 'voter suppression', warning the summit that it is more important than ever to 'support each other' and to galvanize one another to keep 'fighting'.

'When we look at the attempts at voter suppression and what that's doing it's all the more reason we need each of you to be out there supporting each other, to understand that this fight is worth fighting, and we all have to be out there mobilizing to have our voices heard,' the former Suits star said.

Meghan then made a personal call to action to all voters, particularly women, to take part in the election, insisting that 'if we aren't part of the solution, we are part of the problem'.

'We are obviously faced with a lot of problems in our world right now, both in the physical world and in the digital world,' she said.

'But we can and must do everything we can to ensure all women have their voices heard because at this juncture if we aren't part of the solution we are part of the problem.

'If you aren't going out there and voting you are complicit. If you are complacent, you are complicit.'

Call to action: Meghan warned summit participants that 'there is so much work to be done' before the election because 'we all know what is at stake this year'

Last minute addition: The mother-of-one's participation in the online event was only announced on Wednesday, one day before it took place

She also encouraged people to focus on the bigger picture, insisting that individual issues are not the most important aspect of the election, but rather the need for an overall change.

'I think when we are looking at all the diff ways we can engage, we can support one another, it doesn't really matter what issue it is that speaks to your heart,' she said.

'Whatever it is, we can make the difference in this election, and we will make the difference in this election.

'It is the countdown to the change that we would all like to see for the better for our country.

'In the fraught moment right now we find our nation [in], exercising your right to voice isn't simply being part of the solution, it's being part of a legacy.'

Meghan's appearance at the summit is the latest in a series of interviews and speeches that the Duchess has made in an attempt to become more politically active - having reportedly grown 'frustrated' at her inability to get involved in politics while she was working as a senior royal.

We can make the difference in this election, and we will make the difference in this election. It's the countdown to the change that we would all like to see for the better for our country

Earlier this month, she confirmed her plans to vote in the 2020 election, while speaking to Marie Claire about the importance of voting.

At the time the Duchess also shared a poignant quote from New Zealand's most famous suffragist leader Kate Sheppard, revealing that both she and husband Prince Harry 'have referred to [her words] often' for inspiration and guidance.

'I know what it's like to have a voice, and also what it's like to feel voiceless,' Meghan said.

'I also know that so many men and women have put their lives on the line for us to be heard.

'And that opportunity, that fundamental right, is in our ability to exercise our right to vote and to make all of our voices heard.'

She then shared a quote from Sheppard - New Zealand's most outspoken suffragist leader whom Meghan has previously quoted - explaining that it is 'one of her favorites' and 'one that my husband and I have referred to often'.

'Do not think your single vote does not matter much,' the quote begins. 'The rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops.'

Meghan concluded: 'That is why I vote.'

The former Suits star's decision to speak out about her political plans marks yet another major break from royal tradition for Meghan; traditionally members of the monarchy are expected to remain politically neutral, and therefore do not speak out about their opinions in public.

Familiar! Meghan filmed her speech in the same corner of the $14.65 million Montecito home that she and Prince Harry appeared in during a video call on Monday

However, Meghan confirming to the world that she will be voting in the presidential election will come as no surprise to those closest to her - particularly after it was revealed by a royal source in January that the Duchess of Sussex was aiming to become more 'politically engaged' after she and Prince Harry quit their roles as senior royals at the start of the year.

At the time, an insider told the Daily Mail that Meghan had grown 'frustrated' by the fact that she was not able to be actively involved in politics while she was a senior member of the monarchy, and that she wanted to 'take advantage' of the freedom to share her opinions with the world.

'The Duchess is said to be frustrated that she was forced to stay out of politics after getting engaged to Harry,' the source said.

'She has strong political opinions and will now take advantage of the greater freedom she has to express them publicly.'

Meghan did not reveal who she is planning to vote for the in the upcoming election - however, before marrying Prince Harry, she was incredibly outspoken about her dislike of President Donald Trump, branding him 'misogynistic' and 'divisive' during a talk appearance in 2016, shortly after he had won the election.

Criticism: Before marrying Harry, Meghan was outspoken about her dislike for President Donald Trump, branding him 'misogynistic' and 'divisive' in a 2016 interview after he won the election

When Trump made an official state visit to the UK in June 2019, Meghan did not join the other royals in meeting him - a move that some royal sources claimed was her way of showing her disapproval of the President, although officially, her absence was blamed on the fact that she was still on maternity leave.

However, it was revealed in November 2019 that Meghan had invited Hillary Clinton to visit her and baby Archie at Frogmore Cottage - the family's home in the UK - where the two women were said to have enjoyed a 'very warm, sweet' meeting.

Meghan's interview with Marie Claire is not the first time that she has spoken out about the importance of voting however; during an official visit to New Zealand with Prince Harry in 2018, the Duchess of Sussex marked the 125th anniversary of women getting the right to vote by once again quoting Sheppard during a speech at Government House.

'The achievements of the women in New Zealand who campaigned for their right to vote, and were the first in the world to achieve it, are universally admired,' Meghan said at the time, before going on to praise the country's suffrage movement.

'Womens suffrage is not simply about the right to vote for women but also about what that represents: the basic and fundamental right of all people, including those members of society who have been marginalized, whether through reasons of race, gender, ethnicity or orientation, to be able to participate in the choices for their future and their community.'

Meghan then concluded her speech by sharing another quote from Sheppard: 'All that separates, whether race, class, creed, or sex, is inhumane, and must be overcome.'

The Marie Claire interview is also not the first occasion that Meghan has shared her 'favorite' Sheppard quote.

In November 2018, during their official visit to New Zealand, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared the suffragist leader's words on Kensington Palace's official Instagram account, while posting an image of Meghan cradling her baby bump while surrounded by giant redwood trees in Rotorua.

Along with the quote from Sheppard, the couple thanked the people of New Zealand for a 'wonderful' visit.
Kenosha, Wis.  Police in Wisconsin deployed tear gas in an attempt to disperse protesters who converged on the county courthouse during a second night of clashes after the police shooting of a Black man turned Kenosha into the nations latest flashpoint city in a summer of racial unrest.

Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers activated 125 members of the National Guard to assist local law enforcement. Exit ramps off Interstate 94 from the Illinois state line into Kenosha County were closed Monday night, blocked off by police vehicles and trucks in some places.

Protesters chanted, No justice, no peace minutes before the 8 p.m. curfew. Some threw water bottles and other objects and confronted members of law enforcement who wore protective gear and stood shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the courthouse entrance.

Police fired the tear gas about 30 minutes after the curfew took effect, but not all the protesters left.

The latest confrontation came after protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear Sunday night over the wounding of 29-year-old Jacob Blake, who was hospitalized in serious condition. In a widely seen cellphone video made by an onlooker, Blake was shot, apparently in the back, as he leaned into his SUV while his three children sat in the vehicle.

Tensions flared anew earlier Monday after a news conference with Kenosha Mayor John Antarmian, originally to be held in a park, was moved inside the citys public safety building. Hundreds of protesters rushed to the building and a door was snapped off its hinges before police in riot gear pepper-sprayed the crowd, which included a photographer from The Associated Press.

Police in the former auto manufacturing center of 100,000 people midway between Milwaukee and Chicago said they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute. They did not say whether Blake was armed or why police opened fire, they released no details on the domestic dispute, and they did not immediately disclose the race of the three officers at the scene.

The man who claimed to have made the video, 22-year-old Raysean White, said that he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, Drop the knife! Drop the knife! before the gunfire erupted. He said he didnt see a knife in Blakes hands.

The governor said that he has seen no information to suggest Blake had a knife or other weapon, but that the case is still being investigated by the state Justice Department.

The officers were placed on administrative leave, standard practice in a shooting by police. Authorities released no details about the officers or their service records.

Evers was quick to condemn the bloodshed, saying that while not all details were known, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden called for an immediate, full and transparent investigation and said the officers must be held accountable.

This morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force, he said, just over two months before Election Day in a country already roiled by the recent deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. Those shots pierce the soul of our nation.

Republicans and the police union accused the politicians of rushing to judgment, reflecting the deep partisan divide in Wisconsin, a key presidential battleground state. Wisconsin GOP members also decried the violent protests, echoing the law-and-order theme that President Donald Trump has been using in his reelection campaign.

As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident, Pete Deates, president of the Kenosha police union, said in a statement. He called the governors statement wholly irresponsible.

The shooting happened around 5 p.m. Sunday and was captured from across the street on video that was posted online. Kenosha police do not have body cameras but do have body microphones.

In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns pointed and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while Blake has his back turned.

Seven shots can be heard, though it isnt clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired. During the shooting, a Black woman can be seen screaming in the street and jumping up and down.

White, who claimed to have made the video, said that before the gunfire, he looked out his window and saw six or seven women shouting at each other on the sidewalk. A few moments later, Blake drove up in his SUV and told his son, who was standing nearby, to get in the vehicle, according to White. White said Blake did not say anything to the women.

White said he left the window for a few minutes, and when he came back, saw three officers wrestling with Blake. One punched Blake in the ribs, and another used a stun gun on him, White said. He said Blake got free and started walking away as officers yelled about a knife.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Blakes family, said Blake was simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident.

Police did not immediately confirm either man's account.

Blakes partner, Laquisha Booker, told NBCs Milwaukee affiliate, WTMJ-TV, that the couples three children were in the back seat of the SUV when police shot him.

That man just literally grabbed him by his shirt and looked the other way and was just shooting him. With the kids in the back screaming. Screaming, Booker said.

Blakes grandfather, Jacob Blake Sr., was a prominent minister and civil rights leader in the Chicago area who helped organize a march and spoke in support of a comprehensive housing law in Evanston, Illinois, days after the 1968 slaying of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Rachel Noerdlinger, publicist for the National Action Network, told The Associated Press that the Rev. Al Sharpton spoke Monday to Blakes father, who called the civil rights leader for his support. Blakes father will speak at Sharptons March on Washington commemoration on Friday, Noerdlinger said.

Karissa Lewis, national field director of Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of more than 150 Black-led organizations that make up the broader Black Lives Matter movement, said the shooting was yet another example of why activists have called for defunding police departments.

Theres no amount of training or reform that can teach a police officer that its wrong to shoot a Black man in the back seven times while his children watch, Lewis said in a statement first shared with the AP.

Online court records indicate Kenosha County prosecutors charged Blake on July 6 with sexual assault, trespassing and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse. An arrest warrant was issued the following day. The records contain no further details and do not list an attorney for Blake.

It was unclear whether that case had anything to do with the shooting.

In the unrest that followed Blake's shooting, social media posts showed neighbors gathering in the streets and shouting at police. Others appeared to throw objects at officers and damage police vehicles. Officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.

In a scene that mirrored the widespread protests in recent months over police brutality and racial inequality, marchers headed to the Kenosha County Public Safety Building, which houses the police and sheriffs departments. Authorities mostly blocked off the building, which officials said was closed on Monday because of damage.

Crump, who has also represented the Floyd and Taylor families, said that Blakes family asked that the demonstrations remain peaceful.

They dont believe violence to be the solution, he said.

For more than 100 years, Kenosha was an auto manufacturing center, but it has now largely been transformed into a bedroom community for Milwaukee and Chicago. The city is about 67% white, 11.5% Black and 17.6% Hispanic, according to 2019 Census data. Both the mayor and police chief are white. About 17% of the population lives in poverty.
Making a passionate plea to re-elect Republican Donald Trump, top Indian-American politician Nikki Haley said that the US President has a "record of strength and success", while his Democratic rival Joe Biden has a "record of weakness and failure."

Haley, who was the former US Ambassador to the United Nations, on the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) warned Americans that a Biden-(Kamala) Harris administration would lead the country on the path of socialism, which has failed everywhere in the world.

Indian-origin US Senator from California Kamala Harris is the running mate of Biden. Harris is the first Indian-American to be nominated for the second highest political office in the country. This is probably for the first time that Haley criticised Harris after she was picked by Biden early this month as the vice presidential candidate.

This President has a record of strength and success. The former Vice President has a record of weakness and failure. Joe Biden is good for Iran and ISIS great for Communist China... and he's a godsend to everyone who wants America to apologise, abstain, and abandon our values. Donald Trump takes a different approach. He's tough on China, and he took on ISIS and won. And he tells the world what it needs to hear, Haley said.

Political pundits say that Haley, 48, is herself a presidential candidate for the 2024 elections. She has, however, refrained from commenting on this and said that her focus now is to help Trump get re-elect as the president of the country. The Republican Party and the Trump Campaign opted for her speech on the prime time of the first day of the convention.

The four-day RNC will formally nominate 74-year-old incumbent President Donald Trump as the party's candidate for the November 3 US presidential election.

Haley, the two-term Governor of South Carolina, is the only Indian-American leader to be featured in the list of RNC speakers released by the Trump campaign on Sunday.

A Biden-Harris administration would be much, much worse. Last time, Joe's boss was Obama this time, it would be Pelosi, Sanders, and the Squad. Their vision for America is socialism. And we know that socialism has failed everywhere.

"They want to tell Americans how to live and what to think. They want a government takeover of health care. They want to ban fracking and kill millions of jobs. They want massive tax hikes on working families, Haley said.

Joe Biden and the socialist left would be a disaster for our economy. But President Trump is leading a new era of opportunity. Before Communist China gave us the coronavirus, we were breaking economic records left and right. The pandemic has set us back, but not for long. President Trump brought our economy back before, and he will bring it back again, she said.

Haley said that it was an honour of a lifetime to serve as the United States ambassador to the United Nations. Now, the UN is not for the faint of heart. It's a place where dictators-murderers-&-thieves denounce America and then put their hands out and demand that we pay their bills, she said.

President Trump put an end to all that. With his leadership, we did what Barack Obama and Joe Biden refused to do. We stood up for America and we stood against our enemies, she said.

Obama and Biden let North Korea threaten America. President Trump rejected that weakness, and we passed the toughest sanctions on North Korea in history. Obama and Biden let Iran get away with murder and literally sent them a plane full of cash. President Trump did the right thing and ripped up the Iran nuclear deal, Haley said.

Obama and Biden led the United Nations to denounce our friend and ally, Israel. President Trump moved our embassy to Jerusalem  and when the U.N. tried to condemn us, I was proud to cast the American veto, she said.

At home, the President is the clear choice on jobs and the economy. He's moved America forward, while Joe Biden held America back. When Joe was VP, I was governor of the great state of South Carolina. We had a pretty good run.

"Manufacturers of all kinds flocked to our state from overseas, creating tens of thousands of American jobs. People were referring to South Carolina as the beast of the southeast, which I loved, she said.

Everything we did happened in spite of Joe Biden and his old boss. We cut taxes. They raised them. We slashed red tape. They piled on more mandates. And when we brought in good-paying jobs, Biden and Obama sued us. I fought back and they gave up, she said.

Earlier, Haley started her remarks with a little story from a US Ambassador to the UN during the Regan era.

l'll start with a little story. It's about an American Ambassador to the United Nations. And it's about a speech she gave to this convention. She called for the re-election of the Republican President she served And she called out his Democratic opponent a former vice president from a failed administration, Haley said.

That ambassador said, and I quote, Democrats always blame America first. The year was 1984. The president was Ronald Reagan. And Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick's words are just as true today, she said.

Joe Biden and the Democrats are still blaming America first. Donald Trump has always put America first. He has earned four more years as President, Haley said.
Out with the old, in with the fresh

Regarding Letters: Dems hiding the new Biden, (A16, Aug. 21): In response to Gunter Frankels letter about not throwing out the old water. When the old water stinks its time to get rid of it even if the new water isnt pristine. The water we have now not only stinks but is toxic. It is time for some fresh water, and we cant get it soon enough.

Inta Walker, Beach City

Mail-in voting

Regarding A guide to voting by mail in Texas, (A3, Aug. 23): The story contained a reminder that polling places are exempt from a mask mandate. I think this was a poor decision by Gov. Greg Abbot, and I wish he would change his mind. I dont like having to wear a mask, but it is a minor inconvenience that I can deal with until we get this virus under control. I will be wearing my mask when I show up to vote early at the polling place.

Jon Plautz, Katy

I find it very ironic that for decades, under both Republican and Democrat administrations, the management of the Postal Service has been a disaster. But now that the disaster has political ramifications, it has become a partisan blame game and the solution for Congress is, as usual, to throw more money at the problem. Where was Congress (with its penchant for subcommittees and hearings) during all these years of postal red ink when there might have been a solution that didnt cost billions of dollars? The answer seems to be they dont care about these and other issues as long as it doesnt affect them politically.

Kenneth Campbell, Cypress

Student accountability

I keep reading articles where gatherings of students on college campuses cause the university to respond with the threat of shutting down and going 100 percent online. How is this a reasonable solution? This is a crazy backwards reaction, and would never be an option in any other college campus situations where a few menaces ruin it for the rest. In almost every instance, there is a picture of the offending group of students. Why dont they track those students down and kick them off campus? I guarantee, after a few students are sent home, that behavior will stop. Why are colleges punishing the majority of the compliant along with the minority of offenders? Why is this standard being applied?

Jay Kopfer, Houston

Correction

Regarding A defining test for Texas, (A23, Aug. 23): The sole invesor left in the Harbor Island project is the Berry Group, a construction firm with a deep portfolio in the oil and gas industry, not Berry Global, a major plastics manufacturer. In addition, the article implied that crude oil could be transferred to tankers at Harbor Island. Crude oil will be transferred to a new generation of tankers nearby in the Corpus Christi area.
Lawsuit seeks to delay enforcing Noem's new abortion pill ban

Planned Parenthood and ACLU of South Dakota are suing Noem and the Department of Health in enforcing a new abortion pill ban.
Abiy Ahmed is visiting Sudan amid the continuing disputes over the controversial dam project Addis Ababa is building on the Blue Nile

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Khartoum on Tuesday morning for a one-day visit and was received by Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, Sudanese news agency SUNA reported.

The Ethiopian visit coincides with a visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Sudan on the same day for talks with a number of Sudanese officials.

Ahmeds trip comes amid continuing disputes between his country and Sudan and Egypt over the controversial dam project Addis Ababa is building on the Blue Nile.

"The visit will discuss bilateral relations with Sudanese officials and means to boost cooperation between the two sides," Ethiopia's ambassador in Khartoum Yibeltal Aemero told SUNA on Monday, without providing details on whether the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue will be tackled.

The GERD, built 15 kilometres from the Ethiopian border with Sudan, has been a source of contention between the three countries.

Cairo fears the project will significantly cut its crucial water supplies from the River Nile, while Sudan fears it could endanger the safety of its own dams.

Ethiopia says the massive project, which it hopes will make it Africas largest power exporter, is key to its development efforts.

Renewed negotiations mediated by the African Union to reach a deal over the filling and operation of the nearly $5 billion GERD were launched last month after the talks between the three countries had reached deadlock last year, as did negotiations sponsored by the US and World Bank in February.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


LATEST Aug. 25, 6:10 p.m. Cal Fire said at its 6 p.m. update that the CZU August Lightning Complex is 79,640 acres with 19% containment as of Tuesday evening.

Ground crews have now identified 443 structures that have been destroyed; 11 of those are in San Mateo County and 432 in Santa Cruz County. (Santa Cruz County posted a damage assessment map where you can see which homes were damaged and destroyed.)

"Another very positive day," said Cal Fire's Operations Chief Mark Brunton. "We got a lot of work done. The weather is cooperating with us. We're getting more personnel. As soon as they get in, we put them on the line."

Aug. 25, 10:15 a.m. Cal Fire posted a status update on the CZU August Lightning Complex Tuesday morning (find it here). The update covers what was covered in this mornings press briefing: The blaze is now 78,869 acres with 17% containment.

Aug. 25, 6:30 a.m. With cool, humid weather and stable winds providing optimal firefighting conditions, crews continued to harness flames and build containment lines overnight around the destructive blaze that has swallowed homes and leveled vast swaths of forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The CZU August Lightning Complex grew less than 200 acres overnight and was 78,869 acres as of Tuesday morning, Cal Fire officials said at a Tuesday morning press briefing. This is a dramatic decrease in the rate of the fire's growth. Last week, there were nights when the blaze grew at a rate of up to 1,000 acres an hour.

The blaze went from 13% containment Monday morning to 17% containment this morning. The count of homes destroyed has gone up to 330 with 11 of those in San Mateo County and 319 in Santa Cruz County. More than 25,000 structures remain threatened.

"The past couple days we've seen significant progress in our firefight on this incident," said Cal Fire Operations Chief Mark Brunton. "The weather is really cooperating with us."

Brunton said there's now a solid control line on the north end, protecting the communities of Pescadero, La Honda and Loma Mar.

Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

"Fire is basically creeping down to our control lines," he said. "We have no major fire front. It's doing exactly what we want."

He added that if the fire hadn't been contained to the north it would have been a direct threat to Santa Clara County.

Along the coast, the fire is "extinguishing itself" due to the high amounts of moisture in the air and lighter fuels on the ground.

Crews have built two control lines on the fire's south edge, between Highway 1 and Highway 9 above the UC Santa Cruz campus. "Fire lines are holding well here," he said. "Santa Cruz and the UC campus looking very well protected. No threat at this point in time."

In the Highway 9 corridor, Felton, Brookdale and Boulder Creek are all well protected, Brunton said.

"Our challenge is down below Ben Lomond and the state park, again it's rugged terrain, heavy fuels," Brunton said. "We're having the challenge because of the steepness and the roll-out of the material. As it rolls out, it burns back into itself. A real challenge, not easy terrain to work in."

Today, firefighting efforts will be focused not only on further establishing perimeter control, but on opening and clearing roadways to access the interior of the burn area so crews can complete damage inspection and identify private property that was destroyed, said Cal Fire Assistant Chief Billy See.

"This is going to be a long tedious process," See said. "The majority of this fire encompasses old growth timber. Those trees are coming down across the roads. A lot of those wood bridges have been damaged or burned. They're impassable. So it's going to take a diligent effort on our part to identify access points so we can do a thorough assessment."

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Cal Fire officials emphasized that evacuation orders are still in effect and residents should stay away from these areas.

"The roadways are still very dangerous out there," said Cal Fire Chief Ian Larkin. "Those trees are weakened due to fire, also due to drought. Please be patient with us. We're doing the best we can with the resources we have. This is a historic event. We've never seen fire like this in the recent history we have the records for. This fuel is very receptive to the fire conditions. Any changes in the weather could change that fire."

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Department said Monday six people violated orders and snuck into evacuation zones to check on their homes. "The end result was they had to be rescued," Lt. Saul Lopez said. "We had to redirect resources to get these people out."

Seven people have been reported missing, according to Chris Clark, a chief deputy with the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Department.

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

California Gov. Gavin Newsom called out the CZU August Lightning Complex at a Monday press briefing as an example of a wildfire that has raged out of control due to climate change. The fire is burning in a coastal area that has historically had a moist landscape "immune" to extreme fire, he said. With temperatures increasing and weather patterns changing, the landscape is drying out and becoming more flammable.

"Whats remarkable about the CZU is this is a coastal fire in forests with lots of redwoods that have never simply seen forest fires like this," Newsom said. (Read more about Newsom's press conference on SFGATE.)

Santa Cruz County has established a 24-hour medical care clinic at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds for those evacuating the fire.

Santa Cruz County has initiated a volunteer center for those hoping to assist those affected by the CZU Complex. The county asks those interested to register at SCVolunteerCenter.org.

San Mateo County residents and business owners who sustained losses in the CZU Complex can begin applying for assistance on Aug. 25 by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

More than 1,611 crews are battling the fire as of Tuesday morning. The blaze is burning in highly flammable landscape parched after a year marked by low rainfall. It hasn't seen a fire in years.

"It's so dry it's something we have not seen historically," Brunton said last week. "We're seeing fire we've never seen in the coastal area before, in terms of amount and severity."

Brunton said when he talks to firefighters on the scene, he's heard a common refrain: "We've never seen anything like this."

The blaze was started more than a week ago when a rash of thunder and lightning storms moved over Northern California, sparking hundreds of wildfires that have now burned more than 1 million acres combined.

Amy Graff is the news editor for SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.
Upper Crust and Caffe Ritazza owner SSP has overhauled pay plans for top bosses after investor anger (PA)

Upper Crust and Caffe Ritazza owner SSP has overhauled pay plans for top bosses after investor anger over bonus targets and a pay hike for its finance chief.

The group  which recently announced up to 5,000 jobs were under threat amid a shake-up due to the coronavirus crisis  said it had made a raft of improvements to executive pay after talks with investors following a shareholder backlash in February.

Nearly a third of shareholders voted against the caterers remuneration policy at its annual general meeting  the third consecutive year it has suffered investor discontent over executive pay.

There were concerns over the groups plans to reduce its bonus targets, the leaving deal for former boss Kate Swann and a hefty pay package increase for chief financial officer Jonathan Davies.

It planned to increase Mr Davies maximum potential pay and bonuses to 1.75 million, up from 1.52 million.

Influential shareholders advisory firm Glass Lewis had recommended investors vote against the plans, at the time saying it had severe reservations about the proposals.

But SSP said it had since written to investors and held follow-up meetings with those representing nearly two thirds of its shareholder base in a bid to calm the fury.

Among the changes, the group is now planning to make it mandatory for bosses to defer at least a third of any bonus, as well as increasing the minimum shareholder requirement to 250% of salary for the chief executive and 200% for the group chief financial officer.

While it is not reducing the bonus targets, it is proposing to include non-financial aims into the chief executives annual bonus, with 20% of the payout linked to strategic goals.

SSP also pledged to improve its annual bonus target disclosure.

The group said it recognised investor concern over Ms Swanns leaving deal and the pay increase for Mr Davies.

But it added Ms Swanns leaving arrangements were very specific to the circumstances of the timing of her departure and handover to the new group chief executive.

And it said the pay hike for Mr Davies came after the material increase to his remit and responsibilities in early 2019.

The group warned over hefty job losses last month and said it expects to open only around a fifth of its sites in the UK by the autumn due to plunging passenger numbers at railway stations and airports due to the pandemic.

It said on announcing the executive pay changes that it had been significantly impacted by the crisis, with all senior management, executives and board members taking salary cuts as part of cost-cutting measures.

The new pay plans are set to be tabled for approval at SSPs 2021 AGM.

The committee intends to continue engagement with shareholders over the coming months regarding our approach to executive pay in the current environment and, in line with the normal three-year cycle, our review of the directors remuneration policy, it said.
Microsoft is expected to make significant changes to Windows 10 in the near future, according to a new Windows build.

The company recently published Windows 10 Build 20197 to Windows Insiders within the programs development channel and highlighted changes that are coming to disk management.

These changes, if they go through, will make it much easier for users to manage their disks and partition volumes.

We mentioned we had more Settings work on the way, and heres the next one  as of todays build youll now be able to manage your disks and volumes from within the Settings app, explained Windows Insider senior program manager Brandon LeBlanc.

This includes tasks such as viewing disk information, creating and formatting volumes, and assigning drive letters.

Interface changes

A support document has also detailed how Microsoft is testing a number of new features that relate to the Windows 10 user interface.

References in Microsofts latest build suggest that the Windows 10 Start Menu and Action Centre may be allowed to use components from WinUI moving forward.

WinUI is an advanced user interface that can be used to build Windows apps, with the latest version expanding to become a fully-fledged standalone UI framework.

It offers fluent UI controls and fluent design styling that can be used across devices, hardware, and inputs.

Evidence that Microsoft is planning this change is visible in Microsoft Program Database files found within the build, which show new features being tested called WinUIOnDesktop, WinUIDesktopActionCenter, and WinUIDesktopStartMenu.

By incorporating the Fluent Design System into all experiences, controls, and styles, WinUI provides consistent, intuitive, and accessible experiences using the latest user interface (UI) patterns, explains the support document.

Microsoft also provided feedback to developers on how they can leverage the new framework in the support document.

With support for both desktop and UWP apps, you can build with WinUI from the ground up, or gradually migrate your existing MFC, WinForms, or WPF apps using familiar languages such as C++, C#, Visual Basic, and Javascript (via React Native for Windows).

Now read: You can now run Android apps on your Windows 10 PC
Richmond, Va.

Jerry Falwell Jr.'s future at evangelical Liberty University was unclear late Monday, with a senior school official saying he had resigned from his leadership post but Falwell telling several news outlets that he does not plan to leave permanently.

A formal announcement from the school was expected later in the day, according to the school official, who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The disclosure of Falwell's resignation followed the publication of news stories about his wife's sexual encounters with a much younger business partner.

On Monday night, attorneys for Falwell and the school were negotiating the details of a possible departure, according to a person close to the school's board of trustees who also spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss it.

But several news outlets quoted Falwell as saying that he has not agreed to leave the post permanently, nor does he plan to.

Falwell, who was already on an indefinite leave of absence, did not return a call from the AP seeking comment.

The uncertainty developed a day after Falwell issued a statement to The Washington Examiner publicly disclosing that his wife had an extramarital affair and saying the man involved had been threatening to reveal the relationship "to deliberately embarrass my wife, family, and Liberty University unless we agreed to pay him substantial monies."

Falwell said he was seeking mental health counseling after dealing with fallout from the affair, which he said he had no role in.

"Over the course of the last few months this person's behavior has reached a level that we have decided the only way to stop this predatory behavior is to go public," the statement said.

But hours before the school official confirmed Falwell's resignation, Reuters reported that he knew of his wife's affair and participated in some of the liaisons as a voyeur. The news agency based the information on an interview with Giancarlo Granda, whom they identified as the man involved in the affair.

Falwell, an early and ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, began a leave of absence from the university on Aug. 7.
Chinas destabilising actions in the region figured at a meeting on Tuesday of the India-Vietnam joint commission on trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation, during which the two countries agreed to work more closely together in the Indo-Pacific.

During the virtual meeting, co-chaired by external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh, the two sides agreed to add new momentum to their economic and defence engagement and to explore closer cooperation in emerging areas such as civil nuclear energy, space, marine sciences and new technologies.

Chinas actions in the South China Sea and along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) figured in the discussions, with both sides briefing each other on the latest developments, people familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity.

The Vietnamese side underlined the importance of peace and security in the South China Sea, one of the people cited above said.

India and Vietnam agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in line with New Delhis Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and Aseans outlook on Indo-Pacific to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. India invited Vietnam to collaborate on one of the seven pillars of the IPOI, it added.

IPOI was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the East Asia Summit in November 2019 and its pillars include enhancing maritime security, promoting free, fair and mutually beneficial trade and maritime transport and enhancing science and technology cooperation.

In recent years, Vietnam has often turned to India for support over Chinas increasing activities within its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. India is one of only three countries with which Vietnam has a comprehensive strategic partnership and state-owned ONGC Videsh is engaged in energy production in Vietnamese waters that have witnessed intrusions by Chinese vessels over the past year.

On Friday, Vietnamese envoy Pham Sanh Chau met foreign secretary Harsh Shringla to brief him on the escalating tensions in the South China Sea after China ramped up its military presence in the region.

At Tuesdays meeting, the two sides also reviewed recent developments in their comprehensive strategic partnership and discussed the future trajectory of their engagement. The statement said Jaishankar and Minh exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, especially in the context of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

Jaishankar referred to the prime ministers vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat for enhancing resilience through self-reliance and human-centric globalisation and invited Vietnam to take advantage of the countrys new economic capacities and demands.

He also reaffirmed Indias development and capacity-building aid to Vietnam through initiatives such as quick impact projects (QIPs), PhD fellowships, water resource management projects in the Mekong Delta, digital connectivity and heritage conservation. India has approved 12 QIPs in Vietnam, including seven water resource management schemes in the Mekong Delta and five for building educational infrastructure.

MoU for cooperation between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and between the National Maritime Foundation and Scientific Research Institute of Sea and Islands were signed on the margins of the joint commission meeting.

India and Vietnam also agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral forums, including the UN Security Council, where both countries will concurrently serve as non-permanent members in 2021, and at regional forums under the Asean framework.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Hyderabad, Aug 25 : The Covid-19 pandemic has completely changed the way the wedding ceremonies are held in Hyderabad.

In this historic city known for big fat weddings with a long list of invitees, large number of lip-smacking dishes and nightlong celebrations, the marriages have become simple and mostly a day affair.

The Covid-19 scare has taken the sheen off the typical Hyderabadi marriages. The situation has forced the people to go for simple ceremonies with limited numbers of guests at smaller function halls and that too during day time.

This was something unimaginable in the city a few months ago as even the middle class families used to vie with each other in hosting the wedding ceremonies at the biggest and most popular function halls with hundreds of invitees.

The city of nawabs is known for ostentatious marriages and this was seen as a social problem pushing many families into debt trap. Many individuals and organisations working for reforms and advocating simple marriages had failed in their efforts.

However, the Covid-19 outbreak changed everything. The lockdown began in March when the marriage season was at its peak. Following the government orders, the marriage halls were forced to cancel the bookings. Hundreds of marriages had to be postponed.

Wherever the postponement was not possible, the families organised the simple ceremonies at home with the list of invitees confined to few close relatives.

After the easing of lockdown norms in May, marriages resumed in function halls but were subject to many restrictions like number of guests, timing and physical distancing.

Unlike in the past when even the middle class families used to look for the most spacious function halls, they started hosting the wedding ceremonies at smaller avenues.

The night curfew and fewer transport options available also forced the families to go for day ceremonies.

"This is something unprecedented in last 20-25 years in Hyderabad because almost all Muslim families in the city prefer weddings during night times," said Syed Abdul Rauf, a senior citizen.

During the last few years, the marriages and Valima (the dinner hosted by the bridegroom a day or two after the wedding) had become a nightlong affair. Late dinners had become common and the subsequent ceremonies also used to consume several hours.

The wedding and Valima dinners are an integral part of the social life in Hyderabad. At the peak of the marriage season, people get multiple invitations in a single day. However, with the outbreak of Covid-19 and resultant lockdown, many citizens started missing the lively evenings with families and friends at the function halls.

Initially, many families postponed the marriages in the hope of an early end to the pandemic. However, with no end in sight even after six months, the families are conducting the marriages with all the restrictions.

The families of bride and bridegroom are spending hardly a couple of hours at the function halls. The Covid-19 scare is also keeping the guests away.

"A family invited 200 guests for a wedding recently but only 100 turned up," said a manager of a function hall in the old city of Hyderabad.

Wearing the face masks, the invitees are not spending much time. Many are seen in a hurry to return after greeting bridegrooms and brides and their families.

Most of these weddings are happening over lunch. One no longer sees lavish menus. Majority of the receptions are limited to a couple of dishes and sweet. This is in total contrast to the pre-Covid situation when multiple dishes at every wedding was a common sight.

Socio-religious organisations and individuals, who had been working to bring reforms in the society, are happy to see the changes, albeit for different reasons. They hope that the community continues this new trend.

The record at Telangana State Wakf Board shows that the number of marriages has come down due to Covid. Every year around 60,000 marriages are solemnised in the state with more than 60 per cent of them in Hyderabad. This year, so far only 30,000 marriages have been performed.

A couple of years ago, some organisations had even called for a boycott of ostentatious weddings in the community. They have been appealing to the community to stop lavish expenditure, huge dowry, un-Islamic rituals, music and fireworks at the marriages.

They had pointed out that the poor and middle-class families are landing in a debt trap while trying to emulate the rich by taking huge loans to pay for the expenditure.

One of these organisations, Tehreek-e-Muslim Shabban had launched a campaign with the slogan 'Ek khana, Ek meetha' (one dish, one dessert).

Siasat, a leading Urdu daily known for many social campaigns, had also thrown its weight behind the initiative.

The Hyderabad chapter of All India Jamiat-ul-Quresh, a body of meat traders and exporters, has even announced that it will impose a fine of Rs 50,000 if any of its members are found arranging extravagant weddings.

The Muslim community in Hyderabad spends several hundreds of crores every year on big fat weddings.

It is estimated that lower middle-class and middle-class families spend anywhere between Rs 5-15 lakh on weddings. The expenses on hiring the function halls and food constitute about 50 per cent of the total expenditure.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
23 Shares Share

I am elderly now, and as a lad, I was raised a Roman Catholic. That often involved going to confession.

I wondered if confession was still done, part of the faith. You can see how out of touch I am. I am here to report confession is alive and flourishing in the church. In the city where I live, confession is now offered (probably entirely) outside the church itself. It is a drive-through experience. You drive into a one-car-width garage, which is attached to the rectory. The garage is open on both ends. You drive in, stop in the middle, which is very dark, shut off the engine, and wait. Not long. Soon a priest appears from the shadows on the passenger side of your vehicle. You lower the window and confess your sins to this mysterious figure. Pretty simple. Of course, he maintains the approved six-foot distance throughout the confession.

Old as I am, I dont have a lot of sins to confess, or maybe it is that I cant remember them. I can, however, recall sins connected to Coronavirus regulations, the edicts we all deal with.

So I begin. Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. I cant remember how long it has been since my last confession.

When sheltering in place, I continue, was all the rage, I did not comply. Not at all. I went out as often as I could. Usually I went to our nearby McDonalds for a cup of coffee, carry-out, certainly. For some reason, our McDonalds is staffed almost entirely with black people, young and old. One woman, a boss, I guess, was often unpleasant with persons standing in line like me  not far enough apart, etc.

One day she spoke to me harshly in her angry voice, and I told her she was a very rude young lady. She ignored me, but she heard what I said. Thats it for me, I thought when I returned another day. The good service I was used to would be at an end. But it didnt happen that way. When I returned, the staff was unusually kind to me, and when I sought a coffee refill, which is not free at McDonalds, I was frequently given a refill gratis. The way I have it figured, that surly young lady I encountered might well have treated her fellow workers badly too, and probably did.

Telling you of this experience, Father, allows me to speak of the tense times in which we are living in Louisville when it comes to race. We could become the next Portland, Oregon, which I would regret tremendously. It ought not to happen, but words may not stop it, and I know both sides of the racial question will lose. Nobody emerges a winner. You can make book on that. The thought of it saddens me.

Also, I must confess, I have not washed my hands as often as I should. I also pick my nose, and I know as well as the next person I ought not to be touching my face, especially because I dont wash my hands often. And when I go to grocery stores or other places of business, there are circles on the floor, some sort of decals, where one ought to stand. I do not stand within the circles, and the clerks notice and want to say something, give me hell, but they dont dare. I do this deliberately, Father. I am a sinner, no doubt about it.

I am not good about wearing a mask either, and when I walk the city streets, I sometimes encounter young women approaching from the opposite direction. They have good eyesight  mine not so good these days  and see me approaching without a mask, and they must pass me on a narrow sidewalk and risk contamination from droplets from my orifices. They wish to avoid this, so they begin to move over toward the curb, and I too move in that direction also, toward the curb, deliberately, and the result is this correctly-adorned lass is often made to go into the street to avoid me.

One time I came face to face with a young woman, and I couldnt see her mouth behind the designer-quality mask she wore, but I imagine she was cursing me abundantly. In this case, she turned around and went back the way she came. I never do this with older women, by the way, or with men. Men are less likely to be masked anyway, which brings me to this, Father.

I need a haircut; my hair has gotten long. One chain haircut establishment had a sign out advertising a haircut for $10. By the time I got there, the sign was down. The door was locked, standard procedure, I guess, but I was allowed in. I didnt have a mask, but I was given one. Mask in place, I entered and was greeted by a matronly-looking woman who approached me very cautiously, as if I were a leper, but probably because I came in without a mask. She confronted me with a device I might have in another time taken as a weapon, a small gun. But I knew better. It was a thermometer. She quizzed me extensively about my recent health. Had I been sick, even slightly? I told her I was well. She didnt look convinced. I said how Id seen their $10 sign and asked about todays price.

Fourteen dollars, she told me.

I am a senior. Is there not a discount?

No discount. Still $14, she said.

I offered her yesterdays price, $10. The shop was empty, save for one person getting a haircut. I repeated my offer of $10 and added, Madame, with the ten-spot, you get to check my prostate health.

She didnt comment, nor did she smile. We didnt make a deal, and I left.

Father, I still need a haircut. I asked the priest his name. Father Maloney, he told me, and he wanted to know if I was through with my confession. I said I was.

He gave me penance, one Hail Mary, one Our Father. Pretty light, I thought, and one act of contrition to be said with him now. So we said the prayer together, and then he said something in a deeper voice than I anticipated.

Wear your mask, sir, at all times. It is the right thing to do.

Well, he didnt say, the Christian thing to do.

Raymond Abbott is a social worker and novelist.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Turkey's exports to the US rise 24% in June

25 August 2020

Turkeys cement exports to the US declined by 5.7 per cent YoY in the first half of 2020, amounting to US$197.7m, according to the Turkish Ministry of Trade.

In June 2020 the countrys cement exports to the US increased 24.4 per cent compared to June 2019 and exceeded US$37.1m.

Published under
Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars In Alleged Financial Irregularities At Tehran Municipality

Radio Farda August 24, 2020

A lawsuit against a former deputy mayor shows that thirteen trillion rials ($440 million) of financial irregularities took place under the watch of current parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf when he was the capital's mayor from 2005 to 2017.

Speaking to pro-reform Etemad Online on Saturday, a current member of city council Mohammad Javad Haqshenas implicitly criticized the fact that while the violation was administrative, the former deputy mayor Issa Sharifi is on trial at an Armed Forces Judicial Organization's court.

Both Qalibaf and Sharifi were officers of the Revolutionary Guard.

Haqshenas also said it had been announced in the case that "some money" had been transferred abroad but did not elaborate further.

Issa Sharifi, the most important executive during Qalibaf's mayoralty in Tehran, was arrested in September 2017. Without releasing details, judicial officials say there have been forty hearings in the case so far.

Initially, the judiciary declared Sharifi's charges to be financial but changed it later to espionage.

Referring to a 650 billion rials (approximately $22 million at the time) bribery case, Haqshenas revealed that the money was given to the brother of a former member of parliament, Abolfazl Mousavi. According to Haqshenas, the former Mayor wrote off between 600 and 700 billion rials debt of the MP's brother.

The case of the 650 billion rials bribe was initially raised by Mustafa Mir Salim, an ultraconservative member of the current parliament.

Mir Salim has maintained that the bribe was paid in 2016 to prevent the probe and investigation by parliament into the management of the Tehran Municipality.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for Iran's Judiciary has confirmed that a former member of parliament has been arrested in connection with the case.

An Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' Brigadier General, former Chief of Police, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, is currently the Majles speaker. He has filed a lawsuit against Mir Salim and three journalists who have followed the bribery case.

After Qalibaf was voted out as mayor by a reformist city council in 2017, many corruption cases surrounding his administration came to the surface. City council members alleged that corruption reached hundreds of billions of dollars.

Qalibaf himself has apparently been protected from any legal pursuit. He is close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/hundreds-of- millions-of-dollars-in-alleged-financial-irregularities -at-tehran-municipality/30799504.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Vietnams oldest zoo struggles

to meet its daily running cost

of $7,740 a day

Location: Ho Chi Minh City

The 150-year-old zoo

was built in the French colonial era

and has a long history with locals

(SOUNDBITE) (Vietnamese) DIRECTOR OF THE ANIMALS DEPARTMENT, MAI KHAC TRUNG TRUC, SAYING:

"Regarding history and culture, this place was established by the French in the year 1864, so it has a long history that is rooted in the childhood of many citizens in this city and the surrounding areas."

As visitors number dwindled due to lockdown

the zoo called for donations

and received $100,000 within two days

Staff have taken a 30% pay cut

and started growing food for its residents

The zoo has also started selling fertilizer to farmers

and grown flowers to sell to the public

(SOUNDBITE) (Vietnamese) 22-YEAR-OLD ZOO VISITOR, HUYNH THI NHU VI, SAYING:

"I can see that the animals here are not having enough food, and I know that the employees here have taken pay cuts to help the animals, so today I came here to do the same thing, to contribute to improving the situation with the animals food."
Sorry!

This content is not available in your region
AUSTIN  On the third anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday warned coastal residents to prepare for heavy rain and winds as Hurricane Laura approaches the Gulf Coast.

He declared a state disaster in 36 additional counties, including Travis and Dallas, after issuing a similar declaration in 23 coastal counties on Sunday.

Hurricane Laura is expected to make landfall Wednesday night or Thursday morning as a Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds, forecasters say. The exact trajectory of the storm is unclear, but the possibility remains that the Houston-Galveston area could be hit hard with flooding and heavy winds as the storm approaches the Texas-Louisiana border.

Local officials along the coastline  including those in Harris, Hidalgo and Galveston counties  are already urging residents to evacuate. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in Jasper, Jefferson, Newton and Orange counties, as well as the cities of Galveston and Port Arthur.

The timing issue is that we have only a few more hours for people to make sure they take the action that is needed to ensure their safety and the safety of their property, Abbott said. We urge swift action be taken over the next 12 hours.

THE LATEST ON HURRICANE LAURA: Live weather updates

He said reception centers were opening Tuesday in San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin.

The state is preparing for the possibility that the storm could upgrade to a Category 4 hurricane  with an impact similar to that of hurricanes Ike or Rita, Abbott said, but not as devastating as Harvey.

This is going to be more of a wind event, Abbott said. There will be some very meaningful gusts of winds along the coastline coming inland.

It will be a fast-moving storm, Abbott said, and is expected to leave Texas as early as Thursday night. But the hurricane will also bring a lot of devastation, wreck upon Texas, along with high water levels and the possibility of tornadoes and power outages.

Laura is the more urgent threat after a pair tropical storms had been anticipated to hit the Texas coast this week. Tropical Storm Marco  which briefly upgraded to hurricane status on Sunday but weakened by the days end  began collapsing Monday after making landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Abbott urged residents to heed the advice of local officials and act quickly to evacuate as needed. He also reiterated the threat of COVID-19 during the evacuations, urging them to wear masks and practice social distancing as they move.

Buses will contain fewer evacuees than usual, and shelters will implement distancing protocol. Abbott is encouraging Texans to utilize more than 225,000 hotel rooms available statewide to help provide housing.

Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said buses that transport evacuees will contain personal protective equipment, masks and disinfecting supplies. He said the state will also set up coronavirus testing sites at shelters as communities open them.

We are responding to Hurricane Laura while also responding to a pandemic, and we are not taking our eye off of what needs to be done to adequately respond to the pandemic, Abbott said.
Vikram Handa , MD, Epsilon Carbon

live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

The investment may seem small. A Rs 50-crore facility that will produce 5,000 tons of a niche raw material. But it can turn out to be the first of many steps towards making a presence in a market that is 80 percent dominated by Chinese companies.

Epsilon Carbon, which operates India's first integrated carbon complex, commissioned its new facility on August 24 that will produce 5,000 tons of bulk meso, which is used to make graphite anode. The anode is a key constitute in Lithium Ion Batteries (LiB) that are used to power laptops, mobiles and electric vehicles.

Graphite anode is the single biggest material in a LiB cell, making up for a quarter of its volume. From making bulk meso, Epsilon will transit to the next step in the value chain - manufacturing anodes.

"Historically, China has been supplying more than 80 percent of the global demand for graphite anodes to the global LiB supply chain," Managing Director Vikram Handa told Moneycontrol. He now wants to break that monopoly. Epsilon Carbon's new unit, Epsilon Advanced Materials will house the new venture.

The venture, Handa says, will help make India self-reliant in graphite anodes active materials for manufacturing LiB batteries. "Whenever companies start making batteries in India, by then we will be prepared and would have got the approvals to supply anodes," said Handa.

Handa's company is investing Rs 500 crore in the next five years to increase its capacity to 50,000 tons per annum. While that will be just about 5 percent of the present global capacity, the facility will plug an important raw material requirement as India looks to push e-mobility, with emphasis on localisation.

While many auto companies have talked about setting up LiB manufacturing units in India, few have actually gone ahead. Most of them import batteries from China. Amara Raja Batteries Ltd, which makes traditional batteries, had in 2018 announced plans to set up a lithium-ion assembly plant.

Interest will increase, with EV sales in FY20 rising 20 percent to 1,56,000 units, even as demand for vehicles powered by conventional fuels nosedived. According to data by Society of Electric Vehicle Manufacturers (SMEV), 1,52,000 electric two-wheelers, 3,400 electric passenger vehicles (ePVs) and 600 electric buses were sold during 2019-20.

Handa is hoping to cater to this increasing demand that will lead to companies setting up units in India to manufacture batteries.

The two-year plan

At present, Epsilon will export all its production to China, South Korea and Japan. "Our approvals should come within three months," said Handa.

Meanwhile, Handa will start the process to get approvals to supply anodes to some of the biggest LiB makers in the world. These include Samsung, Panasonic, LG and Chinese major CATL.

"We should get the approvals in place in two years, " added Handa.

The entrepreneur, who founded Epsilon Carbon in 2010, is hoping to eat into the Chinese share by riding on the one advantage he has over them. "As we an integrated complex, which is situated in Bellary, in Karnataka, we have a backward integration from raw coal tar to the finished product. This helps in keeping our carbon footprint 10 percent lower than global peers," Handa said.

The integrated facility is situated inside the township of JSW Steel, which is chaired by Handa's father-in-law Sajjan Jindal. The location helps Epsilon to source coal tar, the basic raw material, from the steel plant. Coal tar is a by-product from coke oven when coal is heated.

The location and the structure of the plant makes the whole process 'continuous,' explains Handa. Most of the Chinese facilities, on the other hand, make in 'batches.' Thus, says the entrepreneur, "the continues process is more efficient and cost effective."

The company is also venturing into making carbon black, a key raw material for auto tires. The facility will be commissioned later this year.
KHARTOUM: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Sudan after flying non-stop from Israel on Tuesday, on what he said was the first official direct flight between the two countries, as the United States promotes stronger Sudan-Israel ties.

His visit is part of a regional tour following an accord between Israel and the UAE this month to forge full relations, and comes as Israel and the United States push more Arab countries to follow.

Happy to announce that we are on the FIRST official NONSTOP flight from Israel to Sudan!" Pompeo said on Twitter after taking off from Tel Aviv.

Pompeo will meet Sudans prime minister and the head of its ruling council during a brief stopover in Khartoum to discuss U.S. support for the civilian-led government and for deepening the Sudan-Israel relationship", according to the State Department.

The United States has been restoring its own ties with Sudan following the ouster of former Islamist leader Omar al-Bashir in April 2019, and is pushing to be removed from the list of countries that Washington considers state sponsors of terrorism.

Asked if Pompeo would announce a breakthrough in Sudan like normalization of ties with Israel or a removal of U.S. sanctions, a U.S. official on board Pompeos flight said: Its possible that more history will be made."

The official said Sudan had offered the direct flight, dropping the requirement that such a flight make a cosmetic stop en route".

Ties with Israel are a sensitive issue in Sudan, which was among the hardline Muslim foes of Israel under Bashir.

In February, ruling council head Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Uganda, but cast doubt on any rapid normalisation of relations.

Sudan announced on Aug. 19 it had sacked its foreign ministry spokesman after he called the UAE decision to become the third Arab country to normalise relations with Israel a brave and bold step".

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
Albuquerque Police Department homicide detectives are looking for for a white pick-up truck believed to be involved in the fatal shooting of a bicyclist near Juan Tabo and Central last week.

A flier from Crime Stoppers reports that around 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 21, the white truck was in the area of Buena Ventura Ne between Shirley and Maxine.

The victim was walking his bicycle when the suspects pulled up next to him and shot him, the flier states.

An APD spokesman said detectives are still trying to contact the victims next of kin.

The pick-up truck is described as a white fill-sized Dodge Dually with fog lights on top of the cab. Witnesses reported it was very loud.

APD has released surveillance footage showing the truck as well as a photo of a 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT extended cab 44 Dually.

Tips: Police ask anyone with information about the case to contact Crime Stoppers at 843-STOP.
(Natural News) According to an independent, state-funded report, health officials in Connecticut left out nursing homes while they were developing a coronavirus (COVID-19) plan during the early days of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the state was also ill-equipped to deal with COVID-19 as it was relying on an antiquated outbreak-monitoring system.

The interim report was released on Tuesday, August 18 by the research firm Mathematica Policy Research.

Unprepared and outdated

The report showed that the Connecticut Department of Public Healths emergency response plan focused solely on hospitals and neglected long-term-care facilities in the state.

The ill-advised plan also mistakenly assumed two things: That only noninfected staff would remain at health-care facilities and that there would be enough personal protection equipment like masks and gowns.

The report also showed that the health officials were using an old monitoring system wherein outbreak reports from nursing homes were faxed in. An electronic system that reported daily was only set up in May.

According to the report, in early January, six out of nine positions in the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response were vacant. These positions were only filled recently, by July, suggesting that the Department of Public Health didnt have the manpower necessary to track and manage emergencies when the pandemic was in its early stages.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, a Democrat, called for the third-party review in June to determine how Connecticut handled the pandemic and what improvements could be made.

Lamont defended the states response, claiming that the limited scientific knowledge about the disease within the first months of the pandemic presented certain challenges when determining effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Lamont added, Despite these limitations, Connecticut made some very critical decisions in our response to Covid-19 that saved lives and improved public health.

Too little, too late

The Mathematica report also showed that when the pandemic first began, health officials made decisions using the available knowledge at the time as presented by national and state epidemiologists and public-health experts.

Over 3,000 long-term care residents have died in Connecticut. This represents at least three-quarters of all coronavirus deaths in the state.

The report found that Connecticuts death rate for long-term-care residents was the highest in the Northeast, with 91 deaths per 100,000 individuals.

According to the report, the state was late in implementing crucial infection-control changes. Connecticut only instructed all personnel to wear masks in nursing homes on April 4, a day after federal officials advised the general public to wear masks for their protection.

However, in New York, officials issued a masking order for health-care facilities as early as March 13. (Related: Governors now in hot water for forcing nursing homes, assisted living facilities to take in COVID-19 patients.)

Deidre Gifford, Acting Department of Public Health Commissioner, explained that Connecticut has since made progress in terms of testing, inspections, infection control and understanding how the virus spreads.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the nursing-home industry had been struggling with infection-related issues.

The report also found that at least 68 percent of Connecticuts nursing homes were cited for an infection-control deficiency at least once in the last three years. The industry also had to deal with high turnover among infection-control staff that left many roles unfilled or filled with inexperienced staff.

Nursing homes in the state struggled to retain staff, especially when the pandemic continued to spread in April. At one point, 50 people were dying per day in long-term care facilities.

Providers interviewed by Mathematica reported that the increased staff absences were caused by issues relating to child care. Some staff members also had pre-existing conditions that put them at greater risk of getting infected if they reported for work while others were scared of catching the virus or bringing it home and infecting their loved ones.

Providers also faced competition for staff with other nursing homes and New York City since hospitals, and other settings were offering competitive financial incentives.

Preparing for the resurgence of coronavirus

In a statement from Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities/Connecticut Center for Assisted Living and LeadingAge Connecticut that represented nursing homes, members said that they are closely reviewing the interim findings and recommendations and will continue to work in partnership with Connecticut state government to prepare for the next resurgence of the virus.

Mathematica presented several recommendations to help nursing homes deal effectively with the pandemic, such as:

The continued procurement and distribution of personal-protection equipment to long-term care facilities for the well-being of both staff and patients

The regular testing of staff members at nursing homes to prevent the spread of the virus

Changing work shifts from three eight-hour shifts a day for staff to two 12-hour shifts

Keeping staff with the same group of patients to limit any potential spread

The Mathematica report highlighted the importance of informing families about the current situation of their loved ones, noting that some nursing home providers did this better than others. The group suggested that each facility should have family liaisons to prevent any misunderstandings and to assuage any fears that the family members of the patients might have because of the pandemic.

In an interview, Patricia Rowan, a researcher at Mathematica and the projects director, explained that this interim report will soon be updated and that the final report will be more detailed. She also suggested checking in on both the physical and mental health of patients, noting that giving them safe ways to contact their families can prevent them from feeling isolated during these trying times.

Rowan concluded that Connecticut and the long-term care industry should apply more measures to prioritize person-centered care to effectively meet the physical, emotional and psychosocial needs of residents so they can maintain more control over their daily lives.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

Courant.com
The Haryana Vidhan Sabha session that begins on Wednesday could be wrapped up in a single sitting due to the lurking threat of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), deputy speaker Ranbir Gangwa indicated on Tuesday.

Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Vidhan Sabha speaker Gian Chand Gupta, transport minister Mool Chand Sharma, Karnal MP Sanjay Bhatia and four Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators  Aseem Goyal (Ambala City), Laxman Napa (Ratia), Harvinder Kalyan (Gharaunda) and Ram Kumar Kashyap (Indri)  have tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the session scheduled for 2pm on August 26.

Khattar is undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.

The monsoon session is being convened to meet the constitutional requirement of holding a session within six months of the previous session and to introduce some bills.

Due to the pandemic, some MLAs have also suggested to limit the house proceedings to one day. Due to the prevailing circumstances, the MLAs are reluctant to stay back overnight here, said Gangwa, who will preside over the assembly proceedings in speaker Guptas absence.

The final decision about the duration of the session, Gangwa said, will be taken by the business advisory committee (BAC) that will meet before the session on Wednesday.

According to deputy speaker, Covid-19 test reports of all other MLAs, who will attend the session, was negative.

In the 90-member house, one seat is vacant.

The monsoon session will begin under strict social distancing protocols. The house has been sanitised twice and the MLAs will be seated in the audience gallery and the speakers gallery, maintaining physical distance.

While only one MLA will sit on a bench as against two earlier, the speakers as well as visitors galleries have been converted into a sitting place for the legislators. Visitors will not be allowed to watch the assembly proceedings this time.

The house was first sanitised on Saturday and the exercise was repeated on Tuesday evening. The deputy speaker said 365 employees and officers of the Vidhan Sabha had undergone Covid test, six of whom tested positive.

Gangwa said 187 questions were received from MLAs, besides 30 calling attention motions, one private bill and four adjournment motions that were under considerations. He said among the 10 bills likely to be introduced in the house was a bill to reserve 50% seats for women in panchayati raj institutions.

Hooda interacts with Khattar

Leader of the opposition in Haryana assembly, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who had an interaction with Khattar, said he could consider the plea for a shortened session in view of the Covid-19 situation. However, it all depends on the quantum of legislative business. The number of adjournment motions, calling attention motions and bills tabled will be a factor in deciding the duration of the session, Hooda said.

The Congress has submitted four adjournment motions and 10 calling attention motions. Deputy speaker Gangwa said 40 starred questions have been taken up for the question hour.

However, all starred questions have been converted into unstarred questions. A reply to an unstarred question is merely tabled in the house, not expressed verbally.

Two calling attention motions raised by INLD MLA Abhay Singh Chautala on the issue of registries and infant mortality rate have been accepted and others are under consideration.

Hooda, meanwhile, said the adjournment motion will be brought by the Congress to discuss three new farm ordinances. Another adjournment motion will also be brought to demand a discussion on the registry and the liquor scam.

We will also bring an adjournment motion in the House to discuss the issue of sacked physical training instructors, he said.

Congress MLA from Faridabad NIT Neeraj Sharma said he has also submitted two calling attention motions regarding the retrenchment of employees by an earth moving equipment company and on the fresh weekend restrictions imposed by the state government entailing closure of shops.

Private sector job quota, right to recall bills to be tabled in assembly: Dushyant

Chandigarh Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala on Tuesday said theirs will be the first state where villagers will have the power to recall panchayat members for not doing their duties.

He said a bill in this regard will be tabled in the assembly on Wednesday. He said a bill to reserve 50% seats for women in panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) will also be tabled in the assembly.

Dushyant said he will also table a bill to give 75% reservation to local candidates in private sector jobs in the house. An ordinance in this regard approved by the cabinet has been reserved by the governor for the consideration of the president. The bill will also be sent to the President.

Citing an example, he said many a time a sarpanch is accused of misusing his post and people want him removed. In this scenario, the right to recall law will give power to people to remove him, he added.

Dushyant said the bill to reserve 50% posts for women in PRIs will open new doors for the women of rural areas in politics. Similarly, a bill to provide 8% reservation to BC -A in PRIs will be presented in the house.
A Lynn man has been arrested in connection to the fatal July shooting of 24-year-old Tanjim Siam, a convenience store clerk in Boston who died earlier this month after a five-week fight in the hospital, according to authorities.

Stephon Samuel was arraigned in the Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court on Monday, two days after Siam died from a gunshot wound he suffered on July 14 in an armed robbery at the store he was working at, Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollinss office said in a statement.

The 25-year-old suspect was charged with murder, armed robbery with a firearm, armed assault to murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, according to the statement.

Samuel was also charged as a Level 1 armed career criminal based on a 2016 conviction for selling drugs, the prosecutor said.

Per the request of prosecutors, Boston Municipal Court Judge Kenneth Fiandaca ordered Samuel to be held without bail while the case is pending, according to Rollinss office.

Siam was working at the M & R Convenience store on Shawmut Avenue in Roxbury shortly after 9 p.m. on July 14 when Samuel allegedly entered the store and pretended to be interested in buying something, the district attorney said.

He instead took out a gun, authorities claimed, and robbed the store.

After Siam turned over the contents of the cash register and other items to Samuel, it is suspected that the Lynn man forced the clerk into another area of the store at gunpoint and shot him at close range, the prosecutor said in her statement.

Siam died from his injuries on Aug. 22, according to the statement.

Rollinss office has been in close contact with Siams family members, and the prosecutor has personally spoken with them, she noted.

They are devastated, the district attorney said. Mr. Siam came here for a better life, and his life was violently stolen. We are working to provide this family, and all of our other survivors of homicide, with the resources and assistance that they need during this terrible time.

Authorities alleged that Samuel ran away from the store and that the armed robbery and shooting were captured on camera by the stores video surveillance system.

Fingerprints at the scene of the shooting also helped identify Samuel, who was later arrested after an attempted armed robbery on July 22 in Brockton, Rollinss office said.

The gun Samuel allegedly used in Brockton was matched to ballistics evidence found where Siam was shot, according to the district attorney.

An arrest warrant was issued for the Lynn man on Aug. 7. Earlier this month, though, Samuel was already in custody at the Plymouth County House of Corrections on unrelated charges, police said.

This was a shameful and cowardly act of violence against a man who did nothing but comply with his killers demands, Rollins said in her statement. My office will hold this individual accountable for taking Mr. Siams life and for the harm and trauma that he has inflicted on Mr. Siams family and the community around this store.

Samuel is expected to return to court Oct. 14, according to authorities.

Related Content: Tanjim Siam, a store clerk shot in Boston, dies of injuries after 5-week fight in hospital, police say
25.08.2020 LISTEN

The Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission, Dr Serebuor Quaicoe says it is mind-boggling that political parties while in power, seem to support the Commission but turn against the commission immediately they lose elections.

Dr Serebuor Quaicoe who was speaking at the 2nd National Delegates Conference of the All People's Congress (APC) dismissed allegations that the Electoral Commission is in bed with the governing NPP.

He said the Commission will never influence elections in favour of any political party.

How come that when the political parties are in power, they are in bed with the EC, when they are in opposition they are against the EC? I want them to one day tell us what they do with the EC when they are in power such that they suspect that when someone else is in power, the person will do the same thing. We stand for Ghana and I can assure anybody that under no circumstance should a decision of Ghanaians be hanged by the EC. The EC cannot and will not ever change it. It is not possible, he said.

Ghanaians will go to the polls on December 7, 2020.

Ahead of the polls, some opposition political parties have been extremely critical of the Electoral Commission.

Some of the opposition parties have accused the EC of working to influence the election in favour of the governing party; a claim both the EC and the governing NPP have rejected.

---citinewsroom
A march on the Portland police union headquarters drew a rapid police response Monday night after someone set a fire next to the building.

Officers arrived at the Portland Police Association building minutes after protesters and declared the gathering an unlawful assembly as some in the crowd spray-painted the building and someone climbed on the roof to unfurl a banner.

About 60 seconds later, police declared a riot as the fire outside the building became visible.

Police later said a second fire had also been set at the rear of the building. Both were quickly extinguished.

Officers deployed tear gas to scatter the crowd and ultimately arrested 25 people.

WARNING: This video contains graphic language and violence.

EARLY ON: About 300 people set off from Arbor Lodge Park on Monday night, marching to the police union building on North Lombard Street.

Upon arrival, some demonstrators went to the back of the union building. Power to the building was cut off, according to police, and flames went up the side of the building.

Police declared a riot, citing extreme life safety concerns, and said someone appeared to pour an accelerant on the fire, which rapidly grew.

Police dispersed the crowd and arrested multiple people. Two fires were extinguished.

POLICE REOPEN STREET, ATTEMPT TO LEAVE: Dozens of police surrounded the union building after protesters mostly moved away. More than 100 protesters remained across the street.

Police removed barricades that were blocking traffic. Bewildered drivers found themselves between armored officers raising crowd-control weapons and shouting protesters, some of whom threw objects that included water bottles and shined lasers at police.

Police briefly left the area but returned after an awning was set on fire and another fire was set at the union building. Police arrested several more people. Police departed shortly after midnight, again deploying tear gas as they drove off.

OVER TWO-DOZEN ARRESTED: Police arrested 25 people during the demonstration. Those arrested were booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. Most face allegations of interfering with a peace officer, rioting or disorderly conduct.

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced earlier this month that his prosecutors wont pursue demonstrators accused of interfering with police, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, escape or harassment if the allegations dont involve deliberate' property damage, theft or force against another person or threats of force.

Prosecutors will proceed with a riot case only if it includes an accompanying allegation of specific property damage or use of force, Schmidt said.

One person arrested is accused of carrying a concealed weapon, among other allegations. Police said some who were arrested had weapons, including an electronic control weapon, baton, dagger, and multiple knives.

Monday also marked the second consecutive demonstration when police arrested about two-dozen people. Officers arrested 23 people during a demonstration Sunday night in Northeast Portland.

PRESS SCRUTINIZED: Officers at times vocally cast doubt on some in the crowd who claimed to be members of the media. At least one person was detained after failing to disperse or produce a press credential. A police officer also closely examined the press identification produced by a photojournalist for The Oregonian/OregonLive.

A judges order in a recent lawsuit bars police from arresting or using force on journalists for failing to disperse during an unlawful assembly. Who qualifies as press and how officers are supposed to identify them have been points of contention in the case.

Police said people with press printed on their clothes threw rocks at officers during Monday and that one of the rocks cracked the windshield of a police vehicle.

WISCONSIN SHOOTING: Mondays march was the first after the day that police in Wisconsin shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, multiple times from behind as he tried to enter a vehicle.

Blake, 29, was hospitalized in serious condition. The shooting was captured from across the street on cellphone video that was posted online.

In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns pointed and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while Blake has his back turned.

Seven shots can be heard, though it isnt clear how many struck Blake or how many of the officers fired. During the shooting, a Black woman can be seen screaming in the street and jumping up and down.

Blakes three children were sitting in the SUV at the time of the shooting.

Protesters in Wisconsin set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear Sunday night, while Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden condemned the shooting.

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY: A 25-year-old man surrendered to police Friday in the beating of another man caught on video during a confrontation that unfolded near a downtown Portland demonstration the weekend before. Marquise Love turned himself in and was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center, police said. Hes accused of felony assault, coercion and rioting. On Monday, a judge set his bail at $260,000.

FBI SEEKS HELP: The FBI has asked for help identifying people who they say participated in  or may have witnessed  crimes at the Multnomah County Justice Center and a downtown Portland bank branch in late May. Images of the people can be seen on posters distributed by the FBI.

The agency asked anyone who has information about the people on the posters or the incidents themselves to submit a tip online or call 1-800-225-5324 or 503-224-4181.

-- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Key benchmark indices were trading with small losses in early afternoon trade. At 12:21 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 60.01 points or 0.15% at 38,859.09. The Nifty 50 index lost 14.90 points or 0.13% at 11,481.35.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.42% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 0.23%.

The market breadth was negative. On the BSE, 1222 shares rose and 1390 shares fell. A total of 146 shares were unchanged.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 219.07 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 335.64 crore in the Indian equity market on 24 August, provisional data showed.

COVID-19 Update:

Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 23,655,518 with 813,207 deaths. India reported 7,04,348 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 58,390 deaths while 24,04,585 patients have been discharged, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Derivatives:

The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of market's expectation of volatility over the near term, slipped 0.71% to 19.09. The Nifty August 2020 futures were trading at 11,481.20, at a discount of 0.15 points compared with the spot at 11,481.35.

The Nifty option chain for 27 August 2020 expiry showed maximum Call OI of 52.20 lakh contracts at the 11,500 strike price. Maximum Put OI of 39.75 lakh contracts was seen at 11,000 strike price.

RBI Announces Special Open Market Operations (OMOs):

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday said it has decided to conduct yet another round of simultaneous purchase and sale of government securities under Open Market Operation (OMO) for an aggregate amount of Rs 20,000 crore. These auctions will be done in two tranches of Rs 10,000 crore each. The auctions would be conducted on 27 August 2020 and 3 September 2020.

Separately, RBI in its annual report on Tuesday said Indian government consumption will continue to support current economic demand while private consumption will likely lead the recovery when it takes hold after the COVID-19 outbreak eases.

"The upticks that became visible in May and June after the lockdown was eased in several parts of the country, appear to have lost strength in July and August, mainly due to reimposition or stricter imposition of lockdowns, suggesting that contraction in economic activity will likely prolong into Q2," the RBI said.

More protracted spread of the coronavirus pandemic, deviations of the monsoon from the predicted normal rains and global financial market volatility are key downside risks to growth, the central bank said.

Meanwhile, the balance sheet size of RBI increased by 30.02% as on 30 June 2020. The gross total income for the year 2019-20 amounted to Rs 1,49,672 crore as compared to Rs 1,93,036 crore in 2018-19. The expenditure of RBI for the year 2019-20 is Rs 92,540 crore which includes a risk provision of Rs 73,615 crore towards contingency fund as compared to an expenditure of Rs 17,045 crore in 2018-19. The year ended with an overall surplus of Rs 57,128 crore.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Metal index shed 0.77% to 2,506.55. The index had gained 0.10% yesterday.

Hindustan Copper (down 2.32%), Welspun Corp (down 1.96%), SAIL (down 1.91%), National Aluminum Co. (down 1.86%), Jindal Steel & Power (down 1.84%), NMDC (down 1.25%) and Tata Steel (down 1.05%) were the top index losers.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries shed 0.82% to Rs 529. The drug major on Tuesday said its arm DUSA Pharmaceuticals has reached a resolution with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning the promotion of Levulan Kerastick and BLU-U on payment of $20.75 million.

Alembic Pharmaceutical lost 1.08% to Rs 997.20. The drug maker said that its joint venture Aleor Dermaceuticals has received final approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for Desonide lotion. Desonide Lotion is low to medium potency corticosteroids indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses. According to IQVIA, Desonide Lotion has an estimated market size of $7 million for twelve months ending June 2020.

Globus Spirits hit an upper circuit of 5% at Rs 169.25 after the company's consolidated net profit surged 169.3% to Rs 18.69 crore on 22.3% drop in net sales to Rs 230.09 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Afghanistan asked Pakistan on Tuesday to fully implement UN Security Council sanctions on terrorist groups and individuals even as foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held talks with a Taliban delegation that included several sanctioned leaders.

On August 18, Pakistans Foreign Office issued a statutory regulatory order to enforce UN sanctions, which include a freeze on assets, a travel ban and denying access to weapons, against scores of operatives of the Taliban and Haqqani Network.

Less than a week later, a Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy political chief of the group, arrived in Islamabad on Monday at the Pakistan governments invitation for talks on the Afghan peace process.

A statement issued by Afghanistans foreign ministry, the notification issued by Pakistan on implementing the UN Security Council sanctions had been carefully considered and thoroughly reviewed. All nations are bound to comply with UN Security Council Resolutions 2255, 1988, 1267 and 2253, and Afghanistan urges the government of...Pakistan to abide by its obligations and its international responsibilities to implement the above-mentioned resolutions and to be committed to their full implementation, said the statement in Dari.

The statement noted the Pakistan government has pledged to implement the UN Security Council sanctions, including travel restrictions, arms embargo and freezing of funding for individuals and groups affiliated with the Taliban. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will continuously monitor and follow the process of implementation of this document and the implementation of its resolutions, it added.

Implementation of all UN Security Council sanction, especially those that cut off funding and equip terrorist activities and prevent war and bloodshed, is mandatory for all governments, the statement said.

The Afghan government also called on the Taliban to start peace talks as soon as possible and not to expose themselves to international sanctions by stopping the bloodshed and [making a] full commitment to a lasting and dignified peace.

Pakistan foreign minister Qureshi personally received the Taliban delegation when it arrived at the foreign ministry on Tuesday evening. The talks between the two sides lasted almost two hours.

At least six members of the Taliban delegation, including Mullah Baradar, have been sanctioned by the UN Security Council. While Baradar and three others were allowed to travel under a special exemption to participate in peace and reconciliation discussions, two members arent allowed to travel abroad, people familiar with developments said.

Pakistans recent move to enforce the UN sanctions, which also apply to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim and hundreds of terrorists, was widely perceived as having been taken with an eye on an upcoming assessment of the countrys counter-terror financing regime by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Pastor, 10 others slaughtered by radical Muslim Fulani Herders in Nigeria

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

In yet another series of attacks on Christians in Nigeria, armed Muslim Fulani herdsmen this week killed 11 people, including a 16-year-old girl, a father of nine, and a church pastor.

Between Sunday and Tuesday, Fulani herders killed 11 Christians in southern Kaduna state, according to Morning Star News.

In the latest attack on Tuesday, a 16-year-old student, identified as Takama Paul, and another Christian, identified as 30-year-old Kefas Malachy Bobai, a father of three children, were killed in Unguwan Gankon village in Zangon Kataf Countys Gora Ward in southern Kaduna state.

The militia also burned seven houses in the village, MSN quoted Luka Binniyat of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union as saying. Wary neighbors, however, came to the rescue, and the murderers fled.

On Monday, herdsmen killed a 48-year-old Christian farmer and father of nine, identified as Bulus Joseph, in Kajuru County.

Bulus Joseph was murdered gruesomely on his farm at Sabon Gida Idon, along the Kaduna-Kachia road, by armed Fulani militia, Binniyat said. He stood up to the killers so that his wife and three children could escape, which they did. But he paid the price with his life, as he was sub-humanly butchered by the cold-blooded murderers.

On Sunday, Fulani herdsmen killed the Rev. Adalchi Usman, pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All in Unguwan Madaki village in Kajuru County, along with three other Christians as they were traveling.

Pastor Adalchi Usman, 39, and a father of two, was ambushed while in a commercial vehicle he had boarded with three others, Binniyat said. The killers came from the bush and just started shooting at the car. The driver of the vehicle, Danlami Dariya, was abducted, and at the time of releasing this statement his whereabouts was still unknown.

Also on Sunday, Fulani militia killed village head Danazumi Musa, 67; his mother, Kande Musa, 97; and his siblings Aniya Musa, 60, and Angelina Irmiya, 45, near Banikanwa area in Kachia County.

Fulani herders routinely attack predominantly Christian farming communities in Nigerias Middle Belt. While some believe the nomadic herders launch attacks as they look for grazing pastures, the radicals are known for similarly targeting Christian villages as the Boko Haram terrorist group that terrorizes the northern regions of the country.

In a special report, titled Nigeria: A Killing Field of Defenseless Christians, released earlier this year, the Anambra-based nongovernmental organization International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law estimated that about 11,500 Christians had been killed in Nigeria since 2015 by Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram and highway bandits.

Earlier this month, Fulani herders launched a series of attacks during a 24-hour curfew in a predominantly Christian area in the same state, killing about 33 people and burning down dozens of homes.

While police said Fulani gunmen killed 21 villagers, local community leaders put the death toll at 33 in the attacks on five villages, according to AFP. The attacks took place in the Atyap Chiefdom in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, according to the U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide, which said armed men traveling in trucks killed six people and burned 20 homes in Apiashyim village, and killed seven people in Kibori village.

The U.S. State Department has put Nigeria under its special watch list of countries that engage in or tolerate severe violations of religious freedom. Nigeria is also ranked as the 12th worst country in the world for Christian persecution by Open Doors USA.
A Canadian woman was fatally mauled by a bear while outside her family's cabin while on the phone with her father, and to the horror of her young son who was just inside when the attack occurred.

Stephanie Blais, 44, was killed on Thursday after she was attacked by the black bear outside the cabin at McKie Lake, near Buffalo Narrows, CKOM reports.

At the time of the mauling, the Saskatchewan woman was on the phone with her father.

'Stephanie and I were talking over her satellite phone,' her father, Hubert Esquirol, said.

Stephanie Blais was at the cabin with her family at a cabin in Saskatchewan when she was brutally mauled by a black bear

'She called me to tell me that the waterline hadn't been working and that her husband had fixed it. She then told her son, Eli, to run inside and grab an antenna.'

Those were the last words he heard his daughter speak. He soon heard distorted gurgling sounds.

'I stayed on the line for a few minutes before I hung up and tried calling again,' he said. 'The sounds were very disturbing. An attack crossed my mind but attacks are one in a million.'

Blais' husband, Curtis, called the worried father back less than 10 minutes later.

She was on the phone with her father when the bear attack. Her nine-year-old son watched from inside the cabin (pictured)

'He called me and told me that Stephanie had been attacked by a bear. The bear wouldn't let go so he shot the bear until it let go,' Esquirol said.

'He then proceeded to give her CPR but she had no pulse.'

Eli, Blais' nine-year-old son, saw the horrific scene from inside the cabin.

Blais was described as having a 'zeal for life next to no one else'

The woman's father was surprised by the attack as bears have always been around the property but have never presented a problem before.

'We never leave any food around, we have never given them a reason to stay. There has never been any provoked bears or any that seemed angry. They would always run off,' he said.

Esquirol had just been at the cabin a week before his daughter had her trip.

A conservation officer told the father that the bear was unprovoked in its attack.

'Stephanie would have been in the bears' sight. She had her back turned. She didn't see it,' Esquirol said.

The bear's stomach was found full of berries leading the officer to believe that the bear was not hungry.

'Curtis handled the situation extremely well,' Esquirol said. 'It could have been so much worse. The children could have been near her at the time of the attack.'

A GoFundMe has been launched for Curtis and the children. It has raised close to $40,000.

'Our Stephanie had a zeal for life next to no one else. She was the most loving and passionate mother, who always spoke of how blessed she was to be able to be home and raise her children,' her cousin, Jane Rusbridge, said in the post.

'These were her most precious days. She was free spirited, and loved the earth. She shared this with anyone who crossed her path. Her joy, passion, love, compassion, wisdom and selflessness was felt by anyone who had the joy of meeting Stephanie.'
The number of passengers arriving at Belfast Harbour more than tripled between May and July, according to new figures.

The harbour said 110,000 passengers arrived there last month, compared to just 32,000 in May.

It was not all tourist traffic, just the volume of people coming into the harbour.

Stena Line has had to temporarily move its new Estrid ferry off the Dublin to Holyhead route to cover its Belfast to Cairnryan route due to demand.

The company carried out a survey of 84,000 passengers and found the primary destination people in the Republic want to travel to is the UK, and vice versa.

However, the main reason cited was to visit friends and family.

"This contradicts the Government's fears that people just want to take off on their holidays," said Stena.

"After the long lockdown, they just want to see their friends and family."

One source said many people from the Republic are opting to travel to Belfast instead of Dublin as there are less restrictions.

Meanwhile, the number of tourist vehicles travelling into Dublin Port also more than trebled between May and July, figures show.

Passenger numbers have been "creeping up" on routes from Britain to Ireland despite ongoing travel restrictions due to Covid-19.

Dublin Port saw the total number of passengers - including HGVs - increase from 38,465 in May to 83,938 in July.

While not all of these passengers would have been tourists, there has also been an increase in the number of tourist vehicles arriving.

A total of 23,972 tourist vehicles arrived at the port in July, compared to just 7,165 in May.

The Republic's Department of Transport said all overseas passengers (except essential workers) arriving, whether by air or sea, are legally required to complete a passenger locator form.

Since July 8 people arriving have been asked to "restrict movements" as opposed to self-isolate, which has led to some confusion.
Police in the Ashanti Region have begun investigations into the alleged rape of a St. Louis Senior High School female student.

The alleged sexual assault is said to have taken place on the schools premises.

Police sources at the Ashanti Regional Police Command told Citi News that the victim was studying in the classroom at night when an unidentified man dragged her to a bushy area where she was allegedly raped.

The attack is believed to have happened after the formal study hours at night, also known as prep.

The victim has since been admitted at the hospital.

The identity of the perpetrator is not yet known.

Students sitting for the West Africa Senior School Certificate Exam (WASSCE) are currently in school.

---citinewsroom
She is enjoying a getaway in Cabo San Lucas with friends to celebrate her 22nd birthday.

But Sofia Richie snuck in a little bit of work to model for PrettyLittleThing as she is announced as the new Brand Ambassador for the brand.

The newly-minted 22-year-old posed at the scenic villa during the golden hour of sunset in a print dress, in a series of photos posted to Instagram on Monday night.

Work and play: Sofia Richie snuck in a little bit of work on Monday, to model for PrettyLittleThing as she is announced as the new Brand Ambassador for the brand

Her dress was in a multi butterfly print and featured a corset bodice accentuating her curves.

While the right side and back of the dress was in a scoop midi cut, on the left front side the dress was gathered and cinched revealing most of her thigh.

Her bust was covered in a square neckline, with thick straps and a sleeveless design.

Sofia went shoeless, posing with one foot resting on her opposite shin as she leaned against a concrete pillar.

Design: Her dress was in a multi butterfly print and featured a corset bodice accentuating her curves. While the right side and back of the dress was in a scoop midi cut, on the left front side the dress was gathered and cinched revealing most of her thigh

Her photoshoot took place on a concrete corridor at the beach view villa she has been staying at since the weekend with friends and family.

The golden sun fave her a sunkissed glow while positioned in front of large concrete planters and wooden benches.

She seamed to be fresh faced for the photos with natural skin and the daughter of Lionel Richie pulled her golden brown hair back into a white claw clip.

'birthday wishes' she simply captioned the advertising post.

Hot location: Her photoshoot took place on a concrete corridor at the beach view villa she has been staying at since the weekend with friends and family

Birthday girl: She recently jetted off to Cabo San Lucas to get a head start on her birthday festivities by boarding a private jet with her mom Diane, brother Miles, and a slew of her closest friends over the weekend

PrettyLittleThing re-shared the images and teased fans with more collaborations in store.

'Birthday blessings,' the brand's Instagram wrote. 'So excited to announce @sofiarichie as our newest Brand Ambassador. We cant wait for you guys to see what we have in store.'

Sofia was one of the first celebrities to lead campaigns for PrettyLittleThing UK back in 2016 at just 16-years-old.

She recently jetted off to Cabo San Lucas to get a head start on her birthday festivities by boarding a private jet with her mom Diane, brother Miles, and a slew of her closest friends over the weekend.

Gym-honed physique: While displaying her chiseled abs, the model unveiled her enviable tan after an afternoon in the sun under a pink bucket hat and black sunglasses

A source told E! News, Sofia and her pals are in San Lucas, and her dad helped with planning. 'Lionel [Richie] helped coordinate the plane and trip for Sofia, and her friends surprised her with customized '22' goodies for the house and flight,' the source revealed.

'They all took celebratory shots on the way to Cabo and were dancing and having a blast on the flight,' the insider noted. 'Sofia's friends wanted to make it really special for her and she was so excited to get away to celebrate.'

Additionally, the group are reportedly staying at a 'private villa on the beach.'

'They are planning on celebrating at the house by laying by the pool and beach with cocktails,' the insider reveals. 'Sofia expressed she wanted a chill birthday but wanted to be somewhere other than L.A. She just wants to drink, dance and party at the house, and is excited she's with her closest friends.'

Party: The update was a stark contrast from the plethora of videos on her Instagram Story from her wild ride over on a luxe private plane with some very energetic pals

As evidences by her social media, Sofia's pals went all out with birthday balloons and and rented a boat for the afternoon.

For the cruise, the bombshell changed into a matching coral skirt and tiny coral cropped top.

Her calm morning was a stark contrast from the plethora of videos on her Instagram Story from her wild ride over on a luxe private plane with some very energetic pals.

The mood inside the jet was a fun, but chaotic one, with drinks flowing and female party goers propping their legs up on the arms of their seats to show off their twerking skills for the cellphone cameras around them.

Birthday goals: The birthday girl also posed in a gorgeous hallway with her friends upon their arrival

For one brief IG Story clip, Richie had an orange drink in her hand as she posed with her hand in the near next to a friend.

Sofia also captured some hilarious footage of her mom Diane - who was married to Sofia and Miles' dad from 1995 until 2004 - flaunting her impressively toned abs and twirling down the aisles of the jet.

She can also be heard in one of Sofia's Instagram Story clips urging all passengers on board to 'drink water' so they did not get too carried away with the open bar before they even landed.

Diane's dear friend Shelleylyn Brandler uploaded a sweet snapshot of the mother-daughter duo enjoying an inflight cuddle session to her Instagram.

Mother daughter duo: Diane's dear friend Shelleylyn Brandler uploaded a sweet snapshot of the mother-daughter duo enjoying an inflight cuddle session to her Instagram

Later, Sofia taped Kylie Jenner's former assistant Victoria Villarroel, who donned a bright white athleisure set for the party, getting her bottom slapped by another party goer.

Stassie took a video of herself taking a sip from an orange juice drink with the caption: 'here we go.'

She was also spotted by Sofia's brother Miles giving 'twerking lessons' to her friends on board.

Once Sofia and her birthday crew landed in their undisclosed destination, they exited the jet and gathered around for a group photo.

Getaway: Hours after landing, she returned to social media to unveil her stunning destination with videos of a lavish cabana and infinity pool right next to the ocean

Infinity pool: She documented her beautiful hotel on Instagram for her more than six million Instagram followers to view

Hours later, she returned to social media to unveil her stunning destination with videos of a lavish cabana and infinity pool right next to the ocean.

Her trip comes after she recently split from Scott Disick, 37, 'for good,' after three years of dating, and reports emerged that they are 'no longer speaking.'

The TV star and Sofia are reported to have ended their turbulent romance, and they are now no longer on speaking terms after 'Scott officially called it off'.

'They have been off and on for two months,' said a source to E! News. 'Sofia really pushed to make things work between them after they initially broke up, but Scott officially called it off recently and they are no longer speaking.'

The insider also claimed that their age difference ultimately became an issue for the celebrity duo.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Fund managers were quick to spot the beaten-down stocks and raised stake in as many as 287 companies in the June quarter, data from AceEquity showed as on August 13.

Out of 287, there are 10 companies whose stocks have rallied more than 100 percent so far in 2020. These are Aarti Drugs, Laurus Labs, Granules India, Alkyl Amines, Tata Communications, Navin Fluorine, Birlasoft, Aurobindo Pharma, Vaibhav Global and Neuland Laboratories.

Most of the stocks in which fund managers raised stake in the June quarter are from the small & midcap space. After a sharp sell-off in March, the broader market was first to bounce back to show signs of strength.

Most of the companies which have doubled in 2020 belong to either the chemical sector or companies that manufacture API from the pharma space. Both these sectors are likely to benefit most from the COVID-19 pandemic and the government policies.

As market started to stabilise after March, investors  foreign and domestic  found good quality, high growth stocks at affordable valuations. Indian government went into a fire-fighting mode to protect the lives and livelihood of citizens, loan moratoriums were announced, Tejas Khoday, Co-Founder & CEO, FYERS told Moneycontrol.

Timely approvals from USFDA, decent sales, scarcity of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) boosted the growth prospects of these companies even as India went into lockdown with stringent conditions, he said.

Khoday further added that among the top 10 outperformers of the quarter, most were from pharma or chemical-related stocks. Tata Communications, Vaibhav Global, Birlasoft were a value play.

(The above table is for reference only and not buy or sell recommendations)

Analysts also pointed out towards rotation trade happening in the June quarter. Fund managers moved out of largecaps in the financials and consumption space towards growth stocks in the small & midcaps space which are likely to see a big turnaround as economy recovers.

With a lot of large caps rallying back to pre-COVID levels, and a lot of these stocks in sectors like financials and industrials which could see further stress in the future, or a discretionary consumption drought, Siddharth Panjwani, Chief Strategy Officer Pickright Technologies told Moneycontrol.

MFs have responded by rotating out of them into the more growth oriented sectors with better prospects as seen in the stocks above, he said.

Decrease in stake:

There are as many as 363 companies in which fund managers reduced their stake in the June quarter, according to data collated from AceEquity. Out of 363 companies, 4 more than doubles investors' wealth so far in the year 2020.

Stocks which more than doubles investors wealth include names like GMM Pfaudler, Mcleod Russel, Astec Lifesciences, and Dixon Technologies. Most of the companies have been hitting a fresh record high in August as well.

While MF buying and selling is a good signal, this information is also dated and might not reflect what the fund manager is doing in real-time, suggest experts. Also, sometimes fund managers adjust the portfolio to manage risk amid high valuations.

Except for companies belonging to the Chemical and Pharma sector where we can see exponential growth in the medium to long term valuations of most of these stocks looks stretched and it will be advisable to book profits, Atish Matlawala, Sr Analyst, SSJ Finance & Securities told Moneycontrol.

There are as many as 24 stocks in which fund managers reduced their stake rose more than 50 percent so far in the year 2020 that include names like Amber Enterprises, Essel Propack, Jubilant Lifesciences, Cipla, JB Chemicals, Escorts, Ipca Laboratories, and Alembic Pharma.

(The above table is for reference only and not buy or sell recommendations)

Most of the stocks belong to the chemicals, infra as well as pharma space which have benefitted immensely from the Atmanirbhar schemes, as well as the outbreak of COVID.

Experts are of the view that fund managers preferred to book some profits in some and deployed the cash in those sectors which will bounce back as and when the economy recovers.

A quick glance of these 364 stocks reveals that the stocks are part of a sectoral move and belong to pharma, agro and specialty chemicals, consumption-related sectors. Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhyan and lockdowns have provided the necessary impetus to many of these stocks, says Khoday of FYERS.

As lockdowns end and economy starts opening up fully, companies from other sectors which are undervalued or are fairly valued could get preference. Hence, investors would be interested in booking partial profits or retrieve their initial capital, which could be deployed in value offering stocks, he said.

: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Boeing is preparing to bolster the long-term safety of its troubled 737 Max with technology borrowed from space vehicles and urban drones that can provide data to help back up its sensors.

The system - known as synthetic air data - takes existing information on the aircraft, runs it through a computer program and produces readings that mimic what costly additional sensors provide.

Added as a result of pressure from European regulators, it would reduce the risk of accidents such as those on the Max. But it would also address a wide range of deadly air crashes triggered by confusing cockpit readings, according to engineers and academic research. It's already proved its value on Boeing's 787, and Airbus SE is adopting similar techniques in its aircraft.

"The reason why myself and a bunch of others are looking at it is it does have the promise to enhance safety," said Demoz Gebre-Egziabher, an aerospace engineering professor at the University of Minnesota who is researching such systems.

At the same time, Gebre-Egziabher and others caution the technology involves knotty challenges, and it's most likely not something Boeing can slap on the Max in a few months. "The algorithms are complicated and certifying them is a bear," Gebre-Egziabher said.

Boeing's best-selling plane, an updated version of the decades-old 737 family, was grounded in March 2019 after the second of two crashes in less than five left 346 dead. The chain of events leading to both crashes was prompted by the failure of sensors known as angle-of-attack vanes, and the new technology would provide redundancy for those readings without adding additional sensors, which are costly.

U.S. aviation regulators earlier this month said they've tentatively accepted Boeing's sweeping redesign of the Max without the new technology, meaning the plane could be approved to fly again as soon as this autumn. The fixes also meet the standards of other nations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said.

The new suite of virtual sensors Boeing is planning to add to the plane is a result of demands by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which has repeatedly said it wants even more protections for the Max.

In a compromise, EASA has agreed not to hold up the plane's recertification, but the agency, along with the FAA, is insisting that Boeing make future improvements and spell out how the company plans to do so before final approval, said a person familiar with the deliberations who wasn't permitted to talk about them publicly.

Specifically, EASA wants more backups for the angle-of-attack vanes.

The Max, like other Boeing aircraft, has two angle-of-attack sensors, while Airbus planes have three.

Adding a third such sensor, a small wind vane that measures whether the jet's nose is pointed above or below oncoming air, could help mitigate that, European regulators have said. Such an addition would be costly and time consuming.

Discussions on the issues are still under way at EASA and the agency said it can't comment, while Boeing declined to comment on its work to add sensors to the Max.

Despite the differences in sensors, Airbus and Boeing models have nearly identical accident rates, which overall are at all-time lows.
240pp, Rs 299

Gunjan Saxena has become a controversial figure, largely because of the film that is said to have taken liberties with the facts of her life. The controversy, which also revolves around who was the first female IAF officer to have seen action in the Kargil war and Saxenas role in the war, does not make or break this book. This autobiography has plenty of thrilling material; the last quarter describes Saxenas experience of war. There are vividly described, moving, enthralling scenes that take us into the cockpit of her helicopter and into the front lines. There are at least two brushes with death for Saxena, that make us hold our breath.

I was pleasantly surprised by the tone of the book, which is never jingoistic but measured, matter-of-fact. Saxenas reasons for joining the IAF come across as hardly nationalistic but aspirational: she wanted to fly and loved the armed forces lifestyle. Even when the book calls it an honour to die for India, she shows no propagandist hatred for the people who make that honour possible (though she does have a few choice epithets for them). Moreover, it is pleasing to note that Saxena comes across as an armed forces devotee, but never glorifies the armed forces.

The Kargil Girl is written in a visual and breezy style that makes for a quick read. It is structured as a scrambled narrative, which consists of a series of obstacles that Saxena must cross. At strategic places, we are given a flashback to a formative experience from her childhood that gave her the qualities or virtues needed to overcome that particular obstacle. The structure of the book gives weight to its narrative and slows it down enough for us to savour it. While key incidents from her childhood and teenage are covered through flashbacks, the main narrative spans from her candidacy for the IAF to her stint in the Kargil war.

Saxenas training as an IAF cadet is covered in vivid detail  detail enough for the martially inclined reader to relish and for the pacifists among us (are there any left?) to decry regimentation in its most literal sense. We are shown how the rule-driven world of the armed forces moulds its inhabitants. This may bring a frown to the lips of those who think for a living: The military is not the place for those who apply logic to orders [but] for those who know how to follow orders in letter and spirit. Because when in war, logic induces fear and fear induces cowardice and this entire process begins in the academy itself. The familiar themes come through  how military training is physically arduous, mentally challenging and how it emphasizes compliance and conformity. Quite matter-of-factly, Saxena describes ragging by senior cadets: Some other punishments included drinking mugs of water from a half-filled bucket and then spinning around until they threw up, only to roll around in each others vomit. Punishments also involved being made to run, doing planks, and other exhausting humiliations. Saxena appears to approve:  the seniors would give us [punishments] until we became seniors we would do the same to our juniors.

Saxena is equally frank in her depiction of hostility from her colleagues who resented her success as a woman. When, during her days as a cadet, she got a chance to fly a sortie with a visiting pilot, Most of the male instructors had a look on their faces that meant, Do you really think you should be there?  Most of the male cadets felt that I had stolen this opportunity from them Some of the senior instructors were only worried about the reputation of the academy and thought that choosing a female cadet would spoil it After Saxena did exceptionally well during the sortie, however, many of her detractors congratulated her, the book says.

Saxenas formative years and IAF training take up most of the book, and are engagingly written. The last 20 percent of The Kargil Girl is devoted to Saxenas participation in the Kargil war; she flew several missions, and, among other things, evacuated injured or dead soldiers. This is where the book is at its most cinematic and enthralling, and the writers deserve kudos for providing enough detail to take us to the frontlines of the war without distressing us. There is a good scene in which the sight of a dead soldier makes Saxena confront her own mortality and reinforces her sense of sacrifice. There is also a scene where Saxena evades a missile launched at her air base.

All in all, the book makes for perfectly thrilling reading. Another takeaway for the astute reader is Saxenas idea of patriotism, which was never jingoistic but was rooted in a spirit of service and sacrifice. Hopefully, therefore, this well written and very readable book wont be used to reinforce regressive ideas of Indian-ness. One can only hope.

Suhit Kelkar is an independent journalist. He lives in Mumbai.
Only about half the country has access to the secure drop boxes that give voters an alternative way to return a mail-in ballot without relying on the U.S. Postal Service.

Data compiled by Yahoo News and the Voting Rights Lab, a group focused on increasing voter participation, show that only 24 states currently have drop boxes, and two more are in the process of implementing them.

A voter puts her mail-in ballot in a drop box in West Chester, Pa., prior to the primary election in May. (Matt Rourke/AP)

President Trump has repeatedly made false statements about various aspects of the presidential election, including drop boxes. On Sunday, the president neglected to mention the established security measures that states take to prevent double voting  including ballot-tracking in 42 states and the District of Columbia  and said someone could vote multiple times through a drop box.

People on Twitter flagged Trumps false statement for violating rules about civic and election integrity.

Meanwhile Michael Adams, Kentuckys Republican secretary of state who also is a senior legal adviser to Vice President Pence, told Yahoo News that Republican voters in his state like drop boxes better than the Democrats do, because Republicans have less confidence in the postal system and theyre more likely to drop that and see it go into the bin.

The drop boxes have been really popular, Adams said.

Adams also called out Trumps complaints about election fraud in general as incorrect. Youre not going to see widespread fraud in a presidential or a Senate or a governors race. Its just not feasible, Adams said.

Drop boxes are similar to blue Postal Service receptacles on a street corner, only theyre run by county or local elections officials. They offer an option for voters who are worried about the Postal Service losing their ballot, mishandling it or turning it in too late to be counted.

But not every state has drop boxes, and even in those states that have them, not every county has them.

Voters should check with their local board of elections to see if their town or county has a drop box. Yahoo News has a list of the local board of elections in all 50 states, which you can read here. If you have questions about drop boxes, call your local officials.

Story continues

Yahoo News will update this list on drop boxes as more information becomes available.

ARIZONA

Arizona uses drop boxes. We are in the process of ordering about 70 additional drop boxes across the state. For some counties, this will be their first time using them. For some others, it will add on to their total. A few counties are using CARES funds to purchase their own outside of the states order. The number of and locations of each drop box is determined by county officials.  Sophia Solis, Arizona Secretary of States Office

CALIFORNIA

On August 6, California enacted legislation that allows counties that do not vote by mail to systematically consolidate polling places if they also take steps to facilitate voting, one of which is providing two drop boxes or one per 15,000 registered voters, whichever is greater. These boxes must be available beginning 28 days before Election Day and continuing through Election Day. At least one must be outside, and available for at least 12 hours a day. Counties that do not choose to consolidate polling places as authorized by the new law continue to have the option, but not the requirement, of offering drop boxes.  Voting Rights Lab

COLORADO

Colorado is increasing its distribution of drop boxes for the November election.  Voting Rights Lab

CONNECTICUT

On July 31, Gov. Ned Lamont signed House Bill 6002a, which authorizes the return of ballots via drop boxes. Prior decisions by Secretary Merrill resulted in drop boxes being installed in every town.  Voting Rights Lab

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

The D.C. Board of Elections has announced drop box locations in each ward for the general election.  Voting Rights Lab

DELAWARE

"H.B. 346 establishes drop boxes inside each Department of Elections Office.  Voting Rights Lab

FLORIDA

Voters can return their vote-by-mail to secure drop boxes at their Supervisors of Elections main and branch office(s), and during the early voting period, at each of their Supervisors designated early voting sites. Some counties are also offering additional secure drop box locations during the early voting period.  Mark Ard, Florida Department of State

GEORGIA

The State Board of Elections issued a regulation extending the use of drop boxes. While it will remain at the discretion of counties to request SBOE-funded boxes, evidence suggests that there was widespread adoption for the primary election. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) has encouraged all counties to establish drop boxes and has said that state grant money will be available to pay for them.  Voting Rights Lab

IOWA

Some counties have established ballot drop boxes.  Voting Rights Lab

ILLINOIS

Illinois legislation authorized the use of drop boxes for the 2020 general election, and they have been established in several counties.  Voting Rights Lab

KANSAS

Sedgwick County, the states second largest, will deploy 14 drop boxes for the November election, up from one for the primary.  Voting Rights Lab

KENTUCKY

On August 14, Gov. Andy Beshear issued an executive order adopting recommendations from Secretary of State Michael Adams (R) directing the State Board of Elections to purchase ballot drop boxes and make them available to county clerks.  Voting Rights Lab

MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts enacted legislation allowing municipalities to set up drop boxes.  Voting Rights Lab

MARYLAND

The State Board of Elections plan for the Nov. 3 election indicates that 127 drop boxes will be available statewide for the November election.  Voting Rights Lab. A spokesman for Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan told Yahoo News that the state is increasing its total of boxes above its current total of 127.

MICHIGAN

Michigan law does not require drop boxes, but nearly every jurisdiction has already installed them in varying numbers. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that her office will provide CARES Act funding to reimburse localities that install additional boxes prior to the November election.  Voting Rights Lab (You can find a list of the more than 900 drop box locations in Michigan here: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/Ballot_Dropbox_Locations_697191_7.pdf)

NEBRASKA

Secretary of State Robert Evnen (R) has stated that drop boxes will be available for ballot return in all counties in November.  Voting Rights Lab

NEW JERSEY

Governor Murphys order regarding the conduct of the November 3 general election requires each county, to the extent possible, to provide at least 10 drop boxes.  Voting Rights Lab

NEW MEXICO

State law enacted in 2019 appears to require that drop boxes meeting certain standards be placed in every county. Based on communications with the Secretary of States office, boxes should be in place in every county by the November election.  Voting Rights Lab

NEVADA

On August 3, Gov. Steve Sisolak signed A.B. 4, which will require each county to establish at least one ballot drop box.  Voting Rights Lab

NEW YORK

N.Y. Senate Bill 8902, which is currently pending, would authorize but not require drop boxes.  Voting Rights Lab

OHIO

Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued a directive requiring each county Board of Elections to place a secure drop box for ballot return outside the boards office. LaRoses directive also prohibited counties to provide any additional drop boxes.  Voting Rights Lab

OREGON

The states drop box locator will be updated 20 days before the election and can be found here: https://sos.oregon.gov/voting/Pages/drop-box-locator.aspx

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island has adopted regulations that require every city and town to provide at least one secure drop box for the September primary and November general election.  Voting Rights Lab

SOUTH DAKOTA

The county auditor for Minnehaha County, the state's largest, is seeking to add 15 for the November election.  Voting Rights Lab

UTAH

The Utah legislature unanimously passed a bill concerning the conduct of the November general election that requires all counties to provide secure drop boxes for the election.  Voting Rights Lab

VIRGINIA

Certain jurisdictions (Arlington County, Fredericksburg) have announced they will provide drop box locations for the November election.  Voting Rights Lab

WASHINGTON

Washington state has held its elections entirely by mail-in vote since 2011 and has tracked voter use of drop boxes since 2012. In the 2016 election, 56.9 percent of ballots were cast via secure drop boxes.

WISCONSIN

"Drop box use is increasing significantly for the November election. For example, Wisconsin's largest cities, Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Racine, and Kenosha, received a major grant, part of which will be spent on drop boxes in each city. Smaller cities are also acquiring drop boxes.  Voting Rights Lab

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
The family of a French-Irish teenager who died after disappearing from a Malaysian jungle resort initially suspected she had been kidnapped and taken to a nearby house, an inquest heard Tuesday.

The body of 15-year-old Nora Quoirin, who had learning difficulties, was discovered unclothed after a massive hunt through the rainforest last year.

Police insist there was no foul play but her parents -- who believe there was criminal involvement, as they say she would not have wandered off alone -- pushed for an inquest and authorities agreed.

Senior police official Mohamad Nor Marzukee Besar, who played a key role in organising the search for the schoolgirl, said Tuesday that her London-based family believed she was in one of three houses near the Dusun Resort.

"Family members said the child had been abducted and identified the three houses where she might be held," he told the court in Seremban city, on the second day of the inquest.

"We searched the houses but did not find anything."

The teen's family had also told police at the time that she could not walk more than 20 feet (six metres) on her own, Marzukee said.

As well as the houses, a team searched a hut deep in the jungle after the resort owner said the girl could have been taken there, but only found a man sleeping at the site, he said.

Quoirin disappeared from the resort on August 4 last year, triggering a 10-day hunt involving helicopters, sniffer dogs and hundreds of searchers.

An autopsy found that she probably starved and died of internal bleeding after spending about a week in the dense rainforest.

On the first day of the inquest on Monday, a police official said he did not believe the teen was kidnapped after inspecting the house where she stayed with her family, and thought she had climbed out of a window.

The teenager's Irish mother and French father are not able to attend the inquest due to the coronavirus pandemic, but are following it via a video-conferencing platform.

jsm-sr/kaf
EMS medics with the Houston Fire Department move a patient with Covid-19 symptoms onto a stretcher before transporting him to a hospital on August 14, 2020 in Houston, Texas. John Moore | Getty Images

White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci warned members of Congress in late June that the U.S. might report more than 100,000 daily new cases of the virus "if this does not turn around." But months later, Fauci's worst fears have not come to pass as daily new cases have steadily fallen across much of the U.S. While testing has declined in recent weeks, the number of new cases is falling faster than testing rates, indicating that at least some of the drop is real. Epidemiologists credit a more unified health message in the U.S. that has more people following social distancing rules. They also say that keeping some businesses closed has helped slow the outbreak. And President Donald Trump started endorsing masks in late July, bringing the White House in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after months of resistance.

The number of daily new cases in the U.S. peaked on July 22 at about 70,000 new infections and have steadily fallen to about 42,600 per day, based on a seven-day average, according to a CNBC analysis of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The percent of all tests coming back positive has also steadily fallen, from a high of 8.5% in late July to 6.2% this week, according to Hopkins data. That, along with the four weeks of sustained decline and the falling number of Covid-19 hospitalizations, has epidemiologists feeling more confident that the U.S. is finally getting a grip on its outbreak. "The current plan  wearing a mask, watching your distance, washing your hands, supplemented by smart testing, according to the state plans, surge testing and extreme technical assistance by CDC as well as our craft teams  continues to yield results," Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir told reporters on a conference call last week.

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards

But the country remains in a delicate spot, according to epidemiologists from some of the hardest-hit states in the country  Florida, Texas and Arizona. While new cases are falling by at least 5% in 31 states, they are still rising by at least as much in more than a dozen states, based on a seven-day average, according to Hopkins data.

Texas

In Texas, new cases are down from an average of about 10,400 on July 22 to about 5,500. While irregularities in the state data led some local health officials and epidemiologists to question the data, Catherine Troisi, an infectious disease epidemiologist at UTHealth School of Public Health in Houston, said the state data is "with a grain of salt, looking good."

She added that the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's July 2 mask mandate "certainly" helped reduce the spread as well as the closing of bars, "because we know that those were spreading infection." Triosi, however, said that as the number of new cases continues to drop and as society reopens that people may experience "pandemic fatigue" and begin to disregard some guidelines. "What we're really concerned about are schools opening, Labor Day weekend and pandemic fatigue," she said. "We were all tired of this five months ago. Now we're really tired, so if people see the number of cases come down, they might think it's OK to do things that are a little bit riskier." "I would not be surprised if we see an uptick after Labor Day," she added.

Florida

In Florida, the daily average number of new cases has fallen from about 11,100 on July 22 to about 3,900 this week. Cindy Prins, an epidemiologist at the University of Florida, attributed much of the drop to changing behavior across the state, prompted by news coverage and effective public health messaging. "I think it kind of got to people that opening up didn't mean going back to normal," she said. "I think it got very much in the public eye that we weren't where we needed to be and that we had to take better control." Prins echoed Troisi's concern that as new cases continue to fall, people might get comfortable and ease up on their commitment to the public health guidance. "My concern is that we'll have people kind of falling away from this perception of threat as our cases decline and that we could wind up with a little bit of a roller coaster," she said. However, she added that Florida and many other Sun Belt states hit hard by the virus this summer have an advantage over the northern parts of the country: comparatively warmer weather. Various studies have shown that the virus spreads more easily in crowded, indoor, poorly ventilated environments. Officials, including New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, have warned that colder weather could present a new challenge as outdoor dining and gatherings become more difficult.

Arizona

Arizona has reported an average of about 650 new cases per day over the past week, down from about 2,750 on July 22, according to Hopkins data. Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association and former director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, attributed the drop to "three core things." First, he said, Gov. Doug Ducey "finally" allowed towns, cities and counties to implement their own mask mandates in mid-June. Before that, Ducey had prevented local officials from implementing their own face mask requirements. "We definitely know that was a huge factor," Humble said. He added that the following week, Ducey ordered the closure of bars and nightclubs, which he said was another major cause in reversing the direction of the outbreak. The third factor that could be driving the drop is that enough of the population might have been infected earlier in the outbreak, giving the virus "a harder time finding new hosts," he said. Particularly hard-hit parts of Arizona might be benefiting from some level of herd immunity, he said, adding that not nearly enough of the population has been infected to actually halt the spread of the virus. "Arizona adopted the Swedish model," he said. "We threw our hands up and said, 'alright, let's get it.' That's what happened. And we did it. And a lot of people died. And a lot of people recovered. And those people are now protected." Humble added that he's nervous about the weeks and months ahead, both for the country and for Arizona. He said that under the governor's plan, bars and nightclubs could reopen as soon as this week in some communities. But he said he's not satisfied with the state's plan to ensure compliance with capacity restrictions and other requirements. He said that if bars and clubs reopen without a proper enforcement mechanism, it could lead to a major resurgence and "June 2.0." "When the bars and nightclubs open with no mitigation measures in place because there was no compliance, who's going to suffer from that? The parents and the kids who could have benefited from in-person instruction," he said, "because it's going to move the metrics up, and then kids are going to have to go back online and in-person instruction won't be an option anymore."

Trouble in the heartland
MINSK, Belarus - Authorities in Belarus on Tuesday steadily cranked up the pressure on protesters pushing for the resignation of the countrys authoritarian leader, jailing several opposition activists, summoning others for questioning and selectively ordering dozens of demonstrators to appear in court. Nevertheless, the protests continued.

Courts in Minsk handed 10-day sentences to two members of a council that opposition activists established last week to negotiate a transition of power following President Alexander Lukashenkos winning a sixth term in an election that critics contend was rigged.

Lukashenko has firmly rebuffed offers of dialogue from the Coordination Council, which rejects the official results of the Aug. 9 vote that extended his 26-year rule.

On Tuesday, council members Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova were each sentenced to 10 days in jail on charges of organizing an unsanctioned protest.

Pavel Latushko, a former culture minister and diplomat who joined the opposition council, was summoned for questioning over his role in the opposition body.

They are trying to push me out of the country, Latushko told The Associated Press. I have been threatened with arrest and prison violence, but Im not planning to leave Belarus.

Belarus most famous writer, Svetlana Alexievich, who won the 2015 Nobel Prize in literature, also received a summons after joining the council.

Lukashenko has dismissed the protesters who have been demonstrating for over two weeks as Western puppets and threatened the council members with criminal charges for attempting to create what he described as a parallel government. Prosecutors opened a criminal inquiry on charges of undermining national security, an allegation rejected by the council.

The Coordination Council isnt attempting to take power, Latushko said. All we want is to try to find a solution for the political crisis.

On Tuesday, hundreds of teachers and academic researchers rallied in Minsk in a show of solidarity with protesters as the demonstrations entered their 17th day.

As evening came, several thousand rallied on central Independence Square, despite heavy rain, to press for Lukashenkos resignation.

He managed to set everyone against himself, said 30-year-old sales clerk Tatyana Gubarevskaya who turned up for the rally with her husband. I supported Lukashenko in the past, but now I see that his authority hinges entirely on the police, he has stopped hearing his people.

Lyudmila Krylovich, a conductor at the Belarus State Philharmonic, said that Lukashenko behaves like a feudal lord who sees people as his property.

Who will tolerate that? she said.

The protests erupted after official results handed Lukashenko a landslide victory with 80% of the vote. They were galvanized by a brutal crackdown in the initial days after the election, when police detained nearly 7,000 people. Hundreds were injured when officers fiercely dispersed peaceful protesters with rubber bullets, stun grenades and clubs. At least three people died.

The bodies of two other opposition supporters also were found hanged in forests. Police declared that the deaths were suicides, but the opposition has contested the claim.

One of them, the 28-year-old Nikita Krivtsov, was buried Tuesday in the city of Molodechno, about 70 kilometres (some 45 miles) northwest of Minsk. He went missing on Aug. 12 after taking part in protests and his body was found ten days later.

His widow, Elena Krivtsova, said she has sent a formal request to the Investigative Committee, the nations top investigative agency, to launch a criminal inquiry into his death.

I dont believe that Nikita could have done it himself, she told the AP. He was a cheerful and positive man, he liked his daughter very much, had a good job and a decent salary. He never expressed any thoughts about suicide.

Hundreds of opposition supporters waving the opposition red-and-white flag attended his funeral.

On Aug. 18, the body of another opposition supporter, Konstantin Shishmakov, was found hanged in a forest in western Belarus. Shishmakov, who headed a small military history museum in Volkovysk near the Polish border, was a member of an election commission who spoke against alleged falsifications in the Aug. 9 balloting. Local police said they found no evidence of a crime, but the death has raised opposition suspicions of foul play.

The police crackdown fueled public anger, helping swell the number of protesters that reached an unprecedented peak of about 200,000 for two consecutive Sundays. The huge crowds forced the government to back off and allow the demonstrations to go largely unhindered for the past two weeks.

In a show of defiance, the 65-year-old Belarusian leader toted an assault rifle as he arrived at his residence by helicopter on Sunday while protesters rallied nearby.

Following Lukashenkos directives last week to get tougher on protesters, police started beefing up their presence on the streets and cordoning off some areas in the Belarusian capital. They detained at least five protesters in Minsk and another five elsewhere in the country on Monday after days of inaction, a signal that the authorities might resort to force again to end the protests.

The Interior Ministry said Tuesday that it issued over 40 court summons to protesters the previous day.

Police in Minsk again detained several protesters on Tuesday.

As the authorities toughened their stance, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition challenger in the Aug. 9 vote, reaffirmed her push for a new presidential election in a speech to the European Union delivered via video-link from Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

Belarus Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected her appeal to annul the results of the Aug. 9 vote.

Tsikhanouskaya, a 37-year-old former English teacher who moved to Lithuania a day after the vote following official pressure, said she was ready for dialogue with Lukashenkos government.

The intimidation will not work, she said. We will not relent.

Tsikhanouskaya met Monday with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun in Vilnius, thanking the U.S. for supporting the Belarusian people.

On Tuesday, Biegun discussed the situation in Belarus with Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. The U.S. Embassy spokesperson, Rebecca Ross, said on Twitter that Biegun condemned the use of violence against the Belarusian people and expressed support for Belarus sovereignty and the peoples right to self-determination.

The United States and the EU have dismissed the Belarus election as neither free nor fair and urged the authorities to engage in a dialogue with the opposition. Russia, which has a union agreement with Belarus envisaging close political, economic and military ties, has stood by Lukashenko and warned the West against interfering in Belarus affairs.

Speaking after the talks, Lavrov said he warned Biegun that certain circles in Poland and Lithuania are unhappy with normalization of the situation in Belarus and are eager to foment violence.

___

Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed.

Follow APs coverage of Belarus at https://www.apnews.com/Belarus
1. He was raised Catholic, attended an evangelical megachurch and recently met the pope.

Pence has described himself as a "born-again, evangelical Catholic."

That's not a combination you hear every day, as journalist Craig Fehrman, who has covered the Indiana governor for Indiana Monthly, pointed out.

Growing up in an Irish Catholic family that reportedly revered the Kennedys, Pence served as an altar boy and went to parochial school in Columbus, Indiana, according to Fehrman. He then made a "commitment to Christ" while taking part in a nondenominational Christian student group in college.

Pence told The Indianapolis Star that he and his family attended Grace Evangelical Church in the 1990s, but by 2013, he told Fehrman, they were "kind of looking for a church."

The vice president revisited his Catholic roots earlier this year, meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican before the coronavirus pandemic halted travel. The visit made me a hero in the United States, he enthused to the pope.

Photo courtesy: The White House
Residents looking for a new home that gives room to spend time outside should add the home located at 5773 Bradbury Run in Washington Township.

The four bedroom, six bathroom home is 3908 square feet and is available for $899,900.

The home also has a gourmet style kitchen with granite counters. Plenty of room for entertaining and the master suite has a jacuzzi tub.

Ryan Houlihan, the chief executive officer with Shamrock Acquisitions, LLC and the realtor handling the listing offered this description of the home, 5773 Bradbury Run is a very special property. In fact it is one of the most meticulously cared for homes I have ever been inside in all my years of viewing real estate. There are so many great features to this home, from the beautiful gourmet kitchen to the large master suite, but one of my favorite parts of this home the elevated brick deck and patio overlooking a parklike setting in the almost half acre backyard. It is truly one of a kind!

The listing can be seen on Zillow here: zillow.com/homedetails/5773-Bradbury-Run-Washington-MI-48094/83508170_zpid

 Macomb Daily staff
Facebook Inc said on Tuesday it plans to launch its news service in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, India and Brazil in the coming months, after having introduced the feature in the United States last year. The social media giants news service currently pays U.S. publishers for content and has original reporting from more than 200 outlets, including thousands of local news organizations. Facebook, which has 2.7 billion monthly active users, has come under fire for its lax approach to fake news reports and disinformation campaigns, which many believe affected the outcome ...
(Natural News) For the first time, genetically modified (GMO) mosquitoes are set to be released over American soil.

The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) has given Oxitec, a corporation we have reported on in the past, permission to unleash some 750 million GMO mosquitos in Monroe County, Florida, over the next two years.

This trial, as they are calling it, will commence at some point in 2021, despite objections from more than 2,000 Florida residents who wrote in to oppose the proposition prior to its approval.

Many locals had petitioned for a referendum to decide whether or not to proceed with what Jaydee Hanson, policy director for the International Center for Technology Assessment and Center for Food Safety, described as a Jurassic Park experiment.

Back in 2016, voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposed GMO mosquito trial over Key Haven. This time, voters are not being given a voice at all, and neither Oxitec nor the FKMCD has indicated where this latest batch of GMO mosquitoes will even be released.

With all the urgent crises facing our nation and the State of Florida  the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustice, climate change  the administration has used tax dollars and government resources to release GMO mosquitoes over Florida, Hanson warned in a statement.

EPA did not even look at potential risks, nor did it calculate environmental impact

Financially backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Oxitec has been experimenting with GMO mosquitoes for years, which it claims may help to eradicate mosquito populations in places like Africa where they are said to be spreading malaria.

Oxitec has attempted to conduct trials outside of America, where restrictions are generally looser. But now it has permission to release GMO mosquitoes right here in America, a first with completely unknown implications.

What could possibly go wrong? We dont know because EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) unlawfully refused to seriously analyze environmental risks, now without further review of the risks, the experiment can proceed, Hanson adds.

Barry Wray, Executive Direct of the Florida Keys Environmental Coalition, is similarly perturbed and demanding a remedy. He warned at a recent meeting that the FKMCD has an obligation to our community, not a vendor thats products are risky and untrustworthy.

Many members of the local community have urged the FKMCD to reject Oxitecs field trial application, noting a dearth of relevant data that in any way suggests the trial will be safe or effective. But thus far they have made minimal headway.

The release of genetically engineered mosquitoes will needlessly put Floridians, the environment and endangered species at risk in the midst of a pandemic, says Dana Perls, food and technology Program Manager at Friends of the Earth.

This approval is about maximizing Oxitecs profits, not about the pressing need to address mosquito-borne diseases.

Ed Russo, President of the Florida Keys Environmental Coalition, agrees, noting that the FKMCD does not have the resources to properly manage this process.

Why have they not acquired the appropriate amount of insurance as well as performance and maintenance bonds? he asked at the meeting.

Their evasive answers and lack of management skills are an indictment of their unprofessionalism and arrogance which speaks loudly of an unprepared regulatory process.

One of the biggest threats is that the GMO mosquitoes will breed and create hybrid wild mosquitoes that end up worsening the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. These GMO mosquitoes may also end up becoming more resistant to insecticides than wild mosquitoes.

There is further evidence to suggest that biting females will be released, despite objections from Oxitec that this will not happen. These biting females would put humans at risk of attack and infection, without their informed consent.

For more related news about untested GMOs being released into the wild, be sure to check out GMO.news.

Sources for this article include:

CenterForFoodSafety.org

NaturalNews.com

GatesFoundation.org
In a new study from the Danish psychiatry project iPSYCH, researchers have identified genetic risk factors for developing bipolar disorder and psychoses among people with depression.

In the longer term, the results may contribute to ensuring the correct diagnosis is made earlier, so that the patients can receive the correct treatment as quickly as possible.

Bipolar disorder and psychoses such as schizophrenia are serious mental disorders, which often have a great impact on a person's life and well-being.

In a number of cases, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are first diagnosed several years after the onset of the disorder. This is associated with unfavourable prognosis for the course of the disorders.

The sooner the patient gets the correct diagnosis and begins targeted treatment, the better the prognosis. For this reason, researchers are aiming at identifying risk factors that will aid psychiatrists to reach the correct diagnosis as early as possible.

Depression often precedes bipolar disorder and psychoses

Many people who develop bipolar disorder or psychoses initially come into contact with the mental health services due to depression. A research team from iPSYCH therefore set out to examine a dataset consisting of 16,949 people aged 10-35 who had been treated for depression at a psychiatric hospital in Denmark.

"Our goal with the study was to investigate whether genetic factors are associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder or psychosis among patients with depression. This knowledge can potentially be used in clinical practice to identify patients who should be monitored even more closely," explains the lead author of the research article based on the study, Senior Researcher Katherine Musliner from the National Centre for Register-based Research.

Among the factors the researchers looked into in the study was whether the genetic risk scores for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia - i.e. a person's individual genetic risk of developing these disorders - could possibly help psychiatrists determine which of their patients with depression was at greatest risk of subsequently developing bipolar disorder or a psychosis.

"One thing we discovered was that the genetic risk score for bipolar disorder is associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder, and that the genetic risk score for schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of developing a psychosis among patients who have been diagnosed with depression," says Katherine Musliner, stressing that the effect of the genetic risk scores were relatively small.

Family history weighs heavily

Another member of the research group behind the study, Professor Sren Dinesen stergaard from the Department of Clinical Medicine and Aarhus University Hospital - Psychiatry, emphasises that caution is needed when interpreting the results.

At present, the genetic risk scores cannot contribute to early diagnosis of bipolar disorder and psychoses in clinical practice, but it cannot be ruled out that this could be the future scenario. On the other hand, our study confirms that having a parent with bipolar disorder or a psychosis is a strong predictor for the development of these particular disorders after depression. This underlines the importance of getting information about mental disorders in the family as part of the assessment of people suffering from depression." Sren Dinesen stergaard, Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine and Aarhus University Hospital - Psychiatry.

The results have been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Background for the results

The study is a register-based study with data from 16,949 people who were treated for depression at a psychiatric hospital in Denmark in the period from 1994 to 2016.

The study was carried out in collaboration between researchers from Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen, Statens Serum Institut and Johns Hopkins University.
A day after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) met in the shadow of a letter written by 23 senior figures questioning the current situation pertaining to the party leadership, Shiv Sena parliamentarian Sanjay Raut backed Rahul Gandhis leadership abilities and said that Gandhi family is the Aadhar card of the Congress party. Raut also said that no one outside the Gandhi family can lead the party.

The Gandhi family is the Aadhaar card of the Congress party. Be it Soniaji [Gandhi], Priyanka Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi. The demand for a non-Gandhi leading a party is not appropriate. As of today, I dont see a leader outside the family who can lead the party, said Raut, while speaking to media persons on Tuesday.

The Rajya Sabha member also said that the Congress continues to be the principal opposition in the country and has workers in almost every village of the country. Raut further stated that the party should end their internal differences and rise as an opposition.

The Sena leader praised Rahul Gandhi for his leadership role as the party president in the past.

Rahul Gandhi led the party well in the past. The Congress won the Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh under his leadership. After the defeat in Lok Sabha [polls], he walked away from the post of the Congress president But even today, Rahul Gandhi has the ability to lead the Congress, said the Sena MP.

Meanwhile, responding to Maharashtra minister and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwars comments stating that if Rahul Gandhi takes over the reins of the party and directs the state Congress to leave the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government, the party would do so, Raut said, Well, Rahul Gandhi has no such wish; Wadettiwar thinks so. We have good interactions with Rahul Gandhi. The Congress ministers know the reason behind having a coalition government in Maharashtra. And Rahul Gandhi is also of the opinion that this government should run effectively.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is expected to undo many reforms in the immigration policy of the US, brought about by US President Donald Trump, if he gets elected to the top post in November.

Trump is known for his US-first immigration policy and Biden has called it draconian, national shame and a moral failing.

Undoing Trumps biggest immigration policies

Biden has vowed to put an end to Trumps Migrant Protection Protocols policy, and restore asylum laws to protect people fleeing persecution and who cannot return home safely.

The current policy of metering limits the number of asylum applications accepted each day and forces people seeking asylum to wait on the streets in often dangerous Mexican border towns for weeks before they are permitted to apply. Biden will direct the necessary resources to ensure asylum applications are processed fairly and efficiently, reads the former Vice Presidents manifesto.

The un-American travel and refugee bans, also referred to as Muslim bans, will also be revoked. Prohibiting Muslims from entering the country is morally wrong, and there is no intelligence or evidence that suggests it makes our nation more secure, reads the presidential candidates manifesto.

Better border technology and reformed immigration system

Biden has promised to invest in smarter border technology that would improve cargo screening.

According to Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris manifesto, most contraband comes in through legal ports of entry. And the real threats to our security - drug cartels and human traffickers - can more easily evade enforcement efforts because Trump has mis-allocated resources into bullying legitimate asylum seekers, the manifesto says.

He will secure the border, while ensuring the dignity of migrants and upholding their legal right to seek asylum. He promises to enforce laws without targeting communities or tearing apart families.

Offer protection to Dreamers and their families

DACA was created in 2012 to protect Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who were brought to the US as children, obeyed the law once here, and stayed in school or enlisted in the military. The Trump administration terminated the programme.

Biden will remove the uncertainty for Dreamers by reinstating DACA, and he will explore all legal options to protect their families from inhumane separation.

Legislation offering a path to citizenship to unauthorized immigrants

As much as $23.6 billion were collected from 4.4 million workers who had no social security numbers as many of them were undocumented, according to Bidens manifesto. He promises to advocate for legislation that creates a clear roadmap to legal status and citizenship for unauthorized immigrants who register, are up-to-date on their taxes, and have passed a background check.

Reforms in the temporary visa system

Legislation will be passed that reforms the temporary visa system. High-skilled temporary visas should not be used to disincentivise recruiting workers already in the US for in-demand occupations, according to Biden.

Biden has said that his administration will work with Congress to first reform temporary visas to establish a wage-based allocation process and establish enforcement mechanisms to ensure they are aligned with the labour market and not used to undermine wages. Then, Biden will support expanding the number of high-skilled visas and eliminating the limits on employment-based visas by country, which create unacceptably long backlogs.
Wealthy Victorians trapped under Premier Daniel Andrews' draconian COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are side-stepping travel bans in private aircraft - with pilots even turning off the plane's transponders to flee unnoticed.

Daily Mail Australia has been told aircraft movements continue to flow out of small airports across the state - with the planes landing in remote airports interstate.

This means passengers are able to avoid the standard 14-day quarantine - and could be potentially spreading the virus from Australia's COVID-19 red zone.

While Qantas has been forced to park its international fleet in the Mojave Desert in California and cancel international flights until July 2021, private operators have been accused of flouting the laws for rich, who are prepared to pay $1,000-an-hour to leave Victoria.

A private jet takes off from Essendon Airport, which is just down the road from Melbourne Airport (stock image)

Police stop and question drivers at a checkpoint on the border of Victoria and NSW in Albury last month

Some Melburnians are paying good coin to escape Victoria on private aircraft. There's no suggestion this passenger, departing Essendon Airport, is illegally flouting quarantine (above)

A well-placed source within the airline industry has told Daily Mail Australia pilots are able to easily escape Victoria simply by turning of their aircraft transponder.

The device is a radio transmitter in the cockpit that works with ground radar to identify its position, altitude and call sign to ground flight controllers.

'All you need to do is switch it off and you can pretty much fly across the border and land at a little airfield out of the way,' a source said.

Fat-cat executives working out of Melbourne are believed to be utilising the rogue services to continue working interstate as required.

Others are simply escaping a Melbourne winter made all the more miserable by Dan Andrew's controversial Stage Four restrictions.

'One bloke flew his teenage kids into northern NSW,' the insider claimed.

Under the current COVID-19 State of Disaster, Melburnians are only allowed to leave their homes to shop for essential items, exercise within a 5km radius from their homes and must adhere to an 8pm-5am curfew unless they have a work permit.

In regional Victoria, communities are trapped in Stage Three lockdown, which allows private airfields to continue recreational and training flights.

A Melbourne businessman told Daily Mail Australia he had sought out the high-flying escape plan in an effort to see his children across the border.

Under the current lockdown laws imposed by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, many Victorians with interstate families have been unable to see them for most of the year.

Expensive Louis Vuitton luggage at the bottom of the stairs to a private jet at Essendon Airport. (above)

Police set up a roadblock at the border town of Albury last month. Victorians have been trapped within their homes now for months

Some Victorians are believed to be escaping packed in boxes being driven across the border

'It's like being trapped in Stalag 13 and trying to break out,' the businessman said.

So desperate are some Victorians to escape that they are bundling themselves into boxes and being carried by road in trucks, which are permitted to keep freight moving across the country.

The businessman claimed a pilot could fly him across the border for $900 an hour, but that price could escalate depending on 'the heat' of the job.

He compared the operation to legendary Star Wars character Han Solo, who was paid to smuggle Luke Skywalker and friends into Alderaan.

On Monday, Premier Andrews extended the state's emergency warning despite COVID numbers steeply declining in recent weeks.

The premier argued that more needed to be done to ensure the trend continued downwards, and warned the State of Emergency could be in place for a further 12 months.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews wants to hang onto his emergency powers for another year despite COVID cases falling

The announcement was savaged by former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett on Monday, who accused Mr Andrews of attempting to seize 'dictatorial powers' during the crisis.

'Are we all going to be locked up at the whim of the premier? Without any checks and balances? This is an act of a megalomaniac,' he said.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson told Daily Mail Australia he was unaware of any pilot attempting to escape Victoria illegally.

'Turning off the transponder in controlled airspace while flying under instruments would be a breach of regulations and risk action from CASA,' he said.

'Pilots like everyone else have to abide by the relevant COVID restrictions. Policing those restrictions is a state matter and not within our jurisdiction.'

A spokesperson for the government's Airservices Australia refused to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday.
Arakhamia on Kravchuk's statement on water supplies to Crimea: No chances for Rada to take such decision

Chairman of the Servant of the People faction David Arakhamia has said there is no chance for the Verkhovna Rada to consider and make decisions on the resumption of water supply to Crimea.

"We are not planning to launch anything into Crimea. We respect Mr. Kravchuk, but Mr. Kravchuk is not in parliament now, and I think that now there is no chance in parliament to make such decisions and even consider them," he told reporters after an extraordinary meeting of the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday.

Earlier, the head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) in Minsk, Leonid Kravchuk, said that Ukraine could resume water supply to the occupied Crimea if a humanitarian disaster occurs there.

"Ukrainians live there, and if suddenly there is some kind of humanitarian catastrophe related to water, we can give people water, but industrial enterprises, military bases  we will never do this," he said in an interview with Ukrainian Radio.
School boards are slowly sorting out logistics for fall 2020, but students who are learning English as a second language are worried about the details that could get lost in translation for them.

Lucas Marques, 17, and Larissa Marques, 15, are siblings who are heading back to class in person at the Toronto District School Boards George Harvey Collegiate Institute this fall.

With plans to reduce class sizes to cohorts and limit interactions between students and teachers, the siblings empathize with students who may quietly fall behind picking up the language.

What if a student doesnt understand what a teacher said and hes shy or shes shy to ask? said Lucas.

Larissa remembered her early years in ESL classes.

I was very, very shy, she said. If I didnt understand something Id just stay quiet, but I wouldnt ask.

Lucas and Larissa moved to Toronto from Brazil in 2017 to live with their father and stepmother. They first started learning English when they enrolled in school.

Looking at how his teachers formed a word with their mouths helped Lucas improve his speaking skills, but unless teachers are provided with clear face masks or shields, learning the language and picking up course work could be even more difficult.

The pair also have a five-year-old sister whom theyd take turns looking after while finishing classes online during the pandemic shutdown. Shes also learning English and, while she made great progress at school, moving online halted her progress.

She was starting to learn how to read, count and talk much more in English, Lucas said. But with the COVID-19 shutdown, she started to forget. She was learning so fast and so much.

Both Lucas and Larissa are eager to return to school, saying learning online wasnt the same and they miss their friends. This year, Lucas will be vice-president of the student council, but hes not sure what to expect with this years safety precautions.

Xuan Dang, 16, is an international student from Vietnam who is going into Grade 11 at George Harvey. International students in the TDSB have to pay tuition: $16,000 for a full year of elementary or secondary school.

With the drastic changes to the curriculum this year, she hopes the school board refunds a portion of the fees.

You pay a huge amount of money to go to school and its really difficult for my family.

This year has created hurdles to getting the most out of her education. Xuan says, during the shutdown, learning online and staring at a screen was tiring for her.

That feeling of fatigue is common even without a language barrier, says Beverly Baker, who is an associate professor at the University of Ottawas Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

We rely a lot more on non-verbal communication than we realize, she said. With online learning, many of those cues are lost  even the lack of direct eye contact makes communication more challenging and draining.

It actually means you have to work harder to be able to understand what the other person is saying, Baker said.

If interaction is limited to students answering teachers questions about the curriculum, students learning English will likely do all right with academic language and forming answers, Baker said. But theyll be limited in asking questions and social language they would pick up from peers.

Additional programming for newcomer students is vital, says Daniela Mendez, who teaches ESL at George Harvey.

Clubs, speech competitions and opportunities to practise English play a role in success for ESL students. But newcomer students also need chances to meet with people like a schools settlement worker, who helps navigate things like access to health care and getting documents translated.

Sarah Vance, a teacher at Riverdale Collegiate Institute who previously taught at George Harvey, said newcomer students may also deal with more stress and pressure than the average student.

Mendez recalled a student who regularly worked part-time cleaning long-term-care homes during the school year. When the pandemic hit, he began working full-time and, rather than cleaning, was caring for residents. She worked to accommodate his schedule with online courses.

Students on international visas can also feel immense pressure to succeed in school for the benefit of their families. They might also have been unable to return home this summer.

Students might also be living with a parent for the first time. Vance said many students parents came to Canada through the live-in caregiver program and may have lived apart from their families for a number of years.

A lot of our work depends on being able to talk to people one on one and have those relationships. In fall  I dont know how that teacher can leave (the group) and speak to somebody one on one, Vance said.

If they dont have access to talk to us, then what are we missing? Mendez said.
They were engaged in January and welcomed their first child just weeks ago.

But Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev haven't exchanged vows just yet despite what a morning show says.

The 36-year-old former professional wrestler was referred to as the 38-year-old professional dancer's 'wife' in a Good Morning America promo but according to TMZ on Tuesday morning the couple are not legally married.

Intereting: Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev haven't exchanged vows just yet despite what a morning show says, as they are seen together in July 2019

Eyebrow raising: The 36-year-old former professional wrestler was referred to as the 38-year-old professional dancer's 'wife' in a Good Morning America promo but according to TMZ on Tuesday morning the couple are not legally married

The site's sources say that Nikki and Artem are still planning to get married but don't have a date for the wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic and they do not want a socially-distanced wedding.

The hubbub all began when a commercial plugging Artem's surprise appearance on GMA was giving clues to who it was when one referring to Nikki called her his 'wife.'

Many fans were left with the wrong impression as some believed that they had gotten married secretly.

Honest mistake: The hubbub all began when a commercial plugging Artem's surprise appearance on GMA was giving clues to who it was when one referring to Nikki called her his 'wife'

Big plans: The site's sources say that Nikki and Artem (seen together in July 2019) are still planning to get married but don't have a date for the wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic and they do not want a socially-distanced wedding

When the professional dancer from Russia did appear on the show he announced that he is set to perform again on the hit TV series Dancing With the Stars.

This comes just after the Waltz expert welcomed a son with his former dancer partner and now fiancee Nikki Bella on August 2.

Here I go: When the professional dancer from Russia did appear on the show he announced that he is set to perform again on the hit TV series Dancing With the Stars

Happy daddy: 'I just can't wait to get back,' said the TV star. 'And I want to dedicate this season to my little boy'; he had a son with Nikki Bella earlier this month

Dancing With the Stars is set to return to ABC on Monday, September 14, at 8 pm ET.

'I just can't wait to get back,' said the TV star. 'And I want to dedicate this season to my little boy.'

He was seen on GMA on Monday morning as he filmed from home; Artem had on a denim shirt over a white top as he posed next to flowers.

He loves to show off his body: Artem also laughed about his DWTS costumes

They congratulated the new dad: The Russian dancer chatted it up with the GMA hosts

This is good news for the Salsa aficionado as he was not included in season 28.

His announcement comes a bit late as the other pro dancers were announced on August 18.

Other vets who will be on the show include Peta Murgatroyd, Sasha Farber and Val Chmerkovskiy.

New parents: Nikki and Artem welcomed a son after getting engaged; seen in August 2019

The new faces will be Britt Stewart and Daniella Karagach.

The celebrity contestants have not yet been announced. In the past Marie Osmond, Kim Kardashian and Jane Seymour have competed.

Tyra Banks is the new host as Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were let go earlier this summer.
The Reds have designated left-hander Cody Reed for assignment, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer was among those to report. The club reinstated righty Robert Stephenson in a corresponding move.

Reed, now 27, joined the Reds in the teams 2015 trade with the Royals centering on righty Johnny Cueto. Reed debuted in the majors the next season, but he didnt begin truly making his mark in the bigs until 2018. Between then and last season, Reed tossed 49 1/3 innings of 3.65 ERA/3.59 FIP ball with 8.94 K/9, 2.92 BB/9 and an exemplary 63.2 percent groundball rate. Reed wasnt able to carry that success into this season, though, as he allowed six earned runs on 10 hits and eight walks (10 strikeouts) in 9 1/3 frames before the Reds jettisoned him. Theyll have a week to trade, release or send Reed through waivers, though hes out of minor league options.

Stephenson, 27, made his sole appearance of the year July 25 before landing on the IL with a back injury. He was a key part of the Reds bullpen last year, when he amassed 64 2/3 frames of 3.76 ERA/3.63 FIP ball with 11.27 K/9 and 3.34 BB/9.
Inamorata CEO Emily Ratajkowski wore unflattering pleated culottes with a shoulder-baring black top while shopping in East Hampton's Amagansett neighborhood last Saturday.

The 29-year-old DNA Model neglected to protect herself and others from the coronavirus by wearing a mask or face covering.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order way back on April 15 'that all people MUST wear a mask or face covering in public' and that includes Long Island.

Khaki thunder: Inamorata CEO Emily Ratajkowski wore unflattering pleated culottes with a shoulder-baring black top while shopping in East Hampton's Amagansett neighborhood last Saturday

2,001 dead from COVID-19 in Suffolk County: The 29-year-old DNA Model neglected to protect herself and others from the coronavirus by wearing a mask or face covering

Suffolk County makes up 44K of the 434K confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York, which has lead to 32K deaths (2,001 in Suffolk) as of Monday - according to Johns Hopkins University.

On Sunday, Emily - an avid Bernie Sanders supporter - tweeted that the New Yorker's deep-dive interview with Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was 'recommended reading.'

The next day, Ratajkowski - who boasts 35.8M social media followers - was back to posting thirst trap snaps while scantily clad in a $60 ETERNE white cropped rib tank and her $85 Inamorata yellow 'Serra' sweatpants.

The London-born SoCal native's three-year-old swimwear brand with co-founder and best friend Kat Mendenhall has branched out to lingerie, loungewear, and now a line of basics.

Bernie Sanders supporter: On Sunday, Emily tweeted that the New Yorker's deep-dive interview with Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was 'recommended reading'

'Rise and shine!' The next day, Ratajkowski was back to posting thirst trap snaps while scantily clad in a $60 ETERNE white cropped rib tank and her $85 Inamorata yellow 'Serra' sweatpants (pictured Monday)

Representing: The London-born SoCal native's three-year-old swimwear brand with co-founder and best friend Kat Mendenhall has branched out to lingerie, loungewear, and now a line of basics

'We're really lucky because we [sell] only direct to consumers, not wholesale. So in some way the business was set up for [the age of COVID-19],' Emily told British GQ in May.

'We're still selling right now. But we'd just got a new office space in January and hired two more team members this year, so this wasn't part of the dream, no. We basically do launches every two or two-and-a-half weeks, so everything's now shifted. To be honest, we have always been making it up as we go along anyway.'

Ratajkowski has 'learned a lot' about herself being married to Uncut Gems co-producer Sebastian Bear-McClard over the last two years.

'It's been interesting being in quarantine and married,' the UCLA drop-out - who's penning a nonfiction book of essays - told the mag.

'My husband and I are in a good partnership': Emily has 'learned a lot' about herself being married to Uncut Gems co-producer Sebastian Bear-McClard (R) over the last two years (pictured August 14)

'Mama boy': The rent-dodging Tribeca couple have no plans for children but they dote on their '80lb' German Shepherd Columbo, whom they adopted on May 11, 2019 (pictured Monday)

Due out in 2021! The 39-year-old Independent Spirit Award nominee's next producing effort is former child star Owen Kline's long-delayed feature directorial debut - a comedy called Two Against Nature - alongside the Safdie Brothers and Scott Rudin (posted in 2018)

'I feel like a lot of people will end up divorced. But my husband and I are in a good partnership.'

The rent-dodging Tribeca couple have no plans for children but they dote on their '80lb' German Shepherd Columbo, whom they adopted on May 11, 2019.

The 39-year-old Independent Spirit Award nominee's next producing effort is former child star Owen Kline's long-delayed feature directorial debut - a 2021 comedy called Two Against Nature - with the Safdie Brothers and Scott Rudin.
Zoomo (fka Bolt Bikes), an Australian mobility startup, closed a US$11M Series A funding.

The round was led by the Australian Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) with a US$5m equity investment with participation from Hana Ventures and existing investors Maniv Mobility and Contrarian Ventures, together with venture debt from OneVentures and Viola Credit.

The company intends to use the funds to invest in expanding its operations in the United States and move into new categories globally. Zoomo will use the capital to launch a flagship brick-and-mortar operation in Los Angeles and expand its New York footprint to include services across the entire city. The startup is also expanding into new categories, such as parcel, mail and grocery deliveries.

Founded in 2017 by Mina Nada (former Deliveroo and Mobike executive) and Michael Johnson (former Bain & Co consultant), Zoomo offers smart utility e-bikes through innovative financing from a physical network of service centers. Currently operating in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, Zoomo also offers vehicle maintenance and 24/7 customer support.

Since its US launch in 2019, Zoomo has grown exponentially and provided sustainable transportation for thousands of American gig workers through partnerships with companies such as Uber Eats, DoorDash and Postmates.

FinSMEs

24/08/2020
DUBAI: If the United States wants an agreement with Iran, it must first come back to Tehrans 2015 nuclear deal with six powers that Washington abandoned two years ago, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday.

Washingtons maximum pressure policy on Iran has failed 100%If Washington wants an agreement with us, then they should apologise for exiting the deal and return to it," Rouhani told a televised news conference.

Long-tense relations between the two adversaries have almost come to blows since 2018 when U.S. President Donald Trump ditched the deal reached by his predecessor Barack Obama and reimposed sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.

In response to what Washington calls its maximum pressure campaign to force Iran to negotiate a new deal, Tehran has breached key limits on nuclear activity imposed by the 2015 accord, under which the Islamic Republic accepted curbs on its uranium enrichment program in return for relief from sanctions.

Last week the Trump administration acted to reinstate global United Nations sanctions on Iran, including an arms embargo that ends in October under the 2015 pact.

But 13 of 15 countries on the U.N. Security Council - including major U.S. allies that were signatories to the nuclear accord - voiced opposition to the U.S. move, arguing that it was void since Washington was using a process agreed under a deal that it had already abandoned.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

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
SourceFuse Inc. (http://bit.ly/2rWdPru), a leading provider of industry cloud-based solutions with a niche focus on Healthcare Life Sciences, announced today that it is recognized by Inc. 5000(https://bit.ly/3kIghIs) as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the US.

The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. 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 list has achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent.

As an organically growing private company, we are proud to be recognized by Inc. 5000 for the second time. This time our growth rate comes out to be ~140%, for which I would love to thank our Team for their sheer resilience in building market-ready products on the cloud, and our customers for their consistent support. We look forward to our 3rd time on the list. said Kelly Dyer (https://bit.ly/3gnIMsp), Co-Founder & CEO, SourceFuse

SourceFuse envisions a futuristic world where our customers global objectives, prescience revolutions, mission & vision are brought to a collaborative & successful execution. We are focused on digitally transforming the Healthcare Life Sciences Industry, with our customized cloud-based solutions including AI-enabled Telemedicine, Patient Care Platform, Video Consultation, fully integrated Hospital Management, Patient Data Anonymization, and many others.

Explore our Cloud Services: https://www.sourcefuse.com/

When building products for our Healthcare Life Sciences customers, security is our top-most priority. And being AWS Advanced Consulting Partners (http://bit.ly/2IgoZeS), we are able to strengthen compliance & security, using AWS tools like AWS Shield, AWS CloudWatch, Prowler as well as regulatory frameworks such as PCI, GDPR, and HIPAA. We recently achieved the AWS Healthcare Competency (https://bit.ly/3gzfWp6) which endorses our demonstrated technical expertise and customer success in building healthcare solutions on the AWS cloud.

One of our Healthcare Solutions is SF Medic (https://amzn.to/2CF9aPR) , an AI-enabled Telemedicine Software that offers personalized clinical decision intervention support for clinicians. A HIPAA Compliant Solution that is built with artificial intelligence (AI) & natural language processing (NLP) services, real-time messaging, and most importantly, regulated and secured infrastructure to protect patient data.

Learn More about SF Medic: https://www.sourcefuse.com/sf-medic/

About Inc. Media:

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. (http://www.inc.com) 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.

About SourceFuse:

SourceFuse Inc. is transforming the way todays most successful companies develop breakthrough roadmaps leveraging cloud-based technologies. A leading AWS Advanced Consulting Partner, SourceFuse has delivered over 600 AWS implementations that boosts efficiency, ensures compliance, delivers actionable insights and lowers total cost of ownership.

With 14 years of deep expertise, commitment to digital innovation, service excellence and customer success, we enable enterprises through application modernization and windows migration services of legacy workloads. Headquartered in the United States, SourceFuse has regional offices in UK, Australia, Hong Kong and India. For more updates, follow SourceFuse on LinkedIn (http://bit.ly/37cMJeR), Twitter (http://bit.ly/30ARtIE) and website (http://bit.ly/2rWdPru).
PHOTO: Nicholas Yong/Yahoo News Singapore

SINGAPORE  It was a collegial atmosphere reminiscent of the first day of school  except class attendance was happening amid tight security and everyone was wearing face masks. Singapores 14th Parliament kicked off on Monday (24 August) with a record number of opposition Members sworn in.

With Parliament House surrounded by concrete barriers and security personnel patrolling with shotguns and sniffer dogs, this reporter chanced upon the Workers Party (WP) Members of Parliament (MPs) and their spouses, dressed in their Sunday best, taking photographs at the main Parliament sign at the junction of North Bridge Road and High Street before entering the premises.

Meanwhile, at the main foyer of Parliament House, Singapore Press Holdings, Mediacorp and the so-called social news site Mothership were the only outlets invited to take photos and conduct doorstops with MPs. Other journalists had to follow proceedings on a live feed in the press room, given that the press gallery was closed for the day. As ever, there was no live stream available for viewing by the general public.

While this reporter has covered Parliament on multiple occasions, it was the first time that a sitting was held across two venues: Parliament House and the Arts House. Listening to the muffled voices of the MPs taking the Oath of Allegiance, it all felt strange and surreal. Newly re-elected Speaker Tan Chuan-jin also spoke from behind a plexiglass screen, acknowledging that the presence of 10 opposition MPs signified the desire of Singaporeans for more choices and voices in Parliament.

Tan warned against the dangers of polarisation and populism amid the pandemic  a view echoing the Peoples Action Partys (PAP) oft-touted rhetoric that too much of an opposition presence could lead to gridlock in Parliament.

Will we focus on solution-ing, or will we focus on politicking? he asked, notwithstanding that the PAP still holds a supermajority in the 93-member House  almost a 90 per cent buffer  and will have little difficulty in passing legislation.

Story continues

Polarisation in Parliament?

Singapore's President Halimah Yacob delivers the Presidential Address to the 14th Parliament on Monday, 24 August 2020. SCREENCAP: Mediacorpo telecast

Meanwhile, in her Presidential Address, Halimah Yacob made the usual promises to protect and create jobs, get the economy going and strengthen the social safety net. Interestingly, she pledged that Singaporeans anxieties about competition from foreigners for jobs will be addressed, while urging, We must keep our hearts open to those who come from beyond our shores.

Halimah also echoed calls by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Education Minister Lawrence Wong for the opposition to come up with alternative policies. With the WP constantly being urged to raise their game and WP chief Pritam Singh now the Leader of the Opposition, the bar has been well and truly raised.

But just how amenable will the various government agencies be to sharing information when Singh or another MP fields uncomfortable queries about say, a precise breakdown of immigration figures? Or how about a breakdown of foreign professionals by sector?

After all, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat once chided Singh for repeatedly asking about the size of Singapores reserves, claiming that it went against the national interest to do so.

As Singh himself pointed out, the WPs ability to formulate realistic policy alternatives is dependent on the PAP governments willingness to share information. Civil servants take their lead from the top: if even the heir apparent to PM Lee can question the questioners motives, how forthcoming would the various ministries be?

Theres a storm coming, Mr Singh

Workers' Party MPs and their spouses taking photos ahead of the official opening of Singapore's 14th Parliament on Monday, 24 August 2020. PHOTO: Nicholas Yong/Yahoo News Singapore

For now, it is the calm before the storm: the real fireworks will begin from the next sitting of Parliament on 31 August, particularly for the newly elected WP MPs of Sengkang GRC. And all this talk of civility and prescribing the role of the opposition belies one simple fact: it is up to the PAP, and the PAP alone, to set the tone for parliamentary debate.

Consider the numerous exchanges over the years, when parliamentary queries from the opposition were met with responses ranging from the defensive to the downright hostile.

For example, when Singh asked Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing to clarify how many jobs went to Singaporeans and how many went to permanent residents from 2015-2018, Chan responded with the now-classic line, We can get you the numbers, but let me say this: what is the point behind the questions?

Or how about the occasion when Aljunied MP Sylvia Lim said the government had floated test balloons on the impending GST hike, to which Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, a man who relishes verbal combat like a boxer reacting to an opening bell, retorted, Can I invite her (Lim) to agree that thats a thoroughly hypocritical and dishonest statement and typical of the statements she makes in this House?

This was eventually followed by former Leader of the House Grace Fus ineffectual attempt to get Lim to apologise for her remarks. Lim politely declined, citing her constitutional duties as an MP.

The list of altercations goes on and on. Perhaps the PAP should get its own house in order before appealing for good behaviour from the House. Singaporeans are watching, and have already spoken at the ballot box. Flaunting the advantages of a supermajority does not make for good optics.

The WP also has to live up to the expectations of a demanding electorate. It must be able to craft compelling policy alternatives and robust arguments - in other words, a viable shadow Cabinet alongside the dominant PAP.

But one can only hope that the MPs are not too well behaved. Speaker Tan may have quipped that he has no intention of ejecting anyone from the chamber, but it would be terribly unexciting if he never had occasion to, at the very least, bellow Order!

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

Related stories:

Expect sharper debate with more opposition in Parliament, PM Lee Hsien Loong tells PAP MPs

PAP must share info if WP is to craft credible policy alternatives: Pritam Singh

COMMENT: Cabinet changes show Singapores political succession is faltering
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 00:14:42|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Wang Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, addresses a symposium on implementing the law on vaccine management in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese legislator has stressed the need to actively promote work on vaccine research, development and production, making best use of vaccines to prevent and contain infectious diseases, especially in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic.

Wang Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, made the remarks Tuesday at a symposium on implementing the law on vaccine management, which went into effect on Dec. 1, 2019.

Vaccines are the most effective and economical way of preventing and containing infectious diseases, Wang said, adding that the law on vaccine management has provided strong legal guarantees for the healthy development of China's vaccines.

Wang also urged for making headway on COVID-19 vaccine research, development, production and supply, and called for safe and effective vaccines to win the battle against COVID-19. Enditem
Planning for the meeting with Mr. Trump took shape in recent weeks. The office of the national security adviser, Robert C. OBrien, emailed one formerly detained American last month, inquiring about interest in a potential event at the White House on July 31. The email described it in general terms as an opportunity to send a strong message to the individuals and families of those who remain in captivity that the U.S. government will continue to work on their behalf until they are home with their loved ones.

That email did not mention the convention, and it was not immediately clear to at least one participant that the meeting with Mr. Trump would be featured on prime-time national television, a person familiar with the events said.

During the event, Mr. Trump cited Mr. OBrien, who had served as the U.S. governments chief negotiator for the release of prisoners and hostages abroad. His performance in that job  winning releases of detained Americans, which allowed Mr. Trump to stage triumphant events for the news media  delighted the president and helped him ascend to one of the U.S. governments top jobs despite a relatively thin resume.

Mr. Brunson was the most prominent of the attendees. After his case became a cause for evangelical Christians in the United States, Mr. Trump pressured Mr. Erdogans government with threats and economic sanctions.

Also present was Michael White, a U.S. Navy veteran arrested in July 2018 while visiting a woman in the Iranian city of Mashhad. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on charges of espionage before he was freed in June as part of a prisoner exchange with Tehran. On Monday, Mr. White told Mr. Trump that he had been the victim of a major trap and said the president was able to get me out of that prison in record time. It was amazing.

Although the cases of Mr. Brunson and Mr. White drew significant public attention, others who joined Mr. Trump were relative unknowns. Among them was Sam Goodwin, a St. Louis resident seeking to visit every nation on earth who was arrested soon after entering war-torn Syria and held there by government forces for 63 days early last year.

The Trump administration was not previously known to have played a significant role in Mr. Goodwins release. When he was freed in July 2019, his family released a statement thanking Lebanons internal security chief.
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is headquartered in Akron, Ohio, where it was founded in 1898. Since that time, it has grown to be a massive corporation with operations all over the world. Today, it is the third largest tire company in the world with 63,000 employees. In addition, Americans have become accustomed to seeing one of the nine Goodyear Blimps at major sporting events across the country.

Unfortunately, this company with a very patriotic image is led by left wing activists who are doing their best to squelch free speech, especially if it is promoting conservative causes.

Last week, audio from an instructor and a slide from a diversity training demonstration at their facility in Topeka, KS were leaked on social media. In a discussion of the companys zero tolerance policy, an unnamed area manager declared that wearing clothing for certain causes was acceptable but for others it was unacceptable. Among the acceptable causes were Black Lives Matters and LGBT pride; however, unacceptable causes included All Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter and MAGA Attire.

The employee who leaked the slide said that the instructor claimed the zero tolerance policy emanated from corporate headquarters. The unnamed employee was fearful of being fired, so remained anonymous. This courageous whistleblower claimed the policy was discriminatory and clearly did not like the left-wing bias of the training seminar, and leaked portions of the presentation.

Once the policy was revealed, there was an outcry on social media from supporters of law enforcement and President Trump. This led to an initial statement from Goodyear representative Melissa Monaco that the company allows employees to express their support on racial injustice and other equity issues but ask that they refrain from workplace expressions, verbal or otherwise, in support of political campaigning.

Her statement did not quell the criticism, instead it intensified. Soon thereafter, the Chairman, CEO and President of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Rich Kramer, clarified the official corporate position. He said, The slide in question was created by a plant employee to try to explain what is acceptable to wear in the workplace. The slide was not approved or distributed by Goodyear Corporate or anyone outside of that facility.

He emphasized their ban on political statements by noting that We have a longstanding corporate policy that asks associates to refrain from workplace expressions in support of any candidate or political party. However, he said I deeply regret the impression that was created regarding law enforcement. According to Kramer, We have proudly supplied tires to police and fire personnel for more than 100 years and that relationship is foundational to our company. We have clarified our policy to make it clear associates can express support for law enforcement through apparel at Goodyear facilities.

It is good that the company will allow Blue Lives Matter apparel; however, the continued ban on All Lives Matter and MAGA Attire illustrates the leftwing mentality of Goodyear executives. Kramer said the company will continue to support equal justice, which is why the Black Lives Matter apparel is allowed. However, if the company truly supported equal justice, then clothing supporting All Lives Matter would be permitted. Nothing is more equal than wanting the life of everyone to matter.

Clearly, Goodyear is doing what so many corporate and political leaders have been doing in recent months, espousing support for Black Lives Matter at the exclusion of other racial and ethnic groups. In the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, there has been a rush of large corporations expressing encouragement for Black Lives Matter. Despite the stampede, nothing changes the reality that the founding organization, created at the infancy of this movement, is extremely left wing and overtly political.

The Black Lives Matter organization was created by individuals who continue to espouse a radical ideology. In fact, they have admitted that they were trained Marxists. It is also an organization which is anti-nuclear family among other extreme views.

If wearing Black Lives Matter clothing or showing support for that cause is acceptable, then showing support for a political cause that is pro-family and pro-capitalism should be acceptable as well. Unfortunately, displaying any attire revealing support for President Trump or with a MAGA insignia is not allowed by Goodyear.

In the warped and woke corporate headquarters of Goodyear, supporting all lives or President Trump or making the country great again is a political statement, whereas support for Black Lives Matter is just an equal justice issue.

Not surprisingly, at his Wednesday press conference, President Trump directly addressed this issue. He said he would be very much in favor if people dont want to buy there. He also tweeted, Dont buy GOODYEAR TIRES - They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS. Get better tires for far less! (This is what the Radical Left Democrats do. Two can play the same game, and we have to start playing it now!).

It is time that Trump supporters followed their Presidents lead and fought back against discriminatory corporate policies. In this case, after initial criticism, Goodyear made slight modifications to their policy to allow pro-police garb. If the pressure continues, the company might relax their ban on MAGA Attire and other political clothing.

If Black Lives Matter is allowed, support for President Trump must be allowed. Either we have a First Amendment, or we do not. The arbiter of what is permissible free speech is not Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, it is the United States Constitution and our Bill of Rights.
A Colorado community is mourning the loss of local television anchor Don Ward, who died at 55 while hiking in the mountains on Monday.

CBS affiliate KKTV in Colorado Springs announced the sad news on Monday night, writing that it is believed he died from a heart attack but no official cause of death has been announced yet.

Local anchor dies while hiking (Don Wardkktv / Facebook)

"It is with heavy hearts we have some tragic news to share at 11 News," the station wrote. "11 News anchor Don Ward passed away unexpectedly on Monday, doing what he loved while hiking in the mountains."

His KKTV co-anchor, Dianne Derby, tried to hold back tears as she discussed his loss on Monday's broadcast.

"I'm devastated to share this news with our community, and I am deeply heartbroken for his family and his friends," she said. "I am shocked, and I can't believe he's not going to be by my side any more.

"He is the person I spent more time with than anyone, and I have affectionately called him my 'Donner' and my work husband for years. He is by far one of the most talented journalists I have ever known and he has taught our newsroom so much."

The Park County Coroner's office stated that he died near the summit of Mount Cameron near Alma and that his death is not considered suspicious, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette.

Ward had been with KKTV since 2006 after starting his career as a broadcaster in 1988. He was a longtime fixture in the local community, graduating from Doherty High School in Colorado Springs and then earning his degree at the University of Colorado.

"I couldnt have expected 31 years ago when I was getting started, that I would end up with a main anchor job in my hometown," Ward told the Colorado Springs Gazette in a recent interview. "Its an honor to serve the community where I grew up. My very first job was at Baskin-Robbins at Flintridge and Academy when I was 16. I have a feeling this will be my last job, so its full circle in Colorado Springs."

Story continues

Ward was an avid hiker who posted on his Facebook page on Sunday that he was taking a couple days off to "hike some 14-ers," which refers to a mountain peak that has an elevation of at least 14,000 feet.

Viewers expressed their condolences in the comments of Ward's final post.

"Our favorite news anchor in Colorado Springs, a class act and stand up guy!" one person wrote. "Missed by all! Condolences to your family, and really to everyone. Gone way too soon. This really makes me sad. To his family, find peace and joy knowing that Don touched so many people!!"

"So sad to hear Don has passed!" another wrote. "Im in shock. Loved all his travel photos and music he shared."

Ward's colleagues also shared their heartbreak at his loss.

We are gutted, we are rudderless, we are heartbroken.



Wish I had the right words to say, but everyone knows Don was our best eulogizer. We can not explain how deep this hurts us, but if you were lucky enough to know him, you already know.



We will miss you, TVs Don Ward. https://t.co/1waXQ4IA8t  Spencer Wilson (@Spencer_WNews) August 25, 2020

"We are gutted, we are rudderless, we are heartbroken," KKTV reporter Spencer Wilson tweeted. "Wish I had the right words to say, but everyone knows Don was our best eulogizer. We can not explain how deep this hurts us, but if you were lucky enough to know him, you already know. We will miss you, TVs Don Ward."

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that my friend, colleague, and co-anchor Don Ward died today while hiking. I am shocked, saddened, and his family is in my thoughts and prayers. Don and I used to hike Waldo Canyon (before it burned) and Pikes Peak together #RIPDon pic.twitter.com/mZT3dnbW7k  Brian Bledsoe (@BrianBledsoe) August 25, 2020

"It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that my friend, colleague, and co-anchor Don Ward died today while hiking," KKTV meteorologist Brian Bledsoe tweeted. "I am shocked, saddened, and his family is in my thoughts and prayers. Don and I used to hike Waldo Canyon (before it burned) and Pikes Peak together #RIPDon."
(Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers within the main London indices on Tuesday.







FTSE 100 - WINNERS







Aveva Group, up 3.5%. The industrial software firm said it has agreed to acquire SoftBank-backed US software company OSIsoft, in a USD5 billion deal. Aveva said the acquisition will be funded using a combination of a rights issue, cash on balance sheet and new debt facilities, as well as issue shares to one of the selling shareholders. Aveva said it expects the acquisition to strengthen its position as a global leader in industrial software, with combined revenue of around GBP1.2 billion and adjusted earnings before interest, tax of around GBP330 million for the enlarged group. Separately, Aveva said that despite Covid-19 related disruption, demand for its products in the first four months of financial 2021 has been "robust" with particularly good demand for cloud solutions.







AstraZeneca, up 0.8%. The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker said the first patients have now been dosed in its phase one trial of Covid-19 treatment, AZD7442. AZD7442 is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies and is being developed for the development and treatment of Covid-19. These antibodies are derived from convalescent patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and were discovered by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and licensed to AstraZeneca in June. Astra then optimised the antibodies, extending their half-life so as to "afford at least six months of protection from Covid-19". If AZD7442 proves to be tolerated and has a "favourable safety profile" in the NCT04507256 trial then Astra will move to larger late-stage phase 2 and phase 3 trials. These later trials will evaluate AZD7442's efficacy as a possible preventative and treatment approach against the virus.







FTSE 250 - WINNERS







Apax Global Alpha, up 3.0%. The investment company said its net asset value per share fell in the first half of the year as a result of Covid-19 disruption in the first quarter. Apax Global Alpha reported a decline in NAV per share to EUR2.16 as at June 30 from EUR2.24 at the end of 2019. The NAV total return for the half year was negative 0.5%, recovering from a first-quarter negative return of 12% on market weakness. The company declared an interim dividend of 4.87p per share, up 3.8% from 4.69p per share the year before.







FTSE 250 - LOSERS







James Fisher & Sons, down 6.2%. The marine services company said its performance deteriorated in the first half of 2020 amid lower energy prices and coronavirus pandemic. James Fisher said pretax profit dropped by 59% to GBP7.1 million in the six months to the end of June from GBP20.9 million reported a year earlier, as revenue fell by 10% to GBP258.1 million from GBP286.9 million. The company said the combination of Covid-19 and the sharp decline in energy prices resulted in projects in its subsea operations in both Renewables and Oil & Gas being deferred into the second half of 2020 and beyond. In response to these challenges, James Fisher said it has taken actions, which are ongoing, to restructure its Marine Support division. The company has declared an interim dividend of 8.0 pence per share, reduced by 30% from 11.3p paid a year earlier.







OTHER MAIN MARKET AND AIM - WINNERS







PetroNeft Resources, up 28%. The oil and gas company said production at licence 61 in Tomsk Oblast, Russia is up as a result of an optimised water flood programme and putting the Sibkrayevskoye field on year-round production. Licence 61 production in July was up 7.8% at 1,589 barrels of oil per day and is currently averaging 17% above levels in July 2019. Production at the Lineynoye field was up 20% year-on-year in July due to optimisation of the water flood programme at the field. This followed a data gathering programme across its field, improving understanding and allowing for improvements in the Pad 1 water flood programme at Lineynoye during the first quarter of 2020.







Next Fifteen Communications, up 16%. The digital communication firm said trading in the first half of its financial year was ahead of expectations, and it expects a material outperformance in its full year. Next Fifteen expects revenue for the six months ended July 31 to be up by around 6.5% year-on-year to at least GBP126 million, and adjusted pretax profit to be up by over 16% to at least GBP20 million. It added that this has resulted in an improved operating profit margin of above 16%, up from 15% a year prior. Next Fifteen credited the performance to its B2B technology-focused agencies, such as Activate and Agent3, as well as more resilient trading than previously expected in its brand marketing and creative technology divisions.







DFS Furniture, up 15%. The sofa retailer said online and showroom trading has been strong in the past six weeks as customers spent more on home furnishing during lockdown, significantly beating the living room furniture retailer's initial expectations. The Doncaster-headquartered company reported year-on-year order intake growth for the past six weeks, equivalent to around GBP70 million of revenue. This puts trading "significantly ahead" of the company's initial expectations and sits alongside a solid opening order book that is expected to generate an additional in year revenue benefit of approximately GBP100 million. "Amid the lockdown, some people decided to spend more on their homes - we saw that with the likes of Kingfisher - and DFS were in a similar position. The company might have benefited from the health emergency recently, but it cautioned about significant uncertainty and the potential impact on consumer confidence," said CMC Markets analyst David Madden.







Eurasia Mining, up 7.8%. The miner said it has been awarded a licence at the Monchetundra Flanks base metal and platinum group metals asset in Russia. Eurasia explained it was given final approval by regional body SevZapNedra. It follows consent by the Russian Ministry of Defence which was secured back in December. "The directors are encouraged with the approval of Monchetundra Flanks licence, an important milestone for the company. Further announcements will be made in due course," Executive Chair Christian Schaffalitzky said.







By Arvind Bhunjun; arvindbhunjun@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg on Tuesday said it is deeply unfair for Indian students to sit for national exams amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She said millions have been affected due to floods in states like Bihar, Gujarat and Assam and called for the postponement of NEET 2020 and JEE Main 2020 entrance exams.

Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg on Tuesday said it is deeply unfair for Indian students to sit for national exams amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She said millions have been affected due to floods in states like Bihar, Gujarat and Assam and called for the postponement of NEET 2020 and JEE Main 2020 entrance exams.

Its deeply unfair that students of India are asked to sit national exams during the COVID-19 pandemic and while millions have also been impacted by the extreme floods. I stand with their call to #PostponeJEE_NEETinCOVID, the 17-year-old activist tweeted.

Also Read: America is not racist: Nikki Haley invokes Indian roots ahead of US Elections

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that JEE will be held from September 1 to 6 and NEET on September 13. This comes amid demands from students and parents to postpone the entrance exams in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Several political leaders in India have also called for the postponement of JEE and NEET until the situation becomes conducive to hold the exams. On August 17, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking the postponement of the NEET and JEE scheduled to be held in September. (ANI)

Also Read: Japans GDP expected to recover to pre-pandemic level by end of FY 2021
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic ministers started a five-day virtual summit on Tuesday to discuss cooperation within the bloc and with its partners amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Looking at the months or even years ahead, we need to discuss a fiscal recovery to break the way out of the crisis and lay foundation for a more developed and sustainable ASEAN economic community," said Vietnamese Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh, as he addressed the meeting via video conferencing.

During the meeting, the ministers are set to finalise the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement (FTA) between ASEAN and its partners including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.

Once signed, the agreement will become a major FTA with countries accounting for 30% global population and almost 30% of the world's GDP.

The meeting takes place as several ASEAN nations including Indonesia, the Philippines and this year's ASEAN chair Vietnam continue to fight the virus outbreak.

In Vietnam, the second wave of the outbreak re-emerged last month in the city of Da Nang and spreading to 10 other provinces with over 500 local cases and 27 deaths.

It has forced several cities to be placed under lockdown.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major development, a fire was reported in the protocol section of the General Administration Department in the Secretariat on Tuesday evening, which led to the gutting of several office files.

The fire occurred at a time when the working of the protocol office is under the scanner after it emerged that officials here had made lapses while dealing with diplomatic baggage destined for the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram.

During the ongoing NIA and Customs probe on gold smuggling, the sleuths had recorded the Assistant Protocol Officer's statements and sought certain files from the department, many of which were provided to the probe agencies.

The fire was first noted in one of the computers by 5 pm. From there, it soon engulfed a portion of the office and gutted files that were stored in racks nearby. Due to COVID-related restrictions, only two employees were present in the office at that time. The fire was doused within 15 minutes with the help of the Fire and Rescue Department.

A fire was reported in the protocol section of the General Administration Department at Kerala Secretariat, leading to the gutting of several office files.@xpresskerala @MSKiranPrakash @anilsanilan



Express Video. pic.twitter.com/YEh2cWl60o  The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 25, 2020

The incident triggered strong reactions from opposition parties, who claimed that the fire outbreak was staged to sabotage the ongoing probe into the gold smuggling case.

Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala said the government and the Chief Minister were trying to sabotage the probe.

"The fire outbreak and gutting of files were deliberately planned to derail the probe. Earlier the government had claimed that CCTV visuals from the Chief Secretary's office were destroyed in lightning," he said.

BJP State President K Surendran alleged that the fire was staged to protect Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Minorities Welfare Minister K T Jaleel from the gold smuggling case. He demanded a probe by central agencies into the fire.

General Administration Department Additional Secretary P Honey, meanwhile, said no major files were gutted in the fire.

"The files pertaining to booking of guest house rooms were gutted. All other important files are safe," he said.

The Fire and Rescue Department sources said a short circuit appears to have led to the fire.

Meanwhile, a high-voltage drama unfolded in the Secretariat complex after the fire outbreak was reported. The police whisked away BJP leaders, including state President K Surendran, and denied entry to Congress MLA V S Sivakumar into the Secretariat premises, while Chief Secretary Vishwas Mehta ushered the media out of the premises before taking questions from them.

Mehta said the police had to intervene in the matter since politicians were entering the place where the fire had broken out and giving statements. He said there will be an impartial inquiry on how the fire broke out and bureaucrats including him had no political agenda.

"We have no political agenda. We will conduct an impartial probe to check what happened," he said.

Congress MLA V S Sivakumar said it was strange that an elected representative was barred from entering the Secretariat. "This fire outbreak was created to destroy documents," he said.

K Surendran alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan was behind the fire outbreak.
Hours after the South Australian government reversed its days-old decision to lock its border to Victorians, Paul Singleton declared himself flabbergasted.

Last Thursday, August 20, he hastily packed up his home in the tiny South Australian riverside settlement of Donovans and moved a few kilometres to the Victorian riverside village of Nelson.

Paul Singleton, who runs the general store and post office at Nelson in far south-west Victoria, moved from his home at Donovans, just over the SA border, so he could keep his business going.

I had no choice if I was going to keep my business operating, Singleton said.

Now we find it was all for  what?
Director-General of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Yakubu Ibn Mohammed has revealed that the joint venture partnership with StarTimes has yielded no returns for the nation after 11 years of operation.

Mohammed disclosed this while he was questioned by the Senate Joint committee on Finance and National Planning on Monday, August 24, 2020.

The Senate queried the management of NTA over what it called 11 years non-profitable joint venture which saw Startimes transmitting through its facilities.

The Chairman, Senate Joint committee on Finance and National Planning, Senator Solomon Adeola, asked:

Mr DG are you telling this committee that for solid 11 years, the joint venture agreement NTA had with StarTimes has not yielded any profit despite using your facilities for over one million subscribers.

This is completely unfair to Nigeria. Something is cooking. You must come with the MD of your subsidiary unit overseeing the contractual and operational agreement.

The NTA boss replied saying: As an Executive Director in 2009 in NTA, not a single kobo was made from the joint venture with StarTimes, the same situation I met in 2016 when I returned as D-G.

In fact, on assumption of office as D-G, that was the first question I asked, upon which records of non- profitability was presented by the NTA subsidiary outfit running it. The non- profitability status of the venture remains till today.

Adeola lamented that Nigeria has allowed itself to be treated in a manner that appears as if there are no laws governing the nation, insisting that the pact must be reviewed.

Consequently, to dig further, the DG was ordered to appear before the committee again on Tuesday along with the Managing Director of NTA TV Enterprises, Maxwell Loko, supervising the joint venture with StarTimes.

This is despite the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed seeking approval of $500 million loan to help upgrade the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to the status of the Cable News Network (CNN).
Ramon Abbas, the Nigerian Instagram celebrity with the nomenclature Hushpuppi, has been arraigned in an American court in California as his trial begins on October 13.

Mr Abbas pleaded not guilty to the four-count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracies, international money laundering and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

In June, the 37-year-old known for flaunting an opulent lifestyle on social media, was arrested in Dubai by special operatives of the Emerati police and American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The FBIs investigation, according to the affidavit obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, alleged that Mr Abbas financed this extravagant lifestyle through crime.

He is alleged to be the leader of a group that facilitates computer intrusion, business email compromise (BEC) fraud and money laundering.

His targeted victims, majorly in the U.S, had been duped of hundreds of millions of dollars, the FBI says.

In July, Mr Abbas alongside Olalekan Ponle, popularly known as Woodberry, was extradited to Chicago in the United States where he was first arraigned.

However, because the U.S. Court in Illinois does not have jurisdiction over the case, he was transferred to Los Angeles, a city in California.

Since his transfer to California late July, he has been held in the custody of the U.S. Marshal in a federal prison.

Arraignment

Meanwhile, the prosecutor kickstarted the process of arraignment by filling necessary documents and forms after his first appearance on August 17.

After the pre-trial services, Mr Abbas entered a plea, insisting that he is not guilty of the charges.

In the documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Abbas agreed to go to trial with his lawyer, Vicki Podberesky, a top-rated lawyer in California.

Mrs Podberesky will be assisted by Gal Pissetzky, a Chicago-based lawyer appearing pro hac vice because he is not licensed to practise outside Chicago.

Nevertheless, he has pleaded that he should be prosecuted with complaint and not indictment. This he did by filing a waiver of indictment accepted by the court.

READ ALSO:

A complaint is the statement of the law enforcement agents containing essential facts of the offenses.

On the other hand, to obtain an indictment, a prosecutor must present proposed charges to a grand jury  a body of jurors that investigates crimes and decides whether charges should be filed.

His decision to opt for complaint might be borne out of the criticism that the grand jury is easily manipulated by the prosecutor, undermining its objectivity and fairness.

Mr Abbas and his counsel, Mrs Podberesky, are to appear before District Judge Otis D. Wright II by 9 a.m on October 13.

If convicted, the one-time Instagram sensation may spend the next 20 years in the U.S federal prison.
(Newser)  Melania Trump is set to take the virtual stage Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention, and a White House aide tells the Washington Post she's been working on her speech for days, with help from former press secretary Stephanie Grisham and Kellyanne Conway, who recently announced she's leaving her post as a senior adviser to the president. The first lady is expected to push her husband's agenda and talk about how she came to America as an immigrant, and campaign strategists are said to be hoping she'll appeal to the suburban women voters that the president needs in his corner. Reuters reports she's also expected to present "an upbeat, warmer view of a president who was repeatedly portrayed at last week's Democratic convention as a force for chaos and darkness." More on her speech, her tenure as first lady, and what else to expect at Tuesday night's convention:

A second chance: Trump will be looking to redeem herself with this talk to the American people as she tries to make up for her 2016 convention speech, in which she plagiarized parts of Michelle Obama's 2008 convention speech. "It's a chance to rebrand herselfat least a bit," a Chapman University political science instructor tells the Post. "It's almost as if it's a do-over from 2016, an opportunity to leave a better impression."

story continues below

Looking back: The AP offers a retrospective on Melania's time in the White House, from her "Be Best" initiative and visits to migrant children at the border to her infamous "I really don't care, do U?" jacket.

The AP offers a retrospective on Melania's time in the White House, from her "Be Best" initiative and visits to migrant children at the border to her infamous "I really don't care, do U?" jacket. A late-night sneak peek: Thanks to "Melania" showing up on his show Monday night, Stephen Colbert was able to offer a preview of Tuesday's speech. Watch here to see the thoughts of the "first lady" on everything from her relationship with her husband to her recent renovation of the Rose Garden, which she said was accomplished with a technique she calls a "reverse Marie Kondo": "I look at something, and if it sparks joy, I kill it."

Thanks to "Melania" showing up on his show Monday night, Stephen Colbert was able to offer a preview of Tuesday's speech. Watch here to see the thoughts of the "first lady" on everything from her relationship with her husband to her recent renovation of the Rose Garden, which she said was accomplished with a technique she calls a "reverse Marie Kondo": "I look at something, and if it sparks joy, I kill it." Pompeo breaks precedent: The secretary of state's speech set for Tuesday is also attracting special attention, notably because he just sent out a cable in July issuing a warning to US diplomats that, per federal law, they shouldn't openly take sides in the presidential campaign or take part in partisan activities. It's a cable regularly sent out during election years, but "none of his predecessors ... has disregarded those instructions so obviously," notes ABC News.

The secretary of state's speech set for Tuesday is also attracting special attention, notably because he just sent out a cable in July issuing a warning to US diplomats that, per federal law, they shouldn't openly take sides in the presidential campaign or take part in partisan activities. It's a cable regularly sent out during election years, but "none of his predecessors ... has disregarded those instructions so obviously," notes ABC News. Other speakers: After Donald Trump Jr. spoke on Monday, siblings Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump take the stage to do the same Tuesday night, per USA Today. Also on the docket: Sen. Rand Paul, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Covington Catholic High School student Nick Sandmann, who gained worldwide attention for a viral video of his interaction with a Native American demonstrator in 2019.

(Read more Republican National Convention stories.)
Australian defence reservists will be recruited for longer and military bases across the country will be upgraded under a $1 billion boost to the nation's defences.

An extra 500 reservists will also be recruited over the next two years, which could provide employment for Australians who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic.

ADF reservists prepare at Holsworthy Army Barracks. Credit:James Alcock

The extra reservist support is being deployed to help with the COVID-19 outbreak and prepare for another summer of bushfires and other natural disasters.

A suite of new acquisitions - including Boeing's "Loyal Wingman" drone and a large naval ship to help Australia's neighbours deal with natural disasters - will also be brought forward or upgraded under the plan.
Illegal migration to the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean has risen over six-fold this year compared to the same time last year

Heightened security in the Mediterranean is pushing more migrants seeking a better life in Europe to try the longer -- and more dangerous -- Atlantic crossing to Spain's Canary Islands, which have seen a surge in arrivals.

Use of the route "exploded" after Morocco began moving migrants away from its northern shore in September 2019 to prevent them from setting off by boat to southern Spain, Txema Santana, of the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR), said.

The move followed an agreement with the European Union, which has struck similar deals with other nations, such as Libya and Turkey, that have long served as launch pads for attempted crossings of the Mediterranean to Europe.

"If you move them away from the north, you push them south. And the Canaries are in the south," Santana said.

Illegal migration to the chain of volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Morocco, has risen over six-fold this year compared to the same time last year, to 3,448 people as of August 16, according to interior ministry data.

Arrivals on Spain's southern Mediterranean shore dropped by 50 percent during this period, the figures showed.

"This (the Atlantic) is a much longer crossing, which increases the number of deaths," said Maria Greco, of Entre Mares, a migrant rights group based in Fuerteventura, the Canary island closest to Morocco.

"The Atlantic is not the Mediterranean. It is a very complicated ocean. The distance, the disorientation, and the currents make it far more dangerous."

A total of 239 migrants have died trying to reach the Canaries between January 1 and August 19, compared to 210 during all of last year, and 43 in 2018, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

- 'Shaky boats' -

But the actual number of deaths is much higher, Santana believes.

He estimates that one migrant dies for every 16 who reach the archipelago alive.

"People set off on packed, shaky boats which are driven by people without experience," he said.

Story continues

The archipelago has been a hotspot for migrants before -- in 2006, some 30,000 migrants managed to reach the Canary Islands before stepped-up Spanish patrols then slowed the pace.

"Before, they came in more robust and stable boats. Everything has deteriorated. Boats are fragile, without captains, sometimes they don't even give them a compass," Greco said.

The price charged by human traffickers for the crossing has also come down, from around 2,000 euros ($2,350) to about 800 euros, she added.

The boats depart not only from Morocco and Mauritania, the two nations closest to the archipelago, but also from Senegal and Gambia, over 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) further south.

Most migrants attempting the crossing come from Africa's Sahel region and Western Africa, Greco said.

But some arrivals have originated from as far away as South Sudan and the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean, she added.

- 'It's a challenge' -

The pandemic is no deterrent.

"When people decide to get on a boat, risking their lives and those of their children, the pandemic is not something that weighs much on their decision," said Jose Javier Sanchez, of the Spanish branch of the Red Cross.

Migrants who arrive are tested for COVID-19 and anyone found to be infected must quarantine.

Spain's migrant reception centres "were not ready for quarantine... with rooms for six, eight people and a shared bathroom. Now we have smaller rooms with private bathrooms. It's a challenge," Sanchez said.

Migrant rights groups complain that the government is not processing asylum requests fast enough and often does not inform migrants of their rights when they arrive.

The Spanish government argues that it is dealing with a surge in asylum requests but is doing all it can to process them efficiently.

Santana also urged the government to speed up the transfer of migrants from the archipelago to mainland Spain, to make room for an expected rise in arrivals in September, when winds are usually more favourable for the crossing and waters are calmer.

tpe-dbh/ds/pmr/kjm
The Ghana Agricultural and Rural Development Journalists Association (GARDJA) is pleased to announce the rolling out of a new cocoa advocacy initiative aimed at helping create a sustainable cocoa value chain in Ghana.

In collaboration with various cocoa farmer based organisations and other stakeholders, it will draw attention to pertinent issues militating against the development of the cocoa sector including poor farmgate pricing, challenges with accessing inputs including fertilisers and pesticides, negative impact of climate change on cocoa production, child labour on farms, among others.

At GARDJA, we are concerned that the full potential of the cocoa crop is not being harnessed. There is therefore the need for government, non-governmental organisations, as well as other actors in the sector to up their game, introduce better policies in the industry, implement them and inject more resources to help keep the sector afloat.

The Cocoa Advocacy Initiative will involve a series of media campaigns as well as capacity building initiatives for the media and for cocoa producers between now and the end of the year. It will ensure that the Ghanaian public has access to more and better investigative reports on cocoa sustainability issues. It will also ensure media houses help create the required platform for an informed public debate on cocoa sustainability issues in Ghana.

Cocoa plays an important role in Ghanas development. Proceeds from the crop have been used to shore up the Ghanaian economy, pay for road infrastructure, pay for education, pay for the construction of health facilities among others to help with the development of the country. More needs to be done for the benefit of farmers who grow this golden crop. For example, the Ghana COCOBOD Law, 1984 (PNDC Law 81) section 26 and 27 states that the Board shall within one year after the coming into force of this law establish a contributory insurance scheme for cocoa, coffee and sheanuts farmers within the framework of the Social Security Scheme. Its sad that 36 years on, this law remains only on paper without it being implemented.

The law is also emphatic that the board shall establish a fund to be known as Farmers' Welfare Fund which will be funded with 10% of COCOBODs net profit every year to be used to among others, develop farming communities and provide welfare loans to farmers.

What is COCOBOD waiting for before it sets up this fund?

These are challenges needing attention and this initiative will give them that attention.

The initiative is supported by SEND Ghana.

Signed

Richmond Frimpong, President, GARDJA 

Joseph Opoku Gakpo, Deputy General Secretary, GARDJA
Roger Smith says the equipment supply problem has been exacerbated by companies buying up equipment to take advantage of the federal governments program to allow businesses to instantly deduct business costs against their tax bill, known as the instant asset write-off. That sucked a lot of equipment out of the supply chain, which hasn't been replenished because of equipment production issues, he says.

As a result, the business has extended the life of its existing equipment and sourced gear from other providers. Weve had to be inventive, rearranging jobs to suit revised delivery times. By and large, customers have been happy to work with us.

Flexhire's Chris Moyes and Roger Smith. Credit: Supplied.

CommBank has supported Flexihire throughout its journey. It was great to have CommBanks support when Chris and I bought Flexihire from gas and welding supplier BOC three-and-a-half years ago, Smith says. The bank provided the debt financing for the acquisition and gave us an amazing level of support, which allowed us to buy the business.

Every time Chris and I come up with a growth idea, we know CommBank will want to help us deliver it. We're always talking about ways to grow the business with them. CommBank has already helped us make three acquisitions, supplying funding for them. They have also given us great support buying assets.

Moyes says CommBanks inherent grasp of the business supports its growth. The bank has always listened to Roger and I. The team asks a lot of questions, so they understand the business and that makes it easier when we talk to them about our financial needs.

The bank provides asset finance for Flexihires huge range of equipment, which Moyes says is a relatively complex business project. CommBank is proactive in meeting our needs. We have an overarching agreement with the bank and every time we buy an asset, we use an electronic platform to sign the agreements, which also reduces the paperwork we need to complete. This makes our job so much easier.

CommBank Business Banking group executive Mike Vacy-Lyle says so much about driving a business forward is based on relationships - with your suppliers, your customers and crucially, with your bank.

Weve been working with Flexihire for a few years now, so when they came to us for help to expand we had a good understanding of their business, Vacy-Lyle says. That meant we could quickly find the right funding solution to help them trade through these uncertain times.

We constantly strive to build strong relationships with our business customers so we can better understand your finance needs and your business dreams.

Its a relationship thats likely to only become stronger as the economy re-opens and demand for Flexihires services expands further.

CommBank offers a range of lending solutions. From business loans to car and equipment finance, CommBank can help your business move forward with lending that works for you. Visit commbank.com.au/businesslending for more information.
Two Jersey City councilmen are making a late push to reallocate $5 million from the citys Public Safety budget for social services and education, but the budget amendments may be dead on arrival.

Councilman at Large Rolando Lavarro and Ward E Councilman James Solomon are proposing budget amendments that will fund the hiring of social workers and mental health professionals; direct more money to the Department of Youth Development and Recreation for a fall youth jobs program; establish a program to help tenants avoid displacement; and bolster the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

The proposal will also direct $1.5 million to the Jersey City Public Schools to replace lost revenue from the city payroll tax and $500,000 to fund community anti-violence programs.

The council is set to vote on a revised spending plan Tuesday at 2 p.m. that fills a $70 million budget hole created by the coronavirus pandemic. The budget does not raise municipal taxes, but it does contain over $12.5 million in cuts to the Department of Public Safety and a 42% reduction in Youth Development and Recreation spending.

Solomon, who voted against the introduction of the budget with Lavarro, said the funds they want to redirect from public safety is money the city is saving through police and fire retirements. In the past, the department has used those savings to pay for overtime and salary increases, he said.

That is why we want to reallocate because if we dont reallocate then the money sits in the fire and police department budgets and can be used by those departments for any number of different things, Solomon said. But crucially, and this is important to us, it doesnt involve layoffs. In fact, it leaves them a cushion like a million-dollar cushion to figure things out.

The Department of Public Safety has already seen 52 police officers retire and another 23 retirees in the fire department, Solomon added.

But the proposal is likely dead on arrival. Council President Joyce Watterman, Councilman at large Daniel Rivera and Ward C Councilman Richard Boggiano are already saying no to the plan.

Watterman and Rivera both said the council has previously discussed giving money to the schools and decided against it because the city wont have a say in how the money is spent.

Boggiano, a former police detective, called the proposal ridiculous and said Jersey City needs more police. He said the city tried using social workers in the 1970s but the tactic didnt work because they wouldnt go in homes without a police officer, he said.

I dont know where they are coming from and what they are trying to prove but I think they are dead wrong, Boggiano said. We need to give the people of Jersey City safety. Their cars are not going broken into. Their houses are not going to be robbed. Theyre not going to be mugged. Theyre not going to be raped.

Council members Yousef Saleh, Denise Ridley, Mira Prinz-Arey and Jermaine Robinson could not be reached for comment. But Saleh and Robinson spoke about a need for more police in their wards during the Aug. 12 council meeting.

Lavarro and Solomons proposal comes as some residents continue to call for the city to defund the police in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd in May.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died after Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed.

Our countrys moral reckoning demands bold leadership to create a more equitable Jersey City, Lavarro said. Our proposed budget amendments instead are a down-payment on an equitable future for Jersey City.

Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione previously told The Jersey Journal the Department of Youth Development and Recreations budget wasnt cut; some $2.2 million simply went unused due to COVID-19 restrictions. Those savings helped the city balance its budget.

Wallace-Scalcione said Monday the new proposal is exactly what they recommended before which would result in police layoffs.

The mayor presented a balanced budget with no tax increase for residents while investing more in affordable housing and public safety, Wallace-Scalcione said. Its time for these two council people to stop playing politics with peoples safety.

But Solomon said investing in these community iniatives  like a youth jobs program -- will only boost public safety.

Instead, our proposed budget will result in a safer Jersey City by funding the long-term, community-led efforts proven to reduce violence.
(TNS)  The Bastrop County, Texas, Elections Department is unveiling its new electronic voting machines this week ahead of the November general election.The department is holding open house events beginning Thursday, and voters will be able to give the new machines a test run."It's extremely user friendly. I don't anticipate any issues with voters being able to use the machines," said Bastrop County Elections Administrator Kristin Miles. "Our only focus in providing the open house is for them to have a chance to see it and ask questions of our office prior to actually using it."The ExpressVote Universal Voting System is a paper-based voting machine that uses touch-screen technology to produce a paper ballot record. The machine handles the entire marking process and eliminates unclear markings, according to the manufacturer's website.After voters enter a polling location and show their ID, they will be given a ballot card to insert into the electronic machine. After voters make all of their selections, the machine will print out their ballots on a ballot card. The card is then inserted into a ballot box to be counted in the same manner as traditional paper ballots, the county said.The county authorized the purchase of 40 new voting machines earlier this month, an $138,000 expenditure that was mostly covered by a federal grant from the Help American Vote Act's election security fund.The 40 new machines will augment the county's existing inventory 30 electronic machines that were purchased in 2018 to meet requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.Because there will be around 60 different ballot variations across the county, the electronic machines will be used exclusively during the early voting period, when people are allowed to vote at any precinct in the county. On Election Day, when voters are required to vote at their precinct's polling location, people will have the option to use either the paper ballot system or the electronic system, Miles said.
Pam Hobday was sitting in her home across from Donner Lake in Truckee on a recent weekday when a man rang her doorbell and offered her $2 million in cash for her house.

He said, I dont even need to see the inside, recalled Hobday.

When Hobday said she planned on living there the rest of her life, the man inquired about whether any of her neighbors  the homes share a private dock  would be willing to accept the same deal.

I asked him where he was from, she said. He said, Well, Im from San Francisco. I said, Where in San Francisco? He said Nob Hill. I said, Sir, this isnt Nob Hill. This is Truckee. I was shocked at how aggressive he was.

The COVID-19 pandemic has stoked a real estate boom throughout the Tahoe region, propelled by thousands of workers fleeing San Francisco and the broader Bay Area. Freed from the shackles of 9-to-5 office work, these white-collar workers are seeking mountain homes near open space and tranquility far from downtown high-rises. And they have the money to pay for it.

In Tahoe, the influx of newcomers has, as Hobday said, turned every day into Fourth of July, bringing unwelcome traffic jams, trash, crowds and fears newcomers could turn the mountain town of Truckee into a coronavirus hot spot.

But full-time residents  in particular the essential workers who staff hospitals, teach kids, plow snow and cook in restaurants  are concerned the influx will drive up rents and housing prices in a region already unaffordable to many.

Year over year, the average home price in the area is up 26% to $1.3 million, while the median price has jumped 17% to $865,000, according to the Padden Group, a local brokerage. The number of homes sold in July was up 59%, from 96 to 235. In the last 30 days, 213 single-family homes hit the market, and 105 are already in escrow. Bidding wars are now par for the course, and some houses are attracting more than 50 bids, according to brokers.

You are not even going to compete if you dont have all cash. It is like the Bay Area prior to COVID, said Kathleen Eagan, a former mayor of Truckee who has lived in the town for 30 years.

The property feeding frenzy is rippling across the Tahoe economy. Owners who had been renting out homes to local families are capitalizing on the sellers market, leaving their tenants scrambling for new spots just as school is starting up.

The No. 1 thing you hear around town is, My house is getting sold and I need to find a new place, said Emily Vitas, executive director of the Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency.

Sam Drury, a broker with the Padden Group, said the demand from the Bay Area is strongest in the entry-level segment, under $1 million, and many of the would-be buyers are well-paid tech workers who were renting in the San Francisco market. They are outbidding the teachers, nurses and construction workers, many of whom are forced to commute from Reno and other cities.

Michael Macor / Special to the Chronicle

Anything that was even a little affordable is getting soaked up, Drury said. That three-bedroom, two-bath 1970s chalet that was $550,000 is now $675,000.

Two bedrooms rent for about $2,200 a month and three bedrooms for $2,500  which is about 20% above what it was prior to the pandemic. Bay Area renters are often willing to pay an entire year of rent up front, according to affordable housing advocates.

On the Truckee residents Facebook page is a constant stream of locals  teachers, nurses, firefighters  looking for a new rental because their landlords are selling.

Eagan said that the Truckee Nextdoor is full of inquiries from the newcomers  several of whom seemed unfamiliar with the pollen that blankets surfaces every summer. There are so many posts, Hey just moved to Truckee. And what is that yellow stuff on my deck?

The lack of affordable housing has been an issue in Tahoe for decades as Truckee has grown from 5,000 to 16,000 since it incorporated as a town in 1993. The Mountain Housing Council estimates theres a 4,000-unit housing shortage in the area.

A Truckee Tahoe Housing Workforce Agency survey of 1,800 public sector employees found that 16% of local workers were considering leaving Tahoe because of the housing costs. Over the last 10 years, the Tahoe Forest Health System (a member of the Workforce Housing Agency) has seen a 13% increase in employees commuting in from Reno, which is also seeing a spike in home prices because of the growth there of companies like Tesla and Apple.

Stefanie Olivieri, who owns Carbonas clothing store in downtown Truckee, said the lack of housing has made it impossible to hire new workers. Its crippling our business, she said. I have worked five months without a day off because I could not find anyone to work. Most retailers are in the same boat.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The long commutes add more traffic, hurt air quality and harm the quality of life, she added.

On the surface there would seem to be enough housing in the Truckee and North Lake Tahoe region  13,000 homes serving a population of 16,000. But 54% percent of the inventory is second homes, and of those, about 13% are used for short-term vacation rentals. Many of the vacation homes are sitting empty  at least 1,000  according to Kai and Colin Frolich, San Francisco transplants who started Landing Locals, a business that seeks to connect owners of unused second homes with local workers.

We are trying to offer an alternative to short-term rentals or properties sitting empty, said Kai Frolich.

So far Landing Locals has placed 140 Tahoe workers into 55 empty vacation homes, often units that are in limbo as the owner passed away and the next generation doesnt live in the area. They call such units cold beds. Landing Locals is now working with 373 residents in need of rental housing.

Beyond lamenting the housing crunch thats hurting workers, Tahoe residents want the new neighbors from the Bay Area to respect their way of life.

Siobhan Smart, who owns the historic Wagon Train Cafe in downtown Truckee, said that Bay Area transplants will be accepted if they are friendly and community-minded.

You cant come up here and be a jerk. The town is way too small for that, she said. You cant flip off your neighbor because that is the same neighbor who is going to help dig you and your three small kids out in a snowstorm.

She added that people from San Francisco need to learn to be neighborly because small-town living in Tahoe is nothing like the anonymous existence that San Francisco residents enjoy.

Walking around on your phones, not making eye contact  you dont get to do that here.

J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen
Unidentified armed criminals shot dead a noted trader in Lakhisarai, about 150 km south of Patna early Tuesday morning, police said.

The murder of the trader named Gautam Sao at 7 am sparked panic in the area. Six months ago he had survived a bid on his life.

Police said that after killing the trader who was in his mid-40s, the assailants hurled a couple of crude bombs while fleeing. At least two people were reportedly injured in the explosions.

Sao, who was a resident of Purani Bazar, was murdered when he along with a land broker were on their way on a two-wheeler to inspect his land. As soon as they reached near Jhaluna locality, the attackers on two motorcycles intercepted them and pumped bullets into Sao.

Allegations have surfaced that Sao had submitted a written complaint to the district police expressing threat to his life but no action was taken.

Police are scanning all CCTV footage to nab the accused at the earliest. In the footage from the CCTV camera near the site of the shooting, the bike-borne attackers are seen leaving the area casually.

About 5-6 rounds were fired by the assailants. We are collecting evidence and will investigate the matter thoroughly before coming to any conclusion, said the SDPO Ranjan Kumar.

The SDPO said the assailants probably tailed Sao from his residence and as soon as he slowed down, they fired at him.

When police reached the spot to take the body of Sao for autopsy, a large number of locals gathered there and blocked the main road for several hours by placing the body on it. The blockade was lifted only after the superintendent of police reached the spot and promised to arrest the accused at the earliest.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
In line with measures aimed at deepening public Accountability in Ghana. Fanteakwa North District Office of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), held Social Auditing Engagement on Thursday 20th August 2020 at Koradaso Chiefs Palace a suburb of Begoro in the Eastern Region. A cross-section of the communitys representatives were present including some ARAP stakeholders.

Ms Cynthia Essel, District Director delivering the purpose of gathering said Social Auditing Engagement is under the Accountability, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption programmes (ARAP). The goal of ARAP is to promote good governance in Ghana by reducing corruption and improving accountability and compliance with the rule of law. It is an European Union (EU) sponsored programme.

Deputy Eastern Region Director NCCE, Mr Augustine Bosrotsi said, under ARAP, NCCEs role is to campaign, advocate and lobby for increased accountability and a reduction in corruption in Ghana. In simple Akan Language translation, Social Auditing Engagement is likened to the Akan proverb s woankasa wotri ho a, y yi wo ayi bone that is Accountability, Rule of law and Community Ownership. The aim of this engagement is to promote community ownership of developmental projects and policies, increase awareness of the operations of the Local Government and empower the citizenry to demand accountability from duty bearers. A five-member Social Auditing Committee was formed and inaugurated.

Hon. District Chief Executive, Mr Charles Oware Tweneboah said President Akufo-Addo urges the people of Ghana to be citizens, not spectators/subjects but responsible citizens. He wholly supports the work of the committee and urged all community members to demand accountability, own and preserve state properties. As part of measures to curb the spread of Corona Virus 19 (COVID-19), Fanteakwa North District Assembly gave each participant one sanitizer and a facemask at the durbar grounds.

The Chairman for the programme, Nana Amoakoh Ntim II, Chief of Koradaso said, people should contribute to development. Pay appropriate taxes, levies and fees where applicable. He thanked all presents especially the District Assembly for accepting to implement a water project for the community. There was a project site visit after the durbar.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / COVID-19 may have impacted international trade negatively but the international businessman and lawyer Sekip Hardal has helped numerous clients advance their trade relations with the U.S. over the course of the pandemic. Sekip Hardal has been practicing law in Turkey since 2003 and he serves as on the board of the Turkish-American Business Association of the American Chamber of Commerce (TABA-AmCham).

Through his 20 years' worth experience and network, Mr. Hardal's consulting services resulted in Turkish businessmen investing more than $20 million in the U.S. over the course of the past two years. Also, by facilitating logistics and localization services he helped many foreign-based companies start production in the U.S. which created hundreds of U.S. jobs and positive economic impact.

Mr. Hardal assists small, mid-size, and large companies as well as entrepreneurs with market research, logistic support, business formation, rebranding, product registration as well as export-import matters.

Sekip Hardal has been focusing on medical supplies for the last six months. The unprecedented global medical crisis of 2020 has increased the supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from Turkey to the U.S. to fight the pandemic. Mr. Hardal facilitated some of these trade relations through his know-how on the product registration requirements as well as his quick and effective solutions to any problems that may arise throughout the process. With proven success in understanding the U.S. compliance codes, Mr. Hardal collaborated with American Attorneys to provide compliance and FDA certification requirements.

Sekip Hardal's goal is to spur the trade between Turkey and the U.S. and contribute to global economic growth. The worldwide network that Mr. Hardal has built-in various industries promises to change the world for the better.

Contact Information

Name: Sekip Hardal

Name of the business: Manhattan Citizen

Business email: info@mahnattancitizen.com

Company phone number: +16467637865

Website: https://manhattancitizen.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sekip-hardal-0aa67417/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sekiphardal/

SOURCE: The Inception Media

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603029/Turkish-Attorney-Sekip-Hardal-On-Reforming-Global-Trade-In-Uncertain-Times
Patricia and Mark McCloskey, a couple from St. Louis who pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters, spoke at the Republican National Convention on Monday. (Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Convention )

Im having a hard time deciding which moment of the Republican National Conventions opening night was the most craven.

Was it Kimberly Guilfoyles over-the-top Evita impersonation?

Donald Trump Jr.s glassy-eyed invocation of Beijing Biden?

The hostage video of the former hostages thanking President Trump for freeing them from countries he then praised?

Nope, Im going with the McCloskeys.

The most craven moment, hands down, belonged to the white couple from St. Louis who pointed guns at peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters from the frontyard of their palatial home in June, were charged with a felony and have become the new darlings of the pro-gun movement.

The pair, both lawyers, sat in what appeared to be their well-appointed, wood-paneled living room and gave what should go down as one of the most racist appeals in recent American political history.

You may have seen us, defending our home as a mob of protesters descended on our neighborhood, said Mark McCloskey.

What you saw happen to us, said Patricia McCloskey, could just as easily happen to any of you who are watching from quiet neighborhoods around our country.

Quiet neighborhoods? Hmmm, do go on.

They arent satisfied with spreading chaos and violence into our communities, Patricia continued. They want to abolish the suburbs altogether, by ending single-family home zoning. This forced rezoning would bring crime, lawlessness and low-quality apartments into now-thriving suburban neighborhoods.... Your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats America.

Her paranoia dovetails nicely with Trumps strategy of using fearmongering on race to try to win back white suburban women who deserted him in 2018.

In a July tweet addressed to the Suburban Housewives of America, he warned that Biden will destroy your neighborhood and your American Dream. I will preserve it, and make it even better!

Wow.

::

There was a brief, fleeting moment after the Republicans lost to President Obama in 2012 when the party seemed willing to examine its failings.

Story continues

Acknowledging the countrys changing demographics, then-Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus produced a 100-page road map for the partys survival: "We need to campaign among Hispanic, black, Asian, and gay Americans and demonstrate we care about them, too. We must recruit more candidates who come from minority communities.

What Priebus and his colleagues failed to predict was the emergence of a demagogue like Trump, who worked tirelessly to create and exploit a backlash to the first Black president and to mine white, working-class grievances (some entirely valid).

As I watched the GOP convention Monday, I saw a party that, instead of embracing the future, has fallen into a time warp. Trump's America is still in the 1950s, the pinkos are at the door, Blacks and Latinos dont belong in white suburbs and American exceptionalism is not to be questioned.

Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida warned about woke-topians who would turn the nation into a horror film, really and invite MS-13 to live next door.

Sean Parnell, a Republican congressional candidate from Pennsylvania, played the elitism card against Democrats  oh, God, not this again  accusing them of being the party of hedge-fund managers, Hollywood celebrities, tech moguls and academia  bloated with contempt for middle America."

GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who dropped her maiden name (Romney) at the request of Trump because he despises her Uncle Mitt, mocked Democrats for not being anachronistic enough.

Democrats started their convention last week with Eva Longoria, a famous Hollywood actress who played a housewife on TV, said McDaniel. Well, Im actually a real housewife and a mom from Michigan with two wonderful kids in public school who happens to be the only  only the second woman in 164 years to run the Republican Party. (A real housewife who just happens to head a major political party? This is Phyllis Schlafly-level gaslighting.)

In Trumps time warp, more than 170,000 Americans have not died from a pandemic he badly mismanaged, some 51 million have not filed unemployment claims and each killing of an unarmed Black person by police is an anomaly, not part of a systemic, racist pattern.

What happened to George Floyd is a disgrace, said Trump Jr. But we cannot lose sight of the fact that our police are American heroes.

::

There really isnt a Republican Party anymore.

There is only Trump.

What better metaphor for that than the announcement last week that the GOP would produce no platform?

What Republicans stand for is whatever Trump blurts out his support for at any given moment. (Hydroxychloroquine, white nationalism, pardons for convicted criminals.)

They are against whatever he is against. (Democrats, Obamacare, immigrants, the post office, science.)

I think Team Trump must be saddened and confused by Joe Bidens victory as the Democratic nominee, and by his selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. Neither of them is a progressive firebrand, and Trump et al are befuddled about how to run against this pair of relatively moderate Democrats.

The attacks on Biden and Harris on Monday proved it. They were stolen from the same tired playbook that Republicans used so unsuccessfully against Barack Obama in his two successful presidential campaigns: They are socialists, Marxist revolutionaries who will take away your guns and redistribute your wealth.

As Guilfoyle so loudly put it, They want to destroy this country and everything that we have fought for and hold dear. They want to steal your liberty, your freedom. They want to control what you see and think and believe so that they can control how you live. They want to enslave you to the weak, dependent, liberal victim ideology to the point that you will not recognize this country or yourself.

Take a chill pill, girl. The dystopian nightmare is already here.

@AbcarianLAT




While women in the U.S. gained the right to vote 100 years ago, when the 19th Amendment was ratified, another constitutional push for equal rights for women remains unfinished. This year, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which would have made it the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution  if the deadline had not passed almost 40 years ago.

With recent efforts to put the ERA back into contention and the popular Hulu series Mrs. America dramatizing the battle for the amendment, I went to The Chronicles archive to see what this fight looked like in the Bay Area. There, I found photos of demonstrations from the early 1970s and early 1980s, as well as some of the best-known leaders from the era making the case in San Francisco.

On Aug. 26, 1970, there was a nationwide protest and strike for equal rights in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 19th Amendments ratification. The demonstrations supported of equal pay, establishing child care centers and eliminating job discrimination. In New York, an estimated 20,000 demonstrators marched down Fifth Avenue to a rally at Bryant Park. In San Francisco, about a thousand demonstrators gathered in Union Square.

Were serving notice that women want in, not to a corrupt society, but to a society well make more humane, National Organization for Women President Aileen Hernandez said. Womens liberation means mens liberation as well. Come on along with us on this, she challenged.

Similar rallies were held in Berkeley, San Rafael and Palo Alto.

While the national rallies were on the front page of The Chronicle, coverage of the local rallies ended up on Page 24, under the Womens World banner. On the same page, reporter Dorothy Aiton interviewed women on Montgomery Street who didnt seem to be very involved in the strike or the protest  although not opposed to its aims. One working woman eating her lunch on a bench told Aiton she was supportive of more child care. She was divorced, the sole support for her son, and in a bind: She couldnt find a kindergarten for her 5-year-old and couldnt afford to stay home with him.

Aiton heard from some generally supportive men on the street, but didnt get much seriousness from her own colleague. The Chronicle photographer, upon realizing this wasnt going to be a heavyweight assignment: Oh well, Montgomery Street is the best place in town for girl watching.

In the upcoming years, the ERA was passed in the House and the Senate, and in 1972, it was sent to the states for ratification, with a deadline of 1979. Among the notable women pushing for ratification were writers Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, and Reps. Bella Abzug and Shirley Chisholm. Several state ratified the amendment quickly. On Nov. 13, 1972, California joined them, becoming the 22nd state.

But opposition increased, with anti-ERA leaders arguing women would lose rights they already had and become eligible for the military draft.

The chief spokeswoman of the anti-ERA movement was Phyllis Schlafly. Among the rights Schlafly claimed the ERA would take away: right of a woman to be supported by her husband, the right of a woman to be exempted from the military, and your right, if you want to, to go to a single-sex college.

Schlafly accepted an invitation from the all-womens Mills College to debate the ERA against Mary Dunlap, a San Francisco attorney with Equal Rights Advocates Inc. Reporter Judith Anderson wrote the crowd of about 800 people was largely sympathetic to Dunlaps point of view.

She argued state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination needed constitutional backup, especially to safeguard the rights of women trying to break into a traditionally male arena. Without the ERA to prohibit sex discrimination, Dunlap argued, It is like trying to renovate a house with a fly swatter.

In part because of Schlafly opposition, the drive for ratification sputtered, and the deadline passed. A three-year extension didnt help. ERA approval stalled at 35 states, three short of the three-fourths of the states that the amendment needed.

More from the Archive The Vault Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond.

While the recent ratifications have been symbolically important, it wont make the ERA part of the Constitution. Rep. Jackie Speier's legislation that would erase any mention of a deadline for ratification, was passed in the House. Its just a huge gaffe in our Constitution, and we need to fix it, Speier told The Chronicle. I do not want my daughter and, hopefully someday, my granddaughter, to still be arguing about this and still be fighting for equality.

More from Chronicle Vault

 Portals of the Past: Much more than a sob sister  San Francisco reporter was one of the best of her time.

 The new normal  in 1942: A look back at wartime ads in The Chronicle.

 We sinners never give up: Sally Stanfords journey from madam to mayor.

 Piped in: How Hetch Hetchy Valleys natural beauty was sacrificed to quench SFs thirst.

From the Archive is a weekly column by Bill Van Niekerken, the library director of The Chronicle, exploring the depths of the newspapers archive. Its part of Chronicle Vault, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting more than 150 years of San Francisco stories. It is edited by Taylor Kate Brown, The Chronicles newsletter editor. Sign up for the newsletter here, and follow Chronicle Vault on Instagram. Contact Bill at bvanniekerken@sfchronicle.com and Taylor at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com.
Police have established a crime scene in South Brisbane after a one-year-old boy was taken to the Queensland Children's Hospital on Monday.

The police cordon was established at an address on Dock Street on Tuesday after the case was referred to officers by hospital staff. The boy arrived at the hospital about 2.30pm.

Footage from Nine showed police at the River Plaza Apartment complex, from which the boy was reportedly taken in a critical condition.

A police spokesman said the child's condition had since stabilised.
A finance company owner was killed in his office and a woman employee injured when two knife-wielding men pretending to be customers, stabbed them in Govind Nagar area late Monday evening, police said.

Jaipal Puri, 62, died at a hospital and his employee Ratna Shukla was injured seriously. Puris son was also shot dead a few years ago.

The two men approached Puri in his office on the pretext of getting a small commercial vehicle financed. He refused but the two men insisted that he take 70,000 in advance and finance the vehicle.

After he refused again, the men whipped out knives and began stabbing him all over his body. Ratna, who was nearby, intervened but was attacked by the miscreants, said police. The assailants managed to escape but one of them left behind his knife.

Puri was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died due to excessive bleeding.

DIG/SSP Kanpur Preetinder Singh said the killers came with a purpose and the police were trying to find out if the crime was committed because of some personal enmity or business rivalry.

The police have secured CCTV footage in which the two men are seen with their faces quite visible.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
There is a growing consensus among the latest forecast models that Hurricane Laura will make landfall far enough east of Houston that the city will avoid the worst impacts, according to Matt Lanza of Space City Weather.

"For us in Houston this explicitly would mean primarily tropical storm impacts instead of hurricane impacts, as tropical storm force winds do extend out over 175 miles east of the center (it will be less to the west)," Lanza writes. "At the coast, that could be different, with slightly stronger wind (perhaps close to hurricane force) and a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet in Galveston to upwards of 6 to 9 feet across the Bolivar Peninsula to High Island."

The projected track went mostly unchanged through Tuesday, with the center of the storm striking the Texas-Louisiana border. The Houston area remains under threat from the hurricane if the storm veers any farther west. Officials warned people to prepare for the worst-case scenario that would put the metropolitan area under the gun.

The hurricane is expected to make landfall somewhere between San Luis Pass, Texas, and Intracoastal City, La. The coastal stretch between San Luis Pass and Intracoastal City, La -- hundreds of miles long -- began to brace itself under a hurricane warning issued Tuesday morning by the National Weather Service.

TRACK FLOODING: Our Texas Flood Map shows if your neighborhood is at risk

Feeding on warm Gulf waters as it advanced at 17 mph, Hurricane Laura was 465 miles southeast of Galveston around 8 p.m. with 85 mph winds, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm is expected to make landfall Wednesday night or Thursday morning as a major Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds.

Eric Berger of Space City Weather wrote earlier Tuesday in a blog post that Hurricane Laura represents a serious situation that Houston residents should follow closely.

We are still in line for anything from a glancing blow to direct major hurricane landfall, Berger wrote. Bottom line: This is time for preparedness and action, not panic.

Hurricane warnings, which were upgraded from previous watches, are in effect from San Luis Pass, Texas, to Intracoastal City, La.  a wide patch of coast within which the hurricane is expected to strike. Storm surge warnings were in effect from San Luis Pass to the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the hurricane center.

The west and east outskirts of those areas  from Sargent to San Luis Pass and from Intracoastal City to the Mississippi River mouth  were under tropical storm warnings. Houston was included in that warning area.

In areas under storm surge warnings, there is danger of life-threatening conditions as rising water, accompanied by large and dangerous waves, moves inland from the coast. People should take precautions and follow evacuation orders from local officials.

Actions to protect life and property should be rushed to completion today, as water levels will begin to rise Wednesday, the centers advisory said.

The hurricane-force winds can extend 45 miles from the center of the storm, and tropical storm-force winds could extend for 175 miles, according to the hurricane center.

Winds are the greatest concern for the Houston metro area, Berger said, followed by storm surge along coastal areas. Extreme winds could knock out power and cause residential damage, he said.

STORM FORECASTS: See the latest NWS forecast track and rainfall estimates

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a voluntary evacuation order Tuesday afternoon for the countys Zones A and B, urging those residents to head west or north to avoid dangerous storm surge. Residents of inland Harris County, meanwhile, should stay put in preparation for heavy winds.

Well be feeling those wind impacts perhaps all throughout our community, Hidalgo said. We will be sheltering from possible wind  make sure that youre prepared for prolonged power outages, that you have supplies to last you at least a week.

Forecasters predict Louisiana will be impacted by the greatest storm surge, with water rising up to 13 feet, officials said. Port Bolivar to Sea Rim State Park, Texas  near the Louisiana border  could get up to 9 feet of storm surge. Galveston Bay could see up to 5 feet of storm surge, officials said, and waters along the stretch from Freeport to San Luis Pass could rise 2 to 4 feet.

The hurricane is expected to dump 4 to 8 inches of rain along the Gulf coast. The rainfall could cause widespread flash and urban flooding and isolated river flooding.

In an afternoon briefing, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said the most recent forecast he heard from the National Weather Service got his attention, by informing him that Lauras path was currently aimed directly at the Houston-Galveston region. He added, however, that forecasters expect the storm to curve to the northeast closer to its expected landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border.

If things would deteriorate rapidly and (the storms path) change didnt occur, we would have very little time to do anything differently, Henry said. The preparation window is closing quickly. We have until tomorrow at this time and then thats it.

Henrys primary concern at this point is Bolivar Peninsula, which could see a storm surge of 4 to 8 feet. The Texas Department of Transportation announced Tuesday afternoon that ferry service to the peninsula would end at 11:30 p.m., earlier than expected, meaning peninsula residents only option for evacuating would be to the east, potentially in Lauras path.

Thats not an ideal escape route, thats why we really encourage residents on Bolivar to seek safety now somewhere else, Henry said.

The judge added that Centerpoint Energy, which delivers power to much of Galveston County, has prepositioned a lot of vehicles on county property in Santa Fe, so that they will be able to respond to service disruptions within minutes.

Meanwhile, Houston Public Works is again lowering Lake Houston, to 41 feet, ahead of Hurricane Laura, according to an email from Mayor Pro Tem David Martin's office.

That area of Houston is forecast to get between two and four inches of rain, with as much as six inches in some localized spots.

The lowering of the lake will occur gradually overnight. It is currently at 41.6 feet.

"Once the inclement weather threat has moved out of our area the Lake will be allowed to naturally refill due to runoff from the rain event," the email said.

anna.bauman@chron.com


REDMOND (dpa-AFX) - Microsoft is set to use the latest technology to transform the city of Houston under the 'Accelerate' initiative to aid the economic recovery of the city by skilling both underserved communities and re-skilling the many Americans impacted by COVID-19 for high-demand jobs.



Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the expansion of its digital alliance with Microsoft to innovate in big data, artificial intelligence and the digital economy. The initial alliance with Microsoft was announced by Turner more than two years ago in 2018 to grow Huston as a smart city.



This is part of the Houston Innovation Alliance and Accelerate: Houston. Other partners include The Ion, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Kino-Eye Center, Upskill Houston, University of Houston College of Technology and Space Center Houston.



'Microsoft shares my vision to make Houston the Smart City of the future and a leader among U. S. cities as we develop excellence in innovation, AI and digital equity,' said Turner.



The software giant will invest more than $1 million in workforce development and other initiatives as part of 'accelerate' initiative in partnership with Houston's Innovation District at the Ion.



Microsoft is developing a holistic plan for professional development or support and addressing the equity gap across the community in collaboration with corporate partners, K-12 school systems and higher education providers.



The company will offer digital literacy workshops, empowerment programs and other development training with industry experts through LinkedIn Learning.



For students, the company will bring the Microsoft Imagine Academy Learning Paths to Houston schools, with content and industry certifications mapped to student skill development.



For K-16 education providers, Microsoft and partners will bring digital literacy training and Modern Workplace training focused on digital skills for educators.



Accelerate: Houston is the latest US implementation of Microsoft's global skills initiative, which is an ambitious plan to help 25 million people worldwide acquire new digital skills by the end of 2020.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
The spirit of the 1960s has been revived this year in the Texas Hill Country, with cultural icons Paul Simon and Willie Nelson voicing opposition to the Permian Highway Pipeline. But while the songwriters once spoke truth to power and embodied a young generation, they now place themselves squarely on the side of the incumbents. Paul Simon is no longer a poor boy whose storys seldom told; today hes a powerful landowner whose fame gives him influence. Nelson, though he surely still thinks himself a rebel, now embodies the establishment. As Simon and Nelson bask away their golden years in resplendent Hill Country estates, they intend to deny economic advancement to others, lest their cherished vistas be spoiled by the laying of new energy infrastructure.

The Permian Highway Pipeline is a new project that would transport natural gas from the abundant shale basins of West Texas to the Gulf Coast, where the gas can be processed and sold to resource users across the country and the world. The 42-inch pipeline will move 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, enough to power the equivalent of 20 million U.S. homes.

The need for more pipeline capacity arises from the enormous leaps in productivity the Permian basin has made in recent years. Permian gas output has jumped from 6 billion cubic feet per day in 2016 to over 15 billion cubic feet today. Despite the effects of the pandemic on demand, the Permians oil numbers are just as stunning, with production now double what it was just four years ago. The Permian, its innovative companies and its effective workforce have been the catalyst for the United States ascent to global energy preeminence. New pipelines like Permian Highway would ensure that all of the regions productive capacity is put to good use in the state, the rest of the country and beyond. If permitted, it will begin operations next year.

Permian Highway would traverse 430 miles from the dry mesas of West Texas to the humid Gulf Coast. Between these two regions sits the Hill Country. And thats where Paul Simon and Willie Nelson come in.

Hill Country NIMBYs

As Simon and Nelson described it in their Houston Chronicle op-ed, The Texas Hill Country is a gift from Mother Nature. Sprawling over 986 square miles in the heart of the state, it is a wonder of rolling grasslands, pastures of pecan, mesquite, desert willow and oak. Unsurprisingly, the Hill Country has become an enclave of the elite, with ex-pats from Dallas, Houston and further afield snapping up properties to the tune of $50,000 per acre to build recreational ranches and family hideaways. Simon, raised in New York City, is among the many affluent people who have sought the Hill Country for a change of scenery. (He put his Connecticut estate on the market for over $13 million last fall.) Nelson has deep roots in the region, having grown up in nearby Abbott (population 356). Today, Nelson is a mogul, with property in Hawaii along with 700 acres in his beloved Hill Country.

Their pipeline opposition is about the environment, but analysis does not bear out that concern. Pipelines are environmental positives in at least two key ways. First, pipelines reduce the risks of transporting oil and gas. In the absence of pipelines, shale plays would still produce resources, but they would be moved by rail and by road, both of which are more likely to result in mishaps than pipelines. Second, pipelines facilitate a transition from coal-fired electricity to electricity from lower-emitting natural gas. Limiting pipelines means more coal-fired power plants remain in operation, an outcome few environmentalists would applaud. The environmental claims against pipelines are weak.

Simon and Nelsons protest, at root, is NIMBYism  that is, the mindset that says develop all you want, just not in my backyard. NIMBYs think theyre entitled to a certain kind of preservation, one that permits them to build their mansions and enjoy the environs, but denies the same respect to others with designs of their own.

Simons Hill Country preservation campaign is of a piece with his past support for the Half-Earth Project, an endeavor aimed at corralling humanity to just 50 percent of our planet. Readers may find it surprising that someone with expansive property holdings and a history of global music tours would have such a restrictive outlook, but pulling up the economic ladder to prevent others from climbing it is a hallmark of todays high-rolling environmental movement. Half-Earths funding register reads like a Big Green, Inc. roll call, with the well-endowed Park Foundation and billionaire Tom Steyer prominently featured.

What Hill Country millionaires and organizations like Half-Earth fail to appreciate is that their actions to oppose developments like the Permian Highway Pipeline are holding other people back. The shale gas industry provides the United States with the affordable, reliable energy we will need to power back up from the coronavirus recession. For people abroad, U.S. natural gas is a buoy that can keep them afloat amid geopolitical turmoil causes by nefarious energy actors like Russias Gazprom. Stopping pipelines stymies economic opportunity not only in Texas, but across the globe.

The NIMBYs of the Texas Hill Country are indistinguishable from the old-money landowners in places like San Francisco, who prize their neighborhood character so dearly that they prevent new development in the city that would enable people less well-off than themselves to create better lives. Just like San Francisco progressives, they find themselves a step behind the times and bobbing in the wrong direction. Simon and Nelson are no longer the cool kids speaking out against injustice; instead, they are the party precluding the betterment of all. While Nelson pines for nothing but blue skies from now on, he blocks others from finding blue skies of their own. And Simon has indeed squandered his resistance.

McGillis serves as the deputy director of policy for the Institute for Energy Research.
Top political advisor stresses improving national governance - Xinhua | English.news.cn

China's top political advisor Wang Yang on Monday called for taking advantage of the institutional strength of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to improve national governance.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, made the remarks during a seminar where local political advisors exchanged their work experience in Beijing.

He stressed implementing the overall Party leadership over every dimension and whole process during the work of the CPPCC, and called for efforts to transform the Party's decisions into broad consensus and voluntary action of society.

Wang also required improving the working mechanisms of the CPPCC, including committee-member lecture programs and seminars for political advisors, to build consensus.

Local political advisory organs should always uphold the Party's overall leadership over CPPCC work, Wang stressed, urging the organs to concentrate on important issues of the Party and government, the difficulties of people's livelihood, and the focuses of social governance.
'The undiminished threat has the potency of sustaining itself in multiple ways in the near and medium term.'

'State agencies need to utilise innovative methods in countering radicalisation and violent extremism to address this growing threat,' Dr Shanthie Mariet D'Souza and Dr Bibhu Prasad Routray point out.

IMAGE: Alleged ISIS operative Mohammed Mushtaqeem Khan, who was arrested with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), by the Delhi police near Dhaula Kuan in New Delhi, August 22, 2020. Photograph: Gagan Pawar/ANI Photo

Arrests of two persons associated with the Islamic State, within a week, has brought back attention on the undiminished threat of the global jihadist organisation to India's national security.

While 28-year-old Abdul Rahman, working as an ophthalmologist at a Bengaluru medical college, was arrested on August 18, Mohammed Mushtaqeem Khan, aged 36, was arrested in New Delhi with IEDs and explosives following a brief exchange of fire with the Delhi police on August 22.

Rahman had reportedly visited an IS camp in Syria to treat injured fighters.

Khan had never left Indian shores and had reportedly taken up the role of being a lone wolf fighter on the advice of an IS recruiter.

IMAGE: The Delhi police bring alleged ISIS operative Mohammed Mushtaqeem Khan to his village Badhya Bhaisahi in the Utraula area in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, August 22 2020. Photograph: ANI Photo

IS narrative and outreach

Since its founding in 2014, the IS in Iraq and Syria has posed a rather subdued threat to India.

Its repeated calls and outreach to Indian Muslims have largely been ignored.

Close to 200 people have either left the country or have attempted to do so to join the group.

This has been interpreted as a failure of the global jihadist force, whose appeal to the Muslims of Europe, Africa and even South East Asia have been far more successful than those in South Asia.

Even in Kashmir, a theatre of jihadi groups, the IS as well as the al-Qaeda phenomenon has not been able to find significant support.

The cyber wings of intelligence agencies as well as those of state police establishments have done well to arrest self-radicalised individuals and bust modules.

Individual state police wings have been able to infiltrate into chat rooms, social media groups to track online communication, activities and exchanges of IS recruiters.

While the government does not stress much on either unleashing a counter-messaging to the IS propaganda or engaging in a de-radicalisation initiative, adequate promotion seems to have been given to tracking and neutralising the online recruitment efforts.

And till now, this approach has been successful.

IMAGE: IEDs recovered from alleged ISIS operative Mohammed Mushtaqeem Khan defused by security forces at Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi, August 22 2020. Photograph: ANI Photo

Online vs offline content

What, the IS, however, has succeeded, through its regular online propaganda and recruitment efforts, is to create a rather dispersed band of followers in several states of the country.

While a few of them are linked to a common recruiter and have operated with a vague sense of unity, most others like Rahman and Khan have been lone wolves, using their motivation, skills and energy to further the cause they believe in.

Amid the sporadic and intermittent nature of their operations a degree of sophistication is clearly visible.

Compared to other cadres arrested previously who were still in their planning stage or had access only to basic weapons, Khan reportedly had learnt to assemble pressure cooker IEDs online and had even carried out a test in his village.

Rahman, the ophthalmologist from Bengaluru, was developing a weapons-related mobile app to benefit IS fighters.

In contrast, Mehdi Masroor Biswas, the IS sympathiser who was arrested in December 2014, used his twitter handle @ShamiWitness mostly for propaganda purposes.

IMAGE: Several weapons and a cache of ammunition which were recovered by the NIA during its raids across Meerut, Lucknow, Hapur, Amroha and Seelampurin connection with its probe into a new IS-inspired module,'Harkat ul Harb e Islam', in New Delhi. Photograph: PTI Photo

Uttar Pradesh: A new hotbed?

For long, security as well as academic interest has been centred on the 'South Indian'-ness of the Islamic State, buttressed by the fact that overwhelming majority of the IS operatives who have travelled out of the country or have been arrested are from the four southern Indian states.

However, this trend could possibly be undergoing a tectonic shift.

Number of arrests of IS cadres in the recent past have either been from Uttar Pradesh or have links with that state.

Khan belonged to a small village in Balrampur, UP.

Members of a 10-member IS module, named Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam (HUHI), arrested in April 2019, belonged to Amroha and Meerut.

HUHI's efforts to carry out a massive attack in the national capital arguably remains the most sophisticated attempt by IS operatives in recent times.

Close to 25 kilograms of explosives had been recovered from them.

In 2016, four members of another IS-inspired module, Junud-ul-Khalifa-e-Hind (JUKH, Soldiers of the Caliph in India), had been arrested from Haridwar.

Similar to the HUHI, the JUKH too was attempting to indulge in terror strikes in major cities across India.

Other cities where IS cadres have either been arrested or killed include Lucknow, Saharanpur, Kushinagar and Azamgarh.

The impact of the online propaganda and recruitment efforts seem to have found a degree of resonance in the erstwhile SIMI/Indian Mujahideen cadres, who are reviving their old linkages, at a time of their own choosing.

This UP phenomenon, if true, could have larger security implications on the National Capital Region compared to other mega cities.

IMAGE: National Security Guard commandos carry out search operations near Buddha Jayanti Park, after an ISIS operative was arrested from the area. Photograph: PTI Photo

The Looming Threat

The ephemeral palaver in the media centering around individual arrests of IS cadres notwithstanding, threat of global jihadist outfits to India's national security has been under played in the policy making circles.

The arithmetic division of the number of known IS sympathisers by the total Muslim population in the country has remained a much (mis)used method to down play the threat.

While such a public posturing does have its utility in limiting the IS narrative in media space, the policy making apparatus need to take cognisance of two critical points.

IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard at the Sri Krishna Janmasthan temple in Mathura after a suspected ISIS operative who had planned terror strikes was arrested in New Delhi. Photograph: PTI Photo

First, unlike 2017, the narrative on Islamic State is no longer that of a vanquished force, but one that has orchestrated a dramatic revival in several new theatres around the world, aided by the West's early declaration of victory.

This could be providing a fillip, reigniting some short of a jihadist reboot, for those who wish to identify themselves with it.

Second, the group continues to harp on the importance of lone individuals in executing terror.

Its online publications earlier this year delved on of how the coronavirus pandemic has created unique opportunities for inclined individuals to plan and execute attacks.

This has a potential to shape thought processes of the DIY brand of terrorists, who sense an opportunity for themselves.

The undiminished threat, therefore, has the potency of sustaining itself in multiple ways in the near and medium term.

State agencies need to utilise innovative methods in countering radicalisation and violent extremism to address this growing threat.

Dr Shanthie Mariet D'Souza is the Founder of Mantraya.org. Dr Bibhu Prasad Routray is the Director of Mantraya.org.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/ Rediff.com
Colorado seniors turning age 65 will benefit when they compare Medicare insurance policies as a way of achieving significant savings. That's the recommendation from the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance (AAMSI).

The organization that just reported Medigap rates for Colorado cities, Denver, Aurora and Colorado Springs found that rates for virtually identical Medigap insurance varied.

"In Denver a 65-year-old female might spend as little as $116 each month for her Medigap insurance policy. Or, she might pay as much as $185 for basically identical coverage," shares Jesse Slome, director of the Association. "If she pays premiums for 10 years, the small amount will add up to well over $10,000. It really pays to do a little comparison shopping."

According to Slome, there are other benefits to comparing policy options and costs. "Some insurers add nominal fees but it all adds up. Plus in Colorado discounts for two-person households range from zero to as high as 14 percent," Slome reports.

The American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance 2020 Price Index reports both the lowest and highest insurance rates for Plan G. "Medigap Plan G is the most popular choice among seniors turning 65," Slome explains. To see 2020 Medicare insurance pricing for top U.S. cities visit the organization's website.

Colorado Medicare Supplement Plan G Price Index For 2020

DENVER, CO (Zip 80238)



FEMALE age 65, Plan G



Lowest monthly premium: $116.45



Highest monthly premium: $185.27

MALE age 65, Plan G



Lowest monthly premium: $129.88



Highest monthly premium: $213.07

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (Zip 80907)



FEMALE age 65, Plan G



Lowest monthly premium: $104.88



Highest monthly premium: $165.77

MALE age 65, Plan G



Lowest monthly premium: $118.64



Highest monthly premium: $190.64

AURORA, CO (Zip 80013)



FEMALE age 65, Plan G



Lowest monthly premium: $110.32



Highest monthly premium: $185.27

MALE age 65, Plan G



Lowest monthly premium: $124.72



Highest monthly premium: $213.07

To access a free directory showing leading Colorado Medicare insurance agents use the national online directory for local Medicare agents. "The Association's directory is the largest listing of Medicare insurance advisors. It's free to use and completely private," Slome adds.

The American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance advocates for the importance of planning. The national organization supports insurance professionals who market Medicare insurance solutions.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on Tuesday said that the Punjab National Bank has received Rs 24.33 crore (equivalent to $3.25 million) as the first tranche of recoveries from bankruptcy proceedings of three Nirav Modi-promoted companies in the US.

Upon liquidation of the debtors assets by the US Chapter 11 Trustee, a sum of Rs 82.66 crore (equivalent to $11.04 million ) is available for distribution to unsecured creditors including PNB. Further recovery therefrom is subject to other expenses and settlement of claims of other claimants.

The maiden repatriation is an unprecedented achievement of the MCA in its fight against corporate fraud in the overseas territory. The Ministry also has initiated proceedings for disgorgement of monies from the perpetrators, i.e., the entities promoted and/or controlled by Nirav Modi/Mehul Choksi.

Punjab National Bank Ltd in 2018 had informed the MCA that three companies promoted by Nirav Modi, namely M/s Firestar Diamond, Inc., M/s A Jaffee, Inc and M/s Fantasy, Inc., had filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection in the Southern District of New York, US. The PNB requested the MCA to support and join the bankruptcy proceedings in New York, USA in order to help PNB realize its claims in the debtors assets.

The US Bankruptcy Court of Southern District of New York, by its order dated July 26, 2018, recognized the claims of PNB in the proceeds of the sale of assets of the properties of the debtor companies. It also authorized PNB to issue subpoenas to compel the examination of Nirav Modi, Mihir Bhansali and Rakhi Bhansali under oath.

Subsequently, on August 24, 2018, the examiner appointed by the New York Bankruptcy Court submitted his report. The report explains the modus operandi of the fraud and the manner in which the US-based employees of the debtors participated in the fraud. One prominent feature of the fraud was the apparent facade of independent companies, which were, in reality, entities promoted and/or controlled by Nirav Modi, that engaged in round-tripping of the diamonds amongst themselves.
The vehicle, named "Dragon" by the Spanish Army, is based on the GDELS 8x8 PIRANHA 5's combat wheeled vehicle and includes all Spanish national technologies as required by the Spanish MoD. It is expected to be delivered over a seven-year period.

"We sincerely thank the Spanish Ministry of Defense for its confidence in our vehicle platform, our engineering, and industrial capabilities," said Juan Escrina, GDELS Vice President for Tracked Vehicles & Artillery and Managing Director of GDELS-Santa Barbara Sistemas. "As a reliable partner, GDELS-Santa Barbara Sistemas is truly proud to help the Spanish Army protect Spanish soldiers and improve its strategic mobility with state-of-the-art 8x8 wheeled combat vehicles," Escrina adds.

The GDELS-SBS joint venture (JV) will manufacture the 8x8 VCR at GDELS sites in Trubia and Seville, Spain, with the collaboration of the other Spanish JV members. The JV members include GDELS-Santa Barbara Sistemas, Indra Sistemas, Sapa Placencia, and Escribano Mechanical & Engineering. The Spanish Ministry of Defense mandated a National Industrial plan in which Spanish industry participation must be no less than 70% of the total program. The JV was established to ensure that all operational objectives and needs of the Spanish Army and the Spanish Ministry of Defense are fully met and to fulfill the requirements of the government's industrial plan.

GDELS-Santa Barbara Sistemas program participation will involve approximately 650 direct and 1,100 indirect employees.

About the PIRANHA 5

The PIRANHA 5 is one of the most advanced and capable 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles and the top end of the PIRANHA vehicle family. In addition to its high level of protection, the PIRANHA 5 has a flexible and spacious crew compartment and significant payload capacity. The vehicle's inherent growth potential ensures the ability for future upgrades and technology insertion over the vehicle's lifetime. In terms of mobility and maneuverability, the PIRANHA 5, with its efficient all-wheel drive, hydro-pneumatic suspension, and 4th axle steering, sets the top standard in this vehicle class. The PIRANHA family of vehicles is the most successful wheeled armored vehicle family - more than 11,500 PIRANHAs are in service worldwide.

About GDELS

General Dynamics European Land Systems, headquartered in Madrid, Spain, is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) and conducts its business through five European operating sites located in Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. With approximately 2,200 highly skilled technical employees, the companies design, manufacture, and deliver world-class land combat systems, including wheeled, tracked, and amphibious vehicles, bridge systems, and armaments, to global customers. More information www.gdels.com.

SOURCE General Dynamics European Land Systems

Related Links

http://www.gdels.com


The second summit of the Normandy Four leaders would show there is a great chance of ending the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes to make the war in Donbas end as early as this year, his press service reported citing an interview the president gave Euronews.

The agreements reached by the Normandy Four (Ukraine, Germany, France, and Russia) leaders at their latest summit in Paris at the end of 2019 are being implemented, although not as quickly as Ukraine authorities would like, Zelensky said in the interview, according to the President's Office.

The head of state noted that the ceasefire in Donbas has already been introduced and is being observed; agreements have also been reached on disengagement areas and 20 demining zones.

"The second summit in the Normandy format indicates that we have a great chance to end the war," Zelensky said.

"If we compare our team and the previous one, nobody wanted it the way I do. There was no such pace and no such pressure on the issue  no one has done this, and everyone can see it. And I'm not just talking about Ukrainians  all our foreign partners see this. I know that no one will make this end faster than me," Zelensky said.

The president stressed there was no other real effective plan for a peaceful settlement in eastern Ukraine, which would be supported by all four parties to the Normandy negotiation format. Therefore, the president says, he seeks to keep moving along this path until the war in Donbas ends.

"If it [the negotiation format] doesn't work out, we will then think of another plan," the president said.

Zelensky also noted the need for a direct dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the right moments. For example, the two leaders talked ahead of the latest introduction of truce.

Read alsoNormandy Four advisors' meeting postponed, not canceled"I'm not afraid of a direct dialogue with the president of the Russian Federation. I believe that this is the right thing. If there is such an opportunity  to speak  and if these contacts move us forward on the issue of war [settlement], we must do it. If we don't speak, there'll be no result. I've realized this for sure. If there's no dialogue, if we don't make calls when necessary, there will be no peaceful result," the head of state summed up.

Donbas war: latest truce

Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday, July 27.

On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.

According to official reports, the enemy from time to time resorts to random provocations, opening non-aimed fire in the direction of Ukrainian positions.

On Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope the established ceasefire in Donbas will sustain and turn into "months, years, centuries, and millennia of peace, harmony, and prosperity on the Ukrainian land."
Prasanta Mazumdar By

GUWAHATI: Assam finance minister and BJP stalwart Himanta Biswa Sarmas announcement on social media that he will not contest next years state assembly elections appears to be based on an assessment that his prospects of becoming chief minister are remote.

The BJPs central leadership is understood to be comfortable with incumbent CM Sarbananda Sonowal. This comes in the way of Sarmas longstanding ambition for the top job and many feel his decision to not contest the polls is driven by this reality.

At 51, he is seen as young in politics. Sarma left the Congress in 2015 after nearly two decades in the party following an unsuccessful revolt against Congress veteran and the then CM Tarun Gogoi.

His desire for chief ministership was not met by the party high command even though he had the support of most party MLAs. This prompted him to join the BJP one year ahead of the assembly elections in 2016.

Many at that time felt that if BJP came to power, he would be the obvious choice for the CMs post. But the saffron party chose Sonowal, at that time the union sports minister, over Sarma, dashing the hopes of the BJPs go-to man.

READ | Ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi may be BJP's CM candidate in Assam, says Congress leader Tarun Gogoi

When asked about his political future, Sarma refused to comment beyond what he has already tweeted. Earlier, he had rubbished speculation that he was after any post.

As I have already indicated in several public platforms that I am not interested in contesting next assembly election; my role will be limited to contribute whatever I can for my party and for my state. For Assam future, we need to have a strong nationalist govt, Sarma tweeted earlier in the week.

Few people feel that I am after some post and position. My only ambition is to see a BJP GOVT with 100+ seats. In my last few months, I want to work for my state as much as possible to have eternal satisfaction. Janani Janmabhumishcha Swargadapi Gariyas, another tweet said.

Speculation is now rife that the BJP might use his services in Delhi so that he can play a bigger role. He had expressed his willingness to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Tezpur but the then BJP chief Amit Shah vetoed it as he wanted Sarma to focus on the Northeast.

Party insiders said he might be looking to get some relief from the stagnancy after having served the state as a minister for 20 years. Currently, he is the minister for finance, health, and education. Even his critics do not question his abilities as a minister.

Assams minister of state for health Pijush Hazarika, who is considered close to Sarma, said his senior had given his best service to the state for long. My personal view is that if he doesnt contest the upcoming election, it will be a loss for the state. We are workers of a disciplined party and we abide by party decisions. I request him not to take such a decision. If he stays, it will be good for the state, Hazarika said.

A master election strategist who is widely known for his political acumen, Sarma had been instrumental in scripting victories for BJP in Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura.

He has walked the extra mile during pandemic, meeting patients and motivating health workers round the clock. Netizens praised the manner in which he prepared the states Health department to fight the pandemic. Given his strong performance during the current health emergency, his announcement that he will not contest the polls left many stumped.

Sarmas achievements
Belfast City Council has confirmed that a restaurant is currently under investigation for allegedly breaching planning rules.

However, owner of east Belfast's Cyprus Avenue Richard McCracken claimed he had not been contacted regarding any issue and that no changes have been made to the premises since it opened in 2017.

It is understood the Upper Newtownards Road restaurant is alleged to have breached planning permission following the installation of an extract ventilation system and additional windows, as well as building its kitchen too high.

Belfast City Council said that it is carrying out an enforcement investigation regarding planning approval for developments at the premises. But Mr McCracken insisted: "We have been open for over three years, we have made no changes in this time.

"We have had no contact from planning regarding any issue.

"We are an independent restaurant negotiating our way through a pandemic."

Cyprus Avenue opened its doors in January 2017, employing 25 people.

The restaurant was named after the east Belfast street made famous by Van Morrison's eponymous song.

Head chef and owner Mr McCracken trained under Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin before working in a Paris restaurant for another Michelin-starred chef, Helene Darroze.

He returned home in 2015. In November 2018 the restaurant completed a 750,000 expansion project, doubling its space and creating another 18 jobs.

During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic Cyprus Avenue offered a takeaway service for its customers.
One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021
TikTok has yet another legal filing against its name. Vietnamese technology firm VNG is suing the popular short-form video app over alleged copyright infringement, Reuters report citing sources familiar with the matter.

According to the report, the firm alleges that TikTok does not have adequate licenses for the songs played on its platform. The ByteDance-owned Chinese app is reportedly using audio tracks owned by Zing, a VNG subsidiary, without its consent.

VNG is seeking damages from TikTok and also demanding it to stop using music owned by Zing, the report says.

Advertisement

VNG requests TikTok remove all music segments taken from Zing records from both the TikTok application and website, and an indemnification for damages of over 221 billion dong ($9.5 million), a legal document from the peoples court of Ho Chi Minh City read.

Founded in 2004, the Ho Chi Minh City-based VNG Corporation is one of the countrys leading tech firms. The company specializes in online games, e-commerce, music streaming, and messaging platforms. It sued local music streaming site Nhaccuatui for similar copyright infringement claims earlier this year. The $5 million lawsuit is yet to be resolved.

VNG hits TikTok with copyright infringement claims

TikTok, the hugely popular short video sharing app, made its debut in Vietnam last April. As of August 2020, the app has over 10 million registered users in the country. It also announced a partnership with cable company Vietnam Television Cable Corporation to boost local content.

Advertisement

However, music right holders have alleged that the company does not obtain licenses for songs it uses in its platform. TikTok has introduced a very complicated business model to avoid copyright compliance in Vietnam, the Vietnam Music Association told Reuters. VNG and TikTok did not respond to requests for comment from the publication.

TikToks rise to popularity hasnt been short of controversies. The app, owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, has been banned by the Indian government over concerns that it engages in activities that threaten national security.

It also faces a ban in the US over similar security concerns. The Trump Administration has given the company until November 12, 2020, to sell off its business in the country or face ban. Microsoft, Twitter, and Oracle are all bidding to takeover TikTok in some countries including the US. Google parent Alphabet has also reportedly considered investing in the company.

Advertisement

TikTok, meanwhile, is challenging the American governments decision in court. The company claims the move is political and that it does not pose any risk to national security. This may allow TikTok to continue operating in the US longer, giving it more time to find a buyer.
The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), a joint venture between Govt. of India and Govt. of Maharashtra, has called for applications in a prescribed format from qualified and experienced candidates for filling numerous vacancies to the post of Assistant Manager, Joint Chief Project Manager, Chief Project Manager, Deputy Chief Project Manager and Deputy General Manager through direct selection for its Nagpur Metro Rail Project and Pune Metro Rail Project in the state of Maharashtra, India on a fulltime basis. The offline application process towards the same started on August 21, 2020 and closes on September 26, 2020.

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Assistant Manager, Joint Chief Project Manager, Chief Project Manager, Deputy Chief Project Manager and Deputy General Manager Organisation Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) Educational Qualification Graduation with an MBA (HR); B.E/B.Tech in Electronics/Electronics and Telecommunications, Electrical, Mechanical and Civil engineering disciplines; Bachelor's Degree in Architecture Experience Refer to the advertisement Job Responsibilities null Skills Required Desirable Job Location Pune, Nagpur Salary Scale In the range Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 2,80,000 per month as per the designation Industry Metro Rail Application Start Date August 21, 2020 Application End Date September 26, 2020

MMRCL Recruitment 2020: Age Criteria And Fees

Candidates interested in applying for various posts through MMRCL Recruitment 2020 must fall in the age group between 35 to 55 years of age as on September 26, 2020 with relaxation (upper age limit) for reserved categories as specified in the notification.

Candidates must pay a prescribed amount of Rs. 400 (Gen/OBC/Ex-SM) as application fee for various posts through MMRCL Recruitment 2020 through internet banking with SBI. However, SC/ST and Women candidates are exempted from paying the application processing fee.

AASL Recruitment 2020 For Transition Commander/Commander Posts, Apply Offline Before September 18

MMRCL Recruitment 2020: Education And Eligibility

Desirous candidates applying for various posts through MMRCL Recruitment 2020 must possess a Graduation with an MBA (HR); B.E/B.Tech in Electronics/Electronics and Telecommunications, Electrical, Mechanical and Civil engineering disciplines; Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from a NCVT/SCVT recognised University/Institution with relevant years of work experience in the concerned domain/area as detailed in the MMRCL notification.

MMRCL Recruitment 2020: Selection And Pay Scale

The selection of candidates applying for various posts through MMRCL Recruitment 2020 will be done through Shortlisting, Personal Interview and Medical Examination.

Candidates selected to various posts through MMRCL Recruitment 2020 will be paid emolument in the range of Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 2,80,000 per month as per the designation.

South Central Railway Recruitment For CMO, Attendants And Nursing Sisters, E-mail Before August 28

MMRCL Recruitment 2020: How To Apply

Candidates applying for various posts through MMRCL Recruitment 2020 must fill the application form in a prescribed format attached with advertisement, and submit the same along with relevant supporting documents/testimonials to the "General Manager (HR), Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., First Floor, The Orion Building, Arjun Mansukhani Marg, Opp. St. Mira College, Koregoan Park, Pune - 411 001" on or before September 26, 2019 through speed post.

Download MMRCL Recruitment 2020 PDF Notification
The central bank of Brazil has set up a working group to study digital currencies, including their benefits and challenges.

The central bank said online payments have been growing in recent years and a digital currency would allow Brazilians to interact with their money entirely online.

A digital real would also help cut costs of issuing and maintaining banknotes and coins, said the central bank. The estimated cost of handling paper money in Brazil is around 90 billion reals (~$16 billion) per year, said the central bank, adding that it is usually between 1% and 2% of countries' gross domestic product or GDP.

While Brazil's central bank would study the impact of "eventual" issuance of digital currency, it may not issue one. "It is important to note...that the group's approval does not mean that the [central bank] will issue a digital currency," said Rafael Sarres de Almeida, an official of the central bank.

Almeida said the study would mainly help the central bank to "give society a response on the topic." The working group will also assess how digital currency can bring complementary benefits to Brazil's upcoming instant payment system, called Pix, in November.



Also Read: The Block Research's comprehensive report on global central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).





 2020 The Block Crypto, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
A family member has backed a coroner's claim that their elderly relatives died at the hands of a serial killer  and not in a murder suicide as previously reported.

On November 26, 1999, devoted couple Donald, 73, and Auriel Ward, 68 - who were happily married for 45 years - were found dead in their bloodstained bed at their home in Wilmslow.

A coroner at the time found that Mr Ward, a retired chemist, killed his ex-nursery school teacher wife before killing himself - despite saying the behaviour was 'so alien' to the loving husband's personality.

Now, a senior coroner fears the pair could have fallen victim to a grisly serial killer after their case bore a striking similarity to one three years prior - and Cheshire police are carrying out a review into the findings.

A relative of Mr and Mrs Ward, who has not been named, told The Mirror: 'The police should certainly investigate this. It's come as quite a shock.

Auriel and Donald Ward, who were found dead at their home on Lacey Grove in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on November 28, 1999

A police forensic team pictured outside Lacey Grove, Wilmslow, Cheshire, where Donald Ward and his wife Auriel were found dead

Auriel was found bludgeoned and stabbed. She had also been suffocated and her head was partially covered by a pillow. Pictured: Police at the scene

'I have never been convinced about Donald killing anybody - he was a very gentle chap.'

Senior coroner's officer with Cheshire police Stephanie Davies published a 179-page report claiming there were significant similarities between the deaths of couples across North West England between 1996 and 2011.

The incidents, which spanned Cheshire, Manchester and Cumbria, involved a husband seemingly going beserk and viciously attacking his wife before taking his own life.

Coroners recorded each incident as murder suicide, but Ms Davies says at least two cases could be the work of a serial killer because of strong similarities across the incidents.

Auriel was found bludgeoned and stabbed. She had also been suffocated and her head was partially covered by a pillow.

Donald had a knife protruding from his heart and his throat had been slit.

After a lengthy police investigation, the coroner Nicholas Rheinberg found the balance of Donald's mind must have been disturbed and he had taken his life after killing the wife he adored.

Howard Ainsworth was devoted to his wife Beatrice, everyone who knew them said so (pictured)

Yet he said: 'This in all respects was so alien to Mr Ward's personality  his whole life  not a single shred of evidence would suggest there was a timebomb waiting to explode.'

The couple's four children have never spoken about what happened. Their son was a suspect but was ruled out.

Just three years earlier, Howard Ainsworth, 79, apparently bludgeoned, Beatrice, 78  known as Bea  with a hammer, before stabbing her with a breadknife.

He then supposedly suffocated himself with a plastic bag. A suicide note, assumed to have been from Mr Ainsworth, said he had 'given her some sleeping tablets'.

But no sedatives were found in either of them following toxicology tests and Mr Ainsworth had 'unexplained bruises', possibly from being forcibly suffocated, on his lips.

Eleven crime scene clues have sparked fears that a mass murderer could be roaming the streets of Britain.

For example, the bag covering Mr Ainsworth's head was covered in blood, suggesting he already had it on when his wife was attacked. And an additional hammer was found at the scene, possibly left by the killer.

The clues that indicate the killer could be roaming Britain's streets: 1. Howard Ainsworth has his head covered with a plastic bag and ligature 2. Bea Ainsworth had a knife sticking out of her head and injuries from a hammer 3. The bag on Mr Ainsworth's head was covered in blood, suggesting he already had it on when his wife was attacked 4. Only a tiny amount of bloody was on Mr Ainsworth's pyjamas 5. Mr Ainsworth's body is in an odd position, suggesting it could have been moved 6. The tip of the knife in Mrs Ainsworth's head was shoved in with considerable force 7. The hammer was found washed in the sink, which would be an odd move for Mr Ainsworth to make if he was about to commit suicide 8. Another hammer is also at the scene 9. A possible second ligature is on the floor, potentially left by the killer 10. A bottle of pills was scattered on the floor, but it was a drug not prescribed to the couple 11. A suicide note, from Mr Ainsworth was found, but was he forced to sign it?

A bottle of pills was also scattered on the floor of their home, but the drug was not proscribed to either of the Ainsworths'.

Both the suspected double murders occurred in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in 1996 and 1999.

The deaths of Howard and Bea Ainsworth and Donald and Auriel Ward were considered by police to be murder suicides.

Both couples were discovered lying on blood-soaked beds in their nightclothes.

Similarities between the cases included the extremity of violence, with knives left in bodies at the crime scene; injuries to the head from a blunt weapon and stab wounds; and the fact that the women had been left with their nightdresses lifted.

The report points to 'a number of inconsistencies which do not corroborate the original manner of death of being murder suicide'.

Stephanie Davies had voiced her concerns about the similarity in the two cases to colleagues in 1999, but they did not lead anywhere.

The village of Wilmslow in Cheshire (pictured) was the scene of two murder suicides, one in 1996 and the other in 1999. However, a new report suggests that the deaths may have been the work of a serial killer known to police

Davies produced the report in her spare time by examining police files and crime scene photos and is supported by evidence from her predecessor and a US-based crime-scene analysis expert.

The report calls on the National Crime Agency and Interpol to review cases both in Britain and Europe to check whether other cases might be related.

Nazir Afzal, former chief prosecutor for the northwest, said: 'We could potentially have a serial killer in our midst. There needs to be a proper review of these cases and others which carry similar hallmarks.'

Three other cases have also been identified by Davies, in 2000, 2008 and 2011, which she believes are also related to the Wilmslow deaths.

Two of the cases took place in Greater Manchester and one in the Lake District and Greater Manchester and Cumbria police forces have now been alerted to the findings in the report.

In these three cases, police said that the husbands had stabbed their wives and hit them on the head before taking their own lives - just as had been said of the cases in the 90s.

Cheshire Police said they were conducting a review of the findings which was handed to the force last month.

Greater Manchester police said it was approached about two cases and it has spoken about them with coroners.

Police in Cumbria have also been alerted.
Healthcare is transforming before our eyes, and DirectDerm is perfectly positioned to deliver the immediacy, convenience, cost-effectiveness and access that todays healthcare consumer demands.

DirectDerm, a leading Palo Alto-based telemedicine company which previously announced the first closing of its Series B financing round, announced that a significant portion of the round was raised via revenue-based finance. The revenue-based finance was supplied by Salt Lake City, Utah and Palo Alto, Calif.-based Decathlon Capital Partners.

DirectDerm chose to supplement the equity portion of its round with revenue-based finance due to its flexibility. In addition, the use of this financing was non-dilutive. Unlike traditional debt financing, revenue-based finance is paid off through monthly payments of a pre-determined percentage of revenues. It allows for fluctuations in the business  both positive and negative. Finally, due to the tranched drawdown structure, DirectDerm will borrow only what it needs.

DirectDerm was seeking a creative financing partner to allow it to increase the size of its round without triggering additional equity dilution, said DirectDerm CEO David Wong. Decathlons solution allowed us to achieve that while giving us future financing flexibility as well through the ability to draw down funding at a later date.

DirectDerm will use the funding to expand into new geographic territories and enhance patient services. The investment will help DirectDerm reach the millions of patients that can benefit from a rapid and thorough board-certified dermatologist consultation and help DirectDerm continue solving the lack of access that rural, suburban and urban Americans face when trying to arrange appointments with high-demand dermatology specialists. DirectDerm specifically addresses patients who would otherwise receive delayed diagnoses or no dermatological treatment at all by connecting them through digital means.

Healthcare is transforming before our eyes, and DirectDerm is perfectly positioned to deliver the immediacy, convenience, cost-effectiveness and access that todays healthcare consumer demands. Growth, however, takes capital and working with Decathlon allowed us to maximize our capital raised, said Brad Galle, DirectDerms COO.

Decathlon Capital Partners noted that DirectDerms business model, management team and proven track record in telemedicine were key reasons behind the investment deal. As a revenue-based lender, Decathlon Capital will be repaid in future revenue, not through equity, giving DirectDerm the flexibility to concentrate on scaling their business.

Revenue-based financing gives DirectDerm the upfront capital it needs to gain market share and reach new patients without disrupting the ownership structure that has served the company so well, said John Borchers, managing partner of Decathlon Capital.

About DirectDerm

DirectDerm brings expert skin care directly to patients wherever they may be. Our leading, board-certified dermatologists provide diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care for all skin conditions, from the common to the complex, including rashes, skin growths, hair and nail problems, and skin cancers. Our patients get accurate answers right away because healthy skin and peace of mind are what were all about. Learn more at http://www.directderm.com.

About Decathlon Capital Partners

Decathlon Capital Partners provides growth capital for companies seeking alternatives to traditional equity investment. Through the use of highly customized revenue-based financing solutions, Decathlon provides long-term growth capital without the dilution, loss of control and operational overhead that often comes with equity-based funding. With offices in Palo Alto and Park City, Decathlon is the largest revenue-based funding investor in the U.S. and is active across a wide range of sectors. Learn more at http://www.decathloncapital.com.
Students are being warned not to wear 'scary' face masks to school as reopening is underway this morning with one million children to return to class amid Covid-19 within the next week.

Children will return to 4,000 primary and second level schools within the coming days.

Nick Killian, from Ratoath College board of management, has advised that flowery or standard blue masks are preferable.

Mr Killian told Newstalk: The principal is saying wear the standard blue mask, the flowery type but he doesn't want students coming along in cowboy masks or scary masks.

They become a fashion statement, its not halloween, it's back to school.

All the students will have to wear them on a daily basis, there are lots of masks out there.

The principal will be happy with them but the most important thing is getting a student used to wearing a mask all day long.

Read More

Normalise return to school

Schools are prioritising first and sixth years and classrooms have been majorly reconfigured to allow for social distancing.

However, two trade unions representing school staff, FORSA and the ASTI, have raised concerns that not enough has been done for teachers and staff with underlying health conditions.

Dr Mary Favier, President of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), told RTEs Morning Ireland parents should talk through any anxiety children may be feeling going back to school.

Dr Favier also suggested parents sing songs while going through the hand washing routine with young children, to encourage the practice while in school.

Dr Favier said: Talk through anxiety... Explain to children what is going to happen, how school will be different, talk to each other, to other parents.

She added that parents needed to listen to good and reliable advice from official sources and to not engage in rumours.

Dr Favier also reminded parents of the public health advice to keep children and teenagers off school, if they have new coughs and any symptoms representing possible respiratory issues.

But she repeated that children with runny noses should go to class.

Read More

If they have a temperature over 38C, they should consult a GP and stay at home, Dr Favier said.

We will continue to have covid tests in young people. Its important we try not to miss cases.

Teenagers will wear masks, they will be self distancing better but for parents of younger children, encourage hand washing and role play by singing songs with them. Normalise, ask them to talk about their school experience.

Dr Favier said a great deal of effort had been put into preparing guidance and this was also available to parents who speak different languages. In total information is available for 30 languages, including on YouTube.

And guidelines have also been issued for those in direct provision.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 06:46 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c40282e9 1 National Sexual-assault,sexual-abuse,sexual-abuse-victims Free

The Makassar police in South Sulawesi arrested on Monday a Quran teacher for allegedly sexually abusing a number of his underage students.

Police head Sr. Comr. Yudhiawan Wibisono said the 55-year-old man had molested his victims during Quran recitation lessons.

We have secured two visum et repertum reports as evidence, but the investigation is still developing. So far, we have received reports from five different victims, Yudhiawan said as quoted by kompas.com.

He added that the man was charged under Article 82 on molestation of the Child Protection Law, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of Rp 5 billion (US$341,124).

The sexual abuse allegations came to light after one of the victims mothers became suspicious of why her daughter suddenly refused to go to the Quran recitation class. After being questioned, the girl said she had been molested by the teacher.

The mother subsequently reported the alleged assault to the police, which was followed by more reports from other victims families.

Makassar Integrated Care Center for the Empowerment of Women and Children (P2TP2A) said previously that it was in process of conducting psychological assessments on the victims. The centers head Tenri Pallalo revealed that the victims were girls aged between 9 and 12 years old. (vny)
Switzerland is looking an increasingly certain candidate for the re-imposition of quarantine for travellers to the UK.

The figures for 25 August, just released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), show 10 days of increase in the number of new cases per 100,000 inhabitants over a two-week spell. At 39, it is 75 per cent higher than the UKs score of 22.5.

The British government uses a different measure  new cases in the past seven days  but the two tend to move together.

Scotland has already re-imposed quarantine on travellers from Switzerland. In addition, anyone using Basel airport is subject to two weeks of self-isolation because it lies in French territory. France was placed on the no-go list earlier this month.

Greece has also shown a small increase in cases, though the rate of growth in past days has been flattening. Turkey is showing a similar profile.

Portugal, which was on the no-go list for over five months and opened up to British holidaymakers only on Saturday, had shown a surge in new cases, but is now in decline once again.

Spain, which was ruled off-limits by the UK on 26 July, is continuing to see soaring numbers in the north of the country, with the official ECDC showing the Balearic islands also recording high levels of new cases.

The third component of the Iberian peninsula, Gibraltar, is on a par with Spain and could well find itself added to the no-go list  with mandatory quarantine for arrivals, and the Foreign Office warning against travel.

The Czech Republic and Iceland have also shown increases, and are also considered possible targets for re-imposition of quarantine.

In the opposite direction, Bulgaria is showing a continuous decline and is thought to be a candidate for quarantine exemption.

Abta, the travel association, is urging the government to adopt a regionalised approach to quarantine rules and Foreign Office travel advice. Without it, says Abta, it is difficult to see how the UK can reopen travel to critical trade partners, including the US, in the foreseeable future.

There is also concern about the entire continent of Africa being regarded as too high risk, given nations such as Kenya and Tunisia are showing low scores compared with most European countries.

The travel industry veteran Paul Goldstein, co-owner of Kicheche Safari Camps in Kenya, said: The entire African continent has been daubed with the governments broad and wildly inaccurate Covid brush.

The British policy of not allowing anyone to travel there is farcical as well as throwing millions of healthy Kenyans into penury. It will also have a lasting effect on wildlife as animals need the tourist dollar and policing eyes of safari-goers.
On Sunday, a 29-year-old Black man named Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times by a police officer as he entered the door of an SUV  reportedly in front of his three children, ages three, five, and eight. Blakes friends and family have said that he is out of surgery and in a stable condition in an intensive care unit.

In Kenosha, Wisconsin, where the shooting took place, protests against police brutality have yet again engulfed another city, as Black people continue to attempt to make their voices heard by those in power.

On the eve of the Republican National Convention  with the theme "Land of Promise"  Donald Trump Jr and prominent right-wing commentator Andy Ngo took to Twitter to use unrelated past charges allegedly filed against Blake to justify the shooting.

Jacob Blake, the man shot by police in Kenosha, Wisc., has a history of assaulting police. He also has past charges for domestic abuse & a sex crime. There's a warrant for his arrest. BLM rioters are currently destroying the city to avenge the shooting, Ngo tweeted, a sentiment that Trump Jr then retweeted.

I wont waste time litigating the details of the previous charges against Blake, even though there are a myriad of logical fallacies in Ngos reasoning and a myriad of reasons why those past charges do not excuse what happened to him. To do so would be to fall into the trap that Black people are constantly ensnared in, the trap that says we must earn our right to live by being angelic, inhuman, unmoving. Even when we are seemingly perfect  like Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man and talented musician who died by cardiac arrest after being placed in a chokehold by Aurora, Colorado police  our lives are still the states to claim. I have no interest in making myself hoarse by repeating the same argument weve been having for years: that we do not deserve to be executed, no matter what we may have done.

Because make no mistake about it: Black people are being executed in the streets by police. Were being sold into slavery via the prison-industrial complex. We are being subjected to a slow genocide by a country that never meant for us to survive after we had fulfilled our use by picking their cotton and planting their rice and stripping their sugarcane. Black immigrants are being locked away in concentration camps.

These words Im using  execution, slavery, genocide, concentration camp  may seem extreme. You might disagree with them, or say that they're inaccurate. But I say that now, more than ever, we must start calling things by their names, and stop getting lost in the technicalities. As Black Americans, we are under the control of a government that even long-time skeptics are now calling "fascist". The horrors that stole sleep from white people after Donald Trumps election in 2016 are here now, screaming and flaying us with spittle. And for Black people, these horrors already existed.

Too many right-wing people in positions of power seem to think that my people  whether were burning down cities in righteous fury or holding hands peacefully while praying to whatever God we serve  are deserving of execution, no matter where we are, who we are or what were doing.

In America, the punishment for petty crime or even assault  and the charges against Blake may not even have merit, but again, thats besides the point  is not execution. But in America, the punishment for being Black and daring to have a beating heart, daring to walk this earth alive and breathing for this, the punishment is all too often execution.

We ask people to recognize that Black Lives Matter. And after a summer of writing about Black death constantly, I have come to realize that I think everyone knows Black lives matter, especially the state. I think they know it in every pore, every bone, every drop of blood. They know our lives have power, that we have power; that the day we defeat these oppressors, the world will never be the same. They are more aware of the significance of our lives than we will ever know. That is why they snuff us out in front of our children. That is why they steal the air from our lungs. Because theyre terrified our holy rage has the power to bring down an empire.

To people like Ngo and Trump Jr, I say: We will defeat you. To all the Republicans gathering tonight to celebrate their stolen land of promise, I say: We will take back everything you have stolen from us.

And to each and every single Black person who feels as though their very life warrants an attempted or completed execution at the hands of the state, I say: You dont have to prove that your life matters anymore. The only thing to do, now, is to win.
Maharashtra building collapse

Mumbai: A day after a five-storeyed building in Maharashtra's Raigad district collapsed, rescue personnel continued to sift through the rubble in search of survivors, while police said 19 persons are still missing.

Maharashtra building collapse

Advertisement

Raigad District Superintendent of Police Anil Paraskar said that eight persons have been rescued from the debris so far and 19 are still missing.

A man died of cardiac arrest on Monday night after he was hit by a stone from the falling building, the IPS officer said.

"This person was not a resident of the building, but was walking nearby when it collapsed and was hit by a stone from the falling debris. He died of cardiac arrest," Paraskar said.

Advertisement

Maharashtra building collapse There were around 40 flats in the building, the official said, adding those rescued were shifted to a local hospital at Mahad.

Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are at the spot for rescue operations.
Christened on Nov. 7, 2014, the Costa Diadema is the largest ship ever built for Italian line Costa Cruises.

Costa Cruises, the Italian line that is a subsidiary of cruise giant Carnival Corp., will require all passengers to have a negative COVID-19 test result prior to boarding.

Before embarking, all passengers will be subject to an antigen test starting with its first Sept. 6 departure and on all ships resuming operations going forward.

"The quick antigenic test will identify any suspicious cases that may be subjected to a PCR test for further check, thus determining the possibility of embarkation," the cruise line said in a release Tuesday.

MSC Cruises has also implemented a requirement that all passengers have a negative antigen test before boarding.

But the rapid test is a subject of concern amid inaccurate results.

Antigen tests detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. Testing materials are cheaper and more plentiful. And the tests are fast, delivering results in 15 minutes. But they're considered less sensitive than PCR tests, which Costa is instituting as a secondary step if the antigen test suggests infection.

PCR tests detect the virus's genetic material. Considered more sensitive because they find even low levels of the virus, they have been the diagnostic test for public health and clinical labs since the beginning of the pandemic.

The cruise line announced this month that it would resume operations on two vessels, the Costa Deliziosa and the Costa Diadema, next month, with the first voyage departing on Sept. 6. All voyages are open only to Italian cruisers, according to a release provided by Carnival Corp. Spokesperson Roger Frizzell.

Between Sept. 6 and Sept. 27, the Costa Deliziosa is scheduled to embark on weekly cruises, departing Sundays from Trieste, according to an Aug. 20 release provided by Frizzell.

The Deliziosa will make five stops in the southern part of the country, including Siracusa and Catania in Sicily, Corigliano-Rossano in Calabria and Bari and Brindisi in Puglia.

Meanwhile, the Diadema will depart on a single itinerary from Genoa on Sept. 19 to make port calls in the western Mediterranean. Stops include Rome, Naples, Cagliari, Palmero and La Spezia.

Story continues

All port calls will include "protected shore excursions," according to the release.

The line's newly implemented health and safety protocol, which was developed with public health experts, according to the company, is in accordance with the Italian government and the EU Healthy Gateways program, which was released in July. Their new health strategy is subject to updates.

As Costa approaches its first departure date Sept. 6, the cruise line is also the first to earn Biosafety Trust Certification from RINA, an over 150-year-old testing, inspection, certification and ship classification company, according to the Tuesday release.

The certification examined all elements of cruising both onboard and shoreside, from embarkation procedures to hospitality, to fitness centers and shore excursions. It also looked at system compliance, and procedures to prevent and control infectious disease onboard.

Italy has seen 260,000 coronavirus cases, with more than 35,000 deaths total, per Johns Hopkins data. And according to the Weather Channel's coronavirus map, which provides data from Watson, their artificial intelligence tracking tool that compiles data from third party sources including the World Health Organization, there was a 2% uptick in cases Monday, with more than 1,200 new cases reported. By contrast, the United States has had more than 5.7 million cases and nearly 180,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins, with nearly 39,000 new cases reported Sunday, per the CDC.

The rest of the Italian cruise line's ships won't sail before Sept. 30.

Carnival Corp., including its Costa line, saw several outbreaks early in the pandemic  notably on the Diamond Princess, which saw an outbreak that infected 700 people, and on the Grand Princess.

Contributing: Ken Alltucker, David Oliver

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Costa Cruises to require passengers to have negative COVID-19 to board
WATERLOO REGION  Waterloo Regional Police are documenting fewer people in the streets.

But if youre Black, police are more likely to seek your name and record it in a database.

Police regularly document names of people not suspected of a crime, arguing that it provides intelligence to help fight crime. Police officers collect names by surveillance, by responding to calls or tips from the public, or by speaking to people during investigations or enforcement.

Since 2018 police have documented three names a day, down from 17 names a day between 2006 and 2015.

At that time police officers conducted street checks, stopping people to ask identities without laying a charge. The practice is also known as carding.

In 2016, The Record analyzed 62,350 people named in street checks over a decade and found that police were four times more likely to card Black people than white people.

Ontario regulated street checks in 2017 after critics assailed them as a tool to unfairly harass Black people.

Three years later, Waterloo Regional Police have effectively abandoned street checks, eliminating 99 per cent of them in favour of a tightened procedure that police label intelligence notes. Police often create these notes without speaking to the person named in them.

The Record found that a racial disproportion persists in analyzing 2,289 records of people documented in the streets by police between Jan. 1, 2018, and April 3, 2020.

By population, Black people are still four times more likely to be documented in notes than white people. The disproportion is roughly consistent, regardless of how police collect a name, regardless of why a name is kept on file, and regardless of where the person lives:

Among people named in intelligence notes, 1,666 (73 per cent) are white and 255 (11 per cent) are Black. White people make up 79 per cent of the regional population and are under-represented in notes. Black people make up three per cent of the regional population and are overrepresented in notes.

The disproportion persists if the analysis focuses on individuals, discounting multiple notes that name the same person. Of 1,798 individuals documented, 1,252 are consistently described as white (70 per cent) and 210 are consistently described as Black (12 per cent).

Police are five times more likely to document Black men in the street than white men, but only slightly more likely to document Black women than white women.

Other visible minorities are less likely to be documented in notes than white people or Black people.

Chief Bryan Larkin cant explain why racial disproportion persists three years after officers revised their procedures and took more training.

Ive always been very candid that systemic racism exists within policing, Larkin said.

Were a human-centric service, so we actually in many different ways have the flaws and issues of society, he says.

Its not a surprise, said Ciann Wilson, a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University who studies race and class and helps direct the African Caribbean Black Network advocacy group.

She sees it as more evidence that policing is too rooted in white supremacy to rid itself of anti-Black racism.

Were always viewed as deviant in whatever were doing. Our Black skin is threatening in so many ways. You still see all of those stereotypes about the villainous, inherently criminal Black person that needs to be watched, she said.

And of course the darker your skin, the more menacing you become in the eyes of folks who have this undertone of racism in their view of Blackness. Wilson said.

Such racial disparities in the data may raise concerns about systemic or anti-Black racism in policing, which we know is real, Ena Chadha, interim chief commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, said in a statement. She said police must analyze and report on race-based data and hold officers accountable.

We keep hearing the same story happen, said Black MPP Laura Mae Lindo, the New Democrat legislator for the Kitchener Centre riding. Black bodies are still seen as criminal. Black people are still seen as threatening.

She argues that new regulations wont erase racism if governments do not also invest in health, employment, education and social services.

You can change the name of procedures, but if youre not addressing the root causes of racism in our communities, these kind of stats are going to keep cropping up, Lindo said.

Marcia Smellie, who presides over the local chapter of the Congress of Black Women of Canada, said the disproportion persists because Black men continue to be stereotyped.

If you go back far enough, Black men were always a threat to white women and white men, and their families. Always, Smellie said.

Thats how theyve been characterized in literature. In poetry. In film. All kinds of things. And we are living the legacy of that.

Smellie suspects many people are not ready for the difficult work of actually rooting out racism.

I want life to be better, she said. Theres lots that we need to correct. And its not going to be easy. It requires hard conversation. It requires listening. A lot of people are not listening.

Larkin said police are ready to work with other sectors to tackle racism. He agrees the solution lies in addressing areas such as poverty, health care and social services.

If you look at the history of Canada, racism is an insidious part of who we are, he said. So yes, ready for the criticism. Were ready to actually engage in courageous conversations. Yes, were ready to to actually look at how we actually change the way we do business.

Regional Chair Karen Redman, chair of the police services board, said the finding that racial disproportion persists is a simple analysis of a small data set.

In a statement, she said the police board intends to press for a national strategy to collect and analyze statistics on race and gender. The board plans to discuss intelligence notes Sept. 9 and intends to hire experts to dig into the data.

This will provide us with a better understanding of what it means and will help us get to the root causes, Redman said.

Police would not release their full procedure for intelligence notes, drafted in 2017. Some details made public show that, unlike with street checks, officers cant stop someone solely to document their identity.

For an intelligence note, police may document a name by watching someone without interacting with them. Police documented 775 names (one in three) by surveillance, without speaking to the person named.

In such a case, the officer determines the identity in some other way, because that person is already known to police or a third party provides the name.

A police officer may also document a name after a lawful interaction such as an arrest or investigation into a suspected offence. In such a case, the officer is allowed to document a name after seeing something unrelated to the initial interaction.

For example, if an officer investigating a suspected traffic offence sees that someone is wearing gang colours, the officer documents the name in an intelligence note.

Last February, in an annual review to the police board on intelligence notes created last year, analysts wrote that due to the way police link records it is not possible to assess the outcomes (i.e. arrests etc.) that may have resulted from the intelligence note being completed.

Yet police assert that creating such notes helps them solve crimes.

They provide two examples. In December 2017, police responded to a call from the public about a shoeless woman who seemed confused. Police found her injured and took her to hospital. She confirmed she was a sex worker but insisted she had fallen and was not assaulted.

An officer named her in an intelligence note. Other investigators used the note to help identify five other women, secure a search warrant, and arrest a man on more than 20 charges related to human trafficking.

Last April, an officer stopped a man who was riding a powered bicycle without a helmet, in violation of traffic laws. Another man was with him. The officer named both men in an intelligence note that described their clothes.

Police arrested one of the men for a break and enter. They identified the other man as a second break-in suspect through his clothes as described in the intelligence note. Police say the pair were seen on video surveillance while breaking in together, and were together again when documented in the street.

Hot spots where many names are documented are streets with hotels and motels where the sex trade is active. Officers conduct surveillance there and respond to drug and prostitution calls while investigating human trafficking, drugs and theft.

Leading hot spots include Weber Street East at Fergus and Kinzie avenues in Kitchener, where police documented 113 people over 27 months. This includes 29 white women, two Black women, 13 Black men and 51 white men.

Police on Friday released details of the intelligence notes to community agencies.

The data demonstrates an overrepresentation of those persons perceived as Black, says a letter signed by Redman and Larkin.

For this story, The Record requested records for each intelligence note created since 2017. Police agreed to release the data for 2018 to 2020. Names were withheld but a unique identifier was provided to track each individual and note.

The data released includes race, gender, date, location of collection (to the nearest intersection), patrol zone, how the documented person came to police attention, and why the name was documented.

The analysis shows that police documented 2,289 names of 1,798 individuals in 1,419 intelligence notes. These results are compared against the racial breakdown of the regional population in the 2016 census.

There are more names than individuals because 322 individuals are named in more than one note. This includes a man documented nine times.

A single intelligence note often documents multiple names. The three busiest notes each name nine people. They were documented during surveillance in Cambridge, after a traffic stop in Kitchener, and following a bylaw complaint in Waterloo.
Students in the Bonny Doon school district had been back in class  virtually  for two days before the wildfires forced them to evacuate, many fleeing for their lives in the middle of the night Wednesday.

Teachers and students lost homes to the powerful wildfires raging through the charming, wooded town in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

School had just started, but now Superintendent Mike Heffner, who is also the principal of the districts lone school, said he has no idea when teaching might resume and how the community will come back together.

Staff members and students have lost their homes as a result of the fires, and many still dont know what their home is like, he said, his voice wavering. I put my head down at night just shocked.

Already struggling with the stress of the pandemic and the challenges of virtual learning, the wildfires pose new threats to childrens well-being. The trauma, experts say, is piling up with potential lifelong consequences affecting their mental, emotional and physical health as well as their ability to learn.

This is a generation of children steeped in stress and fear, and the impact on society could be devastating and costly for decades to come, experts said.

I do have significant concerns, said California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris, an expert in how childhood stress can harm lifelong health. I think that especially with the wildfires, what a lot of kids are experiencing is trauma on top of trauma.

And its not just the kids in the evacuation areas, she said.

The combination of the stress that so many kids are experiencing right now, with particulates in the air from wildfire smoke, means we have to be on the lookout for asthma and respiratory difficulties on top of the emotional well-being and behavior, she said. All of these things impact a childs ability to learn.

The school year was just starting for many students when massive lightning storms sparked hundreds of fires last week, causing the evacuation of tens of thousands of families.

In Healdsburg, students were back to school via computer on Wednesday, then classes were canceled starting Thursday as the fire and evacuations exploded.

The district is planning to resume Tuesday, even though evacuation orders and warnings remain.

We have many displaced staff and students, as well as some who have lost homes, said the districts superintendent, Chris Vanden Heuvel. Kids are already so isolated by the pandemic. Theyre already missing routine and normalcy, which are so important.

As schools resume this year, it will be critical to address what students are going through, with access to therapists and counselors, even if that has to happen from afar, said Frank Worrell, UC Berkeley professor of school psychology.

Even before COVID-19 hit, we had an increase in suicide and an increase in anxiety, he said. This situation is likely to exacerbate that even more.

Worrell said the smell of smoke and sun-blotted skies in the Bay Area, coupled with existing fear of the coronavirus, have created an apocalyptic feeling.

As parents and teachers, we have got to be calm and communicate to kids that things are bad right now, but they will work out, he said. It sounds corny, but this is a time where you need in some sense to be touchy-feely.

Several school districts across the region postponed the start of school or canceled classes because of the wildfires, including districts in the North Bay, East Bay and along the coast in the South Bay.

Heffner, who was checking out of a hotel Monday and figuring out where to go with his family for the night, had no idea when Bonny Doon students would be able to start learning again.

He was still trying to track down each of the elementary schools 130 students to make sure they were safe. He didnt know how many teachers and students would need new computers, paper, pencils, clothes, a chair and table to attend class.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

We dont know who was able to save what, he said. How can we stabilize our students so they can be ready to access the learning when the time comes, with people so spread out as a result of the evacuations and the fires?

He said people are already asking him how they can help and he refers them to the district foundation, www.bdcsf.org.

But he said he took solace hearing about one student, who was desperate to let him know that she grabbed her district-issued Chromebook, choosing it over other belongings as she fled. She told him shes taking good care of it, Heffner said.

The little girl needed the laptop to learn from home because of the devastating pandemic, and now she might not have a home because of a wildfire. Heffner said he cant sleep, worrying about his students and staff.

His sixth-grade teacher Holiday Smith has been at the evacuation shelter at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville since Tuesday night, after barely escaping the flames at her familys three-house compound in the community of Last Chance, a 30-minute drive from Bonny Doon. The community had no warning, barely making it out on the areas one road.

It was an inferno, she said. It was unfightable.

Her house didnt make it, nor did the vast majority of the 70 homes in Last Chance.

But over the weekend and on Monday, she huddled over her computer, trying to connect with her students and their families.

A lot of people dont know if they have lost their house yet, she said. Im certainly very worried about school, too.

Smith said she doesnt know what comes next, other than to try to find a place to live with Wi-Fi, while rebuilding her home on the weekends, she said. Thats as far as Ive gotten.

Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker
The global COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already volatile political risk landscape with most countries recording elevated political risk.

According to a midyear update to insurance broker Marsh JLT Specialtys Political Risk Map 2020, all 197 countries rated for the report experienced an increase in their risk scores between January and 2020thats compared to only 60 countries (30 percent) that experienced an increase during the same period in 2019.

The magnitude of change was also much greater: In 2019, 97 percent of the increases were small (0.1-0.4), while 40 percent of risk scores have risen between 1.0 and 1.4 so far this year.

Among the highlights of the report:

The pandemic has further strained the relationship between the U.S. and China, with leaders in both countries blaming the other for its spread. Marsh JLT Specialty said it expects tech firms will be increasingly caught in the crossfire as countries find themselves under geopolitical pressure to choose sides. The report noted that tensions have also been simmering between China and India, North and South Korea, and Iran and the U.S.

Countries across the world saw a wave of protests and demonstrations against racial inequality and injustice following the death of George Floyd and others in the U.S.

After months of pandemic-related lockdowns, many countries are facing the risk of civil unrest as citizens scrutinize the governments handling of COVID-19. There is also risk of protests for countries looking to reintroduce containment measures such as lockdowns and curfews to combat a new wave of contagion.

Topics COVID-19
Malala Yousafzai Is Leading A Feminist Book Club And You Should Join

Malala Yousafzai is starting a feminist book club, which is exactly what we need during this pandemic. She just graduated from Oxford University, but shes been in the international spotlight for fighting for girls education in Pakistan and being the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Price at 17.

Now shes 23, and just like many other college graduates from the class of 2020, is feeling a little bit lost. In an interview with The Lily, she told Lena Felton that Im just as confused as anybody else as to what to do. Its not been an easy time.

ADVERTISEMENT

She is, however, launching a project with the book subscription service Literati which introduced its new virtual book club platform. Every month, members of the book club will receive a book chosen by Yousafzai beginning in October. You can subscribe here.

But unlike a lot of books we see in education curriculums, Malala is selecting books that highlight marginalized and underrepresented voices, particularly women and people of color. She noted a lack of diversity in her required readings at Oxford: It was just fascinating to see what you learn from what is there on the reading list and what you learn from what is not there on the reading list...theres a huge, huge lack of Black writers and lecturers. This is, of course, an issue in not just higher education, but education at large.

As an English major, much of what I study is catered to the white, male, heterosexual gaze, and I often have to look outside of my curriculum to find works that prioritize other identities. Learning is not an experience limited to formal classroom settings, and this book club is a wonderful opportunity to broaden your understanding of the human experience.

Header image courtesy of Simon Davis via Flickr

More from BUST

Olivia Wilde To Direct Women-Centered Marvel Movie

Ida B. Wells To Be Honored In Art Installation At D.C. Union Station Next Week

Trump Pardoned Susan B. Anthony, But Her Museum Rejected His Pardon

Grace Weinberg (she/they) is a senior at Simmons University pursuing BAs in English, Women's & Gender Studies, and Spanish in addition to interning at BUST. When she's not reading in bed with her french bulldog, you can find her rollerskating or watching the next feminist horror flick. Follow her on Twitter at @GraceWeinberg6.
Kimberly Guilfoyle speaks at the Republican National Convention on 24 August, 2020: REUTERS

Kimberly Guilfoyle  the former Fox News host and girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr  denounced Democrat-run California as a drug-riddled nightmare of blackouts and riots.

In an impassioned recorded speech on the first night of the Republican National Convention, which saw her shouting by the end, Ms Guilfoyle said Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would "destroy" the country and "enslave" Americans with a "victim ideology" if elected.

kimberly-guilfoyle-rnc-republican-national-convention.jpg

Kimberly Guilfoyle speaks at the Republican National Convention on 24 August, 2020 (REUTERS)

Ms Guilfoyle, who serves as chair of the Trump Victory Finance Committee, was previously married to Gavin Newsom, the current Democratic governor of California, making her attack on AMerica's most populous state all the more striking.

In her address to the RNC the 51-year-old said: "If you want to see the socialist Biden-Harris future for our country, just take a look at California.

"It is a place of immense wealth, immeasurable innovation and immaculate environment. And the Democrats turned it into a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes."

She added: "In President Trump's America we light things up, we don't dim them down. We build things up, we don't burn them down. We kneel in prayer and we stand for our flag!

Drawing on her Latina heritage, she warned that if the Democrats are elected in November, the US will follow in the socialist footsteps of Cuba and Venezuela.

She added: "President Trump believes in you. He emancipates and lifts you up to live your American Dream. You are capable, you are qualified, you are powerful, and you have the ability to choose your life, and determine your destiny!

"Don't let the Democrats take you for granted. Don't let them step on you. Don't let them destroy your families, your lives and your future. Don't let them kill future generations because they told you and brainwashed you and fed you lies that you weren't good enough."

Read more

Donald Trump Jr says Joe Biden is 'Loch Ness monster of the swamp'
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today held a meeting with the members of the Corruption Prevention Commission led by Commission Chair Haykuhi Harutyunyan. The meeting was also attended by justice minister Rustam Badasyan, the PMs Office told Armenpress.

Welcoming the Commission members, the PM delivered remarks at the meeting:

Dear compatriots, I am happy to meet with you. Its less than a year that the Corruption Prevention Commission has been formed in Armenia, and understandably it has a conceptual significance for our country because you know that the governments program includes the vision of having a corruption-free public, and this is very important for our countrys future development.

Of course, today one of the key issues of Armenias agenda is the fight against corruption, but from strategic terms its important that we have concrete mechanisms for preventing corruption, rather than to just have a fight against corruption, meaning that either corruption should be impossible in Armenia in terms of respective mechanisms, or it should be at the lowest level in order not to exist in the agenda as a public issue in general, of course with the existence of future fight mechanisms, when each corruption case will not remain without a discovery.

The purpose of our meeting today is to understand how the works of the Commission are taking place, what actions the government needs to take because it has many functions in terms of ensuring the normal operation of the Commission. And I hope that we will manage to solve all problems within a short period of time, which are enshrined in the Anti-Corruption Strategy. In fact, this document is a document of our joint action. Today we will also hear where we have reached in terms of implementation of this Strategy which relates to the Corruption Prevention Commission.

The Commission Chair thanked the PM for the meeting and introduced Commission members Lilit Aleksanyan, Aramayis Pashinyan and Narek Hambardzumyan. She said the Commission is operating over 8 months and presented the actions taken during this period.

The Prime Minister and the Commission representatives exchanged views on the anti-corruption fight agenda. Issues relating to the prevention of corruption, discovery of corruption crimes, anti-corruption education were discussed during the meeting.

The governments political will to succeed in the fight against corruption and prevent it is beyond doubt. In this respect we should set the highest bar and continue the works, PM Pashinyan said, highlighting the consistent implementation of measures envisaged by the Anti-Corruption Strategy.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) speaks to the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention in a live address from the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, U.S., August 24, 2020. Kevin Lemarque | Reuters

The Republican National Convention kicked off Monday, featuring speeches from Donald Trump Jr. and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and wasting no time in drawing a stark contrast with the Democrats' convention last week. The convention began earlier in the day in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Republican Party formally renominated President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for a second term. Where the Democratic National Convention was held virtually from across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic, many of the opening speeches on Night 1 of the RNC took place on the same stage in the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington. The evening was filled with zealous, fiery endorsements of Trump that at times painted a near-apocalyptic portrait of what America would become under a Joe Biden presidency. One speaker, who said she had been diagnosed with a terminal bone cancer, said she and millions of others would have died if not for the president's health-care policies and his response to the Covid-19 crisis. She did not mention that more than 176,000 people in the U.S. have died of Covid-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, more than any other country. Interspersed between the speakers were a series of glossy videos, which by turns heaped praise on Trump for his first-term accomplishments and attacked Biden. The event also featured remarks from politicians including Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Jim Jordan of Ohio, along with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and an array of other nonpublic figures who touted Trump's record. Here are the top moments:

Sen. Tim Scott: The election isn't just about Trump and Biden

Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the upper chamber and the lawmaker who took the lead on the GOP's police reform efforts after the death of George Floyd, delivered a forward-looking speech that focused more on policy than the president. "While this election is between Donald Trump and Joe Biden ... it is not solely about Donald Trump and Joe Biden," Scott said. "It's about the promise of America. It's about you and me. Our challenges and heartbreaks, hopes and dreams." Scott, who delivered the final speech of the night, slammed Biden over his record on race and a series of gaffes he made on the campaign trail. The attacks offered a rebuttal to the Democratic nominee, who in his acceptance speech last week decried "the stain of racism" and highlighted Trump's 2017 reaction to White supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, as a "wake-up call for us as a country."

Kimberly Guilfoyle sounds off on 'elites' who want to 'destroy this country'

Kimberly Guilfoyle, a Trump campaign fundraiser and the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr., delivered one of the most exclamatory speeches of the night, lionizing Trump as a "fearless" leader and attacking "cosmopolitan elites" who "want to destroy this country." "This election is a battle for the soul of America," Guilfoyle declared, borrowing one of Biden's most frequently used campaign lines. Guilfoyle's bombastic delivery  her speech was easily the loudest of the night  quickly began trending on social media. Guilfoyle, the ex-wife of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, also blamed Democrats for turning the Golden State "into a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes."

Couple who pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters warn of 'radical Democrats' America'

Mark and Patty McCloskey, the St. Louis couple who made the news after they were videoed pointing guns at protesters outside their home, defended their viral moment as they decried "radical Democrats' America." "At this moment in history, if you stand up for yourself and for the values our country was founded on, the mob  spurred on by their allies in the media  will try to destroy you," Mark McCloskey said. The McCloskeys have been charged with one count each of unlawful use of a weapon for their reaction to the protesters.

Nikki Haley contrasts Trump and Biden on foreign policy, touts her own record

Haley in her remarks offered a firm endorsement of Trump  albeit one that was less effusive than others with whom she shared the stage. Haley contrasted Trump and Biden on foreign policy, claiming that the Democratic nominee is "a godsend to everyone who wants America to apologize, abstain, and abandon our values." "Donald Trump takes a different approach. He's tough on China, and he took on ISIS and won. And he tells the world what it needs to hear," Trump's former ambassador to the U.N. said. She also spent a significant chunk of her speech on the state of race relations in the U.S. "In much of the Democratic Party, it's now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie," Haley said before recounting the racial discrimination faced by her parents, who came to the U.S. as immigrants from India. Haley's appearance followed months of rumors that the former South Carolina governor might be under consideration to replace Pence on Trump's 2020 ticket. Those rumors evaporated after the GOP renominated Pence to be Trump's veep earlier Monday.

Democratic state rep. backs Trump
Secretary of State John Merrill is working with county election officials across the state to identify instances of crossover voting in the July 14 primary runoff.

Alabama law prohibits voters from voting in the primary of one party and crossing over to vote in the runoff of the other party.

Merills office sent probate judges a list of voters for whom records showed a potential discrepancy between their vote in the March 3 primary and their vote in the runoff, which was delayed for more than three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The county officials were to check the records to try to determine if those voters cast crossover votes.

Grace Newcombe, press secretary for Merrill, said counties submitted their findings on potential crossover votes on Friday. She said the office is analyzing the data and contacting counties for follow up information.

The Legislature passed the ban on crossover voting in 2017. It applies only to primary runoffs.

In Alabama, voters dont register by party. But when they vote in a primary, they request either a Democratic ballot or a Republican ballot. If a runoff ensues, voters cannot cross over and vote in the other partys runoff.

In 2017, when the crossover ban was in force for the first time, Merrill called for jail time and fines for those who intentionally violated the crossover ban. That year, his office identified to counties a preliminary total of 674 people who might have crossed over.

Probate judges traced most of those apparent crossovers to errors by poll workers or other errors. Eventually, 140 crossover votes were confirmed, but probate judges did not recommend any for prosecution.

Merrill said there was only one crossover vote identified in the 2018 primary runoff. He said he personally investigated that and found it was attributable to an error and not the voters fault.

This year, the ballot for the March primary included a statewide constitutional amendment on whether to replace the elected State Board of Education with an appointed board. It did not pass.

Voters who chose to vote on the constitutional amendment and not vote for candidates in either party did not have to declare a party for the primary. Some of those same voters who then voted in the Democratic or Republican runoffs were included on lists of potential crossovers that went out to the counties, two probate judges said.

Madison County Probate Judge Frank Barger said the list his office received from the secretary of states office included 54 names. Barger said his office determined that 47 of those were people who had voted only for the constitutional amendment in the primary and then voted in the runoff. So those voters did not break the crossover law. Barger said his office returned the names of the other seven. He said none of those votes were counted because of the discrepancy.

Jefferson County Place 1 Probate Judge James Naftel said there were 142 voters on the list his office received from the secretary of state. Naftel said 124 of those voters were listed as party not determined for either the primary or the runoff. Naftel said that appeared to be the result of an error in the way those voters were logged in on electronic polling books.

Records show the other 18 voted in one party in the primary and the other in the runoff, Naftel said. His office returned those names to Merrills office, Naftel said.

Montgomery County Probate Judge J.C. Love said there were 15 names on the countys list from the secretary of states office, including some amendment-only voters. Love said the county returned only one name on its list back to Merrills office.

Mobile County Probate Judge Don Davis issued a news release on Friday saying there were 69 names on the list his office received from the secretary of state.

Today, Merrill declined to release the total number of names on the initial lists that went out to counties, saying his office is still verifying and compiling information and that he did not want to release incomplete information.

About half of Alabamas counties are now using electronic polling books to log in voters at the polls. Merrill said those should eventually help eliminate crossover voting when they are in use in all counties.

This story was edited at 9:51 p.m. to correct a spelling error and add clarify that county officials were checking the lists from the secretary of states office to try to determine instances of crossover voting.
New Delhi/Jammu: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday (August 25, 2020) filed a chargesheet in the 2019 February Pulwama terror attack case naming terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, his brother Abdul Rauf Asghar, slain terrorist Mohammad Umar Farooq, suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar and other terrorist commanders operating from Pakistan.

These are apart from the six other accused arrested by the NIA in connection with the case. The 13,500-page-long chargesheet details how the planning and execution of one of the deadliest terror attacks in Kashmir was done from Pakistan.

Over 40 soldiers were killed when a suicide bomber rammed a security convoy with a car full of explosives in February last year. Ahead of filing the chargsheet, an NIA official had said, "The agency will file a chargesheet (on Tuesday) against Azhar, Asghar, their slain relative Farooque, six arrested accused in the Pulwama terror attack case at a Jammu Special NIA court."

The official said that the agency has prepared a watertight case against the people named in the chargesheet along with all the irrefutable evidence, including their chats, call details to highlight the role of Pakistan in the February 14, 2019 attack in which 40 CRPF troopers were killed.

The official said that this attack was a plot hatched by the Pakistan-based terror group to project the attack as the handiwork of terrorists operating in Kashmir.

The NIA has also accused several top commanders of the terrorist group in its chargesheet. The agency also arrested Mohammad Iqbal Rather, 25, a resident of Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir in July. Heis accused of facilitating the movement of Muhammad Umar Farooq, the JeM terrorist and a key conspirator in this case, after he infiltrated into the Indian territory in the Jammu region in April 2018.

Farooq, along with others, had assembled the IED used in the terror attack.

Earlier, the NIA found that Rather was in constant touch with the Pakistan-based leadership of the JeM and was in communication with them over secure messaging applications and was also part of the transportation module of the terrorist organisation.

The other five arrested accused named in the chargesheet are Mohammad Abbas Rather, Waiz-ul-Islam, father-daughter duo Tariq Ahmad Shah and Insha Jan -- all alleged ground workers of the JeM.
The priorities of getting one million children safely back to school, stemming the current surge of the virus, and preparing for the impact of a looming crash on Brexit demand total attention.

Yet, all are in danger of being obscured by a red mist that has descended across the land.

"How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it?" asked the stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius.

It's a question worth engaging with, instead of succumbing to the spontaneous spate of lashing out indiscriminately.

Anger, like all emotion, is involuntary. It should always get a hearing, but should never be relied upon for the final verdict. Only a few months ago, no less than The Economist was name-checking our country as a "soft-power super-power".

"On a per-head basis, Ireland has a good claim to be the world's most diplomatically powerful country," it claimed. Hard as it might be to believe today, it was our handling of the pandemic plus the selection of Paschal Donohoe as president of the Eurogroup which were highlighted as exceptional achievements.

But anyone looking in from the outside, over the past week, would be fearful at the potential for self-immolation.

For if solidarity is unity of purpose, the convulsions sparked by shenanigans in Clifden have provoked an opposite reaction.

Alienation from the body politic has reached alarming levels. Surely soothing these simmering passions is now in all of our interests?

Acting in concert, instead of searching out new sources of outrage and offence, is vital.

We are seeing key political players motivated more by the pride in their tribe than the good of their country. The European Commission is not hostage to the political climates of its 27 member states. Nonetheless, the storm over Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan will have caused turbulence in the cockpit in Brussels.

As a skilled communicator, he must recognise that the more you're explaining, the more you are losing. A comprehensive, frank mea culpa is the gold standard in damage limitation. If it takes six or seven times to set a record straight, you are in deeper trouble than you need be. But we have had enough distractions.

There has been a tendency to compare what we are now going through with other moments of tribulation in recent decades.

Frankly, there is no direct comparison with the enormity of this calamity. In scale and duration, nothing has struck as destructively as the pandemic. But - unlike February and March when we knew little of PPE, social distancing or the mandatory wearing of masks - we now know what we are up against.

Facing the prospect of a protracted winter, people are feeling pushed to the limit.

But instead of hyper-ventilating over things we can now do nothing about, we need to take a deep breath. There are several more rounds ahead of us, and we dare not drop our guard.
Iran Must Reveal Truth About Downing Plane, Ukrainian Official Stresses

Radio Farda August 24, 2020

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeni Yenin is claiming that the data retrieved from flight P-752's recorders verifies Iran's responsibility for downing the plane on January 8, 2020 over Tehran, and called for the truth about the incident.

On Sunday, Touraj Dehghani-Zanganeh, the head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, announced several takeaways from the analysis of the data and cockpit talk from the plane, which was shot down by two Revolutionary Guard missiles.

"The data from flight recorders that Iran has finally decided to reveal -- eight months after the incident and a month after being decoded in France -- proves what we thought from the beginning," Yenin told Radio Farda. "The plane had no technical problems, the pilots acted according to guidelines and two missiles by [Iran's] air defense caused its crash although it had permission to fly from military and non-military bodies."

Ukraine expects to receive answers to all its questions during the second round of talks with Iran, Yenin said, adding, "Iran must reveal the truth, however bitter it may be."

On July 30, an Iranian delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister for International and Legal Affairs Mohsen Baharvand held talks in Kiev with the Ukrainian authorities over the downing of its passenger plane.

Dehghani-Zanganeh also said that data analysis from the Ukrainian jet shows that the passengers and crew were not harmed for at least 19 seconds before the second missile hit the plane.

According to Dehghani-Zanganeh, during those critical seconds, the passengers remained alive and the cabin crew who realized the "unnormal situation" tried to navigate the plane, despite the serious damage caused by the missile.

Ukraine has refused the Iranian authorities' explanation of the incident as a mistake resulting from "human error" and has demanded an apology, a technical investigation of the incident in accordance with the requirement of the Chicago Convention, an impartial and independent criminal investigation to bring all the guilty to justice, and full compensation for its airliner and the families of the victims.

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-must -reveal-truth-about-downing-plane-ukrainian- official-stresses/30798709.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 01:12:19|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The president of the Security Council said Tuesday that he will not take any action on a purported U.S. notification for a "snapback" mechanism on sanctions against Iran.

Indonesia's UN ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, whose country holds the Security Council presidency for the month of August, said he "is not in the position" to take further action as there is no consensus among council members over the issue.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday submitted Washington's demand for the return of all pre-2015 UN sanctions against Iran. But the overwhelming majority of Security Council members hold that the U.S. move does not constitute a "notification" as envisaged in Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Iran nuclear deal.

They argued that the United States has no right to invoke the "snapback" mechanism as it is no longer a participant since it withdrew from the deal in May 2018.

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. Enditem
Nikki Haley, the former US ambassador to the UN, on Monday night said she is the proud daughter of Indian immigrants while seeking to address the issue of racism as she spoke at the Republican convention to nominate President Donald Trump for a second term.

They came to America and settled in a small southern town. My father wore a turban. My mother wore a sari. I was a brown girl in a black and white world, said Haley, one of the most anticipated speakers of the opening night of the convention. She added they faced discrimination and hardship. But my parents never gave in to grievance and hate. My mom built a successful business. My dad taught 30 years at a historically black college. And the people of South Carolina chose me as their first minority and first female governor.

Also read: Donald Trump woos Indian-American voters, with clips from Howdy Modi

Haley, who was born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa, has been the first and only Indian American woman governor of a US state yet of any party. She also went to hold the highest federal government office by an Indian-American as Trumps US ambassador to the UN, a federal cabinet-rank position.

Haley is widely expected to run for president someday. Many thought she was looking at a 2020 run when she left her UN job in 2019.

There has been speculation though that Trump could name her his vice-presidential nominee, replacing Mike Pence, the incumbent.

Haley is not on the ticket yet. But for most Indian-American Republicans, she may be as their answer to Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee. Harris is the daughter of a mother from India and a father from Jamaica. Harriss nomination as vice-president made headlines around the world. She is the first Indian-American and Black woman on a presidential ticket yet.

Haley and Harris are crucial to their respective partys evolving strategies for the elections on November 3. With 1.2 million voters, Indian-Americans have emerged as a key constituency for both parties, especially in battleground states, also called swing states, that could settle the race with wafer-thin margins.

Nikki Haley is a very powerful voice with a great appeal, said Al Mason, who leads the Trump campaigns outreach to the Indian-American community. As she is of Indian Heritage; Indian Americans love her. She could be a big influence on the Indian-Americans, eDspecially in the battle the ground states.

Nikki Haley told the story of America, and it is her personal story too and similar to the most immigrant who come to this great nation, said Puneet Ahluwalia, a Republican exploring a run for Lt Governor of Virginia, a swing state with growing Asian-American population.

A proud successful governor of South Carolina, she highlighted the successes of President Trump and policies of the Republican Party.

Haley remains close to the Trump family, especially Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. And she was given a speaking slot just ahead of Don Trump Jr, the presidents eldest son, who spoke on the first night of the convention, which was a mix of in-person and virtually delivered speeches by leading lawmakers and supposedly ordinary Americans with undeclared political agenda.
Some have more dollars than sense, they say, so even companies that have no revenue, no profit, and a record of falling short, can easily find investors. And in their study titled Who Falls Prey to the Wolf of Wall Street?' Leuz et. al. found that it is 'quite common' for investors to lose money by buying into 'pump and dump' schemes.

If, on the other hand, you like companies that have revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA). Even if the shares are fully valued today, most capitalists would recognize its profits as the demonstration of steady value generation. Conversely, a loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the sweet milk of external capital may run sour.

View our latest analysis for Mueller Water Products

Mueller Water Products's Earnings Per Share Are Growing.

As one of my mentors once told me, share price follows earnings per share (EPS). That makes EPS growth an attractive quality for any company. Impressively, Mueller Water Products has grown EPS by 17% per year, compound, in the last three years. If the company can sustain that sort of growth, we'd expect shareholders to come away winners.

I like to take a look at earnings before interest and (EBIT) tax margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. It seems Mueller Water Products is pretty stable, since revenue and EBIT margins are pretty flat year on year. That's not a major concern but nor does it point to the long term growth we like to see.

In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings, and revenue, over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

You don't drive with your eyes on the rear-view mirror, so you might be more interested in this free report showing analyst forecasts for Mueller Water Products's future profits.

Are Mueller Water Products Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Story continues

It makes me feel more secure owning shares in a company if insiders also own shares, thusly more closely aligning our interests. As a result, I'm encouraged by the fact that insiders own Mueller Water Products shares worth a considerable sum. Indeed, they hold US$24m worth of its stock. That shows significant buy-in, and may indicate conviction in the business strategy. Despite being just 1.4% of the company, the value of that investment is enough to show insiders have plenty riding on the venture.

It's good to see that insiders are invested in the company, but are remuneration levels reasonable? A brief analysis of the CEO compensation suggests they are. I discovered that the median total compensation for the CEOs of companies like Mueller Water Products with market caps between US$1.0b and US$3.2b is about US$4.5m.

Mueller Water Products offered total compensation worth US$3.0m to its CEO in the year to . That seems pretty reasonable, especially given its below the median for similar sized companies. CEO remuneration levels are not the most important metric for investors, but when the pay is modest, that does support enhanced alignment between the CEO and the ordinary shareholders. It can also be a sign of good governance, more generally.

Does Mueller Water Products Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?

You can't deny that Mueller Water Products has grown its earnings per share at a very impressive rate. That's attractive. If you need more convincing beyond that EPS growth rate, don't forget about the reasonable remuneration and the high insider ownership. This may only be a fast rundown, but the takeaway for me is that Mueller Water Products is worth keeping an eye on. Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Mueller Water Products that you should be aware of.

Although Mueller Water Products certainly looks good to me, I would like it more if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see insider buying, too, then this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying, could be exactly what you're looking for.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
MANISTEE COUNTY  The Manistee County Board of Commissioners held its regular monthly session Tuesday morning, with several public hearings on the agenda.

Here are four takeaways from the Aug. 25 board of commissioners meeting:

NETWORKS NORTHWEST

An annual report detailing the activities of Networks Northwest for 2019 was delivered during Tuesdays county board meeting.

The report was given by Matt McCauley, Networks Northwest chief executive officer via video conference.

McCauley said the organization is an active driver of talent, business and community development within northwestern Michigan.

Our role is to provide assistance to local businesses, local communities and job seekers under the umbrella of macroeconomic development, McCauley said. Its with the understanding that (the) community needs business, business needs talent and talent needs community.

Networks Northwest programming works in concert to provide support for all three of those areas, McCauley said.

Despite lower unemployment in 2019, McCauley reported Networks Northwest still aided thousands of job-seekers throughout northwest Michigan.

What were best known for is our Michigan Works! programming, McCauley said. Even though we had historically low unemployment  3.5% to 4% within the region  we still had over 41,000 visits to American job centers throughout the region. Those job centers are located in Petoskey, Traverse City, Cadillac and of course Manistee.

McCauley also reported that Networks Northwest introduced 33 new apprenticeship programs in 2019.

McCauley said the organizations workforce programming is demand-driven.

We are in the community through our business services team, talking to employers about what are the employment needs that they have today, he said. Our job is to work with employers to play match-maker. There is no value to our programming unless we are filling jobs in our community that are needed by our employers in the region.

Networks Northwest reports said the organization provided 561 unique services to employers in Manistee and Benzie counties in 2019.

Networks Northwest made $8.87 million in programming expenditures in 2019, with the bulk of revenue coming from state and federal sources, according to their financial statement.

CANDIDATE INTERVIEW

The board of commissioners also heard from Michael Dunckel, a prospective candidate for the position of county controller/administrator.

The position has been filled on an interim basis by Lisa Sagala, the countys human resources manager/assistant administrator, since former administrator/controller David Kieft left in April. Sagala is also a candidate for the position.

Since 2010, Dunckel has been the director of business services and facilities, and deputy clerk of the Willamette Education Service District in Salem, Oregon.

He received his Master of Science in Public Administration degree from Central Michigan University; a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Ferris State University, and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Accounting from Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, New York.

Commissioner Karen Goodman (district 6) conducted much of the interview. Among other questions, Goodman asked Dunckel why he believed he was the right person for the job.

I think Im qualified for the position, I just need some history, Dunckel said. To make me more qualified I would love to look through the audits of the last couple years, I would love to look at the actuaries  and also to look at your community in every township.

Goodman reported that the board had one additional interview to conduct, and that the board would have a discussion within the week to determine which candidate will be selected to be the countys next controller/administrator.

COUNTY VETERAN FUND SERVICE FUND

Manistee County Veterans Counselor, Eric Sullivan also appeared before the board to discuss the County Veteran Service Fund (CVSF) grant request for fiscal year 2021.

The commissioners were asked to approve the Manistee County Veterans Affairs budget, as a prerequisite to securing emergency funding from the CVSF program.

Before we can apply for the grant in 2021, I will need approval on the budget for this year because that has to be sent in with the grant (request), Sullivan said.

Lisa Sagala, interim county controller/administrator said the process was similar to the childcare fund budget, which has to be approved prior to the complete budget, due to the timing of their grant cycle.

The grant is administered by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA).

Grant dollars are intended to enhance and improve county veteran service operations in an effort to connect veterans to their federal benefits and provide consistent access to services throughout the state, according to MVAA documents.

Veteran service operations include, but are not limited to, providing advice, advocacy and assistance to veterans, servicemembers, dependents or survivors by an accredited VSO to obtain USDVA health, financial or memorial benefits for which they are eligible

The base amount for the grant is $50,000.

The Veterans Councelors Budget in the amount of $42,567 was unanimously approved for fiscal year 2020-21.

BLOCK GRANT RESOLUTION

The County Board of Commissioners also approved passage of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) resolution.

The Manistee County government is eligible to receive and further distribute monies for eligible purposes from the CDBG funds to approved projects, according to the resolution. It is in the Countys interest to adequately capture available funding for investment to achieve the objectives of the CDBG program.

Board chair Jeff Dontz said the resolution will allow the county to pursue avenues of CDBG funding.

The reason to do this is it allows economic benefits for any organization thats out there, that needs to be done through a governmental entity and it allows us to make that application and apply for those grants, Dontz said. Its a way for us to bring dollars in (as the) fiduciary.

The next regular meeting of the Manistee County Board of Commissioners will be held at 5 p.m. on Sept. 15, in the board of commissioners' meeting room located in the Manistee County Courthouse and Government Center, 415 Third St. in Manistee.
(Alliance News) - Carclo PLC on Tuesday reported a widened annual loss despite a revenue hike, but the plastic parts manufacturer hailed its "more stable platform" going into financial 2021.

In the year ended March 31, revenue rose 4.9% to GBP110.5 million from GBP105.3 million. Carclo's pretax loss from continuing operations stretched to GBP545,000 from GBP8,000.

Chair Joe Oatley said: "Despite a challenging period for the group, the continuing businesses performed strongly in 2020. Following the exit of the loss-making LED business and the completion of a three-year refinancing agreement with the group's lending bank and pension trustees, Carclo now has a more stable platform from which to develop the business."

Carclo earlier in August said it entered into new facilities with lender HSBC Holdings PLC which comprise a term loan of GBP34.5 million and a GBP3.5 million revolving credit facility.

The company on Tuesday noted that most of its sites remained open during the Covid-19 lockdown, as many of its customers operate in essential industries, such as the medical diagnostics sector.

"The near-term performance of the group is uncertain as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the business in the current financial year remains difficult to forecast," Carclo said.

Carclo shares were 0.5% higher at 13.57 pence each in London on Tuesday morning.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
I n campfire horror stories the phone call of doom invariably comes from the basement, but my scare yesterday took the form of a text from the spare room at 4.46am. Honey, come wake me up when you get up, read the text message from my partner, who had retreated there. My cataleptic snoring wasnt the problem. I was coughing loads in the night so Ive booked myself a Covid test at a drive-through centre, she continued, before confirming the Defcon-level of the scenario. And one for you too.

For my girlfriend, a teacher returning to work next week, this kind of day was unavoidable. Ethical. Essential. The front line needs her; the risk of reintroducing the virus into a parent-pupil community is a burden she rightly takes seriously.

For me, back at work for over two months  maybe not living the dream, but hey, living!  the prospect of reisolation and Lockdown, Part Two (Lockdown Strikes Back?), had bolted from my brain, arms outstretched, screaming, before Id opened the bedroom door. It practically smashed through it. What Im saying is that I didnt love the prospect. I need the outside world for self-definition. Sure, I got back in touch with myself during lockdown. I dont like the guy. We could do with some social distancing. But just when I thought we were out, seeing friends, having a life, doing the usual, this year pulled us back in: to work from home, from a tiny desk; to sleep; to dream. Its probably just a cough, said my girlfriend. WFH. Probably forever. Great.

Clearly, getting a test was our only possible course of action. It just happened so fast. Like a sweet, naive fool, Id left things I needed to do my work at, well, work. Keys. Wallet. Phone. Emergency lockdown bag. The new essentials. Ill need to get a new desk, I thought. Id been so sick of the tiny bedroom desk I used to work at during lockdown, a hasty purchase from an antique store with the days of lockdown scratched into it like a jail cell wall, which I gave away as soon as I could go back to work (antique, scratched). Buy a new desk, I scratched into the kitchen table.

I looked up desks on Amazon and quietly began to cancel every plan for the next month

What Im actually saying is that I sulked. Believe me when I say I get it, I grumbled, sleepily buttering a teabag and popping Weetabix in the toaster at 7am, as my girlfriend prepared to drive us to the test site. I definitely totally get it, I moped, as we barrelled for an hour across London to Twickenham Stadium, where two nice doctors in PPE at the test site asked us to blow our noses before cheerfully sticking swabs down our throats, in and out in two seconds. Youre the first in, so you might even have your test back by the end of the day, said one of them, brightly. Im sure well be negative, said my girlfriend. But I really need to be sure with something like this. I looked up desks on Amazon and quietly began to cancel every plan for the next month.

I didnt get it. Even the slightest throat tickle is a scare when youre a key worker; when youve got others to think about besides yourself. More than that, with these new lockdowns, the now lockdowns, were lonelier and more atomised. For many more, isolation has remained a constant, even while unity that marked early lockdown is fracturing and the pressure to be normal mounts.We need to watch for that danger when, even if a vaccine comes, the Covid curve becomes marked by have-shots and have-nots. But I also didnt get it. ITS NEGATIVE, yelled my girlfriend at 8pm, running round the house. ITS NEGATIVE, I bellowed, cancelling the desk.
Unique to the Cannabis Industry, Item 9 Labs' Cocktails Line Offers Bar-Goers All The Taste Without The Bar, Ideal for the Current COVID-19 Pandemic Environment

PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQB:INLB) ("Item 9 Labs" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated cannabis operator that produces premium products, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of their industry-first Cocktails vaporization pens with the release of three new Summer Series flavors.

The Cocktails Summer Series release features Margarita, Mimosa, and Sangria - joining mainstays Blackberry Mojito, Old Fashioned, No Laws: Hard Soda, Pina Colada, and Strawberry Daiquiri.

Cocktails - featuring rechargeable, disposable pens flavored like popular drinks - are created by blending organically grown terpenes with distilled Delta 9 THC produced in-house. Available in 300mg all-in-one devices, they're geared toward on-the-go patients looking for options that don't require separate batteries or special hardware.

Initially developed as a way to bring familiar tastes into adult-use cannabis markets for weekender moments and celebrations with friends, Cocktails' ever-increasing flavors have led to a sales surge as patients flock to them, seeking a bridge between alcohol and cannabis consumption - without worrying about mixing the two.

"The Summer Series has received an overwhelmingly positive response among patients and bud tenders alike - the new flavors are easily a favorite of theirs across the Cocktails line," Item 9 Labs Vice President of Marketing Kyle Jennings said.

"Arizona patients are always looking for something new, and the simplicity of the Cocktails line allows us to deliver hit after hit each holiday season or special occasion," Jennings added, noting that the Company has also released seasonal flavors alongside Christmas, Fat Tuesday, and St. Patrick's Day.

Beyond the debut of the Summer Series, Item 9 Labs commemorated the one-year anniversary by offering a "Staycation" contest through a partnership with Territory, an Arizona dispensary. Winners will be announced soon for a $500 gift certificate to Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort that can be used at their restaurant, spa, or hotel rooms or a $250 voucher good toward Item 9 Labs products at Territory.

The initial Summer Series run will be available throughout the third quarter and may be added to the permanent Cocktails lineup if demand for the flavors remains high.

About Item 9 Labs Corp.

Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQB: INLB) is a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator headquartered in Arizona. The Company creates best-in-class products and canna-business solutions designed to help people become the best versions of themselves. With an award-winning CPG brand and nationally recognized application team, Item 9 Labs improves the cannabis experience while providing transparency, consistency, and well-being for those relying on them. For additional information, please visit: item9labscorp.com.

Media Contact:

Item 9 Labs

Jayne Levy, Director of Communications

Email: Jayne@unityrd.com

Investor Contact:

Hayden IR

Brett Mass, Managing Partner

Phone: (646) 536-7331

Email: INLB@haydenir.com

SOURCE: Item 9 Labs Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603010/Item-9-Labs-Celebrates-One-Year-of-Cocktails-Vaporization-Line-With-Summer-Series-Release
Christopher Dormer, superintendent of schools at Norristown Area School District, said his district determined it would be better for support staff to apply for unemployment than to have their hours greatly reduced during virtual learning. Read more

After deciding to begin the year virtually, the Pottsgrove School District considered its staff: Did it need building aides, part-time nurses, hall monitors?

The district, in western Montgomery County, determined it didnt. It furloughed 39 people  and cut its school resource officers, crossing guards, and security contractors.

As districts around the Philadelphia region prepare for virtual instruction this fall, some have taken steps to pare their workforces, authorizing furloughs of support staff whose positions are deemed no longer necessary under remote reopenings.

In the spring, Pennsylvania required that public schools pay staffs through the end of the school year despite the coronavirus closures. No such mandate exists heading into the fall.

Weve been advised legally that were not allowed to pay people for not working, said Dan Nerelli, superintendent of the Chichester School District, which is considering furloughing bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and other staff. Bus drivers in the Delaware County district protested last week, Nerelli said, and there are some people who are unhappy, saying if you budgeted for it, pay them anyway.

 READ MORE: Getting kids to school safely in a pandemic is one thing. Retaining bus drivers is another.

But school officials have also faced pressure from taxpayers who question why spending should remain the same under a virtual model.

And costs in other areas have increased due to the pandemic. Chichester  which has an $82 million budget  spent the $700,000 it received from the federal CARES Act on technology for students and teachers. But the district, which aims for in-person instruction in November, also has to buy personal protective equipment and sanitizer.

Thats another reason we cant be paying people who arent working, Nerelli said. We havent accounted for those costs. Like others still evaluating their staffing levels, Nerelli said he didnt know how much money the district might save.

Pottsgrove spokesperson Gary DeRenzo said the district, which has a $68 million budget, would save $34,250 a month from support staff furloughs, an additional $15,500 a month by cutting two school resource officer positions, and $3,600 a month in expenses for security guards at the high school.

 READ MORE: Schools brace for budget cuts as the coronavirus wreaks havoc on the economy

Union representatives say school districts could be using staff members in other roles rather than removing them from the payroll.

Thats what happened in Upper Darby, according to Denise Kennedy, a district secretary and president of the Pennsylvania State Education Associations southeastern educational support professionals division.

We worked with the district and said, Why would you try to lay some of these people off or furlough, when if you think outside the box you can use them in a different way  to still educate the whole student?  she said.

Kennedy said Upper Darby isnt furloughing any workers and is instead reassigning staff. Some assistants, for instance, will be staffing a district program supervising children of essential workers  to help them get online, make sure they have what they need to do their schoolwork, Kennedy said.

It just troubles me that other districts arent able to do this, Kennedy said. I get that they have the concern of the taxpayers. Our district has the same thing. But support staff can still play roles, she said  noting that when schools closed in the spring, she made videos of herself reading books aloud that were shared with students, and that staff continued to record morning announcements.

Upper Darby Superintendent Dan McGarry said the district was being as creative as we can to reallocate staff. We have plenty of work that needs to be done for reopening schools, McGarry said. The district plans to reevaluate in late September whether it can offer in-person learning, and it would be very, very difficult to pivot quickly ... if we didnt have all of our people.

Leaders in some districts say there isnt necessarily work for all staff they employed before the pandemic forced virtual learning.

We cant make up fake jobs for people, said Marc Bertrando, superintendent in the Garnet Valley district, where the board recently authorized furloughs. The Delaware County district is still evaluating its staffing.

Like others, Bertrando said there was risk in furloughing workers while aiming to reopen schools later this fall. We want to be able to quickly get those people back to work, he said, adding that bus drivers in particular are hard to replace as it is.

Not all bus drivers are losing their runs, as some districts that arent opening in person are still transporting students to private or charter schools.

 READ MORE: Many private schools are planning to open in person as public schools are stuck online

Still, theres just not enough schools open to meet the supply and demand for the bus drivers, said Fred Chazin, president of the union representing bus drivers and aides in the Rose Tree Media district. About half of its 75 members have been furloughed, according to Chazin.

He said the union successfully advocated for bus drivers whose runs are being scaled back to keep their health care, calling an original proposal to rescind coverage kind of chintzy.

Drivers are doing part of their run. This is a pandemic, Chazin said.

In Norristown, where 90 support staff will be furloughed starting Oct. 1, Superintendent Christopher Dormer said the district will be continuing health-care benefits for those staffers  in part to boost the chances of them returning when schools reopen, tentatively in January.

We have no intention of this being a permanent reduction in force, Dormer said. He said the district couldnt bring certain staff members in safely  cafeteria workers, for instance, couldnt do their jobs and remain six feet apart  and didnt have enough work for others. Theyre going to be better off collecting unemployment.
MANZINI  In just one day, a large number of import car dealerships sought to repossess 96 vehicles.

This was according to records at the Manzini Magistrates Court yesterday, which were applications for default payment.

In the applications, the different legal representatives filed their desire to have the cases heard on behalf of their clients, who want the cars repossessed.

This happened on the day this publication reported that some import car dealerships, which have contributed to the hike of vehicles in the kingdoms road network, are ripping off the citizenry seeking to own vehicles under the guise of offering a credit facility.

The credit facility allows an aspirant motorist to purchase a vehicle on credit after, in most instances, paying a 70 per cent deposit for the vehicle they seek to own.

Balance

Thereafter, the consumers are expected to settle the balance within a period of six months. Failure to adhere to the contract signed by the consumer with the dealership, results in the vehicle being repossessed while also the buyer loses the deposit paid for the automobile.

Such an arrangement has been declared illegal by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in that the dealerships do not have licences to advance anything on credit to consumers.

Also, lawyers stated that the necessary procedures were not being followed when these cars were being repossessed.

Yesterday, from the register at the Manzini Magistrates Court, it was discovered that from the cases that were listed there, 96 of them were for import car dealerships which were seeking to have their vehicles recaptured as the buyers had breached contracts.

This is despite the fact that currently, there is no dealership in the database of the FSRA that is authorised to offer credit to the citizenry.

This was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer of FSRA, Ncamiso Ntshalintshali. The CEO highlighted that the numbers that were to be repossessed depicted the extent of the challenge in the issuance of credit by the dealerships.

He said: Its quite concerning and does put into perspective the plight of the consumer. We havent issued credit provision licences to car dealerships.

Licence

The import car dealerships are expected to have a licence from the FSRA to offer credit as per the dictates of the Consumer Credit Act of 2016, which Ntshalintshalis entity is the custodian of.

Section 5 of the Consumer Credit Act addresses the Prohibition against credit provision business without a licence.

This section states: A person shall not provide, or otherwise carry on as being authorised to credit or pawn broking unless that person  (a) is the holder of a credit provider licence; and (b) carries out the credit provision or pawn broking activities in accordance with this Act.

A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding E20 000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.

Notwithstanding Subsection (1), a person may provide credit as a once-off credit provider or in an incidental credit agreement.

Ntshalintshali said the challenge with the credit offered to individuals by the import car dealerships was that the deals were made and committed to in private.

He said they were only exposed when there was something that had not gone right thereafter. He said in terms of the Consumer Credit Act, the import car dealerships were supposed to have a license from FSRA.

Furthermore, he explained that it was in the process of applying for the licence to offer credit to consumers, that the authority would determine what type of licence was to be extended to the import car dealerships.

Those seeking to buy on credit from these import car dealerships, should look for the licence because it would protect them.

Ntshalintshali said the application of the licence by the import car dealerships was meant to be guided by the terms they were offering on the credit, such that the FSRA would advise on how much was needed as deposit and the terms on which the balance was to be paid.

Meanwhile, Abudalid Bukhari from Cars from Japan said they did not seek the licence because they were not charging any interest.

He said consumers were made to only pay the value of the vehicle and if any additional charges were incurred, they were paid outside the initial contract. For example, he said, if the vehicle was repossessed, the lawyer fees were paid to the attorney and not the dealership. On the other hand, a legal practitioner said the practice to offer credit was to the detriment of the consumer as many were left far worse off than they were when they purchased the vehicle. In fact, he said some of the import car dealerships sought the order to repossess the vehicle without even alerting the client that legal action was being taken against him or her.

Repossessed

Ordinarily, he said, before the vehicle was repossessed, the import car dealerships should write to their client and state that he/she should settle the balance within 14 days, failing which legal action would be taken. If then, he said, the client did not comply with the communication, the car dealerships could seek an order of the court that would compel the client to pay. If the client does not comply with the order of the court, then the dealership can seek the repossession of the car. However, after auctioning or selling the car (at its value of repossession), the dealership should, after deducting all costs, pay the difference to the customer.
No one can lawfully embark on any type of protest action unless they notify the Commissio
Hong Kong, Aug 25 : Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, who was arrested earlier this month over alleged collusion with foreign forces, has a case to answer for allegedly intimidating a reporter three years ago, a city court ruled.

On Monday, Magistrate May Chung ruled the prosecution had established sufficient evidence to prosecute the Apple Daily founder after three days of trial at the West Kowloon Court, reports the South China Morning Post newspaper.

Lai, 72, has denied criminal intimidation over the exchange with the Oriental Daily reporter during the annual candlelight vigil at Victoria Park on June 4, 2017, commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown.

The reporter testified on the first day of the trial on August 20 that he felt threatened when Lai cursed him, and said he would get someone to "mess with" him, after the he took pictures and video of the media mogul during the event.

The reporter said he had suffered from adjustment disorder, a condition stemming from stressful events, and depression because of the incident.

Lai's lawyers have challenged the reporter's credibility, and suggested he and his company used the incident as an opportunity to "make life difficult" for the media tycoon.

In a video interview with police, played in court on Monday, Lai told officers he had taken notice of the Oriental Daily reporter who he said had been pursuing him and taking pictures of him for several years before the 2017 encounter.

This latest development comes after Lai, along with his two sons and four senior employees of the tabloid-style newspaper known for its scathing criticisms of Beijing, were arrested on August 10 when more than 200 officers raided the Apple Daily offices, sparking an international backlash, the SCMP reported.

He became the first high-profile figure to be held under the new national security law imposed in the city by China, which is aimed at punishing acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security.

Lai was however, released on bail two days later.
A single mother who received a shock $20,000 overpayment bill from Centrelink said it left her unable to work and resulted in her being branded a criminal.

Ten years ago, Belinda Clarke was living with her three sons in the Brisbane suburb of Cleveland and receiving government benefits when she received a court summons.

Ms Clarke told nine.com.au she always lodged her earnings estimate and overtime hours with Centrelink but the government said her figures didn't add up and charged her with one count of obtaining financial advantage.

She received a nine-month suspended jail sentence and a two-year good behaviour bond that ended her childcare career and gave her crippling anxiety.

Belinda Clarke (pictured) was living with her three sons in Cleveland, Brisbane when she received a court summons over a $20,000 benefits bill from Centrelink

Ms Clarke said she always lodged her earnings estimate and overtime hours with Centrelink (pictured) but the government said it didn't add up and she was given a nine-month suspended sentence

Ms Clarke has asked Services Australia to review her debt in the hopes of getting her criminal record struck off.

'I am not a criminal. I am a person who works hard and I give everything I have got. I feel ashamed and anxious every day because of this, it's demoralising,' she said.

Clarke said the first thing she knew about the debt was when a sheriff knocked on her door and wouldn't explain the summons he gave her.

Ms Clarke remembered going inside and telling her aunt she might be in a world of trouble.

'I didn't understand what was happening. Even if there was a mistake, I still to this day don't understand why they [Centrelink] didn't contact me sooner,' she explained.

'Why didn't they say to me, "Hang on a minute, we have overpaid you, we need that back now." Why would they let someone who is on a low income, and a single parent, accumulate such a debt?'

The experience has left Ms Clarke with anxiety and panic attacks.

In a statement, Services Australia said: 'We always give people information about why we think they have been overpaid, before a debt is raised and any recovery action taken.'

Ms Clarke lived in the Brisbane suburb of Cleveland (pictured) when she received the bill and said she doesn't know why Centrelink didn't let her know she owed the money before she received a summons from a sheriff

Ms Clarke explained that Centrelink told her to speak to a lawyer and when she contacted legal aid she was told she would not win against the government. Pictured: people line up outside a Centrelink office

She explained that Centrelink told her to speak to a lawyer and when she contacted legal aid she was told she would not win against the government.

'She [the legal aid lawyer] basically told me that I should plead guilty. She said because it was my first offence, they wouldn't throw the book at me and I wouldn't get a criminal record.'

When her case was heard in the Cleveland Magistrates Court in December 2011 the judge warned Ms Clarke she could be imprisoned for nine months, but the police prosecutor did not seek jail time.

Ms Clarke had been working in childcare for decades but the conviction ended her career as she was not able to renew her Working with Children card.

The conviction has also stopped her receiving other jobs she applied for, including a role with Queensland Rail.
Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James has expressed his anguish at the shooting of Jacob Blake, Wisconsin man left fighting for his life in hospital after a police officer shot him seven times in the back.

He spoke as Mr Blakes home town of Kenosha saw people take angrily to the streets after the shooting, which was caught on graphic video by a neighbour and which has added fuel to nationwide protests against police brutality and racism.

In his remarks to the press, broadcast on ESPN, Mr James rejected the idea that the shooting was somehow inevitable or justified by anything Mr Blake did.

If youre sitting here telling me that there was no way to subdue that gentleman, or to detain him, or to just  before the firing of the guns  youre sitting here lying to not only me, youre lying to every African-American, every black person in the community.

Because we see it over and over and over. There was multiple  if you watch the video  there was multiple moments where, if they wanted to, they couldve tackled him, they couldve grabbed him. You know, they could have done that.

Citing the fact that Mr Blakes three sons were in the back of the car where the police shot him, Mr James  who also tweeted a furious message demanding justice  put the shooting in a broader context: the generalised police violence against Black people in America that has become the subject of a national uproar.

This s**ts, uh this s**ts, quite frankly its just f***ed up, in our community, he said. And I know people get tired of hearing me say it, but we are scared as Black people in America.

Black men, Black women, Black kids  we are terrified. Cause you dont know, you have no idea. You have no idea how that cop that day left the house.

You dont know if he woke up on the good side of the bed, you dont know if he woke up on the wrong side of the bed. You dont know if he had an argument at home with a significant other.

You dont know if one of his kids said something crazy to him and he left the house steaming. Or maybe he just left the house saying today is gonna be the end for one of these Black people.

Thats what it feels like. Thats what it feels like. It just hurts, it hurts.

Its through the grace of God that hes still living. Seven shots, close range, and hes still alive? Thats through the grace of God right there, and my prayers go out to that family and that community.

But Ive got nothing nice to say about those cops at all. At all.
Golden Pass LNG has cleared out crews at its Sabine Pass export terminal and is preparing for what could be a days-long work stoppage as Hurricane Laura comes closer to shore.

The company has confirmed plans to send almost all of its workers off-site except for a small emergency crew for the next several days, pending the impact of the incoming storm.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Coronavirus cases have surfaced at dozens of school and education sites in New Mexico this month, even without the return of traditional in-person classes, according to state records.

Theyve popped up across the state, from Albuquerque to Artesia, triggering the temporary closure of school buildings, contact tracing and deep cleaning.

Records published by the state Environment Department  which helps oversee rapid-response testing of employers  show schools have reported about 50 positive tests among employees at more than 30 locations since Aug. 1.

For school leaders, its been a preview of the challenges they might face when in-person classes resume.

Dennis Roch, superintendent of Logan Municipal Schools, said his district heard from three state agencies  the departments of Health, Environment and Public Education  after an employee tested positive earlier this month. Each agency, he said, responded at its own pace, some taking days to follow up.

Theres three separate agencies Im reporting to, answering a lot of the same kinds of questions from each, Roch said in an interview. It raises a question about how rapid is the response under this rapid response, and is the response even coordinated among different agencies?

State officials, in turn, say their multiagency approach provides a thorough response when schools report a COVID-19 infection.

In an interview, Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart said the Department of Health initiates robust case investigation and support and contact tracing work, with follow up from the Public Education Department.

We try to see it as kind of one integrated system, where we each have a role, Stewart said.

Now that schools are starting back up, he said, thePEDs role is to maintain contact with schools and make sure processes are in place to contain the virus and reopen safely. When an employee tests positive, Stewart said, the department helps the school make decisions about closure, cleaning and reopening.

Our No. 1 priority is to make sure that if we find a case, Stewart said, we are able to contain it and isolate it. And so the top thing that we have to do right now is keep getting case rates down so that we dont see outbreaks in schools, and we dont have to have schools open and then close and then reopen.

Numbers dropping

The number of new coronavirus cases detected in New Mexico each day has plunged over the past month  from a peak average of 330 cases a day in the week that ended July 29 to 138 a day in the week that ended Monday, according to a Journal analysis.

The states goal is to keep its seven-day rolling average of cases to 168 or below.

New Mexico, in fact, complies with all of its reopening criteria  a set of standards on how quickly the disease is spreading, testing capacity, the supply of medical equipment and hospital beds, and other factors.

The state reported just 76 more coronavirus cases Monday and two deaths, continuing the sharp downward trend in new infections over the past month.

The two fatalities pushed the statewide death toll to 747 since the pandemic hit New Mexico in March.

The victims reported Monday were both men  one in his 80s from Lea County, the other in his 60s from McKinley County. The younger man had an underlying health condition, a risk factor for the disease.

In-person classes

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration has instructed public schools to avoid traditional in-person classes through Labor Day, at least. Health officials have discussed allowing elementary school students to return to campus a few days a week after that.

But no final decision has been made on when, or how, to resume in-person learning.

Some districts  including Albuquerque and Santa Fe public schools  have already said they plan to continue distance learning beyond Sept. 8, even if the state permits some in-person classes.

State Rep. Christine Trujillo, an Albuquerque Democrat and chairwoman of the Legislative Education Study Committee, said she is worried about whether schools will have enough staff and supplies to adequately clean classrooms or replace employees who must enter quarantine.

Parents are struggling right now with day care and support systems, said Trujillo, a retired teacher. For them to have (school) off and on again anytime a kid or employee gets sick is just overwhelmingly problematic.

Roch, the Logan superintendent and a former Republican state legislator from eastern New Mexico, is more confident about the possibility of safely returning to in-person learning. Keeping students in smaller groups and preventing the mixing of large populations, he said, can limit the opportunity for spread of the disease.

The scale of any shutdown triggered by a positive test will depend on how many people were potentially exposed and other factors.

I think schools are going to be pretty nimble in those responses  because we have to, Roch said. Were doing everything we can to keep it safe.

Cases at APS

As with other employers, coronavirus cases are hitting school sites throughout New Mexico. In Bernalillo County, for example, Albuquerque Public Schools has reported at least 10 positive tests among employees to the state this month, including cases at West Mesa High, Hawthorne Elementary and Hayes Middle schools.

Acting APS Superintendent Scott Elder told lawmakers in July that districts needed better coordination from state agencies. A positive test by an employee is reported through the Occupational Health and Safety Bureau at the Environment Department, he said, and a student whos infected would be reported through the Department of Health.

The two agencies operate under different guidelines, Elder told lawmakers, and they react differently.

An APS spokeswoman said Monday that the state has made some adjustments since July to address Elders concerns.

At least one school employee who tested positive has been reported in Santa Fe, Socorro, Roswell, Rio Rancho, Clovis and Hobbs, among other communities.

Artesia Superintendent J.R. Null said his district closed a building Thursday through the weekend for deep cleaning after a positive test.

Weve been fortunate that the New Mexico Department of Health epidemiologists have been responsive, he said, and theyve been helpful in providing us with guidance.

Roch said Logan Municipal Schools is ready to meet the challenges of in-person learning. But its critical, he said, that the Public Education Department have a standard plan communicated to districts and charter schools for responding to virus cases.

Every school leader is going to face this exact situation in the near future, Roch said.

Roch may know better than most. He contracted the virus earlier this month  probably through exposure to the first employee who tested positive  and entered self-isolation.

Roch said he made a full recovery.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
OWINGS MILLS, Md., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IZI Medical Products, LLC ("IZI"), a leading manufacturer of interventional radiology devices, announces the official launch of its Osteo-Site Vertebral Balloon ("Osteo-Site Balloon") for vertebral augmentation. The Osteo-Site Balloon completes IZI's offering of Vertebral Compression Fracture ("VCF") treatment options, which include Osteo-Site Vertebroplasty, Osteo-Site Balloon Kyphoplasty, Blazer Curved Needle Augmentation, and Kiva PEEK Implant-based augmentation.

"We want to enable our physicians to choose the most clinically appropriate solution for their patients when treating vertebral compression fractures," said Greg Groenke, CEO, IZI Medical. "We have created an integrated portfolio of VCF treatment devices with the ability to switch between different treatment options with ease."

"IZI has completed the VCF toolbox: Kiva for metastatic VCF's, Blazer Curved Needle for targeted cement deployment in sclerotic bone and blastic metastases, and now Osteo-site Balloon and curved needle for osteoporotic fractures. IZI has made it simple to switch between all of them which gives me intra-operative flexibility," said Dr. Kieran Murphy, Professor of Radiology at University Health Network Toronto.

The new Osteo-site Vertebral Balloon is designed to create a cavity within the vertebral body. Currently, the balloon is available in 10G and 11G sizes. "The Osteo-site balloon will be paired with our Duro-Ject Injector, which provides maximum control and feedback during injection and minimizes radiation exposure with a long flexible tubing," said Jovie Soriano, SVP Marketing and Business Development, IZI Medical. "We have also made improvements to our Murphy access needles based on physician feedback that will be included in the Osteo-Site Balloon kit."

IZI Medical's VCF portfolio will be supported by a dedicated sales team of direct representatives and independent distributors to drive market penetration in the United States, followed by expansion into Europe.

About IZI Medical Products

As a leading innovator, manufacturer, and distributor of quality medical devices, IZI Medical provides the continuity that our healthcare partners need to succeed. Based in Owings Mills, Maryland, just outside Baltimore, IZI is a leading developer, manufacturer, and provider of high-quality medical consumable devices used in interventional radiology and oncology, radiation therapy, neuro-spine, and image guided surgery procedures. IZI has built a diverse portfolio of products backed by strong intellectual property and currently sells to more than 1,000 domestic customers as well as internationally across 25 countries.

CONTACT:

Jovie Soriano

IZI Medical Products, LLC

410-753-9121

[email protected]

SOURCE IZI Medical Products
"We are so grateful for Mountain America Credit Union for this gift of $53,000. This year has presented some unique challenges and we appreciate community partners who found a way to continue their commitment to our mission," says Susan Sheehan, president and chief operating officer at Huntsman Cancer Foundation. "These funds are essential in funding new, innovative ideas that will lead to lives saved. On behalf of Huntsman Cancer Foundation and the Huntsman family, we can't stress enough how much we appreciate the hope these funds will provide."

During the past seven Utah Jazz seasons, Mountain America has donated more than $400,000 to Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

"Mountain America is pleased to support Huntsman Cancer Foundation in their efforts to eradicate cancer," says Sterling Nielsen, president and chief executive officer at Mountain America Credit Union. "We are grateful for the support and hope Huntsman Cancer brings to our community through life-changing research and treatment."

About Mountain America Credit Union

With more than 920,000 members and $11 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union assists members on the right path to help them identify and achieve their financial dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge mobile banking technology, over 95 branches across five states, thousands of shared-branching locations nationwide and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain America  guiding you forward. Learn more at macu.com.

SOURCE Mountain America Credit Union

Related Links

http://www.macu.com


Archaeology project to unearth site of church founded by free and enslaved Blacks

Unearthing history: The 1957 archaeological excavation at the site of First Baptist Churchs original permanent structure on South Nassau Street in Williamsburg. This year a partnership led by First Baptist Church and Colonial Williamsburg has resumed archaeological investigation of the site. Photo courtesy Colonial Williamsburg Photo - of - Hide Caption

The site of one of Americas oldest churches founded entirely by free and enslaved Blacks may soon be unearthed. Archaeologists, under the guidance of First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, will begin excavating this nationally significant site in early September to find the earliest structure within the city limits where the congregation met.

Students and scholars from William & Mary will assist Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists as they dig in the ground and through church and foundation records to explore the churchs history.

As they do, they will also explore the complex relationship between the two institutions to gain a better understanding of their shared history. The university is offering two foundation-funded fellowships for graduate students enrolled in its anthropology program, as well as opportunities for undergraduates enrolled in the National Institute of American History and Democracy program.

Additionally, university faculty representing multiple fields, including community archaeology, historical biology and public history, are offering their expertise.

Were delighted to be a part of this collaboration and to be supporting historical discovery of such consequence, said William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe, who serves on the projects steering committee.

The First Baptist dig represents a significant step in Williamsburgs commitment to document and tell a much fuller story of the defining role of African Americans in our nations history, Rowe added. For W&M, its particularly important that our students can directly contribute. Our graduate students will be working on the Nassau Street dig and our undergrad NIAHD students will be involved in the archival search.

If successful, this initiative will enable Colonial Williamsburg to expand its Black-interpretative programming through voices that have been silent since the Revolution.

Ground-penetrating radar indicates that remains of this early structure used by members of First Baptist Churchoriginally founded in secret by free and enslaved Blacks at the start of Americas Revolutionmay lie buried near the intersection of Nassau and Francis streets in Colonial Williamsburgs Historic Area.

Its here that archaeologists and church leaders hope to unearth evidence of what researchers believe may have been the structure that was offered for their use by a white landowner named Jesse Cole, who owned the property at the time. The team also will explore how the congregation used the structure and seek to identify any burial sites present so they can be protected and memorialized.

This is a rare and important opportunity to tell the story of early African Americans taking control of their own story, and their own lives, said Pastor Reginald F. Davis. The story of First Baptist Church starts with its foundation, both the physical structure that we hope to reveal and the principles of religious freedom, justice and democracy on which the church and this country were founded. As our community comes together to explore this important site, we hope to also reveal voices that have important lessons to teach us about our countrys roots.

The first phase of the public excavation, which will last approximately seven weeks, is fully funded through donor support. Future phases are under development and will be informed by the findings uncovered during the teams initial work.

First Baptist Church and Colonial Williamsburg  in collaboration with the Let Freedom Ring Foundation and a consortium of stakeholders representing William & Mary, local museums, churches, the city and community organizations  plan to host several community open houses to highlight the excavations progress and present their findings to the public.

The church played an integral role in Williamsburgs complex and divided history. Community involvement in this public history project continues the churchs ministry of inclusivity as we work to heal as a nation and reconcile our past. The exploration of this sacred site will serve as an example to the state and the nation of the work that is still needed to tell the whole storynot Black or white, but the American story, said Connie Matthews Harshaw, president of the Let Freedom Ring Foundation.

Colonial Williamsburg first investigated the Nassau Street property in 1957 to determine the existence of any 18th-century structures on the site. Using standard archaeological techniques of the time, excavators dug trenches looking for brick foundations. Most of the excavators were Black men whose identities are being investigated now with plans to recognize their work.

Research resumed this year using 21st-century technology as part of Colonial Williamsburgs ongoing commitment to explore, honor and interpret the lives of Black men, women and children whose extraordinary contributions helped build the nation.

Notes and maps from the 1957 excavation were revisited and the early findings were digitized into Colonial Williamsburgs archaeological mapping database. Additionally, photographs of the congregations later brick church on Nassau Street, built in 1856 and demolished a century later, informed the preliminary research phase of the project and determined the first steps.

In May, First Baptist Church and Colonial Williamsburg teamed up with archaeologists from the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation to conduct ground-penetrating radar analysis on the site. Partially covered by a paved parking lot, the data revealed evidence of historically significant archaeological findings. The site is now being prepared for a full excavation, which includes collaborating with the city to remove 11 parking spaces adjacent to the project site to accommodate the excavation and possibly rebuild the structure.

There is evidence of a late 18th-century or early 19th-century structure below later buildings used by the church, leading us to wonder if it could be the remains of the first church building. The results of this initial phase will help to inform how we move forward with additional research that will allow us to fully interpret and commemorate this nationally important site, said Jack Gary, Colonial Williamsburgs director of archaeology.

Discussions are underway for future phases of the excavation. Based on the archaeological findings, the foundation is also exploring ideas for presenting and interpreting the site as part of its educational mission.

We are still in the initial phases of the excavation, but we are excited about the possibilities for interpreting the First Baptist Church site as part of Colonial Williamsburgs mission to share Americas enduring story. This public archaeology project underscores our communitys commitment to telling a more complete and inclusive story of the men and women who lived, worked and worshipped here during our countrys formative years, said Cliff Fleet, president and CEO of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

The First Baptist Church archaeology project continues an ongoing collaboration between the church and Colonial Williamsburg. In 2016 the institutions joined to conserve First Baptist Churchs Freedom Bell and renovate the churchs bell tower, allowing the bell to ring that year for the first time since segregation.

That same year the bell travelled to Washington, D.C. for the dedication of the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of African American History and Culture. There it was rung by then-President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama and the late Ruth Odom Bonner, the child of an enslaved father, and three generations of her descendants.

First Baptist Church history

First Baptist Church was organized in 1776 by enslaved and free Blacks in defiance of laws of the day forbidding the congregation of African Americans. First led by the Rev. Moses, a free Black itinerant preacher, they built a brush arbor at Green Spring Plantation several miles from Williamsburg to gather secretly in song and prayer.

Organized as Baptists by 1781 under the Rev. Gowan Pamphlet, an enslaved man in Williamsburg, worshippers moved to Raccoon Chase, a rural area just outside the city. Moved by their stirring hymns and heartfelt prayers, Jesse Cole, a member of the citys white Cole family offered the congregation use of a building on property that is now part of the Historic Area on the northwest corner of South Nassau Street and Francis Street West.

By 1818 a structure referred to as the Baptist Meeting House stood on this property and may have existed here as early as the late-18th century.

In 1834 a tornado destroyed the Baptist Meeting House along with several other structures on the Cole property. The African Baptist Church, as it became known before the Civil War, dedicated a new brick church on the site of the earlier building in 1856. Several years later, in 1863, the congregation was renamed First Baptist Church.

In 1956 Colonial Williamsburg acquired the land on South Nassau Street from First Baptist Church and tore down the 19th-century building. Payment for the Nassau Street property covered the land and construction costs of the congregations current church at 727 Scotland Street, which opened the following year.

This story was excerpted from a news release issued by First Baptist Church and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
Multiple wildfires are burning in the greater North Bay. Cal Fire is referring to them collectively as the LNU Lightning Complex. LNU stands for Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, and you can find the latest evacuation info here. A map of the fire is available here. The biggest fires are:

Hennessey Fire (merged with Gamble, Green, Aetna, Markley, Morgan, Spanish and Round): Napa County, 296,050 acres, 29% contained

Walbridge Fire (merged with Stewarts): Sonoma County, west of Healdsburg, 54,403 acres, 17% contained

Meyers Fire: Sonoma County, north of Jenner, 2,360 acres, 97% contained

---

LATEST Aug. 25, 8:45 p.m. Fire activity increased in Lake County on Tuesday, with crews on the LNU Lightning Complex focusing their efforts on an area just outside the town of Middletown.

"If you look at that whole northern portion of the fire that's going into Lake County is where we've been putting our efforts to wrap around it," said Cal Fire public information officer Chris Bridger. "You have Calistoga down below it and Middletown above it. There are a lot of residences in there. That portion of the fire was our priority today, and we're working to get lines wrapped around that area."

The LNU Lightning Complex fire stood at 356,326 acres with 27% containment as of Tuesday evening. The complex is a collection of blazes and the incident known as the Hennessy Fire started in Napa County and merged with other wildfires, crossing into Lake County.

KTVU said Tuesday that aircraft were unable to take off from the Cal Fire heliport in Lake County due to active fire and thick wildfire smoke.

"Firefighters performed what is called a backfiring operation," KTVU reported. "Backfiring operations are fires deliberately set so that the fire burns up the hill instead of down the hill where it has an open field run toward Middletown."

Aug. 25, 7:15 p.m. Cal Fire released a status report on the LNU Lightning Complex fires in the North Bay at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The fire is now 356,326 acres with 27% containment. Inspection teams have identified 978 homes that have been destroyed and 256 damaged; 30,500 structures remain threatened.

The fire has taken five lives and injured four civilians.

"Extreme fire behavior with short- and long-range spotting are continuing to challenge firefighting efforts," Cal Fire said. "Fires continue to make runs in several directions, impacting multiple communities. Overnight firefighters will continue work to further contain the fire."

See the full status update here.

Aug. 25, 2 p.m. Cal Fire has announced an update to evacuations, lifting some orders and warnings for parts of Sonoma County. The orders include areas in the city of Healdsburg, and around Russian River, the Sonoma Coast and the Cazadero Highway.

See all the areas affected by the lifting of orders in Sonoma County here.

In Napa County, Cal Fire has reduced some evacuation orders to warnings. Those along portions of the Silverado Trail south from Deer Park Road to Highway 128 are affected, as well as others in some parts of Howell Mountain Road.

Others along Deer Park Road and other portions of Highway 128 and Howell Mountain Road remain under evacuation orders.

See the updated evacuation orders for Napa County here.

Aug. 25, 1:45 p.m. FEMA and the California Office of Emergency Services have announced survivors of the numerous wildfires across Northern California may now register for financial assistance from the federal government. Funds will go toward home repair and replacement, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov/ for more information.

Aug. 25, 8 a.m. A fire raging in California's Wine Country for more than a week has claimed five lives, and this week a man who knew three of those people is sharing his grief.

Robert McNeal told NBC Bay Area that he lost his 70-year-old mother, her boyfriend and her boyfriend's son in the LNU Lightning Complex when they became trapped on their Napa County property.

"She was one of the most caring people that I've ever met," McNeal said of his mother, who he said tried to evacuate but hit a roadblock and turned around to ride the blaze out in a makeshift shelter. "I hope I can get half of that in myself."

The two other civilian deaths occurred in Solano County.

The LNU Complex started as a large group of blazes sparked by lightning strikes more than a week ago and as fires merged, it has grown into a monstrous inferno, leveling California's parched landscape and incinerating homes. The second-largest fire in California history, the LNU Complex is spread across five counties: Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Solano and Yolo.

Crews have gained containment of the fire in recent days with cooler temperatures, humid conditions and stable winds suppressing fire activity and allowing firefighters to build containment lines. A huge win came on Monday when the North Bay dodged thunderstorms moving across Northern; the lightning and erratic winds in the forecast never materialized.

The blaze saw minimal growth overnight, going from 351,817 acres Monday night to 352,913 this morning, Cal Fire said in its Tuesday morning status report. Before nightfall the fire was 25% contained and as of Tuesday afternoon, it's 27% contained.

Many evacuated zones are expected to be repopulated in the coming days, Cal Fire officials said at a morning press conference. For full evacuation orders and changes, visit here.

The highest priority of the fire is the stretch near Middletown. Chris Waters, the Cal Fire operations section chief, said crews are setting backfires and using bulldozers and hand crews to solidify containment lines.

"This is the last, most difficult part of the fire," Waters said. With good weather conditions over the next few days, he's hopeful crews will make progress by the end of the week.

The Hennessey Fire in Napa County went from 294,602 acres Monday night to 296,050 acres this morning. The Walbridge Fire west of Healdsburg in Sonoma County remains 54,503 acres and containment increased from 7% to 17%. The Meyers Fire in Sonoma County remained 2,360 acres and is 97% contained.

The number of homes destroyed continues to grow as ground crews conduct investigations in burn areas. The latest count is more than 937 homes destroyed, 248 damaged and 30,500 threatened.

Some evacuation have been downgraded from mandatory evacuations to warnings and residents can return home at their own risk, only using those roads that are open. For full evacuation orders and changes, visit here.

Cal Fire officials said Monday that fire crews currently do not have the infrastructure to take donations from the public.

"We greatly appreciate the public's support and desire to donate, but we do not have the infrastructure to accept any donations, especially food," Cal Fire said in a statement. "This is carefully regulated in fire camp by health and safety ordinances, and adheres to COVID-19 regulations. In lieu of donations, please contact your local Red Cross or other organizations to see if they are accepting assistance for those in need, or for information about how you can help those evacuated."

Click here for evacuation information from Cal Fire and find more evacuation details below:

Sonoma County: Find latest evacuation information at SoCo Emergency.

Napa County: Find evacuation information at Napa County Office of Emergency Services.

Lake County: Sign up for evacuation information with Lake County here.

Solano County: Evacuation information on the Solano County website.

Yolo County: Evacuation information on the Solano County website.

For updates on the complex, check the Cal Fire website.

Amy Graff is the news editor for SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 00:39:58|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has proposed solid measures for regional cooperation at the third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) leaders' meeting to jointly cope with global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the event, held by video link on Monday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang proposed to expand cooperation in areas such as water resources, connectivity and public health among the six Lancang-Mekong countries, namely China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Zhang Lili, a professor with China Foreign Affairs University, said these measures demonstrate China's role as a responsible country and its efforts to promote building a community with a shared future for mankind.

WATER RESOURCES COOPERATION

The LMC mechanism was launched by the six countries in 2016.

Its name comes from a river: It is called Lancang in China and Mekong after flowing out of the country into Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The Chinese premier said starting from this year, China will share the Lancang River's hydrological data for the whole year with Mekong countries.

Zhai Kun, a professor of international studies at Peking University, said this represented a step forward in water resources cooperation as China used to share only the hydrological data during the flood season.

The Chinese premier also noted that China will work with other LMC countries to establish a Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Information Sharing Platform to better tackle climate change and natural disasters such as floods and droughts.

As the upstream country, China has actively responded to the expectations of downstream countries to strengthen cooperation with a sense of responsibility, increase trust and dispel doubts as well as help the LMC countries to better manage water resources, Zhai added.

REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY

China also proposed synergizing the LMC with the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, which passes through western China and connects Southeast Asia with the Eurasian continent.

Zhai said the trade corridor would activate the synergetic development of the western and southwestern China market and the ASEAN market, and thus help optimize the allocation of resources, keep industrial and supply chains stable and promote the Belt and Road construction.

According to China's Ministry of Transport, transportation connectivity through railway, road and waterway has been greatly improved under the LMC mechanism.

The Chinese section of the China-Vietnam railway has completed electrification, and the construction of the rail tracks from China to Laos, Thailand and Myanmar is proceeding smoothly; 29 cross-border road transportation routes from Yunnan to Laos and Vietnam have been opened; China's part of the Lancang-Mekong shipping lane has been upgraded to allow 300-tonne ships to navigate.

Hailing the LMC mechanism as a paradigm of the sub-regional cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, Ruan Zongze, executive vice president of the China Institute of International Studies, said the countries take full use of the geographic advantages to push ahead connectivity.

Merging the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor with the LMC will enhance the China-ASEAN strategic partnership, push forward the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, and raise regional economic integration to a higher level, Ruan added.

PANDEMIC RESPONSE

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, LMC countries are also concerned about how to cooperate more on public health.

China promised to set up a special fund for public health under the framework of the LMC Special Fund and continue to provide material and technical support to the Mekong countries to the best of its ability.

Also, once developed and used in China, COVID-19 vaccines will be provided to Mekong countries on a priority basis, said Premier Li.

Ruan said the countries working together to combat the pandemic has created favorable conditions for future cooperation in various fields, promoted people-to-people exchanges and injected strong confidence and impetus into broader regional collaboration. Enditem
Washington, D.C.  In her Republican National Convention speech, former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle described herself as a first-generation American, citing her mothers Puerto Rican roots.

But Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and its residents are U.S. citizens.

Guilfoyle, a Trump campaign adviser and the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr., cited her family history on Monday to make the case that she knows how dangerous a socialist agenda would be for the nation.

She says her mother was a special education teacher from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, while her father, whom she described as also an immigrant, came to this nation in pursuit of the American dream. Her father is from Ireland.

Now, she says, I consider it my duty to protect that dream.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for clarification.

Guilfoyle also criticized the state of California, which her ex-husband Gavin Newsom serves as governor.

Just take a look at California, she said in the pre-recorded video. It is a place of immense wealth, immeasurable innovation and an immaculate environment. And the Democrats turned it into a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes.
Khartoum, Aug 26 : Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said the government has no mandate to normalize ties with Israel and that any such move would come after the transitional period.

Hamdok made the remarks when meeting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who is on a one-day visit to Sudan, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.

Hamdok explained that the transitional period in Sudan is led by a broad alliance with specific agenda to complete the transition process and achieve peace and stability in the country prior to holding fair elections.

"The transitional government does not have a mandate beyond these tasks to decide on normalization with Israel. This matter will be decided after completion of the transitional rule structures," Hamdok said.

The prime minister further urged the US administration to separate between the process of removing Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism and the issue of normalization with Israel.

For his part, Pompeo voiced the US administration's support to the transition and peace process in Sudan, including the efforts to achieve security and stability in Darfur and other conflict-affected areas.

Pompeo arrived in Khartoum from Jerusalem on Tuesday. He is the first US secretary of state to visit the African country since 2005, when Condoleezza Rice visited.
New Delhi: Former IPS officer Kuppusamy Annamalai joined the BJP on Tuesday, asserting that he will work to bring the "nationalist spirit" to Tamil Nadu.

Joining the BJP at its national headquarters here, Annamalai heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he embodies a leader's qualities of fearlessness, courage, knowledge and giving spirit.

"I will work to strengthen what the BJP stands for and to bring that nationalist spirit to the state of Tamil Nadu," the 36-year-old former police officer, who has been involved in social work since quitting the IPS, told reporters.

BJP general secretary P Muralidhar Rao, who is his party's in-charge for the state, said the party has been attracting people from different segments into its fold in the state, which has been traditionally dominated by the two Dravidian parties, AIADMK and DMK.

He said it is very important to strengthen nationalist movement in Tamil Nadu, which will go to the assembly polls in the first half of the next year. Tamil Nadu BJP chief L Murugan was also present at the joining ceremony. Annamalai later met BJP national president J P Nadda.

Nadda had on Monday assailed the opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu, accusing it of being a "sheltering ground for people not working in the interest of the nation" and "always inciting feelings against the national spirit."
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / FIORE GOLD LTD. (TSXV:F)(OTCQB:FIOGF)(FSE:2FO) ("Fiore" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the third fiscal quarter ("Q3 2020") ended June 30, 2020, have been filed with the securities regulatory authorities and are available at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.fioregold.com.

Fiscal Q3 2020 Highlights

(all figures in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated)

Operating & Financial

Q3 gold production of 12,764 ounces, a second successive quarter of record gold production

Gold sales of 12,761 ounces at an average realized price of $1,720 per ounce

Recorded quarterly revenues of $22.0 million with mine operating income of $8.3 million

Generated Pan operating cash flow 1 of $11.8 million and consolidated operating cash flow of $10.5 million, both records for Fiore Gold

of $11.8 million and consolidated operating cash flow of $10.5 million, both records for Fiore Gold Adjusted net earnings 1 of $5.7 million and adjusted net earnings per share 1 of $0.06 per share, net income of $5.1 million

of $5.7 million and adjusted net earnings per share of $0.06 per share, net income of $5.1 million Closing cash balance of $17.3 million, a significant increase of $8.2 million relative to our last reported cash balance as of March 31, 2020

Strengthened balance sheet with net working capital of $34.1 million as of June 30, 2020

Mined ore production in Q3 of 14,877 tons per day with a stripping ratio of 1.3:1.0 and grade of 0.016 ounces/ton

Q3 cash costs per ounce sold 1 of $916, a $67 per ounce reduction relative to Q2 2020 reflecting the expected benefit of a decreasing stripping ratio

of $916, a $67 per ounce reduction relative to Q2 2020 reflecting the expected benefit of a decreasing stripping ratio Q3 Pan Mine AISC 1 per ounce sold of $1,085 and Fiore consolidated AISC 1 of $1,203. The cash cost reduction was offset by an increase in capitalized exploration drilling at Pan to extend the mine life.

per ounce sold of $1,085 and Fiore consolidated AISC of $1,203. The cash cost reduction was offset by an increase in capitalized exploration drilling at Pan to extend the mine life. 72,555 total site man-hours worked in Q3 with no reportable incidents and zero lost-time injuries

Mining declared an essential business in Nevada and the Pan Mine continues to operate with strict protocols in place focused on protecting the health and safety of our employees. No reported cases of COVID-19 for our employees or contractors to date.

Organic Growth

Results of the Gold Rock Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") released on April 9th demonstrated positive economics for the project with opportunities to further enhance value

Subsequent to quarter end, the Company announced the start of a program at Gold Rock of resource expansion, metallurgical, geotechnical and condemnation drilling in support of a Feasibility Study targeted for completion in the second half of 2021

Completed a Pan exploration drilling program of 21,741 metres (71,330 feet) with a resource update and new life of mine plan to be issued in September 2020

On May 19, 2020, Fiore Gold announced a 2.0 million ounce measured and indicated resource at its Golden Eagle Project in Washington State, USA

Tim Warman, Fiore's CEO commented, "The Pan mine continues to establish itself as the cash engine to support our aggressive growth targets. Stand-alone, Pan generated $11.8 million in operating cash flow in the quarter and Fiore generated $10.5 million in operating cash flow. Our balance sheet is now fully funded to complete the drilling and development program targeting a Gold Rock Feasibility Study in the second half of 2021. Subsequent to quarter-end, we completed an extensive Pan drilling program which will support an Updated Resource and Reserve estimate and related Life of Mine plan in H2 2020. With six rigs currently drilling at Gold Rock, we remain fully committed to our goal of operating Pan and Gold Rock in unison, providing organic growth to annual gold production of more than 100,000 ounces in Nevada. Separately, we announced a 2.0 million ounce Measured and Indicated resource at our Golden Eagle Project in Washington State. We expect this project will continue to emerge as a valuable third asset in our portfolio."

We continue to recognize the inherent risk posed by COVID-19. The health and safety of our employees comes first, and we have put a range of operating protocols in place to best mitigate the risk to them. We are fortunate that we have no reported cases at site and continue to operate.

Review of Operating Results

Three Months Ended

June 30, Operating Results 2020 2019 Ore Mined (t) 1,353,799 1,284,413 Waste Mined (t) 1,795,385 2,198,602 Total Mined (t) 3,149,184 3,483,015 Gold Ounces Mined (oz) 21,622 17,471 Ore Grade Mined (oz/t) 0.016 0.014 Strip Ratio waste/ore 1.3 1.7 Gold Ounces Produced (oz) 12,764 11,685 Gold Ounces Sold (Payable) (oz) 12,761 11,504 Average Realized Price1 $/oz 1,720 1,318 Total Cash Costs per Ounce1 $/oz 916 928 Cost of Sales per Ounce1 $/oz 1,070 1,050 Pan Mine AISC per Ounce1 $/oz 1,085 985 Fiore Consolidated AISC per Ounce1 $/oz 1,203 1,120

Ore tons mined is ahead of prior year in part due to positive ore reconciliation, resulting in mining 14,877 tons per day. At a gold grade of 0.016 oz/t, we mined 21,622 ounces in the quarter, a 24% increase over the prior year period. Gold production at 12,764 ounces represents a second successive quarter of record gold production as Pan continues to operate safely and efficiently.

Cash cost per ounce sold for Q3 2020 was $916 per ounce, a $67 per ounce decrease relative to Q2 2020 of $983 per ounce and a $12 decrease compared Q3 2019 at $928 per ounce. The reduction is due to the lower strip ratio, as guided, and improved mining efficiencies. Q3 2020 Pan Mine AISC1 per ounce sold was $1,085 and Fiore Consolidated AISC1 per ounce sold was $1,203. During the quarter, we incurred approximately $1.4 million of sustaining capital expenditures, primarily related to the developmental drilling program at the Pan Mine, compared to $0.1 million during the prior year period. The $1.4 million of sustaining capital expenditures during the current quarter accounted for $111 of the $1,085 Pan Mine AISC1.

1 This is a non-IFRS financial measure. Please refer to "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" at the end of this news release for a description of these non-IFRS financial measures and to the Non-IFRS Financial measures in the June 30, 2020 Management's Discussion and Analysis for a reconciliation to operating costs from the Company's interim financial statements.

Key Developments

Pan Mine

With Pan operating well, we continue our focus on drilling to expand the resource and reserves, and increase mine life. Initial results of the current resource expansion drill program were announced on December 10, 2019. On May 12, 2020, we released drill results on a further sixty-four holes drilled at several locations around the main North Pan pits, as well as the smaller Syncline and Black Stallion satellite pits. Subsequent to quarter-end, on August 12, 2020, Fiore reported the final seventy-six holes of the overall program. The holes were aimed at expanding the existing oxide resources and reserves both at depth and laterally beyond the current reserve boundaries. In total, 183 holes for a total of 21,741 metres (71,330 ft) were drilled as part of the 2019-2020 Pan resource expansion program and all but the last few of these holes will be incorporated in the upcoming resource and reserve estimate.

An initial eight-hole program (PR20-072 to -079) at the Mustang target, located approximately 1,500 m northwest of the Pan North pit, encountered gold mineralization within a low angle structure at the contact between the Pilot shale and the underlying Devils Gate limestone. Five of the eight holes encountered significant gold mineralization, with the best intercepts in PR20-073 with 13.7 m at 0.48 g/t gold and PR20-074 with 10.7 m at 0.62 g/t gold. The Mustang zone will be targeted for follow-up in the next phase of drilling with the goal of defining a mineable reserve.

Gold Rock

On April 9, 2020, we announced results from a PEA completed for the federally permitted Gold Rock gold project located approximately 8 miles southeast of the Pan Mine. This PEA represents the first ever economic and technical analysis of mining at Gold Rock and shows the project can deliver solid returns for a modest capital investment. The PEA provides an updated mineral resource estimate and a base case assessment of developing the Project as a satellite open pit operation that will share significant infrastructure and management with the adjacent Pan Mine. The PEA also identifies a considerable number of opportunities to enhance the project economics as Gold Rock advances to the Feasibility stage by drilling to increase the mineral resource, further metallurgical testing aimed at improving recoveries, and geotechnical drilling aimed at reducing the stripping ratio. On May 13, 2020, Fiore filed the related technical report.

Subsequent to quarter end, the Company announced the start of a program at Gold Rock of resource expansion, metallurgical, geotechnical and condemnation drilling in support of a Feasibility Study targeted for completion in the second half of 2021

Q3 2020 Financial Results

Three Months Ended June 30, Financial Results of Operations 2020 2019 Select Items - On a Consolidated Basis $000's $000's Revenue 21,959 15,163 Mine Operating Income 8,304 3,082 Income from Operations 6,508 974 Operating Cash Flow 10,457 2,444 Unrealized Loss on Derivatives, net (580 ) (823 ) Net Income / (Loss) 5,136 (463 ) Adjusted Net Earnings1 5,712 355

Financial Position as of: June 30,

2020 September 30,

2019 Select Items - On a Consolidated Basis $000's $000's Cash 17,272 7,280 Inventories 24,790 20,886 Total Current Assets 42,765 29,610 Mineral Property, Plant and Equipment, net 17,073 18,764 Total Assets 68,080 56,156 Total Current Liabilities (8,682 ) (6,558 ) Long-Term Liabilities (11,253 ) (10,279 ) Working Capital Surplus 34,083 23,052

Relative to the prior year quarter, Fiore demonstrated improvements on all profitability and cash flow measures noted above. This was due to record gold production, the benefit of higher realized gold prices, and slightly lower cash costs per ounce of gold sold.

Our liquidity and financial position strengthened with a higher cash balance of $17.3 million and working capital of $34.1 million. Refer to the Company's MD&A and Financial Statements for additional information. The improvement in financial strength puts Fiore in a good position to continue to progress our growth assets and mitigate potential risks posed by COVID-19.

1 This is a non-IFRS financial measure. Please refer to "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" at the end of this news release for a description of these non-IFRS financial measures and to the Non-IFRS Financial measures in the June 30, 2020 Management's Discussion and Analysis for a reconciliation to operating costs from the Company's interim financial statements.

Webinar

Fiore Gold will host a webinar with Red Cloud Securities on Wednesday, August 26 at 2:00pm EST. Please register at https://www.redcloudfs.com/rcwebinar-f-2/. The webinar will be available for playback at www.fioregold.com.

Corporate Strategy

Our corporate strategy is to grow Fiore Gold into a 150,000 ounce per year gold producer. To achieve this, we intend to:

grow gold production at the Pan Mine while also growing the reserve and resource base;

advance exploration and development of the nearby Gold Rock project; and

acquire additional production or near-production assets to complement our existing operations.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release relating to Fiore Gold's Pan Mine was approved by J. Ross MacLean (MMSA), Fiore Gold's Chief Operating Officer and a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101. The scientific and technical information contained in this news release relating to the Gold Rock and Golden Eagle projects were approved by Paul Noland (AIPG CPG-11293), Fiore Gold's VP Exploration and a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of FIORE GOLD LTD.

"Tim Warman"

Chief Executive Officer

Contact Us:

info@fioregold.com

1 (416) 639-1426 Ext. 1

www.fioregold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company has included certain non-IFRS measures in this document, as discussed below. The Company believes that these measures, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The non-IFRS measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers.

"Adjusted net earnings" and "adjusted net earnings per share" are non-IFRS financial performance measures. Adjusted net earnings excludes the following from net earnings: certain impairment charges (reversals) related to intangibles, goodwill, property, plant and equipment, and investments; gains (losses) and other one-time costs relating to acquisitions or dispositions; foreign currency translation gains (losses); significant tax adjustments not related to current period earnings; unrealized gains (losses) on non-hedge derivative instruments; and the tax effect and non-controlling interest of these items. The Company uses this measure internally to evaluate our underlying operating performance for the reporting periods presented and to assist with the planning and forecasting of future operating results. We believe that adjusted net earnings are a useful measure of our performance because these adjusting items do not reflect the underlying operating performance of our business and are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.

We have adopted "all-in sustaining costs" measures for the Pan Mine and Fiore as a consolidated group, consistent with guidance issued by the World Gold Council ("WGC") on June 27, 2013. We believe that the use of all-in sustaining costs is helpful to analysts, investors and other stakeholders in assessing our operating performance, our ability to generate free cash flow from current operations and our overall value. These measures are helpful to governments and local communities in understanding the economics of gold mining. The "all-in sustaining costs" measure is an extension of existing "cash cost" metrics and incorporates costs related to sustaining production. The WGC definition of all-in sustaining costs seeks to extend the definition of total cash costs by adding reclamation and remediation costs, exploration and study costs, capitalized stripping costs, corporate general and administrative costs and sustaining capital expenditures to represent the total costs of producing gold from current operations. All-in sustaining costs exclude income tax, interest costs, depreciation, non-sustaining capital expenditures, non-sustaining exploration expense and other items needed to normalize earnings. Therefore, these measures are not indicative of our cash expenditures or overall profitability.

"Total cash cost per ounce sold" is a common financial performance measure in the gold mining industry but has no standard meaning under IFRS. The Company reports total cash costs on a sales basis. We believe that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The measure, along with sales, is considered to be a key indicator of a Company's ability to generate operating earnings and cash flow from its mining operations. "Costs of sales per ounce sold" adds depreciation and depletion and share based compensation allocated to production to the cash costs figures.

Total cash costs figures are calculated in accordance with a standard developed by The Gold Institute, which was a worldwide association of suppliers of gold and gold products and included leading North American gold producers. The Gold Institute ceased operations in 2002, but the standard is considered the accepted standard of reporting cash cost of production in North America. Adoption of the standard is voluntary, and the cost measures presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measure of other companies.

"Total cash costs per ounce", "cost of sales per ounce", "all-in sustaining costs per ounce", "Pan operating income" and "Pan operating cash flow" are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standardized definition under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies may calculate the measure differently.

"Average realized price" is a financial measure with no standard meaning under IFRS. Management uses this measure to better understand the price realized in each reporting period for gold sales. Average realized price excludes from revenues unrealized gains and losses, if applicable, on non-hedge derivative contracts. The average realized price is intended to provide additional information only and does not have any standardized definition under IFRS; it should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate this measure differently.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management's best estimates, assumptions and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to future operations at the Pan Mine, expected production, expected costs, expected mining rates, strip ratios, all cost, all 2020 production and cost guidance, estimates of mineral resources and reserves, expectations that the Company will add additional resources and reserves through drilling, timing of a resource and mine plan update for the Pan Mine, effectiveness of protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the future planned development and estimates described in the Gold Rock PEA, Gold Rock drilling and development plan, operations and production described in the Gold Rock PEA, Gold Rock drilling and metallurgical testing, funding for Gold Rock Development, expectation and timing for a Gold Rock Feasibility Study, estimates described in the Golden Eagle resource estimate, plans for the Golden Eagle project, liquidity and future financial performance, opportunity for organic growth to annual production of more than 100,000 god ounces in Nevada, company outlook, goal to become a 150,000 ounce producer, goal to acquire additional production or near production assets, and other statements, estimates or expectations. Often, but not always, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "targets", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "scheduled", "estimates", "aims", "will", "believes", "projects" and similar expressions (including negative variations) which by their nature refer to future events. By their very nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Fiore Gold's control. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, as well as a number of assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company concerning, among other things, anticipated geological formations, potential mineralization, future plans for exploration and/or development, potential future production, ability to obtain permits for future operations, drilling exposure, and exploration budgets and timing of expenditures, all of which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of Fiore Gold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward looking statements include, but not limited to, risks related to the Pan Mine performance; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including government restrictions impacting our operations, risks the pandemic poses to our work-force, impacts the virus may have on ability to obtain services and materials from our suppliers and contractors; risks related to the company's limited operating history; risks related to international operations; risks related to general economic conditions, actual results of current or future exploration activities, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; increases in market prices of mining consumables; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results, test results and the estimation of gold resources and reserves; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the possibility that capital and operating costs may be higher than currently estimated; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work programs; availability of financing; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of exploration, development or construction activities; the possibility that required permits may not be obtained on a timely manner or at all; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and political and economic developments in countries in which Fiore Gold operates, and other factors identified in Fiore Gold's filings with Canadian securities authorities under its profile at www.sedar.com respecting the risks affecting Fiore and its business. Although Fiore has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Fiore disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

SOURCE: Fiore Gold Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603342/Fiore-Gold-Reports-Fiscal-Q3-Operating-Cash-Flow-of-US-105-Million
A man has been charged with deliberately lighting fires over eight months beginning at the height of Australia's catastrophic 2019-20 bushfire season.

Emergency services first responded at 1am to a blaze at an empty Hilltop Avenue block at Lake Heights in the New South Wales Lake Illawarra region on January 15 this year.

The fire ripped through the block partially destroying a fence on a bordering street and reaching within metres of a nearby house.

A man has been charged with deliberately lighting fires in a vacant block of land over eight months beginning at the height of Australia's catastrophic 2019-20 bushfire season (pictured: Firemen near the town of Bargo on December 21, 2019)

Australia 2019-20 summer bushfires were some of the largest on record (pictured: Rural Fire Service firefighters extinguish a fire on a property on January 23, 2020 in Moruya, Australia)

The blaze was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW and an investigation was launched by Lake Illwarra Police District detectives.

At 2.30am on Tuesday, a man was observed by detectives carrying items to the block in order to burn them, police will allege.

Detectives allege the 53-year-old man had attended the block on 28 occasions between January and August to light fires.

He was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station, where he was charged with 28 counts of intentionally cause fire and being reckless as to its spread.

Flying embers are seen on January 23, 2020 in Moruya, Australia during the summer bushfires

The man was refused bail and will front Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday.

Australia's 2019-20 summer bushfires burned for months across six states and scorched more than 12 million hectares of land.

Hundreds or properties were razed across the country and multiple lives were lost.

The fires were also catastrophic for Australia's wildlife with the World Wildlife Fund estimating up to a billion native animals perished.

In Mallacoota, a seaside town just south of the New South Wales and Victoria border, smoke caused the sky to turn blood red, then black in the middle of the day on New Years Eve.

Pollution was listed at 'hazardous' levels on multiple days in the cities of Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

Large numbers of blazes were believed to have been started deliberately, while others were caused by dry and hazardous conditions.

Tourists (pictured) seek refuge on the beach at the community of Lake Conjola, south of Lake Illlwarra, as bushfires swept through the region on New Year's Eve
Jerry Falwell Jr. Claims Fatal Attraction Plot After Pool Boy Details Alleged Relationship with Couple

In response to Falwell, Giancarlo Granda said: "The WHOLE truth will come out"

Giancarlo Granda, a onetime Miami pool attendant, was thrust into the spotlight this week when he claimed to have been sexually involved with prominent evangelical Jerry Falwell Jr. and his wife Becki Falwell for years  something the newly resigned Liberty University leader has disputed.

In an explosive report with Reuters on Monday, Granda, 29, said he "developed an intimate relationship" with Becki, 53, after meeting at a Miami Beach hotel in March 2012.

Over the next six years, Granda claimed he joined the Falwells "multiple times per year" at hotels in Miami and New York as well as their home in Virginia, and would have sex with Becki while "Jerry enjoyed watching from the corner of the room."

Eventually, things between Granda and the couple ended, "in part because he wanted to dissolve his ties with the couple and fell into a business dispute with them," Reuters reported.

Facebook Giancarlo Granda

Jerry, however, denied this account and claimed in his own statement to The Washington Examiner on Sunday  just one day before Granda's story was published  that he had no part in the sexual relationship.

Jerry, 58, did not name Granda but he referred to a hotel employee exactly like him and described the claim as an extortion plot.

The allegations, combined with an Instagram photo scandal that put Jerry on an "indefinite leave of absence" in early August from his roles as president and chancellor of Liberty University, have since resulted in his official resignation.

Jerry Falwell Jr./Instagram The since-deleted Instagram photo that led to Falwell Jr.'s initial leave of absence from Liberty University in August.

The Liberty University Board of Trustees acted today to accept the resignation of Jerry Falwell, Jr. as its president and chancellor and also accepted his resignation from its Board of Directors," a spokesperson for Liberty University said in a statement on Tuesday. "All were effective immediately . . . Falwell, through an attorney, sent the resignation letter late last night to members of the Boards Executive Committee pursuant to the terms of his contract of employment.

Story continues

So who is the man entangled in the alleged drama with Falwells? Here's everything to know about Granda.

Shannon Finney/Getty Jerry Falwell Jr. and Becki Falwell

He met the Falwells while working as a pool boy

Granda said he was a 20-year-old pool attendant when he met the Falwells at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel.

In Jerry's statement to the Examiner, he noted that he and his wife were impressed with Granda's work ethic.

"During a vacation over eight years ago, Becki and I met an ambitious young man who was working at our hotel and was saving up his money to go to school," Jerry said. "We encouraged him to pursue an education and a career and we were impressed by his initiative in suggesting a local real estate opportunity."

According to Granda's Facebook, he has since earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Florida International University and his Master's in Real Estate Finance and Development from Georgetown University.

RELATED: Jerry Falwell Jr. Claims Fatal Attraction Plot After Pool Boy Details Alleged Relationship with Couple

He was a business partner with the Falwells

Falwell said he and his family became close with Granda and "eventually made an investment in a local property," in which they "included him in the deal because [Granda] could play an active role in managing it."

That property ultimately turned out to be a Miami Beach youth hostel, which the Falwells purchased in 2013 and offered Granda a share in, Buzzfeed News reported.

Both Granda and Becki Falwell were listed as partners along with Jerry and Becki's son Jerry "Trey" Falwell III, BuzzFeed reported. Jerry Jr. had provided the money for the down payment on the loan.

In his interview Monday, Granda claimed that the falling out between him and the Falwells was due in part to his desire to end things with them. Rather than seeking payment for his silence, Granda wanted to "negotiate a buyout from a business arrangement he says he had with the couple," but it ultimately resulted in "a business dispute," Reuters wrote.

He once considered himself "best friends" with Becki

Granda defended his affair claims by providing Reuters with screenshots from a FaceTime conversation with Becki and text messages where she allegedly said, "Right now I am just missing you like crazy... Have you had this effect on all of your lady friends?"

Audio from 2018 that seems to capture the Falwells speaking with Granda was also obtained by the outlet. In a clip from a call published by Reuters, Becki is apparently heard talking about how she had "feelings" for Granda and complained that he had relationships with other people, while Jerry said to Granda, "Youre going to make her jealous."

The audio captures Granda saying on that call, "You don't care about me anymore." But then he is heard calling Becki his "best friend."

This summer, however, his tone was much sharper, writing in a text to Jerry in June: "Since youre okay with ruining my life, I am going to take the kamikaze route. It really is a shame because I wanted to reach a peaceful resolution and just move on with our lives but if conflict is what you want, then so be it."

He denies extorting money from the Falwells

According to Jerry's statement, Granda eventually "became increasingly angry and aggressive" and "began threatening to publicly reveal this secret relationship with Becki ... unless we agreed to pay him substantial monies."

"It was like living on a roller coaster," Jerry told the Examiner.

Reached for comment by the paper, Granda denied the allegation of blackmail and said "the WHOLE truth will come out."

"The Falwells' attempt to sandbag me, and the Examiner, with a last-minute story without providing the Examiner clear evidence that this was not simply an affair with concocted allegations of extortion reeks [of] desperation," Granda said.

Reflecting on his alleged relationship with the Falwells, Granda told Reuters, "Whether it was immaturity, naivete, instability or a combination thereof, it was this mindset that the Falwells likely detected in deciding that I was the ideal target for their sexual escapades."
Donald Trump Jr., in a Republican National Convention speech on Monday in Washington, D.C., painted the Democratic Party and its leader Joe Biden as socialist radicals hellbent on canceling core American values and squandering the rocket fuel he claimed his fathers policies injected into the economy before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

After several speakers attempted to tie progressivism and socialist policies to outright authoritarianism  with campaign videos depicting the moderate Biden, President Donald Trumps Democratic challenger, as a stooge for more liberal lawmakers  Trump Jr. pitched a perfect life to voters if they reject the radicals who want to drag us into the dark and simply embrace his father and the GOP.

Imagine the life you want to have  one with a great job, a beautiful home and a perfect family. You can have it, Trump Jr., who runs the Trump Organization with his younger brother, Eric, said. Imagine the country you want to live in, one with true equality of opportunity, where hard work pays off and justice is served with compassion and without partiality. You can have it. Imagine a world where the evils of communism and radical Islamic terrorism are not given a chance to spread, where heroes are celebrated and the good guys win. You can have it.

The businessman and former television personality alongside his father on NBCs The Apprentice said that is the life, that is the country, that is the world that Donald Trump and the Republican Party are after. And yes, you can have it. Because unlike Joe Biden and the radical left Democrats, our party is open to everyone.

Trump Jr. alleged that Biden was the favored candidate of the Chinese Communist Party, on whom he pinned the coronavirus pandemic.

At the Democratic National Convention last week, Biden, his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris of California and fellow Democrats largely blamed the presidents early downplaying, inconsistent messaging and the lack of a nationwide strategy on COVID-19 testing for the infection of more than 5.7 million Americans and the deaths of more than 177,000.

But Trump Jr. and other Republicans on Monday touted the presidents shutdown of travel on China and eventual ramped up distribution of personal protective equipment and ventilators as life-saving moves.

Trump Jr. fiercely alleged that Democrats were advocating against American norms and attacking the very principles on which we were founded, especially freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the rule of law.

But a host of Republicans have come out in support of Biden, asserting that Trump has abused the power of his office, including ignoring the rights of protesters to pave way for a photo opportunity in June.

On a night when violence is breaking out after the police killing of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin, Trump Jr. said that all men and women are created equally. We must put an end to racism. Any police officer who abuses their powers should be held accountable.

But Trump Jr., who shook his head and scoffed at local and national leaders who have spoken out in support of peaceful protesters after the police killing of George Floyd in May, argued that violence and looting had torched minority-owned businesses in cities run by Democrats. He added that we cannot lose sight of the fact that our police are American heroes.

Every American must be free to live without fear of violence in your country and in your communities and in your homes, Trump Jr. said, echoing his fathers, and the Trump campaigns fear-based messaging that the mass chaos and anarchists flooding the streets while Trump sits in the White House is actually what Joe Bidens America looks like.

When we dial 911, we dont want it to go to voicemail, Trump Jr. said. So defunding police is not an option. Without safety and security, you cant have anything else.

A recent ABC fact check found that both Biden and Trump accuse each other of wanting to defund police.

Biden has specifically said he disagrees with many Democrats who call for defunding police, though he says he supports significant measures to curtail systemic racism.

Biden actually backs increasing funding for local police departments and adding more psychologists and social workers to police forces. He argues that Trump proposed cutting half a billion dollars of local police support, a reference to community policing cuts in Trumps 2021 budget, ABC reported.

Trump, after calls for change after Floyds death, signed an executive order that would create grants for police departments that meet higher training standards, and called for greater data collection on police misconduct.

The Trump orders and a Senate GOP bill on policing do not go as far as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed by House Democrats earlier this year, which would ban no-knock warrants in drug cases, as well as chokeholds nationwide, and expand the definition of excessive force.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

The global natural and organic cosmetics market appears to grow with overwhelming possibilities as well as opportunities during the forecast period (2018-2023). The natural and organic cosmetics market is expected to reach revenues worth USD 25,107.7 million, expanding at a CAGR of 9.60 % till 2023.

The major factor driving the growth for the natural and organic cosmetics is a growing preference for natural and organic ingredients in the cosmetics by the consumers. The second factor supporting the market growth is the positive impact of social media on the growth of natural and organic cosmetics market. However, the short shelf life of the natural and organic cosmetics can hinder the market growth.

Also Read: http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/05/21/1832931/0/en/Natural-and-Organic-Cosmetics-Market-Size-to-Reach-USD-25-100-Million-by-2023-at-9-60-CAGR-Predicts-Market-Research-Future.html

Top Key Players

The key players profiled in the study are

Aubrey Organics Inc.

Bare

The Clorox Co

Escentuals Inc

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.

FANCL Corp.

Jurlique International Pty. Limited

Laboratoire Nuxe

L'Occitance International SA

LOreal SA

Nature's Gate

Segmental Analysis

The Natural and Organic Cosmetics Market Size is segmented on the basis of the consumer group, distribution channel, by type, and region.

Based on consumer group, the market has been segmented into male and female.

With regards to the distribution channel, the market has been segmented into store-based distribution and non-store-based distribution.

By type, the market has been segmented into hair care, makeup cosmetics, oral care, skin care, and others.

The regions covered in the global market are Europe, Asia Pacific, North America & South America), and the rest of the world (RoW).

Browse the Market Data and Information @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/natural-organic-cosmetics-market-7257

Detailed Regional Analysis

The regional analysis of the Natural and organic cosmetics market covers regions such as Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and the rest of the world (RoW).

During the forecast period, growth has been predicted for the market in Europe too. Factors responsible for market growth in this region include advancement product development, technological upgradations, and the rising consumer awareness regarding the various benefits of natural & organic cosmetics over conventional cosmetics. The market growth for Europe is expected to register a 9.71% CAGR during the forecast period. Its worth by 2023 is expected to be worth USD 8,155.0 million. France is the largest country-specific market in Europe, and during the forecast period, it is expected to grow at 10.15% CAGR, and its worth is expected to be USD 1,253.4 million by the end of forecast period. Other important country-specific markets in this region are Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, followed by the remaining countries of Europe.

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.

MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.

In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.

Contact:

Market Research Future

+1 646 845 9312

Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
A rendering of the monument that will be placed at Veterans Way Park to honor the Berkshire County residents who died serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pittsfield Iraq/Afghanistan Memorial On Target To Be Unveiled Sep. 11

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  A monument honoring the five Berkshire County residents who died serving in Iraq and Afghanistan is still on track to be unveiled at Veterans Way Park on Sept. 11, the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Arnie Perras of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 448 called into the Parks Commission's meeting held on the Zoom platform last week to give an update on the proposed monument and he said it is well on its way to completion.

"We have been getting a lot of compliments on this monument from contractors and folks who think it is just a beautiful monument," Perras said.

The piece will be installed near the World War I Peace Memorial, just off the paved way at the top of the stairs on the South Street side of the park.

The funds are being raised privately for the black granite marker, its laser carving and installation. The monument committee hit its funding goal and to date has raised $47,845, surpassing its original goal of $45,000.

Perras said unanticipated costs have increased this amount closer to $50,000, but the committee is still in striking distance.

He cited a sizable state grant as well as other larger donations from various veterans groups. He added that crowdsourcing also contributed to the bottom line.

Some of the money will be used to set up a perpetual care account for the marker. Perras said he hopes to consolidate all of the monument's perpetual care accounts into one.

Unistress has installed the footing, foundation, and vault for free, and Bonded Concrete supplied the concrete. A time capsule will sit underneath the monument with materials from the Gold Star families.

"The families will be putting things in there from their loved ones that they lost during these wars," Perras said.

The five Army soldiers being honored are Sgt. 1st Class Daniel H. Petithory, 32, of Cheshire, who was killed by friendly fire bomb on Dec. 5, 2001, in Afghanistan; Sgt. Glenn R. Allison, 24, of Pittsfield who died Dec. 18, 2003, during physical training in Baghdad, Iraq; Chief Warrant Officer Stephen M. Wells, 29, of North Egremont, who died Feb. 25, 2004, when the helicopter he was in crashed in Habbinayah, Iraq; Spc. Michael R. DeMarsico II , 20, of North Adams, who was killed by an improvised explosive device on Aug. 16, 2012, in Panjway, Afghanistan; and Spc. Mitchell K. Daehling , 24, of Dalton, who also was killed by an IED on May 14, 2013, in Sanjaray, Afghanistan.

The capsule will be opened in 2101, 100 years from 2001.

Perras said a full-scale model of the monument was created that they plan to use if the actual monument is somehow delayed. He said it is critical that they unveil something on Sept. 11.

"It is an important day," he said. "That is the day that started all of these wars, so we don't want to have it on any other day than that."

The United States was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, by members of Al-Qaeda, a terrorist group that had been operating out of Afghanistan. The 19 terrorists captured four commercial jets, flying two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and one into the Pentagon. Passengers on the fourth plane fought back and United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in the Pennsylvania countryside. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people.

On the actual unveiling, attendees will be asked to wear masks and social distance. Mayor Linda Tyer and two veterans of the wars will speak.

In other business, Parks and Open Space Manager James McGrath said now that the city has solid state local aid numbers, some capital projects can go forward.

"It's shaping up to be a busy construction season this fall," he said.

At the outset of the pandemic little was known about the state budget. Because of this, the city passed a budget that did not include capital projects.

But with the state passing a three-month budget, McGrath said the City Council will review a slate of capital projects that were put on pause.

For park, this includes the dog park that is at 100 percent design and Phase 2 of the skate park project. Both of these projects require a local share.

In regard to other projects, McGrath said the West Side Riverway Park should wrap up this month. He said Clapp Park is essentially complete but the splash pad will not be turned on this season.
A 9-year veteran of the U.S. Army, who now serves his local community, received a welcome surprise when an anonymous donor, along with a local autobody shop, gave him a jeep, complete with 44 capability and air conditioning.

Tennessean Jerrold Eaton previously served four years of active duty in the Army, one year in the Army Reserves, and four years in the National Guard. But since returning to civilian life, hes been serving several of his elderly neighbors.

A giver is how commander of the local D.A.V. (Disabled American Veterans) Howard McNeil described the former soldier to WATE.

Jerrold gets something in this hand and goes out to someone else in that hand, he doesnt hold onto things, McNeill said. Eaton serves as Officer of the Day at D.A.V. Tri-County Chapter 26.

Disabled American Veterans Tri-County Chapter 26, Oliver Springs, Tenn. (Screenshot/Google Maps)

Eaton drives his neighbors to doctors appointments, mows their laws, and even drives them to and from the grocery store.

However, Eatons Ford F-150 made it difficult for his elderly passengers to get in and out, and the fact that the truck lacked air conditioning presented a risk for his health-impaired neighbors who are unable to endure long trips.

Then in a stroke chance, a woman whose father had died walked into Miller Brothers Transmission Auto Repair in Corryton to donate her vehicle, a 2012 Jeep Liberty, and told them she wanted it to go to someone in need.

She wished to remain anonymous.

But the owners of the auto shop, Wendy Caldwell and her husband, learned that her father had been a veteran who had served in Vietnam.

Miller Brothers Transmission Auto Repair and Body Shop in Corryton, Tenn. (Screenshot/Google Maps)

(Illustration  Joseph M. Arseneau/Shutterstock)

As we learned more and more about her dad, we found out he was a proud Vietnam veteran, Caldwell told the news outlet. We took the vehicle, did repairs, a tune-up, brakes, tires but we really didnt know how to give it away.

So, we contacted the mayors office and they contacted a veterans organization. They gave us the name, Jerrold, who we gave the car to.

And thats how the newly refurbished Jeep found its way into Eatons possession, where it would go to good use, allowing him to continue to serve the people he helps. The donation was well received and entirely unexpected. Eaton had expected a Pinto or something, he said.

Going forward, he has every intention of continuing his service to the ones who matter most.

Im continuing to do my work for the Lord, my community and my fellow veterans, Eaton said. Im extremely blessed and happy to be that way.

We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Was it all for nothing? With Spain, France and Germany recording the highest number of virus cases since they emerged from lockdown, the danger that Europe blows its best chance of taming the coronavirus grows by the day.

The hope was that we could relax travel and social restrictions this summer because people are much less likely to catch the virus when theyre outside enjoying the warm weather. European economies depend on tourism and couldnt afford a season of empty sun loungers and restaurants. Airlines and hotels would collapse without new bookings, and they implemented new hygiene measures to reassure customers. People were desperate to see friends and families again.

The experiment has backfired. Were not even through August and cases are surging in western Europe, while south-eastern Europe, which avoided the worst of the initial virus wave, is up against it too. Germany won plaudits for its handling of the spring outbreak, but it recorded more than 2,000 new cases on Saturday  the biggest daily jump since April.

One big factor has been the restart of intra-European travel, including people going on vacation or visiting family and friends. Almost 40% of recent German cases are thought to have been contracted abroad, according to the Robert Koch Institute. Thats similar to Italy, where almost a third of new cases were imported from overseas. Italians holidaying on Sardinia have also brought the virus back to the mainland.

There has also been a spate of European cases linked to parties. France  with almost 5,000 new infections reported on Sunday  says this is its main source of new contagion. No wonder the European Unions trade commissioner, Phil Hogan, is under pressure to quit after attending a hotel dinner with about 80 guests, in contravention of Irelands rules.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Europe must avoid closing borders again at any cost. Free movement is central to the EU project, and shutting borders contributed to a collapse in economic output in the spring. Yet politicians cant ignore the fact that people are catching the virus abroad and bringing it home.

Story continues

For those who never travel overseas, for domestic business owners whove already suffered through one lockdown not of their making, and for the medical staff who must treat another cohort of Covid-19 patients, these developments are especially frustrating. The answer is much more rigorous testing and monitoring of returning travelers and much stricter rules around social gatherings.

Fortunately, the number of new hospitalizations and deaths is a fraction of what it was in the spring because there are more cases among young people, who experience either mild symptoms or none at all. The detection of more imported cases points to some improvements in testing. With the summer travel season drawing to a close, the problem of returning travelers should abate somewhat.

But the economic damage done by this new spike is already considerable. Fridays tepid euro-area services data and Ryanair Holdings Plcs decision to scale back its autumn flight schedule suggest consumers are becoming more cautious. The list of countries subject to quarantine measures is growing.

Theres a risk too that infections will begin to spread from young people to the elderly, and that schools and creches will be closed again  every parents and finance ministers nightmare. In the two weeks since theyve reopened, more than 40 Berlin schools have already reported virus cases, forcing pupils and teachers to quarantine, according to the Associated Press.

Merkel and Frances President Emmanuel Macron say theyre determined to avoid new lockdowns but they need to get a grip. Theres plenty governments can do without reimposing draconian measures. Its vital that anyone arriving from a high-risk area is tested. In Germany checks for returning travelers are free. However, local health authorities don't always have the capacity to monitor returning passengers to ensure theyve been tested or quarantined. There are reports of long delays in getting results.

German infections have also surged among parents and children returning from south-east Europe. The DRV German travel associations attempt to blame migrants for this and exonerate package holidaymakers was crude and unhelpful. Popular holiday destinations also feature prominently in the list of imported cases.

A rise in German cases linked to weddings and private parties was hardly a shock because the rules around friends and families meeting vary so widely. Federal states are allowed to set their own guidelines and some are too permissive: In Berlin as many as 500 people can meet inside. In contrast, England restricts private gatherings to a maximum of 30 people and the government has threatened 10,000 pound ($13,000) fines for breaches. Ireland has tightened restrictions so that only six people may meet indoors.(1)

German Health Minister Jens Spahn is right that if we must choose between reopening schools or having parties and attending carnivals, then the choice is obvious. Germany and other countries with surging infections should take their lead from Airbnb Inc., which has banned parties at its properties and put a cap on occupancy of 16.

Unless Europe gets the basics right then countries may be forced to take even more unpopular measures to protect their populations, including advising the elderly to stay home and keep away from younger relatives. The autumn and winter months wont be easy but acting now can avoid unnecessary hardship.

(1) Up to 50 people can attend a wedding.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Chris Bryant is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies. He previously worked for the Financial Times.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
Inside Hook

During its Broadway run, American Utopia drew acclaim both for its music, which covered the career of David Byrne, and its unorthodox staging. (You can get a sense of some of the live experience from an SNL clip from March.) The announcement of a filmed version of the show sparked excitement among many people; the news that Spike Lee would direct was cause for even more celebration.



Now, the first trailer for the film has been released. At IndieWire, Ryan Lattanzio offers some details on how David Byrnes American Utopia will be distributed.

The film will kick off the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival next month, and will be available to watch via HBO and HBO Max on October 17.



David Byrnes American Utopia isnt the only high-profile film debuting at this years TIFF. The festival itself will adopt a hybrid model for screenings which will include both theatrical and digital showings of films. A number of screenings will make use of drive-in theater spaces as well.



Lees film will be joined at the festival by the likes of Halle Berrys MMA drama Bruised, Regina Kings historically-minded One Night in Miami and Another Round, which reunites director Thomas Vinterberg with star Mads Mikkelsen.
Police have caused outrage by asking topless female sunbathers to get dressed on a beach in the south of France.

Two gendarmes in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, 70 miles south of Montpellier, asked three female sunbathers to put their tops on last week after a holidaymaker complained.

The move caused a public outcry, with politicians from the centre, left and right uniting in condemnation - with one branding it a 'threat to our culture'.

Gendarmes have sparked outrage in France after asking three women who were sunbathing topless to cover up, prompting a politician to call it 'a threat to our culture' (file image)

Police chiefs in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer confirmed that two officers asked the women to cover-up after a holidaymaker who was on the beach with her children complained

Topless sunbathing first gained a foothold in France in the 1960s, as second-wave feminism swept through Europe and women demanded the same right to tan their upper bodies as men.

Images of Brigitte Bardot sunbathing topless on the Cote D'Azur the same decade helped to make the gesture fashionable, while denunciations by the Vatican and Spanish church only increased its appeal.

But it was in the 1970s, after a conservative attempt to ban the practice was defeated, that it became a point of national pride.

Today, the right of women to sunbathe topless on beaches is seen as a sign of equality between the two sexes, and a sign of France's progressive attitudes.

In the latest incident, witness Marie Hebrard told Channel 3 that she was sunbathing Sainte-Marie-la-Mer on August 20 when she saw the gendarmes approach a pair of female sunbathers.

She said the officers had a short conversation with the women, who were left looking embarrassed and searching around for their bikini tops.

The officers - one male and one female - then moved off down the beach, she said, before accosting another woman who was lying further along the sand.

Ms Hebrard said she confronted the officers, who told her to 'move along' before leaving the beach a short time later.

Local police chiefs later confirmed the incident, saying that the officers acted after a female holidaymaker complained because she had two children with her - and didn't want them witnessing it.

As the news spread, it drew condemnation from all quarters including from an MP in the ruling La Republique en Marche party.

Aurelien Tache denounced the incident as 'scandalous', adding: 'When will the state stop trying to give moral lessons, particularly to women? Everyone is free to dress or undress as they like.'

Christine Pires Beaune, an opposition socialist MP, added that she was 'fed up with all these puritans and moralising people'.

Finally, Jean Messiha, a prominent figure within the far-right National Rally party, branded the incident 'a threat to French identity'.

The incident was revealed the day after a coronavirus outbreak was confirmed at the nearby nudist resort of Cap d'Agde

There is no law against topless sunbathing or swimming on beaches in France, unless the act is prohibited by a specific local law.

Councillors in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer have confirmed that no such law exists, and police were not given any orders to stop topless sunbathers.

Police chiefs also clarified that there is no law forbidding the practice, saying that officers had attempted a 'clumsy resolution' after getting the complaint.

They said the sunbathers were not ordered to cover up, but politely asked to cover themselves at the request of the other family.

It comes just a day after an outbreak of coronavirus at a nudist resort just 45 miles from the beach, which prompted warnings from health chiefs that everyone is required to wear face masks.

At least 95 people at the resort of Cap d'Agde, 30 miles south of Montpellier, have tested positive for the virus so far - with more results due this week.

That is in addition to an estimated 50 people who reported falling ill after returning home from the holiday village.

France made masks compulsory in all indoor spaces on July 20, with only very limited exceptions.

The nudist resort contains multiple indoor areas, including shops, banks, restaurants, bars and clubs.

Medics carried out 194 tests on visitors who volunteered at the resort on Monday last week, with 38 coming back positive, the regional health service said.

Another 244 tests were then carried out on Wednesday, with 57 positive.

Health officers carried out 310 additional tests on Friday, with results expected early this week.
Dallas, Texas, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Proposal Management Software Market by Component (Software and Services), Deployment Mode (On-premise and Cloud), Enterprise Size (Large Enterprises, SME), Industry Vertical (IT & Telecom, BFSI, Retail, Healthcare, Government and Defense, Manufacturing, and Others), and Region, Global Forecast, 2020 to 2025 study provides an elaborative view of historic, present and forecasted market estimates.

Increasing focuson on improving sales efficiency, popularity of cloud based solutions, and integration of AI and analytics are the major factors driving the growth of the proposal management software market

Request a pdf sample at https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/1265

The global proposal management software market size is anticipated to reach nearly USD 4.1 billion by 2025. In addition, it is expected to exhibit a CAGR of nearly 14% during the forecast period 2020-2025. The area of proposal management software is developing and offers potential opportunities in the upcoming years. The growing demand from small & medium organizations to improve sales efficiency and conversion rate is expected to drive the growth proposal management software market in coming future.

The existing and future proposal management software market developments are defined to determine the attractiveness of the market. Key impacting factors highlight the proposal management software market opportunities throughout the forecast period. The ongoing digital transformation and critical importance of increasing sales efficiency and conversion rate are a key drivers for this market. Also, increased deployment of cloud and web-based proposal management software are also fuelling the adoption of proposal management software. However, the concerns over data and privacy security is expected to hamper the proposal management software market growth. Furthermore, developing startup ecosystem in Asia- Pacific is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market in the forthcoming years.

Browse the full report with Table of Contents and List of Figures at https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/industry-reports/proposal-management-software-market

The report also highlights numerous aspects of the global proposal management software industry by evaluating the market through value chain analysis. Besides, the report covers numerous qualitative aspects of the proposal management software industry in market drivers, restraints, and key industry opportunities. Furthermore, the report offers a complete assessment of the market rivalry along with company profiling of local as well as global vendors.

The proposal management software market has strong competition among the well-established as well as new emerging players. Also, the proposal management software industry players are targeting prospective markets to capture a competitive advantage over the other industry players by forming agreements, mergers & acquisitions, acquiring new startups & other companies, forming collaboration and partnerships, and expanding their business presence.

Are you looking for a DISCOUNT? If yes, then get in touch with us at https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/discount/1265



Based on deployment mode, the market is bifurcated in on-premise and cloud based solutions. The cloud segment is expected to grow at the highest rate. The cloud based solutions are less costly compare to on-premise solutions, as the infrastructure cost is highly reduced. SMEs are highly demanding such solutions inspite of investing into higher infrastructure costs.

Based on industry vertical, the market is bifurcated into IT & telecom, BFSI, retail, healthcare, government and defense, manufacturing, and others. In 2019, the IT and Telecom segment captured the highest market revenue and is anticipated to dominate the proposal management software market throughout the forecast period. The growth of this segment is mainly attributed to higher awareness and early adoption of this vertical.

Direct purchase the report at https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/researchreport/purchase/1265

The North America region dominated the overall market in 2019 and it is expected to do so throughout the forecast period 2020-2025. The dominance of this region mainly attributed to the presence of major market players such as FireEye, IBM, Cisco, Splunk, and others in this region. However, the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to experience the highest growth during the forecast period. The growth of this region is mainly accredited to favorable government policies and rapid economic developments in this region.

The major players of the global proposal management software market are Icertis, Microsoft, Deltek, WeSuite, GetAccept, Nusii, iQuoteXpress, Sofon, Tilkee and Proposify. . The recognized companies are coming up with updated solutions and services, especially in integration with Artificial Intelligence and cloud. The leading companies are investing into both organic as well as in-organic growth strategies.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Research Methodology

Chapter 3 Executive Summary

Chapter 4 Market Outlook

Chapter 5 Proposal Management Software Market by Component

Chapter 6 Proposal Management Software Market by Deployment Mode

Chapter 7 Proposal Management Software Market by Enterprise Size

Chapter 8 Proposal Management Software Market by Industry Vertical

Chapter 9 Proposal Management Software Market by Region

Chapter 10 Competitive Landscape

Chapter 11 Company Profiles

Access research repository of Upcoming Reports @ https://adroitmarketresearch.com/upcoming.html

About Us:

Adroit Market Research is a global business analytics and consulting company incorporated in 2018. Our target audience is a wide range of corporations, manufacturing companies, product/technology development institutions and industry associations that require understanding of a markets size, key trends, participants and future outlook of an industry. We intend to become our clients knowledge partner and provide them with valuable market insights to help create opportunities that increase their revenues. We follow a code Explore, Learn and Transform. At our core, we are curious people who love to identify and understand industry patterns, create an insightful study around our findings and churn out money-making roadmaps.
A statue of Mary Magdalene housed in the chapel of Saint Pilon in the Var, in southeast France, has been destroyed by vandals apparently unhappy with her lack of clothing. The perpetrators left a note at the scene saying they did not accept that a great saint like Mary Magdalene [should] be represented in such a way.  The Art Newspaper
A swimming excursion turned fatal for three middle school students who were swimming in a river near Cua Dai Bridge in the central province of Quang Ngai on Monday evening.

The incident happened at 6:00 pm Monday, when a group of six students of Vo Bam Middle School in Tinh Khe Commune went to bathe in the Tra Khuc River at the foot of the Cua Dai Bridge and slid into a deep sinkhole, according to Pham Tan Hoang, chairman of Quang Ngai City, the capital of Quang Ngai Province,

Three of the students managed to swim to shore and alerted local residents, who came to rescue and rush the rest to the hospital where doctors declared them dead on the evening of the same day.

The victims were identified as Dang Minh Nhat, 13, Le Quang Thach, 13, and Nguyen Thanh Dat, 15, who all hailed from Truong Dinh Village, Tinh Khe Commune, Quang Ngai City.

Officials from the Peoples Committee of Quang Ngai City have visited the victims families to express their condolences.

In Vietnam, more than ten children drown each day while the drowning mortality rate per 100,000 population in 2017 was 7.2, according to a World Health Organization fact sheet.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Guwahati, Aug 25 : The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Assam on Tuesday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 -- AFSPA, in the state for six more months beyond August 28, an official said.

An official of Assam Home Department said that the AFSPA has been extended in view of the recent terror attacks on security forces in the northeastern region, and recovery of illegal arms and ammunition from different areas of Assam.

Various political parties, organisations and civil society groups and activists have been demanding the removal of the "draconian law" from the state.

The AFSPA, which allows the Army and other para-military forces to conduct raids, operations, arrest anyone anywhere without prior notice or arrest warrant, has been continuing in Assam since November 1990.

The law enforcing agencies and senior security officials reviewed the situation every six months and extended the AFSPA.

On July 29, three Assam Rifles troopers were killed while five others injured in an ambush by an insurgent group near the India-Myanmar border in Chandel area in Assam's neighbouring state Manipur.
Russia today rejected claims that the Kremlin was behind the poisoning of Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny, who is in a coma at a German hospital.

Navalny's friends have pointed the finger at Putin after the opposition leader fell ill on a flight in Siberia and was airlifted to Berlin in a critical condition.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today that 'these accusations absolutely cannot be true', casting doubt on German medics' findings that Navalny was poisoned.

But France today kept up the pressure on Russia by demanding an investigation and saying that Navalny was the victim of a 'criminal act'.

The US ambassador in Moscow also called for an 'immediate, comprehensive, and transparent investigation by the Russian authorities' today after the clinical findings emerged from Germany.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny - pictured, centre, shortly before he fell ill on Thursday - is in a coma at a German hospital after allegedly being poisoned

Navalny's wife Yulia Navalnaya (left) arrives at the Charite hospital in Berlin to see her husband today

France's foreign ministry voiced its 'profound concern' about the alleged poison plot 'against a major figure in Russian political life'.

It called on Russia to 'carry out a swift and transparent investigation which will enable the circumstances in which this act was committed to be established'.

'Those responsible for this act must be identified and brought to justice,' the statement added.

Navalny's supporters say he was poisoned by something in his cup of tea at a Siberian airport before he boarded a flight to Moscow.

He fell ill on the flight last Thursday and was taken to a hospital in the city of Omsk after the plane made an emergency landing.

Over the weekend he was transferred to Berlin, where doctors are treating him with the antidote atropine.

Chancellor Angela Merkel offered Germany's help in treating Navalny and has also called for a full Russian investigation.

Berlin's Charite hospital said on Monday that clinical tests 'indicate poisoning with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors', which are used in medicines and insecticides but also in nerve agents.

Navalny is still in a coma and his prognosis 'remains unclear', medics say - although his condition is not currently thought to be life-threatening.

'The specific substance involved remains unknown, and a further series of comprehensive testing has been initiated,' the hospital said.

Navalny's allies have pointed the finger at Russian president Vladimir Putin (pictured) after the opposition leader fell ill, but the Kremlin has dismissed the claims

Navalny arrives at Berlin's Tegel Airport on Saturday after he was airlifted from Russia. He remains in a medically induced coma at the German hospital

Mr Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, has been visiting her husband every day and made no comment to reporters as she arrived on Tuesday.

Speaking today, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said allegations of Kremlin involvement 'absolutely cannot be true and are rather an empty noise'.

Peskov accused the German medics of 'rushing' to use the word poisoning, saying: 'For the moment, all you and I see is that the patient is in a coma.'

'We don't understand why our German colleagues are in such a hurry. The substance hasn't yet been established,' he told reporters.

He also rejected calls to launch an investigation, saying Russia should wait until a substance is identified.

Mr Navalny's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said the Russian government's reluctance to launch an investigation was expected.

'It was obvious that the crime would not be properly investigated and a culprit found. However, we all know perfectly well who that is,' Ms Yarmysh said.

The chief toxicologist at the Omsk hospital, Alexander Sabayev, had said on Monday that Navalny tested negative for cholinesterase inhibitors.

The Russian doctors earlier suggested that Navalny had a 'metabolic disorder' and low blood sugar.

Navalny is being treated at the Charite hospital in Berlin (pictured) where medics say there is evidence he was poisoned

Experts have pointed out that Novichok - the Soviet-era nerve agent used to poison Sergei Skripal in Britain - was also a cholinesterase inhibitor.

Russia denies involvement in the Skripal assassination attempt but Britain imposed a series of sanctions after saying it was 'highly likely' that the Kremlin was behind it.

Skripal was a former double agent who was arrested in Russia after spying for Britain, and returned to the UK in a spy swap in 2010.

He and his daughter Yulia both survived the Novichok attack, and their current whereabouts are unknown.

Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlin's side for more than a decade, exposing what he says is high-level corruption and mobilising protests.

He has been repeatedly detained for organising public meetings, sued over corruption investigations and barred from running in the 2018 presidential election.

The 44-year-old has also served several stints in jail in recent years for organising anti-Kremlin protests.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia's arrests and detention of Navalny in 2012 and 2014 were politically motivated.
Plymouth, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2020) - Plymouth Rock Technologies Inc. (CSE: PRT) (OTCQB: PLRTF) (FSE: 4XA) (WKN# A2N8RH) ("Plymouth Rock", "PRT", or the "Company") a leader in the development of cutting-edge threat detection technologies, is pleased to announce that it has signed a Re-seller and Purchase agreement with Michigan-based Trendset Communications Group ("TCG"), a leading technology provider to the security, telecommunications, and technology sector. TCG becomes the first authorized reseller and user of PRT's recently commercially launched X1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and related sensor payloads.

"This agreement signifies an important milestone in the commercialization of PRT's industry leading drone platform," stated Dana Wheeler Founder and CEO of PRT. "Selecting TCG as a Marketing and Customer Support Partner was an easy choice. The Technical and Management staff of Plymouth Rock Technologies has almost 20 years of history with TCG and complete confidence in their ability to sell and support emerging technologies."

David McCarthy, Founder, Executive VP and Chief Technology Officer of TCG added, "PRT has developed the first 'industrial strength' unmanned aerial vehicle with the features and capabilities to satisfy the needs of commercial and industrial users. Heightened awareness is now a necessity. We are thrilled to be working with the expertise of PRT, and glad to see them bringing the next generation in drone technology."

TCG intends on deploying PRT's X1 UAS in a variety of civil use applications collecting GIS data for land planning and surveying, 3D modelling buildings and developments. The X1 will also be deployed for extended rescue support and recovery with First Responders, personnel tracking before, during and after critical events; and crime scene printing, and photography.

About Trendset Communications Group

Story continues

Founded in 1998, Trendset Communications Group (TCG) is dedicated to communication and has taken this concept and applied it to every aspect of building a company that values the ideals of professionalism, integrity and craftsmanship. TCG is a fully licensed and insured USA Tower Climbing Safety, OSHA 32 and Nextivity Cel-Fi. TCG partners with industry leaders to provide the highest quality service including Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County.

About Plymouth Rock Technologies Inc.

We are on a mission to bring engineering-driven answers to the most critical problems that threaten our safety. We work with government, law enforcement and military to innovate solutions for national security, defense and space systems.

The Company is developing the next generation of threat detection solutions, The PRT X1 is a purpose built multirotor Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The unit contains an integrated sensor package that combines Thermal detection with 4K HD real-time air-to-ground streaming. Our advanced threat detection methods fuse artificial intelligence with augmented reality interfaces to eliminate human operating error. Plymouth Rock products, both airborne and land-based, will scan for threat items at greater "stand-off" distances than current existing technologies. Our unique radar imaging and signal processing technology creates new opportunities for remotely operated, none intrusive screening of crowds in real time.

Plymouth Rock's other core technologies include: (1) A Millimeter Remote Imaging from Airborne Drone ("MIRIAD"); (2) A compact microwave radar system for scanning shoe's ("Shoe-Scanner").

www.plyrotech.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dana Wheeler

President and CEO

+1-603-300-7933

info@plyrotech.com

Investor Information:

Tasso Baras

+1-778-477-6990

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward - looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62414
China is conducting a series of military drills in four sea regions at roughly the same time, an unusual move that could be sending political signals, reports say.

Chinese maritime authorities announced the navy exercises in four locations, including the South China Sea and the Yellow Sea, in multiple notices issued between Friday and Sunday.

The naval operations were interpreted by experts as China showing 'its readiness to handle confrontation with the US and self-ruled Taiwan'.

China is conducting a series of military drills in four sea regions at roughly the same time, an unusual move that could be sending political signals, reports say. This file picture taken on April 23, 2019 shows a Great Wall 236 submarine of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in a naval parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's PLA Navy

Taiwan has complained that China has stepped up threatening military activities in recent months near the island which Beijing considers its own. The file picture taken in April 2018 shows China's sole operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning (front), during a drill at sea

It comes after Taiwan has complained that China has stepped up threatening military activities in recent months near the island which Beijing considers its own.

On Friday, China's Maritime Safety Administration revealed military exercises would run from Monday through Saturday in the disputed South China Sea.

It warned outside vessels to steer 5 nautical miles clear of the drill area but otherwise gave no details.

Another part of the South China Sea off Guangdong province had also been cordoned off to marine traffic while exercises took place.

Meanwhile, an area of the Yellow Sea between Qingdao and Lianyungang in east China has been restricted from Saturday until Wednesday during live-fire naval exercises, a notice said.

Another area off Tangshan in the Bohai Gulf of China's eastern coast has been cordoned off since Monday and will remain so until September 30 for live-fire military drills, according to another announcement.

In the East China Sea, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy had recently conducted air exercises to practise all-weather combat, according to its account on Chinese Twitter-like Weibo.

China announced late last month that it had held drills in the South China Sea involving long-range bombers and other aircraft.

Experts claimed that the almost-simultaneously drills were designed to signal China's capability to mobilise forces in multiple locations and handle confrontations with the US and self-ruled Taiwan, according to South China Morning Post.

Taiwanese Navy sailors stand on the deck of the submarine Hai Shih, the world's oldest sub still in service, at the Keelung Naval Base in Keelung, northern Taiwan, September 27, 2019

This photo released by US Navy shows the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) conducting underway operations on April 28 in the South China Sea

Collin Koh, a research fellow from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, said China's four military exercises sent out both political and operational signals.

He told South China Morning Post: 'The first relates to demonstrating resolve in keeping up with peacetime combat preparations in the eyes of both domestic public and external audiences.

'The move would be primarily directed at the recent spate of US and allied military activities in those areas,' Koh added.

'Operationally, it's to showcase the PLA's ability to carry out major mobilisation of forces for training across multiple sea areas  which also highlights that the PLA isn't affected in any way by the pandemic.'

In late July, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has warned China is stepping up military preparedness to overtake the self-ruled island.

A People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy soldier stands in front of a backdrop featuring Chinese President Xi Jinping during an open day of a naval base in Hong Kong on June 30, 2019

'Looking on the long-term trend, China appears to be gradually stepping up its military preparedness, especially in the air or on the waters near Taiwan,' Wu told reporters.

'What China is doing now is continuing to ramp up preparedness to solve the Taiwan issue,' he said. 'The threat is on the rise.'

The US Navy says the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan and its strike group entered the South China Sea earlier this month and have been carrying out air operations.

China routinely objects to US naval activity in the sea, especially when more than one strike group is present, as happened earlier this year, and when they involve operations with navies from other countries.

The strike group includes the carrier, its air wing, the guided missile cruiser USS Antietam, and the destroyers USS Mustin and USS Rafael Peralta.

The force 'conducted flight operations with fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and high-end maritime stability operations and exercises,' its commander said in a news release.

'Operations in the South China Sea continue to demonstrate enduring U.S. commitment to allies and partners, and a cooperative approach to regional stability and freedom of the seas,' the release said.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

A lawsuit alleging that women employed by the city of Albuquerque have been paid less than their male counterparts has been certified for class action status.

Second Judicial District Court Judge Clay Campbell noted the decision in a July 24 letter. The city of Albuquerque is named as the defendant.

Five women are named as plaintiffs, but we think there are about 1,300 class members, plaintiffs attorney Alexandra Freedman Smith said Monday. So this has been a widespread, systemic problem that the city of Albuquerque has of paying women less than men in violation of the New Mexico Fair Pay for Women Act, which was signed into law in 2013.

The Albuquerque City Attorneys Office issued a statement Monday saying that while it cant comment on ongoing litigation, Mayor (Tim) Keller has been at the forefront of the pay equity fight in New Mexico for years, including leading the first statewide study of pay equity while at the State Auditors Office, and he will continue to advance fairness at the city.

Smith acknowledged that the problem was brought to the citys attention under the previous administration, but said Keller, who took office in December 2017, ran as a progressive candidate and this widespread discrimination of female workers is anything but progressive. Not only is it wrong, but it is illegal.

News of the expansion of the lawsuit comes just as the city is getting ready to hold a virtual celebration honoring the 100-year anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which guarantees and protects the constitutional right for women to vote in the United States. The live event will air Wednesday, from 4-7 p.m. on GOV-TV, Comcast channel 16, as well as www.facebook.com/OneABQMedia.

According to the lawsuit  filed in 2018 and amended in 2019  depending on how the jobs are classified, the women are paid from $3 an hour to $6 an hour less than their male counterparts who perform the same functions, and the women have often been in the jobs longer than their male counterparts.

Four of the plaintiffs, Cindy Pino, Genevieve Sandoval, Cathy Saavedra and Elizabeth Finley, work as evidence technicians for the Albuquerque Police Department; the fifth plaintiff, Michaela Silva, is a Sun Van driver.

Our clients went to the city in 2016 and brought it to their attention informally that they were suffering wage discrimination, Smith said. Then, when the city did nothing to remedy that, they went to the New Mexico Human Rights Bureau and the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) and filed complaints. Both the Human Rights Bureau and the EEOC found that they had viable claims. The city still did nothing, so, in 2018, they were forced to file this lawsuit.

Smith said she is asking that plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit be awarded immediate raises, back pay from 2013 when the New Mexico Fair Pay for Women Act went into effect, overtime that they may have earned but recalculated for the higher pay they should have earned, and recalculated retirement pay where applicable because the city calculates retirement based on the three highest earning years of a persons employment.

It further asks for reasonable attorneys fees, experts fees, and costs.

The virtual commemoration of womens right to vote will be hosted by Jessica Helen Lopez, City of Albuquerque poet laureate emeritus. It will include performances by spoken word artists, musicians and dancers. Among those who will be featured are 18-year-old women from across the state and tribal lands who will be voting for the first time.

Featured speakers will include U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland; U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small; Pamelya Herndon, CEO of KWH Law Center for Social Justice and Change; and Albuquerque City Councilor Diane Gibson.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, has disclosed that ''trotro'' passengers will soon be able to pay their transport fares from their mobile money accounts.



The Mobile Money Payment Interoperability allows for the transfer of funds from mobile money accounts to bank accounts and vice versa as well as providing a link mobile or bank accounts to biometric payment card accounts (ezwich).



This means every Ghanaian can now make payments and receive money without having to go to the banking hall.



Speaking in an interview on 'Kokrokoo' on Peace FM on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, the Vice President noted that Ghana is the only country in Africa doing a Mobile Money Interoperability in the fashion that it has been developed under the Akufo-Addo administration.



Dr. Bawumia revealed that the government is also initiating a universal Quick Response (QR) code to amalgamate all the telecom networks to ensure transactions are done universally across the nation.



In so doing, it will be possible for transport bus passengers to pay from the accounts to promote a cashless system.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Weather Alert

...Spotty black ice possible this morning... Slick spots on area roads may persist this morning as temperatures bottom out in the teens to around 10 degrees, and gusty northerly winds continue. Snow flurries may occur across parts of western Kentucky through mid morning. Untreated roads and bridges are most likely to have black ice on them. Motorists should use caution on the morning commute.
I can't believe I have to say this: Bleach is (still) not a cure for COVID-19.

The North Texas Poison Control Center recently sent out another warning about ingesting the cleaning product, saying they've received 46 reported cases of ingestion since Aug. 1, according to CBS' DFW affiliate.

"Do not ingest bleach or other disinfectant products," NTPC also said in a Facebook post. "It does not prevent or give you protection against the coronavirus, and can be dangerous."

While there has never been any evidence or confirmation from health officials that bleach is a cure for COVID, there is tons of evidence that drinking it can kill you.

HTX COVID-19 UPDATES: Houston ICU doc describes what it's like on COVID-19 frontlines

A Healthline article shared to NTPC's Facebook says "a variety of things can happen if you drink bleach," including vomiting, respiratory problems, difficulty swallowing and skin and eye irritation.

If you're active on social media, it's likely you've seen posts floating around claiming certain products, foods or medicines can cure COVID-19. They're all lies.

There is still no cure or vaccine, and NTPC blames misleading and inaccurate information circulating online about how to prevent the spread for the increase in poison cases.

You can, and should, use bleach and other cleaning solutions to disinfect surfaces (especially in your home or work space) that you touch or come in contact with daily.

WFAA News reported that, when compared to the same time last year, the Texas Poison Center Network saw a nearly 58 percent increase in the number of calls related to bleach products. (Wow!)

Seriously people, just don't drink bleach.
25.08.2020 LISTEN

The political development unfolding in Minsk, with a high possibility to spill over and spread throughout the former Soviet republic of Belarus is sensitive and delicate. As an ordinary observer from an obscured and remote rural village with inconsistent connectivity, I struggle daily to understand what happens next in Minsk.

The first information that emerged about opposition rallying against elected President Alexander Lukashenko was worrying and heartbreaking as that country has maintained political and economic stability these years. Of course, just as I personally admired him for his courage, the current political developments vividly remind me of the Republic of Sudan in North Africa.

By geography, Belarus is a landlocked former Soviet republic in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania. While Sudan is encircled by seven countries, it also has to northeast a huge Red Sea. It is the third-largest country in Africa, and the third-largest in the Arab world by area before the secession of South Sudan in 2011.

Like many other eastern European countries, Belarus has a negative population growth rate and a negative natural growth rate. Belarus has only 9.4 million while Sudan has a population of 43 million (both 2019 estimates by UN office in charge of Global Population Studies)

Belarus is a presidential republic, governed by a president and the National Assembly. The term for each presidency is five years. Under the 1994 constitution, the president could serve for only two terms as president, but a change in the constitution in 2004 eliminated term limits. Lukashenko has been the president of Belarus since 1994.

That was changed. In 1996, Lukashenko called for a controversial vote to extend the presidential term from five to seven years, and as a result, the election that was supposed to occur in 1999 was pushed back to 2001. Throughout the period, groups such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has declared the elections "un-free" because of the opposition parties' poor results and media bias in favor of the government.

In the case of Sudan, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir came to power in June 1989. Al-Bashir, who had been in power for more than 30 years, refused to step down, resulting in the convergence of opposition groups to form a united coalition. The government retaliated by arresting more than 800 opposition figures and thousands of protesters, according to the Human Rights Watch.

Many people died because Al-Bashir ordered security forces to disperse the sit-in peaceful demonstrators using tear gas and live ammunition in what is known as the Khartoum massacre, resulting in Sudan's suspension from the African Union. Eventually, Omar al-Bashir was gone. Sudan opened a new political chapter with a new Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok, a 61-year-old economist who worked previously for the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

What makes the comparison interesting, President Alexander Lukashenko is referred to as the last political dictator in Europe. Similar title was awarded to Omar al-Bashir as the longest ruler and dictator in Africa. Significantly, long service in political position must necessarily reflect on the level development and on the lives of the population.

The political unrest in Sudan connected to both politics and economy. Sudan is rich with natural resources, as it has oil reserves. Despite that, Sudan still faced formidable economic problems, and its growth was still a rise from a very low level of per capita output. Next, agricultural production remains Sudan's most-important sector, employing 80 percent of the workforce. Worse is production practices are rudimentary. There has not been efforts, at least, to modernize agriculture to the growing population. In 2018, 45% of the population lives on less than US$3.20 per day, up from 43% in 2010. There is still a huge increase in unemployment, so of course, politics and economy questions are inseparable.

On the opposite side, and in fact better than Sudan, Lukashenko continued a number of Soviet-era policies, such as state-ownership of large sections of the economy, and opposed Western-backed economic shock therapy in the post-Soviet transition. Over 70% of Belarus's population of about 9 million resides in urban areas.

The labor force consists of more than six million people, among whom women hold slightly more jobs than men. In some analysis, nearly a quarter of the population is employed by industrial factories. Employment is high in agriculture, manufacturing sales, trading goods, and education. The unemployment rate, according to government statistics, was 1.5% in 2010.

That however, Lukashenko has to gravitate between a romantic political idealism and corrosive reality. The will of the people of Belarus, peoples demands  the basic principle of democracy. But again, the key questions are the advantages that President Alexander Lukashenko has under his armpit. While the political situation is unpredictable, Belarus belongs to Eurasian Union, it also has the Minsk Agreement (Russia-Belarus Treaty) as instruments on which to capitalize in attempt to normalize the situation.

Belarus and Russia have been close trading partners and diplomatic allies since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Belarus is dependent on Russia for imports of raw materials and for its export market. However, the future of the Russian-Belarus union has been placed in doubt because of Belarus' repeated delays of monetary union, the lack of a referendum date for the draft constitution.

The major problem here is Belarus relations with several European Union members including neighboring Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. The EU has already threatened imposing sanctions, as United States has done in relation to the election held on August 9, 2020. The authorities accused the Russians of trying to destabilize the situation in Belarus in the run up to the presidential elections. Thousands have rallied across Belarus in some of the countrys biggest opposition protests in a decade.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who has emerged as his main rival, pledges to topple his regime and restore democracy. President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled the country since 1994, is facing a united and determined democratic opposition in what may be the toughest political fight of his life. Discontent, as always the case, has been simmering for years. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a statement underlining the importance for all Belarusians to exercise their civil and political rights.

On August 16, President Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko held discussion on the situation that has developed following the presidential election in Belarus including with due regard to external pressure. The Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to render the necessary assistance to resolve the challenges facing Belarus based on the principles of the Treaty on the Creation of a Union State, as well as through the Collective Security Treaty Organization ,if necessary.

In reality, the world is closely watching to see noticeable changes in Belarus. In reality, the world is closely watching to see noticeable changes in Belarus. Some experts suggest a national political dialogue, some argue that Lukashenko should have taken a page from Kazakhstan. Nursultan Nazarbayev ruled the country from 1991 to 2019. He resigned in March 2019, but now the Kazakh Security Council's chairman-for-life, other schools of thought says Lukashenko should listen to President Vladimir Putin.

There has been decades-long economic stagnation and prospects of further economic integration with Russia - seen by many as threatening Belarus sovereignty - has weakened Lukashenko's image as the guarantor of stability. Belarus has had a troubled relationship with many of its neighbors. There are many other issues which Belarus and Russia have to settle to ensure regional stability in the Commonwealth of Independent States, or at least, in the Eurasian Union. Time will, indeed, show a peaceful exit out of the crisis, and/or what next for Belarus.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Sudan on Tuesday as the Trump administration pushes for Arab nations to normalize ties with Israel.

Pompeos schedule includes meetings with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and Sovereign Council Chair General Abdel Fattah el-Burhan.

In addition to Sudan-Israel relations, the State Department says Pompeo will also discuss continued U.S. support for the civilian-led transitional government in Sudan.

Hamdok became prime minister last August after the military ousted president Omar al-Bashir following months of mounting protests against his 30-year rule.

Pompeo began his trip Monday in Israel where he said the United States will ensure Israels military advantage in the Middle East under any potential U.S. arms deals with the United Arab Emirates.

The United States has a legal requirement with respect to qualitative military edge. We will continue to honor that, said Pompeo after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wear face masks to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus after they make joint statements to the press, in Jerusalem, Aug. 24, 2020.

But we have a 20-plus year security relationship with the United Arab Emirates as well, where we have provided them with technical assistance and military assistance, he added.

The top U.S. diplomats trip to the Middle East comes after Washington helped broker the Israel-UAE deal earlier this month, a pact that Netanyahu said heralds a new era for the region.

But Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal is a "betrayal" of Palestinians. The Israel-UAE deal is seen as breaking a tradition among most Arab countries not to make peace with Israel until Israel and the Palestinians make peace.

Pompeo is also traveling to Bahrain, UAE and Sudan from August 23-28, with Iran, regional security issues, and "establishing and deepening Israels relationships in the region" high on the agenda.

The U.S. and Israel are hopeful that other Arab nations will follow the UAE in normalizing relations with Israel.

We discussed this and I hope well have good news in the future, maybe in the near future, said Netanyahu on Monday.

Bahrain and Oman are seen as the next Gulf countries to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.

Monday, British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab renewed a call for a dialogue between governments of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

"Israel's suspension of annexation is an essential step towards a more peaceful Middle East. It is important to build on this new dynamic, and ultimately only the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority can negotiate the two state solution required to secure lasting peace," said Raab in a statement.

Raab met with Pompeo on Monday in Jerusalem and is set to meet with Netanyahu and Abbas this week.

Netanyahu has praised the Trump administration for its efforts to initiate a return of the international sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the 2015 agreement restricting the countrys nuclear program.

The United States withdrew from the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and other signatories, including Britain, France and Germany, said because the U.S. walked away they could not support its sanctions action.
New Delhi:

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday expressed hope that demonetisation will help increase government revenue and lower fiscal deficit, leading to higher expenditure on defence and rural infrastructure.

With the junking of the old high-value currency, the parallel economy has become part of the formal system, which leads to higher accountability and taxation that boost economic growth and transparency, he said at the launch of Digi Dhan Mela in New Delhi.

He illustrated this point by saying that shifting towards less cash economy will help bridge fiscal deficit and bring about improvement in rural India.

The government will pass on lesser burden to the posterity if the fiscal deficit is lower, he added. At the same time, it will augment capability of administration, increase defence expenditure and improve spending on the poor.

Also read | Kirti Azad blames Jaitley peoples demonetisation woes, seeks his resignation

The government aims to bring down fiscal deficit to 3.99 per cent of GDP this fiscal.

Anonymity of money is gone with demonetisation as the money has come into the banking framework and becomes part of the formal system leading to strengthening of banking, he said.

The banks, in turn, can extend more loans and help build a better economy, Jaitley added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled two schemesLucky Grahak Yojana and Digi Dhan Vyapaar Yojanafor customers and traders alike to promote mobile banking and e-payments.

A total of 15,000 people will get rewards as Christmas gift through a draw, whereby each of them will have Rs 1,000 in their accounts.

Starting today, this scheme will continue for the next 100 days. Everyday, 15,000 people are going to receive rewards of Rs 1,000 each. In the next 100 days, lakhs of families are going to receive crores of rupees as gift, but you will be entitled to this gift only if you make use of mobile banking, e-banking, RuPay card, UPI, USSD - such means and methods of digital payment, Modi said.

In addition, there will be a grand draw once every week for such customers in which the prize money will be in lakhs of rupees.

On April 14, on the occasion of birth anniversary of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar, there will be a mega bumper draw where rewards will be in crores of rupees.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
OTTAWA - A new poll suggests Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be well placed to fight an election this fall, seen as the leader best able to care for Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic and to get the economy back on its feet.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 25/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA - A new poll suggests Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be well placed to fight an election this fall, seen as the leader best able to care for Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic and to get the economy back on its feet.

Respondents to the poll, conducted by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies, were split about the prospect of a confidence vote triggering a federal election this fall, with 42 per cent opposed to an election and 38 per cent in favour.

But if there were an election today, 38 per cent of decided voters said they'd support Trudeau's Liberals, compared to 30 per cent for the Conservatives, 18 per cent for the NDP and six per cent for the Greens.

The Bloc Quebecois were at 33 per cent in Quebec, statistically tied with the Liberals in that province at 32 per cent, with the Conservatives well behind at 16 per cent, the NDP at 12 per cent and the Greens at four per cent.

When asked specifically which party would earn their vote should Erin O'Toole be at the helm of the Conservatives, Liberal support actually bumped up one point while Conservative support dropped to 27 per cent.

However, the poll suggests O'Toole  who was crowned Conservative leader in the wee hours of Monday morning, one day after the survey was completed  is an unknown quantity for a majority of Canadians.

Asked if they'd be more or less likely to vote Conservative if O'Toole was at the helm, fully 51 per cent said they didn't know. Another 37 per cent said they'd be less likely while just 13 per cent said they'd be more likely.

While Conservative fortunes could improve as voters get to know O'Toole, the poll suggests he will need time to make a dent in their largely positive impression of Trudeau.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to a question as he speaks with media following an announcement in Brockville, Ont., Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Respondents rated Trudeau by a significant margin as the most decisive, intelligent, and charismatic leader and the best communicator. He was also deemed the most caring and compassionate, although on that score NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was rated a relatively close second.

Singh got top marks on honesty and integrity, with 24 per cent saying he best shows those qualities, compared to 16 per cent for Trudeau, who has been mired for months in the WE Charity scandal, and 12 per cent for O'Toole.

In Quebec, Bloc Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet was rated the most honest, decisive and intelligent and the best communicator.

On the issues that would likely dominate an election campaign in the fall, Trudeau enjoyed a substantial lead over rival leaders. (The Greens, who are in the midst of a leadership contest were not included in these questions).

He was seen as the leader who'd do the best job getting Canada's pandemic-ravaged economy back on track by 30 per cent, compared to 20 per cent for O'Toole, 11 per cent for Singh and just three per cent for Blanchet.

He was rated the best leader to manage the federal deficit, projected to hit almost $350 billion this year due to the pandemic (27 per cent to O'Toole's 23 per cent, Singh's nine per cent and Blanchet's three per cent).

He was also rated the leader who'd do the best job caring for Canadians hurt by the pandemic (35 per cent to O'Toole's 13 per cent, Singh's 19 per cent and Blanchet's four per cent)

And he was seen by far as the leader who would best keep Canadians safe from a second wave of the deadly coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (39 per cent to O'Toole's 13 per cent, Singh's 12 per cent and Blanchet's three per cent).

Trudeau last week prorogued Parliament until Sept. 23, when he intends to introduce a throne speech laying out a post-pandemic recovery plan for the country. Trudeau has all but dared opposition parties to bring his government down over the throne speech, which will be put to a confidence vote.

Leger executive vice-president Christian Bourque said Liberal support has rebounded since the WE Charity affair exploded in late June. But it could dip again if there are new revelations or when the federal ethics watchdog releases the findings of his investigation into possible conflict of interest violations by Trudeau and his former finance minister, Bill Morneau.

If it weren't for that ethical cloud hanging over the government, Bourque said the poll suggests a fall election "would be great timing for Mr. Trudeau"  while O'Toole is still unknown.

"I think the Conservatives need time," Bourque said in an interview, adding that Blanchet is the only leader for whom there appears to be no potential downside to a fall election.

The online survey of 1,516 adult Canadians was conducted Aug. 21-23. It cannot be assigned a margin of error because internet-based polls are not considered random samples.

The poll also gauged Canadians' views on the pandemic and its impact on the economy.

Forty-three per cent of respondents said they fear the economic crisis, already the deepest since the Great Depression, will get worse in the next 12 months; only 21 per cent believe it will get better while 25 per cent think it will stay the same.

Fully 77 per cent predicted there'll be a second wave of the pandemic. And 58 per cent said they think it is likely that over the next three months the country will be plunged back into lockdown, with businesses closed and citizens ordered once again to stay at home.

Despite those fears, 68 per cent said they would not take a free dose of the untested vaccine Russia has produced to immunize against COVID-19; only 14 per cent said they would take it, 18 per cent said they didn't know.

Seventy-six per cent said they remain very or somewhat satisfied with the measures the federal Liberal government has taken to deal with the pandemic; 77 per cent said the same of their provincial governments.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2020.
The principal low-code event of the year kicks off on September 1, spans four days and offers 65+ interactive, live and pre-recorded sessions

BOSTON, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mendix , a Siemens business and global leader in low-code application development for the enterprise, today announced continued strong growth in registrations for the largest-ever virtual low-code event, Mendix World: Version 2.0 .

Free of charge to all, Mendix World: Version 2.0 explores how low-code development - with its core principles of collaboration, agility, openness, and innovation - is the way forward for companies working through a time of unprecedented change. Special guests include renowned mathematician and professor Hannah Fry , and former head of innovation and creativity at The Walt Disney Company, Duncan Wardle .

"We have continued to see thousands of additional registrations in just the past two weeks, and it's easy to understand why," commented Derek Roos, CEO at Mendix. "Companies see technology as the solution to navigating global disruption. Interest in the event is exploding as businesses embrace low-code as the way to adapt to today's dynamic and rapidly changing environment driven by the impact of COVID-19 and the uncertain business landscape."

Mendix World: Version 2.0 replaces the original Rotterdam in-person event with an online digital event, rich in content and relevant to the moment. The four-day virtual event, which kicks off September 1, aims to empower and educate non-technical "citizen" developers and professional software developers from around the world on the benefits of low-code and how it can support digital transformation. The goal is to prepare companies dealing with current challenges and for an uncertain tomorrow.

The popularity of the event is driven by a three-track agenda including 15 live sessions spanning four days, plus dozens of on-demand and video sessions. Discussions at Mendix World: Version 2.0 will be facilitated through Slack, the event's primary engagement platform. Attendees can participate in pre-built conversations, submit their "Ask Me Anything" question and talk with other attendees.

Live session attractions

Live sessions include:

Mendix co-founder and CEO Derek Roos introducing new products and enhancements

introducing new products and enhancements An "AMA" (Ask Me Anything) with Mendix CTO Johan den Haan

Hands-on Live Build Webinar: Learn how to build a native mobile scan app in minutes

Art of the Possible: Six live sessions with Mendix community members sharing how they are pushing the boundaries of low-code development to deliver innovative, breakthrough applications

Low-code customer testimonials abound

Mendix World: Version 2.0 attendees will hear first-hand from enterprises that have successfully leveraged low-code to rapidly pivot their operations and reset their strategic technology direction. Newly announced customer stories will highlight:

Achmea, one of the big four health insurance providers in the Netherlands , with an annual gross premium of 14 billion, used Mendix to replace several internal and external applications that now serve thousands of users.

, with an annual gross premium of 14 billion, used Mendix to replace several internal and external applications that now serve thousands of users. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner , an international law firm with over 25 global offices and 1,600 employees which developed two solutions since adopting Mendix only six months ago - a report automation tool and a commercial procurement platform.

, an international law firm with over 25 global offices and 1,600 employees which developed two solutions since adopting Mendix only six months ago - a report automation tool and a commercial procurement platform. Ten 25, a U.K. software provider of inventory and order management systems, which built an ERP system on Mendix.

Three focus tracks covering many topics

For businesses embracing low-code development, Mendix World: Version 2.0 is a must. Attendees will have access to a wealth of premium, comprehensive, learning-filled video sessions across three focus tracks available on the Mendix World: Version 2.0 hub:

1) Lead the Way

CIOs and IT leaders have a seat at the forefront of low-code development with sessions that address high-level vision and strategic considerations for putting low-code at the heart of the enterprise digital roadmap:

Debunking the App Factory: Actually Getting There

The Future of Enterprise Low-Code

Reduce Risk and Cost With a Defined Cloud Deployment Approach

App Portfolio Roadmap From First App On: Planning and Funding

The Future of Citizen Development

2) Discover What's Possible

Business and IT leaders can see how their peers are generating measurable value within their organization with low-code. These sessions include first-hand accounts from customers about how they create business impact in their enterprises with low-code. Experiences and lessons learned will be shared by ConocoPhillips, the City of Rotterdam, Continental AG, CNH Industrial, Dutch business caterer Hutten, and Siemens Global Business Services, along with these stories:

Building Better Student Experiences by Improving App Quality with Brigham Young University

PostNL Order Management System: Processing 1.5 Million Orders Daily with a Mendix App

Delivering A Mission-Critical Application to Manage Travel Disruptions with Dutch Railways

How the Port of Amsterdam and Finaps are Automating Global Security Assessments with a Multi-Tenant Solution

and Finaps are Automating Global Security Assessments with a Multi-Tenant Solution Building Systems of Differentiation: How Zilveren Kruis Achmea Adopted Low-Code to Digitalize Operations

3) Build the Future

Developers can tune in for practical tech sessions and how-to's to enhance their skill sets. Demos, step-by-step sessions, live Q&As, and presentations by Mendix R&D engineers and expert services consultants will cover a broad range of topics for developers, including: data integration; building native mobile apps with React Native; creating outstanding multi-experience customer applications using mobile, chatbots, augmented reality, AI, and more; and exploring Mendix's "any and every cloud" options. Some examples:

Getting Started with React Native

Designing Consumer-Grade Mobile Apps with Mendix

Build and Run a Mendix Application on SAP Cloud Platform in Fiori Look and Feel

and Feel Implementing a QA Process For App Efficiency

Getting Things Done with the Data You Need

Customized Programs for All

Mendix World: Version 2.0 allows attendees to create their own customized program, free from the usual restrictions of conference tracks. Attendees can pick and choose the sessions they want and watch them at their own pace. Virtual conference sessions will highlight the breadth and depth of software apps currently being built with Mendix low-code - from finding the right talent mix and creating high-value business applications to empowering a remote workforce and accelerating the digitalization of complex industries to respond to the global pandemic.

Register before time runs out

Those interested in attending can register for free at the Mendix World: Version 2.0 online hub . All registrants will receive a promo code for 20% off of Mendix Academy sessions running in the rest of September with a range of courses for architects, developers, business engineers, etc., to up-level their development knowledge. Click here for details.

Background

In a pandemic-disrupted world, software is the new lifeblood of our daily lives and the connective tissue holding together the global economy. However, traditional software development takes far too long and very often fails to deliver the results business needs and users love. Even prior to COVID-19 there were simply not enough professional software developers in the world to build all the software currently required. The global pandemic has accelerated and exacerbated what was already a software and business crisis. Enter low-code software development. Low-code from Mendix is a powerful enterprise-grade visual development approach empowering citizen and professional developers to make cloud-native applications more than 10X faster for web and mobile using drag-and-drop components and model-driven logic - all through an intuitive graphical user interface.

Connect with Mendix

Follow @Mendix on Twitter

Connect with Mendix on LinkedIn

About Mendix

Mendix, a Siemens business and the global leader in enterprise low-code, is fundamentally reinventing the way applications are built in the digital enterprise. With the Mendix platform, enterprises can 'Make with More,' by broadening an enterprise's development capability to conquer the software development bottleneck; 'Make it Smart,' by making apps with rich native experiences that are intelligent, proactive, and contextual; and 'Make at Scale,' to modernize core systems and build large app portfolios to keep pace with business growth. The Mendix platform is built to promote intense collaboration between business and IT teams and dramatically accelerate application development cycles, while maintaining the highest standards of security, quality, and governance - in short, to help enterprises confidently leap into their digital futures. Mendix's 'Go Make It' platform has been adopted by more than 4,000 leading companies around the world.

Press Inquiries

Sara Black

sara@bospar.com

(213) 618-1501

Dan Berkowitz

Senior Director, Global Communications

Dan.Berkowitz@mendix.com

(415) 518-7870

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/440429/Mendix_Logo.jpg
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that he is not mandated to normalize ties with Israel,

and the issue should not be linked to Sudan's removal from a U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list.

Pompeo arrived from Israel on what he said was the first official non-stop flight between the two countries, as the United States promotes stronger Sudan-Israel ties.

The United States has been restoring its relations with Sudan following the ousting of former Islamist leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

The country is now one year into a 39-month political transition in which the military and civilians are sharing power.

Its economy is in crisis and authorities have been pushing to be removed from a U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list, which prevents it from accessing badly needed funding from international lenders.

Pompeo's visit follows an accord between Israel and the UAE this month to forge full relations, and comes as Israel and the United States push more Arab countries to follow.

But ties with Israel are a sensitive issue in Sudan, which was among the hardline Muslim foes of Israel under Bashir.

The government sacked its foreign ministry spokesman last week after he called the UAE decision to normalize relations with Israel "a brave and bold step."

According to a government spokesman, Hamdok told Pompeo that the transitional government "does not have a mandate ... to decide on normalization with Israel."

Adding that the matter would be decided after Sudan's transitional bodies were formed.
China is considering establishing a BRICS innovation base to strengthen cooperation among the five-country bloc including India in sectors like 5G, AI and digital economy, industry and information technology minister Xiao Yaqing has said.

Xiao said Beijing is actively considering setting up the base in China in order to strengthen practical cooperation among the members, which include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS).

Mondays video meeting comes ahead of the likely summit of the BRICS foreign ministers early September.

The coronavirus pandemic has badly impacted the economies of all five countries in the bloc with Brazil, India, Russia, and South Africa in the top five, after the US, in terms of infected people.

Addressing a video meeting of the blocs industry ministers on Monday, Xiao urged members to boost cooperation in new technology areas, according to Chinese state media.

According to the state media report, Xiao urged BRICS countries to strengthen their cooperation on digital transformation, especially in 5G, AI, the digital economy and others, to promote the digital transformation of enterprises and their innovation capabilities, and to promote sustainable economic and social development.

Chinas interest in promoting 5G within the BRICS bloc could be part of its interest in pushing tech giant Huawei internationally  Huaweis name has come up as a contender to build the network in Brazil and South Africa even as it is embroiled in controversies in other countries.

Interestingly, a Financial Times report says that India is gradually phasing out Chinese vendors from its telecom networks including Huawei following the deadly Galwan Valley clash on June 15.

Xiao added that China is vigorously promoting the resumption of work across the entire industry chain and is keen to see more development in new industries such as 5G, AI and the industrial Internet during the Covid-19 pandemic.

At present, growth in Chinas industrial economy is gaining momentum, in turn supporting the steady recovery of Chinas overall economy, and contributing to a new impetus and stability in the global industrial chain and supply chain, said Xiao.

The minister added that the pandemic has brought both challenges to the BRICS industrial anti-risk capabilities, but also opportunities for industry transformation and development.

BRICS countries should cooperate to promote economic recovery, strengthen communication and sharing their experiences in epidemic prevention and control, guarantee medical supplies, resume work and production, and promote economic development during Covid-19, Xiao added.

The BRICS multilateral bank, the New Development Bank (NDB) has loaned $4 billion to China, India, South Africa and Brazil to fight the pandemic under the emergency assistance programme.

In May, the Shanghai-based bank gave a $1billion loan to India to help fight and contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

The emergency assistance program loan to India was aimed at supporting the Indian government to contain the spread of Covid-19 and reduce human, social and economic losses caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the bank said in the statement.


Have you ever recorded yourself on an electronic device while speaking English? If so, what kinds of things did you notice?

Recording yourself gives you the chance to listen to and critique your English speaking skills. You can take note of things like sentence structure, word choice, pronunciation and fluency. This can give you a better idea of what your strengths are and which areas need more work.

Today on Education Tips, we will talk about two recording activities you can do to strengthen your speaking skills.

Retelling a story

The first activity involves narrative storytelling.

William Stout teaches at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. His specialty is teaching English as a foreign language. He says some speaking activities do not give an accurate picture of your true language skills. But narrative storytelling does.

Narrative storytelling is the retelling of a story. It can be a short piece of fiction, such as a program from the VOA Learning English series American Stories, or it can be the retelling of a news event. Or you can talk about something that happened in your own life.

Stout explains that narrative storytelling frees your mind from forming complex ideas, which lets you speak more easily in English. On the other hand, he notes, an activity requiring your opinion can slow you down. That is because it forces you to think about your ideas as you say them.

For the narrative storytelling activity, Stout says try to provide as many details as possible and aim for a recording of three minutes or fewer.

Dont just say, I studied at the library. Say, I walked into the library and I thought about where I should sit. And most of the seats were taken, so I looked around and I finally found a spot, but it was near the window. But it was chilly, so I had to keep my coat on. Something like that."

The goal in giving such detail is not to fill the time, but to speak at a faster speed because you do not have to stop and think of each idea separately.

Before the activity, Stout suggests speaking out loud to yourself a few times to make sure you have your main points in mind.

When listening to the recording, do not expect to find all or even most grammar or vocabulary mistakes, he says. But you can easily find some mistakes, such as wrong verb tenses, verb endings and noun endings. You can also take note of your language fluency. Other things are harder to do yourself, like recognizing and critiquing individual sounds from words.

After the first recording, Stout says, record yourself telling the same story at least once more and take note of your progress. But avoid memorizing your speech.

Giving, getting directions

The second activity involves giving and getting directions.

Wynter Oshiberu teaches English in the Washington, D.C. area. She works for the International Center for Language Studies and Montgomery Community College. She is also a volunteer English teacher for a nonprofit group called Paper Airplanes.

Oshiberu says giving directions is a real-world skill and one you can use almost anywhere. And you can train by yourself if you do not have people to speak English with.

The first step in the activity is to choose a starting point and a destination.

For the starting point, she says, choose a place that you know well, like your home or a nearby bus or train station.

For the destination, choose a place you need to travel to more often, such as the supermarket, train station, your work place or favorite eating place.

Then, record yourself giving the directions. The recording should not be longer than one minute.

Oshiberu says the activity is a good way to employ the imperative form, also known as the command form. In English, the command form begins with a verb, as in, Turn right when you reach the doctors office.

Note however that, when giving directions, native English speakers sometimes add the subject you to the start of a command.

The correct way, if youre telling someone what to do, you might want to start off with, First, you go right on 7th Street' or 'First, you turn right on 7th Street or just Turn right on 7th Street.

Avoid adding the modal verb can, which Oshiberu notes is a common mistake of English learners. For example, avoid saying something like, You can turn right on 7th Street.

When listening to your recording, take note of your subject-verb agreement, use of prepositions, use of the command form and pronunciation.

You can even try using your own directions yourself, Oshiberu adds. In other words, play the recording as you walk from the starting point to the destination. This will let you know whether your directions were clear and accurate.

Another way to practice getting directions is to use your phones GPS or global positioning system.

To do this, she suggests changing the language settings on the GPS system to English. Then, choose a destination to get walking directions to, a place that is not too far away. Set the GPS so you can listen to the directions and then follow the directions to the destination.

Oshiberu says listening to directions is useful because, when you give directions to a real person, they are probably going to ask questions.

That brings our program to a close. As you try these speaking activities, remember to relax and enjoy the process. And dont forget to celebrate the things you do well! Let us know how it goes.

Im Alice Bryant.

Alice Bryant wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Transcribe Yourself

If you would like to more closely observe the grammar and vocabulary in your speaking, you can transcribe your recordings. To transcribe means to put your speech into written or typed form.

There are two ways to do this.

You can use a transcription service, such as Google's speech recognition service, which offers a free trial period. Such services automatically type out the words you speak. However, note that these services usually work better for common accents.

The second way is to type or write the words yourself after you record yourself. This might involve having to rewind the recording a few times, but it can also act as a good English writing practice exercise.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

pronunciation - n. the way in which a word or name is said

fluency - n. the ability to speak easily and smoothly

accurate - adj. able to produce results that are correct

fiction - n. written stories about people and events that are not real : literature that tells stories which are imagined by the writer

library - n. a place where books, magazines, and other materials (such as videos and musical recordings) are available for people to use or borrow

spot - n. a particular space or area

chilly - adj. noticeably cold

coat - n. an outer piece of clothing that can be long or short and that is worn to keep warm or dry

destination - n. a place to which a person is going or something is being sent

relax - v. to stop feeling nervous or worried

accent - n. a way of pronouncing words that occurs among the people in a particular region or country
A government commission on constitutional reform has recommended the abolition of Armenias Constitutional Court which has been locked in a standoff with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians administration.

The 15-member commission voted narrowly over the weekend for a draft amendment that would merge the Constitutional Court with the Court of Cassation, the countrys highest body of criminal and administrative justice. Armenia would have a U.S.-style Supreme Court as a result.

Pashinian said in June that the ad commission body formed by his government in January should very seriously such a merger.

Daniel Ioannisian, one of the eight commission members who backed the idea, said on Monday that the Supreme Court would make it easier for Armenians to challenge the legality of decisions made by various state bodies.

Ioannisian also argued that many Constitutional Court rulings have been ignored by other Armenian courts. We will address this problem as well, he told RFE/RLs Armenian service. Courts will now know that [every Supreme Court ruling] is the position of a court to which they are subordinate.

But Artur Ghambarian, one of the seven other members who oppose the merger, insisted that the commission majority failed to substantiate the need for such a dramatic change. They should come up with serious arguments and grounds in favor of dissolving major constitutional institutions and creating new ones in their place, he wrote on Facebook.

Other critics, notably supporters of Armenias former leadership, claimed that the proposed dissolution of the Constitutional Court is part of Pashinians efforts to gain control over the judiciary.

For almost a year, Pashinian was at loggerheads with seven of the nine members of the Constitutional Court, accusing them of being linked to the former regime and impeding judicial reforms.

In June, the Armenian parliament controlled by his My Step bloc passed constitutional changes calling for the gradual resignation of those judges. They all had taken the bench before April 2018.

The amendments required two of them to resign with immediate effect. They also stipulated that Hrayr Tovmasian must quit as court chairman but remain a judge.

Tovmasian and the ousted judges have refused to step down, saying that their removal is illegal and politically motivated. They have appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to have them reinstated.

Despite the legal action, Pashinian, President Armen Sarkissian and a nationwide assembly of Armenian judges have nominated candidates to replace the ousted judges. Under the Armenian constitution, all new members of the Constitutional Court must be appointed by the parliament.

The government nominee, Vahram Avetisian, last week withdrew his candidacy opposed by some lawmakers affiliated with Pashinians bloc. The government has yet to formally pick another candidate.
It was just before 7am when Mohammed Saab stepped out of his double-storey southern Sydney home on his way to work and was ambushed, shot at least six times in the body and legs.

The father and construction industry figure's family rushed to his aid, with a relative on Wednesday recalling seeing his children by his side saying, "Don't die, dad."

Mohammed Saab, 37, was shot outside his home on his way to work on Wednesday. Credit:Facebook

The 37-year-old was in St George Hospital at Kogarah in a stable condition on Wednesday night, having undergone hours of emergency surgery.

"He didn't do nothing," the relative told reporters outside the family's home at Knoll Avenue in Turrella on Wednesday.
The head of the UN's atomic watchdog agency arrived in on Monday to press for access to sites where authorities are thought to have stored or used undeclared material.

The visit comes as the US is pushing to snapback UN sanctions on for allegedly violating its 2015 deal with world powers, which the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from more than two years ago.

Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, the other signatories to the deal, have declared the US action illegal, saying it can't withdraw from a deal and then use the UN resolution that endorsed it to re-impose sanctions.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the Atomic Energy Agency, will meet with Iranian officials on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The IAEA repeatedly found in compliance with the agreement until last year, when Tehran started openly exceeding some of the deal's limits on enrichment in response to heavy US sanctions.

Iran has said the UN official's visit is an opportunity for greater cooperation and has nothing to do with the US push for more sanctions.

Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for Iran's atomic agency, said Sunday that the UN is seeking access to two sites, one near the capital and the other near the central city of Isfahan. He did not say whether Iran would grant access.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 75-year-old woman in Nottingham was the first known case of Covid-19 spreading in the UK because she gave a positive sample on February 21, scientists claim.

The woman, who later became one of the first three people to die of the disease, fell ill more than two weeks before officials admitted the virus was spreading in Britain.

Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said on March 5, when the first death was announced, that it was 'highly likely' that community transmission was happening inside the UK.

The Nottingham woman had been given a routine swab for another health problem on February 21, and researchers have since reanalysed that and found out she was positive for Covid-19 at the time.

It had previously been thought that a man in Surrey  the 20th case diagnosed in the UK, on February 28  was the first person to catch it on home soil.

Scientists say a policy of only testing people who had been to high-risk areas abroad meant thousands of coronavirus cases went undetected early this year.

Deaths could have been prevented and lockdown could have come sooner and softened the blow of the pandemic if the international travel rule hadn't been used, they said.

The woman later died and is understood to have been the first fatality recorded by University Hospitals Nottingham NHS Trust, on March 3. (Pictured: City Hospital which is run by the trust)

The researchers, led by the virologist Professor Jonathan Ball at the University of Nottingham, said: 'Patient 1 in this study is, to the best of our knowledge, the earliest described community-acquired case of SARS-CoV-2 in the UK, admitted to hospital care on the 21st of February 2020'.

The scientists say the woman had given a nasal swab sample for another health problem - which was not named - on February 21.

To do their study the scientists had gone through 1,660 samples taken in Nottingham between January and March, to screen them for early cases of coronavirus.

Three tested positive, with the 75-year-old woman's the earliest.

It is not known when doctors confirmed that she had Covid-19  or whether she ever knew she had it  but scientists have since retested the woman's nasal swab and found that she had Covid-19 when she gave the sample on February 21.



She later died and is understood to have been the first fatality recorded by University Hospitals Nottingham NHS Trust, on March 3.

That death on March 3 was one of the first three recorded in England.

Professor Ball and colleagues say they can be sure the woman caught the coronavirus in the UK because she had not travelled abroad in a reasonable time frame before giving the swab.

Their paper said: 'No recent travel history or contact with a recently returned traveller was identified during care such that the PHE-defined case definition for SARS-CoV-2 testing at the time was not met.'

The paper claimed that the woman was also the first person to die of Covid-19 in the UK, but NHS England has a record of a patient dying in Essex a day earlier.

BRITAIN'S FIRST CORONAVIRUS CASES: A TIMELINE York: January 31 Mother and son test positive after falling ill in York. Believed to have travelled from China, where they caught the virus. Brighton: February 6-13 A group of six, including businessman Steve Walsh, who travelled to France together all diagnosed in UK but spread the virus among one another abroad. Not known to have infected anyone in Britain. Nottingham: February 21 75-year-old woman now thought to be first to catch Covid-19 in UK. Swab given for another reason on Feb 21 later tested positive. Surrey: February 28 Man confirmed positive on February 28  the 20th in the UK  thought to have been first instance of transmission in Britain because he did not travel abroad. Essex: March 2 First Covid-19 death recorded by NHS England at Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust. Nottingham: March 3 First Covid-19 death in Nottingham at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. March 5 First UK Covid-19 death officially announced in a patient in Berkshire. Advertisement

It is unlikely that the Nottingham woman is truly the first person to have caught the coronavirus on British soil, she may just be the first for whom there is a record.

The first cases were confirmed on January 31 in a Chinese mother and son who were staying at a hotel in York.

Professor Ball's study acknowledges that these were the first cases in the UK but it is not clear whether transmission occurred between them in Britain, nor whether - if it did - it was considered community transmission.

The paper said: 'The first confirmed SARS-CoV-2 case in the United Kingdom travelled from Hubei province on the 23rd of January 2020 and became symptomatic on the 26th of January.

'This patient then transmitted the virus to a household contact, who also became symptomatic two days later.'

Professor Ball and colleagues said that the number of people who have died of Covid-19 in Britain could have been reduced if the Government didn't have such a strict testing policy at the start.

In the early stages of the pandemic - throughout January, February and March - people in the UK could only get tested for coronavirus if they both had symptoms and had travelled to a high risk area abroad, or had been in contact with someone who had.

Testing stopped completely on March 12 because there simply weren't enough tests available to use on anyone who wasn't so ill they were in hospital.

This rule coincided with what is now believed to have been the peak of transmission in the country.

The peak of deaths - presumed to come approximately three weeks after the peak of cases - was around April 10, suggesting the most people were infected in the week ending March 22.

And with an approximate death rate of one per cent, the 1,122 deaths officially announced on April 10 suggest at least 112,000 people were sick at the time.

Professor Ball said: 'Our data highlights the importance of timely and extensive community testing to prevent future widespread transmission of the virus.

'Had the diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 been widened earlier to include patients with compatible symptoms but no travel history, it is likely that earlier imported infections would have been detected, which could have led to an earlier lockdown and lower deaths.

'However, the capacity for testing available nationally was not sufficient at the time to process the volume of testing required with a broader case definition.

'In order to prepare for any future pandemic such as this, the UK urgently needs to invest in and expand diagnostic capacity within NHS and PHE diagnostic laboratory services.

'Any lasting investment in the human resources and associated infrastructure to achieve a more agile epidemic response both nationally and globally will undoubtedly save lives and drastically reduce the adverse impact of such outbreaks on the economy.'

The paper has been published without peer review on the website medRxiv.
The past three election for The Woodlands Township Board of Directors have included some sort of controversy regarding the standard candidate application all elected office hopefuls are required to fill out to be on the ballot.

The 2020 election has also seen controversy as one candidate was kicked off the ballot for an unacceptable application, another had two applications rejected before a third was accepted and a third candidate filed two applications and was forced to rescind one under state law.

The issues began in 2018, when then-board hopeful Luis Louis Granados left blank two boxes on the form asking for length of residency in both Texas and The Woodlands. Granados was unaware of his error until the filing period had closed and he was kicked off the ballot. He appealed his removal to the State of Texas, however that was denied and his opponent, John Anthony Brown, ran unopposed and easily won re-election to a second term.

Related: Board candidate in The Woodlands Township is removed from ballot

In 2019, then-candidate Bob Milner put false information on his application regarding his lengthy of residency. However, since Milner still met the minimum residency requirements, he was kept on the ballot and won election to the Position 7 seat.

Related: Woodlands board candidate lists inaccurate information on application; still eligible for Nov. 5 election

In 2020, the confusion over the one-page application reached a new level: two candidates had their first applications rejected due to omissions, another candidate mysteriously filed two applications for the same board seat and another four candidates requested their academic or professional titles be place on the ballot only to be informed that is a violation of state law.

The Villager made a TPIA public records request from The Woodlands Township for all communications between the 13 candidates who filed applications and the main staff member who deals with the election each year, Karen Dempsey, the assistant to township president and general manager Don Norrell. The documents provided under the request show confusion over the application process from several candidates, and included allegations by Granados of possible xenophobia.

After his candidate application was rejected a second time, Granados accused township officials of unfair treatment.

This is something that need to change in the process to avoid the abuses by those who hand pick and chose the board members they can work with meanwhile, avoiding those who doesnt look or sound American, Granados wrote. Anyway, I left on your front box another application which, hopefully, will satisfy the requirements.

Township Communications Director Nick Wolda said in an email to The Villager that Granados claims are false and baseless.

The township rejects those allegations, Wolda stated.

Applications rejected

Like in 2018, township officials rejected applications due to omissions  however, in 2020, there were two candidates not one who had their filings returned: Granados in the Position 2 race had two applications rejected before he submitted an acceptable form; and Amanda Beth Beasley, who also sought the Position 2 seat.

Granados re-filed his application after not signing it as is required. He will appear on the ballot for the Position 2 seat in the Nov. 3 election.

Beasley submitted her application on the last day of the filing period, Monday and by the time she was notified of the omissions on her form and that it had been rejected, it was too late for her to file a new one. She decided to drop out of the running for office rather than appeal the decision.

Related: Woodlands election candidate kicked off ballot; second candidate quits Township board race

According to correspondence between Granados and Dempsey, the local oil and gas industry engineer first sent in his application with no signature. Under changes to the candidate application acceptance process initiated in 2018 by former township director John McMullan, two members of the township staff review candidate applications as soon as received and notify candidates if the form is unacceptable.

Dempsey send letters via the U.S. Postal Service and to Granados email accounts notifying him of his first incomplete application. When Granados resubmitted the form, he made the same error he did on the first attempt, not signing the form. It was rejected again and on his third attempt, Granados application was accepted. He is one of four candidates who will appear on the ballot for the Position 2 seat, along with incumbent Jason J. Nelson, Thomas Chumbley and Jimmie Dotson.

Academic titles

Another point of confusion on the candidate applications was the desire and requests by four different candidates to have their various academic or professional titles listed on the ballot before their names.

The candidates who sought titles included The Rev. Daniel Hannon, Position 4 seat, Dr. Jerry D. Smith, in the Position 1 race, Granados in the Position 2 race and Royal Porter Putnam in the Position 3 race. Hannon, Smith and Granados all sought to have Dr. placed before their names on the ballot. Putnam, who has withdrawn his application and was removed from the ballot, asked for an unlisted title to be on his ballot entry.

According to informational emails sent to all four candidates who sought titles on their ballot listings, Dempsey told them that state law prohibits those types of monikers on election ballots. The rules governing titles on ballots are found in Section 52.003, subsection B, Chapter 52 of the Texas Election Code, Dempsey told each candidate.

Of the four who sought the designations, only one  Granados  questioned the state law prohibiting titles on the ballot. He said he believed current directors Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs and Ann Snyder had used degrees on their ballot names. However, township officials said that was false and both had only their names listed on the ballot in their respective bids for office in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

The two females Directors had their doctoral degrees advertised everywhere when they applied for a position there last time. Just to be sure that it was properly handled then. Dr. Sekula Gibbs had a poster in front of my house for weeks and nobody said anything, Granados stated in one email. Still, even if the two females on the board did not use their academic title on their application, they used it on their banners, posters and advertising paid by their campaign. Shouldnt this be regulated so not to influence the electorate with academic credentials since the credentials are not allowed on the ballot?

Dempsey reiterated to Granados in a series of emails that he was unable to list Dr. before his name on the ballot and no other candidates had done that in prior elections.

To clarify, the Titles Prohibited section of the Election Code that was quoted in the letter applies only to how your name would appear on the ballot itself. This section of the Election Code does not impact how you may choose to list your name on any campaignrelated materials, Dempsey wrote. The two Directors you noted did not have a title included as part of their name on the ballot itself.

Limited review

One of the issues confronting any person who seeks office and must fill out the candidate application is that the staff from the township  or whatever governmental entity a position is sought in  are prohibited by state law from assisting candidates in the filling out of the application.

The issue has created so much concern in recent years that one 2020 candidate  Thomas Chumbley  filed two different applications for the same seat because he feared one might not be accepted.

I didnt put my home address for residence but used the same address as the official contact address. I was just correcting thatT, Chumbley said of his two applications. Thats all. This was done just in case there was a discrepancy that caused my name to not be included on the ballot.

Both township attorney Robin Cross and Wolda said that under state law, the township staff is prohibited from helping any candidate in filling out their ballot. There are explanations on how to fill out the ballot included with the application and also available on the Texas Secretary of State elections website.

Candidates are solely responsible for compliance with state laws, Wolda added.

The township board election is Nov. 3, with early voting beginning on Oct. 13 and continuing through Oct. 30. There are 10 candidates for four open seats with only one seat uncontested, the Position 3 seat held by incumbent John A. Brown.

jeff.forward@chron.com
Police have launched an urgent appeal to find a 16-year-old girl who went missing two days ago.

Alesha White from Luton, Bedfordshire, was last seen on Sunday and was reported missing to police on Monday evening.

The teenager is said to have links to Birmingham and the Finsbury Park area of north London.

Alesha White was last seen on Sunday evening and was reported missing to police on Monday evening

Bedfordshire Police launched a desperate plea to find the teenager on Monday.

She is described as 5ft2in tall, slim, with long blonde hair.

Officers believe she was last seen wearing grey jeans, a jacket and black trainers.

Around 1,000 people have shared a Facebook appeal to find the 16-year-old.

A spokesman from Bedfordshire Police said: 'Anyone who seen Alesha or has any information on her whereabouts contact Bedfordshire Police online or call 101, quoting ref number MPL/1957/20.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  The 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the convictions of two white supremacists who participated in violence during the Unite the Right rally, but indicated part of an anti-riot law may violate the First Amendment.

The appeal was filed on behalf of Benjamin Drake Daley and Michael Paul Miselis, two members of the California-based white supremacist Rise Above Movement, whose members attended the Charlottesville rally in 2017, as well as two rallies in California.

Daley, Miselis and two other California men  Thomas Walter Gillen and Cole Evan White  attended the rally in Charlottesville with the explicit intent to harm Jewish people and people of color, whom they viewed as enemies, according to court documents.

After pleading guilty to federal charges in 2019, Daley and Miselis received 37-month and 27-month prison sentences, respectively. Gillen, despite not being depicted harming anyone at the UTR rally, received a 33-month sentence due to past criminal conduct, mostly revolving around marijuana. White, who accepted a plea agreement in November 2018, is currently out on bond and will be sentenced in October following various COVID-19-related delays.

Following their 2019 convictions in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Daley and Miselis challenged the constitutionality of the federal Anti-Riot Act, a seldom-used 1968 law.

The court agreed that portions of the law were overly broad, specifically in areas where the law encompassed speech that encourage or promote a riot, as well as speech urging others to riot. However, in part because of the actions of Daley and Miselis fall under conduct prohibited by the law, including committing acts of violence in furtherance of a riot and participating in a riot, the appeals court upheld the lower courts decision.

Because we also find that the discrete areas of overbreadth are severable  meaning that the remainder of the statute is constitutionally valid, capable of operating independently, and consistent with Congresss basic objectives  the appropriate remedy is to invalidate the statute only to the extent that it reaches too far, while leaving the remainder intact, the three-judge panel wrote.

The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals decision contrasts with a 2019 ruling from a California federal judge in a case against separate RAM defendants.

In both states, the defendants argued that due in part to its overly broad nature, the Anti-Riot Act is unconstitutional and infringed on their First Amendment rights to political speech. This argument failed to sway a U.S. district judge in Virginia but found traction in California.

In June 2019, U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney ruled in Los Angeles that the act went too far in regulating free speech.

The Anti-Riot Act, which was most famously used to prosecute the Chicago Eight for conspiring to start a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, was unconstitutional on its face value, he said, because it criminalized advocating violence when no riot was imminent.

Some posts express repugnant, hateful ideas, Carney wrote. Other posts advocate the use of violence. Most, if not all, are protected speech.

The four RAM members were among the few to face federal charges related to the Unite the Right rally. The other notable case involved James Alex Fields Jr., who used his vehicle to murder Heather Heyer and maim dozens. Fields pleaded guilty to federal hate crime charges in 2019 and received 29 life sentences.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Islamabad eager to see the armed group start a dialogue with Kabul.

Pakistan has urged the Taliban to start talks soon with the Afghan government to end decades of conflict, telling visiting officials of the group that an intra-Afghan dialogue could help ensure regional stability.

The meeting between Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and a Taliban delegation on Tuesday came as Afghanistans peace process remains stalled over disagreements on a prisoner exchange.

Pakistan is eager to see an intra-Afghan dialogue start soon to ensure regional peace and stability, Qureshi said in a statement after meeting a delegation led by the head of the Talibans political office, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

Baradar with other Taliban members during a meeting with Qureshi (not in picture) in Islamabad, Pakistan [Reuters]

Talks between the Taliban and an Afghan-government mandated committee were to be held in the Qatari capital Doha following the completion of the prisoner exchange between the two sides.

But the completion of the swap has been delayed by disagreements between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

There are also concerns over rising violence, which diplomats say is sapping trust needed for the talks. The armed group has so far rejected implementing a ceasefire before the talks start.

We deliberated on the complications, and what could be their solution, Qureshi said in a short media briefing, where no questions were taken.

Though it was not immediately clear whether a reduction in violence was discussed, diplomats say Pakistan  a leading regional player  has been pushing for a reduction in violence and smoothing the way for peace talks.

Tuesdays meeting was also attended by Lt General Faiz Hameed, the head of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency.

Analysts say the agency has had a close association with armed groups in Afghanistan dating back to the Soviet Unions invasion of the country in the late 1980s, and continues to exercise some influence over the Taliban.

But tensions remain high between Islamabad and Kabul, with the administration of President Ashraf Ghani frequently lashing out at Pakistan for allegedly sheltering, funding and supplying the Taliban.

Pakistan, which was one of only three countries to recognise the Taliban when it ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, denies the claims.
By Trend

WHO provides support to Uzbekistans Ministry of Health in the area of clinical management by conducting regular webinars for clinicians across the country, discussing clinical management, prevention of complications, case studies, providing available updates on Kawasaki disease, multiorgan failure, vaccines, and antivirals which are currently being developed globally, Head of the WHO Country Office in Uzbekistan Doctor Lianne Kuppens told Trend in an interview.

One of the priority areas of collaboration between World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan is the strengthening of national capacity for emergency preparedness, including support for the national laboratories to detect newly emerging pathogens, such as COVID-19, Kuppens said.

Head of the WHO Country Office believes that Uzbekistan should continue to strengthen identification of the cases.

The Government of Uzbekistan should invest further in contact tracing and testing to further boost its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, invest in human resources, extensively use of digital health tools, and continue improve the care of COVID-19 patients. Data collection and analysis should also be improved. As the pandemic evolves, new challenges arise, Kuppens stressed.

She added that improvements in surveillance, testing strategy and thorough data analysis will help inform evidence-based decisions, including implementation of public health measures.

Lastly, we have to urgently prepare for the upcoming flu epidemic. Ensure that the elderly, the vulnerable groups nationwide have access to the flu vaccine. Ensure that we integrate the flu surveillance with the COVID surveillance, ensure that we have the capacity to give adequate care to severe flu cases but at the same be able to give care to the severe COVID cases and these two patients can not be in the same room, said Kuppens.

According to Head of the WHO Country Office in Uzbekistan, at this stage, WHO have no idea how the flu and COVID combined crisis will evolve.

The COVID virus is still very new and we need to learn about the inter-action between these two viruses. But what we do know is that all governments should be prepare and further invest in both epidemics, stressed Kuppens.

According to Doctor Kuppens, WHO recommends to continue with identifying cases, testing, isolating them and taking care of them, and as well finding the contacts of those infected and putting them into quarantine. The WHO also strongly advises countries not to go for complete lockdown again, but to strengthen the surveillance to be able to follow the virus and reduce further transmission.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Plaquemines Parish officials lifted a mandatory evacuation order Tuesday as Tropical Storm Marco dissipated and Hurricane Laura appeared headed for southwestern Louisiana.

Parish President Kirk Lepine said residents could return starting at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, according to a press release.

+2 Though Laura is headed west, New Orleans officials urge preparations for wind, rain Though Hurricane Laura's landfall later this week is expected to be near the Louisiana-Texas line, New Orleans officials cautioned residents n

The storm shelter set up in the Multi Purpose Center in Belle Chasse will close at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Government offices in the parish will open Wednesday morning, as will parish schools  both virtual and in-person.

Earlier this week, with the twin threats of Marco and Laura looming, Lepine put out the evacuation order for the eastbank and westbank of the parish from the Phillips 66 refinery to Venice.

Other coastal areas outside of Plaquemines Parish remain under evacuation orders. Forecasters and public officials have warned that Laura could create a storm surge across much of coastal Louisiana as a powerful Category 3 storm.
Fire burns in the hollow of an old-growth redwood tree in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calif., Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. The CZU Lightning Complex wildfire tore through the park but most of the redwoods, some as old as 2,000 years, were still standing. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

A wildfire ravaged through the historic Big Basin Redwood State Park on Monday, taking down hundreds of ancient trees in a fiery blaze.

Conservation experts remain hopeful about the forest's survival, though. Most of the trees seemed to have withstood the flames.

Laura McLendon, conservation director for the Sempervirens Fund, an environmental organization dedicated to protecting redwood forests, told the Associated Press that "the forest, in some ways, is resetting."

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Wildfires have been raging throughout the state of California, prompting sweeping evacuations of communities and deploying dozens of fire crews to battle the blazes.

On Monday, one of the fires, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire ravaged, through the famous Big Basin Redwood State Park in Santa Cruz County in northern California.

The fire-ravaged park headquarters building is seen after the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire passed through Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calif. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

Hundreds of the thousand-year-old redwoods toppled from the wildfire, and the state park's headquarters remains nothing but a pile of burnt rubble.

Nonetheless, much of the forest seems to have survived the blaze, according to a photographer for the Associated Press.

Laura McLendon, conservation director for the Sempervirens Fund, an environmental organization dedicated to protecting redwood forests, told the AP that she remains hopeful despite the toll the fire took on the park.

"It will regrow," McLendon told the AP. "Every old-growth redwood I've ever seen, in Big Basin and other parks, has fire scars on them. They've been through multiple fires, possibly worse than this."

A wildfire-damaged sign welcomes visitors Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calif. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

The 118-year-old state park, which sees 250,000 tourists a year, had recently reopened after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It shut down again amid the fire season.

Upon learning that the forest had withstood the wildfire, State Parks District Superintendent Chris Spohrer told the AP that he was relieved that there are trees still standing.

"The reason those trees are so old is because they are really resilient," he said.

Story continues

Spohrer told the AP the state parks department had so far only inspected buildings in the state park since the flames have been extinguished but hopes that the condition of the trees will be checked out soon.

A fallen old-growth redwood tree falls over a road leading up park headquarters Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calif. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

Many trees have done surprisingly well. For example, Mother of the Forest  which formerly was the tallest living tree before the Hyperion tree  resprouted after the top of it snapped off during a storm, according to the AP report.

"The forest, in some ways, is resetting," McLendon told the AP.

The California wildfires are shaping up to be among the worst in the state's history, with more than one million acres of land being consumed by flames. At least seven people have died related to the fires as of Monday, and thousands have been evacuated.

As of Monday, there are at least 20 active fires in the state, two of which  the LNU Lightning Complex and the SCU Lightning Complex Fires  are the second and third largest wildfires in California's history.

Read the original article on Insider
SSC Constable in Delhi Police Exam 2020: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) on Tuesday issued an official notification, asking candidates applying for Constable (Executive) Male and Female in Delhi Police recruitment examination 2020 to submit their online applications before the last date, i.e. September 7, 2020.

The Commission advised aspirants to not wait till the last date to avoid the possibility of disconnection/inability or failure to login to the website on account of heavy load on the website during the closing days, further reads the notice.

The online registration process for Delhi police constable recruitment examination 2020 began on August 1, 2020.

SSC will be conducting the recruitment examination between November 27 and December 14, 2020.

The recruitment drive is being conducted to fill 5846 vacancies, out of which, 1944 vacancies are for Constable (Exe.) Female, 3433 for Constable (Exe.) Male, 243 for Constable (Exe.) Male (Ex-Servicemen and others), and 226 for Constable (Exe.) Male (Ex-Servicemen).

A candidate should have passed 10+2 (Senior Secondary) from a recognized Board. Educational qualification is relaxable up to 11th passed for the: sons/ daughters of serving, retired or deceased Delhi Police Personnel/ MultiTasking Staff of Delhi Police, and Bandsmen, buglers, mounted constables, drivers, dispatch riders, etc. of Delhi Police only.

For more information, candidates are advised to read the official recruitment notification.

Heres the direct link to apply online.
When the coronavirus global pandemic hit the world, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just officially stepped down as senior members of the Royal Family. So as soon as they kick-off their post-royal life, the couple has only been seen in official engagements through virtual calls and recorded speeches.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex entertain their respective virtual interviews and speeches separately. But last July, they took part in the Queen's Commonwealth Trust's weekly session discussing the "Black Lives Matter" movement.

Last week, the 35-year-old Duke and 39-year-old Duchess once again graced the organization's virtual event, which they act as President and Vice President. During the virtual call, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spoke to the leaders of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.

Meghan's Weird Habit

But aside from the points they raised during the session, royal commentators could not help but point out Meghan's weird habit while on a video conference with her husband of two years.

During a virtual discussion for ET Canada, royal correspondent Keshia Chante together with her fellow commentators Roz Weston and Graeme O'Neil talk about how they were bothered with Meghan's bizarre onscreen habit.

After praising the Sussexes continuous commitment to Queen Elizabeth II's charity work, Chante moved the topic to a particular online manner of Meghan Markle that caught her attention.

Apparently, Chante was particularly bothered when the Duchess stares intently at her Prince husband.

"On a side note, it always trips me out when Meghan stares at Harry while he's talking," Chante said.

"I'm always like, 'What are you looking at?' Is there something in his teeth? Like, what's happening? What y'all looking at? Can I see too?" she added.

Chante's observation sent Weston and O'Neil into laughter. This lead Chante and Weston to start imitating Meghan's "look of love" for Prince Harry. They began swivelling their heads on the side as if staring at each other although they are on split-screen.

During their first virtual appearance with the organization while still in their rented mansion in California, it is also noticeable how Meghan would often turn her head looking at Prince Harry's face while he was talking.





Massive PDA

These instances were not the first time Meghan Markle was caught staring at her real-life Prince and vice-versa. The couple is notorious for breaking royal protocols for showing affection to each other while in public and on an official engagement.

Prince Harry and Meghan's love for each other is always beaming through the way they look at each other, held hands, and even touch each other intimately even in the middle of an official royal engagement. While it is common for couples to have a little public display of affection, royal fans were not used to this kind of a norm.

They never seem to let go of each other's hands from their engagement interview and every royal duty. One of the most talked-about PDAs they had was when Harry placed his hand on Meghan's upper thigh during an event at Bondi Beach in Australia.

READ MORE: Ellen DeGeneres Show Officially Canceled: TV Show Pulled Out From Channel 9
He said that courting turnout from Black men was the same as for any other group: You have to come out and you have to ask. And then you have to address the issues that are of concern to them.

The die is not cast, however, and Mrs. Clintons fate still holds warning signs for Mr. Biden and his campaign. They are both Washington insiders who struggled with younger Black voters in the primary  a key demographic in Mr. Obamas general-election coalition  but won older Black voters handily en route to the nomination.

Throughout her race, Mrs. Clinton faced skepticism for her association with the 1990s expansion of the federal prison system, an overhaul that Mr. Biden helped craft. He has recently embraced the language of acknowledging systemic racism, and released a sweeping policy meant to close the racial wealth gap and improve education in Black communities. Still, as with Mrs. Clinton, the matter of trust remains.

In November, it could be Mr. Bidens improvements with white voters throughout the state  not his prowess with motivating infrequent Black voters  that powers his electoral success.

These people locked up a lot of my brothers, you know, Adi Armour, 49, said, adding that he did not vote for Mrs. Clinton in 2016 but planned to vote for Mr. Biden in 2020. He called the decision a tough one.

Itll be more of a vote to get Trump out of there than a vote for Biden to get in, he explained.

Mr. Trump and his Republican allies have zeroed in on the importance of Black male voters in swing states like Wisconsin, and have made some concerted efforts to pry them away from Democrats.

Their efforts are twofold: to argue that Black voters loyalty to Democrats has not been rewarded  effectively asking them, in Mr. Trumps famous words last election cycle, What do you have to lose? And to focus less on persuading Black men to vote for Republicans and more on creating an environment for low turnout over all.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's wife Ami Modi, a US citizen, on the basis of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) request in connection with its probe into the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

A senior ED official linked to the probe told IANS, "The Interpol has issued RCN against Ami Modi on the basis of the PMLA case against her." The notice, which acts as an international arrest warrant, will begin the process for extradition. The RCN was issued after the ED probe found that Ami Modi was the beneficiary of the alleged purchase of two apartments at Central Park in New York using $30 million from the money which her husband allegedly obtained fraudulently from the PNB through Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit.

Last year in September, Interpol issued a RCN against Nehal Modi, brother of Nirav Modi, on charges of money laundering, at the request of the ED.

The ED is probing the money laundering case against Nirav Modi, who is currently lodged in a London jail, his sister Purvi Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi of the Geetanjali Group.

Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are under investigation by both the CBI and the ED. Choksi is now believed to be in Antigua.
Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump and one of his longest-serving aides, is leaving the White House at the end of the month.

Ms Conway, whose title is counsellor to the president, was Mr Trump's third campaign manager in 2016 and the first woman to manage a presidential campaign to victory. She joined the White House at the start of Mr Trump's term and has been one of his most visible and vocal defenders.

Ms Conway informed Mr Trump of her decision at the weekend in the Oval Office.

Her husband, George Conway, a conservative lawyer and outspoken critic of the president, is stepping back from his role on the Lincoln Project, an outside group of Republicans devoted to defeating Mr Trump in November. He will also take a hiatus from Twitter, the venue he has often used to attack the president.

In a statement, Ms Conway called her time in the Trump administration "heady" and "humbling," and said she and her husband were making the decision based on what they thought was best for their four children. "We disagree about plenty," she wrote, "but we are united on what matters most: the kids.

"Our four children are teens and tweens starting a new academic year in the middle school and high school that will be conducted remotely from home for a least a few months. As millions of parents know, kids 'doing school from home' requires a level of attention and vigilance that is as unusual as these times."

She continued: "This is completely my choice and my voice. In time, I will announce future plans. For now, and for my beloved children, it will be less drama, more mama."

Ms Conway's teenage daughter had drawn attention for tweets about her parents and politics. On Sunday, she tweeted that social media was "becoming way too much" so she had decided to take "a mental health break". "See y'all soon," she wrote. "Thank you for the love and support. No hate to my parents please."

Ms Conway's announcement came on the eve of the Republican National Convention as Mr Trump seeks to gain momentum for a tough re-election battle ahead.

She has been intimately involved in the convention planning, and will be speaking tomorrow night about the theme of "everyday heroes".

Ms Conway outlasted many of her colleagues to become one of Mr Trump's longest-serving aides.

The Conways became an object of fascination as George ramped up his criticism of the president in 2018 while Kellyanne remained a top adviser to Mr Trump.

Mr Conway has written, among other things, that Mr Trump is not mentally fit to be president. The president has voiced anger at times about Mr Conway's comments, calling him "a stone cold LOSER & husband from hell".

Ms Conway brought attention at times, particularly over her flouting of a law, the Hatch Act, that prohibits public employees from using their official capacity to conduct political activity.

She was a frequent guest on television programmes, known for her defence of the president and sharp put-downs aimed at his opponents.

She drew criticism for an appearance early in the Trump administration when she defended then-press-secretary Sean Spicer after he falsely stated that Mr Trump's swearing-in ceremony drew "the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration".

She told NBC News's 'Meet the Press' host Chuck Todd that Mr Spicer was using "alternative facts", a phrase that critics of the administration have continued to highlight as evidence of Mr Trump and his White House not being honest with the public.

Ms Conway, a veteran GOP pollster and strategist, joined the Trump campaign in July 2016 after working for a super PAC that supported Senator Ted Cruz and was highly critical of Mr Trump. ( Washington Post)
A $1million reward has been offered to solve the cold case murder of an 18-year-old who was shot and killed at a lovers' lane 40 years ago.

Thomas Cooper was sitting with his girlfriend, 16, in his car at Ricketts Point in the bayside Melbourne suburb of Beaumaris when he was attacked on August 18, 1980.

A man wearing a hat approached Mr Cooper's HQ Holden sedan and smashed the driver's side window about 7.15pm.

Mr Cooper attempted to drive away but was shot multiple times.

Thomas Cooper (pictured) was sitting with his unidentified girlfriend, 16, in his HQ Holden Sedan at Ricketts Point, Beaumaris, when he was killed on August 18, 1980

Mr Cooper's girlfriend, who was uninjured, managed to steer the car away from the area, which was a well-known spot for couples to go 'parking'.

Victoria Police said Thomas and his girlfriend went there several times a week.

Homicide Squad officer Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, who announced the $1million reward on Tuesday, said the motivation for the murder remained unclear.

The reward was increased from $50,000 after 'exhaustive enquiries' into the murder.

'There are a number of possibilities, including that the shooting was sexually motivated and the girl in the car may have been the target,' Insp. Thomas said.

'We know that many couples regularly went to this location so the offender may have been stalking the area in the lead up to the shooting.

'Police have spoken to a number of people over the years in relation to Thomas' murder, however we are absolutely keeping an open mind with regards to this case.

'There is no one answer to this that we're focusing on.'

At the time of Mr Cooper's murder, police released a digital composite image of a man they wished to speak with in relation to the incident. The image has been updated and aged to show what the man might look like in 2020 (pictured)

At the time of Mr Cooper's murder, police released a digital composite image of a man they wished to speak with in relation to the incident.

The image has been updated and aged to show what the man might look like in 2020.

It is uncertain whether this man is from Beaumaris or the Ricketts Point area in Victoria.

Insp. Thomas said police remained hopeful a 'person is ready to come forward and assist us with bringing his family some justice'.

'I want people to consider whether these digital images show a person they know or can identify for us,' he said.

'Thomas's family have had to go 40 years without the answer to who would want to kill their son and brother.

'As we always say, a lot can change over the years and hopefully this reward and the passage of time will encourage someone to come forward and give his family some peace.'
High temperatures in the 90s are returning for the Roanoke area for a few days as Hurricane Laura is expected to intensify rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico.

These two weather events may not seem to be related, but they are.

The link is strong high pressure building over the southeast U.S. and Gulf of Mexico. That high pressure system will be returning midsummer-like temperatures to our region after a two-week absence and reducing the atmospheric shear above Laura, allowing its rotating core to be ventilated as it feeds off warm Gulf of Mexico water.

Shear is what did in Marco on Monday. The briefly Category 1 hurricane almost completely collapsed within 24 hours, as high level winds stripped off its convection from the core of its rotating winds.

The squally rain that had been circling Marco moved into south Alabama and the Florida panhandle while its circulation center was left exposed, eventually coming ashore in southeast Louisiana, harmlessly.

New Orleans and nearby areas breathed a huge sigh of relief. Now, Texas and western Louisiana coastal residents will be seeking any glimmer of hope while boarding windows and evacuating in a much more menacing situation with Hurricane Laura, which will likely be a Category 2 (96-110 mph winds) or stronger storm at landfall.

Southwest Virginia may ultimately experience some impacts from Laura. Its old circulation center may be near us this weekend.

Its important when tracking a tropical system to remember that it isnt a point on a map. This is true for coastal areas, where deadly winds and surf can range out hundreds of miles from the center, and can even be more the case after it has moved inland.

As the circulation center weakens after landfall, the moisture shield often spreads out, and a couple of days later can be spread out over hundreds of miles.

This may well be the case with Laura. Whats left of its circulation center is expected to take a hard right turn after landfall and accelerate, moving pretty close to our region this weekend, but moisture from the storm may stretch out southwest and northeast along an advancing cold front.

We can expect an increase of moisture for the week, with greater coverage of showers and thunderstorms, but its still unclear if there will be a really heavy core of rainfall that will move through our region, as often happens with tropical systems. Even if such a core of rain does move through, it likely will be doing so quickly rather than stalling.

Laura is making landfall farther west than most of the systems that have poured the most devastating downpours on us in the past, like Camille in 1969, Agnes in 1972, Juan in 1985 and Michael two years ago, so there will be a longer time for it to become less organized, and there will be no stalled fronts for it get hung up on.

Infrequently, tropical systems become absorbed into inland weather systems in a manner in which they covert to strong inland low-pressure systems and retain damaging winds for longer, though this doesnt appear likely to be the case this time.

Also, the National Hurricane Center considers it a possibility that Laura will regain strength to a tropical storm as it crosses or exits Virginia this weekend, as it again feeds on warm ocean water, possibly causing windy conditions in parts of the state.

Even short of that, the whirl at various levels of the atmosphere lingering from Laura may be sufficient to trigger tornado-spawning shear well inland, another hazard that will have to be watched.

In summary, Laura will likely leave a major impact on the western Gulf Coast, and could have some impact on our weather, though it doesnt look likely to be a historic episode for our region at this time.

Weather Journal appears on Wednesday.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Mountains, fiercely rushing streams, thick forests and vast areas of marsh and swamp barred their progress. The rescuers hacked their way through the dense snow gum timbers with axes and were halted many times by streams swollen with melting snow waters. Sleet Each stream had to be crossed on felled trees. Progress was often slower than two miles an hour. The scene of the crash is almost 40 miles from Benambra and within one mile of the New South Wales border.

The plane crash in Victoria, but the survivors spent last night in New South Wales after searching for cover from fierce sleet and a bitterly cold wind. Saw Clearing Flight-Lieut. Hawes said that it immediately became obvious the plane would have to be put down for an emergency crash landing the crew searched desperately for a clearing. With time running out they saw the first clearing in 20 miles. The plane came down through timer, lopping off snow gums with its wings.

The nose was buried in rocks, the wings were torn off and the fuselage was badly damaged. Wreckage, including the engines, was scattered over several hundred yards. We got out as quickly as we could after the touch down, Flight-Lieut. Hawes added. Flight-Lieut. Walker described the night in the open as reasonably comfortable despite the intense cold and sleet. Supplies and blankets dropped by RAAF aircraft yesterday afternoon fed them and kept them warm.

We built a lean-to for shelter and bedded down. Several times during the night the sleet forced us to seek other shelter. It was not a night that I would like to have repeated. The three survivors are spending the night at Benambra Hotel. Flares Guided The rescue parties today had an old disused road as their only bearing on the aircraft. The road was cut across the mountains to serve the abandoned Mt. Pilot tin mine which closed in the early 1940s.

Most of it was overgrown and experienced bushmen had to make wide sweeps across torturous country to pick up the trail. Several times during the journey RAAF Lincolns and Dakotas dropped flares and directions to the ground rescuers. Reached Plane The advance rescue party left Benambra at 3 pm yesterday in Land Rovers and pushed on until midnight last night to make a base camp at the foot of Rams Head mountain, about eight miles from the plane and surrounded by rugged alpine country and slushy marshes left by melting snow. They continued at first light this morning and got to the plane towards noon.

After doing what they could for the survivors they began the return journey and met the larger party led by Group Captain Gibson at 4.40 pm. Exhausted Group Captain Gibsons party was about 15 strong and travelled in three Land Rovers and an RAAF weapons carrier. This group reached the advance partys base camp at 2.15 this afternoon. They proceeded on foot and eventually made contact with the group bringing the survivors to safety.

The advance party, which had borne the brunt of the trailblazing, and which slept last night in the open, was completely exhausted. They handed the survivors over to the fresher members of Group Captain Gibsons party, which left Benambra early this morning. Paid Tribute Group Captain Gibson said tonight that he had been utterly staggered by the endurance and sense of duty shown by the rescuers. Senior Constable L. Baddeley and Mr Charles Pendergast, a Forest Commission ranger, had done a magnificent job for the RAAF.
Former Vice President Joe Biden accepts the Democratic presidential nomination during a speech delivered for the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del., on Aug. 20, 2020. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Joe Biden Calls For Immediate Investigation Into Jacob Blake Shooting

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden called for an immediate investigation into the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which sparked riots, arson incidents, and looting in the city.

In a video, Blake appears to have been shot several times by officers. The Wisconsin Department of Justice said the officers involved were placed on administrative leave.

This calls for an immediate, full and transparent investigation and the officers must be held accountable, Biden said in a statement Monday.

These shots pierce the soul of our nation. Jill and I pray for Jacobs recovery and for his children, the former vice president continued. Equal justice has not been real for Black Americans and so many others. We are at an inflection point. We must dismantle systemic racism. It is the urgent task before us.

Bidens statement did not mention the ensuing unrest or riots in Kenosha, which left several police officers injured.

President Donald Trump was reportedly briefed on the shooting, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters earlier on Monday.

Blakes family retained Benjamin Crump, the civil rights attorney used by George Floyds family. Crump said in a statement that the man was de-escalating a domestic incident when police drew their weapons and tasered him, and added Blake was walking away to check on his children, police fired their weapons several times into his back at point blank range.

A man on a bike rides past a city truck on fire outside the Kenosha County Courthouse during unrest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., on Aug. 23, 2020. (Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY via Reuters)

Rioters smash windows at the Kenosha County Administration Building during unrest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., on Aug. 23, 2020. (Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY via Reuters)

The video appeared to show Blake walking away from police officers and went around his SUV as the officers appeared to point firearms at him. Its not clear what they said to him or what he said back, but it appears that they were attempting to detain him. Blake then went to the vehicles drivers side door and opened it to reach inside before one officer grabs him, and then one of the officers appear to fire several shots at him.

Witnesses told local news outlets that he was not armed. However, it was not confirmed by officers if he had a weapon concealed or had one in his vehicle.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice and Division of Criminal Justice will both investigate the officer-involved shooting.

DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to a prosecutor following a complete and thorough investigation, the release said.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice added in a statement that the man was transported to a hospital in Milwaukee.

According to the Kenosha News, about an hour after the shootings, activists from local Black Lives Matter-affiliated groups arrived to protest the shooting.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced 125 members of the National Guard would be sent Kenosha and have guarding infrastructure and making sure our firefighters and others involved are protected. Authorities also announced an 8 p.m. curfew in the county.
The difference in tone between the Democrat and Republican conventions could not be more distinct. The four days of the Democrat infomercial were characterized by misery and anger. Not one of the Democrat speakers even smiled. They made it clear, each and every one of them, that they hate this country.

Consider Michelle Obama's scowling face. Every person who spoke exuded rage, fury that President Trump had survived the four years of their demented attempts to destroy his presidency. Even before the election, higher-ups at the FBI, the DOJ, and the CIA had hatched a scheme to prevent his victory. Once elected but before his inauguration, they escalated their treasonous plan, which was constructed out of a tissue of lies. To this day, Adam Schiff continues to promote the many lies he has foisted upon the American people with the eager help of a despicable and immoral media establishment.

This was a grievously corrupt group of people with power to abuse  and abuse it they did. But they failed. Yet they have not been deterred.

They invented out of whole cloth phony scandal after phony scandal. Impeachment based on the phone call with the new President of Ukraine. And now, the most hilarious of all, the removal of mailboxes in order to thwart votes by mail. Everyone knows that an all-mail-in-ballot election would be fraught with cheating, like the ballot-harvesting the Democrats devised for exactly that reason  to cheat.

Yet these Democrats believe that the American people are so mindlessly gullible that they will buy their message of racism, fear-mongering and threats of continued violence.

What we saw on Monday night was entirely different from the Democrats' attempt to frighten people into voting for the hapless and senile Joe Biden, who, if elected, would be the puppet of Bernie Sanders, the commie squad, and the globalists of both parties who attain their massive wealth by stealth, like Biden's drug-addled son, Hunter. How did Speaker Pelosi and Senator Feinstein become incredibly wealthy? They have long used and abused their positions of power for personal gain.

Not once in four days did a single Democrat bemoan or condemn the violence, looting, and rioting that are destroying so many Dem-run cities across the country. They seem to think supporting these Marxist groups, Antifa and BLM, will work in their favor; that defending the criminals at the expense of the law-abiding will get them elected and defeat Trump. How wrong they are. Most Americans are shocked by the left's defense of these mobs that are devastating their own communities without a shred of concern for the lives they are ruining. They are horrified by the Democrats' lack of defense of law enforcement, their support for abolishing cash bail and prisons, their advocacy of anarchy.

The speakers on the first night of the Republican convention were from an altogether different planet. They represented those of us who love this country, who know that it is not a racist nation. Every speaker had a story to tell, and all of the stories were a powerful expression of why those who told them love America and are grateful for what this country means to them.

People of a certain age who were educated before the left destroyed our schools know only too well that it is Joe Biden and his party that bear the two-hundred-plus-years responsibility for the racism that ravaged the nation up until the Civil War. It was Democrats who were willing to secede to preserve slavery. It was Democrats who founded the KKK, created Jim Crow laws, opposed integration and the Civil Rights legislation of the 1960s (men like Al Gore's father). Those laws passed because of Republicans. It was Hillary and Joe who revered former KKK exalted cyclops Robert Byrd.

The racism within this country is predominantly on the left. That it's on the right is the biggest lie the left tells  in academia, by the media, and by Democrats who take black Americans for granted, insulting them with their arrogant assumptions of their supposed permanent allegiance to their party.

They didn't count on people like Sen. Tim Scott, Georgia rep. Vernon Johnson, NFL star Hershel Walker (who spoke of his long, personal relationship with President Trump), Candace Owens, Leo Terrell, and the host of other black conservatives who support President Trump.



YouTube screen grab.

In November, Trump will have the votes of many more African-Americans than he did in 2016. Of that we can all be sure. Trump achieved the lowest black and Hispanic unemployment in history. He has made permanent subsidies to our historically black colleges. He has funded opportunity zones to lift up blighted communities. He got prison reform passed. Obama/Biden did none of these things; they took the black vote for granted, and their party still does.

This first night of the Republican convention was glorious. There was the gorgeous setting, the auditorium at Mellon amid a sea of American flags. There were no masks! Joe and Jill, alone on the stage the last night of their convention, appeared with those ugly black masks. They wore them like a virtue-signaling badge of honor that the left thinks they are, but they were completely unnecessary under the circumstances.

It should be obvious to all Americans that the left is using the virus as an election benefit. Leftists think that if they can keep up the fear of the virus and keep the economy locked down, they can blame the consequences on the president.

Biden stupidly promises to lock it all down again if advised by the "scientists." Like Fauci? Fauci has proven to be a self-serving patent man who hopes to become rich with a vaccine. His disapproval of HCQ has cost thousands of lives. Even though the timeline of Trump's early actions at stemming the tide of the virus is exemplary, all the left has is blaming him for the COVID deaths, which is of course absurd on its face.

The talking heads on CNN and MSNBC were forced to make utter fools of themselves after this first night of American greatness. They were intent on ridiculing whoever spoke and whatever he had to say, but they had to know that it was a triumphant night, the first of four, that celebrated all that is great about the United States.

If you did not see Maximo Alvarez's short speech, watch it now.

It will make you proud, and it will make you cry. It is people like this Cuban success story that make this country so exceptional. The angry mobs who are in the streets of all these Democrat-run cities and who mean to destroy this nation and what it has become are unthinking, indoctrinated fools. They've been taught to be entitled to what others have worked for and achieved, not to work or achieve themselves. They are the saddest, most unfortunate people; they are to be pitied but not absolved of their crimes. Law and order must prevail, which is why President Trump will be re-elected. As always, it is not anger and pessimism that wins the day, but gratitude.
Washington: A NASA researcher and Texas A&M University professor has been charged with accepting federal grant money while hiding work he was doing for an university established by the Chinese government as well as his affiliation with Chinese-owned companies.

Zhengdong Cheng faces charges of wire fraud, conspiracy and false statements, according to a criminal complaint released by the Justice Department on Monday. He was arrested on Sunday.

The Department of Justice seal. Credit:Bloomberg

The case against Cheng is part of a pattern of Justice Department prosecutions against researchers at American universities who are accused of concealing their professional relationships with Chinese universities.

The Trump administration has been particularly concerned that professors could exploit their ties to China, and their participation in talent recruitment programs, to steal intellectual property for Beijing's economic benefit.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's recent visits to hospital have raised concern whether he will be able to stay on as leader of the world's third-biggest economy until the September 2021 end of his term as ruling party chief, and hence, premier.

Abe plans to hold a news conference on his health as soon as this week, domestic media said on Tuesday. He has been expected to reshuffle his cabinet and top ruling party posts next month.

An extra session of parliament is likely from October or later, media said, and an election for parliament's powerful lower house must be held by late October 2021.

Here are the procedures to be followed if Abe is incapacitated, or if he resigns.

ABE INCAPACITATED, ACTING PM STEPS IN

Article 9 of Japan's cabinet law says that if a prime minister is prevented from discharging his functions, or the post is vacant, a minister of state he has designated in advance will temporarily perform the role.

In such a scenario, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as finance minister, is first in line to step in for Abe, followed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

The move could be temporary, for example if Abe is hospitalised but expected to resume his duties afterwards.

The law sets no limit on how long the acting prime minister can stay. In April 2000, after prime minister Keizo Obuchi suffered a stroke and fell into a coma, Mikio Aoki, who was then the chief cabinet secretary, stepped in for a few days until a new party leader and premier was chosen.

An acting prime minister cannot call a snap election but can oversee budget compilation, conclude treaties and order mobilisation of the military.

ABE RESIGNS, NEW LEADER ELECTED

If Abe announces an intention to resign, that would trigger an election within his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to replace him as its president, followed by a vote in parliament to elect a new prime minister.

Abe and his cabinet would continue to run the government until a new premier is elected, but could not adopt new policies.

The winner of the party election would then hold the post until the end of Abe's term in September 2021.

The new LDP president is virtually assured the premiership, since the party has a majority in parliament's lower house.

Usually, the party must announce the election for its leader a month in advance, and its MPs vote along with grassroots members.

In case of a sudden resignation, however, an extraordinary vote has to be called "at the soonest date possible" with participants narrowed to MPs and representatives of the party's local chapters.

In 2007, for example, the LDP held a leadership election within 11 days of Abe's sudden resignation, which capped a troubled year in office as he battled poor health.
Jonesboro, AR - After abducting and raping a nurse who went missing while jogging last week, the suscpect buried the girl immediately.

The 25-year-old Sydney Sutherland was reported missing on the 19th of August. After failing to return home from an afternoon jog she was then found dead close to her home in the Newport area on Friday.

After the initial investigation of the authorities, they revealed that the 28-year-old third-generation farmer in Jonesboro, Quake Lewellyn was charged with murder.

During a probable cause hearing on Monday, police stated that Sutherland was spotted by Lewellyn on the highway while she was jogging, then he doubled back the victim and adducted her. He drove about three miles away to do the rape in a farm, Daily Mail reported.

While walking up to the Jackson County courthouse for the hearing, the silent Lewellyn arrived wearing a bullet-proof with an orange prison jumpsuit inside.

During the interrogation, authorities mentioned that Lewellyn confessed that he is the reason for Sutherland's disappearance.

Mike McNeal, an agent from the Arkansas State Police took the stand during the hearing and explained what happened in the incident.

Read also: Jihadi 'Beatles' Locked in Prison Cell Worse Than Death

The agent stated that Lewellyn was traveling westbound on County Road 41 when he passed by Sutherland walking by and that is when he decided to turn around and abduct the victim.

Based on the statement, Lewellyn forced Sutherland to stay in the back of his pick-up, he then drove an estimated three miles going to the farm where he raped Sutherland. After raping the victim, he then killed her and buried her body.

After a three-day search operation, the authorities found the body of Sutherland after searching and using K-9 units and helicopter crews.

Sutherland was last seen running on Stat Hwy 18 in the middle of Newport and Grubbs around 3 pm on Wednesday.

According to Fox News, a body was found on Friday and the discovered body was identified as Sutherland.

The family of Sutherland was present at the courthouse during the hearing.

As of the moment, Lewellyn was ordered to be held without any bond until the next hearing that is set on October 1.

Lewellyn and his family were named Jackson County Farm Family of the Year together with his father Michael and grandfather Donald, and at that time Lewellyn is a High Scholl graduate at the Tuckerman High School.

Based on the investigation, Lewellyn knew Sutherland. However, the nature of their relationship was unclear.

Prior to the discovery of Sutherland's body, police discovered the iPhone and the Apple Watch used by Sutherland when she went jogging.

Based on her social media page, Sutherland worked as a burse and lives with her boyfriend prompting the police to investigate him first, but after the interrogation, they did not find any indication of participation in the disappearance of Sutherland.

Sutherland worked at Harris Medical Center in the Newport area where her co-workers remembered her as a bright and outgoing person.



Related article: Landlord Arrested After Young Couple Found Dead in a Suitcase

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
RNC night 1: Freed hostages, Cuban immigrant and Parkland dad make case for Trump's reelection

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The 2020 Republican National Convention kicked off Monday with a diverse group of speakers including the father of a school shooting victim, a Cuban immigrant, and hostages freed by the Trump administration.

Originally scheduled to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, state lockdowns in response to COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the traditional, large-scale convention with thousands in attendance. Instead, a scaled-back convention commenced featuring a combination of live and taped speeches.

While RNC delegates gathered in Charlotte to renominate President Donald Trump, the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., served as the backdrop for many of the speeches.

In the following pages are five highlights from the first night of the RNC. The convention will end on Thursday, when Trump will formally accept the Republican nomination for president of the United States.
KENOSHA, Wis. - Jacob Blake, the Black man shot multiple times by police in Wisconsin, is paralyzed, and it would take a miracle for him to walk again, his familys attorney said Tuesday, while calling for the officer who opened fire to be arrested and others involved to lose their jobs.

The shooting of Blake on Sunday in Kenosha  apparently in the back while three of his children looked on  was captured on cellphone video and ignited new protests over racial injustice in several cities, coming just three months after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police touched off a wider reckoning on race.

Some demonstrations devolved into unrest, including for a third night in Kenosha, where multiple gunshots could be heard in social media posts from at least one neighbourhood where residents and people carrying long guns and other weapons remained in the streets hours after they citys 8 p.m. curfew. Kenosha Police were investigating after videos appeared to show at least two people with gunshot wounds, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Earlier Tuesday, Blakes father spoke alongside other family members and lawyers, telling reporters that police shot his son seven times, seven times, like he didnt matter.

But my son matters. Hes a human being and he matters, said Blakes father, who is also named Jacob Blake.

The 29-year-old was in surgery Tuesday, said attorney Ben Crump, adding that the bullets severed Blakes spinal cord and shattered his vertebrae. Another attorney said there was also severe damage to organs.

Its going to take a miracle for Jacob Blake Jr. to ever walk again, Crump said.

The legal team plans to file a civil lawsuit against the police department over the shooting. Police have said little about what happened, other than that they were responding to a domestic dispute. The officers involved have not been named. The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating.

Police fired tear gas for a third night Tuesday to disperse protesters who had gathered outside Kenoshas courthouse, where some shook a protective fence and threw water bottles and fireworks at officers lined up behind it. Police then used armoured vehicles and officers with shields pushed back the crowd when protesters ignored warnings to leave a nearby park.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers had called for calm Tuesday, while also declaring a state of emergency under which he doubled the National Guard deployment in Kenosha from 125 to 250. The night before crowds destroyed dozens of buildings and set more than 30 fires in the citys downtown.

We cannot allow the cycle of systemic racism and injustice to continue, said Evers, who is facing mounting pressure from Republicans over his handling of the unrest. We also cannot continue going down this path of damage and destruction.

Blakes mother, Julia Jackson, said the damage in Kenosha does not reflect what her family wants and that, if her son could see it, he would be very unpleased.

She said the first thing her son said to her when she saw him was he was sorry.

He said, I dont want to be a burden on you guys, Jackson said. I want to be with my children, and I dont think Ill walk again.

Three of the younger Blakes sons  aged 3, 5 and 8  were in the car at the time of the shooting, Crump said. It was the 8-year-olds birthday, he added.

The man who said he made the cellphone video of the shooting, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, Drop the knife! Drop the knife! before the gunfire erupted. He said he didnt see a knife in Blakes hands.

In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns drawn and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire. Seven shots can be heard, though it isnt clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired.

Blakes father told the Chicago Sun-Times that his son had eight holes in his body.

Anger over the shooting has spilled into the streets of Kenosha and other cities, including Los Angeles, Wisconsins capital of Madison and in Minneapolis, the epicenter of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer following Floyds death.

Hundreds of people again defied curfew Tuesday in Kenosha, where destruction marred protests the previous night as fires were set and businesses vandalized. There were 34 fires associated with that unrest, with 30 businesses destroyed or damaged along with an unknown number of residences, Kenosha Fire Chief Charles Leipzig told the Kenosha News.

Nobody deserves this, said Pat Oertle, owner of Computer Adventure, surveying the damage on Tuesday. Computers were stolen, and the store was destroyed, she said.

This accomplishes nothing, Oertle said. This is not justice that theyre looking for.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, both Republicans, called on the governor to do more to quell the unrest. Steil said he would request federal assistance if necessary.

Evers continued to call for protesters to be peaceful.

Please do not allow the actions of a few distract us from the work we must do together to demand justice, equity, and accountability, he said.

Blakes family also called for calm.

I really ask you and encourage everyone in Wisconsin and abroad to take a moment and examine your hearts, Blakes mother said. Do Jacob justice on this level and examine your hearts. ... As I pray for my sons healing physically, emotionally and spiritually, I also have been praying even before this for the healing of our country.

___

Bauer reported from Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press reporters Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin, Jeff Baenen in Minneapolis, Aaron Morrison in New York, and Tammy Webber in Fenton, Michigan, contributed.
The India-US cooperation is proving crucial to confront the health challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, including future vaccine development and distribution, New Delhi's top envoy in the US has said.

India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post on Monday and said: As societies that respect innovation, India and the United States can do much to provide solutions to the novel coronavirus pandemic and to build a healthier, safer world beyond."

As both India and the United States combat a pandemic of unprecedented scale, the two countries have drawn upon the strength of their long-standing health-care ties to help them better understand the novel coronavirus and find workable solutions, he wrote.

As of August 24, more than 5 million cases have been confirmed in the US.

There have been more than 170,000 deaths in the country. India's COVID-19 tally rose to 31,67,323 on Tuesday, while the death toll climbed to 58,390.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

In India, the government and the private sector have worked together to ensure the integrity of medical supply chains, and essential medicines from India have continued to reach the United States and some 150 partner countries, Sandhu wrote.

But more urgently, the India-US cooperation is proving crucial to confront health challenges posed by the pandemic, including future vaccine development and distribution, the Indian Ambassador wrote.

The India-US partnership in medical research has been complemented by the strength of our cooperation in pharmaceuticals, he wrote adding that India's capabilities in R&D and in manufacturing have made its pharmaceutical sector the world's third-largest by volume.

These strengths have been bolstered by government incentives to encourage investments in the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Indian generic drugs have found a ready market across the globe, with Indian firms supplying about 40 percent of generic formulations marketed in the United States, he said.

This has allowed American health-care consumers to save billions and enjoy enhanced access to quality medicines. The pharmaceutical sector has also been a significant job creator in the United States, with Indian firms investing billions to establish manufacturing facilities in different states in this country, Sandhu wrote.

According to the envoy, when the coronavirus outbreak began, the network of existing collaborations between the countries sprang into action.

Using the platform of the India-US Science and Technology Forum, an initiative led by both governments, calls were put out to support joint research and incubate start-up engagements.

The initiative was directed at developing technologies for the containment and management of the novel coronavirus, including diagnostics and therapeutics, he said.

The op-ed by Ambassador was highly appreciated and tweeted by many.

India-US cooperation is proving crucial to confront #health challenges posed by the COVID19 pandemic, including future vaccine development and distribution, said US Indian Business Council.

Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here
Some of President Donald Trump's most ardent defenders inside the Capitol including Rep. Matt Gaetz tore into Democrats at Monday night's GOP convention  as the Florida Republican said Democrats would invite gang members to live next door.

Gaetz, a House Judiciary Committee member who ripped former special counsel Robert Mueller about the Steele dossier in 2018, this time trained his fire on Biden and his allies.

'Theyll disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home, and invite MS-13 to live next door. And the defunded police arent on their way,' Gaetz said, in one of several charged lines.

He accused Democrats of 'blaming our best and allowing societys worst.'

He ridiculed 'woketopians' who he predicted would 'settle for Biden.' And he took a dig at Biden running mate Sen. Kamala Harris, bringing up problems with California's electric grid and saying they shouldn't send their 'junior senator' to be vice president.

'And Biden knows failure,' Gaetz continued in his appearance Monday night. 'His own Defense Secretary said, Biden has been wrong on every major foreign policy and national security decision for nearly four decades.

Rep. Matt Gaetz attacked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and 'socialists' in his convention remarks

He was referring to a statement in the memoir of former George W. Bush and Barack Obama Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who has stood by the comment more recently. Another Obama defense secretary, former Sen. Chuck Hagel, endorsed Biden last week.

'He believes in war without winning, war without end,' Gaetz said of Biden, who voted for the 2003 Iraq war authorization. He later said he was misled by President Bush.

'President Trump doesnt want us in distant deserts. He wants to fight to save America here and now,' said Gaetz. 'Settle for Biden - thats the hashtag promoted by AOC and the socialists,' he said.

Like Trump, Gaetz ridiculed Biden as someone who would be a puppet for others in the party.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) blasted the 'Russia hoax' in his remarks

Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) descends from Air Force One following a trip from Florida, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., March 9, 2020. He went into quarantine after the trip

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio was also set to address the convention

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., holds up documents detailing President Trump's plan for dealing with the Coronavirus during a House Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hearing on July 31, 2020 in Washington, DC

'And they will settle because they know itll be like Weekend at Berniesand theyll be pulling the strings,' he quipped.

'But instead of a comedy, its a horror movie. Theyll disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home, and invite MS-13 to live next door. And the defunded police arent on their way,' he said. Biden himself has rejected calls to defund the police.

'Its the only kind of movie theyre making in Hollywood nowadays - thats if the lights even stay on in California anymore.'

But Gaetz called Trump a 'builder' and 'a visionary.

'The mind is as powerful as any brick and mortar.... China can keep making cheap plastic. But we have the ideas. And we will keep making the future,' he said.

'Im speaking from an auditorium emptier than Joe Bidens Daily Schedule,' Gaetz quipped, also mocking Biden for his basement TV appearances.

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, one of Trump's most vocal impeachment defenders, also trained fire on Democrats in his convention remarks.

He was the first speaker to bring up the Mueller probe and impeachment.

'And when you take on the swamp, the swamp fights back,' he said. 'They tried the Russia hoax, the Mueller investigation, and the fake impeachment. But in spite of this unbelievable opposition, this president has done what he said he would do,' Jordan said.

'The Republican party is the pro-America party. President Trump is the pro-America candidate,' Jordan said in his remarks.

'This election is about who can preserve the values, principles, and institutions that Make America Great,' he said.

'Dont believe me? Look at whats happening in Americas cities  all run by Democrats. Crime, violence, mob rule. Democrats refuse to denounce the mob,' he said.

'And their response to the chaos? Defund the police, defund border patrol, defund the military. And while theyre doing all of this, theyre also trying to take away your guns.

'Democrats wont let you go to church, but theyll let you protest,' he said, blasting coronavirus lockdown orders.

'Democrats wont let you go to work, but theyll let you riot,' he continued. 'Democrats wont let you go to school, but theyll let you loot.'
In a bid to counter India's military might in the region, China has launched the first of four "most advanced" warships it is building for close ally Pakistan.

In a bid to counter Indias military might in the region, China has launched the first of four most advanced warships it is building for close ally Pakistan. A launch ceremony for the Type-054A/P frigate was conducted by the Chinese state-owned Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai on Sunday, Voice of America reported quoting the Pakistan Navy.

Chinas help to launch the Type-054 class frigate for Pakistan is a clear indication that both countries are strengthening their military might to counter India. In a statement, the Pakistan Navy said the vessels are state-of-the-art frigates equipped with the modern surface, subsurface and anti-air weapons and sensors. These ships will significantly contribute to maintaining peace and security in our area of responsibility, it added.

However, the statement did not disclose the cost of the military vessels, but the estimates are reported to be over USD350 million each. China is expected to deliver all the four warships to Pakistan by 2021 with the Chinese media saying it could double the combat power of the Pakistan Navy fleet, according to Voice of America.

Also read: Hong Kong reports Worlds first Covid-19 reinfection

Also read: America is not racist: Nikki Haley invokes Indian roots ahead of US Elections

Once constructed, the ships will be one of the largest and technologically advanced surface platforms of the Pakistan Navy fleet, boosting its capability to respond to future challenges, the Navy stated.

The development comes at a time when China has been locked in a standoff with India for the past few months and relations between Pakistan and India continue to be strained after New Delhis decision to abrogate Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir last year, which granted special status to the erstwhile state.

Also read: Pakistans five big lies exposed: Indian Mission at UN
Many more Maple Leaf Foods employees in Brandon have tested positive for COVID-19 than the number Manitoba public health officials are reporting, according to figures provided Monday by the company to the union representing the 2,000 pork plant workers.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Many more Maple Leaf Foods employees in Brandon have tested positive for COVID-19 than the number Manitoba public health officials are reporting, according to figures provided Monday by the company to the union representing the 2,000 pork plant workers.

At a COVID-19 briefing Monday, Manitobas chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said the number of workers who have tested positive at the "business in Brandon"  Maple Leaf Foods  is 52, with just 34 active cases.

On Monday, the union said 74 workers at the pork processing plant have tested positive, with 62 active cases and 12 employees who have recovered.

"Our number updates have all come from Maple Leaf, with a department in the plant attached to each case and the last date that the member worked," a spokesman for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832 said Monday.

"Its unclear to us where this lower number would come from," he said, referring to Roussins update citing just 52 cases in total at the plant.

When the chief of public health was asked why the provinces number of cases at the pork plant are lower than the number provided by the company and the union, he said they may have been counting people who are linked to workers at Maple Leaf: "So, if youre an employee there, and a household member was positive, theyll count that," Roussin supposed.

He promised to check and confirm the actual number of workers whove tested positive and the number of active cases. "Well make sure of that."

He said he couldnt comment on calls from the union and the worker advocacy group Migrante Manitoba to shut the plant for two weeks to allow for mass testing and changes to allay employee fears of catching the virus on the job.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

"Weve been spending a lot of time looking at the situation, trying to find evidence of workplace transmission," Roussin said. None has been found. Even if a worker caught COVID-19 at the plant, that wouldnt necessarily prompt a shutdown right away, he said.

"For the most part, if we saw small levels of workplace transmission that we havent seen yet, we would implement the measures that have already been implemented," he said. "Theres a lot of PPE there, a lot of distancing, theres a lot of (protective) barriers, a lot of monitoring, theres cohorting and were following things really closely," Roussin explained.

"Our first step wouldnt necessarily be to shut down an entire facility," he said.

Roussin said the number of active cases at Maple Leaf appears to be declining but public health officials are keeping a close eye on it.

Migrante Manitoba said in an open letter that the staff locker area is very crowded and physical distancing for workers is "impossible," and there are no staggered times for washroom access so workers often go to the washroom at the same time. In the cafeteria, there is no place to wash hands and no hand sanitizer, it said. Workers havent been able to get doctors to issue them sick notes for the past week, the letter said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 20:07:41|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

HONG KONG, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- COVID-19 cases are continue to surge in some Asia-Pacific countries on Tuesday as India's tally moved up to 3,167,323 and Bangladesh's cases were close to the 300,000-mark with death toll surpassing 4,000.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in India surged to 3,167,323, while the death toll reached 58,390, showed the latest data released by the health ministry.

As many as 60,975 new cases and 848 deaths were recorded during the past 24 hours across the country.

There are 704,348 active cases in the country, while 2,404,585 have been cured and discharged from hospitals, added the ministry data.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surged to 197,164 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,965 new daily cases.

The DOH said that the number of recoveries surged to 132,396 after it reported 368 more patients have survived the disease.

The death toll also climbed to 3,038 after 34 more patients have succumbed to the viral disease, the DOH added.

The COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh rose closer to the 300,000-mark, as the death toll surpassed 4,000, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said.

According to the figures reported by the DGHS under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country reached 299,628 including 2,545 new cases.

A total of 45 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh and total fatalities stood at 4,028, it said in a statement.

The COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 2,447 within one day to 157,859, with the death toll adding by 99 to 6,858, the country's health ministry said.

According to the ministry, 1,807 more people were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 112,867.

The virus has spread to all the country's 34 provinces.

The COVID-19 death toll in the Maldives has risen to 28, while the total case count is approaching 7,000, local media cited the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

Meanwhile, 133 new COVID-19 cases, including those of 103 Maldivian citizens and 30 foreign nationals, were confirmed by the HPA on Monday, raising the country's total case count to 6,912.

Maldives is currently seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases with over 100 being reported per day this month. The country currently has 2,351 active cases, out of which 162 have been hospitalized, including 11 patients in the ICU and eight on ventilators.

South Korea reported 280 more cases of the COVID-19 as of 0:00 a.m. Tuesday local time compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 17,945.

The daily caseload stayed below 300 for two straight days while growing in triple digits for 12 straight days.

One more death was confirmed, leaving the death toll at 310. The total fatality rate stood at 1.73 percent.

Afghanistan reported 16 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total tally to 38,070 cases, the country's Ministry of Public Health said.

"During the past 24 hours, 169 suspected cases were tested, out of which 16 cases were tested coronavirus positive in five provinces of the country's 34 provinces," the ministry said in a statement.

Eight COVID-19 patients succumbed to the virus, taking the number of people who lost their lives to 1,397 since the outbreak of the pandemic in February.

Malaysia reported 11 new COVID-19 infections, the Health Ministry said, bringing the national total to 9,285.

Another six cases have been released, bringing the total cured and discharged to 8,971 or 96.6 percent of all cases.

Of the remaining 189 active cases, eight are being held in intensive care and six of those are in need of assisted breathing.

New Zealand confirmed seven new cases of COVID-19, all related to the community outbreak in Auckland, the country's largest city.

This brings New Zealand's total number of confirmed cases to 1,339, which is the number reported to the World Health Organization.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday the decision to make masks mandatory on public transport at Alert Level 2 and above, which will take effect from Aug. 31.

Fiji reported its second COVID-19 death, a 61-year-old man who returned to the nation on a repatriation flight from Sacramento, the United States, on Aug. 6.

Fiji had reported a total of 18 COVID-19 patients since it confirmed its first case on March 19, and all of them have fully recovered before June 5. But Fiji has reported a number of border quarantine cases since July 6.

Currently, Fiji still maintains a nationwide curfew effective from March 30 this year.
For a government that brags about performing better than all others in the history of this country, it was a bizarre spectacle at the Examinations Hall of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) over the weekend, as the event of the manifesto launch of the Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) governments second term bid was insipidly characterized by the usual empty rhetoric and misguided attacks on the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama.

The event, which witnessed an atmosphere in the auditorium that was grossly detached from the kind of euphoria that accompanied NPPs 2016 manifesto launch, had speaker after speaker touting mediocre performances in various sectors and in some cases, shameless appropriation of achievements of the past John Mahama-led NDC government.

Perhaps the lowest point was when President Akufo-Addo decided to affirm the earlier renditions of his appointees by making former President Mahama the subject of a misguided attack amidst name-calling, reckless innuendoes and unbridled propaganda.

The President sought to question the leadership style of former President Mahama by attacking his mode of selecting a running mate. He also sought to cast doubt on the authenticity of the content of the about-to-be-launched NDC manifesto.

Hear him: You might remember how long it took the NDC presidential candidate to find a running mate, and they have not yet got a Manifesto. I wonder what will happen the day they have a government to run as well. Or, maybe, it is simply showing the country they do not attach much importance to a Manifesto, nor should we expect that whatever is written in it would reflect their beliefs.

To the President, the NDC leader took too long in selecting a running mate, a claim most often made by NPP serial callers. This was to give ventilation to his partys propaganda that former President Mahama is indecisive. How an early or late selection of a running mate by the NDC and its flagbearer the concern of President Akufo-Addo and his NPP is yet to be explained by them. In any case, Naana Jane Opoku Agyemangs choice as former President Mahamas running mate has been hailed by many a political pundit as masterpiece, tactical and politically wise.

The NDC did an intellectual matching of the Akufo-Addo governments performance against its 2016 manifesto promises and the result has been what the party described as, an abysmal 14 percent delivery. Unfortunately, this is the performance President Akufo-Addo and his NPP are gloating over as unprecedented in the history of Ghana.

The NDC has indicated to the public that it will launch its 2020 elections campaign manifesto this month, August and preparations are far advanced in that regard. Many a Ghanaian is thus wondering what really is going on with their president.

Former President Mahama is undoubtedly one who takes decisions only after he has well thought through them, as against President Akufo-Addo who takes decisions rashly that end up compounding the plight of the suffering masses of the people of Ghana. The different approaches of the two to the implementation of the free senior high school policy and their handling of the banking sector crisis, bears the former President out as the better man for the number one job of this country.

President Akufo-Addo also launched a scathing attack on former President Mahama in describing his predecessor as being deficient in appreciating a good economy performance as is the case under his NPP-led government. The facts however expose President Akufo-Addo as being very dishonest in painting a rosy picture of his governments poor economic performance, which is set to go down in history as the worst between 1957, when the country attained independence and 2020 when he- President Akufo-Addo- has been in charge.

The Mahama-led NDC governments performance on the economy was far better than the Akufo-Addo-led NPP governments, even without COVID.
Named on the 2020 List of Best Workplaces for Giving Back

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 25, 2020 /CNW/ - Baxter Canada, a leading medical products company, has been certified as a Great Place To Work (GPTW) for the second year in a row by the Great Place to Work Institute, a global authority on high-trust and high-performance workplace culture. The GPTW employee survey was fielded during the COVID-19 global pandemic and showed employee trust in the company increased since 2019. Employees rated Baxter even higher in all five measures of credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie than last year.

Baxter was also named on the 2020 list of Best Workplaces for Giving Back based on the overall Community Investment Index score from employees, as well as the range and quality of programs that encourage workplace community investment. To be eligible for this list, at least 90% of employees must feel good about the way their company contributes to the community.

"This recognition is a testament to the efforts made by our people leaders and employee committees who continue to step up to support employees and their communities as we grapple with the impacts and uncertainty of the global pandemic," says Stephen Thompson, President and General Manager, Baxter Canada. "Baxter Canada continues to build an environment that fosters trust, career development, and work-life balance while prioritizing the health and safety of our team. We are grateful to our employees for not only the work they do, but their commitment to giving back to the community and helping to make a difference."

Baxter Canada has been taking action to support employees by providing resources to manage the new normal. Just some examples include offering virtual fitness classes as well as sessions on topics like how to work smart from home and employee safety and wellness. At the same time, the company has also been giving employees opportunities to continue giving back to their communities by supporting the Canadian Red Cross's Canadian Emergencies and COVID-19 Response Fund.

An internal survey of Baxter employees provided overwhelmingly positive feedback around the company's response to COVID-19. It revealed employees are satisfied by Baxter's efforts to maintain a safe environment, they feel their managers are taking a personal interest in their well-being and they have access to the tools and resources to work effectively from home.

"Culture is the strongest way to ease the transition to remote working, adjust to new norms, maintain trust and build for the future," says Rehana Doobay, Director of Human Resources, Baxter Canada. "I see it and hear it in my everyday interactions with employees - Baxter Canada's swift COVID-19 response was key to not only maintaining our culture, but growing trust and pride among our employees."

About Great Place to Work:

Great Place to Work (www.greatplacetowork.ca) is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes the Best Workplaces across the world in a series of national lists including those published by Fortune magazine (USA) and The Globe & Mail (Canada). Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures.

The independent analysis is conducted by Great Place to Work Institute Canada and certification is based on direct feedback from employees as part of an extensive and anonymous survey about the workplace experience.

Follow Great Place to Work at www.greatplacetowork.ca and on Twitter at @GPTW_Canada.

About Baxter Canada

Every day, millions of patients and caregivers rely on Baxter's leading portfolio of critical care, nutrition, renal, hospital and surgical products. In Canada, we've been operating at the critical intersection where innovations that save and sustain lives meet the healthcare providers that make it happen for 83 years. With products, technologies and therapies available in more than 100 countries, Baxter's employees worldwide are now building upon the company's rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of transformative healthcare innovations. Baxter Canada and its over 1,221 employees are located primarily in Ontario at the Head Office, CIVA Admixing and Technical Services Centres in Mississauga, and in Alliston  where Baxter operates Canada's only large-scale manufacturing plant producing life-sustaining intravenous and dialysis solutions. To learn more, visit www.baxter.ca and follow Baxter on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Baxter is a registered trademark of Baxter International Inc.

SOURCE Baxter Corporation

For further information: Media Contact: Lori Ann Horrigan, (844) 838-8305, [email protected]

Related Links

baxter.ca


Blake, who is Black, was shot multiple times by police, is currently paralysed from the waist down as protests rage.

A Black man shot multiple times, apparently in the back, by police in Wisconsin is paralysed from the waist down and has eight holes in his body, the father of victim Jacob Blake said.

A video of the shooting in broad daylight on Sunday in Kenosha, captured on mobile phone camera that quickly spread on social media, ignited new protests over racial injustice in several cities.

It comes three months after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police set off demonstrations around the United States and touched off a wider reckoning on race.

Blakes father, also named Jacob Blake, told the Chicago Sun-Times in a story published on Tuesday that he did not know if his 29-year-old sons paralysis would be permanent. The older man was travelling from North Carolina to be with his son, who is being treated in a Milwaukee hospital.

I want to put my hand on my sons cheek and kiss him on his forehead, and then Ill be OK, the father told the newspaper. Ill kiss him with my mask. The first thing I want to do is touch my son.

Blakes father said he learned on Sunday night that officers had shot his son eight times and shortly thereafter he watched the video, which appears to show his son being shot in the back.

Ben Crump, a civil rights lawyer representing the family, said three of Blakes sons  aged three, five and eight  were in the car at the time of the shooting. Crump scheduled a Tuesday afternoon news conference in Kenosha with Blakes family members to address the shooting.

The father has not returned multiple messages left by The Associated Press news agency.

Confirmed: Jacob Blake currently paralyzed from the waist down. Praying it's not permanent. #JusticeForJacobBlake  Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) August 25, 2020

He is slated to speak at a March on Washington commemoration on Friday organised by the Reverend Al Sharpton.

His father and the victims grandfather, Jacob Blake Sr, was a prominent minister and civil rights leader in the Chicago area who helped organise a march and spoke in support of comprehensive housing law in Evanston, Illinois, days after the 1968 slaying of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

The officers were placed on administrative leave, which is standard practice in such cases. Authorities released no details about them and did not immediately respond to requests for their service records.

Since the shooting, anger has spilled into the streets of Kenosha and other cities, including Los Angeles, Wisconsins capital of Madison and in Minneapolis, the epicentre of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer following Floyds death.

Hundreds of protesters defied an 8pm (00:00GMT) curfew on Monday night, massing in downtown Kenosha. Some set fire to buildings, cars and dumpsters, threw bottles and shot fireworks and then clashed with officers in riot gear, including 125 members of the Wisconsin National Guard, who deployed tear gas as they guarded the courthouse.





A city block was cordoned off on Tuesday, so officials could survey the aftermath. Several storefronts were badly damaged. Smoke filled the air and visibility was low as firefighters used water cannon on still smouldering buildings.

Earlier on Monday, when Kenosha Mayor John Antarmian moved a news conference from a park to inside the public safety building, a crowd rushed to the building and a door was snapped off its hinges before police in riot gear pepper-sprayed the crowd.

US Senator Ron Johnson and Representative Bryan Steil, both Republicans, called on Democratic Governor Tony Evers seeking more action to quell the unrest. Steil said he would request federal assistance if necessary.

A Wisconsin state legislator said Evers and Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, who is Black, encouraged violence with their comments after the shooting.

They did not call for peace. They did not encourage calm, Republican state Senator Howard Marklein said. They did encourage people to jump to conclusions and take negative action.

Police clash with protesters near the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday, August 24 [/Morry Gash/AP Photo]

Everss spokeswoman did not immediately respond to the APs request for comment.

Evers was quick to condemn the shooting in Kenosha and on Monday called on the Republican-controlled legislature to take up a package of police reform bills in a special session next week.

But Republicans showed no interest in doing that.

In Madison, about 500 protesters marched to the state Capitol on Monday night, and some broke windows, stole from stores and sprayed graffiti along the way. Police used tear gas and pepper spray on the crowds and six people were arrested, according to Madison police.

In Minneapolis, 11 people were arrested after breaking windows at the county jail on Monday night. One police officer suffered a broken hand in an altercation with demonstrators, the sheriffs department said.

Police in Kenosha, a city of about 100,000 in between Milwaukee and Chicago, said they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute when they encountered Blake on Sunday.

Controversial footage

The man who said he made the mobile phone video, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, Drop the knife! Drop the knife! before the gunfire erupted. He said he did not see a knife in Blakes hands.

In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his four-wheel drive to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns pointed and shout at him.





As Blake opens the door and leans into the car, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while Blake has his back turned. Seven shots can be heard, though it is not clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired.

Police did not say whether Blake was armed or why police opened fire, they released no details on the domestic dispute, and they did not immediately disclose the race of the three officers at the scene.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is leading the investigation into the shooting, which is expected to take several weeks.
Google has confirmed it will not close its popular Google News service in Australia as its steps up its public campaign against paying for news content.

The company posted an open blog to its website on Monday claiming the proposed legislation drafted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission requiring it to share revenue with media businesses was 'unfair' and 'unworkable'.

'Put simply, it's extremely one-sided and unfair - so unfair that no company should be be asked to accept it,' it said.

But Google admitted it was unable to withdraw from Australia like it did in Spain when forced to pay for news in that jurisdiction because the proposed law was so broad it would require the company to remove all global news by media firms and 'citizen journalists.'

The ACCC has accused Google - which raked in $4.8 billion in revenue from Australia last year - of running a deliberate campaign of 'misinformation' against its attempt to hold the company to account.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has drafted a new law that would require Google and Facebook to pay news organisations for content

Google posted an open blog (pictured) saying the proposal is unfair and would give the media an opportunity to 'game the system' and opens them up to 'enormous and unreasonable demands'

Google's post, the latest salvo in what looms as a protracted war with the Australian press, said shutting down Google News was not an option as the company would have to undertake 'a mass cull of content globally to stop them being visible to Australians.'

It would include blocking access to overseas sport, discussions of global health issues and tweets about current events.

Google said it was happy to pay more to 'license content' but warned the ACCC's bargaining code was unfairly stacked in the favour of publishers.

'We are not against a law that governs the relationships between news businesses and digital platforms. But the current draft Code is unworkable,' it said.

Under the Code, Google and Facebook would be forced into arbitration with media companies if they could not reach agreement on a fair price for news.

The blog claimed the arbitration process did not take account of the 'significant costs we incur in providing our services'.

'The arbitration is set up to encourage news businesses to make unreasonable and exorbitant financial demands,' the company said.

Google also raised concerns about the requirement to give news companies 28 days notice of algorithm changes, arguing the measure would provide an unfair advantage to media over other businesses - and stop the search giant from making quick changes.

Google wrote: 'We are not against a law that governs the relationships between news businesses and digital platforms. But the current draft Code is unworkable.'

'Thats 28 days before we can roll out defences against new kinds of spam or fraud, 28 days of extra delay before we can launch new features that are already available to the rest of the world, and 28 days before we can fix things that break.'

Last month, the ACCC announced Google and Facebook would be forced to pay media companies for the right to use their stories or face fines of up to $10million for breaching a copyright deal.

Google had been quietly negotiating revenue sharing deals with a several media companies but abandoned those discussions when it launched its 'google down under' campaign last week.

In an 'open letter' to its 20 million Australian users, it warned it could stop offering free searches due to the proposed law.

However the company backtracked the next day, admitting it had not intention of charging for services.
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

At the moment that much of the world is trying to free itself from hatreds of the past, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) seems intent on bringing them back. In a letter it sent to US Congress, ELCA promotes a modern-day blood libel against the Jewish State, which it accuses of training the murderers of George Floyd. It is a libel right out of the playbook of Martin Luthers On the Jews and Their Lies. That work, which urged the burning of synagogues, was hailed by the Nazi newspaper Der Sturmer, as the most radically anti-Semitic tract ever published.

George Floyd? What could Israel possibly have to do with George Floyd? Unless you believe in the global Jewish conspiracy and that everything therefore can and should be blamed on the Jews or the Jewish state.

ELCA apparently does. Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director of ELCA Global Mission, faulted Israels repressive tactics against Palestinians for police brutality against black Americans. As it has been reported, the kind of police tactics used to kill George Floyd are among those taught to a number of police departments that have taken part in training by Israeli police and military forces. For example, 100 Minneapolis police officers received counterterrorism training from Israelis at a conference held in 2012.

Now, the approved use of the neck restraint appeared in the Minneapolis police code as far back as 2002. Explicit mention of using a leg to execute it appears there in 2010, a few years before any contact with Israeli police. According to the UKs Channel 4, neck-kneeling was involved in the pre-2012 deaths of suspects in Pittsburgh, Bloomfield, NJ, and the Bay Area. So the practice predates any contact with Israelis. Interestingly, the police participants at the conference  which took place in Chicago  were not specifically from Minneapolis, but from the entire state of Minnesota.

What the 2012 conference in Chicago did teach was how to fight terrorism against civilians, something with which Israelis have too much experience. Knees? Micky Rosenfield, the national spokesman for the Israeli police declared: There is no procedure that allows an officer of the Israel police department to carry out an arrest by placing a knee on the neck of a suspect.

Malpica Padilla was not the only ELCA official creating fake news to incite Jew-hatred. Kathryn Mary Lohre, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA and Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations & Theological Discernment, wrote on the ELCA website: The racism that has kneeled on the necks of Black Americans for 400 years is part of the same global pandemic as the racism that has been kneeling on the necks of Palestinians for 53 years of military occupation, and that has been even more suffocating under Israels nation-state law, adopted in 2018. Just who has been suffocating since 2018? Israels nation-state law did recognize that Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people, without detracting a smidgeon from the rights accorded to Israels non-Jewish minorities. Those are rights that simply dont exist for minorities  including Palestinians  in some twenty explicitly Muslim states in the Middle East, some of which persecute Christians, none of which bothers ELCA.

Where did the screed begin, that Israel was responsible for training Derek Chauvin? It began with an unsupported accusation in a British socialist paper. (They later walked it back.) It was given a boost in an interview with the UK Independent by actor Maxine Peake. (She later disowned it.) It was then tweeted by a Labour Party official, Rebecca Long-Bailey. (She was fired for it, and later repudiated the Jewish conspiracy implication.) That leaves ELCA, having no more to go on than Luther did in his infamous anti-Jewish work.

It is no secret that ELCA is hostile to Israel. So be it. Criticism is allowed, and sometimes can be legitimate. But when it is based on outright lies and incitement, it betrays something deeper. What do you suppose that might be?

We dont believe for a moment that these fake news campaigns reflect the thinking of the average Lutheran any more than we think that the average cop was capable of murdering George Floyd. We do believe that, that at a time of national crisis and reflection of riots, economic dislocation, social media hatred and uncertainty, Lutherans have an obligation to remove the stain of anti-Semitism from their church by cleaning up and clearing out some of their own administration.
Authorities in Vietnam have launched an investigation into H-beam steel originating in Malaysia on suspicion of dumping in the Vietnamese market.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued a decision to investigate and apply anti-dumping measures to some H-beam steel products made in Malaysia.

The decision came after a request made by representatives of the domestic manufacturing industry.

Local steel enterprises accused that the Malaysian H-beam steels have been dumped in the Vietnamese market, causing significant damage to the domestic steel industry.

Data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that the amount of Malaysias H-beam steel was negligible before the investigation period.

However, the imports increased sharply to 17,000 metric tons during the investigation period and to 65,000 metric tons one year after the investigation period.

This has led to negative impacts on the domestic manufacturing industry in terms of sales volume, market share, revenue, and profit.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will review the result of the probe and implement anti-dumping measures, if necessary, to prevent further damage to the countrys manufacturing industry.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
NOTE: The Press Council has not upheld a complaint about this article. Read the full adjudication here.

Nothing to see here. That was the resounding message from the icare board directors and senior executives who fronted a parliamentary hearing into its performance on Monday.

Their comments were reminiscent of banking royal commissioner Kenneth Haynes observation in his final report about a wide gap between the public face NAB seeks to show and what it does in practice".

In NABs case the chairman and chief executive resigned soon after the conclusion of the royal commission. But in the case of icare, only former chief executive John Nagle has fallen on his sword. That resignation came after it emerged his wife had a contract with icare that wasnt properly disclosed.
On Aug. 6, the Carter Centers China Program partnered with the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to host a webinar titled, What is the Next Chapter in U.S.-China Relations?

The meeting was organized in response to the deterioration of relations between the two countries and gave prominent American and Chinese speakers a chance to assess the current state of affairs, identify some of the reasons for the continued fraying of the relationship, and offer ideas about how to repair it.

Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander gave a keynote address to the gathering, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter wrote a letter (PDF) to the group. Alexanders full remarks are below.



Paige Alexanders Remarks

Ambassador Lin, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning, and good evening.

President and Mrs. Carter asked me to pass their best regards to all the participants of this critical and timely discussion on where the U.S.-China relationship is now and where it is going in the coming years.

I just joined The Carter Center as its CEO in June, but I know The Carter Center has a very long and productive relationship with Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). You have hosted President Carters numerous visits to China since 2007. Since 2012, we have jointly organized seven high level forums on U.S.-Chinas relations, including the one last year at The Carter Center to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of U.S.-China relations.

I met President Carter last Friday in Plains, Georgia. He is very concerned about the current state of the bilateral relationship and asked me to speak to you about the relationship and our hope that continued engagement with CPAFFC will improve it.

On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of U.S.-China relations, President Carter wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post entitled, How to Repair U.S.-China Relations  and Prevent a Modern Cold War. We all have heard the drumbeat of a looming Cold War with China in the U.S. We all watched with great disappointment when Washington ordered the closing of Chinas Houston consulate, and Beijing retaliated by closing the American consulate in Chengdu. This kind of action and retaliation has the potential of derailing the bilateral relationship that has been an anchor for peace and prosperity in the past 40 years for our countries  and the world.

We need to answer a crucial question that impacts the sustainability of the relationship: Why is there such a growing gap in each sides perception of the bilateral engagement in the past 40 years? Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly said that we have a thousand reasons to make the China-U.S. relationship a success, and none whatsoever to wreck it. Yet we have seen a rapid deterioration in the bilateral relationship.

The goal of todays discussion by the illustrious Chinese and American speakers is to identify the main factors that have created this gap. President Carter wrote in his Washington Post op-ed: Americans must acknowledge that, just as China has no right to interfere in U.S. affairs, we have no inherent right to dictate to China how to govern its people or choose its leaders. Though even countries with the closest of relationships may critique each other at times, such engagements should never become directives or edicts; they should rather serve as a two-way street of open dialogue.

While we share President Carters view, we also think intolerance of criticisms may have contributed to the current deterioration of the American perception of China.

However, I do not want to focus too much on what has caused the problems in the bilateral relationship. Rather, I want to explore how to preserve President Carters and Deng Xiaopings legacy and make this relationship beneficial to both countries and to the world. On July 9, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told an online audience that both the U.S. and China should stay on the right track and keep pace with the times to ensure the right direction for China-U.S. relations.

Minister Wang suggested that American and Chinese bilateral relationship managers begin this recovery initiative by establishing three lists: A list of areas of cooperation, a list of issues requiring constructive dialogue, and a list of issues that need proper management. The Carter Center and the Huazhi Institute for Global Governance at Nanjing University jointly organized an online workshop to decide what should be on these separate lists. The Carter Centers team is still working to finalize the report, but I would like to share some of the preliminary findings with you.

It is easy to identify the list of issues requiring proper management. The Taiwan Issue and South China issue are most likely to trigger an armed conflict between Beijing and Washington. There must be frank, good-faith discussions between Chinese and Americans on how to manage these two issues so that they do not escalate into violence.

Among the list of areas requiring constructive dialogue, I would like to mention one key item: human rights. Not very long ago, the U.S. and China used to have regular dialogues on human rights issues. These engagements need to be restored. Although Beijing indicates that issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong are Chinas domestic affairs, there should be discussions with American counterparts so that each side can understand the others core concerns and an understanding can be reached. Greater transparency and willingness to share information on this issue will lead to improved understanding and trust, both of which are essential to improved bilateral relations.

Finally, we get to what I believe has the greatest potential for impact  areas of cooperation. Minister Wang said this list should specify all areas, bilateral and global, and that the longer the list, the better. As President Carter indicates in his letter, it is tragic for China, where the outbreak of COVID-19 initially took place, and the U.S., which is now the epicenter of the pandemic, not to collaborate in vaccine research. Ambassador Lin probably could tell all of us how well the U.S. and China worked together to contain the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea and establish the Africa CDC. Any endeavor to reverse climate change is doomed to fail if the U.S. and China choose not to cooperate.

President Carter was very much involved in trying to get Pyongyang to denuclearize in the early 1990s. Without Chinas participation, what was started by President Carter will never succeed. China and the United States are the two most important engines of the global economic growth. If the U.S. and China decouple on financial, technological, manufacturing, and trade fronts, the world could experience severe economic harm, including a reversal of the significant reductions in severe poverty in China. Last but not the least, China can play a crucial role in working with the U.S. and other international partners to restore peace in Sudan, DRC, Mali, and other African countries where Chinas influence has been growing.

In December 2012, President Carter visited China and opened the inaugural TCC-CPAFFC forum on U.S.-China relations. The theme of the meeting focused on building a new kind of great power relationship between the two nations. We should remain focused on that theme. Peoples from the U.S. and China have both benefitted so much from this relationship, and it is neither possible to separate them, nor advisable to try to do so.

I want to repeat what President Carter writes in his letter to you all: This engagement has enabled both countries, as well as the Asia-Pacific region and the world, to enjoy unparalleled peace and prosperity. For this engagement to continue, I would like to see CPAFFC and The Carter Center to make this online dialogue a regular event, so that we can be in a better position to increase mutual understanding and reduce bilateral bias. I also urge all participants to continue the engagement by visiting our Chinese language website on U.S.-China relations, and sending submissions of articles, op-eds, and papers so that dialogue and idea exchange can be furthered.

The Carter Center and President Carter have been engaged in joint projects and dialogue with China since the 1990s. The Carter Center is committed to restoring the good relations between the U.S. and China.

I look forward to visiting China, meeting Ambassador Lin and all the Chinese speakers in person, and finding ways to address some of the worlds most pressing challenges while simultaneously building relations between our two countries.
One thing was clear after Postmaster General Louis DeJoys hearing before Congress on Monday: the partisan brawls over the United States Postal Serviceonce among the less politicized agencies in the federal governmentwill almost certainly continue through Election Day.

The five-hour hearing was punctuated by cringe-worthy moments as DeJoy, who appeared unprepared to answer Democrats basic questions about the agency he has led since mid-June, appeared squirm in his seat.

Experts on the Postal Service say DeJoys wobbly testimony validates at least some of the concerns voiced in recent weeks by Congressional Democrats, who have launched multiple probes into the Postmaster Generals proposed cost-cutting measures at the USPS and the selection process that led to his appointment in May.

The answers he is giving do suggest either a potential stonewalling about whats happening or that there is not a lot of operational knowledge, says Matthew Titolo, a law professor at West Virginia University who studies the Postal Service. Its revealing a problem with this selection of this particular Postmaster General.

The Postmaster General could not, for example, tell Democratic Rep. Katie Porter how much a postcard cost or roughly how many people, in the tens of millions, voted by mail in the previous cycle. He confirmed to Rep. Ayanna Pressley that he had instituted a push for early retirement and instituted a hiring freeze at the management level, but denied that these reductions would continue to slow down mail delivery.

And while he stressed multiple times that Americans need not worry about getting their mail-in ballots delivered in time, he admitted to Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna that he could not articulate his agencys plan to fulfill that objective. I need to get back to you on that, DeJoy responded. I can probably give you some type of summarized objectives that we can try to fulfill.

Story continues

DeJoy, who was not involved in a previous USPS decision to remove hundreds of mail sorting machines, at first said he would not replace them, then changed course, saying that he would if Congress provided funding.

DeJoy is a longtime Republican donor who contributed more than $1.1 million to the Trump Victory campaign fund from August 2016 to February 2020. Democrats accuse him of leveraging his reform measures to slow mail delivery before the general election. DeJoy announced earlier this month he would postpone his proposed cost-cutting plan until after November in an effort to avoid any appearance of impropriety, but problems with mail delivery continue to plague the country.

DeJoys appearance before the House Committee on Oversight and Government reform was his second Congressional testimony in a week, an unusually high profile spot for any Postmaster General. (DeJoy testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs on Friday). Both appearances came at the request of Democrats.

On Saturday, House Democrats convened an emergency weekend session to pass a bill that allots $25 billion in financial assistance for the USPS, although it will likely languish in the Republican-led Senate.

For Republicans, Democrats questioning of DeJoys qualifications was evidence that they were using a transfer of power at the Postal Service to score political points, and that DeJoy was just a casualty. Youre a better man than me, Rep. Clay Higgins told DeJoy when he said he was testifying voluntarily. If I was you, I wouldnt appear before this committee without a subpoena in the future. Congratulations on your character for being here voluntarily to submit yourself to this harassment.

For postal workers and union representatives, there was enough substance beneath the partisan grandstanding to remain worried about DeJoys appointment. Rather than quell their anxieties, his testimony just seemed to intensify them. Mark Dimondstein, President of the American Postal Workers Union, wrote in a statement after the hearing that he was particularly concerned that DeJoy neither pressed for more federal financial assistance for the USPS nor vowed to reverse the changes that have been implemented at the agency.

Regardless of the back and forth in todays hearing, its an indisputable fact mail postal customers have witnessed a degrading and slowing of mail service since Postmaster General Louis DeJoy instituted changes in mid-July, Dimondstein wrote. Rather than bickering, its time for members of the Senate to rally behind this essential service.
Jerry Falwell Jr. has resigned from his role as president of Liberty University after 13 turbulent years at the helm of the prominent evangelical Christian school, he told the Wall Street Journal late Monday.

It follows a day of back-and-forth after Liberty University released a statement that said Falwell had offered his resignation and then withdrawn it.

"On the first day of classes of Liberty University's fall term, Jerry Falwell, Jr., agreed to resign as its President and from its Board of Directors but following media reports about the resignation, withdrew it," the statement said.

However, the Wall Street Journal reported that Falwell confirmed in a phone call with a journalist that he had indeed sent his resignation letter.

"The board put me on leave, took away my duties as prez, and that's not permitted by my contract," the Wall Street Journal reported Mr. Falwell said. "And they put me on leave because of pressure from self-righteous people."

NBC News has reached out to Falwell for comment, but by early Tuesday had not heard back.

The school placed Falwell on an indefinite leave of absence Aug. 7.

"Since that time, additional matters came to light that made it clear that it would not be in the best interest of the University for him to return from leave and serve as President. The Executive Committee met this morning and a conference call gathering of the full board was planned for tomorrow," the Liberty University statement said.

The Executive Committee, as well as the full board, are set to meet again Tuesday.

The fate of Falwell, 58, appears to have been sealed after an explosive claim made by a former hotel pool attendant-turned-business partner. The man, Giancarlo Granda, 29, told Reuters in an interview published Monday that he carried on an affair with Falwell's wife, Becki, beginning in 2012, when he was 20, and lasting until 2018. Granda told Reuters that Falwell would watch as he had sex with his wife, and believes the couple preyed upon him.

Falwell confirmed that his wife had an affair in a statement first published by the Washington Examiner. However, he denied participating in it and said that it led him to suffer from depression but that ultimately he forgave his wife and the man. He did not name him.

Reuters said Granda shared emails, text messages and other evidence to illustrate the nature of the relationship. Attorneys for Granda and Falwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and efforts to reach them and Becki Falwell directly were not immediately successful Monday.

Michael Bowe, Falwell's attorney, told Reuters last week when asked about its initial reporting that his client "categorically denies everything you indicated you intend to publish about him."

Falwell became president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, upon the death of his father, the Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr., in 2007. The elder Falwell, who founded the school in 1971 and was a leader in the Moral Majority, espoused a socially conservative, "pro-family" agenda that was continued by his son, who helped Donald Trump win the endorsement of evangelicals and has become increasingly involved in political issues.

Falwell's problems mounted in recent months when he publicly apologized for a tweet showing a person in blackface and posted a photo to his Instagram account in which his shirt was up and he was holding a glass of dark liquid. The awkward image also showed him standing next to a woman, and his pants appeared to be unzipped.

Falwell apologized this month during an interview with WLNI talk radio of Lynchburg.




A wrong turn on the Queen Elizabeth Way proved costly for a carload of Canadians who inadvertently found themselves at the Peace Bridge.

On Saturday, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection, border agents searched a car after it crossed the bridge into Buffalo, N.Y.

The occupants, described as four Canadians in their 20s, told officials they made a wrong turn onto the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie and had no intention of entering the U.S.

During the course of an inspection, a loaded Glock .45 was discovered in a bag behind the front passengers seat.

CBP officers determined the firearm had been reported stolen.

Also, one of the occupants, a 26-year-old, was found to be in possession of more than 11 grams of cocaine.

This latest seizure is just another example of the outstanding work our front line officers continue to do, said CBP port director Jennifer De La O.

Their remarkable efforts have once again proven their commitment to keeping the communities we live in safe.

The four individuals were turned over to the Buffalo police department.
Hugh Jackman has been self-isolating in New York with his wife, Deborra-lee Furness, and their two children during the coronavirus pandemic.

And on Monday, the 52-year-old actor revealed that being able to reconnect with his family was the one upside of the global health crisis.

'It's re-calibrated what is important,' the Wolverine star told ET Canada.

'It's re-calibrated what is important': Hugh Jackman (pictured) has said the silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic has been spending more time with his wife and children

'In many ways that has been a bonus. The silver lining has been quality time that I thought wouldn't happen again,' he continued.

The Greatest Showman star said that he and his family were keeping themselves occupied by doing puzzles together, playing games, watching movies and baking.

Hugh added that he was able to finish watching Stranger Things, Succession and Ozark on Netflix with his 15-year-old daughter, Ava.

Silver lining: 'In many ways that has been a bonus. It has been quality time that I thought wouldn't happen again,' the X-Men star told ET Canada. Pictured with his son, Oscar, in April

Hugh shares Ava, and son Oscar, 20, with his wife, Deborra-lee.

While Hugh appears to have adjusted to life under lockdown, the X-Men actor recently revealed his growing concerns for his children.

Speaking to WHO magazine in May, he said: 'I mainly worry for my kids right now. I'm not scared for myself.'

Lonely: Hugh recently told WHO magazine that he was worried about his children 'not being around friends' during lockdown. Pictured with his wife, Deborra-lee Furness, in April

'I am worried about them, their mental state, school, not being around friends and the disruption,' he added.

It comes after Hugh and Deborra-lee, 64, recently urged fans to stay at home to protect others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

'We stay home for all of our family, and for all the people working in essential services. All the doctors and healthcare workers,' Deborra-lee said.
It's unlikely that any discussion these days on rules regarding the oil and gas industry is smooth sailing, but the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is expected this week to take up some of the most controversial of all: setbacks.
Tracy Clark , author of the Cass Raines mystery series, said when she started out, publishers limited the number of writers of color in the industry. I had one publisher say, we already have a Black writer, said Clark, a South Shore resident who is also an editor and designer at the Tribune Content Agency. Weve always been there, but there were these old guards only letting one or two of us in at a time.
HAMMOND, Ind., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- T5 Data Centers has been selected by Digital Crossroad (DX), a wholesale data center developer, to provide critical facility management services for the company's new data center campus located at the site of the former State Line Generating Plant in Hammond, Indiana.

Digital Crossroad is celebrating the first phase of its 1.7 million square foot data center campus with the launch of the DX-1 facility on October 31, 2020, bringing 20MW of critical power and 108,000 square feet of IT and office space.

Located just outside of downtown Chicago's growing tech hub, the DX campus offers customers highly-attractive state tax incentives, including a 50-year, 100% sales and use tax exemption with no minimum investment. In addition to economic benefits, the campus will deploy an on-site solar power generation plant and an innovative free water cooling system that ties directly into Lake Michigan.

"Indiana's commitment to creating a strong national data center industry involved creating operational excellence and exempting energy and equipment purchases from sales tax. With T5, we have a partner that can maximize the advantages that Indiana has," said Thomas P. Dakich , Managing Member, Digital Crossroad.

Digital Crossroad is building an ecosystem of partners that can deliver best-in-class data center services, choosing T5 based on the company's track record of success in delivering and operating data centers for some of the world's largest hyperscale and enterprise users.

"We're excited to be working with the team at Digital Crossroad. The data center campus in Hammond will solidify Indiana as a top-tier data center market and we look forward to applying our deep-rooted operational experience in this market," said Steve Holland, Senior Vice President of Data Center Facility Management and Operations for T5.

About T5 Data Centers

T5 Data Centers (T5) is a leading lifecycle data center partner headquartered in Atlanta, GA. T5 provides comprehensive data center services, ranging from development and mission-critical construction to leasing, outsourced facility management and IT data hall operations for organizations across North America and Europe. Learn more about T5 online at t5datacenters.com or by phone at 888.239.7133.

About Digital Crossroad

Digital Crossroad is a regional wholesale data center developer based in Hammond, IN. The company is currently building out a 1.7 million square foot data center campus on a site that was previously the home of the State Line Generating Plant. Digital Crossroad is transforming the historic site into a 21st-century data center that offers unmatched economic and green energy benefits. To learn more, please visit digitalcrossroad.com.

Media Contacts:

Digital Crossroad

Jason Ferrara

[email protected]

T5

Craig Mckesson

[email protected]

SOURCE T5 Data Centers

Related Links

http://www.t5datacenters.com


The trilateral summit addressed enhancing cooperation in all fields, especially in energy, power linkage, infrastructure and food

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi affirmed on Tuesday Egypt's willingness to establish joint development projects with Iraq and Jordan within a strict timeframe, in a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi in the Jordanian capital Amman, the presidency said.

The planned projects between the three countries can have a direct and swift impact on the development process and people's lives, the statement by presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said.

The trilateral summit, which is being held for the third time, addressed enhancing cooperation in all fields, Rady said, especially in energy, power linkage, infrastructure and food.

The three leaders urged fostering trilateral cooperation in terms of the economy, trade and investment with the aim of establishing strategic integration between Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

On the political level, the leaders discussed developments with regards to the Palestinian cause and affirmed their support for Palestinians legitimate rights in accordance with relevant international resolutions.

They also reviewed the developments in Libya, Syria and Yemen, and agreed to intensify coordination to reach a comprehensive political settlement that would preserve the unity and independence of the Arab countries and end the humanitarian suffering of their peoples.

Iraq's Al-Kadhimi affirmed the need to find a political solution to crises in the region in a way that preserves the resources of nations and the national security of each country, a statement by his media office reported following the meeting.

The newly appointed prime minister also said that the Iraqi vision focuses on distancing Iraq from conflicts and achieving economic cooperation with Egypt and Jordan by developing the joint industrial zone.

Al-Kadhimi affirmed that the historic and geographical relations with Egypt and Jordan pave the way for building a base of joint economic interests that secures long-term investment partnerships and wide-scale trade exchange.

Prior to the meeting, King Abdullah II hailed Egypt's pivotal role in the region and efforts to achieve stability and counter terrorism.

Hailing the historic relations between the two countries, King Abdullah expressed willingness to continue boosting cooperation with Egypt in various fields, a statement by Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Radi read.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Islamabad, Aug 25 : A report by the US Institute of Peace (USIP) has analyzed that the standoff between India and Pakistan over Kashmir can be resolved if the Musharraf-Manmohan deal is implemented with mutual agreement from both sides.

The report by the Washington-based think tank, funded by the US Congress, has expressed concerns over the Narendra Modi government's decision to annex Jammu and Kashmir, changing the special status into two Union Territories, highlighting that the decision will "be sorely tested by the disaffection that has intensified among Kashmiris since August 5, 2019".

"New Delhi will increasingly find it hard to manage its narrative about constitutional and political change ushering in peace to Kashmir. Most indicators of violence in Kashmir have been on the rise since August 2019 decision.

"The Indian government's insistence on Kashmir being a purely domestic issue is a fiction maintained only by a large security presence," the report added.

Exploring best options for a solution to the ongoing Kashmir dispute, the report highlights the backdoor deal arrived in 2004-2007 between then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The four-point formula proposed by Musharraf, which was later fine-tuned during several back-channel negotiations, remains as the best available solution to the Kashmir conflict, the report claims.

The first point of the formula, which was about self-governance, mutually agreed by both parties back then "has been undone by India's 5 August decision".

The report claims that demilitarization of Kashmir, being the second point of the 2004-07 deal, is still possible if both India and Pakistan come to a mutual agreement.

"This would require India to persuade Kashmiris to not take up arms against the Indian state and Pakistan to curb militant activities along the Line of Control (LoC)," the report maintains.

It also suggested that this could be achieved through initial pilot programmes in some territorial pockets to see if those prove successful, adding that demilitarization could be extended to other parts of Kashmir then.

However, the report warned that even if Pakistan were to control militancy on its side, "Kashmir might still suffer from attacks launched by indigenous militants and widespread disinfection of Kashmir could play the role of a spoiler for long enough to wreck plans of demilitarization".

Elaborating on the third point of the deal, the report highlights that before August 5, 2019, some steps were already taken to implement the third element i.e allowing the free movement of people and trade between the two countries and the divided Kashmir.

The initiation of bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, launched in February 2005, followed by the second bus service from Poonch to Rawalakot, which started about an year later, opening of trade across the LoC in October 2008, duty free barter trade of at least 21 items produced on either side, were steps towards implementation of the third point of the deal, the report emphasizes.

The fourth point of the deal was the creation of mechanisms to oversee certain less sensitive sectors on both sides of the LoC.

"Like progress towards the goal of making borders irrelevant, movement towards this objective is also possible if there is a political will on both sides.

"The third and fourth points of the formula are interrelated; progress toward one would facilitate progress toward the other," the report added.

But with India's decision of August 2019, the report noted that "any further talks based on that formula will be harder to begin".

In the current scenario, the four-point Kashmir formula seems far from reach. Nonetheless, the report claims, "it is the best available basis" for future talks between the two arch-rivals.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXV:CCE)(FSE:D7H0) (the "Company" or "Commerce") is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a combined total of $160,000 in grant funding in support of research and development of the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit's flowsheet. The Ashram Deposit is one of the largest rare earth deposits being advanced globally, with a fluorspar component which also then ranks it as one of the largest fluorspar deposits defined globally.

The research and development program will be carried-out as a collaboration between the Company, Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQAT) and Industrial Waste Technology Centre (CTRI). The Company will provide approximately 1.5 tonnes of Ashram Deposit material to be used as feed for the various test programs with the following objectives:

Optimization of the flotation process to produce high-grade (>30% REO) mineral concentrate using only this method, and further demonstrate the scale-up of the process from bench to mini-pilot scale Enhancing mineral liberation by using a high-voltage electrical pulse (HVEP) fragmentation method Evaluation of wet screening as a classification approach in the grinding circuit

The research and development programs will be jointly funded through both Provincial and Federal grant mechanisms. The combined value of the grants awarded totals $160,000 and includes contributions of:

$75,000 from the Elements08 Strategic Metals Excellence Centre (Elements08) - supports the responsible and sustainable mining of strategic resources in Quebec through targeted research and development initiatives

$75,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) - Applied Research and Development (ARD) grant - supports students in advanced studies to promote discovery driven research and foster innovation for the benefit of all Canadians

$10,000, collectively, from the UQAT Foundation (FUQAT) and the Institutional Research and Creation Development Fund (FIRC) - both in support of academic research at UQAT

In addition, the Company will provide in-kind contributions totalling approximately $18,750 consisting of material and geological support, as well as a financial contribution of $18,750. Collectively, the funding in place for the project totals $178,750, in addition to the Company's in-kind contributions.

Company President Chris Grove comments: "the programs that have been outlined by UQAT and CTRI have the potential to provide significant process optimizations and cost efficiencies to the Ashram Project (e.g. energy reductions, improved mineral liberation and flotation performance, etc.), as well as make a strong contribution to academia and the research and development of strategic minerals in Quebec. On behalf of the Company, I would like to thank Elements08, NSERC, FUQAT, and FIRC for making this funding available in support of this work."

The various project leads will include Darren L. Smith, the Company's Ashram Project Manager, Jean-Francois Boulanger, Professor of Hydrometallurgy for the Rare Earth Elements Institute for Research in Mines and Environment (RIME), UQAT, Lucie Coudert, Professor of Hydrometallurgy and mine tailings repurposing for RIME, UQAT, and Nassima Kemache, PhD, Hydrometallurgist, CTRI.

Jean-Francois Boulanger comments: "A principal focus of the joint research program involving experts from CTRI, UQAT, and Commerce Resources will be the optimization of the mineral liberation and flotation schemes, used to produce a high-grade rare earth mineral concentrate (>30% REO) for hydrometallurgical processing (cracking). After the initial lab-scale testing phase, pilot-scale operation will be conducted, increasing confidence when scaling-up the developed process."

Figure 1: Simplified flowsheet of the grinding and flotation circuits to be evaluated as part of the project

The flotation test work will build upon the significant advancement in cleaner stage performance (i.e. improved grade and recovery), as initially developed by Mr. Boulanger during his time with Universite Laval in 2018-2019 (see news release dated December 17th, 2019). Further, mineral liberation is a key determinant in flotation performance and therefore methods such as HVEP fragmentation are of strong interest as candidates to optimize the grinding circuit. The work will also include aspects of predictive modelling, which hold significant potential to reduce test work costs in the rare earth industry. In addition, the test programs will support the rare earth research and development industry in Quebec, through the direct support of a PhD level student and several interns.

The Company is pleased to provide its continued support to the academic and institutional rare earth element research and development industry through the supply of Ashram Deposit material and geological support. The Ashram Deposit outcrops at surface and has allowed for cost-effective collection of large amounts of material for test work. As such, the Company is actively engaged with various research and academic institutions to support the advancement of the REE industry in Canada, and in Quebec specifically.

NI 43-101 Disclosure

Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geo., Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a Permit holder with the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release.

About Commerce Resources Corp.

Commerce Resources Corp. is an exploration and development company with a particular focus on deposits of rare metals and rare earth elements. The Company is focused on the development of its Ashram Rare Earth Element Deposit in Quebec and the Upper Fir Tantalum-Niobium Deposit in British Columbia.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.commerceresources.com or email info@commerceresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.

"Chris Grove"

Chris Grove

President and Director

Tel: 604.484.2700

Email: cgrove@commerceresources.com

Web: http://www.commerceresources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information which is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this press release include the Company's plans to provide approximately 1.5 tonnes of material for the various test programs, that the objectives of those test programs, including the optimization of the liberation and flotation schemes, can be realized, and the Company's belief that predictive modelling holds significant potential to reduce test work costs in the rare earth industry. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include changing costs for mining and processing; increased capital costs; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumption based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that with further test work may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful and even it tests are successful, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the availability of labour, equipment and markets for the products produced; and despite the current expected viability of the project, conditions changing such that the minerals on our property cannot be economically mined, or that the required permits to build and operate the envisaged mine can be obtained. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Commerce Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603034/Commerce-Resources-Corp-Awarded-160000-for-Research-and-Development-of-the-Ashram-Deposits-Flowsheet
Malaysian cops searched multiple houses during the hunt for London teenager Nora Quoirin when she went missing from a jungle resort last year because her parents were convinced she had been abducted, an inquest heard.

The 15-year-old's disappearance sparked a ten-day search through dense rainforest involving helicopters, sniffer dogs and hundreds of volunteers.

Senior police official Mohamad Nor Marzukee Besar told a court in Seremban city today that the family identified three houses where they thought the child might be held.

He said they searched all the houses near the Dusan Resort but did not find the child in any of them.

The resort owner said she could have been taken to a hut deep in the jungle but police only found a man sleeping there. Nora, who had learning difficulties, was eventually discovered dead and unclothed.

The inquest into the death of London teenager Nora Quoirin opened yesterday a year after her naked body was found in a jungle in Malaysia. She is pictured above in a family photo

This is the second day of the inquest demanded by Nora's heartbroken parents Meabh and Sebastien, who argued their daughter, who had learning difficulties, would never have wandered away alone.

Yesterday's inquest heard that Nora's body had 'no serious scars or injuries' to her feet, even though the teenager was wearing no shoes when she vanished from a resort in Malaysia.

But police said foul play was not involved when her naked body was found by hikers beside a small stream about 1.6 miles from the Dunsun rainforest resort. They subsequently closed the case.

Officials pointed to an autopsy claiming she had succumbed to intestinal bleeding from starvation and stress after spending a week in the rainforest.

A lawyer working for the couple highlighted the fact that Nora - who was not wearing shoes when she went missing - had no injuries to her feet, even though she was found one kilometer away from the family's villa.

The lawyer said: 'She was found unclothed, without footwear yet there were no serious scars or injuries to her soles?'

Local police chief Mohamad Mat Yusop - who was the first witness called to the inquest in Seremban yesterday - agreed and said Nora had 'only some minor bruises', The Mirror reports.

Local police chief Mohamad Mat Yusop was the first witness called to the inquest in Seremban yesterday, held a year after she disappeared

Parents Meabh and Sebastien demanded an inquest after arguing their daughter would not have wandered off. They are pictured calling for their daughter with a megaphone last year

Mr Yusop added: 'There was no indication the victim was kidnapped.

'We did not receive any telephone calls - usually in this kind of case we will get a call to say the victim has been kidnapped and is in the hands of certain people, and they would demand a ransom.

'I believe the missing person actually climbed out of the window.'

When he first met the family, Mr Yusop said they were 'distraught' and that he 'assured the father we will use all our resources to find the missing girl'.

He told the court that he immediately ordered a search after being told she was missing on August 4 last year.

The voice of the girl's mother calling 'Nora darling, Nora, Nora, mummy here' was played in court - a recording that was used in the search for the girl.

Police officers pictured leaving the court yesterday. The local police chief was the first of 64 witnesses called to the inquest to give evidence

The 15-year-old's disappearance sparked a ten-day hunt through the rainforest involving helicopters, sniffer dogs and hundreds of volunteers

A second witness, resort owner Ahmed Bamadhaj, told the inquest that the latch of one of the windows in the bungalow where they were staying was broken.

Pictures of the two windows in the hotel room were shown to the court, including the one with a broken latch. There is no CCTV of the site and the area is not lit up so guests are able to 'see the stars'.

The Dusun resort, based deep in the rainforest of Negeri Sembilan, consists of seven self-catered bungalows with a maximum capacity of 20 adults.

As many as 64 witnesses are expected to be called to the court including the hikers that found her body, a British forensic expert, Nora's parents and police officers.

Opening proceedings yesterday, Coroner Maimoonah Aid said: 'We are here to answer a few questions - who is the dead person, when and how she died and whether anyone was responsible.'

Maimoonah visited the Dusun and the place where the body was found earlier this month in a trip the Quoirin family's lawyer described as 'quite thorough'.

The inquest will be calling 64 witnesses to the courthouse, pictured, in Seremban

A map shows the Dusun Resort near Seremban in Malaysia where Nora disappeared last year

Ahead of the inquest, the teenager's parents described it as 'a crucial element in the fight for truth and justice for Nora'.

'We hope that all avenues surrounding Nora's disappearance will be fully explored and not just the theory which the police has always favoured,' they said.

They were not present at the inquest because of the coronavirus pandemic but will be interviewed by the coroner via video-link.

Nora disappeared from the resort on August 4 last year.

Her parents have previously said their daughter could not have wandered off on her own as she had poor motor skills and needed help to walk. They also said that her mental age was about five or six years old.

A police officer searches for Nora in August last year following her disappearance

In a statement issued by the Lucie Blackman Trust, a charity which helps British families in crisis overseas, they said in January: 'It is crucial to understand how Nora came to be found where she was.

'As a vulnerable child, with significant physical and mental challenges, we strongly refute any conclusion that Nora was alone for the entire duration of her disappearance.

'We have repeatedly asked the police to clarify answers to our questions in this regard - and we have been repeatedly ignored.'
The hospital treating gravely ill Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny since he was medically airlifted to Germany two days earlier said on Aug. 24 that its tests indicate he was "poisoned." Navalny "is in an intensive-care unit and is still in an induced coma," it said, adding that his health "is serious but there is currently no acute danger to his life."

The staunch anti-corruption campaigner and critic of President Vladimir Putin fell ill on Aug. 20 during a flight from the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow. The plane made an emergency landing in Omsk, where doctors put him into an induced coma.

"The clinical findings indicate intoxication by a substance from the group of active substances called cholinesterase inhibitors," a statement by the Charite hospital said. Cholinesterase inhibitors, also known as anti-cholinesterase, are a broad range of chemicals that are found in several drugs but also in some pesticides and nerve agents.

Colleagues and supporters of Navalny have said he might have been poisoned when he drank tea purchased at the Tomsk airport.

A spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel, Steffen Seibert, told reporters in Berlin on Aug. 24 that "protection is necessary" for Navalny because poisoning was suspected as "extensive" testing continued. "We are dealing with a patient who, it is fairly likely, was poisoned," Seibert told reporters in Berlin. "The suspicion is... that somebody poisoned Mr. Navalny -- that somebody seriously poisoned Mr. Navalny -- which, unfortunately, there are some examples of in recent Russian history. So the world takes this suspicion very seriously."

The Omsk regional Health Ministry, where Navalny was initially treated, said on Aug. 22 that caffeine and alcohol were found in Navalny's urine, but "no convulsive or synthetic poisons were detected."

Dirk Wiese, the German government's coordinator for Eastern European affairs, told public broadcaster ZDF that the Russian opposition leader remains in critical but stable condition at Berlin's Charite hospital.
SMITHFIELD, Va., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia announced they have extended their years-long relationship to continue supporting children with critical illnesses across Virginia.

Smithfield will contribute $10,000 annually to Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia through 2023, building on the company's previous donations totaling $30,000 over the last three years. Now, more than ever, hope is essential  and Smithfield Foods is proud to partner with Make-A-Wish as it inspires optimism in so many young Virginians. Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia's dedication to making a difference through facilitating life-changing experiences has resulted in more than 5,200 wishes granted since 1987.

"Research shows that wishes have the possibility to give kids the hope and strength they need to continue in their battles for health," said Sheri Lambert, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia. "We are deeply grateful for Smithfield's commitment to serving our community, and for being such a dedicated partner in bringing essential hope to children in their battles for health."

Smithfield's support for the organization well beyond financial contributions. Julia Anderson, Global Chief Information Officer at Smithfield Foods, has served on the chapter's board of directors since 2018, volunteering her time to assist Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia's mission in a variety of roles. Anderson was recently re-appointed to the board for another term, during which she will serve through 2023.

"Serving on Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia's board of directors has been a highlight of my professional career," Anderson said. "Advancing this chapter's mission to create life-changing wishes for young children has been an incredibly fulfilling experience, particularly with so many living right here in Smithfield's backyard. I was honored to be nominated for another term on the board and I look forward to continuing my work with Make-A-Wish."

For more information about Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, visit va.wish.org, or contact its office by phone at 804.217.9474 or by email at [email protected] You can also connect with Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

About Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia

Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child's wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Headquartered in Richmond, Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia has granted more than 5,200 wishes since 1987. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers throughout Virginia grant a wish, on average, every 48 hours. For more information about Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, visit va.wish.org or call 804-217-WISH.

About Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Headquartered in Smithfield, Va. since 1936, Smithfield Foods, is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. Its 40,000 U.S. employees are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly." and have made it one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies. Smithfield Foods has pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including many industry firsts, such as its ambitious commitment to cut its carbon impact by 25 percent by 2025. The company believes in the power of protein to end food insecurity and has donated hundreds of millions of food servings to its neighbors in need. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield, Eckrich and Nathan's Famous, among many others. To learn more about Smithfield Foods, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

SOURCE Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Related Links

www.smithfieldfoods.com


Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25 2020

ndonesia has secured a supply of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in the ballpark of 300 million doses until the end of next year, the government has said, following ministerial visits to China and the United Arab Emirates last week.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo recently instructed Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir to meet with Chinese and Emirati officials to follow up on crucial vaccine cooperation as well as other economic partnerships.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Belagavi : , Aug 25 (IANS) Taking stock of the grim situation in the rain-cum-flood hit districts, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said on Tuesday that he would seek more central funds for relief work and aid to the affected people.

"I will soon visit New Delhi to seek more funds from the central government for relief works and compensation to the people, especially farmers who suffered huge losses from heavy rains and floods in dozen districts across the southern, coastal and northern regions," Yediyurappa told reporters in Kannada after an aerial survey of the affected areas.

As governance and administrative work have been affected by the corona virus pandemic since mid-March, the chief minister said the state government would spend on relief works from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) till the Centre releases additional funds to the southern state.

"A report on the damage and destruction caused by heavy rains and floods in the affected districts is being prepared to seek additional funds from the Centre as budgetary funds are being spent on fighting the Covid pandemic," said Yediyurappa after reviewing the situation with ministers and officials here.

Belagavi is about 500km northwest of Bengaluru in the southern state.

Though timely southwest monsoon filled reservoirs and water bodies with heavy and widespread rains across the state since June, release of excess water and the discharge from rain-hit Maharashtra dams in the Krishna river led to flooding of villages in low-lying area and damage to farmlands, roads, bridge and houses in the state's northwest districts over the last 3-4 weeks.

"I have directed ministers, legislators and officials from the affected districts to send details of the losses suffered by the people, damage to infrastructure and destruction of properties due to heavy rains and floods for compensation," said Yediyurappa.

The state government has released Rs 412 crore for rescue and relief works in Belagavi district. In addition, Rs 488 crore was released for 44,156 affected people who lost their houses and suffered crop loss in the border district. The state will also spend Rs 174 crore for repairing roads and bridges damaged in heavy rains and overflowing rivers and their tributaries.

State Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who hails from the region and State Revenue Minister R. Ashoka briefed Yediyurappa on the measures taken to restore normalcy in the affected districts.

Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Water Resources and Belagavi district in-charge Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and Industries and Dharwad district in-charge Minister Jagdish Shettar also gave information on measures taken to manage the flood situation to the chief minister.

According to the initial assessment, loss incurred due to heavy rains and floods in 12 affected districts since August 1 is estimated to be about Rs 4,000 crore.

The state administration has set up 92 relief camps in the affected districts for sheltering 4,485 people, as 385 houses were fully damaged and 7,238 houses partially damaged, while food crops in 89,440 hectares and horticultural crops in 51,803 hectares of land have been destroyed in heavy rains and floods.
Nestle Vietnam and La Vie donating gifts to the isolation centre in Que Son district, Quang Nam

The expected beneficiaries are the front-liners in combating COVID-19 as well as the local community hit by the pandemic in Danang city and Quang Nam province.

Along with this, with support from diverse partners like the Vietnam Youth Federation, Youth Union of Danang city, Lao Dong Newspaper, the Danang Health Department and several other units, Nestle Vietnam and La Vie have donated nearly 700,000 products to the front-lines in dealing with COVID-19, including medical staff and on-duty forces doing their work at hospitals, medical centres, quarantine points, and in different isolation areas at localities nationwide.

The wide assortment of products include La Vie mineral water, nutritional drink and food with brands NESCAFE, NESCAFE Espressoda, and drinking yogurt Nestle Yogu, as well as MAGGI, among others.

In the face of COVID-19, Nestle Vietnam has actively engaged in activities to support Vietnamese front-liners in the fight against the prolonged pandemic as well as people struggling during the health crisis. The Vietnam Youth Federation holds high esteem for these philanthropic activities, said Nguyen Tuong Lam, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Youth Federation.

Right after the health crisis broke out in March, Nestle Vietnam has teamed up with diverse government agencies and localities to support the front-liners dealing with COVID-19 with a total funding value surpassing VND12 billion ($521,740) in kind and in cash.

Nestle Vietnam actively supports the fight against COVID-19 in the central region

The company also lent a helping hand to small trading households hit by the pandemic such as small restaurants, food shops, and school canteens to surmount the challenging times with the total gift value reaching VND22 billion ($956,520).

Along with serving consumers, Nestle Vietnam has been focusing on programmes on moulding common values as well as proactively handling its corporate social responsibilities.

Aside from that, the company has also expedited a raft of programmes to support business partners, customers and local communities hit by the pandemic.

For instance, the company has donated 88,000 medical face masks valued at VND1.4 billion ($60,870) to the Agency of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health, aiding the fight against COVID-19.

Amid the recent resurgence of COVID-19, Nestle Vietnam holds our firm commitment to accompany other business partners and government agencies to aid the front-liners and more than ever before, we want to spread the message as well as promote a healthy living style among local consumers and the community to steer through challenging COVID-19 times, said Binu Jacob, Nestle Vietnam managing director.

Along with serving consumers, Nestle Vietnam has been focusing on programmes on moulding common values as well as proactively handling its corporate social responsibilities. For its contributions to the countrys social and economic development, Nestle Vietnam has recently been honoured with a Certificate of Merit from the prime minister.
Over the last few years, a solution has evolved for the growing problem with space debris and the number of satellites damaged or destroyed by tiny bits of orbiting space junk. While there has never been complete cooperation between the nations putting the most satellites into orbit, there has been growing willingness to share some data about space debris.

There are a growing number of satellites in orbit and most of them are commercial, not military. While the military sats seek to conceal their location, and often move around a lot to do that, the more numerous commercial communications, scientific and observation satellites dont. The clouds of space debris have become a growing threat, especially to satellites that cannot move. The solution was the development of better analytic and graphic tools that enable commercial satellite operators to predict where the growing number of debris swarms are and how that data changes over time. Most of the debris is in LEO (low earth orbit) and those tiny objects regularly fall into the atmosphere and vaporize. So making maps of space debris map is a never-ending process.

A decade ago, commercial satellite operators formed the Space Data Association and established the Space Data Center which collected all unclassified data on space debris. Using more powerful computers, analytic software and graphic display systems organizations like ComSpOC or ExoAnalytic analyze and deliver all this data to commercial customers as a real-time service that can also predict what the situation will look like in the next few years. This enables commercial satellite operators to move expensive satellites out of the way when a debris swarm appears to be on a collision course. Future swarm activity is useful for planning where to put new satellites, especially the new networks containing thousands of smaller satellites.

While the debris is a danger, it should be put into perspective. Orbital space is actually quite large. Each layer of orbital space is over 600 million square kilometers. A layer is anything you want it to be (say a kilometer) between orbits. Even in low orbit (500-2,000 kilometers) you have 1,500 such layers. Orbits lower than 500 kilometers will rapidly drag debris back into the atmosphere. While this amounts to two billion square kilometers of orbital space for half a million bits of dangerous debris, most satellites occupy a small portion of these orbits and move through an orbit every 90 minutes. Most of the debris is concentrated in a small number of debris swarms, but these swarms tend to be in the most heavily used orbits. Bottom line is that current chances of any live satellites getting hit by debris are low but as more debris accumulates the chances of getting hit increase. It has reached the point where satellite operators take precautions, like equipping their satellites with the ability to move (until the fuel runs out) and paying people to constantly monitor the debris collision situation. For a satellite costing several hundred million dollars to build and put into orbit, this is considered a prudent way to operate.

The growing need to find, track and report orbital debris as well as satellites has been going on for decades and actually gets a lot of international cooperation, even though it has long been believed that the major satellite producers (the U.S., China and Russia) have not revealed all they know. Despite that there is a growing need for as complete a debris database as possible to be maintained and made public.

By 2020 the U.S. Air Force successfully completed testing of its new, higher resolution Space Fence Surveillance System Radar. The new radar is based on Kwajalein Atoll, in the Marshall Islands, 3,900 kilometers southwest of Hawaii. Construction began in 2015 for the solid-state S-band phased array radar which is able to detect and track objects as small as 10 cm (four inches) long. The older (1960s) Space Surveillance System Radar could only detect objects at least 75 cm (30 inches) long. As a result, the number of orbital objects/debris that can be tracked goes from 23,000 to over 200,000.

This space debris is moving at high velocity meaning that objects as small as one cm (0.4 inch) can damage satellites and larger stuff (at least 10cm) can destroy satellites and seriously damage the ISS (International Space Station). The 1960s era Space Surveillance System consisted of three radars (in Texas, Alabama and Arizona) and six receiving stations. The cost of maintaining the older system led to it being shut down in 2013. The new Space Fence will work in conjunction with a Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite in a 620-kilometer-high orbit as well as a large (85 ton) telescope in Australia that specializes in getting a more detailed look at space debris.

A second, and possibly third, Space Fence radar is planned to provide more persistent and accurate tracking of debris. Two or more radars make it possible to determine which debris is a danger to existing satellites and larger orbital objects like the ISS. Orbital debris is a growing danger in orbital space and the major satellite launching nations cooperate in identifying and tracking the debris swarms.

There are millions of fragments in orbit. Most of the pieces are tiny, but at least a thousand are truly dangerous (at least 10 cm/four inches long, wide, or in diameter). There are many such debris swarms up there that have to be watched and avoided. Not all the debris swarms are the result of accidents. For example, in 2007 a Chinese KillSat test put a huge debris swarm in orbit followed by another new swarm created by the accidental explosion of a Russian rocket that put over 1,100 dangerous fragments in orbit. Those two incidents increased the dangerous debris in orbit by about fifteen percent.

Currently, about a thousand active satellites are in orbit, and nearly half of them are American. About 75 percent of all satellites are non-military, most of them commercial, the rest government non-military birds. Over the next few years, the number of satellites in orbit will grow enormously because of more efficient networks of smaller LEO satellites.

The most common time for orbital debris to be created occurs as a satellite is put into orbit. For example, in late 2012 the third stage of a Russian satellite launcher unexpectedly exploded after it failed to put two satellites into orbit. Launched via a Proton rocket, there was some kind of problem in the final stage and apparently the remaining fuel in that stage caused an explosion. This created a debris field of several hundred new bits of space junk, mainly pieces of the third stage and the two satellites. This prompted satellite (and space station) operators to check their orbits and make adjustments if there might be a collision with this new cloud of deadly (at high speed coming from the opposite direction) debris. On the bright side, many of these new bits of junk are large and in a low orbit, meaning that they will soon fall towards earth and burn up. That also has to be tracked, so you know what debris is gone and what is not.

A less common cause of orbital debris is stable satellites that explode in orbit. In early 2015 an American space satellite did this. This one was a twenty-year-old weather satellite that experienced an equipment failure that showed up to ground monitors as a rapid increase in internal temperature followed by the satellite exploding into 43 pieces. This was not catastrophic for weather monitoring since this satellite, because of its age, was relegated to backup duty in 2006. Eventually, when it failed, it would have been maneuvered into a lower orbit where it would eventually burn up in the atmosphere and leave no debris in orbit. As soon as signs of malfunctioning in the satellite were detected plans were made to maneuver the satellite into the lower orbit, but the satellite soon became uncontrollable and exploded. While rare, a satellite unexpectedly exploding is not unknown.

The space junk situation has been getting a lot worse in the 21st century. In 2007 the United States became the first nation that had to change the orbit of one of their satellites to avoid the cloud of debris created when China tested an anti-satellite weapon earlier in 2007. This call began when China launched an anti-satellite system (a KillSat or Killer Satellite) on January 11th that destroyed an old Chinese weather satellite, about 850 kilometers up. That's at the upper range of where most reconnaissance satellites hang out. The KillSat hit the weather bird, and the result was several million fragments.

The IADC (Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee) is an international organization that coordinates the exchange of information, and space operations as they relate to manmade and natural debris in orbit around the earth. Every year some of this stuff falls into the atmosphere and burns up but there are always new accidents or deliberate operations that add more junk to the spaceways. There are many government and amateur groups monitoring low orbit space and most of these observers share their information for the safety of everyone going up there.

The work of the IADC led to the formation of the Space Data Association and Space Data Center a decade ago and subsequent development of commercial firms that can accurately predict where the swarms are and where they are headed in the future. The nations with space observation systems, like the U.S. Space Fence and the recently revived Russian network of ground observation equipment have been more open about sharing their data. All major nations try to keep secret the orbits of their major satellites but an Internet based data sharing network created by amateur observers has made it much more difficult to hide satellites for long. Despite the tendency of governments to keep secrets, the debris threat to all satellites has led to commercial services that provide effective debris monitoring systems.
ANN ARBOR, MI  An increasing number of University of Michigan students are coming to Ann Arbor daily and health officials are preparing for the possibility of increased community spread of the coronavirus.

Washtenaw County Health Department spokeswoman Susan Ringler-Cerniglia said socializing is a primary source of infection for students, just as it has been for local residents this summer.

Freshmen excited for fall at University of Michigan, hope coronavirus wont force them out early

But some aspects of college life could amplify infection: a large number of people coming from other areas, living in close quarters and the typical college parties.

All of those things mixed together have the potential for cases to not only arrive here but to spread quickly, Ringler-Cerniglia said. So, much of what were focused on is trying to have more capacity in place to investigate those cases.

Washtenaw County has 33 contact tracers, or people responsible for contacting anyone who may have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case. That is about 10 more than earlier this summer, Ringler-Cerniglia said. Some tracers are part-time or on-call. She said the department is bracing for local capacity to be overwhelmed  something that can be seen in other university communities across the country.

In the state, 54 cases were identified in students from the first week of classes at Central Michigan University. The university threatened to suspend or fine students who host or go to large parties.

Central Michigan University reports 54 students with coronavirus, suspends in-person Greek activities

University of Michigan students began moving into dorms Monday and classes start Aug. 31.

From Aug. 8 to Aug. 21, 60% of new cases of COVID-19 in Washtenaw County have been in residents under 30 years old, according to data from the Health Department updated on Tuesday, Aug. 25. About 200 confirmed cases were identified in that same two-week period, resulting in 5% hospitalization rate.

Washtenaw County has had 2,915 confirmed and probable cases since March, with about 11% of those cases considered active, according to the health department. There have been 117 deaths linked to the virus.

Countywide, the positivity rate  or the percentage of COVID-19 tests that come back positive  was 2%, with about 1.2 thousand tests administered daily, according to data from the state ending on Aug. 21. The Detroit region was recently identified as a high risk area, which the state defined as uncontrolled growth.

UM officials requested students to take two weeks of enhanced social distancing before arriving in Ann Arbor. Those moving into dorms were required to test for COVID-19 before moving in. There have been 5,801 pre-arrival tests completed as of Tuesday morning  21 positives have been identified, according to the universitys database.

On UMs campus, last weeks positivity rate was 0.9%.

Public health officials reported another 779 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, Aug. 25 as Michigans daily case count begins to rise again.

The Department of Health and Human Services also reported 20 new deaths Tuesday, though six of them were late additions that were discovered during a regular vital records search.

Since the start of the pandemic, the state has reported 98,439 confirmed cases and 6,417 deaths associated with the novel virus.

Crowd restrictions being enforced by party patrols, hotline during University of Michigan fall semester

COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS:

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued executive orders requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. See an explanation of what that means here.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

MORE ON MLIVE:

Accusations fly during heated council debate over Ann Arbor city administrator search

Where are Michigans latest coronavirus outbreaks? State now offering new data

Michigan professors ask governor to move university classes online after spikes in campus coronavirus cases
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

The export of cement from Turkey to Azerbaijan declined by 8.56 percent in the first 7 months of 2020 compared to the same period of 2019, amounting to $19.7 million, the Turkish Ministry of Trade told Trend.

In July 2020, Turkeys cement export to Azerbaijan grew by 30.66 percent compared to July 2019 and exceeding $2.8 million.

From January through July 2020, the export of cement from Turkey to the international markets increased by 0.9 percent compared to the same period of last year, exceeding $2 billion.

Turkish cement exports reached 2.3 percent of the country's total export volume from January through July 2020.

Turkey exported $351.6 million worth of cement to global markets in June 2020, which is an 11.5 percent increase in comparison to the same month of 2019.

The export of cement from Turkey in July 2020 amounted to 2.3 percent of the country's total export volume.

Turkey exported $3.5 billion worth of cement over the past 12 months (from June 2019 through July 2020).

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
By Associated Press

KABUL: A wave of attacks across Afghanistan on Tuesday left at least 12 dead and wounded scores, officials said, including a Taliban truck bombing in the country's north that targeted a commando base for Afghan forces.

The violence comes as expectations had been rising that negotiations could soon get underway between the Afghan government and the insurgents.

The truck suicide bomber struck in northern Balkh province, killing three people, including two Afghan commandos and a civilian, according to Munir Ahmad Farhad, the spokesman for the provincial governor.

According to Hanif Rezaie, the spokesman for the Afghan army corps in the north, initial military report said at least six commandos and around 35 civilians were wounded in that explosion, which also destroyed or damaged dozens of nearby civilians houses.

"Most of the wounded civilians are women and children," said Rezaie.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the Balkh attack in a tweet, claiming that "tens" of military personnel were killed. The Taliban often exaggerate their battlefield claims.

Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of the war across the country, despite efforts to launch peace talks between the Kabul government and the Taliban, and find a road map for post-war Afghanistan. The talks were envisaged under a U.S.-Taliban peace agreement signed in February, but their start has been hampered by a series of delays that have frustrated Washington. Some had expected the negotiations to begin earlier this month.

According to a U.N. report released in July, 1,282 people were killed in violence in Afghanistan in the first six months of 2020.

Also Tuesday, an attack on a checkpoint of pro-government forces in western Ghor province killed eight troops and wounded five, said Arif Aber, spokesman for the provincial governor. The attack in Shahrak district set off five hours of gun battle.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for that attack, but authorities blamed the Taliban, who have claimed numerous past attacks on security checkpoints in Ghor.

In the capital of Kabul, a roadside bombing killed a police officer while a policewoman and her driver were wounded when unknown attackers opened fire on them, said Ferdaws Faramarz, spokesman for the Kabul police chief.

The policewomen, Saba Saher, is also a well-known actress, and she was said to be in stable condition following the shooting.

No one claimed the attacks in Kabul, but both the Taliban and the Islamic State group are active in the capital, though IS has claimed the bulk of the attacks in the city in recent months.

Separately, the Ministry of Defense released a statement late on Monday, saying 91 Taliban fighters were killed during an air and ground operation by Afghan army troops trying to open the highway between northern Kunduz to Khanabad districts. The statement said 50 other Taliban were wounded in the fighting and that the highway was later reopened for traffic.

The Taliban are at their strongest since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion toppled their regime, which had harbored al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. The insurgents now control or hold sway over about half of Afghanistan.
Sparked by the police shooting of a 29-year-old Black man in Kenosha on Sunday, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has called for the Legislature to meet in special session to take up a package of police-reform bills introduced more than two months ago.

Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes first introduced the nine bills  which would ban the use of choke holds by Wisconsin police officers, as well as limit other uses of force  in June, following the death of another Black man, George Floyd, while in Minneapolis police custody. GOP leaders in the Assembly and Senate have not convened on the proposed legislation.

We cannot wait for Republican leadership to show up for work because clearly they intend to keep us waiting, Evers said in a Monday video address. Thats not going to cut it.

On Sunday, Kenosha police shot 29-year-old Jacob Blake multiple times in front of his three children as he attempted to enter his SUV. Blake was hospitalized in serious condition.

This is familiar violence to too many of us, especially those of us who are on the receiving end, said Barnes, who is Black.

Evers signed an executive order on Monday calling for the special session to be held at noon on Aug. 31.

Vos wants task force

Less than an hour before Evers and Barnes spoke, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, announced a task force focusing on racial disparities, educational opportunities, public safety, and police policies and standards.

We have an opportunity to bring people together to find solutions, Vos said in a statement released after Evers called for the special session. Instead, the governor is choosing to turn to politics again by dictating liberal policies that will only deepen the divisions in our state.

Some Democrats were quick to criticize Vos comments, including Rep. Daniel Riemer, D-Milwaukee, who pointed out that Republicans have had two months to act on the package of police-reform bills.

The time for task forces on racial disparities has long passed, Riemer said in a tweet. Its time for actual action.

The legislation

Evers in June did not call for the Legislature to convene in special session to take up the package, noting that previous attempts to force consideration of bills  such as gun-control legislation proposed by Democratic lawmakers last fall  have been thwarted by the GOP-led Assembly and Senate. The Legislature is not required to debate or vote on the bills.

The package of police-reform bills would:

Establish statewide use-of-force standards for all law enforcement agencies identifying the use of deadly force as only allowable as a last resort and that such use of force should be limited to the least amount of force necessary.

Require officers to complete eight hours of training on the use of force and de-escalation techniques annually.

Create a $1 million grant program, administered by the Department of Justice, to fund community organizations that work to mediate conflicts.

Require law enforcement agencies to develop policies banning the use of choke holds.

Require law enforcement agencies to prepare policies for the use of force and make such policies publicly available.

Create a state law allowing for civil suits against unnecessarily calling police for the intent of infringing on a persons constitutional rights.

Prohibit no-knock search warrants.

Require additional training and hiring standards for police departments, jails and juvenile detention centers.

Kenosha shooting

Vos said in a statement he was disturbed by the video showing Kenosha police shooting and wounding Blake, apparently in the back, while responding to a call about a domestic dispute.

Vos also called on the state DOJs Division of Criminal Investigation to meet the departments goal of completing an investigation in 30 days.

The Kenosha community deserves to know the totality of the circumstances leading up to the shooting, Vos said in the statement. Before passing judgement, we have to know if the shocking 20-second video clip shared with the media tells the whole story.

The officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard practice in a shooting by police, while the state Justice Department investigates.

Vos also said he was deeply disturbed by the protests that followed Sundays shooting and encouraged future protests to take place peacefully.

Protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear Sunday evening after the shooting. Protests overnight Sunday in Madison left a few businesses on State Street with exterior damage.

On Monday, Evers said the Wisconsin National Guard has deployed 125 members to Kenosha to protect infrastructure, first responders and firefighters.

Perspectives

This is not a time for political posturing or to suggest defunding law enforcement. When a community is hurting, the most important thing that we can do is to listen, Vos said. We must find a path forward as a society that brings everyone together.

Evers released a statement on Sunday saying he stood with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equity and accountability for Black lives in our country  comments Kenosha Professional Police Association President Pete Deates called wholly irresponsible.

But Evers defended the comments during a Monday interview with CNNs Anderson Cooper and said he understands the unions need to stand by their man.

The fact of the matter is what we saw was someone being shot, that someone was an African American man, and that happens too often in this country, Evers said.

Wisconsin is considered one of the worst states in the nation for racial disparities between white and Black communities in areas such as unemployment, incarceration rates, income and education.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1
In a relief to the DMK, the Madras High Court has said that there were foundational errors in the breach of privilege notice issued against DMK President MK Stalin and 18 other MLAs for displaying contraband gutka sachets inside the Tamil Nadu State Assembly in July 2017 to underscore their free availability.

With the court order against the breach of privilege notice, it is now up to the privileges committee to reconsider the issue.

In its observation, the court said: To atribute malice to such a transaction and hold it to be a foundation for a notice of breach of privilege may be a difficult task, as a breach of privilege and its complaint has to be examined only within the meaning of the words privilege and its breach. To import political affiliations and maneuverings as the foundation of malice in a privilege motion can be at best an allegation"

The court in its final order stated: The petitioners cannot be proceeded against on the strength of the impugned notices dated 28.8.2017 by treating their conduct on 19.7.2017 of displaying gutka sachets and photographs as being violative of any prohibitory law.."

The gutka scam was a key issue with which the DMK attacked the ruling Palaniswami government, during the turbulent period of factionalism within the AIADMK. The Central Bureau of Investigation is currently probing whether there were ministerial interventions to enable the sale of gutka in Tamil Nadu.
Speculation about Mr Johnsons future was fuelled after the father-in-law of his senior aide Dominic Cummings reportedly said the prime minister was struggling with his health and would leave Number 10 in six months time.

But during a visit to Devon, Mr Johnson, who spent time in intensive care with coronavirus in April, said he was feeling far better, partly due to losing weight.

Mr Johnson was forced to address questions about his future after Mr Cummings father-in-law, Humphry Wakefield, reportedly suggested that the prime minister was on the way out.

The Times of London reported that he told a visitor to his Chillingham Castle home that Mr Johnson was still struggling badly and will quit in six months.

If you put a horse back to work when its injured it will never recover, he reportedly said.

Advertisement

But during a visit to Appledore Shipyard, Mr Johnson told Devon Live: Its absolute nonsense. I am feeling, if anything, far better as Ive lost some weight.

Not enough, but I have lost at least a stone and a half.

A Number 10 source said the rumour was utter nonsense and they were baffled by it.
This years calendar was a Halloween-lovers dream: Oct. 31 falls on a Saturday, and Chicagos costume shops, haunted houses and candy companies were gearing up for a blowout season of spooky thrills. So what happens when the scariest thing on Halloween isnt ghouls, witches or zombies, but the prospect of trick-or-treating in the middle of a pandemic?
JOHNSTOWN, Pa.: At least one person was wounded when a shooting broke out as demonstrators marched from Milwaukee to Washington, D.C., in response to the police killing of George Floyd, police said.

Milwaukee activist Frank Nitty" Sensabaugh, one of the marchs organizers, told WJAC-TV in Johnstown that the shooting happened around midnight Monday in rural Pennsylvania.

The wounded person was brought to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown. Sensabaugh said the injury appears minor.

Pennsylvania State Police said two people were being questioned in connection with what they called an argument between a group of people and a resident on Route 30 in Schellsburg, in rural Bedford County, that led to gunfire.

Gunfire was exchanged between the activists and the residents, and one activist was struck, Trooper Brent Miller said, without taking questions or elaborating.

In a video posted early Tuesday morning to Facebook, marcher Tory Lowe said the group had parked to organize before they walked up an incline when a man emerged from a house and started shooting at them with a rifle, firing at least seven shots.

He was like three feet away from us shooting and I told him there was a minister here," Lowe said in a video posted to Facebook.

He started talking to us and talking about God and then tried to shake our hands and stuff like that.  He just started talking to us like nothing ever happened, like he never shot at us or nothing," Lowe said.

The group began marching Aug. 4 and planned to arrive in the nations capitol by Friday, the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.s famous I Have A Dream speech, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported.

Sensabaugh, Lowe and another marcher were arrested in Indiana after police said they were blocking traffic on a highway earlier in the march.

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
South Korea's Education Ministry on Tuesday said that offline classes will be banned in and its surrounding area amid a resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the capital city's metropolitan area.

All pre-schools, primary and secondary schools in and its surrounding Gyeonggi province as well as Incheon, will switch to a full remote learning from Wednesday to September 11, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry as saying.

High school seniors will be excluded from the restriction as they are required to take a college entrance exam later this year.

Tuesday's announcement came amid the recent surge in new cases especially in the metropolitan area.

In the latest tally, the country reported 280 new cases in the past 24 hours, raising the overall tally to 17,945.

The number of confirmed cases for the past 12 days reached 3,175 due to infections in the metropolitan area linked to church services and a massive rally in central in mid-August.

Among the total, 150 students as well as 43 teachers and other school staff were infected with the virus in Seoul and its surrounding area.

--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.)
Vietnam's semiconductors market is forecast to accelerate tremendously with IoT adoption

The growth in the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the major drivers for the growth of the semiconductors market in Vietnam as it allows the transfer of data over a network without requiring human-to-computer or human-to-human interaction.

Moreover, smart devices and connected devices are embedded with software, electronic components, and sensors with computer network connection capability, which enable them to collect and transmit data. IoT devices require ultra-low-power processors which increases their performance. Therefore, the increase in power efficiency enhances the battery life of devices, which is important for mobile computing devices such as notebooks, ultra-portables, and wearables.

Additionally, IoT devices also require ICs which ensures that the microprocessor or microcontrollers start in the same condition, which protects the device. Hence, the increasing use of IoT in Vietnam will lead to the growth of the semiconductors market in the country during the forecast period.

The growing demand for high processing power for mobile and other computing devices also contributes to the growth of the semiconductors market in the consumer electronics segment. The demand for consumer electronics is high due to the availability of low-cost labour and favourable investment incentives.

In general, Vietnam's semiconductors market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will remain the same during the forecast period. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SK Hynix Inc., STMicroelectronics NV, Texas Instruments Inc., and Toshiba Corp. are some of the major market participants.

Although the growing use of IoT will offer immense growth opportunities, the cyclic nature of the semiconductor industry will challenge the growth of the market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.
Verily, the health unit of Google parent Alphabet, is creating a subsidiary to apply technology to a kind of employer-sponsored insurance known as "stop-loss."

The new Coefficient Insurance Co. will be backed by the insurance giant Swiss Re via a minority investment. The companies did not disclose the size of the financing, which is still subject to regulatory approvals.

Stop-loss provides protection for employers against catastrophic and unexpected losses. Self-funded employers tend to purchase it from outside insurers to avoid liability and huge losses. The market is already valued at about $20 billion, according to the research firm S&P Global Intelligence.

The space is crowded, but Verily and Swiss Re said the new service will be differentiated because it uses tech-based underwriting to determine potential areas of cost volatility, and to cover those areas to reduce exposure.

Verily said it will specialize in bringing the hardware, software and data science to the initiative. Swiss Re already has distribution in the employer stop-loss market. Over time, Verily's President of Health Platforms Vivian Lee said the company will integrate existing efforts, such as Onduo, its service that helps its employer customers better manage their population of workers with diabetes.

"We're hoping to be more personalized in the way we offer health solutions," Lee said.

The effort could see interest during a global pandemic, which brings with it increased uncertainty. Employers, noted Swiss Re CEO for North America Ivan Gonzalez, could experience a big hit from Covid-19 but also from "related diseases" as people delay seeing doctors in person. "More elective procedures have been delayed and postponed," he said.

Verily has been looking at health insurance for years. It already has teams working on medical research, diabetes care, as well as a range of pandemic-specific initiatives. The overarching theme for its business is opportunities at the intersection of the health and technology sectors, and it frequently signs industry partnership deals.

Verily collaborates with but operates separately from Google Health, which is focused on structuring medical information in health records. It has taken outside investment from a number of investors, including Silver Lake and Temasek.
Sudhir Suryawanshi By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: Rajya Sabha member Jyotiraditya Scindia, who left the Congress and joined BJP over power tussle in Madhya Pradesh, visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur for the first time on Tuesday.

According to the reports, Jyotirditya Scindia first visited the residence of Dr Balram Keshav Hedgewar, founder of RSS. Later he went to the Hefgewar Smriti Temple in Silkbagh in Nagpur. RSS is the parent body of the BJP.

This place is not just a residence. It is an inspirational place that provides energy for my service to the country. This is the place of inspiration for people, Scindia said.

While visiting the residence of RSS founder KB Hedgewarin Mahal in Maharashtra, Scindia said that the current leadership debate brewing within the Congress party was an internal matter and commenting on internal affairs of any other political party would not be appropriate. He said that he is now a member of the BJP.

Scindias comment comes a day after his former party conducted a day-long CWC meet in New Delhi to discuss the contents of a letter written by senior Congress leaders, which was leaked in the public domain, to party chief Sonia Gandhi demanding for a leadership change.

Scindias exit from the Congress in March, with over 20 MLAs, led to the collapse of the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh and enabled the BJPs return to power. Sources in Nagpur said that Scindia knew that without blessings from the RSS, it is very difficult to get the main position.
(CNN) The world's largest nudist resort is at the center of a COVID-19 outbreak with nearly 150 people testing positive after staying at or visiting the clothing-optional beach destination in southern France.

Local health authorities say 95 people staying at Cap d'Agde Naturist Village, on the Mediterranean coast of France's Occitanie region, were found to have Covid-19, while a further 50 who went through the resort also tested positive on their return home.

Occitanie Regional Health Authorities conducted three days of testing last week at Cap d'Agde. The two first rounds of testing, involving 490 people, found 95 were infected with Covid-19. An additional 310 results are currently being analyzed.

Sometimes called the "Naked City," Cap d'Agde is the world's largest clothing-optional beach resort, attracting as many as 40,000 guests on any given day during a typical high season.

Visitors are free to be naked wherever they want -- restaurants and stores, post offices or banks, sailing boats or lounging on the long public beach, where nudity is obligatory, even for those not staying at the resort.

Non residents can stay overnight at a naturist hotel, campground or rental units.

Face masks needed

Nudists have already attracted concern during the coronavirus pandemic. In late March, police in the Czech Republic issued a warning after complaints about maskless naturists basking in warm weather in the small town of Lazne Bohdanec, east of Prague.

"Unfortunately, many of the sunbathing citizens were gathered in large groups, and some were not wearing face masks.," a police statement said. "Upon the arrival of the police, everyone agreed to respect the government regulation [that face shields are compulsory outside the home].

"Citizens are allowed to be without clothes in designated locations, but they still must cover their mouths, and only gather in appropriate numbers."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Covid outbreak hits nudists at France's 'Naked City'."
The Covid-19 pandemic will cost Irish airports and the aviation-tourism supply chain sector more than 8bn, according to a study prepared by officials at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and 2021 could be worse unless the Government and EU urgently develop 'safe travel' corridors.

The impact on the sector is more than three times greater than the global financial crisis.

The Department of Enterprise reports looked at the impact Covid-19 is having including on Irish aviation, aerospace and the tourism sectors.

Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) figures revealed 18,290 flights were handled by its air traffic controllers in May - an 83pc decline over the same month in 2019.

Ireland has now witnessed a larger decline than the average across the EU aviation sector.

Overall, it is estimated that 200,000 jobs in the tourism sector are under threat with tourism revenue down by 5bn in just 12 months.

One airport - Cork - estimates that the pandemic has cost the local aviation and tourism supply chain 8,500 jobs and resulted in a 632m loss to the local economy based on the most recent economic impact study.

Aer Lingus and Ryanair have slashed their routes with some services now operating at load factors of less than 30pc. Stobart Air, Volotea, Iberia Express and FlyBe have suspended services.

Some 52 scheduled routes were operated in 2019 and now just 24 remain, while of seven major external concession outlets at Cork, only one remains open.

Applied proportionately across Dublin and Shannon Airports, the findings suggest an overall economic loss of around 8bn. Job losses would be in excess of 30,000.

"Covid-19 is expected to reduce traffic over 2020 by nearly 70pc - the knock-on effects to the tourism, aviation and supply chain sectors are evident," it warned.

The study says the critical challenge facing Government is not emergency aid for airlines or airports but to restore consumer confidence. "First, the Irish Government must map out a pathway to restore confidence in air travel to and from Ireland," it stressed.

"Does this involve reform of the Green List system with mandatory testing within 72 hours of departure and mandated by international bi- lateral agreement covering travel in both directions?"

Cork Chamber of Commerce policy director Thomas McHugh said the aviation industry was critical for key sectors of the economy, not least tourism.

Major multinationals including Apple, EMC/Dell, Pfizer and others utilise Cork Airport's flight network on a daily basis.

Limerick Chamber chief executive Dee Ryan warned that of a threat to the Aer Lingus regional hubs at Shannon and Cork. "Direct connectivity to the regions has been cited by all major foreign direct investors as a key decision maker for them in terms of their commitment to invest in this region. Daily US as well as international hub connectivity through Heathrow are critical for enabling the midwest and west compete on a European scale so anything that would jeopardise this has to be averted," she said.
Last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he would make the COVID-19 vaccine as mandatory as possible. He then walked back the statement, but not before creating a furore.

With Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews looking to extend his states emergency status, its clear policymakers see the vaccine ending the need for tight restrictions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison meets with team member Savannah Alegre, Specialist Team Lead of the Microbiology Laboratory at AstraZeneca Credit:Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Yet for real life to resume, the vaccine has to go into arms.

This underpins the Prime Ministers statement, which was ill-advised because there are many things governments should do before considering mandatory vaccination.
GE Renewable Energy has announced an update on progress to construct the largest wind turbine rotor test rig of its kind at LM Wind Powers WMC Technology Center in Wieringerwerf, the Netherlands.



The test facility is located on the border of the IJsselmeer, approximately 70 km north of Amsterdam.



A consortium comprising of GE Renewable Energy, LM Wind Power and TNO was established to construct this test rig under the three-year STRETCH project, with partial funding from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs.



The rotor test rig will allow for verification of the strength and the dynamic behaviour of wind turbine rotors under the enormous mechanical loads caused by large blades. Knowledge gained in the project will be used to improve existing design tools which, after verification through digital twin concepts, will contribute to the design of larger rotors.



Hanif Mashal, LM Wind Power Vice President of Engineering, stated: Establishing the most advanced and largest rotor test rig of its kind shows our commitment to develop insights into rotor technology that go beyond blade production alone. With this innovative rotor rig, we will be able to verify in-house the pitch bearings and pitch system that fix the wind turbine blades to the hub and allows pitching blade maximizing captured energy while reducing loads on wind turbine.



This capability will provide our customers with a better understanding of the dynamic behaviour of large onshore and offshore rotors and will help LM Wind Power design ultra-large rotor blades by stretching and improving the existing designs.



Peter Eecen, TNO Wind Energy R&D Manager, added: Larger turbines are essential to shape the much-required energy transition. Without innovations, larger turbines would become too heavy and too expensive to be commercially viable. Fast-paced innovation in wind turbine blade and rotor design, materials, construction and manufacturing have made the up-scaling of offshore wind turbines feasible and attractive around the world.



We are thrilled by this chance to partner with the Dutch government, GE Renewable Energy and LM Wind Power to advance the understanding of rotor technology, which will ultimately contribute to better designs that help make renewable wind energy even more reliable and affordable.



Test rig construction and commissioning are expected to be completed in November 2020.  TradeArabia News Service
New Zealand confirms 7 new cases of COVID-19, masks mandatory on Aug. 31

WELLINGTON, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand confirmed seven new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, all related to the community outbreak in Auckland, the country's largest city.

There are no new imported cases reported over the past 24 hours, according to a health ministry statement.

Of the seven community cases, four are linked to churches in Auckland, and three are separate household contacts, the statement said.

This brings New Zealand's total number of confirmed cases to 1,339, which is the number reported to the World Health Organization.

The total number of active cases in New Zealand is 129, of which 19 are imported cases from managed isolation facilities, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield told a daily briefing.

There are 160 people linked to the cluster who have been moved into the Auckland quarantine facility. This includes 89 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their household contacts, Bloomfield said.

There are eight people receiving hospital-level care for COVID-19 and all of these are part of the Auckland community cluster, he said.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday the decision to make masks mandatory on public transport at Alert Level 2 and above, which will take effect from Aug. 31.

According to the rule, public transport includes planes, buses, taxis and rideshare services such as Uber. Children are not required to wear masks at the moment.

"This is a commonsense approach to protect everyone's health," Ardern said.

The COVID-19 restrictions in Auckland will continue at the current Alert Level 3 until Sunday night. The rest of the country will remain at Alert Level 2 with relaxed restrictions, she said.

Under level 3, businesses are required to implement COVID-19 safety measures, but most people are encouraged to stay at home.

Ministers met on Monday to review whether community transmission has been contained in Auckland, where a family cluster was identified two weeks ago as New Zealand's second wave of COVID-19 transmission started.

The prime minister acknowledged "the cost to business, the cost to the Auckland economy" under the higher level of COVID-19 restrictions, while stressing the risks of people leaving and entering Auckland under the relaxed Alert Level 2.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Norman Harsono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 14:14 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c404a8ec 1 National LGBT-persecution,COVID-19,social-enterprise,lockdown,online-abuse,MSMEs,LGBT,discrimination Free

Gay activist Hartoyo has had to overcome both physical and virtual curbs on his movement so that he may continue to feed the urban poor, persecuted members of the LGBT community as well as women and children  population groups that are the worst affected by the pandemic.

The 43-year-old founder of rights advocacy group Suara Kita was used to financing aid programs through the in-house SriKendes boutique, which sells original, traditional motif clothing that can fetch Rp 50 million to Rp 60 million (US$3,400 to $4,080) every month, mostly during exhibitions.

Read also: Hartoyo: Coming out for his rights

But when Jakarta entered a de facto lockdown in April, the exhibitions stopped, and Hartoyo began tinkering with Facebook, setting up a namesake "Har Toyo" account. He eventually settled on a new fundraising model: auctioning pre-loved clothes, handbags and shoes on Facebook Live.

Store sales dropped drastically  maybe now around Rp 15 million to Rp 20 million  but we managed to find a new market by selling online, Hartoyo told The Jakarta Post by phone on Aug. 14.

But then there were the online woes. Users began reporting his account, leading to two Facebook suspensions: one on July 23 and another on Aug. 8. The first suspension lasted a day and the second, around half an hour.

One Facebook Indonesia representative told Hartoyo that his account was suspended over his use of the word bencong, an Indonesian slur for queer. For Hartoyo, saying bencong meant reclaiming the word from its pejorative beginnings, but for the Facebook algorithms, it was hate speech.

In these cases, we allow the content to remain on Facebook but require people to clearly indicate their intent, a Facebook spokesperson told the Post on Aug. 19.

Where the intention is unclear, we may remove the content.

Facebook, whose headquarters is openly supportive of the LGBT community, had committed to ensuring the continuity of the Har Toyo account, Hartoyo said.

SriKendes is a unique small business in Indonesia, a country ranked globally among the least tolerant to homosexuality, despite a mediocre improvement in attitude, according to a Pew Research Center study released in 2020.

The study of 34 countries found that 80 percent of Indonesian respondents thought homosexuality should not be accepted, compared to only 37 percent in India, 24 percent in the Philippines and 53 percent in South Korea.

Read also: Survey on acceptance in Indonesia gives hopes to LGBT community

Hartoyo (left) and Ririn Sefsani (middle) dance on-camera during a live auction from Jakarta on Aug. 6. The auction raised Rp 17.4 million to help an 11-year-old disabled rape victim. (Courtesy of/Pundi Perempuan)

Hartoyo and his regular co-host Audi, an auburn-haired transwoman, have a distinct campy, sarcastic humor that attracts thousands of viewers to each multi-hour auction.

They secure roughly Rp 10 million for each bidding session, with a record sale of Rp 17 million. Most of the funds go to running open kitchens in East and South Jakarta and to distributing hundreds of meals for out-of-work waria (transwomen) in western Indonesia.

A smaller portion goes to covering Suara Kitas operational costs, which include maintaining channels to receive cash transfers, cash donations and secondhand clothes for resale.

SriKendes itself has its own namesake Facebook account, where another transwoman hosts weekly live streams to sell the store's products. The page attracts fewer views than Har Toyo but all proceeds still go to Suara Kita.

[Hartoyo and his colleagues] touch on very sensitive and painful issues but still build support by sharing joy, by poking fun at taboo and feudal issues, said human rights campaigner Ririn Sefsani, who participated in some of the live auctions.

The products are being sold transparently, with good service and a rather crazy selling method, said Ririn, who works for Jakarta-based NGO Kemitraan (Partnership for Governance Reform).

Ririn and Hartoyo raised Rp 17.4 million from a live auction in early August to help an 11-year-old disabled rape victim. The proceeds are slated to fund the impoverished girl's recovery, education and family expenses, among other things.

Ririn noted in an email that Hartoyos fundraising strategy, albeit quite successful, was only suitable for specialized fundraising non-profits as it was often time-consuming and laborious.

SriKendes struggle with the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) and social media bullies only adds to the challenges of running an openly LGBT-friendly business in the country.

A company as big as Gojek, one of only two tech decacorns in Southeast Asia, was attacked by the #UninstallGoJek smear campaign in late 2018 after an executive expressed support for the LGBT community.

Read also: #UninstallGojek trends after executive shows support for LGBT community

A viewer once canceled donating a handbag after learning of Hartoyos LGBT activism. The woman, a self-described Christian studying theology, texted Hartoyo, saying she does not support their sexual orientation but, personally, I support them in prayer.

It is a life choice but, I am sorry, I cannot support this community. Im very sorry, she wrote in a text message shared with the Post.

The Har Toyo account is also being monitored by the openly anti-LGBT and Islamist Family Love Alliance (AILA), an organization that heavily lobbies lawmakers to outlaw premarital sex through a Criminal Code revision.

Read also: COMMENTARY: Why AILA is a bigger threat to freedom than the FPI

AILAs monitoring became evident after self-proclaimed AILA member Diana Widyasari, using the Facebook account "Sri Daryani", posted on Aug. 11 a critique of Har Toyo, in which he criticized an anti-LGBT webinar hosted by the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB). The webinar has been taken down by YouTube.
Carrot-Top Industries, Inc., a trusted industry leader providing institutions and businesses with patriotic and customized solutions, would like to announce the two winners of its Fall 2020 Beacon Scholarship for Rural America. Mary Pangburn, of Sandusky, Michigan, and Caele Manley, of Hoolehua, Hawaii, were each awarded an $1,000 scholarship to be used to help offset the cost of their Fall 2020 higher education expenses.

Mary Pangburn is currently a sophomore at St. Clair County Community College. After getting my degree in Allied Health, I plan to enlist in the U.S. Army in the A-Med program and become a doctor serving our country, said Pangburn. She comes from a military family and community, many of whom were drafted. They have all inspired in me a sense of pride and value in our country, values and freedoms, said Pangburn. Nothing in life is given or guaranteed. A good work ethic will take you far in this life. My family has instilled in me to be humble, honest and to try to be a part of the effort to make a better future for all.

Caele Manley plans to attend Wheaton College as a junior student-athlete this upcoming semester. He is pursuing a bachelors degree in Communications with an emphasis on interpersonal communication while participating on Wheaton Colleges wrestling team. I want to learn to use my words with greater excellence to encourage, to edify and to educate others, said Manley. It is my intention upon graduation to return to Hawaii to give back just a little of what was given to me. I hope to be of service, not only to my immediate community, but also to my state, my country, my world and my God.

Both Pangburn and Manley appreciate how much the Beacon Scholarship will help them with their education. Pangburn said, Thank you to Carrot-Top Industries for being the patriotic and giving company that you are and for selecting me for this opportunity. The scholarship is very appreciated to help me with expenses as I pursue my Allied Health degree before enlisting in the U.S. Army A-Med Program. Manley shares Pangburns sentiment: Thanks so much for investing in my education at Wheaton College. Your financial support is greatly appreciated as it will be helping me to not only fulfill my personal goals but become the person God created me to be.

The Beacon Scholarship supports the American dream that every U.S. citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through diligence, perseverance and initiative even if there are limitations due to the cost of education. The Fall 2020 Beacon Scholarship awarded two students $1,000 each. Graduating high school seniors, current college students and adult learners with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who planned to enroll in an accredited college program applied. Applicants were required to reside in a rural area, meet low-income criteria and provide an essay about how they show patriotism through their community involvement.

We are excited to help rural, low-income students meet their educational goals so they can make a positive contribution to Americas future. The Beacon Scholarship celebrates the American dream of individuality, equal opportunity, hard work and determination, said Liz Morris, Carrot-Top Industries CEO and President.

About Carrot-Top Industries

Carrot-Top Industries, family owned and located in Hillsborough, N.C., is a trusted industry leader providing institutions and businesses with custom and patriotic solutions since 1980. As one of the largest, independent flag dealers in America, Carrot-Top offers additional product solutions for schools, government agencies, institutions and businesses across the United States. Carrot-Top continues to succeed by providing the highest quality products, a dedication to learning about customers needs, and unmatched flexibility in their shopping experience.
NYTRNC20.Delegates and RNC staff listen as President Trump speaks in the Charlotte Convention Centers Richardson Ballroom in Charlotte, NC on Monday, August 24. The delegates have gathered for the roll call vote to renominate Donald J. Trump to be President of the United States and Mike Pence to be Vice President (Travis Dove for The New York Times). Read more

So last week I was cheated out of beer and bratwurst, and this week its Carolina pulled pork. The lack of real political conventions in the coronavirus year of 2020 has caused me to lose weight by losing out on some great regional food. In an unrelated matter, did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive this newsletter weekly at inquirer.com/bunch as a pork substitute.

GOP gives America an unreality show while fires burn from California to Wisconsin

This crazy week in world history  the last week in August 2020  only makes sense if you describe it with the music and cadence of Billy Joels We Didnt Start the Fire. California wildfires, Putin tries to kill a foe ... hurricanes, jobless claims, police killing? ... no, no, no. Protests in Belarus, plasma gets approved ... postal doubt, Conway out, Jerry Falwell cooks his goose.

Plenty of material for a Republican National Convention, right? Yet amid this global chaos, Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, seemed to pop up every few hours with a new episode where hes looking for his lost car in a mall parking garage, or waiting interminably for a table at a popular Chinese restaurant, or  most likely  airing his grievances in a gloriously angry celebration of Festivus.

OK, it wasnt really Seinfeld, just the opening of the downsized and partially virtual RNC, launched Monday morning from a Charlotte ballroom. The GOP may have avoided real-world situations, let alone comedy  but like the 1990s sitcom it was ultimately a show about nothing.

Certainly nothing, anyway, to stop the runaway authoritarianism of Donald Trump as his presidency careens, out-of-control, toward a Season 4 cliffhanger finale. In a stunning concession to its utter lack of ideas, the Republican convention became the first in history to avoid a detailed party platform. Instead, it issued a one-page proclamation that the Republican Party has and will continue to enthusiastically support the presidents America-first agenda. And there was plenty of time for members of the Trump family to address the RNC since the partys lone ex-president, George W. Bush, or past national candidates like Mitt Romney or Paul Ryan, wouldnt go within 1,000 cyber-miles of this virtual confab.

Arguably, the true keynote for the RNC didnt come from the podium but in a scathing piece in Politico by the plugged-into-conservatives writer Tim Alberta entitled The Grand Old Meltdown, in which neither he nor the veteran Republican pollster, Frank Luntz, could answer a 17-year-olds question of what the GOP stands for in 2020. Owning the libs and pissing off the media, a veteran party insider named Brendan Buck told Alberta. Thats what we believe in now. Theres really not much more to it.

Indeed, Trump himself said that quiet part out loud when he showed up in person Monday afternoon in Charlotte to personally accept his unanimous renomination and told the crowd  which had been chanting the traditional four more years! to instead chant 12 more years! to, in the presidents words, really drive them crazy.

Actually, its hard to imagine even three more nights, let alone 12 more years, after Mondays opener. It ping-ponged between thinly veiled racism that reinvented Democrats as bogeymen  a Montana small-businesswoman warned of the terrifying prospect of Joe Biden coming after everything weve built  leading Black people into white suburban neighborhoods, and a fictional version of Trumps presidency so over the top that would would have made an Uzbekistani dictator blush.

When a video about Trumps handling of the coronavirus proclaimed that he rallied us together to defeat the invisible enemy and contained a series of misleading statements or outright lies, MSNBC cut away to a real-time fact check with Dr. Vin Gupta, who sputtered out, Its just fantasy ... Its just propaganda.

The constant fact-checks are essential  yet will be used by Republicans as proof of media bias against them, another win for Trumps crusade to really drive them crazy. The TV truth-telling was an intermittent speed bump on a night when the GOP had clearly lost Ronald Reagans sunny morning in America road map for how to reelect a sitting president. Instead, prime-times first speaker, the right-wing college-campus troll Charlie Kirk, set the tone when he proclaimed that Trump is the bodyguard of Western civilization.

I dont know about Western civilization  which usually is code for white folks  but this president surely isnt shielding America from its enemies, invisible or visible. Instead, the Trump unreality show was a two-hour escape from a real world of climate-fueled disasters (met Monday with calls for more fracking), illness, and economic despair.

I was in Cleveland four years ago to watch Trump proclaim as an outsider that I alone can fix it. No wonder that, as a failed incumbent who has made things worse, he and his pals from The Apprentice are producing a show about nothing. But then Seinfeld was Americas highest-rated program for much of a decade. In 2020, viewers wont find out whether abject fear once again trumps empathy until the dramatic conclusion in November, also known as sweeps month.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) The multi-agency task force looking into the alleged irregularities within the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation plans to recommend structural reforms for the embattled agency, according to the Justice Department.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra whose agency leads the investigation team also floated the possible creation of proposals for the reorganization whether partial or total of the state health insurer.

We hope to be able to make recommendations as well for structural reforms at PhilHealth. In the course of our investigation, well probably be able to discover what structural reforms need to be done at PhilHealth, Guevarra said in a taped COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force address aired on Tuesday.

The task force which was created by President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this month has until mid-September to submit their findings and propose legal actions to the chief executive. Guevarra said component agencies have already been ordered to fast-track the investigation on the case.

Guevarra said that as of the moment, the probe team has been zeroing in on four specific areas which may have had links to the alleged fraud and irregularities within the agency. These include the following:

- PhilHealths information technology (IT) system;

- legal sector;

- Interim Reimbursement Mechanism or IRM; and

- financial management

Guevarra said the PhilHealths IT system which has also drew numerous questions in earlier Congressional probes can be easily manipulated given there is no centralized control over the management system. He added that upon initial investigation reports, the legal and financial management sectors of PhilHealth have likewise become sources of supposed irregularities.

The Justice chief added the team is also conducting lifestyle checks on certain key officials of PhilHealth.

We are also conducting lifestyle checks of certain key officials of PhilHealth so that we can relate, we can connect the irregularities that we uncovered during the investigation, with the lifestyle of these people. There might be a reinforcing effect, Guevarra said.

Prison time for erring officials

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte once again threatened erring officials of the agency, saying that those involved in such anomalies should face jail time.

In the same taped address, the President vowed to work on these cases of corruption in the remainder of his term.

Yung PhilHealth ang dapat imbestigahan, dapat i-prosecute lahat, dapat ikulong, Duterte said.

[Translation: PhilHealth (officials) should be investigated, be prosecuted, should be imprisoned.]

One of the few things that I can do in the remaining of my term, uubusin ko yung panahon ko (I will devote my remaining time) to work on the cases of people who are involved in the PhilHealth, he added.

Top officials and employees of the agency have earlier denied allegations of widespread corruption within the system, but nevertheless promised to cooperate with the ongoing probes.

The Ombudsman has already placed more than 10 PhilHealth officials under preventive suspension during the conduct of the investigation.
Members of Jordans Teachers Syndicate have been released from government detention following an outcry. Many criticized the crackdown on the large labor union, saying it stifled expression regarding the poor economic situation in Jordan following harsh anti-coronavirus measures.

The Jordanian government closed the syndicate on July 25. The group has 140,000 members, making it the largest labor union in Jordan. The government also detained its leadership council and more than 1,000 protesters who demonstrated against the decision, the syndicates lawyer, Bassem Frehat, told Al-Monitor.

The state cited in its decision defense laws granted in March at the height of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic when Jordan was under strict lockdown. In his interview with Al-Monitor, Frehat accused the state of using the laws selectively to restrict the protests." The government may have singled them out due to some teachers being part of the Muslim Brotherhood political organization or to stave off a potential strike over a canceled wage increase.

Amman received criticism for the decision. In a statement, the United Nations called the move a serious violation of the rights to freedom of association and expression."

Jordan also instituted a gag order on the media, preventing it from covering the issue. Al-Ghad, a large independent media outlet in the Hashemite Kingdom, did not publish an article on the teachers release. The state-controlled Jordan Times likewise did not report on the topic.

Education International, an international federation of teachers trade unions, reported that the members of the Teachers Syndicate were released from jail on Sunday. They were freed due to a stipulation that they could be held for 30 days only, according to Education International.

Jordan instituted an around-the-clock lockdown in March to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Most businesses were forced to close. As a result, Jordan has had only 1,639 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date among its nearly 10 million population.

On the other hand, the economic effects were severe. Most businesses reopened by June, but many Jordanians were dismayed that the government used the defense laws to allow employers to greatly reduce wages.
Hurricane Kimchi performs at Jebi Dabang in western Seoul. / Courtesy of Kang Josae





By Jon Dunbar









Hurricane Kimchi, the drag name of local artist Heezy Yang, has expanded into music. Teaming up with Jinho, the bassist of garage punk band The 1234-Dah!, they released their first single "

," Aug. 9.







After his best friend and work partner moved away earlier this year, Yang started getting more serious about his music. He started out at drag shows, accompanied by Jinho on guitar or bass, singing covers by anyone from Nirvana or Green Day to Britney Spears or Whitney Houston. Eventually, he decided to start writing songs, and Jinho helped him through the process.







"It's sort of like, one door closes, then another opens  like they say. My best friend Ali left Korea and I was left with no close friends and I was sad, but it made me make new friends who do music, and finally got me into making music," he told The Korea Times. "So during the time I was self-quarantined at home for some weeks when the first COVID-19 wave was hitting the country, I just started making stuff up, not knowing how it's supposed to work or how it's gonna work out."









Yang has years of experience performing at LGBT events and rallies, sometimes in drag and sometimes as Heezy. He got into drag in 2014, before it was a regular thing, and chose the performer name

, mimicking BoA's song "Hurricane Venus" and also a blatant nod to his Korean heritage. "Even if it's a bit cheesy, I wanted to have a very obviously Korean drag name, for representation reasons," he said.







A still from Hurricane Kimchi's music video for "Stronger Than You Think" / Courtesy of Kang Josae





In the music video Yang appears in some scenes in drag, vivid red from head to toe but appears in others out of drag, dressed casually in jeans, a T-shirt and a cap. "I wanted to tell people that someone who looks so different or weird  me in drag, LGBTQ people  is actually just a human and the same as others/you/me out of drag, and that we are everywhere in their everyday life, whether they noticed it or not," he explained.







"All these things I do in drag  singing, dancing, lip-syncing, talking  I can do it out of drag as well it's like part of the stage production. The makeup and outfits bring more attention to your performance and give more power to your performance, so I use them. Well, that's one thing, and another important reason is to play around the gender norms and breaking gender stereotypes. Meaning, there shouldn't be any silly rule such as men cannot wear makeup or dresses."









Yang co-founded

in 2018, and has been working hard to normalize the public presence of sexual minorities in Korea. As the

has spread from Seoul to six more cities nationwide and acceptance and acknowledgement has increased, so have displays of hatred and discrimination. But Yang says the country is headed in the right direction.







"We still see all these negative things and old-fashioned and conservative thoughts and systems ruining it for a lot of us, in the news every day, but if you think about it, all these issues were not even issues before because they were not noticed, recognized or considered existing," he said. "All these things are coming up to the surface because now people acknowledge them, and I can assure you it's happening not just naturally as times goes by. A lot of hardworking activists are doing so much every day and night to make us  LGBTQ people  and the issues that we face visible. And to fix what's wrong."







As COVID-19 has made public gatherings unsafe and led to many events being canceled, postponed or moved online, including this year's Seoul Drag Parade and Seoul Queer Culture Festival, Yang is set to keep making music.







He is busy composing songs and writing lyrics, with plans to release more music later this year and early next year. "My next single is going to be more pop-rock and fun," he said. "My first single is ballad and that was such a Korean thing for me to do. I love pop-rock and rock as well, so my next single has got to be more rock!"









Visit hurricanekimchi.com or find him on

for more information.


Decision comes as police detain civil rights lawyer and activist Arnon Nampha over criticism of the government.

Facebook blocked access within Thailand to a group of one million members that has criticised the countrys king but said it was planning a legal challenge to the governments demand.

The move comes amid near-daily youth-led protests against the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former military chief, and unprecedented calls for reforms of the monarchy.

On Tuesday, police arrested for the third time this month prominent lawyer and activist Arnon Nampha, the first-ever person to openly call for reforms of the monarchy. He was also arrested last week and in early August.

The Royalist Marketplace group on Facebook was created in April by Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a self-exiled academic and critic of the monarchy.

On Monday night, the page brought up a message: Access to this group has been restricted within Thailand pursuant to a legal request from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.





Pavin, who lives in Japan, said Facebook had bowed to the military-dominated governments pressure.

Our group is part of a democratisation process, it is a space for freedom of expression, he told the Reuters news agency.

By doing this, Facebook is cooperating with the authoritarian regime to obstruct democracy and cultivating authoritarianism in Thailand.

Pavins new group of the same name already had more than 455,000 members on Tuesday.

More arrests

Facebook said on Tuesday it was planning to legally challenge the Thai government after being compelled to block access to the group.

Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on peoples ability to express themselves, a Facebook spokesperson said.

We work to protect and defend the rights of all internet users and are preparing to legally challenge this request.

Thailands lese majeste laws, which forbid defaming the king with penalties of up to 15 years in prison, is often the basis for such requests to block or remove content on social media platforms.

Alert! Rights lawyer Arnon Nampha was arrested on sedition charges related to his calls for reforms of monarchy. Democracy activists and youth leaders have been arrested again and again for speaking about #Thailands king. #save #WhatsHappeningInThailand pic.twitter.com/n3ItiTlKvE  Sunai (@sunaibkk) August 25, 2020

Earlier this month, Thailands digital minister accused Facebook of not complying with requests to restrict content, including insults to the monarchy.

On August 10, he gave Facebook 15 days to comply with court takedown orders or face charges under the local Computer Crime Act, which carries a fine of up to 200,000 baht ($6,370) and an additional 5,000 baht ($159) a day until each order is observed.

Digital ministry spokesman Putchapong Nodthaisong said on Monday Facebook cooperated before the deadline because it understood the context of Thai society.

Putchapong did not comment on Facebooks plan for legal action when asked on Tuesday.

The ministry last week filed a separate cybercrime complaint against Pavin for creating the group.

Meanwhile, Arnon was arrested outside a police station in Bangkok as he and other activists heard charges related to a separate rally at the army headquarters on July 20.

According to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, Arnon is accused of committing seditious acts. He is already facing several other charges.

Also arrested on Monday was Panupong Mike Jadnok, a youth activist who led a protest against land reclamation in Rayong province while Prime Minister Prayut was visiting.
In his apartment in Yangon, Rasheed leafed through reams of identity cards and letters. "We have all these documents that the government issued, and they don't accept the fact that my parents are citizens. I feel bad about that and concerned," he said. Myanmar does not recognise the term Rohingya or the community as an indigenous ethnic group. Instead, they are derided as "Bengalis", implying they illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, despite tracing their history in Myanmar's Rakhine state back for centuries. Successive military governments that ruled Myanmar stripped the Rohingya of identity documents, leaving many with no proof of their origins.

More than 730,000 fled from Myanmar in 2017 after a military crackdown the United Nations said was carried out with genocidal intent. Myanmar denies genocide, saying its security forces were engaged in a legitimate campaign against Rohingya insurgents. Several hundred thousand Rohingya who remain in the country are mostly confined to camps and villages and subjected to curbs on movement and access to healthcare. Aye Win, one of the six Rohingya who have been approved to stand in the election, said there was little hope of victory unless many more Rohingya were granted citizenship ahead of the vote. "If not, the situation is not good, he said. Monywa Aung Shin, a senior official from Suu Kyis National League for Democracy, said the electoral organisations that rejected the candidates were just following the law.

"Whether Bengali or not, foreigners and non-ethnic people are not allowed to run in the election, he said. Tin Hlaing, chairwoman of the Rakhine state election commission that rejected Rasheeds application, said it was certain his parents were not citizens at the time he was born. In his apartment, Rasheed held up the documents held by both his parents, which he said once sufficed as proof of citizenship. The cards were withdrawn in the 1990s when many Rohingya found such cards replaced with temporary "white cards". In 2015, then-president Thein Sein announced the white cards would also be nullified, stripping Rohingya of the right to vote in that year's polls that brought Suu Kyi to power. A man on July 19 wears a T-shirt imprinted with an image of Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi to mark the 73rd anniversary of the 1947 assassination of the country's independence heroes, including General Aung San, Suu Kyi's late father. Credit:AP

While excluded from voting or standing in that election, many Rohingya put their faith in the longtime democracy leaders party. We can understand the previous situation, that previous governments backed up by the military did not follow the democratic norms," said Kyaw Soe Aung, the general secretary from Democracy and Human Rights party (DHRP), one of three Rohingya parties. "But it is difficult to understand that Aung San Suu Kyi and her democratic government would do the same." Loading The party chairman, Kyaw Min, 72, was also rejected this week, despite winning a seat in a 1990 election, that was nullified by the former military government, and spending years in prison along with other democracy activists.

Abu Tahay, an independent Rohingya candidate who was also barred from the polls, said the exclusion of Rohingya people from the election - as candidates and voters - meant they would feel thwarted in trying to reach their goals of securing citizenship and living in "peaceful coexistence" with all citizens. "They don't have any hope for their future, he said. While voter lists have been posted across the country, none has appeared at the camps outside the Rakhine state capital of Sittwe, where about 100,000 Rohingya are confined, community elder Kyaw Hla Aung said. "In 2015, about 200 people appeared on the voter list but this time, there is no voter list," he said. On the even of the anniversary of the crackdown that sparked the exodus across the border, Bangladesh said it would lift internet restrictions imposed on nearly a million Rohingya refugees.
Peter Sweetman is not opposed to forestry, he says, hes opposed to the Government getting around EU legislation.

Known for his numerous submissions, the Mayo-based environmental activist currently has 21 outstanding objections against Coillte, but says hes not to blame for any alleged shortage of felling licences, which others claim is causing a shortfall of timber in the country.

They are accusing me of stopping all the wood because I have these 21 appeals. On August 5, 2020, Coillte put in 300 applications for felling licences. If I have 21 out of 300 they lodged I am not causing the world to stop. It's all spin  inefficiency always needs a scapegoat.

I am not against forestry. I am very tree mad and am surrounded with them here. I am objecting to the fundamental principle of getting around European directives and court cases. I believe in the old-fashioned Fine Gael thing of compliance with the law.

"A felling application is also an application to re-afforest. If the land was never afforested properly the first time around, and never had an EIA when it should have, it needs one next time around, but we ignore that."

It was around this time last year, Sweetman says, that he started to get really pissed off and started to put in a good few submissions, but his history goes back further.

The son of former Fine Gael Minister for Finance Gerard Sweetman, he decided a long time ago that I objected to hereditary politics and we're terrible in Ireland for it. There has only been one son of a TD who died in office, where neither the widow or the son stood at the by-election and that's me.

We went from landlords controlling the country and we gave that to the politicians and priests. The priests own-goaled and now we're left with the politicians.

The fact we could complain we didn't have a minister in the west, he says, is wrong. When you're elected to the Dail you're supposed to represent the entire country.

Sweetmans first significant cases about forestry saw him taking two cases to Europe. One was about the Hen Harrier in Keeper Hill. I overturned that Coillte/ESB windfarm development.

Next up was a cased relating to appropriate assessment for the freshwater mussel in the River Nore.

We took that to the European court from the High Court and we won. The decision there was that you cannot take mitigation measures from the appropriate assessment at the screening stage.

This, he says, was the fundamental part of the whole case.

Sweetmans issues with Environmental Impact Assessments is that they dont happen how they should.

If you want to plant 90ha of forestry in the one place, you put down 45ha in one year and then three years later you can plant the other 45ha, without an EIA.

A cow shed, he says, over a certain size requires planning permission. The fact whether you build an extension one year or ten years from the original shed, you still need planning permission, but the forest service and the Minister says as long as you put it (forestry) three years after it's OK.

I would say a proper EIA on forestry could be throwing up the fact the flooding on the Shannon is caused by the draining of the bogs in Leitrim. It's quite likely. These are things that have to be looked at.

Sweetman is also critical of the recently announced public consultation by the Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett on changes to the Agricultural Appeals Act, which he says would restrict the ability of some people to appeal forestry decisions, including the giving of licences. It proposes that a fee would be part of the appeals process; it's currently free to appeal and open to anyone.

Further the consultation document is proposing the Minister can issue directives to the Forestry Appeals Committee. It is also looking to determine who a 'relevant' person is in order to be eligible to appeal.

The deadline for submissions is this Friday and Sweetman is undecided if hell put in a submission before taking the whole thing to court.

According to Sweetman, that bill is contrary to the Habitats Directive, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive, the Strategic Environmental SEA) Directive and the Aarhus Convention which deals with access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters.

Im looking for full compliance with the EIA, Habitats Directive and the Aarhus Convention. The only Minister in Europe diminishing the Aarhus Convention, which is a green convention, is the Minister for Forestry, Pippa Hackett. That's pretty awful from a Green Minister," he says.

He also says the Forestry Appeals committee claims to be unattached to anything, but the new forestry act would give the Minister power to make directions at them. They could say all Coillte decisions have to be passed."

People say Sweetman has only won 10pc of his appeals, but according to him: "I think I have won 100pc of my appeals. It depends on what you call winning.

"My basic appeal, on the basis of the information provided, is that it's not possible to grant permission for this development. If the appeals board goes and asks for further information before they can make a decision, I reckon I've won. I don't think the Forestry Appeals board has made a decision to grant a forestry or felling licence this year without looking for further information. I think that's a victory for me, it's proving I'm right.

Sweetman is highly critical of what he calls secrecy within the forestry sector.

EU law is public but the entire forestry sector is secret. When you apply for a felling licence, you have to put a site notice up and you have to put a copy of the site notice into the planning office. But the copy of the site notice that goes on the public file in forestry has the name of the owner blacked out. It's part of the secrecy.

"Even a forester could not do a proper EIA on a development, as they can only look at their own application. If you want to do a proper cumulative effect as to whether the development is more than 50ha you have to look at the ones next door if they are adjoining. The full idea of open, public consultation is just not there.

Sweetman says he has no axe to grind with farmers looking to plant or fell forestry."If the farmer sends me the relevant information, which would cause me to say it's fine, I will withdraw any application. The actual assessments  if it requires an EIA, if there is adjoining forestry how much land and if it needs an NIS, you have to submit that. That's all I want.
Having two mutated copies of the TP53 gene - as opposed to a single mutated copy - is associated with worse outcomes in myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.

YARDVILLE, New Jersey, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The MDS Foundation announces that a large international study led by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering finds that having two mutated copies of the TP53 gene, as opposed to a single mutated copy, is associated with worse outcomes in myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. The findings have immediate clinical relevance for risk assessment and treatment of people with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Considered the "guardian of the genome," TP53 is the most commonly mutated gene in cancer. TP53's normal function is to detect DNA damage and prevent cells from passing this damage on to daughter cells. When TP53 is mutated, the protein made from this gene (called p53) can no longer perform this protective function, which can result in cancer. Across many cancer types, mutations in TP53 are associated with much worse outcomes, like disease recurrence and shorter survival.

As with all genes, there are two copies of TP53 in our cells. One copy we get from our mothers, the other we get from our fathers. Until now, it was unclear whether a mutation in one copy of TP53 TP53 was enough to cause worse outcomes, or if mutations in both copies were necessary. A new study led by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering definitively answers this question for a blood cancer called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a precursor to acute myeloid leukemia.

"Our study is the first to assess the impact of having one versus two dysfunctional copies of TP53 on cancer outcomes," says molecular geneticist Dr. Elli Papaemmanuil, a member of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department at MSK and the lead scientist on the study, whose results were published August 3 in the journal Nature Medicine. "From our results, it's clear that you need to lose function of both copies to see evidence of genome instability and a high-risk clinical phenotype in MDS."

"The consequences for cancer diagnosis and treatment are immediate and profound," she says.

A LARGE, MULTICENTER STUDY

The study analyzed genetic and clinical data from 4,444 patients with MDS who were being treated at hospitals all over the world. Researchers from 25 centers in 12 countries were involved in the study, which was conducted under the aegis in collaboration with investigators in the International Working Group for Prognosis in MDS (IWG-PM) whose goal is to develop new international guidelines for the treatment of this disease. Findings were independently validated using data from the Japanese MDS working group led by Dr. Seishi Ogawa's group at Kyoto University.

"Currently, the existing guidelines do not consider genomic data, like TP53 and other acquired mutations, when assessing a person's prognosis or determining appropriate treatment for this disease," says Dr. Peter Greenberg, Director of Stanford University's MDS Center, Chair of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Practice Guidelines Panel for MDS, and a participant in the study. "Studies are ongoing reflecting this need for change."

Tracey Iraca, MDS Foundation Executive Director stated, "This study is important in updating the IPSS-R to include molecule information in light of the more personalized treatments now being explored for MDS patients."

Using new computational methods and the database and collaborative input of the IWG-PM, the investigators found that about one-third of MDS patients had only one mutated copy of TP53. These patients had similar outcomes as patients who did not have a TP53 mutation - that is, good response to treatment, low rates of disease progression, and better survival. Two-thirds of patients, on the other hand, had two mutated copies of TP53. These patients had much worse outcomes - including treatment-resistant disease, rapid disease progression, and low overall survival. In fact, the researchers found that TP53 mutation status - either 0/1 or 2 mutated copies of the gene - was the most important variable when predicting outcomes.

"Our findings are of immediate clinical relevance to MDS patients," Dr. Papaemmanuil says. "Going forward, all MDS patients should have their TP53 status assessed at diagnosis."

As for why it takes two "hits" to TP53 to see an effect on cancer outcomes, Dr. Elsa Bernard, a postdoctoral scientist in the Papaemmanuil lab and the study's first author, speculates that having one normal copy is enough to provide adequate protection against DNA damage. This would explain why having only one mutated copy was not associated with genome instability or any worse survival over having two normal copies.

Given the frequency of TP53 mutations in cancer, these results argue for examining the impact of one versus two mutations in other cancers as well. They also reveal the need for clinical trials designed specifically with these molecular differences in mind.

"With the increasing adoption of molecular profiling at the time of cancer diagnosis, we need large evidence-based studies to inform how to translate these molecular findings into optimal treatment strategies," Dr. Papaemmanuil says.

PARTICIPATING MDS FOUNDATION CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE: Karolinska Institute (Sweden), University of Pavia (Italy), La Fe University Hospital (Spain), Radboudumc Medical Center Nijmegen (The Netherlands), Amsterdam UMC (The Netherlands), Cochin Hospital (France), Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taiwan), Medical University of Vienna (Austria), Hannover Medical School (Germany), University Hospital Dresden (Germany), Federal University of Ceara (Brazil), University of Oxford (United Kingdom), Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (Czech Republic), University Medicine Gottingen (Germany), Saint-Louis Hospital (France), Saint James's University Hospital (United Kingdom), Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Nagasaki University (Japan), Kyoto University (Japan), Chugoku Central Hospital (Japan), Tokyo Medical University (Japan), Massachusetts General Hospital, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, Stanford University Cancer Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (United States).

ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATING CENTERS: Dusseldorf MDS Registry (Germany), Gruppo Romano Laziale MDS (Italy), University of Bologna (Italy), Institut Josep Carreras (Spain), Aou Careggi Hospital (Italy), Democritus University of Thrace (Greece), Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (Brazil), Rete Ematologica Lombarda (Italy), Japanese Data Center for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (Japan), Tsukuba University (Japan), Gifu Municipal Hospital (Japan), Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital (Japan), Gifu University (Japan), NTT Medical Center Tokyo (Japan), Osaka Red Cross Hospital (Japan), Kurashiki Central Hospital (Japan), Sasebo City General Hospital (Japan)

FUNDING: This study was supported in part by the Celgene Corporation, the MDS Foundation, Inc., Bloodwise, Austrian Science Fund, Italian MIUR-PRIN grants, Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro, 51000 project, the Francois Wallace Monahan Fellowship, the Josie Robertson Foundation, the European Hematology Association, American Society of Hematology, Gabrielle's Angels Foundation, V Foundation, Damon Runyon-Rachleff, the Geoffrey Beene Foundation, the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Dr. Papaemmanuil is a Josie Robertson-funded investigator at MSK. Drs. Papaemmanuil and Bernard have received research funding from Celgene.

The MDS Foundation, Inc. is an international non-profit advocacy organization whose mission is to support and educate patients and healthcare providers with innovative research into the fields of MDS, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and related myeloid neoplasms in order to accelerate progress leading to the diagnosis, control and cure of these diseases.

Media Contact:

Tracey Iraca, Executive Director, MDS Foundation, Inc.

Phone: (609)298-1600 x 211

Mobile: (609)647-2080

Email: tiraca@mds-foundation.org

Related Files

MDSF_Nature Medicine_Final.pdf

Related Links

MDS Foundation, Inc.
El presidente @MartinVizcarraC, junto a representantes de las instituciones que integran el Acuerdo Nacional, suscriben el Compromiso de Dialogo por el #PactoPeru. pic.twitter.com/FQCgDVfcve
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2020) - MAX RESOURCE CORP. (TSXV: MXR) (OTC Pink: MXROF) (FSE: M1D2) ("Max" or the "Company") is pleased to report the presence of silver-bearing copper sulfides and native silver from samples analyzed during the initial stage of the on-going study by the AGH-University of Science and Technology ("AGH") of Krakow, Poland. The presence of these two forms of silver was identified in samples from the AM South zone on the Company's wholly-owned CESAR project, located 420-km north of Bogota, Colombia (Figures 2 and 3).

Sample (425775) from the AM South copper-silver stratabound zone was delivered for mineralogical study to AGH, Poland. The presence of silver-bearing chalcocite and covellite as well as native silver was identified using "Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy" (EDS) analysis (Figure 1).

Silver, after copper, is the most important element in the Kupferschiefer stratabound deposit. At the KGHM Polska Miedz S.A. ("KGHM") Kupferschiefer, silver occurs as native silver, amalgamats of silver-mercury but most commonly in copper sulfides: chalcocite and bornite (The Kupferschiefer Deposits and Prospects in SW Poland: Past, Present and Future, 4. Ore Controls by KGHM, 2019).

The Max technical team continues to build a geological model based on KGHM's Kupferschiefer, Europe's largest copper deposit, with production in 2018 of 30 million tonnes grading 1.49% copper and 48.6 g/t silver from a mineralized zone of 0.5 to 5.5-metre thickness. The Kupferschiefer deposit is also the world's leading silver producer, yielding 40 million ounces in 2019, almost twice the production of the world's second largest silver mine (World Silver Survey 2020). Max cautions investors that the use of the Kupferschiefer as a geological model is not necessarily indicative of mineralization at CESAR.

"The initial study results from AGH are significant as they identified the presence silver-bearing chalcocite and covellite as well as native silver at AM South. Silver is a key component of stratabound copper deposits, so we are extremely pleased with CESAR's silver content. The presence of silver further substantiates a Kupferschiefer type system at CESAR," said Max CEO, Brett Matich.

Story continues

"Our on-going exploration programs continue to meet Company expectations and support management's belief in the presence of a significant stratabound copper-silver system at CESAR," he continued.

"Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy" (EDS) is a chemical microanalysis technique used in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The EDS technique detects x-rays emitted from the sample during bombardment by an electron beam to characterize the elemental composition of the analyzed volume.





Figure 1. Native silver (Ag) and silver-bearing chalcosite (1) from CESAR - (425775)

https://www.maxresource.com/news/20200825-01.jpg



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/62481_maxfigure1enhanced.jpg





Figure 2. Sample (425775) location - AM South Zone

https://www.maxresource.com/news/20200825-02.jpg



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/62481_maxfigure2enhanced.jpg





Figure 3. CESAR Project Location

https://www.maxresource.com/news/20200825-03.jpg

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/62481_3e18fbc624e6c928_005full.jpg

CESAR Stratabound Copper-Silver Project - Overview

The wholly-owned CESAR project in north east Colombia lies along a 120-kilometre sediment-hosted copper-silver belt that resembles the Kupferschiefer in Poland. The CESAR region enjoys major infrastructure. Mining operations include Cerrejon, the largest coal mine in Latin America, jointly owned by global miners BHP Billiton, XStrata and Anglo American (Figure 3).

Important highlights and exploration activity on multiple fronts:

AM North consists of a broad 11-kilometre continuous zone of stratabound copper-silver mineralization and is open in all directions. The copper-silver zone also contains a high-grade area with varying intervals from 0.2 to 3.0-metre grading 4.0 to 34.4% copper + 28 to 305 g/t silver (July 29, 2020). Two 50-kilogram bulk samples extracted from each end of the 1.8-km discovery horizon, returned 10.5% copper +79 g/t silver and 3.5 % copper + 29 g/t silver (May 21, 2020).

The AM South zone occurs 40-km SSW of the AM North zone, within the same mineralized trend. The copper-silver zone extends over an area of 4-kilometres by 3-kilometres, and remains opens laterally. The cumulative strike length of the open-ended AM South horizons exceeds 5.8-kilometres, returning highlight values of 5.8% copper and 80 g/t silver from 0.1 to 25-metre intervals, suggesting significant size for these horizons (July 14, 2020).

The Fathom Geophysics initial results from the technical study are expected soon. This study is funded by the Company and one of the world's leading copper producers. These studies focus on mapping stratigraphic features, distinct rock types and alteration-zones, which will assist in highlighting stratabound copper-silver mineral horizons over the CESAR target zone (May 13, 2020);

Geochemical and mineralogical studies by the AGH-University of Science and Technology ("AGH") of Krakow, Poland are well underway (May 26, 2020). AGH will bring to the CESAR project their extensive knowledge of KGHM's world renowned Kupferschiefer copper-silver deposits in Poland;

Ongoing structural analysis of the CESAR target zone is being conducted by Ingenieria Geologica Universidad Nacional de Colombia ("IGUN") in Medellin, with the assistance of the Max field team;

In respect to the CESAR project, the Company has entered two non-exclusive confidentially agreements; the first with one of the world's leading copper producers (May 13, 2020) and a second with a Global Miner (July 21,2020);

The in-country exploration team has been continuously conducting field activities.

Our in-country field team is now mapping, sampling and confirming the continuity of the mineralized horizons and expanding the zones of AM North and AM South.

https://www.maxresource.com/news/20200825-01.jpg

https://www.maxresource.com/news/20200825-02.jpg

https://www.maxresource.com/news/20200825-03.jpg

About Max Resource Corp.

With its successful exploration and management team, Max Resource Corp. is advancing its stratabound Kupferschiefer type copper-silver project in Colombia, that has potential for the delineation of large-scale mineral deposits attractive to major partners.

Tim Henneberry, P Geo (British Columbia), a member of the Max Resource Advisory Board, is the Qualified Person who has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release on behalf of the Company.

For more information visit: https://www.maxresource.com/

For additional information contact:

Max Resource Corp.

Tim McNulty

E: info@maxresource.com

T: (604) 290-8100

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for Max Resources Corp. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62481
Shares of Max Financial Services advanced around 15 per cent to hit a 52-week high of Rs 630.9 on the BSE on Tuesday, a day after the company said that Axis Bank has reduced the size of the stake that it plans to buy in Max Life Insurance to 17 per cent from 29 per cent. Axis Bank's move comes months after media reports said the deal, announced in April, ran into a regulatory roadblock over certain clauses in the agreement.

READ MORE Axis Bank stock, on the other hand, was trading nearly 2 per cent higher at Rs 454.45. Below is a look at what charts indicate for these two ...
Punjab National Bank (PNB) informed the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), which spearheaded the corporate governance litigation in a foreign jurisdictional court, that it has received $3.25 million as the first tranche of recoveries.

Upon liquidation of the debtors assets by the US Chapter 11 Trustee, a sum of $11.04 million is available for distribution to unsecured creditors, including PNB.

The release also mentions that the ministry has initiated proceedings for disgorgement of monies from the perpetrators, which are the entities promoted or controlled by Nirav Modi or Mehul Choksi, following the bankruptcy filings of three companies promoted by Nirav Modi, namely Firestar Diamond, A Jaffee and Fantasy.

PNB requested MCA to support and join the bankruptcy proceedings in New York to help PNB realise its claims in the debtor's assets.

The United States Bankruptcy Court of Southern District of New York also authorised PNB to issue subpoenas to compel the examination of Modi, Mihir Bhansali, and Rakhi Bhansali under oath.

In recent years, Indian banks have learned some hard lessons in the corporate loan business from wily promoters. These promoters, after defaulting thousands of crore worth loans from these banks, have fled the country to never return. In most of these cases, some or other fraudulent transactions are involved. Investigators are examining the dirty deals involving these businessmen, with attempts for extradition still on.

Currently, an Interpol global arrest warrant has been issued against Ami Modi, wife of prime accused Nirav Modi in the over $2 billion PNB bank fraud case, on charges of money laundering. The warrant has been issued by the global police body on the request of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Once such a notice is issued, the Interpol asks its 192-member countries to arrest or detain the person if spotted in their countries after which extradition or deportation proceedings can begin.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) speaks during the first day of the Republican convention at the Mellon auditorium in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 24, 2020. (Olivier DOULIERY/AFP)

School Choice Emerges as Key Policy on First Night of RNC

Six speakers on the first night of the Republican National Convention raised the issue of school choice, suggesting that it may become a key policy promoted by the reelection campaign of President Donald Trump.

While the issue of school choice is complex and deals with funding from local, state, and federal governments, the idea is to allow parents to decide whether to spend the tax dollars allocated to their children on a public school, private school, charter school, religious school, or homeschooling.

I realized a quality education is the closest thing we have to magic in America. Thats why I fight to this day for school choice; to make sure every child in every neighborhood has a quality education, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said.

I dont care if its a public, private, charter, virtual, or home school. When a parent has a choice, their kid has a better chance. And the president has fought alongside me on that.

On the campaign trail in 2016, Trump proposed a $20 billion school choice block grant. The Trump administrations Department of Education subsequently proposed an Education Freedom Scholarship program to provide $5 billion in annual tax credits for people and businesses who donate to scholarship granting organizations. The organizations would then provide scholarships for families who want to send their children to a school of their choice.

Hes even proposed education freedom scholarships to return control to parents, protect religious liberties, and empower kids to escape dangerous, low-performing schools, said Rebecca Friedrichs, a public school teacher from California. The Republican platform supports educational freedom. The Democrat Party does not.

Public school teacher unionsone of the most powerful political forces in the United Statesare vehemently opposed to school choice, arguing that any such proposal would draw funds away from the public schools that need it most.

The only way to keep a free Republic is with a well-educated, moral citizenry that can self-govern. Unions are subverting our Republic, so they undermine educational excellence, morality, law, and order, Friedrichs said.

Thats why they spend hundreds of millions annually to defeat charter schools and school choicetrapping so many precious, low-income children in dangerous, corrupt, and low-performing schools.

The 2016 GOP platform, which the Republicans re-adopted for the 2020 convention, doesnt include any language regarding school choice.

The K-12 education vision page on the website of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden doesnt mention school choice.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Kim Klacik, a Republican running for Congress in Baltimore, both brought up school choice. All of the speakers spoke before an empty hall in Washington because of concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

Donald Trump Jr., the presidents son, also devoted significant time to the topic.

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that could afford the best schools and the finest universities. But a great education cannot be the exclusive right of the rich and powerful. It must be accessible to all, Trump Jr. said.

Thats why my dad is pro-school choice. Thats why he called education access the civil rights issue of not just our timebut of all time.

It is unacceptable that too many African American and Hispanic American children are stuck in bad schools just because of their ZIP code, he added. If Democrats really wanted to help minorities and underserved communities, instead of bowing to big money union bosses, theyd let parents choose what school is best for their kids.

While public schools are mostly funded with money from local and state governments, federal dollars are still crucial.

During the State of the Union address earlier this year, one of the presidents invitees was a girl whose mom couldnt get her into a charter school. Trump highlighted the story and said that the girl would be able to attend the school.
Cairo was among the first countries to welcome the ceasefire declarations by the Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR) Aguila Saleh, and the Chairman of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Al-Sarraj.

The declarations are in line with Egypts peace-making efforts as epitomised in the Cairo Declaration of 5 July 2020, and subsequent developments, most notably President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisis delineation of a red line from Sirte to Jufra.

According to Egyptian officials, Cairos approach has focused on containing the warring parties in Libya as a means to pull the rug out from under Turkey and Qatar. Both states have been taking advantage of the conflict in Libya in order to establish a foothold there, using extremist and terrorist elements as part of a larger scheme to rehabilitate, promote and reposition Islamist forces across the region. Cairo was instrumental in promoting the ceasefire and its efforts have intersected with those of other regional and international powers keen to steer Libya back to stability, a government source told Al-Ahram Weekly.

Cairo believes the progress achieved so far is the beginning of the road to recovering stability in Libya, the source said. Cairo will not let anyone derail it or bargain it away. Egypt will remain on the alert, prepared to promote and safeguard everything that serves the interests of the Libyan people and joint Egyptian-Libyan interests. It remains determined to confront any party that attempts to divert this course.

Egypts policy on Libya, said the source, is predicated on a set of clear priorities related to Libyas importance to Egypts national security and the dangers that arise when the situation there is manipulated. Egypt, he added, was ready to handle all scenarios and will have no truck with any attempts to reposition terrorists or impose militias on the scene.

Although combined, the statements released by Saleh and Al-Sarraj form a turning point in the Libyan conflict, they nevertheless reflect different outlooks and principles related to the ceasefire. For example, Al-Sarraj linked the ceasefire to the creation of a demilitarised zone in Sirte and Jufra and the resumption of oil production and export, the revenues from which should be transferred to an account of the Libyan Central Bank abroad controlled by the GNA. He insisted the National Oil Corporation (NOC) should be the only agency with the authority to make decisions pertaining to the production and export processes and that foreign forces and mercenaries, which he did not identify, should be removed from the area. The statement called for presidential and legislative elections in March.

According to the source, Cairo opposes the creation of a demilitarised zone in Sirte and Jufra, fearing it will lead to acrimony over the nature of the force that would fill the vacuum created by the departure of the Libyan National Army (LNA) from the area, and could herald the partition of Libya. Certainly, the motives of some outside powers that promote the notion of a demilitarised zone are questionable. Turkey, for example, wants the LNA to withdraw not just from Sirte but also from Jufra, as Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin has made explicit.

On Al-Sarrajs position regarding oil, a member of the Libyan House of Representatives told the Weekly that the insistence that NOC monopolise decisions on oil production and exports is designed to side-line the HoR, the only elected body in Libya. He warned that excluding HoR from decision making and oversight will work to entrench the current situation in which oil revenues are funnelled into servicing GNA defence and security contracts with Turkey and Qatar. The MP added that the head of NOC is affiliated with the GNA and has been in post for seven years.

Another source believes there is a connection between the visit undertaken by the head of Egyptian Military Intelligence Major General Khaled Megawer to Al-Rajma, the headquarters of the LNA General Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar outside Benghazi, and a subsequent announcement by the LNA regarding the restart of oil production. Other sources in Cairo neither confirm nor deny a link, though observers believe the scenario fits with Cairos determination to break the stalemate in Libya within the framework of understandings between Egypt and other powers, most notably the US.

One of the most significant differences between the two sides is embodied by Aguila Salehs proposal for an interim phase in which Sirte serves as the temporary capital. He argued that using the centrally located city as an interim capital would overcome the east-west rift, providing the space necessary for the two sides to reach a political accord. Al-Sarrajs call for elections within six months clearly rules out an interim period. He obviously envisions remaining in power during the interval, which he and his allies would use as a carte blanche to continue to manage the government without checks or balances, and with nothing to restrain them from concluding agreements with outside powers that could be detrimental to the Libyan people. In Cairos opinion there is a mechanism for dealing with disputes of this nature: dialogue within the framework of the Berlin process.

It was precisely within this framework that the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) hosted a dialogue meeting between a delegation from the speaker of the HoR and another from the head of the GNA in the hope of overcoming obstacles to the resumption of the political process. According to a source familiar with the track two sessions have already been concluded and another should be held in the coming weeks. He added that some positive progress has been made towards the resumption of the political process, and he believes that the points of difference between Salehs and Al-Sarrajs statements will also be discussed by the participants in the dialogue.

The Libyan National Army (LNA), meanwhile, has shown a degree of resistance to last weeks developments. Its criticisms have focused on Al-Sarrajs statement which LNA Spokesman Major General Ahmed Al- Mismari described as dictated from abroad, a reference to Ankara. Pointing to the ongoing influx of Turkish supplies of military hardware and mercenaries to the GNA, Al- Mismari accused Ankara of preparing for the next round of fighting in Sirte.

A series of events last week illustrates the pressures facing the GNA. Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets on Sunday to protest the fall in living standards and rampant corruption in the Libyan capital. Some protesters chanted slogans against both Al-Sarraj and Haftar. A source in Tripoli said that poor services, especially power outages and water cut-offs, have generated mounting frustration. People were also angered by the governments indifference to the Covid-19 pandemic, even as infections have soared in the country. Officials in Tripoli are too preoccupied with their political rivalries and the race to win Ankaras approval, he said, to care about the health of Libyans. Reports of oil revenues flowing into Turkish hands have also fuelled outrage.

A Libyan political source in Cairo told the Weekly that it was likely divisions within the GNA are in part determining developments in the capital. Perhaps, he said, one of the rival GNA factions is plotting to oust Al-Sarraj and restructure the political process.

Cairo, for its part, has not made its position clear with regard to developments in Tripoli. Perhaps it is waiting to see how the situation unfolds.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Tonight was the start of the Republican National Convention, a week of speeches, celebration and white people walking up to Ben Carson saying, Wait, arent you the one that died?  TREVOR NOAH

Just like the Democrats, the G.O.P. has given each night of the convention a different theme. I believe the four nights are Famine, Pestilence, War and Death. OK, Im being told the actual themes are Land of Promise, Land of Opportunity, Land of Heroes and Land of Greatness. Better luck next time, Land o Lakes and Lando Calrissian.  STEPHEN COLBERT

So death is one plank of the Republican platform  what else does the G.O.P. stand for? No one knows, because it was announced last night that the G.O.P. will not write a 2020 platform. Well, that makes sense, given how much Trump struggles to get down from platforms.  STEPHEN COLBERT

So in lieu of a platform, the R.N.C. released a one-page resolution that pledges its undying support to Trump. Thats not a political party  thats a cult! [as Trump] Welcome to the convention, everybody. Take off your masks and put on your matching Nikes and your MAGA hats. Then drink up our bleach-flavored Kool-Aid. Im marrying all the daughters. Guess which one first?  STEPHEN COLBERT
Bell Textron celebrates 85th anniversary. Image: Bell Textron

Founded by Larry Bell in 1935, the company has been at the forefront of mobility, constantly finding ways to create innovative solutions. From breaking the sound barrier with pilot Chuck Yeager and the incredible Bell X-1 plane to developing the world's first tiltrotor aircraft, Bell has consistently sought out the most innovative methods to improve its products.

Sameer Rehman, managing director, Bell Flight said, "As we celebrate our 85th anniversary and applaud the innovations that have shaped us as a company, we must now look towards the future and ensure we continue to provide our discerning customers with the very best Bell has to offer. Having built an installed fleet of over 1,200 in the region over the years, we have a strong base to build on for the next 85 years.

Rehman continued, With mobility trends such as air taxis capturing the imaginations of stakeholders and governments across the region, our role as a company will be to evolve our approach in the development of new flight systems. Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, weve been reimagining the experience of flight  and where it can take us."

Bell currently has a suite of next-generation products in development including the Nexus air taxi concept which aims to revolutionize the urban commute. Another product in development is the Autonomous Pod Transport (APT), which can go further and faster while carrying payloads at increased ranges and speeds unlike any other unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the market today.

"The future of Bell is linked to the future of flight. For this, Bell has evolved to fulfill this vision and is no longer just a company that works in aviation but rather a technology company that is redefining flight. We are wide open to any technology, opportunity, or service model that will help humans become more mobile or more effective in the vertical dimension," stated Robert T. Hastings Jr., Bell executive vice president.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 15:51:54|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

-- With the latest move, Washington "further restricts Huawei from obtaining foreign made chips developed or produced from U.S. software or technology to the same degree as comparable U.S. chips."

-- U.S. companies could lose 18 percentage points of global share and 37 percent of their revenues if the United States "completely bans semiconductor companies from selling to Chinese customers."

-- The chip ban, as David P. Goldman, a columnist for news platform Asia Times said, gives the world "an enormous incentive to circumvent" the United States.

by Xinhua writer Gao Wencheng

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Semiconductor and smartphone industries worldwide, including those in the United States, are bracing for extreme disruptions after Washington recently tightened its restrictions on Chinese tech giant Huawei's ability to obtain critical components, most significantly, chips.

On Aug. 17, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced its decision to require foreign manufacturers using U.S. technology to get a license if they plan to sell semiconductors to Huawei.

Intended to curb Huawei's growth, the new rule will send out a chilling wave across global supply chains, analysts say.

Photo taken on Jan. 28, 2020 shows Huawei 5G equipment at Huawei 5G Innovation and Experience Center in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

ESCALATING SUPPRESSION

Last year, the DOC essentially banned U.S. firms from selling Huawei chips made in the United States. In May, the DOC amended a rule to target Huawei's acquisition of semiconductors that are the direct product of certain U.S. software and technology.

Though the May restriction severed Huawei's supply of custom-made chips, the Chinese company could nonetheless buy off-the-shelf chips designed by a third party.

However, with the latest move, Washington "further restricts Huawei from obtaining foreign made chips developed or produced from U.S. software or technology to the same degree as comparable U.S. chips," the U.S. department said on its website.

"The move is the latest and potentially most serious effort by the U.S. government to choke off the company's ability to obtain advanced semiconductors for all of its business lines," the CNBC quoted Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, as saying.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a press briefing earlier this month that the United States has been abusing the concepts of national security and state power to impose various restrictions on Chinese companies, which constitutes "a blatant hegemonic act."

Behind the move, observers say it is the sole superpower's chip dominance that gives Washington a "powerful weapon" against the Chinese company. Geoff Blaber from the research and advisory company CCS Insight told the Nikkei Asian Review that while the semiconductor industry is "global in nature," its foundation "is very, very heavily based on" the United States.

"The leading players in chip design software are all American companies," according to a report by the Nikkei Asian Review last week. "Chip fabrication, like design, relies heavily on U.S.-made chipmaking and chip testing equipment."

Photo taken on Aug. 5, 2020 shows the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

COUNTERPRODUCTIVE RULE

Shortly after Washington's decision, the country's Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), which represents 95 percent of the U.S. semiconductor industry, was surprised and concerned.

"We are still reviewing the rule, but these broad restrictions on commercial chip sales will bring significant disruption to the U.S. semiconductor industry," SIA President and CEO John Neuffer said in a statement on the association's official website.

"We reiterate our view that sales of non-sensitive, commercial products to China drive semiconductor research and innovation here in the U.S., which is critical to America's economic strength and national security," the statement added.

With the termination of sales to Huawei, which bought 19 billion U.S. dollars in components from U.S. firms last year, "technology bosses fret that their government's actions will drive investment away from them to rivals in other countries," the Economist magazine reported this month.

Meanwhile, according to a March report by the Boston Consulting Group, over the next three to five years, U.S. companies could lose 18 percentage points of global share and 37 percent of their revenues if the United States "completely bans semiconductor companies from selling to Chinese customers, effectively causing a technology decoupling from China."

These drops in revenue, the analysis warned, would "inevitably lead U.S. semiconductor companies to make severe cuts in R&D and capital expenditures, resulting in the loss of 15,000 to 40,000 highly skilled direct jobs in the U.S. semiconductor industry."

Photo taken on March 5, 2020 shows Huawei's flagship store in Paris, France. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

CHILLING EFFECT

Omu Kakujaha-Matundu, a lecturer and economist from the University of Namibia, told Xinhua that Washington's Huawei ban is not in line with international trade practices of fair market access and is also detrimental to the introduction of technological advancement anywhere in the world.

"This now stops (U.S. chipmakers) Nvidia, Intel, everyone, and they were not impacted before," an industry expert told the Financial Times, adding that the tighter restrictions would affect billions of dollars in business across the sector.

Among the first batch of victims, the Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek's share price plunged by 10 percent on the news. Shares in Japanese electronics titan Sony also fell more than 1 percent on Aug. 18.

Over the long term, as The Wall Street Journal editors wrote in June, other countries may face a more difficult choice. "Foundries in Southeast Asia that rely on Huawei's business may resent being subject to extraterritorial U.S. rules, and one risk is that those governments are pushed closer to Beijing. Huawei will also accelerate its efforts to make chips using its own know-how and take a faster technological leap."

Similarly, noting that "Huawei is determined to succeed and has considerable research and development resources," The South China Morning Post said in an editorial on Saturday that instead of seeing off competition, the U.S. administration is "speeding up Chinese self-reliance."

The chip ban, as David P. Goldman, a columnist for news platform Asia Times said, gives the world "an enormous incentive to circumvent" the United States, raising the risk that the United States rather than China "will be left without a chair when the music stops."

(Video reporters Bai Yu, Hu Yousong; Video editor: Zhu Cong)
A suspect has been charged in the July shooting death of a young woman at a park on Birminghams Southside.

Birmingham police Monday announced the arrest of Solomon Minatee III. He is 24 and lives in Birmingham.

Minatee is charged with capital murder in the July 28 slaying of Raven Lynette Swain. She was 24 and lived in Birmingham. Family members said she was a bright young woman who had a heart of gold.

Swain was found unresponsive in the drivers seat of her vehicle when South Precinct officers responded at 7:05 p.m. that Tuesday to Underwood Park in the 1100 block of 26th Street South. Birmingham Sgt. Rod Mauldin said when officers arrived at the park, they found Swain in her vehicle that was lodged in the foliage. She was pronounced dead on the scene at 7:48 p.m.

Evidence in the park and parking lot indicated multiple shots had been fired, Mauldin said. Several shell casing markers were placed in the lot, which is not far from the Red Mountain Expressway overpass, about a block from The Nick bar. The rear of the park is behind the St. Vincents Hospital parking deck.

At least one woman who lives nearby reported hearing the shots fired. Dozens of the victims family and friends rushed to the scene.

Someone in the area called 911, but Mauldin said he didnt know whether there was anybody else in the park at the time of the shooting. He said it was too soon to tell if anyone had been in the vehicle with the victim prior to the slaying.

Police have not said what led to the slaying of Swain or whether the suspect and the victim knew each other. The charge is capital because Swain was in a vehicle when she was killed.

Minatee is being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail.
A report from Greenpeace claimed that a methane leak from oil and gas drilling has been poisoning the North Sea for decades and heating the climate for more than 30 years and says that the oil and gas industry is responsible for this significant leak in the North Sea.

Mobil North Sea, now known as Exxon Mobil, caused a methane leak at one of its drilling sites. Methane is still spewing from the hole into the sea even to this day.

An Oil Search Gone Bad

On behalf of the Mobil North Sea (ExxonMobil), Stena Drilling Company was tasked to look for oil in the sea. The company "accidentally tapped a gas in the pocket." The search then caused an explosion leaving several craters in the seabed.

A team of international scientists examined the site five years ago. The leak has been releasing approximately 90 liters of methane per second into the sea for the past 30 years.

Sandra Schottner, a marine biologist for Greenpeace, said that then drilling platform could not be found anymore, but "methane has been gushing out of the seabed for decades."

She further added that "nobody wanted to take responsibility, it's a scandal."

READ: EPA to Declare Ameren's Largest Coal Plant as Air Quality Compliant, Critics Disagree

Thousands of Boreholes and Methane Leaks

There are at least 15,000 boreholes in the North Sea, which has caused to leak of 90 liters of methane per second for decades.

In 2000, ExxonMobile turned over the methane ducts to the UK government. The state determined that no further monitoring is necessary as the reservoir would drain eventually.

However, disturbing video footage from Greenpeace shows that the holes are still releasing methane even to this day. Greenpeace documented two gas-emitting craters in the North Sea in 200 km east of Peterhead.

Greenpeace has been monitoring the leak from its Esperanza vessel using a remote-controlled underwater robot. The group is traveling around the North Sea for a "documentation and peaceful protest tour." The tour aims to showcase the effect of the oil and gas industry on the region.

The environmentalist group filmed two of the gas emitting craters were measuring 50 meters and 15 meters in diameter. Holes like this are characteristic marks of the oil and gas industry's drilling.

Greenpeace asserts that the leak is from the oil and gas industry.

READ ALSO: 10,000 Die Each Day from Fossil Fuel Air Pollutants

UK Government: "No significant risk to health and safety."

The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) defended its position. The department said they did a "comprehensive marine survey" in 2011, which showed that the methane dissolved in the water. Only a fraction of methane was being released into the atmosphere.

The department also said that the release was monitored for eight years. Their survey indicated a decline in methane release over the years. The emission also does not pose a threat to health and the environment.

The department officials also said that "the UK has a robust regulatory regime and our environmental standards for offshore oil and gas are among the highest in the world."

Meanwhile, Oil and Gas UK said that they are doing strategies to "address methane emissions," and announce that they are glad that Greenpeace will help them on the said endeavor.

READ NEXT: Mauritius Oil Spill: Ship Has Split in Two

Check out for more news and information on Global Warming on Nature World News.
System error

error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.

context: ... 21: </%method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25

/usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951

/var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17

/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0485faf8f8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0485ecd488)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0485faf8f8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0485ecd488)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f0486000d28)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0485ecd488)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0485ecd488)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0485adc8a8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f0485adc500)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f0485adc500)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
Describing herself as a proud daughter of Indian immigrants who wore a turban and a saree, top Indian-American politician Nikki Haley has narrated her story to strongly reject the Democratic Party's "fashionable" statement that "America is racist."

IMAGE: Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks at the 2020 Republican National Convention from the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Haley said, In much of the Democratic Party, it's now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie. America is not a racist country."

This is personal for me. I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. They came to America and settled in a small southern town. My father wore a turban. My mother wore a sari. I was a brown girl in a black and white world, she said on Monday at the mostly virtual four-day convention.

Making a passionate plea to re-elect Republican Donald Trump, Haley said that the United States President has a "record of strength and success", while his Democratic rival Joe Biden has a "record of weakness and failure."

Haley, who was the former US Ambassador to the United Nations, on the first day of the Republican National Convention warned Americans that a Biden-(Kamala) Harris administration would lead the country on the path of socialism, which has failed everywhere in the world.

Indian-origin US Senator from California Kamala Harris is the running mate of Biden.

Harris is the first Indian-American to be nominated for the second highest political office in the country.

This is probably for the first time that Haley criticised Harris after she was picked by Biden early this month as the vice presidential candidate.

This President has a record of strength and success. The former Vice President has a record of weakness and failure. Joe Biden is good for Iran and ISIS great for Communist China... and he's a godsend to everyone who wants America to apologise, abstain, and abandon our values. Donald Trump takes a different approach. He's tough on China, and he took on ISIS and won. And he tells the world what it needs to hear, Haley said.

Political pundits say that Haley, 48, is herself a presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.

She has, however, refrained from commenting on this and said that her focus now is to help Trump get re-elect as the president of the country.

The Republican Party and the Trump Campaign opted for her speech on the prime time of the first day of the convention.

The four-day RNC will formally nominate 74-year-old incumbent President Donald Trump as the party's candidate for the November 3 US presidential election.

Haley, the two-term Governor of South Carolina, is the only Indian-American leader to be featured in the list of RNC speakers released by the Trump campaign on Sunday.

Haley said her family faced discrimination and hardship but her parents never gave in to grievance and hate.

"My mom built a successful business. My dad taught 30 years at a historically Black college. And the people of South Carolina chose me as their first minority and first female governor, Haley said.

America is a story that's a work in progress. Now is the time to build on that progress, and make America even freer, fairer, and better for everyone. That's why it's tragic to see so much of the Democratic Party turn a blind eye toward riots and rage, she said.

She said the American people know they can do better.

"And of course we know that every single black life is valuable. The black cops who've been shot in the line of duty -- they matter. The black small business owners who've watched their life's work go up in flames -- they matter," she said.

"The black kids who've been gunned down on the playground -- their lives matter too. And their lives are being ruined and stolen by the violence on our streets, she said.

She said things were not like this five years back.

It doesn't have to be like this. It wasn't like this in South Carolina five years ago. Our state came face-to-face with evil. A white supremacist walked into Mother Emanuel Church during Bible Study," she said, referring to the 2015 Charleston church shooting, in which nine African Americans were killed.

"Twelve African Americans pulled up a chair and prayed with him for an hour. Then he began to shoot, she said.

After that horrific tragedy, we didn't turn against each other. We came together -- black and white, Democrat and Republican. Together, we made the hard choices needed to heal and removed a divisive symbol, peacefully and respectfully," she added.

What happened then should give us hope now, Haley said.

"America isn't perfect. But the principles we hold dear are perfect. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that even on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America, Haley said.

It's time to keep that blessing alive for the next generation. This President, and this Party, are committed to that noble task. We seek a nation that rises together, not falls apart in anarchy and anger. We know that the only way to overcome America's challenges is to embrace America's strengths, she said.

A Biden-Harris administration would be much, much worse. Last time, Joe's boss was Obama this time, it would be Pelosi, Sanders, and the Squad. Their vision for America is socialism. And we know that socialism has failed everywhere.

"They want to tell Americans how to live and what to think. They want a government takeover of health care. They want to ban fracking and kill millions of jobs. They want massive tax hikes on working families, Haley said.

Joe Biden and the socialist left would be a disaster for our economy. But President Trump is leading a new era of opportunity. Before Communist China gave us the coronavirus, we were breaking economic records left and right. The pandemic has set us back, but not for long. President Trump brought our economy back before, and he will bring it back again, she said.

Haley said that it was an honour of a lifetime to serve as the United States ambassador to the United Nations.

Now, the UN is not for the faint of heart. It's a place where dictators-murderers-&-thieves denounce America and then put their hands out and demand that we pay their bills, she said.

"President Trump put an end to all that. With his leadership, we did what Barack Obama and Joe Biden refused to do. We stood up for America and we stood against our enemies, she said.

Obama and Biden let North Korea threaten America. President Trump rejected that weakness, and we passed the toughest sanctions on North Korea in history. Obama and Biden let Iran get away with murder and literally sent them a plane full of cash. President Trump did the right thing and ripped up the Iran nuclear deal, Haley said.

Obama and Biden led the United Nations to denounce our friend and ally, Israel. President Trump moved our embassy to Jerusalem -- and when the UN tried to condemn us, I was proud to cast the American veto, she said.

At home, the President is the clear choice on jobs and the economy. He's moved America forward, while Joe Biden held America back. When Joe was VP, I was governor of the great state of South Carolina. We had a pretty good run.

"Manufacturers of all kinds flocked to our state from overseas, creating tens of thousands of American jobs. People were referring to South Carolina as the beast of the southeast, which I loved, she said.

Everything we did happened in spite of Joe Biden and his old boss. We cut taxes. They raised them. We slashed red tape. They piled on more mandates. And when we brought in good-paying jobs, Biden and Obama sued us. I fought back and they gave up, she said.

Earlier, Haley started her remarks with a little story from a US Ambassador to the UN during the Regan era.

l'll start with a little story. It's about an American Ambassador to the United Nations. And it's about a speech she gave to this convention. She called for the re-election of the Republican President she served And she called out his Democratic opponent a former vice president from a failed administration, Haley said.

That ambassador said, and I quote, Democrats always blame America first. The year was 1984. The president was Ronald Reagan. And Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick's words are just as true today, she said.

Joe Biden and the Democrats are still blaming America first. Donald Trump has always put America first. He has earned four more years as President, Haley said.
BRIDGEPORT  A local man was in custody Tuesday after police said he kidnapped and shot at his former girlfriend.

Heriberto Oquendo, 47, of Pembroke Street, was charged with first-degree kidnapping, illegal discharge of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, threatening and fifth-degree larceny.

Oquendo stood shaking his head in his cell as he was arraigned Tuesday via video conferencing.

Senior Assistant States Attorney Pamela Esposito urged Superior Court Judge Tracy Lee Dayton to set a high bond for Oquendo because of the serious nature of the case.

The allegations in the arrest warrant are frightening, the judge agreed. It alleges he kidnapped the mother of his children at gunpoint and shot a firearm in front of her face. Thank God no one was injured.

The judge ordered Oquendo held in lieu of $500,000 bond and continued the case to Sept. 8.

According to police, on June 25, officers were dispatched to the intersection of East Main and Arctic streets for a shooting. When they got there, they found a woman sitting in her car crying hysterically. Police said there was a bullet hole in the drivers side window and a spent bullet casing on the floor of the car.

Police said the woman told them she had just gotten into her car after leaving work when a man she identified as Oquendo approached her, pointed a handgun at her and ordered her to let him into the car.

Once in the car, police said Oquendo directed the woman to drive. When she refused, he fired a shot near her face, police said.

Oquendo directed the woman to drive him to an area on Boston Avenue where police said he ordered her out of the car telling her, This is where I am going to kill you.

But police said when Oquendo got out of the car the woman quickly jumped back into the drivers seat and drove off.
Burma Myanmar Army Extends Unilateral Nationwide Truce, Excluding Rakhine State

Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing inspects troops during the Myanmar Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw in March 2018. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy

The Myanmar military has extended its truce in the country until the end of next monthonce again excluding Rakhine State, this time on the basis that the truce does not cover areas where state-declared terrorist groups are operating.

In a statement issued on Monday evening, the Tatmadaw (Myanmars military) said it would continue working to contain COVID-19 and to achieve peace by implementing Part 3 of the Union Accord, which was signed at last weeks fourth session of the 21st-Century Panglong Union Peace Conference.

The Tatmadaw said it would extend its existing ceasefire, which was due to end on Aug. 31, until Sept. 30 and suspend military activities in the country, except in the areas where the government-declared terrorists groups are active.

The militarys unilateral ceasefire was initially due to last from May 10 to Aug. 31 in order to allow an effective response to the coronavirus outbreak and promote peace.

The government declared the Arakan Army (AA), which is involved in heavy ongoing military engagements with the Tatmadaw in northern Rakhine State, to be a terrorist group in March. This followed the designation of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) as a terrorist group in August 2017 following its attacks on police outposts. The attacks triggered military operations that led to a mass exodus of Rohingya into neighboring Bangladesh.

Observers said fighting was likely to continue in western Myanmar, putting an extra burden on local residents and internally displaced persons (IDPs) amid the COVID-19 epidemic. Since November 2018, heavy fighting between the Tatmadaw and AA troops has caused nearly 200,000 locals in northern Rakhine State and Chin States Paletwa Township to become internally displaced and seek shelters at temporary camps.

Since the global pandemic hit Myanmar in late March, the country had reported 474 COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, with six deaths and 341 recoveries.

The Rakhine State capital, Sittwe, is currently facing an outbreak of locally transmitted COVID-19 cases. Health authorities in Rakhine have detected 82 COVID-19 cases in Sittwe, Mrauk-U, Buthidaung and Thandwe townships since Aug. 16.

U Maung Maung Soe, an ethnic affairs and political analyst, said, Peace will remain elusive until a ceasefire is implemented in Rakhine State, which has become a battleground between the Tatmadaw and the AA. Unless there is a ceasefire in Rakhine State, effective support for prevention of and protection from COVID-19 is impossible, he added.

We urge both sides to stop fighting, he said, pointing out that both the AA and the military claim not to instigate fighting, but only to act defensively. It is important that both sides do not start [firing]. As we are not on the ground, it has been hard to say who starts the clashes when they occur.

He added that another challenge faced by local residents is the government-imposed restrictions on access to the internet in parts of the state. The lack of access makes it hard for locals to receive information on COVID-19 preventative measures, which are widely shared through social media in Myanmar, particularly Facebook.

Local civil society groups have urged the government to allow full access to the internet in northern Rakhine State.

The Rakhine State Civil Society Peace Committee on Tuesday called for both sides to end military hostilities and urged the government to allow access to 4G internet services in northern Rakhine State and Chin States Paletwa Township. The government banned internet access in nine townships from June 2019 to July this year. When it allowed internet access to resume on Aug. 1, only 2G service was available.

If the fighting continues, the public will face more hardships, while locals are concerned for their health due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Sittwe. It could spread to Minbya, Mrauk-U and Kyauktaw [where most of the fighting is taking place], said Dr. Min Zaw Oo, the director of the Myanmar Institute for Peace and Security (MIPS).

The military announced its first-ever unilateral ceasefire for nine months from Dec. 21, 2018 to Sept. 21, 2019 in five military commands in Kachin and Shan states, and excluding Rakhine State. During his address to the latest session of the Union Peace Conference last Wednesday, army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing raised the topic of the Tatmadaws truce, claiming that those responsible failed to take it seriously, adding that the Tatmadaw had designated 2019 as a year of peace.

He reiterated that the Tatmadaw had vowed to complete the peace process by 2020 [referring to his pledge first made in October 2018]. As it had vowed, eternal peace would be brought to the hands of the people as they aspired.

Following the World Health Organizations designation of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on March 23 urged the suspension of all armed conflicts around the globe.

The Myanmar military said in Mondays statement it was extending its ceasefire in response to the UNs appeal on July 1 for a global ceasefire during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You may also like these stories:

AA Frees Five Members of Rival Arakan Liberation Party in Myanmars West

No Teachers at 118 Schools in Myanmars Chin State as Rakhine Conflict Shakes Region
<! Minister of State for Education Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba >

The Federal Government on Monday raised hope that full reopening of schools across the country is around the corner.

The Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said even though no date has been fixed yet for full schools resumption even though the Federal Government had continued to engage stakeholders.

Nwajiuba said this during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.

The minister, however, expressed optimism that the date for resumption was around the corner, adding, that we are not going to be brandishing dates.

He disclosed that he and the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, met some stakeholders in tertiary education earlier in the day on the issue.

Nwajiuba said about 78 privately-owned universities were insisting that they were ready for resumption while the response from government-owned universities was still 50-50.

He said that after aggregating opinions, he would return to the PTF to review the situation and then go ahead to make a pronouncement.

The minister urged students of tertiary institutions protesting the continued closure of their schools to be a little more patient with the government.

Related
Elton John got his big U.S. break at the Troubadour in 1970. Here, he and music partner Bernie Taupin draw audience members for a benefit at the Santa Monica Boulevard club in August 1975. (Los Angeles Times)

Elton John is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his career-making performances at the Troubadour in West Hollywood by rereleasing a limited edition of his self-titled album from 1970, which is also celebrating its golden anniversary.

On Saturday, which is Record Store Day, the pop icon will release a limited-edition deluxe version of the record, according to a statement from Universal Music Group.

The exclusive two-disc album is pressed on transparent purple vinyl. The first disc features the 2016 remaster of the original album. The second contains a selection of bonus tracks off the 2008 CD deluxe edition, which have never been released on vinyl, and two previously unreleased demos of Border Song and Bad Side of the Moon. (See the full track list below.)

The original, Grammy-nominated "Elton John" album will be rereleased on Oct. 30 as a limited-edition gold vinyl version with a download code.

In August 1970, a 23-year-old Elton John played eight shows in six nights at the Troubadour, starting on Aug. 25. After that, the lesser-known Reg Dwight transformed into a bona fide supernova  an arc that was chronicled in his Oscar-winning 2019 biopic, "Rocketman." His "magnificent" set received a glowing review from The Times' then-music critic, Robert Hilburn.

Alas, the vaunted West Hollywood venue to which John arguably owes his career is among the many smaller venues struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. The 500-capacity club is part of the National Independent Venue Assn., which is lobbying for government aid as extended closures threaten the live-music business.

Like many businesses, the Troubadour set up a GoFundMe page to help its hourly employees.

On Tuesday, the Grammy winner tweeted that he would include a new chapter in the paperback edition of his recent autobiography, "Me," that is "full of backstage tantrums and celebrity drama."

These are the formats and track lists that the "Elton John" rerelease will be available in:

Story continues

Record Store Day 2-LP purple vinyl set

LP1 / SIDE A



1. "Your Song"



2. "I Need You to Turn to"



3. "Take Me to the Pilot"



4. "No Shoe Strings on Louise"



5. "First Episode at Hienton"

LP1 / SIDE B



1. "Sixty Years on"



2. "Border Song"



3. "The Greatest Discovery"



4. "The Cage"



5. "The King Must Die"

LP2 / SIDE A



1. "Your Song" (piano demo)



2. "I Need You to Turn to" (piano demo)



3. "Take Me to the Pilot" (piano demo)



4. "Sixty Years on" (piano demo)



5. "Border Song" (piano demo)



6. "Bad Side of the Moon" (piano demo)

LP2 / SIDE B



1. "Thank You Mama" (piano demo)



2. "All the Way Down to El Paso" (piano demo)



3. "Im Going Home" (piano demo)



4. "Bad Side of the Moon"



5. "Grey Seal"



6. "Rock and Roll Madonna"

Limited-edition 1-LP gold vinyl set

LP1 / SIDE A



1. "Your Song"



2. "I Need You to Turn to"



3. "Take Me to the Pilot"



4. "No Shoe Strings on Louise"



5. "First Episode at Hienton"

LP1 / SIDE B



1. "Sixty Years on"



2. "Border Song"



3. "The Greatest Discovery""



4. "The Cage"



5. "The King Must Die"




The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed reliable researches and reports show chloroquine can kill Covid-19 virus at the early stage.

She further stated that remdesivir, made by Gilead Sciences Inc, has also been shown to kill the virus at late stages.

The NAFDAC boss however noted the cost for treating people with chloroquine was way cheaper than remdesivir.

While remdesivir cost $2,500 to treat an average patient, chloroquine only cost $10.

She also noted West African nations like Ghana, Togo and Senegal have embraced the clinical use of chloroquine for treatment.

Adeyeye disclosed these during a virtual press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said: In the cells, in the lab, remdesivir and chloroquine killed covid-19. At what stage would they be more effective? We didnt know at that point. Now we are realising that chloroquine is effective at the early stage.

I was watching CNN about 4 or 5 days ago, and there is this surgeon  Sanjay Gupta. For the first time he mentioned that chloroquine can be used prophylactically.

I said  maybe chloroquine can work. I made the press briefing, and stated that it is only for clinical trial treatment because until you do a very robust clinical trial, you cannot say that it is going to work.

Remember, remdesivir and chloroquine work in the cells. Chloroquine was proven to work in 100 patients. We did not know at that time that the disease has about four phases  pre-exposure stage, early stage, mild stage, and the severe stage.

Adeyeye added: When we now got the profile of remdesivir, what was recorded in literature and from the manufacturer was that remdesivir doesnt work at the early stage. It works at the late stage.

But when viruses are in the tube in the laboratory, you wont know which is late or which is early. Both killed them. We are now understanding that it is not only one drug that can be effective for covid-19 but it depends on the stage and the phases of the disease.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
A 22-year-old chef died of a 'catastrophic' head injury after falling from a railway platform while on her way home from a night out.

Carrie Bremridge, from Merstham in Surrey, had been drinking with friends at a pub and attended a house party, about a 10-minute walk from Redhill station, on January 31 this year.

At around 4.30am the following morning, she was seen asleep on the station platform before she stumbled and fell backwards on to the tracks.

Police and paramedics arrived and saw Ms Bremridge lying on the line, unresponsive and bleeding from her ears and mouth.

Carrie Bremridge, 22, died of a 'catastrophic' head injury after falling from a railway platform at Redhill station (file image, pictured) while on her way home from a night out

She was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, where she died on February 2.

At an inquest hearing at Surrey Coroner's Court on Tuesday, written evidence was heard from station worker Dan Hiett.

He said he saw Ms Bremridge asleep on the opposite platform from where he was standing at around 4.30am, before she got up, walked towards his direction and leaned against a wall.

'I saw her get closer and she stumbled backwards and fell on to the tracks,' he said.

Mr Hiett began making calls to isolate the line and to turn the power off.

'I believe it was an accident,' he said. 'It has upset me terribly.'

CCTV footage from British Transport Police corroborated Mr Hiett's statement, showing Ms Bremridge falling on to the tracks at around 5.06am.

Mobile phone records showed Ms Bremridge had made 12 calls to taxi firms that night.

In a statement read out in court, her cousin, Niki-Jo Bremridge, described Ms Bremridge, who worked as a chef, as 'a really outgoing person, always looking for the best in any situation'.

Ms Bremridge, from Merstham in Surrey (file image, pictured), had been drinking with friends at a pub and attended a house party, about a 10-minute walk from Redhill station, on January 31 this year

'She was a very positive person,' she added.

The inquest was told that Ms Bemridge was born with congenital heart disease and had an intensive medical history.

A post-mortem examination showed Ms Bremridge had 144mg of alcohol in her blood, which 'would have caused drunkenness at the time of the incident'. The legal drink-drive limit is 80mg.

Assistant coroner Anna Loxton recorded the cause of death as traumatic head injury and complex congenital heart disease.

Ms Loxton said she was satisfied that Ms Bemridge was on her own and that she suffered a 'catastrophic' head injury from the fall.

She concluded that Ms Bremridge died an accidental death and gave condolences to her family.
MOSCOW  The Russian government said Tuesday that it was willing to launch a vigorous investigation into the recent sickening of a leading opposition figure, but only if it could be proved that he was poisoned.

On Monday German Chancellor Angela Merkel endorsed the conclusion of doctors at a Berlin hospital that the dissident, Alexei A. Navalny, had indeed been poisoned on a flight from Siberia, and called for an immediate investigation.

For the time being, though, that does not seem likely to happen.

We dont understand on what grounds our German colleagues are in such a hurry to use the word poison, Russias presidential spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, told reporters on a conference call. A substance has not been identified.

Mr. Navalny, 44, who for almost a decade has challenged President Vladimir V. Putin politically and criticized his entourage for corruption, became one in a series of Kremlin opponents to collapse suddenly into a coma after drinking tea.
Family members gather for a vigil to pray for the safe return of Francisco Aguilar, a Los Angeles firefighter and Army veteran who disappeared last week in Mexico. (KTLA)

The FBI is assisting Mexican authorities in the search for a Los Angeles firefighter who was reported by his family to have gone missing in Baja California last week under suspicious circumstances.

Francisco Aguilar, a 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department, disappeared from his condo in Rosarito, according to family members who filed a missing persons report with Mexican authorities. They said they went to check on him after he stopped communicating with them Friday and found his vehicle missing and the condo ransacked, KCAL-TV Channel 9 reported.

During a vigil at the familys home in Montebello on Monday evening, family members said Aguilar, 48, frequently visited his condo in the town south of Tijuana, the TV station reported.

We were on FaceTime the other day, and he was on the beach and just talking ... about how it was so much fun and this was a little taste of what retirement would be like for him, his daughter Amaris told the station. I just pray with every fiber in my being that my father returns to us.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the agency has offered assistance but is not leading the investigation.

"That's their jurisdiction," Eimiller said Tuesday. "We have to defer to Mexican authorities."

LAFD spokesman Peter Sanders said the department is also cooperating in the search for Aguilar, who was assigned to Station 44 in Cypress Park.
COLUMBUS, OhioThe outcry against Gov. Mike DeWines coronavirus response escalated significantly Monday, as three state lawmakers unveiled a resolution with articles of impeachment against the governor.

State Rep. John Becker, the Clermont County Republican who is sponsoring the articles of impeachment, says the governors refusal to work with lawmakers on loosening his authority forced his hand, and DeWine needs to be held accountable for exceeding the powers of his office and violating Ohioans constitutional rights.

Leaders on both sides of the aisle called the move little more than a publicity stunt. But at least one critic says even though the effort is almost certainly doomed to fail, the attempt by itself could have bad ramifications  both for the lawmakers behind the effort and for Ohios political system.

Beckers 10 articles of impeachment, which havent been formally introduced yet, attempt to throw the book at DeWine, listing just about every grievance conservatives have lodged about the governors coronavirus response.

Article I states that the DeWine administrations coronavirus orders, which have evolved from stay-at-home and business closures to ongoing rules requiring masks and social distancing, violate the separation of powers, as they are tantamount to creating new laws.

Another article asserts that DeWine conspired to cancel the March 17 primary election because of coronavirus fears, then unilaterally reschedule it for June 2 (eventually the legislature voted to hold the primary on April 28). Other parts accuse the governor of providing wildly inaccurate forecasts and repeatedly misleading COVID-19 data, inflicting irreversible economic hardship on a growing number of Ohioans, and imposing humiliating face-mask orders (and questioning the scientific value of masks altogether).

The articles assert that Ohio history and precedents verify that no actual crime needs to be alleged for the purposes of impeachment and removal from office, listing a number of judges who have been impeached for things like being absent without leave, incompetence, and judicial arrogance.

The chances that DeWine will be removed from office before the current legislative session ends on Dec. 31 are slim to none.

For DeWine to be removed from office, a majority of the House would need to approve the resolution  which is unlikely, given that both Speaker Bob Cupp doesnt appear to favor the measure (Becker said he texted Cupp about the impeachment articles beforehand and never heard back). House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, the leader of the House Democrats, showed little support for the idea, instead accusing impeachment backers of trying to enrich and promote themselves.

A Cupp spokesperson didnt directly answer the question of whether he supports impeachment.

Even if the House votes for impeachment, two-thirds of the Ohio Senate would then have to vote to convict him. But Senate President Larry Obhof said Monday hes skeptical the House will ever send the articles to the Senate and called the measure grandstanding by a couple of members who arent productive legislatively.

Becker himself yielded that right now, there isnt enough support for the House to vote for impeachment. The way for that to change, he said, is if the Ohioans who have been contacting him and other lawmakers demanding impeachment can put enough pressure on their lawmakers to agree to vote in favor of it.

Asked if this was a serious attempt to remove DeWine or a statement of principle, he replied: If this was (about) a matter of principle and people hearing my voice, Id send out a letter to the editor, or maybe a House resolution. No -- impeachment is the intention.

Jonathan L. Entin, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University, said even though the impeachment attempt is almost certain to fail, it can still cause damage.

Entin noted that while a couple of preliminary injunctions have been issued against some of DeWines coronavirus rules, no judge so far has made a permanent ruling that any of the governors coronavirus actions are unconstitutional. That means, he says, that the impeachment articles are an attempt to essentially criminalize political disagreement.

It means that weve distorted our understanding both of what impeachment is supposed to do and how people  especially, elected officials  are supposed to disagree with each other, Entin said.

That debases the whole idea of impeachment, Entin said, which traditionally is the nations most extraordinary punishment for public officials. And if it succeeds, or even starts to go anywhere, he said, it could hamstring future governors who have to deal with crises.

Do we really want to say that the government cant act in an emergency because the officials are afraid that if they do anything, theyll be removed from office? Entin asked. Of course, if they dont do anything, maybe the response is going to be Well you should be impeached for not acting.

In addition, Entin said, while lawmakers who back impeachment might initially benefit from the publicity of such a move, in the longer term it may make it more difficult for them to accomplish other items on their agenda.

You know about the little boy who cries wolf, right? Entin said. I mean, thats the risk of taking this kind of symbolic position.

Becker denied that he introduced the articles of impeachment to promote himself, noting that hes term-limited after this year and isnt running for another office in November. But he is about bringing attention to the issue so that people can get involved and do something to take back their government.

Becker said he made the extraordinary move toward impeachment because DeWine has refused to work with lawmakers, vetoing or threatening to veto bills that would rein in his powers.

While the legislature has the power to override DeWines vetoes, right now there arent the 60 votes needed in the House to do that.

We dont have 60 votes to do that, Becker said. But Im going to find out if we have 50 votes (to impeach).

Its the first time there has been a legislative attempt to impeach an Ohio governor, according to Becker, who said he was told of this by the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission. Multiple experts in legislative history told cleveland.com they couldnt think of any prior attempts but werent 100% sure this was the first time.

Read more Ohio politics and government stories:

Articles of impeachment drawn up against Gov. Mike DeWine over coronavirus orders

U.S. Supreme Court bars Ohio AG from participating in oral arguments in Obamacare case

Jim Jordan, JaRon Smith will be featured speakers at Republican National Convention

Lawsuit claims AEP hurt investors by hiding involvement with House Bill 6 bribery scandal

Ohios Rob Portmans among Republicans defending Postmaster General Louis DeJoy at Senate hearing

Presidential hopeful Kanye West fails to get on Ohios General Election ballot
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Canada largely won a case before the World Trade Organization on Monday in a long-running dispute with the United States over U.S. duties imposed on Canadian softwood lumber exports.

A three-person panel determined that the duties, designed to counter Canadian subsidies, breached global trading rules because Washington had not shown that many prices paid by Canadian firms for timber on government-owned lands were artificially low.

The U.S. industry has complained for decades that Canadian rivals benefit from provincial government subsidies, allowing them to sell their wood for less.

"Canada expects the United States to comply with its WTO obligations. U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber must not persist," Mary Ng, Canada's trade minister said of the decision.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer criticised the ruling in a statement, saying it prevented the United States from taking legitimate action against Canadian subsidies.

"This flawed report confirms what the United States has been saying for years: the WTO dispute settlement system is being used to shield non-market practices and harm U.S. interests."

U.S. President Donald Trump has branded the WTO a "broken" and "horrible" institution and his administration has crippled the appeals process by blocking appointments to the WTO's appellate body.

The lumber dispute dates back to the 1980s and has included a previous round of WTO cases lasting from 2001 to 2006. That concluded with a settlement under which Washington suspended duties as long as lumber prices were sufficiently high.

The agreement expired in 2015, prompting the Trump administration's subsequent move to impose tariffs of up to 17.99% against what it saw as unfair subsidies for Canadian exporters of softwood lumber, which is used in home construction.

Monday's case, the ninth before the WTO in the lumber dispute, concerned subsidies. A different WTO panel last year largely upheld U.S. anti-dumping duties on Canadian lumber, prompting a Canadian appeal.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels and David Lawder in Washington; Additional reporting by Kelsey Johnson in Ottawa; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Tom Brown)
ConsumerAffairs is not a government agency. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment based on your own personal circumstances and consult with your own investment, financial, tax and legal advisers.

Company NMLS Identifier #2110672

Copyright  2021 Consumers Unified LLC. All Rights Reserved. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.
School in New York City is set to start on Sept. 10, but teachers and city officials are still feuding over reopening plans and in-person learning arrangements are being determined in real time. And thats just for students in general education classes. Accommodations for special-needs students will be even more complicated, with even greater risk of educational loss.

The switch to remote learning in the spring to stem the spread of the coronavirus had a particularly adverse impact on the citys 200,000 special education students, whose related services and educational needs did not always translate well, or at all, to remote learning.

As the school year fast approaches, figuring out how best to implement safe and effective education is paramount, but the need to get it right is even more dire for those receiving special education  and advocates say that the city could be doing more to ensure those kids are getting all the services they need.

The state reopening guidelines requires that local school districts take into account the individual and specific needs of special education students when coming up with their plans for the fall, whether in-person, online or both. When New York City released its plan for reopening, guidance on special education was slim. It provides for two additional potential schedules for District 75 schools  which exclusively serve special education students  and parents to opt into besides the all-remote or blended options. One permits students to attend in-person class five days a week every other week, while the other would allow certain qualifying students to attend in-person schooling completely full time, although this would not be an option for every special education student. But aside from those extra models, information about how services would be provided adequately and remotely lacked the specifics that many parents want. Danielle Filson, a spokesperson for the city Department of Education, said in a statement that the city would be sharing additional special education guidance and safety protocols for the upcoming school year soon.

Maggie Moroff, the special education policy coordinator with the group Advocates for Children of New York, said that the city could be doing more. Its an outline of a plan, Moroff said. The concern is that there is just so much that nobody knows yet. She said this is especially complicated for parents of special education students when it comes to scheduling services like occupational therapy.

Her group recently released a series of recommendations, including a request for information about student transportation, multiple options for in-person related services, assurance that all students have the technology needed for remote learning and small-group support for students struggling to read on days they are remote. That literacy part is really key, Moroff said. Especially for the kids that are in the emergent reading years, if they were already struggling to learn how to read, this has wreaked havoc on their lives. The Department of Education says it is currently exploring ways to expand literacy programs, using teachers trained to provide such education and training additional teachers to fill the role.

Overall, Moroff said that the city needs to insure that parents have as much information as they need to make the best decisions for their special education students because the stakes are so much higher. The more typical children are struggling too, but theyre hopefully treading water in all of this, Moroff said. The fear is that the kids that need the additional support, that theyre getting pulled down.

Advocates for Children of New York is also calling for the option of full-time in-person learning for any special education student that wants it, whether at a District 75 school or a general education school with self-contained special education classes. Moroff said that switching back and forth between remote and in-person learning, especially if it entails changes in scheduling from week to week, can be detrimental to some special education students. While some parents may be able to make the blended option work, and for others fully remote is a sufficient option, Moroff said its important that full-time in-person is available for anyone who feels that in-person classes are the only way to ensure their child is receiving the services to which they are entitled. It's hard to make generalizations, but families we've spoken to, some of the kids are having trouble with just the location change, some of them are having trouble with the scheduling changes, some of them are having trouble with the formatting changes, Moroff said. Its been really, really hard on these families.

The recommendations said that since special education classes have always been small, made smaller with the students opting for fully remote and blended learning, so it would be easy to maintain social distancing requirements in the generally larger classrooms for students who might choose to return to school full time should the city decide to implement the proposal. However, other obstacles remain, such as the need for personal one-on-one interactions that would require teachers to be in close to proximity with different students, and the possibility that some special education students would not have the capacity to understand safety measures like masks. Health and safety for our school communities comes first and we are encouraging as much in-person instruction and related services to students with disabilities as possible, while also complying with social distancing guidelines, Filson said of the citys approach to special education.

While she feels the option should be there, Moroff said that full-time in-person services are not the solution for everyone, especially since those that might benefit the most often have the most complicated needs that could also make them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Depending on their needs, some students may actually benefit from remote learning and the absence from some of the social aspects of a classroom that can make education more difficult. She added that many of Advocate for Children of New Yorks clients tend to be lower-income people who have fewer options for childcare and support when parents are working during the school day, which becomes even more complicated if parents must step in to help provide services normally given by trained professionals. Thats a big reason why Moroff said that parents should be part of the planning process for the fall. If the family can't play the role that they need to play, then it's just set up to fail, Moroff said of remote learning plans. So you really need to involve families at the onset to figure out what's realistic in their home and with their family.
Security cooperation between Washington, Taipei a 'dark history' of interfering in China's internal affairs: FM

Global Times

Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/24 21:10:39

The Chinese mainland authority on Taiwan Affairs on Monday urged the US obey the one-China principle and stop sending the wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces, after an American diplomat attended a commemoration of a battle near Kinmen in the 1950s, which was also known as the start of the second crisis across the Taiwan Straits.

Taiwan is part of China, and the Taiwan question must not allow external forces to interfere, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Monday.

The Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, borrowing the external power to provoke, would only damage the shared benefits of people across the Straits and the stability and peace of the region. It will only put the island of Taiwan at a more danger position, he said.

"We urge the US to observe the one-China principle and the Three Sino-US Joint Communiques, and to stop sending the wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces," Ma noted.

Brent Christensen, the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei office, on Sunday attended the annual ceremony of the "battle on August 23, 1959" organized by the Taiwan authority, and talked about the history of "security cooperation" between the US and the island.

Zhao Lijian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a Monday press conference that the so-called security cooperation history between Washington and Taipei is a "dark history" of interfering in China's internal affairs and reunification. "The 1.4 billion Chinese people remember it."

We urge the US to strictly abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the Three Sino-US Joint Communiques, stop playing 'tricks' to try to enhance the real relationship between the US and the island of Taiwan, stop playing with fire on the Taiwan question, and stop sending any wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces, to avoid seriously damaging Sino-US relations, and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Zhao said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Actor Brijendra Kala had a packed shooting schedule when the lockdown happened. Yet his films like Gulabo Sitabo starring Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana and Ghoomketu with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead released on over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

During the unlock phase Kala has shot for an Ad film, a film The Last Resort in Vadodara and is currently shooting for Samosa & Sons at Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand.

Its a love story and a touching subject on gender issues and traditional rituals. It has Sanjay Mishra and Jeetu Shastri besides others. The film is being directed by Shalini Shah who too hails from the hills comes with Rajesh Shah as DOP, he said.

I feel its much safer to shoot in mountains. The film came as a good outdoor shoot amidst clean air. I am feeling healthy in these serene surroundings though we are shooting with a small crew and taking full precautions due to coronavirus, the versatile actor said.

He has another reason to feel happy about. One of the main reasons to say yes to the film was that I come from Nauriyal Gaon in Pauri Garhwal. So my roots are in the mountains even though I had grown up in Mathura where my father worked at the veterinary hospital. I make no distinction between UP and Uttarakhand, he said over phone.

Prior to this he shot for film The Last Resort in Varodra for 10 days. We shot it in a resort in isolation and full safety. Before that I shot an advertisement.

The OTT platform, he said, has come as a boon for small-budget filmmakers. Earlier, filmmakers used to think that a film should be released on the big screen. But it was a problem for small films. But, the success on OTT has given low-budget filmmakers confidence and hopefully it will reduce the mad rush for getting a film released on theatres, he said.

He will be shooting for a big OTT-series in October besides shooting for the fourth season of Aaam Aadmi Family. Last year, he shot for Ram Prasad Ki Tehari, Gulabo Sitabo and Love Hackers in Lucknow.

I was shooting for Sherni starring Vidya Balan in Bhopal where lockdown happened. I have also shot for Mere Desh Ki Dharti with Devyenndu Sharma, Anand Vidhaat and Anupriya Goenka. In Badaun, I have shot for Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai which has Atul Srivastava and another film that I am doing with him is Mard Ko Dard Hota Hai.

In lockdown I have made my family happy by being with them but now my dates are being readjusted for different shoots. The readjustment is a big task. I feel blessed that I am getting enough work despite the pandemic. But I feel bad because due to small units, many crew members have been unemployed, he said.
A prominent rights group in Indian-administered Kashmir has called Indias communications blackout following the scrapping of the disputed regions semi-autonomy last year collective punishment and urged the international community to question New Delhi over what it calls digital apartheid.

The Jammu-Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) in its 125-page report released on Tuesday outlined harms, costs and consequences of the digital siege since August 2019, when New Delhi stripped the region of its statehood and the semi-autonomy that gave its natives special rights over land ownership and jobs.

The move, which set off widespread anger, was accompanied by a security clampdown and communications blackout in the region that left hundreds of thousands jobless, impaired the already feeble healthcare system and paused the school and college education of millions.

The multi-faceted and targeted denial of digital rights is a systemic form of discrimination, digital repression and collective punishment of the region's residents. JKCCS report

The multi-faceted and targeted denial of digital rights is a systemic form of discrimination, digital repression and collective punishment of the regions residents, particularly in light of Indias long history of political repression and atrocities, the report, titled Kashmirs Internet Siege, said.

Indian officials have repeatedly said the internet ban was aimed at preventing anti-India protests and attacks by rebels who have fought for decades for the regions independence or unification with Pakistan, which administers another portion of Kashmir.

Thousands of additional troops were deployed in one of the most militarised regions of the world [File: Nasir Kachroo/Getty Images]

Both countries claim the landlocked Himalayan region in its entirety.

Settler colonialism

Indias Hindu nationalist government has argued that the removal of Article 370 of the constitution  which granted special status to Kashmir  was necessary to integrate the Muslim-majority region with India, foster greater economic development and to stop threats from anti-national elements and Pakistan.

Many Kashmiris, however, view the move as the beginning of settler colonialism aimed at engineering a demographic change in Indias only Muslim-majority region, a development that could increase the possibility of heightened conflict.

A curfew was imposed in Srinagar ahead of the first anniversary of the revocation of Article 370 on August 5 [Faisal Khan/Anadolu]

Although some of the communications restrictions have been removed and the internet on fixed lines has been restored, mobile internet speeds in most of the region remain painstakingly slow.

Digital rights activists have consistently denounced the internet restrictions and some have called them far worse censorship than anywhere in the world.

The conflict in Kashmir has existed since the late 1940s when India and Pakistan won independence from the British Empire and began fighting over rival claims to the Muslim-majority territory. The two rivals have fought two of their three subsequent wars over Kashmir.

The report released on Tuesday maps the consequences of the longest ever lockdown in the regions turbulent history and its severe effect on livelihoods, education, health and press freedoms.

The JKCCS said it was based on fieldwork, government documents, court files and media reports.

Some business in the region resumed following the partial lifting of the clampdown earlier this year. However, Indian authorities enforced another harsh lockdown in March to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries pegged the economic losses in the region at $5.3bn and job losses at half a million since August last year.

During the service blackouts, critically ill patients could not access government healthcare or seek insurance reimbursements online, students could not apply for fellowships or scholarships and distraught families could not connect to relatives outside the region. Local tech companies had to close or relocate to other areas of India.

While the Government of India has succeeded in gagging the voices of people of Jammu and Kashmir with its longstanding communication blockade, the report said, it should not prevent the international community from speaking and calling out the Government of India for suppressing the fundamental rights of people.
Migrants: Bosnia, entrance ban imposed in northwest Pushed-back refugees helped by Red Cross. Residents protest

(ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, 25 AGO - Local authorities in the Una-Sana Canton in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in the country's northwest at the border with Croatia, have imposed an entrance ban on illegal migrants.



The migrants have been arriving in increasing numbers in the area, travelling the Balkan Route with the goal of passing into Croatia and continuing towards Western Europe.



The Una-Sana Canton is part of the Muslim-Croat Federation, one of the two entities that make up Bosnia-Herzegovina.



Authorities in the Republika Srpska, the other entity in the country, also do not allow migrants to enter their territory.



Therefore, regional media said, the most recent migrants who arrived, about 100, have been relegated to a sort of no man's land between the two Bosnian entities.



The Red Cross intervened by distributing food and water.



The situation is feeding growing tension in the Balkan country, which has seen the number of migrants steadily grow in recent months while having limited resources to deal with the problem.



According to various estimates, the number of migrants in northwestern Bosnia-Herzegovina, in particular in Bihac and Velika Kladusa, ranges between 7,000 and 10,000, and their presence is provoking concern in the local population.



Local residents have been more frequently organising protests to denounce risks and threats to their safety.



Cases have been growing of thefts and aggression by groups of migrants loitering in the area in their constant search for ways to cross the border with Croatia.(ANSAmed).




By PTI

NEW DELHI: Nippon Life India Asset Management on Tuesday said it has garnered Rs 720 crore through the new fund offer of its Multi-Asset Fund.

The company claimed that this is one of the biggest amounts raised through a new fund offer (NFO) during the pandemic.

Over 80,000 investors spread across 370 locations invested in the NFO of Nippon India Multi Asset Fund through both digital and offline mode, the fund house said in a statement.

Besides, the fund house has received 25,000 SIP (systematic investment plan) applications for the NFO.

It, further, said more than 60 per cent of the applications came digitally through various digital platforms of the fund house and its partners.

Nippon India Multi Asset Fund allows investors to take exposure to four distinct asset classes - domestic equity, foreign equity, commodities and fixed income.

"We saw tremendous response from family offices and High Networth Individuals (HNIs) as well.

"The Fund had drawn the attention to the importance of investing across asset classes, particularly to foreign equities, as many investors, including HNIs, had negligible investments in assets like overseas equities and commodities," said Aashwin Dugal, Co-Chief Business Officer of Nippon India Mutual Fund.
US unilateralism, hegemonic acts doomed to fail: China

Iran Press TV

Monday, 24 August 2020 5:58 PM

China has vehemently dismissed Washington's move to trigger the so-called snapback mechanism and restore the United Nations sanctions against Iran despite its departure from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, saying the US administration's unilateralism is unpopular and its hegemonic acts are doomed to failure.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the remark at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday, while commenting on a recent request by the US from the UN Security Council to reinstate all the nuclear-related UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

"The US unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) means it has waived its right as a participant to the JCPOA. It is therefore not eligible to request the launch of a snapback mechanism to restore sanctions against Iran," Zhao told reporters.

"The fact that 13 member states of the United Nations Security Council has sent a joint letter to oppose the US move reflects the position of the vast majority of the UN Security Council members and the broad consensus of the international community. It once again shows that unilateralism is unpopular, and bullying will not succeed."

Underlining that the resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue relies on dialog rather than sanctions, the Chinese official said, "We hope the US side could listen to the voice of most members of the international community and return to the right track of implementing the JCPOA and the Security Council's resolutions."

The United States is trying to invoke the snapback mechanism in the multilateral nuclear agreement despite its withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018, which was in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorses the deal.

The United States' most prominent Western allies have refused to fall into step with its adventurism.

The United Kingdom, France, and Germany, all signatories to the JCPOA, say the US does not have the legal right to trigger the snapback sanctions due to the 2018 withdrawal.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






In a significant development in the debate over reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Florida state judge on Monday issued an injunction that blocks a state order that required most school districts in the state to open their campuses five days a week by Aug. 31 or face a significant loss in state aid.

Leon County Circuit Court Judge Charles W. Dodson said that the defendants in the lawsuitGov. Ron DeSantis, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, and the Florida Department of Education"arbitrarily prioritized reopening schools statewide in August over safety and the advice of health experts.

The temporary injunction is a victory for the Florida Education Association, the NAACP and its Florida state conference, and several teachers and parents who filed two lawsuits to block Corcorans July 6 order. The plaintiffs had argued that the state order violated a provision of the state constitution requiring safe schools.

The suits were moved to Leon County, the home of the state capital of Tallahassee, where Dodson presided over three days of testimony and arguments on Zoom video last week. The case is one of several percolating around the country over the reopening of schools.

Dodson rejected arguments from the state defendants that because no school district had joined the suits and that 60 districts had submitted brick-and-mortar reopening plans, the districts themselves supported the state order.

But the school boards have no choice, Dodson said in his opinion in Florida Education Association v. DeSantis . If an individual district chooses safety, that is, delaying the start of schools until it individually determines it is safe to do so for its county, it risks losing state funding, even though every student is being taught.

The state has permitted the Miami-Dade, Broward County, and Palm Beach County schools systems to conduct remote learning until at least Sept. 30 because they are at the center of the coronavirus resurgence in Florida. But Dodson highlighted the experience of the Hillsborough County district in the Tampa area.

In an attempt to comply with the states order that ostensibly gave districts control over school reopening decisions subject to the orders of the Florida Department of Health and local health officials, the Hillsborough County school board called a special board meeting on Aug. 6 with a panel of seven doctors.

Five doctors said it was not safe to reopen the districts schools as of that time, the sixth doctor said it may be safe within a few weeks, and the seventh, the director of the local health department, declined to give an opinion, the judge noted.

The Hillsborough County district submitted a plan to the state that would have delayed reopening campuses by three weeks after Aug. 31, which the state rejected, as it did a plan to delay reopening by one week. The school board then voted to reopen on Aug. 31.

They had no real choice, Dodson said. While the states order suggests local boards control the decision subject to the advice of health officials, that language is essentially meaningless.

Plaintiffs presented convincing evidence that state health officials were instructed not to provide an opinion on the reopening of schools, the judge said.

Dodson said the medical evidence about COVID-19 presented by both sides is clearly still in flux and difficult to parse.

The states order failed to consider community transmission rates, the varying ages of students, and proper precautions for the pandemic, he said.

What has been clearly established is there is no easy decision and opening schools will most likely increase COVID-19 cases in Florida, Dodson said.

The judge ordered the problematic provisions of the states July 6 order to be severed from the rest of the order.

The order is unconstitutional to the extent it arbitrarily disregards safety, denies local school boards decision-making with regard to reopening brick and mortar schools, and conditions funding on an approved reopening plan with a start date in August, Dodson said.

[UPDATED 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24] The state education department issued a statement late Monday saying the decision has been appealed.

Weve said it all along, and we will say it one million times--we are 100 percent confident we will win this lawsuit, Corcoran, the state education commissioner, said in the statement. This fight has been, and will continue to be, about giving every parent, every teacher and every student a choice, regardless of what educational option they choose. If you are one of the 1.6 million students who have chosen to return to the classroom, a parent, or a classroom teacher that wanted to educate their student in person, we strongly encourage you to call the Florida Education Association and tell them to drop this frivolous lawsuit.

Fedrick C. Ingram, the president of FEA, said in a statement that the union appreciates that Judge Dodson acknowledged the crucial importance of protecting the health and well-being of kids and school employees. We have seen little sign that is a top priority for the DeSantis administration. Commissioner Corcoran appears more focused on threatening teachers and districts.

Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, called the ruling Huge!! in a tweet and issued a statement that said: The judge ruled that decisions about reopening should be made locally, not dictated by the state, either directly or through funding decisions. He found for educators who have been trying to keep kids, families and our communities safe since April.

FEA is an affiliate of both the AFT and the National Education Association.
Mumbai, Aug 25 : Sushant Singh Rajput lookalike Sachin Tiwari is set to star in the film Suicide Or Murder, reportedly based on the late actor and Bollywood nepotism. However long before the film is even ready for release, Sachin is already in the eye of a legal storm.

Producer Marut Singh and director Sanoj Mishra have sent Sachin a legal notice on the grounds that they had signed the budding actor for a film titled "Shashank", which is based on the late actor Sushant and Bollywood nepotism. Singh and Mishra have alleged that Sachin went ahead and shared the story idea with another producer.

"It has been a month since we sent a legal notice to Sachin Tiwari but he has not responded yet. It is very disheartening that he is neither picking our calls nor responding on the legal notice. Recently I came to know Sachin has shared the crux of the film with other producers and directors," Marut Singh claimed.

While Singh and Mishra are not naming the producer or director, it is well known that Sushant lookalike Sachin is working in the film "Suicide Or Murder", produced by Vijay Shekhar Gupta, which is also said to be about outsiders being victimised by the Bollywood mafia and its culture of nepotism.

"To make a film on the nepotism prevailing in Bollywood and the sudden and suspicious death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput was our brainchild. We had narrated the script and project details to Sachin Tiwari, but unfortunately he ditched us and passed on the concept to other filmmakers," Sanoj Mishra claimed.

"Shashank" revolves around the struggle of an actor who comes from a small town. The film also features Aarya Babbar who portrays a producer.

Mishra shared: "We do not want to name a famous producer, but in Bollywood popular producers and studios are running the mafia network and nepotism. They do not allow outsider actors and directors to come forward and make a career in Bollywood. The film 'Shashank' will feature this dark side of the Bollywood."

Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has come under criticisms from Nigerians over his attack against a Daily Trust reporter in Cross River State during a press briefing.

Mr Fani-Kayode on Tuesday, after the backlash, also took to Twitter to defend his action.

The incident, which happened on Thursday, was captured in a viral video showing Mr Fani-Kayode pouring invectives on the reporter, Eyo Charles.

Mr Fani-Kayode, who was visibly angry, told the reporter he was foolish for asking him who bankrolled his tour of projects in Cross River and other states in the South-south.

The briefing, moderated by Governor Ben Ayades spokesperson, Christian Ita, was meant for the former minister to talk to the reporters about his tour.

It was attended by reporters from Vanguard, Punch, NAN, AIT, and other media houses.

I could see from your face before you got here, how stupid you are. Dont ever talk to me like that, Mr Fani-Kayode kept yelling at the reporter who was still standing and apologising  I am sorry, sir.

Dont judge me by your own standards, the former minister kept saying.

I have been in politics since 1990. I am not one of those politicians that you think will just come. I was taken, I have been locked up how many times by this government. I have been prosecuted, unlike most of these politicians you follow for brown envelopes!

Dont ever judge me by that standard. I spend, I dont take and I am not a poor man, I have never been and will never be.

Angry union

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) immediately condemned Mr Fani-Kayodes attack as being gangster-like and demanded a retraction from the former minister.

The NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo, said in a statement on Tuesday that the reporter was only asking a simple question.

Also, a civic group, Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP), condemned the attack on the Daily Trust reporter.

We condemn reported intimidation, harassment and attack on @daily_trust journalist by a former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, SERAP said on Twitter via its handle @SERAPNigeria.

Mr Fani-Kayode should publicly apologise to the journalist. No one should ever call any journalist stupid simply for doing their job, the group added.

Outrage

Several Nigerians have taken to Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites to attack the former minister over the incident.

A Facebook user, Olamide Ogunmilua, said to the former minister via the social media site: I love you sir, but I am highly dissatisfied and disappointed in you.

How can a qualified lawyer and former minister of aviation react in such unmannered fashion? Sir, you are an elder statesman. People are looking up to you as a role model. It was embarrassing watching you act that way. You went overboard with the insults, he added.

Very very immature response, a Facebook user, Afolabi Adebayo, said of the incident.

It only goes a long way to show the type of people most of our so-called leaders are  highly intolerant and vindictive.

Anthony Ezejiugoh said to Mr Fani-Kayode via the social media site that the reporters question was not insulting or disrespectful. Its in the best interest of the nations transparency, as we have been engulfed by corrupt leaders/politicians since independence, he said.

FFK, your inability to control your anger at this point tells a lot, another Facebook user, Mike Moo, said. No matter how upset you were, you would have calmed the situation by restructuring the question for the journalist.

One Nigerian said on Facebook that if the Daily Trust reporters intention was really to upset Mr Fani-Kayode with the question, then he (the journalist) won.

Advertisements



You will have more moments like this in days to come, he said, as advice to the former minister. You may need to prepare your mind in advance and decide to be in control of your emotions so that you can take charge of situations.

I have no apologies

But Mr Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) on Tuesday took to Twitter to defend his action against the reporter. He said the journalist made an assertion against him, instead of asking a question.

He claimed the reporter said to him, Well, we do not know who is bankrolling you.

The former minister said that was not a question but an assertion and an insult.

If this insulting assertion were (was) made before (Donald) Trump or OBJ (Olusegun Obasanjo), I know how they would have reacted, he said. I have no apology to offer for it.

Mr Fani-Kayode said the Daily Trust reporter apologised to him during and after the press briefing and that he has accepted the apology and has moved on.

I have always had respect for journalists & always will. Those of them that know me or worked with or for me over the last 30 years can attest to that. However, there is a distinction between asking a question & offering an insult.

This is all the more so when it is clear that the assertion was sponsored and engineered by my political enemies who wanted to use the young man to insult and embarrass me and question my integrity.

Well, they got more than they bargained for, the former minister said.
A rare but unfortunate event has been happening on the shores of Northern Europe for the past two weeks. There is an unusually high number of stranded whales and sightings of 29 rare beaked whales, and experts have linked it to military sonar exercise.





Series of Unusually High Incidences of Stranded Whales



The unfortunate event started two weeks ago when two northern bottlenosed whales were sighted in the shallow waters of the North Sea. After this, reports from the west coast of Ireland indicate that seven bottlenosed whales were stranded. Six of the whales died, while one was safely returned to the ocean.

In the Faroe Islands, 11 animals were stranded while five were killed.

Two bottlenosed whales were seen in Oosterschelde estuary in the south of the Netherlands. On Saturday, Firth of Clyde, close to Greenock, was where three beaked whales were reported.

In the last ten days, three Sowerby's beaked whales got stranded and died in three different places: the Netherlands, Wenduine in Belgium, and Lowestoft.

A Sowersby's was also found stranded in Portsmouth, Hampshire, but has died soon after.

Initial investigation of the Lowestoft animal did not indicate any signs of narcosis, according to the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme of the Zoological Society of London, who are monitoring and examining strandings.

READ: A Closer Look at the Incredible Punch Capacity of the Mantis Shrimp





The Reason for the Bizarre Event



Scientists have several explanations of why these things happen.

In 2016, unusual solar storms were blamed for the 30 stranded sperm whales on the North Sea coasts. Scientists believe that the storm may have disrupted the sense of direction of the whales.

But several scientific studies indicate that seismic surveys and military sonar for oil may also be the culprit.

Whales are deep-sea animals feed and thrive on the depth of the ocean, and its appearance is shallow coastal water is a rare event and is often fatal.

READ ALSO: Giant Panda Gives Birth at Smithsonian National Museum





On the other hand, beaked whales hold the record for the longest and deepest dive among the whales. Previous studies indicate that disruptive signal triggers from naval sonars trigger specific behavior in whales leading to its death. Certain frequencies disorient and terrify the whales that make their heartbeat rapidly, which runs counter to deep-sea diving adaptation: slower heart rate. Faster heartbeat leads to decompression sick, an intense pain that hinders the whales. The whales then strand on the beach and eventually die.

It is believed that the military exercises using anti-submarine and mid-frequency active sonar are to be blamed for the death of stranded beaked whales in February this year. Sonar may have scared the whales, prompting it to surface quickly, leading to narcosis.

Earlier this summer, Dynamic Mongoose, a Nato anti-submarine exercise, was on a mission in the coasts of Iceland. The operation ended in July, but conservationists now link that the mass strandings in the past two weeks may have something to do with it.

In a blog post by the Dutch whale researcher Jeroen Hoekendijk, he wrote that the strandings are a direct consequence of military sonar use. He further believes that the recent strandings may be the tip of the iceberg. Jeroen Hoekendijk has been monitoring the stranded whales in the Netherlands.

READ NEXT: New Study Shows Sea Level Rise Will Devastate Cities in California





Check out for more news and information on Whales on Nature World News.
By Express News Service

TIRUNELVELI: Madurai should be declared the second capital of Tamil Nadu, said former union minister Pon Radhakrishnan here on Monday. The BJP held a videoconference State Executive meeting wherein party members from Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Kanniyakumari and Thoothukudi districts took part. After the meeting,

Radhakrishnan said, This is the first State meeting held in Tamil Nadu after BJP state Head Murugan assumed office. BJP President J P Nadda appreciated the efforts of Murugan. BJP is preparing for the 2021 Assembly election. Booth-level Committees are being formed to strengthen the party. In 2021 Assembly election, the party that forges an alliance with BJP will form government in TN. At present, we are in alliance with the AIADMK.

The upcoming election is a contest between people who were deceived and those who deceived them in past 60 years. Radhakrishnan said the e-Pass procedures released by the Union government were for all states. Concerning the requests for celebrating Vinayagar Chathurthi with public participation, he said it was their right to request permission though it is up to the government to take a call.

On the debates on a second capital for Tamil Nadu, he said Madurai should be announced as the one as it has Meenakshi Amman Temple. The late chief minister Jayalalithaa had announced that a Tamil Thai statue would be established in Madurai. We request the government to implement it, he added.
As one of Cork city's most influential records approaches its 40th anniversary, a pair of new murals on the Grand Parade this week celebrates the cultural contributions of the artists involved.

Recorded on August 30th 1980, at the Arcadia Ballroom on Lower Glanmire Road, Kaught at the Kampus captured four Leeside post-punk bands on stage as part of a showcase gig at the venue, with Nun Attax, Mean Features, Urban Blitz and Micro-Disney (the hyphen being indicative of the band's first Cork-based incarnation) appearing on its eventual split 12" release in 1981, the debut excursion for gig organiser Elvera Butler's Reekus Records label.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Everything was running smoothly. Our precautions were very strict, and we had stopped accepting visitors. Then one man insisted on seeing his father, and it seems that he also brought the virus, said medical professional Abla Al-Kahlawi who recently made headlines detailing the struggles to contain the Covid-19 virus in a facility not designed for it in Egypt.



When Covid-19 made its way into the elderly care centre she works for, called Baqyat Al-Salehat, the numbers quickly rose to 20 cases. Confusion and shock swept over Al-Kahlawi when she discovered she would be caring for newly infected patients.



She knew that she needed to seek help from those with more expertise in virus control. There are about 85 people at the centre, not including staff. I reached the point when I texted friends and groups that included doctors, asking them to help me because I did not know what to do about the increasing numbers, Al-Kahlawi said.



She took things further by reaching out to the media and contacting experts. I got incredible responses and support including from the prime minster, the minister of social solidarity, and the amazing Minister of Health Hala Zayed, Al-Kahlawi said. She immediately sent an ambulance to transport four cases that were in critical condition and a whole medical team. We began to prepare for their isolation.



Through hard work and Gods will, Im happy to say we have no cases now, and we have celebrated those we had leaving the isolation unit, she added.



However, though the situation was looking up, challenges still remained. The medical team tested all the residents at the centre, and when Al-Kahlawi contacted the families of those uninfected, they sometimes did not want them to come home. I asked their children to take them, and they refused in some cases. Some asked me to send them through the police, but I know they would not be able to handle them because the patients had Alzheimers, and it is a challenging condition, she said.



When Al-Kahlawis story broke, the public might have assumed that it was infected residents that the families were refusing to accept at home. Yet, even those confirmed to be uninfected still faced discrimination in some cases, drawing attention to the way society has come to view elderly people and concerns that ageism may be on the rise in Egyptian society.



The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines ageism as the stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination towards people on the basis of age. Ageism may exist in everyday life, hiding in plain sight, since the ways in which the elderly can be abused are countless. Physical, psychological, and financial abuse are some of the types of abuse that they can be subjected to, and awareness of such issues is linked to cultural views associated with older people.



The coronavirus has also led to ageism in many countries reaching even more troubling depths. On a global scale, the WHO says that over 95 per cent of Covid-19 related deaths are in those older than 60. And during a press conference in Cairo in June, Zayed declared that the death rate among Covid-19 patients in those over 60 years old could be as high as 60 per cent, causing some to suppose that the elderly are the main casualties of the virus.



But, of course, such views are dangerous on both a factual and a moral level. Before even mentioning the ethics of the subject, dismissing the disease as only targeting the elderly is inaccurate on several counts. All over the world more information is emerging about how younger people are being adversely affected by the disease as well, with an article in the US newspaper The Washington Post in late April noting how infected patients in their 30s in the US were having strokes leaving them debilitated or dead.



Many of these cases were asymptomatic, and the long-term effects of the disease are also difficult to understand because the virus is still being studied. Many people who have experienced the effects firsthand often urge the public to treat the disease as the pandemic affecting everyone as a result.







ELDERLY TODAY: Even if younger people are not being affected by the Covid-19 virus to such a large extent, the elderly make up a large number of the global population and are expected to continue to do so in the near future.



According to a 2017 study by the United Nations, the elderly will more than double from 542 million in 1995 to about 1.2 billion in 2025, and by 2050 more than 20 per cent of the worlds population will be 60 years old or older. Projections from the same study also indicated that by 2050, 79 per cent of the worlds population aged 60 or over will be living in the developing regions.



Egypt is on a similar track. In 2019, the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) announced that the number of elderly people in the county had reached 6.9 million. And while traditionally Egyptians, like other Arabs, are known to speak highly of the elderly, there have been fears that we are no longer practicing what we preach.



Sociologist Said Sadek believes todays different outlook can be traced to a few generations back. In the past, Arab society was mainly dependent on extended families where different generations took care of each other and showed respect and obedience to the elderly, he said. The elderly in Arab society used to enjoy better status and treatment as authority was seen as being based on gender and age, he added.



There are also clear reasons why Western and Arab societies often diverged in their views of the elderly. One point is that nuclear families (those consisting of two parents and several children) predominate in Western society, rather than more extended families. Even so, countries in the Arab world today seem to be going in a new direction and becoming closer to what has been the case in the West.



Arab society is changing in social structure as extended families decline and nuclear families advance due to economic changes, Sadek said. The children of the elderly are now leaving houses near their elderly parents and relatives to find houses closer to their work instead, he added.



Of course, the elderly population in Egypt has been keeping a close eye on the media coverage and how events have been playing out under the impact of the coronavirus. When the virus first hit Egypt, some hospitals quickly found themselves at maximum capacity, scrambling to find alternatives such as converting to quarantine-specific facilities.



When the elderly hear of such shortages and complications, they might worry that hospitals are being forced to choose between helping younger people with a stronger chance of survival, or older patients at a higher risk of death, with such stories being common, for example, in Europe.



Covid-19 has also caused the population as a whole to discuss the care given to elderly people, safety measures, and their quality of life. It also brings to mind elderly care centres and what they truly mean for many, whether in a pandemic or otherwise, with one 2017 study published in the Menoufiya Medical Journal noting how the number of social welfare institutions in Egypt dedicated to the elderly has grown.



In 2007, there were 115 centres and that number had increased to 176 by 2015. Though this increase is a positive development, it also emphasises concerns at an ageing population. And institutional care has become crucial for some old people because of the physical and emotional stresses and the unavailability that is often associated with being a caregiver.



Hind Abdallah is a writer who also volunteers in residential homes for the elderly in Alexandria. She has got to know many of the residents, and many did not paint an entirely happy picture of their lives. Many residents would tell me that all they would like is a visit from the children who put them there, but some never visited even once, she said.



Despite the fact that the residents typically get along well, they sometimes crave things from the outside world, and their simplicity is sometimes heartbreaking. I remember an elderly lady showing me photographs of herself when she was younger, and one was of her looking elegant in a fur coat. She asked me if I could get her a certain kind of chocolate, and was overjoyed to receive this little connection to the past, Abdallah recalls.



She takes her daughter with her on most visits, and she also encourages others to volunteer in elderly homes, even if they do not have a relative residing there. Though she feels some elderly care facilities leave elderly people feeling abandoned, others may offer more mixed views. Al-Kahlawi, for instance, believes that it varies.



Everyone feels loved and connected to each other. They are delighted to feel they belong in a place with others like themselves. They can communicate with others that they do not really know, she said. Ive seen two elderly women from completely different walks of life who do not really know each other sleep close together like kittens. They often revert to a simple, almost child-like state, she added.



I have seen a devoted wife insisting on staying right by her husband and visiting him daily. I have seen a daughter who adores her father and always comes asking about him. But I have also seen a son take his mother here, pretending she is his housemaid. Some people have put their parents in homes in order to travel and then never ask about them, she added.



Al-Kahlawi said it had even reached the point when someone who was told about his mother dying, responded by saying, well, what am I supposed to do about it? Why dont you just deal with it?



Of course, some have their own reasons to forego residential homes and take care of their ageing relatives themselves. One woman, Nermine, for example, feels that Egyptian culture and how the elderly view residential homes are deeply intertwined. I have seen some people whose parents urge them from the start to think of themselves. However, generally this sort of thinking is hard for parents, she said.



Elderly parents can feel like a burden to their children, but Nermine tries not to let her personal aspirations get in the way of what she feels is right.







AGEISM AND MENTAL HEALTH: Womens increased participation in the work force and the declining ideal of the extended family might have negatively affected the traditional support networks that older Egyptians value so highly and affect how families care for elderly relatives.



I never expected what would happen in the future, and that I, as her only daughter, would be completely responsible for her, Nermine said, talking of her mother. It is like all of a sudden you are forced to build your life around someone elses schedule, she added.



Even socially, my relationships and the places I feel free to go are completely affected. Simply put, she needs me, and it is not easy to be in this sort of situation, Nermine said. Sometimes you might feel angry, but gradually you can find a space to move through without compromising your responsibilities.



When someone takes on the role of primary caregiver for an ageing parent, it may dawn on them that they are getting older too. Nermine is aware that she herself is changing, and sometimes she asks herself, am I just used to a slower a pace now, or is my age catching up with me?



Being a career-driven person makes matters more difficult. Nermine can no longer tell if her goals are on temporary pause or have been cancelled. Meanwhile, she suggests that self-care can go a long way towards improving mental health. I remember to set my own rhythms instead of always moving to hers, she commented.



As the Covid-19 pandemic swept across Egypt, the Health Ministry also addressed how mental health concerns were growing. In late March, head of the ministrys Mental Health Secretariat Mona Abdel-Maqsoud said that a team of 150 mental health specialists received online training in providing remote psychological support for coronavirus patients and their families, as well as to medical teams in quarantine hospitals.



She urged all specialists in mental health, community initiatives, and psychiatric departments to participate in the online training. Approximately 1,500 psychiatrists, nursing staff, and social workers submitted requests. The ministry also set up emergency helplines to offer psychological support to the public run by the ministrys mental health department.



But mental health has been a challenge in Egypt since long before the pandemic. According to the WHO, the number of hours given for training in mental health in medical schools and other health training institutions is limited [in Egypt] and does not reflect the importance of this field as a contributor to morbidity.



Poverty can also play a role in analysing mental health patterns. In 2018, Egypts Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Centre declared the results of a nationwide study conducted with CAPMAS, for example, showing that those most affected were in rural rather than more urban areas. A sample of 22,000 families found that the governorate of Minya had a high percentage of anxiety and depression disorders in particular.



Though the stress informal caregivers can go through can sometimes appear overwhelming, it is the silent suffering of the elderly where ageism often comes into most direct view, however.



Rania Shoukri, a psychotherapist, told Al-Ahram Weekly that mental health and age could be connected. It is well-known that mental health in the elderly often deteriorates with time, whether it affects memories or the perceived order of events. Their changed view of reality can lead to their feeling more sensitive, she said.



Shoukri believes that the experiences of the elderly living away from their children vary. If the person already had interests beyond caring for their children, they may be able to use their new free time positively and better adjust to the later part of their life, she said. She also believes that if a child is raised to believe that he or she should take care of his parents, he will more naturally grow up with the same mentality, though this cannot be guaranteed.



If once the children grow up, and circumstances make it hard to take care of their parents, they still try to check on them regularly while trying to find someone to be their caregiver, Shoukri said. The sense that they did not choose to be alone is often what pains the elderly the most, as is always the case whenever someone feels they are forced into a negative situation, she added.







REMEDIES: Stigma is at the heart of many issues related to ageism, and it comes in different forms ranging from the vulnerability associated with ageing to a lack of services devoted to the elderly.



Civil society organisations often work in such areas because they are aware the government cannot tackle them all. Of course, the role of NGOs is key, and we should not depend on just the government. The services and awareness campaigns the government implements are certainty important, but civil societys role is always helpful, Shoukri said.



As a mental health practitioner herself, Shoukri believes retirement and nursing homes should be a choice based on several factors. Fortunately, the elderly sometimes see their appeal.



How independent and comfortable at home an elderly person is should of course be considered, but I should also mention that there are plenty of people who want to move to these homes and socialise with others the same age as well, she said. Loneliness is tough on everyone, but elderly people who are not as healthy as they used to be or are grieving the loss of loved ones might have trouble channeling their energy towards activities and socialising, she added.



Shoukri believes that a person must foster a love and exploration of life. In many ways, those who feel fulfilled by hobbies and passions are better equipped to deal with the challenges of old age.



Different people may have their own thoughts about how ageism affects the country, but many agree that it does not just come from a single place. A 2008 study published in the International Journal of Older People Nursing entitled Attitudes of Egyptian Nursing Home Residents towards Staying in a Nursing Home corroborates the fact that residential homes in Egypt fulfil a number of specific functions.



The study included interviews of 21 residents in four different nursing homes and found a pattern suggesting that older persons from low-income groups stay reluctantly in charitable institutions due to disrupted social networks, whereas residents in fee-charging institutions may accept their families decision.



Sadek believes that in the end respect and appreciation is what older people desire. He feels that more privileges should be given to the elderly in all public services from transportation to health care. Moreover, the media should stop negatively portraying the elderly as stingy, greedy, and out of touch with the changing social reality, he added.



This is a point many agree with, but some believe it is essential to go further than that. Abdallah looks back at the visits with her daughter to residential homes and knows that society still has a long way to go. I take my daughter with me on visits in the hope that she will treat the elderly kindly and maybe even remember that as I grow older myself, she said.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2020) - Millennial Lithium Corp. (TSXV: ML) (FSE: A3N2) (OTCQB: MLNLF) ("Millennial" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its activities at its flagship Pastos Grandes Lithium Project in Salta, Argentina. Despite the restrictions in the country for COVID-19, Millennial has been advancing both pilot ponds and its pilot plant at the project site. In addition, Millennial continues to work with the local Pastos Grandes community and has advanced additional work on the shared community centre/warehouse located in the village as well as the commissioning of the freshwater well and pumping system.

Farhad Abasov, President and CEO commented "Millennial is pleased report that it continues to operate in the Puna region and advance its Pastos Grandes Project with very few delays due to COVID-19. Feed brine in the pilot ponds is concentrating lithium as designed and we have reached 2% Li in several of the feeder ponds. In addition, testwork in the pilot plant indicates no leakages in the system and the initial SX testing shows all equipment is in good working order. Testing of other stages in the process is ongoing and we are planning to fully commission the plant in the next few weeks. Millennial remains well funded and continues in its financing efforts to advance development of the Pastos Grandes Project. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions and slowdown the Company has continued progressing its talks and documentation with a number of offtakers and strategic investors. We are well on track with all our corporate programs."

Pilot pond work at Pastos Grandes continues to concentrate lithium in the brine which will be used to feed the pilot plant once target grade of 2.5%-3% Li is reached. Currently, the grade of several of the smaller feeder ponds is 2% Li and it is anticipated that with the high evaporation season approaching the brine will reach the 2.5%-3% Li plant design grade in the next several months. Brine chemistry, particularly B, Ca, Mg, and SO4 concentrations, are in line with the plant design parameters.

The pilot plant, designed to produce 3 tonnes per month of lithium carbonate, has been undergoing leak tests and final optimization in readiness for the feed brine. Leak tests and trial runs through the Solvent Extraction (SX) system have been successful with only minor adjustments to the equipment. Additional testing of the carbonation reactors, the main carbonation-stage reactor, ion exchange (IX) and the CO2 purification system are ongoing. All reagents are on site and no delays due to lack of materials are anticipated once the feed brine is at plant grade and the plant is commissioned.

Millennial continues to work with the local community at Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes and design work is underway to initiate Phase 2 of the community centre construction, primarily offices and work spaces for small local businesses. In addition, the electrical hook-up for the fresh water well and pumping station have been completed and fresh, clean water is available to the people of Pastos Grandes.

This news release has been reviewed by Iain Scarr, AIPG CPG., Chief Operating Officer of the Company and a Qualified Person as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101.

To find out more about Millennial Lithium Corp. please contact Investor Relations at (604) 662-8184 or email info@millenniallithium.com.

MILLENNIAL LITHIUM CORP.

"Farhad Abasov"

President, CEO and Director

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, changes in laws, rules and regulations in Argentina which may impact upon the Company or its properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate of USD$ for Cdn$, fluctuations in the market for lithium, changes in exploration costs and government royalties, export policies or taxes in Argentina and other factors or information. The Company's current plans, expectations and intentions with respect to development of its business and of the Pastos Grandes Project may be impacted by economic uncertainties arising out of Covid-19 pandemic or by the impact of current financial and other market conditions on its ability to secure further financing or funding of the Pastos Grandes Project. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62465
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Fanplayr, a leader in online behavioral personalization and AI for the past 10 years, today announced major changes to support significant growth in its business and customer base.

The company specializes in "converting online users into buyers" using analysis of shoppers' online behaviors. "As the pandemic takes its course, consumers are making a more permanent shift to online purchasing," says Simon Yencken, Founder and CEO of Fanplayr. "Retailers are allocating more dollars to their online strategies. They are also getting set for a longer online holiday season, so the time for retailers to act is early on."

Before the pandemic, Fanplayr had achieved 100% growth over the previous year, and the company recorded revenue growth of 87% over last year in Q2 of 2020. Contributors to Fanplayr's significant growth include:

Growth in online sales. Key indicators of ecommerce success have increased consistently and simultaneously during the pandemic, driving growth in online-related businesses services. This rarely happens, even during peak holiday seasons.

Movement away from tracking. Responding to anonymous online visitors became even more critical when third-party tracking policies changed in February 2020 in a movement to increase online privacy. Behavior personalization is uniquely responsive, without the need for cookies.

Positive results for clients. Behavioral personalization directly drives sales, with clients seeing increased closure rates up to 120%.

Providing customer care. As buying habits change from in-store to online, companies lose the ability to speak directly to their customers. "Behavior personalization has become the online equivalent of the proverbial salesperson," says Yencken.

In July, the company announced it would expand its offices in New York City to support its growing North American client base. During the same month, it appointed a Regional Sales Director for new offices in Manchester and London.

"In a scenario of global economic recovery, the expansion in New York and the opening of Fanplayr headquarters in UK are extremely positive signs," said Enrico Quaroni, VP Global Sales. The Palo Alto-based company now has offices on both North American coasts and in eight countries globally.

About Fanplayr

Fanplayr is a global leader in e-commerce behavioral data, using machine learning and AI to enable businesses to increase conversion rates and revenue, collect more leads, and retarget visitors with personalized recommendations during and after the shopping experience. Fanplayr is headquartered in Menlo Park, California with offices in New York, Buenos Aires, Mexico, Milan, London, Amsterdam, Melbourne and Tokyo. https://www.fanplayr.com/ .

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1023s2p-fanplayr-300dpi.jpg

This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com



SOURCE Fanplayr

Related Links

https://www.fanplayr.com


Indias automotive and auto parts companies are looking to tap opportunities in the defence sector to offset sluggish demand for automobiles in the domestic market amid the coronavirus crisis. The companies also want to exploit a government push for increased local manufacturing of defence equipment and a deeper presence of private firms in this strategic sector.

Companies such as Ashok Leyland Ltd, Force Motors Ltd, BEML Ltd, Bharat Forge Ltd, JCB India Ltd and Automotive Axles Ltd see the governments localization push for the defence sector as a major opportunity.

The defence ministry on 9 August issued a list of 101 items on which an imports embargo will be imposed with certain timelines. While 69 items on the list were given the import embargo deadline of December 2020, the timeline for the remaining items stretches until December 2025.

There will be a number of indigenized developments, which will bolster the defence logistics industry. Now, with clarity on the restricted items, the industry will work on strengthening its product offerings, said Vipin Sondhi, managing director and CEO, Ashok Leyland Ltd.

This will also offer an opportunity to suppliers to participate with the automakers in the development and growth, Sondhi said, adding that more than 50 items in the issued list were already part of import restrictions as per the defence production policy 2018.

Ashok Leyland is one of the largest suppliers of heavy vehicles to the military. In FY20, the company supplied 359 vehicles including bullet-proof vehicles, as well as kits for 8X8 trucks. It also entered the tracked vehicleswhich can be used in all terrainsbusiness for supplying aggregates and components for T-72 and T-90 battle tanks, it said in its annual report. The firm has already assigned its defence vertical as one of the core focus areas for growth in the midterm.

Deepak Shetty, deputy chief executive officer and managing director at JCB India Ltd, the countrys largest construction equipment manufacturer, said the government decision has the potential to create more opportunities. We have been supportive of the make-in-India programmes for a long time. We have been supplying to the defence force based on their tender-specific requirements, he said. JCB provides construction and material handling equipment to the Indian Army and the Border Roads Organisation.

Amit Kalyani, deputy managing director, Bharat Forge Ltd, called the governments plan to boost localisation in defence equipment is a great step that recognises local capabilities. This is also good for the supply chain. We are working with over 400 companies in the defence supply-chain ecosystem, he said in a recent analyst call to discuss the June quarter earnings.

The company, which is looking to more than double its defence revenue of 500 crore in four years, is looking forward to the completion of final trials of its locally developed artillery guns.

We have developed four platforms. Once the last phase of trials is over, we will be ready for the sale process to begin, Kalyani said, adding that three of the guns are in the advanced stages of testing. Bharat Forge is looking to set up a capacity to make up to 150 artillery guns per year. The cost of each artillery gun is pegged at 12-15 crore.

The company has created a three-horizon strategy to grow. While products like artillery guns come under horizon 1, armoured and specialty vehicles come under horizon 2, and horizon 3 includes electronic and high-tech products.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

The export of leather goods from Turkey to Kazakhstan fell by 0.69 percent during the first seven months of 2020, compared to the same period of 2019, having made up $11.9 million, the Turkish Trade Ministry told Trend on August 25.

In July 2020, Turkey exported leather goods worth $878,000 to Kazakhstan, which is 57.97 percent less than in the same month of last year.

Turkeys export of leather goods to world markets from January through July 2020 shrank by 23.9 percent, compared to the same period of 2019, and made up $758.5 million.

The export of leather goods from Turkey made up 0.8 percent of the country's total export over the reporting period.

"In July 2020, Turkey exported leather goods worth $128.3 million to foreign markets, up by 22.6 percent compared to the same month of 2019," the ministry said.

Turkeys export of leather goods in July this year amounted to 0.9 percent of the country's total export.

During the last twelve months (from July 2019 through July 2020), Turkey exported the leather goods in the amount of over $1.4 billion.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
One person in Northern Ireland was critically ill with Covid-19 yesterday, while a further 10 people were diagnosed with the virus.

The latest official figures have offered some hope that the spread of Covid-19 here is not spiralling out of control.

It comes after figures released on Sunday revealed a significant rise in the number of Covid-19 cases here, with the Department of Health revealing that 119 people had tested positive over the previous 24 hours. It was the highest daily rise in cases since early May.

It followed grim warnings from the Health Minister last week that Northern Ireland was in danger of losing its grip on the coronavirus.

A number of fresh restrictions were put in place yesterday as a result, as health officials battle to control the number of people falling ill with Covid-19.

Read More

Figures released by the Department of Health show that 10 people had been diagnosed with Covid-19 over the previous 24 hours. It brings to 6,776, the number of confirmed cases here so far.

There were no further deaths announced yesterday but it emerged that one person had been transferred to intensive care. Meanwhile, the number of Covid-19 positive inpatients across Northern Ireland had dropped from 10 to nine.

It is thought the drop in newly diagnosed cases from 119 on Sunday to 10 yesterday is as a result of the discovery of a number of clusters.

A health service source said peaks and troughs in the figures are "not unexpected" and demonstrate that Northern Ireland's Test Trace Protect system is working efficiently.

However, they warned that further spikes are likely.

According to the figures released yesterday, 1,765 people were tested over the previous 24 hours, resulting in the 10 positive cases. The number of people who have tested positive over the last week stands at 359.

Mid and East Antrim and Belfast have had the highest number of positive cases over the last week, with 95 and 76 cases confirmed respectively.

There were also nine active care home outbreaks yesterday, according to the latest figures.

There are concerns that, as the number of cases of Covid-19 increase, residents of care home residents are more likely to become seriously ill or even die from the virus.

Last week, Health Minister Robin Swann was forced to defend the decision to reimpose lockdown measures, including the closure of a food manufacturing plant that had been hit by a cluster.

Speaking at a press conference to announce new measures Mr Swann said his experts have warned him to expect a rise in the number of hospital admissions in coming weeks to coincide with the increase in cases.

He said: "The reason we have nobody in ICU at this minute in time is because the last patient we had in ICU passed away. He didn't get up and recover and walk out, so let's not use these stats without forgetting that there's people and families behind it. Are we overreacting? I want to be in a place where we don't have to go to another family and tell them they have lost a loved one to Covid-19.

"So, am I overreacting? No. I want to make sure the people of Northern Ireland are supported and protected."
The day Hello Alice launched in 2017, we committed that our primary focus would be the New Majority of business owners, which includes Black business owners. We did this because we saw the major opportunity to work with some of the fastest-growing companies in the country, while also closing gaps faced by entrepreneurs of color.

In our continued commitment to Black-owned businesses, our company partnered with the business support organizations Black & Brown Founders, DivInc, and Digital Undivided to compile anonymous owner data and publish a new Impact Report on our Black-Owned Business Resource Center that analyzes challenges that the Black business community is facing right now. In responses from more than 28,000 Black owners, 77 percent told us that they need emergency grants immediately.

One of the owners asking for funds was Bridgette Baker, the owner of Sunshine Remodeling, a New Orleans-based property company. Nobody in her family had been a landlord, and everyone told her she didn't have the knowledge, let alone the money, to remodel and rent out real estate. But after years of repairing her credit, watching countless home-improvement videos, and building some literal sweat equity alongside her husband, Baker now owns and manages a multifamily unit and a single-family home. The difficult journey was all worth it, she says, because of what it means for her daughter's future.

"As an African American female, I wanted our daughter to know you can do anything you set your mind to with determination and a zeal to achieve your goals," she says. "I wanted to put myself in a position to create generational wealth and a legacy for our daughter."

The term generational wealth might be the key to unlocking the unique challenges facing Black business owners. Talent and hard work are not always enough to overcome a persistent racial wealth gap that puts Black entrepreneurs at a disadvantage when starting a small business. Combine that reality with the challenges of Covid-19, and certain estimates project that more than 40 percent of Black businesses are in danger of closing forever.

While Black entrepreneurs overwhelmingly said in the survey that access to capital is their number one need right now, it's certainly not the group's first time facing this issue. Deldelp Medina and Aniyia L. Williams of Black & Brown Founders put it best in the report's opening letter: "You can't fix what you don't even consider counting." In other words, just because you haven't been paying attention doesn't mean these problems are new.

Many business leaders continue to lack a basic understanding of the historical obstacles facing Black business owners because they haven't taken the time to gather information on the community. We must all gather specific data and educate ourselves on the longstanding institutional barriers standing in the way of success for all New Majority business owners, but particularly the Black community.

Collaborate with organizations that promote entrepreneurs of color

In the report, DivInc CEO Preston James implores business leaders to proactively engage in collaborative partnerships with organizations such as DivInc, Blck VC, Black Women Talk Tech, and Black Innovation Alliance, which help promote underrepresented entrepreneurs and build profitable, high-growth companies.

Business owners and consumers themselves can also open pocketbooks and seek out collaboration. A great example is My Black Receipt, a campaign led by The Black Upstart and Kezia M. Williams, which quantifies collective purchases from Black-owned businesses, and has so far driven nearly $10 million in sales to Black-owned small businesses.

Finally, community leaders can harness their power and influence. If you hold any sway with governments, foundations, the VC community, or other groups, remember that Black business owners often need access to social capital as much as financial capital. A simple introduction or mentor relationship might change the course of an entrepreneur's life.

Enterprise has a role to play as well

As Robert F. Smith of Vista Equity Partners points out, "Nowhere is structural racism more apparent than in corporate America. If you think about structural racism and access to capital, 70 percent of African American communities don't even have a branch bank of any type."

Black business owners overwhelmingly requested access to funding, with 81 percent of respondents to our survey reporting that they need less than $100,000 to stay in business. Part of this means continuing the call for rent relief, tax deferrals, and tax waivers that business owners are asking for. It's also about pressuring government leaders to extend emergency funding programs.

In response, Smith is pushing an initiative that urges the nation's enterprise leaders to invest 2 percent of net income over the next decade into minority communities as a small step toward restoring equity and economic mobility in America.

Tackling these problems will be hard, yes, but leaders who ignore the Black community will do so at their own peril. Black women are already the most educated group in this country and comprise the fastest-growing group of people creating businesses. What could Black entrepreneurs accomplish with the proper support and resources? What incredible innovations, experiences, and generational wealth do we forfeit if we continue to neglect this community?
British Columbia could soon have the highest number of active COVID-19 cases in the country if the virus continues to be transmitted at its current rate, say experts.

The province has 824 active cases  more than the 717 cases B.C. had at the height of the pandemic.

We will be leading Canada in a matter of weeks if we dont change the rate, said Caroline Colijn, a professor of mathematics at Simon Fraser University. Its rising very quickly. Its worrying. Colijn is also a Canada 150 Research Chair in Mathematics for Infection, Evolution and Public Health.

From Aug. 14 to Aug. 20, a total of 551 new cases were reported in the province, a 40 per cent increase from the week before.

Only a month ago B.C. had one of the lowest per capita case rates in North America.

Heres a look at whats happening in the Western province; how cases in the GTA compare to the rest of Ontario and which neighbourhoods in Toronto have been recently hit by COVID.

Whats happening out West?

In B.C., the biggest spikes in COVID-19 cases are among people aged 20 to 39, but cases have also increased across age groups.

Colijn said the increases are largely due to more people socializing indoors at bars or parties where theres a high potential for transmission.

Although she said theres been a moralistic flavour to some of the conversations blaming younger people for transmitting the virus, Colijn said we opened bars and nightclubs and restaurants. And we shouldnt be too surprised if people who like those activities go and do them.

The real problem though comes with reopening schools.

If you have community transmission going on, said Colijn, and you reopen schools, you amplify it with the schools and you also risk introducing cases right away.

Colijn said models show that a quarter to half of schools in the provinces lower mainland are likely to have a case of COVID attending on the first day.

She said its possible some of those people will suspect or know they have the virus and stay home, but if they dont, there could be 25 schools with large outbreaks.

Colijn said the province needs to move social interactions back outside and limit the number of people indoors from the current maximum of 50 to something more like 10.

The more community transmission can be reduced before school starts, the better it will be, she said.

I feel like if youre meeting and discussing what to do with schools on Zoom, thats maybe a good sign that you yourself wouldnt go to a 1,500-person conference that lasts all week for multiple weeks and its organized in groups of 30 people in rooms together, said Colijn. Thats what theyre asking teenagers to do in three weeks.

Although B.C. ferries and Vancouver transit made masks mandatory on Monday, masks are not yet required in schools or indoors in public places.

Health officials in the province believe a mask may give the wearer a false sense of security, according to news reports, and that will make them more likely to engage in risky behaviour.

Cases in the GTA vs Ontario

For the first time in a month, the rolling seven-day average of new infections of COVID-19 in the GTA has crept above that for all other regions of the province.

The trend, which began on Aug. 20, is driven largely by increases in cases in Toronto and Peel Region, which saw 33 and 26 cases of the virus respectively on Monday.

For almost the entirety of the pandemic, the rolling seven-day average of cases in the GTA had been far above that for the rest of Ontario, but that trend flipped on July 23.

Now, just over three weeks after Toronto and Peel entered Stage 3 of reopening, there are more cases on average inside the GTA than outside it.

Todd Coleman, an epidemiologist and assistant professor of health sciences at Wilfrid Laurier University, said an increase in the rolling average in the GTA could be a reflection of the fact that the GTA entered Stage 3 more recently than most other areas of Ontario. He also noted that once things reopen, people in cities tend to come into contact with each other more often.

The sheer nature of a place like the GTA where, on average, there are more physical connections between individuals, higher population density, meaning there are a lot more opportunities for people to come into contact with each other, which means theres more potential for transmission, Coleman said.

He pointed out, however, that the rolling seven-day averages for both the GTA and the rest of the province are still relatively low compared to where they were earlier in the pandemic, and with smaller numbers, these interpretations should be made carefully.

To me, the numbers represent a relatively stable trend. If both Ontario and GTA can keep these numbers low, it allows for public health to be able to focus more on each case, instead of resources being spread thin across several thousand cases, he said.

All in all, these seem like positive, encouraging trends, but we also need to remain cautious and observant, and continue encouraging testing, mask use, and other preventive and monitoring measures, to continue reducing the number of active cases as much as we can before we start facilitating further social connections, such as school openings in September.

Overall, there have been a total of 43,597 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 reported to Ontarios public health units, with 160 new infections reported Monday over the previous 24 hours. There were also 1,036 active cases of the virus on Monday, the first time the number of those cases has gone above 1,000 since Aug. 7.

Which Toronto neighbourhoods have the highest number of cases?

Torontos Downsview-Roding neighbourhood had the highest count of cases in the last three weeks at 16, followed by Waterfront Communities-The Island with 14 and Glenfield-Jane Heights with 13.

No cases were reported for residents living in more than 40 of the citys 140 neighbourhoods, according to a map published by Toronto Public Health (TPH).

Dr. Christine Navarro, Torontos associate medical officer of health, points out that it is important to keep in mind that these maps reflect where people live, and they do not necessarily reflect where they were exposed to the virus. Areas with lower rates of COVID-19 cases are not inherently safer.

There have been calls for public health to publish the setting where cases are transmitted in order to gauge risk, but pinpointing the origin of the virus for each case is hard.

Contact tracers look into a persons activities in the two weeks prior to when symptoms started, but it can be difficult to determine where a person may have acquired their infection, especially if they are not aware of being in contact with a person who was sick or diagnosed with COVID-19, said Navarro. Or if they were not in a setting with a known outbreak, such as a long-term-care home.

TPH also traces the contacts of a case from 48 hours before the start of symptoms to up to 14 days afterwards in order to notify people who may be at risk.

Navarro says the task becomes even more difficult when people resume some of their usual activities in various public settings and workplaces where others are present.

To manage community spread, TPH continues to recommend that residents practise physical distancing, good hand hygiene, wear a mask or face covering indoors, and stay home when sick.
Ten critically endangered slow lorises have been released into the Indonesian rainforest after being rescued from the illegal pet trade.

The four male and six female Javan slow lorises were released into the Mount Sawal Wildlife Reserve (SMGS) in Ciamis, West Java, earlier this month, having mostly been surrendered by local people, according to International Animal Rescue (IAR).

IAR chief executive Alan Knight said: The keeping of slow lorises as pets is having a devastating impact on wild populations, particularly as their natural habitat is also under threat.

So its always extremely uplifting to see animals returning to the wild where they will be given a second chance to live their lives as nature intended, far from disturbance and interference from human beings.

Expand Close (International Animal Rescue) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp (International Animal Rescue)

The animals have undergone a long rehabilitation process at an IAR centre to prepare them for returning to the wild, including familiarising them with the sort of food they will encounter and getting them used to other lorises.

They will be monitored for up to four weeks, initially in a habituation enclosure within the reserve, after which they will be set free if their behaviour appears to be normal.

Expand Close (International Animal Rescue) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp (International Animal Rescue)

IAR have implemented special protocols, including the use of PPE and reducing contact with the animals, during the pandemic, to ensure the primates are not exposed to Covid-19.

The Javan is one of nine species of slow lorises, which are endangered thanks to loss of habitat and the illegal pet trade.
Candidates for Melbourne Town Hall will be encouraged to reject donations from property developers and publicly declare donations to their campaigns before the October election.

They will also be urged to disclose which companies they hold office in and the name of any company or body in which they hold a beneficial interest.

None of the council's 11 councillors voted against the push for greater transparency in the forthcoming election, but almost half the council  including lord mayor Sally Capp  abstained from voting at Tuesday night's meeting.

Melbourne lord mayor Sally Capp, pictured during her swearing in ceremony in 2018, has concerns about the voluntary disclosure scheme. Credit:Justin McManus

Those abstaining cited a range of reasons, including that a voluntary scheme could be abused by candidates who never intended to honestly declare their donors and business interests.
2020 marks the 6-year anniversary of the company. I am proud of what we have built in the past 6 years. meShare as an open cloud platform will continue to provide better IoT solutions that fit users needs."

meShare announced today that the company ranks #67 on Inc. Magazines 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.

We are honored to receive this prestigious ranking with the companys impressive growth rate, said Kevin Wan, CEO and Founder of meShare Inc. 2020 marks the 6-year anniversary of the company. I am proud of what we have built in the past 6 years. meShare as an open cloud platform will continue to provide better IoT solutions that fit users needs. And we look forward to cooperating with companies from various industries on launching their cloud video service on the meShare platform.

meShare has recently partnered with Hubbell Lighting to power their own mobile app to control the newly-announced SpectraSAFE, the first scalable, cloud-based and wireless video security solution designed for commercial and industrial building applications that seamlessly integrates into a wide range of luminaires. The Hubbell Camera Center app also allows users to integrate cameras from multiple locations/buildings and across multiple partner device types (such as Zmodo), into a single user interface.

meShare focuses on creating an open, cloud platform to help more businesses participate in the Internet of things movement and to provide better, more connected solutions that fit users' needs. meShares cloud platform currently connects over 6.5 million IoT devices and provides sophisticated cloud-based features to over 2.6 million users.

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 now.

About meShare Inc.

Since being founded in 2014, meShare has been focused on creating an open cloud platform to help more businesses participate in the IoT movement and to provide better IoT solutions that fit users' needs. To realize this, meShare has built its own data center in the US and has partnered with smart home product teams to transform the way their customers interact with their devices. Millions of users use meShare to keep their homes and businesses safe, to connect with family and friends, and to share and remember special moments. For more information, please visit https://www.meshare.com/.
A man who was shot in the back by police the evening of Sunday, Aug. 23, is paralyzed from the waist down, family members say.

Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man who was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was in an altercation with police before walking away and opening the door of his vehicle when a police officer grabbed the back of his shirt and several shots were heard, a video that has since went viral shows.

Several outlets report that Blake was shot seven times in the back.

Blakes father, also named Jacob Blake, confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Time that his son was paralyzed from the waist down, but that he was told his son was shot eight times in the back, according to the Associated Press.

Blake's father confirmed that his son also has three other kids. The children reportedly were in the vehicle when their father was shot.

Blake's grandfather, Jacob Blake Sr., was a prominent minister and civil rights leader in the Chicago area who helped organize a march and spoke in support of a comprehensive housing law in Evanston, Illinois, days after the 1968 slaying of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

The shooting led to two nights of unrest in the city with police firing tear gas at hundreds of protesters who defied a curfew, threw bottles and shot fireworks at law enforcement guarding the courthouse.

READ MORE:

Kalamazoo activists protest police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin

Police discuss tactics, diversity and George Floyds death with Saginaw community

Detroit George Floyd police brutality protest turns violent as police fire tear gas, rubber bullets

MLive reporter arrested while covering violent Proud Boys rally released from police custody

Detroit police officer suspended amid investigation of MLive photographer shot with rubber pellets while covering protest
Bengaluru, Aug 25 : Total Coronavirus recoveries in Karnataka have crossed the 2 lakh mark to reach 2,04,439, with 6,814 more recoveries in the past 24 hours, an official said on Tuesday.

"On Tuesday, 6,814 more Covid patients have been discharged," said a health official.

After gap of two days, Covid infections resurged in the southern state again with 8,161 more infections, propelling the state tally up to 2.91 lakh, roughly 8,000 cases short of the 3 lakh mark.

However, total active cases in the state stand at 82,410. Active cases have been hovering around 80,000 for quite some time now.

Within a day, Coronavirus infections in Bengaluru, Karnataka's epicentre, have shot off beyond 2,000 cases with 2,294 more infections.

The health department has released the details of the cases in the last four days in Mysuru on Tuesday, which amounted to 1,331.

Among other places, Ballari accounted for 551 cases, followed by Davangere (318), Belagavi (298), Shivamogga (276), Dakshina Kannada (247), Koppal (238) and Kalaburagi (227).

Meanwhile, the state recorded a slightly higher number of Covid deaths at 148, raising the statewide toll to 4,958, just 42 fatalities shy of the 5,000 mark.

Of the 2.91 lakh cases, 82,410 are active while 751 are in the ICU.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Kolkata, Aug 25 : The Covid-19 battle and the after effects of Cyclone Amphan have already wreaked havoc on the state's overall economic situation. To turn around the economic doldrums, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday introduced a welfare scheme, 'Krishak Bondhu', for the farmers, which would support them in carrying out agricultural activities.

"The cyclonic spells have already damaged the agriculture a lot. We will have to ensure that the fields are once again turned cultivable. Most of the agricultural fields have gone under water due to the flood like situation in the districts," Banerjee said while holding a virtual meeting with five district administrations from the state secretariat Nabanna.

Banerjee said that the distressed farmers should be incorporated in the 100-day work schemes immediately. All the district administrators must ensure that rain water is pumped out of the agricultural fields so that they can resume cultivation in their respective lands.

"Relief funds should be disbursed in the next seven days to those who have been affected in Cyclone Amphan," Banerjee said.

She said that the expenditure of the state government has increased significantly in the time of Corona crisis while the earnings have gone down significantly in Bengal.

"All monetary compensations to the farmers need to be cleared within next seven days," Banerjee said, as she asked the district administrations to submit reports on rehabilitation packages offered to the migrant labourers.
A group of immigrants found trapped in the cargo bed area of a pickup showed early signs of dehydration, according to the Laredo Sector U.S. Border Patrol.

On Sunday evening, agents assigned to the Hebbronville Station spotted a suspicious pickup truck near Benavides on Texas 359. When agents caught up to the vehicle, it stopped abruptly and several people tried to run toward the brush.
The head of a New York State Troopers union is endorsing President Donald Trump for re-election.

New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association President Thomas H. Mungeer said in a statement Monday that he supports Trump in the 2020 election as a pro-law enforcement leader.

As the president of the union representing uniformed New York State Troopers, it is my job to advocate for the safety and overall well-being of my members, Mungeer said. As such, that starts with a leader who is pro-law enforcement in the White House. President Donald J. Trump has continuously supported law enforcement when so many people, including politicians, have turned their backs on us.

Mungeer also told the New York Post that he believes Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has turned his back on us and taken anti-police stands that pander to his base.

Biden has repeatedly denied claims he supports defunding the police, and his criminal justice plan actually calls for increasing funding for community policing.

I dont want to defund police departments, Biden told ABC News in an interview with David Muir on Sunday. I think they need more help; they need more assistance.

Newsweek reports the endorsement from the NYS Troopers PBA, which represents nearly 6,000 retired and active state troopers, comes less than two weeks after another police union, the New York City Police Benevolent Association (NYCPBA), also endorsed Trump on behalf of 50,000 active and retired New York City Police Department officers.

The move sparked criticism as New York police unions typically do not endorse presidential candidates, though unions do in other states.

NYPD union endorsed Trump. Im sure this is part of their neighborhood outreach plan, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) wrote on Twitter. Also, does anyone else see a potential problem with police unions - enforcement arms of the state with lethal weapons - promoting preferred candidates for office or is that just me?

NYPD union endorsed Trump. Im sure this is part of their neighborhood outreach plan.



Also, does anyone else see a potential problem with police unions - enforcement arms of the state with lethal weapons - promoting preferred candidates for office or is that just me? https://t.co/UlmigAuedh  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 15, 2020

2020 election: Where Trump and Biden stand on health, economy, more issues

Joe Biden, other key Democrats oppose defunding the police

Former GOP Rep. Jim Walsh endorses Joe Biden for president

Upstate NY Rep. Elise Stefanik to deliver prime-time speech at GOP convention
Member Benefits

Manage your personalised Watchlist.

Set up an online Virtual Portfolio.

Participate in Share Chat.

See more trades and director dealings.

Play the Fantasy Share Trading Game.

Register for FREE Now
New Delhi, Aug 25 : IIT Alumni Council has announced formal disbanding of the Covid vaccine initiative that was part of the six-month C19 Task Force.

The vaccine team concluded that none of the available approaches and claims were adequately backed by disclosed scientific data, patient research and clinical studies. In addition to getting the vaccine paradigm right, factors like adjuvants could play a critical role.

"Somewhere we have to consider the mathematics of an ambition statement. No more than 2 per cent of Covid patients need critical care. There is a fair surety that most of these can be cured by antibody based biologics.

"On the other hand, for vaccination, we would probably need to vaccinate 98 per cent of our population. Chasing 2 per cent of the population with a 98 per cent sure cure has a far better probability of success than chasing 98 per cent of the population with a 2 per cent surety of safety and efficacy," said Daljit Singh, an IIT Alumnus and former President of Fortis Healthcare.

Some of the vaccine approaches being attempted globally involve injecting a deactivated virus or simulated protein fragment into the body so as to induce the body to generate antibodies. The adverse reaction of the vaccine injection as well as the efficacy and lifespan of the antibodies is unknown.

All of this is currently work in progress under initiatives like MegaTx. Even though India has more patient data than probably any other country in the world, it is not sufficient to deliver a vaccine as yet.

"IIT Alumni Council team concluded that developing a vaccine based on conventional research and clinical trials takes several years. Even then there is no certainty. For example even after 28+ years and over $100 billion of funding, a HIV Aids vaccine is yet to succeed.

"Commercialising a vaccine within a few weeks or months should not be done considering safety aspects. The first logical step to developing a universal vaccine is accelerating research using simulation in preference to actual patient trials. It may not be advisable to subsidise or mass deploy a vaccine whose safety and long term efficacy is unproven," said Ravi Sharma, President of the IIT Alumni Council.
Headteachers won't fine parents who decide to keep their children home from school next week, unions have signalled to Downing Street.

Number 10 insisted compulsory fines should be used as a 'last resort' to force parents into bringing their children into the classroom when schools reopen.

But unions, who have opposed the return to the classroom because of the danger coronavirus poses to teachers, told The Telegraph fines were 'counterproductive'.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: 'Talking about fines now is unhelpful. Members cannot say don't use them but they are more motivated by co-operation rather than coercion.'

Minister of State for School Standards Nick Gibb. He said strict attendance was 'not optional' but parents could raise any concerns they might have

Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NAS/UWT, the second biggest teaching union, said schools needed to work with parents 'constructively'

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the risks of Covid-19 in schools 'are very, very, very small'.

In a video posted to Twitter he added: 'The risk that theyll suffer from it badly are very, very, very, very small indeed.'

Nick Gibbs, the schools minister, said strict attendance was 'not optional' but parents could raise any concerns they might have.

Headteachers have the power to impose fines of 120 per parent, which is halved if paid within 21 days.

If the fine goes unpaid and the case makes it to court some parents could be left with a 2,500 fine and a three-month prison sentence.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of trade union NAHT, said talking about fines was 'unhelpful' and teachers needed to work with parents

Fines are usually brought in after five days of non-attendance.

Teachers are far more likely to spread Covid than children, says leading scientist as figures show just 1 in 10,000 schools have been hit by outbreaks Teachers are far more likely to spread Covid-19 than children, according to a leading scientist. Shamez Ladhani, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist at Public Health England (PHE), said that school staff will maintain social distancing rules during work but are more likely to break them outside the classroom. It comes as data shows just one in 10,000 schools have been hit by a virus outbreak since they reopened in June. Separate analysis revealed only one in 23,000 children were infected. A PHE analysis found 70 children out of 1.6million who had returned to school in June tested positive for Covid-19. Another 128 members of staff tested positive. And only 30 outbreaks were confirmed at 23,400 reopened schools. The analysis, published yesterday, said the majority of cases linked to outbreaks were in staff and warned that school staff needed to be 'more vigilant for exposure outside the school setting to protect themselves, their families and the educational setting'. Dr Shamez Ladhani, paediatric infectious diseases specialist at PHE, who headed the monitoring of England's schools, told The Times: 'We need to educate the educators. 'There's a clear need for a duty of care outside the school setting so staff need to protect themselves, and in turn other staff and pupils.' He added: 'Staff are very good at social distancing and infection control in the classroom, but upon leaving the school environment these measures are more likely to be broken, potentially putting themselves and their colleagues at risk.' Advertisement

Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NAS/UWT, the second biggest teaching union, said schools needed to work with parents 'constructively'.

'The Government needs to support schools to apply a sensitive approach that recognises the unprecedented nature of the pandemic and that some parents will have genuine safety concerns,' he added.

The Association of School and College Leaders said there should be a 'period of grace' before resorting to fines.

Meanwhile, Dr Jenny Harries said the risk of children being involved in a traffic accident or of catching the flu are 'probably higher than the current risk' posed by the deadly virus.

Public Health England data has shown that teachers are more likely to be infected than their pupils, after one in 23,000 students tested positive during the partial reopening of schools before the summer holidays.

The Government remains under pressure over its handling of the return of schools with Tory MPs complaining ministers left it 'very late' to persuade parents it is safe.

Many pupils in England have not been to class since March, when schools were closed except to look after vulnerable children and those of key workers.

Schools in Scotland reopened earlier this month, while those in Northern Ireland will welcome pupils again on Monday. English and Welsh schools will follow suit in September.

The Government today stepped up its efforts to prepare for the return of pupils as Dr Harries suggested the risk coronavirus poses to pupils is actually very small.

She told Sky News: 'Every time a parent sends their child off to school, pre-Covid, they may have been involved in a road traffic accident  there are all sorts of things.

'That risk, or the risk of seasonal flu, we think is probably higher than the current risk of Covid.'

Her comments sparked controversy on social media as some accused her of 'shockingly superficial thinking'.

Dr Harries also told the BBC: 'No environment anywhere we can say is 100 per cent risk free so I think we need to make that clear.

'But it clearly is very confusing for parents at the moment and so all the UK chief medical officers and deputy chief medical officers right across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England have looked at the evidence and put that down on a statement so that parents can understand the risk.

'We think that the risks for children in schools is exceptionally small from Covid but the risks of not attending school are significant.'
South Africa: Sisulu highlights SA's interventions at World Water Week

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, has called for citizens to value water during the annual Stockholm World Water Week official opening.

Sisulu on Monday joined several water ministers across the globe to officially open this years session of the Stockholm World Water Week, which is being hosted virtually as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak.

She said South Africa is still experiencing the imbalance of equal distribution of resources such as water.

Our country has suffered an imbalance during the dark days, of which many of you know of. The results are so embedded in infrastructure because those who historically had power benefited first, so it will take a bit of time to ensure the benefits reach every corner of the population," Sisulu said.

Speaking during a ministerial panel discussion with her counterparts from Colombia, the Netherlands and Sweden, Sisulu said the advent of the novel Coronavirus has put a strain on the countrys already ailing water infrastructure.

She, however, said the new dispensation was doing its best to rewrite the wrongs and has improved its efforts to ensure water security for all.

The Minister said since 1994, access to water supply increased from only 55.1% of households having access to 88% in 2019.

This is a remarkable feat, noting the fact that the population increased from 40.56 million in 1994 to 58.7 million in 2019, Sisulu said.

As part of the countrys intervention to curb the spread of Coronavirus, the Department of Water and Sanitation has establishment a National Command Centre, which oversees the distribution of water tanks and tankers to communities with dire water challenges.

This is an immediate measure to help address challenges posed by COVID-19.

National Water and Sanitation Master Plan



As part of the long-term interventions, Sisulu said the department will implement the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan, which spells out the countrys plan to secure water for all by 2030 and beyond.

The Minister said that the department is working with one of its entities, the Water Research Commission (WRC) to come up with innovative ways to improve the provision of water and sanitation services across the country.

The South African government is doing its utmost best to ensure that all its population has water. This is an opportune time for all of us to start valuing water, not only in a crisis, but even beyond, Sisulu said.

World Water Week

World Water Week is organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and takes place in Stockholm, Sweden, on an annual basis. It has been the focal point for global water issues since 1991.

It is foremost a collaborative learning experience, providing a unique forum and opportunity to facilitate the exchange of views, experiences and practices between the scientific, business, policy and civil society.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Glenn Chapman (Agence France-Presse) San Francisco, United States  Tue, August 25, 2020 09:20 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4035a4d 2 Science & Tech TikTok,Donald-Trump Free

Video app TikTok on Monday filed a lawsuit challenging the US government's crackdown on the popular Chinese-owned platform, which Washington accuses of being a national security threat.

As tensions soared between the world's two biggest economies, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 6 giving Americans 45 days to stop doing business with TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance -- effectively setting a deadline for a sale of the app to a US company.

TikTok argued in the suit that Trump's order was a misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act because the platform -- on which users share often playful short-form videos -- is not "an unusual and extraordinary threat."

The executive order "has the potential to strip the rights of that community without any evidence to justify such an extreme action," the suit contended.

"We believe the administration ignored our extensive efforts to address its concerns, which we conducted fully and in good faith even as we disagreed with the concerns themselves," TikTok said.

TikTok's kaleidoscopic feeds of clips feature everything from dance routines and hair-dye tutorials to jokes about daily life and politics.

The app has been downloaded 175 million times in the US and more than a billion times around the world.

The Trump administration has separately given ByteDance a deadline to divest TikTok before the app is banned in the United States.

Trump argues that TikTok could be used by China to track the locations of federal employees, build dossiers on people for blackmail, and conduct corporate espionage.

The company holds firm that it has never provided any US user data to the Chinese government, and Beijing has blasted Trump's crackdown as political.

The US measures come ahead of November 3 elections in which Trump, behind his rival Joe Biden in the polls, is campaigning hard on an increasingly strident anti-Beijing message.

"The administration failed to follow due process and act in good faith, neither providing evidence that TikTok was an actual threat, nor justification for its punitive actions," the company said.

"We believe the administration's decisions were heavily politicized, and industry experts have said the same."

A lawsuit filed last week against Trump by a freshly-formed "WeChat Users Alliance" takes aim at a separate Aug 6 executive order banning the messaging app popular with Chinese speakers.

"The Executive Order singles out people of Chinese and Chinese-American ancestry and subjects them to disparate treatment on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, national origin, and alienage," the suit argued.

The suit contends the order is illegal, and so vaguely worded that it is not clear whether people using the app to message friends or run businesses will be considered law-breakers. It also says no evidence has been shown that WeChat is a threat to US national security.

The alliance said it is not affiliated with WeChat owner Tencent, based in China.

Read also: Vietnamese tech firm sues TikTok, alleging copyright infringement

Trump vs. China

Trump has increasingly taken a confrontational stance on China, challenging it on trade, military and economic fronts.

Shortly after Trump announced his moves against TikTok this month, the United States slapped sanctions on Hong Kong's leader over the Chinese security clampdown after last year's pro-democracy demonstrations.

Microsoft and Oracle are possible suitors for TikTok operations.

Reports have said Oracle -- whose chairman Larry Ellison has raised millions in campaign funds for Trump -- was weighing a bid for TikTok's operations in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

TikTok decried Trump's expressed interest in the US getting a share of any sale price because of its role in making it happen.

The president said last week the eventual buyer would have to "make sure the United States is well compensated."

"The President's demands for payments have no relationship to any conceivable national security concern," TikTok said in the suit.

The measures against TikTok move away from the long-promoted American ideal of a global, open internet and could invite other countries to follow suit, analysts told AFP previously.

"It's really an attempt to fragment the internet and the global information society along US and Chinese lines, and shut China out of the information economy," said Milton Mueller, a Georgia Tech professor and founder of the Internet Governance Project.
President Donald Trump has put a temporary payroll tax holiday in place in his latest bid to help shore up an American economy crippled by the coronavirus pandemic.

While that means some workers will take home bigger checks, others worry that such a change could deplete funding for Social Security, which relies on those taxes.

Now, a letter sent this week by Social Security Chief Actuary Stephen Goss estimates that if a permanent payroll tax cut were put in place, it could deplete the program's funding by mid-2023. That's based on the change taking effect for earnings starting on Jan. 1, 2021.

More from Personal Finance:

The payroll tax holiday will kick off in two weeks. Your boss isn't ready

What you need to know about claiming Social Security benefits now

These 30 states can offer an extra $300 a week in federal unemployment benefits

The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund would permanently run out at that time, at which point no benefits would be payable, according to Goss' estimates. That trust fund is used to pay benefits to retired workers and their spouses and children, as well as survivors of deceased workers.

Meanwhile, the Disability Insurance (DI) trust fund would run out of funding two years earlier, in mid-2021. At that point, it would also have no money to pay benefits, Goss wrote. That trust fund is used to pay disabled workers who qualify for benefits, as well as their spouses and children.

The estimate is based on possible legislation, not any specific proposal. Goss sent the letter to Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.; Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.; and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who had requested the analysis.
courtesy of Google Maps

UPDATE: An arrest for murder has been made in this case. Read about it here.

Authorities are still investigating the circumstances leading to the death of a Magnolia man after he was allegedly hit by a truck.
Entries are now open for the MTN Business App of the Year Awards, the premier app development competition in South Africa.

The MTN Business App of the Year Awards celebrates local talent and disruptive thinkers, and have been held on an annual basis since 2012.

A selection of prizes is on offer, as well as extensive publicity and media exposure for all entrants, finalists, and winners.

If youve developed an app, launched it to the market, and your solution is gaining ground with users in your industry, get the recognition you deserve by entering the MTN Business App of the Year Awards, said MTN.

Previous winners have gone on to launch their apps internationally, been acquired by blue chip corporates, and have become well-known South African digital products in their own rights.

There is a range of categories which can be entered, which cater to different solutions across the app industry, including:

Best Enterprise Solution

Best Consumer Solution

Best Gaming Solution

Most Innovative Solution

Best Incubated Solution

Best Women in STEM Solution

Best South African App

Best Breakthrough Developer

The Peoples Choice Award

Best Youth App

Other categories include sector-specific awards for education, agriculture, finance, and health.

How entries are judged

Submissions must be complete to the point where judges can use and inspect the apps full capabilities, although it does not necessarily have to be published on an app store.

Apps are judged over two days, which comprise an interactive assessment and a presentation.

On the first day, the judging panel tests out the entrants application and scores it according to a number of criteria.

After this, entries are shortlisted and must conduct a 15-minute presentation in front of the judges on the second day.

Three finalists are then selected per category, with the winner being announced at the main awards event on 29 October 2020.

The deadline for entries into the MTN Business App of the Year Awards is 29 September 2020.

Interested developers and companies can visit the MTN Business App of the Year Awards website to enter the competition.
15 organizations recognized for their exemplary performance and valuable contributions in shaping new trends across Asia-Pacific

SINGAPORE, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan honored Asia-Pacific's leading companies at the 18thannual Asia-Pacific Best Practices Awards on 25 August in the second virtual awards ceremony of the year. A total of 23 awards were presented to organizations for elevating performance benchmarks and for their outstanding achievements in the industry.

These awards were segmented across six major sectors:

Automotive

Energy

Building & Environment Industries

Healthcare

Information & Communication Technologies

Logistics

Congratulating the 2020 winners and recognizing their best-in-class performance, Shivaji Das, Partner and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, at Frost & Sullivan said: "Against the rapidly evolving business climate, it is imperative that companies today continue to strive and innovate for the future, creating value and driving better business outcomes. Without a doubt, all the deserving recipients here tonight exemplify that positive attitude. They have all done well and excelled in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development, putting them ahead of their competitors."

The award recipients were identified using Frost & Sullivan's proprietary, measurement-based methodology derived from extensive primary and secondary research, in-depth interviews, analysis, and industry benchmarking. Numerous award categories were carefully reviewed and evaluated to reflect the current market landscape and highlight emerging trends in Asia. A detailed study was further conducted on each of the nominated companies, focusing on real-time performance indicators like market share, revenue growth, customer acquisitions, product/service value, and technology innovation. The companies that emerged represent outstanding leaders that are driving positive trends in the Asia-Pacific economy.

Recipients of the 2020 Asia-Pacific Best Practices Awards

Award Titles & Category Award Recipients Regional titles

2020 Asia-Pacific Telecoms Tower Company of the Year edotco Group Sdn Bhd 2020 Asia-Pacific Data Centre Services Provider of the Year Equinix 2020 Asia-Pacific Crowd Analytics for Buildings Entrepreneurial Company of the Year Flow Solutions 2020 Asia-Pacific Logistics Services Provider of the Year Kerry Logistics Network 2020 Asia-Pacific Road Transportation Service Provider of the Year Kerry Logistics Network 2020 Asia-Pacific CRO Company of the Year Novotech Pty Ltd 2020 Asia-Pacific Customer Experience Outsourcing Services Provider of the Year Teleperformance 2020 Asia-Pacific Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) Provider of the Year Vonage 2020 Southeast Asia Stem Cell Banking Technology Innovation Leadership Award Medeze 2020 Southeast Asia Organic Food Industry Customer Value Leadership Award ZenxinAgri Food Country titles

2020 Indonesia Cloud Infrastructure Services Provider of the Year Telkomsigma 2020 Malaysia Data Centre Service Provider of the Year AIMS Data Centre 2020 Malaysia Smart Waste Solutions Technology Innovation Award Heng Hiap Industries Sdn. Bhd. 2020 Malaysia Customer Experience Outsourcing Services Provider of the Year TDCX 2020 Malaysia Mobile Service Provider of the Year U Mobile Excellence in Customer Experience - Telecommunications Industry Malaysia - Contact Center Experience U Mobile Excellence in Customer Experience - Telecommunications Industry Malaysia - Dealership Experience U Mobile Excellence in Customer Experience - Telecommunications Industry Malaysia - Mobile Experience U Mobile Excellence in Customer Experience - Telecommunications Industry Malaysia - Overall Experience U Mobile Excellence in Customer Experience - Telecommunications Industry Malaysia - Online Experience U Mobile Excellence In Customer Experience - Banking Industry Philippines - ATM Ambience Experience UnionBank of the Philippines Excellence In Customer Experience - Banking Industry Philippines - Online Experience UnionBank of the Philippines 2020 Thailand Stem Cell Banking Company of the Year Medeze

The 2020 Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific Best Practices Awards virtual banquet is supported by our Media Partners: ACN Newswire, AI Time Journal, Business Today, CryptoNewsZ, Chief IT, Asia Research News, CEO World Magazine, and Developing Telecoms.

To learn more about the awards and partnership opportunities for the 2020 awards, please visit http://www.apacbp-awards.com/. To schedule interaction with our spokespersons, please email Kala Mani. S. at kala.manis@frost.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

For over five decades, Frost & Sullivan has become world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion

Media Contact:

Zuzana Zukarnain

Corporate Communications - Asia-Pacific

Phone: +60192657808

Email: zuzana.zukarnain@frost.com
American Airlines will cut 19,000 employees in October when federal aid that protected those jobs expires and as the coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate travel demand, the carrier said Tuesday.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline, which employed more than 140,000 people in March, is prohibited from laying off workers through Sept. 30 under the terms of a $25 billion federal aid package set aside for carriers to weather the worst of the crisis. But demand has only modestly recovered, presenting a dire scenario for airlines. American said its fourth-quarter capacity will be half of the year-ago level and that international long-haul flights will be just 25% of its 2019 schedule.

"We have come to you many times throughout the pandemic, often with sobering updates on a world none of us could have imagined," wrote American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and its president, Robert Isom, in a staff note announcing the cuts. "Today is the hardest message we have had to share so far  the announcement of involuntary staffing reductions effective Oct. 1."

American said it expects to have 40,000 fewer employees in October compared with when the pandemic began, the carrier said. The involuntary cuts include furloughs of 17,500 union workers, including flight attendants, pilots and mechanics, and 1,500 administration and management jobs.

Other airlines have also warned about job cuts. Delta Air Lines on Monday said it plans to furlough 1,941 pilots unless it can reach a cost-cutting agreement with the labor union. United warned 36,000 employees last month that their jobs are at risk but the impact of voluntary programs on final numbers hasn't yet been disclosed. Southwest Airlines said it doesn't expect to cut jobs in 2020 because more than a quarter of its workforce signed up for some kind of voluntary leave or buyout. About half of Spirit's 2,500 pilots will work fewer hours to avoid furloughs this fall, the union said Tuesday.

Labor unions and carriers have urged lawmakers to provide another $25 billion in aid to preserve jobs through March. The proposal has won bipartisan support but Congress has so far failed to reach another national coronavirus aid package that could include the additional relief for airlines.

"The only problem with the legislation is that when it was enacted in March, it was assumed that by Sept. 30, the virus would be under control and demand for air travel would have returned," they said. "That is obviously not the case."

The extension of federal aid provides the "one possibility of avoiding these involuntary reductions on Oct. 1," the executives said.

"When you remove the flotation device of the CARES Act investment, things begin to sink," said Dennis Tajer, spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, which represents American's some 15,000 pilots.

American's labor unions on Tuesday again urged Congress to approve the aid to save the thousands of jobs.

"Today is a devastating day for the hardworking, frontline employees at American Airlines," said Julie Hedrick, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents the more than 25,000 cabin crew members at American. The airline said it plans to furlough more than 8,000 of them. "We will continue the fight for a clean extension of the aviation Payroll Support Program to keep our members, as well as aviation workers across the industry, connected to their paycheck and health benefits during this worldwide health crisis."

American and other airlines have offset some of the involuntary cuts by urging employees to take buyouts, early retirements and unpaid or partially paid leaves. American last month warned 25,000 employees that their jobs are at risk in October.

More than 12,500 people have opted to leave American permanently, while another 11,000 will be on leave in October, the executives said.

American's shares fell 2.2% on Tuesday to $13.14.
More than 1,600 new cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease were registered in Ukraine in the past 24 hours, for this reason the Cabinet of Ministers suggests extending the quarantine in the country until November 1, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has said during a regular phone conference chaired by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The president's press service reported that the total number of COVID-19 cases in Ukraine since the beginning of the pandemic has exceeded 108,000 people. Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv and Ternopil regions are suffering from the pandemic most of all.

Considering the negative dynamics of the incidence rate, Zelensky backed the necessity to take preventive measures, in particular, introducing a ban on work of night clubs and concerts.

"However, the quarantine should remain adaptive and not burdensome for entrepreneurs. Small- and medium-sized businesses should have a possibility to organize their work properly under new conditions," the head of state said.

According to the government's instruction, earlier the quarantine in Ukraine was extended until August 31.

More
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Park Yuna (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network)  Tue, August 25, 2020 19:07 512 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4067d4c 2 Art & Culture Busan-Biennale,South-Korea Free

The Busan Biennale, an international contemporary art show that takes place in the southern port city, is ready to demonstrate that the role of art has become more essential than ever in these pandemic-hit times.

In a situation of a crisis, an art space can be a space of reflection. It can be a space where you can think and share your thought with other people, Busan Biennale Artistic Director Jacob Fabricius told The Korea Herald during an interview last week in central Seoul.

It wont make the COVID-19 go away of course, but you can reflect and share things. I think that is why it has been important for us to push forward with the biennale, said Denmark-based Fabricius, who was appointed as the artistic director in August last year. The biennale is one of the few art festivals being held around the world this year with the global pandemic causing numerous cancellations.

The Busan Biennale 2020, which will kick off on Sept. 5 and run through Nov. 8, takes place at three venues: Museum of Contemporary Art Busan, Old Town and Yeongdo Harbor. Titled Words at an Exhibition -- An Exhibition in Ten Chapters and Five Poems, this years edition of Busan Biennale will approach the audiences in by portraying the city through different art genres -- literature, visual art and music.

The biennale will evolve around literary works by 10 fiction writers and one poet who were asked to write on the characteristics of the city of Busan. After these were written, visual artists and musicians were given the stories, or some asked the director to select one, and created their own art pieces inspired by the literature and the city of Busan.

A total of 90 artists from 34 countries -- 11 authors, 68 visual artists and 11 musicians -- are participating in the biennale.

There is a very strong connection between literature, visual art and music in general. I thought it was an interesting approach, Fabricius said. Literature is like a cornerstone in knowledge and cultures. It can describe a certain situation and historical events.

When Fabricius visited Korea last summer, he spent considerable time discovering young Korean writers, traveling to bookstores in Korea.

I was surprised there are not many English books (Korean literature translated into English). Then I found an English bookstore in Seoul, called Seoul Selection. They had amazing books and a lot of short stories. I could get familiar with a lot of writers there, he said.

The title of the biennale was inspired by Pictures at an Exhibition, the most famous composition by the Russian Composer Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) who created the musical piece based on 10 paintings by his close friend, Russian painter Viktor Hartmann.

Read also: Jokowi wants more villages similar to Machu Picchu of Busan in Indonesia

As most international artists have not been able to visit Busan due to the pandemic, the biennale team had to be creative in communicating with the artists and installing their artworks. Sometimes the exhibition coordinators walked through the city with a camera to help the artists understand the city.

We are in a situation where we cant travel, so we have to find a new method of organizing. I think it is a great experience for us, Fabricius said. (As a director) It is important that you are with the team, developing and building things together.

The installation of art works has been completed by communicating live with the artists through video.

When it comes to hosting an art event during the pandemic, a strong determination to carry on and the teams positive mindset are required more than ever.

I think it is pretty much about attitude. If you think you can do it -- and if you want to do it -- it is a matter of taking responsibility, he said.

What Fabricius expects of the audiences at the biennale is to have curiosity, which he regards as the most incredible thing, through the different art genres that portray the citys historical events, culture as well as the pandemic times.

If you can create a little bit of a curiosity, it may be a little spark in the beginning, but it can turn into a fire, he said. You can enter through literature, music and visual art. Hopefully, you can become a detective in Busan and look at all the traces and use your imagination.

Topics :

This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
Brisbane City Council is expected to approve lease extensions for the Indooroopilly and Toowong libraries, with significant rent increases.

The two leases will come before the council for extension approvals at Tuesday's chamber meeting, where councillors were informed the Indooroopilly lease was first signed in 1998, and the Toowong lease in 2001.

The Indooroopilly library is based in the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, at a gross annual rental of $93,779.90, and was slated for a relocation within the shopping centre at the end of the current lease.

When the current lease expired in August 2018, the council remained on-site paying month to month while discussions about the relocation of the library, but the centre owners came back to the council proposing a five-year lease on the same site.

The new lease would be a proposed gross annual rental of $296,837.55, a 216 per cent increase on rent, but the council heard that was still below the average market rentals for a similar property.
Tennessee American Water and the American Water Charitable Foundation have announced that the Foundation is providing a $5,000 grant to the Marion County Food Bank to assist with increased needs families may be experiencing due to the pandemic.Tennessee American Water, with funds from the American Water Charitable Foundation, donated to the Marion County Food Bank through a special program for COVID-19 relief efforts.There has never been a more critical time in our country to support one another or lend a charitable hand to our communities and neighbors in need, said Tennessee American Water President Darlene Williams.We know our customers, employees, and neighbors have all been personally impacted by this public health emergency. While Tennessee American Water continues diligently working to provide essential water services, we are grateful to these organizations for the incredible work they are doing to care for people.Marion County Food Bank is an emergency food source for Marion County. During the COVID-19 health emergency the food bank is experiencing an increase in demand for food brought about by an increase in the number of families (approximately 60 percent) for whom the wage earner(s) are now unemployed. The grant has enabled the food bank to provide food for these families in addition to their regular client families."Tennessee American Water wants customers to know that our customer service representatives stand ready to help,: officials said. "Customers behind on their bills can call the Customer Service Center to make payment arrangements or ask about customer assistance programs like the H2O Help to Others. If you have questions or concerns about your water bill, call us at 1-866-736-6420."
Fianna Fail's foremost spokespeople on agricultural issues, Charlie McConalogue and Jackie Cahill, are among the top contenders to replace Dara Calleary as Minister for Agriculture.

Despite this, the pair were twice overlooked in favour of more high-profile TDs over the past few weeks by Taoiseach Micheal Martin to fill the position.

Now, after an extraordinary turn of events, it could be third time lucky for one of them after the resignations of two Agriculture Ministers in just 54 days.

Fianna Fail insiders suggest Donegal TD McConalogue  who had been Fianna Fail's agriculture spokesperson for many years  is the top contender for the position.

Having come in for significant criticism for the lack of cabinet ministers from the West of Ireland, Martin will be again under pressure to appoint another TD from west of the Shannon to the position and McConalogue ticks this box.

McConalogue had also been mooted for a promotion following the resignation of Barry Cowen in July, but the Taoiseach chose Calleary following what was seen as a snub to the Mayo man when he was not appointed to Martin's original cabinet.

Expand Close Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

McConalogue, from Gleneely in Donegal, is currently Minister for State at the Department of Justice and Equality.

However, some within Fianna Fail suggest Tipperary dairy farmer and former ICMSA president Jackie Cahill is also in the frame for the position. The Thurles-based TD is likely the most qualified Fianna Fail candidate for the job having had an extensive career in farm politics which included eight years on the dairy board, including four as vice-chairman, six years on the Bord Bia board and a stint as chairman of the National Dairy Council.

In an interview with the Farming Independent in recent weeks, Cahill spoke of his disappointment not to get the Agriculture Ministry when his party returned to power in June.

Another potential candidate for the position is Galway-based TD Anne Rabbitte, who also has been vocal on farming issues, in particular during last years beef protests.

Martin is under pressure for having appointed just one female Fianna Fail TD to the cabinet; this and her west of Ireland base could see Rabbitte enter the picture.

Another notable Fianna Fail TD from the west is Limerick man Niall Collins, who is currently Minister of State at the Department of Higher Education, Innovation and Science. While not a prominent speaker on Agriculture issues, Collins was a member of the Fianna Fail front bench in opposition but stood down following the Dail voting controversy.

Another outsider is Sligo man Marc MacSharry, son of former European Agriculture Commissioner and Minster for Finance Ray MacSharry. His recent comments accusing some public servants of laziness and using the Covid-19 crisis as an excuse to lie on the couch and watch box sets may not have helped his chances.
Though perhaps not the absolute worst region in the U.S. for insurance scams involving towing abuses, towing scams in Chicago continue to cause problems for residents and insurers alike, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

Exorbitant towing and storage fees, unsolicited tows, and dangerous, unsafe practices are among the towing-related abuses vehicle owners face in the Chicago area.

In Chicago, a typical tow should cost a vehicle owner less than $400, the NICB says. However, towing bills in the city range from $3,000 to $5,000 due to extreme towing and storage fees. These combined fees could mean once a victims car is towed away, they may not be able to afford to get it back.

Public safety is also at risk. In June 2020, six people were injured in a bus accident as the bus driver swerved to avoid a collision with a tow truck seeking to be the first to an accident. And in extreme cases, gunfire has erupted between rival towing services attempting to provide the service.

The NICB is supporting an amendment to city ordinance which would require additional licensing to improve safety. The license will allow tow operators to tow, relocate and store damaged or disabled vehicles from public areas, such as accident scenes.

In part, when renewing or applying for licenses, tow companies must provide proof of a commercial vehicle relocator license, provide a statement certifying the applicant has never been convicted of a felony, and proof of insurance coverage. Once approved, a copy of the license must be placed in plain view within the tow truck and in each office in view of the public. If it is discovered a tow operator falsified or lied on the application the license will be revoked. Additionally, violating accident scene solicitation regulations will become a penalized offense.

The NICB has installed new billboards to alert Chicago drivers to the problems faced by these dishonest towing services telling them to contact the Chicago City Council to end rogue towing practices.

Other cities and states have implemented similar measures to reduce predatory practices by towing companies, according to the NICB.

California passed legislation prohibiting towing companies from stopping at an accident scene unless called by the vehicle owner or law enforcement, and towing companies must provide written estimates of all charges to the vehicle operator before proceeding with a tow.

Missouri has similar laws and Ohio allows civil action by insurers against a towing company operator to recover a vehicle.

The city of Philadelphia implemented a tow rotation system protecting consumers from towing abuse and combat insurance fraud. In Philadelphia, towers are prohibited from accident scene solicitation, and sets requirements for towers at an accident scene, and establishes a consumer bill of rights. Any tow service violating city regulations can be penalized.

The NICB has identified the following metropolitan areas in the U.S. as the five worst in terms of towing abuses:

Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim New York/Newark/Jersey City Chicago/Naperville/Elgin Philadelphia/Camden/Wilmington Houston/The Woodlands/Sugar Land

Source: NICB

Topics Carriers Legislation Auto
Proper data management is a weightier issue for many developing countries. Its relevance in modern economies is excessive and this explains why the political parties must strive to keep data and manage such pieces of information to make them accessible and reliable for its users.

The provision of reliable and verifiable data is a big challenge even in a technological era, allowing the politicians footloose in data communication to the public. Data Economics should be a new model for ensuring proper accountability tied to physically-delivered projects.

The parties bundle their own sets of data which may not be verifiable, to hoodwink many people into believing they perform excellently well. The level of development of the economy demands proper data management systems to accurately capture relevant pieces of information for economic planning. Data management can help solve many social and economic issues in our country.

Some Economists in Ghana still lament, at this age and time, the difficulty they have in accessing unemployment figures. The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) together with the Controller and Accountant-General Department (in the case of public sector employments) usually provides such data. The two institutions need to harmonise their activities.

There can still be a modern data center for the collection, validation, analysis and reporting of data. The need to harmonise the pieces of information from different institutions of state is very grave. The harmonization cannot be done without having a quality repository for housing several pieces of information. Data management should be a culture that is imbued in the agents of many institutions to be relayed to the Center for usage by every organisation and individual.

In Ghana, data access is a big problem because of the fragmented nature of its collection and reporting (communication). The development of a modernized center for sharing information will help solve many problems. It is difficult to verify some pieces of information retrieved from some governmental websites and institutions. Quality data communication can help deliver quality services to the populace. Data consumers are numerous and the difficulty to access quality data for planning and other usages is worrying. Access to more quality data or pieces of information will help level the playing field in obtaining data. Banks need better information about their customers in assessing them for loans and other facilities.

Data has become a key input or ingredient in modern production, distribution and supply chain management. The need to innovate and integrate several relevant pieces of information for market research and product segment is demanding. This explains in part why governments must have quality data management policies. The proliferation of data in the in the Ghanaian economy will provide remarkable opportunity to boost economic growth and later development through production efficiency, allocative efficiency and innovative service delivery.

Governments have the responsibility of making policies to make data usage, transfer and processing clearly transparent. Privacy and secrecy of consumers need to be protected. Governments should make clear policies on data sharing, rights and obligations for the institutions that build datasets, the users and the people who offer pieces of information for the databank. The establishment of a Data Center will provide the following advantages:

The availability of quality data sets helps governments to measure progress or growth and ensures independent verification of facts. In Ghana, progress is difficult to measure due to the fragmented nature of the data available. It is difficult to measure the progress, of the country, in infrastructure and other sectors because it is practically difficult to access quality information that can be verified independently. Information on some infrastructural projects are concealed and not available to the public. For instance, there is lack of clarity on the progress made in infrastructure in education as different sets of data are reported.

The development of websites by key government institutions to help validate the claims of politicians should be a norm. The provision of data for consumption by persons within the public and private sectors will terminate spurious claims by politicians.

It will equally help government to identify where to provide additional facilities or new ones. For proper identification of key viable sectors of the economy, appropriate databank should be established for these sectors. Identification of key micro-sectors that have the potentials to add to the growth of the economy is important. Data is needed to incorporate people in the informal sector into the formal framework for tax purposes. The issuance of a national identity card may be the foundation that will lead to the final formalization of the economy. This will help to build quality data sets for those in the informal sector. In terms of infrastructure, there is the need to keep proper records which can be relied upon for informed decision-making.

The provision of many social intervention programmes need the use of quality data. In reality, many people who do not deserve to receive some social support services are the ultimate. For example, the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme support services meant for the aged and other less privileged groups fall into the hands of energetic people. This phenomenon is occasioned by lack of proper available data.

Data management will help in impact assessment and value for money audit. Impact assessment which is akin to progress tracking is often difficult to make as there seems to be no data or pieces of information for such a purpose. Data on cost and beneficiaries of programmes do not exist for appropriate value for money audit. Impact assessments are key in analysing the value of opportunity cost for projects. The availability of data, collected and reported in appropriate forms helps in cost-benefit analysis.

Economic planning cannot be done without data. Governments economic planning covers many sectors and quality data available aid the decision makers to reach proper conclusions that produce life-changing results. Governments revenue mobilization programmes will work for the assemblies if the data they rely on are of superior quality.

Data Economics is the science of collecting, validating, analysing and communicating data for the creation of wealth and the maximization of economic opportunities. In the coming year, the political parties should develop proper systems in tracking and validating appropriate pieces of information (data) that serve the purposes of their users. The data provided by state institutions are fragmented and truncated, causing their usage to produce inefficiencies.

Emmanuel Kwabena Wucharey

Economics Tutor, A growing Activist, and Religion Enthusiast.
HOUSTON - (Aug. 24, 2020) - Researchers at Rice University's Brown School of Engineering are using data gathered before a deadly 2017 landslide in Greenland to show how deep learning may someday help predict seismic events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Seismic data collected before the massive landslide at a Greenland fjord shows the subtle signals of the impending event were there, but no human analyst could possibly have put the clues together in time to make a prediction. The resulting tsunami that devastated the village of Nuugaatsiaq killed four people and injured nine and washed 11 buildings into the sea.

A study lead by former Rice visiting scholar Leonard Seydoux, now an assistant professor at the University of Grenoble-Alpes, employs techniques developed by Rice engineers and co-authors Maarten de Hoop and Richard Baraniuk. Their open-access report in Nature Communications shows how deep learning methods can process the overwhelming amount of data provided by seismic tools fast enough to predict events.

De Hoop, who specializes in mathematical analysis of inverse problems and deep learning in connection with Rice's Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, said advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are well-suited to independently monitor large and growing amounts of seismic data. AI has the ability to identify clusters of events and detect background noise to make connections that human experts might not recognize due to biases in their models, not to mention sheer volume, he said.

Hours before the Nuugaatsiaq event, those small signals began to appear in data collected by a nearby seismic station. The researchers analyzed data from midnight on June 17, 2017, until one minute before the slide at 11:39 p.m. that released up to 51 million cubic meters of material.

The Rice algorithm revealed weak but repetitive rumblings -- undetectable in raw seismic records -- that began about nine hours before the event and accelerated over time, leading to the landslide.

"There was a precursor paper to this one by our co-author, Piero Poli at Grenoble, that studied the event without AI," de Hoop said. "They discovered something in the data they thought we should look at, and because the area is isolated from a lot of other noise and tectonic activity, it was the purest data we could work with to try our ideas."

De Hoop is continuing to test the algorithm to analyze volcanic activity in Costa Rica and is also involved with NASA's InSight lander, which delivered a seismic detector to the surface of Mars nearly two years ago.

Constant monitoring that delivers such warnings in real time will save lives, de Hoop said.

"People ask me if this study is significant -- and yes, it is a major step forward -- and then if we can predict earthquakes. We're not quite ready to do that, but this direction is, I think, one of the most promising at the moment."

When de Hoop joined Rice five years ago, he brought expertise in solving inverse problems that involve working backwards from data to find a cause. Baraniuk is a leading expert in machine learning and compressive sensing, which help extract useful data from sparse samples. Together, they're a formidable team.

"The most exciting thing about this work is not the current result, but the fact that the approach represents a new research direction for machine learning as applied to geophysics," Baraniuk said.

"I come from the mathematics of deep learning and Rich comes from signal processing, which are at opposite ends of the discipline," de Hoop said. "But here we meet in the middle. And now we have a tremendous opportunity for Rice to build upon its expertise as a hub for seismologists to gather and put these pieces together. There's just so much data now that it's becoming impossible to handle any other way."

De Hoop is helping to grow Rice's reputation for seismic expertise with the Simons Foundation Math+X Symposia, which have already featured events on space exploration and mitigating natural hazards like volcanoes and earthquakes. A third event, dates to be announced, will study deep learning applications for solar giants and exoplanets.

###

Co-authors of the paper are Rice graduate student Randall Balestriero and Michel Campillo, a professor at Grenoble. Poli is a researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research, Grenoble. De Hoop is the Simons Chair in Computational and Applied Mathematics and Earth Science and holds appointments in computational and applied mathematics, mathematics and Earth, environmental and planetary sciences at Rice. Baraniuk is the Victor E. Cameron Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science at Rice and founder and director of OpenStax.

The research was supported by the European Research Council, the Multidisciplinary Institute in Artificial Intelligence at Grenoble-Alpes, the Simons Foundation, the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Office of Naval Research and a Department of Defense Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship.

Read the abstract at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17841-x.

This news release can be found online at https://news.rice.edu/2020/08/24/small-quake-clusters-cant-hide-from-ai/

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Related materials:

Creep and slip: Seismic precursors to the Nuugaatsiaq landslide: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2017GL075039

Math+X grant brings applied mathematician/seismologist to Rice: http://news.rice.edu/2015/05/01/mathx-grant-brings-applied-mathematicianseismologist-to-rice-2/

Maarten de Hoop Lab: http://maartendehoop.rice.edu

Richard Baraniuk Lab: https://richb.rice.edu

George R. Brown School of Engineering: https://engineering.rice.edu Images for download:

https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2020/08/0824_QUAKE-1-WEB.jpg

An overview by the U.S. Geological Survey shows the location of the Nuugaatsiaq landslide (yellow star) relative to five broadband seismic stations (pink triangles) within 500 km of the landslide. Nuugaatsiaq (NUUG) was impacted by the resulting tsunami the reached a height of 300 feet at sea, though it was much lower before it reached the village. The inset shows the geometry of the fjords relative to the landslide and Nuugaatsiaq. (Source: USGS)

https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2020/08/0824_QUAKE-4-WEB.jpg

A graph extracted by a novel Rice University algorithm shows waveforms from the cluster associated with precursors and aligned with respect to a reference waveform within the cluster. The data was from three seismograms collected over the course of the day before the Nuugaatsiaq landslide. (Source: Nature Communications)

https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2020/08/0824_QUAKE-2-web-de-hoop.jpg

CAPTION: Maarten de Hoop. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2020/08/0824_QUAKE-3-web-baraniuk.jpg

CAPTION: Richard Baraniuk. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,962 undergraduates and 3,027 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 4 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
China orders hospitals to abort, kill newborn babies of religious and ethnic minorities

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Hospitals in Xinjiang were ordered by Chinas Communist government to abort and kill all babies born in excess of its mandated family planning limits  including newborns born after being carried to full term  or face hefty fines, claims a new report.

Hasiyet Abdulla, a Uighur obstetrician who worked in multiple hospitals in northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region for 15 years, told Radio Free Asia that maternity wards implemented strict family-planning policies intended to restrict Uighurs and other ethnic minorities to three children.

Every hospital had a family-planning unit that was responsible for implementation  who had how many kids, when theyd given birth to them  they tracked all of this, she said.

The regulations were so strict: there had to be three or four years between children. There were babies born at nine months who we killed after inducing labor. They did that in the maternity wards, because those were the orders.

Abdulla told RFA that babies were aborted even if their mothers were eight and nine months pregnant, adding that in some cases, medical staff would even kill the babies after theyd been born.

Babies who had been born at the hospital outside of family-planning limits werent safe either, she said, adding doctors would kill them and dispose of the body.

They wouldnt give the baby to the parents  they kill the babies when theyre born, she said.

Its an order thats been given from above, its an order thats been printed and distributed in official documents. Hospitals get fined if they dont comply, so of course they carry this out.

Previous reports have revealed how the Communist Chinese Party has forcibly sterilized, aborted, and taken other measures to reduce the birthrates in Xinjiang.

A June study by Adrian Zenz, scholar and chronicler of Beijings atrocities in Xinjiang, documented how CCP officials placed fines on Uighur women who had three or more children and forced women to undergo mandatory pregnancy tests, implantation of IUDs, or sterilization surgery.

He calculates, based on information from Chinese public websites, that the population growth had declined by 90% between 2014 and 2019, noting that despite the persistence of the one-child policy for 40 years in mainland China, the Uighurs' population growth rate is lower than the national average.

In Guma County (Pishan) and Hotan city, doctors performed sterilizations 143 times the national average, according to Zenz. Before a dramatic spike of sterilizations in 2016 that has continued into the present, Uighur birthrates were typically higher than the national average and sterilizations much lower.

A Uighur woman named Bumeryem from Toquzaq township in Kashgars Kona Sheher (Shufu) county who fled the region for Turkey in 2016 told RFA that in 2004, she was forced to have an abortion while pregnant with her fourth child around halfway through her second trimester.

[The family-planning cadres] told me I had to get an abortion because the pregnancy was my fourth, and they gave me an injection through my belly button  I paid 200 yuan (U.S. $29) [for the procedure] myself, she said.

[The cadres] took me [to the hospital] and did the abortion at five months, she said.

It was a boy. We could find out [the sex] at five months.  If my baby who was aborted were alive today, hed be 15 years old.

Bumeryem told RFA she recovered in a room with other women whose babies had been aborted at seven and eight months, as well as full-term.

There were women there in even worse situations than mine, she said. I lay in my bed and cried.

The RFA report comes as China has faced increasing international criticism over its treatment of Uighurs and other minorities in Western China.

Estimates suggest that over 1 million to as many as 3 million Uighur Muslims and other minority groups in Western China have been subject to internment camps in Xinjiang.

A recent report documented how the religious minority has been subject to massacres, mass internment camps, torture, organ harvesting, and disappearances in addition to forced birth control and sterilization. The report also highlights the forcible transfer of children from their families to Chinese state orphanages or boarding homes.

In June, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom argued that the forced sterilization of Uighur Muslims is evidence of genocide.

Its evident from the Chinese governments own data that the Communist Partys policies are clearly designed to prevent population growth for the Uyghur, Kazakh, and other Turkic Muslim peoples, USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel said in a statement.

We urge the State Department to investigate whether the Chinese authorities deliberate and systematic attempt to genetically reducing the Turkic Muslim population in Xinjiang meets the legal definition for genocide as contemplated in the Genocide Convention.

In a statement to Fox News, Morgan Ortagus said the U.S. State Department is extremely concerned by reports of forced abortions and sterilization in Xinjiang.

"These reports are consistent with an overwhelming and growing body of information that exposes the Chinese Community Partys campaign of brutal repression targeting Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. We reiterate our call on the PRC [People's Republic of China] government to reverse its repressive course in Xinjiang, release all who are arbitrarily detained, and to end its draconian and brutal policies to forcibly indoctrinate and intimidate its own citizens."
Manipurs social welfare and cooperation minister Nemcha Kipgen took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce that she has tested positive for Covid-19.

After getting symptoms of Coronavirus, I got myself tested and the report came back positive. I sincerely request all of you who have come in contact with me in the past few days to kindly isolate yourselves and get yourselves tested at the earliest, she tweeted.

Kipgen became the first minister in the state to test positive for Covid-19,

Sources here said the minister has isolated herself and is waiting for the results of her second test for further steps.

Nemcha Kipgen who is minister in charge of Kangpokpi and Senapati districts, had chaired a review meeting to combat the Covid-19 pandemic in the presence of Deputy Commissioner, Senapati, Superintendent of Police, Chief Medical Officer and district level officers on August 20.

Click here for full Covid-19 coverage.

In that meeting, she handed over essential safety kits such as sanitizers, gloves, PPE, masks and sodium hypochlorite to frontline Covid warriors.

Sources from Senapati also said contact tracing is being carried out and those who came in contact with the minister will be tested and kept in isolation.

Earlier Congress MLA Md Fazur Rahim was tested positive for COVID 19 after he returned from New Delhi on August 10.

On Monday, Manipur reported 116 new Covid-19 cases taking the states tally to 5,362, the government said in a statement.

On the other hand with 97 recoveries, the recovery rate of the Covid-19 positive cases in Manipur reached 69.24 per cent on Monday.

So far 3,713 people have recovered from the disease in the state.

The number of active cases is 1,627, the statement added. There were no casualties on Monday. The death toll stands 22, the statement said.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 25 : The Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, Ramesh Chennithala, has alleged that the fire that broke out in the state Secretariat on Tuesday is part of a larger conspiracy at the behest of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to destroy crucial evidences related to the gold smuggling case.

The fire broke out at around 4.30 p.m. at the general administration department (political) of the state Secretariat.

"The fire broke out in the GAD Political section and it's under this department that all the files pertaining to foreign travel and political clearance are kept. None should forget that the NIA has asked for all the CCTV footages. This is a conspiracy with the knowledge of Vijayan to destroy all the evidences," said Chennithala.

Meanwhile, state BJP President K. Surendran said that this is a very grave issue, alleging that the fire was created to destroy crucial evidences in the gold smuggling case.

"The fire broke out in the protocol office and we are told that this office was closed after a few people there turned Covid positive. This is a story being scripted. The Central agencies probing the gold smuggling case should look into this issue. Not long ago, the Chief Minister himself was speaking of a lightning that took place and destroyed the CCTVs. All possible evidences in the case are being destroyed, at a time when the probe has reached Vijayan," said Surendran.

However, Additional Secretary in the GAD, P. Honey, said that there were just two staff in the department.

"There were a few Covid positive cases in the department and hence just two people were there. The fire was spotted in a computer and short circuit is the reason for the fire. A few old files in the rack kept near the computer were damaged. The files that were damaged were old ones pertaining to room bookings of guest houses. No important files were destroyed and I say this with full responsibility," said Honey.

As soon as the news of the fire broke out, Chief Secretary Vishwas Metha rushed to the spot and asked all mediapersons to leave the place, which was objected to by some political leaders.

"As soon as I came to know of the fire, I came and saw a huge crowd. As Chief Secretary, I will tell you that there is nothing to hide. Only after probe the matter will I know the extent of damage. What happened was that everybody rushed to the place, including political leaders, and seeing this I came down and asked them to move out," said Metha, adding, "We do not have any political agenda." Hearing the news of the fire, Surendran and others rushed to the Secretariat, but he and his followers were taken into custody by the police.

Local Congress legislator and former state minister V.S. Sivakumar also reached the spot but was not allowed entry.

"A detailed probe should take place. The situation is so grave that even a legislator like me was not allowed entry. This is nothing but a cover up and everything is being kept under wraps," said Sivakumar.

The gold smuggling case was unearthed when P.S. Sarith, a former employee of the UAE Consulate here, was arrested by the Customs on July 5 when he was facilitating smuggling of 30 kg gold in diplomatic baggage to Thiruvananthapuram from Dubai.

Things turned murkier when the name of Swapna Suresh, a former employee of the Consulate, and employed with the IT Department, surfaced and more so, when her links with M. Sivasankar, the state's most powerful official by virtue of the dual posts he held -- Principal secretary to Vijayan and also the IT Secretary -- came to light.

The IAS officer was subsequently removed from both the posts before being suspended by Vijayan.
" " Tail of the Dragon covers 11 miles of US 129 that winds through the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. Wikimedia/(CC BY-SA 4.0)

There are some beautiful roads in these United States. So if you're itching to get out  and let's be honest, who isn't  why not hit the pavement and just take a thrilling drive? You can plan your next road-trip vacation around it, or just make a day of it.

Whichever you choose, we've highlighted five different roads across the U.S. that are wicked-fun to drive, thanks to their Instagram-worthy scenery and challenging terrain. They're all favorites of car and motorcycle enthusiasts, and they'll probably become some of your favorites, too.

Advertisement

1. Tail of the Dragon, North Carolina and Tennessee

It's only fitting to kick off this list with one of the best-known routes in the mainland United States, and one that even novices can comfortably enjoy. Tail of the Dragon, also known as Deals Gap, covers an 11-mile (17.7-kilometer) stretch of US 129 that winds through the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest in North Carolina and Tennessee. Its beauty and accessibility make it a bucket-list road trip for any driving enthusiast.

On any given weekend, expect to share the road with flocks of motorcycles and sportscars racing through its 318 tight curves. If you're counting, that's an average of 29 per mile. It's easy to see why the Tail of the Dragon is a favorite among drivers who appreciate skill as much as speed. But there are also plenty of places to stop along the route, so take your time, stretch your legs, bask in the scenery, and grab a bite to eat and maybe a souvenir or two.

Advertisement

2. Mount Washington Auto Road, New Hampshire

In the White Mountains of New Hampshire, you'll find the country's oldest continuously operating attraction, the 7.6-mile (12.2 kilometer) road to the summit of Mount Washington. The trip to the top may be short in distance, but it's not an especially quick drive. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the journey  one way.

You'll want to take your time, too, especially since there aren't any guardrails along the switchbacks, which certainly contributes to the exhilaration you'll feel as you climb to the summit. (You'll also feel for the horses who originally pulled the wagons up the mountain during the road's early days in the 1800s.)

Plan your trip carefully, since the road is only open during certain hours, which change seasonally and based on weather conditions. But, once you make it to the top, your efforts will be rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. If you'd prefer not to drive, you can book a guided tour, complete with a driver who will offer stories and legends about the ecology and history of Mount Washington. Try the sunrise tour for an awesome way to wake up.

" " The 7.6-mile climb to the summit of Mount Washington has no guardrails, which makes this drive especially exhilarating. Wikimedia/(CC BY-SA 4.0)

Advertisement

3. Angeles Crest Highway, California

A lot of driving enthusiasts will tell you that the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the best roads in California, and they're not wrong. However, the Angeles Crest Highway has its own distinctive charms, and is our pick to represent California.

Even though you're just outside the city of Los Angeles, this twisty mountain road takes you cruising through the Angeles National Forest for 66 miles (106 kilometers), with plenty of elevation changes to keep things interesting. Numerous turnouts provide opportunities to rest and admire the views. Though weather in Southern California is generally mild, the elevation changes mean you could see some storms. In fact, certain stretches Angeles Crest are regularly closed in winter due to heavy snowfall, which can appear suddenly, as well as avalanche and rockslide hazards.

Aside from the occasional weather events, dangers along this route are minor, making it a good choice for families and motorcyclists. Just stay aware of your surroundings and be courteous both to your fellow drivers and to the forest environment.

" " Angeles Crest twists through the Angeles National Forest for 66 miles. Wikimedia/(CC BY-SA 4.0)

Advertisement

4. Pikes Peak Highway, Colorado

If you want to tackle a road that's an actual race course, head to the Pikes Peak Highway in Colorado just west of Colorado Springs. You'll ascend more than 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) over 19 miles (30 kilometers) and, once you reach the summit, you're technically at the finish line of the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. Pretty cool. Expect the drive to the summit and back to take a few hours or so.

At the summit, you'll find food, beverages, souvenirs and a stunning scenic spot overlooking the Rocky Mountains and Pikes Peak. Along the way, there are hiking and biking trails as well as excellent spots for trout fishing. According to the Pikes Peak website, on a clear day, you can see Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Kansas beyond the borders of Colorado.

" " On a clear day at the summit of Pikes Peak, you can see Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Kansas. Sinisa Kukic/Getty Images

Advertisement

5. Hana Highway, Hawaii

Even though Maui's Hana Highway  officially known as Highway 36 or the Road to Hana  doesn't look anything like a high-speed expressway, there's no arguing with the "high"ness of it. This stunning roadway that connects the tiny, picturesque town of Hana to the more densely populated areas of Maui, officially starts in Kahului. Its 52 miles (83 kilometers) of roadway thread through the mountains, with about 600 turns and more than 50 one-lane bridges that traverse steep ravines and waterfalls. You'll be gripping your car's steering wheel through the entire drive.

The views of the Pacific Ocean are unforgettable, as the waves slam into the edge of the island and the water shimmers at the horizon. If you're making a day trip of it (and you should) budget at least two hours each way, plus more time to check out the secluded beaches and roadside fruit stands. Motorcyclists from the mainland can rent bikes on the island, but this trip is definitely not one for inexperienced riders, as the margin of error is small and the consequences are extreme.

" " Hana Highway's 52 miles of roadway threads through the mountains, has about 600 turns and more than 50 one-lane bridges that traverse steep ravines and waterfalls. Royce Bair/Getty Images

Just a few more words to the wise: When you do hit any of these roadways, some universal guidelines apply.

Be sure to stay in your lane, because while part of the thrill is the abundance of blind curves, it's your responsibility to ensure you're not crossing into the path of oncoming traffic.

Stay within your driving or riding skill level. This isn't the time to test you or your vehicle's limits of acceleration, turning or braking.

If vehicles are coming up behind you, don't go faster; instead, look for the next spot to safely pull aside to let them pass.

Both cars and motorcycles are allowed on all five of the roads we've highlighted, though some may limit motorcycles in inclement weather.

Even in the best of conditions, keep in mind that tricky routes can turn dangerous in a hurry, particularly on a motorcycle, and are best left to experienced riders.

When in doubt, it's best to sharpen your skills by enjoying an easier trip.

Now That's Interesting I've driven three of these five roads, and to say they're bucket list items is an understatement. Two were on work trips  reviewing a Volkswagen Jetta GLI on Tail of the Dragon and a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 on Angeles Crest Highway  while Hana Highway was a particularly memorable day of my honeymoon. To be fair, my husband did most of the driving in Hawaii, and if you have a fear of heights as severe as mine, you, too, might be better off in the passenger seat.
As of the end of June 2020, the company  the largest consumer finance firm in Vietnam by market share  reported ending net receivables (ENR) amounting to VND60.2 trillion ($2.6 billion), a modest 3.3 per cent increase compared to same period last year.

Its pre-tax profit in the first half, however, jumped 13 per cent compared to same period last year, touching VND2.4 trillion ($104.35 million), with VND1.5 trillion ($65.2 million) coming from the second quarter.

This result was made possible by the companys ability to optimise costs, resulting in better cost-to-income ratio (CIR), increasing collection efficiency, and enhancing risk mitigation tools during the first half.

The non-performing loan ratio being unchanged from the similar period in 2019 attested to a firm control on risk. The results, therefore, exceeded the managements expectations at the beginning of this year.

Firm grip on cost and funding

During the first half, FE Credit has been scaling up efforts to optimise costs via speeding up technology implementation such as e-signature and AI in tele-sales.

As of date, the company has successfully offered assistance to over 182,000 customers, showing the continuation of the companys commitment to support the community in need.

The application of e-KYC (Know Your Customer) is being adopted, helping to accelerate the companys sales approval process. These efforts are part of the digitalisation endeavours that the company has been driving in the past years and it has certainly proved its effectiveness during a time of need.

At the same time, the companys management has succeeded in maintaining healthy funding despite the tough environment. Its capital adequacy ratio (CAR) remained above the banking requirement at 22 per cent and funding sources were well diversified and ample, as evidenced by the lower cost of funds (COF) reported for the second quarter of 2020. These efforts were recognised by Moodys, a global certification firm, in its assessment note confirming stable outlook for FE Credit.

A shift in portfolio mix

Even before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has actively made a shift in its portfolio mix to better target existing customers and shift away from new, more risky ones. This action addresses the urgent needs when time calls for a better risk portfolio as well as to achieve the target stated in Circular 18 by 2019 issued by the central bank (SBV). As a result, the company saw improvements in asset quality this quarter with reduced rollover rate.

Credit card continues to be growth engine with growth of 30 per cent in ENR compared to the same time last year. During social distancing, FE Credit saw a surge in credit card usage, especially for grocery and online shopping. Total customers with active credit card accounted for 24 per cent at the end of June 2020, up 5 per cent from the June 2019 figure.

Moodys confirmed stable long-term outlook for FE Credit

Another piece of good news is that on July 22, 2020, Moodys confirmed the long-term rating assessment for FE Credit as stable at B1. This reiterated stable outlook concludes Moodys review for downgrade initiated on April 7, 2020 of five financial institutions. The announcement certainly came as a solid confirmation for the company managements efforts throughout the first half of 2020.

Along with this, Moodys recognised that the company was able to mitigate the solvency and liquidity risks that the agency was originally concerned about; with successful efforts in stabilising financing conditions, proved by ample liquidity from both foreign and domestic sources.

The company also proved its capability in managing credit and liquidity risks as well as possible disruptions during the virus outbreak. The result is a lower COF during the last six months.

In conclusion, the ratings agency noted that FE Credit has shown prudent risk management, such as tightening underwriting criteria against the backdrop of slowing economic growth. This confirmation serves as icing on the cake for the company after all its hard work.

In light of COVID-19 and its aftermath, FE Credit has launched since March 2020 programmes to support genuinely distressed customers by offering to restructure their loans and defer loan payments as well as waive late payment penalties. As of date, the company has successfully offered assistance to over 182,000 customers, about 5 per cent of its active customers, with total loan eligible of VND4 trillion ($173.9 million), showing the continuation of the companys commitment to support the community in need.
Mosque shooting survivor Ibrahim Abdelhalim makes his victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing for Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant at the Christchurch High Court (John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP)

Relatives and survivors from a mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques described in court on Tuesday how more than a year later, they are still having trouble sleeping, enjoying life and providing for their families.

It was the second day of a four-day sentencing hearing for white supremacist Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who killed 51 worshippers and injured dozens more during the March 2019 attacks.

The 29-year-old Australian gunman in March pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, and terrorism, reversing an earlier not guilty plea.

He could become the first person in New Zealand to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, the toughest sentence available.

Its like I'm broken, and I see my family as broken Rosemary Omar, mother of victim Tariq Omar

The hearing has given many a chance to confront Tarrant, who has shown little emotion throughout as he sits in the dock surrounded by five officers.

He is noticeably thinner than after he was first arrested.

Rashid Omar, whose 24-year-old son Tariq was killed at the Al Noor mosque, said he had desperately held out hope his son had survived until police and Muslim leaders read out a list of those who had died.

My body went completely weak and everything went silent, Mr Omar said.

As a parent, no matter how old your children are, theyll always be your baby.

Each day has become a burden to endure and he finds even simple tasks hard to complete, Mr Omar said.

Expand Close Rashid Bin Omar (right), father of mosque shooting victim Tariq Omar (John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Rashid Bin Omar (right), father of mosque shooting victim Tariq Omar (John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP)

He wakes up tired and with no energy. He once loved photography, he said, but now cannot bear to pick up a camera.

Mr Omars wife Rosemary said she functions from moment to moment, often in a fog. The loss and grief is debilitating, she said, and has cast a shadow over everything in their lives.

Its like Im broken, and I see my family as broken, she said.

Many of those who spoke described ongoing financial strain.

Motasim Uddin, who was shot in the leg and spent more than three months hospitalised, said he had not been able to return to his job as a welder and was worried about his future, especially as he was trying to support his parents in Bangladesh.

I cannot forget what happened, what I saw, Mr Uddin said. I try to forget, but I wake up thinking about it.

Expand Close Mosque shooting survivor Motasim Hafiz Uddin (right) (John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Mosque shooting survivor Motasim Hafiz Uddin (right) (John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP)

Noraini Milne, whose 14-year-old son Sayyad was killed, said her own survival came as a blessing as she planned to spend her life helping others.

You chose to perform a despicable and cowardly act, she said to Tarrant.

Tarrant has dismissed his lawyers and is representing himself during the sentencing, raising fears he could try to use the occasion as a platform to promote his racist views.

He can choose to speak once the survivors have spoken, although the judge will likely shut down any attempts he makes to grandstand.

The attacks targeting people praying at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques shocked New Zealand and prompted new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons.

They also prompted global changes to social media protocols after the gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook, where it was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that the world`s second-biggest economy is facing a period of `turbulent change` and that rising external markets risk required policymakers to increasingly rely on domestic demand to spur growth.

Xi, chairing a seminar on Monday with a group of policy advisors and state economists, discussed the country`s mid- to long-term economic trends in preparation for the drafting of the 14th Five-year plan.

The five-yearly economic blueprint is expected to be unveiled in the annual parliament meeting next year, and Xi said China must be prepared for "a period of turbulent change" as the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated protectionism, hammered the world economy and disrupted supply chains.

"In the coming period, we will face more and more headwinds in the external environment, and we must be prepared to deal with a series of new risks and challenges," he said, according to comments released by state news agency Xinhua late Monday night.

Xi said the domestic market will "dominate the national economic cycle" in the future, but vowed to further open up China`s economy.

While Xi didn`t make direct references to intensifying U.S.-China tensions, he signaled China`s willingness to work on issues with the United States.

"We must actively cooperate with all countries, regions and enterprises who are willing to cooperate with us, including states, localities and enterprises in the United States," he said.

The United States and China have been engaged in nearly two years of tit-for-tat tariffs and angry rhetoric, with tensions between the two economic superpowers spilling into other areas.

The US has sanctioned companies and individuals linked to a security crackdown in Hong Kong and human rights, banned a Chinese owned video app, penalized Chinese academics and closed Beijings consulate in Houston in recent months.

Xi also stressed the importance of technological innovation, adding without elaborating that China must "make breakthroughs in key core technologies as soon as possible."
Microsoft stunned the gaming industry when it announced this week it would buy game publisher Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, a deal that would immediately make it a larger video-game company than Nintendo.
Rumble

Flossey is living a wonderful life on a beautiful farm in Millbrook, Ontario. It's what is knows an "ethical farm" where cows have space to roam and graze instead of being kept indoors for most of their lives. Flossey's farm has vast expanses of lush, green grass, rolling hills, ponds full of fresh water, and forested areas for shade. This is life as it should be for these gentle creatures. Dave is a farm hand who often helps out with some of the chores and animal care. He decided to take a break on this warm, summer day and he took a seat on the hill overlooking the pasture.
Im hoping that most of the landlords are understanding, because ultimately they want to get paid because they have mortgages they have to pay as well, Kovarsky said. Ultimately, we want to prevent people from becoming homeless. It makes more financial sense to keep people housed than to let them get evicted and become homeless because that costs the system even more money in the long run.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 06:29:15|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while removing an immediate threat to Middle East peace, has the potential to change dynamics across the region, said UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov on Tuesday.

Israel's commitment to suspending its plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank removes an immediate threat that might upend the peace process and regional stability, he told the Security Council in a briefing.

Annexation would constitute a most serious violation of the international law, effectively close the door to a renewal of negotiations and destroy the prospect of a viable Palestinian state and the two-state solution itself, he said.

The Israel-UAE agreement, which includes the normalization of relations between the two countries, creates new opportunities for cooperation at a time when the Middle East and the world face grave dangers from the COVID-19 pandemic and radicalization. It will create economic opportunities and opportunities for peace, he said.

"I hope it will inspire leaders on all sides to re-engage constructively in meaningful negotiations to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The terms of reference of resolving the conflict have not changed -- they are based on the relevant UN resolutions, bilateral agreements and international law. Only a two-state solution, in which Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition, can lead to sustainable peace."

Today is not the time to despair about the Palestinian cause. Annexation plans have been stopped. In fact, today is the time to redouble efforts, to reach out more actively than ever to leaders in the Middle East, and for the Palestinian and Israeli leadership to re-engage constructively, he said. Enditem
Naran and her son [For chinadaily.com.cn]

Naran, a 43-year-old herder, is the subject of admiration and envy in Ulaanqab, Inner Mongolia, after she was admitted by Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, where she will study tourism management.

"My dream of going to a university has now come true," said Naran who took the national entrance examination, or gaokao, for universities and colleges together with her son last month.

Naran scored a total of 404 points while her son got 520. Her son came in first in science in the city of Ulaanqab.

"We herders should keep pace with the times and enrich ourselves with knowledge," she told local media. "Now I have a very wonderful feeling."

Naran had to give up gaokao to look after her mother who was ill 23 years ago.

"But I never regretted it, as my mother is a very important person in my life," she said.

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says the fact that critics are concentrating on only the construction of an airport in Cape Coast means their manifesto is so great that there is nothing else to talk about.



The NPP, in its 2020 manifesto, has promised to construct an airport in the Central Region.



However, this promise has been criticized with some describing it as not viable.



In an exclusive interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Dr Bawumia said: "concentrating on the airport means there is nothing else to talk about . . . after everything that was said in the manifesto, you will expect the policies to be interrogated by your opponent and other people alike but the issues being interrogated is the airport".



Cape Coast Airport



The Vice President also refuted claims the construction of the airport is not a necessity and will not be helpful to the region.



He said, "it will be a good thing for Cape Coast; the amount of traffic going to Cape Coast is quite significant and when you are looking at infrastructure, you have to look at it from the long term. The airport will provide a long convenience for tourists coming in and it will boost other industries."



Airport not for votes



As the country is in an election year, one would think the promise to construct an airport in the Central Region is to gain votes; however, the Vice President says 'that's not the case'.



"Indeed the idea has been around for a long time but the time has come for us to put that as a key policy of infrastructure to get it done. The people of the Central Region deserve an airport," he added.





Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel kicked off the partys convention Monday with a few jabs at the Democratic Partys convention last week.

Democrats started their convention with Eva Longoria, a famous Hollywood actress who played a housewife on TV, said McDaniel. Well, Im actually a real housewife, and a mom, from Michigan, with two wonderful kids in public school who happens to be only the second woman in 164 years to run the Republican Party. And unlike Joe Biden, President Trump didnt choose me because Im a woman. He chose me because I was the best person for the job.

McDaniel is a Michigan native who was propelled to lead the RNC after helping Trump win her home state in 2016. The presidents surprise victory in Michigan was one of three wins in formerly Democratic-voting Midwest states that helped him gather enough electoral votes to secure the White House despite losing the popular vote.

In her opening remarks, McDaniel said the best is yet to come if Trump is given a second term in November. She also issued a warning about Democratic nominee Joe Biden, saying he would repeal Trumps tax cuts, end the use of fossil fuels and cut funding for police departments.

The truth is, theres only one person who has empathized with everyday Americans, and actually been fighting for them over the past four years, and that is President Donald Trump, McDaniel said.

The RNC chair also touted Trumps work to rewrite the North American Free Trade Agreement and embarking on tough fights to secure the U.S. border with Mexico. McDaniel urged Republicans to register to vote early and turn out to the polls on Nov. 3, calling the election the most important in our lifetime.

McDaniel was the lone Michigan figure to take the stage during the first night of the convention. Republican U.S. Senate candidate John James was featured in a pre-recorded video, one of several highlighting GOP candidates broadcast online before Mondays program.

READ MORE ON MLIVE:

Michigan Trump campaign teases positive vision for Republican National Convention

Michigans Republican delegates cast votes to re-nominate President Donald Trump at RNC

Vice President Mike Pence to visit Traverse City Friday after Republican National Convention
Australians have been outraged at the apparent butchering of the pronunciation of the word 'emu' by a U.S. journalist.

In a story published by National Public Radio on Saturday journalist Stu Rushfield spoke about a missing emu in the U.S. which he pronounced as 'ee-moo' instead of the Australian pronunciation of 'ee-mew'.

The audio clip gained a huge amount of attention online as furious Australians blasted Mr Rushfield.

U.S. journalist Stu Rushfield pronounced emu as 'ee-mooh' during a radio broadcast which quickly went viral as Australians slammed the apparent butchering of the word

The journalist opened up a discussion on Twitter to settle the correct pronunciation before the story went to air but quickly decided on 'ee-moo'.

'After discussions with editors & the NPR RAD team (Research, Archives & Data), the ruling is that ee-moo wins,' he said.

'I've found videos featuring American zoologists from all over the country who say 'ee-moo.' If zoologists can say it, so can audio engineers.'

The reasoning was not accepted by many Australians online who said that Americans do not get to decide how it should be pronounced.

'How about discussing it with linguists or Australians or taking the OED's (Oxford English Dictionary) word for it? It is definitely and absolutely ee-mew,' a woman said.

'Maybe listen to how the people who live where the bird lives actually pronounce it and respect their pronunciation? Aussies say ee-mew and so should everyone else,' another man said.

Furious Australians responded to the pronunciation of the word on Twitter but Mr Rushfield did not back down

ABC Language researcher Tiger Webb said 'ee-moo' was commonly accepted as the correct way for those in the U.S. to pronounce it.

'I can unreservedly say that Americans are free to pronounce "emu" with or without a palatal consonant: /imju/ or /imu/,' he told ABC News.

'I'm only saying Americans are free to pronounce emu as ee-mooh, not that Australians should follow suit.'

After almost a week of arguments Mr Rushfield, who had renamed himself on Twitter to the 'Nemesis of Australia', finally believed it was time to admit his mistake.

Mr Rushfield explained he had grown up pronouncing the word ee-moo and had never heard anything different from his fellow Americans.

Mr Rushfield said he had grown up hearing emu pronounced as ee-mooh by his fellow Americans - including the owner of the bird in his story. Pictured is the previously missing emu

He said the owner of the emu in his story, Cassandra Redding, had also pronounced it the same way and he didn't think anything of it.

'We were wrong,' he told ABC Breakfast on Tuesday.

Mr Rushfield said National Public Radio had strict policies on how to pronounce different words but emu had previously been up for debate.

'I'm guessing, based on the reaction we have had and the fact I don't want to cause an international rift, I think henceforth, from now on, it shall be ee-mew,' he said.

Since the interview, Mr Rushfield has changed his Twitter name to 'Now Just Australia's Public Enemy #6!'

Perhaps the final word on the pronunciation should go much further afield, as the word emu was thought to be from either Arabic or Portuguese terms for large birds.
3 1 of 3 New Haven Police Department Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 3





NEW HAVEN - A defendant charged with committing three robberies at commercial sites had his sentencing postponed Monday because his attorney was called away on a federal case and there was a glitch with the video feed from prison in which the defendant is being held.

Jose Cubiz, 42, of New Haven, robbed the Shell gas station on Willow Street in New Haven on April 22, 2019, then robbed a Dunkin Donuts on State Street in Hamden the following day, according to police. He also robbed the Bank of America branch on Sargent Drive on May 1, 2019, police said. He pleaded guilty to the robbery charges in the three cases, records show.
Donald Trump

The historical significance of the virtual conventions of major political parties in the United States this month is that they expose the United States electoral process to a potentially chronic illness that has no precedent in American history.

National conventions at which the top tier candidates on the quadrennial election slate accept their partys formal nomination have historically been launching pads for future presidential careers both in the Democratic and the Republican party.

When Barack Obama delivered his spellbinding keynote speech at the July 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston  which nominated John Kerry as the partys presidential candidate  that speech, in part, had the effect of persuading his Republican opponent to withdraw from the contest for an Illinois Senate seat which Obama was then trying to wrest from the Republicans. The Boston convention was the starting point for Obamas road to the White House four years later.

When the Republican National Convention was held in Minneapolis-St. Paul in September 2008, it was widely expected to trigger a presidential bid by the first Indian American Governor in the US, Bobby Piyush Jindal, a prime-slot speaker at that jamboree. However, Jindal had to cancel his appearance because Louisiana, where he was Governor, was in the direct path of killer Hurricane Gustav. Mitt Romney, who was Governor of Massachusetts, was a prime time speaker at that convention and became the Republican presidential candidate four years later.

The virtual conventions of both parties this time, devoid of the shower of confetti and balloons, cheerleaders, and most of all, the arena settings necessary for scintillating speeches, leaves the field empty of exciting presidential choices for the American people in 2028, if not four years earlier.

Michelle Obama is the most appropriate example. A bedazzling orator who often outshined her husband, candidate Obama, during the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, the former First Lady was nothing short of a disaster at last weeks virtual Democratic National Convention. The party gave her the pride of place at the event, hoping that it will give a bump for Joe Bidens quest for the White House.

She performed miserably on many counts. A natural orator who has no need for a teleprompter, Michelle was ill at ease, recording a prepared speech. According to the party grapevine, there were several recording sessions. The one she finally approved was a session that was done in early August, nearly three weeks before the convention. Its unforgivable drawback: not a mention of Kamala Harris, Bidens running mate, because at the time the speech was recorded, Biden had not yet closed in on the California Senator as his vice-presidential pick.

With or without a traditional, pre-COVID-19-style Republican National Convention this year, there is no clear front-runner for the partys presidential nomination four years from now or in 2028. US President Donald Trumps public persona has been so overwhelmingly self-centred, his style so completely personalised that no Republican has emerged since the 2016 convention in Cleveland as an alternative power centre for the partys future.

Trump has vilified, discredited or neutralised anyone in his party who has shown even a small streak of independence and reduced the Grand Old Party into a one-man reality show that he used to run before seeking public office. Under normal circumstances, the Vice-President should have emerged as a potential successor in 2024. Mike Pence has merely performed the job of being Trumps doormat dutifully since he came to office. As a result, Pences image is so utterly colourless to be put up for the most powerful office in the world after Trump inevitably exits the centre stage, even if he wins his second term.

Obama continues to be Trumps pet obsession. The US President has never got over the truth that only in Gujarat could he have a crowd anywhere nearly as large as the one Obama mobilised in Denver to watch and hear him accept the nomination, for the first time, as a Black candidate of a major American political party.

Before COVID-19 thwarted his plans, Trump decided that his endorsement for a second presidential run will take place in Charlotte at a festive convention that will be remembered for many years to come  that was where Obama was re-nominated for his second term in 2012 at a star-studded convention.

Confirmation of this rumour is impossible, but it is said among Republicans in hushed tones that First Lady Melania Trump is superstitious: that she convinced her husband that if Charlotte was lucky for Obamas re-election, so would it be for the incumbent couples continued residence in the White House.
One step closer to earlier diagnosis of bipolar disorder and psychoses

In a new study from the Danish psychiatry project iPSYCH, researchers have identified genetic risk factors for developing bipolar disorder and psychoses among people with depression. In the longer term, the results may contribute to ensuring the correct diagnosis is made earlier, so that the patients can receive the correct treatment as quickly as possible.

Bipolar disorder and psychoses such as schizophrenia are serious mental disorders, which often have a great impact on a person's life and well-being. In a number of cases, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are first diagnosed several years after the onset of the disorder. This is associated with unfavourable prognosis for the course of the disorders. The sooner the patient gets the correct diagnosis and begins targeted treatment, the better the prognosis. For this reason, researchers are aiming at identifying risk factors that will aid psychiatrists to reach the correct diagnosis as early as possible.

Depression often precedes bipolar disorder and psychoses

Many people who develop bipolar disorder or psychoses initially come into contact with the mental health services due to depression. A research team from iPSYCH therefore set out to examine a dataset consisting of 16,949 people aged 10-35 who had been treated for depression at a psychiatric hospital in Denmark.

"Our goal with the study was to investigate whether genetic factors are associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder or psychosis among patients with depression. This knowledge can potentially be used in clinical practice to identify patients who should be monitored even more closely," explains the lead author of the research article based on the study, Senior Researcher Katherine Musliner from the National Centre for Register-based Research.

Among the factors the researchers looked into in the study was whether the genetic risk scores for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia - i.e. a person's individual genetic risk of developing these disorders - could possibly help psychiatrists determine which of their patients with depression was at greatest risk of subsequently developing bipolar disorder or a psychosis.

"One thing we discovered was that the genetic risk score for bipolar disorder is associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder, and that the genetic risk score for schizophrenia is associated with an increased risk of developing a psychosis among patients who have been diagnosed with depression," says Katherine Musliner, stressing that the effect of the genetic risk scores were relatively small.

Family history weighs heavily

Another member of the research group behind the study, Professor Sren Dinesen stergaard from the Department of Clinical Medicine and Aarhus University Hospital - Psychiatry, emphasises that caution is needed when interpreting the results.

"At present, the genetic risk scores cannot contribute to early diagnosis of bipolar disorder and psychoses in clinical practice, but it cannot be ruled out that this could be the future scenario. On the other hand, our study confirms that having a parent with bipolar disorder or a psychosis is a strong predictor for the development of these particular disorders after depression. This underlines the importance of getting information about mental disorders in the family as part of the assessment of people suffering from depression," he explains.

The results have been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Background for the results

The study is a register-based study with data from 16,949 people who were treated for depression at a psychiatric hospital in Denmark in the period from 1994 to 2016.

###

The study was carried out in collaboration between researchers from Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen, Statens Serum Institut and Johns Hopkins University.

The study is financed by the Lundbeck Foundation.

The scientific article can be read in the American Journal of Psychiatry

Contact

Katherine L. Musliner

Senior Researcher

The National Centre for Register-based Research.

School of Business and Social Sciences

Aarhus University

Tel.: (+45) 5271 4661

klm@econ.au.dk

Sren Dinesen stergaard

Professor

Department of Clinical Medicine

HEALTH

Aarhus University

Tel.: (+45) 6128 2753

sdo@clin.au.dk

About iPSYCH

The national research project The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, which is financed by the Lundbeck Foundation, was established back in 2012 with the purpose of carrying out research into and finding the causes of five of the most serious mental disorders: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (formerly manic depression), autism, ADHD and depression. iPSYCH's purpose was - and still is - to lay the foundations for better treatment and prevention of mental disorders by mapping the factors that play a role for these diseases. By examining genetic and risk factors in more than 130,000 Danes both with and without mental disorders, iPSYCH sheds light on the complex interaction between heredity factors and the environment, which for some people results in them developing a mental disorder. The project examines the diseases from various angles, ranging from genes and cells to population studies, prenatal life to adult patient and from cause to symptom. iPSYCH is a national collaborative project between Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen, the Central Denmark Region, the Capital Region of Denmark, and Statens Serum Institut. Today iPSYCH is one of the world's largest studies of genetic and environmental causes of mental disorders and it now comprises more than 150 researchers within psychiatry, genetics and register-based research.

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Man Wearing "Freedom Now Core" T-Shirt

A marcher with "Freedom Now CORE" on his shirt joins in cheers of Mississippi Freedom march leaders assembled at the foot of a Civil War memorial statue in Grenada, Miss., in 1966. Credit - Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

We tend to think of freedom as an emancipatory idealand with good reason. Throughout history, the desire to be free inspired countless marginalized groups to challenge the rule of political and economic elites. Liberty was the watchword of the Atlantic revolutionaries who, at the end of the 18th century, toppled autocratic kings, arrogant elites and (in Haiti) slaveholders, thus putting an end to the Old Regime. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Black civil rights activists and feminists fought for the expansion of democracy in the name of freedom, while populists and progressives struggled to put an end to the economic domination of workers.

While these groups had different objectives and ambitions, sometimes putting them at odds with one another, they all agreed that their main goalfreedomrequired enhancing the peoples voice in government. When the late Rep. John Lewis called on Americans to let freedom ring, he was drawing on this tradition.

But there is another side to the story of freedom as well. Over the past 250 years, the cry for liberty has also been used by conservatives to defend elite interests. In their view, true freedom is not about collective control over government; it consists in the private enjoyment of ones life and goods. From this perspective, preserving freedom has little to do with making government accountable to the people. Democratically elected majorities, conservatives point out, pose just as much, or even more of a threat to personal security and individual rightespecially the right to propertyas rapacious kings or greedy elites. This means that freedom can best be preserved by institutions that curb the power of those majorities, or simply by shrinking the sphere of government as much as possible.

Story continues

This particular way of thinking about freedom was pioneered in the late 18th century by the defenders of the Old Regime. From the 1770s onward, as revolutionaries on both sides of the Atlantic rebelled in the name of liberty, a flood of pamphlets, treatises and newspaper articles appeared with titles such as Some Observations On Liberty, Civil Liberty Asserted or On the Liberty of the Citizen. Their authors vehemently denied that the Atlantic Revolutions would bring greater freedom. As, for instance, the Scottish philosopher Adam Fergusona staunch opponent of the American Revolutionexplained, liberty consisted in the security of our rights. And from that perspective, the American colonists already were free, even though they lacked control over the way in which they were governed. As British subjects, they enjoyed more security than was ever before enjoyed by any people. This meant that the colonists liberty was best preserved by maintaining the status quo; their attempts to govern themselves could only end in anarchy and mob rule.

Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter

In the course of the 19th century this view became widespread among European elites, who continued to vehemently oppose the advent of democracy. Benjamin Constant, one of Europes most celebrated political thinkers, rejected the example of the French revolutionaries, arguing that they had confused liberty with participation in collective power. Instead, freedom-lovers should look to the British constitution, where hierarchies were firmly entrenched. Here, Constant claimed, freedom, understood as peaceful enjoyment and private independence, was perfectly secureeven though less than five percent of British adults could vote. The Hungarian politician Jozseph Eotvos, among many others, agreed. Writing in the wake of the brutally suppressed revolutions that rose against several European monarchies in 1848, he complained that the insurgents, battling for manhood suffrage, had confused liberty with the principle of the peoples supremacy. But such confusion could only lead to democratic despotism. True libertydefined by Eotvos as respect for well-earned rightscould best be achieved by limiting state power as much as possible, not by democratization.

In the U.S., conservatives were likewise eager to claim that they, and they alone, were the true defenders of freedom. In the 1790s, some of the more extreme Federalists tried to counter the democratic gains of the preceding decade in the name of liberty. In the view of the staunch Federalist Noah Webster, for instance, it was a mistake to think that to obtain liberty, and establish a free government, nothing was necessary but to get rid of kings, nobles, and priests. To preserve true freedomwhich Webster defined as the peaceful enjoyment of ones life and propertypopular power instead needed to be curbed, preferably by reserving the Senate for the wealthy. Yet such views were slower to gain traction in the United States than in Europe. To Websters dismay, overall, his contemporaries believed that freedom could best be preserved by extending democracy rather than by restricting popular control over government.

But by the end of the 19th century, conservative attempts to reclaim the concept of freedom did catch on. The abolition of slavery, rapid industrialization and mass migration from Europe expanded the agricultural and industrial working classes exponentially, as well as giving them greater political agency. This fueled increasing anxiety about popular government among American elites, who now began to claim that mass democracy posed a major threat to liberty, notably the right to property. Francis Parkman, scion of a powerful Boston family, was just one of a growing number of statesmen who raised doubts about the wisdom of universal suffrage, as the masses of the nation  want equality more than they want liberty.

William Graham Sumner, an influential Yale professor, likewise spoke for many when he warned of the advent of a new, democratic kind of despotisma danger that could best be avoided by restricting the sphere of government as much as possible. Laissez faire, or, in blunt English, mind your own business, Sumner concluded, was the doctrine of liberty.

Being alert to this history can help us to understand why, today, people can use the same wordfreedomto mean two very different things. When conservative politicians like Rand Paul and advocacy groups FreedomWorks or the Federalist Society talk about their love of liberty, they usually mean something very different from civil rights activists like John Lewisand from the revolutionaries, abolitionists and feminists in whose footsteps Lewis walked. Instead, they are channeling 19th century conservatives like Francis Parkman and William Graham Sumner, who believed that freedom is about protecting property rightsif need be, by obstructing democracy. Hundreds of years later, those two competing views of freedom remain largely unreconcilable.

HUP

Annelien de Dijn is the author of Freedom: An Unruly History, available now from Harvard University Press.
Iran held constructive talks with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and will fulfill its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, but will not accept any additional demands beyond those pledges, the Islamic Republic said during a visit of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Tehran.

Grossi  who is on a visit to Iran to address months-long standoff in which Iran wasnt allowing IAEA inspectors to two sites suspected of having hosted nuclear activity in the past  said that he met on Tuesday with Irans Vice-President and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi.

We are working on reaching an agreement on IAEAs safeguards verification activities in Iran, Grossi tweeted today.

Iran, for its part, said that the talks on Tuesday were very constructive.

I had very constructive talks with Grossi and it was decided that the IAEA move forward with its work professionally and independently, and Iran, too, act within the framework of its obligations, Irans ISNA news agency quoted Salehi as saying.

Salehi, however, added that we accept no illegal demand beyond nuclear commitments and we act based on our interests, according to ISNA.

A new chapter has opened between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency and with Grossis visit to Iran, our cooperation will further expand. I hope the outcome of this visit will please both sides, so much so that the two sides will fulfill their responsibilities, Irans top nuclear official said, as carried by ISNA.

Last week, Irans foreign minister Javad Zarif warned that U.S. efforts to have the UN sanctions on Iran re-imposed would have dangerous consequences.

The U.S. withdrew in 2018 from the so-called Iran nuclear deal from 2015, imposing sanctions on Irans banking, shipping, and oil industry. Irans oil exports have significantly shrunk over the past two years, despite the use of every possible back-channel for exports.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Kington, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/25/2020 -- QuickBooks has not laid down a solid definition for a large file. However, there is a point when a file does get too big causing slowdowns to occur.



It is said that when a file is around 150 MB, troubles start to arise.



E-Tech's SuperCondense works by reducing file sizes down to 80 percent of their original file size, resulting in increased speed and transfer time. QuickBooks' built-in utility known as Condense does reduce the size of a QuickBooks data file and condenses closed transactions into summary journal entries. If any list items are not used, they are deleted from QuickBooks. Moreover, there are some transaction types the Condense operation will not remove.



Currently, QuickBooks Online can only convert desktop data files under 350MB in size. With E-tech's SuperCondense Service, QuickBooks users can bring down any file size so they can easily upgrade to QuickBooks Online. The service results in smaller QuickBooks files lesser prone to corruption or crashingwith faster load times and functionality. With less space on the hard drive, QuickBooks systems are also easier to update with new versions.



The SuperCondense service has been used by hundreds of satisfied customers in US, Canada, and UK. Since QuickBooks does not have a condense feature in the Canadian and UK versions of QuickBooks,this service allows users of QuickBooks to continue to use their existing data files rather than create a new data file and lose history. Also, even though the US version of QuickBooks does have a condense feature, it does not work correctly with data files with Inventory or Advanced Inventory.



For more information on this service, visit https://quickbooksrecovery.co.uk/quickbooks-file-data-services/quickbooks-supercondense-service/



About E-Tech

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/



Media Contact

E-Tech

Melanie Ann

61 Bridge St.

Kington HR5 3DJ

Melanie@e-tech.ca

www.quickbooksrecovery.co.uk
San Francisco, Aug 25 : Samsung has been expanding its 5G network equipment business as Huawei faces troubles and now a new report has claimed that the South Korean tech giant is developing 5G small cell devices for Verizon.

These 5G small cells will be based on Qualcomm's 5G chipsets.

"The small cells refer to small base stations which the customer can install themselves, while the outdoors cells are called macro-cells and are based on the 28GHz mmWave 5G technology," reports Android Headlines.

Samsung has already deployed 5G networks for carriers in Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the US and other countries.

Samsung's network business has previously supplied 4G small cells to the US carrier, made based on Intel's chipset and has been supplying them to Verizon since 2016.

The company's 4G small cell is available from Verizon's website for $249.99, and it is about the size of a tablet PC and weighs around 500g.

Meanwhile, Verizon has received criticism for the low coverage of its 28GHz spectrum 5G network.
Today (August 25) is the fifth day of CBI investigation in Sushant Singh Rajput death case and according to sources, CBI officials have instructed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to interrogate Sushant's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty in the last. Rhea's lawyer also said in a statement on Monday (August 24) that the CBI has not yet sent any summon to Rhea or anyone in her family for questioning.

According to sources, senior CBI officials had said that in this case there is no motive for 'murder' nor is there any motive for 'suicide'. Therefore, the CBI has now engaged a team to gather information about Sushant's behavior.

CBI SP Nupur Prasad, DIG Gagandeep Gambhir and Joint Director Manoj Shashidhar held a meeting on Monday through video conferencing. According to the sources, after hearing the investigation report so far, senior officials have ordered the SIT team to gather complete information about the mental state of the late Bollywood actor. The senior CBI officials also gave example of Delhi's Burari case during the meeting.

Vikas Singh, the lawyer for Sushant Singh's father, believes that if Rhea does not cooperate with the CBI in the investigation, then the central probe agency can arrest her too. It is learnt that the CBI wants to gather all kinds of information before calling Rhea for questioning in this matter. On Monday, the CBI team questioned Sushant's friend Siddharth Pithani and cook Neeraj Singh for the third consecutive day.

The CBI also questioned Sushant's former accountant Rajat Mewati. A CBI team also went to Waterstone Resort in Mumbai for investigation. It is to be noted that Rhea and Sushant had stayed at this resort for two months and Sushant had undergone some sort of spiritual healing here.

The CBI team also visited Cooper Hospital, where Sushant's postmortem was conducted, at 4 pm on Monday. This was the second time when the CBI team went to the Cooper Hospital for investigation. A team of CBI also visited Kotak Mahindra Bank to gather information related to Sushant's accounts.

Sushant was found hanging at his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14 and Mumbai Police was probing the case since then. Mumbai Police, however, did not register an FIR in the case and was investigation the matter as 'accidental death'.
Some 15 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the umbrella name Alliance of CSOs working on Extractive, Anti-Corruption and Good Governance are demanding the immediate suspension of the implementation of the controversial Special Purpose Vehicle, Agyapa Royalties Limited established by government though the Minerals Income Investment Fund.

The CSOs say until there is full disclosure on the beneficial ownership of the Special Purpose Vehicle, Agyapa Minerals Royalties, the implementation of the deal should be deferred.

Parliament last Friday approved five agreements to allow the country to derive maximum value from its mineral resources and monetise its mineral income accruing to the country in a sustainable and responsible manner, in line with the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Act, 2018 (Act 978).

The approval gives Agyapa Royalties Limited, the legal backing to secure about $1 billion to enable government finance large infrastructural projects.

But Chairman of the Alliance of CSOs working on Extractive, Anti-Corruption and Good Governance, Dr. Steve Manteaw at a press conference on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, said the deal is opaque, lacks oversight arrangements, and places Agyapa Royalties above the countrys tax laws.

The recent amendment of the Minerals Income Investment Fund creates more suspicion. The rushed amendment and inserting worrying clauses including clauses that leaves a special purpose vehicle; Agyapa Royalties above Ghanaian tax laws, outweighs Ghanas immunity and by that, expose Ghana to the risk of damaging lawsuits should any future government seek to reverse this transaction.

What we find even more repulsive about this whole transaction is the provision that permits Agyapa Royalties, a supposed company of the sovereign state, to register in tax payments to borrow money or raise equity in foreign currency from any source on the back of the gold royalties of Ghanaians without the requirement of any further approval, consent and administrative Act of the Government of Ghana. This provision takes Agyapa Royalties away from parliamentary oversight and control, he added.

Already, the deal has been criticised by many who described it as a way of mortgaging Ghana's mineral resources.

National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama also described the deal as questionable whilst a presidential aspirant of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), William Dowokpor, called it fraudulent.

Defence of deal

But the Minerals Income and Investment Fund (MIIF) has defended the integrity of the agreements to monetise the country's gold royalties through Agyapa Royalties Limited.

Describing it as a forward-thinking endeavour, the Fund said the deal was being created with Ghanaians' best interests at heart.

It assured of its transparency noting that it was listed on both the Ghana and London Stock Exchange, which mandates full disclosure from shareholders.

The Fund further refuted claims it was owned by President Akufo-Addo.

It said, currently, MIIF is the sole shareholder of Agyapa Royalties, an SPV that is expected to be listed on the London and Ghana Stock exchanges.

Regardless of who is in power, the MIIF is the custodian of Ghana's future mineral revenues in terms of the MIIF Act.

In general, Ghanaians will benefit because the capital raised will finance strategic capital investments such as infrastructure and also mining in collaboration with local equity participants to spur socio-economic development, it added.

 citinewsroom
Berlin, Aug 25 : Ahead of his mediation trip, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Tuesday called on Greece and Turkey to discuss their territorial claims in the Mediterranean.

"A further escalation can only harm everyone, but above all those directly involved on site," Xinhua news agency quoted Maas as saying in a statement released by the German Foreign Office.

"Instead of new provocations, it is now finally necessary to take steps to relax and enter into direct discussions.

"We want to support all of our efforts," the Minister added.

"Turkey and Greece are our NATO allies. Solutions to the disputes over the natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean can only be found based on international law and in honest dialogue with one another," Maas added.

Maas will first meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in Athens, and then meet Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara.

The dispute over Turkish natural gas explorations off Greek islands in the eastern Mediterranean has escalated in recent weeks.

Greece considers the explorations illegal.

The European Union (EU) has also condemned the Turkish actions and asked Ankara to stop them.

The Ankara government on the other hand believes the waters, in which natural gas is being drilled on a trial basis, belong to the Turkish continental shelf.

In the latest escalation, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on August 21 had announced that his country has discovered significant natural gas reserves in the Black Sea.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez further said that another 6,000 square kilometres of seismic work would be carried out in the region to discover more gas.

Meanwhile, EU Foreign Ministers will hold an informal meeting on Thursday and Friday in Berlin, during which relations with Turkey will be discussed.
Minister Costel Alexe, the National Liberal Party (PNL) candidate for the presidency of the Iasi County Council (CJ), proposes the creation of jobs by setting up three industrial parks, but also a Representation Office of the institution in Brussels.

"I, Costel Alexe, believe that opening industrial parks can create new jobs and attract foreign investment. The local economy will have an active partner in the County Council, led by me. The institution will lead the efforts to transform Iasi County into a business hub. Through the expanded Metropolitan Partnership we will develop industrial parks and business incubators. In the next 4 years, we will operate at least three industrial parks to attract investors and provide a complete infrastructure for business development that will generate both jobs but also revenues to the communities' budgets," Minister Costel Alexe, the PNL candidate for the presidency of the Iasi County Council, says in a press release.

He proposes the construction of three industrial parks of the Iasi County Council, private industrial parks to be built on the Tomesti - Holboca axis, and technology parks on the Miroslava - Letcani axis.

As president of the County Council, Alexe aims to create an IT&C cluster "Iasi - Innovative Hub", by a partnership between the business environment, the academic environment and the administrative environment.

He promises to invest 5 million euros for the IT&C Technology Park, which will create jobs for 1,000 young people specializing in IT and related industries in the first two years. At the same time, he wants a representative office of the Iasi County Council to be set up in Brussels, in partnership with the Iasi City Hall.

The PNL candidate also considers that his proposals also address a serious phenomenon that affects the region of Moldova in recent years, namely the exodus of the population, especially the young.

AGERPRES .
Didi Drives Into Russia With Taxi Service

Heather Mowbray / Aug 25, 2020 06:38 PM / World

Ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing said on Tuesday that it has launched a taxi service in Russia, the latest stop on its global roadmap as it aspires to take on global leader Uber.

Didi said it has launched its DiDi Express service in southwestern Kazan, the capital and largest city of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, home to the countrys largest IT park. The company, which began recruiting drivers in late July, will only charge drivers 5% commission and promises a safe value-for-money transportation option for riders in the city.

The Russian market is potentially a rich source of customers for Didi. A 2019 study by HSBC bank found that 45% of Russians have at least one ride-hailing app on their phones, third only behind China and Mexico. Locally owned Yandex Taxi, a major competitor with 27% of the market, acquired Ubers Russian business in 2017.

The move adds to a list of countries outside Didis home market where it now operates, including Australia, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, Colombia and Panama. Didis China business rebounded to its pre-pandemic level in July 2020, according to a company press release, and the company is doubling down on plans to reach 800 million monthly active users globally as part of an ambitious three-year growth strategy.

Related: Didi Targets Youth Market With Piggy Ride-Hailing Service

Uber Abandons Plan to Move Regional Headquarters to Hong Kong
iRobots Genius Home Intelligence gives people more control over how, when and where Roomba cleans. Credit: Jeff Tilford/iRobot

Consumer robotics pioneer iRobot (IRBT), creator of the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, announced on Tuesday that it is giving the home cleaning experience a major upgrade with the launch of a new robot platform, called iRobot Genius Home Intelligence.

The interface is a newly redesigned iRobot Home app that gives people highly personalised control over when, how, and where the Roomba cleans the house, allowing them to interact with their cleaning robot via app or speak to it via Alexa and Google Assistant smart speakers

On August 25, your robot will get a brain transplant, iRobot chairman and chief executive Colin Angle told Yahoo Finance UK. All you need to do is own a connected iRobot product and it will automatically download at no cost. Were adding all of this functionality to allow the relation between customer and robot to get to the point where you have all the control you need.

Angle, who co-founded the company in 1990, describes iRobot Genius as a major step change in robot intelligence.

Robotic intelligence must break free from the limits of autonomy and become true cleaning partners, he said.

Colin Angle, the CEO of iRobot, best known for the Roomba vacuum cleaner, poses for a portrait in Bedford, MA on Jan. 22, 2020. Photo: Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Instructing the Roomba vacuum or the Braava mop where to clean will be more targeted now, allowing people to issue precise orders, such as telling the machines to go to specific areas of the home, like around kitchen counters or the sofa, that get messier more often or where there has been a spill.

The robot will also now proactively detect and suggest setting up clean zones for higher-use areas, or their owners can designate these on the app map, then ask the Roomba by voice or via the app to clean around the couch for example.

Last year, we offered the ability to create manual zones about where it should go and where it shouldnt, but you had to be really into it to use these features, Angle said. Now what weve done is use the intelligence of the robot to recognise tables and couches and say heres an area that may get dirty more frequently, would you like to name it and remember that this is a special area of your house?

Story continues

Scheduling when the Roomba should clean is going to get more personalised too, with the robot focused on cleaning around times of the day that suit people best.

The Roombas AI is able to take its cue from other connected WiFi devices like connected home locks or location-based services like the Life360 family-network app, to know when everyones out of the house. It will also make recommendations based on peoples recurring schedules, such as suggesting that it clean the dining room after meal times.

We know a lot about whats going on in the environmentwhy not take advantage of knowing when the pollen count is high, or it is pet shedding season, and doing something about it by suggesting hey lets clean more today because the pollen count is high, or more for next three weeks cos your dog is shedding, Angle said.

"Roomba", a robotic vacuum cleaner, is displayed during the exhibition "Robots" at the City of Science and Industry or La CitA des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris on April 01, 2019. Photo: FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP via Getty Images

Corona lockdowns and clean houses

Angle told Yahoo Finance UK that the coronavirus lockdowns has been an interesting time for the company, which launched the first Roomba in 2002. Currently, iRobot dominates the robot-vacuum markets, with a 67% global market share, excluding China, and sales of 30 million robots to date.

People having to work from home has created a much more acute appreciation for keeping the home clean and it you have kids you have even less time to do it.

While supply chain breakdowns due to the spreading pandemic were a nightmare for the company, and retail sales were impossible in many places under lockdown restrictions, Angle said that online and direct sales increased by 50% in the last quarter.

iRobot reported a stronger-than-expected second-quarter performance in July, with a 43% growth in revenue from premium robots, including 13% revenue growth in the US and 43% in Japan, which offset a 14% decline in EMEA.

Rather than an expected decline in annual revenue, we now anticipate 2020 revenue will be relatively unchanged to slightly higher than 2019, Angle said in the quarterly results statement.

He told Yahoo Finance UK that awareness and appreciation for cleaning robots as a technology has more than offset some of the availability challenges during the coronavirus lockdowns.

In the past several months, iRobot has seen an increase of around two million connected customers  people who have WiFI connected robots and opted into to digital interactions with iRobot and seven million new connected consumers overall in 2020.

Angle has watched the environment around robot acceptance transforming in recent years, helped in no small part by advances in smartphone technology. People are now used to relying on the phone for everything from object recognition, to giving us estimates on how long it will take to drive somewhere.

For the first 16 years of Roomba, our biggest challenge was no one believed it, Angle said. If you didnt own Roomba, you were sceptical that Roomba could possibly work So we positioned it as a helper, so that it was easier to believe that the robot could be assistive but we werent telling you to throw away your upright vacuum.

He said that like a switch the skepticism has disappeared and he longer has to convince people that Roomba really delivers on its promises.

Theres a cultural realisation that this is real  if I can say Alexa turn on the oven or turn on the lights that is about as magical as a cleaning robot, Angle said. The hurdle I had to get over is just coming down and down.
ROME, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Italy kicked off human trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, joining a global effort to develop a response to the virus which has shown signs of resurging in Europe.

Rome's Lazzaro Spallanzani institute, a hospital specializing in infectious diseases will conduct trials on 90 volunteers over the coming weeks, with the hope a vaccine may be available by spring of next year.

Francesco Vaia, health director of the Spallanzani hospital, told Reuters the first patient will be monitored for four hours before being allowed to go home where he will be kept under observation for 12 weeks.

"We will see if it produces any side effects and if it produces neutralizing antibodies," Vaia said, adding the second phase of testing will take place in countries with higher infection rates, like Mexico and Brazil.

"If we are able to be fast, we will have the first shots on the market next spring," Vaia added.

The potential vaccine, called GRAd-COV2, was developed by ReiThera, a company based in Rome. The Lazio region, around the Italian capital, said in a statement early trials, including on animals, had delivered positive results.

Potential vaccines are undergoing trials in a number of different countries including India, Britain, Russia and China, as scientists have raced to unpick the secrets of a virus that emerged less than a year ago.

"Our country's minds and research are at the service of the global challenge to defeat COVID," Health Minister Roberto Speranza wrote on Facebook announcing the start of the trial.

Italy, one of Europe's worst-hit countries with more than 35,000 deaths, saw the epidemic peak between March and April before the outbreak appeared to be on the retreat. But it has since seen a surge in new cases with more than 1,000 recorded on both Saturday and Sunday.

Other countries in Europe have seen even bigger jumps as tight restrictions and social distancing measures imposed earlier in the year have been eased.

(Reporting by Yara Nardi; writing by Angelo Amante, Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
Google's UK boss insists the tech giant will 'always pay the tax it is required to pay' and how much is 'a matter for the government'.

Managing director Ronan Harris made the pledge on ITV's Good Morning Britain today amid a backlash over the company paying just 44 million in corporation tax, while handing out 1 billion in bonuses to its 4,000 UK staff.

MPs described the numbers as a 'joke' earlier this year and described the tax payment as 'insulting when other businesses are struggling'.

Mr Harris insisted today the firm paid 'around the same amount' of tax globally as other similar-sized companies across all industries.

But he said a 'bone of contention' around the issue appeared to be with the 'vast majority' of its tax being paid to the US state of California, where the company's head office is located.

The managing director made the pledge on ITV's Good Morning Britain today amid a backlash over the company paying just 44 million in corporation tax, while handing out 1 billion in staff bonuses

How Google's finances and tax payments compared between 2018 and 2019 Corporation tax paid: 2018: 66million 2019: 44million Staff: 2018: 3,639 2019: 4,439 Average pay out: 2018: 226,000 2019: 234,000 Shares bonanza: 2018: 342m 2019: 441m Wage and salary bill: 2018: 829m 2019: 1.04bn Advertisement

Google's payment of 44m in corporation tax last year was down on the 66m paid in 2018, due to profits falling following the hiring of 800 workers, including 400 new research and development (R&D) staff.

But the tech giant's UK-billed revenues were still 1.6billion and the firm rewarded its 4,439 staff here handsomely.

The wage bill was up 25 per cent in the past year according to the accounts, with 441m worth of shares handed out in bonuses.

The firm's workforce - split into 1,723 in marketing, 2,171 in research and development and 545 in 'management and administration' - got on average 234,000 each.

Google's UK operation is primarily used as the marketing and sales division of its European operation, which is headquartered in Dublin, where taxes are lower.

Asked about the difference in Google's tax payments, Mr Harris said: 'Like any business our revenues and our profits go up and down, so that's accounting for some of the variation in those figures.'

He continued: 'But I think the bone of contention is the vast majority of that (overall) tax is paid in California, where our head office is.

'And the conversation between international governments at the moment is: is there a fair apportionment of that tax so that more of it is paid, not in California, but in the countries where we are doing lots of businesses?'

The UK Government is attempting to crack down on the use of profits and cash being shifted to countries with lower tax levels, and is planning a 2% digital service tax.

Google boss Ronan Harris insists the tech giant will 'always pay the tax it is required to pay' and how much is 'a matter for the government'

Google paid 44million in corporation tax in the UK last year despite handing out more than 1billion in pay and bonuses to its 4,439 staff in the country. Pictured: Its UK headquarters in London

If introduced, Google would see 2% of its 1.6 billion sales in the UK taxed, bringing in an extra 32m. Sales were up compared with 1.4 billion recorded a year earlier.

Government presses ahead with tech tax plans despite US threats A tax on tech giants has gone ahead despite US threats of retaliatory tariffs against the UK's car industry. The Government confirmed a new 2 per cent levy would come into effect, affecting search engines, social media services and online marketplaces which 'derive value from UK users'. Companies whose worldwide revenues from digital activities exceed 500million, with more than 25million of the revenues from UK users, fall under the digital services tax. It is expected to bring in an extra 65million this year. With firms across the Atlantic including Google, Amazon and Facebook the main targets of the tax, US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin had warned the US could retaliate with tariffs on UK-made cars. Advertisement

Instead, it paid the 44 million bill on pre-tax profits of 225.8m, down on 246.3m pre-tax profits the year before.

The Digital Sales Tax comes despite threats from Washington the UK would face trade sanctions if it forced American companies to pay the tax.

US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin has previously warned the US could retaliate with tariffs on UK-made cars.

The Prime Minister in December vowed to make major multinational companies pay their fair share of tax.

Google said back in April it is 'committed to the recruitment and retention of first-rate people, and therefore offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package'.

Accounts also showed the company's new King's Cross office in London, which it owns on a long lease, was worth 290m as of June last year.

But it is not clear how much the UK bosses are paid, with Google under no obligation to disclose figures due to the firm not being on the London Stock Exchange.

In 2016, President of EMEA Business & Operations for Google Matt Brittin surprised the Public Accounts Committee when he would not, or could not, say his earnings.

But he will be earning big money for the company, along with fellow director Paul Manicle and Mr Harris himself.

Others believed to be taking home large salaries are Finance director James Cotton, Head of Business Development James Lee, Product Design and Sales Director Jens Riegelsberger and Marketing Director Graham Bednash.

Mr Harris was repeatedly asked whether Google would be willing to pay more tax in the UK, to which he responded: 'We will always pay the tax we are required to pay in the UK, and that is a matter for the UK Government to set.'

Google has been contacted for further information about its tax payments in California.
The global fire detection and suppression systems market size is expected to grow by USD 5.91 billion as per Technavio. This marks a significant market growth compared to the 2019 growth estimates due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. Moreover, healthy growth is expected to continue throughout the forecast period, and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4%. Request Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impacts

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005567/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Fire Detection and Suppression Systems Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Fire Detection and Suppression Systems Market Analysis Report by End-user (Commercial buildings, Industrial sector, Residential buildings, Government buildings, and Educational buildings) and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, and South America), and the Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024".

https://www.technavio.com/report/fire-detection-and-suppression-systems-market-industry-analysis

The market is driven by the stringent regulations supporting improved fire safety standards. In addition, the emergence of eco-friendly products is anticipated to boost the growth of the fire detection and suppression systems market.

The implementation of stringent fire safety regulations in developed regions, such as North America and Western Europe, is a major factor that is driving the adoption of fire detection and suppression systems. Most countries are working to reduce incidents of fire outbreaks. As a result, governments have regularized fire control systems in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. As per regulations, buildings must be equipped with proper emergency handling systems, the most important being the fire detection and suppression systems. For instance, awareness initiatives by federal governments and the NFPA association in the US are promoting the adoption of fire prevention measures among end-users in the country. Many countries, such as Australia, France, Austria, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, the UK, and few states of the US, have mandated the installation of fire alarms in all buildings irrespective of the height of the building. For the industrial sector, almost all countries have regulations to deploy fire alarms in the structure.

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

View market snapshot before purchasing

Major Five Fire Detection and Suppression Systems Companies:

AFEX Fire Suppression Systems

AFEX Fire Suppression Systems provides pre-engineered fire protection solutions used across industries such as agriculture, coal, construction, mining, oil, gas and energy, waste management, and steel and slag. The company offers liquid agent, dry chemical, and dual agent-based pre-engineered manual and automated fire suppression systems.

API Group

API Group has business operations under three segments: safety services, specialty services, and industrial services. The company offers end-to-end fire protection solutions, including design, installation and service of fire protection systems such as sprinkler systems, fire pumps, and fire extinguishers.

Carrier Global Corp.

Carrier Global Corp. operates its business through various segments such as HVAC, refrigeration, and fire and safety. The company offers wide range of residential, commercial and industrial systems that includes fire and carbon monoxide detection system, fire, gas and water suppression system, and fire and gas safety solutions.

Emerson Electric Co.

Emerson Electric Co. has business operations under automation solutions and commercial and residential solutions. The company offers a range of flame detection systems under the Rosemount brand such as Rosemount 975UR Ultraviolet Infrared Flame Detector, Rosemount 975UF Ultra Fast Ultraviolet Infrared Flame Detector, Rosemount 975HR Multi-Spectrum Infrared Hydrogen Flame Detector and Rosemount 975MR Multi-Spectrum Infrared Flame Detector.

Globe Fire Sprinkler Corp.

Globe Fire Sprinkler Corp. offers sprinklers, accessories, valves, and electronic products such as pressure switches and tamper switches. The company offers a wide range of sprinkler systems such as S1 standard coverage fire hose, S2 extended coverage, S5 dry, S6 Special Sprinkler and S7 high Pressure, S8 sprinkler patterns/warning and accessories.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Fire Detection And Suppression Systems End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2020-2024)

Commercial buildings

Industrial sector

Residential buildings

Government buildings

Educational buildings

Fire Detection And Suppression Systems Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2020-2024)

North America

Europe

APAC

MEA

South America

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005567/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/
Northrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/25/2020 -- According to the new market research report "Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis by Type (Unit Load, Mini Load, VLM, Carousel, Mid Load), Function (Storage, Order Picking, Assembly, Distribution, Kitting), Industry, and Region- Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the ASRS market is likely to reach USD 10.7 billion by 2025 from USD 7.3 billion in 2020, at a CAGR of 8.0% from 2020 to 2025. The growth of this market can be attributed to the growing demand for ASRSs in e-commerce due to onset of COVID-19, increasing demand for ASRS in automotive industry, optimum utilization of space and rise in labor costs, and improved accuracy, productivity, and efficiency in supply chain, along with better inventory control.



Ask for PDF Brochure:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=195267987



"Unit load segment to lead the ASRS market from 2020 to 2025"



Unit load is expected to hold the largest share of the overall market in 2020. Unit load ASRSs are used for storing large size articles. The market growth is supported by their wide range of applications in consumer goods, automotive, electronics, food & beverages, pharmaceuticals & medical supplies, and retail & apparel industries.



"Storage function to lead the ASRS market during forecast period"



Storage function is expected to hold the largest share of the ASRS market in 2020. Storage is a basic function of ASRS, and it enhances the storing capacity of distribution centers and manufacturing plants. Extensive use of ASRSs for storage function in industries such as automotive, food & beverages, chemicals, and healthcare is fueling the growth of the market.



"Automotive industry to lead ASRS market from 2020 to 2025"



The automotive industry is expected to hold the largest share of the ASRS market in 2020. The shift in demand toward electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles has prompted automakers to ramp up automotive manufacturing, which requires automotive spare parts. Automotive suppliers have to effectively manage large amounts of goods and variation and breadth of stock. Also, these suppliers need to improve the storage capacity within the available floor space. Thus, ASRSs are increasingly being used to fulfill the requirements related to material handling capacity. Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, the automotive industry is incurring massive financial losses. The demand for automobiles is decreasing as people continue to be under lockdown restrictions. Skilled workers required for maintaining and optimizing ASRS in warehouses are unavailable. This has resulted in reduced demand for ASRS in automotive warehouses.



Browse in-depth TOC on "Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) Market"



183  Tables

43  Figures

215  Pages



Inquiry Before Buying:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=195267987



"Europe to be largest market for ASRS during forecast period"



Europe is expected to hold the largest market size for ASRS during the forecast period. The ASRS market in Europe is driven by countries such as Germany, the UK, and France. The significant investments in AMH equipment by automotive players and rising installations of automated equipment in European countries owing to diversified distribution channels in industries such as automotive, chemicals, healthcare, and food & beverages are contributing to the growth of the market in this region. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Europe, logistics and supply chain operations are affected severely. Supply chain disruptions will have both long-term and short-term effects on businesses.



Major players operating in the ASRS market include Daifuku (Japan), Kardex (Switzerland), Murata Machinery (Japan), SSI Schaefer (Germany), TGW Logistics (Austria), KION (Germany), KUKA (Germany), Toyota Industries (Japan), BEUMER (Germany), KNAPP (Austria), Mecalux (Spain), and System Logistics (Italy)).



Related Reports:



Warehouse Management System Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis by Offering (Software, Services), Deployment (On-Premise, On-Cloud), Tier Type (Advanced, Intermediate, Basic), Industry (3PL, Automotive, E-Commerce), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025



Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis, by Type (Tow Vehicles, Unit Load Carriers, Forklift Trucks, Assembly Line Vehicles, Pallet Trucks), Navigation Technology, Industry, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2025



About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.



Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.



MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.



Contact:

Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: +1-888-600-6441
British workers are the most reluctant to return to the office because of fears of a second wave of coronavirus, a new study has found.

It comes as Business Secretary Alok Sharma said he is hoping workers will return to offices soon and make cities 'vibrant again'.

A survey of 8,000 adults from eight countries found that UK and US workers showed the highest level of apathy towards going back to the office.

Downing Street yesterday urged workers who want to return to their workplace to put pressure on their bosses to allow it.

No10 said businesses had an obligation to offer staff 'Covid-secure workplaces' if they cannot work from home amid reports many City firms are plotting to retain home working into 2021.

However it seems that some offices won't be able to bring all of their workers back because of current social-distancing rules which dictate that there needs to be two metres between each worker - a rarity in modern offices.

And last month safety chiefs warned workers will not 'blindly obey' Boris Johnson's calls for a return to the office, as some of the county's biggest firms say fewer than 50 per cent of staff could come back because of social distancing.

The PM ordered officials to draw up plans for a return to work in July, but on Sunday No 10 was unable to say how many officials are now back at their desks.

A Whitehall source said: 'Getting people back to work is something the PM feels strongly about. It is slowly happening in Whitehall but not at the pace we would want.'

British workers are the most reluctant to return to the office because of fears of a second wave of coronavirus, a new study has found

The latest analysis, done by ManpowerGroup, found that the biggest reason people didn't want to go back to the workplace was fears of a second Covid-19 wave.

Some 73 per cent of the workforce in the UK have negative feelings about going back to work while only 54 per cent say the same in Germany.

A recent Daily Mail poll revealed that ministers should be doing more to get workers back in the office.

The survey, conducted by JL Partners on Friday, found that 47 per cent want the Government to step up efforts to encourage employees back to their desks  compared to 22 per cent who disagreed.

More than half  51 per cent  believe civil servants should set an example to the rest of the country by returning to their offices in Whitehall, compared to 21 per cent who said they should not.

Meanwhile a majority (54 per cent) said getting back to the office was important for the economy. The poll suggests strong public support for ministers to get Britain back to work next month as the summer holidays end and schools return.

Research from earlier this month by Morgan Stanley found that Britons have been slower to return to the office than their peers in France, Germany, Italy or Spain.

Only a third have gone back to the office compared to almost three quarters on the continent.

Experts believe this divergence could be explained by the UK and US having a higher death toll, which happened at a later stage, than most countries.

Last month, Richard Jones, Head of Policy at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, said social distancing rules made it impossible to fill offices.

He told the MailOnline: 'There are multiple factors affecting occupancy rates in offices. Workplaces need to be Covid-19 secure, meaning employers need to assess their risks and have the necessary physical distancing and hygiene arrangements, which can limit the number of workers they can accommodate at any one time.

'However, some employers may have chosen to continue with working from home arrangements because their workers prefer it and they feel that productivity and wellbeing can be maintained.

'This smarter working has emerged because of the increased use of technology during the crisis. Also, while we're in the reopening phase, people may be experiencing childcare issues, making homeworking their best option, while there are others on furlough, not yet due to return.'

Duncan Spencer, Head of Advice and Practice, added: 'Even with just one-meter distancing it may not be possible to sit in normal office densities, but perhaps at every other workstation.

'It also reduces the number of people in circulation  again reducing the potential for disease transmission.

'Controlling numbers at work will help with reducing demand and the potential for breaking the social distancing rule at security points, lifts, on stairways, in toilets or rest areas.

'Those using public transport are at greater exposure to catching Covid-19. 'Loss of workforce to the illness could cause production problems. Making most of the workforce stay at home reduces the chances of transmission and protects production capability.'

And the chairman of the British Safety Council Lawrence Waterman said he understood the importance of workers returning to the office, but said many were staying away due to the government's social distancing rules.

Staff at offices in the Wirral have already put social distancing measures into place

He told the MailOnline: Asking someone to blindly obey is not going to work compared to making them understand the argument.

I think Mr Johnson has got it the wrong way round  he should be giving people the information, then asking them to make the right decision.

Getting people to going back to what they were doing is going to require self-confidence.

I think Mr Johnson is thinking that if people arent going back to work some of the hospitality and food sectors could be affected.

One of the reasons office workers arent going back is because of the social distancing rules.

The government want people to work in offices again without explaining facts on how it could happen.

The conversations I am having with people is about workplaces rebalancing the way they work, taking into account the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

It seems to be the situation that nobody has yet got a vaccine that really works, so I think at the moment people are making decisions that are a bit more flexible with their working situations.

I think most offices are going to have a lower population now on any given day.

I dont think employers want to put pressure on people to go into the office.

NatWest is among banks that has told staff they will not return to offices in London and elsewhere this year, while Virgin Money is considering not bringing back some workers at all.

Additionally, the head of human resources at Swiss-owned bank UBS predicted that the future would see more flexible working patterns, including more working from home.

The rise in home working sparked fears for the future of businesses and workers in ancillary service industries reliant on commuters.

But many offices will struggle to bring all their workers back to workplaces because of current social distancing rules.

Mr Sharma said: 'If you look, the guidance that we have said up until relatively recently was that you if you can work from home you should work from home.

It comes as Business Secretary Alok Sharma said he is hoping workers will return to offices soon and make cities 'vibrant again'

'That guidance has now changed. We have said talk to your employer, there needs to be flexibility on both sides, if you need to come in you should.

'Employers will make decisions based on their own business models.

'What is quite interesting is that what you are starting to see is some employers saying people should be working partly from home, partly from the office, there are lots of people who are currently working from home who perhaps don't have the amount of space that they would like and they want to come back into the workplace.

'I hope what we will see is people coming back into the workplace and yes, I personally would like to see London vibrant again.'

The new study found that the main concerns about going back to old working routines were focused on health.

And 21 per cent didn't want to go back to the office because they prefer not having to waste time commuting and having more flexibility.

It comes after research from Leesman, a workplace research group, studied 120,000 employees across the world and found that UK workers were some of the least experienced with working from home before lockdown.

Only 44 per cent of British workers had experience of working remotely before lockdown compared with 76 per cent of Belgian workers.

The new study found that the main concerns about going back to old working routines were focused on health

Chief executive of Leesman, Tim Oldman, told The Telegraph: 'It may be that we are still enjoying the novelty factor, because our technology is supporting us and certain things the home is supporting better than any office - such as business confidential conversations.

'The overall picture in the UK is one of home supporting work really well and some incredibly well, but it is also worth saying that between 20 and 30 per cent of the working population home is not supporting work at all well.

Matt Hancock launches plan to test four MILLION people daily Matt Hancock is said to be planning an astonishing rise in the number of coronavirus tests carried out, with a target of four million per day to get the economy back on track. The Health Secretary is said to be preparing what has been dubbed 'Operation Moon Shot with the aim of increasing daily tests by around twelve-fold by early next year. Currently the NHS and private testing centers have a capacity of around 326,000, although because of the current level of infection, only around 190,000 are being carried out. A massive expansion of the testing regime is seen as a key requirement of easing lockdown measures further as the public continue to be wary of a return to workplaces. 'It is at an embryonic stage and it's going to take a hell of a lot of work. It is nicknamed Operation Moon Shot because that is what a moon shot is like: it seems very hard but it's important and we want to land it,' a source told the Telegraph. Advertisement

'Work-life balance is another really interesting one, because a year ago people would have been saying the more you allow an employee to work from home the better they can command a work-life balance - but it's at the bottom of the league table in almost every client survey we report back on.'

And Raj Krishnamurthy, CEO of UK-based workplace technology company, Freespace, told MailOnline: 'The UK is reopening after an extremely strange period and a healthy dose of empathy is required. However, we must all remain vigilant. The danger is still there.

'Any organisation that reopens its workplace will be responsible for the health of its employees. Much of that responsibility will land on the facilities and cleaning teams, as they work to keep environments safe and hygienic.

'Technology that helps them communicate their goals and nurtures the necessary change will be vital in aiding reassurance amongst the UK workforce.'

More than 20 of Britain's biggest businesses have already said they aren't expecting their staff to come back to the office before next year, despite the Government's 'back to work' campaign.

The majority have told their employees that they can come in if they would like but they are not pressured to do so.

At the beginning of this month Boris Johnson called for 'those of us who can' to return to offices, shops and restaurants in a bid to kickstart the economy.

He warned: 'If we don't, I'm afraid we will see further job losses and a loss of some of those fantastic businesses that we see in our cities.'

Fund manager, Schroders, was the first major London institution to tell its thousands of employees that they could carry on working from home after the pandemic.

Chris Gray, the UK director of ManpowerGroup, told The Telegraph: 'What is key for employers is to find the balance and not paint all employees with a broad-brush; just as many individuals who want more remote working would like it with the option of a physical workplace a few days a week.'

Asked if the return of English schools next week should herald a wider return to work, the Prime Minister's deputy official spokesman said: 'We have been clear that if you can't work from home you should speak to your employer and it is up to employers to provide Covid-secure workplaces so people can attend work where needed.'

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench Tory MPs, said: 'Getting children back to school is critically important for their educational and social development, but it is also key to freeing up parents to get back to work.

'And getting people back to work is just as necessary if we are going to avoid even worse economic consequences from the pandemic than we are already facing.'

Natwest announced in July that said that an estimated 50,000 of its employees will work from home into 2021.

Earlier this month it was revealed fewer British office workers have returned to their workplace than in any other major European country.

Little more than a third (34 per cent) of UK staff were back at their desks, with the remainder continuing to work from home.

This contrasted with 83 per cent of French office staff and 70 per cent of Germans, according to a survey by researchers at investment bank Morgan Stanley.

However, their analysis found that Britons who have returned to their offices are doing so for more days a week than continental rivals.

Almost half (46 per cent) of UK workers who have returned are working at least five days a week from their office, far more than in France, Germany, Italy or Spain.
When Justin Trudeau proclaimed gleefully last week that he wouldnt be raising taxes as part of his recovery strategy, he was likely aiming to take a bit of the wind out of the sails of the next Conservative leader.

But as Erin OToole moves to turn his leadership-race platform into something his party could run on in the next election, theres still a lot of space for him to carve out as a conservative alternative.

He needs to fill in the blanks quickly though.

The Liberals have already started to define their approach to recovery. The build back better refrain keeps coming up, and the throne speech and fiscal update next month will seek to turn that progressive rallying cry into an actual vision that combines environmentalism, job creation, help to deal with the pandemic and support for the most vulnerable.

Theres no Liberal talk of balanced budgets or fiscal discipline, though. Even when Trudeau unveiled Chrystia Freeland as his new finance minister last week, the pro forma promises to keep a lid on spending or keep the debt burden on a downward track were absent.

Thats not the case for OToole.

During the Conservative leadership race, he campaigned, albeit vaguely, on fiscal prudence  getting the budget gradually back to balance, smaller and more efficient government, cutting costs and boosting small business and natural resource extraction.

Its a traditional, small-c conservative approach despite the unprecedented fiscal and economic upheaval. It hints at a stark contrast to the Liberal direction, which implies lots more spending beyond the $343-billion deficit already projected even before recovery efforts have begun.

But before voters can decide whether they prefer a right-leaning or left-leaning approach to recovery from the pandemic, OToole has some work to do in fleshing out what his campaign promises will look like in real life.

Most of his detailed campaign promises around recovery are somewhat dated. He wants government to invest in safe workplaces through ensuring proper supplies of masks, personal protective equipment and testing, which is already an ongoing effort by the federal government. He wants to end the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and reform Employment Insurance to provide proper support for self-employed, which the federal Liberals announced last week.

Longer term, he wants to unleash the private sector and spur higher rates of economic growth, not just by cutting taxes but by simplifying and flattening the tax system. It means the rich would not face disproportionately higher tax burdens than the rest of us, and its something conservatives flirt with now and again.

But details are scarce, and the ideas themselves are highly controversial. Lower taxes dont always lead to more private-sector investment or jobs. A flatter tax system may not be popular in the age of populism and anti-elite sentiment.

And how much cutting of government programs would be necessary if OToole really wanted to balance the budget at the same time? The deficit at this point is so enormous that we shouldnt expect a hard date on its elimination, even from Conservatives. Instead, a schedule or some kind of guiding principle could go a long way toward persuading those blue Liberals who are queasy about unconstrained deficits that they should give OToole a second look.

The Conservatives need to win that group over  something Andrew Scheer was not able to do  if they are to have a hope of winning the next election.

OToole has got an opportunity here, says Garry Keller, vice-president of StrategyCorp and chief of staff to Rona Ambrose when she was interim leader of the party. If hes bold, he can try to force the debate onto his terms.

Build back better may sound enticing to professionals, but it wont mean much to millions of blue-collar workers who are facing unemployment and looking for a way back to work right now, Keller said. And it will make those fiscal hawks within the Liberal Party cringe at the prospect of ballooning deficits.

Since the ousting of Bill Morneau last week, a narrative within both Conservative and Liberal circles has taken hold: the former finance ministers departure was Trudeau getting rid of an obstacle to spending more. Whether or not thats true doesnt matter much. The Trudeau-Freeland team seem perfectly content with that narrative; they have set themselves up to be doves, not hawks, on fiscal policy.

Wherever one stands on the economics, such positioning comes with political risk.

Thats why Trudeau tried to protect his right flank by promising not to raise taxes. But OToole still has ample room to manoeuvre and strike.
General Kenneth F McKenzie, Americas top military commander in the Middle East, said last Wednesday, as reported by The New York Times, that the level of US troops in Syria and Iraq will drop off in the next couple of months.

Likewise, President Trump is indicating the same as he believes that the Middle East is the seat of many endless wars. The United States has been trying to minimise its troops in the region for the last couple of years. Former president Barack Obama withdrew all US troops from Iraq on 18 December 2011. That move proved to be a mistake as just a couple of months later a new insurgency by the name of the Islamic State group (IS) began to rise, taking advantage of instability in Syria and Iraq.

However, with worldwide efforts, IS has been mainly defeated and with the threat of terrorism diminishing, leaders in the US are more eager than ever to minimise US military presence in the region.

There are 5,000 US troops today in Iraq. Even though the Islamic State group has been mainly defeated in the country, US troops remain as tensions are still high. Earlier this year, the US launched an airstrike in Iraq that killed General Qassem Suleimani, the leader of Irans elite Quds Force, a unit in Irans Revolutionary Guard, and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, the head of Kataeb Hizbullah. The airstrike came in response to an attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad.

The drone strike was not just a blow for Iran and its proxies but also a setback for Iraq as the countrys sovereignty is in shambles as Iran and the US launch airstrikes on its land. In response to the US drone strike, Iraqs parliament voted to expel US troops from the country. However, President Trump refused the parliaments demand. He stated: US troops will eventually leave Iraq, but now is not the right point for an American withdrawal.

The US has strategic reasons to stay for now in Iraq. First, the US is heavily invested in training Iraqi security forces, so that they can counter any resurgence of terrorist groups like the Islamic State group. Second, the US wants to counter Irans hegemonic ambitions in the region. Iran does not only pose a threat to Iraq, but also to Gulf states that are major oil producers, like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In September 2019, a drone and missile attack targeted an Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia. Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, and the group is known to be supported by Iran.

Attacks by Iranian-backed militias on the United States and its partners are likely to keep the United States in Iraq longer because they highlight that Iraq doesnt fully control its own territory. When Iranian militias run wild, Iraqis privately ask the US to stay. The Pentagon is also likely going to resist leaving completely because they already tried that in 2011 and, three years later, had to return, Michael Rubin, scholar at the Middle East Institute and author of Dancing with the Devil, told Al-Ahram Weekly.

One of the reasons that there are troops in Syria is to protect oil fields in northern Syria. A week ago, the Trump administration approved a deal between Delta Crescent Energy and Kurdish authorities. The American company is set to modernise and develop oil fields in northern Syria with the protection of the Peoples Protection Unit (YPG) and the estimated 500 US troops in that area. It was reported that the State Department and Pentagon have been working secretly to make this deal happen.

Its true that Middle East oil is less important to the United States today than it was, and is likely to become less so. But it is still vital to the global economy and therefore it remains a US vital strategic interest, to ensure it is accessible to global markets. This requires an ongoing role in Gulf security, Charles Dunne, scholar at the Middle East Institute and a former US diplomat, told the Weekly.

However, that deal is going to frustrate several parties in the region, such as Bashar Al-Assads government and its Russian ally, and Turkey. The Syrian government is eager to retain every inch of Syria as Al-Assad once promised. Therefore, the deal is a setback for his government as the United States aims to weaken Al-Assads flow of revenue with this deal. On the other hand, Turkey is frustrated with the deal as it claims that the YPG is associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a designated terrorist group by the United States, European Union and Turkey. Last October, Turkey launched an offensive on the group. Therefore, the deal comes with great significance to the Kurds, as it gives the YPG recognition and gives the Kurds hope of developing an independent state in northern Syria.

Afghanistan is another country that the US is finally withdrawing from. The US signed a peace agreement with the Taliban on 29 February 2020. The United States is committed to withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan. For its part, the Taliban pledged not to allow terrorist organisations such as Al-Qaeda to obtain territory from which they could train jihadists and launch attacks on the West. However, there seems to be limited progress on this front. The group still carries out attacks and in response the US carries airstrikes on the group. There is estimated to be 8,600 troops in Afghanistan today.

A hurried withdrawal could lead to a hurried re-engagement. That was proven when the US left Iraq in 2011 and terrorist groups took advantage and launched terrorist attacks on European and US soil. Thus, the US must be patient and strategic in its withdrawal. Especially, as the Taliban could overthrow the Afghani government in the near future if US and coalition forces totally withdraw.

Personally, I doubt the Afghan government will long survive a US pull-out; nor would any peace or power sharing agreement, Dunne told the Weekly.

Likewise, Michael Rubin is not optimistic about Afghanistans future. Afghanistan will be a mess and will likely slide back into civil war. The Taliban remains deeply unpopular and is not strong enough to win control over the whole country. The government in Kabul will not be able to control too much either. That means a backsliding into warlordism, he told the Weekly.

The United States wants to focus more on the rising influence of China. My ambition is and remains to look at how we pull resources  resources being troops and equipment and you name it, from places like Africa and the Gulf and move them to the Asia-Pacific, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in December 2019. That remains my ambition, but I have to deal with the world I have.

In light of a possible US withdrawal from the Middle East, international and regional powers are seeking to gain more influence. Iraq and China are strengthening their military ties where official statements by both sides indicate the Chinese governments willingness to provide military assistance to Iraq. The Iraqi Ambassador to Iran Saad Jawad Qandil, said that Iraq is in the process of purchasing Russian missile systems to update its defence infrastructure amid fears of further US-Iranian confrontation on Iraqi soil, according to the Washington Institute.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Abdalla Hamdok tells Pompeo in Khartoum any such move would be decided after the countrys transitional period.

Sudanese Prime Miniser Abdalla Hamdok has told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that his government had no mandate to normalise ties with Israel, and that any such move would be decided after the transitional period, according to a spokesman.

The transitional government, which took power last year after former longtime leader Omar al-Bashir was overthrown by the army following mass protests, is set to remain in office until elections in 2022.

During Tuesdays talks in Sudans capital, Khartoum, Hamdok clarified to Pompeo that the countrys transitional period is being led by a wide alliance with a specific agenda  to complete the transition, achieve peace and stability in the country and hold free elections government spokesman Faisal Saleh said in a statement.

It does not have a mandate beyond these tasks or to decide on normalisation with Israel, Hamdok was quoted as saying.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) met with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (R) in Khartoum [AFP]

The comments came shortly after Pompeo arrived in Khartoum on Tuesday, less than two weeks after Israel and the United Arab Emirates said they would normalise ties in a US-backed deal.

His visit was meant to discuss relations between Sudan and Israel and also show US support for the countrys fragile transition to democracy. Pompeo was on Israel on Monday, the first stop in a regional tour as part of a drive to convince more Arab countries to normalise ties with the Jewish state.

Following the talks, the US State Department said in a statement that Pompeo and Hamdok discussed positive developments in the Sudan-Israel relationship.

Happy to announce that we are on the FIRST official NONSTOP flight from Israel to Sudan! pic.twitter.com/eOXNsBAozC  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 25, 2020

Pompeo was the first US secretary of state to visit Sudan since Condoleezza Rice in 2005.

Hamdok urged the US not to link the subject of lifting Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and the subject of normalisation with Israel, as Pompeo was also scheduled to discuss the removal of Sudan from the list.

The US designated Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1993, cutting it off from financial markets and strangling its economy over allegations that al-Bashirs government was supporting terrorism.

The designation makes the country ineligible for much-needed debt relief and funding from international institutions, and limits potential foreign investment.

Washington lifted a 20-year trade embargo against Sudan in 2017 and was holding discussions on de-listing Khartoum when the military stepped in on April 11 to depose al-Bashir, who ruled for 30 years. Subsequently, the administration of US President Donald Trump suspended talks demanding the military hand power to a civilian government.

After months of deadlock following al-Bashirs overthrow, the ruling military and protest leaders agreed on a joint body to oversee a three-year transition that would pave the way for elections. The civilian-dominated sovereign council appointed Hamdok in August last year to lead the transitional administration.





Ahead of the tour, the State Department had said Pompeo would discuss continued US support for the civilian-led transitional government and express support for deepening the Sudan-Israel relationship.

Israel remains technically at war with Sudan and has no formal diplomatic relations with it.

200814105107070

Speaking in Jerusalem on Monday, Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they were hopeful that other Arab states would follow suit  in part to boost an alliance against their common arch foe Iran.

The US-sponsored deal between Israel and the UAE was denounced by the Palestinians as a betrayal of their cause.

It was only the third such accord Israel has struck with an Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan.

The two new partners have since said they want to promote trade, especially the sale of Emirati oil to Israel and Israeli technology to the UAE, as well as boosting tourism by establishing direct air links.

Pompeo will also visit Bahrain and the UAE, according to a State Department statement. Officials said stops in Oman and Qatar are also possible.
A jewellery shop worker assaulted by armed robbers has met one of his assailants, a teenager, and hopes he can reform.

Gemologist Stevan Morrow was struck on the head with a gun during the heist in January 2017 and is still angry at the gang who smashed and looted the Imp Jewellery store in Toorak.

Stevan Morrow has received a bravery award for showing courage during an armed robbery. Credit:Simon Schluter

It was the stores second armed robbery in three months, and Mr Morrow was hit after refusing to open a safe and yelling at the gang to leave.

The 52-year-old said it was "a big honour" to receive a Bar to the Bravery Medal in the Australian Bravery Awards, announced on Wednesday.
US officials will escort an Israeli delegation to UAE on Monday, in first trip since announcing deal to normalise ties.

Top US officials will escort an Israeli delegation to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, in what will the first-ever flight between the two countries in the Middle East.

The high-level meeting would also be the first between the three parties since US President Donald Trump announced on August 13 a Washington-brokered accord on the normalisation of ties between Israel and the UAE.

The UAE-Israeli deal, which still awaits negotiations on details such as opening embassies, trade and travel links before it is officially signed, was slammed by the Palestinians as the latest betrayal of their cause by an Arab state.

In a video statement on Tuesday, Netanyahu said White House senior adviser and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, National Security Adviser Robert OBrien, US Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz and other US officials will travel together to the UAE with an Israeli delegation led by National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat.

On August 13, the UAE became the third Arab country to officially normalise relations with Israel. Al Jazeeras @LinahAlsaafin explains the history of Arab-Israeli normalisation. pic.twitter.com/2VjJZ3U417  Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 25, 2020

The US and Israeli officials will fly on board an Israeli airliner directly from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi.

Talks will focus on ways to promote Israeli-UAE cooperation in sectors such as aviation and tourism, trade, finance, health, energy and security, Netanyahu said.

This is a historic agreement. It will bring growth engines  I hope other countries in our region will join the circle of peace.

The UAEs WAM news agency and Israels Ynet news website reported earlier on Tuesday that the ministers of defence of both countries  Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bawardi and Benny Gantz  spoke on the phone for the first time publicly.

Lose-lose situation

The deal would make the UAE only the third Arab country to forge ties with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan.

However, the prospect that the agreement could grant the Gulf power access to advanced weaponry previously denied to it has upset Israel, and could emerge as a sticking point in negotiations.





Last week, Trump announced that an agreement was under review for the UAE to buy the F-35fighter jets.

But despite the fact that the US has sold the F-35 to allies  including South Korea, Japan and Israel  sales to the Gulf require a deeper review because of US policy for Israel to maintain a military advantage in the Middle East.

During a visit to the region to showcase US support for Israeli-Arab ties, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured Israel on Monday it would retain a military advantage in the region under any future arms deal with the UAE.

Meanwhile, the Palestinians warned the Trump administration against trying to sideline them in its Middle East diplomatic push.

Recruiting Arabs to recognise Israel and open embassies does not make Israel a winner, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in an interview with Reuters.

You are putting the whole region in a lose-lose situation because you are designing the road for a forever conflict in the region.
Facebook has been making efforts to tackle the spread of misleading information across its platform during the pandemic. From April to June of this year, the social media platform applied warning labels to nearly 98 million posts spreading misleading information about the coronavirus. The company also removed 7 million posts that could lead to imminent harm. Facebook also rolled out a COVID-19 information center, and now the company is reportedly piloting a virality circuit breaker to combat the spread of misleading information.The Interface reported last week that the social media giant is piloting a new way to check viral posts on its platform for misleading information before these viral posts spread too far. The new method is kind of a virality circuit breaker, and it slows down the spread of a post before content moderators have a chance to review the content for misleading information.Recently, the Center for American Progress (CAP) published a new report , Fighting COVID-19 Misinformation and Disinformation. In this report, the CAP recommends virality circuit breakers that automatically stop algorithms from amplifying content when views, likes, and shares are skyrocketing. This could give moderators time to review content for misleading information. According to the report published by The Interface, the social media giant is currently piloting an approach similar to a virality circuit breaker. Facebook also said that the company plans to roll it out soon, reported The Interface.Although the social media giant does share information about viral news articles with Facebooks fact-checking partners, the Center for American Progress recommends Facebooks team to take a look at specifically viral posts.It is important to note that more than 2 billion users have seen the COVID-19 information center while 660 million people opened it. Moreover, in April of this year, Facebook applied warning labels to nearly fifty million posts that were rated as misinformation by third-party fact-checkers. Although the company has tried to combat misleading information related to the coronavirus with its Facts about the coronavirus info center, curbing Facebooks algorithm might be an effective approach.Recently, a non-profit group Avaaz published a report , Facebooks Algorithm: A Major Threat To Public Health, and researchers attempted to determine the scope of misleading information related to public health on Facebooks platform. Avaaz researchers used public data from Facebooks CrowdTangle and found that health-related misleading information generated 3.8 billion on Facebook during 2019.Photo: JasonDoiy via Getty ImagesRead next: Facebook Will Permanently Disable Its Old Blue Interface In September
English French

Press Release 25 August 2020

Altran Enhances Its ENSCONCE Edge Computing Platform

Platform integrates Intel technology and toolkits including OpenNESS to improve

onboarding and management functions and accelerate ecosystem innovations

PARIS  August 25, 2020  Altran , the global leader in engineering and R&D services and part of the Capgemini Group, announced today that it is delivering enhancements to its ENSCONCE edge computing platform. The platform now integrates Open Network Edge Services Software (OpenNESS), an open-source toolkit developed by Intel, along with other Intel technologies. The platform combines multiple capabilities, accelerators and frameworks for rapid development of multi-access edge computing (MEC) solutions. As a result of the integration, infrastructure resources will be able to increase computing and I/O performance and reduce network latency.

Altrans ENSCONCE platform can reside on micro data centers close to the access network, aggregation points, regional data centers and central offices, reducing the barrier for application developers to host their edge applications. The platform offers several features for developers, including low-latency edge application development through software development kits (SDKs). The SDK provides edge applications on demand, discovers edge deployments, orchestrates applications across operator networks, and monitors and manages applications throughout the lifecycle.

Our MEC platform is focused on developer experience and will incorporate relevant application programming interfaces for application developers in both their SDKs and for developer-facing services, said Pascal Brier, Executive Vice-President of Strategy, Technology and Innovation at Altran. By integrating Intel technology and toolkits including OpenNESS and OpenVINO into our platform, we will significantly amplify our edge computing solution and strengthen the offering for application developers and operators.

Incorporating OpenNESS micro services into the ENSCONCE platform will support accelerated virtual switching. OpenNESS is an open-source MEC software toolkit that enables edge platforms to onboard and manage applications and network functions with cloud-like agility across any type of network. Based on a microservices architecture, it provides highly optimized building blocks that can be composed into new edge platform applications and services. With OpenNESS, ENSCONCE is able to deliver uniform interfaces for 4G and 5G mobile networks and will maximize the advanced capabilities of Intel Xeon processors and accelerators to boost computing and I/O performance and cut network latency.

With OpenVINO, applications on the ENSCONCE platform can execute low-latency inferencing on a variety of AI accelerators, including Intel Xeon Scalable processors, Intel Movidius Vision Processing Units (VPUs), Intel Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and neural accelerators. It also provides a library of optimized inferencing models for computer vision and other domains.

There is a growing need for edge platforms that provide a seamless developer experience and can be implemented across a variety of use cases, said Renu Navale, Vice-President of the Data Platforms Group and General Manager of Edge Computing & Ecosystem Enabling at Intel. The collaboration with Altran to integrate various modules from the OpenNESS toolkit along with other Intel technology components such as the Intel Distribution of OpenVINO toolkit will result in a compelling edge platform that is developer friendly and accelerates ecosystem innovations.

Altran and Intel are also working with a consortium of network operators, technology vendors and the GSMA to create a multi-operator edge platform. The GSMA Operator Platform will enable operators to cooperatively provide edge services to end users, regardless of location. Altran and Intel are jointly developing a global multi-operator edge platform (powered by ENSCONCE) that will meet the requirements of the GSMA Operator Platform, and it will be demonstrated as a proof of concept in operator sites later this year.

Edge computing technology is getting mature and will soon become ready to support edge applications with the performance 5G is promising. Collaborations like this are a great step forward to enable solid commercial solutions to support our future edge services, said Juan Carlos Garcia, Senior Vice-President of Technology and Ecosystems at Telefonica. The joint work of Intel and Altran, both highly committed with the activity in standardization, open-source and industry bodies like ETSI, GSMA and LFN, will contribute to the availability of open, global and interoperable solutions for MEC.

The global edge computing market is projected to grow by over 37 percent to $43.4 billion through 2027, according to a March 2020 report 1 by Grand View Research.

About Altran

Altran is the world leader in engineering and R&D services. Altran offers its clients a unique value proposition to meet their transformation and innovation challenges. Altran supports its clients, from concept through industrialization, to develop the products and services of tomorrow and has been working for more than 35 years with major players in many sectors: Automotive, Aeronautics, Space, Defense & Naval, Rail, Infrastructure & Transport, Energy, Industrial & Consumer, Life Sciences, Communications, Semiconductor & Electronics, Software & Internet, Finance & Public Sector. Altran has more than 50,000 employees operating in over 30 countries.

Altran is an integral part of Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, digital transformation, technology and engineering services. The Group is at the forefront of innovation to address the entire breadth of clients opportunities in the evolving world of cloud, digital and platforms. Building on its strong 50-year + heritage and deep industry-specific expertise, Capgemini enables organizations to realize their business ambitions through an array of services from strategy to operations. Capgemini is driven by the conviction that the business value of technology comes from and through people. Today, it is a multicultural company of 270,000 team members in almost 50 countries. With Altran, the Group reported 2019 combined revenues of 17billion. People matter, results count.

Visit us at altran.com.

Intel, the Intel logo, Xeon, and OpenVINO are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries.

Contacts

Altran

Maximilien Seguin

Group PR Director

Tel.: + 33 (0)1 46 41 71 69

maximilien.seguin@altran.com

Sonus PR

Chevaan Seresinhe

Tel: + 44 7971 967644

altran@sonuspr.com

# # #







1 https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-edge-computing-market





Attachment
To accelerate the process of developing and manufacturing safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines in the country that can be easily accessible and affordable for the public, a 'Mission COVID Suraksha' has been proposed to be set up with a corpus of nearly Rs 3,000 crore, sources said.

IMAGE: Health workers prepare before collecting swab samples for COVID-19 test, at a residential society in Kolkata, on Sunday. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI Photo



Piloted by the Department of Biotechnology, the proposed mission will focus on end-to-end vaccine development from clinical trial stage to regulatory facilitation to manufacturing, sources added.

The aim of the mission is to accelerate the development of at least six vaccine candidates and ensure that they are licenced and introduced in market for emergency use at the earliest, they said.

While there is no official word on the proposed mission as yet, multiple officials confirmed that a proposal has been made. A senior official said this is still in 'a proposal stage'.

According to the draft proposal, the mission has been proposed to have a timeline of 12-18 months and a budget of approximately Rs 3,000 crore.

The proposed mission will also look to ensure that sufficient volumes are manufactured to meet India's COVID-19 vaccine requirement and to introduce it in public health systems of the Ministry of Health post the approval by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), to combat further spread of COVID-19 infection.

While several efforts already underway have helped in quickly putting together best groups and for encouraging them to accelerate the COVID-19 vaccine development, it is now imperative that the vaccine development and manufacturing is taken up 'in a mission mode and not in a project mode', the draft proposal said.

'Efforts till now for a vaccine development have been fragmented,' it noted.

'Therefore, to ensure a steady supply of vaccines in the next 12-15 months, there is a need to establish a mission with an end-to end focus from pre-clinical development through clinical trials, manufacturing and scale-up development of the prioritised vaccine candidates that would consolidate all available and funded resources towards a warpath for accelerated product development,' it said.

Accordingly, it is proposed to launch the Indian COVID-19 vaccine development programme -- 'Mission COVID Suraksha', it said.

According to the draft, the national mission will work towards bringing to the citizens of the country a safe, efficacious, affordable and accessible COVID vaccine at the earliest with a focus on 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat' and also fulfil the commitment of serving not just the country but the entire globe.

The proposed mission will work on an 'aggressive integrated plan of action' for timely availability of resources, facilities and capabilities to avoid delays in development pathway, availability of expertise and technologies required for market entry and meeting the demand, the draft proposal said.

It will also support multiple vaccine candidates in the pipeline to increase the probability of a successful vaccine entering the market, pre-planning to avoid bottlenecks and delays and ensuring safety and efficacy is not compromised during acceleration.

The proposed mission also aims to make available clinical trial sites, immunoassay laboratories, ensure all vaccine candidates being introduced through this programme have preferred characteristics applicable for India.

It also aims to support manufacturing capacity in the country for different vaccine platforms and ensure vaccine deployment and its uptake by the National Immunisation Programme.

Besides, it aims to work with indigenous and global candidates to ensure their successful trial and manufacture in the country.

The government has been ramping up efforts to manufacture a vaccine to combat the deadly infection that has so far infected over 31 lakh people and claimed the lives of over 55,000 people in the country.

India has nearly 30 vaccine candidates at different stages of vaccine development for coronavirus.

Currently, the two vaccine candidates indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research and Zydus Cadila Ltd have moved to the phase-2 of human clinical trials, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava recently said at a press briefing.

Pune-based Serum Institute of India, which has partnered with AstraZeneca for manufacturing a COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by the Oxford University, has been permitted for conducting Phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials of the candidate in India.

It is likely to start the trials soon.

In collaboration with HDT Biotech Corporation, USA, Gennova Biopharmaceuticals has also developed an mRNA vaccine candidate (HGCO19) and seed funding for it has been proposed by the Department of Biotechnology.

The department had said last month that it is likely to enter clinical trials later this year.

The national expert group on vaccine administration for COVID-19 met leading domestic vaccine manufactures including Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila last Monday to take inputs about the present stage of various vaccine candidates as well as their expectations from the Centre, the Health ministry had said.
VK 60m update

The Australian radio regulator advises that submissions to their paper on 60m sharing between amateurs and commercial services are being analysed and will be considered by the ACMA board in the next couple of months.

ACMA 60m paper:

https://www.acma.gov.au/consultations/2020-05/possible-use-53515-53665-khz-band-amateur-service-consultation-132020

RASA response

https://vkradioamateurs.org/rasa-response-to-acma-60m-call-for-submissions
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After an 11-hour assembly session, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government defeated the no-confidence motion 87-40, but it was the Opposition which won the debate, cornering the ruling front by raising a slew of issues  from gold smuggling case and Life Mission project to the airport bid fiasco. The chief minister tried to take the fight to the Opposition camp with a nearly four-hour harangue listing his governments achievements, dismissing the allegations and ridiculing the lack of harmony in the Congress and UDF.

However, all that seemed inadequate as Congress leader V D Satheesan, who had introduced the motion, raised fresh allegations that `9.25 crore was paid in commission for the controversial Life Mission project, and not `4.25 crore as said earlier. A comrade whos behind the BevQ app has links with this additional `5 crore paid, said Satheesan. The Paravoor MLA added the details of the state government bid for Thiruvananthapuram airport were leaked to the Adani Group. Satheesan also alleged the gold smuggling ring had hijacked the CMO and made it their headquarters.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said later: We could expose the corruption of the government while maintaining high standards of decorum and upholding the rules of business in the assembly. Responding to the charges over gold smuggling, Pinarayi said the Opposition was trying to create a smokescreen and mislead the people.

Some deliberately indulge in fake campaigns: CM

The investigation is being carried out by the central agencies. The NIA hasnt accused the CMO of anything. Some people deliberately indulge in fake campaigns by covering up the facts. Of those who have been arrested is there anyone from the Left? asked Pinarayi. He said Life Mission (housing project for the poor) would be completed despite all campaigns against it.

Chennithala also levelled a fresh allegation against the government over the leasing of government land to private people while M K Muneer alleged the government bought PPE Kits priced at `350 for `1,500. However, the assembly passed a joint resolution asking the Centre to rescind the decision to hand over the airport to the Ahmedabad-based group and give it to the state governments SPV. The government won the no-confidence motion easily as expected. Curiously, the BJPs lone member O Rajagopal, who had initially supported taking up the motion, later said he neither agrees nor disagrees with the same. The two MLAs from Kerala Congress (M) Jose K Mani faction, Roshy Augustine and N Jayaraj, stayed away, to the disappointment of the UDF leadership.

With the House witnessing a major uproar during his speech, the CM opted for a political response, attacking the Congress over its stance on Ayodhya issue and terming it the BJPs B team.

The Congress will face a situation where it wont be accorded the status of the Opposition even in Kerala. The Congress has become a group of people waiting to join the BJP. Senior Congress leaders are terming each other as BJP agents, said Pinarayi in an reference to the developments in New Delhi. He added consultancies are needed to implement big-ticket projects. He added that an anti-Communist platform was behind the no-trust motion. He said people have trust in the government. The fact that LDF increased its seats from 91 to 93 shows this, he said. UDF has no trust in itself. Allies in the Opposition front have lost trust in the front.
Police in Portland declared a riot and ordered protesters to disperse late on Monday after a fire was lit at police association offices.

Failure to leave now will subject you to arrest and/or the use of crowd control munitions including but not limited to tear gas and impact weapons, the police said on Twitter, adding that personnel were responding to the fire near the citys North Lombard Street and North Campbell Avenue area.

The gathering comes a night after Portland police used tear gas on protesters and made 23 arrests as they declared a demonstration to be a riot late on Sunday, saying a group of more than 200 demonstrators lit fires and attacked officers with lasers, rocks and bottles.

That protest took place in the citys North Precinct.

Demonstrations against racism and police brutality have swept the United States since the death in May of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

President Donald Trumps administration in July deployed federal forces to Portland to crack down on the protests.

On Friday, he denounced the demonstrations as crazy and said cities run by Democrats had descended into chaos. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is a Democrat.

Portland police said last week that they had declared riots 17 times between May 29 and Aug. 19.
ORRVILLE, Ohio, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) today announced results for the first quarter ended July 31, 2020, of its 2021 fiscal year. All comparisons are to the first quarter of the prior fiscal year, unless otherwise noted.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Net sales increased $192.9 million , or 11 percent, with growth across each of the Company's U.S. and International retail businesses, partially offset by a decline for its Away From Home business.

, or 11 percent, with growth across each of the Company's U.S. and International retail businesses, partially offset by a decline for its Away From Home business. Net income per diluted share was $2.08 . Adjusted earnings per share was $2.37 , an increase of 50 percent.

. Adjusted earnings per share was , an increase of 50 percent. Cash from operations was $409.0 million , an increase of 85 percent. Free cash flow was $332.4 million , compared to $148.5 million in the prior year.

, an increase of 85 percent. Free cash flow was , compared to in the prior year. The Company increased its full-year fiscal 2021 net sales, adjusted earnings per share, and free cash flow outlook.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REMARKS

"I am incredibly proud and thankful for our employees, who have adapted quickly to deliver strong results and serve our constituents in an environment marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest. We continue to ensure employee safety and well-being, support the communities where we do business, and provide a steady, quality supply of food for consumers and their pets," said Mark Smucker, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"Our first quarter results exceeded our expectations, particularly for the coffee and consumer foods portfolios. Consumers continued to seek out trusted and iconic brands as we achieved strong growth across nearly all our categories. This exceptional performance highlights the strength of our portfolio, the potential of our consumer-centric growth strategy, and our commitment to operate with financial discipline."

"We expect continued momentum in the second quarter and are pleased to raise our full-year guidance. We remain confident in our ability to deliver on our fiscal year 2021 goals, advance our long-term strategy, and deliver increased shareholder value."

FIRST QUARTER CONSOLIDATED RESULTS



Three Months Ended July 31,

2020

2019

% Increase (Decrease)

(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)











Net sales $1,971.8



$1,778.9



11 %











Operating income $361.1



$257.6



40 % Adjusted operating income 404.5



290.7



39 %











Net income per common share  assuming dilution $2.08



$1.36



53 % Adjusted earnings per share  assuming dilution 2.37



1.58



50 %











Weighted-average shares outstanding  assuming dilution 114.1



113.9







Net Sales

Net sales increased 11 percent, driven by favorable volume/mix across all the Company's retail businesses, supported by increased at-home consumption for the U.S. Retail Coffee and U.S. Retail Consumer Foods segments, partially offset by reduced volume/mix for the Away From Home business. Net price realization and foreign currency exchange were neutral.

Operating Income

Gross profit increased $75.8 million, or 11 percent, driven by the increased contribution from volume/mix and lower costs, partially offset by an unfavorable change in unallocated derivative gains and losses as compared to the prior year. Operating income increased $103.5 million, or 40 percent, primarily reflecting the increase in gross profit and a $23.0 million decrease in selling, distribution, and administrative ("SD&A") expenses.

Adjusted gross profit increased $88.6 million, or 13 percent, with the difference from generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") results being the exclusion of unallocated derivative gains and losses. Adjusted operating income increased $113.8 million, or 39 percent, further reflecting the exclusion of other special project costs and amortization.

Interest Expense, Other Income (Expense), and Income Taxes

Net interest expense decreased $3.3 million, primarily as a result of a decrease in interest rates and reduced debt outstanding, partially offset by interest expense related to interest rate contracts terminated in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

The effective income tax rate was 24.4 percent compared to 25.2 percent in the prior year.

Cash Flow and Debt

Cash provided by operating activities was $409.0 million, compared to $221.5 million in the prior year, primarily reflecting a decrease in cash required to fund working capital and an increase in net income adjusted for noncash items. The decrease in working capital requirements was primarily attributable to lower payments for accounts payable driven by working capital initiatives. Free cash flow was $332.4 million, compared to $148.5 million in the prior year, reflecting the increase in cash provided by operating activities, slightly offset by a $3.6 million increase in capital expenditures. Net debt repayments in the quarter totaled $252.2 million.

FULL-YEAR OUTLOOK

The Company updated its full-year fiscal 2021 guidance as summarized below:





Current

Previous Net sales change vs prior year

0% - 1%

(2)% - (1)% Adjusted earnings per share

$8.20 - $8.60

$7.90 - $8.30 Free cash flow (in millions)

$925 - $975

$900 - $950 Capital expenditures (in millions)

$300

$300 Effective tax rate

24.0%

24.0%

The outbreak of COVID-19 continues to impact financial results and cause uncertainty for the full-year fiscal 2021 projections. This guidance reflects expectations based on the Company's current performance and understanding of the overall environment.

Net sales are expected to range from flat to up 1 percent compared to the prior year. This reflects elevated at-home consumption and retailer inventory re-stocking in the first quarter primarily benefiting the U.S. Retail Coffee and U.S. Retail Consumer Foods segments, with net sales growth anticipated to moderate throughout the remainder of the fiscal year. This net sales growth will be partially offset by a decline for the Company's Away From Home business and the lapping of a $185 million incremental benefit to net sales related to COVID-19 in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

Adjusted earnings per share is expected to range from $8.20 to $8.60, based on 114.1 million shares outstanding. Earnings guidance reflects the contribution from sales at a gross profit margin range of 37.5 to 38.0 percent, SD&A expenses to increase 1 to 2 percent compared to the prior year, and an effective tax rate of 24.0 percent. Free cash flow is expected to range from $925 to $975 million.

FIRST QUARTER SEGMENT RESULTS

Effective during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, the presentation of International and Away From Home represents a combination of all other operating segments that are not individually reportable. As a result of recent leadership changes, these operating segments are now being managed and reported separately, and no longer represent a reportable segment for segment reporting purposes. Prior year segment results have not been modified, as the combination of these operating segments represents the previously reported International and Away From Home reportable segment.

(Dollar amounts in the segment tables below are reported in millions.)

U.S. Retail Pet Foods





Net Sales

Segment Profit

Segment Profit Margin FY21 Q1 Results

$692.6

$125.3

18.1% Increase (decrease) vs prior year

3%

4%

20bps

Net sales increased $22.7 million, reflecting a 5 percentage point improvement due to volume/mix. The contribution from volume/mix primarily reflects growth for 9Lives and Meow Mix cat food and Milk-Bone dog snacks, partially offset by decreases primarily related to Natural Balance, Nature's Recipe, and private label dog food. Lower net price realization reduced net sales by 2 percentage points, primarily reflecting increased trade spend for dog food and cat food.

Segment profit increased $5.2 million, driven by lower manufacturing costs, the increased volume/mix, and lower SD&A expenses, partially offset by lower pricing.

U.S. Retail Coffee





Net Sales

Segment Profit

Segment Profit Margin FY21 Q1 Results

$570.9

$182.6

32.0% Increase (decrease) vs prior year

23%

42%

430bps

Net sales grew $105.2 million, reflecting a 23 percentage point increase from volume/mix. Favorable volume/mix was driven by Dunkin' Donuts, Folgers, and Cafe Bustelo coffee, reflecting elevated at-home consumption and re-stocking of retailer inventory following the surge in consumer demand in the fourth quarter of the prior year. Net price realization was neutral.

Segment profit increased $53.7 million, primarily due to the favorable volume/mix.

U.S. Retail Consumer Foods





Net Sales

Segment Profit

Segment Profit Margin FY21 Q1 Results

$489.2

$131.5

26.9% Increase (decrease) vs prior year

22%

62%

680bps

Net sales increased $87.0 million, reflecting a 19 percentage point increase from volume/mix driven by growth for the Smucker's brand, inclusive of Uncrustables frozen sandwiches and fruit spreads, Crisco oils and shortening, and Jif peanut butter. The increase in volume/mix includes growth due to elevated at-home consumption and retailer inventory re-stocking following the surge in consumer demand in the fourth quarter of the prior year. Higher net pricing increased net sales by 3 percentage points, primarily attributable to reduced promotional activity for Jif peanut butter and Smucker's fruit spreads.

Segment profit increased $50.5 million, primarily reflecting the contribution from volume/mix, higher net pricing, and lower SD&A expenses.

International and Away From Home





Net Sales

Segment Profit

Segment Profit Margin FY21 Q1 Results

$219.1

$30.9

14.1% Increase (decrease) vs prior year

(9)%

(4)%

70bps

Net sales decreased $22.0 million, primarily reflecting a 33 percent decline for the Company's Away From Home operating segment, partially offset by net sales growth of 21 percent for the International operating segment, most notably for flour and baking ingredients. Volume/mix for the combined businesses reduced net sales by 8 percentage points and foreign currency exchange reduced net sales by 1 percentage point. Net price realization was neutral.

Segment profit decreased $1.4 million, primarily reflecting higher input costs and the decline from volume/mix, partially offset by reduced SD&A expenses.

Conference Call

The Company will conduct an earnings conference call and webcast today, August 25, 2020, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. Speaking on the call will be Mark Smucker, President and Chief Executive Officer and Tucker Marshall, Chief Financial Officer. To access the webcast, please visit investors.jmsmucker.com.

The J. M. Smucker Company Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as projected net sales, operating results, earnings, and cash flows that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties, important factors, and assumptions listed and discussed in this press release, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed, include: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, industry, suppliers, customers, consumers, employees, and communities, particularly with respect to the Company's Away From Home business; disruptions or inefficiencies in the Company's operations or supply chain, including any impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the ability to achieve cost savings related to cost management programs in the amounts and within the time frames currently anticipated; the ability to generate sufficient cash flow to continue operating under the Company's capital deployment model, including capital expenditures, debt repayment, dividend payments, and share repurchases; volatility of commodity, energy, and other input costs; risks associated with derivative and purchasing strategies the Company employs to manage commodity pricing and interest rate risks; the availability of reliable transportation on acceptable terms; the ability to implement and realize the full benefit of price changes, and the impact of the timing of the price changes to profits and cash flow in a particular period; the success and cost of marketing and sales programs and strategies intended to promote growth in the Company's businesses, including product innovation; general competitive activity in the market, including competitors' pricing practices and promotional spending levels; the impact of food security concerns involving either the Company's products or its competitors' products; the impact of accidents, extreme weather, natural disasters, and pandemics (such as COVID-19); the concentration of certain of the Company's businesses with key customers and suppliers, including single-source suppliers of certain key raw materials and finished goods, and the Company's ability to manage and maintain key relationships; impairments in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets or changes in useful lives of other intangible assets or other long-lived assets; the impact of new or changes to existing governmental laws and regulations and their application, including tariffs; the outcome of tax examinations, changes in tax laws, and other tax matters; foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations; and risks related to other factors described under "Risk Factors" in other reports and statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, to reflect new events or circumstances.

About The J. M. Smucker Company

Inspired by more than 120 years of business success and five generations of family leadership, The J. M. Smucker Company makes food that people and pets love. The Company's portfolio of 40+ brands, which are found in 90 percent of U.S. homes and countless restaurants, include iconic products consumers have always loved such as Folgers, Jif, and Milk-Bone plus new favorites like Cafe Bustelo, Smucker's Uncrustables, and Rachael Ray Nutrish. Over the past two decades, the Company has grown rapidly by thoughtfully acquiring leading and emerging brands, while ensuring the business has a positive impact on its 7,000+ employees, the communities it is a part of, and the planet. For more information about The J. M. Smucker Company, visit jmsmucker.com.

The J. M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for the following, which are used under license: Dunkin' and Dunkin' Donuts are trademarks of DD IP Holder LLC, and Rachael Ray is a trademark of Ray Marks II LLC.

The Dunkin' and Dunkin' Donuts brands are licensed to The J. M. Smucker Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, e-commerce, and drug stores. This information does not pertain to products for sale in Dunkin' restaurants.

The J. M. Smucker Company

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income





Three Months Ended July 31,

2020

2019

% Increase (Decrease)

(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share data)











Net sales $1,971.8



$1,778.9



11 % Cost of products sold 1,196.4



1,079.3



11 % Gross Profit 775.4



699.6



11 % Gross margin 39.3 %

39.3 %















Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses 357.5



380.5



(6) % Amortization 59.6



58.8



1 % Other special project costs 



3.3



(100) % Other operating expense (income)  net (2.8)



(0.6)



n/m Operating Income 361.1



257.6



40 % Operating margin 18.3 %

14.5 %















Interest expense  net (46.1)



(49.4)



(7) % Other income (expense)  net (1.4)



(1.5)



(7) % Income Before Income Taxes 313.6



206.7



52 % Income tax expense 76.6



52.1



47 % Net Income $237.0



$154.6



53 %











Net income per common share $2.08



$1.36



53 %











Net income per common share  assuming dilution $2.08



$1.36



53 %











Dividends declared per common share $0.90



$0.88



2 %











Weighted-average shares outstanding 114.1



113.9

















Weighted-average shares outstanding  assuming dilution 114.1



113.9







The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets













July 31, 2020

April 30, 2020



(Dollars in millions) Assets







Current Assets







Cash and cash equivalents

$396.6



$391.1

Trade receivables  net

497.6



551.4

Inventories

995.0



895.3

Other current assets

95.6



134.9

Total Current Assets

1,984.8



1,972.7











Property, Plant, and Equipment  Net

1,948.6



1,969.4











Other Noncurrent Assets







Goodwill

6,310.7



6,304.5

Other intangible assets  net

6,371.6



6,429.0

Other noncurrent assets

286.6



294.8

Total Other Noncurrent Assets

12,968.9



13,028.3

Total Assets

$16,902.3



$16,970.4











Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity







Current Liabilities







Accounts payable

$780.6



$782.0

Current portion of long-term debt

399.8





Short-term borrowings

296.0



248.0

Other current liabilities

596.7



557.1

Total Current Liabilities

2,073.1



1,587.1











Noncurrent Liabilities







Long-term debt, less current portion

4,672.8



5,373.3

Other noncurrent liabilities

1,811.2



1,819.1

Total Noncurrent Liabilities

6,484.0



7,192.4











Total Shareholders' Equity

8,345.2



8,190.9

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

$16,902.3



$16,970.4



The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow





Three Months Ended July 31,

2020

2019

(Dollars in millions) Operating Activities





Net income $237.0



$154.6

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operations:





Depreciation 54.1



50.8

Amortization 59.6



58.8

Share-based compensation expense 5.9



6.2

Other noncash adjustments  net 3.8



0.2

Changes in assets and liabilities:





Trade receivables 55.1



30.4

Inventories (98.5)



(102.1)

Other current assets 0.3



6.4

Accounts payable 41.1



(61.0)

Accrued liabilities 7.1



63.6

Income and other taxes 43.4



21.8

Other  net 0.1



(8.2)

Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities 409.0



221.5









Investing Activities





Additions to property, plant, and equipment (76.6)



(73.0)

Other  net 27.4



20.9

Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities (49.2)



(52.1)









Financing Activities





Short-term borrowings (repayments)  net 47.8



(130.0)

Repayments of long-term debt (300.0)





Quarterly dividends paid (100.1)



(96.5)

Purchase of treasury shares (4.6)



(2.9)

Proceeds from stock option exercises 



7.0

Other  net (0.4)



(0.2)

Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities (357.3)



(222.6)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 3.0



0.7

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 5.5



(52.5)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 391.1



101.3

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $396.6



$48.8



The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Supplemental Schedule





Three Months Ended July 31,

2020

% of Net Sales

2019

% of Net Sales

(Dollars in millions) Net sales $1,971.8







$1,778.9





Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses:













Marketing 121.7



6.2 %

132.9



7.5 % Selling 65.8



3.3 %

68.5



3.9 % Distribution 69.8



3.5 %

64.0



3.6 % General and administrative 100.2



5.1 %

115.1



6.5 % Total selling, distribution, and administrative expenses $357.5



18.1 %

$380.5



21.4 %















Amounts may not add due to rounding.









The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Reportable Segments





Three Months Ended July 31,

2020

2019

(Dollars in millions) Net sales:





U.S. Retail Pet Foods $692.6



$669.9

U.S. Retail Coffee 570.9



465.7

U.S. Retail Consumer Foods 489.2



402.2

International and Away From Home 219.1



241.1

Total net sales $1,971.8



$1,778.9









Segment profit:





U.S. Retail Pet Foods $125.3



$120.1

U.S. Retail Coffee 182.6



128.9

U.S. Retail Consumer Foods 131.5



81.0

International and Away From Home 30.9



32.3

Total segment profit $470.3



$362.3

Amortization (59.6)



(58.8)

Interest expense  net (46.1)



(49.4)

Unallocated derivative gains (losses) 16.2



29.0

Other special project costs 



(3.3)

Corporate administrative expenses (65.8)



(71.6)

Other income (expense)  net (1.4)



(1.5)

Income before income taxes $313.6



$206.7









Segment profit margin:





U.S. Retail Pet Foods 18.1 %

17.9 % U.S. Retail Coffee 32.0 %

27.7 % U.S. Retail Consumer Foods 26.9 %

20.1 % International and Away From Home 14.1 %

13.4 %

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures, including: net sales excluding foreign currency exchange; adjusted gross profit; adjusted operating income; adjusted income; adjusted earnings per share; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and impairment charges related to intangible assets ("EBITDA (as adjusted)"); and free cash flow, as key measures for purposes of evaluating performance internally. The Company believes that investors' understanding of its performance is enhanced by disclosing these performance measures. Furthermore, these non-GAAP financial measures are used by management in preparation of the annual budget and for the monthly analyses of its operating results. The Board of Directors also utilizes certain non-GAAP financial measures as components for measuring performance for incentive compensation purposes.

Non-GAAP measures exclude certain items affecting comparability that can significantly affect the year-over-year assessment of operating results, which include amortization expense and impairment charges related to intangible assets, integration and restructuring costs ("special project costs"), and unallocated gains and losses on commodity and foreign currency exchange derivatives ("unallocated derivative gains and losses"), as well as the related tax impact of these exclusions. The special project costs relate to specific integration and restructuring projects, and the unallocated derivative gains and losses reflect the changes in fair value of the Company's commodity and foreign currency exchange contracts. Additionally, income taxes, as adjusted is calculated using an adjusted effective income tax rate that is applied to adjusted income before income taxes. While this adjusted effective income tax rate does not generally differ materially from the GAAP effective income tax rate, certain exclusions from non-GAAP results can significantly impact the adjusted effective income tax rate.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to replace the presentation of financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Rather, the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures supplements other metrics used by management to internally evaluate its businesses and facilitates the comparison of past and present operations and liquidity. These non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies and may exclude certain nondiscretionary expenses and cash payments. A reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measure for the current and prior year periods is included in the "Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Measures" tables. The Company has also provided a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures for its fiscal 2021 outlook.

The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Measures





Three Months Ended July 31,

2020

2019

Increase (Decrease)

%

(Dollars in millions)















Net sales reconciliation:













Net sales $1,971.8



$1,778.9



$192.9



11 % Foreign currency exchange 3.1







3.1



 % Net sales excluding foreign currency exchange $1,974.9



$1,778.9



$196.0



11 %















Amounts may not add due to rounding.





The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Measures





Three Months Ended July 31,

2020

2019

(Dollars in millions, except per share data) Gross profit reconciliation:





Gross profit $775.4



$699.6

Unallocated derivative losses (gains) (16.2)



(29.0)

Adjusted gross profit $759.2



$670.6

% of net sales 38.5 %

37.7 %







Operating income reconciliation:





Operating income $361.1



$257.6

Amortization 59.6



58.8

Unallocated derivative losses (gains) (16.2)



(29.0)

Other special project costs 



3.3

Adjusted operating income $404.5



$290.7

% of net sales 20.5 %

16.3 %







Net income reconciliation:





Net income $237.0



$154.6

Income tax expense 76.6



52.1

Amortization 59.6



58.8

Unallocated derivative losses (gains) (16.2)



(29.0)

Other special project costs 



3.3

Adjusted income before income taxes $357.0



$239.8

Income taxes, as adjusted 87.0



60.1

Adjusted income $270.0



$179.7









Weighted-average common shares outstanding  assuming dilution 113.5



113.3

Weighted-average participating shares outstanding 0.6



0.6

Total weighted-average shares outstanding 114.1



113.9

Dilutive effect of stock options 





Total weighted-average shares outstanding  assuming dilution 114.1



113.9

Adjusted earnings per share  assuming dilution $2.37



$1.58



The J. M. Smucker Company Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Measures





Three Months Ended July 31,

2020

2019

(Dollars in millions) EBITDA (as adjusted) reconciliation:





Net income $237.0



$154.6

Income tax expense 76.6



52.1

Interest expense  net 46.1



49.4

Depreciation 54.1



50.8

Amortization 59.6



58.8

EBITDA (as adjusted) $473.4



$365.7

% of net sales 24.0 %

20.6 %







Free cash flow reconciliation:





Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities $409.0



$221.5

Additions to property, plant, and equipment (76.6)



(73.0)

Free cash flow $332.4



$148.5



The following tables provide a reconciliation of the Company's fiscal 2021 guidance for estimated adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow.





Year Ending April 30, 2021



Low

High Net income per common share  assuming dilution reconciliation:







Net income per common share  assuming dilution

$6.83



$7.23

Unallocated derivative losses (gains) (A)

(0.22)



(0.22)

Amortization

1.59



1.59

Adjusted earnings per share

$8.20



$8.60











(A) As unallocated derivative losses (gains) vary each quarter based on market conditions and derivative positions taken, we do not project derivative gains or losses on a forward-looking basis. Therefore, the forward-looking unallocated derivative losses (gains) in the table above reflect the net cumulative amount already recognized in GAAP results as of July 31, 2020, that is expected to be allocated to non-GAAP results in future periods.













Year Ending April 30, 2021



Low

High



(Dollars in millions) Free cash flow reconciliation:







Net cash provided by operating activities

$1,225



$1,275

Additions to property, plant, and equipment

(300)



(300)

Free cash flow

$925



$975



SOURCE The J. M. Smucker Company

Related Links

http://www.jmsmucker.com


A look at the shareholders of South Port New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPN) can tell us which group is most powerful. Institutions often own shares in more established companies, while it's not unusual to see insiders own a fair bit of smaller companies. I quite like to see at least a little bit of insider ownership. As Charlie Munger said 'Show me the incentive and I will show you the outcome.

South Port New Zealand is not a large company by global standards. It has a market capitalization of NZ$160m, which means it wouldn't have the attention of many institutional investors. Our analysis of the ownership of the company, below, shows that institutions are not really that prevalent on the share registry. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner, to discover more about South Port New Zealand.

See our latest analysis for South Port New Zealand

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About South Port New Zealand?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

Since institutions own only a small portion of South Port New Zealand, many may not have spent much time considering the stock. But it's clear that some have; and they liked it enough to buy in. If the business gets stronger from here, we could see a situation where more institutions are keen to buy. When multiple institutional investors want to buy shares, we often see a rising share price. The past revenue trajectory (shown below) can be an indication of future growth, but there are no guarantees.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in South Port New Zealand. The company's largest shareholder is Southland Regional Council, with ownership of 66%. With such a huge stake in the ownership, we infer that they have significant control of the future of the company. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 8.1% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 5.2% by the third-largest shareholder.

Story continues

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Our information suggests that there isn't any analyst coverage of the stock, so it is probably little known.

Insider Ownership Of South Port New Zealand

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in South Port New Zealand Limited. Insiders have a NZ$16m stake in this NZ$160m business. It is great to see insiders so invested in the business. It might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

The general public holds a 14% stake in South Port New Zealand. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Company Ownership

We can see that Private Companies own 5.4%, of the shares on issue. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important.

I like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can access this interactive graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow, for free.

Of course this may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free free list of interesting companies.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
(Newser)  One of Afghanistan's first female film directors was reportedly shot Tuesday when three gunmen opened fire on her car in Kabul. Saba Sahar, also a popular actress and advocate for women's rights, was taken to a hospital, where she underwent a successful operation, her husband tells the BBC. Emal Zaki says he heard gunshots about five minutes after 44-year-old Sahar left home, headed to work with four others: a driver, two bodyguards, and a child. When he called Sahar, who explores justice and corruption in her films, she told him she'd been shot in the stomach.

story continues below

"She received first aid and we transferred her to the emergency hospital and then to the police hospital, Zaki says of his wife, also an interior ministry employee and trained police officer. He adds the bodyguards were also shot and injured, while the two other occupants escaped unharmed. ToloNews reports a bodyguard was injured as well as the driver. In response, Amnesty International described a "rise in attacks and assassination attempts on human rights defenders, political activists, journalists and film actors" and demanded that the perpetrators be held accountable. (Read more Afghanistan stories.)
As Glen Hardy navigated headlight-high flooding to transport men, women, and children to safety, the council truck became stranded in rising floodwaters.

Despite warnings from the police officer in the truck's cab, the 51-year-old council worker jumped into waist-deep and fast-flowing water to dive down underneath his vehicle several times and attach a cable so they could be towed to safety.

Glen Hardy with his council truck (inset) and an example of the flood waters he faced in Townsville last year. Credit:QFES & Supplied

His efforts have been recognised with a national bravery award for using his council truck to save the lives of 60 people from rising waters during the 2019 Townsville floods.

He is one of three Queenslanders who have been recognised for bravery in separate water rescues.
Nikita Sharma By

Express News Service

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, international flights to and from the country have been suspended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation till August 31. People from different walks of life tell The New Indian Express how this suspension continues to affect their lives.

Vishal Mehandiratta, 21, Customer Support Associate, Tech Mahindra, Noida

I completed my graduation last year and had started the process to go abroad on a study visa. I even got my AIP visa for Canada in August this year. But since there are no flights, I got my visa deferred. I am now planning to go in January intake. This has created a gap in my studies and I will have to pay my study loan instalments from here.

Shweta Singh, 41,

Make-up artist, Gurugram

I had a lot of make-up bookings in Dubai and Bali for destination weddings. But now everything has been stalled. I feel they should start flights with proper protocol and measures, so that we can start our small-time work.

Jaswinder Singh, 50, Businessman, Jangpura

We were planning to go to Canada to meet our son who studies there. We have a 10-year tourist visa, but there are no flights. We are allowed to take Vande Bharat flights, but I have learned that agents are charging extra to book tickets which were already costly. Usually, a round trip costs Rs 65,000, but now a one-way ticket costs Rs 75,000. We have cancelled the plan until the ban is lifted.

Amit Jain, 44, Founder,

Rising Star Tours and Travels, Ashok Vihar

Suspension on international flights is a blow to the industry. Eighty per cent of the travelling population was either business class or traveling for leisure. Even our group tours were scheduled for September. Flights operated by Vande Bharat are not even one per cent of the normal flights. I think the government will lift the ban post August 31. If they consider extending the ban, our economy would lag behind.

Sakin Ahuja, 39, Partner, Sources Unlimited, Sultanpur

Our clients sometimes want to travel to Italy or other countries to visit the factory showrooms, make a selection and come back. The aim is to get a complete feel of the furniture but that is not happening at present. We have even got four-five enquiries asking when the restrictions will be lifted and when can they travel.

Vishal Anand, 48,

Director, Moonshine Food Ventures, Gurugram

Our new brand SAGA is already in developing stage and Michelin recommended Chef Atul Kochhar who did the menu creation and was supposed to travel from London for site visits, is unable to. We will now explore options more locally in terms of our f&b research than traveling internationally.

Anuj Khanna, 39,

Managing Director, Sava International, Gurugram

Barring of flights has had a huge impact on international business, especially Sava that has been exporting to more than 51 countries. Several trade fairs were cancelled and the one in Germany thats scheduled for January is also under negotiation on whether we should attend it. Sales, promotions and buying activity has been hampered because textiles is one of the items, and the decision to buy it can only be taken after physically touching it.
State premiers are facing growing calls to ease border restrictions amid fears they are damaging regional communities and crippling businesses.

Nationals politicians on Tuesday morning called for borders to come down between states that have little or no community transmission of coronavirus.

Victorian senator Bridget McKenzie said border restrictions were preventing the movement of workers and goods and threatening national supply lines.

State premiers are facing growing calls to ease border restrictions. Pictured: The NSW-Victoria border at Albury

Nationals politicians on Tuesday morning called for borders to come down between states that have little or no community transmission of coronavirus. Pictured: A mandarin farm in NSW

'I think it's incredibly disappointing that over 120 years we've developed national supply chains of food, of workforce, of education systems, and that's all at risk now,' she told ABC News.

'We've got teachers that can't actually get to class to teach. And that's going to have a severe impact going forward.'

Senator McKenzie also accused premiers of keeping borders closed to for political reasons with upcoming elections in Queensland and Western Australia.

'I think that we need a nationally consistent approach and not just to be focusing where the votes are, which is in the capital cities.'

Queensland senator Matt Canavan also accused premiers of 'playing politics'.

'I think there has been a trend in the last few months by governments facing re-election to politicise their responses to the pandemic,' he told Sky News.

'No-one wants to see border closures based on politics, they want to see them based on a response to a public health crisis.'

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has urged states to address farm labour shortages. Pictured: Workers pack punnets at the Ashbern strawberry farm on the Sunshine Coast

Senator Canavan said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been 'slipping into the politics' and said her comment last week that Queensland hospitals were 'for our people' was a 'ridiculous outburst'.

He said businesses needed certainty over when borders would re-open.

Queensland is closed to all of Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT, which has had no cases since 12 March.

On Monday Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud urged state governments to address farm labour shortages with overseas workers ahead of a crucial harvest period.

Australian state border restrictions Victoria: Completely open, but other states are banning residents from going there NSW: Border with Victoria is closed but others are open without restriction Queensland: Open to everywhere but Victoria, NSW, and the ACT Northern Territory: Open to everywhere but Victoria and Sydney, which must do hotel quarantine South Australia: Closed to Victoria, NSW arrivals must self-isolate, rest are open Tasmania: Closed to Victoria, everywhere else must do hotel quarantine Western Australia: Closed to everywhere without an exemption Advertisement

Mr Littleproud wants state governments to follow the Northern Territory, which has established a pilot program to bring in 170 workers from Vanuatu to pick mangoes.

'They have to lead this. They're big boys and girls now,' he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

'They actually have to put some rubber to the road and do the job.'

Farmers will be able to fill jobs with Pacific islander and East Timorese workers under two restarted visa schemes.

Between 1,000 and 4,000 workers are expected to enter Australia by Christmas under the Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Program.

Mr Littleproud said states needed to outline plans based on health advice to ensure safety for overseas workers and Australians.

He called on governments to allow temporary workers to move between states to help with harvests based on different seasonal conditions.

Queensland on Monday announced it would exempt agriculture and commercial fishing from its hard border closure with NSW.

Federal, state and territory governments are also developing a national code for agriculture to allow farmers and workers freedom to move across closed borders.

The schemes for Pacific islander and East Timor employees can only be accessed if the jobs cannot be filled locally.

Mr Littleproud said while unemployment was high, many farm jobs were thousands of kilometres away from Australians out of work.

Farmers have warned fruit and vegetables could be left to rot unless overseas workers are allowed to help, with a bumper season expected across many parts of the country.

In an opinion article for The Australian on Monday, former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce said the coronavirus crisis has showed that the federation is out of date and states should be scrapped.

'The erratic parochialism of the arbitrary restrictions on state borders under the heading of coronavirus is yet another sign that states, in their present guise, are past their use-by date,' he wrote.

Mr Joyce said state governments were too focused on cities and often neglected regional areas.

Scott Morrison has asked health experts to define a 'hotspot' to stop states arbitrarily closing their borders.

The Prime Minster said 'we need more clarity' on when residents in certain areas should be shut out from other states.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, made up of state and federal health experts, will attempt to come up with a 'hotspot' definition in two weeks.

It comes after Qantas boss Alan Joyce, and other business figures, called for a national framework for when borders should open and close.

Mr Joyce said it is confusing why states with no cases are not open to each other and that thousands of jobs could be saved if borders come down.
Pune: Doses of the potential coronavirus vaccine developed by researchers at Oxford University arrived at the Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College here for phase-2 clinical human trials on Tuesday, an official said.

The trial may begin from Wednesday, said a top official of the institute, one of the 17 sites selected for the phase 2 human trials in the country by Serum Institute of India (SII).

"To start with we have identified five volunteers who will undergo COVID-19 and antibodies test. Those whose reports are negative will be shortlisted for vaccination on Wednesday," said Dr Sanjay Lalwani, Medical Director, Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre.

He said the hospital has been given a target of enlisting 300 to 350 volunteers. Those chosen for receiving a dose of vaccine will be in the age group of 18 to 99 years, he told PTI.

Dr Jeetendra Oswal, deputy medical director of the hospital, said after they are administered the vaccine, the volunteers will be monitored as per the standard trial protocol.

The other hospitals where trials are to be conducted include B J Medical College Hospital in Pune, AIIMS Delhi, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, Nehru Hospital in Gorakhpur and Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam.

SII, the world's largest vaccine maker, has signed an agreement to manufacture the potential vaccine developed by the Jenner Institute of Oxford University in collaboration with British-Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca.

The other site of phase 2 trial in the city, B J Medical College (to which the Sassoon General Hospital is attached), is ready and waiting for the vaccine candidate to arrive, a top official said.

"We have completed all the administrative procedures required to conduct the human trials of the vaccine. We are now waiting for the doses," said college Dean Dr Murlidhar Tambe. "Ideally, the trials should start next week," he added.
South Africa: Communication in a time of a pandemic

In times of uncertainty and fear, as is common in public health outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, information obtained through effective communication remains a key tool for countries.

These were the sentiments of the various African communicators during a webinar hosted by Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) Director-General, Phumla Williams, on Monday.

The webinar brought together various African communicators from across the continent to discuss some of the best practices for effective communication that empowers the ordinary citizen during epidemics, with a specific focus on the role played by the media.

The webinar comes as countries all over the world continue to deal with the blows of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the majority of the continents 1 187 937 Coronavirus cases found in South Africa, which has 611 450 cases recorded.

Highlighting some of the lessons learned during the pandemic, Williams said key to South Africa's strategy to combat the virus is the communication adopted by government, with the backing support of the media.

At the start of the outbreak, the Health Department led the communication. A strategy was adopted to maximise communication, with the GCIS leading communications and the Health Department signing off on the information.

Media in this country went beyond the call in ensuring that information is available to the public. To date, the last research report received noted that 90% of South Africans know what is expected of them regarding COVID-19 but there are challenges in observing the health protocols, Williams said.

Among the speakers at the webinar was African Union spokesperson, Ebba Kalondo, who spoke glowingly about Africas preparedness for public health emergencies such as COVID-19, based on previous outbreaks.

Many countries are only learning about epidemics and pandemics but Africa has had extremely meaningful lessons from epidemics, such as the outbreaks of Yellow fever, Zika virus, cholera and Ebola.

What the African Union learned from the Ebola outbreak is that they cannot be unprepared and thus set up the African Centre for Disease Control (ACDC) to deal with public health emergencies and threats. One of the biggest lessons the CDC learned, which is being implemented, is collaborate and communicate, said Kalondo.

Armed with lessons from previous outbreaks, Kalondo said one thing that is clear is that communication during a pandemic is not the same as communication in normal times.

People dont take in information the same way when they are panicked or fearful. What pandemics also do is bring existing inequalities to the fore. Communication or engagement during a pandemic cannot be led by politics. It has to be science.

While Kalondo punted the importance of effective communication and engagement with communities, she cautioned communicators from selling pipe dreams.

During a pandemic, people need to be reassured but not overly reassured because you cannot promise when things are ever-changing, she said.

Trust communication in time

Having led communications in the Democratic Republic of Congo during its 2014 - 2016 Ebola outbreak as the Health Ministrys Communications Director, Jessica Ilunga highlighted the importance of a trust relationship between government and citizens.

Despite a long history with Ebola, the Ministry of Health had no clear template of a communication strategy, so I pretty much had to start from scratch.

In terms of communication, we had to build a trust relationship, where the DRC was the most trusted source of information on the outbreak, said Ilunga.

Equally, with the introduction of social media as a news source, media now more than ever must be a trustworthy source, said France24 Senior Journalist Fatima Wane.

Trust is very important and we as media cannot survive without trust. People don't need us any more to get information. They get their information from social media. People may come to us to verify if the information they got from social media is true, said Wane.

SABC Group Executive for Corporate Affairs, Gugu Ntuli, said the role of media is not only to inform but it is to ensure that the country emerges from the pandemic.

This, Ntuli said, can also be seen in the role played by the SABC in airing educational programmes to assist learners who lost teaching time as a result of the pandemic.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Ndinwa Benedict Jini Archives

Ndinwa Benedict Jini is head of the newly created Corporate Communications and Public Relations Unit at Cameroon Telecommunications, Camtel, a decision from the companys Board of Directors said August 21.

The appointment is one of many contained in resolution no. 026/CAMTEL/CA of August 21, 2020, appointing officials at the state-owned corporation. It came on the heels of resolution no. 025/CAMTEL/CA of August 21, 2020 organizing services at Camtel.

Pr. Pekassa Ndam Gerard and Mohamadou Saoudi, respectively member and President of the Board of Directors of Camtel co-signed the resolutions of Fridays Board of Directors meeting that held in Kribi.

Until his appointed, Ndinwa was serving as Sub-Director for Corporate and Commercial Communication at Camtel, following a decision from the companys General Manager, Judith Yah Sunday Achidi Achu dated March 12, 2019.

Lodged under the direct eye of the General Manager, the Corporate Communications and Public Relations Unit is expected to concern itself with the internal and external communication of Camtel.

Ndinwa previously served as Customer Adviser at Camtels Office in Bambili after a November 10, 2017 transfer.

He is a graduate of the 2009 batch from the University of Bueas Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, JMC. He joined Camtel in 2014 and has since given his all to boost the image of the leading telecommunications service provider in Cameroon.

His first days at Camtel were at the Deputy Technical Secretariat Head in charge of Communications where he served for three years before becoming a Communications Officer for the company.

It was here that he conceived advertising and media campaigns in a bid to popularize the X-tremNet package, which campaigns went a long way to boost sales. He also elaborated communication strategies for the Mobile Communications Network Programme, managed the programs web page, developed media content for Camtels website, and build the Programmes image both on traditional and new media.

He also managed Camtels community, especially through X-tremNet, on social media as well as conceived and produced advertising and PR gadgets.

The native of Donga-Mantung is married and a father of three. He is a media propaganda and advocacy expert with a rich journalism profile.
The Farmers Almanac is out with its annual extended weather forecast, and it is looking like Massachusetts will see a cold, snowy winter this year.

According to the Lewiston, Maine-based publications 2020-2021 long-range forecast, the northern half of the United States is expected to be hit with a chilly winter. Significant snowfall, sleet and, in the later months, rainfall are in the forecast.

Communities from the Northeast to the Great Lakes and Northern Plains may experience normal to below-normal temperatures, though precipitation types may differ regionally, the periodicals forecast said.

The publication is calling it the Winter of the Great Divide, with snowy conditions forecast in the Northeast and droughts expected in the Southwest.

Based on our time-tested weather formula, the forecast for the upcoming winter looks a lot different from last year, quite divided with some very intense cold snaps and snowfall, said Peter Geiger, editor of the Farmers Almanac.

Information from the Farmers Almanac should be taken with a grain of salt, though, as the publication has been inaccurate in years past. Some meteorologists have pointed out that it is next to impossible to predict what the weather will look like so far in advance.

USA Today has reported, citing numerous media studies, that the Farmers Almanac is faulty in its predictions and has no track record of accuracy.

For instance, the periodical predicted last year that the 2019-2020 season would be the Polar Coaster Winter. Forecasters suggested there would be numerous ups and downs on the thermometer as well as frigid and frosty conditions for two-thirds of the country.

However, the winter was largely mild, which the Farmers Almanac blamed primarily on arctic oscillation. The atmospheric weather phenomenon tends to shift winter storms north of their usual paths and contain wintry conditions in pockets.

The most recent meteorological winter in Massachusetts - which includes the months December, January, and February - is likely to be deemed one of the top five warmest in recorded history, Glenn Field, a National Weather Service, meteorologist told The Boston Globe in earlier this year.

Some might want to put the blame on the changing climate, thinking perhaps that typical wintry conditions may have been in short supply. But there was plenty of frigidity to go around - it was just stuck in place, the Farmers Almanac reported. Only on rare occasions did that refrigerated air make it south into the lower 48 states.

Although last years winter was largely snow-free in New England, the 2020-2021 season will be very different, according to the Farmers Almanac.

The periodical predicted that a blizzard will batter the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states in the second week of February, potentially bringing up to 1-2 feet of snowfall from Washington, D.C. all the way up to Boston.

The East Coast is expected get clobbered by the cold winter weather in the last week of March. The types of precipitation areas will get will vary based on location, the extended forecast said.

While New England and other northern states may get late-season snowfall, the South will see mainly showers and thunderstorms, according to the Farmers Almanac.

The Great Lakes region, the Pacific Northwest as well as the Northern and Southern Plains should also receive above-normal snowfall, the publication noted.

Areas across the desert Southwest, mainly Arizona and southern California, may see a dry and generally mild winter, the Farmers Almanac said.

The prediction is not good news, particularly considering the fact that drought conditions started to ramp up in the Southwest last winter and have persisted through the summer months, according to the periodicals forecast.

Other parts of the country will experience a mixed-bag of weather patterns that may seem a bit temperamental, the publication said.

In New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma east into Arkansas and Louisiana, Mother Nature will mix intervals of tranquil weather with occasional shots of cold and wintry precipitation, the Farmers Almanac said.

The Farmers Almanac has published its long-range weather predictions since its founding in 1818. Editors of the publication have denied using computer satellite tracking equipment to make their forecast.

They instead use a specific set of rules developed in the early 1800s that take into consideration sunspot activity, the tidal patterns of the moon, the position of the planets and several other factors, according to the publication.

Related Content:
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed Deposit Money Banks to take charge of collection of electricity bill payments in the country.

The apex bank in a circular signed by Hassan Bello, director of banking supervision, said that the move is in line with a directive of the Power Sector Coordination Working Group to improve payment discipline in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

The circular noted that banks providing guarantee to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on behalf of DisCos would take responsibility for collections of concerned DisCos and remittances of DisCos to both NBET and TCN.

The circular reads in part: The payment or settlement of all NESI related goods or services shall be made through the Nigerian banking system. Consequently, all collections for the payments of NESI regulated goods and services provided by a DisCo shall be paid into a designated account such that collections arising from services rendered by the DisCo shall be paid into an account in the sole name of the DisCo; collections arising from services rendered by a third party/parties on behalf of the DisCo shall be paid into an account in the joint name of the DisCo and the third-party vendor(s)

ALSO READ: Port Harcourt DisCo revokes electricity bill distribution by contractors

All energy and non-energy collections of DisCos, whether cash or cashless, shall only be performed by deposit money banks (DMBs). No entity shall be permitted to collect revenues for DisCos except if that entity is so authorized by a DMB in line with the relevant CBN guidelines for agent banking and agent banking relationships.

Therefore, the DMB shall be permitted to authorize its agents to collect energy and non-energy payments on its behalf for any DisCo; the actions or inactions of the agent shall be the responsibility of the authorizing DMB. Any DMB found to be maintaining any account(s) for any entity collecting payments on behalf of any DisCo without appropriate authorization shall have regulatory actions imposed on it.

The apex bank noted that no bank is permitted to open or continue to maintain a collection account for a DisCo without the express no-objection of the bank that guaranteed its exposure to NBET or TCN.

Over the years, poor collection rate has been identified as a major factor militating against the performance of the DisCos. This also contributes to the liquidity concerns in the industry.

Details of payments between Discos and NBET showed that the 11 DisCos owe a combined sum of N622 billion, plus an additional N308 billion in interest charged.
Eddie O'Connor's Mainstream Renewables has appointed Mary Quaney as chief executive.

Ms Quaney, who has a Masters in Accounting from UCD and joined the company in 2009, has been in the role of chief financial officer since 2017.

Last year, she joined the board of directors at the company.

Ms Quaney's move into the CEO role follows the resignation of Andy Kinsella, who served as chief executive since 2016.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr O'Connor said: "Mary brings significant experience and a record of success that will be critical as we continue to build the company across the world as the transition to renewable energy accelerates."

Prior to joining Mainstream, Ms Quaney - a Fellow Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser - held senior-level positions in finance and tax in PwC and Trinity Biotech.

Mainstream founder Mr O'Connor - a former Bord na Mona chief executive - owns 55pc of the company, with management and other investors owning the remainder.

Earlier this year it was reported that the company could be sold for 1bn.

Industry publication SparkSpread, which first reported that Mainstream could be sold off, said that the company could be valued at more than 1bn based on the previous price of its shares.

In 2018, Mainstream generated revenue of 632.2m and a net profit of 487.5m.

Last year, Mainstream bought out its two minority partners - Barclays and Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation - using proceeds from the more than 500m (570m) sale of its 450MW Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind project, SparkSpread noted.

Barclays and Marubeni owned a combined 25pc of the business.

Mainstream had previously confirmed that it planned to raise capital, but not that it would consider an outright sale of the business.

Established in 2008, Mainstream was founded after Airtricity - also set up by Mr O'Connor - was sold to Scottish & Southern Electricity in 2008 for about 1.8bn.

Since its founding, Mainstream has raised 2.4bn in project finance.

The company currently employs around 270 people and has offices in 13 countries.

In Ireland, Mainstream developed and sold a wind farm in Leitrim to furniture giant Ikea.

It also developed a wind farm in county Kerry, which it sold to global asset manager BlackRock Investments in 2017.

A third wind farm in Ireland, located near Kingscourt in county Cavan, became operational in December last year. It was also sold to BlackRock.
Impression Sunrise by Claude Monet will be exhibited in Shanghai for the first time. [Marmottan Monet Museum]

One of the best-known artworks of all time, Impression Sunrise by Claude Monet (1840-1926) will be shown in China for the first time at an exhibition held at the Bund One Art Museum from September 17 to November 8.

The exhibition will feature 47 original works, including nine oil paintings by the French Impressionism master.

The Marmottan Monet Museum in Paris is the largest collector of Monet's works, most of which are donated by the artist's son Michel.

Created in 1872, Impression Sunrise depicts the rapidly changing lights and mists during sunrise at the artist's hometown, the port of Le Havre. Today, the artwork is one of the most treasured pieces in the museum's collection and is rarely exhibited abroad.

Bund One Art Museum on the Bund was built in 1916. Originally called the McBain Building, the seven-story structure was later renamed after its largest tenant Asiatic Petroleum Co Building.

The builidng was taken over by the East China Petroleum Co after 1949 and underwent a large restoration in 2009. Today, it is one of the important heritage sites under state protection.

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
(Natural News) If you want to know why some teachers fear how virtual learning allows parents to witness their instruction, you dont have to look further than an English lesson in Tennessee. In fact, one outraged father in the Metro Nashville Public School District is now pulling his seven-year-old daughter out of school because she was being taught that, as he put it, white people are bad, mean & racist against African-Americans & Mexicans.

(Article by Selwyn Duke republished from TheNewAmerican.com)

The father wasnt exaggerating, either, as his series of tweets below evidences.

She has been and will always be taught that everyone is equal. She will not be ashamed of her skin color.  GrantB911 (@GrantB911) August 14, 2020

The white kids told the Mexican girl to Go back to the Mexican school! pic.twitter.com/muMQnOzM2D  GrantB911 (@GrantB911) August 14, 2020

If you cant read the text in the upper left-hand image, know that it reads:

Sylvia had on her black shoes. They were shiny-new. Her hair was perfectly parted in two long trenzas. It was her first day at Westminster school. The halls were crowded with students. She was looking for her locker when a young white boy pointed at her and yelled, Go back to the Mexican school! You dont belong here!

Interestingly, Twitter hides the above school lesson image and the two below, instead presenting the warning, The following media includes potentially sensitive content and requiring you to click View to see them. So, ironically, while the Tennessee parents have to register approval to witness the images themselves on Twitter, their approval was never sought before their preteen children could view them in school.

The last two lesson images posted by the father, T. Grant Benson, are:

The Mexican kids were sent away and forced to sit in the dirt with flies around them and an electric fence that shocked them because white people are bad. This is NOT a civil rights lesson. This is self-hate & fake white privilege. pic.twitter.com/fPU24odazO  GrantB911 (@GrantB911) August 14, 2020

Unfortunately, the above isnt uncommon in todays schools, especially the government variety, as I pointed out in my 2018 essay Craziness in Kids Classes. Consider this excerpt, a quotation from the Weekly Standard:

The Edina [Minnesota] school districts All for All plan mandated that henceforth all teaching and learning experiences would be viewed through the lens of racial equity, and that only racially conscious teachers and administrators should be hired. District leaders assured parents this would reduce Edinas racial achievement gap, which they attributed to barriers rooted in racial constructs and cultural misunderstandings.

As a result, the school systems obsession with white privilege now begins in kindergarten. At Edinas Highlands Elementary School, for example, K-2 students participate in the Melanin Project. The children trace their hands, color them to reflect their skin tone, and place the cut-outs on a poster reading, Stop thinking your skin color is better than anyone elses [sic]!  Everyone is special!

I also related that one teachers students at Rockingham Middle School in North Carolina last year [2017] were expected to issue [an apology]  standing in front of the class  for being white and Christian and having the privilege that supposedly bestows.

Then theres Verenice Gutierrez, principal of Harvey Scott K-8 School in Portland, Oregon, [who] warned in 2012 that offering an immigrant student a peanut butter and jelly sandwich could be racist.

But I recommend you read the entire essay  its a real eye-opener.

It also well illustrates why teachers in Tennessees Rutherford County School District (thats Murfreesboro, which has a huge Sunni Islam population), are insisting that parents sign an agreement that, with their students doing distance learning from home, they will not monitor their childrens classes, related commentator Andrea Widburg.

When challenged, the school district claimed that this rule was to protect students academic privacy, Widburg continued, but we already know that the real purpose in public schools around the country is so that teachers can preach leftism.

Yet this type of debate is not just happening in Tennessee, PJ Medias Stacey Lennox writes. She continues:

A founding teacher at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia also took to Twitter to express concern over parent observation of virtual classes. His laments about parents, especially conservative parents, had been retweeted over 1,000 times before he locked his account. Retweeting means other people were sharing his concerns with their own followers.

Matthew Kay put this up for other teachers to respond to:

So, this fall, virtual class discussions will have many potential spectators  parents, siblings, etc.  in the same room. Well never be quite sure who is overhearing the discourse. What does this do for our equity/inclusion work?

If you need clarity of what equity and inclusion work means, you can see the pictures in the previous tweets. Matthew concluded his thread with:

While conversations about race are in my wheelhouse, and remain a concern in this no-walls environment  I am most intrigued by the damage that helicopter/snowplow parents can do in honest conversations about gender/sexuality, he added. And while conservative parents are my chief concern  I know that the damage can come from the left too. If we are engaged in the messy work of destabilizing a kids [sic] racism or homophobia or transphobia  how much do we want their classmates parents piling on?

Unfortunately, this also is nothing new. For example, school activists already recommended back in the 90s dealing with indoctrination opposition by keeping parents in the dark and moving forward independently. As Imani Matthews, a teacher at the private Riverdale Country School in New York, put it circa 1998, There isnt a loving presenter of the other side.

If some guy wanted to take your child somewhere, behind closed doors, but didnt want you to know what hed be doing with your kid, would you consent? Well, this is essentially the situation with many of todays public school teachers, who, though also sometimes committing sexual abuse (click here), specialize in mind molestation  and have millions of victims.

So, ironically, Americans have been complaining about schools being closed due to something posing virtually no risk to a healthy child, COVID-19. But the real threat appears when public schools and even some private schools (they are not all the same) are in session. Its then that children are infected with a moral and spiritual disease that can remain symptomatic for life and doesnt just attack the body, but rots the soul.

Read more at: TheNewAmerican.com
Riot police detain a group of people during a protest in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong on May 27, 2020. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images)

Italian Foreign Minister: Hong Kongs Freedoms Must Be Respected

Hong Kong citizens rights and freedoms must be respected, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Tuesday in Rome during talks with his Chinese counterpart.

Di Maio raised the issue of Hong Kong when meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who was beginning a visit to Europe that will also include the Netherlands, Norway, France, and Germany.

But the talks focused mainly on relaunching what Di Maio called the strategic partnership from the economic and industrial view point.

Last year, Italy became the first major Western economy to sign on to Chinas controversial Belt and Road infrastructure plan despite concerns from the United States and the European Union. But the move has yielded little for Italy so far.

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi touch elbows in greeting at the end of a news conference at the Renaissance Villa Madama meeting venue in Rome, on Aug. 25, 2020. (Reuters TV)

Lawmakers Support Hong Kong

The Italian government is facing domestic opposition over its close ties with the Chinese regime.

Both Chambers of the Italian Parliament have clearly and repeatedly condemned the repressive actions by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities violating the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, and international agreements governing the Autonomous Region, 18 Italian lawmakers said on Tuesday in an open letter addressed to Di Maio.

Italy has an obligation to uphold international agreements on human rights, including the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 which guarantees the freedom of Hong Kong citizens.

Police remove a woman holding a U.S. flag from outside the U.S. consulate during a march to celebrate U.S. Independence Day in Hong Kong on July 4, 2020. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images)

Almost two months after the imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, the situation is rapidly deteriorating, with serious implications for the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong citizens, said the lawmakers, who are from five different political parties.

The national security law, which went into effect on June 30, criminalizes individuals for any acts of subversion, secession, and collusion with foreign forces against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Nathan Law, a former Hong Kong legislator and pro-democracy activist now in exile in London, traveled to Rome on Tuesday and appealed to Di Maio to raise the Hong Kong issue in talks with his Chinese counterpart.

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law speaks to media outside the Italian Foreign Ministry headquarter on Aug. 25, 2020. (Marco DIppolito/The Epoch Times)

The Italian lawmakers said they firmly stand with Nathan in his appeal to you and ask that the Italian Republic continues to be a voice in support of Hong Kongs freedoms, autonomy, and rule of law.

They also urged the Italian government to act as a strong voice denouncing the atrocious crimes being committed against the Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in the country.

Huawei Brings Serious Danger

The Chinese and Italian foreign ministers were expected to discuss the roll-out of new generation 5G technology in Italy and the potential involvement of Chinese telecom giant Huawei. But Di Maio made no reference to the company at the press conference.

Huawei has been banned by the United States, Australia, and the UK from their 5G networks. Italy has not imposed restrictions on the firm but it was excluded from a recent Telecom Italia tender to supply technology for a 5G network in Italy and Brazil.

The Huawei logo is pictured at the IFA consumer tech fair in Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 6, 2019. (Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters)

Speaking in Rome on Tuesday, Nathan Law urged Western governments to be highly cautious in their business dealings with Beijing.

The most powerful authoritarian regime in the world is posing a threat to democracies, including using measures of infiltration, including using the influence of their state enterprises like Huawei, he said.

If infrastructure like telecommunications, harbors, or even the nuclear industry are controlled or are owned by Chinese companies then it will impose serious danger to the country.

Falun Gong practitioners hold a protest rally outside Italian Foreign Ministry headquarter in Rome on Aug. 25, 2020 (Marco DIppolito/The Epoch Times)

Law was joined outside the Italian Foreign Ministry headquarter by Italian lawmakers Lucio Malan and Federico Mollicone, who were signatories to the open letter to Di Maio, as well as supporters of Tibet.

A group of practitioners of Falun Gong, a Chinese spiritual movement, held a rally nearby in protest against the CCPs persecution of the group, which has lasted over 21 years.

Reuters, Frank Fang, and Isabel van Brugen contributed to this report.
Americans have to make this China virus go away and it is happening, President Donald Trump has said, as he thanked the frontline workers for their incredible efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump talks with essential workers during the coronavirus outbreak. Photograph: Republican National Convention

Trump appeared in a taped Oval Office conversation with a group of frontline workers -- doctors, nurses, firemen, policemen, postal workers.

This was not the first time when Trump called the novel coronavirus as China's virus.

In March, he had said that China is responsible for the spread of the novel coronavirus and called the COVID-19 as the "Chinese Virus".

He, later, insisted the term was accurate because the virus originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

Calling the group his friends and the incredible workers who helped the US fight the coronavirus, Trump said we can call it many different things -- from China virus -- I don't want to go through all the names because some people may get insulted but that's the way it is.

"These are great great people, doctors, nurses, firemen, policemen. We want to thank you all, you have been incredible," he said.

And we want to thank you and all of the millions of people that you represent, Trump said during the conversation, aired on the first night of the Republican National Convention.

I'm for the nurses, I'm for the doctors, I'm for everybody. We just have to make this China virus go away and it's happening, Trump said.

As of August 24, more than 5 million cases have been confirmed in the US.

There have been more than 170,000 deaths in the country.

Speaking to a postal worker in the group, he said we're taking good care of our postal workers, that I can tell you. Believe me, we're not getting rid of our postal workers. You know they'd like to sort of put that out. If anyone does it's the Democrats, not the Republicans, he said.

Trump has been targetting the US Postal Service, claiming that voting by mail will result in huge fraud during the November 3 presidential election.

Among the group of people on the tape were two police officers who had recovered from the coronavirus.

That means we don't have to be afraid of you, once you recover. We have the whole thing with plasma happening. That means your blood is very valuable, Trump said, amid laughs.

The US Food and Drug Administration on Sunday approved using blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors to treat other patients.

To one of the police officers, Trump asked what had helped him recover from COVID-19 and then said, I won't even ask you about the hydroxychloroquine. It's a shame what they've done to that one. But I took it, Trump said, amid laughter from the group of people.

Speaking on the first night of the convention were Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who came into the spotlight after they aimed their guns at Black Lives Matters protesters in June outside their home in St Louis.

Whether it's the defunding of police, ending cash bail so criminals can be released back out on the streets the same day to riot again, we're encouraging anarchy and chaos on our streets," Mark McCloskey said.

"It seems as if the Democrats no longer view the government's job as protecting honest citizens from criminals, but rather protecting criminals from honest citizens, McCloskey said.

He said that not a single person in the out-of-control mob outside his house was charged with a crime. "But you know who was, we were. They've actually charged us with felonies for daring to defend our home, he said.

Patricia McCloskey said the Democrats are not satisfied with spreading the chaos and violence into American communities but want to abolish the suburbs all together through rezoning that would bring crime, lawlessness and low-quality apartments into thriving suburban neighbourhoods.

These are the policies that are coming to a neighbourhood near you. So make no mistake. No matter where you live, your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats' America, she said.

Mark McCloskey said Trump will defend the God-given right of every American to protect their homes and their families.

Patricia McCloskey added that when there is no basic safety and security in American communities, we will never be free to build a brighter future for ourselves, for our children, or for our country. That's what's at stake in this election. And that's why we must re-elect Donald Trump.
False: NIA official part of Pulwama attack probe had not submitted dubious bills

Top Lashkar commander gunned down with two more terrorists in Pulwama

Pulwamas suicide bomber had noted bus in CRPF convoy which had most bombers: NIA

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 25: The Pulwama case took the National Investigation Agency 18 months to crack.

Pulwama Terror Attack: NIA names Masood Azhar and his brother as plotters in the chargesheet

In the chargesheet filed today before a special court in Jammu, the NIA said, 'the almost blind case solved in 18 months brings out the conspiracy hatched in Pakistan by the Jaish-e-Mohammad to carry out the 2019 Pulwama attack.

The NIA also said that the original plan was to strike on February 6, 2019. However the plan was delayed as the highway was closed due to snow. It was Shakir Bashir at whose house the bomb was prepared who had noticed work being undertaken by a road opening party.

JeM planned another Pulwama, but then India hit at Balakot

He in turn alerted Farooq about the same, following which the attack was carried out.

Further the NIA noted that the suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar who drove the vehicle had noted which bus in the CRPF convoy had the maximum number of jawans.
In March, the number of people who depended on Zoom skyrocketed. I wrote at the time about how it quickly became the most important app in the business world, and it was true.

Remarkably, while the company quickly faced scrutiny over how it handled user security and privacy, it held up incredibly well. That's actually quite a feat when you consider just how many of us were using it for, well, everything. All-company meetings. One-on-one conversations. Client calls, birthday parties, and even yoga classes.

Yesterday, however, Zoom failed. Apparently, adding a few million students learning remotely from home was just too much.

To be fair, it's not entirely clear if there's a direct connection between massive outages that rolled across the East Coast and Midwest, and the fact that students started classes at colleges and schools all over America. Still, if you want to be the company people depend on for virtual meetings of every kind, that just can't happen.

I reached out to Zoom for comment, which provided a statement through a spokesperson:

We have resolved an issue that caused some users to be unable to start and join Zoom Meetings and Webinars or manage aspects of their account on the Zoom website. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

On its own, that statement doesn't say much, and it isn't much of an apology. However, tonight the company sent an email to its users from Velchamy Sankarlingam, president of product and engineering, and it's a brilliant lesson in how to respond when things go wrong:

We always take very seriously our responsibility to keep you connected, and we know that you are relying on us during this particularly challenging time. We deeply regret this incident and sincerely apologize. I'm personally disappointed that we have let you down and I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.



I am proud of our dedicated team working to enable our customers' work, schooling, and social lives during the global health crisis. We are intensely focused on scaling our collaboration and cloud technology to help Zoom reliably connect the world now and in the future. I'm here to get this right and will personally do my best to prevent disruptions like this from happening in the future. Zoom's availability and reliability is a top priority and we appreciate all of your support.

People are counting on Zoom, and this email shows the company is well aware of its importance. When something goes wrong, it's your problem, whether or not it's your fault. The company's apology acknowledges that, and the fact that Sankarlingam takes personal responsibility is a brilliant lesson in emotional intelligence for every business.

Building a service like Zoom is hard. Building up a brand that people can depend on is even harder. The thing that made Zoom so successful was that it was way more simple than any other videoconferencing service. Anyone could join a video meeting simply by clicking on a link, which would download the app and connect you without complicated software. My first grader knows how to use Zoom without anyone ever having to explain it to him.

The hardest thing is living up to the promise you make to your users. If you're the simple, dependable video service that just works, well, you have to be simple and dependable. At a minimum, it helps if it actually works. Today it didn't, and to be honest, it couldn't have come at a worse time.

Sometimes technology fails. This isn't even the first time Zoom has had a major fail. First, it was the revelation that information was being shared with third-party services, like Facebook. Then it was "Zoombombing," in which hackers would descend upon a meeting and begin taking over the screen with inappropriate material.

Zoom managed to respond to each of those problems in a way that earned the trust of its users. It added features like waiting rooms and password protection on both free and paid accounts. It made it easier to control who had access and to remove unwelcome visitors.

Now, however, on what could arguably be its biggest test, it failed. That's why this apology was so important.

Look, I have no doubt that Zoom was all-hands-on-deck yesterday. I have no doubt the company will figure out what went wrong, and make sure it never happens again. Everything I've seen and experienced from the company points in that direction, which is good. This email is part of the reason I'm so confident.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday left Israel for Sudan, the next stop on his regional tour, on the first official direct flight from Tel Aviv to Khartoum.

Video released by the US embassy in Jerusalem showed an official greeting Pompeo as he walked onto the plane, saying "You are now on a historic flight," and the top US diplomat nodding in agreement.

Israel and Sudan do not have diplomatic relations and, barring a last-minute route change, it would be the first such non-stop flight, US officials said.

Israel has regular commercial flights to Egypt, Sudan's northern neighbour, with which it signed a peace agreement in 1979.

Pompeo's trip, also taking in Bahrain and the UAE, comes in the wake of the August 13 announcement of a US-brokered normalisation of relations between the Emirates and the Jewish state.

Speaking in Jerusalem on Monday, both Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that they were hopeful that other Arab states would follow suit.

The deal with the UAE is not strictly-speaking a peace deal as the two states have never been at war.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  The first deadly blast in Jolo, Sulu on Monday was also carried out by a suspected suicide bomber, officials said Tuesday.

Iyong latest findings ay suspected suicide bomber rin ang perpetrator ng first explosion, Joint Task Force Sulu Commander William Gonzales told CNN Philippines Balitaan.

[Translation: Latest findings show that a suspected suicide bomber was also the perpetrator of the first blast.]

Authorities earlier theorized that the first blast came from an improvised bomb placed in a vehicle parked in front of the Paradise grocery store in Barangay Walled City. But a CCTV footage police have retrieved showed otherwise, Gonzales said.

The explosion looks like a suicide attack, as indicated by a blast crater between two military vehicles where body parts were found strewn, Gonzales said, citing a bomb expert. He added that the suicide bombing theory was also supported by eyewitness accounts.

With this development, authorities are now looking into two female suicide bombers, said PBGen. Manuel Abu, chief of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police.

"Our investigators are determining the nationality of these two alleged women suicide bombers," Abu told CNN Philippines' News Night.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said a forensic team from the National Bureau of Investigation flew to Jolo to secure evidence and identify the perpetrators and their conspirators.

The twin blasts killed seven soldiers, one police officer and six civilians, and wounded 78 other people. The 11th Infantry Division in a Facebook post on Tuesday said the number of slain soldiers has risen to eight, but authorities have yet to release a new tally.

The explosions occurred near the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, where two bombs were also consecutively detonated during a mass in January 2019, killing 18 people. Gonzales said it is too early to tell if there is a connection between the incidents.

Authorities said they are in hot pursuit of Abu Sayyaf bomb expert Mundi Sawadjaan and other terrorists following the latest explosions. However, Gonzales dismissed the supposed involvement of international terrorist network ISIS, saying any claims by the group are mere propaganda. He said ISIS is "not directly" involved in the attack, although Abu Sayyaf is considered as an ISIS-leaning group.

The United Nations condemned the attacks and called on authorities to bring to justice the people responsible for these crimes. The UN noted that attacks against civilians are always unacceptable.

The country's Commission on Human Rights said its regional office will also investigate the "cruel and inhuman attack."

Jolo Mayor Kerkhar Tan has placed the municipality under total lockdown until the probe into the explosion is completed.
After its first successful specialty purpose acquisition company, Tortoise Acquisition Corp. is launching a second SPAC.

Tortoise Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: SNPR) will offer 250 million shares at a price of $10 per share, according to a Monday SEC filing.

Each share will be for one share of the company along with one-quarter of a warrant to purchase a share at an $11.50 price point. Warrants will be redeemable 30 days after the completion of the business combination.

Tortoise Acquisition Corp. II will seek to find a company in the energy market, similar to its first Tortoise Acquisition Corp. I (NYSE: SHLL), which announced in June that it was merging with Hyliion, an electrified powertrain solutions provider for Class 8 trucks.

The first offering from the company sold 23,300,918 shares at $10 each.

Tortoise Acquisition Corp. II will search for a business in the broad energy transition or sustainability arena targeting industries that require innovative solutions to decarbonize.

Similar to the SHLL offering, the prospectus contained statistics based on zero emissions standards and the Paris Agreement.

Since the merger announcement with Hyliion, SHLL shares have been on fire. Shares are up 199% as investors wait for the merger to close.

Disclosure: The author of this article owns shares of SHLL at the time of writing.

Courtesy photo.

See more from Benzinga

 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-24 23:30:30|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Monday urged the United States to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and stop repeatedly sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces.

Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the statement in response to remarks by the "American Institute in Taiwan" on security cooperation between the U.S. side and Taiwan.

"Taiwan is part of China," Ma said, stressing that the Taiwan question brooks no foreign interference.

The Democratic Progressive Party authority's escalating provocations with the help of external forces will only jeopardize the common interests of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, endanger the vital interests of Taiwan compatriots, undermine cross-Strait peace and stability, and put Taiwan in a more precarious situation, Ma said. Enditem
Leaders on the U.S. Gulf Coast warned Monday that Tropical Storm Laura could rapidly intensify into one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the region and urged residents to prepare before landfall in Texas or Louisiana expected in the next 48 hours.

Anticipating deadly winds, rains and storm surges, the governor of Louisiana told citizens that Laura could rival 2005s Hurricane Rita, one of the fiercest recorded in the Gulf.

Laura comes on the heels of Tropical Storm Marco, which weakened sooner than expected and made landfall on Monday in Louisiana. Forecasters predicted Marco would become a tropical depression in the evening.

The rare threat of two possible hurricanes in the Gulf at once prompted energy companies to shutter operations and ride out the weather, taking nearly 10% of the United States crude oil production offline.

The National Hurricane Center warned that Laura could bring potentially deadly storm surges from San Luis Pass, Texas, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, in the next two days.

The mayor of Port Arthur, Texas, an oil town of 54,000 people 85 miles (137 km) east of Houston, ordered a mandatory evacuation, giving residents until 6 a.m. on Tuesday to leave. Several other cities asked for voluntary evacuations.

Lina Hidalgo, the chief executive of Harris County, which includes Houston, urged residents to be prepared and not to get cocky" by failing to prepare for the worst.

Were leaving no stone unturned with our preparation. Now it is your turn," Hidalgo told a news conference.

While underscoring the need for preparation, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner added Laura was not expected to stall over the region and dump as much rain as Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which led to deadly flooding.

In Louisiana, Governor John Edwards implored people to take advantage of the sudden weakening of Marco to ready for Laura.

This has the potential to be the strongest hurricane to hit since Hurricane Rita," Edwards said at a Monday evening news conference, referring to the Category 5 hurricane that hit in 2005.

HOWLING WINDS

Laura traced the southern coast of Cuba on Monday, but the brunt of the storm was offshore, helping the largest island nation in the Caribbean avoid serious damage after Laura killed at least 10 people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Laura was heading toward the Gulf of Mexico at 20 miles per hour (31 kilometers per hour) and likely would enter the gulf overnight, according to the NHC.

The storm was predicted to reach hurricane strength by Tuesday then strengthen further before hitting the U.S. Gulf Coast by Wednesday night, the NHC said.

OIL HIT HARD

Despite Marcos weakening, the storm still threatened to soak the Louisiana coast.

This years hurricane season has been complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, forcing many people to weigh the risks of leaving their homes and potentially exposing themselves to the virus.

Officials in Louisiana said that testing for COVID-19 was suspended in the state on Monday and Tuesday.

Energy companies moved to cut production at U.S. Gulf Coast oil refineries after shutting half the areas offshore crude oil output.

Producers have shut more than 1 million barrels per day of Gulf Coast offshore oil production, 9% of the nations total output.

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
Ford is certainly not shy about its goal to be at the forefront of automotive tech. After announcing its partnerships with Dutch multinational developer TomTom and leading provider of connected car services and transportation analytics Inrix, Inc., the Blue Oval now reports that is developing a digital road safety tool that could anticipate road accidents on a vehicles path of travel.

Using data from sources including connected vehicles and roadside sensors, the new system can potentially detect road mishaps and incidents before they happen a good distance away from the vehicle, so drivers can take the necessary precautions and re-route to avoid getting bogged down in traffic.

Ford is developing the new tech along with with Vivacity Labs, Oxfordshire County Council and Loughborough University with support from Transport for London following funding from the British government innovation agency, Innovate UK, and the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

https://fordauthority.com/

The Data-Driven Road Safety Tool, as the system is called, can analyze information from various sources to predict the likely locations and possible root causes of potential road safety hotspots. The insights will enable not only Ford drivers, but public and private entities to take pre-emptive action to address roads and junctions that pose the highest risks to road users.

Ford is using the Data-Driven Road Safety Tool to conduct extensive research into the opportunity for connected vehicles and predictive analytics to help improve road safety. Currently, the test run will connect up to 700 passenger and commercial vehicles across Oxfordshire and London as part of the 18-month project starting this summer.

Detailed telematics data from the fleet of vehicles  such as brake or accelerator pedal usage and steering wheel angle  will be analyzed alongside information from up to 25 additional smart sensors to be provided in Oxfordshire by Vivacity Labs a specialist in traffic capture and classification, to increase the number of in-use systems to 100.

Story continues

The UK Department for Transport estimates that road incidents in the British Isles cost the government more than GBP35 billion (approx. PHP2.2 trillion) annually. Stakeholders hope that once completed, the Data-Driven Road Safety Tool will be able to reduce that number drastically.

Soon every new vehicle will be a connected vehicle, and we see this as an opportunity to reduce road traffic incidents and save lives in a significant way, said Jon Scott, project lead, City Insights, Ford Mobility, Europe. By collaborating with leading innovators, experts and academics  and with the backing of Innovate UK we truly believe we can help improve mobility for millions around the world.

Photo/s from Ford

Also Read:

Ford Transit PHEV now comes with automatic electric mode

Ford's new navigation tech stays on course even without cell coverage
New Delhi: Markets ended in the positive zone on Monday led by strong buying in financial counters amid a positive trend in global equities and sustained foreign fund inflows.

The BSE Sensex ended 364.36 points or 0.95 per cent higher at 38,799.08. The NSE Nifty jumped 94.85 points or 0.83 per cent to 11,466.45.

Here are Stocks in focus on August 25, 2020

Minda Industries

The rights issue of Minda Industries will open on Tuesday and close on September 8; and the last date for on market renunciation is September 3, 2020, The Auto components maker has fixed the issue price at Rs 250 per equity share for its Rs 250-crore rights issue. The board of directors of the company approved fixing of issue price at Rs 250 per equity share, including a premium of Rs 248 per equity share over face value of Rs 2 per equity share, Minda Industries said in a regulatory filing.

LIC Housing Finance Ltd

Mortgage lender LIC Housing Finance Ltd (LICHFL) on Monday reported a 34 per cent jump in its net profit to Rs 817.48 crore for the quarter ending June helped by lower provisioning. The company's profit after tax stood at Rs 610.68 crore in the April-June quarter of the previous fiscal.

Axis Bank

Axis Bank on Monday said it will acquire 17 per cent stake in Max Life Insurance instead of the 29 per cent proposed earlier as per a revised deal. Axis Bank currently holds about 1 per cent stake in Max Life and is the biggest banking channel partner for the distribution of the insurer's products. Products sold through the bank reportedly account for 54 per cent of Max Life's revenues.

IRB Infra

Highways developer IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd (IRB) on Monday reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 30.13 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The company had clocked a consolidated profit of Rs 206.62 crore in the corresponding quarter of previous fiscal, it said in a regulatory filing to the BSE.

Oil companies

Fitch Ratings on Monday said state-owned oil refiners IOC, BPCL and HPCL may see longer than previously expected time to recover refining margins, increasing downside risks to their credit profiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) are seen together prior to their meeting at the Prime Ministry Office in West Jerusalem on August 24, 2020.

Israel may not accept a potential American deal to sell F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates, spiking tensions just days after a historic Arab-Israeli agreement.

"This deal did not include Israel's acceptance of any arms deal," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday, suggesting he's likely to push back on the long-rumored transaction.

It comes after Axios first reported the UAE canceled a planned trilateral meeting with the U.S. and Israel last Friday in order to send a message to Netanyahu over his opposition to the deal. The Axios report said an F-35 transaction was a top priority for the UAE and linked to its normalization accord with Israel.

Previous UAE requests to purchase the sophisticated fighter planes have been stymied by a long-standing U.S mandate that ensures Israel maintains a "qualitative military advantage" in the Middle East.

"The United States stood by that commitment, and I have no doubt that it will continue to do so," Netanyahu said. The prime minister was speaking alongside U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was in Israel as part of a week-long tour of the region to drum up additional support for the accord.

"We will continue to honor that," Pompeo told reporters. "But we also have a 20-plus year security relationship with the United Arab Emirates, where we have provided them with technical assistance and military assistance," he said, adding that the U.S. will deliver the UAE "the equipment they need to secure and defend their own people."

Any U.S. decision to push ahead with an arms sale to the UAE will likely face pushback in Congress and on the ground in Israel, which is wary of losing its regional military edge.

"I think the United States Congress is going to have something to say about that and is going to be pretty skeptical about such a sale," Former U.S. Ambassador Wendy Sherman told CNBC on Monday.

Sherman served as undersecretary of state for political affairs in the Obama administration and was the lead U.S. negotiator on the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA.

"I think this is a good thing that they have made peace with Israel, but I'm quite concerned about any kind of sale of the F-35 to countries," Sherman said, suggesting that a move to sell the fighter could alter the military balance in the Middle East and worsen ongoing conflicts in places like Syria and Yemen.

"Much of this is meant to be a bulwark against Iran, but I think in the short run, it's not going to achieve that goal," she added.
Military officials initially said that the first of two powerful explosions that rocked Jolo town in the southern province of Sulu was caused by a bomb rigged in a motorcycle, while the second blast was a woman suicide bomber.

Army commanding general Cirilito Sobejana, however, said an initial investigation, along with witnesses accounts and security camera footage, showed that the first explosion was also set off by a suicide attacker.

Its been validated, Mr Sobejana told reporters.

The military is trying to determine if the two suicide bombers behind the explosions were the widows of Abu Sayyaf militants Talha Jumsah and Norman Lasuca, Mr Sobejana said.

Jumsah, also known as Abu Talha, was a little known but key commander who bridged the Abu Sayyaf with the Islamic State group and plotted suicide attacks before he was killed by troops last year.

Advertisement

Lasuca died in a suicide attack on a Sulu army camp last year.

The countrys southern region has been the scene of decades of Muslim separatist unrest in the largely Roman Catholic nation.

The bombings on Monday were the latest suicide attacks in the predominantly Muslim province of Jolo, including the deadly January 2019 bombing of a Roman Catholic cathedral believed to have been carried out by an Indonesian couple.

Most of the victims were caught in the first blast, near two parked army trucks in front of a grocery store and computer shop in a downtown plaza where the cathedral is located.

The second blast involved the attacker blowing up near a group of soldiers and police, killing one solider and one police commando and wounding several others, a military report said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, but the military blamed an Abu Sayyaf militant commander, Mundi Sawadjaan, who has been linked to suicide bombings in recent years in Sulu.

The military has been waging a years-long offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, a small but violent group listed by the United States and the Philippines as a terrorist group.

Its armed fighters have dwindled in number to a few hundred in recent years due to battle setbacks, infighting and surrenders. But they remain a national and regional security threat.
November 1917, and the day dawned dank and foggy over the water-logged trenches near Cambrai in eastern France.

Not surprisingly, Gefreiter (Lance-Corporal) Wilhelm Bar of Germany's 27th Reserve Infantry Regiment was feeling more demoralised than usual.

Then suddenly, out of the mist, burst a hurricane of shellfire, swiftly followed by the grinding sound of hundreds of engines and then the looming shapes of huge metal monsters, as the first large-scale tank assault in the history of warfare got underway.

'Masses of English infantry and numerous tanks bore down on our company from all sides,' Bar wrote later. 'We defended ourselves like demons. 'Fire at the infantry!' I screamed in the terrible uproar of battle ... but without artillery we were powerless against the tanks. They literally showered us with bullets and our losses were heavy...'

Firepower: A Russian T90 tank

This was the weapon that transformed warfare. An all powerful vehicle never seen before by soldiers that could cross virtually any terrain, that would develop massive firepower and become decisive in battle after battle, leaving untold carnage in its path.

No longer would an army's rate of advance be based on the pace of a foot soldier, or slowed by cavalry regiments' mounts that had to be regularly fed and watered. The tank, deployed in huge numbers, would make fast-moving armies invincible.

Yet now, some 100 years after it was first deployed by the Army, the Ministry of Defence is reportedly considering scrapping tanks altogether under radical proposals to modernise our forces and focus on cyberwarfare.

The cost of upgrading Britain's ageing fleet of 227 Challenger 2 tanks and the 338 armoured Warrior fighting vehicles that support them on the battlefield is apparently prohibitive. If these vast machines are mothballed, it would not only bring to an end the glorious history of the British tank but even presage the end for its supremacy in other countries.

But it was Winston Churchill, then the dynamic young First Lord of the Admiralty, who first championed the tank in London in 1914, after hearing that the War Office had abandoned tests involving a tractor-like vehicle called a 'trench crosser' as the heavy vehicles were considered too cumbersome.

Churchill's ever-fertile imagination was fired up by the idea of a vehicle with caterpillar tracks rather than wheels that enabled it to crawl over any terrain, however hostile.

Searching for ways to break the deadlock that had bogged down movement in the trenches of France and Flanders, Churchill took over the mothballed project.

He immediately ordered production of 18 experimental vehicles he called 'landships' but which soon acquired the nickname of 'tanks', as the people who made them reckoned they looked like water tanks.

In those early days, tanks were put into action in groups of two or three at a time, but a far-sighted British commander in the newly-formed Tank Corps, J F C 'Boney' Fuller, suggested switching strategy and using hundreds of tanks in a co-ordinated mass attack.

The plan was to put them into action at Cambrai  with huge initial success. For the first time on the Western Front, a major breakthrough was achieved, and although the Germans soon regained most of the ground they had lost, they adopted the tank themselves and began to copy the British and make their own.

The French, too, started producing tanks, and together the two Allied powers co-ordinated a mass tank attack at Amiens in August 1918 which rolled up the German army and led to the Armistice that ended the war just three months later.

Conditions for those early tank crews were hell. Temperatures inside reached a scorching 100f (38c), and thick smoke from the engines choked the crew.

The deafening noise meant orders could only be transmitted by hand signals, and bullets hitting the tank's outer shell detached red-hot splinters inside which flew about lethally, forcing the men to protect themselves with chainmail visors like medieval knights.

But the tank really came into its own in World War II, reaching its apogee with the German Army's panzer divisions.

Adolf Hitler, who had served as a lance-corporal on the Somme and may have encountered them on the battlefield, clearly understood their power.Commanders such as Heinz Guderian and Erwin Rommel pioneered 'Blitzkrieg': a style of assault that combined tanks and war planes to punch through enemy defences and spearhead a full blown and swift-moving invasion.

In the words of the historian Robert Citino: 'There were no horses this time, just cruel grey machines, engines roaring, treads clattering, machine guns barking away. They were on you almost before you knew it, and you were lucky if you lived to fight a second day.'

German tank columns had swept through Poland in 1939, and  a year later  Rommel's tanks crossed the Meuse and reached the Channel in a matter of days.

But the Germans were not alone in building up their tank forces. More than 84,000 Soviet T-34s were built between 1940 and 1946  but it soon became apparent that crews were terrifyingly vulnerable to enemy tanks and shellfire.

A British Mark IV at the battle of Cambrai in 1917

If a shell penetrated a tank's armour, it would 'brew up', exploding in a fireball and incinerating the crew.

The Red Army nicknamed the T-34 the 'grave for seven brothers', a reference to its seven-man crew.

The lightly armoured American-made Sherman tanks were derided by the Germans as 'Tommy cookers' for their propensity to catch fire after being hit by an enemy shell.

After the fall of France, British tanks were deployed against the Italians in North Africa, but their finest hour came in 1942 when, copying the use of Blitzkrieg, General Bernard Montgomery built up a decisive advantage in tank numbers in Egypt to crush the German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps at the second Battle of El Alamein.

Tank driver Edwin 'Ben' Instone of the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, was one of those decorated for his valour at El Alamein. His citation reads: 'His tank was hit ten times, the last shot killing the operator and seriously wounding the commander and the gunner. He was trapped in his seat, but pushed the spare driver out and sent him for help.

'He then got out from the same door and re-entered the tank by the turret. He gave morphia to the two wounded men, and then, single-handed and under heavy fire, got his commander (who had lost both legs) out of the tank. He broke the fall for his commander by letting himself fall under him from the top of the turret.

'He then got his gunner out, who was almost fainting. Having given his commander more attention, he led back his gunner, who was very weak, to the first aid post, where he got help for the commander. All this was done under heavy machine-gun and shell fire.'

The war was really won, not on sands of North Africa but on the Russian steppes. In July 1943, Hitler approved Operation Citadel, a German offensive around the Ukrainian city of Kursk. It proved to be a fatal error. What followed was the largest set-piece battle in history, where 1.3 million Russians and 3,444 tanks faced 900,000 Germans with 2,700 tanks in an area the size of Wales.

Vast swathes of Hitler's panzer force were destroyed at Kursk, in the greatest tank battle the world has yet seen, and it opened up the road to Berlin and Germany's eventual defeat.

A year later, Britain and the U.S. too tasted victory in the west when, in Normandy, after the D-Day landings, by sheer weight of numbers, their Shermans defeated the pride of Nazi Germany's tanks  the Tiger  a massively heavy tank equipped with a lethal 88mm cannon, which was produced in too few numbers to avert Allied victory.

In the decades since, the tank has remained the flagship of every major army in the world. They have been used to pull off military coups, lead patriotic parades and overthrow Middle Eastern dictators. They have also crushed popular protests as far afield as Beijing, Budapest and Berlin.

And they couldn't be more different from the original Mark IV with its top speed of 4mph and peashooter gun barrel. Germany's monstrous Leopard 2A7, the tank widely considered to be the most advanced model in the world, weighs 60 tons, has grenade launchers, machine guns and a 120mm cannon delivering pinpoint accuracy at 2.5 miles  and can travel at more than 40mph.

If the Ministry of Defence ever relents and decides the tank has a place in its future plans, experts say the only option would be to buy a squadron of Leopards. How ironic, given the impact of that first Mark IV on terrified German troops more than a century ago.
ALBANY  State Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit Tuesday against President Donald Trump, the U.S. Postal Service and the postmaster general for what she claims is their unlawful plan to slow down the mail to repress mail-in votes in November to help Republicans win elections.

This USPS slowdown is nothing more than a voter suppression tactic, James said in a statement. Yet, this time, these authoritarian actions are not only jeopardizing our democracy and fundamental right to vote, but the immediate health and financial well-being of Americans across the nation. We will do everything in our power to stop the presidents power grab and ensure every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast a ballot come November.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., and other plaintiffs include state attorneys general from New Jersey and Hawaii as well as the cities of San Francisco and New York City.

The postal service made a variety of policy changes that led to delays in mail, the civil complaint alleges, including cutting overtime, removing collection boxes and removing high-speed mail-sorting machines. The goal of those changes is to slow down the mail service and hurt Democratic electoral prospects in November, the plaintiffs allege.

More Americans than ever are expected to vote by mail this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many states  with governors from both parties  have expanded vote by mail in recent years.

The president, citing an unsubstantiated risk of election fraud, has opposed the expansion of vote by mail. Trump has said that he supports financial cuts to the Postal Service and that Democrats need that money in order to make the post office work, so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots, he said earlier this month in an appearance on the Fox Business television network.

The postmaster general, Louis Dejoy, has come under fire from Democrats for the policy changes and mail delays. He appeared on Capitol Hill late last week and again Monday to testify before Senate and House committees respectively.

In the hearings, Dejoy defended the policy changes, saying they were necessary to balance the budget of the organization. The postal service has been in dire fiscal straits for some time, hemorrhaging $69 billion over the last 11 years as the quantity of regular letter mail has plummeted, according to a nonpartisan governmental report.

Dejoy also pushed back against charges that there would be delays in election mailings, pointing out that even if every single American cast a ballot in November, those 330 million votes would still only be about 75 percent of the amount of daily mail the postal service is used to delivering.

The mail volume handled by the service has also been down this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying recession, which could help the postal service handle an increased volume of election mail later this year.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Dejoy said at his House hearing that he would suspend further policy changes until after the November election, although he declined to replace the collection boxes and mail-sorting machines that were removed as the postal service experienced volume declines.

In 2018, Trump accused the postal service of cutting deals with Amazon, allowing the company to profit unfairly, and later that year proposed a privatization of the postal service, a move that would cut it off from the government completely.

Support for the postal service has traditionally been bipartisan, with Democrats and Republicans appreciating its mission to deliver mail to every address in the United States. Rural communities, in particular, rely on the federally subsidized postal service because private corporations including UPS and FedEx often find it prohibitively expensive to deliver to more remote areas daily.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill last week allocating $25 billion to the postal service with 26 Republicans joining the Democratic majority. The bill is unlikely to receive a vote in the Senate, however, as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has signaled his distaste for the measure.

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, an Amsterdam Democrat, was a co-sponsor of the bill.

Millions of New Yorkers rely on our postal service to stay in touch with loved ones, to get their prescriptions on time, and to vote. President Trump has made it clear that he intends to weaken our USPS for no reason other than to gain a political advantage, Tonko said.
A victim support charity has slammed the London Dungeon for 'idolising serial murderers' after the tourist attraction offered free entry for anyone with the same name as a British killers.

The popular attraction in the UK's capital said its offer - marking its reopening following coronavirus lockdown - will honour the plight of Britons who are the namesakes of famous fictional or factual killers such as Rose West or Harold Shipman.

But support group Victim Support said the move is disrespectful to the traumatised families of murder victims.

Chief executive Diana Fawcett told The Daily Telegraph: 'It's concerning to see that the London Dungeon's advert almost idolises serial murderers who are known to have caused unimaginable pain and trauma to victims and their families.

The London Dungeon has introduced the new rule to mark its reopening following coronavirus lockdown. Social distancing measures are in place and tickets must be booked in advance

'We know that while "murder" is used as a form of entertainment, the reality is that it destroys lives and shatters communities.'

She added: 'We must be more sensitive to victims that have been left traumatised and in need of long term support and we're disappointed that adverts like this disregards those affected.'

A London Dungeon poster shared on Facebook read: 'Do you suffer in silence with the same name as a notorious British serial killer? Are you called out on social media, or afraid to put your name on job applications? Well, we'd like to make your life a little easier.'

The attraction introduced the new rule to mark its reopening following coronavirus lockdown. Social distancing measures are in place and tickets must be booked in advance.

Dungeons in Blackpool, York and Warwick Castle are also running the same offer.

Shipman and West help make up the list of names which qualify visitors for free entry - despite both killing within the last 30 years.

Others who can get in free include people called Sweeney Todd or Ted Bundy.

Meanwhile Edinburgh Dungeon hit back against the proposals, with its own idea to allow free entry to anyone with the name William.

A post read: 'Can you believe what that criminal lot over at The London Dungeon are doing? FREE ENTRY IF YOUR NAMED AFTER A SERIAL KILLER?!

'Well, we are having none of that! We only reward heroes! Free Entry for anyone named after Wallace, so if your names William, get yourself down to The Edinburgh Dungeon.'

The London Dungeon will offer customers with serial killer names free entry between the 24th and the 31st of August 2020.

People unfortunate enough to share a name with the likes of Rose West (right) or Harold Shipman (left) will be able to visit the popular attraction in the UK's capital for free this week

A London Dungeon spokesperson said: 'Finally, sweet payback for all those unknown Linked In connections, Facebook friend requests and overheard sniggers at wedding table planners.'

'If your name really is Nellie Lovett, Sweeney Todd, or even Ted Bundy then The London Dungeon is opening their doors and inviting you to explore London's horrible history with your fellow namesake murderers.'

'Enjoy the Great Fire of London and pay a visit to the plague doctor with Harold Shipman, all with the London Dungeon's compliments.

'Lockdown has been tough for everyone, and it can't have helped ease the misery when introducing yourself on a Zoom call as Rose West.

'Now we are delighted to welcome all our guests back to see London's dark past, and we hope they have a truly horrible time - in true Dungeons style....'

But not everyone saw the funny side.

One tweet read: 'It's a bit early for jokes about the Wests and Shipman isn't it?'

Shipman was an English general practitioner who died in 2004. He is believed to have been the most prolific serial killer in modern history.

Mrs West and her husband Fred tortured and murdered at least nine women between 1973 and 1987.

The London Dungeon is on the South Bank close to Waterloo and Westminster station.

Others are in San Francisco, Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, Blackpool, Edinburgh, Warwick Castle and York.
All passengers, who are 12 years old and above, travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Air India Express flights must possess a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test report, said the budget airline.

The negative COVID-19 test report should be in a printed form and issued be from a government-approved laboratory in India (ICMR) or a certified designated laboratory which is available on screening.purehealth.ae website is required.

The test should have been conducted within 96 hours of departure.

However, passengers who have moderate or severe disability are exempted from COVID-19 PCR test for travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates of the novel coronavirus pandemic

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

Also, for all passengers travelling to the UAE, Health Declaration Form and Quarantine Undertaking form must be filled and submitted at the airport on arrival.

Passengers need to download DXB Smart App for travelling to Dubai, and ALHOSN Mobile Smart App for Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

SOP for Resident Permit Holders returning to UAE

All residence visa holders returning to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi must get a message saying you are allowed to travel (Indicated in Green Colour). The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship has made it mandatory for Resident Permit Holders returning to UAE to upload their data on the uaeentry.ica.gov.ae to verify the authenticity of travel documents.

For passengers having a Dubai residence visa and are flying back to Dubai, they must have a return approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA).

For Indians with tourist visa of UAE and travelling to UAE (Dubai and Sharjah) passport and related documents accepted for entry must have a minimum of 6-month validity from the arrival date.

The airline recommends travellers to purchase travel insurance that includes health coverage before their trip.

Follow our full coverage on COVID-19 here
Steel cable and metal anchors are used to tie down tombs in a small cemetery in Louisiana (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

Hurricane Laura could make a direct hit on Houston this week and hundreds of thousands of people living on the Gulf Coast should evacuate immediately, officials in Texas warned on Tuesday.

Crude oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been paralyzed as companies batten down operations. Output cuts are nearing 90%, a level not seen since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Lina Hidalgo, the top executive for Harris County, which encompasses Houston, warned of deadly winds and a destructive storm surge after Laura makes landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. She said that put millions of lives at risk as Laura moved westward and took aim at the fourth-biggest city in the United States.

"This storm certainly can cause unprecedented devastation," Hidalgo said at a news conference. "We truly have to say: Prepare for the worst."

The hurricane was packing winds of 120 km per hour as it moved across the Gulf of Mexico, qualifying it as a Category 1 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale for measuring hurricane intensity.

Expand Close Window coverings are fixed in place in Galveston ahead of Hurricane Lauras arrival (Jennifer Reynolds/The Galveston County Daily News via AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Window coverings are fixed in place in Galveston ahead of Hurricane Lauras arrival (Jennifer Reynolds/The Galveston County Daily News via AP)

Laura was forecast to become a "major" hurricane of Category 3 or higher by Wednesday night as it approaches the U.S. coast, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The storm was located about 825 km southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Tuesday afternoon and moving to the west-northwest at 26 kilometers, the NHC said. The hurricane was expected to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday along the Texas-Louisiana border, the NHC said.

Laura could possibly land as a devastating Category 4 when it hits, said meteorologist Chris Kerr at agriculture, energy and weather data provider DTN.

Plan for worst

More than 420,000 Texas residents were under mandatory evacuation orders on Tuesday in Jefferson, Orange and Jasper Counties and the island city of Galveston.

Additionally, Hidalgo County issued voluntary evacuations for a huge swath of the coastal region surrounding Houston. Evacuation shelters are being readied in San Antonio, Dallas and Austin for people fleeing the coast.

"It's imperative that you make plans this morning to secure your homes and move you and your family to safety off island," Galveston's acting Mayor Craig Brown said in a statement.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state's National Guard was heading to coastal communities with high-water vehicles and rescue helicopters to prepare for Laura's impact. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Pete Gaynor said on Twitter that a team was already deployed to the region.

Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, about 129 km east of Houston, was closed and its 15,000 students urged to evacuate, the school said.

The combination of a storm surge from Laura along with a high tide on the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast could result in water levels rising as high as 11 feet (3.4 meters), the NHC said. As much as a foot (0.3 meter) of rain could drop in isolated areas, causing widespread flooding.

Energy hit

Oil producers evacuated 310 offshore facilities and shut 1.56 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude output, 84% of Gulf of Mexico's offshore production. This was close to the 90% outage that Hurricane Katrina brought 15 years ago.

Gasoline prices rose Tuesday in reaction to the shutdowns and have jumped 10.3% since Friday.

The storm's projected landfall area accounts for more than 45% of total U.S. petroleum refining capacity and 17% of oil production, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Cheniere Energy Inc, the largest U.S. exporter of liquefied natural gas, evacuated staff and suspended operations at its Sabine Pass LNG export terminal on the Texas/Louisiana border.
A protester in front of a burning truck in Kenosha, Wisconsin during unrest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake: EPA

Police fired tear gas at protesters in the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin, during a second night of unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of the entrance to the city's courthouse, chanting "No justice, no peace".

Mr Blake, who is black, was shot seven times in the back by police officers on Sunday as he tried to get into his car, in which his three children -- aged three, five and eight -- were sitting. The 29-year-old remains in hospital. Two police officers were placed on administrative leave after video of the incident taken by a neighbour was shared on social media.

kenosha-wisconsin-protests-jacob-blake-police-shooting.jpg

A protester in front of a burning truck in Kenosha, Wisconsin during unrest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake (EPA)

The shooting is the latest in a series of incidents involving violence against African Americans by mainly white police officers which have sparked nationwide uproar and a debate about racial injustice.

On Monday night protesters in Kenosha defied a curfew to confront heavily armoured law enforcement officers who were standing in front of the courthouse. Some demonstrators threw bottles and shot fireworks.

Police fired tear gas about half an hour after the 8pm curfew was meant to have taken effect. Some protesters remained on the scene into the night, shouting at police and lighting fires.

Earlier the governor of Wisconsin, Tony Evers, said he was mobilising 125 members of the state's national guard, saying they would be responsible for "guarding infrastructure and making sure our firefighters and others involved are protected".

Tensions flared during the day when a planned news conference by Kenosha mayor John Antarmian, which was scheduled to take place outside, was suddenly moved into the city's public safety department.

Protesters rushed towards the building and a door was snapped off its hinges before police used pepper spray to disperse the crowd.

It was not immediately clear what led to Mr Blake's shooting. Witnesses suggested he had been breaking up a fight between two women and that he might have become involved in a scuffle with police. One witness said they heard someone shouting "Drop the knife", although Mr Evers said there was no evidence to suggest that he had a knife or any other weapon.

Story continues

Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate for president, called for "an immediate, full and transparent investigation" and said the officers "must be held accountable".

He said: 'This morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another black American is a victim of excessive force. Those shots pierce the soul of our nation."

While the subjects of racism, law and order and gun control all came up at the first night of the Republican National Convention, the case of Mr Blake was not discussed.

Pete Deates, president of the Kenosha police union, said: "As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident."

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Read more

It doesn't matter if Jacob Blake committed a crime
Today is the first day of the Republican National Convention, which will air on most news channels and streaming platforms.

The four-night event is a bit scaled down this year with only 336 delegates attending in-person in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the rest attending remotely due to the coronavirus.

Delegates began the process this morning of formally nominating President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

Among tonights speakers, under the theme of Land of Promise, are headliners Donald Trump Jr. and Republican South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

The more high-profile speakers are expected to address delegates, party members and viewers in primetime between 9 and 11 p.m. eastern standard time for all four nights of the convention.

Heres how to watch:

Streaming

Smart Speakers

Listen on Alexa-enabled devices by saying Alexa, play the Republican National Convention.

Television

Network and cable news will carry live coverage of the convention all week:

Tonights slate of speakers will include:

Sen. Tim Scott

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise

Rep. Matt Gaetz

Rep. Jim Jordan

Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations

Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel

Georgia State Rep. Vernon Jones

Amy Johnson Ford

Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump campaign fundraiser and girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr.

Natalie Harp, Trump campaign advisory board member

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA

Kim Klacik, Republican congressional nominee

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, St. Louis couple who pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters

Sean Parnell, Republican congressional nominee

Andrew Pollack, father of Meadow Pollack, who was killed in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Donald Trump, Jr., oldest son of President Trump

Tanya Weinreis, small business owner whose coffee shop qualified for a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
A Scottish couple have shared their surprise at becoming stars of Pharrell Williams and Jay-Zs new music video.

Michelle and Robert Sullivan, farmers from Aberdeenshire, were asked to feature in footage for the track Entrepreneur.

But, Mrs Sullivan said, they have no idea how the music moguls came to find out about the couples company The Artisan Grower.

Its a mystery, she told the Standard. Weve no idea how they heard about us.

There are hundreds of thousands of black business owners and entrepreneurs, particularly in the UK, but somehow they found us.

Pharrell Williams and Jay-Z created the track to celebrate black entrepreneurs around the world / FilmMagic

The husband and wife, whose family farm sells organic vegetable boxes and microgreens, said they were approached by Columbia Records in an Instagram message.

We thought it must be a joke or something at first, Mrs Sullivan explained. But one of the producers, Lola Ridgell, explained to us that their aim with the track was to promote black businesses around the world.

So they agreed and, three weeks later, the video was released.

The couple, who have seven children, asked their 17-year-old son to film their contribution to the video.

They were going to send over a film crew, but with the Covid situation, we offered to just do it ourselves  Lola loved the idea, Mrs Sullivan explained.

Our son was a bit miffed not to be included in the end credits though, she laughed.

Robert works the land at the Sullivan family farm (Robert & Michelle Sullivan/The Artisan Grower) / Robert & Michelle Sullivan/The Artisan Grower

The video features entrepreneurs across a whole range of sectors, from education, to technology, to food.

Williams explained in an interview with Time magazine that the songs intention was to highlight how tough it is to be an entrepreneur especially as someone of colour.

There's a lot of systemic disadvantages and purposeful blockages, he said.

Mrs Sullivan said that although she and her family were proud to be part of the venture, she felt sad that such projects were necessary.

Im sad that we need people like Jay-Z to prove that black people can be smart and skilled, and that they can start their own businesses.

Its great that someone in a position like his can use their profile to promote others, but its still quite sad that we need to show black people are talented and capable, too.
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh unit of the Shiv Sena has submitted a memorandum to states Governor Anandiben Patel demanding a CBI probe into the death of state minister Chetan Chauhan, who succumbed to COVID-19.

The party has questioned the circumstances under which Chetan Chauhan was shifted from a government hospital in Lucknow to a private facility in Gurgaon. According to reports, a delegation of the Shiv Sena leaders met Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday and handed over a memorandum to her in this regard, the party said in a statement here.

Chauhan, 73, had succumbed to COVID-19 on August 16.

Initially, he was admitted to Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) in Lucknow. After his health deteriorated due to kidney-related ailments, he was shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon where he was on life support for nearly 36 hours.

"Under what circumstances was late minister Chetan Chauhan shifted from SGPGI in Lucknow to Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon? Did the government have no faith in SGPGI, a prestigious institution?" the Shiv Sena asked in its statement.

"The minister was hurt by the attitude of the doctors and staff of SGPGI. Till now, no action has been taken against the guilty doctors and staff of the SGPGI. In the entire episode, the government continued to sleep, and two ministers succumbed to COVID-19," the party said.

It may be recalled that on August 2, state technical education minister Kamla Rani Varun, 62, had died days after testing positive for COVID-19.

"The government must conduct a CBI probe," the Shiv Sena said.

Earlier, Samajwadi Party MLC Sunil Singh Sajan had alleged that Chauhan died not because of COVID-19 but due to carelessness in his treatment at the SGPGI.

Raising the issue in the Upper House of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature on Friday, he alleged that Chauhan received poor treatment at the state-run hospital.
Mexican authorities have charged a sex offender from Texas with the brutal murder of an American mother-of-two, whose body was found with part of her scalp missing and all of her teeth pulled out near a construction site.

The Tamaulipas state prosecutor's office on Monday charged Braulio Martinez for the murder of Lizbeth Flores, whose remains were discovered in the border city of Matamoros on August 11.

A judge ruled that Martinez must remain in custody for the duration of the case and gave the prosecution up to six months to put him on trial.

Martinez is accused of luring the 23-year-old woman across the border from Brownsville, Texas, by telling her that her boyfriend had been kidnapped, according to a law enforcement official who spoke to DailyMail.com on the condition of anonymity.

Authorities reportedly believe that Flores was killed when she went to Mexico, believing she had to pay a ransom for her boyfriend - the father of her eight month old boy and four-year-old girl.

The official also added that the motive for the brutally violent crime was a robbery.

Lizbeth Flores, an American 23-year-old mother-of-two from Brownsville, Texas, was found murdered in Matamoros, Mexico, on August 11. Flores reportedly was lured to the Mexican border city by Braulio Martinez, who knew the victim, after she was informed that her boyfriend had been kidnapped and that she need to pay a ransom for his release

Braulio Martinez (pictured) was was charged by the Tamaulipas state prosecutor's office with the murder of Lizbeth Flores . The 23-year-old woman's teeth were all pulled out and a part of her scalp was removed after she was beaten with a rock

Martinez was arrested at his home August 18, a week after authorities discovered Flores beaten to death.

Flores left her home in Brownsville on August 9 and walked across the Veterans International Bridge, crossing the US-Mexico border to Matamoros after Martinez allegedly told her a ransom was required to secure her boyfriend.

Flores told her mother, Maria Rubio, that she would return home the same night.

Rubio reported her daughter missing August 10 when she failed to come back home. The following day authorities discovered Flores shirtless and lying face up on a grass field.

Lizbeth Flores was the mother of a four-year-old girl (left) and eight-month-old son (right

Flores reportedly died from a blunt-force trauma to the head after being struck with a rock that was found next to her body

The official said the motive for the brutally violent crime was a robbery. Pictured: Braulio Martinez is seen being led out of a police station by cops with his head down

Lizbeth Flores' body has yet to been repatriated to the United States from Mexico as of Tuesday

The government official said that Martinez - a convicted child sex offender in Texas - was known by Flores and her family. The exact nature of their relationship currently remains unclear.

Flores's sister Carmen revealed on a Facebook post that Martinez had texted her and claimed to have not know of her sibling's whereabouts.

'I have a little more peace in knowing that they got him. He has to pay for what he did and he's not even going to do enough for what he did to my sister. But it's better for him to be locked up than for something to happen to someone else,' she wrote in Spanish.

'He is a liar, scoundrel who even texted me saying he couldn't find Lizbeth anywhere in Matamoros. But he left enough evidence. This man is the culprit and people must accept him and stop gossiping. There is a very great God and everything is paid in this world.'

As of Tuesday, Flores' body was still in a northeastern Mexico morgue waiting to be brought back to Texas for burial. Her family set up a GoFund account to raise money for the funeral costs and for her children's upbringing.

Lizbeth Flores, a mother of two children from Brownsville, Texas, was found dead August 11 while visiting the Mexican border city of Matamoros
New York: Pakistan has yet again made a blunder as it posted a fake speech to the United Nations Security Council on the official website of its permanent mission. According to reports, Pakistan faked a speech to the UNSC and posted it on its official website pretending that it was delivered even though its Ambassador did not speak at the session on terrorism.

Pakistan was not on the list of speakers circulated for the virtual meeting held online on Monday, nor does its Permanent Representative Munir Akram figure on the video of the meeting.

Unable to rally support for its campaign against India at the UN, Islamabad appears to have resorted to creating a false record for the Security Council. It is to be noted that Pakistan is not a member of the UNSC and thus it can't make the statement.

In a tweet, the Pakistani Mission to United Nations said Pakistani envoy to UN Munir Akram made the statement at the open debate of the security council on the report of the secretary-general on the "threats to international peace and security posed by terrorism actions."

In fact, the German mission to the UN put out a picture of the meet which did not figure Pakistani envoy. German is a non-permanent member of the UNSC.

Indian mission in UN was quick to point the development and said, "we have seen a statement put out by the Pakistani mission to the UN, claiming that these remarks were made by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan at the UNSC"

The mission asked, "We failed to comprehend where exactly did the permanent representative of Pakistan make his statement since the security council session today was not open to non-members of the security council"

Pakistan gets caught out once again saying Five Big Lies! Read our response to their lies here pic.twitter.com/Y2SD1EckpM  India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) August 24, 2020

The statement by Pakistani envoy was on expected lines, slamming India, raking Kashmir and even mentioning Kulbhushan Jhadav as "proof" of New Delhi's role in perpetrating "terrorism in Pakistan"

The Indian mission gave point by point reply in a tweet to Pakistan mission statement highlighting how Pakistan is the "biggest sponsor of cross border terrorism against India" and now "masquerade itself as a victim of terrorism by India!"

Explaining it, the mission said, "Pakistan is home to the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the united nations" and "many of the sanctioned terrorists and entities continue to operate with impunity inside Pakistan".

The Indian mission recalled the statement made by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in which he "admitted at the UN General Assembly in 2019, the presence of 40,000-50,000 terrorist inside Pakistan" and referred to Al Qaeda's Osama bin Laden as a "martyr" inside Pakistani Parliament.

Calling the deteriorating situation of minorities as "systemic cleansing", the Indian mission took the Pakistani mission to the task, reminding how the population of minorities has fallen from 1947 to just 3% currently in the country.
Gov. Phil Murphy announces 180 schools districts are seeking an all-remote start for students.

Visit NJ.com/education for the latest list of schools that have announced plans to start the year with all-remote instruction.

More public school districts across New Jersey have announced plans to start the new school year with all-remote instruction instead of allowing students and teachers to return to the classroom for in-person lessons, because of coronavirus concerns and state policy changes.

Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday that 180 school districts have alerted DOE that they plan to submit applications seeking approval to start the school year with all-remote learning while 59 districts plan to fully reopen with the rest of New Jerseys districts moving forward with a hybrid mix of in-person and remote learning.

The state Department of Education has to approve those plans  as well as any other reopening proposals  before they can be implemented. The department has received 745 total plans for reopening. There are 105 plans still under review while 389 were returned to districts for necessary revisions, Murphy said.

The move to all-remote instruction plans for many public school districts was triggered by lingering concerns over the coronavirus outbreak and questions over whether schools can guarantee a safe environment for students and teachers.

Find all of the most important pandemic education news on Educating N.J., a special resource guide created for parents, students and educators.

Even though the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths across the state are far lower now than they were a few months ago, many teachers and school officials have opted to play it safe and start the new school year with virtual instruction.

Many districts initially planned to start the 2020-2021 school year with in-person classroom learning. But they revised their plans and held emergency meetings after an abrupt policy change by Murphy last week.

The governor said districts that can provide a justifiable reason they cant reopen safely  such as an inability to socially distance or having building ventilation issues  may reopen with all-remote instruction, but they must provide a plan to fix those issues and an expected date for a return to in-person classes.

Keep up with the latest in N.J. schools coverage. Sign up with your email here:



NJ Advance Media has been able to confirm the following districts have announced theyre seeking state approval to start with all-remote classes for the 2020-2021 school year. NJ Advance Media will add to the list as more districts announce their plans. (For the very latest reopening plans, and additional details about your school, please contact your school district.)

ATLANTIC COUNTY

Atlantic City

Brigantine (remote with reentry on, or before, Nov. 11, the end of the first marking period)

Egg Harbor Township (virtual starting Sept. 8; plan to start hybrid schedule Oct. 26)

Pleasantville

Somers Point (Jordan Road School to go all-remote at start of the year; New York Avenue and Dawes Avenue schools reopening on hybrid schedule to start).

BERGEN COUNTY

Bergen County Technical Schools and Special Services (through Oct. 19)

Edgewater (For the month of September; district expects to reevaluate in the middle of September)

Fair Lawn (through Oct. 19)

Fort Lee (through Oct. 16)

Garfield (plan submitted to state Department of Education to start all-remote and transition to hybrid)

Hackensack (schools plan to reopen Nov. 2)

Lyndhurst (remote learning until Oct. 16; in-person instruction scheduled to begin Oct. 19)

North Arlington (through Oct. 16)

Palisades Park (through at least Oct. 13)

Ridgefield (through first marking period)

Teaneck (through first marking period)

Wallington (through Oct. 13)

BURLINGTON COUNTY

Bordentown (Sept. 3 through at least Oct. 9)

Burlington City (through at least Oct. 13)

Burlington Township (through first marking period)

Chesterfield (schools plan to reopen Oct. 19)

Eastampton (through first marking period)

Florence (remote through Sept 18. Hybrid starts Sept. 21.)

Lumberton (remote learning Sept. 8 to Sept. 18, hybrid learning starting Sept. 21)

Palmyra

Pemberton Township (through at least Oct. 13)

Rancocas Valley (Sept. 8 through Sept. 25)

Westampton

Willingboro (through Nov. 18)

CAMDEN COUNTY

Audubon (through Nov. 4)

Barrington (remote through at least Nov. 9)

Camden (through Jan. 31)

Collingswood/Oaklyn (through mid-October)

Eastern Regional (return to school Oct. 5 )

Gloucester City (through Oct. 16)

Haddon Heights (through Oct. 30)

Lindenwold

Winslow Township (through Jan. 1)

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Bridgeton (through Oct. 13)

Commercial Township (through Oct. 13)

Cumberland County Technical Education Center (plans to move to hybrid model Oct. 13)

Cumberland Regional

Deerfield Township (through Oct. 13)

Downe Township (through Oct. 13)

Fairfield (through Nov. 2)

Greenwich/Stow Creek (through Oct. 13)

Hopewell Township (through Oct. 12)

Lawrence Township (through Oct. 12)

Maurice River School District (through Oct. 12)

Millville (through Oct. 13)

Upper Deerfield (fully remote through at least Oct. 12)

Vineland (through Oct. 13)

ESSEX COUNTY

Bloomfield (through September)

Caldwell-West Caldwell (remote to Oct. 7 except for a group of self-contained special education classes)

East Orange (through September)

Glen Ridge (high school remote-only through Oct. 5)

Irvington

Livingston (school year to start all remote)

Millburn (first quarter of school year)

Montclair

Newark (through first marking period)

Nutley (through first marking period)

Orange (remote learning through Nov. 25; hybrid begins Nov. 29)

South Orange-Maplewood (through first marking period)

Verona (most students will start with remote learning except for pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, ESL and certain other students)

West Orange

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

Delsea Regional

Deptford (through Sept. 30)

Logan Twp. (remote for first marking period)

Monroe Township (through at least Nov. 16)

National Park Schools (remote through at least Oct. 13)

Woodbury

HUDSON COUNTY

Bayonne

Guttenberg

Harrison (through Nov. 13)

Hoboken (all virtual Sept. 14 to Sept. 19, optional in-person after that)

Hudson County Schools of Technology (through Sept. 28)

Jersey City

Kearny

North Bergen (through the end of September)

Union City (for at least the month of September)

West New York

HUNTERDON COUNTY

Flemington-Raritan (through Oct. 30)

Readington (remote to at least Oct. 19)

MERCER COUNTY

Ewing (Return to in-person learning for those who have signed up for it: Grades K-2/SE - Sept. 9; Grades 3-5: Sept. 29; Fisher Middle School: Oct. 12; Ewing High School: Oct. 26)

Hamilton (through first marking period)

Lawrence Township (all students will start remote)

Mercer County Special Services

Mercer County Technical Schools (remote through Nov. 9)

Princeton Charter School

Princeton Township public schools

Trenton

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Carteret (remote until Oct. 9; plans to begin hybrid learning on Oct. 13)

Cranbury (remote through Oct. 16)

Dunellen (through the Thanksgiving holiday)

Edison (at least until Oct. 16)

Highland Park (until Oct. 5 for some students)

Jamesburg (remote until Nov. 1)

Metuchen (at least until Oct. 1)

Middlesex Borough

Regional Education Services Commission of New Jersey

Milltown (remote in September; district to reassess for October)

Monroe Township (remote learning until Nov. 13 and reassess for hybrid learning to start on Nov. 16)

New Brunswick (first two marking periods)

North Brunswick (first marking period)

Old Bridge (until Oct. 12)

Perth Amboy (until at least Nov. 18, the end of first marking period)

Piscataway (until at least Nov. 13)

Sayreville (until at least Nov. 12)

South Brunswick

South Plainfield

South River (plans for in-person instruction on Oct. 1)

Spotswood (until at least Sept. 18)

Woodbridge (until at least Oct. 12)

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Asbury Park (first 30 instructional days; return to school Oct. 21)

Freehold Borough (will reevaluate by Nov. 13)

Freehold Township (Students in self-contained classes attend school in person beginning Sept. 8; first 2 weeks of school remain virtual for all other students, who return to school Sept. 21)

Long Branch

Manalapan-Englishtown (at least the first two weeks of school for some schools)

Neptune Township (will re-evaluate by the end of October)

Ocean Township (until Sept. 11)

MORRIS COUNTY

Boonton (remote at the start of the school year)

Butler (remote for most students; in person instruction for specific students

Dover (through first marking period)

Montville (middle and high school students to start remote)

OCEAN COUNTY

Lacey Township (remote to start, on Sept. 8, and then a hybrid model from Sept. 21)

Toms River (through first marking period)

PASSAIC COUNTY

Clifton (remote to start year; district to reevaluate conditions on Oct. 1, with possible reopening for in-person instruction on Oct. 12.

Passaic (through September)

Paterson (through at least Nov. 1)

SALEM COUNTY

Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District (remote to start; may go hybrid on Oct. 19)

SOMERSET COUNTY

Bernards Township (through Oct. 1)

Bridgewater-Raritan (remote through Oct. 12)

Franklin Township

Hillsborough (virtual until Sept. 28, with plans to start hybrid option later)

Montgomery (virtual for September, then re-evaluating plans for in-person on Oct. 12)

North Plainfield (virtual at least through the first marking period)

SUSSEX COUNTY

Sparta (remote through Oct. 30; in person instruction for students with IEPs in specialized programs)

UNION COUNTY

Berkeley Heights (Governor Livingston High School will begin remote only after a single day of hybrid instruction; remote only plan will be revisited monthly)

Elizabeth

Hillside (will reassess three weeks before the end of the first marking period)

Linden (will reassess the end of each month)

Plainfield (through at least Nov. 1)

Rahway

Roselle (through first marking period)

Roselle Park

Scotch Plains-Fanwood

Springfield (through Nov. 2)

Union Township (will reassess on Oct. 15 for targeted return date of Nov. 1)

WARREN COUNTY

Phillipsburg (through Oct. 5)

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nestor Sebastian may be reached at nsebastian@njadvancemedia.com. Evan Slavit may be reached at eslavit@njadvancemedia.com. Katie Kausch may be reached at KKausch@njadvancemedia.com. Caroline Fassett may be reached at CFassett@njadvancemedia.com.

Have a news tip or a story idea about New Jersey schools? Send it here.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 19:06:32|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Aerial photo taken on Aug. 12, 2020 shows the Yanchangpu dock by the Yellow River in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen)

Due to the inbound water flow and recent heavy rains, the amount of water flowing per second at the Tongguan hydrologic station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province has increased to 5,230 cubic meters.



ZHENGZHOU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's Yellow River is undergoing its sixth flood of the year due to continuous rainfall, the Yellow River Conservancy Commission, within the Ministry of Water Resources, said on Tuesday.

Due to the inbound water flow and recent heavy rains, the amount of water flowing per second at the Tongguan hydrologic station in northwest China's Shaanxi Province has increased to 5,230 cubic meters, the commission said.

The commission issued a blue alert for flooding, asking local governments along the Yellow River, China's second-longest, to continue monitoring the situation.

China has a four-tier, color-coded warning system for flooding, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. 




You are the loser, and we are the winners, Christchurch mosque attacker Brenton Tarrant was told by a survivor on Tuesday.

Mirwais Waziri was among the survivors and family members who spoke on the second day of a four-day sentencing hearing for Tarrant, a white supremacist who killed 51 worshippers during the March 2019 terror attack.

Mr Waziri said the killer had not shown any remorse and so he wanted to deliver a message rather than a victim impact statement. The Afghanistan native said he was sometimes associated with terrorism but now he had been freed. You took that name from me, Mr Waziri said, to applause. Today, you are the terrorist.

Tarrant, 29, pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, and terrorism in March, reversing an earlier not guilty plea. He could become the first person in New Zealand to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

During day two of his sentencing, he occasionally smirked at the victims and their families when they mocked him. One told him to use his vast reserves of spare time to read the Quran, while another said he was still alive because Tarrant was a poor shot beyond point-blank range.

Recommended How Christchurch shooter inspired copycat terrorists around the world

Relatives and survivors also described how, more than a year after the attacks, they still had difficulty sleeping, enjoying life and providing for their families.

Rashid Omar, whose 24-year-old son Tariq was killed at the Al Noor mosque, said he had hoped his son had survived until the moment police and Muslim leaders read out a list of those killed.

My body felt completely weak and everything went silent, he told the court. As a parent, no matter how old your children are, theyll always be your baby, he said.

Each day has become a burden to endure and he finds even simple tasks hard to complete, Mr Omar said. He wakes up tired and with no energy. He once loved photography, he said, but now cannot bear to pick up a camera.

His wife Rosemary said she functioned from moment to moment, often in a fog. The loss and grief is debilitating, she said, and has cast a shadow over everything in their lives. Its like Im broken, and I see my family as broken, she said.

Many of those who spoke described ongoing financial strain.

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

Motasim Uddin, who was shot in the leg and spent more than three months in hospital, said he been unable to return to his job as a welder and was worried about his future, especially as he was trying to support his parents in Bangladesh.

I cannot forget what happened, what I saw, Mr Uddin said. I try to forget, but I wake up thinking about it.

Noraini Milne, whose 14-year-old son Sayyad was killed, said her own survival came as a blessing as she planned to spend her life helping others. You chose to perform a despicable and cowardly act, she told Tarrant.

Tarrant has dismissed his lawyers and is representing himself during the sentencing.

His murder spree at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques shocked New Zealand and led to new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons.

They also prompted global changes to social media protocols after the gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook, where it was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
The drawn-out ding-dong between Amigo Holdings and its founder James Benamor is still keeping investors on their toes.

In a blog posted on Friday night, Benamor set out a series of proposals including his own return to the troubled lender as chief executive. He blasted the previous board, led by then-boss Hamish Paton and chairman Stephan Wilcke who resigned in June and July respectively, as 'contemptuous and lazy' in their treatment of shareholders and customers.

If the company does not listen to his proposals, he added, he would put them to a shareholder vote.

But in its comeback yesterday, Amigo urged Benamor 'not to waste further time and expense' for either himself or the company.

There was a further slap in the face for Benamor as Amigo said its new chief executive Glen Crawford  whom he had praised, and wanted to keep on to run the lending business  would resign if the maverick founder returned.

Amigo told investors: 'Mr Crawford has made it clear to the board that he is not prepared to work with Amigo in any circumstances where Mr Benamor returns to Amigo's governance structure in a position of influence.'

Benamor continued the spat on Twitter, writing: 'It's unfortunate that, when forced to choose a position, [Crawford] publicly chose 'against'. But in my opinion, the chances that Glen would actually resign if this proposal was voted in are roughly 0 per cent.'

Amigo, which lends to customers with a poor credit score if they have family and friends willing to pay the loan if they can't, has been struggling with a series of complaints. The lender is trying to resolve matters with the City watchdog, but has admitted it could have to pay out millions of pounds in compensation.

Benamor, who rejoined the company's board earlier this year before quitting in despair, alleges the firm has been mismanaged and believes he could do a much better job.

Shares tumbled 30.1 per cent, or 5.36 per cent, to 12.46 per cent yesterday, as shareholders digested Amigo's reluctance to rehire its founder.

On the FTSE100, pharmaceuticals firm Astrazeneca was on the rise after President Donald Trump said he was considering fast-tracking the Covid-19 vaccine it is working on for use in the US.

The vaccine, which is being developed along with Oxford University, is widely seen as one of the leading candidates to get approval. Astra's shares climbed 2.1 per cent, or 174p, to 8611p.

It helped the blue-chip index rise 1.7 per cent, or 102.84 points, to 6104.73 points, though the largest gain came from BT, where takeover speculation prompted a climb of 7.1 per cent, or 7.2p, to 109p. The FTSE250 index of mid-sized companies managed to cling onto gains, ending the day up 0.6 per cent, or 107.39p, at 17685.07p.

Gold miner Petropavlovsk left investors pondering over its direction, after announcing that its proposed auditor PwC had quit due to concerns over the company's governance.

The mysterious firm, which was recently hit by its second boardroom coup in as many years, said it was trying to appoint more independent directors and improve its transparency.

The latest shake-up at Petropavlovsk began in June when rival Russian miner UGC and a group of other investors ousted half the board. One of the directors to leave was Pavel Maslovskiy, the founder, who failed to get himself reinstated at a crunch shareholder meeting this month.
Former First Lady of San Francisco Kimberly Guilfoyle gave the first night of the Republican National Convention a bit of a jolt when she delivered a forceful speech in defense of President Donald Trump.

"Forceful is one way to put it," CNN's Jake Tapper said immediately after the speech concluded.

At times, Guilfoyle appeared to be screaming at the top of her lungs  a sharp contrast to previous speakers Patricia and Mark McCloskey, who delivered criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement in conversational tones.

"Kimberly Guilfoyle, oh my goodness," CNN political analyst Dana Bash said. "That was so intense and so dark, coming out of the other video, it was almost incongruous."

In her speech, Guilfoyle took aim at California, but did not mention her ex-husband Gavin Newsom by name.

"Just take a look at California," she said. "It is a place of immense wealth, immeasurable innovation and an immaculate environment. And the Democrats turned it into a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes."

The volume and intensity of the former Fox News host's speech was not well received by individuals on the left or the right.

"This speech may work with a live audience," tweeted Fox News contributor Guy Benson. "There is no live audience."

"I heard Kim Guilfoyles speech and my TVs not even on," wrote the Daily Caller's Chuck Ross.

Other individuals compared Guilfoyle to North Korean propaganda officials, with one laying audio of Guilfoyle's speech over a clip of one of the propaganda videos.

Immediately following Guilfoyle's speech, Pennsylvania congressional candidate Sean Parnell took the stage to discuss cancel culture and ideological diversity in a muted tone, with many noting the dissonance.

"These are really conflicting messages," tweeted New York Times op-ed writer Wajahat Ali. "Sean Parnell is talking about unity but Kimberly Guilfoyle's War Cry is telling me we are divided and in chaos. I'm confused."

Eric Ting is an SFGATE reporter. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter:@_ericting
MEXICO CITY - Mexican authorities said Monday they have started price-gouging investigations to sanction 420 businesses, including stores and funeral homes, for unfairly raising prices during the coronavirus pandemic.

The consumer protection office said hundreds of grocery stores and retailers allegedly failed to respect posted prices or changed them, or charged too much for items including basic food stuffs as well as goods that are in high demand because of the pandemic, including rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer and face masks.

Punishments for unjustified price increases can include fines and other administrative measures. Those to be sanctioned also include 63 funeral homes, many of which apparently did not respect prior contracts.

But authorities excused one of the most flagrant examples of price hikes, saying that a two- or three-fold increase in prices for bottled oxygen was largely the fault of consumers who bought supplies of the gas they didnt need, just to have it on hand in case someone fell sick.

This has to do with people who are not using the oxygen, they are buying it to have it home just in case, and that is making the gas more expensive, because there is a shortage of gas cylinders to distribute it, said Ricardo Sheffield, the head of the consumer protection agency.

They are being unreasonable consumers, Sheffield said, arguing that in the case of oxygen, they are some Mexicans with very high purchasing power, and they have the luxury of buying oxygen they do not use.

Mexico reported 3,541 new coronavirus cases Monday, bringing its total to 563,705. The Health Department reported 320 newly confirmed deaths Monday, bringing Mexicos total of COVID-19 deaths to 60,800, the third-highest total in the world.

A debate is continuing in Mexico about the countrys extremely low level of testing; about 1.25 million tests have been performed in a nation of almost 130 million, meaning less than one per cent of Mexicans have had a coronavirus test since the pandemic began.

On Monday, officials acknowledged that the level of testing had fallen even farther, to less than half of previous levels in recent weeks, but said that was because the number of overall cases was decreasing. Mexican government policy has been to test only those with significant symptoms.

Assistant Health Secretary Hugo Lopez-Gatell has hotly defended Mexicos low testing rates, saying wider testing would be wasteful and pointless. But even he was obliged to take a step back Monday, acknowledging that the governments standard about who should be given a test had been too restrictive.

Under rule changes to be presented in coming days, people with a broader ranges of symptoms, like the loss of sense of taste or smell, would be given a test. At present, only a people with a smaller range of symptoms  mainly fever, coughing and breathing difficulty  hav been sent for testing.

He acknowledged that the restrictive guidelines had resulted in delays in treatment for people who needed it.

Read more about:
Two North Carolina National Guard AH-64 Apache pilots received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor last week for providing cover to Army special forces in a remote Afghanistan village in 2018.

Army Capt. Stephen Scott and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Eric Carver, both of the 1-130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, received the medals for their support of the 7th Special Forces Group's Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 7225 during Task Force Panther, according to a release.

Read Next: Rise of the Machines: AI Algorithm Beats F-16 Pilot in Dogfight

In November 2018, troops from ODA 7225 were dropped off in a remote area of Afghanistan's Uruzgan Province when they began taking heavy enemy fire, the release said. Scott and Carver, flying in an Apache, quickly identified enemy positions and "engaged them after permission was given," it said.

One of the objectives during the night raid was to capture a senior Taliban Leader in Deh Rawud District, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brandon P. Faia, ground force commander for Special Forces ODA 7225, said in the release.

Acting as co-pilots and gunners, Scott and Carver were "repeatedly engaging a robust enemy force at ... close range to friendly forces," according to their award citations, obtained by The Fayetteville Observer.

Their steadfast reaction "resulted in a successful mission for ODA 7225 without injuries or loss of lives," the release said.

Faia hailed their achievement, and said the two were consistently reliable in risky situations.

"Pilots and Green Berets have their own languages," Faia said. "We could always count on Carver and Scott to chime in and say, 'Oh yeah, the place you are going to is not safe, but you can count us in.'"

He added, "Immediately we became friends."

Three months earlier that year, Taliban fighters launched an offensive assault in Ghazni province that spilled over into neighboring districts. Insurgent assaults continued weeks following, with many Afghans fleeing to southwest regions like Uruzgan and where Afghan forces faced off against Taliban fighters, according to the Washington Post.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related: Special Tactics Airman Who Fought Off Taliban Despite Concussion Will Get Silver Star
JERSEYVILLE  An Alabama man was charged Aug. 20 with felony sex assault stemming from a July 4 incident in Jersey County.

Brandon M. Young, 35, of Weaver, Alabama, was charged with criminal sex assault/consent, a Class 1 felony.

According to court documents, the incident occurred July 4 in Jersey County, in which he performed a sex act with an adult female who was unable to give consent. Because he has left the state, a summons was issued for him to appear in court at 1 p.m. Sept. 29.

Other felony charges recently filed by the Jersey County States Attorneys Office include:

 Tamitha M. Suttles, 32, of Jerseyville, was charged Aug. 18 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. According to court documents, on Aug. 17 she was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. No bail was set.

 Jason E. Moxey Sr., 45, of Jerseyville, was charged Aug. 18 with residential burglary, a Class 1 felony; theft, a Class 3 felony; and criminal damage to property, a Class A misdemeanor. According to court documents, on Aug. 9 Moxey entered a home in the 17300 block of Coon Creek Road, Fieldon to commit theft, taking a four-wheeler valued at more than $00, and damaged a window at the residence. Bail was set at $75,000.

 Tyler D. Lockhart, 25, of Granite City, was charged Aug. 19 with theft, a Class 4 felony; and criminal damage to property, a Class A misdemeanor. According to court documents, on Aug. 19 he took an iPhone from another person, and had a previous conviction for a similar crime. He also allegedly damaged the front door of a residence in the 400 block of George Street, Jerseyville. Bail was set at $10,000.
As one drives past the numerous retail outlets of discretionary spending, the most common hoarding flashed is End of Season Sale, Buy 3 and get 2 Free, Flat 50% off, among others. As the Indian economy gradually opens up, the shopkeepers are scrambling to make up the foregone revenue witnessed in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

However, the concern of fall in revenues is not peculiar to retail outlets, but is hurting everyone from individuals to the government owing to the interconnected nature of the economy.

To put this into perspective, the top-line of around 600 companies, excluding banks and finance entities (which have released quarterly results till August 17), have recorded a YoY drop of almost 34 percent in the first quarter of FY21. This has consequently affected the earnings of employees working in these companies.

An article from Mahesh Vyas, Managing Director and CEO of Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, points out that the wage bill of 1,560 companies has seen a YoY growth of meagre 2.9 percent, which is the lowest since 2002. Although there is a stark difference across industries, the common pattern highlighted is the steep fall of 7 percent in the wage bill of manufacturing sector entities while employees in some services sector sub-industries such as tourism, hotels, and restaurants have a sword dangling either on their job or payslip.

Subdued economic activities and debilitated growth in wages has also translated into lower revenues for the governments. The CGST (-53 percent), personal income tax (-36 percent), corporate income tax (-23 percent), customs (-61 percent) collections have dwindled in the first quarter of the current fiscal. This in turn has led to the fiscal deficit of the central government widening by 53 percent in Q1-FY21 from corresponding period last year.

The critical yardstick which has been severely impacted for various economic agents is the top line of various businesses having subsequent repercussions on employees and government via lower wages and taxes respectively. However, what is important to note is the first line of response from both the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), although appropriate, has been targeted on easing liquidity conditions, granting forbearance to avoid defaults, ease working capital complications by deferring tax dues and minimisation of net losses of the corporates by lowering cost of borrowings.

However, as the economy broadly opens up, there is an urgent need to reorient our focus to the top line of both the individuals and business entities. First, the government needs to focus on creating job opportunities even in the urban set-up, just like the rural MGNREGA to boost individual sentiments. Three numbers from the RBIs Consumer Confidence Survey provide insights on this. The 1-year ahead expectation from 5,342 urban households for employment (10.4 v/s 30.3), income (26.3 v/s 44.5) and non-essential spending (-17.7 vs 34.6) is notably lower than the pre-COVID average.

Second, capital expenditure of the government which grew by 18.8 percent in Q1-FY21 needs to be continued and support from Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) needs to be strengthened as both will facilitate employment and revenue-based linkages for key sectors.

Third, expediting bilateral free trade agreements will support exporters top line especially when global trade is expected to contract by 13-32 percent in 2020 as per WTO (April estimate) and exporters expecting notable fall in benefits under the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS). Indias export growth is moderately correlated with world GDP growth, and India has recorded a strong CAGR export from 2012 to 2019 with trading partners such as Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, Nepal, and Malaysia, which also recorded robust CAGR GDP.

On the other hand, the CAGR export (2012-19) with trading partners such as the European countries, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Brazil have been lacklustre, partially owing to subdued CAGR GDP of these countries during the same period. However, the United States and Mexico have been exceptions to this.

Vivek Kaul points out that Indias exports to the neighbouring countries accounts for only 7 percent of the total export basket. Therefore, the focus on reviewing India-ASEAN FTA and fresh agreements with Indias neighbours, with economies expected to grow rapidly (post-COVID-19) and also with economies recently recording faster export growth is essential.

Lastly, a move towards a streamlined GST rate structure in the immediate future will directly ameliorate working capital for businesses, and could indirectly push consumers towards discretionary spending with lower tax burden. Nonetheless, the broader structural reforms to alleviate the deeply entrenched issues of various facets of the India economy cannot be undermined. The issues surrounding bottom line and cash flow mismatches have been already looked into and the above aspects about the top line of everyone should be on the governments agenda as the Indian economy largely opens up.
The LGBT Asylum Task Force, a Worcester-based group that offers housing and support to people fleeing violence in other countries because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, has purchased a multi-unit building after a two-year search.

With this building, the task force, a ministry of Hadwen Park Congregational Church, will be able to provide shelter for people seeking asylum in the United States, offering a better sense of community and quality of life.

The acquisition of the property will also reduce program costs, according to a news release.

People who identify as or are suspected of being lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender are subject to violence, prison and death in more than 75 countries around the globe.

Asylum seekers are not permitted to work in the U.S. until they are granted a work permit and a social security number. The process can take more than a year and during that time, asylum seekers are not eligible for most forms of support.

Thats when the LGBT Asylum Task Force steps in. In Worcester, the task force provides housing to asylum seekers as they wait for their cases to be determined, as well as food, a small monthly stipend, a connection to pro bono attorneys, healthcare providers and mental health support. The task force also provides workshops that help asylum seekers acquire bank accounts and teach what their rights are as asylum seekers, immigrants and tenants.

The program is a lifeline and a sign of hope for people around the world. This program saves lives, provides day-to-day necessities, and gives hope to so many who have lost all hope, said ministry director Al Green, an asylum claimant.

Since its creation in 2008, the LGBT Asylum Task Force has helped more than 200 people from more than 20 countries, Green told MassLive in an interview last year.

At any time, the LGBT Asylum Task Force represents 24 to 28 asylum seekers, Green said, which costs $32,000 per month. Before purchasing this new property, the task force has used leases to several apartments in the city to house asylum seekers.

Funds used to purchase the property were raised through private donations, grants and the LGBT Asylum Task Forces annual gala, the news release said.

Currently, the task force is supporting 25 people seeking asylum.

Rev. Judith Hanlon, the pastor of Hadwen Park Church and co-founder of the LGBT Asylum Task Force, called the purchase of the building a miracle.

Another miracle of the right people being in the right place at the right time to help make this happen, Hanlon said.

The task forces fourth gala, Envision the Future, is scheduled to be held virtually on Sept. 26 and will include a silent auction, stories from asylum seekers and a world premiere documentary.

Related Content:
Russia, Turkey agree on delivery of 2nd S-400 missile system regiment

Global Times

Source: Xinhua Published: 2020/8/24 11:10:06

Russia and Turkey have signed a contract to deliver a second regiment of S-400 air defense systems to Turkey, the Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said Sunday.

Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev did not disclose further details when speaking to RIA Novosti news agency.

In 2017, Russia and Turkey finalized a deal worth about 2.5 billion US dollars to supply Ankara with S-400 systems, and delivery was completed in 2019.

Turkey is the first member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to purchase such air defense missile system from Russia.

The S-400 missile system is considered the most advanced of its kind in Russia, capable of destroying targets at a distance of up to 400 km and a height of up to 30 km.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






An image widely shared on social media that purportedly shows a group of detainees in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region's (XUAR) Korla (Kuerle) city, March 2020.

A number of former Uyghur internment camp detainees in northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) are now serving deferred jail sentences, likely due to overcrowding in the regions prison system, according to sources.

RFAs Uyghur Service recently received information that the former detainees in Korla (in Chinese, Kuerle)a county-level city in Bayingholin Mongol (in Chinese, Bayinguoleng Menggu) Autonomous Prefecture and the XUARs scond-largest cityare serving the deferred sentences at home, but are subject to harsh restrictions.

Those serving deferred sentences reportedly live under constant and heavy monitoring and surveillance, and have to report regularly to the police. The sources, who declined to be named, citing fear of reprisal, told RFA they have trouble finding work and financially supporting themselves and their families.

The claims follow multiple tips in recent years that the number of detainees in four known Korla internment camps had grown so excessively large that jails and prisons had been repurposed to house the overflow. Authorities in the XUAR are believed to have held up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in a vast network of internment camps since April 2017.

RFA spoke with a Uyghur employee of the Korla Judicial Department who, when asked about how local authorities were dealing with overflow, referred questions to the people in charge of these matters.

Youve got the wrong number, she said.

However, RFA also spoke with a Uyghur police officer who confirmed that more than two dozen Uyghurs under her jurisdiction in Korlas Yengisheher district alone are serving deferred sentences outside of prison.

Twenty-five of them are serving terms, but theyre serving them outside prison rather than in it, she said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

If they make any sort of mistake its dealt with according to the law.

The officer said that the 25 people had been handed three-year jail terms to be served in five years, although it was not immediately clear whether the sentences were to be served over the course of five years or begin in five years time.

When asked whether they had been given deferred sentences because there was no space for them in prison, the officer initially said yes, but added that to be truthful, Im not clear on the situation.

The officer also said she was unable to answer questions about how many people are being held in Korlas internment camps or how many prisons there are in the area, although she did confirm the existence of at least one camp in the citys development zone.

Crowded jails and exerting control

RFA spoke with two Uyghur experts on the XUARs legal system currently living in exilea former lawyer who now resides in Norway named Bahtiyar Omer and a former police officer who has relocated to Sweden who gave his name as Yolwasabout the practice of deferred sentences.

According to Omer, deferrals are normally given to people who have been handed the death sentence to delay their execution by a year or two.

He said that the Korla sentences had likely been deferred owing to two possibilities.

The likelier possibility is that there is no space left in the prisons, because prisons have been very crowded since the uprising on July 5, 2009, he said, referring to a three-day rampage of violence in the XUAR capital Urumqi between Uyghurs and Han Chinese that left some 200 people dead and 1,700 injured, according to Chinas official figures. Uyghur rights groups say the numbers are much higher.

Its very possible that theyve given these deferred three-year sentences to be served out over five years because theres simply no space left in prisons, Omer said.

Another possibility is that they want to break the spirit of the people, their psychology, and that this is one of their cruel methods. Thats a big possibility.

Yolwas also offered two possible reasons for the deferred sentences in Korla.

One possibility is that because the jails and prisons have filled up with people serving their sentences, they have no way to deal with all the people and so are using deferred sentences, he said.

He said a more likely scenario is that these people have basically committed no crime but authorities dont want to allow them to live free.

Given the current political situation, theres no way they could just let them go [from the internment camps], so its possible that they perhaps charged them with these crimes as a way of simply controlling them, he said.

Korla city has a total population of around 550,000, some 30 percent of whom are Uyghur, while the population of each of the townships, villages, and districts in the city numbers around 50,000 people.

Based on these statistics and that 25 prisoners are serving deferred sentences in Yengisheher district, Omer and Yolwas both estimated that the Uyghur population of Yengisheher is between 10,000 and 15,000, and that between 2,000 and 3,000 of them are possibly being held in some form of detention.

Camp exodus

Beijing describes its three-year-old network of camps as voluntary vocational centers, but reporting by RFA and other media outlets shows that detainees are mostly held against their will in poor conditions, where they are forced to endure inhumane treatment and political indoctrination.

Amid pressure from the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, the European Union and the United Nations, experts believe that China has begun sentencing Uyghurs held in internment camps to prison, providing legal cover to the detentions.

However, growing evidence suggests some Uyghurs and other detainees are being relocated to factories inside and outside of the XUAR as forced labor, under the guise of gaining employment connected to their purported vocational training.

RFAs Uyghur Service recently obtained a copy of a document which was circulated by the government of Bayingholin on July 13, stating that it plans to put 19,000 people in construction jobs over the next three years. A Han Chinese staffer from the job center listed on the document said that most of the people would comprise camp detainees.

It was not immediately clear whether the detainees to be placed in jobs under the Bayingholin program will be moved into forced labor settings or into residential areas like one RFA reported on earlier this month in the seat of Makit (Maigaiti) county, in the XUARs Kashgar (Kashi) prefecture.

In that report, sources told RFA that a special, restricted-access residential area had been established to relocate internment camp detainees accused of lighter offenses, which requires study of Mandarin Chinese, while employing detainees in several on-site factories.

Residents are strictly monitored and made to attend mandatory political indoctrination classes, sources said, as well as sessions involving self-examinations and confessions, while entry and exit are prohibited without special permission.

The relocation of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities out of the camp system into other forms of arbitrary detention appears to have sped up in recent months.

In March, RFA learned that all internment camp detainees in Bayingholins Chakilik (Ruoqiang) county had been sent to prisons or to parts of Chinas interior.

Images circulating on social media platforms purportedly show that Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are being transferred between various forms of detention, incarceration, and possibly forced labor schemes both inside and outside of the XUAR.

One widely shared image appears to show rows of people dressed in similar blue jumpsuits, wearing masks, and holding bags of personal belongings as they stand in a public square, reportedly in Korla.

Experts and members of the Uyghur activist community in exile believe images such as these show detainees who have been transferred from a camp to either prisons or factories, where they are required to perform forced labor.

Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by Elise Anderson. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Yu Guohua, 87, poses for a photo in the Arctic during a 13-day trip. [China's Veterans]

Yu Guohua, 87, a female veteran, signed up for a 13-day arctic tour in October 2019 and joined the tour group alone.

With short hair and small stature, Yu is full of energy and looks much younger than her age. She traveled to the Antarctic four years ago on a 19-day trip and was the oldest member of the 45-person tour group.

During that trip, Yu made 14 flights and traveled more than 55,000 kilometers, visiting Sao Paulo, Manaus, Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu, Ushuaia, Buenos Aires and other South American cities and the Antarctic continent.

"When I was young, I climbed snow-capped mountains, but I had never been to an iceberg," Yu said. After the trip to the Antarctic, her desire to set foot on the North Pole grew stronger.

Yu prefers to travel with light packs whether near or far away. "When you are out, don't let your belongings become a burden," she explained. The habit of reducing the luggage also has root in her experience in the army.

In March 1950, Yu joined the army at the age of 17. In November of that year, she took part in the Chinese People's Volunteer Army as a medical officer. Every day, she marched with 20 kilograms of supplies including rations and two grenades.

Yu poses for a photo while working as a medical officer in the Chinese People's Volunteer Army. [China's Veterans]

Going through severe living conditions and harsh tests of survival in the war years greatly tempered Yu's will. After retiring from the army, she became a doctor in Hangzhou, a city of East China's Zhejiang Province.

It is inconceivable that such a spirited elderly woman battled a serious medical condition for 15 years. Yu suffered an injury to her waist at work in 1965 after which she was in bed for 15 years.

Hit by both mental and physical blows she quickly readjusted her life. She did special arm exercises even while lying in bed to build up her body.

Now, Yu is in good health and often participates in square dances and traditional Chinese bodybuilding exercises with her old friends.

Traveling is Yu's biggest passion now, helping her to learn more about the world and broaden her horizons.

Yu has visited more than 40 countries in company with her husband. Because he has been in declining health, she decided to take a trip to the Antarctic Region by herself.

"Despite what people say, I actually don't have much money. I save money to spend on things that I love to do. My favorite hobby now is traveling, which helps to open my mind and increase my understanding of the world," she said.

(Source: China's Veterans/Translated and edited by Women of China)
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services on August 25 cancelled the planned furloughs of its 13,000 employees from August 30, 2020.

According to the immigration agency, the USCIS will be able to maintain operations through the end of FY20 with aggressive reduction in spending and steady increase in incoming revenue and receipts, the agency said in a statement.

The agencys fiscal year is from October 1 to September 30, 2020. The agency employs about 20,000 people.

Averting this furlough comes at a severe operational cost that will increase backlogs and wait times across the board, with no guarantee we can avoid future furloughs. A return to normal operating procedures requires congressional intervention to sustain the agency through fiscal year 2021," Joseph Edlow, deputy director for policy, the USCIS, said in a statement.

The cost reduction would come from reducing the scope of federal contracts that assist USCIS adjudicators in processing and preparing case files and support activities.

One should also anticipate operational impacts such as increased wait times for pending case inquiries with the USCIS Contact Center. Processing times would be longer and increase in time taken for granting adjusting status or naturalizing for aliens, the statement said.

Previously, members of Congress requested that agency leadership avoid operational cuts of this magnitude. However, Congress must still act on a long-term solution that will provide the USCIS with the necessary financial assistance to sustain the agency throughout FY21 and beyond, the statement said.

This comes a week after the US Senator Patrick Leahy, in a letter dated August 18, 2020, requested the Department of Homeland Security to delay the furlough of 13,400 employees in the USCIS.

According to him, the delay was unwarranted as the agency has enough funding to carry it through the financial year. I am troubled by the fact that the USCIS is still proceeding with furloughs for this fiscal year despite the fact that the agency is consistently projecting to end the fiscal year with a sizeable carry-over balance. The resulting carry-over balance exists even after you factor in paying the staff through the fiscal year, Leahy said in his letter.

A Forbes article explained that, from October 2019 till March 2020, the USCIS got more customer volumes compared to last year before COVID-19. It also added that things returned to normal by June 2020 and operations started.

The budget deficit, the article said, could be in the range of $250 million, much lesser than the $1.2 billion the USCIS wanted as a bailout package.
DUBLIN, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Lotteries and Gaming (GLOBAL) - Industry Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Lotteries and Gaming Analysis provides a detailed overview of the Lotteries and Gaming market and delivers a comprehensive individual analysis on the top 200 companies, including ORGANIZACION NACIONAL DE CIEGOS ESPAOLES, SISAL GROUP S.P.A. and MAGNUM CORPORATION SDN BHD.



This report covers activities such as lotto, gambling, lottery, gaming, online and includes a wealth of information on the financial trends over the past four years.



The latest Lotteries and Gaming analysis is ideal for anyone wanting to:

See the market leaders

Identify companies heading for failure

Seek out the most attractive acquisition

Analyse industry trends

Benchmark their own financial performance

Using exclusive methodology, a quick glance of this Lotteries and Gaming report will tell you that 34 companies have a declining financial rating, while 39 have shown good sales growth.



Each of the largest 200 companies is meticulously scrutinised in an individual assessment and analysed using the most up-to-date and current financial data.



Every business is examined on the following features:

A graphical assessment of a company's financial performance

Four year assessment of the profit/loss and balance sheet

A written summary highlighting key performance issues

Subsequently, you will receive a thorough 100-page market analysis highlighting the latest changes in the Lotteries and Gaming market.



This section includes:

Best Trading Partners

Sales Growth Analysis

Profit Analysis

Market Size

Rankings



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8rid90

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


Representative Image

The coronavirus outbreak has changed the way we work, socialise and consume. Smartphones keep us connected to our colleagues, family, friends, favourite shows and even the local grocer.

The new normal has also put the most traditional of businesses on fast-track to digitisation. The retail supply chain ecosystem, too, is moving in that direction if early trends are anything to go by, industry insiders say.

Indore-based supply chain startup Shopkirana says it has recorded a 30 percent jump in the number of retailers using the platform in the four months of the lockdown.

Recently, the company held a day-long flash sale for 10 brands and did business worth Rs 5 crore compared to Rs 3.5 crore during the same event in the previous quarter.

We have been doing business of around Rs 3.5 crore for the last few quarters during these flash sale days. This quarter saw a massive jump in demand. We attribute this to growing comfort with online post Covid19, ShopKirana chief executive officer Tanutejas Saraswat told Moneycontrol over the phone from Indore.

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 company is seeing rapid adoption of online deliveries, with growth coming from small towns and cities.

ALSO READ: COVID-19 pandemic prompts kirana store to go digital, survey reveals

The shift

Business-to-business supply startups say more retailers are joining their ecosystem as the country unlocks. Though they are still a small part of the overall retail market dominated by offline suppliers and wholesalers, it is a start.

Multiple reasons are driving the move like retailers can order products online and get them delivered at the doorstep. Second, more retailers are getting paid digitally and not a lot of unorganized wholesale dealers accept digital payments.

Third, kiranas are organising their business fast and digitised supply chains work better in these formats like flash deals on certain products tracked through the apps, live tracking of deliveries, minimum disruption from COVID-19 restrictions and others.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus pandemic | Retailers begin bulk deliveries to RWAs in some cities: Report

As coronavirus cases continue to rise, states have come up with their own sets of guidelines that affect the movement of people and goods.

For retailers, managing supplies in these uncertain times can be difficult, offering an opening to online players. Many retailers are moving online as traditional supply lines have been disrupted.

The slowdown in the broader fastmoving consumer goods (FMCG) sector doesnt seem to have effected these online companies. Even if the overall pie is not growing as fast, their share has gone up.

Products like chips, biscuits, noodles, detergents and soaps are seeing strong demand, say industry executives.

The good thing is that the demand is coming from all types of retailers, be it small or large, Saraswat said.

Bengaluru-based Jumbotail, another B2B commerce startup, has seen a similar trend, which, it says, is largely due to better service and quality from online suppliers.

We depend the least on a physical salesforce that has helped us to continue serving our customers even during the days of the pandemic, said Ashish Jhina, chief operating officer, Jumbotail.

Jhina said while the outbreak battered the HORECA (hotels, restaurant and catering) segment, it pushed up the consumption of many household products.

ALSO READ: EXPLAINED | Digital payments are up but why trends point to a jagged and slow recovery

Cashless payments

Another big shift has been towards digital payments. Jumbotail said increasingly retailers were moving towards wallets and Unified Payments Interface-based payments. If cash payments were at 60 percent against 40 percent digital before the outbreak, they were now down to 55 percent, with 45 percent of them being digital payment modes.

Shopkiranas Saraswat said that cash, which accounted for 80 percent of all transactions for them, was now down to 60 percent.

The more consumers pay to merchants digitally, the more merchants pay us digitally for their supplies. In some cases, we are the only supplier who accepts digital payments, hence making us the supplier of choice, Jhina said.

Urban areas have seen a larger dip in demand compared to small towns and rural areas. The trend that has been captured by the suppliers as well and is primarily due to consumers going back to their native places from cities.

With many job opportunities closing down, consumers have found alternatives in villages. This has caused rural consumption story to hold even when urban consumption is down.

Many consumers who have gone back to towns are looking for brands they used in cities. We are helping large brands foray deep into the hinterland, Saraswat said.
Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Tanzanian banks following downgrade of Government of Tanzania rating; changes outlook to stable

Global Credit Research - 25 Aug 2020

London, 25 August 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service, ("Moody's") has today downgraded to B2 from B1 the long-term local currency deposit ratings of two Tanzanian banks, CRDB Bank Plc (CRDB) and NMB Bank PLC (NMB). Moody's has also changed the outlook on the banks' ratings to stable from negative.

The full list of affected ratings can be found at the end of this press release.

The downgrade of Tanzanian banks reflects the banks' high sovereign exposures, mainly in the form of sovereign debt securities, which link their credit profiles to that of the government, the reduced ability of the government to provide extraordinary support to banks as well as Moody's expectation of a more challenging operating environment, in view of the coronavirus pandemic, impacting on borrowers' creditworthiness.

Today's rating action follows Moody's view that Tanzania's credit strength is diminishing (refer to the sovereign press release: Moody's downgrades Tanzania's rating to B2; outlook stable; https://www.moodys.com/research/--PR_429459).

RATINGS RATIONALE

RATIONALE FOR DOWNGRADE

The primary diver of today's rating actions is the downgrade of Tanzania Government rating on 21 August. In particular, Tanzanian banks' high sovereign exposures, mainly in the form of government debt securities held as part of their prudential liquidity requirements, link their credit profiles to that of the government. The rated banks' overall sovereign exposure was 125% of their capital bases, as of December 2019. In view of the challenging operating environment and the correlation between sovereign and bank credit risk, the banks' standalone credit profile and ratings are constrained by the credit profile of the government. Furthermore, for CRDB, the downgrade of its deposit ratings reflects Moody's view that the ability of the Tanzanian government to provide extraordinary support is reduced.

Story continues

The downgrade also reflects Moody's expectation of a more challenging operating environment in Tanzania impacting on borrowers' creditworthiness. The rating agency expects a real GDP growth of 2.0% in 2020 and growth of 4.6% in 2021, which will be significantly below the recent 5-year average growth rate of 6.6%. Moody's expects the weaker economy to strain borrowers' cash flows and to make it more difficult for borrowers to meet their loan obligations, increasing the banking system's problem loan ratio over the next 12 to 18 months from an average of 9.8% as of year-end 2019. The rating agency also expects loan losses to increase, which will harm banks' net profitability in the next 12-18 months, although pre-provision income should be enough to absorb banks' rising loan losses.

Moody's regards the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under its ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety.

RATIONALE FOR STABLE OUTLOOK

The stable outlook captures Moody's view that the current ratings balance the risks from a challenging operating environment with the banks' good capital and profitability metrics and deposit-based funding profiles. The rated banks' hold good capital buffers with an average proportion of tangible common equity to Moody's adjusted risk weighted assets ratio of 15.3% and average shareholders' equity-to-average total assets ratio of 14.2% at year-end 2019.

Tanzania's Moody's rated banks exhibit good profitability, which benefit from their good pre-provision income generation capacity, giving banks good buffers to absorb expected higher loan losses. As of end of 2019, the rated banks' pre-provision income-to-average total assets ratio was 5.0% and their net income ratio was 2.1%. The banks credit profiles also benefit from their deposit-based funding profile and low reliance on market funds. At year-end 2019, the rated banks' average ratio of market funds to tangible banking assets was 4.9%.

INDIVIDUAL BANKS RATING DRIVERS

CRDB Bank Plc

Moody's affirmed the b2 Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) of CRDB primarily because the bank's financial profile remains consistent with its existing b2 BCA, although the rating agency expects the bank's asset quality and profitability metrics to deteriorate over the next 12 to 18 months. CRDB's problem loans improved to 5.3% of gross loans in March 2020 from 5.7% in 2019, and the b2 BCA continues to reflect its solid franchise in the Tanzanian banking sector.

The bank's BCA also takes into account Moody's expectation that the bank's (1) capital buffers will remain resilient. CRDB's tangible common equity-to-Moody's adjusted risk weighted assets ratio was good at 14.1% in 2019. Its leverage was moderate as indicated by a shareholders' equity-to-total assets ratio of 13.2% over the same period, (2) profitability will continue to compare favourably with that of its similarly rated peers, despite some negative pressure. CRDB's ratio of pre-provision profits to average assets was 4.4% which will enable it to absorb expected loan losses, and (3) funding profile will remain deposit based. At year-end 2019, CRDB's proportion of market funds to tangible banking assets was only 4.9% compared to 13.7% for global peers with b2 BCA.

Moody's downgraded CRDB's long-term local currency deposit rating to B2 from B1, reflecting reduced ability of Government of Tanzania to provide support. The long-term foreign currency deposit rating was downgraded to B3 from B2 because it is constrained by Tanzania's country ceiling for such foreign currency deposits, which captures foreign-currency transfer and convertibility risks.

NMB Bank Plc

Moody's downgraded the BCA of NMB to b2 from b1 reflecting the rating agency's expectation that the bank's asset quality and profitability metrics will deteriorate over the next 12 to 18 months given the deterioration in the operating environment. NMB's problem loans increased to 6.8% of gross loans in 2019 from 5.8% in 2018. However, NMB's b2 BCA continues to reflect its solid franchise in the Tanzanian banking sector and is on par with Government of Tanzania's rating.

The bank's BCA also takes into account Moody's expectation that the bank's (1) capital buffers will remain resilient. NMB's ratio of tangible common equity to Moody's adjusted risk weighted assets was good at 16.4% in 2019. Its leverage was low as indicated by a shareholders' equity-to-total assets ratio of 15% at year-end 2019, (2) profitability will continue to compare favourably with that of its similarly rated peers, despite some negative pressure. NMB's ratio of pre-provision profits to average total assets was 5.2% which will enable the bank to absorb expected loan losses, and (3) funding profile will remain deposit-based. At year-end 2019, NMB's proportion of market funds to tangible banking assets was only 4.8% compared to 13.7% for global peers with b2 BCA.

Moody's downgraded NMB's long-term local currency deposit rating to B2 from B1 reflecting interlinkages with Tanzania's credit profile. The long-term foreign currency deposit rating was downgraded to B3 from B2 because it is constrained by Tanzania's country ceiling for such foreign currency deposits, which captures foreign-currency transfer and convertibility risks.

FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS

An upgrade of the banks' long-term ratings is unlikely, because the ratings are already at the same level as the sovereign rating. However, an upgrade of the sovereign rating would put upward pressure on the banks' ratings.

A downgrade of the sovereign rating would result in a downgrade of the banks' long-term ratings.

Moody's could downgrade the banks' BCAs if there is a material deterioration in solvency factors, such as asset quality, capital or profitability. Increased reliance on market funding or a lower level of liquidity would also add downward pressure on their BCAs.

LIST OF AFFECTED RATINGS ..Issuer: CRDB Bank Plc Downgrades:

.... Long-term Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Changed To Stable From Negative

.... Long-term Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to B3 from B2, Outlook Changed To Stable From Negative

Affirmations:

.... Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b2

.... Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b2

.... Long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed B1(cr)

.... Short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed NP(cr)

.... Long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings, Affirmed B1

.... Short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings, Affirmed NP

.... Short-term Bank Deposits, Affirmed NP

Outlook Actions:

....Outlook, Changed To Stable From Negative

..Issuer: NMB Bank PLC

Downgrades:

.... Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment, Downgraded to b2 from b1

.... Baseline Credit Assessment, Downgraded to b2 from b1

.... Long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment, Downgraded to B1(cr) from Ba3 (cr)

.... Long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings, Downgraded to B1 from Ba3

.... Long-term Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Changed To Stable From Negative

.... Long-term Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to B3 from B2, Outlook Changed To Stable From Negative

Affirmations:

.... Short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed NP(cr)

.... Short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings, Affirmed NP

.... Short-term Bank Deposits, Affirmed NP

Outlook Actions:

....Outlook, Changed To Stable From Negative

PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGY

The principal methodology used in these ratings was Banks Methodology published in November 2019 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1147865. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.

REGULATORY DISCLOSURES

For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.

For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.

For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.

The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure.

These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com.

Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.

Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569.

At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating action(s) announced and described above.

Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.

Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.

Peter Mushangwe Analyst Financial Institutions Group Moody's Investors Service Ltd. One Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5FA United Kingdom JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Sean Marion MD - Financial Institutions Financial Institutions Group JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service Ltd. One Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5FA United Kingdom JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454

 2020 Moody's Corporation, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Moody's Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved.

CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. AND/OR ITS CREDIT RATINGS AFFILIATES ARE MOODY'S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES, AND MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY MOODY'S (COLLECTIVELY, "PUBLICATIONS") MAY INCLUDE SUCH CURRENT OPINIONS. MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THE RISK THAT AN ENTITY MAY NOT MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE AND ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT OR IMPAIRMENT. SEE MOODY'S RATING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS PUBLICATION FOR INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ADDRESSED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE CREDIT RATINGS. CREDIT RATINGS DO NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LIQUIDITY RISK, MARKET VALUE RISK, OR PRICE VOLATILITY. CREDIT RATINGS, NON-CREDIT ASSESSMENTS ("ASSESSMENTS"), AND OTHER OPINIONS INCLUDED IN MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF CURRENT OR HISTORICAL FACT. MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS MAY ALSO INCLUDE QUANTITATIVE MODEL-BASED ESTIMATES OF CREDIT RISK AND RELATED OPINIONS OR COMMENTARY PUBLISHED BY MOODY'S ANALYTICS, INC. AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES. MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE OR PROVIDE INVESTMENT OR FINANCIAL ADVICE, AND MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AND DO NOT PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PURCHASE, SELL, OR HOLD PARTICULAR SECURITIES. MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DO NOT COMMENT ON THE SUITABILITY OF AN INVESTMENT FOR ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. MOODY'S ISSUES ITS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLISHES ITS PUBLICATIONS WITH THE EXPECTATION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT EACH INVESTOR WILL, WITH DUE CARE, MAKE ITS OWN STUDY AND EVALUATION OF EACH SECURITY THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR PURCHASE, HOLDING, OR SALE.

MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS,ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY RETAIL INVESTORS AND IT WOULD BE RECKLESS AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR RETAIL INVESTORS TO USE MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS OR PUBLICATIONS WHEN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION. IF IN DOUBT YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISER.

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROTECTED BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COPYRIGHT LAW, AND NONE OF SUCH INFORMATION MAY BE COPIED OR OTHERWISE REPRODUCED, REPACKAGED, FURTHER TRANSMITTED, TRANSFERRED, DISSEMINATED, REDISTRIBUTED OR RESOLD, OR STORED FOR SUBSEQUENT USE FOR ANY SUCH PURPOSE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ANY FORM OR MANNER OR BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER, BY ANY PERSON WITHOUT MOODY'S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT.

MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS,ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY ANY PERSON AS A BENCHMARK AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES AND MUST NOT BE USED IN ANY WAY THAT COULD RESULT IN THEM BEING CONSIDERED A BENCHMARK.

All information contained herein is obtained by MOODY'S from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error as well as other factors, however, all information contained herein is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind. MOODY'S adopts all necessary measures so that the information it uses in assigning a credit rating is of sufficient quality and from sources MOODY'S considers to be reliable including, when appropriate, independent third-party sources. However, MOODY'S is not an auditor and cannot in every instance independently verify or validate information received in the rating process or in preparing its Publications.

To the extent permitted by law, MOODY'S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability to any person or entity for any indirect, special, consequential, or incidental losses or damages whatsoever arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information, even if MOODY'S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers is advised in advance of the possibility of such losses or damages, including but not limited to: (a) any loss of present or prospective profits or (b) any loss or damage arising where the relevant financial instrument is not the subject of a particular credit rating assigned by MOODY'S.

To the extent permitted by law, MOODY'S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability for any direct or compensatory losses or damages caused to any person or entity, including but not limited to by any negligence (but excluding fraud, willful misconduct or any other type of liability that, for the avoidance of doubt, by law cannot be excluded) on the part of, or any contingency within or beyond the control of, MOODY'S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers, arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information.

NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY CREDIT RATING, ASSESSMENT, OTHER OPINION OR INFORMATION IS GIVEN OR MADE BY MOODY'S IN ANY FORM OR MANNER WHATSOEVER.

Moody's Investors Service, Inc., a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Corporation ("MCO"), hereby discloses that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to Moody's Investors Service, Inc. for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from $1,000 to approximately $2,700,000. MCO and Moody's investors Service also maintain policies and procedures to address the independence of Moody's Investors Service credit ratings and credit rating processes. Information regarding certain affiliations that may exist between directors of MCO and rated entities, and between entities who hold credit ratings from Moody's Investors Service and have also publicly reported to the SEC an ownership interest in MCO of more than 5%, is posted annually at www.moodys.com under the heading "Investor Relations  Corporate Governance  Director and Shareholder Affiliation Policy."

Additional terms for Australia only: Any publication into Australia of this document is pursuant to the Australian Financial Services License of MOODY'S affiliate, Moody's Investors Service Pty Limited ABN 61 003 399 657AFSL 336969 and/or Moody's Analytics Australia Pty Ltd ABN 94 105 136 972 AFSL 383569 (as applicable). This document is intended to be provided only to "wholesale clients" within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. By continuing to access this document from within Australia, you represent to MOODY'S that you are, or are accessing the document as a representative of, a "wholesale client" and that neither you nor the entity you represent will directly or indirectly disseminate this document or its contents to "retail clients" within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. MOODY'S credit rating is an opinion as to the creditworthiness of a debt obligation of the issuer, not on the equity securities of the issuer or any form of security that is available to retail investors.

Additional terms for Japan only: Moody's Japan K.K. ("MJKK") is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Group Japan G.K., which is wholly-owned by Moody's Overseas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCO. Moody's SF Japan K.K. ("MSFJ") is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of MJKK. MSFJ is not a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO"). Therefore, credit ratings assigned by MSFJ are Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings. Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings are assigned by an entity that is not a NRSRO and, consequently, the rated obligation will not qualify for certain types of treatment under U.S. laws. MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registered with the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration numbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively.

MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY125,000 to approximately JPY250,000,000.

MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements.


Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 19:51:05|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on Aug. 25, 2020 shows a damaged building at the site of a blast in Balkh province, Afghanistan. Six people, including an assailant, were killed and 32 people wounded after a Taliban militants' suicide truck bomb blast took place outside a special forces' camp in northern Afghanistan's Balkh province on Tuesday, an army source confirmed. (Photo by Kawa Basharat/Xinhua)

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Six people, including an assailant, were killed and 32 people wounded after a Taliban militants' suicide truck bomb blast took place outside a special forces' camp in northern Afghanistan's Balkh province on Tuesday, an army source confirmed.

The incident occurred in Balkh district in central part of Balkh province roughly at 8:45 a.m. local time, and the casualties were shifted to military and civilian hospitals by ambulances and army vehicles, Hanif Rezai, spokesman of army Corps 209 Shaheen based in the region, told Xinhua.

Those killed included two army soldiers, three civilians and the attacker, and 26 civilians and six army soldiers wounded.

The blast occurred after army soldiers manning the camp identified and intercepted the bomber when approaching the camp but the attacker detonated the vehicle in front of a veterinary clinic, destroying and damaging dozens of houses.

The Taliban militant group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

Since the signing of a Taliban and United States peace agreement in late February, Afghan leaders, including President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, have frequently demanded the Taliban to reduce violence.

The militants, however, have intensified attacks, launching hit-and-run attacks and ambushes against security forces besides conducting suicide car bombings and roadside bomb attacks.
New Covid-19 cases in the US may be on the decline but some officials across the country's heartland reported worrisome news this week.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday the state had reached an "unfortunate milestone" by reporting at least one case of the virus in every county.

The state's infection rate, she said, "continues an alarming trend in the wrong direction."

To make matters worse, Kelly said, as college students return to campus, several clusters have been reported at universities across the state. Last week, the University of Kansas reported more than 80 cases of the virus. The college is among dozens of others across the country that have reported Covid-19 cases after students moved into dorms.

In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear warned cases could spike again as the state reported more deaths last week than "in any other week battling the virus."

Beshear said the state is seeing "troubling signs" and is at "the same moment that Kentucky was at in the beginning of the summer."

"More people are trying to get out of the quarantine than the health department has recommended," the governor said.

The governors' messages come as the country's seven-day average of daily deaths dipped below 1,000 over the weekend for the first time since July, offering hope that the summer surge may be waning. But with experts' grim forecasts for what the fall and winter could look like in the US, health experts say now isn't the time to ease prevention measures.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield expressed concern last week about the heart of the country getting "stuck," while other parts of the US, including across the South, were reporting improvements.

"That is why it's so important for Middle America to recognize the mitigation that we talked about ... it's for Middle America too, the Nebraskas, the Oklahomas," Redfield said. "We don't need to have a third wave in the heartland right now."

The US has recorded more than 5.7 million infections and at least 177,276 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The role super spreading events play

Throughout the summer, US leaders and health officials have cautioned against large social gatherings saying it was those types of events that helped fuel a surge in positive cases. Earlier this month, a Georgia study showed super spreading events have been especially important in driving the pandemic in rural areas.

But the warnings haven't brought the gatherings to a halt.

In South Dakota earlier this month, thousands from all over the US gathered for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, a massive annual event that usually brings in about 500,000 tourists. Experts said the event had the potential to become a super-spreader event.

Now dozens of cases across several states are being linked back to the rally.

In Minnesota, at least 27 cases were linked to the rally, two of which were people who worked or volunteered at the event, according to Kris Ehresmann, the Infectious Disease Division Director at the state's health department. At least seven cases in Nebraska's Panhandle region have been tied to the rally as well as at least two cases reported by South Dakota officials. One positive result was a person who worked at a tattoo parlor in Sturgis, while the other was an individual who spent hours at a bar during the rally.

Last week, Maine CDC officials issued a citation to a venue that exceeded the indoor gathering limit of 50 individuals when it hosted a wedding reception earlier this month that has since been linked to a Covid-19 outbreak.

More than two dozen confirmed cases were associated with the wedding and reception. One of the individuals that tested positive following the wedding reception has died, Robert Peterson, the CEO of Millinocket Regional Hospital, said in a statement.

Iowa officials confirm first child death

Iowa's health department confirmed the first death of a child from Covid-19 complications in a news release this week. The child was under the age of five and died in June, according to the release. The child also had "significant underlying health conditions," health officials said.

Earlier this month, a 6-year-old girl became the youngest person in Florida to die of Covid-19 complications. In July, health officials reported the death of a 9-year-old girl who also died of Covid-19 complications. Kimora "Kimmie" Lynum had no known underlying health conditions, her family said.

The children's deaths come as many schools across the country have welcomed students back to class, while others have opted to begin the year remotely.

Last week, the CDC updated its school guidance in order to better inform administrators' decisions about opening schools and limiting risks.

The guidelines say in general, children are less likely to have severe symptoms than adults. The risk of teachers, school administrators and other staff will, however, "mirror that of other adults in the community" if they get sick, the guidelines said.

Some colleges have also opted to go online while others, who welcomed students back to campus, have -- in some cases -- reported hundreds of Covid-19 infections.

CNN's Jennifer Henderson, Gisela Crespo, Laura Ly and Pierre Meilhan contributed to this report.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Houston Climate Week, a five-day virtual event to highlight the citys Climate Action Plan and mark the third anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, is being postponed Wednesday as the region braces for the threat of another storm, Hurricane Laura.

Lara Cottingham, the citys chief sustainability officer, said the events scheduled for Wednesday through Friday will be postponed and rescheduled later.

Given the increasing severity of Hurricane Laura, we are postponing #HoustonClimateWeek starting TOMORROW, August 26, the citys Office of Sustainability said on Facebook. We are monitoring the situation and working with our speakers to reschedule the events. Thank you to everyone who has joined us so far and we hope you will join us once the storm has passed.

Nearly 3,000 people had registered for the event, which will feature virtual panels on various climate-related topics in Houston.

Hurricane Harvey, the worst rainstorm in continental U.S. history, devastated the Houston region beginning Aug. 25, 2017.

Hurricane Laura, currently in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to make landfall as a Category 3 storm somewhere in Louisiana or Southeast Texas Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Its forecast ticked west Tuesday, increasing the chance that Houston could be impacted.

Among the now-postponed events: panels on energy transition, reducing reliance on cars, and green infrastructure; discussions about a project to turn a long-dormant landfill in Sunnyside into a solar farm; and a closing conversation that would have included Mayor Sylvester Turner and David Lawler, the chairman and president of BP America.

The energy company partnered with the city on its climate plan, donating $2 million and other manpower to the effort. That drew some consternation from environmental activists uneasy about BPs legacy.

The city released its climate plan in April to little fanfare, as city officials concentrated on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. They had hoped for a larger unveiling in the summer, Cottingham said, but that was ruled out by the continuing pandemic.

Climate Week was envisioned as a way to revisit and highlight the plan virtually.

The Climate Action plan, which is nonbinding, lays out strategies the city can employ to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

dylan.mcguinness@chron.com
Starting with a group of 10, which grew to a little less than 20, Kim Davis of Waukegan, one of the organizers, said the first thing protesters noticed when they arrived in the neighborhood were at least six police cars, as well as unmarked vehicles clearing three blocks near the house.
Police in Upper Gwynedd Township say Randy Root had broken into homes and sheds before confronting officers trying to stop him. Read more

The quiet of Sunday morning was torn apart for one Montgomery County neighborhood when, police say, a man fired a stolen shotgun at police officers while trying to force his way into peoples homes and sheds.

Randy Root, 35, was arraigned Monday afternoon and charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, and related offenses, court records show. He remained in custody at the county prison with bail set at $1 million.

Officers from Upper Gwynedd encountered Root, of Warrington, about 1 p.m. while responding to a call about a suspicious man roaming around the township.

A homeowner told police he first saw Root walking down his driveway, and that Root had asked him for water, according to the affidavit of probable cause for Roots arrest. The man was worried that Root was trying to case his home for a potential burglary. Another nearby resident told police he had chased Root off his property after he had found him rifling through his shed.

Officers later found Root near Sanctuary United Methodist Church, police said, and he ran, crossing a nearby field.

 READ MORE: Man allegedly shoots at police in Montgomery County yard; chief credits oak tree for protection

After a short search, Sgt. Ray Royds, a 21-year veteran of the department, and two other officers found Root in a backyard on Cathys Lane. When Royds again tried to talk to him, Root said he was going to kill him and called him the N-word, according to the affidavit.

He then fired a shotgun at Royds from about 30 feet away, authorities say. The gunfire missed the officer, and Root was taken into custody in the backyard of a home across the street from the shooting scene.

Investigators recovered the shotgun he had used, as well as a rifle. Root wasnt legally able to possess weapons due to a felony burglary conviction from 2009, according to court records.

In that case, Root broke into a home in Warminster in search of cash and jewels, the Hatboro Public Spirit and Willow Grove Guide reported at the time.

In Upper Gwynedd, detectives discovered that Root had stolen those guns from a home next door to where he fired at the officers, the affidavit said. The guns owner said he had last seen the firearms Sunday morning and had left them in a room near his back door.
Atlantic Honda - Weekly Ads

The Weekly Ads section of the Atlantic Honda dealership introduces and promotes new and time-sensitive dealership events and specials to customers, drivers and visitors to the website. Current Weekly Ads promoted at the Atlantic Honda dealership include the following listings.

The Honda Summer Clearance Event offers limited-time lease specials on brand-new Honda models at Atlantic Honda, until the end of August 2020. New Honda vehicles with lease offers available during the Honda Summer Clearance Event at Atlantic Honda include the 2020 Honda Civic compact sedan, the 2020 Honda HR-V subcompact SUV, the Honda CR-V compact SUV and the Honda Pilot midsize SUV among other options. Additionally, many pre-owned, recent year Honda vehicles featured on the Atlantic Honda lot are also available with financing offers during the Honda Summer Clearance Event.

The Atlantic Honda dealership continues to offer the Honda College Grad Program and the Honda Military Appreciation Offer. For drivers who qualify, these programs offer $500 towards the purchase or lease of a new Honda model.

One year of complimentary maintenance and roadside assistance is offered with any purchase or lease at Atlantic Honda through the Care-Free auto-care maintenance plan. This offer applies to any vehicle from the new or pre-owned inventory at the Atlantic Honda dealership.

To explore additional savings opportunities and timely dealership events, customers are encouraged to keep an eye on the Weekly Ads section of the Atlantic Honda dealership website. For additional information on dealership services and offers, residents in the area of Long Island and the New York City boroughs can contact the Atlantic Honda team. The dealership staff can be reached at the number of 631-665-0005. Additional means of communication include online messaging, email and visits to the store. The Atlantic Honda dealership is located at 1375 Sunshine Hwy., Bay Shore, New York 11706.
Mumbai, Aug 25 : Bollywood producer Sandip Ssingh, who had claimed to be a good friend of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, could allegedly be planning to fly off to London, according to a family friend of the late actor.

On Tuesday, Sushant's family friend Nilotpal Mrinal tweeted such a claim about Sandeep, although he did not mention a surname.

"Sandeep has plans to leave India and run away to London this month end. Visas and all are done," Nilotpal wrote on his unverified Twitter account.

"Someone sent me this - Agencies should be on high alert and not allow anyone involved to travel out of country," Mrinal added.

Netizens took to Twitter to question why Sandip Ssingh has not yet being interrogated by the CBI yet. Many among the Twitterati are speculating that Sandip Ssingh has either already flown off to Dubai or is probably all set to fly to London.

Sandip Ssingh has reportedly claimed he is one of the first persons to reach the late Sushant's residence after hearing the news of his death.

The film producer had shared an Instagram post just a few days after Sushant's demise in June where he had spoken about past memories of sharing an apartment with Sushant and his ex-girlfriend Ankita Lokhande at Lokhandwala. In another Instagram post, Sandip had spoken about his plans of making his directorial debut with a patriotic film starring Sushant.

However, recently senior advocate Vikas Singh, who represents the late actor's family, claimed that no one from Sushant's family knew about Sandip Ssingh.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy tweeted from his verified account: "Suspect Sandip Singh should be queried as to how many times he has been to Dubai and why?" Swamy has in the recent past tweeted hinting at a Dubai link in Sushant's death.

Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery
Amid a groundswell of national attention to racial and social injustice, Emory professors and students will come together with Atlanta artists this fall to explore how creative thinking and artistic expression can inspire change.

The new Emory University Arts and Social Justice (ASJ) Fellowship pairs artists with six classes ranging from business to biology, including courses in Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Oxford College, Goizueta Business School and the Rollins School of Public Health.

The project is a partnership between the Emory College Center for Creativity and Arts (CCA) and the Emory University Center for Ethics.

The idea for the ASJ fellows came together this summer out of conversations between the Ethics Centers Carlton Mackey and myself, explains Kevin Karnes, executive director of the CCA and associate dean for the arts in Emory College. We talked about how Emory can engage meaningfully with our city in an unfolding moment of crisis, and about what we at Emory can learn from Atlantas artists, many of whom have been working tirelessly towards racial and social justice their whole careers.

Selected from a pool of more than 70 applicants, the inaugural cohort of Arts and Social Justice Fellows showcases some of the most celebrated and vibrant threads of artistic creativity in the city. The cohort consists of Olivia Dawson, visual artist Shanequa Gay, cellist and composer Okorie OkCello Johnson, arts advocate and administrator Ash Nash, visual artist and Emory alum Fahamu Pecou, and actor and Emory alum Garrett Turner.

This inaugural cohort centers the voices of Atlantas Black creatives and highlights the spectrum of offerings of this vital network to the national movement for social justice and racial equity, says Mackey, director of the Emory Ethics & the Arts Program. We are so fortunate to welcome such a premiere cross section of the Atlanta art scene and for our cohort to include not only visual and performing artists whose art serves as a vehicle for their activism, but also a highly effective arts administrator with a reputation for connecting artists and organizations to affect positive social change.

Participating faculty members will work alongside their partnered ASJ Fellows to design creative projects that reflect on racial or other inequities. The projects will be embedded into existing courses taught by the faculty members and brought to fruition by students within the framework of their classes.

Each month throughout the semester, the full cohort of six faculty, six ASJ Fellows and their students will gather to learn about each others work, and to exchange ideas across the university about the arts and social justice. The semester will conclude with a public unveiling and citywide conversation to consider collectively the completed projects and the questions they raise.

Bringing these ASJ Fellows together with a group of scholars representing the undergraduate and professional schools  whose courses challenge traditional thinking about the intersection of race, public health and business  will advance and offer critical nuance to the public dialogue about these issues, as well as prepare college students to face these issues with courage and compassion as they encounter them in the real world, Mackey says.

Karnes and Mackey are now working to identify funding sources to enable the program to continue and expand into the future.

What drew us together is our shared faith in the power of art to open spaces for conversation, community-making and collective action, says Karnes. We believe that those things are urgently needed if we are to emerge from this moment in a way that is whole, and, we hope, better than how we lived together before.

Visit the Arts at Emory calendar for public events related to the Arts and Social Justice fellowship as they are announced throughout the fall. More information about arts initiatives on campus can be found on the Ethics Center and CCA websites.

Courses & Faculty/Artist Pairings

Social Justice: Zoning, Contracts and Environmental Racism

Allison Burdette, professor of practice, Business Law, Goizueta Business School, with Olivia Dawson, actor and playwright

I have taught this seminar for over 10 years and in the class have tried to bridge the chasm between discussion and thought to action, Burdette says. While there have been some small successes, my struggle to move to meaningful action has frustrated me. When I saw the description for this fellowship, the portion that I found compelling and exciting was the chance to move ideas into actions.

With her deep knowledge of the power of storytelling, actor, writer and producer Olivia Dawson is poised to bridge the gap for Burdette and her students.

Artists of color are master storytellers. Stories can build worlds  or tear them apart. If words have power, then stories are life, Dawson says. The way we tell stories  whether in word, movement, song, through a lens, music or on a canvas  has the potential to alter perception, reality and the world.

Epigenetics and the Human Condition



Arri Eisen, professor of pedagogy, Biology and the Institute for the Liberal Arts, Emory College, with Fahamu Pecou, visual artist



Imagine if there were a link between the experience of art, its creation and our genes. My course, Epigenetics and the Human Condition, is a space for such imaginings  a place where the next generation of physicians and scientists can see and think about life and living from molecules to communities, explains Eisen. Weve always known art makes us think, changes us and moves us forward. Now we can begin to understand why and how, a topic that ripples out to and could help all of us  scientists, humanists, humans  do better.

Eisen is working with artist and Emory alum Fahamu Pecou, who earned his PhD from Emorys Laney Graduate School in 2018. His work was seen recently at the Michael C. Carlos Museum through his exhibition DO or DIE: Affect, Ritual, Resistance. Through this pairing, students will view the study of epigenetics through the lens of Pecous examination of the fractured Black body.

My art raises questions about the types of images and representations that come to inform contemporary readings and performances of Black male masculinity, Pecou notes. By engaging with various stereotypes and misconceptions about Black men  both those imposed and those assumed  I attempt a critical intervention concerning the visible and invisible threads that make up our collective understandings of Black identity.

Georgia Civil Rights Cold Cases

Hank Klibanoff, professor of practice, Creative Writing Program, Emory College, with Garrett Turner, actor

This summers announcement of the ASJ Fellowship application coincided with a renewed correspondence between Hank Klibanoff and Garrett Turner, a 2011 graduate of Emory College. The fellow Alabamians have known each other since Turner first made his mark on Emorys campus during his undergraduate years as both a Woodruff and Bobby Jones Scholar.

For years now, Klibanoffs Georgia Civil Rights Cold Cases Project and its Peabody Award-winning podcast, Buried Truths, have sought to unearth the untold stories of victims of racially motivated violence. This year, for the first time, Klibanoff and his students will focus on the lives and times of known victims of the 1906 Atlanta race massacre.

Our goal is to learn enough about the victims that we can humanize them, animate their lives and put them into historical context, says Klibanoff. We will seek to elevate them from mere names or unknowns etched into a monument, from ciphers, into the real people they were.

Turner views the fellowship as an opportunity to not only use his experience to bring life to these untold stories, but also to give back to the institution that helped him hone his artistic voice.

Returning to Emory for me is both an honor and a great responsibility, says Turner. This community gifted me with so much during and after my time there that I feel compelled and challenged to serve the students and the cause of this new Fellows program in a way that will truly make the community proud and will also shed light on some untold truths about the history of race in Atlanta.

If Black lives matter, then Black deaths matter. If a society doesnt care about the dead, then it doesnt care about the living. So in honoring their deaths, we are honoring their lives.

Film, Media and the Art of Social Change

Carlton Mackey, director, Ethics & the Arts Program, Emory Center for Ethics, and Edward Queen, director, Ethics and Servant Leadership Program, Emory Center for Ethics, with Ash Nash, Founder/CEO, Power Haus Creative

Arts advocate/administrator Ash Nash is no stranger to leading creative projects meant to capture the hearts and minds of the entire nation. In 2019, Nashs organization Power Haus Creative partnered with Atlanta artist Fabian Williams for Kaeperbowl, a public art initiative that erected murals of Colin Kaepernick across Atlanta to coincide with Super Bowl LIII coming to town. Since then, Nash has continued to collaborate with Kaepernick and his Know Your Rights Camp, an international camp focused on advancing the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities.

I have made a career of challenging systems and demanding systemic change through Atlantas arts industry in ways that directly, socially and economically impact underserved artists and communities, says Nash.

Nash joins Carlton Mackey and Edward Queen in a course examining film and other art-based mediums to explore the function of media in social change movements. Students will move between the classroom and working in creative teams to develop a short documentary film or photographic exhibit.

The Feminist Art(s) of Activism

Alix Olson, assistant professor of Womens, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS), Oxford College, with Shanequa Gay, visual artist

I want to challenge students to investigate how feminist modes of creative action can intervene in national and global discourses that shape their lives, says Alix Olson.

Joining her in this quest is Shanequa Gay, a visual artist whose work evaluates place, tradition, storytelling and the experiences of African-Ascendant people. Together, Olson and Gay will familiarize students with a wide range of artistic vehicles through which political life in the United States has been explored, challenged and re-imagined in feminist ways.

By supplying funding and creative civic engagement along with time and space to have necessary conversations involving the social concerns of surrounding, national and global, communities affected and infected by COVID-19 and the continued journey toward dismantling systemic racism, the Emory Arts and Social Justice Fellows program allows Atlantas artistic activists to move beyond niche micro-economies and white wall spaces which is what 21st century artivism is about, says Gay.

Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders

Elizabeth Walker, research assistant professor of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences (BSHES), Rollins School of Public Health, with Okorie OkCello Johnson, composer and cellist

Elizabeth Walker hopes integrating her class into the ASJ Fellowship program will not only open up her students to the possibilities of artistic expression in the quest to prevent mental disorders and promote mental health, but will also assist them personally in coping with the negative health effects of the events of recent months.

This year, the burdens and uncertainty of COVID-19 and the trauma of police violence are impacting the mental health of the students, says Walker. Art is a powerful medium to support a sense of community, as well as frame discussions about how the current conditions we are living through affect mental health and examine resiliency in individuals and communities to weather these events.

Walkers ASJ fellowship partner, Okorie OkCello Johnson, knows quite a bit about the power of creative expression to build resiliency and fully integrate ones experiences. My work has been carving out protected space in my life, combining all the parts of me  the scholar, the writer, the performer, the teacher  into projects that draw fully from my experience and resist my instinct to compartmentalize, he says. Its now demanding from me focused attention and a courageous spirit to bear witness to this time in my life and our world.

I have been chronicling and expressing the myriad ways in which the past plays with our present, our oppression births our liberation, and our myths beget our futures.
She transformed the cemetery into a park

In all the years I served as the Founding President of the Jersey City Parks Coalition, there were nearly a dozen leaders who did incredible things for improving their frequently used larger parks and in the case of Eileen Markenstein, her very special, large Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery. Many others improved smaller, less-used parks.

Of all of us that led residents to improve Jersey Citys big parks and Harsimus cemetery, we all were creative pioneers. But we were also human. At times, wed get too sensitive, too adversarial, or wed let power go to our heads and abuse it in some way.

Others of us lacked some needed park development skills and abilities; while possessing other good skills. The miracle is that despite our human frailties, we accomplished creative, awesome things.

Eileen was the only pure soul in our park and nature family in those years, who was also profoundly effective at transforming a huge public area surrounded by nature and transforming it into a well-developed historic cemetery and new cultural mecca.

Eileen transformed a dangerous neglected, rundown eyesore of a historic cemetery, overgrown with poison ivy, with most tombstones & gravestones damaged, leaning or fallen. Part of the reason this steeply sloped hill section was unwanted was because it dips into the swamps created by the nearby buried ancient Mills River. Also, running on top of the swamps, ConRail sneaks a secret path through Jersey City.

Eileen got goats to eat all the grass as lawn mowers could damage grave stones. She took homeless people and rather than chase them away, took them in and trained them to be the cemeterys keepers and arranged for them to have food and shelter in return. She created so many, many special events in Harsimus cemetery over the years from veterans celebrations to Halloween Parties and wayout music.

Unlike the rest of us big changers, Eileen didnt have one ounce of selfishness or limitation. She never had a mean-spirited thought. She woke up each day so happy to have another opportunity to help people and to make the world a better place and she had so many ways to do this. She would always beam with joy when another member reported good results in their parks.

I always thought I would have many more years to tell you, Eileen, how much I appreciate who you are. I didnt say it enough to really make you understand how special you really are and have been. When I visit Harsimus Cemetery, I believe I will always feel your soul watching over things. Perhaps I can then tell you again. Thank you so much,

Dr. Clifford Waldman, FoLGP president

Bill should fund meat research

The Farm System Reform Act  a bill championed by Cory Booker, which would ban factory farms  should include funding for cultured-meat research.

For those who dont know, cultured meat is grown from cells, without slaughtering animals. This technology would ameliorate many problems the Farm System Reform Act seeks to address.

Most obviously, cultured meat resolves concerns about animal welfare, as animals arent involved in the process. But it would also benefit human health and the environment. Cultured meat is produced in a sterile environment and doesnt require artificial growth hormones or unnecessary antibiotics. It requires a fraction of the greenhouse-gas emissions that raising livestock does.

The Farm System Reform Act should fund development of this revolutionary technology. While cultured meat is fast approaching the market, it will initially be more expensive than its slaughtered, factory-farmed counterpart. This can be remedied by further research.

Jon Hochschartner, Granby, CT

Submit letters to the editor and guest columns at jjletters@jjournal.com
FOR the first time ever, former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairperson Teresita Herbosa will give an online lecture on the rules governing corporations vested with public interest.

Herbosa, a lawyer, and Access MCLE (Mandatory Continuing Legal Education) have designed an interactive online course that will impact banks and quasi-banks, non-stock savings and loan associations, pawnshops, corporations engaged in money service business, preneed firms, trust and insurance companies and other financial intermediaries.

While serving as the chairperson of the SEC, Herbosa implemented significant reforms in the commission and introduced changes to the Corporation Code of the Philippines.

Herbosas proposed amendments passed legislative process and were reenacted in 2019 as the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, which she tackled in a book written by her and a colleagueThe Revised Corporation Code, Its Theories and Applications.

Herbosa, who ranked 16th among the successful examinees in the 1977 Bar Examinations, is now a professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law and the De La Salle University College of Law.

Prior to serving as the SEC chairperson from 2011 to 2018, she engaged in the private practice of law at the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala and Cruz Law Offices (Accralaw), specializing in litigation and dispute resolution for 33 years. She rejoined Accra as Of Counsel in 2019.
The fire department remained on its toes for more than 22 hours after a fire broke out at a hosiery unit, Vallabh Hosiery, in Mahavir Jain Colony of Sundar Nagar on Monday evening.

The fire broke out at around 6.30pm on Monday and the firefighting operation continued till 5pm on Tuesday. Ten fire tenders and around 40 firefighters were deputed at the spot. No casualty was reported, but goods and machinery worth lakhs were completely gutted.

The firefighters said that a lot of cotton and polyester were stocked in the building that had a single entry due to which they had trouble dousing the flames.

The hosiery unit was situated in a narrow street and water was also not available in the nearby areas, so the tenders had to be refilled from Sundar Nagar fire station and King Palace. The fire tenders were refilled nearly 150 times during the operation.

The firefighters said that a lot of cotton and polyester were stocked in the building, which had a single entry and was located in a narrow street, due to which they had trouble dousing the flames. (HT PHOTO)

Sub-fire officer (SFO) Maninder Singh said, The operation continued till 5pm on Tuesday. There was so much heat in the building and the flames had also engulfed the basement, due to which it was difficult to enter the building. There was a lot of smoke. The firefighters had to bring down a few walls of the factory for dousing the flames. Nothing much can be said about whether firesafety arrangements were made by the owner or not as everything was damaged, but we saw a few fire extinguishers.

EVENING RUSH DELAYED OPERATION

The fire fighters deputed at different stations in the city faced trouble reaching at the spot on Monday evening because there was a traffic jam on city roads, as the residents were rushing back to their houses before imposition of night curfew from 7pm onwards.

Residents living nearby accused that the firefighters reached an hour late due to which the fire spread. As per information, the tender from Sundar Nagar station reached the spot in 15-20 minutes, while the tenders from other stations took an hour to reach after an alert was received at 6.40pm.

Fire station officer Shristi Nath said, The firefighters from Sundar Nagar station were first to reach the spot. As it was a major fire, the sub-fire officer asked the other stations to send more tenders. It took some time for firefighters from other stations to reach the spot due to evening rush on city roads. However the operation was commenced by the team of Sundar Nagar station.
Leader of the Liberal Party Michael O'Brien in Melbourne, Australia on Feb. 4, 2019. (Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

Liberals, Crossbenchers, Human Rights Groups Oppose Dan Andrews Power Grab

Victorian Liberal and crossbench MPs, and human rights groups, have strongly opposed Labor Premier Daniel Andrewss proposal to extend his governments state of emergency powers over citizens by a further 12 months.

As virus case numbers in Victoria recede to low numbers not seen in almost two months, the premier announced on Aug. 24 that he would seek to extend state of emergency powers up to 18 months, including the six months already passed.

Human rights campaigners, Liberty Victoria, have contested the extension, saying the powers should be limited to six minths and reviewed constantly.

The Governments approach of writing itself a blank cheque and then reviewing the situation later is inconsistent with the preservation of Victorians human rights, the statement read.

The declaration of a state of emergency imposes extraordinary limits on Victorians human rights.

The emergency powers have allowed authorities to impose restrictions on individual freedoms and movement that suspend constitutional norms, using directions that circumvent normal parliamentary scrutiny, according to a parliamentary document.

Further, Liberty Victoria wants the state Parliament resume sitting as soon as safely possible to ensure the health of democracy that they say is put at risk over time by the exercising of emergency powers.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media in Melbourne, Australia on Aug. 24, 2020. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

As the hashtag #DictatorDan trended on Twitter, Andrews took to the social media platform to defend his decision.

Extending the State of Emergency is about ensuring that we can legally make the changes our health experts need to keep us safe, he wrote on Twitter on Aug. 24.

This does not change how long our current lockdown will last, or increase the restrictions we face.

Getting back to normal wont ever be an option if we cant protect what weve already achieved. These changes are about saving lives and keeping Victorians safenothing more, nothing less.

Extending the State of Emergency is about ensuring that we can legally make the changes our health experts need to keep us safe. This does not change how long our current lockdown will last, or increase the restrictions we face.  Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) August 24, 2020

Read More Victoria State Records 148 New Virus Cases, 8 Deaths

Liberal Democrats MP David Limbrick told 3AW on Aug. 24 that he will block the move that he suspected Andrews would try eventually.

Limbrick said: We think the government, for too long, has been relying on these emergency powers rather than trying other means such as voluntary compliance.

The Liberal Democrats MP thinks Victoria has some of the worst results even with the current heavy handed policing being enforced under the emergency powers currently in place.

I dont think this is going to be supported by people at all, he said.

Labor does not have a majority in the upper house and therefore will rely on crossbench MPs to get the extension passed through Parliament.

When asked, Limbrick said he knew the other crossbenchers had heard concerns from their consituents but didnt know how they would vote.

A lot of them have very serious concerns about this extension, said Limbrick.

Liberal Opposition Leader Michael OBrien said in a media release the coalition will vehemently oppose a long-term extension.

We will stand with Victorians whose rights and freedoms are threatened by this extraordinary power grab, OBrien.

Victorians deserve democracy, they deserve accountability, they deserve transparency but instead what we get from Daniel Andrews is another attempt to extend his power over the lives of Victorians, he said.

The currently legislated emergency powers are due to end on Sept. 13 unless the extension is approved.

If successful, the Chief Health Officer will have extended powers to impose measures such as mandatory mask-wearing and quarantine. As well as the power to impose limits on gatherings and COVIDSafe measures at work.

According to a Parliament of Victoria document entitled Emergency Powers, Public Health and COVID-19, restrictions can be imposed to override constitutional laws and bypass parliament.

Victoria Parliament is scheduled to meet next week.
Coronavirus in Britain is spreading exponentially due to the reckless, homicidal reopening of the economy and schools by the Johnson government.

The R or R0 value (Reproduction rate) of COVID-19 is now at 1 or above nationally, meaning that every one person infected is infecting at least one other person.

Last Friday, the governments scientific advisory group (SAGE) announced that R had risen to between 0.9 and 1.1 in the UK as a whole for the first time since weekly reporting of data began in May. This was an increase on an estimated range of 0.8-1.0 last week and a rate of 0.8-0.9 documented by SAGE two weeks ago.

Because the information used to calculate the R and growth rate includes epidemiological data such as hospital admissions, ICU admissions and deaths, SAGEs estimates reflect the situation as it was up to three weeks ago. Subsequent changes in transmission levelsset to rocket with millions of children being sent back to school, along with hundreds of thousands of teachers and other education staffare not yet fully reflected in the estimates.

Of the UKs most populated area, SAGE announced it does not have confidence that R is currently below 1 in England. In London, SAGE calculates the R rate at 0.9-1.1. The rate is even higher in some parts of the UK, with Northern Irelands (population over 1.8 million) estimated to be as high as 1.6.

Between July 4 and August 15, virtually all remaining lockdown measures were ended nationally.

This criminal policy was enacted under conditions in which a large swathe of northern England was forced to go into a local lockdown at the end of Julyimpacting around 5 million people. This was after the entire city of Leicester had already been placed in lockdown for weeks.

Due to the rapid growth in infection rates over the weekend, the government was forced to impose further lockdown measures in Oldham and parts of Blackburn and Pendle in the north west of England. Last Friday, the east Midlands town of Northampton was named an area of intervention as a major sandwich producer, Greencore, was forced to close its factory in the town with nearly 300 workers infected. Northampton is one of 19 such areas of intervention, including major population centres like Leicester, Bradford and Manchester.

Even more significantly, Birminghamthe second largest city in the UK with a population of more than 1 millionwas last Friday added to the governments watch list. Its weekly rate of infections shot up by 27 percent, meaning it could be placed under lockdown imminently. The citys infection rate is now at 30 cases per 100,000, the highest level since mid-June. This was up from up from 22.4 the week before and a substantial increase on the 12 per 100,000 recorded at the start of August.

Birmingham is now classified as requiring enhanced support, as is Luton (population over 211,000). Another seven towns and cities are listed as areas of concern.

Saturdays 1,288 infections recorded nationally was the highest daily number in two months. In the last week to Monday, 4,364 new infections were recorded nationally, with the official death toll at 41,433.

In Scotland, Saturdays 123 new cases were the highest daily total in three months. Nearly 80 were recorded in Tayside. Many of Taysides cases are centred on the Coupar Angus chicken processing plant, where at least 68 infections have been recorded (59 employees and 9 of their contacts).

Nicola Sturgeons Scottish National Party government reopened all schools on August 11, and its devastating impact is already manifest, with infections in nearly 30 schools. On Monday, it emerged that 21 staff and 2 pupils at Kingspark special school in Dundeealso in Taysidehave contracted COVID-19. Four of their contacts in the community were infected. The school was forced to close last Wednesday, just eight days after reopening.

Nothing is being allowed to intrude on the ruling elites maniacal rush to enforce its back to work agenda, with the damning R value data issued by SAGE totally ignored by the government. This is despite Johnson and his key scientific and medical advisors repeatedly claiming, for months, that its actions would be determined by the R valuewhich it insisted had to be kept below 1 at all costs.

At the start of lockdown, the R rate was between 2.4as estimated by Imperial College Londons COVID-19 Response Teamand 4, according to other research.

The lockdown imposed on March 23 reduced R significantly within days and by at least two thirds in a matter of weeks.

Speaking at a Downing Street conference on March 30, just seven days after lockdown, Johnsons Chief Scientific Officer, Sir Patrick Vallance, said, Britains lockdown is having a very big effect on the R0, bringing it down to below one.

Britain's prime Minister Boris Johnson, centre, Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty, left, and Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance speak at a press conference at Downing Street on March 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)

On April 16, the government introduced five tests that had to be met before the national lockdown could be ended. The third test was centred on lowering the R value, with Downing Street insisting it would count on Reliable data [the R value] showing the rate of infection was decreasing to manageable levels.

At the April 30 press conference, asked what the R rate should be, Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Chris Whitty said, There isnt a perfect answer to what should the R be [to lift the lockdown] but were absolutely confident that the wrong answer is anything over one.

Because as soon as R goes over one, then you restart exponential growth it may be slow if it is just over one, it may be a lot faster if it goes a lot above onebut exponential growth restarts and, sooner or laterand the higher it is, the sooner it isthe NHS [National Health Service] will go back to the risk of being overwhelmed and the number of cases will go up.

At the same event, Johnsonin his first public event since almost dying after being struck down with COVID-19stated, the government will be monitoring R very carefully. It will be a key factor in how social distancing measures will be used in the future, adding, Let me just emphasise that keeping the R down is going to be absolutely vital to our recovery, keeping the reproduction rate of the disease down. 

On May 11, Johnson announced that in order to monitor our progress, we are establishing a new COVID Alert Level System. The COVID Alert Level has five levels, each relating to the level of threat posed by the virus. Yet again the R rate was cited as all-important. The [Alert] level will be primarily determined by the R value and the number of coronavirus cases.

On May 28, as a result of lockdown, the R rate was estimated to be between 0.7 and 0.9. Vallance told a press conference in Number 10, We need to keep concentrating on R below one, that means making sure that the measures that are in place are adhered to and that we all stick to them to make sure that the right thing is done and that we end up in a position where we can get the numbers down and the R down a bit. But we are at a fragile state.

But the over-riding goal of the government, while cynically citing the importance of lowering the rate of infection, was always to reopen the economy and force millions back to workin order to restart the production of profits for the corporations and super-rich. Johnson said at the May 28 event, When we are sure that this first phase is over and that we are meeting our five teststhen that will be the time to move on to the second phase in which we continue to suppress the disease and keep the reproduction ratethe R ratedown, but begin gradually to refine the economic and social restrictions and one-by-one to fire up the engines of this vast UK economy.

As is now clear in the resurgence of coronavirus everywhere, preventing its spread is incompatible with the murderous agenda of flinging open the economy and reopening schools.

At the April 30 press conference, asked what would be a manageable R rate to control the spread of the pandemic, Johnson replied, The crucial thing is to stop the overall national R from going over 1 again because as Chris [Whitty] and Patrick [Vallance] have explained, thats the moment that you get the risk of another exponential curve upwards. (emphasis added)

With R above 1, this point has already been reached even as the health and safety of the population are set to be further imperilledwith schools throughout Northern Ireland reopening yesterday and set to reopen in England from September.

That the R rate is not significantly higher is only due to the fact that millions are ignoring the governments advice to carry on as normal, with millions refusing to use public transport and many still shopping online, refusing to go to pubs and bars, and working from home rather than going to unsafe workplaces.

The Socialist Equality Party calls for rank-and-file safety committees to be organised in workplaces to demand and implement measures to protect workers lives. These measures must be based upon a scientific understanding of the nature of the disease. The SEP will provide all the assistance we can to workers in establishing rank-and-file safety committees.
TEHRAN, Iran, Aug.25

Trend:

The government of Iran is trying to lift the sanctions on the country by the end of its term, while its policies and plans have helped the country to withstand pressure, Iranian president's Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi said, Trend reports via the Iran Newspaper.

Vaezi said the government is facing many difficulties, including with money transactions, exports, along with the COVID-19 spread.

"Although COVID-19 has put a lot of pressure on the people and the government, Iran is one the countries that have treated the coronavirus patients free of charge," he said.

"The flood in 2018 has damaged 26 provinces in Iran and brought in extra costs, as did the earthquakes in Kerman and Kermanshah," Vaezi said.

"Despite all the pressure, our main concern is the coincidence of domestic issues and the sanction pressures, blocking Iran's foreign accounts and the fact that Iran is not able to trade easily like other countries," he said.

"Our concern is that commodity price have increased and purchase power of middle and low income classes have shrunk," he added.

"The government agriculture development policy in the past seven years has brought the increase of production from 78 million tons to 127 million tons, so during the coronavirus situation, the country has not been facing any food supply problems," he said.
Chair of the Republican National Committee Ronna McDaniel stands on stage while addressing the Republican National Convention at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, on Aug. 24, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

America, Land of Promise: Republicans Celebrate Trumps Achievements on First Night of RNC

Republicans celebrated President Donald Trumps first term achievements, and praised American ideals and freedoms on the first night of the Republican National Convention.

President Trump and Republicans are fighting for the values that have defined our country from the beginningliberty, justice, equalityand our convention is going to celebrate everything that makes America the greatest nation on Earth, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in opening remarks.

We are going to share how President Trumps policies have uplifted Americans of all backgrounds and empowered them to reach their full potential in life.

Speaking to the theme Land of Promise, the presidents supporters from both sides of the aisle touched upon the wide range of issues Trump has acted on over the past almost-four years of his presidency, including a lengthy list of actions to combat the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, help black American communities, promote jobs and employment for American citizens, and oppose socialism and terrorism and more.

The convention is being held virtually due to the CCP virus pandemic, with some of the planned remarks coming pre-recorded, while others were delivered live from Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C.

Amy Ford, a registered nurse of 17 years from Bedford, Virginia, was deployed to New York and then Texas as a COVID-19 relief nurse in both states. She said that Trumps decision to expand telehealth services to more than 71 million Americans during the pandemic has saved many lives.

In this screenshot from the RNCs livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, nurse practitioner Amy Johnson Ford addresses the virtual convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Aug. 24, 2020. (Photo Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

I live in a town of about 2,000 people. We do not have buses, trains, trolleys, or Ubers available to us. In addition, the unavailability of services can also hinder treatment for many, she said. So the increased accessibility of telehealth afforded to millions of Americans has truly been lifesaving for many. And we have President Trump to thank.

As a healthcare professional, I can tell you without hesitation, Donald Trumps quick action and leadership saved thousands of lives during COVID-19, she said.

Tanya Weinreis from Billings, Montana, thanked the president for the relief efforts amid the pandemic, which she said has saved her coffee shop from going under.

My company was one of the first to get help from the PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] loan and praise God, it has been a lifesaver for us. Not only were we able keep every single employee but Im thrilled to say we have been hiring weekly since this all began, she said.

I feel for workers and businesses across America who are under assault from shutdowns, from riots, and now face the terrifying prospect of Joe Biden coming after everything weve built, she continued. I am so grateful that we have leaders like President Trump standing up for us who understand the good local business do in our neighborhoods and are not afraid to fight for us every day.

Vernon Jones, a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives, said that he is part of a large and growing segment of the black community who are independent thinkers walking away from the Democratic Party. He warned about Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, and encouraged Americans to support Trump.

This is no time for sleeping in the basement, he said. Joe Biden has had 47 years to produce results. But hes all talk and no actionjust like so many of these Democrats whove been making promises for decades.

Rep. Vernon Jones (D-Ga.) addresses the virtual Republican National Convention on Aug. 24, 2020. (Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

Jones noted that Trump had changed everything for the black community by delivering historic funding to HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities), guaranteeing the funding for 10 years, which gave the HBCUs the chance to grow and produce the next generation of black leaders.

He continued by touching on other historic actions by the president to improve the lives of black Americans, including criminal justice reform, incorporating opportunity zones in the tax bill, recent action on police reform, and record low unemployment numbers for black Americans.

Education. Jobs. Safety. Security. On issue after issue, and in just a single term, he destroyed these negative forces that have victimized the black community for decades. He gave us the opportunity to rise! Jones said.

Kim Klacik, a black Republican running for Congress in Baltimorea city that has been run by Democrats for more than 50 yearscalled for Americans to reelect Trump.

In this screenshot from the RNCs livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, Maryland congressional nominee Kim Klacik addresses the virtual convention on Aug. 24, 2020. (Photo Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

Abandoned buildings, liquor stores on every corner, drug addicts and guns on the streetthat is now the norm in many neighborhoods, she said of Baltimore. Youd think Maryland taxpayers would be getting a whole lot since our taxes are out of control; instead, we are paying for decades of incompetence and corruption.

Sadly, this same cycle of decay exists in many of Americas Democrat-run cities, she continued. And yet, the Democrats still assume that black people will vote for them, no matter how much they let us down and take us for granted.

Klacik said that Trump is bringing the American spirit to life for all Americans.

We want safety in our neighborhoods. We want jobs and innovation, like tapping the potential of the Port of Baltimore to create manufacturing jobs for Americans. We want lower taxes. We want school choice. We want a chance to get ahead, not just get by! Thats what President Trump promised. And thats what Trump delivered!

Republican speakers throughout the convention also praised American ideals, including freedom of belief and speech, as well as the right of Americans to safety, security, and the American Dream to access opportunity and find success.

The American way of life means you follow the law, you work hard, you honor God, you raise your kids with strong values, and you work to create a civil more stable country and life for the ones you love, said Charlie Kirk, the founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, an advocacy group for young conservatives.

In this image from video, Charlie Kirk speaks during the first night of the Republican National Convention Aug. 24, 2020. (Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via AP)

America is a remarkable and improbable creation centered around central biblical ideals: That man is flawed by nature; that government must be created to protectnot grant rights; that life, liberty, and property are essential; and that only a moral people can preserve such a Republic, he added.

In this country, it means you can speak your mind without retributionwithout being kicked off of social media by a self-righteous censor in Silicon Valley. It means you can freely practice your religion and that church is more essential than a casino, he continued. And it means that we judge people on actions  not on their immutable characteristics.

He acknowledged threats to Americans freedoms, saying, All of this is under attack by a group of bitter, deceitful, vengeful, arrogant activists who wish to tear down this gift we have been given. We are locking up pastors, but releasing violent criminals from prison, we are kicking doctors off of social media, yet promoting Chinese state-funded propaganda on major tech platforms. The left is judging people solely on the color of their skin, not on how they act or the values they hold.

Sean Parnell, a decorated war veteran who served in combat in Afghanistan and candidate for Pennsylvanias 17th congressional district, also acknowledged threats to freedom coming from the radical left.

Where Democrats once stood for hard working, law abiding Americans who displayed our flag with pride, this New Democrat party considered them uneducated racists, clinging to guns and Bibles, he said.

In this screenshot from the RNCs livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, Pennsylvania congressional nominee Sean Parnell addresses the virtual convention on Aug. 24, 2020. (Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

The party of Harry Truman became the party of hedge fund managers, Hollywood celebrities, tech moguls and academiabloated with contempt for middle America, he said. I look across the aisle and I do not see a party that wants you to pursue your dreams. I see a Democrat party that wants to dictate what those dreams are. I dont see a party that wants you to be free. I see a party that wants to chain you to conformity and will destroy anyone they deem a heretic.

I swore an oath to defend my country and its constitution. President Trump has sworn to do the same. That is why he has advanced freedomdespite savage political attacksto overcome the agenda of the radical left.

President Trump unleashed the economic might of this nation like no other President in our history. He triggered the rising tide of working families, brought us energy independence, reclaimed jobs from overseas that Democrats said would never return. He has fiercely defended the besieged First and Second Amendments. Thats just a start. With four more years, imagine what we can achieve by simply working with our President, the veteran said.

Trump, who was officially nominated as president for a second term during the convention earlier in the day, is not scheduled to deliver his keynote RNC address until later in the week.
Oprah Winfrey was the first major lifestyle magazine to feature Breonna Taylor on the cover her O, The Oprah Magazine for the September issue. Now, Vanity Fair is doing the same.

Both magazines pay tribute to 26-year-old Taylor, who was fatally shot by police when they stormed into her Louisville, Kentucky, home as she slept on March 13. She was shot eight times. No one has been charged in her death.

The Vanity Fair's 'The Fire" issue for September is guest-edited by acclaimed best-selling author Ta-Neishi Coates and features an essay by Tamika Palmer, Taylor's mother. The magazine's cover of Taylor was painted by Amy Sherald, who painted Michelle Obama's presidential portrait.

Vanity Fair, which is known for its coverage of elite Hollywood and high society, stepped far out of its comfort zone in this recent social-justice issue about Taylor's death. It also features contributors of color on nearly every page.

SAY HER NAME: Breonna Taylor honored on September cover of O, The Oprah magazine

"I felt when I took the title over, the culture was really moving very strongly in a direction that was more diverse," said Vanity Fair's editor-in-chief Radhika Jones on CBS Sunday Morning. Jones, who is Indian American, became the magazine's first editor of color in 2017. "As an editor, you are always hoping to see around the corner."

She said Coates, who is a national correspondent for The Atlantic magazine and one of the nation's leading voice on race, has spent his career "seeing around the corner." In 2014, Coates wrote a cover story about the case for reparations for slavery and went on to testify before a congressional panel on reparations. His acclaimed book, "Between the World and Me" is a letter to his son about the dangers of being a Black man in America.

As more fashion and lifestyle magazines step into the spotlight of social justice and race inequality, it begs to ask the question, "Will it make a difference?"

Only time will tell.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2020) - Lara Exploration Ltd., (TSXV: LRA) ("Lara" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has completed an agreement to sell its Fofoca South Gold Prospect, in the Tapajos Region of northern Brazil, to London-listed Serabi Gold plc. ("Serabi"), for US$100,000 in cash and a 2% Net Smelter Return Royalty ("NSR"). Fofoca South is close to and partially adjacent to the main block of tenements held by Serabi in the Tapajos Region and 4 km to the northwest of Serabi's Sao Chico underground gold mine.

The Fofoca South property comprises an exploration license, 946.54 hectares in area, located within the main NW-SE trending Tapajos shear zone, which is host to number of well-known gold mines and deposits: Cuiu-Cuiu, Tocantinzinho, Palito, Sao Chico, Fofoca and Sao Jorge. The Fofoca South property has a number of surface geochem and geophysical anomalies and abandoned surface workings and lies immediately adjacent to the Fofoca deposit, which has a National Instrument 43-101 compliant technical report, prepared for Aurora Gold Corp., and dated October 15, 2013 by Geosure Exploration & Mining Solutions Pty Ltd ("Geosure") including an inferred resource estimate of 2.1 Mt at 2.0 g/t Au for 130,000oz Au, using a cut off grade of 0.5 g/t Au.

Under the terms of the agreement between Lara and Serabi, Serabi has paid US$50,000 upon signing and will pay a further US$50,000 upon completion of the transfer of the mineral rights. Upon completion of a JORC or NI-43-101 compliant technical report, Serabi can elect to purchase half the royalty (1%) for greater of US$10 per gold ounce or US$500,000.

About Lara

Lara is an exploration company following the Prospect and Royalty Generator business model, which aims to minimize shareholder dilution and financial risk by generating prospects and exploring them in joint ventures funded by partners. The Company currently holds a diverse portfolio of prospects, deposits and royalties predominantly in Brazil and Peru. Lara's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "LRA".

Story continues

For further information on Lara Exploration Ltd. please consult our website www.laraexploration.com, or contact Chris MacIntyre, VP Corporate Development, at +1 416 703 0010.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada

accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

-30-

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62410
STOCKHOLM, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Not even six months after launching the antiviral treatment ViralOff, it is getting what is best described as global coverage in media. Last week culminated in an appearance on, Good Morning America - How major fashion has joined the fight against COVID-19.

That, however, is only the tip of the iceberg of attention we have received. We have been in Vogue, Vanity Fair, The Telegraph, The Financial Times, Forbes China, Vogue Business, British GQ, ADWEEK, Fashion Network, and numerous trade magazines. We include some links to online articles below.

While many articles have been wholeheartedly positive, other media have opted to do what they should - report and also investigate. Is this really necessary, this "Antiviral" thing?

We do not claim ViralOff to be the sole solution to the current or future pandemic. But it is a piece to the puzzle. First of all, viruses live naturally in textiles longer than on hard surfaces. A study from the University of Hong Kong reported that viruses were still detectable after 7 days (!) on face masks. Of course, reducing this to fractions of one percent in two hours changes things dramatically. Effectively, it works like sanitizing gel for your clothes - and it gives you one less thing to worry about. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention are quoted on TV saying, "If possible, do not shake dirty laundry. This will minimize the possibility of dispersing viruses through the air." Well, with ViralOff treated textile, you need not worry about that, and actually washing might not even be needed.

And what about having ViralOff on jeans? Well, three good reasons follow. First, viruses can live for a long time without treatment. Jeans are in touch with all kinds of surfaces in public spaces. Have you ever wiped your hands on your jeans before touching your face? Second, you will not need to wash them, note, need. There will be very few viruses, bacteria and other microbes so it will not be "contaminated", nor will it smell. You can in essence not wash them at all unless you want to get physical dirt off them. And finally, some markets already demand that any garment tried by one person should be disinfected before being sold to a second person. Check that box, too.

Here at Polygiene, we started ViralOff as our contribution in the healthcare sector - on scrubs and facemasks - but have seen this spread like wildfire into the consumer realm. And we see how it all adds up. Skipping half, or why not eight out of ten washes is a huge sustainability gain. Even more if clothes then last longer, are sold more on the second-hand market, and finally, facemasks are not made to be disposed after one use.

These numbers are simple facts. If we actually save lives and prevent spread in the process, then that is the ultimate benefit of course. But we will never "sell" anyone that.

Subscribe here to get reports, press releases and News: http://ir.polygiene.com/en/press/subscribe/

For press images and more information, visit ir.polygiene.com or contact:

Mats Georgson, CMO,

[email protected]

070-656 48 90

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/polygiene-ab/r/polygiene-is-hot-in-media---keeps-cool-and-comments,c3180870

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/13573/3180870/1297038.pdf Release https://news.cision.com/polygiene-ab/i/polygiene-good-morning-america,c2817035 Polygiene Good Morning America

SOURCE Polygiene AB
Large Numbers of Hong Kong Residents Leave Amid National Security Crackdown

2020-08-24 -- As Australia relaxed visa rules for thousands of Hong Kong residents studying and working in the country, analysts say many more will likely emigrate from the city in the wake of a draconian national security law imposed by China following months of pro-democracy protests.

New regulations took effect in Australia on Monday granting automatic five-year visa extensions to 14,000 skilled migrants and graduates from Hong Kong residents already there, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of the five years.

Future applicants who fill gaps in Australia's labor market will also have the option of applying for visa extensions and residency.

Analysts told RFA they expect a growing number of Hongkongers to take advantage of that offer, as well as relaxed immigration rules offered by the U.K. and the democratic island of Taiwan.

Hong Kong political commentator Sang Pu estimated that more than 10,000 local residents will take advantage of Taiwan's fast-track humanitarian offer to migrants fleeing Hong Kong, which recently saw a draconian state security system put in place under Beijing's direct control, and with the involvement of mainland China's feared state security police.

He said anyone with assets will likely move them offshore, and many won't return to live in the city either.

"Hong Kong will never be the same again," Sang said. "Xi Jinping is intent on defeating Hong Kong now."

National Security Law

The imposition of the National Security Law for Hong Kong on July 1 launched a crackdown on peaceful dissent and criticism of the government in schools and colleges, in the media and on the streets.

The law bans secessionist, subversive, and terrorist words and deeds, as well as collusion with foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong's internal affairs, charges which carry a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life.

On Aug. 10, Hong Kong police arrested pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai for "collusion with foreign powers" and raided the newsroom of his flagship newspaper, the Apple Daily.

Charges of "collusion with foreign powers" appeared in the law after repeated claims from Beijing that last year's anti-government and pro-democracy protest movement was instigated by "hostile overseas forces."

"It is not just the Democratic Party and the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movement in China, or the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union that are in trouble; it is the whole community," Sang said.

"Because everyone took part in the anti-extradition movement," he said in a reference to mass public protests over plans by chief executive Carrie Lam to allow extradition to mainland China.

"The state security police are now operating in Hong Kong, national security education is in full swing, and there are national security courts," he said.

"It will be the same as the purge on human rights lawyers and rights activists in mainland China," Sang said.

Recent emigre

A YouTuber from Hong Kong who gave only the nickname Eagle said she emigrated to Taiwan after witnessing the way riot police deployed tear gas, pepper spray and "non-lethal" bullets against mostly unarmed demonstrators during last year's protest movement.

"I burst into tears when the woman paramedic got shot in the eye on Aug. 11, because ... [I knew] Hong Kong had changed," Eagle told RFA. "Why is Hong Kong so dangerous now? I couldn't allow myself or my family to remain in such a dangerous place."

"Now that the National Security Law has been implemented, I feel that I have done the right thing," she said. "First of all, the law is targeting more and more Hong Kong people, and secondly, the threshold for immigration in Taiwan has been raised, so if I had tried to move now, I might have missed the boat."

A total of 5,858 Hongkongers have already made the move to Taiwan this year, with around 500 continuing to make the move each month in the first seven months of this year. Online queuing systems to apply to move there are full, and have been extended in a bid to accommodate the exodus.

Veteran hedge fund manager Victor Ng said people are already moving their money offshore.

"The most commonly used offshore accounts are Citibank, DBS and Singapore Centre," Ng told RFA. "People want to be free to do as they please as long it doesn't harm anyone, so they're going to leave Hong Kong for freer countries."

"[Socioeconomically], anyone from the middle class upwards will leave, and consumption will fall, and all sectors will be hard hit," he said. "Our universities, which were ranked among the top 1,000 globally, will go the way of those in mainland China."

'Repopulating' Hong Kong

Ho-fung Hung, associate professor of sociology at Johns Hopkins University in the U.S., said the ruling Chinese Communist Party has likely already factored in the exodus into its plans.

"The whole idea was that they wanted to keep Hong Kong but not its people," Hung said. "They can repopulate it, because Hong Kong still has value for them as an offshore financial center."

"But it won't do them much good, because the rest of the world is already treating Hong Kong like the rest of China, legally speaking, so they are shooting themselves in the foot," he said.

Reuters reported on Monday that Hongkongers are buying up property in the U.K., sending prices rising in some locations by as much as 15 percent since April.

Property agents told the agency they had sold more than double the number of apartments to Hong Kong buyers in the past two months, mostly as family homes rather than for renting out to tenants.

The U.K. government has offered some three million British National Overseas passport holders in Hong Kong a path to British citizenship, while a weaker pound and a stamp duty holiday have increased the attractiveness of U.K. property.

Reported by Gigi Lee and Tam Siu-yin for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.

Copyright  1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Some might remember the Prince Spaghetti commercial in the 1960s that showed a 12-year-old boy running through the streets back home for his favorite dinner. The actor and Boston native Anthony Martignetti died in his sleep on Monday, according to his brother.

Martignetti, resident of West Roxbury, formerly of Bostons North End, was no thespian and had zero training for the role, it was just luck that he landed the role of the boy in the commercial that aired in 1969, according to the Boston Globe.

In the interview with the Globe, he said that he was walking through the North End when three men approached and asked for directions to Commercial Street.

Little did the 12-year-old Martignetti know at the time, but those men were scouting for an advert for the spaghetti company.

They were looking for an Italian-American to be the star and found that star in the young boy that had emigrated from Italy just three years before and was now living in Bostons North End.

The start of the commercial showed his fictional mother, Mary Fiumara, shouting Anthony! Anthony! out of a second-story window in the North End of Boston. She was calling Martignetti back for Wednesdays Prince spaghetti day.

I always understood that it was larger than me, that I had a responsibility to preserve what that commercial meant to people, Martignetti said to the Boston Globe. I knew that if I got into trouble, little Anthony from the spaghetti commercial would be all over the paper.

Martignetti leaves behind his wife, Ruth E. (Ubri) Martignetti, son, Anthony Martignetti Jr., parents, Raffaele and Carmela (DAlelio) Martignetti of West Roxbury and brother Andy of Dedham, Mr. Martignetti leaves another brother, Angelo of Lynn, and a sister, Michelle Knorring of Buzzards Bay, according to the P.E. Murray - F.J. Higgins, George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home.

Got a news tip or want to contact MassLive about this story? Email newstips@masslive.com or message us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also call our news tips line at 413-776-1364.
Insurance fraud seems like it might be an easy thing to do. Insurance companies are often so huge, one wonders how they might not even notic...
Church leaders across the island of Ireland have come together to issue a joint statement with guidance on the wearing of masks at religious services.

The statement has been issued by the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Primates of All Ireland, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland.

It states that while wearing of face coverings has not been made mandatory in the Republic or Northern Ireland, church leaders are formally recommending and encouraging the use of face coverings at all services of worship, along with the ongoing maintenance of 2 metre physical distancing from August 30, and earlier if practicable.

The full statement issued by The Most Revd Eamon Martin (Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland), The Most Revd John McDowell (Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland), The Rt Revd Dr David Bruce (Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland) and The Revd Dr Tom McKnight (President of the Methodist Church in Ireland) reads:

At this time, both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland, the governments have not formally made mandatory the wearing of face coverings at services of worship. This is, in part, due to the fact that as churches we are committed to maintaining 2 metre physical distancing between household groups and strict adherence to all government guidance on hand hygiene, cleaning, ventilation etc.

It, however, remains our responsibility to ensure that our services of worship are safe places for all who join with us. It has become increasingly clear that the wearing of face coverings, in conjunction with hand washing etc., is likely to reduce the spread of coronavirus, thus helping to protect others. Their use is therefore one way in which we can evidence protection for the most vulnerable, support for our health workers, and practical love for our neighbours.

Following further recent consultations with public health authorities, we join with Christian church leaders all over this island in formally recommending and encouraging the use of face coverings at all services of worship, along with the ongoing maintenance of the two metre physical distancing, from Sunday 30 August 2020, and earlier if practicable.

We understand that some people are exempted from the wearing of face coverings, as outlined in the two jurisdictions.

We also recognise that whilst it may not be appropriate for those who are leading from the front during worship, including preaching, to wear face coverings, they should at all times continue to maintain at least two metre physical distancing from one another, and four metre physical distancing from the front row of the congregation.
MADRID - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that the army will be used in the fight against the coronavirus to support regional governments working to contain a sharp uptick in infections.

Coronavirus infections in Spain grew by nearly 20,000 (19,382) since just last Friday, with 2,060 in the past 24 hours, and 34 deaths. The total now stands at 405,437 cases since the start of the pandemic and 28,872 deaths, said the Spanish Centre for Health Coordination on Monday evening, that recommended that the Madrid government adopt "drastic" measures to contain the new spike in infections.

About 2,000 soldiers will be mobilised to assist the regions, which in Spain are responsible for health, and in particular to track cases, Sanchez said in a press conference.
A lockdown took hold in Gaza on Tuesday after confirmation of the first cases of COVID-19 in the general population of the Palestinian enclave, whose restricted borders have spared it from wide infection.

Health authorities in the Hamas Islamist-run territory of two million people are concerned over the potentially disastrous combination of poverty, densely populated refugee camps and limited hospital facilities in dealing with an outbreak.

A government spokesman said four cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in a single family in a refugee camp, the first in Gaza that did not involve people quarantined in border facilities after crossing into the coastal enclave from Israel.

With businesses, schools and mosques ordered closed late on Monday for at least 48 hours, Gaza's streets were largely deserted. But some people scrambled to stock up on essentials in groceries and bakeries, a limited number of which were allowed to remain open.

Police vehicles used loudspeakers to urge Gazans to abide by the lockdown.

The health crisis came amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Gaza border, where Palestinians have been launching sporadic rocket attacks and incendiary balloons that have burned fields in southern Israel.

Israel has responded with air strikes against Hamas positions.

"No war has ever forced the people into a strict curfew (but) a weak virus has confined two million in the Strip," Freih Abu Middain, a Gaza-based former justice minister, wrote on social media. "All of (Israel's) F-16s, missiles and tanks couldn't do that."

Gaza's health ministry said the four COVID-19 cases were uncovered after a woman travelled to the West Bank, where she tested positive. It said it was carrying out contact tracing to stem the spread of the infection.

The ministry said there have been 110 cases of the coronavirus inside border quarantine facilities and one death since the world pandemic began.

Last month, the Gaza director of the World Health Organization, Abdelnaser Soboh, said the territory's health system could deal with only 500 positive cases at one time.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


SK Food Group installs an UberData Networks engineered Tellabs Optical LAN that lowers costs while balancing machine and human connectivity demands in modern manufacturing environment

SK Food Group expands Industry 4.0 with Passive Optical LAN

UberData Networks helps SK Food Group expands Industry 4.0 with Tellabs Optical LAN installation at Phoenix, Arizona facility and the six other US facilities.

UberData Networks helps SK Food Group expands Industry 4.0 with Tellabs Optical LAN installation at Phoenix, Arizona facility and the six other US facilities.

CARROLLTON, Texas, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tellabs, the leading provider of Passive Optical Network (PON) solutions and UberData Networks, a full-service network system integration company deployed a Passive Optical Local Area Network (LAN) at SK Food Groups 220,000 square foot Phoenix, Arizona facility. The Tellabs Optical LAN (OLAN) architecture in a manufacturing environment demonstrated a more flexible design and lower in cost, all while balancing both machine and human connectivity needs. Under the skilled leadership of UberData Networks, SK Food Group has successfully implemented Optical LAN at six additional facilities in the US.



The Tellabs Optical LAN solution is a passive point-to-multipoint fiber-based infrastructure for in-building and property-wide network connectivity. Compared to traditional active point-to-point switched design, Optical LAN provides simplicity, centralized management efficiencies, greater network uptime and unparalleled scalability. This all leads to both lower initial deployment costs and reduced ongoing operational cost.

Passive Optical LAN can positively impact IT resources, staffing and budgets. For SK Food Group, these Optical LAN benefits directly contributed to:

Up to 50% lower day-1 capital costs

70% reduction in ongoing operational costs

Elimination of future network refresh costs

We saw up to 50% lower equipment savings at our Phoenix facility with an Optical LAN design compared to a traditional copper-based network design, said Melissa Stone, SK Food Group IT Director. As a result of deploying Passive Optical LAN technology at our facilities, weve gained an approximate 70% savings in operational savings due to reduction in IT engineering, centralized management, and the ability to perform faster moves, adds and changes.

Story continues

We're very pleased that SK Food Group is gaining Optical LAN's full potential for breaking traditional network challenges for manufacturers. We trust they'll find OLAN to be a wise investment with the least disruptive path to future wired and wireless technologies, said Rich Schroder, Tellabs President and CEO.

We stand totally committed to helping SK Food Group in their successful design, integration and implementation of Tellabs Optical LAN at their Phoenix, Arizona manufacturing plant, and the six other US facilities, said Jeff Van Horne, UberData Networks President.

You can read more about the Tellabs Optical LAN system installed at SK Food Group by UberData Networks, by accessing our more detailed case study available on our website.

about SK Food Group

SK Food Group is a custom food manufacturing company serving customers across North America. From product creation to flawless execution and assembly, were a hands-on partner, every step of the way. We are the leading producer of handcrafted sandwiches, wraps, protein snacks, flatbreads, burgers and more. Its our privilege to make delicious products for a wide range of customers including Fortune 500 companies, QSRs, airlines, retailers, convenience stores, as well as neighborhood cafes. For more information, please visit www.skfoodgroup.com/.

about UberData Networks

UberData Networks is a full-service network system integrator for customized Passive Optical LAN (POL) solutions, with over 25 years' experience designing passive optical networks (PON). UberData Networks offers turnkey Passive Optical LAN network solutions integrating the latest Wi-Fi wireless, Distributed Antenna System (DAS), IP Security, Building Automation, and IIoT smart technologies into enterprise networks. UberData Networks services and extended partner network ensures the clients technology needs are surpassed beyond today's expectations. For more information, please visit www.uberdatanetworks.com/.

about Tellabs

Tellabs is leading the future of networking with access solutions for today, poised to deliver modern high-performance solutions for the future. Fast and secure access has never been in more demand for enterprise and government connectivity. Tellabs sole focus is to deliver simple, secure, scalable and stable access to optimize network performance. Tellabs has delivered carrier-class access solutions to service providers for more than two decades. We are now expanding that leadership by defining the future of enterprise networking that connects the campus, buildings and inspires people. For more information, please visit www.tellabs.com/.

Media Contact

John Hoover

+1-707-206-1751

john.hoover@tellabs.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c79f595-dcac-4066-b3d2-e5133bb250cc




Chief Minister B S



Yediyurappa on Tuesday said a report was being prepared to secure Centre's assistance for the flood ravaged parts, as he also expressed confidence that the financial situation of the state would improve in two to three months.

The Chief Minister, who is on a visit to flood-hit districts and to conduct an aerial survey of the situation there, also said, the government was honestly working towards providing relief and rehabilitation to those affected.

"Survey is going on regarding the losses, how can we know it immediately? estimates are being worked out.

Once that report comes, we will forward it to the Centre to get all possible help. Report is getting ready..," Yediyurappa said in response to a question.

Speaking to reporters at Belagavi, he said, on going back to Bengaluru, after conducting the aerial survey of the affected areas, he will once again discuss with the officials in this connection.

The Chief Minister today reviewed the situation due to recent rains and floods, also relief measures undertaken so far, with the elected representatives and officials of Belagavi and Dharwad districts.

Pointing out that due to COVID-19 reasons the state's economic situation was not good, Yediyurappa said despite this, most probably in the entire country, is the only state where there was no disruption in payment of salary to government employees.

"The government was also releasing money for developmental works as much as possible, as per the requirement," he said adding that "most probably in two to three months financial conditions may get better."



The CM assured that his government would honestly work on rebuilding the houses that collapsed last year and this year due to rains and floods, and restore roads and bridges that have seen extensive damages.

On crop relief, the Chief Minister said, he has instructed officials to ensure that there is no misuse and work in this regard should happen with honesty and caution.

"I assure that as per central government and NDRF rules whatever is possible, I will honestly work beyond my limits to do it," he added.

The state government had earlier this month said according to the initial assessment Rs 4,000 crore loss has been incurred due to

It had also requested the Centre to provide additional special assistance of Rs 4,000 crore, other than NDRF norms, to address the situation amid the pandemic.

According to the latest data available, at least 12 districts have been affected by and rains since August 1, in which 20 people have lost their lives, while three are missing and ss many as 66 animals died.

Ninety two relief camps have been opened across these 12 districts, where 4,485 people are taking shelter.

While 385 houses are completely damaged, 7,238 have seen partial damages.

Also, agriculture crops in about 89,440 ha and horticulture crops in over 51,803 ha have been affected.

(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.)
Laptops packed for Appriss Retail's donation to BITC

Laptops packed for Appriss Retail's donation to BITC

London, United Kingdom, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Appriss Retail, the industry leader in retail performance improvement solutions, today announced that it recently donated 12 desktop computers and 17 laptops through Business in the Communitys National Business Response Network (BITC). Appriss Retails involvement with BITC began by witnessing the passion of Mark Smith, CEO from Southern Co-operative, discussing the impacts of this program. BITC coordinated the distribution of this donation to:

Kenyngton Manor Primary School  A school in Sunbury-on-Thames in South West London

Surrey Choices  Based in the county of Surrey, the organisation supports the disabled, autistic, elderly and those with sensory needs or mental health problems to fulfil their potential and reach their goals including helping them back into the workplace

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust  6,000 highly-trained, qualified doctors, nurses, midwives, health visitors, therapists, healthcare scientists, and other support staff caring for more than half a million patients from Buckinghamshire and neighbouring counties

Chiltern Primary School  A school in Basingstoke, Hampshire

The Hive  A cooperative of people and organisations working together to improve the health and well-being of the people of Portsmouth

The COVID crisis has created unprecedented challenges across business communities and life in general, said Steve Prebble, president of Appriss Retail. As a global technology company with a corporate promise of knowledge for good, we are proud when our local teams find ways in which we can meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Olga Watterich, Head of Partnerships and Connections at Business in the Community, said Appriss Retail is setting a high bar for business: by donating technology to those in need they are addressing the growing digital divide in our society which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. We are calling on companies to follow Appriss Retails example and step up to support their communities through BITCs National Business Response Network Tech Appeal.



The Appriss Retail donation will be used to support specific individuals whose current technology is not fit for purpose. For example, it will allow healthcare professionals to adapt to their new way of working and ensure that the support they give to patients is the best that it can be. Other devices will allow schools to set up new IT processes which will allow children to access online resources while ensuring social distancing.



About Appriss Retail

Appriss Retail, a division of Appriss Inc., provides artificial intelligence-based solutions to help retailers protect margin, unlock sales, and cut shrink. With more than 20 years of retail data science expertise, the companys Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform generates advanced analytical insights and real-time decisions that drive action throughout the organisation, including operations, finance, marketing, and loss prevention. Its performance-improvement solutions yield measurable results with significant return on investment among retail store, ecommerce, and inventory functions. Appriss Retail serves a global base of leading specialty, apparel, department store, hard goods, big box, grocery, pharmacy, and hospitality businesses in more than 150,000 locations (brick and mortar and online) in 45 countries across six continents. For more information about Appriss Retail, visit https://apprissretail.com.



About Business in the Communitys National Business Response Network

Business in the Communitys National Business Response Network connects national and local community groups, small businesses, local authorities and charities with businesses and brands who can offer support. Our mission is to match business resources to community needs in the right place, at the right time.



Business in the Communitys National Business Response Network and the work we do is made possible by:

Story continues

Network Partners: FareShare, In Kind Direct, The National Emergencies Trust, Neighbourly and The Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership

Founding Partners: AXA, London Stock Exchange Group

Supporters: NBRN digital platform made possible by Nominet and Outlandish

###

Attachment

CONTACT: Jennifer Toole SHIFT Communications +1 617 779 1828 jtoole@shiftcomm.com




Ant Will Have an Elephant-Sized Coming Out Party: With one swoop, the dual listing will invigorate Shanghais technology-focused Star board and provide some welcome market buzz for Hong Kong. Chinese regulators held back approval for Ant to go public out of concern that the company had become too dominant. These concerns have since been assuaged. The regulatory push has turned Ant into more of a platform than a seller of its own proprietorial products. It now supplies digital infrastructure to financial institutions rather than competing with them. By last year, the company drew half its revenue from local merchants and finance firms, and forecasts that to rise to more than 80% in five years.  Nisha Gopalan
Health Minister to receive latest scientific advice on use of face coverings in secondary schools

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Aug 25th, 2020

Advice on whether secondary school children in Wales will be required to wear face masks when the new term starts in September, could be released within the coming days.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said that he had asked the Children and Schools Advisory Group of the Scientific Technical Advisory Group to consider the current guidance in Wales and if it needs to be changed. He will also be meeting the group later on today.

He added that the balance of harm for children and young people with additional needs is considered if any changes to guidance are made.

It comes after it was confirmed that Scottish secondary school pupils will have to wear face coverings in corridors, communal areas and school buses from next Monday.

During the Scottish government daily coronavirus briefing on Monday, Nicola Sturgeon said her government was in the final stages of consulting teachers and local authorities on a recommendation for the use of face coverings by staff and pupils in secondary schools when moving around corridors and communal areas.

Last week the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued advice last week saying children over the age of 12 should wear masks.

The latest advice states that children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults, in particular when they cannot guarantee at least a 1-metre distance from others and there is widespread transmission in the area.

The WHO guidance says that children aged five years and under should not be required to wear masks but that any decision to use masks for children aged 6-11 should be based on whether there is widespread transmission in the area where the child resides and the ability of the child to safely and appropriately use a mask.

Speaking at todays Welsh Government briefing, Mr Gething said: We need to have the advice and ministers need to make choices. And I recognise we need to make those choices sooner rather than later.

Scotland have made a change after their schools have been open essentially, for two weeks, I would much rather that were in a position if theres going to be any change included, even if that change is just around guidance as opposed to mandating anything, that were able to do so by the end of tomorrow.

Were not looking to make a decision late in the week when theres a Bank Holiday weekend, just before schools are due to reopen.

I I need to see the advice and will then need to make some decisions where I can then forecast and come out with what that then means.

But well look to have that conversation early with both local government and the education representatives. So theres plenty of work to do over the next few days and that is all is a case where a new piece of evidence emerges.
The head of the ICBF has moved to reassure farmers that its Economic Breeding Index (EBI) is working at farm and industry level, after it confirmed in recent weeks the EBI value of some animals was over-predicted.

ICBF CEO Sean Coughlan said the issue that has emerged is a consequence of the increasing of usage of genomic sires as sires of bulls within the national breeding programme.

Only 19pc of young AI sires purchased in 2020 had a sire in the training population. This compares with 98pc for sires purchased in 2017, said Coughlan.

While this is very positive from a genetic gain perspective, it results in a widening of the gap between the young sire receiving his first genomic evaluation and a reliable ancestor in the training population, on which to help stabilise the proof.

To address this, ICBF will be applying a cap on the impact that genomics can have on an animals proof. The net effect will be to reduce the average EBI of genomic bulls in active AI by some 30-40.

According to Coughlan, there will be little change in the overall ranking of bulls .

The majority of farmers are not going to see major changes on their herd EBI reports. The changes on cow EBIs will not be that significant. The biggest change will be seen on the 2020-born calves, for those that have been genotyping their young calves.

The changes will become effective as part of the next official evaluation run, due on October 6.

Addressing some farmer frustration in relation to the over-prediction, Coughlan said the EBI is working at farm and industry level.

For example, over the last 10 years, six-week calving rate has increased from 52pc to 65pc, while milk solids/cow have increased from 359kg/cow to 419kg/cow. Combined, these improvements are worth some 4c/L to farmers in milk price terms.

While not all of this is due to EBI, farmers will readily acknowledge that they are milking better cows now than they were 10 years ago.

The challenges that we are now seeing are consistent with experiences in other countries, such as the US, the Netherlands and Germany.

To help manage this risk and maximise the benefits from this technology, farmers should always use teams of young AI bulls equally on their dairy herd, when breeding their herd replacements.
Netcetera is Mastercard's exclusive 3-D Secure testing partner to help retailers and other businesses ensure they are ready to comply with PSD2. Mastercard and Netcetera, the market leader for 3DS and EMVCo associate, are supporting merchants to improve their transactions and conversion rates. This is the first time that merchants are able to run tests in their live online shops.

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Improving the conversion rate in e-commerce checkouts is a top priority for every merchant. With increasing numbers in online payments, consumers demand fast and easy, yet secure services. In Europe, the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) protects consumers from unauthorized online payments with their credit or debit card. The hard enforcement of the PSD2 Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements begins on 31 December 2020 in most EEA countries. Furthermore, the Mastercard Identity Check program mandates that the error rates from 3DS 2.x authentications are below 1%.

Mastercard partnered with Netcetera to help merchants become ready for EMV(R) 3DS 2.x requirements and the Mastercard Identity Check program. The test program runs on the Netcetera 3DS Access Control Server (ACS) that is certified to the latest 3DS 2.2 standard. Merchants are able to test different transactions in the live system, directly in their online shop, with test cards from Mastercard. There are 19 different test cases including frictionless flows, challenge flows through different channels, or exemptions from SCA. With these tests, they can detect if their 3DS implementation complies with the EMV and Mastercard requirements. They can easily detect the reasons for errors and eliminate them where possible to improve the approved transaction rate.

Christopher Omloo, responsible for the Secure Digital Payment Business Development at Netcetera, says: "As an early adopter, our 3DS product portfolio is always among the first to comply with the latest 3DS protocols. Therefore, we are very happy to team up with Mastercard to further improve the quality of payment transactions for merchants."

Story continues

Michael Sass, Vice President Product Management Security Solutions at Mastercard adds: "It is critical that retailers and other businesses prepare now to be able to continue offering their customers the best shopping experience once the new regulatory requirements have become effective at the end of the year. This testing platform is a significant step in helping them prepare in the most efficient way."

Note:

EMV(R) is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries and an unregistered trademark elsewhere. The EMV trademark is owned by EMVCo, LLC.

Media contact

Netcetera

Angelika Seiler

Head of Content Marketing & PR

angelika.seiler@netcetera.com

+41 44 297 58 09

About Netcetera

Netcetera supports its customers worldwide with cutting-edge services, products and custom software. As market leader in 3-D Secure in the DACH region, the software company offers innovative digital payment solutions with a strong focus on convenience, security and mobile use. More than 2,000 banking institutions and issuers, and 60 thousand merchants rely on its high-quality, scheme certified products for 3-D Secure, mobile contactless payment, digital wallets, risk-based and convenient authentication or digital banking apps for optimized banking. With headquarters in Switzerland, Netcetera employs 600 experts in Europe, Asia and the UAE. The company operates 24/7 PCI-certified digital payment services covering all major card networks and serves over 30 million cards.

More information: netcetera.com

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

Follow us on Twitter @MastercardEU @MastercardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau

SOURCE: Netcetera AG via EQS Newswire





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/603203/Netcetera-and-Mastercard-Launch-3DS-Testing-Platform-for-Retailers




By Associated Press

BERLIN: Tests conducted on Russian dissident Alexei Navalny at a German hospital indicate that he was poisoned, but doctors said on Monday that he was being treated with an antidote and his life was not in immediate danger.

The Charite hospital said in a statement that the team of doctors who have been examining Navalny since he was flown from Siberia and admitted Saturday have found indications of "cholinesterase inhibitors" in his system.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had personally offered Germany's assistance in treating Navalny before he was brought to Berlin, said in view of the findings and his "prominent role in the political opposition in Russia, authorities there are now called upon urgently to investigate this crime in detail and in full transparency."

ALSO READ | Russia medics deny outside pressure on Navalny treatment

"Those responsible must be identified and held accountable," Merkel said.

Cholinesterase inhibitors are a broad range of substances that are found in several drugs, but also pesticides and nerve agents.

Charite said the specific substance to which Navalny was exposed is not yet known.

"The patient is being treated in intensive care and remains in medically induced coma. While his condition is serious, it is not currently life-threatening," the hospital said in a statement.

Cholinesterase inhibitors act by blocking the breakdown of a key chemical in the body, acetycholine, that transmits signals between nerve cells.

This results in overstimulation of the junction between nerves and muscles.

Each year hundreds of thousands of people suffer from cholinesterase inhibitors poisoning, mostly due to exposure to pesticides.

Navalny is being treated with the antidote atropine, the hospital said.

"Alexei Navalny's prognosis remains unclear; the possibility of long-term effects, particularly those affecting the nervous system, cannot be excluded," it said.

The hospital added that it has been in close contact with Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, who visited her husband in the Berlin hospital on Sunday and Monday.

Navalny, a politician and corruption investigator who is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics, fell ill on a flight back to Moscow from Siberia on Thursday and was taken to a hospital in the city of Omsk after the plane made an emergency landing.

His supporters believe that tea the 44-year-old drank was laced with poison and that the Kremlin is behind both his illness and a delay in transferring him to Germany.

German authorities posted a special detail of federal agents and city police at the hospital once Navalny arrived on Saturday out of suspicion he had been the victim of an attack.

"It was obvious that after his arrival, protective precautions had to be taken," Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, told reporters Monday.

Navalny's team last week submitted a request in Russia to launch a criminal probe, but as of Monday, Russia's Investigative Committee still has not opened a case, Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said.

Yarmysh pointed out that Navalny's team insisted the politician had been poisoned "from the very beginning, despite statements of the Omsk doctors and state propagandists."

Now our words have been confirmed by tests in independent laboratories.

"Navalny's poisoning is no longer a hypothesis, it's a fact," Yarmysh said in a tweet.

Ilya Yashin, an opposition politician in Moscow and a close ally of Navalny, in a video statement Monday urged Russia's law enforcement to investigate "an attempt at the life of a public figure" and to look into the possible involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"It is Putin who benefits from these endless assaults," Yashin said.

The Kremlin has not commented on the allegation.

US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan said the Navalny case would on the agenda for Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun's visit to Russia that begins Tuesday.

"With Alexei Navalny in a hospital in Berlin, our dialogue with Russia must include reemphasizing the importance of free speech and civil society," he told reporters.

Navalny was flown to Germany on Saturday from Siberia after much wrangling over whether he was stable enough to be transported.

Before the Charite announcement, Russian doctors said Monday that two laboratories there had found no poisonous substances in Navalny's system.

"If we had found poisoning confirmed by something, it would have been much easier for us," said Anatoly Kalinichecnko, deputy chief doctor of the Omsk Ambulance Hospital No.1, where Navalny was treated.

"But we received a final conclusion from two laboratories that no toxic chemicals that can be considered poisons or by-products of poisons, were found."

The hospital's chief doctor, Alexander Murakhovsky, rejected allegations made by Navalny's team that doctors in Omsk had been acting in coordination with Russia's security services.

"We were treating the patient, and we saved him," Murakhovsky said.

"There wasn't and couldn't be any influence on the patient's treatment."

He wasn't able to identify men in plainclothes spotted in the hospital last week who the politician's allies said were law enforcement and security service agents.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week he didn't know anything about security service operatives being present at the hospital.

Like many other opposition politicians in Russia, Navalny has been frequently detained by law enforcement and harassed by pro-Kremlin groups.

In 2017, he was attacked by several men who threw antiseptic in his face, damaging an eye.
The Himachal Pradesh government has given its nod for the creation of 230 new panchayats from the existing 3,226, which fulfill the criteria, ahead of the panchayat polls.

A notification regarding this was issued on Monday. Out of more than 470 proposals received by the panchayati raj department, only 230 fulfilled the criteria approved by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur for creation of new panchayats.

Maximum 65 proposals from Mandi district have been approved while 33 new panchayats will be carved out in Kangra, said panchayati raj minister Virender Kanwar. Kullu will have 28 new panchayats, Shimla ,25, Chamba,18, Solan ,17, Bilaspur,14, Hamirpur,9, Sirmaur,8, Kinnaur,7, Lahaul-Spiti,4, and Una 2.

The state government has invited suggestions and objections from residents of the panchayats concerned till August 29. The same will be decided by the deputy commissioners within three days, who will send the final recommendations to the department.

With creation of new panchayats in the state, the total number will go up to 3,456.

In non-tribal areas, new gram panchayats from those existing are being created, where total population as per 2011 census is equal to and more than 2,000; number of households equal to and more than 500; number of villages equal to and more than five and distance of the farthest village from the existing headquarter of the gram sabha is equal to and more than five km subject to the condition that minimum resultant population of the existing and newly proposed gram panchayat before and after bifurcation is minimum 600.

The same criteria is applicable for backward areas.

In tribal areas, new gram panchayats from those existing will be created, where total population is equal to and more than 750, subject to the condition that minimum resultant population of the existing and newly proposed gram panchayat before and after bifurcation is minimum 300.
100%

Website job4u.ae uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery and Boostrap. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 80925 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 168452 bytes (164.50 kb uncompressed) and 30881 bytes (30.16 kb compressed).

This CoolSocial report was updated on 2022-01-01, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.
Thiruvananthapuram: High drama unfolded at the Kerala secretariat on Tuesday after a fire even as the opposition alleged foul play and called it an attempt to destroy evidence in a sensational gold smuggling case.

The fire was first noticed at 5.30pm and brought under control within 45 minutes. But opposition parties said there was a delay and many important files were destroyed  an allegation denied by the Left Front government, which suspected a conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.

P Hani, additional secretary of the general administration department, said a short circuit caused the fire and it damaged the office of the protocol officer. The protocol officer was summoned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) last week. Hani said none of the important files have been destroyed and they are all safe.

A senior fire force official told news agency PTI: We first opened the windows and doors to let the smoke out. As per our initial assessment, the source of the fire was a switch on the wall, from where the blaze spread to the floor. Some files were partially burnt.

BJP state president K Surendran, who arrived at the scene soon after the fire broke out, was arrested by the police for entering the complex. The police also denied entry to state opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, but later he was allowed to visit the spot after he threatened a dharna.

I was told some important files were gutted. It is sad that mediamen and leaders are not allowed to inspect the place. It is a big conspiracy to destroy evidence in the smuggling case, said Chennithala. He appealed to NIA to make this incident a part of its investigation, and later called on governor Arif Mohammad Khan.

Before his arrest, Surendran said: It is strange that the fire gutted the protocol officers room. He was in-charge of the CCTV visuals. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will have to answer many questions. The BJP announced a protest against Surendrans arrest.

The government denied the allegations, saying the Congress and the BJP were trying to give a political colour to the incident. They are trying to fuel violence even at the state secretariat. We will not allow this to happen, said state industry minister EP Jayarajan. It seems like a conspiracy was hatched to create a violent atmosphere there, he said.

Later, the chief secretary announced an inquiry into the incident.

The gold smuggling case at the centre of the controversy came to light on July 5 after custom officials seized 30kgs of gold from a consignment that came in the name of an employee of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) consular office in Thiruvananthapuram.

The case was handed over to NIA. The main accused, Swapna Suresh, and her accomplice were arrested from their hideout in Bangaluru. Also, CM Vijayan was forced to drop his secretary M Sivasankar, a senior Indian Administrative Service officer over his alleged links with Suresh.

Last month, NIA wrote to the chief secretary to provide footages from July 2019 to July 5, 2000. Initially, officials manning the control room said some cameras were damaged but later said visuals can be retrieved. The delay in the submission of important visuals added to the mystery.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
URUMQI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Post-2000s Mukadas Ali received a special coming-of-age gift -- the unforgettable experience of being involved in volunteer services in her local community amid the COVID-19 resurgence.

Encouraged by her mother who is also a volunteer, 18-year-old Mukadas Ali has been delivering groceries, dumping trash and taking care of solitary seniors since July 24 in Lengku community in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

After the city reported new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since mid-July, about 4 million residents had to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities to reduce possible cross-infections.

"In normal times, people can get what they need anywhere and at anytime, but this has become a tough task under closed-off management of residential communities," said Sheng Xiaoyu, a community Party secretary of the high-risk Tianshan District.

Sheng has to ensure that some 5,000 people in the community get their daily necessities.

Community workers in Urumqi faced unprecedented pressure and workloads. Fortunately, more than 210,000 volunteers across the city like Mukadas Ali joined in the anti-epidemic fight, delivering fresh vegetables and fruits from 491 grocery stores to community residents across the city every day.

Sheng said that the volunteers were well aware of the risk they might face, yet the risk did not hold them back in offering their services.

"Fighting against the epidemic requires everyone's efforts, and no one is a bystander," said Mukadas Ali who kept serving others though feeling exhausted every day. "Only in this way can our life return to normal as soon as possible."

Volunteers' caring and warm-hearted services went far beyond this. Communities in Urumqi also provided free commuting services for residents in urgent need, according to Liu Jun, an official with the municipal government.

Their selfless devotion has received a groundswell of support and trust amid the epidemic, Liu added.

The epidemic situation in Urumqi has been getting better. From July 15 to Monday, a total of 666 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery in the region, and 189 asymptomatic cases were released from medical observation.

Wang Zhiguo, a voluntary commuter vehicle driver, was lauded by netizens after lending his cell phone to a stranger without hesitation at the Urumqi airport. The man was about to fly to Chengdu, some 3,000 km away, to see his father who was severely ill.

"My phone suddenly turned off and didn't work. Without a phone I am unable to provide my health QR code to board the plane. I never thought he would lend it to me." said Peng Xuting, the anxious stranger.

"I would definitely regret it if I couldn't make to see my father one last time. Fortunately, I met Wang; he is such a kind man," Peng said.

Encouraged by a sense of achievement, Mukadas Ali ignored his exhaustion and became more motivated. "I hope people around me can feel the warmth. We will be closer and more united as we see each other again when the epidemic is over," she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 23:27:48|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BANGKOK, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Narcotics Suppression Bureau said Tuesday in a press briefing that border patrol police had intercepted two pickup trucks in Thailand's North-Eastern Province of Nakhon Phanom and seized 200 kilograms of dried marijuana.

The two drivers were arrested.

The arrest came after a tip-off that marijuana would be smuggled by long-tail boats across the Mekong river from Laos and then to Nakhon Phanom.

Border patrol police also discovered 200 compressed slabs of dried marijuana, each weighing 1 kilogram, stuffed in five bags.

The Narcotics Suppression Bureau said that an investigation is underway and it will coordinate with Laotian authorities in the investigation. Enditem
(CNN)  Even by the standards of a world leader navigating a pandemic, Boris Johnson has had a tumultuous 2020. The UK's Prime Minister returns to work on Monday, having spent a week on vacation with his fiancee and baby in Scotland.

The main charge is that Johnson's government took too long to take the virus seriously, meaning it had an inadequate testing regime, locked down too late and obsessively tried to handle the crisis from London. The result is that the UK has suffered the most deaths in Europe and the fifth most in the world, according to Johns Hopkins University.

During the crisis, Johnson's government has suffered multiple embarrassing scandals -- from his chief adviser being accused of breaking lockdown rules to a messy U-turn after nationwide confusion over schoolchildren's exam results led to protests in London.

Unfortunately for Johnson, life is unlikely to be much easier this fall. After an eventful summer, UK lawmakers return to parliament on September 1, giving Johnson's opponents in the Labour Party -- newly invigorated under the leadership of Keir Starmer -- a forum to hold him to account as numerous crises run into each other between now and the end of the year.

September is the month that large swaths of the country will attempt to return to some degree of normality. Students will go back to schools and universities, meaning parents who had been forced to stay at home to provide childcare can go back to work.

Having failed to get children back to school earlier in the summer, it will be vital for Johnson to oversee a successful start to the new school year in England next week. "I have previously spoken about the moral duty to reopen schools to all pupils safely, and I would like to thank the school staff who have spent the summer months making classrooms Covid-secure in preparation for a full return in September," Johnson said in a statement released Sunday night.

It is "vitally important" for all children to return to school after months of disruption, Johnson said.

The statement was widely interpreted in the British media as an attempt to demonstrate that Johnson was getting a grip on matters. But as more of the UK opens up, the risk of a spike in coronavirus cases increases. "All of these things could help the virus spread again, as potential contacts will be significantly increased," said Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading. He adds that as autumn rolls into winter, "people might think they have a normal winter cough or cold and take the virus into work, school or university."

The return of students to universities could pose a particular risk, said Rob Ford, professor of politics at the University of Manchester. "It will be a miracle if we don't have a major shutdown within a month of the university term starting," he said. "Around 500,000 students traveling from all over the country to mix with each other in high-density student housing and campuses."

Supporters of the government claim that it is essential for the UK economy, which contracted by 20% in the last quarter, to open up again. But health experts worry about the consequences. "If we go back to the same level of contact that we had in March then we will go back to the same level of epidemic growth," Graham Medely, professor of infectious disease modeling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told CNN.

This would be politically difficult for the government to handle. "It's quite possible we will need another round of extremely interventionist lockdowns, and in the six-month gap from the first lockdown, they have thrown away good will by looking like an incompetent shambles," said Ford.

Brexit challenges ahead

Another challenge in the fall is the rush for the UK to strike a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union. While both sides are committed to reaching an agreement, talks have not progressed significantly in some time. The current transition period with the EU expires on December 31.

Johnson, of course, led the campaign to leave the EU in 2016, resigned from Theresa May's government over what he called the softness of her Brexit policy, and ran his leadership campaign on a promise of taking a harder line with Brussels.

A UK government source, not authorized to speak on the record, told CNN that while a deal "can be done" by early October -- the absolute latest date in the eyes of the UK -- but that "doesn't mean it will." The source added that Brussels' negotiators still didn't really understand the UK's position and that lack of process and a ticking clock meant the mood was gloomier than in previous rounds.

This feeling of not being understood is mutual. An EU official, also not authorized to speak on the record ,said: "There has to be a better understanding and awareness of our position and the reality of what leaving the EU means." That source thinks that the UK is holding out "in the hope that everything will be agreed at the end," but note that position is "full of risk" and might result in a rushed deal that isn't terribly worthwhile.

The timeframe is fraught, as much needs to occur between any agreement being reached and it becoming legally binding. Anton Spisak, a former Cabinet Office Brexit official, said that "even after a political deal is done, government lawyers have to 'scrub' the text to make sure it is actually legally operable, a process which can take months... The problem for Boris Johnson is that he has imposed the end-of-year deadline on himself, so he needs to find some legal solution to avoid falling off the potential cliff-edge."

Georgina Wright, a senior researcher at the Institute for Government thinktank, said the ratification process for the EU "means a vote in the Council (grouping of 27 member states) and the EU Parliament by 31 December," adding that the parliament has "been very clear that it will not be rushed into an agreement -- their last sitting is on 14 December."

The economic implications of no-deal are well known, but given the pandemic, there could also be political implications. "If there is no-deal then there is a real danger of both sides spiraling downwards and blaming one another, possibly ending in a nasty standoff," said Anand Menon, professor of European politics at King's College, London. "We saw during the early days of the pandemic the UK's reluctance to work with the EU in key areas. How bad could that get if talks end in October, then the virus surges in November?"

Of course, it could be the case that schools and universities reopen without a hitch and the economy starts to bounce back. The gloom around Brexit talks could be laying the ground for a stunning breakthrough. It is entirely possible that Johnson ends the year with his Brexit deal and the country on its way out of the pandemic, head held high.

Or everything might go wrong. "A spike in the virus, Brexit talks going badly, schools and universities having to shutdown, all of these things combined would create a tornado for the government," said Ford. "And if they handle these crises as incompetently as they've handled nearly everything else, the opposition just needs to start back and let them get on with trashing their credibility."

Either way, the next four months will not be easy for Johnson. Even if everything goes the way he wants, so much of how that happens is out of the Prime Minister's hands. And if the worst-case scenario comes true, he might be faced with the unenviable reality of having to make some tough decisions as to how Brits will be allowed to celebrate the Christmas period.

This story was first published on CNN.com Boris Johnson attempts to grip UK schools crisis as political disaster looms
Savage X Fenty ambassador Chantel Jeffries straddled the lens while modeling new pieces from Rihanna's two-year-old lingerie label for a steamy shoot on Monday.

The 27-year-old DJ-vlogger flaunted her phenomenal 5ft5in figure in the bra brand's black caviar logo-print $24.95 'Cotton Essentials' bralette and matching $14.95 'Cotton Essentials' thong.

Chantel - who boasts 8.1M social media followers - styled her raven locks in two French braids and she played up her big brows and green eyes with make-up.

Unique angle: Savage X Fenty ambassador Chantel Jeffries straddled the lens while modeling new pieces from Rihanna's two-year-old lingerie label for a steamy shoot on Monday

Jeffries' scantily-clad post received glowing comments from model Delilah Belle Hamlin and stylist Chloe Bartoli.

That same day, the Come Back to Me songstress enlisted her gal pal Alissa Violet - sporting sweats - to help her 'rate' several new Savage X Fenty items.

Chantel scored a '12' out of 10 from the 24-year-old influencer for her $44.95 lavender 'T-Shirt' bra and matching $16.95 'Microfiber High Leg' bikini with logo waistband.

Somehow Jeffries also found time to upload two bikini-clad dancing videos on TikTok that same day.

Back it up: The 27-year-old DJ-vlogger flaunted her phenomenal 5ft5in figure in the bra brand's black caviar logo-print $24.95 'Cotton Essentials' bralette and matching $14.95 'Cotton Essentials' thong

Side view: Chantel - who boasts 8.1M social media followers - styled her raven locks in two French braids and she played up her big brows and green eyes with make-up

Representing: Jeffries' scantily-clad post received glowing comments from model Delilah Belle Hamlin and stylist Chloe Bartoli

The Chinese company filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday arguing that the president's executive order banning the popular social media app is unconstitutional.

The Cali-born, North Carolina-raised dimpled beauty capped off her day with a kiss from her Grammy-winning boyfriend, Andrew 'Drew' Taggart.

Chantel and the Maine-born 30-year-old were first spotted together at David Grutman's Super Bowl LIV bash back in February, but they went public with their romance on July 27.

It was the same day New York Governor Andrew Cuomo blasted Drew's band The Chainsmokers for 'egregious social distancing violations' for performing at a packed Safe & Sound charity concert in Southampton.

'Wow!' That same day, the Come Back to Me songstress enlisted her gal pal Alissa Violet (L) - sporting sweats - to help her 'rate' several new Savage X Fenty items

Impressed: Chantel scored a '12' out of 10 from the 24-year-old influencer for her $44.95 lavender 'T-Shirt' bra and matching $16.95 'Microfiber High Leg' bikini with logo waistband

Busy on all platforms: Somehow Jeffries also found time to upload two bikini-clad dancing videos on TikTok that same day

Fighting back: The Chinese company filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday arguing that the president's executive order banning the popular social media app is unconstitutional

'I am appalled. The Department of Health will conduct an investigation,' the 62-year-old politician tweeted.

'We have no tolerance for the illegal & reckless endangerment of public health.'

As of Monday, there have reportedly been 434K confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York state leading to over 32K deaths.

Before Taggart, Jeffries was said to have previously dated men like Machine Gun Kelly, Wilmer Valderrama, Travis Scott, Justin Bieber, and Diplo.

'Back w bb': The Cali-born, North Carolina-raised dimpled beauty capped off her day with a kiss from her Grammy-winning boyfriend, Andrew 'Drew' Taggart

Instagram official: Chantel and the Maine-born 30-year-old were first spotted together at a Super Bowl LIV bash back in February, but they went public with their romance on July 27
Thailands student-led protest movement shows no signs of diminishing, as major rallies erupted over the past few days in the northeastern region of Isan. For more than a month now, large anti-government protests have been held almost daily.

Last weeks police operation, in which seven student leaders were arrested on charges including sedition, has done little to intimidate or stifle the growing movement.

On Thursday, a protest in the northeastern city of Khon Kaen was organised by a local student group called Khon Kaens Had Enough. Around 1,000 people, mostly high school students, gathered at the Chao Por Lak Muang Shrine, where numerous students were invited on stage to deliver speeches.

The protests organisers also performed a Buddhist ritual, intended to chase Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha out of power. A main road was closed for the event, which drew a much larger crowd than anticipated.

Nakhon Ratchasima protest on Thursday, Credit: @arthemmarach (Twitter)

Siwakorn Namnuad, a leader of Khon Kaens Had Enough, told Khaosod reporters that Thursday was the first large-scale protest in the city centre. He noted the crowds enthusiastic response to the three demands of the protest movement: to dissolve parliament, end intimidation of political opponents, and rewrite the constitution.

If our demands are not met, we will increase the scale of our operations. Students are ready to call for change; we are waiting for working age people to join us, Siwakorn said. Opposition in Thailands rural north and northeast to Prayuts military-controlled government has meant that the movement is expanding beyond high schools and universities in the region.

Another large demonstration was held on Thursday at the Yo Ma Monument in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima. As in Khon Kaen, the crowd was estimated at over 1,000, while the stage was dominated by high school pupils.

Speakers denounced the 250 senators in office, all of them appointed by the military junta that assumed power in 2014, under Prayuts leadership. They also made special appeals for the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, widely despised for his critical role in the military coup and involvement in a 2018 corruption scandal.

Khon Kaen was the location for another rally on Saturday, arranged by student organisations from nine provinces under the name of the Isan Liberation Network. At the same time, a protest in Ubon Ratchathani was notable for the appearance of Parit Chirawak, a central leader of the Free Youth movement that has orchestrated the Thai protests.

In the north, a significant student rally within the grounds of Chiang Mai University was held by student group Community of MorChor. Attendance was so much greater than expected that the venue overflowed with students, and barriers had to be dismantled to accommodate members of the public drawn to the event. Police officers were reportedly scattered through the crowd taking pictures of the organisers.

According to Prachatai, student representatives on stage read out a list of Chiang Mai University students who had been killed during the bloody Thammasat University massacre in 1976. They also read the names of members of the Farmers Federation of Thailand (FFT), involved in the peasant revolts of the 1970s, who died in the massacre.

One student leader called on the Red Shirts movement to participate more openly in upcoming protests. The Red Shirts, supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, staged mass demonstrations in Bangkok in 2010, and were largely based in the north and northeast.

Anti-government activity in Bangkok, meanwhile, has continued since the August 16 rally, which drew tens of thousands of people and was the largest demonstration since the 2014 coup.

Around 400 high school students from across the capital besieged the Ministry of Education on Wednesday, showing the three-fingered salute in solidarity with the protests. When Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan and his aides appeared outside, the students treated them with contempt, jeering loudly and making thumbs-down gestures and then ordered them to the back of the crowd.

Some students blew whistles as he tried speaking to them, a disruptive tactic notoriously used in the 2014 protests that helped trigger the military coup, in which Nataphol himself had played a role.

Students from Rajini School, a private girls school in Bangkok, yesterday wore white ribbons (a symbol of the protests), even after the schools administration banned all forms of political expression on campus. A group of nearly 1,000 alumnae have signed an open letter to protest the ban.

On Sunday, students from four major Bangkok universitiesKasetsart, Silpakorn, Bangkok, and Rangsitassembled on Sunday at the Lan Khon Meaung Square in Phra Nakhon district.

Nakhon Ratchasima protest on Thursday, Credit: @arthemmarach (Twitter)

They were campaigning against the state persecution of political activists, in particular those condemned under the countrys draconian lese majeste law, which criminalises any alleged criticism of the Thai monarchy. The student leaders announced that they would gather more often every time the government used the law to arrest protesters.

The response of Prayuts government to the protest movement changed markedly after a rally on August 3, when student leaders added to the three initial demands a call to reform the monarchy.

King Vajiralongkorns ties with the military-backed government, along with his personal possession of crown assets, has provoked hostility throughout the population. This was demonstrated in the outrage on social media when Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the disbanded Future Forward Party, exposed a steep rise in the annual budget for Palace agencies over the last three years.

The amount was pegged at $US285 million for the next fiscal yearup 16.8 percent from last year, compared to a 3.1 percent rise in the overall national budget, Nation Thailand reported.

After the seven arrests last week, protest leader and vocal critic of the monarchy Panupong Jaadnok was arrested yesterday on sedition charges related to his participation in the August 10 rally, where a manifesto of 10 demands for monarchy reform was declared. Yesterday evening, he was transported to a police station in Pathum Thani, where Parit Chirawak said a protest would be held in his defence.

Two organisers of a student rally in the northern city of Lamphun have been ordered to report to police and hear charges against them. One of the students, Thanatorn Vitayabenjang, said in an interview with Al Jazeera: Theres been many cases where [police] tried to report protesters, but at the end of the day, after everyone is over that fear, it becomes a catalyst to come out more and go against the government.

Many more protests are planned for the coming weeks. In Nakhon Ratchasima, protesters announced that a major student rally would take place on September 19 at Thammasat Universitys main Tha Prachan campus in Bangkok. Free Youth has not yet revealed details, but stated its plans to camp out overnight, in what could be a massive rally of students and broader sections of society.

The Bangkok Post reported that security agencies were fearful of the upcoming protests. A meeting between Prime Minister Prayut and high-ranking military generals was held on Friday, in which preparations for possible mass upheavals were discussed.
Police issue stark warning against holding illegal raves in North Wales over Bank Holiday weekend

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Aug 25th, 2020

A stark warning has been issued by police to anyone planning to hold an illegal rave over the Bank Holiday weekend:

North Wales Police has launched Operation Blue Forest as a direct response to reports of unlicensed music events being arranged for this weekend.

Officers say they have tried to hold discussions with the organisers of previous gatherings.

They said holding such events would pose a significant risk particularly with the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing.

Superintendent Jason Devonport said: Preventing these events from taking place is incredibly important to ensure the safety of everyone across north Wales.

These raves pose significant risks, and we are committed to working with our local authority partners and key stakeholders to prevent further unlicensed events from taking place.

We will be actively patrolling the road network across north Wales over the next few days to disrupt any such incidents.

These types of events are unacceptable, and especially with the ongoing threat of Covid-19 they put lives at risk; they will not be tolerated.
STOCKHOLM (dpa-AFX) - Sweden's producer prices declined for the seventh month in a row in July, figures from Statistics Sweden showed on Tuesday. The producer price index declined 4.9 percent year-on-year in July, following a 3.8 percent fall in May. This was the seventh consecutive fall in prices. Import prices declined 6.0 percent yearly in July and decreased 0.1 percent from a month ago. Export prices declined 6.3 percent annually in July and fell 0.7 percent from the previous month. On a monthly basis, producer prices fell 0.7 percent in July. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The world's biggest iron ore miner is cutting the bonuses of three senior executives by almost 4m following the destruction of a 46,000-year-old Aboriginal site  but they will still keep their jobs.

Rio Tinto  whose shares are listed on the FTSE 100 index in London  blew up the two ancient caves in Pilbara, Western Australia in May to make way for a new mine.

The levelling of the sacred Juukan Gorge rock shelters  which were nine times older than Stonehenge  was opposed by the local Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people (PKKP).

Sacred rage: A protester at a rally outside Rio Tintos office in Perth, in June this year

And it fuelled a wider public outcry that led to an inquiry into how the blast was legally sanctioned.

The caves were among the oldest historic sites in Australia and showed evidence of continuous human habitation dating back 46,000 years. Rio Tinto said yesterday that while the company 'had obtained legal authority' to destroy the mines, the move 'fell short of the standards and internal guidance that Rio Tinto sets for itself over and above its legal obligations'.

Rio Tinto cut the bonus of chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques by 2.7m.

He was paid 5.8m last year and last week admitted he had not read an archaeological report commissioned by the firm that concluded the rock shelters were of the 'highest archaeological significance in Australia'.

Chris Salisbury, chief executive of its iron ore business, and Simone Niven, group executive of corporate relations, will lose pay outs of more than 500,000 each. Rio Tinto chairman Simon Thompson said: 'It is clear that no single individual or error was responsible for the destruction of the Juukan rock shelters, but there were numerous missed opportunities over almost a decade and the company failed to uphold one of Rio Tinto's core values  respect for local communities and for their heritage.'

But the financial penalties fell short of the management overhaul demanded by some investors who have criticised Rio Tinto's leadership and lack of accountability. 'Irreplaceable cultural heritage has been lost and the only consequence for any of the senior leadership at Rio is the loss of a bonus  not even their job,' said a spokesman for shareholder advocacy group the Australasian Corporate Centre for Responsibility.

'Rio's board could have acted decisively. This soft touch, public relations-oriented review calls into question the suitability of every board member.'

Louise Davidson, chief executive of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors, said: 'Remuneration appears to be the only sanction applied to executives. This raises the question  does the company [Rio Tinto] feel that 4m is the right price for the destruction of cultural heritage?'

After the caves were destroyed, PKKP representative John Ashburton said losing the site was a 'devastating blow'.

'There are less than a handful of known Aboriginal sites in Australia that are as old as this one. Its importance cannot be underestimated,' he said.

'Our people are deeply troubled and saddened by the destruction of these rock shelters and are grieving the loss of connection to our ancestors as well as our land.'
District magistrate Kaushalraj Sharma has written a letter to Professor Rakesh Bhatnagar, vice-chancellor at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), urging him to constitute a high-level committee to probe the deaths of two Covid-19 patients who were undergoing treatment at Sir Sundar Lal (SSL) Hospital of the central university.

Sharma also said a magisterial inquiry had already been ordered into the two incidents. A two-member team will probe the incidents and submit its report within a fortnight, he added.

In the first incident on August 23, a 21-year-old Covid-19 patient allegedly died by jumping off the fourth floor of the SSL hospital where he was admitted, doctors treating said.

The kin of the deceased alleged negligence on part of the hospital  a charge denied by the hospital. Hospital medical superintendent Professor SK Mathur said the patient was admitted to the emergency of the SSL hospital on August 16 due to some mental illness. During treatment, his sample was sent for Covid-19 test on August 19 and his report came positive on August 22 following which he was moved to a Covid-19 ward the same day.

Also read: Covid-19 patient at BHU hospital disappears, body recovered from premises

He was being treated by experts. The behaviour of the patient was very unusual. He would leave his bed and go to other patients. Even on August 23, the patient made a bid to jump through the window. He was pacified and brought back to the bed. He was given medication and counselled, Mathur said.

In the second incident, the body of a 25-year-old coronavirus patient, who went missing from the Covid-19 ward of the SSL hospitals super-speciality block two days ago, was recovered from the hospital premises on Monday night, a university official said.

Mathur said it appeared that the patient had tried to come down from the second floor of the hospital building with the help of a pipe and fell as the pipe broke. The body was found below after which the hospital staff and security personnel immediately took it to the mortuary. The hospital administration then informed the police.

Earlier, an FIR was registered in connection with the patients disappearance following a complaint by his family members, inspector Mahesh Pandey, station officer at Varanasis Lanka police station, said on Monday.

According to the family, the patient had suffered injuries in a road accident on August 11 and was admitted to the BHU trauma centre the same day, the police said.

Two days later, his Covid-19 test was done and he tested positive. Thereafter, he was moved to a Covid-19 ward at the super-speciality block of Sir Sundar Lal Hospital. He spoke to his mother on August 22 through the window of the building, the family told the police. At that time, he had pleaded his mother to take him home, the family added.
The future of local police departments has become a top election issue. Rasmussen released recent polls showing that Americans pay close attention to debates about law and order. For instance, 50% of likely voters want to see harder crackdowns on urban unrest, while only 38% support continuing protests in cities. Overall, 72% are concerned about recent reports of urban violence. Over 60% of Americans said their feelings about the protests will have an effect on their November voting.

Perhaps we have found the Democrats' Kryptonite. Conservatives have noticed for quite some time that the left never showed adequate concern about far-left extremism (listen here). The far left has greater numbers and, unlike the far right, is entrenched in major institutions like colleges. The far left hopes to claim the anti-police violence as a historic win for its side (see here). Democrats can't claim that the Floyd protests had nothing to do with rioting.

Protests have become linked in Americans' minds with riots. The organization seen as leading these demonstrations was Black Lives Matter (BLM), whose premier issue was defunding or abolishing the police. BLM leaders like Alicia Garza never hid their intent. Most BLM activists rejected talk of mere reform as too weak and compromising.

Attempts by skittish Democrats like Jim Clyburn to disown anti-police slogans can't undo the effect of many fellow Democrats' embracing of a group whose trademark demand is shutting down police. While some Democrats insist that "defunding" means simply reinvesting in alternatives to standard policing, Americans remain wholly unsupportive of replacing their local police departments with social workers, mental health respondents, charities, community elders, or healers  all stand-ins put forward by advocates of taking away police funding and firing cops.

The Democrats have wedded themselves to Black Lives Matter and Antifa. Let's consider the widely ridiculed video broadcast at the Democratic National Convention, a montage of anti-police rallies. A compilation of recent Black Lives Matter and far-left protests plays in the background. Cross-dressing Billy Porter, sporting high heels and draped in a cheap split-trained cape reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn's famous gown in Sabrina  sings a Buffalo Springfield classic from 1967  "Stop, Hey, What's That Sound?"

Perhaps to offset Porter's effeminacy, the producers chose to include images of 75-year-old Stephen Stills, now plump and avuncular, dressed in a crumpled blazer and what looks like thick bifocals, floating around with his guitar like a straggler lost on his way to the fiftieth anniversary of Woodstock. The washed up septuagenarian and the gender-nonbinary curio float through the protesters like a drug-induced nightmare from The Big Lebowski.

What would alternatives to police look like?

Thanks to the left, we're stuck with police abolition movements. At least 13 cities have moved to defund the police, including small Norman, Oklahoma, and metropolises like New York and Austin. According to Forbes, 34% of Americans support defunding while 53% oppose it. Democrats must explain what the world will look like without local police departments. They say people will be kept safe by less violent experts: counselors, neighborhood organizers, clergy, artists, doctors, etc. They suppose that enforcement can be transferred into these community hands.

The Democrats' not so novel idea has been tried. Many times. Whatever rules a society promulgates, someone will break them, and communities need agents of enforcement, deterrence, and restitution. Absent a perfect deity to administer justice directly, we settle for flawed humans monitoring and limiting the behavior of other flawed humans. Past generations have tried to soften the harshness of policing by suggesting less overtly brutal agents of enforcement. Let's see which of these historical examples most resembles what will happen in America.

The Spanish Inquisition

Inquisition courts began long before the fifteenth century, but they took a special form under the leadership of Torquemada. Cecil Roth's Spanish Inquisition describes the history of this institution and the anti-Semitism with which history remembers it. After the establishment of a "Holy Office" in the late 1400s, the inquisitorial courts were not technically under the supervision of the crown. Neither were they subservient to the Vatican. Their investigation of crimes against the Christian faith, as well as their determination of penalties, developed all the worst aspects of standard policing with none of the public accountability. In a 2005 history, Joseph Perez characterizes the Inquisition as "a religious institution at the service of the state."[1] This means tribunals, torture chambers, spies on every corner  the first Deep State.

The French Terror

In rejecting the Bourbon order, French revolutionaries, particularly the Jacobins, wanted to do away with the guards and prisons associated with kings and aristocrats. Several alternatives arose, such as the famous "Committee of Public Safety." The most famous iteration, however, became "the Terror," a massive and decentralized form of discipline based on a "familial" model. According to Colin Jones's review of Jean-Pierre Gross's research into the Terror, the Jacobins emphasized the Revolution as "a 'familial event,'" which other historians astutely perceived as a "band of bloodthirsty patricidal brothers."[2] Few people today think of the Terror as a family gathering, associating it rather with the guillotine and mass executions before screaming mobs.

The Gestapo

Seventy-five years ago, shortly after losing his office to the Labor Party, Winston Churchill said in a speech, "No Socialist Government conducting the entire life and industry of the country could afford to allow free sharp or violently worded expressions of public discontent[.] ... They would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo, no doubt very humanely directed [as] in the first instance."[3] While Churchill was forcefully condemned for likening socialists to the Gestapo, his point still holds. Secret police such as the Gestapo or Stasi arise, we must remember, as alternatives to standard policing, and often with the same high-minded ideals. The idea behind such units was to enforce laws without the public feeling openly savaged.

The Harper Valley PTA

Less ominous but still troubling is the possibility that Democrats will replace police departments with snooping prudes like the ones described in the sixties classic "Harper Valley PTA." In the song, "The note says, Mrs. Johnson, you're wearing your dresses way too high." While the song's fun treatment of hypocrisy made for comedy gold in the 1978 film version starring Barbara Eden, we should remember the eyewitness accounts from communist countries like Cuba and East Germany. Often community associations in such countries had structures similar to the Harper Valley PTA, but their snooping into people's personal lives could end with imprisonment or loss of their children.

The Scarlet Letter

Before you rush to reassign police duties to community elders and "healers," reread Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic about seventeenth-century Massachusetts. While Hawthorne's heroine Hester Prynne is not accused of being a witch, the same community that forces her to wear a scarlet A lives in our collective memory as the site of witch trials. When you try to avoid the brute force of police action with the seemingly gentler touch of community counselors and advisers, you can easily end up with mob rule. The mob is not always a bunch of strangers dragging people to the guillotine. A mob can also comprise gossiping and priggish neighbors who know so much about you that they know how to condemn and punish you.

Ingsoc

Winston Smith, the main character in George Orwell's unforgettable 1984, works for an entity that wants to instill love with no visceral discord. The book closes, after all, with Winston saying he loves Big Brother and embraces all the rules and regulations of the dystopian state. To arrive at such a feeling of love, he is monitored by government agents, stripped of his privacy, trapped in "Room 101," and ritually tortured until he has a massive breakdown. When we want to replace the police with something else, we must ask, what is it we want to be rid of? The uncomfortable visible signs that we are being policed? If so, the danger is that our replacement will work with propaganda and secret torture  "re-education"  to fix problems. We end up with Ingsoc, the political party in charge of Smith's nation.

The Manson Family

The leftists who decry police brutality often romanticize community. They do this even as they follow the lead of Marx's Communist Manifesto and reject nuclear families. Black Lives Matter, for instance, rejects "patriarchal practice," seeks to "disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement," and envisions family as the "global Black family." These heady redefinitions of "family" as the community model, put forward in conjunction with calls to dismantle the "police function," are not new. Cults have carried out these ideas in the past, with one of the most famous being "The Family," controlled by murdering psychopath Charles Manson.

The Symbionese Liberation Army

When leftists talk about defunding the police, remember that they don't want the police's work to disappear; they want to transfer that work elsewhere. There is always the possibility that the transferred duties will include armed and violent enforcement. Like the Manson "Family," the Symbionese Liberation Army had strange racial and sexual obsessions  but this bizarre cult grew directly out of a movement to abolish prisons and police. They did not do away with weapons. Rather, they stockpiled weapons for their own use. They used their arsenal to kidnap and imprison Patty Hearst in 1974.

The Ku Klux Klan

One of the most difficult truths about Jim Crow history is the rationale behind founding the Ku Klux Klan in 1865. After the Civil War, some Southerners came to hate what they saw as a police state. They viewed themselves as victims of Northern occupation and hated having Union troops police their communities. They believed that none of the institutions filling the Confederacy's vacuum were protecting them, so they started clubs as an alternative. The alternative ended up being racist terrorism.

Jonestown

Calls to defund or abolish the police always spring from utopian dreams. To dream of a world without the local police department is to dream about another plane of existence, where people magically coexist, cooperate, and treat each other well. Experiments based on this utopianism fill the dustbins of history, but none left as poisonous an aftertaste as Jonestown. Charming and handsome, fanatically religious, and heavily supported by San Francisco Democrats, Jim Jones led hundreds of followers to Guyana. He promised to found a loving community devoid of conflict, racism, or oppression. When things didn't work out, he convinced hundreds of Jonestown's residents to kill themselves and their children with poisoned Kool-Aid.

A world without cops: dream or nightmare?

We do not have to depend on the imagination to envision a world without a local police department. The things that we need police for  security, enforcement, investigation, discipline  do not go away when you eliminate local constabularies. These tasks slide into the hands of other social forces, which almost always function without transparency, due process, or consistency. They are never less violent or more merciful to those who break a society's value system.

Because Democrats cannot, in any realistic scenario, uncouple themselves from the "Defund the Police" movement, they have nowhere to go but down, all the way to the bottom of the sea. The question is whether they will take the rest of us with them or not. One thing will determine whether they sink alone or sink us, too  who wins the November election.

Robert Oscar Lopez can be followed at bobbylopez.me, on Twitter, or through his online podcast, The Big Brown Gadfly.

[1] A. Katie Harris, Review of Joseph Perez, The Spanish Inquisition: A History. Sixteenth-Century Journal, Vol. 38, No. 2 (Summer 2007), 611. [2] Colin Jones, review of Jean-Pierre Gross, Fair shares for all: Jacobin egalitarianism in practice (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997) in Economic History Review, New Series, Vol. 51, No. 3 (Aug. 1998), 624. [3] Winston Churchill, quoted in Richard Toye, "Winston Churchill's 'Crazy Broadcast': Party, Nation, and the 1945 Gestapo Speech." Journal of British Studies, Vol. 49, No. 3 (July 2010), 655.

Image: Johnny Silvercloud via Flickr (cropped).
While paleontologists have a wealth of vertebrate fossils at their disposal, their knowledge of the ecology of ancient extinct species, particularly regarding their relationship with invertebrate species, is relatively poor. As bones and hard shells fossilize much better than soft tissues and cartilage, scientists are limited in their ability to infer the presence of parasitic or symbiotic organisms living in or on these ancient vertebrates. As a result, relatively little is known about the evolutionary relationships between these ancient clades and their modern descendants.

All hope is not lost, though, as researchers can infer the presence of these small organisms from the footprints they left behind. These records are called trace fossils, or ichnofossils. One clear example of such ichnofossils is the boreholes that many mollusks make in the turtle shell remains and whale and fish bones on the ocean floor. However, to this date, there have been no indications that such species also lived in the shell while the turtle was alive and well.

In their recent study published in the journal Palaios, Assistant Professor Kei Sato from Waseda University and Associate Professor Robert G Jenkins from Kanazawa University focused on the trace evidence left on the carapace (shell) of an extinct basal leatherback marine turtle (Mesodermochelys sp.). The fossil was recovered from an Upper Cretaceous formation in Nio River, Japan, and the evidence in question were 43 tiny, flask-shaped boreholes all over the turtle shell fossil.

Eager to learn more about the organisms responsible for this, the scientists formulated a hypothesis, based on previous borehole evidence found on ancient marine turtle shells. After observing the fossil up close and measuring the morphological characteristics of the boreholes (see Figure), they produced a 3-dimensional reconstruction of the carapace and the cross-section of one of the boreholes, which allowed them to observe the intricate details left by the species.

Sato, who is the lead author of this study, elaborates on the surprising evidence they found, We saw that there were signs of healing around the mouth of boreholes, suggesting that the turtle was alive when the organisms settled on the carapace. Based on the morphology and positioning of the boreholes, they determined that the likely culprits for these boreholes were bivalves from the superfamily Pholadoidea, creatures similar to the modern clams. These sessile (or immobile) organisms normally require a stable substrate to bore into, and the turtle carapace was a suitable host. The fact that the host animal was swimming around freely probably helped, as this allowed exposure to new environments.

Sato and Jenkins identified the boreholes called Karethraichnus; however, they were unable to match the characteristics of the boreholes they found with those made by any currently described species. This only meant one thing: that they had stumbled onto a completely new species! They have accordingly named this new species as Karethraichnus zaratan.

Sato is excited about the implications of their findings, stating, This is the first study to report this unique behavior of boring bivalves as a symbiont of living marine vertebrate, which is a significant finding for the paleoecology and evolution of ancient boring bivalve clades. Previously, no such species had been shown to live on the carapace of living vertebrates. Instead, they were often reported to occur on the remains of marine turtles and other vertebrates, laying on the ocean floor alongside various decomposing organisms. By attaching themselves on a live, free-swimming substrate, such as the carapace of a marine turtle, these pholadoid bivalves may have paved the way for a novel, yet-unknown evolutionary path of accessing previously unexplored niches and diversifying into new species. As the tracemaker bivalves of Karethraichnus zaratan are considered to belong to one of the basal groups for Pholadoidea, this knowledge is crucial for understanding the evolutionary history of extant organisms in this group.

Reference

Authors: Kei Sato and Robert Jenkins

Title of original paper: Mobile home for pholadoid boring bivalves: first example from a late Cretaceous sea turtle in Hokkaido, Japan

Journal: Palaios

DOI: 10.2110/palo.2019.077

Affiliations: (1) Waseda University, Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-8050, Japan. (2) Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 9201192, Japan.
A team at Jodrell Bank spotted a pattern in the bursts (Getty)

Astronomers have welcomed back a mysterious radio burst from space, which repeats in a regular pattern lasting more than 100 days.

Researchers at Jodrell Bank Observatory in Macclesfield spotted the radio burst (FRB 121102), which repeated in a pattern lasting 90 days, followed by a silent period of 67 days.

This month, other telescopes have detected new bursts from the same location  and theyre on schedule, Science Alert reported.

Astronomers have urged observatories to monitor the location to see if it follows its predicted pattern, which would mean the bursts cease later this month or in early September.

Fast radio bursts are bright pulses of radio emission just milliseconds in duration, but incredibly energetic, detected by telescopes on Earth.

Theories of what causes the bursts range from highly-magnetised neutron stars blasted by a nearby supermassive black hole to signatures of technology developed by advanced civilisations.

Read more: Astronomers close in on source of mysterious radio bursts from space

Another team from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn, Germany, detected bursts between 2017 and June 2020, and predicted a "pattern" lasting 161 days, according to research uploaded to the pre-print server arXiv.

Researchers led by Pei Wang of Chinas National Astronomy Observatory monitored the location of FRB 121102 between March and July.

On 17 August, the team detected 12 bursts from the location.

Wang and his team wrote: With this putative period, the projected turn-off date is around August 31st - September 9th, 2020.

Alternatively, if the source is continuously on after the projected turning-off time, it suggests that the putative period of the source is not real or has evolution. We encourage more follow-up monitoring efforts from other radio observatories.

Earlier this year, researchers at Jodrell Bank analysed the Fast Radio Burst, or FRB, and found a cyclic pattern lasting 157 days.

Analysing 32 bursts, researchers noticed bursts observed in a window lasting approximately 90 days followed by a silent period of 67 days.

Story continues

Read more: What are fast radio bursts, and why do they look like aliens?

The presence of a repeating pattern could imply that the powerful bursts are linked to the orbital motion of a massive star, a neutron star or a black hole.

Dr Kaustubh Rajwade, of University of Manchester, who led the July research, said: "This is an exciting result as it is only the second system where we believe we see this modulation in burst activity.

Detecting a periodicity provides an important constraint on the origin of the bursts and the activity cycles could argue against a precessing neutron star."

Read more: Telescope detects 100 mysterious radio signals from billions of light years away

The existence of FRBs was only discovered in 2007 and they were initially thought to be one-off events related to a cataclysmic event such as an exploding star.

This picture partly changed once FRB 121102, originally discovered with the Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico on 2 November 2012, was seen to repeat in 2016.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK News
Jared Kushner will travel next Monday on the first direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi following a U.S.-brokered normalization agreement, the White House and the Israeli Prime Ministers Office announced.

Why it matters: Kushners trip will facilitate the beginning of direct talks on various aspects of the Israel-UAE normalization process amid tensions over a pending sale of F-35 jets from the U.S. to the UAE.

Kushner will be joined on the flight by a senior Israeli delegation led by Israel's national security adviser, Meir Ben-Shabbat.

In addition to Kushner, the U.S. delegation is expected to include national security adviser Robert O'Brien, special envoy Avi Berkowitz and Iran envoy Brian Hook, according to a White House official.

They will meet Sunday in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.

On Monday, the group will travel to Abu Dhabi for multiple meetings. The talks will focus on cooperation in civil aviation, tourism, trade, finance, health, energy and security, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said.

The latest: The UAE canceled a planned trilateral meeting with the U.S. and Israel last Friday to send a message to Netanyahu over his opposition to a pending arms deal between the U.S. and UAE. Go deeper.
United Nations, Aug 25 : A top UN official has called for attention to new challenges brought by the global coronavirus pandemic to counter-terrorism efforts.

"This pandemic environment raises several strategic and practical challenges for counter-terrorism," Undersecretary-General for UN Counter-Terrorism Office, Vladimir Voronkov told the Security Council on Monday.

The Islamic State (IS) and other terrorist groups seek to exploit the far-reaching disruption and negative socio-economic and political impacts of the pandemic, Xinhua news agency quoted Voronkov as saying.

Strengthening collective action and international counter-terrorism cooperation must remain a priority during and after the pandemic, he added.

Since the start of the year, there have seen contrasting regional disparities in the threat trajectory. In conflict zones, the threat has increased, as evidenced by the IS regrouping and increasing activity in Iraq and Syria.

In non-conflict zones, the threat appears to have decreased in the short term. Measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19, such as lockdowns and restrictions on movement, seem to have reduced the risk of terrorist attacks in many countries, said Voronkov.

Yet, there is a continued trend of attacks by individuals inspired online and acting alone or in small groups, which could be fueled by the IS opportunistic propaganda efforts during the Covid-19 crisis, he warned.

The pandemic's impact on recruitment and fundraising activities remains unclear, as its socio-economic fallout could exacerbate conditions conducive to terrorism and increase the medium- to long-term threat, both within and outside conflict zones, he said.

Voronkov also briefed the council on some developments in different regions concerning the IS.

In the Middle East, he said, the IS core has continued to consolidate its position in some areas previously under its control, operating increasingly confidently and openly.

More than 10,000 IS fighters are estimated to remain active in Iraq and Syria. There has been a significant increase in IS attacks in both countries in 2020 compared to 2019, he said.

Although the IS has only a few hundred fighters in Libya, it has been exploiting local tensions between ethnic groups.

It represents a potent threat capable of broader regional impact. The risk of escalation of the conflict in Libya could allow the IS to expand its activity, he warned.

In Asia, the IS affiliate in Afghanistan remains capable of high-profile attacks in various parts of the country despite continued territorial losses and the arrest of its leaders.

In Europe, the threat continues to come mainly from Internet-driven, homegrown terrorist radicalization, said Voronkov..

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The country-wide and global climate has put diversity, equity and inclusion at the forefront of many a conversation happening at the workplace. "Has this been made a priority?" "How important is this to our mission?" "How can we make sure we are enveloping differences of opinion in an inclusive environment at our jobs?" "How can we ensure this isn't just a flash in the pan topic?"

Meet three people in the Capital Region who are making these kinds of conversations a priority, particularly in workplaces.

Angela Antonikowski

Dr. Angela Antonikowski, chief officer of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Albany Medical Center, knows white patients often have better outcomes than Latino, Black and American Indian patients who seek medical care. In late June, the CDC reported evidence of higher rates among members of these ethnic groups for hospitalizations or deaths from COVID-19 than among white people.

At the same time, there are more white faces in medicine than there are from Latino, Black and American Indian communities  both at Albany Med and nationally. At Albany Med, 68 percent of the employees identify as white and 32 percent identify as non-white, specifically 13 percent identify as African American.

"It might be coincidence, but it's worth focusing on," Antonikowski said.

A clinical psychologist, Antonikowski has been interested in issues of diversity and inclusion since the early days of her training. She was intrigued by anti-social personalities and studied developmental pathways, curious to learn how people get to a point where they struggle with rule following. Knowing someone's background is key to properly treating patients, Antonikowski said. She takes the same approach to addressing equity at Albany Med.

"We have to change other systemic issues if we want to impact health care," she said.

Within the hospital environment, Antonikowski is striving for both diversity and inclusion.

"That's where the challenge lies," she said. "If you have a diverse set of experiences, you challenge the status quo and move the needle forward in terms of more effectively treating patients from a variety of backgrounds. But it's not enough to only have a diverse workforce. Members of minority groups need to be included in higher levels of management, also."

Antonikowski is heading up a Leadership Diversity Council, dedicated to increasing awareness and support of equity and inclusivity at the hospital.

Antonikowski is wary of the "minority tax," the circumstance when people of color in a workplace take on all the work of educating and mentoring when it comes to diversity and inclusion, but when it comes time for promotions and raises, those activities don't carry the same weight or value as the individual's work product.

Antonikowski's approach to fostering equity at Albany Med is also twofold. Although recruitment is important, it is not enough to recruit more people of color to work at the hospital, she said. She is also focused on the staff already in place, and getting feedback from staffers to find out what barriers exist to having an inclusive environment, where the gaps are, where the hospital's leaders can provide additional training.

Analyzing feedback taps into Antonikowski's skills as a clinical psychologist because her training was steeped in research and quantitative data. In addition to soliciting opinions from hospital employees, she wants to know how patients feel about their experience at the hospital.

"It's important to remember any health care organization is part of the larger community and the community influences how we move forward," Antonikowski said.

More Information  Not a member of Women@Work? Sign up at TUWomenatwork.com - and tell a friend. See More Collapse

While Antonikowski is Albany Med's first chief officer of health equity, diversity and inclusion (she is also associate dean for student wellness), she said there were already "fruitful roots" in place. Albany Med has Science and Technology Entry Program, part of the Division of Community Outreach and Medical Education at Albany Medical College. It enrolls highly motivated students in grades 7-12 historically underrepresented in the sciences or from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Service learning is also required of all medical students and the Underrepresented Student Association is an active student group on campus.

Amberly Carter

When Amberly Carter was a child growing up in Chicago, her mother would bring her to a cousin's house after church, where Carter sat on the couch, listening to the adults talk.

But the talk was not idle chatter, and the cousin wasn't only a grandmotherly figure to Carter. She was Mamie Till Mobley, whose son, Emmett Till, was murdered during a visit to Mississippi when he was 14, after he supposedly whistled at a white woman. Mamie Till Mobley spent her life seeking justice for her son. Carter became a social justice educator.

"I learned about activism from sitting at her table and on her couch listening to older people talk about race and racism," Carter said.

It was from Mobley that Carter learned about the power of words. Mobley, a special education teacher, taught her students and neighborhood kids speeches by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and instilled in them the belief that words and treating other people with kindness could end racism.

Carter went to Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., where she said she was like "a cocoa puff in a bowl of milk." She became the first Black person and first Black woman to lead the school's newspaper. All along, Carter said, she was learning about her identity and about racism in America. After earning her bachelor's degree, Carter went to the University of South Florida for a master's degree. Her first job out of grad school was with Upward Bound, a federally funded program that helps disadvantaged children prepare for college. She then worked on behalf of the Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation and the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation. In 2015, Carter moved to Albany to take a job at the University at Albany as the assistant director for Intercultural Student Engagement and coordinator of the Multicultural Resource Center & Interfaith Center.

She also founded the Mamie Till Mobley Enterprise.

"I wanted to facilitate dialogue, not just give one-time presentations," Carter said about her company.

She offers daylong workshops such as Anti-Racism Training, Social Justice 101 and Coalition Building. The courses are informed by Carter's personal experience. She reflects on the aftermath of George Floyd's killing on May 25 by a police officer in Minneapolis.

"Half of my colleagues wanted my opinion because I'm a woman of color and Emmett Till's cousin. The other half didn't talk to me about it at all, I think because they didn't know what to say," Carter said.

Some of the questions were inappropriate, Carter said. All of them were emotionally taxing  even the well-intentioned comments from white colleagues.

"I had to say, 'I appreciate the love you have for me and how you want to create peace in the world for me, but how can we march for peace when there is no justice?' We're not there yet. The way out of this Groundhog Day of Black murders is dialogue and then action," Carter said.

When she experienced people using her energy but failing to learn, she narrowed her message. She now pushes for people to commit to being antiracist, not just nonracist.

It is work that begins with choosing our words carefully. For example, Carter suggests moving away from words like "tolerance," which is civil and nonracist but not antiracist. It isn't welcoming and inclusive. She also chooses "accomplice" over "ally," a choice greeted by pushback, Carter said, because of its outlaw connotation  one Carter embraces.

"This work requires us to look at laws and see what is unjust or immoral, and then break or disrupt the law because the ideology behind it is racist. Slavery was legal but it wasn't right," she said. "I ask people to be accomplices in breaking those laws."

LB Hannahs

LB Hannahs has worked on both the frontline as an advocate for the LGBTQ community and behind the scenes where decisions were made that affect the community. The experiences taught Hannahs to be a bridge builder, translator and communicator.

"There area a lot of ways to make change happen, and there needs to be people on the outside and inside," Hannahs said.

Hannahs works as an inclusion development strategist at Tangible Development, an Albany-based company that provides diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and education.

It's busy work these days, following the death of George Floyd and protests for racial justice throughout the United States. The importance and seriousness of the work has become easier in some ways by the circumstances forced by the pandemic.

"Everyone is in a crisis and everyone is online," Hannahs said. "The pandemic pushed our work lives entirely online. That created a heightened need for check ins, flexibility around care, and the lines between people's personal lives, like parenting, and work are washed away. The blurring of those lines has increased stress levels," she said. "At the same time it's an equalizer. We are being forced to blur the lines between the personal and the professional and that naturally has created more space for people to bring their authentic selves. And being able to be your authentic self in the work context leads to more feelings of inclusion and belonging."

Hannahs' career started as a music teacher and continued in that sphere as a diversity practitioner in higher education. Hannahs spent seven years working with students and running a LGBTQ center. A native of Johnstown, Hannahs moved to Florida to take a job as the director of LGBTQ Affairs and coordinator for Social Justice Initiatives at the University of Florida. It was also at UF that Hannahs earned a doctorate degree in higher education administration and policy and stepped into the executive level as the special assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs. It was interesting, Hannahs said, to see how organizations take what's happening externally and make sense of it internally, as has been the case throughout history with civil rights, LGBTQ rights, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the women's movement.

"We're coming out of almost a decade of organizations putting the focus of DEI efforts on the front line through implicit bias trainings. The thought was, if we fix the hearts and minds of individuals  service providers, teachers, etc., the problems will go away," Hannahs says. "After a decade, it's OK, but it hasn't led to structural change. Our work shows the responsibility has to shift from the bottom of the organization to the C-suite and executive directors."

Superficial change  rebranding, for example  isn't enough, Hannahs added.

"The same logic applies to companies. (Tangible Development) will help you craft a statement, but you have to back it up. What are you doing structurally? It's not the responsibility and purview of the front line staff. Training is good, but it has to be connected to a larger organizational shift. If you have a zero tolerance policy on racism and a conflict comes up, you need to show you're putting your intentions and word behind a policy and practice change," Hannahs says.

Another conversation that's changing is the one about what counts as labor. It's not just the output that goes to the company's bottom line, but also the unpaid labor contributed by members of marginalized communities to shift the status quo at their workplace, and it comes with an emotional toll.

"Underrepresented people in your organization look for other people like them, the queer and trans people connect with other queer and trans people, same goes for people of color, women, and other underrepresented groups. The emotional work to mentor and provide support for underrepresented people within the organization usually falls on other underrepresented people, and that work to mentor and support people is not typically counted as work. And that needs to shift too, " Hannahs said.

For now, Hannahs is doing much of their work via video conference, learning how to be creative with work Tangible Development used to do in person. It has meant less travel for Hannahs, who has two young children.

"I'm more productive because I have to manage my time better, and the rules are changing because they have to."
From raising marriage age for women to sex ration at birth improving, a year end review on women empowerment

Panel that will examine bill to raise legal age of marriage has one woman member out of 31

Do not increase women's minimum age of marriage: Society bodies to govt

India

oi-Briti Roy Barman

New Delhi, Aug 25: Over 100 civil society bodies have urged the government against increasing women's minimum age of marriage.

They have stated that it will not further gender equality, women's rights or empowerment of girls, and will do little to improve the health of mothers and infants.

Will re-consider the minimum age for marriage of our daughters says PM Modi

"If legal equality should be implemented...[make] it 18 years for both men and women," they added.

"It is only in the most superficial sense that having 21 years for both men and women is a sign of gender equality, but somehow this idea has great appeal in liberal circles."

The rights organisations asked how increasing the minimum age of marriage is a step forward when it denies many more women matrimonial status and rights.

They asked how will govt criminalise families whose survival needs and insecurity compel them marry early.

Covid-19: Parliament monsoon session likely from September 14th to October 1st |Oneindia News

Raising the age of marriage from 18 to 21 for women will lead to an increase in parental backlash against young adults who marry against the wishes of their parents or elope and will lead to criminalisation of sexual activity, they also stated.

The statements endorsed by 2,500 young voices and over 100 civil society organisations said.

Notably, in the Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that a committee was deliberating over a change in marital age. A task force appointed by the Women and Child Development Ministry in June has been consulting civil society members.

"Over the last few years there have been moves to make laws more and more punitive as if all the answers can be achieved through legal change. Merely having a new minimum age of marriage law for women at 21 years without the presence of enabling opportunities in the form of access to higher education and decent job opportunities translates effectively into young women being even more trapped in their natal homes," the statement said.
Parliamentary elections will be held in Georgia on October 31. Experts and political analysts are confident that their results will have an even greater impact on the political life of the country than the 2018 presidential race. Despite the fact that the President of Georgia remained de jure the head of state after the adoption of the latest constitutional amendments, most decisions are made by the parliament. This feature allows the legislature to exert a strong influence on the executive power, which has been repeatedly proven by a series of political scandals that have occurred in the country over the past two years.

The 2018 presidential race was largely seen as a dress rehearsal for the parliamentary elections. The struggle between Salome Zurabishvili and Grigol Vashadze was perceived by both experts and ordinary voters as a confrontation between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition United National Movement (UNM), although officially Zurabishvili ran as an independent candidate, and Vashadze as a candidate from the united opposition. Even the parties decided on their candidates relatively late, this happened largely because neither Dream, nor the UNM believed that the outcome of the elections would affect the balance of political forces in the country. Zurabishvili's victory did not greatly strengthen the position of the Georgian Dream, and Vashadze's defeat did not become a collapse for the opposition.

Nevertheless, the 2018 presidential elections were important in the international context, in particular in terms of relations between Georgia and Russia. On the one hand, both Vashadze and Zurabishvili consistently defended the course of Georgia's European integration and joining NATO. On the other hand, both candidates in their electoral programs noted the need to establish a dialogue with Russia while preserving the territorial integrity of Georgia. Most often this issue was raised not as a constructive solution to the existing disagreements between Tbilisi and Moscow, but as a reason to criticize the opponent. However, during the election campaign, the topic of relations with the Russian Federation was raised regularly.

On the eve of the parliamentary elections, the situation has not changed much. This is partly due to the fact that the events of June 2019 related to the arrival of State Duma Deputy Sergei Gavrilov in Georgia to participate in the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Orthodoxy (MAP) are still strong in the memory of voters. The Russian then took the chair of the speaker of the Georgian parliament, which, in the context of tense relations between the countries, led to large-scale protests on the streets of Tbilisi. The opposition quickly took advantage of the rallies for its own purposes, Sergey Gavrilov was quickly forgotten, all the attention of the Georgian public turned to internal issues, in particular, Irakli Kobakhidze's departure from the post of speaker of parliament. The opposition, especially the UNM, perceived this as its own victory, while the Georgian Dream admitted it as a defeat. One way or another, the protests, which began as anti-Russian, resulted in an intensification of the internal political struggle.

The central topic of controversy ahead of the parliamentary elections is electoral reform and the gradual transition to voting on party lists. The opposition demanded to abandon the majoritarian electoral system, which was beneficial to the "Georgian Dream", almost immediately after the departure of Mikhail Saakashvili. Later, this issue was regularly raised, but it was finally resolved only in March of this year, when the authorities and the opposition reached a shaky compromise on this issue. Against the background of disputes about how many parliamentary deputies should be elected by majoritarian districts, and how many - according to party lists, the Russian issue faded into the background, but was not completely removed from the agenda.

The topic of Russia, especially in the context of the territorial integrity of Georgia, is regularly raised by both the ruling party and the opposition. However, at the same time, there is a curious similarity of positions with respect to the Russian Federation between the "Georgian Dream" and the UNM. Both parties are striving for European integration and joining NATO, but at the same time they constantly declare that they will be able to establish a dialogue with Moscow much more efficiently than their opponents will.

To date, the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia is considered the most pro-Russian-oriented party. The party was founded in 2012 and its program differs sharply from most political forces. The main difference between the Alliance of Patriots is its criticism of the policy of European integration and the desire for NATO membership. Following the 2016 parliamentary elections, the party gained exactly 5%, becoming the third parliamentary party after the Georgian Dream and UNM. Later, party members visited Russia several times to restore relations between the countries. For the Russian side, the victory of the Alliance of Patriots in the elections would be ideal if it were not for the differences over the issue of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In addition, the idea of refusal to European integration today in Georgia is extremely unpopular among voters.

Against the background of a difficult economic situation, this course is sometimes criticized by citizens, however, in general, the concept of Georgia's rapprochement with the EU and NATO today greatly influences the country's foreign and domestic policy.

Another party that cannot be characterized as anti-Russian is United Georgia - Democratic Movement, ex-chairman of parliament Nino Burjanadze. Burjanadze has repeatedly criticized the Georgian authorities for their inability to build a constructive dialogue with Russia. In particular, she is known for her critical statements about the Karasin-Abashidze format, within the framework of which relations between Moscow and Tbilisi are maintained today. However, as in the case of the Alliance of Patriots, the stumbling block was the issue of Georgias territorial integrity.

A little more than two months remain before the elections, the political struggle is gradually heating up, and the question of the need to build friendly relations with Russia is being raised by different parties. Some of them are considered "satellites" of the government, others are oppositions, and still others position themselves as an independent political force, but in general such bright statements are purely declarative and even populist. After the electoral reform and the reduction in the number of majority deputies, even Georgian Dream did not rule out the possibility of forming a coalition government, but whether the new parliament will become more pro-Russian is a big question, which is difficult to answer today.

Nevertheless, one should not discount the economic importance of Russia to Georgia. After the scandal with the arrival of Sergei Gavrilov, Russia temporarily suspended flights to Georgia, which dealt a serious blow to the country's economy, especially the tourism sector. The current coronavirus pandemic has become another blow to the Georgian economy, against this background, Tbilisi realizes the need to improve relations with Russia. In particular, this was recently announced by the head of the Georgian Ministry of Economic Development Natia Turnava. However, even if the economic factor forces the voter to vote for a party advocating the restoration of relations with the Russian Federation, he will face a problem - no one has a program to normalize relations with Moscow today.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou on the Independence Day, the PMs Office told Armenpress.

I warmly congratulate you and the good people of Uruguay on the national day  the Independence Day, wishing peace and prosperity.

The Armenian-Uruguayan traditional warm and friendly relations have a firm base thanks to which sincere dialogue and productive cooperation have been formed between our states.

I am full of hope that we will record new achievements in the friendly relations between our countries for the benefit of the welfare of our peoples.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
Just like physical health, it is important to check ones mental health amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. When countries announced lockdown orders, many people were confined to their homes, away from family and friends.

The isolation sparked many episodes of anxiety and depression among those confined at home, especially those belonging to high-risk populations, such as the elderly, those who have underlying medical conditions, and those who are immunocompromised.

A new study published in the journal JAMA found that people searching for severe anxiety-related information was at record highs between mid-March and mid-May when the coronavirus pandemic was first declared as a global emergency. During this period, many governments imposed lockdown orders, barring those who have no essential errands to stay at home. Mostly, high-risk populations were not allowed to leave their homes in the hopes of containing the spread of the virus.

Image Credit: Alekseyliss / Shutterstock

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a term used to characterize a normal feeling people have when they are faced with danger, threat, or when they are stressed. When people become anxious, they experience feeling upset, tense, or discomfort.

Feeling anxious is temporary, and when the threat is gone, the anxiety fades away. However, anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an anxiety disorder, it does not go away and even gets worse over time. The symptoms of anxiety disorders may interfere with a persons job, school, and relationships.

The common types of anxiety disorders include panic disorder, various phobia-related disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in the United States, affecting about 40 million adults who are 18 years old and above, or 18.1 percent of the population each year. Though the condition is highly treatable, only 36.9 percent of patients receive treatment.

Anxiety disorders develop from a complex string of risk factors, such as brain chemistry, personality, genetics, and life events.

The study

The team of researchers at the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, aimed to evaluate the link between COVID-19 with anxiety on a population basis. To arrive at the study findings, the team examined internet searchers indicative of acute anxiety during the early stage of the pandemic, when lockdown orders were imposed.

The researchers analyzed Google Trends and found that people searched for severe anxiety-related information at record highs beginning March. They looked for searches with keywords such as anxiety or panic, in combination with other terms such as attack, including panic attack, anxiety attack symptoms, and signs of an anxiety attack, among others.

The study revealed that anxiety-related searches were about 11 percent higher than usual over the 58 days after a national emergency was declared in the U.S. on March 13. Overall, the team has found 3.4 million total searchers for anxiety, about 375,000 more than the usual numbers.

The team also noted that though there was a sharp increase in anxiety-related searches during the peak of the pandemic, the numbers have since returned to normal levels.

During the COVID-19 pandemic internet searches indicative of acute anxiety spiked early during the pandemic, but have since returned to typical levels, perhaps because Americans have become more resilient to the societal fallout from COVID-19 or because they had already received whatever benefit they could from searching the internet, the researchers wrote in the paper.

More focus on mental health

In the advent of national health emergencies, like outbreaks and pandemics, it is essential to safeguard the mental health of residents. Even though anxiety has received attention during the pandemic, it has not been studied thoroughly. Further, even if the study cannot confirm a direct link between the pandemic and anxiety, it shows that the situation generates psychological effects.

The researchers recommend that surveillance should continue as changes during the pandemic may produce new increases in acute anxiety, and in some cases, interventions may be needed. Also, they urge service providers to provide interventions for acute anxiety, including providing hotlines for residents who are experiencing panic attacks.

Lastly, the researchers noted that most searches land on websites that do not provide links to a helpline. The team urged the search engine to include life-saving results at the top of the search results, such as suicide and addiction hotlines.

Time-sensitive decision-making during a pandemic underscores the importance of fostering an agile empirical approach that can continually monitor health threats, including the ability to study an outcome without a prior anticipatory data collection. Mining internet searches may improve strategies to discover and subsequently address the collateral mental health consequences, the team concluded.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 03:46:38|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R) and his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov greet each other by elbow bump before a signing ceremony at Zappeio Hall in Athens, Greece, Aug. 24, 2020. A signing ceremony for the participation of Bulgartransgaz EAD (BTG), operator of Bulgaria's National Natural Gas System, in the Alexandroupolis liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal project in northern Greece took place on Monday in Athens. (Photo by Nick Paleologos/Xinhua)

ATHENS, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A signing ceremony for the participation of Bulgartransgaz EAD (BTG), operator of Bulgaria's National Natural Gas System, in the Alexandroupolis liquefied natural gas terminal project in northern Greece took place on Monday in Athens.

In the presence of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov, CEO of Bulgartransgaz Vladimir Malinov and Elmina Kopelouzou, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gastrade SA, the Greek company developing the project off the shore of Alexandroupolis port, signed the deal.

The agreement foresees the participation of the Bulgarian company by a percentage of 20 percent in the share capital of Gastrade, according to an e-mailed press release issued by the Greek company.

Gastrade is developing an LNG floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) offshore Alexandroupolis, which aims to be a new, independent energy gateway for the markets of southeastern and central Europe.

The station will be located 17.6 km southwest of the port of Alexandroupolis and will have an LNG storage capacity of 170,000 cubic meters and a natural gas supply capacity that will exceed 5.5 billion cubic meters per year, Gastrade said.

The floating unit will be connected to the National Natural Gas System of Greece via a 28-km-long pipeline, through which the regasified LNG will be transmitted to the markets of Greece, Bulgaria and the wider region, according to the press statement.

The project with a budget of 383 million euros (452 million U.S. dollars) is supported by the European Union and aims to strengthen the security of supply.

It completes the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector (IGB) involving Bulgarian Energy Holding, the parent company of Bulgartransgaz, and DEPA Commercial, through which natural gas will be channeled from the LNG Terminal in Alexandroupolis to Bulgaria and from there to the other markets of Southeast Europe, the press release added.

DEPA along with GasLog Cyprus Investments Ltd, a maritime corporation that operates a fleet of LNG carriers, is also participating as shareholders in the project.

"With the signing of an agreement between the shareholders, this large investment is set in motion with the ultimate goal of turning our easternmost port into a global energy hub," Mitsotakis said addressing the event, which was broadcast by Greek national broadcaster ERT.

"We have reached a solution that satisfies all sides, both the investors and the partners. We have found the way so that we will be supplied with natural gas from every part of the world," Borissov said on his part, stressing that the project which proceeds in the midst of a pandemic, will support the economies of the countries in the region. (1 euro = 1.18 U.S dollars) Enditem
A member of the Tehran City Council said on Sunday that Tehrans COVID-19 death toll has risen to 10,200 residents since the outbreak began in February, with the Health Ministry's official death toll for the country reaching 20,643.

Addressing a council meeting, Counselor Nahid Khodakarami also warned about the impact of the current month-long mourning ceremonies and the threat of a third wave of COVID-19.

Khodakarami previously said on July 19 that Tehrans death toll since February stood at 7,167, which brings Augusts numbers to a terrifyingly-high 3,000. On July 27, Khodakarami said that over a two-day period, 234 residents of the capital who had died of COVID-19 were buried in the city's massive Behesht-e Zahra cemetery. The City Council collects its information on COVID deaths from the cemetery.

The coronavirus situation in Iran has deteriorated since mid-June, when deaths first rose above 100 people per day, before eventually topping 200 daily deaths. Circumstances have been particularly alarming in Tehran, designated as a "red zone".

Over the last 24-hour reporting period, 141 people have died of COVID in Iran, according to the latest official announcement, bringing the countrys official death toll to 20,643. Recent figures for Tehran bring the official death toll for the entire country into serious question, given the population statistics.

Tehran has a nighttime population of 8.7 million and according to Pirouz Hanachi, the Mayor of Tehran, more than three million people commute from the surrounding towns and cities every day.

Given the daytime population of the capital, which is about one-seventh of the country's population of 83 million, the countrys official figures showing 10,000 dead for the capital and only 20,000 for the entire country seems like potentially flawed data.

The official COVID statistics offered by the government have been widely challenged, even by the Parliament Research Center, which estimated the real number of victims as double the number announced officially.

The Health Ministry stopped the announcement of COVID cases and deaths in individual provinces on April 13 and has never released any figures for the capital Tehran and Qom, the ground zero of the pandemic in Iran and the country's religious capital.
Jacksonville, Florida, Aug. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Warming Solutions, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: GWSO) is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with New Zealand CARBON COMPANY, LTD. (https://humates.co.nz/) to manufacture and sell HCU (Humate Coated Urea) in New Zealand.

For more than 50 years, countries with adequate supplies of high-quality humates have been using the product to improve soil quality and boost plant growth. The volume of trial work and scientific study is huge. Results indicate that humates reduce the amount of fertilizer needed and improves production, both quantity and quality. More production for less cost!

Although humates use is associated with organic fertilizers, its biggest impact is on urea and other traditional applications. More than 90% of world's industrial production of urea is destined for use as a nitrogen-release fertilizer. Urea is usually spread at rates of between 40 and 300 kg/ha (35 to 270 lbs/acre).

The global urea market is currently estimated to be worth $64.1 billion and is estimated to be growing at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of approximately 2 percent until 2022, according to Beroe, Inc., a procurement intelligence firm. The global urea capacity is projected to increase by 17 MT (million tons) to reach 226 MT by 2021, moving towards a potential growing surplus in the long-term.

During the last decade GWSO, under the leadership of Dr. Vladimir Vasilenko created and tested a new Humate Coated Urea formula on local farms in Canada. GWSO and Carbon Company, LTS have agreed that there's a lot of potential, and some significant cost savings for farmers in New Zealand from using HCU instead of traditional urea applications. Urea comprises about half a New Zealand farmer's fertilizer costs. Our product will benefit New Zealand farmers tremendously while opening a market entry opportunity for GWSO.

Under the Agreement, the Parties agreed to open HCU manufacturing facilities to produce HCU and sell this product to local farmers, expanding operations to farmers in other countries like Australia, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, India, and the USA.

Story continues

Utilizing the soil to a much greater extent via carbon sequestration is a potential game changer. It's so much more cost-effective than many of the other CO2 reduction measures readily available in today's market. New Zealand Humates & GWSO's HCU project will open new horizons for the global economy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

How is HCU better than other nitrogen fertilizers? It requires less fertilizer and lower fertilizer costs for farmers and growers, provides greater nitrogen and nutrient availability, boosting crop yields, reduces nitrogen, mineral and nutrient leaching, improving our environment. It is more ecologically friendly to the Nature! It stimulates plant growth and Photosynthesis (CO2 absorption by leaves) and, as a result, increases yield. HCU does not suppress biological processes; instead, it enhances the level of micro-nutrients, nutrient availability and soil biology processes.

We encourage farmers and policymakers to embrace technology in order to:

(1) reduce fertilizer costs,

(2) minimize the need for and use of chemical fertilizers,

(3) improve the size and nutritional value of crop yields,

(4) decrease nitrogen and CO2 leaching into the atmosphere and waterways,

(5) sequester CO2 from the atmosphere, which can potentially be used by farmers to bank carbon credits that they can trade for profit on a national/global carbon trading mechanism,

(6) take immediate effective action on climate change.

About Global Warming Solutions, Inc.

Global Warming Solutions, Inc. (GWSO) develops and commercializes technologies that help mitigate Global Warming and its effect on our planet. The Company targets two areas that help reduce the extent of Global Warming and fight issues that have risen in consequence: Clean Energy and Carbon Control. Current climate models predict that global temperatures will rise sharply over the next century. The increase in temperatures can be slowed or eliminated by decreasing the amounts of greenhouse gases released into the Earths atmosphere. Global Warming Solutions seeks to leverage its experience and management to help make a difference in the fight for climate control.

To learn more about Global Warming Solutions, Inc. Visit: http://www.gwsogroup.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking within the meaning of applicable securities laws. While these forward-looking statements represent the Companys current judgments, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the Companys management only as of the date of this release. Please keep in mind that the Company is not obligating itself to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events. When used herein, words such as: potential, expect, look forward, believe, dedicated, building, or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements made by the Company herein are often discussed in filings the Company makes with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at www.sec.gov and on the Companys website at https://www.gwsogroup.com.

Contact:

Vladimir Vasilenko

CEO

Global Warming Solutions, Inc.

Vladimir@gwsogroup.com




London, United Kingdom, Aug. 25, 2020, the industry leader in retail performance improvement solutions, today announced that it recently donated 12 desktop computers and 17 laptops through Business in the Community's National Business Response Network (BITC). Appriss Retail's involvement with BITC began by witnessing the passion of Mark Smith, CEO from Southern Co-operative, discussing the impacts of this program. BITC coordinated the distribution of this donation to:

Kenyngton Manor Primary School - A school in Sunbury-on-Thames in South West London

Surrey Choices - Based in the county of Surrey, the organisation supports the disabled, autistic, elderly and those with sensory needs or mental health problems to fulfil their potential and reach their goals including helping them back into the workplace

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust - 6,000 highly-trained, qualified doctors, nurses, midwives, health visitors, therapists, healthcare scientists, and other support staff caring for more than half a million patients from Buckinghamshire and neighbouring counties

Chiltern Primary School - A school in Basingstoke, Hampshire

The Hive - A cooperative of people and organisations working together to improve the health and well-being of the people of Portsmouth

'The COVID crisis has created unprecedented challenges across business communities and life in general', said Steve Prebble, president of Appriss Retail. 'As a global technology company with a corporate promise of "knowledge for good", we are proud when our local teams find ways in which we can meet the needs of the communities we serve'.

Olga Watterich, Head of Partnerships and Connections at Business in the Community, said 'Appriss Retail is setting a high bar for business: by donating technology to those in need they are addressing the growing digital divide in our society which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. We are calling on companies to follow Appriss Retail's example and step up to support their communities through BITC's National Business Response Network Tech Appeal'.



The Appriss Retail donation will be used to support specific individuals whose current technology is not fit for purpose. For example, it will allow healthcare professionals to adapt to their new way of working and ensure that the support they give to patients is the best that it can be. Other devices will allow schools to set up new IT processes which will allow children to access online resources while ensuring social distancing.



About Appriss Retail

Appriss Retail, a division of Appriss Inc., provides artificial intelligence-based solutions to help retailers protect margin, unlock sales, and cut shrink. With more than 20 years of retail data science expertise, the company's Software-as-a-Service



About Business in the Community's National Business Response Network

Business in the Community's National Business Response Network connects national and local community groups, small businesses, local authorities and charities with businesses and brands who can offer support. Our mission is to match business resources to community needs in the right place, at the right time.



Business in the Community's National Business Response Network and the work we do is made possible by:

Network Partners: FareShare, In Kind Direct, The National Emergencies Trust, Neighbourly and The Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership

Founding Partners: AXA, London Stock Exchange Group

Supporters: NBRN digital platform made possible by Nominet and Outlandish

###

Attachment
Before the Supreme Court ruled, in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, the lower District Court in Kansas conceded that such policies were detrimental to minority children since they contributed to a sense of inferiority. In subsequent years, legislative milestones such as the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1968 Fair Housing Act provided practical and symbolic relief from such degradation.

Or that has long been the consensus view, anyway. For decades, some have fought to reframe segregation as a progressive cause, and in recent years, their anti-racism has found fertile ground on campus. Last year, the National Association of Scholars (NAS) published an investigation, Separate but Equal, Again: Neo-Segregation in American Higher Education. The reports authors studied 173 public and private schools, pulling from all 50 states. They found that 43 percent of the schools had residential segregation, 46 percent had segregated orientation programs, and 72 percent had segregated graduation ceremonies.

Just last week, reports emerged that a small, student-led taskforce had succeeded in having New York University approve its first racially segregated resident floor, planned for the fall of 2021. NYUs policy was first reported by Washington Square News, a weekly student newspaper, which explained how an undergraduate activist group, the Black Violets, had created an online petition outlining its demands. The campaign was started by two black undergraduates who claimed to have noticed that their experience was different from that of their Black peers, because they had had black roommates and their black peers had not. They came to believe that in the classroom and in resident life, black students bear the brunt of educating their uninformed peers about racism. They concluded that the university does not adequately provide for its Black students, a complaint they expanded on in their petition:

Story continues

Black students should not be forced to do the labor of explaining cultural touchstones (like hair rituals) and advocating for their humanity within their own homes. There is not one space on campus entirely dedicated to Black student life. Black Lives Matter cannot be reduced to a slogan sent in university-wide emails. Now is the time for NYU to create tangible change to support its Black students. We are hoping that Black Living communities can spark a new effort towards comprehensive Black inclusion across NYU.

This isnt the first time the issue has been raised. In 2002, New York University debated whether or not to have opt-in racially segregated housing, ultimately deciding against it. As one of the students who opposed the proposal pointed out at the time in the real world, [such self-segregation] doesnt exist.

In truth, student activism is often little more than a pretext. The administrators who enact such policies tend to be quite far to the left, and further still in that direction is an even bigger problem: critical race theorys successful conquest of every major liberal institution from the New York Times to the Democratic Party. Nevertheless, in this instance, John Beckman, a spokesperson for the NYU denied that the university had given approval, telling Reason: NYU does not have and will not create student housing that excludes any housing based on race.

Still, the NAS data is alarming. In the name of progress, a pernicious and reactionary racial ideology is being established; in the name of safety, campuses are becoming dangerous breeding grounds for resentment and division; and in the name of diversity, segregation is making a comeback.

Editors note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that NYU officials had approved the policy; it has been amended to reflect that that isnt the case.

More from National Review
Russia's National University of Science and Technology (MISIS) plans to develop a spacesuit for the crew of the new Russian spacecraft Oryol.' which is projected to begin manned missions in 2025.

Its designer ruled out simply purchasing kit from abroad, making a point of lashing America's SpaceX for having poor quality equipment which he said was created with PR in mind, rather than safety.



"This is a very serious enterprise with a glorious history," head of the MISIS engineering center Vladimir Pirozhkov said, noting the importance of Russia making their own space technology.



Working with R&D Production Enterprise Zvezda, a manufacturer of life-support systems for high-altitude flight and human spaceflight, the university will help design a domestically-produced spacesuit. Zvezda is a state-owned company based in Tomilino, near Moscow.



"I am sure that things of such strategic importance cannot be purchased from Elon Musk or the Chinese," RT cited him as saying.



Despite Russian praise of Musk's SpaceX and NASA, particularly from space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin, Pirozhkov took a swipe at the safety of the U.S. spacesuits.



According to the engineer, SpaceX suits are more about "creating the look of Hollywood superheroes" rather than safety, explaining that the Americans "have always been at their best in public relations."



"This is not really a spacesuit. It is personal protective equipment, sent from Earth to the International Space Center (ISS) by fashion designer Jose Fernandez," he explained.
Student-athletes ride through the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on August 18, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Melissa Sue Gerrits | Getty Images

It was a beautiful Monday on Polk Place Quad at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as Olivia Amos ate dinner with her suite mates, enjoying the newfound freedom college life provides students as they return in the fall. Then the group received a collective buzz from their phones. In that Aug. 17 email, UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz told students the coronavirus was tearing through campus and that the escalating cases created an "untenable situation." From that point on, all undergraduate instruction would move online and Amos and her friends needed to leave their on-campus housing as soon as possible.

"I think we were kind of in shock," said Amos, a 19-year-old sophomore studying communications. "We all were just kind of like, 'What is happening?'" Universities reopening across the country have struggled to contain the climbing number of Covid-19 infections, spoiling carefully designed plans to safely bring students back to the classroom. School officials have urged students to maintain social distancing practices as health officials trace clusters of cases to off-campus gatherings. Infectious disease experts say the situation isn't surprising. The troubled reopenings have pushed other universities to cancel their plans for in-person classes before students arrive.

'A formidable foe'

UNC canceled in-person classes a week ago after more than 135 students tested positive for Covid-19 and 349 were in quarantine. When the announcement was made, there were only four rooms left for students who needed to quarantine, according to the university's data dashboard. Roughly 470 new cases have been confirmed just in the last week. The offenders: off-campus gatherings, according to University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans. The University of Notre Dame said it would halt in-person classes for two weeks on Aug. 18 when there were 255 total cases on campus. There are now at least 448 Covid-19 cases on campus, according to university data through Sunday. School officials have pointed to off-campus parties as the culprit.

"The virus is a formidable foe," Notre Dame's president, the Rev. John Jenkins, said during the announcement. "For the past week it has been winning." Officials at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Syracuse University and Penn State University have issued similar warnings to students who have gathered on and off campus. The University of Connecticut kicked some residents out of their dorms after they hosted an unapproved gathering, saying they didn't adhere to social distancing guidelines. "It only takes a few to ruin it for the many, as we have seen at other universities across the country," Penn State President Eric Barron cautioned Thursday. Other institutions, such as Michigan State University and Ithaca College in New York, saw what was happening at colleges across the U.S. last week and canceled their plans to return students to campus this fall.

Kyle Garcia, a 17-year-old freshman at Notre Dame and an aspiring aerospace engineering major, may face the same dilemma as Amos in the coming days. Garcia missed out on a traditional high school graduation in San Diego earlier this year and had to cancel his plans leading a summer Bible school because of the outbreak. Now it's threatening to upend his first semester as a college student as Notre Dame weighs whether to send students home only two weeks after they moved in. "The general consensus is that we're shocked. This was not expected at all; this was not foreseen," said Garcia, speaking from the university's campus where students are on strict lockdown after a jump in Covid-19 cases last week. Garcia, who flew to the university in South Bend, Indiana, and made frequent visits to nearby stores for dorm supplies, is now crafting his possible return home. If the coronavirus is widespread, Garcia said he's concerned about the threat students would pose if told to go home.

"I think people are very surprised about how quickly this manifested," he said. "There has really been one weekend of parties and we're at 300 cases." Amos said she's weighing whether to find an off-campus apartment as she and her friends begin the process of moving out at UNC. One of them has hurriedly arranged move-out plans with her parents in Maryland, while another is concerned about returning home with her parents who are older. "I knew that there was a big possibility for us to move out sometime this semester, so I tried to pack as light as possible," she said. "I just didn't anticipate moving out this early."

No surprise

Unfortunately, infectious disease experts say the situation isn't surprising. "Part of the college experience is the social experience. I mean, it's not just about the the education," said Dr. Carlos del Rio, a professor at the Emory University School of Medicine who specializes in infectious diseases. Del Rio said the nation has failed to effectively suppress Covid-19. Even though universities have made testing, contact tracing, social distancing and uniform mask wearing central to their reopening plans, the virus is still ravaging through local communities where many students live off-campus. "There simply is too much virus out there in the community," del Rio said. "If we had done a better job controlling the epidemic, I think we would be in a very different position." Even in states such as New York, which has been able to effectively control Covid-19 transmission for months, school officials face uncertainties with reopening universities, said Ravina Kullar, an adjunct faculty member at the University of California Los Angeles and a member of the Infectious Disease Society of America. That's because many students travel from different states with worse outbreaks, and universities create "a breeding ground for a Covid disaster to happen," she said.

'Everything can shift'
The cast of The Fast Show have paid tribute to the late Caroline Aherne in the anniversary special, The Fast Show: Just A Load of Blooming Catchphrases.

Actress and comedian Caroline died from lung cancer on July 2, 2016, aged just 52. She was an integral part of the comedy show and played characters including Poula 'scorchio' Fisch the weathergirl and Checkout Girl.

Cast members Paul Whitehouse, John Thomson, Arabella Weir, , Charlie Higson, Mark Williams and Simon Day will start the show on Gold by raising a glass to Caroline and paying homage to one of her popular characters, Renee.

Much-missed: The cast of The Fast Show have paid tribute to the late Caroline Aherne in the anniversary special, The Fast Show: Just A Load of Blooming Catchphrases

In a new sketch, Renee, who talks non-stop to her quiet husband Roy (Thomson) is remembered by her spouse as he sits alone on a sofa with an empty space where his wife should be.

Paul, 62, told The Mirror: 'Let's say the spirit of Caroline imbued us all with that idea.

'She would have laughed at the sadness of it. She'd have loved it. You can't mention The Fast Show without thinking of Caroline.

Saying the idea of paying tribute via a Roy and Renee sketch came 'really quickly' to the crew, Paul praised Caroline's stellar body of comedy work in Mrs Merton, The Fast Show and The Royle Family.

Comedy icon: Actress and comedian Caroline died from lung cancer on July 2, 2016, aged just 52. She was an integral part of the comedy show and played characters including Poula 'scorchio' Fisch the weathergirl and Checkout Girl (pictured 2001)

He added that the cast missed Caroline 'terribly' and that he and Caroline had a 'soft spot for one another.'

Arabella, 62, recalled her first meeting with Caroline, saying: 'The first thing I thought when I met her  and that was probably to do with her addiction issues  was this person was not only unbelievably talented and funny but there was the remoteness of a genius, the impenetrability of a mind that was always working on comedy.'

Arabella added that she was troubled by Caroline's heavy drinking when they first met and branded her a 'fragile genius.'

The Fast Show ran on BBC One from 1994 to 1997, with specials in 2000 and 2014.

The show became a worldwide success with Hollywood superstar and avid fan Johnny Depp appearing in the final episode in a sketch with the Suits You! tailors, Ken and Kenneth.

Tribute: In a new sketch, Renee, who talks non-stop to her quiet husband Roy (John Thomson) is remembered by her spouse as he sits alone on a sofa with an empty space where his wife should be

The Fast Show: Just A Load of Blooming Catchphrases reunites the cast members after more than 25 years and sees the return of characters such as Swiss Toni, Dave Angel, Jesse, No Offence, Professor Denzil Dexter and Rowley Birkin QC.

The cast and characters will be interviewed in new sketches and reveal what they are up to now.

Caroline was best known for her Royle Family character Denise, a sofa-bound, chain-smoking TV addict given to boozy bouts of narcissism and child neglect. She co-wrote and helped to direct the show during its Bafta-winning run from 1998 to 2000.

Tragic loss: Paul Whitehouse said: 'She would have laughed at the sadness of it. She'd have loved it. You can't mention The Fast Show without thinking of Caroline' (pictured as Paulo on the show)

The thespian also starred in her own 1995-98 comedy talk show in the silver-permed, nosy-grandma persona of Mrs. Merton, who adopted a tone of naive innocence as she asked falsely sympathetic, insinuating questions of her guests.

Caroline was a heavy smoker and drinker who battled depression, culminating in a 1998 suicide attempt at the height of her fame.

She also faced several forms of cancer dating back to her childhood, when she lost partial sight in one eye from cancer of the retina.

The much-loved Ealing native started out on Manchester's comedy club circuit in the 1980s, where she honed routines based on absurdly drawn characters, including a judgmental nun, Sister Mary Immaculate.

Close bond: He added that the cast missed Caroline 'terribly' and that he and Caroline had a 'soft spot for one another'

Her first break came when Mrs. Merton gained a following on a Manchester radio station dispensing advice to callers.

Her richly Mancunian voice returned to British airwaves in 2013 as the narrator of a British reality TV series, Gogglebox, documenting people's humorous reactions to the week's TV programs.

Caroline, who died without a will, left an estate worth more than 500,000 to her mother Maureen. The TV star had no children and was not married at the time of her death.

The Fast Show: Just A Load of Blooming Catchphrases will air on Gold at 9pm on Saturday, August 29.
Speaking at the ceremony, BAOTV Chairman Ho Van Lam said the centre will introduce and develop distribution channels of Vietnamese goods in Thailand, making them more popular in the country.

Vietnamese Consul General in Khon Kaen city Hoang Ngoc Son said the inauguration of the centre not only makes it easier for consumers in the northeast of Thailand to access high-quality Vietnamese goods but also helps the two countries firms access trade and explore business opportunities, towards a more balanced trade between the two nations.

He hoped that the BAOTV will continue striving to open more similar centres in supermarkets and shopping malls, turning them into destinations for tourists.

Vice Governor of Udon Thani province Wanchai Janthorn spoke highly of contributions by the Thai community of Vietnamese descent and the Vietnamese Thai business people in particular to Thailands socio-economic development.

The northeast of Thailand is now home to over 70,000 Vietnamese Thai people.
Im proud to work for an Association and serve a System that shares the same mission; being there for farmers in both the good times and the bad, says Rutter.

William Bill Rutter, Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of MidAtlantic Farm Credit, has been elected Vice President of the Farm Financial Standards Council (FFSC). The election was held during the organizations recent virtual annual meeting, which took place on July 29, 2020.

Im honored to have been elected Vice President of the FFSC, says Rutter. Our team is ready to serve our members and accurately assess the financial health of agricultural operations. Im proud to work for an Association and serve a System that shares the same mission; being there for farmers in both the good times and the bad.

Rutter has served as the Farm Credit Systems representative on the Council and was most recently the organizations secretary/treasurer. He is slated to become President of the organization at the Councils 2021 meeting in Amarillo, TX. He will then host the 2022 annual conference of the Council in MidAtlantic Farm Credits territory.

The FFSC was formed in 1989 and tasked with developing agricultural finance standards for adoption by farmers and ranchers and their financial advisors across the United States. The goal of the organization is uniformity in finance reporting for determining the financial health of an agricultural operation. This includes the "Sweet 16" financial ratios which have been developed for the measurement of critical financial benchmarks. The Council today is a nationwide network that includes financial advisors, academics, farmers and ranchers, software developers and agricultural lenders. All members, directors and officers serve as volunteers.

The Council has produced two documents: Financial Guidelines for Agriculture and Managerial Accounting Guidelines for Agriculture. For more information, visit ffsc.org.

About MidAtlantic Farm Credit

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its memberborrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production; crop insurance; and rural home mortgages. The co-op has over 11,800 members and over $2.8 billion in loans outstanding. MidAtlantic has branches serving Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America.
UK doctors to receive medical cannabis education through Khiron partnership with Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society ("MCCS"), effective Q3 2020

Expands reach of Khiron's globally recognized cloud-based learning platform currently active in universities and institutions in Latin America

MCCS is an independent, clinician-led organization sharing guidance to lead the medical cannabis conversation in the UK

Program comprises access to Khiron's e-learning modules to help doctors prescribe medical cannabis for priority conditions including chronic pain, anxiety, cancer and epilepsy

Program accelerates medical cannabis knowledge for doctors participating in Project Twenty21, the UK's largest medical cannabis registry

By 2024, the UK medical cannabis market is predicted to be worth nearly 1bn, servicing nearly 340,000 active patients (source: Prohibition Partners)

TORONTO, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (TSXV: KHRN), (OTCQX: KHRNF), (Frankfurt: A2JMZC), a vertically integrated cannabis leader with core operations in Latin America and Europe, announced that it has signed an agreement with Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society ("MCCS"), an independent, clinician-led organization in the UK. Under this agreement, Khiron will provide medical cannabis knowledge and training through its cloud-based learning platform to participating doctors across the United Kingdom. The agreement is effective immediately, with first education modules underway in Q3, 2020.

"Doctor education continues to be a core mission for Khiron. Through this partnership with MCCS our e-learning program and highly trained medical team will now bring our successful medical cannabis knowledge to UK doctors so that they in turn can better meet patient needs. A lack of doctor education has been missing in growing the UK medical cannabis market and we are pleased to participate in helping the medical community overcome this barrier," comments Tejinder Virk, Khiron Europe President.

The Khiron medical cannabis program begins with online courses for MCCS participants in Q3, 2020, introducing doctors in the UK to specific regulatory considerations, clinical evidence and research, safety and drug interactions, clinical cases and practical recommendations to best meet patient needs for conditions that include chronic pain, anxiety, cancer and epilepsy. Doctors participating in this program are also members of Project Twenty21, the leading medical cannabis registry in the UK. Khiron is the exclusive LatAm provider of medical cannabis to the project.

In November 2018 the UK legalized medical cannabis, establishing a market opportunity to reach and positively impact the lives of a population of over 66 million according to Prohibition Partners UK Report. The UK market opportunity remains large, with more than 1.4 million people in the UK using 'street' cannabis for chronic pain alone (Source: Prohibition Partners), and the number of scripts expected to increase as access to medical cannabis expands, and doctors receive more education on suitable applications. By 2024, the UK medical cannabis market is predicted to be worth nearly 1bn, servicing nearly 340,000 active patients (source: Prohibition Partners)

"We know that education is critically important in helping doctors issue safe and effective medical cannabis prescriptions for certain conditions. Partnering with Khiron is invaluable for MCCS in allowing our members to work with the company's globally validated e-learning platform to inform doctors and to improve the quality of UK patient lives through medical cannabis," comments Prof. Mike Barnes, Chair, Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society.

About Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society

The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society is a non-profit organization that gives clinicians the opportunity to share practical knowledge, develop transparent and independent guidance and lead the conversation as doctors in the sector.

As more and more doctors begin to prescribe medical cannabis for their patients, the Society provides a confidential, independent network for clinicians to share experiences in patient consultation, prescribing, accessing products and treatments, research and evidence. Members of the Society have access to further information including prescribing guidelines, a secure online support network and discounts to training and events. The Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society is a community interest company.

Visit: https://www.ukmccs.org

About Khiron Life Sciences Corp.

Khiron is a vertically integrated medical and CPG cannabis company with core operations in Latin America, and operational activity in Europe and North America. Khiron is the leading cannabis company in Colombia and the first company licensed in Colombia for the cultivation, production, domestic distribution, and international export of both low and high THC medical cannabis products. The Company has presence in Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, UK, Spain and Germany, where it is positioned to begin sales of medical cannabis.

Leveraging its first-mover advantage, and patient oriented approach, Khiron combines global scientific expertise, product innovation, agricultural infrastructure, wholly-owned medical clinics, and online doctor education programs to drive prescription and brand loyalty to address priority medical conditions. Its Wellbeing unit launched the first branded CBD skincare brand in Colombia, with KuidaTM now marketed in multiple jurisdictions in Latin America, the US and UK. The Company is led by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced and diverse executive team and Board of Directors.

Visit Khiron online at investors.khiron.ca and on Instagram @khironlife.

Cautionary Notes

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Khiron undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Khiron, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although Khiron believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Khiron's control, including the risk factors discussed in Khiron's Annual Information Form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and is made as of the date hereof. Khiron disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Investor Contact: Paola Ricardo, E: pricardo@khiron.ca, T: +1 (786) 233-7411; Media Contact: Jon Packer, Vice President, Communications, T: +1 (416) 543-9179, E: jpacker@khiron.ca; Khiron Europe: Tejinder Virk, Europe President, T: +44 (0) 7912 741 995, E: tvirk@khiron.ca
Three contractors died Tuesday in northern Indiana after they became trapped in a sewer manhole, authorities said.

The workers were about 20 feet underground, and "approximately five feet of water was present in the manhole," Columbia City Mayor Ryan Daniel said in a statement.

IMAGE: Manhole rescue effort in Indiana (WPTA)

First responders from neighboring Fort Wayne pulled them out. but it was too late, and all three workers were pronounced dead at the scene.

"The City of Columbia City extends our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in a utility accident today, and to their employer," Daniel said in the statement.

"While all the details are unknown at this time, we will be working with all parties to determine ways in which these types of tragedies can be prevented in the future."

The call for help came at 8:52 a.m., leading firefighters and police to 464 S. Main St. in Columbia City, officials said.

The contractors were working for the city on a storm sewer project, fire officials told NBC affiliate WPTA of Fort Wayne.
New Delhi, Aug 25 (UNI) India and Vietnam on Tuesday agreed to add new momentum to the economic and defence engagement between the two countries and also to explore closer cooperation in emerging areas including civil nuclear energy, space, marine sciences and new technologies.

Both the countries held their 17th Meeting of the India-Vietnam Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vietnams deputy prime minister and foreign minister Pham Binh Minh.

The meeting was held through video-conferencing.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the recent developments in India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed the future trajectory of their wide-ranging engagement, the ministry of external affairs said in a statement here.

Both the ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, especially in the context of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Jaishankar underlined Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat for enhancing resilience through self-reliance and human-centric globalization as the basis for Indias economic revival.

He invited Vietnam to take advantage of Indias new economic capacities and demands.

The minister reaffirmed Indias development and capacity building assistance to Vietnam through initiatives such as Quick Impact Projects (QIP), ITEC and e-ITEC initiatives, PhD fellowships, as well as projects in water resource management in Vietnams Mekong Delta region, SDGs, digital connectivity and heritage conservation.

12 QIPs for implementation in Vietnam have been approved by the Government of India, including 7 QIPs in water resource management in Vietnams Mekong Delta Region and 5 QIPs related to construction of educational infrastructure in Vietnam, it added.

Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), New Delhi and Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Hanoi and MoU between National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi and Scientific Research Institute of Sea and Islands, Hanoi were also signed on the margins of the Joint Commission Meeting.

Based on their strong convergence of views on many global and regional issues, both sides agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral forums, including at the UN Security Council, where both India and Vietnam will serve concurrently as non-permanent members in 2021.

They also agreed to step up cooperation and coordination at important regional forums under the ASEAN framework.

Dr Jaishankar expressed Indias full support to Vietnams chairmanship of ASEAN this year and appreciated the positive leadership provided by Vietnam to ASEAN in a year when the world is faced with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two sides also agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation in line with Indias Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEANs Outlook on Indo-Pacific to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region.

India invited Vietnam to collaborate on one of the seven pillars of the IPOI.

UNI ASH SHK1923
The Kremlin on Tuesday accused German medics of being too hasty after they said tests on Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny indicated he had been poisoned.

The 44-year-old Navalny, who is one of the fiercest critics of President Vladimir Putin, is being treated at Berlin's Charite hospital after falling ill on a flight in Siberia last Thursday.

He was treated for two days in a hospital in Siberia before being transferred to Germany.

His supporters claim he was poisoned by something in his cup of tea at a Siberian airport before taking a flight to Moscow, pointing the finger of blame at Putin.

The German clinic said Monday that clinical tests "indicate poisoning with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors," substances that are used in nerve agents as well as some medicines and insecticides.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that Russian medics had diagnosed Navalny's condition in a similar way to German doctors but did not know what caused it.

"The medical analysis of our doctors and the German ones absolutely matches. But the conclusions differ. We don't understand why our German colleagues are in such a hurry. The substance hasn't yet been established," he told journalists.

- 'Lot of other versions' -

He cast doubt on the German government's statement that it was "fairly likely" that Navalny was poisoned, saying there could be another cause for his illness.

"We can only partially agree... There is a likelihood of something else too."

Asked whether he believed that Navalny had been poisoned for his political activities, Peskov said: "We can't consider anything because we don't know whether this was a poisoning."

He acknowledged this was a possibility, saying that poisoning "can be seen as one of the versions, but there are a lot of other medical versions".

Peskov said Russian medics at the hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk had detected a low level of the cholinesterase enzyme and treated Navalny with the antidote atropine, as the German medics are doing.

Story continues

This comes after the chief toxicologist at the Omsk hospital, Alexander Sabayev, said on Monday that Navalny tested negative for cholinesterase inhibitors.

The Russian doctors earlier suggested that Navalny had a "metabolic disorder" and low blood sugar.

Russia has not opened a criminal investigation into the poisoning and Peskov said that until the substance that caused Navalny's condition was identified, there were no grounds for such a move.

mp-am/jbr/txw
MAPUTO, Mozambique - The stinging success of Mozambiques Islamic extremist rebels in seizing and holding a northern port city signals to the government, neighbouring countries and the world that Africa has yet another insurgency hotspot.

A battle looms as the government is expected to launch its forces to regain control of Mocimboa da Praia, a strategic port in northeastern Mozambique that was captured by the extremists earlier this month.

The Islamic State Central African Province showed new levels of organization, strategy, manpower and weaponry in the days-long battle to win control of the port earlier this month.

The extremists victory in Mocimboa adds to the obstacles facing the multi-billion dollar international investments to exploit the massive deposits of liquified natural gas in northern Mozambique.

Mocimboa, in Mozambiques northernmost Cabo Delgado province, is a centuries-old port on Indian Ocean trade routes and close to the border with Tanzania. Its the third time this year that the rebels have taken control of Mocimboa and the longest time that they have held the city of an estimated 30,000 people.

The rebels started as a ragtag group near Mocimboa in 2017 and since then have grown in strength to carry out a campaign of violence in villages in coastal districts of Cabo Delgado, killing more than 1,500 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. They have now pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

This year, the insurgents have repeatedly attacked  and taken  the city centre of Mocimboa da Praia, first in March, then in June, and now in August. This time, on August 10, they also won control of the port.

The fall of Mocimboa da Praia is a major strategic victory for the insurgents, said Eric Morier-Genoud, a historian at Queens University Belfast, as well as a personal victory. Many insurgent leaders come from this town and made a comeback on their own terms, he said. They took five days to capture the town and its port, showing determination, organization and good planning.

The attack on the town was highly sophisticated, according to military analyst and former South Africa army colonel Johann Smith. Before starting their five-day assault at the beginning of August, the extremists carried out preliminary attacks on government forces positions around Mocimboa da Praia, Smith said, and they cleared out suburbs of the town to get most civilian residents to leave the area.

Then from August 5 through 10, the insurgents fought with government troops in Mocimboa. They ambushed a convoy of reinforcements travelling to Mocimboa from the garrison town of Mueda. More than 50 young army recruits were killed by insurgents in the ambush that happened at the village of Awasse, according to several sources.

The government forces were supported by helicopter gunships flown by the South African mercenary company Dyck Advisory Group, but their efforts were hampered by the need to return to the provincial capital, Pemba, to refuel. The helicopters also dropped supplies  including ammunition  too far from where it was needed, according to the Zitamar news agency.

By August 11, the port had been taken by the insurgents, who also fired on government vessels, preventing them from bringing reinforcements to hold the town, Defence Minister Jaime Neto said in a press conference.

The extremists have held the port city for nearly two weeks, setting up what will likely be a bruising battle.

The Mozambican military will recapture Mocimboa da Praia. The question is when and how, said expert Morier-Genoud. Once they do, the question will also be how will the army hold onto the town. The present organization and logistics of the army clearly failed to secure the town this time round.

With all phone lines and internet access cut to Mocimboa, it is hard to guess what the insurgents will do, he said.

We know they told the population that they were planning on staying in Mocimboa da Praia for good, he said. If this is indeed their plan, then they will militarily secure the town and neighbouring areas and start developing something of an administration  presumably along Shariah rule lines.

tHowever, Professor Yussuf Adam, a Mozambican academic with decades of research in Cabo Delgado, reckons the insurgents may not focus on holding Mocimboa but instead will continue with their strike-and-run tactics, and will select targets which will contribute to lock down the logistics of the northern part of Cabo Delgado.

He said the rebels may avoid trying to control areas where they can be bombarded by air.

They will attack again and again, said Adam. It will depend on the capacity of the government forces to transform a war of movement of the guerrillas, into a war of positions.

Beyond getting continued help from the mercenaries of the Dyck group, Mozambique has avoided asking for outside assistance and looks to continue that stance even as it takes over the rotating presidency this month of the regional bloc, the 16-nation Southern African Development Community.

Defence Minister Jaime Neto said recently that the only help Mozambique requests of its neighbouring countries is vigilance at the borders to prevent bandits from entering our territory.
Lawyers for former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic urged a UN court Tuesday to overturn his genocide conviction, saying the charges against him were made out of thin air.

Mladic, now 78, was in particular not tied to any of the deaths in the notorious Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia in 1995, his defence team told the appeal hearing in The Hague.

His lawyers also argued that Mladic was at risk of a miscarriage of justice because he was mentally unfit for the two-day hearing against his 2017 conviction and life sentence over the wars that tore apart Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

Mladic was found guilty of genocide over the Srebrenica massacre, in which some 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed, and for crimes against humanity and war crimes over the 1992-95 Bosnian war.

The once-feared general dubbed the Butcher of Bosnia appeared in court looking frail. He initially wore a surgical mask because of coronavirus restrictions but later removed it.

I submit that the charge of genocide was made out of thin air, defence lawyer Dragan Ivetic told UNs International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals  which handles cases left over from the Yugoslav tribunal that convicted Mladic.

Any killings that happened outside of combat in Srebrenica were reprehensible but they were not tied to Mr Mladic.

Seeking a full acquittal, Ivetic said judges at the original trial failed to establish the number of victims and their relation to any crime, let alone genocide.

 Most heinous crimes 

But prosecution lawyer Laurel Baig urged judges to throw out Mladics appeal. He had been properly convicted and sentenced after a fair trial for some of the most heinous crimes of the 20th century, he said.

Ratko Mladic is not a war hero, he is a war criminal. He abused his vast military power to deliberately target the civilian population, destroying lives, families and communities, Baig said.

Mladic was part of a Bosnian Serb leadership that caused mass suffering in the name of ethnic ideology as they tried to clear Bosnian Muslims and Croats out of huge swathes of the country, she added.

About 100,000 people were killed and 2.2 million others displaced in the Bosnian war, which erupted as communal rivalries ripped Yugoslavia apart after the fall of communism.

Mladic was captured in 2011 after years on the run, and convicted following a three-year trial.

The prosecution are also appealing, seeking to overturn Mladics acquittal on wider genocide charges.

Mladic will himself be allowed to speak for 10 minutes on Wednesday. He had to be dragged out of the court in 2017 after an outburst in which he accused the judges of lying about his health.

He briefly addressed the court on Tuesday to complain that the one-hour breaks between sessions  needed to clean the court for coronavirus measures  were too long for him to spend waiting in a small isolation room.

 Miscarriage of justice 

The hearing had already been delayed several times since March after Mladic needed an operation to remove a benign polyp on his colon, and then because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mladics lawyers said they were taking part under protest on Tuesday after judges earlier this week rejected a bid to postpone it pending a fresh medical assessment.

This hearing today is inappropriate and threatens a miscarriage of justice, Ivetic told the court.

Mladic was the military face of a trio led on the political side by ex-Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic and former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic.

Milosevic died of a heart attack in his cell in The Hague in 2006 before his trial had finished, while Karadzic is serving a life sentence for genocide in Srebrenica and other atrocities.

The Mothers of Srebrenica, a group of women related to victims of the massacre who have for years protested outside court, did not attend Tuesdays hearing for the first time, due to the pandemic.

We hope Mladic will be found guilty for genocide in other towns as well, not just those in Srebrenica, Munira Subasic, president of the main Mothers of Srebrenica association, told AFP.

burs-dk/jj
Justice Minister Naomi Long said a compensation scheme for those most seriously injured in Northern Irelands troubled past could cost up to 800m (David Young/PA)

A compensation scheme for those most seriously injured in Northern Irelands troubled past could cost up to 800 million, the Stormont Justice Minister has said.

Naomi Long said it is regrettable that victims had to go to court following delays in the implementation of the scheme, which was passed by MPs at Westminster last year.

There has been political disagreement over whether anyone convicted of inflicting serious harm during the Troubles should qualify for payments, and over who should fund the scheme.

Ms Long said her department is not the best placed to administer the scheme but that she felt morally obliged to offer to take it on.

Expand Close Alliance Party leader Naomi Long (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Alliance Party leader Naomi Long (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA)

Given the complexity of the work that has to be done, we dont already have a system that does, for example, a monthly payment, so thats something were going to have to develop, she told the BBC.

But I felt that, out of an obligation and a moral duty to try to see this move forward, it was important to step up and offer to get this work done, and I am now very pleased that the department will be taking this forward.

There are still a lot of issues that have to be resolved in terms of the long-term finance, but I think that those are issues that we can work together on in parallel with the work of developing the scheme, and I think thats the most important thing, is that we have now taken the pause button off this scheme and we can move forward and thats what I want to do with my officials in the coming days and weeks.

Ms Long said she hopes to see the scheme started in months rather than years.

She warned that the most challenging task will be appointing the panel who will make the decision on who will be eligible for the scheme.

However she said it remains unclear where the money for the scheme will come from.

Its not something that could come solely from the Northern Ireland Executive because people will be able to apply to this scheme who are not resident now and were never resident solely in Northern Ireland, and I think that realistically is going to require additional support from Westminster, she said.

We could be talking anything up to 800 million. Were not talking about small amounts of money; I think it is important that the Government steps forward on this.

Expand Close A number of the surviving Hooded Men (Brian Lawless/PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp A number of the surviving Hooded Men (Brian Lawless/PA)

Last week, Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill was highly criticised by the High Court for refusing to comply with a legislative requirement to set up the scheme to gain political leverage over the UK Government.

The joint legal challenge against the delay was brought by Jennifer McNern, who lost both legs in a Troubles bombing in 1972, and Brian Turley, one of the Hooded Men who were arrested and interrogated by the British Army in 1971.

The scheme was due to open for applications at the end of May but little progress has been made due to a failure by the Executive Office (TEO) which is shared by Ms ONeill and First Minister Arlene Foster, to nominate a Stormont department to take responsibility for it.

Sinn Fein claims the scheme would be discriminatory and potentially exclude thousands of republicans with past convictions.

In a separate row, Sinn Fein and the DUP have jointly been at odds with the UK Government over who should pay for the scheme.

The head of the Wave Trauma Centre Sandra Peake said they do not recognise a potential figure of 800 million over the lifetime of the scheme.

She said the majority who will qualify for the payments were injured during the 1970s and 1980s and few will still be receiving a pension in 30 years time.

As recently as July, an Executive Office senior official was saying the best estimate was 165 million over the lifetime of the scheme, she said.

The time frame was intentionally challenging because the one thing the severely injured do not have is time on their side Sandra Peake, Wave Trauma Centre

Ms Peake also expressed concern that the scheme could take months to set up.

The legislation set out a precise timetable for implementation as Mr Justice McAlinden made clear during Jennifer McNerns judicial review hearing, she said.

The scheme was to be operational and ready to receive applications within three months from designation.

We see no reason why that should still not be the case.

The time frame was intentionally challenging because the one thing the severely injured do not have is time on their side.

To her credit, Naomi Long put herself forward when the scheme was deadlocked and the Wave Injured Group looks forward to an early meeting with the minister to discuss how best to progress the scheme after so long an unnecessary delay.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Inspectors will perform ventilation checks in schools across the five boroughs to ensure proper airflow, which will help combat the coronavirus (COVID-19), Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday.

According to a release from the mayors office, every space occupied by students, teachers and staff in a school building will be inspected with results shared publicly starting this week, and continuing on a rolling basis through Friday, Sept. 4.

A City Hall spokesman said only Department of Education schools would be subject to the inspection. The citys goal is to have all inspections complete by Sept. 1.

The announcement came a day after de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced an expedited process for schools that want to set up outdoor learning environments.

De Blasio said Tuesday that outdoor learning will be important, but the main health and safety focus needs to be in the classroom.

Outdoors is wonderful, in every sense, kids have always loved being outdoors and learning outdoors, de Blasio said. When we talk about indoors then you talk about ventilation and how important it is to get this piece of the equation right.

Using guidelines set by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control, a citywide team of independent engineers will assess each space to determine if there is adequate ventilation. Inspections also will be reviewed by the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

According to the release, school maintenance professionals have inspected buildings to identify repairs and improvements that could increase ventilation. The independent School Ventilation Action Team inspections will provide further information on buildings air circulation.

From there, staff with the city School Construction Authority, along with agencies like the city Buildings Department and FDNY, will ensure all building space is ready for occupancy.

Carranza said work on ventilation had been going on throughout the summer, and expressed confidence that schools will be ready by the first day on Sept. 10.

Were leaving no stone unturned when it comes to our school buildings, and a robust approach to ventilation is a critical piece of our health and safety plan, he said. The science is clear: well-ventilated buildings are safer buildings -- and were going to make sure thats true for every school by the first day.

Addressing concerns about open windows during the winter months, de Blasio pointed to the possibility of teachers having more opportunities to open their windows thanks to global warming.

Despite widespread evidence of climate change, last winters average temperatures for December, January and February at Central Park were 40.1 degrees, 32.5 degrees, and 36.2 degrees, respectively, according to the National Weather Service.

In addition to opening school windows, the DOE has purchased 10,000 portable air purifiers to be placed in schools by the first day, and each school building will be provided a device to measure carbon dioxide to determine how much fresh air is in a room.

Outdoor learning and improved ventilation are part of the citys broader reopening plan that sets the maximum reopening threshold a 3% positive rate citywide. If the citys tests exceed that threshold, schools will be shut down. World Health Organization standards set that threshold at 5%.

On Tuesday, the city reported a 1.42% infection rate for the most recently processed tests.

With our record-low infection rates, New York City is the safest city in America, de Blasio said. The verdict is clear: our plan to reopen schools is the strongest in the country and among the most rigorous in the world. I want all students and staff to enter our school buildings this fall with full reassurance that they will be safe.
An $85 million settlement has been reached between Honda and multiple states over allegations that it hid safety failures in the airbags of sold in the U.S.

The settlement was part of an investigation into allegations that Honda alleged hid issues from regulators and consumers about a risk of rupture in the frontal airbag systems, which could cause metal fragments to fly into the passenger compartments.

Problems with Takata Corp.-made products resulted in around 50 million inflators recalled, one of the largest in U.S. history, according to the Associated Press. About 100 million are being recalled worldwide.

At least 25 people have been killed worldwide by Takata inflators and more than 300 have been injured.

Under the terms of these civil settlements, Honda does not acknowledge any wrongdoing, the company said in a statement.

The settlement was announced Tuesday and involved attorneys general from 48 states, AP reports.

Honda has recalled approximately 12.9 million Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with defective inflators since 2008.

Under a separate class action settlement, Honda customers are entitled to restitution for damages or injuries that occurred as a result of the defective airbags.

RELATED:

Honda recalls 1.6M minivans and SUVs in the U.S.

Faulty fuel pumps prompt 1.4M vehicle recall by Honda

Honda, Toyota recall combined 6 million vehicles over air bag concerns
British engineering and industrial software giant Aveva has bought California-based tech company Osisoft in a $5billion (3.8billion) deal.

Aveva said it's joining forces with the American business to accelerate the digital transformation in the industrial world.

Aveva chief executive Craig Hayman said: 'The acquisition of Osisoft is perfectly in line with our strategic vision and it will accelerate the enlarged group's role in the digitisation of the industrial world, which is being driven by a need for sustainability, the industrial internet of things, cloud, data visualisation and artificial intelligence.

Aveva chief executive Craig Hayman says the deal will enable Aveva to broaden and deepen its relationships with existing and new clients

'The acquisition will enable Aveva to broaden and deepen its relationships with existing and new customers and bring a more comprehensive product portfolio to market.'

Osisoft, which is backed by Softbank and specialises in in collecting and analysing data, has 1,400 employees and its systems are used on 14,000 sites in 127 different countries. It has a respectable list of customers on its books, including large oil companies, minoring companies and pharmaceuticals.

Aveva said that together both businesses would provide full-stack solutions that span edge, plant and etermprise deployment models, strengthening its position as a leader in industrial software.

Dr J Patrick Kennedy, founder and chief executive of Osisoft, said joining forces with Aveva enhances and extends the company's ability to deliver on its key commitments

Combined, both Aveva and Osisoft, have 93 years of operating expertise and experience.

In the 12 months to June 30, Osisoft reported revenue of $488.5million dollars (373 million) and adjusted earnings before interest and tax (Ebit) of $152.2million (116 million).

Dr J Patrick Kennedy, the founder and chief executive of Osisoft, said: 'Joining forces with Aveva enhances and extends our ability to deliver on our key commitments to our customers, partners and employees.

Kennedy added: 'Together we will be better able to service the largest digital transformation projects in history.'

News of the deal comes after millions of employees worldwide moved to home working, as companies were forced to adapt to survive during the lockdown period.

In this UK lockdown was enforced in March this year and many companies scrambled to enhance their technology and ensure employees were comfortable to engage in home working.

The trend for home working is a boon to Aveva's business model as the Cambridge-based software firm specialises in helping companies use technology to build and operate their businesses more efficiently and cost-effectively.
The Japanese-owned bulk carrier that ran aground off Mauritius and spilled oil over pristine waters and fragile coral reefs diverted more than 100 kilometers from a regular shipping lane, data from a maritime analysis firm showed.

The MV Wakashio, owned by Nagashiki Shipping and chartered by Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, struck a coral reef on Mauritiuss southeast coast on July 25 and later began leaking oil. Two of the ships officers have since been arrested on charges of endangering safe navigation.

The iron-ore carrier was using a well-traveled shipping lane that passes near Mauritius when the accident happened, according to maritime analysis firm Windward and shipping sources.

It appears to have deviated from that lane about 55 nautical miles (102 km) from Mauritius and headed straight for the Indian Ocean island, the data showed. The data shows the ships track during the last few hours of its journey, including a minor turn after crossing into Mauritius territorial waters.

It was on a very bad trajectory, Omer Primor, Windwards head of marketing, told Reuters.

It was not immediately clear why the ship appeared to deviate from its course. Tracking data for other cargo vessels passing close to Mauritius recently show them all sticking to the shipping lane.

The Mauritius coast guard had repeatedly tried to reach the ship to warn it that its course was dangerous but received no reply, Reuters reported this week.

When asked about the Windward data, a Nagashiki Shipping spokesman said: We have submitted our route record data to the police, but we cannot comment on the data, as the police are investigating the incident.

The company has declined to comment on the report that the coast guard had tried to contact the ship. A spokesman at Mitsui OSK, which chartered the ship, said it was also investigating the carriers course. He declined to comment further.

One regional maritime official said Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) data he had seen did not show the ships turn inside Mauritius territorial waters, but added that it could be because of an inaccuracy in AIS data.

The government of Mauritius and maritime authorities there did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the data.

Mauritius said on Thursday it has started to scuttle the ship, after announcing the plan a day earlier, which had raised alarm from environmentalists worried about further damage after more than 1,000 tons of fuel oil leaked.

Scientists say that the full impact of the spill is still unfolding but that the damage could affect Mauritius and its tourism-dependent economy for decades.

The wildlife at risk include the seagrasses blanketing sand in the shallow waters, clownfish living in coral reefs, mangroves systems, and the critically endangered Pink Pigeon, endemic to the island.
New Zealand will launch a seven-day testing blitz designed to test another 70,000 people for coronavirus.

Aucklands community cluster grew by another seven cases on Tuesday, taking the countrys total number of active cases to 129. Nineteen of those are returned travellers.

Ordered testing blitz: NZ Health and Education Minister Chris Hipkins. Credit:Tom Lee/Stuff

A total of 160 close contacts to the Auckland cluster, which is the countrys largest, are now in quarantine and 89 of those people have tested positive.

There are eight people in hospital with COVID-19, and three of those people are in ICU.

For a second day in a row, the total number of tests fell below 5000 tests in a day, to a relatively low 4434 tests.
Ent Credit Union plans to break ground Oct. 23 on its 300,000-square-foot, seven-story headquarters near InterQuest Parkway and Interstate 25 to accommodate its rapid growth and expansion along the Front Range. Southern Colorados largest financial institution plans to move into the building in the third quarter of 2021.
Government's promise to provide final year Junior High School (JHS) pupils, teachers, and staff of the schools with one hot meal a day started on Monday with some pupils expressing gratitude to President Akufo-Addo.

The initiative, expected to last for the next 20 days will benefit about 584,000 pupils and 146,000 teachers in about 17,440 private and public JHS schools across the country.

President Akufo-Addo announced the initiative in his 15th update on the country's response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

He said the decision was based on reports that some pupils were going hungry in schools due to compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.

At the Genuine International School (GIS), a private JHS at Ablekuma Oduman, in the Ga West Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region, about 40 pupils, and their teachers were served plain rice with stew and boiled egg with a sachet of water at 1220 hours.

Margaret Afum, a final year JHS pupil thanked the President for the free meal, saying this meal will help me stay in school and study for extra hours even after our lesson period.

She said the intervention was timely because they would gain extra energy to prepare well for the final examination.

Mr Amos Akpah, a teacher in the School lauded the President for fulfilling his promise and prayed that the meals be delivered on time.

At the Nii Kodjo Ababioo Basic School at Mamprobi in the Ablekuma South, Sub-Metro of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Kwame Nkrumah, a teacher at the School also commended the President for the foresight and said many more pupils reported to school because of the free lunch.

He appealed to Government to consider the menu, which he said had an egg for all the days.

''Eggs for the students, fine, but we, the teachers cannot take eggs every day because of our age,'' he said.

Mr Ben Nyavor, a teacher at the Mamprobi Evangelical Presbyterian Basic School, a Private school in the Metropolis also applauded Government and said the quantity and taste of the food was good.

A pupil in the School said they were not allowed to leave the School premises before closing hours and said with smiles, the daily meals came at the right time.

---GNA
The Libyan ceasefire initiative announced last week drew the attention of the international community to the importance of combating mercenaries in the Middle East. Syria is being used as a platform to move terrorist militias across the borders to change the outcome of conflicts in other countries.

This was the case when Turkey moved more than 17,000 mercenaries from Syria to Libya to tip the scales in favour of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), an ally of Islamist groups, on top of which is the Muslim Brotherhood.

Analysts have observed the international community is increasingly worried Libya and neighbouring African countries will become a hub for terrorist organisations, particularly Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Moreover, a military confrontation in Libya is a threat to stability, not only in Libya, but in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Sahel and Sahara region as well.

Despite the declaration of the ceasefire initiative, the international welcome it received, and the efforts made to effect it, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hasnt stopped the recruitment of Syrian mercenaries loyal to Ankara to send them to fight in Libya. Erdogan ignored the ceasefire declaration by the GNA, which he supports militarily, and its call for elections.

The latest report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a new batch of mercenaries were dispatched from Turkey to Libya for training in camps. They were recruited in Syrias Aleppo and Idlib and it is expected Libya is their final destination. The move begs the question about the seriousness of the GNA to commit to a ceasefire at a time Turkey is still recruiting Syrian mercenaries.

The Syrian Observatory statistics show 17,420 Syrian recruits were dispatched to Libya, including 350 children below the age of 18. The observatory confirmed that since the security and military agreement signed between GNA head Fayez Al-Sarraj and Erdogan in November 2019, operations to move Turkish fighters and Syrian mercenaries to Libya have not seized despite international calls to support the ceasefire and Turkish pledges to commit to it at the Berlin Conference in January.

Turkey is still hoping to maintain its military presence in Libya through mercenaries and the military bases it established in Misrata and Watiya. This is the reason Ankara is still sending more mercenaries to support Al-Sarrajs government. Its moves are now confused, however, particularly after Egypt had announced its support of the ceasefire and refusal of the presence of foreign forces in Libya, its western neighbour. For instance, if general elections will be held in Libya in March, new national blocs will emerge and they will not allow the presence of mercenaries and foreign military bases on their land.

Turkey needs to rearrange its moves based on the new reality on the ground in Libya. Its political, economic and military calculations became inaccurate, especially after the maritime demarcation agreement signed between Egypt and Greece. The maritime agreement is a deafening blow to Turkey and has doomed to failure maritime demarcation plans between Turkey and the GNA.

The success of a Libyan settlement is based on the regional and international will to reach a peaceful national accord. The Libyan crisis is primarily the result of the exacerbation of foreign interventions and the arms control exercised by terrorist militias and organisations that have also imposed hegemony over state institutions. These factors have resulted in the collapse of the Libyans living conditions, the spread of crime and chaos, and the systematic plunder of state resources.

The Egyptian initiative to solve the Libyan crisis, announced a few months ago, prioritised the expulsion of mercenaries, halting the blatant Turkish interference in Libyas affairs, and the disbanding of militias.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Police in Israel investigating the alleged gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl say the 'shocking' attack went on 'for many hours' as they arrested two more suspects.

The new suspects, both minors, were arrested on Monday for questioning over the incident, which took place at the Red Sea Hotel in Eilat on August 12.

At the same time, one 17-year-old boy was released after investigators found that he was asleep at the time of the attack and there was no evidence of his involvement.

That means the number of rape suspects now stands at 12 - including two adults and ten teenagers. More arrests are expected.

Police investigating an alleged gang-rape at this hotel in southern Israel have arrested two more teenagers and released one without charge, meaning number of suspects stands at 12

A lawyer for the boy who was released told the Times of Israel that he was relieved by the decision, adding: 'My client was asleep at the time and was not involved.'

Separately, the owner of the hotel and another woman have been arrested for failing to prevent the crime and asking to see video of the alleged assault, respectively.

The hotel owner - named locally as Pnina Maman - was released under house arrest on Monday and ordered not to contact other staff members, Haaretz reported.

Police have been granted additional time to question both main suspects - aged 27 and from northern Israel - and have requested permission to continue quizzing eight of the minors.

Investigators have revealed little about what they believe happened in the hotel room, but a police source told Channel 12 that they find the girl's allegations 'credible' and supported by evidence.

The source said the alleged attack went on 'for many hours' and that police have obtained 'sensitive material' which they are not disclosing yet.

Witnesses claim the men lined up down the hotel corridor in order to attack the girl, who was not a guest but had gone there to drink with friends.

That account is thought to be backed up by CCTV which shows people gathered in a corridor.

Witnesses also claimed that up to 30 men were involved in the attack, though that figure has since been disputed - including by the victim's lawyer.

Officers say it is unlikely that the number of assailants is as high as 30, but believe it is in double digits and are not discounting any possibilities.

The 19-year-old woman who was arrested had encouraged people to share video of the attack via WhatsApp, according to police

In a group that was being watched by officers, one member asked whether video of the attack actually existed.

Protests erupted across Israel after police were told that up to 30 men queued down a corridor of the hotel to participate in the alleged attack

Thousands of marchers took to the streets of cities across Israel last week to demand justice for the girl and an end to violence against women

'Dont be stingy, share,' the woman responded.

Police say she admitted sending the message, but denied intending to publish the video online.

The 16-year-old girl is said to be in an unstable mental condition after the incident, but is cooperating with police and is willing to face her alleged attackers in court.

She has been placed under police protection after her personal information began spreading online, amid fears she could be intimidated by the men she is accusing.

Police say she was not a guest at the hotel, but had gone there to drink with friends before being taken to a room in a 'dazed' state and assaulted.

A fellow guest at the hotel, who arrived around midnight on the day of the alleged attack, described how people were drinking and smoking throughout the hotel in breach of rules, and that management were uninterested in stopping them.

He added that a large number of young people were gathered in the hallway outside his room which he reported to the manager, but nothing was done about it.

'I have no idea if they were the ones the police are looking for, but a large group of people had gathered there and were making a lot of noise,' he said.

He added that people were smoking and drinking in the pool, including throwing their cigarette butts in the water, despite signs banning smoking in the area.

'There were crazy levels of music and alcohol,' he added. 'The lifeguard himself brought out a food container, filled it with ice so the young folks had somewhere to put their alcohol bottles. They simply opened a bar at the pool.

'I approached the hotel manager to tell her that it was over the top... Her response was: "If you have a problem, you can complain to the municipal inspectors. I don't check what they're doing."'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the alleged attack, calling it a 'crime against humanity'.

Marchers in Tel Aviv on August 20 demand justice for a 16-year-old who was allegedly gang-raped in a hotel in Eilat, southern Israel

Activists, who took to the streets earlier this year to protest violence towards women in Israel, returned last week to hold demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The protesters united under the banner 'we won't be silent anymore', with around 1,000 in the capital - where protesters briefly blocked traffic - 150 in Jeruselam, and more in Givatayim, Haifa and elsewhere.

Ilana Weizman of women's rights group HaStickeriot said one in five Israeli women was raped during her lifetime with 260 cases reported every day.

'We must educate our boys on the issue of consent ... from a very young age,' she said.

Many protesters referred to a case last year, when a 19-year-old British woman claimed she had been gang-raped by 12 Israeli males, aged 15 to 18, at a hotel in Cyprus.

The woman's allegation led to 12 Israeli men being detained and subsequently released.

She later withdrew her allegation, but claims she was coerced by Cypriot police into dropping the case.

The woman was given a suspended sentence in January this year after being found guilty of public mischief.
Alabamians soon could have more information about COVID-19 cases in public schools according to the states top health official.

Dr. Scott Harris of the Alabama Department of Public Health wrote to AL.com in an email Tuesday morning that talks were underway about disclosing cases by school. ADPH and ALSDE (Alabama State Department of Education) are in discussions currently about a way to accomplish this that will inform the public and still protect patient privacy.

Harris did not provide a time frame.

Schools are required to report all suspected and positive COVID-19 cases to ADPH under current guidelines.

State Superintendent Eric Mackey confirmed the discussions are taking place but could not provide a time frame as to when the database might be available or what form it might take.

This comes as nearly all of Alabama's school districts are back in session and most of those are doing some form in-person learning with students. Positive COVID-19 cases have been reported sporadically in news reports as schools send children home to quarantine.

One school, Elkmont High School in Limestone County, had to close after opening for in-person learning due to the number of teachers and students either testing positive or in quarantine. The school remains closed through this week, according to news reports.

ADPH on Monday updated guidance on who needs to quarantine or isolate and for how long. The department is now using the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions division of symptoms as major and minor, with major symptoms being a new cough, a new loss of taste or smell or a new bout of difficulty breathing.

Related: Alabama schools urged to watch for major coronavirus symptoms, not just runny noses

Students with major symptoms need to be sent home and those in close contactwithin six feet for 15 minutes or morealso should be sent home.

"I think by stratifying those symptoms in terms of major and minor symptoms that'll make it somewhat easier for us to do," Harris said during a webinar Monday, "so that we don't end up with a situation where an entire classroom, or classrooms, gets sent home for someone with a single minor symptom."

Reporting positive COVID-19 cases in schools is not consistent among states. Texas education officials recently announced it will report cases publicly, joining Louisiana and North Carolina.

At least two Alabama school districtsHaleyville City and Huntsville Cityare reporting cases publicly on their district websites, and others are reportedly sending emails and making telephone calls to let families and teachers know of positive COVID-19 cases in their schools.

For all of AL.coms back to school coverage, click here.

For live updates on how school reopenings are going, check out our live update page.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 15:29 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c40590ae 4 National child-abuse,minors,alcohol,abusive-employers,plantations Free

Police on Sunday arrested two men who recorded videos of themselves forcing a 4-year-old boy to drink alcohol in East Luwu, South Sulawesi.

The two men  Firman Efendi, 20, and M. Rifky Hendra Putrawan, 19  were apprehended at their home in Timampu village, Towuti district, after the videos went viral on WhatsApp.

In the first video recorded on Saturday at a black pepper plantation in Pekaloa, Towuti district, the 4-year-old boy was forced to drink three glasses of alcohol by one of the two men while another one recorded the video.

Another video showed the boy screaming and drunk walking. The boy was also seen tripping several times and hit his head on timber stored in the warehouse near the plantation.

Read also: Violence against children triggered by burden on mothers amid COVID-19: Survey

According to the head of the North Luwu Integrated Care Center for the Empowerment of Women and Children (P2TP2A), Juleha, the parents trusted Firman and Rifky to look after the boy as the father, Mertin, was working at the plantation.

The boy was thirsty, so he was given the alcoholic drink by the two men, Juleha said as quoted from tribunnews.com.

She added that the parents did not dare to report the abuse against their son because Firman and Rifky were the owners of the plantation the family worked for.

They did not want to report it because they were afraid of losing their jobs, Juleha said, adding that the boy's family lived in poverty. (trn)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Mardika Parama (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, August 27, 2020 09:02 511 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c40513d9 1 Business tol-laut,maritime-highway,INSA,price,Cargo,shipping-industry Free

The Indonesian National Shipowners Association (INSA) and an industry expert have called on the government to reevaluate the subsidized "Tol Laut" (maritime highway) program to avoid market disruption and unfair business practices.

The maritime highway, launched in 2015, is a subsidized shipping program for distributing basic and major consumer goods, as well as steel and cement, to remote regions of the archipelago.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said that the maritime highway program aimed to reduce price disparities across the country, especially in eastern Indonesia, generally due to shipping and logistics costs.

We are planning to transform the Seba seaport in Kupang into the logistics hub for [East Nusa Tenggara], Budi said on Aug. 24 during a webinar the ministry held in collaboration with Detik.com.

Despite the ministers optimism, INSA chair Carmelita Hartoto criticized the program during the webinar that it was undermining fair competition for private shipping companies.

Private shipping lines are currently experiencing unfair competition because the Tol Laut program is being used to ship nonessential goods [at much lower prices], she said.

Carmelita has called on the government to comply with Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 70/2017 on the public service obligation (PSO) of shipping freight in outlying regions, which revised Perpres No.106/2015 on the PSO of shipping companies under the maritime highway program.

Perpres No. 70 limits government intervention in sea freight, allowing it to apply the PSO scheme only to staple, industrial and other essential goods.

Carmelita added that private companies were losing out on the type of load they could transport "on routes that intersect with the subsidized Tol Laut program".

"We dont want to compete with the government, she stressed.

She also urged the government to reallocate a portion of the subsidy for developing regional port services to increase outbound logistics and improve shipping revenue.

The Transportation Ministry has allocated Rp 436 billion (US$29.7 million) to subsidize the maritime highway program this year, up Rp 136 billion from last year to accommodate seven additional routes from 19 in 2019 to total 26 routes today.

Echoing Carmelita, maritime economist Raja Oloan Saut Gurning of the 10 November Institute of Technology said that the government should use the subsidy program only for establishing new shipping lanes. Once the new lane was economically viable, it should exit the program.

Theoretically speaking, the subsidy program should be used only as a temporary measure until the operation is handed over [sic] to the market mechanism. Government intervention through the subsidy [program] should not disrupt the market, he said.

Saut also urged the government to integrate existing and future shipping lanes to prevent overlap between private shipping companies and Tol Laut freighters. It should also streamline the shipping licensing procedure to increase private-sector participation in the domestic marine freight industry.

We still need to synergize several [lanes] to ensure business sustainability, he added.

Morotai Island regency in North Maluku, which is a targeted beneficiary of the Tol Laut program, had only experience a fractional decline in the prices of staple and essential goods since the program was implemented, regent Benny Laos said at Monday's webinar.

We thank the government for the Tol Laut program, as it helps our [regency's] economy. However, to be frank, the prices have only decreased around 5 to 15 percent, he said.

Despite its shortcomings, Benny said that the program had increased the price of Morotai Islands tuna from Rp 25,000 to Rp 38,000 per kilogram because of the refrigerated containers it provided, which enabled local fishers to ship fresh tuna directly to Surabaya instead of indirectly through middlemen in Bitung.

Morotai has been able to increase direct shipments of local products to Surabaya, such as tuna [...]. We do feel the impacts of the program, which has increased the income of the Morotai people, he said.
The chief executive of exam regulator Ofqual quit today, days after a furious row over A-Level and GCSE grades in England.

Sally Collier resigned as chief regulator after four years in the role and will be replaced temporarily by her predecessor Dame Glenys Stacey.

Ms Collier, a career civil servant, had come in for criticism over the chaos that enveloped exam results for thousands of teenagers unable to sit tests because of coronavirus.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson attempted to pin blame on the regulator amid calls for his resignation after the system used to grade students was found to unfairly penalise pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In a statement this afternoon Ofqual said Ms Collier, who had not worked in education previously, 'has decided that the next stage of the awarding process would be better overseen by new leadership'.

'As a result, the Ofqual Board has asked Dame Glenys Stacey to assume a temporary leadership role as acting Chief Regulator until December 2020, having previously served as Chief Regulator between 2011 and 2016, it added.

'She will be supported by a new committee of the Ofqual board, which will include one or more of the current Ofsted board members. This new committee will be chaired by Amanda Spielman and will oversee the work of Ofqual to the end of the year.'

It came as Boris Johnson has expressed his regret over the exam results chaos in England and admitted that in hindsight the Government 'might have done some things differently'.

Sally Collier (pictured) resigned as chief regulator after four years and will be replaced temporarily by her predecessor Dame Glenys Stacey

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson (left) attempted to pin blame on the regulator amid calls for his resignation. Boris Johnson (right) has expressed his regret over the exam results chaos in England and admitted that in hindsight the Government 'might have done some things differently'

A jazz-loving ex-journalist who flunked his A-Levels and a career civil servant with no previous education experience: The people running the exam regulator Ofqual Roger Taylor was the senior figure who first apologised for the A-Level fiasco yesterday. But the Ofqual chairman did not mention that he too suffered underwhelming A-Level results - albeit through his own lack of hard work. He and chief executive/chief regulator Sally Collier have been thrust into the firing line amid the fury over the exam grades handed out to students. But neither of them can boast a long career in education. Roger Taylor Sally Collier Former Financial Times journalist-turned businessman Mr Taylor has been in the post since 2016. Last year he told the Times Education Supplement that 'lack of application' among other issues saw him flunk A-Levels including Latin and Greek at the 39,000-per year private King's School in Canterbury. But he was handed a reprieve when he was handed a place at Oxford anyway, after passing its entry exam. After leaving the FT in 2000 he set up Dr Foster, which produced a guide to hospitals based on death rates. The Department of Health brought a 12million stake and he later sold it. Before becoming Ofqual chairman he sat on its audit and risk assurance committee. Last year he led a study which warned that algorithms had the potential to cause 'real harm'. The study was carried out by the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI), which he ran. Ms Collier has spent her entire career within the public sector. Before joining Ofqual in April 2016 she worked as chief executive of the Crown Commercial Service, managing director of the Government Procurement Service and director of procurement policy and capability at the Cabinet Office. In her first speech in post she told the audience: 'I have been in office eight weeks ... and most of you in the room have probably been in this sector a lifetime or parts of lifetime ... 'Many of you will know I don't come from the education sector; I was a CEO of a large commercial buying organisation, of which there are more similarities than you might think actually.' And the 200,000-per year executive wrote an open letter to students, parents and teachers in April, saying: 'Please be reassured that the grades you get this summer will look exactly the same as in previous years, and they will have equal status with universities, colleges and employers, to help you move forward in your lives.' Advertisement

Mr Williamson announced a humiliating U-turn as the Government said grades for A-Levels and GCSEs would be based on teachers' assessments rather than a controversial 'standardisation algorithm developed by regulator Ofqual.

The algorithm resulted in almost 40 per cent of grades issued being lower than teacher predictions, prompting widespread pupil and parent anger.

Last week the Education Secretary attempted to deflect the blame for the situation onto Ofqual as he said the Government had been assured that the algorithm 'would stand scrutiny' and that the regulator 'didn't deliver'.

Meanwhile, he also appeared to hint that Ms Collier could be made to carry the can for the debacle as he failed to express confidence in her performance.

This afternoon he said: 'Following Sally Collier's decision to step down as Ofqual's chief regulator, I'd like to thank her for the commitment she has shown to the role over the last four years and wish her well for the future.

'I welcome Ofqual's announcement that Dame Glenys Stacey is to assume a temporary leadership role as acting chief regulator and also the new internal governance arrangements put in place with Ofsted support.

'This will make sure Ofqual can fully focus on the important functions it must deliver as the independent regulator for qualifications, examinations and assessments in England.

'Moving forward, my department will continue to work closely with Ofqual's leadership to deliver fair results and exams for young people.'

But Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said the results U-turn was not Sally Collier's fault 'alone' and ministers also face questions over their role.

He said: 'We have worked well with her, and found her to be a highly intelligent, principled, and thoughtful person.

'This move follows the failure of the statistical model that led to this year's grading fiasco, but the fault is not hers alone.

'Ministers have questions to answer over the extent to which they scrutinised and challenged the methodology and reliability of the statistical model, particularly given the enormity of the task and the importance of getting it right.'

And Liberal Democrat Education spokeswoman Layla Moran said: 'It is incredibly disappointing that Gavin Williamson has refused to take responsibility for the combination of initial school return failure and the more recent exam fiasco and has instead allowed to let someone else take the blame.

'He has lost the trust of students, parents and teachers who he failed to consult, leaving universities and colleges in chaos.'

Robert Halfon, the Tory chairman of the Commons education committee, said he wanted Sally Collier to appear before MPs next week, having accepted to come before the committee before her resignation.

The former minister, when asked about whether Ms Collier was 'pushed' out, told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: 'I have no idea what went on.

'I'm surprised because literally only a few days ago they (Ms Collier and Ofqual chairman Roger Taylor) agreed to come to the committee and I want her still to come because we want to find out, while she was in charge, what went on.

'I very much hope that will be the case.'

He continued: 'There is a very human level to this and she is a public servant and you have every sympathy for her because she is a nice individual and no doubt dedicated and hard working but clearly things have gone badly wrong.

'Whether if she'd had a strong education background, whether that would have made a difference, who knows?

'Unfortunately there have been a lot of fingers in this awful algorithm pie.'

Ms Collier has spent her entire career within the public sector. Before joining Ofqual in April 2016 she worked as chief executive of the Crown Commercial Service, managing director of the Government Procurement Service and director of procurement policy and capability at the Cabinet Office.

In her first speech in post she told the audience: 'I have been in office eight weeks ... and most of you in the room have probably been in this sector a lifetime or parts of lifetime ...

'Many of you will know I don't come from the education sector; I was a CEO of a large commercial buying organisation, of which there are more similarities than you might think actually.'

And the 200,000-per year executive wrote an open letter to students, parents and teachers in April, saying: 'Please be reassured that the grades you get this summer will look exactly the same as in previous years, and they will have equal status with universities, colleges and employers, to help you move forward in your lives.'

The Prime Minister said today he is 'certainly not going to deny' that if the Government was to deal with a similar situation again, it may be inclined to take a different approach.

Mr Johnson added that GCSE and A-level students have been 'in many ways the remarkable generation' and that he is pleased that pupils 'now do have results they can work with'.

Mr Johnson said: 'I mean you think about the people that have done their A-levels, their GCSEs this year, they've been in many ways the remarkable generation.

'They've had to stay at home, which has been difficult, it has posed risks, as I say, to their health, to their mental health, they've done a fantastic job, they've protected the NHS, they've helped to save lives, to get us through this pandemic and I'm just pleased that they now do have results that they can work with.

'And yes, you know if we had to do it again, we might have done some things differently, I'm certainly not going to deny that.

'But they've got a series of results that they can certainly work with and use to develop their careers.'

His comments come as the Education Select Committee announced that representatives from England's examinations regulator Ofqual, whose controversial algorithm led to many students having their results downgraded earlier this month, will appear in front of MPs on September 2.

On their first week back following the summer recess, MPs on the committee chaired by Tory MP Robert Halfon will have the opportunity to question members of Ofqual on the summer exam results chaos and the next steps for students.

The committee also announced that Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will appear before them on September 16.

Mr Williamson has faced calls to resign after the Government was forced to U-turn away from awarding students in England grades based on an algorithm which appeared to boost private schools' performance, and instead to award pupils their teacher assessed grades.

The Education Secretary has said he is 'incredibly sorry for the distress' caused to pupils caught up in the exam results fiasco, but has refused to comment on whether he had offered the Prime Minister his resignation.

Meanwhile, parents have been encouraged by No 10 to submit their questions to Mr Johnson ahead of their children returning back to school in England next week.

A tweet posted from the UK Prime Minister's official account said: 'Do you have questions for the Prime Minister ahead of your children going back to school? Submit yours here: gov.uk/ask.'

Mr Johnson is expected to answer a selection of chosen questions 'during an event broadcast on social media'.
She is best known for starring on her sofa for Channel 4 show Gogglebox, alongside her sister Ellie.

And Izzi Warner, 25, stunned fans as she proudly showcased her slender figure on Instagram over the weekend six months after giving birth to her daughter Bessie.

The reality TV star took to the social media platform to post a snap of herself looking slender in a fitted black t-shirt as she ribbed her partner Grant for his photography skills.

Glam: Izzi Warner, 25, stunned fans as she proudly showcased her slender figure on Instagram over the weekend six months after giving birth to her daughter Bessie

Sisters: Izzi, (right) is most commonly seen sporting a fresh-faced look and relaxed attire on the show alongside sister Ellie Warner

The Channel 4 star also wore a pair of curve-hugging acid wash jeans that featured statement rips down each of the legs.

The mother-of-two accessorised her outfit with a black Gucci belt and a complemented leather bag.

Izzi rounded off her look by working her long caramel tresses into a soft curl and sported glamorous make-up.

Captioning the radiant shot, she penned: 'If anyone knows any crash courses in photography I can send Grant on please let me know #wheresmyfeet #bestofabadbunch #datenight'.

Bessie Rose: Izzi gave birth to her second child, a baby girl, in February

Fans of the show were left stunned at the glam snap with Izzi is most commonly seen sporting a fresh-faced look and relaxed attire on the show.

Her sister Ellie, 30, commented, 'Gorgeous', alongside red love heart emoji.

A follower commented: 'Wow you look Beautiful'.

'You look stunning as always,' a second penned. 'You look amazing'.

Sister support: Her sister Ellie, 30, commented, 'Gorgeous', alongside red love heart emoji

Support: Fans of the show were left stunned at the glam snap

Izzi has five-year-old Bobby and became a mum for the second time with daughter Bessie Rose in February.

In April the sisters were the talk of social media as disgruntled fans hit out at Channel 4 for not following Government advice during the coronavirus crisis by watching TV with one another.

Fans of the show were expecting to see Ellie joined by her boyfriend Nat who had previously taken Izzi's place during the UK's lockdown, but Izzi was back with her sister on the most recent episode.

Taking to Twitter to hit out at Channel 4, viewers shared their disappointment in the pair for not following the rules, after the show started with a statement saying the stars were adhering to social distancing.

Box fresh: Izzi showed off her glamorous look in an Instagram photo last month

Adorable: Izzi pictured with her little boy Bobby and boyfriend Grant

MailOnline contacted Gogglebox representatives and Ofcom for comment at the time.

In April Gogglebox were hit by complaints to Ofcom, as it was the subject of 20 objections to the TV watchdog.

At the time, a representative for Channel 4 told MailOnline: 'Most of the families live together but where they don't, they are complying with PHE social distancing guidelines.

'Gogglebox will only film with families where it's safe to do so. The health and safety of our cast and crew is paramount.'
Kimberly Guilfoyle tapes her speech for the first day of the Republican National Convention from the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington. Read more

Puerto Ricans are citizens of the United States.

Yup, were doing this again.

Without fail, my fellow Boricuas and I have to repeatedly remind folks of that 103-year-old fact.

For good or bad (very bad when you consider the systemic, second-class treatment of the island), Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. Puerto Ricans have been American citizens since 1917. For the love of papa Dios, Google it.

Ive had to remind otherwise smart people of that too many times to count.

Ive had to set the record straight in casual conversation, in social media interactions with toxic trolls, and in response to newspaper stories about everyone, from the local, inspiring Puerto Rican business owner to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor  stories that somehow (Read: lack of diversity) made it through multiple editors.

In 2009, reporters breathlessly reported on Sotomayors historic nomination with stories about her parents, who they reported were immigrants from Puerto Rico.

Yeah nope.

Television stations and newspapers, from the Daily Princetonian to the New York Times, ran corrections.

And yet

In her Republican National Convention speech Monday night, Kimberly Guilfoyle, a Trump campaign adviser and Donald Trump Jr.s girlfriend, described herself as a first-generation American whose mother is a special-education teacher from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico  from where my father hails. Fact check: He, too, is a U.S. citizen.

Guilfoyles full quote: My mother, Mercedes, was a special-education teacher from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. My father, also an immigrant, came to this nation in pursuit of the American dream. (Her father is from Ireland.)

Its the also an immigrant part that made me wish Mama Mercedes was standing in the wings ready to chuck a chancla at the lectern like an old-school Latina mom trying to get her idiota daughters attention. (If you know, you know.)

I predicted the comments and tweets and think pieces would come. They always do.

From Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose mother is also from Puerto Rico:

The woman the GOP picked as their proud Latina to tout the immigrant experience didnt seem to know that Puerto Rico is already part of the United States.

To numerous people asking:

Can someone tell Kimberly Guilfoyle Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens?

I mean... we could. And Im sure, if somehow she missed that part in her personal history, many already have.

Except, heres the thing. By this point, this isnt ignorance. Its racism.

Its not a mistake, its a mechanism by Republicans to define people of color, even U.S. citizens, as others, while at the same time pretending to try to make a connection.

It makes me think of how much trouble people seem to have pronouncing Kamala (its comma-la), or even the name of the person in your workplace thats just  shrug  sooooo hard to get right.

Its actually not.

Simply, it boils down to what information you deem important enough to retain and whom you consider important enough to respect, whether were talking about their citizenry or their identity.

And, well, if anyone still wonders about the disrespect Trump and his supporters have for Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans, flash back to his throwing paper towels into a crowd after catastrophic Hurricane Maria while crowing that his administration did a fantastic job.

In one of the many stories that poked fun at Guilfoyle and her over-the-top scream-speech, a writer from Mashable wrote:

Yet another instance of the Trump administration not checking their facts (or being fine with outright lying when it suits them). Theres really no excuse for not knowing what states and territories make up the country youre running!

No excuse, but there are oh-so-many calculated reasons to continue to get it wrong with people of color. (Spoiler alert: Its not economic anxiety.)

Sometime in the not-so-distant future, well be here again, with someone referring to Puerto Ricans as immigrants, and many of us jumping up to correct them. Myself included.

But I wont just be correcting your mistake. Ill be checking your racism.

Hola! I see you, and youre sure as hell going to see me.
Some teachers and final year pupils in junior high schools in the Kumasi metropolis have praised the government for the decision to support them with one hot meal every day.



They say the intervention would not only help them to stay focused on their studies, but would also prevent them from going outside the school compound frequently to look for food.



The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in his 15th address to the nation on the measures taken against the spread of Covid-19 stated that all final year Junior High School (JHS) pupils, teachers and staff were going to be given one hot meal per day starting from Monday, August 24.



This decision, according to the President, was informed by the reported cases that some final year pupils who became hungry during school hours, often went out to buy food outside the school campus in contravention of the covid-19 protocols.



A visit by the Ghana News Agency to some Junior High Schools (JHS) in Kumasi metropolis indicated that the free hot meals had actually started as had been instructed by the President.



Mr Owusu Boateng, a teacher at Bantama Presby Junior High School speaking to the GNA thanked the President for fulfilling his promise.



He said most pupils came to school without food and the intervention would help ease their minds to enable them concentrate on their studies to pass the examinations.



Ms Grace Manu, a final year pupil of the school said the meal would help some of them to stay in school for extra hours to study and prepare themselves well for the upcoming examination.



At the Maakro Methodist JHS, Mr. Yaw Sarfo, a teacher, commended the government for the initiative and said many pupils reported to school on Monday because of the free hot meal.



Master Gideon Yeboah, a final year pupil, expressed his gratitude to the government for the meal.

This free hot meal will help me save money for my books, he indicated.



Mrs Adwoa Adjei Boahen, Headmistress of Ohwimase M.A Basic School said the government intervention was beneficial for the pupils since that would help them prepare well for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).



Again, it would help pupils from poor backgrounds to get full concentration for their examination.



Mrs. Boahen however, said the government would have given the teachers some small allowances instead of the meals.



Master Michael Appiah Kubi, a student of the Kwadaso Bethel Methodist School told the GNA that he was extremely happy, when he heard the President announcing the initiative.



This is because he was going to school every morning without food and the gesture had come as a great relief to him and others like him.



Ms Francisca Boakyewaa, also a pupil of the school, said the gesture would help her to save some money to buy books and other learning materials to prepare adequately towards her examination.

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
President Donald Trump

At least half a dozen professors at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School have called on the University of Pennsylvania to investigate an allegation that Donald Trump paid another person to take the SAT exam on his behalf and was therefore fraudulently admitted to Wharton.

The professorsall of whom teach ethics at Whartonbelieve the university should revoke Trumps 1968 undergraduate business degree if a probe can confirm the claim originally made by his niece in her best-selling, tell-all memoir published last month.

When a student gains admission by fraudulent means, it undermines the integrity of our academic standards and fairness of our admissions process, the professors wrote in a letter to Penn President Amy Gutmann. Concerns about cheating are exacerbated when the alleged perpetrator is a public figure in high office. Failing to investigate an allegation of fraud at such a level broadcasts to prospective students and the world at large that the playing field is not equal, that our degrees can be bought, and that subsequent fame, wealth, and political status will excuse past misconduct.

UNIVERSITY REJECTED THE DEMANDS ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT OCCURRED TOO FAR IN THE PAST

The letter was sent to Gutmann on July 16, little more than a week after the presidents niece Mary Trump alleged in her book, Too Much and Never Enough, that Trump paid a friend Joe Shapiro to sit for the SAT on his behalf (see To Get Him Into Wharton, Trump Allegedly Paid Someone To Take The SAT). Trump then leveraged the higher score to successfully transfer from Fordham University to the Wharton School in 1966, according to the book. Wharton Legal Studies & Business Ethics Professors Brian Berkey, Julian Jonker, William Laufer, Eric Orts, Amy Sepinwall, and Kevin Werbach signed the letter. They urged Gutmann to refer the matter to Wharton Dean Erika James and recommend that James investigate the allegations.

Story continues

The university has since rejected their request. Provost Wendell Pritchett responded to the professors on behalf of Gutmann. We certainly share your concerns about these allegations and the integrity of our admissions process, Pritchett wrote. However, as you suggest in your message, we have determined that this situation occurred too far in the past to make a useful or probative factual inquiry possible. If new evidence surfaces to substantiate the claim in the future, we will continue to be open to investigating it.

The letters were disclosed by the student newspaper, The Daily Pennsylvanian, which also reprinted another demand by a prominent lawyer and alum of Penns Law School that also asked for an investigation into the presidents admission to Wharton. Stephen Sheller, a 1960 graduate of the university and a 1963 Penn JD graduate, adamant in urging a probe. Although Trump is denying that he paid someone to take the SAT for him, he is known as an inveterate liar and it is likely that his niece is telling the truth, wrote Sheller in a July 9 letter sent to Gutmann and David Cohen, chairman of Penns board of trustees.

AN INVESTIGATION WOULD SEND A STRONG MESSAGE OF INSTITUTIONAL INTEGRITY

In view of the fact that parents are being sentenced to prison for fraudulent pay-offs to have children admitted to different colleges at this time, I request that, under the circumstances, a blue-ribbon committee should be appointed by the University of Pennsylvania to make a full examination of Donald Trumps admission to the Wharton School, added Sheller.

After Pritchett rejected the professors demand for an investigation, they wrote a second letter back to him on July 21 in which they charged that refusing to look into the allegation could undermine the universitys integrity. Even if an investigation initiated by Penn and Wharton would, as you predict, ultimately fail to arrive at a definitive finding, the very fact of authorization [sic] an investigation would send a strong message of institutional integrity, they wrote. An absence of administrative action risks making the most powerful statement to the contrary  that we dont care about the integrity of our admissions process  a statement wholly inconsistent with the bedrock values of our university community.

The latest controversy follows widespread reports that Trump was admitted to Wharton with the help of a friend, and once at the school, he failed to excel despite his own claims that he was first in his class,. Whartons Dean List, representing the top 15% of the class, failed to include Trump in the year of his graduation. A 1968 Commencement Program also showed that Trump failed to graduate with any honors, despite his previous claim that he was first in his graduating class. One of Trumps marketing professors at Wharton, the late William Kelley, apparently thought little of Trump when he was a student. A close friend of the professor, Frank DiPrima, has said that Kelley told him 100 times over three decades that Donald Trump was the dumbest goddam student I ever had.

WHITE HOUSE CALLS SAT CHEATING ALLEGATION FALSE AND ABSURD

In her book, Mary Trump wrote that after graduating from military school and living at home with his parents and commuting to Fordham, Trump wanted to apply to Wharton but worried that his grades alone wouldnt allow for his admission, according to the book.

Mary Trump noted that Donalds sister, Maryanne, had been doing his homework for him, but that she couldnt take standardized tests in his place. Donald worried that his grade point average, which put him far from the top of the class, would scuttle his efforts to get accepted. To hedge his bets he enlisted Joe Shapiro, a smart kid with a reputation for being a good test taker, to take his SATs for him. That was much easier to pull off in the days before photo IDs and computerized records. Donald, who never lacked for funds, paid his buddy well.

A White House spokesperson has called the allegation by Mary Trump false and absurd. The claim then resurfaced over the weekend after Mary Trump turned over audio recordings of the presidents sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, to the Washington Post. The audio excerpts contain the allegation from Barry that Trump cheated on the SAT.

TRUMP IS THE WORST ADMISSIONS MISTAKE THAT THE WHARTON SCHOOL HAS EVER MADE

In an interview with the student newspaper, Wharton Professor Orts called Trump the worst admissions mistake that the Wharton School has ever made. Now it turns out that we may not have made a mistake after all: we may well have been just another victim among many who have had their reputations besmirched by his lifelong pattern of deception and fraud.

Orts, who has taught at Wharton since 1991 and is on the editorial board of Business Ethics Quarterly, suggested that the university may fear attracting the Twitter wrath of Trump. Maybe Trump can exact retribution in some way, Orts told the newspaper. But that is not a reason not to pursue an allegation that is credible about whether he committed fraud against us. Sometimes you have to stand up for a principle. And the University of Pennsylvania, in my opinion, is certainly big enough to stand up to a bully.

DONT MISS: To Help Get Him Into Wharton, Trump Allegedly Paid Someone To Take The SAT or Trump Failed To Excel At Wharton

The post Wharton Profs Demand Probe Of Claim That Trump Cheated On The SAT appeared first on Poets&Quants.
Backing the statement of Farooq Abdullah and other political parties of Jammu and Kashmir seeking the restoration of Article 370, Pakistan has said that it is a 'political resistance movement' against the 'BJP RSS government'. Speaking at a press conference, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Farooq Abdullah and leaders of Congress - main Opposition party of India- have raised their voice against New Delhi. In yet another attempt to intervene in the issue of the Abrogation of Article 370, Qureshi backed the recently issued statement by J&K leaders who were a part pf Gupkar Declaration on August 4, 2019.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said: This is not an ordinary occurrence but an important development as the joint statement issued by the political parties hold the signatures of Farooq Abdullah and enjoy the support of the Congress party which is the main opposition party in India. Pakistan premier Imran Khan raised the Kashmir issue at every global forum, drawing

the attention of the world leaders over the sensitive matter. The economy of Kashmir is completely ruined. However, thousands of innocent Kashmiris are in captivity since 2019.

READ | 'Where is Meghalaya?': Omar Abdullah takes dig at 'friend' Satya Pal Malik after transfer

Statement by J&K leaders who had signed Gupkar declaration

After a meeting at Srinagar MP Farooq Abdullahs residence on August 22, all these five political parties of Jammu & Kashmir, who were the signatories of Gupkar Declaration of August 4, 2019, unanimously issued a statement for restoration of Article 370. We are committed to strive for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, the Constitution of J&K and the restoration of the state and any division of the state is unacceptable to us. We unanimously reiterate that there can be "nothing about us without us," NC president Farooq Abdullah, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, JKPCC chief GA Mir, CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami, JKPCC leader Sajad Gani Lone and ANC leader Muzaffar Shah said in a joint statement.

READ | 'Committed to strive for restoration of Art 370, 35A': J&K parties a year after Gupkar

The joint statement said the signatories of the Gupkar Declaration have barely managed to establish a basic level of communication with each other due to a series of prohibitive and punitive curbs imposed by the government, aimed at impeding all social and political interactions. The limited confabulations held within the constraints imposed have resulted in this unanimous resolution."

Moreover, in their first meeting after a year of hiatus from the political picture of J&K, National Conference said that it is on a sacred mission to restore whatever was snatched from J&K on August 5, 2019. This was in line with the Gupkar Declaration passed on the eve of abrogation of Article 370 (August 4, 2019) at NC patron Farooq Abdullah's residence at Gupkar road. The then statement said: "All the parties would be united in their resolve to protect and defend identity, autonomy and the special status of the J&K against all attacks and onslaughts whatsoever."

READ | 'Aim of the meeting was to check if NC leaders are free as govt claims': Farooq Abdullah

For the first time in over a year party GS Ali Mohammad Sagar addressed Srinagar district party functionaries at Nawa e Subah today. AGS Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, PP Nasir Aslam Wani, Shammi Oberoi, Syed Akhoon, Showkat Mir, Peer Afaq, Salman Ali Sagar, Sabiya Qadri also present. pic.twitter.com/Hn9LRu4LJ8  JKNC (@JKNC_) August 22, 2020

READ | Sacred mission to restore what was snatched from J&K on August 5: Farooq's & Omar's NC
In the early 1970s the name Haji Mastan used to trigger much fear in India. He was among the early smuggler kings who lived by crime and exploited criminal networks -- gold, some drugs, electronics and liquor, which mainly formed contraband those days.

There were vast smuggling networks to evade the authorities, but their main effect was a marginal negative impact on the economy and a few inter-gang shootouts. These were people who did what they did for self-enrichment, and the power that went with it.

Smuggler kings usually invested in the urban property market. As India progressed, these holdings began to emerge as virtual gold. The Bollywood film Deewar captured this very well in 1974. It wasnt until 1993 that crime syndicates involved in running contraband across borders went beyond the ordinary.

They got involved with terrorism, as Mumbai saw in the 1993 bombings, when a series of 12 bomb explosions on March 12, 1993 resulted in 257 fatalities and 1,400 injuries. The bombings were ascribed to Dawood Ibrahim, leader of a Mumbai-based international crime syndicate called D-Company. Dawood was assisted by subordinates Tiger Memon and Yakub Memon.

D-Company became a well-known name across India as it deeply involved itself with Pakistan-sponsored transnational proxy terrorism in India. Dawood Ibrahim, who had lived in the UAE since 1986, found a safe haven in Karachi too. Since then, he has been behind several high-profile terror acts in different parts of India outside Kashmir.

He is listed as an international terrorist by the UN and the United States and carries a bounty of $25 million on his head.

The recent Financial Action Task Force (FATF) pressure on Pakistan has led to the partially admitted presence of Dawood in Karachi. However, his networks continue to flourish in India despite the marked success of Indias intelligence agencies.

What is the linkage between crime syndicates and transnational terrorists? To comprehend this, take the example of Pakistan. In 1989 it chose to target India through what is called asymmetric or sub-conventional war.

Terrorism forms the core of this, with many other domains forming part of the low-intensity conflict spectrum. Pakistan chose to launch its strategy in Kashmir and over a period of time established an efficient network of local overground workers from different segments of society.

The network covered civil society members, lawyers, businessmen, politicians, media persons, members of the clergy, faculty and students of universities, and much more. Due to the prevailing sub-nationalist trends in J&K it was not difficult doing this.

However, Pakistans strategy desired extension of the hand of proxy conflict to hinterland areas and important cities of India to give substance to its chosen strategy of war by a thousand cuts. It was not easy doing this.

Finding reliable proxies, creating networks, embedding sleeper agents, transporting warlike material, having access to large-scale finances and creating empathy in some elements of society is never a simple set of tasks. It takes years to build these through networks.

In search for the means to take the proxy war into the rest of India, Pakistan got a shot in the arm with the destruction of the Babri Masjid in December 1992 and the communal riots that followed; both acting as facilitators for the extension of its strategy.

Its target was not difficult to choose, as Mumbai offered itself due to its strategic significance as Indias financial capital.

Mayhem by violence would disrupt investments, lead to serious suspicions of the minority community, create cleavages in society and cultivate a resultant trust deficit that would assist Pakistan to exploit at will.

However, the other major consideration for the selection of Mumbai as the target was the pre-existence of criminal networks, with the D-Company leading them. A foreign hand could ride on these networks for a cost.

With networks on its side, Pakistan thus had available human resources, weapons, finances, communications and local knowledge. With explosives supplanted, it was a ticking bomb.

Criminal networks got their first major experience of terror that did not differentiate between targets; every incidental target is justified in the rationale of terrorists, especially those with ideological orientation. People of all faiths died or were maimed in the acts on March 12, 1993 and thereafter.

Dawood Ibrahim, who evaded the hand of Indian law, managed to create a reported network of 5,000 criminal elements with an annual turnover of $2 billion. The D-Company is suspected of having provided the logistics for the Lashkar-e-Tayyabas terror attack on Mumbai on November 26, 2008, besides a host of other attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2011.

A total of 600 people died in these various attacks in Mumbai. With each event, Dawood Ibrahims criminal-cum-terrorist profile enhanced a couple of notches and he has been known to keep the company of international terrorist outfits like Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

In 2006, India submitted a list of 38 most wanted terrorists, including Dawood Ibrahim, to Pakistan, but the latter continued to play a hedging game knowing that the D-Company and its head was an invaluable asset for it.

With the FATF investigation against Pakistan, India in recent months has mounted pressure at the UN. On August 6, 2020, India highlighted the nexus between international terrorism and organised crime, quoting the case of UN-designated terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, who has been living in Pakistan ever since his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

India went on to state: If the international community can successfully defeat the Islamic State, a similar focus on addressing threats posed by proscribed individuals and entities such as Dawood Ibrahim and his D-Company, the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammad will serve humankind well.

The continuous Indian diplomatic campaign to highlight Pakistan-sponsored criminal and terrorist links which have acted as its proxies in India is apparently bearing fruit, with Pakistan reportedly admitting the existence of Dawood Ibrahim in Karachi.

However, Pakistan is a past master at subterfuge and evasion of responsibility. Its admission on one day and denial the next is part of an old strategy which it continues to play with the FATF.

With international success against the ISIS and Al Qaeda, a renewed and energetic Indian campaign to nail Dawood Ibrahim is the call of the hour so that the FATF can effectively take note and place Pakistan on notice to deliver or perish on the blacklist. But only time can tell if it will happen this time.
AKRON, Ohio -- One person died Tuesday in a fiery crash involving a car and a tanker truck on Ohio 8 on Akrons North Side that also caused fuel to spill and a small fire on a stream of the Cuyahoga River, according to firefighters and the Summit County Medical Examiners Office.

The victims name has not been publicly released, pending family notifications. The victim was the driver of the car, City of Akron Spokeswoman Ellen Lander-Nischt said in a news release.

UPDATE: 18-year-old North Canton man identified as victim in fiery tanker crash on Ohio 8 in Akron

The crash happened around 7:45 a.m. on Ohio 8 between Tallmadge and Howe avenues, and caused the car to be engulfed in flames, according to Akron police. The crash remains under investigation.

The southbound lanes of Ohio 8 have reopened, the Ohio Department of Transportation reported. Northbound traffic is expected to reopen at 4 p.m., but will be confined to one lane until at least 10 p.m. while crews repair parts of the pavement, according to ODOT.

Firefighters ordered people within a half-mile radius to evacuate the area, which forced residents to leave about 250 homes and businesses, including parts of Summa Healths campus, Akrons North High School and Harris Jackson CLC Elementary School. There were no students at the schools, since Akron schools began the year remotely. People who evacuated were allowed to return Tuesday afternoon.

The Akron Fire Department reported that gasoline from the tankers fuel tank and an unidentified flammable liquid carried by the tanker contributed to the fire. Some of the liquids spread onto the roadway and into a nearby stream that flows into the Cuyahoga River near Gorge Metro Park.

Summit Metro Parks temporarily closed Gorge Metro Park due to a sewer fire related to the crash on Ohio 8, and has banned fishing in the area until Saturday.

The fire department confirmed there was hot runoff in the sewer system, with some soot found near the sewer grates, and that the fire was quickly extinguished.

The affected storm sewer carries rainwater from the roadway and into a discharge point of the Cuyahoga River nearby, Akron spokeswoman Lander-Nischt said. This pipe is not a combined sewer pipe and does not connect to residential sanitary sewer drains. The City will be conducting an assessment of any damage to this storm sewer and making any necessary repairs.

The tanker company is paying for an emergency remediation company to perform additional work in the area, including placing absorbent booms, which restrict access to the affected area along the river.

I am incredibly proud of the organized and professional response from our emergency responders today, said Mayor Dan Horrigan. Akron Police, Akron Fire and our Service Department crews, in coordination with many of our local partners, worked diligently and efficiently to reduce the risks and impacts of this serious and tragic event on the public.

Update: This fire is related to the tanker accident on Route 8. https://t.co/qdTCpsrERQ  Summit Metro Parks (@metro_parks) August 25, 2020
The electronics policies of the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government will pave the way for companies to shift their base from China to India, industry body ICEA said on Tuesday.

Last week, the Uttar Pradesh government unveiled a new electronics policy to attract companies looking to shift their base to India in the post COVID-19 scenario.

"UP is already home to approximately 60 per cent of the total manufacturing units relating to mobile phones and components and we are confident that with such incentivization and policy support the state would further witness the accelerated establishment of units...," ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo said in a statement.

The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), which represents companies like Apple, Lava, Xiaomi, Vivo, Foxconn and Wistron, has been working with the state government since the past five-six years.

ICEA said specific policy initiatives such as allowing dormitory facilities to be established within the manufacturing premises is a welcome step by the state government.

"We are confident that cumulatively these policy interventions both by the Central Government as well as UP...would definitely pave the way for shifting of base from China and elsewhere to UP and India," Mohindroo said.

The industry body signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government in January 2015, whereby ICEA's objective was to establish a mobile manufacturing ecosystem.

"The outcomes targeted in this MoU were achieved within 2 years itself," Mohindroo said.

A second MoU was signed with the Uttar Pradesh government in February 2018 with an investment target of Rs 10,000 crore and generation of 3 lakh jobs.

The agreement is "heading towards optimum fulfilment too", the statement added.

Recently, Samsung and contract manufacturers of Apple, Lava, Dixon and several other companies applied for the production linked incentive scheme announced by the Centre.

The companies have jointly committed to produce mobile phones worth Rs 11 lakh crore over the next five years.

(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.)
Macrophages are white blood cells that, depending on the signals they get from the immune system, become specialized in either increasing or decreasing inflammation.

When macrophages are programmed to be pro-inflammatory, they help to increase inflammation, which is beneficial for fighting infections; when they are programmed to be anti-inflammatory, they help to decrease inflammation.

This regulated programming allows the body to fight off infections but also ensures that inflammation naturally subsides after the initial immune response and promotes tissue repair.

The emergence of anti-inflammatory macrophages helps prevent an immune response from becoming excessive and dangerous, like what is observed in autoimmune diseases or in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, or ARDS, which has been affecting some COVID-19 patients.

A new study from researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago published in the journal Nature Immunology suggests that macrophage programming is more complex than previously thought.

We found that macrophage programming is driven by more than the immune system -- it is also driven by the environment in which the macrophages reside." Asrar Malik, Study Lead Author the and Schweppe Family Distinguished Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago

Malik is also the head of pharmacology and regenerative medicine at the College of Medicine.

The study specifically looked at macrophage programming in animal models of lung injury.

"We demonstrated that lung endothelial cells -- which are the cells that line blood vessels -- are essential in programming macrophages with potent tissue-reparative and anti-inflammatory functions," said Dr. Jalees Rehman, UIC professor of medicine and pharmacology and regenerative medicine and co-lead author of the paper.

The research team first analyzed the proteins, which function as chemical signals, released by blood vessel cells and then they conducted experiments to see whether those signals affected how macrophages functioned.

They found that one protein, called Rspondin3, was released at high levels during inflammatory injury and played a key role in macrophage programming.

"When we removed the gene responsible for Rspondin3 from the blood vessel endothelial cells, we observed that macrophages did not decelerate inflammation. Instead, the lungs became more injured," said Bisheng Zhou, UIC research assistant professor of pharmacology and regenerative medicine and first author of the study. "We tried this in multiple models of inflammatory lung injury and found consistent results, suggesting that blood vessels play an important instructive role in guiding the programming of macrophages."

In addition to providing a new avenue for drug developers to explore, Rehman said this finding provides a clue as to why some people may have better outcomes.

"The majority of people recover from a lung infection but, unfortunately, a subset of patients develop severe lung injury in the form of ARDS, which is what we have seen in the recent COVID-19 pandemic," Rehman said.

"It could be that these patients have underlying and perhaps undiagnosed poor vascular health and as a result, the blood vessels fail to send the appropriate cues to macrophages and turn off the inflammation," he said.

"The lack of an adequate automatic braking system to slow inflammation once the bacteria or viruses have been eliminated leads to a situation in which our body's own unchecked immune system becomes the cause of even greater damage to vulnerable tissues and organs such as the lung."

Rehman said that even though the study focused on lungs, its findings could be also relevant to diseases in other organs such as the heart, intestines, brain and liver, where immune cells can cause damage if the necessary balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cells is disrupted.
In 1880 Dr. R.I. McElrees Wine of Cardui hit the pharmaceutical market as a menstrual relief product for women. Confident of its anticipated success, the developer of the product made an agreement with the purchasers of the alcohol-laced product that if they were not satisfied with its promised result that they would get their money back. Allegedly 6,500 ladies reported being cured of the vapors or fallen womb syndrome and the company immediately received an initial shipment of 7,000 bottles.

The Chattanooga Medicine Company was founded on Feb. 21, 1889, and started operations in an unpretentious two-story brick building on the muddy, unpaved Market Street in Chattanooga.

The principal founder of the company was former Union soldier from Illinois, Zeboim Cartter Patten. His fellow charter members were H. Clay Evans, Theodore G. Montague, Fred F. Wiehl and Lew Owen, who were all successful businessmen in other endeavors.

In 1882, Dr. McElree (he is also referred to as Reverend McElree in some writings) sold his product to the Chattanooga Medicine Company where it was originally marketed as McElrees Cardui, The Womans Tonic.

After prohibition passed in 1919-1920, the ingredients were listed as Blessed Thistle, Golden Seal, and 19 percent alcohol (38 proof). Surprisingly Congress had passed on Nov. 18, 1918, the temporary Wartime Prohibition Act, which banned the sale of alcoholic beverages having an alcohol content of greater than 1.28 percent (2.56 proof).

When the McElrees Cardui was sold to the Medicine Company it flourished with sales and profits. In this era women were not the only ones that benefited from the magic elixir. Men had bouts of melancholy and women suffered from the vapors, which was described as attacks of hysteria, mania, clinical depression, bipolar disorder, withdrawal syndrome, fainting, and mood swings of PMS (ladies know what this is).

The main ingredients of this magical tonic were potassium (51.9 percent), salt (16 percent) and a varying amount of alcohol that fluctuated up to 23.3 percent alcohol (46.6 proof).

Prior to hitting the jackpot with Wine of Cardui, the Chattanooga Medicine Companys best seller had been Black Draught laxative product but sales had fallen recently until Wine of Cardui came along and helped the company. Patents to the Black Draught had been bought by Mr. Patten in 1879.

Chattanooga often has been called the Buckle of the Bible Belt and the consumption of Wine of Cardui allowed the large teetotaling Baptists, Methodists, and other fundamental religious groups to take Cardui for medicine purposes and remain faithful to their religion.

Some of the advertising materials pertaining to the product are informative with glowing reports from female users:

Mrs. C.M. Ladd wrote: I take great pleasure in telling you and affected women that I owe my life, my health and my happiness to Wine of Cardui. After my marriage my health broke down and, after having tried several physicians and several kinds of medicines, I was given up to die. I had heard of Wine of Cardui and decided to try it. I began to receive benefit at once, and now I am well and strong and our home has two fine little boys to make it bright and happy.

However, the product did have its detractors. Over time it was analyzed by physicians and was the subject of lawsuits claiming it had no medicinal value. However, it was determined that non-alcoholic ingredients were in large enough quantities to really be medicinal and it was the 19 percent alcohol that had an effect on masking the symptoms and making the patients feel better.

In 1916, the Chattanooga Medicine Company, which made Wine of Cardui, brought a successful libel suit against the American Medical Association for its claims that the business was built on deceit and that the product was a vicious fraud. During an adjournment of the court in April 1916, in Chicago, company owner John A. Patten was seized with acute intestinal pain  he was rushed to the hospital and operated on, but unfortunately died.

At this unexpected incident, a personal suit brought by Patten lapsed, but he and his brother had also brought a partnership suit for $100,000 and, once the funeral was over, the case continued. The verdict, after the jury had been out a week, was in favor of the Chattanooga Medicine Company  it was awarded damages of one cent. Both sides could claim a victory of sorts. As the California State Journal of Medicine pointed out in August 1916, it is permissible to suggest that the American Medical Association will hardly find its prestige diminished among good citizens by its opposition to the sale of proprietary medicines containing a marked percentage of alcohol.

In reporter Mary Braswells Looking Back column in the Albany (Georgia) Herald dated April 27, 2014 she covers the subject of Wine of Cardui in an informative and humorous way, with several comments on the advertisements touting the production and encouraging mothers to give their daughters, beginning at age 12, one dose of Wine of Cardui each morning to head off female problems.. such care was needed to help a girl develop into attractive womanhood and equip her for the duties of a wife and mother. (May 1901)

Unfortunately, the present Drinking Under Age Statutes prohibit such consumption.

* * *

Jerry Summers



(If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com
GENEVA, Switzerland, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Geneva based international investment firm, United Securities Equity Corp (USEC) has recently issued a new limited private placement offering in order to further strengthen its investment portfolio and stimulate trade activity in light of the widespread slowdown due to the corona virus pandemic. USEC provides a specialized range of trade finance solutions to businesses across the globe. This offering moves USEC closer to its goal of expanding their trade finance operations, potentially valued at $850M USD.

With the support and guidance of the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce), USEC positions itself as a unique conduit to trade finance and investment opportunities for companies during this period of economic uncertainty. The ICC wishes to effectively alleviate some of the key disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In its April 6th 2020 memo the ICC is, "Calling on governments and central banks to immediately void the legal requirement for paper-based documentation, and to adopt the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records." ICC's Secretary-General John W.H. Denton AO further clarified that, "The trade finance market is systemically important to the functioning of the global economy."

To this end, USEC is working diligently to fulfill the ICC's objective, by offering its services to businesses in search of non-traditional funding in the goal of helping with a speedy global economic recovery. "As the global economy gradually recovers and opens for business again, trade companies may meet with funding constraints and require assistance to transact effectively," said Edgar Burke, USEC Chief Investment Officer.

USEC has enlisted the services of international advisory firm Mainsail Capmarkets who will operate in the capacity of Exclusive Distributor for the Private Placement.

United Securities Equity Corp (USEC) is a Geneva based international investment firm, providing businesses across the globe with a specialized range of trade and finance solutions.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Media Relations, Nelson Abraham, at +41 22 531 0013 or email [email protected].

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1243377/United_Securities_Equity_Corp_Logo.jpg

SOURCE United Securities Equity Corp

Related Links

http://www.usecinvest.com/


Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Snow showers this morning. Peeks of sunshine later. Much colder. Morning high of 11F with temps falling to near 0. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

Tonight

Bitterly cold. Partly cloudy skies. Low -14F. Winds light and variable.
Before Daniela Alves caught Covid-19 in March, the 31-year-old Londoner regularly worked overtime to accelerate her career as a mobile app designer. Now, she struggles with client meetings, and says persistent fatigue has halved her productivity.

I was a beast before, but now things are different, Alves says over Zoom, pausing frequently to catch her breath or cough. I cant physically do it, and Im approaching life differently.

Alves said she needed three months off work even after experiencing a mild infection that didnt require hospitalization. Covid-19s lingering effects count her among an expanding population of so-called long-haulers -- survivors left with debilitating conditions who represent another insidious dimension of the pandemic.

Its now known that SARS-CoV-2 will leave a portion of the more than 23 million people its infected with a litany of physical, cognitive and psychological impairments, like scarred lungs, post-viral fatigue and chronic heart damage. Whats still emerging is the extent to which the enduring disability will weigh on health systems and the labor force. That burden may continue the pandemics economic legacy for generations, adding to its unprecedented global cost -- predicted by Australian National University scholars to reach as much $35.3 trillion through 2025 as countries try to stop the viruss spread.

More Stories:

The bottom line is that the physical, long-term health consequences are very serious for peoples welfare, and in economic terms, said Hannes Schwandt, an assistant professor of education and social policy who studies well-being and economic outcomes at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. But, we dont know enough about it yet.

While its unclear how many survivors become long-haulers, a Covid-19 symptom study in the U.K. with more than 4 million participants found 1 in 10 people are sick for a least three weeks. People with mild cases of the disease are more likely to have a variety of strange symptoms that come and go over a longer period, according to Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at Kings College London, who is leading the study.

Weirder It Gets

The more we learn about coronavirus, the weirder it gets, he said.

The still-evolving clinical picture, dearth of patient follow-up, and incomplete data on the number of people afflicted by Covid-19 make it difficult to predict the pandemics long-term health and economic consequences, according to Christopher J. Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Theres enough out there to suggest its appreciable, and this is something were becoming interested in trying to measure, said Murray, who has studied the global burden of disease for almost 30 years.

That information will be critical for anticipating and funding future health-care needs, said Thomas File, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Significant Burden

If you look at the intermediate-term consequences right now, were already seeing it on the lungs, heart, neurological and psychological systems, said File, who is also chair of infectious diseases at Summa Health, a hospital system in Akron, Ohio. This is going to have a significant burden on our health-care system for years to come.

The economic impact will be much greater if younger survivors endure decades of coronavirus-related disability, said Olga Jonas, a former economic adviser at the World Bank who studies the impact of contagions at Harvard University in Boston. Polio, a paralyzing disease, would have led to an estimated $215 billion in treatment costs in the U.S. from 1955 to 2015 had vaccines not become widely available, a 2006 study found.

There has been little recognition so far of Covid-19s ill-effects on younger adults, said Hannah Wei, a 30-year-old long-hauler in Canada, who helps other sufferers through survivor support group Body Politic. An analysis of responses from 640 patients collected by the group in April and May found recovery is volatile, includes relapses, and can take six or more weeks.

Although all respondents experienced symptoms consistent with Covid-19, 48% were either denied testing or not tested for another reason. That can makes obtaining financial assistance for rehabilitation and disability services more difficult, Wei said.

Especially Neglected

In the beginning of the pandemic, a lot of my age cohort werent the ones being tested, so weve been especially neglected from the system and not recorded on official numbers, said Wei, who caught Covid-19 in March. Now were seeing a lot of these people become long-haulers.

Even if such cases are identified, theres still no guarantee the economic consequences will be adequately quantified, said Janet Currie, an economics professor at Princeton University. For example, employment surveys favored by economists dont routinely ask if people have disabilities, she said.

Also, the long-term economic effects of Covid-19 will ripple well beyond those who caught the coronavirus, Currie said. Mental health problems emanating from lockdowns will sap work performance and productivity, health-care disruptions may exacerbate other medical conditions, and people needing to provide care for others will have less time for paid work.

In Limbo

There are also those like Kyle Merryman, who is in limbo over his own classification.

The 39-year-old U.S. Iraq-war veteran developed Covid-like symptoms in January. By the end of April hed visited the emergency room eight times with symptoms including shortness of breath and blurry vision. Due to the timing of his illness, Merryman wasnt tested for Covid-19, and an antibody test in June came back negative. Still, he has no other explanation for how he went from being completely healthy to unable to work.

He was recently diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome -- a problem with the automatic nervous system. The condition, which may develop after a viral illness, often causes heart palpitations, chest pain and brain fog, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Im really not sure what my future holds, said Merryman, who had to take leave from a technology job in Florida and move in with his mother in Texas. My illness has already put a big financial strain on my family and me.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter
The discharge rate of Covid-19 patients in has improved to 78.46 per cent on Monday from 58.54 per cent on August 18, state health department said.

Altogether 3,285 patients were released from different hospitals during the day.

The death toll due to mounted to 2,851 after 57 people succumbed to the disease, while the states tally reached 1,41,837 with 2,967 new cases of infection, the department said in a bulletin.

So far, 1,11,292 people have recovered from the disease in and the number of active cases stood at 27,694.

The metropolis accounted for 13 of the fresh fatalities, followed by North 24 Parganas (12), Howrah (9), South 24 Parganas (6) and Hooghly (4), it added. The remaining 13 deaths were reported from several other districts.

Out of the 57 deaths, 44 were due to comorbidities where Covid-19 was incidental, the bulletin said.

It said that 700 new infections were registered in North 24 Parganas, 465 in Kolkata, 158 in South 24 Parganas, 154 in Paschim Medinipur, 134 in Purba Medinipur, 115 each in Alipurduar and Purulia, 109 in Darjeeling, 108 in Dakshin Dinajpur, 104 in Howrah and 102 in Bankura.

The remaining 807 cases were reported from 11 other districts of the state.

The state has tested 15,61,311 samples for Covid-19 so far, including 35,267 tests in the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the rising number of cases in North 24 Parganas district.

She said that the positivity rate in North 24 Parganas is 20.67 per cent while it is 13.7 per cent in Howrah, 8.3 per cent in Hooghly and 7.9 per cent in South 24 Parganas.

The discharge rate in North 24 Parganas is 77 per cent, while it is 82.2 per cent in Howrah, 77.8 per cent in Hooghly and 78.4 per cent in South 24 Parganas, Banerjee said at a meeting with district magistrates and superintendents of police of these four districts.

"There are some municipality areas and some panchayat areas in North 24 Parganas. We have to see how the spread of COVID-19 can be controlled in the district," she said.

Banerjee, who also holds the health portfolio, said that the district has some congested zones such as jute mill areas.

She asked the officials to ramp up testing, tracking and tracing to stem the spread of

(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 Supreme Courts order on August 24 that said real estate developers must pay homebuyers 6 percent annual interest on the cost of the apartments for the period of delay in possession over and above the penalty places buyers' rights at an equal footing with those of developers, said experts.

According to experts, the order also clearly sends out the message that the minimum an allottee would be entitled to, in case of delay, is State Bank of India's (SBIs) highest marginal cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR) plus 2 percent, even if the agreement between the allottee and the developer stipulates a lower compensation.

The apex court in its order said flat buyers are entitled to compensation for "delayed handing over of possession" and for the failure of the developer to fulfil their promises with regard to amenities.

It should be noted here that under Section 18 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, or RERA, too, in case of delay in handing over possession, if the allottee is desirous of continuing with the project, then the allottee would be entitled to interest as may be prescribed.

Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority rules stipulate interest to be paid at the rate of SBI's highest MCLR plus 2 percent.

Therefore, this decision has set an example that courts would be inclined to disregard a lower compensation or interest provided for in the Apartment Buyers Agreements, and would follow the guidelines provided in RERA to arrive at a compensation, explained Harsh Parikh, partner, Khaitan & Co.

The top court on August 24 set aside the verdict of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), which, on July 2, 2019, had dismissed the complaints of 339 flat buyers by holding that they were not entitled to the compensation in excess of what was stipulated in their flat purchase agreements for delayed possession and the lack of assured amenities.

The homebuyers had booked residential flats with DLF Southern Homes, now known as Begur OMR Homes, in a project called Westend Heights at New Town, DLF, BTM Extension at Begu, Bengaluru.

The Supreme Court bench said the flat owners are entitled to the compensation in excess of the amount stipulated in their agreements with the developers.

Save and except for eleven appellants who entered into specific settlements with the developer and three appellants who have sold their right, title and interest under the ABA (agreement), the first and second respondents (developers) shall, as a measure of compensation, pay an amount calculated at the rate of 6 percent simple interest per annum to each of the appellants, the order said.

The compensation amount shall be computed on the total money paid towards the purchase of the respective flats with effect from the date of expiry of 36 months from the execution of the respective flat purchase agreements until the date of the offer of possession after the receipt of the occupation certificate, it said.

The compensation amount shall be in addition to the money which has been paid over or credited by the developer at the rate of Rs 5 per square foot per month at the time of the drawing of final accounts, it said.

Apartment Buyers Agreements one-sided: SC

The court also noted that it cannot be oblivious to the one-sided nature of the Apartment Buyers Agreements which are drafted by and to protect the interest of the developers.

It also considered the issue of whether flat buyers in these circumstances are constrained by the stipulation contained in clause 14 of ABA providing compensation for delay at the rate of Rs 5 per square feet per month.

In assessing the legal position, it is necessary to record that the ABA is clearly one-sided, it noted.

It observed that a delay on the part of the flat buyer attracts interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum beyond 90 days. On the other hand, where a developer delays in handing over possession, the flat buyer is restricted to receiving interest at Rs 5 per square foot per month under clause 14.

The Supreme Court by virtue of this order has re-affirmed the position of law that homebuyers cannot be constrained by such terms and conditions of the builder buyer agreements which are unfair and skewed in favour of the builder, said Ashwarya Sinha, advocate-on-record and an expert on real estate.

The order brings the much-needed respite to homebuyers in the event of default on part of the developer, and places their rights at an equal platform with those of the developer, he said.

In the long-run, it should necessarily lead to a change in the way such contracts and terms are dictated and concluded between the parties. The Supreme Court has affirmed the position that courts under such cases where the terms are manifestly one-sided, ought to strike a level ground between the contracting parties, he added.

The courts have not only on this occasion but on many occasions earlier read down the provisions of a developer buyer agreement, which it has felt has been clearly one-sided.

Though the present case was not basis RERA, however, after the advent of RERA, each state provides for a model form which requires to be used as a yard stick. Therefore, now it has become simpler for even the courts to measure the agreements between a developer and a buyer to arrive at a decision whether the same is one-sided or not, by comparing it to the model form agreements, said Parikh.

This is an important judgment laying down certain principles in relation to disputes stemming from agreements executed in a pre-RERA era, putting to rest a relevant issue which is often raised as regards the contracts being lop-sided to the advantage of the developer in certain instances, leading to buyers suffering, said Rahul Arora, partner, Trilegal.

The relevance of this judgment in terms of bringing the changes to the agreements executed between buyers and developers in the context today may not be as much given that the RERA Act is in place. The Act provides a balanced approach in dealing with claims arising in this regard and fairly reduces the ambiguity regarding the remedies in case of delay in possession.

Nevertheless, the judgment will aid in clearing out the bulk of pending litigations which are placed on a similar pedestal, he added.

Failure of the developer to comply with the contract amounts to deficiency of service: SC

The bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and KM Joseph also noted that service means a service of any description which is made available to potential users including the provision of facilities in connection with (among other things) housing construction.

A failure of the developer to comply with the contractual obligation to provide the flat to a flat purchaser within a contractually stipulated period amounts to a deficiency. There is a fault, shortcoming or inadequacy in the nature and manner of performance which has been undertaken to be performed in pursuance of the contract in relation to the service, the apex court said in its order.

Flat purchasers suffer agony and harassment, as a result of the default of the developer. Flat purchasers make legitimate assessments in regard to the future course of their lives based on the flat which has been purchased being available for use and occupation. These legitimate expectations are belied when the developer as in the present case is guilty of a delay of years in the fulfilment of a contractual obligation, the Supreme Court order said.

The court held that in case of a real estate project, a developer undertakes to provide a service in the nature of developing residential flats with certain amenities and remains amenable to the jurisdiction of the Consumer Forum.

Basis this, the court held that flat purchasers who obtained possession or executed Deeds of Conveyance cannot be said to have lost their right to make a claim for compensation for the delay in handing over possession of the flats, explained Parikh.

Impact on other real estate projects

The court has made a very specific observation, that in case if an allottee sells its allotment or right to obtain the flat to another buyer, such incoming buyer may not be entitled to agitate a claim for compensation in case at the time of acquisition such incoming buyer was aware of the delay in completion of the real estate project.

Going forward, this order would ensure that the marketing materials and representations made by a developer by virtue of a brochure or any other medium needs to be extremely well thought through and should not over commit. As such brochures also are a representations which a developer would be bound to follow and failure of compliance would lead to consequences, said Parikh.

This order would ensure that developers would be more circumspect in their marketing materials and also agreements to be entered into with the allottees, he added.
State

Met NPGs, Naga bodies to appeal for consensus: ENPO

DIMAPUR, AUG 25 (NPN) | Publish Date: 8/25/2020 12:19:34 PM IST

Eastern Naga Peoples Organisation (ENPO) said it met all Naga tribal bodies, including United Naga Council (Manipur), Tirap Changlang Longding Public Forum (Arunachal) and Nagas of Assam, on different dates to make an appeal in one voice for an overall political consensus amongst the fragmented Naga political groups for an acceptable and lasting unified political solution.

Having submitted an appeal letter to both NSCN (I-M) and NNPGs, ENPO clarified that its initiative should not be construed otherwise by any Naga political group, stressing that threat, intimidation and blame game would only create further division and misunderstanding.

Realising the urgent need for the Nagas as a whole to unite in the interest of peaceful and lasting Naga political solution, ENPO explained that it had met NSCN (I-M) president and NNPGs convener on April 13 and 19 respectively and submitted a written appeal urging both groups to come together to have the final agreement acceptable to all and in the best possible interest of the Nagas.

Therefore, with all good intention and without favouring any particular group engaged in the peace talks with Government of India (GoI), ENPO said it continued to pray and appealed to both GoI and different Naga political groups to deliver the final agreement at the earliest acceptable to all and in the best interest of the people.

It hoped the ongoing political talks between would usher in a long lasting solution.
Facebook blocked access within Thailand to a group with 1 million members that has criticized the country's king, but said it was planning a legal challenge to the government's demand that it block the group.

The move comes amid near daily youth-led protests against the government led by the former military junta chief and unprecedented calls for reforms of the monarchy.

The "Royalist Marketplace" group was created in April by Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a self-exiled academic and critic of the monarchy.

On Monday night, the group's page brought up a message: "Access to this group has been restricted within Thailand pursuant to a legal request from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society."

Pavin, who lives in Japan, said Facebook had bowed to the military-dominated government's pressure.

"Our group is part of a democratisation process, it is a space for freedom of expression," Pavin told Reuters.

"By doing this, Facebook is cooperating with the authoritarian regime to obstruct democracy and cultivating authoritarianism in Thailand."

Pavin's new group of the same name already had over 455,000 members on Tuesday.

Facebook said on Tuesday it was planning to legally challenge the Thai government after being "compelled" to block access to the group.

"Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on people's ability to express themselves," a Facebook spokesperson said.

"We work to protect and defend the rights of all internet users and are preparing to legally challenge this request."

Thailand's lese majeste laws, which forbid defaming the king, with penalties of up to 15 years in prison, is often the basis for such requests to block or remove content on social media platforms.

Earlier this month, Thailand's digital minister accused Facebook of not complying with requests to restrict content, including insults to the monarchy.

On Aug. 10, he gave Facebook 15 days to comply with court takedown orders or face charges under the local Computer Crime Act, which carries a fine of up to 200,000 baht ($6,367.40) and an additional 5,000 baht ($159.18) per day until each order is observed.

Digital ministry spokesman Putchapong Nodthaisong said on Monday that Facebook cooperated before the deadline because it understood the context of Thai society.

Putchapong did not comment on Facebook's plan for legal action when asked by Reuters on Tuesday.

The ministry last week filed a separate cybercrime complaint against Pavin for creating the group.
In this screenshot from the RNCs livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, Maximo Alvarez, founder of Sunshine Gasoline, addresses the virtual convention on August 24, 2020. (The Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

Cuban-Born Businessman Warns Against Socialisms Empty Promises in RNC Speech

Florida businessman Maximo Alvarez on Monday evening warned against the threat of socialism during a speech at the Republican National Convention (RNC), explaining that he fled communist Cuba when Fidel Castro and his regime took over the island nation decades ago.

Alvarez, who owns Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, said that he believes the Democratic platform espoused by nominee Joe Biden promotes socialist policies.

Ive seen people like this before. Ive seen movements like this before. Ive seen ideas like this before. And I am here to tell youwe cannot let them take over our country, Alvarez told the conference. I heard the promises of Fidel Castro, and I can never forget all those who grew up around me, who looked like me, who suffered and starved and died because they believed those empty promises. They swallowed the communist poison pill.

He said that free health care, calls to defund the police, and other claims from the far-left wing of the Democratic Party sound familiar compared to assertions that were made by Castro.

In a speech endorsing President Donald Trumps reelection, Alvarez said that violence and unrest in a number of cities over the summer were reminiscent of what happened in Cuba in the 1960s.

Those false promisesspread the wealth, free education, free healthcare, defund the police, trust a socialist state more than your family and your communitythey dont sound radical to my ears. They sound familiar, he said.

The country I was born in is gone, totally destroyed, he added. When I watch the news in Seattle and Chicago and Portland, when I see the history being rewritten, when I hear the promisesI hear echoes of a former life I never wanted to hear again. I see shadows I thought I had outrun.

Alvarez added that hes voting for Trump because hes fighting the forces of anarchy and communism.

Trump and Republicans have said that the ongoing Black Lives Matter protestswhich have sparked violence, looting, and riotshave been embraced by the Democrats and represent the countrys future if Biden were to become president. Trump has alleged that some city and state governments have failed to curb the protests and called for law and order to be restored.

Alvarez was one of many speakers who delivered an address during the first night of the RNC. Earlier Monday, delegates nominated President Trump, who spoke to the crowd.

Other speakers on Monday included Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), former U.S. ambassador and Gov. Nikki Haley, RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, and others.

Speakers on Tuesday include First Lady Melania Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Eric Trump, Nicholas Sandmann, and others.
President Donald Trump appeared Monday during the Republican National Convention with six people who his administration helped free after they had been taken into custody in countries around the world and held, sometimes for years.

In a short video, Trump said they were among more than 50 people who have been freed from 22 countries during his administration.

"We're very proud of the job we did," Trump told the group, noting that national security adviser Robert O'Brien had been involved in the negotiations.

One of the men, Michael White, was a U.S. Navy veteran arrested in Iran in 2018 while visiting a girlfriend he'd met online. After being convicted of insulting the country's top leader, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

With the help of Swiss officials, who have overseen U.S. interests in Tehran for four decades, White was released earlier this summer. He had been in captivity for 683 days.

Another person, Sam Goodwin, spent two months in custody in Syria after visiting that country without a visa. Lebanese officials helped negotiate his release last year.

"I think I speak for my former fellow hostages and detainees here when I say I am just as grateful as I have ever been for anything to be home safely, Goodwin said to Trump at the White House.

"We got you all back," Trump responded.

Image: Donald Trump, hostages (RNC)

In Turkey, Andrew Brunson, a pastor, was accused four years ago of following Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish cleric who that country's president, Tayyip Erdogan, has said was behind a 2016 coup.

Brunson, who was charged with terrorism, was released on Oct. 12, 2018, after Trump said he had a "few conversations" with Erdogan.

In Venezuela, Mormon missionary Joshua Holt was arrested after an anti-gang police squad accused him of stockpiling grenades and an AK-47 assault rifle. Holt had gone to the country to marry a Venezuelan woman, Thamara Candelo, whom he'd met online, but authorities said they were keeping the weapons at her family's home.

Story continues

Download the NBC News app for alerts and all the latest on the Republican convention.

Holt was held in a Caracas prison for two years without a trial. Several U.S. lawmakers helped secure his release in 2018.

In India, Bryan Nerran, a pastor, was arrested last year after not declaring $40,000 in cash on his way to Nepal. He was freed in May.
Trump to Nominate Chad Wolf for DHS Secretary

President Donald Trump plans to nominate Chad Wolf for secretary of Homeland Security.

Trump announced his plan Aug. 25 on Twitter.

Wolf is the current acting secretary, a role he assumed on Nov. 13, 2019, after the Senate confirmed him as an acting undersecretary.

Chad has done an outstanding job and we greatly appreciate his service! Trump wrote in a missive.

Wolf said in a statement that he was honored to be nominated by the president.

As the Homeland faces evolving threats from natural disasters, violent opportunists, malign cyber actors, and transnational criminal organizations, the mission of DHS is as critical as ever, he said.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hasnt had a permanent secretary since Kirstjen Nielsen resigned in April of last year.

Because Republicans control the Senate, Wolf will likely be confirmed with few issues.

The succession order of top DHS posts came under scrutiny this month. A congressional watchdog said it was improperly altered when Kevin McAleenan became acting secretary. That made Wolfs eventual promotion invalid, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) claimed in a nonbinding legal opinion.

The watchdog conclusions were baseless and baffling, Chad Mizelle, a DHS lawyer, responded, arguing that the opinion left out that Nielsen personally swore McAleenan in as acting head before stepping down.

The staffer who wrote the report appears to have only graduated law school three years ago and spent time working on a Democratic campaign, Mizelle wrote in the letter.

President Donald Trump pauses while speaking during a media briefing in the James Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on Aug. 23, 2020. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

A GAO spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement: We stand by our decision, but will certainly review their concerns. GAO has rigorous standards to ensure that all of our legal decisions are accurate, nonpartisan, and independent.

Wolf tackled the issue on Sunday during an appearance on CNNs State of the Union.

What I will say is, the Homeland Security Act gives the secretary of homeland security discrete and broad discretion, exclusive authority to appoint his or her successor. So, Secretary Nielsen, as you mentioned, did that in three different ways. She amended the order of succession. She sent out an employee message to over 250,000 employees of the Department of Homeland Security indicating that Kevin McAleenan would succeed her. And then she swore in Kevin McAleenan, he said.

If thats not any clearer about her picking her successor, Im not sure what is. So, GAO did not look at all three of those measures. They only commented on one of those. And, as you can tell, we disagree with what the GAO said.

Pressed on why DHS has had an acting head for so long, Wolf said he has been very clear that he strongly believes the department needs a Senate-confirmed secretary.

I will continue to say that. I dont make personnel decisions from the White House. The White House Personnel Office does, he said. Ill continue to talk with them about filling key leadership vacancies at the department. And we will continue to work through that.
Aug 24 (Reuters) - Guyana has re-launched a search for a company to market the government's share of the crude produced at the offshore Liza project, operated by Exxon Mobil Corp , according to a notice published in the South American country's newspapers.

President Irfaan Ali's government scrapped a previous, similar process initiated by Ali's predecessor shortly after taking office in August. The government is seeking a 12-month contract that would involve five crude cargoes of around 1 million barrels each, according to the Sunday notice. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York Editing by Chris Reese)
The Caravan magazine had alleged that a mob in northeast Delhi had assaulted Shahid Tantray, Prabhjit Singh and a woman journalist, and had threatened to kill them

New Delhi: The Press Council of India (PCI) on Tuesday called for a report from Delhi Police and the Delhi chief secretary in connection with the alleged assault of three journalists of a news magazine by a mob in northeast Delhi.

The police on 12 August said it has received a complaint from a news magazine that three of its journalists, including a woman, were assaulted by a mob in northeast Delhi, where they had gone to report on the riots that had taken place in February.

The Caravan magazine alleged that the mob assaulted Shahid Tantray, Prabhjit Singh and the woman journalist, threatened to kill them, and also used communal slurs.

In a statement, The Caravan magazine claimed that the incident began when the journalists were taking photographs of saffron flags that had been put up in the area, but some men approached them and asked them to stop.

The PCI said it has taken a suo motu cognisance of the alleged attack on the three journalists, who were reportedly beaten and threatened in northeast Delhi on 11 August while they were covering news.

"A report has been called from the chief secretary, Commissioner of Police and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delhi," the PCI said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 07:53:31|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on Aug. 21, 2020 shows a logo of the video-sharing social networking company TikTok's Los Angeles Office in Culver City, Los Angeles County, the United States. Video-sharing social networking company TikTok on Aug. 24 filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order banning any U.S. transactions with its parent company ByteDance. (Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Video-sharing social networking company TikTok on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order banning any U.S. transactions with its parent company ByteDance.

In the 39-page indictment acquired by Xinhua, U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and U.S. Department of Commerce were listed as defendants.

According to the document, TikTok accused the U.S. authorities of stripping the rights of the company without any evidence to justify the extreme action, and issuing the order without any due process as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment while banning the company with no notice or opportunity to be heard.

Meanwhile, the document cited remarks from Trump about this issue, such as proclaiming in a campaign-style news conference that TikTok had "no rights" and that he would ban the popular software if the company did not pay money to the government to secure the its approval for any sale. Those words are unconstitutional.

"By demanding that Plaintiffs make a payment to the U.S. Treasury as a condition for the sale of TikTok, the President has taken Plaintiffs' property without compensation in violation of the Fifth Amendment," the document said.

Moreover, the indictment said, by preventing TikTok from operating in the United States, the executive order violates the company's First Amendment rights in its code, an expressive means of communication.

The Los Angeles-based tech firm argued that the executive order is a misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), authorizing the prohibition of activities that have not been found to be "an unusual and extraordinary threat" in this case.

TikTok argued that former presidents used power authorized by IEEPA to protect the country from threats from abroad, including terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, but this executive order seeks to use IEEPA against a U.S. company with hundreds of employees across the country and to destroy an online community sharing video content by millions of Americans.

According to the company, as of June 2020, the total number of monthly active users in the country soared to 91,937,040, and based on quarterly usage, 100 million Americans used the application to express themselves and connect with each other.

The executive order was issued "for political reasons rather than because of an 'unusual and extraordinary threat' to the United States, which is a condition for the President to exercise his authority" under the IEEPA, TikTok noted.

The plaintiffs, TikTok Inc. and ByteDance Ltd., seek a declaratory judgment and order invalidating and enjoining the executive order and any implementing regulations issued by the Department of Commerce later.

"The President's executive order is unconstitutional and ultra vires, and must be enjoined," the document read. Enditem
Businesses which have recovered enough to no longer be eligible for JobKeeper will still be able to claim benefits, as long as their turnover is down by 10 per cent.

The current scheme winds up on September 27 with the extended JobKeeper 2.0 kicking in the following day until the end of March 2021.

Under the existing scheme, amendments to the Fair Work Act were introduced in April to assist struggling businesses and help with the implementation of JobKeeper payments.

Businesses will still be able claim some JobKeeper benefits if their turnover is down by 10 per cent (Pictured, the locked down Victorian town of Bendigo)

Amendments to the Fair Work Act were introduced in April to assist struggling businesses and help with the implementation of JobKeeper payments (Pictured: a retailer in Bendigo in August)

A view of Collins Street in Melbourne (pictured) after Stage 4 restrictions were brought into effect in the Victorian capital prompting an extension of JobKeeper

These changes for employers included the ability to temporarily stand down employees, alter their duties and work locations, and reduce the number of hours worked.

Under a plan put forward by the government to the Opposition on Monday, employers could keep some of these benefits even if they were no longer eligible for JobKeeper.

There are conditions, such as more limitations on reducing employee hours and strict fines for those companies trying to rort the new rules, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Retail was hit hard by lockdown but has begun to rebound in states other than Victoria where strict lockdowns are enforced (pictured: An empty shopping mall is seen void of customers during lockdown in Melbourne in August, 2020)

A man crosses an empty laneway with closed businesses in the CBD during COVID-19 in Melbourne in August

The concessions were the result of talks between Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter and the Australian Council of Trade Unions ahead of the new JobKeeper legislation being put to Parliament on Wednesday.

The legislation is already being contested by the Opposition, who want the wage subsidy payment to stay at $1500 a fortnight from September 28.

The government plan to change it to $1,200, or an even smaller $750 for those who worked less than 20 hours before the lockdowns.

For a business with a turnover under $1billion to qualify for JobKeeper 2.0 they must show turnover has fallen by 30 per cent compared with the same quarter last year.

But businesses that can show a turnover drop of 10 per cent can still take advantage of the changes to the Fair Work Act with conditions.

Gyms have reopened across the country, with the exception of Victoria, but they must have a COVID marshall on site (pictured)

A closed cafe in Bendgo in regional Victoria where Stage 3 lockdown restrictions apply (pictured on Friday)

The main caveat is that a worker cannot have their hours reduced by more than 60 per cent compared to March 1, and they cannot work less than two hours in one shift.

Heavy fines apply for companies that try to use the Fair Work Act amendments without qualifying through to 10 per cent turnover drop.

Businesses which have fully recovered and show no drop in turnover will no longer be able to use the Fair Work Act amendments and must reinstate employees to their pre-lockdown working arrangements.

Recent figures show about one-third of companies on Jobkeeper are recovering and showing profit growth.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Afifah Muharikah (The Jakarta Post) Brisbane, Queensland  Tue, August 25, 2020

After graduating from high school, Deta is applying to study at a West Java college that is offering classes for people with special needs. The 18-year-old from Jakarta believes a college degree will give him the chance to contribute to society, in spite of his disability.

He promises he will do his best if accepted. But Deta should not raise his hopes too high.

Law No. 8/2016 on the rights of people with disabilities calls on higher education institutions to promote inclusiveness, but so far this has given false hopes. For most of the 21.84 million people with special needs in Indonesia, college remains beyond their reach.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
Theres been further courtroom drama in India over the issue of shared or sold spectrum and its effect on AGR dues.

The Indian Supreme Court is now making things more difficult for would-be insolvents Reliance Communications (RCom) and Aircel to sell off their assets.

In fact the Court has said that the government should move to cancel licenses and take back spectrum if companies with insolvency problems prove unwilling to pay.

According to the Indian press, RCom and Aircel were, apparently, all ready to sell their assets, including airwaves, to a third party. However, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) wants the AGR dues it feels it is owed by both companies  or possibly even by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

Both Jio and Airtel may or may not be found liable to pay some or all of RCom, Videocon and Aircels dues on the basis that Jio had spectrum sharing and trading pacts with RCom, while Airtel has had spectrum trading pacts with Videocon and Aircel.

What happens next is unclear. Spectrum (or the right to use spectrum) can presumably not be transferred, assigned or sold under the terms of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code until the Supreme Court gives the go-ahead.

The DoT meanwhile is seeking $1.67 billion from Aircel and a whopping $3.35 billion from RCom. With or without the spectrum sales, its not clear how the DoT can hope to collect all of these sums from the two companies.
Whats more, many experts  including a scientist who worked on the Mayo Clinic study  were bewildered about where the statistic came from. The number was not mentioned in the official authorization letter issued by the agency, nor was it in a 17-page memo written by FDA scientists. It was not in an analysis conducted by the Mayo Clinic that has been frequently cited by the administration.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 17:42:33|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Turkish Foreign Minsiter Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas attend a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkey, on Aug. 25, 2020. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Tuesday called on NATO allies Turkey and Greece to resolve their dispute over Eastern Mediterranean through dialogue, semi-official Anadolu Agency reported. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

BERLIN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Before his mediation trip, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Tuesday called on Greece and Turkey to discuss their territorial claims in the Mediterranean.

"A further escalation can only harm everyone, but above all those directly involved on site," Maas said in a statement released by the German Foreign Office.

"Instead of new provocations, it is now finally necessary to take steps to relax and enter into direct discussions. We want to support all of our efforts," the minister added.

Maas made the remarks on Tuesday before he departed from Berlin. He will visit Greece and Turkey amid the tensions between Athens and Ankara over natural gas exploitation.

The dispute over Turkish natural gas explorations off Greek islands in the eastern Mediterranean has escalated in recent weeks. Greece considers the explorations illegal. The European Union (EU) has also condemned the Turkish actions and asked Ankara to stop them.

The Turkish government on the other hand believes the waters, in which natural gas is being drilled on a trial basis, belong to the Turkish continental shelf.

Maas will first meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in Athens, and then meet Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara.

"Turkey and Greece are our NATO allies. Solutions to the disputes over the natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean can only be found based on international law and in honest dialogue with one another," Maas emphasized before his departure.

EU foreign ministers will hold an informal meeting on Thursday and Friday in Berlin, during which relations with Turkey will be discussed.
Pakistan's Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar on Monday said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (N) have looted the country with "both hands mercilessly" and hence "are deemed worthy of being murdered." These robbers, corrupt, characterless dacoits have done nothing other than plundering the resources of this country for 35 years and had destroyed the motherland in name of democracy, the minister said.

'They are worthy of being murdered'

Addressing the media after visiting the Labour Complex in Taxila, the Federal Minister said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) should tighten its noose around the corrupt and looters. These corrupt politicians have also sucked the blood of poor and mugged the nation, and they are worthy of being murdered, he said.

According to Pakistani newspaper 'The Nation', Sarwan said that the county is passing through a critical phase but Prime Minister Imran Khan and his aides would steer it out of crises. He said the whole PTI is united under the wise leadership of PM.

Fascists. Pakistan's aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar declares that corrupt opposition leaders are liable to be killed. pic.twitter.com/KURr3rJXcE  Naila Inayat   (@nailainayat) August 24, 2020

'No more an era of killing opponents'

Pakistan's 'Science and Technology' Minister Fawad Chaudhry criticized Ghulam Sarwar Khan's comments and called it a "Very inappropriate statement." "Politics is a war of ideas and it was no more [an] era of killing opponents, he added.

READ | Pakistan, China remain human rights violators, FCO raises concern

READ | India exposes Pakistan's '5 big lies' at UN; 'biggest sponsor of cross-border terrorism'

Very inappropriate statement, the Minister failed to ascertain gravity of such statements ..... politics is war of ideas its no more era of killing opponents ... you may have extreme disagreements but such statement is in a bad taste n cannot be approved https://t.co/9vyxRu1bzy  Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) August 24, 2020

You may have extreme disagreements but such statement is in a bad taste and cannot be approved, the minister said. PM Imran Khan has not yet commented on the statement by the minister.

READ | PoK locals up in arms against China & Pakistan's dam plots; thousands protest & sloganeer

READ | Jos Buttler's spectacular diving catch to his left demoralises Pakistan; watch video
Strangely, a few days after filing the charges, the CBI teams arrived in Hyderabad and Mumbai to raid GVK's offices and found incriminating evidence, a reversal of the normal course of events.

Anjuli Bhargava reports.

Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/ Rediff.com IMAGE: The Chhatrapati Shivaji international airport in Mumbai.

On June 27, a first information report was filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, alleging money laundering by the promoters of GVK Airport Holdings, the group that holds the majority stake in Mumbai International Airport Limited, the entity that runs and operates Mumbai airport.

Strangely, a few days after filing the charges, the CBI teams arrived in Hyderabad and Mumbai to raid GVK's offices and found incriminating evidence, a reversal of the normal course of events.

What was found remains to be seen, but this is the latest controversy that is threatening to derail the country's most awaited infrastructure project: The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).

In November 2015, then Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's motley crew of officers who were manning what they had dramatically termed the 'war room' had told this correspondent that the first flight from NMIA would take off by the winter of 2019.

That schedule has come and gone and, as of now, construction at the site is yet to begin.

To call an airport 'jinxed' is not a happy description, but there is virtually no other word to describe the fate of this project that was first proposed in 1997 and approved in 2007.

It was in February 2017 that MIAL won the final bid for the project, but it took the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the state-run agency responsible for the project, eight months to send the letter of award to the concessionaire.

The concession agreement was signed between the two parties in January 2018.

According to GVK, the financial closure for the project was achieved by July 2018, with YES Bank (MIAL paid upfront fees of Rs 150 crore to the bank) as the lead banker.

But GVK had refused to start construction until it received the full land parcel for the project unencumbered, which CIDCO failed to provide.

However, CIDCO, the ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) and state government sources say GVK had been 'dragging its feet' even before the pandemic.

They argue that GVK's own problems -- an overstretched balance sheet and high debt -- have caused MIAL not to accelerate the construction of NMIA.

"Had NMIA gone to another concessionaire -- one who did not handle the existing Mumbai airport -- I think we would have seen much more urgency. As things stand, GVK is already earning a substantial revenue from MIAL," says a senior MoCA official.

After YES Bank got tangled in its own problems, MIAL asked State Bank of India to give an underwriting commitment for the NMIA project, which the bank has agreed to, provided the land for the airport is completely unencumbered -- a matter that is not yet fully resolved at the CIDCO end.

The commitment is for Rs 8,500 crore (Rs 85 billion) for the first two phases of the airport with a traffic volume of 20 million.

The equity component of Rs 2,000 crore (Rs 20 billion) was paid by MIAL a year ago.

Anyone familiar with the airport privatisation process that began around 2004 is aware that the agreements were far from kosher.

At the time when the agreements between GVK, GMR and the government were signed, many points of disagreement arose, including allegations that land parcels being handed over to GVK and GMR were far in excess of what was needed for the airport.

Many experts raised questions over the revenue share of the Airports Authority of India over non-aero revenue generated by the private airports.

In general, almost everyone who observed the process and terms felt that they were tilted in favour of the two private players.

Today, however, the revenues that the airports have generated including AAI's share are far higher than what the state airport developer would have managed, and the public would have had to contend with pathetic airports for a far longer time.

In the first year of the concession agreement, Rs 228 crore (Rs 2.28 billion) was paid to AAI (2006-2007), 38.7 per cent of the gross revenue.

This has gone up 13.53 per cent on a compounded basis and in 2019-2020, it was Rs 1,348 crore (Rs 13.48 billion).

In other words, the total revenue earned by MIAL in 2019-2020 was Rs 3,483 crore (Rs 34.83 billion).

But observers, and even those involved directly in the exercise, say that the costs of the project -- as is often done in Indian infrastructure projects -- may well have been inflated, as the CBI is alleging against GVK.

"No matter whose books are examined, some dirt is likely to be found," points out a former aviation secretary.

He says that to rake up these issues now seems futile since the horse has bolted from the stable.

Interestingly, CBI's investigations take place against the background of an arbitration proceeding that GVK has brought against its South African partner, Bidvest, to restrain the latter from selling its 13.5 per cent equity to a third party.

GVK had exercised its right of first refusal and asked Bidvest for time to raise money to buy out its stake.

In doing so, GVK was fending off a counter-bid by the Adani group, which had offered Bidvest Rs 1,200 crore (Rs 12 billion) for its stake.

In January this year, GVK won a reprieve from the arbitration tribunal, which restrained Bidvest from selling its stake to a third party.

The Adani group has major plans in the airport sector after it won bids to operate six airports in 2019, outbidding rivals aggressively.

More recently, though, it sought to delay the handover of at least three of them (due to the pandemic) and lost the Jewar airport to the Zurich airport-led consortium.

The latest case against GVK may change the complexion of the transaction as many banks and stakeholders become wary of dealing with an entity charged by the CBI.

But perhaps what is worse is that this new case and the niggling problems between GVK, MIAL, CIDCO and other stakeholders may lead to yet another delay in a project that has been in the making for over two decades -- a delay India can ill afford.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com

This report was filed before it was revealed on Monday, August 24, 2020 that Gautam Adani's Adani group is in talks to buy out GVK and some of its partners in Mumbai airport.
By Albert Bender

People's World

The recent historic Supreme Court decision that the Muscogee Creek land in Eastern Oklahoma is still a reservation brings to mind the valiant efforts of the Five Tribes to fight being brought under the jurisdiction of the state of Oklahoma over a century ago. Their struggle crystallized in the attempt by the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole Nations to create the proposed Indian state of Sequoyah to maintain some control and sovereignty over their lands. This resulted in the State of Sequoyah Convention, a tribal movement led by delegates of the Five Tribes meeting in Muskogee in 1905.

The name of Sequoyah was chosen for the proposed state to honor the Cherokee who is credited with inventing a writing system for the Cherokee language (By traditional Cherokee accounts, the syllabary actually existed long before and was revitalized by Sequoyah to strengthen Cherokee culture in the face of white encroachment.)

Some background is required to understand how this novel development came to pass. In 1890, the U.S. Congress passed the Oklahoma Organic Act in preparation for creating the state of Oklahoma. At that time, the land now comprising the state of Oklahoma was two separate territories, Oklahoma Territory to the west and Indian Territory to the east. Indian Territory was composed of the lands of the Five Nations and of course had a large Indigenous population. But by 1890, Indian Territory had a population of 50,000 Indigenous and some 178,000 non-Indians. Due to the sinister machinations of the United States government, the Native people were already greatly outnumbered by a non-Indian populace in the late 19th century in what was supposedly their designated territory.

Up until 1903, the Five Tribes and the small Native tribal nations in Indian Territory had opposed all national and local efforts by non-Indians for statehood. But that opposition changed because subsequently Congress, in egregious violation of sacred treatiesthe law of the land, mandated March 4, 1906, as the date for the dissolution of tribal governments and Indigenous communal lands in Indian Territory. Congress sought to combine Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory into one state, Oklahoma, which would be white dominated and controlled.

The proposed State of Sequoyah took its name from Sequoyah, the inventor of the Cherokee syllabary. Photo: Clarissa Peterson

Statehood against their will

The Tribes regarded state control with horror, remembering with great bitterness the Southern states racist oppression of Native people in their ancient homelands. In 1829, the state of Mississippi extended its laws over Choctaw and Chickasaw land and imposed citizenship on tribal members. Citizenship for Indians of course had a different definition than for whites. Indian citizenship meant the loss of political, legal, and human rights. Native citizens were forbidden under penalty of fine or imprisonment to hold any political office or to exercise any legal rights.

Georgia followed the same course with the Cherokee Nation, forbidding tribal councils from convening except to ratify fraudulent land cessions. Indian individuals were prohibited from testifying in court. Racist white gangs roamed the countryside robbing and plundering at will, cognizant of the fact that Native testimony against them in legal proceedings was precluded. It was illegal for an Indian to bring suit or testify against a white man. This is what state jurisdiction meant to the Five Tribal Republicsthe racist rule of the white mans law.

All of the tribes were grimly resolved to never passively surrender to state authority. Tribal leaders, desperate to maintain some aspect of Native sovereignty and avoid state jurisdiction, conceived the idea that Indian Territory, the land of the Five Tribes, be admitted as a single Native American state, set apart from Oklahoma Territory. This sentiment culminated in the State of Sequoyah Convention, which met in August and September 1905.

The convention drew up a constitution, a plan of government, and drafted a map of counties to be established. It elected delegates to meet with Congress to petition for statehood. Congress refused to even consider the petition. Subsequently, President Theodore Roosevelta reputed Indian hater infamously quoted as saying, I dont go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of ten are, and I shouldnt like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth,proposed joining Indian Territory with Oklahoma Territory. Shortly thereafter, the Oklahoma Enabling Act was passed. Roosevelt signed the law in June 1906, and Oklahoma became the 46th state in November 1907.

This ended the last desperate legal efforts to create an Indigenous state. The Native citizens of the Five Tribal republics were smothered by an avalanche of white settlers. Because of racist politics, whites rapidly dominated the new state to the detriment of the Indigenous peoples who had been driven west decades before. Allotments compelling Native families to accept specific acreages of land were forced on the dismantled republics, and the surplus land was given to Euro-American settlers, who took no rest from their transgressions against Indigenous people. The Native citizens looked upon the surplus land made available to white homesteaders as just another instance of land stolen from its rightful owners in violation of treaties that had been promised to last as long as the grass grows and water flows.

The #McGirt decision is not a gift to Indian Country. The #SupremeCourt ruling simply provides complete and undeniable clarity about lawful territorial jurisdiction for tribes. #HonorTheTreaties #Sovereignty https://t.co/oeRGRrjm0m  indianz.com (@indianz) August 24, 2020

Before Oklahoma

More mention should be made of the Native republics dismantled with the emergence of the state of Oklahoma. Theyve long been referred to as the Five Civilized Tribes by mainstream historians. The term is rightfully considered pejorative, however, because of its European colonialist origins, its implication that these polities adopted white civilization, and the way it ignores the brilliant Pre-Columbian civilizations of the Southeastern nations.

These tribal nations only borrowed very selectively from the white mans ways, while maintaining dominant Indigenous societal, economic, and cultural attitudes, practices, and mores. Indigenous ethos predominated prior to the era of statehood and thereafter.

Beginning in the early 1800s, migrations of Cherokees began to take place to escape the encroachment of rapacious white settlers. This writers great-great-grandfather was among those early emigres going west.

The southeastern Indigenous peoples surviving the westward travail organized Native republics with written constitutions and adopted some Anglo-American legal practices, but all the while maintaining a dominant Indigenous core. These republics were far ahead of the adjacent white populations and established public school systems teaching in both English and their own Native languages. They set up public mental health facilities, published tribal newspapers, produced schoolbooks, and organized political parties.

As a result of the educational systems established, there was actually a larger proportion of formally educated tribal people than among the white people of the neighboring states. In particular, the Native leaders, bitterly recounting the racist oppression of state and federal authorities, could quote the treaties with such eloquence, fluency, and skill that they easily outdebated their white adversaries.

The political leadership of the Five Nations, who were more often than not better educated than the legislators and governors of the neighboring states of Arkansas and Texas, focused on education as a means of holding at bay the ever encroaching greedy, racist world of white America.

Corporate America coveted the land of the Five Tribes as it was rich in resources, and white settlers, as usual, were its shock troops. The Indigenous republics abounded in rich agricultural land, great reservoirs of oil and gas, huge coal fields, and extensive timber areas.

Land in the republics was held in common. Citizens could use as much land as they could cultivate, and the laws of the nations protected their rights of occupancy and the possession of improvements. But the land, as soon as it was no longer used, reverted to the tribal domain. It was a system that could be referred to as Indigenous socialism. This was in opposition to the European concept of private property. The invading white hordes advocating for the dissolution of the Indian republics wanted the communal landholding system transformed into that of individual ownership, which would permit white ownership. That transformation came with statehood.

Destruction of the Indigenous republics

The illegal dismantling of the republics was based on demographic changesin other words, the burgeoning non-Indian population became the excuse for breaking the sacred treaties. The railroads played a pivotal role in this racist scheme. The genesis of the railroad intrusion goes back to the Railroad Act of 1866, which secured land grants at the geographical expense of the Five Nations. These land grants extended on either side of the railway routes. Towns were founded along the railroad tracks, and white citizens from the neighboring states settled in those towns.

As preeminent Oklahoma historian Angie Debo so aptly stated, the non-Indian immigration began as a trickle into Indian Territory after the Civil War and became a deluge that engulfed the Indian settlements by the close of the century. The coming of the railroads meant huge numbers of whites settled in the midst of Five Nations Indian Territory lands. This demographic development resulted in Indigenous citizens being greatly outnumbered in their own homelands.

With the dismantling of the Native republics, the Anglo system of private land ownership was imposed in eastern Oklahoma. The 20 million acres comprising the Indigenous polities that had brought general prosperity to republic citizens now saw stark poverty. Outright hunger suddenly becomes the reality for thousands upon thousands of Five Nations citizens.

In a major show of unity, Indian Country organizations are coming together to warn of efforts to "abrogate" tribal sovereignty following a historic win at the nation's highest court. #HonorTheTreaties https://t.co/OmGmbvq9bm  indianz.com (@indianz) August 14, 2020

Also, with the flood of whites to eastern Oklahoma came the barbaric system of racist discrimination derisively called Jim Crow, which was directed most harshly at African-American citizens of the former republics. Its reasonable to assume that African Americans dreaded statehood as much as did Native Americans.

A byzantine labyrinth of laws was passed by Congress to destroy the tribal communal land systems, including the General Allotment Act of 1887, the Oklahoma Organic Act of 1890, the Curtis Act of 1898, the Five Civilized Tribes Act of 1906, the Oklahoma Enabling Act of 1906, and the Burke Act of 1906.

The politics of Oklahoma statehood was a traumatic and bitter pill for all the citizens of the republics, which brought to fruition the Sequoyah Statehood Convention Movement. It has been observed by many historians that no other state in the country was settled so rapidly by so many non-Indians from different parts of the United States as was the new state of Oklahoma.

The recent Supreme Court decision is movement in the right direction to begin the correction of long endured wrongs against this countrys Indigenous peoples. All things considered, the restoration of a reservation is better than the reanimation of a lost state.

McGirt v. Oklahoma

Sharp v. Murphy

Albert Bender is a Cherokee activist, historian, political columnist, and freelance reporter for Native and Non-Native publications. He was an organizer and delegate to the First and Second Intercontinental Indian Conferences held in Quito, Ecuador and Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Recently, he has been an active participant and reporter in the Standing Rock struggle in North Dakota. He is an attorney and is currently writing a legal treatise on Native American sovereignty. He is also writing a book on the war crimes committed by the U.S. against the Maya people in the Guatemalan civil war of the late 20th century. He is also the recipient of several Eagle Awards by the Tennessee Native American Eagle Organization and a former Director of Native American Legal Departments and a Tribal Public Defender.

This article originally appeared on People's World . It is published under a Creative Commons license

Join the Conversation
'There is a group who want to internally damage the Congress and they may be hand in glove with the BJP.'

IMAGE: Interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi are facing an internal rebellion from those who were considered loyalists. Photograph: Anindito Mukherjee/Reuters

They say words can be very powerful, and we saw exactly how much on Monday when the Congress party showed that it was shaken to the core by a letter.

Viewed as an act of internal rebellion by the party leadership, the letter was written by over 20 leaders who demanded sweeping organisational reforms, collective leadership and an 'active, full-time and visible' president.

On Monday, August 24, this letter caused great upheaval at the Congress Working Committee meeting, during which Sonia Gandhi, who was appointed interim president a year ago following her son Rahul Gandhi's resignation from the post, offered to quit.

After almost seven hours of high drama and much deliberation, it was decided that Sonia Gandhi would continue as the party's interim president and effect necessary organisational changes while an All India Congress Committee session would be called at the earliest to start the process of electing a new chief.

With that, the issues raised in the letter were put into deep freeze. For now.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com spoke to veteran Congress watcher Rasheed Kidwai, a Visiting Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation and the author of two books on the Congress party -- 24 Akbar Road and Sonia-A Biography -- to decode what is going on in the party.

Can we say that round 1 of the fight in the Congress party has ended after the CWC meeting on Monday?

Given the Congress situation, this was a completely unexpected rebellion with the party.

It wasn't a rebellion of the old versus young or regional such as North vs South.

This rebellion of 23 people was a curious mix of elected people, some to the Lok Sabha and some others to the Rajya Sabha.

Obviously, they must have had some intent and thought about it and only then wrote this letter.

Who are these people?

My own understanding is that there are three kinds of people in this list.

One is those who believe that there is a genuine need of reforms within the party and introspection is needed.

The second group of people are those who have a problem with Rahul Gandhi's style of functioning as a leader. They think if Rahul has his way, then their own position will be affected and their future will be affected.

And then there is the third group who want to internally damage the Congress party and they may be hand in glove with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

As you must have seen, there have been many unexpected defections from the Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Party like that of Jyotiraditya Scindia.

The BJP is making overtures to them, which is a legitimate political activity in the Indian political context.

In the light of this, I agree with you that this round one is over as there is a design behind the letter which had been written.

In a television debate you said that this group wants to dismantle the Congress brick by brick. Is that even a possibility?

Obviously, there is a possibility. These leaders have some kind of political standing; it is not a fight between the haves and have-nots.

For example, Ghulam Nabi Azad -- he continues to be Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and that has given him a Cabinet rank position.

Ambika Soni on Monday said to him that among all the people it is you who are rebelling as the national flag was never mounted on your official car. You always got post and authority.

It is not that people are questioning as there is something more as to what it could be. And obviously, there is an attempt to weaken the Congress.

You have leaders such as Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mukul Wasnik, Kapil Sibal who are rebelling against the Gandhis. Isn't it surprising as they have always been considered as loyalists?

Political loyalty is conditional and it is not absolute like in the case of faith and religion.]

If you recall, there was a famous slogan coined by a Congress leader (Dev Kanta Borooah, then the Congress president) -- 'Indira is India and India is Indira'. After the Congress was defeated in 1977, he quit the Congress and deposed before the Shah Commission against Indira Gandhi.

There are several instances like that. In the BJP everyone was fiercely loyal to L K Advani, but all of them abandoned him (for Narendra Modi), so political loyalty is not absolute.

If Rajiv Gandhi could get support from the old guard, why is it that Rahul Gandhi has trouble with the old guard?

Political authority comes with success. A leader handles any situation from a position of strength.

The problem with Rahul Gandhi is that he has no significant electoral success post the 2014 general elections. Therefore, he has not been able to do that.

What is their grudge? if you read this letter you will find out that they are questioning the political style of functioning and Sonia Gandhi is not able to meet them.

She is not keeping well since 2011. And getting an appointment with Sonia and Rahul is a problem since 2004 and even before that. But all these people had no problem then.

I, however, feel that this letter is five years too late and this should have come after the 2014 election when the Congress lost power and subsequently, lost state elections in Delhi, Harayana, Maharashtra and other states.

They could have done course correction then.

The party was inactive for five years and got beaten again.

A significant development took place when Rahul Gandhi resigned on May 25, 2019, and said he was not going to be the next Congress president and no one from his family should become party president.

The Congress could not come up with an alternative candidate then and made Sonia Gandhi the interim Congress president in August.

Why couldn't these people strike then and appoint a new Congress president who was a non-Gandhi?

Precisely. They did not do that. There is something more intriguing.

On August 10, 2019, Sonia Gandhi took over as interim chief. Somehow in our media there was a perpetual myth that Rahul Gandhi was not interested in the post.

Rahul was not interested in the post from the period of May 2019 to August 2019 only.

It was at that time the party could have come forward and made some non-Gandhi the Congress president.

On August 10, 2019, when all Congress leaders pleaded with Sonia to take over as interim Congress president, she took up the post.

The matter ended right there as the Gandhis were back.

All the conditions that Rahul Gandhi had put up before resigning ceased to exist as to his family should not play a role in Congress leadership etc.

So, it was all about timing and these dissenters should have dissented then rather than now?

Precisely. All Congress opponents say that Rahul Gandhi is not interested. They also quoted Priyanka Gandhi from a book which came out recently (India Tomorrow: Conversations with the Next Generation of Political Leaders). This statement was made in July 2019.

These Congress opponents must remember the famous quote by a Congress spokesperson that 'a week is too long in politics'. How can a statement made by Priyanka Gandhi in July 2019 hold true a week later or even now?

There was not one letter, but three letters and one apparently sent to the Chief Justice of India as well. Why involve him?

That is what I am saying, that there is an attempt to break and dismantle the Congress party.

This may not be true for all dissenters, as I said that there are three types of dissenters.

The BJP is openly saying 'Congress mukt Bharat' and this is a pointer in that direction.

We do not know the physical presence of this letter or draft. I think this CJI draft was if the Congress leadership had taken any disciplinary action against the dissenters. But that did not happen.

Sonia Gandhi very deftly deflected the situation. She announced that there will be Congress elections and the All India Congress Committee would meet so all these things are not relevant anymore.

The Election Commission of India monitors inner-party democracy in all political parties in India.

An attempt was also there to freeze the Congress party symbol as a form of punishment because the Congress was not holding organisational elections.

But the reality is that inner-party democracy is a farce in all political parties. There is no exception.

But since the Congress is at the receiving end and on the principles of law, you cannot say there is no scope for whataboutery.

Therefore, the Congress is vulnerable to even legal reports.

Sonia Gandhi has won round 1 now. What will happen after six months? Do you think the rebellion will re-emerge?

It is difficult to speculate now as it depends on how the political situation evolves after six months.

I think if Rahul or Priyanka Gandhi do not come forward and fight the Congress president elections, the situation would change.

If Sonia Gandhi props up some other candidate, the other side will also contest. And that will be an interesting contest.

But if there is Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi contesting the Congress president election, then it will be a one-horse race.

There will be no challenge and therefore they will have to tread very cautiously as there is unrest in the Congress party because of lack of electoral success.

The Gandhis have remained the same, but there is no electoral success for the party and therefore there is restlessness among party leaders, and this is true for any other political party if they do not get electoral success.

The Gandhis will have to come forward and take over the mantle of leadership formally and effectively.
TRENTON  Authorities confirmed that a woman who was found dead Tuesday morning in the West Ward was stabbed to death.

Shamira Williams, 32, was found in the living room of her home on the first block of Laurel Avenue.

The woman had multiple stab wounds, and authorities were talking to a person of interest in the homicide, said Casey DeBlasio, a spokeswoman from the Mercer County Prosecutors Office.

No one has been arrested or charged in the murder.

The death, which initially was reported as a suicide, appeared to be domestic violence related.

It happened in council president Kathy McBrides neighborhood. McBride did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Williams became Trentons 27th murder victim of the year. The capital city is 10 homicides away from tying its ignominious record, set in 2013.

The stabbing death comes just days after DFC worker Vernetta McCray was gunned down on her porch on the 100 block of Hampton Avenue while she was on the phone with a client.

Gov. Phil Murphy remembered the dedicated state worker during his daily coronavirus briefing Monday.

This is a developing story
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and German Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas discussed energy cooperation, the Common Aviation Area (ECAA) Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, and the holding of the fourth Ukrainian-German Economic Forum in Berlin.

According to the Government portal, the Ukrainian PM thanked Germany and the EU for their support in pursuing by the Government of Ukraine a policy of reforms and stressed that the Association Agreement remains one of the main tools for implementing systemic change in the country.

"Currently, on behalf of the President, the Government is preparing a concept for updating the Agreement so that it conforms to the level of our relations with the EU. The Government aims to take into account the interests of Ukrainian business, which seeks to benefit more from the use of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU," stressed Shmyhal, adding that Ukraine plans to present the proposals to the EU at the Association Councils meeting in December this year.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the process of concluding the Common Aviation Area (ECAA) Agreement between Ukraine and the EU would be completed in the near future. "We understand the difficulties, but we are ready to exert every effort to ensure this document is signed. This would be a concrete tool to promote the recovery of the aviation sector, which has been severely affected by the pandemic, both in Ukraine and in the EU," he said.

Apart from that, the PM emphasized that the Government plans to sign a joint statement with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany by the end of the month to launch cooperation in the energy sector.

Denys Shmyhal told Heiko Maas that the Government of Ukraine had already embarked on preparing an Annual National Program for 2021, with a special emphasis laid on the transformation of Ukraine's security and defense sector to align with NATO standards.

The parties also raised the issue of holding the fourth Ukrainian-German Economic Forum in Berlin in 2021. "I believe that the forum will contribute to the deepening of trade and economic cooperation between our countries. The experience of the three previous forums has shown that such events with the participation of senior officials of both countries provide a powerful impetus to building bilateral trust," Shmyhal noted.

The PM thanked Germany for its contribution to the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty and for its firm support to prolong sanctions against the Russian Federation.

For his part, Heiko Maas stressed that Germany would continue to support Ukraine in the framework of the Normandy format, as well as to assist in the process of implementation of European reforms in Ukraine.

Apart from that, the Federal Minister noted that Germany is ready to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine during its presidency of the EU Council, which will last until the end of 2020.

As reported, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas was on a working visit to Ukraine on August 24.

ish
A Dundas, Ont.-based mediation company known for its work in conflict management has been hired by the province to investigate allegations of bullying, racism and harassment of staff members at York Childrens Aid Society.

Ontarios Ministry of Children and Womens Issues announced Friday it had picked Agree Incorporated to carry out an assessment of the societys workplace culture and human resource policies and procedures at YCAS.

Agree serves as the municipal ombudsman for Waterloo and Cambridge, according to its website. It has conducted workplace assessments many times for all levels of government  federal, provincial and municipal since 1994, said Gary Furlong, one of the companys partners.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services launched a probe in response to the findings of an internal union survey of staff from March. The results painted a troubling picture of the agency as a toxic workplace where people routinely cry at their desks, where there is a culture of hopelessness, racism and the best decisions to keep children safe are not being made.

As the Star reported, the survey, filled out by 57 per cent of nearly 300 unionized staff, found 72 per cent of respondents felt that unethical behaviour was either common or occurring nearly all the time, and 44 per cent of respondents felt that they had been bullied at work.

On Monday, Andrew Harrigan, president of OPSEU Local 304 and a front-line YRCAS worker, said its important the review will be done within the correct framework.

If you conduct an investigation into allegations of racism, particularly anti-Black racism, it cannot be done meaningfully without investigators that support communities, so they can feel comfortable and confident that their experiences of systemic and explicit racism will be understood, said Harrigan in an email. I am hopeful as the ministry has assured me they will ensure that the firm chosen will have representation on their panel of investigators who have the expertise and understanding of anti-Black racism, equity and oppression.

The ministry said it launched the review after it felt there was a lack of sufficient progress being made by the York Region Childrens Aid Society board of directors around the concerns of staff and the union.

The purpose of the operational review is to examine workplace culture and human resource policies and procedures at the society (including allegations of racism, bullying and harassment), and to determine whether these have had any effect on service delivery to children and families, said Alex Spence, press secretary for Jill Dunlop, associate minister of children and womens issues, on Monday.

Agrees Furlong said the full-service conflict management firm has done many workplace assessments with an equity, oppression and human rights lenses, which includes anti-Black racism.

Tahir Shafiq, chair of the YRCAS board of directors, said on Friday the board welcomed the ministrys announcement of the third-party reviewer.

The ministry said it wants to hear from anyone who has had experience with York CAS as part of the probe, said Spence.

Any individuals with information relevant to the review should contact Centralregion.admin@ontario.ca to share their perspective and experience. This includes individuals not currently associated with the society.

The investigation is expected to take two months.

Noor Javed is a Toronto-based reporter covering current affairs in the York region for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @njaved
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Tuesday took over the security of the Statue of Unity at Kevadia, the census town in Gujarats Narmada district.

With the initial strength of 272 personnel against the total sanctioned strength of 352 personnel, the CISF unit will provide round-the-clock armed security cover to the statue under the supervision of a Deputy Commandant rank officer.

The total units under CISF, one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), providing security cover has now risen to 350 as on date with the deployment at the Statue of Unity which is a testimony to the life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Indias first Home Minister and a role model of unity and statesmanship.

Mirroring the political stature of Sardar Patel, it is the tallest statue in the world with a height of 182 metres (597 feet) located in front of the scenic Sardar Sarovar Dam.

The colossal statue stands on the isle of Sadhu-Bet in River Narmada at Kevadia with the majestic Vindhyachal and Satpura mountain ranges in the backdrop. The campus of the Statue of Unity is spread over 23 acres with 7 operational gates and one emergency exit.

Due to the importance and prominence of the Statue of Unity, it is under constant threat from anti-social elements as it is susceptible to damage and terrorist activities.
ALLEGAN, MI  The site of a defunct and contaminated dam that has been a threat to the community for years will soon become a green space with features including, potentially, a new boat launch along the Kalamazoo River.

The Environmental Protection Agency is taking citizen input on four design options being considered. Three of the plans include a boat launch, which would provide better access to the water for recreation and rescuers.

Allegan Fire District Chief Nick Brink said he believes the addition of a boat launch there would save lives by reducing emergency response times.

A boat launch is needed so that rescue workers can launch boats and save precious time that can mean life or death in a cold water rescue or another type of emergency, Brink said. It could cut down response time by about a half hour in some cases, the chief said.

The Trowbridge Dam was built on the Kalamazoo River in 1898, and it was among the first hydroelectric dams in the country, according to EPA On-Scene Coordinator Paul Ruesch. But its days of producing power ended nearly 60 years ago.

The EPA held a meeting last week to gather citizen input on the four options for redesign of the space adjacent to the dam site.

The different renderings show possible walking trails, parking spaces and a boat launch or boat dock to allow access the river. The site may include camping spots, picnic areas, a playground, walking paths, and/or an environmental education center, the EPA said.

The dam has impeded the natural flow of the river for decades, creating a large drop off in the water that boats could not pass. Once the dam is fully removed and the associated cleanup activities are finished, kayak paddlers will be able to navigate new routes, and they will be able to launch kayaks there.

Number one, people are very excited about the prospect of access, Ruesch said following the meeting with citizens on Tuesday, Aug. 18. People are excited to see the dam go, to allow boaters to cross the area that was impassible with the dam in place.

Kayakers are pumped, he said.

Michigan DNR Wildlife Biologist Mark Mills previously talked to MLive about his concerns related to the dam.

Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, hanging around in the environment decades after industrial sites stopped producing them on the Kalamazoo River, contaminated the deteriorating dam and other portions of the river. A failure could spread contaminants downstream, Mills told MLive previously, while talking about the importance of addressing the dam.

Trowbridge has been a constant priority and concern for decades, since the state first decided to pursue removal of the dams in 1984, Mills said. In 2019, the state listed the Trowbridge Dam at the top of the list for dam removals.

Successfully removing Trowbridge Dam and restoring the flow of the Kalamazoo River will have tremendous positive impacts to the health of the river and its wild inhabitants and will further enhance the recreational opportunities available to the public, Mills said in an email message on Aug. 24.

There is still more work to accomplish including the removal of other dams owned by local communities who have expressed interest in restoring the Kalamazoo River through their communities, Mills said, and the state will continue to work with local partnerships to restore habitats and recreational opportunities to the restored properties as the effort progresses.

In December 2019, EPA announced a $245 million settlement requiring NCR Corp. to clean up and fund future actions at a portion of the Allied Paper Inc./Portage Creek/Kalamazoo River Superfund site in Kalamazoo and Allegan counties, which stretches from Morrow Dam to Lake Michigan.

Ruesch said he does not have an estimated cost for the project.

Ruesch said he heard from some area citizens that they wanted to see more of an emphasis on river itself, rather than walking trails or historical information. Several citizens and rescue officials that they want a boat launch at the site.

The EPA will consider comments about things the community wants, Ruesch said. Following the meeting, Ruesch said he drove past the site and saw an artist set up with an easel and a stool. To him, the scene underlined the importance of protecting the rivers natural beauty.

This is what it should be about, Ruesch said. Counting butterflies and looking at how beautiful the river is.

The EPA is still taking input on the design options to consider while moving the project forward. Ruesch said it will be a few years before the vision, once approved, becomes a reality at the site. Visit the EPA site page for more information.

Read more:

Contaminated dam on Kalamazoo River is states top priority for removal

Whitmer concerned about universities reopening, praises MSU and EMU going virtual

Dam removal is first step in proposed $245M Kalamazoo River cleanup
India has slammed Pakistan exposing its litany of lies at the United Nations after Islamabad's UN envoy claimed to have given a statement in a Security Council meeting not open to non-Council members and said that the biggest sponsor of cross-border terrorism against it now tries to 'masquerade" itself as a victim of terror.

Calling out Pakistan's lie that it has been a target of cross-border terrorism for decades, India said 'a lie repeated a hundred times will not become truth. The biggest sponsor of cross-border terrorism against India now tries to masquerade itself as a victim of terrorism by India', India's Permanent Mission to the UN said on August 24.

Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, India's Mission to the UN said that Pakistan is home to the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN and many of the sanctioned terrorists and entities continue to operate with impunity inside Pakistan. Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan himself had admitted at the General Assembly in 2019 about the presence of 40,000-50,000 terrorists inside Pakistan.

Pakistan gets caught out once again saying Five Big Lies! Read our response to their lies here pic.twitter.com/Y2SD1EckpM  India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) August 24, 2020

In a series of tweets, India also said, "We fail to comprehend where exactly did the Permanent Representative of Pakistan make his statement since the Security Council session today was not open to non-members of the Security Council. Be that as it may, the five big lies of Pakistan lies exposed."

The Pakistan Mission falsely claimed that its UN envoy Munir Akram gave a statement at a Security Council debate on Report of the Secretary-General on Threats to International Peace and Security posed by Terrorism Actions.

However, the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security was not open to non-members of the Council. A photograph of the meeting tweeted by the German Mission to the UN showed only envoys of the 15 Security Council members participating in the meeting. Pakistan is not a member of the Council.

On Pakistan's claim that the country has decimated Al-Qaeda from the region, India said perhaps the Permanent Representative of Pakistan is "not aware that Osama bin Laden was hiding in their own country in plain sight, and it is the US forces which got him inside Pakistan. Nor have they heard their Prime Minister refer to Osama bin Laden as a martyr".

Giving a strong rebuttal to Pakistan's lies, India termed Pakistan's claim that India has hired terrorists as mercenaries to hit them as "laughable". "Coming from a country which is a known sponsor of cross-border terrorism which has made the world suffer due to its actions, this claim is nothing short of being preposterous!" India said.

Laying bare another lie by Pakistan about Indian nationals in the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions List of the UN Security Council, India said the Sanctions List is "public and the world can see none of these individuals are in it. The 1267 Committee works on the basis of evidence and not random accusations thrown in to divert their time and attention," India said in response to a lie made by Pakistan that it has submitted names of some Indians to be proscribed under the Sanctions List.

In a strong response to Islamabad raking up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in the remarks it falsely said Akram gave to the Council, India said Pakistan makes "ridiculous assertions about internal affairs of India". "This is a country whose minority population has dropped drastically from 1947 to what it is today, which is just about 3 per cent, which is nothing short of systemic cleansing. This is in addition to false allegations about India's sovereign actions in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which are for the welfare of the people."

Pakistan consistently rakes up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and other internal matters of India at various UN fora in its bid to internationalise the issue but has repeatedly failed to get any support from the broader UN membership for its agenda.
* Italian yields drop 1.5 bps to 1.04%

* Gap over Germany close to five-month lows

* Chinese central bank pumps in money, boosting stocks

* Euro zone periphery govt bond yields http://tmsnrt.rs/2ii2Bqr

By Abhinav Ramnarayan

LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Italian government bonds edged lower and the spread over Germany was close to its tightest in five months as more money flowed into the global economy, this time courtesy of the Chinese central bank, boosting stocks and riskier assets globally.

Chinese shares jumped on Monday, led by securities firms, on hopes that capital market reforms would boost revenues and after the central bank injected new funds into the country's financial system.

This added to the unprecedented amount of liquidity pumped into the global monetary system by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, which has pushed Wall Street to within a sliver of a record high.

In quiet trading, Italian 10-year bond yields edged lower to 1.04%, compressing the closely-watched Italy-Germany bond yield spread to 146 basis points, close to the tightest level since March.

"Global risk sentiment is still quite supportive, though to a degree the moves are down to the time of the year and lopsided positioning on the part of investors," said Commerzbank rates strategist Rainer Guntermann.

He said peripheral spreads are being pushed tighter by anticipation of European Union unemployment support, which begins in September, and the broader EU recovery fund which kicks in over the next three to four years.

Meanwhile, benchmark German 10-year bond yields dipped slightly to -0.42%, having climbed eight basis points in the previous week.

The sell-off in high-grade government bonds comes in the face of spiking COVID-19 cases and bleak economic news around the world.

Data showed on Monday that Japan was hit by its biggest economic slump on record in the second quarter as the coronavirus pandemic emptied shopping malls and crushed demand for cars and other exports.

New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Adern postponed the country's general election on Monday by a month to Oct. 17 as the city of Auckland remains in lockdown due to increasing coronavirus cases. (Reporting by Abhinav Ramnarayan, editing by Ed Osmond)
Sudan's new Prime Minister in the transitional government Abdalla Hamdok speaks in Khartoum, Sudan, on Aug. 24, 2019. (Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters)

Sudan PM Says He Talked With Pompeo About Removal From Terror List

KHARTOUMSudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said he held direct and transparent talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Khartoum on Tuesday, including over removing Sudan from a U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list.

Pompeo landed in Sudan after flying non-stop from Israel on what he said was the first official non-stop flight between the two countries, as the United States promotes stronger Sudan-Israel ties.

His visit is part of a regional tour following an accord between Israel and the UAE this month to forge full relations, and comes as Israel and the United States push more Arab countries to follow.

Happy to announce that we are on the FIRST official NONSTOP flight from Israel to Sudan! pic.twitter.com/eOXNsBAozC  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 25, 2020

The United States sanctioned Sudan over its alleged support for terrorist groups and the civil war in Darfur, during the rule of Omar al-Bashir Bashir, the long-time ruler ousted by the military in April 2019.

Trade sanctions were lifted in 2017 but Sudan remains on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, which prevents it from accessing badly needed funding from international lenders.

Hamdok also said in a tweet he and Pompeo discussed support for Sudans civilian-led transitional government, and that he was looking forward to positive tangible steps to support Sudans revolution.

Pompeo said on Twitter after taking off from Tel Aviv, Happy to announce that we are on the FIRST official NONSTOP flight from Israel to Sudan!

The State Department said Pompeos brief stopover in Khartoum was to discuss U.S. support for the civilian-led government and for deepening the Sudan-Israel relationship

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (not pictured) make joint statements during a news conference after a meeting in Jerusalem on Aug. 24, 2020. (Debbie Hill/Pool via Reuters)

Asked if Pompeo would announce a breakthrough in Sudan like normalization of ties with Israel or a removal of U.S. sanctions, a U.S. official on board Pompeos flight said, Its possible that more history will be made.

Ties with Israel are a sensitive issue in Sudan, which was among the hardline Muslim foes of Israel under Bashir.

In February, ruling council head Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Uganda, but cast doubt on any rapid normalization of relations.

Sudan announced on Aug. 19 it had sacked its foreign ministry spokesman after he called the UAE decision to become the third Arab country to normalize relations with Israel a brave and bold step.

By Khalid Abdelaziz
Every name on the BrandBucket marketplace is exclusively listed with BrandBucket. That means that all of our sellers are very responsive, making for quick domain transfers.

A dedicated BrandBucket agent will manage your domain transfer from beginning to end, ensuring a secure and easy transaction. They will manage the receipt of the domain into one of BrandBuckets secure registrar accounts and then complete the transfer to you.

1. Verification and registrar choice

After we receive the payment and verify it, we will reach out via email to confirm which registrar you want the domain transferred to. We also provide a link to our tracking system, where you can communicate with us, check on the status of your transfer, view your invoice, and download your logo files.

In most cases, if a domain is moved between accounts at a single registrar, the transfer is quick and usually completes within 48 hours. If a domain changes registrars (in other words, you would like to move it away from where it is currently registered), the transfer is slower. The total transfer time can then be anywhere from 48 hours to 7 days.

BrandBucket has vetted and supports the following registrars:



GoDaddy

Namesilo

Uniregistry

NameCheap

Google Domains

Network Solutions

Name.com

Dynadot

Amazon Route 53

123 Reg

Gandi

2. We request the name from the seller.

Once we know where you would like the domain transferred, BrandBucket will request the domain from the seller. All of our sellers are very responsive, making for a quick process.

3. Transfer the name into your account

As soon as we receive the name from the seller, we start the transfer into your account and guide you through the whole process.

4. Verify with the buyer that the transfer is complete

Once we confirm that you have received the name, we consider the escrow process to be complete. Only then do we release payment to the domain seller.
SALEM, Mass., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- KnowAtom, an organization known for K-8 science curriculum and lab supplies, offered N95s to hospitals who politely declined, citing brand loyalty and "plenty available." KnowAtom now hopes the NIOSH-approved respirators that hospitals declined will help others.

N95s are the gold standard for respiratory protection, filtering hazardous airborne particles.

Healthcare Worker Wears NIOSH-Approved N95

Until now, they have mainly been reserved for medical environments because they are designed to protect a wearer against tiny droplets called aerosols, produced when people breathe.

N95s don't act like a spaghetti-strainer. They are constructed of non-woven fibers with an electrostatic charge that captures ultra-small particles, making them a powerful tool against airborne viruses.

Unlike a cough or sneeze, aerosols float much longer and further. Research indicates they're able to be pushed by fans and pumped by HVAC systems beyond 6-foot social distances.

As a science lab supplier, KnowAtom has relationships with manufacturers that produce NIOSH-approved N95s outside the United States.

"We made a quick decision to step in on behalf of our neighbors. It's what we'd want others to do for us," says KnowAtom CEO Francis Vigeant.

Initially, there was an outreach to a variety of medical centers. Surprisingly every institution politely declined. "We'd see articles citing a shortage, but they'd tell us 'we have plenty' and that they're only buying a specific American brand. It became predictable," says Vigeant.

The brand-loyal medical and healthcare market is creating a unique opportunity for a healthy public to protect themselves with standard NIOSH-approved N95 respirators.

"We're not in the business of N95s, we just want these things gone and to good use. They can still protect lives; it just may not be the lives of healthcare and front line workers we originally thought of," Vigeant says.

People breathe 10-15,000 liters of air a day, but a virus can't identify a healthcare worker.

Cloth and surgical masks slow an infected person from disbursing COVID. N95s provide healthy people repository protection against airborne biologicals like a virus. If an N95 fits well, experts say it's your best chance at stopping airborne viruses from entering your respiratory tract.

Healthy people who want respiratory protection should consider N95s for "stuffy" indoor areas with poor air quality and close enclosed quarters like subways, buses, classrooms, conference rooms, elevators, and medical offices.

KnowAtom is solving a problem for the public by making cases (400 masks) of NIOSH-approved N95 masks available for sale to any organization, including colleges, firefighters, and communities near wildfires. If your organization needs respirators, we'll sell you what we have. To buy cases of N95s please fill out this form.

If you're looking to buy small quantities or for personal use, try buying real N95s from an online retailer.

Media Contact: Nicole Lanoue, KnowAtom, LLC 617-475-3475 x2002

Related Images

general-public-access-to-n95.jpeg

General Public Access to N95 Respirators

Healthcare Worker Wears NIOSH-Approved N95

SOURCE KnowAtom

Related Links

https://www.knowatom.com


New Delhi: Popular television and Bollywood actress Ankita Lokhande, dressed in traditional Marathi style along with her mother Vandana Lokhande performed the Mahalaxmi puja at home during Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The mother-daughter duo welcomed the Gauri-Ganpati idols home and performed all the rituals as per Maharashtrian tradition.

Every year, the Lokhande household welcomes Gauri-Ganpati to their abode during the Ganpati festivity. Ankita took to her social media handles and shared the videos:

Mahalaxmi puja or the Jyeshtha Gauri Puja is performed during Ganesh Chaturthi festival and holds utmost significance for the devotees.

However, the rituals may differ from region-to-region as India is a vast land home to multiple ethnicities and cultures. In Maharashtra, Gauri Ganpati, as it is popularly known, is celebrated with much gusto and vigour.

This year, Gauri Avahana will be on August 25 and the puja will be performed on August 26 respectively.

The Visarajan ceremony will be on August 27, 2020.

Here's wishing all our readers a very happy Gauri Ganpati puja!
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Does my child need to bring a tablet to school? Will my childs in-person teacher also be in charge of remote instruction? What will pick-up and drop-off procedures look like? Is there bus service?

Its less than three weeks until the New York City 2020-2021 school year is set to begin amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and many parents have said they have more questions than answers.
Eiza Gonzalez recently took a brief break from social media, following an encounter with some misogynistic trolls.

But the Mexican actress is back to serve her 6million Instagram followers with a healthy dose of summer goals.

She put on a sexy summer display Monday in a tiny sundress, which left little to the imagination, as she stepped out to get some coffee and a new tattoo in West Hollywood.

Sexy summer: Eiza Gonzalez put on a sexy summer display Monday in a tiny sundress, which left little to the imagination, as she stepped out to get some coffee and a new tattoo in West Hollywood

The 30-year-old flaunted her decolletage in the plunging floral black and white spaghetti strap number, which showed off her toned legs.

She finished the look with a pair of square black sunglasses, a matching face mask, gold necklace and some cognac leather sandals.

Gonzalez later took to her Instagram Story in the same dress, instead pairing it with white stilettos and a blue leather handbag.

She was spotted picking up an iced coffee drink from Alfred Coffee, before getting some ink done by celeb tattoo artist Winter Stone.

Leggy display: The 30-year-old flaunted her decolletage in the plunging floral black and white spaghetti strap number, which showed off her toned legs

Hell on heels: Gonzalez later took to her Instagram Story in the same dress, pairing it with white stilettos and a blue leather handbag

Under the needle: The Baby Driver actress posted a video to her story from the tattoo chair, as celeb tattoo artist Winter Stone went to work on her arm

New ink: She also posted a black-and-white photo of the final product, a drawing of what appeared to be herself kissing someone, writing: 'self love'

Selfie esteem: Stone took to his own Instagram Story, sharing a selfie from his visit with Gonzalez and her friend Georgie Flores, 23

The Baby Driver actress posted a video to her story from the tattoo chair, as Stone went to work on her arm.

She also posted a black-and-white photo of the final product, a drawing of what appeared to be herself kissing someone, writing: 'self love'

Stone took to his own Instagram Story, sharing a selfie from his visit with Gonzalez and her friend Georgie Flores, 23.

Gonzalez has previously been spotted over the summer around Los Angeles and Cabo San Lucas with her latest flame Timothee Chalamet, 24.

She's also been promoting her movie Bloodshot, which dropped in late March on VOD, amid COVID-19 restrictions.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Adrees Latif (Reuters) Aetna Springs, California  Tue, August 25, 2020 08:20 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4030329 2 World california,wildfire,lightning-strike Free

California braced for more lightning storms on Monday that could supercharge massive wildfires burning across an area three times the size of Los Angeles.

The worst of the wildfires, including the second and third largest in California history, were around the San Francisco Bay Area which was under a red flag warning for dry-lightning and gusty, erratic winds, the National Weather Service said.

"The threat of a thunderstorm over a fire area is dangerous, let alone over the second and third largest in California history," Brice Bennett, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said of the two largest blazes, the LNU and SCU Lightning Complexes.

The fires, which were ignited by over 13,000 lightning strikes from dry thunderstorms across Northern and Central California, have killed at least seven people and destroyed over 1,200 homes and other structures.

Smoke from wildfires that have burned over 1.2 million acres created unhealthy conditions for much of northern California and drifted as far away as Kansas.

Around 240,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders, or evacuation warnings, as the fires burn close to Bay Area communities as large as Santa Cruz, with around 65,000 residents.

The LNU Complex, which began as a string of smaller fires that merged into one, has burned around 350,000 acres of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Yolo and Solano counties, Cal Fire said.

It was 22% contained as of Monday while to the south the SCU Lightning Complex was nearly as large, at 347,000 acres, and only 10% contained.

Another blaze threatened forests south of San Jose with the University of California at Santa Cruz under mandatory evacuation along with dozens of communities.

Over 14,000 firefighters are on the wildfires which US President Donald Trump declared a major disaster, freeing up federal funds to help residents and businesses
Agence France-Presse

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg said Monday she has returned to school after a year off campaigning to curb climate change.

"My gap year from school is over, and it feels so great to finally be back in school again!" the 17-year-old tweeted, attaching a smiling photo of herself with a schoolbag on her back and her hands resting on a bicycle.

Thunberg did not say in which city or school she would be continuing her studies.

Since her last school year finished in June 2019, the teenager's travels around the world meant that she ended up doing lessons remotely.

Rather than head into the final years of secondary school, she travelled across the Atlantic by sailing boat  hoping to highlight the carbon emissions of flying.

Her ultimate destination had been the COP25 UN climate conference in Chilean capital Santiago.

But the event was ultimately shifted to Madrid because of massive unrest in Chile, leaving Thunberg to sail back from the US to Europe on board a catamaran belonging to a young Australian couple.

While in North America, Thunberg rebuked world leaders at the UN, had a repeat visit with former US President Barack Obama, was given the keys to the city of Montreal and travelled around the continent in a Tesla electric car lent by former California governor and action star Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Doses of the potential coronavirus



vaccine developed by researchers at arrived at the Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College here for phase-2 human trials on Tuesday, an official said.

The trial may begin from Wednesday, said a top official of the institute, one of the 17 sites selected for the phase 2 human trials in the country by Serum Institute of India (SII).

"To start with we have identified five volunteers who will undergo COVID-19 and antibodies test. Those whosereports are negative will be shortlisted for vaccination on Wednesday," said Dr Sanjay Lalwani, Medical Director, Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre.

He said the hospital has been given a target of enlisting 300 to 350 volunteers. Those chosen for receiving a dose of vaccine will be in the age group of 18 to 99 years, he told PTI.

Dr Jeetendra Oswal, deputy medical director of the hospital, said after they are administered the vaccine, the volunteers will be monitored as per the standard trial protocol.

The other hospitals where trials are to be conducted include B J Medical College Hospital in Pune, AIIMS Delhi, Rajendra MemorialResearch Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh,Nehru Hospital in Gorakhpur and Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam.

SII, the world's largest vaccine maker, has signed an agreement to manufacture the potential vaccine developed by the Jenner Institute of in collaboration with British-Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca.

(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.)
Britannia Marie Gold, one of Indias largest biscuit brands has always fuelled Indian homemakers to do more & be more. Committed to be a friend and guide to the Indian homemaker, the brand has over many years nudged the homemaker to realise her latent potential and dreams. On World Entrepreneurship Day, Britannia Marie Gold released a special TV campaign which recognizes and salutes the natural entrepreneur within every homemaker.

The brand communication operates on the key insight that lack of confidence is one of the barriers keeping homemakers from starting something of their own. It also makes the point that this lack of confidence is misplaced. In fact, the brand believes that every homemaker by virtue of being a homemaker already possesses skill sets akin to an entrepreneur- leadership qualities, financial acumen, and negotiation and people management skills. All she needs to truly become an entrepreneur is to discover the talent she already has, within her.

The film celebrates the homemaker in her current life state, as the anchor of her family and also nudges her to do more and be more, Kyunki Ki Bahut Kuch Hai Karna.

Talking about the campaign, Vinay Subramanyam, VP, Marketing, Britannia Industries said, Britannia Marie Gold is a brand that has intimate connections with Indias homemakers. We laud them for being the emotional anchor and all time go- to person in every family. We firmly believe that the progress the country has made sits on the bedrock of contributions and sacrifices made by the homemaker. Britannia Marie Gold recognizes the growing, inner aspirations of homemakers to do more with their potential and is committed to be the everyday fuel for homemakers in this bid. We dedicate this film to Indias homemakers on World Entrepreneurship Day. What better way to tell homemakers that they already have immense entrepreneurial acumen, and how a little bit of courage and confidence can make their dreams come alive.

Puneet Kapoor, Regional Creative Officer, Lowe Lintas said Britannia Marie Gold has championed the dreams that homemakers want to achieve apart from running their households so efficiently through this creative campaign. This film celebrates those latent dreams that nearly every homemaker in the country harbours in her heart. It attempts to inspire women to give an honest shot to realising her dreams because the skill-sets of good home-making are similar to the skill-sets required to run ones own business.

Britannia Credits:

Brand: Britannia Marie Gold

VP, Marketing: Vinay Subramanyam

Category Manager: Siddharth Gupta

Group Product Manager: Ankit Tiwari

Product Manager: Sayani Bagchi

Campaign Credits:

Agency: Lowe Lintas Bangalore

Language: Hindi, Bangla, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya, Assamese

Creative: Puneet Kapoor, Arpan Bhattacharyya and Ayanangshu Lahiri

Account Management: Sonali Khanna, Smrithi Ramanujam, Shreya Singh and Shruthi Rao

Planning: Kishore Subramanian and Saumya Chattopadhyay

Production House: Oink Films (Producer: Ramya Rao, Director: Shirsha Guha Thakurta)

Music Director: Subhajit Mukherjee
Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money.

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has told lawyers to draft a new public health order after police withdrew a $5000 fine against a party bus operator because of a legal loophole.

JB Party Hire owner Jarrad Broughton was issued the infringement notice for allegedly breaching COVID-19 restrictions after police found 43 people aboard the bus on Wheat Road in the Sydney CBD on the night of August 15.

Party buses in NSW are not covered by COVID-19 public health order restrictions.

But police dropped the fine after an internal memo advised last week that party buses weren't covered under current restrictions because they weren't classified as premises or hospitality venues, nor were they required to comply with the four-square-metre social distancing rule.

Mr Hazzard said on Tuesday he had spoken to NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and confirmed he had instructed lawyers to draft new health orders to close what appeared to be a legal loophole.
Clayton O. "J.C." Haynes, Jr., 81, of Hughesville, Maryland passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at his home.



He was born on February 14, 1939 in Fines Creek, NC to the late Clayton O. Haynes. Sr. and Genie Duckett.



J.C. proudly served in the U.S. Army. He was a proud American who was honorably discharged in April, 1961, after serving his country and family proud. J.C. worked as a Boilermaker for Shell Oil until his retirement in 1995.



A wonderful man, with a heart of gold, J.C. loved his family and spending time with them. He was an adventurous traveler who would take long trips throughout the United States. He would stop for a flea market or a yard sale in hopes of finding a treasure. His passion for old cars, especially a 1929 Ford was common knowledge and he could spend hours looking at antique vehicles. He enjoyed landscaping and keeping his yard well groomed. His kind soul will continue to be remembered by family and friends. J.C. will be greatly missed.



He is survived by his significant other of 24 years, Marie Baker of Hughesville, MD, his children, John Haynes (Margaret) of Sedro Woolley, WA, Donna Michel (Chris) of Roper, NC and step-daughter, Debbie Buckler (George) of Mechanicsville, MD; one (1) grandchild, Kyle Shuey and one (1) step-grandson, Nicholas Buckler. J.C. is also survived by his siblings, Edward Haynes (Lois) of Abbington, VA and Margie Kapherr (Bob) of Webster, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Haynes.



The family will receive friends for J.C.'s Visitation on Friday, August 28, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service being held at 7:00 p.m. all at Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. Interment will be private.



In lieu of flowers the family would ask that donations be made in J.C.'s name to Hospice of Charles County, 2505 Davis Road, Waldorf, MD 20603.



Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.



All arrangements have been made by Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A.
Christchurch: White supremacist New Zealander Philip Neville Arps has been arrested while visiting a home brew shop next to a mosque for allegedly breaching the strict conditions of his prison release.

Arps, 45, was jailed for 21 months last year after he sent the banned video of the Christchurch terror attack to 30 people, and asked a friend to modify it by adding cross-hairs and a kill count.

He was released in January, but remains subject to strict conditions prohibiting him from going near any mosques in New Zealand or having contact with anyone in the Muslim community.

New Zealander Philip Neville Arps was sentenced to 21 months jail on two charges of distributing an objectionable publication after the Christchurch mosque massacre. Credit:John Kirk-Anderson/Stuff

Arps was arrested in Christchurch on Tuesday morning after he was allegedly spotted near the Linwood Islamic Centre, where seven people were killed in last years attack.
Bryant-Denny Stadium on the campus of the University of Alabama on Sept. 22, 2018. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

University of Alabama Records Over 500 CCP Virus Cases in Less Than a Week

The University of Alabama has reported 531 COVID-19 cases at its Tuscaloosa campus since classes resumed last week as the citys mayor announced bar closures to stem the spread of the potentially deadly bug.

The school published a new Chinese Communist Party (CCP) virus dashboard Monday, which showed that across the entire University of Alabama System (UAS)including campuses in Birmingham and Huntsvillethere were a total of 566 confirmed cases of the virus between students, faculty, and staff since Aug. 19.

Over the past week, due to student behavior, we have seen a spike in the number of students who have sought re-testing because they became symptomatic or were exposed to a COVID-positive individual said Dr. Selwyn Vickers, co-chair of the UAS Health and Safety Task Force, in a statement (pdf).

That trend prompted the decision to take further steps to reduce the chance that the COVID- 19 virus will escalate dramatically, he added.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox on Monday issued an executive order (pdf) closing bars and bars inside restaurants until Sept. 8, noting their unique risk for the spread of COVID-19 based upon the length of time people spend in close proximity indoors and the inability to wear a face covering while eating and drinking.

Citing a dramatic increase in positive COVID-19 students since the University of Alabama resumed classes last week, Maddox said the restrictions are needed to protect the healthcare system capacity and to avoid having to cancel in-person learning on campus.

The University of Alabama is a large economic engine for the City and a move to virtual classes for the fall semester of 2020 would devastate our local economy and spell disaster for our service industry establishments, he wrote in the order, adding that university has taken steps to curb the spread of the virus that include canceling non-academic events, closing dining rooms, and restricting access to fraternity and sorority houses. The mayor added in a tweet that there is also a fear that the infection will now spread to vulnerable populations.

UAS Chancellor Finis St. John said all enrolled students have been tested for the CCP virus, with an aggregated positive percentage Systemwide of less than 1 percent.

Our goal from the outset of the pandemic has been to develop a comprehensive health and safety plan that would enable our students, faculty, and staff to return to on-campus operations for the fall semester, he said.

Kellee Reinhart, a spokesperson for UAS, said the dashboard would be updated weekly.
American Airlines warned employees on Tuesday that it would cut up to 19,000 workers on Oct. 1, saying that there was little sign that the pandemic-induced reluctance to travel was diminishing.

The airline is looking to cut thousands of flight attendants, pilots, technicians, gate agents and other staff, it said. Including buyouts, retirements and leaves of absence, the company expects to have about 40,000 fewer employees on Oct. 1 than it did before the pandemic, a 30 percent decline in its work force.

American is just the latest airline to predict bad news. Earlier this summer, United Airlines said that it could furlough as many as 36,000 employees in the fall. And, on Monday, Delta Air Lines warned that it might have to furlough as many as 1,941 pilots in October, even after nearly as many had accepted buyouts.

While weak demand is spurring these announcements, the airlines are also seeking to put pressure on Congress and the Trump administration to strike a deal on another coronavirus stimulus package. Passenger airlines received $25 billion to help pay workers under a March legislative package, with American alone receiving $5.8 billion.
Iranian president Hassan Rouhani condemned a decision by the United Arab Emirates to open up diplomatic relations with Israel in a recently announced historic deal.

The UAE is the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to establish normalized relations with Israel, Iran's regional archenemy.

Rouhani warned the Gulf state against allowing Israel to have a "foothold in the region."

We consider this action an incorrect, wrong and absolutely condemned action. It is a treachery against the cause of the Palestinian nation and the cause of Muslims and Al-Quds," he said, adding that the agreement was a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

His comments came after the country's powerful Revolutionary Guards warned that the deal with Israel will set back American influence in the Middle East, and bring a dangerous future" for the Emirati government.

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates and Israel agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state.

The UAE presented its controversial decision as a way of encouraging peace efforts and taking Israels planned annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank off the table.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly pushed back insisting the pause in annexation was temporary.

Trump has presented the US-brokered agreement as a major diplomatic achievement and said he expects more Arab and Muslim countries to follow suit.

Israel has quietly cultivated ties with the UAE and other Gulf countries for several years as they have confronted a shared enemy in Iran.
JNU student Sharjeel Imam arrested for Delhi riots

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Aug 26: The Delhi Police on Tuesday formally arrested ex-JNU student Sharjeel Imam under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in connection with the Delhi riots.

Imam was arrested allegedly for instigating and abetting riots with his speech delivered on December 13. He has been booked under various sections including 124-A (Sedition), 153(A) (Promoting enmity), 153-A (promoting enmity, Hatred between different communities), 153-B (Assertion prejudicial to national integration) and 505 (spreading rumours) of India Penal Code and under the section 13 of the draconian UAPA.

Said to be in his early 30s, Sharjeel Imam has a degree from IIT Mumbai and later moved to Delhi for pursuing research at JNUs Centre for Historical Studies.

He had been involved in organizing the protests at Shaheen Bagh but came into limelight after a video clip went viral wherein he could be heard making some disturbing comments while addressing a gathering at Aligarh Muslim University, following which he was booked under sedition charge in the UP town.

Covid vaccine update: India in talks with Russia for Sputnik V | Oneindia News

To slam AAP govt, Delhi BJP asks Anna Hazare to join its 'mass movement'

The Delhi police claimed he had given an "inflammatory" speech earlier on the Jamia Milia Islamia campus and lodged an FIR against him in the national capital.

Besides, another case was lodged under the stringent anti-terror law against him in Assam, taking cognisance of Imam's remark that Assam could be "severed from India, even if for a few months" as a result of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

Police in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh had also lodged FIRs against the JNU scholar, over his speech in which he threatened to "cut off" Assam and the northeast from the rest of the country.

Sharjeel Imam was lodged in the Guwahati Central Jail for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches during an anti-CAA protest last year.
Foundation President Joseph Sciame with Savoy Orders Member Anthony Schembri Jr. present Grant to CEO Bill Baccaglini and Development VP Kirkley Strand of New York Foundling on August 19, 2020 For the extra challenges brought on by the COVID crisis, the Savoy Foundation has stepped in to provide extra support for The New York Foundling's summer camp at-home program.

During the COVID Crisis, The American Foundation of Savoy Orders (Savoy Foundation), in keeping with its Chivalry for Childrens Causes mission, granted $130,000, raised through its 2019 Ballo di Savoia Gala in New York for The New York Foundlings Summer Camp Program for foster care children. The Savoy Foundation contribution will fund $50,000 for the Foundlings 2020 on-line summer camp at home program because of COVID health restrictions and $80,000 for the Foundlings prospective 2021 live outdoor summer camp. CEO and President Bill Baccaglini and Development Vice President Kirkley Strand of the New York Foundling accepted the grant check on August 19, 2020 from Savoy Foundation President Joseph Sciame on behalf of the Board at the New York Foundling headquarters.

This years extra challenges, brought on by the COVID crisis, have brought about the cancellation of The New York Foundlings outdoor overnight, summer camp program. The Savoy Foundation, as a supporting partner, has stepped in to fund $50,000 for a summer camp at-home experience with an on-line platform of high-quality, interactive camp-themed programming supervised by the Foundlings veteran Camp Felix staff members throughout the month of August. The virtual camp experience will feature 2-3 hours of daily activities, including fitness, yoga, arts and crafts, theatre and dance, STEM workshops, musical performances, and more. Virtual campers can participate in the entire program start to finish, or they can choose select weeks, days, or activities based on their interests.

The summer camp at home program has provided each camper with a care package, including a t-shirt, journal, set of headphones, snacks, coloring and activity books and supplies, arts and crafts supplies, and a frisbee. Each day will still start with the Morning Circle where campers and staff sing songs and talk about daily and weekly goals and challenges. We cant give out a Cleanest Cabin Award this year, so instead campers have been competing within their own homes to see who can complete the most household choresthings like dusting, vacuuming, doing the dishes, or helping their parent/guardian with dinner.

The balance of the Savoy Foundation $80,000 grant to The New York Foundling is reserved for their projected 2021 real summer camp experience in their outdoor overnight camp facilities in upstate New York.

For more information on the philanthropic causes supported by the Savoy Foundation, please click here.

Businesses, individuals and organizations can donate here and find additional information about the Savoy Foundation Programs.

ABOUT THE SAVOY FOUNDATION AND THE AMERICAN DELEGATION OF SAVOY ORDERS

The American Delegation of Savoy Orders, which includes the United States of America, is among 35 delegations of the Savoy Orders located throughout Europe, the Americas and Japan. The Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy are among the oldest orders of chivalry in the world. Their origins and their principles, traditions and humanitarian goals, like those of the Royal House of Savoy that has the hereditary right to confer them, date back a thousand years. The American Delegation of Savoy Orders through its charitable arm, The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated, contributes to humanitarian, hospitaller and charitable projects and initiatives in the United States and abroad, particularly in healthcare and hospice care, disaster relief, education programs and children's causes.

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated, a 501(c) (3) charitable organization headquartered in New York City, has supported local, national, and international charities focusing on medical, educational, social assistance and humanitarian fields, including philanthropy for hospitals, relief agencies, childrens causes and hospice care for the poor, infirm and elderly. The Foundation whose current mission is Chivalry for Childrens Causes, is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Roster Consultative Statues with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

For more information on supporting the causes of the American Foundation of Savoy Orders, see below.

CONTACT:

Larissa Van Duser, Executive Director, American Foundation of Savoy Orders

amsavoy(at)aol.com, +1 212 972 0495

For more information, visit http://www.savoia.org
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump made a dizzying array of misleading claims about voting fraud and health care Monday as fellow Republicans opened their convention with speeches distorting the agenda of his Democratic rival, Joe Biden.

Trump falsely asserted that he was the one who ensured that people with preexisting medical problems will be covered by health insurance; actually that was Democratic President Barack Obama. Several speakers accused Biden of proposing to defund police, ban fracking, take over health care and open borders  none of that true.

A look at statements at the Republican National Convention:

HEALTH CARE

TRUMP: We protected your preexisting conditions. Very strongly protected preexisting ... and you dont hear that.

THE FACTS: You dont hear it because its not true.

People with preexisting medical problems have health insurance protections because of Obamas health care law, which Trump is trying to dismantle.

One of Trumps alternatives to Obamas law  short-term health insurance, already in place  doesnt have to cover preexisting conditions. Another alternative is association health plans, which are oriented to small businesses and sole proprietors and do cover preexisting conditions.

Neither of the two alternatives appears to have made much difference in the market.

Meanwhile, Trumps administration is pressing the Supreme Court for full repeal of the Obama-era law, including provisions that protect people with preexisting conditions from health insurance discrimination.

With Obamacare still in place, preexisting conditions continue to be covered by regular individual health insurance plans.

Insurers must take all applicants, regardless of medical history, and charge the same standard premiums to healthy people and those who are in poor health, or have a history of medical problems.

Before the Affordable Care Act, any insurer could deny coverage  or charge more  to anyone with a preexisting condition who was seeking to buy an individual policy.

Democratic attacks on Republican efforts to repeal the health law and weaken preexisting condition protections proved successful in the 2018 midterms, when Democrats won back control of the House.

Story continues

___

VOTING FRAUD

TRUMP, on mail-in voting: Absentee  like in Florida  absentee is good. But other than that, theyre very, very bad.

THE FACTS: Hes making a false distinction. Mail-in ballots are cast in the same way as absentee mail ballots, with the same level of scrutiny such as signature verification in many states.

In more than 30 states and the District of Columbia, voters have a right to no excuse absentee voting. That means they can use mail-in ballots for any reason, regardless of whether a person is out of town or working.

In Florida, the Legislature in 2016 voted to change the wording of such balloting from absentee to vote-by-mail to make clear a voter can cast such ballots if they wish. So there is no absentee voting in that state, as Trump alludes to.

More broadly, voter fraud has proved exceedingly 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.

Only nine states currently have plans for universal mail-in voting, where ballots are sent automatically to registered voters. Five of those states relied on mail-in ballots even before the coronavirus pandemic raised concerns about voting in person.

___

TRUMP, on the November vote count and Democrats: We have to be very, very careful and this time they are trying to do it with the whole post office scam. They will blame it on the post office. You can see them setting it up.

THE FACTS: No postal scam has emerged from the Democrats. Instead Trump has given credence to suspicions that he wants to suppress mail-in voting to help his chances in the election.

Hes said as much. In an interview this month, he admitted hes trying to starve the U.S. Postal Service of money in order to make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots, which he worries could cost him the election.

Trump explicitly noted funding provisions that Democrats are seeking in a relief package that has stalled on Capitol Hill. Without the additional money, he said, the Postal Service wont have the resources to handle a flood of ballots from voters who are seeking to avoid polling places during the coronavirus pandemic.

If we dont make a deal, that means they dont get the money, Trump told Fox Business Network. That means they cant have universal mail-in voting; they just cant have it.

Over the weekend, the House approved legislation that would reverse recent changes in postal operations and send $25 billion to shore up the agency before the November election, but the White House has said Trump would veto it.

During a House hearing, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy acknowledged that Trumps repeated attacks on mail-in ballots are not helpful, but he denied that recent cuts were linked to the election.

___

TRUMP, on defective ballots in an election: What does defective mean? It means fraud.

THE FACTS: No, defective ballots do not equate to fraud. The overwhelming majority arent.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the vast majority of ballots are disqualified because they arrive late, a particular worry this year because of recent U.S. Postal Service delays and an expected surge in mail-in voting during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ballots also are deemed defective if there is a missing signature  common with newer voters unfamiliar with the process  or it doesnt match whats on file. In addition, some states require absentee voters to get a witness or notary to sign their ballots.

None of those are fraud, said Wendy Weiser, director of Brennan's democracy program at NYU School of Law. When suspected cases are investigated for potential fraud, studies have borne out the main reason for defects is voter mistake, she said.

Defective ballots also disproportionately impact voters of color, and recent lawsuits have successfully challenged some requirements as posing health risks or disenfranchising voters. Earlier this year, for instance, a federal judge ruled that a South Carolina requirement to have witnesses to mail-in ballots could put voters health at risk and suspended it for the June primary. Others states including Minnesota and Rhode Island have also suspended that requirement due to the pandemic.

While the rates of defective ballots are unacceptable, people should still feel confident in their votes, and they should follow-up, Weiser said. People should know these problems are being fought over and hopefully many will be mitigated and addressed before November.

___

POLICE

REP. STEVE SCALISE of Louisiana on the police: Joe Biden has embraced the lefts insane mission to defund them.

THE FACTS: No, Biden has explicitly rejected the call by some on the left to defund the police. He has proposed more money for police, conditioned on improvements in their practices.

Bidens criminal justice agenda, released long before the protests over racial injustice, proposes more federal money for training that is needed to avert tragic, unjustifiable deaths and hiring more officers to ensure that departments are racially and ethnically reflective of the populations they serve.

Specifically, he calls for a $300 million infusion into federal community policing grant programs. That's more money, not less.

___

BIDEN AGENDA

NIKKI HALEY, former ambassador to the United Nations, on the Democrats: They want a government takeover of health care. They want to ban fracking and kill millions of jobs.

REP. JIM JORDAN of Ohio on the Democratic agenda: Defund the police, defund border patrol and defund our military.

RONNA McDANIEL, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee: You deserve to know that they would ban fracking and eliminate fossil fuels, which would kill millions of good-paying jobs and raise the cost of driving our cars and heating our homes. You deserve to know that they want a complete government takeover of our health care system, so moms like me wont be able to take our kids to the same pediatrician theyve been seeing for years.

THE FACTS: Those aren't Biden's positions. A number of Republican speakers seized on proposals of the Democratic left, in some cases distorting those positions, and assigned them to Biden, who doesn't share those views.

He does not favor a government takeover of health care; instead he proposes building on Obamacare, which preserves the private insurance market while expanding Medicaid.

He also did not endorse proposals to cease border enforcement or even to decriminalize illegal crossings.

Biden supports banning only new oil and gas permits, fracking included, on federal land. But most U.S. production is on private land  the U.S. Bureau of Land Management says production on federal land accounted for less than 10% of oil and gas in 2018.

In a March 15 primary debate, Biden misstated his energy policy, suggesting he would allow no new fracking. His campaign quickly corrected the record. Biden has otherwise been consistent on his middle-of-the-road position, going so far as to tell an anti-fracking activist that he ought to vote for somebody else if he wanted an immediate fracking ban.

___

PANDEMIC

DONALD TRUMP JR. on the coronavirus response: The president quickly took action and shut down travel from China.

THE FACTS: He didnt shut down travel from China. He restricted it. Dozens of countries took similar steps to control travel from hot spots before or around the same time the U.S. did.

The U.S. restrictions that took effect Feb. 2 continued to allow travel to the U.S. from Chinas Hong Kong and Macao territories over the past five months. The Associated Press reported that more than 8,000 Chinese and foreign nationals based in those territories entered the U.S. in the first three months after the travel restrictions were imposed.

Additionally, more than 27,000 Americans returned from mainland China in the first month after the restrictions took effect. U.S. officials lost track of more than 1,600 of them who were supposed to be monitored for virus exposure.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, the No. 2 official at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also told The Associated Press that the federal government was slow to understand how much coronavirus was spreading from Europe, which helped drive the acceleration of outbreaks across the U.S. in late February. Trump didnt announce travel restrictions for many European countries until mid-March.

___

DONALD TRUMP JR.: The president acted quickly and ensured ventilators got to hospitals that needed them most. He delivered PP&E to our brave front-line workers.

THE FACTS: No, not all hospitals and front-line workers got the ventilators and personal protective equipment they needed. States were left scrambling in the early weeks of the pandemic, while Trump scoffed at some of their requests, calling them inflated.

New York acquired a shipment of 1,000 ventilators f rom the Chinese government and 140 from the state of Oregon. Massachusetts borrowed the New England Patriots jet to pick up 1 million masks from China.

While California Gov. Gavin Newsom was tracking down 10,000 ventilators for his state, he got 170 broken ones from the national stockpile. And a federal shipment of 300,000 N95 masks that Illinois was supposed to receive in March turned out to be less-effective surgical masks instead, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at the time.

___

ECONOMY

DONALD TRUMP JR, on his father: So if youre looking for hope, look to the man who did what the failed Obama-Biden administration never could do and built the greatest economy our country has ever seen.

THE FACTS: Thats false. The economy was healthy before the coronavirus pandemic hit but not the best in U.S. history.

Economic gains largely followed along the lines of an expansion that started more than a decade ago under Obama. And while posting great job and stock market numbers, Trump never managed to achieve the rates of economic growth he promised in the 2016 campaign, nor growth rates seen in the past.

The Obama-Trump years yielded the longest economic expansion in U.S. history, but not the greatest,

___

McDANIEL: You deserve to know about their plans to raise taxes on 82% of Americans.

THE FACTS: Thats not the plan. Biden says he wont raise taxes on anyone making under $400,000.

An analysis of Bidens tax plan by the University of Pennsylvanias Penn Wharton Budget Model in March found that the bottom 90 percent of income earners would not pay more in federal income taxes under Bidens proposal.

___

TRUMP JR. on his father: Hes pledged to repeal the Trump tax cuts, which were the biggest in our country.

THE FACTS: Trump's tax cuts are nowhere close to the biggest in U.S. history.

Its a $1.5 trillion tax cut over 10 years. As a share of the total economy, a tax cut of that size ranks 12th, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. President Ronald Reagans 1981 cut is the biggest, followed by the 1945 rollback of taxes that financed World War II.

Post-Reagan tax cuts also stand among the historically significant: President George W. Bushs cuts in the early 2000s and Obamas renewal of them a decade later.

Biden has pledged to raise taxes on wealthy people and not the middle class and working class.

___

Seitz reported from Chicago. Associated Press writers Matthew Daly and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar in Washington and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.

___

EDITOR'S 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
The Chilean Supreme Court rejected a request by the United States to extradite businessman Carlos Cardoen, whom it accuses of having illegally exported a mineral used to make cluster bombs to Iraq.

The court said too much time had lapsed since Cardoen, 78, was indicted by a U.S. court in 1993 for exporting zirconium from the United States and selling cluster bombs to former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein between 1982 and 1989.

Interpol issued a international arrest warrant the same year but Washington asked the Chilean Foreign Ministry only in March last year to arrest Cardoen so he could be tried on U.S. soil.

The ruling brings an end to an almost 30-year legal saga that has prevented business tycoon Cardoen, once labeled a Merchant of Death by U.S. Customs officials, from leaving Chile.

He has turned instead to running a hotel and museum and making wine in the town of Santa Cruz, 100 miles south of the capital, Santiago.

The U.S. Department of Justice indicted Cardoen in 1993 for conspiring with a U.S. company, Teledyne Industries, to violate export controls on zirconium, which it used to manufacture cluster bombs used by the Iraqi Air Force in its war with Iran.

Teledyne Industries pled guilty to the charges and paid a $4 million fine in 1995, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Cardoen has alleged that U.S. authorities turned a blind eye to his business activities while Saddam was attacking Iran, a U.S. opponent. He told the Wall Street Journal in 2011 that he had been scapegoated after Iraq invaded Kuwait, a U.S. ally.
BELGRADE - Local authorities in the Una-Sana Canton in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in the country's northwest at the border with Croatia, have imposed an entrance ban on illegal migrants.



The migrants have been arriving in increasing numbers in the area, travelling the Balkan Route with the goal of passing into Croatia and continuing towards Western Europe.



The Una-Sana Canton is part of the Muslim-Croat Federation, one of the two entities that make up Bosnia-Herzegovina.



Authorities in the Republika Srpska, the other entity in the country, also do not allow migrants to enter their territory.



Therefore, regional media said, the most recent migrants who arrived, about 100, have been relegated to a sort of no man's land between the two Bosnian entities.



The Red Cross intervened by distributing food and water.



The situation is feeding growing tension in the Balkan country, which has seen the number of migrants steadily grow in recent months while having limited resources to deal with the problem.



According to various estimates, the number of migrants in northwestern Bosnia-Herzegovina, in particular in Bihac and Velika Kladusa, ranges between 7,000 and 10,000, and their presence is provoking concern in the local population.



Local residents have been more frequently organising protests to denounce risks and threats to their safety.



Cases have been growing of thefts and aggression by groups of migrants loitering in the area in their constant search for ways to cross the border with Croatia.


Apple has acquired VR startup Spaces. The startup announced on its website last week that it was shutting down all of its existing services last week and that it was heading in a new direction.

While Spaces never confirmed the acquisition or talked about it on its website, Apple confirmed to Protocol that it has acquired the VR startup with its usual statement that it acquires smaller tech companies from time to time. The company started as a part of DreamWorks Animation.

Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.

Spaces had a number of retail outlets across the United States where customers could have VR experiences. However, these stores have been shut since the pandemic hit which also led the company to lay off many of its staff. It has since then focused on creating a bridge and offering VR experiences for Zoom video calls with animated avatars.

It is unclear why Apple has acquired Spaces but the company could use the expertise of the startup to offer innovative new VR experiences and features for its upcoming AR/VR headset. It has now been confirmed multiple times that Apple is working on an AR headset that could launch in 2022 thereby giving the company ample time to integrate Spaces tech with its headset.
Japanese casual wear retailer Uniqlo will open two more stores at major shopping malls in fall/winter in Hanoi, the company said this week.

The two stores will be located at Vincom Center Metropolis and Aeon Mall Long Bien, Uniqlo said on Monday.

Both are prime locations in Hanoi, promising to expand the brand in Vietnam with the LifeWear apparel.

Osamu Ikezoe, general director and chief operating officer of UNIQLO Vietnam, said that its products can meet the daily needs of the people in the Vietnamese capital.

Opening the two stores is the next step in Uniqlos plan in Vietnam, he added.

The new outlets both cover 2,000 square meters of floor area each, displaying LifeWear products for men, women, boys, girls, and children of different ages.

Hanoi will have three Uniqlo outlets when the two stores are inaugurated.

Currently, the Japanese brand is running three stores in Ho Chi Minh City.

The company hopes to expand its distribution network in Vietnam with the expected opening of the outlets.

Its plant in Vietnam is shipping apparel to global markets.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 22:32:05|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Chinese medical workers and South Sudanese officials pose for a photo during the inauguration ceremony of a cancer screening facility in Juba, South Sudan, on Aug. 25, 2020. South Sudan on Tuesday inaugurated a cancer screening facility whose construction was supported by the Chinese government. China has provided material and technical support to South Sudan to help the world's youngest nation deal with health-related challenges. (Photo by Gale Julius/Xinhua)

JUBA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Tuesday inaugurated a cancer screening facility whose construction was supported by the Chinese government.

The new cervical cancer screening center based at the country's main referral hospital, the Juba Teaching and Referral Hospital, is the first of its kind in the east African country.

"The launching of this center is a milestone in the history of our country because we have moved a step forward in the fight against cervical cancer," said Isaac Cleto, director, Juba Teaching and Referral Hospital.

He said the new facility will boost South Sudan's fight against cervical cancer, which is among leading causes of high maternal mortality in South Sudan.

"This center will be important for the screening, and hopefully for treatment and clearance of cervical cancer," said Cleto.

Hua Ning, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, said the latest support signals Beijing's sincere commitment to helping the world's youngest republic to improve its fragile health sector.

"Today's launch of the cervical treatment center is the new start of our future cooperation in the health sector. This facility will save many lives of South Sudanese women," said Hua.

China has provided material and technical support to South Sudan to help the world's youngest nation deal with health-related challenges.

The Chinese government has provided over 30 million U.S. dollars to fund the China-aided project for modernization and expansion of health facilities in South Sudan.

China recently sent several batches of anti-COVID-19 medical supplies and also dispatched a team of health experts to boost South Sudan's fight against the pandemic. Enditem
Hamilton is super good looking, sure. Old news.

But most intelligent city on the planet, or at least top seven?

Its a fact, is what people are saying  and facts are stubborn things, as U.S. founding father John Adams once said (but you knew that already, smart people.)

Hamilton was recently named one of the top seven global intelligent communities by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), and this week a judge is gathering information to determine if the city long known as Steeltown  Smarttown?  deserves No. 1.

He would have visited Hamilton in person, if not for COVID-19. Instead the judging process, including interviews, has moved online.

Cities are judged on six intelligent community indicators: connectivity, knowledge workforce, innovation, digital inclusion, community education and engagement, and sustainability.

Hamilton also placed in the ICF top seven in 2018, and top 21 in 2016. It did not enter the competition in 2017 or 2019.

Past winners have included heavyweights like Melbourne, Stockholm, and New York City. (Oh, and Toronto six years ago, perhaps before the ranking process was perfected.)

Lou Zacharilla, a co-founder of the ICF and one of the judges, told The Spectator hes impressed with what Hamilton has done the past five years.

They have accomplished a lot of things they said they set out to do, in starting to diversify their economy.

Others in the top seven are Adelaide and Sunshine Coast in Australia, Tallin in Estonia, Markham, and two Ohio cities: Hudson and Westerville. About 340 cities submitted applications.

When asked why Ontario and Ohio have four of the seven spots, Zacharilla said a common thread is cities managing post-industrial economies that need to look beyond their borders for investment.

Cities in Ohio and Ontario, and in places like Taiwan, for example, need to look outward, they need the global economy and work harder at it. Hamilton gets that, and I think they are looking at a future that is bright and prosperous.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said a No. 1 ranking would enhance the citys profile, and they have already used Hamiltons past performance in the forum as a marketing tool.

As one example of the ripple effect, he cited the $400-million investment announced by Bell Canada in January to expand its high-speed internet network in Hamilton.

That work is underway and its a direct outcome of the work we did (promoting the city through the ICF).

Hamiltons 2020 bid emphasizes collaboration in the community between partners including the city, McMaster University, Mohawk College, Hamilton Health Sciences and Hamilton Community Foundation.

Cyrus Tehrani, the citys chief digital officer, said connectivity in communities is increasingly seen as a human right, and also the fourth utility after water, gas and hydro.

There is no cost to the city to submit a bid, but it does entail staff time, and in 2018 city officials travelled to London when the forum hosted an event to announce the winner.

This year the winner is revealed in October in Ohio, but it may be done remotely.

Zacharilla, who grew up in Western New York, said he has been to Hamilton for real, at a smart cities conference, and many years ago as a teenager when he visited a friend whose father worked in Hamilton as a machinist.

Your city has certainly grown up in the digital age, he said.
Nearly 100 police officers in the northern Vietnamese province of Lao Cai were mobilized to capture a group of 21 Chinese nationals wanted for fraud and property appropriation.

The four women and 17 men were apprehended while in hiding in Lao Cai City, the capital of the namesake province, on Monday, the provincial Department of Police confirmed on Tuesday morning.

Nearly 100 officers under the Lao Cai Province police department and Ministry of Public Security raided multiple houses located in the storage area of Long Rich Company in the Kim Thanh Commercial-Industrial Park.

The Chinese nationals were showing signs of being involved in online scamming activities. They are all wanted by Chinese authorities for fraud and appropriation of property.

The officers also confiscated nearly 300 items including tablets, laptops, cellphones, power banks, and SIM cards.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the Chinese suspects had entered Vietnam illegally.

Many electronic devices are confiscated after the arrests of 21 wanted Chinese nationals in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam, August 24, 2020. Photo: Quynh Trang / Tuoi Tre

One of them holds both Chinese and Vietnamese nationalities and was in charge of arranging accommodations for the entire gang.

The location was safeguarded with fences and locked entrances.

They also raised ducks and chickens as a front, as well as assigned one person to the job of keeping watch of the area around the clock.

The one with dual nationality was also responsible for grocery shopping while the other members never left the premises.

On Friday last week, police in northern Mong Cai City in Quang Ninh Province carried out a swoop on a local house on suspicion of illegal activities and caught red-handed a group of 11 Chinese nationals gambling and organizing gambling on Chinese websites.

Mong Cai investigators later found that the foreigners were being wanted by Chinese police after being accused of organizing online gambling.

The detainees were handed over to Chinese authorities on Saturday.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (Agence France-Presse)  Tue, August 25, 2020 17:07 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4060971 2 Entertainment Goo-Goo-Dolls,Christmas,album Free

Although there are still 122 days before Christmas, the Goo Goo Dolls have announced that their first-ever holiday album will arrive on Oct. 30 via Warner Records.

Its Christmas All Over will feature various covers of Christmas classics as well as two new original songs, the titles of which have not been revealed yet.

While the official tracklist will be announced in the coming months, frontman John Rzeznik and his bandmates teased that the album promises to deliver a much-needed warmth and hope to 2020.

Read also: Bob Dylan releases first original album in almost a decade

Get on Santas list early this year. If youre on the nice list, well send you a discount code to our merch store so you can get your shopping started! https://t.co/b10zAu7D5L  pic.twitter.com/Otj27p0TaV  Goo Goo Dolls (@googoodolls) August 24, 2020

The collection of Yuletide tunes was produced by Rzeznik and his longtime collaborators Brad Fernquist and Jim McGorman during these past few months of lockdown.

Aside from coming for Mariah Careys crown with their first-ever Christmas-themed album, Rzeznik is scheduled to perform during the virtual edition of this years Chartway American Music Festival.

The music festival will be broadcasted on Saturday, Sept. 5 from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. EDT on the official YouTube channel of Visit Virginia Beach.

Also participating in this years edition of the Chartway American Music Festival are Bret Michaels, Marc Roberge of O.A.R., Michael Franti, Moon Taxi and Trevor Young of SOJA, all of whom have performed during previous editions of the festival.

Meanwhile, the Goo Goo Dolls have announced plans to hit the road across North America in a 2021 summer tour, which will kick off on July 22 in Boise, Idaho.

The band was initially scheduled to support their most recent and 12th studio album, Miracle Pill, alongside Lifehouse and Forest Blakk on an extensive summer tour, although the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to their 2020 touring plans.
New Delhi:

The Indian woman, whose son has been taken away by the Norwegian authorities, has approached the Indian Embassy in Oslo seeking governments intervention, following which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it will now chalk out the future course of action in the case.

Gurvinderjit Kaur has approached the Indian government with the formal written request in this regard, BJP leader Vijay Jolly said.

Kaur and her husband, who is a Norwegian national, have alleged that authorities in that country have taken away their 5-year-old son Aryan, also a Norwegian national, on a frivoulous complaint of abuse.

Confirming that Kaur has approached the government, MEA officials said they were now empowered to pursue the matter with the Norwegian authorities and they will chalk out the future course of action in the case.

The Indian couple had first sought Jollys help in getting back the custody of their child, after which he wrote to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who had said that India will provide them help.

In its response, the Norwegian Embassy here had asked for restraint in the case, assuring that it is being handled with complete sensitivity and awareness.

According to Jolly, the Indian Ambassador is slated to meet highly placed Norwegian officials in Oslo on December 27.

Jolly also maintained that according to the mother, the child is being daily served porridge and bread while he is fond of Indian food.

This is the third case since 2011 when children have been taken away from their Indian-origin parents by the authorities in Norway on the grounds of abuse.

In 2011, a three-year-old and a one-year-old were separated from their parents, prompting the then UPA government to take up the issue with Norway. The Norwegian court later allowed the children to be reunited with their parents.

In December 2012, an Indian couple was jailed on charges of ill treatment of their children, 7 and 2 years. Later, they were sent to their grandparents in Hyderabad.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A brave five-year-old girl who was waiting for a donor to undergo a life-saving heart transplant has died.

The devastated family of Thalia-Beau Wright, who was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy in 2018, announced yesterday that the youngster had succumbed to the rare illness.

Writing on Facebook, her distraught parents from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, said their daughter was 'and will always be the best thing' that ever happened to them.

In the heart-wrenching post, they said their family will be 'forever broken'.

Brave Thalia-Beau Wright, five, who was waiting for a donor to undergo a life-saving heart transplant, has died

'How will we ever live without your beautiful heart and soul?' it read. 'How will the world still turn without you in it?

'How will there be light without your smile? Nearly sic blissful years of you here in our arms, and a lifetime ahead with you in our hearts.

'We can't even live a day without you. Our family will forever be broken but we will live in this heartache knowing how blessed we were to call you ours. Sleep tight our precious princess.'

Last year Thalia-Beau's mother Ellie-Mae Wright, 24, started a campaign to raise awareness for organ donation. The family has since launched an additional fundraiser to help pay for Thalia's funeral.

Thalia-Beau's devastated family announced yesterday that the youngster had succumbed to the rare illness

Writing on Facebook, her distraught parents from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, said their daughter was 'and will always be the best thing' that ever happened to them

Ellie-Mae described how her 'world changed forever' after Thalia-Beau was diagnosed with 'one in a million' restrictive cardiomyopathy on November 16, 2018.

The condition is an ultra-rare form of muscle disease which stiffens the ventricles around the heart.

Ellie-Mae was told by doctors the only hope for her 'sassy' and 'bubbly' Thalia-Beau was a heart transplant - as the condition currently has no cure or treatment.

She said: 'When I was told what was wrong with her everything started going slow. My whole world crumbled down around me. I couldn't believe it.'

Ellie-Mae Wright had been told by doctors that the only hope for her 'sassy' and 'bubbly' Thalia-Beau was a heart transplant - as her condition currently has no cure or treatment

Last year Thalia-Beau's mother Ellie-Mae Wright, 24, started a campaign to raise awareness for organ donation

Ellie-Mae described how her 'world changed forever' after Thalia-Beau was diagnosed with 'one in a million' restrictive cardiomyopathy on November 16, 2018

WHAT IS RESTRICTIVE CARDIOMYOPATHY? In restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), the heart's muscle cells are replaced with scar tissue. This causes the muscle walls of the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart) to stiffen, which makes it harder for the heart to beat. In particular, the stiffened muscles cannot relax properly, which means the ventricles cant fill with blood. This lowers blood flow around the body. Some people with RCM have no, or very mild, symptoms. But over time, the restricted function of the heart can lead to heart failure, symptoms for which include tiredness, shortness of breath and palpitations. RCM is relatively rare compared to other types of cardiomyopathy. It is most often diagnosed in children at 56 years of age, although it can develop at any age. Although RCM cannot be cured, treatment aims to reduce and control symptoms, particularly those of heart failure. In some cases where the heart function is very poor, people may require a heart transplant. It can be genetic and run in families. It can also develop following some treatments for cancer, such as radiation therapy. Advertisement

The devastating diagnosis came after Thalia-Beau was taken to Scarborough Hospital with a suspected common chest infection.

Following two days in hospital, the family were preparing to return home after Thalia-Beau was discharged.

However, just minutes before they were due to leave, Ellie-Mae described how hospital staff ran down the corridor to stop them.

Ellie-Mae said: 'We thought everything was fine and she had been discharged, we were just about to leave. I remember being stopped and told something was wrong with the scans.'

The devastating diagnosis came after Thalia-Beau was taken to Scarborough Hospital with a suspected common chest infection

Doctors had discovered Thalia-Beau had an enlarged heart and she was immediately rushed to Leeds General Infirmary for further checks.

After the scans were completed, Ellie-Mae was taken into a separate room to be given the news.

She added: 'I remember being taken into the room and being surrounded by doctors.

'At the time I thought Thalia-Beau might need an operation so I was worrying about that.

Ellie-Mae had given birth to her son Rudy just three days before being given the diagnosis. Pictured: Rudy and Thalia-Beau

'However, I never expected to be given the news. The doctors told me she was incredibly unlucky to have the condition as it only affects one in a million children.'

Due to her condition, incredible pressure had been placed on Thalia-Beau's lungs -which 'worked overtime' to cope with her heart defect.

Ellie-Mae, who had given birth to son Rudy just three days before being given the diagnosis, said they weren't given a percentage change of survival or a time frame, so were holding out hope she could get a new heart.

Thalia-Beau's grandmother Christine Johnson, 43 previously said she is the family's 'absolute world' and 'gorgeous inside and out'.

Due to her condition, incredible pressure was placed on Thalia-Beau's lungs - which 'worked overtime' to cope with her heart defect. Pictured: The tot with her younger brother

After her initial diagnosis, Christine told how the little girl had enjoyed family days out at their local beach and had started school.

But this year her health took a devastating turn for the worst, meaning she had longer stints in hospital.

The Facebook page set up by her parents has thousands of followers, while Thalia-Beau did manage to meet some of her favourite celebrities - Lewis Capaldi and Jason Manford.

Yesterday's heartbreaking post attracted nearly 2,000 comments, with well-wishers sending their thoughts and sympathies to Thalia-Beau's family.
President Donald Trump appeared Monday night at the Republican National Convention leading conversations from the White House with people he's helped.

Trump talked with frontline workers and then with six hostages who were returned home over the course of his first term.

'You took unprecedented steps, actually, to secure my release and your admnistration really fought for me,' Pastor Andrew Brunson told the president from the Diplomatic Reception Room.

President Trump spoke with six hostages his administration freed during one of two segments of the Republican National Convention filmed at the White House Monday night

The president also appeared with frontline workers at the White House, briefly leading a discussion with them

President Trump invited hostages to the White House including Pastor Andrew Brunson (left), Sam Goodwin (center) and Michael White (right)

THE HOSTAGES DONALD TRUMP APPEARED WITH ON NIGHT NO. 1 OF THE RNC PASTOR ANDREW BRUNSON: Brunson is an American pastor who was imprisoned in Turkey for two years. Brunson was jailed in October 2016 during the purges that followed the unsuccessful coup that year. Brunson was held for a year without charges and then was charged with involvement in the coup. Throughout 2018, President Donald Trump pressured Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan using Twitter and sanctions. In October 2018, Turkey charged Brunson with aiding terrorism, but sentenced him to time served, allowing him to leave the country and return to the United States. JOSHUA AND THAMARA HOLT: Joshua Holt is a Utah man who traveled to Venezuela in June 2016 to marry his now-wife Thamara. Holt was arrested outside his wife's Caracas apartment, accused of stockpiling weapons, with authorities linking him to American efforts to destabilize President Nicolas Maduro's regime. His wife was also arrested. U.S. officials including then Sen. Orrin Hatch, former GOP Rep. Mia Love and others in the Trump administration applied pressure to get the Holts freed, which happened in May 2018. SAM GOODWIN: Sam Goodwin was traveling in Syria in 2019 who was held for 63 days. Goodwin, a tourist who aspired to visit every country, was freed with the help of Lebanon as a mediator in July 2019. PASTOR BRYAN NERREN: Pastor Bryan Nerren was arrested in India in 2019 for failing to claim $40,000 he was carrying. Nerren's family called the arrest targeted due to Nerren's Christian faith. He was imprisoned for six days in deplorable conditions, then released but with his passport confiscated. COVID-19 slowed down his trial, but President Donald Trump's trip to India in February was viewed as instrumental to Nerren getting his freedom. He returned to the U.S. in May. MICHAEL WHITE: Michael White is a U.S. Navy veteran who was held in Iran for nearly two years by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. President Trump's State Department and former Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, worked with Swiss authorities to barter for White's release. He returned to the U.S. in June 2020. Advertisement

Brunson returned to the U.S. from Turkey in October 2018, after imprisoning him during the purges in 2016 that followed an unsuccessful coup.

'We had to get you back,' Trump said.

American tourist Sam Goodwin, who was held for 63 days in Syria, sang the praises of Robert O'Brien and said he was happy that Trump promoted him to national security adviser. 'I can't say enough nice things about him,' Goodwin said, crediting O'Brien with his July 2019 release.

Michael White spoke about being jailed by the Iranian regime.

'It was a major, major trap. I was apprehended there,' he said. 'But what you did sir, is you were able to get me out of that prison in record time, it was amazing,' White said.

And then Josh Holt, along with his wife Thamara, who had both been jailed in Venezuela, talked about how it was a 'great honor' for Trump to immediately welcome them to the White House in June 2018, when they got back.

'I don't really remember a whole lot of it,' Holt admitted. 'It's nice to meet you again.'

Pastor Bryan Nerren, who was detained as he was traveling through India to get to Nepal.

'The darkest moment of our whole time together, your letter to my wife came, and it really gave her the hope and the peace,' Nerren said.

Overall, Trump boasted that he had freed 50 American hostages from 22 countries.

Earlier in the first night of the RNC, Trump thanked a group of frontline workers from the White House.

'There are my friends, these are the incredible workers that helped us so much with the COVID - we can call it many different things, from China virus - I don't want to go through all the names because some people may get insulted but that's the way it is,' Trump said jumpstarting the conversation.

'These are great, great people. Great job, thank you!' he continued.

The president then went around and found out he was spoking to two postal workers, including a Post Office custodian.

'That profession will never be out of business,' Trump commented.

He had also invited to the White House a trucker from Ohio.

'Well, congratulations, I love the truckers,' Trump said. 'They're on my side.'

Two nurses were in the room, along with a police officer from Colorado who had contracted - and recovered from - COVID-19.

'We jsut have to make this Chian virus go away, and it's happening,' the president said.

The two Trump-helmed segments were part of more than two hours of programming that marked the first night of the Republican Pary's own 'virtual' convention.

Most of the mainstage speeches were being filmed several blocks down the road at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

While others, like that of Rep. Jim Jordan, one of the House's most pro-Trump Republicans, were filmed from home.

Earlier Monday, Trump had traveled to North Carolina, which had been the original site of the 2020 RNC, before the president called it partially off and tried to move the major speaking portions to Florida.

The president spent the day blaming the convention not happening in North Carolina on the state's Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

The Jacksonville, Florida portion had to be cancelled as well due to a spike in the state's coronavirus cases.

The president is due to speak Thursday from the White House to officially accept his party's nomination.
Is this a prison or cage? one user wrote on Weibo, a popular social media service. Is this prevention or suppression?

Chinese officials have not provided detailed information about the restrictions, their scope or rationale. At least three cities have been affected, according to official notices, but the lockdown is likely more extensive. In recent weeks, residents in at least 9 jurisdictions, covering a population of more than 10 million, have made reference to being under lockdown, according to a review of posts on Weibo and other sites. Xinjiang officials did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

As anger over the lockdown has grown in recent days, with residents of other parts of China joining in criticizing the government, the authorities have moved quickly to limit dissent, censoring scores of online posts about Xinjiang.

Local officials have tried to portray themselves as responsive and transparent. On Monday, in an unusual gesture, the state-run news media published cellphone numbers of government and party officials in Urumqi, encouraging needy residents to call them and saying they stood ready to effectively solve the difficult demands of the people of all ethnic groups.

One of those officials, Liu Haijiang, a district leader in Urumqi, said in an interview that there were no cases in his district and that residents were pleased with the governments response. We are a pure land, he said. Ordinary people are all very happy.

Mr. Liu said he did not know when the lockdown would be lifted. This will be based on our overall plan and the opinion of the experts, he said.
In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Hill & Smith Holdings PLC (LON:HILS) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Hill & Smith Holdings

What's the estimated valuation?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK58.4m UK66.8m UK69.2m UK71.2m UK73.0m UK74.5m UK75.8m UK77.1m UK78.2m UK79.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 3.68% Est @ 2.94% Est @ 2.43% Est @ 2.06% Est @ 1.81% Est @ 1.63% Est @ 1.51% Est @ 1.42% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 8.7% UK53.7 UK56.5 UK53.9 UK51.1 UK48.1 UK45.2 UK42.4 UK39.6 UK37.0 UK34.5

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK462m

Story continues

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.2%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.7%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2030  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK79m (1 + 1.2%)  (8.7% 1.2%) = UK1.1b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK1.1b ( 1 + 8.7%)10= UK469m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is UK931m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK12.6, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Hill & Smith Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.078. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Hill & Smith Holdings, we've put together three important factors you should assess:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Hill & Smith Holdings you should know about. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for HILS's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
Gareth OCallaghan has said attendants of the protest against face masks are putting other peoples lives at risk

A former RTE broadcaster who is battling a neurological condition has hit out at anti-mask protesters as "ignorant, self-centred fools".

Gareth O'Callaghan (59) retired from broadcasting in 2018 after he was diagnosed with multiple system atrophy (MSA), a neurodegenerative disorder that initially resembles Parkinson's before attacking various body systems.

Mr O'Callaghan has said anti-mask protesters should think long and hard about the consequences of their actions for those with serious medical conditions.

"It is the most vulnerable who you are scaring," he said.

He issued a special plea, via his Facebook page, for protesters to consider the effect their actions will have on the vulnerable and the elderly.

"Do you honestly think your parents or your children are proud of you for what you did, for behaving like a bunch of ignorant self-centred fools who seem to think there's some sort of solidarity in stupidity? You have been brainwashed," he said.

Expand Close The protest against face masks / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp The protest against face masks

"Your actions yesterday are a direct slap in the face to our brave frontliners. Many of them continue to risk their lives to treat seriously ill coronavirus patients.

"Some of our frontliners are dead as a result of bravely putting their own lives on the line.

"They died tragically, and now you have the disgusting audacity to go and do exactly what could kill more of them by putting their lives at risk.

"Do you think your kids will tell all their friends or their teachers about your protest when they return to school next week? No they won't. They're mortified by you."

He said anti-mask protesters could find themselves staring into the eyes of a paramedic as they are wheeled in to ICU, critically ill with the virus.

"All you will be able to see is their eyes because they're wearing PPE gear to protect themselves against catching Covid-19 from you."

"Do all of us who respect life, and how fragile it is and how uncertain these times are, a big favour: Grow up and get some sense.

Cruel

"Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Educate yourselves. Do something decent with your lives that your children will be proud of you for. Stop putting other people's lives at risk."

Mr O'Callaghan suffers from MSA, a progressive illness that neurologists view as being one of the most cruel diseases in the world. People with MSA often contract pneumonia in the later stages of the disease and may suddenly die from cardiac or respiratory issues.

The radio veteran broadcast his last show on Classic Hits in 2018 after he was diagnosed with the condition.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Actor Sushant Singh Rajput's flat-mate Siddharth Pithani, cook Neeraj Singh and domestic help Deepesh Sawant were again called for questioning by the CBI on Tuesday in connection with actor's death case, an official said.

Pithani, Neeraj and Sawant reached the DRDO guest house at Kalina in Santacruz, where the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials probing the case are staying, in the morning, he said.

These three persons were present in Rajput's house at Mont Blanc Apartments in suburban Bandra when the 34-year-old actor was found hanging in his room on June 14.

A Mumbai Police team also went to the DRDO guest house in the morning, the official said.

The CBI team also called Rajput's chartered accountant and accountant for information about his financial transactions, he said.

On Monday, the CBI team visited a Mumbai-based resort where Rajput is said to have spent a couple of months, and also questioned Pithani, Neeraj and Sawant.

The CBI officials had on Friday recorded the statements of Pithani and Neeraj.

On Saturday, the probing team took Pithani, Neeraj and Sawant to Rajput's flat to reconstruct the sequence of events before he was found dead on June 14.

The three were again taken to the flat on Sunday and were also questioned by the CBI at the DRDO guest house.

The Supreme Court last week upheld the transfer of an FIR, lodged by Rajput's father in Patna against actor Rhea Chakraborty and others for allegedly abetting his suicide, to the CBI.

After Rajput was found hanging in his apartment in June, the Mumbai Police registered a case of accidental death.

Later, Rajput's father filed a police complaint in Patna, accusing Chakraborty and her family of abetting the actor's suicide and misappropriating his money.
Dr. Michael L. Brown Turns Up the Volume with a Call to a Holy Moral and Cultural Uprising in Updated, New Edition of His Bestseller, 'Revolution'

Founder/President of AskDrBrown Ministries asks 'What is the church's role in healing the divide in our fractured, divided country?' in new book



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Charisma House

Aug. 25, 2020



ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 25, 2020 /Christian Newswire/ -- If ever there was a time for a fresh Jesus revolution, that time is now. But is the church of America ready? Are God's people awake and engaged? On October 6, 2020, Michael L. Brown, PhD, founder and president of AskDrBrown Ministries, president of FIRE School of Ministry, and syndicated radio show host, is releasing an updated edition of his bestseller, "Revolution: An Urgent Call to a Holy Uprising," to spark a Jesus-centered, Word-based, Spirit-empowered, coast-to-coast, moral and cultural revolution.



The book is not a call to the violent overthrow of the government, nor is it a call to take up arms or political activism in and of itself. It is a call to something far more extreme: a call to live out the gospel with all its radical claims; a call for this generation of believers to spark the most sweeping counterculture movement in our nation's history; a call to take back the moral high ground that has been stolen from under our feet.



"I must admit this book was jarring to do this update. So much has changed for the worst in the last 20 years. The cultural degradation has become much more severe, and so much of what we warned about in 2000 has come to pass," says Dr. Brown. "In short, if we desperately needed a moral and cultural revolution back then, how much more today?"



"Revolution" answers such questions as:

What is the role of the Christian and the church during these tumultuous times?



How are we to respond to the racial upheaval happening in our nation?



What is the church's role in healing the divide in our fractured, divided country?

The purpose of this book, now available in an updated edition, is to awaken and equip this generation of believers, young and old alike, to arise in the fullness of the Spirit, ablaze with love for God and neighbor, and to shake America from coast to coast with the gospel.



"Revolution: An Urgent Call to a Holy Uprising" is released by Charisma House, which publishes books that challenge, encourage, teach and equip Christians.



Stay in touch with Dr. Brown:

About Dr. Brown

Michael L. Brown, PhD, is founder and president of AskDrBrown Ministries and president of FIRE School of Ministry. The author of more than thirty-five books, he is also the host of the nationally syndicated daily talk radio show The Line of Fire, as well as the host of shows on GOD TV, NRBTV, and METV. His syndicated columns appear on many leading websites, and his scholarly publications range from biblical commentaries to articles in Semitic journals and theological dictionaries. He has served as an adjunct or visiting professor at seven leading seminaries and has debated activists, professors, and Orthodox rabbis on university campuses.



Title: Revolution: An Urgent Call to a Holy Uprising | Retail: US $18.99 | Release Date: October 6, 2020 | ISBN-13: 978-1-62999-959-3 | E-Book ISBN: 978-1-62999-960-9 | Audio Download: 978-1-62999-961-6 | Binding: Trade Paper | Page Count: 336 | BISAC Category: RELIGION / Christian Living / Social Issues, RELIGION / Christian Theology / General, RELIGION / Christian Church / Administration



To interview Dr. Brown or for a review copy of "Revolution," please contact: Lklosterman@tkomarketing.net or chelsey@tkomarketing.net



SOURCE Charisma House



CONTACT: Linda Klosterman, lklosterman@tkomarketing.net; Chelsey Dickson, chelsey@tkomarketing.net; both with TKO Publicity


A Perth woman who hid in a Victorian truck to sneak into Western Australia without quarantining has been jailed for six months, the toughest penalty handed down for the charge since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Asher Van Der Sanden, 28, was sentenced in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday for her "deceitful and dishonest" conduct after hiding in a car within a truck to pass through the border at Eucla on August 3 or 4.

Asher Vander Sanden. Credit:Facebook

She was found at her partner's Scarborough home on August 11, after failing to arrive at Perth Airport on a flight from Melbourne, as expected.

Magistrate Andrew Matthews described the offence as very serious.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 05:27:25|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Giant panda Mei Xiang is expected to "test" her newborn cub's tolerance to resting on the floor over the next several days, Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas with the Smithsonian's National Zoo, said on Tuesday.

Thompson, in an update, wrote that Mei Xiang placed the cub on the floor of the den briefly in the morning.

"Eventually, she will briefly leave the den to get a drink of water and urinate," the curator predicted. "If the cub vocalizes, Mei Xiang will quickly return to care for it."

She added Mei Xiang and the cub "continue to do well," as the female giant panda shifts from a resting position to a nursing position. Besides, Mei Xiang "occasionally holds the cub delicately in her mouth."

Mei Xiang, 22, gave birth to the cub on Aug. 21, the seventh since she and male giant panda Tian Tian began living in the zoo in 2000. Three of her cubs have survived to adulthood.

She was artificially inseminated in March this year with frozen semen collected from Tian Tian. Veterinarians confirmed evidence of a fetus on an ultrasound earlier this month.

Tian Tian will turn 23 years old on Aug. 27. The national zoo said it will make a panda-friendly fruitsicle cake for him.

The zoo in Washington, D.C. has a decades-long partnership with Chinese scientists and curators on conserving giant pandas.

Its current cooperative breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association will expire later this year, but zoo chief Steve Monfort told Xinhua on Saturday that they are "going to come up with a really good agreement pretty soon." Enditem
ABC/Image Group LAAs we continually hope for a brighter tomorrow amid the time of COVID-19, Portugal. the Man has put a spin on "Tomorrow," the classic show tune from the musical Annie.

The "Feel It Still" rockers keep the childlike wonder of the original in their version, which showcases vocalist John Gourley's falsetto over twinkling instrumentation. You can download the cover now via digital outlets.

Portugal's take on "Tomorrow" will be featured on the upcoming children's benefit album At Home with the Kids, which is due out this Friday, August 28. The compilation, which also features Matt Maeson and Saint Motel, will raise money for Save the Children.

By Josh Johnson

Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
The state government's plan to extend its power to make new COVID-19 state of emergency declarations looks doomed as opposition and crossbench MPs accuse Labor of overreach.

Liberals and Nationals are convinced the 12-month timeline for the extension is a "power grab" by the Andrews' government and not based on medical advice.

A lack of support among the crossbenchers and the opposition puts Premier Daniel Andrews under pressure to compromise on the plan, with the government requiring 20 votes in the upper house to pass the legislation.

However there is enough support on the crossbench for three or even six more months of emergency powers to suggest that a compromise deal is possible.

The federal government joined the backlash on Tuesday against Mr Andrews' state of emergency plans, with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg calling on the Victorian government to "explain its decision".
Ghanaians on social media have waded into the President Nana Akufo-Addo and John Dramani Mahama debate conversation.

Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has invited the incumbent President and the NPP to a debate on infrastructure projects undertaken in Ghana by the two political regimes.

Mahama says the comparison of their track records as presidents must be settled with a debate.

necessaryREAD ALSO: Mahama joins in use of 'Papa No' term on campaign tour

He says the NDC has a more superior record of providing an equitable distribution of development projects across the country than the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The NPP's National Organiser, Sammi Awuku, in a response to the former president, said the party has its own plans and strategies in the buildup to the 2020 elections, and it does not include a debate with Mahama.

The conversation on whether or not a debate between the two main contenders in the presidential election is ongoing on social media.

Policy and education think tank Imani Africa has endorsed the call by NDC to have a presidential debate between their flagbearers former president John Mahama and President Akufo Addo.

YEN.com.gh also asked our readers on Facebook if they wanted to see a debate between the NDC's John Mahama and NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo, and why?

READ ALSO: YEN vox pop: Mahama wins over Okada Riders after promise to legalise business

We go various responses and reasons. Below are some of them;

Edward thinks Akufo-Addo is afraid of the debate.

Prince says the debate is important for accountability seek.

Yakubu also suports the debate.

Annegret says Akufo-Addo should just grant the debate and be free.

READ ALSO: Mahama joins in use of 'Papa No' term on campaign tour

Vice says no debate is needed.

Owusu Akwasi thinks the debate is not necessary because it won't yield any results.

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Ghanas opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will launch its manifesto for the 2020 elections on Monday, August 31, 2020, officials have said.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, August 24, the National Communications Officer of the party Sammy Gyamfi said the event will take place in Accra.

Im a member of the manifesto launch committee and it was decided that our manifesto will be launched on the 31st of August. And to those of you who are wondering whether it will be in Accra or another region, it will be in Accra, Mr. Gyamfi stressed.

What should the NPP consider in their 2020 manifesto? | #Yencomgh

Got a story you think we should know about? Get interactive via our Facebook page!

Source: YEN.com.gh
A man and his wife escaped death by a whisker after their daughter poisoned their drinking water in Bura, Tana River on Saturday.

As reported by Nation, the 17-year-old poisoned her parents after her mother sided with her stepfather in a defilement case she had petitioned elders about.

The girls uncle said she had accused her stepfather of repeatedly defiling her and threatening her with death if she told anyone. The sexual abuse started when she was 13.

The uncle told the publication that the girl had at one point fled from home to live with him but she never revealed why.

She was always quiet and wanted to sit alone most of the time. She rarely spoke with her cousins and they never asked her about her personal issues, the uncle said.

After living with her uncle for six months, the girls mother pleaded with her to return home.

The girl told elders that her mother helped her procure an abortion in 2018 after informing her that her step-father was responsible.

She said her mother later quarreled with her husband who left, only to resurface towards the end of 2019.

In February of this year, however, the man started abusing the girl again.

She told the elders that her mother then was very sick and had been admitted to Bura Hospital, so when she was defiled, she went to live with one of her friends where she confessed her ordeal, the uncle said.

Petition to elders

The girl asked her friend to help her write a petition to the elders and her parents were summoned to tell their side of the story.

However, the girls mother testified against her painting her daughter as undisciplined and vengeful while praising her husband as supportive and humble.

An elder in the council, Said Barisa, said the girl failed to prove her allegations and did not have any witnesses except her boyfriend whom she had earlier confessed her ordeal to. The elders said he could not be relied upon.

It was difficult for us to prove rape in this case. We sought traditional expertise but it failed to prove rape. We went for hospital expertise but it could not prove any rape, said the elder.

The case was dismissed, with the girl said to have been angered by the decision and her mothers betrayal.

Poisoning

She rushed home and allegedly laced drinking water with poison before taking off with her belongings.

She also left behind note that read: Let us meet where God will settle our score and prove our innocence for absolute vindication.

Later in the evening, her parents started feeling unwell; the woman was groaning in pain on the floor while the man collapsed in the bathroom.

An elder who had missed the days proceedings went to check on the family and found the couple writhing in pain.

I first called one of the elders who also is our well-known herbalist. He is the one who administered first aid before we rushed them to a private hospital in Madogo where they are recuperating, said Mr Rahma Dabaso.

Mr Dabaso said the herbalist revealed that the girl had used a concoction used traditionally by farmers to hunt down buffalos and hippos.

It is a very dangerous one, those bodies would turned into soil wherever they were in less than a month if nobody had come to this place early enough, said Dabaso.

The girl led the area and has not been seen since the poisoning incident.

Additional Reporting by Nation
What kind of peace can Tel Aviv enjoy with Sudan, and what benefits would Sudan garner in return?

For decades Khartoum has abided by the three nos against Israel: No peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with it. Despite the mantra it kept repeating since the 1967 Arab League Summit, Khartoum didnt refrain from establishing relations with Israel when it was negotiating with the US during the last few years of the rule of its Islamist-oriented, toppled president Omar Al-Bashir.

At present, Khartoum and its officials are making juxtaposing statements and actions. The most recent of these was the sacking of the Spokesman for Sudans Foreign Ministry Haider Badawi Sadek, a day after telling the media Sudan is getting ready to sign an agreement with Israel to normalise relations between the two countries.

After leaving office, Sadek said he didnt regret his statement and that he was looking forward to visiting Israel soon.

Acting Foreign Minister Omar Qamareddin Ismail said the government was surprised by Sadeks statement, adding that relations between Sudan and Israel have not been discussed in the ministry. No one tasked [Sadek] with making statements on this matter, said Ismail.

That not one Sudanese official denied the statements of the head of the Israeli intelligence made me deduce that the state is heading towards normalisation [with Israel]. This is the reason I made the statement, which the [foreign] ministry later denied, Sadek tweeted. Respect your people and tell them what goes on in the dark about relations with Israel, he also said.

The recent incident comes months after the meeting that took place between Sudan Chairman of the Sovereign Council Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan and Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu. Israels statements following the meeting were joyous and optimistic and Sudan hadnt shown its usual utter rejection of Israel nor raised the three nos principle.

Sudan justified the meeting between Al-Burhan and Netanyahu by saying it was held to answer Sudans national security demands, in reference to its desire to be checked off the US list of countries harbouring terrorism and to receive aid and investment its plummeting economy needs.

Sudan has been suffering the depletion of foreign currency following the secession of oil-rich South Sudan. US sanctions, imposed since the 1990s, compounded the matter even further. That and corruption, mismanagement and civil wars that terminated prospects for Sudans development in the near future.

Sadik Al-Mahdi, head of the National Umma Party and Sudans prime minister from 1986 to 1989, is one of many in Sudan who believe that relations between Sudan and Israel is the elected governments affair, meaning its not up to premier Abdallah Hamdoks government to decide on the matter, being a transitional not an elected government.

Al-Mahdi, who has authored about 100 Islamic books, sees that relations with Israel are not going to be of benefit to the economy and politics of Sudan, nor will normalisation attract investment or aid.

Sudanese public opinion is not that extreme, however, said Rasha Awad, founder and editor-in-chief of the Sudanese The Change website.

The Sudanese mood has changed. Opponents of peace with Israel are no longer the absolute majority, but they cant be described as a minority either, she said.

The majority of the Sudanese still reject peace with Israel, but they are divided between the Islamists who were overthrown by the revolution and other conservative parties, Awad added.

Moreover, supporters of peace with Israel in Sudan have become stronger due to their relationship with the West during their long stay outside Sudan and the Western funding of Sudanese civil society, she continued.

Sudans social media neither reflected popular anger against the statements of the sacked Foreign Ministry spokesman nor has seen many posts that delved into the benefits Sudan may garner from its relationship with Israel.

Surprisingly, however, both the supporters and opponents of peace with Israel made no mention of the Palestinians.

Sudan-Israel relations will not normally benefit the Palestinians. No government can make such a statement because it is rejected on the popular level, said Awad.

Sudan-Israel relations are not in their onset. They started during the rule of President Jaafar Numeiri in the early 1980s when he met with then Israeli defence minister Ariel Sharon at the funeral of Anwar Al-Sadat, according to Sharons memoirs.

Numeiri and Sharon met again in 1982 to discuss moving Falasha Jews from Marxist Ethiopia to Israel. The operation was known at the time by the name Saba. Numeiri had to cease the operation when it was exposed. Yet he resumed it under pressure of the vice president of George Bush Sr, during a visit to Sudan. Numeiri agreed to resume the operation on the condition the Jews be taken to a European country before travelling to Israel.

After the fall of Numeiri during the popular Ramadan intifada of 1985, Sudanese regime officials were charged with participating in Operation Saba, among other charges. The operation was Sudans first departure from one of the three nos it announced at the Arab League Summit held in its capital following the 1967 defeat. After the announcement of the Khartoum Resolution at the summit, Arab leaders hailed the three nos principle and Egyptian president Gamal Abdel-Nasser was received in Sudan with massive popular support. Weeks later Sudan was engaged in military efforts. It received an Egyptian military school in Khartoum and an air base away from the reach of the Israeli Airforce.

The Sudanese gave their all from June 1967 to October 1973, but it is not the same anymore. At those glorious moments, Sudan, the Arabs, Africans and the entirety of the Third World stood as one. Visions and stances have changed though. Honestly, Israel is no longer isolated, but it is not entirely engaged with world countries, said Awad.

It is true that Israel is present in Africa. But this presence pales in comparison to the Chinese, French and, more recently, Egyptian presence. Moreover, Tel Aviv still lacks the votes of African and Third World countries at the UN.

Maybe Israel is exhibiting a heavier presence in Asia, but it is still restricted to the technology sector and has not expanded to the research centres Israel is famous for because many Asian countries have better universities.

In the Arab world, meanwhile, the most Israel can get are peace deals without normalisation.

Tel Aviv cant level with Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo that have advanced heavy industries, and it is not on a par with Russia and Europe that are major exporters of wheat and leading arms producers.

In addition, Israels financial system is limited, and so is its experience in the construction sector, which is far smaller than that of some developing countries.

Peace with Israel is merely a political peace to pacify the US and is not to be built upon, said Awad.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 21:37:51|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ISTANBUL, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Tuesday announced that the municipality would continue to stand in solidarity with healthcare workers who have been struggling against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Imamoglu said public transport and parking lots across Istanbul, Turkey's most populous city, would continue to be free of charge for healthcare workers until the end of this year.

"We are always standing by our professionals who have been battling against the coronavirus devotedly," Imamoglu noted on his Twitter account.

When the pandemic first started to appear in the country in March, the municipality had announced that public vehicles would be free for healthcare workers until the end of August.

On Monday, meanwhile, the municipal authorities in the Uskudar district on the Asian side organized a wedding ceremony for 10 couples who are in the health sector in a show of solidarity.

The expenses, including wedding dresses, make-up, transportation, honeymoon, photography, and orchestra, were covered free of charge by several companies operating in the wedding sector, according to press reports.

"I would like to thank everyone who supported us in this difficult process and cheered us up," Kubra Seferoglu, one of the brides, was quoted as saying by the local media at the ceremony.

Additionally, the Besiktas municipality has reserved various dormitories in the district for the use of healthcare professionals who shun from going home over fears of carrying the virus to their loved ones.

Istanbul, with a population of over 16 million, had previously accounted for as much as 70 percent of the total COVID-19 cases in the country. But Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya recently said that the ratio has dropped to 25-30 percent.

The daily number of new cases in the country was reported as 1,443 on Monday, taking the total number of infections to 259,692. The death toll reached 6,139, with the daily addition of 18, according to the latest figures released by the Health Ministry. Enditem
A brave little boy living on borrowed time has had the day of his life as an honorary police officer.

Terminally-ill Mitchell Ray, 6, has stage four neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer of the nerve tissue.

The youngster from Dubbo in central-west New South Wales has undergone five cycles of chemotherapy and a major operation to remove a pineapple sized tumor.

Treatment is now focused on extending Mitchell's life as his parents Erin and Jeremy has been told to expect months not years with their eldest child.

Terminally-ill Mitchell Ray (pictured) models the special clothing worn by the NSW Police Rescue & Bomb Disposal Unit after becoming an honorary officer for the day

Highway patrol officers invited Mitchell (pictured) to hop on their motorbike

NSW Police treated Mitchell to a day he'd never forget after hearing about dream of becoming a police officer so he could 'catch the baddies'.

He donned the special equipment and suit worn by the Rescue & Bomb Disposal squad and try out their tools, spent time on the harbour with the Marine Unit and got to sit on a police motorcycle before highway patrol officers took him for a spin in their vehicle.

Mitchell lapped up the officers' attention and loved every minute of his experience.

'We had such an amazing day, this was a once in a lifetime adventure. We all loved our time with all the different police departments and are so honoured that so many people were involved in the day,' his mum Erin wrote on Facebook blog dedication to her son's cancer fight.

'Thank you so much NSW Police for donating your time, as well as everyone else who has organised today, you have made Mitchell an extremely happy little boy, he is super impressed that he has met so many real life superheroes today.'

Mitchell, his parents Erin and Jeremy and two younger siblings were treated to a boat ride on Sydney Harbour by the NSW Police Marine Unit

Mitchell spent time 'catching baddies' behind the wheel of a NSW Police highway patrol car

His family's world was turned upside down when Mitchell was diagnosed on January 17 after an ultrasound detected a large tumour in his stomach.

Mitchell was airlifted to The Children's Hospital at Westmead, where he was admitted to the intensive care as his right lung was completely filled with fluid.

He underwent his first round of chemotherapy just four days later.

Mitchell's mum was forced to stay behind in Dubbo as she was days away from giving birth to her third child Connor before she packed the family and travelled to Sydney.

The Ray family remain in Sydney based at the Ronald McDonald House to spend whatever precious time left they have with Mitchell.
Employees produce down coats at a factory for Chinese clothing company Bosideng in Nantong, in China's eastern Jiangsu Province on Sept. 24, 2019. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

US Economic Decoupling From China May Gain Steam After Election

WASHINGTONThe severe supply-chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and the rapidly deteriorating image of the Chinese regime because of its mishandling of the CCP virus have forced the United States to rethink its policies of the past few decades toward Beijing.

As the presidential election nears, both candidates, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, have pledged to bring back supply chains and reduce reliance on China as the worlds biggest manufacturer.

In a recent interview, Trump raised the possibility of a complete decoupling from China during his second term, meaning cutting off economic ties for national and strategic reasons.

Well, its something that if they dont treat us right, I would certainly, I would certainly do that, he told Fox News on Aug 23.

In an effort to reduce reliance on China for critical medicine, Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 6 to ensure that essential medicines, medical supplies, and equipment are made in the United States.

The Trump campaign also released on Aug. 23 a list of core priorities for the presidents second term. One of the key foreign policy topics is to end our reliance on China, according to the announcement, which includes the goal of bringing back 1 million manufacturing jobs. Trump proposes providing tax credits and allowing 100 percent expensing deductions for essential industries like pharmaceuticals and robotics to incentivize companies to produce in the United States.

Biden, the Democratic nominee, also pledged to bring back critical supply chains under his Supply America proposal. His broader plan is to bolster American industrial and technological strength and ensure the future is made in all of America by all of Americas workers.

Moving Away From China

The pandemic crisis exposed how dependent the United States has become on China, and the lessons learned could end the countrys role as the worlds manufacturing hub.

In response to increasing global competition, U.S. companies have outsourced for decades their manufacturing operations, mainly to China, to reduce costs, but those days are over, according to Willy Shih, Harvard Business School professor and co-author of the book, Producing Prosperity: Why America Needs a Manufacturing Renaissance.

The problem is, when you lose the manufacturing, you lose the skill base and the industrial commons, Shih told The Epoch Times, referring to shared know-how and capabilities within a sector.

Thats a core thing, so if you want to bring it back, you have to relearn that, he said, noting that it may take decades to bring back manufacturing because of lost skills.

It took 30 years for China and Taiwan, for example, to learn the skills and position themselves for leadership in certain industries, he said.

To revitalize or strengthen Americas manufacturing, Shih believes, the U.S. government needs to inspire young people and give them a reason to want to go into the critical fields of science and technology.

Before the pandemic, the studies showed that U.S. manufacturing was facing a growing skills gap that could leave millions of positions unfilled in the next decade.

Regional Approach

Besides bringing back manufacturing to the United States, the idea of more regional manufacturing is also emerging, which could benefit Mexico and Canada. The new trade pact, the U.S.MexicoCanada Agreement, which took effect on July 1, could encourage businesses to bring their production to North America and advance economic decoupling from China.

Shih believes very labor-intensive manufacturing could be nearshored to Mexico, since labor rates there now are quite competitive with China.

In addition, companies are looking to move their supply chains from China to countries such as Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia.

A Gartner survey conducted in February and March among 260 companies that are global supply chain leaders found that 33 percent of respondents had already shifted sourcing and manufacturing activities out of China or plan to do so in the next two to three years.

Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.Taiwan Business Council believes that Taiwan can help the United States commercially decouple from China. Taiwan is well-positioned for the role because its an original equipment manufacturer for many U.S. companies, including Apple and HP, he told The Epoch Times.

The country is a top destination for semiconductor manufacturing, and hence its autonomy and stability are important for the U.S. government.

Despite the lack of a bilateral pact, Taiwans two-way trade with the United States surged 34 percent between 2016 and 2019, which is a result of the moving of manufacturing from China to Taiwan thats taking place, Hammond-Chambers said.

The Trump administrations policy for decoupling and shifting the supply chains has come in lockstep with the Taiwanese governments interest in reducing Taiwans exposure to China, he said, adding that this has resulted in significant inflows of investment to Taiwan from Taiwanese companies.
By PTI

JAMMU: Wrapping up the probe into a fatal terror attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead in South Kashmir last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday filed a chargesheet in a special court here against 19 people including Masood Azhar, the chief of banned terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, for planning the suicide operation.

Leading the investigation into the "blind case", as seven accused wanted in it were killed during different encounters in 2019, a team led by joint director of the NIA Anil Shukla gathered evidences and statements of terrorists and their sympathisers arrested in different cases in order to expose the conspiracy hatched for executing the audacious attack on the para-military convoy, officials said.

The 13,500-page chargesheet names Masood Azhar, his brothers -- Abdul Rauf and Ammar Alvi -- and his nephew Mohammed Umer Farooq, who had infiltrated into India in 2018 and was subsequently killed in one of the encounters in South Kashmir.

According to security forces, Farooq had entered India in late 2018 using the natural caves at the Sambha sector in Jammu region along the international border.

The chargesheet says suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar was driving the car laden with 200 kgs of explosives and had prepared his last video at Shakir Bashir's residence in Pulwama on a high-tech phone brought by Bilal Ahmed Kuchey.

Jammu: National Investigation Agency (NIA) team reaches the Special NIA court with the charge sheet in Pulwama attack case.



The agency is today filing the charge sheet in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack case in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. pic.twitter.com/3MtgsLxIqu  ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2020

While Dar is now dead, both Bashir and Kuchey have been arrested.

The explosive laden car, which was driven by Bashir initially before he handed it over to Dar, was rammed into a bus carrying CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar at Lethpora in Pulwama district of South Kashmir on February 14, 2019.

From virtually a case that reached a "dead end" as the five people known to the agency earlier this year either as conspirators or executors of the attack were eliminated in various encounters, the case threw unique challenges for the NIA as there was no solid information about the perpetrators or the mastermind behind the attack.

"It was a blind case for us. There were a lot of murmurs but everything needs to be established beyond doubt in the court of law," a senior official, who is part of the probe, said here.

The first challenge was to establish the ownership of the car used by Dar, the suicide bomber.

There was nothing available from the vehicle which carried a cocktail of explosives like Ammonium Nitrate, Nitro Glycerine and RDX, the official said.

But with the help of forensic methods and painstaking investigations, the serial number of the car that was blown into pieces beyond recognition was extracted and within no time the ownership of the vehicle was established -- from the first to the last owner.

However, the last owner of the car, Sajjad Bhat (named in the chargesheet) of Bijbehara in Anantnag district, had disappeared hours before the February 14 attack and joined Jaish-e-Mohammed.

He was subsequently killed in an encounter in June last year.

"While it was clear that the suicide attacker was Adil Ahmed Dar but the same had to be established with evidence.

After picking up human remains from various spots, they were sent for DNA profiling," the official, who requested anonymity, said.

"The suicide attacker was identified and confirmed by matching the DNA extracted from the meagre car fragments with that of the DNA of his father," he said.

The role of other conspirators which included Mudasir Ahmed Khan, Qari Mufti Yasser and Kamran came to light but all of them were killed in different encounters with security forces.

Khan was killed on March 10, Kamran on March 29, Sajjad Bhat on June 18 of last year while Qari Yasser was shot in an encounter on January 25 this year.

After JeM spokesperson Mohd Hassan in a video claimed that his group was responsible for the attack, it was sent for forensic examination and the Internet Protocol address was traced to a computer based in Pakistan.

The official said during the investigation, the NIA stumbled upon another case of over ground workers of JeM which was subsequently busted.

This case also brings to light the use of e-commerce platforms by the planners in the terror module for purchase of high-end batteries, phones and some chemicals.

As many as seven people have been arrested so far by the NIA in this case, the officials said.

Besides Azhar, those charge sheeted include six terrorists who were killed in various encounters and four absconders, two of whom are still hiding in Jammu and Kashmir -- one of them a local and the other a Pakistani national.
Hurricane Laura is increasing in strength and is rapidly swirling to be a "catastrophic" Category 4 storm, the National Hurricane Center has warned. It could bring life-threatening storm surge, fierce wind and flash flooding to the Gulf Coast.

It has undergone a remarkable intensification, and there are no signs it will stop soon, the National Hurricane Center said in a briefing early Wednesday.

Wednesday's storm updates: Get the latest news on Laura as it strengthens

After Tropical Storm Marco fizzled in the Gulf Coast on Monday night, Laura is poised to deliver a devastating blow late Wednesday and early Thursday.

"Residents along the Texas and Louisiana coasts should anticipate the possibility that Laura will rapidly intensify right up until landfall," said meteorologist Jeff Masters of Yale Climate Connections.

Hurricane warnings and storm surge warnings have been issued for portions of the Texas and Louisiana coasts. On its way to the U.S., Laura killed at least 23 people in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Hurricane Laura could undergo 'rapid intensification' before landfall: Here's why that could be so dangerous

More than half a million people were ordered to evacuate as the storm approached, including the Texas cities of Beaumont, Galveston and Port Arthur.

If you decide to stay, youre staying on your own, Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie said.

The low-lying industrial city was mostly boarded up and deserted by Tuesday night.

Emergency officials with Jefferson County, which includes Port Arthur, staged a number of hubs to collect residents and transport them to other areas around Texas, rather than shelter them here, said Allison Getz, a county spokeswoman. A key reason for doing it that way was concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, which makes it hard to shelter large groups of people in one place, she said. Only 15 to 20 people will be placed on buses, instead of the usual 50, she said.

Story continues

This is not just a flood like weve experienced in the past, Getz said. It has a wind component that really could be deadly.

Issac Alvarado, right, and Kevin Enriquez board up windows on Tuesday at Bayside Chic, a coastal decor store in Galveston, Texas, ahead of Hurricane Laura's arrival in the Gulf Coast.

At the Robert A. Bob Bowers Civic Center, 14 tour buses lined up to ferry away residents who couldnt evacuate themselves, many of them elderly or handicapped. Robert Bailey, 68, has lived in Port Arthur since he was 9 and has stayed for every storm thats hit the area  until now.

This is a double whammy, he said as he boarded a bus headed for Huntsville, Texas, with friend Louise Green. We dont know what its going to be like.

Not everyone was leaving. Simike Babineaux, 38, filled sandbags at a pavilion in downtown Port Arthur as her two kids, Hayden, 8, and Haleigh, 7, happily climbed the mounds of sand. Babineaux said she would like to get out of Port Arthur but was afraid of exposing her children to the coronavirus during evacuation.

Its stressful, she said. You want to go but you dont want to go because you might get [the virus]. So, were probably going to ride it out.

15 years and $15B since Katrina: New Orleans is more prepared for a major hurricane. For now.

On top of the fierce winds, Laura is expected to bring a huge storm surge of Gulf sea water ashore, forecasters warned, potentially as high as 13 feet near the Texas/Louisiana border.

"There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge over a large portion of the Gulf Coast from San Luis Pass, Texas, to the mouth of the Mississippi River, and a storm surge warning is in effect for this area," the Hurricane Center said.

In addition to the surge, up to 15 inches of rain could fall in some spots in Louisiana.

New Orleans' French Market is boarded up before Tropical Storm Marco.

State emergencies were declared in Louisiana and Mississippi, and shelters were opened with cots set farther apart, among other measures designed to curb coronavirus infections.

The most recent major hurricane to make landfall in Texas was Harvey in 2017, with 130 mph maximum winds, said Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach. In Louisiana, it was Rita in 2005, with 115 mph maximum winds.

The Atlantic hurricane season has been a record-breaker. Laura is the earliest L-named storm in the Atlantic Basin, breaking a record held by Luis, which formed Aug. 29, 1995. This season has had 13 named storms, which is well above-normal activity.

Contributing: Rick Jervis and Steve Kiggins, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Laura path, update: NHC forecasts a Category 4 storm
BGR

Our Sun isnt quite as old as other stars out there. However, scientists are already trying to pinpoint exactly when the Sun will die. Of course, it isnt as simple as throwing out a date. After all, were working with a massive ball of energy that weve still barely managed to scratch the surface of  The post Scientists think they figured out when the Sun will explode and kill us all appeared first on BGR.
Maharashtra has achieved a milestone of treating over 500,000 Covid-19 patients after 14,219 recoveries were recorded on Monday. It is also the highest single-day recoveries recorded thus far that has pushed the tally up to 502,490.

Also read: Health ministry advisory against spraying disinfectant on people

The state has crossed the 500,000 mark within ten days after it recorded 400,000 recoveries on August 14. It had reached even that milestone in nine days as it crossed 300,000 recoveries on August 5. It had taken the state 11 days for that as 200,000 recoveries were reported on July 25. In the beginning, it took 116 days for the state to reach 100,000 recoveries on July 2 and 23 days to arrive at 200,000 recoveries, show the statistics.

Since August 1), the total number of recoveries reported, at 246,332, is a wee bit short of the total number of new infections at 271,719.

The recovery rate has also seen an improvement. It has improved to 72.47% from 70.9% a week ago on August 17 and 55.99% on July 24, a month ago. The national recovery rate was 75.27%, as on Monday.

However, the number of daily cases in the state continued to be the highest in the country and is still rising gradually.

On Monday, Maharashtra inched closer to 700,000 mark with 11,015 new infections taking the count to 693,398.

The number of active cases is 168,126, which comes to 24.24% of the total cases reported so far.

Death toll in the state has reached 22,465. Of the 212 deaths reported this month, 164 were reported in the last 48 hours, another 19 deaths from last one week while the rest 29 deaths from the period before that, the health officials said.

It is still the lowest since July 20, when 176 deaths were reported. On July 27, the state reported 227 casualties.

Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday said that the state is going through its most crucial phase. We are facing very challenging situation as festivals and monsoon, which led to the spread of other diseases, have come at the same time and local authorities will have to be more vigilant even if cases are reducing at some places, he said during a review meeting on Covid-19 situation of Thane, Navi Mumbai and Kalyan-Dombivli municipal corporations where the Covid-19 cases had shot up since early June.

Chief secretary Sanjay Kumar said the different cities are witnessing a peak at different times and they are hoping for flattening of the curve soon. Going by the experience of other countries, there is a plateau after reaching a peak and then, cases start declining after sometime. In our state, peak is coming at different times in different cities. For instance, Mumbai has experienced a plateau but Pune, Solapur and Sangli are currently experiencing peak, he told HT.

State health minister Rajesh Tope had recently said they expected the downward trend of infection after mid-September.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Faisal Malik Faisal is with the political team and covers state administration and state politics. He also covers NCP. ...view detail
Boyet Diamond accelerates Asia-Pacific expansion to occupy Chinese market

26 august 2020 News

Boyet Diamond, involved in raw ore mining, cutting, import and export to sales, is listed on the Shanghai Diamond Exchange and has received an AAA credit rating in China. The company is now accelerating its Asia-Pacific expansion to occupy the Chinese market, according to a press release from the company.

According to Boyet Diamond, it 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.

Boyet has gained consumers' confidence by creating a profit of 120% to 150% higher than its competitors, making Boyet Jewelry emerge among many high-end jewelry brands.

Affected by COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Boyet Diamond has accelerated its move into the Asia Pacific region by 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. A high-end flagship store will be opened at the Peninsular Hotel Group. This diversified and innovative model has helped Boyet accelerate its capture of the Asia Pacific diamond market.

Issac Othniel, Chief Executive Officer of Boyet Diamond says: "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."



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished






The expansion into the technology sector reflects how the DFTS program under Crowley can bring value and reliability to other Department of Defense (DoD) agencies.

Crowley Solutions, a leading provider of high-quality supply chain services to the government, has expanded solutions to the U.S. Department of Defenses (DoD) technology sector, providing end-to-end services to help ensure hardware reaches warfighters around the globe.

Crowleys services now support DoD activities with major defense contractors and the semiconductor industry that produce advanced technology applications and hardware. The operations support all branches of the military, the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies and services.

As part of Crowleys expanded role serving the government, the Solutions team is executing white glove transportation and management solutions in the U.S. with 24/7 visibility, including less than truckload (LTL) and full truck load (FTL) services, and highly specialized movements, including air charter requests. In addition to utilizing a deep network of domestic carriers with diverse transportation capabilities, the DoD has access to Crowleys end-to-end services, including ocean transportation and Customs clearance, to ensure sensitive cargo reaches destination on-time.

Supporting the DoD supply chain for technology hardware increases the solutions that Crowley provides through the Defense Freight Transportation Services contract under the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), which supports the Defense Logistics Agency and other agencies and commands. Under that agreement Crowley provides the Defense Department and government agencies, customers and vendors a single touchpoint for transportation services. The freight-all-kinds (FAK) contract encompasses all forms of surface transportation throughout the continental U.S., Alaska and Canada. This includes LTL, FTL, expedited, time-critical and rail services.

The expansion into the technology sector reflects how the DFTS program under Crowley can bring value and reliability to other Department of Defense (DoD) agencies, said Patrick Wallace, Crowley vice president of government supply chain services. We appreciate the trust the Defense Department has shown in Crowleys ability to tailor and execute quality, specialized services with high transparency and flexibility.

Knowing the DoD had unique supply chain requirements, Crowley collaborated with the military to design and execute specialized services that meet the needs of the microelectronics agency. The result was a full-service, dependable solution that gives the DoD visibility from end-to-end in the transportation of cargo, said David Touzinsky, Crowleys director of customer accounts, who assisted in the expansion.

About Crowley Solutions

Crowley Solutions provides global supply chain solution services including truck, rail, air, and ocean transportation as well as global freight forwarding; maritime solutions comprised of naval architecture and marine engineering services, vessel management, chartering, towing, port and range operations, and foreign military sales; energy services including petroleum storage, distribution by sea and land, fuel over the shore and liquefied natural gas solutions, and technology solutions that move customers to the forefront of transportation management, data analysis, automation and cyber security.

About Crowley

Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 128-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family- and employee-owned company that provides marine solutions, energy and logistics services in domestic and international markets. Crowley operates under four business units: Crowley Logistics, a logistics supply chain division that includes ocean liner services; Crowley Shipping, which encompasses ownership, operations and management of conventional and dual fuel (LNG) vessels, including tankers, container ships, multipurpose, tugboats and barges; engineering; project management; and naval architecture through its subsidiary Jensen Maritime; Crowley Fuels, a fuel transportation, distribution and sales division that also provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) and related services; and Crowley Solutions, which focuses on global government services and program management, government ship management, expeditionary logistics and government-oriented freight transportation services. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found at http://www.crowley.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25

Trend:

As reported earlier, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today received a delegation led by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Trend is publishing some excerpts from the speeches of President Ilham Aliyev and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at the meeting.

President Ilham Aliyev: The Sea Cup, which is a part of the Army Games, is opening in Baku today. As you know, Azerbaijan traditionally participates in the Army Games and traditionally hosts the Sea Cup. I think that this competition will continue to serve to strengthen cooperation between all participating countries.

Our tank troops are taking part in tank biathlon. This is a good opportunity to meet and exchange views on the prospects of our military cooperation.

I recently had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. During the conversation, we discussed issues related to regional security and regional problems.
The office space, located in the left wing on the first floor of the Old Parliament House was allocated to the then Leader of the Opposition in March 2015 to deliver on his parliamentary duties when attending the sittings of the Assembly. Moreover, subsequent Leaders of the Opposition have continued to occupy the said office space for the same purpose.

It has, at all times, been understood that the said office space would strictly be used for the carrying out of parliamentary related activities as opposed to political ones, the more so, as the said office space is located within the precincts of the Assembly, which, apart from hosting the Chamber and Office of the Speaker, is used strictly for the carrying out of parliamentary and incidental administrative activities.

Furthermore, no office space is allocated to any other party leaders.

It is a long established protocol that party leaders make declarations to/address the members of the press, present to cover parliamentary proceedings within the precincts of the Assembly on the sitting day itself or, exceptionally and generally, on the following day in the event of late night sittings.

Source: national Assembly.

Partager et informez vous aussi......

0 shares Share

Tweet

LinkedIn

Articles similaires
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 14:59 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c40515a7 1 City murder,hitman,contract-killers,Kelapa-Gading,North-Jakarta,harassment,tax-fraud Free

A female staff member at a private firm in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, allegedly hired a group of contract killers to murder her employer on Aug. 13 in a purported attempt to fend off suspicions of tax fraud and retaliate against what she claimed to be harassment.

The Jakarta Police found that the woman  identified only as NL  had reportedly paid Rp 200 million (US$13,606) for the murder of Sugianto, the owner of private company PT DTJ.

Security camera footage shows Sugianto getting shot five times in the back in front of Royal Gading Square as he is returning home for lunch by a man wearing a cap and a facemask.

Sugianto died immediately at the scene of the crime.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Nana Sudjana said that NL had asked her partner, M, in March about possible ways to murder Sugianto, adding that she claimed to have often been subjected to verbal abuse and harassment by her employer.

Furthermore, NL, who worked at the companys administration department, had reportedly intended to cover up her involvement in falsifying the firms tax returns.

Around March 20, [NL] asked M [about the plan], but did not receive any response, Nana told a press conference on Monday.

However, her partner finally relented and agreed to assist her in carrying out her plan after she claimed that she had been threatened by Sugianto.

NL said she was threatened by the victim, so she ordered his execution, Nana said.

Read also: Central Java family found dead after three-day disappearance

M then proceeded to seek out a group of contract killers, while NL prepared Rp 200 million to pay for her boss murder, he added.

According to the police, NL transferred one half of the funds  Rp 100 million  to Ms account on Aug. 4. The rest of the money was later handed over in cash on Aug. 6. The murder was allegedly carried out by two field hitmen following the payment.

The police have since arrested 12 suspects, including NL and M, as well as other individuals affiliated with the group of contract killers.

[One suspect] acted as the executor. [Another] was on the lookout during the execution, Nana said as quoted by kompas.com.

Eight people were arrested in Lampung; one in Cibubur, East Jakarta; and two in East Java, Nana said.

The suspects face charges under Article 340 of the Criminal Code, which carries the death penalty or a maximum of 20 years in prison, Article 338 with a maximum 15 years imprisonment and Emergency Law No. 12/1951, also with a maximum 15 years.

According to the police, NLs motive for the murder was due to years of alleged harassment and humiliation by Sugianto.

NL was often asked to engage in sexual acts [with the victim], Nana said.

She was also afraid because she had been falsifying the firms tax returns since 2015.
Turkeys Erdogan orders historic church be turned into mosque for Muslim prayers

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

About a month after converting Istanbuls landmark Hagia Sophia into a Muslim house of prayer, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has now ordered another ancient Orthodox church to be turned into a mosque.

Erdogan, who is seeking to gain support among his conservative base amid economic and political uncertainty, has officially ordered that Istanbuls medieval Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora  also known as the Kariye Museum  be handed over to Turkeys religious authority for its conversion into a Muslim house of prayer, The Associated Press reported.

Originally built in the early 4th century by Constantine the Great, the Holy Saviour church was converted into the Kariye Mosque about 50 years after the 1453 conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks. In 1945, the building was designated a museum by the Turkish government. The museum was opened for public display in 1958 after American art historians helped restore the original church's mosaics.

The foreign ministry of Greece, where millions of Orthodox Christians live, condemned Erdogans decision for once again brutally insulting the character of another U.N. world heritage site.

This is a provocation against all believers, the Greek ministry said in a statement. We urge Turkey to return to the 21st century, and the mutual respect, dialogue and understanding between civilizations.

Turkeys Opposition HDP party lawmaker Garo Paylan called the move a shame for our country.

One of the symbols of our countrys deep, multicultural identity and multi-religious history has been sacrificed, he tweeted, according to France 24.

Before opening the structure for Muslim prayers, the churchs walls will be covered up or plastered over to hide the Christian art. And that would be destruction, Ottoman Empire historian Zeynep Turkyilmaz told the AFP. It is impossible to hide the frescoes and mosaics because they decorate the entire building, he said.

Last month, Erdogan declared the Hagia Sophia site a mosque open to Muslim worship. Turkish people have no less right to Hagia Sophia than those who built it first 1,500 years ago, Erdogan said in a televised speech at the time.

Istanbuls Hagia Sophia, built in A.D. 537 as a Greek Orthodox church, was the seat of Eastern Christianity for 900 years before the city was seized in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror, who converted it into an Ottoman mosque. In 1934, modern Turkeys founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, banned worship in Hagia Sophia and designated it as a museum.

We are disappointed by the decision by the Government of Turkey to change the status of the Hagia Sophia, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement at the time, according to Reuters. We understand the Turkish Government remains committed to maintaining access to the Hagia Sophia for all visitors, and look forward to hearing its plans for continued stewardship of the Hagia Sophia to ensure it remains accessible without impediment for all.

U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch, R-Idaho, and ranking member Bob Menendez, D-N.J., called the move a deep affront to Christians around the world who look to Hagia Sophia as a shining light and deeply revered holy site.

We strongly denounce President Erdogans decision to convert Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque, they said in a joint statement at the time. At points in its history, Hagia Sophia served as a place of worship for Muslims and Christians, and for decades has been an extraordinary and welcoming center to people of all faiths.
LAFAYETTE, La.  After days of pressure from Black community leaders, Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory apologized Monday for his initial response to the police killing of a Black man walking away from officers.

As nearly two dozen protesters staged a sit-in outside a locked City Hall in Louisiana hoping to deliver a letter complaining about the mayor and asking for his resignation, Guillory met with a group of ministers and elected Black leaders.

That meeting delayed a scheduled news conference by nearly two hours, and resulted in Guillory speaking publicly for the first time since 31-year-old Trayford Pellerin was shot and killed by officers Friday about the pain of Pellerin's family and in the African American community.

Mayor President Josh Guillory holds joint press conference with Chief of Police Scott Morgan, Sheriff Mark Garber, Fire Chief Robert Benoit, and Parish Councilman Abraham Rubin. Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020.

I did offer an apology for things that could have been handled differently perhaps, we dont know. Well have facts that will come out that will give clarification, but I recognize the pain that members of their congregations are going through, Guillory said.

Guillory's original reaction

The mayor's comments Monday contrasted sharply with his defense days earlier of the police killing of Pellerin, described by Guillory as "threatening" and carrying a knife before officers fired at least 11 bullets at him outside a gas station entrance. When Guillory issued that statement in defense of the shooting, he did not mention the family but praised officers.

We can recognize this pain," Guillory said Monday after his meeting with Black leaders. "We can grieve for the family and still support law enforcement, and we are.

The Lafayette police killing of Pellerin prompted two nights of protests across the city, and Monday's protest outside City Hall.

The shooting

Police were responding to a routine disturbance call Friday when they attempted to arrest Pellerin at a gas station in Lafayette. He walked away from them, and they followed him on foot for almost half a mile to another gas station. Officers even tasered Pellerin, who continued to walk away.

Story continues

As a group of roughly six Lafayette police officers came up behind him, Pellerin reached for the station's door and officer's fired a blast of bullets. Officers said he had a knife.

"The officers opened fire when it became apparent the armed individual was attempting to enter a convenience store, threatening the lives of the customers and workers inside," Guillory said in a written statement issued almost 24 hours after the killing occurred.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with our community tonight, and with the men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe," he said then.

Previously: Louisiana officers fire 11 rounds, fatally shooting Black man; state police investigate

Guillory changes tone as community protests

Guillory's tone Monday was more conciliatory.

Immediately when I heard about this situation I began praying. Praying for his soul and for his family, Guillory said. But I recognize that I could have recognized that earlier. Its a fair point.

He recognized the Pellerin family's loss.

Lafayette police shooting: Second second night of protests, demonstrations across city

As a member of this community, I stand before you grieving the fact that we have a family in pain. We have an individual that was a son, that had a family, had friends. And we dont take that lightly, he said.

On Sunday during the second night of protests in Lafayette, Black community leaders called for Guillory to resign. They said he did not act in the interest of the African American community and ignored the pain caused by Pellerin's death.

More: Peaceful vigil for Lafayette police shooting victim becomes clash between marchers, police

Marja Broussard, the local NAACP president, said community members must make it known to others outside the area that Lafayette continues to struggle with racial inequality, in part because of Guillory.

"They need to know this is not a wonderful city when a mayor-president as him is a racist mayor-president," she told protesters Sunday. "Yes Marja Broussard said it. Josh Guillory is a white racist. We know that."

Guillory met Monday with members of the Senior Pastoral Alliance Monday, a local congregation of Black religious leaders, about his initial comments and response to protests over Pellerins death.

Guillory said he recognizes the rights of marchers and protesters who want to speak out against Pellerin's killing, protests that continued into the third day Monday.

We do have a majority of individuals that are protesting who are local and peaceful. Its our understanding that many of the individuals that are possibly agitating are not from here, he said, although neither Guillory or other local officials have offered evidence of protesters causing problems from outside the area.

'I am not resigning'

He said he respects free speech, but will protect the city.

I have a duty to protect life and property and I will do so, he said.

Guillory acknowledged calls for his resignation, and said, Im not resigning.

Guillorys spokesman Jamie Angelle said he was not concerned about a push to obtain a recall petition for the mayor-president, which would require more than 31,000 signatures from Lafayette Parish voters.

Fire Chief Robert Benoit, who did publicly offer condolences for the Pellerin family over the weekend, warned people planning to protest the police shooting to exercise caution as the weather worsens. Tropical Storm Marco is expected to bring bad weather to the area Tuesday, and Tropical Storm Laura is expected to intensify into a hurricane before making landfall Thursday, perhaps in south Louisiana.

We have a lot of protesting going on. We dont want to stop you from moving around, but this storm is dangerous, Benoit said. This storm will take you out, so thats something to consider while youre doing your freedom of speech to protest.

Follow reporters Ashley White (@AshleyyDi) and Andrew Capps (@JAndrewCapps) on Twitter.

Takeaways from the RNC: Donald Trump Jr. blasts 'rioting, looting and vandalism,' Tim Scott offers optimistic speech on race

USA TODAY vaccine panel: Experts see progress on a COVID vaccine, but worry about who gets it first and how it gets to them

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Trayford Pellerin killing: Mayor Josh Guillory apologizes for response
The Imam at Linwood Islamic Centre has recalled the moment a gunman opened fire on the worshippers in prayer.

Brenton Tarrant, 29, is being sentenced for the murder of 51 worshippers at two mosques on 15 March last year.

As well as the 51 murders, he has admitted 40 attempted murder charges and one charge of terrorism.

In his victim impact statement delivered in the High Court at Christchurch, Ibrahim Abdelhalim said he was leading the prayer when Tarrant opened fire on the mosque.

"I was in shock and thought it was a dark dream. I couldn't believe what had just happened.

"I had lost many friends in those few minutes."

This morning the court heard from 18 victims of the terror attack.

Also among them was the father of Tariq Omar who told the gunman he hopes he finds peace, but he will never forgive him.

Rashid Omar, right, whose son was murdered at the Al Noor Mosque. Photo: Stuff.

Rashid Omar, whose son 24-year-old Tariq died at Al Noor Mosque, told Tarrant he had murdered his baby.

"I like to think that you will find peace within yourself but I doubt that peace will ever come to you. I will never be able to forgive you."

Kyron Gosse, the nephew of Linda Armstrong, told the High Court the mosque shootings were an attack on New Zealand.

Linda was one of those murdered at Linwood Islamic Centre.

Kyron told Justice Cameron Mander he wants him to impose a sentence which will keep people safe from the gunman. By carrying out his attack, the gunman stole New Zealand's innocence, he said.

Kyron Gosse Photo: Stuff.

The bravery of Naeem Rashid brings his widow some solace, but she will never fill the void left by the loss of her husband and eldest son.

Ambreen Naeem's victim impact statement was read on her behalf, but she personally stepped in to read a Quran verse to the court.

Her husband, Rashid, charged at the gunman as he shot at worshippers trying to flee the main prayer room at Al Noor Mosque.

Rashid crashed into Tarrant despite being shot and his actions allowed others to escape the prayer room and saved lives.

Her eldest son, Talha Naeem, was also killed in the attack, and the pair were the household's breadwinners.

She and her two remaining sons now have to pick up the pieces of their lives. Her youngest boy is only seven years old.

Ambreen Naeem Photo: Simon Rogers/RNZ.

"I had to tell him that his father and Talha were very brave but that they aren't coming home," her statement said. "I had to tell him that they were in heaven with Allah."

She had struggled to sleep since the attack and the family's finances were seriously affected.

"Unfortunately, ACC has not recognised a son as the primary earner in our household. I'm having to meet all our financial obligations with a fraction of the income we used to have coming in," her statement said.

She and her husband were both born in Pakistan.

He had a successful career in banking, but decided to give it up so he could spend more time with his family and switched to teaching.

They gained New Zealand residency in 2018.

She struggled to understand how someone could target her husband and son because of their faith: "He never discriminated against anyone because of their faith or religion".

Ambreen said her husband was a wonderful father.

"He spent a lot of time with his boys ... he taught his boys to grow up to be better people.

"One of my husband's greatest attributes was his ability to get along with anybody."

His surviving sons would always feel the honour of their father's brave actions on 15 March 2019.

Naeem Rashid who was killed at the Al Noor Mosque while he was trying to save others from the gunman's bullets. Photo: Supplied/RNZ.

The terrorist's actions might have killed 51 people, but there would be at least 100 converts to Islam in their place, she said.

"He tried to scare us but unfortunately for him he targeted the most positive people.

"I feel stronger - stronger and more positive.

"The act he committed is inhuman. The only one who compels me to think of him as human is Allah."

Brenton Tarrant listens to the victim impact statements. Photo: Stuff.

Grieving mother says punishment will 'never be enough'

The mother of 14-year-old Sayyad Milne, Noraini Milne, labelled Tarrant a coward when she gave her victim impact statement this morning.

Sayyad Milne was among 44 victims murdered at Al Noor Mosque on 15 March last year.

"I did not care when you didn't plead guilty earlier as I said to people you are already dead to me. Whatever punishment you are going to receive in this world will never be enough."

Meanwhile, one victim is unsure if he wants to read the victim impact statement he has prepared.

Wasseim Alsati and his daughter were shot in the Al Noor Mosque and he has been at the sentencing of the gunman, waiting for his chance to see Brenton Tarrant in the dock.

Taking a break from the hearing, he told RNZ he was looking forward to seeing the gunman go to jail, but he didn't want the killer to see the hurt he had caused.

"He doesn't need to know what has happened to us. Fifty-one killed is enough for the judge to make his decision," he said.

'Everyone is saying how badly it affected them. It's making him happy because that's what he wanted."

Armed police, sniffer dogs and snipers patrol outside the courthouse as the hearing continues.

The sentencing is due to finish on Thursday.

Where to get help:

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason

Healthline: 0800 611 116

Daily wellbeing actions from the Mental Health Foundation

Covid-19 mental health and wellbeing resources

Tim Brown/RNZ.
D owning Street today described as utter nonsense a report that the Prime Minister is still suffering from the effects of coronavirus and may have to step down early.

The source of the claim was said to be the father-in-law of Boris Johnsons controversial aide Dominic Cummings, who is alleged to have said it to a visitor on his estate.

The Timess diary column related how a reader, Anna Silverman, fell into conversation with Sir Humphry Wakefield while visiting Chillingham Castle, Northumberland.

It claimed the baronet merrily informed her that Boris Johnson is still struggling badly with having had Covid-19  and will stand down in six months.

Sir Humphry is said to have compared having the PMs condition with a lame horse. If you put a horse back to work when its injured, it will never recover, he purportedly said.

The tale was given short shrift by a No 10 official source who said it was utter nonsense. Mr Cummings was invited to comment.

Sir Humphry, an antiques expert and collector, is the father of Mary Wakefield, the Spectator journalist married to Mr Cummings.

Loading....

Doctors say there is increasing concern about long Covid, a condition where people who had the virus suffer fatigue and other symptoms for weeks.
I knew him very well. In the party, he was invariably non-controversial, low-profile, well-mannered and always very guarded and measured in his utterances.

A perfect description of the late George Michael Chambers, the countrys second prime minister and political leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM), from Ferdie Ferreira, a foundation member, in his book Political Encounters 1946 -2016.
Our focus will remain on education and awareness, but certainly this is concerning, she said. She later added, It is true that Chicago is doing a little bit better than some other parts of Illinois, but none of us in Illinois are really in a place to brag at the moment.
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is seen during a news conference in Tel Aviv

(Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department charged Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd <TEVA.TA> on Tuesday with conspiring with competitors to raise prices for generic drugs.

The Justice Department has been investigating allegations the company colluded with other drugmakers to push up the prices of widely used pharmaceuticals, including a high cholesterol drug.

"Today's charge reaffirms that no company is too big to be prosecuted for its role in conspiracies that led to substantially higher prices for generic drugs relied on by millions of Americans," Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim said in a statement.

Teva said in a statement that "it firmly rejects the allegations and will vigorously defend the Company in court."

A person familiar with the matter said the indictment followed Teva's refusal to agree to a settlement that would have required paying a criminal penalty and admitting wrongdoing.

In the superseding indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Teva is charged with three counts of conspiring with companies that include Glenmark Pharmaceuticals <GLEN.NS>, Apotex Corp, Taro Pharmaceutical Industries <TARO.N> and Sandoz Inc, the statement said.

According to the first charge, Teva, Glenmark and Apotex agreed to increase prices for the cholesterol-lowering drug pravastatin and other generic drugs. In the second charge, Teva and Taro are accused of agreeing to increase prices, rig bids and allocate customers for drugs to treat arthritis, seizures, pain, skin conditions and blood clots.

In the third charge, Teva and Sandoz are accused of a conspiracy involving drugs used to treat brain cancer, cystic fibrosis, arthritis and hypertension.

Apotex, Taro and Sandoz have previously admitted their roles in the conspiracies and agreed to pay penalties, the Justice Department said.

Last month, a grand jury returned an indictment against Glenmark for its role in the alleged conspiracy, which Tuesday's indictment supersedes, the Justice Department said.

In its statement, Teva said it has attempted to reach a resolution with the Justice Department but the agency "has shown an unwillingness to consider alternatives that would not deeply impact Teva and the stakeholders who depend on the Company, including the patients who benefit from our medicines."

(Reporting by Diane Bartz in Washington and Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Leslie Adler and Richard Pullin)
The company adds Joel Imholte to lead Civilian Sector and Jennifer Mehrpour to drive civilian business development

Joel Imholte

Vice President, Civilian Sector

Vice President, Civilian Sector

Jennifer Mehrpour

Director, Business Development

Director, Business Development

HERNDON, Va., Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HighPoint , a provider of IT and digital services for government agencies, announced today the addition of strategic new hires to nurture and grow the companys federal civilian footprint.



The company has welcomed Joel Imholte as vice president, Civilian Sector. Imholte will be responsible for establishing strong client relationships and overseeing operations for the companys programs at the Department of State, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other civilian contracts. Imholtes client focus paired with his 20 years of expertise across civilian, intelligence and defense agencies will strengthen HighPoint contracts and grow new business opportunities.

HighPoint works with many remarkable agencies to provide critical IT services, data management, application development and digital and media services, said Imholte. I look forward to partnering with these agencies and our employees to deliver operational excellence and grow HighPoints capabilities in the federal civilian market.

Imholte has a proven track record of managing multidisciplinary clients and overseeing business lines in the areas of cybersecurity, enterprise IT, emerging technology, unified communications and software development within the private and public sectors. He previously held leadership positions at National Capitol Contracting, Pragmatics, InfoReliance Corporation and Allied Technology Group.

HighPoint has also welcomed Jennifer Mehrpour as director of business development. Mehrpour brings more than 25 years of commercial and federal experience in information technology business development, capture management, customer care, service delivery and solution design to HighPoint. Mehrpour previously designed customer solutions and led business development strategies at SAIC, CSRA and Creative Computing Solutions.

Story continues

We are thrilled that Joel and Jennifer have joined the HighPoint team, said Scott Willis, HighPoint chief operating officer. Both Joel and Jennifer bring tremendous experience and passion for delivering innovative solutions that will undoubtedly accelerate the companys growth and exceed client expectations.

About HighPoint

HighPoint helps government agencies elevate experiences. From contact centers and training to digital and data services, our team works with government agencies to more efficiently integrate the people, processes and technology that help government deliver on the needs of citizens and employees. HighPoint delivers services for 13 government clients including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of the Comptroller of Currency, Department of State, Defense Logistics Agency and Department of Housing and Urban Development.

HighPoint is a privately held company with 300 employees across offices in Indianapolis, Indiana; Baltimore, Maryland; and Herndon, Virginia. Learn more at www.highpointglobal.com .

Contact:

Kim Miller

Director, Marketing and Communications

kim.miller@highpointglobal.com

703-935-5010

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3946f3fd-26e5-4238-9dad-e128e97a1dbb

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0ead762f-1424-438c-b79b-77f50f523410




A total of 28,038 candidates will be taking the exam of which 13,809 will appear in the first shift, while 12,943 will write the test in the second shift

The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad is expected to release the admit cards for the Telangana State Engineering Common Entrance Test (TS ECET) 2020 today (25 August).

It will be made available for download at the official websites - tsche.ac.in or ecet.tsche.ac.in.

The TS ECET 2020 is scheduled to be held on 31 August.

According to a report by Careers 360, the engineering entrance examination will be conducted in two shifts.

A total of 28,038 candidates will be taking the exam of which 13,809 will appear in the first shift, while 12,943 will write the test in the second shift in Telangana.

In Andhra Pradesh, 617 students will take the exam in the first shift and 669 will appear in the second shift.

The exam will be conducted at 56 exam centres with 52 in Telangana and 4 in Andhra Pradesh.

JNTU is conducting the entrance exams on behalf of the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) for the academic year 2020-2021 for Diploma and for BSc (Mathematics) Degree candidates, said the official statement.

Examinees who have successfully registered for the test can download their admit cards using their registration number and date of birth. After downloading the TS ECET hall ticket 2020, the candidates have been advised to go through all the instructions carefully and abide by them on the day of the examination.

Steps to download TS ECET admit card 2020:

Step 1: Visit the official website at ecet.tsche.ac.in

Step 2: Click on the link that says, Download hall ticket

Step 3: Enter your registration number and date of birth and click on Submit

Step 4: The admit card will appear on your screen. Download and take a print out.

Candidates must be careful about the hall ticket as it contains necessary details such as the exam time and date, centre address along with other basic personal details.

The Indian Express reported that the TS ECET will be the first major entrance exam to be held in the state of Telangana followed by TS EAMCET 2020, which will be held from 9 September.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : While the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CBI is questioning deceased Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's flatmate Siddharth Pithani who has reportedly said that the the actor's hanging body was brought down on the request of his family members, the family has refuted the claims and accused him of lying.

A very close family member of the late actor, requesting anonymity, told IANS, "Whatever Pithani's statement that is coming out in media reports that the body of Sushant was brought down on the request of family members is a lie." "In fact the family members arrived in Mumbai from Delhi late evening on June 14 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and by that time the body was taken to Cooper Hospital for autopsy," the family member said. Sushant's body was taken to Cooper Hospital from his Bandra flat by the Mumbai Police during the day. However, his post-mortem started at 11 p.m. that night, according to sources. The family member further questioned how the key of Sushant's room went missing.

"It was shocking for us to note that the key was missing from the flat when everybody was at home. It was also surprising for us that a key maker was called and he was not allowed to enter the room," the family member said. The family member further alleged that Pithani used to work from home.

"Later he started editing videos for Rhea and in most of her Instagram posts, she has tagged him with the username of Buddha," the family member said. When asked further about the details of sister Meetu Singh staying with Sushant, the family source said that she stayed with the late actor from August 8 to 12.

Sushant was found dead in his flat on June 14. The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case on the orders of the central government on the recommendation from the Bihar government on August 6. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court gave the nod for the federal agency to probe the case.

Following the top court's order, a team of CBI's SIT arrived in Mumbai from Delhi with the forensic department teams. The team has since then visited the flat of the actor, Waterstone resort and the Cooper Hospital twice and is questioning Pithani for the fourth time in connection with the case along with Sushant's personal staff Neeraj Singh, Dipesh Sawant, his CA Sandeep Sridhar and accountant Rajat Mewati. The CBI team has also met the doctors of Cooper Hospital who had carried out the autopsy of the late actor.

Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / NQ Minerals Plc (AQSE:NQMI)(OTCQB:NQMLF)(OTCQB:NQMIY) ("NQ" or the "Company") announces that it plans to break a 10-year hiatus in exploration work at its highly prospective Hellyer Project, located in the Mt Read Volcanic Belt; a geological terrain in NW Tasmanian renowned for large scale and high-grade polymetallic (copper-lead-zinc-silver-gold) deposits.

The Hellyer deposit was a large scale, very high-grade lead-zinc mine. Past production under Aberfoyle (1986 - 2000) totalled 16.5 million tonnes at 13.9% zinc, 7.2% lead, 0.4% copper, 167 g/t silver and 2.5 g/t gold and under Bass Metals (2010-2012) totalled 0.5 million tonnes at 7.8% zinc, 4.2% lead, 0.3% copper, 101 g/t silver and 1.7 g/t gold from the Fossey Mine. There has been no exploration work undertaken on the Hellyer Mine Lease since underground mining operations ceased in mid-2012.

NQ is currently producing lead and zinc concentrates (with significant gold and silver credits) by reclaiming the Hellyer Mine tailings generated from the former mining operations and processing through the Hellyer concentrator plant at the rate of over 1.2 million tonnes per annum.

Since acquiring the exclusive rights to the underground resources at Hellyer from Bass Metals Ltd on 7 January 2020, NQ has commenced interrogating a high-quality data set acquired from Bass. It is clear that work essentially ceased mid-stream' in early 2012 and left several significant open' targets' at a time when Bass was at the cusp of gaining a greater understanding of the key ore-deposit indicators. This follows their discovery of the Fossey deposit only 150 metres south of the large-scale Hellyer deposit, but in the footwall zone, below the classic Hellyer ore position', where the majority of exploration was targeted for the previous 30 years.

Ten years later, with the benefit of significantly more advanced exploration tools, specifically more powerful geophysical techniques, NQ has commenced a systematic review of these targets, focused initially on prioirty-1' areas, namely in close proximity to the known deposits and existing mine infrastructure.

Story continues

NQ Minerals' Executive Chairman, Mr David Lenigas, said;

"There is now significant potential to define new and extensive high-grade mineralisation at Hellyer, one of the world's great polymetallic high-grade mines. We are operating in one of the mostly highly mineralised geological terrains in the world and we have a golden opportunity to continue Bass's work from 2012 to build-up the existing significant underground resource inventory and extend the Hellyer mine life to underpin this operation for a very long time. The tailings reprocessing Phase 1, now running at over 1.2 million tonnes per year, has another 8 years to run with its current lead/zinc strategy and will generate significant cash flow for the Company, but it's a finite resource. Stage 2 of the current operations will focus on recovering the significant gold and silver inventory in the tailings, but metallurgical test work continues with respect to this next phase of tailings reprocessing. To move Hellyer back into underground mining is a logical and natural progression, especially considering we have the Hellyer plant fully operational."

Mineralisation on the Hellyer Mine Lease comprises massive base metal sulphide lenses within the core of a broadly folded volcanic-sedimentary sequence which plunges to the north-northeast. As the mineralisation generally does not outcrop, geophysics has played a vital part in mineral discoveries in the Hellyer region and down-hole electromagnetics (DHEM) is a core technique. NQ has now completed a first pass review of historical DHEM data for 8 surveyed drill holes in the priority-1 area. Remodelling work of the DHEM undertaken by Southern Geoscience, with input from former Hellyer geologists, has highlighted the significant enhancement in modelling software, and has identified four high priority targets/zones (Target 1 to 3B), which warrant follow-up exploration work, as presented in Figure 1, and represent significant potential for further base metals discoveries.

Geophysical Modelling Outcomes

The four high priority target zones to be followed up were identified in areas of known mineralisation and or significant alteration near the prospective ore-forming' stratigraphic horizon adjacent to the Hellyer underground mine envelope.

The modelled targets comprise plates' representing modelled conductive bodies, potentially massive base metal sulphide lenses. Due to constraints imposed by the data from historical surveys, the modelled plates are not well constrained' in terms of 3-D spatial co-ordinates, which is essential for efficient follow up drill testing. A number of potential model scenarios are presented, and spatial/geometry variance is currently high without further modern, high powered DHEM surveying efforts and re-modelling.

The following notes provide a summary overview of the high priority targets modelled:

Target 1 is associated with an extensive zone of alteration which hosts the McKay Prospect discovered in July 2011 - 7 metres at 22.3% Zn, 9.9% Pb, 0.7% Cu, 181 g/t Ag and 3.4 g/t Au. This intercept was in HLD 1030, which is the drill hole utilised for the DHEM which generated the modelled target-plates illustrated in Figure 2, as well as an in-hole' conductor representing the mineralisation intersected. Follow-up drilling at the time around this intercept failed to significantly extend this very high-grade massive base metal sulphide lens but did extend the zone of prospective alteration. The modelled plates, within the extensive alteration zone, highlight the potential for a significant mineralised body associated with this McKay zone mineralisation (Refer Figure 2).

Target 2 is a high priority target located immediately southwest of the Hellyer deposit. The modelled plates based on DHEM survey of HLD975, occur within prospective stratigraphy with anomalous geochemistry and strong alteration - in close proximity to both the Fossey and Hellyer mine development (Refer Figure 3).

Targets 3A and 3B both occur within the historical Switchback Prospect where a large-scale alteration system and several mineralised intercepts were recorded. This area has also yielded highly encouraging trace element and isotope data indicating the presence of volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) mineralisation. Due to structural complexities, the original source for high-grade VMS clasts intersected previously such as in HED012 (4.85 metres at 1.6% Zn, 1.2% Pb, 18 g/t Ag and 0.9 g/t Au) has never been found; if preserved this represents an exciting base metal sulphide target.

Targets 4 is a lower priority target zone occurring in the interpreted hanging wall to the main Hellyer ore-position' at depth to the north of the Hellyer deposit.

Target 5 is also a lower priority target to the north of Hellyer - requiring additional interpretive work prior to any further assessment of this deep target zone.

Next Steps

NQ is planning a major program to assess these preliminary modelled targets which is planned to include:

Assessing the condition of each of the DHEM surveyed drill holes and possibly neighbouring holes to be able to re-enter and case with PVC to the required depth. The PVC casing is necessary to protect the DHEM probe which is lowered into the drill hole and costs ~$100,000 to replace if the hole collapses and it cannot be recovered.

As required, clear the drill hole utilising a small drill rig and case with PVC pipe.

Resurvey and clear lines at surface to enable wire loop arrays (several kilometres in length) to be laid out on the ground as part of the new DHEM survey - for each target zone.

Mobilise geophysical contractor to Hellyer to undertake the DHEM surveys.

There have been significant enhancements to DHEM equipment since the last DHEM surveys were run at Hellyer approximately 10 years ago. This creates a new and very exciting opportunity for NQ to leverage off major technical advances to better resolve spatially any potential targets and execute better targeted follow-up drilling if warranted. This includes:

Utilising much higher electrical power/current inputs to penetrate far deeper into the ground to detect any conductive bodies at greater distances from exploration drill holes;

Optimised Electro-Magnetic ("EM") loop arrays to get better 3-D resolution of any conductive units identified - through varied coupling scenarios;

Access to significantly enhanced modelling software to also resolve the position and dimensions of any modelled plates; and

Working in the context of an updated geological target model which extends deeper below the traditional ore-horizon' such as hosts the new Fossey and McKay discoveries.

NQ plans to undertake this work program on site in the Australian Spring, possibly commencing October-November 2020, depending on rig and crew availability.

These technological advantages coupled with the important geological advances achieved by Bass, pre 2012, makes for a compelling exploration opportunity. There are further targets to follow-up, but those targets discussed were selected due to their proximity to existing mining and processing infrastructure leading to rapid development should they be proved up. Insights gained from these first four targets will be applied to other currently lower priority targets.

Competent Person's Statement (NQ Minerals Plc)

The information in this report that relates to the Hellyer project is based on information compiled by Mr. Roger Jackson, an Executive Director of the Company, who is a 25+ year Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM) and a Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mr. Jackson has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr. Jackson consents to the inclusion of the data contained in relevant resource reports used for this announcement as well as the matters, form and context in which the relevant data appears.

-END-

About NQ Minerals

NQ Minerals Plc is listed on London's Aquis Stock Exchange (AQSE) under the ticker NQMI and has it's 1:100 ADR traded on the US OTC QB under ticker NQMIY and its ordinary shares are dual traded on the US OTC QB under the ticker NQMLF.

NQ Minerals operations are in Australia. NQ commenced base metal and precious metal production in 2018 at its 100% owned flagship Hellyer Gold Mine in Tasmania. Hellyer has a published JORC compliant Mineral Resource estimated at 9.25 Mt which is host to Gold at 2.57 g/t Au for 764,300 oz Au, Silver at 92 g/t Ag for 27,360,300 oz Ag, Lead at 2.99% Pb for 276,600 tonnes and Zinc at 2.57% Zn for 217,400 tonnes. In addition to these resources, the Hellyer assets include a large mill facility and full supporting infrastructure, including a direct rail line to port. The Company is also planning to re-open the historic high-grade Beaconsfield Gold Mine in Tasmania, which has a JORC (2012) compliant Mineral Resource Estimate of 1.454 Mt at 10.3 g/t Au for 483,000 ounces of gold. Regular updates on the progress of the Hellyer Gold Mine and Beaconsfield can be viewed on NQ's website at www.nqminerals.com.

For more information, please contact:

NQ Minerals plc

David Lenigas, Chairman

lenigas@nqminerals.com

Colin Sutherland, Chief Financial Officer

colin.sutherland@nqminerals.com

Tel: +1 416 452 2166 (North America)

Media Enquiries

IFC Advisory Limited

Graham Herring / Tim Metcalfe

graham.herring@investor-focus.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 203 934 6630 (United Kingdom)

Corporate Adviser

First Sentinel Corporate Finance Limited

Brian Stockbridge / Gabrielle Cordeiro

Tel: +44 (0) 207 183 7407 (United Kingdom)

Corporate Broker

VSA Capital Limited

Andrew Monk/Maciek Szymanski

+ 44 (0) 203 005 5000 (United Kingdom)

The Following section relates to NQ Minerals Plc's news releases distributed in the United States:

Cautionary Note to US Investors

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") permits US Mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. Any estimates of mineral resources shown in this press release or on NQ Minerals PLC's website have been prepared in accordance with definition standards of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves produced by the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee, which may differ from definition standards of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Industry Guide 7. We may use certain terms which the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit US registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections, including those related to our growth strategy, mineral estimates and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated are: risks related to our growth strategy; risks relating to exploration, development and/or extraction; our ability to obtain, perform under, and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; our ability to attract, integrate, and retain key personnel; global demand for mineral resources; our need for substantial additional funds; government regulation; as well as other risks. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

SOURCE: NQ Minerals Plc





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/603201/Rich-Hellyer-Mine-Underground-Potential-Highlighted--Exploration-to-Resume-for-High-Grade-Base-Metal-Gold-deposits-at-Hellyer-Mine-after-10-Year-Hiatus




U.S. President Donald Trump points to a delegate after addressing the Republican National Convention at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, Aug. 24, 2020. EPA



U.S. President Donald Trump would further enhance his "America First" policy following his reelection that would include getting allies to pay more for their defense, according to a set of core priorities published Monday by his election campaign.



Under a category named "America First Foreign Policy," the campaign said Trump will seek to "get allies to pay their fair share" when and if elected to a second term.



Washington and Seoul are currently in a deadlock over how big of a burden South Korea should shoulder in keeping about 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea.



Seoul has offered to boost its burden sharing by 13 percent from US$870 million in 2019, but the U.S. is said to be asking its Asian ally to pay $1.3 billion per year, which would mark a whopping 50 percent on-year spike.



Trump is said to have initially sought $5 billion a year from Seoul.



In total, Trump's election campaign listed 49 policy objectives in 10 categories that include jobs, ending U.S. reliance on China and eradication of COVID-19.



Under the first two categories, the campaign said Trump will create 10 million new jobs in the first 10 months of his second term, while also bringing back 1 million manufacturing jobs from China.



The priority on jobs will also include efforts to "enact fair trade deals that protect American jobs," it said.



South Korea has already renegotiated and amended its bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S. at the latter's request.



Trump has said the revised Korea-U.S. FTA is "now a great deal for us."



Before it was revised, the Korea-U.S. FTA created jobs only for South Korea, he said earlier Monday.



"We fixed a horrible deal that was made with South Korea, remember? It was a Hillary Clinton special. She said this will produce 250,000 jobs, and she was right, except unfortunately the jobs went to South Korea, not to us," he said while marking a surprise visit to a meeting of the Republican National Convention Committee that formally nominated him for his second term in a unanimous vote.



Trump is set to deliver his acceptance speech Thursday when the Republican Party's four-day national convention will come to end. (Yonhap)


Sleep solutions provider Duroflex is expanding its sales network to northern and eastern regions as it looks to become a Rs 2,000 crore company in the next five years, a top company official said.

The company gets a major chunk of its sales from southern markets.

The company is witnessing a gradual shift towards branded mattresses with an increase in disposable income and customers preferring to spend on better quality products post-pandemic, the official said.

"Duroflex is aiming to grow to a Rs 2,000 crore company in the next five years," Duroflex MD Mathew Chandy told PTI. The five-decade-old company has a turnover of Rs 500 crore, at present, he added.

The total size of the mattress market is estimated to be around Rs 10,000 crore of which Rs 3,500 crore is owned by the organised branded players and the rest by local mattress makers, he added.

"Now people are taking health and wellness seriously and this pandemic has helped us to realise that sleep is very important for health. Now better with better products will become more popular. So in this industry, we see a lot of consolidation happening in the next 2-3 years," Chandy said.

Over the sales network expansion, the company said that its products are available pan-India through online sale channels but it is expanding into northern and eastern regions.

"We have still a large market to be captured. These are the reasons behind our optimism that we can go 3X or 4X in next 3-4 years," he said.

Duroflex Vice President - Marketing Smita Murarka said, "Branding and marketing are going to play a big role because the category is evolving. Brands like us are going to be very instrumental to enable Indians to understand the importance of products, which would provide a better quality of sleep."



Duroflex, as part of its expansion plan, has introduced - Duro Safe Mattress Protector, India's first antiviral mattress protector powered by Swiss technology, HeiQ Viroblock which can kill 99.99 per cent viruses and bacteria.

(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.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other national leaders paid their respects to the late Arun Jaitley on Monday on the occasion of his first death anniversary.

On this day, last year, we lost Shri Arun Jaitleyji. I miss my friend a lot. Arunji served India diligently. His wit, intellect, legal acumen and warm personality were legendary, PM tweeted.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys social media handle posted a video with the message: He left us early but he also left behind indelible imprints on the Indian economy, law, governance and probity in public life. His impeccable life will serve as a guiding path for the talented future generations.

Union home minister Amit Shah remembered Jaitley as an outstanding politician, prolific orator and a great human being who had no parallels in Indian polity and described him as multifaceted and a friend of friends, who will always be remembered for his towering legacy, transformative vision and devotion to the nation.

Jaitley, 66, was admitted to New Delhis AIIMS on August 9 after he complained of uneasiness.

He died of multiple organ failure on August 24 last year.

Jaitleys daughter Sonali Jaitley-Bakshi, a lawyer, posted a picture of her early childhood and tweeted: Today marks one year without my father. Do I miss him? Yes. Do I miss his presence? Never, for he is always with me. I love you, dad --- thanks for everything.

His son, Rohan Jaitley, shared old photographs of the leader and tweeted, Its been a year since you left us, dad @arunjaitley. In many ways, it feels like it was just yesterday. The pain is still as fresh. But so is my resolve to live by your values, principles and vision. You are always with us. So missed, so loved.
The ASEAN-Australia: The Road to Recovery Interactive Webinar was jointly held by the Australia-ASEAN Council, the ASEAN Committee in Canberra, and Asialink, to celebrate the blocs 53rd founding anniversary.

Birmingham highlighted that growth potential in ASEAN countries, like Vietnam and Indonesia, coupled with established ties between Australia and nations such as Singapore and Malaysia, would provide major opportunities for Australian enterprises to further strengthen cooperation in trade and investment with ASEAN.

He noted that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), to be inked by 15 countries across Indo-Asia-Pacific, will also facilitate business activities. He expects the deal will encourage Australias business community to seek opportunities in ASEAN nations, driving future growth.

CEO of Australia Post Christine Holgate, who is also chairman of the Australia-ASEAN Council, said she hopes that ASEAN would offer Australian companies opportunities to develop and participate further in the international strategic playground.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was forced off with a nasty head injury in the friendly match against Salzburg.

Van Dijk suffered a cut above his eye when he caught by an opponent as he went up for a header in the second-half.

The Dutchman left the pitch holding a pad to stem the blood from the cut just above his right eye.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was forced off with a nasty head injury on Tuesday

Van Dijk was replaced by centre-half Nat Phillips.

The Reds will hope that the injury is not serious so he will be available to face Arsenal in the Community Shield on Saturday.

Liverpool were losing 2-0 when Van Dijk went off in the 55th minute.

But substitute Rhian Brewster scored twice in the 72nd and 81st minutes to secure a draw for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Two prominent Gulf airlines are encouraging their employees to take unpaid leave as the airlines continue to grapple with the crisis in global travel.

The Dubai-based airline Emirates told cabin crew they could take one to three months of unpaid leave between September and the end of November. Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi told crew they could take 10 days to six months of unpaid leave starting in mid-September, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing internal memos.

Both airlines in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are flying regularly around the world during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They have both experienced setbacks related to the coronavirus at the same time.

Emirates also offered pilots and flight attendants unpaid leave in July. In June, the airline cut hundreds of pilot and cabin crew jobs. Also in June, Emirates temporarily suspended flights to Pakistan after virus cases were detected among passengers. By September, Emirates will be flying to 75 destinations on all continents.

Etihad offered employees leave in March and cut hundreds of jobs in May. In August, Etihad released its second-quarter figures that showed massive decreases in passenger flights and revenues. Also this month, the carrier canceled some flights to and from Shanghai after positive COVID-19 tests. Etihad is currently flying to about half of its pre-crisis destinations.

All passengers flying to the UAE, whether they are entering or transiting, must provide a negative COVID-19 test result.

Parts of the country are open for tourism now. In July, Dubai began welcoming visitors with health restrictions in place.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Adityastha Rai Wratsangka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 15:01 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4053f4e 4 Entertainment theater,theater-performance,butet-kartarejasa,Happy-Salma,reza-rahadian,pandemic,arts-and-culture,Entertainment Free

The Titimangsa Foundation's 36th production, Rumah Kenangan (House of Memories), premiered online on Aug. 15 as part of the #NontonTeaterDiRumahAja (watch theater at home) series of the Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation.

The 90-minute family drama is a relevant and timely narrative that plays out against the backdrop of the current global situation, with its six protagonists stuck in quarantine under one roof.

The ensemble cast consists of veteran playwrights and stage actors Butet Kartaredjasa, Ratna Riantiarno, Susilo Nugroho and Happy Salma, who produced the play. The remaining two are prominent film actors Reza Rahadian and Wulan Guritno, both of whom have a theater background despite their more notable popularity in the mainstream film industry.

Master actors: Veteran stage actors Ratna Riantiarno (left) and Butet Kartaradjasa star in 'Rumah Kenangan' by the Titimangsa Foundation, a family drama that takes place in the all-too-familiar conditions of the present. (Image Dynamics/-)

The play revolves around the Wijaya family and the house they live in. The family head is Raden Wijaya Sastro (Butet), a retired public official with a troubling past and bad reputation stemming from corruption allegations.

Living in the same house is Radens wife, Amelia Wijaya (Ratna), his stepson Rendy Wijaya (Reza), and long-time housekeeper Parto (Susilo).

The inhabitants fill the house with tension until one day, Radens daughter Mutiara Wijaya (Happy) comes home after 10 years, bringing along a friend, Mona (Wulan). The audience learns that Mutiara left home because she disapproved of her father's marriage to Amelia, her stepmother.

The prodigal daughter's return quickly makes things even more awkward for the family, especially between Mutiara and her stepbrother Rendy, who is clearly not shy about showing his dislike for his stepsister.

Told in narration through Parto's perspective, Rumah Kenangan takes the audience on a nostalgic trip down memory lane into the familys past in the same house, starting from Mutiara as a child to when she leaves home, during which she maintains contact with her father and Parto.

Memory keeper: Parto (Susilo Nugroho, left) is a loyal housekeeper that chronicles the family history of his employer in Titimangsa Foundation's 'Rumah Kenangan' (House of Memories). (Image Dynamics/-)

The play culminates in a huge family argument around Mutiaras lies to her family and Monas growing attraction to Rendy, showing that no one has been telling the truth.

The mix of stage and film actors offers top-notch quality acting. The online performance also maintains an authentic theatrical experience, with no video cuts during or between the scenes.

The play was performed as a play should be, without any cuts aside from changes in the set," said Happy. "I and my fellow performers believed that we had to keep the stage dynamic.

The entire process of producing the play took about two months, said Happy.

Prompted by the COVID-19 restrictions, Rumah Kenangan premiered as a prerecorded performance without a live audience, and using technical camerawork that brought out the actors' and actresses' portrayals.

The director, playwright Agus Noor and the cast rehearsed the play on Zoom. For the final, recorded performance, the production gathered at the Bagong Kussudiardja Arts Complex in Yogyakarta, following health checks, quarantine and other appropriate precautions.

The production was supported by veteran theater professionals, including artistic directors Iskandar Loedin and Deden Jalaludin Bulqini, music director Indra Ing and costume designer Reto Ratih Damayanti. The decades of theater experience between them turned the production into high-quality theater, no matter the medium of the final performance.

The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post.
DENVER, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- During the 2008 financial crisis, Mattscash.com President Matt Willer almost lost a great business because the banks called in his loans, and he understands the stress a lot of owners are facing today.

Now he's helping all U.S. based small business that generate between $200,000 and $3 million in annual revenues with quick short-term loans to help them through the pandemic.

"Just because you're having difficulties today, doesn't mean you won't be a success tomorrow when they find a vaccine for COVID," said Matt Willer. "I was running a great business in the mid-2000s then the financial crisis hit and the bank gave me 30 days to pay-off my loan. Despite the bank's assessment, I continued to grow a successful business after the financial crisis ended and ultimately sold it to a larger company."

"Just because you're having difficulties today, doesn't mean you won't be a success tomorrow when they find a vaccine for COVID," said Willer. "I was running a great business in the mid-2000s then the financial crisis hit and the bank gave me 30 days to pay-off my loan."

At the 29th day, he literally found a private investor and ended up making it through the financial crisis. Despite the bank's assessment, he continued to grow his successful business after the financial crisis ended and ultimately sold it to a larger Company.

"Because I've been through it, I understand the situation businesses are in from both sides of the table. The challenges and stresses that a lot of businesses are going through right now are very real, and businesses need help.

"We aren't relying on algorithms and don't have to report to a credit committee like the banks do, so we can make our own decisions, and make them quickly," said Willer.

The capital at www.MattsCash.com is readily available today. Since Matt's Cash isn't bound by strict bank lending standards, they're more flexible. A lot of time they can say yes, when the banks say no because the client didn't meet strict banking underwriting standards.

Matt's Cash can also issue a loan quicker than banks, which is especially important to a lot of struggling business owners. At Matt's Cash, they don't care if you're a restaurant, auto shop or manufacturing owner, they can help fund any small business in a legal industry.

"We can issue a term-sheet typically within 24 hours provided clients give us all the materials we need. Usually it's a bank statements from the last few months, an application and an interview. If the business accepts the term-sheet, we can provide funding in a matter of days," said Willer.

The loan is a short-term solution from three to 24 months, with flexible payment options depending on the client's cash flow. Matt's Cash can provide loans from $10,000 to $500,000 in all 50 states.

"The cost of the loan is generally higher than the banks, but these people have often been turned down by multiple sources and they need help quickly. Going bankrupt would be much costlier," said Willer.

Banks often use collateral for their business loans. It might be a building or pizza oven. If for some reason you can't service the debt, the bank may foreclose on those assets and you'll be forced to close. That's what almost happened to Willer during the financial crisis.

The loan criteria at www.MattsCash.com is different from banks and is based on future cash flow. There are also no hidden fees that banks may charge. Willer thought of the idea for developing MattsCash.com with an industry partner earlier this year to help struggling small businesses.

"Through our interactions with small business owners, we started to see a rapid increase in the need for flexible, alternative capital. We used to just refer them to other lenders but then decided to launch MattsCash.com. We wanted to make sure clients received prompt, fair, and flexible offers since in most cases, time is of the essence," said Willer.

Matt's Cash clients typically have some challenges, whether it's the owner's existing debt, reduced revenue at no fault of their own because of the pandemic, or other hiccups which wouldn't be acceptable at regular banks, so they come to him.

Business owners run into situations where they wait until the last minute and need something quickly. In this environment people have been met with unprecedented challenges. Today, many businesses could be bankrupt within 30 days.

It's also impossible to run a profitable business at 25 percent capacity, due to COVID restrictions. Many business owners don't have the luxury of time anymore.

"We're not going to make you go through 30 days of document production torture that the bank puts you through, just to tell you no. Talk to us today. You'll probably get funded in days, and we quickly provide term sheets that clients can review with no strings attached," said Willer.

If you need funding for your business visit MattsCash.com for a same day term sheet. For further information or to schedule an interview contact Matt Willer at (303) 876-0430 or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Matt Willer

President

MattsCash.com

https://mattscash.com/

Phone: (303) 876-0430

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE MattsCash.com

Related Links

https://mattscash.com/


GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Over 200 faculty members from Michigan colleges and universities asked Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to mandate that classes that dont require face-to-face teaching be fully online to protect students and their colleagues from the coronavirus.

Professors are also asking Whitmer to set requirements for levels of testing, data reporting, contact tracing and quarantining at Michigan universities.

Most of the signatures on the open letter, shared Tuesday, Aug. 25 with MLive, were from Grand Valley State University. Some other faculty represented included Central Michigan University, Western Michigan University, U-M Flint, and Northern Michigan University.

As faculty members from a number of public universities across the state of Michigan, we are asking for your leadership in the protection of all students, our colleagues actively engaged in providing the public good of education as well as those in the communities that support this endeavor, according to the letter.

We are asking you to step in, either to move most university classes online (except those whose pedagogies absolutely will not work online) or to offer clear regulations about how in-person standards must be maintained and what situations must trigger a return to primarily online learning.

The letter began circulating among faculty members across the state Aug. 18 and has been gaining signatures.

Professors cited labs or performance-based classes and courses in health sciences as an example of classes that should remain in-person. But the letter stated that the vast majority of classes can be taught perfectly well online.

In these dangerous times, if a class can be taught well online, that should be the mode of instruction, regardless of student preference, the letter reads.

After all, we dont ask students in chemistry labs whether theyd prefer to wear goggles or not, and we dont let student athletes opt out of safety equipment if they prefer not to use or wear it.

The letter, which calls universities an excellent breeding ground for COVID-19, comes in response to universities across the country where students have returned to campus and brought parties with them, leading to spikes in coronavirus cases.

Michigan State University on Aug. 18 switched its entire fall class schedule to remote learning, asking students who planned to live in dorms to stay home. The university originally had planned for a hybrid learning model of in-person and online classes in the fall.

MSU President Samuel Stanley Jr. cited recent outbreaks at other universities as the cause of the change in plans.

It has become evident to me that, despite our best efforts and strong planning, it is unlikely we can prevent widespread transmission of COVID-19 between students if our undergraduates return to campus, Stanley, a medical doctor, said in the letter.

Tiffany Brown, press secretary for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, said there isnt one all-encompassing approach to handling the coronavirus.

The governor respects MSUs decision, no doubt made after careful consideration of all the factors facing the university. Given the current state of the virus, theres no one-size-fits-all solution. The governor and her departments will continue to provide data and other resources for our schools, colleges, and universities as they review their next steps and decide what path is best for their institution. Its important that they continue to work closely with their local health departments. College presidents must continue to follow the science and data to make the best decisions they can to keep people safe,' she said in a statement to MLive.

Faculty members are also asked Whitmer to help mitigate the financial impact of moving most university courses fully online.

Our administrations are caught between trying to keep university communities safe, on one hand, and trying to keep university staff and faculty employed, on the other, the letter said.

You, as Governor, could step in to help by offering financial incentives for those universities who choose to put safety first or by publicizing the kinds of low-interest loans that are available to help our institutions of higher learning stay solvent during these extremely challenging times.

Central Michigan University has recently become a COVID-19 hot spot since students returned to campus with 54 new positive cases identified among students during the week of Aug. 17.

The university has since suspended all in-person Greek Life activities, and the city of Mount Pleasant has banned outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people.

RELATED: Central Michigan University reports 54 students with coronavirus, suspends in-person Greek activities

Eastern Michigan University announced Aug. 24 it would delay on-campus move-in for three weeks, citing the COVID-19 outbreaks other universities have had in reopening their campuses. The Ypsilanti school will now bring students back Sept. 17, after originally planning movie-in for Aug. 27.

EMU still plans to begin its fall semester online on Monday, Aug. 31, but will transition the small number of classes that were scheduled to be in-person to a near fully online schedule through Sept. 20, officials said.

The University of Michigan is asking its students to practice 14 days of enhanced social distancing before returning to Ann Arbor.

A few dozen U-M professors and Ann Arbor community members last week protested in-person classes this fall, saying they have no confidence in administrators plans to contain the virus.

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.

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 nosewhile 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.

More on MLive:

University of Michigan professors have no confidence in administrations plan to contain coronavirus

In May email, UM president told UNC officials he was struggling with how to bring back 30K undergrads

Several students test positive for coronavirus at Hope College after moving onto campus
We are continuing to grow our footprint on the West Coast and are excited to extend that reach in such an important transportation hub like Los Angeles that sees millions of shipping containers go out across the country every year.

eCapital Corp. (eCapital) has acquired the factoring portfolio of REV Finance Group Inc., an affiliate of Rolys Trucking Inc. and R.E.G. Logistics Inc., a Los Angeles-based family of transportation, warehousing and logistics companies. Rolys Trucking was founded over 20 years ago by Rolando Roly Garcia and has a significant presence in the Los Angeles area, a key regional, national and international hub for freight traffic. Roly opened REV Finance Group in 2009 providing factoring services to many of the independent operators and outside carriers used by Rolys Trucking and its freight brokerage division, R.E.G. Logistics Inc.

Marius Silvasan, CEO of eCapital, said: We are continuing to grow our footprint on the West Coast and are excited to extend that reach in such an important transportation hub like Los Angeles that sees millions of shipping containers go out across the country every year.

Having a strong financial partner is important for a transportation companys success so I wanted to work with the best, said Rolando Garcia, owner of REV Finance Group. Thats why it made sense to align with a company like eCapital.

Ken Judd, CEO of eCapital Freight Factoring, said: We have gained an important foothold in the Los Angeles area and will now operate a dedicated regional sales and client service office, led by Roly, that will provide factoring, equipment financing and other services to the independent carriers serving the port and other transportation segments.

This is the fourth transportation-based acquisition for eCapital in the last two years and the second in Southern California. The purchase is in line with the companys goal of being the leading alternative financing provider throughout North America.

About eCapital Corp.

eCapital Corp. is committed to supporting small and middle-market companies in the United States and Canada by accelerating their access to capital through alternative financing solutions like factoring, lines of credit and asset-based lending. Through its Commercial Finance and Freight Factoring divisions and its portfolio companies  Gerber Finance, Inc. and Paragon Financial Group  eCapital Corp. offers alternative finance solutions to a broad set of industries. Based in Miami, Florida, eCapital Corp. is an innovative leader in providing flexible, customized funding to businesses. For more information about eCapital, visit eCapital.com.

About REV Finance Group Inc. and Rolys Trucking Inc.

Rolys Trucking and its affiliates (REV Finance Group, R.E.G. Logistics and Reliable Leasing) operate under the umbrella brand of R Logistics. Operations currently include trucking terminals and warehouse facilities in the Los Angeles and Dallas-Fort Worth markets with expansion focused on adding facilities in Florida and Georgia. With a bilingual staff, the company caters to the Hispanic owner operators and small independent carriers, offering a full range of finance, equipment and facility services, that will be enhanced significantly through its new partnership with eCapital. For more information about R Logistics visit rlogistics.us.
CORRECTION  Based on information provided by the U.S. Army, the original version of this story had incorrectly named Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation.

WASHINGTON  The U.S. Army has awarded 10 contracts worth a total of $29.75 million to companies to provide mature technologies in the realm of air-launched effects, or ALE, for future vertical lift aircraft that are expected to come online around 2030, service aviation officials have told Defense News.

Raytheon, Alliant Techsystems Operations of Northridge, California, and Area-I of Marietta, Georgia, were awarded contracts to develop air vehicles.

L3 Technologies, Rockwell Collins and Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation were awarded contracts to provide mission systems.

And Raytheon, Leonardo Electronics US Inc., Technology Service Corporation of Huntsville, Alabama, and Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC of Northridge, California, received contracts to provide ALE payloads.

Through ALE, the Army hopes to provide current and future vertical lift fleets with the eyes and ears to penetrate enemy territory while manned aircraft are able to maintain standoff out of range of enemy attack, Brig. Gen. Wally Rugen, who is in charge of the Armys FVL modernization efforts, said in an exclusive interview with Defense News.

To do that, that has a whole host of capabilities embedded in it, and I would say its not just the eyes and ears, but its also, what we are finding, is the mouth, so our ability to communicate by bringing mesh network capabilities, by bringing an ability to hear in the electronic spectrum, and, again, the ability to collect in that spectrum so we can find, fix and finish on pacing threats, he added.

The Army plans to take these already technically mature capabilities through additional technology maturation, Col. Scott Anderson, the unmanned aircraft systems project manager for the Armys Program Executive Office for Aviation, said in the same interview.

Were looking for high technology readiness levels, so best of breed, he said, that we can buy and then we dont have to develop, spend a lot of developmental dollars getting ready to get out the door in a prototype. The air vehicle, payloads and missions systems will all fit into a government-owned architecture by fiscal 2024.

Story continues

The service will first look at each major component of ALE individually, rather than as a whole system, to assess readiness, Anderson said. That will run through most of 2021.

Then in 2022, the Army will take those capabilities and bring them together into a full system prototype working with Georgia Tech, which is helping the service write the underpinnings of the reference architecture, he added.

In the final phase, the Army will integrate the system onto a platform, first targeting the Gray Eagle and AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. Ultimately the ALE capabilities to come out of the effort will be targeted for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) ecosystem, Anderson said.

The Army is planning to field both FARA and a Future Long-Range Attack Aircraft (FLRAA) in the early 2030s.

We want to mature the [ALE] ecosystem and then have it ready to hand off to FARA in full bloom, Rugen added.

The Army has been looking at ALE since roughly late 2017, Rugen said, and has been working to refine the associated capabilities development documents for several years. Army Futures Command Commander Gen. Mike Murray signed an abbreviated capabilities development document in May.

The service has been pleased with what it has seen so far in live prototype experimentation and physics-based modeling within the science and technology community and is prepared to move quickly on the effort, Rugen said.

Army Futures Command is leading a cultural shift, much to the delight of industry

The Army selected Area-Is ALTIUS, the Air-Launched, Tube-Integrated Unmanned System, to launch from a rotary-wing test aircraft  a UH-60 Black Hawk  and was able to demonstrate the concept from a high altitude in August 2018.

Then the service demonstrated the concept again during a ground robotic breach exercise at Yakima Air Base in Washington state in 2019 as well as a launch from a Black Hawk flying at a lower altitude  roughly 100 feet or less.

In March, at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, the Army demonstrated multiple ALEs launched from a Black Hawk at very low altitudes to maintain masking, Rugen said. We got our mesh network extended out to about 60 kilometers, so we were pretty happy with, again, the requirements pace and the experimentation pace with that.

The program will evolve beyond 2024 as the capability will align more closely with fitting into future formations.

Jumping into algorithmic warfare: US Army aviation tightens kill chain with networked architecture

The Army could award future contracts to integrate the capability or could establish follow-on Other Transaction Authority contracts  which is the type of contract mechanism used for the 10 awardees that allows the Army to move faster to rapidly prototype. We have the contractual mechanisms to be flexible and responsive, which is key in a program like ALE, Joe Giunta, executive director of Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, said.

Instead of looking for a vendor that could deliver every aspect of a system, we can harvest from across multiple different vendors, who bring, if you will, the best characteristics, Patrick Mason, the deputy PEO for Army Aviation, added.

Then as they merge into our government reference architecture and our open system approach, we are then able to bring those together to create a much more capable product, he said, that fits into the longer term on how we can modify that as technology comes along and we can ramp on increases in technologies as we get out into the 23, 24 time frame and then further into the future as we look out to FY30 and the fielding of FARA, FLRAA and the full establishment of the FVL ecosystem.

The Army released a notice to industry Aug. 12 looking for input on technology that could further advance the capability of ALE against sophisticated adversaries with plans to host an industry day in September.

While the service will prototype mature technologies in the near term, Mason said, when you look at the 25 and 26 time frame, there will be better technologies that are developed around the payload side of the house, advancements in air vehicles or advancements in the missions systems.

The RFI is looking at the next increment that is out there as we move from now in 2020 to what we would have as a residual capability in 24 to what we could move to in 2030, Mason said.
,



We're sorry, this article is not currently available
I used to dismiss conspiracy theorists as contemptible idiots. Then one of my relatives became one. In the past few months I have watched someone I love  someone who used to believe in science, rational thought and the collective good  become an anti-vaxxer, anti-5Ger, anti-masker, a "plandemic" disciple and a "sovereign citizen" suspicious of any collective purpose.

Conspiracy theories are not simply a hobby. They have become an all-consuming identity akin to a cult.

Conspiracy theories are flooding social media and breaking up families.

Everything has an alternative explanation, from the Holocaust, the moon landing, September 11, the Earth being flat, to the British royal family all being dead and currently played by actors.

She has embraced so many conspiracy theories that they can't rationally coexist. One minute I'm told COVID-19 is a toxin released from chemtrails in aircraft, the next it doesn't exist. Then, it does exist after all, but it's no worse than the seasonal flu.
Tuolumne County Public Health View Photo

Sonora, CA  Tuolumne County Public Health reports they have no new cases today but over the weekend they were busy with three new cases reported on Saturday and two on Sunday, plus three new inmate cases. Sierra Conservation Center is managing their three new inmate cases and testing of inmates and staff is ongoing. Last week routine testing revealed five cases among staff, two of whom are Tuolumne County residents. SCC continues to follow the CDC and CDPH guidelines for responding to COVID-19. Testing of Avalon Care Center staff and residents is ongoing due to a resident and a staff member testing positive last week as reported here.

Tuolumne County Public Health calculated and released the Roadmap to Recovery Metric which reportedly dipped over the weekend and is again at 19.1 per 100,000 population. Tuolumne County is not on the States Monitoring list.

Known Tuolumne tests: 9,501, positive 177 (90 females and 87 males), hospitalized 1, active cases 8, total recovered 167.

Tuolumne County Public Health reports local COVID-19 testing sites have been processing and reporting their results in two to three days lately. Stating This represents a significantly reduced wait time for results. They also state there are many open appointments available at the state testing site at Frogtown in Angels Camp. Anyone concerned about possible exposure is encouraged to go get tested. Contact information appears below the chart.

Daily COVID-19 Cases County

Active Date New Today Hospital/

ICU Alpine 0 8/20 0 0 Amador 16 8/24 3 4 Calaveras 27 8/21 16 4 Mariposa 2 8/25 0 1 Madera 815 8/24 18 16 Merced 1,917 8/24 225 78 Mono 11 8/24 0 0 San Joaquin 1,435 8/24 509 133/39 Stanislaus 505 8/24 201 157/53 Tuolumne 8 8/24 8 1 Totals (Cumulative) COVID-19 Cases County

Recovered

Positives Deaths Alpine 2 (+0) 2 0 Amador 194(+18) 224 14 Calaveras 168(+8) 197 2 Mariposa 65 (+0) 69 2 Madera 2,619(+81) 3,484 50 Merced 5,630(+720) 7,428 106 Mono 145(+0) 162 2 San Joaquin 14,399 (+540) 15,622 297 Stanislaus 12,464 (+506) 13,483 232 Tuolumne 177(+15) 177 2

Wildfire smoke continues to impact our area and an Air Quality Alert is in effect until the fires are extinguished. Exposure to particle pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease, cause asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and increase risk of respiratory infections. Residents are advised to use caution as conditions warrant. People with heart or lung diseases should follow their doctor`s advice for dealing with episodes of unhealthy air quality. Additionally, older adults and children should avoid prolonged exposure, strenuous activities or heavy exertion, as conditions dictate. For additional information, call your local Air District office. Mariposa 209-966-2220, Tuolumne 209-533-5693, Calaveras 209-754-6588.

If you are having COVID-like symptoms, self-isolate and contact your healthcare provider or the Adventist Health Triage Line at 209-536-5166 Mon-Fri, or 209-536-5000 after hours. If you need immediate medical attention, please call ahead and go to Rapid Care or the Emergency Department. You can also visit www.valleycovidhelp.com for more information.

The no-cost state testing site is open at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds Tuesday  Saturday 7am to 7pm. Appointments can be scheduled ahead of time at: https://lhi.care/covidtesting Appointments are strongly recommended as walk-ins are extremely limited. The site now offers testing for children ages 3 and older (accompanied by a parent or guardian).

It is important that people continue to follow prevention guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including:

Practice physical distancing at all times. Keep 6 feet space between yourself and others who are not part of your household. Stay in your household bubble!

Wear a face covering in public.

Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.

Avoid gatherings of any size with people who are not part of your household.

Stay home if you are sick.

Avoid unnecessary travel, and limit your outings to essential tasks.

LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Community Resources Portal: https://bit.ly/TCcovidPortal

Tuolumne County Public Health Website: www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/publichealth

Public Health COVID-19 Call Center: (209) 533-7440

California COVID-19 website: www.covid19.ca.gov

State Testing Site info and Appointments: https://lhi.care/covidtesting

Tuolumne County Business: www.tcdisasterassistance.com

CDC COVID-19 website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Thank you for your support and efforts to protect the safety and health of our community
By Azernews





By Akbar Mammadov

Azerbaijani tank crew has shown the successful performance during the first day of Tank Biathlon competition being held in Russia, the Defense Ministry said on August 24.

The Azerbaijani tank crew highly accurately hit the targets during the first day of Tank Biathlon contest held as part of the International Army Games-2020.

The ministry noted that Chinese, Belarusian and Serbian teams tested their strength in the same division with Azerbaijani.

It should be noted that according to the terms of the contest, aftering hitting three conditional targets, the Azerbaijani crew has covered the specified distance on the dedicated route in a short time.

The Azerbaijani tank crew is competing in the first division of the Tank Biathlon contest, which also includes Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Serbia and Uzbekistan.

According to the draw of the competition held on August 17 in Moscow, Azerbaijan and Russia will compete on red tanks in the first division, while Belarus and Uzbekistan on blue tanks, Serbia and Kazakhstan on yellow tanks, China and Kyrgyzstan on green tanks.

The Tank Biathlon contest will take place in the Russian Alabyno military training area near Moscow from August 23 to September 5.

At the competition, the crews will demonstrate their driving, shooting and obstacle crossing skills. The military ground is composed of various sites with ramparts, ditches, firing emplacements and lines.

It should be noted that Azerbaijani servicemen first participated in the Tank Biathlon competition in 2016.

Azerbaijani tank crews competed with the teams of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan in the final relay race in the first division in the Tank Biathlon 2019 competition and took the 4th place in the competition.




The global human combination vaccines market size is expected to grow by USD 4.98 billion as per Technavio. This marks a significant market growth compared to the 2019 growth estimates due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. Moreover, steady growth is expected to continue throughout the forecast period, and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9%. Request Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impacts

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005513/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Human Combination Vaccines Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Human Combination Vaccines Market Analysis Report by Type (Inactivated vaccine and Live attenuated vaccine) and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW), and the Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024".

https://www.technavio.com/report/human-combination-vaccines-market-industry-analysis

The market is driven by the increase in the pediatric population. In addition, the increasing antiviral drug resistance is anticipated to boost the growth of the human combination vaccines market.

The increase in the pediatric population is one of the major factors driving human combination vaccines market growth. The demand for combination vaccines is high among newborn infants, as they are more vulnerable to various diseases owing to weak immune systems. With the increase in the pediatric population, the demand for combination vaccines will increase, which will help to reduce the number of shots and healthcare center visits, which consequently save time and money. This will lead to the growth of the human combination vaccines market over the forecast period.

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

View market snapshot before purchasing

Major Five Human Combination Vaccines Companies:

Cadila Healthcare Ltd.

Cadila Healthcare Ltd. is engaged in the development and manufacture of biologics and vaccines. The company offers diphtheria tetanus and pertussis whole cell vaccine, which is used to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in infants.

CSL Ltd.

CSL Ltd. has business operations under two segments: CSL Behrin and Seqirus. The company offers ADT Booster, which is used for the prevention of diphtheria and tetanus in individuals who have previously received at least 3 doses of a vaccine for primary immunisation against diphtheria and tetanus.

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. operates its business through various segments such as innovative pharmaceutical, generic, vaccine, and OTC related. The company offers Squarekids, which is a subcutaneous injection syringe, a tetravalent combination vaccine (DPT-IPV) for the prevention of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and poliomyelitis.

GlaxoSmithKline Plc

GlaxoSmithKline Plc has business operations under three segments: pharmaceutical, consumer healthcare, and vaccines. The company's offerings include Infanrix, Pediarix, and Boostrix.

MassBiologics

MassBiologics develops novel biologics for the treatment of various diseases. The company offers TDVAX, which is a sterile vaccine for intramuscular injection used to prevent tetanus and diphtheria.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Human Combination Vaccines Type Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2020-2024)

Inactivated vaccine

Live attenuated vaccine

Human Combination Vaccines Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2020-2024)

North America

Europe

Asia

ROW

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005513/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/
ROME - Prominent Hong Kong democracy activist Nathan Law called on the Italian government to take a tough stand against Chinas security measures in Hong Kong when Italys foreign minister meets Tuesday with his Chinese counterpart.

Standing outside of Italys Foreign Ministry with an Italian parliamentary delegation, Law said Italys position on Chinas recent actions in Hong Kong should be in line with the European Unions stance.

I dont understand why the Italian government is not following that direction, he said.

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio was meeting with Chinese Foreign Ministers Wang Li at the start of Wangs five-nation European tour, which also includes stops in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway. It is Wangs first foreign trip since the coronavirus outbreak in China that turned into a global pandemic.

The visiting diplomats top agenda item in Rome is expected to be pushing Europeans to guarantee market access to telecom giant Huawei and broader efforts to keep European countrys quiet on Hong Kong and to take Beijings side in its tariff war with Washington.

Law complained that the meeting was announced on short-notice and that the contents remained secret, making it difficult to properly prepare. He delivered a letter asking Di Maio to address the Hong Kong problems and human rights violations during the meeting.

We need to work together to form a strong alliance to go against the authoritarian nature of China,? he said, adding that the the silencing of a Chinese whistle-blower during the virus outbreak was an example of the damage wrought by authoritarian actions.

Italy last year was the first major democracy to sign an agreement to join Chinas Belt and Road initiative. The program includes major infrastructure investments to create a conduit for trade and Chinas construction industry. Both the United States and Italys European partners see it as a threat as China seeks to project its power.
More dry-lightning storms hit California on Monday after sparking 625 fires last week as authorities warned the state was trapped in a megafire era triggered by climate change.

The worst of the wildfires, including the second and third largest in California history, burned in the San Francisco Bay Area with roughly 240,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings across the state.

Much of Northern California, including the Sierra Nevada Mountains and coast, was under a red flag alert for dry lightning and high winds, but the Bay Area got a reprieve as storms skipped the region of around 8 million, the National Weather Service reported.

Close to 300 lightning strikes sparked 10 blazes overnight and more sleeper fires were likely burning undiscovered in areas shrouded by dense smoke, Governor Gavin Newsom said.

Also read: In just a week, wildfires burn 1 million acres in California

One huge blaze blackened ancient coastal redwood forests south of San Francisco that have never seen fire due to usually high relative humidity levels, Newsom said.

We are in a different climate and we are dealing with different climate conditions that are precipitating fires the likes of which we have not seen in modern recorded history, Newsom told a news briefing.

The wildfires, ignited by over 13,000 lightning strikes from dry thunderstorms across Northern and Central California since Aug. 15, have killed at least seven people and destroyed over 1,200 homes and other structures.

We are essentially living in a megafire era, said Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit Chief Jake Hess after California suffered four of the five largest wildfires in its history during the last three years.

Evacuees returned to homes and vineyards torched by the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire, the second largest in state history, raging across Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Yolo and Solano counties.

Nothings left, but were safe, said a man, who did not give his name in an online video showing everything but his patio furniture destroyed at his house near Vacaville.

Smoke from fires that have burned over 1.2 million acres (485,620 hectares), an area more than three times larger than Los Angeles, created unhealthy conditions for much of Northern California and drifted as far as Kansas.

Firefighters gained 22% containment of the LNU fire, but to the south, the SCU Lightning Complex fire was nearly as large and only 10% contained. Firefighters threw most of their resources at its west flank burning less than 10 miles from downtown San Jose.

This fire is by far a long ways away from being done, said Cal Fire incident commander Jeff Ike of the blaze affecting seven counties.

With lower temperatures, clouds gathered over coastal forest east of San Jose, helping firefighters achieve 13% containment on the CZU Lightning Complex fire. Some Santa Clara county residents saw the sun after 10 days of dense smoke.

Omg!!! The sun!!! The sun!!! The sun!!! Clouds and our shadows too. Oh how weve missed you in California, tweeted Shana Anderson-Nute, a marketing agent from Sunnyvale.

Over 14,000 firefighters were on the wildfires, with 91 fire crews traveling from seven states and National Guard troops arriving from four states, Newsom said.
Cody was the first public health commissioner in the nation to order a countywide shelter in place, which undoubtedly saved lives but was, nonetheless, controversial. As officials continue to weigh the impact of public health orders and restrictions against the social and economic hardships they cause, she admits the balancing act is difficult.

In mid-July, as Cody began a phone conversation with contributing editor Paul Costello, she stopped and offered, Im going to take my mask off. I think youll be able to hear me better, before detailing the successes, difficulties and her hopes for the future in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

This Q&A is edited and condensed from that conversation.

Costello: Is this moment an inflection point for COVID-19?

Cody: It certainly is. I have to tell you, to be candid, June was an incredibly depressing month for us here in the local response because I had my heart set on full containment. In Santa Clara County, the community came together. For the most part, everybody really was working together. We had our infection rates pretty darn low. We held them low.

We built up the infrastructure that we needed as far as testing, case investigation and contact tracing. I really, honestly, thought in my heart that we were going to be able to get pretty close to identifying enough cases and interrupting enough chains of transmission that we were going to continue to bend the curve down. I really felt it in my heart.

Costello: What happened?

Cody: The rest of the world happened. Were not an island. Were not New Zealand. Were not Taiwan. We are part of a big ecosystem. The rest of the ecosystem was not playing the same, not working from the same playbook.

Costello: Where are the new cases coming from? Do you know?

Cody: I am not sure that I can tell you what's driving this increase, because its not clear to me yet. The truth is that Im not really sure, because things took off starting in mid-June and really started to accelerate the last week in June.

We saw that pattern here, and a similar pattern in San Francisco, Contra Costa, Alameda, all around the Bay Area. Something happened. It could have been fatigue with shelterinplace, coupled with maybe a little bit of acceleration from Memorial Day weekend gatherings or graduation gatherings. Weve not had indoor dining, indoor bars, religious ceremonies or things like that. Thats not whats driving the epidemic here. The honest truth is we dont quite know.

Costello: Nursing homes and assisted living facilities have been hit hard in Santa Clara County and around the country. Are they in any better shape today than earlier in the pandemic?

Cody: I would say in somewhat better shape. The really critical thing to remember is that we have to be constantly vigilant, because longterm care facilities and nursing facilities are so vulnerable. If a staff member, or anyone working and caring for patients there, comes in infected and doesnt know it, the infection can spread to the residents. We see much higher rates of hospitalizations and death there than in any other settings.

The only way weve figured out to prevent this is to ensure that staff are frequently screened. If we see a signal, and it doesnt have to be a very large signal, then we have teams go out and test everyone in the facility, staff and residents.

We are continually seeing the introduction of the virus into skilled nursing facilities and other long-term care facilities. The greater the prevalence in the community, the higher the number of long-term care facilities that pop up with cases. Not surprisingly, the staff represent the community around the facility.

This has been an extraordinarily humbling and challenging event. We have this system that sometimes feels like its made of matchsticks and scotch tape. Were trying to put this enormous, heavy burden on this pretty underdeveloped infrastructure. Not surprisingly, it breaks.

Costello: We hear that contact tracing is both challenging and expensive. Whats your experience with it?

Cody: Contact tracing is challenging. Our experience has been mixed. We really had our hearts set on rapidly scaling contact tracing, hoping to identify chains of transmission and really stop them in their tracks by ensuring that contacts quarantined before they became unknowingly infectious.

The part thats gone well is we have been able to scale the number of staff of contact tracers. We had a plan and built a huge team. Of course, when you build a huge team, go from 0 to 150 in a very short period of time, its not all experienced public health workers. The size of the team is twice the size of our entire public health department.

The challenge is that oldfashioned, shoe leather epidemiology is very high touch, where were in the community. We have staff from communities working within their communities to help people understand whats going on and how to safely isolate or quarantine.

The overall effectiveness of contact tracing, however, depends on being able to reach the contacts and get them quarantined. That has been a real struggle. Were right in the thick of trying to figure out how well are we doing: Where are the places that we can improve? How do we do it? How fast do we do it?

Costello: After we get through this, what do you want Americans to know and remember about the nations public health system?

Cody: This has been an extraordinarily humbling and challenging event. We have this system that sometimes feels like its made of matchsticks and scotch tape. Were trying to put this enormous, heavy burden on this pretty underdeveloped infrastructure. Not surprisingly, it breaks.

We have not invested in public health preparedness or public health infrastructure at all. Thats at every level  federal, state and local. How many public health physicians, public health nurses, community workers and epidemiologists are there in the country? Not that many as it turns out. Not nearly enough.

All of the real basics that you need for public health to do its work  the infrastructure  is very thin everywhere. Its precisely that infrastructure that we're relying on to mount the response. I hope that we look back and say, Let's learn and lets invest so that we do better next time.

Costello: Youve been going at this 24/7 since January. You mentioned that June was a particularly tough month. I hear in your voice pain. Where does your reservoir of resilience come from, that stamina?

Cody: I like the people that Im with a lot. I look forward to seeing them. It really is like another family. Theres a real camaraderie and sense of mission, family and respect thats grown over time. Theres enough drama for a TV series, no question. Yet, its a very positive group dynamic thats developed over time that's quite supportive and keeps us all humming along.

Costello: Youre a self-described introvert. Taking on this prominent role must be, in some ways, really difficult. What's it like to have this significant public presence where everything you do is being watched, welcomed, criticized?

Cody: It is uncomfortable. (laughs) Press conferences, television. I just dig deep, find another part of myself and get a lot of support from my colleagues. Everybody has a pretty good sense of humor. That helps a lot. Left to my own devices, I would be very happy sitting alone in a comfortable chair with a good book.

Editors note: As of Oct. 6, Santa Clara County health officials reported that, so far, nearly 22,000 people in the county had tested positive for COVID-19 and 345 people had died from the disease.
Incentives to lure women back to the workforce and boost their earnings and retirement savings will be unveiled by the Morrison government as part of a pandemic recovery plan.

In a sign the government has heeded warnings women are bearing the brunt of the coronavirus-induced slowdown, Assistant Minister for Financial Services Jane Hume will reveal details of a plan to address inequities in the workforce and the gap between women and men's superannuation savings.

Minister for Superannuation and Financial Services Jane Hume will ask the superannuation sector to do more to improve financial education among women. Credit:James Alcock

"I can assure you that the government  and I personally  am acutely aware of the superannuation gap for women," a copy of her speech seen by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age says. "We know the superannuation system was not designed specifically for women."

A group of female ministers has been working on a new women's economic security statement, in a refresh of a November 2018 report launched by then-minister for women Kelly O'Dwyer. The new version is led by Minister for Women Marise Payne, with input from Senator Hume, Minister for Social Services Anne Ruston, Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash and Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews.
Marine freight volumes are down 40pc this year due to the impact of Covid-19, according to a report from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

In Ireland the transport and logistics sector is made up a few large businesses and a small number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The sector accounted for about 5pc of total employment here in 2018, about half of which was outside Dublin.

The report has warned that every business in the aviation chain, with the exception of dedicated cargo operators, have seen severe reduction business and are facing various degrees of financial challenges.

Airports, airlines and their suppliers all having to down-size and reduce staff numbers, according to the report.

Meanwhile, road haulage companies are also under pressure due to the reduction in goods moving across Europe.

However, as sectors begin to re-open both in Ireland and across Europe, the demand for goods should begin to rebound toward more traditional levels, the report says.

In addition, some transport companies here have been able to increase their headcount due to the growth in online shopping.

Overall, the report finds that the prospects for the transport sector will be determined by the pace of, and extent to which, economic and social activity returns as well as by the supports necessary to sustain it.

Globally, the first half of this year could see a 25pc reduction in shipping, with a 10pc annual fall over the 12 months.

In addition, supply chains are being impacted by the need to improve safety and social distancing measures.
Food Lion MVP

Food Lion MVP Savings

Food Lion MVP Savings

SALISBURY, N.C., Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Food Lions MVP Rewards customer loyalty program was named The Loyalty Reports Best U.S. Grocery Retail Program of 2020.



Bonds annual report, produced in partnership with Visa, surveyed almost 70,000 consumers on more than 100 attributes that examine more than 1,000 loyalty and credit card programs across 34 global markets.

Nourishing our communities is at the core of everything we do at Food Lion, and making it easier for our neighbors to affordably and reliably feed their families is what were all about, said Neil Norman, director of Customer Loyalty & Shopper Marketing. This honor is a great testimony to our brand, our strategy, and our culture.

The attributes surveyed included Loyalty Mechanics, Program Influence, Behavioral Loyalty, Emotional Loyalty, Earn Mechanics, Rewards & Redemption, Brand Alignment, Human Experiences, and Digital Experiences.

According to The Loyalty Report 2020, continued customer loyalty brings positive outcomes for brands, the following facts also stood out:

72% of customers say they are more likely to recommend brands with good loyalty programs

78% of customers say they are more likely to continue to do business with companies that have good loyalty programs.

The Food Lion MVP Program allows shoppers to save on top of Food Lions everyday low prices, as well as earn monthly rewards on items they already buy. The program offers exclusive coupon discounts to MVP Reward program participants, enables them to track their savings and save hundreds of dollars on their groceries all by creating a free account.

Since Food Lion's Shop & Earn MVP personalized rewards program launched in February 2018, MVP customers have saved more than $58 million on top of their usual MVP savings. Customers can participate in Shop & Earn by creating a digital MVP card account at Foodlion.com or via the Food Lion app and loading their monthly offers.

Story continues

In its 10th year of publication, The Loyalty Report, produced in partnership with Visa, is recognized as the industrys longest-standing and largest global study on customer engagement, loyalty attitudes, behaviors, drivers and distribution.

To learn more about the Food Lion MVP Program visit https://www.foodlion.com/mvp-program/

To learn more about The Loyalty Report 2020 visit www.bondbrandloyalty.com .

About Food Lion

Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, has more than 1,000 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 77,000 associates. By leveraging its longstanding heritage of low prices and convenient locations, Food Lion is working to own the easiest full shop grocery experience in the Southeast, anchored by a strong commitment to affordability, freshness and the communities it serves. Through Food Lion Feeds, the company has donated more than 500 million meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donate 1 billion more meals by 2025. Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com.

CONTACTS: Emma A. Inman, APR emma.inman@foodlion.com

(757) 408-0110 Matt Harakal matthew.harakal@foodlion.com (704) 245-3317

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7306a27a-bc8b-4518-92fc-9be188ae2017






China National Academy of Painting shows artworks to celebrate its new Mingde Building being put in use. [For China Daily]

An exhibition is being held at the China National Academy of Painting in Beijing to celebrate the opening of its new creation building on August 15.

The exhibition runs at the much-anticipated Mingde Building through September 15 and shows more than 200 works across different media, including painting, calligraphy, sculpture and prints. All are produced by either the academy's resident artists or visiting artists and researchers.

The building provides extensive space for future exhibitions and more studios to accommodate artists and scholars from across the country.

China National Academy of Painting shows artworks to celebrate its new Mingde Building being put in use. [For China Daily]

China National Academy of Painting shows artworks to celebrate its new Mingde Building being put in use. [For China Daily]

China National Academy of Painting shows artworks to celebrate its new Mingde Building being put in use. [For China Daily]

China National Academy of Painting shows artworks to celebrate its new Mingde Building being put in use. [For China Daily]

(Source: China Daily)
Jake Sullivan, the vice presidents former national security adviser, is now senior adviser to his campaign. Writing in The Atlantic last year, Mr. Sullivan argued that the United States must re-embrace American exceptionalism, returning to a foreign policy of global leadership with a renewed belief in the power of American values in the world.

Many of Mr. Bidens other advisers also seem to want to return America to the pre-Trump interventionist consensus. Nicholas Burns  a formal campaign adviser  was a strong proponent of the 2003 Iraq War. And Antony J. Blinken, who preceded Mr. Sullivan as Vice President Bidens national security adviser and is now a top foreign policy aide on the campaign, co-authored an essay in 2019 with the neoconservative Robert Kagan condemning Mr. Trumps willingness to consider removing troops from Afghanistan and criticizing Barack Obamas decision not to intervene in Syria. (Mr. Blinken was also previously a contributing Opinion writer for The Times.)

Other former Obama hands are involved in more informal campaign roles: Samantha Power is well known for advocating intervention in Libya, Syria and elsewhere. And Michele Flournoy, widely touted as a possible secretary of defense, argued just a few weeks ago that the United States must make big bets with military spending to maintain our military capabilities.

Progressive voices  including those from the Obama administration  seem to have been left out of the campaign. Thats a shame, not least because this years Democratic primary was notable for its debates on foreign policy. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren helped push important conversations on key issues like military spending and the use of force, reflecting the hunger of the Democratic base for something new. (And its not just the Democratic base. Mr. Trumps antiwar rhetoric in 2016 was popular with Republican voters, too.)

By seeking to restore American leadership, Mr. Biden is also likely to miss the opportunity to build a more constructive, less militarized foreign policy that sees allies as real partners, not just as followers. Such an approach would push to increase burden sharing, something Mr. Trump has championed, if inelegantly. It would focus on multilateral diplomacy  rather than simply pushing American demands  wherever possible. And it would seek to dial down tensions with China rather than intensify them through increased military presence or sanctions.

At the end of the day, theres little doubt that Mr. Bidens foreign policy would be better than that of Mr. Trump. From his lawless assassinations in the Middle East and his contempt for diplomacy to his incessant attempt to drum up confrontation with China, Mr. Trump has been a destabilizing force in the world.

But his unusual presidency did create an opportunity for Americans. It allowed them to question old  and flawed  assumptions about our countrys approach to the world. By taking us back to the past of American foreign policy, Mr. Biden is doing the opposite. He might think hes returning us to normalcy. Instead, hes squandering his opportunity to build American foreign policy back better.

Emma Ashford (@EmmaMAshford) is a research fellow in defense and foreign policy at the Cato Institute.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com.

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 25/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

Newly minted Conservative leader Erin OTooles platform is called "Take Back Canada."

Its an aggressive, populist plea to patriotism, right out of the playbook of Donald Trump. During the federal leadership campaign, OToole even added the phrase "Join Our Fight" (the slogans might have appeared on red hats if not for the fact that its a Liberal colour).

The appeal seemed odd considering OTooles political past.

When he ran for the federal Conservative leadership in 2017, he was known as a moderate, consensus-building option  and certainly more centrist than Andrew Scheer and Maxime Bernier.

Back then, OToole shied away from hard-line, social conservative positions on abortion, LGBTTQ+ rights, and womens rights which, in the end, cost him support.

So, in this years federal contest, OToole tried a different approach, mustering up all the right-wing bluster he could  vowing to battle "cancel culture," "a radical left agenda," and "stand up for free speech"  while appealing to tried and true Conservative positions like defunding the CBC, scrapping the carbon tax, and taking "a hard line on China."

He even played the anti-terrorist, xenophobic card, blaming protests against pipelines in Alberta on "foreign interests," promising to "end charitable funding for all groups accepting foreign funds and engaging in blockades and lawlessness."

OTooles most savvy move though was to allow for social conservative beliefs to exist under his leadership without taking a solid stance on them.

Instead of taking hard stances, OToole called himself a "liberty-minded Conservative" who defends "rights" determined by the courts. In an interview with Macleans, he said he will "defend religious freedom and conscience rights and I can show that Ill defend that just as strongly as I try to defend womens rights and LGBT rights."

So, for likely the first time in history, the Conservative party is led by someone who is pro-choice (for the first trimester), marches in Pride parades, and has voted for transgender rights.

OToole even said during the campaign debate that the federal government should ensure that there is "no inherent areas of bias"  and specifically anti-Black racism  in the RCMP (but at the same time he could not define "systemic racism").

In fact, traditional social conservative positions are hard to find in OTooles "Take Back Canada" plan.

But theyre there.

Theres pro-gun ownership, stronger immigration controls encouraging "privately sponsored as opposed to government-assisted" individuals, and a promise to use the notwithstanding clause to circumvent courts and impose mandatory minimum sentences.

So, while OTooles progressive or social conservative self will eventually show through, one thing he has been remarkably consistent on is his beliefs on Indigenous peoples.

This is found in his use of the term "two founding peoples" in Canada throughout his platform (which he also said in French during his victory speech).

First Nations, Inuit, and Metis are footnotes to the great Canadian story OToole writes.

While OToole does say he "supports reconciliation" in his platform, his interest in Indigenous communities are solely economic. He even calls his plan "Igniting the Indigenous Economy."

Wait until he finds out there are over 650 different economies.

While he says he will solve land claims, provide drinking water and "value and respect the nation-to-nation" relationship (these arent promises by the way: thats called law), OTooles platform echoes his past support of failed Harper initiatives that control Indigenous communities like the First Nations Financial Transparency Act (which OToole promised in 2017 to re-install) and promises to transition First Nations governments into tax-delivering, resource management, and pro-Canadian entities.

OTooles plan is standard Conservative fare: turning Indigenous communities into cogs for Canadas resource-consuming, export-based, anti-Indigenous-rights economy.

Anyone who challenges this by blocking or marching on a highway or train line will face the wrath of OTooles vowed "Freedom of Movement" law that he promises will "prevent radicals from shutting down the economy and preventing people from living in fear."

This is an odd use of the courts, who tend to favour treaty and Indigenous rights due to Canadas brutal history of violence and genocide  but OToole doesnt seem too concerned about court decisions here (so much for being a "liberty-minded Conservative").

OToole promises some other things, like land-based programming for those suffering from addictions, but one wonders where the land will be since it will be used for oil, gas, and mining.

Someone should tell him land-based programming needs to centre on the land  something land protectors tell us during marches and occupations.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Oh yeah, we wont have to worry about them: OToole will put them in prison.

Suddenly, OTooles promise to "Take Back Canada" makes sense.

Hes taking it from Indigenous peoples.

Nothing new about that.

Its the same-old, consistent Canadian message, regardless of who is in charge.

niigaan.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca
S ome of us were straight out the starting blocks on July 4, making up for lost time by diligently hoovering up every much-missed dish on our post-lockdown restaurant wishlist.

Others have needed a bit of encouragement  but its amazing what a free tenner can do.

The governments Eat Out to Help Out scheme has largely been hailed as a success by UK restaurateurs, helping to pack out dining rooms across the country from Mondays to Wednesdays throughout August.

And now the deal  which offers 50 per cent off meals in participating restaurants, up to the value of 10  has inspired some restaurants to continue offering similar discounts off their own backs.

While wed encourage you to foot the full bill at London restaurants as much as possible (the idea is to help out, after all), weve listed the places offering EOTHO-style deals during September and, in some cases, beyond.

There are now more than 100 restaurants (that we know of) extending their offers into this month, so as well as showcasing as many as we can, we've also highlighted our top ten places offering what we think are some of the best deals out there.

From discounted weekend brunches to bottomless cheese for a little over 10, heres where to continue eating out and helping out next month.

Kricket

Hugh Johnson

For fans of acclaimed Indian restaurant group Kricket, 2020 is starting to look a little bit brighter. All three locations of its locations (Soho, Brixton and White City) will continue to offer 50 per cent off food and soft drinks on Mondays only, but will get rid of the 10 cap and make the offer available every week until the end of the year  thats 50 per cent off your entire meal. Keralan fried chicken, butternut squash makhani and samphire pakoras all in for 14.75? Yes please.

W1, W12, SW9, kricket.co.uk

Smokestak

David Carters barbecue restaurant had been offering a 4For10 deal during Eat Out to Help Out, feeding diners a set menu of four dishes for just 10. The restaurant will continue the offer from Monday to Wednesday in September, upping the price ever-so-slightly to 15  still a cracking deal, particularly with its signature brisket bun included.

35 Sclater Street, E1 6LB, smokestak.co.uk

The Cheese Bar

During Eat Out to Help Out, the Camden restaurant not only offered a 10 discount, but it offered it on bottomless raclette every Wednesday night. The restaurants says it's already gone through more than half a tonne of Ogleshield cheese in August, and so will continue the weekly deal throughout September, charging just 12 per person. Its sibling restaurant Pick & Cheese will also offer unlimited plates of British cheeses from its conveyor belt for just 20 per person, from Thursday to Sunday.

NW1, WC2, thecheesebar.com

Boxpark

Across its three London sites in Croydon, Shoreditch and Wembley, the street food market group will be offering 20 per cent off food from more than 30 traders from Monday to Wednesday, ith visitors also able to get the same discount the rest of the week with the use of a Boxpark Black Card. Those visiting in the earlier part of the week can also get 20 per cent off drinks, including wine, beer and alcoholic slushies.

E1, HA9, CR0, boxpark.co.uk

Barboun

The Levantine restaurant in Shoreditch will not only continue to offer 50 per cent discounts up to 10 per person, but itll also do it on the most popular dining days of the week. During September, Barboun will offer half price food and soft drinks from Wednesday to Sunday, meaning diners can also tuck into the weekend brunch on the cheap.

61-67 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HU, barboun.com

Bala Baya

The Tel Aviv-inspired restaurant in Southwark will continue to offer the governments discount in September. Diner from Monday to Wednesday can enjoy up to 10 off Israeli sharing plates, or tuck into chef Eran Tibis Taste of Tel Aviv menu, which serves diners a choice of their two favourite small plates, a pita and a dip for just 10 per person on the designated days.

Arch 225, 229 Union Street, SE1 0LR, balabaya.co.uk

Hicce

Pip Laceys Coal Drops Yard restaurant will offer the same discount with the same cap as it did during Eat Out to Help Out, but will be loosening up the days a little bit. Starting from September 2, Hicce will offerthe 50 per cent discount on Tuesday and Wednesday dinners, but also at lunchtime on Thursdays and Fridays. Itll be available for booked tables only, and diners will need to quote #eatoutout in order to retrieve the discount.

Unit 102, Stable Street, N1C 4DQ, hicce.co.uk

Bunga Bunga Battersea

The party is back on at the Battersea location of eccentric pizza bar Bunga Bunga, which reopens on September 4. Diners can get 10 per person off their bill (including drinks) on any night of the week in the month  the offer is even available as part of its new singing-in-the-shower-themed Kara-soaky Saturdays. To make a booking, you can now download the new Inception Group App from Bunga Bungas parent company  anyone who does will receive a free glass of Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne at any of its venues.

37 Battersea Bridge Road, SW11 3BA, bungabunga.com

JKS Restaurants

The team behind Michelin-starred Indian restaurants Gymkhana and Trishna, and highly praised sibling restaurant Brigadiers will be running a Stay Eating Out discount across all three in September. Available on most days of the week at lunch or dinner or both (days and times vary at each restaurant, so check before you go), diners just need to quote Stay Eating Out when booking to get a 20 per cent discount on their entire food bill.

EC4 (Brigadiers), W1 (Gymkhana, Trishna), jksrestaurants.com

Social Eating House

Jason Athertons Social Eating House wowed diners in August with the chance to enjoy a Michelin-starred meal for just 12. In September, the Soho restaurant is continuing to offer a very reasonably priced set menu, by knocking 10 off its Autumn offering, allowing diners to enjoy two courses for 19 or three for 25. You can tuck into the menu from Tuesday to Saturday at lunchtime, or from Tuesday to Friday for dinner between 6pm and 6.30pm.

58 Poland Street, W1F 7NR, socialeatinghouse.com

For more London restaurants offering EOTHO-inspired discounts in September, see our full list below.

Please note that discounts do not largely cover alcoholic drinks unless otherwise stated, and please do check out the full terms and conditions of the offer with the restaurant before heading there.

Grosvenor Estates The property company is footing the bill for a 50 per cent off deal (10 cap) at dozens of its tenant restaurants, including Hunan, Roka Mayfair, Pizza Pilgrims Victoria, The Mayfair Chippy, La Poule au Pot, Wild by Tart, Jones Family Kitchen and more. Various locations in W1 and SW1, grosvenorlondon.com

Bubala Mezze Mondays continue for just 20 per person. 65 Commercial Street, E1 6BD, bubala.co.uk

Maggie Jones Princess Margarets former haunt offering 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). 6 Old Court Place, W8 4PL, http://www.maggie-jones.co.uk

Benares 50 per cent off at the high-end Indian (10 cap), from Tuesday to Thursday. 12a Berkeley Square, W1J 6BS, benaresrestaurant.com

Camino Tapas restaurants offering 10 off a la carte meals, Monday to Thursday. N1, EC2, SE1, EC3 (reopens September 7), camino.uk.com

Chotto Matte 50 per cent off at the Peruvian party restaurant (10 cap), Monday to Wednesday. 11-13 Frith Street, W1D 4RB, chotto-matte.com

Balans Much-loved comfort food spots taking 50 per cent of food (with a 10 cap), Monday to Wednesday. Two locations in W1, W8, W12, E20, balans.co.uk

Casa Do Frango Piri piri chicken with 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). SE1, EC2, casadofrango.co.uk

Delhi Grill North Indian restaurant offering 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap) every day. 21 Chapel Market, N1 9EZ, delhigrill.com

Pasta Remoli 50 per cent off food (with a 10 cap) at the fresh pasta restaurants. E20, HA9, W5, N4, pastaremoli.co.uk

Oren Eastern Mediterranean food from Oded Oren with 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). 89 Shacklewell Lane, E8 2EB, orenlondon.com

Townsend Whitechapel Gallery restaurant offering a 20 set menu, Tuesday to Thursday. 77-82 Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX, whitechapelgallery.org

Polpo Venetian small plates with 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). W1, SW3, polpo.co.uk

Temper 50 per cent off at the barbecue restaurants (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday. Quote EOTHO123 on booking. W1, WC2, EC2, temperrestaurant.com

The Duck and Rice 50 per cent off (10 cap) at the Chinese pub restaurant, Tuesday and Wednesday for the first two weeks of September. 90 Berwick Street, W1F 0QB, theduckandrice.com

Goodman Steak frites and a glass of red wine for 20 (10 off). W1, EC2 (reopens September 8), goodmanrestaurants.com

Zelman Meats Wagyu burger and chips for 10 (10 off), Monday to Wednesday. 5th Floor, Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ, zelmanmeats.com

Gunpowder Rice Plate Special for 10 at lunch, featuring daily changing dish, salad and pickle. E1, SE1, gunpowderlondon.com

Pachamama 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday) at the Peruvian restaurants. Quote LAMA on booking. W1, EC2, pachamamalondon.com

Aquavit 5 off the set lunch menu at the Michelin-starred Nordic restaurant, every day. Two courses for 24, three for 27. 1 Carlton Street, SW1Y 4QQ, aquavitrestaurants.com

Nanban Brixton ramen favourite from MasterChef's Tim Anderson offering 50 per cent off (10 cap, Mondays and Tuesdays). 426 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LF, nanban.co.uk

Veeraswamy Michelin-starred Indian restaurant offering 10 off dinner, with a minimum spend of 50 per person, Monday to Thursday. Victory House, 99-101 Regent Street, W1B 4RS, veeraswamy.com

Zuaya Latin American restaurant offering 50 per cent off in Kensington (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). 35B Kensington High Street, W8 5EB, zuaya.co.uk

Novikov 10 daily special dish at Mayfair restaurant, from Monday to Wednesday. 50A Berkeley Street, W1J 8HA, novikovrestaurant.co.uk

Ombra 50 per cent off at the Venetian bacaro in Hackney (with a 10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). 1 Vyner Street, E2 9DG, ombrabar.restaurant

The Wigmore The Langhams upmarket pub, offering 50 per cent off (10 cap) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 15 Langham Place, W1B 3DE, the-wigmore.co.uk

Daylesford 50 per cent off (10 cap) at the Pimlico farm shops cafe, Monday to Wednesday. 44B Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LP, daylesford.com

Darwin Brasserie Panoramic views at the top of the Walkie Talkie, with 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). Level 36 Sky Garden, 20 Philpot Lane, EC3M 8AF, skygarden.london

Fenchurch Next to Darwin at the Sky Garden, also offering 50 per cent off (10 cap, Thursday to Sunday). 1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF, skygarden.london

Opso Greek restaurant offering 50 per cent off (10 cap, September 7-9, 14-16). 10 Paddington Street, W1U 5QL, opso.co.uk

Sea Containers Restaurant Riverside hotel restaurant offering 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap) on Wednesdays. 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD, seacontainerslondon.com

Inamo High-tech Japanese restaurants offering 50 per cent off its a la carte menu (10 cap), from Monday to Thursday. W1, WC2, inamo-restaurant.com

The Spread Eagle Londons first vegan pub, offering 50 per cent off (10 cap) to NHS card holders, every day. 224 Homerton High Street, E9 6AS, thespreadeaglelondon.co.uk

Tigre Tacos at Nine Lives Alley Southern Californian-style tacos with 50 per cent off (10 cap, Tuesday and Wednesday). 8 Holyrood Street, SE1 2EL, ninelivesbar.com

Farzi Cafe 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap) at the Indian restaurant, from Monday to Friday (5pm to 10.30pm), and Saturday (12pm-5pm). 8 Haymarket, SW1Y 4BP, farzilondon.com

New restaurants opening in London in September 1 /12 New restaurants opening in London in September Chishuru Last year, Adejoke Bakare impressed the likes of Jackson Boxer, James Cochran and Claire Ptak to be crowned a winner of the Brixton Kitchen competition. Now, the Nigerian-born chef is upgrading her Chishuru supperclub concept to open as a bricks-and-mortar restaurant, showcasing lesser known dishes from West African cuisines. Combining British and African produce, the Brixton Village restaurant is set to serve the likes of waina (fermented rice balls) with a squash, peanut and tamarind sauce; grilled dishes of benne chicken and beef suya; lansir, ose oji and cassava salads, and desserts including baobab mousse with peanut ice cream, malted millet and sorghum molasses granola. Club Mexicana Drinks arent free, but Club Mexicana has many other selling points  particularly for vegans. The plant-based Mexican food concept has spent the last five years shuttling from street food stalls to kitchen residencies (including one at Londons first vegan pub), before landing a semi-permanent spot at Kerbs Seven Dials Market, and now its own full-blown taqueria-style restaurant in Sohos Kingly Court. Chef Meriel Armitages menu of tacos, burritos and margaritas is entirely animal product-free, with tacos filled with panko-crusted baja tofish, chickn and avocado, and a short rib taco with hickory-smoked barbecue sauce and pickled cucumber. Nic Crilly-Hargrave The Windmill Guinea Grill man Oisin Rogers has turned his attentive eye to the Windmill. The upstairs room here, a warming, welcoming 26-cover spot, will go beyond the pub's famous pies, serving the likes of ox cheeks, lamb rump and finely cooked turbot, though dishes will change regularly. Fans of the Guinea will be well satisfied here: familiar faces now working at both pubs include head chef Nathan Richardson, front of house Sujan Chowdhury and head sommelier Vladimir Olaru. The restaurant manager will be Dominic Rowntree, known to many as Instagram's @samphireandsalsify. And, like the Guinea, the Windmill promises to be a perfect spot for oysters and Guinness. Louie Theres more than one Louie coming to Covent Garden this month. The new late-night restaurant arriving over the road from The Ivy takes inspiration from both 17th century French king Louis XIV and jazz legend Louis Armstrong, whose Louisiana birthplace was named for the former. The Franco-American bond continues into the present day, with Parisian restaurateur Laurent de Gourcuff joining forces with New Orleans chef Slade Rushing, as well as London members club supremo Guillame Glipa. In the former home of LAtelier de Joel Robuchon, expect Creole flavours with a French fine dining influence (as well as the odd New York pizza slice), accompanied by jazz piano and DJ sets until as late as 2.30am. Rondo When one door closes, another opens: Quality Chop House restaurateur William Lander sadly had to close critically acclaimed Italian Emilia after lockdown, but this month hes opening brand new venture Rondo at The Hoxton hotel in Holborn. The restaurant sees Lander team up with his former St. John colleague Chris Gillard, the Michelin-starred restaurants longtime head chef. Gillards menu features homages to his former gig with bone marrow toasties and crispy pigs cheek salads, as well as dishes of grey mullet with tomato, fennel and aioli and a Tamworth pork chop with bobby beans and chutney. Landers touch comes in the form of an expertly chosen wine list, featuring a Euro-centric selection displayed on the restaurants wine wall. Maison Francois The foodie kudos involved in this new venture goes back generations  and has links to a familiar name for longstanding Standard readers. Founder Francois ONeill is the nephew of former Evening Standard food critic Quentin Crewe and eventual custodian of Crewes Knightsbridge restaurant Brasserie St. Quentin (co-owned with his brother Hugh ONeill). The younger ONeill has teamed up with Masterchef: The Professionals finalist Matthew Ryle and former Scotts maitre d Ed Wyand, with the trio opening Maison Francois as a tribute to the grand brasseries of Paris, Lyon and Alsace, with the menu promising Sabodet saucisson among the homemade charcuterie; rustic terrines; Reblochon gougeres; grilled dishes of poulet roti, and desserts including praline Paris-Brests. Steven Joyce Cocktails in the City In previous years, Cocktails In The City has brought together dozens of the citys top bars under one roof. This year, theyre doing just that, but in the form of an al fresco garden party in Bloomsburys Bedford Square Gardens, with participating bars including Trailer Happiness, The Coral Room, Nightjar and many more. September Chef Series at Kricket Indian restaurant favourite Kricket is teaming up with some of the capitals top chefs to host a series of special Tuesday night dinners in aid of anti-trafficking charity Ape Aap Womens Collective. Andrew Wong, Vivek Singh and Nuno Mendes will all collaborate with Krickets Will Bowlby on three-course sharing menus, priced at 50 per person. Hugh Johnson Fish and chips for a fiver at Poppies National Fish & Chips Day was this year postponed from July to September 4, but its back with a bang at London chippy Poppies. On the big day, all of the restaurants locations will be offering diners a portion of fish and chips for just 5 between the hours of 3pm and 6pm. If you miss it, Poppies will also be offering a variety of Cheap As Chips deals throughout the month.

Norma A pasta special for 10, Monday to Thursday. 8 Charlotte Street, W1T 2LS, normalondon.com

Sticky Mango 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday) at acclaimed South East Asian restaurant. 33 Coin Street, SE1 9NR, stickymango.co.uk

Top Cuvee Restaurant-turned-lockdown shop offering 25 per cent off food on Wednesdays. 177B Blackstock Road, N5 2LL, topcuvee.com

Murano Angela Hartnetts Michelin-starred restaurant offering 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). 20 Queen Street, W1J 5PP, muranolondon.com

Cafe Murano Hartnetts more casual restaurants, also offering 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). W1, SE, muranolondon.com

Shoryu 50 per cent off all curry and ramen dishes from Monday to Wednesday. Various locations, shoryuramen.com

Paladar Gluten-free Latin American offering 50 per cent off, Monday to Wednesday. 4-5 London Road, SE1 6JZ, paladarlondon.com

Dalloway Terrace Bloomsburys floral terrace restaurant offering 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). 16-22 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NN, dallowayterrace.com

Arabica 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday) at the Levantine-inspired restaurants. N1, SE1, arabicalondon.com

Scarlett Green, Ziggy Green Australian-style brunch spots offering 50 per cent off, Monday to Wednesday. Various locations, daisygreenfood.com

Applebees Fish 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap) seafood in Borough Market on Mondays and Tuesdays. 5 Stoney Street, SE1 9AA, applebeesfish.com

Shack-Fuyu Soho Japanese restaurant offering 50 per cent off (Monday to Wednesday, 10 cap)14A Old Compton Street, W1D 4TJ, bonedaddies.com

Flesh & Buns Bao buns and more with 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap) from Monday to Thursday. W1, WC2, fleshandbuns.com

Kahani 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap) at Peter Josephs Indian restaurant, from Tuesday to Saturday. 1 Wilbraham Place, SW1X 9AE, kahanilondon.com

Emilias Crafted Pasta 50 per cent off all pasta (with a 10 cap) on Mondays and Tuesdays. Two locations in E1, emiliaspasta.com

Hot Stone 50 per cent off (10 cap) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, on steak, sushi and more. 9 Chapel Market, N1 9EZ, hotstonelondon.com

Kanishka Atul Kochars restaurant offering 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap) from Tuesday to Thursday, and on Sunday too. 17-19 Maddox Street, W1S 2QH, kanishkarestaurant.co.uk

Humble Grape 50 per cent off food at the wine bar group (Monday to Wednesday, with a 10 cap) EC4, N1, EC2, SW11, E14, humblegrape.co.uk

Homeslice 50 per cent off 20-inch pizzas (and slices), from Monday to Wednesday, with a 10 cap. W1, W12, EC4, EC1, homeslicepizza.co.uk

Manteca Three-course menu for 10, Monday to Wednesday. 58-59 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7JY, mantecarestaurant.co.uk

Jose Pizarro Restaurants 50 per cent off tapas and more Spanish food (Monday to Wednesday, with a 10 cap). Two locations in SE1, EC2, KT10, josepizarro.com

Gaucho Argentinian steak chain offering 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap), from Monday to Wednesday).Various locations, gauchorestaurants.com

M Restaurants Gauchos sibling, also doing 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap), from Monday to Wednesday). SW1, EC2, mrestaurants.co.uk

Lady of the Grapes Covent Garden wine bar and restaurant, offering 50 per cent off (10 cap) from Monday to Wednesday in September, and Wednesday to Friday in October (lunch only). 16 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NJ, ladyofthegrapes.com

The Gilbert Scott Marcus Wareings restaurant at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel offering 50 per cent off (10 cap) on Tuesday and Wednesday. St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, NW1 2AR, thegilbertscott.com

Brindisa Tapas with 50 per cent off (10 cap), from Monday to Thursday. Quote Comemos when booking. W1, SE1, SW7, EC2, SW11, brindisakitchens.com

Sams Riverside Sam Harrisons Hammersmith restaurant is offering 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap), every Tuesday and Wednesday. 1 Crisp Road, W6 9DN, samsriverside.co.uk

Aqua Group 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap) at Aqua Shard, Aqua Kyoto and Hutong, with a minimum spend of 30. W1, two locations in SE1, aquashard.co.uk

Pick & Cheese Unlimited plates of British cheeses for just 20 per person, Thursday to Sunday. Seven Dials Market, WC2H 9AT, thecheesebar.com

The Athenaeum Dine at the Mayfair hotel with 50 per cent off (10 cap), Monday to Thursday. 116 Piccadilly, W1J 7BJ, athenaeumhotel.com

The Coach Makers Arms 50 per cent off at the upmarket Marylebone pub (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). Select the Eat Out to Help Out option on booking. 88 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2PY, thecoachmakersarms.co.uk

The Lebanese Bakery Manousheh flatbreads and more with 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). WC2, SW1, thelebanesebakery.com

The Hari 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday) at the hotels restaurants, including Il Pampero. 20 Chesham Place, SW1X 8HQ, thehari.com

Tozi Veneto-inspired Italian restaurant, 10 off meals from Tuesday to Thursday. 8 Gillingham Street, SW1V 1HJ, tozirestaurant.co.uk

Feya Cafe Instagram-friendly spot offering 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). 23 James Street, W1U 1DT, feya.co.uk

The Real Greek Hellenic-inspired restaurant chain offering 50 per cent off set lunch meu and Filoxenia dinner menu (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). Various locations, therealgreek.com

Yuu Kitchen Book to get 50 per cent off the bill (10 cap) at pan Asian restaurant, from Tuesday to Thursday. 29 Commercial Street, E1 6NE, yuukitchen.com

Oxo Tower Restaurant and Brasserie Riverside restaurant at the famous Oxo Tower, 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). Barge House Street, SE1 9PH, harveynichols.com

Bombay Palace Tyburnia restaurant offering 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday and Wednesday). Quote EOHO on booking. 50 Connaught Street, W2 2AA, bombay-palace.co.uk

Heliot Steak House 50 per cent off steak and more (with a 10 cap) from Sunday to Wednesday. Hippodrome Casino, Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH, hippodromecasino.com

Bills 50 per cent off at the brasserie chain (with a 10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). Various locations, bills-website.co.uk

By Chloe LA-hailing vegan burgers and more get a 50 per cent discount (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). W1, WC2, SE1, eatbychloe.com

Mama Shelter London Stylish east London hangout, offering 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap), from Monday to Wednesday. 437 Hackney Road, E2 8PP, mamashelter.com

Madera 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap), from Monday to Wednesday at the rooftop Cali-Mexican restaurant. 14-15 Langham Place, W1B 2QS, treehousehotels.com

Jurema Leafy terrace restaurant offering 50 per cent off (with a 10 cap) from Monday to Wednesday. 20-21 Newman Street, W1T 1PG, themandrake.com

Thai Square Thai restaurant chain offering 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). Various locations, thaisq.com

Belushis Sports bar and burger chain offering 50 per cent off (10 cap, Monday to Wednesday). Various locations, belushis.com

Prezzo Favourites Set Menu continues, two courses for 10, Monday to Wednesday. Various locations, prezzorestaurants.co.uk
ANN ARBOR, MI  University of Michigan students are back in Ann Arbor.

And so are the beer pong tables, red plastic cups and social gatherings inside and outside houses near campus.

With concerns about the potential for another surge in COVID-19 cases locally, City Council took action Monday night, Aug. 24, to enact an emergency ordinance to make clear the citys rules and expectations regarding face masks and restrictions on social gatherings amid the pandemic.

As we know, the students have arrived, theyre back and its a scary situation out there, said Council Member Ali Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, a downtown restaurant owner.

Programs outlined by UM to educate returning students and ask them to behave responsibly unfortunately arent looking like theyre working as planned, Ramlawi said, adding officials are receiving reports to the contrary with students back early.

This is to, again, address what is now upon us, he said of enacting an emergency ordinance.

The citys population has grown dramatically and its grown in the part of the segment that poses the most significant challenge and risk to the rest of the community and world.

With students back for the fall semester, photos and reports of student gatherings  some that appear to be in violation of state and local rules for social distancing  are making the rounds on social media. A fraternity whose banner is depicted in one widely circulated photo has denied any connection to the event.

The method to slow the spread of the virus and protect public health is clear and depends upon a thousand individual actions, Mayor Christopher Taylor said.

The direction that has been established for us by the leadership of the governor and the leadership of the health officer here in Washtenaw County is very clear, he said. When youre outside, wear your mask. When youre inside, wear your mask. Do not aggregate in groups outside of over 25. Do not aggregate in groups inside of over 10.

The mayor also encouraged UM students and others to practice rigorous hand hygiene, saying everyone has a crucial role to play in protecting the communitys health.

Coronavirus cases among Washtenaw County residents since the start of the pandemic.Washtenaw County Health Department

Taylor and the council re-declared a local state of emergency Monday and unanimously approved an ordinance that mirrors the governors orders regarding mask requirements and the Washtenaw County Health Departments orders limiting social gatherings and other events.

Violation of the city ordinance is a civil infraction with a penalty fine up to $250.

With few exceptions, it requires anyone who is less than six feet from another person who is not a family member or of the same household to wear a covering over their nose and mouth in any indoor public place and any outdoor place.

It also requires such face coverings while waiting for and riding on public transportation, while in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle, or when using a private car service.

Social gatherings and events are permitted only to the extent that people not of the same household stay six feet apart and adhere to the limit of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors.

In addition to previously stated exceptions, council members OKd an amendment Monday night to also exempt schools, child care centers and community centers.

Read the full ordinance.

Violations of the requirements are considered a public nuisance and the city intends to enforce them.

Ramlawi publicly called on law enforcement to be active and consistent in cracking down on violators.

Without repercussions, he said, the city is going to have bigger problems than it already does.

I fear what will come in a few weeks if things continue to go the way they are right now, he said. We will be shut down, back in phase two, within weeks if we dont get a handle on the situation currently. The new population that has just come into town is not showing the behavior and the restraint that we had hoped they would have, and I really hope that we take this (emergency ordinance) and put it to work.

Police Chief Michael Cox addressed council, responding to the call for enforcement.

Police will continue to try to educate people about the rules and will enforce appropriately, he said.

We will definitely always try to be consistent. I think we have been, he said, though he cautioned very rarely can you enforce your way out of anything.

Though the citys ordinance mirrors existing requirements under county and state orders, Council Member Jane Lumm, I-2nd Ward, said its important to clarify what the rules are locally with thousands of students arriving from all over the globe.

At the councils Aug. 17 meeting, Council Member Julie Grand, who works closely with students in her job as a UM academic advisor, asked sarcastically, What could possibly go wrong with bringing back tens of thousands of people whose frontal lobes arent developed yet, during a pandemic?

UM had a fall 2019 enrollment of over 48,000 students in Ann Arbor.

Official enrollment numbers for fall 2020 wont come until October, but about 45,000 students are enrolled at the Ann Arbor campus as of now, said UM spokeswoman Kim Broekhuizen. There are 19,903 undergraduates (64%) with at least one in-person or hybrid class, she said, emphasizing those numbers could continue to shift.

UM is expecting about 8,300 students in university housing, about 68% of normal capacity, Broekhuizen said.

Taking care of ourselves and each other begins now, UM President Mark Schlissel tweeted Monday, sharing an educational video. Being smart and dedicated got you into @UMich  and it will also help us, and each other, have a safe, healthy and successful semester.

Taking care of ourselves and each other begins now. Being smart and dedicated got you into @UMich  and it will also help us, and each other, have a safe, healthy and successful semester. https://t.co/GYDKo4HmVH pic.twitter.com/N2bBUbyvCr  Dr. Mark Schlissel (@DrMarkSchlissel) August 24, 2020

The citys ordinance also states anyone waiting in line to enter a business must stay at least six feet from other people not of the same household. Businesses are prohibited from serving customers or allowing customers to enter if theyre not following the rules, and employees also must wear masks.

MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:

In May email, UM president told UNC officials he was struggling with how to bring back 30K undergrads

University of Michigans coronavirus dashboard goes live, shows 13 positive tests in last 2 weeks

University of Michigan professors have no confidence in administrations plan to contain coronavirus

Ann Arbor City Council members question University of Michigans effort to prevent spread of coronavirus

Eastern Michigan University delays move-in 3 weeks, citing other campus coronavirus outbreaks
Study shows socioeconomic status linked to heart failure mortality in United States

CLEVELAND -- Heart failure is a medical condition that results when the heart muscle is not strong enough to effectively circulate blood. A variety of treatments exist to address this disease, yet it continues to carry a poor prognosis. A new study from University Hospitals showed that a person's address can help predict their chance of mortality from heart disease.

The study found that the variability in heart failure mortality in the United States is at least partially explained by measures of wealth and socioeconomic status. In the United States, counties that have high rates of poverty and other measures of social deprivation also have higher rates of death from heart failure. Socioeconomic status may play an important role in heart failure because access to expensive medications and other therapies can be more available in affluent communities. Furthermore, areas with higher poverty levels may have reduced access to quality healthcare in general.

The study analyzed 1,254,991 heart failure deaths across 3,048 counties between 1999 and 2018. The investigators used multiple indicators of employment, poverty, income, housing and education to determine a person's level of socioeconomic deprivation.

This study highlights the importance of addressing socioeconomic factors to improve heart failure outcomes nationally.

"Analysis of trends in heart failure mortality shows that these disparities have persisted throughout the last two decades" said Graham Bevan, MD, a resident physician at University Hospitals and the first author of the study.

"Living in a particular county should not mean you're more likely to die from heart failure," said Sadeer G. Al-Kindi, MD, cardiologist with UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute. "University Hospitals has a history of addressing health care disparities in underserved communities and armed with the information from this study, we can thoughtfully create solutions to better serve these populations."

###

The study, Socioeconomic Deprivation and Heart Failure Mortality in the United States, was published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure.

About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio

Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 18 hospitals, more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system's flagship academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, located in Cleveland's University Circle, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. The main campus also includes University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children's hospitals in the nation; University Hospitals MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, a high-volume national referral center for complex cardiovascular procedures; and University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, including cancer, pediatrics, women's health, orthopedics, radiology, neuroscience, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, digestive health, transplantation and urology. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including "America's Best Hospitals" from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals - part of The Harrington Project for Discovery & Development. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with 28,000 physicians and employees.

Advancing the Science of Health and the Art of Compassion is UH's vision for benefitting its patients into the future, and the organization's unwavering mission is To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook @UniversityHospitals and Twitter @UHhospitals. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Black homeowners say their homes are consistently appraised for less than those of their neighbors, stymying their path toward building equity and further perpetuating income equality in the United States, reports Debra Kamin:

Home appraisers, who work under codes of ethics but with little regulation and oversight, are often all that stands between the accumulation of home equity and the destruction of it for Black Americans.

After the first appraisal came up short on his house in an affluent, racially mixed suburb of Hartford, Conn., Stephen Richmond, an aerospace engineer, took down family photos and posters for Black movies and had a white neighbor stand in for him on a second appraisal. He was hoping to refinance; with the second report, he saw his homes value go up $40,000 from the initial appraisal just a few weeks earlier.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, a federal ruling issued in March allowed appraisals for homes that were being sold to be done remotely in certain circumstances, temporarily pausing the need for interior home inspections. Those looking to refinance, however, still must complete an in-person appraisal.

In 2018, researchers from Gallup and the Brookings Institution published a report on the widespread devaluation of Black-owned property in the United States, which they discussed in a 2019 hearing before the House Financial Services Subcommittee. The report found that a home in a majority Black neighborhood is likely to be valued for 23 percent less than a near-identical home in a majority-white neighborhood; it also determined this devaluation costs Black homeowners $156 billion in cumulative losses.
The Houston Chronicles Live Updates blog documents the latest updates regarding Laura and Marco, as the storms near Houston and Southeast Texas.

The Houston Chronicles ongoing coverage is available to subscribers. Subscribe now for full access and to support our work.

Resources on storms and Texas weather:

With our powerful Texas Flood Map and Tracker, you can follow rainfall location and intensity, as well as real-time, continuously updated flooding alerts and street closures as storms sweep through the area. You can also see the latest stories, as well as weather forecasts for the next few hours and week on our Weather in Houston page.

Latest updates from today:

10:25 p.m. The 10 p.m. forecast from the National Hurricane Center shows Houston "well outside" the cone of uncertainty, according to meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather. The storm's center is still predicted to make landfall along the Texas-Louisiana border.

"This one has not yet been put to bed for the metro area, but we are now very likely to avoid serious, direct effects ," Berger tweeted.

10:20 p.m. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centers League City location will be closed Wednesday through Friday because of Hurricane Laura.

All other MD Anderson locations (Texas Medical Center, Bellaire, Memorial City, Sugar Land, The Woodlands and West Houston) will end operations at 3 p.m. Wednesday and will close for clinic and treatment appointments Thursday.

10 p.m. More than 130 departures and arrivals have been canceled at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, according to Houston Airport System spokesman Augusto Bernal.

He said 133 departing flights were canceled until 3:05 p.m. Wednesday. Another 131 arriving flights were canceled until 3:05 p.m. Wednesday.

At Hobby Airport, one flight departing to New Orleans was canceled until 3:15 p.m. Wednesday. Five arrivals were canceled until 3:20 p.m. Wednesday.

9:30 p.m. As Hurricane Laura intensified and moved toward the Texas-Louisiana border, the nations largest refinery and others along the coast were being shut down. The Port of Houston planned to suspend all public terminal operations Tuesday evening, and chemical and power plants also prepared for the storms effects.

Gulf Coast refineries, which process about half of the nations fuel and natural gas, and chemical plants are particularly susceptible to hurricanes devastating effects. When refineries and chemical facilities must shut down and restart, the plants release air pollutants. However, if plants wait too long to cease operations during a storm, other problems, such as power outages, can cause even more risks to public and environmental health.

- Erin Douglas, Paul Takahashi and L.M. Sixel

9 p.m. There is a growing consensus among the latest forecast models that Hurricane Laura will make landfall far enough east of Houston that the city will avoid the worst impacts, according to Matt Lanza of Space City Weather.

"For us in Houston this explicitly would mean primarily tropical storm impacts instead of hurricane impacts, as tropical storm force winds do extend out over 175 miles east of the center (it will be less to the west)," Lanza writes. "At the coast, that could be different, with slightly stronger wind (perhaps close to hurricane force) and a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet in Galveston to upwards of 6 to 9 feet across the Bolivar Peninsula to High Island."

The projected track went mostly unchanged through Tuesday, with the center of the storm striking the Texas-Louisiana border.

7:32 p.m. Keep track of Houston-area closures and cancellations through our searchable database.

7:20 p.m. Gov. Greg Abbott waived Houston-area tolls ahead of Hurricane Laura starting at 7 p.m. to help people who were evacuating.

Abbott directed the state's Department of Transportation to waive tolls along the agency's portion of Grand Parkway.

"As Hurricane Laura approaches Texas, this waiver will ensure that Texans are able to evacuate efficiently ahead of the storm," Abbott said in a statement. "I urge Texans in the area to continue to take all necessary precautions as Hurricane Laura nears the coast and heed the guidance of local officials."

7:10 p.m. A curfew prohibiting people in Galveston from being on public streets or the right-of-way is scheduled to go into effect at 10 p.m. "for the protection of residents and their property during Hurricane Laura," city officials said.

The nightly curfews, which will be activated at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, will expire at 6 a.m. the following morning. Individuals who violate the curfew may be stopped by authorities, who may file a misdemeanor charge and issue fines of up to $1,000.

"The only legitimate reason for a person to be on the roads is to leave the island as part of the evacuation for Hurricane Laura," officials said.

7 p.m. There have been no major cancelations or delays at Houston airports that are out of the ordinary setbacks as the region prepares for Hurricane Laura's arrival, according to a Houston Airport System spokesman.

Airport officials plan to activate an emergency operation center Wednesday morning that will likely remain active into Thursday as they monitor the approaching storm, said spokesman Augusto Bernal.

"We are well aware and well prepared," Bernal said. "We will just take it one step at a time."

6:30 p.m. Crowdsource Rescue co-founder Matt Marchetti has been preparing to deploy to Beaumont, which sits in the crosshairs of Hurricane Laura.

He and other Crowdsource rescuers kick into high gear during hurricanes, earthquakes and such  any apocalypse-vibe crisis, as Marchettis co-founder Nate Larson puts it. Its ragtag volunteer army shines brightest at Zero Hour, that moment in a disaster when 911 becomes overwhelmed.

The rescuers were already signing up at crowdsourcerescue.com/hurricanes. The ones wholl bring trucks, chainsaws and boats will work wherever Laura makes landfall. Others, armed with phones or computers, could be anywhere in the country, working from home as dispatchers or calling to see whether people are okay.

-Reporter Lisa Gray

6:15 p.m. Space Center Houston will be closed Wednesday and Thursday in anticipation of severe weather caused by Hurricane Laura.

Normal operations are expected to resume Friday morning. All in-person and virtual programs will be cancelled during the closure. Individuals who had registered for activities will be contacted with rescheduling information, the science center said in a statement.

6:10 p.m. Officials in Houston will suspend garbage collection on Thursday.

The city's Department of Neighborhoods asked people in a tweet to leave bins in secure locations to prevent garbage from clogging sewers. It was not immediately clear how long the suspension would remain in effect.

5:30 p.m. Metro will suspend operations of all transit services Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Laura.

The directive was issued after Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner's and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's requested that residents avoid travel and shelter-in-place beginning Wednesday evening.

All METROLift trips scheduled to begin after 4 p.m. Wednesday will be canceled. Afternoon Park & Ride service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday

METRO's RideStore also will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday

4:18 p.m. Maximum wind speeds of Hurricane Laura are now 80 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

It is forecast to reach the northwestern Gulf Coast as a major hurricane late Wednesday.

3:30 p.m. Evacuation sent thousands of people scrambling to protect their homes and head out of Orange County before hurricane-force winds potentially tossed waters from the Gulf of Mexico in to the Sabine River, reports Dug Begley.

The county, on the Lousiana border, is one of the likely landfall spots for the growing storm, which forecasters said could reach Category 3 by the time it barrels into the coast.

Theyre talking about up to 11 feet surge, said Gerald Warnell as he pointed south of downtown Orange where a mass of bayous, lake and creeks tangle into a wetland capable of flooding the city.

I was here when the water came last time, Warnell, 59, said as he waited to follow a caravan of buses out of town to shelter in San Antonio.

Water wasnt the worry for most people, this time.

They say its the wind thatll be bad, said Christian Ross, 46, as he gassed up to get out of Orange. I boarded up all the windows and Ill hope for the best Hope I did a good job.

Orange County Judge John Gothia, along with city officials, ordered a mandatory evacuation, effective 6 a.m. Tuesday. Those unable to leave or with no place to go without aid, like Warnell, were being bussed from collection points in Orange and Vidor coordinated by emergency management officials.

2:57 p.m. With the potential for Hurricane Laura to hit the Houston area hard Wednesday night, information is one of your most pressing needs. With that in mind, the Chronicle's Dwight Silverman compiled a list of websites, apps and resources that can keep you up to date with the latest on Hurricane Laura.

2:25 p.m. On the third anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday warned coastal residents to prepare for heavy rain and winds this week as Hurricane Laura approaches the Gulf Coast, reports Cayla Harris.

Abbott declared a state disaster in 36 additional counties, including Travis and Dallas, after issuing a similar declaration in 23 coastal counties on Sunday.

2:17 p.m. Hurricane Laura is the last thing any hospital needs in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic that has sickened more than 144,000 people in the Houston region.

With Laura threatening to make landfall later this week in southeast Texas, staff are scrambling to stockpile personal protective equipment and revisiting disaster preparedness plans in advance of what could become a powerful and destructive storm.

They also are preparing for another jump in COVID-19 cases if the hurricane forces large numbers of people into shelters.

-Reporter Gwendolyn Wu

2 p.m. In a briefing Tuesday morning, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry warned residents not to take Laura lightly, noting the storms volatility and some lingering uncertainty on where it is most likely to make landfall.

Henry issued a mandatory evacuation of Bolivar Peninsula, reasoning that with ferry service likely to be suspended as the storm approaches, the peninsula would be effectively cut off from county services. Forecasters also say that Bolivar could be inundated with 5-8 feet of water, with the bay side of the peninsula particularly vulnerable.

With the current setup of the hurricane coming this way the majority of the wind is gonna be pushing water away from the inland areas and not into them, Henry said. Thats good for everyone except those on the bay side of Bolivar and (Galveston).

The state has positioned 50 buses in Galveston County to help evacuate up to 1,000 people, and there are 25 ambulances on stand by. Henry said he is in direct communication with the White House and a representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be arriving in Galveston County on Thursday.

Henry delivered one bit of good news: the storm is not expected to bring significant amounts of rain to the county, so flooding should be minor, though county residents need to be aware of wind damage. For those thinking abuot not evacuating and riding out the storm, Henry asked those people to reconsider.

Ill be honest we dont have the resources to go door to door and pull people out of their homes and have no intention of doing that, Henry said. Were giving you the best information that we have, telling you this is not going to be a safe condition, you are most likely going to be cut off, you are most likely going to lose power, you are most likely going to be very uncomfortable for a period of time and hopefully thats as bad as it gets but we cant guarantee that.

-Reporter Nick Powell

1:43 p.m. Harris County officials urged residents to evacuate some coastal areas as Hurricane Laura could strike the Houston region Wednesday evening.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a voluntary evacuation order Tuesday afternoon for zones A and B. She urged residents to leave this area immediately.

These zones include part or all of Deer Park, La Porte, League City, Friendswood, El Lago, Morgans Point and southeastern portions of the city of Houston.

-Reporter Zach Despart

1:25 p.m. The U.S. Coast Guard on Monday night ordered vessels in Houston-area ports to prepare for Hurricane Laura and warned that inbound traffic could be halted 24 hours before gale force winds.

The Coast Guard asked that vessels in ports at Houston, Galveston, Freeport and Texas City be moved out of the water if possible. The agency wants large vessels to be ready to depart or that operators provide a plan for safely securing them during the storm. Smaller vessels were ordered to be sheltered outside of deep-draft shipping channels.

-Reporter Erin Douglas

1:23 p.m. City of Houston offices will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Only essential employees will remain.

1:20 p.m. Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia has issued a mandatory evacuation order for at-risk areas of Chambers County, effective immediately.

Residents who live in low-lying, flood-prone areas and those who live in mobile homes are required to move to a safer location.

12:45 p.m. Motiva Enterprises is temporarily shutting down its Port Arthur refinery, the nations largest, in preparation for Hurricane Laura.

The Houston independent refiner on Tuesday said it will halt operations at its refinery and petrochemical plant in Port Arthur to protect its personnel and facilities from the hurricane, which expected to land as either a Category 2 or 3 hurricane near Lake Charles, La., on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. If Laura becomes a Category 3, it would be the first major Atlantic hurricane in 2020.

-Reporter Paul Takahashi

12:43 p.m. Baytown issued a local disaster declaration Monday and is now recommending residents in two zip codes evacuate ahead of Hurricane Laura.

Alice Jauregui, a spokesperson for the city, said residents in area codes 77520 and 77523 have been asked to leave, although they are not required to do so. That includes large swaths of the city, making up most of the coastal territory abutting the San Jacinto and Trinity Bays. It extends mostly east of Hwy. 146 up to Mont Belvieu.

Mayor Brandon Capetillo signed the disaster declaration Tuesday, which activates recovery and rehabilitation resources in the citys emergency operations plan. As part of the order, Capetillo reserves the right to order an evacuation of all or part of Baytowns roughly 77,000 residents.

-Reporter Dylan McGuinness

12:39 p.m. The National Weather Service issued hurricane and storm surge warnings for the upper Texas coast and southwest Louisiana late Tuesday morning as Hurricane Laura advanced and strengthened over warm Gulf of Mexico waters.

The hurricanes exact destination remains uncertain, but the possibility remains that the Houston area, including east Harris County and Galveston Bay, could be pummeled by fierce winds and surging waters.

Best case, its a really close call for our area, said Jeff Evans, an NWS Houston/Galveston forecaster, during an early Tuesday webinar. Worst case, we have the worst storm weve had in decades around here.

Moving at 16 mph across warm Gulf waters, Hurricane Laura was 620 miles southeast of Galveston around 10 a.m. with 75 mph winds, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm is expected to make landfall Wednesday night or Thursday morning as a major Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds.

Eric Berger of Space City Weather wrote in a late Tuesday morning blog post that Hurricane Laura represents a serious situation that Houston residents should follow closely.

-Reporter Anna Bauman

12:33 p.m. Alief ISD will be closed Wednesday through Friday due to Hurricane Laura. The district has been in online-only classes since early August.

Humble ISD will be closed to online and in-person classes Wednesday and Thursday.

"A decision about school on Friday will be announced on Thursday after the storms actual impact is known."

The district this week became the largest in Houston to resume in-person classes.

Angleton ISD announced it will close Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Friendswood ISD announces it will close Wednesday through Friday, with plans to reopen on Monday, Aug. 31.

Dickinson ISD had an early release today and will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. A decision about Friday classes will be announced Thursday.

Clear Creek ISD had an early release today and will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. A decision about Friday classes will be announced Thursday.

Spring ISD announced it will be closed Wednesday through Friday.

Pasadena ISD announces it will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.

The district, which started and remained virtual-only as of today, ended online classes this afternoon at 12:30 p.m.

-Reporter Jacob Carpenter

12:17 p.m. People have begun boarding charter busses in front of the Galveston Housing Authority offices to evacuate Galveston Island in anticipation of impacts from Hurricane Laura, reports the Chronicle's Mark Mulligan from the scene.

12:15 p.m. Tolls are being waived on Harris County toll roads as residents in surrounding areas are evacuating ahead of the hurricane.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo ordered the waiver of fees Tuesday.

The order applies to HCTRA roadways and does not include roads that are not governed by Harris County.

12:10 p.m. As Hurricane Laura transitioned into a Category 1 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday, forecasts have Houston avoiding the dirty sideat least for now, reports the Chronicle's Currie Engle.

Southeast Texas is currently on track to remain on the weaker, left side of the hurricanethe southwest side rather than the dirty and more destructive right side, but that forecast could still change depending on how the storm moves when it begins to come inland. Parts of Louisiana and Texas are already evacuating in preparation.

The right side of a hurricane, sometimes referred to as the dirty side, can bring more significant impact due to the combined force of a storms forward motion and rotational force. (The right side is with respect to direction, so for example in a west-moving storm the right side would be the north side.) Since hurricane winds travel counterclockwise, storm surge, wind speeds, and rainfall can sometimes differ based on the different sides of a hurricane.

However, Laura is still developing and has the potential to become a major Category 3 hurricane by late Wednesday. And even if Houston isnt on its dirty side, strong storms can significantly impact all areas in their paths. The forecast for the hurricane has shifted westward Tuesday, and the intensity of its expected impact on Houston is still unknown at this time.

12:07 p.m. Wednesday's Astros-Angels game, which had been moved to an afternoon start due to oncoming Hurricane Laura, now has been postponed entirely.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sept. 5 in Anaheim. The Angels will be the home team for the first game of the doubleheader, and the Astros will be the home team for the second game, which will be the rescheduled game. Both will be seven-inning games.

-Reporter Matt Young

11:55 a.m. Mayor Sylvester Turner is asking Houston residents to stay off the roads Wednesday to allow those evacuating from coastal regions to quickly pass through the city.

Traffic in and around Houston is anticipated ahead of Hurricane Laura, as some areas such as Galveston, have issued mandatory evacuation orders.

11:47 a.m. Alvin ISD announced its schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.

11 a.m. The Port of Houston will cease all public terminal operations Tuesday evening and will likely keep its eight public facilities closed Wednesday and Thursday due to the impact of Hurricane Laura.

A spokesperson for the Port of Houston said that the Port anticipates being fully closed Wednesday with a potential for the closure to extend to Thursday depending on the storms track.

Barbours Cut and the Bayport Container terminals will close Tuesday evening, a spokesperson said. The ports general cargo and multi-purpose terminals will close for normal hours Tuesday evening. The gates at Cargo Bay Road and Ramp Road Six will likely remain open Wednesday and Thursday.

There are more than 200 private facilities in the Port of Houston and each private facility or terminal operator is responsible for their own emergency response plan, said Lisa Ashley, spokesperson for the Port of Houston.

-Reporter Erin Douglas

10:45 a.m. Hurricane Laura is expected to reach the northwestern Gulf Coast at or near major hurricane intensity Wednesday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 10 a.m. update.

The storm track in the update shifted slightly west toward Galveston and Houston.

Storm surge, wind and rainfall hazards will extend well past the center of the hurricane along the Gulf Coast.

Life-threatening conditions and large, dangerous waves are forecast from San Luis Pass, TX to the mouth of Mississipi River, according to NOAA.

The threat of widespread flash flooding and overflows of waterways will increase Wednesday night into Thursday for far eastern Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.

10:30 a.m. Lara Cottingham, Houston's chief sustainability officer, said that Houston's Climate Week will be postponed starting tomorrow, due to threat of Hurricane Laura, reports Dylan McGuinness.

The city will reschedule the events, originally planned for Wednesday through Friday, for later.

9:30 a.m. As Laura bears down on the Texas Gulf coast, Harris County emergency officials say residents should keep track of the hurricanes progress and be ready to evacuate  or hunker down.

Local officials will be making decisions Tuesday about evacuations based on the latest forecasts from the National Hurricane Center, said Francisco Sanchez, spokesman for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. People should watch for evacuation orders and prepare for widespread power outages.

Residents should monitor announcements from local authorities multiple times Tuesday, he said. But the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic could collide with evacuations as people try to maintain proper social distance in less-than-ideal settings.

-Reporter Anna Bauman

8:51 a.m. Looking for a visual to help you better understand the hurricane's path and how it will impact Houston?

See the latest forecast for Hurricane Laura on the Chronicle's visual storm tracker here.

8:40 a.m. Galveston and Brazosport ISDs, two districts that border the Gulf of Mexico to Houstons south, and Huffman ISD in northeastern Harris County have announced school closures ahead of the impending arrival of Hurricane Laura.

Galveston ISD will close for the rest of the week after the city of Galveston issued a mandatory evacuation order for the island, while Brazosport will shut down Tuesday through Thursday, district officials said. Neither district will hold online-only classes.

Huffman announced all classes were canceled Tuesday and Wednesday as a precautionary measure to help staff and families prepare for potential weather concerns.

Huffman was greatly impacted by Harvey and Imelda, and we want to allow everyone sufficient time to plan appropriately, district officials said in a statement. We will evaluate the situation on Wednesday to determine plans for Thursday.

Most Houston-area districts remain closed or in online-only classes.

-Reporter Jacob Carpenter

8 a.m. Hurricane Lauras path shifted west overnight and now threatens to impact the Houston along the northwest Gulf coast, reports Anna Bauman.

The storm strengthened into a hurricane about 7:15 a.m. nearly 150 miles northwest of Cuba with sustained winds of 75 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The hurricane is expected to make landfall along the northwest Gulf coast late Wednesday or early Thursday with Category 3 wind speeds of 115 mph.

In a 4 a.m. Tuesday update, the National Weather Service extended hurricane watches westward to include east Harris County and the Galveston area. The coastal area from San Luis Pass, Texas, to Morgan City, La., is under a hurricane watch. Houston remains under a tropical storm watch.

Hurricane conditions are possible in those areas by late Wednesday, and tropical storm conditions could begin as soon as that afternoon.

7:35 a.m. Tropical Storm Laura is now a hurricane, according to the National Weather Service in Houston. Maximum sustained wind speeds from the hurricane are 75 miles per hour.

7:32 a.m. Oil and gas companies were bracing for Tropical Storm Laura as it entered the Gulf of Mexico late Monday, threatening the nations largest concentration of refineries, petrochemical plants and offshore platforms, the Chronicle's Paul Takahashi and L.M. Sixel report.

"(Hurricanes are) always a significant concern every season," said Suzanne Lemieux, American Petroleum Institute's manager of emergency response policy. "We see increased risk this year."

Laura is reportedly forcing companies to temporarily halt about 82 percent of the oil production and 57 percent of the natural gas production in the Gulf.

Workers have also been evacuated from 281 production platforms, nearly half of the 643 Gulf of Mexico platforms. Tens of thousands of offshore workers are employed in the Gulf.

7:22 a.m. Galveston Mayor Pro Tem Craig Brown ordered a mandatory evacuation Tuesday, instructing all residents to to begin leaving the island for safety.

The decision comes after Tropical Storm Laura's path shifted slightly west overnight. Galveston and parts of Harris County could be battered by the storm, which is now expected to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, according to the latest forecast.

City of Galveston services will be suspended at 12 p.m. today, as part of the mandatory evacuation.
August 25, 2020

Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Royal Philips ultrasound system together with the dedicated Stimuplex Onvision needle, Onvision gives anesthesiologists the confidence to accurately position the needle tip inside the body for Peripheral Nerve Blocks (PNBs).

Accurate needle placement is critical to the success of regional anesthesia procedures such as PNBs. While real-time ultrasound imaging has proved to be a valuable tool for needle guidance, failure to optimally visualize the needle tip remains a challenge, with 10-15% of all PNBs ineffective after a single-injection technique [2]. In real-time, Onvision accurately indicates where the needle tip is inside the body, both in and out of the ultrasound viewing plane [3]. It helps the user align the needle with the probe in a user-friendly interface that can lead to a reduction in procedural time [4].

"When I first started to use Onvision, I didn't think that we would increase the number of out-of-plane procedures, but I was happily surprised we did," said Paul Kessler M.D. Ph.D., Vice Chairman, Clinic of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt (Germany). "Onvision gives you the extra assurance to perform deep and difficult blocks both in- and out-of-plane."

FDA clearance for Onvision represents the latest advance in a multi-year strategic alliance between Philips and B. Braun to innovate in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, a rapidly growing alternative to general anesthesia. Regional anesthesia is an essential part of pain therapy and offers clear advantages when compared to general anesthesia such as pain elimination during and after surgery [5], improved functional outcomes [6], and faster mobilization [7].

"The increased confidence and predictability offered by the Xperius Ultrasound System and Onvision Needle Tip Tracking is empowering more anesthesiologists to embrace regional anesthesia as a viable and effective alternative to general anesthesia," said Tobin Taylor-Bhatia, Head of Innovation for Image Guided Therapy at Philips. "By innovating together with B. Braun we've created a solution to one of the biggest challenges in regional anesthesia - accurate positioning of the needle tip in the body."

"Onvision is the groundbreaking technology that allows anesthesiologists the predictability [4] and confidence [4] they need while positioning the needle during a procedure," said Dr. Angela Karpf, M.D., Corporate Vice President of Medical Affairs at B. Braun. "B. Braun continues to add products to our regional anesthesia therapy portfolio that help achieve faster postsurgical recoveries, optimize procedural workflow and enhance user experience."

Together, B. Braun's Stimuplex Onvision needles and Philips' Onvision needle tip tracking technology indicate the position of the needle tip in relation to the ultrasound viewing plane to an accuracy of 3mm [3]. A sensitive micro-sensor placed on the needle, combined with advanced signal processing and visualization techniques on the Xperius system, indicate the real-time location of the needle tip in relation to the 2D ultrasound viewing plane. The solution provides greater flexibility in needle trajectory [8] and can reduce procedure times [4].

In addition to FDA clearance, the Onvision solution is CE marked. It is available for sale across the EU and in Chile and is expected to be available in the United States in Q4 2020. For more information about Onvision visit bbraun.com/onvision .

[1] 2019Q2 All Regional Anesthesia Products - Total Market HC & OPM Dollars (GHX, IQVIA [MDSA] & B. Braun Actual Data)

[2] Paqueron X. Time Sequence of Sensory Changes after Upper Extremity Block. Anesthesiology 2004; 101:162-8

[3] Test Report Validation - NTT for PNB, Document Number: D000245353, Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V.

[4] Kasine, T., et al. Needle tip tracking for ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block procedures-An observer blinded, randomised, controlled, crossover study on a phantom model. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2019;00:1-8. https: //doi. org/10.1111/aas.13379

[5] Liu SS. Strodtbeck WM, Richman JM. Wu CL. A comparison of regional versus general anesthesia for ambulatory anesthesia: A meta-analysis of randomized control trials. Anesth Analg. 2005 Dec;101(6):1634-42

[6] Cohen NP, Levine WN, Marra G, et al. Indwelling interscalene catheter anesthesia in the surgical management of stiff shoulder: a report of 100 consecutive cases. J Shoulder Elbow Surgery. 2000;9:268-274

[7] Nielsen et al. Outcomes after RA. Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2005 Summer; 43(3):96

[8] Test Report Validation - NTT for PNB, Document Number: D000245352, Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V.

Onvision needle is manufactured by B Braun and the Onvision module for Xperius is manufactured by Philips. Onvision is a registered trademark of B. Braun and Philips. Stimuplex is a registered trademark of B. Braun Medical Inc.

For further information, please contact:

Hans Driessen

Philips Global Press Office

Tel.: +31 610 610 417

E-mail: hans.driessen@philips.com

Twitter: @hansdriessen_ph

Allison Longenhagen

B. Braun Medical Inc.

Tel.: +1 484 523 9801

Email: Allison.Longenhagen@bbraunusa.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips.

About B. Braun

B. Braun Medical Inc., a leader in infusion therapy and pain management, develops, manufactures, and markets innovative medical products and services to the healthcare industry. Other key product areas include nutrition, pharmacy admixture and dialysis. The company is committed to eliminating preventable treatment errors and enhancing patient, clinician and environmental safety. B. Braun Medical is headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and is part of the B. Braun Group of Companies in the U.S., which includes B. Braun Interventional Systems, Aesculap and CAPS.

Globally, the B. Braun Group of Companies employs more than 64,000 employees in 64 countries. Guided by its Sharing Expertise philosophy, B. Braun continuously exchanges knowledge with customers, partners and clinicians to address the critical issues of improving care and lowering costs. To learn more about B. Braun Medical, explore our website .





Attachments
The Department has a long-standing policy of limiting participation in partisan campaigns by its political appointees in recognition of the need for the U.S. Government to speak with one voice on foreign policy matters, the memo said. The combination of Department policy and Hatch Act requirements effectively bars you from engaging in partisan political activities while on duty, and, in many circumstances, even when you are off duty.
The ruling party is mulling additional relief payouts to people hit by the coronavirus epidemic, but there are increasing concerns where the money will come from and who will qualify.

The government says it is too early to discuss another payout.

"We need to focus our attention on quarantine measures right now and nobody is in any position to make any definitive comments regarding who will receive additional relief payments," a Cheong Wa Dae official said Monday. "Considering the limited resources we have, it is impossible to give the money to all citizens" as it did in the first round in May.

The government has already emptied state coffers lavishly on all sorts of pump-priming measures that have required three supplementary budgets so far this year. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said during a National Assembly budget committee meeting on Monday, "We must rely entirely on issuing sovereign debt, so the government has to be very cautious."

Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki also said any second round of relief money payouts will not be given to everyone, unlike the first. The government is estimated to need more than W10 trillion to finance a second payout (US$1=W1,188).
Armed homeowners Mark T. and Patricia N. McCloskey stand in front their house along Portland Place as they confront protesters marching to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson's house Sunday, June 28, 2020, in the Central West End of St. Louis. St. Louis Post-Dispatch / Contributor / Getty Images

Mark and Patricia McCloskey gave an impassioned endorsement of President Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention on Monday.

They also claimed that Democrats "no longer view the government's job as protecting honest citizens from criminals, but rather protecting criminals from honest citizens."

Mark McCloskey went on to describe Cori Bush, a liberal activist who recently won the Democratic primary in Missouri's 1st Congressional District, as a "Marxist revolutionary" who will usurp Americans' freedoms.

"They want to walk the hall of Congress, they want to take over, they want power," McCloskey said. "This is Joe Biden's party."

The McCloskeys also exploited white fear and grievances by pushing the racially charged talking point that Democrats want to bring "crime, lawlessness," and low-income housing to "thriving" suburban neighborhoods.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple that made headlines this year for pointing their guns at peaceful protesters, gave an impassioned endorsement of President Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention on Monday. They also claimed that Democrats "no longer view the government's job as protecting honest ciritzens from criminals, but rather protecting criminals from honest citizens."

"What you saw happen to us could just as easily happen to any of you who are watching from quiet neighborhoods around our country, and that's what we want to speak to you about tonight," Patricia McCloskey said.

Her husband spoke after, saying, "Whether it's the defunding of police, ending cash bail so criminals can be released back out on the streets the same day to riot again, or encouraging anarchy and chaos on our streets, it seems as if the Democrats no longer view the government's job as protecting honest citizens from criminals, but rather protecting criminals from honest citizens."

Story continues

Mark McCloskey went on to describe the group of peaceful protesters outside their home as an "out of control mob" and expressed outrage that he and his wife were charged with felonies "for daring to defend our home."

The McCloskeys sparked an intense debate when they were seen in multiple videos in June pointing their guns at protesters who were on their way to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson's home to demonstrate against police brutality.

The protests came in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes while Floyd said he couldn't breathe and begged for air.

Shortly after the McCloskeys confronted the protesters, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner charged them with unlawful use of a gun.

"It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner at those participating in a nonviolent protest, and while we are fortunate this situation did not escalate into deadly force, this type of conduct is unacceptable in St. Louis," Gardner said, according to Vox.

During their speech Monday, Mark McCloskey described Cori Bush, the activist leading protesters in St. Louis, as a "Marxist revolutionary."

Bush recently unseated 20-year incumbent Lacy Clay in the Democratic primary in Missouri's 1st Congressional District.

"That Marxist revolutionary is now going to be the congresswoman from the 1st District of Missouri," Mark McCloskey said on Monday. "These radicals are not content with marching in the streets. They want to walk the hall of Congress, they want to take over, they want power. This is Joe Biden's party. These are the people who will be in charge of your future and the future of your children."

Patricia McCloskey spoke after her husband, claiming that Democrats "are not satisfied with spreading the chaos and violence into our communities" and want to "abolish the suburbs all together."

She added that Democratic leadership would bring "crime, lawlessness, and low quality apartments into now thriving neighborhoods. These are the policies that are coming in to a neighborhood near you. So make no mistake, no matter where you live, your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats' America."

Trump and his Republican allies frequently celebrate the rollback of Obama-era housing rules and exploit white fear and grievances by claiming low-income housing is destroying suburban neighborhoods.

"I am happy to inform all of the people living their Suburban Lifestyle Dream that you will no longer be bothered or financially hurt by having low income housing built in your neighborhood," Trump tweeted late last month, after Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson said he would rescind the 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing regulation.. "Your housing prices will go up based on the market, and crime will go down. I have rescinded the Obama-Biden AFFH Rule. Enjoy!"

Housing advocates have criticized the rule change, saying it would give localities much freer rein to allow discriminatory and unequal housing conditions to persist.

Grace Panetta contributed to this report.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The authentication and brand Protection market in North America is expected to grow from US$ 920. 4 million in 2019 to US$ 1608. 8 million by 2027; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7. 6% from 2020 to 2027.

New York, Aug. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "North America Authentication and Brand Protection Market to 2027 -COVID-19 Impact and Analysis by Type ; by Technology ; and by Application" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05953795/?utm_source=GNW



Growing concerns about duplicate consumer electronics products and automotive components is bolstering the growth of the market.The consumer electronics and automotive industries have witnessed unprecedented growth over the years in developed and developing countries.



The demand for these products continues to surge every year.With the rise in demand for consumer electronics and automotive components, the supply chain of these products is disrupted with counterfeit products.



The emergence of the grey market for both consumer electronics and automotive components has reflected several unavoidable incidents. This has led the global population to demand legitimate and genuine products, which is further driving the demand for authentication and brand Protection.

The overt segment led the authentication and brand protection market, based on type, in 2019.The overt authentication and brand protection are visible to the naked eye, and allows consumers, inspectors, and government agencies to identify the packages authenticity quickly.



Micro-optic lens films, holograms, and embossed optical films, and state-of-the-art complex security printing software are a few of the open technologies that can be used to design brand safety labels.A common practice for an advanced, multi-layered protection plan involves combining strong overt security elements with covert or tracking safety technologies.



The visible security features in the authentication stack serve a valuable purpose.They allow individuals to inspect packaging without any special tools, and the specialized color-shifting inks are often difficult to reproduce using scanners or reprographic methods.



Technologies commonly employed for overt security include optically variable inks, pearlescent inks, gold and silver inks, anti-tampering techniques (tamper-evident closures and labels), and optical security technologies (holographic seals and labels). These technological advancements drive the authentication and brand protection market in North America. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting various industries in North America, and directly impacting the spending. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, as an impact of this pandemic, the US is experiencing decline in GDP in the second quarter of 2020. In response to the outbreak, governments of the countries in North America continue to enforce the temporary shutdown of retail stores and manufacturing plants, indicating an unprecedented disruption of commerce. Retailers and brands are facing various short-term challenges regarding health and safety, supply chain, labor force availability, cash flow, consumer demand, and marketing.

The overall North America authentication and brand protection market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources.To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market.



The process also serves the purpose of obtaining overview and forecast for the North America authentication and brand Protection market with respects to all the segments pertaining to the region.Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the data, as well as to gain more analytical insights into the topic.



The participants that are typically associated with this process include industry expert such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders specializing in the North America authentication and brand protection market. AlpVision SA, Applied DNA Sciences, Inc, Authentic Vision, Avery Dennison Corporation, De La Rue PLC, Eastman Kodak Company, 3M are among the players operating in the market in North America.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05953795/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

Story continues

CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Jacob Blake had died. He is paralyzed and "struggling to sustain his life," according to the family's attorney.

In 2004, Michael Bell Sr.'s 21-year-old son was shot and killed by a Kenosha officer during a struggle after a traffic stop in front of his home. So when Bell saw the disturbing video of the shooting of Jacob Blake, an unarmed 29-year-old man shot in the back multiple times by a Kenosha officer as he tried to get inside a car with his children inside, he said he sympathized with the family's trauma.

Bell said he was also alarmed to see the distraught woman screaming and jumping up and down as the officer fired seven times at Blake on video taken by a bystander.

Blake is Black and Bell's son is White but their shootings shared similarities. Like Blake, Bell's son Michael Bell Jr., was shot in front of witnesses that included his loved ones. Bell Jr.'s mother and sister were just feet away as he was shot in the head.

"My own daughter and son's mother witnessed my son being shot," Bell told CBS News. "I know the trauma they had to live through, and they're still not right. Nobody understands the pain the family is going through -- it's a degree of suffering nobody understands until they experience it themselves."

Michael Bell Jr. and Michael Bell / Credit: Michael Bell

Blake family attorney Benjamin Crump told CBS News three of Blake's sons  ages 3, 5 and 8  were inside the SUV when their father was shot by police. The family was out celebrating one of the children's birthdays. "These kids, these babies, are gonna have psychological issues for the rest of their entire life," Crump said.

The shooting spurred protests and unrest in Kenosha as the nation continues to grapple with systemic racism and police violence in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. It has also drawn the national spotlight to the work of Bell and others who have been pushing for police reform in Wisconsin and nationwide for years.

Story continues

Officers involved in his son's shooting were ruled justified three days after the launch of an internal Kenosha police investigation and later cleared by prosecutors. That prompted Bell to fight for the passage of landmark 2014 legislation that made Wisconsin the first state in the country to require deaths caused by police to be investigated by an outside agency. The shooting of Blake, who survived, is now the subject of an independent probe by the state Department of Justice.

Speaking Monday, Wisconsin attorney general Josh Kaul pledged to "vigorously and fully" investigate the case, but said an ultimate charging decision would be up to Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley.

Bell, who pushed to have the case re-opened with a high-profile billboard and media campaign after what he views as a botched investigation, said his son's case was not afforded the same measures. The account of officers who said Bell Jr. had grabbed one officer's gun as he was being restrained over a car in the family's driveway, causing another officer to shoot the man in the head, was later called into question, CBS News' Erin Moriarty reported. The city of Kenosha later settled the case for $1.75 million. An officer involved in the case committed suicide in 2010.

In Blake's case, Crump has said the father was trying to to deescalate a domestic incident when police drew their weapons, tasered him, and then opened fire as he was walking away to check on his children. Bell said he is withholding judgment until more information is known about Blake's shooting, but said the shooting "looks pretty bad" and said the law enforcement system in Kenosha is "broken." Bell advocates not only for thorough investigation of police shootings, but putting in place mechanisms to prevent them. He has recently championed legislation that would create a statewide independent use of force advisory board to review the circumstances surrounding police shootings and make recommendations to avoid similar deaths or injuries in the future. The legislation is still in draft form and is set to be announced this week by Wisconsin Republican state senator Van Wanggaard, the lawmaker's office confirmed to CBS News. Bell, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, has advocated at the national level for police shooting investigations to be modeled after the National Transportation Safety Advisory Board's probes of aviation accidents. Speaking before President Barack Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing in 2015, Bell said the NTSB uses independent investigators, and "once the cause of an accident is determined by the safety board, that information is distributed throughout the community to reduce the chances of it happening again." Under the proposal in Wisconsin, an investigation by the use of force advisory board would be triggered after a law enforcement officer causes a death or a serious injury, or when a law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured. After any associated criminal investigation is complete, the investigative materials would then be transferred over to the board, which would include police trainers, union representatives, attorneys and a mental health professional. The board would use outside experts to review the incidents and then issue an advisory report with recommendations to be made public and submitted to legislators and all state law enforcement agencies. Body camera video, if it exists, would play a key role in helping state or federal investigators determine what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again, Bell said. "Body cameras in many ways are like the black box on an airplane -- they record all the critical data at the moment of death that's important," Bell said. "If you want to turn around and make the system better, you have to have a root cause analysis."

In both Blake's case and the case of Bell's son, a lack of body camera video has left key questions lingering. Kenosha police officers are not outfitted with body cameras, though they are slated in the city's budget for 2022, Mayor John Antaramian said Monday. City officials endorsed adopting body cameras in 2017, but have delayed implementation citing budget concerns, reports the Associated Press.

"We have asked for body cameras here in Kenosha, and they just keep pushing it downstream," Bell said.

Speaking Monday, Wisconsin Democratic governor Tony Evers called for a special session for the legislature to take up a package of police reform bills he introduced in June. But if that session moves forward, it would not touch on the independent use of force advisory board, something that would likely be formally introduced when lawmakers reconvene later this year. The governor's police reform package lays out a series of proposals that have passed in other states, such as banning the use of police chokeholds and no-knock warrants, strengthening accountability and transparency measures and creating a state-wide police use of force standard. Evers condemned the shooting and said he stood against "excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with Black Wisconsinites." "We know racism and the racial disparities in our state can't be solved by signing any bill or package of bills -- this can only be a first step," Evers said. Democratic Rep. David Bowen, a member of the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus, said he supports the package but would need to work with Republicans, who control both chambers. Bowen said the proposals are likely to be viewed as controversial, but he has talked with Wanggaard, the Republican Majority Caucus chair. In a statement, Wanggaard said the video showing Blake's shooting "appears shocking," but cautioned there is much that can't be seen and urged patience until the completion of the state Department of Justice probe. "If the investigation shows the shooting to be unjustified, people will be held accountable," Wanggaard said. Bowen said he couldn't speak to a proposed use-of-force board since the details of the bill haven't been formally announced. But he called for "boldest of proposals out there to give people the confidence that we are actually addressing the most poignant issues of this era." Bowen said he would push for a state use-of-force standard to ensure officers are required to preserve life rather than "using more lethal means that escalate situations." "I think the most frustrating part, which is reflected by people's actions last night in Kenosha, is frustration over the of the lack of change -- we needed this change yesterday, we needed to act yesterday," Bowen said Monday, referring to the unrest. "It's very clear the time for focus to act on legislative solutions is now. It can't be delayed further."

29-year-old Black man in Wisconsin hospital after being shot in the back by police

Chief of staff Mark Meadows on Trump's RNC speech, stimulus talks and Kellyanne Conway's departure

Storms threaten millions along the Gulf Coast
After suffering a loss in the 2016 presidential election herself, Hillary Clinton is warning 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden not to concede under any circumstances in the upcoming election to avoid falling victim to Republican efforts to disrupt the vote count.

In an interview with The Circus on Showtime, the former secretary of state accused Republicans of trying to mess up absentee balloting to gain a narrow advantage in the electoral college. She claimed that in Wisconsins primary in April, Republicans did everything they could to mess up voting.

But because courts had ordered absentee ballots to be counted if they were postmarked on election day, Democrats actually won some important races there, she said.

While Republicans had pushed back against Democratic governor Tony Evers proposal to mail almost every voter in the state an absentee ballot application, more than 80 percent of GOP members in the Wisconsin Legislature voted by mail in April.

Wisconsin Senate majority leader Scott Fitzgerald said in May that he opposed mailing people absentee ballot applications because the voter list had not been cleaned up to remove people who shouldnt be on there, primarily because they moved.

Wisconsin has online registration, excuse-free absentee voting, early in-person voting, and Election Day registration, making it easier to vote in Wisconsin than most other states, Fitzgerald, who ultimately voted absentee in April himself, said.

Hillary Clinton has some advice for Joe Biden: Dont concede in a close race. The 2016 nominee sits down with @jmpalmieri and @sho_thecircus to urge Dems to pay close attention to GOP strategy. pic.twitter.com/REwfLf1QjS  The Recount (@therecount) August 24, 2020

While Democrats have been quick to push for mail-in voting amid the coronavirus pandemic, many Republicans have warned that voting by mail can leave elections open to widespread fraud or can lead to ballots being sent to people who have died and to incorrect addresses. Republicans skepticism has led many Democrats to accuse the GOP of voter suppression.

Story continues

We have to have our own teams of people to counter the force of intimidation that the Republicans and Trump are going to put outside polling places, Clinton said, urging people to become poll workers in November.

She later added, Joe Biden should not concede under any circumstances because I think this is going to drag out and eventually I do believe he will win if we dont give an inch and if we are as focused and relentless as the other side is.

Earlier in the interview, Clinton also bitterly acknowledged the importance of the electoral college saying, You can win 3 million more votes and still, you know, not get elected because of the electoral college.

More from National Review
Holland said that with most restaurants in the village located along streets such as U.S. 30 or LaGrange Road, it was not possible to do a larger number of street closures to allow outdoor seating, but that the village departed from long-standing policy and allowed restaurants to put up tents for outdoor dining. In the past, tents were allowed on a temporary basis for special events, the mayor said.
Oil and gas companies are bracing for what could be a major hurricane as the storm entered the Gulf of Mexico late Monday, threatening the nations largest concentration of refineries, petrochemical plants and offshore platforms.

Tropical Storm Laura is barreling toward Louisiana and Texas after dropping heavy rain and causing flash floods in Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The storm is expected to strengthen in the open, warm waters of the Gulf, likely becoming a Category 2 or 3 hurricane by the time it comes ashore near Lake Charles, La., this week. If Laura becomes a Category 3, it would be the first major Atlantic hurricane of 2020.

(Hurricanes are) always a significant concern every season, said Suzanne Lemieux, the manager of emergency response policy with the trade group American Petroleum Institute. We see increased risk this year.

Indeed, Laura is the second storm to chart a path for Louisiana this week. A weaker Tropical Storm Marco landed along the mouth of the Mississippi River on Monday afternoon.

Laura is forcing companies to temporarily halt about 82 percent of the oil production and 57 percent of the natural gas production in the Gulf, according to an Interior Department bureau that oversees offshore oil and gas production.

Workers have been evacuated from 281 production platforms, nearly half of the 643 Gulf of Mexico platforms. Of the 26 drilling rigs in the gulf, 17 have been evacuated or moved from the storms track, the department said Monday. Tens of thousands of offshore workers are employed in the Gulf.

BP began evacuating all personnel from its platforms Friday and moved four mobile drilling rigs out of the storms track. The British oil supermajor also evacuated its operations learning center southwest of New Orleans.

Chevron has evacuated all personnel from platforms and has halted production. The California-based oil supermajor also secured two Mississippi River delta terminals and closed nearby pipeline systems.

ExxonMobil evacuated personnel from its Hoover platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The Irving-based oil supermajor is operating its refinery units normally.

Shell has halted production at all but one of its nine operating platforms in the Gulf and has evacuated non-essential personnel. Shell said it is monitoring Lauras track to determine if it needs to temporarily shut down its ninth production platform, Perdido.

The coronavirus pandemic and the market downturn pose additional challenges to oil and gas companies responding to the tropical threat. During Tropical Depression Cristobal in June, several oil companies required offshore workers to wear face masks aboard helicopter flights and to isolate themselves at home. BP and Shell employees will be screened for COVID-19 before returning to work offshore.

APIs Lemieux said she was not aware of any coronavirus outbreaks that stemmed from the Cristobal evacuations, and that the financial pressures facing oil and gas companies wont deter them from responding to the hurricanes properly.

As essential workers, our members have been working throughout the pandemic, so they feel theyre ready, Lemieux said. Social distancing and mask wearing is an added response. In terms of market conditions, we dont see that as an issue. Our members are going to do what they have to do to keep things running. The emergency response has not changed.

Most at risk

Gulf Coast refineries, which processes about half of the nations fuel and natural gas, and chemical plants are particularly susceptible to hurricanes devastating effects.

In 2017, Hurricane Harvey dumped more than 51 inches of rain in the Houston area, flooding the citys petrochemical corridor and releasing dozens of known carcinogens, including benzene, vinyl chloride and butadiene, into local neighborhoods. In one case, an Arkema chemical plant in Crosby exploded after the plants backup generators flooded and lost power, releasing hazardous gases from organic peroxides into the surrounding area.

Last September, Exxon temporarily shut down its Beaumont refinery because of flooding caused by Tropical Storm Imelda.

Meteorologists dont expect Laura to stall over Houston like Harvey did, but they warn that the storm could bring high winds and storm surges that could affect coastal refineries.

Houston refiner and chemical maker Phillips 66 said it is monitoring the progress of Laura but doesnt expect it to affect its refineries or operations. The company has three refineries along the coast  in Westlake, La., Belle Chasse, La., and Sweeny.

Pipeline operator Kinder Morgan suspended activities at two terminals along the Louisiana coast. Energy Transfer shut down a pipeline that hauls gas from offshore fields to Louisiana.

Protecting power grid

CenterPoint Energy, the regulated utility that supplies power to most of the Houston area, has been monitoring forecasts and said Houston-area customers should prepare to be without power for at least two weeks with enough supplies on hand and an emergency plan in place, especially if they depend on electricity for life-sustaining equipment.

If electric service is affected, CenterPoint said its crews are ready to restore the power while also preventing the spread of coronavirus, the company said.

After past storms, CenterPoint has studied what methods worked best to restore power. During Hurricane Harvey, the utility used the smart grid to quickly isolate problems on the grid and restore service to customers. CenterPoint would also use drones to assess damage and evaluate working conditions.

Enchanted Rock, the Houston-based company that provides on-site natural gas-powered generators, said many of its customers have opted to get off the power grid and are getting all their power from backyard generators.

In the meantime, the operations team has been making extra inspections near the coast to ensure power continues to run smoothly, Enchanted Rock president Corey Amthor said.

The company has accelerated planned maintenance, replenished all critical spare inventory as well as other supplies that may be needed after the storms, Amthor said. The systems are monitored and managed remotely from its microgrid network operations center.

Bloomberg wire contributed to this report.

paul.takahashi@chron.com

lynn.sixel@chron.com
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / International Endeavors Corporation "IEC" (OTC PINK:IDVV) today announced that it has finalized its agreement with Eco Resorts of the World establishing a relationship to build eco-friendly resorts and accommodations located around the globe.

Eco-camps is an established Glamping company with several destinations operating and signed contracts for the opening of new destinations in California, New York, Idaho and internationally in France and other countries.

Revenues from the previous 2 years of Glamping accommodation and hospitality services exceeded $1 million and Eco Resorts has over $250,000 in fixed assets, with long term contracts that guarantee income for at least 5 years in each location.

With the planned opening of new locations and the current high consumer interest for outdoor socially distancing accommodation experiences, the next 12 months revenues are projected to increase significantly.

Additionally Eco-camp's destinations are part of the Eco Resorts of the World community of eco-friendly resorts and accommodations located around the globe. www.ecoresortsoftheworld.com.

This online property is the only place where travelers can research and book only eco-friendly vacations. Eco-camps is the majority investor and shareholder in this business.

Under the transaction completed between Eco-camps and International Endeavors Corporation, IDVV receives 20% of the revenues and profits generated by Eco-camps and Eco Resorts of the World.

It also receives 50% of the income from the Eco-camps Temecula destination, which is built on land owned by International Endeavors Corporation (IDVV.) www.glampingtemecula.com.

Per Eco Camps projections it is anticipated that IDVV's income from Eco-camps consolidated activities will exceed $500,000 in the next twelve months and increase significantly in the following 12 months.

About Eco Resorts

ECO-CAMPS IS THE LEADING PROVIDER OF OFF-THE-GRID ECO-FRIENDLY SOCIAL DISTANCING ACCOMMODATION

We combine glamorous camping under canvas with the comforts and conveniences of a hotel, delivering unforgettable experiences for our guests in incredible locations

ECO-CAMPS offers a selection of unique properties around the world by partnering with owners of unique properties to create one of a kind Glamping destinations where other forms of accommodation can't be built.

For more information visit www.Eco-Camps.com

About International Endeavors Corporation (OTC:IDVV)

International Endeavors Corporation is engaged in locating and acquiring established companies, brands, and technologies in both the hospitality and green energy sector. The company also has a real estate portfolio that includes commercial property, agricultural land, and buildings.

Disclaimer

Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. International Endeavors Corporation (IDVV) is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contact:

Bill Martin, Vice President

Phone: 1-619-343-3199

Email: billmartin@internationalendeavorscorp.com

SOURCE: International Endeavors Corporation, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603196/IDVV-Finalizes-Agreement-With-Eco-Resorts-of-the-World-the-Leading-Provider-of-Social-Distancing-Accommodation
A new study found that practicing soil conservation benefits farmers and their crops. Farmers who prioritize soil health have a better chance of rotating three crops or more and can use cropland for livestock grazing.

Tong Wang, an assistant professor from the South Dakota State University Ness School of Management & Economics, says that they surveyed crop producers in Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. They looked into the reason of producers for prioritizing soil health, as well as how other producers may be encouraged to adopt conservation practices similarly.

Wang was the lead author of a May 2019 article in the Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, which detailed their study results.





READ: The Potential of Mycology or Fungi Mega science in Advancing Our Knowledge and Technology





Study Findings

The new study is the first to address the motivations of producers in the Northern Great Plains in adopting these practices. The research had a duration of four years. It aimed to evaluate the impacts that integrated livestock and crop management system can bring. This system involves cover crops like oats. Grazing is also an integral part of the plan for crop rotation.

It is a project by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and it had 26 researchers coming from five academic institutions. The project was headed by Sandeep Kumar, associate professor from the Horticulture and Plant Science, Department of Agronomy, South Dakota State University

According to Wang, producers are critical to the prevention and reversal of soil degradation. She said that if they can show the importance of soil health to long term profits, producers will more likely adopt them. A study in Iowa from 2003 to 2011 showed how rotating three or four crops has increased the yield of soybean and corn by four to nine percent. It also reduced the need for herbicides and fertilizers by a minimum of 80% compared to a conventional rotation plan.

READ ALSO: Agriculture Now the Largest Source of Sulfur to the Environment

Present Conservation Practices

In the survey, 672 farmers responded. Out of those, almost 38% use diversified rotation plans. Meanwhile, 71% graze livestock on their cropland. A mere 28% used both of these methods for improving soil health.

According to Wang, producers in South Dakota tend to engage in both practices: 33% of respondents used integrated livestock and crop-livestock systems and diversified crop rotation. Over 70% of respondents in the area had integrated livestock and crop management systems, and almost 40% had three or four crops in their rotation plan.

Wang said that respondents usually have more cropland compared to other producers in their state.

Increasing Adoption of Conservation Practices

Wang says that the producers concerned with stewardship and soil health are not too concerned about immediate profits and tend to adopt the conservation measures.

Wang also adds that producers are more likely to adopt diversified rotation by 3.8 percent as their property increased by 1,000 acres. Also, 45 dollars per acre is enough to encourage producers to adopt diversified rotation plans, and only 30 dollars per acre are needed to help them to take integrated livestock and crop management systems.

This USDA project and other researches can present the benefits of crop management strategies that promote soil conservation. At the same time, incentive programs from the government can give short-term compensation for farmers.

READ NEXT: Cows and Cropland to Help Save the Planet





Check out for more news and information on Soil Conservation on Nature World News.
The UK government has deliberately delayed action to secure the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe from prison in Iran to avoid offending Donald Trump, lawyers acting for the British-Iranian woman have said.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's legal team says the UK is dragging its feet on repaying a 400 million debt owed by Britain to Iran, and has asked for a meeting with defence secretary Ben Wallace to discuss the issue.

In a seven-page letter to Mr Wallace, the lawyers criticise the UK government for continuing to raise every possible legal objection to payment of the debt and has plainly failed to engage in constructive dialogue with Tehran, the Guardian reports.

The debt relates to an arms deal with the late Shah of Iran, when Iran paid for 1,500 battle tanks that were never delivered by Britain.

Now lawyers say that the deferral of the High Court hearing on the debt until the day after the November 3 US presidential election "in effect plays politics with the lives of British citizens".

They added: The message appears to be that the safety of British citizens abroad is subordinate to falling in line with US policy.

Donald Trump has taken a hard line against Iran, including breaking an international agreement on the country's nuclear programme signed by his predecessor. The US also takes a dim view of its allies working with Iran and has moved to try and section European companies that do business there.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian dual national, was sentenced to five years in prison on allegations of spying.

She strongly denies the charges against her and has been under effective house arrest at her parents home in Tehran since March, when she was granted a temporary release due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: The defence secretarys position on this matter has not changed.

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

"As previous government statements have made clear, we remain committed to securing the immediate and permanent release of all arbitrarily detained dual British nationals in Iran and regularly lobby for their release at the highest levels.

"This includes through the prime minister, the foreign secretary and the British ambassador in Tehran.
Teachers, staff and a random sample of parents and students  641 people in total  who were tested for the coronavirus by Stamford Hospital in New Canaan last week received negative results, which the town called great news a week before the public schools plan to reopen on Monday, Aug. 31.

This was great news for Superintendent Bryan Luizzis plan to reopen our schools, First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said in his evening update to the towns residents about the virus for Monday, Aug. 24.

The test results indicate a very low incidence of the virus in the town at this time, Moynihan said. But he also noted that two residents  a 28-year-old female and a 49-year-old male  tested positive for the virus over the weekend, according to the Connecticut Department of Public Healths database.

The 28-year-old has since rested negative twice, which Moynihan says is an indication her first positive test was likely a false positive.

The 49-year-old is isolating at home with no severe symptoms.

As we see spikes in other parts of Connecticut, like Danbury, occur, we are reminded how fast situations can change, Moynihan said.

RELATED: New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihans update to the towns residents for Monday, August 24, 2020

Moynihan also reminded the residents to continue wearing masks when they are inside public places, and outdoors when they cannot socially distance themselves from other people to mitigate the spread of the virus. He also reminded residents to continue washing or sanitizing their hands after they are in contact with public surfaces.

And if they travel to any of the states on Gov. Ned Lamonts list of states that have many cases of the virus, they must quarantine for 14 days when they return to Connecticut, unless they are in a state on the list for less than 24 hours.

The impacted states are listed on Connecticuts website for the virus.

Moynihan also reminded residents about the towns new emergency notifications platform, Everbridge, that he was using for the first time Monday to send his update.

All residents can update and edit their personal information on how they would like to receive the updates.

The options include voice, email or text message. Residents must also provide phone numbers and email addresses when they select the method of delivery.

You should have received an invitation from our, (town), IT Department inviting you to complete your Everbridge registration by simply choosing a personal password, Moynihan said.

Moynihan also encouraged residents to complete their registration to join the platform with from the email invitation in their inbox.

If you are receiving this voice notification only, and not also receiving an e-mail or text message, please go to the towns website to create and update your own Everbridge account at www.newcanaan.info/everbridge. If you have any questions about using Everbridge, please e-mail your questions to info@newcanaan.info.gov. Thank you and stay safe, New Canaan, Moynihan said.
Lebanon Tuesday rejected an Israeli call to reform a UN peacekeeping force patrolling the border between the two countries days before a UN Security Council vote to renew its mandate.

Lebanon and Israel are still technically at war, and the United Nations force, UNIFIL, is tasked with monitoring a ceasefire between the two sides.

Lebanon's caretaker foreign minister Charbel Wahbe separately received the ambassadors of the council's five permanent members ahead of Friday's vote, Lebanon's National News Agency said.

He handed them a memorandum stressing that "Lebanon is attached to renewing (the mission of) UNIFIL, without modifying its mandate or its numbers", it added.

Lebanon's Iran-backed Shia militia Hezbollah has also rejected any change to the nature of the force's mission.

Set up in 1978, UNIFIL was beefed up after a devastating month-long war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel accuses UNIFIL, whose latest mandate expires at the end of August, of not being active enough against Hezbollah.

It accuses the group of stockpiling weapons at the border, and is pushing for the UN force to be allowed to inspect private property.

UN chief Antonio Guterres in June called for an improved surveillance capacity for the force, including thermal-imaging cameras, hi-tech binoculars and drones.

The US ambassador to the UN, Kelly Craft, in May called for the Security Council to empower UNIFIL or alter its staffing and resources to better fulfil its mandate.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah later the same month rejected any change to the nature of the peacekeeping mission, and lashed out at US pressure over the issue.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Chairman of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord in Libya, Fayez al-Sarraj, has instructed that all corruption cases relating to the waste of public money be opened
Hillary Clinton has urged Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to not concede under any circumstances, in Novembers presidential election, as she believes the results are going to drag out, because of mail-in voting.

Ms Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016, told her former aide Jennifer Palmieri on Showtimes The Circus on Monday, that she believes the Republicans are attempting to mess up mail-in voting to gain a narrow advantage in the electoral college.

In the interview, Ms Clinton said that Republicans have a couple of scenarios that they are looking toward. One is messing up absentee balloting. They believe that helps them so that they then get maybe a narrow advantage in the Electoral College on election day.

The 72-year-old claimed: In the recent Michigan primary, I was told, in Detroit the Republicans had 40 lawyers challenging absentee, mail-in voting, and a local reporter, talking to one of the lawyers he knew, was told it was a dry run for November.

So weve got to have a massive legal operation, and I know the Biden campaign is working on that.

President Donald Trump revealed earlier in the month that Democrats are asking for $3.5bn (2.6bn) to facilitate universal mail-in voting and $25bn (19bn) to fund the USPS ahead of Novembers presidential election.

The service has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic and lost $2.2bn (1.6bn) between March and June, causing its postmaster general Louis DeJoy to ask Congress for financial support.

However, the president has refused to give the service additional funding and has repeatedly claimed that mail-in voting will lead to widespread fraud in Novembers election.

After months of criticising mail-in voting, the president told Chris Wallace of Fox News in late July that he might not accept a losing result in Novembers presidential election, because mail-in voting is going to rig it.

The week prior, Mr Trump also tweeted without proof: Mail-In Ballot fraud found in many elections. People are just now seeing how bad, dishonest and slow it is.

Election results could be delayed for months. No more big election night answers? One per cent not even counted in 2016. Ridiculous!

Many pundits have suggested that the winner of Novembers election will not be declared on the day, due to delays with the anticipated amount of residents voting by mail, according to The Hill.

Speaking on The Circus, Ms Clinton added: Joe Biden should not concede under any circumstances because I think this is going to drag out, and eventually, I do believe he will win if we dont give an inch and if we are as focused and relentless as the other side is.

On Monday, at the Republican National Convention, president Trump claimed that the Democrats are using the pandemic to steal the election by pushing for mail-in voting.

What theyre doing is using Covid to steal an election, the president claimed. Theyre using Covid to defraud the American people, all of our people, of a fair and free election. We cant do that.
Army Command Sergeant Major Lynice Thorpe-Noel says she has seen her share of bias coming up through the ranks as a Black woman in the military.

"Sometimes maybe I thought it would have been because of color; maybe it might have been my perception that it might have been because of me being a female -- I'm not absolutely sure. And to be honest with you, I didn't let that be an obstacle for me," Thorpe-Noel, the senior enlisted adviser for U.S. Army Human Resources Command, told said during a virtual discussion with Army women hosted by the Association of the United States Army.

"I wasn't going to let any barriers or someone else's biases be my responsibility ... I just felt that the best course of action for me to do was just stay the course and move forward and do well at whatever I was doing."

Read Next: National Guard and US Military Helping to Fight California Fires

Thorpe-Noel was one of four senior women in the Army who participated in the event that came two days before the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote.

A century on, "[the] majority of the country says 'the country has not gone far enough in giving women equal rights with men,'" said Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, commanding of U.S Army North.

"While this is a worrisome statistic, the Army on the other hand, wants female soldiers assigned to positions that provide full and challenging career and promotion opportunities," Richardson said.

Richardson acknowledged that the Army still has work to do, since women make up about 18% of the total force.

But the advice she offered was to both female and male soldiers.

"Be confident, learn all you can about your unit and your command, about your job and about your Army," Richardson said. "Be fit mentally, spiritually and physically, and be competitive. ... Set the example. Show your organization what right looks like. That's how we empower the next generation of leaders."

Richardson added that all soldiers should find a mentor and become a mentor.

Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, the first woman to become the chief of Army Reserve and commander of Army Reserve Command, agreed with Richardson that mentors are key to guiding future leaders.

Daniels credited the mentors in her career for encouraging her to "take a path that I might not have otherwise followed."

"One said to me, 'you should go to grad school,' and that had never been on my radar scope," Daniels said. "Another said to me, 'you know you can't make general officer if you don't apply and go to the war college.' The fact that someone was even thinking I could be a general officer ... clearly had not been on my radar scope either."

Daniel's advice to young female soldiers was to "consider where you want to be two positions beyond now."

"That may seem like it's a far way off, but it's really, really not," Daniels said. "Take the tough jobs, the stretch positions and then go do the hard work and make the most of every opportunity."

Kathleen S. Miller, who serves as the administrative assistant to Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, has also served as the civilian deputy to the Army Deputy Chief of Staff G-3/5/7.

Miller said her career with the Army began as a young wife of an Air Force airman during an overseas assignment in 1983.

"While I had an economics degree from Cornell [University], I wasn't a very good typist and that significantly limited my options for work overseas," Miller said.

She eventually found work in the comptroller field when her first boss saw potential in her.

"He took a chance on me and hired me and that was the start of a federal career that has allowed me to grow, learn and be a leader not only in finance but also in logistics, in operations and now providing a myriad of support services to the Army's headquarters," said Miller, who also studied at the U.S. Army War College.

Thorpe-Noel said she has witnessed women make a lot of progress during her 30-year career, highlighting then-Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's decision in late 2015 to open all combat arms jobs to women.

"And they are doing well; all we needed was just the opportunity to have an opportunity to do the job," Thorpe-Noel said. "I think it's about a mindset and being willing to be the one to say 'hey, I'm going to give them the opportunity because they deserve it.'"

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: Esper Bans Use of Promotion Board Photos, Orders Review of Hair and Grooming Standards
Speech Processing Solutions, the market leader in professional dictation and speech-to-text workflows, today announced it has joined RingCentral's award winning channel partner program as a sub-agent. RingCentral is a leading provider of global enterprise cloud communications, collaboration, and contact center solutions. As part of the program, Speech Processing Solutions will exclusively offer RingCentral's Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solution to customers.

In addition, Speech Processing Solutions will offer mutual customers a seamlessly integrated solution with RingCentral, enabling them to easily transcribe audio files, such as recordings, calls or voicemails into Philips SpeechLive, a browser-based dictation and transcription solution.

The integration with RingCentral Office will specifically support the transcription needs of today's mobile workforce. Users, with permission, can record a call on their mobile device from anywhere with the RingCentral app and securely transfer it to Philips SpeechLive for further processing into a written document.

Speech Processing Solutions Value-Added Resellers (VARs) will be able to offer RingCentral cloud communications solutions in conjunction with Philips SpeechLive to their customers.

"As a leader in Software as a Service (SaaS) based speech-to-text solutions we are enthusiastic that we are partnering with RingCentral, a leading Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), provider," said Reid Wolfe, vice president sales, North America, at Speech Processing Solutions North America. "Our VAR community will see a tremendous opportunity to bring additional value to their customers. Our VARs have extensive expertise as trusted advisors in industries such as healthcare, financial services including insurance, and legal to capture and transform the spoken word quickly and reliably into usable information."

With Philips SpeechLive, customers can:

Automatically transfer call recordings from the RingCentral softphone app to SpeechLive

Work from a desk or mobile phone

Send document to live assistant or speech recognition software to automatically convert spoken word to text

Protect recorded data and transcripts by industry-leading security standards

Add additional users easily at any time

Choose a "pay as you go" transcription service or speech recognition

"At RingCentral we are laser focused on enabling our customers to communicate and collaborate more effectively and productively," said Zane Long, senior vice president, global partner sales at RingCentral. "By partnering with innovative companies like Speech Processing Solutions, we can offer our customers new capabilities that meet their specific business requirements."

The timing for this partnership fits nicely into the current landscape, as businesses are actively moving towards adopting cloud-based technology and unified communications platforms to support their distributed and mobile workforces. The joint solution will establish a unique value proposition in the marketplace that supports a consistent customer experience and user-friendly solution for combined voice and document creation needs.

About Speech Processing Solutions

Speech Processing Solutions (SPS) is an international technology company and a global leader in dictation solutions. More than four million users worldwide work with speech-to-text solutions developed by SPS and sold under the Philips brand. These solutions include web-based and desktop workflow software as well as dictation devices. These smart solutions save users' time and allow them to focus on their core tasks, making their business more efficient, customer-centric and profitable.

Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, SPS has regional offices in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium and Austria, as well as a network of more than 1000 distribution and implementation partners worldwide.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005018/en/

Contacts:

Press Contact Speech Processing Solutions:

Michaela Kraft

Senior Marketing Manager North America

michaela.kraft@speech.com

www.philips.com/dictation
The science of figuring out whos already had COVID-19

Pathologist and immunologist Scott Boyd, MD, PhD, had also been eyeing the developing situation in China early in the pandemic. Boyd specializes in studying how the human immune system responds to viral infection and allergies. Hes particularly interested in the role of antibodies  the protective molecules generated by immune cells called B cells. And he was worried.

It was becoming clear that Stanford should develop another critically important test designed not to detect an active infection, but a past infection of the new coronavirus. Called a serology test, it looks for the presence of antibodies against the virus in the blood of seemingly healthy people.

Learning how many people may have already been infected is an important step in understanding the evolution of the pandemic in California and whether a past infection can protect against, or decrease the severity of, a subsequent infection. It may also help researchers and physicians understand why some infected people become very ill and die and others exhibit few if any symptoms, as well as how long an infected person might be contagious.

Boyd began talking to Taia Wang, MD, PhD, an infectious disease expert and assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, and Peter Kim, PhD, the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor of Biochemistry. Wang and Boyd brainstormed about how to develop the serology test, which uses a technique called an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or ELISA, while Abigail Powell, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in Kims laboratory, generated fragments of the viruss spike protein, which enables the virus to bind to human cells and enter them.

Boyd and his colleagues, including postdoctoral scholar Katharina Roeltgen, PhD, then used the protein to develop, test and implement a serology assay in Stanfords Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Laboratories that can detect the presence of two types of antibodies  IgG and IgM  that recognize and bind to the receptor binding domain on the spike protein.

During the last two weeks of March, Katharina and I were working 16-hour days, Boyd said. Each round of experiments takes four or five hours, and then wed tweak some conditions and try again. It was a period of intense work. But we were up and running with the test in the clinic by April 7.

Initially, the test was primarily used for Stanford patients but it was soon also used for Stanford Health Care and Stanford Childrens Health employees.

Although other commercially available serology tests have struggled to provide the sensitivity and specificity necessary to deliver reliable results, the Stanford test succeeded, delivering about one false positive in every 500 tests, and detecting antibodies in 97% of patients with confirmed infection three weeks after the onset of symptoms.

Despite the pressure, the idea of not delivering the tools our physicians and researchers needed to care for our patients and employees never came up, Zehnder said. There has been a sense of, This is what we were trained to do, and we will make it happen. It is a good feeling to be part of an organization that responds so well to this type of challenge.

Puzzling out the specifics of immunity

Now Boyd and his colleagues are trying to learn what it all means. Does the presence of antibodies protect against subsequent infection? Recent research in non-human primates implies it does. But if so, how long do the antibodies and the protection last? How can we use what weve learned to develop the best, longest-lasting vaccines? And how do we respond to other pandemics likely to arise in the next years or decades?

In many ways, the very earliest days of the pandemic were an exercise in denial, Boyd said. I had been following the start of the outbreak in China since December; I had all the facts available to me. But even then I had no idea that this would become such a major research topic in my laboratory for what will probably be the next two years or more.

Recently, Boyd, Pinsky and their colleagues found that, intriguingly, the very sickest COVID-19 patients also make the highest levels of antibodies against the spike protein, while patients who are mildly ill make only modest amounts. In patients with mild illness, the antibodies dont seem to last long  dwindling over a period of just a few weeks. The news is preliminary, but suggestive. A similar pattern of antibody expression is seen with other, non-lethal coronaviruses. And the outcome may not be as dire as the news first seems.

Of course, not having antibodies in the blood doesnt necessarily mean that previously infected people are no longer immune, Roeltgen said. We cant say that, because we dont know. We might have memory responses in immune cells like T cells that could be protective against a subsequent infection by the virus.

Many more studies of all types are underway, including whether patient samples could be collected in less invasive ways than the long nasopharyngeal swab commonly used now. Researchers are studying whether people can collect their own samples, eliminating the need to travel to a health care facility and conserving PPE for health care workers.

Also, as of July 22, the Stanford clinical virology laboratory learned from the FDA that they can begin pooling samples from multiple testing subjects pending a final review by the agency. This will enable conservation of test resources and streamline routine testing. The method is likely to be critical for quickly identifying and suppressing outbreaks in communal living situations, including skilled nursing facilities, college dormitories and jails.

Meanwhile, researchers in Boyds laboratory and other Stanford labs are investigating whether long-term protection from the virus occurs after infection or vaccination and if so, how long it lasts. Theyve set up blocking assays to determine whether the antibodies detected by the serology assay are able to prevent the spike protein from binding to the human receptor protein, ACE2, or otherwise prevent the virus from infecting cells.

Our tests, as well as others in non-human primates exposed to the virus, give some good experimental evidence to the idea that previously infected people will probably have at least some, possibly temporary, level of protection, Boyd said. Of course, the important thing will be to learn which antibody test results best correlate with the real protection of an actual person exposed to the virus in their environment, and then whether we can induce those antibody responses through vaccination.

Answers to these questions are urgently needed as the number of cases in the Bay Area and across the country continue to rise and test components become scarce.

It feels like were running in front of a huge tidal wave, trying to keep one step ahead, Kong said. Youre always short something you never would have imagined. Right now, its pipette tips. But Im confident we can handle this. COVID-19 is going to be with us for a while, and weve realized that we have to pace ourselves.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (Reuters) Madrid  Tue, August 25, 2020 18:08 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c406633e 2 News Spain,travel,destination,tourism Free

The number of foreigners staying in Spanish hotels rose in July to over 1.1 million after the country came out of one of Europe's strictest coronavirus lockdowns in late June, but was still only about one-sixth of last year's levels, data showed on Monday.

Spain usually receives more than 80 million foreign visitors a year, making it the world's second-most visited country after France. But it was domestic tourism, with 3.2 million customers, that helped keep the travel sector afloat last month, the National Statistics Institute said.

The number of foreign visitors rose from just 114,667 in June - but it remained just a fraction of July 2019's 6.45 million.

Spain, which depends on tourism for around 12% of gross domestic product, reopened its borders to Schengen countries and a select group of third countries last month, and hoteliers made just over half of their total bed capacity available.

The average occupancy rate was around 36 percent even though hotels cut their prices by 8.2 percent compared with July 2019.

Altogether, overnight stays in the first seven months of the year have fallen more than 70 percent, INE said, due to travel bans and quarantine rules for travelers returning from Spain.

Read also: France to reciprocate Britain's quarantine rule in coming days: Minister

At the end of July, new outbreaks in Catalonia and the northeast of Spain led many countries, including Britain, to discourage their citizens from travelling to Spain, imposing quarantines or requiring them to be tested upon return.

Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, among the most popular destinations for foreign tourists, have suffered a drop in visitors close to 90 percent.

One in four of the foreign visitors who stayed in a hotel in Spain in July were German. But the German numbers were still down by almost 80% while British ones were down by more than 90 percent, INE data showed.

Topics : Spain travel destination tourism
S Korea Seeks Cooperation With Russia on Fifth-Generation Jets, Drones, Space - Attache

Sputnik News

06:13 GMT 24.08.2020

PATRIOT PARK, Russia (Sputnik) - South Korea is seeking military cooperation with Russia amid growing threat on the Korean peninsula, with particular interest in the technology of Russian fifth-generation planes, drones and the exploration of space, Kim Young Wook, air attache at the South Korean embassy in Russia, said.

"The great threat is from North Korea. Not only in the military sphere but also in political. Our government is trying to [establish] a permanent peaceful atmosphere in the Korean Peninsula. To do this we need cooperation with other countries, especially with Russia," Kim said on the sidelines of the international defence industry forum Army 2020.

According to the official, South Korea wants "to have cooperation in military technology with Russia."

The technology of Russia's fifth-generation planes, like Sukhoi Su-57 jets, and drones would be of great interest to South Korea, he noted.

"Russia is developing the fifth-generation jet plane. If we have a possibility, it would be a good technology for us. We are not developing these fifth-generation jet plane. If we have our chance to have cooperation with Russia, it would be great," Kim said.

According to Kim, as an air attache, he was very interested in developing technology in space.

"Korea is still a very powerful country in the military power but we also have to develop our technologies in cosmos, in the universe, all over the space. We have to learn more about experience and technology from Russia," he said.

Kim noted that it was an honor for him to visit Russia's Army 2020 forum and see the military hardware and technology Russia showcases. The diplomat added that the exhibition provided many opportunities to learn from Russia which has a lot of military experience.

Seoul expects to sign a memorandum of understanding in the military sphere with Russia during a visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin which Seoul expects later this year, Kim Young Wook said.

Earlier in the week, South Korean Ambassador to Russia Lee Sok-bae said that Seoul hoped that Putin would pay a visit to South Korea by the end of the year and that and the countries were engaged in consultations on organizing the visit.

"If Vladimir Putin comes to our country we can expand the spectrum of cooperation. In our military sphere, we are negotiating a memorandum, MoU [Memorandum of understanding]. if Vladimir Putin can visit our country, we can sign the MoU in the military sphere between South Korea and Russia," Kim said on the sidelines of the defence industry forum Army 2020 near Moscow.

According to the air attache, the talks on the MoU will move from negotiations on the lower level to the upper-level consultations.

"And then ministry of defence of Russia and Korea will have this memorandum," he said.

Kim noted that this year South Korea and Russia mark 30 years of diplomatic relations. Modern relations between the two nations started on 30 September 1990.

Yet, due to coronavirus pandemic and linked restrictions, South Korea did not have a chance to send a large delegation to Russia in recent months, according to the official.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






DGB Interview with Breadwinner Kane:





Breadwinner Kane Talks about Label with Zaytoven + More in "Off the Porch" Interview / Video Airs on BET Jams





Breadwinner Kane recently linked up with DGB for an exclusive Off The Porch interview. During the sit down Kane talked about starting a new label with Zaytoven, starting out as an investor, Kevin Gates encouraging him to rap, being apart of BWA, working with Bankroll Fresh, his relationship with Young Freq, linking up with Zaytoven 15 years ago, booking Zaytoven for his first show, reveals him & Zaytoven are working on a full project.





Kane also talked about his upcoming project Street Certified that will feature Boosie, Fredo Bang & Haitian Fresh, and his single Popin Fa Somthin that he shot in Turkey and Italy, performing in Africa, and much more.





"Popin Fa Somthin" aired on BET Jams last week while being announced on Fresh Face Friday in the number 6 spot, in addition to being playlisted into the mixtape during the 7pm hour and 3am rotation daily.








'We are living in an undeclared Emergency.'

'Declared Emergency was easier to handle.'

'Nobody knows where an undeclared Emergency will take the country.'

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who has been convicted of contempt of court by a three-judge Supreme Court bench.

"The Supreme Court's conviction is flawed because it (Prashant Bhushan's two tweets) is not contempt because his tweets in no way obstructs the course of justice or scandalises the court," Supreme Court advocate and Prashant Bhushan's lawyer Kamini Jaiswal tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com.

What do you think of the Supreme Court judgment convicting Prashant Bhushan for contempt of court?

It is completely flawed because there is no contempt (of court) made out.

Contempt is very specific: It has to be scandalising the court or obstructing the course of justice. These two tweets (made by Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan) mean none of that.

How does saying that a man (in this case, Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde) riding a Rs 50 lakh motorbike obstructs the course of justice?

In any case, it has nothing to do with judicial work. It's a comment. It's a fair comment.

Fair comment based on the fact that the country is going through such a difficult time, the painful situation that the migrants and poor are facing in India today and the courts are not functioning normally and he (the CJI) has the time to sit on a motorbike at a public place without wearing a face mask and not observing whatever the directions of the government (related to maintaining social distancing and wearing a face mask) are.

The Supreme Court's conviction is flawed because it (Prashant Bhushan's two tweets) is not contempt because his tweets in no way obstructs the course of justice or scandalises the court.

But a three-judge bench convicted Prashant Bhushan for contempt of court.

Yes, but that is wrong. They are wrong. They are absolutely wrong.

Would you have reason to believe that the Supreme Court over-reacted?

Absolutely.

It's a black day for the judicial system.

It's a black day for Indian democracy.

It is a black day for freedom of speech and expression.

Why do you think Prashant Bhushan or anybody who makes such comments should not be convicted for contempt of court?

Because there is no contempt. Whether it is Prashant Bhushan or you or me.

For convicting a person, there has to be an offence of contempt.

Should Prashant Bhushan have apologised?

He has already filed his statement and that's that. They want an unconditional apology and he is not doing that.

If this judgment is flawed, do you think freedom of speech and expression are at stake now?

Your and my freedom is at stake.

Freedom of expression, which is a Fundamental Right, is at stake.

We are living in dangerous times and living in an undeclared Emergency.

Declared Emergency was easier to handle. Nobody knows where an undeclared Emergency will take the country.

What has enabled this kind of environment to persist?

Do you think in times like this, we should be discussing a stupid tweet when there are so many serious issues that the judiciary must pay attention to?

Like the people's Right to lLife, their liberty; the whole of Jammu Kashmir is under detention since August last year.

Is this the time to think of all this? This is too frivolous.
The recent ceasefire in Libya may represent a ray of hope for a solution to the problems besetting the country, but only if all the parties act in good faith

Over two months have passed since President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi issued his warning to forces loyal to the Turkish-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) and its local and foreign militias not to cross the red line of the oil-rich region of Sirte and Jufra. Since then, the situation in Libya has not changed, aside from some temporary incursions around the country.

The Egyptian warning enforced a ceasefire in an area that represents the crown jewels of Libyan territory for the Islamist and unelected, yet UN-recognised, GNA in Tripoli backed by Turkey and Qatar. At the same time, the Libyan National Army (LNA) backed by Egypt and the UAE has held its ground, while maintaining its control of most of the country except the capital Tripoli.

It is against this background that the declaration of a ceasefire by the Tripoli government led by Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj on 20 August, with this being accepted by the Tobruk-based parliament, represents a breakthrough in a deadlocked situation. However, despite successful diplomatic efforts led by Cairo, Washington, the EU and others to defuse a situation on the brink of explosion in Libya, there have been various warning signs making it unwise to assume that this ceasefire will necessarily hold.

The ceasefire declaration by the GNA seemed cordial in its wording, and it values the role played by Egypt along with several other regional and international players in brokering it. Among the terms is a call for the disbanding of militias and the preparation of general elections in Libya to take place by March 2021. The GNA in Tripoli has also called for the end of any military presence in the Sirte/Jufra area and its being turned into a non-military zone. This area is firmly controlled by the LNA, and it is the area that Al-Sisi earlier warned that any attempt to occupy it would force Egypt to intervene militarily as a matter of national security.

However, it is unclear whether the LNA or its allies will accept the ceasefire proposal, at least at this stage, since trust in the GNA has been shattered as a result of several other broken ceasefires over the past few years as well as the use of foreign mercenaries and regional allies such as Turkey by the Tripoli government in its fight against the LNA. Moreover, the oil-rich region of Sirte/Jufra is a target for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, who has been trying to take control of it over the past few months in vain. If left unguarded, it could encourage a sneak attack by Turkey or its allied militias.

Despite the above, prior to an agreement of the ceasefire and as a sign of good will the LNA and Tobruk parliament approved the resumption of oil production and export after a period of stopping production in the region.

Among the reasons for wariness about the ceasefire is the plan by the Turkish and Qatari regimes to force a Muslim Brotherhood regime on Libya by backing the Islamist-leaning GNA in Tripoli. A few days prior to the declaration of the ceasefire, both the Turkish and Qatari defence ministers visited Libya, and in the presence of the GNA leader they agreed to send Qatari military experts to the country and for Turkey to build a naval base in Misrata. Any such moves are totally unacceptable to Egypt, which said that Egypt cannot accept foreign bases in Libya as part of any future settlement.

According to LNA Spokesman Ahmed Al-Mesmary, in July Turkey transported 25,000 mercenaries into Libya, including 17,000 Syrian militants and 2,500 Tunisians who had earlier fought in the ranks of the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria. In addition to these, it also sent in some 3,000 Turkish military experts.

Prior to the ceasefire declaration, Al-Sisi sent a letter to commander of the LNA Khalifa Haftar last week expressing Egypts support for his efforts to bring unity, peace and stability to Libya. President Al-Sisi also ordered the Egyptian army to remain in a state of readiness to meet any possible developments in the region.

The unity of GNA leader Al-Sarrajs group in the Libyan cabinet remains in doubt as news of disputes between Al-Sarraj and first Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Maitiq has surfaced recently. There are factions forming within the Libyan Presidential Council in Tripoli, some of which have joined Al-Sarraj and some of which have joined Maitiq.

Accusations of corruption have also been thrown at Al-Sarraj by Maitiq and Libyan Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha. Al-Sarrajs acceptance of the ceasefire may thus be his way of solidifying his position against a wave of objections against his handling of political and economic affairs in the country. It remains to be seen whether both factions in the Tripoli government are in agreement with the ceasefire declaration.

Yet, despite all this the declaration may represent a glimmer of hope that problems in Libya can be settled, providing that the Islamist GNA in Tripoli does not continue to leverage its position against the LNA and Tobruk parliament through its Turkish ties. It is also unclear what the current negotiations will result in, especially given present tensions and the lack of faith between the parties.

There has been a major change in Erdogans tone and that of the Turkish presidency towards Egypt over the past week, especially after Egypt ratified its naval demarcation agreement with Greece. The Turkish presidency praised Egypts role in reaching a ceasefire in Libya, which is the opposite of what it has been saying over recent months. The change of tone was sudden and appeared incoherent with the years of inflammatory and hostile rhetoric that Turkey has used against the Egyptian state. Suddenly, however, Erdogan seems to have changed his tune, perhaps because he has realised that his grand ambitions for Turkish hegemony in the region may have hit a dead end.

But Erdogans motives cannot be trusted. His dreams of an expansionist, neo-Ottoman caliphate in the region, encapsulated in his Mavi Vatan or Blue Homeland vision of a large part of Southern Europe and the Middle East including countries in North Africa, still lurk somewhere in his deluded mind. Even so, if there is any chance of avoiding further bloodshed in war-torn Libya, then this is a chance that has to be seized, while being wary of any side-deals and attempts by the Turkish and Qatari regimes to acquire by politics and trickery what they have failed to do by military means.

Erdogans regime is currently bowing to the reality of the situation in Libya, as imposed by Egypt and the international community. But the Turkish Islamist regime is an untrustworthy partner that is unlikely to honour any long-term deals. Egypt thus remains a bulwark against Erdogans and the Islamists ambitions of hegemony in the region, and it will not stand idly by until this threat is neutralised. But for the time being, if peace can be attained in Libya without further bloodshed, then so be it.

*The writer is a political analyst and author of Egypts Arab Spring and the Winding Road to Democracy.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The Delhi Court has said that trial will start soon against 36 foreigners from 14 countries for attending Tablighi Jamaat congregation in the national capital. The court has framed charges against the foreigners for allegedly disobeying the government's guidelines in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. The court said that information regarding lockdown and social distancing norms were in the public domain and the accused were aware of the distancing norms.

"It has been mentioned in the chargesheet that around 1,300 devotees from various states and foreign countries were found residing at the Markaz premises without maintaining any social distancing or using a facial mask, hand sanitisers, etc, even though there was an invocation of an order under Section 144," the court said in its order.

The court also stated documents and statements recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C., prima facia reflect that the accused were negligent and did not take due care precautions by not following the directions and guidelines of the authorities, thereby leading to the spread of coronavirus disease amongst themselves and others. "In these facts and circumstances, prima facie offence punishable under Section 269 IPC is made out against the accused", the court added.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gurmohina Kaur framed charges against 36 foreigners under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3 (disobeying regulation) of Epidemic Act, 1897.

The charges were also framed under section 51 (obstruction) Disaster Management Act, 2005.

However, they were discharged for offences under section 14 (1) (b) (violation of visa norms) of Foreigners Act, sections 270 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), and 271 (Disobedience to quarantine rule) of IPC.

"No evidence of visa term violation register relied upon by the prosecution only corroborates the fact of their presence or attendance at the Tablighi Jamaat, but it nowhere shows that the aforesaid accused had violated the conditions mentions in para no. 1.25 of the Visa Manual, 2019, which provides that foreign nationals granted any type of visa and OCI cardholder shall not be permitted to be engaged themselves in Tablighi Work," the court said in the order.

Punishment for the offences for which they have been charged ranges from six months to eight years of imprisonment.

The court discharged eight foreign nationals from six countries of all charges under which they were charge-sheeted in the absence of any record or any credible material against them.

Also read: Google search for 'chest pain' soar to record high amid coronavirus pandemic

Also read: India's COVID-19 death toll inches towards 60,000-mark; 24.04 lakh patients cured
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller announced $82.5 million in new funding Tuesday for Indigenous communities to deal with increased mental health needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding is aimed at expanding "culturally appropriate services" such as on the land, community-based programs, mental wellness teams, virtual counselling and substance use treatment services.

Miller said pre-existing, intergenerational trauma in Indigenous communities  as a result of residential schools and the current child welfare system  has been "exacerbated" by the pandemic.

"This has caused and increased mental health challenges for individuals and communities as a whole," said Miller.

"Prior to the pandemic, demand for counselling and mental wellness support was already trending upward."

Miller said Indigenous Services Canada's Hope for Wellness Help Line has received 10,000 calls and chats between this past January and April, a 178 per cent increase when compared to the same time period last year, which saw 3,602 calls and chats.

The First Nations Health Authority, which provides health services to First Nations in British Columbia, also reported that overdose deaths doubled between January and May 2020 when compared to the same time period the previous year.

"The full impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellness of Indigenous peoples and communities will likely not be fully appreciated until long after we emerge from the pandemic," Miller said.

Miller said the $82.5 million will be divided between First Nations, Inuit and Metis regional organizations, which will determine how the new money will be used.

Miller also said the department will also continue to support youth in the child welfare system who would have aged out of care during the current pandemic period, until March 2021.

WATCH | How effective are masks in keeping schools safe from COVID-19:

To date, there have been 437 COVID-19 cases reported on-reserve, and 411 have recovered.

Miller said the department is also preparing to support communities as they plan for the reopening of schools  providing non-medical face masks for children and hand-sanitizing stations in schools.
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

WHO: Gateway Health, a leading managed care organization focused on the

total health of its members.



WHAT: Virtual Discussion: Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 Scams and Fraud





Featured Speaker:

David P. Shallcross

Director of Senior Protection Unit

Education and Outreach Specialist

Office of Public Engagement

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General





This event is free and open to all. Registration is required.



WHEN: Thursday, August 27, 2020

11 a.m. to 12 p.m.



WHERE: Attendees can register for this event and access the webinar by visiting:

http://bit.ly/GatewayVirtualDiscussionAugustREVISED.



WHY: According to a recent article from Reuters, U.S. losses from coronavirus-

related fraud and identity theft have reached nearly $100 million since the

pandemic began in March. Pennsylvania is in the top five states being

targeted by these scams.





This virtual discussion will cover recent scams involving: purchasing

essential supplies, price gouging, investments, charity donation requests

and CARES Act fraud attempts.





Gateway Health knows that caring for the whole person is critical to

empowering people to live healthier lives. With this in mind, this webinar

will highlight some helpful tips for consumers during these challenging times.

About Gateway Health

At Gateway Health, we believe in caring for the whole person in all communities where the need is greatest. We see a future in which everyone has equal opportunity to achieve their best health. Through our leading Medicaid and Medicare programs, Gateway Health is coordinating healthcare that goes beyond doctors and medicine that helps members achieve not just physical health, but also delivers whole person care. Our associates are helping to drive this new kind of healthcare in collaboration with a network of 29,000 primary care physicians, specialists, hospitals, and other ancillary providers. Gateway Health is also committed to supporting our neighbors through our many community outreach and engagement programs.

SOURCE Gateway Health Plan
Iran producing 1 billion cm/d of gas, Pres. Rouhani says

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, August 24, IRNA -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that Iran's gas production has increased from 600 million cm/d to 1 billion cm/d this year.

President Rouhani made the remarks during a ceremony held for the inauguration of different national projects online on the occasion of National Government Week.

The Iranian president, meantime, referred to the self-sufficiency in gas production as the legacy of his government which will be passed on to the next government.

He said that gas production is a big industry along with oil production that produces clean energy and helps to the development of the country too.

The Iranian president also touched upon the government achievements in petrochemical production and said that when the next government begins its works next year, the country's petrochemical production will be doubled.

President Rouhani also said that the country's petrochemical production has grown from 56 million tons to 100 million tons.

The value of petrochemical products has increased from $11 billion to $25 billion, he added.

9341**2050

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Thats because much of the time, the prevailing winds during that blaze were blowing northeast, away from the city, while the current wildfire smoke is blowing directly toward Tucson, she said.

What to expect

After Tuesday, Aug. 25, in which temperatures could rise to 109 degrees, the areas extreme heat is expected to taper off a bit, the weather services Howlett said. The high-pressure mass is expected to weaken a bit, daytime high temperatures are forecast to drop into the low 100s, and we will see an increase in moisture.

But, likely we will continue to see some amount of haze in the sky as these fires continue to go, Howlett said. There will be variations as to how much is out there, but until we can put these fires out, we will continue to see some influence from them.

From Nelsons vantage point from her downtown Tucson office, she saw another sign Monday that the smoke isnt going away soon. It was a flag over the nine-story Tucson Electric Power office building at 88 E. Broadway  and it wasnt moving.

Climate change
Chandigarh, Aug 25 : The Punjab government is going to release more prisoners for the time being to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, officials said on Tuesday.

For this, the Congress government is bringing amendment Bills for the temporary release of some prisoners.

The other Bills relate to regulation of private clinical establishments, control of drugs dispensation by private de-addiction centres, industrial disputes and child labour, an official said.

The Amarinder Singh-led Cabinet approved the presentation of the Ordinances for enactment in the forthcoming one-day session of the Vidhan Sabha on August 28.

Due to the prevailing situation arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Council of Ministers has approved the introduction of the Punjab Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Amendment Ordinance, 2020, a government statement said.

The enactment of the legislation would pave the way for extending the period of parole in situations of disasters, epidemics and extreme emergencies.

The rationale behind bringing the legislation is to enable the Jail Department to take measures to decongest jails. This would also ensure that the jails remain Covid-19 free, as readmitting the inmates released on parole or interim bail, who reside in different parts of the state and outside, would expose other inmates to the risk of contracting Covid-19, the statement added.
New Delhi: Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is mulling on increasing the number of pilgrims from outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir from the current 100 to 200 or more.

In view of the Centre's strict COVID-19 protocol, only 2000 pilgrims can visit the holy shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir at present. Of these 2000, 1900 are from within the Union Territory and only 100 pilgrims from other states can visit the revered shrine.

Ramesh Kumar Jangid, Chief Executing Officer of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Jammu and Kashmir, said, "We have kept outsider capacity at 100. This will be reviewed this week. This is expected to be increased. The maximum limit can be 500 till September if allowed".

The Shrine Board has also come up with protocols for the pilgrimage for the non-J&K residents, which includes carrying a COVID-19 negative report which is not more than 48 hours old and only online registration of the pilgrims. They can register themselves by visiting the official website of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

In accordance with the Ministry of Home Affairs' COVID-19 guidelines, children below 10 years, persons above 60, and those with comorbidity, pregnant women are not allowed to travel to the shrine.

At all entry points, the pilgrims will undergo thermal scanning and, all along with the route and even at the holy cave, strict adherence to the COVID-19 rules and social distancing norms is required.

The devotees without mask or face cover are not allowed at the shrine, and at every location, the Boared has kept santisers for them to sanitise their hands.

The pilgrimage to the revered Vaishno Devi Shrine resumed earlier this month on August 16.

Helicopter services to the shrine have also started but due to lesser number of pilgrims, no chopper has flown yet. The Shrine Board is mulling to put helicopter services as an option during online registration for the pilgrimage.
After a gunman killed 17 students and staff at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., the survivors became the big story, not the shooter. Many students in the liberal enclave, as well as family members of the victims, rallied to agitate for stricter gun control laws.

But not all of them. One of those exceptions was Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow was killed inside the school. Pollack pressed his case for President Trump's reelection at the Republican National Convention on Monday night on the grounds that he thought the school's liberal policies on student discipline had contributed to his daughter's death.

"After my daughters murder, the media didnt seem interested in the facts. So I found them myself. I learned that gun control laws didnt fail my daughter. People did," Pollack said, blaming "far-left Democrats in our school district" for adopting insufficiently harsh disciplinary measures to catch previous red flags about the gunman, a troubled former student.

"I was just fine with the old approach to discipline and safety  it was called discipline and safety," Pollack said, criticizing the school's "restorative justice" policy. "But the Obama-Biden administration took Parklands bad policies and forced them into schools across America." He praised Trump for ending support for those policies, and told listeners their children's safety depended on Trump being reelected.

Trump has occasionally wavered in his rhetoric on gun control policies, but his administration has time and again come back to conservative positions against universal background checks and bans on semiautomatic rifles, which have become Democratic orthodoxy.

The Times profiled Pollack in 2019. A native of Long Island, N.Y., who voted for Trump in 2016, Pollack was angered by the media's close focus on gun policy rather than on other factors leading up to the shooting. Pollack appeared at the White House a week after the massacre.

Im pissed, Pollack shouted in a listening session at the White House. Its not about gun laws right now. Thats another fight, another battle. Lets fix the schools and then you guys can battle it out.

Pollack was also critical of the student activists who survived the massacre and then called for tighter gun control policies. They just got famous off the death of these kids, Pollack told The Times in 2019. Their agenda was to get famous and spew more of their liberalism ways without looking at the facts.
If the authorities are raising property taxes by ten times, they need to raise salaries by five times. This is what leader of Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan said during a meeting with students today.

Take a look at other countries. No country is raising property taxes. How can people pay their property taxes when they dont have high salaries? Today, there are 1,700,000 people who have loans and are barely making ends meet, he said.

In response to a students concern about the increase of tuition fees this year, Tsarukyan got upset and said the Prosperous Armenia faction of the National Assembly will raise the issue in parliament in September. People havent been working for six months. How can this be? Who made that decision? Does that person know that people are barely making ends meet?
S Lalitha By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The first trial run of trains for a stretch of the 72.1-km Phase-II of Namma Metro is likely from Thursday. This 6.29 km stretch from Yelachenahalli to Anjanapura (Reach-4B line) is slated for a November 1 launch.

While trial runs have mostly been held after midnight due to train operations, they can be held in the day now due to the closure of service. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Managing Director Ajay Seth told The New Indian Express, We are looking at beginning the trials this week from the Yelachenahalli end.

Thursday (August 27) is very likely subject to our internal inspection. Trial runs will be held for a month before approaching the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety for his inspection. That may be possible in October. The five elevated stations of Konanakunte Cross (earlier Anjanapura Cross Road), Doddakallasandra, Vajrahalli, Thalaghattapura and Anjanapura figure along this line.

The initial runs will only be between two stations, he added.M S Channappagoudar, General Manager, Land Acquisitions, BMRCL, said 71,890 square metres of land was acquired for the stretch and a total compensation of Rs 364.52 crore was paid to those whose lands were acquired. The stretch has missed a few deadlines in the past with August 15 announced as the launch date. The Covid-19 pandemic has pushed the launch date to November 1 now.

We are ready to run Metro anytime

The board meeting of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation was held on Monday. According to a source, The possibility of opening up Metro operations for the public was discussed during the meeting. No decision has been finalized yet. We are in a state of complete readiness to run trains whenever the Centre wants us to do so. Asked if any proposal has to be sent by BMRCL to the Centre, the source said it was not required as the decision will be taken pan-India.

ORR line to be discussed at ministerial meet

An inter-ministerial consultation meet will be held by the Centre in connection with the Outer Ring Road line, said BMRCL MD Ajay Seth. The line between KR Puram and Silk Board was approved by the State on January 29, 2019, but still awaits central clearance. The meet will get views of other ministries before the proposal is placed before the Public Investment Board, he said. The Rs 5,999.4 crore project running 19.5 km will have 13 stations.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 23:15:17|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BANGKOK, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Bangkok South Criminal Court late on Tuesday issued a new arrest warrant for an heir to the Red Bull energy drinking fortune, Vorayuth Yoovidhya, based on three additional charges.

The heir was involved in a fatal hit-and-run case in 2012 which left a police officer dead.

"The three charges were reckless driving causing death, failing to help a victim after a crash and cocaine abuse," said Pol. Capt. Pichapai Srikhamkhwan, deputy investigation chief at a Bangkok police station on Tuesday.

Pichapai said the new evidences were of testimonies given by experts regarding substance use (cocaine).

He also said that the arrest warrant has a lifetime of 15 years.

Prosecutors earlier decided to arraign Vorayuth, claiming that the latter's family had already compensated the junior police killed in the hit-and-run case eight years ago.

Top level government leaders decided to relaunch an investigation into Vorayuth's case after Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told the media that no one in Thailand, regardless of his status, is able to "get-off-the-hook" from the Thai law if he commits a crime. Enditem
Mark and Patricia McCloskey were photographed brandishing semi-automatic guns at protesters: Getty

A couple from St Louis who earned notoriety after pointing guns at unarmed black protesters have complained that they face criminal charges, and not the mob they claim threatened them.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who were photographed brandishing semi-automatic guns at protesters who walked near their home during a June demonstration for racial justice following the killing of George Floyd, face charges of unlawful use of a weapon.

(Daniel Shular via Eurovision/AFP) Mark and Patricia McCloskey brandish firearms outside their home in St Louis during a demonstration for racial justice

Yet they appeared in a video recorded for the Republican National Convention to denounce those charges, and to condemn the mob who had passed their $1.5m home.

The radicals are not content just marching in the streets, said Mark McCloskey. They want to walk the halls of Congress. They want power. This is Joe Bidens party. These are the people who will be in charge.

The couple, both personal injury attorneys, were charged with one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon. Several Republican leaders, including Donald Trump, have urged attorney general William Barr to pursue a civil rights investigation of the prosecutor who filed the charges.

Ms McCloskey repeated claims made by Mr Trump that Democratic housing proposals to create more integrated and diverse neighbourhoods would destroy the suburbs. Critics have accused the president of using coded language to deliver a racist message.

In the video broadcast on Monday night, Ms McCloskey said: They want to abolish the suburbs altogether by ending single-family home zoning.

She claimed such moves would bring crime, lawlessness and low-quality apartments into thriving suburban neighbourhoods.

She added: These are the policies that are coming to a neighbourhood near you. Your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats America."

Read more

Trump looks to shore up suburban vote at RNC

Schedule, speakers, and how to watch Republican National Convention

What to expect from the Republican National Convention

The Republicans big plan for the climate crisis in 2020- nothing
While the COVID-19 pandemic threatens millions of lives worldwide, the super-rich are profiting from the pandemic to boost their fortunes, as governments shower the corporate and financial elite with billions of euros in bailouts. This is the case not only in the United States, but internationally.

French financial magazine Challenges has published its yearly ranking of the 500 largest fortunes in France. According to the 2020 edition, the collective wealth of Frances 500 wealthiest families has exploded despite the pandemic: Despite the economic crisis caused by the confinement, the 500 greatest fortunes have not collapsed.

It continued, In 2020, the collective wealth of the 500 top fortunes in the ranking was 731 billion, compared to 211 billion in 2010. This is approximately 30 percent of Frances Gross Domestic Product (GDP), compared to 10 percent in 2010. While there has been a threefold increase in their wealth over the last decade, there has been a ten-fold increase since 1996. France has 95 billionaires today, compared to 40 a decade ago.

The disgusting self-enrichment of the financial aristocracy exposes the French governments claims it has no money for social spending and to stop mass sackings being prepared amid the pandemic. The accumulation of such obscene fortunes is due to the policies of successive governments since the Stalinist regimes dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the 2008 Wall Street crash. They are implementing austerity policies designed to destroy social rights established after the Liberation from the Nazi occupation, to further enrich the wealthy.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, French officials have refused to significantly boost health spending and even mocked COVID-19 as a little flu. The state thus not only endangered health workers, who were denied necessary supplies and even face masks. The pandemic has caused over 30,000 deaths in France and 810,000 worldwide. At the same time, European governments were pouring over 2 trillion in bailouts into the banks and major corporations, further enriching this corrupt financial aristocracy.

Among the billionaires, Bernard Arnault, the head of the LVMH luxury fashion conglomerate, is still the wealthiest individual in France and across Europe. For the first time, his wealth has gone above 100 billion (a 13 percent increase since 2019). He is the third-wealthiest man in the world after Jeff Bezos (Amazon) and Bill Gates (Microsoft). From 2008 to 2019, Arnault increased his fortune from 18 billion to 100 billion.

The Arnault family, which initially ran a regional construction firm in northern France, built its fortune by manipulating state subsidies to restructure and shut down textile plants. It finally acquired LVMH in the 1980s, leaving in its wake a trail of shuttered factories and devastated cities. Northern France has since become an electoral base of the neo-fascist National Front.

The five largest fortunes in France are based primarily on luxury, fashion and cosmetics. After Frances wealthiest man, there are the Dumas family that owns the Hermes luxury group (55 billion), the Wertheimer brothers who own the Chanel luxury group (53 billion), and Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers, who owns much of LOreal (51 billion). Fifth place goes to Francois Pinault and his family, which owns the Kering luxury conglomerate (32 billion).

In sixth and seventh place, one finds big retail and defense contractors: Gerard Mulliez for the Auchan supermarket chain, and Laurent, Olivier, Marie-Helene and Thierry Dassault of the Dassault military and aerospace empire (23.5 billion).

These billionaires have profited massively from tax cuts and state subsidies handed to them over a period of decades. The fact that Frances five largest fortunes rely on luxury underscores how the ruling class builds its fortunes on social inequality and neglects industry and production.

Such concentration of wealth at the top of society is an unprecedented phenomenon, which the pandemic has not stopped. According to the Guardian, more than three-quarters of the worlds wealthiest people have already reported a substantial increase in their family fortune this year. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, saw his fortune skyrocket by $75 billion this year to reach the record figure of $189 billion.

Even before the drastic impact of COVID-19, a substantial proportion of the worlds population lived in poverty. In its report published last October, European statistics agency Eurostat wrote that in 2018, 109.2 million people, that is 21.7 percent of the population in the European Union (EU), were living at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

The French National Statistics Institute (INSEE) reported at that time that in France 14.7 percent of the populationthat is over 9 million peoplewere living under the poverty line. In 2019, the number of beneficiaries of minimum welfare payments (RSA) increased, with 1.84 million households receiving this benefit. A couple has to live on 847 monthly with this benefit, and an individual 567 per month.

In October 2019, sociologist Louis Maurin told the daily Le Parisien: We are in a sort of stagnation, with already very weak growth, which always leaves behind a portion of the population that is already economically weakened. Public policy is not directed towards the poorest individuals. By spending 7 billion, we would lift 5 million people out of poverty, whereas in reality we are giving 30 billion in tax handouts to the wealthy. Our employment policy is not coherent, either. Without accusing anyone of anything, our job-creation policy has no ambition.

Now, the super-rich are seeing their fortunes subsidized by bailouts including a 1.25 trillion European Central Bank quantitative easing plan, and hundreds of billions spent in national and EU bailouts across Europe. This only further underscores the completely parasitic character of their wealth. Like the feudal aristocracy before the 1789 French revolution, they live by plundering the public purse and demanding with limitless arrogance that the state impoverish the people.
<p>It's the second day of a hearing to sentence mass murderer Brenton Tarrant.</p><p>The 29-year-old Australian admits shooting men, women and children while they prayed at two city mosques last year, killing 51 people.</p><p>Tarrant has also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a further 40 worshippers, and a charge of terrorism. He's representing himself in court, flanked by heavy security.</p><p>Mohammad Siddiqui was shot in the arm at Al Noor mosque, leaving him injured in hospital for eight days. He told the court he was only there a few minutes before "the devil arrived".</p><p>"You arrived at the house of God to kill innocent people and carry out your gutless action.</p><p>"I try not to talk about it because I do not want to give you the satisfaction. We have grieved, we have cried, yet we are stronger.</p> <p>"Your time will come, everyone must face God," he told Tarrant.<br /><br />Ambreen Naeem lost her husband Naeem Rashid and her eldest son Talha Neem, who was just 21 years old.</p><p>In her statement, read by a support person, she described the killing as "inhumane" and that Tarrant's "punishment should continue forever".</p> <p>But she added that she was proud of her husband: "Naeem died trying to save others and was given the highest award for bravery from Pakistan. This is an honour for our family".</p><p>Angela Armstrong talked of the two bullets that claimed the life of her mother, Linda Armstrong, while she was at the Linwood mosque.</p><p>"You robbed me of my mother and I have pity for your mum, but no emotion for you. You are a nothing."</p> <p>Linda Armstrong's nephew, Kyron Gosse, pleaded with the judge to protect the public from Tarrant.</p><p>"I want you to know my rage," he said. "This man is not one of us, but that did not stop him from slaughtering us. He killed our love ones in cold blood.</p><p>"And for what? This coward hid behind his big guns and shot Linda from afar. She never stood a chance. I've seen no remorse."</p><p>Noraini Milne, whose son Sayyad Milne was killed, told Tarrant: "You are already dead to me. Whatever punishment you get will never be enough."</p> <p>Mirwais Waziri, from Afghanistan, addressed Tarrant directly, telling him: "You are a terrorist and you have proved that to the world.</p><p>"We have suffered but we are strong, we are stronger than before. I came here as a refugee and I'm not going anywhere.</p><p>"You are the loser - we are the winners. How will you face God on judgement day?"</p><p>Zuhair Darwish, whose brother Kamel Darwish was killed, again talked directly to the gunman: "You will pay for what you did in this life, soon and later.</p><p>"You acted like a coward and you are one. You live like a rat and you are going to die alone."</p><p>He told the court the only punishment fit for Brenton Tarrant's crimes was death: "Fair punishment for him will be death penalty, I know in New Zealand they have removed it for a human, but he's not a human."</p><p>Tarrant was again called a monster. Farisha Razak, who lost her father in the attack, told the murderer: "You are a monster and no one wants you. You deserve to suffer for ruining the lives of so many. Muslims are not bad people - Get it in your thick head."</p> <p>Nathan Smith, who was at the Al Noor mosque, looked at Tarrant when he spoke.</p><p>The victim, originally from Poole in Dorset, told him: "I held a three-year-old boy in my arms praying he was still alive, but he was not.</p><p>"You killed in my name. I am white, Muslim and proud. All you have done is cause great shame for Europeans around the world."</p><p>Tarrant laughed when Nathan Smith suggested: "If you have a few spare minutes - and you will have many - you may want to read the Koran, it's beautiful."</p><p>He added: "You have changed my life forever and I will never forgive you. Because of you my faith is stronger and I want to learn more. I have nothing else to say to you, but you will be judged, you will be judged."</p><p>Brenton Tarrant sat still and silently in court.</p><p>He watches, listens and nodded in agreement when one victim told the court "life in prison should mean life".</p><p>Yesterday, the court heard how <strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/story/christchurch-mosque-gunman-wanted-to-kill-as-many-people-as-he-could-12055373" target="_blank">Tarrant talked to police after the attacks</a></strong>, telling them he was "going into both mosques to kill as many people as he could".</p><p>He also planned to burn the mosques to the ground and said he "wished he had done so".</p><p>Brenton Tarrant also planned to take more lives, attempting to head to a third mosque in Ashburton, but was stopped by police who rammed his car and arrested him without resistance.</p><p>Tarrant's crimes carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison, but the high court judge, Justice Cameron Mander, has the option of sentencing him to life in prison without parole, a penalty never before used in New Zealand.</p>
Alabamas Black Belt, one of the poorest regions in the country, is shrinking. As the pivotal 2020 Census approaches, the population loss in that region could end up costing the rest of the state.

In terms of solutions to help Alabamas Black Belt, in the immediate short-term maximizing Census participation is the single most important and doable task, said Dr. Stephen Katsinas, head of the Education Policy Center at the University of Alabama.

Black Belt 2020, new series from the Education Policy Center at the University of Alabama, in partnership with AL.com, will look at several issues and options faced by Alabamas Black Belt, starting with its declining population. Using an inclusive definition of the region, the Education Policy Center came up with 24 counties that make up the Black Belt in the state, spanning from Lamar County, along the Mississippi border, southeast in a band that stretches to the Georgia border.

The challenges of rural life in Alabama, and indeed rural America, are driving away its most valuable resource: its people, the first brief in the series from the University of Alabama reads.

[Cant see the map? Click here.]

Those counties lost more than 44,000 people between 2000 and 2018, according to data obtained by the Education Policy Center. Thats a population loss of about 6 percent over that timeframe.

The rest of the state, meanwhile, grew steadily. Alabamas 43 non-Black Belt counties grew by a combined 13 percent between 2000 and 2018, or more than 479,500 people. The state as a whole, including both Black Belt and non-Black Belt counties, grew by about 11 percent during that timeframe.

The Black Belt is increasingly being left behind. It went from making up about 17.4 percent of the states population in 1990 to about 14 percent in 2018. The Education Policy Centers brief, written by Katsinas, Noel Keeney, Emily Jacobs, and Hunter Whann, examines some of the reasons why people are leaving, from a lack of adequate healthcare options to a lack of internet access.

[Cant see the chart? Click here.]

But why does it matter?

The 2020 Census, which aims to count everyone living in the United States - is nearly complete. The U.S. Census Bureau will stop counting people at the end of September, and Alabama has a lot on the line. Its one of a handful of states that could lose a seat in Congress and one electoral vote based on its stagnant population. The Census also determines federal funding for schools, hospitals, infrastructure and more. The population loss in the Black Belt could be the reason Alabama loses a seat.

Losing a congressional seat will jeopardize billions in federal investment dollars over the next decade, the University brief reads. This is why Alabama policymakers on a bipartisan basis are working tirelessly to insure a full and complete count for the Census.

Between 2010 and 2016, the U.S. Population grew by about 4.1 percent, Katsinas said. In Alabama, the population grew by about 1.6 percent, but growth was faster - about 2.4 percent - in the states 43 non-Black Belt counties. If the state wants to keep up with the rest of the nation, it will need the Black Belts help.

The Census is an important first step for the Black Belt - and the rest of the state. The region appeared to be significantly undercounted prior to the 2010 Census, when the population in those 24 counties jumped by more than 10,000 people over pre-Census estimates. Estimates show a significant decrease in each subsequent year, but a larger than expected count in the region could go a long way in potentially saving Alabamas seventh congressional seat.

Many Black Belt counties are among those with the lowest response rates to the Census so far. Perry County, the county that shrank at the fastest rate between 1990 and 2018, has the lowest response rate in Alabama at just 37 percent. The states response rate so far is 61.5 percent.

11 of the 13 Alabama counties with a response rate lower than 50 percent are in the Black Belt.

And the work doesnt end with a complete Census response.

Even if Alabama barely holds onto its seat in 2020, we could lose two in 2030, Katsinas said. More will need to be done to slow the pace of population loss in the region or even reverse it.

Improved employment opportunities by expanding Career and Technical Education and apprenticeships can create the high skill labor force manufacturers look for, Katsinas said. He also said expanding broadband internet access in the region will be key. Many of these issues will be addressed in upcoming entries in the Black Belt 2020 series.

Black Belt 2020 is an ongoing series by AL.com and the Education Policy Center at the University of Alabama examining demographic, economic, and education issues, challenges, concerns, and options facing the Black Belt in Alabama.
Taliban attacks Afghan base as Pakistan pushes for talks An injured man near the site of the bombing

A Taliban-claimed suicide attack killed at least three people in northern Afghanistan on Tuesday as neighbouring Pakistan pushed for delayed peace talks to begin.

The suicide bomber detonated explosives in a truck near an Afghan army base in the restive northern province of Balkh, military spokesman for the region Hanif Rezayee said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter that the attack was revenge for a video circulating online that appeared to show Afghan troops desecrating the bodies of Taliban soldiers in the south.

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation into the video, which surfaced earlier this month.

The assault on Tuesday killed two civilians and a commando and wounded more than 40 others, Rezayee said. Many houses were damaged or destroyed and soldiers were helping to get the victims to safety, he added.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed the attack.

It comes as the Pakistani government held talks with key Taliban negotiators in Islamabad on Tuesday, where the country's foreign minister called on the insurgents to "commence" peace talks in Afghanistan soon.

Pakistan has said negotiations are the only way forward in Afghanistan and sees its role as a "facilitator".

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said Kabul expected Pakistan to cooperate in bringing peace to the country.

"Pakistan has so far failed to deliver on its commitments when it comes to peace and stability in Afghanistan," Sediqqi told AFP.

"We expect the Pakistani government to take practical steps and cooperate with the Afghan government and the international community to help bring stability in the region."

The warring Taliban and Afghan government had signalled they were prepared to launch negotiations immediately after the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, which ended earlier this month, but the process remains bogged down over a controversial prisoner swap.

Story continues

Both sides have fought for nearly two decades in a conflict that has left tens of thousands of people dead. The Taliban ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, when it was ousted by a US-led invasion.

Ghani condemned the attack on the military base and urged the Taliban to begin talks.

"The Taliban's emphasis on continuation of violence poses challenges to the peace opportunities," Ghani said, according to Sediqqi.

"The Taliban should give up fighting and killing Afghans, accept a ceasefire and start direct talks with the government of Afghanistan."

In a separate incident on Tuesday, gunmen shot and wounded Saba Sahar, a well-known Afghan actress and women's rights campaigner.

Police said Sahar's driver and bodyguard were also wounded in the attack in Kabul.

bur-jds
CALUMET CITY  A police officer has been suspended without pay, pending the results of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault.

The Calumet City Police Department announced Monday it had been notified of a Facebook post alleging misconduct by one of its officers, according to a statement.

"The information we received was deemed credible by our initial investigation, and we were able to subsequently identify the accused officer," the statement reads.

The department declined to name the officer.

Accusations against the officer stemmed from a traffic stop about 2:30 a.m. Saturday near Sibley Boulevard, NBC 5 Chicago reported.

Latoya Thompson told NBC 5 a Calumet City officer pulled her over and ordered her to get out of her car before making inappropriate comments and contact with her.

The officer made lewd comments and told Thompson, "You look so, so good," her attorney, Cannon Lambert, told NBC 5.

Thompson alleges the officer then grabbed her bare thighs and fondled her, NBC 5 reported.
In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns drawn and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire. Seven shots can be heard, though it isnt clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired.
Nordstrom Inc.s balance sheet took a huge hit as the coronavirus pandemic kept its stores shuttered for half the quarter and led the company to postpone its highly anticipated Anniversary Sale.

For the three months ended Aug. 1, the department store posted a net loss of $255 million, or $1.62 per share, compared with the prior years earnings of 90 cents per share and profits of $141 million. Revenues, which it said were in line with its expectations, declined 53% to $1.78 billion. Market watchers had forecasted a loss of $1.48 per share and sales of $2.38 billion.

More from Footwear News

According to the Seattle-based chain, the results reflected the temporary shutdown of its brick-and-mortar fleet for approximately 50% of the days that make up the period, in addition to a roughly 10-percentage point impact from the shift of its annual sale event from the second to the third quarter.

Despite the Q2 2020 miss, president and chief brand officer Pete Nordstrom said he was confident that the company could improve sales trends in the second half of the year and beyond.

Our inventories are current and in-line, and were focused on amplifying relevant categories, brands and trends to meet customers changing preferences, he added.

During the first quarter, Nordstrom cut back on its inventory by more than 25% to mitigate markdowns on seasonal items as well as bring in new products for shoppers. The retailer reported that merchandise margin trends had improved sequentially and exceeded expectations over the past few months.

Then in July, the company increased its inventory receipts to meet customer demand as it prepared for the yearly Anniversary Sale, which began on Aug. 4 with early access for members of its loyalty program, Nordy Club, and expanded to include all shoppers on Aug. 19. To date, Nordstrom said sales during the event are tracking in-line with expectations.

Story continues

Whats more, the chain revealed that it was ahead of its target of $500 million in annual cash savings, thanks to reductions in operating expenses, capital expenditures and changes to its working capital. These savings, it previously announced, represent a reduction in non-occupancy-related overhead charges of of roughly 20% on an annualized basis.

At the onset of the pandemic, we focused on protecting and enhancing liquidity, and we successfully executed on these plans, CEO Erik Nordstrom said in a statement. We are now pivoting to prioritize market share gains and profitable growth as we advance our strategies.

Nordstrom ended the second quarter with $1.3 billion in total liquidity, including $1 billion in cash. (It has paid down $300 million on its revolving line of credit.) As of Aug. 25, it operates 355 locations  100 of which are full-line stores in the United States and Canada, 248 Rack outposts, two clearance units and five Nordstrom Local service hubs.
BOULDER CREEK  The fight to save the small towns of the San Lorenzo Valley from unrelenting fire turned in favor of firefighters this week, if only briefly, as crews beat the blaze back to the wooded ridges above and warm, menacing temperatures cooled. But the battle, in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, was not over.

As the week began, new fingers of the 78,000-acre CZU Lightning Complex were crawling toward the main strips of Boulder Creek and Ben Lomond, carrying flames into rural neighborhoods, sending columns of thick smoke high out of redwood forests and moving the danger ever closer to historic downtowns.

While this rugged valley of about 20,000 people, just outside of Santa Cruz, has seen wildfires before, nothing quite like this has ever borne down.

Were worried that the heat and fire front could burn into town, said Sam Robustelli, a director and former chief at the Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department, as he looked out from his fire station at smoke-covered hillsides Sunday afternoon. As you can see, the forest comes right down here.

The CZU Lightning Complex, which started Aug. 16, has already claimed 176 homes in northern Santa Cruz and southern San Mateo counties, according to the states Cal Fire agency. Its also burned such landmarks as Big Basin State Park; the 125-year-old, one-room Alba Schoolhouse in Ben Lomond; and the scenic Swanton Pacific Railroad in Davenport, all in Santa Cruz County.

On Sunday, the Boulder Creek Fire Department, alongside other local agencies and Cal Fire, was sending out strike teams to smother new ignitions created by wind-whipped embers. But like many parts of California reeling from last weeks spree of lightning fires, this valley along the twisting San Lorenzo River hasnt had enough firefighters to keep up.

Wed like to have some air support up there so that spot fire doesnt become a larger fire, said Robustelli, pointing to a pillar of smoke on the ridge above the Santa Cruz County towns early 1900s-era storefronts, handful of restaurants and Wild Roots natural food market. But we havent got it.

The overpowering inferno and lack of firefighting staff was especially bad news for Stan Hooper, 58, who learned over the weekend that his home of 21 years, just west of the downtown, was no more.

You think of the destruction in New Orleans during the hurricanes and you say this couldnt be happening in America, Hooper said. Now its happening in the Bay Area.

The recently retired maintenance supervisor is staying with friends in San Jose, while he figures out his next move.

Hallie Greene, 37, who heads Boulder Creeks recreation district, is trying to figure out not only where she and her two daughters, 3 and 6, might land after losing their home, but also what the future might hold for her now partially destroyed community.

My whole life is Boulder Creek, she said. We all know each other, so were all going through this together. But it will be interesting to see how we make out.

Like many of the homes in the valley, Greenes house dated to the 1890s, when logging families settled the region and seized on the bounty of redwoods for lumber to help build out California. While Greene knew living in the forest came with risks, she never expected a blaze of this magnitude.

After the fire in Paradise, everyone was saying, yeah, it could happen here, but I didnt think it would burn such a large expanse, she said. Im just feeling glad that were safe.

Many in the San Lorenzo Valley, where livelihoods run the gamut from teachers and small-business owners to pot growers and Silicon Valley commuters  all united by an appreciation of mountain life  were trying to remain optimistic. Messages between residents were racing across social media, celebrating such small victories as the survival of a wild albino peacock named Albert and the fact that the funky Brookdale Lodge, with a creek running through its dining room, still stood.

There was also a lot of community support. A Boulder Creek resident named Bryan Snarr dirtied his Subaru Outback when he evacuated with his six goats, two dogs and family of four tightly packed in. So he started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to clean up the stench and, as of Monday, had raised $525. He announced that he was actually donating the money to a local nonprofit helping those displaced by fire.

While a huge evacuation effort is credited with successfully getting people out of town, not everyone left.

Tyrone Clark, 55, took note of the dearth of firefighters and took it upon himself to help protect his community. Wearing a kilt and T-shirt along with his mane of bushy brown hair, the longtime Boulder Creek resident was driving around in his pickup with a pump and water drum to douse flames.

Nic Coury / Special to The Chronicle

Im staying here to fight until the end, he said, before climbing to the roof of the gas station to take inventory of the fire.

As of Monday, the CZU Lightning Complex was just 13% contained, according to Cal Fire. While the efforts of firefighters and cooler temperatures, as well as the lifting of a lightning-storm warning, boded well for the firefight, Cal Fire officials were advising residents to the east of Boulder Creek and as far as western Santa Clara County to prepare for possible evacuation.

The fires persistence, meanwhile, was worrying many of the evacuees. Ben Lomond resident Thomas Dunham, 40, said his house was probably safe but might not be if the blaze crossed Highway 9 and ran east, where firefighters were working to keep it from igniting more tinder-dry wildlands.

He was particularly concerned for low-income residents, many of whom staked out a piece of property in the San Lorenzo Valley long before the tech boom brought money to the mountains and drove up real estate prices.

There are a lot of people with vacation homes up there, Dunham said from an organic farm near Santa Cruz where he and his family were temporarily staying. But a lot of people are just blue-collar workers wondering if theyll have a home to come back to.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
It is one of the most pressing questions of the pandemic: When will it be safe for schools to reopen?

A new study from UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospitals could help school districts get closer to an answer.

Using public data and a simple equation, researchers came up with a method of calculating the percentage of children in a local community infected with the coronavirus who do not show any symptoms.

Knowing what the rate of asymptomatic infections among children is the first step you need to have to understand the risk of COVID transmission in any congregate group setting, whether its a classroom or child care or childrens hospital, said senior author Dylan K. Chan, a pediatric otolaryngologist at UCSF.

The big takeaway?

Theres a relatively high chance of spreading coronavirus when you gather groups of children together in schools, even if theyre not showing symptoms.

The percentage of asymptomatic individuals under 18 consistently falls in line with the number of confirmed cases in the general population, according to the study published by JAMA Pediatrics on Tuesday.

For example, the asymptomatic pediatric prevalence in San Francisco for the first few weeks of August was around 1.1%, based on data from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center.

Based on the equation presented in the study, in a classroom of 22 students  even if all the individuals are screened and asymptomatic  that means there would be about a 24% chance that at least one child in that group is infected and showing no symptoms.

In a region with a higher case count, such as Merced County in Californias Central Valley  where the estimated pediatric prevalence is 4.6%  that number bumps up to 64%.

To come up with the formula, the researchers compiled coronavirus test results from more than 58,000 children in 25 cities across the U.S. between April and June (each patient was tested before an elective medical procedure unrelated to COVID-19). They then compared the data with weekly confirmed case counts in each geographic area.

The researchers reversed their findings to come up with the equation that they hope local health officials and school districts can use to weigh risks in their regions: asymptomatic pediatric prevalence (%) = 1.07 x the weekly incidence (per 1,000 general population) + 0.23.

UCSF created an interactive tool to allow users to estimate the likelihood that a child in any county in the U.S. may have asymptomatic COVID-19. This tool can approximate the risks associated with classrooms of different sizes.

We know asymptomatic pediatric prevalence is somewhere in the 0.5% to 2% range, Chan said. That is a relevant number to know. Its not 0.1% and its not 10%. If you know its around 1% that can give you a really good estimate of what the likelihood is that there will be an infected kid in a random class of 22 kids.

It is a high rate, Chan said, but it comes with a caveat. The study does not address the viral load of the infected individual.

A huge black box is not knowing how infectious these asymptomatic kids are, he said. The two key things you need to know is: What the risk is of having an asymptomatic infected kid, which is what our study tries to address. The second thing is, what is the chance that asymptomatic kid is going to infect other people? That second part is a much harder question to answer, but thats so critical.

Another study published this week by researchers at Duke University attempts to address that. Breaking out a sample of 293 school-age children infected by SARS-CoV-2 into three age groups, the report finds there is no difference in the viral load between symptomatic and asymptomatic children.

It also concludes that asymptomatic infections are most common in elementary school-age children. Out of those in the 6 to 13 age group, 39% were asymptomatic. In comparison, 25% in the 0 to 5 group did not show any symptoms, and 24% in the 14 to 20 group.

The researchers found that because children show milder symptoms of infection, its hard to track their role in the spread of the virus.

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.

Nearly 9.3% of the reported coronavirus cases in the U.S. are children. Roughly eight out of 100,000 pediatric infections require hospitalization, according to a study published this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among those, 1 in 3 requires intensive care.

In the most basic terms, the UCSF study confirms what many public health experts already assumed: that schools can reopen safely only after community transmission subsides.

An asymptomatic prevalence rate of 0.5% sounds low, but once you get a group of kids together, the risk that at least one of them is infected is quite high, said Chan, who has three children enrolled in the San Francisco public school system.

Even with significant operational upgrades, including rapid test kits and temperature checks, few schools around the world have successfully reopened, based on a study by Cornell University.

In places such as Israel, Japan, and Germany, many schools had to close and revert to remote learning after new COVID-19 surges.

As schools reopened in the US, there was a 90% increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among children, according to an ongoing report by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association.

Florida, Georgia and Mississippi reported new coronavirus clusters within days of starting classes.

Chan said the UCSF report does not offer any recommendations for school leaders. The authors want to give the people in charge of deciding when to bring children back into classrooms another tool that could help them inch closer to an answer.

Its an impossible question, he said. Its never going to be completely safe. All we can do as a community or society is decide what our threshold for safety is.

Aidin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com
A decade ago, UC Irvine students and faculty rallied to celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Now the the university is launching a comprehensive effort to transform itself into a thriving campus for Black students, faculty and staff. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Calling anti-Blackness an "existential threat" to its mission, UC Irvine unveiled an ambitious plan Monday to intensify recruitment of Black students, faculty members and senior leaders and create a campus climate that supports their success.

A new Black Thriving Initiative, inspired by the surging demands for racial justice after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, will expand research and teaching about the Black experience with 10 new faculty hires and a new program offering $30,000 research grants. The campus aims to increase its Black undergraduate student population, which at 3.3% last year was among the lowest in the 10-campus UC system, and also boost the number of those seeking graduate degrees.

UC Irvine is also launching an extensive review of its policing practices and classes about anti-Blackness. To hold itself accountable, the university will issue a biannual "scorecard" analyzing survey responses about the campus climate, progress in increasing Black representation and completion of anti-bias training. A new website offers resources to combat anti-Blackness and a robust new community engagement effort is planned.

"Anti-Blackness is an existential threat to our mission to be a place where all people can teach and learn and thrive," said Douglas M. Haynes, vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion. "We are committed to creating a national model for institutional transformation."

The effort comes as campuses across the nation answer calls to reckon with racist legacies in society and their own institutions. In recent months, UCLA approved a Black Resource Center, which students have demanded for years. USC has announced an examination of its police force, more spaces for students of color and the hiring of a chief diversity officer. UC Berkeley, whose campuswide diversity initiative launched in 2018 resulted this year in the most Black and Latino students admitted in 30 years, will devote this academic year to an examination of social justice, racism and anti-Blackness.

Story continues

For UC Irvine student Iyanna Blackburn, the efforts are long overdue. Blackburn, a rising senior double majoring in film and media and African American studies, said the campus is "perfect" except for the stark underrepresentation of Black students and faculty. Among UC's nine undergraduate campuses, UC Irvine has the second-smallest proportion of Black students after UC San Diego.

Despite those small numbers, 57% of Black UC Irvine students who responded to a 2018 UC undergraduate survey said they felt their race was respected on campus. That is higher than at UCLA, UC Berkeley and UC San Diego.

Blackburn, who was raised in diverse Carson, said it was jolting to arrive at Irvine, where she was the only Black student in her dorm. She did not experience overt racism, she said, but had encounters that made her uncomfortable: non-Black students using the N-word when they listened to music and making assumptions that she would speak in Black vernacular or know the latest in rap and hip-hop; being the only Black student in classes where she was expected to be the voice of an entire community.

The experiences drove her to make a short film giving voice to UC Irvine Black students about their campus experiences. Students described being one of the few Black persons in their classes, witnessing other Black students being singled out by bad jokes, listening to non-Black students talk about whether they like to date Black people, being racially profiled in the surrounding community by a store security guard.

Jaylenne Thach, a student in philosophy and earth system science, said her non-Black sorority sisters asked her to straighten her hair for a formal so they would have the same look.

"That hurt me," she told Blackburn. "As a black woman, it takes a long time for us to just accept our hair...to love our curls."

Blackburn and other students said they found community and support in campus spaces for Black students  a Rosa Parks residential house, a living and learning community known as Black Scholars Hall, a resource center offering academic advising, career and professional development, health programs, financial aid assistance and other services.

"The spaces are therapeutic for us," Blackburn said. "It feels like home. You don't feel like you're walking on eggshells."

UC Irvine created the Black Scholars Hall and resource center as part of the campus response to demands by the Black Student Union in 2015. Now, Haynes said, the university is poised to take the next major step by focusing on academic concerns.

The campus already has made progress. This fall, 13 new Black faculty members  spanning fields of engineering, biological sciences, economics, history, English and dance  will join the campus as the largest such group ever hired in a single year. Other recent milestones include the appointments of UC Irvine's first Black deans of the business and law schools.

Despite its Orange County location, where Black residents make up just 2% of the population, UC Irvine is drawing more California Black applicants. While the Black student population was at 3.3% last year, the campus received the second-highest number of California Black freshman applicants after only UCLA.

Also, the gap in first-year retention and graduation rates between Black students and all undergraduates is smaller than most of UC's other top-tier research universities. The Black student first-year retention rate is 92.1%, compared with 93.9% for all students, while the six-year graduation rate is 81.7%, compared with 85% overall.

But that's not good enough, Haynes said. The campus is planning to reevaluate its entire philosophy about how to teach and evaluate today's students  questioning, for instance, whether the lecture format or grading on curves is still appropriate.

"As a campus, as much as we feel we have momentum in improving the experience of our Black students, faculty and staff, we can't do this piecemeal," Haynes said. "This is a national imperative that requires an equivalent response."
Bengaluru, Aug 25 : Giving a fillip to the domestic toy making call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Karnataka government is wooing global toy makers by creating a manufacturing cluster in Koppal, an official said on Tuesday.

"Karnataka has a legacy of toy making. The state is focusing on building a strong toy manufacturing industry by providing all the required ingredients. We have also identified Koppal as the first toy manufacturing cluster in India," said Karnataka Commerce and Industries Department Principal Secretary Gaurav Gupta.

Koppal is 351 km northwest of Bengaluru.

Addressing a bunch of top toy executives, he said the state is making sure that it builds a world-class cluster for all investors.

Gupta held a virtual meeting on Monday evening with Aravind Melligeri, chairman and CEO of Aequs, Mike Burrows, vice president of contract manufacturing for Mattel Asia Pacific, Sanjiv Khullar, Hasbro Fast East managing director for India, Southeast Asia and others.

As part of the toy manufacturing push, Karnataka is inviting domestic and international toy makers. According to official estimates, the southern state is the third largest toys market in India with a value of $159 million, 9 per cent of the national market.

Growing at a CAGR of 18 per cent from 2010 to 2017, the state's toy market is expected to touch $310 million by 2023.

In the webinar titled 'Establishing India as global toy manufacturing hub - global prospects and Karnataka opportunities', Gupta highlighted that labour intensive manufacturing is being seen as a focus that would help the toys' industry.

"Toy manufacturing in Karnataka is getting a renewed push after PM Modi's clarion call that Indian toy market has enormous potential and can bring a transformative change in the industry by promoting 'Vocal for Local' under Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign," said the official.

He reminded the toy executives that the state has supported and nurtured the setting up of Tool Manufacturing and Precision Engineering (TMTP) and polymers manufacturing clusters in Bengaluru, Dharwad, Tumkur and Mysuru.

"Robust design capacity and testing certification agencies in Bengaluru, Dharwad and Koppal and GTTC (Government Tool Room & Training Centre). With such dedicated push by the government towards toy manufacturing, the state's toy industry has grown at a CAGR of 18 per cent (2010-17) and is expected to reach $310 million by 2023," said the official.

Further, the state government has also set up a Product Specific Industrial Cluster Development (PSICD) programme to give a shot in the arm of the toy sector.

"This objective of the cluster is to increase the share of manufacturing in state GDP, develop state-of-the-art infrastructure, meeting industry needs, improve need-based skill development assistance and bring a balanced socio-economic development and attract $700 million investment for this cluster," he said.

According to Gupta, Karnataka offers world class machine tools infrastructure and favourable labour laws for toy manufacturers, even as the state is building a sustainable toy manufacturing ecosystem by introducing fiscal and non-fiscal subsidies to facilitate investments.

Located by the National Highway 63, the Koppal toy cluster is easily accessible.
No More Pain Ergonomics is a leading provider of affordable, high-quality ergonomic products. Since 2013, it has been manufacturing and selling directly to its customers, promoting comfort and workplace productivity. It now offers a free professional ergonomics prescription course for to help up-skill health professionals.

BRISBANE, QLD, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / According to announcements released by No More Pain Ergonomics and Courtney HargraveJulia Hillen, the company has been known for manufacturing and selling ergonomically designed products that include chairs, laptop stands, footrests, back supports, standing desks and, saddle chairs, has created a free professional ergonomics prescription course for health professionals., occupational rehabilitation consultants and health and safety experts.

The online product recommendation tool on the company's website enables customers to make an informed choice about the best product for their aches and pains. Interested folks can also download a free 18-page step-by-step guide to good ergonomics.

This interactive online course, which uses videos and simulation, has been created by experienced and qualified ergonomists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.

No More Pain Ergonomics offers a free professional ergonomics prescription course for health professionals. Offered free for health professionals, the course covers the advancements in the field of ergonomics and the latest equipment available to help people work more comfortably.

Participants learn about the pain areas, assessments of these areas, and the most relevant products to treat such pain in diverse office environments. They learn how to use clinical reasoning to prescribe equipment to clients. The 120-minute online course enables health practitioners to adopt a client-tailored approach and clinical reasoning in equipment prescription, thereby contributing to employee health, motivation, fitness, and productivity. On completion of the course, participants are awarded a certificate.

Story continues

Julia Hillard, Occupational Therapist and Business Manager of No More Pain Ergonomics said: "No More Pain Ergonomics is known for manufacturing and selling the best ergonomic products available in Australia at affordable prices. We have developed and designed a range of ergonomic products, each custom picked by our team of ergonomic experts and we love helping our customers to find the right ergonomic solution to their aches and pains.

"We know that many health professionals including occupational rehabilitation consultants, occupational therapists, and health and safety consultants are looking for quality ergonomic products that will help and not hinder their injured client's recovery. The Ergonomic Prescription Course up-skills health professionals so they have they can recommend the best and most suitable ergonomic products for office workers., helping them to work more safely and more comfortably."

Since 2013, No More Pain Ergonomics has helped over 30,000 customers to work more comfortably and productively. The online product recommendation tool on the website enables customers to make an informed choice about the best product for their aches and pains.

This interactive online course, which uses videos and simulation, has been created by experienced and qualified ergonomists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. The 120-minute online course enables health practitioners to adopt a client-tailored approach, thereby contributing to employee health, motivation, fitness, and productivity.

Contact and location information are available at No More Pain Ergonomics

Contact Info:

Name: Julia Hillen

Email: Send Email

Organization: No More Pain Ergonomics

Address: Brisbane, QLD 4000

Phone: 1300 898 965

Website: https://www.nomorepainergonomics.com.au/

Location: https://www.google.com/maps?ll=-31.99852,136.014118&z=2&t=m&hl=en&gl=US&mapclient=embed&cid=11970875341565702101

SOURCE: No More Pain Ergonomics





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/603219/No-More-Pain-Ergonomics-Provides-Interactive-Online-Professional-Ergonomics-Prescription-Course-For-Occupational-Rehabilitation-And-Health-Consultants




After the summer surge in Covid-19 cases in the United States, countries have taken one of two positions toward American travelers: welcome them or  more likely  ban them all. A new plan by Costa Rica takes a nuanced approach. On Aug. 19, the Central American country announced it is welcoming the residents of six U.S. states.

Which states were chosen?

Residents of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont will be able to fly into Costa Rica from Sept. 1. That opens the possibility of travel to Costa Rica to approximately 35 million Americans, or almost 11% of the U.S. population. Multiple reports cited a Costa Rica tourism official as saying the country chose U.S. states that have outbreak conditions that are similar to or better than those in Costa Rica. Costa Rica closed its borders to international travelers on March 18 and reopened them on Aug. 1 to select, low-risk countries. Residents of the European Union and Schengen Zone, the U.K., Canada, Uruguay, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, China, Australia and New Zealand are also allowed in. Costa Rica is also said to be assessing infection rates in Colorado, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania; those states may be allowed to enter next, according to local reports.

Is there any way around this?

Maybe. But those hoping to bypass the state-by-state rule won't be able to simply travel to an authorized state and catch a flight to Costa Rica. In addition to an electronic health pass, negative RT-PCR diagnostic test (taken within 48 hours of travel) and medical insurance, American travelers must provide a driver's license that shows a residential address in one of the six permitted states.

Americans must show driver's licenses to prove state residency requirements. Kryssia Campos | Moment | Getty Images

However, private flights from the U.S. can enter Costa Rica starting Sept. 1, because "their size and nature means they present a much lower epidemiological risk," according to an Aug. 19 statement from the Costa Rica Tourism Board. Private flights coming from unauthorized states (or countries) will be subject to an "exception procedure" and reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Travelers arriving via private yacht from an unauthorized city or port can subtract the number of days spent at sea from their quarantine requirements.

Costa Rica's reliance on U.S. tourists

More Americans travel to Costa Rica than any other nationality. In 2019, over 40% of all tourists to the country were from the United States. Costa Rica's decision to partially admit American tourists came after the Guanacaste Tourism Chamber published an open letter asking that the Costa Rican government admit U.S. travelers, as reported by The Tico Times.

"There is such state-by-state variation in Covid-19 spread and governmental responses, that Costa Rica is just following the pattern of our governmental response." Neal Allen associate professor, Wichita State University

The letter, which was published on Aug. 7 and signed by several tourism associations, cited continuing economic fallout to the northwestern province that is popular with tourists. "It is no secret that the economic support of U.S. tourism is the most significant for the region of Guanacaste," the letter read, stating that nearly 74% of passengers who arrived into the province's Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport last year came from the United States. The province is home to resorts such as the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo and JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa.

Will other countries follow Costa Rica's approach?

Admitting U.S. travelers on a state-by-state basis may be a way for countries to balance the need for American tourist dollars against the health risks that Americans at large bring with them. The United States has suffered from the world's worst outbreak in terms of recorded coronavirus infections and deaths. Neal Allen, associate professor of political science at Wichita State University, said that Costa Rica's piecemeal approach to lifting travel restrictions on the United States fits with the "disorganized nature" of American government right now.

The turquoise waters of the Rio Celeste is a popular site in the Tenorio Volcano National Park in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Matteo Colombo | DigitalVision | Getty Images
White House counselor to the president Hope Hicks walk to board Air Force One with U.S. President Donald Trump as they depart on travel to Minnesota and Wisconsin at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., U.S., August 17, 2020.

Hope Hicks, a longtime confidant of President Donald Trump's, landed high-paying gigs, including a Wall Street speaking engagement, between White House stints, according to her latest financial disclosure report.

After serving as one of the leaders of Trump's White House communications shop, she departed the administration in March 2018. Two years later, she returned as an assistant and counselor to the president.

When she departed the administration, she listed a bank account valued up to $15,000 as her sole asset, the ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington notes. Her latest disclosure lists a bank account that is valued at up to $1 million.

Hicks and the White House representatives did not return requests for comment.

Shortly after leaving the White House, Hicks created her own limited liability company called Cavender Consultants. She is labeled on her disclosure report as the president and founder, holding those positions starting in May 2018. The LLC became inactive around the time she became a communications executive in October 2018 at Fox Corp., the media company controlled by billionaire Rupert Murdoch.

While in use, the LLC was used as a way for Hicks to collect fees for what she described on her form as communications consulting at Glover Park Group, a public relations firm that includes her father, Paul Hicks, as managing director. The filing shows her business as a source of over $5,000 in income. Also listed is her employment as executive vice president and chief communications officer at Fox, which seems to be her main source of income of over $1.8 million.

Glover Park Group does not publicly list whom it represents, although its lobbying business works for dozens of big businesses. The year Hicks consulted for the firm, Glover Park Group lobbied for Fox, Apple, Discovery and Disney, among others, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. While Hicks is not listed as a lobbyist, the firm was paid just over $6 million for lobbying that year alone. These clients worked with the firm for the years prior to Hicks' consulting work.

Press representatives at Glover Park Group did not return a request for comment.

Hicks also lists a speaking engagement she had at Veritas Capital, a New York-based private equity firm.

Prior to her first stop at the White House, Hicks was a communications leader for the 2016 Trump campaign, which repeatedly bashed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for her paid speaking engagements on Wall Street.

Veritas says on its website that it invests in "companies that provide critical products and services to governments." A list of investments provided by PitchBook, a data and research company, shows that Veritas has spent billions on deals with businesses that, at times, have had long-established contracts with various government entities.

Hicks, according to people familiar with the matter, was paid to be a moderator during Veritas' private investor conference in October 2018. She moderated a discussion with former Trump economic advisor and Goldman Sachs president Gary Cohn, these people added. They declined to be named as the conference wasn't a public event.

Hicks' disclosure doesn't reveal how much she was paid for the speaking job, other than to say she made more than $5,000.

The people familiar with the situation would not say how much she was paid, although companies often pay six-figure fees for former government officials to take part in conferences.

The Veritas conference has lured several luminaries, including former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, these people added.

Often at similar corporate engagements, former government officials speak about their tenures within a particular administration and their life since.

Representatives for Veritas and Cohn declined to comment.
Budding engineers aerospace career takes off with Coleg Cambria

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Aug 25th, 2020

The career of a budding engineer has taken off thanks to Coleg Cambria.

Jack Parry has landed a placement with Raytheon UK, a global technology giant focused on aerospace, defence and cyber and intelligence.

He will be based at the companys Broughton site and begins a two-year Project Management Apprenticeship this September.

Having achieved A grades in Maths, Physics and Business at A level at Coleg Cambrias Deeside campus, the 18 year-old could have chosen to study engineering at university.

North East Wales is the heartland of aerospace and engineering in the UK, so right here is where I have always seen my career and education progress, he said.

The facilities at Deeside are among the best in the country and having so many of the biggest aerospace companies on their doorstep means you are getting access to the latest expertise and technology.

I came here for experience, and definitely got that.

Despite the Coronavirus pandemic, Jack has now completed a Level 3 City and Guilds qualification at Cambria and will continue his studies on a Level 4 in Project Management, in tandem with the position at Raytheon.

From a young age I always wanted to work with planes in some way, thats probably because I grew up around them in Flintshire and know so many people who work in the industry, said Jack.

It was Cambria that let me know about the Raytheon apprenticeship so without them I wouldnt have this opportunity.

They also helped me to prepare for the interviews and with the application process so I would like to thank all of the team, I owe them a lot.

Jack added: All being well there will be a permanent project management position for me at the end of it, which is incredible. We will see where it takes me.

The college is the perfect bridge between school and a career, and I would encourage others to do the same.

Nick Tyson, Vice Principal for Technology, Engineering and Construction, congratulated Jack and wished him well for the future.

We are thrilled for Jack and delighted he has secured this apprenticeship with one of the worlds leading aerospace organisations, he said.

His dream has always been to work in the industry, and he is well on his way to doing that  its fantastic news.

Lee Edison, Training Manager at Raytheon UK, added: We are looking forward to welcoming Jack and all our apprentices and graduates next month to Raytheon UK.

Our partnership with Coleg Cambria has been fundamental to the success of our apprenticeship programme and supporting skilled talent into the aerospace sector.

For more on the wide range of courses and programmes available at Coleg Cambria, visit the website www.cambria.ac.uk
WASHINGTON - Her image is arresting. Hundreds of people walking through Washington's Union Station this week paused to look at the huge photo mosaic of anti-lynching crusader and suffragist Ida B. Wells-Barnett on the marble floor.

The portrait, designed by visual artist Helen Marshall using thousands of smaller photos of women who fought for the right to vote, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which was ratified on Aug. 18, 1920.

Colleen Shogan, vice chair of the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission, which organized the display, said it was "a strategic decision" to highlight Wells-Barnett.

"She was a suffragist, a civil rights activist, an anti-lynching journalist who help spawn the anti-lynching movement in the United States," she said. "We hope people will learn not only about Ida B. Wells - her story is impressive - but also learn the story of the thousands of other women depicted in the mosaic."

"Our Story: Portraits of Change," on display at Union Station until Aug. 28, includes Sojourner Truth, an enslaved woman who freed herself before becoming an abolitionist, a freedom fighter and suffragist; Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and political activist who founded the National Council of Negro Women; and Mary Eliza Church Terrell, the first president of the National Association of Colored Women.

It also tells the story of Zitkala-Sa, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, "a Yankton Dakota Sioux writer and political activist who fought for women's suffrage and Native American rights," according to the commission, and Mabel Ping-Hua Lee, "the first Chinese woman in the United States to earn her doctorate and an advocate for the rights of women and the Chinese community in America."

Wells-Barnett, better known by her maiden name Ida B. Wells, was a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People who won a posthumous Pulitzer Prize in 2020 for "courageous reporting on the horrific and vicious violence against African Americans during the era of lynching."

She also confronted racism in the suffrage movement.

Wells-Barnett, who was born enslaved in July 16, 1862, in Mississippi, wrote that she believed the power of the vote would help protect Black people from the horrors of oppression, lynching and racial terror.

"Wells-Barnett traveled internationally, shedding light on lynching to foreign audiences," according to the National Women's History Museum. "Abroad, she openly confronted white women in the suffrage movement who ignored lynching. Because of her stance, she was often ridiculed and ostracized by women's suffrage organizations in the United States. Nevertheless, Wells-Barnett remained active in the women's rights movement."

Wells-Barnett created a suffrage group for Black women in Chicago. She wrote in her autobiography, "Crusade for Justice," that when she saw "that we were likely to have a restricted suffrage, and the white women of the organization were working like beavers to bring it about, I made another effort to get our women interested. With the assistance of one or two of my suffrage friends, I organized what afterward became known as the Alpha Suffrage Club. The women who joined were extremely interested when I showed them that we could use our vote for the advantage of ourselves and our race."

In 1913, Wells-Barnett traveled from Chicago to Washington to attend a suffrage parade, organized by suffragists Alice Paul and Lucy Burns for the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). The association debated the demand by Southern women that Black women march in the back.

Paul argued that the parade should be segregated by race, believing that White women would refuse to march alongside Black women.

"As far as I can see, we must have a white procession, or a Negro procession, or no procession at all," Paul told an editor in 1913.

On March 3, 1913, one day before the inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson, the marchers gathered.

"Clad in a white cape astride a white horse, lawyer Inez Milholland led the great woman suffrage parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in the nation's capital," according to the Library of Congress. "Behind her stretched a long line with nine bands, four mounted brigades, three heralds, about twenty-four floats, and more than 5,000 marchers."

The women were jeered and assaulted as they walked.

Wells-Barnett had no intention of abiding by the rules segregating the parade. She stood on the sidelines until the marchers from Chicago passed, then fearlessly, she stepped to the front of the procession.

"I am not taking this stand because I personally wish for recognition," she wrote later. "I am doing it for the future benefit of my whole race."

The Chicago Daily Tribune published a photo of Wells marching up front.

"Mrs. Ida Wells Barnett, a brilliant" Black woman, "who is one of the leaders of her race and has lectured in the cause of the Negro man and woman throughout Europe and America, had come from Chicago to the parade with the Illinois delegation of women but some of the marchers from states further south had objected to her presence," according a 1913 Detroit Free Press story.

"The Illinois women want me to march in their section," she told the reporter, "and I shall. Illinois is Lincoln's state, you know. I don't believe Lincoln's state is going to permit Alabama or Georgia or another state to begin to dictate to it now. As Illinois comes along I'll join them. And Mrs. Barnett did."
Advertisement

Families gathered to raise their dead loved ones from their tombs and clean and re-dress the corpses in a ritual honouring the spirits of their mummified ancestors in Indonesia.

Every August the Torja community in Panggala, Nort Toraja, South Sulawesi, re-dress their relatives' bodies, clean them, speak with them and even light them cigarettes.

The Toraja Death Rituals are considered the biggest celebration of life by people who believe the link between life and death is infinite.

Family members are pictured at the Indonesia Toraja Death Ritual lighting a cigarette and handing it to the corpse of a late relative

Every year family members raise the bodies of their loved ones, clean their graves, redress them and interact with them as Roni Pasang is pictured doing here while he hugs his cousin

Cleaning deceased relatives' graves and re-dressing their bodies is seen as a second funeral that celebrates life as the community believes the link between death and life is infinite

Families often mummify those who die and keep them in the house for months, sometimes even years, while they prepare for the burial and mourn

This is the site where people house their relatives' dead bodies in between each August until they perform the next Ma'nene ritual

A family member is pictured posing for a photograph with the body of a little girl that has been newly dressed in a dress, shoes, a wig and even a detailed hair band

People use knives (pictured) to take off their loved ones' old clothing and replace it with new items of clothing such as Adidas shoes

The tradition is entrenched in the Toraja people's culture even though they are actually a largely Protestant Christian community in a Muslim-majority country.

When loved ones die families keep their bodies for months, sometimes years, in their own homes or in a 'Tongkonan' which is a specific building designed to house the dead.

While families mourn, prepare for burials and save for the funeral they often interact with the bodies as if they were alive by talking to them and including them in family meals.

The Torjan community consider death to be the most important aspect of life and often get into crippling debt from paying for funerals.

The annual visit to their loved ones is considered a second funeral where they also clean or replace coffins to prevent the bodies from decomposing.

After relatives have spent time with the dead and re-dressed their bodies and coffins they are usually reinterred with gifts in their ornate, colourful coffins.

Iin Arensia takes a selfie with his grandfather Ne Potta. After the dead are buried their families visit them every August before planting season

Relatives tie the bodies to sticks to keep them up without anyone holding them so their families can clean them with dry paint brushes and re-dress them

Mummified bodies are usually buried in tombs where they can be honoured and preserved while they wait for the next Ma'nene festival in August

Here a man takes a photograph with the body of a little girl and another family member who will be reinterred with a new hat, sunglasses and a watch

Some members of this family wear masks to protect themselves from coronavirus as multiple households gather for the ritual

Bodies are erected on sticks with a pile of clothes behind them ready to be swapped with the clothes the bodies were dressed in last August

This body has been mummified, preserving his facial hair, and is being offered a cigarette by a family member who has helped re-dress him and gift him a watch and a ring

Head of the Torajan branch of AMAN Eric Crystal Rante Allo last year told The Sydney Morning Herald while it might seem strange to outsiders, it is a key part of the culture.

'Toraja people believe the spirit of the dead lives among us, the living, looking out for us, blessing us,' he said.

'That's why, before the ritual of the burial is performed, they are called to'makula, or just sick, not yet dead. Toraja's people highly respect their dead.'

Visitors are welcome to visit the area during the ritual month of August and are encouraged to take part in the festivities.

This body is being reinterred with gifts which the Toraja people believe are necessary for their relatives to be able to continue living in the afterlife with the same standard of living they had on Earth

Families bring the bodies gifts including money, cigarettes and new clothes for the corpses to be reinterred with after their families have spent time with them

The Toraja Death Rituals were named after the indigenous Indonesian community known as the Torajans who consider the festival to be the biggest celebration of life

Although the Torja community still practise Ma'Nene, which is rooted in animistic beliefs, the majority of them are Protestant Christian

The Toraja Church has made several efforts to put a stop to the tradition but the Toraja community believe they have to honour their dead with Ma'Nene

In the time before someone is buried, relatives talk to the deceased, offer them food and drink and involve them in family gatherings, as if they are still alive

On top of re-dressing and cleaning corpses the Ma'nene ritual is also a time where coffins are repaired or replaced to stop bodies from decomposing
Metra and Union Pacific have been in negotiations since last fall to either extend their service agreement or create a new one. One option on the table would be for Metra to take over operations of the commuter trains using its own employees, Gillis said.
We are pleased to recognize Dr. Robert Jansen as a UroLift Center of Excellence for his commitment to providing consistent care to BPH patients using the UroLift System treatment, said Dave Amerson

NeoTract, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX) focused on addressing unmet needs in the field of urology, today announced that Robert Jansen, M.D., Atlantic Urology Clinics in Myrtle Beach, SC, has been designated as a UroLift Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Jansen has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift System and demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate.

Recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines, the FDA-cleared Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue.

The UroLift Center of Excellence program is designed to highlight urologists who are committed to educating their patients on BPH and the UroLift System as a treatment option and consistently seek to deliver excellent patient outcomes and experiences.

We are pleased to recognize Dr. Robert Jansen as a UroLift Center of Excellence for his commitment to providing consistent care to BPH patients using the UroLift System treatment, said Dave Amerson, president of the Teleflex Interventional Urology business unit. This achievement has helped many patients experience durable, long- term relief from the burdensome symptoms of BPH while preserving sexual function*1,2.

Over 40 million men in the United States are affected by BPH, a condition that occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life.

Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculation.

About the UroLift System

The FDA-cleared UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function*1,2. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Over 100,000 men have been treated with the UroLift System in the U.S. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines. The UroLift System is available in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Learn more at http://www.UroLift.com.

About NeoTract | Teleflex Interventional Urology

A wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated, the Interventional Urology Business Unit is dedicated to developing innovative, minimally invasive and clinically effective devices that address unmet needs in the field of urology. Our initial focus is on improving the standard of care for patients with BPH using the UroLift System, a minimally invasive permanent implant system that treats symptoms while preserving normal sexual function*1,2. Learn more at http://www.NeoTract.com.

About Teleflex Incorporated

Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of peoples lives. We apply purpose driven innovation  a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs  to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit http://www.teleflex.com.

Teleflex is the home of Arrow, Deknatel, Hudson RCI, LMA, Pilling, Rusch, UroLift and Weck  trusted brands united by a common sense of purpose

For Teleflex Incorporated: Jake Elguicze, 610.948.2836

Treasurer and Vice President, Investor Relations

Media:

Nicole Osmer, 650.454.0504

nicole@healthandcommerce.com

*No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction

1. Roehrborn, J Urology 2013 LIFT Study

2. McVary, J Sex Med 2016

MAC00968-01 Rev A
Two new Mountain Goats!

Congratulations to Jordan Harrop M3TMX and Ian Wareing GW8OGI, two of the latest intrepid radio amateurs to achieve Mountain Goat status in the SOTA - Summits on the Air awards scheme.

Jordan M3TMX, a Cumbrian currently working in Birmingham, achieved his 1000th SOTA activator point with an operation on Fan Fawr GW/SW-005 in the Brecon Beacons, as part of a mammoth four-summit day.

He also activated Pen y Fan GW/SW-001, Fan Gyhirych GW/SW-006 and Fan Nedd GW/SW-007. Jordan used a combination of 2m FM, 20m SSB and 40m SSB on this expedition.

Ian GW8OGI from Abergele, North Wales, often joined on SOTA activations by his partner Eleri MW3NYR, got the final points he needed for his 1000 on the summit of Disgwylfa Fawr GW/MW-038 after activating several in the Nant y Moch cluster over a weekend.

For more information about SOTA, please visit http://www.sota.org.uk
Iran Confirms Blast At Natanz Nuclear Facility Was 'Sabotage'

By RFE/RL August 24, 2020

Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said an explosion at the country's main nuclear facility in July was caused by sabotage.

"The explosion at Natanz nuclear facility was a result of sabotage operations. Security authorities will reveal in due time the reason behind the blast," spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi told state TV channel Al-Alam on August 23.

Iran said after the July 2 incident that the cause of the blast had been determined, but it declined to release details due to security concerns.

There has been speculation of possible sabotage as Iranian officials struggled to explain what happened and sought to downplay the extent of the damage.

Some analysts have suggested that Israel or the United States could have been behind the blast as part of a shadow war aimed at setting back Tehran's nuclear activities.

In his comments, Kamalvandi did not say whether the sabotage was internal or external.

In late July, Javad Karimi Qodusi, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran's parliament, said the blast at the nuclear complex was caused by a "security breach."

Some Iranian officials said it could have been a cyberattack.

The incident at Natanz was one of several fires and blasts hitting Iranian infrastructure in recent months, including a June 25 explosion at a gas-storage facility near the Parchin military base east of Tehran.

An image released in the aftermath of the Natanz incident and satellite images released abroad showed significant damage -- including ripped-out doors, scorch marks, and a collapsed roof -- at a building where centrifuges were assembled.

Natanz is Iran's main uranium-enrichment center located some 250 kilometers south of Tehran, which includes underground facilities built under some 7.6 meters of concrete to offer protection from air strikes.

Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been visiting Natanz to monitor uranium-enrichment activities since Tehran and world powers signed a nuclear agreement in 2015.

Iran resumed uranium enrichment at Natanz in September 2019 in response to the United States withdrawing from the international nuclear deal that gave Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.

The IAEA says Iran enriches uranium to about 4.5 percent purity, above the terms of the nuclear deal, but far below weapons-grade levels of 90 percent.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/30799231.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has been explaining the structure of the Agyapa Royalties transaction and its benefits.



In an interview on PM Express on the Accra based Joynews channel, Mr. Nkrumah said the deal raises no debt financing for Ghana and bears no loan interest expenses.



He added that Ghana retains a majority stake in future royalties.



Under the transaction, Ghana now has a vehicle for undertaking participating interests in mineral explorations the world over, he said



The Minister who is also the MP for Ofoase Ayirebi said it was unfortunate to hear NDC flagbearer and former President John Dramani Mahama threatened potential international investors and sought to scare them away from the transaction.



He criticized the minoritys habit of creating controversy around international transactions.



This is not the first time, in 2017 and in 2018, our friends on the other side when we started with the Vodafone deal criticized it and made it clear that when they are elected into power, they will review it. In the end where did the review lead to? But they threatened international investors and created talks on the floatation process on the international market. May be Ghana could have taken advantage of insurance premiums and other incentives that came with the deal but because of how the constant criticism of the opposition on deals like this, those who do risks assessment on our deals often charge as more.



Even with our Esla deal, the same thing happened. They sounded all manner of threats to international investors. When we brought in the Synohydro deal, we had a minority that wrote a letter to the IMF trying to alert them that the deal we were about to sign is a loan and not a barter arrangement. So you ask yourself to what effect? So that if the IMF says it is a loan, then they rubbish the transaction."

"It is no different from what is happening with the Agyapa deal as our colleagues in the minority are threatening international investors and that in the likely event that they win power, they will not honor it. I dont think it is patriotic so we on the majority side of parliament think that the minority should stop conducting themselves in that manner, he added.



Parliament recently gave approval for the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in fulfillment of the Minerals Income Investment Fund Amendment which is yet to be assented by the President.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Quake Lewellyn in the custody of the authorities: (Jackson County Sheriff's Office)

The farmer accused of killing Arkansas resident Sydney Sutherland was known to the victim and joined a Facebook group dedicated to finding her after she went missing.

Sutherland was last seen running on State Highway 18, near Newport, Arkansas, on Wednesday, and the 25-year-olds body was found on Friday following a two day search involving helicopters and K-9 units, according to the Daily Mail.

Quake Lewellyn was arrested later on Friday evening on suspicion of capital murder, but the authorities did not reveal what caused them to detain the 28-year-old, according to People.

The family of the victims boyfriend claimed that Mr Lewellyn confessed to the crime, but this was not confirmed by the authorities.

Over the weekend, Jackson County sheriff David Lucas told reporters that that Mr Lewellyn and Sutherland knew each other, but did not elaborate further on their alleged link.

The 28-year-old is also listed as a member of a Facebook group that was set up to find Sutherland after she went missing on Wednesday, according to the The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Although more than 200 volunteers joined the search for Sutherland, there was no indication that Mr Lewellyn was part of the group that looked along the highway last week.

The suspect was filmed arriving at the Jackson County Courthouse on Monday wearing a bullet-proof vest, and was hurried into the building.

Quake Lewellyn just arrived to the Jackson County Courthouse. He is wearing a bullet-proof vest. #ARNews pic.twitter.com/wJtpSkkbQe  Mitchell McCoy (@MitchellMcCoy) August 24, 2020

According to journalist Mitchell McCoy, who was at the courthouse on Monday, Jackson County prosecutor Henry Boyce confirmed that Mr Lewellyn may face the death penalty if he is found guilty.

Story continues

Mr Boyce said: Capital murder only carries two punishments. Thats life without and death and at this point both are on the table.

After Sutherlands body was found on Friday, the sheriff said that the search for Sutherland was emotional for many of the local residents, and added: Its taken a toll, it really has.

Just because I know the people of this county. I know this family personally. I know this young lady personally. Ive known her and watched her grow up. It hits me personally.

Mr Lewellyn is being held without bond at the Jackson County Jail and has his arraignment scheduled for 1 October.

Read more

Ex aide admits murdering state senator Linda Collins
'Washington senses that the anchor sheet of India's strategic autonomy lies in its longstanding partnership with Russia, which remains firm and immutable despite the changes in world politics in the post-Cold War era,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, October 5, 2018. Photograph: Yuri Kadobnov/Reuters

The Nikkei Asian Review, well-known for its anti-China reportage, featured an article in the weekend titled India should ignore Putin's offer to broker accord with China (external link).

The author is none other than Marco Rubio, the high-flying Republican senator from Florida and the acting chairman of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, co-chair of the Congressional executive commission on China and a ranking member of the Senate committee on foreign relations.

Rubio is one of President Trump's closest supporters (external link) today, apart from being an old ally of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, dating back to their days in Congress.

Pompeo had endorsed Rubio against Trump during his run for president in 2016. Pompeo wrote (external link) at that time, 'When I think of the challenges facing our nation -- whether it's our broken healthcare system, runaway government spending, or job creation domestically, or threats from terror groups like ISIS, al-Qaeda, or the terror regime in Iran internationally -- there is simply no candidate better to tackle them than Marco Rubio.'

The Rubio piece is dripping with Russophobia and reminds one of Pompeo's trademark style. The leitmotif is Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Rubio demonises as someone who singularly aims 'to shatter the current US-led international system' with tools he perfected in Russian domestic politics -- 'supporting thugs, undermining democracy, and stealing everything that isn't nailed to the wall.'

Rubio draws illustrative examples from Putin's 'exploitative playbook' in Venezuela, Syria, Turkey, Libya and Belarus. And he spotlights India for special attention. Rubio writes:

'Across the globe in the Himalayas, relations between India and China have remained tense since May following a clash of troops near the countries' disputed border in Ladakh.'

'The violent clashes, as well as domestic moves such as India's decision to ban over a hundred Chinese electronic apps, has stoked fears of further escalatory action between the two nuclear-armed nations. Sensing an opportunity to prove itself as an important global power, Moscow has attempted to act as a mediator in the conflict.'

'But even a cursory look at Moscow's motivations makes clear that Putin's interests are that of his own.'

'Russia considers China to be its most important strategic partner. Having antagonised many nations to its west and finding itself diplomatically isolated as a result, Moscow has in recent years looked to a fellow authoritarian regime in Beijing to develop a rapport. This relationship has continued in the form of enhanced cooperation in digital infrastructure, military exercises, as well as growing trade relations.'

'But Moscow is also amid a major effort to cultivate relations with New Delhi, as well. India is crucial for economic and geopolitical reasons, its government is a longtime purchaser of Russian military equipment.'

'But India is a vibrant democracy and is moving decisively toward other liberal democracies to confront authoritarian states. Putin shouldn't count on helicopter purchases to maintain friendly relations with India as he blatantly cozies up to China.'

Succinctly put, Rubio warns Prime Minister Modi to be wary of Putin and Russia, which is a friend of China, who is India's enemy.

It is a familiar theme lately that American think-tankers have been plugging, ably supported by US lobbyists in India.

Rubio must be standing in for Pompeo. The article alludes to India's helicopter deal with Russia, which apparently annoys Washington.

Reports say that India and Russia (external link) have agreed to resolve issues around the production of Ka-226T helicopters and fast track it. This was discussed during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Moscow in June.

The project is on 'Make in India' mode. India will be able to receive some crucial helicopter technologies from Russia as well.

This is known to be a project that Putin personally promoted (external link) with Modi.

Rubio appears to sound a warning to Modi who is known to enjoy close personal rapport with Putin.

'Much like Putin's foreign adventurism,'Rubio writes, 'the goal has simply been to enrich himself and his inner circle. Those considering relying on the Kremlin should realise that they will have no long-term stable partner in Russia while he remains in power.'

Without doubt, this is Pompeo speaking even as New Delhi and Moscow are discussing high-level visits in the near future.

Rubio's article appears even as India is opting for deployment of the indigenous Light Combat Helicopters made by HAL Bengaluru, in Ladakh on the Chinese border, in preference to the new US-made AH-64E Apache (external link).

Compared to the LCH, the Apache is faster, has more engine power, and carries far more weapons, but LCH has a longer range.

The Indian experts evaluate that the LCH has an edge over Apache due to its ability to perform at high altitudes in the upper reaches of the Himalayas.

The Trump administration has been hoping for some big helicopter deals (external link) and has been pulling strings in Delhi but to its dismay finds that Russia has stolen a march. The rancour shows in Rubio's venomous attack on Putin.

From the geopolitical perspective, Rubio finds it unacceptable that a 'Quad' member country -- 'India is a vibrant democracy and is moving decisively toward other liberal democracies to confront authoritarian States' -- should be having a dalliance with Russia at all.

Of course, there is a body of opinion in India too that an alliance with the US is what the country should prioritise in the backdrop of its face-off with China in Ladakh. They blithely assume that the US is raring to go to wage a joint war against China.

Rubio's piece should be an eyeopener for such people besotted with the superpower as to what in reality an alliance with the US entails -- a demanding partnership that locks in India.

Rubio wrote in anticipation of likely initiatives by Putin to ease India-China tensions.Putin is expected to visit India in October. And a spate of summit meetings can also be expected in the coming months under the rubric of BRICS, SCO, G20 that would bring together the Russian, Indian and Chinese leaderships (external link).

The US is panicking that India might bolt away just as a window of opportunity opened to tether it to the Quad stable (thanks to the stand-off in Ladakh), which has been a key objective of the US regional strategies against China in the Asia-Pacific.

Rubio's vituperative attack on Putin highlights the depth of anxiety in the American mind that the Kremlin leader may breathe fresh life into the Russia-India-China triangle.

Indeed, it is in Russia's self-interests to tamp down Sino-Indian tensions. But what unnerves Washington most is that any easing of India-China tensions will knock the bottom out of its containment strategy against Beijing.

With a likely transition in the Japanese leadership (external link) and taking into account China's close ties with ASEAN countries as well as the European allies' disinterest in joining the US bandwagon against China, Washington is practically being left with a solitary ally in the Asia-Pacific -- Australia.

Facing such stark isolation, the stakes have never been so high for the US to shackle India to its regional strategy in the Asia-Pacific.

Washington senses that the anchor sheet of India's strategic autonomy lies in its longstanding partnership with Russia, which remains firm and immutable despite the changes in world politics in the post-Cold War era.

The partnership has gained in verve and swagger given the high importance Modi personally attaches to it.

Hence, this assault on the Russian-Indian strategic understanding. Thus, a huge propaganda campaign (external link) is under way portraying Russia as an ally of China whom India can longer trust.

Rubio has lent his name to dignify the US propaganda and draw the attention of Indian policymakers.

Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar served the Indian Foreign Service for more than 29 years.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
2021 Escalade Preview Event at Findlay Cadillac "The Next-Generation Escalade was designed to enhance the driving experience with innovative enhancements that will revolutionize how you navigate Las Vegas streets and highways. General Manager John Saksa.

Findlay Cadillac will host a special preview to showcase the Next-Generation 2021 Cadillac Escalade on Wednesday, September 9 from 10:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. at their dealership located at 993 Auto Show Dr. Henderson, NV 89014. This unique opportunity allows interested drivers to explore the vehicle they already pre-ordered or prior to placing a reservation to order a Next-Generation 2021 Escalade, available late 2020. Reservations to attend the preview are required and are filling up fast.

We are excited to provide this opportunity for buyers to see and feel the latest Cadillac model to hit the production line. The Next-Generation Escalade was designed to enhance the driving experience with innovative enhancements that will revolutionize how you navigate Las Vegas streets and highways, stated General Manager John Saksa. The interest is definitely there as over 6,000 pre-orders total have already been placed by enthusiastic Cadillac lovers.

One of the newest driving enhancements include intuitive driver-assistance systems and advanced performance features such as Super Cruise with Lane Change on Demand functionality. Another is the augmented reality-enabled navigation that projects a live street view in front of the vehicle onto the new Cluster Display with turn indicators and other directional information overlaid on the scene, as well as integrated audio prompts that give you an intuitive nudge in the proper direction. Lastly, the four cluster display modes that stretch across 38 inches of screen space provide twice the pixel density of a 4K television resulting in the largest color range currently available in the automotive industry.

To RSVP and be amongst the first in southern Nevada to see the Next-Generation Escalade, call 702-558-2600. Light refreshments along with face masks and hand sanitizer will be provided for the safety of attendees.

More About Findlay Cadillac

Led by General Manager John Saksa, Findlay Cadillac is located at 993 Auto Show Drive in the Valley Automall in Henderson. The dealership offers unmatched service and a diverse Cadillac inventory. Team members are also known to go above and beyond to actively give back to charitable organizations that make a positive difference in the lives of local youth, teens, and adults. Further information about the dealer can be found by calling (702) 558-2600, or by visiting findlaycadillac.com.

Findlay Automotive Group was founded in 1961 by Pete Findlay and now includes 33 dealerships in Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, California and Arizona. The latest addition to the companys dealerships is Findlay Mazda, which opened on January 2, 2019, in the Valley Automall.
FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- COVID has transformed how businesses run and how leaders lead. The May Group, a visual branding and signage company in Fort Worth, Texas, realized in March of 2020 that the Covid pandemic would require new products to help combat the spread of this deadly virus. "We listened to growing customer demand and quickly pivoted to produce countertop shields," said Don Osvog, CEO of the May Group. "As safety concerns arose around students going back to school, we added a suite of products to help schools communicate valuable social distancing information to faculty and students." Emily Bell-Wootten, VP of Marketing added, "The product suite makes us the "One Stop Shop" for safely going back to school, with items, such as: Floor and Wall Graphics, Countertop Shields, Large Volume Air Sanitizing Machines, Temperature Machines, and Bulk Hand Sanitizer. Helping brands communicate messaging to customers is our specialty. So we thought, why not help schools? Our program helps schools make a difficult decision (returning to the classroom), easier." In addition, May Group has just launched a Polling Place program to keep voters, volunteers, and elections as safe as possible during the upcoming election.

The May Group offers a full suite of social distancing signage to help your school open safely.

How did this affect our business and what have we learned?

"Pivoting meant developing products and delivery mechanisms for these new products in weeks, not months. We have a great team committed to doing what is right and they responded so May Group could do its part to help. We have a 76 year 'made in America' history of being responsive and providing high quality products that help our customers be successful and safe," said Don.

The May Group's headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Fort Worth, Texas. For more than 70 years, we have been creating custom signage and innovative visual brand solutions. We offer a broad array of high quality, cutting-edge customer signage designed to cost effectively bring your brand to life. The full suite of Covid related products can be found on the May Group's website at https://shopmaygroup.com or you can contact us by phone 800-800-4629 and email. [email protected]

Please let us know how we can help your school get back to business safely.

PRESS CONTACT INFORMATION:

The May Group

Emily Bell-Wootten-VP Marketing

1-800-800-4629

[email protected]

Related Files

MayCovidSchoolPresentation - Operation Open Safe.pdf

Related Images

social-distancing-school-safety.png

Social Distancing School Safety Signs

The May Group offers a full suite of social distancing signage to help your school open safely.

Related Links

Website

SOURCE May Group
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25

By Tamilla Mammadova  Trend:

Georgia exported 718.6 tons of knitted goods to Turkey for a total amount of $23.1 million from January through July 2020, Trend reports referring to Georgian National Statistics Office (Geostat).

On an annualized basis, Georgia reduced the export of knitwear by 448 tons. During the same period of last year, 1,166 tons of knitted goods totaling $24.8 million were exported from Georgia to Turkey.

From January through July 2020, Georgia exported 341.5 tons of men's or boys' suits, ensembles, trousers, knitted or crocheted goods, to Turkey for a total amount of $8.9 million, which is 66.6 tons less compared to the same period last year.

In turn, in the reporting period, Georgia imported 760.7 tons of other made up articles, including dress patterns from Turkey for a total amount of $17.9 million.

On an annualized basis, Georgia decreased the import of other made up textile articles, including dress patterns from Turkey by 391 tons. From January through July 2019, 1,151 tons of other made up textile articles, including dress patterns were imported by Georgia from Turkey for a total of $17.5 million.

Turkey ranked first in Georgias commodity circulation in the reporting period.

From January through July 2020, total imports from Turkey to Georgia amounted to $728.6 million. In turn, Georgia exported goods worth $114.6 million to Turkey.

The foreign trade turnover of Georgia with Turkey in the reporting period exceeded $843.2 million, which is 14 percent of Georgia's total trade turnover.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila61979356
MILWAUKEE: A Wisconsin woman accused of trying to plan terrorist attacks using hacked social media accounts has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison.

Waheba Issa Dais, 48, of Cudahy, pleaded guilty last year to one count of providing material support to terrorists. She was sentenced Monday to 90 months in prison.

Prosecutors say the mother of seven tried to recruit people to carry out attacks for the Islamic State, and provided them with information on how to make explosives and poisons, including a detailed recipe for the toxin Ricin.

The FBI said its investigation found that Dais used hacked social media accounts to discuss possible attacks with self-proclaimed members of the Islamic State group, Authorities never connected her to any attack plots, but U.S. Attorney Matthew Krueger noted the seriousness of her crimes in a statement released Tuesday.

Dais not only personally pledged her allegiance to a terrorist organization but took steps designed to help others cause death and destruction around the world," Krueger said.

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 Congress in its 134-year-long history had to contend with several letters that centred on major debates and heated arguments.

On Monday, the Congress Working Committee  the highest decision-making body of the party -- saw fireworks over a letter written by 23 leaders.

A peep into the past throws up several similar incidents.

For instance, in 1969, letters were at the centre stage of a tussle between Indicate and Syndicate that eventually led to the biggest split in the party to date.

Also read: Regional BJP leaders say Cong top posts reserved for family

A total of six letters were exchanged between the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and then Congress president S Nijalingappa in October and November 1969 following the defeat of the candidate Neelam Sanjiva Reddy at the hands of VV Giri after Indiras call for conscience voting to party members of Parliament (MPs) and members of legislative assemblies (MLAs).

Indiras responses to Nijalingappa veered around the facts that there is no use in pretending that alls well, whose echoes are being felt now as the party veterans have red-flagged the need for an honest introspection.

Another point of Indiras reply had an uncanny resemblance with what the interim party president Sonia Gandhi told the CWC meeting on Monday, even though the context of the two occasions were markedly different. While Indiras reply, drafted by her secretary PN Haksar, suggested that in a dynamic party such as the Congress, it must incorporate multiplicity of ideas and attitudes in sync with the nations plurality.

On Monday, though Sonia expressed unhappiness over the leak of the letter to the media, she conceded that the Congress is a big family and sometimes people can have different suggestions.

In the end, Sonia gave a clarion call for the party unity. We are a large family. We have differences and different views on many occasions, but we come together as one. The need of the hour is to fight for the cause of the people and the forces that are failing this country, she said at the meeting.

However, Indira didnt have that luxury over five decades ago.

The 1969 tussle was a battle between two different generations of the Congress, akin to the present situation.

But the context of earlier shenanigans was at odds with here and now.

In 1969, it was a battle between a PM and her party that wanted to control her. It bears no resemblance to the current situation, said a Congress leader.

While the 1969 infighting was also a clash of personalities that had turned into a battle of ideologies within the party, no such ideological conflicts exist in the current scenario, despite differences of opinion over strategies.

Many in the Congress claimed the intent of the letter brigade was targeted at former party president Rahul Gandhi and his team, as many seniors feel marginalised because of the rise of the younger leaders.

In the meeting, many veterans also spoke against the signatories of the letter. Ambika Soni reminded Ghulam Nabi Azad that he could become Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) chief minister because of the Gandhis, while Ahmed Patel slammed Anand Sharma for drafting such a letter.

Sharma cited examples of world leaders, who are above 65 years, and hinted that veterans too can play a major role in the partys affairs. Mukul Wasnik, who defended the letter and argued that it was not against the Gandhi family, also insisted that Congresss internal communication must improve.

Rajiv Satav, a member of the Rajya Sabha (RS), who was recently attacked by the party veterans, hit back and said that he was ashamed that three out of the 23 signatories to the letter are former Indian Youth Congress (IYC) chiefs.

While letters had led to intense debates in both 1969 and now, leaders also quickly pointed out that in both the cases, the fight against the Gandhi family had fizzled out and their authority was further consolidated.

.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A total of 3,899 Junior High School final year students in Tema on Monday, enjoyed governments one hot meal a day as announced by the President in his 15th COVID 19 address.



Out of the number, 2195 were pupils from the 27 basic schools in the Metropolis while1704 were from the 67 private schools.



The pupils were served jollof rice and one boiled egg packed in a takeaway container with a plastic spoon and one sachet water strapped to it as the feeding project started Monday August 24, 2020, terminating September 18th.



The Ghana News Agency observed that while some of the schools had real rich jollof rice, others were served coloured rice, raising eye brows among school administrators.



At the Deks Preparatory School, the headteacher showed a sample of the half-packed red coloured rice with an unpeeled egg for the 50 pupils and four teachers of the school.



Mrs Sonia Niaku, head teacher of Deks, described the food as poor both in quality and quantity and questioned the rationale for putting an unpeeled egg on cooked food.



She appealed to the coordinators of the project to ensure that quality and healthy foods were served to protect students from. food borne diseases.



At the Community Eight Number Two school, all 89 pupils received their food which was well cooked and packed however, the number of portions were inadequate.



Miss Celestine Sabi and Master Frank Ofori Kuma pupils of Community Eight Number two, expressed joy at benefitting from the initiative, saying hitherto some of their mates stayed out of school due to lack of money to buy food.



The GNA observed that some schools had two caterers assigned to each, a situation which led to duplications and some pupils getting more than one pack.



Schools, including SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College, Deks, Community Eight Number Two were among schools who were assigned to more than one caterer.



Mr Mark Kwabena Afful, Tema Central Organizer, New Patriotic Party (NPP), who came to Deks with other party officials to present them with food, was told that the pupils had received their share already.



Mr Afful told the GNA that the feeding project were given to either the partys parliamentary candidates or local member of Parliament to coordinate, adding that all the caterers for the project were placed under the womens organizers.



He said he did not understand why other people were also presenting the schools with food, indicating that if the Tema Metropolitan Assembly officials had also assigned their own caterers, they must inform the party team accordingly.



Mr Robert Tetteh, School Feeding Desk Officer, at the TMA, said the issue would be addressed, stating that the existing caterers for the school feeding programme were being used while additional ones had been recruited.



Mr Tetteh indicated that each caterer pre-financed the Gh3.50 per head cooking to be reimbursed by government.



He added that there was the challenge of the number of staff for each school as their number fluctuated, a situation he said needed to be addressed as some of the caterers were not sure if they would be paid for the extra work they put in on those unusual days.



Mrs Agartha Adrah, School Health Education Programme (SHEP) Coordinator for the Tema Metropolitan Education Directorate, who monitored the food sharing, expressed satisfaction and reiterated the need to properly coordinate it to prevent confusion among the caterers.



Mrs Adrah called on school heads especially, the private schools to allow access to their premises for monitoring to ensure that the right thing was done saying, Datus International School refused her team access with the excuse that officials were not available.





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
Jacob Blakes father says he is now paralyzed from the waist down after he was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisc. on Sunday in an incident that has sparked outrage against police and ignited riots in the area.

What justified all those shots? his father said in remarks to the Chicago Sun-Times. What justified doing that in front of my grandsons? What are we doing?

A social media video of the incident shows Blake, a 29-year-old black man, walking away from police officers, who have their guns drawn on him, and starting to get into an SUV with his children ages 3, 5, and 8 inside before police shoot him multiple times in the back.

Kenosha Police said they were called shortly after 5 p.m. when they were called to handle a domestic incident. Witnesses said that Blake had been attempting to break up a verbal dispute between two women and that police tried to use a taser on Blake before they heard at least seven gunshots. Witnesses said Blake was unarmed, but it is not confirmed whether he had a weapon.

Police said the officers gave Blake immediate aid, and he was flown to a hospital in the Milwaukee area, where he remained in intensive care as of Monday evening. Doctors are not sure if his paralysis is permanent.

Those police officers that shot my son like a dog in the street are responsible for everything that has happened in the city of Kenosha, Blakes father said. My son is not responsible for it. My son didnt have a weapon. He didnt have a gun.

The officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Civil unrest erupted during the two nights following Blakes shooting, with rioters setting fires outside the Kenosha County Courthouse.

If we dont have the systematic reform that this moment in America is crying out for, then we are going to continue to see hashtag after hashtag, protest after protest, and cities burning all across America, said Blakes attorney, Ben Crump, on Monday.

Story continues

Meanwhile, Blakes uncle called for peaceful protests.

Protest non-violently, said Justin Blake. We want justice, and were going to get justice. Were going to demand justice. But were going to do that without tearing up our own communities.

More from National Review
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 00:35:23|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

YAOUNDE, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon President Paul Biya on Tuesday hold talks in Yaounde with Thierry Hot, special adviser to Burkina Faso President Christian Kabore, on the fight against terrorism and COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement from Cameroon's presidency.

The meeting "was about security, about fighting COVID-19 and also about governance. We are sharing experiences of good practices in those sectors," Hot told reporters after the meeting.

Hot noted a convergence of views between Yaounde and Ouagadougou on all the topics discussed, which, he said, reflects the excellent relations between the two countries. Enditem
Iran vowed to expand its cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors weeks after being rebuked by the body for failing to provide access to two sites suspected of hosting past nuclear activity.

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said talks with visiting IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi were "very constructive" and the start of a "new era," state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

Grossi, who's on his first trip to Tehran since being appointed, tweeted that the IAEA and Iran were "working on reaching an agreement" on inspections.

The U.S. seized on the June resolution admonishing Iran as further evidence of deception over its nuclear ambitions. European powers voted with the Americans but stood by their engagement with Tehran and opposition to the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" strategy that's reimposed U.S. sanctions on the country.

Grossi is expecting to gain access to the two locations, which monitors think might have housed small-scale research some two decades ago. In 2018, Israel said it found documents that proved Iran had a secret program to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has rejected the claims as "lies" and part of a matter that the agency had dealt with at the time. IAEA monitors said they independently corroborated sufficient information to warrant a visit.

At a separate news conference in Tehran, government spokesman Ali Rabiei said officials would address "false information and forged documents" presented by Israel in meetings with Grossi.

Iran's nuclear program has been subject to the most stringent inspections regime in the IAEA's history. Under the terms of the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal, it scaled back its atomic activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

But after President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the accord in 2018 and reimposed tough sanctions, Tehran began flouting limits on its uranium enrichment.

Grossi arrived a day after Iran said that a July 2 blast at a compound near its largest enrichment facility in Natanz was a deliberate "act of sabotage." Iran hasn't said who it thinks targeted the site.
By Express News Service

RANCHI: JMM Chief Shibu Soren, who was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Ranchi after tested positive for coronavirus on Monday, is now being shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram as a precautionary measure. 76-year old Soren and his wife Rupi Soren were found positive for coronavirus on Saturday.

Hospital sources, however, claimed that Soren is perfectly alright; and is being taken to a higher centre in Gurugram as a precautionary measure.

Soren is being taken to Delhi by Rajdhani Express from Bokaro and will be admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on Wednesday. Soren left Ranchi at around 4:30 pm on Tuesday from where he will be taken to Delhi by Rajdhani Express.

There is nothing to worry about... Since he has an old medical history, therefore, as a precautionary measure, we are shifting Guruji to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, said Chief Minister Hemant Soren before leaving for Bokaro. He will also undergo regular medical tests which are due for more than a year, he added.

A team of doctors from Medanta Hospital in Gururam will be available with Shibu Soren on way to Delhi where an extra compartment has been attached to accommodate Soren and others accompanying him.

Notably, the air ambulance was not opted for due to the drop in oxygen level in senior Soren's body.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister and his wife Kalpana Soren, who underwent Covid-19 test for the third time after coming in contact with his Cabinet colleague Banna Gupta, were found to be negative on Monday. After Gupta testing positive for coronavirus, entire Jharkhand Cabinet, including the Chief Minister, had gone into home quarantine.
Photo taken on Aug. 21, 2020 shows a logo of the video-sharing social networking company TikTok's Los Angeles Office in Culver City, Los Angeles County, the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

Video-sharing social networking company TikTok on Monday filed a lawsuit against U.S. President Donald Trump's administration over Trump's Aug. 6 executive order banning any U.S. transactions with TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance, starting in 45 days.

In the 39-page indictment acquired by Xinhua, Trump, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and the Department of Commerce (DOC) were listed as defendants.

Ultra vires

According to the document, TikTok accused the U.S. authorities of stripping the rights of the company without presenting any evidence to justify the extreme action, and issuing the order without any due process as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution while banning the company with no notice or opportunity to be heard.

Meanwhile, the document cited Trump's remarks on this issue, such as those proclaiming in a campaign-style news conference that TikTok had "no rights" and that he would ban the popular software if the company did not pay money to the government to secure its approval for any sale, saying that those words are unconstitutional.

"By demanding that Plaintiffs make a payment to the U.S. Treasury as a condition for the sale of TikTok, the President has taken Plaintiffs' property without compensation in violation of the Fifth Amendment," the document said.

Moreover, the indictment said, by preventing TikTok from operating in the United States, the executive order violates the company's First Amendment rights in its code, an expressive means of communication.

The Los Angeles-based tech firm argued that the executive order is a misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), authorizing the prohibition of activities that have not been found to be "an unusual and extraordinary threat" in this case.

TikTok argued that former presidents used the power authorized by the IEEPA to protect the country from threats from abroad, including terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, but the recent executive order seeks to use the IEEPA against a U.S. company with hundreds of employees across the country and to destroy an online community sharing video content by millions of Americans.

According to the company, as of June, the total number of TikTok's monthly active users in the country soared to 91,937,040, and based on quarterly usage, 100 million Americans use the application to express themselves and connect with each other.

The plaintiffs, TikTok Inc. and ByteDance Ltd., seek a declaratory judgment and order invalidating and enjoining the executive order and any implementing regulations issued by the DOC later.

"The President's executive order is unconstitutional and ultra vires, and must be enjoined," the document read.

Political motive

The company said it strongly disagreed with the Trump administration's position that TikTok is a threat to national security and had voiced these objections previously.

In the last two years, U.S. officials have repeatedly spread their rumors, saying that since TikTok was owned by Beijing-based tech firm ByteDance, it could pass on data it collects from Americans' streaming videos to the Chinese government.

TikTok has said it has not been asked to share data with the Chinese government.

"There is no connection between TikTok and the Chinese government. Nor does the Chinese government exert any control over TikTok through ByteDance," the company said. "The key personnel responsible for TikTok, including its CEO, Global Chief Security Officer, and General Counsel, are all Americans based in the United States."

TikTok's U.S. content moderation is likewise led by a U.S.-based team and operates independently from China, and the popular application stores U.S. user data on servers located in the United States and Singapore, the company reiterated.

The company complained that it had provided these proofs to the U.S. authorities many times. However, all of the efforts were dismissed crudely by the latter, thus it had to file the lawsuit.

"Now is the time for us to act. We do not take suing the government lightly; however we feel we have no choice but to take action to protect our rights, and the rights of our community and employees," the company said in a blog posted on its official website Monday morning.

It also suggested that the Trump administration imposed the extreme tough restrictions on the company based on a political motive.

The executive order was issued "for political reasons rather than because of an 'unusual and extraordinary threat' to the United States, which is a condition for the President to exercise his authority" under the IEEPA, TikTok noted.

The order ignored the express limitations in the IEEPA barring executive actions from restricting personal communications or the transmission of informational materials, the document said, adding that the order also swept broadly to ban any transactions with ByteDance, even though the purported target is the TikTok mobile application, which is just one of ByteDance's several businesses.

"The order is thus a gross misappropriation of IEEPA authority and a pretext for furthering the President's broader campaign of anti-China rhetoric in the run-up to the U.S. election," the document read.

Trump's suggestion of ByteDance paying a fee to the U.S. government for facilitating a deal to sell TikTok to a U.S. company also showed that the regulatory move is a politicized one, lawyers said in the lawsuit, adding that the fee is unnecessary.

"The President's demands for payments have no relationship to any conceivable national security concern," the lawsuit added.

Targeting Chinese tech giants

Some business insiders in the United States have similar insights into the White House's executive orders against the Chinese entertainment platform and big internet companies like TikTok and WeChat.

Using the same excuse -- purported national security concerns, the U.S. authorities also barred U.S. firms from transactions over WeChat, a popular social media app owned by Shenzhen-based Tencent, starting Sept. 20.

"By trying to block access to TikTok and WeChat, with claims that China is surveilling its users in America, Donald Trump is seeking to violate America's First Amendment right to free speech," the head of a prominent Hollywood production company told Xinhua on Monday, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal against him and his company by the Trump administration.

However, the wording in the order is vague and broad, and it is unclear if companies could be in violation if they use WeChat for messaging, for promoting their products or services, or accepting payments, legal experts said.

A group of WeChat users also sued the Trump administration over the executive order banning transactions with WeChat on Friday in San Francisco, a lawyer familiar with the issue told Xinhua via WeChat Monday.

The group is not affiliated with WeChat or its owner Tencent, and seeks to block the president's Aug. 6 order which the group said is unconstitutional because it violates users' due process and free speech rights.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has expressed support for companies including TikTok to take up legal weapons to defend their legitimate rights and interests.

The ministry's spokesperson Zhao Lijian said some U.S. politicians are working to crush such Chinese companies as TikTok, WeChat and Huawei because they are down with an anti-China syndrome and will strike at anything Chinese.

"This is a repudiation of the principle of market economy and fair competition that the United States has always boasted about. This is trampling on international rules and disrupting exchanges and cooperation in science, technology and innovation riding the trend of globalization," Zhao said.

The world will "only see more clearly the true face of these self-serving bandits-like politicians," he added.
Many restaurants throughout Hanoi capital have put up transparent shields and arranged seats in a way to maintain a safe distance between customers, in an effort to prevent the possible spread of the virus.

Restaurants and coffee shops in the capital follow novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention measures. Pictured are transparent shields which have been erected to ensure a safe distance is maintained at a coffee shop on Cat Linh street

A shield has been placed in the middle of a table at a restaurant on Hang Than street

Amid the threat of the COVID-19, diners feel far more secure as restaurants take precautionary measures by installing transparent shields

The majority of restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs are now fully equipped with hand sanitizer, with customers asked to wash their hands before entering the premises

A restaurant manager on Hang Than street explains that customers are now required to sit at least one metre apart from each other in line with regulations

Staff at the restaurant are also required to don face masks during their shifts

Local authorities and police forces of Nguyen Trung Truc ward ask shop owners to strictly comply with relevant regulations imposed by the administration of Hanoi

Vu Hong Thanh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nguyen Trung Truc ward, says all violations will be handled in a serious manner, with action to be taken against restaurants which fail to abide by COVID-19 epidemic prevention measures

Thanh says that since midnight August 19, competent forces have penalised several local residents who failed to don face masks in public

Relevant forces also require shops not to encroach on pavements and roadsides.

The majority of residents strictly follow rules on wearing face masks in public places.

. However, a small proportion of the population remain apathetic to the rules despite the complicated nature of developments relating to COVID-19 nationwide

VOV
HOBART  Police said Tuesday the "abuse and deplorable living conditions" two women allegedly endured while in the care of a Hobart couple "are unspeakable and will not be tolerated in our community or society."

Hobart police Capt. James Gonzales said charges recently filed against Brittany I. Stewart, 32, and Nathan Soria, 30, are allegations, but his department was pleased that prosecutors filed the cases.

Stewart and Soria are accused of abusing Stewart's 76-year-old grandmother and 51-year-old aunt, who has cerebral palsy and is nonverbal.

Hobart officers found the women with bruises and broken bones July 19 after the 76-year-old climbed out a basement window and told a neighbor "Nathan" was going to kill her, Lake Criminal Court records state. Garbage allegedly was strewn about the basement where they were living.

Gonzales asked residents to immediately call 911 if they suspect someone is a victim of neglect or elder abuse.
If you're not sure where to start when looking for the next multi-bagger, there are a few key trends you should keep an eye out for. Typically, we'll want to notice a trend of growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and alongside that, an expanding base of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. In light of that, when we looked at Quixant (LON:QXT) and its ROCE trend, we weren't exactly thrilled.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What is it?

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for Quixant, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.14 = US$9.6m  (US$87m - US$18m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2019).

Therefore, Quixant has an ROCE of 14%. In absolute terms, that's a satisfactory return, but compared to the Hospitality industry average of 6.8% it's much better.

See our latest analysis for Quixant

roce

Above you can see how the current ROCE for Quixant compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Quixant here for free.

What Can We Tell From Quixant's ROCE Trend?

On the surface, the trend of ROCE at Quixant doesn't inspire confidence. Around five years ago the returns on capital were 32%, but since then they've fallen to 14%. Given the business is employing more capital while revenue has slipped, this is a bit concerning. This could mean that the business is losing its competitive advantage or market share, because while more money is being put into ventures, it's actually producing a lower return - "less bang for their buck" per se.

Story continues

The Bottom Line On Quixant's ROCE

We're a bit apprehensive about Quixant because despite more capital being deployed in the business, returns on that capital and sales have both fallen. Investors haven't taken kindly to these developments, since the stock has declined 15% from where it was five years ago. With underlying trends that aren't great in these areas, we'd consider looking elsewhere.

One more thing to note, we've identified 1 warning sign with Quixant and understanding this should be part of your investment process.

While Quixant may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
Earlier, all sides claimed the preparations for the meeting were underway.

The meeting of political advisors to leaders of the Normandy Four states (Ukraine, Germany, France, and the Russian Federation), which was scheduled for August 28, has been canceled.

Read alsoMaas names main topics to be discussed by Normandy Four foreign ministers in SeptThe relevant information has been reported by the RBC Ukraine news agency with reference to its source.

Earlier, all sides claimed the preparations for the meeting were underway.

Normandy summit 2020 in brief
Our growth model always has been to give our independent advisors the greatest level of attention, support, and respect so they can serve their clientsthe individual investorto the best of their ability.

Inc. magazine today revealed that Independent Financial Group, LLC (IFG) is No. 251 in the Financial Services industry (No. 4914 overall) 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.

Its incredible that after 17-plus years in business, IFG continues to grow organically at a phenomenal rate, says Co-Founder David Fischer. Our growth model always has been to give our independent advisors the greatest level of attention, support, and respect so they can serve their clientsthe individual investorto the best of their ability. Their success is our success, and this latest recognition is a testament to how we stay true to our core values as an organization.

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.

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. 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.

About Independent Financial Group, LLC

Independent Financial Group, LLC is an independent broker-dealer that serves the needs of more than 620 independent investment representatives across 40 states, including Puerto Rico. In 2020, IFG was named San Diegos 12th Largest Private Company by Revenue by the San Diego Business Journal. In addition, in 2020, WealthManagement.com ranked IFG #2 in Overall Experience Satisfaction among Independent Broker-Dealers, and Financial Planning magazine named IFG #4 in Highest Percentage of Women Advisors in its 2020 IBD Elite survey. To learn more about Independent Financial Group, visit http://www.ifgsd.com.

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.

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 multi-platform 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/.
KALAMAZOO, MI  The Rev. Stricjavvar Strickland, of Kalamazoos Second Baptist Church, has been charged with 11 felony criminal sexual charges.

Strickland faces 11 felony charges, including two counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct on a student, one on a person age 13-15 and one by force or coercion.

He also faces four counts of human trafficking of a minor for commercial sexual activity and three counts of child sexually abusive activity. The date of offense(s), according to court records, is Aug. 1, 2015.

Strickland had a warrant issued into lein for his arrest Friday, Aug. 21.

We are aware of the charges and are currently making arrangements to turn Pastor Strickland into the court so he can be arraigned on these charges and the case can proceed, said attorney Michael Hills, who is representing Strickland in the case.

It has been two years since these allegations first came forward and Pastor Strickland has remained in contact and available. He is not running from this. Pastor Strickland remains ready to turn himself in and deal with these charges accordingly.

In September 2018, the Michigan State Police served a warrant at a home registered to Strickland and the Second Baptist Church.

The search warrant was executed based on criminal allegations surrounding criminal sexual conduct and pandering against two individuals and todays search was part of the investigative process, police said at the time.

Strickland and Hills spoke to members of the media in February 2019 about the allegations. Both denied any wrongdoing whatsoever.

Strickland also faces an assault charge stemming from an alleged incident with a former church deacon that occurred at the Second Baptist Church in December 2019. That case is scheduled for trial Sept. 30 in Kalamazoo County District Court.

Strickland has been pastor at Second Baptist Church in Kalamazoo since 2012. He also previously served as the NAACP Kalamazoo Chapter president from 2016-2018.

Also on MLive:

Kalamazoo pastor defends himself amid police investigation

Kalamazoo pastor charged with assault of church deacon

Charges filed a second time against Kalamazoo woman accused in fatal hit-and-run

Kalamazoo activists protest police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin
A grandfather who was beaten to a pulp with a broken car mirror tried to 'sleep off' his injuries after the senseless attack that shocked the nation.

Emiliano Lombardi suffered a broken nose, eye injuries, and numerous deep cuts after he was attacked outside his home in Cannington, in south Perth, on August 16.

The 84-year-old lives alone and went outside to investigate a disturbance when he was slashed with shards of the mirror from his car.

But instead of calling an ambulance or police, Mr Lombardi's three children said he went to bed and tried to go to sleep.

Mr Lombardi's three children (left to right: Carlo, Don and Laura) said he went to bed and tried to go to sleep after the attack

The elderly man (pictured) spent a week in an induced coma and underwent facial surgery at Royal Perth Hospital

'If it wasn't for [my brother and sister] and being persistent that my father was safe, he wouldn't be here today,' Don Lombardi told 9 News.

The elderly man spent a week in an induced coma and underwent facial surgery at Royal Perth Hospital.

His heartbroken children said they were overwhelmed at the influx of support from the local community.

Tradesmen volunteered to repaint and plaster Mr Lombardi's home, while businesses offered to provide new furniture and bedding after his sheets were stained with blood.

Dozens of get-well cards were sent by strangers to the hospital.

Emilio Lombardi, 84, was allegedly assaulted outside his home in Cannington in Perth on August 16, suffering gruesome injuries (pictured)

Footage has emerged of Mr Lombardi smiling and laughing before he was allegedly set upon when he went out into his front yard

Don believes community responded so positively because, 'We've all got a dad it hit home because it could be anyone'.

His son Carlo Lombardi added: 'There's good in this community ... the majority of people are always there for you and do the right thing, it's good to see.'

Daughter Laura Hussein was ecstatic when he came out of his coma.

'I had a dream where I said "I wish that he could just wake up and tell us off," which I never thought I would say, and he actually did that,' she laughed.

Volunteers are looking after Mr Lombardi's dogs while he recovers.

Mr Lombardi left his home on on Henry Street East at about 7pm to investigate a disturbance happening outside his property when he was allegedly assaulted

Quade Karsum Jones, 28, was arrested last Thursday. Police allege he is the man behind the attack

Quade Karsum Jones, 28, was arrested last Thursday. Police allege he is the man behind the attack.

Police allege Jones also indecently assaulted a woman in her 40s, bashed another in her 20s in the head with a metal pole, and violently robbed a man in his 20s.

The alleged rampage lasted just an hour, between 6.30pm to 7.30pm, but Jones, a roofing tradie, managed to rack up seven charges.

They include intent to do grievous bodily harm, indecent assault, robbery, and assault occasioning bodily harm.

The young man allegedly attacked by Jones is one of Mr Lombardi's neighbours and described it as 'terrifying'.

'They came out of nowhere. I was kicked and punched. One of them tried to spray paint into my eye,' he told Nine News.

Jones will remain behind bars until September 15 after briefly facing Perth Magistrates Court last week.

A 24-year-old man who allegedly joined Jones in his alleged crime spree was charged with multiple counts of criminal damage and firearm and drug crimes.

Emilio Lombardi suffered a broken nose, eye injuries, and numerous deep cuts after he was attacked outside his home in Cannington on August 16
Far-right groups are targeting hotels housing asylum seekers across Britain as they attempt to capitalise on hostility sparked by a rise in English Channel crossings.

Police have been called to several incidents where activists have filmed and harassed migrants, who have been placed in emergency accommodation because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Extremists have been circulating lists of hotels to investigate on social media after Nigel Farage drew attention to the issue with a series of videos in July.

They have also been swamping websites with negative reviews of hotels that have taken up contracts with the Home Office, urging people not to stay there when they reopen.

Joe Mulhall, a senior researcher at counter-extremism group Hope Not Hate, said the trend was part of a very long history of far-right groups and individuals across Europe attacking accommodation for migrants.

There is a zeal to it this summer because of the increase in boats and hotels being used, he told The Independent.

Its become a cause celebre. It unites a number of different strands who are active on the far right now.

Sweden, Germany and Greece are among the countries that have seen violent attacks on migrant accommodation, including numerous arson attacks, since the start of the Mediterranean refugee crisis in 2014.

No significant violence has been reported during recent incidents in Britain, although a man was arrested for allegedly attacking a migrant on a Kent beach earlier this month.

Britain First, whose leader Paul Golding was convicted of a terror offence in May, has posted a series of recent videos after being ridiculed for attempting to use a yacht to patrol the English Channel.

On Saturday, police were called after Golding and a group of supporters tried to enter a Holiday Inn in outer London, before filming asylum seekers through windows and approaching anyone entering or leaving the building.

When questioned by officers, Golding did not identify himself and claimed he was filming a political report for social media.

 Nigel Farage talks to reporters about migrants in Dover

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called reports of a "small number of protesters" outside the hotel but found no criminal activity had taken place.

Police were also called to a Britain First stunt at another hotel, in Essex, on Saturday but said no offences were disclosed and they were asked to leave.

In a third incident on Thursday, at a hotel in Worcestershire, Golding and his fellow activists managed to enter the building and started banging on bedroom doors to find asylum seekers.

Golding demanded to know where they were from and shouted about homeless veterans on our streets, before pursuing migrants as they ran away from the group and tried to hide.

Recommended EU rejects UK plea to allow asylum seeker returns after Brexit

The individuals had left the premises prior to police arrival and no criminal offences have been reported, a spokesperson for West Mercia Police said.

Several other groups and activists are carrying out similar stunts, including the anti-Islam For Britain party founded by failed Ukip leadership candidate Anne Marie Waters.

English Defence League (EDL) founder Tommy Robinson has been promoting videos by a blogger who calls himself Active Patriot and has been filming both hotels and migrants arriving in Dover.

A former EDL activist, Glen Saffer, is among the members of a group called South East Coastal Defence, which has circulated a list of hotels and called for scum migrants to be sent back on its official Telegram channel.

Lisa Doyle, director of advocacy at the Refugee Council, said the charity was concerned at reports of intimidation.

She added: People seeking asylum have fled persecution and violence, and have come to the UK in search of safety and protection.

The UK should be a safe and welcoming place for them, and its important that steps are taken to ensure they are not subjected to intimidation and harassment.

Bridget Chapman, of the Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) said: We are saddened that anyone would want to respond to fellow humans in this way.

Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise Show all 12 1 /12 Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise French police officers and gendarmes stand by tents during the evacuation of the Grande Synthe migrant camp, northern France, on September 17, 2019. Francois Lo Presti/AFP/Getty Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise French gendarmes walk by tents during the evacuation of the Grande Synthe migrant camp, northern France, on September 17, 2019. Francois Lo Presti/AFP/Getty Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise French police officers move migrants on from a camp in Dunkirk, France, 17 September 2019. Care4Calais/PA Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise French police officers move migrants on from a camp in Dunkirk, France, 17 September 2019. Care4Calais/PA Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise A bulldozer at work as French police officers move migrants from a camp near Grande-Synthe, Dunkirk, 17 September 2019. Help Refugees/PA Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise Police officers moving migrants from a camp near Grande-Synthe, Dunkirk, France,17 September 2019. Help Refugees/PA Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise Migrants at the Espace Jeunes du Moulin gym in Dunkirk as people awaited eviction from the camp 12 September 2019. Steve Parsons/PA Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise Aran Quader, 6, and his sister Yaran, two, at the Espace Jeunes du Moulin gym in Dunkirk on 12 September 2019, days before refugees were evicted. Steve Parsons/PA Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise Hamdren Quader 32, with his wife Xalat, 26, and children Kajhan, 8, Aran, 6, and Yaran, two, at the Espace Jeunes du Moulin gym in Dunkirk, France, on 12 September before refugees were evicted from the camp days later. PA Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise A bulldozer at work as French police officers move migrants from a camp near Grande-Synthe, Dunkirk, 17 September 2019. Help Refugees/PA Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise Police officers moving migrants from a camp near Grande-Synthe, Dunkirk, France, 17 September 2019. Help Refugees/PA Hundreds evicted from French refugee camp amid Channel crossings rise Police officers moving migrants from a camp near Grande-Synthe, Dunkirk, France, 17 September 2019. Help Refugees/PA

We believe that if the people involved in these actions took the time to meet refugees and hear their stories they would find themselves gaining a greater understanding of their situation.

She added that KRAN had been overwhelmed with donations and offers for help for its work, saying: We believe that the tsunami of kindness and generosity we have seen is far more representative of the mood of the public than small groups of people or individuals taking part in these misguided actions.

The Home Office said the government has a legal obligation to provide destitute asylum seekers with temporary accommodation and support while their applications are being considered.

It has been necessary to temporarily house a proportion of asylum seekers in hotels to make sure they are able to follow social distancing guidelines, a statement added.

As well as ensuring that people could comply with the health guidance in place at the time, this avoided placing pressure on local authorities, who were also procuring hotel accommodation for UK rough sleepers.

A protest is being planned in Dover next month, sparking concerns over a repeat of violence seen at the port during an anti-immigration protest in 2016.

Hope Not Hate said several extremist groups were planning to converge on the town on 5 September, warning that it could turn into a dangerous and possibly violent flashpoint following weeks of smaller protests across the UK.

There are a lot of different groups and activists crossing over and the danger is we start to see those groups coagulate and form some kind of movement, Mr Mulhall said.
(Newser)  Black people can face harassment anywhere in America, Danielle Fuentes Morgan said, even on the campus of a peaceful Jesuit university. "I wasn't surprised," she told the Washington Post. "I was just hurt that it was taking place in this place that I love." Morgan is an assistant English professor at Santa Clara University, which has only seven Black faculty members. The university's president sent a letter to students and staff over the weekend saying he's "deeply sorry" about Morgan's encounter with campus police. "Racial bias or profiling has no place on our campus," Kevin O'Brien wrote. The school is launching an investigation, per the Hill, and the officers involved will undergo racial sensitivity training. "It's not extra sad or extra troubling because this happened to a college professor," Morgan said. "It's explicitly sad because this should not be happening in the year 2020."

story continues below

Morgan's brother, Carlos Fuentes, was visiting her when he went across the street to find a spot outside, on campus, for a video call. He was in the middle of the meeting, with computer and books around him, when campus safety officers arrived and asked him to leave; they later said he seemed suspicious and might be homeless. Four police cars pulled up. An officer took Fuentes, who is Black, to Morgan's front door. "I'm so sorry about this," Fuentes told his sister. "They're demanding you come out and vouch for me." The officer told Morgan to produce her campus ID, as well as prove she was on the faculty and lived in the home, which she leases from the university. "Being Black in America means there is an expectation that you have to show your papers," Morgan said, "that you have to prove you are who you say you are and you belong where you say you belong." (Harvard's Henry Louis Gates was arrested at his home.)
You have no idea what we would pay to have Gaza sawn off from the mainland, pushed and swept away from us into the wide open Mediterranean, a senior Israeli security source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity recently. Not just us. The Egyptians, too, would like this to happen as would the Palestinians in Ramallah who would not touch Gaza with a ten-foot pole, the source added, arguing that Israels military occupation of the Gaza Strip following the 1967 Six-Day War was one of the cardinal mistakes in the history of the state. [Egyptian] President Anwar Sadat did not even demand the return of Gaza within the framework of Egypts peace treaty with Israel, and even had Israel tried to force him to take it back, he would have refused.

The Gaza Strip defies military or diplomatic solutions, as everyone in Israel and everywhere else knows. That does not deter successive Israeli politicians from pledging to solve the problem. Late Prime Minister Ariel Sharon withdrew Israeli forces and settlers from Gaza in 2005 and threw the keys into the sea. As head of the opposition, Benjamin Netanyahu promised that once in power as prime minister, he would instruct the military to topple the Hamas regime, rid the enclave of terrorists and restore calm. Various defense ministers made similar claims. Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman declared that if appointed he would present Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh with a 48-hour ultimatum to return the Israeli civilians and bodies of soldiers held by his organization, or else. Yamina leader Naftali Bennett presented grandiose plans to pulverize Hamas and bring it to its knees once appointed to the job. After taking office in 2019, the chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Aviv Kochavi announced a policy of lethality on Gaza.

They all made promises, but once on the job were forced to accept the inevitable conclusion  that there is no military solution to the Gaza problem. Even leaders of Blue and White party Benny Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi, both former IDF chiefs turned politicians, goaded Netanyahu during three election campaigns over the monthly cash deliveries that Qatar transfers to Hamas under Israeli auspices, dubbing it protection money. Currently, as ministers of defense and foreign affairs, respectively, they have accepted that the protection money is what keeps Gazans heads just above the waterline and maintains the fragile, relative calm on the piece of the most densely populated land on earth where no Israeli would survive longer than two weeks.

When Israel declared independence in 1948, 150,000 Arabs lived in the Gaza Strip. By 1967, when Israel conquered the enclave, there were already 400,000 residents there. In 1994, after the signing of the Oslo Accord and the return of PLO leader Yasser Arafat and his people from exile in Tunis to the West Bank and Gaza, the population was about 900,000. The population had grown to almost 1.4 million by the time Israel disengaged from Gaza in 2005, and now numbers close to 2 million.

Forecasts for 2035 put that figure at 3 million, crammed into a strip of land 40 kilometers (25 miles) long and 5-12 kilometers (3-7.5 miles) wide. Most Gaza residents are still defined as refugees living in one of the poorest, and some would say most miserable, places on earth. The enclaves southern gate to Egypt is closed, as is the northern one to Israel. The Mediterranean is to its west, and to its east the flourishing Israeli communities of the Negev Desert that are bombarded daily with explosive-laden balloons dispatched from Gaza, and occasional rockets. The IDF responds with symbolic retaliation designed mainly to defuse public anger in Israel but to avoid escalation into full-scale war.

The Hamas takeover is Gazas greatest tragedy, a former senior security source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. After Israel withdrew Gaza was supposed to become a pilot for Israeli-Palestinian peace. All they had to do was recognize Israel and accept the 2002 principles of the Quartet  the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union  and launch a massive rehabilitation campaign. Instead, they turned Gaza into a giant terror base and invested all their energy in manufacturing rockets and other weapons. Gazans know they can bring about an end to Israels blockade of the Gaza Strip within five minutes by simply rejecting terrorism and recognizing agreements with Israel. Until that happens, the despair there will keep growing.

Israel, unfortunately, so to speak, cannot determine who will lead the Palestinians, but there is some hope nonetheless. Todays Hamas is not the Hamas of the year 2000, a senior Israeli military official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. Events happening in the world also influence Gaza, the era of social networks is forcing the regime to heed residents concerns. The goal that Hamas Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar has now set is not to destroy Israel, as it was since Hamas was established, but to save the residents of Gaza and ensure their welfare. That makes the situation less explosive and more manageable.

Israel, too, has undergone a sobering process. According to many military and defense figures, Israel no longer has any motivation to unseat Hamas or replace it. There is no alternative to Hamas, the Palestinian Authority will not go there because they want nothing to do with Gaza, and Hamas is the only thing averting total chaos there. We are learning to deal with them, as they are learning to deal with us. Sinwar is listening to his residents and right now they are his top priority, not the struggle against Israel, the senior military official said.

Israels current tactic is to keep Hamas on an even keel, just as one balances the blood sugar level of a diabetic. There is no shame in fighting poverty in Gaza, a top IDF officer admits on condition of anonymity. Our interest is to alleviate poverty there. Currently, with 65% unemployment among those aged 20 to 30, the demographic that will shape Gazas future, the despair just keeps growing. They are not marrying and having children because they cannot support families, the incidence of suicide is high, as is the addiction to drugs and sleeping pills. Both we and Sinwar have an interest in changing the situation, he said.

The IDF, as previously reported by Al-Monitor, would like to allow more Gazans to work in Israel. Every Gazan who works in Israel makes 400 Israeli shekels [$118] a day, six times the average wage in Gaza. Each worker feeds 10 people. In total, this pours $250 million dollars into the Gaza economy each year, which is about 12% of its gross domestic product. The security risk [of allowing in workers] is relatively low, and it is a risk that Israel can afford to take because the potential benefit is huge  giving hope to the Gazans locked inside the Gaza Strip, providing them with a horizon of sorts. When they have something to lose, they look at life differently, the top IDF officer said.

Meanwhile, tensions have been escalating along the Gaza border in recent days. The incendiary balloons are back, the IDF retaliates with nightly raids, Sinwar is demanding additional concessions and more Qatari money comes in each month. More of the same. The Gaza Strip and Israel are stuck facing each other  each one a bone in the throat of the other, with no change in the offing.
RED BANK, N.J., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Edward C. Allegra, MD, FACR, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Rheumatologist for his remarkable contributions in the field of Medicine and acknowledgment of his professional excellence as the Owner with Allegra Arthritis Associates PC.

Proudly serving New Jersey communities, Allegra Arthritis Associates PC is an independent senior care agency providing comprehensive non-medical in-home care and companionship. The agency currently operates out of three offices in Red Bank, Hazlet, and Keyport. Led by an acclaimed rheumatologist, Dr. Allegra has garnered 31 years of vast knowledge and professional experience in private practice. For the past 24 years, he practices adult rheumatology with guided injections and IV infusion therapy. Dr. Allegra's practice was the first in the state to utilize muscular-skeletal ultrasound for diagnosis. Throughout his career, he has been highly respected as an expert speaker on new techniques for biologics, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis.

To prepare for his career, Dr. Allegra completed his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Monmouth University. He went on to receive his Medical Degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara in Mexico. Soon thereafter, he completed an Internship, Internal medicine residency, and Rheumatology Fellowship all completed at the New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center. Remaining abreast of the latest developments in his field, Dr. Allegra is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and an active member of the Monmouth County Medical Society.

An active member of his community, Dr. Allegra is involved with sponsoring fundraisers for the Make A Wish Foundation of New Jersey, and he regularly contributes to Autism Speaks, and the Cancer Society for Children.

Dr. Allegra is married to Mrs. Linda Allegra since 1993. She works as the office manager in his practice. They have two sons, Edward and Harry. He dedicates this recognition to his mentor in rheumatology, Arthur Weinstein, MD.

For further information, please visit http://www.allegraarthritis.com/.

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


A day after the body of a 45-year-old woman, with her throat slit, was found at her home in Navi Mumbai, the Taloja police on Tuesday arrested her 28-year-old son-in-law for the murder. The accused committed the crime because he was upset over the fact that his pregnant wife visited her mother regularly, said the police.

The victim, Rekha Sharma, was found dead at her second-floor Taloja apartment in sector 11. The accused, Praful Siyali, works as an electrical technician married Sharmas younger daughter two years ago and the couple stayed at Taloja phase-2 and was expecting their first child.

Based on preliminary investigation, police said Siyali arrived at Sharmas house shortly after her husband left for work in the morning. He wore a raincoat and covered his face to prevent getting captured in the buildings CCTV cameras. When the police went through the CCTV footage of the people who visited the building around the time of the murder, they were surprised to find a person wearing a raincoat as it was not raining at the time.

After initial rounds of inquiry with the family members, and rummaging through the call detail records, the police suspected Siyalis role in the murder. Once the police confirmed that Siyali was the main wearing the raincoat, the police arrested him.

Along with technical analysis and CCTV footage, we zeroed down the accused and arrested him on Tuesday. We are investigating the case further to put together the sequence of events and to recover the murder weapon, said senior inspector Kashinath Chavan from Taloja police station.

On Monday, Siyalis wife tried calling Sharma on phone after 10am, but after she did not answer the calls, the couple went to the victims house.

Sharma used to often insult Siyali. His wife had been regularly visiting Sharma in the since a while and it irked the accused. He asked his wife not to visit her mothers house but when she did not agree to it, he decided to kill Sharma, said inspector Raju Adagle from Taloja police station.

Siyalis wife also used to spend Sundays at her mothers house, which further angered him, said police officers.

Siyali has been booked for murder under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. He will be produced before a magistrate court on Wednesday.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Todays CIOs and enterprise IT departments continue to look for ways to rapidly expand their critical infrastructure to the cloud. The next evolution of Azure VMware Solution, built by Microsoft and endorsed by VMware, makes it easier than ever for them to move to the cloud with the VMware technologies they know and trust.

We recently caught up with Eric Lockard, corporate vice president, Azure Dedicated at Microsoft, to learn why hes more than bullish on Azure VMware Solution, how he sees the Microsoft/VMware partnership benefiting customers, and what he sees driving customers cloud demand for Azure. We also couldnt help asking him what he thinks of an IT landscape thats dramatically different from what it was just a few years ago.

Cloud is a paradigm shift in more ways than one, says Lockard. Microsoft and VMware have emerged to become close partners determined to deliver a win-win for both companies and our shared customers. The very name of this solution  Azure VMware Solution  reflects just how collaborative this effort is across engineering, sales, and marketing functions in both companies.

Azure VMware Solution enables IT teams to easily integrate their VMware technologies with Microsoft Azure and, in the process, take advantage of the many cloud services offered through it. And because its a solution engineered by Microsoft and endorsed by VMware, everything is integrated with the Azure Portal, ensuring that customers are able to maintain their native VMware experience with the tools they know in Azure.

Lockard notes that, as a result, its now far easier for customers who want to rapidly migrate to Azure or expand their use of VMware-powered applications to draw on Azures capabilities.

We are laser-focused on making Azure the best cloud for VMware, and we engineered Azure VMware Solution with the expectation that customers can utilize it as just another flavor of Azure Compute, able to easily take advantage of the full breadth of Azure services, Lockard adds. Its equally applicable to customers that want to be all native on one cloud while using their VMware compute platform, those that want everything on an abstraction layer to avoid any perceived constraints, and enterprises that know they will always be multi-cloud. In this way were also creating the multi-cloud choice that VMware makes possible.

Moving to the Cloud as the Transformation to Software Continues

We also asked Lockard what is prompting customers to enhance their existing infrastructure with the cloud or, alternatively, motivating them to migrate to it completely.

This is an evolution thats been going on for years, and there are all sorts of reasons for people to embrace it, he says. Some want to pay by the day or the month. Others dont want to manage hardware. Others want to take advantage of the burstiness of the cloud and the ability it gives them to take on new projects, or want a backup or disaster failover to the cloud but not the investment in infrastructure that would otherwise be necessary.

Regardless of the use cases and workloads prompting enterprises to look to the cloud, Lockard believes a more fundamental trend is ultimately fueling Azures growth.

Every company is increasingly a software company, he says. Pharmaceuticals  thats a software business. It is all about taking massive amounts of sample data and analyzing it with AI to quickly model and identify the right drug compounds for safe and effective patient treatments. That application of massive computing is happening in every industry, whether its optimization of manufacturing or e-commerce. A lot of this work is being done with VMware technology, and its this idea of taking an existing application estate and complementing it with native-cloud capabilities like machine learning and IoT that will continue to drive significant growth in the cloud.

Learn more about Microsoft Azure and its partnership with VMware here and here.
The Frankfurt Book Fair is taking registrations for people who will be attending the fair virtually, including publishers, literary agents, and other members of the publishing community. While no schedule of events has yet been announced, the organizers clarified some of the details surrounding how virtual exhibitors, including agents and rights representatives, will be able to participate in the upcoming fair and various opportunities for them to present their work.

Key to this will be the Exhibitor Catalog, which will serve as a focal point for the exhibitor or attendees presence. Each exhibitor will have the ability to create a profile that will include a logo, link to their companys website, social media buttons, and further information. A one page document, such as a rights guide or company presentation, can be made available here as well. The catalog is expected to go live online by mid-September.

Exhibitors and participants will also be able to list and promote their own physical, digital or hybrid events, either public or private, in a dedicated calendar of events. The calendar, which is also expected to go live by mid-September, will be searchable.

The new Frankfurt Rights platform will serve a digital online catalog of rights available at the fair. Each digital exhibitor, including agents and rights holders,will be allowed a free company profile, where they can upload their rights guides, title information, rights availability, and previews of titles available to international participants after request. This platform is expected to go live by the end of September.

Many publishers, agents and rights holders are well into the process of setting up their own meetings independent of the fair and its various platforms. Unfortunately, without the physical fair to serve as a focal point, the prospect of organizing virtual meetings with vast time differences across the world has proven daunting, with the concern that meetings might last over several weeks.

Riky Stock, v-p of the Frankfurt Book Fair in New York and the individual responsible for overseeing the Literary Agents Center, said that some agents are looking at experimenting with new ways to pitch titles. Among these ideas is to host a single pitch session webinar for numerous people at one time. This format, which was also employed earlier in the year at Bologna, allows the company pitching to reach a wide group all at once. The group might include existing clients and new prospects and help the pitching company reach those who are both high and low priority at the same time.

Cecilia de la Campa, executive director of global licensing and domestic partnerships for Writers House, pivoted to hosting a pitch webinar during Bologna quickly after the in-person fair was cancelled in March. She said that shifting to a webinar format is an effort to make the best out of a challenging and situation and is no replacement for in-person meetings. Nevertheless, she said, "Theres a ton of opportunity with the webinar format: more industry professionals can tune in digitally than would otherwise attend the fair, such as marketing and junior editorial staff from international publishers, film and TV contacts; the recording can be saved/accessed afterwards; we can reach publishers with whom we dont yet have major business; and we can announce any exciting new deals/sales on the spot to everyone at once."

She added, "Hopefully, with enough rights teams scheduling webinars, rather than 200+ individual digital meetings stretched over 2 months because of the time-zone constraints, we can all avoid being burnt out! And perhaps well be able to recreate that 'feeling' of the fair, with the big presentations and hot projects condensed around the actual week of the book fair."

At present, fair organizers are planning for a hybrid fair comprised of both virtual and in-person events, though few members from the North American publishing community are expected to make the trip to Germany.
Former Tulsa World publisher Gloria Fletcher is among the 10 women who will be honored as part of the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Tulsa's annual Madam President awards, to be presented in a free online event at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, that will be shown on the organization's Facebook page.

The Madam President awards honor Tulsa women nominated by the community for their commitment to leadership and service  qualities, in the eyes of the organization, make them worthy of "being President."

Fletcher served as publisher and president of the Tulsa World from June 2018 to May 2020.

The other honorees are:

 Carlisha Williams Bradley, executive director of Impact Tulsa

 Kaylie Carranza, a fifth-grader at Springdale Elementary who earned the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Eastern Oklahoma Chapter

 Maggie Hoey, executive director of TYPros

 Kian Kamas, chief of economic development for the city of Tulsa

 Julie Lynn, chief of training for the Tulsa Fire Department
Taliban negotiators in Islamabad for talks with Pakistani officials

Iran Press TV

Monday, 24 August 2020 3:06 PM

Pakistan has invited key members of the Taliban's negotiating team to Islamabad, where senior officials are to convince them on the importance of starting talks with the Afghan government.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told a press briefing on Monday that negotiations between the two sides were "the only way forward" in Afghanistan.

"The delegation is in Islamabad and we will have a round of talks with them tomorrow as part of efforts aimed at (building) mutual confidence," Qureshi said.

"This is for Afghans to reconcile, and our task is that of facilitator."

"The main objective is to secure peace and the next phase should be the start of intra-Afghan dialogue."

Talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government stalled again in the wake of a controversial prisoner swap.

The both sides had signaled they were prepared to start negotiations immediately after the Muslim festival of Eid, which ended earlier this month.

The swap has stumbled over the final few hundred prisoners. Kabul is reluctant to release 'dangerous' Taliban militants tied to deadly attacks.

In October 2019, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar  the Taliban's co-founder who spent eight years in Pakistani custody  led a delegation to Islamabad ahead of a deal the insurgents signed in February with Washington.

On Sunday, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen tweeted that Baradar and other negotiators would discuss "recent developments in Afghanistan's peace process, relaxation and facilitation of peoples' movement and trade between the two neighboring countries."

Islamabad has said its influence over the Taliban encouraged the militants to join talks with the United States.

Tensions remain between Islamabad and Kabul, with the administration of President Ashraf Ghani frequently blaming Islamabad for allegedly sheltering, funding and supplying the Taliban.

Pakistan, which was one of only three countries to recognize the Taliban regime in the 1990s, denies the claims.

Kabul says elements in the Pakistani spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), are to blame for supporting the Taliban. Islamabad blames the Afghan government for giving refuge to militants on its side of the border.

Afghanistan has been gripped by insecurity since the United States and its allies invaded the country as part of Washington's so-called war on terror in 2001. Many parts of the country remain plagued by militancy despite the presence of foreign troops.

Senior civilian and military officials in Islamabad have frequently said the US government is making Pakistan a scapegoat to cover Washington's failure in Afghanistan.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Are Siddhant Chaturvedi and Navya Naveli Nanda dating? This viral fan theory is attracting a lot of attention
By order of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Toll Road fees are being waived to support evacuations ahead of Hurricane Laura.

Hurricane Laura is expected to make landfall on the Gulf Coast as a possible Category 3 storm Wednesday night, early Thursday morning.

PREPARE FOR HIGH WINDS WITH HURRICANE LAURA: Hurricane Laura: Prepare your home for high winds in Houston as Laura strengthens

Evacuations are already under way for many areas.

"We want to make sure that we provide easy access for people who may be traveling throughout areas," Hidalgo said in a press conference Tuesday.

According to the HCTRA, "The order applies to HCTRA roadways and does not include roads not governed by Harris County."

Houstonians are being urged to stay off the roads as much as possible to allow for the safe evacuation of residents leaving Galveston, which issued a mandatory evacuation order Tuesday morning.

STAY INFORMED: Sign up to receive breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.
DALLAS, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Both Ends Believing (BEB) announced today that its technology platform, Children First Software (CFS), will be implemented in Guatemala. BEB and La Asociacion Ninez con Futuro (ANIFU), the Guatemala NGO of Orphan Outreach, signed an agreement in connection with projects ANIFU is undertaking for the Guatemala government, specifically el Consejo Nacional de Adopciones (CNA). ANIFU's work is focused on drafting personnel policies and procedures, as well as guidelines for inter-agency collaborations for CNA.

ANIFU highlighted the need for sophisticated technology as the missing piece of their workplans and Orphan Outreach identified BEB's Children First Software as the ideal solution.

BEB President Mark Schwartz noted: "What we have witnessed all over the world is a lack of accessible, digital data on vulnerable children. This challenge constrains the ability of governments to make timely, well-informed decisions about their children's futures. Guatemala has recognized this need and BEB is honored to be able to provide, implement and support Children First Software at no cost, as is the case everywhere we work. We are grateful to CNA, ANIFU and Orphan Outreach for the opportunity to work together on behalf of the vulnerable children of Guatemala."

Both Ends Believing is enabling sustainable change to the child welfare systems of several Latin America countries. The work in Guatemala will follow the CFS implementation blueprint now well established in the Dominican Republic and Honduras. The ultimate outcome is that comprehensive digital records will be created for the approximately 5,000 children living in Guatemala institutions today. Capturing and utilizing this data will serve as a springboard to moving these children from institutional care to safe, nurturing families.

Austin South, Latin America Regional Director for Orphan Outreach who has been working in Guatemala for several years, commented: "We have long been aware of the need for timely, useful comprehensive data on Guatemala's children, but only when we encountered BEB's Children First Software did we truly see a viable solution to meet this need." Mike Douris, President of Orphan Outreach, added: "I have known several of the leaders of BEB for many years. I know their hearts and their capabilities. They will serve the children of Guatemala well."

As the world continues to face the pandemic, BEB realizes that the impact on the most vulnerable populations is especially severe. Children living in overcrowded institutions in under-resourced countries are these most vulnerable. The global health crisis gives even more urgency to this work and to the desire to very soon see these children enjoy the benefits that families provide.

About Both Ends Believing

Both Ends Believing was founded in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) organization to promote systemic change on behalf of vulnerable children. BEB works to capture comprehensive digital profiles of children through Children First Software, a technology-driven solution designed to identify a child's best opportunity for family-based care. Partnering with countries around the world, we transform the process to move children to their best future, a chance to grow and flourish in a loving family.

Contact: Margaret Elizabeth McKissack

Both Ends Believing

877-908-5161

[email protected]

SOURCE Both Ends Believing

Related Links

www.bothendsbelieving.org


Wisconsin's governor summoned the National Guard to head off another round of violent protests Monday after the police shooting of a Black man under murky circumstances turned Kenosha into the nation's latest flashpoint city in a summer of racial unrest.

Democratic Governor Tony Evers said 125 members of the National Guard would be in Kenosha on Monday night with responsibility for "guarding infrastructure and making sure our firefighters and involved are protected.

The move came after protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear Sunday night over the wounding of 29-year-old Jacob Blake, who was hospitalised in serious condition.

He was shot, apparently in the back, as he leaned into his SUV while his three children sat in the vehicle.

(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.)
Book publishing has never been for the meek. Its ambitious. Its audacious. It might be hair-brained.

At a time when getting published by a Big Five publishing house remains elusive for writers of color and getting self-published has become instantaneous  no editor or distributor involved  small presses are modest affairs and labors of love.

That anyone attempts to do it must come from deep inside, a love of writers and reading, a goal long unmentioned before its imagined aloud.

Most small presses never make it past their inaugural year.

Courtesy / Courtesy

The work happens on laptops, kitchen tables and wherever coffee is sold. Their founders and editors pull together just enough money, usually their own, to get someone published.

In varying degrees, the work involves lots of reading, editing, proof-reading and design before a book is printed and sold. Most small-press publishers set up tables at fairs and conferences. Some travel with books in the trunks of their cars.

Ten years ago, perhaps a little more, Juan Tejeda and Anisa Onofre finally made their dream a reality.

Courtesy / Courtesy

Tejeda, an educator, activist and musician, and Onofre, long on the staff of Gemini Ink and now its marketing director, established Aztlan Libre Press in San Antonio, publishing its first book in 2010.

This year the husband-and-wife team running what they call a mom and pop publishing company will celebrate a decade in business by launching Aztlan Libres 13th book.

Its poetry collection titled Pandemia & Other Poems by Edward Vidaurre, publisher of FlowerSong Press in McAllen.

Aztlan Libre specializes in Chicano literature and art and has published work in English, Spanish and Nahuatl. It also published a popular Aztec calendar coloring book and a series of art cards.

One of its most well-received works was A Crown for Gumecindo by Laurie Ann Guerrero, a San Antonio and Texas poet laureate. It was Aztlan Libres only hard-back book and was accompanied by original art by Maceo Montoya.

Tejeda and Onofre invested their own money to publish their first book, Tunaluna by noted Chicano poet Alurista (Alberto Baltazar Urista Heredia). They recouped the investment in book sales and put profits back into the press.

The formula has worked. Some years, when theyre lucky, Tejeda says theyve paid themselves $500. He laughs.

You need a sense of humor in such a tough business.

As far as I can tell, Aztlan Libre is among a few independent book publishers in San Antonio. It doesnt accept or solicit manuscripts anymore.

Tejeda and Onofre were inundated with manuscripts at first and couldnt read them all. Aztlan Libres website makes the no-soliciting rule clear, but its founders make an exception now and then.

Wings Press, which published more than 100 books, appears to no longer operate in the city. Publisher Bryce Milligan was caught up in a sexual harassment scandal a few years ago and reportedly shuttered operations here and relocated, a source said.

Trinity University has an established press, and two startups surfaced in San Antonio last year.

Former San Antonio poet laureate Octavio Quintanillas Alabrava Press just published its first chapbook, a poetry collection titled, A Saint for Lost Things by C.L. Rooster Martinez.

Alabrava, which merges three Spanish words into the well-known phrase meaning to do it with guts, published only 150 copies, each signed and numbered, Quintanilla said. He called them collectible artifacts.

Yet another small press was established last year by poet, playwright and essayist Jo Reyes-Boitel. Cupped Hands Press will publish its inaugural book in 2021, she said, and will specialize in printed, handmade chapbooks, or micro chapbooks, from writers of marginalized communities.

Gemini Ink doesnt call itself a small press, Onofre said, but it has published about 100 anthologies of work done by those enrolled in its writing workshops.

They represent a community of small presses, whose proprietors know one another. Sometimes they publish one another.

Reyes-Boitels book, Michael + Josephine, for example, was published by Edward Vidaurre at FlowerSong Press.

Hell appear at Aztlan Libres Facebook event 3 p.m. Sunday. It will launch Vidaurres book, Pandemia.

Aztlan Libre describes it as a salve for a trifecta of ills: the coronavirus, a border crisis and the pandemic of racism and police brutality.

Pulitzer Prize finalist for nonfiction Luis Alberto Urrea provided a blurb for the collection, a new scripture for the plague years. Poet Sheila Black said its the book we need right now.

Not bad for the 10th anniversary of a mom-and-pop press during a pandemic.

Elaine Ayala is a columnist covering San Antonio and Bexar County. To read more from Elaine, become a subscriber. eayala@express-news.net | Twitter: @ElaineAyala
The Brisbane Portuguese Club in the city's east has been fined almost $7000 after allegedly hosting a large gathering of people on Saturday night with a lack of social distancing.

Detectives from Taskforce Sierra Linnet, which ensures compliance with the health directions, issued the president of the Pinkenba club with a $6772 fine on Tuesday.

The Portuguese Club on Main Myrtletown Road. Credit:Google Maps

Investigations from the Brisbane Liquor Unit also established the club did not have a liquor licence and a separate fine amounting to $2669 was also issued.

"Business operators and patrons are reminded to adhere to public health directions including social distancing measures at all times to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in Queensland," police said in a statement.
TOPEKA, Kan.: A 19-year-old Kansas House candidate who admitted to engaging in revenge porn and harassing girls online has reversed his decision to abandon a campaign that has seen him disavowed by many fellow Democrats.

Aaron Coleman, of Kansas City, Kansas, said in a tweeted statement Tuesday that many of the people who voted for him in the Democratic primary over veteran state Rep. Stan Frownfelter urged him not to drop out. Coleman prevailed by 14 votes, with the final, unofficial tally standing at 823-809.

Frownfelter planned a write-in campaign for the November general election.

In a Facebook post in June, Coleman said allegations that he engaged in online bullying, blackmail and revenge porn were true. He said his past behavior targeting several middle-school girls was that of a sick and troubled 14-year-old.

Some Democrats also disavowed Coleman because of incendiary social media posts. They included one saying he would laugh and giggle if a former GOP state lawmaker died of COVID-19.

Coleman said Sunday he would drop out to focus on caring for his family. He said Tuesday that his father is quite ill."

But he said voters told him we all make mistakes in urging him to keep running.

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
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allegiant Gold Ltd. (Allegiant or the Company) (AUAU: TSX-V) (AUXXF: OTCQX) is very pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive agreement with Summa Silver (Summa) (CSE: SSVR) whereby Summa can acquire up to a 100% interest in the historic Mogollon silver-gold mining district (the Property) of southwestern New Mexico from Allegiant Gold Ltd (Allegiant) (TSXV: AUAU).



Peter Gianulis, CEO of Allegiant Gold, commented: We are very excited to have reached an agreement with Summa. Their dedication and professionalism throughout this process was unparalleled and we are confident that we selected the right partner to develop one of the best undeveloped silver projects in the U.S. We look forward to their progress and our ability to focus on the development of Eastside, our flagship gold-oxide project in Nevada. Allegiant now has four projects farmed out, three of which are expected to be drilled over the coming month in addition to drilling up to 15,000 metres at Eastside this season. We continue to execute our business plan and are very pleased with the progress we have made this year.

ACQUISITION TERMS

Summa may earn up to a 100% interest in the Property from Allegiant in two phases.

Phase I is an option to earn a 75% interest in the Property over three years for staged payments totalling US$350,000 in cash, 200,000 shares, US$1,450,000 of value in shares*, and a final payment of US$1,000,000 which may be paid in cash and/or shares at the election of Summa. Additionally, the Phase I earn-in includes a US$3,000,000 work commitment on the Property.

Phase I  Payment Schedule on Option to Earn 75%:

Date Cash (USD) Shares (USD) Effective Date $50,000 200,000 shares 1st Anniversary $100,000 $300,000 2nd Anniversary $100,000 $500,000 3rd Anniversary $100,000 $650,000 3rd Anniversary $1,000,000 Total Consideration (USD) $2,800,000 + 200,000 shares

+Shares calculated from 20-day volume-weighted-average-price

Story continues

Phase I  Work Commitment:

Date Work Commitment (USD) 1st Anniversary $250,000 2nd Anniversary $1,250,000 3rd Anniversary $1,500,000 Total $3,000,000

After the 75% earn in, Summa can then elect to either form a 75/25 Joint Venture with Allegiant or purchase the remaining 25% interest for US$3,000,000 in cash and shares, a minimum of US$1,000,000 of which must be in cash.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by both, Andy Wallace, CPG, Director of Allegiant Gold, and Galen McNamara, P. Geo., CEO of the Company. Both individuals are qualified persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101. The Qualified Persons have not verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in the written disclosure.

ABOUT MOGOLLON

The Property consists of 81 patented mining claims and 86 unpatented lode mining claims located in Catron County, New Mexico. The patented claims are surrounded by lands administered by the United States Forest Service. Seventy-one of the patented claims are leased under two separate agreements. Sixty-four of the unpatented claims are leased under one agreement. The remaining patented and unpatented claims are 100% owned by Allegiant.

ABOUT SUMMA SILVER CORP

Summa Silver Corp is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company. Summa has the option to earn a 100% interest in the Hughes property located in central Nevada. The Hughes property is host to the high-grade past-producing Belmont Mine, one of the most prolific silver producers in the United States between 1903 and 1929. The mine has remained inactive since commercial production ceased in 1929 due to heavily depressed metal prices and little to no modern exploration work has ever been completed.

ABOUT ALLEGIANT

Allegiant owns 100% of 10 highly-prospective gold projects in the United States, 7 of which are located in the mining-friendly jurisdiction of Nevada. Three of Allegiants projects are farmed-out, providing for cost reductions and cash-flow. Allegiants flagship, district-scale Eastside project hosts a large and expanding gold resource and is located in an area of excellent infrastructure. Preliminary metallurgical testing indicates that both oxide and sulphide gold mineralization at Eastside is amenable to heap leaching.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Peter Gianulis CEO

For more information contact:

Investor Relations

(604) 634-0970 or

1-888-818-1364

ir@allegiantgold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements and information contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which are referred to collectively as "forward-looking statements". The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as seek, expect, anticipate, budget, plan, estimate, continue, forecast, intend, believe, predict, potential, target, may, could, would, might, will and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Summas ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward, to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing, to explore and develop the Mogollon projects, and for general working capital purposes; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associated with mineral exploration and mining operations, future prices of silver and other metals, changes in general economic conditions, accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates, the ability of Summa to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the project and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to Summas plans and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of the Summa to monetize its mineral resources; changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on Summas operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, aboriginal title claims and rights to consultation and accommodation; dependence on key management personnel; general competition in the mining industry. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Some of the known risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are described in the sections entitled Risk Factors in Allegiants Listing Application, dated January 24, 2018, as filed with the TSX Venture Exchange and available on SEDAR under Allegiants profile at www.sedar.com. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Allegiant undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.




Health officials in Texas have repeated calls for residents not to use bleach to treat or prevent Covid-19 after a spike in people ingesting harmful chemicals.

Cristina Holloway, public health education manager at North Texas Poison Center (TCPN), said the service had received 46 calls in August relating to bleach incidents.

Some of those calls involved people having drunk bleach and citing coronavirus as the reason why they had done so, Ms Holloway said.

We certainly are not used to seeing bleach ingestion, at least that frequently in such a short amount of time, and we do know in general this year compared to last were seeing a whole lot more of bleach exposures, Cristina Holloway, the public health education manager at North Texas Poison Center, told NBC on Monday.

Ms Holloway blamed the media and misinformation on the internet for the spike in bleach incidents. Most of the cases were not severe, although 12 required medical attention, Ms Holloway added.

Recommended Trump denies responsibility for people drinking bleach

We do know that theres a lot of misinformation through the media, through the internet, so that can also be a contributing factor where people are misinformed and hear it from a neighbor or a friend and think it sounds like a good idea when it could potentially be dangerous, she said.

She also claimed that increased cleaning routines in homes during the pandemic was a factor in the rising number of bleach-related incidents.

We do know that more people are using these products more than ever before and typically when we have more of those products, using products, we see more exposure, more accidents will happen, Ms Holloway said.

TCPN issued a statement this week in which it urged Texans to read the instructions on bleach and cleaning products before use.

TCPN has seen a surge in bleach-related incidents (TCPN)

The statement said there has been a 71 per cent increase in bleach related incidents and a 63 per cent increase in household cleaning product incidents.

The statement did not clarify in which period it had recorded the increasing number of bleach-related incidents. It did not directly advise Texans not to drink bleach, despite Ms Holloway confirming there had been a rise in ingestion of the chemical.

In April this year, president Trump was lambasted by the medical community after suggesting research into whether coronavirus might be treated by injecting disinfectant into the body.

He also appeared to propose irradiating patients bodies with UV light, an idea dismissed by a doctor at the briefing.

Mr Trump has also repeatedly endorsed hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug that has not been proven to be an effective drug in treating coronavirus patients.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks during a press conference before the vote on the 'Delivering for America Act' to protect the postal system, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Aug. 22, 2020. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Pelosi: Cutting Payroll Tax Would Devastate Social Security Fund

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) warned that if President Donald Trump is allowed to end the payroll tax, the Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund would be expended by 2021 and the Social Security Old Age Survivors Insurance Fund would be exhausted by 2023.

Pelosi said in a statement Monday that the Social Security Administration chief actuary analysis shows the potential devastating effects of ending the payroll tax, which the president has suggested.

President Trump continues to play fast and loose with the health and well-being of Americas seniors. The new analysis today shows the swift potential devastation of President Trumps reckless call to terminate the payroll tax: shattering the sacred promise of Social Security, said Pelosi in a statement Monday.

Pelosi vowed that Democrats would stand strong for senior citizens Social Security benefits.

The Speaker made the statement after Stephen C. Goss, chief actuary at the Social Security Administration, responded to Democratic Senators query on what the consequences would be for Social Security insurance funds if payroll tax was terminated.

Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in the Aug. 19 letter asked the chief actuary to analyze the potential impact of a proposal to get rid of Social Securitys payroll and self-employment taxes, both paid by employers and employees, on Social Security insurance.

Specifically, what would be the implications of such legislation for revenue coming into the OASI and DI trust funds, at what point would the OASI [Old Age and Survivors Insurance] and DI [Disability Insurance] trust fund asset reserves become depleted, and how would this affect the ability to pay scheduled OASI and DI benefits on a timely basis? the senators wrote.

Goss responded, If this hypothetical legislation were enacted, with no alternative source of revenue to replace the elimination of payroll taxes on earned income paid on January 1, 2021, and thereafter, the Social Security Insurance Funds would run out of money by mid-2021 and mid-2023.

Schumer, a staunch critic of the president, called Trumps payroll tax holiday and potential termination, reckless.

This report confirms the devastating impact President Trumps reckless Executive Order will have on Social Security. President Trumps plan to eliminate Social Securitys dedicated funding would endanger seniors Social Security and could mean the end of Social Security as we know it by 2023, said Schumer.

Trump announced his executive order suspending payroll tax for the duration of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic in a speech on Aug. 8 in New Jersey. Trump also said, If victorious on November 3rd, I plan to forgive these taxes and make permanent cuts to the payroll tax, adding Im going to make them all permanent.

In an effort to bolster the economy and reduce tax burdens on American workers amid the CCP virus pandemic, Trump signed the executive order to defer employee payroll taxes.

The White House did not immediately respond to the request for comment.
Myanmar & COVID-19 COVID-19 Tests Taken at IDP Camps Amid Outbreak in Western Myanmar

A camp for internally displaced people in Mrauk-U. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy

YangonOver 30 people from four camps for internally displaced people (IDP) who had contact with three COVID-19 positive staff members of Relief International (RI) in Mrauk-U, Rakhine State, will be tested for the virus.

There are more than two dozen IDP camps in Mrauk U, sheltering nearly 30,000 people fleeing fighting between government troops and the Arakan Army since early 2019.

We have kept all the people who came into contact with them in quarantine. We have taken swabs but there was no flight today [to send the samples to Yangon]. The swabs have been sent to Sittwe, state municipal minister U Win Myint told The Irrawaddy on Monday.

RI posted on Facebook on Sunday that three of its staff members had tested positive on August 21 and August 22. The three traveled to four Rakhine IDP camps in Mrauk-U over the past two weeks to provide health care. RI said it has not visited Rohingya villages in Mrauk-U since last year.

We have kept the COVID-19 positive patients and those who have come into contact with them isolated. We havent imposed a lockdown on others at the IDP camps. But if the tests are positive, we will take further action, said U Win Myint.

He said he did not know the names of the four camps.

According to the Mrauk-U lawmaker in the Rakhine State parliament, U Tun Tha Sein, the three RI staff members traveled to five villages, including Taungmyint, Kalarchaung, Nakan, Pipinyin and Pazunpe, which have IDP camps.

There are between 100 and 1,700 people at the camps. Last night I asked village administrators about what preventative measures have been taken. They said no measures are in place. There are IDPs and villagers in the area, said U Tun Tha Sein.

He warned that the camps could become a hotbed of COVID-19 transmissions without systematic health care.

Dr. Soe Win Paing, assistant director of Rakhine State Health Department, said only those who came into contact with COVID-19 positive patients are being tested for the virus.

There have been 82 COVID-19 confirmed cases in Sittwe, Thandwe, Mrauk-U and Buthidaung townships since last Tuesday and the health authorities are unable to trace all the cases, said Dr. Soe Win Paing.

Due to a surge in COVID-19 infections in Rakhine State, transport has been halted and nasal swabs are being taken to Sittwe by hearse, said Dr. Soe Win Paing.

Mrauk-U and Buthidaung townships have limited access to information as the government only allows 2G mobile internet in the township.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Govt-Imposed Internet Restrictions in Rakhine Could Worsen States COVID-19 Outbreak, Critics Say

Myanmars Rakhine State Reports 72 Local COVID-19 Transmissions in Eight Days

Myanmars Rakhine State Capital Under Partial Lockdown Due to Spike in Local COVID-19 Transmissions
WASHINGTON: The U.S. militarys top cyber official is defending the governments shift toward a more aggressive strategy in cyberspace, saying the mission has evolved over the last decade from a reactive and defensive posture" to keep pace with sophisticated threats.

Gen. Paul Nakasone, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command and the director of the National Security Agency, says in a piece being published Tuesday by the magazine Foreign Affairs that the militarys cyber fighters are increasingly prepared to engage in combat with online adversaries rather than wait to repair networks after theyve been penetrated.

We learned that we cannot afford to wait for cyber attacks to affect our military networks. We learned that defending our military networks requires executing operations outside our military networks. The threat evolved, and we evolved to meet it," wrote Nakasone in a piece co-authored with Michael Sulmeyer, his senior adviser.

As an example, Nakasone cited a mission from last October in which Cyber Command dispatched an elite team of experts to Montenegro to join forces with the tiny Balkan state targeted by Russia-linked hackers. The hunt forward mission helped protect an ally but was also an opportunity for the U.S. to improve its own cyber defenses before the 2020 election, Nakasone wrote.

The proactive strategy is a change from a decade ago when Cyber Command was first established in the wake of a punishing cyber attack on the Defense Departments classified and unclassified networks. Cyber Command, created in 2010 to protect U.S. military networks, was initially more focused on securing network perimeters.

In recent years, though, Cyber Command has gone on the offensive, as 68 cyber protection teams proactively hunt for adversary malware on our own networks rather than simply waiting for an intrusion to be identified," Nakasone said. Its also doing more to combat adversaries on an ongoing basis and to broadly share information about malicious software it uncovers to make it a less effective threat.

Some have speculated that competing with adversaries in cyberspace will increase the risk of escalation from hacking to all-out war. The thinking goes that by competing more proactively in cyberspace, the risk of miscalculation, error, or accident increases and could escalate to a crisis," Nakasone wrote.

He said that while Cyber Command takes those concerns seriously, We are confident that this more proactive approach enables Cyber Command to conduct operations that impose costs while responsibly managing escalation. In addition, inaction poses its own risks: that Chinese espionage, Russian intimidation, Iranian coercion, North Korean burglary, and terrorist propaganda will continue unabated."

___

Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP

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


Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

A resolution introduced by US Senator Martha McSally and co-sponsored by Senator Marsha Blackburn calls on China to repay US bondholders more than $1.6 trillion of sovereign debt. A House measure led by Republican Mark Green is also reportedly forthcoming. Voice of America cited US analysts saying that as long as the US acknowledges the "one-China" policy, Beijing is the sole successor of the debts of the Republic of China.

The bonds were issued in 1912 by the Republic of China, whose government and forces fled to Taiwan in 1949.

The basis of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the US is US acknowledgement of the "one-China" principle. But as China-US competition intensifies, the Taiwan question has increasingly been politicized by Washington and played as a leverage to challenge China. By asking China to repay the debt, these US politicians delivered this message: For the US, the Taiwan question is tradable and if Beijing pays, they will stop pestering over it.

The mentality of US politicians toward China-US relations as traders is fully exposed. They also expose themselves to the world, including the island of Taiwan, that they will only treat their so-called pledge to Taiwan as nothing but a deal.

In recent years, the US Congress has passed several Taiwan-related acts which presumably support Taiwan, for instance the Taiwan Travel Act of 2018, the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018, the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019 and the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act of 2019. The National Defense Authorization Act of recent years also highlights US support for the development of Taiwan's military.

For Taiwan, these acts are like poisonous drinks to quench its thirst, but the US will never provide the security guarantee Taiwan desires. A study by the US Quincy Institute in June found that Taiwan funded some US think tanks so that they would produce policy papers urging closer US ties with Taiwan that are in favor of Taiwan authorities. That is how those "Taiwan friendly" acts came into being, and Taiwan should not expect the US to take these acts seriously.

In his memoir The Room Where It Happened released in June, former national security advisor John Bolton predicts that Taiwan is the next place Trump will drop after his abandonment of the Kurds.

As early as 2011, Paul V. Kane, a former international security fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, writing in The New York Times, urged then president Barack Obama to ditch Taiwan to save the US economy. He suggested the US end military assistance and arms sales to Taiwan in exchange for China writing off the $1.14 trillion of American debt.

Obviously, the idea that Taiwan can be traded has always been on the minds of US politicians. Taiwan is a useful chess piece for the US only because of the US strategy to suppress the Chinese mainland. On the one hand, Washington exploits the Taiwan question to contain China, on the other hand it is inciting tensions and making money by selling arms to Taiwan.

Taiwan for the US is only a tradable chess piece, but for the mainland, reunification of the mainland and Taiwan is priceless.
S torm Francis has battered the UK, with wind speeds breaking August records in parts of England and Wales amidst heavy rain and strong gusts.

Homes have been flooded, trees have fallen, rail lines blocked and campers rescued, with forecasters warning of disruption to transport, power cuts and potential flying debris that could lead to injuries or danger to life.

In Northern Ireland, thirty-seven people have been rescued from flood water, the fire service said, and elderly residents had to be rescued from the South Down coastal resort town of Newcastle after a river burst its banks.

Gusts of up to 65mph could be felt inland across most of Wales and central England, as the Met Office issues an amber warning for very strong winds between 2pm and 10pm on Tuesday.

Storm Francis - In pictures 1 /32 Storm Francis - In pictures Wind and rain at Euston Road in London Jeremy Selwyn Waves crash against the harbour wall in Porthcawl, Wales Getty Images Wind and rain at Euston Road in London Jeremy Selwyn A truck drives through a flooded road near Tenby, in Pembrokeshir REBECCA NADEN Streets overflow with water ClareBKing/Twitter Wind and rain at Euston Road in London Jeremy Selwyn Wind and rain at Euston Road in London Jeremy Selwyn Flooding in Raynes Park, south west London ClareBKing/Twitter Wind and rain at Euston Road in London Jeremy Selwyn A business owner nervously eyes the flooding ClareBKing/Twitter Wind and rain at Euston Road in London Jeremy Selwyn Wind and rain at Euston Road in London Jeremy Selwyn Clouds form over the Solent in Portsmouth PA Flooding this morning at Briton Ferry in Neath PA A rainbow forms in the distance as waves hit boulders on the shoreline at Westward Ho! in Devon PA The wind catches a woman's hair in London as Storm Francis hit the UK PA Vehicles drive in spray on the M25 near Heathrow airport, as Storm Francis hits the UK. PA Pedestrians struggle against the wind in Glasgow city centre AFP via Getty Images Pedestrians struggle against the wind in Glasgow city centre AFP via Getty Images Pedestrians wearing protective face masks struggle against the wind in Glasgow city centre AFP via Getty Images Pedestrians struggle against the wind in Glasgow city centre AFP via Getty Images A pedestrian struggles against the wind and rain in Glasgow city centre AFP via Getty Images A pedestrian struggles against the wind and rain in Glasgow city centre AFP via Getty Images A pedestrian struggles against the wind and rain in Glasgow city centre AFP via Getty Images

Additionally, a number of places in England and Wales have seen their highest ever gusts of wind provisionally recorded in August.

The Met Office said gusts of 74mph have been recorded at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, Wales  the highest August gust in this location since 1994.

Aberdaron in the Welsh county of Gwynedd has recorded gusts of 71mph, the highest since August 1996.

Gusts of 68mph were recorded at Pembrey Sands, 52mph was recorded at Shobdon in Herefordshire, and 49mph was recorded at Pershore in Worcestershire  all August highs for these locations.

Emergency services have already warned the public to take extra care in the stormy conditions across the UK, particularly along the coast.

South Wales Police said they were involved in two separate water searches from the swollen River Taff on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman said emergency services were searching the River Taff in Cardiff following reports of a person having entered the water near the Principality Stadium shortly before 8.40am, while a river search was under way in the river in Taffs Well following reports of a canoeist having capsized.

A woman was also rescued at the River Ely in Leckwith following reports of a person in difficulty, the force said on Twitter.

Winds have reached up to 80mph / AFP via Getty Images

Meanwhile, fire crews had to rescue holidaymakers from a flooded campsite in the town of St Clears, Carmarthenshire, after river levels rose in the area.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said nine people and two dogs were rescued by fire service personnel using a swift rescue sledge, lines and wading gear.

Crews also gave medical treatment to one man and evacuated 30 other people from a flooded caravan site in Wisemans Bridge, Narberth, while 12 caravans were also removed from the site.

A number of homes in Wales were also said to have been hit by flooding in Llanelli, Neath, Whitland and Tonyrefail, while some roads across the country were left underwater.

Elsewhere, travellers were warned of flooding disrupting rail services and trees blocking roads on Tuesday morning.

Parts of the UK have seen flooding / PA

According to the Met Office, gusts of 67mph were recorded at the Isles of Scilly between 8am and 9am on Tuesday morning, while they reached 73mph at the Needles on the Isle of Wight in the same period.

Three Met Office yellow weather warnings of heavy rain or strong winds cover most of the UK on Tuesday, with stormy conditions expected to last until Wednesday morning.

Warnings of rain cover Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, northern England and parts of North Wales.

As of midday on Tuesday, the Environment Agency had issued 22 flood alerts for England, largely in the South West and West Midlands.

Natural Resources Wales had put out three flood warnings  advising immediate action  and 17 flood alerts for rivers across the south west.

The Met Office has never had two named storms in August since the process started in 2015, but Francis comes on the back of Ellen, which struck last week and caused power outages.
In this screenshot from the livestream of Sunday's Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, a woman in a green track suit is shown punching a lector during the service. Philadelphia police said Monday that they had identified the suspect but had declined to pursue charges against her. Read more

The woman caught on video punching a lector during Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul will not be charged with a crime, authorities said.

Philadelphia police said in a statement late Monday that they had identified the woman in a green track suit whose attack was broadcast live over the internet during services at the central church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. But they did not release her name and said that they had deferred charges against her while their investigation continued.

However, two sources familiar with that investigation said Tuesday that investigators decided to seek alternatives to prosecution because the woman is struggling with mental health issues.

 READ MORE: Video shows woman punched during Mass at SS. Peter and Paul

The decision was made in consultation with church officials and the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office, said the sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

An archdiocesan spokesperson did not respond to requests to confirm that account of the decision-making. The District Attorneys Office said in a statement that its prosecutors were in constant communication [with police] about investigations, including this one. As this incident has not been referred to our office for prosecution, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.

The attack shocked many of the regions Catholic faithful, including many who watched it play out live about 32 minutes into the cathedrals Sunday Mass livestream. Archived video shows the attacker, in her green track suit and a surgical mask, hovering near the front of the pews for several minutes as the lector finished her reading and headed back down the churchs central aisle.

As the lector approached, the attacker stepped forward, punched her in the face twice, then marched out of the cameras view while priests and churchgoers looked on in stunned silence.

The victim  whom archdiocesan officials identified Monday as Sarah Contrucci, 40, and a longtime lector at the church  did not require medical treatment.

 READ MORE: A panhandler punched a Chinese American woman and called her a slur. Will it be considered a hate crime?

She told CBS3 Monday that she heard her attacker mumble something about respect and God before she threw the first punch.

I saw somebody there that clearly seemed to be waiting there, and I was a little worried that she was going to attempt to make a scene of some sort, to disrupt the Mass, she said. So I was thinking that I wanted to do whatever I could to keep the situation calm and respectful, and so I just wanted to get back to my pew.

Archbishop Nelson J. Perez condemned the attack in a statement Sunday saying that such behavior is unacceptable at all times.

Though he added: Please join me in praying for everyone involved in todays incident and for respect for our fellow brothers and sisters.

The cathedral will strengthen security protocols for future services, cathedral rector the Rev. Dennis Gill said.
Scott Morrison has accused Daniel Andrews of failing Victoria as the federal government finally turns on the embattled premier over his handling of the coronavirus crisis and his plan to extend the state of emergency.

The prime minister's restraint in attacking the Andrews Labor government evaporated on Tuesday as he faced a grilling over deaths in aged care.

'The protective measures that were put in place and built up as part of that national strategy... have failed in Victoria,' Mr Morrison told parliament.

'The testing, the tracing and the quarantine arrangements have proven to be unacceptable and led to what we have seen with community outbreak in Victoria.'

Hours earlier, Mr Morrison blasted the Victorian premier over his push to extend the state of emergency during a private conversation between the pair, according to the Herald Sun.

It's understood the Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) raised concerns about the plan during a conversation with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday night

Mr Andrews said an extended state of emergency would allow the state's chief health officer to issue 'common-sense' directions to prevent the spread of coronavirus

A state of emergency, which gives police extraordinary powers to search, arrest and detain, was first declared in Victoria on March 16 and is due to expire on September 13 after several extensions.

Mr Andrews wants to change legislation so it can be extended for a further 12 months.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Mr Andrews had 'a lot of questions to answer'.

'I understand why Victorians are now very concerned by the Victorian government announcing yesterday that it wants to extend the emergency powers for another 12 months,' Mr Frydenberg said.

'I share those concerns, and the Victorian government has to explain its decision.

If Mr Andrews' unprecedented move goes ahead, the government, health authorities and police would continue to have extraordinary powers to issue and enforce restrictions

Victoria recorded eight deaths and 148 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday - its second consecutive day under 150 cases.

'At the end of the day we will do everything to support Victorians get to the other side of this crisis, but the Victorian government has a lot of questions to answer.'

Former federal Labor leader Bill Shorten said he had received 'a deluge of emails from concerned constituents' over Mr Andrews' plan.

'It would be handy if he cleared it up  because I think that figure of the 12 months had everyone freaking out,' he said.

'I think the explanation is a lot more benign, but probably time for Dan the man to put his explaining skills on display today and just calm the farm.'

Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox said extending the state of emergency would spell the end for thousands of Victorian businesses.

Mr Andrews stressed the proposed extension did not mean stage four restrictions - also due to end on September 13 - will be in place for another year

'Extending emergency powers for 12 months would be an admission of failure,' he said.

'We'd be seeing tumbleweeds down Collins St before the year was out. Any longer than a few months and the shutters will be drawn permanently on many businesses.'

Health Minister Greg Hunt also took the gloves off, noting 95 per cent of the increase in Australian cases since June had been in Victoria.

'Overwhelmingly from one city, and overwhelmingly from one part of one city,' he told MPs.

Mr Hunt said 99 per cent of deaths since June 1 were in Victoria.

'So this is very much sadly and tragically the issue of one city in one state.'

The premier on Tuesday doubled down on his push to extend the state of emergency.

'Unless we have a legal framework that sits behind that, then we won't be able to say to a publican, "you can have 50 people in your pub",' he said.

'We won't be able to say to a big  and, for the purposes of COVID-19, a dangerous  workplace, "you can stay open, but you will need to have a series of rules, plans and processes to make sure that you're keeping your staff and the community safe".

'All of those things come from the state of emergency. It will not be in place a day longer than it needs to be.'

Mr Andrews said an extended state of emergency would allow the state's chief health officer Brett Sutton to issue 'common-sense' directions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

These include rules around face masks, mass gatherings and quarantine, as well as density limits for businesses and workplaces.

He stressed the proposed extension did not mean stage four restrictions - also due to end on September 13 - will be in place for another year.

'That is not accurate. That's not what's happening here,' Mr Andrews told reporters on Tuesday.

'Once we get those numbers down we'll be able to have an easier set of rules. We're not going to go from stage four to no rules at all. That's just not going to be possible.'

Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox said extending the state of emergency would spell the end of Victorian businesses

The state of emergency extension would affect rules around face masks, mass gatherings and quarantine, as well as density limits for businesses and workplaces

The premier said he was willing to work out a compromise with the crossbench before parliament sits on Tuesday. He will need four on side to pass the legislation.

Key crossbencher Fiona Patten earlier indicated she may support the bill 'if there was some compromise'.

'If there was some reworking of this ... then you might bring the crossbenchers to the table, but at the moment they're not there,' the Reason Party MP told 3AW radio.

Former senator Derryn Hinch said the two crossbenchers from his Justice Party may support the bill with amendments.

'This can be done, but it won't be 12 months,' he told 3AW radio.

'Maybe a rolling month-by-month extension of the state of emergency may be the way to go and that will give parliament some control of it.'

Liberal Democrats David Limbrick and Tim Quilty have urged their fellow crossbenchers not to negotiate a shorter extension with the government.

'That gets a big no from us. They need to know that the people of Victoria are watching, and they are not going to stand for any grubby deals,' Mr Quilty said in a statement.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg (left) said Mr Andrews had 'a lot of questions to answer' over his push for an extension

The latest victims were two men in their 70s, four women and one man in their 80s and one woman in her 90s

'The government has treated the people we represent, the crossbench, and the democratic process with contempt throughout this. It is time for democracy to bite back and simply reject this legislation.'

Victoria recorded eight deaths and 148 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday - its second consecutive day under 150 cases.

The latest victims were two men in their 70s, four women and one man in their 80s and one woman in her 90s.

Seven of the deaths are linked to outbreaks in aged care, where some 1530 cases remain active across 123 facilities.

The latest fatalities bring the state's death toll to 438 and the national figure to 525.
Franklin County District Attorney Matt Fogal made headlines in June when he announced unequivocal support for the Black Lives Matter movement, but not everyone was happy.

This week, local Republican leadership, the Franklin County Republican Committee, formally censured Fogal for his comments.

In Fogals June statement, the registered Republican says, Black Lives Matter. Period. Full stop. I confess, when I first heard that phrase, my immediate reaction was that All Lives Matter. I was wrong, and part of the problem.

READ: Republican DA in Central Pa. releases statement supporting Black Lives Matter protesters

Fogal went on to encourage Franklin County residents to vote this November and exhibit political courage and never put the party before the country or conscience.

These comments and more from the letter became the subject of the FCRCs concerns.

The organizations letter, signed by committee chairman Allen Coffman, was posted in full to the site of The Franklin County Journal. It states that it is censuring Fogal for his activities in support of the radical and violent movement Black Lives Matter. Also for your encouragement of Franklin County Citizens to support those who oppose the re-election of our President, Donald J. Trump.

According to the censure notice, Fogal visited with the committee, but it only reinforced their concerns. The group condemned Black Lives Matter, calling it a Marxist revolutionary group dedicated to the dissolution of America.

Black Lives Matter is not about the preservation of peoples lives of any color. If it were, you would see them on the front lines fighting for those innocent people being murdered by the hundreds in largely Black on Black crime in our major cities, the committee wrote.

As for Fogals comments on voting, the committee calls the idea of not voting for Trump misguided.

Our opponents in November, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, stand shoulder to shoulder with the lawless revolutionaries who are burning, looting, and murdering across our nation, the committee wrote.

The committee zeroed in on the fact that, after Fogal was appointed to the role in 2009 when District Jack Attorney Nelson died suddenly, he switched from registering independent to Republican when he formally ran to keep the position.

You have enjoyed running unopposed for your office since, the committee wrote. Your recent actions can only be seen as a betrayal of those who have given you their support, and the 72% of Franklin County voters (Republicans, Democrats and Independents) who gave President Trump their votes in 2016.

In all, the committee said it is withdrawing support for Fogal for any future office he may seek.

Fogal was re-elected to the District Attorneys Office last year and has not stated whether he intends to run again when his term is up.

Coffman did not respond to a request for comment on the letter. Fogal had no additional statements on Monday.

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.

Read more on PennLive:
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In a book almost prophetic in its analysis of income inequality and racial divides, former U.S. Comptroller of the Currency Gene Ludwig brings together some of the nation's top economic minds to discuss how the wealth gap has become a wealth chasm in the upcoming release The Vanishing American Dream.

"The same failure to address the plight of low- and middle-income Americans that preceded this global pandemic now threatens to derail our recovery," said Ludwig. "Even before the pandemic, growing inequality, diminishing economic mobility, and a lack of opportunity were already pushing the American Dream out of reach for millions of Americans.

"Now, as we look to rebuild and recover from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, this book provides a window into the fundamental weaknesses of the American economy and offers a multitude of ideas for addressing them."

To be released Sept. 22 by major booksellers, The Vanishing American Dream takes the reader into an electrifying conference bringing together experts from left, right, and center at Yale Law School, with luminaries that include Robert Shiller, Oren Cass, Larry Summers, Deval Patrick and Glenn Hubbard, among others. They offer their views and insight on two fundamental questions: Why are so many low- and middle-income (LMI) families worse off than they were a generation earlier, and what can be done to set things straight?

A starting point, said Ludwig, includes adjusting current economic indicators to better measure challenges faced by LMI families. Popular statistical measures, such as the unemployment rate and gross domestic product (GDP), are not giving an accurate picture of America.

"The data we are using to understand the economy simply isn't up to snuff," Ludwig said. "Just as you need an accurate census to properly fund communities, you need relevant economic indicators to tell the true story of Americans' well-being. Otherwise, how can policymakers know where to focus?"

Ludwig rose to become comptroller of the currency from a humble childhood in the once-thriving industrial city of York, Pa., which is just one of many similar cities across the nation that were struggling even before the coronavirus pandemic. During the good times, positive economic indicators shrouded the reality that for much of the population, the American Dream has fallen farther out of reach.

This inspired Ludwig to convene a conference in the spring of 2019 that included a former governor, a former Treasury secretary from a Democratic administration, a former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers in a Republican administration, a former deputy Treasury secretary and Federal Reserve governor, a former president of the Chicago Fed, a mayor, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, two CEOs, a business and economics columnist, a former Governor and a range of academics. Across the board the participants agreed the American Dream has become an elusive myth, with the substance of that conversation even more resonant in the face of COVID-19.

According to Kirkus Reviews, the book is: "An exhilarating record of intellectual engagement." Read the full review here.

Senator Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) said, "Gene Ludwig's thoughtfully edited volume takes us closer to bipartisan consensus and solutions. With contributions from conservative thought leaders, academics, journalists, former Democratic governors, and others, The Vanishing American Dream outlines the problem and reaches consensus across ideological disagreements: Our economy is not working for a vast portion of the population."

Mary Schapiro, former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said, "In tracing the economic decline of vibrant industrial towns, Ludwig asks the hard questions about technology, globalization, the role of government, trade, our educational system, and corporations. He and the extraordinary group of assembled experts force us, with data and insightful analysis, to confront the inequality of our system."

For more information or to pre-order, visit gene-ludwig.com.

About the Author

With over 40 years of financial services experience, Eugene "Gene" A. Ludwig is an expert on the financial system and regulation, risk management, business operations and fiscal policy. He is the founder of the Promontory family of companies and Canapi Ventures, the largest financial technology venture fund in the United States. Ludwig currently serves as chief executive officer of Promontory Financial Group and chairman of Promontory MortgagePath, a technology-based, mortgage fulfillment and solutions company. He is the former founder, CEO and chairman of Promontory InterFinancial Network and former vice chairman and senior control officer of Bankers Trust New York Corp. Ludwig served as U.S. Comptroller of the Currency from 1993 to 1998, where he led a multi-agency effort to overhaul the Community Reinvestment Act. Under his tenure, lending to low- and moderate-income Americans increased more than tenfold on a sustainable basis, as did national bank investments in community development corporations. The fair lending cases brought during his tenure resulted in tens of millions of dollars in fines against violators. He also pulled the banking industry back from a historic lending crunch, overhauling and modernizing the bank regulatory framework. Not a single national bank failed in his final years in office. Before he was comptroller, Gene was a partner at Covington & Burling from 1981 to 1992.



In 2019, The Ludwig Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Ludwig and his wife Dr. Carol Ludwig, created a new program, The Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP), dedicated to improving the economic well-being of lower-income Americans through research and education. The LISEP program is focused on better understanding and disseminating relevant data and policy recommendations intended to expand meaningful, high-wage opportunities for such individuals.

Ludwig holds a master's degree from Oxford University and is a fellow of New College Oxford. He has a J.D. from Yale University, where he was editor of the Yale Law Journal and chairman of Yale Legislative Services.

About the Book

Tile: The Vanishing American Dream

Publisher: Disruption Books

Publication Date: September 22, 2020

Price: $28

ISBN: 978-1-63331-044-5

Page Count: 205

For additional information, please visit www.gene-ludwig.com.

SOURCE Gene Ludwig
Dissent within the Congress Party has been growing for almost a year. But the recent tipping point came when Rahul Gandhi began election meetings for Bihar earlier this month without having any official position in the party. Many leaders felt that if alliances are sewn properly, the party may just have an outside chance at power in the state.

The genesis of the problem, in fact, lies in the backdoor control of the party by Mr Gandhi, his office and leaders supposedly close to him, even after demitting office as the party chief. Trouble started before Haryana Assembly elections last year when the then state unit chief, Ashok Tanwar, publicly hit out at the former Haryana chief minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Mr Tanwar, known to be close to Mr Gandhi, even protested outside the residence of Mrs Sonia Gandhi and was removed from the party. This internal sabotage just before the Assembly elections ensured that the Congress was just six seats less than the BJP after the result came out. Many believe that had the state unit been united, the party would have formed the government in the state.

In the last eight months, several leaders have sought time with Mr Gandhi but he has not met anybody. There were several grievances that leaders wanted to brief him about, but he remained unavailable.

Insiders claim that during the Madhya Pradesh crisis whenever senior leaders tried to reach out to former Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, he categorically told them that he would speak with Mr Gandhi.The end result was that Mr Scindia staged a coup, resulting in the fall of the state government.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, the Congress constituted a team to give suggestions on how to tackle the pandemic. Former Union health minister and Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad was a member of the team.

But the very next day he was unceremoniously dropped from the team. This led to major resentment amongst senior leaders. At various other levels also senior and junior leaders were slighted by those close to Mr Gandhi. This was visible in a meeting of Rajya Sabha MPs with Mrs Sonia Gandhi when Rajeev Satav hit out at the senior leaders for the position the party finds itself in presently.

Major resentment was also brewing due to the Rajya Sabha nominations made by the party earlier this year. The nomination of K.C. Venugopal, former Kerala Lok Sabha MP to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, raised many heckles in the party. Also, sending a one-term former Lok Sabha MP, Rajeev Satav, to Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra backfired on the party. Both these leaders are said to be close to Mr Gandhi.

Mr Venugopal, who is also the general secretary (organisation), is often accused of being inaccessible to many for organisational related issues. Sources say that Mr Azad and several other senior leaders tried to reach out to the Congress president, Mrs Gandhi, about several pressing issues concerning the working of the party but there was no response. After this several leaders got together and wrote to the Congress president suggesting several changes in the party functioning.
Under harshest of bans, Iran rolls out $5.6bn worth of energy projects

Iran Press TV

Monday, 24 August 2020 6:07 PM

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has opened several major energy projects in the country, a fresh sign that American sanctions have failed to cause a minimum halt to the expansion of the Iranian oil and gas sector.

The five projects unveiled by Rouahni on Monday were worth 4.7 billion euros ($5.6 billion) according to a report by the official IRNA news agency, which said that private investors had contributed to a part of finances needed to finish the development schemes.

The projects included two gas transfer pipelines that would carry natural gas from production facilities on the Persian Gulf to western and northwestern regions of Iran for the purpose of domestic consumption and export.

Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said the pipelines and a dispatching station also unveiled on Monday had cost $3.66 billion, including $1.5 billion in finances provided by private investors.

A $1.57-billion petrochemical plant in the city of Bushehr, on the Persian Gulf, and a $377-million power plant meat to supply electricity to expanding oil production facilities near the Iraqi border in Khuzestan province, also came on line on Monday.

Opening such massive projects in Iran comes despite a series of harsh sanctions imposed by the US on the country's energy sector.

Washington has banned governments and entities around the world from engaging in any trade of crude with Iran while threatening those seeking to build out the country's oil and gas sector with tough sanctions.

However, Iran has relied on domestic investment and expertise to develop its massive hydrocarbon resources. The production of natural gas in the country has reached over one billion cubic meters per day of which around 80 million cubic meters are exported to neighbors like Turkey and Iraq.

Output for petrochemicals is reaching 100 million metric tons a year, a whopping figure which Rouhani said would be equal to a stable annual income of $25 billion for future administrative governments in Iran.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Sir Elton John's wife Renate Blauel had an anxiety attack in front of the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Prince Andrew, according to court documents filed today.

The pop star, now 73, and German recording engineer, 67, who were married between 1984 and 1988, hosted a lunch for members of the Royal Family in 1985.

Princess Margaret is said to have asked Ms Blauel about a painting belonging to Sir Elton, but she was 'unable to recall any details' about the artwork.

This is then said to have caused Ms Blauel to 'panic and become very anxious', according to documents filed as part of her 3million lawsuit against Sir Elton.

Ms Blauel is then said to have interrupted her husband's discussion with the Queen Mother to ask for assistance before taking herself to another room.

Sir Elton John and wife Renate Blauel, who were married between 1984 and 1988, attend the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey on July 23, 1986

The late Queen Mother at Buckingham Palace in 1990 with the late Princess Margaret and Prince Andrew. All three attended the dinner party with Sir Elton and Ms Blauel in 1985

She did not explain to Sir Elton why she had done this, but it 'must have been obvious to him that she had absented herself because of her anxiety.'

The claims emerged today in documents filed at the High Court by Ms Blauel as part of her damages claim against Sir Elton over his public discussion of their marriage.

The former couple had allegedly agreed not to discuss their marriage in public after their split, with Ms Blauel saying she had sought to live a quiet life in privacy.

And she said his discussion of their relationship in his book 'Me, Elton John' - as well as scenes in the 'Rocketman' biopic - led to renewed public interest in her.

In fresh court filings at the High Court, Ms Blauel's barrister Adam Wolanski QC also said Sir Elton knew of her struggles with 'depression and anxiety'.

Sir Elton meets the Queen at the Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on June 2012

Sir Elton John performs during the Oscars show in Hollywood on February 9 this year

The documents also claimed that Ms Blauel tried to kill herself after he told her their marriage wasn't working only three days into their St Tropez honeymoon.

Ms Blauel alleged that she took an overdose of Valium tablets after Sir Elton told her he wanted her to leave the honeymoon and go home.

She was taken to hospital to have her stomach pumped and claims Sir Elton, who she had married less than six months earlier, did not even visit her during her stay.

Ms Blauel claimed that the pop star then had her driven straight to the airport with her luggage from the hospital door. The case has not yet reached court.

In a statement issued separate to court proceedings today, Sir Elton's legal counsel Jenny Afia told MailOnline: 'Elton has always respected Renate's privacy and will continue to do so.

Ms Blauel was depicted in the film Rocketman (above) by Celinde Schoenmaker, while Taron Egerton played Sir Elton

Ms Blauel, pictured on her wedding day to Sir Elton John in Australia in 1984, is now suing the pop star for 3million

'It is well documented that their marriage was completely respectful and the relationship both Elton and Renate had after they divorced continued to be kind, respectful and honourable for the 30 years following.

'It will be established in the case that there were multiple affectionate correspondences from Renate direct to Elton during this time.

'We also find it baffling that this claim is centred around privacy when at every stage of these proceedings Renate has chosen to file these claims in the public domain (when she could have chosen to keep them confidential) about supposed experiences that happened during their marriage which completely goes against the entire grounds of the case.

'This only goes to show the true purpose of this claim which is to extract a large sum of money from Elton and tarnish his name publicly with falsehoods.'
A lot of eyebrows were raised when Russia announced it was the first to approve a vaccine for the coronavirus, and even more so when Vietnam said it would buy up to 150 million doses.

Not many were expecting the news, but if it comes to pass, a few factors would explain how Vietnam and Russia got here. The two sides have a long history, from founding father Ho Chi Minhs revolutionary years in Moscow, to their membership in a modern trade deal. Vietnam has also been more aggressive than most other nations in tackling COVID-19, and it needs an affordable vaccine as the World Health Organization (WHO) warns rich nations against vaccine nationalism and hoarding.

The U.S., a key partner of Vietnam, has expressed doubt that Russia developed a vaccine so quickly. Other nations reportedly interested in the vaccine include the Philippines, Indonesia, India and South Korea.

Cold War history

Several nations have already put in pre-orders for other future vaccines, and there are more than 150 programs to research possible vaccines around the world, from silkworm cells in Japan, to new use of RNA instead of DNA in research.

Russia announced this month it is in Phase 2 trial of a vaccine, which involves testing on hundreds of people, as opposed to tens of thousands in Phase 3. Vietnam could buy 50 million to 150 million doses by 2021, according to the state-run newspaper Tuoi Tre.

A vaccine that has been used in a foreign country may not require any more tests when it's imported to Vietnam, Dr. Tran Dac Phu, an associate professor at the Vietnam Ministry of Healths Public Health Emergency Operations Center, said on the national VTV station. However, its trials must still be applied on humans to test its safety and effectiveness.

Russias relations have frayed elsewhere, from interference in the U.S. presidential election, to its annexation of Ukraine territory which prompted European Union sanctions. By contrast, feathers are mostly unruffled in Asia, especially in Vietnam, one of the worlds last remaining communist nations, which had strong ties to the old Soviet Union. In addition to Ho Chi Minhs studies of Lenin, many prominent Vietnamese spent their formative years in Cold-War-era Russia before coming home to found companies, such as Vietjet Air.

'Negligent' behavior

The Southeast Asian nation was already conducting its own vaccine research before the Russia announcement, one of many trials globally because scientists need to test on a diverse array of volunteers. However, the first viable vaccine is likely to come from a nation with many resources, leading to fears at the WHO and elsewhere that instead of cooperating, developed nations could put themselves first when a vaccine emerges.

Vietnam was also taking COVID-19 seriously before its peers, but the fight intensified in July when it reported its first ever death from the disease. It has now jumped on the possibility of a vaccine, following a pattern of attacking the pandemic aggressively.

Still people need to keep taking safety measures and not pin all their hopes on a vaccine, said Vu Duc Dam, the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam who has been leading the pandemic efforts.

Because we controlled the disease well for a long time, people have become more negligent, he said this month. Its time to remind ourselves that the pandemic is still going on and the vaccine will only be available to everyone in at least one year. We must strengthen measures to safely live together with the disease.
The invisible enemy, covid-19, swept across our beautiful country. And impacted all of us. My deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one and my prayers are with those who are ill or suffering, she said Tuesday night. I know many people are anxious and some feel helpless. I want you to know you are not alone.
The Ghana Education Service and the recently inaugurated Committee on Education for the re-opening of schools have been urged to pay significant attention to issues of congestion and class-sizes in schools at all levels.



This, according to Dr. Bob Offei Manteaw, a Research Fellow at the Center for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies at the University of Ghana were paramount to avoid more COVID-19 infections.



In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Dr. Bob Manteaw, who is also a Climate Adaptation and Sanitation Governance specialist emphasized the need for the committee to make bold recommendations that address issues of large class sizes and congestion in schools.



He was emphatic that class sizes in schools at all levels and campus congestion could make it impossible for schools to open under current COVID-19 protocols.



On the reopening of universities, Dr. Bob Manteaw noted that: Universities cannot be closed forever, and all efforts must be made to bring some cautious normalcy onto campuses.



He however, cautioned that serious thinking must go into any decisions about reopening of schools and this must focus on how to manage current levels of congestion and overcrowding in schools.



The Research Fellow at the Center added that Both government and the committee must see the current COVID situation as an opportunity to bring innovation and transformation in educational thinking and practice in Ghana.



I have suggested elsewhere that government should look at the possibility of bringing Final years and First years in a phased process to campus to ease congestion and overcrowding.



First years because they are new, inexperienced and need to be guided to understand life in the university. They need to be encultured into higher education life and online learning can never be a good introduction.



Dr. Bob Manteaw is of the view that the vulnerability of first year students makes it critically important that they were brought onto campus and guided by the Final year students and faculty members to integrate into.



He said: First year university life is important. If one gets it wrong it could prove consequential for the entire stay in a university and even beyond, so it is important that authorities address this vulnerability.



The Governance Specialist believes that: Final Year students are equally vulnerable, but in another sense. They are in transition. They need guidance to complete thesis as well as make transition decisions.



This means continuing students, that is Second and Third Year Students, can be home and do the online learning. They have experience and this can ease congestion and crowding on campuses.



According to him, such an approach can free up space in residential halls and in lecture theatres to avoid congestion.



Dr. Bob Manteaw, who is also a Foresight Analyst and Scenarios Planner said the Committee should be conscious about using the COVID-19 situation to explore innovative changes in education in Ghana.



As a country, we should not waste the COVID-19 problem. Our attitudes should be about exploring all possibilities to turn problems into opportunities and there is no doubt that the current COVID-19 environment presents tremendous opportunities for transformational changes in educational practice.



He added that: It might even be worthwhile to take a look at how the double track system might help alleviate some of the COVID pressures on campuses.



Dr. Bob Manteaw said this will go a long way in helping to address the challenge of crowding on campuses and to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19.

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
Kim Kardashian West grew up loving the camera. The beauty mogul rose to fame as a model, and now, it looks like her daughters could be effortlessly following in her footsteps. Kardashian Wests recent photo shoot of her daughters has fans shocked by how much the girls are already channeling their mother.

Kim Kardashian West with her daughters, North and Chicago | Gotham/GC Images

Kim Kardashian West loves showing off her children on social media

To the Kardashian-Jenner family, social media is a way of life. The women are some of the most-followed celebrities on the platform, and they love showing off their luxury lifestyles, flawless photoshoots, and adorable kids.

Kardashian West is a mother of four, and despite being the founder of makeup and shapewear lines, plus the face of a reality show, she always puts her children first. Quarantine has given Kardashian West plenty of time to bond with her children  so much so that shes actually claimed shes not having any more kids. Still, Kardashian West loves showing the little ones off on social media.

RELATED: Kim Kardashian West Fans Think North West Looks Like a Disney Princess

Fans think North and Chicago are supermodels in the making

The Kardashian West family has been spending their days at their ranch in Wyoming; Kanye West purchased the property for $14 million back in 2019, and the family has used it as a getaway for most of quarantine. Kardashian West recently posted photos of her two daughters after the little girls wanted to have a photo shoot outside. My girls wanted to do a photoshoot together sitting up on this rail, Kardashian West wrote.

Fans loved the photos and think North and Chicago are definitely their mothers daughters. Supermodels in the making! one user wrote. [Chicago] looks like a doll, another person commented. How are they prettier than me already, someone added.

RELATED: Fans Think Kim Kardashian Wests Daughter Chicago Will Be a Problem When Shes Older

Kardashian West has taken heat for too many photo shoots

Though North and Chicago seem to enjoy the photoshoots, some fans have lashed out at Kardashian West for not allowing her kids to live a normal life. The KKW Beauty founder took heat when she held a Christmas Eve photoshoot with her kids despite that North was battling a stomach bug. Still, the daughters seem to soak up the spotlight, just like their mama.

Kardashian Wests four children have become the most important part of her life, and at one point, she and husband Kanye West wanted seven children. However, after spending months in quarantine with her little ones, Kardashian West joked that she and her husband are done having kids. Kardashian West has been soaking up the sun with them, though, including paddle boarding and spending days on the boat. For people like the Wests, maybe quarantine isnt so bad.

RELATED: Fans Think Kim Kardashian Wests Daughter North Looks So Different in New Instagram Pic of the Kids
Former First Lady Hillary Clinton is urging Joe Biden not to concede the election 'under any circumstances,' predicting the vote could will drag out beyond Election Day.

Clinton made the comment in an interview conducted by her own former communications director, Jennifer Palmieri, for HBO's 'The Circus.'

Clinton, who referenced her own 2016 race where she won nearly 3 million votes more than Donald Trump but lost the election in the Electoral College, said Trump may hold a 'narrow advantage' in the Electoral College on Election Day itself.

''Joe Biden should not concede under any circumstances because I think this is going to drag out, and eventually I do believe he will win,' Hillary Clinton told HBO's 'The Circus'

But she was unequivocal in her guidance to her successor Democratic Party nominee.

'Joe Biden should not concede under any circumstances because I think this is going to drag out, and eventually I do believe he will win if we don't give an inch and if we are as focused and relentless as the other side is,' she said on the program.

Clinton, speaking from her home in Chappaqua from which she addressed Biden's convention, gesticulated with her hands for emphasis as she urged Biden to hold firm  and Palmieri threw her arms up in agreement.

Clinton was interviewed for the program by her former communications director, Jennifer Palmieri, who raised her arms when Clinton said Biden should not concede

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, like Clinton, has warned Trump might try to 'steal' the election

President Trump has repeatedly warned against mail-in voting, prompting Democrats to accuse him of voter suppression. On Monday he accused Democrats of ''using COVID to steal an election'

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton makes a concession speech after being defeated by Republican president-elect Donald Trump in New York on November 9, 2016

She as responding to a question from Palmieri about what she thought Trump would do if Biden wins, a term Palmieri put inside air quotes.

Clinton pointed to elections in Wisconsin, where she accused Republicans of 'messing up absentee balloting,' adding: 'They believe that helps them so that they then get maybe a narrow advantage in the Electoral College on Election Day,' she said.

'They did everything they could to mess up voting. Democrats actually won some important races there,' Clinton said.

Biden himself has said Trump may try to 'steal' the election.

Both parties are assembling brigades of lawyers to prepare for possible state-by-state court fights over election issues.

'We've got to have a massive legal operation. I know the Biden campaign is working on that,' Clinton said. 'We have to have our own teams of people to counter the force of intimidation that Republicans and Trump are going to put outside polling places.'

Clinton pointed to the way she lost in 2016, after Trump pried away battlegrounds in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania that could have tipped the race the other way.

'You can win 3 million more votes and still not get elected because of the Electoral College. It all comes down to the Electoral College,' she said, having been needled by Trump for years for not paying sufficient attention to Michigan and Wisconsin.

Trump during his Monday speech to the Republican convention slammed Biden for not going to Wisconsin last week, a state that was the original home to the Democratic convention that became mostly virtual due to the coronavirus.

Trump also tried to reverse the Democrats' warnings about stealing the election. He accused them of 'using COVID to steal an election,' as he continued to rail against mail-in voting as rife with fraud.

Clinton warned in her convention speech last week that Trump might try to steal the election.

'And don't forget Joe and Kamala [Harris] can win by 3 million votes and still lose  take it from me,' she said with a chuckle.

'So we need numbers overwhelming, so Trump can't sneak or steal his way to victory,' Clinton warned.
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - New Zealand will on Wednesday release July figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In June, imports were worth NZ$4.64 billion and exports were at NZ$5.07 billion for a trade surplus of NZ$426 million. Australia will provide Q2 numbers for construction work done, with forecasts suggesting a drop of 5.8 percent on quarter following the 1.0 percent fall in the three months prior. Japan will see final June results for its leading and coincident economic indexes. The leading index is tipped to see a score of 85.0, up from 78.4, while the coincident is expected to rise to 76.4 from 73.4. Thailand will release July numbers for industrial production; in June, production plummeted 17.66 percent on year. Singapore will provide July data for industrial production; in June, production added 0.2 percent on month and sank 6.7 percent on year. Hong Kong will see July figures for imports, exports and trade balance. In June, imports shed 7.1 percent on year and exports dropped 1.3 percent for a trade deficit of HKD33.3 billion. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Ray Bliss, who became chairman of the Republican National Committee after Goldwaters defeat, called upon Republicans to reject membership in any organization that attempts to use the Republican Party for its own ends. He singled out irresponsible radicals such as Robert Welch. Mr. Bliss repressed primary challenges from the right, worked to exclude Birchers from positions of power within the party and cooperated with moderate and conservative activists to prevent Phyllis Schlafly from winning the presidency of the National Federation of Republican Women.

William F. Buckley Jr., the pre-eminent conservative leader of the 1960s, tried to read the Birch Society out of his movement. He felt that the Birchers conspiracies discredited conservatism by making it seem ridiculous and pathological. The absurd claims also turned off a young generation who laughed along with Bob Dylans derisive Talkin John Birch Paranoid Blues.

Mr. Buckley insisted to a conservative critic that to govern and expand, the movement had to hold on to moderate, wishy-washy conservatives who made up a majority of Republicans. If they think they are being asked to join a movement whose leadership believes the drivel of Robert Welch, he warned, they will pass by Crackpot Alley, and will not pause until they feel the embrace of those way over on the other side, the Liberals.

Some historians consider Mr. Buckleys efforts to purge the Birch Society to have been too little, too late, and the Republican Party undeniably played on social division and white backlash as it moved to the political right from the 1970s onward. But extremist groups like the Birchers were mostly relegated to the fringes for many years. That was the foundation for Republican presidential victories under Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and the two Bushes.

Today there are no gatekeepers of similar stature on the political right, partly because of structural factors that have undercut the power of parties. These include the decline of establishment-dominated conventions and the rise of primaries, the growth of outside spending groups and the proliferation of conservative media programming from the likes of Fox News and Sinclair. Its also because of the unwillingness of Republican and conservative leaders, over at least the past two decades, to call out and challenge the growing extremism in their base.

There have been isolated exceptions. The party publicly condemned the former Klan wizard David Duke when he ran as a Republican in Louisiana. John McCain, as the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, rejected the birther conspiracy theorists (including Mr. Trump). Last year, after Steve King of Iowa defended white supremacy, the House Republican Caucus stripped him of his committee memberships.

But so long as Mr. Trump remains president, there will be no such actions against QAnon conspirators, no matter how extreme. Mr. Trump has done nothing to broaden the Republican Partys appeal. His re-election strategy rests entirely on stoking his followers resentments  and Q believers who consider Democrats to be evil incarnate are integral to his hopes for success.
Gambia Leader Blames Dissidents for Coup Bid



By RYAN GORMAN



Two American citizens have been charged with plotting to overthrow the government of a small African country.



Former U.S. Army and Air Force enlistee Papa Faal, 46, and businessman Cherno Njie, 57, stand accused of attempting to remove Gambian President Yahya Jammeh from power, according to an FBI indictment obtained by AOL News.



Faal, from Texas, and Njie from Minnesota, are both of Gambian origin but have roots in the West African nation. They are named as co-conspirators in a plot resembling that of a Hollywood movie.



Both are alleged to have been part of an armed December 30 rebellion at the State House that involved about a dozen men.



Some of the men were also from the United Kingdom, all were of Gambian descent.



The group met in the woods about a half mile from the capitol, changed into all-black clothing, strapped on body armor, night goggles and were locked and loaded as they rumbled towards their plot's zenith in rented cars, Faal told authorities.



They were split into two teams: Alpha and Bravo.



Alpha team believed that firing a single shot into the air would cause government soldiers guarding the building to flee. They instead fired on and completely wiped out the six-person insurgent unit, Faal admitted.



Bravo team ran around back with the belief that once both groups secured the building, 160 Gambian soldiers sympathetic to their cause would charge in as support, Faal told investigators.



A member of the Bravo team was also gunned down while trying to ram the rented car through a rear door to the building.



The expected battalion of soldiers never showed. No explanation has been given.



Faal claims to have fled to a nearby building and shed all commando gear and weapons before attempting to escape to Senegal.



Upon arrival in Senegal, Faal was denied entry because he did not have a Gambian exit stamp on his passport, he recalled to investigators.



He returned to Gambia, somehow obtained the exit stamp and then remarkably took the same ferry back to Senegal and was permitted entry.



Faal, who went by the codename "Fox," believed his team would be joined by as many as 160 Gambian soldiers. That support never materialized.



Njie was the businessman who funded the failed coup and was to be installed as leader, according to the affidavit.



Each member of the mercenary unit was paid $4,000 to cover expenses while in Gambia, which is situated between Senegal and Guinea-Bisseau, on Africa's Atlantic Ocean coastline.



The soldiers of fortune wanted to "restore democracy ... without having to kill any Gambians," Faal told investigators.



Jammeh has maintained an iron-fisted grip on power since taking over following a 1994 coup, mainly through rigged elections, according to Faal.



Faal explained to federal agents that he purchased weapons in the U.S. including eight M4 semi-automatic rifles and shipped them to Africa in 50-gallon barrels stuffed with clothes in order to conceal them.



Njie secured body armor, and ammunition and shipped it to Gambia.



The group arrived in Gambia on December 3 and conducted several "mental dry runs" of their plot, in which they planned to ambush the country's leader during his Christmas and New Year travel plans.



They initially planned only to fire shots into the air to scare off his body guards and expressed a desire for the president to surrender without violence, but were prepared to shoot him if necessary, Faal said.



Upon discovering Jammeh was leaving the country December 26, the commandos changed their plan to simply overrun government buildings in his absence.



The path of least resistance was fatally flawed.



Faal surrendered to U.S. Embassy authorities in Dakar, Senegal, soon after disembarking the ferry.



A January 1 search of his Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, apartment resulted in the discovery of a folder with the words "top secret" written on the front in bold black marker.



Among the top secret materials were Google satellite images of Banjul, receipts for the 50-gallon drums and firearm manuals, said the affidavit.



A search of Njie's homes in and around Austin, Texas turned up several items including a handwritten note asking several questions related to the overthrow of a government and planned transition to civilian rule, the documents revealed.



A spreadsheet detailing weapons costs, a document titled "Gambia Reborn: A Charter for Transition to dictatorship to Democracy and Development," and documents containing Faal's personal info were also found.



"These defendants stand accused of conspiring to carry out the violent overthrow of a foreign government, in violation of US law," U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.



"The United States strongly condemns such conspiracies. With these serious charges, the United States is committed to holding them fully responsible for their actions," he added.



Both men have been charged with conspiring against a friendly nation and to possess firearms.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, B2B ratings and reviews platform Clutch announced the top performing accounting firms in Los Angeles . The report's rankings are based on verified client feedback, services offered, work quality, and market presence.

The following 12 firms are recognized as market leaders in Los Angeles for accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll services.

Top Accounting Firms in Los Angeles 2020

1. Smart Bean Inc 2. Leivas Tax Wealth Management 3. Ogden Page Accountancy Corporation 4. Bharmal & Associates, Inc. 5. Wertz & Company, LLP 6. Rockwell Capital Group 7. About Profit 8. MBA Financial & Accounting Solutions, LLC 9. Tehrani & Velez, LLP 10. Lalea & Black 11. A Bigger Bottom Line, LLC 12. Westside Financial

"Proper accounting, payroll, and bookkeeping are crucial for organizations of all sizes. Our research indicates that clients prefer to work with local accounting firms, as evidenced by the popularity of the search term, 'accountants near me' in Google searches," said David Goosenberg, business development analyst at Clutch. "Each of these Los Angeles-based firms has excelled at delivering quality financial services to B2B clients in a variety of industries on a local and international scale."

Research identifying the leading accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll service providers is ongoing, and firms interested in marketing their services are encouraged to apply to be included in Clutch's research. Upcoming press releases will highlight leading accounting firms in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The results are a snapshot of Clutch's Leaders Matrix on August 25, 2020. Rankings are dynamic and may not reflect the rankings currently listed on Clutch's website.

The full research can be found at:

https://clutch.co/accounting/los-angeles

https://clutch.co/accounting/los-angeles/leaders-matrix

About Clutch

Clutch is the leading ratings and reviews platform for IT, marketing, and business service providers. Each month, over half a million buyers and sellers of services use the Clutch platform, and the user base is growing over 50% a year. Clutch has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the 500 fastest growing companies in the U.S. and has been listed as a top 50 startup by LinkedIn

Contact

David Goosenberg

(202) 840 - 6685

[email protected]

SOURCE Clutch

Related Links

https://clutch.co/


In the blissful days before coronavirus, Lisa Gardner-Springer hatched a plan for a summer vacation. While their oldest daughter would be exploring Europe with friends, she, her husband, Colin, and their younger daughter would head to Quebec.

Then the pandemic changed everything - for the Gardner-Springer family and the entire travel industry.

With stay-at-home orders in place and a novel coronavirus sweeping across the nation, planes stopped flying. Hotels emptied. Rental cars sat in undisturbed rows. Cruise ships eventually, mercifully, docked. Amid a global health crisis, tourism has tanked. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimated in April that the tourism sector worldwide lost more than 100 million jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic, the result of would-be travelers holed up at home.

But eventually, people began exploring again, slowly and carefully.

In September, Gardner-Springer will embark on her first vacation since the pandemic was declared. Her family will relish a long weekend in a cabin at Sleeping Fawn Resort near Park Rapids, Minn. They will kayak, bike and enjoy a view of a quiet lake and woods instead of their own backyard.

In that small family trip lies a larger reality: As travel returns, vacations look different.

Travelers now engage in more outdoor activities, head to destinations that can be reached by car, keep it brief and book shortly before departure.

These new trends derive from the obvious motivation to stay healthy. Other forces are also at play. Leaders and health experts have admonished travelers to avoid unnecessary trips or at least stay close to home. The European Union, Canada, Mexico, Japan and other countries have rolled up their welcome mats for Americans. Some states also began requiring quarantines for visitors from states with high numbers of coronavirus infections, adding uncertainty even within the U.S. Meanwhile, we have learned that outdoors is safer than indoors when it comes to the virus.

A recent poll from Morning Consult for the U.S. Travel Association found that only 44% of Americans plan to travel in 2020, the majority via short car trips. The same poll found that travelers are dipping their toes rather than plunging into the experience, as 78% are planning trips of four nights or fewer.

According to a webinar hosted by Angie Briggs of the U.S. Travel Association, 60% of Americans consider outdoor recreational activities safe. The group's online tool that monitors national park attendance shows visits have been rising through the summer.

Once the coronavirus is mostly in the rearview mirror, avid travelers will likely act on delayed plans and pent-up desires to see the world. According to the U.S. Travel Association and Oxford Economics, travel spending in the U.S. will fall from $1.13 trillion in 2019 to a projected $622 billion in 2020. But spending is expected to rebound to $855 billion in 2021 and $976 billion in 2022.

As Gardner-Springer said, "We're all itching for the day, making our fantasy plans."
T he Co-op Bank is to cut 350 jobs as it shuts 18 branches in the latest cull in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

The lender said the cuts would focus on middle management positions and head office roles. The branch closures are expected to be completed by December 1 and come after an analysis of footfall in each store which began before Britain's virus-induced lockdown.

The bank hopes to redeploy some of its employees into other parts of the business and it begins consulting with staff and unions.

It chief executive Andrew Bester said: Our people have shown great dedication and commitment to our customers over the past few months, so we are very sorry to announce this news today. Unfortunately, were not immune to the impact of recent events, with the historically low base rate affecting the income of all banks and a period of prolonged economic uncertainty ahead, which means its important we reduce costs and have the right-sized operating model in place for the future.

At the same time, we are responding to the continuing shift of more and more customers choosing to bank online, with lower levels of transactions in branches, a trend which has been increasing for some time, across the banking sector and more broadly."

The company added that is is "writing to affected customers to provide information about the alternative options available to them, including Post Office counter services, telephone, online and mobile banking".

The Co-op Bank becomes the latest bank to announce branch closures as Britons increasing use services online or on the phone, notably during lockdown. Lloyds Bank is in the latter stages of 56 closures across its Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland brands this year.

The lender narrowly survived the Crystal Methodist scandal involving former chairman Paul Flowers and ahole in its finance in 2014.

The branches closing are:

Ashton

Bradford

Cambridge

Chatham

Chester

Chichester

City of London

Dartford

Halesowen

Harrogate

Luton

Oxford

Rotherham

Solihull

Truro

Wakefield

Walsall

York
The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.
Houston Chronicle

Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. began to shut down its Pasadena Plastics plant Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Laura, according to an environmental notice filed to the state.

Chevron Phillips Chemical warned the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that it started shutting down the plant at noon Tuesday and anticipates that the shutdown will last through Thursday. During the shutdown process, the plant may burn off chemicals that could result in air emissions including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and isobutane.
An Australian actor who featured in the hit ABC political drama Total Control has been jailed over the rape of two male escorts.

Kristian James Mynott, 42, used stolen credit cards and gave a fake name to the two male escorts he flew to Canberra for the romps in 2017.

The part-time model and actor offered thousands of dollars in cash as well as airfares, a hotel room and a chauffeur from the airport.

But Mynott never paid the two men and was sentenced to three years and four months jail on Monday with a non-parole period of 16 months.

The sex amounted to rape because the escorts' consent was given on the basis they would be paid.

Kristian James Mynott, 42, has been jailed for three years after refusing to pay two male escorts he flew to Canberra for sex romps

The actor and model used stolen credit cards to pay for the two flights to Canberra in 2017

The ACT Supreme Court heard Mynott texted the first escort with a fake name and offered $1,500 in cash along with a flight from Sydney.

He used the stolen credit cards to pay for the flights and transport to a hotel.

'Your return flights will be pre-booked and paid and an airport transfer and payment of $1,500,' Mynott said in a text, the ABC reported.

The pair then drank alcohol together and watched pornography before having sex, but Mynott never paid for the service.

The second escort was promised $2,000 to be flown from Victoria.

Mynott then offered another $500 for the escort to engage in a threesome, saying he would get cash out from an ATM.

After their night together, Mynott left and did not respond to any of the sex worker's texts.

The victim eventually tracked down Mynott after finding mail with his real name on it before going to police.

In one of the escorts' victim statement to the court, the man said he felt deeply betrayed and upset.

'I was relying on the money. I couldn't pay rent or buy food and I had to ask friends for money,' he said.

Mynott also appeared on advertising for ACT public transport

Chief Justice Helen Murrell said neither of the offences were 'particularly sophisticated'.

'But sex workers are vulnerable to sexual offences of this kind,' she said.

Mynott had struggled with a methamphetamine addiction and lived with his mother, the court heard.

He had also appeared on advertising for ACT public transport.

A psychological report found Mynott used sex to boost his self-esteem.

He had also been given a two-year sentence to be served in the community in January for racking up $11,000 in stolen credit cards while working at a firewood supply business.

Mynott will be eligible for parole in December next year.
The girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr, whose fiery speech in support of Trump at the Republican Convention has gone viral, is the daughter of an Irish immigrant and spent much of her childhood in Ennis, Co Clare.

Former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle, the daughter of Irish immigrant Tony Guilfoyle, has emerged as one of Mr Trump's most strident supporters.

Guilfoyle, a former district attorney in California, also studied law in Trinity College, Dublin.

She now works as one of the chief fundraisers for the Trump 2020 campaign.

Her animated pre-recorded speech on Monday night, to an empty room, has been met with widespread derision.

Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr. and a top fundraiser for the Trump campaign, at the RNC urges Americans to stand for a "President who is fearless, who believes in you, and who loves this country and will fight for her" https://t.co/469rNnX3LW pic.twitter.com/WiWSrkX5JZ  CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 25, 2020

CNN's Ana Navarro accused Ms Guilfoyle of scaring her dog with her unhinged, crazy and incredibly loud address.

When contacted by the Irish Independent, an uncle of Guilfoyle's (James) declined to comment.

Expand Close Donald Trump Jr recorded a speech on day one of the event (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Donald Trump Jr recorded a speech on day one of the event (AP)

However, a cousin of hers agreed to speak on condition of anonymity.

Breaking down in a fit of laughter, her relative said: You want to know about Kimberly? What a girl. The brother was just on (the phone) about her.

He said she was roaring and shouting about Trump. He was saying, Did you hear that lunatic on the telly? She was up to high doh, he said. I haven't seen it, but I'm going to watch it now.

It's all a bit ridiculous the whole thing, he said.

Read More

The close relatives of Kimberly who are around are lovely quiet people. I don't think they would really want to speak about the whole thing.

Expand Close Kimberly Guilfoyle, the National Chair of the "Trump Victory Finance Committee" and girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr., delivers a pre-recorded speech to the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention from Washington, U.S., August 24, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Kimberly Guilfoyle, the National Chair of the "Trump Victory Finance Committee" and girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr., delivers a pre-recorded speech to the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention from Washington, U.S., August 24, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

She's a cousin of mine, but we wouldn't be close, you could say. I never knew a whole lot about Kimberly, but I know she used to come to Ennis.

And I have a sister who has no time for Trump, and when he came to Doonbeg, I said to her, 'I have something to tell you. Trump is after inviting us down to meet him because Kimberly wanted somebody to represent the Guilfoyle family', he said.

What she didn't call me, he laughed.

Great job @kimguilfoyle. Absolutely incredible. Your passion for our country knows no bounds. pic.twitter.com/yf3Xoe6tDz  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) August 25, 2020

Ms Guilfoyle has spoken of her happy memories of Ireland and said her summers in Ennis taught her the value of money.

In a recent interview, she said: I grew up partly in Ireland. Every summer from the age of five, I lived in Ennis where my Guilfoyle relatives had businesses on O'Connell Street - a gift shop called Dalcassian House and Dalcassian Printers.

I worked in the shop, which sold lovely china and Waterford Crystal. I was about 11 or 12, and I got about 10 a week. It instilled a sense of responsibility in me, putting in the hours, and earning the money.

As part of her post-graduate studies she attended Trinity College, Dublin. While there, she published research on international children's rights and European Economic Community law.

Her relationship with Don Jr became public in late June 2018 when they appeared at a Republican convention in Montana.

Don Jr, who had by then split from his wife, paid tribute to Ms Guilfoyle.

Just as everyone else thanks their significant others, Ive got to thank Kimberly for coming out here. We're going to take her fishing tomorrow, then shooting, he told the crowd.

Read More

She declared that Democrats want to destroy this country, and everything that we have fought for and hold dear.

In her speech, which has sparked endless memes on Twitter, Ms Guilfoyle, in unfaltering high decibels, shrieked her support for her boyfriend's father.

President Trump is the leader who will rebuild the promise of America and ensure that every citizen can realise their American dream.

They (Democrats) want to steal your liberty, your freedom. They want to control what you see and think, and believe so that they can control how you live! They want to enslave you to the weak, dependent, liberal, victim ideology, to the point that you will not recognise this country or yourself.

Failing to mention that 177,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus, and the country is in deep recession, Ms Guilfoyle finished her six-minute-long diatribe by theatrically raising her arms and thundering: The best is yet to come.

Kimberly Ann Guilfoyle was born March 9, 1969, in San Francisco to Mercedes Marie Gerena from Puerto Rico and Tony Guilfoyle.

Her father emigrated to the US from Ennis in his 20s in 1957 and served in the US army from 1958 to 1962. On his return, he became a real estate investor.

He passed away in 2008.

In a Father's Day tribute to her dad on Instagram, Ms Guilfoyle described him as her greatest inspiration.

You came from Ennis, county Clare, Ireland to America like so many before you, to live the American dream and provide for your family, and you served faithfully your country in the army. You taught me that in this life all things are possible if you work hard, live fearlessly, believe in yourself and in other people. I will never forget when you brought me home to Ireland to meet my grandparents, Nancy and Patrick Paddy and to this day I treasure the picture of us on the Shannon river.
A Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning (C), during military drills in the South China Sea on Jan. 2, 2017. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Bidens Weakness Would Be Exposed Internationally His First Year

Commentary

Its often said that new U.S. presidents plan domestically but are greeted with unexpected foreign policy challenges in their first year. Adversaries often want to test the mettle of an incoming president.

Given the concerns about Joe Bidens cognitive health, let alone his history of bad foreign policy choices, he would be the weakest president ever elected, which would be dangerous for the country and the world.

Unexpected foreign policy challenges greet our new presidents. President John Adams, just two months after his inauguration, had to ask Congress for increased defense spending in case the United States went to war with France. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy faced repeated first-year challenges from the Soviet Union; the tension rose so high that Kennedy believed there was a 1 in 5 chance of a nuclear war.

In 1989, his first year, George H.W. Bush faced the collapse of the Soviet Union. Four years later, in his first year, Bushs successor, Bill Clinton, faced the Battle of Mogadishu that resulted in the deaths of 19 American soldiers and 73 others wounded. Of course, in 2001, and his first year, 9/11 changed George W. Bushs presidency dramatically.

President Barack Obama chose to escalate the U.S. war in Afghanistan just a month into his presidency. As for President Donald Trump, in April 2017 (his first year), he was confronted by Syrias use of chemical weapons on its own citizens.

As you can see, first-year foreign policy challenges for presidents have occurred since the beginning of our country and, now, have become the norm.

In the nuclear/terror age, by definition, the risks are far higher than for most of our history.

So, what risks does the next president face? Iran, China, and Russia for starters.

Iran, perhaps more than any nation in history, has signaled that it wants war with a U.S. ally, Israel, and makes no bones about its desire to acquire a nuclear weapon. Iran plainly wants to dominate the Middle East, if not beyond, and is the worlds largest state sponsor of terror.

Biden has already said he wants to revive the Obama deal that led to a more provocative Iran, because the money it received fueled its conventional war forays in the Middle East.

Whereas Trump defunded Iran (and Russia) with Americas energy boomlowering prices and taking customers from themBiden wants to end the surge in U.S. energy power around the world, doing so by prosecuting a war on U.S. fossil fuel production. Combined with Biden lifting sanctions on Iran, Iran would become flush with cash again, more provocative than ever, and closer than ever to a nuclear bomb.

In other words, a weak Biden would be the cause for the resurgence of Iran and would be forced to deal with the danger that he had allowed to arise.

That would cause an immediate crisis with our allies in the region, including the UAE, whose deal with Israel is a repudiation of the Obama-Biden weakness toward Iran and undermining of Israel.

China has point-blank said it wants to be the worlds foremost superpower. China wants nothing to do with Trumps reckoning of Chinas abuses around the globe.

Can you imagine Biden standing up to China?

China has done business with the Biden family, including funding Bidens sons company. China is counting on more of the same; thats no place for the United States to be.

Russia would also benefit from Bidens war on U.S. energy. Rising energy prices would mean more hard currency for Russia, and customers of U.S. energy would find a willing seller in Russia. Obviously, a Russia flush with cash presents a greater danger than a Russia defunded by American energy.

So how would Biden respond to Iranian provocations? A move by China in the South China sea against our allies? Or Russian incursions in the Middle East or Eastern Europe?

Perhaps his selection of Kamala Harris provides us a clue, in addition to the fact that Obama and Biden sat by amid the rise of the ISIS terrorist group in 32 countries, along with the Iran deal and Russias incursion into Crimea.

Harris more than anyone else confronted Biden during the primary debates. What did he do in response? Did he demand an apology? The answer is no. He made her his vice presidential nominee.

The truth is America has returned to peace through strength under Trump. The Middle East took a giant step toward peace because of Trumps unequivocal support of Israel and his weakening of Iran.

A weakened Biden would reverse all of thatand thats a danger the world cannot afford.

Thomas Del Beccaro is an acclaimed author, speaker, Fox News, Fox Business, and Epoch Times opinion writer, and the former chairman of the California Republican Party. Hes the author of the historical perspectives The Divided Era and The New Conservative Paradigm.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
An armed robber and getaway driver who walked out of an open prison 12 years ago has been finally caught after he was found living 50 miles away under a false name.

Gary Crafts, 66, was convicted of an armed robbery and firearms charges and jailed for life in 2000.

In 2008 he vanished from Standford Hill open prison on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent.

At the time of the offence Crafts was on parole, after he had been jailed for 17 years for a spate of armed robberies that saw him steal 11,000.

Some 12 years after he disappeared, Crafts was found living under a different name in Plumstead, South East London, on August 7.

Gary Crafts escaped from Standford Hill open prison on the Isle of Sheppey in 2008 while serving a life sentence for armed robbery

Crafts was jailed for life in 2000 under the 'two strikes and you're out' law, which had been introduced three years earlier, after being convicted of attempted robbery and one firearm charge.

He had acted as the getaway driver for an attempted raid on a Halifax bank in Richmond, west London, alongside fellow crook, Danny Harris.

The pair were under police surveillance when they arrived and Flying Squad officers swooped to arrest them after watching Harris approach the cashier at the bank armed with a pistol.

Crafts, of Plumstead, south east London, was on parole following his release from a 17-year sentence for a spate of armed robberies in the early 1990s.

During his spree, Harris stole around 11,000 in raids on six banks and building society branches across west London and Surrey.

After being on the run for 12 years, Crafts was arrested on August 7 and charged with being unlawfully at large before being returned to prison.

The Ministry of Justice would not confirm which prison Crafts had been sent back to, but did say that like any other absconder, he would be sent back to a closed jail rather than an open facility.

A spokesman for Kent Police said after Crafts was arrested: 'Gary Crafts was convicted of an armed robbery in 1999 and was at Stanford Hill prison when he absconded in 2008.

'Following extensive enquiries across the UK investigators identified he was living under a false name in London.

'Crafts was arrested on August 7, 2020, and was charged with being unlawfully at large before being returned to prison.

'Kent Police's Wanted Person Bureau works with partner agencies to track down suspects sought for questioning in relation to serious offences in the UK and abroad, offenders who are to be recalled to prison and those who have absconded from prison and are unlawfully at large.'

In 2000, three appeal court judges effectively overruled the 'two strikes' law that saw offenders receive life sentences for committing a second crime such as attempted murder, rape, manslaughter, wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent and robbery because it was incompatible with the Human Rights Act.
The coronavirus pandemic has emphasized the need for connecting underserved communities to the digital world, Thomas Parrish, the acting chief information officer of North Carolina's Information Technology Department, said on Tuesday at an Axios virtual event on the Future of Employability.

Why it matters: Countries around the world have been investing in connectivity, Parrish said, and the U.S. is now starting to realize that broadening internet access is "now something we can no longer afford to miss."

"If you look at Europe ... these countries are investing billions of dollars in their infrastructure to make sure people are connected," Parrish said.

"I think what we're finally seeing in the United States and in North Carolina is that we need to make that investment, because if we're connected, that means we're ready for tomorrow."

Zoom in: The majority of people in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area who aren't connected to the internet do not have enough money to do so, Charlotte chief information officer Reenie Askew said during the event.

The city is "bridging the digital divide" by partnering with the school district, nearby community colleges and other businesses to provide 15 spaces for public WiFi, Askew said. The city is looking to speed up that initiative, since it is using federal funding from the CARES Act, which expires in December, Askew said.

Askew said the city is also trying to revamp its retraining program to prepare people for jobs that will be needed after the pandemic.

Worth noting: Parrish said funding for increased internet access should prioritize children, many of whom are going to school remotely because of the pandemic. The funding should then target the elderly, since health care is moving toward the digital landscape, Parrish said.

Parrish said he hopes lawmakers in Washington can "put party politics aside and understand where we are today."

Watch the event.
DUBAI, Aug 25 (Reuters) - If the United Sates wants an agreement with Iran, first it should return to Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six powers that the nuclear deal that Washington abandoned two years ago, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday.

"Washington's maximum pressure policy on Iran has failed 100% ... If Washington wants an agreement with us, then they should return to the deal," Rouhani told a televised news conference. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Alison Williams)
Video above  Kenosha police shooting: Businesses board up amid protests

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets Monday night in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Gov. Tony Evers deployed 125 Wisconsin National Guard troops at the request of city and county officials. Evers said troops would protect public infrastructure and be used for public safety.



Exit ramps off Interstate 94 from the Illinois state line into Kenosha County were closed Monday night, blocked off by police vehicles and trucks in some places.



Protesters confronted police and sheriff's deputies after the 8 p.m. citywide curfew outside the Kenosha County Courthouse.

Some threw water bottles at law enforcement, and at least one agent was injured.



Police and sheriff's deputies used flash bangs, tear gas and rubber bullets to try to disburse the crowd. Police fired tear gas about 30 minutes after the curfew took effect, but not all the protesters left.

A caravan of protesters in cars drove on sidewalks and across the grass.

Some protesters shot off fireworks near police and the courthouse. Others set at least two city trucks on fire, leaving the vehicles to burn.

It's not clear if any arrests have been made. Police have not said if there were any injuries.



Kenosha became the nation's latest flashpoint in a summer of racial unrest after cellphone footage of police shooting Blake on Sunday around 5 p.m. in broad daylight circulated on social media. Blake remains in serious condition at a hospital in Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating the shooting.



The Associated Press contributed to this story.


NBA superstar LeBron James spoke out about the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, saying it shows why Black people are terrified of the police.

James also said in a post-game interview Monday night that he believes firearms are "a huge issue in America," because they are not only used for sport. "For Black people right now, we think youre hunting us, he said.

The Los Angeles Lakers player, who spoke from the NBAs Disney World bubble in Florida after his team beat the Portland Trail Brazers 135-115, said he was deeply disturbed by video showing police shooting Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, in the back multiple times on Sunday.

Image: LeBron James (Pool / Getty Images)

The shooting, which has sparked protests in Kenosha and other cities, has left Blake paralyzed from the waist down, his father said Tuesday morning. The father said doctors do not know if the paralysis will be permanent.

Kenosha police have released few details beyond saying that officers were responding to a domestic incident at 5:11 p.m. on Sunday and "were involved in an officer-involved shooting."

Police referred requests for comment to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which is conducting a probe of the incident.

"The Wisconsin Department of Justice is vigorously and thoroughly investigating yesterday's officer-involved shooting in Kenosha. As with all investigations we conduct, we will unwaveringly pursue justice in this case," state Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement Monday.

The Kenosha County District Attorney's Office will decide whether to file charges, as is customary, Kaul's statement said, adding that the police officers involved were placed on administrative leave.

James said a bystander's video of the shooting that was posted on social media shows why we are scared as Black people in America. Black men, Black women, Black kids, we are terrified.

If youre sitting here telling me that there was no way to subdue that gentleman or detain him before the firing of guns, then youre sitting here lying not only to me, but youre lying to every African American, every Black person in the community, he said.

Story continues

Why does it always have to get to a point where we see the guns firing? James said, adding how upsetting it was as a father to know that Blakes children were at the scene during the shooting.

His family is there; his kids are there; its broad daylight, he said. My prayers go out to that family and that community, but Ive got nothing nice to say about those cops at all.

James also said he knows from his own childhood the experience of being afraid of police.

When I lived in the projects, when I seen a cop going, we hid behind a brick wall and waited for it to roll out. If we saw the cops lights go on, we ran, even if we didnt do nothing wrong. We were just scared, he said.

He also said guns are a big problem that contribute to Black people's fears of getting shot.

I think firearms are a huge issue in America.Theyre not used just for hunting that a lot of people use for sport. For Black people right now, we think youre hunting us, he said.

The mayor of Kenosha, a city of about 100,000 midway between Chicago and Milwaukee, said Monday that there was no body camera video of the incident with Blake and that he wasn't sure whether a dash camera recorded it.

The bystander who recorded the video posted on social media, Raysean White, 22, said the incident first caught his attention when he heard a group of women arguing across the street from his apartment.

"Then the guy that got shot showed up," White said in an interview. "He pulled up in his truck, got out his truck, seen him walk up. His son was running towards him. He was picking up his son. He told his son to get in the gray truck, we about to go."

Minutes later, White said, he looked out his window again to see "police out there wrestling" with the man, who was later identified as Blake, behind the vehicle.White said he saw a female officer fire the stun gun at Blake. White said he then started to record the incident, some of which is obscured by the vehicle. It is unclear what exactly happened before the video starts.

"They were also yelling, 'Drop the knife,'" White said. "I didn't see any weapons in his hands. He wasn't being violent."

The video shows Blake walking in front of the vehicle to try to get into the driver's seat. It is at this point that shots are fired.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Monday that he had seen no information to suggest that Blake had a knife or other weapon, but that this is undergoing a thorough investigation" by the state Justice Department, according to The Associated Press.

The police shooting of Blake occurred three months after George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody, which sparked protests around the country and across the world.
Jared, a Self-Taught E-Commerce Entrepreneur and Founder of the Scope 16 Company, is Determined to Help Other Business Owners Succeed with Paid Online Advertising through Social Media and Other Sites

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 24, 2020 / Jared Curry, an 18-year-old self-taught E-commerce entrepreneur and founder of Scope 16, is pleased to announce the launch of his company's new Blackhawk System for eComm stores.

To learn more about Jared and the services that he and his team offer, and/or to schedule a free audit session for a brand, please visit https://go.scope16.com/audit.

As a company spokesperson noted, when Jared was 16 years old he read the book "Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. The book had an enormous impact on the teen, helping Jared to realize that he had a definite purpose in life.

Jared decided to become an entrepreneur and make a positive impact on as many other people as possible. He taught himself everything he could find about social media marketing and E-commerce and founded the Scope 16 company.

With its emphasis on paid online advertising with Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Google Marketing, Jared is already inspiring others with his determination and knowledge. He is also showing his clients first-hand how the future of business will rely on the power of digital marketing.

"We can provide an ROI guarantee the marketing world has never before offered," the spokesperson noted.

Jared and his team also work with their clients to assess their sales processes; this will help them to determine what has worked in the past and what needs to be improved upon. From E-commerce businesses to info product companies, Scope16 will closely examine what the sales and indoctrination process is like and then figuratively plug any leaky holes before bringing in more sales.

"To put it simply, we offer a way to help you grow your business by getting more customers so you can build what you worked so hard for," the spokesperson noted.

Story continues

About Jared Curry:

Jared Curry is a New Jersey native who is CEO of Scope Marketing and owns an Info Product Brand. Scope16 has scaled clients from 6 figures to multiple 7 figures and he and his team are confident they can get those results because of the 8 Figure eCommerce Blackhawk System that they developed. They are a Digital Marketer Certified Partner and also a Facebook Ads Certified Partner. For more information, please visit https://www.scope16.com/.

Contact:

Victoria Kennedy

manager@victoriakennedyofficial.com

+1 (702)935 89 06

SOURCE: Jared Curry





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/602216/18-Year-Old-Entrepreneur-Jared-Curry-Announces-a-New-Blackhawk-System-for-eComm-Stores




Boeing Co. is preparing to bolster the long-term safety of its troubled 737 Max with technology borrowed from space vehicles and urban drones that can provide data to help back up its sensors.

The system  known as synthetic air data  takes existing information on the aircraft, runs it through a computer program and produces readings that mimic what costly additional sensors provide.

Added as a result of pressure from overseas regulators, it would reduce the risk of accidents such as those on the Max. But it would also address a wide range of deadly air crashes triggered by confusing cockpit readings, according to engineers and academic research. Its already proved its value on Boeings 787, and Airbus SE is adopting similar techniques in its aircraft.

The reason why myself and a bunch of others are looking at it is it does have the promise to enhance safety, said Demoz Gebre-Egziabher, an aerospace engineering professor at the University of Minnesota who is researching such systems.

At the same time, Gebre-Egziabher and others caution the technology involves knotty challenges, and its most likely not something Boeing can slap on the Max in a few months. The algorithms are complicated and certifying them is a bear, Gebre-Egziabher said.

Boeings best-selling plane, an updated version of the decades-old 737 family, was grounded in March 2019 after the second of two crashes in less than five left 346 dead. The chain of events leading to both crashes was prompted by the failure of sensors known as angle-of-attack vanes, and the new technology would provide redundancy for those readings without adding additional sensors, which are costly.

U.S. aviation regulators earlier this month said theyve tentatively accepted Boeings sweeping redesign of the Max without the new technology, meaning the plane could be approved to fly again as soon as this fall. The fixes also meet the standards of other nations, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The new suite of virtual sensors Boeing is planning to add to the plane is a result of demands by the European Aviation Safety Agency, which has repeatedly said it wants even more protections for the Max.

In a compromise, EASA has agreed not to hold up the planes recertification, but the agency, along with the FAA, is insisting that Boeing make future improvements and spell out how the company plans to do so before final approval, said a person familiar with the deliberations who wasnt permitted to talk about them publicly.

Specifically, EASA wants more backups for the angle-of-attack vanes. The Max, like other Boeing aircraft, has two angle-of-attack sensors, while Airbus planes have three.

Discussions on the issues are still underway at EASA and the agency cant comment, it said in a statement.

Despite the differences in sensors, Airbus and Boeing models have nearly identical accident rates, which overall are at all-time lows. But both manufacturers have suffered incidents and accidents as a result of angle-of-attack failures.

Even with the fixes to the Max, a single angle-of-attack sensor failure can trigger multiple confusing alarms in the cockpit. Adding a third such sensor  a small wind vane that measures whether the jets nose is pointed above or below the oncoming air  could help mitigate that, European regulators have said. Such an addition would be costly and time consuming, though.

However, breakthroughs in recent decades have made it possible to produce accurate estimates of angle of attack without a new sensor, Gebre-Egziabher said. These systems can also replicate a planes speed and other flight data, according to academic research and uses on existing aircraft.

Improvements in motion detectors  highly sophisticated cousins of the devices in smartphones that measure how many steps youve taken  can monitor a planes dips and turns. GPS position data helps ensure accuracy. And modern computers allow the data to be knit together using physics formulas to show speed and how the plane is behaving, including its angle of attack.

Two Years

Peter Lemme, a consultant who worked on aircraft control systems for earlier Boeing models, cautioned that such systems remain notoriously complex.

Its easy to talk about but its hard to do, Lemme said. This is not a casual undertaking. It will probably take at least two years.

Not only must engineers ensure that the formulas they devise work in every scenario imaginable, but aviation software must be many times more reliable than in consumer products.

Adopting such a system also comes with controversy. A Boeing engineer last year filed an ethics complaint with the company charging his efforts to add synthetic readings to the Max during its development were blocked by managers opposed to the cost and complexity, according to a letterhe wrote to Senate investigators.

Boeing said in a statement it doesnt comment on internal complaints from its employees. The company has also declined to comment on its work to add synthetic sensors to the Max, other than to say, We continue to make steady progress towards safely returning the airplane to service.

Success Stories

While creating such systems can be difficult, their value has already been demonstrated. Theyve been used to help guide NASA spacecraft re-entering the atmosphere, and Airbus recently patented a design for such systems.

One of the most promising areas for synthetic air-data systems is in drones, Gebre-Egziabher said. These vehicles need the equivalent of additional sensors to become safe enough for routine flights over urban areas. But theyre more sensitive to weight, so adding multiple physical sensors isnt viable.

Boeing added a synthetic system to its 787, the long-range plane introduced in 2011. Airbus uses at least some of the technology on its A350.

A 2015 incident on a Jetstar Airways 787 flying from Melbourne to Singapore illustrates its potential benefits. The jets three external sensors used to compute speed all iced up simultaneously, according to a report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Such failures have been a vexing problem in aviation because the sensors are all subject to the same problem  ice. The glitches can lead to confusion in the cockpit and in rare instances theyve triggered crashes, such as when an Air France Airbus A330 went down in the Atlantic Ocean in 2009, killing all 228 aboard.

In the Jetstar Airways case, however, the planes synthetic system  which is immune from ice  recognized that the three sensors had failed and helped trigger alarms to the crew, investigators said.

With assistance from Siddharth Philip and Julie Johnsson.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
The first stage of the "Tank Biathlon" Individual Race starts in Moscow on August 23, 2020.

MOSCOW, August 25 -- Since the International Army Games 2020 (IAG 2020) kicked off on August 23, the Chinese participants have achieved excellent results in the opening contests of the "Tank Biathlon" and "Airborne Platoon".

On August 23, the first stage of the "Tank Biathlon" Individual Race started. In the first round of competition, the Chinese PLAs Type 96B tank played against those of Belarus, Serbia and Azerbaijan. Based on the competition rules, each team has to run two and a half laps on a 4.3-kilometer-long track, passing 11 obstacles in 10 categories, including the ford, mine barrier, track bridge model, comb, etc., while shooting at targets of various distances with tank guns, anti-aircraft machine guns, and coaxial machine guns.

During the race, all shots of the Chinese participants hit the targets, and their speed reached 75 km per hour on the track, which took the lead by absolute advantage in the contest and temporarily ranked first by a record of 19 minutes and 44 seconds.

On August 24, the first stage of the "Airborne Platoon" kicked off at the Kislovo landing site in Russia, focusing on the subject of parachute jump within a platoon, assembling of the platoon on the drop zone, and battle march. The Chinese team took the lead in the pre-match draw. The team members onboard three helicopters determined the timing of jumping out of the cabin at an altitude of 600m on their own, quickly completed the airborne assembly after a smooth landing and began the one-kilometer running with parachutes on their backs, and then marched to the predetermined location 10km away.

The first stage of the "Airborne Platoon" was conducted under the conditions of no meteorological data, no ground-to-air guidance, and no ground command. Each step simulated the entire process of platoon parachuting and assembling, close to the actual combat conditions. Thus, it is a real test of the comprehensive ability and quality for service members. In the end, the Chinese team ranked first in the first stages competition with a score of 48 minutes and 33 seconds.
on Tuesday imposed a penalty of Rs 50 lakh on the National Stock Exchange for making changes in compensation policy for senior management level people without taking prior approval from the regulator.

The change in the policy resulted in encashment of accumulated ordinary leaves for NSE's former managing directors and chief executive officers -- Ravi Narain and Chitra Ramkrishna -- above the limit of 360 days granted by the exchange without taking Sebi's prior nod, an order said.

According to Sebi, this led tonon-compliance with the provisions of the SECC or Securities Contracts (Regulation) (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations.

"The noticee (National Stock Exchange), being the leading regulated stock exchange in India, should have set higher standards of compliance which is found missing in the present case," said.

"Further, the material brought on record shows that the failure of taking priorapproval from before making a change in its policy which was approved by the Compensation Committee/ Board of on November 26, 2012 may be a single instance but, it has led to violation on repeated instances...," the order said.

The instances include encashment of accumulated ordinary leaveby Ravi Narain and Chitra Ramkrishna over and above the limit of 360 days at the timeof his retirement and her resignation, respectively, it added.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had received a letter from Ministry of Finance regarding a reportwhich referring to the NSE's annual report stated that Ramkrishna earned about Rs 44 crore in a period of three years during which she held theposition at the exchange and that she earned Rs 23 crore as total remuneration in the last eight months of her tenure.

She was a former MD and CEO of the exchange.

Based on the reference from the ministry, Sebi initiated an examination of the matter.

Under the policy, leave encashment of up to 360 days is permitted for an employee.

However, on comparing the approved compensation and actual gross compensation paid for the period of eight months and two days to Ramkrishna for the financial year 2016-2017, Sebi observed that the NSE board on the basis of the recommendation of its Nomination and Remuneration Committee permitted an additional encashment of 168 days.

The extra remuneration paid to Ramkrishna on account of encashment of this additional 168 days of leave was Rs 1.54 crore, as per Sebi.

Sebi said suchnature of default with regard to non-adherence to guidelines prescribed under the SECC Regulations as observed in this casewould compromise the regulatory framework and should be dealt with by imposing monetarypenalty so as to send an effective message to the market participants as a whole.

Accordingly, Sebi decided to impose a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the NSE.

(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 healthcare workers at the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the first and most crucial line of defence that they have.



PPE kits are indispensable, so much so, medical staff have been scrambling to procure the kits amid complaints of severe shortages.

Image For Representation/Reuters

Since the start of the pandemic, healthcare workers across the world have been sharing how long hours in the PPE suits give them rashes, make breathing difficult and the trapped air very hot.

Also Read: Nurses Claim They Were Fired From Delhi Hospital For Demanding PPE Kits, Masks & Drinking Water



More recently, a Delhi doctor working in a designated COVID-19 treating centre showed a photo of his hand that got wrinkled after wearing the PPE kit. While sharing the photo on Twitter, Dr Syed Faizan Ahmad wrote, "My hands after doffing #PPE due to profuse sweating in extremely humid climate."

One user said, "Words fall short of the spectacular effort being put in by saviors like you. Humanity will always remain indebted to you for this."

Another wrote, "I am indebted to health professionals and workers and all that working to keep us alive in this pandemic. The efforts they are giving and the extraordinary pain they suffer in the bargain is massive. SALUTE!!"

Also Read: COVID-19 Heist Indeed: Thieves Steal Jewellery Store Wearing PPE Kits, Walk Away With Gold

Being trapped inside PPE suits for hours is tough, and not meeting children, spouses or parents for weeks only makes it worse. Eating, drinking or even urinating is out of the question during duty hours that can last from six to eight hours and may even stretch to 12 hours given the outbreak.

Some time ago an image, a similar picture of a doctors hands after using gloves for over 10 hours, went viral.

This is the hand of a doctor after removing his medical precautionary suit and gloves after 10 hours of duty.

Salute to the frontline heroes. pic.twitter.com/uuEzGZkWJx  Awanish Sharan (@AwanishSharan) June 19, 2020





IAS officer Awanish Sharan shared the picture on Twitter with the caption, This is the hand of a doctor after removing his medical precautionary suit and gloves after 10 hours of duty. Salute to the frontline heroes.

Also Read: Drunk Man Steals PPE From Nagpur Hospital Thinking It's Raincoat, Ends Up Contracting COVID-19



In March, when healthcare workers, especially in countries like Italy were under tremendous strain shared pictures of wearing PPE for hours.





Alessia Bonari, a nurse from Tuscany, Italy, took to Instagram and shared an image of her forehead and cheeks covered in red splotches from where her protective mask dug into her skin. I am physically tired because the protective devices are bad, the lab coat makes you sweat and once dressed I can no longer go to the bathroom or drink for six hours, she wrote in the caption.
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board schools will not have full-day attendance until Sept. 18 under a staggered start plan announced Monday afternoon by the board.

The school year would ordinarily begin on Sept. 8, but local public schools will remain closed to students from Sept. 8 to 11 to allow staff time to prepare for the changes required due to COVID-19 public health guidelines.

From Sept. 14 to 18, student and class groups will attend school on different days to become familiar with the new classroom and school practices to prevent the spread of the virus, with full-time attendance beginning Sept. 18.

This two-week period will provide all our staff and students the additional time we believe will be crucial for everyone to prepare learning spaces, and to finalize, understand and be comfortable with, the many new routines that will be a part of the normal school day, education director Jennifer Leclerc stated.

The provincial government announced earlier this month that Ontario school boards can stagger school year starts over the first two weeks of the school year under the reopening of schools, which have not been open to students since March.

The extra time will allow school principals and staff time to realign elementary classroom sizes and staffing assignments after 16 per cent of the boards students opted to continue with learning at home only.

The realignments could result in a childs assigned teacher changing, Leclerc advised.

To organize classrooms in safe layouts, furnishings, desks and equipment will need to be moved around schools during the staggered start period, she also advised.

Finalized schedules for the second week of the staggered start will be shared with parents through their local schools soon.

We know this will be disappointing to our families and students who are eager to get back to school with all their friends, but we need to take the time to get this right from the start, Leclerc stated.

The board also announced Monday changes to the in-person learning for high school students, who will be taking their courses two at a time in quadmesters this year.

The quadmesters will now run on alternating weeks, with students taking their Period 1 subject all day for Week 1, shifting to their Period 2 subject all day for Week 2, alternating their two subjects every week, instead of every day as was first planned.

Final assessments for each course will be in mid-November for Quadmester 1 and mid-January for Quadmester 2.

We realize this is an extended amount of time for students on each subject. The safety improvements of this model, however, are significant, Leclerc stated.

As a result, the boards high school students will remain in a defined classroom for the entire week, just like elementary students, without needing to travel to another classroom.

The boards aim with the move is to limit contacts and touch points for high school students and staff all day.

The board is looking into implementing staggered breaks and lunches for students to give them a break from their classroom, Leclerc added.

The staggered start will also give school staff more time to organize the Learn At Home online school program for the more than 5,300 students who opted out of in-class learning prior to last weeks deadline for families to decide.

The Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board had not announced a staggered start plan as of Monday.

But like the public board, the Catholic board is planning full-day in-classroom learning for both elementary and high school students, with high school students taking one subject all day on one day, alternating with the other subject on the next day.

Catholic board families also had until last week to opt out of in-school learning, but the board is offering three re-entry dates on Nov. 12, Feb. 2 and April 22 when students can either move from in-person learning to online learning, or from online learning to in-class learning.
CHARLESTON  Eastern Illinois University students began their fall semester on Monday amid the COVID-19 pandemic with many of their classes spread out in campus buildings that are not typically used for academic purposes, including the University Union.

"I spent a lot of time in the Union directing traffic because students are not used to those spaces," said Michael Cornebise, interim associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Despite a few minor technical problems with these new spaces, Cornebise said the first day seemed to go smooth. In addition, Cornebise and leaders with the private, off campus Christian Campus House and the Newman Catholic Community said they were pleased to see most students meeting COVID-19 safety requirements by wearing masks.

"Everyone is staying masked and everyone is staying responsible," said Newman campus minister and Director Roy Lanham of the students he has seen so far.

Regarding class locations, Cornebise said he and fellow associate dean, Chris Mitchell, spent the bulk of their summer making arrangements to use nontraditional spaces throughout campus.

Cornebise said they wanted to give instructors plenty of space to teach face-to-face while they and their students maintain at least 6 feet of social distance from each other. He noted that the small classrooms of Coleman Hall, for example, can only accommodate up to eight to 12 students each and still meet this requirement.

Nontraditional spaces in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, the Pemberton Hall student residence building, Booth Library, McAfee Gym and elsewhere are being used as part of this effort.

Cornebise said he is set to teach a world geography class in the University Union, with half of his 80 students meeting on Tuesdays and the other half on Thursdays. He said this will be his first hybrid class, which will offer in-person and online instruction. He noted that EIU is offering a variety of in-person, hybrid, and on-line courses this fall.

"I think it really helps to meet the needs of the students we are serving," Cornebise said.

As the fall semester begins, Lanham said the Newman center is using a large canopy adjacent to its building to host welcome events for students while social distancing outdoors. Lanham said it's been a little tough to engage with masked students when you can only see their eyes, but the events have still gone well.

Lanham said they have been limiting access to the Newman center building and having visitors sign in and out should contact tracing be needed if someone there were to test positive for COVID-19.

Matthew Thomas, lead campus minister for the Christian Campus House, said they had been preparing to host indoor services while social distancing and taking other safety measures, but then pivoted to not having the building open "out of an abundance of caution."

"I think the university is doing everything they can to keep us safe," Thomas said, adding that the Christian Campus House wants to do its part to protect studdnts too.

Thomas said the Christian Campus House has instead been focusing on online services, planned small group meetings and socially distanced outdoor events, such as inviting students to eat their "grab and go" university dining service meals at the Campus Pond pavilion on Sunday.

"We are doing activities that are good for the times and responsible," Thomas said.

PHOTOS: Eastern Illinois University gets ready for the new school year

Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Trial data for the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca`s possible coronavirus vaccine could be given to regulators this year but corners cannot be cut to speed up approval for emergency use, a scientist leading the trials said on Tuesday.

The Oxford vaccine produced an immune response in its first human trials, underlining its position as one of the leading candidates in the race to combat a virus that has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths and crippled the global economy.

"It is just possible that if the cases accrue rapidly in the clinical trials, that we could have that data before regulators this year," Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, told BBC Radio of progress in larger, late-stage trials.

"Then there would be a process that they go through in order to make a full assessment of the data."

The trials hit the headlines earlier this week when the Financial Times reported the Trump administration was considering fast-tracking the vaccine for use in the United States ahead of the November 3 presidential election.

One option being explored would involve the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awarding "emergency use authorization" in October to the potential vaccine, the newspaper said.

Pollard said the process for emergency use authorisation was well established. "But it still involves having carefully conducted data ... and evidence that it actually works," he said.

The Financial Times reported that Washington was considering basing emergency approval of the vaccine on just a small UK study of around 10,000 people.

Pollard, the chief investigator of the global clinical trials of the vaccine candidate, said AstraZeneca would take the data to regulators once the scientists were satisfied with it.

He said Oxford had enrolled about 20,000 people in trials across Britain, Brazil and South Africa, with AstraZeneca leading a U.S. trial of 30,000 people.

"The size of the trials still isn`t the issue here, what you need is to have enough cases accruing during the time of observation in the trials," Pollard said.


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.


Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute.

Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno.

Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi.
Human rights workers say at least 50 journalists and activists have been arrested as the regional government tries to prevent further pay protests.

Civil servants in northern Iraq have demonstrated against the government in Baghdad over salary arrears.

They are angry they have not been paid for six months and are demanding an urgent cash transfer to the Kurdish region of northern Iraq to settle their back pay.

Human rights workers say at least 50 journalists and activists have been arrested as the regional government tries to prevent further pay protests.

Al Jazeeras Dorsa Jabbari has the latest.
Day two of the Republican National Convention starts today and will bring a slate of speakers who will take the stage and voice their support for the reelection of President Donald Trump.

The second night of the RNC will feature notable speakers like First Lady Melania Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.

The convention  scaled down this year due to the coronavirus  started Monday with the formal nominations of Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. It also featured speakers like Sen. Tim Scott, Donald Trump Jr. and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.

The most notable speakers will address delegates, party members and viewers between 9 and 11 p.m., and it will be aired on many networks and streaming platforms.

Heres how to watch:

Streaming

Smart Speakers

Listen on Alexa-enabled devices by saying Alexa, play the Republican National Convention.

Television

Network and cable news will carry live coverage of the convention all week:

Tonights speakers are expected to include:

 First Lady Melania Trump

 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

 Sen. Rand Paul

 Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds

 Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez

 Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron

 Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

 Abby Johnson, anti-abortion rights activist

 Jason Joyce

 Myron Lizer, Navajo Nation vice president

 Mary Ann Mendoza, mother whose son was killed by an illegal immigrant

 Megan Pauley

 Cris Peterson

 John Peterson

 Nicholas Sandmann, student who sued news outlets after confrontation with Native American activist

 Eric Trump, son of President Trump

 Tiffany Trump, daughter of President Trump

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
Russian Doctors Deny Navalny Had Traces, Symptoms of Cholinesterase Inhibitors Poisoning

Sputnik News

17:29 GMT 24.08.2020(updated 18:25 GMT 24.08.2020)

Earlier, the doctors treating Navalny in the Berlin-based Charite clinic said they had found in his body traces of intoxication with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors. However, the exact substance is still unknown, the press service of the clinic added.

Tests of Alexey Navalny's samples at the Omsk hospital in Russia showed no traces of poisoning with cholinesterase inhibitors substances, as German doctors treating him have claimed, neither has he had symptoms typical of such poisoning, Omsk Chief Toxicologist Alexander Sabayev said on Monday.

"Upon his admission to the [Omsk] hospital, Alexey Navalny was tested on a wide range of narcotics, synthetic substances, psychodiletics and medicinal substances, including cholinesterase inhibitors  all tests came back negative," Sabayev said in a press statement, as quoted by the Omsk Ministry of Health.

"Additionally, Navalny lacked symptoms specific of the poisoning with cholinesterase inhibitors substances. As we said earlier, we are ready to share Alexey Navalny's samples with our German colleagues for examination," the health official added.

Earlier in the day, the doctors treating Navalny in the Berlin-based Charite hospital claimed they found traces of intoxication with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors in his body.

The version of German doctors on the diagnosis of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was worked out by Russian specialists on the very first day, but it did not find confirmation, the head of anesthesiology and reanimation department at Russia's Pirogov Center, Boris Teplykh, said.

"For me, nothing new has yet been announced in the statement of colleagues from Charite. They talk about clinical data showing intoxication with cholinesterase inhibitors," the doctor said.

"Well, firstly, they speak about clinical data, and not about the substance itself, which neither we nor, apparently, they have discovered at the moment. The same version was worked out by us on the first day of the patient's admission, but no confirmation was found," Teplykh said.

He added that Navalny was injected with Atropine, which was prescribed by German colleagues for treatment, from the first minute after admission. And subsequently, the need for its repeated injection was discussed, Teplykh said.

"In addition, the presence of such a chemical reaction in the body is possible both as a result of the use of other medications and in the natural course of the disease," he said.

At the same time, the expert stressed that the main thing is that "the patient did not get any worse as a result of transportation."

"Let's hope that the improvement of the patient's condition, which was observed back in Omsk, will continue. We are ready to interact with German colleagues," he said.



A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The hitherto prominently displayed bust of British Museums founder, Hans Sloane, has been removed in the context of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) campaign and his links to slave trade before he died in 1753 aged 92.

Sloane Square in central London is one of several public places named after the physician, who was known as an avid collector of books, manuscripts and specimens, including many linked to the East India Company ranging from medicine, natural history to religious tracts, among others.

His collection of over 45,000 printed items formed the foundation of the British Museum, from which the British Library and the Natural History Museum were later born, but the BLM campaign has prompted a reconsideration of his place in the widely visited museum.

Hartwig Fischer, the museums director, told the media that the likeness of the Anglo-Irish Sloane (1660-1753) has been placed in a secure cabinet alongside artefacts explaining his work in the context of the British empire.

He said: We have pushed him off the pedestal. We must not hide anything. Healing is knowledge. Dedication to truthfulness, when it comes to history is absolutely crucial, with the aim to rewrite our shared, complicated and, at times, very painful history.

The British Museum has done a lot of work  accelerated and enlarged its work on its own history, the history of empire, the history of colonialism, and also of slavery. These are subjects, which need to be addressed, and to be addressed properly. We need to understand our own history, Fischer told the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday.

Sloanes marginalisation in the museum is part of recent attempts to re-visit Britains history of slave trade and colonialism, sparked by George Floyds death in the United States of America (USA) in May. There have since been demands to remove statues and re-name public spaces in the United Kingdom (UK).

The statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down in Bristol in June.

However, the demand to remove colonialist Robert Clives statue in Shropshire was turned down by the local council.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
tech2 News Staff

Oppo will launch the Oppo A53 in India today. The launch event will kick off at 12:30 pm IST.

Oppo A53 will feature a triple rear camera setup that is placed in a rectangular camera module. It will come with a 90Hz refresh rate punch-hole display. It will come in a blue colour option as well. The company has also confirmed that Oppo A53 will house a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging.

(Also read: Oppo A53 to launch in India today at 12.30 pm: How to watch the live stream)

The new #OPPOA53 is ready for anything, anytime! Packed with a high-capacity 5000mAh battery and a 18W fast charge its always ready when you are! Launching on 25th August 2020 at 12:30 PM, stay tuned! Know more: https://t.co/P4KDg4v1a8 pic.twitter.com/rtJJtEfyn2  OPPO India (@oppomobileindia) August 24, 2020

Oppo A53 expected specifications

Since the smartphone is now available for pre-order in Indonesia, the India variant is expected to come with similar specifications. As per the Indonesia variant, Oppo A53 will offer 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. The smartphone is likely to be powered by Snapdragon 640 chipset.

In terms of camera, Oppo A53 will come with a triple rear camera setup that includes 13 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP sensors. The smartphone is likely to feature a 16 MP punch hole selfie camera.
CHICAGO, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Entrepreneur, Mathew J. D'Souza, CPA, 29, died August 21, 2020, surrounded by his loved ones after a heroic 7-year battle with leukemia. Matt is survived by his parents, brothers, and countless friends.

Matt had one of the most well-respected names in the Bitcoin & Blockchain industry. He built several multi-million dollar companies from scratch and cultivated a network of connections that led to unprecedented success in the cryptocurrency space.

In 2017, Matt co-founded Blockchain Opportunity Fund, LLC, a multi-million dollar cryptocurrency hedge fund.

Later that year, Matt co-founded Blockware Solutions, LLC, a leading service provider for the Bitcoin Mining Industry. Under Matt's leadership as CEO, Blockware Solutions has become one of the largest distributors of mining rigs to the US Market.

In late 2019, Matt co-founded a Bitcoin Mining Fund - Blockware Mining, LLC and served as the company's CEO. In the first 6 months of operations, Blockware Mining generated over a 52% ROI for its investors.

Matt came from humble beginnings. At the age of 13, Matt began caddying at the Park Ridge Country Club. He went on to be awarded the Evans Scholarship to the University of Illinois in 2008. The Evans Scholarship is a full tuition and housing scholarship for high-achieving caddies who embody a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need, and outstanding character - all qualities Matt possessed.

Matt graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (with Honors) in 2012 and a Master of Accounting Science in 2013 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign  Gies College of Business.

Despite all of his achievements in the cryptocurrency industry, Matt can best be remembered for his huge heart, strong will, and generous spirit. Everyone who knew him, loved him.

For those who wish to leave a lasting tribute in Matt's honor, donations can be made to the Evans Scholars Foundation, 2501 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026, ESF Honor/Memorial Donation Form .

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 28, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cooney Funeral Home located at 625 Busse Hwy in Park Ridge. The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 29, at 10 a.m. at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Parish, 920 W. Granville, Park Ridge.

SOURCE Blockware Solutions

Related Links

https://www.blockwaresolutions.com


On Sunday, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn issued an emergency use authorization, or EUA, for plasma therapy to treat COVID-19and a flurry of criticisms quickly followed.* Critics argue that President Donald Trump pressured Hahn to issue the EUA and that further testing should have been done before the therapy was recommended. Arguments over the legitimacy of EUAs are quickly becoming something akin to the mask wearing debate, where political rivals square off over an issue of great importance to public health. But frustrations with Trump and Hahn aside, issuing the plasma EUA was a good decision, and too strong a backlash threatens the existence of this valuable public health tool.

Advertisement

EUAs were introduced in 2004 with passage of the Project BioShield Act, which updated the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and empowered the FDA commissioner to authorize emergency use of unapproved drugs, medical devices, and other health care products, such as diagnostic tests. The commissioner can issue EUAs to treat or prevent serious or life-threatening conditions caused by chemical, biological, radiologic, and nuclear agents when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. Imagine that a terrorist group attacks the United States with an unknown biological weapon, and we have no treatments for the illness that results. Under those circumstances, many people could die unless we take reasonable risks by rapidly deploying unapproved treatments to address the illness. The anthrax attacks after 9/11 demonstrated the need for rapid deployment of experimental treatments, and the first EUAs were issued in 2005 for an anthrax vaccine.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The traditional FDA approval process is designed to keep consumers safe under normal conditions. However, it is poorly adapted to the rapidly shifting conditions of a national emergency. Shepherding a drug through an entire series of clinical trials can take up to 10 years and require hundreds or thousands of research subjects. That is where EUAs come in. They provide exceptions to the FDA approval process under extraordinary circumstances. Before COVID-19, they were uncommon. But the pandemic is unique. Unlike isolated terror attacks or other infectious disease outbreaks, it is a global event affecting millions, and we have no effective treatment for the virus. In the past six months, EUAs have made many COVID-19 diagnostic tests, personal protective gear, and medical treatments available quickly.

Advertisement

Critics of the plasma EUA argue that the FDA should have waited for evidence from randomized controlled trials before it was issued. But that would defeat its purpose. The EUA is designed for use in response to public health and military emergencies in which a chemical, biological, radiologic, or nuclear threat is released and there are no adequate, approved, and available countermeasures. The whole idea is that there would be no time to conduct additional research before making a drug, device, or diagnostic test available. The Project BioShield Act specifies that though they may be desirable, clinical trials are not required, let alone randomized controlled clinical trials, or RCTs, which require hundreds of participants and a placebo control group. The requirements for issuing an EUA are intentionally low, and the FDA commissioner needs only a reasonable belief that the treatment will be effective. In the case of plasma therapy, the available data support that conclusion.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

RCTs are the gold standard for drug development, but they are not the only source of valuable information. Thomas Frieden, a former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has argued against blind devotion to randomized controlled trials as the sole basis for health decision making. According to Frieden, limitations such as cost and time constraints affect the use of RCTs for urgent health issues, such as infectious disease outbreaks, where decisions must be made quickly based on limited and imperfect information. This is not to say that RCTs are unimportant. They are crucial to the advancement of medical science.

Advertisement

Advertisement

However, if there was ever a time to look at other sources of data, it would be during a global pandemic, an event unlike anything contemporary society has faced. On March 10, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar issued an emergency use declaration making COVID-19 EUAs possible. If feasible and appropriate, the FDA commissioner must consult with directors of the National Institutes of Health and the CDC before issuing each EUA. But the commissioner is not bound by their opinions. Afterward, he can issue an EUA if he concludes the inciting chemical, biological, radiologic, or nuclear agent can cause a serious or life-threatening condition, and based on the totality of the scientific evidence, it is reasonable to believe that the treatment may be effective in managing that condition. The reasonable belief requirement is intentionally low, and the Project BioShield Act specifies what kinds of information can be considered, including results from foreign and domestic clinical trials, in vivo experiments involving animals, and even in vitro data from lab tests involving no animals or humans. Finally, it must be reasonable for the commissioner to believe that the known and potential benefits of the treatment outweigh the known and potential risks, and there are no adequate, approved, or available alternatives.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

One thing the critics get right is that the FDA should be more transparent about its rationale for issuing EUAs. The plasma EUA offered scant details on how the FDA reached its conclusions, and it certainly did not help matters that on Sunday, when the EUA was announced, Trump incorrectly claimed the plasma therapy reduced COVID-19 mortality by 35 percent. The statement was echoed by both Hahn and Azar. Critics pointed out that this was nowhere near correct; cardiologist and author Eric Topol tweeted that it was [n]ot only blatantly wrong; an egregious public statement. On Monday, Hahn apologized in a Twitter thread: I have been criticized for remarks I made Sunday night about the benefits of convalescent plasma. The criticism is entirely justified. What I should have said better is that the data show a relative risk reduction not an absolute risk reduction. Theres a big difference between relative and absolute here, and the administration overstated the therapys effectiveness based on current data. But that error is not a reason to reject the EUA altogether.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Critics also argue that the EUA will not generate adequate research data and will deter people from enrolling in ongoing or future clinical trials. There may be some truth to the claim that making treatments available by EUA might deter people from enrolling in trials, but that is not as bad as critics contend because EUAs can generate useful data. The FDA commissioner has broad discretion to attach conditions to an EUA, such as requiring that clinicians track the treatments use and report the results. To that end, Hahn included a provision requiring hospitals and health care workers administering COVID-19 plasma to track serious adverse reactions and report them to the FDA. He could go further and revise the EUA to collect more granular data.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The FDA could consider adding a condition to prioritize plasma therapy for patients who are critically ill, which would help alleviate concerns that the EUA will increase demand for plasma, leading to widespread shortage. It might also alleviate concerns that plasma therapy may expose patients to unnecessary risks. It is easy to forget that there are no adequate, approved, or available treatments for COVID-19, which means people in critical condition often die. The current EUA does not prioritize critically patients, but it does require patients to have been hospitalized.

Opponents use the FDAs previous EUA for hydroxychloroquine as evidence that the EUA system might be dangerous. However, the hydroxychloroquine case is an example of the system functioning properly. Under the Project BioShield Act, an EUA is only the start of a longer process. The FDA should monitor the situation, and if a treatment turns out to be harmful or ineffective, then the EUA can be revised or revoked. That is what happened to chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in mid-June.

Advertisement

During the pandemic, senior public health officials outside the FDA appear to claim that requirements for making medical products available during national emergencies should rise to the level of randomized clinical trials. But that is not required by the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and it should not be.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Hahn and Azar announced the plasma EUA with great fanfare. At this stage, they were wrong to tout plasma therapy as a major advance in the treatment of COVID-19. However, it was reasonable for Hahn to believe that the potential benefits of plasma outweigh the risks, and their press conference fumbles should not inhibit the use of EUAs in general. If the requirements for EUAs are made too stringent and approach the requirements for regular FDA approval, then our regulatory system will become too rigid to respond to future emergencies or even to shifting conditions of the current pandemic.

The United States was unprepared for COVID-19, and the emerging political debate over EUAs should not undermine this important public health tool.

Correction, Aug. 25, 2020: This article originally misidentified Stephen Hahn as the acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. He is the commissioner, not the acting commissioner.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
The technologies may be new, but wisdom in understanding their significance to humanity has been accruing since at least the 12th century.

It was then that the Islamic philosopher Ibn Rushd distinguished "sensing" from "feeling" as a crucial point in a larger argument for why humans should be considered fundamentally different from other living entities.

"Ibn Rushd would allow that although trees might sense light and turn toward it in their growth, they could not feel love or happiness, as he argued this was a uniquely human capacity," said Sylvester Johnson, director of the Virginia Tech Center for Humanities. "His insights carry relevance today, as we wrestle with questions of 'humanized' artificial intelligence and human exceptionalism within the context of intelligent machines."

In the spirit of such exploration, the Henry Luce Foundation's Theology Program has awarded the Center for Humanities a $500,000 grant to support "Future Humans, Human Futures," a project that combines religion, ethics, and technology to tackle fundamental questions of what it means to be human in a technological age.

The three-year project will enable researchers in religion and theology to engage with experts in technology and innovation domains, such as artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and cybernetics. These experts will convene during a series of summer research institutes to learn how technology is affecting an ever-increasingly complex world and to advance their scholarship in light of the growing need for human-centered guidance.

"We are very excited for this unique opportunity to partner with the Luce Foundation to advance research in religion, theology, and technology ethics," said Johnson, a professor of religion and culture who will serve as principal investigator of the project. "The human-centered challenges that technology is raising require new directions and greater inclusivity in the scholarship addressing difficult questions about technology's public impact. Luce's bold and game-changing generosity to support this effort is something we should all celebrate."

Johnson noted that the overarching goal of the project will be to promote new directions in research by national and global humanities scholars with expertise in theology and religion. The project will also seek to deepen the diversity and inclusion of underrepresented populations whose insights and participation are essential to shaping the role of technology for public good and public interest.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the grant further incorporates support of immigrant farm laborers through English-as-a-second-language conversations, as an effort to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on essential workers.

The grant will also make possible a timely partnership between the Center for Humanities and Do Good X, an accelerator designed for early-stage social entrepreneurs who are passionate about developing businesses that accomplish good in the world. Do Good X will help lead the summer institute workshops and will collaborate with Virginia Tech to produce public summits that engage a broad audience in fostering the ethical guidance of technology.

"We are pleased to support this important new project at Virginia Tech's Center for Humanities," said Jonathan VanAntwerpen, program director of the Luce Foundation. "Emphasizing the inclusion of scholars from underrepresented groups, and seeking to move beyond traditional academic boundaries, the project will establish new directions in humanistic engagement with emerging technology by examining what it means to be human in a technological age.

"Research encouraged and amplified through the project's work will focus in particular on the role of technology in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic," VanAntwerpen added, "including attention to data, security, and surveillance, and to the impact of technology on religious communities during the pandemic."

Johnson, who also serves as executive director of Tech for Humanity, a university-wide initiative focused on human-centered approaches to technology and innovation, has long focused on the future of humanity in the age of intelligent machines.

"From here on, major decisions shaping our society will increasingly be made by algorithmic machines working in concert with people," he wrote in a recent College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences magazine essay. "As a result, those who are already highly vulnerable to structural systems of inequality on the basis of race, gender identity, disability, and wealth will face greater marginalization unless we transform how technology works in a precarious society. Such profound risk should motivate us to recognize that human-centered leadership of technology is not optional; it's imperative."

###

The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to enrich public discourse by promoting innovative scholarship, cultivating new leaders, and fostering international understanding. Established in 1936 by Henry R. Luce, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time Inc., the Luce Foundation advances its mission through grantmaking and leadership programs in the fields of Asia, higher education, religion and theology, art, and public policy.
Bjoern Wylezich / TNS

NORWALK  A city man was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking ring in the Bridgeport area, according to authorities.

On Monday, a federal judge sentenced 40-year-old Donald Lawlor to 24 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release.
CAIRO  The head of Egypts military intelligence agency, Maj-Gen. Khaled Megawer, and an accompanying delegation, met Aug. 19 with Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Hifter, LNA Chief of Staff Gen. Abdul Razzak al-Nazouri and head of the LNA air force Saqr al-Jaroushi at the LNA headquarters in al-Rajma in eastern Libya.

During the meeting with Hifter, Megawer delivered a message from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, which stressed Egypts rejection to withdraw the LNA forces from the Libyan key coastal cities of Sirte and al-Jufra and turn these cities into demilitarized areas. According to anonymous sources quoted by Al-Arabiya, the message also reiterates Cairos refusal to divide Libyan territories and to besiege Libya. According to the message, Egypt will open a direct communication channel in the near future with the LNA for full coordination.

The visit comes amid heightened tension around Sirte, in western Libya. Hifters LNA seeks to prevent militias affiliated with the Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Fayez al-Sarraj, from carrying out an offensive against Sirte, with the backing of Turkey and Qatar.

Turkey has sent weapons, military equipment and drones to support the GNA against Hifter. It also deployed thousands of pro-Turkish Syrian mercenaries to fight alongside the pro-GNA militias.

Tariq Fahmy, a professor of politics at Cairo University, told Al-Monitor over the phone that the visit came at a sensitive time, particularly since it was preceded by the Turkish and Qatari defense ministers visit to Libya. These developments point to strategic moves that are currently underway, he said.

The GNA signed a tripartite agreement with Turkey and Qatar to increase military cooperation between the three parties during the Turkish and Qatari defense ministers visit to Tripoli, the GNAs seat, on Aug. 17. Under the agreement, Turkey and Qatar agreed to send military advisers to Tripoli to boost the GNAs military capabilities.

According to Fahmy, Megawers official visit to Libya, in military uniform, aims to show that Egypt has a strong presence in the Libyan cause and affirms support for Hifters forces.

He noted that Cairo is in favor of a cease-fire and any other political step that would calm the situation in Libya, but under specific conditions that include the return to the negotiation tracks under the sponsorship of Berlin, which hosted a Libyan peace conference on Jan. 19. This is because Berlin supports a convergence of the Libyans positions, away from the policies Sarrajs government is trying to impose, Fahmy added.

A few days after Megawers visit, the GNAs Presidential Council announced Aug. 21 an immediate cease-fire and suspension of all military operations across Libya. Sisi welcomed the statement in a tweet, describing it as an important step on the path toward achieving a political settlement and the Libyan peoples aspiration for stability.

Ziad Akl, a researcher focusing on Libyan affairs at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor by phone that Megawers visit and meeting with Hifter consist of a natural development of the Egyptian vision toward Libya. He explained that there are strategic interests related to Egypts national security, and this is why Egypt is showing support for the party that would advance these interests.

He stated that the GNA Presidential Councils political concessions have allowed Egypt to protect its interests without resorting to the military option.

Speaking to the Middle East News Agency Aug. 18, an Egyptian government official who declined to be named warned against turning the city of Misrata into a Turkish military base, in reference to the tripartite agreement signed with Turkey and Qatar, which called for the establishment of a coordination center in Misrata.

Egypt, which borders Libya to the west, is striving to solve the Libyan crisis. Most recently on June 7, Sisi announced a new initiative calling for a cease-fire in Libya, the withdrawal of foreign fighters, and the disarmament and dismantlement of militias. The Cairo initiative was announced following talks with Aguila Saleh, speaker of the eastern-based parliament, and Hifter in Cairo.

Samir Ragheb, head of the Arab Foundation for Development & Strategic Studies in Egypt, told Russia Today Aug. 19 that Megawers visit comes as part of ongoing visits by Egyptian and Libyan civil and military officials in light of the coordination between the two countries, especially in terms of defense and national security.

Ragheb pointed to the importance of Megawers visit, considering that the latter serves in the highest-ranking Egyptian military post, and added that the visit could serve as a prelude to other senior military officials visits in the upcoming period in line with the course of military events in the Libyan territory.
Qantas Airways Ltd said on Tuesday it planned to cut up to 2,500 jobs by outsourcing its Australian ground handling operations to lower costs as it braces for a A$10 billion ($7.17 billion) hit to revenue due to the pandemic this financial year.

The expected job cuts are on top of 6,000 across its workforce announced in June, which would take the total job losses to nearly 30% of its pre-pandemic roles.

Qantas Domestic Chief Executive Officer Andrew David said outsourcing the ground handling jobs would save an estimated A$100 million a year in operating costs.

It would also allow the airline to avoid investing A$100 million in equipment like tugs and bag loaders over the next five years, Jetstar Chief Executive Gareth Evans said.
Virtual Desktops

VMware Horizon 8 Adds Instant Cloning, More Cloud Support

VMware has introduced updates to its flagship virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) platform with the introduction of Horizon 8, as well as new additions to its VMware Workspace ONE, its digital workspace platform.

VMware Horizon 8 is designed to help IT organizations more efficiently manage and scale virtual desktop and application delivery across public and private clouds from a single control panel. The company said that new capabilities would include:

More hybrid and multi-cloud deployment options, covering Google Cloud VMware Engine, Horizon on VMware Cloud on Dell EMC and Horizon on Azure VMware Solution.

New instant clone capabilities previously only available in pricier editions of Horizon 7. This kind of provisioning helps IT directly provision "instant" clones without requiring a parent virtual machine, thereby freeing up memory resources and increasing the number of desktops possible per host, reducing costs.

New RESTful APIs, to help IT in automating capabilities of Horizon 8, including monitoring, entitlements, and user and machine management.

Optimized support for Microsoft Teams video and audio, and continued support for Zoom and Cisco WebEx, to deliver a better user experience from virtual desktops.

The ability to publish Linux applications directly from a Linux server in the Horizon platform, reducing the costs associated with licenses from other operating systems.

The company said that Horizon 8 would help IT "deliver more secure virtual workspaces," by letting them establish and verify end user identity with built-in multi-factor authentication and enabling conditional access policies for virtual desktops and applications.

IDC Research Manager Shannon Kalvar said in a press release that "unifying physical device management (including PCs, Chromebooks and phones), digital workspace creation/operations and client workspace security into the overall platform is an attractive proposition for customers that are already invested in it."

At West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District in New Jersey, which is using VMware Horizon for virtual desktops for remote learning, students, faculty and staff can get "the same experience at home as they would have on site," said Harry Doctor, technology manager. "In response to COVID-19, it was crucial to support 1:1 computing with Chromebooks for every student in grades 5-12," he noted. "With Horizon, were able to keep students engaged with a robust array of teaching and learning tools that would be difficult to access using Chromebooks alone."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 00:11:38|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

by Marwa Yahya

CAIRO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Egypt is likely to succeed in its very ambitious plan to increase its exports to 100 billion U.S. dollars annually as the government has been intensifying efforts to lure foreign investments and solve problems that hinder the industrial sector, according to economic analysts.

"Egypt hopes to increase its annual exports to around 100 billion U.S. dollars within the next three years via maximizing the industrial sector capabilities," Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said recently.

On Monday, Egyptian Trade and Industry Minister Nevine Gamea held a meeting with the chairmen and representatives of the exportation councils to "draw a comprehensive plan for increasing the export rates in different international markets, with giving much focus on Africa."

Gamea stressed the importance of achieving an unprecedented leap in the export rates in all sectors, especially the competitive sectors for achieving the targets of reaching an annual 100 billion U.S. dollars of exports.

"The Egyptian economy has a large base of potentials that could push for accelerating growth in the exportation sectors," said Waleed Gaballah, professor of financial and economic jurisdictions at Cairo University.

He explained that the government has taken very significant procedures for increasing the government budget, raising the investment expenditure, creating an industrial environment through developing ports, roads, and industrial substructure, issuing laws of investment incentives, moves that paved the country's legislative structure to attract the investment and promote the exports.

"Though it is a big dream to reach 100 billion U.S. dollars of exports, Egypt has carried out recently some mega projects that seemed very difficult at the beginning to be fulfilled like the new branch of the Suez Canal and the establishment of the New Capital," Gaballah told Xinhua.

Gaballah, also a member of the Egyptian Association for Political Economy, described it was "a very good step" when the non-oil exports have seen a remarkable rise of 25.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2019, from 20 billion U.S. dollars in the aftermath of the political turmoil in 2011 and 2013.

The 100 billion dollar-export-plan could be fulfilled in two stages, according to the economic expert. The first will focus on the oil and mineral exports, which is the responsibility of the government that paid much attention to the expansion of the gas and oil sectors in the past few years by issuing the new mineral resources law, an important step to double the oil investments and its exports.

The Egyptian government has implemented dozens of projects for developing and producing natural gas and raw oil in the past four years that cost more than 21.4 billion U.S. dollars, according to official statistics.

Gaballah highlighted the second stage of the plan will focus on the non-oil industries, which requires better collaboration between the government and the investors so the latter could bear more responsibility towards increasing the exports.

He also mentioned the agricultural sector in Egypt that has grown largely in the past five years and has contributed to opening more big markets for Egypt.

Khaled Abu Al-Makarem, chairperson of the Chemical and Fertilizers Export Council, also mentioned the food, construction, engineering, chemical, fertilizers, paper, and glass industries as very promising sectors in Egypt.

He added that Africa is a large consumer market that has diversified segments of importers with different incomes and demands, stressing many African countries want to maximize the trade balance with Egypt benefiting from the exemption of tariffs that could reach 100 percent based on some bilateral trade deals.

"Reaching 100 billion U.S. dollars revenues is a national project with strategic objectives that are associated with short- and long-term plans," Abu Al-Makarem said, adding that project faces challenges of providing liquidity and raw materials for the manufacturers.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Muneer, a member of the Egyptian Businessmen Association, said Egypt is rich with raw materials in all sectors, but the factories that extract and produce these materials need encouraging plans from the government.

The Central Bank of Egypt has launched in January a 6.2 billion U.S. dollars program to fund the small and medium-sized companies.

Muneer further believes "it's very important to train the young exporters on the electronic trade, deepen the domestic production and increase its added value, reduce the cost of local production by depending more on domestic components and limit the imported ones."

The chairmen and representatives of the exportation councils have presented a list of suggestions to the minister of industry on Monday, including reconsidering the prices of energy provided for the industrial sector, establishing permanent Egyptian markets and logistics centers in Africa, facilitating the logistic transportation with African countries, besides overcoming the banking problems that face the Egyptian exports in other countries. Enditem
Apple iPhone SE 2020 is now being officially assembled in India. The Cupertino, California-based US tech giant, which recently hit the $2 trillion market cap, has confirmed that its latest affordable iPhone model is being assembled in India.

One of Apples suppliers, Wistron, is assembling the iPhone SE 2020 in its Karnataka facility. In an emailed statement shared with Gadgets360, Apple said, iPhone SE packs our most powerful chip into our most popular size at our most affordable price and we're excited to be making it in India for our local customers.

The move would essentially help Apple save the 20 percent duty levied upon by the government on imports. Furthermore, assembling more iPhones in India would also help Apple reduce its reliance on manufacturing plants based in China.

The benefits seem to have been passed to the consumers. The prices of all iPhone SE 2020 models listed on Flipkart show a discounted price.

iPhone SE 2020 specifications and features

The relatively-affordable iPhone is now available at a price of Rs 35,999 for the 64GB base variant. The higher storage options  128GB and 256GB  are also available at a discounted price of Rs 40,999 and Rs 50,999. iPhone SE 64GB was launched in India for Rs 42,500. The iPhone SE 128GB and 256GB variants were launched for Rs 47,800 and Rs 58,300, respectively.

Besides the iPhone SE 2020, Apple is also making the iPhone 11 in India. Other older-generation iPhones being made in India include the iPhone XR, iPhone 8 series, etc.

Also read: Apple iPhone 11 to be made in India: Here's what it could mean for Apple and Indian consumers




On Thursday Swiss Re Life and Health Australia will hold its first board meeting with Melissa Babbage, who has rejoined the board of directors of the reinsurer. The former local Deutsche Bank executive has returned to Australia and is doing the long distance thing with her husband Joe Hockey, our former ambassador to the United States. The pair met at a Young Liberals convention in 1991 and now have three children.

Long-distance relationship: Melissa Babbage and Joe Hockey. Credit:Illustration: John Shakespeare

It was in January that Hockey told this masthead that he had no plans to return to Australia permanently as he set up corporate consultancy Bondi Partners on Pennsylvania Avenue with Alex Tureman, a Democratic Party operator, to parlay his famed Trump whisperer skills to private enterprise. The consultancy now has a local entity, with two directors: Hockeys brother Colin and Mark Rudder, founder of local shop GRACosway.

Babbage, meanwhile, has a growing collection of board memberships, including QSuper and the University of NSW US foundation. She has also joined Swiss Res risk and remuneration committee and become chair of the audit committee.

Two years ago the couple spent close to $7.8 million for Wybalena House in Hunters Hill. Babbage and the three kids have moved into the extensively renovated home, along with Bluey the cat and cavapoos Tieki and Prince, all of whom relocated from Washington.
Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

PERTH, Western Australia, Aug. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Perseus Mining Limited (Perseus or the Company) (TSX & ASX: PRU) wishes to update estimates of the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves at each of its West African operations. An executive summary is provided below. Full details of the resource and reserve updates are included in the Companys market release dated August 26, 2020 which is available for download from www.perseusmining.com, www.asx.com.au and www.sedar.com.



Mineral Resources1,2

A table accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/94ae839c-8d02-474b-87ab-1f6644c12141

Notes

Notes to individual tables of resources apply in respect of each project. Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources are inclusive of Ore Reserves. Includes combined Mineral Resources from both the Sissingue and Fimbiasso deposits.

Mineral Reserves1

Project Proved Probable Proved and Probable Quantity Grade Gold Quantity Grade Gold Quantity Grade Gold Mt g/t gold 000 oz Mt g/t gold 000 oz Mt g/t gold 000 oz Edikan2 16.3 1.01 532 25.8 1.14 945 42.1 1.09 1,477 Sissingue Gold Mine2 3.3 2.12 226 0.3 2.18 18 3.6 2.12 244 Yaoure Gold Project2 - - - 27.3 1.78 1,560 27.3 1.78 1,560 Total 19.7 1.20 758 53.3 1.47 2,523 73.0 1.40 3,281

Notes:

Refer to Notes to individual tables of Mineral Reserves in respect of each project presented below. The Company holds 90% of Edikan Gold Mine (EGM), 86% of Sissingue Gold Mine (SGM) and 90% of Yaoure Gold Project (YGP) after allowing for Government equity at mining stage.

Perseuss Managing Director and CEO, Jeff Quartermaine, commented as follows:



In the last twelve months, our Mineral Resource modelling at Edikan and Sissingue has proven to be robust with acceptable reconciliations being achieved between contained metal forecast by our block models and the metal we actually recovered at both mines.



Notwithstanding this, we have updated our resource models based on the outcomes of our stringent reconciliation processes, striving to continually improve our ability to provide the best possible forecast of future ounce production. Our latest Ore Reserve estimates assume a gold price of US$1,300 per ounce for calculating revenues, US$100 per ounce more the price previously assumed. Pit shells have variously been used to guide pit designs based on gold prices between US$1,040 and US$1,300 per ounce, depending on the mine life of the deposit. This has increased the Ore Reserves at both the AF Gap and Fetish deposits at Edikan. Additional drilling at the Fimbiasso deposits near Sissingue and the Bokitsi South deposit at Edikan has resulted in modest additions to the Ore Reserves and importantly improved the level of confidence in the accuracy of the various estimates.



Despite mining depletion of over three hundred thousand in situ ounces in the last 12 months, Perseuss total Ore Reserves have incrementally increased due to near mine exploration success and pit optimisations.

Jeffrey Quartermaine

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

August 26, 2020

Story continues

To discuss any aspect of this announcement, please contact:

Managing Director: Jeff Quartermaine at telephone +61 8 6144 1700 or email

jeff.quartermaine@perseusmining.com ; General Manager BD & IR: Andrew Grove at telephone +61 8 6144 1700 or email

andrew.grove@perseusmining.com Media Relations: Nathan Ryan at telephone +61 4 20 582 887 or email

nathan.ryan@nwrcommunications.com.au (Melbourne)

Competent Persons Statements:

The November 2019 re-estimate of Bokitsi South open pit Mineral Resources and the March 2020 re-estimate of AF Gap Mineral Resources, both at Edikan, were undertaken by Mr Nicolas Johnson MAIG, of MPR Geological Consultants Pty Ltd. Mr Johnson has sufficient experience, that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person, as defined in the JORC Code 2012 and a Qualified Person as defined in NI43-101. Mr Johnson has no economic, financial or pecuniary interest in the company and consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears.

The June 2020 re-estimates of the Bokitsi South and AF Gap Ore Reserves, were undertaken by Mr Paul Thompson, who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and is an employee of Perseus Mining Limited. Mr Thompson has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 and a Qualified Person as defined in NI43-101 and consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears and has approved the inclusion of technical and scientific information in this report.

The information in this report that relates to Esuajah North Mineral Resources estimate was first reported by the Company in compliance with the JORC Code 2012 and NI43-101 in a market announcement entitled Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources & Ore Reserves released on 29 August 2018. The information in this report that relates to other Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves for the other Edikan deposits (Fetish and Esuajah South Underground) was first reported by the Company in compliance with the JORC Code 2012 and NI43-101 in a market announcement entitled Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources & Ore Reserves released on 20 February 2020. This report includes an update for mining depletion as at 30 June 2020. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any information that would, in any other respect, result in a material change to the estimate of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves previously released.

The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves for the Sissingue deposit was first reported by the Company in compliance with the JORC Code 2012 and NI43-101 in a market announcement entitled Perseus Mining Updates Resources, Reserves and Life of Mine Plan at Sissingue released on 29 October 2018. This report includes an update for mining depletion as at 30 June 2020. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affect the information in these market releases and that all material assumptions underpinning those estimates and the production targets, or the forecast financial information derived therefrom, continue to apply and have not materially changed.

The March 2020 re-estimates of Mineral Resources at Fimbiasso East and Fimbiasso West deposits were undertaken by Mr Nicolas Johnson MAIG, of MPR Geological Consultants Pty Ltd. Mr Johnson has sufficient experience, that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person, as defined in the JORC Code 2012 and a Qualified Person as defined in NI43-101. Mr Johnson has no economic, financial or pecuniary interest in the company and consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears.

The June 2020 re-estimates of the Fimbiasso East and West Ore Reserves, were undertaken by Mr Paul Thompson, who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and is an employee of Perseus Mining Limited. Mr Thompson has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 and a Qualified Person as defined in NI43-101 and consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears and has approved the inclusion of technical and scientific information in this report.

The information in this report that relates to Open Pit and Heap Leach Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves at Yaoure was first reported by the Company in compliance with the JORC Code 2012 and NI43-101 in a market announcement entitled Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves released on 28 August 2019. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any information that would result in a material change to that estimate.

The information in this report that relates to Underground Mineral Resources at Yaoure was first reported by the Company in compliance with the JORC Code 2012 and NI43-101 in a market announcement entitled Perseus Mining Completes Scoping Study for Potential Underground Mine at Yaoure released on 5 November 2018. This report includes an adjustment to exclude material lying within the US$1,800/oz pit shell that constrains the Open Pit Mineral Resources. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any information that would, in any other respect, result in a material change to the estimate of Mineral Resources previously released.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information:

This report contains forward-looking information which is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made by the Company regarding, among other things: the price of gold, continuing commercial production at the Edikan Gold Mine and the Sissingue Gold Mine without any major disruption, development of a mine at Yaoure, the receipt of required governmental approvals, the accuracy of capital and operating cost estimates, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used by the Company. Although management believes that the assumptions made by the Company and the expectations represented by such information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the actual market price of gold, the actual results of current exploration, the actual results of future exploration, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Companys ability to carry on its exploration and development activities, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Perseus does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.




Harris County officials urged residents of some coastal areas to evacuate Tuesday as Hurricane Laura could strike the Houston region Wednesday evening.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a voluntary evacuation order Tuesday afternoon for zones A and B and urged residents to leave immediately. She warned of a storm surge of three to five feet and high winds that could knock out power.

All of us need to be prepared for the very real potential of a direct hit from this storm, Hidalgo said. Of course, we hope for the best, but we dont want to find ourselves unprepared for the worst case scenario.

These zones include part or all of Deer Park, La Porte, League City, Friendswood, Seabrook, El Lago, Morgans Point and southeastern portions of the city of Houston.

The zip codes covered, with n for north and s for south, are: 77058s, 77510, 77514s, 77518, 77539, 77563, 77565, 77568, 77573, 77586, 77590, 77591, 77058n, 77059, 77062, 77414n, 77422n, 77465n, 77507, 77511, 77514n, 77515, 77517, 77520, 77523, 77531, 77534n, 77546n, 77546s, 77560, 77566, 77571, 77577n, 77597, 77598 and 77665.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner warned residents of congested traffic on freeways heading away from the coast and urged non-evacuating residents to avoid traveling if possible. Residents in the evacuation zone should not delay, he stressed, because Laura could change course unexpectedly.

At this point in time, if it veers further to the west and becomes more of a direct hit on Houston-Harris County, we dont really have a lot of time, Turner said.

The mayor urged residents to be prepared for extended power outages, and noted that some households were without electricity for two weeks after Hurricane Ike in 2008. He said people should be off the streets by 8 p.m. Wednesday, but stopped short of calling for a curfew.

Jefferson and Orange counties have issued mandatory evacuation orders for coastal areas, and the city of Galveston has done the same for the vulnerable barrier island.

Brazoria, Chambers and Galveston counties have urged residents of low-lying areas to leave but have not required them to do so.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday said Texans should heed the guidance of local officials.

Hurricane Laura is expected to make landfall in southeast Texas or southwest Louisiana late Wednesday or early Thursday as a Category 3 storm, capable of sustained wind speeds above 111 mph.

The storm intensified Tuesday from a tropical storm and tracked further west, placing Houston and Galveston in greater danger.

Harris County also suspended fees on toll roads to ease the evacuation.

zach.despart@chron.com
CUMMING, Ga.: U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has softened earlier comments that called for schools to reopen for in-person instruction for all, saying during a visit to a Georgia high school Tuesday that what she really wants to see is 100% learning.

I think perhaps theres been a little bit of a misunderstanding that going back to school meant 100% of the students had to be in-person 100% of the time, DeVos said at Forsyth Central High School in suburban Atlanta. No, the expectation is that theres 100% learning in a way thats going to work for each family and each student, and importantly, in each community and each school.

DeVos and President Donald Trump have been pressuring school systems to open in person, a position that has prompted demonstrations and shouting matches at school board meetings in some places as school leaders have wrestled with their options. Trump at one point threatened to withhold federal funding for schools that do not bring their students back in the fall.

On July 7, DeVos criticized leaders of the mammoth Fairfax County system in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., for giving parents a choice of hybrid classes in person two days a week or learning remotely all the time.

A choice of two days per week in the classroom is not a choice at all, DeVos said in a call with governors, also saying schools must be fully operational.

Speaking at a news conference in South Carolina on July 21, DeVos said relief funding should be directed at families, not schools, so students could go elsewhere if their local school is refusing to open.

The 56,000-student Forsyth district is the largest school system in Georgia to have resumed full-time in person instruction for any student who wants it, with about 30% of parents instead choosing the districts option of all-virtual schooling. Georgias largest district, 180,000-student Gwinnett County, will start teaching some grades in person Wednesday as part of a phased return plan.

The Forsyth district, serving Georgias most affluent county, has reported 45 coronavirus infections so far among students and staff. At Forsyth Central High School, Principal Mitch Young said one employee and five students have reported infections, with more than 100 close contacts sent home to quarantine.

Thats a less severe outbreak that in some other districts. The neighboring Cherokee County district suspended in-person classes at three of its six high schools until Aug. 31 after sending hundreds of students home into quarantine. In Mississippi, at least 720 schools across 74 of the states 82 counties have reported infections.

On Tuesday, at 2,600-student Forsyth Central High School, DeVos heard from administrators, teachers and parents who support reopening. Superintendent Jeff Bearden told DeVos that in-person instruction is especially important for special education students, students learning English, or students from less affluent families.

We cannot serve those students as well virtually as we can face-to-face, Bearden said. Thats why we felt it was so important to give our families a choice, to give those students an opportunity to come back for face-to-face instruction.

Not all parents feel that way, though. Missy Pounds, the mother of students in eighth, ninth and 10th grades, was among a small group of protesters outside Tuesday. Some protested DeVos support of private and charter school funding, but Pounds said shes worried about her childrens safety. Her three children are attending in person. The ninth- and 10th-grade students are enrolled in a high school that teaches specialized career courses that arent available online. The eighth-grader returned in part to participate in drama classes.

Im as comfortable as I can be for right now, said Pounds, who would have preferred a hybrid schedule of part-time in-person instruction. I think the district let the clock run out and they didnt come up with actual, meaningful plans.

Im not saying close the schools, but I think it will happen inevitably," Pounds said. I think the dam will burst.

The Forsyth district has also designated its teachers as critical infrastructure workers," meaning teachers would be exempt from quarantine orders and could be ordered to return to class after being exposed to COVID-19. The district has retained the position despite a lawyer for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp telling another district that schools cant do so unless state officials permission.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security earlier this month advised states to designate teachers as critical infrastructure workers, but left the decision to them. Tennessee has given its school districts permission, and South Carolina has signaled it may do so. In a survey this month, 139 Georgia superintendents favored the move, while 12 opposed it.

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
Jim Tankersley It is an enduring political question amid a pandemic recession, double-digit unemployment and a recovery that appears to be slowing: Why does President Donald Trump continue to get higher marks on economic issues in polls than his predecessors Barack Obama, George W Bush and George H W Bush enjoyed when they stood for reelection? Trumps relative strength on the economy, and whether Joe Biden can cut into it over the next 10 weeks, are among the crucial dynamics in...
Deborah Roses lottery dream really did come true.

The Thorold woman, who has been playing the same lottery numbers since they came to her in a dream, won a million dollars in the July 28 Lotto Max MaxMillions draw.

Her advice to other lottery players: Stay positive, she said, when she went to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming prize centre in Toronto to claim her winnings.

I wasnt having a very good day, she said, in an OLG release. But it surely made my day when I saw the Big Winner message appear (when I checked my ticket).

I remember saying, What? And then started crying.

Rose, 64, a grandmother and mother of four, said she will share some of her winnings with her children. The enormity of her win, she said, hasnt hit her yet but she expects it will when the money arrives in her bank account.

I really want to visit Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria, she said.

Her winning ticket was purchased at the Avondale store on Main Street in Port Colborne.

Read more about:
A socialite widow who is suing one of Australia's richest families claims they turned on her because of a fling with an estate agent after her late husband's death.

Mae Cardaci's multi-millionaire husband Marc Cardaci, the CEO of the CFC Group of businesses, died from oesophageal cancer in 2015, leaving behind a $40million estate which is now at the centre of a Supreme Court battle in Western Australia.

Ms Cardaci said conversations with her husband before his death made her believe he would leave the entire $40million estate to her, a claim the family disputes.

The widow also alleged the family turned on her after she had a fling with an estate agent who helped her sell a $3million property, The West Australian reported.

Mr Cardaci's family - who own Centurion Transport, one of the biggest companies in Australia - are the 50th wealthiest family in the country and the 30th richest in Western Australia.

Mae Cardaci (pictured) is locked in a legal battle with her late husband Marc Cardaci's family after he left behind a $40million estate when he died from oesophageal cancer. Ms Cardaci claims the family cut her off from the fortune after she had a fling with an estate agent

The court has already heard allegations that Ms Cardaci's former brother-in-law Philip offered her a $2million settlement, a boat and a Maserati.

This allegedly occurred during two meetings at a cafe in Scarborough in mid-2016.

In the 'take it or leave it' offer, Ms Cardaci was allegedly denied access to her late husband's $40million trust fund.

Phillip is alleged to have gone against his brother's wishes by holding onto the fortune.

Barrister Martin Cuerden SC, representing the widow, previously told the court: 'It was a take-it-or-leave-it $2million offer... she would never get anything if she did not accept it.'

The lawyers claim her husband's Maserati and a boat were offered to Ms Cardaci as 'sweeteners' due to their sentimental value.

Mr Cardaci told the Western Australia Supreme Court the family cut her out of the $40million estate after she had a fling with an estate agent who helped her sell a $3million property (Ms Cardaci's Watermans Bay property is pictured)

Before Mr Cardaci's death, he bought a $3.2million beachfront mansion in Watermans Bay for his wife.

Ms Cardaci met her late husband in 2011 and the pair married in 2012 before was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

She cared for him through chemotherapy and radiotherapy and described her late husband as 'always very generous, financially and emotionally'.

Lawyers for the Cardaci family claim the widow saw her husband's money as 'her inheritance, her entitlement'.

The trial continues in the Western Australia Supreme Court.
The Russian spacecraft 'Oryol' is set to launch for its lunar missions soon. Comparingly, Elon Musk's SpaceX and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) also launched its first successful all-American space mission. Of course, someone will compare the two, starting on their spacesuits.

Who wins on space mission: Russia or U.S.A.?

Russia and the United States of America have been struggling to defeat each other in all ways possible. Let's admit, U.S. as more development when it comes to space missions. In fact, Russia even congratulated NASA for its job well done.

Dear @JimBridenstine , it's safe to congratulate you at this point with a successful launch and docking. Bravo! I know how anxious you were for this major event to become a success. I wish @NASA team to successfully finish up reconstructing its national space transportation system   (@Rogozin) May 31, 2020

Unfortunately, not with their spacesuits, according to Russia's National University of Science and Technology (MISIS).

Recently, the US fly their Crew Dragon capsule in partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX. Though it has been one of the most memorable moments for the country's space agency, Russia has something to say against their spacesuits: "Its for PR only."

RT reported that MISIS has no plans to shipped spacesuits from abroad.

"This is a very serious enterprise with a glorious history," said Vladimir Pirozhkov, the head of the MISIS engineering center, noting the importance of Russia making their own space technology.

The agency also noted via RT that SpaceX suits were extremely made for public relations only, not for the safety of the astronauts.

"I am sure that things of such strategic importance cannot be purchased from Elon Musk or the Chinese," the agency said.

"This is not really a spacesuit. It is personal protective equipment, sent from Earth to the International Space Center (ISS) by fashion designer Jose Fernandez," the agency explained.

They also added that SpaceX suits are more about "creating the look of Hollywood superheroes" rather than safety, explaining that the Americans "have always been at their best in public relations."

SpaceX suits were designed by Marvel costume designer

Russia may have speculated too much on the SpaceX suits, but it has a basis.

Screenrant reported that the SpaceX spacesuits were designed by one of the famous Marvel Cinematic Universe costume designers, Jose Fernandez.

As narrated by Fernandez, he was approached by Musk in 2016 to design spacesuits. He didn't know at the time that the spacesuits will be actually used for an actual space launch.

What can you say about the SpaceX suits?

ALSO READ: Elon Musk's SpaceX's Road to the Fastest Internet From the Orbit: Here's' What Latest Stats Say

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Jamie Pancho

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that New York Fashion Week will take place this September  but runway shows are about to look quite different.

Cuomo said in a press release today that NYFW would go on as usual next month, but with a few changes.

Most notably, runway shows must operate in strict compliance with the state's health and safety guidelines, meaning limited or no spectators and a cap on the number of professionals  including models, makeup artists, and designers  allowed in a room at one time.

Plans: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that New York Fashion Week will take place this September  but runway shows are about to look quite different

Limitations: Runway shows must operate in strict compliance with the state's health and safety guidelines, meaning limited or no spectators

'New York City is the fashion capital of the world and New York Fashion Week celebrates the ingenuity of this city, and our unmatched creative talent,' Governor Cuomo said

Fashion Week was last held in February, before the pandemic overtook the US  so this is the first time that the community must grapple with the new restrictions.

First, New York Fashion Week will operate on a tighter schedule from September 13 to 17, shortened by several days from its typical length.

The event will include live shows but will shift heavily toward virtual programming, with outdoor events capped at 50 people and indoor events restricted to 50 per cent capacity.

Those restrictions apply not just to audience members, but those involved in the show: designers, models, stylists, makeup artists, and other staff members.

It will also likely mean a massive reduction in photographers and videographers.

While spectators won't be allowed at indoor events, some will be able to attend outdoor events on the Spring Place rooftop.

'New York City is the fashion capital of the world and New York Fashion Week celebrates the ingenuity of this city, and our unmatched creative talent,' Governor Cuomo, who has attended New York Fashion Week events in the past, said in a statement.

Fast fashion: New York Fashion Week will operate on a tighter schedule from September 13 to 17, shortened by several days from its typical length

Changes: The event will include live shows but will shift heavily toward virtual programming, with outdoor events capped at 50 people and indoor events restricted to 50 per cent capacity

On the calendar: Among the designers presenting this season are Alice + Olivia, Amen, and Christian Siriano (pictured)

Gorgeous: Other designer scheduled include Badgley Mischka (pictured), Claudia Li, Concept Korea, and Rebecca Minkoff

Rules: While spectators won't be allowed at indoor events, some will be able to attend outdoor events on the Spring Place rooftop (Jason Wu, pictured, also scheduled to show)

'When COVID-19 hit New York, so many of our cherished events were forced to cancel or be postponed. The pandemic is far from over, but we're proud to support event organizer IMG in moving forward with NYFW, in adherence with strict state public health guidance.

'Safety, as always, is our top priority and we commend the hosts, and all participating designers, for their innovative, New York Smart solutions to bring this event to life.'

Those present at the events will also be expected to adhere to social distancing, diagnostic testing, and health screening procedures  including temperature tests prior to admittance.

Face coverings will also be required.

NYFW producer IMG is working closely with state officials to ensure compliance with Phase 4 reopening guidelines.

'We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and his leadership for their swift, successful response in fighting the spread of the coronavirus, which has now set the standard of excellence for our nation,' the Executive Vice President of IMG's Fashion Events Group, Leslie Russo, said.

Flashback: Governor Cuomo has attended NYFW shows in the past (pictured at Baby Phat's Fall 2002 show, while he was running for governor in his first failed bid)

Fashion fan: The Governor is pictured with Vanessa Williams at the Kenneth Cole show in February 2005

Next gen: More recently, his daughter Cara Kennedy-Cuomo (right) attended a show with her cousin Kyra Kennedy in February

'The past six months have been exceedingly difficult for the fashion industry, and we are proud to offer an avenue for designers, models, stylists, hair and makeup artists, photographers, production teams  and the innumerable other professionals who work in, or adjacent to, the fashion industry during New York Fashion Week  to safely get back to work this September.'

Among the designer presenting this season are Alice + Olivia, Amen, Badgley Mischka, Bibhu Mohapatra, Christian Cowan, Christian Siriano, Claudia Li, Concept Korea, Jason Wu, Jonathan Simkhai, Libertine, Monse, Rebecca Minkoff, Tadashi Shoji, Tanya Taylor, and Veronica Beard.

Proenza Schouler was included as part of the lineup, but a spokeswoman told WWD that they have not actually committed to participation, and have a 'creative' showing of their collection planned for October.

Michael Kors will also reportedly wait until October.

Jason Wu, who will be participating, said he will have a live show with models, but an audience of just 25 to 30 people at Spring Studios. It will also be presented to a virtual audience.

Cuomo's announcement about New York Fashion Week comes as national coronavirus cases across the US declined for the fifth week in a row, with New York state maintaining a positive test rate of less than one per cent as of Monday.

The Governor announced on Tuesday that of the 67,255 tests reported on Monday, just 629 were positive - meaning New York has a positive test rate 0.94 per cent.

Proenza Schouler was included in the lineup, but the brand they have not actually committed to participation, and have a 'creative' showing of their collection planned for October

However, Cuomo still urged New Yorkers to remain 'vigilant', once again highlighting the importance of social distancing and face masks in the fight against the spread of the virus.

'New Yorkers should stay vigilant and be careful - wear a mask, socially distance, and be smart,' he said before warning: 'This pandemic is not over.'

The shift toward virtual shows may be the final nail in the coffin of Fashion Week as we know it, after years of shifts and changes contributed to declining relevance.

New York Fashion Week in its current form came to be in 1993, according to Vox, when the Council of Fashion Designers of America centralized what had been a less-cohesive series of designer presentations all over the city.

Until 2010, all major shows were held in tents in Bryant Park, until the 300+ shows grew too big for the space and the event moved to Lincoln Center.

But after the event got kicked out of Lincoln Center in 2015, it spilled out across several venues once again  and more and more designers began doing their own things, planning independent shows at the venus of their choice.

Some even moved outside the traditional calendar, holding shows at other dates  as is being seen now with the likes of Proenza Schoulder and Michael Kors bumping their shows until October.

But even with fashion week changing shape, some critics say it's not just evolving  it's dying.

Vox says it 'has zero relevance to the way modern shoppers buy stuff.'

Like flies: In February of this year, Ralph Lauren (pictured), Tommy Hilfiger, Jeremy Scott, and Phillip Lim all sat out of NYFW

The original purpose of fashion shows was to present new collections to professional buyers  who would order the designs for their stores  and the media  who would feature it in magazines.

But with the internet, the way customers buy clothes has changed dramatically. It has also become unnecessary for collections to be shown months in advance.

'In a world that has become increasingly immediate, the current way of showing a collection four months before it is available to consumers is an antiquated idea and one that no longer makes sense,' Tom Ford told WWD in 2016.

Some designers have adapted, shifting to a see-now, buy-now model.

Others are trying a mix-and-match approach, like Gucci and Balenciaga  which still hold runway shows, but also debut new designs in between.

Perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, some designers have been forgoing Fashion Week altogether  like Misha Nonoo, who has held an 'Insta-Show' on Instagram.

In February of this year, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Jeremy Scott, and Phillip Lim all sat out of NYFW.

CFDA chairman Tom Ford, M Missoni, and Baja East all moved to Los Angeles last season as well.
T he Kremlin has rejected accusations of poisoning Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Mr Navalny has been placed in an induced coma at a German hospital after collapsing during a flight from Siberia last week.

Doctors said that tests indicate he was poisoned. The politician's allies claim the Kremlin is responsible for the illness of its most prominent critic.

A portable isolation unit used for the transportation of Alexei Navalny / Getty Images

Some have demanded an investigation into whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was involved.

"These accusations absolutely cannot be true and are rather an empty noise," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "We do not intend to take it seriously."

Russian President Vladimir Putin / AP

Mr Peskov saw no grounds for launching a criminal investigation into Mr Navalny's condition, saying that it could have been triggered by a variety of causes, and determining one of them should come first.

"If a substance (that caused the condition) is found, and if it is determined that it is poisoning, then there will be a reason for an investigation," Mr Peskov said.

Mr Navalny, a politician and antii-corruption investigator who is one of Mr Putin's fiercest critics, fell ill on a flight back to Moscow from Siberia on Thursday and was taken to a hospital in the city of Omsk after the plane made an emergency landing.

German police guard Berlin's Charite hospital where Alexei Navalny is being treated after his medical evacuation to Germany / AFP via Getty Images

Over the weekend he was transferred to the Charite hospital in Berlin, where doctors said they have found indications of "cholinesterase inhibitors" in his system.

Cholinesterase inhibitors act by blocking the breakdown of a key chemical in the body, acetycholine, that transmits signals between nerve cells. Mr Navalny is being treated with the antidote atropine.

Mr Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, has been visiting her husband every day and made no comment to reporters as she arrived on Tuesday.

Mr Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, has been visiting her husband every day / REUTERS

Chancellor Angela Merkel personally offered Germany's help in treating Mr Navalny and, along with other European officials, has called for a full Russian investigation.

Charite said Mr Navalny had undergone extensive examination by a team of physicians and that "clinical findings indicate poisoning with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors".

Cholinesterase inhibitors are a broad range of substances that are found in several drugs, but also pesticides and nerve agents. Charite said the specific substance to which Mr Navalny was exposed is not yet known but that a further series of comprehensive tests had been started.

Mr Navalny's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said the Russian government's reluctance to launch an investigation was expected.

"It was obvious that the crime would not be properly investigated and a culprit found. However, we all know perfectly well who that is," Ms Yarmysh tweeted.

Experts have warned that it is far too early to draw any conclusions about how the agent may have entered Mr Navalny's system, but note that Novichok, the Soviet-era nerve agent used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, was a cholinesterase inhibitor.
NEW YORK and LISBON, Portugal, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clever Leaves (the Company), a leading multi-national operator and licensed producer of pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids, announced today it has been granted a license from INFARMED I.P., the Portuguese regulatory authority with oversight over the pharmaceutical industry in Portugal, including medical cannabis, to cultivate, import and export Good Agricultural and Collecting Practice (GACP) quality dried flower, produced from Clever Leaves Portugal cultivation site.



Clever Leaves Portuguese facility is located on approximately 9 million square feet of land and consists of approximately 110,000 square feet of greenhouse facilities. The license marks the commencement of Clever Leaves cultivation activities in Europe and its ability to produce, commercialize and export high-quality, GACP cannabis flower for medicinal purposes. Clever Leaves cultivation and post-harvest facilities have been purposely constructed to comply with internationally-recognized quality standards and production systems.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the license is considered provisional until a physical inspection from INFARMED takes place at the cultivation site. While provisional, it gives Clever Leaves Portugal the same rights and qualifications as the definitive license. The physical inspection is expected to occur in the near term and upon successful completion, a formal definitive license will be issued. Having access to capital-efficient medical cannabis production in the European Union is a key achievement for Clever Leaves, and upon receipt of its license from INFARMED, Clever Leaves expects to be the ninth fully licensed medical cannabis cultivator in Portugal. In comparison, there are currently over 400 licensed producers in Canada, as listed on Health Canadas public website.

This is an important milestone for Clever Leaves operations by creating a production center for dried cannabis flower in Europe, complementing our substantial operation in Colombia which focuses on the production of cannabis extracts. The receipt of our Portuguese license is consistent with our global strategy of prioritizing high-quality, cost-effective production. Portugal has a highly attractive micro-climate for large-scale, efficient production and this license provides us with an opportunity to become one of the largest exporters of medical cannabis in Europe, said Kyle Detwiler, CEO of Clever Leaves.



Our team is comprised of industry experts with backgrounds in the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries, and this achievement is a testament to their expertise in meeting the strict regulatory requirements in Portugal, added Andres Fajardo, President of Clever Leaves.

Prior to the granting of this license, Clever Leaves had a pre-license which demonstrated that it had met the administrative requirements to proceed in the licensing process. Clever Leaves had also received an authorization from INFARMED to import genetics and was also allowed to engage in test cultivation.

For all business inquiries, please visit Clever Leaves direct to business sales platform, www.cleverleaves360.com , to set up an appointment with a Clever Leaves business consultant.

Clever Leaves was also recently in the news when they announced a potential business combination with Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: SAMA, SAMAW, and SAMAU) (SAMA) and disclosed the signing of a definitive agreement on July 27th. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2020 and the combined company is anticipated to trade on the NASDAQ under the symbol CLVR".

About Clever Leaves International Inc.

Clever Leaves is a multi-national cannabis company with a mission to operate in compliance with federal and state laws and with an emphasis on ecologically sustainable, large-scale cultivation and pharmaceutical-grade processing as the cornerstones of its global cannabinoid business. With operations and investments in Canada, Colombia, Germany, Portugal, and the United States, Clever Leaves has created an effective distribution network and global footprint, with a foundation built upon capital efficiency and rapid growth. Clever Leaves aims to be one of the industrys leading global cannabinoid companies recognized for its principles, people, and performance while fostering a healthier global community.

About Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp.

Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: SAMA, SAMAW, and SAMAU) is a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. SAMAs sponsor is an affiliate of Schultze Asset Management, LP, an alternative investment management firm founded in 1998 that focuses on distressed, special situation and event-driven securities and has invested over $3.2 billion since inception with a notable track-record through its active investment strategy. SAMA itself is backed by an experienced team of operators and investors with a successful track-record of creating material value in public and private companies.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the Business Combination, Holdco has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the Form S-4) with the SEC which includes a prospectus with respect to Holdcos securities to be issued in connection with the Business Combination and a proxy statement with respect to SAMAs stockholder meeting at which SAMAs stockholders will be asked to vote on the proposed Business Combination. SAMA, Clever Leaves and Holdco urge investors, stockholders and other interested persons to read the Form S-4, including the proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other documents filed with the SEC, because these documents will contain important information about the Business Combination. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of SAMA as of a record date to be established for voting on the Business Combination. SAMA stockholders will also be able to obtain a copy of such documents, without charge, by directing a request to: Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp, 800 Westchester Avenue, Suite 632, Rye Brook, New York 10573; e-mail: sdu@samco.net. These documents, once available, can also be obtained, without charge, at the SECs web site (http://www.sec.gov).

Participants in Solicitation

SAMA, Clever Leaves, Holdco and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of their management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of SAMA stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to SAMAs stockholders in connection with the Business Combination is set forth in the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus contained in the Form S-4, and will also be included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus for the Business Combination when available. Information concerning the interests of SAMAs and Clever Leaves participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of SAMAs and Clever Leaves equity holders generally, is also set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus contained in the Form S-4, and will also be included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus for the Business Combination when available.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by the words "estimates," "projected," "expects," "anticipates," "forecasts," "plans," "intends," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "should," "future," "propose" and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions). Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation, SAMAs and Clever Leaves inability to complete the Business Combination; matters discovered by the parties as they complete their respective due diligence investigation of the other; the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, the amount of cash available following any redemptions by SAMA stockholders; the ability to meet NASDAQ's listing standards following the consummation of the Business Combination; costs related to the Business Combination; expectations with respect to future operating and financial performance and growth, including when Clever Leaves or Holdco will become cash flow positive; the timing of the completion of the Business Combination; Clever Leaves ability to execute its business plans and strategy and to receive regulatory approvals; potential litigation involving the parties; global economic conditions; geopolitical events, natural disasters, acts of God and pandemics, including, but not limited to, the economic and operational disruptions and other effects of COVID-19; regulatory requirements and changes thereto; access to additional financing; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in filings with the SEC. Other factors include the possibility that the proposed transaction does not close, including due to the failure to receive required security holder approvals, the failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by SAMA or the failure to satisfy other closing conditions. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning certain of these and other risk factors is contained in the Form S-4, including the proxy statement/prospectus. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning SAMA, Clever Leaves or Holdco, the transactions described herein or other matters and attributable to SAMA, Clever Leaves, Holdco or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Each of SAMA, Clever Leaves and Holdco expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in their expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

Press contacts:

McKenna Miller

KCSA Strategic Communications

+1347-487-6197

mmiller@kcsa.com



Diana Siguenza

Strategic Communications Director

+573102368830

Diana.siguenza@cleverleaves.com

Investor inquiries:

Raphael Gross

ICR

+1203-682-8253

raphael.gross@icrinc.com



Commercial Inquiries:

Bobby Yavari

Clever Leaves

bobby.yavari@cleverleaves.com
The Michigan Democratic Party filed a complaint alleging Republican U.S. Senate candidate John James attempted to solicit financial support from political organizations Monday.

The complaint is the second charge MDP filed with the Federal Elections Commission against James campaign this election cycle, neither of which have been resolved as of Aug. 24. A Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson said the complaints illustrate a pattern of behavior, though James campaign characterized the accusations as partisan attacks.

James is a 39-year-old Farmington Hills businessman challenging first-term U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township. James also ran for Senate in 2018 but was unsuccessful.

The latest complaint concerns an internal memo from the James campaign that was published by Politico. The finance memo argues James is in a strong position to win the election, partly because he is consistently outraising his Democratic opponent, but has no corresponding conservative ally buying media ads.

With the proper resources, John James is poised to become the next U.S. Senator from Michigan, the memo states.

The MDP claims the memo was given to the press so it would be released in a news article and reach independent political groups that arent allowed to coordinate with candidates. The complaint contains no evidence showing how Politico obtained the memo, but Democrats claim James campaign likely had a hand in ensuring it was published.

The same day the memo was published online, news broke about a Political Action Committee reserving $4.5 million in television, cable and radio ads to attack Peters. The ads were financed by One Nation, a political nonprofit that is not required to disclose its donors.

The memorandum published by Politico is clearly written to solicit and direct the spending of dark corporate money in support of Mr. James campaign, the Democratic complaint states.

James campaign dismissed the allegations in a statement Monday. Spokesperson Abby Walls noted that Peters campaign was also accused of illegally soliciting support from a so-called dark money nonprofit in 2019.

This is an absurd claim from an organization willing to look the other way while their candidate collects tens of millions in free advertising and who once used his campaign website for the sole purpose of signaling outside help, Walls said.

Read more: Complaint alleges Peters solicited campaign ads from dark money group

Simon Schuster, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, said the FEC is unlikely to reach a decision on the complaint, given that it does not have enough voting members to constitute a quorum.

With that reality in place, you have to assume there is a public view in mind when making this complaint, he said. The FEC simply cant enforce any violations, even if they found one.

Schuster also noted the complaint filed against Peters, saying based on the allegations, neither campaign has its hands fully clean when it comes to having relationships with outside organizations.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes signed the complaint. Spokesperson Elena Kuh said James continues to demonstrate hes in the pocket of special interests.

John James will stop at nothing to try to save his flailing campaign, even if it means apparently violating federal law to get dark money support with ads that lie to voters, Kuhn said in a statement.

Michigan Democrats filed another complaint against James in March, alleging he coordinated with his former campaign manager to form a PAC in support of his Senate bid. Better Future Michigan Fund has spent $1.5 million to oppose Peters, around half of which came from donations by the DeVos family.

The MDP filed a complaint in June arguing Trump administration officials illegally promoted James campaign during a taxpayer-funded White House event earlier this year. James attended a listensing session with Black leaders organized by President Donald Trump and other administration officials during a visit to Ypsilanti in May.

That complaint, filed with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, alleges James benefitted from political support expressed by Trump at the meeting.

READ MORE ON MLIVE:

Michigan Senate candidate John James to speak at Republican National Convention, campaign says

How Michigans U.S. Senate candidates are fighting to earn the votes of their fellow military veterans

Vice President Mike Pence to visit Traverse City Friday after Republican National Convention

Postmaster general faces scrutiny over impact of mail delays on presidential election

Complaint alleges Peters solicited campaign ads from dark money group
Washington: The first night of the Republican National Convention revealed a party with a two-track strategy to deliver Donald Trump a second term in the White House.

As was widely expected, there were explicit attempts to fire up the party's Trump-loving populist base. But the 2-hour broadcast was not simply "Fox News on steroids", as some had expected. A lot of time and effort was spent trying to broaden the party's appeal and soften its image - in particular, to soften negative perceptions of Trump.

The production values were impressive and the energy level was higher than the Democrats' virtual debut. But the decision to have most of the key speakers appearing from the same podium in Washington - rather than beaming in from across the country - made it less visually stimulating.

Much of the first hour was spent on Trump's response to the coronavirus - an issue most Americans rate him poorly on. This is the defining issue of the election, and it was smart of Republicans not to try to dodge it.
Varanasi, Aug 25 : A trader leader in Varanasi, Rakesh Jain, has landed in trouble for recording his telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and posting it on social media.

District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma issued a show cause notice to Jain on Sunday and sought a reply within three days for recording the conversation without permission and posting it as an audio clip on social media, failing which legal action would be initiated against him.

The action impacts the dignity of the constitutional office and privacy of conversation was also breached, the notice said.

Sharma told reporters that "The Chief Minister's Office has taken serious note of this act and directed the district administration to take necessary action against Jain." Jain, who is the city president of the Akhil Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal, had spoken to the Chief Minister on August 22 and recorded the call and later posted the audio clip on social media.

In the audio, Jain is heard complaining about private hospitals overcharging Covid patients for treatment.

Jain also complained that the District Magistrate does not respond to queries on the portal and has curbed market timings even though the state government has allowed the opening of markets from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Chief Minister is heard assuring Jain that he will look into the matter.

Apart from serving the show cause notice to Jain, the state president of Akhil Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal has also been asked to initiate necessary action against him for this act.

Regarding grievances of Jain, the District Magistrate said the district administration has no objection over the complaints made against it in the capacity of a traders' union leader.
A man who was injured in a planned assault in 2009 when he was 14 was awarded nearly half a million dollars in damages by a British Columbia court. (Martin Bureau//AFP via Getty Images)

Father Who Directed Beating of 14-Year-Old High School Student Ordered to Pay Over $479,000

The man who orchestrated an assault on a grade 9 student in 2009, out of revenge for his younger son, was ordered to pay over $497,000 in damages, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled last week.

Micheal Daniel Tilton was convicted of two counts of assault by the Provincial Court in 2011 for causing bodily harm to the victim, Riley Robert Siegerist, and head-butting a by-stander who wanted to stop the beating. Siegerist was 14 years old at the time. The judgement was never reported.

The Revenge

The assault happened in April 2009.

Tilton, then 45 year old, was looking for Siegerist at Delta high school in his truck. In the days before, Siegerist had punched Tiltons younger son, S.T., in the face after the younger Tilton told Siegerist that he had kissed Siegerists girlfriend. Both boys had also verbally insulted each other.

Tilton was with his older son, M.T., in the front seat, and two male adults in the back, wielding metal batons.

When they spotted Siegerist, Tilton stopped his truck abruptly.

[Tilton] turned his head to the backseat and said something like, Go get em, which immediately resulted in the two unknown males exiting the truck and chasing [Siegerist]. One or both of these men were armed with an item similar to an asp baton. The two males caught up to [Siegerist], who had tripped and fallen, and they began to strike [Siegerist] with the baton and their fists. [Siegerist] was struck several times on the head and upper body, the ruling says.

The Threat

When Tilton and his older son arrived at the scene, Tilton told the two men to let his older son get in there, according to the court rulings in 2011. The men stopped and the two boys started to wrestle.

Tilton uttered words of encouragement to his older son, and said to Siegerist, This is what you get.

At the end of the assault, Tilton went over to Siegerist and put his arm around him and said, Are we even now? Siegerist angrily responded no, recounts the judgement.

The Aftermath

Siegerist suffered concussion, a fractured nose, and bruises over his body. Now 26, Siegerist claims that he suffered from paranoia, anxiety, and depression. He became hyper-vigilant and says he feels that any man close to his age may attack him. He also suffers from migraines.

Siegerists mother told the court that since the attack, Siegerist had frequent emotional outbursts and was like a rollercoaster of emotions, presenting on some days very somber and on others, crying and feeling helpless, with no sense of belonging and feeling unsafe, summarizes the judgement.

Siegerists wife confirmed that Siegerist was struggling with back pain, headaches and anxiety. She said they refrained from eating out in restaurants and other public places because Siegerist would become agitated when people were present. He would also become very quiet and shaky.

The Tension, Again

Tilton represented himself in the recent court hearings cross-examined Siegerist directly.

Justice Paul Walker noted that Siegerist was clearly distressed in having to face questions directly from Mr. Tilton.

During the cross examination, Tilton asked Siegerist if he could sense he really meant Are you okay? when he asked him after the attack.

No, Siegerist said. And if you did which was not what I recall, it was in an extremely belittling manner. You were trying to assert dominance is what I felt, over a 14-year-old boy, he continued.

Tilton asked him why Siegerist believed so. Siegerist responded that Tiltons demeanor and the fact Tilton brought assailants to beat him with batons at his school, where he was supposed to feel safe, made him believe so.

The Verdict

Justice Walker accepted Siegerists evidence that the assault was etched in his memory.

His psychological symptoms are akin to PTSD, Walker said. His physical and psychological injuries have affected all aspects of his life.

In compensation to Siegerist, Walker awarded him a total amount of $479,376.88 for the injuries he suffered from the assault. It includes non-pecuniary (unrelated to money) damages, loss of past earning capacity, loss of future income earning capacity, cost of future care, and aggravated damages.
When Jaime Santos hid a treasure chest worth at least $600 and launched a hunt last Saturday, he expected it to take at least a few days to be found, but a local construction worker cracked the clues in just a couple hours.

David Dominguez did not give the rest of Laredo much time to search for the treasure despite a head start as he started looking right after work.

I just dissected the riddle. Thats pretty much what I did, Dominguez said. Seeing it at work, I didnt realize it was already out for 12 hours, and I was thinking about it at work all day. Since the first clue was about something about the north and the middle, I came up with the notion that it had to be in North Central Park.

Eventually, the treasure was found in the park underneath a pile of leaves and dirt close to a palm tree and a standing land post with no connections. He was able to locate it by deciphering all the clues posted to Facebook by Santos.

Though he deciphered almost all off the clues by himself, Dominguez did not find the treasure alone. Right after his shift at work ended, he called his friend Joshua Crespo to help him find the treasure. Dominguez said he needed his friend to help as he liked riddles more than him.

His friend was babysitting at the time, but he brought the kids along on the adventure. At first the kids did not take Dominguez seriously when he said he was hunting for real treasure.

I just told him that I had a friend who hid a treasure as he is trying to do something for the community and simply asked him if he wanted to go treasure hunting, Dominguez said. He told me has babysitting, but I just said that it was perfect as he could bring the kids. We then met up at North Central Park and went on treasure hunting, and the children didnt take me serious.

Nobody took him serious at first aside from his friend. He even told his mother, and she simply told him to have fun as a way of showing that he was not doing anything serious. However, people started to take him more serious toward the end of the day as he found the treasure worth at least $600.

And then, suddenly I just see it there under some dirt and leaves, and I pick it up and quickly yell, call me Indiana Jones, Dominguez said. It did take us a good two hours to find, but it was really fast as Santos had said it could take a month.

He believes he got a head start as he is friends with Santos on Facebook and therefor saw the clues right when they were first posted.

Although Santos has not provided specific details beyond saying another hunt is already in the works to LMT, Dominguez said he spoke to Santos and that the next treasure will have even greater value.

He did say that the next treasure is going to be an even bigger prize, Dominguez said. Next time he said its going to be bigger, and I am sure that many people can find the fun and rewarding aspect of this activity as it is safe and also helps maintain social distancing as well.

As for the treasure worth close to $600 found by Dominguez and Crespo, he said they divided the prize evenly. Dominguez is saving his half for the meantime and not exchanging the silver for money as he wants to wait for it to increase in value.

Dominguez is ready for the next treasure hunt and said he will bring more people with him this time around in his new exploration.

I definitely am ready for it; however, I told him that Im going to wait at least one day to give other people a head start, Dominguez said. Definitely, I will participate in the next one as I even told my mom and a couple of friends, and they said that they will now go looking for it with me, but it might mean dividing the treasure even more.
A Rajya Sabha nomination earlier this year set the cat among the pigeons in the Congress party.

Of the four Rajya Sabha seats up for grabs from Karnataka, Congress was assured of bagging just one. It was widely expected that Rahul Gandhi loyalist and sitting MP Rajeev Gawda would get a re-nomination.

Instead, Gawda, a former IIM professor, was asked to take a step back to make way for 9-time LS MP Mallikarjun Kharge. Kharge led the Congress in the Lok Sabha between 2014 and 2019. He lost the last polls from Gulbarga in Hyderabad, Karnataka.

A former union minister and a family loyalists entry to the Upper House raised many eyebrows in the Congress.

After the 2014 electoral debacle, Congress chose to play out its years in opposition with a Dalit-Muslim combination; Kharge in LS and Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Rajya Sabha. Kharge was very vocal in challenging the Modi government on the floor of the House. He carried his reservations to the appointment committees for key constitutional posts of which he was a member by dint of his status as the leader of the biggest opposition party. Having fallen short of stipulated strength in the House, Kharge, unlike Azad, was not recognised as Leader of Opposition, a post which comes with the status of a cabinet minister.

However, Kharges loss in 2019 had a ripple effect in Congress pecking order. In the new LS, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was nominated leader of the party in the Lower House.

Of the two contenders for the post were two former union ministers, Manish Tiwari and Shashi Tharoor. Both are signatories to the missive sent by 23 leaders to Sonia Gandhi. In fact, they are the only two sitting LS members in the list.

The story in RS is all the more interesting. Kharges nomination had the potential to disrupt the pecking order in the Upper House. Current Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azads term ends in February. A re-nomination to the Upper House and another term as LoP would come up for reconsideration in the next six months.

Kharge became a potential candidate for the LoP in RS by dint of his entry in the House. He had led a debilitated Congress in the LS for 5 years. He would have anyways occupied the front row along with Manmohan Singh and AK Antony.

A new political heavyweight in RS would also ruffle a few others in the back benches who may have been awaiting promotion in due course. Anand Sharma has been Azads deputy in the House.

Mukul Wasniks signature in the missive to Sonia Gandhi has, however, surprised many. He has been a Gandhi family loyalist. In the RS nominations early this year, Congress nomination to the Upper House from Maharashtra went to Rahul Gandhi loyalist Rajiv Satav.

It is hardly surprising that the sparks of unrest were so widespread in the Upper House.

Key organisational appointments in the last 6 months have firmly borne Rahul Gandhis seal of approval. The current hierarchy in the RS was naturally reading meaning into Kharges surprise entry in the house of the elders.

Sparks flew in the meeting of RS MPs with Sonia Gandhi earlier this month. And then the letter was reported by the media just 24 hours ahead of the Monday CWC.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) - The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said only 600 healthcare workers -- particularly nurses -- are affected by the total deployment ban on healthcare workers.

POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said this is based on the information the agency received from the Philippine Nurses Association.

During the Senate Labor Committee hearing on Tuesday, Olalia said the Labor Department has already recommended the lifting of ban with respect to these 600 nurses.

Olalia added that the Inter-Agency Task Force has also implemented exemptions in the deployment ban.

He said this allowed at least 300 healthcare workers to be deployed overseas every month since March this year.

Iyong mga nurses na may (Those nurses with) perfected contracts as of March 8, 2020 will be allowed to fly, iyong mga balik-manggagawa natin (our returning workers). These are the nurses who went home for vacation and they are returning to the same employer, they will be allowed to be deployed, said Olalia.

Iyong ating mga government hires (Those hired by the government), which are covered by bilateral labor agreement na may kontrata (who have contracts) prior to March 8 will be processed and allowed to be deployed.

In an earlier interview, a group of nurses appealed to lift the total deployment ban on healthcare workers.

The Filipino Nurses United said that there are about 200 thousand to 240 thousand nurses who are unemployed or underemployed.

Citing the same figures, recruitment agencies are also calling for the lifting of the deployment ban as the country still have enough health workers that can be tapped.

Government officials have repeatedly said that the ban is put in place due to concerns that the Philippines will have shortage of needed nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the hearing today, Health Assistant Secretary Kenneth Ronquillo said hospitals and health facilities said 10,468 slots are needed to be filled up by health workers such as doctors, nurses, medical technologists and other health workers.

As of now, 7,850 health workers have been hired---- while 2,616 slots have yet to be filled up.

Ronquillo added about 1,700 overseas Filipino healthcare workers are in the country right now.

However, only 109 submitted their documents for application to work here in the Philippines.

As we speak today, out of the 1,700 only 209 manifested to be employed. And out of the 209 who manifested to be employed, 109 submitted their documents. And as of today, 3 has been offered jobs and 2 are still to be interviewed, Ronquillo said.

Senate Labor Committee Chairman Joel Villanueva believes the problem is the lack of benefits and lack of security of tenure for healthcare workers in the country.

Healthcare workers that will be hired by the government will only work until the end of the year.

Ronquillo, however, says while the contract is only until Dec 31 this year---- it may still be extended once the 2021 national budget has been passed.

He said nurses that will be hired will be given a salary grade of 15 and get a basic pay of 32 thousand pesos plus other benefits and allowances.

This will improve, kasi sa Bayanihan Act 2 meron kami in-include doon kagaya ng mga additional allowances, duty allowances not just for government health workers catering to COVID, but also private health workers catering to COVID. And yung kanilang life insurance, Ronquillo explained.

[Translation: This will improve, because in Bayanihan 2, we included that there additional allowances, duty allowances not just for government health workers catering to COVID, but also for private health workers catering to COVID. Their life insurance is also included.]
HONG KONG  A man was infected with the coronavirus after recovering from an initial bout in April in what scientists said was the first case showing that reinfection may occur within a few months.

The 33-year-olds second SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected via airport screening on his return to Hong Kong from Europe this month. Researchers at the University of Hong Kong used genomic sequence analysis to prove that he had been infected by two different strains. The information technology worker didnt develop any symptoms from his second infection, which might indicate any subsequent infections may be milder, the researchers said.

Our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may persist in humans, Kwok-Yung Yuen and colleagues said Monday in a paper accepted for publication in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. The findings are reminiscent of the coronaviruses that cause the common cold, and suggest SARS-CoV-2 may continue to circulate even if patients have acquired immunity via natural infection or via vaccination, they said.(Japan Times)

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/?post_type=news&p=2731678#.X0PosFNlCJ0
DUBLIN, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Single-cell Analysis Market by Product, Cell Type, Technique, End User, and by Geography - Forecast to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The world market is predicted to reach $2,005 million in 2026 from $763.4 million in 2020. The market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of ~17.1%.



The information collected from this analysis is significant for cancer research for the discovery of tumor cells and genetic diagnosis. The factors such as advanced technology in products of single-cell analysis, increasing preference for customized medicine and rapidly increasing various chronic diseases such as cancer, which fuel the demand for the single-cell analysis market. However, the expensive products in the single-cell analysis are restraining market growth.



In the product based segmentation consumables segment is expected to have the largest share in the market. The reasons for the demand for consumables products are regularly purchasing the consumables compared to the instruments and the significant usage of consumables in the research and genetic exploration and segregation of RNA and DNA.



Based on cell type segmentation, the human cell segment is having the largest share in the market. The human cell is greatly used in the research laboratories due to the rising incidence of infectious diseases in the elderly population and the high investments in stem cell research.



On the bases of technique, the next-generation sequencing segment is expected to have the largest share in the market due to the increasing chronic diseases and next-generation sequencing allowing researchers to perform various applications.



Further, based on end-user segmentation, the academic and research laboratories segment is expected to have the largest share in the market. The increasing number of colleges and universities of medical and high investments in life science research are the factors accelerating the demand for single-cell analysis.



Moreover, based on the geography Asia Pacific region is playing a vital role in the market share compared to other regions due to rising number of patients in countries such as China and India, growing investments in the research and development in this field and outsourcing of drug discovery services to the Asia Pacific region. In addition, North America is the second-largest contributor to the market due to the high expenditure in the research and development and increased scope for stem cell research in this region.



The single-cell analysis market is expanding globally due to the increasingly advanced technology in the single-cell analysis products. The major factors accelerating the single-cell analysis market include rapidly increasing chronic diseases and cancer cases all over the world, increasing biotechnology & biopharmaceutical industries, and life science research. Although, due to high competition, the persistence of new entrants and small players is difficult in the market, and this is a challenge for market growth. The emerging markets in Asia are the future opportunities for the market.



The key market competitors in the market are Becton, Dickinson and Company, Danaher Corporatio, Merck Millipore, Qiagen N.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc, General Electric Company, BARCO, Promega Corporation, Shanghai Goodview Electronics, Fluidigm Corporation, Agilent Technologies, Inc, Nanostring Technologies, Inc., Tecan Group Ltd, Sartorius AG, LUMINEX CORPORATION, Takara Bio Inc., Takara Bio Inc., Fluxion Biosciences and Menarini Silicon Biosystems.



Moreover, the single-cell analysis has the largest scope in cancer research for the detection of the various tumor cells, preimplantation, and genetic diagnosis as the drastic increase in the cancer cases globally. The government is also supporting financially for cell-based research.



The single-cell analysis market report provides the present drifts, opportunities, restraining factors, and the challenges.

This report provides the overall analysis of the strategies acquired by market players based on the competitive analysis

This report gives the quantitative analysis of the market which allow the users to perceive the market factual of the overall regions

Companies Mentioned

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Danaher Corporatio

Merck Millipore

Qiagen N.V.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

General Electric Company

BARCO

Promega Corporation

Shanghai Goodview Electronics

Fluidigm Corporation

Agilent Technologies Inc.

Nanostring Technologies Inc.

Tecan Group Ltd.

Sartorius AG

Luminex Corporation

Takara Bio Inc.

Fluxion Biosciences

Menarini Silicon Biosystems

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ejoe46

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


Galveston and other coastal areas have issued a mandatory evacuation ahead of Hurricane Laura.

Galveston Mayor Pro Tem Craig Brown signed the order Tuesday instructing residents to begin leaving the island.

Laura, which strengthened into a hurricane early Tuesday, is expected to make landfall near the Texas Louisiana border late Wednesday or early Thursday as a Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Shortly after 1 p.m., Chambers County officials issued a mandatory evacuation order effective immediately for residents in low-lying or flood prone areas. People who live in trailers or manufactured homes were also required to move to a safer location.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered Tuesday afternoon for Bolivar Peninsula along the upper Texas coast as the threat of Hurricane Laura looms, officials said.

Galveston County officials also issued a voluntary evacuation order for Bacliff, San Leon and Freddiesville shortly after noon.

In addition, Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta issued a voluntary cvacuation order for low-lying coastal communities outside the protection levee.

Galveston County Judge Mark Henry issued the voluntary evacuation for Bolivar Peninsula Tuesday morning, but updated it to a mandatory evacuation hours later. The order went into immediate effect.

Im issuing this evacuation order for the Bolivar Peninsula due to the possible threats to life safety and property of resident living there, Henry said. We strongly urge that those with medical conditions and the elderly begin their evacuation inland now.

The peninsula could become cut off from emergency services as a result of the hurricane, officials said.

The unincorporated areas of Port Bolivar, Crystal Beach, High Island, and Gilchrist are included in the order.

The hurricane could inundate the Bolivar Peninsula with up to 6-feet of flooding, according to weather officials.
Catalent, the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, and manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and consumer health products, today announced that two Catalent Biologics experts will present at the upcoming 16th Annual PEGS Boston Virtual Conference & Expo, taking place between Aug. 31  September 4, 2020.

On Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 9:45 a.m. EDT, Gregory Bleck, Ph.D., Global Head of R&D, Catalent Biologics, will present GPEx Boost  A Novel Approach for High-Expressing CHO Cell Line Engineering during the Optimizing Protein Expression stream. Dr. Bleck will explain how the next generation of Catalents GPEx cell line development technology can result in highly specific productivities, titers, and improved cell growth characteristics for most protein products.

Also on Wednesday, at 3:05 p.m. EDT, during the Engineering Antibody-Drug Conjugates stream, Robyn Barfield, Ph.D., Group Leader, Catalent Biologics, will discuss Catalents proprietary SMARTag technology, which uses a simple, robust manufacturing process to generate stable, site-specific antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). In her presentation, titled Novel SMARTag Linkers Enable Better-Tolerated ADCs, Dr. Barfield will discuss how the technology can offer wider therapeutic windows, illustrated through a comparison between Catalents anti-HER2 RED-106 ADC, and the related drug, T-DM1.

During the virtual event, Dr. Barfield will also present the case study in her presentation as a poster, A Novel HER2-Targeted Antibody-Drug Conjugate Offers the Possibility of Clinical Dosing at Trastuzumab-Equivalent Exposure Levels.

Dr. Bleck has more than 20 years of experience in biopharmaceutical research and development. He has a bachelors degree and doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and performed postdoctoral work at the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, working in the areas of gene regulation and expression. At Catalent, Dr. Bleck has transferred his knowledge of gene expression and transgenic systems to the development and continued optimization of retrovector expression systems and development of the proprietary GPEx process.

Dr. Barfield has more than 10 years experience working in bioconjugation, and joined Catalent Biologics when it acquired Redwood Bioscience in 2014. She has a doctorate in cell and molecular biology from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and a bachelors degree in genetics and cell biology, from the University of Georgia.

The events presentations and panel discussions will be available to view on-demand through the conference platform. For more information about the event, please visit biologics.catalent.com/events/pegs-boston/

Catalent, GPEx and SMARTag are registered trademarks of Catalent, Inc. or its affiliates or subsidiaries.

About Catalent Biologics

Catalent Biologics is a global leader in development, manufacturing and analytical services for new biological entities, cell and gene therapies, biosimilars, sterile injectables, and antibody-drug conjugates. With over 20 years of proven expertise, Catalent Biologics has worked with 600+ mAbs and 80+ proteins, produced 13 biopharmaceutical drugs using GPEx cell line development technology, and manufactured 35+ commercially approved products. Catalent Cell & Gene Therapy, a unit of Catalent Biologics, is a full-service partner for adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors and CAR-T immunotherapies, with deep experience in viral vector scale-up and production. Catalent recently acquired MaSTherCell, adding expertise in autologous and allogeneic cell therapy development and manufacturing. Catalent Cell & Gene Therapy has produced 100+ cGMP batches across 70+ clinical and commercial programs. For more information, visit biologics.catalent.com

About Catalent

Catalent is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, and manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and consumer health products. With over 85 years serving the industry, Catalent has proven expertise in bringing more customer products to market faster, enhancing product performance and ensuring reliable global clinical and commercial product supply. Catalent employs over 13,500 people, including over 2,400 scientists and technicians, at more than 40 facilities, and in fiscal year 2019 generated over $2.5 billion in annual revenue. Catalent is headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey. For more information, visit http://www.catalent.com

More products. Better treatments. Reliably supplied.
Guiseppe Barranco/The Enterprise, Photo Editor

Valero is in the midst of shutting down its Port Arthur refinery ahead of Hurricane Lauras arrival.

The company confirmed in an email to The Enterprise that most personnel would be leaving the plant and it was working with emergency authorities to monitor the situation, but was still making decisions about its other coastal operations.
Parents whose children will take the bus to school this fall are expected to notify Niagara Student Transportation Services by Tuesday of their plans for the first day of school.

Lori Ziraldo, executive director for the busing company, is in charge of ensuring health and safety protocols are followed.

I think that were doing well, given all of the new guidelines that we have to work to this year, she said.

NSTS has released its back-to-school plan on its website.

The plan outlines key points parents should consider when choosing whether to opt in to transportation.

Students are required to participate in the mandatory opt-in process, said Ziraldo. If a parent doesnt complete the school board questionnaire, they will not be allowed on the bus.

A process that used to take two to three days in previous years will now take a week, said Ziraldo.

Plans change, said Ziraldo, who said parents can still get kids on a bus schedule after the year starts. Should a parent wish to opt-in to transportation at a later date, it is a weekly process. Our routes are required to be static for a whole week.

The plan said parents have until 3 p.m. every Monday to notify the service they are opting in to transportation. Their intentions will be confirmed on Wednesday with an official plan coming into effect the following Monday.

Nancy Daigneault, executive director of the Ontario School Bus Association, said an area of concern for members of the association is the age of drivers.

Many are over 60 years of age and could opt out of work because of being at higher risk of contracting severe cases of COVID-19.

Ziraldo is confident in NSTSs ability to attract, train and support its bus drivers.

We have a bus driver for every route, she said.

Were monitoring it regularly. We knew that every bus plan that we established needed to factor in the demographics of our bus drivers, said Ziraldo.

For our bus drivers in Niagara, 51 per cent are over the age of 55. Bus drivers will be wearing a Level 1 face mask, a face shield, and they will have hand sanitizer available for their use.

Ziraldo said health and safety is the main priority for both drivers and students.

All students who board a school bus will be assigned a seat.

Students will be required to complete the COVID-19 self-assessment before going to the bus stop, said Ziraldo. To get on the bus, students in grades 4 to 8 will be required to wear a face mask. Students in grades JK to 3 will be encouraged to do so as well.

When students reach their assigned seats, they will not be allowed to touch windows.

Bus drivers will be opening windows to maximize ventilation and airflow on the bus, Ziraldo said.

Windows will be left open regardless of the weather; rain or snow. It is expected that when students arrive at the bus stop, they will be dressed for the weather. This will only be select windows.

There are 32,000 students eligible to receive transportation to and from District School Board of Niagara and Niagara Catholic District School Board schools.

Ninety per cent of vehicles serve more than one school, said Ziraldo. We will double and triple run some buses.

The bus service opened its parent portal on Aug. 17.
A project at Queens University Belfast (QUB) aiming to develop a new method of making grafted blood vessels more resilient has been awarded a grant of over 145,000 by national charity Heart Research UK.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) occurs when one or more of the blood vessels that supplies the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood becomes blocked. Untreated, this can lead to angina, heart attack and heart failure. CHD is the single biggest killer in the UK.

One of the current treatments is coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery where a grafted blood vessel is used to bypass the blockage, restoring blood flow to the heart. Although CABG is very effective, over time the grafted blood vessel itself often becomes blocked.

There is evidence, however, that it is possible to alter the characteristics of blood vessels to make them more resilient, so that they are less prone to becoming blocked and failing.

The project, led by Dr Denise McDonald, Senior Lecturer from the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine at QUB, will use a range of laboratory models to test two key compounds that are important in in promoting resilience in grafted vessels.

Dr McDonald and her team will investigate the interaction between these chemicals in order to develop novel ways of protecting blood vessels from graft failure, with the aim of preventing vein graft failure and improving the success of CABG surgery for treating patients with CHD.

This is an incredibly interesting area of study, one that could potentially have real and applicable benefits to patients. By increasing the resilience of grafted vessels, we will decrease the need for extra surgeries and procedures, easing the strain on our health service and reducing the amount of medical intervention a patient needs. We are very grateful to Heart Research UK for supporting this research. Dr Denise McDonald, Senior Lecturer, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine at QUB

We are delighted to be supporting the work of Dr McDonald and her team, which has the potential to have a big impact on how effective we can be at treating people with CHD, which is still the nations single biggest killer. Our grants are all about helping patients. They aim to bring the latest developments to those who need them as soon as possible. Dr McDonalds project promises to be able to bring about tangible improvements in patient care. The dedication we see from UK researchers is both encouraging and impressive, and we at Heart Research UK are proud to be part of it. Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK

The 145,214 grant was awarded to Queens University Belfast as part of Heart Research UKs annual awards for research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

Last year, Heart Research UK awarded more than 1.6 million in grants for medical research projects across the UK. To date, the charity has invested more than 27 million in medical research via its grants program.
In following the last several weeks development of COVID-19 globally and its continued impact on travel restrictions as well as the HKSAR Government's announcement on 22 July noting continued travel restrictions into and out of Hong Kong through December 2020, the organizing team has made the difficult but necessary decision to reschedule the beloved events due to take place in November of this year. The decision was made with key stakeholders in mind towards offering the best experience and opportunities for the industry during these tumultuous times.

"Following discussions with business leaders, exhibitors and partners who make up the event, it has become clear that rescheduling to 2021 is the best option," said Gianpiero Calzolari, President of BolognaFiere. "Particularly for our large composition of overseas participants, traveling to this international event would be impossible. Therefore, Cosmopack and Cosmoprof Asia's face-to-face event will return in November 2021 when we expect that international trade and business will return to a much more normal state."

In the meanwhile, beauty professionals will experience a new opportunity as the team dedicates full resources on the first-ever Cosmoprof Asia Digital Week which will take place online from 9 to 13 November 2020 via cosmoprof-asia.com. Cosmoprof Asia Digital Week will be an innovative digital platform offering companies and professionals a vehicle to continue business, view products, meet clients and potential customers, and stay up to date on beauty trends and technology in 2020. Digital Week's debut in 2020 will encompass a brand-new business matching platform with online product showroom featuring the latest offerings in cosmetics and packaging, tailor-made virtual meeting, meeting planner, live chat, instant video conferencing, enabling buyers and suppliers to enjoy a hassle-free online networking experience.

"Though nothing can replace the spirit and magic of attending Cosmopack and Cosmoprof Asia in person, we aim to provide an extraordinary digital experience in November," said David Bondi, Senior Vice President  Asia of Informa Markets and Director of Cosmoprof Asia Ltd. "We have a responsibility to the worldwide beauty industry to help companies and professional survive and thrive amidst this time."

Additional unique features of Cosmoprof Asia's 2020 Digital Week will include virtual factory visits (video tour) by packaging and cosmetics suppliers, Cosmo Virtual Stage - a virtual main stage with live demos and sharings and interviews by beauty KOLs, and Cosmotalks  The Virtual Series with 20+ expert-led live seminars and panel discussions. Participation to Cosmoprof Asia Digital Week is free of charge for all trade visitors. Visitors who already pre-registered to Cosmoprof Asia 2020 will receive a new registration link to the Digital Week.

More details about Cosmoprof Asia Digital Week will be announced soon. Stay tuned for further updates! www.cosmoprof-asia.com

We look forward to seeing you virtually in November, and in person in 2021.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

High-resolution images can be downloaded from below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r03r6tagzrbxe0j/CA20_Reschedule_DigitalWeek_EN.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v8k1qhf8sx9ad10/CosmoprofAsia_DigitalWeek.jpg?dl=0

For media enquiry, please contact:

ASIA: Informa Markets, Hong Kong WORLDWIDE: BolognaFiere Cosmoprof Spa AMY NG t: +852 2516 1659 e: [email protected] JANICE POON t: +852 2516 2117 e: [email protected] PAOLO LANDI t: +39 02 45 47 08 320 e: [email protected] ARIANNA RIZZI t: +39 02 45 47 08 253 e: [email protected]

ABOUT THE ORGANISERS: Cosmoprof Asia is organised by Cosmoprof Asia Ltd, a joint-venture company between BolognaFiere Group and Informa Markets Asia Ltd. ABOUT BOLOGNAFIERE GROUP (www.bolognafiere.it) BolognaFiere Group is the world's leading trade show organiser in cosmetics, fashion, architecture, building, art and culture. The Group has more than 80 international exhibitions within its portfolio, notably Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, the most important meeting point in the world for beauty professionals, established in 1967 and held in Bologna, Italy. For the 2019 edition, Cosmoprof registered more than 265.000 attendees from 150 countries in the world, with an increase by 10% of foreign professionals, and 3,033 exhibitors from 70 countries. The Cosmoprof platform extends throughout the entire world, with its events in Bologna, Las Vegas, Mumbai, and Hong Kong, China (with Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, Cosmoprof North America, Cosmoprof India, and Cosmoprof Asia). Recently the fifth exhibition of the network has been announced: Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN, in Thailand, will focus on the cosmetic industry in South-East Asia. In 2020, South China Beauty Expo, a new show in Shenzhen, China was held in July. The Cosmoprof platform will reinforce its influence in Europe, thanks to the acquisition of the German group Health and Beauty, in South America, thanks to the collaboration with Beauty Fair -Feira Internacional De Beleza Profissional, and in Asia. ABOUT INFORMA MARKETS (www.informamarkets.com) Informa Markets Beauty has an extensive network powered by B2B events across 11 cities in Asia (Bangkok, Chengdu, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Mumbai, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tokyo), the world's fastest growing markets. By further expanding its strength, the Beauty Portfolio now includes a new B2B event in Miami 2021 serving the East Coast and USA, South America and Caribbean Islands regions. Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

SOURCE Cosmoprof Asia
Donald Trump Jr., the presidents eldest child, and his girlfriend, former San Francisco First Lady Kimberly Guilfoyle, warned in dark terms of a country in decline if voters do not reelect President Trump as they rallied GOP voters on the first night of the Republican National Convention.

"People of faith are under attack. You're not allowed to go to church, but mass chaos in the streets gets a pass," Trump Jr. said. "Its almost like this election is shaping up to be church, work and school vs. rioting, looting and vandalism  or, in the words of Biden and the Democrats, 'peaceful protesting.'"

Taking a page from his father, who has a propensity for creating nicknames for his rivals, Trump Jr. dubbed Democratic nominee Joe Biden "Beijing Biden" and "the Loch Ness monster of the swamp."

"For the past half-century, hes been lurking around in there. He sticks his head up every now and then to run for president, then he disappears and doesnt do much in between," Trump Jr. said.

Trump Jr., 42, is among the presidents most popular and forceful surrogates on the campaign trail. He also regularly uses his large social media presence to reach out to his fathers supporters. But he is also a controversial figure, routinely pushing out disproven conspiracy theories.

Guilfoyle, whose parents are from Ireland and Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory whose residents are American citizens, spoke about her experience.

"As a first-generation American, I know how dangerous their socialist agenda is," Guilfoyle said. "My mother, Mercedes, was a special education teacher from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. My father, also an immigrant, came to this nation in pursuit of the American dream. Now, I consider it my duty to fight to protect that dream."

The 51-year-old former Fox news host also railed against Democrats, warning of rioters destroying cities, traffickers spilling across the border and socialist policies taking root in the nation's schools.

Story continues

"If you want to see the socialist Biden/Harris future for our country, just take a look at California," roared Guilfoyle, a San Francisco native. "It is a place of immense wealth, immeasurable innovation and immaculate environment  and the Democrats turned it into a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes."

Guilfoyle, a former prosecutor in Los Angeles and San Francisco, was married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom when he was mayor of San Francisco. Their divorce was finalized in 2006. She appeared on Fox News in various roles between 2006 and 2018 and is now a major fundraiser for Trumps reelection campaign. She is among the people in Trump's circle who have contracted COVID-19.

She became the national chairwoman of the Trump Victory Finance Committee this year, and she and Trump Jr. often headline fundraising events together.
American Airlines announced it will cut 19,000 employees in October once its federal aid expires.

The company was a recipient of government emergency funding meant to prevent mass layoffs resulting from business shutdowns associated with the coronavirus.

"We have come to you many times throughout the pandemic, often with sobering updates on a world none of us could have imagined," American Airlines' CEO Doug Parker and its president Robert Isom wrote in a staff statement announcing the cuts. "Today is the hardest message we have had to share so far -- the announcement of involuntary staffing reductions effective Oct. 1."

American Airlines employs more than 140,000 people.

The announcement comes a month after the company issued WARN notices alerting 25,000 of its employees to possible layoffs.

The airline industry has been hit especially hard by the pandemic. The number of air travellers this year is half of what it was during this same period last year.

Company executives said the only hope for avoiding the layoffs was an extension of federal funding.

"The one possibility of avoiding these involuntary reductions on Oct. 1 is a clean extension" one of the executives said Tuesday, according to CNBC.

Negotiations between Democrats and Republicans in Congress to potentially extend the funding broke down last week.

Recommended Southwest Airlines cut back on coronavirus cleaning

"PPP is about to expire, and Congress is not prepared to provide any additional help to small businesses on the brink of collapse," John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO of Small Business Majority, a small business advocacy group, told USA Today. "There are a number of small businesses in our network that cannot survive even one more month at the current rate of business without more help."

American Airlines has tried to mitigate job losses during the pandemic by asking employees to take buyouts, encouraging early retirement and unpaid or partially paid leaves.

More than 12,500 people have left American Airlines permanently, while 11,000 are set to go on leave beginning in October.
ARCHIVED - The Netherlands advises against traveling to Spain, including Canary Islands, due to increase in infections



All of Spain now falls within the orange risk bracket

The Netherlands Foreign Ministry has issued an alert on Monday advising against any trip considered "not necessary" to Spain, including the Canary Islands, given the increase in cases of coronavirus.



After updating its travel recommendations, the Dutch Government has indicated in a statement that "holiday trips" would not be within those considered "necessary" and has indicated that Spain now falls under the category of "orange" due to the risk of contagion.



According to the text, the recommendations have been reinforced due to the "deterioration of conditions related to the coronavirus in the territories in question." The Government has also detailed that these recommendations will take effect at midnight.



The Netherlands thus joins a long list of EU countries that do not recommend traveling to Spain - or to some Spanish autonomous communities - in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Some of these countries have imposed other types of measures, such as mandatory Covid-19 tests and the imposition of a quarantine.

Until recently, the Canary and Balearic Islands were frequently excluded from travel warnings relating to mainland Spain, but the increased case numbers relating to the islands are changing that scenario.

article_detail

-->
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  Tue, August 25, 2020 07:35 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c402a2f1 2 SE Asia Malaysia,debt,coronavirus,coronavirus-effect,COVID-19,economic-impact Free

Malaysia's parliament on Monday approved the government's plan to raise its debt ceiling for the first time in more than a decade, as Southeast Asia's third-largest economy grapples with the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Parliament voted to allow the government to borrow up to 60% of gross domestic product as part of temporary measures to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the public and local businesses.

The last time Malaysia raised its debt ceiling was in July 2009 during the global financial crisis, when it increased its maximum borrowings by 10 percentage points to 55% of GDP.

The latest raising of the debt ceiling was part of a temporary bill to enable government financing for economic stimulus packages and recovery plans and related matters.

The government under Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has rolled out stimulus packages totaling around 295 billion ringgit ($70.7 billion) this year to help the public and businesses weather the pandemic, finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said when winding up the debate on the bill in parliament.

That includes a fiscal injection of 45 billion ringgit, which raises Malaysia's debt ceiling to 56%, he said.

Malaysia's economy plunged 17.1% in the second quarter, its first contraction since 2009, as the pandemic ravaged business activity. Malaysia's central bank expects the economy to contract by between 3.5% and 5.5% this year as a whole.

Measures under the bill expire at the end of 2022.
The daughter of a woman killed in the New Zealand mosque shootings challenged white supremacist Brenton Tarrant at his sentencing hearing to use his life in prison to consider the beauty of the diversity and freedom he sought to destroy.

The daughter of Linda Armstrong sobbed as she addressed the court in Christchurch on Tuesday, the second day of the sentencing hearing.

You robbed me of my mother, of her love and strength. Likely you will also never again feel the love and warmth of your mothers hug either. While I have pity for your mum, I have no emotion for you. You are nothing, said Angela Armstrong.

While he will remain trapped in a cage my mum is free. I therefore challenge Tarrant to use his remaining lifetime to consider the beauty and life to be found in diversity and freedom that he sought to distort and destroy.

Tarrant, a 29-year-old Australian, is scheduled to be sentenced this week after pleading guilty to 51 murders, 40 attempted murders and one charge of committing a terrorist act during the 2019 shooting rampage in the city of Christchurch which he livestreamed on Facebook.

A murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The judge can impose a life term without parole, a sentence that has never been used in New Zealand.

The second day of a multi-day sentencing hearing is dedicated to allowing survivors and family members of victims to address the court, in person and via video.

Tarrant sat in grey prison clothes cornered by guards as Angela Armstrong looked at him and described the ripple effects of the murder of her 65-year-old mother on her family.

Kyron Gosse, nephew of Linda Armstrong, said the shooter had come to New Zealand as a guest, and used that privilege to destroy a family that had lived here for seven generations.

Filled with his own racist agenda this coward hid behind his big powerful guns and shot little old Linda from afar, said Gosse.

Tarrant stole our nations innocence, said Gosse. New Zealand had been relatively free from major gun violence until the countrys worst mass shooting.

On Monday, prosecutors told the court Tarrant had carefully planned the attacks to cause maximum carnage by accumulating high-powered firearms and ammunition, training at rifle clubs and studying mosque layouts.

While most of Tarrants victims were at Al Noor mosque, he killed seven people at the Linwood mosque, including Linda Armstrong, before being detained en route to a third.

Tarrant, who is representing himself, will be allowed to speak at some point during the hearings, although Justice Cameron Mander has powers to ensure the High Court is not used as a platform for extremist ideology.

Live reporting from the courtroom was banned, and other restrictions were put in place on what the media could report.
Lamar Universitys dorms have completely emptied out Tuesday following a mandatory evacuation order for Jefferson County announced Monday night ahead of the expected impact of Hurricane Laura on the Southeast Texas area.

Most students evacuated on their own yesterday, with about 45 students and 15 faculty evacuating by bus to Texas State in San Marcos Monday morning.

They are spread between two busses, so everyone is able to socially distance, University spokesperson Shelly Vitanza told The Enterprise. Everyone is also wearing a mask.

The students will have beds and rooms available once they get to the Texas State Campus.

Mostly everybody yesterday took off, knowing that Lamar was going to be closed, Vitanza said, adding that a shuttle bus will be available for any students who may still be on campus.

Our staff is making the rounds and any students who are still here will be put on that shuttle bus, she said.

Lamar University Police are escorting the busses, which were in Cleveland Texas around 10:30 a.m.

The National Hurricane Center upgraded Laura to a hurricane Tuesday morning, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.

It is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane before an expected landfall on the Texas-Louisiana border late Wednesday or early Thursday.

The dorms house around 2,300 students.

Other buildings on campus have also undergone preperations for the storms.

Weve prepared and secured campus, Vitanza said just after 11 a.m. Buildings prone to flooding have been sandbagged. All data centers have been pushed to our backup and a contingency of LUPD will ride out the storm to ensure security on campus.

This post will be updated.

isaac.windes@hearstnp.com

twitter.com/isaacdwindes
The coronavirus pandemic has severely affected the smartphone business in the second quarter of this year. According to a UBI Research report, even smartphone OLED panel shipments took a plunge in Q2, down 23.1 percent year-on-year (YoY).

Compared to last quarters shipments, thats a decline of 17 percent. As per the report, only 87 million units of smartphone OLED panels have been shipped in the second quarter of 2020, the lowest in the last five quarters.

Only 87 million smartphone OLED panels shipped in Q2 2020

More than the flexible OLED shipments, the rigid OLED panels have been most severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Rigid OLED panel shipments dropped by 40.3 percent YoY in the second quarter. During the same period, flexible OLED panels have registered an impressive growth of 38 percent.

Advertisement

The increased focus on foldable smartphones over regular smartphones during the pandemic resulted in more flexible OLED panel shipments. As per the report, lower production of mid-range smartphones from Chinese manufacturers is the primary reason behind the massive decline in rigid OLED panel shipments.

Samsung has been using OLED panels in its budget smartphones for a long time. Recently, a few Chinese brands started using OLED panels in their budget smartphones. These brands are also sourcing their panels from Chinese manufacturers.

Overall OLED shipments also seen a decline of 16.6 percent

With the Chinese governments subsidies, these manufacturers were able to provide OLED panels at 60 percent lower cost than Samsung Display. Furthermore, overall OLED shipments in Q2 2020 have only reached 170 million units. This includes smartphones, TVs, computers, and other devices.

Advertisement

This is a decline of 16.6 percent on a YoY basis and 13.4 percent on a quarterly basis. Even shipments of other smartphone components have declined over the past few months. With factories opening up and new launches happening frequently, shipments should soon reach back to pre-pandemic levels.

A previous report suggested the February 2020 has seen the biggest ever YoY decline in the global smartphone market. This is when the coronavirus is at a peak stage in China. The massive slump also shows how big China contributes to the global smartphone market.

Samsung has already launched the Galaxy Note 20 seires. In the next couple of months, Huawei and Apple will also unveil their new flagship smartphones. All these three brands combined will create a huge demand for the smartphone OLED panels. Also, there will be new budget smartphones with AMOLED display panels coming from other manufatcures like Xiaomi and OPPO.
The Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Mr. Bright Wireko Brobby has debunked assertions that the government has banned the recruitment of Ghanaian professional workers from travelling to work in the Gulf Regions.

According to the Minister, its rather the recruitment of domestic workers that were banned in 2017 due to reports of increased abuse of innocent Ghanaian ladies who travel to work in homes at the Gulf Regions.

He disclosed this on PeaceFm show dubbed Asomdwee Nkomo which hosted Private Employment Agencies who were on the show to share their thoughts on Legal Migration and as well plead with the government to start with issuance of Exit Permit.

This, the Minister explained that professional workers with certificates in various fields, including teachers, steel benders, carpenters, engineers, masons, drivers among others and are free to travel to the Gulf regions.

Once they go through the foreign recruitment process, including the acquisition of employment offer letters from the foreign companies, acquire exit permits from the Ghana Labour Department, and in collaboration with the Ghana Immigration Service, the security agencies to facilitate their permit, these skilled workers can travel without hindrance, he clarified.

With the lifting of the ban on domestic work abroad, Mr. Bobby said plans are far advanced to streamline the system to have the banned lifted after the President has given the green light.

The Deputy Minister further stated that the government is doing all these to ensure sanity and safety when it comes to migration.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban said at the signing of the contract for the draw-up of the feasibility study and the technical execution project for the Gaesti-Ploiesti Express Road, that this is a necessary road, which will also provide a ring road for the city of Gaesti.

The contract has a value of 15.8 million lei and an implementation duration of 24 months. At this moment, the express road has not exactly completed the route, this will be established within the contract signed on Tuesday in Gaesti. After concluding this contract, the tender procedure for the execution of the works follows.

"The people of Gaesti have rightly wanted, for a long time, to get rid of the heavy traffic that transits Gaesti right through the city center. Gaesti needs a ring road and today we are laying the foundations of the project that will lead to this solution for the construction of the ring road that will be part of the Ploiesti-Gaesti express road, a necessary road that will connect the Bucharest-Ploiesti Highway and when ready to Brasov and A1," Prime Minister Ludovic Orban said.
NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (TAK, TKPYY.PK) announced Monday that it has agreed to divest its unit Takeda Consumer Healthcare Co. Ltd. or TCHC to Blackstone Group Inc. (BX) for a total value of 242.0 billion Japanese yen. Takeda's consumer health care business primarily in Japan will be bought by Oscar A-Co KK, a company controlled by funds managed by Blackstone. The transaction is expected to close by March 31, 2021, subject to customary legal and regulatory closing conditions. The portfolio in the planned sale includes a variety of over-the-counter or OTC medicines and health products that generated total revenues of over 60 billion yen in fiscal year 2019. Takeda started TCHC as a separate business in April 2017 to further develop the consumer health care business in Japan. The company is now focused on highly innovative medicines across its five key business areas. So far in 2020, Takeda has also agreed to divest three different non-core asset portfolios in the Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America regions. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Florida businessman Maximo Alvarez came close to tears as he talked about how those in his native Cuba were deceived by Fidel Castro and Americans shouldn't make the same mistake.

'I may be Cuban born, but I am 100 per cent American,' he told those watching the first night of the virtual Republican National Convention. 'This is the greatest country in the world. If I gave away everything I have today, it would not equal 1 per cent of what I was given when I came to this great country of ours: The gift of freedom,' he said, his voice breaking.

He added that, 'I still hear my dad: there is no other place to go.'

Florida businessman Maximo Alvarez, a Cuban immigrant, recalled the empty promises made by Cuban leader Fidel Castro, and suggested that progressive Democrats were making many of the same claims

Maximo Alverez spoke from the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and came close to tears when he talked about escaping Castro's Communism for freedom in the United States

Alvarez, the founder of Sunshine Gasoline, recalled growing up under Castro.

'And I can never forget all those who grew up around me, who looked like me, who could have been me, who suffered and starved and died because they believed those empty promises,' he said. 'They swallow the Communist poison pill.'

Alvarez said that at Miami's Freedom Tower, referred to as the 'Ellis Island of the South,' 'you can still hear the sound of those broken promises.'

'It is the sound of waves in the ocean, carrying families clinging to pieces of wood, families with children who cant swim, but willing to risk everything to reach this blessed land,' he said. 'It is the sound of tears hitting the paper of an application for American citizenship.'

He recalled that Castro lied when asked if he was a Communist.

'He said he was a Roman Catholic,' Alvarez said. 'He knew he had to hide the truth.'

Alvarez suggested that progressive Democrats were doing the same thing now.

'Free education, free healthcare, defund the police? Trust the socialist state more than your family, than your community,' he said.

'They don't sound radical to my ears, they sound familiar,' Alvarez said.

Alvarez said that today President Donald Trump was 'fighting the forcres of anarchy and Communism.'

'I have no doubt they will hand the country to those dangerous forces,' the Florida businessman said of Democratic rule.

He spoke to an empty auditorium in Washington, D.C., several blocks from the White House, where many of the main speeches were delivered on Monday night.

'I choose President Trump because I choose America, I choose freedom,' he also said.
From Mexicos spectacular Desire Pearl suites (and fantasy menus) to the earthy, no clothes escapes of Byron Bay, there are more adults-only resorts around the world than you can poke a banana at.

With 2020 being the year of the cough, borders slammed shut, and social distancing being encouraged worldwide, you might not think this the best time to jump in a hot tub with a group of horny strangers.

Google Search Trends support that sentiment: as the pandemic erupted earlier this year, worldwide searches for adults only hotels fell significantly.

As domestic holidays and limited international travel gradually return though, searches for adults only hotels appear to be cautiously recovering.

Alongside this, some of the worlds most playful temples are now starting to reopen. Enter: Hedonism II  a coconut palm-lined resort, whose mantra is be wicked for a week, that calls Jamaicas vacation paradise of Negril home.

A magnet for nudists, swingers and sun-seekers looking for a relaxed, tropical vacation where judgment isnt part of the package, CNN Travel reports Hedonism II is one of the oldest and most popular all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica.

Hedonism II re-opened on the 1st of July 2020, after closing on March the 21st, as Jamaica closed its borders to inbound travelers.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hedonism II (@hedonismjamaica) on Jan 27, 2020 at 12:13pm PST

Hedonism II follows all the same health and safety protocols as any other hotel. But, given the nature of the place, youd expect Hedonism II to go beyond the usual measures (like temperature testing and markings on the floor for spacing at the buffet) seen at other resorts and hotels around the world.

That in mind, CNN Travel interviewed Hedonism II owner Harry Lange, to understand the extra steps Hedonism II has taken to reopen in these unprecedented times.

To understand the new safety measures, it helps to understand the guests. Mr Lange told CNN Travel the 280-room oceanfront hotel attracts guests from all over the world, with Americans and Canadians in the greatest numbers, followed by Europeans.

We think about a third of the guests would identify as swingers, a third could be exhibitionists or voyeurs and a third are not  they are more nudists who want to get overall tans, Mr Lange told CNN Travel.

Mr Lange acknowledges, according to CNN Travel, that public sex occurs in places such as the nude pool area and a few other sanctioned spots around the resort.

However, Mr Lange also told CNN Travel, since the July reopening, more than ever the sex is between people who already knew each other before coming to the resort: I have been at the pool every day since July 11 and havent witnessed any couples hooking up with couples they just met. Of course, they could be going to each others rooms.

Most of the sex is with peoples own partners Im not more concerned about that than people dancing together or having a pool party together.

To that end, the resorts foam parties are no longer happening. Similarly, the iconic car wash   not a good activity for social distancing  has been put on hold.

We dont want people to be forced close to someone against their choice So if they want to be six feet apart, its easy to do it, Mr Lange told CNN Travel.

Hedonism IIs main playroom  a space usually complete with mattresses and couches, an exhibitionist-style glass shower at its center, a dispenser with free condoms in an area called the dungeon and cubbies where guests can stash their clothes when they enter (CNN Travel)  is closed.

Instead, visitors have their fun in a smaller, unmonitored poolside play area guests have dubbed the Happening Hut.

Guests are still also invited to watch cabaret and fetish shows, as long as they wear masks covering their noses and mouths. Similarly, the resorts nude pool is still the place guests gather for games or poolside cocktails.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hedonism II (@hedonismjamaica) on Jan 29, 2020 at 8:32am PST

When asked whether hes being irresponsible by allowing close contact at his resort, potentially spreading the virus, Mr Lange told CNN Travel Hedonism II is following the same safety protocols required by government inspectors as Jamaicas other resorts and has passed all inspections.

I am very confident that we are safer than anyplace I have been in the two months I traveled around the US from May 9 to July 10.

For US travellers hoping to visit Jamaica, read this guide to understand how you might be able to do so.

Hedonism II isnt the only adults-only resort seeing signs of new life. Mexicos Desire Riviera Maya Pearl Resort and Temptation Cancun Resort are both now open for business (with new hygiene protocols).

In Australia, places like premiere club Melbourne Swingers remain closed, while tropical Queensland lifestyle resort escape Aine Events appears to still be planning its bi-annual swingers events (though it may well have cancelled the March/April one, the September/October event appears still available to book).

Its not all fun and games though. Approximately 100 nudists recently tested positive for the virus sparking a worrying COVID-19 outbreak French naturist resort Cap dAgde, The Mail Online reports.

Swinging Down Under, a popular Australian swingers blog remarks attitudes of swingers have been affected by this years events: Weve certainly noticed a downward trend of engagement of sexual interaction at all levels; podcast stats are down globally, more so for sex-positive podcasts, were receiving fewer messages on dating websites around the world and even fewer messages from our lifestyle friends than pre-COVID.

In the meantime, Australians will have to make do with what we have here, as international travel is unlikely to return (for us) until at least July 2021 (and experts predicting pre-COVID levels of travel will not be seen again until 2024).

Read Next
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A group of Black Cleveland politicians and activists who helped thwart Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge John ODonnells 2016 bid for Ohio Supreme Court Justice plan to mount a similar campaign against his 2020 quest for a seat on the states highest court.

Cleveland City Councilman Kevin Conwell, the Rev. Eugene Ward and a dozen community activists held a Monday afternoon rally outside the GlenVillage complex on East 105th Street to announce their plans to form a statewide coalition to keep ODonnell off the bench in Columbus.

The group cited ODonnells 2015 verdict acquitting former Cleveland police officer Michael Brelo of manslaughter and other charges in the shooting deaths of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams. Brelo and a dozen other Cleveland officers fired a total of 137 shots into Russells Chevy Malibu following a long police chase. Russell and Williams were unarmed. Both died in the shooting.

Brelo was the only officer to face charges, and ODonnell acquitted him of voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault charges after a bench trial. The verdict spurred mass protests that led to dozens of arrests.

For those that have Black Lives Matter signs in their yards, this is what were talking about, Fred Ward, president of the Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Necessary PAC, said.

ODonnell said in an emailed response Monday evening that he supports the group exercising their First Amendment rights to speak out against his campaign, but said he regrets that the councilman and his constituents do not accept that I seek to be part of the solution, not the problem.

The judge said he supports establishing a statewide felony sentencing database that would track the way judges dole out criminal sentences. He would also advocate for a statewide requirement for every Ohio judge to take cultural competency and implicit bias training.

He called the deaths of Russell and Williams a tragedy over which people are right to be upset, and that there is simply too much evidence in the public record to deny that some police across the country have little respect, and low regard, for people  mostly of color  in poor and working class neighborhoods.

He maintained that he made the correct decision under the law in acquitting Brelo. He also said that he and his family continue to receive personal threats over his decision.

ODonnell, a Euclid Democrat who has been on the bench in Cuyahoga County since 2007, is challenging Justice Sharon Kennedy, a Republican from Butler County in what is ODonnells third campaign for Supreme Court justice.

Political consultants from both parties said election data from ODonnells narrow 2016 loss to Justice Pat Fischer showed that the 2015 verdict likely cost him a victory. In an election with over four million votes cast, ODonnell lost by just over 22,000 votes. He fared more poorly in majority Black wards on Clevelands East Side and the citys eastern suburbs than other Democrats.

Conwell, along with three other members of Cleveland city council at the time, Black community activists and political strategist Jerry Primm II, mobilized against ODonnells 2016 bid. Conwell said Monday the group sent volunteers out knocking on doors telling people not to vote for ODonnell in Cuyahoga County.

This election, Conwell said the group has supporters working with them in Youngstown, Akron, Columbus, Toledo and Cincinnati to defeat ODonnell.

That way, well send a message to the other judges that they dont treat our people like that, the councilman, in a crisp blue suit, tie-less dress shirt and straw hat said as an N95 mask dangled from his ear.

Primm also said that he and several other of those involved in the effort support Kennedy.

The vow comes amid a surge in protests and activism against police brutality after the killings of George Floyd in Minnesota, Breonna Taylor in Louisville and several others. And the stakes in this years Ohio Supreme Court election are high for the states Democratic party, which is seeking to tip the court to a Democratic majority for the first time since 1986.

Jennifer Brunner, a Tenth District Court of Appeals judge and a Democrat, is running to unseat Justice Judith French in the only other seat on the bench up for grabs.

That argument did not sway the activists who gathered in Cleveland on Monday.

Were not concerned about whether its a Democrat or Republican, the Rev. Eugene Ward said. Were concerned about somebody who is going to satisfy justice, and give justice to our people.

Conwell acknowledged that he was likely to catch flak from those loyal to the Democratic party for marshaling opposition to one of its candidates.

They should have put someone else up there for the Supreme Court, he said.

Several speakers accused the Democratic party of taking Black voters for granted.

We have to vote against ODonnell, and we have to start holding the Democratic party accountable, said Brenda Bickerstaff, a private investigator whose brother Craig Bickerstaff was shot and killed in an encounter with Cleveland police in 2002.

Read more stories

Local fallout over Brelo verdict helped sink John ODonnells bid for the Ohio Supreme Court, election data shows

Everything you need to know about the Michael Brelo verdict

Judge John P. ODonnell: Those who disagree with Michael Brelos acquittal will never convince me that I was wrong

Control of Ohio Supreme Court at stake in 2020
A cross-country trek by about 50 protesters seeking racial justice has been halted by a shooting in Pennsylvania, wounding at least one demonstrator late Monday night.

BREAKING:

At least some of the first incident was caught on a live stream being broadcast on social media by the groups leader, Frank Nitty.

The shooting appears to stem from an encounter between the protesters, who were marching on Lincoln Highway near Bedford, Pa., and residents there.

12ABC WISN in Wisconsin is reporting that in one of the videos, Nitty can be heard telling the other demonstrators to get in their vehicles, before another person is heard saying loudly, Were leaving, you dont have to be violent.

Here is a portion of the live stream video:

WARNING: This video may be disturbing to some viewers.



This Facebook Live video shows the moments shots rang out overnight in Bedford County as protesters from Milwaukee passed through the area on their way to D.C.



State Police confirmed one person was shot. pic.twitter.com/JCU9m1RBCL  6 News (@WJACTV) August 25, 2020

MORE PA NEWS: Man with autism badly beaten after using racial slur; 3 attackers face federal charges

The protesters live stream video shows what appears to be two people standing in a driveway on an unidentified street; one of them appears to have a long gun, 12ABC writes, adding:

"This dude is shooting at us," Nitty can be heard saying before a vehicle pulls slightly forward blocking the camera's view of the person with the gun.

At least two shots can be heard.

One shooting victim was being treated at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown on Tuesday morning.

In an interview with WJAC-TV in Johnstown, Nitty says the wounds to the protester appear to be minor.

WJAC cites state police in Bedford, Pa., as confirming an incident between the group and a resident on Rt. 30 led to gunfire late Monday night. Police said two people are being questioned about the shooting. State police are no longer saying that an argument preceded the gunfire, WJAC added.

Nitty began the cross-country trek August 4 to continue protests against racial injustice and police brutality in wake of George Floyds death at the hands of police in Minnesota, 12ABC reports. The group was en route from Wisconsin to Washington D.C. when they were marching in Pa.

NOTE: This story has been updated.

READ MORE:

Pa. woman accused of breaking into apartment, stealing puppy, then throwing dog from moving car: cops

Group of protesters shot at while walking on Lincoln Highway in Pa.; 1 injured: report

Pa. woman filmed herself brutally beating girl with wooden spoon, then sent video to friends, now faces felony charge: cops

Black Lives Matter rally draws counter-protest in bitterly divided Pa. town

Steelers Terrible Towel logo ripped off for face masks, federal lawsuit says

Penn State freshmen face backlash for party that might be the reason everyone goes home

13 sick, emaciated dogs rescued from home after 911 call

Autopsy in on decomposing body found by fisherman in Pa. river

Pa. DA says shes investigating multiple reports of adults on video seeking sex with kids

400-pound black bear found illegally shot and abandoned in Pa.: a complete waste

2 Pa. wrestling coaches pressured teammates to share naked photos of high school girls for team bonding: AG

Pa. mayors home picketed, calls for him to resign over protesters kidnapping by plainclothes cops in unmarked van

Fisherman finds decomposing body in Pa. river; foul play not ruled out

Up to 240 layoffs loom at Pa. casino hurt by COVID-19 impacts: report

Pa. protester, 28, loses eye after being shot with beanbag by police: a baseball bat to the face

Pa. teen who admits role in killing her grandfather for $30K learns her fate
Scientists have reported the world's first case of a human being reinfected with the coronavirus - in a discovery that could have significant implications for the development of vaccines, and hopes of natural immunity against the virus.

Researchers at Hong Kong University's department of microbiology said genetic sequencing of the virus showed a Hong Kong man was infected twice by different versions of the coronavirus months apart.

According to the study, the patient was a 33-year-old man in good health. When he was first infected, he suffered a cough, sore throat, fever and headache for three days. He had a test confirming Covid-19 and was hospitalised on March 29.

He was discharged on April 14 after two negative swab tests. Four months later, he was returning to Hong Kong from Spain via the UK, when he tested positive during entry screening at Hong Kong airport on August 15. He was hospitalised again but had no symptoms throughout.

Experts cautioned against jumping to conclusions based on one case, but said it was a concern.

The Hong Kong University researchers said: "An apparently young and healthy patient had a second episode of Covid-19 infection diagnosed 4.5 months after the first episode.

"This case illustrates reinfection can occur after a few months of recovery from the first infection.

"Our findings suggest Sars-CoV-2 may persist in the human population, as is the case for other common-cold associated human coronaviruses, even if patients have acquired immunity via natural infection.

"Since the immunity can be short-lasting after natural infection, vaccination should also be considered for those with one episode of infection.

"Patients with previous Covid-19 infection should also comply with epidemiological control measures such as universal masking and social distancing."

If the research, published in the medical journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, is correct, then it could mean that vaccines against the virus do not give permanent protection and people will not be able to rely on being immune to the virus after recovering from an infection.

Dr David Strain, from the University of Exeter, said: "This is a worrying finding for several reasons. The first, as is laid out in this manuscript, is that it suggests that previous infection is not protective. The second is that it raises the possibility vaccinations may not provide the hope we have been waiting for.

"Vaccinations work by simulating infection to the body, thereby allowing the body to develop antibodies. If antibodies don't provide lasting protection, we will need to revert to a strategy of viral near-elimination in order to return to a more normal life."

Dr Jeffrey Barrett, from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, urged caution, arguing it was hard to draw conclusions until the full study had been published. ( Independent News Service)
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Italy's second generation of immigrants is renewing the fight for automatic citizenship in a land where migration is at the heart of the political debate.

"Jus soli!", the Latin term which literally means "right of soil," or birthright citizenship, has become the new rallying cry among the children of Italy's 5.3 million legal immigrants.

In early June, thousands of demonstrators marched in Rome in memory of African American George Floyd, who died on May 25 when a white policeman kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes, triggering an outcry in the United States and around the world.

The march spurred renewed vigour among the children and grandchildren of migrants in Italy, who share the language and country's cultural references but do not have the right to citizenship until they turn 18.

Even then, it is subject to strict conditions and often gained only after a lengthy and heavily bureaucratic process.

"In this country, citizenship is treated not as a right, but a concession," said Fatima Maiga, who was born in Italy but is of Ivorian origin.

Legal immigrants say their plight has been overshadowed by the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean Sea, which since 2014 has seen more than half a million new immigrants arriving on Italy's shores.

They claim their fight for citizenship is also weighed down by anti-immigrant sentiment at home, fomented by the far-right League party, which left government in 2019 after only a year in power.

Of the 5.3 million foreigners living in Italy in 2019, around 1.3 million were under 18 and three quarters of those were born in the country.

Among those most affected are the children of Albanians, Moroccans, Chinese, Indians and Pakistani immigrants.

- Italian/not Italian -

Maiga, 28, co-founded Italiani Senza Cittadinanza, or Italians Without Citizenship, in 2016 to help second-generation migrants -- known as the G2 -- become Italian.

Story continues

Under a 1992 law, anyone born in Italy can apply for citizenship at the age of 18, on condition of having legally lived here "without interruption".

However, the process must be launched before they turn 19.

Up until that point, they are given residence permits.

If that window is missed, people can also become a citizen on the grounds of legal residency for a decade and on the condition of a minimum income of 8,500 euros ($10,000) a year over three years.

Nevertheless, the process can take a long time and involve complicated paperwork.

"I applied when I was 18. I had to wait for four years before getting my papers," Marwa Mahmoud, 35, told AFP.

"I know what it's like to live as an Italian in everything but in law," Egyptian-born Mahmoud said.

Mahmoud and others also worry the ongoing migrant crisis -- in which hundreds continue to arrive on Italy's shores every day -- is pushing their own struggle further down the agenda.

The numbers of people arriving in this way have risen by nearly 150 percent over the past year, the majority coming by boat from Tunisia, Italy's interior ministry said last week.

"Our situation is being passed over in silence," Mahmoud lamented.

"Since Italy started getting embroiled in the migrant crisis it's like we're starting at zero again," she said, adding that Italians "tend to put everyone in the same basket".

"But the situation of an unaccompanied minor who arrived yesterday is not comparable with that of an immigrant child born and raised here," she said.

- 'Not a priority' -

During his year-long tenure in 2018-2019 as interior minister, Matteo Salvini, the head of the League party, pushed through new rules extending the waiting time to process Italian nationality applications from two to four years.

"Nationality is not a ticket to the funfair," Salvini said in 2017.

Supported by the G2 network, Italy's governing centre-left Democratic Party (PD) is now pushing for reforms -- among them, advocating for five-year continuous residency to qualify for citizenship.

But so far, the PD's coalition partner, the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, has been non-committal.

Still, a fairer birthright citizenship system is under discussion in parliament.

But "it's not a priority", said Giuseppe Brescia, a Five Star deputy, who heads parliament's committee on constitutional affairs.

The G2 movement now plans to hold a demonstration on September 19 in the hope of advancing the cause of what it calls Italy's "forgotten non-citizens."

str-hba/jhe/ams/kjm
Jonathan Cheban was seen leaving upscale Italian restaurant Cecconi's in West Hollywood this weekend without a watch on.

That may be because one of his favorite watches, a $250,000 model, was stolen at gunpoint in New Jersey earlier this month.

This comes days after the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star has said it rattled him so much to be shaken down by thugs that he is more than happy to spend some time away from the East Coast.

Don't ask him what time it is: Jonathan Cheban was seen leaving upscale Italian restaurant Cecconi's in West Hollywood this weekend without a watch on

Cheban seems to be pulling a Kim Kardashian. She stopped wearing her fancy bling after she too was robbed at gunpoint. Her incident occurred in Paris in 2016.

The FoodGod had on a white print shirt that said Learn How To Play Guitar Club with white slacks as he left the establishment.

And oddly the Celebrity Big Brother standout was not wearing Yeezy by Kanye West - that is the husband of his best friend Kim Kardashian - but rather a pair of Nikes.

The shoes are Jordan 4 and cost about $1200. Cheban must have splurged on the shoes after making a nice pay day for his new FoodGod ketchup truffle oil deal.

The bad guys got his watch: That may be because one of his favorite watches, a $250,000 model, was stolen at gunpoint in New Jersey earlier this month. This comes days after the star has said it rattled him so much to be shaken down by thugs that he is happy to be in LA

Kim, 39, plugged the ketchup earlier last week on social media.

Jonathan's robbery happened in the quiet, upscale suburban neighborhood of Englewood Cliffs in New Jersey while the star was with a friend and mother, Galina.

'It was frightening, I want the guys caught,' Cheban told DailyMail.com exclusively.

'The mugger had a gun pointed at my mother's head. There were two gunmen. It happened at 8:30 pm just as the sun was going down.'

Dress code: The TV star had on a white print shirt that said Learn How To Play Guitar Club with white slacks as he left the establishment. And oddly the Celebrity Big Brother standout was not wearing Yeezy by Kanye West - that is the husband of his best friend Kim Kardashian - but rather a pair of Nikes

Tough incident: He was with his mother, Galina (seen in 2013) when robbed

Cheban also told DailyMail.com this week that though he talked to police who had sketches of the criminals made up, the attackers have not been caught yet.

Kim was robbed at gunpoint inside her Paris hotel, The Hotel Pourtales, during fashion week in 2016.

The men eventually tied Kim up and locked her in a bathroom as they stole her jewelry worth over $10M.

After the robbery she was not seen with her enormous diamonds on for years as she scaled back on flashing her wealth. The star also got more involved with charity and started studying law.

Last week Jonathan said he does not want to be in New York City these days, even though the incident happened in New Jersey.

Terrifying past: His incident comes almost four years after Jonathan's good friend Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint inside her Paris hotel, The Hotel Pourtales, during fashion week (pictured in 2017)

'I can't be there. It's very traumatic to be there,' the 46-year-old told Page Six on Monday. 'I want to sell my apartment in New York for sure because I can't imagine living there again.'

While he was robbed in New Jersey, Cheban slammed Mayor Bill de Blasio for his lack of action over a recent spike in armed robberies, among Manhattan's Upper East Side.

'Daytime, nighttime, afternoon, Midtown, Uptown, Downtown, the mayor has destroyed the city,' he told the outlet. 'It's depressing. It's scary. I was on edge before, but now I'm even more on edge, obviously.'

He added: 'I'm just confused as to how they're allowing this to happen. I just cannot believe [New Yorkers] would vote for this idiot two times.'
Up to 14 other staff members at St Lukes General Hospital in Kilkenny are self-isolating due to contact with Covid-19 patients as they await test results.

Two healthcare workers at a hospital died after contracting the virus last April. Catherine Whelan Hickey, died following a brave battle against the virus in the Intensive Care Unit. Mrs Whelan Hickey was part of the household staff.

The 51-year-old who was originally from Ballavara, The Rower, Co Kilkenny but who settled in The Butts in Kilkenny city with her husband Christopher, daughter Mechaela and son Christopher.

Father-of-one Jim Kenny, who was in his early 40s, from Byrnesgrove, Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny also succumbed to the deadly virus. Mr Kenny was also a member of the support staff at the hospital. Both died on April 15th.

Advertisement

Work is underway on the development of a compensation scheme for the families of frontline healthcare workers that have died due to Covid-19 that was contracted in the workplace.

When the compensation scheme is developed and cleared by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly it will be submitted to the Government for approval.

The various options available are currently being considered however due to the complexities and sensitivities involved the Department of Health has said would not be appropriate to comment further, at this stage, in relation to the draft scheme.

A spokesperson for the Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG) said that, a small number of staff who have had close contact with the patients have been tested and are currently self-isolating as outlined by the Covid 19 safety and contact tracing protocols.

A recent outbreak of the superbug CPE in a geriatric ward has also added to the pressure at the hospital and a trade union representative said that staff are working as hard as they can.

Denis Hynes, of SIPTUs Health Division said: Its a major problem out there at the minute and Ive been talking to the staff and its only a question of time before complete fatigue sets in, theyre working extremely hard.

Its very difficult, when youre talking to the staff, you see what theyre facing, Staff are looking after people, theyre doing the best they can, (and ) have commitment and loyalty (to their work)."
Facebook on Tuesday blocked access within Thailand to a group that has criticized the country's king but said it was planning a legal challenge to the government's demand that it restrict access to the organization's page.

The move comes amid near daily youth-led protests against the government and unprecedented calls for reforms of the monarchy, in a country that has experienced decades of protests punctuated by military coups. Thailand's strict lese majeste laws forbid "defaming, insulting or threatening" the king or royal family, and carry penalties of up to 15 years in prison.

"Facebook has determined that we are compelled to restrict access to content which the Thai government has deemed to be illegal," a Facebook spokesperson told NBC News in a statement.

"Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on people's ability to express themselves."

Image: A student ties a white ribbon to the gate of the Education Ministry during a protest in Bangkok earlier this month. (Mladen Antonov / AFP - Getty Images)

The "Royalist Marketplace" Facebook group, which counts around 1 million members, was created in April by Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a self-exiled academic and critic of the monarchy.

On Monday night, the group's page brought up a message: "Access to this group has been restricted within Thailand pursuant to a legal request from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society."

Pavin, who lives in Japan, told Reuters that Facebook had bowed to the military-dominated government's pressure.

"By doing this, Facebook is cooperating with the authoritarian regime to obstruct democracy and cultivating authoritarianism in Thailand."

Pavin created a new group of the same name, which already had over 455,000 members as of Tuesday according to Reuters.

Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics

Facebook said on Tuesday it was planning to legally challenge the Thai government after being "compelled" to block access to the group.

"We work to protect and defend the rights of all internet users and are preparing to legally challenge this request," a spokesperson said. Facebook said it would ask the court to decide on the legality and constitutionality of the government order relating to the group, but did not give details of a time-frame.

Story continues

Thailand's digital ministry last week filed a separate cyber-crime complaint against Pavin for creating the group.

Earlier this month, more than 10,000 Thai protesters chanting "down with dictatorship" and "the country belongs to the people" rallied in Bangkok, in by far the biggest anti-government demonstrations since a 2014 coup.

Demonstrators were calling for curbs to the monarchy's powers, 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. Many held up three-fingers, mimicking a salute from the Hollywood movie the "Hunger Games," during protests.

Anger has further been fueled by accusations of corruption, the arrest of some student leaders over earlier protests and the economic fallout from the coronavirus epidemic.

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.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Two Lakewood Middle School workers submitted resignation letters due to concerns over the districts plan to reopen five days a week amid the coronavirus pandemic, the local teachers union said.

In a Facebook post, the Lakewood Education Association shared two letters from union members who said they did not feel safe heading back to the classroom given the pandemic and what they called a lack of precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19. The union represents approximately 750 teachers, secretaries and paraprofessionals.

The schools are crowded. The rooms are small. There are very little precautions in place. It is inevitable that not only teachers but also students family members will get sick. This is a plan that I cannot get behind, one of the letters, dated Aug. 12, reads.

Unfortunately due to the current COVID-19 epidemic I am unable to continue my employment here. I do not feel safe exposing my 4 month old daughter to the possibility of contracting this virus, the second letter, dated Aug. 17, says.

Last week, the union which represents workers in the K-12 district began calling for the public to write to the school board in support of all-virtual instruction.

Keep up with the latest in N.J. schools coverage. Sign up with your email here:



Kim Shaw, president of the Lakewood teachers union, said in a statement to NJ Advance Media that teachers shouldnt be put in a position where they feel they must resign in order to keep themselves or a loved one safe.

The districts current plan puts the community at risk, she said, given large class sizes, the inability to social distance and inadequate plexiglass barriers.

Some teachers and staff members have health issues that put them at risk of death should they contract the virus. Others may live in households with family members whose health is compromised. No one should be put in a position where they feel that leaving their career is the only way to save their own life or that of a loved one, Shaw said.

Lakewood is among the districts in New Jersey that has opted for in-person instruction in addition to offering a virtual option. Earlier this month, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that schools could start the year with virtual learning, but have to submit plans to the state for approval that include a date when in-person classes would resume.

Of New Jerseys nearly 600 school districts, 180 have applied to begin the school year with all-remote learning while 59 districts plan to fully reopen with the rest of New Jerseys districts moving forward with a hybrid mix of in-person and remote learning.

Michael Inzelbuch, the Lakewood school districts attorney, said the workers who resigned due to coronavirus concerns were a teacher and a paraprofessional, and that there have been fewer resignations this summer than last summer.

He defended the districts reopening plan, saying teachers are being given face coverings and there will be temperature checks. While overcrowding has been an issue at Lakewood schools in past years, Inzelbuch said construction began recently on modular units with eight classrooms at Lakewood Middle School set to possibly open in September.

He also said many Lakewood parents do not have jobs that allow them to work from home and that only 8% of students have chosen remote learning. Inzelbuch also said many of the districts 6,500 public school students dont have their own laptops or computers needed for at-home instruction.

We are mitigating, Inzelbuch said. If we dont open, how will our precious public school students going to get the education theyre entitled to?

The districts plan includes regular coronavirus testing for staff and students upon request, and Inzelbuch said about 600 students and staff were tested over the past two days. The plan was approved by the state education department last Monday.

Editors Note: This story was updated with comments from the school districts attorney.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo2@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo.
PHOENIX - The fight over whether Phoenix-area gyms, bars, movie theatres and water parks can reopen could be a moot point by Thursday if Maricopa Countys downward trend in coronavirus cases holds, the states top health officer said.

Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Department of Health Services, said she expects the county will hit levels for moderate spread of the virus on that day.

That means gyms that have been seeking waivers from the department can reopen even without one at reduced capacity. Five smaller counties - Cochise, Coconino, Greenlee, LaPaz and Yavapai - already are rated at moderate and other counties besides Maricopa could reach that mark this week. Also headed in that direction are Pinal and Pima counties.

State guidelines drafted by Christs department say gyms can reopen at 25% capacity once a county hits moderate transmission rates but must commit to implementing strategies to prevent the spread of the virus. Gyms are also urged to use a reservation system. Bars and nightclubs also can open at 50% occupancy levels, but only if they convert to restaurant service and implement stringent health department guidelines. Bars with no food service must remain closed.

Water parks and movie theatres also are allowed to reopen at 50% capacity once their county hits the moderate spread measurement.

Mountainside Fitness, a Phoenix-area chain of gyms, has been sparring with Gov. Doug Ducey in court over his closure orders. The company announced last Friday that it would reopen its metro locations even though its waiver application with the Department of Health Services has not been approved.

Christ said Monday that Mountain owner Tom Hattens announcement wasnt that far off  even though her department denied its waiver request Sunday. About 90 gyms and a handful of bars and theatres have won waivers.

We believe Maricopa County is probably going to hit moderate on Thursday, Christ said. So they actually wouldnt be out of line with saying they were planning on opening this week.

The company issued a statement Tuesday saying it would reopen Thursday morning and called the departments review subjective.

Mountainside won a court order requiring the governor to provide a way for closed businesses to apply for reopening. The state unveiled a plan Aug. 10 allowing gyms to apply to reopen at a limited capacity and with health precautions once the spread of the virus within their county is downgraded to moderate or minimal.

Christ also said most of Arizonas 15 counties appear on track to meet guidelines for partially reopening schools by Labor Day. Counties must meet three specific metrics, including a test positivity rate of 7% or lower, to reopen with hybrid instruction.

I think there will be a couple of places like Yuma (County) that wont reach that, but they can work with their local health departments, Christ said. I would imagine that Maricopa and Pinal and Pima in the next two to three weeks will be at the 7 or below the 7.

Christs remarks came as Arizona nears 200,000 confirmed virus cases after state health officials reported an additional 859 new cases on Tuesday.

The new confirmed cases reported by the Department of Health Services bring total coronavirus cases in the state to 199,273. The department reported 21 new deaths, to a total of 4,792.

Arizona is continuing to see big decreases in hospitalizations, intensive care bed usage and people with severe cases of COVID-19 needing ventilators to breathe.

Records the state collects from hospitals show just 999 people were hospitalized on Monday, the lowest since May 31. The state saw a surge of cases in June and July, hitting a peak of 3,517 people hospitalized on July 13. The use of ICU beds has also dropped significantly, with 319 cases on Monday, down from a peak of 970 on July 12.

New case and death reports have dropped since mid-July.

Christ said she is slightly worried that reopening schools, gyms, bars and nightclubs may send a message that the battle over the virus is won and that people can ease up on safety measures. That is not the case.

I think the one thing we need to remind people is it is not time to relax all of the great mitigation measures that weve been doing, Christ said. We still need masks, people still need to remain home when theyre sick, people still need to physically distance.

And were going to be watching these as we now start to gradually open some of these businesses and things, she said.

The number of coronavirus infections is thought to be higher because many people have not been tested. Studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick.

For most people, COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a few weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Medexus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the "Company" or "Medexus") (TSXV:MDP) (OTCQX:MEDXF) today announced that it will be presenting at the LD 500 Investor conference being held virtually on September 1-4, 2020.

View Medexus Pharmaceuticals' profile here: https://www.ldmicro.com/profile/MDP.V

Ken d'Entremont, Chief Executive Officer of Medexus, and Roland Boivin, Chief Financial Officer of Medexus, are scheduled to present on Tuesday, September 1st at 11:40 a.m., Eastern Time. The presentation will be webcast live on the conference event platform, which can be accessed here. One-on-one meetings will be held throughout the conference via video conference calls.

The LD 500 will feature the most prominent companies in the small and micro-cap world, alongside interviews and keynotes with thought leaders from various industries.

To schedule a one-on-one meeting with Medexus, you may submit your request online via the link provided upon registration or email your request to wade@ldmicro.com. To register for the conference, contact David Scher at david@ldmicro.com or visit https://ld-micro-conference.events.issuerdirect.com/.

Profiles powered by LD Micro - News Compliments of Accesswire

About LD Micro

Back in 2006, LD Micro began with the sole purpose of being an independent resource to the microcap world. What started as a newsletter highlighting unique companies, has transformed into the pre-eminent event platform in the space. The upcoming "500" in September is the Company's most ambitious project yet, and the first event that is accessible to everyone.

About Medexus

Medexus is a leading specialty pharmaceutical company with a strong North American commercial platform. The Company's vision is to provide the best healthcare products to healthcare professionals and patients, through our core values of Quality, Innovation, Customer Service and Teamwork. Medexus Pharmaceuticals is focused on the therapeutic areas of auto-immune disease, hematology and allergy. The Company's leading products are: Rasuvo and Metoject, a unique formulation of methotrexate (auto-pen and pre-filled syringe) designed to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other auto-immune diseases; IXINITY, an intravenous recombinant factor IX therapeutic for use in patients 12 years of age or older with Hemophilia B - a hereditary bleeding disorder characterized by a deficiency of clotting factor IX in the blood, which is necessary to control bleeding; and Rupall, an innovative prescription allergy medication with a unique mode of action.

For more information, please contact:

Ken d'Entremont, Chief Executive Officer

Medexus Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Tel.: 905-676-0003

E-mail: ken.dentremont@medexus.com

Roland Boivin, Chief Financial Officer

Medexus Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Tel.: 514-762-2626 ext. 202

E-mail: roland.boivin@medexus.com

Investor Relations (U.S.):

Crescendo Communications, LLC

Tel: +1-212-671-1020

Email: mdp@crescendo-ir.com

Investor Relations (Canada):

Frank Candido

Direct Financial Strategies and Communication Inc.

Tel: 514-969-5530

E-mail: frank.candido@medexusinc.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Medexus Pharmaceuticals via LD Micro

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603241/Medexus-to-Present-at-The-LD-500-Virtual-Conference-on-September-1st
The Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) held on Monday evening a candlelight vigil inside its headquarters in Cairo to mourn the victims of the massive warehouse explosion that took place earlier this month in Beirut.

Dozens of members of the humanitarian organisation attended the event, as well as Egyptian Social Solidarity Minister Niveen El-Kabbag and the vice president of the ERC.

The event's attendees waved Lebanese flags and the Red Crescent lit up its building with the message For Lebanon to express solidarity with the people of Lebanon.

"Egypt always stands with its Arab brothers in times of afflictions and crises," El- Kabbag said.

The minister added that Egypt has sent over 160 tons of humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people through an airlift Egypt extended to the blast-hit country to help it overcome the crisis.

On 4 August, a massive blast at Beirut Port damaged buildings across the capital and sent a giant mushroom cloud into the sky, killing at least 171 people, injuring around 6,000, and leaving as many as 300,000 homeless.

Lebanese officials said the explosion was caused by ammonium nitrate, 2,750 tons of which had been stored in a warehouse at the port for six years after being confiscated from a ship.

Egypt has taken several steps to provide assistance to Lebanon, including launching the airlift to provide humanitarian aid and relief supplies, as well as a sealift to help in the reconstruction of the city.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Advertisement

Donald Trump Jr said Monday night 'this election is church, work and school versus rioting, looting and vandalism' as he took aim at Joe Biden's 'socialism' on the first night of the Republican National Convention.

His girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host, went after the Democrat nominee's 'comrades who will fundamentally change the nation' during her rollicking address to the GOP faithful.

The Republicans sought to paint Donald Trump as America's guardian angel against unscrupulous socialist forces who want to overthrow all that the Founding Fathers stood for.

The President appeared in two segments, speaking to frontline workers and then to freed hostages and prisoners from overseas during the heavily-produced evening which largely avoided discussion of coronavirus.

Organizers rolled out 'ordinary voters' who praised Trump for his impact on their lives, including a cancer patient and a recipient of PPP bailout cash as they tried to present a diverse face of the party.

There was an emotional Cuban immigrant and black speakers for the event which began with a movie-style voiceover by Jon Voight and ended before 11pm EST.

Trump had said last week that he wanted more of his convention to be live than the Democrats' but just three speeches were - those of Ronna McDaniel, the Republican Party chair, Nikki Haley, the former ambassador to the United Nations, and Tim Scott, the South Carolina senator.

But it was the pre-recorded speech of the president's eldest son which stood out as the major political argument of the night and struck directly and forcefully at his father's rival for the presidency.

'This time the other party is attacking the very principles on which our Nation was founded,' he said of Democrats, in a speech taped before it was aired.

He accused Biden, who has spent over 40 years in public office as a senator from Delaware and then as vice president, 'the Loch Ness Monster of the Swamp'  which is the nickname for Washington D.C.

Donald Trump Jr took his turn in the spotlight on Monday night as the highest profile member of the first family to address the Republican National Convention

Grand setting: Republican speakers delivered their speeches from a podium at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium - including Donald Trump Jr. TV cameras largely stayed tightly focused on them for their speeches

Kimberly Guilfoyle's remarks seemed to come from the pulpit, with her arms reached over head in prayer as she shouted out praise for President Trump

Emphatic point: Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr.'s girlfriend, delivered her pre-taped speech to an almost entirely empty Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington D.C.

Donald Trump Jr. fist bumps his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle after they pre-recorded their addresses at the Republican National Convention

Watching from the side: Donald Trump Jr. watched his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle deliver her speech on a TV in the auditorium

Donald Trump Jr. addressed some of President Trump's s weakness - his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and race relations - while hitting Joe Biden in one of his areas of strength - his appeal to middle-class workers

Black Republican senator Tim Scott tells how his family 'went from cotton to Congress in a generation' Tim Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, told his personal story at the GOP convention Monday of how his family went from 'cotton to Congress'  as he made a case for the 'goodness of America' and ripped Joe Biden for recent flubs on race. Scott, a South Carolina senator raised by a single mother and dropped out of school in ninth grade only to return to complete his education, spoke of his connection to his grandfather, who got to witness his own rise. 'Growing up, he had to cross the street if a white person was coming,' said Scott. 'Our family went from cotton to Congress in one lifetime,' said Sen. Tim Scott at the Republican convention Monday 'He suffered the indignity of being forced out of school as a third grader to pick cotton. And he never learned to read or write. Yet he lived long enough to see his grandson be the first African American be elected to both the United States House and the United States Senate in the history of this country.' 'Our family went from cotton to Congress in one lifetime,' he underlined. Scott tied his own story of achievement to a pitch for Donald Trump's reelection at a time of angry clashes between Black Lives Matter protesters and police following the death of George Floyd in police custody. 'And that's why I believe the next American century can be better than the last,' said Scott. 'We have work to do, but I believe in the goodness of America,' he added. Scott also called for people to paint a 'full picture' of Trump,' whose most fervent opponents have called him a racist. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks during the first night of the Republican National Convention President Donald Trump shakes hands with Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) during a working session regarding the Opportunity Zones provided by tax reform in the Oval Office of the White House February 14, 2018 in Washington, DC He called several of Joe Biden's flubs, including one the former vice president made while appearing withe Charlamagne tha God on his syndicated show 'The Breakfast Club.' Biden walked back the comment afterwards. 'Joe Biden said if a black man didn't vote for him, he wasn't truly black,' said Scott, recalling the incident. 'Joe Biden said black people are a monolithic community. It was Joe Biden who said 'poor kids can be just as smart as white kids.'' Biden told the host in May: ''If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black.' He quickly apologized for the remark. 'I know that the comments have come off like I was taking the African American vote for granted. But nothing could be further [from] the truth.' Biden said he was making the point that 'making the point that I have never taken the vote for granted.' Scott was also referencing Biden's recent comment to NPR that 'What you all know that most people don't know, unlike the African American community with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community, with incredibly different attitudes about different things.' Biden quickly walked back the comment and said: 'Throughout my career I've witnessed the diversity of thought, background, and sentiment within the African American community.' Scott continued his attack as he blasted Biden for the 1994 Crime Bill saying 'while his words are one thing, his actions take it to a whole new level.' Scott also talked up his support for Opportunity Zones legislation signed by President Trump. And he lobbed several phrases at Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris that sought to tie them to the worst excesses of socialist dictatorship. He said they would 'turn our country into a socialist utopia' and added: 'Make no mistake, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris want a cultural revolution. A fundamentally different America.' Scott mentioned the death of Floyd, which not only precipitated mass protests but brought on new conversations about race and history. 'This isn't how I pictured tonight, but our country is experiencing something none of us envisioned,' Scott said at the mostly virtual convention. 'From a global pandemic, to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, 2020 has tested our nation in ways we haven't seen for decades,' he said. Advertisement

'Joe Biden is basically the Loch Ness Monster of the Swamp. For the past half-century, he's been lurking around in there. He sticks his head up every now and then to run for President, then he disappears and doesn't do much in between,' Trump Jr. said.

The couple recorded their speeches a few hours before they aired and did them in one take, live to tape, DailyMail.com has learned.

In his remarks, Trump Jr. addressed some of his father's weakness - his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and race relations - while hitting Biden in one of his areas of strength - his appeal to middle-class workers.

The president's son echoed his father in blaming the 'Chinese Communist Party' for the pandemic that has infected more than 5.74 million Americans, including his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle, and killed more 177,00 people.

He and Guifoyle, like most of the convention speakers Monday night, spoke from the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington D.C., just a few miles from the White House.

Trump Jr. complained when the president shut down travel from China that 'Joe Biden and his Democrat allies called my father a racist and xenophobe for doing it. They put political correctness ahead of the safety and security of the American people.'

He also attacked Biden for saying he would shut down the country to help combat the pandemic.

Biden told ABC News in an interview that aired Sunday night that he would close down the country if scientists recommended it.

'I would shut it down; I would listen to the scientists,' he said - a line Republicans promptly pounded on to attack the Democratic candidate.

Trump Jr. said Biden's actions  if elected  would destroy the American economy.

'Biden's radical leftwing policies would stop our economic recovery cold. He's already talking about shutting the country down -- again. It's madness,' he said.

The president's son, who works for the family business The Trump Organization, attacked Biden in one of the Democrat's strongest areas  his appeal to blue-collar voters, the same voters that helped elect President Trump in 2016.

'In fact, if you think about it, Joe Biden's entire economic platform seems designed to crush the working man and woman,' Trump Jr. said. 'He supported the worst trade deals in the history of the planet. He voted for the NAFTA Nightmare. Down the tubes went our auto industry. He pushed TPP. Goodbye manufacturing jobs.'

He also warned that Biden wants to open American borders so 'more illegal immigrants' can 'take jobs from American citizens.'

'Biden also wants to bring in more illegal immigrants to take jobs from American citizens. His open border policies would drive wages down for Americans at a time when low-income workers were getting real wage increases for the first time in modern history,' he said.

Trump Jr kicked off the opening night of the Republican National Convention, which moved its hub of operations to Washington D.C. on Monday night after the business of the gathering - the formal nomination of the president - was completed earlier in the day in Charlotte, North Carolina.

President Trump's family will take center stage at this week's convention: first lady Melania Trump will give the keynote address on Tuesday night while Eric Trump and Tiffany speak the same evening. Ivanka Trump will introduce her father on Thursday night ahead of his key note address, delivered from the South Lawn of the White House.

Meanwhile, Trump Jr appears to have found a calling in politics. A popular surrogate for his father at campaign rallies and a prolific fundraiser for the Republican Party, Trump Jr has sparked talk he'll run for office one day himself.

But on Monday, he advocated for a second term for his father. He addressed the racial tension in the United States, which is another area where voters give President Trump low marks.

'All men and women are created equal and must be treated equally under the law. That's why we must put an end to racism, and we must ensure that any police officer who abuses their power is held accountable. What happened to George Floyd is a disgrace. And if you know a police officer, you know they agree with that, too,' he said.

However, he also repeated the Republican line that police must be defended.

'But we cannot lose sight of the fact that our police are American heroes. They deserve our deepest appreciation. Because no matter what the Democrats say, you and I both know when we dial 911, we don't want it going to voicemail. So 'defunding' the police is not an option,' he said.

Biden has said repeatedly he does not want to defund police departments.

And Trump Jr closed with a vision for the future.

'Imagine the country you want to live in--one with true equality of opportunity, where hard work pays off and justice is served with compassion and without partiality. You can have it,' he said, adding it would just take re-electing President Trump.

Kimberly Guilfoyle, one of President Trump's most energetic supporters on the campaign trail and the girlfriend of his eldest son, preceded Trump Jr on stage.

The couple make a popular side show ahead of the president at his campaign rallies with their cute, couplely shtick about their life in politics, complete with cute nicknames for one another.

After Guilfoyle finished her remarks, Trump Jr gave her a fist bump.

Guilfoyle stuck to the campaign's talking points in her brief remarks, emphasizing that Trump is the 'law and order president' while Joe Biden and Kamala Harris want to defund the police, which Biden has said is not true.

'As Commander-in-Chief, he always puts America First! President Trump is The Law and Order President,' she said. 'Biden, Harris and their socialist comrades will fundamentally change this nation - they want open borders, closed schools, dangerous amnesty and will selfishly send your jobs back to China, while they get richer! They will defund, dismantle and destroy America's law enforcement.'

NIKKI HALEY SHOWCASES COMPASSIONATE REPUBLICANISM Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley's speech showcased a compassionate brand of Republicanism which described her life story and heritage. Haley, the 48-year-old daughter of Indian immigrants, was a rising Republican star when Trump tapped the then-South Carolina governor to become ambassador to the United Nations in 2017. She cited her successful efforts to remove the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state capitol grounds following the 2015 massacre of nine Black churchgoers in Charleston by a white supremacist. But she avoided mentioning the word 'Confederate,' instead calling the flag a 'divisive symbol.' 'In much of the Democratic Party, it's now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie. America is not a racist country,' Haley said. She noted her father wore a turban and her mother a sari. ' was a brown girl in a black and white world,' Haley said. 'My mom built a successful business. My dad taught 30 years at a historically Black college. And the people of South Carolina chose me as their first minority and first female governor.' She praised Trump for taking on Iran, China and North Korea, while supporting allies like Israel. Critics have accused the president of cozying up to U.S. adversaries such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, while alienating NATO allies. Haley added the United Nations was not for the faint of heart and was a place where dictators put their hands out and ask for Americans to pay their bills. 'Well, President Trump put an end to all that. With his leadership, we did what Barack Obama and Joe Biden refused to do. We stood up for America and we stood against our enemies,' Haley said. Advertisement

ST LOUIS COUPLE WHO WENT VIRAL FOR WIELDING GUNS AT BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTERS APPEAR A St Louis couple who went viral when they stood outside their homes brandishing weapons at riotous Black Lives Matter demonstrators also appeared during a segment on Monday night. Mark and Patty McCloskey, who are facing felony charges, touted Trump's defense of the Second Amendment and also warned Americans of the 'mob.' 'At this moment in history, if you stand up for yourself and for the values our country was founded on, the mob  spurred on by their allies in the media  will try to destroy you,' Mark said as he sat beside his wife and addressed the camera in remote remarks. Patty said: 'What you saw happen to us could just as easily happen to any of you who are watching from quiet neighborhoods around our country. And thats what we want to speak to you about tonight.' Advertisement

She also criticized her former home state of California. Guilfoyle is the ex-wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. When he was San Francisco mayor the couple were portrayed as the future of Democratic politics.

'If you want to see the socialist Biden/Harris future for our country, just take a look at California. It is a place of immense wealth, immeasurable innovation and immaculate environment  and the Democrats turned it into a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes,' she said in dramatic tones.

She then pivoted to what life is like under President Trump.

'In President Trump's America we light things up, we don't dim them down. We build things up, we don't burn them down. We kneel in prayer and we stand for our flag!' she said.

She spoke dramatically, waving her arms and practically shouting her words.

Guilfoyle, who is the finance chair of the Trump re-election campaign, promised the 'best is yet to come' under President Trump. She raised her arms wide, as if in prayer, shouting her support for the president.

'President Trump is the leader who will rebuild the Promise of America and ensure that every citizen can realize their American Dream!,' she said and closed with: 'Ladies and Gentleman, Leaders and Fighters for Freedom and Liberty and the American Dream  The best is yet to come!'

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley's speech showcased a compassionate brand of Republicanism which described her life story and heritage.

Haley, the 48-year-old daughter of Indian immigrants, was a rising Republican star when Trump tapped the then-South Carolina governor to become ambassador to the United Nations in 2017.

She cited her successful efforts to remove the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state capitol grounds following the 2015 massacre of nine Black churchgoers in Charleston by a white supremacist. But she avoided mentioning the word 'Confederate,' instead calling the flag a 'divisive symbol.'

'In much of the Democratic Party, it's now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie. America is not a racist country,' Haley said.

She noted her father wore a turban and her mother a sari. ' was a brown girl in a black and white world,' Haley said.

'My mom built a successful business. My dad taught 30 years at a historically Black college. And the people of South Carolina chose me as their first minority and first female governor.'

She praised Trump for taking on Iran, China and North Korea, while supporting allies like Israel. Critics have accused the president of cozying up to U.S. adversaries such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, while alienating NATO allies.

Haley added the United Nations was not for the faint of heart and was a place where dictators put their hands out and ask for Americans to pay their bills.

'Well, President Trump put an end to all that. With his leadership, we did what Barack Obama and Joe Biden refused to do. We stood up for America and we stood against our enemies,' Haley said.

Also speaking at the convention were the St. Louis couple who went viral for wielding guns at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their home.

Mark and Patty McCloskey, who are facing felony charges, touted Trump's defense of the Second Amendment and also warned Americans of the 'mob.'

'At this moment in history, if you stand up for yourself and for the values our country was founded on, the mob  spurred on by their allies in the media  will try to destroy you,' Mark said as he sat beside his wife and addressed the camera in remote remarks.

The night began with a video montage narrated by actor Jon Voight as patriotic and pro-Donald Trump images and clips showed on screen.

In an attempt to expand speaking time and to upstage Democrats, the festivities Monday night began a full half-an-hour earlier than Democrats began their convention each night last week.

Voight, an avid Republican, touted in his monologue narration that Trump was elected because he works 'tirelessly' for Americans.

'We chose a different path,' Voight said of Trump's election. 'A man who is not a politician. A man who cares. A man who loves America, and all Americans. A man who works tirelessly for you. Even tonight during this nomination.'

Republicans on Monday nominated Trump for a second term as he faces Democrat Joe Biden in the November 3 election.

Kimberly Guilfoyle seemed to be speaking from the pulpit when she addressed the Republican National Convention on Monday night

Donald Trump Jr and Kimberly Guilfoyle tweeted their praise for one another during the Republican convention on Monday night

'Amped up.' Donald Trump Jr. posted a video on Instagram showing him dressed in a stars and stripes jacket, with two cans of Red Bull 'getting ready for my speech,' before former Trump ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell entered the frame and said: 'Don't forget your purse.'

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks to the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention in a live address broadcast from the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, U.S., August 24, 2020

READ DONALD TRUMP JR'S FULL SPEECH TO RNC Good evening, America. We're here tonight to talk about the Great American Story. To talk about this country we all love. This Land of promise and opportunity -- of heroes... and greatness. Just a few short months ago, we were seeing the American Dream become a reality for more of our citizens than ever before.  The greatest prolonged economic expansion in American history.  The lowest unemployment rate in nearly 50 years.  The lowest ever unemployment rates ever for black Americans, hispanic Americans, women, and pretty much every other demographic group. And then, courtesy of the Chinese Communist Party, the virus struck. The President quickly took action and shut down travel from China. Joe Biden and his Democrat allies called my father a racist and xenophobe for doing it. They put political correctness ahead of the safety and security of the American people. Fortunately, as the virus began to spread, the President acted quickly and ensured ventilators got to hospitals that needed them most. He delivered PPE to our brave frontline workers. And he rallied the mighty American private sector, to tackle this new challenge. There is more work to do, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Job gains are outpacing what the so-called experts expected. But Biden's radical leftwing policies would stop our economic recovery cold. He's already talking about shutting the country down -- again. It's madness. Democrats claim to be for workers, but they've spent the entire pandemic trying to sneak a tax break for millionaires in Democrat states into the COVID relief bill. Then they attacked my father for suspending the payroll tax for middle-class workers. In fact, if you think about it, Joe Biden's entire economic platform seems designed to crush the working man and woman. He supported the worst trade deals in the history of the planet. He voted for the NAFTA Nightmare. Down the tubes went our auto industry. He pushed TPP. Goodbye manufacturing jobs. Beijing Biden is so weak on China that the Intelligence Community recently assessed that the Chinese Communist Party favors Biden. They know he'll weaken us both economically and on the world stage. Biden also wants to bring in more illegal immigrants to take jobs from American citizens. His open border policies would drive wages down for Americans at a time when low-income workers were getting real wage increases for the first time in modern history. He's pledged to repeal the Trump Tax Cuts, which were the biggest in our history. After eight years of Obama and Biden's slow growth, Trump's policies have been like rocket fuel to the economy and especially the middle-class. Biden has promised to take that money back out of your pocket and keep it in the Swamp. But that makes sense, considering Joe Biden is basically the Loch Ness Monster of the Swamp. For the past half-century, he's been lurking around in there. He sticks his head up every now and then to run for President, then he disappears and doesn't do much in between. So if you're looking for hope, look to the man who did what the failed Obama-Biden Administration never could do and built the greatest economy our country had ever seen--and President Trump will do it again. We will be stronger than ever, because when we put our mind to it, there's no obstacle that America can't surmount. Except there's a difference this time. In the past, both parties believed in the goodness of America. We agreed on where we wanted to go. We just disagreed about how to get there. This time the other party is attacking the very principles on which our Nation was founded:  Freedom of thought  Freedom of speech  Freedom of religion  The rule of law Thomas Jefferson famously said, 'I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.' Our Founders believed there was nothing more important than protecting our God-given right to think for ourselves. Now the Left's trying to 'cancel' all of those Founders. They don't seem to understand this important principle: In order to improve in the future, we must learn from our past--not erase it. So we are not going to tear down monuments and forget the people who built our great Nation. Instead, we will learn from our past so we don't repeat any mistakes. And we will work tirelessly to improve the lives of all Americans. Joe Biden and the radical left are also now coming for our freedom of speech and want to bully us into submission. If they get their way, it will no longer be the 'Silent Majority,' it will be the 'Silenced Majority.' This has to stop. Freedom of expression used to be a Liberal value, at least before the radical Left took over. Now the Republican Party is the home of free speech--the place where anyone from any background can speak their mind. And may the best ideas win. People of faith are under attack. You're not allowed to go to church, but mass chaos in the streets gets a pass. It's almost like this election is shaping up to be church, work, and school vs. rioting, looting and vandalism-- or, in the words of Biden and the Democrats, 'peaceful protesting.' Anarchists have been flooding our streets and Democrat mayors are ordering the police to stand down. Small businesses across Americamany of them minority ownedare being torched by mobs. The Democrat mayors pretend it's not happening. They actually called it 'a summer of love.' And that brings me to another important principle: Every American must be free to live without fear of violence--in your country, in your communities, and in your homes. All men and women are created equal and must be treated equally under the law. That's why we must put an end to racism, and we must ensure that any police officer who abuses their power is held accountable. What happened to George Floyd is a disgrace. And if you know a police officer, you know they agree with that, too. But we cannot lose sight of the fact that our police are American heroes. They deserve our deepest appreciation. Because no matter what the Democrats say, you and I both know when we dial 911, we don't want it going to voicemail. So 'defunding' the police is not an option. Everything starts with safety and security. You can't have anything else without it. You can't focus on building a better future for your children without the peace of mind that they can study safely in their classrooms, play safely in their neighborhoods, and sleep safely in their beds. But safety is only the beginning. Trump's America is a land of opportunity--a place of promise. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that could afford the best schools and the finest universities. But a great education cannot be the exclusive right of the rich and powerful. It must be accessible to all. That's why my dad is pro-school choice. That's why he called education access the civil rights issue of not just our time--but of all time. It is unacceptable that too many African American and Hispanic American children are stuck in bad schools just because of their zip code. Donald Trump will not stand for it. If Democrats really wanted to help minorities and underserved communities, instead of bowing to big money union bosses, they'd let parents choose what school is best for their kids. They'd limit immigration to protect American workers. They'd support the police who protect our neighborhoods. They'd learn how to negotiate trade deals that prioritizes America's interests for a change. They'd end the endless wars and quit sending our young people to solve problems in foreign lands. They'd cut taxes for families and workers. They'd create Opportunity Zones that drive investment into inner cities. In other words, if Democrats cared for the forgotten men and women of our country, they'd do exactly what President Trump is doing. America is the greatest country on Earth. But my father's entire worldview revolves around the idea that we can always do even better. Imagine the life you want to have--one with a great job, a beautiful home, and a perfect family. You can have it. Imagine the country you want to live in--one with true equality of opportunity, where hard work pays off and justice is served with compassion and without partiality. You can have it. Imagine a world where the evils of Communism and radical Islamic Terrorism are not given a chance to spread--where heroes are celebrated and the good guys win. You can have it. That is the life, that is the country, that is the world that Donald Trump and the Republican Party are after. And yes, you can have it. Because unlike Joe Biden and the radical Left Democrats, our Party is open to everyone. It all starts by rejecting the radicals who want to drag us into the dark, and embracing the man who represents a bright and beautiful future for all. It starts by re-electing Donald J. Trump President of the United States. Thank you and God Bless America. Advertisement

READ KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE'S SPEECH TO THE RNC Good evening, America, I'm Kimberly Guilfoyle. I speak to you tonight as a single mother, a former prosecutor, a Latina and a proud American! And, yes, a supporter of Donald Trump. Why? Because he is the President who delivers for America! He built the greatest economy the world has ever known  for the strivers  the working class and middle class. As Commander-in-Chief, he always puts America First! President Trump is The Law and Order President. Now, Presidential leadership is not guaranteed. It is a choice! Biden, Harris and their socialist comrades will fundamentally change this nation - they want open borders, closed schools, dangerous amnesty and will selfishly send your jobs back to China, while they get richer! They will defund, dismantle and destroy America's law enforcement... When you are in trouble, and need 911, don't count on the Democrats. As a first generation American, I know how dangerous their socialist agenda is. My mother, Mercedes, was a special education teacher from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. My father also an immigrant came to this nation in pursuit of the American Dream. Now, I consider it my duty to fight to protect that dream. Rioters must not be allowed to destroy our cities. Human, sex, drug traffickers should not be allowed to cross our border. The same socialist policies which destroyed places like Cuba and Venezuela must not take root in our cities and our schools. If you want to see the socialist Biden/Harris future for our country, just take a look at California. It is a place of immense wealth, immeasurable innovation and immaculate environment  and the democrats turned it into a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes. In President Trump's America we light things up, we don't dim them down. We build things up, we don't burn them down. We kneel in prayer and we stand for our flag! This election is a battle for the Soul of America. Your choice is clear. Do you support the Cancel Culture, the cosmopolitan elites of Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden -- who blame America first? Do you think America is to blame? Or, do you believe in American Greatness, believe in yourself, in President Trump, in individual and personal responsibility? They want to destroy this country, and everything that we have fought for and hold dear. They want to steal your Liberty, your Freedom. They want to control what you See and Think, and Believe, so they can control how you live! They want to enslave you to the weak, dependent, liberal, victim ideology, to the point that you will not recognize this country or yourself. From the beginning, when President Trump spoke about Making America Great Again, he was speaking about that shining city on a hill and restoring the beacon of light that once shined so bright. His promise was to put America First and he has. When President Trump cut middle-class taxes, putting tens of thousands of dollars back in the pockets of working-class Americans, that beacon began to flicker once again. When President Trump commanded the defeat of ISIS, took out Al-Baghdadi and Soleimani, and paved the way for peace in the Middle East. That beacon started to Glow. When he negotiated historic trade deals with Canada, Mexico, Japan and China, bringing back thousands of manufacturing jobs to America, that beacon shined bright once again for the World to see. America, it's all on the line! President Trump believes in you. He emancipates and lifts you up to live your American Dream. You are Capable, You are Qualified, You are Powerful, and You have the ability to choose Your life, and determine Your destiny! Don't let the Democrats and their socialist comrades take you for granted. Don't let them step on you. Don't let them destroy your families, your lives, and your future. Don't let them suppress future generations, because they told you and brainwashed you and fed you lies that you weren't good enough! Like my parents, You can achieve your American Dream. You can be that shining example to the world. Manifest and be the change in this country that you dream, that you hope, that you believe in. Stand for an American President who is fearless, who believes in you, and who loves this country and will fight for her!! President Trump is the leader who will rebuild the Promise of America and ensure that every citizen can realize their American Dream! Ladies and Gentleman, Leaders and Fighters for Freedom and Liberty and the American Dream  The best is yet to come! Advertisement

GOP starts the mainly virtual RNC by calling Donald Trump 'the bodyguard of Western civilization' as it showcases 'ordinary voters' including St Louis gun couple who say he stands between America and 'the mob'

The first night of the Republican National Convention kicked off Monday evening with warnings from several speakers of a 'vengeful mob,' painting Donald Trump as the only thing standing between it and America.

The first speaker, Charlie Kirk, who founded conservative student organization Turning Point USA, set the mood for the night by warning Americans of angry liberals and claiming 'everything we love' is at stake in November.

'I am here tonight to tell you  to warn you  that this election is a decision between preserving America as we know it, and eliminating everything that we love,' Kirk said during live remarks from a podium at the Andrew W Mellon Auditorium in Washington D.C.

He also lauded Trump for putting 'his own life of luxury on the line' to run for president.

'From the moment he came down that famous escalator he started a movement to reclaim our government from the rotten cartel of insiders that have been destroying our country,' Kirk continued.

'We may not have realized it at the time, but this fact is now clear: Trump is the bodyguard of western civilization,' he lavished praise on the president.

'Trump was elected to protect our families  our loved ones  from the vengeful mob that wishes to destroy our way of life, our neighborhoods, schools, church, and values,' he said. 'President Trump was elected to defend and strengthen the American way of life.'

Also speaking at the convention were the St. Louis couple who went viral for wielding guns at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their home.

Mark and Patty McCloskey, who are facing felony charges, touted Trump's defense of the Second Amendment and also warned Americans of the 'mob.'

Charlie Kirk, the first speaker of the first night of the Republican National Convention Monday, warned of a 'vengeful mob that wishes to destroy our way of life'

St. Louis couple Mark (right) and Patty (left) McCloskey also warned a 'mob' would come for Republicans  especially pro-gun Americans  if Donald Trump is not reelected in November

The McCloskeys went viral after a video of them wielding guns at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their home went viral. The two are facing felony charges

'At this moment in history, if you stand up for yourself and for the values our country was founded on, the mob  spurred on by their allies in the media  will try to destroy you,' Mark said as he sat beside his wife and addressed the camera in remote remarks.

Monday night started with a video montage narrated by actor Jon Voight as patriotic and pro-Donald Trump images and clips showed on screen.

In an attempt to expand speaking time and to upstage Democrats, the festivities Monday night began a full half-an-hour earlier than Democrats began their convention each night last week.

Voight, an avid Republican, touted in his monologue narration that Trump was elected because he works 'tirelessly' for Americans.

'We chose a different path,' Voight said of Trump's election. 'A man who is not a politician. A man who cares. A man who loves America, and all Americans. A man who works tirelessly for you. Even tonight during this nomination.'

Actor Jon Voight (pictured left with Donald Trump) opened the first night of the Republican National Convention by narrating an video montage of patriotic and pro-Trump clips

Tanya Weinreis, a Montana business owner, is one of the first recipients of the Payment Protection Program. 'I feel for workers and businesses across America, who are under assault from shutdowns, from riots, and now face the terrifying prospect of Joe Biden coming after everything we've built,' she said Monday

Among the ordinary American speakers Monday were Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow was a victim of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018.

'I got to see who President Trump really is. He's a good man and a great listener. And he cuts through the B.S.,' Pollack said. 'Then the president did what he said he would do. He took action. He formed the school safety commission that issued dozens of recommendations to make schools safe. But I bet you never heard about that.'

In criticism of the press, Pollack said, 'Instead, the media turned my daughter's murder into a coordinated attack on President Trump, Republicans and our Second Amendment.'

Pollack also said that children's safety are dependent on Trump getting reelected.

'It's hard to tell how much Mr. Biden understands about what happened at Parkland,' Pollack said.

'But he doesn't even seem to know when this shooting happenedhe said that he was Vice President when it happened. But he wasn't,' he continued, pointing to the gaffe-prone candidate.

Andrew Pollack, the father of a victim of the Parkland school shooting, said that American children's lives depend on Trump being reelected

'Mr. Biden may not know who was Vice President that day but I do. It wasn't Joe Biden. It was Mike Pence, thank God,' he continued. 'And I know who the President was too. It wasn't Barack Obama. It was President Donald J. Trump. And he took action.'

'I truly believe the safety of your kids depends on whether this man is re-elected. I hope you'll join me in helping to make that happen,' he concluded.

Also speaking on the gun front was Rep. Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican who was shot in 2017 during practice for the Congressional Baseball Game. He recalled the incident during his remarks from Washington D.C. Monday.

'After I was shot on a baseball field by a leftist gunman, first responders rushed me to a hospital where I battled for my life,' Scalise said.

He recalled both the president and first lady visiting him that night.

'They were there for my family in the darkest hours,' Scalise said. 'Donald Trump would call to check on me throughout the following weeks, just to see how I was doing. That's the kind of person he is.'

Besides giving Trump a personality endorsement, Scalise also railed against some Democratic calls to 'defund' the police.

'This is personal - I wouldn't be here without the bravery and heroism of the men and women in law enforcement who saved my life,' Scalise argued

Also on deck for remarks early on in the convention kick-off Monday were California public school educator Rebecca Friedrichs, who spoke out against unions and propped up Trump's pro-school choice agenda; and businesswoman Tanya Weinreis, who owns a coffee shop in Montana and was able to remain in business after receiving the Payment Protection Program grant in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

'My company was one of the first to get help from the PPP loan and Praise God, it has been a lifesaver for us,' Weinreis said.

'I feel for workers and businesses across America, who are under assault from shutdowns, from riots, and now face the terrifying prospect of Joe Biden coming after everything we've built,' she continued of the Democratic nominee.

'I am so grateful that we have leaders like President Trump standing up for us who understand the good local business do in our neighborhoods and are not afraid to fight for us every day,' the Mountain Mudd Espresso owner said. 'Thank you President Trump - it is so exciting to be a part of this great American comeback story.'

Maryland Republican congressional candidate Kim Klacik also made remarks after she garnered national attention for a city walk-through ad where she urged black Americans  specifically those in Baltimore  to leave the Democratic Party.

Kim Klasick, a Republican running for the U.S. House in Baltimore, went viral for a campaign ad where she urged black Democrats to leave the party. She repeated the same message during her short remarks at the convention Monday

'The Democrats still assume that black people will vote for them, no matter how much they let us down and take us for granted,' Klacik, who is running for Elijah Cumming's vacant House seat. 'Nope! We're sick of it and not going to take it anymore. The days of blindly supporting the Democrats are coming to an end.'

She lashed out against Biden, claiming he 'believes we can't think for ourselves -- that the color of someone's skin dictates their political views.'

'We're not buying the lies anymore  you and your party have ignored us for too long,' she asserted.

Biden holds a vast majority of the black vote and usually is most popular among this demographic.

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, the lone black Republican in the U.S. Senate, closed out the first night of the convention as the keynote speaker.

He said Biden has said if black people don't vote for him then they aren't really black  he also accused the candidate of seeing all black voters as the same.

Some of President Trump's most ardent defenders inside the Capitol including Rep. Matt Gaetz tore into Democrats at Monday night's GOP convention  as the Florida Republican said Democrats would invite gang members to live next door.

'They'll disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home, and invite MS-13 to live next door. And the defunded police aren't on their way,' Gaetz said, in one of several charged lines.

The Judiciary Committee member and Trump loyalist during the Mueller probe accused Democrats of 'blaming our best and allowing society's worst.'

'He believes in war without winning, war without end,' Gaetz said of Biden, who voted for the 2003 Iraq war authorization.

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, one of Trump's most vocal impeachment defenders, also trained fire on Democrats in his convention remarks, saying cities run by Democrats were facing 'mob rule.'

'And when you take on the swamp, the swamp fights back,' he said. 'They tried the Russia hoax, the Mueller investigation, and the fake impeachment. But in spite of this unbelievable opposition, this president has done what he said he would do,' Jordan said.

Donald Trump appears with frontline workers and freed 'hostages' and Americans held abroad as Republicans try to showcase him having conversations with people he has helped

President Donald Trump appeared Monday night at the Republican National Convention leading conversations from the White House with people he's helped.

Trump talked with frontline workers and then with six hostages who were returned home over the course of his first term.

'You took unprecedented steps, actually, to secure my release and your administration really fought for me,' Pastor Andrew Brunson told the president from the Diplomatic Reception Room.

President Trump spoke with six hostages his administration freed during one of two segments of the Republican National Convention filmed at the White House Monday night

The president also appeared with frontline workers at the White House, briefly leading a discussion with them

President Trump invited hostages to the White House including Pastor Andrew Brunson (left), Sam Goodwin (center) and Michael White (right)

THE HOSTAGES DONALD TRUMP APPEARED WITH ON NIGHT NO. 1 OF THE RNC PASTOR ANDREW BRUNSON: Brunson is an American pastor who was imprisoned in Turkey for two years. Brunson was jailed in October 2016 during the purges that followed the unsuccessful coup that year. Brunson was held for a year without charges and then was charged with involvement in the coup. Throughout 2018, President Donald Trump pressured Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan using Twitter and sanctions. In October 2018, Turkey charged Brunson with aiding terrorism, but sentenced him to time served, allowing him to leave the country and return to the United States. JOSHUA AND THAMARA HOLT: Joshua Holt is a Utah man who traveled to Venezuela in June 2016 to marry his now-wife Thamara. Holt was arrested outside his wife's Caracas apartment, accused of stockpiling weapons, with authorities linking him to American efforts to destabilize President Nicolas Maduro's regime. His wife was also arrested. U.S. officials including then Sen. Orrin Hatch, former GOP Rep. Mia Love and others in the Trump administration applied pressure to get the Holts freed, which happened in May 2018. SAM GOODWIN: Sam Goodwin was traveling in Syria in 2019 who was held for 63 days. Goodwin, a tourist who aspired to visit every country, was freed with the help of Lebanon as a mediator in July 2019. PASTOR BRYAN NERREN: Pastor Bryan Nerren was arrested in India in 2019 for failing to claim $40,000 he was carrying. Nerren's family called the arrest targeted due to Nerren's Christian faith. He was imprisoned for six days in deplorable conditions, then released but with his passport confiscated. COVID-19 slowed down his trial, but President Donald Trump's trip to India in February was viewed as instrumental to Nerren getting his freedom. He returned to the U.S. in May. MICHAEL WHITE: Michael White is a U.S. Navy veteran who was held in Iran for nearly two years by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. President Trump's State Department and former Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, worked with Swiss authorities to barter for White's release. He returned to the U.S. in June 2020. Advertisement

Brunson returned to the U.S. from Turkey in October 2018, after imprisoning him during the purges in 2016 that followed an unsuccessful coup.

'We had to get you back,' Trump said.

American tourist Sam Goodwin, who was held for 63 days in Syria, sang the praises of Robert O'Brien and said he was happy that Trump promoted him to national security adviser. 'I can't say enough nice things about him,' Goodwin said, crediting O'Brien with his July 2019 release.

Michael White spoke about being jailed by the Iranian regime.

'It was a major, major trap. I was apprehended there,' he said. 'But what you did sir, is you were able to get me out of that prison in record time, it was amazing,' White said.

And then Josh Holt, along with his wife Thamara, who had both been jailed in Venezuela, talked about how it was a 'great honor' for Trump to immediately welcome them to the White House in June 2018, when they got back.

'I don't really remember a whole lot of it,' Holt admitted. 'It's nice to meet you again.'

Pastor Bryan Nerren, who was detained as he was traveling through India to get to Nepal.

'The darkest moment of our whole time together, your letter to my wife came, and it really gave her the hope and the peace,' Nerren said.

Overall, Trump boasted that he had freed 50 American hostages from 22 countries.

Earlier in the first night of the RNC, Trump thanked a group of frontline workers from the White House.

'There are my friends, these are the incredible workers that helped us so much with the COVID - we can call it many different things, from China virus - I don't want to go through all the names because some people may get insulted but that's the way it is,' Trump said jumpstarting the conversation.

'These are great, great people. Great job, thank you!' he continued.

The president then went around and found out he was spoking to two postal workers, including a Post Office custodian.

'That profession will never be out of business,' Trump commented.

He had also invited to the White House a trucker from Ohio.

'Well, congratulations, I love the truckers,' Trump said. 'They're on my side.'

Two nurses were in the room, along with a police officer from Colorado who had contracted - and recovered from - COVID-19.

'We jsut have to make this Chian virus go away, and it's happening,' the president said.

The two Trump-helmed segments were part of more than two hours of programming that marked the first night of the Republican Pary's own 'virtual' convention.

Most of the mainstage speeches were being filmed several blocks down the road at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

While others, like that of Rep. Jim Jordan, one of the House's most pro-Trump Republicans, were filmed from home.

Earlier Monday, Trump had traveled to North Carolina, which had been the original site of the 2020 RNC, before the president called it partially off and tried to move the major speaking portions to Florida.

The president spent the day blaming the convention not happening in North Carolina on the state's Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

The Jacksonville, Florida portion had to be cancelled as well due to a spike in the state's coronavirus cases.

The president is due to speak Thursday from the White House to officially accept his party's nomination.

Republicans try to present a diverse face by having Donald Trump endorsed by Herschel Walker, and Georgia Democrat who says his party wants to keep black Americans 'on their mental plantation'

Donald Trump's Republican Party sought to present a diverse image of the candidate's support by showcasing endorsements from two African American supporters  including a state lawmaker who accused Democrats of running a 'mental plantation.'

Former NFL great Herschel Walker lent his famous name and football swagger to his endorsement, while also recalling a time he bonded with Trump at Disney World.

'I watched him as the owner of a professional football team,' said Walker, who started out his pro football career in the New Jersey Generals, a USFL team Trump owned.

NFL great Herschel Walker endorsed Donald Trump at the Republican convention

'Right after he bought the team, he set out to learn,' said the former Heisman trophy winner. 'He learned about the history of the team, the players, the coaches. Every detail. Then he used what he learned to make the team better,' said walker.

The pitch came days after Democrat Joe Biden staged a multi-cultural convention that celebrated the late civil rights hero John Lewis, had a cast of emcees including Eva Longoria, and highlighted the black and south Asian ancestral of running mate Kamala Harris.

President Trump has made repeated appeals for black support, even as his convention repeatedly blasted protesters it linked to the 'socialist left' and 'mob rule' following the death of George Floyd.

Georgia State Rep. Vernon Jones, a Democrat, delivered scathing remarks at his own party, which he accused of exploiting black voters.

'The Democratic Party does not want Black people to leave the mental Plantation they've had us on for decades,' he said.

'But I have news for them: We are free people with free minds,' said Jones, at a time when Biden is holding large leads among black voters, but hopes to build a critical advantage over Hillary Clinton's performance, where black turnout dropped off from 2012.

Georgia State Representative (D) Vernon Jones said the Democratic Party 'does not want Black people to leave the mental Plantation they've had us on for decades,' he said

Kimberly Guilfoyle pre-records her address to the Republican National Convention at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC, USA, 24 August 2020. She mentioned her Puerto Rican and Irish roots

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) waits to speak to the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention in a live address from the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, U.S., August 24, 2020. He called out Joe Biden for several flubs on race

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks by video feed during the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention broadcast from Washington

Jones accused Biden of being 'all talk and no action,' and said: 'When President Trump sought to earn the Black vote, the Democratic Party leaders went crazy!'

He talked up Trump's support for historically black colleges. 'That's right. Donald Trump did that.,' he said.

And he talked up criminal justice reform, which Trump successfully negotiated with Congress, building on bipartisan efforts there.

'Democrats couldn't do it! Obama couldn't do it! Joe Biden and Kamala Harris definitely couldn't do it!' he said.

He accused Democrats of having 'turned their backs on our brave police officers' in recent protests.

As the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported, Jones exonerated himself after facing rape accusations in 2005 when he was De Kalb County Executive in Georgia. The woman stood by her story and the state AG said the charges were dropped because the alleged victim didn't want to go through a trial.

The woman who accused him told investigators that Jones raped her, following an encounter at his home involving her and another woman. The then-29 year old acknowledged telling Jones at the time the encounter was consensual, but did so in order to leave his home. Jones and his lawyer denied the charges and issued statements saying the contact was consensual.

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley also vouched for Trump and talked about her own diverse background.

'He knows that political correctness and cancel culture are dangerous and just plain wrong,' said Haley who is of Indian descent.

The pitches came after Democrats stressed multiculturalism at their convention

Actress Eva Longoria was one of the rotating hosts at the Democratic convention

In this image from video, Philonise Floyd, right, and Rodney Floyd speaks during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020 about George Floyd, who died in police custody

'In much of the Democratic party it's now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie. America is not a racist country. This is personal for me,' said Haley, who called herself the 'proud daughter of Indian immigrants.'

Sen. Tim Scott, the only black Republican in the Senate, called for people to paint a 'full picture' of Trump.

He called several of Joe Biden's flubs, including one he made while appearing withe Charlamagne tha God on his syndicated show 'The Breakfast Club.' Biden walked back the comment afterwards.

'Joe Biden said if a Black man didn't vote for him, he wasn't truly black,' said Scott, recalling the incident. 'Joe Biden said black people are a monolithic community. It was Joe Biden who said 'poor kids can be just as smart as white kids.''

'And while his words are one thing, his actions take it to a whole new level,' he said, blasting Biden for the 1994 Crime Bill.'

Cuban immigrant comes close to tears as he tells Republican convention that Democrats are like Fidel Castro and says his father told him of America: 'There is no other place to go.'

Florida businessman Maximo Alvarez came close to tears as he talked about how those in his native Cuba were deceived by Fidel Castro and Americans shouldn't make the same mistake.

'I may be Cuban born, but I am 100 per cent American,' he told those watching the first night of the virtual Republican National Convention. 'This is the greatest country in the world. If I gave away everything I have today, it would not equal 1 per cent of what I was given when I came to this great country of ours: The gift of Freedom,' he said, his voice breaking.

He added that, 'I still hear my dad: there is no other place to go.'

Florida businessman Maximo Alvarez, a Cuban immigrant, recalled the empty promises made by Cuban leader Fidel Castro, and suggested that progressive Democrats were making many of the same claims

Maximo Alverez spoke from the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and came close to tears when he talked about escaping Castro's Communism for freedom in the United States

Alvarez, the founder of Sunshine Gasoline, recalled growing up under Castro.

'And I can never forget all those who grew up around me, who looked like me, who could have been me, who suffered and starved and died because they believed those empty promises,' he said. 'They swallow the Communist poison pill.'

Alvarez said that at Miami's Freedom Tower, referred to as the 'Ellis Island of the South,' 'you can still hear the sound of those broken promises.'

'It is the sound of waves in the ocean, carrying families clinging to pieces of wood, families with children who can't swim, but willing to risk everything to reach this blessed land,' he said. 'It is the sound of tears hitting the paper of an application for American citizenship.'

He recalled that Castro lied when asked if he was a Communist.

'He said he was a Roman Catholic,' Alvarez said. 'He knew he had to hide the truth.'

Alvarez suggested that progressive Democrats were doing the same thing now.

'Free education, free healthcare, defund the police? Trust the socialist state more than your family, than your community,' he said.

'They don't sound radical to my ears, they sound familiar,' Alvarez said.

Alvarez said that today President Donald Trump was 'fighting the forcres of anarchy and Communism.'

'I have no doubt they will hand the country to those dangerous forces,' the Florida businessman said of Democratic rule.

He spoke to an empty auditorium in Washington, D.C., several blocks from the White House, where many of the main speeches were delivered on Monday night.

'I choose President Trump because I choose America, I choose freedom,' he also said.
With the first COVID-19 epidemic peak behind them, many countries explained the decrease of infection numbers through non-pharmaceutical interventions. Phrases like "social distancing" and "flatten the curve" have become part of common vocabulary.

Yet some explanations fell short: How could one explain the linear rise of infection curves, which many countries display after the first peak, in contrast to the S-shaped curves, expected from epidemiological models?

In a new paper published in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America), scientists at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna (CSH) are the first ones to offer an explanation for the linear growth of the infection curve.

"At the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 infection curves showed the expected exponential growth," says Stefan Thurner, CSH president and professor for Science of Complex Systems at the Medical University of Vienna. This can be well explained by a so-called snowball effect: An infected person would infect a few others, and in a chain reaction, those would pass the virus on to a few others as well.

With measures like social distancing, governments tried to push the growth rate below the recovery rate and therefore massively reduce the number of new infections. In this logic, however, individuals would have infected less than one other person, and the curve would have flattened, eventually reaching zero - something that did not happen." Stefan Thurner, CSH President and Professor for Science of Complex Systems, Medical University of Vienna

"What we saw instead was a constant level of infections with a similar number of new infections every day," adds co-author Peter Klimek (CSH & Medical Univ of Vienna). "To explain this with standard epidemiological models would basically be impossible."

The use of traditional epidemiological models would have required a lot of fine-tuning of parameters, making the model increasingly implausible. "If you want to balance measurements so that the effective reproduction number R stays exactly at 1 - something that would explain the linear growth -, you would have to reduce contacts by the same exact and constant percentage. In reality that is extremely unlikely," says Klimek.

In fact, the probability to observe linear growth in these standard compartmental models is practically zero, the CSH scientists point out. They were therefore inspired to extend the model and look for further explanations.

The complexity scientists explained the linear shape of the curves through a different form of spreading than initially expected: They assumed that the spreading dynamic continued in small and limited clusters.

"Most people went to work, got infected and spread it to two or three people at home, and then those people went to work or school again. The infection was basically spreading from cluster to cluster," says Stefan Thurner. "The change of the infection curves from being S-shaped to a linear behavior is clearly a network effect - a dynamic very different from big superspreading events."

The scientists showed that there is a critical number of contacts, which they call degree of contact networks or Dc, below which linear growth and low infection prevalence must occur.

They found Dc to equal 7.2, assuming that people circulate in a coronavirus-relevant network of about five people, which is even lower during an effective lockdown (household-size 2.5 people on average).

Instead of having to fine-tune parameters, their model allows for a wide range of possibilities that keep the infection curves linear. It explains why linear infection curves appear in so many countries, irrespective of the magnitude of the imposed non-pharmaceutical interventions.

In a further step the scientists compared Austria, a country which responded with a severe lockdown early on, and the United States, which initially did not impose severe measures.

According to Peter Klimek, their model works for both scenarios: "Both types of countries showed linear curves, but in the case of the US and other countries like Sweden, these just happened on a much higher level."

The model not only explains the emergence of a linear growth regime, but also explains why the epidemic could halt below the levels of herd immunity by consequent social distancing.

For the standard modelling procedure, the complexity scientists use a so-called compartmental model with SIR-models, extending it with the described cluster transmission.

But what will happen in the next months, with the potential of numbers rising again? With additional risk factors like people returning from vacation in other countries and more time spent inside, the spread of disease could change.

"If infections rise again, there is the potential that linear curves turn to exponential growth again - something people described as a second wave," Klimek concludes.
We see it all: old furniture, rugs, construction debris. One time, some people pulled up right behind me as I was talking with my supervisor on the phone. They started throwing old TVs over a fence onto a vacant property. On another day there was this guy emptying his trailer out on the street as I was sitting there in my city sanitation truck. He motioned to me to come clean it up. People try to report the illegal dumpers in the act so we can catch them and make them stop. But I can't stop anyone from dumping. It could become unpleasant if I confronted them.

I'll be going back to the truck once people come back to work. I'm no hero, though maybe my truck is. It does all the heavy work. I do my job to make the city cleaner. There are about 15 guys who do this job. I'm just one of them.

 As told to Michael Anft
Baran :

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Monday again took on Modi saying that problems due to demonetisation will not end after December 30, and the economic lockdown will continue to hurt the poor, farmers and workers the most. He also alleged that Modi government hasnt acted in support of poor and the government tried to murder the Land Acquisition Act, which benefits the farmers, and also attempted to stall other pro-poor steps like MNREGA started by the Congress.

He alleged that the BJP governments have failed to fulfill three demands of the farmers, namely debt waiver, lower power tariff and proper price for their produce.

Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his assurance to people that problems due to demonetisation will end after December 30, Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the economic lockdown will continue to hurt the poor, farmers and workers the most.

Modiji has said the problems will end after December 30. But I can say with confidence that it will not. These hardships will continue for atleast six-seven months or more, the Congress Vice President said addressing a rally in Baran, Rajasthan.

He was referring to the Prime Ministers repeated assurance to the people that the problems due to note ban will begin to ease after the 50-day period.

Persisting with his attack on the demonetisation issue, Gandhi alleged that the Modi Government at the centre and Vasundhara Raje government in Rajasthan had not taken a single step for the poor.

The note ban decision is not against corruption but is an economic lockdown. It is not against blackmoney but against the poor, farmers, labourers and women, he alleged.

99 per cent of the people do not have black money and they were targeted by the demonetisation drive while on the other hand, there are 50 families who have lakhs and crores of rupees and that is black money, he said.

Stating that the Congress party wants to eradicate corruption and its leaders would support the NDA government against the menace, Gandhi alleged that the decision of demonetisation was totally against the people of the country.

He said that only six per cent black money is stored in cash while the remaining is in the form or real estate and gold and is also stashed in Swiss bank accounts.

In the last two-and-a-half years, Modi only worked to create a divide in the country and functioned only for the rich, he alleged.

He also alleged that the tribals were being exploited in BJP-ruled states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

The entire government is functioning of the rich. What Narendra Modi ji is doing at the Centre, the same is being done by the chief minister of Rajasthan.

In Rajasthan, privatisation is going on. Power tariff was raised by 18 per cent. Have Modiji and th BJP government here taken any step for the poor. They have done nothing for the poor, he said

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A $200 million industrial center is in the works in eastern Bexar County.

Plans filed with the state describe a 3.8 million-square-foot fulfillment center, or large sortation facility, on Cal Turner Drive, but dont identify a tenant.

Work on the facility, dubbed Project Star in a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, is expected to start in November and wrap up in February 2022.

Dollar General and Amazon operate facilities just north of Cal Turner Drive, and H-E-B is building a distribution and manufacturing plant at the southwest corner of East Houston Street and South Foster Road.

On ExpressNews.com: Amazon workers in San Antonio worry as COVID-19 cases rise

The companies that are developing and designing the new project both have done work for Amazon previously.

The owner listed on the state filing is a representative with Seefried Development Management Inc., which is linked to Seefried Industrial Properties Inc.

The Atlanta-based firm has developed facilities for Amazon, Georgia Pacific, Diageo and Best Buy, its website notes. It also provides leasing and property management services.

The Seefried representative didnt immediately respond to an inquiry.

The design firm overseeing the project, Akron-based CESO Inc., has worked on projects for Amazon, FedEx, Walmart and other companies.

SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox

Amazon does not comment on rumors or speculation, company spokesman Daniel Martin said, responding to questions about Project Star.

Amazon operates several facilities in the San Antonio area, including fulfillment centers on the East Side and in Schertz, and a sorting center on Callaghan Road on the West Side.

The company also has a distribution center in San Marcos.

The pandemic is fueling a greater need for warehouse space. Online shopping already was increasing before the coronavirus struck, but retailers saw orders spike as home-bound shoppers bought groceries and household goods online like never before.

Nationally, demand for industrial space could reach an additional 1 billion square feet by 2025, commercial real estate firm JLL predicted in July.

In San Antonio, more than 197,000 square feet of warehouse and distribution space was absorbed in the second quarter, a report by commercial real estate firm CBRE states.

Most of that absorption occurred in the Northeast sub-market. The vacancy rate stood at 12.6 percent, and about 2.8 million square feet was under construction.

While its no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic is creating implications that are inevitably slowing down business activity, the industrial market is showing signs of strength at a time where weakness is to be expected, the firm noted in the report.

madison.iszler@express-news.net
Mamadi Doumbouya for The New York Times Talk Senator Chris Murphy Is Worried Were Seeing Democracys Last Stand

Before 2012, Chris Murphy was a relatively unheralded Democratic representative from Connecticut. Then, in December of that year, Sandy Hook happened. In the soul-crushing aftermath of our countrys second-deadliest school shooting, Murphy, who took office as his states junior senator less than one month after the attack, found his guiding moral purpose as a politician. Since then, his forceful advocacy for increased gun control has turned Murphy, who is 47, into a nationally prominent figure, though lately Covid-19 has forced a shift in the senators immediate priorities. The pandemic has fundamentally changed the political landscape because it is the one issue that matters to everyone, said Murphy, author of The Violence Inside Us, a forthcoming nonfiction book about Americas bloody obsession with firearms. It touches everyones life. But that doesnt mean that the other perennial concerns that Americans care about disappear.

In your books acknowledgments, you mention the demoralizing daily cadence of political life in the age of Trump. I know what that might mean for citizens. What does it mean for a senator? This job is not a lot of fun right now. You have a chief executive who is an administrative nightmare and intent on dividing us  it is exhausting. I have a real belief that democracy is unnatural. We dont run anything important in our lives by democratic vote other than our government. Democracy is so unnatural that its illogical to think it would be permanent. It will fall apart at some point, and maybe that isnt now, but maybe it is. So I feel like my job is to hold this together so that it survives to the next administration. Thats not the reason you go into any profession: to keep it from falling apart.

Chris Murphy greeting supporters after winning the Senate election in 2012. Michelle McLoughlin/Reuters

If the job of a Democratic politician right now is to hold the country together, has your party leaderships response to the White Houses handling of Covid-19 been forceful enough? It doesnt feel as if Chuck Schumer or Nancy Pelosi have turned themselves into crucial voices. Its understandable for Biden to decide hes going to let Trump self-immolate during the pandemic, but its another thing for the sitting leaders of the Democratic Party to do it. Right. Well, the Legislature as a branch is particularly ill-equipped to lead when faced with a public-health crisis that dodges and weaves in different ways every day. Its probably unrealistic to believe that any legislative leader was going to be able to fill a vacuum created by the dysfunction of the White House because we cant make decisions on how the C.D.C. or H.H.S. or D.H.S. reacts day to day. All we can do is provide those agencies with funding and guidelines. I hate the idea of this president running the medical supply chain for the next six months, but I know that Nancy Pelosi cant and Chuck Schumer cant. Only President Trump can. Im stuck trying to advocate for him to increase his power.

There was this brief moment after the Parkland school shootings when President Trump seemed open to expanding background-check legislation. Did that window afford you any sense of his personal feelings about gun control? The most substantive conversation I had with him was in the middle of last summer. A group of us spent about 45 minutes on the phone with him talking about the outlines of a background-checks bill. He spent the biggest chunk of time talking about the bills title. Which sounds like the way he approaches every other issue. So no, Ive never gotten a sense that he has any strong personal feelings about this. What I think is that he does have a political radar that doesnt completely malfunction, and he did sense last summer that he had to at least entertain the idea of getting right on this issue. But once impeachment hit, it was clear that his pathway to political survival was to consolidate his base, and there was no way that he was going to do that if he started playing footsie with people like me.

Along those lines, how have your relationships with your Republican colleagues changed since 2016? These are people with whom I assume you were collegial. Are you still? Im personally offended that people I held in high regard, even though they were of a different party, have chosen to give in to President Trumps bullying and megalomania. The friendships and the conversations are more forced now. Theres more labor involved. In President Trumps first two years, I did spend a lot of time talking to my Republican colleagues about him. I wanted to see where they were willing to break. I dont do that much any longer, because theyve answered the question. So now the conversations with my Republican colleagues are often devoid of much policy talk. Im just trying to maintain the relationship. My colleagues are still going to be around in 2021, when were hopefully stitching democracy back together, and Im going to need some of them to help do it.

The conversations are devoid of policy talk because you know that discussion would be fruitless? Let me take that back. Congress has been supremely functional when it comes to responding to the health crisis. We passed four major pieces of legislation. So we are spending a lot of time talking about Covid response. Theres not a lot of policy talk on immigration or guns or health care because its clear that theyre not going to break with the president on those topics. On guns, last summer, I had a number of my Republican colleagues call me and say: I voted against Manchin-Toomey, but Im willing to vote for it or some version of it this time around. But the president has to be for it first. Their political fortune is tied to the presidents. Mitch McConnell made a decision long ago that his prospects of staying in power increased for every additional point in the presidents approval rating. They believe if they broke with him, hed be more unpopular, and they wouldnt be rewarded for that break. They would be punished for it.

Murphy, left, at a White House meeting to discuss school and community safety in 2018. Joshua Roberts/Bloomberg, via Getty Images.

Let me ask a question about hypocrisy in politics. In 2015, when Tom Cotton and other Republican senators published an open letter to Iran about nuclear talks, you said he was undermining President Obamas authority. Earlier this year, you were criticized in similar terms when you met with the Iranian foreign minister. As far as I can tell, both instances involved politicians expressing their foreign-policy views with another country without the backing of the president. Why was it OK for you to do that and not for Republicans? There is a very important distinction between those two episodes. Senator Cotton was directly undermining a key foreign-policy priority of the president. The president was attempting to negotiate a nuclear agreement with Iran, and this letter was specifically designed to stop Iran from entering into that agreement. I met with the Iranian foreign minister, but I didnt do so with the intent of undermining a foreign-policy priority of the president.

But you werent meeting with him to cheerlead for President Trumps policies toward Iran. No, but I talked about priorities that were consistent with those of the State Department and avoided some topics that I knew I would be crosswise with the administration on. I was very clear when Tom Cotton did what he did that I didnt think he broke any laws. I thought he was wrong on the policy. But I didnt question his legal right to do it. A lot of people questioned that I had violated the Logan Act by speaking to the Iranians. But I never questioned Senator Cottons legal right as a member of Congress to enter into a conversation with the Iranians. So I guess thats not hypocritical at all: I get to say that Tom Cotton was an idiot for trying to undermine a nuclear agreement that was going to make the United States safer, and he gets to criticize me for talking to the Iranians about things that I believe in that he may not.

But if you were talking about priorities that were consistent with the State Departments, why would you need to be the one to be talking about them with Irans foreign minister? Ive been very vocal about my belief that Congress should be able to talk to foreign leaders even when they disagree with the position of the administration. Im a member of a coequal branch of government that has foreign-policy-setting powers. I thought that meeting with Zarif was particularly sensitive, so I was careful about what I talked about. I guess your question is why. Well, its because the administration wasnt doing it. For instance, one of the things I talked to them about was the release of political prisoners. We need those political prisoners home, and its an abdication of responsibility for the State Department to not be talking to the Iranians about that. So that was an issue where I agreed with the administration  we should get these political prisoners home  but because they werent having the conversation, I thought it was important that I have it.

This is also related to potential hypocrisy: Lets say the Democrats gain a majority in the Senate. Have you and your colleagues had discussions about whether Republicans would try to confirm a new Supreme Court justice if Ruth Bader Ginsburg is not able to continue before the next Senate is sworn in? No. Let me say, I have full confidence that Ruth Bader Ginsburg will recover. The reality is if theres a Supreme Court vacancy a day before the swearing in of the next Senate, Mitch McConnell will try to change the rules to push somebody through. Nothing matters more to him than the Supreme Court. He will not let history or precedent or the rules of the Senate stop him from trying to fill a vacancy if he has any ability to do so.

Gun control is your big issue. Are there ways to talk about it that dont involve sinking into left-right politicization? One of the lasting successes of the gun lobby is that theyve been able to attach the object of the firearm to a broader set of values. People see the image of the gun and maybe a Hollywood movie with some carnage, but the newspapers dont print pictures of what the kids look like after theyve had their body torn apart by an assault weapon. Our case is difficult because the gun is good-looking, and over the course of a hundred years its been attached to romantic notions of liberty and individualism. If people saw the image of what kids bodies look like after an AR-15 is done with them, the romanticism of the AR-15 would disappear.

You mentioned AR-15s. I bet if you asked most people whether you should be able to sell an assault rifle to a stranger in a parking lot, theyd say you probably shouldnt. But I also bet that because of the intense partisan feelings about guns, some of those same people would say  in an owning-the-libs kind of way  that if stopping those sales is what nanny-state Democrats want, then screw it. How do you approach an issue like gun control when political symbolism is as much of an impediment to change as the actual issue itself? Theres this very pungent mythology about the secret agenda of people like myself: Universal background checks are a mechanism to get our foot in the door, and when we get all the way into the house, our intention is to take every one of your firearms. When I talk to a lot of gun-rights enthusiasts across the country, they are 100 percent confident that that is my agenda. Thats why in my book I propose that we concede that there is a private right to firearm ownership embedded in the Constitution. That is not a view shared by most progressives. Most progressives would say that the Second Amendment is about the maintenance of militias. But I think its both historically accurate and politically smart to make clear that gun-control enthusiasts are bound by a Constitution that protects the right of individuals to own firearms for protection or to shoot for sport. Its important for us to explain the limits of our proposals. We also have to help the conservative movements find a means for their candidates to express their right-wing bona fides without the N.R.A.s stamp of approval. If youre trying to win a Republican primary, the easiest thing to do to show that youre the most conservative candidate is to get the N.R.A. endorsement. Weve got to find a mechanism for Republicans to show how conservative they are without having to be out of step with 90 percent of their constituents on guns.

I dont quite follow your logic. If the N.R.A. is out of step with 90 percent of its constituents, then wouldnt its endorsement be less meaningful? Increasingly in a general-election context, their endorsement is a liability. But in a Republican primary, when vague notions of freedom and liberty are controlling, the N.R.A.s ability to tap into those values and that rhetoric can be dispositive. Outside of that context, you are much better off from an electoral perspective being for strong gun laws. The Georgia Sixth House District is the perfect example. In the special election, when Jon Ossoff ran, he stayed far away from guns, and he lost. Then in the general election, we ran an anti-gun-violence advocate, and she won a House district that hadnt been won by a Democrat in decades. The conventional wisdom on this issue has been so wrong for so long. Republicans are going to figure out pretty quickly that they cant win in the suburbs if they dont support things like background checks.

Murphy speaking about gun control in 2013 at the Capitol. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, via Associated Press.

Lets say more progressives did what you suggested earlier and moved away from arguing for repealing the Second Amendment. What should they be saying after that to try to make a persuasive gun-control case to gun-rights supporters? Let me flip that on you. Why do I have to convince more people? Ninety percent of Americans think that everybody should go through a background check; 65 to 70 percent of Americans dont think that assault weapons should be sold. I dont know that our problem is that were not convincing enough people, and I dont know that I need to spend a whole lot more time perfecting my arguments to get from 90 percent to 95 percent.

Then why did you write your book? What were missing is not a persuasive argument. What were missing is activated voices. In politics, its the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. We need to make our wheel louder. So I do suggest ways in the book to try to build consensus and to make folks on the other side less scared of us, but much of what Im trying to do is activate people who are already nominally on our side.

I understand what youre saying about there not being much point in getting 95 percent of people to agree with you instead of 90, but am I just wrong in thinking that the gun-rights people are still dictating the terms of the argument? The greatest success of the gun lobby is to convince people that this is a third-rail issue that cant be touched by politicians. This mythology starts in 1995 when Bill Clinton and others ascribed the Democratic losses in 1994 to a vote on the assault-weapons ban, which is crazy. The assault-weapons ban in 1994 was wildly popular. President Reagan was one of the primary supporters of it. But it became a political truth that gun votes were the reason the Democrats lost control of the Congress in 1994. I think it has always been much less toxic to be for strong regulation of guns than people want to believe. So I reject this idea that we have to recraft our arguments to win over new people. Our problem is more that we havent taken the time to build a political organization, and we dont have people as loud on our side as they have on the other side.

As far as personal activation, it took the moral atrocity of Sandy Hook for you to take on gun control as a political mission. Do you worry that people have to be personally affected by gun violence in order to make it a central part of their politics? Yes. You care about a hundred issues, but the ones that your vote is based upon are the ones that connect to your life. Frankly, democracy is supposed to elevate the issues that are personally important to people. I think the sea change in the gun-violence debate likely occurred not after one particular shooting but when most schools required kids to go through active-shooter drills. I know how to talk about guns better than 99.9 percent of Americans, and yet I had a hard time deciding how much I was going to tell my kindergartner about why he had been stuffed into the bathroom that morning with 26 other kids and told to stay quiet for as long as they could. Every parent is having some version of that experience, which is not coincidental to this issue all of a sudden mattering to folks whether or not they know somebody whos been murdered.

I have to say, it was hard to think of something I found more morally perverse than what I heard from my 5-year-old about her schools lockdown drill. It was so obviously evidence of something having gone profoundly wrong in this country. I was surprised at how unequipped I was for that conversation. But it plugged me in to this place that everybody else was. I sometimes marvel at how quickly this movement has grown, and to the extent that there was a turning point, its Parkland. When these 16- and 17-year-olds were building a movement, it created a collective guilt complex among adults. You couldnt look at yourself and say, Well, I cant do anything, if youre watching 16- and 17-year-olds doing something about it.

Do you own a gun? I dont. Ive never owned any guns, and I havent ever shot a weapon. Thats not out of principle. That act of pulling the trigger is so connected to what happens on the other side that I have never wanted to feel that sensation. I think it would be instructive to fire a semiautomatic rifle so that I can maybe talk more intelligently about what that gun does. But again, it would connect me to a set of emotions that I dont know that I need to access.

One thing thats striking in your book is how candid you are about not having a specific issue or political motivation that was driving your political career before Sandy Hook. But you also dont quite explain why you got into politics in the first place without having a specific issue or political motivation. I grew up with parents  and in particular a mother  who beat into me that I needed to live my life in a way that gave back. I grew up with this sort of paranoia that I had to choose a vocation that was going to make peoples lives better. I figured out pretty quickly that I didnt like the sight of blood, so I probably wasnt going to be a doctor, and I probably wasnt a good enough entrepreneur to start a business and give money away. But I liked people, I was good at talking, and I could win an argument with my friends. So public service and politics seemed to be a place where you could make a difference. Youre right that I didnt have one issue driving me, but I thought that politics was noble.

Does it still feel noble after 13 years in Washington? It does. I remember being at a community pool in Connecticut with my son, and a guy about my age approached me really sheepishly. This is 2010, 2011. He was like, I feel bad coming up here and saying this to you, but I wanted to tell you that Ive got a son too, that Im here with today, whos got a rare blood disorder. And my entire life, since he was born, I was heartbroken over the fact that his life choices were going to be dictated by his illness. And he said, I cant explain to you how liberating it is to now know that my kids life isnt going to be dictated by an illness that wasnt his fault. He was saying thank you for passing the Affordable Care Act. I have enough of those moments where I can still believe that through this job, you can change peoples lives for the better.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity from two conversations.
Labor will back a JobKeeper overhaul giving businesses that have at least partially bounced back from coronavirus the power to cut workers' hours, as evidence grows of the damage Victoria's outbreak is doing to the national jobs market.

The Morrison government will on Wednesday introduce into Parliament its changes to the $70 billion wage subsidy program that was due to finish on September 27.

Payroll data released on Tuesday suggested up to 50,000 people had lost their jobs in August. Credit:Chris Hopkins

The scheme has been extended to March 28 but the $1500 fortnightly payment will be reduced at the end of September to $1200 for full-time workers and $750 for staff working fewer than 20 hours a week. It will fall again on January 4 to $1000 for full-timers and $650 for part-timers.

The overhaul of JobKeeper includes changes to working conditions. Normally full-time workers can be stood down if there is no work for reasons outside their boss's control but the JobKeeper extension makes that power broader and more flexible.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: An Interpol global arrest warrant has been issued against Ami Modi, wife of prime accused in the over USD 2 billion PNB bank fraud case Nirav Modi, on charges of money laundering, officials said on Tuesday.

They said the 'red notice' has been issued by the global police body on the request of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Once such a notice issued against a fugitive, the Interpol asks its 192-member countries to arrest or detain the person if spotted in their countries after which extradition or deportation proceedings can begin.

Ami Modi is stated to have left country soon after the alleged bank fraud case came into light in 2018.

ASLO READ | NCLAT sets aside order against former PNB official in Nirav Modi case

The ED has charged Ami Modi for conspiring and money laundering with her husband and jeweller Nirav Modi apart from his uncle Mehul Choksi and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Nirav Modi (49), is currently lodged in a UK jail after being arrested in London in March, 2019 and is currently fighting extradition to India.

He has been declared a fugitive economic offender by a Mumbai court early this year and the court had also ordered confiscation of his assets.

The ED has already confiscated about Rs 329 crore of his linked properties.

The businessman, Choksi and others are being probed by the ED on money laundering charges in connection with an over USD 2 billion alleged bank fraud at a PNB branch in Mumbai.

Similar Interpol notices have been earlier been issued against Nirav Modi's younger brother Nehal Modi and sister Purvi Modi.
Tuesday brought a mix of relief and wariness to coastal Alabama communities as the second tropical storm in a potential one-two punch seemed on track to pass by without doing significant harm.

I dont write anything off until after it has passed, said Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier. But Tropical Storm Marco had dissipated on Monday as it approached landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River, and on Hurricane Laura, once projected to make landfall near Mobile Bay, remained far offshore on Tuesday, on its way to a likely landfall in Texas.

Collier said that so far, Marco and Laura had produced little effect on the island other than dangerous surf with high risk of rip currents. Even the usual salt-water flooding in the islands low-lying areas had been minimal, he said.

Hopefully tomorrow will be equally non-eventful, he said.

The story was much the same in Gulf Shores, where Recreation and Cultural Affairs Director Grant Brown said that rough surf with riptides, and water in flood-prone areas, were the only issues. Double red flags continued to fly, a warning that beaches were closed to swimmers.

Please stay out of the water when Double Red Flags are flying. This is for your safety as well as the safety of first responders! Posted by City of Orange Beach Fire Department on Monday, August 24, 2020

We anticipate having to keep those up until at least through Thursday, Brown said of the double-red warning, also being shown in Orange Beach.

Brown and Collier said such situations served as drills for municipalities, helping them stay ready for a direct hit. In Gulf Shores, Brown said, the city had pulled movable fixtures such as trash cans and lifeguard stands off the public beach, among other preparations.

Collier said Dauphin Islands town hall had stayed open over the weekend to disburse re-entry passes that residents, workers and others would need to re-enter the island if access was limited in the aftermath of a storm. We probably issued over a thousand passes, he said. (Access to the island had not been restricted due to Marco or Laura, he said.)

As evidence of the storms relatively light impact, Brown said it appeared that turnout for municipal elections was strong in Gulf Shores. That wasnt an issue in Dauphin Island, where two vacant council seats were being filled by candidates whod run unopposed.

Its nice not to have to deal with an election on top of everything else, said Collier.
BEIJING, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / August 24, 2020 / Bella Protocol announced today that it has successfully closed a seed funding round of $4 million. Bella is developing Bella Protocol, a one-click aggregator for decentralized finance aimed at accelerating mass adoption. This round of financing was led by Arrington XRP Capital and has attracted investment from many other high-profile investors.

Decentralized finance, or DeFi, has been on a rapid rise since this year. However, the industry is faced with several issues, such as hefty transaction fees, poor user experience, and maze-like user journey interacting with smart contracts. Currently, DeFi users are required to hop between multiple protocols and interfaces in pursuit of high yield.

Bella Protocol is developing an easy-to-use, one-click aggregator, and asset management platform with near-zero transaction fees, that will offer a smooth and more attractive experience for DeFi users. The platform will feature lending and savings portals, along with a Robo-Advisor that will be customizable to the user's profile, considering individual risk exposure.

This round of $4 million funding was led by Arrington XRP Capital, the investment fund started by Michael Arrington, founder of TechCrunch and Crunchbase. Other investors include Alphabit, a leading European venture capital fund, David Namdar, co-founder of Galaxy Digital, Laurenz Apiarius, founding partner of BlockWall Capital, Ben Gorlick, ex-Head of Product at Blockstream, Koi Ventures, Force Partners, RockX, CGS Dubai, N7 Labs, Coinbene, Amedeo Capital, AlphaCoin Fund, Bitblock Capital, BlueHill Capital, Roark Fund, Yunshang Capital, Consensus Labs, and many others.

To assess the scale of the addressable market, Bella has also recently conducted a global DeFi user survey. The results found that there is room for the stablecoin market to grow to up to thirty times its current size and that the DeFi market is currently operating at a penetration level of just one percent. Therefore, there is enormous potential for growth, provided that DeFi can overcome its growing pains.

Bella Protocol is an ecosystem project incubated by ARPA, the renowned privacy-preserving network that uses secure multi-party computation. A branch of this cryptography technology is threshold signature, which can be applied to cross-chain interoperability and asset custody. Bella Proctol is positioned as a strategic move of ARPA's long-term DeFi blueprint, and it will attract its first batch of users from the global ARPA community.

"What Bella is aiming to solve with 1click and flex saving are the three largest barriers to achieving DeFi or crypto mass adoption -- high gas fees, complex user journey, and poor user experience," says Michael Arrington, Founding partner at Arrington XRP. " Bella will eventually bring in the other 99% of the crypto users into DeFi, and even more users into crypto. We bet on teams who have long-term vision, great ability to execute, proven track record, and cross-border capabilities, and Bella team possesses them all."

Bella Protocol's success in fundraising is a testament to the strong potential for the platform's adoption by the ARPA community, and the broader growth opportunities in the DeFi space.

Soon, Bella will launch its first feature, liquidity mining, and confirm the details of an airdrop program of the BEL token for ARPA holders.

About Bella

Bella Protocol is a suite of open finance products, including automated yield farming tools, a lending protocol, a 1-click savings account, customized Robo-Advisor, and more. At Bella, we believe everyone deserves equal access to premium financial products and services with elegant design and smooth user experience.

Bella brings your familiar mobile banking into crypto with just one click. With Bella, you can just simply sit back, watch your asset grow, and leave all the heavy-lifting to secure, automated smart contracts.

Bella's core team consists of serial entrepreneurs and blockchain veterans who have tremendous experience and proven track record in finance, cryptography, blockchain, and engineering.

For updates, visit Bella:

Website: bela.fi

Telegram: https://t.me/bellaprotocol

For press inquiries, please contact: Elliot Ledley elliot@energentmedia.net

SOURCE: Energent Media

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603116/DeFi-Aggregator-Bella-Protocol-Closes-Multimillion-Dollar-Funding-Round
In the span of three days, the number of Virginia Commonwealth University students who tested positive for the coronavirus doubled, and some students are worried that school life as they know it wont last.

Of course we dont feel good, said Amelia Howard, a freshman music major, seated outside Warren W. Brandt Hall on Monday afternoon. Nobody really wants to leave and go home.  We want it to work out, we really do.

The university reported 59 active cases among its students Monday on its digital dashboard. The figure had jumped from 25 on Thursday to 58 on Sunday. Of the 59 active cases, 43 are living in isolation on campus. Thirteen employees also tested positive and have active cases, an increase of two from last week.

The University of Richmond, which began classes Monday, reported 11 cases last Tuesday but hasnt updated its online dashboard since.

On Sunday, VCU addressed rumors that its case count is higher than what has been reported. It said on Twitter that because VCU is a large community, its common for rumors to circulate regarding outbreaks, building evacuations and campus closures.
Oil producers on Tuesday shut 1.56 million bpd of crude output, 84 percent of Gulf of Mexicos offshore production.

The United States energy industry on Tuesday was preparing for a major hurricane strike, cutting crude production at a rate approaching the level of 2005s Hurricane Katrina and halting oil refining at plants along the Texas/Louisiana coast.

Officials in the two states called for hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate as Hurricane Laura intensified and forecasters predicted it would become a major hurricane with sustained, 115-mile-per-hour (185kph) winds.

The intensification will bring at least a 10-foot (3-metre) storm surge to the upper Texas coast later this week and could produce a devastating category-4 hurricane, said Chris Kerr, a meteorologist at agriculture, energy and weather data provider DTN.

Oil producers on Tuesday had evacuated 310 offshore facilities and shut 1.56 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude output, 84 percent of Gulf of Mexicos offshore production, near the 90 percent outage that Katrina brought 15 years ago.

The storm will make landfall by early Thursday in an area that accounts for more than 45 percent of total US petroleum refining capacity and 17 percent of oil production, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Jahda Muhammad holds a bag open as State Representative Matthew Willard shovels sand at St Raymond Church, while residents fill sandbags provided by Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the local government, as Hurricane Laura warnings have been issued for part of Louisiana and Texas, in New Orleans, Louisiana, US [File: Kathleen Flynn/Reuters]

Refiners that produce petrol and diesel fuel were taking steps to halt eight coastal facilities with nearly 2.78 million bpd of processing, 14.6 percent of the US total capacity, according to Reuters News Agency tallies.

The impact on refineries so far is less than Hurricane Harvey, whose drenching rains took down nearly one-quarter of US refining capacity three years ago.

US petrol futures have jumped as much as 10 percent since Friday, while crude benchmarks settled at a five-month high on Tuesday due to the shutdowns.

There will be a significant storm surge from Galveston (Texas) to the Sabine River, an area encompassing some of the regions largest refineries, said DTNs Kerr. There are ideal conditions in central and west Gulf for rapid intensification.

Officials in several Texas and Louisiana communities called for mandatory evacuations affecting half a million people. Residents from areas of Houston to Orange, Texas, should flee the area and seek shelter inland, Texas officials said.

Cheniere Energy Inc, the largest US exporter of liquefied natural gas, evacuated staff and suspended operations at its Sabine Pass LNG export terminal on the Texas/Louisiana border.

Motiva Enterprises, Total SA and Valero Energy began cutting operations at their Port Arthur, Texas, refineries, according to people familiar with the matter.

Total, Motiva and Valero confirmed the shutdowns, and a Valero spokeswoman said it also was reviewing the risks to its Texas City, plant southeast of Houston.

Citgo Petroleum said it has begun to halt processing at its 418,000-bpd refinery in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Exxon Mobil Corp also began shutting production at its large Beaumont, Texas, refinery and reduced output at its Baytown, Texas, plant in advance of a possible shutdown.

Exxon confirmed it was initiating a shutdown at Beaumont and was preparing for possible severe weather at its Baytown refinery and chemical complex, a spokesman said. If the Baytown plant fully halts processing, total shutdowns along the coast would hit 2.78 million bpd.
WILSONVILLE, Ore., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Avocor , the fastest-growing global collaboration display company, today announces the first Windows collaboration display (WCD) certified for Microsoft Teams. Featuring an advanced interactive display, natural inking and innovative IoT sensor technologies, the AVW-6555 Windows collaboration display is the first Teams certified WCD and it is also now certified for Microsoft Azure IoT. Designed to enhance collaboration and accelerate teamwork, the Avocor AVW-6555 also provides meaningful analysis of meeting space utilization through integrated certified Azure IoT sensors. Ideal for focus rooms, the AVW-6555 provides seamless integration with Teams video and audio-conferencing capabilities immediately upon connection to a computer with Teams installed.

Avocor - AVW-6555

Windows collaboration displays by Avocor make it simple for teams to connect beyond the physical walls of an office to easily include remote team members allowing them to seamlessly work together and get more done. Users can immediately drive content from a laptop to the display with the innovative Type-C single-cable solution, allowing access to content, control of the integrated camera and far-field mic array for video and audio, as well as providing hardwired Ethernet connection and charging power to the laptop. This innovative connection finally delivers on the promise that meetings can start in seconds, not minutes.

The Windows collaboration display by Avocor was developed in collaboration with Microsoft and is designed to enable teamwork. It offers smooth touch with a finger, even while wearing gloves, or when using the included fine-tipped stylus and eraser. The inking is precise down to the pixel, and the native 4K resolution optically bonded glass-surfaced display creates lifelike images with exceptional depth and detail, an increasingly important feature as more meetings happen via video calls. Easy access to the full suite of Microsoft 365 productivity tools makes the WCD a room-scale extension of a user's laptop, empowering people who are in the room, or who are participating online, can easily share and edit content, and engage in creative thinking and problem solving in real-time.

In addition to being an integrated collaboration tool for teamwork, the Windows collaboration display by Avocor is certified for Azure IoT. Featuring an array of built-in IoT sensors that can connect to Avocor Aquarius Workspace Intelligence, an Avocor subscription service based on Azure, facility managers can utilize the environmental data they collect to make real-time adjustments as well as future room and investment planning. Aquarius Workspace Intelligence software provides real-time analysis of meeting spaces by pulling data from Avocor's innovative W series collaboration displays and existing Microsoft 365 meeting data to deliver insights through easy-to-use dashboards. By combining sensor data with Microsoft 365 meeting information, Avocor Aquarius offers a simple way for management to gain valuable analysis about meeting room utilization. It is also fast and easy to deploy, allows for Over The Air (OTA) upgrades and provides the flexible management needed to make important decisions about office facilities and increase room and UC hardware ROI. Avocor will provide access to its Aquarius WSI software for 90 days standard for its W series displays. However, all AVW-6555's purchased in 2020 will receive an entire year of Aquarius WSI at no charge.

"Avocor and Microsoft share a goal of providing seamless, sophisticated technology to allow companies and their team members to achieve more, from wherever they are working," said Scott Hix, CEO, Avocor. "As Microsoft Teams is well-established and continues rapid adoption, we're seeing a market demand for collaboration technology that can support it. Being certified as a Teams device means that we're enabling seamless communication from a device standpoint, by developing simple and easy-to-set-up solutions that reduce time spent on troubleshooting. From a collaboration standpoint, Avocor is accelerating teamwork and bringing teams together to get more done in the Microsoft ecosystem they already know and use."

Albert Kooiman, Director of Microsoft Teams devices Partner Engineering and Certification, Microsoft Corp. said, "We are pleased that Avocor is empowering people and teams by making it easy to come together and collaborate. The Windows collaboration displays from Avocor, now certified for Microsoft Teams, makes it easy for individuals to connect their PC , and seamlessly share Microsoft 365 and Teams on a room size display, so everyone in the room and online can work together."

The 65-inch AVW-6555 Windows collaboration display by Avocor is available globally in Q3 for $6,999 USD (Americas & APAC), 5,999GBP (UK& Ireland), 6,999 EUR (EMEA).

Windows collaboration displays by Avocor are available via a trusted and experienced global network of distribution and reseller partners. To learn more about how to get started with Avocor, visit www.avocor.com and follow news and updates from Avocor on social, via Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube .

About Avocor

Avocor is an award-winning global provider of collaboration technology that brings teams together to increase productivity and get more done. Designed with the latest in display technology and to fit the way modern workspaces, huddle rooms, classrooms and meeting spaces work together, Avocor displays offer a premium, flexible user-experience that is easily replicated across the Enterprise. Avocor's industry partnership ecosystem includes some of the most well-known and trusted collaboration technology leaders in the market today, providing a seamless user experience for every meeting.

Headquartered in the U.S. with global offices, Avocor is dedicated to delivering collaboration solutions on a global scale through an extensive and experienced partner network.

Learn more at www.avocor.com .

Press Contact:

Pippa Edelen, [email protected] +1.503.702.0060

Caster Communications, Inc., 401-792-7080 [email protected]

SOURCE Avocor

Related Links

http://www.avocor.com


Monday's snapshot positivity numbers demonstrate this.

Erie County announced Monday that it had 21 positive cases among its 1,469 tests on Sunday. That results in a positivity percentage of 1.4%. The state prefers to see this percentage at 1% or lower.

But the 21 confirmed cases reported Monday actually represent the county's lowest daily number of positive cases in seven days.

To confuse matters further, state records indicate that Erie County's Sunday total was 26 positive cases among 1,452 tests for a rate of 1.8%.

Daily totals from the respective counties often differ slightly from the state's data due to discrepancies that can include tests administered in one county on individuals who are not from that county, or circumstances such as the timing and/or reporting of tests.

Meanwhile, Niagara County reported 21 cases on Monday, which was the highest total the county has reported since it had 21 on Aug. 7; the county's total hasn't been higher since the county reported 34 on July 6. Monday's announced total included cases from Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton said Monday that there's no need for worry.
Uganda fishermen ask govt. to fix price of fish maw

August 25,2020 | Source: AllAfrica

Fishermen at Masese Landing Site in Jinja City want government to regulate the price of gas bladders, following a pep talk by President Museveni on the highly sought-after fish organ.



Last month, during a televised address, Mr Museveni said: "Nile Perch can grow to 300 kilogrammes apparently and I have got a study that Ugandans can get a minimum of $150b a year from this Nile Perch."



"Apparently, the meat of the Nile Perch is not important; it is the bladder, what they call enuni. It has got special qualities and is also expensive. A kilogramme is Shs10m and one mature Nile Perch can give you three kilogrammes; so such a bladder can get you Shs30m, equivalent to $9,000," he said.



Also known as gas bladder, fish maw or air bladder, is found in the dorsal portion of the fish to control its buoyancy and stay at their current water depth without having to waste energy in swimming.



Mr Kadilu Wazaba, a fisherman, says because the actual price of the organ is unknown to them, they find themselves being cheated by middlemen in the supply chain.



A kilogramme, he says, goes for Shs1m; however, Mr Robert Mugoya, Mr Patrick Namage, and Mr James Ahimbisibwe, also fishermen, each said it goes for Shs1.3m, Shs900,000 and Shs800,000, respectively.



Such contradictions reveal the uncertainty with which the fishermen are operating.



The fishermen add that following Mr Museveni's proclamation, the landing site has been flooded with middlemen, mainly from Mukono, who prowl the area for the organ, which they take to Chinese clients in Kampala.



"When the Covid-19 pandemic had just broken out in March, the demand for the organ was low because all major export countries, including China, were under lockdown and flights were grounded. At that time, a kilogramme, which usually went for Shs900, 000, was going for between Shs580,000 and Shs600,000; so those with stores had to buy, hoard and sell at exorbitant prices," Mr Namage said.



He added: "The current problem is that despite some restrictions being eased and airspaces opened (to flights), middlemen are insisting on buying the organ cheaply and that's why we want the government to intervene and regulate the business."



The deputy Executive Secretary of Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO), Dr Anthony Taabu Munyaho, said currently, there is no law to guide this business. LVFO is a regional organisation under the East African Community that is responsible for coordinating and managing fisheries and aquaculture resources.



"This is a new business innovation that recently came and there are no law governing it. As you know, laws take time to develop but that does not mean there is nothing going on.



"As LVFO, we initiated a study that is now looking at development of guidelines for management of this very lucrative trade among East Africa partner states," Mr Munyaho said.



He added that a consultant that was contracted, subjected them to a report which they have reviewed and is undergoing a second review, before it is shared by partner states.



Asked how much a gas bladder costs locally, Mr Munyaho said: "The price keeps changing that's why fishermen are complaining; but a kilogramme goes for Shs500,000 and is sometimes more expensive than the fish."



He was, however, noncommittal on the export value, saying: "We have to look at the study we did, and the consultant has some details."



Mr Mugoya said there was reluctance from fishermen to venture into the swim bladder business; however, their curiosity was awakened after those buying them started visiting the landing site while driving 'expensive vehicles'.



He, however, warned that the business is shrouded in mystery that if not well-taken care of can increase or deplete the investment.



"The middlemen say Chinese want a one-kilogramme organ which can only potentially be found in a Nile Perch weighing 60 kilogrammes; but such a catch may take two weeks or even up to a month to come ashore," he said.



Their current Nile Perch catch, he says, ranges from 30 kilogrammes to 45 kilogrammes; but even when one is weighing 60 kilogrammes eventually comes, one must pray that its gas bladder makes the desired weight.



In some of the most puzzling disparities in fish size, a Nile Perch weighing 24 kilogrammes may contain a one-kilogramme swim bladder, and one weighing 60 kilogrammes posts an organ of about 700 grams, Mr Wazaba said.



Use of the organ



Speaking to Daily Monitor in October last year, Dr Robert Kayanda, the director of Fisheries and Management at LVFO, said the organ is used to make operational stitches that are used on patients in theatres and as a refining agent in the manufacture of beers and wines.



"Chinese use them in soups and is a delicacy among their community and are mainly exported to Asian markets (Hong Kong) between $250 (about Shs912,000) and $500 (about Shs1.8m) per kilogramme," he said.

 AllAfrica

Theme(s): Others.
" " Many of NASA's inventions are as useful here on Earth as they are out in space. NASA

Although most people today will never set foot on the moon, it's likely you come into contact with a NASA byproduct every day. Partnering with various research teams and companies, NASA continues to spawn a vast array of new technologies that have improved our daily lives. In fact, NASA has filed more than 6,300 patents with the U.S. government.

The best part? You don't need to be a rocket scientist to appreciate some of NASA's greatest innovations.


Commences OTC Cross Listing Process

Ballarat, Aug 25, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - White Rock Minerals Ltd ( ASX:WRM ) wishes to advise that it has applied for an OTCQX Cross Listing of its securities in North America. The OTCQX is the top tier of the three marketplaces provided by the OTC Markets Group Inc ("OTC"), headquartered in New York, for the over-the-counter trading of stocks.This listing follows on from the significant interest shown by North American Investors in White Rock's recent equity raising1 and trading on the ASX since. This is part of White Rock's strategy of raising awareness of the Company's high-grade zinc - silver - gold - lead VMS and gold IRGS project at Red Mountain in central Alaska, USA, of natural interest to many North American investors.This cross listing will allow easier access for North American Investors to trade in White Rock's securities listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) under the codes of WRM (shares) and WRMO (options).The OTCQX market has high financial reporting standards and strong corporate governance requirements, both of which are satisfied through the Company's ongoing compliance with ASX listing rules.The OTCQX listing aims to provide current and potential North American investors with appropriate accessibility and liquidity to invest in the Company. The listing provides White Rock access to one of the largest investment markets in the world at nominal cost, with no additional compliance requirements, compared to traditional major exchanges.Existing ordinary shares of White Rock will be traded on the OTCQX Market and North American investors will be able to find real-time quotes and market information on the OTC Markets website once the Company is cross-listed there.Three key advantages for North American investors are:1) Trades and settlements are in US Dollars (USD),2) Trading in the North American time zone; and3) The OTCQX share is the same class of Ordinary Share to ASX traded stock ( ASX:WRM ), not a synthetic. The shares are simply registered in two different Registries.This cross listing will assist the North American investor to participate in the White Rock story, especially as it progresses with its current exploration and drilling program at its large IRGS gold anomaly at the Last Chance Prospect2.White Rock anticipates the OTC Cross Listing to be live in September and will update the Market when timing is confirmed and the trading ticker has been allocated.About White Rock Minerals Ltd

White Rock Minerals Ltd (ASX:WRM) (OTCMKTS:WRMCF) is a diversified explorer and near-stage producer, headquartered in Ballarat, Victoria. The Company's flagship exploration project is Red Mountain in central Alaska. At Red Mountain, there are already two high grade zinc - silver - gold - lead VMS deposits, with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 9.1 million tonnes @ 609g/t AgEq / 13% ZnEq. The Company is also exploring its recently discovered large intrusion related gold anomaly at Last Chance, also located in the Tintina gold belt of Alaska, home to multi-million gold ounce deposits like Pogo, Fort Knox and the Donlin Project. The Company also has the Mt Carrington project, located near Drake, in Northern NSW, which is a near-production precious metals asset with a resource of 341,000 ounces of gold and 23.2 million ounces of silver on an approved mining lease, and with a Gold First PFS and JORC Reserve.
A team of archeologists from Siberian Federal University and Novosibirsk State University provided a detailed reconstruction of a technology that was used to carve ornaments and sculptures from mammoth ivory. The team studied a string of beads and an ancient animal figurine found at the Paleolithic site of Ust-Kova in Krasnoyarsk Territory. Over 20 thousand years ago its residents used drills, cutters, and even levelling blades. The unusual features of some of the items showcased the mastery of the craftsmen. The new data obtained by the scientists will help study the relations between the residents of different Siberian sites. The article about the study was published in the highly respected journal Archaeological Research in Asia.

The Ust-Kova site is located in Kezhemsky District of Krasnoyarsk Territory at the mouth of the Kova river. Archaeologists from Krasnoyarsk have been working there since the middle of the 20th century, but the major part of the excavation work took place between 1980 and 2000. Based on the results of radiocarbon dating, the site is considered to be over 20 thousand years old. Of all findings from Ust-Kova, scientists consider animal figurines the most interesting. They also found various ornaments and tools made from mammoth ivory. However, until recently the technology of their manufacture has been unknown.

"We studied several mammoth ivory items found at Ust-Kova: a mammoth figurine, a seal sculpture, and bracelets and beads of different sizes that were created around 24 thousand years ago. Our group was supervised by Prof. L.V. Lbova, a PhD in History, from the Department of Archeology and Ethnography of Novosibirsk State University. We conducted detailed microscopic analysis of each object to identify the tools used in their manufacture by the markings they left," said Prof. Nikolay Drozdov, a PhD in History, representing Siberian Federal University.

After processing the microscopic images of the mammoth figurine with DStretch, the team was able to reconstruct the ancient technology in every detail. The image showed markings that were left by different tools. According to the scientists, at first a craftsman had to break a mammoth tusk down into segments. After that smaller plates were turned into beads: the master cut them into rectangles and made a hole in the center of each piece using a stone drill. Bigger parts were used to create animal sculptures. To depict a mammoth, the craftsman outlined a head and legs with a levelling blade and then removed the excess of the bone with a cutter. After the figurine was finished, it was decorated with a pattern to imitate eyes and hair.

The team also analyzed the chemical composition of the findings. The scientists were especially interested in the traces of dark-red pigment on the surface of the sculpture. It turned out that ancient craftsmen used to paint many of their items with manganese and magnesium (presumably, they were extracted from salt rocks situated not far from the site). The mammoth figurine was painted with a red pigment on one side and with a black one on the other. In the mythology of the Ust-Kuva people red was a symbol of life and black meant death. The researchers also found several layers of pigment on the beads. They assumed that the ornaments had been in use for many years and had to be regularly repaired.

The study can help better understand the relationships between different tribes and territories. Now scientists will be able to compare tools from different sites by various parameters. This will show whether distant tribes were in contact with each other and also help identify individual styles of ancient master carvers.

###
Authorities said Ms. Roldan failed to stop at a stop sign.

Ms. Roldan was attempting to make a left-hand turn when a Ford Explorer ran into her.

The accident happened at Wildwood Avenue and 12th Street Southeast.

Veronica Roldan, 40, was struck and killed Monday night in Cleveland, while riding her bike.

Man Arrested After Stealing Public Works Truck; Driving It Through Security Gate

Rep. Howell Backs Away From Bill To Shorten Parole Eligibility Time For Those Convicted Of 1st-Degree Murder

Austin Garrett Gets Endorsement Of Several Area Sheriffs

A man charged with stealing a public works truck and destroying a facility gate is being charged with burglary and vandalism. Chattanooga Police responded to an in-progress vehicle theft ... (click for more)

Rep. Dan Howell has backed away from a bill that would shorten the parole eligibility time for those convicted of first-degree murder. The current eligibility time is 51 years. The bill ... (click for more)
Intercepted communications and other evidence not included in the tribunals public proceedings confirm the existence of an assassinations unit that has been behind a series of deadly car bombings targeting Lebanese military and political leaders and journalists over at least a decade, the officials said. Two former U.S. officials said intelligence assessments were privately shared with tribunal members, though the material could not be used in public proceedings because of the risk of exposing confidential sources and intelligence-gathering methods.
Property/casualty insurance consulting firm, Pinnacle Actuarial Resources Inc. (Pinnacle), has added Erick Mortenson as a consulting actuary in the Denver area.

Mortenson joins Pinnacle after a tenure at Willis Towers Watson, where he was a senior vice president focused on providing analytics solutions in areas including reinsurance and medical professional liability. Prior to that position, Mortenson worked in a similar role for Aon Benfield in Minneapolis.

Mortenson is an associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society (ACAS) and is a certified specialist in predictive analytics (CSPA) from the CAS Institute. He also has a significant financial background, having passed the Uniform Investment Adviser Law (Series 65) and the chartered financial analyst Level 1 examinations.

He is one of the first actuaries to receive the CSPA certification and has contributed to the creation, management and growth of significant data science and predictive analytics initiatives and offerings within his previous organizations.

Pinnacle is an independent, full-service actuarial firm focused on the property/casualty insurance industry. With a home office in Bloomington, Ill., the firm also has offices in Atlanta, Chicago and San Francisco.

Source: Pinnacle Actuarial Resources
Hyderabad, Aug 25 : Claiming that the Covid-19 situation in Greater Hyderabad has been controlled, top Telangana health officials on Tuesday exuded confidence of bringing the situation under control in the remaining districts by the end of September.

Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Srinivas Rao said the government would continue strict measures to bring down the number of cases to the minimum by the end of next month.

He claimed that the effective steps taken by the government during the last six months and the courage shown by people helped control the situation, especially in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area.

The situation in GHMC was pretty bad last month when even beds were not available in hospitals.

The state capital was last month recording 700-900 new cases every day. The number has now come down to around 300.

Though the number of cases has gone up in the districts, Rao was confident of controlling the situation by the end of next month.

He reiterated that the situation in Telangana was better than many other states. "See what is the situation in the neighbouring states. There is no panic situation in Telangana," he said.

Stating that the government has taken all steps for testing and treatment, he urged people not to be scared and carry on with their livelihood and business related activities.

Rao said that till a vaccine or treatment is found for Covid-19, the government would continue its measures while people should also continue taking precautions like wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing and hand sanitization.

He pointed out that the state brought down the mortality rate to 0.70 per cent and improved the recovery rate to 77.44 per cent against the national average of 75.27 per cent. Out of 23,737 active cases, 17,226 are in home/institutional isolation.

The official said over 20,000 beds were available in the government hospitals and 12,000 of them have oxygen facility. He also revealed that 50 per cent of those undergoing treatment in private hospitals are from neighbouring states.

Director of Medical Education Ramesh Reddy said all the facilities for Covid treatment were made available in the government hospitals in remote areas.

The state ramped up testing facilities to conduct a record 52,933 tests during the last 24 hours. This has taken the total number of tests conducted so far to over 10.21 lakh. During the current month alone, 5.24 lakh tests were conducted.

The officials claimed that the steps taken by the government to regulate Covid treatment in private hospitals had started yielding results as the number of complaints about excessive billing, poor facilities, negligence etc have come down drastically.

They reiterated that with the best infrastructure and qualified manpower, the government hospitals were offering free Covid treatment and urged the people to avail the facility instead of spending lakhs of rupees in private hospitals.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Weeks before her death, an El Paso mother received millions of views on her public message saying COVID-19 isn't a joke and pleading with people to never take the little things for granted.

Forty-three-year Sara Montoya, connected to a ventilator and struggling to breathe, went live on Facebook from her hospital bed on July 5 and urged people to take the virus seriously. She passed away about six weeks later on Aug. 13.

'SHAME ON ALL OF YOU': Texas wife blames Trump and Gov. Abbott for husband's COVID-19 death

Never in my life did I ever think that I would be fighting for my breath, something that we take for granted every day when we wake up. Please do not put your families at risk. I did the best that I thought I could. It is not worth it. Put your masks on. Dont go out if you dont have to, she said in the video.

I have fought too hard to have the life that I have now and I refuse to give up. I miss my kids. I miss my husband [who was at the same hospital fighting COVID].  With the grace of God I will be walking out of this hospital. I dont know when, but I will."

Jasmin Chavez told TODAY she was initially embarrassed about her mother's video and asked her to remove it, but "I'm glad she didnt listen to me. Her video has been viewed over 5 million times and Im glad people realize this virus is real."

Her mother at first thought she had a simple sinus infection, Chavez said, but by July 1 she had been admitted to the hospital because of COVID-19. A week later, she found out she had staph infection in her lungs.

The 24-year-old is now reaffirming her mother's final message to the public, and encouraging everyone to do all they can to slow the virus's spread.

I want people to continue to wear their masks, wash their hands, and only leave their house when necessary, Chavez said. There is not a cure."
Birmingham police said theyve seen a spike in robberies in cases where the initial contact was made through social media websites, and they are warning the public to beware.

In most of the cases, authorities said, the victims are under the impression they are meeting another person to hang out. Once they arrive, however, they are robbed at gunpoint by someone who forces them to send them money through CashApp or PayPal.

In some of the cases, the victims vehicles also have been stolen. The victims told investigators that the person who robbed them looked nothing like the person pictured online.

Many of the robberies happened at vacant or abandoned homes.

Police are urging residents to pick a safe, public area if they plan to physically meet someone who they have only previously communicated with online. Most of the victims have been embarrassed to tell detectives the truth about what happened to them.

Anyone with information on similar crimes is asked to call robbery detectives at 205-254-1753 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777
Advertisement

Californias firefighters had brief respite from tackling 650 different blazes on Tuesday as cooler weather moved in, helping quell some of the worst wildfires in the states history.

The devastating wildfires sparked by more than 13,000 lightning strikes since mid-August have collectively scorched more than 1.2million acres, an area bigger than the state of Delaware, and left seven people dead.

The three largest fire complexes  the SCU Lightning Complex, the LNU Lightning Complex and the CZU Complex - continue to rage in northern California.

The three massive clusters of fires sparked on August 15 and have burned down at least 1,300 home and structures  and that number could grow to more than 3,000.

Across the state evacuation orders have been issued for an estimated 170,000 people.

Shocking satellite images captured by NASA show a dense cloud of smoke covering the entirety of California, making it nearly invisible from space, as experts say the smog has traveled as far as Kansas.

Californias firefighters had a brief respite from tackling 650 different blazes on Tuesday as cooler weather moved in, helping quell some of the worst wildfires in the states history. Santa Rosa firefighters Cori Rickert, James Bone and AJ Alcocer monitor the LNU Lightning Complex Fire in Healdsburg, California on Tuesday

Workers with Davey Resource Group assess the damage to the trees in a neighborhood in Boulder Creek, California on Tuesday

The fire has scorched through more than 1.2million acres, reducing neighborhoods like Boulder Creek to ashes and melted metal

Gary Pratt inspects the ruins of his home at Spanish Flats Mobile Villa Park, after the LNU Lightning Complex fires passed through, near Lake Berryessa, California on Monday

Howard Forest Helitack firefighters return to their helicopter after battling the LNU Lightning Complex on Sunday in Lake County, California

The haze is expected to linger in the air for most of next week before the high-pressure system moves toward the Mississippi Valley and potentially into some of the southeastern states, the San Francisco Gate reported.

Cooler weather on Tuesday helped slow the spread of fires that were fueled by extremely hot temperatures and high winds.

'Containment numbers are up,' Daniel Berlant, chief of wildfire planning and engineering at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said Tuesday.

Californias firefighting agency is now in talks with the National Guard and the California Conservation Corps about providing reinforcements to aid 14,000 firefighters who have been pushed to a breaking point battling the fires amid the coronavirus pandemic and depleted inmate crews.

'Historically its September and October when we experience our largest and our most damaging wildfires. So to be in the middle of August and already have the second- and the third-largest wildfires in our states history is very concerning to us,' Chief Berlant said.

With limited crews to tackle fires on the ground, the state has been relying more on bulldozers, aircraft and firefighters from other states and the federal government, Berlant said.

The hand crews do what Gov. Gavin Newsom calls 'the really hard grunt work'  using chainsaws and hand tools to scrape and cut road-like clearings through grass, brush and trees in remote areas in hopes of stopping the spread of a wildfire.

The three largest fire complexes  the SCU Lightning Complex, the LNU Lightning Complex and the CZU Complex - continue to rage in northern California. The CZU Lightning complex fire above on Sunday in Boulder Creek

Davey Resource Group workers assessing the damage in Boulder Creek, California on Tuesday after the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire passed through

The CZU August Lightning Complex Fire continues to burn Tuesday near Bonny Doon, California on Tuesday

A burned residence is seen during the LNU Lightning Complex fire in Vacaville, California on Monday above

A thank you sign is posted along Empire Grade Road pictured Tuesday in Bonny Doon, California after the CZU Lightning Fire decimated the area

A 'Vaca Strong' message is painted on a burned hillside during the LNU Lightning Complex fire in Vacaville, California Monday

Pam, who declined to give a last name, examines the remains of her partner's Vacaville home on Friday after it was burned down in the LNU Lightning Complex fire

Ruins and debris sit on blocks of land after the LNU Lightning Complex fires past through, at the Spanish Flats Mobile Villa Park near Lake Berryessa on Monday

The burnt remains of a motorcycle burnt by the LNU Lightning Complex pictured Monday at the Spanish Flats Mobile Villa Park near Lake Berryessa

A Howard Forest Helitack firefighter looks out from a helicopter while battling the LNU Lightning Complex on Sunday

A helicopter and crew releases water to extinguish a section of the LNU Lightning Complex Fire near Middletown on Monday

The SCU Lightning Complex is currently the largest fire, raging east of San Jose across seven counties, burning more than 365,700 acres. This is the second-largest fire in the states history.

To the east of San Francisco, firefighters created containment lines around 20 percent of a group of fires that have charred 571.5 square miles

The LNU Lightning Complex follows behind, burning more than 356,300 acres north and northeast of San Francisco, destroying more than 970 homes and other structures.

This blaze is the deadliest of them all, killing five people, two in Solano County and three in Napa County.

Art Thomas, 76, was one of the residents who returned to the decimated outskirts of Vacaville after it was razed in the LNU complex and found just ashes and wrangled, melted metal.

He fled the home he built with his own hands in a rural area where he had lived for 32 years with his wife and two dogs.

Shocking satellite images captured by NASA show a dense fog of smoke covering the entirety of California, making it nearly invisible from space as lightning strikes, storms, and a heatwave have caused over 650 wildfires to erupt across the state

NASAs images show an insidious blanket cloud of smoke engulfing much of the West Coast, except for Washington, with experts saying the smog has already traveled across much of the US and is visible as far away as Kansas (Active fires are marked with red dots, residual smoke marked in yellow)

'Possessions dating back to when I was a kid were all in the house, everything is gone. Between sad, crying, laughing every emotion is there,' he said.

Firefighters in wine country north of San Francisco have cleared containment lines  used to prevent fires from spreading  around a quarter of the fires in this region.

CZU Lightning Complex, based in Santa Cruz and the San Mateo counties, led to one death when a helicopter pilot died after the aircraft he was in crashed while conducting water drops on the smaller Hills Fire in Fresno County.

As of late Tuesday evening, the LNU complex was 27 percent contained; the SCU complex was 20 percent contained, and the CZU complex was 19 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

The lightning-sparked fires have scorched more than 1.2 million acres in California since August 15, a distance more than five times the size of New York City or the equivalent to the entire state of Rhode Island being set ablaze (Pictured: Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires leap above Butts Canyon Road on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020)

At least seven people have been killed and 1,300 homes and other building destroyed. 14,000 firefighters are currently battling the hundreds of blazes

The crews, already stretched to their limits, had braced themselves for another potentially catastrophic spate of dry lightning across Sunday and Monday, but the forecasts didnt hold true

Dozens of the fires were caused by lightning, with more than 10,000 strikes recorded in just a 72-hour period.

Blazes have been exacerbated by a historic heatwave  one in which Death Valley may have registered an all-time high temperature for planet Earth since records began.

'We are dealing with different climate conditions that are precipitating in fires the likes we havent seen in modern recorded history,' Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday.

Thunderstorms rumbled over northern California again on Monday, but the fire-ravaged region around San Francisco Bay was largely spared from a new onslaught of incendiary lightning strikes, coming as a welcome relief to firefighters in the region.

The crews, already stretched to their limits, had braced themselves for another potentially catastrophic spate of dry lightning across Sunday and Monday, but the forecasts didnt hold true.

Instead, the region only saw a few hundred strikes, while cloudy skies, cooler temperatures and rising humidity provided a welcome respite that helped fire crews consolidate some gains they made over the weekend.

The haze is expected to linger in the air for most of next week before the high-pressure system moves toward the Mississippi Valley and potentially into some of the southeastern states

Dozens of the some 650 fires were caused by an eruption of over 10,000 lightning strikes in just a 72-hour period, with the blazes then exacerbated by a historic heatwave  one in which Death Valley may have registered an all-time high record temperature for planet Earth

Fire burns in the hollow of an old-growth redwood tree in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calif., Monday, August 24, 2020

Two of the three largest fire complexes in California, the SCU Lightning Complex to the east of San Jose and the LNU Lightning Complex (above) east of the Napa Valley have burned a near combined half-million acres in just the last four days

Howard Forest Helitack firefighters return to their helicopter after battling the LNU Lightning Complex on Sunday

Following the LNU Lightning Complex fires, a scorched VW Microbus rests in a driveway of the Spanish Flat community in Napa County

California fire officials are pleading with residents to stay out of evacuation zones and prepare for days away from home

Not knowing whether her home is still standing is the hardest part, says Barbara Brandt, a Boulder Creek resident who fled the Santa Cruz area fire Tuesday night.

'The last few days have been a roller coaster,' she said. 'You get conflicting reports. You don't know what your life is going to be like. We don't know when we can go back, but we know it's not going to be for a long time.'

When Brandt evacuated with her 94-year-old father, they figured the order was just a precaution. It was smoky, but not the massive complex of fires it is now. Her cats weren't inside so she left without them, thinking theyd be back soon.

She went back Wednesday to put her cats in the house and feed her chickens. On Thursday, she returned yet again - this time to grab the cats.

North of San Francisco in wine country, Tim Ireland, 48, and Sherri Johnston, 47, were heading back to their destroyed Healdsburg home in Sonoma County to look for one of their dogs. The dog refused to get into the car when they fled.

'We only got out with a car full of clothes, firearms, safe, all our electronic devices, one dog, and two cats,' he said.

More than 240,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings across the state

A Howard Forest Helitack firefighter looks out from a helicopter while battling the LNU Lightning Complex on Sunday

Firefighters ride in the back of a pickup truck while battling the LNU Lightning Complex fires Sunday

The downtown skyline of Sacramento is covered with smoke and the air quality is poor from fires in Northern Califorina

The latest of the fires seven victims so far was discovered in Santa Cruz on Sunday. Authorities said Tad Jones, 73, was found in Last Chance, a remote area. He was found on a trail near his van. Police had to use a helicopter to reach the area of roughly 40 homes at the end of a windy, steep dirt road north of Santa Cruz.

Other victims included 70-year-old Mary Hintemeyer, of the city of Winters; her boyfriend Leo McDermott; and his son, Tom; said Hintemeyer's son, Robert McNeal.

McNeal told KPIX-TV that he lost contact with his mother Tuesday night as the fires sped up. He said his mother had tried to go into town earlier that day but turned back at a roadblock where authorities said if she went through she wouldnt be allowed back. She returned home to get her boyfriend, who was in a wheelchair.

Authorities found their remains among the ruins on the Napa County property Wednesday, he said.

'Just get out, dont wait,' McNeal told the TV station, urging people to follow evacuation orders. 'If you think it's going to be too much to get your sprinklers on before you get out of there, forget those too. Forget it. Get out. Just get out. It ain't worth it.'
HOUSTON, Aug. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: SMLP) announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed James Johnston to serve as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Summit Midstream Partners, LP, effective September 4, 2020. Mr. Johnston joins Summit Midstream Partners from Crestwood Equity Partners, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

Heath Deneke, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, commented, "James has a wealth of experience from his more than 23 years of experience as an attorney in the midstream sector and I am pleased that he is joining the Summit Midstream executive team. I am confident that his broad set of legal, regulatory, operational, commercial and transactional experiences will have an immediate positive impact on the business and our ongoing strategic initiatives."

Prior to his role as Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Crestwood Equity Partners, Mr. Johnston served as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at Crestwood. Prior to joining Crestwood in 2013, Mr. Johnston served as Assistant General Counsel for Kinder Morgan and in various legal and commercial roles of increasing responsibility at Kinder Morgan, El Paso Corporation and Sonat, Inc. from 1997 to 2013.

Mr. Johnston holds a bachelor's degree from Western University in Ontario, Canada and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Samford University's Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama.

About Summit Midstream Partners, LP

SMLP is a value-driven limited partnership focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in the continental United States. SMLP provides natural gas, crude oil and produced water gathering, processing and transportation services pursuant to primarily long-term, fee-based agreements with customers and counterparties in six unconventional resource basins: (i) the Appalachian Basin, which includes the Utica and Marcellus shale formations in Ohio and West Virginia; (ii) the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in North Dakota; (iii) the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which includes the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado and Wyoming; (iv) the Permian Basin, which includes the Bone Spring and Wolfcamp formations in New Mexico; (v) the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in Texas; and (vi) the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation as well as the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in Colorado. SMLP has an equity investment in Double E Pipeline, LLC, which is developing natural gas transmission infrastructure that will provide transportation service from multiple receipt points in the Delaware Basin to various delivery points in and around the Waha Hub in Texas. SMLP also has an equity investment in Ohio Gathering, which operates extensive natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization infrastructure in the Utica Shale in Ohio. SMLP is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

SOURCE Summit Midstream Partners, LP

Related Links

http://www.summitmidstream.com


(Bloomberg) -- Billionaire Jack Mas Ant Group warned that rising U.S.-China trade tensions threaten its business as it gears up for an initial public offering that could give it a valuation as big as Bank of America Corp.

The Chinese e-commerce and fintech giant highlighted the geopolitical tensions in its filings for a dual IPO in Hong Kong and Shanghai late Tuesday, citing possible U.S. export controls and trade sanctions as key expansion risks.

Unlike Chinese tech firm such as Mas Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Ant decided against listing in the U.S. amid increased scrutiny by the Trump administration of Chinese companies, and warnings to U.S. endowment funds to offload their stakes in U.S.-listed Chinese businesses.

The greater concern is that if the U.S. passes a sanction of some sort, the other markets in India, Southeast Asia where Ant is looking for growth could be affected, said Mark Tanner, managing director of Shanghai-based consultant China Skinny. He added that Ant and Alibaba have side stepped a lot of the risks that its Chinese competitors like Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Bytedance Ltd. are facing.

The simultaneous listing could mark one of the biggest debuts in years, topping Saudi Aramcos record $29 billion IPO. The firm is targeting a valuation of about $225 billion, based on an IPO of about $30 billion if markets are favorable, people familiar with the matter have said. That would match Bank of Americas market capitalization, and be more than twice the size of Citigroup Inc. Among U.S. banks, only JPMorgan Chase & Co. is bigger.

Ant will use the proceeds to expand cross-border payments and enhance its research and development capabilities, according to the filing, which didnt provide a share price range or the amount it intends to raise.

The Hangzhou-based company will issue at least 10% of its total capital in new shares, according to the filing with the Shanghai exchange. Ant generated 72.5 billion yuan ($10.5 billion) in revenue in the first half, after full-year sales of 120.6 billion yuan in 2019, it said. The firm posted a profit of 21.2 billion yuan in the first half of this year.

Story continues

The crown jewel of the sprawling Alibaba empire, Ant has been accelerating its evolution into an online mall for everything from loans and travel services to food delivery, in a bid to win back shoppers lost to Tencent Holdings Ltd. With data from a billion users of its Alipay app at its back, Ant is pushing broadly into financial services, delivering technology such as artificial intelligence, robo investing and lending platforms.

Alibaba is Ants largest shareholder, with a 33% stake. Hangzhou Junao, an entity that is owned by key Ant and Alibaba executives, owns 20.66%, while Hangzhou Junhan, which holds shares on behalf of Ant employees, owns a 29.86% stake, according to the filing.

Ma holds 50.52% voting rights in Ant, via his control over the shares held by Hangzhou Junhan and Hangzhou Junao. Ma has said that he intends to reduce his economic interest in Ant to no more than 8.8% in the future, and he intends to donate 611 million shares to charity, according to the filing.

Ant picked Citigroup, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and China International Capital Corp., for its Hong Kong offering. Credit Suisse was hired as a joint global coordinator for the Hong Kong deal, according to people familiar. Representatives for Ant and Credit Suisse declined to comment.

CICC and CSC Financial Co. will lead the Shanghai portion. The company said it would raise 48 billion yuan in Shanghai. That figure is a placeholder as companies typically exceed that indication in their offerings.

Alipay Transactions

The preliminary IPO filing shed some light on Ants reach. Alipays total transaction volume reached 118 trillion yuan in the 12 months ended in June. The app had more than 1 billion users and 711 million monthly active users. More than 80 million merchants used Alipay to conduct business and Ant partnered with more than 2,000 financial institutions.

The company is also seeing a shift in its revenue structure, generating a greater contribution from technology services fees. The contribution from digital payments and merchants services fell 7.1 percentage points to 35.9% in the first half from the end of last year.

Its digital finance technology platform, which includes services credit, investment and insurance tech operating under the brands including Huabei, Jiebei and YuE Bao, accounted for 63.4% of revenue in the first half, up from 56.2% at the end of 2019.

The sale offers a potential windfall for a raft of U.S. private equity firms, including Silver Lake Management LLC, Warburg Pincus LLC and Carlyle Group Inc., which all invested at least $500 million in the firms latest 2018 funding round, people familiar with the matter have said. Credit Suisse Group AG also put in $100 million.

Ants IPO helps Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd., which is seeing a renaissance of tech listings after it relaxed rules in the wake of losing Chinas biggest tech firms -- including Alibaba -- to New York. Alibaba returned with a $13 billion secondary listing last year in Hong Kong.

Like Alibaba, Ant has hit the brakes on its U.S. expansion as political and trade tensions between America and China have escalated. Ma said in 2018 that his promise to create 1 million U.S. jobs was impossible to fulfill because of the trade tensions.

Instead, Ant has focused it offshore ambitions on building its presence in the rest of Asia, working with nine payment startups including the owners of Paytm in India and GCash in the Philippines.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
Does global warming create more hurricanes in the Atlantic?

Adam Sobel is an atmospheric scientist and the director of the Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate at Columbia University.

While there is considerable support that warming oceans are making the hurricanes that do occur produce more rain, stronger winds and worse coastal flooding, it has not been clear that it is producing more storms.

Decades ago, we used to think a hotter planet should have more hurricanes because storms like warm ocean water. It turns out it is not that simple. Hurricanes form over the warmest waters on the planet, but as the entire ocean warms, the sea surface temperature threshold needed for storms to form also rises.

That is for the planet as a whole. But the Atlantic Ocean is a special case, both because some of us live near it, and because its climate has some unique features.

The Atlantic has experienced large swings in hurricane activity: The 1950s and 1960s were very active, then the 1970s and 1980s were quiet, and then things picked up again. Those have historically been viewed as natural cycles, implying that we could expect the relatively active period we are in to eventually end.

But there is increasing evidence that the quiet decades were caused by aerosol pollution  tiny particles originating from sulfur out of American and European smokestacks that cooled the ocean by reflecting sunlight. That pollution has been reduced by environmental regulation, and with increased greenhouse gases warming the Atlantic, returning to a low-hurricane period may be less likely.

The Atlantic is also influenced by the Pacific Ocean. Atlantic hurricanes tend to be suppressed in El Nino years and active in La Nina because of how those Pacific phenomena affect the jet stream.
Big waves hit rocks in southwestern Jeju, Tuesday, as Typhoon Bavi approaches the island. The Korea Meteorological Administration says the typhoon, packing powerful winds and heavy rain, will hit Jeju Tuesday night before reaching the country's west coast. Yonhap
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 21:33:35|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on Jan. 12, 2019 shows the White House and a stop sign in Washington D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's remarks on China and the Communist Party of China (CPC) were just absurd lies driven by Cold-War mentality and zero-sum game mindset, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Tuesday.

During his trip to Israel, Pompeo mentioned the so-called "challenge that the Chinese Communist Party presents to the entire world." In response, Zhao said that for some time, the U.S. politician had slandered and smeared China out of ideological prejudice and self-interest.

"But China will never allow him to confuse the public," Zhao said at a news briefing.

He said Chinese media outlets had released a fact-check article in which abundant facts proved Pompeo's remarks on China are lies that misrepresent history and the reality.

Just because China adheres to the path of independence and peaceful development and does not follow the path "designed by the United States," certain U.S. politicians regard the CPC and the Chinese government as "infidels" and attempt to launch ideological crusades, Zhao said.

"These people must be reminded by the fact that the leadership of the CPC is the choice of history and the people. No one can turn a blind eye to the fact that the CPC is supported by the Chinese people, and any attempt to change or contain China is doomed to failure," the spokesperson said.

He said the "China threat" had become the mantras of certain U.S. politicians. However, the Constitution of the CPC and the Constitution of the People's Republic of China have made it clear that China follows a path of peaceful development and opposes hegemony.

In contrast, the United States has never made such a policy announcement, he said, adding that none of today's regional and global hot-button issues were caused by China.

"These people must recognize and accept the reality that for the international community, including the United States, China is a positive force and an opportunity for global peace and prosperity, rather than a negative factor or a threat," he said. 
Omjasvin MD By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Twenty percent of Chennais total population have attended the fever camps held for COVID-19 screening so far.

According to data from the Chennai corporation, a total of 20,30,073 people have attended the 37,384 camps so far. This is approximately about 20 percent of the citys population, which is estimated to be around one crore.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, Corporation Commissioner G Prakash said the fever camps have helped in proactively identifying people with symptoms including hypoxia conditions.

Though we know they (positive cases) cannot be eradicated cent percent, we can bring it to lower levels for sure with the system in place, he said.

ALSO READ: 20 per cent of Chennai's residents have undergone home quarantine, shows corporation data

Out of the 1,12,982 samples taken so far, 19,787 have tested positive, resulting in a positivity rate of about 17 percent.

While the fever camps gained enormous traction in the initial stages upto July, the number of people attending them slumped subsequently in August.

From an average of 30,000 people attending the camps daily till July, the number came down to about 13,000 by August 16, which is a 50 percent fall. However, on August 24, a total of 23,222 people had attended the camps.

The civic body conducts around 500 camps every day with an average of 40 camps each zone. The highest number of camps so far have been held in Anna Nagar (3773) and Teynampet (3772).

Despite Ambattur having more cases in recent times, camps held there are comparatively fewer at an average of 30 a day, while the total number of camps held there is 2321.

With cases rising in Chennai daily and the positivity rate going beyond 10 percent, officials hope that fever camps and workplace intervention of screening and testing will bring the number of

cases down in the city again.

At least till the end of November, the camps will continue at the same frequency till the cases reach a safe level, Prakash said.

The Corporation Commissioner said that the camps will ultimately help in reducing the mortality to a great extent.
25.08.2020 LISTEN

The final funeral rites of the former CEO of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie popularly known as Sir John would take place on October 29, 2020.

The information available to First News has it that the funeral rites of Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie would take place at his hometown Sakora Wonoo in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region.

He died from COVID-19 on July 1, 2020, his death spread like harmattan fire across the country.

Sir John became very popular when he lost his position as the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and is accredited with the phrase Fear Delegates.

A lawyer by profession he is also known for his humorous character and his love for people no matter their political affiliation.

The late Kwadwo Afriyie was born in the Ashanti Region o. He attended Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School in Bekwai from where he obtained his GCE Ordinary level certificate.

He proceeded to obtain his GCE Advanced level certificate from Konongo Odumase Secondary School in Konongo and later studied Political Science at the University of Ghana. He then enrolled at the Ghana School of Law where he graduated with Bachelor of Laws. After this he was admitted as a solicitor and counsel for the Supreme Court of Ghana.

---FirstnewsRoom
Were deploying every resource at our disposal, said California Governor Gavin Newsom at the top of his Monday news conference.

Newsom was, of course, referring to the historically-large wildfires all up and down the state, two of which were the second and third largest ever recorded.

More from Deadline

CA FIRES UPDATE:  Over 13,000 lightning strikes

 625 fires

 17 major fires, including some of largest in CA history

 Over 1.2 million acres burned (nearly size of Grand Canyon) Thank you to all the states that have offered mutual aid to help CA battle these historic fires.  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 24, 2020

At this stage last year, we had 42 wildfires that burned bout 56,000 acres, said the governor. Today, weve had over 7,000 wildfires burning 1.4 million acres.

Weve burnt 1.2 million acres since just a week or so ago, he said, before noting the state as seen 10 new fires overnight. (A Cal Fire tweet said those 1.2 million acres have been scorched since August 15.) There are now a total of 625 fires now being battled across the state.

Most of those fires were created by lightning strikes. The state saw close to 300 lightning strikes in the last 24 hours, reported the governor.

Weve lost 7 lives so far and over 1,200 reported structures. Theres no question there are more structures that have been damaged.

Story continues

The state had 14,000 firefighters working and 2,400 engines as of Monday.

The latest numbers on the Aug. Lightning Siege that has charred 1.2 million acres since Aug. 15. We are grateful for the 91 fire engines from Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, Oregon, Utah, Washington to assist us in battling more than 2 dozen major wildfires. pic.twitter.com/h3Bj1SyUf3  CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) August 24, 2020

The governor said conditions werent as bad as some expected overnight, but the Sierras and eastern part of state still face challenging weather. Were sill seeing lightning strikes, he said, and there are a lot of sleeper fires we will begin to discover as our reconnaissance flights continue.

As for specific fires:

-The LNU complex fire in 5 counties, including Napa, has burned 350,000 acres. It is now the second largest blaze ever recorded in California and was 22 percent contained as of Monday morning.

-The CZU complex fire in Santa Cruz has scorched 78,000 acres and is 13 percent contained.

-The SCU complex fire in and around Santa Clara County is currently the 3rd largest blaze the state has ever seen. At 347,000 acres, it is just behind the LNU fire and 10 percent contained.

-The August Fire in Mendocino has blackened 178,000 acres. Newsom said repeatedly that this was primarily a grass fire, but a major fire nonetheless. It was 11 percent contained.

Newsom called people who have been caught breaking into evacuated buildings disgraceful and disgusting, saying they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. He then commended police and sheriffs for their vigilance: I want to thank law enforcement.

Watch Governor Newsoms news conference below.

LIVE NOW: Governor @GavinNewsom provides an update on the states response to wildfires and the #COVID19 pandemic. https://t.co/MNvP8scs42  Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) August 24, 2020

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
London:

Additional undercover and armed officers are on standby in the UK over the Christmas and New Year festive period. The festive period comes in the shadow of Berlin terror attack, a media report said on Sunday.

A counter-terrorism source told 'The Sunday Times' that Scotland Yard are considering using temporary concrete barriers to protect areas where crowds gather in thousands on New Year's Eve.

The latest alert is in response to last week's attack in Berlin, where a hijacked lorry ploughed into crowds at a Christmas market, killing 12 people and injuring almost 50 others.

"Security will be tightened and there will be more visibility [of uniformed police] but not in a dramatic way that would not reassure people.

Everyone wants people to go out and do things," the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

Concrete barriers were installed around Birmingham's German market after the Berlin attack.

Other cities, including Manchester, have increased police patrols in key areas.

In Edinburgh, a record number of armed officers will be available to respond to any terrorist incident as up to 150,000 revellers take part in one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve street parties.

Police Scotland confirmed their procedures had been reviewed following the Berlin attack.

They decided earlier in 2016, in response to the terrorist attacks in Paris last year and Brussels in March, to increase the number of armed-response officers from 275 to about 400.

The other anti-terror plans included a 5-million-pound "ring of steel" to protect the heart of London's financial district and its skyscrapers from terrorist attack. Following advice from MI5 and counter-terrorism police, the Corporation of London plans to install manned checkpoints, rising street bollards and crash-proof barricades.

This new plan for London would be subject to a consultation but could be fully implemented by 2022, the report said.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
"New Mutants" will finally arrive in theaters this Friday after nearly three years of bouncing around the theatrical calendar. However, if you are looking to get a sense of how critics felt about the film before buying tickets for the weekend, you'll find the Rotten Tomatoes' review pages surprisingly bare.

That's because Disney isn't making the film available to press via an advanced screening or through a digital link.

"In other words, the only way critics will be able to see 'The New Mutants' is if they buy a ticket and go to a theater, just like everyone else," A.A. Dowd, a film editor from The A.V. Club, wrote in an article Tuesday. "In normal times, that's exactly what we'd do: Studios will sometimes decline to screen a movie in advance of its public premiere  often, it must be said, when they're afraid that reviews will be negative enough to hurt attendance."

A New York-based critic, who wished to remain anonymous, said that Disney has established a platform that allows reviewers to screen upcoming Disney+ content.

"So, they could send screeners," the critic said. "They are choosing not to."

It's unclear why the studio has decided not to permit critics to view the film ahead of its release on Aug. 28, but it's not the only one that's been elusive to film critics in recent weeks.

Warner Bros.' "Tenet" has yet to be screened for American critics, several U.S.-based film reviewers told CNBC. Instead, the film was made available in London and Berlin, the New York-based critic told CNBC. "Tenet" currently holds an 83% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 59 reviews.

"Bill and Ted Face the Music" will be shown to critics digitally, however, the Orion Pictures film must be watched at a scheduled time or it cannot be accessed for review.

There are a number of reasons in pre-Covid times that a studio might withhold a film from critical review. In some cases, studios believe the film isn't very good and don't want audiences to be deterred from seeing it opening weekend. In other cases, studios don't want critics to spoil major plot points before moviegoers have a chance to experience them.

Digital versions of films are sometimes given to critics, but a similar fear of spoilers or of a copy of the film accidentally or intentionally winding up on a pirated video site exist.
Russias antimonopoly watchdog initiates case against chocolate manufacturer Lindt

 flickr.com/ Victoria Rachitzky Hoch

17:02 25/08/2020

MOSCOW, August 25 (RAPSI)  The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has opened a case against company Lindt und Sprungli (Russia) after finding differences in the quality of chocolate products sold under the same Lindt brand in Russia and in Western European countries, according to a bodys statement.

In December 2019, as it has been reported earlier, the Service warned Lindt Russia and some other companies that they were to cease their actions giving grounds to suggest possible violations of the antimonopoly legislation. At that time FAS said Lindt stressed its longstanding production traditions, strong reputation as a manufacturer, and guaranteed quality of its products.

The Service believes such information placed on Lindt products packages made consumer form the impression that they were offered the same products as those manufactured and sold in Western European countries, whereas, as FAS alleges, these products due to various reasons were adapted for the Russian market and sold without any notice thereof.

Although the use of such terms as standard, traditions, quality with respect to products of this or that region is a longstanding marketing practice, the statement reads, the cases where they are applied to adapted products not labeled as such make the Service investigate if there are signs of violations of the antimonopoly law, as such actions on the part of manufacturers may result in redistribution of demand and, therefore, unjustified business advantages for such manufacturers, what negatively affects competition, according to Deputy FAS Head Andrey Kashevarov.
Capt Amarinder Singh

Chandigarh: The Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday paved the way for the establishment of a law university in the border district of Tarn Taran to commemorate the 400th Birth Anniversary of the Ninth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, as announced by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh during the Budget Session of the Vidhan Sabha.

The Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, approved the Sri Guru Teg Bahadur State University of Law Bill  2020 for presentation in the forthcoming session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

Advertisement

Capt Amarinder SinghThe draft Bill, prepared by the Department of Higher Education, seeks to establish and incorporate a State University for the development and advancement of legal education and for the purposes of imparting specialized and systematic instruction, training and research in the field of law and for the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

The objects of the University shall be to evolve and impart comprehensive legal education at all levels, to organise advanced studies and promote research in all branches of law, as well as to disseminate legal knowledge and legal processes and their role in national development by organizing lectures, seminars, symposia, webinars, workshops and conferences.

It will also seek to promote cultural, legal and ethical values with a view to promote and foster the rule of law, the objectives enshrined in the Constitution of India and to promote legal awareness in the community for achieving social and economic justice.

Advertisement

Punjab government Other objectives of the University would be: to improve the ability with a view to analyze and present for the benefit of the public, contemporary issues of public concern and their legal implications; to liaison with institutions of higher learning and research in India and abroad; to publish periodicals, treatises, study books, reports, journals and other literature on all subjects relating to law; to hold examinations and confer degrees and other academic distinctions; to undertake study and training projects relating to law, legislation and judicial institutions; and to do all such things as are incidental, necessary or conducive to the attainment of all or any of the objectives of the University.

The Universitys Governing Council, to be chaired by the Vice Chancellor, shall be the plenary authority of the University, and shall formulate and review from time to time the policies and programmes of the University and also devise measures for the improvement and development of the University, among other functions.
"While a court may dismiss a prospective juror as unqualified to sit on a capital case if the juror's views on capital punishment would substantially impair his or her ability to follow the law, a juror may not be dismissed merely because he or she has expressed opposition to the death penalty as a general matter," the justices said in a unanimous decision.

Stanislaus County District Attorney Birgit Fladager did not immediately comment. She came to fame as one of three prosecutors in Peterson's trial, but the justices also chastised those prosecutors for not speaking up as the jury selection errors were occurring.

Peterson, who is now 47, was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his wife and the second-degree murder of their unborn son.

His well-known trial attorney, Mark Geragos, said he objected at the time to what he said was "clear error" in jury selection.

California has not executed anyone since 2006 because of legal challenges to the way it would carry out the death penalty, and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has a moratorium on executions for as long as he is governor.
The US and Kenyan governments launched negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries in early July. The topic raises a few salient questions, which initially revolve around the reasons that led these two countries to negotiate a FTA at a time that at the very least was unfavourable to both of them.



We may wonder why the United States chose Kenya to be a model for a FTA, when the continent includes seven of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world, many of which have equally good relations with the United States. However, Kenya is the one country to have broadly followed mainstream orthodoxy and the economic-liberalisation prescriptions of the Washington Consensus, in which the states role in economic activity is minimal.



We may also wonder about the goals of each country and the risk that Kenya is taking upon itself in negotiating such a FTA without prior coordination with the other African countries. Most importantly, there is the question of the impact of these negotiations on Egypt as a leading country in Africa whose previous attempts to negotiate a FTA with the US were not a success.



It should be recalled that the implementation of the so-called African Growth and Opportunity Act, known as the AGOA and approved by the US Congress in May 2000, aims at establishing preferential trade relations between the US and Sub-Saharan Africa. Expecting its expiration by early 2025, the US has therefore launched negotiations with Kenya on a FTA that is perceived by US trade representative Robert Lighthizer as being a prototype for other African countries to emulate.



While the stated goal of the US is to improve opportunities, diversify trade with Africa, and support investment in Kenya and access through it to landlocked countries, many have emphasised instead that the main motive for these negotiations is the US administrations unwillingness to stand idly by and watch the increasing Chinese encroachment in Africa. The re-election campaign of US President Donald Trump will be able to pride itself on these negotiations as one practical achievement on the African continent since the passage of the Growth and Opportunities Act in Africa in 2000.



The negotiations are also a calculated step on the part of the Kenyan government to push for Kenyan leadership of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and also to support the Kenyan candidate for the presidency of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) out of eight competing candidates, including an Egyptian one.



The negotiations focus on access to the Kenyan market and those of neighbouring countries, as well as the regulatory coordination of rules and regulations, the liberalisation of the trade in services, including communications and banking services, and a commitment by Kenya not to impose domestic discriminatory taxes. E-commerce and cross-border data flows are a significant part of the negotiations, with the US demanding that Kenya not impose tariffs on digital products such as music, e-books, video, and other items.



The negotiations also include provisions on the environment, competition policies, investment, employment, commercial remedies, government procurement, and a dispute-settlement mechanism, all of which are topics that Egypt is also negotiating in phases within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It will be the responsibility of Egypt and other African countries to study the Kenyan agreement carefully upon its completion and assess whether they are in a position to emulate, resist, or reject it altogether as it may have a negative impact on the AfCFTA.



It appears, however, that Kenyan president Kenyatta senses the African concerns and that he has been seeking on every occasion to dispel them by stressing that the trade agreement between Kenya and the US will help the countries of the continent and contribute to the establishment of a model agreement. He has stressed that Kenya will not compromise in its obligations towards the continent and as a member of the East African Customs Union and COMESA.



Without a doubt, Africa has become an important investment destination for many countries and international companies after the entry into force of the AfCFTA on 30 May 2019. At the Tokyo Conference on African Development in August 2019, the Japanese private sector committed to investing $20 billion in Africa over three years. At the first Russian-African Summit last October, the Kremlin announced reaching deals worth $12.5 billion in Africa.



Even as the European Union grapples with the exit of the UK from the Union in the so-called Brexit, the EU held the Fifth African Trade Forum in Morocco last November to push European-African relations back to the fore. The US has also sought to renew its engagement in Africa through the establishment of the US Development Finance Corporation, worth $60 billion, and a more active African diplomatic strategy on trade. Africa receives about $16 billion in aid annually from the United States, including long-term development aid and security assistance.



Thus, and despite the change in the implementation date of the agreement to after 1 July 2020 due to the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the fundamentals of it are strong. The AfCFTA maintains the largest free-trade area on the continent with 54 member states, and it has a market size of more than $3.4 trillion, with estimated annual income gains for Africa in excess of $1 billion annually. There is no doubt that the AfCFTA has provided the opportunity for the African countries to discover their own paths of economic development in line with their own circumstances, requiring the preservation and revival of these new trajectories based on independence and self-reliance.



Among the objectives of the AfCFTA is the encouragement of regional value chains and the building of manufacturing capabilities, after the failure of the African countries to integrate into global value chains and their long-term contentedness with supplying raw materials to the global economy.



The coronavirus pandemic is expected to nurture an increased dependence on regional production and value chains, especially after the decline in trade and the contraction of demand in European markets, both of which had a negative multiplier effect on the African continent. More successful integration will make the African continent the primary beneficiary of its industrial development, and policy-makers must now implement policies that benefit domestic production and provide attractive opportunities for foreign investment.



The time has come for the AfCFTA to be the great enabler of the transformation of the African continent, and it must not be weakened from within. This does not mean that we should oppose the free-trade agreement between Kenya and the US. Rather, it means that we should call on Kenya during its negotiations with the US to keep an eye on what the AfCFTA has achieved, with the same thing being true for any other African country or regional grouping when negotiating separate FTAs. The absolute priority must remain the fullest possible implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


ROME, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Phase one of the clinical trial of an Italian-developed GRAd-COV2 coronavirus vaccine kicked off on Monday with the inoculation of the first, officials and scientists said.

"Today, the Italian vaccine has begun human trials," Health Minister Roberto Speranza wrote on Facebook. "Our country's brainpower and research are at the service of the global challenge to defeat COVID."

The experimental, publicly financed vaccine has been developed by Italian biotech company ReiThera in collaboration with a team of scientists at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (INMI) at Rome's Spallanzani Hospital.

The announcement coincided with a surge in new infections, caused in part by young people returning from summer holidays in other European countries.

The spike in cases prompted Speranza to shut down all night clubs and dancing events -- whether indoors or outdoors -- on Aug. 16, and to make the wearing of face masks mandatory between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. "in places where there is the risk of crowding."

A total of 757 new infections were reported on Monday, according to the Ministry of Health, compared to 935 new cases on Sunday and 825 new cases on Saturday.

There were 192 recoveries in the past 24 hours (against 267 on Sunday) and four deaths (against seven on Sunday).

Overall, Italy has registered 205,662 recoveries and 35,441 deaths, since late February, and the total number of confirmed cases -- including new infections, recoveries and fatalities -- now stands at 260,298.

AVAILABLE TO ALL

"The Italian (anti-COVID) vaccine will be public," INMI Spallanzani wrote on Facebook. "A common good that will be available to all who need it. The experimental process begins today ... in order to arrive at distribution as soon as possible."

In an Aug. 9 interview with public broadcaster RAI News 24, Dr. Andrea Antinori, who directs the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Department at INMI Spallanzani, explained that the Italian vaccine candidate is based on "genetic engineering techniques."

"It involves taking a virus that appears in gorillas, deactivating it so that it is harmless to humans, and inserting the gene for a protein that occurs on the surface of the new coronavirus," Antinori said.

"This protein is very important because it causes the human body to produce paralyzing antibodies," he said. "Inserting this genetically engineered virus with the protein into volunteers can spark an immune response to the coronavirus, making the volunteers immune."

Antinori said that phase one of the clinical trial will involve 90 healthy volunteers divided into two equal groups: one aged between 18 and 55 and the other between 65 and 85.

This phase will last into 2021. It entails assessing the safety of this vaccine, which has already been proven safe for animals, Antinori explained, adding that the call for phase one volunteers was met with "an enormous availability on the part of the population."
Those responsible must be held to account, Borrell said.

The European Union strongly condemns the suspected poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

"The European Union strongly condemns what seems to be an attempt on Mr. Navalny's life," High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell said in a statement on August 24, 2020.

Read alsoNavalny "poisoned", German clinic confirms"It is imperative that the Russian authorities initiate an independent and transparent investigation on the poisoning of Mr. Navalny without delay. The Russian people, as well as the international community, are demanding the facts behind Mr. Navalny's poisoning. Those responsible must be held to account," reads the report.

Navalny poisoning: background
The Cyprus Papers reveal that in just two years, 1,000 wealthy Russians bought golden passports from Cyprus.

More than 1,000 Russians obtained a Cypriot passport through Cypruss citizenship-by-investment scheme, Al Jazeera can reveal after an investigation of more than 1,400 leaked documents.

The Cyprus Papers consist of 1,471 applications, containing the names of 2,544 people who received a Cypriot passport between late 2017 and late 2019.

The documents obtained by Al Jazeeras Investigative Unit showed that almost half of the applications came from Russia, showing how the countrys political and business elite, billionaires and criminals have been buying their place in the EU, granting them the ability to travel, work and bank in the whole of the EU.

Most of what the $2.5m applicants need to invest to qualify for citizenship is put into real estate.

Upon arrival at Larnaca International Airport, signs in Russian offering investment opportunities, luxury properties and adverts for the many agents wanting to handle the citizenship application, show just how important Russia has become to the scheme.

They do not trust their own Russian state

Many Russians who applied for Cypriot citizenship made their money through political and economic relationships with their own government, with several having held official state positions making them PEPs  politically exposed people.

Under new rules introduced last year, PEPs are now banned from buying passports but those who already bought them may keep them.

Do you have more info about golden passport sales or want to share another tip? Find out how to get in touch with us on our Tips page.

Among those that acquired passports are former Deputy Minister Igor Reva and former member of the Russian parliament Vadim Moshkovich. The list also includes the former boss of a subsidiary of the state-owned railways, Vitaly Evdokimenko, and Vladimir Khristenko, who comes from a highly politically connected family, with his stepmother serving as the current deputy prime minister of Russia.

The reason these politically connected people look towards Cyprus, and by extension, the EU, is because they fear their possessions might be at risk in their home country, Nigel Gould-Davies, a Russia expert at the United Kingdoms International Institute for Strategic Affairs, told Al Jazeera.

In Cypruss second-largest city, Limassol, there is a sign in Russian that reads Limassolgrad.[Al Jazeera]

They do not trust their own Russian state to leave them or their assets alone, Gould-Davies said.

They are looking for a place with the rule of law absent in their own country and that also will not scrutinise their applications too closely, make it easy for them to send their money and grant them citizenship.

Circumventing sanctions

However, it is not just their own government they worry about.

Since 2014, the United States and the EU have imposed sanctions on Russia, in response to the Russian annexation of Crimea, cyber-attacks, corruption and human rights abuses.

200821084825891

Particular spikes take place when political tensions become more severe in Russia, when people trust the state even less to keep them safe or leave them alone, they look for alternatives, according to Gould-Davies.

A good example of that would be the Salisbury nerve agent attack in the UK in March 2018. The UK and US began to impose new sanctions and immediately weve got a big spike of capital flight out of Russia, looking for safe places, he added.

In 2014, VTB  often called the Kremlins bank  and its subsidiaries were among several big Russian banks sanctioned by the US and the EU after the Crimea invasion.

2011399136255169

Yet Cyprus did not appear to consider any conflict in selling EU citizenship to three of VTBs senior people  Victoria Vanurina, Vitaly Buzorevya and Alexsey Yakovitsky  who were all approved for passports on the same day in May 2018.

Among the 1,000 Russian names are some of the countrys richest men, with Al Jazeera identifying at least nine oligarchs, each worth more than $1bn.

More than a dozen of their relatives are now Cypriot citizens, able to move money around the world with less chance of being flagged as high risk because they are now able to use their EU citizenship.

Following Al Jazeeras revelations, there have been calls for a change in the citizenship-by-investment programme employed by Cyprus and other European Union member states.

In a letter to the European Justice Commissioner, Member of the European Parliament Sophie in t Veld said it is high time that the Commission gears up towards more decisive action on this front.

Clearly, the situation is becoming untenable and inexplicable to EU citizens who fight for equality and against corruption, in t Velds letter said.

A more ambitious EU policy and regulatory framework is thus urgently needed.

These #CyprusPapers and developments on #Malta again show that the current passive approach by the @EU_Commission doesnt work. We need to ban or regulate this now at EU level. I call on @dreynders to come forward with legislative proposals and infringement procedures  pic.twitter.com/HCDixyWsGh  Sophie in 't Veld (@SophieintVeld) August 25, 2020

Flailing Cypriot economy

Cyprus ramped up its citizenship-by-investment scheme to rescue their economy after the crisis it faced in 2013. Since then, $8bn, much of it from Russians, has kept the economy afloat.

In response to so much money moving outside its borders, Russia has tried to reverse the financial flow, demanding a new treaty to increase the tax paid on money moved into Cypriot banks.

Putin has increasingly put pressure on some of the most senior business figures to stop sending their money abroad and invest in Russia instead, Gould-Davies told Al Jazeera.

200818112722072

Although he is very powerful, they have been able to quietly ignore him. Hes not pleased with this, he hasnt yet found a way to stop it, but hes looking for ways to make it more difficult.

One group of once-well connected and still wealthy businessmen have already fallen foul of Putin. Most are accused of financial crimes but their Cypriot passports have helped them stay out of Russias reach.

Former Gazprom executive Nikolay Gornovskiy is one of them. Gornovskiy is wanted by Russia for abuse of power, but the UK has so far refused to extradite him.

Yuri Obodovsky, a Russian banker, is wanted for bribery and corruption over state railway contracts. He is thought to be in hiding in the US.

Finally, brothers Alexey and Dmitry Ananiev were charged with embezzlement from the bank they founded.

Dmitry lives in Cyprus, his brother in London.

Our investigation of the #CyprusPapers has found at least 40 high-level officials and their families paid to become citizens of Cyprus. Even if theyve done nothing wrong, their roles make them a high risk for corruption. pic.twitter.com/PdbziufXa5  Al Jazeera Investigations (@AJIunit) August 24, 2020

Trojan horses

Since its inception in 2013, the EU has regularly criticised the citizenship-by-investment scheme, claiming Cyprus could possibly serve as a back door into the rest of the EU.

Criminals are endangering Europes security or want to engage in money-laundering here, said Vera Jourova, a vice president of the European Commission in 2018. We do not want Trojan horses in the Union.

200822194544182

As a result, Cyprus changed its rules in 2019 and most recently in July 2020, enabling the country to strip citizenship sold to anyone who was now considered damaging to Cypruss national interest.

In a written response to Al Jazeera, the Cypriot minister of the interior, Nicos Nouris, claimed: No citizenship was granted in violation of the Regulations in force at the given time. He added: The Republic of Cyprus, as an EU member state, is functioning in absolute transparency.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Market Reports on India Provides the Trending Market Research Report onIndia Hospital Beds Market, By Product Type (General Beds, Pediatrics Bed, Birthing Beds, Respiratory Beds, ICU Beds, Bariatric Beds, Others), By Technology (Electrical, Semi-Electric, Manual), By Application (Intensive Care v/s Non-Intensive Care), By Treatment (Acute Care, Long-term Care, Critical Care, Others), By Sector (Private, Public), By End User (Hospitals, Home Care Settings, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, FY2026under Healthcare. The report offers a collection ofsuperior market research, market analysis, competitive intelligence and Market reports.

India Hospital Beds Market is projected to witness a CAGR of around 13% during FY 2021  FY 2026. India hospital beds market is driven by growing healthcare industry and rising need to provide enhanced patient care. Additionally, increasing number of beds in private hospitals equipped with the latest technologies, accessories and customizations as per patients requirements are further expected to propel the market during forecast period. Besides, the sudden outbreak of coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has drastically increased the demand for hospital beds. Furthermore, beds designed by the manufacturers for specific group of patients coupled with growing medical tourism in India are expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market players over next few years.

Request a free sample copy of India Hospital Beds Market Report

http://www.marketreportsonindia.com/marketreports/sample/reports/2144413



India hospital beds market is segmented based on product type, technology, application, treatment, sector, end user, company and region. Based on product type, the market can be fragmented into general beds, pediatrics bed, birthing beds, respiratory beds, ICU beds, bariatric beds and others. Out of these, the general beds segment is expected to dominate the market over the next five years. This can be ascribed to its cost-effectiveness coupled with growing prevalence of obesity coupled with sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits, especially among working population. Based on technology, the market can be categorized into electrical, semi-electric, and manual. The semi-electric hospital beds segment is expected to grow at a high pace in the market on account of the associated advantages such as high strength, durability, ease of assembly/disassembly, enhanced protection to the patient, among others.

Major players operating in India hospital beds market include Midmark India Pvt. Ltd., ArjoHuntleigh Healthcare India Private Ltd, Paramount Bed India Pvt Ltd., Stryker India Pvt Ltd., Hill-Rom India Private Ltd., Godrej Interio, Medline Industries India Private Limited, PMT Healthcare Pvt Ltd., Surgitech India, Gita Mediquip Pvt. Ltd., and others.

Years considered for this report:

Historical Years: FY2016  FY2019

Base Year: FY2020

Estimated Year: FY2021

Forecast Period: FY2022  FY2026

Objective of the Study:

To analyze and estimate the market size of India hospital beds market from FY2016 to FY2020.

To estimate and forecast the market size of India hospital beds market from FY2020 to FY2026 and growth rate until FY2026.

To classify and forecast India hospital beds market based on product type, technology, application, treatment, sector, end user, company and regional distribution.

To identify dominant region or segment in the India hospital beds market.

To identify drivers and challenges for India hospital beds market.

To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, etc., in India hospital beds market.

To conduct pricing analysis in the India hospital beds market.

To identify and analyze the profile of leading players operating in India hospital beds market.

To identify key sustainable strategies adopted by market players in India hospital beds market.

Our Research performed both primary as well as exhaustive secondary research for this study. Initially, Our Research sourced a list of manufacturers across the country. Subsequently, Our Research conducted primary research surveys with the identified companies. While interviewing, the respondents were also enquired about their competitors. Through this technique, Our Research could include the manufacturers which could not be identified due to the limitations of secondary research. Our Research analyzed the manufacturers, distribution channels and presence of all major players across the country.

Our Research calculated the market size of India hospital beds market using a bottom-up approach, wherein data for various end-user segments was recorded and forecast for the future years. Our Research sourced these values from the industry experts and company representatives and externally validated through analyzing historical data of these product types and applications for getting an appropriate, overall market size. Various secondary sources such as company websites, news articles, press releases, company annual reports, investor presentations and financial reports were also studied by Our Research.

Key Target Audience:

Hospital beds manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and other stakeholders

Government bodies such as regulating authorities and policy makers

Organizations, forums and alliances related to hospital beds

Market research and consulting firms

The study is useful in providing answers to several critical questions that are important for the industry stakeholders such as manufacturers, suppliers, partners, end users, etc., besides allowing them in strategizing investments and capitalizing on market opportunities.

Report Scope:

In this report, India hospital beds market has been segmented into following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

Market, By Product Type:

General Beds

Pediatrics Bed

Birthing Beds

Respiratory Beds

ICU Beds

Bariatric Beds

Others

Market, By Technology:

Electrical

Semi-Electric

Manual

Market, By Application:

Intensive Care

Non-Intensive Care

Market, By Treatment:

Acute Care

Long-term Care

Critical Care

Others

Market, By Sector:

Private

Public

Market, By End User:

Hospitals

Home Care Settings

Others

Hospitals Home Care Settings Others Market, By Region:

North

South

East

West

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in India hospital beds market.

Available Customizations:

With the given market data, Our Research offers customizations according to a companys specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Browse our full report with Table of Content :

http://www.marketreportsonindia.com/marketreports/india-hospital-beds-market-by-product-type-general-beds-pediatrics-bed-birthing-beds-respiratory-beds-icu-beds-ba/2144413

About Market Reports on India:

Market Reports on India is an excellent source to obtain top quality market research reports that helps you to understand the business in the Indian market. We cover various industries, identifying and understanding key macro and micro-economic trends, insights and futuristic growth opportunities. To help achieve all this and more, Market Reports on India is the answer to all your business needs.

Contact us at:

Market Reports on India

Tel: +91 22 27810772 / 27810773

Email: info@marketreportsonindia.com

Website: www.marketreportsonindia.com

Follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
Upcoming 8 part drama The Right Stuff, produced for National Geographic, will screen with a double episode premiere on Disney+.

The story of Americas first astronauts stars Patrick J. Adams, Jake McDorman, Colin ODonoghue, James Lafferty, Aaron Staton, Michael Trotter and Micah Stock.

Based on the bestselling book by Tom Wolfe, the eight-episode season is an inspirational look at the early days of the U.S. Space Program and the iconic story of Americas first astronauts, the Mercury 7. Produced for National Geographic by Leonardo DiCaprios Appian Way and Warner Bros. Television, The Right Stuff takes a clear-eyed look at Americas first reality show, when ambitious astronauts and their families became instant celebrities in a competition of money, fame and immortality.

At the height of the Cold War in 1959, America fears it is a nation in decline as the Soviet Union dominates the space race. But, the U.S. government has a solution  put a man in space. Newly-formed NASA is given the monumental task, and a group of the nations best engineers estimate theyll need decades to accomplish the featbut they only have two years.

NASA engineers, including rocket scientist Bob Gilruth (Patrick Fischler) and the passionate Chris Kraft (Eric Ladin), work against the clock under mounting pressure from Washington. Together, they hand select seven astronauts from a pool of military test pilots. These are ordinary men, plucked from obscurity, and within days of being presented to the world, they are forged into heroes before they achieve a single heroic act.

The two men at the center of it all are Major John Glenn (Patrick J. Adams), a revered Marine test pilot and committed family man, and Lieutenant Commander Alan Shepard (Jake McDorman), one of the best test pilots in Navy history. Other members of the Mercury 7 include Captain Gordo Cooper (Colin ODonoghue), the youngest of the seven selected to everyones surprise; Wally Schirra (Aaron Staton), a competitive pilot with a gift for pulling pranks; Scott Carpenter (James Lafferty), dubbed The Poet by the other astronauts; Deke Slayton, (Micah Stock), a taciturn but incredibly intelligent pilot and engineer; and Gus Grissom, (Michael Trotter), a decorated military veteran who eventually becomes the second man in space.

The series also examines the astronauts families, including Annie Glenn (Nora Zehetner), who contends with a speech impairment in the public eye; Louise Shepard (Shannon Lucio), a wife and mother who refuses to let Alans transgressions affect her home; and Trudy Cooper (Eloise Mumford), an accomplished pilot who puts her own ambitions aside to present the image of a happy family.

Set during a time when many wondered whether Americas glory days were behind it, The Right Stuffis an aspirational story about ambition and exploration and how ordinary human beings can achieve the extraordinary.

Showrunner Mark Lafferty (Castle Rock, Halt and Catch Fire) serves as executive producer along with Appian Ways Jennifer Davisson and Leonardo DiCaprio, in addition to Will Staples (Animals, Shooter), Emmy winner Danny Strong (Empire, The Hunger Games movies, Game Change), Howard Korder (Boardwalk Empire) and Chris Long (The Americans, The Mentalist) who directed and executive produced the first episode. Academy Award winner Thelma Schoonmaker (Raging Bull, GoodFellas, The Departed) is consulting producer and Michael Hampton shepherded this project on behalf of Appian Way and is co-producer.

Friday October 9 on Disney+.
Stomach aches and pains are signs of pancreatic cancer. (Getty Images)

When it comes to cancer, most people expect to find a lump as one of the first signs of the disease.

A new study by the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce (LSCT) found that most people are unaware of the symptoms of less survivable types of cancer.

This lack of awareness could be one of the reasons that the six least survivable cancers - lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach - have a more fatal later diagnosis.

On the back of this study, LSCT is calling for a focus on investment in these cancers, which combined have a five-year survival rate of just 16%.

Read more: Greg Rutherford urges men to check testicles

The low survival rate is put down to a legacy of neglect and underfunding, yet combined, these cancers account for half of all UK deaths of the disease.

The reason behind this could be because the symptoms that present themselves as typical signs are harder to spot.

While lumps and moles are an obvious change in many cancers, in brain cancer - for example - headaches and nausea are the presenting symptoms.

For pancreatic cancer, indigestion, abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss are the three key considerations.

Lesser-known symptoms, according to the NHS, include:

Pancreatic cancer

Loss of appetite

Feeling tired of having no energy

Sickness

Diarrhoea or constipation, or other changes in your poo

Symptoms of indigestion and/or feeling bloated

Lung cancer

A long-term cough

Recurring chest infections

Breathlessness

Tiredness and lack of energy

Unexplained weight loss

Liver cancer

Loss of appetite

No energy

Having flu-like symptoms

Feeling or being sick

A feeling of indigestion

Brain cancer

New or persistent headaches

Unexplained nausea

Loss of sensation in the arm or leg

Difficulty with balance

Confusion in everyday matters

Oesophageal cancer

Problems swallowing

Feeling or being sick

Heartburn or acid reflux

Symptoms of indigestion (such as burping a lot)

A hoarse voice

Stomach cancer

Heartburn or acid reflux

Problems swallowing

Feeling or being sick

Symptoms of indigestion

Feeling full quickly when you eat

Story continues

Read more: Nurse has leg amputated after dismissing pains as cramp

One third of patients will only find out about their diagnoses of the six lesser known cancers after theyre admitted to the hospital in an emergency capacity.

Symptoms like coughing up blood, which may indicate that the cancer is at a later stage, make it less treatable.

The delays in diagnosis mean that thousands of people each year are finding out their prognosis at a later stage.

For more common cancers, a later stage diagnosis has a survival rate of 69% over five years.

Read more: Dad shocked to discover bruise was a sign of cancer

The study found that the UK has one of the worst countries for diagnosing and treating the six less survivable cancers.

This has only been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, where one in three people have had their treatments affected by delays.

Less survivable cancers have been left behind for far too long and the time from diagnosis to death for anyone who has one of these cancers is brutally short, Anna Jewell, of the Taskforce, explained.

Our evidence of better outcomes for people diagnosed with more survivable cancers shows that it is possible to increase life expectancies but we urgently need a whole system approach to diagnosing the less survivable cancers earlier and faster.
The Indian stock market has hit 6-month high following rise in global market. Sensex is down 15.25 points or 0.04% at 38783.83 at 10:42 hours and the Nifty shed 9.30 points or 0.08% at 11457.20.

Among the sectors, Bank Nifty gained half a percent led by RBL Bank which jumped over 3 percent followed by State Bank of India, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank and Bank of Baroda.

Among the PSU Banking names, Canara Bank added over 2 percent while JK Bank, Central Bank of India and Bank of Baroda are the other gainers.

Rajeev Srivastava, Chief Business Officer at Reliance Securities recommends a buy on SBI with target at Rs 235. The stock reversed forming Double Bottom Pattern around Rs 180 and later managed to recover partial losses of the week. We believe the stock will continue its up-move for the short-term, as rise in Stochastic & RSI from their oversold zone & bull market support area (respectively) is in favor of probable rebound, he said.

Nilesh Jain, Technical and Derivatives Analyst - Equity Research at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers is of the view that the major support of a triple bottom formation is placed at 21,000 levels on the daily chart. Private sector banks started to join the rally where index heavyweights HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank look positive on the charts.

Based on the data, we are expecting an outperformance in the Bank Nifty.

Nifty Financial Services was trading in the green with Cholamandalam Investments up 3 percent followed by M&M Financial Services, PFC, Shriram Transport and REC.

The most active banking stocks in terms of volumes included SBI where 3,95,14,497 shares were traded followed by ICICI Bank (2,30,94,223) and RBL Bank (2,12,55,093).

: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Major sulphur recovery technology market players have been quick to leverage application in fertilizer, and pharmaceuticals sectors, while short term use in the oil & gas sector falls.

DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / The sulphur recovery technology market is expected to display exponential growth with a 13.6% CAGR through the end of the assessment period in 2027. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has had a severe impact on the global oil & gas processing industry, substantially reducing operations in the sector. This in turn, is likely to reduce the demand for sulphur recovery technologies in the near term. However, the market is likely to recover strongly in the post-pandemic era, owing to very strict emission regulations imposed on the oil & gas industries.

"Rising worldwide levels of environmental awareness and legislative efforts are providing impetus to the sulphur recovery technology market. End user verticals including power and transport are pushing for reduction of sulphur emissions, thereby driving the global market," says the FMI analyst.

Request a sample of the report to gain in-depth market insights at https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1431

Sulphur Recovery Technology Market - Key Takeaways

Sulphur degassing technologies are popular for applications in the oil and gas sector, driven by superior capabilities in high purity standards of solid and liquid sulphur.

LNG desulphurization applications are gaining ground with the growing popularity of LNG for marine transport vehicles.

Asia Pacific will continue to lead the sulphur recovery technology market, supported by the presence of major hydrocarbon and petroleum refining facilities in the world.

Sulphur Recovery Technology Market - Driving Factors

Growing applications of sulphur compounds in the mining and agricultural fertilizer sectors bolster demand.

Strict environmental rules associated to refinery facility and maritime operations in terms of fouling prevention provide impetus to market growth.

Sulphur Recovery Technology Market - Key Constraints

High costs of operations remain a major challenge to the adoption of sulphur recovery technologies.

Demand for sulphur has fallen in developed economies in recent years, hindering the demand for recovery systems.

The Anticipated Impact of Coronavirus

A number of oil & gas refiners have curtailed crude processing operations, owing to the major slump in demand for fuel during the coronavirus pandemic. This factor is expected to significantly hamper short term growth prospects for the sulphur recovery technology market. Demand for sulphur in pharma and agriculture sectors continue to provide niche growth opportunities. Recovery is likely to be gradual owing to the economic uncertainties of the pandemic over the oil & gas sector in the near future.

Explore the global sulphur recovery technologies market report with 108 illustrative figures, 19 data tables and the table of contents. You can also find market segmentation on https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-1431

Competition Landscape

Major manufacturers in the sulphur recovery technology market include but are not limited to Chiyoda Corp., Royal Dutch Shell plc, CB&I, Exxon Mobil, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., Bechtel Corp., Technip FMC plc, Fluor Corp., and Linde AG.

Major players participating in the sulphur recovery technology market are pushing for long term industry contracts in terms of installation and maintenance to set up sustainable revenue streams.

For example, Wison Engineering Services Co. Ltd. has won a contract for procurement, engineering, commissioning, construction, and startup of sulphur recovery facilities for the Ruwais Refinery Complex owned by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Jacobs Engineering Group has won a contract from Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corp for the supply of sulphur recovery technologies to 3 refineries in Turkey. Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd. has also awarded Jacobs Engineering Group a contract for designing and licensing SUPERCLAUS sulphur recovery technology.

Request Special Price for this Report to our Sales Executive@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-special-price/rep-gb-1431

More About the Report

The FMI's market research report offers detailed insights on sulphur recovery technologies market. The market is scrutinized on the basis of technology (claus process and tail gas treatment), source of recovery (oil, gas, and others), and capacity (less than 100 t/D, 101 to 200 t/D, 201 to 300 t/D, and greater than 300 t/D) across four key regions (Asia Pacific, Americas, Europe, and Middle East and Africa).

Explore Extensive Coverage of FMI's Industrial Automation & Equipment Landscape

Conveyor System Market: Find insights on the conveyor system market with segment analysis, statistics, influencing factors, and business strategies for a 10-year period.

Magnetic Separator Market: FMI's report on the magnetic separator market offers details on the market set for 2019-2029. The study includes impacting forces, sources of revenue, leaders, and strategies.

Produced Water Treatment Systems Market: Get an analysis on the produced water treatment systems market with insights on growth factors, opportunities, regulatory policies, restraints, regional markets and market leaders.

About Future Market Insights

Expert analysis, actionable insights, and strategic recommendations of the veteran research team at FMI helps clients from across the globe with their unique business intelligence requirements. With a repository of over thousand reports and 1 million+ data points, the team has scrutinized the industrial automation and equipment sector across 50+ countries for over a decade. The team provides unmatched end-to-end research and consulting services. Reach out to explore how we can help.

Contact

Mr. Abhishek Budholiya

Unit No: AU-01-H Gold Tower (AU), Plot No: JLT-PH1-I3A,

Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai,

United Arab Emirates

MARKET ACCESS DMCC Initiative

For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com

For Media Enquiries: press@futuremarketinsights.com

Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sulphur-recovery-technology-market

Press Release Source: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/press-release/sulphur-recovery-technology-market

SOURCE: Future Market Insights

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603216/Sulphur-Recovery-Technology-Market-Displays-136-CAGR-through-2027-Reduced-Oil-Gas-Processing-Hurts-Prospects-During-Covid-19-Pandemic-Future-Market-Insights
FHFA

A bipartisan group of Senators wrote to Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Mark Calabria last week to echo CUNAs position that the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac refinance fee set to go into effect Sept. 1 be withdrawn. Leagues have engaged several of the letters signers on the issue, and CUNA has contacted FHFA leadership on several occasions to express opposition to the fee.

The fee would consist of 50 basis points on all loans refinanced through Fannie or Freddie. CUNA has said the fee threatens to undercut the refinance market and will raise costs for credit union borrowers and could price vulnerable potential homeowners out of the market.

Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) signed the letter, requesting immediate withdrawal of the fee.

That the FHFA) would allow the GSEs to take this course of action, during what is universally agreed to be a period of great economic distress, is surprising and deeply troubling, the letter reads. We therefore request that you immediately act to require that the GSEs withdraw this fee to prevent further harm to everyday Americans and our economy.
I am thrilled to be recognized as a finalist for one of the most esteemed awards in business for entrepreneurs, said Michele Perry, CEO of Relatient.

Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced that CEO Michele Perry of Relatient was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 Southeast Award finalist. Now in its 34th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program honors entrepreneurs whose leadership delivers innovation, growth and prosperity as they build and sustain successful businesses that transform our world. Michele Perry was selected as one of 30 finalists from a competitive pool of nominations by a panel of independent judges.

I am thrilled to be recognized as a finalist for one of the most esteemed awards in business for entrepreneurs, said Michele Perry, CEO of Relatient. I am a firm believer in leading by lifting others, which has become more important than ever before as we continue to face challenging times. I am truly honored to be recognized among this amazing group of entrepreneurs. Thank you to our team and investors who have supported us throughout the journey!

Relatient is an award-winning SaaS-based patient-centered engagement company that utilizes a modern and mobile-first approach to improve patient and provider communication. Relatient has rolled out several new patient processes, such as the virtual waiting room, to support providers managing a hybrid model of care during COVID-19.

Award winners will be announced through a special virtual event in early October and will join a lifelong community of esteemed Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. This year, unstoppable entrepreneurs who have provided extraordinary support for their communities, employees and others during the COVID-19 crisis will also be recognized for their courage, resilience and ingenuity.

Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent competitive award programs for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. The nominees are evaluated based on six criteria, including overcoming adversity; financial performance; societal impact and commitment to building a values-based company; innovation; and talent management. Since its launch, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries around the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, to be announced in November during a virtual awards gala. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2021.

Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries  all supported by vast EY resources.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP America and the Kauffman Foundation.

In the Southeast, regional sponsors include Platinum sponsor King & Spalding LLP and Silver sponsors Chatham Financial and Cresa.

About Relatient

Relatient, Inc., the 2020 KLAS Category Leader in Patient Outreach, is a SaaS-based patient-centered engagement company that utilizes a modern and mobile-first approach to improve patient and provider communication. On behalf of U.S. medical practices and health systems, Relatient engaged patients with more than 132 million messages in 2019. Relatients platform integrates with over 85 practice management systems and electronic health databases to drive operational efficiency, appointments and reviews, reduce no-shows, speed patient payments, and improve patient satisfaction, all while supporting health and care quality initiatives. For more information, visit http://www.relatient.net.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the worlds most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. Winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. ey.com/us/eoy

About EY Private

As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/private

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, strategy, transaction and consulting services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In doing so, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.


Planned Parenthood may seize David Daleiden's assets if he can't pay $600K bond

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The man who exposed Planned Parenthood's selling of baby body parts from abortions is facing possible seizure of his assets by the abortion giant if he fails to raise $600,000 in less than two weeks, his lawyer has warned.

U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick ruled Wednesday that that Planned Parenthood could begin seizing the assets of pro-life activist David Daleiden of the Center For Medical Progress and those of his organization unless they manage to pay an appeal bond.

Orrick issued the ruling as he denied post-trial motions from the defendants seeking a reduction of charges after a judgment was rendered against Daleiden, CMP and his CMP colleagues last year related to charges they faced after the release of undercover videos.

Daleiden and CMP released a series of undercover videos in 2015 that purport to show Planned Parenthood officials discussing their willingness to engage in the illegal sale and harvesting of aborted fetal tissue.

While the findings of the undercover videos riled conservatives across the nation, Planned Parenthood claims the CMP videos were deceptively edited.

Last fall, following a civil trial, a jury found CMP guilty of several crimes, including violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, wiretapping and engaging in a civil conspiracy.

The civil trial additionally yielded a judgment ordering Daleiden and other defendants to pay $2.3 million in damages.

In April, Orrick agreed with the jury's decision, finding the defendants jointly and severally liable for those damages.

Throughout the ordeal, Daleiden's attorneys have challenged various judicial moves. They have long maintained that Orrick is not able to adjudicate the matter impartially because of his board service with a San Francisco nonprofit group that houses a Planned Parenthood office.

Peter Breen, senior counsel, for the Thomas More Society, told LifeSite News in a recent interview that the current circumstances are dire.

If we cannot post a $600,000 bond in this 14-day period, Planned Parenthoods high-priced collections lawyers can come after David with asset seizures, garnishments and strip him and the Center for Medical Progress bare, Breen explained, noting it could cripple Daleiden's pro-life advocacy.

They can take everything. They can take all of his possessions. They can even come get his car. When were able to travel again, how would he even have the money to travel? You cant even imagine the tools that shrewd collections lawyers have at their disposal to take every dime you have, or nearly every dime you have, in situations like this.

Breen further elaborated that should the verdict stand, it effectively unravels years of established jurisprudence on undercover investigative journalism. This includes the 1999 decision in Food Lion v. ABC, which held that the truth cannot be a source of monetary damages.

And in this case, it is crystal clear Planned Parenthood didnt even know that David had gone undercover until the videos emerged and the nation was outraged immediately, he said.

The Thomas More Society is reportedly helping Daleiden raise the funds to pay the bond in hopes of securing their right to continue with an appeal and overturn the verdict. Daleiden's attorneys intend to take the case through the federal judiciary to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

Daleiden's plight has received renewed attention not only because of the judgment but also in light of former Vice President Joe Biden's selection of Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., as his running mate in the 2020 presidential race.

Before being elected to the Senate, Harris was the California attorney general. And in 2016, Harris met with Planned Parenthood executives and allegedly conspired to target Daleiden.

As attorney general, she sent law enforcement agents to raid his home.

Kamala Harris decided to target me and make me the first and only case of a criminal enforcement of the California video recording law, Daleiden said in an interview with Tucker Carlson on his Fox News show Thursday.

Kamala Harris sent 11 California DOJ agents into my one-bedroom apartment in southern California to raid my home to seize the means of publishing the videos, he said. They took the means of publishing speech critical of Planned Parenthood and critical of Kamala Harris public patrons.

Daleiden had previously faced criminal charges in Texas that were related to his undercover investigative work. But those charges were dismissed.

Undercover video is something that is widely practiced in the state of California, Daleiden said Thursday, defending his actions.

Its legal and we were scrupulous to follow the law to a T, recording people  at open public restaurants, crowded public restaurants, where anybody could be expected to overhear.
KAMPALA  The Ministry of foreign affairs has recalled diplomats at the Ugandan Embassy in Denmark after an audio leaked as staff were heard discussing how to share government money that was not spent in 2019/2020 financial year.

The Ministrys permanent secretary Patrick Mugoya said the decision to recall the diplomats will pave way for investigations to the allegations.

The Ministry in consultation with the Permanent Secretary of the Finance Ministry and the auditor general will carry out a thorough investigation into this matter, he said.

He added that the outcome of the investigation will determine the additional measures to be taken.

The Ministry wishes to reiterate to the general public that it doesnt not condone corruption and that the use of public funds will adhere to the principles of transperancy and efficiency and an deviation by any officer will be met with appropriate sanctions as provided for in the Public Finance and Management Act,and Regulations, he said.

Diplomatic staff at the Uganda embassy in Denmark convened a Zoom meeting and discussed how to share government money they were not able to spend during the 2019/20 financial year that ended in June.

An audio clip of proceedings of the meeting shows how the diplomats at the embassy in Copenhagen sat with their junior staff and agreed to share the money.

At the end of each financial year, government institutions are required by law to return all unused balances to the Treasury in Kampala.

Section 17 (2) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 2005 stipulates: A vote that does not expend money appropriated to it for the financial year shall at the close of the financial year, repay the money to the Consolidated Fund.

Related
This week, winemaker Noah Dorrance was in the process of making an excruciating decision.

I think theres a better chance than not that we make almost no wine this year, said the owner and winemaker of Reeve Wines in Healdsburg, a high-end producer known for Pinot Noir and Riesling.

The reason: Wildfire smoke from the LNU Lightning Complex fires may have damaged his grapes from vineyards in various parts of Sonoma County, Dorrance said, tainting them with unpleasantly smoky aromas and flavors. He feared the same might be true of the fruit he buys from Mendocino County, too.

Conventional wisdom says that it takes 10 days of prolonged, heavy smoke exposure to seriously damage wine grapes, an effect called smoke taint. But Dorrance said his personal experience suggests otherwise. Hes made wines from wildfire-adjacent vineyards before that seemed OK at first, but six months later were overcome by smokiness. This time around, he says, he can already taste the effects of smoke on some grapes hanging near the Walbridge Fire, which has burned more than 52,000 acres in northern Sonoma County.

We did a lot of grape sampling, he said, and just with the juice, you could already taste and smell this ashy, barbecued flavor, kind of like a campfire.

For a winemaker like Dorrance, taking a chance on potentially smoke-tainted wines simply isnt worth it. He doesnt own his vineyards, so he has to pay farmers for the fruit he buys. He doesnt own his own winemaking facility, so he has to rent space at a custom-crush winery, which for red wines charges him $2,500 per ton. In a typical vintage, Reeve would process about 125 tons of wine grapes. Hes processed about 6 tons so far this year, all grapes for sparkling wine that were harvested before the fires.

Winemakers who own their own land and winemaking facilities would have a different economic calculation, but Dorrance has less financial wiggle room, he said. As a small winery, to end up six to nine months down the road with something we cant use  that would put us out of business, said Dorrance, who runs the Reeve label with his wife, Kelly.

John Storey / Special to the Chronicle 2019

It wouldnt be the first time that Dorrance has chosen not to make a wine because of wildfire smoke. In 2017, he rejected Sangiovese grapes from a vineyard in the Chalk Hill area of Sonoma County; in 2018, he declined to pick grapes from a vineyard in Mendocino Countys Potter Valley. (Farmers can usually collect crop insurance if a winemaker rejects the fruit before its picked.)

In the past, though, the problem was confined to specific vineyards, or his team had harvested grapes before fires. This years early fire presents an unprecedented situation. I had never considered that smoke could affect everything we make, he said, though he noted that vineyards in other parts of Northern California might be safe.

Dorrance may prove to be an outlier. Many winemakers are harvesting fruit amid the fires and reporting positive prognoses. Schatzi Throckmorton, co-owner of Relic Wines, said her team had harvested Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from vineyards in Sebastopol, Occidental and Napas Carneros region over the weekend. Those areas are not as close to the fires as some of the vineyards that Dorrance works with.

The Chardonnay and Pinot thats come in so far is delicious and beautiful, and exactly how we would have picked it in any other vintage, Throckmorton said. The only hiccup was that they had to delay the harvesting by a few days because of road closures near the Relic winery, on Napas Atlas Peak.

There is little scientific consensus about the details of how smoke taint works, and its often difficult to gauge whether its even present or not. Many laboratories test for only a few of the compounds that can contribute to it. Sometimes, a wine may taste fine initially, but smoke-taint compounds can become volatile as a result of fermentation or aging, revealing themselves later.

Max Whittaker / Special to The Chronicle 2017

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

A new, possibly more accurate test is available this year, Dorrance said, but it requires winemakers to make a micro-fermentation  a very small batch of wine  before the lab can test it. That could take weeks, making it largely ineffective for winemakers trying to make quick decisions. (Its as slow as COVID testing, Dorrance joked.)

Can Reeve make it as a business if it has to effectively skip the 2020 vintage? Maybe. Dorrance was still considering trying to buy fruit from other parts of California unaffected by wildfire, or even Oregon. Reeves wine sales depended heavily on restaurants pre-COVID-19, and during the pandemic its become more challenging to sell wine, said Dorrance, so reducing inventory could actually help balance things out.

Its potentially a little bit of a blessing, he said. Fingers crossed, as long as 2021 turns out OK, we can probably find a way to bridge the gap.

But Dorrance was sure about one thing: He needs to decide soon, before the grapes hanging on the vine potentially accumulate even more smoke. Its been less than a week, he said. Its only going to get worse.

Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine critic. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley Instagram: @esthermob
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has "strongly reprimanded" his finance minister for challenging the Zambian leader to explain his decision to sack that country's central bank governor, the presidency said Monday.

In a surprise move, Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Saturday fired Denny Kalyalya from his post as governor of the Bank of Zambia.

No reason was given for the removal of the governor, who has been credited with bringing stability to the economy.

South African Finance Minister Tito Mboweni reacted angrily in a series of tweets and demanding an explanation.

"Presidents in Africa must stop this nonsense of waking up in the morning and fire a Central Bank Governor! You cannot do that. This is not some fiefdoms of yours! Your personal property?! No!" tweeted Mboweni on Saturday.

"That Governor was a good fella. Why do we do these things as Africans. The President of Zambia must give us the reasons why he dismissed the Governor or else hell is on its way. I will mobilize!"

On Sunday he wrote that his tweets had landed him in hot water, but vowed not to give up.

"Looks like I am in trouble about my statement on the dismissal of the Bank of Zambia Governor! I stand by my statement. Central Bank independence is key. Not negotiable. Let all central bankers speak out!"

He has since deleted the tweets.

- 'Strongly reprimanded'-

A statement from the South African presidency said Ramaphosa had "strongly reprimanded" Mboweni.

He had assured the Zambian government that the minister's "unfortunate remarks do not reflect the views of the South African government" and the "issue is being addressed to ensure that such an incident does not occur again".

A former World Bank executive director, Kalyalya's tenure had been due to end in 2023. He was replaced by a deputy secretary to the cabinet, Christopher Mvunga.

In a statement on Monday, the International Monetary Fund said it had noted the "change in leadership" and called for the central bank's "independence and credibility" to be maintained.

Story continues

Zambian Information Minister Dora Siliya has meanwhile expressed surprise at Mboweni's "immature and improper criticism of a sovereign decision by Zambia".

In a tweet on Sunday, she urged Mboweni to instead focus on the coronavirus "problems facing" South Africa.

With nearly 610,000 cases and more than 13,000 deaths, South Africa has recorded the highest numbers of coronavirus infections on the continent, accounting for more than half of Africa's recorded fatalities.

Zambia has recorded 11,148 cases, of which 280 have been fatal.

sn/sch/jj
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 05:32:17|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A worker sprays disinfectant near the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, on Aug. 25, 2020. Egypt has received 126,000 tourists since it reopened its seaside resorts to international flights and foreign tourists on July 1, after a three-month halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Khaled al-Anany, said on Aug. 24. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has received 126,000 tourists since it reopened its seaside resorts to international flights and foreign tourists on July 1, after a three-month halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Khaled al-Anany, said on Monday.

Al-Anany's comments came during a meeting in Cairo with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and the visiting Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili.

This Egyptian minister said this "great achievement" demonstrates the success and efficiency of the procedures introduced by his ministry, according to state-run Ahram Online news website.

Madbouly said the virus hit the world at a time when Egypt's tourism was breaking its own records in terms of the number of arriving tourists.

"It will take some time to pick up the same pace due to tourists' reluctance to travel at the time being," the prime minister said.

He stressed that Egypt's policies target maintaining a balance between the requirements of health and the economy.

Egypt, which has so far registered 97,340 COVID-19 infections and 5,262 deaths, resumed international flights in early July, after it lifted a partial curfew it has been imposing since late March, and reopened restaurants, cafes, theaters and cinemas, as well as hotels, museums and archeological sites, all with limited capacity.

About 600 hotels nationwide were allowed to reopen, having met the safety protocols announced by the authorities and at a reduced occupancy of 50 percent.

The North African country, which has been witnessing sharp decline in daily COVID-19 deaths and infections, also decided to reopen archeological sites, hotels and museums in the monument-rich city of Luxor for tourists from the beginning of September.

All travelers coming to Egypt will have to present a recent PCR test that proves they are free from COVID-19 as of September 1.

Earlier in the day, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Pololikashvili discussed the recent prominent tourism projects in Egypt amid the coronavirus outbreak.

During their meeting in Cairo, Sisi highlighted Egypt's strategy to resume tourism under precautionary measures set by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in coordination with all concerned parties, which aims at achieving a balance between the return of tourism in Egypt, and ensuring the safety of tourists and workers in the tourism sector, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

For his part, Pololikashvili praised the Egyptian efforts to gradually receive foreign tourists, as well as the unprecedented support provided by the government for the tourism sector, which is one of the pillars of the Egyptian economy.

Tourism is one of the main sources of national income and foreign currency in Egypt. The country's tourism revenues hit a record high of 13 billion U.S. dollars in 2019.

Experts believe that the visit of the UNWTO chief is of great importance for the Egyptian government which is working hard to resume tourist activities in the country in order to compensate the losses the sector has inflicted since the outbreak of the pandemic in mid-February.

"This visit is highly important...it is the best promotion made recently to visit Egypt," Mohammed Othman, deputy chairman of tourism chamber in Upper Egypt, told Xinhua.

He noted that the visit proves that the government's plans and measures have succeeded to keep the tourism sector alive and ready to receive foreign and local tourists once again.

Othman expected that tourism will revive within the next two months, expressing hope that an anticipated boom would help the industry compensate the losses inflicted in the past few months.

"I also hope that the Chinese tourists, who used to come in big numbers, would make Egypt as one of their favorable destinations again," he said.
Future Group is inching closer to a deal with Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Retail as the Kishore Biyani firm crossed its first major hurdle by repaying Rs 100 crore interest on its $500 million foreign currency bonds on Monday. Future Enterprises, the parent company of Future Retail, also postponed its board meeting to be held on August 22, by a week to August 28. It's learnt that due to some delay in talks with Reliance Retail last week, the company had to delay the financial results, though efforts are on to discuss the contours of the deal, following which the company will announce the results.

The missed interest payment on foreign currency bonds listed in Singapore would have led to the downgrading of the company to 'default', and lenders putting immense pressure on repayment of the pending dues or invoking pledged shares. The mid-cap company made the payment on the last date of the 30-day grace period. It was originally scheduled to make the interest payment on July 22 but missed the deadline, following which it was given 30-days grace period to honour interest payment.

Also read: Future Retail averts default, pays $14 million interest on bonds

"In furtherance to our letter dated July 22, 2020, wherein we had informed about the grace period of 30 days for making payment of interest on above USD Notes. Today, we are pleased to inform that the Company has made the payment of said interest for the half-year ended for an amount of $14 million on above USD Notes," Future Retail said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange on Monday.

Future Group is in talks with Reliance Retail to sell its flagship Future Retail to pay mounting debts. The companies have supposedly reached an agreement regarding certain terms and conditions, and a deal worth Rs 24,000-27,000 crore could be signed soon. The deal will make RIL the number one player in brick-and-mortar space after getting access to over 1,800 Future Retail stores in India and will lead to Biyani's exit from the retail business.

The selling of controlling stake in Future Retail to Mukesh Ambani's RIL is seen as the biggest setback to Biyani, known as one of the best minds in retail business in India. Future Group has accrued heavy debt over the years. As of September 30, 2019, debt at Future Group's listed entities rose to Rs 12,778 crore from Rs 10,951 crore as on March 31, 2019. He had the March deadline for repayment of some of these dues. But the Reserve Bank of India's loan moratorium has provided a breather.

Also read: Mukesh Ambani's RIL in talks with parent ByteDance to acquire TikTok in India

Also read: Future Uncertain
Lili Reinhart's ticket to fame was her role as Betty Cooper in the hit series "Riverdale." The character was inspired by the hit 90s comic book "Archie." Both in the comics and TV series, Betty is a conservative college student who is part of a group composed of other lead characters such as Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), Archie Andrews (KJ Apa), and Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse.)

While Lili's character is a conservative student journalist, her role in the CW TV series required her to have some intimate scene with her on-screen lover, Jughead Jones. Because of this, the 23-year-old actress had to show some skin and appear on cam wearing only her underwear.

Although Lili looks like a total bombshell, the actress recently revealed that she had difficulty doing scenes showing off her body.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Lili confessed that she felt insecure while filming a "Riverdale" scene wearing just bra and panties. The actress thinks that she doesn't have the typical body often seen on screen.

"I don't have the CW girl body - tiny waist, nice-shaped legs, skinny, small, tiny," Lili said.

"I had to do a bra and underwear scene in this last season, and I felt really insecure about it. I really, really didn't want to do it," Lili added, referring to the scene where she, Veronica, and Archie had to burn their clothes to avoid getting framed up to Jughead's alleged death.

Despite the pressure, Lili kept her thoughts to herself and continued with the job. However, she felt terrible about herself after doing the said scene.

Lili also revealed that some of her co-stars would starve for 12 hours before filming a scene on their underwear. Instead of joining the trend, the actress decided to show off her real body to inspire the fans and viewers.

Lili explained that she wanted to be a representation of an "average body" in her own definition.

"I can't preach body positivity if I don't practice it," Lili said.

"So even if I'm not feeling amazing about my body, I felt it was important for me to do the scene anyway in my bra and underwear so people could see my body as it was. I did it for the people who feel like they need to look a certain way," she added.

"Riverdale" was not the only project where Lili had to show off some skin. In the 2019 film "Hustlers," Lili also had to wear some lingerie and underwear on screen as she plays the role of a stripper associated in a group scheming their way to get more money from customers.

Last June, Lili faced massive backlash for using a topless photo showing off her side boob while promoting the "Black Lives Matter" movement.

The now-deleted Instagram post promoted the "Chemical Romance" star to post a public apology and explained that it was not intended to insult anyone. She also took responsibility for her tone-deaf post and vowed to be better.

READ MORE: Bieber Baby? Dwayne Johnson Hints Justin Bieber, Hailey Baldwin Baby SOON
In an extremely rare legal challenge, lawyers for Toronto police officer Michael Theriault are asking Ontarios Superior Court to toss the off-duty cops recent conviction in the beating of Dafonte Miller, arguing the guilty verdict for assault  and not the original charge of aggravated assault  wasnt an option for the judge at trial.

In a high-profile verdict delivered via YouTube in June, Theriault was convicted of assaulting Dafonte Miller, a young Black man, in a 2016 clash in Whitby that left Miller with horrific injuries, including the loss of his left eye. The case and trial garnered national attention in the midst of a widespread uprising over police brutality and race.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Joseph Di Luca acquitted Theriault and his brother Christian of aggravated assault, finding they had fought back against Miller in self-defence during the initial phase of a fight moments after the brothers caught Miller stealing change from their parents truck.

Di Luca said he could not rule out the possibility that, at some point in the altercation, Miller had armed himself with metal pipe found on the scene, justifying the Theriaults initial claim of self-defence. But Di Luca also concluded that later, near the end of the altercation, Michael Theriault swung the pipe at Miller at least once in the face.

For that, Di Luca convicted Theriault of assault  a less serious offence that carries the lighter maximum penalty of five years in prison.

In a 10-page application filed at the Oshawa court this week, lawyers Alan Gold and Michael Lacy argue that Di Luca lacked jurisdiction to convict (Theriault) of that charge on that count. They are asking the court to vacate the conviction and launch a new trial.

Their argument turns on the legal concept of a lesser included offence  namely, the idea that some serious criminal offences are impossible to commit without also committing a less serious version of the crime, said Toronto criminal lawyer Daniel Brown, who is not involved in the case.

Under Canadian law, an accused person who is charged with an offence that includes another offence is, in essence, put on notice that they are alleged to have committed both offences, and are technically charged with both, said Brown.

But Gold and Lacys application argues that the Crown prosecutors did not clearly state that a simple assault charge was an option to the judge as a lesser offence. They argue Crown lawyers had the opportunity to do so, including on a judicial pretrial form that asks the Crown to specify included offences.

They argue that because Di Luca found Theriault not guilty of aggravated assault on the basis of self-defence, it would not be possible to find him guilty of a different assault that happened over the course of the encounter.

It is (Theriaults) position that the simple assault of which the court convicted (him) was not a lesser included offence of the specific aggravated assault that was charged and that was the subject matter of the trial, Gold and Lacy wrote.

Lacy declined to comment on the motion while it is before the courts. There is not yet a date to hear the motion; sentencing submissions for Theriault are scheduled to be heard next month.

Crown lawyers declined to comment Tuesday. Lawyers for the Crown had previously launched an appeal of Di Lucas verdict, which also acquitted the Theriault brothers of attempting to obstruct justice. That appeal argues the judge made errors in law, including in his analysis and assessment of self-defence.

Lawyer Julian Falconer, who represents Miller alongside Asha James, declined to comment on the motion.

Annamaria Enenajor, a Toronto criminal lawyer, said the application put forward a very compelling argument that ultimately boils down to fairness to the accused to be adequately put on notice about what they are defending themselves against.

Generally, a Crown lawyer cant change their central argument at the eleventh hour, nor can a judge mine a case for a conviction, she said, noting that she thought Theriaults lawyers presented a strong case but may have an uphill battle going before the same judge they are arguing made an error.

This type of legal motion is extremely rare and will require the trial judge to review some of the history of the matter that was unknown to him at the time he rendered his verdict including the fact that the prosecutor withdrew an allegation of assault with a weapon against Mr. Theriault prior to trial, said Brown, who is a vice-president of the Criminal Lawyers Association.

The issue at the heart of the Theriault lawyers motion  whether Di Luca had the option of finding Theriault guilty of simple assault  is further complicated by the Crown lawyers decision made in May 2018 to drop a charge initially laid against both Michael and Christian Theriault: assault with a weapon.

That decision was sound in law in light of what they were alleging, Gold and Lacy write, namely that the accused had injured Millers eye by striking him with the pipe and the appropriate charge was aggravated assault.

During the Miller trial, Crown lawyers said that the severity of Millers eye injury meets the criteria for aggravated assault  namely, the injury wounded, maimed or disfigured the victim.

Three months before the Crown lawyers in the Theriault dropped the assault with a weapon charge, Ontarios Court of Appeal issued a caution to Crown lawyers about the dangers of duplicative counts. That ruling came out of another case where charges of both aggravated assault and assault with a weapon were laid over the same violent incident

The jury acquitted the accused of assault with a weapon but convicted him of aggravated assault, a verdict the Court of Appeal said was inconsistent.

We observe that we can discern no obvious reason why the Crown proceeded with the less serious assault with a weapon charge in addition to the aggravated assault charge. Outcomes such as these could be avoided, and trials simplified and shortened, if the practice of proceeding with duplicative counts was avoided, the Court of Appeal panel wrote in their February 2018 decision.

In his ruling, Di Luca concluded that Michael Theriault had swung the pipe at Miller at least once in the face, but he could not rule that thats what caused Millers eye injury. Medical evidence presented at the trial concluded the most likely cause of the injury to Millers eye was at least one punch.

Di Luca noted the use of a weapon during the assault will be considered an aggravating factor in sentencing  but he said a conviction on the offence of assault with a weapon was not an option, writing it is neither a charge before the court, nor is it a lesser and included offence of aggravated assault.

David Tanovich, a professor at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law, said there is a live, albeit technical and difficult legal argument concerning the decision to drop the assault with a weapon charge  including whether the Crown boxed itself in by not proceeding on the assault with a weapon charge, thereby limiting what was at issue at trial.

In terms of timing, Tanovich said: Tactically, I can see why they would want to raise it now so as to prevent the Court of Appeal from rejecting the argument because it wasnt raised when there was an opportunity to do so at trial.

Wendy Gillis is a Toronto-based reporter covering crime and policing for the Star. Reach her by email at wgillis@thestar.ca or follow her on Twitter: @wendygillis
Nearly three years after a swarm of Wine Country wildfires devastated California, another explosion of flames is making clear that the states efforts to fight the crisis may be no match for the worsening conditions fueling it.

Flames leveled entire Santa Rosa neighborhoods in 2017, then destroyed almost all of the Butte County town of Paradise 13 months later. Each of those fires set records for destruction.

In the past week, the extent and complexity of the blazes have stretched Californias firefighting resources to the limit. Over a few days, fires ignited by lightning in an intense heat wave torched an area more than twice the size of Los Angeles, forcing 119,000 people to flee in the middle of a pandemic.

And its only August. The most dangerous fire-prone months are still to come.

The hots are getting hotter, the dries are getting drier  climate change is real, Gov. Gavin Newsom said, recording a cell phone video Thursday from a forest outside Watsonville, as flames encroached nearby.

If you are in denial about climate change, come to California, Newsom added in the video, which played for the Democratic National Convention.

John Blanchard

Climatologists share that perspective, blaming the repeatedly catastrophic blazes largely on higher temperatures that dry out vegetation more than ever before, priming it to ignite intensely, particularly when long, dry summers bleed into arid autumns.

More than 771,000 acres burned in less than a week  making the current fire siege already more than three times as large as the Wine Country disaster of 2017, when fires burned the North Bay for about a month.

Now, after an extremely dry winter in Northern California, conditions are more dire. An ominous forecast from Sunday into Tuesday that could bring another round of dry lightning presents another looming challenge.

We cant really afford another (major) fire, said Daniel Berlant, a Cal Fire assistant deputy director.

Some of the larger, more remote fires may still be burning when the state gets its first autumn offshore winds, said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. That would raise the terrifying prospect that one or more of the blazes could worsen even after firefighters gain ground.

These raging wildfires come with a severe human cost: Homes burn down, and thousands of people are dislocated. The aftereffects could be worse this year, complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic and sputtering economy.

By Friday, it was apparent that even though California has spent several years battling the same conditions, the current resources arent enough.

Firefighters said their supply of ground crews, engines and aircraft was stretched thin over the past week. Some 96% of Cal Fire engines were in use  a likely record. County and city fire departments have stepped in to staff firehouses while nearly all Cal Fire crews battle wildfires.

All of our first responders are working to the ragged edge of everything they have, state Assemblyman Jim Wood, a Santa Rosa Democrat, said during a briefing Friday in Calistoga.

Nic Coury / Special to The Chronicle

Newsom called for aid from across the country, even as other Western states contend with their own wildfires.

While California set aside $372.7 million in this years budget for an emergency wildland fire suppression fund, its not clear how much of that money it has spent. If it blows through that, it could dip into a $2.6 billion special fund for economic uncertainties.

But more state funds wont counter the trend of increased development in woodland areas, which some argue has made the situation more difficult to manage.

Rural residents increasingly contend with fire as a way of life, altering their homes to be more fire-resistant.

Still, even the most conscientious have found themselves humbled by nature  sometimes repeatedly. Tom Vreeland was a member of neighborhood fire councils for years before his home on Atlas Peak Road in Napa burned to its foundation in 2017. Radiant heat melted his wifes Tesla into the pavement. The couple hadnt finished decorating their new house when unusual summer lightning sparked a new cluster of fires Monday, prompting another evacuation warning.

Vreelands wife and son departed to a local RV park, but Vreeland remained home Thursday, driving up the road every few hours to check the fires progress.

Its hard, he said, reflecting on all the neighbors who sold their properties after the Wine Country fires.

Some are saying, Im just too old to do this  I just dont have the energy it takes to rebuild, Vreeland recounted.

Yet, the wooded areas of Northern California remain a draw, and people who settle there need infrastructure and utilities  another common source of wildfires. Power lines owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. caused a string of monstrous infernos over the past five years.

PG&E is trying to upgrade its equipment, improve maintenance and trim more vegetation, and the company is not to blame for the current fire siege. The company also resorted to shutting off power lines in recent years to reduce the chance that its equipment would spark fires and will probably do so again in the months ahead.

More aggressive forest management may help California get a better grip on its ruthless wildfires. The state is way behind on thinning out the dead vegetation that fuels large fires, said Ed Smith, a senior forest ecologist with the Nature Conservancy. He blamed the backlog on the high cost and complexity of catching up, coupled with a 150-year history of trying to suppress all fires.

A new state and federal partnership seeks to reduce fire risks on 1 million acres of forestland each year. Its a start, Smith said, but it will take years to catch up. California has about 33 million acres of forest.

Smith said part of the solution is prescribed burns and even letting some lightning-caused fires to spread a bit  if conditions are less dangerous and lives and property are not threatened, unlike now.

We need to get better at doing larger management interventions, like introducing fire, and doing that as opportunistically as possible, Smith said.

In the Sonoma Valley, winemaker Sam Coturri waits to see how much the current fires damage his business. Its a familiar drill: Three years ago, the Nuns Fire came within feet of his parents home. Several of his friends or their families lost houses in the fire.

Though a smaller fire came within a quarter mile of his home in 1996, the threat has evolved in Wine Country, where major wildfires have ignited for several consecutive years.

This was something that we always thought about, but it wasnt something that we had to deal with every year, Coturri said.

But Coturri, 37, isnt leaving. He feels linked to Sonoma County, his lifelong home and one of the worlds premier wine grape-growing regions.

This is what we know, and this is what we do, what my family does, Coturri said. And when you talk about climate change on a larger scale, theres nowhere else you can go thats not going to have some sort of impact.

For now, he thinks, all he can do is adapt  and prepare for whats to come.

J.D. Morris and Rachel Swan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com, rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris, @rachelswan
The Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Mr. Bright Wireko Brobby has debunked assertions that the government has banned the recruitment of Ghanaian professional workers from travelling to work in the Gulf Regions.



According to the Minister, its rather the recruitment of domestic workers that were banned in 2017 due to reports of increased abuse of innocent Ghanaian ladies who travel to work in homes at the Gulf Regions.



He disclosed this on PeaceFm show dubbed Asomdwee Nkomo which hosted Private Employment Agencies who were on the show to share their thoughts on Legal Migration and as well plead with the government to start with issuance of Exit Permit.



This, the Minister explained that professional workers with certificates in various fields, including teachers, steel benders, carpenters, engineers, masons, drivers among others and are free to travel to the Gulf regions.



Once they go through the foreign recruitment process, including the acquisition of employment offer letters from the foreign companies, acquire exit permits from the Ghana Labour Department, and in collaboration with the Ghana Immigration Service, the security agencies to facilitate their permit, these skilled workers can travel without hindrance, he clarified.



With the lifting of the ban on domestic work abroad, Mr. Bobby said plans are far advanced to streamline the system to have the banned lifted after the President has given the green light.



The Deputy Minister further stated that the government is doing all these to ensure sanity and safety when it comes to migration.















Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Arkema Inc.s attorneys are calling for a judge to dismiss a high-profile trial about the chemical companys handling of organic peroxides during Hurricane Harvey, again alleging prosecutors withheld vital information from the defense.

The lawyers referenced a pattern of prosecutorial misconduct in the case against Arkema, which faces rare environmental charges over emissions that took place during the historic storm. Judge Belinda Hill will hear the companys motion on Sept. 10, according to court documents.

Time and time again, the prosecutors actions have violated the law and applicable ethical standards, Arkemas attorneys wrote. The termination of this prosecution, without retrial, is the remedy that Defendants seek here. Justice requires no less.

The jury trial, which began in February, has been on hold since March closures and lockdowns triggered by the global pandemic. Proceedings had already been tense until that point, with earlier allegations of prosecutorial misconduct - also based on claims of withholding information - leading to a delay of the trials first start date.

In the latest complaint, defense attorneys Rusty Hardin and Derek Hollingsworth alleged that state lawyers and a special prosecutor withheld evidence about how the only other producer of cold-storage organic peroxides in Houston, AkzoNobel, responded to Hurricane Harvey. They say Akzo took actions similar to those taken by Arkema, but that information was kept from them.

The trial centers on Arkema Inc. and its executives decision to not move the dangerous chemicals offsite as the storm approached the Crosby plant, which sits on a 100-year and 500-year floodplain. The organic peroxides eventually combusted as the property flooded, causing 23 people to be briefly hospitalized and more than 200 nearby residents to be evacuated. Two sheriffs deputies were counted among the injured.

Prosecutors say the core of Arkemas motion is false. Arkemas attorneys acknowledged as far back as August 2019 that Azko moved some and not all of its chemicals, they said.

The State gave Defendants all the documents that relayed all the information well ahead of trial, said Alexander Forrest, chief of the district attorneys offices environmental crimes division. Defendants simply cannot show that any prejudice resulted from a delay in disclosure even had one actually happened.

The Harris County District Attorneys Office in April 2019 charged Arkema and its then-vice president for logistics, Michael Keough, with reckless assault on a peace officer. Prosecutors had earlier brought another felony reckless charge against the company, CEO Richard Rowe and plant manager Leslie Comardelle for the release of toxic chemicals.

During the trial, prosecutors held up AkzoNobel as a standard of responsible chemical production, the defense said, despite knowing that Arkema and AkzoNobel engaged in nearly identical hurricane response.

AkzoNobel had initially declined interviews with the defense, meaning the lawyers had to rely on information that prosecutors provided, Hardin and Hollingsworth said.

Arkemas attorneys eventually spoke with AkzoNobels logistics manager during Harvey, hearing that the two companies had similar disaster plans. The defense then concluded that prosecutors knew facts that were different from what they stated, Hardin and Hollingsworth said, because they learned from prosecutors cryptic notes that AkzoNobel had shared exculpatory information with the state prior to the trial.

The State sat on this information and did not disclose it to Defendants, they said.

Forrest disagreed. The state released the information they held, including the amount of storage that Akzo moved off site.

The opposing teams disagreements also go beyond the latest motion. While Arkemas attorneys claim that prosecutors have consistently withheld or delayed information, the state, led by Forrest and special prosecutor Mike Doyle, have voiced concerns about the defenses handling of the case.

In June, Doyle filed a motion for an inquiry into possible jury tampering, fearing that an Arkema-sponsored ad on Google could have influenced jurors during the months-long hiatus. The ad is the first result in a search of Arkema trial and leads to a webpage with facts of the case, some of which had been determined as inadmissable evidence in court, prosecutors said.

samantha.ketterer@chron.com
If the first hour or so of the 2020 RNC was all about the transcendent awesomeness of Donald Trump, beginning around 10 p.m. the festivities shifted rather abruptly to an early preview of the 2024 race for the GOP nomination.

First came former UN ambassador Nikki Haley to make a mildly enthusiastic case for Trump's re-election combined with a soft-spoken but severe attack on Democratic nominee Joe Biden for the supposed failures of the Obama administration and the imposition of "socialism" that awaits during a Biden administration that would be led by "Pelosi, Sanders, and The Squad." Haley also flatly informed viewers, as a daughter of immigrants from India, that "America is not a racist country." It was a glimpse of how Haley is likely to sell herself to voters in four years  as a somewhat sunnier and subtler purveyor of Trumpian politics.

For those GOP voters who want something closer to the more pungent original, Donald Trump, Jr., showed how capable he is at dishing out the right-wing red meat his father slings in his Twitter feed and at rallies before cheering crowds. Don Jr.'s remarks were pure culture war venom from start to finish, delivered in a tone of insistent angry agitation. If that's what Republican voters crave in 2024  and it's more likely they will if Trump, Sr. goes down to defeat later this year  Don Jr. showed that he'll be a leading contender in the "Twilight in America" lane.

There will be many other contenders for that prize four years from now  including, most likely, Vice President Mike Pence and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, both of whom will speak later this week. But on Monday night, it was all about Haley and Trump, and both showed that they will be formidable candidates if they decide to run.

More stories from theweek.com

Black Monday for the religious right

Alaska attorney general resigns after sending inappropriate texts to state employee

House Democrat launches investigation into Pompeo's RNC speech


The director of the Christian institutes of the Holy Land asks teachers, pupils and parents to "collaborate" in a context of "fear" over a "virus that has destroyed the world". Lessons are scheduled to begin on September 1 in Israel and September 7 in Palestine. Remote teaching strengthened; the objective remains the presence in the classroom, but with halved numbers. The prayer of St. Francis unites Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - I ask parents to "collaborate with the school, even knowing that it will be difficult" but everyone is called "to do their part, supervising the children and guaranteeing them an adequate climate for studying".

To teachers and principals, I say: "We weren't ready for such an event and there are no words to describe the fatigue, but we must face the problems and solve them."

Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, discreet of the Franciscan Custody and director of the Christian schools of the Holy Land, is full of doubts and concerns, but also of hope, on the eve of the beginning of the school year at the time of Covid-19 .

Speaking to AsiaNews he confides Even the children are afraid, like their parents, brothers, grandparents. We have never had a moment like this, this virus has destroyed the world.

Closed since last March, with the first lockdown imposed in the area at the beginning of the pandemic, schools are preparing to reopen their doors on September 1 in Israel and September 7 in Palestine.

In recent months - underlines Fr. Ibrahim - we did an online teaching and it went very well. Even the final exams were held remotely ".

During the summer, he adds, "we modernized the program in all Franciscan schools, facilitating distance learning online with pcs, tablet, smartphone" in the event of new closures, with the aim of "improving the connection between students, teachers and parents ".

Of course, being in the classroom, the possibility of attending lessons is important - underlines the priest of Egyptian origin - but in this situation we have prepared ourselves to guarantee both face-to-face and online lessons. We start again with no more than 18 students per class, we can't let them all participate at the same time. In Jerusalem I have 400, we do 200 one day and the other 200 the next, with a criterion of alternation. The same in Bethlehem: 600 at home and 600 at school, but difficulties are not lacking.

Among the priorities of the Franciscans in the Holy Land is the development and strengthening of the educational level of the local community, thanks to the contribution provided by the 17 schools of the Custody spread over a large territory, ranging from Israel to Palestine, from Cyprus to Jordan. There are five institutes in Jerusalem alone. There are over 11 thousand students who attend them and 1100 teachers who work within them, without distinction of religious faith.

The birth of the Franciscan schools in the Holy Land dates back to the 16th century and the Holy Land School of Bethlehem, founded in 1598, is the oldest in the entire Middle East. One of the specific objectives of these institutions is to provide education to people from different social and economic backgrounds.

They cover the entire school cycle, from kindergarten to high school, although most of the students then continue their schooling at university. Equipped with modern technological equipment, they are considered by the Ministry of Education to be among the best for educational excellence.

We have to work a lot on the kids - continues Fr. Ibrahim - to emerge from this situation, in a constantly evolving healthcare and legislative context. The cases of contagion are constantly increasing, the numbers are growing and it is not excluded that at the beginning of September there may be new lockdowns. In Bethlehem, in August, we had to close the whole school for two cases of contagion and 90 students had to go home.

The distance lessons will concern schoolchildren starting from the fifth grade. On the other hand, the kindergarten and classes from the first to the fourth will be face to face lessons with all the necessary safety measures, from the detection of the fever to the interpersonal distance, the masks and the medical certificate certifying the state of health.

As Christian schools - he concludes - the message we want to launch is always the one linked to St. Francis, of peace and coexistence with Jews and Muslims even in this time of pandemic. This is why we will continue to start each day by reciting, all together regardless of faith, the simple prayer of the saint of Assisi.
President Trump on stage during the first day of the Republican National Convention. He plans to deliver his nomination acceptance speech from the White House South Lawn. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

President Trump is almost surely violating the law and certainly violating the norms of the office in giving his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention from the South Lawn of the White House. But we have become so inured to Trumps behavior that this will likely produce little more than a shrug.

Federal law, specifically the Hatch Act, is clear that federal employees cannot participate in partisan political activities. The Hatch Act, adopted in 1939 after it was revealed that employees of the federal Works Progress Administration had been involved in congressional election campaigns the year before, broadly forbids federal civilian employees from engaging in political activities.

The Supreme Court has upheld the law as constitutional, even though it dramatically limits the speech and political activities of government employees. The court explained the importance of keeping federal employees from feeling pressured to engage in political work and of preventing officeholders from using federal workers to help their campaigns.

When asked last week about giving his speech from the White House, Trump responded, It is legal. There is no Hatch Act because it doesnt pertain to the president.

He is right that the Hatch Act does not apply to the president and vice president, but that misses the point. Inevitably, White House staffers will have to be involved in the logistics for setting up and delivering the speech, as they were in all likelihood for Melania Trump's speech on Tuesday and for the videos from the White House that have played at the convention.

Even if the employees voluntarily choose to work on such things, it would still violate the Hatch Act. Federal employees are flatly barred from participating in political activities. And pressuring them to do so is a criminal violation under the law.

This is not a close question and it is not a political one. When asked about Trump giving his acceptance speech from the White House, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said, I think anything you do on federal property would seem to be problematic. He stressed that federal government employees must refrain from participating in partisan political activities. Likewise, Texas Sen. John Cornyn, a conservative Republican, said, I would have to have somebody show me where it says he could do that. I would think on government property would be problematic.

Story continues

This is not the first time the Trump administration has violated this statute. Last year, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, the federal agency that monitors Hatch Act violations, sent a letter to the president detailing numerous violations by Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president. Ms. Conway has repeatedly violated the Hatch Act during her official media appearances by making statements directed at the success of your reelection campaign, the letter read in part. Special counsel Henry J. Kerner, a Trump appointee, recommended terminating Conway, saying that her actions if left unpunished, send a message to all federal employees that they need not abide by the Hatch Acts restrictions.

Trump did not follow the recommendation, and when asked about it by a reporter, Conway responded, Blah, blah, blah. If youre trying to silence me through the Hatch Act, its not going to work. Let me know when the jail sentence starts. (Conway announced this week that she will leave the White House at the end of the month for unrelated reasons.)

Such blatant disregard of an important statute should be enormously disturbing, but the Trump administration doesnt care. In fact, it has quietly gutted the federal agency, the Merit Systems Protection Board, that is responsible for enforcing this law. The board also enforces civil service protections for federal workers, including whistleblower safeguards.

But since 2019, the Merit Systems Protection Board has had no members, and it had only one member from 2017 to 2019. President Trump is responsible for appointing its members, but he has not done so, effectively nullifying the agency and its enforcement of crucial federal laws.

An underlying concern of the Hatch Act is that it is wrong for an incumbent to use the resources of the federal government, its employees or its financial resources, to help an election campaign. It is not fair and it distorts the democratic process. Yet that is exactly what Trump is doing by using the White House to deliver his acceptance speech.

Another federal law prohibits use of partisan activities in federal buildings. Trump claims that the South Lawn at the White House is part of the residence and therefore this is permissible. But that is a distinction that makes no sense; all of the White House is a federal building.

Besides the law, the strong norm, for both Democratic and Republican presidents, is that they have not used the White House for blatantly political events. Obviously, drawing a sharp line is difficult when a president is running for reelection. But wherever that line is drawn, using the White House as part of a political convention crosses it. It was wrong in 1940, when President Franklin Roosevelt accepted the Democratic nomination by radio broadcast from the White House, and it is wrong today, which is why other incumbents have not staged campaign events there.

This is just the most recent of so many instances of Trump flouting federal laws and the norms of the office. He will do what he thinks will help him get reelected no matter what. But shouldnt all the rest of us care about this disregard of the most basic tenet of the rule of law: that no one, even the president, is above the law?

Erwin Chemerinsky is dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law and a contributing writer to Opinion.
"We share the same values and beliefs of the Local Media Consortium, in supporting local news and journalism, and ensuring all audiences have access to quality, trustworthy content, said David Kostman, Co-CEO of Outbrain.

Outbrain, the world's leading discovery and native advertising platform on the open web, announced today that it has partnered with the Local Media Consortium (LMC), a strategic alliance of local media companies, as the organizations preferred native advertising provider.

Were excited to partner with the Local Media Consortium. Now, more than ever, its incredibly important to support local journalism due to the critical role it plays helping people navigate the current times, said Josh Feller, Senior Vice President, Global Business Development at Outbrain. The industry is at an inflection point where local media has seen advertising dollars dramatically decline. Our goal is to continuously support independent and quality journalism, local news and media, and brands and advertisers  this is a big step in the right direction.

As part of the deal, the Local Media Consortium and its members will receive access to exclusive and negotiated rates across Outbrains inventory. By leveraging industry scale, the LMC can arrange more favorable rates to its members than members would otherwise receive. In addition to pre-negotiated rates, each member will have access to Outbrains Smartfeed technology that allows publishers to not only monetize directly, but to also drive subscriptions, newsletter, and podcast adoption. All while keeping audiences engaged with personalized, organic news from publishers.

Our mission is to support quality journalism by helping local media companies of all sizes have access to best-in-class business and technology platforms. Partnering with Outbrain is a natural synergy for us, and it allows the LMC to further expand our offerings, especially during a time when local media is an even more vital source of news for communities, said Fran Wills, CEO of the Local Media Consortium.

When we started Outbrain, we came with the belief that independent and sustainable journalism are important pillars for society, said David Kostman, Co-CEO of Outbrain. For over a decade, we have partnered with news and media organizations to keep their operations sustainable. We share the same values and beliefs of the Local Media Consortium, in supporting local news and journalism, and ensuring all audiences have access to quality, trustworthy content.

The Local Media Consortiums members have access to Outbrains inventory starting today.

About Outbrain

Outbrain is the worlds leading discovery and native advertising feed for the open web. A third of the worlds Internet-connected population explore and discover information through our feed technology, which is trusted by emerging to established brands and integrated into thousands of media companies tech stacks to manage and monetize their publishing operations. Outbrain operates in 55 countries and is headquartered in New York City with offices in 18 cities worldwide. Learn more at http://www.outbrain.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About the Local Media Consortium

The Local Media Consortium delivers economic value through strategic partnerships on behalf of over 90 local media companies in top markets across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, and includes more than 4,000 outlets. By harnessing the combined volume and scale of its members, the LMC reduces costs and increases revenue with technology and service providers like Google, Facebook, Monster, Outbrain and others. The LMC delivers over $50M in annual benefit to its members and the aggregated LMC digital footprint is 80% of U.S. unique visitors. More information is available at http://www.localmediaconsortium.com/.
The predicted track of Hurricane Laura has gone mostly unchanged since this morning, with the storm's center striking the Texas-Louisiana border late Wednesday or early Thursday.

According to the 4 p.m. forecast from the National Hurricane Center, the system is currently slogging across the Gulf about 510 miles southeast of Galveston. Here the key points from the latest advisories:
Chennai: Four months since the Koyambedu vegetable market in Chennai was shut down after becoming a COVID-19 hotspot, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has called a meeting on Thursday to discuss reopening it.

Koyambedu is one of Asias largest vegetable market and is a source of livelihood for over 15,000 employees.

An CMDA official told Deccan Chronicle that the meeting would be attended by officials from CMDA, police and trade representatives.

A.M. Vikramaraja, president of the Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramaippu said the meeting was expected to recommend resuming business while following a strict standard operating procedure (SOP).

We think its time to learn to live with the virus. We have already requested the government to reopen the market as the life of traders as well as employees has become miserable," he said.

The temporary markets set up in various parts of the city including Thirumazhisai and Madhavaram, according to him, are not viable unlike Koyambedu.

The wholesale market is also facing a shortage of workers since all of them have gone home after the market was closed.

Several other wholesale businesses, including textiles, foodgrains and electronic goods, in the market area are also eagerly waiting for the reopening.

Though 200 wholesale vegetable shops were functioning from a temporary market at Thirumazhisai, the produce doesnt often reach residents in sufficient quantities. Due to lack of enough storage capacity at the new market, the unsold produce is being wasted, he added.

A representative of Koyambedu Wholesale Flower Merchants Welfare Association too echoed the view of reopening the Koyambedu market at earliest.

The flower vendors had been provided a small space at Madhavaram for business since the Koyambedu market was shut down. But the majority of vendors did not go there because of lack of space. At least 670 flower sellers including 470 shop owners have been hit by the continuing closure of Koyambedu market.

As a result of the supply chain is disturbed, the flow of flowers to the city from other districts came to a halt, dispersing street vendors. The reopening of the market is the only option to resurrect their business. So we urge the authorities to take a decision to reopen the market, he added.

Earlier in May the Koyambedu Food Grains Traders Association earlier had moved the High Court seeking reopening of the food grains market.

It had argued that though COVID-19 cases were detected among workers and traders at the vegetable market within the complex, the authorities closed the shops in the food grain market as well.

While an alternative vegetable market was set up in Thirumazhisai, no such arrangements have been made for the food grain market, it had alleged.

The Market Complex, as per the details available with CMDA has around 3154 shops that sell vegetable, fruit and flower on the daily basis. In the Pre Corona perod, the market had at least 1lakh daily visitors.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global pediatric imaging market size is expected to reach USD 12.2 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 7.6% over the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing incidences of pediatric trauma cases are expected to accelerate the demand for innovative patient screening, which is expected to augment the market growth.

Key suggestions from the report:

The magnetic resonance imaging modality segment dominated the market owing to high usage in hospital settings and higher recommendations by radiologists due to safety

By application, the orthopedic/ trauma segment is expected to register the highest CAGR due to rising incidence of bone defects in children combined with increasing cases of ED visits related to trauma

By end user, the hospital segment accounted for the largest market share owing to large number of installed systems in hospital settings and direct collaborations of hospitals with market vendors, thereby offering access to novel and advanced imaging systems

Leading players present in the pediatric imaging market include GE Healthcare; Siemens Healthineers AG; Koninklijke Philips N.V. ( Royal Philips ); Fujifilm Holdings Corporation; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; Agfa Healthcare; and Carestream Health, Inc.

Read 112 page research report with ToC on "Pediatric Imaging Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Modality (X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI, CT), By Application (Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Oncology), By End User, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027" at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/pediatric-imaging-market

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 812,000 children aged 17 or below were treated in the U.S. Emergency Department (ED) for concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in 2014. CDC further stated that injuries due to falling accounted for an approximate 49% of all TBI-related ED visits in children. In addition, increasing focus of market players on product development and innovation is expected to drive the market growth. For instance, in June 2019, Carestream Health, Inc. launched a portable Carestream DRX Plus 2530C X-ray detector with cesium iodide technology, which captures minute details of anatomical structures in pediatric patients.

North America accounted for the largest share in 2019 owing to favorable reimbursement policies, faster adoption of innovative imaging modalities, and growing consumer preference toward noninvasive diagnosis. Increasing investments in order to propel technological innovation is expected to augment the pediatric imaging market growth in the region. For instance, in 2018, Bracco Diagnostics Inc. provided a grant of USD 300,000 to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), to fund research and train technicians to use a new technology of contrast ultrasound. Also, medical coverage is granted by the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for pediatric patients in U.S., which covers imaging services, is a major factor propelling the market growth.

Grand View Research has segmented the global pediatric imaging market on the basis of modality, application, end user, and region:

Pediatric Imaging Modality Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

Ultrasound



Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)



Computed Tomography (CT)



X-ray



Others

Pediatric Imaging Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

Oncology



Cardiology



Orthopedics/Trauma



Gastroenterology



Neurology



Others

Pediatric Imaging End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

Hospitals



Diagnostic Centers



Others

Pediatric Imaging Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

North America



U.S.





Canada



Europe



U.K.





Germany





France





Italy





Spain



Asia Pacific



Japan





China





India





Thailand





South Korea



Latin America



Brazil





Mexico





Argentina





Chile



Middle East & Africa

&

South Africa





Saudi Arabia





UAE

Find more research reports onMedical Imaging Industry, by Grand View Research:

Spinal Imaging Market - The rising global burden of spinal disorders, improving patient's accessibility to medical imaging services, and the growing procedural volume of spinal surgeries is anticipated to drive the product demand over the forecast period.

The rising global burden of spinal disorders, improving patient's accessibility to medical imaging services, and the growing procedural volume of spinal surgeries is anticipated to drive the product demand over the forecast period. Brain PET-MRI Systems Market - Positron emission tomography (PET) is majorly used for neurological applications due to its advantage of providing high-resolution and 3-dimensional imaging of functional, physiologic, and molecular targets.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is majorly used for neurological applications due to its advantage of providing high-resolution and 3-dimensional imaging of functional, physiologic, and molecular targets. Ultrasound Gels Market- An aqueous media is required to be placed in between the ultrasound probe and the skin to obtain a clear image.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: +1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on Monday said that a student writing the ongoing West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) examination in the state had tested positive for COVID-19.

Mr Emmanuel, who made the disclosure in a media chat in Uyo, did not mention the name of the student and the school involved.

The governor said the student had an asymptomatic situation, adding that he took normal precautions to avoid spread.

He, however, said the state government had begun random testing of students for the virus in secondary schools across the state.

We have tested over 100 students and it is only one young man that tested positive for COVID-19 in the state, the governor said.

We did what we ought to do medically; I want to believe that by now, the young man should be okay, he said.

The governor said that he had put in place, modalities to ensure that the student did not miss out anything from the class.

READ ALSO:

He added that a government team was moving around schools to make sure that the students were safe and writing the examination while adhering to COVID-19 protocols.

All of them are in excellent health condition because we have put everything in place to ensure that the students are quite safe, he said.

The governor said that he had directed all his Special Assistants to go to schools across the state and monitor the level of compliance to COVID-19 safety measures.

I have directed all my Special Assistants to go to all the schools and monitor the level of compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocols and give us first-hand reports in case of any emergency.

Students observed all COVID-19 protocols before starting their examination. We want to make sure our students are safe even while writing the examination, the governor said.

Emmanuel said that he had provided over 100,000 face masks, sanitisers and all the COVID-19 support to the schools writing the examination across the state.

Based on the report I have, I think the students are doing well; it is left for them to reciprocate by giving us excellent WAEC results, he said.

(NAN)
Cars filled the westbound lane of Broadway, Galvestons main thoroughfare, after the city issued a mandatory evacuation early Tuesday morning in anticipation of Hurricane Laura.

By 10 a.m., dozens of people had gathered outside the island community center on Broadway waiting to be evacuated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The agencys STEAR program coordinates evacuations for those who need assistance.

This is gonna be our point of everyone coming and getting off the bus, and evacuate to Austin, said Barbara Sanderson, Galvestons executive director for community outreach. We have a station set up here by the fire department, theyre gonna give them supplies, screen them, theyll fill out a form and start getting them on the buses.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Laura, which strengthened into a hurricane early Tuesday, is expected to make landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border late Wednesday or early Thursday as a Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Galveston Mayor Pro Tem Craig Brown signed an order Tuesday instructing residents to begin leaving the island. The Brazoria County judge, Matt Sebesta, issued a voluntary evacuation order for low-lying coastal communities outside the protection levee.

In a Tuesday afternoon briefing, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said the most recent forecast from the National Weather Service got his attention  namely that Laura might now be headed toward the Houston-Galveston region. He added, however, that forecasters expect the storm to curve to the northeast closer to its expected landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border.

If things would deteriorate rapidly and (the storms path) change didnt occur, we would have very little time to do anything differently, Henry said. The preparation window is closing quickly. We have until (Wednesday) at this time and then thats it.

Henrys primary concern was Bolivar Peninsula, which could see a storm surge of 4 to 8 feet. The Texas Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that ferry service to the peninsula would end at 11:30 p.m., earlier than expected, meaning peninsula residents only option for evacuating would be to the east, potentially in Lauras path.

Thats not an ideal escape route, thats why we really encourage residents on Bolivar to seek safety now somewhere else, Henry said.

The state positioned 50 buses in Galveston County to help evacuate up to 1,000 people, with 25 ambulances on standby. Henry said he was in direct communication with the White House and that a representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be arriving in Galveston County on Thursday. Centerpoint Energy, which delivers power to much of Galveston County, had deployed a lot of vehicles on county property in Santa Fe, so that they will be able to respond to service disruptions within minutes.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Henry delivered one bit of good news: the storm was not expected to bring significant amounts of rain to the county, so flooding should be minor, though county residents need to prepare for possible wind damage. For those thinking about not evacuating and riding out the storm, Henry urged them to reconsider.

Ill be honest we dont have the resources to go door to door and pull people out of their homes and have no intention of doing that, Henry said. Were giving you the best information that we have, telling you this is not going to be a safe condition, you are most likely going to be cut off, you are most likely going to lose power, you are most likely going to be very uncomfortable for a period of time and hopefully thats as bad as it gets but we cant guarantee that.

Tuesday morning, Galveston city residents waited in the community center parking lot for the buses to ride, many with visions of recent storms etched in their memory, most notably Ike in 2008.

When they say leave, Im leaving, I aint playing with this, said Ethel Henderson. I dont want to go through what I went through with Ike. I dont want to go through staying with anybody. We had like 25 people in one house. Im not doing it no more.

Katherine Chachere stood next to her car with her three sons and neighbors. In normal circumstances, they would be driving themselves off the island to shelter somewhere, but last-minute car trouble led them to wait for the bus to Austin.

We used to have our own transportation and stuff to move around but our car broke so this is last-minute it broke down like 2 days ago, Chachere said. I aint never had to experience this, the bus thing, shelter and all that.

Along Broadway, which often floods even during less-severe storms, businesses had already begun boarding up windows and putting sandbags out. At Broadway Discount Furniture, Gabriel Medellin and two friends worked up a sweat filling bags with sand and stacking them at the foot of the stores entrance. Medellin, an island native, delivers furniture for the stores owner, J.D. Smith, and wanted to make sure they were well-prepared.

Were in a low level in Galveston, anything can just come over the seawall and just knock us out of place, Medellin said. Its all about just being prepared and everyone working together, being civilized about it and working together to get us out of here.

Smith walked inside the store and pointed to a faded water line on one of the interior walls, a memory from Ike, which left dozens dead and caused an estimated $20 billion in damage along coastal and Houston-area counties. The store is better equipped to handle a flood, Smith said, pointing to wooden platforms  built by Medellin  that were raised off the floor, which he hopes will keep his furniture dry.

But Smith said he would hold off on evacuating until he knows more about the storms path.

We havent decided yet, he said. Were gonna kind of wait until the last minute.

nick.powell@chron.com
WASHINGTON  For Hispanic Democrats upset with what they see as a failure to adequately feature Latinos in the just-ended Democratic National Convention, one set of numbers was particularly striking.

John Kasich, the Republican former governor of Ohio, got four minutes to speak, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, got just 60 seconds.

For Joseph Garcia, director of Chicanos Por La Causa in Arizona, the numbers were not surprising.

The message is not: Yes, we welcome you into the party, Garcia said of the number of Latino speakers. Part of it is figuring, Latinos got nowhere to go. They have to vote for us because theyre not going to vote for Republicans with their harsh line on immigration and other issues.'

The message that Arizona convention delegate Leyna Negron heard was that the party values her vote, but not her voice.

We need to be included in more than just discussions of get out the vote. We need to be seen in leadership positions, Leyna Negron said. And thats not happening.

But Jessica Mejia insists thats not the case. Mejia, the Arizona state director for Biden for President, said this years DNC was the most diverse national political convention in history.

Campaign officials pointed to Arizona native Kristin Urquiza, who spoke Monday about her fathers death from COVID-19, and Aldo Martinez, a DREAMer and an activist for his community. They noted that several Latinos were part of the keynote address that was delivered by 17 rising stars of the party.

A number of Latinos were included in the list of establishment speakers, including former Obama administration Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Tom Perez, the first Latino party chairman.

Latinos are a core part of the American story and will be a powerful force in this election, Mejia said in an emailed statement. Joe Biden has a clear vision to lift the Latino community: to build a more fair economy, invest in public schools, and expand access to affordable health care for our families.

But Garcia pointed to the Latinos who were not given speaking slots, including Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas and chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and his brother Julian, a housing secretary in the Obama administration and a presidential candidate until Jan. 2.

Garcia said the focus seems to be more on the African-American vote than the Latino vote, something Arizona Latino Republican Association spokesman Rey Torres agrees with.

The two most interesting colors to either party happen to be Black and white, Torres said. Theres no room for brown, right now.

He said both parties need to work on advancing Latino leaders if they hope to vie for their votes in the future.

Latinos are expected to be an important demographic in key swing states like Arizona and Florida, which may put Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden over the top. The Census Bureau estimates that there were 5.7 million Latinos in Florida in 2019 and 2.3 million in Arizona.

Were not a monolith, said Gilbert Romero, an at-large Bernie Sanders delegate to the convention from Arizona, so they have to get serious if they want to keep us.

Romero was particularly upset by the number of Republicans who spoke at the convention  besides Kasich, they included former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The convention should showcase the country, he said, and should honor the people who have worked in Democratic politics, people who are doing advocacy in our communities and advocating for the policies we care about.

This is our party. And my community, our communities, have been voting loyally for the Democratic Party since John F. Kennedy, Romero said.

Republicans shouldnt have more space in our party than a young Latina from the Bronx. That doesnt seem right, he said, referring to Ocasio-Cortez.

Negron said Ocasio-Cortez, who worked as a bartender before being elected to Congress in 2018, represents more than her ethnicity, she represents working-class Latinos.

When you think about Latinos, so many of us are service workers or retail workers. Weve been hit hard by the pandemic. And we want to know that our voices are being heard, Negron said. Politicians represent us, but they arent us. Except for maybe people like AOC.

Negron sees Ocasio-Cortez as the voice of the future of our party, so its just a real disservice to us all that she was limited to 60 seconds. It really feels like exclusion.

This is the party thats supposed to be most friendly to me. And I dont see me in the party, Negron said.

Romero said the party needs to embrace progressive policies like Medicare for All, a Green New Deal and comprehensive immigration reform or run the risk of losing Latinos to the Republican Party.

For now, however, Negron said Latinos have little choice.

Were under attack by this administration and we know that the Democrats are the best for our future. So, we dont have a choice, she said. And thats why its so easy to exclude us from policy discussions and speaker positions because they know they have our vote.

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CIBO, a land technology company that delivers decision-ready insights on cropland, announced today that it has joined Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, a leading multi-stakeholder initiative working to unite the agricultural value chain in defining, measuring and advancing the sustainability of commodity crop production in the United States.

As an active member in Field to Market, CIBO will work together with grower organizations, academia, conservation groups, public sector partners and leading companies to help transform the agricultural value chain and catalyze opportunities for continuous improvements in environmental outcomes, farming operations, sustainability and regeneration.

"The agricultural industry is taking great strides to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of farming the land," said Jenette Ashtekar, VP, Sustainability & Regeneration at CIBO. "Through our membership in Field to Market, CIBO will scale access to the tools and technology needed to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and regenerative agricultural system."

Field to Market engages in broad communication and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure a coordinated, outcomes-based approach to sustainable agriculture that is grounded in science. By providing useful measurement tools and resources, Field to Market helps growers and the supply chain track and promote continuous improvement at the field and landscape levels. By joining Field to Market, CIBO will identify opportunities to partner with farmers and the value chain to harness decision-ready insights to advance sustainable agriculture.

"We are pleased to welcome CIBO as a new member of the Alliance," said Rod Snyder, President of Field to Market. "We look forward to collaborating on opportunities to help farmers and the value chain use data driven insights to accelerate sustainable outcomes."

For More Information about CIBO's Sustainability Technology, visit: https://www.cibotechnologies.com/sustainability/

About CIBO

Founded by Flagship Pioneering, CIBO delivers objective, science-driven intelligence about land at the parcel level, at a national scale, and without requiring local data to be input by farmers. This information drives efficiencies in land and related markets by connecting participants to objective information, and to each other.

CIBO's insights include land and lease valuation, productivity, stability, environmental impact, yield forecast, and future states of land. Parcels can be searched locally or nationally against more than 20 criteria.

Property and financial marketplaces have proven to be valuable disruptors in the residential and commercial real estate markets. Leveraging our proprietary capabilities, CIBO is breaking the code and bringing similar solutions to the ag and land markets. Learn more at cibotechnologies.com .

SOURCE CIBO

Related Links

https://www.cibotechnologies.com/


Caption: Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch stands with the three Women in Agriculture Award recipients, Roberta Ressler, Sara Creech and Abigail Powell, along with Karen Plaut, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of the Purdue College of Agriculture.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Three Indiana women were honored for their dedication and contributions to the agriculture industry at the Indiana Statehouse on Aug. 20. The recipients were selected by the Purdue Extension Women in Agriculture team. Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Karen Plaut, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of the Purdue College of Agriculture, presented the teams awards.

The Purdue Extension Women in Agriculture Leadership Award recognizes a woman in an agribusiness or policymaking position who has actively impacted Indiana agriculture. Plaut presented this years award to Roberta Ressler, crop protection product design and process R&D leader at Corteva Agriscience in Westfield, Indiana. Ressler leads a team of scientists and engineers who design and develop new crop protection products with an emphasis on sustainable farming. She graduated from Purdues College of Engineering and continues to partner with Purdue across disciplines. Ressler leads the Joint Steering Team, a partnership between Corteva and Purdue that provides opportunities for research projects, classroom speakers and other events.

Roberta is passionate about the role of women in agriculture and often speaks to student groups and graduate students about women in agriculture, Plaut said. There is no doubt that Roberta has helped advance women in agriculture in the state of Indiana.

Abigail Powell was presented the Emerging Women in Agriculture Leadership award, which recognizes the accomplishments of a high school or undergraduate student who made a positive impact on agriculture. Powell is a sophomore at Purdue majoring in agriculture business marketing and agriculture communications. Before attending Purdue, Powell was an active member of 4-H, the Triton FFA Chapter and the Marshall County community. At Purdue, she was a member of the Purdue Ag Week Task Force and helped serve at the annual Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry. Currently, Powell serves on the Purdue College of Agriculture Council and is in the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, where she is the Alpha Theta Chapter treasurer. Powell worked in the Marshall County Extension Office, where she assisted with the planning and implementation of countywide events. Most recently, she was an agriculture banking intern at 1st Source Bank, where she analyzed agriculture marketing trends and generated reports for local lending officers.

Abigails passion for agriculture is evident in her involvement with organizations professionally and personally. She is a great example of an emerging leader in the field who is willing to keep learning and striving to be a positive advocate for agriculture, Plaut said.

The Purdue Extension Women in Agriculture Achievement Award recognizes women who are directly involved in a home farm operation. The 2020 award was presented to Sara Creech of Hendricks County, Indiana. Creech owns and operates Blue Yonder Organic Farm, a 40-acre farm located in North Salem. She raises chickens, ducks, turkeys, sheep, cattle, mushrooms, bees and produce. Creech sells her produce and meat at area farmers markets and has a community-supported agriculture program for locals. She was instrumental in starting the Indiana chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, a group that works with military veterans to provide farm educational and leadership opportunities. Recently, she partnered with a local farm family, the Indiana Farmer Veteran Coalition and the Hendricks County Soil and Water Conservation District to initiate Porter Farm in Danville. The farm educates veterans and community members on small farm and conservation best practices. In 2018, Creech was elected as the first female member of the Hendricks County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors.

Sara has not only provided food, but educational and leadership opportunities to veterans and community members with her efforts. She is an invaluable member of Indiana agriculture, Plaut said.

The Purdue Extension Women in Agriculture awards committee was co-chaired by Lori Bouslog, an Extension educator in Vermillion County, and Beth Vansickle, an Extension educator in Madison County. The Purdue Extension Women in Agriculture team provides educational opportunities and resources for women in the agriculture industry and coordinates the Midwest Women in Agriculture conference.

Writer: Abby Leeds, 765-494-7817, mayer36@purdue.edu

Source: Lori Bouslog, lbouslog@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;

Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu

Agriculture News Page
A 'knifeman' has been charged with murder after his younger brother was found stabbed to death at the roadside.

Samuel Rogers, 30, was charged alongside a second man, 22-year-old Ryan Hurt, in connection with the death of his younger brother Thomas, 26.

The victim was found with fatal injuries on the Bristol Road in Birmingham at around 4.55pm on Saturday.

He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead shortly after arrival and a post-mortem examination revealed he died as a result of stab wounds to the chest.

Police have charged two men with murder after Thomas Rogers (pictured) was found fatally stabbed on the side of a busy Birmingham road

The victim was found with fatal injuries on the Bristol Road in Birmingham at around 4.55pm on Saturday. Pictured, police at the scene

Rogers, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, was charged in connection with the killing alongside Mr Hurt, from Mansfield.

Both were due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

A 28-year-old and 15-year-old girl, previously detained in connection with the incident have been bailed pending further inquiries, while another man, aged 40, was released without charge.

Three other people arrested in the South Shields and Jarrow areas in the North East on suspicion of assisting an offender have also been released while inquiries continue.

Detective Inspector Stuart Mobberley, of West Midlands Police, said: 'This remains a very active inquiry as we seek to establish the full circumstances around this stabbing.

Tom Rogers, the murder victim, is pictured in front of a White Alfa Romeo. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead shortly after arrival and a post-mortem examination revealed he died as a result of stab wounds to the chest

'We've made quick progress but we still need to hear from anyone with information which can assist our investigation.'

It comes after six people were stabbed in Birmingham in just 12 hours of horrific violence.

Terrifying footage was released showing the moment a knife-wielding thug brandished his weapon outside McDonald's.

The shocking video clip shows two men squaring up to each other outside the Drive-Thru section of the Coventry Road McDonald's.

One man then pulls out the blade from his jacket and lunges forward twice as the second man manages to fend off the blows.

Samuel Rogers is pictured. He was due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday

The pair can be seen continuing to row with each other before the man wielding the blade eventually gives up and walks away in the opposite direction.

It comes as speculation grows over whether Birmingham will be placed under a city-wide lockdown.

Official figures show Birmingham's infection rate has more than doubled over the past fortnight to around 25 new cases for every 100,00 people. A handful of wards are seeing a similar amount of new infections, according to government data.

The city's slew of violence started after at least four people were stabbed during a vicious fight in the Jewellery Quarter just before 5am on Saturday.

A 24-year-old man was soon arrested and remains in police custody.

Ryan Hurt (pictured), 22, has also been charged in connection with the death of Thomas, 26

Police on Mill Pool Way in Bournbrook, Birmingham, where Mr Rogers was stabbed to death

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: 'We received several reports of a disorder at 4.40am today (August 22) around Great Hampton Street, near Vyse Street, in Birmingham.

'It's understood up to 15 people may have been involved. At least four people suffered stab injuries, including one man who is seriously ill in hospital.

'One man aged 24 has been arrested on suspicion of wounding and remains in police custody.'

Just six hours later, a knifeman allegedly threatened to kill people inside the International Mini Market on Washwood Heath Road but was stopped when police arrested him at gunpoint.

It comes after a shocking video clip emerged showing two men squaring up to each other outside the Drive-Thru section of the Coventry Road McDonald's

Brave shoppers alerted the police to the incident and told them he 'made threats to attack people with a knife'.

Superintendent Jack Hadley told the Birmingham Mail: 'This was a very dynamic incident and it was imperative we got officers to the scene to apprehend the man and protect the public.

'Thankfully no one was hurt and the suspect was swiftly traced to a park area where he was handcuffed and arrested.'

And in the same afternoon at 4pm another man was stabbed in the neck and arm after a fight erupted between two drivers on Stratford Road.

He was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and an investigation was launched.

A West Midlands police spokesman said: 'It's understood a fight broke out between the occupants of two cars in Stratford Road at about 4pm on Saturday (August 22).

'One man suffered knife wounds to his neck and arm. He was taken to hospital but his injuries are not believed to be serious.'
Schools in Union and Franklin townships in Hunterdon County will have students learning in a hybrid model against the recommendation of Nicholas Diaz, superintendent of both districts, that both begin the year with all students doing remote learning.

The Union Township Board of Education on Monday voted 8-1 in favor of a hybrid learning program after parents petitioned in favor of a hybrid learning option for their children. Franklin Townships board voted previously 5-2 in favor of the hybrid option.

In a letter circulated to parents on Aug. 18, Diaz said he intended to recommend a fully virtual program for both districts because of his concerns for the health, safety, and welfare of all of our students and staff members, as well as ongoing updates to state guidance.
A man armed with a stepladder has been looking through residential windows in Eastpointe to peer at young girls, according to police.

Eastpointe police say the intruder has been known to peek through bedroom windows in the early morning hours on at least three occasions.

Obviously, this is very disturbing behavior, police said on the departments Facebook page.

The latest incident took place around 4 a.m. Monday when the intruder was seen looking into a window at a sleeping 11-year-old girl in the area of Redmond and Lincoln avenues, near Toepfer Drive and Gratiot Avenue.

Officers were dispatched to the area after a resident called to report a peeping tom, who was carrying a stepladder with him apparently to make it easier to see inside the house.

Eastpointe police contacted a K9 tracking team from the Roseville Police Department, which arrived and conducted a search of the area. The voyeur was not located.

LaToya Greene, an Eastpointe resident, said in a social media post that it was her house the man was looking into. She has an exterior surveillance camera on her house that notified her in a camera alert about 1:50 a.m. Monday.

He came back several times over the course of two hours and also went over to my neighbors house and peeped in their windows, Greene wrote.

Greene believes the intruder definitely resides in the area because he was carrying a stepladder with him, although he later came back without one.

The same man is believed to have involved in two other similar incidents, according to police. Monday was the first time he was caught in the act on camera.

Investigators said the man is 30-40 years old, six feet tall, approximately 200 pounds.

Anyone with information on the voyeur is asked to call the Eastpointe Police Department at 586-445-5100, ext. 1027.

 Macomb Daily staff
The injured were rushed to a hospital, where they were being provided with the necessary medical assistance.

Two Ukrainian soldiers were injured in a booby-trap blast in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on Tuesday, August 25.

"Today, August 25, while moving between platoon strongpoints, two members of the Joint Forces were blown up on an unknown explosive device," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Command said on Facebook.

Read alsoDonbas truce: Ukraine reports one ceasefire violation by enemy forces on Aug 24The injured were rushed to a hospital, where they were being provided with the necessary medical assistance. Currently, their state of health is satisfactory.

The leadership of a brigade and military law enforcers are working on the scene. All the circumstances of the incident are being clarified, it said.

Truce in Donbas
By Online Desk

NEW DELHI: A day before the Supreme Courts scheduled hearing on the quantum of sentence for his contemptuous tweets, activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Monday reiterated that he wont apologise for his comments against judiciary.

In a fresh statement filed in the apex court on Monday, Bhushan said he believes his comments against the judiciary were right. Therefore, an apology would be insincere and amount to contempt of his conscience, he said.

"An insincere apology would amount to the contempt of my conscience and of an institution," Bhushan said in his supplementary statement filed in the suo motu contempt case against him by the top court, taking note of advocate Anuj Saxena's complaint.

"An apology for expression of beliefs, conditional or unconditional, would be insincere," he said.

On August 20, the Supreme Court had granted him time to reconsider his defiant statement refusing to apologise and tender an unconditional apology.

ALSO READ | Why cross the Lakshman Rekha: SC to Prashant Bhushan

I expressed myself in good faith, not to malign the Supreme Court or any particular Chief Justice, but to offer constructive criticism so that the court can arrest any drift away from its long-standing role as a guardian of the Constitution and custodian of peoples rights, he said.

Bhushan added his tweets represented this bona-fide belief.

Public expression of these beliefs was in line with my higher obligations as a citizen and a loyal officer of this court. Therefore, an apology for expression of these beliefs, conditional or unconditional, would be insincere.

He noted an apology cannot be a mere incantation and any apology has to, as the court has itself put it, be sincerely made.

The activist-lawyer said he believes the SC is the last bastion of hope for the protection of fundamental rights and constitutional democracy.

Today in these troubling times, the hopes of the people of India vest in this Court to ensure the rule of law and the Constitution, he said.

On August 20, the top court had granted time till August 24 to Bhushan to reconsider his 'defiant statement' refusing to apologise and tender 'unconditional apology' for contemptuous tweets against the judiciary and rejected his submission that quantum of punishment be decided by another bench.

He said, "My tweets represented this bona fide belief that I continue to hold. Public expression of these beliefs was I believe, in line with my higher obligations as a citizen and a loyal officer of this court. Therefore, an apology for expression of these beliefs, conditional or unconditional, would be insincere."

Bhushan further said that an apology cannot be a mere incantation and any apology has to, as the court has itself put it, be sincerely made.

"This is especially so when I have made the statements bona fide and pleaded truths with full details, which have not been dealt with by the Court. If I retract a statement before this court that I otherwise believe to be true or offer an insincere apology that in my eyes would amount to the contempt of my conscience and of an institution that I hold in highest esteem," he said.

Bhushan said he believes the Supreme Court is the last bastion of hope for the protection of fundamental rights, the watchdog institutions and indeed for constitutional democracy itself.

ALSO READ | Civil society groups hold demonstration in support of Prashant Bhushan in Raipur

"It has rightly been called the most powerful court in the democratic world, and often an exemplar for courts across the globe. Today in these troubling times, the hopes of the people of India vest in this Court to ensure the rule of law and the Constitution and not an untrammelled rule of the executive," he said.

The activist-lawyer said that he has never stood on ceremony when it comes to offering an apology for any mistake or wrongdoing on his part and it has been a privilege for him to have served this institution and bring several important public interest causes before it.

"I live with the realization that I have received from this institution much more than I have had the opportunity to give it. I cannot but have the highest regard for the institution of the Supreme Court," he said.

Bhushan in his two-page supplementary statement said that it is 'with deep regret' that he read the August 20 order of this court as at the hearing the court had asked him to take 2-3 days to reconsider the statement he made in the court.

"However, the order subsequently states: We have given time to the contemnor to submit an unconditional apology, if he so desires," he said.

The apex court on August 14 had held Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt for his two derogatory tweets against the judiciary saying they cannot be said to be a fair criticism of the functioning of the judiciary made in the public interest.

He faces simple imprisonment of up to six months or with a fine of up to Rs 2,000 or with both as punishment.

On August 20, the top court, while reserving its verdict on the quantum of sentence to be awarded to Bhushan in the case, also rejected his submission seeking deferment of the hearing till his yet-to-be-filed review plea against its verdict, which held him guilty of contempt of the court, is decided.

The top court had said that it would hear the matter on August 25 for considering the "unconditional apology" if filed by Bhushan.

Reminding Bhushan of 'lakshman rekha', the top court had asked as to why it has been crossed and observed that it has been asked to commit an act of 'impropriety' by sending the case to some other bench for hearing the arguments on quantum of sentence in the contempt case.

"We can give you time and it is better if you (Bhushan) reconsider it. Think over it. We will give you two-three days' time," the top court had told Bhushan, who held his ground by refusing to apologise for the tweets.

"I did not tweet in a fit of absence mindedness. It would be insincere and contemptuous on my part to offer an apology for the tweets that expressed what was and continues to be my bona fide belief," Bhushan had said.

The court had on August 14 held Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt for two derogatory tweets against judiciary. Bhushan faces simple imprisonment of up to six months or with a fine of up to Rs 2,000 or both as punishment.
WASHINGTON  The Justice Department intends on Wednesday to execute the only Native American man on federal death row, despite urgent pleas from more than a dozen tribes to respect Navajo culture and spare his life.

The inmate, Lezmond Mitchell, 38, faces the death penalty for his part in the 2001 murder of a Navajo woman, Alyce Slim, and her 9-year-old granddaughter, Tiffany Lee. Barring any last-minute stays, his execution would be the first time in the modern history of the federal death penalty that a Native American man has been put to death by the federal government for a crime committed against another Native American on a reservation.

Tribal activists have argued that Mr. Mitchells case exemplifies the fraught relationship between tribes and federal law enforcement, which often disregards protections for tribal sovereignty.

Members of the Navajo Nation say that their teachings condemn murder as a means for vengeance and emphasize the sanctity of human life, and that the family of Mr. Mitchells victims initially opposed the death penalty before changing their position to support executing him. The Justice Department secured Mr. Mitchells conviction through a loophole that allowed it to ignore Navajo preferences.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : As the world continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, here's a captivating, authoritative, and eye-opening full story of how and why it happened.

With the accumulated knowledge of our failings and a wealth of expert opinions, veteran science journalist Debora MacKenzie charts a forward path in "COVID-19 - The Pandemic that Never Should Have Happened, and How to Stop the Next One" for protecting humanity from even worse threats to come.

Over the last 30 years of epidemics and pandemics, we learned every lesson needed to stop this coronavirus outbreak in its tracks. We heeded almost none of them -- and the previous viruses that should have prepared us. This, coupled with some shocking public health failures, paved the way for a pandemic on a scale never before seen in our lifetimes, the book, published by Hachette, says.

MacKenzie has been reporting on emerging diseases for more than three decades, and she draws on that experience to explain how Covid-19 went from a potentially manageable outbreak to a global pandemic.

Offering a compelling history of the most significant recent outbreaks, including SARS, MERS, H1N1, Zika, and Ebola, she gives a crash course in Epidemiology 101 - how viruses spread and how pandemics end - and outlines the lessons we failed to learn from each past crisis.

In vivid detail, MacKenzie takes us through the arrival and spread of Covid-19, making clear the steps that governments knew they could have taken to prevent or at least prepare for this.

Looking forward, she makes a bold, optimistic argument: this pandemic might finally galvanise the world to take viruses seriously. Fighting this pandemic and preventing the next one will take political action of all kinds, globally, from governments, the scientific community, and individuals - but it is possible.

"This definitely deserves a read - the first of the post-mortems by a writer who knows what she's talking about," says Laura Spinney, author of "Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 And How It Changed The World".

MacKenzie, who has been reporting on Covid-19 from the start, was among the first journalists to suggest that it could become a pandemic.

From SARS to Rabies and Ebola to AIDS, she's been on the frontline in reporting on how pandemics form, why they spread, and how to stop them throughout her career. In addition to infectious disease, she also specialises in reporting on the science of complexity and social organisation.

In 2010, she won the American Society for Microbiology Public Communication Award. Before becoming a journalist, she worked as a biomedical researcher.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
When Paula Artley bought her recycled fashion shop in January this year, the already committed up-cycler of designer labels had a plan.

She was going to bring The Secret Closet  Perth's oldest recycled designer clothing store  into the 21st century and launch an online and social media onslaught to capture new clientele.

Perth shops selling recycled designer fashions have seen a rise in business during the pandemic, as people watch their spending. Credit:Tamara Voninski

"When I took over I was already really passionate about recycling," Ms Artley said. "This was my local shop and I used to take my stock here.

"I had a business plan, but COVID whacked us on the backside and the business plan went out the window.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, workers at the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in Vietnam returned to the US in March, resulting in disruptions in the irradiation and inspection of fresh fruit.

After the APHIS staff returned home, the US Embassy in Vietnam was authorised to monitor the irradiation of fresh fruit, but they only worked two hours per day and stopped receiving fruit for quarantine as of August 7. Since then, the irradiation and export of fruit to the US has been halted.

APHIS is the agency that directly quarantines and supervises the irradiation process at Son Son Irradiation Plant in Ho Chi Minh City. Son Son is also the only irradiation plant in Vietnam to be certified by APHIS.

To facilitate the export of Vietnamese fruit to the US market, the United State Department of Agriculture agreed to send quarantine experts to Vietnam to help in resuming the work.

Before their arrival, US Embassy officials are going to supervise the irradiation of fresh fruit from this week in order to recommence the export of fruit to the US.
South Asian nation of 200 million seems to have won the fight against COVID-19 but fear of a second wave remains.

Islamabad, Pakistan  Walking through the Karachi Company bazaar in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, the coronavirus pandemic seems a world away.

Groups of shoppers gather at the small stalls that line the alleys of the market, selling everything from plastic stools to jewellery and colourful garments. Hardly anyone wears a mask, as they haggle over prices and stall owners shout to try and get the attention of potential customers.

The danger is much less now, says Sheikh Usman, 32, who runs a small garment stall and has not worn a protective face mask for months. The restrictions should be finished because the virus is over now.

With a population of 220 million, a ramshackle health and hygiene infrastructure and densely packed urban neighbourhoods, Pakistan was considered by many to be a prime candidate to see the worst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The decrease in numbers is real, there is no doubt there. Dr Faisal Mahmood, head of infectious diseases at Karachi's Aga Khan University Hospital

Six months after registering its first case, however, active cases in Pakistan are continuing to steadily decline, with the number of deaths recorded in a day often down to single digits.

The country has seen 293,261 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, with 6,341 related deaths, according to official data. Save for single-day blips, active cases have been steadily declining since hitting a peak in June, currently standing at 10,091, their lowest level since late April.

Epidemiologists, however, warn that far from having weathered the storm, the country may be on the cusp of a second wave, primed to potentially hit as large religious gatherings are held this week, and wedding halls and schools are to be reopened by next month.

Underestimation of cases

Critics say testing in the South Asian country has been low, resulting in an underestimation of cases. On Sunday, Pakistan conducted 23,655 tests, with 496 of them returning positive. The government says it has the capacity to conduct up to 67,340 tests a day, but people are simply not seeking them.

Pakistans positive test rate was 2.09 percent on Sunday, well within the WHOs 5-percent threshold [File: KM Chaudary/AP Photo]

Before, the kind of lines we saw for COVID-19 testing, we used to have to turn people away to come back the next day, says Seemin Jamali, executive director of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), the largest government hospital in Karachi, Pakistans most populous city.

At present, the hospitals 90-bed COVID-19 ward only has 14 patients  a far cry from June, when patients families in Karachi and other cities told Al Jazeera they were having difficulty finding hospital beds for their dying relatives.

The decrease in numbers is real, there is no doubt there, says Dr Faisal Mahmood, head of infectious diseases at Karachis Aga Khan University Hospital, the countrys largest research hospital.

We are seeing less positivity in the lab. We were doing pre-op testing ahead of surgeries, and the rates of those have come down as well.

Pakistans positive test rate  a key indicator as to whether there is adequate testing  was 2.09 percent on Sunday, well within the World Health Organizations 5 percent threshold for indicating that a countrys outbreak is presently under control.

The tougher question is why, and the answer to this is the million-dollar question. We are not seeing that huge explosion that we had anticipated, says Dr Mahmood.

The Dr

.]

Several factors  including the phased implementation of lockdowns, effective hospital case management and treatment protocols and demographic and cultural factors  may have interacted to help achieve the outcome, doctors and epidemiologists told Al Jazeera.

We were not hit as hard early on because of the lockdowns as well  and because we got hit with it later, we were able to shut things down whereas in other countries things had remained open [while the virus was initially spreading], says Dr Mahmood.

Pakistan implemented a complete countrywide lockdown in March, shutting down businesses, markets and all but essential services for weeks. In April, that lockdown was eased in certain areas, replaced with a more agile strategy aimed at shutting down infection hotspots in specific neighbourhoods, without affecting areas around them.

Dr Adnan Khan, a public health researcher and infectious disease specialist, believes the governments approach of creating a dedicated coronavirus response cell  dubbed the National Command Operation Centre  helped to inform and coordinate the response.

The data was coming in, they were being collated and there were numerous agencies, with army and civilians both, working on [keeping the cases low], he says.

Sheikh Usman, 32, has not worn a protective face mask for weeks, and believes that the virus is over [Asad Hashim/Al Jazeera]

Khan said Pakistans extensive polio vaccination programme, which consists of more than 265,000 community health workers and vaccinators, helped provide infrastructure to track and trace cases early on in the epidemic.

The other advantage of this was that we are actually a lot better at treating it than some of the other places where it hit earlier. We had a lot of information to learn from, said Dr Mahmood.

Pakistans age demographics may have played a part in lower death rates, too. An estimated 64 percent of the countrys 220 million population is under the age of 30. Worldwide, older patients have proven more susceptible to serious complications from COVID-19, and in Pakistan, the data is similar, with 76 percent of deaths among patients aged 50 or higher.

In addition, researchers have been gathering data since the start of the epidemic on possible higher physiological immunity among South Asian communities, where the mortality rate from the coronavirus has been markedly lower than in the Americas and Western Europe.

Pakistans case mortality rate  the percentage of patients who died after testing positive for coronavirus  is 2.16 percent, compared with 12.7 percent in the United Kingdom, 13.7 percent in Italy and 11.1 percent in France.

A disease of networks

In June, things were looking decidedly different.

Weeks after the Eid al-Fitr Muslim festival, ahead of which the government had lifted most restrictions on businesses and public movement, the country saw an explosion of cases. In June, the number of cases almost tripled over 30 days, going from 76,398 to 213,470.

Hospitals began to reach capacityin major cities, with ventilators becoming scarce and patients dying because they were unable to get access to critical care beds.

This is a disease of networks. It doesn't go through the whole population equally. Dr Faisal Mahmood, head of infectious diseases at Karachi's Aga Khan University Hospital

Almost a week after daily case rises hit a peak of 6,825 on June 13, however, daily new infections began to decrease once more, and have continued on a downward trajectory ever since.

Somewhat counterintuitively, the vast, rapid spread of the virus during Eid may have helped Pakistan saturate infection networks, which were then kept isolated through social distancing restrictions and limited lockdowns, say researchers.

This is a disease of networks. It doesnt go through the whole population equally, explains Dr Mahmood. We know we all have networks, and we all move within that network, and generally speaking you are confined within that network  your friends, family, co-workers, those are the people most susceptible to getting the virus from you.

Moreover, not everyone is equally susceptible to being infected by the virus, highly contagious as it may be, says Dr Wajiha Javed, head of public health at the multinational pharmaceutical company Getz Pharmas Pakistan division. The phenomenon is known as population heterogeneity in epidemiology.

Because people are so different from each other, there are some people who are more susceptible and others who are less, she says. There are certain people who no matter how much you expose them, they wont get it.

A health worker takes a nasal swab sample of an elderly man at a testing and screening facility in a hospital in Karachi [File: Fareed Khan/AP Photo]

The result, according to all three epidemiologists Al Jazeera spoke to, is that Pakistan may have reached a plateau in infections as social networks were saturated during the super spreader event of Eid al-Fitr.

Those who could get infected got infected, says Dr Khan. Those who were not at risk, they never came on. So mainly everybody who was most susceptible got infected up front.

A second wave

That does not mean, however, that the danger of the coronavirus epidemic has entirely passed, they warn.

On August 14, Pakistans Independence Day, citizens across the country were seen taking advantage of the lifting of restrictions to gather in large crowds, celebrating in the streets of major cities while popping off fireworks or dancing to patriotic songs.

And this week, the country will see a large number of daily religious gatherings to mark the first 10 days of the month of Muharram, culminating in processions to mark Ashura, an event of great religious importance to Muslims from Shia and other sects.

Both events, experts say, offer a particular danger: The potential cross-pollination of networks, exposing people to a vast number of people who are outside of their regular interactions, allowing the highly contagious virus to potentially find new avenues to infect pockets of those susceptible to it.

The networks were all saturated [after Eid-ul-Fitr], but the thing about the big events like easing lockdown or August 14 or Muharram, what they do is mash peoples networks together, explains Dr Khan. So will there be a cross-pollination of infections across networks?

We are not ready for a second wave. Dr Seemin Jamali, executive director of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre

Dr Mahmood agrees, warning that authorities will have to be vigilant for a possible second wave of rising new infections in September.

[At these events] there is less mingling within your social group, and more outside, youre more likely to meet people outside your group, so there is more chance therefore of new introductions into new networks, he says.

Schools, too, could be a source of second wave infections, he says, with most educational institutions due to reopen countrywide in mid-September.

Children are a very effective vector of respiratory illnesses and drive epidemics of this kind around the world, he says.

Dr Javed, however, is more optimistic about the prospects of Pakistan having gotten over the worst of its epidemic. She conducted what has so far been the countrys largest seroprevalence survey, with almost 25,000 samples in a cross-section of office and healthcare workers in the southern city of Karachi.

Her study found that 17.5 percent of her sample population either currently had COVID-19, or had developed antibodies to it from a previous infection. Extrapolated out to the rest of the country, while limiting to the specific demographics of the survey, she estimates more than 4.2 million Pakistanis have already had the virus.

Cases are continuing to decline. What is happening is that our herd immunity threshold is at a lower level, and that is because our population is very heterogeneous, she says. When a population is heterogenous, we achieve herd immunity quickly.

Others, though, are less sure of this conclusion.

If you look at herd immunity right now is actually saturation of these networks, that those in the networks have gotten it already if they were going to get it, and now we are going to see a bit more spill over into other networks, says Dr Mahmood.

Either way, for doctors on the front lines of Pakistans coronavirus response, the fear of citizens taking the falling cases as a cue to stop following hygiene and social distancing guidelines is acute.

I have a fear of the second wave because we saw the first one got very bad and so many patients lives were lost, says Dr Jamali, chief of JPMC in Karachi.

We are not ready for a second wave.

Asad Hashim is Al Jazeeras digital correspondent in Pakistan. He tweets @AsadHashim
European Union chief Michel Barnier has told EU states to be 'cold-blooded' with Britain as the Brexit trade deal deadline looms.

It comes as former Brexit Secretary David Davis has warned that the last three weeks of negotiations 'will matter more than the first three years'.

Top negotiator Mr Barnier is reportedly prepared for a bust-up next month and is concerned there could be a break-down in trade talks.

European Union chief Michel Barnier (pictured) has told Euro states to be 'cold-blooded' with Britain as the Brexit trade deal deadline looms

Mr Barnier also believes Downing Street could enter into a vicious 'blame game' over who is responsible for the lack of progress in trade deal negotiations, The Sun reported.

The EU and Britain last Friday traded blame for the lack of progress after the latest round of post-Brexit trade talks, with Brussels warning that a deal looked unlikely.

Mr Barnier lodged his warning at the close of the seventh round of trade talks, which again got stuck on key issues, mainly fishing rights and competition rules.

The UK has refused to accept EU red tape or cave in on fishing rights.

Mr Barnier dismissed a draft text drawn up by UK negotiator David Frost last week as 'unrealistic' and told EU states to remain 'cold-blooded'.

Hundreds of negotiators met over several days in the Belgian capital with both sides acknowledging a sliver of progress on technical issues - but not on the main obstacles.

'Those who were hoping for negotiations to move swiftly forward this week will have been disappointed,' Mr Barnier told reporters after the talks ended in Brussels.

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis has warned that the UK should prepare for talks to collapse as he noted: 'The last three weeks will matter more than the first three years.'

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis (pictured) warned that the last three weeks of negotiations 'will matter more than the first three years'

Britain left the EU in January, nearly four years after a landmark referendum to end almost 50 years of European integration.

Both sides are pushing to have a deal in place by the end of a post-Brexit transition period that ends on December 31.

The Europeans said this requires an agreement by October, leaving just two more months to find common ground.

If no deal is struck, ties will default to minimum standards set by the World Trade Organization, bringing higher tariffs and making onerous demands on business which threaten chaos on the cross-Channel border.
Border restrictions between some Australian states are set to be relaxed following intense pressure from locals amid Victoria's declining COVID-19 infection rate.

South Australia Premier Steven Marshall will from Friday allow residents to go to school across a 40km buffer zone on either side of the state's border with Victoria.

He also said he will re-open the border with New South Wales if the number of infections remain low - meaning travellers from NSW would not have to self-quarantine on arrival.

The 'bubble' between NSW and Victoria is meanwhile set to be loosened from 2.5km to 50km in a bid to get life back to normal for border communities.

Passengers arrive at Sydney Airport on Sunday. South Australia Premier Steven Marshall has said border restrictions could be eased further with NSW and Victoria if case numbers continue to fall in the two states

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the move would happen over the next 10 days, with further adjustments planned including extending the travel radius to 100km for the cross-border agriculture workforce.

Local council leaders have welcomed the decision, saying the decision to close the border between NSW and Victoria because of the latter's second wave of infections had thrown communities straddling the two states into chaos.

'The local community was crying out for a solution to strict border closures that are causing chaos and confusion and making it impossible to go about daily life,' Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke said.

The decision to re-open the 40km zone across eastern SA and western Victoria follows Mr Marshall significantly tightening entry rules for those on the other side of the border.

From August 21, only essential travellers from Victoria have been able to enter SA - with those crossing for education, shopping or medical needs no longer deemed to have a legitimate reason.

SA Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said the change was the result of a fall in the number of virus cases in regional areas close to SA and the availability of detailed information about those cases, including their source, and the high level of testing.

Motorists are stopped at a checkpoint at Coolangatta on the Queensland-NSW border on August 7. Queenslanders travelling to South Australia who transit through Sydney or Canberra airports will no longer need to self-isolate for two weeks

'I'm very confident it will be safe to go back to having that 40km buffer zone,' Professor Spurrier said.

'That does make life easier for a large number of people.'

In other changes announced on Tuesday, people travelling to SA from Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Tasmania who transit through the Sydney or Canberra airports will no longer need to self-isolate for two weeks.

Home gatherings in SA can also increase from 10 people to 50.

The changes came as the state government approved paid pandemic leave for workers forced to isolate or quarantine for two weeks and who don't have access to sick leave.

The $1,500 payments will also be available to anyone who needs to take leave to care for someone required to quarantine.

A separate upfront testing payment of $300 will be available for eligible workers in an identified COVID-19 cluster, who are required to self-isolate while awaiting a coronavirus test.

Health Minister Stephen Wade said the scheme provided a financial incentive for casual workers to follow public health advice and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

'The last thing we want is for any South Australian to have to make a choice between putting food on the table and protecting the community from possible infection and a potential second wave,' Mr Wade said.
NEW ORLEANS - Texas officials asked a federal appeals courts permission Tuesday to enforce a ban on a commonly used second-trimester abortion procedure  before the court rules on its constitutionality.

A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans heard arguments on the law in November 2018. But the panel had yet to rule as of Tuesday. Last week, the same panel declined a Texas motion to allow enforcement of the law while it prepares its ruling. So, Texas officials on Tuesday asked the full 17-member court to consider the matter, essentially doing an end run around the panel.

The 2017 law uses the non-medical term dismemberment abortion to describe a procedure in which forceps and other instruments are used to remove the fetus from the womb, a process the Texas Legislature declared brutal and inhumane. Abortion rights groups say the procedure, used in second-trimester abortions, is known as dilation and evacuation, and that eliminating it forces women who did not or could not get an abortion in the first trimester, to choose less safe, less effective options.

A federal judge in Texas struck down the law in 2017, leading to the appeal before the 5th Circuit panel in New Orleans.

One reason the case has simmered at the 5th Circuit for so long is that the panel that originally heard the case nearly 22 months ago put it on hold pending a Supreme Court ruling in another abortion restriction case: a Louisiana law that required doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

The Supreme Court ruled on that case in June  striking down the Louisiana law. It was an immediate victory for abortion rights supporters. However, foes of legal abortion have focused on an opinion in the case written by Chief Justice John Roberts.

Roberts had sided with the courts four liberal justices in striking down the Louisiana admitting privileges law. He said the court should stand by an earlier decision striking down another states nearly identical law. However, he also said he thought the earlier decision had been wrongly decided.

Roberts reasoning has led some analysts  and anti-abortion lawyers  to believe there is a Supreme Court majority ready to allow more restrictions on legal abortion. Texas attorneys argue that, based on Roberts opinion, the Texas ban on dilation and extraction is not an unconstitutional burden on a womans right to an abortion.

Appellate judges in other areas also appear to think the issue might be ready for another look. On Aug. 7, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a lower court order that had blocked four Arkansas abortion restrictions, including a ban on dilation and evacuation procedures. The 8th Circuit ruling said the U.S. District Judge in Arkansas needed to take another look at the issue in light of Roberts opinion in the Louisiana case.

Still, the Supreme Court, in June 2019 declined to hear arguments on a similar dilation and extraction law in Alabama that was blocked by a federal judge.

The Texas case was argued at the 5th Circuit in November of 2018 before judges Carl Stewart and James Dennis, both nominees of President Bill Clinton; and Judge Don Willett, a nominee of President Donald Trump. Willett broke with Stewart and Dennis last week, saying a stay should have been issued so the law could be enforced.

Texas new request for a stay will be considered by a full appeals court on which nominees of Republican presidents outnumber Democratic presidents nominees 12-5.
WHEN I asked my friend Oisin what he would do if he was the last man on earth, he replied: Move in to Aras an Uachtarain.

Id have a look around Daniel and Majellas house too, he continued. I nodded, knowing that the decor choices of the nations sweetheart would be too much for me to resist too.

Read More

It was one of those slow summer's evenings last August and we had spent the day slumped on the couch watching The Last Man on Earth, a show about a man who faced the same dilemma after a deadly virus wiped out the human race.

I talked about how, if I woke up to find myself a sole survivor, the introvert in me would embrace the solitude. The piercing sound of my alarm going off just before 6am, the rush to jump on an overcrowded bus, traffic jams, slow walkers clogging up the footpaths - all of it would disappear and I would be inescapably alone.

After all, that is how I almost found myself this summer. The pandemic had not quite wiped out civilisation, but once stay-at-home orders were put in place the country fell lifeless. I missed my friends and family and had developed a costly online shopping habit to distract myself from being without them (I am now the proud owner of a hot-pink ukulele that I can't play and a tower of books Ill probably never read).

But overall, I coped - as predicted - relatively well in isolation.

A survey carried out by researchers at Maynooth University and Trinity College Dublin found that for 41pc of Irish adults, lockdown proved to be a much more difficult experience. Whats more, almost half of participants said they felt lonely and were, therefore, more likely to experience mental health-related problems.

With this, I questioned what it is that makes some people more resilient to the isolation many of us endured over lockdown, and why for some, being alone soon turned into being lonely.

Alex Kumar, a British doctor who has been on expeditions to more than 90 countries, working in jungles, high-altitude mountains, and polar and desert environments, has some rich insights on this.

Read More

In 2012, Dr Kumar and 12 others travelled to the Concordia Research Station in Antarctica as part of a research mission for the European Space Agency (ESA). There, they spent almost a year examining what physical and psychological problems could arise from being in one of the most isolated and remote environments on Earth in preparation for human travel to Mars.

Isolation makes you realise quickly what you like and don't like about yourself. When you spend enough time in your own skin, you can quickly become aware of what your positives are, what your negatives are, says Dr Kumar.

With Antarctica, we got little to no training. About 10pc of people who go down there will have serious psychiatric issues, he says, But the question is, what came first, the chicken or the egg? Did they already have those issues or did being put in a foreign, alien, severe environment bring that out?

The difficulty with lockdown is suddenly the government just says, 'There's a pandemic, we're closing down the country, stay at home. People who have no preparation at all, who don't even know what coronavirus is, don't even know what a pandemic is; they suddenly just fall apart.

Like Dr Kumar, former Canadian Space Agency astronaut Dr Robert Thirsk has spent an extraordinary amount of time in isolation. Between two space flight expeditions in 1996 and 2009, he has spent nearly 205 days above the Earth. The skills he developed to help maintain health and wellbeing while in orbit are something he says has helped him withstand life in lockdown.

A lot of the repercussions of the Covid isolation, I think, are similar to what you see in space, and something we can all learn from, Thirsk says.

When we were locked down here on Earth, we have less contact with the outside world, we can expect reduced comforts of living and these kinds of stressors can result in similar things that we see in space amongst crew, he says, adding that personal problems, lethargy, mood changes and clashes between different personality types are some of the contention points that crew members can experience in orbit, like family members confined to the same space for an extended period of time.

I used the opportunity during Covid lockdown to exercise some of the skills that I've learned as an astronaut. I practised doing my share of communal tasks at home. Every member of a crew contributes to the collective quality of life, so all astronauts need to do our share of the housekeeping and the communal tasks. One of the unglamorous tasks that we do periodically aboard the space station is to remove a full waste container from the station toilet and replace it with an empty one.

It has a surprisingly positive effect on the morale of the crew, so everyone has to make sure that they do their share of the communal tasks. If you don't do it, it will be noticed. It's the same as at home during lockdown. We have to put our egos aside and take care of housekeeping duties at home - taking the garbage out for collection and doing some of the less glamorous tasks.

As prepared as Dr Thirsk was, he still longed for his family and - like many of us during lockdown - he relied on phone and video calls to make being apart that bit less painful.

That is not as good as being physically there with family members and hugging people. I missed birthday and anniversary celebrations during my six months in space. The same is true for lockdown.

Dr Philip Hyland, a psychologist specialising in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), says people will soon overcome the wave of loneliness lockdown left in its wake.

Read More

I think one of the best things that psychology has told us about human beings is that we're incredibly resilient and we're incredibly adaptive, he says. I think most people expected this pandemic to have a really bad effect on people's mental health, but what we know from other major events is that human beings react very well to these kinds of things.

I think as the world changes, as we go back to normal and back to the office, back to travelling; all these things people will adapt to again just fine.
The Lithuanian foreign minister says that the leading opposition candidate in Belarus' presidential election has fled her country and is now safe in Lithuania.

Linas Linkevicius made the statement on Twitter Tuesday. It comes after Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya refused to concede defeat in Sunday's vote and dismissed the official results showing authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko's landslide victory as a sham.

She submitted her formal demand for a recount to Belarus' Central Election Commission Monday.

Thousands of opposition supporters protested against the official vote results, facing a tough police crackdown in Minsk and several other Belarusian cities.

On Monday, a protester died amid the clashes in Minsk and scores were injured as police used tear gas, flash-bang grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators. Interior Ministry spokesman Alexander Lastovsky said the victim intended to throw an explosive device, but it blew up in his hand and killed him.

Lukashenko, who has led the ex-Soviet nation of 9.5-million with an iron fist since 1994, derided the opposition as sheep manipulated by foreign masters.

Election officials said Lukashenko won a sixth term in office with 80% of the vote, while Tsikhanouskaya got 10%.

After submitting her recount request on Monday, Tsikhanouskaya said: I have made a decision, I must be with my children.

She had earlier sent her children to an unspecified European country after receiving threats.
As a U.S. citizen and permanent resident in Canada, Im writing to encourage all U.S. citizens living in Canada to exercise their constitutional right to vote in the Nov. 3 U.S. federal election. In the last presidential election in 2016, less than six per cent of the more than 600,000 U.S. citizens living in Canada cast a ballot. Many state races in that election were extremely close. Every vote counts. With the election only about 10 weeks away, its time now to get the ball rolling so that absentee ballots reach local election officials in time. Election dates and deadlines vary from state to state. Two online resources are available to Americans living in Canada: the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP.gov), and the Overseas Vote Foundation (overseasvotefoundation.org), whose easy-to-navigate website provides a simple, step-by-step way to register to vote, obtain an absentee ballot and return the ballot to election officials.

Tom Zink, North Bay, Ont.
UNSC president Indonesia says not in position to take further action on US bid to trigger return of all UN sanctions.

The president of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has said it was not in position to take further action on a bid by the United States to trigger snapback sanctions against Iran.

Indonesias UN Ambassador, Dian Triansyah Djani, whose country is presiding over the UNSC for August, made the remark on Tuesday while responding to a question from Russia and China during a council meeting on the Middle East.

The move by the UNSC president drew an angry rebuke from the US ambassador to the UN, who accused the opposing countries of supporting the terrorists.

Let me just make it really, really clear: the Trump administration has no fear in standing in limited company on this matter, US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft hit back after Djani spoke.

I only regret that other members of this council have lost their way and now find themselves standing in the company of terrorists.





It was not immediately clear whether the assessment by Indonesia would end the US push to reimpose all international sanctions on Iran.

Russias UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said he hoped the US would now drop its bid for snapback Iran sanctions, which is not only illegal, but simply will not lead to achieving the result that was envisaged by the United States.

Nebenzias deputy Dmitry Polyanskiy summed up the Indonesian assessment in a Twitter post: It means, there is NO SNAPBACK.

Last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington had formally notified the UN that it wants all sanctions on Iran restored, claiming significant Iranian violations of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six major powers that was endorsed by the UNSC.

Pompeo said the US had the legal right to snap back UN sanctions within 30 days, even though Trump had pulled out of the nuclear deal in 2018.

However, on Friday, 13 UNSC members expressed their opposition to the US move, arguing the move is void since the Trump administration had already quit the deal.

But the US argued it can still trigger the snapback process because a 2015 UNSC resolution that enshrined the deal names Washington as a participant.

On August 14, the UNSC had resoundingly rejected a US bid to extend an arms embargo on Iran beyond its expiration in October.

Ready to talk if US returns to deal

Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday said Tehran could reach an agreement with Washington if the US apologises and returns to the 2015 nuclear deal, according to Iranian state TV.

The US maximum pressure policy against Iran has been defeated, Rouhani told reporters, responding to Trumps statement saying the US could reach a deal if he is re-elected in November.

Efforts to change the Iranian regime by taking the people to the streets also failed. They found that these methods didnt work.

Rouhani added that he expects the next US administration to change Washingtons policy on Iran after the election.

Trump told supporters Sunday that if re-elected, he would reach an agreement with Iran within four weeks.
But lets take a closer look at whats going on here. Some people dont seem to like the fact that we are talking about a child who isnt Black or brown. There is the not-so-subtle suggestion that even focusing on the tragedy of his lost life is an attempt to deflect attention from the larger national conversation on racism and the mattering of Black lives, and the bigotry of Republicans.

There is the sense that if we dare to mourn this childs passing with the same passion and fervor and anger that we should give to the death of any martyred human, we are disrespecting the memory of Floyd, and Breonna Taylor, and Ahmad Aubury, and all of the other names that we have heard and stories that we have absorbed over the past five or so months. It is the crazy, tone deaf premise that we cannot care about all of the senseless crimes committed against innocent people at the same time.
That was less than two months ago. Today, one of the five leaders has fallen. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the president of Mali  the country at the center of the battle against Islamist extremists  was ousted last week in a coup detat. But an unflinching Macron is pressing on, refusing to withdraw Frances 5,100 troops from West Africa, even though extremist attacks have multiplied and victory looks like a mirage in the crescent-shaped sand dunes for which Frances Operation Barkhane is named.
Police have arrested a Maryland couple in connection to a shooting of a six-year-old boy who they say was wounded when his neighbor attempted to unload her boyfriend's gun.

The incident took place at around 7am on Sunday when Baltimore County police were called to a home in the 21200 block of Capella Court in the Baltimore suburb of Rosedale for a report of a shooting.

Responding officers found a six-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower body.

A six-year-old boy was asleep in his bed in the 21200 block of Capella Court in the Baltimore suburb of Rosedale on Sunday when police say his neighbor Deyonna Charles discharged her boyfriend's gun and a bullet went through the wall and struck the child

According to a statement from the police, the child was shot as he slept in his bed.

The boy, who has not been named, was transported to an area hospital to be treated for a non-life-threatening injury.

Detectives have determined that the gunshot came from the townhome next door where a woman, identified as 29-year-old Deyonna Charles, fired a handgun into the wall while attempting to unload the weapon belonging to her boyfriend, 28-year-old Corey Nash.

Charles was charged on Tuesday with second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm in a metropolitan area. She was released on her own recognizance following a bail hearing.

Nash was charged with possessing a firearm after a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition.

Online records indicate that Nash has a lengthy criminal history in Maryland dating back to at least 2010, which includes charges of assault, robbery, theft, burglary and destruction of property,
Mark and Patricia McCloskey, residents of St. Louis, Mo., who brandished firearms at Black Lives Matter protesters who had trespassed in their gated community, warned that Democrats want to abolish suburbs in their speech to the Republican National Convention.

Democrats want to abolish the suburbs altogether by ending single-family home zoning Patricia McCloskey said. This forced rezoning would bring crime, lawlessness, and low-quality apartments into now-thriving suburban neighborhoods.

She then suggested that if Joe Biden is elected, These are the policies that are coming to a neighborhood near you. So make no mistake: no matter where you live, your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats America.

President Trump will defend the God-given right of every American to protect their homes and their families, Mark McCloskey added.

The McCloskeys were charged by St. Louis attorney general Kim Gardner with felony unlawful use of a weapon after brandishing their firearms on their lawn, with demonstrators passing by their house. Republicans have condemned the charges, and Missouri governor Mike Parson has vowed to pardon the couple if they are convicted.

Trump has made retaining single-family housing a campaign issue. In late July, Trump ordered the repeal of an Obama-era regulation known as the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, which required local governments to prove that no federal funds reach housing developments that implement zoning laws considered discriminatory against minorities.

Without the AFFH, local governments have more leeway to determine their own fair housing practices. Opponents of the move said the repeal of AFFH would allow for more segregation and discriminatory practices against minorities.

More from National Review
Wisconsin's governor has declared a state of emergency following ongoing unrest in Kenosha after police shot Jacob Blake multiple times at close range, leaving him paralysed, according to his family.

Governor Tony Evers condemned vandalism and buildings being torched amid demonstrations against police violence as he announced that the state's National Guard presence will double to 250 troops following Monday night's protests.

"We cannot forget the reason why these protests began, and what we have seen play out over the last two nights and many nights this year is the pain, anguish, and exhaustion of being black in our state and country," he said in a statement. "As I'll reiterate today, everyone should be able to exercise their fundamental right  whether a protester or member of the press  peacefully and safely. We cannot allow the cycle of systemic racism and injustice to continue. We also cannot continue going down this path of damage and destruction."

The city's police department has released scant information about the shooting and the state's Department of Justice announced it will investigate.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump revealed on Tuesday that Mr Blake is paralysed from the waist down following the weekend shooting.

Mr Blake reportedly had tried to break up a fight on Sunday and was leaving the scene when police arrived. But in widely shared video of the shooting, Mr Blake is seen walking to his car and opening its driver's side door before police fired several rounds into his back.

Three of his children were reportedly inside the car at the time.

Mr Blake's father, also named Jacob Blake, told reporters on Tuesday that the shooting amounted to "senseless" attempted murder.

"They shot my son seven times" he said, holding back tears. "Seven times. Like he didn't matter, but my son matters. He's a human being and he matters."

He told the Chicago Sun-Times that his 29-year-old son that doctors do not know whether his condition is permanent.

Adria-Joi Watkins poses with her second cousin Jacob Blake in a photograph taken in September 2019 (AP)

"I want to put my hand on my son's cheek and kiss him on his forehead, and then I'll be OK," Mr Blake Sr told the newspaper. "I'll kiss him with my mask. The first thing I want to do is touch my son."

The family's attorney Patrick Salvi said that a bullet may have struck Mr Blake's spinal cord as he detailed his extensive damages from the shooting.

"He has holes in his stomach," he told reporter. "He had to have nearly his entire colon and small intestines removed. He suffered damage to his kidney and liver and was also shot in the arm."

The shooting followed weeks of Black Lives Matter protests galvanised by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the deaths of several unarmed black Americans throughout the summer, as well as older police killings that have received more mainstream attention as protests have renewed demands for justice.

Police fired tear gas at protesters in Kenosha on Monday night as several structures and vehicles were engulfed in flames.

Julia Jackson, Mr Blake's mother, told protesters to "take a moment and examine your hearts".

"As I was riding through here, through this city, I noticed a lot of damage that doesn't reflect my son or my family," she told reporters. "If Jacob knew what was going on as far as that goes, the violence and the destruction, he would be very unpleased."
PHILADELPHIAAs the coronavirus pandemic wears on with no end in sight, Tony Salvatore keeps hearing from more and more young adults in crisis.

They call the Montgomery County Suicide Prevention Team hotline about having their work hours cut, losing their jobs, and not being able to find work as more businesses close. They call with their worries about not being able to graduate on time. They call because their colleges can't tell them what they need to know about maintaining scholarships or returning to classes.

"Young adults are totally overwhelmed by everything," said Salvatore, the chairperson of the team. "They're not so much concerned about getting COVID-19 as they are about the effect that it has had on their lives and the lives of people around them."

The increase in calls he has noticed over the last two months reflects how mental health among Americans has continued to deteriorate, especially among young adults, as well as in Black and Latino people of all ages.

A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier this month found that among 5,400 respondents, nearly 41 per cent reported at least one mental or behavioral health condition, such as symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma or increased use of substances to cope. Anxiety symptoms reported between June 24 and 30 were three times as prevalent as the second quarter of 2019, and depression was four times as high. Young adults in particular were affected nearly 75 per cent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 24 reported experiencing at least one behavioral or mental health symptom.

A quarter of young adults reported that they had thought about suicide in June, compared with nearly 11 per cent of respondents overall reporting they were seriously considering suicide in the 30 days before completing the survey, doubling pre-COVID-19 rates. Black and Latino people, caregivers, and essential workers were particularly vulnerable to such thoughts.

Hector Colon-Rivera, medical director of the Asociacion Puertorriquenos en Marcha Inc. (APM) Behavioral Health Program, said mental health is worsening in Latino populations because of a lack of resources. He said Spanish-speaking communities often receive information later than English-speaking ones.

"That causes people to be anxious," said Colon-Rivera, whose nonprofit organization is dedicated to behavior and substance use disorder services in the Hispanic communities of the Philadelphia region. "It's already hard for this community to be apart, coping with the fear of being infected. Not having information, or access to Spanish-speaking doctors over telehealth, increases someone's chance of becoming depressed."

Lily Brown, director of the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania, said it was not surprising that social isolation is affecting the mental health of young people.

"Forging and maintaining social connections is extremely important to a sense of independence in late adolescence to early adulthood," Brown said. "A lot of folks in this age range are facing fears about what their future is going to look like. People feel like this time is ticking by, which has led to a tremendous amount of uncertainty, which really breeds anxiety."

Plus, not having a firm work, academic, and social schedule can be a big predictor of depression, Brown said. Adolescence and young adulthood is when people learn how to effectively manage emotions and stressors, and having to learn how to do so in a less-than-ideal environment is extremely difficult.

Many people have a mental image of what they're supposed to be doing, which they compare to what they're actually doing. When those two images are off, there can be an effect on mental health, she said.

"Reality is totally different from the mental images people had just six months ago," Brown said. "There's really no end in sight for many of us. Young people are wondering, 'How long is this going to go on for? When can we really start to live our adult lives?' And no one has a compelling answer."

Brown said that if parents or caregivers notice that a young person is struggling, they should encourage them to consider teletherapy sooner rather than later. Changes in behavior can be a sign that someone needs professional help, she said.

"One of the biggest predictors that someone's mental health is starting to take a hit is a lack of future planning," Brown said. "We want to see young people thinking about their future, even if some of the pieces of the puzzle are missing right now. When youth start to think hopelessly about the future, that's when risk elevates."
County health officials in North Carolina fired off a warning to the Republican National Convention Monday after participants in the nominating 'roll call' appeared not to be wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

'I have just shared concern about the lack of mask wearing and social distancing in the room at the RNC Roll Call Meeting with the RNC Convention staff,' Mecklenburg County health Director Gibbie Harris said in a statement Monday.

'I have been assured that they are working hard to address these issues. All attendees agreed to comply with the requirements prior to attending and were informed that these requirements would be enforced,' she added, in a statement obtained by WSOC, the local ABC affiliate.

The admonition came after groups of delegates could be seen on the live-feed of the event failing to wear masks and standing closely together.

County health officials contacted the GOP Convention to warn about a lack of social distancing and mask wearing during the roll call vote that nominated President Trump

Gibbie Harris, the health director in Mecklenburg County, contacted the RNC

A large group of unmasked people could also be seen greeting President Donald Trump as he landed in North Carolina for a surprise visit to the convention hall, culminating in a speech that ran nearly an hour.

The party ended up drastically curtailing activities in Charlotte after Trump clashed with the state's Democratic governor. An announced plan to shift the convention to Jacksonville, Florida fell apart after a coronavirus outbreak in the state.

The convention did feature long-distance speeches from Washington, D.C., where participants spoke from the Andrew Mellon auditorium.

The crowd mingles at the conclusion of President Donald Trump's speech during the first day of the Republican National Convention Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.

Delegates wait for the arrival of President Donald Trump to the Republican National Committee convention site, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte. Some could be seen wearing masks, others were not

Ivanka Trump, the daughter and senior adviser to the President, second from left, and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, right, and members of the White House staff, listen as President Trump speaks during the first day of the Republican National Convention Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.

The Missouri delegation takes a group photo during the first day of the Republican National Convention on August 24, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina

Supporters of President Donald Trump cheer as he arrives to speak at Asheville Regional Airport, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Fletcher, N.C.

Supporters packed up against barricades to greet Trump as he arrived in Charlotte

Republicans had initially planned to hold their entire convention in Charlotte

Officials tested the more than 300 delegates who came to Charlotte for COVID-19 in advance of the convention, and posted warnings about social distancing.

RNC chair Ronna McDaniel spelled out some of the steps being taken to protect delegates.

'We tested everybody before they came to Charlotte, we tested everybody onsite,' McDaniel told CBS 'Face the Nation,' the Hill reported.

'We are doing things that allow people to live their lives, have a convention and do it in a healthy and safe way, which most Americans are doing,' she continued.
Tropical Storm Laura is currently crossing Cuba and is expected to move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico overnight. There are still lingering uncertainties about its exact path, but here are five keys takeaways from the latest forecast:

The National Hurricane Center's 4 p.m. update showed the storm's center making landfall along the western Louisiana coast, near the Texas border, Wednesday night into Thursday morning. It is expected to strengthen to a hurricane, possibly as strong as a Category 2, before then.

Hurricane conditions are possible by late Wednesday anywhere from Port Bolivar to west of Morgan City, Louisiana. A hurricane watch has been issued for that area. If the storm path shifts further southwest, additional hurricane watches may be needed farther south along the Texas coast.

On Laura's current track, Houston could avoid the worst of the winds, waves, and rains, writes meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather. He cautioned that the forecast is far from certain, and the storm's path could still shift.

Based on the current forecast models, Galveston Bay and Part Bolivar could see a storm surge between 2 to 6 feet.

The mayor of Port Arthur ordered an evacuation beginning Tuesday morning for the 55,000 residents of that city on the Texas-Louisiana border. City of Galveston leaders issued a voluntary evacuation for residents in low-lying areas and on the west end of the seawall.
KAMPALA, Uganda, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Airtel Uganda, together with Comviva, Airtel's technology partner, has today been announced the winner of the 2020 Digital Wallet Innovation Award, Airtel Uganda was the overall winner of the 'Market Adoption' category. Airtel Uganda and Comviva were also declared the Grand winner out of the five winning firms. The grand prize was presented for the first time this year by Aite Group.

The recognition by Aite Group, a global research and advisory firm, was presented virtually during the Mobile Payment Conference held on Monday.

Aite Group annually recognizes innovation by digital wallet providers that are changing the way commerce is done. The winners are selected by a global panel of independent experts on digital payments and wallets.

Digital wallets are becoming the engines of commerce, and with the COVID - 19 pandemic, their importance to consumers is great than ever," said Thad Peterson, senior analyst at Aite Group. "And as can be seen with Airtel Money Uganda, they have the power to move complete economies," said Peterson.

Commenting about the award, Airtel Uganda Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Amit Kapur said, "This award recognises our effort towards making Airtel Money a world-class service, and Airtel Money's revolutionary impact on increasing financial inclusion, digitizing payments and creating a digital cash-lite Uganda. The award has come at a right time, when Airtel Africa is celebrating its 10th Anniversary."

"At Airtel our aim is to leverage the transformative power of mobile money to enrich the lives of people. Hence, in the last few years we have evolved Airtel Money by introducing new services, expanding the Airtel Money agent network and adding new partners," further added Amit.

Airtel partners with multiple utilities providers, billers, merchants, businesses, international remittance partners, Commercial banks and the Government of Uganda to facilitate payments and collections for these partners and facilitate the public make payments to these services.

The rich portfolio of services is complemented by an expansive Airtel money distribution network of over 102,000 active Airtel money agent and over 850 active and dedicated Airtel Money Branches spread across Uganda, providing last-mile services like cash deposit, withdrawals and customer support services to Airtel Money customers. Airtel Money Uganda is powered by Comviva's mobiquity Money platform.

"We are glad to be the technology partner of Airtel Money in Uganda and are happy to support Airtel's mission of providing swift, seamless and secure digital financial services that are helping people to live better lives. This award validates our ability to bring innovative fintech services to the forefront in emerging economies. We are happy that mobiquity Money is leading the way in digitizing economies and impacting lives of millions of people globally," said Suresh Khosla, Head of Airtel Business at Comviva.

For further enquiries, please contact:

Sumin Namaganda

Airtel Uganda

M: +256752600678

Email: sumin.namaganda@ug.airtel.com

OR

Sundeep Mehta

PR & Corporate Communications

Comviva Technologies Ltd.

Contact: +91-124-4819000

Email: pr@comviva.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/995982/Comviva_Logo.jpg
Importance of rainfall highlighted for tropical animals

URBANA, Ill. - Imagine a tropical forest and you might conjure up tall trees hung with vines, brightly colored birds, howling monkeys, and ... rain. Indeed, precipitation patterns, along with temperature, dictate where tropical forests are distributed around the world, but surprisingly, scientists know very little about the direct effects of rainfall on animals.

A new conceptual framework, developed by University of Illinois and Kansas State University researchers, calls for the scientific community to formally consider the role of precipitation in an organism's ecological niche - the set of biological and environmental factors that optimize life for a given critter.

"We understand exactly how most animals respond to temperature, but the same is not true for rain," says Alice Boyle, associate professor in the Division of Biology at Kansas State and lead author on the Trends in Ecology & Evolution article. "When animal biologists see rainfall effects in their studies, they assume it must be about how plants are responding to rainfall and how that affects the food supply for the organisms they're studying. But there can be direct physiological consequences of rain related to feeding behavior, predation, pathogens, and more. There's a lot more going on than food supply."

In the article, Boyle and co-authors Elsie Shogren and Jeff Brawn propose and define what they call the hygric niche: the collection of physiological, behavioral, and ecological processes and interactions predicting how endothermic, or warm-blooded, organisms perform under a given precipitation scenario.

"Prior to this, there was no unifying conceptual framework to understand why responses to precipitation might differ between species or even within the same species, depending on the location of the study," Boyle says. "We've heard from scientists who have said, 'Wow, how come I've never thought about this before?' I think this new framework is probably going to change the way many people study the distributions, physiology, and demographic responses of endotherms."

Brawn, professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at Illinois, adds, "This concept has implications for conservation of sensitive organisms, long term. In terms of planning where to invest conservation dollars or where to prioritize habitat, we should be looking at rainfall refugia where precipitation regimes are likely to stay intact over time."

Because the effects of temperature and moisture are so difficult to disentangle, the team developed the concept of the hygric niche using decades of bird and mammal research from the tropics. Temperature in these equatorial landscapes varies little on an annual basis, but rainfall can vary widely, with some locations experiencing distinct dry and wet seasons and others experiencing daily precipitation throughout the year. But unfortunately, in many tropical locations, these millennia-old patterns are now shifting due to climate and land use change.

"Human-caused changes to climate are resulting in some areas getting wetter, and other areas getting drier. Also, it is not just the amount of precipitation that is changing; the timing and magnitude of storms are also changing, and we have very little idea of how any of this will affect animals," according to the authors.

In their article, Brawn and Boyle describe ways in which precipitation (too little or too much) can affect organisms at the individual, population, and community levels. While rain clearly affects food supply, it also can affect foraging behavior, reproductive and population growth rates, and competitive interactions in subtle ways that might be difficult for researchers to trace back to any particular source. And even small shifts in tropical rainfall patterns could have large effects.

"Even if you can see intact forest out to the horizon, if the precipitation regimes change, the integrity of that ecosystem may be compromised. And that's concerning," Brawn says.

Although the concept was conceived with tropical systems in mind, the researchers suggest it can and should be applied to ecosystems and organisms outside the tropics, with a bit of tweaking and further study.

"I work in both tropical and grassland systems and my major focus of research in grassland birds, one of the most threatened group of birds in North America, is understanding how temporal variation in precipitation affects those populations. So the questions and the concepts are broadly applicable," Boyle says. "It's just that it was more tractable to lay them out and argue for their importance in tropical systems."

Laying out a new ecological concept requires lots of testing by the research community to identify its limitations, and that's just what Boyle and Brawn hope will happen.

"The next steps involve the research community testing key assumptions and predictions of our model," they say. "One of the hardest but most important tasks is to understand whether rainfall affects different animal species for the same or different reasons. Is it really mostly about food, or are these less-obvious physiological costs more important than we thought? Answering these questions will be crucial to doing effective conservation and climate change mitigation in the tropics."

###

The article, "Hygric niches for tropical endotherms," is published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.06.011]. The work was supported by the National Science Foundation (grant #1646806).

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences is in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois.

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, the Minister for Information, has admitted that there were errors in the NPP administrations presentation on infrastructural projects it has built since they assumed office in January 2017.



He indicated, the inclusion of an AstroTurf purportedly built by this NPP administration in Adentan, a suburb of Accra, is an error from the team in charge of verifying the projects, who might have overlooked it during their checks.



This, he said, has caused what has been described as ghost projects listed on the delivery tracker website.



Well, MMDCEs forward the dataset init turns out that it was inaccurate. Verifications were done and Im sure they missed it, he said on PM Express on the Joy News channel on Monday.



Despite some of the errors, the minister maintained, the Akufo-Addo administration had done better with its almost four-year mandate.



Even if you took out that one or give or take the 26 that our colleagues in the NDC say that they had a challenge with, some of which I have seen tonight [and] even online, people go back to those places and say that but that cant be true. We see these projects and put some of the videos online.



The challenge has been to the colleagues on the other side to produce a database of how many projects they have done so that you can do the comparisons, he said.



Oppong-Nkrumah averred that the total number of projects disputed by the opposition is only a small fraction of the verified ones.



I am saying even if you discount 334, that is 17,000 infrastructure projects still out there, he stressed.



Sammy Gyamfi, the NDCs National Communications Officer, told journalists at a press conference on Monday, August 24, that, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumias infrastructure presentation on Tuesday, August 18, was a cocktail of blatant falsehoods, ghost projects, and stolen projects.



According to him, it was a deliberate attempt by Dr Bawumia together with President Nana Akufo-Addo, to distort the facts.

Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhonda Brinkley-Kennedy, PsyD, recently accepted the HOPE award for Education and Training at the 6th annual SCRIPT conference held virtually in early August. The first annual Summit on Community Resiliency, Intervention, Prevention and Training (SCRIPT) was presented by Psycharts, Inc. in partnership with PCITI in 2015. It provides an opportunity for professionals and community members to come together to address social issues on a local level.

The HOPE Awards at the SCRIPT conference are special awards, given to recognize individuals who have inspired others in three specific categories  Education and Training, Community Engagement and Innovation Type. A new award, Lifetime Achievement, was recently added.

Brinkley-Kennedy is dean of Education Transformation and Strategic Alliances at Union Institute & University and leading the university's continuing education programs. She is also the Founder and CEO of the South Central Training Consortium, Inc., a non-profit agency designed to provide mental health services to South Los Angeles residents and training opportunities to graduate level psychology students.

"I am very honored to receive this award and to join all the other recipients whom I have long admired and respected," Brinkley-Kennedy said. "Instead of considering these as a recognition of what we have accomplished in the past, I hope we will all look at these awards as an incentive to continually improve our future work."

In addition to the HOPE Award, Brinkley-Kennedy has received many other awards for her work and contributions, including a distinguished alumna award from Pepperdine University where she earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling. She is very well known for her community activism and spends time working as a consultant with various non-profit agencies designing and supporting mental health training programs.

About Union Institute & University

Union Institute & University offers educational programs for adults who wish to achieve their professional goals and pursue a lifetime of learning, service and social responsibility. Since its founding in 1964, Union has been a leader in the development and delivery of high-quality undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs designed for busy adults. Students can choose to complete their studies online, in the classroom or through a blend of the two, depending on the program and location.

A private nonprofit institution, Union is a regionally accredited international university with academic centers located in Ohio, Florida and California.

To learn more about Union Institute & University, visit www.myunion.edu or call 1- 800-861-6400.

SOURCE Union Institute & University

Related Links

https://myunion.edu


Firefighters Cody Nordstrom, Kyle Harp and Robert Gonzalez, from left, of the North Central Fire station out of Kerman, Calif., look up at a water-dropping helicopter while fighting the CZU Lightning Complex Fire on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Bonny Doon. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

This town northwest of Santa Cruz is known for its wineries, rugged redwood canyons and a Scottish name said to originate from a Robert Burns song.

Many of its 2,600 residents prefer that the world leave them alone  except when an explosive wildfire is raging through their unincorporated community.

Getting little initial help from outside fire agencies, about 50 Bonny Doon residents decided to stay behind in a bid to save homes from the CZU Lighting Complex fire.

Weve been battling it, kind of a ragtag outfit, Mike Zucker, 70, said Sunday. He said many residents were used to living under the threat of fire and were prepared with water tanks and hydrants.

Peter Koleckar sees home burned in his neighborhood in Bonny Doon, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

They basically created their own small fire department, said Zuckers nephew Joel Kauffman, 44, who owns a house in Davenport and currently lives in Hawaii. Theyve got Google Docs, theyre paying attention to weather forecasts and exit routes  theyre extremely well organized. If they hadnt done this, countless more homes would have burned.

On Friday, a drive up Alba Road from Ben Lomond to Empire Grade, in Bonny Doon, revealed a post-apocalyptic scene, with the skeletons of trees curled down toward the ashy, wind-swept ground, black and charred. Blown-out shells of water tanks and propane tanks dotted the landscape.

It is not known how many Bonny Doon homes burned last week, but residents were ordered to evacuate  critical since the community is known for its narrow canyon roads, where people and firefighters could easily be trapped in a firestorm. Last Thursday, authorities feared that the fire would continue to rage south into nearby UC Santa Cruz, prompting authorities to evacuate the campus.

Nonetheless, some people stayed, and some stayed to fight flames. Several in Kauffmans family were working as members of the improvised crew, and have been toiling for days straight without a break.

Theyve got squads, scouters on motorbikes, chainsaws, bulldozers, he said. Theyre creating their own fire lines with very little to no support from Cal Fire.

Story continues

A fire-damaged home is seen in the Pineridge subdivision in Bonny Doon. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press)

"While there were some Cal Fire crews in the area working hard to fight the blaze, there simply havent been enough of them," Zucker said.

But things appeared to shift Sunday afternoon, when multiple strike teams arrived and helicopters started dumping water from a nearby pond on the community, he said.

Stacie Brownlee, fire chief from the nearby town of Ben Lomond, said that after news stories publicized the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's lack of support in the area, the agency began sending in minimal reinforcements.

Thats really turned things around, Zucker said over the crackle of walkie talkies, which he and other residents have been using to coordinate.

As the fire pushed up from the east, the improvised crew had focused their effort on keeping it from going down into the steep, overgrown Laguna Canyon to the west, which would have funneled the flames toward more homes, including his own, he said.

A fire burns near a structure along Pine Flat road in Bonny Doon. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)

That would have been a disaster, he said. Theres so much fuel it would have burnt considerably further and jeopardized our house.

They were successful in digging a containment line that stopped the fire before it reached the canyon.

"Everybody was kind of armed with a chainsaw, Zucker said. Lots of shovels. The bulldozers being able to make firebreaks.

Once the fire line was bulldozed through, residents monitored the area to put out small spot fires that kept creeping over, he said. They put out flames on one of his neighbors houses three times, he said. It was still standing Sunday.

As word spread of their fight, people snuck through roadblocks to deliver supplies or to lend a hand.

There are supply chains; theres people delivering food, Kauffman said, noting two of his in-laws were headed up there Sunday afternoon. Its far from an unorganized group.

A firefighter walks along a smoke-filled road in Bonny Doon. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

For firefighters in Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek, the residents' presence is concerning, and also confusing. Stories of people on motorbikes and vans entering the evacuated area to loot abandoned homes have made it hard for the firefighters to know who are residents  or thieves.

"It just adds to the mess up here," said Todd Ellis, a captain with Ben Lomond's fire district, as he pointed to two motorbikes speeding down Empire Grade.

By the time the added professional help arrived Sunday, it had been nearly a week since the fire raged into Bonny Doon, sparked by a siege of dry lightning strikes that lit up swaths of Northern and Central California.

Cal Fire said it had crews in the community throughout the week but that the agency has also been forced to contend with serious resource shortages due to the multitude of fires burning.

The number of firefighters assigned to the CZU fire had increased to 1,349 by Sunday morning after hovering at about 600 for several days earlier in the week, said Daniel Potter, a Cal Fire a public information officer.

So in the past few days we have more than doubled the initial firefighting force that was originally on this fire, he said. Still, when units get here, well gladly take them, but there's no saying when theyll get here.

Firefighters have also been hampered by a shortage of hand crews due in part to a lack of inmate firefighters, he said.

Thats always been a problem lately especially now that the whole COVID thing is going and the early release to help minimize the chance of people spreading it in the camp system, he said.

Even with the added resources that arrived Sunday, Zucker said he planned to remain behind. He was apprehensive about a storm system forecast to hit the area starting Sunday night, but fortunately, the weather system proved mild.

We know that of course the professionals dont want amateurs in their way, Zucker said. But when there werent any professionals up here, we really had no choice.
As we look at the success of New Zealand's pandemic efforts, we cannot overlook what New Zealand has done around its violent and colonial past. It has been working as a nation with truth and reconciliation since the 1970s. A leader like Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is not made, she is elected.

We have reached a national impasse. The U.S. will never truly move forward if we do not make serious, soulful, massive reparations  financial, emotional, spiritual and otherwise. And we will continue to be a divided nation until every white person of conscience seeks to understand the breadth of his or her power to make these changes.

This year could the beginning of a great atonement for white Oregonians. Oregon was built as a haven for whiteness, exterminating indigenous peoples with abandon, welcoming Black people and immigrants only when it suited white purposes, and rewarding their contributions with violence and oppression. I applaud Gov. Kate Browns efforts to create a Racial Justice Council, but we need much deeper healing than that. Government needs to lead the way in the atonement for these actions so we can transform our cities, state and nation. This kind of transformation will happen only with acknowledgement of history, ceding power, and having faith that the truth is what will set us all free.

Erin Carney Moline, Portland
I first encountered hatred as a Jew in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, when I was 11 years old in 1969. Without provocation, two boys called me a dirty Jew in the hallway of my school. Sneering, they punched me in the face and body and knocked me down. I cried going home.

Incidents like these led me to begin investigating my heritage. My parents were secular Jews who never mentioned our past. They never celebrated Passover or attended synagogue. My father died when I was 10.

While researching my family roots, I made a sad discovery in a book of remembrances that listed victims of the 1941 Babi Yar ravine massacre, which happened near Kiev. Nazi death squads took more than 30,000 Jews (including children), stripped them naked, and led them to the bottom of the 50-foot ravine, where they were slaughtered with machine guns. My grandfather, aunt, and two cousins were among the dead. Thousands more died the same way through 1943.

Ukraines Communist government suppressed details of the massacre. For a long time, even acknowledging the Holocaust was taboo. Finding that millions of Jews were murdered in Nazi concentrations camps during World War II shocked me.

The government was well known for its anti-Semitic attitude, and it treated us as second-class citizens. We always knew rejection. Officials stamped Jew on my identity card and student records. The KGB monitored Jews attending Sabbath services.

As a teenager, I heard about a group of young toughs beating up someone I knew, yelling, Hitler should have killed all of you! Hatred against Germans poured into my heart.

Peace with God

Because universities in Ukraine only accepted a small number of Jews, mainly for scientific or engineering studies, I decided to pursue a profession that did not require mathematics. I was no good at figures, so photography seemed like the best career choice following my military service. Haunted by prejudice, I needed to prove I was worth something.

In the army, I met another man named Anatoli. He was honest and humble, the kind of good worker who didnt curse or get drunk like so many soldiers did. Anatoli was the first Christian I had ever met, and he told me about his faith in Jesus. I liked him, but I pushed away his religious ideas. Like many Ukrainian Jews, I considered myself an atheist.

After leaving the military in 1991, I enrolled in the Kiev Technical Institute for Photography, where I met my wife Irina. As a student, I worked for magazines and newspapers, but this brought little satisfaction. To help fill the void, I tried every pleasure: alcohol, smoking pot and hash, partying, and sex. I even cheated on Irina. And I explored different world philosophies, including occultism and Eastern religions. But nothing brought me any closer to fulfillment. Clearly, something was missing from my life.

God intervened when I visited my mother. On a table in her living room, I noticed a book called Betrayed! A Messianic congregation in Kiev had just mailed the book with a phone number inscribed. The author was Stan Telchin, a successful American Jewish businessman. In the book, he described how angry he was when his daughter came to faith in Jesus. He tried disproving her experience, but in the end he came to faith along with his wife and family.

The books message challenged me. This was the first time I learned about a Jew believing in Jesus. Telchin had found a purpose in life that I lacked, but without betraying his Jewish heritage. Irina read his story as well.

We called the synagogue in Kiev and decided to attend a service during Passover. The congregation rented space in an old movie theater. Feeling uncomfortable, Irina and I sat in the rear, afraid to be noticed. The 100 or so people there were joyful, and I was surprised seeing Jews worshiping together.

Article continues below

An Israeli man preached on Yeshua and the love of God. During his sermon, a vision suddenly appeared in my mind. In it, I saw a backpack strapped to my shoulders, loaded with problems and cares, with unanswered questions, with my search for fulfillment and all my sins. It was heavy and pulling me down. Then a road appeared, leading to a Jewish man hanging on a cross. Somehow, I knew the only way I could get rid of the backpack was following that road.

When the sermon ended, we knew we could not leave until we found peace with God. Irina rushed to the altar, where people surrounded her with praying. She stayed a long time and gave her heart to Christ, the Messiah.

Watching the spectacle somewhat fearfully, I ran to the altar and grabbed the lapels of the speakers leather jacket. Staring into his eyes, I pleaded, I want peace with God, but get this backpack off me! At first he assumed I was mentally disturbed and wished to harm him. But then, realizing my sincerity, he said, Tell God about your backpack experience. And so I did, asking God to forgive my sins in what Im sure was a laughably childlike manner.

Mission to Germany

Right away, I knew everything in my life would change from that day on. Irina and I were baptized a few weeks later, along with 23 new Jewish believers. We continued worshiping with the congregation and grew spiritually as we fed upon the Bible.

Meanwhile, the Soviet Unions final break-up in December 1991 created lasting turmoil. Our future looked hopeless. The economy collapsed. Good jobs didnt exist, food was scarce, and the long-term health effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster troubled us, especially for our daughter Alexandra.

With anti-Semitism rising, we decided to leave Ukraine for Israel. However, relatives warned us against coming because of the Persian Gulf War. Germany seemed like the best alternative. The German government opened doors welcoming Jewish immigrants from Russia. I only wanted to stay there temporarily, but God had another plan.

We sold our household possessions, and in June 1992 we arrived at the immigrant center barracks in Stuttgart. Learning German proved difficult, but I found help by using a Gideon New Testament I discovered in a trash dump. Riding the subway to language school for eight months, I asked commuters to explain the meaning of words I was reading. Although they obliged, they questioned why I was reading the New Testament. This opened opportunities for sharing my testimony.

During the first week in our new country, I met a Russian-German Christian who helped me understand the Bible and encouraged me to start a Messianic home group. From eight people meeting twice weekly, we grew to the point of renting a larger room from a Baptist church. Unfortunately, officials in the state Protestant churches refused us. They warned, You should not tell Jewish people about Jesus.

Eventually I met a missionary couple from Holland who encouraged me to lead a Messianic movement in Germany. Although I was somewhat skeptical, I took a step of faith, leaving my photo-lab job in 1994 to launch Evangelical Ministry for Israel. Initially, I sponsored summer camps for Jewish youngsters and a national Messianic conference. The first conference attracted only 25 people, but it has grown ever since. I also visited camps popular with Russian Jews.

One year after starting my ministry, during a family hiking trip to the Black Forest, an incident brought home why God had called me to this work. Returning to our car, I noticed a woman staring at the rear sticker, which displayed three symbols: the Christian fish, the star of David, and the Menorah. When she asked about the meaning, I gave my testimony as a Messianic Jew. Tears painted her cheeks as she revealed how the Gestapo killed her father for hiding a Jewish family in her home during the war. I could see that, even as a German, she also suffered under the Nazis, and did not blame the Jews for causing her fathers death.

Article continues below

God used that moment to shatter every bit of my lingering hatred toward Germans. And it renewed my desire to bring reconciliation between Jews and Germans through Christ. In 1998, Evangelical Ministry for Israel established one of the first Messianic congregations in Germany. Now there are 40 growing congregations and groups across the country, four of which I supervise. Close to 200,000 Jews call Germany home, and I want to continue sharing Jesus the Messiah with them.

Anti-Semitism is growing in Germany. Hate crimes against Jews are at the highest rate since 2001. But what could happen if more Messianic Jews began telling Germans who have little or no faith about the hope of Christ?

Religious Jews often say this prayer when arising, based on Psalm 3:1-6: Dear God, I thank you that you gave me back my soul so I can live this day for you. If God wakes me up every morning, then I want to live every day in fulfillment of his will. Thats my calling.

Anatoli Uschomirski is the founder of Evangelical Ministry for Israel in Stuttgart, Germany. Peter K. Johnson is a freelance writer living in Saranac Lake, New York.
As many as 10 on Tuesday condemned the government's proposal to privatise more airports and stake sale in Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

"Granting the airports to a single business entity and group would lead to monopoly and the group will squeeze the extra revenues from passengers and airlines," a joint statement by the ten central said.

There were income leakage and loss of revenue for the Airports Authority of India at Mumbai and Delhi airports in the past, the statement said.

Hence, it said, "this privatisation of airports should be immediately stopped as it would escalate the cost of the airline travellers and airlines as well".

After the announcement by civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri on August 18 that his ministry would place a proposal for further privatisation of airports before the Union Cabinet, it rubber stamped the proposal for leasing out three airports - Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram - through public private partnership (PPP) on August 19, the statement said.

So far, 12 airports have been cleared this year for privatisation -- Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, Amritsar, Varanasi, Bhubaneshwar, Indore, Raipur and Trichy.

The Airports Authority of India owns and manages more than 100 airports across the country.

None of them is making losses, the unions claimed, adding that Thiruvananthpuram airport, the first international airport in independent India, makes a profit of Rs 125 crore every year.

"Kerala Government has offered to run it and the matter is sub-judice. Yet the Central Government is bent on preempting the Kerala Government. The Kerala Assembly passed a unanimous (including the lone BJP MLA) resolution on 24th August 2020 against handing over the Airport to Adani Group," the statement said.

Now, on August 21, there were media reports on the government's move to sell its stake in as well, the unions noted.

The unions condemn the central government's fetish for privatisation and sale of all their assets to their cronies and warn that this step is against the interests of the ordinary commuters, and urge the Central Government to withdraw its latest proposal, it added.

The ten central are INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC.

The other two central trade unions are the RSS affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU).

(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 race towards the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State has continued to hot up as Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Tuesday a...

The race towards the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State has continued to hot up as Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Tuesday asked the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Eyitayo Jegede to drop his governorship ambition on the grounds of equity.

Akeredolu who said that for Jegedes ambition to materialize, he must wait for 12 years as he stressed that it is not yet the turn of the Central Senatorial District where the PDP standard-bearer hails from.

According to Akeredolu who is seeking re-election under the All Progressives Congress, APC, it will be unfair to short change the Northern and Southern Senatorial District after the district where Jegede comes from had just ruled the state for eight years.

The governor stated this in Akure, the state capital while inaugurating the campaign office donated to him by one of the APC aspirants, Ife Oyedele.





The governor who is seeking another four-year term had maintained that the district that ought to produce the next governor for the state after his exit from office should be the Southern Senatorial District which had the privilege between 2003 to 2007 since the countrys return to democracy in 1999.
Some have speculated that a lower overall voter turnout would favor Republicans. Others say that more likely, Trump is destroying the Postal Service to undermine confidence in the election outcome. He has long hurled unfounded claims that the 2016 election was rigged because he lost the popular vote by about 3 million votes.
BANGKOK  Facebook is planning legal action against the government of Thailand for ordering the social media platform to partially shut down access to a group critical of the Thai monarchy, the company said on Tuesday.

On Monday, Facebook began preventing users in Thailand from accessing Royalist Marketplace, a Facebook group with more than a million members that was set up by a self-exiled Thai academic living in Japan.

Thailand has some of the worlds strictest lese-majeste laws, which make it a crime to criticize members of the royal family. Other legislation, including a sedition law and a computer crimes act, have also been used to target critics of the royal family, even as protesters have taken to the streets in recent weeks to call for the monarchys power to be curbed.

Buddhipongse Punnakanta, Thailands digital economy and society minister, warned this month that Facebook would be breaking the computer crimes act if it allowed Royalist Marketplace, which was founded in April, to continue operating in Thailand. The minister gave Facebook until Tuesday to restrict access to the group or pay a relatively small fine.
ROCKY MOUNT  The Franklin County School Board continued to tweak the preparations for reopening schools during an informational meeting held Monday afternoon. The first day of school will be Sept. 8.

On a 6-2 vote, the board chose to have temperature checks for students conducted at every school for students, tasking Superintendent Mark Church and his staff with the implementation plan.

Blackwater District representative Arlet Greer questioned whether imposing the cumbersome temperature checking process on the staff would even be useful. We put things into place. We have the social distancing in the classroom with the facial coverings to keep the spread down. If they are asymptomatic and are not running a fever, we cant really tell anyway, she said.

I would feel more comfortable if we did put it into place, replied Gills Creek District representative Jon Atchue, who made the motion to install them that ultimately passed. Greer and Boone District representative Donna Cosmato supplied the no votes.

The school board also discussed a plan to re-allocate $20,000 from about $1.44 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds allotted to the school division. The re-allocated money would be used to pay teachers aides to provide child care for staff members having difficulty securing such services during the pandemic.

Cosmato voiced a complaint about how this arrangement was proposed, saying school board members were notified of the program via email rather than having it presented for a vote in a public meeting. Church said he did not believe board action was necessary as the board gave staff discretion in spending the CARES Act funds.

After Cosmato raised the issue, the board held a vote, supporting the child care plan 6-2, with Cosmato and Greer voting against. Cosmato said the vote was moot as the plan was already in place, while Greer expressed a wish for the child care offerings to be available more broadly, not just to school staff.

Schools Finance Director David Terry said after the meeting that a full year of day care for the children of school employees could cost $180,000.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Karp said Palantir has "repeatedly turned down opportunities to sell, collect, or mine data," contrasting it with consumer companies "built on advertising dollars."

"The engineering elite of Silicon Valley may know more than most about building software," Karp wrote. "But they do not know more about how society should be organized or what justice requires. Our company was founded in Silicon Valley. But we seem to share fewer and fewer of the technology sector's values and commitments." Last week, the company announced plans to move its headquarters from Palo Alto , in the heart of Silicon Valley, to Colorado.

Palantir, a Silicon Valley software and services company founded in 2003 with the explicit purpose of helping the intelligence community with counterterrorism investigations, filed its paperwork to go public on Tuesday. Karp, who started the company with venture capitalist Peter Thiel, among others, railed on tech culture and practices in his letter from the CEO.

At a time when some tech companies are bowing to employee pressure to pull back from work with the government, Palantir CEO Alex Karp is loudly defending his posture.

Karp said in the letter that government agencies have been hamstrung, in part by failed tech infrastructure and that Palantir's mission is to help.

Although he did not name any such companies specifically, Facebook fits the description -- an ironic touch given that Thiel was an early investor in that company and remains on its board of directors.

"Software projects with our nation's defense and intelligence agencies, whose missions are to keep us safe, have become controversial, while companies built on advertising dollars are commonplace. For many consumer internet companies, our thoughts and inclinations, behaviors and browsing habits, are the product for sale. The slogans and marketing of many of the Valley's largest technology firms attempt to obscure this simple fact."

"Our software is used to target terrorists and to keep soldiers safe," he wrote. "If we are going to ask someone to put themselves in harm's way, we believe that we have a duty to give them what they need to do their job."

He didn't mention Google by name, but Thiel has accused the company of "seemingly treasonous" behavior for allegedly helping the Chinese government while backing down from a contract with the U.S. government after facing employee criticism.

Here's how Karp addressed the matter:

"We have chosen sides, and we know that our partners value our commitment. We stand by them when it is convenient, and when it is not."

In the risk factors section of its prospectus, Palantir identifies one potential risk as its unwillingness to work with China, which could hamper growth, given that it's the world's second-largest economy.

"Our leadership believes that working with the Chinese communist party is inconsistent with our culture and mission," the filing says. "We do not consider any sales opportunities with the Chinese communist party, do not host our platforms in China, and impose limitations on access to our platforms in China in order to protect our intellectual property, to promote respect for and defend privacy and civil liberties protections, and to promote data security."

Here's the letter in full:

I.

Our welfare and security depend on effective software.

In times of stability, the right software helps our most critical institutions serve their markets and the public. In times of crisis, effective software can be essential to an organizations survival.

Our software platforms are used by the United States and its allies around the world. Many of the worlds most vital institutions, from defense and intelligence agencies to companies in the healthcare, energy, and manufacturing sectors, rely on the software platforms that we have built.

The challenges that we face, and the crises that we have and will continue to confront, expose the systemic weaknesses of the institutions on which we depend. Our industrial infrastructure and manufacturing supply chains were conceived of and constructed in a different century. Government agencies have faltered in fulfilling their mandates and serving the public. Some institutions will struggle to survive. Others will collapse.

Our customers come to us because their technological infrastructure has failed them. The enterprise software industrys focus on custom software tools and applications is misplaced. Those approaches often only work briefly, if at all. The problems and needs of an organization often change before the software can even be deployed.

Our partners require something more. They need generalizable platforms for modeling the world and making decisions. And that is what we have built.

II.

Our company is a creative enterprise, filled with strong personalities who are immensely talented and care deeply about their work.

The culture of our company is more than a mere byproduct of the people we choose to hire. Our culture and means of organizing ourselves are preconditions for the creation of effective software.

We identify what needs to be done and organize ourselves around the outcomes that we hope to achieve. This requires that we stay flexible about who should be leading what and when.

At many organizations, employees spend their days, even their careers, posturing for others, concerned with claiming credit for success and avoiding blame for failure.

Entire companies can subsist for years on a business model that may have made sense at some point in the past. In the short term, there are often profits to be extracted from the enterprise, and from customers.

We have rejected this way of working. The alignment of interests between our employees and our company, and between our company and our customers, is one of the principal reasons we have come as far as we have.

III.

Our work and the use of our software present difficult questions.

The construction of software platforms that enable more effective surveillance by the state of its adversaries or that assist soldiers in executing attacks raises countless issues, involving the points of tension and tradeoffs between our collective security and individual privacy, the power of machines, and the types of lives we both want to and should lead. The ethical challenges that arise are constant and unrelenting.

We embrace the complexity that comes from working in areas where the stakes are often very high and the choices may be imperfect.

The more fundamental issue is where authority to resolve such questions  to decide how technology may be used and by whom  should reside.

Our society has effectively outsourced the building of software that makes our world possible to a small group of engineers in an isolated corner of the country. The question is whether we also want to outsource the adjudication of some of the most consequential moral and philosophical questions of our time.

The engineering elite of Silicon Valley may know more than most about building software. But they do not know more about how society should be organized or what justice requires.

IV.

Our company was founded in Silicon Valley. But we seem to share fewer and fewer of the technology sectors values and commitments.

From the start, we have repeatedly turned down opportunities to sell, collect, or mine data. Other technology companies, including some of the largest in the world, have built their entire businesses on doing just that.

Software projects with our nations defense and intelligence agencies, whose missions are to keep us safe, have become controversial, while companies built on advertising dollars are commonplace. For many consumer internet companies, our thoughts and inclinations, behaviors and browsing habits, are the product for sale. The slogans and marketing of many of the Valleys largest technology firms attempt to obscure this simple fact.

The worlds largest consumer internet companies have never had greater access to the most intimate aspects of our lives. And the advance of their technologies has outpaced the development of the forms of political control that are capable of governing their use.

The bargain between the public and the technology sector has for the most part been consensual, in that the value of the products and services available seemed to outweigh the invasions of privacy that enabled their rise.

Americans will remain tolerant of the idiosyncrasies and excesses of the Valley only to the extent that technology companies are building something substantial that serves the public interest. The corporate form itself  that is, the privilege to engage in private enterprise  is a product of the state and would not exist without it.

Our software is used to target terrorists and to keep soldiers safe. If we are going to ask someone to put themselves in harms way, we believe that we have a duty to give them what they need to do their job.

We have chosen sides, and we know that our partners value our commitment. We stand by them when it is convenient, and when it is not.

V.

The ability of our most vital institutions to protect and provide for the public requires the right technology.

And we believe that as a result, over the long term, the strength and survival of democratic forms of government do as well.

WATCH: Palantir to join software IPO push
By Associated Press

MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected accusations of involvement in an alleged attack on Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who is in a coma in a German hospital, a day after doctors said tests indicated that he was poisoned.

The politician's allies say the Kremlin is behind the illness of its most prominent critic, with some demanding an investigation into whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was involved.

These accusations absolutely cannot be true and are rather an empty noise, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday. We do not intend to take it seriously.

Peskov saw no grounds for launching a criminal investigation into Navalny's condition, saying that it could have been triggered by a variety of causes, and determining one should come first.

If a substance (that caused the condition) is found, and if it is determined that it is poisoning, then there will be a reason for an investigation, Peskov said.

ALSO READ | Russia medics deny outside pressure on Navalny treatment

Navalny, a politician and corruption investigator who is one of Putins fiercest critics, fell ill on a flight back to Moscow from Siberia on Thursday and was taken to a hospital in the city of Omsk after the plane made an emergency landing.

Over the weekend he was transferred to the Charite hospital in Berlin, where doctors on Monday said they have found indications of cholinesterase inhibitors in his system.

Cholinesterase inhibitors act by blocking the breakdown of a key chemical in the body, acetycholine, that transmits signals between nerve cells. Navalny is being treated with the antidote atropine.

Navalnys wife, Yulia Navalnaya, has been visiting her husband daily and made no comment to reporters as she arrived Tuesday.

Chancellor Angela Merkel personally offered Germany's help in treating Navalny and, along with other European officials, has called for a full Russian investigation. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Bieguns was expected to bring the issue up during his visit to Russia starting Tuesday.

Charite said Monday that Navalny had undergone extensive examination by a team of physicians and that clinical findings indicate poisoning with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors.

Cholinesterase inhibitors are a broad range of substances that are found in several drugs, but also pesticides and nerve agents. Charite said the specific substance to which Navalny was exposed isn't yet known but that a further series of comprehensive tests had been started.

Navalnys spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, on Tuesday said the government's reluctance to launch an investigation was expected.

It was obvious that the crime would not be properly investigated and a culprit found. However, we all know perfectly well who that is, Yarmysh tweeted.

Experts have cautioned that it is far to early to draw any conclusions about how the agent may have entered Navalny's system, but note that Novichok, the Soviet-era nerve agent used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain, was a cholinesterase inhibitor.

Cholinesterase inhibitor poisons can be given in many ways, they can be transported in many forms, and are very potent," said Dr. Richard Parsons, a senior lecturer in biochemical toxicology at King's College London. "This is why they are a favored method of poisoning people.

Dr. Thomas Hartung, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Maryland, said such substances are easy to detect, even days and weeks after the poisoning, and that "we will know soon which substance was used.

The Novichok nerve agents, which was used in the 2018 poisoning of the Russian double agent Skripal in England, also belong to this category of substance, he said. "I said at the time that the Russians could have have just left a business card at the crime scene, because the substances can be so clearly traced.
Army Chief Gen MM Naravane on Tuesday pitched for carrying out a reality check on military technologies that are required to be fielded operationally in the Indian context.

He said the Indian armed forces will have to pay adequate emphasis on the available "disruptive technologies" that have dual use and are being driven by commercial entities and innovations.

Addressing a seminar organised by the Army, Gen Naravane said that an overarching mission to identify the needs and congruence of products into military applications must form the modernisation strategy for the armed forces.

His comments came in the backdrop of the defence ministry's renewed emphasis on ensuring self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

"There is a need to carry out a reality check as to which are the technologies that are required to be fielded operationally in the Indian context," he said at the seminar on 'impact of disruptive technologies and fighting philosophy in future conflicts'.

The Army is working on a massive modernisation drive to enhance its combat capabilities in view of the evolving security challenges.

"We have to identify technologies that are feasible to be developed/procured indigenously or in collaboration, considering our indigenous technological base and costs involved in the development," Gen Naravane said.

"We need to invest in these technologies alone and work in long term for maturing and fielding of these technologies," he added.

The Army Chief also highlighted the impact of disruptive technologies in warfare and emphasised that the current modernisation drive was focused on upgrading existing weapon systems and platforms.

He recommended that an overarching mission to identify the needs and congruence of products into military applications must form part of armed forces modernisation strategy, the Army said in a press statement.

Under the theme of disruptive technologies, the seminar deliberated on the application of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics, big data analytics, quantum computing and cyber warfare in the military sphere in India.

Two weeks back, the defence minister announced a ban on import of 101 military systems and weapons like transport aircraft, light combat helicopters, conventional submarines and cruise missiles in a staggered manner by 2024 to promote India's domestic defence industry.

Following the announcement, the defence ministry has initiated a series of measures to promote the domestic defence industry.

The defence ministry has set a goal of a turnover of USD 25 billion (Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defence manufacturing in the next five years that included an export target of USD 5 billion (Rs 35,000 crore) worth of military hardware.

(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.)
More than 650 wildfires are blazing in California after unprecedented lightning strikes, storms, and a heatwave that has set new records in the state and NASA's Terra satellite captured the smoke-engulfed state on Aug. 24, 2020.

The two largest fires still burning the state are both named after the firefighting units that are battling them and the fact that both began with lightning strikes. The LNU Lightning Complex and the SCU Lightning Complex are both located in northern California. The LNU (Lake Napa Unit) Lightning Complex has burned 347,630 acres and is 21% contained and the SCU (Santa Clara Unit) Lightning Complex has consumed 343,965 acres and is 10% contained according to the CAL Fire website. These two fires are now second and third on the list of California's largest wildfires.

Even discounting these fires there are still hundreds of other fires burning across the state as can be seen in this Terra satellite image taken on Aug. 24, 2020. Red dots litter the landscape designating areas which are most likely fires--so many fires, in fact, that the dots blur together and individual fire are no longer visible.

More insidious than the fires is the smoke that rises from the landscape. This aerosol image below shows not only California being affected by the heavy smoke as seen in the visible image above, but the smoke has traveled across much of the United States affecting areas from California all the way to Minnesota and Nebraska and air currents will undoubtedly carry the smoke across the entire U.S.

The aerosol index provides information about the presence of particles in the air. According to NASA Worldview: "The Aerosol Index is a unitless range from < 0.00 [clear] to >=5.00, where 5.0 [deepest red] indicates heavy concentrations of aerosols that could reduce visibility or impact human health. The Aerosol Index layer is useful for identifying and tracking the long-range transport of volcanic ash from volcanic eruptions, smoke from wildfires or biomass burning events and dust from desert dust storms, even tracking over clouds and areas of snow and ice." In this image deep red areas can be seen in California but can also be seen as far east as Minnesota meaning the heavy aerosols do not necessarily diminish as they travel on the air currents.

NASA's satellite instruments are often the first to detect wildfires burning in remote regions, and the locations of new fires are sent directly to land managers worldwide within hours of the satellite overpass. Together, NASA instruments detect actively burning fires, track the transport of smoke from fires, provide information for fire management, and map the extent of changes to ecosystems, based on the extent and severity of burn scars. NASA has a fleet of Earth-observing instruments, many of which contribute to our understanding of fire in the Earth system. Satellites in orbit around the poles provide observations of the entire planet several times per day, whereas satellites in a geostationary orbit provide coarse-resolution imagery of fires, smoke and clouds every five to 15 minutes.

Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- He had to wait more than 80 years for it, but proud World War II veteran Isidore (Teddy) Bertone -- just weeks shy of his 95th birthday -- got the gift of his lifetime Tuesday: He was officially sworn in as a citizen of the United States.

The brief formal ceremony, which took place in the backyard of his daughters home in Richmond, moved Bertone -- and family members watching from a social distance -- to tears, as he signed off on official paperwork and raised his right hand in the oath of allegiance to the Constitution and the United States, administered by a representative of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Thank you all and God bless you,' said Bertone, after the ceremony. God bless America.

Isidore "Teddy" Bertone's family gathers around him as he says his oath with Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and Gina Pastore, field district officer with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, on Aug. 25, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/ Jan Somma-Hammel)

This was the most beautiful thing Ive ever witnessed,' declared Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore), who arranged for the ceremony in response to a letter Bertone wrote to the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com. It was amazing. Hes an American hero.

In his letter, Bertone asked for help. He explained that he was a U.S. citizen born in Italy, whose father was a naturalized U.S. citizen, but Bertone never had the paperwork to prove his citizenship. He was a citizen, but he just never got the documents, Malliotakis said.

Isidore "Teddy" Bertone's Certificate of Citizenship, August 25, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/ Jan Somma-Hammel)

She reached out to the White House and to federal immigration and naturalization authorities, who were able to retrace and verify Bertones story.

Bertone was born in Castiglione, a small village in Sicily, in 1925. Before his birth, his father, Carmelo, came to the United States without his family in 1914 and enlisted in the Army during World War I. After his fathers service during the war, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen before returning to his wife in Italy, where his son was born.

Bertone came to the United States with his mother in 1939 to escape the fascist regime of Mussolini, who was recruiting teenagers into service. They settled on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

In October 1943, at the age of 18, Bertone volunteered for the U.S. Navy during World War II. After serving for 2  years aboard the USS Zircon -- whose crew rescued American troops during the D-Day invasion of Normandy -- he was honorably discharged in March of 1946.

The issue of his citizenship papers came up when Bertones family -- his daughter, Nicole Palesano; son-in-law, George, and grandchildren, Christian, Matthew and Jillian -- traveled to Italy a few years ago to retrace their family roots.

This is a very emotional day for our family, said Bertones daughter, Nicole, after the ceremony. Were all choked up. Hes wanted and waited for this day for a long time. Hes always reminding us to never take our American citizenship -- our freedom -- for granted -- and to never forget the soldiers who died to keep our country free. Its his legacy, that well never forget.

.
The IAEA repeatedly found Iran in compliance with the agreement until last year, when Tehran began breaking the deals limits on nuclear enrichment in response to heavy U.S. sanctions following President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrawing America from the accord. Iran now no longer follows any of its limits, but continues to allow IAEA inspectors and surveillance at nuclear sites in the country.
Donald Trump; COVID-19; Coronavirus

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally | COVID-19 patient attached to a ventilator Getty Images/Salon

The Trump administration's latest effort to use COVID-19 rapid tests  touted by one senior official as a "turning point" in arresting the coronavirus's spread within nursing homes  is running into roadblocks likely to limit how widely they'll be used.

Federal officials are distributing point-of-care antigen tests  which are cheaper and faster than tests that must be run by a lab  to 14,000 nursing homes to increase routine screening of residents and staff. The initial distribution targets nursing homes in hot spots and those with at least three COVID-19 cases, senior Trump administration officials said in July, hailing it as a tool that could root out asymptomatic carriers who might still infect others.

But there's a hitch: Two manufacturers that have received Food and Drug Administration authorization and whose instruments are being delivered  Becton, Dickinson and Co., known as BD, and Quidel  say their antigen tests are intended for patients with symptoms, calling into question how valuable the tests would be for broad screening purposes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 40% of infected people may be asymptomatic.

"It's important always to use a diagnostic in the way that it has been designed to be used," said Elizabeth Talbot, New Hampshire's deputy state epidemiologist. "We simply don't know how [the tests] will perform in persons who are asymptomatic."

Perhaps the highest-profile example of the problem occurred in Ohio this month, when Gov. Mike DeWine had no symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19 with Quidel's antigen test. Within hours, the Republican governor's diagnosis was reversed after he got a PCR test.

"People should not take away from my experience that testing is not reliable or doesn't work," DeWine said on CNN after his false-positive diagnosis. "The antigen tests are fairly new," he said. "We're going to be very careful in how we use it."

Story continues

The bigger problem is false-negative results, which show someone isn't infected when they actually are. BD's false-negative rate  how often a test incorrectly says someone isn't infected  is about 15%; Quidel's is 3%.

Quidel and BD say their tests are intended to be used for people within the first five days of showing symptoms. A spokesperson for BD said its test should not be used on asymptomatic individuals. Quidel through a spokesperson deferred to FDA guidelines, which allow asymptomatic testing in certain scenarios.

"For routine surveillance, this is a great tool and these are our best tools that we have available," said Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, on a July call with nursing home officials, according to a recording obtained by KHN. Seema Verma, the administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, on the call referred to the effort as a "turning point" in the fight against the virus.

A month after the initial announcement, the Trump administration invoked the Defense Production Act to bump its contracts with the two companies to the front of the line and expedite shipments. BD will send roughly 11,000 devices and 3.75 million tests to nursing homes; Quidel and HHS declined to answer questions about its volume.

As states and the federal government move to mandate COVID testing inside nursing homes, whose patients are deemed highly vulnerable to infection and severe complications, several industry officials have said they hoped to use the tests on asymptomatic people. But many states restrict the use of antigen tests or still require lab-based testing because of accuracy concerns.

If a person with a negative test result has to default to getting a more accurate PCR test, "then we simply have just added time and cost," Talbot said. "That's a problem."

Officials said the antigen test announcement caught them by surprise, underscoring the administration's chaotic testing strategy. Separate from the federal effort, 10 states have banded together through the Rockefeller Foundation to secure 5 million tests from the two companies in hopes of curbing the virus's spread this fall.

After nursing homes receive an initial batch of tests  each facility gets between 150 and 900  they would have to buy future supplies. Medicare will cover the costs of diagnostic tests but not expenses for routine surveillance.

"I just have a lot of skepticism," said Brendan Williams, president of the New Hampshire Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the state. "Basically you're giving some lousy tests for nursing homes and you're making them pay for them. I don't see that as a win; I see that as a risk."

Public health experts have become increasingly vocal that frequent rapid testing is the best tool for stopping the virus  which has killed more than 174,000 Americans including tens of thousands in nursing care  rather than relying on more accurate lab-based tests that have been plagued by delays and shortages. In a call this month with the industry, Verma estimated that half of the country's nursing homes have experienced cases.

"I don't see an avenue where these will not help to stop transmission chains, and I don't see another option on the table for us," said Dr. Michael Mina, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a proponent of rapid tests. "It is what we need to be doing right now."

"This is better for the folks in our buildings, without a doubt," added Jason Belden, director of emergency preparedness and physical plant services for the California Association of Health Facilities.

In theory, antigen tests can serve dual purposes  diagnosing a person with a suspected infection or screening a group of people to more quickly identify sick individuals. The tests by Quidel and BD, under their FDA authorizations, can be used on certain asymptomatic individuals, including those suspected of having COVID-19 after exposure to an infected person. The companies would need additional FDA authorization to screen any asymptomatic person regardless of whether they're suspected of being sick, according to agency guidelines.

The CDC has suggested antigen tests could be useful in high-risk settings if performed repeatedly. It said there was limited data to guide using them to screen asymptomatic people.

Nonetheless, HHS recommends universal screening of nursing home residents at least once and regular screening of staff regardless of symptoms, said agency spokesperson Mia Heck, citing the fact that COVID-19 viral loads are similar between patients with and without symptoms. "Only one test in the U.S. is authorized for asymptomatic individuals," she said, referring to a PCR test from LabCorp, "yet the overwhelming majority of testing is being done on asymptomatic individuals."

"If the world were ideal we'd say, 'Oh, we want the more accurate test.' But the more accurate test takes forever to get the results back," said Peter Van Runkle, executive director of the Ohio Health Care Association, which represents the state's nursing homes.

All targeted nursing homes will receive tests by the end of September, according to federal officials, who recently announced that facilities in states with a positivity rate of at least 5% must test staff each week.

"I don't see this as a federal strategy so much as a stopgap method to bring a little relief to nursing homes," said Katie Smith Sloan, president of LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit nursing homes. "It's really tragic that we are where we are right now."

Boosted by $71 million in federal funds for Quidel and $24.3 million for BD, Quidel plans to produce 1.8 million tests weekly by September; BD will produce similar volumes by October.

"The situation is much too urgent to wait a few months so we can put bows and lipstick on the program. So we're going to build this plane a little bit while we're flying it," Giroir told nursing homes in July. "Just work with us. We want to get you what you need. And then in September, October you can get what you want."

States take different approaches in deploying antigen tests in nursing homes; in at least seven  including California, Illinois and Maryland  officials say PCR tests should still be used to confirm results or to screen patients without symptoms. In Massachusetts, nursing homes must use PCR tests to meet surveillance requirements.

In Maryland, "our goal is to screen out staff who are positive as quickly as possible, particularly asymptomatic folks," said Dennis Schrader, chief operating officer of the health department.

Maryland nursing homes can use antigen tests for weekly staff testing if there isn't an outbreak. But if at least one person tests positive for the coronavirus, all staff and residents must be tested with PCR tests.>

Related Articles
Biden says nation weary from COVID but rising with him in WH
From widely circulated videos, that shooting appears to have been the first. A man wearing jeans and an Army green shirt appeared to be running from a man when he fired a rifle. He then retrieves his phone, which at least one defendersaid online meant he was calling 911 to get the man medical assistance. But when someone nearby yells to get him, the man starts to run away. He soon stumbles in the middle of Sheridan Road as he runs from at least a dozen witnesses.
Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey and former San Francisco Dist. Atty. George Gascon (Los Angeles Times)

In the latest round of sniping in a bitter battle to decide Los Angeles County's top prosecutor, George Gascon accused Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey of violating election laws Monday, a claim met with skepticism by legal experts.

In a letter to the district attorney's office, Gascon's campaign alleged Lacey violated state criminal law and an election code by using public resources and displaying the L.A. County seal in campaign communications. Gascon's campaign alleged the violations occurred as Lacey appeared on TV to debut an advertisement critical of Gascon and during two campaign events later that month, including one where she sought an endorsement.

In each instance, Lacey appears in front of a banner that displays the county seal and insignia of the district attorney's office. Gascon, a former district attorney in San Francisco who positions himself as a progressive, will face Lacey in a November contest that has become a national referendum on criminal justice reform.

Max Szabo, Gascon's chief spokesman, who authored the letter, alleged the images were filmed at Lacey's office and used for campaign purposes, which he argued would violate laws governing the use of public resources during campaigns.

"District Attorney Jackie Lacey, a candidate for public office, has repeatedly, improperly and illegally campaigned either from a government office or with the use of taxpayer-funded equipment at home," Szabo wrote. "Additionally, her use of an official county seal in her campaign appearances gives the impression of an official action or the validation of approval and support by the County. That has the affect of undermining the integrity of this very important election."

Lacey's campaign coordinator, Walter Koch, said in each case Lacey was in her living room. She was simply using pictures from her office as a background on Zoom, the popular video-chat program that has become ubiquitous during the coronavirus pandemic.

Story continues

"Does George Gascon have anything better to do than complain about a Zoom background? D.A. Lacey is busy doing the people's work during this time of crisis," Koch said in a statement.

The California election code that Szabo cited only refers to campaign mail and documents, not television appearances or video chats such as the incidents Gascon's campaign referred to in the letter. Two election law experts also dismissed the Gascon campaign's complaints as dubious.

Bob Stern, who authored the state's Political Reform Act, noted the Government Code cited in the Gascon campaign's letter defines the use of a public resource as "substantial enough to result in a gain or advantage to the user" that would also need to have a monetary value. Stern said it was unlikely a brief appearance in an office or the use of a phone line would meet that standard.

Rick Hasen, a professor of law and political science at UC Irvine, said even if Gascon's campaign could prove Lacey was in her office at the time of the interviews or campaign appearances, it might not meet the threshold of a violation.

Based on the context from the letter, these seem to be relatively minor infractions, if theyre infractions at all," Hansen said.

Greg Risling, a spokesman for the district attorney's office, confirmed the letter had been received. He declined to comment on what action, if any, the office would take.
Frankly, we pay Zuercher a lot of money and they are out of compliance with our contract, he told the Star-Herald.

Scotts Bluff County budgeted $85,950 for maintenance and support for the coming fiscal year, according to Lisa Rien, management accountant for Scotts Bluff County

Were part of an interlocal agreement, she said, adding that the multiple municipalities agree to pay into a county-controlled fund. You can do more when you work together.

CentralSquare Technologies acquired Zuercher Technologies in 2018, as part of a merger with three other companies: Superion, TriTech and the public sector and health care business, Aptean.

Butler County Sheriff Tom Dion said the jail is hoping to have the system working by December, adding the change to Zuercher was a couple of years in the works.

Weve paid most of it, but were still holding back one payment, Dion said.

Taylor Slezak the operations assistant at Seward County Sheriff Department said, We told (CentralSquare Technologies) were not going to go live with them until they are 100% in compliance.
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI -- The Central Michigan District Health Department has issued a public health emergency order that limits outdoor gatherings in Mount Pleasant and Union Township after a recent surge in COVID-19 cases.

Effective 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, the order limits outdoor gatherings to no more than 25 people until further notice.

The local order enhances existing state orders and further restricts social gatherings in areas at increased risk for COVID-19 outbreaks since the student population returned to the local community, reads the health department statement.

Central Michigan University reported 54 new positive COVID-19 cases among students during the week of Aug. 17.

Heather Smith, executive director for communications at CMU, said there are pockets of positive cases and students with symptoms in three off-campus houses, two affiliated with Greek life, that are particularly concerning.

We are working closely with our health experts and local health department on contact tracing, which is critical for mitigating spread, Smith said. In response to these new cases, we have strongly increased our safety messaging to students and are taking steps to proactively prevent further spread.

Steve Hall, health officer for the Central Michigan District Health Department, said they have seen a large increase in cases since students returned to the Mt. Pleasant area.

Our investigations have shown that the majority of these cases had attended large social gatherings, said Hall. Restrictions on the size of outdoor gatherings, along with other preventive measures will help us reduce the spread of this virus.

Isabella County has reported a total of 297 confirmed cases of COVID-19. County data shows that in the third week of August there was a 350% increase in the number of COVID-19 cases compared to the previous week.

During that week, 92% of reported cases were among those 18- to 24-years-old compared to the first two weeks of August in which 39% of cases were among the same age group.

The university quickly identified the positive students and those who were in contact with them, directing them to quarantine themselves, CMU President Bob Davies said in a message to the community Monday afternoon.

In response to the spike, the university is ordering Greek organizations to suspend in-person activities, as well as working with off-campus housing managers to make sure no large gatherings are held. Davies reiterated the universitys threat to fine or suspend students who host or go to large parties.

Nancy Ridley, Mount Pleasant city manager, agreed with the health departments move.

We wholeheartedly support the Central Michigan District Health Officers order further limiting outdoor gatherings to protect our community from the spread of COVID 19, she said. These are not normal times and it takes all of us working together to mitigate the spread of this virus. This includes the consistent wearing of face masks and changes in how we interact and gather. Putting these safety measures in place increase the chances of our schools and businesses staying open, as well as protecting all of our residents, our communitys visitors, and our valued frontline workers.

Her sentiments were echoed by Union Township Manager Mark Stuhldreher.

Union Township supports the Central Michigan District Health Departments Health Officers social gathering limitation 100% and thank him for his leadership, he said. Whether permanent residents, students, or visitors to our community we all are the key to slowing the spread of COVID-19. If we all follow the guidance of our public health officials, we can keep ourselves, first responders, and our neighbors as safe as possible. Its up to each of us to do our part.

Anyone found in violation of the order could face a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or up to a $200 fine.

The number of local cases, guidance for employers, prevention information, testing options and more are available at https://www.cmdhd.org/novel-coronavirus.

A coronavirus message line for those with questions has established by the Central Michigan District Health Department and can be reached at 989-773-5921, ext. 1444.

Callers are asked to leave their name, phone number, county of residence, and a brief message that will be returned by a health department staff member.

The Central Michigan District Health Department serves Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola and Roscommon counties.

More on MLive:

Central Michigan University reports 54 students with coronavirus, suspends in-person Greek activities

Monday, Aug. 24: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan

Whitmer supports Big Ten, MHSAAs decisions to punt on fall football
BioAge Plans Phase 2 Clinical trial in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Clinical development plan supported by potent inhibition of PGD2 DP1 Receptor by BGE-175, activating immune-modulating mechanisms that result in 100% survival in aged preclinical models of coronavirus

BioAges proprietary human aging data links activation of PGD2 DP1 signaling to increased risk of mortality and susceptibility to infections

RICHMOND, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioAge Labs, Inc., a biotechnology company developing medicines to treat aging and age-related diseases, today announced that it has in-licensed a clinical-stage therapy with significant promise and potential in treating immune aging in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The compound, BGE-175, is a potent orally administered inhibitor of the prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) DP1 signaling pathway associated with increased risk of mortality, and susceptibility to infections. The company recently generated preclinical data showing significant immune-modulating and anti-viral activity of BGE-175 which resulted in 100 percent survival in a preclinical model of the SARS 1 virus. In addition to fully protecting infected mice from death and improving morbidity, treated mice showed a 10-fold decrease in virus in their lungs. BGE-175 has demonstrated clinical activity and safety in a large number of subjects across multiple clinical trials for another indication.

Aging is the largest risk factor for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, said Kristen Fortney, Ph.D., BioAges Chief Executive Officer. BGE-175 has the potential to restore the function of several key immune mechanisms that become dysregulated with aging, and that are critical to mount an effective response to major immune challenges such as COVID-19, SARS, and pandemic influenza. We plan to advance BGE-175 into a Phase 2 clinical trial in COVID-19 patients to evaluate whether its unique mechanism can improve patient outcomes by directly targeting immune aging.

Dr. Fortney added, Our AI-driven analysis of our proprietary human aging data maps out how the immune system is dysregulated during aging. Beyond COVID-19, BGE-175 has the potential to address other diseases driven by immune aging. BGE-175 is the second in a growing pipeline of promising therapeutics that BioAge will bring forward to treat diseases of aging.

BioAges preclinical data, obtained in collaboration with coronavirus expert Stanley Perlman, M.D., an American Academy of Microbiology fellow, and professor at the University of Iowa, shows that DP1 receptor antagonism elicits a potent protective response in a mouse model of SARS-coronavirus viral challenge.

Dr. Perlman noted, We have found over the past several years that an age-dependent increase in DP1 signaling contributes to worse outcomes in the context of mouse infection with several human pathogens. We have previously shown improved outcomes when DP1 signaling is genetically blocked, but BGE-175 is the first drug that has the same effect. BGE-175 may help counteract deleterious immune changes that occur with aging.

These preclinical data are particularly impressive and highly differentiating to support the potential of BGE-175 in COVID-19, said Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Microbiology and co-director of the Global Health & Emerging Pathogens Institute at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. While others in the field have used cellular models, BioAges preclinical data in a coronavirus preclinical model may offer more predictive translation of potential in clinical trials.

The pathways impacted by BGE-175 are linked to lifespan and healthspan in BioAges proprietary human aging data. The prostaglandin pathway, as well as several key components of the immune response to viral challenge, are significantly associated with longevity and multiple functional measures. Inhibition of PGD2 DP1 receptor signaling impacts multiple immune mechanisms, including activation of dendritic cells and NK cells, and reducing neutrophil infiltration. Preclinical studies demonstrate that BGE-175 inhibits neutrophil migration and that DP1 inhibition boosts dendritic cell function, both of which counteract known aspects of immune aging, and are also therapeutically promising for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

BGE-175 has demonstrated clear target engagement with inhibition of PGD2 signaling and safety in a large number of subjects across multiple clinical trials in another indication. Based on its groundbreaking research on the potential of BGE-175 for COVID-19, BioAge was granted a binding Letter of Intent from an undisclosed pharmaceutical company to enter into an exclusive license agreement to develop and commercialize BGE-175 for treatment and prevention of COVID-19 infections in the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, for a one-year period BioAge has the exclusive option to license additional rights for other disease indications. Under the terms of the LOI, BioAge will make an upfront payment and contingent development and regulatory milestone payments plus royalties based on annual net sales. BioAge will be responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization of BGE-175 for treatment or prevention of COVID-19 infection in the United States, Europe and UK. Further details of the agreement will be released after additional patents applications are filed.

About the BioAge Platform

The BioAge platform identifies key drug targets that will impact aging. The Companys proprietary human aging cohorts have blood samples collected up to 45 years ago, with participant -omics data that is tied to extensive medical follow-up records including detailed future healthspan, lifespan and disease outcomes. BioAge has built a systems biology and AI platform that leverages these rich datasets to identify the molecular drivers of age-related pathology. BioAges pipeline of therapies targeting these key pathways will address the significant unmet medical needs of an aging population.

About BioAge

BioAge is a biotechnology company developing proprietary drugs to treat aging and aging-related diseases. Since its founding in 2015, the Company has raised $37 million in venture capital funding from Andreessen Horowitz, Khosla Ventures, Felicis Ventures and others to back its AI-driven approach to map the molecular pathways that impact human longevity. BioAges mission is to develop a pipeline of therapeutic assets that increase healthspan and lifespan.

Source: BioAge Labs, Inc.

Contact Information:

BioAge | peng@bioagelabs.com

Media | swheeler@wheelhouselsa.com




Avalanche Food Group is expanding outdoor seating at two of its local Twin Peaks restaurants by setting up open air tents in the parking lots to provide additional safety for staff and customers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The tents, which have been set up at the Twin Peaks Kirby location at 4527 Lomitas near the Southwest Freeway, and in Webster, at 20931 Gulf Freeway, are temporarily being taken down for safety as Hurricane Laura heads toward the Gulf Coast. The tents are expected to be back up for this weekend, according to the company.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : The "dissenters" do not seem to have given up even after the Congress Working Committee decided on continuation of Sonia Gandhi as President for the time being, with the signatories to the letter, that had sought a "full-time and and visible leadership", insisting they are actually "proponents of revival" of the party as the action now shifted to social media.

Party's Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha has slammed those who are calling the 23 senior leaders who were signatories to the letter "dissenters".

"Friends we are not dissenters but proponents of revival :: the letter was not a challenge to leadership but a parchment of action to strengthen the party :: universally truth is best defence whether it be Court or Public Affairs :: history acknowledges the brave & not the timid," he said in a tweet.

Responding to this, former Union Minister Anand Sharma, who was also a signatory, wrote: "Well said. The letter was written with the best interest of the party in our hearts and conveying shared concerns over the present environment in the country and sustained assault on the foundational values of the Constitution." Stressing that India needs a "strong opposition" to confront the BJP, Sharma, in his tweet, maintained that "suggestions for party's renewal made in sincerity is not dissent" and that he wished all colleagues had read the letter.

Mukul Wasnik, another of the signatories, too joined the chorus.

"Well said. Sooner than later those who saw the letter as an offence will also realise that the issues raised are worth consideration," he said.

Kapil Sibal too spoke out. "It's not about a post It's about my country which matters most," the former Union Minister said.

IANS has reported that a day after the tumultuous Congress Working Committee (CWC)meeting, the dissenters are still unhappy because in the din, the contents of the letter were not discussed at all.

At the CWC meet, which lasted seven hours, a majority of the members focussed on the timing of the letter and connected it with the loyalty factor as they cornered four of the signatories, who were present.

However, more Congress leaders have joined the debate. Veteran leader Anil Shastri raised the issue of inaccessibility while P.C. Chacko said there should be a course correction in the leadership.

Meanwhile, to quell discontent, the Congress is likely to appoint a panel of senior leaders to assist Sonia Gandhi till she is at the helm of affairs, sources said.

Sources say that the party may appoint a panel of four persons to take important decisions.

The CWC, the party's highest decision-making body, which met on Monday, in the wake of the letter, authorised the Congress President to affect "necessary organisational changes" that she may deem appropriate to take on the challenges.
Suspect in 1988 explosion that killed 6 KC firefighters considered for compassionate release KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Nearly 32 years ago, six Kansas City firefighters were killed in a south Kansas City construction site explosion. It was one of the worst to ever shake the metro. "Pretty awesome it really, getting the bodies out of here and putting another company in service, getting the equipment ready and all that.

The deaths of half a dozen firefighters are made even more tragic becausewere arrested and jailed in the aftermath of the historic devastation.Reality check: Corruption and public demand for vengeance and 'closure' led to conviction based on flimsy evidence . . . Even worse,Read more:
PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ("DUSA"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. ("SPII") today announced that it has reached a resolution with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning the promotion of LEVULAN KERASTICK (aminolevulinic acid HCL) and BLU-U.

DUSA fully cooperated with DOJ in its investigation of a complaint filed by a former employee in September 2016.

Under the civil settlement agreements signed with the DOJ, DUSA will pay US$20.75 million to resolve allegations related to the promotion of LEVULAN KERASTICK and BLU-U. DUSA had already made a provision towards this in its Q4 financials for the year ended March 31, 2020. The settlement does not constitute any admission by DUSA of any liability or wrongdoing.

As part of the resolution, DUSA and SPII have entered into a corporate integrity agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This agreement supplements SPII's existing compliance program, which is based upon established best practices and industry standards as well as the company's global code of conduct, which can be found here. Under the settlement agreement, the DOJ has agreed not to bring any action seeking to exclude DUSA or SPII from participating in Federal health care programs.

In a separate agreement, DUSA also fully resolved all allegations made by the former employee.

Disclaimer:

Statements in this "Document" describing the Company's objectives, projections, estimates, expectations, plans or predictions or industry conditions or events may be "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward looking statements to reflect developments or circumstances that arise or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated developments/circumstances after the date hereof.

About Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Inc., (SPII):

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc., (SPII) is a subsidiary of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, the world's fourth largest specialty generic pharmaceutical company and India's top pharmaceutical company. A vertically integrated business and a skilled team enables it to deliver high-quality products, trusted by customers and patients in over 100 countries across the world, at affordable prices. Its global presence is supported by manufacturing facilities spread across 6 continents and approved by multiple regulatory agencies, coupled with a multi-cultural workforce comprising over 50 nationalities. Sun Pharma fosters excellence through innovation supported by strong R&D capabilities across multiple R&D centers, with investments of approximately 6% of annual revenues in R&D. For further information, please visit www.sunpharma.com.

Contacts:

U.S. Media:

Vinita Alexander

Tel Direct +1 609-720-8197

Mobile +1 732-258-6725

E mail [email protected]

SOURCE Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Related Links

https://www.sunpharma.com


25.08.2020 LISTEN

A Deputy Minister of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, says critics of the Agyapa Royalties mineral agreement lack the understanding of the arrangement.

He maintains the country will make significant gains from the deal.

Some stakeholders have expressed misgivings about various aspects of the deal including the target amount to be raised and the incorporation of the lead company in a tax haven among others.

But speaking on the issues surrounding the agreement on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Adu Boahen explained that the agreement will eventually lead to government raising the much-needed funds to invest in developmental projects.

He said it was inaccurate to say money for five years was being borrowed against the lifetime of mines.

That shows that they [critics] didn't really understand the transaction, the Deputy Minister said.

Of the total royalties we receive every year, 20 percent goes to the Minerals Development Fund which is the statutory requirement, he explained.

The rest is what comes to the Minerals Income Investment Fund then that amount will then be transferred to Agyapa Royalties.

Mr. Adu Boahen added that Agyapa is expected to be investing in new mining companies who are doing exploration and also in acquiring royalty streams of other gold mining companies across Africa.

A portion of that money will go to expanding Agyapa Royalties' operations. It is only the remainder that will be paid out as dividends to shareholders of which the Minerals Income Investment Fund will still be the majority shareholder, he said.

About the deal

The Government through the Minerals Income Investment Fund set up a limited liability company, Agyapa Royalties Limited to receive money Ghana is supposed to earn from gold royalties.

In exchange, the company will be raising between $500 million and $750 million for the Government on the Ghana and London Stock exchanges to invest in developmental projects.

The Minority in Parliament kicked against the deal and boycotted its approval in Parliament saying it will shortchange Ghanaians. CSOs kick against Agyapa agreement

Fifteen Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the umbrella name Alliance of CSOs working on Extractive, Anti-Corruption and Good Governance are also demanding the immediate suspension of the implementation of the Agyapa Royalties Limited.

The CSOs want full disclosure on the beneficial ownership of the Special Purpose Vehicle, Agyapa Minerals Royalties, the implementation of the deal should be deferred.

Forward thinking deal

Meanwhile, the Minerals Income Investment Fund has defended the deal describing it as a forward-thinking endeavour by the government.

The fund assured that the deal was being created with Ghanaians' best interests at heart.

The fund also stressed the significance of its standing as the majority shareholder of Agyapa Royalties Limited.

This means it will retain majority shareholder control and receive the majority of the company's dividends when declared and paid.

---citinewsroom
Prince William is the second in line to the British throne, but most royal watchers want Queen Elizabeth II's grandchild to be the next King of England and not his son, Prince Charles.

Unfortunately, this will never happen since it is against the law and not even the Queen can break the royal protocol.

According to the 1701 Act of Settlement, a monarch's heir must be a direct successor -- which is the Prince of Wales.

Although it may seem that the Duke of Cambridge might have to wait for a little longer to become the next King of the U.K., he is among the royals with the highest net worth.

Prince William Net Worth

Of course, Her Majesty the Queen is still the richest royal with a 412 million net worth, while Prince Charles is valued at $100 million.

Meanwhile, Prince William's net worth is reportedly $40 million. For what it's worth, his brother Prince Harry has the same estimated value, as Enstarz previously reported.

But how did the 38-year-old royal earned his millions?

Trust Fund From the Queen Mother

Before her death in 2002 at the age of 101, the Queen Mother kept a bulk of her estimated $89 million fortune into a trust fund to be divided for her great-grandchildren.

According to the BBC, Prince Harry and Prince William received $17.9 million from the estate of their late great grandmother; however, the big chunk of the cash went to the Duke of Sussex because his brother "will benefit financially by becoming king."

Inheritance From Princess Diana

Following the tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997, both of her sons inherited money and jewelry from their late mother.

The Telegraph noted that the Princess of Wales passed down $10 million to Prince William and Prince Harry.

The publication also mentioned that they only received annual dividends worth about $450,000 per year until they turned 30.

Military Salary

Prince William's net worth is also composed of his salary from the military when he joined the Household Cavalry in the Blues and Royals regiment in 2006. He later became a helicopter pilot in the RAF Search and Rescue Force.

Allowance From the Duchy of Cornwall

Per Forbes, Prince William reportedly earned between $68,000 and $74,000 before resigning in 2013.

Aside from the trust fund, he also receives an allowance from Prince Charles through the Duchy of Cornwall -- a number of property and financial investments by the royal family.

The Prince of Wales reportedly earned $27.4 million from the Duchy between 2018 to 2019. Prince Charles uses the earnings from the Duchy to fund his "public, charitable and private activities and those of his family," including his sons and their wives, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, as well as his grandsons, George, Charlotte, Louis, and Archie.

Interestingly, when the 71-year-old royal ascends to the throne, Prince William will be the one to oversee the duchy. With that said, the Duke of Cambridge's net worth is expected to increase more when he becomes the first in line to the throne.

READ MORE: Kanye West Kids: Surprising Meanings Behind the Names of Kanye and Kim Kardashian's Children
Federal prosecutors had their sights on Romero Butler Jr. for his alleged role in an identity-theft ring. Now, New Orleans police are searching for his killer.

Butler, 33, was the man shot to death over the weekend outside a Central Business District apartment building, his court-appointed lawyer said Monday.

Butler was killed less than three months before he was scheduled to appear at a re-arraignment hearing, where defendants often plead guilty in hopes of currying leniency in sentencing. Butlers lawyer, Joseph Raspanti, said his client had not made up his mind about whether to reverse the not-guilty plea he had entered earlier in the case. His trial date was tentatively set for early January.

As of Monday afternoon authorities had provided few details about the shooting. Raspanti said Monday he has no reason to believe Butler's slaying had anything to do with the pending case against his client, who was out on bond.

Police have only said officers patrolling the CBD who heard gunshots about 11:15 p.m. Saturday found a mortally wounded man on the ground near the corner of Baronne and Common Streets.

Homicide reported in New Orleans' Central Business District; NOPD investigating New Orleans police late Saturday were investigating a homicide in the Central Business District.

A resident of an apartment building in the 200 block of Baronne on Monday described hearing roughly 10 gunshots. The resident went downstairs and spoke with a couple of building security guards after police arrived.

The security guards said the gunman stood over the victim at one point and shot him point-blank, according to the resident, who asked to not be named. The resident said the victim also apparently lived in the building, and said at least one of the security guards claimed to have heard the slain mans last words: Something to the effect of, Dont do this to me, bro.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Attempts to contact Butler's family weren't successful Monday. But on a social media post, a man identifying himself as Butler's father said gun violence had taken his son and shattered his world.

"I love you forever," the post dedicated to Butler said. "You will be missed."

Butler was one of at least three people whom a federal grand jury charged early last year with participating in a ring that allegedly stole peoples Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses and names and used the information to create false identification cards.

Authorities said they would then use those IDs to buy luxury cars from area dealerships, putting little or no money down and then failing to make any monthly payments on the vehicles.

One of the defendants pleaded guilty in October, signing documents which contained some details of the alleged plot. Those documents implicate a number of other people who are not identified, suggesting the investigation went beyond Butler and his two co-defendants.

Butler was out on an unsecured, $100,000 bond pending the outcome of the case against him. He was one of at least three people killed in New Orleans during a weekend that much of the city spent preparing for possible impacts from Tropical Storms Marco and Laura.

A separate shooting about 10:20 p.m. Sunday at the corner of Joliet and Jeannette streets in the Leonidas neighborhood left two unidentified men dead.
UPDATE: Patricia Kain was found safe and unharmed, police reported on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

KENT COUNTY, MI  A 79-year-old Kent County woman has been missing since early Sunday evening.

Patricia Kain, of Ada Township, was last seen when she left her relatives home in Chesaning at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, according to a news release from the Kent County Sheriffs Office.

Kain, deputies said, was supposed to arrive home in Ada Sunday night.

The woman has exhibited early signs of dementia and does not have a phone with her, the release states.

Investigators determined that she attempted to use her credit card in Howell Sunday night at about 11 p.m. She most recently tried to use the card at a Lansing area Sunoco off I-69, the release states.

Kain was last seen driving a 2009 silver Ford Escape with a Michigan plate of DGD 2607.

She is considered by the sheriffs office to be at risk.

Anyone with information on Kains whereabouts is asked to contact the Kent County Sheriffs Office at 616-632-6100.

Also on MLive:

Grand Rapids area students thrilled to be back in class for first day of school

Michigans Republican delegates cast votes to re-nominate President Donald Trump at RNC

Charges filed a second time against Kalamazoo woman accused in fatal hit-and-run
With smoke slow to clear from wildfires burning throughout the state, Colorado Springs is expected to see hazy skies Tuesday, according to the
A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obadiah Mailafia, on Monday failed to honour the invitation by the police in Abuja.

Obadiah Mailafia also approached a high court in Plateau State for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and fair hearing.

KanyiDaily recalls that the police had last week invited Mailafia to appear at the Force Headquarters in Abuja for criminal investigation on Monday.

Before the invitation, Mailafia had been grilled and released twice by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the comments he made during a radio programme alleging that a serving northern governor was the commander of Boko Haram.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday in Jos, Mailafias legal team faulted the police invitation which he described as an intimidation, harassment, persecution, and witch hunt.

The legal team said a suit had been filed challenging the letter of invitation. He is also asking the court to make a judicial pronouncement on the letter.

The service of the letter of invitation on Dr Mailafia by the Nigeria Police Force through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police Force Criminal Investigation Department is strange and alien to our extant laws and procedure. It is critically imperative to state that the case the Nigeria Police Force is an investigation where the name of Dr Obadiah Mailafia purportedly featured prominently can not be unconnected and unrelated with the case the DSS is investigating against him which borders on internal security It is sacrosanct to note also that the DSS is the only statutory body empowered by law to investigate alleged crime against internal security, not the Nigeria Police Force.

Section 3 (a) of the security agency act eloquently stipulates this position and in consonance with the said provision, the DSS had assumed investigation into the matter. We have carefully analysed the letter of invitation served on Dr Mailafia, as well as the intention of the Nigerian Police Force as clearly stated in the said letter of invitation and upon which we immediately approached the high court of justice in Plateau State and filed an action for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and fair hearing as enshrined in our constitution. We have served the Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police, FCID, and the signatory of the said letter of invitation, one DCP Omar Mamman Sanda, by substituted means through the Commissioner of Police Plateau State command having obtained a court order to do so. We are praying the court to make a judicial pronouncement on the letter of invitation served on Dr Obadiah Mailafia; we are equally subjecting the invitation made by the office of the DIG, FCID, to Mailafia to appear for an interview on Monday under judical scrutiny.

We strongly believe that it is significant to hear the decision of the court on these germane issues, and it is necessary also for the office of the DIG Force CID to wait for the judicial verdict in order to know whether it is appropriate and in tandem with our extant laws for the Nigeria Police Force to invite Dr Mailafia in the midst of an ongoing investigation by the DSS on a matter that is related to internal security.

The counsel called on the police to desist from taking any action that was unlawful until the court made a pronouncement on the matter.

KanyiDaily recalls that during an interview, Mailafia said that a top repentant terrorists told him that a serving northern governor was the Boko Haram leader.
More than 250 large sand sacks have been placed along Grand Isles busted levee, but theres little confidence these temporary measures will withstand back-to-back poundings from tropical storms Marco and Laura.

Theyre like Band-Aids on a major cut, Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle said Monday.

On Saturday, the Louisiana National National Guard began placing the 3-by-3 foot white sacks between the water line and a section of the islands west-side storm surge levee damaged by Tropical Storm Cristobal in June. Cristobal gouged through about 85 feet of sand to reach the levees core, a wrapped tube of clay known as the "burrito."

The state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, which paid for the sacks, wasnt able to repair the levee as quickly as it hoped.

Well see how it holds up but this is the best we could do for now, CPRA Chairman Chip Kline said.

On Sunday morning, Camardelle ordered a mandatory evacuation of the islands 1,300 residents and hundreds of tourists and other visitors staying in cabins and camping at Grand Isle State Park.

The CPRA and the Army Corps of Engineers have been at odds over which agency should lead and pay for the levees repairs, and how quickly the work must be done. On Aug. 12, the CPRA announced it would go it alone, undertaking an emergency bidding process that could result in the work being done by the end of the year. The estimated cost is between $6 million and $8 million.

A recently completed string of rock breakwaters offshore appear to be sapping some of the wave energy before it hits the line of sand sacks, Cline said.

The levees failure could cut the island in two, damage dozens of buildings and businesses and cause widespread flooding, said Camardelle. He expressed gratitude for state-led efforts to patch up the levee, and for the sand sacks, even if they offer an inadequate defense. Camardelle aimed his frustration at the Army Corps, which built the levee and has been slow to repair it.

Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The levee isnt the islands only concern. Camardelle worries that Marco, the weaker of the two storms, could push water into a bulge around the island. If Laura strikes shortly after, the swelled water could overtop the islands backside defenses.

The first storm could stir up the Gulf and kick it over our wall on the back side,  Camardelle said.

The island has 12 stationary water pumps and at least a dozen portable pumps available for the storms. About a dozen generators are on standby if the island loses power. Some of the pumps and generators were supplied by the CPRA.

The evacuation, ordered at 9 a.m. Sunday, was slow but orderly, Camardelle said. Traffic on La. 1, the only road off the island, was packed after the order, with the typical two-hour drive to New Orleans taking about five hours.

The priest called after the evacuation and asked if he could do Mass, Camardelle said. I said no, sir.

Grand Isle has been through many storms. Most of its buildings are raised, and longtime residents see evacuations as routine.

We know what weve got to do when we have one storm, but were not used to two storms coming, Camardelle said.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
A dead calf was found with its ear hacked off in France while three mares were mutilated in the latest in a mysterious wave of attacks on farm animals.

The calf was found dead in the Sarthe department with lacerations on its genitals after a vicious assault on Friday night.

Prosecutors said it was the first time a calf had been a victim in the current 'phenomenon' of attacks which have mostly targeted horses and whose motive remains unclear.

Elsewhere, a horse had its throat cut in Eure-et-Loir, a mare was found dead with an ear missing in Deux-Sevres while two others had their genitals mutilated near Saint-Claude but survived, according to Le Parisien.

A horse had its throat cut in Eure-et-Loir in France last weekend by attackers who were condemned by the animal's owner as 'barbarians'

At least 15 horses have been mutilated across France since the start of the year, with eyes, ears and bones hacked from still-living animals (pictured, a horse found recently in Puy-de-Dome)

Prosecutors say they have 'no leads' at the moment which could point them to the attackers.

Animals have come under attack in various parts of France, including in northern France, near the Atlantic coast and in the countryside near Lyon.

Johan Papillon, a farmer in Eure-et-Loir, last weekend raged at the 'barbarians' who had cut his horse's throat in the early hours of the morning.

Mr Papillon said the attackers had put a halter around the horse's neck and tied it to a tree in order to commit their 'vile act'.

The animal survived but needed up to 300 stitches on its neck, according to Mr Papillon who said the horse had apparently broken free of its restraints.

Elsewhere, the attack on the calf in Sarthe has led prosecutors in Le Mans to open an investigation 'given the national phenomenon of animal abuse that has been highlighted'.

'This is the first case reported in the Sarthe department and, to our knowledge, the first case on a calf, the cases of abuse identified having mainly affected horses,' a source told French media.

Meanwhile, authorities are investigating 'acts of cruelty' in Jura in eastern France after two mares had their genitals mutilated.

Local prosecutor Lionel Pascal denounced the 'barbaric acts' as 'pure cruelty' but said the two animals had survived the attacks.

A donkey found dead in Forges les Eaux, north of Paris, in June had one of its eyes cut out and an ear removed

A horse found dead in Neuvy-en-Sullias, near Orelans, in March had been stabbed several times in the neck and stomach, and had an ear cut off

At least 15 attacks on horses and donkeys have been reported in France since the start of the year.

One horse was even stabbed in its meadow across the border in Belgium, according to Estelle Beeckmans who condemned the 'cowardly' attack.

French media says there is no apparent link between the affected owners, apparently ruling out the possibility of revenge attacks.

However, the fact that the mutilated animals regularly have their ears cut off could mean that the attackers are pursuing a 'trophy', it is believed.

Security officials have previously suggested the attacks could be linked to a fetish,s sadistic ritual or grisly online 'challenge'.

Earlier this month a mare which had previously died of natural causes was found with its nose, ear, and one eye removed in the Jura region.

It comes after a horse in the same region was stunned before having its eye gouged out and a piece of bone removed. The animal later died.

A racehorse was found dead in February in the Vendee region, near Nantes, with one of its ears severed. The owner said it would have taken a group of people to restrain the animal

The local gendarmerie have since issued an appeal for information on anyone seen acting suspiciously near paddocks, breeding farms or equestrian centres.

'These cases are taken very seriously and are being investigated by the Jura police,' they wrote on Facebook.

'Every effort is made to identify the authors and put an end to such actions.'

The attacks date back to at least February this year, when a horse was found dead at an agricultural school in Chateau-Salins, near the Alsace region.

One of the horses's ears had been 'meticulously' removed, France Bleu reported.

A few days later, across the other side of the country, a racehorse was found dead with an ear missing in the Vendee region, south of Nantes.

Owner Philippe Boutin told Channel 3 that there were signs of a struggle in the field, and that it would have taken a team of people to bring the horse down.

'Is this a challenge on the internet? The impulse of an individual? All avenues are being investigated,' Bruno Wallart of the police in Riom in the Puy-de-Dome region of central France, where several horses have reportedly been mutilated, said in June.

Local investigations are backed by the Central Office on the Fight against Threats to Environmental and Public Health of the French national police.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CUJO AI, the global leader in the development and application of artificial intelligence to improve the security, control and privacy of connected devices, announced today that it has joined the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). In joining this key institution, CUJO AI not only gains recognition for its AI- driven technology and Digital Life Protection solutions but also gains an advantage in grasping opportunities arising from future rollouts of 5G infrastructure and applications.

ETSI is the world's leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards Development Organization, which defines harmonized standards for telecommunications, products and services. ETSI works with players in all of these markets with a view toward harmonizing technological connectivity and interoperability at the international level.

The organization has over 900 members, including the world's leading and most innovative players in the ICT arena, such as Cisco, Ericsson, Nokia, etc. Its members contribute directly to establishing new industry standards. As such, membership to the Institute constitutes a decisive advantage in rapidly adopting the new standards.

CUJO AI will dedicate exclusive resources to work as an active member in the different standards workgroups.

"We are pleased to be one of the appointed industry experts of the ETSI organization and be able to form part of its standardization efforts. CUJO AI will benefit from new, innovative developments and greater visibility due to our participation in a whole ecosystem of the world's leading technology players. We are certain that our contribution will also be a tremendous asset in ensuring we are at the forefront of upcoming 5G developments. Our team at CUJO AI is looking forward to sharing our expertise and first-hand experience of creating solutions that are transforming the cybersecurity landscape," said Einaras von Gravrock, CEO of CUJO AI.

With over half a billion connected devices monitored and protected daily, CUJO AI brings to fixed network, mobile and public Wi-Fi operators around the world a complete portfolio of products to provide end users with a seamlessly integrated suite of Digital Life Protection services. Last year, CUJO AI also announced it is providing its AI-powered Digital Life Protection solutions to both Tier1 US network operators, Comcast and Charter Communications .

About CUJO AI:

Powered by proprietary artificial intelligence models and uniquely built on billions of real-world data points, the CUJO AI portfolio of products is designed to gain a clear insight on how data moves across networks and to digitally protect people and devices, creating a safer smart-living experience in homes, businesses and connected communities. Network, mobile and public Wi-Fi operators around the world utilize the CUJO AI portfolio of products to provide users with a seamlessly integrated suite of value-added services, covering network monitoring and protection, advanced connected device identification, real-time network security, and privacy protection.

Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @CUJOAI

SOURCE CUJO AI

Related Links

https://www.cujo.com


A top disease expert in the US has warned against rushing out a coronavirus vaccine before it can be proved it is safe and effective.

It comes as reports emerged that Donald Trump is keen to fast-track approval of a potential Covid-19 vaccine before the US presidential election.

The Financial Times reported the Trump administration was exploring granting emergency use authorisation (EUA) for the jab being developed by Oxford University.

Dr Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said rushing out a vaccine could damage other clinical trials.

He told Reuters: "The one thing that you would not want to see with a vaccine is getting an EUA before you have a signal of efficacy.

"One of the potential dangers if you prematurely let a vaccine out is that it would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the other vaccines to enrol people in their trial.

"To me, it's absolutely paramount that you definitively show that a vaccine is safe and effective."

Dr Anthony Fauci / REUTERS

Oxford University's vaccine, currently being developed with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, is considered one of the leading candidates among more than 100 teams vying to produce one.

Mr Trump is lagging behind Democratic candidate Joe Biden in the polls, and getting a vaccine approved could be a way of boosting his numbers ahead of the presidential election in November.

The US president tweeted on Saturday that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "is making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines".

In response to the claims a Downing Street spokesman said the UK Government has struck a deal with AstraZeneca to get first access to it once approved.

We have been clear that we will only roll out a vaccine once it is deemed safe and effective by our regulators," said the Number 10 spokesman.

AstraZeneca have entered into a number of agreements with other countries, they have the global licensing agreement with Oxford, but we have been clear: once it has been found to be effective, we have signed a deal for 100 million doses which means that once it is effective, the UK will get first access.

Head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also warned against vaccine nationalism and said global competition to create one could lead to prices spiking exponentially, which would only prolong the virus.

UK will get first access to Oxford vaccine, No 10 says

Instead, he urged countries to support the Covax vaccines facility, which has the largest and most diverse Covid-19 vaccine portfolio in the world.

He told a WHO press briefing on Monday that 172 countries were engaging with the mechanism, which aims to deliver at least two billion vaccine doses by the end of 2021.

Were working with vaccine manufacturers to provide all countries that join the effort timely and equitable access to all vaccines, licensed and approved," said Dr Tedros.

This doesnt just pool risk, it also means that prices will be kept as low as possible.

New research outlines that global competition for vaccine doses could lead to prices spiking exponentially in comparison to collaborative efforts, such as the Covax facility.

It would also lead to a prolonged pandemic as only a small number of countries would get most of the supply. Vaccine nationalism only helps the virus.




Top U.S. and Chinese officials said they are optimistic about their phase one trade deal after a phone call to discuss issues. Meanwhile, an ambitious semiconductor project in the central Chinese city of Wuhan risks stalling as it struggles to obtain new funds. Ant Group filed for its long-anticipated IPOs in Hong Kong and Shanghai, but two senior executives have left.

 By Mo Yelin (yelinmo@caixin.com) and Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com)

** TOP STORIES OF THE DAY

Ant files for IPO in Hong Kong and Shanghai

Ant Group filed for its long-expected initial public offering in Hong Kong and Shanghai Tuesday. The deals could raise more than $20 billion in one of the worlds largest offerings. Documents filed with the exchanges for the first time disclosed financial details of the fast-growing fintech giant.

Regulators step up efforts to recapitalize small, midsize banks

Chinas financial regulators are considering expanding the types of instruments struggling small and midsized banks can sell to local governments to make it easier and quicker for them to strengthen their balance sheets and boost credit to businesses, sources familiar with the issue told Caixin.

China determined to maintain normal monetary policy

China will maintain a normal monetary policy, a senior central bank official said on Tuesday, as Beijing holds off on more easing for the post Covid-19 economic recovery to gather pace. (Reuters)

Exclusive: Two senior executives leave Ant Group ahead of IPO

Two senior executives have left Ant Group Co. Ltd. this month, sources with knowledge of the matter told Caixin, as the fintech affiliate of Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. moves closer to a long-anticipated IPO.

Yu Shengfa, a vice president and chief risk officer, left the company in early August, the sources said. Chief Technology Officer Hu Xi has stepped down from the position to rejoin Alibaba. [link to Ziyis ANT]

$18.5 billion Wuhan chip project could stall at any time

An ambitious semiconductor project under construction in the central Chinese city of Wuhan could stall at any time due to funding difficulties, in the latest setback for the countrys chip ambitions.

Launched in November 2017, Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. was designed to make logic chips with a planned investment of 128 billion yuan ($18.5 billion). However, at the end of June, the project had a capital shortfall of 112.3 billion yuan, according to a report released late last month (link in Chinese) by the local government. The reports analysis determined the project faces the risk of coming to a standstill at any time.

Cover Story: Stalled Guinea project highlights Chinas struggle to reforge iron ore supply

Simandou, a 110-kilometer (68 miles) range of hills deep in the hinterland of Guinea in West Africa, boasts the worlds largest untapped iron ore reserves. The rich assets have lured global investors, especially from ore-thirsty China. But pulling the mineral out of the ground has turned out to be a thorny challenge with entangled interests and risks stemming from technical, capital and political uncertainties. (read the full story)

Top U.S., Chinese officials optimistic on phase one trade deal after phone call

Top U.S. and Chinese officials, who spoke by phone on Monday, see progress on resolving issues over their phase one trade deal reached in January and both sides are committed to the success of the agreement, the U.S. Trade Representatives Office said. (Reuters)

Zoom encounters widespread video conferencing outages

Popular video conferencing platform Zoom encountered widespread outages Monday during the first day of school for many students as they scrambled to log in to courses remotely.

We have identified the issue causing users to be unable to authenticate to the Zoom website (zoom.us) and unable to start and join Zoom Meetings and Webinars, and we are working on a fix for this issue, the video calling giant said on its website.





** OTHER STORIES MAKING THE HEADLINES

 E-commerce site Taobao Taiwan was ordered to re-register as a Chinese mainland-backed company in Taiwan within six months, or risk having to leave the island.

 China bottled water giant Nongfu Spring Co. is seeking to raise as much as HK$8.35 billion ($1.1 billion) in what could be the worlds second biggest initial public offering by a food and beverage company this year. (Bloomberg)

 Japans Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. has pulled out of a $430 million deal to sell its wholly owned Australian dairy firm Lion Dairy to Chinese giant China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd. after media reports said the Australian government would seek to veto it.

 Tesla has begun accepting pre-orders for Model Y electric SUVs from Chinese consumers. The U.S. automaker said the models are expected to be manufactured at its Shanghai plant as soon as 2021.

** ON THE CORONAVIRUS

 Urumqi airport is gradually resuming flights into and out of the city after the capital of northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region reported zero new Covid-19 cases for six straight days.

 Researchers in Hong Kong have discovered the first confirmed case of a person being reinfected with the Covid-19 virus. The 33-year-old man, who was first diagnosed with the virus in April, was confirmed to have been infected again at an airport screening on his return to Hong Kong from Europe this month.

 China has suspended Etihad Airways services from Abu Dhabi to Shanghai for one more week starting on Aug. 24 due to Covid-19 infections being identified on an Aug. 15 flight, the Shanghai city government said on Tuesday. (Reuters)

 As of Tuesday afternoon Beijing time, the number of coronavirus infections globally surpassed 23.6 million, with the death toll passing 813,000, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

 The Chinese mainland reported (link in Chinese) 14 new symptomatic Covid-19 infections on Monday, down from 16 a day earlier. All of the new cases were imported. The mainland also added 16 asymptomatic cases.

** AND FINALLY

The Qixi Festival, also known as Chinese Valentines Day, falls every year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. The holiday gives couples a chance to express their love, while driving sales of flowers and other goods associated with the increasingly commercialized celebration.

In Shanghai, a couple kisses in front of a wall with I love you written in different languages on Saturday, three days before the Qixi Festival, or Chinese Valentines Day.

Contact reporter Mo Yelin (yelinmo@caixin.com) and editor Joshua Dummer (joshuadummer@caixin.com)

Read More

China Business Digest: China Has Already Begun Deploying Covid-19 Vaccines; ChiNext Debutants Surge Under New IPO Rules
ATHENS, Greece - Greece said Monday that its navy and air force will conduct military exercises in an area of the eastern Mediterranean where Turkey is prospecting for oil and gas as the neighbouring countries remain locked in a dispute over offshore energy rights.

The three-day, live-fire exercises will start Tuesday southeast of the Greek island of Crete, officials in Athens said. Germany, meanwhile, is stepping up a diplomatic effort to try to prevent the regional tensions from escalating further.

Turkey has a research ship escorted by warships surveying for oil and gas exploration in the area and said Sunday that the work would continue through Aug. 27.

The Turkish government disputes Greeces claim to exclusive rights in the waters where the research vessel is working, arguing that islands should not be included in calculating sea boundaries between countries.

The United States and the European Union so far have broadly backed Greece in the dispute, but EU countries remain split over a request from Greece to impose sanctions on Turkey.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas plans to be in Athens and Ankara on Tuesday to try to revive talks aimed at deescalating the tensions. Talks between senior Greek and Turkish officials started in July before Turkey broke them off several weeks later. From our standpoint, direct dialogue and steps from both sides to deescalate the situation are needed to find a solution to (reduce) tensions. Thats why the foreign minister is travelling there, German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger told reporters in Berlin.

We are taking the tensions there very seriously and we have the big concern that these tensions,  which already burden the relations between the EU and Turkey, that if these tensions continue to grow a further escalation could have even more grave consequences, Burger said. Germany, which currently holds the EUs rotating presidency, is among member nations considered reluctant to impose sanctions on Turkey before diplomatic efforts are fully pursued.

EU foreign ministers are expected to discussed the crisis in the eastern Mediterranean at an informal meeting in Berlin later this week.

___ Grieshaber reported from Berlin ___ Follow Gatopoulos at https://twitter.com/dgatopoulos and Grieshaber at https://twitter.com/kugrieshaber

Read more about:
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 20:40:34|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Brunei reported one new imported case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the national tally to 144.

According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, the case is a 36-year-old male arriving in Brunei on Aug. 19 from abroad. The man reportedly had a fever upon arrival but no longer showed any signs of infection at present and is currently being treated at the National Isolation Center.

The Ministry of Health has identified a total of 19 contacts, of which 14 have undergone the COVID-19 swab test and were confirmed negative, while the rest are still awaiting test results. All contacts are undergoing quarantine.

This is the third imported case reported in Brunei in August.

Meanwhile, 615 individuals are currently undergoing mandatory isolation at the monitoring centers provided by the government, who have arrived at the country after traveling abroad.

There have been three deaths from COVID-19 in Brunei and a total of 139 patients have recovered. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 21:09:47|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

RAMALLAH, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian officials on Tuesday accused the U.S. government of trying to break apart the region.

Their accusations came in response to the ongoing tour of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the Middle East over promoting Arab normalization with Israel.

"Arming Israel instead of keeping it to the international legitimacy clearly shows that Washington is an ally that shares the Israeli occupation and its crimes against the Palestinian people," said Saleh Rafat, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee, in a press statement.

Taher al-Noono, a media aide to the Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, said in a separate press statement that Pompeo's tour in the region "aims at carrying on with the crime of normalization."

Hamas calls on the Arab states that Pompeo plans to visit "not to get engaged with the American efforts to implement the rejected Deal of the Century silently," al-Noono said.

"All these attempts aim at beautifying the image of the occupier (Israel) in the region, justifying its crimes and denying the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people," he added.
Ukraine continues to receive congratulations from presidents and heads of government on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of independence.

As the press service of the Head of State informs, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping expressed his sincere congratulations and good wishes to the friendly Ukrainian people. In particular, he wished prosperity and power to the country, and happiness and welfare to Ukrainians.

Ukraine is a strategic partner of China and an important country participating in the One Belt, One Road initiative. In recent years, Chinese-Ukrainian relations have been steadily advancing in a healthy direction," Xi Jinping said.

He noted the great success in cooperation in various fields. In particular, China and Ukraine are fighting side by side with the coronavirus epidemic, which fully confirms the sincere friendship between people of the two countries.

"I attach great importance to the development of Chinese-Ukrainian relations and am ready to make joint efforts to achieve unity of opinion and develop even greater potential for cooperation for the benefit of the two states and their people," he said.

In a congratulatory letter to Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev wished the people of Ukraine peace and prosperity.

He noted that today the relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine are on the path of dynamic development.

"I believe that our traditionally friendly relations, mutually beneficial cooperation will continue to successfully develop and expand in the interests of our people," Ilham Aliyev wrote.

In his letter to Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Israel Reuven Rivlin wished Ukraine and the Ukrainian people ongoing progress and prosperity.

He noted that this year the celebrations are taking place under the restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed condolences to those who have lost their lives.

I wish you and the people of Ukraine health and resilience. We value the good relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between Israel and Ukraine and I am confident we can look forward to the further strengthening and expansion of the bilateral relations and cooperation between our two countries over the coming years, Reuven Rivlin noted.

President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda also congratulated the President of Ukraine on Independence Day and assured him of full support.

"We will continue to uphold your sovereignty and territorial integrity. I assure you that Lithuania will remain a strong supporter of Ukraine's aspirations for European and Atlantic integration," Gitanas Nauseda wrote.

Earlier, the presidents of the United States, France, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Pope Francis, Queen Elizabeth II and other world leaders congratulated Ukraine on the 29th anniversary of independence.

ol
Ground segment testing a success for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope

Testing teams have successfully completed a critical milestone focused on demonstrating that NASA's James Webb Space Telescope will respond to commands once in space.

Known as a "Ground Segment Test," this is the first time commands to power on and test Webb's scientific instruments have been sent to the fully-assembled observatory from its Mission Operations Center at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland.

Since reliably communicating with Webb when in space is a mission-critical priority for NASA, tests like these are part of a comprehensive regimen designed to validate and ensure all components of the observatory will function in spacewith the complex communications networks involved in both sending commands, and downlinking scientific data. This test successfully demonstrated the complete end-to-end flow from planning the science Webb will perform to posting the scientific data to the community archive.

"This was the first time we have done this with both the actual Webb flight hardware and ground system. We've performed pieces of this test as the observatory was being assembled, but this is the first ever, and fully successful, end-to-end operation of the observatory and ground segment. This is a big milestone for the project, and very rewarding to see Webb working as expected," said Amanda Arvai, Deputy Division Head of Mission Operations at STScI in Maryland.

In this test, commands to sequentially turn on, move, and operate each of Webb's four scientific instruments were relayed from the Mission Operations Center. During the test, the observatory is treated as if it were a million miles away in orbit. To do this, the Flight Operations Team connected the spacecraft to the Deep Space Network, an international array of giant radio antennas that NASA uses to communicate with many spacecraft. However, since Webb isn't in space yet, special equipment was used to emulate the real radio link that will exist between Webb and the Deep Space Network when Webb is in orbit. Commands were then relayed through the Deep Space Network emulator to the observatory, which is currently inside a Northrop Grumman clean room in Redondo Beach, California.

"This was also the first time we've demonstrated the complete cycle for conducting observations with the observatory's science instruments. This cycle starts with the creation of an observation plan by the ground system which is uplinked to the observatory by the Flight Operations Team. Webb's science instruments then performed the observations and the data was transmitted back to the Mission Operations Center in Baltimore, where the science was processed and distributed to scientists," said Arvai.

When Webb is in space, commands will flow from STScI in Baltimore to one of the three Deep Space Network locations --California, Spain, or Australia. Signals will then be sent to the orbiting observatory nearly one million miles away. Additionally the NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite network, the Space Network in New Mexico, the European Space Agency's Malindi station in Kenya, and European Space Operations Centre in Germany will also aid in keeping a constant line of communication open with Webb at all times.

To complete the ground segment test a team of nearly 100 people worked together through the course of four consecutive days. Due to staffing restrictions in place due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, only seven individuals were present inside the Mission Operations Center, with the rest working remotely to routinely monitor progress. Next up for Webb: observatory level acoustic and sine-vibration testing that will demonstrate that the assembled telescope is capable of surviving the rigors of launch by exposing it to similar conditions.

Webb is NASA's next great space science observatory, which will help in solving the mysteries of our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mystifying structures and origins of our universe. Webb is an international program led by NASA, along with its partners ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency.

For more information about Webb, go to: https:/ / www. nasa. gov/ webb

This story has been published on: 2020-08-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Avast (LSE:AVST), a leader in digital security products for business and consumers, today announced that it has partnered with BCN Telecom to protect its customers with Avast Business Secure Internet Gateway (SIG) full-protocol managed firewall services. Based in Morristown, N.J., BCN serves thousands of business customers throughout North America with enterprise-wide communication technology solutions using the latest in voice, data, cloud, and wireless services and technologies. With this announcement, BCN continues its expansion into cloud services and further differentiates itself by offering a cloud-based, next-generation security service that is easy and convenient to deploy.

"The Avast Secure Internet Gateway is the perfect blend of a global security network and cloud managed firewall service working together to address the security needs of business customers across multiple locations," said Julian Jacquez, BCN President and COO. "BCN is in the business of solving network and security challenges for our customers and Avast's SIG security service goes beyond anything we've tested in this space. Traditional security problems with SSL inspection, multi-location, compliance, upgrades and distributed networks are greatly improved with these new cloud integrated technology services. We're now able to offer customers a fully managed and monitored, enterprise quality security solution."

The Avast Business Secure Internet Gateway service automatically scales to all size businesses and to all bandwidth options. Unlike traditional on-premise security hardware that needs installation, constant maintenance and sizing upgrades, the SIG service can be activated remotely and be up and running within minutes. Both non-encrypted and full SSL packet inspection happen in the cloud and at great speed, so employees can now work at full speed and efficiency at any location.

"As the world accelerates its adoption of digital transformation, more and more businesses are replacing on-premise security appliances with SaaS-based network services," said David Ryder of Avast Software. "We are pleased to work with BCN to help deliver on their vision for comprehensive, secure, digital access as a service. This partnership to utilize our Secure Internet Gateway services delivers on that vision."

With Secure Internet Gateway, BCN is able to offer a pure, cloud-based security solution that includes the following key capabilities:

Next Generation Network Security  Avast's next-generation cloud firewall ensures that businesses are protected from inbound threats including malware, botnet attacks and advanced persistent threats (APT). It enforces a company's Internet access policy to prevent the unauthorized access to locations or applications that could compromise a company's security posture.

 Avast's next-generation cloud firewall ensures that businesses are protected from inbound threats including malware, botnet attacks and advanced persistent threats (APT). It enforces a company's Internet access policy to prevent the unauthorized access to locations or applications that could compromise a company's security posture. Comprehensive Protection Across Multi-Locations, Users and Devices With Secure Internet Gateway cloud-based security, BCN is able to offer its business customers a high level of security for all their employees at all locations.

With Secure Internet Gateway cloud-based security, BCN is able to offer its business customers a high level of security for all their employees at all locations. Simple, Cost-Effective Deployment and Management  Secure Internet Gateway is deployed in the cloud and grows simply by adding more seats; no additional hardware to deploy, maintain, upgrade or manage. Cloud-based consoles and policy makes it easy to manage all users through the cloud, working across all locations. SIG is updated 125,000 times per day, across 150+ data centers worldwide.

More information about the Avast Business Secure Internet Gateway is available here.

About Avast Business:

Avast Business, www.avast.com/business, part of Avast (LSE:AVST), a global leader in cybersecurity products with over 400 million users, provides enterprise-grade endpoint and network security solutions for small and midsize businesses (SMBs) and IT service providers. The Avast Business security portfolio makes it easy and affordable to secure, manage, and monitor complex networks. The result is superior protection that businesses can count on. Backed by Avast's immense threat detection network, which is among the largest and most advanced in the world, Avast Business uses machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to detect and stop threats in real time. For more information about our managed services and cybersecurity solutions, visit www.avast.com/business.

About BCN Telecom:

BCN is a closely held and operated communications technology solutions provider with corporate headquarters in Morristown, New Jersey. BCN custom configures communications technology solutions based on a vast portfolio of voice, data, cloud, and wireless services from an array of network and technology partners. In addition, BCN provides customers with a consolidated monthly invoice for all services, a single point of contact for service and support, and a state-of-the-art portal to manage their BCN business. For over 26 years, BCN has delivered best-in-class technology solutions domestically and internationally to business customers. Contact BCN at 888.866.7266 or [email protected].

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Avast

Related Links

www.avast.com


Vinay Tonse, MD & CEO, SBIFMPL

SBI Funds Management (SBIFMPL) has appointed Vinay Tonse as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of the company, effective from August 24.

SBIFMPL is a joint venture between the Indian public sector giant State Bank of India (SBI) and European asset manager Amundi.

Tonse, who was on deputation to the company since June 22, 2020, takes over from Ashwani Bhatia who now returns to parent SBI as its Managing Director.

Tonse termed his appointment an honour stating: It is a huge responsibility to manage the growth dynamics of the number one fund house in the country  we will strive to take the benefits of capital markets to investors across India. I am excited to begin this new journey in the Mutual Fund industry, which will need to leverage technology to drive the next level of growth.

Tonse started his career with SBI in 1988 as Probationary Officer.

He has worked in different geographical locations in India and abroad heading various business functions. He has good experience of handling and managing various areas of banking such as operations, retail banking including agriculture credit and MSME sectors, corporate credit, international banking operations, treasury operations, equity portfolio management, private equity, venture capital and training.

Before his deputation to SBI Funds Management, he was heading the Chennai Circle of SBI as Chief General Manager (June 2018 to June 2020). He had overall responsibility of managing all the branches and offices of SBI situated in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. He also headed the operations at SBI Osaka Branch - Japan as CEO for 4 years. In his early days, Mr Tonse also worked as an Officer with SBIs Singapore office.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 09:40:42|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto in Beihai City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Aug. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

NANNING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Any attempt by a country to decouple the existing cooperation with other countries is against the laws of the market economy and the wishes of enterprises, and is doomed to hurt itself like a boomerang, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday.

Wang made the remarks while meeting the press after holding talks with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto in Beihai, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

In response to a query about U.S. sanctions against Chinese enterprises and the rhetoric of "complete decoupling" with China, Wang said the so-called "decoupling" is neither feasible nor reasonable, and to engage in political manipulation will only ignore its own development needs and damage the well-being of its people. "It is doomed to fail."

"To safeguard and enhance the well-being of the two peoples, we should complement each other's advantages instead of decoupling, integrate rather than isolate, and pursue win-win cooperation rather than conflicts and confrontations," Wang said.

Noting that both China and Europe are open economies, Wang said as supporters of globalization and the multilateral trading system, neither of them should allow the so-called "decoupling" to interfere with the normal operation of the global industrial and supply chains, or allow unilateral bullying to undermine normal international economic exchanges.

"Any attempt to 'decouple' from China is to 'decouple' from the world's largest market in the future, from the major opportunities for its own development, and from the irresistible trend of the times," Wang said.

Noting Szijjarto is the first foreign minister of the European Union (EU) countries to visit China since the outbreak of COVID-19, Wang said while holding talks with his counterpart that in the face of the rise of unilateral bullying, China and the EU should stand up more firmly for multilateralism, complete negotiations on China-EU investment agreements within the year, and make China-EU relations more stable and mature in the "post-epidemic era."

Hailing China's successful control of the epidemic in a short period of time, Szijjarto said Hungary opposes interference in China's internal affairs, and is ready to deepen cooperation with China while fully supporting multilateral cooperation. Enditem
After a terminally ill woman died due to Covid-19 at Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district late on Monday, her husband and other family members allegedly ransacked the isolation ward and accused doctors of medical negligence.

The womans husband said, She had blood deficiency and we came here to the Kathua district hospital for blood transfusion but she was not properly attended. I even offered money but nobody cared about her.

Kathua deputy magistrate OP Bhagat said the woman was terminally ill with severe liver ailment and was not in a state to recover. We pacified the family and explained that she was terminally ill, he added.

A senior woman doctor said the patient was in a critical condition when she was brought to the hospital three days ago. We could not even take her swab for the Covid test at first and kept her in CCU. After slight improvement in her condition, we collected her swab and kept her under constant observation, she added.

The doctor said the woman had tested positive for the virus and was shifted to isolation ward where she was being treated. She was battling for life since three days and we tried our best, she added.

On Tuesday morning, two ambulances, 15 PPE kits, gloves and sanitisers were given to the family to perform the last rites at her native village in Billawar.
BOGOTA, Colombia and GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Siigo, the leading ERP software company for small- and medium-businesses (SMBs) in Colombia, today announced that it has joined forces with Contifico, the leading ERP provider for SMBs in Ecuador. Siigo, a market leader in Colombia with 35% market share and an established presence in Latin America for over 30 years, continues to realize its goal in becoming the market leader across Latin America. Siigo received an investment in 2017 from Accel-KKR, a leading technology-focused investment firm, which has accelerated its growth through organic initiatives and international expansion.

The combination will enable Siigo to continue to positively impact the business ecosystem in Colombia, Ecuador and the rest of Latin America by helping small and medium-sized businesses achieve greater control over their financial and operational information with its cloud-based solutions. This transaction is highly relevant for the development of the Latin American technology landscape as the combined businesses bring top-notch technology to both countries' customer bases. The combined engineering teams will focus on accelerating product development for SMBs and accountants across Latin America. Additionally, Siigo's executive leadership will be complemented by Contifico's strong management team, led by its Founder and CEO Oscar Plaza.

"Siigo's mission has been, and always will be, to change the lives of accountants and SMBs through world-class, cloud technology," said David Ortiz, CEO of Siigo. "Oscar and his team of over 100 employees have built an incredible business with a market-leading position in Ecuador and we are extremely excited to welcome them to our Siigo family. Their experience and creativity joined with the entrepreneurial spirit of their leader, Oscar, will be invaluable to our team as we continue to create new products and push into new markets throughout Latin America."

"We at Contifico are very proud of what we have accomplished so far and are excited to be part of what's to come with Siigo," said Oscar Plaza, Founder and CEO of Contifico. "We are convinced that we will be much stronger as one single, combined team focused on consolidating the market as leaders not just in Colombia and Ecuador but also across Latin America."

Siigo's growth strategy continues to be centered on two key initiatives: 1) continuous product development focused on delivering cutting-edge technology solutions and 2) further execution of its M&A strategy both domestically in Colombia as well as across Latin America. This growth strategy has been made possible by partnering with Accel-KKR. Contifico is the second company that has joined forces with Siigo since Accel-KKR's investment in 2017.

"We are very excited to announce our investment in Contifico and our partnership with Oscar today, bringing together two market leaders of ERP software in Latin America," John Crowell, board director of Siigo and regional lead in Latin America for Accel-KKR. "Oscar is an ambitious, strong leader that will help drive growth not only in Ecuador, but also in our regional platform as we continue to expand into new markets."

About Contifico

Founded in 2011, Contifico is Ecuador's leading provider of Financial and Accounting software for small and medium-sized businesses. Led by Founder and CEO Oscar Plaza, Contifico has demonstrated an incredible ability to promote its cloud product as the best solution for SMBs in the country. It has been recognized as a provider of excellent customer service and has been at the forefront of cloud technologies for its rapidly growing customer base. Contifico's cloud-based software serves more than 25,000 users and close to 10,000 SMBs in Ecuador with a team of over 100 employees nationwide. For more, visit contifico.com.

About Siigo:

With more than 900 employees, Siigo is a Colombian company with the mission of transforming the lives of accountants and entrepreneurs through technological solutions that facilitate their accounting and administrative processes, developing cloud software technology that can be used to bill, manage their purchases, expenses, inventories, portfolio, account receivables, accounts payable, payroll and all other administrative functions of small and medium sized businesses. To date in 2020, Siigo has added more than 20,000 new clients and has distinguished itself as the top company in the sector in Colombia with over 35% market share. Founded over 30 years ago in the city of Bogota, the Company currently has a national presence in more than 6 cities in Colombia. To learn more, visit www.siigo.com.

About Accel-KKR

Accel-KKR is a technology-focused investment firm with over $9 billion in capital commitments. The firm focuses on software and IT-enabled businesses, well positioned for topline and bottom-line growth. At the core of Accel-KKR's investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its portfolio companies and a focus on building value alongside management by leveraging the significant resources available through the Accel-KKR network. Accel-KKR focuses on middle-market companies and provides a broad range of capital solutions including buyout capital, minority-growth investments, and credit alternatives. Accel-KKR also invests across a wide range of transaction types including private company recapitalizations, divisional carve-outs and going-private transactions. Accel-KKR is headquartered in Menlo Park with additional offices in Atlanta, London, and Mexico City. For more, visit www.accel-kkr.com.

Media Contact:

Jorge Navia: [email protected]

SOURCE Siigo

Related Links

https://www.siigo.com


The Main Street parcel that Fire Distrct voters in 2017 agreed to purchase as a new home for the fire station.

Williamstown Fire District Forms Subcommittees to Advance Building Plan

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The committee that governs the town's fire district last week announced two subcommittees to help advance planning for a new Main Street fire station.

Prudential Committee Chair John Notsley announced that he has named eight people to a tactical planning subcommittee and appointed a member of the town's Select Board to head up a community advisory panel.

The tactical planning group will include Fire District personnel and other community members in and out of town government as well as the assistant to Williams College's president for community and government affairs.

Jim Kolesar of the college will be joined by Elaine Neely, a longtime member of the town's Finance Committee, Town Manager Jason Hoch, local attorney Don Dubendorf, Fire Chief Craig Pedercini, Fire Department Engineer Mike Noyes, firefighter Ryan Housman and Prudential Committee member Ed Briggs.

The community advisory subcommittee is being headed up by Select Board member Jeffrey Thomas, who has asked anyone interested in serving to submit their names via email at jeffreythomas76@gmail.com , Notsley said.

Notsley noted that Hoch's input will be valuable to the tactical planning group because of the town's recent completion of another public safety building project, the police station on Simonds Road.

The fire district has a 3.7-acre parcel of its own on Main Street (Route 2) next door to the Aubuchon Hardware store. The $400,000 purchase was approved by district voters in 2017, and the Prudential Committee has been taking gradual steps toward building a structure to replace the aging, cramped quarters on Water Street (Route 43).

"I'm very excited with the building committee and also with the Fire District Community Advisory Board," Notsley said. "Probably the first order of business will be to go out for an [owner's project manager] search. Once an individual is chosen, then our work will begin."

The fire district is a separate municipal entity apart from town government with its own taxing authority and its own annual meeting where residents in the district approve the district's annual budget.

In recent years, the Prudential Committee has cooperated with Town Hall on projects like a Public Safety Building Study Committee and a Fire District needs assessment.

Next week the Prudential Committee and Select Board will collaborate once again by combining their annual tax classification hearings. That is when the panels will decide whether to again have a unified tax rate for the fiscal year 2021 property tax bills.

In other business on Wednesday, the Prudential Committee, which earlier this summer sent a townwide mailing to residents with photos of all the firefighters in the call-volunteer department, formed a working group to look at revamping the district's website and maintaining a presence on social media.

Pedercini shared some good news with the committee about staffing.

The department picked up one new member this summer and soon will be rejoined by another firefighter who sought additional training during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When we sent the college kids home in March, one of our students was eager in trying to pursue firefighter experience," Pedercini said. "In his home in New Jersey, he looked into taking some programs. They ran for five weeks, 40 hours per week and included testing and the final exam  practical and on paper. He just informed me the other day he passed.

"I congratulated him, and we're looking forward to getting him back on campus so we can start putting him to work. I'm excited about that."

Pedercini's monthly report to the Prudential Committee included a couple of comments about how residents can help make life a little easier for firefighters in the field.

"If your house is over 50 feet from the roadway, our town bylaw requires you have your number posted at the end of the driveway," Pedercini said. "It can be on a post or a tree. Some people have them on the mailbox, though if your mailbox is across the street or you have multiple mailboxes in one spot, it's not quite as good.

"I just want to put it out that the owners of properties in town should check their properties to make sure the number is visible.

And when the firefighters get to a resident's home, they ask that the occupants do what they can to follow COVID-19 guidelines.

"When the Fire Department responds to your home or business, we're trying to take all the precautions we can," Pedercini said. "If there's no fire and there might be an odor going on, we're really only going to want to send one, maybe two people into the house.

"Our guys will put a mask on to protect the people there. We'd expect anyone in the home to step out for a short time, and we'd request people wear masks.  There's going to be a time when we can't social distance. Just wear a mask, and at the end of the day we'll all be safer."
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Tue, August 25, 2020 17:23 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4061000 1 World smuggling,wildfire,Malaysia,Indonesia,bird Free

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) officers thwarted three Indonesians trying to smuggle out dozens of boxes of magpies by sea from Tanjung Sedili, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Monday.

The Indonesians were identified only as A, 40, U, 44 and M, 45. A was shot dead by APMM officers during a resistance.

Anang Fauzi Firdaus, consul for information, social and cultural affairs at the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Johor Bahru, said the KJRI had received information about the incident.

The KJRI in Johor Bahru has coordinated with the APMM and requested consular access for follow-up assistance in handling the dead body of the Indonesian citizen, Anang told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Anang said As family had contacted the KJRI and asked when the body could be sent home. It is the decision of the family whether the body is to be sent home or buried here, he said.

Anang added that U and M were still being detained by the APMM for further investigation.

According to the APMM, Anang said, the incident took place in the waters of Tanjung Kelisa in Johor at 4:30 a.m. local time, when APMM officers were conducting inspections of boats.

However, he said, the alleged smugglers tried to escape. They resisted and tried to seize weapons from APMM officers, before security members opened fire and shot one of the alleged smugglers.

Authorities secured some evidence including 90 plastic boxes containing magpies, the smugglers black fiber jet boat and four Yamaha 200HP engines.

The case would be investigated under Malaysias 2010 Wildlife Conservation Act and Immigration Act 1959/63, Anang said. (syk)

Topics : smuggling wildfire Malaysia Indonesia bird
This is one of the targets set in a draft national strategy for developing Vietnamese digital technology companies recently devised by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the draft strategy, in the next 10 years, digital companies would contribute 20% of GDP and Vietnam would be one of the top two countries in ASEAN and the top 50 in the world in technology and innovation ranking.

By 2025, Vietnam strives to have 70,000 digital technology companies with a workforce of 1.2 million. They are expected to have revenue growth 1.5-2 times higher than the countrys GDP expansion rate and export growth at 10-20% per year.

Such companies are expected to contribute 10% of GDP and to bring Vietnam into the top three countries in ASEAN and the top 70 in the world for technology and innovation ranking.

To realise these targets, the ministry proposes six solutions, including perfecting the legal framework to create a favourable environment for digital technology companies, strengthening research and development capacity, developing a robust market for digital technology companies, building a data industry and digital technology ecosystem, and developing human resources.

Digital technology companies are expected to play an important role in making Vietnam a developed and industrialised country with rapid, sustainable and inclusive economic development as well as turning Vietnam into a high-income country by 2045.

The Vietnamese Government estimated the country would need at least 100,000 digital technology companies to develop a digital economy, smart urban areas, e-Government and promote the application of digital technology advancements in socio-economic fields as well as accelerate national digital transformation.

Under the draft strategy, Vietnam will focus on developing four types of digital technology companies, namely those developing core technologies, developing digital technology products, providing digital technology solutions and digital-technology start-ups.

According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, about 43,000 enterprises currently operate in the information and technology sector together with 17,000 others doing business in distributing and providing IT products and solutions.

The ministry said hitting 100,000 digital technology companies would be challenging, given the country's heavy dependence for core technology on foreign countries, the low added value of IT products and limited innovation capacity and competitiveness, together with increasing competition from international IT companies.

Vietnams competitive advantage of cheap labour is being undermined by breakthroughs in new technologies, the ministry said, stressing that it is critical to develop a national strategy for digital technology.
They recently jetted off to the idyllic city for a romantic getaway.

And Penny Lancaster certainly made the most of the weather in Venice as she put on a leggy display while boarding a water taxi with husband Rod Stewart on Tuesday.

The Loose Women panellist, 49, displayed her model frame in a black and white striped mini dress as she joined her rocker husband, 75, for a fun day out.

Out and about: Penny Lancaster certainly made the most of the weather in Venice as she put on a leggy display while boarding a water taxi with husband Rod Stewart on Tuesday

Penny looked radiant as she soaked up the sun in her thigh-skimming number, which perfectly showcased her slender pins.

The stunner added a pair of studded sandals to her look, while carrying her essentials in a cream, mini handbag.

Keen to document their day out, the TV personality carried a digital camera over her shoulder.

Penny kept her blonde tresses loose for the occasion, while she shielded her eyes with a trendy pair of mirrored sunglasses.

Legs for days: The Loose Women panellist, 49, displayed her model frame in a black and white striped mini dress as she joined her rocker husband, 75, for a fun day out

The model completed her holiday look by teaming her plunging dress, which featured a daring zip detail, with a smattering of delicate silver jewellery.

Meanwhile, Rod cut a cool figure in a casual white shirt and light coloured trousers.

The Maggie May hitmaker accessorised with a stylish fedora hat, while he carried his essentials in a black crossbody bag.

The loved-up couple, who tied the knot in 2007, looked at ease as they climbed into the boat ahead of their day out.

Looking good: Penny looked radiant as she soaked up the sun in her thigh-skimming number, which perfectly showcased her slender pins

Style: The stunner added a pair of studded sandals to her look, while carrying her essentials in a cream, mini handbag

The pair have been thoroughly enjoying their trip to the romantic Italian city as they've been spotted taking in the sights and enjoying a ride on a gondola.

Earlier in lockdown, Penny recently spoke about her experience of the menopause, revealing when she first experienced symptoms.

The TV star admitted she has found the past few months extra tough because of her symptoms, but gushed that her rocker husband and their two sons Alastair, 14, and Aiden, nine, have been very understanding.

Tourist: Keen to document their day out, the TV personality carried a digital camera over her shoulder

Stunning: Penny kept her blonde tresses loose for the occasion, while she shielded her eyes with a trendy pair of mirrored sunglasses

Water view: The couple looked relaxed as they got settled in the water taxi

Speaking from her home, she told her Loose Women co-stars: 'Rod and I have a very close and intimate, open relationship about all sorts of things.

'I talk to him about how I'm feeling in the lead up to my period, feeling a little down or sad or I always say, "Darling give me space today, it's the time of the month."

'I've explained to them [my family] about the hormones I'm experiencing since March, my last period.

'I've been having the really hot sweats, and then freezing cold my body temperature is fluctuating all over the place. It affects your mood swings, I've been putting on more weight.'

Turning heads: The model completed her holiday look by teaming her plunging dress, which featured a daring zip detail, with a smattering of delicate silver jewellery

Dare to bare: Penny looked sensational as she stepped out in the thigh-skimming mini dress

Model behaviour: Penny looked great as she climbed aboard the boat to enjoy a day out with her husband

The blonde then recalled a particularly tough day, explaining: 'I was in the kitchen, cooking dinner, it had been one of those days where everything had been going wrong and I'd had enough. I ended up throwing the dinner across the kitchen.

'I just screamed and burst into tears. The boys came and hugged me. Rod said, "Just give mummy a minute". So, we're lucky that we've got that open discussion.'

Speaking of feeling there's a lack of information available, she said: 'What's really confusing for me, I'm trying to explain to my husband and the boys what's going on, but I don't really know myself'

King of style: Meanwhile, Rod cut a cool figure in a casual white shirt and light coloured trousers

All smiles: The singer looked in great spirits as he stepped out with his wife

Daytime look: The Maggie May hitmaker accessorised with a stylish fedora hat, while he carried his essentials in a black crossbody bag

Off we go! The loved-up couple, who tied the knot in 2007, looked at ease as they climbed into the boat ahead of their day out

'I don't know what's happening. My younger friends are saying to me, "Are you going to do HRT, what symptoms have you got?" I'm saying, "I don't know!"

Penny, Rod and their sons have split lockdown between their homes in Florida and London, as well as enjoying a recent break in Croatia.

Rock star Rod has eight children in total, with the singing sensation sharing Sean, 39, and Kimberely, 40, with his first wife Alana Stewart.

He has Ruby, 32, with model ex Kelly Emberg, Renee, 26, and son Liam, 24, from his second marriage with Rachel Hunter.

Rod also has first child - Sarah Streeter, 55, from his romance with then-art student Susannah Boffey - who was given up for adoption after he fathered her at age 18.

Besotted: Rod looked lovingly at his wife as she adjusted her hair in the taxi

Great times: The couple were seen laughing as they set off for the day
Its the good news/bad news litany weve become accustomed to as the coronavirus and responses to it grind on.

First, the good news. New Mexicans operating under emergency orders issued by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham  some of the toughest in the nation  continue to drive down the number of infections and limit the spread of COVID-19. Statewide COVID hospitalizations as of Monday had fallen to 65  an important metric, because much of the lockdown was predicated on the need to keep the health care system from being overwhelmed. It is a deadly virus. The state has recorded about 24,000 cases and 745 deaths  tragic, yet good news compared with many other places. Now, for a round of bad news.

As reported by the Journals Rick Nathanson on Monday, nearly half of the state-licensed child care programs in New Mexico have closed, some of them permanently, due to plummeting enrollment during the pandemic.

Some parents are sheltering their children at home, fearing exposure; some are working from home so they dont need child care; others have lost their jobs and no longer need or can afford child care. Crystal Tapia, treasurer of the New Mexico Child Care and Education Association, says the number of child care spaces statewide has dropped to 32,850, from 65,692 before the pandemic.

The industry, which employed about 14,000 people, also faced additional safety-related expenses such as smaller class ratios and enhanced cleaning. Industry representatives say adding to their woes locally are Albuquerques expanded full-day youth programs that in some cases compete with private providers. (Its more good news/bad news as the city program is welcomed by many parents wanting to get back to work as schools remain closed for in-person learning.)

Despite the key role child care providers are playing in support of other essential businesses during the COVID crisis, the child care system as a whole is at risk of collapse, association President Angela Garcia says.

High-quality, licensed child care is a key component of education and a healthy economy. Helping it recover should be a priority for the new Early Childhood Education and Care Department.

In a related development in the bad news category, New Mexicos jobless rate hit 12.7% in July (13.1% in Albuquerque). The hospitality-leisure sector was hit hardest, with more than 25,000 jobs lost. Thats not surprising, given no indoor dining in restaurants  we are one of three states with that ban  and a rule that many visiting the state quarantine for 14 days.

Meanwhile, the personal finance website WalletHub ranked New Mexico 48th nationally in the rate of unemployment claims recovery from COVID-19. WalletHub predicts another jump in unemployment if schools provide only remote learning. Forcing parents to stay home could be especially devastating financially for single-parent households, WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez says.

The next chapter in the good news/bad news saga will roll out this week. The governors current health order expires Friday, and her administration has made it clear any reopening will be slow. Dr. David Scrase, her key adviser on COVID, says, We believe we have room to do a little more reopening. And I want to emphasize a little.'

The state has met all gating criteria for reopening, and it appears most New Mexicans are abiding by the important health instructions of wearing masks and social distancing. Isnt it time for a little more good news and a slow reopening to mitigate damage inflicted on the hardest-hit industries  and the tens of thousands who work in them?

editorials

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Orsu Metals Corporation (TSXV:OSU) ("Orsu" or the "Company") is pleased to report on progress of grade control drilling program at the Adit 5 domain of the Sergeevskoe Project as part of its ongoing preparation for pilot mining.

The Company completed 8842.3 meters ("m") in 783 grade control ("GC") drill holes over two areas of 230x180 m and 150x30 m; With assays received for all GC holes, Orsu has doubled the strike length to 240 m and width to 180 m in 13 gold-mineralized bodies

Dr. Alexander Yakubchuk, the Company's Director of Exploration, commented: "We are encouraged by steady continuity of mineralization and consistent presence of higher grade gold material at Adit 5 that enabled to identify substantial amount of mineralization suitable for pilot mining."

As of August 10, 2020, the Company completed 8842.3 m in 783 GC drill holes as part of the ongoing GC drilling program at the Adit 5 and Zone 23 East domains in the South open pit area of Sergeevskoe (see Figure 1). The main purpose of the GC drilling is to constrain the gold-mineralized bodies for the planned pilot mining program from mineralization previously estimated as part of the NI43-101 Inferred mineral resource (see press release January 20, 2020).

Figure 1. A plan view of the North and South pilot open pits against the mineralization wireframes at Sergeevskoe as per updated NI 43-101 Inferred Mineral Resource (see press release January 20, 2020).

In the Adit 5 domain, the ongoing GC drilling program covered two areas of 230x180 m in 23 northwest-oriented fences and in the Zone 23 East domain, GC drilling covered a smaller area of 150x30 m in 11 north-northeast-oriented drill fences, approximately 65% of the relevant pit area (see Figure 2). The distance between the holes in a fence is 2.5 m, with parallel fences located 10 m apart, with all holes at Adit 5 and Zone 23 East drilled at 60 degrees dip. All drilling was performed using rotary air blast ("RAB") drill rigs. The depth of drilling corresponds to the first mining bench from surface. Deeper GC drilling will be performed once near-surface material is extracted. All GC drilling was performed by an independent contractor under supervision of Orsu. Irrespective of lithologies, exact 1.5 or 2 m intervals were sampled consistently in all drill holes. Rarely, some intervals could not be sampled due to presence of water.

RAB holes were drilled along the fences to a vertical depth of 14-15 m, intercepting deeply oxidized and poorly consolidated both mineralized and unmineralized material that can be excavated even without blasting. Although drilling program is not complete, the drill spacing justifies confident and continuous tracing of 14 subparallel pinching and swelling mineralized bodies of curvilinear orientation in the best drilled part. The strike length of gold mineralization at Adit 5 domain reaches 240 m, although to the partly drilled northeastern part only eight bodies were identified so far (see Figure 2). Near the Shirotnyi Fault at the Zone 23 East domain, three to four west-east-trending mineralized bodies were identified, requiring further drilling. Overall, Orsu more than doubled the strike extent and width of the mineralized corridor since its previous report on progress of GC drilling program (see press release July 13, 2020).

Figure 2. A northeast-looking oblique view of the Adit 5 portion of the South pilot open pit as reported on July 13, 2020 (left) and in this press release (right). Completed GC drill holes in 10-m-apart parallel drill fences were used to outline the +0.7 g/t Au mineralized bodies

As of August 10, 2020, the Company received assay results for 783 GC drill holes. The mineralized bodies are 2 to 15-20 m wide, reaching 35 m where they occasionally merge. Each body was intercepted by several closely spaced holes. Some gold bodies remain unconstrained.

The Company completed a preliminary in-house analysis of gold distribution in the mineralized bodies outlined at 0.7 g/t Au cutoff grade at the Adit 5 domain (see Figure 3), which is restricted to the depth of GC drilling and 5 m along the strike after the last drill intercept, therefore remaining open along the strike. The Company is planning to continue GC drilling to further outline gold mineralization at Adit 5 and Zone 23 East domains.

Figure 3. A plan view of the Adit 5 portion in the South pilot open pit.

Fire assay analysis was performed at the certified analytical laboratory of the Alexandrovskoe gold mine, located 6 km to the west from the mineralized domains of the Sergeevskoe project. The laboratory is owned by Zapadnaya Gold Mining Company (http://www.zapadnaya.com/qa/alexandrovka.html), which is independent from Orsu. The detection limit of the laboratory is 0.1 g/t Au, with assay precision to 0.01 g/t Au. The laboratory included blank samples in the batches of 30 to 40 samples. The laboratory run random duplicate analytical tests of assayed material, averaging 20 samples.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. This contagious disease outbreak, which has continued to spread, has adversely affected workforces, economies, and financial markets globally. It is not possible for the Company to predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse impacts of the outbreak and its effects on the Company's business or ability to raise funds. The COVID-19 pandemic has not affected the progress of the ongoing exploration campaign on the Sergeevskoe Project as the Company is able to conduct its ongoing exploration in this remote area of Russia.

About Orsu Metals Corporation

Orsu Metals Corporation is a mineral exploration and development company. The 90% owned Sergeevskoe gold project located in the Mogocha District of the Zabaikal'skiy Region of the Russian Federation is the focus of Orsu's activities. Orsu has filed a technical report titled: "NI43-101 Technical Report on the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Sergeevskoe Property, Zabaikalskiy Krai, Russian Federation" dated effective January 9, 2020 (the "Sergeevskoe Report") to support the Inferred Mineral Resource of 30.42 million tons, grading 1.45 g/t gold and containing 1.417 Moz gold at a 0.5 g/t gold cut-off grade and US$1,450 per troy ounce of gold, optimized into an open pit constrained by the license boundaries at Sergeevskoe.

Qualified Person

Alexander Yakubchuk, the Company's Director of Exploration, Ph.D., MIMMM, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed, verified and approved the exploration information disclosures contained in this press release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement:

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such information or statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of, and the issuance of, a permit to conduct a bulk-test pilot mining program, the economics of the bulk-test pilot mining program, the mineralized material being amenable to being processed at the gold plant, the cash flow from the pilot mining operation being sufficient to fund a major exploration effort in the latter half of 2020. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

ENDS

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For further information, please contact:

Alexander Yakubchuk, Director of Exploration, Orsu Metals Corporation

Doris Meyer, Corporate Secretary, Orsu Metals Corporation

E: doris@gocs.ca

SOURCE: Orsu Metals Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603107/Orsu-Metals-More-Than-Doubled-the-Footprint-of-Mineralization-as-Part-of-Grade-Control-Drilling-Program-at-the-Adit-5-Domain-Sergeevskoe-Project-Russia
Rating Action: Moody's downgrades NCL Corporation's CFR to B2; outlook negative

Global Credit Research - 24 Aug 2020

New York, August 24, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service, ("Moody's") downgraded the ratings of NCL Corporation Ltd. ("NCL") including its Corporate Family Rating to B2 from Ba2, Probability of Default Rating to B2-PD from Ba2-PD, senior secured rating to B1 from Ba2, and senior unsecured rating to Caa1 from B1. The company's Speculative Grade Liquidity rating of was upgraded to SGL-2 from SGL-3. The outlook is negative. This concludes the review for downgrade that was initiated on July 14, 2020.

"The downgrade reflects Moody's expectation that NCL's metrics will remain weak over at least the next two years with debt/EBITDA of above 7.0x and EBITA/interest expense below 2.5x," stated Pete Trombetta, Moody's lodging and cruise analyst. "The downgrade also reflects our assumption that NCL's available capacity will be modest in the first half of 2021 as the industry puts in place acceptable guidelines that satisfy the requirements for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lift its no sail order put in place in March," added Trombetta. The upgrade in NCL's speculative grade liquidity rating to SGL-2 reflects the steps the company has taken to enhance its cash balances which now stand at about $3.1 billion (pro forma for transactions subsequent to June 30), which provide it sufficient runway to get through this period of unprecedented earnings pressure.

The rapid spread of the coronavirus outbreak, deteriorating global economic outlook, and high asset price volatility have created an unprecedented credit shock across a range of sectors and regions. We regard the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under our ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety. Today's action reflects the impact on NCL from the deterioration in credit quality it has triggered, given its exposure to travel restrictions in the US, which has left it vulnerable to shifts in market demand and sentiment in these unprecedented operating conditions.

Story continues

Downgrades:

..Issuer: NCL Corporation Ltd.

.... Probability of Default Rating, Downgraded to B2-PD from Ba2-PD

.... Corporate Family Rating, Downgraded to B2 from Ba2

....Senior Secured Bank Credit Facility, Downgraded to B1 (LGD3) from Ba2 (LGD3)

....Senior Secured Regular Bond/Debenture, Downgraded to B1 (LGD3) from Ba2 (LGD3)

....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Downgraded to Caa1 (LGD6) from B1 (LGD6)

Upgrades:

..Issuer: NCL Corporation Ltd.

.... Speculative Grade Liquidity Rating, Upgraded to SGL-2 from SGL-3

Outlook Actions:

..Issuer: NCL Corporation Ltd.

....Outlook, Changed To Negative From Rating Under Review

RATINGS RATIONALE

NCL's credit profile is supported by its market position as the third largest ocean cruise operator worldwide, as well as its well-known brand names -- Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, as well as the strong performance of its new ships in terms of pricing and bookings relative to its other ships which enables the company to compete against larger rivals across all its price points. Moody's view that over the long run, the value proposition of a cruise vacation relative to land-based destinations as well as a group of loyal cruise customers supports a base level of demand once health safety concerns have been effectively addressed. In the short run, NCL's credit profile will be dominated by the length of time that cruise operations continue to be highly disrupted and the resulting impact on the company's cash consumption and its liquidity profile. The normal ongoing credit risks include its high leverage, the highly seasonal and capital intensive nature of cruise companies and the cruise industry's exposure to economic and industry cycles, weather incidents and geopolitical events.

The negative outlook reflects NCL's high leverage and the uncertainty around the pace and level of recovery in demand that will enable the company to reducle leverage to below 6.0x.

NCL has good liquidity represented by its pro forma cash balance of about $3.1 billion (pro forma for transactions subsequent to June 30). This liquidity provides the company with sufficient coverage of its current cash burn through 2021. The company has fully drawn its committed $875 million revolver due 2024. The company's credit facilities contain one covenant that is not tested unless total liquidity drops to below $100 million. We do not expect the covenant will be tested. Most of NCL's assets are encumbered either to ship level debt, the revolving credit facilities and term loans, or secured notes. Also considered is that while we view cruise ships as valuable long-term assets, we do not believe the company could sell ships quickly to raise cash, if necessary.

FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS

The ratings could be downgraded further in the near term if the company's liquidity weakened in any way or if the recovery is delayed beyond our base assumptions which include a resumption of US cruising in the first half of 2021 with capacity days reaching at least 65% of their 2019 levels and occupancy reaching at least 70% by the second quarter with continued improvement from there. The ratings could also be downgraded if there are indications that the company is not on a path to restoring leverage to a sustainable level. The outlook could be revised to stable if the impacts from the spread of the coronavirus stabilizes and cruise operations resume at a level that enables the company to maintain debt/EBITDA below 6.0x. Ratings could be upgraded if the company is able to maintain leverage below 5.5x with EBITA/interest expense sustained above 2.0x.

NCL Corporation Ltd., headquartered in Miami, FL, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd. Norwegian operates 28 cruise ships with approximately 59,150 berths under three brand names; Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Net revenues were about $5.0 billion for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

The principal methodology used in these ratings was Business and Consumer Service Industry published in October 2016 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1037985. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.

REGULATORY DISCLOSURES

For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.

For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.

For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.

The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure.

These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com.

Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.

Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569.

At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating action(s) announced and described above.

The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moody's Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com.

Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.

Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.

Peter Trombetta Asst Vice President - Analyst Corporate Finance Group Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Margaret Taylor Associate Managing Director Corporate Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653

 2020 Moody's Corporation, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Moody's Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved.

CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. AND/OR ITS CREDIT RATINGS AFFILIATES ARE MOODY'S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES, AND MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY MOODY'S (COLLECTIVELY, "PUBLICATIONS") MAY INCLUDE SUCH CURRENT OPINIONS. MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THE RISK THAT AN ENTITY MAY NOT MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE AND ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT OR IMPAIRMENT. SEE MOODY'S RATING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS PUBLICATION FOR INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ADDRESSED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE CREDIT RATINGS. CREDIT RATINGS DO NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LIQUIDITY RISK, MARKET VALUE RISK, OR PRICE VOLATILITY. CREDIT RATINGS, NON-CREDIT ASSESSMENTS ("ASSESSMENTS"), AND OTHER OPINIONS INCLUDED IN MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF CURRENT OR HISTORICAL FACT. MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS MAY ALSO INCLUDE QUANTITATIVE MODEL-BASED ESTIMATES OF CREDIT RISK AND RELATED OPINIONS OR COMMENTARY PUBLISHED BY MOODY'S ANALYTICS, INC. AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES. MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE OR PROVIDE INVESTMENT OR FINANCIAL ADVICE, AND MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AND DO NOT PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PURCHASE, SELL, OR HOLD PARTICULAR SECURITIES. MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DO NOT COMMENT ON THE SUITABILITY OF AN INVESTMENT FOR ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. MOODY'S ISSUES ITS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLISHES ITS PUBLICATIONS WITH THE EXPECTATION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT EACH INVESTOR WILL, WITH DUE CARE, MAKE ITS OWN STUDY AND EVALUATION OF EACH SECURITY THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR PURCHASE, HOLDING, OR SALE.

MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS,ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY RETAIL INVESTORS AND IT WOULD BE RECKLESS AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR RETAIL INVESTORS TO USE MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS OR PUBLICATIONS WHEN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION. IF IN DOUBT YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISER.

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROTECTED BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COPYRIGHT LAW, AND NONE OF SUCH INFORMATION MAY BE COPIED OR OTHERWISE REPRODUCED, REPACKAGED, FURTHER TRANSMITTED, TRANSFERRED, DISSEMINATED, REDISTRIBUTED OR RESOLD, OR STORED FOR SUBSEQUENT USE FOR ANY SUCH PURPOSE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ANY FORM OR MANNER OR BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER, BY ANY PERSON WITHOUT MOODY'S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT.

MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS,ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY ANY PERSON AS A BENCHMARK AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES AND MUST NOT BE USED IN ANY WAY THAT COULD RESULT IN THEM BEING CONSIDERED A BENCHMARK.

All information contained herein is obtained by MOODY'S from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error as well as other factors, however, all information contained herein is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind. MOODY'S adopts all necessary measures so that the information it uses in assigning a credit rating is of sufficient quality and from sources MOODY'S considers to be reliable including, when appropriate, independent third-party sources. However, MOODY'S is not an auditor and cannot in every instance independently verify or validate information received in the rating process or in preparing its Publications.

To the extent permitted by law, MOODY'S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability to any person or entity for any indirect, special, consequential, or incidental losses or damages whatsoever arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information, even if MOODY'S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers is advised in advance of the possibility of such losses or damages, including but not limited to: (a) any loss of present or prospective profits or (b) any loss or damage arising where the relevant financial instrument is not the subject of a particular credit rating assigned by MOODY'S.

To the extent permitted by law, MOODY'S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability for any direct or compensatory losses or damages caused to any person or entity, including but not limited to by any negligence (but excluding fraud, willful misconduct or any other type of liability that, for the avoidance of doubt, by law cannot be excluded) on the part of, or any contingency within or beyond the control of, MOODY'S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers, arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information.

NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY CREDIT RATING, ASSESSMENT, OTHER OPINION OR INFORMATION IS GIVEN OR MADE BY MOODY'S IN ANY FORM OR MANNER WHATSOEVER.

Moody's Investors Service, Inc., a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Corporation ("MCO"), hereby discloses that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to Moody's Investors Service, Inc. for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from $1,000 to approximately $2,700,000. MCO and Moody's investors Service also maintain policies and procedures to address the independence of Moody's Investors Service credit ratings and credit rating processes. Information regarding certain affiliations that may exist between directors of MCO and rated entities, and between entities who hold credit ratings from Moody's Investors Service and have also publicly reported to the SEC an ownership interest in MCO of more than 5%, is posted annually at www.moodys.com under the heading "Investor Relations  Corporate Governance  Director and Shareholder Affiliation Policy."

Additional terms for Australia only: Any publication into Australia of this document is pursuant to the Australian Financial Services License of MOODY'S affiliate, Moody's Investors Service Pty Limited ABN 61 003 399 657AFSL 336969 and/or Moody's Analytics Australia Pty Ltd ABN 94 105 136 972 AFSL 383569 (as applicable). This document is intended to be provided only to "wholesale clients" within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. By continuing to access this document from within Australia, you represent to MOODY'S that you are, or are accessing the document as a representative of, a "wholesale client" and that neither you nor the entity you represent will directly or indirectly disseminate this document or its contents to "retail clients" within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. MOODY'S credit rating is an opinion as to the creditworthiness of a debt obligation of the issuer, not on the equity securities of the issuer or any form of security that is available to retail investors.

Additional terms for Japan only: Moody's Japan K.K. ("MJKK") is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Group Japan G.K., which is wholly-owned by Moody's Overseas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCO. Moody's SF Japan K.K. ("MSFJ") is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of MJKK. MSFJ is not a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO"). Therefore, credit ratings assigned by MSFJ are Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings. Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings are assigned by an entity that is not a NRSRO and, consequently, the rated obligation will not qualify for certain types of treatment under U.S. laws. MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registered with the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration numbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively.

MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY125,000 to approximately JPY250,000,000.

MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements.


Police in central China's Hubei Province have arrested 10 people for suspected illegal fishing on the Yangtze River, seizing a haul of fish weighing over a tonne.

Police in Wuhan, the provincial capital, said Monday that the group used banned fishing equipment for illegal fishing in a local section of the Yangtze River.

After receiving a tip-off about the group in early August, the police launched a raid and caught the suspects in action on the early morning of Aug. 19. Five vehicles and one boat were also confiscated.

The banned fishing equipment enabled the group to catch over 1 tonne of fish in a single night, according to the police.

At the start of this year, China began a 10-year fishing moratorium in 332 conservation areas in the Yangtze River basin. It will be expanded to all the natural waterways of the country's longest river and its major tributaries no later than Jan. 1, 2021.
Dozens of business owners are cleaning up after a night of unrest in Kenosha.

Protesters broke windows and started fires after police shot Jacob Blake, 29, multiple times.

Vandals torched dozens of vehicles at a car dealership.

A former employee recorded video of the scene.

"All cars are done for. There's a couple of them that are salvageable, but every one of them. It was so hot," Nicholas Smith said. "The rims actually melted into metal piles. I mean, everything is done for. The building, water damage, the fire. We'll just take what we got, try and rebuild."

Witnesses said hundreds of protesters converged on the dealership.

"It started with one car over there in the corner, then this first SUV here," Justin Hamilton said. "Then one Audi on the other side and then it pretty much, once they started that car, within 10 minutes, I would say these first five cars were up in flames."

The owner said more than 100 cars in the lot and most were destroyed.

Other business owners spent Monday morning sweeping up glass from broken shop windows and boarding up.

"I understand why everyone is upset, but breaking stuff just seems pointless to me," Marty Wikel said.

"I can't blame people for being angry, and to be honest with you, I'm more concerned with the man fighting for his life. We (had some) damaged windows. We'll be OK," Mary Losey said.

The Kenosha County Courthouse is closed after it was damaged.

Court hearings will be rescheduled and other services are available online or by phone.

Blake was flown to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee and listed in serious condition.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice was called to investigate the officer-involved shooting.

They have not identified the officers involved.

No other details have been released.
I was in the Florida courtroom in the spring of 2016, the day Peter Thiel succeeded in taking Gawker downthough the puppet strings were hidden still, since Thiel had kept his involvement in Bollea v. Gawker a secret that would not emerge for some weeks. Eventually, it became clear that one thin-skinned man had covertly spent millions to crush Gawker, a publication whose writers had repeatedly, and effectively, expressed withering contempt for him. As a result of this lawsuit, millions of people were permanently deprived of a website they liked to read.

The slow digesting of these facts changed a lot of peoples minds, including mine, about the fragility of the independent press in America. Most of us had been accustomed to believing that the right to express withering contempt for billionaires was as sacred as the right to accuse Jerry Falwell of drunken incest in an outhousea right upheld by arch-conservative Supreme Court justice William Rehnquist, writing for the unanimous court in Hustler Magazine v. Falwell (1988): The fact that society may find speech offensive is not a sufficient reason for suppressing it.

I couldnt agree more with Justice Rehnquist, particularly at this moment in our history, when the independence and freedom of our press seems in new danger from a variety of political movements that seek to shut down voices they abhor. That fear, and what I saw in that Florida courtroom, have changed my life, and have prompted me to focus on finding ways to protect speech rights and press freedom. One is the column I write here at CJR, keeping a public editors eye on MSNBC. Another is the Brick House Cooperative, a group of nine publishers whove banded together to demonstrate the benefits of a cooperative business model for our industryand, we hope, to insulate us from the Peter Thiels (and Donald Trumps) of the world. If this thing works, we will expand it to include more publishers as quickly as possible.

By pooling and sharing our subscribers, revenues, and expenses, the Brick House can deliver independent publications to readers collectively, efficiently, and at an attractive price. The ultimate goal is to provide everyone who publishes at the Brick House with enough revenue to pay sustainable salaries and benefits, and to provide streamlined publishing and business resources to all. We launch our first promotional campaign on Kickstarter on August 25, with a projected publishing debut in October 2020.

In working out ways of protecting speech rights and press freedom, I kept coming up against the problem of careerism, for lack of a better way of putting itthe meritocratic myth that has kept journalists from working together toward a common goal.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

Like most everyone in a market-driven society, journalists are taught to compete. On the one hand this means: do your very best. On the other, it means: your brothers and sisters are there to be beaten, not looked out for. Do your very best and, with luck, that will be better than the next person can do. Youll get better assignments, more followers, lots of TV appearances, a fat book deal. As journalists, we are taught to race along on our own little hamster wheel toward our own little Pulitzer.

The competitive spirit elevated the strivers and strengthened the bosses but weakened the profession. The result is that all of useven the striversbecame increasingly vulnerable to exploitation, with the results you see before you: tens of thousands laid off, scores of publications sabotaged and shuttered.

But journalism isnt a zero-sum game to be won; its a public trust. A community of journalists looking out for each other, committed to the strength and vigor of the profession before their own individual careers, will be stronger in every waybetter at producing stories that matter, better in business, better at serving the public. The Brick House represents this enlightened self-interest. Solidarity is not what we were taught, but it is what we need.

After a lot of painstaking research, the Brick Houses novel form of ownership was formalized last month with the help of Cleveland business attorney George Carr. Shares in the cooperative are equal, with one allocated per publication, and they cant be sold or transferred. No member can own more than one publication.

Each publication is run independently, but under a collective umbrella: one subscription grants access to all member publications. There are, and will be, no ads, no owners, and no executives. The cooperative is supported by readers and is accountable to readers alone. (There is an Advisory Council, a group that includes Kyle Pope, editor and publisher of CJR, together with the Tow Centers Emily Bell, editor and Postlight founder Paul Ford, and journalists and editors Anna Holmes, Gabriel Snyder, and Hamilton Nolan.)

The Brick Houses founding publications are:

Jason Adam Katzensteins AWRY , a brand-new hub for comics with an emphasis on new voices, critiques of power, and stories never before seen in cartoon form

Harry Siegel and Alex Brook Lynns FAQ NYC , a podcast that tries to make sense of the only city in the whole world

Tom Scocca and Joe MacLeods HMM WEEKLY , featuring culture, commentary, and opinion from veterans of Gawker, Deadspin, and the Baltimore City Paper

Brian Hioes NO MAN IS AN ISLAND , focused on Taiwan and other places Western media have tended to ignore

K o la Tub o suns OLONGOAFRICA , a pan-African community of opinion makers

Maria Bustilloss POPULA , the home for humanist, egalitarian perspectives on news and culture

Myriam Gurbas TASTEFUL RUDE , a new site drilling into the intersection of art, literature, celebrity, and politics, eschewing the white cishet male gaze in favor of all others

David Moore and Donny Shaws award-winning THE SLUDGE REPORT , an unfiltered view of the swampiest politicos behind the weeks headlines

Mike Kanin and Sunny Sones PREACHY , a new home for writing about spirituality, religiosity, and modes of peace and introspection

Thats what we are building: a community of journalists who look out for each other and serve no one other than our readers. This is a test of the emergency cooperative publishing system. Join us. Publish with us. Read us.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Maria Bustillos is the founding editor of Popula, an alternative news and culture magazine. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The New Yorker, Harpers, and The Guardian.
Dr. Dworkin lit into the reluctance by health officials in Hawaii to ramp up testing in the early weeks of the pandemic and said it was the privately funded testing efforts that may have staved off an even more acute crisis. He also questioned why contact tracing operations remain inadequately staffed.

Hawaii, as well as other some islands that are U.S. territories, still has relatively fewer cases and Covid-19-related deaths than many parts of the mainland. But Hawaii now ranks among the states where new cases have grown fastest over the last 14 days.

Meanwhile, confusion is emerging over some pandemic measures there, especially in Honolulu, where gyms remain open but hiking trails and parks are closed; restaurants in the city are also open but residents cannot receive visitors into their home from outside their household.

Gov. David Ige defended the states contact tracing efforts, saying in a news briefing this month that Hawaiis operations were better than average and amongst the best in the country.
Oil and gas explorer PetroNeft says production has improved at its sites in Russia, as oil prices in the country rise.

The Dublin-listed company is focused on the Tomsk Oblast region of the country, where it owns and operates 50pc of Licences 61 and 67.

In Licence 61 production is up 7pc year-on-year to 1,589 barrels per day in July.

There has been a strong performance from the Lineynoyefield with production over 20pc ahead of July 2019 levels, according to an update from the group.

Its Sibkrayevskoye field is producing at approximately 246 barrels per day.

Production has increased year-on-year at Licence 61 due to a combination of optimising the water flood program at its Lineynoye field and placing the Sibkrayevskoye field into year-round production.

The robust performance of the two wells is providing increased confidence in the forward potential development of the field, PetroNeft said.

There has also been an improvement in local market conditions where it sells its oil, following a global slump in prices earlier this year, according to the company.

By June prices had returned to near pre-crisis levels, it added.

David Sturt, CEO of PetroNeft, said: "It is extremely encouraging to be able to begin seeing the benefits of the field optimisation programs which started last year with extensive but low-cost data gathering across our well portfolio.

Being able to stabilse and even increase production without deploying significant capital to expensive drilling is particularly good news and demonstrates the future potential of these fields, he said.

Last December the company raised $2.12m (1.9m) in a share placing.

At the time it said the funds raised are mainly being used to cover costs associated with the company's investment programme this year.

Meanwhile, Providence Resources has said 333,333 warrants of 3p have been exercised raising 10,000 (11,084).

This was part of the fund raising in May.

On the back of this the company has issued 333,333 new ordinary shares to the warrant holder.
Darwin's survival of the fittest seems to be playing out in this pandemic. Politics involved in mask-wearing, risky communal behaviour and now religious opposition to possible vaccines. Is this all our lives are worth? Janice Creenaune, Austinmer Leave management of bushfires to the experts The government must be very careful to not give free rein to landholders in fire-prone areas ("Quelling bushfire risk falls to owners", August 25). Some landholders care deeply about the bush and the life it holds, but  as we saw with the relaxation of tree clearing  some don't. It is also dangerous to ask inexperienced landholders to conduct burns. That may lead to disaster. Traditional Indigenous land management and fire practices seem to work. It will be very important to fund teachers and practitioners of these methods for landholders in fire-prone areas to access. There would appear to be a shortage already. Australia could have been at the forefront of scientific firefighting. We could possibly have exported information and materials and expertise. Why did it take so long? Governments must act on climate change. Ingrid Strewe, Laguna Sure  thatll work. Perform your own surgery. Margaret Hogge, North Curl Curl

The bushfire inquiry report is a lacklustre document and raises many questions. How much area to hazard reduce? What are the biodiversity consequences? Does it really propose more cattle grazing to reduce fire risk? This sounds foolish and will bring more environmental damage  after all the widespread Australian land clearing and continued land clearing for stock grazing, is an important factor in climate change. The idea of an international centre on bushfire research and technology is good but why isnt this being done under national auspices with a focus on climate change and adaptation? Does the report propose strong national and global action to reduce emissions by far the most important thing to do to reduce future catastrophic fires? I bet it doesnt. Rod Holesgrove, Crace ACT Hazard reduction or cultural burns near settled areas may reduce deaths and property damage associated with bushfires. Whether this is done by national park rangers or private land owners is irrelevant. Hazard reduction cannot stop future widespread and more intense bushfires that are associated with global warming. The Australian bush is changing, and many more species of native animal will become extinct. Fire is an agent of change. More fire and drought-resistant bushland is replacing less resistant bushland. Australians will need to adapt to these changes and live with fire. "Give me a home among the gumtrees" might become a thing of the past. Exposed property owners will need to pay much higher insurance premiums and protect themselves with fire shelters, fire breaks, sprinkler systems and more expensive houses that can endure 'normal' bushfires. Geoff Black, Caves Beach While it may be up to landowners to carry out hazard-reduction burns it is equally up to motorists on rural roads  like the thoughtless, careless, self-entitled driver depicted in Cathy Wilcoxs cartoon  to keep glowing cigarette butts inside their car. Joan Brown, Orange

Natural gas stance a lot of hot air I was delighted to read about the letter from leading scientists to the Chief Scientist but dismayed that it took so long to react to a speech Alan Finkel gave in February ("Top scientists rebuke Finkel over 'unsafe gas'", August 25). Finkel's irresponsible speech essentially gave the green light to politicians to approve and subsidise CSG extraction. It is such a pity that, great as the letter is, it took six months to send it. In the meantime the Morrison government has further cemented its commitment to CSG. Despite the spin put on it by the Coalition and industry, coal seam gas is a fossil fuel. It is not a "transition fuel" and cannot therefore be legitimately used as a stopgap between fossil fuels and renewables. Neither is it a "firming fuel" or a "feedstock"  these are spin words designed to simply to distract from its nature. It is really just a money spinner both for multinationals and for politicians topping up their campaign war chests at the expense of our global climate. We need to reverse this. Penny Rosier, North Epping Your editorial provides a broad outline of the issues involved with expanding the use of natural gas ("Environmental doubts over gas not to be ignored", August 25). Importantly it notes that the pandemic has been the catalyst for Australia to learn that "science has provided the most effective way forward", and it's time the government took a similar approach to climate policy. It also suggests political "shackling" has to be accepted, and says it would be prudent of the Coalition to pressure test its policy to ensure it stands up to scrutiny.

There is an abundance of independent scientific evidence that natural gas is far from a clean source of energy. This, together with the obvious dangers associated with contamination of water supplies and global emissions, surely indicates that a firmer stance is required. Harry Polley, Dural Cause and effect Let's hope that Don Weatherburn's informed letter forces us all to confront two uncomfortable facts (Letters, August 25). One, that the main reason Aboriginal people are over-represented in prison is because they commit more crimes; and two, that this situation "is a product of a chain of events that starts with colonisation and dispossession and stretches forward in time through trauma, loss of purpose, child neglect, substance abuse, depression, poor school performance and unemployment". In other words, it started with us. Don Weatherburn's book might provide a blueprint for at last reversing this unfortunate situation. It should be compulsory reading for us all. Col Nicholson, Hawks Nest

The crown doesn't fit We are familiar with Thailand, Peter Hartcher ("Young Thais turn on their king", August 25). In 1992, we landed in Bangkok a day prior to an evening curfew for civil unrest. The following evening, restricted to our 28th floor hotel room, we witnessed the haunting, dramatic lighting effects of an armed conflict in which some 4000 casualties occurred, 1000 killed. City buildings blocked our view of the horror at ground level. At 3am the hotel phoned and announced visitors  on day one we had arranged the obligatory tailored clothing purchase. Mr T and his seamstress were here for the check fitting. The city was now in full lockdown but Mr T had gained access via a checkpoint managed by his brother in the army. After my fitting, Mr T, immaculately dressed, performed his Michael Jackson dance moves for me. I slumped into a lounge chair, 3.30 in the morning, a massacre earlier in the night, Elvis moonwalking on the carpet, my wife still in the bathroom with the seamstress. The clothes duly arrived the next day. Mentally wrought, we paid  some were wearable, some not. Thailand, breathtaking in many ways. Brian Jones, Leura A sinking feeling

Much as we might adore a good old silvertail spray, we really should consider the actual facts (Letters, August 25). The facts are that Berrys Bay residents have co-existed with Noakes' shipyard facility since 1993, and since the 1860s under other operators. The contentious issue is not that Noakes exists as part of Sydney's historic working harbour, it's that the shipyard wishes to substantially change its usage. In a major upgrade, Noakes wants to build a 60-metre floating dry-dock more suited to a naval shipyard than a tiny bay. Even a resident of the least silvertail of suburbs would be within their rights to object when the boatyard breaches its licence conditions by leaching toxic pollution into the harbour. Could it just be that whether it likes it or not, Noakes is on too small a bay for such a large dock? Alison Stewart, Riverview Berrys Bay residents are not the only ones upset by the floating dry-dock. It was moved to the Birchgrove side of the harbour a while ago, presumably because of northside complaints. It is nothing like "washing over the back fence". It is more akin to a huge factory suddenly opening up in your front yard. Of course, residents in this area also protested strongly. The floating dry-dock was then moved down the line of "dolphins", fixed structures in the harbour used to store large industrial items  sometimes for years. It is just off Ballast Point now. Marilyn Hadfield, Birchgrove Don't hate the players

It is encouraging to read of Arts Minister Don Harwin's support for the feasibility study into restoring the former Minerva Theatre in Kings Cross ("Stage set for battle over theatre's fate", August 24). It is equally discouraging to note the language used by City of Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore who, although supportive of the study, speculates about whether a restored theatre would be regularly used, the justification for potential costs during dark periods and its uncertain viability. Does anyone ask these questions in relation to the hundreds of community playing fields throughout the Sydney region, which may be used once or twice on a weekend, and sometimes not at all? Or stadiums such as the Sydney Cricket Ground or the recently completed Parramatta stadium? When will politicians and planners realise that  as with sport  theatres are about community amenity and quality of life, and should not have to be subject to the blowtorch of dry commercial "viability". Robert Fox, West Pymble Height of foolishness The scary ferry situation that so amuses Andrew Constance makes me wonder whether the deal for new ferries was made during the messy week the minister wrestled with John Barilaro for the Eden-Monaro seat ("'Near Duck Creek': Constance laughs off ferry fail", August 25). Lorraine Hickey, Green Point Trains that didn't fit the rails, ferries that are too high: I hope there is a tape measure around when building the new runway at the western Sydney airport. Zuzu Burford, Heathcote

While Andrew Constance makes flippant duck puns about the newly purchased river ferries, the bird more closely approximating this minister appears to be the goose. Wayne Duncombe, Glebe He's a cunning man, that Andrew Constance, securing the votes of the vertically challenged. Grant Heaton, Port Macquarie There's only one name to give the first new Parramatta ferry to come into service: Constance McEggonface (Letters, August 25). Norm Neill, Darlinghurst My nomination for a name is El Decapitan. Robert Niven, Aranda ACT And the winner is: Ferry McSmashyFace. Paul Soares, Bardwell Valley
Mladic: ruthless Serb crusader dubbed the 'epitome of evil' Former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic was convicted on 10 counts including genocide over atrocities committed during the Bosnian war

Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb commander whose appeal opens Tuesday, saw himself as a crusading defender of the Serbs but he was dubbed the "epitome of evil" for the mass killings his troops carried out during Bosnia's 1990s war.

The 78-year-old was sentenced to life in prison in 2017 for genocide and other war crimes that judges in The Hague said were "amongst the most heinous known to humankind".

The atrocities, including the massacre of some 8,000 Muslim boys and men in Srebrenica, were carried out by Mladic's forces as they tried to rid Bosnian territory of Croats and Muslims in pursuit of a Serb-only state.

The UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein described Mladic as "the epitome of evil" after his conviction.

Captured in 2011 after 16 years on the run, he is now an ailing shadow of his former self, dogged by ill-health.

He remains a hero to many Serbs, who deeply distrust the international courts which have meted out justice for the communal violence that ruptured former Yugoslavia.

But to the families of war victims, he will forever be associated with the bloody 44-month siege of Sarajevo and the 1995 massacre in Srebrenica, considered the worst bloodshed on European soil since World War II.

After Mladic's troops overran Srebenica, a Muslim enclave under UN protection, in 1995, he arrived on the scene in footage that shows him congratulating troops and assuring locals they would be safe.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia found him guilty on 10 counts including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the 1992-1995 conflict that killed 100,000 people and displaced 2.2 million.

Mladic has denied all charges, describing them as "obnoxious" at his first court appearance in 2011.

"I defended my country and my people," he said.

- Military path -

Born in the village of Bozanovici in eastern Bosnia, Mladic's life was struck by bloodshed and tragedy as a toddler, when his father was killed in battle with the Ustasha, Croatia's fascist World War II regime.

Story continues

Mladic followed his parent's military path and was a colonel in the Yugoslav army when the federation began to crumble in June 1991.

He was sent to organise the Serb-dominated army in Croatia, and the following May he was made commander of Bosnian Serb forces, tasked with seizing land across Bosnia for Serbs.

Former Yugoslav army spokesperson Ljubodrag Stojadinovic once described Mladic as "narcissistic, conceited, vain and arrogant".

In 1994, at the height of the war, Mladic's only daughter Ana committed suicide in Belgrade, aged 23, with her father's favourite pistol.

Those close to the general were reported as saying that he was pushed over the edge by her death, which came a year before the Srebrenica massacre took place.

The court also held Mladic responsible for the interminable siege of Sarajevo, which claimed an estimated 10,000 lives and deprived the city of food, water and electricity under a barrage of shells and sniper fire.

At the trial's end, prosecutor Alan Tieger dismissed defence claims that the general's role in the conflict was limited, maintaining he was the man who "called the shots".

- 'Coward's war' -

Although Mladic was revered by his men, "his war was a coward's war", according to veteran Balkans journalist Tim Judah.

"He fought few pitched battles but managed to drive hundreds of thousands of unarmed people out of their homes," Judah wrote in his book "The Serbs".

Mladic was indicted by the ICTY in 1995 and dismissed from his post the following year.

But he initially enjoyed a luxurious and protected life as a fugitive, staying in Serbian military resorts with an entourage of staff, according to journalist Julian Borger, who wrote the book "The Butcher's Trail".

He later went underground in Belgrade after the fall of strongman Slobodan Milosevic -- who died while on trial at The Hague in 2006 -- and as Serbia came under growing pressure from the West to capture Mladic.

The general was finally arrested in May 2011 at his cousin's house in bucolic northern Serbia.

His last request before his transfer to the court was to visit his daughter's grave.

bur-rob/mbs/ssm/bp/gle
A single mother-of-three who arrived in the UK from Czech Republic aged four shocked viewers of The Yorkshire Job Centre last night after revealing her hopes of getting 450 per week in benefits.

Katrina, 24, from Leeds, sought help from the Southern House Job Centre on the Channel 4 programme after struggling with finances when her boyfriend left her.

Having moved to the country when she was four-years-old, the centre required her to take a Habitual Residence Test in order to claim Universal Credit of 450 per week.

However the single mother-of-three was left devastated when she discovered she failed the test and claimed she would be left homeless, saying: 'My children were born here. I did all my school here, I went to college here. I used to work here, I used to have everything here, so I don't know what's the problem.'

But viewers were left less than sympathetic, with one commenting: '450 quid a week in benefits?! Jeez I'm in the wrong game.'

Viewers of Channel 4's The Yorkshire Job Centre were left stunned last night after single mother-of-three Katrina, 24, applied to gain 450 per week in benefits

The single mother-of-three moved to Leeds from her home in Bradford after her split from her partner.

She told staff at the job centre: 'I'm in this situation that my boyfriend has left me, so I don't get no money or nothing.

'I just want some help. I wasn't bothered before, because my boyfriend was working.'

Meanwhile she told the camera she'd been left heartbroken by the breakup, explaining: 'I had a problem with my ex-boyfriend. One day he just went somewhere and I found out he had another girlfriend.

Viewers were left stunned by the programme, with many saying they were shocked by the amount Katrina was eligible to apply for

'I asked him, and he said he wants to be with her.'

She continued: 'Maybe I've done something wrong. but if I asked him what did I do, he said "Nothing, I'm just leaving you because I've fallen in love". So yeah, I lost everything.'

Meanwhile the single mother called her financial situation 'bad', saying: 'I don't have nothing for my children and I can't give nothing to my children.'

In order to claim the benefits from the job centre, Katrina was required to take a Habitual Residence Test.

Katrina was left stunned when she learned she had failed the Habitual Residence Test, after admitting she spent several months in the Czech Republic

Without passing the test, Katrina wouldn't have access to the benefits she said she needed in order to pay the rent and keep a roof over her family's head.

If successful, she could receive around 450 a week in universal credit.

Struggling with childcare support, the young mother-of-three brought a family friend along to the centre to entertain the children while she took the test.

What is habitual residence? In general a person would need to demonstrate the following regarding their current residence in the United Kingdom. Settled intention to remain  this means that a person would need to demonstrate their intention to remain in the UK e.g. by demonstrating friend or family connections, job contracts etc

Centre of Interest  a person would need to prove that their base in the UK is their Centre of Interest. This might be done by evidencing a job, home address, GP, membership of clubs etc in a particular area

Appropriate period of time  this is not defined, but is generally between 1 and 3 months There may be cases when a person is considered to resume their habitual residence immediately on re-entering a country after a period away from the country e.g if they have had to leave to look after an unwell relative. The Habitual Residence Test requires you to both have a 'right to reside' and to be 'habitually resident in fact' i.e. to be able to demonstrate the habitual residence elements above. This test applies to Income Support, Income-related Employment Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Universal Credit. The purpose of the test is to stop someone claiming social benefits immediately when they enter the UK. Advertisement

During the interview, she was questioned about whether she'd been abroad during the last two years, and admitted she had spent two months living in Czech Republic.

Meanwhile she was also asked to provide evidence that proved she had worked at a local supermarket.

The staff at the centre assured her that she would hear whether she passed within 48 hours.

However it wasn't not long before things take a turn for the worse for Katrina, and she revealed the rent on her home was in arrears and the landlord had given her just days to pay up.

She explained: 'If I don't get the money I'm going to be out. I'm not sure what's going to happen next.'

And just four days later, Katrina received a message on her phone alerting her that she failed the test.

She was left stunned, saying: 'They don't even know what they're doing. Stupid people.'

Failing the test meant Katrina wasn't entitled to any benefits at all and she quickly told the camera the children had no idea what was going on with their finances.

With tears rolling down her cheeks, she said: 'I haven't told them. They don't have to know what I'm going through.'

Days later, she said she had been denied all benefits, and failed to raise any cash for her rent, with a deadline set by the landlord coming and going.

She explained: 'Right now I am homeless. I don't have the money. The rent is not coming from nowhere so [the landlord] is entitled to chuck me out. I can't do nothing about it.'

One of the staff members the job centre, Brahim, told the camera: 'People say just go back to where you come from. But people don't know how difficult that is.

'In England, you can dream.'

After visiting citizen's advice, Katrina took her children to a local food bank where they were given food and toiletries.

The single mother said she feared being left homeless with her children after being rejected for the benefits

Brahim said: 'Food banks make me feel we are failing as a society. But sometimes you have no choice but to go there because it's the only thing left for you or your family.'

What is Universal Credit? Universal Credit (UC) replaces six existing benefits  Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit  with a single payment. When was it introduced? It has been rolled out gradually across the country after starting in pilot areas in 2013. New benefit claimants have been put onto the system, but from July 2019, around 2million people receiving the old benefits will be moved onto UC, which is due for completion in 2023. Who will be affected? Among those being moved to UC will be about 1 million working families and 745,000 people unable to work because of long-term illness or disability. Former Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey said that when UC is fully rolled out, it will deliver 8 billion of benefits to the UK economy per year. Will there be a wait for payments? UC is paid in arrears, and the first payment is not made until at least five weeks after a claim is lodged. Claimants can apply for advance payments to avoid hardship while they wait. Advertisement

But Katrina was able to turn her luck around within days, finding a job as a cleaner at a concert venue in town.

She explained she felt excited to start the new job, saying: 'Without work, you don't get nothing. At least I get some money to feed the kids and pay the rent.

'You have to do what you need to do.'

Just one month later, things changed again for Katrina because she was able to show her new job as evidence for her residency test and she went on to pass.

With the advance on her universal credit, she moved into a new house and the school aged children started at the local primary.

She said: 'I don't have to think about where do we have to go.

'Now they've got everything they want, they go to school, I've got the house, I feel relaxed.'

Many viewers were left shocked by the programme, with one commenting: 'Infuriating television. Some people are getting away with murder.'

Another wrote: 'I'm sure we are constantly told that folk are "starving" and "can't make ends meet" on benefits.'

One wrote: 'Are we for real? 450 a week, that's 1,800 a month without child allowance...that is a 32,000 year job. That's crazy.

'No wonder they are coming over the channel in egg cups to get to the benefits office.

'We're going to end up bankrupt.'

Another wrote: 'If this lady Katrina passes the residency test, she will get 450 a week. WTF.'

After learning she had failed the resident's test, Katrina went on to visit a local food bank to gather supplies and toiletries for her family
80% of 2020 weddings were postponed. Photo: Getty

The UK wedding industry has lost an estimated 4.8bn ($6.3bn) due to the coronavirus pandemic, as a significant number of weddings were canceled or postponed.

There was a 32% drop in weddings taking place in 2020, compared to the previous year, with 127,000 nuptials postponed, according to a study by Hello-safe.co.uk.

Around 80% of UK weddings take usually place between April and September, but this year the nationwide lockdown and social distancing restrictions banning gatherings wiped out peak wedding season, with 80% of weddings postponed and 51% of celebrations significantly impacted, the study found.

The highest rates of wedding cancellations were seen in the south of the country, with 43% of weddings cancelled in the Greater London area, followed by South West England (42%), the East of England (39%) and South East England (37%).

Some 80% of cancelled weddings have been rescheduled for 2021, meaning the wedding industry will have to cater for around 160,000 more weddings than usual next year.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Couples 'furious' as wedding insurers refuse payouts

Up to 410,000 weddings could happen in 2021, and with the average wedding costing 30,000, the UK wedding market could go from 7.5bn to 12.3bn next year. However, many venues and suppliers are concerned about making it through to next year due to the 4.3bn loss already incurred in 2020.

In the week before the lockdown was implemented, between 15 and 21 March, Brits were 14 times more likely than in the last five years to search cancel wedding on Google, according to Hello-safe.co.uk. The term postpone weddings was searched between 19 times more than usual in that same period.

As an immediate response to the outbreak of coronavirus in the UK, the number of queries for wedding insurance went up by 900% to 140,000 between 8 and 14 March.

However, many couples were left disappointed and out of pocket by the wedding insurance industry. Many insurers refused to pay out for cancelled weddings arguing that despite policy wording covering infectious diseases, people were not covered because cancellations were due to the government-ordered lockdown, not an outbreak of COVID-19 at the venue.

Story continues

Labour MP Yvonne Fovargue, who investigates issues of consumer protection, said this argument was sophistry.

READ MORE: Regulator to investigate concerns about wedding cancellation policies

The government action was taken because of the pandemic, she told Yahoo Finance UK. Its basically weaselling their way out of it.

Many insurers including WeddingPlan, John Lewis and Debenhams, then decided to temporarily suspend issuing new insurance policies. Insurer CoverMyWedding said that it would keep issuing wedding policies, but without any cover for claims resulting from COVID-19.

From 15 August UK wedding receptions have been able to go ahead with a maximum of 30 guests in the form of a sit-down meal, according to government guidelines.
A multimillionaire's super yacht has been stormed by police after he and his family were given an exemption to escape Melbourne's strict lockdown.

Construction tycoon Mark Simonds and seven others embarked on a 15-day trip from coronavirus-addled Victoria to Queensland on his 30-metre long vessel, Lady Pamela.

The luxury boat, which has its own uniformed staff, carried Simonds' wife Cheryl, his youngest son Vallence, and Hannah Fox, daughter of Linfox executive chairman Peter Fox.

It docked at six stops along the coast from August 9, before arriving at its final destination at Gold Coast Marina on Monday morning.

Melburnians are under strict stage four lockdown and are banned from entering the Sunshine State.

The luxury boat, which has its own uniformed staff, carried Simonds' (right) wife Cheryl (left), his youngest son Vallence (centre), and Hannah Fox, daughter of Linfox executive chairman Peter Fox

On Tuesday night, Simonds' exception was revoked by Queensland's chief health officer.

Police stormed the yacht and forced its wealthy occupants into 14 days of quarantine in a government-approved hotel, at their own expense.

'Attempting to bypass or manipulate Queensland's border direction is unacceptable,' a Queensland Health spokesperson said.

A Current Affair reported that everyone on board the boat was tested for COVID-19 by a team of mobile health professionals.

A source told The Age that the exemption was granted by Maritime Safety Queensland using incomplete information, however that has not been confirmed.

Simonds Group executive Mark Simonds looked very relaxed with wife Cheryl (pictured together) during their 15 day voyage along Australia's east coast on board Lady Pamela

On Tuesday night, the Simonds' exception was revoked by on Tuesday Queensland's chief health officer. Pictured: Health officials on Lady Pamela

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed the investigation on Tuesday and said Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young would look in to whether the yacht was entitled to an exemption.

'If they have been to a hotspot they have to go into quarantine just like everyone else,' Ms Palaszczuk said.

State Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski maintained the wealthy travellers were not given special treatment.

'There is a very clear process for getting exemptions to come into this state, we apply that equally to whoever that person may be,' Mr Gollschewski said.

Queensland Health medical officers (pictured third right) boarded Lady Pamela on Monday afternoon to test those on board after the vessel docked at Gold Coast Marina

Lady Pamela stopped at Refuge Cove near the southernmost point of mainland Australia on August 10.

Later stops included Eden and Jervis Bay on the NSW south coast, Corlette in the Hunter region north of Sydney, followed by Coffs Harbour.

Lady Pamela spent five days docked in a Yamba inlet where the Simonds family were reportedly spotted swimming in the river and drinking on board as they waited for approval to enter Queensland waters.

It's understood Queensland Police has been tracking the progress of the yacht since it departed Victoria and are now investigating any potential border restriction breaches.

'As this matter is under investigation, we would not in a position to comment,' a police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.

Lady Pamela made six stops along the east coast before arriving at their final destination

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services reiterated the public health advice for Melburnians.

'You should not be travelling interstate unless it is for a permitted reason and you must comply with the rules that your destination state or territory has in place,' the spokeswoman told The Age.

'Regardless of the mode of transport, metropolitan Melbourne stage four restrictions apply to all metropolitan Melbourne residents.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Simonds Group, Queensland Health and Victorian Health for comment.

It's understood Queensland Police has been tracking the progress of the yacht since it departed Victoria and are now investigating any potential border restriction breaches (three passengers pictured)

Mr Simonds has worked in the construction industry for almost five decades since 1973.

He worked alongside his father Gary who founded Simonds Homes in 1949 and was engaged in the management of the business until Simonds Group Limited was listed in 2014, according to the company website.

Mr Simonds is also the deputy chairman of Simonds Consolidated, which focuses venture capital and private equity building and construction, real estate and the vocational education sector.

He and his family live in Toorak, one of Melbourne's most exclusive suburbs.
Kevin Hart said at a recent comedy show that he tested positive for coronavirus.

The comic/actor, 41, put a light-hearted show business spin on the serious topic addressing the audience in Yellow Springs, Ohio at Dave Chappelles An Intimate Socially Distanced Affair, a series of outdoor comedy shows, Page Six reported Monday.

'The problem is that I had it around the same time as Tom Hanks, and I couldnt say anything because hes more famous than I am,' the Philadelphia native said this past weekend. (Hanks and wife Rita Wilson revealed they tested positive for COVID-19 on March 11.)

The latest: Kevin Hart, 41, said he tested positive for coronavirus at a comedy show in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Dave Chappelles An Intimate Socially Distanced Affair

Chappelle has plunked down in excess of $100,000 to rapid test those who attend his show for COVID-19, the outlet reported. Other comics on the slate include Questlove, Tobe Nwigwe, Bill Burr, Michelle Wolf and Donnell Rawlings.

Hart is dad to daughter Heaven, 15, and son Hendrix, 12, from his former marriage to Torrei Hart; and son Kenzo Kash, two, with his spouse Eniko Parrish, 35. The couple are expecting a daughter, and celebrated with a bohemian-themed baby shower.

Things are on the upswing for Hart, who survived the virus less than a year after he broke his back in a September 1, 2019 car crash in Malibu Hills, California that he continues to progress back from.

The Ride Along star was a passenger in his own 1970 Plymouth Barracuda when it veered off Mulholland Highway and careened into a ditch in Malibu Hills, California, according to authorities.

Fun time: Hart and wife Eniko Parrish, 35. enjoyed a baby shower

Bumpy time: The multi-talented entertainer embraced his pregnant wife's baby bump

Proud parents: The expectant couple are parents to son Kenzo Kash, two

The vehicle was being driven by Jared Black, the fiance of Rebecca Broxterman, Eniko's personal trainer.

The Jumani: Welcome To The Jungle actor suffered physical injuries in the accident that required him to have three areas of his spine fused together in an emergency surgery, followed by a rigorous rehabilitation program.

As of Monday, on a global level, 811,748 people have died amid 23,566,502 positive diagnoses worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. The death total for COVID-19 in the U.S. was at 177, 248 people, with 5,739,068 total positive diagnoses.
A depraved sex monster who could soon be released from jail has admitted he still likes the concept of rape 'a little bit'.

Aiden Harvey Driver, 29, was jailed for three counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault after a series of attacks on women near Adelaide's CBD in 2009.

Driver was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in jail but that was decreased to five and a half years on appeal.

He first became eligible for release on July 6.

Aiden Harvey Driver, 29, attacked three women during a string of attacks in 2009, including an indecent assault on woman who was walking her dogs along the Linear Park (pictured)

Driver raped one woman at gunpoint three times after breaking into her home in May 2009 before he indecently assaulted another in July that year as she walked her dogs along Linear Park in the city's north-east.

In a third attack just hours later, he attempted to strip a woman of her clothes and drag her into the bushes, but she fought him off and ran away.

On Tuesday, lawyers for the South Australian government asked the Supreme Court to jail Driver indefinitely, according to Adelaide Now.

Driver raped one women at gunpoint three times after breaking into her home in May 2009 before he went on two indecently assault two more (stock image)

Karim Soetratma, acting for the Attorney-General, said Driver had received 70 hours of personal counselling where he confessed the concept of rape was still appealing.

'It is positively alarming and concerning that he made the startling statement that he "liked the idea of rape" and, when asked how much, said he liked the idea "a little",' he said.

'That he likes the concept of rape at all, after the years he has spent in custody and the level of treatment he has had, is concerning.'

Adelaide's Supreme Court heard on Tuesday that Driver still found the idea of rape appealing

Driver's lawyer, Garen Truscott, said his client planned to travel to the Northern Territory if released, but Mr Soetratma slammed the idea.

'It would be unconscionable for this court, knowing what we know, to simply say, "Go free past the border of South Australia, free unrestricted and unsupervised, he's just not our problem anymore",' he said, according to ABC News.

Justice Sam Doyle said the circumstances of the case were challenging due to Driver's mental disabilities.

Mr Soetratma argued the indefinite detention would be reviewed every year.

Further submissions will be submitted to Justice Doyle and the case will continue next month.
Vietnamese police on August 24 arrested 21 Chinese citizens who are wanted by Chinese authorities on charges of frauds and property appropriation.

21 Chinese fugitives are detained residing in deserted houses in Lao Cai

The police raided and detained 21 Chinese citizens illegally residing in deserted houses in Kim Thanh commercial area of Lao Cai city, a locality bordering China.

Preliminary investigations show the group were aided and abetted by a Vietnamese-Chinese national to illegally enter Vietnam many days ago.

They lived in a row of abandoned houses in Kim Thanh commercial area with a fence of 6 meters high. To avoid the police and passers-by, they arranged people on guard and raised poultry in front of the houses like a farm.

Every day, the person of dual nationality went out to buy food for the group staying inside.

Searching their residence, the police seized nearly 300 electronic devices such as tablets, laptops, and cell phones.

Authorities launched an investigation into the case.

Earlier on August 21 the police in Mong Cai city of Quang Ninh province also detained a group of 11 Chinese citizens who illegally entered Vietnam to organize gambling on Chinese sites. VOV
New York Islanders Semyon Varlamov stops a shot against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period in game one of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs in Toronto

Semyon Varlamov posted his second straight shutout as the New York Islanders used a balanced scoring attack to beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-0 in the opening game of their playoff series on Monday.

Andy Greene, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Anders Lee and Devon Toews each scored in game one of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final series in the NHL's quarantine bubble in Toronto.

Varlamov made all 29 saves and stretched his shutout streak to 136 minutes, 20 seconds. He made 21 saves in a 4-0 win over the Washington Capitals in game five of their first round series.

The second game of the best-of-seven series will be played Wednesday.

Goaltender Carter Hart stopped 25 shots for the top seeded Flyers who eliminated the Montreal Canadiens in six games in the first round.

The Islanders outshot Philadelphia 15-4 and scored once in the first period before igniting for three goals in the third.

Pageau, with his fifth of the playoffs, beat Hart from the front of the net early in the third to make it 2-0.

Lee, on a pass from Canadian star Mathew Barzal, and Toews, into an empty net late, rounded out the scoring in the final period.

gph/jm
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) will be cancelling its kisan mela (farmers fair) for the Rabi season and instead organising a virtual mela because of social distancing issues during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The university, which had earlier cancelled the mela for Kharif crops in March, will reach out to farmers through mobile applications, webinars and YouTube videos.

PAU experts are planning to hold a month-long programme to educate people on various farming techniques and methods to be adopted in the coming season.

Confirming the development, PAU vice-chancellor (VC) Baldev Singh Dhillon said, We have decided to bring the kisan mela to farmers houses across the northern region with the help of technology.

He said as necessity was the mother of all inventions, PAU was laying emphasis on communication technology tools such as PAU Kisan App, PAU Kisan Portal, PAU Farm inputs, Kheti Sandesh, PAU agro advisory bulletin, PAU live streaming Webinar, facebook page, PAU YouTube channel, WhatsApp groups and Kisan mobile advisory service (KMAS) developed by PAU for rapid diffusion of improved agriculture knowledge to farming communities.

The PAU kisan melas, which began as kisan divas in 1967 at Gurdaspur, attract a large number of farmers from across and outside the state.

Over three lakh farmers were estimated to have visited the two-day mela in Ludhiana in September last year.

The fairs also also generate huge revenues for the university as many national and international companies vie for space to display their products.

Workshop on Zoom

In order to expand its digital footprint, PAUs Directorate of Extension Education also conducted its annual research and extension specialists workshop on Rabi Crops online. It was organised by the Directorate of Extension Education, at PAU through the online Zoom application.

In his address, the chief guest, Dr Dhillon expressed delight at the impressive online presence of 408 participants and congratulated the scientists of PAU, kisan vikas kendras (KVKs), the agriculture department and the farmers for accomplishing the task of wheat harvesting and marketing in an exemplary manner, despite the nationwide lockdown.

Dr Dhillon also said deliberations were continuing on how Rabi crops would be made available to farmers. Online payment modes are being discussed. We are thinking of sending the seeds at KVKs located across the state, he added.

Kharif is harvested in September and rice is the principal Kharif crop. Rabi is sown after October and its principal crop is wheat.
By Ayya Lmahamad

The U.S. will provide an additional financial assistance worth $1.47 million to Azerbaijan to help the country to respond to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, U.S. embassy has revealed in its official Facebook page.

Financial assistance will provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Thus, for private sector activities USAID will receive an additional $1 million to provide consulting services and technical support to government and help the small and medium- sized agriculture and agro-tourism enterprises to overcome challenges presented by the pandemic.

Moreover, $471,000 allocated by the State Department will be used to provide housing, food, health and social services to migrants affected by the pandemic.

It should be noted that the United States has provided over $5 million to support Azerbaijans response to the immediate and longer-term health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These funds have been allocated for the REACT-C19 project, to provide food and hygiene supplies to more than 3,600 people in need in the country, curbing the spread of the virus and educating people about the necessary measures.

Additionally, 19 doctors from Turkey have been brought to the country as consultants to improve local clinics.

The U.S. has provided funding to the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society and UNICEF, the Federation of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the International Organization for Migration.

It should be noted that during the pandemic Azerbaijan made individual donations to the World Health Organization worth $10 million, and provided humanitarian assistance to 29 WHO member countries.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
As Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced an ad campaign to encourage local shopping, a line formed outside the WheelWorks in Belmont of cyclists waiting for repairs or curbside pickup.

Despite the stories of businesses that have allegedly violated the governors COVID-19 restrictions, Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst said the line he saw walking into the Belmont bike shop was a lot more common than one would think despite the states reopening during the pandemic.

Its all about trying to get the consumer to feel comfortable that theyre doing everything in their power to make sure that the customer is safe, said Hurst, who joined the Republican governor for his news conference in Belmont promoting this weekends tax holiday.

RAMs latest member survey of 200 responses captures the concerns of a small fraction of the organizations membership that receives emails, but it offers a glimpse of how businesses have faired through July. A common thread among most of these businesses statewide is the struggle to recapture sales they lost  a hurdle so profound that Baker announced a $2 million ad campaign to promote local shopping, dining and sales.

One of the biggest hurdles goes beyond reopening the doors to brick-and-mortar businesses. Hurst said businesses across the state are trying to keep customers from going totally online, promoting sales through their websites and finding other ways to retain clients.

We know the consumer has unlimited options today, whether its going across the border to another state or using this contraption to buy anywhere around the country or around the world, Hurst said during Tuesdays news conference with Baker.

He pulled out his smartphone, the contraption in question.

We need to remind them that they need to shop like jobs depend on it, he added, because, frankly, they do.

Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, speaks after Gov. Charlie Baker gave an update on the COVID-19 response efforts as well as encouraging consumers to shop locally during the upcoming tax free weekend during an availability at the Belmont WheelWorks bicycle shop on August 25, 2020 in Belmont, MA.Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald

Five months after COVID-19 spread across the state, businesses have fewer restrictions but are struggling to recover from the pandemic and subsequent closures. Some have rushed to reopen, allegedly violating the states restrictions. Others, like WheelWorks, are sticking to curbside operations for now despite the reopening to limit the chances of community spread.

WheelWorks, which has benefitted from a nationwide boom in bike sales, has seen an uptick in online sales. Peter Mooney, one of the owners, told the Belmont Citizens Forum in June that the company modified its website to be able to handle the increase in sales. Now the website accounts for 95% of sales.

The most popular bicycles are hybrid bicycles in the $500 to $700 range. We cannot get enough of these, he said at the time. Most of our products come from Asia, and Asian manufacturers have had disruptions from the pandemic.

But bike sellers are in the minority. In RAMs July member survey, 20% of respondents reported sales being level or higher than this time last year.

Thats better than the June survey, in which 8% reported level or higher sales than a year ago, Hurst told MassLive. Yet it doesnt change that the majority of business owners who responded are struggling with sales.

One major challenge, he said, is the accelerated pivot to internet sales  this year with protective gear, clothing and possibly even back-to-school shopping. Stores that havent sold online or whose websites couldnt handle the extra traffic are learning the hard way they need to adapt.

Those types of sellers have a ways to come and catch up, Hurst said.

Consumer confidence fell to a six-year low of 84.8 in August, the Conference Board announced Tuesday. The Expectations Index, which tracks consumers short-term views on income, business and the workforce, fell to 85.2 from 88.9 in July.

Hurst said the problem for Massachusetts businesses isnt consumer confidence as much as consumer traffic. Residents are still buying groceries, protective gear and, in some cases, niche products. Whats changed is what exactly they buy and where, with many ordering those products from their smartphones or computers.

That means fewer customers at brick-and-mortar businesses.

By far, their biggest obstacle at this point is the lack of consumer traffic, Hurst said. It isnt so much the COVID government requirements or, interestingly enough, rent.

The Baker administrations answer to the local economys woes is a $2 million ad campaign that he hopes will bring customers out despite the threat of COVID-19. The ad included $150,000 from the state Office of Travel and Tourisms budget and $1.5 million from the federal coronavirus relief fund to run ads on social media, print, TV, radio and billboards.

The campaign will be overseen by the tourism office and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.

Its an effort to encourage people to shop locally and to make travel plans within Massachusetts. Its also an effort to remind people that their behavior matters, Baker said.

The next test of local spending behavior comes this weekend. Massachusetts shoppers will be exempt from paying the states 6.25% sales tax on purchases under $2,500.

A tax breaks always good for the taxpayers, obviously, Baker said, but this year in particular we really want everybody to think about taking advantage of the chance that this provides for you to go shop in your locally owned, locally operated businesses in your community.

Related Content:
The COVID-19 pandemic has made a lasting mark on literally every aspect of American life. From our national to household economies, plans for education, to our collective mental health, the year 2020 has thrown one curve ball after the next. Maintaining a positive outlook amid the constantly changing environment has been difficult; but through it, we have proven our ability to adapt quickly and make the most of challenging times.

Our ability to adapt is beneficial in both our professional and personal lives. As families gear up for a return to learning, added stress will surely make the next few transition months challenging. As Charles Swindoll said, I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

How does your credit union fit into the mix of encouraging positivity for its members and staff during such times of turmoil? Create outlets for fun, strategies for success, and opportunities for education to connect with credit union members and support their path forward through the pandemic.

Create Outlets for Fun

With fall knocking on our door, and families emerging from survival mode, a wonderful way to connect with credit union members is to create or encourage time together. Perhaps your credit union can publish a list of the safest top 10 things to do locally outside together, backyard games, or easy picnic ideas. Try the Goose Chase app to create a unique scavenger hunt that the community can access on a mobile device and complete at their leisure. Sometimes people just need a nudge toward a fun idea for their family time together to be more exciting and adventurous.

Strategies for Success

As students return to learning this fall, education will look different across the country. Some students are entirely remote, others hybrid, while some are returning to regular education. How each of these formats looks makes a major impact on back to school spending. For instance, new expenses for technology and masks will be weighing heavily on the minds of parents across the country.

College students may have unexpected expenses once they arrive on campus as well. Prepaid cards provide college students the ability to reload easily from a mobile device, set aside funds for necessary expenses, and secure a strong budget for their time away from home. Offering financial strategies for success, like prepaid cards, will help parents manage back to learning budgets and college students expenses while creating lasting financial management skills for the whole family.

Opportunities for Education

Parents are expected to work, teach virtual school, manage a household, and juggle extracurricular activities for their families. Parents are also trying to create outlets for their children and themselves to socialize safely. With the lines of professional and personal lives blurring somewhere, somehow something has got to give. It happens when families begin to lean on each other and divvy up the duties of each day.

This challenging time is one in which many children can learn and help with more day-to-day skills  earn their keep and possibly an allowance. Credit unions can offer family schedule templates, chore charts, and even create virtual financial education and budgeting workshops to help children learn financial basics. Families can instill solid financial wellness lessons for tweens and teens using prepaid cards. Teaching children to budget and set aside funds to learn money management skills is critical for long-term financial success; prepaid cards are a strong tool.

By offering a strong portfolio of products, services, and staying true to our commitment to community, credit unions have been able to provide a source of comfort and care for members during the pandemic. While keeping the people helping people philosophy front of mind, we will continue to serve and support our members through the pandemic and beyond.
Gabriel Boykins, 45, on Tuesday morning had his case bound over to the Grand Jury by General Sessions Court Judge Lila Statom after she found there was probable cause he killed Tamara Church and her daughter. District Attorney Neal Pinkston brought in Churchs other daughter and a detective as his two witnesses.

She came and left, and said she was coming back, and she never came back, her daughter said through tears.

We would be on the phone all day, every day.

She told the judge that after not receiving a call back from her mother, she contacted the police. She said Boykins seemed surprised by the news, and asked her, What the (expletive) happened to my baby mama? I heard she was dead.

Later on, law enforcement showed her a video of a man leaving her mothers burned-out car. The daughter said she recognized the man walking away as Boykins, although his attorney asked her how she knew it was him if the picture was not clear.

If you know him, then you know (the person walking away in the video) is him, the daughter said.

Detective Daryl Slaughter said that when their bodies were found near Greenwood Road, they were unable to find any medical evidence that the girl next to Ms. Churchs body was her deceased daughter. He said investigators could not find any dental records to match with the bodys.

However, during DA Pinkstons closing arguments, he did say that there was no other young woman matching her description in terms of missing persons, and he pointed to the fact that the body was found right next to Ms. Churchs. Detective Slaughter said autopsies showed blunt force to the head was probably the cause of death.

The detectiver said Boykins' answers during their interview were inconsistent. He said Boykins claimed he went to Knoxville after that to visit a girl, then a girlfriend, then a friend. The detective also said Boykins could not recite her phone number or address.

His story was always changing, so his story was never straight, the detective said. Boykins attorney did say that his client had tried to commit suicide and was banging his head against the wall before being interviewed. The attorney questioned his clients mental health.

After hearing the arguments, Judge Statom said there was enough circumstantial evidence to say there was probable cause that Boykins killed Ms. Church and her daughter.

Ms. Church and her daughter were last seen on May 17. On July 9, police located Boykins with another young daughter of Ms. Church at a residence on 6th Avenue Court. That daughter said the last time she saw her mother was around 2 p.m. on May 17 at their residence at 6th Avenue Court. She said she and her sister left in the Honda and that was the last time she ever saw them.

Police said Boykins gave conflicting information. He said he had left town to go to Louisville, Ky., and then to Oklahoma. Police said he had no family or other contacts in those places.

The last day Boykins worked at his longtime job at Pilgrim's Pride was May 15.

Police said they searched 1917 Foust St., Apt., B, which was the last reported location of Ms. Church and her child. Detectives said it was apparent that the apartment had been cleaned and no one had been living there for some time.

The landlord said in the past that Boykins had kept the residence in a disheveled condition.

The other daughter said Ms. Church always slept on a mattress in the front room of the Foust Street unit.

Police said on July 15 video footage was discovered at the area where the burned vehicle was found. It shows a man leaving the scene within minutes of the vehicle being burned. He was walking south in the direction of the Boykins residence on Foust Street.

Police said the man in the video has hair and build consistent with that of Boykins.

Police said in the course of their investigation they found that on Feb. 27, 2016, that Ms. Church had brought the daughter who was later killed to the hospital to be examined for rape. The child was brought back in a few days later saying she had been sexually assaulted. The child said the incidents involved Boykins.
Whats new: The Chinese Embassy in South Africa said Tuesday that a total of seven Chinese citizens have been killed in about 50 days in the African country this year, due to rising violent crime. The countrys annual crime statistics report published last month showed the number of murders overall had risen to its highest level in more than a decade.

Two of the victims, former South African Qilu Association Chairman Zhong Zhiwei and his wife, were brutally shot and killed by criminals in broad daylight in Johannesburg on Aug. 13, the embassy said in a statement.

The embassy strongly condemned the criminal atrocities against Chinese citizens and has made serious demands to South African police in an urgent meeting, to solve the case as soon as possible ... and punish the perpetrators severely.

The embassy went on to warn that everyone must attach great importance to self-safety precautions and raise the level of protection.

As of Tuesday, four of the seven murder cases have been solved and 10 suspects have been arrested, the embassy said.

The South African National Police Commissioner Khehla John Sitole said that he would personally follow up and report the relevant progress to the Chinese side, the statement said.

The background: The countrys homicide rate has risen recently by 1.4% compared to the last 12 months, amounting to 21,325 deaths according to a police service annual crime statistics report, which translates to an average of 58 murders a day.

Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use.

Contact reporter Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com) and editor Marcus Ryder (marcusryder@caixin.com)
Manitoba's sizable spike in COVID-19 cases is the result of a growing cluster in Brandon and a substantial effort to test residents of Hutterite colonies.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba's sizable spike in COVID-19 cases is the result of a growing cluster in Brandon and a substantial effort to test residents of Hutterite colonies.

For the first time on Monday, the province's chief public health officer shared more comprehensive case counts in colonies, or "communal living communities" as he called them.

Dr. Brent Roussin said there have been 236 cases in such communities since the coronavirus arrived in Manitoba in March, 148 of which are still active.

A big effort in recent days to expand testing in communal living communities -- including the use of mobile clinics -- has seen case numbers soar. Over the past two days alone, there have been 85 new cases identified in these communities.

Prairie Mountain Health region, which extends from the Parkland region along Manitoba's western boundary to the U.S. border, is home to both Brandon and some of the communal living communities hit hardest by the virus. Since July 1, there have been 320 cases identified in the region, prompting its orange rating -- and new restrictions -- that took effect on Monday.

The province, until recently, has generally been loath to report case numbers in communal living communities, fearful of stigmatizing them.

MASKS WILL BE MANDATORY AT HEALTH FACILITIES Visitors to all Manitoba health-care facilities will soon be required to wear non-medical masks. click to read more Visitors to all Manitoba health-care facilities will soon be required to wear non-medical masks. The requirement, which takes effect province-wide on Sept. 1, also extends to outpatients attending appointments at clinics within hospitals and health centres throughout the province, the government said in its most recent pandemic response press release. All visitors arriving at health-care facilities will be required to wear a non-medical mask to be permitted into the site. While primary care clinics and other locations providing health services are not currently included in the mask requirement, all Manitobans are strongly encouraged to wear a non-medical mask when seeking care, Health Minister Cameron Friesen said in the press release. This requirement is already in place in the Prairie Mountain Health region, where the use of masks is mandatory in all indoor public places as the region is currently listed as Restricted (orange) under the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. Close

"We felt it was imperative to communicate that to Manitobans to get a good sense of the actual numbers we are getting in communities," Roussin said.

On Monday, the province announced 49 new coronavirus cases on top of 72 on Sunday and 42 on Saturday. However, it said that 24 of the 49 were actually connected to Sunday's total. So, the revised number for Sunday jumps to 96.

Roussin, explaining the change, said "there was a data correction made to Sunday's numbers."

Of the 49 new cases revealed on Monday, 35 were in Prairie Mountain Health region, two were in Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, four were in Southern Health and eight in the Winnipeg health region.



The five-day test positivity rate rose to its highest level yet in Manitoba at 2.9 per cent. Roussin has said in the past that a level of three per cent or more could trigger more restrictions within the province. A total of 1,544 laboratory tests were completed on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the 395 active cases recorded Monday were also a record for the province. Altogether, there have been 993 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba.

Also concerning is the rise in community spread of the virus within the province. There have been 39 cases in Manitoba attributed to community spread over the past seven days. That accounts for 19 to 20 per cent of all cases, the province's top doctor said.

Yet despite these troubling signs -- and with the start of school just two weeks away -- Roussin said he is not ready to impose new conditions on the movements of Manitobans just yet.

He noted that the health system is not being heavily taxed, despite the sharp rise in cases, perhaps due to the fact that younger persons are contracting COVID-19 compared with an earlier provincial outbreak this spring. On Monday, there were just six Manitobans in hospital, with only one in intensive care.

Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Roussin said Prairie Mountain Health's new Restricted (orange) rating under the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System will be in place for at least two weeks -- roughly one virus incubation period -- and likely for longer.

Under the orange rating, masks are mandatory in all public indoor places in the region and at all indoor and outdoor public gatherings. Public gatherings are also restricted to 10 people, both indoors and outdoors.

Meanwhile, health officials say a potential exposure to COVID-19 may have occurred at the Safeway Corral Centre (921 18th St. North) in Brandon on Aug. 15 (2-6 p.m.), Aug. 18 (11:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.) and Aug. 19 (2-4:45 p.m.). While the risk of transmission is considered low, they said, information is being passed on to help people assess their risk and seek testing if symptoms appear.

Roussin said none of the new cases reported on Monday is linked to the outbreak at the Bethesda Place personal care home in Steinbach, which has seen seven persons, including four staff, test positive.

A new community coronavirus testing site opens at 2735 Pembina Highway on Tuesday. The site will be open to the public on a walk-in basis from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. Access Fort Garry on Plaza Drive will no longer offer COVID-19 testing once the new site opens.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday filed a charge sheet in February 14, 2019 Pulwama terror attack naming Maulana Masood Azhar, his younger brothers - Abdul Rouf Asghar Alvi and Ammar Alvi, his nephew Mohammad Umar Farooq, a highly skilled Afghan trained improvised explosive device (IED) -making expert  and 15 others who carried out the bombing at Pakistans behest.

According to the details of 13,500 page charge sheet filed in a Special NIA court in Jammu, Umar Farooq (who was killed in an encounter by security forces on March 29 last year) had prepared two jerry can based IEDs  weighing 160 kg and 40 kg respectively  comprising gelatin sticks, ammonium nitrate, ammonium powder and RDX, and the same were fitted in the Maruti Eeco car by February 6, 2019 morning itself.

As exclusively reported by HT on March 4 this year, the JeM had earlier planned to carry out the attack in first week of February 2019 itself but it had to postpone its plans as the highway was closed due to heavy weather and convoy movements had stopped.

While the RDX was smuggled to India from Pakistan, other explosives were collected by JeM operatives and overground workers from local stone quarries, NIA probe has revealed.

Umar Farooq (24), according to NIA, was the son of Ibrahim Athar, Azhars younger brother who along with four others had hijacked the IC-814 Indian Airlines flight in December 1999 after which India had to release the JeM chief.

Farooq was especially sent to India in April 2018 to execute a spectacular attack for which he did extensive planning and made all the arrangements.

In its charge sheet, NIA has included all his chats with his uncles Rouf Asghar and Ammar Alvi, in which they were continuously giving directions before, during and after the attack.

Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in the attack that brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.

Officials say that the charge sheet has irrefutable evidence - technical, material and circumstantial - on Pakistans role in the attack.

It cites the roles of the JeM leadership and the arrested accused in the attack and has details like chats, calls details of terrorists.

ALSO WATCH | Car with 60 kg explosives intercepted in Pulwama, major attack averted

NIA probe has revealed that Pakistan used Adil Ahmad Dar, a local resident who rammed an explosive-laden car into a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, as a suicide bomber to project the attack as a result of a home-grown militancy against Indias occupation of Kashmir, one of the officers said.
Connect Biopharma, a San Diego, CA- and Taicang, China-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying and developing potent and specific immune modulating molecules, completed $115m Series C financing.

The round was led by new investor RA Capital Management. Additional new investors Lilly Asia Ventures, Boxer Capital, and HBM Healthcare Investments joined existing investor Qiming Venture Partners in the financing. In conjunction with the financing, Derek DiRocco, PhD, Principal at RA Capital Management, is joining the Connect Biopharma Board of Directors.

Led by Zheng Wei, PhD, Co-founder and CEO, Connect Biopharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovery and development of novel immune modulators for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and inflammation. The companys proprietary Immune Modulation Technology Platform is a high-throughput screening platform built on the biology of T cell function, and rapidly identifies molecules that target clinically validated disease pathways more efficiently than the traditional discovery approaches. It is advancing CBP-201, a potent monoclonal antibody against IL-4R, a cell surface protein required for the signaling of both IL-4 and IL-13 and CBP-307, a novel second-generation agonist of the sphingosine-1-phosphate 1 receptor (S1P1), a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays a central role in regulating T cell movement. In addition to its lead drug candidates, CBP-201 and CBP-307, the company is also advancing three preclinical programs, comprising two small molecule candidates (CBP-174 and CBP-312) and one antibody targeting IL-33 (CBP-233) as treatments for various serious inflammatory conditions. Connect holds all global rights to its proprietary pipeline and discovery technologies.

The company plans to use the proceeds to support the ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial for CBP-201 in adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and the ongoing Phase 2 trials of CBP-307 in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC); expand the CBP-201 clinical development program into additional indications; and manufacture clinical material to support future Phase 3 trials of CBP-201 and CBP-307. They also expect to use a portion of the proceeds to advance additional preclinical programs into clinical development, including CBP-174, a small molecule in development for the treatment of pruritus.

FinSMEs

24/08/2020
Krasnoyarsk businessman suspected of masterminding one more murder

 RAPSI, Eugeny Varlamov

10:39 25/08/2020

MOSCOW, August 25 (RAPSI)  Investigators have opened one more murder case against Krasnoyarsk businessman Anatoly Bykov, the Investigative Committees press service reports.

The entrepreneur is suspected of organizing the murder of a Krasnoyarsk citizen who was a founder of an industrial waste utilization. Allegedly, in the summer of 2004 Bykov ordered his acquaintance to kill the victim for an award totaling $50,000. In January 2005, the killer shot the businessman dead, the statement reads.

In May, Bykov was placed in detention on charges of double homicide. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, in the first half of 1994, Alexander Naumov, the 23-year old member of a criminal group headed by Bykov, had a conflict with the gang leader because of unjust, according to him, dividing of the joint criminal income. Later, Bykovs car was exploded. The businessman suspected Naumov and his friend Kirill Voytenko of the blast organization and decided to kill them. He ordered his acquaintance Vladimir Tatarenkov to organize the murder; the latter in turn involved his gang members in the crime. On July 24, 1994, Naumov and Voytenko were shot dead, investigators claimed.

One of the killers Sergey Bakurov was sentenced to life. Another one is on a wanted list. Tatarenkov was sentenced to 13 years in prison, the Investigative Committees statement read.

Investigators claim that many witnesses confirmed that Bykov had business relations with Naumov and a conflict after which the latter was afraid of his life and began wearing body armour.

Three witnesses said that Bykov was a mastermind of the murder. They added that failed to give testimony 26 years ago as they hoped that Bykov would provide assistance to them, according to the Investigative Committee.




The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has called for online applications from qualified and interested candidates for filling 221 vacancies to the post of Civil Judges through the Bihar Judicial Services Competitive Examination (BJSCE) recruitment process to be posted across courts in Patna and other places in Bihar, India on a fulltime basis. The online registration process towards the same closes on August 31, 2020 with September 5, 2020 as the last date for paying the examination fee and September 12, 2020 as the last date for submitting the applications as notification in the extended advertisement dated August 24, 2020.

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Civil Judges Organisation Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Educational Qualification Degree in Law Experience Freshers can apply Job Responsibilities null Skills Required Desirable Job Location Patna Salary Scale As per the BPSC norms Industry Civil Service/Judicial Service Application Start Date August 24, 2020 Application End Date September 12, 2020

BPSC Recruitment 2020: Age Criteria And Fees

Candidates interested in applying for the post of Civil Judges through BPSC Recruitment 2020 must have completed 22 years of age and not be more than 35 years, with relaxation (upper age limit) for OBC/SC/ST categories as specified in the notification.

Candidates must pay a prescribed amount of Rs. 600 (Gen/UR/OBC) and Rs. 150 (SC/ST//PWD and Ex-SM candidates) respectively as examination fee either through online mode or challan mode as specified in the BPSC Recruitment 2020 notification on or before September 5, 2020.

NLC Recruitment 2020 For 75 Apprenticeship Trainees Post, Apply Online Before September 10

BPSC Recruitment 2020: Educational Eligibility

Desirous candidates applying for the post of Civil Judges through BPSC Recruitment 2020 must possess a Degree in Law from a recognised University/Institution.

BPSC Recruitment 2020: Selection And Pay Scale

The selection of candidates as Civil Judges through BPSC Recruitment 2020 will be done through a Written Competitive Examination and Interview.

Candidates selected as Civil Judges through BPSC Recruitment 2020 will be paid emolument as per the BPSC norms.

MMRCL Recruitment 2020 For Project Manager, AM And DGM Posts, Apply Offline Before September 26

BPSC Recruitment 2020: How To Apply

Candidates applying for the post of Civil Judges through BPSC Recruitment 2020 must register online on the official BPSC portal at https://onlinebpsc.bihar.gov.in/main/home on or before August 31, 2020 and submit their applications on or before September 12, 2020 at http://www.bpsc.bih.nic.in/

Download the extended BPSC Recruitment 2020 Notification

Download BPSC Recruitment 2020 Notification Civil Judges
Welcome to MicroClimates, The Chronicles climate change newsletter. If someone forwarded you this email, you can sign up here.

Its the first edition, so let us introduce ourselves...

The other, other crisis

Weve all been focused on the coronavirus pandemic, for good reason. The pandemic is a once in a century event, and the open-ended nature of the crisis means well likely be dealing with the effects for years.

But a bigger story hasnt gone away. The dangerous wildfires the Bay Area is contending with this month are an indicator about how much stories driven by climate change will require our attention.

Climate change  and how we respond to it  is the centurys event. If anything, its the story that underlines so many other stories and has the largest long-term impact on our future, here in the Bay Area and beyond. Its the weird weather that fits a pattern predicted for a warmer world. Its more persistent droughts and more intense atmospheric rivers. Its why Californians are obsessed with local food and why solar panels are popping up on more roofs.

So weve launched MicroClimates to give you a local view of a very global problem. The Chronicle has been publishing in Northern California for more than 150 years, so we know what covering a long-term story looks like.

This newsletter operates on a couple of assumptions, so lets make those explicit:

 Theres no one coverage area or reporting beat for climate change: When we talk about a climate change stories, we mean stories on city governments banning natural gas in new buildings, how winemakers in Napa are planning for a warming growing season, and how long commutes are not just annoying and expensive. Climate change stories are both scientific and human, political and personal.

 As we found out from our special week of climate coverage last year, readers are interested in how climate change will affect their communities and whats within their power to change. Ill be focusing on all kinds of communities of the Bay Area: geographic, demographic, chosen  and keeping it local.

That being said, this MicroClimates is all new, so well be trying out different things in this newsletter. Thanks for reading, and joining me on this ride.

Wildfires and climate change

Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

Its scary out there. Three complex fires have charred almost 800,000 acres around the Bay Area, as hundreds of other fires burn around the state and smoke clogs the air.

Is this already-record wildfire season driven by climate change?

Scientists who study climate dont directly attribute individual weather patterns  like the dry lightning that set off this latest round of fires to global warming. Theres no way of knowing whether that particular storm would have happened in the absence of climate change. So they focus on probablities, using models to understand the impact on the local climate.

That research shows that the effects of climate change make wildfires more likely and more dangerous  through a few different mechanisms.

First, that lightning: The strange and, in many ways, unprecedented weather of last week fits in with the pattern of longer and more intense heat waves climate scientists have been predicting for 30 years if nothing were done to stop carbon emissions, Peter Fimrite reports.

Last year, Kurtis Alexander and John Blanchard took a look at the factors making wildfires more destructive  at that point, seven of the states 10 most destructive fires had occurred within the past five years. Poor forest management and failed PG&E infrastructure are part of the trend. But a warmer atmosphere creates a baseline environment that dries out the landscape, extends the fire season and stagnates weather patterns.

For more on this, listen to UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain on KQED this morning.

Rising Bay

We want to hear from you as part of this newsletter. What are we looking for?

 Events, discussions and other local announcements having to do with climate change and sustainability.

 Story tips  Anything from: Heres someone doing something cool to Id like The Chronicle to investigate this. If you need a secure way to contact us, check out ways to do that here.

 Questions youd like answered about whats going on in your community, about things youve read about in this newsletter or elsewhere.

What we wont be handling:

 Stories that dont have any connection to the Bay Area or California.

 Publishing letters to the editor or similar opinion pieces. But our editorial page would love to hear from you.

How to contact us? Share your tips at this Assignment Editor survey or email us at climate@ sfchronicle.com.

Climate Chronicles

 J.D. Morris and Rachel Swan delved deeper into the future of wildfires and if we can expect more like this. As J.D. writes on Twitter: This is a climate change problem. It is also probably a forest management problem. Both things can be true.

 One of the major pieces of infrastructure at risk from rising sea levels in the Bay Area is roads in the North Bay  and a new study from Stanford researchers shows the biggest traffic delays would be far away from where flooding occurs, Kurtis Alexander reports.

 Transit systems are crucial to limiting transportation emissions, but theyve taken a hit in ridership and in finances during the coronavirus pandemic. For our Throughline series, Sam Whiting talks to a local researcher about the potential futures for transit in the Bay Area. More Throughline: 13 steps to SF becoming a car-free city.

 Whats a COVID car? Residents who once relied on public transit for their daily commute are turning to used cars to travel solo to work and prices are rising as a result. Anna Kramer looks at the extent of this trend.

 A bill by state Sen. Scott Wiener would fast-track existing projects focused on public transit, bikes and pedestrians  but not cars  by exempting them from challenges under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Changing California

 As the Martinez refinery shuts down indefinitely, what will happen to the workers there? (KQED)

 How California can keep the lights on while meeting its clean energy goals. (LA Times)

 Whats a virtual power plant? Three Bay Area electricity providers are working on a program that will give discounted solar panels and battery storage systems to up to 6,000 households and businesses, to provide backup power and enable them to band together when needed to send electricity out to the grid. (Inside Climate News)

 We knew declining demand for gas amid the pandemic would cut funding for high-speed rail through the states cap-and-trade auction. But CalMatters Rachael Becker reports Californias clean-air programs have also taken a hit in the new funding squeeze, and legislators are looking for more stable sources of funding for these programs.

 What does that abandoned bookshelf or loveseat on the side of the road have to do with climate? Oaklandsides Azucena Rasilla profiles an Oakland resident who is doing the math on discarded furniture waste.

 Local company (but also giant multinational) Facebook puts a higher priority on coronavirus disinformation than climate falsehoods when it comes to its fact-checking initiative (NYT).

MicroClimates is The Chronicles climate change newsletter, written by Taylor Kate Brown, and sent every other week on Tuesday. Email newsletters@sfchronicle.com or taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com
A rendering of the Grand, now under construction, with Grand Avenue closed and projections on Walt Disney Concert Hall. Gehry has designed another concert hall for the Colburn School nearby. (Gehry Partners / Related Cos.)

Go ahead and put your crystal ball away. You dont need it. We know that Los Angeles already had its intractable problems  homelessness, affordable housing, traffic, fires, earthquakes, drought, pollution, income inequality, long-standing systemic racism. There is little doubt that the financial fallout from the nasty novel coronavirus has made matters only worse.

We also mercifully know one certain way to help: Build and renovate concert halls.

On the surface, that no doubt sounds idiotic  economically, socially and in just about every other way. Its not. It is the simplest, surest, most affordable means of turning this town around. Better still, were already nearly there. So please, bear with me.

Lets take a short stroll downtown along Grand Avenue between 1st and 3rd streets. If you havent been there for a while  and there is a good chance you havent, what with the Music Center, the Broad, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Colburn School closed since the middle of March  be prepared to be startled. A hulking skeleton of the Grand is fast rising across the street from Walt Disney Concert Hall.

When completed at the end of the next year, this monumental complex, designed by Frank Gehry, will provide the urban foundation for a world-class, world-destination arts avenue. A mixed-use project, it will contain a hotel, housing (including affordable units), shops, restaurants, movie theaters and public open spaces.

Done right, the Grand has the potential to make Grand Avenue the cultural beacon for a city without a center, a place that stands for and is for all of L.A. Done right, Grand Avenue becomes the Grand motivator, elevating a citys spirit and inspiring it to deal with pressing needs.

Done right means building the concert hall complex that Gehry has designed for the Colburn School too. The Colburn has purchased a parking lot at 2nd and Olive streets. Gehry's proposal is a stunning crystalline glass structure that immediately catches the eye and holds a hall of about 1,000 seats for concerts, dance and opera. The building also would house a smaller cabaret for experimental and late-night performances, plus dance studios and a restaurant. Much of what goes on inside, particularly in the studios, would be visible to the street. Lighted at night, it promises to be stunning.

Story continues

A 3-D map showing where the proposed new Colburn School concert hall would rise. (The Colburn School)

What would truly enliven the venue is a proposed plaza that Gehry has designed across the street, where another parking lot stands. That site would have a state-of-the-art sound system for free outdoor concerts. A large wall at one end is designed for projections of selected events in the new venues, just like the famed Wallcast concerts that have proved such a sensation at the New World Center, the concert hall and conservatory in Miami Beach that Gehry designed.

Gehry calls this the foundation of the foundation of the Grand. It humanizes all around it. Were the block of 2nd Street between Olive and Grand to be made pedestrian, we'd gain a grand connection with MOCA, the Broad and Disney Hall.

The new Colburn venues promise a late masterpiece by the 91-year-old architect that not only would complement his Disney Hall but also greatly enhance it, especially if we keep our think-big hats on. In a recent Zoom conversation with the ever-feisty Gehry, just out of the pool from his daily mile swim, he described how he envisions Disney as an evolving structure taking its place in this new environment. Along with proposals for restoring items cost-cut from the original plans  nightly projections of concerts on Disney Hall's steel skin, an orchestra pit inside, an indoor-outdoor cafe in front and the store moved to the rear  the architect has a host of arresting new ideas.

Gehry has re-imagined BP Hall (the space inside Disney where preconcert talks are held) as an in-the-round chamber music venue, in the style of the miraculous Pierre Boulez Saal he designed for Berlin. He has plans to convert the little-used Keck Amphitheater into an enclosed jazz club and to replace the little-used staircase on 1st Street with a hip glass-enclosed bar that he would like to be called the Fleischmann, in honor of the late Los Angeles Philharmonic manager Ernest Fleischmann, responsible for Disney.

Do all this. Close too a short stretch of Grand Avenue to car traffic. Voila, a scene. More than that, a kind of arts polis, a democratic gathering place for arts and ideas.

Imagine people spilling out of the Grand to concert halls, theaters, clubs, museums and the plaza, with an illuminated Disney as spectacular, cubist movie screen lighting up the sky with the concerts inside. No place in the world has such an indoor-outdoor arts epicenter. Nothing could be more in the L.A. character. Weve got the year-round weather, and its unfortunately going to get only warmer and drier.

Grand takes on more and more life, the more you think about it. Accessibility has to be the key, and the new Metro Regional Connector Project will provide new stations on Spring and Hope streets. MOCA and the Broad are free to the public, as will be the events in the plaza. Already a world leader in diverse programming, the L.A. Phil can help set the tone that this needs to be an art center available to, and representative of, L.A.

A center needs radii. The Metro Purple Line Extension will run west to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and, farther down Wilshire Boulevard, to the new venue that UCLA's Center for the Art of Performance is making out of the old Crest movie theater in Westwood.

But the real beauty is how the Grand Avenue projects can connect aspiring diverse young artists with communities in other parts of the city. The Crenshaw/LAX Transit project will add public transportation from the YOLA Center in Inglewood (scheduled for completion in December) that Gehry has designed for the L.A. Phil's youth orchestra and education programs.

In our discussion, Gehry announced that he's designing a community arts training center in South Gate that he envisions as part of his massive L.A. River project. Wooden bungalows could house community arts training facilities for YOLA, LACMA , the Colburn School, L.A. Dance Project and others, all of which Gehry said are eager to get aboard. (The Colburn, L.A. Dance Project and LACMA have all confirmed their interest in the South Gate project.)

Architect Frank Gehry, photographed with a model of the Grand at his offices in Los Angeles. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

We pride ourselves on being the most diverse major city in the world. Grand Avenue is well poised to be our exalted multicultural meeting place. For just one example, bring the Street Symphony from Skid Row to a sparkling new Colburn concert hall, and lets see how quickly we start to think about potential, not problems.

The last thing we need the Grand to be is another fancy-schmancy mall full of the same-old chains, a West Coast replica of the much-criticized Hudson Yards in New York City. Gehry says the project is having difficulty finding high-end retail to move in. Perhaps that's a silver lining to the dark financial storm clouds seeded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Could the Grand be locally sourced instead? Were it to be a 21st century L.A. bazaar, who wouldn't want to go there? After a year or two of pandemic separation, just think of how badly people will need to congregate. Just think of how badly a city in recession will need a place like Grand Avenue to avoid the economically elitist trappings of sterile, corporate places like L.A. Live.

Once you start to look for it, opportunity exists around every corner. The U.S. is the only major country without a major international arts festival. Grand Avenue, anyone? There is nothing like a festival to bring a city back to life  or to take on a new life. Just ask Edinburgh what an international arts festival did for its spirit and economy after World War II. Paris, London, Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Warsaw, Salzburg, Lucerne, Tokyo, Hong Kong  all used postwar arts festivals to rebuild public confidence and coffers.

Artist rendering of Frank Gehry's project the Grand, across the street from Walt Disney Concert Hall. (Related / CORE )

For that, we need to do something else. For a quarter of a century, the Music Center has put off its promised renovation of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Its too big. Its acoustics are too dull. It's dowdy and needs updated stage facilities. Opera these days is the most exciting, revolutionary, probing theatrical art form everywhere but in the U.S. Los Angeles Opera could change that if had the right facilities. A great city needs a great opera house, and a great modern city needs a great modern one. It is no coincidence that many of China's latest architectural wonders are opera houses.

Whos going to pay for it? That should be the easiest question of all to answer. The city and county obviously should take the lead. They have an enormous amount to gain. As a generator of income and tourism, this investment would pay for itself over and over again. Gehrys $100-million Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao brought what was a backwater Spanish city into the limelight and billions in economic activity for the region over the last two decades.

Government should lead, but lets face it, government wont lead. I ran this vision of Grand Avenue past former country Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, a champion of the arts. He loved it. But for later, he insisted. Not now. There is too much else on our plate.

But now is exactly when we need to act. Think what is at stake. In 2026, we celebrate Americas 250th birthday. In an era of profound reexamination of American history, the arts tell that story with the most nuance, emotion and self-awareness. In 2028, L.A. hosts the Summer Olympics and its accompanying arts festival. Here, we show the world something worth watching.

As the nation frets about its old monuments and worries about its future, we must build new monuments genuine in the celebration of who we are, monuments capable of generating optimism. Build is what this country did during the Great Depression in the 1930s with the New Deal, including federal programs like the Works Progress Administration. San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House was a WPA project.

There was incredible pressure to abandon building Disney Hall in the 1990s. L.A. was dispirited by an earthquake, riots and recession. The L.A. Phil had a crushing debt, but it persevered. Now L.A. has a 21st century icon, and the L.A. Phil is the model of success.

Alas, the short-sighted hand-wringing has begun anew. Somewhere along the line, the Colburn School lost its moxie; fundraising appears somewhere between never begun and stopped for good. Gehry said the school is treating him like he doesn't exist and will not make public his models, which I saw a year ago. They are dazzling. That's crazy, considering what the school has to gain, especially were it to operate the venues with a sense of civic and artistic generosity.

Gehry's price tag for the Colburn venues, including revenue-producing underground parking, is $310 million. That is $5 million less than the combined selling prices of the mansions that Lachlan Murdoch and Jeff Bezos have bought here in the last year.

The Disney Hall renovations do not yet have a budget, although they do not appear to be particularly expensive. There aren't yet proposals for the Chandler. But if we cant do something this important, why should we have faith that we can do other terribly important things?

This town is home to great wealth. During the Great Depression, Hollywood flourished, and it will again. The tech world is doing very well, thank you very much. It was been reported that U.S. billionaires have profited to the tune of $685 billion during lockdown. The real bottom line: If any city has resources like ours but is not civic-minded enough to afford a life-affirming core, it's doomed.
AMG 899 or Obicetrapib to be developed by Netherlands-based company to be headed up by Dr. Michael Davidson and Dr. John Kastelein

Obicetrapib, a potent ApoB and LDL-c lowering small molecule drug, will be tested in patients not well controlled on statins and statin-intolerant patients

Pivotal Phase 3 studies in dyslipidemia planned to start in 2021

NewAmsterdam Pharma B.V. ("NAP") has acquired the rights to obicetrapib (AMG 899) from Amgen.

The new Company, spearheaded by Michael Davidson, MD (CEO) and John Kastelein, MD, PhD, FESC (CSO), is currently working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a comprehensive Phase 3 clinical development program, including a cardiovascular outcome trial (CVOT) for obicetrapib. NAP is targeting for these trials to begin in 2021. To this end, the Company has received seed funding of approximately EUR 20M from Dutch investment firm Forbion as well as its Founders and will be raising a substantial financing round before year-end.

Obicetrapib is a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor which targets Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) in the body. Obicetrapib is being developed for patients who are not well controlled on statins and patients who are statin-intolerant. Approximately 32 million people globally have statin-associated side effects or as a result of side effects, have discontinued their statin therapy.1

A Phase 2b study called TULIP, published in The Lancet showed that obicetrapib significantly reduced the number of ApoB-containing particles that constitute LDL-c and was well-tolerated in patients with mild dyslipidaemia.2 The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study tested the drug in 364 patients to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of the potential therapy.

In 2017, Amgen decided to discontinue the internal development of obicetrapib for strategic reasons and pursue out-licensing opportunities. Forbion believes that this drug could address very substantial unmet medical needs and therefore initiated conversations with Amgen to continue developing the asset. For this purpose, it has established NewAmsterdam Pharma B.V.

Financial terms of the acquisition of obicetrapib by NAP from Amgen were not disclosed.

Sander Slootweg, Managing Partner at Forbion commented:

"NewAmsterdam Pharma constitutes a very attractive investment opportunity, as obicetrapib has the potential to address the huge and poorly served patient segment of patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, currently not well controlled on statins or those even completely statin-intolerant. With over 30 million patients meeting these criteria, we believe that obicetrapib has mega-blockbuster sales potential. For this reason, we were able to attract a top founder team with Michael Davidson MD as CEO, who recently sold his previous company Corvidia Therapeutics, Inc. to Novo Nordisk and John Kastelein as CSO, after selling his previous company Staten Biotech to the same Novo Nordisk, in an option structure."

Michael Davidson, CEO of NewAmsterdam Pharma added:

"As we know today, the real culprit of heart disease is ApoB particle numbers. Obicentrapib being a highly potent small molecule, it holds great potential as a powerful tool to lower ApoB in patients, who otherwise cannot tolerate statin therapy. Phase 2b testing of obicetrapib has shown us very promising results with regard to patient tolerance, which we look forward to further examine in this next phase of research."

John Kastelein, CSO of NewAmsterdam Pharma concluded:

"In my opinion, obicetrapib is a best-in-class CETP inhibitor. From the Phase 2b trial in nearly 400 patients, we observed an average LDL-C lowering of 45% at a 5 mg daily dose, with a clean safety profile and excellent tolerability. A key lesson from previous Phase 3 studies with other CETPi molecules is not to combine CETPi with high-dose statins, because of an observed interaction. This makes obicetrapib an ideal drug for statin-intolerant patients and those not well controlled on maximally tolerated dose of statins. We have devised a comprehensive clinical development plan, including a CVOT, to show all favorable attributes of obicetrapib."

Notes to Editors:

About NewAmsterdam Pharma

Founded in 2019, NewAmsterdam Pharma is a privately held, clinical stage company focused on the research and development of transformative therapies for cardio-renal diseases. Its mission is to improve patient care in populations where traditional therapies are not tolerated or have been unsuccessful. In April 2020, NewAmsterdam acquired Dezima Pharma from Amgen, including all rights for obicetrapib (formerly AMG 899, now TA-8995) a selective cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor. The Company is investigating obicetrapib as a preferred ApoB and LDL-c lowering therapy for patients with statin intolerance or for patients with ASCVD/FH on the maximally tolerated dose of statin therapy. NewAmsterdam Pharma is headquartered in Naarden, The Netherlands.

For more information, please visit: www.newamsterdampharma.com

About Forbion

Forbion is a dedicated life sciences venture capital firm with offices in The Netherlands, Germany and Singapore. Forbion invests in life sciences companies that are active in the (bio-) pharmaceutical space. Forbion's investment team has built an impressive performance track record since the late nineties with successful investments in over 66 companies. Forbion manages well over EUR 1.25 billion across ten funds. Forbion is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. Besides financial objectives, Forbion selects investments that will positively affect the health and well-being of patients. Its investors include the EIF, through its European Recovery Programme (ERP), LfA, Dutch Venture Initiative (DVI), AMUF and EFSI facilities and KfW Capital through the Programme, "ERP Venture Capital Fondsinvestments". Forbion operates a joint venture with BGV, the manager of seed and early-stage funds, especially focused on Benelux and Germany. For more information, please visit: www.forbion.com.

1 Zhang, Ann Intern Med 2014

2 Hovingh GK, Kastelein JP, van Deventer SJH, Round P, Ford, J, Saleheen D, et. al. Cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibition by TA-8995 in patients with mild dyslipidaemia (TULIP): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial. The Lancet 2015.386(9992): 452-460. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60158-1

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005160/en/

Contacts:

NewAmsterdam Pharma

McDougall Communications on behalf of NewAmsterdam Pharma

Elizabeth Harness, P: +1 585-435-7379, elizabeth@mcdougallpr.com

Christopher Knospe, P: +1 716-440-5580, chris@mcdougallpr.com

Forbion

Sander Slootweg, Managing Partner

P: +31 (0) 35 699 30 00

Instinctif Partners (media for Forbion)

Melanie Toyne-Sewell Genevieve Wilson Kiki Zaccagnini

P: +44 207 457 2020

E: forbion@instinctif.com
New Delhi, Aug 25 : A two-judge bench on Tuesday got annoyed when a lawyer, appearing through video conferencing, did not open his mouth despite being called thrice for a response.

A bench headed by Justice R F Nariman and comprising Justice Navin Sinha said, "Despite the fact that the mike was on and despite the fact that he (lawyer) was told by the court at least three times that he should open his mouth, he purposely did not do so because he was waiting for a senior advocate." The bench observed that the advocate should have informed the top court that he was waiting for the senior advocate instead of indulging in tactics of this kind. "We strongly deprecate tactics of this kind. We do not want advocates to take advantage of a non-physical hearing system when it is working on both sides", said the bench.

The top court noted that despite all this it still heard the lawyer.

"Counsel exhorted us to appoint a retired Judge instead of a senior advocate, which is what was done by the Bombay High Court. We do not think in the fitness of things that we should interfere given our discretionary jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution", said the top court dismissing the special leave petition. The remarks from the bench came during the hearing of - Dilip Buildcon Ltd. Vs Topworth Infra Pvt Ltd.

Since March, the top court has been taking up matters through video conferencing. On August 19, the Supreme Court seven-judge committee led by Justice N.V. Ramana had asked court officials to prepare three big courtrooms to begin physical hearings within a week.

The Supreme Court in a communication to the president of Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association said, "On an experimental basis, and as a pilot scheme, three amongst the bigger courtrooms may be got prepared, within a week's time through concerned agencies, strictly adhering to the prescribed distancing and other norms and as per medical advice with regard to physical infrastructure required in these courtrooms."
Victorians could be entitled to cash compensation for the coronavirus lockdown as Premier Daniel Andrews looks to extend the State of emergency.

Mr Andrews declared a State of Emergency on March 16, which is due to expire on September 13 after a maximum of six extensions.

But now the premier has provoked widespread outrage by trying to change legislation so it can be extended for a further 12 months.

Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson is urging families and businesses to seek compensation, claiming many Victorians have suffered loss because of the emergency powers.

Melburnians wear face masks as they walk across Princes Bridge on Tuesday (pictured) as the city continues its Stage 4 lockdown

Pictured: Royal Arcade mall in Melbourne's CBD is shut during Stage 4 lockdown

'For Victorians who've suffered loss from unreasonable state emergency restrictions, there's the option to pursue compensation,' she wrote on Twitter.

'The Public Health and Wellbeing Act provides this important right.

'Proud to stand up for those who need support including in regional communities.'

Victorians who are disadvantaged by a decision from the Chief Health Officer can apply for compensation under the act - as long as they can prove there was 'insufficient grounds' to bring in the rules/

'A person who suffers loss as a result of a decision by the Chief Health Officer to give an authorisation to an authorised officer under this Division may apply to the Secretary for compensation if the person considers that there were insufficient grounds for the giving of that authorisation,' the act says.

If the claims are rejected, they can be appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson (pictured) is urging regional families and businesses to seek compensation, claiming many Victorians have suffered loss because of the emergency powers

Jim Penman (pictured), the founder of Jim's Mowing, is looking to take action on behalf of his franchisees who have struggled during the lockdowns

Jim Penman, the founder of Jim's Mowing, is looking to take action on behalf of his franchisees who have struggled during the lockdowns.

'The damage the premier's done with this arbitrary shutting down is just appalling and there's no benefit to the public,' he told Nine News.

'I hope we'll have thousands  we'll do everything we can to get every independent contractor in the state in a relevant industry.

'We're talking about tens of thousands of people, potentially.'

Former opposition leader Bill Shorten on Tuesday said Mr Andrews needs to 'calm the farm'.

Speaking to Nine's Today show, Mr Shorten said Mr Andrews needed to better explain the conditions of the State of Emergency and what it would mean for Victorians.

The pandemic sparked a State of Emergency declared on March 16, which is due to expire on September 13 after a maximum of six extensions (pictured, Melbourne on Tuesday)

Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured on Tuesday) wants to change legislation so it can be extended for a further 12 months

'I think the explanation is a lot more benign, but it's probably time for Dan the man to put his explaining skills on display today and just calm the farm,' he said.

'As I understand it, Daniel Andrews announced a State of Emergency. That's a lower level than a State of Disaster.'

Mr Shorten said the premier likely wanted to retain 'some powers' to get people to wear masks and ensure businesses maintain their COVID-safe plans while the virus is still a threat.

'But I think it would be handy if he cleared it up today. I think that figure of the 12 months had everyone freaking out last night,' he said.

Mr Andrews must strike a deal with crossbenchers to extend Victoria's State of Emergency after the opposition ruled out support.

Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien has ruled out supporting the bill, which almost all upper-house crossbench MPs oppose in its current form.

Victorians have been separated from the families and loved ones during Stage 4 lockdown. Pictured: Alfred Street public housing tower, which was put into lockdown in July

The premier said an extended State of Emergency would allow Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton to issue 'common-sense' directions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

These include rules surrounding face masks, mass gatherings and quarantine, as well as density limits for businesses and workplaces.

He stressed the proposed extension did not mean stage four restrictions - also due to end on September 13 - will be in place for another year.

The premier said he was willing to work out a compromise with the crossbench before parliament sits on Tuesday. He will need four on side to pass the legislation.

Key crossbencher Fiona Patten earlier indicated she may support the bill 'if there was some compromise', while former federal senator Derryn Hinch said the two crossbenchers from his Justice Party may also support an amended bill.

An extended State of Emergency would allow Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton (pictured) to issue 'common-sense' directions to prevent the spread of coronavirus

But Liberal Democrats David Limbrick and Tim Quilty are urging their fellow crossbenchers not to negotiate a shorter extension with the government.

It comes as Treasurer Josh Frydenberg warns Australia's economy won't recover until the coronavirus outbreak in Victoria is brought under.

Treasury analysis released on Monday predicts the national jobless rate will climb above 13 per cent in the coming weeks, up from 9.9 per cent last month.

Mr Frydenberg blamed Victoria's lockdown and border closures for stifling the national jobs recovery, of which NSW is emerging as the leader.

'There is still a long way to go through this crisis and high frequency data is showing signs that the jobs recovery may be slowing as state border closures have been tightened,' he said.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The US ambassador in Libya, Richard Norland, on Sunday and Monday spoke with Libyan political figures and officials to assess progress in operationalizing the statements issued on Friday regarding a ceasefire and resumption of oil production
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A three-judge bench of Justices Arun Mishra, B R Gavai, and Krishna Murari reserved the verdict on the quantum of punishment to be awarded to advocate Prashant Bhushan in the suo motu contempt of court case for his two tweets criticizing the judiciary. Here is the courtroom exchange:

Justice Mishra asks Attorney General K K Venugopal: Tell us what is to be done.

Venugopal: Give him (Prashant Bhushan) a warning and let him go.

Justice Mishra: There is a positive part of the statement by Prashant Bhushan in which he says he has faith in this institution. But at the same time he says, he won't apologise since he hasn't made any mistake. Everyone makes mistakes but the person must also realise it. What to do now?

Justice Mishra: If a person says he didn't make a mistake and he won't apologise for it despite repeated opportunities, what will be the purpose of saying don't do it again. It is not about us or him. It is about the institution after all.

Venugopal: I myself wanted to file a contempt against Prashant Bhushan when two CBI officers were fighting and he said I fabricated documents. But after he expressed regret, I withdrew. Let the democracy follow in this case when he has exercised his free speech. It will be tremendously appreciated if the court leaves it at that. Even if he says he hasn't done anything wrong, this court should take a compassionate view. I speak for the Bar also.

ALSO READ | SC reserves contempt verdict against Prashant Bhushan over his two tweets

Justice Mishra: If he believes he has done no wrong, what's the purpose of this warning?

Justice Gavai: Mr. AG, you too filed a contempt against Mr. Bhushan and withdrew it only after he expressed regret. But that's not the case here

Justice Mishra: He has made several disparaging remarks against this institution, judges of this court. Even in Ram Janma Bhoomi, only one judge has retired, the rest of them are still in this court.

Venugopal: He won't do this again.

Justice Mishra: Let him say this. It was so simple. The case was about two tweets but he later have colours to these tweets and filed additional explanations and arguments.

Venugopal: Let his response be not considered

Justice Mishra: How can we not? Everyone is criticising us that we haven't considered his response which according to us is even more derogatory. Now if we remove it, we will be blamed.

Venugopal: He has expressed regret in the 2009 matter. Let him say this in the present matter too and say he expresses regret. That will be the statesmanship.

Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan for Bhushan: My duty as an officer of the court isn't synonymous with my duty as a lawyer for my client. I can't shut my eyes from either of the two. This isn't an offender who doesn't acknowledge his duty towards the court. He has contributed so much to this court. AG is right in pointing that out.

Dhavan: I myself described former CJI JS Khehar as a Sultan in the court and I demonstrated why and how. There was no contempt case against me.

ALSO READ | Prashant Bhushan case: Activist-lawyer rules out apology for contemptuous tweets

Dhavan reminds Justice Mishra, as a judge in the Calcutta High Court, how he let go of Mamata Banerjee after she said all judges were corrupt. This institution must have criticism and not just criticism but extreme criticism. Your shoulders are broad enough.

Dhavan: If we read the last order that we give him time to submit an unconditional apology, it looks like as if a contemnor is coerced to give an apology so that it gets over. No court can pass an order like this. It was an exercise in coercion. This is wrong jurisprudence.

Dhavan: If I am indicted for contempt tomorrow, what do you expect me to do? Not raise a defence? You cited some pages and said this is wrong, this is wrong. I can take you back to those pages and say all those were his bonafide beliefs.

Hearing gets disrupted by power disconnection at Dhavans house

Justice Mishra: Attorney, there is no light.

Venugopal: He has thrown so much light already.

Dhavan: If Bhushan's statement is read as a whole, it says he has the highest regard for this institution but he has his opinion about the last 4 CJIs and the manner in which this court has gone wrong. We criticise this court when we feel sincere about this institution.

Dhavan: This court should invite criticism. It is the duty of all of us to make responsible criticism. Harley Davidson is hardly a criticism when this is in public domain.

Dhavan: Convicting judgment must be recalled. Apology can not be coerced. This was not scurrilous, this was strong criticism of this court which is shared by several others in this country.

Dhavan: When you say don't do it again, he is entitled to ask what is it that I don't do it again. Such reprimand or bald warning is too broad and shouldn't be done. One cannot be silenced forever. A message that he should be a little restrained in the future should be enough.

Dhavan submits that a judgment asking Prashant Bhushan to be a little restrained in the future when he criticises the courts should be like statesmanship and that this will go a long way in sending the right message.

Justice Mishra: If we decide to punish him, what should be the punishment?

Dhavan: A general message, not even a reprimand

Dhavan: If you want to bar him from practice, you will have to hear him first. If you want to impose a jail term, my advice would be don't make Prashant Bhushan a martyr. Like what happened after Babri was demolished and Kalyan Singh was convicted of contempt.

Justice Mishra: It was painful to read his reply in justification if his tweets. It was absolutely improper. There is a difference between an officer of the court and a politician. I am not commenting on Mr Bhushan. But that's what is happening nowadays. You go to press even in sub judice matters, make all kinds of comments when the court is already hearing it.

Justice Mishra: If someone with a standing of 30 years, like Prashant Bhushan, says something, people tend to believe him. They will think whatever he is saying is correct. Had it been someone else, it was easier to ignore but when Mr Bhushan says something, it has some effect.

Justice Mishra: It is about the system. If we are going to destroy each other, who will have faith in this institution? You have to be tolerant, see what the court is doing and why. Don't just attack. Judges can't go to press to defend themselves or explain.

Justice Mishra: Whatever we have to say, we have to write in our judgments. There are so many things but do we have to go to the press? I will never do that. That's the ethics for judges. If we are going to fight each other, pull each other down, we will finish this institution.

ALSO READ | Three lawyers detained in Chennai for protesting against SC

Justice Mishra: Haven't people been criticising us? So many people criticise us but how many people have we convicted or punished? There is another case against Mr. Bhushan pending since 2009, has he been punished there? I have to demit office and it is painful I have to deal with all this.

Dhavan: I completely agree that petitions should never go to press before they are heard by this court.

Justice Gavai: Will you justify statements by a lawyer to media about a case he has appeared in?

Dhavan: This shouldn't be done. I never did it after I appeared in Ayodhya case

Dhavan: Say in the judgment about the kind of code people should follow but the idea is not to silence Bhushan. A reprimand may have repercussions not clear at this stage. Please say in the judgment we don't agree with Mr. Bhushan but a code should be followed.

Venugopal: About his tweet on retired judges, can anything be said whether whatever has been said is correct or not. We cannot possibly go into this aspect without views of those judges. That would mean an inquiry that will go and on. Bhushan can't be punished until this inquiry concludes.

Venugopal: So my suggestion would be to give a quietus to this matter without getting into that exercise.

Justice Mishra: But there have been allegations against the sitting judges too. Should we call all judges here? Judges are condemned, their families are humiliated and they can't even speak. You are the leader of the bar. We expect you to be impartial. You may have love & affection for anyone but we want you to be fair. Don't take sides.

Justice Mishra: For how long the system will suffer all this. I am retiring in a few days. Will it be okay if you or others start attacking me? Why say you can say anything against retired judges?

Justice Mishra: What's so bad in apologising? If someone has made a mistake, what's wrong in seeking an apology? If you have hurt someone, why can't you apologise? I am not commenting on Mr. Bhushan right now. You go on to the extent of quoting Mahatma Gandhi but you can't apologise.
Washington  The U.S. Air Force has awarded SRCTec of Cicero a contract worth up to $90 million over eight years to supply and maintain mobile systems that defend against small drones.

The deal comes a month after SRCTecs parent company, SRC Inc., won a $426 million Army contract  one of the largest in the companys history  for its counter-drone technology.

The new contract announced by the Pentagon on Monday will allow the Air Force to order  as needed  new anti-drone systems and subsystems manufactured by SRCTec at its plant on East Taft Road.

Under the deal, SRC will provide the support necessary to deploy and sustain the equipment for five years.

The Air Force uses the anti-drone technology as part of its Medusa air defense project to defend against small, slow and low-flying drones that have emerged as a growing threat to U.S. forces.

The system developed by SRC can be mounted onto tactical vehicles to hunt down and neutralize enemy drones as small as a quadcopter, the typical off-the-shelf drone operated by hobbyists.

SRCs anti-drone technology uses a combination of radars, cameras, jamming technology and other sensors to detect, track, identify and defeat hostile drones on the battlefield.

SRC, a not-for-profit research and development firm, invented the system and builds the equipment through its for-profit manufacturing arm, SRCTec.

The new contract will help sustain SRCs workforce in Central New York, the company said Tuesday. The two companies employ about 1,100 people in offices in Central New York and about 1,650 worldwide.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
'0' COVID LABEL. Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, who is also IATF deputy chief implementer of the anti-Covid-19 campaign in Cebu City, announced Saturday, August 22, there were already 36 barangays in the city that the national task force considers "Covid-free."

The number went down to 34 by Tuesday, August 25: four barangays that have had no reported cases since the outbreak in January -- namely, Taptap, Paril, Sudlon and Buot -- plus 30 other barangays. As of this report, 15 barangays in the lowland and 19 in the highland.

Garganera did not name the 30, without telling the public why. He could be avoiding controversy from possible error in classifying a barangay; actual but unreported cases might be cited by someone who disagrees with the list. The lesson from categorizing drug-free barangays must still be fresh among LGU leaders.

BASIS FOR CATEGORY. Garganera told SunStar Tuesday a barangay lands in the "O-Covid" list if it has no case of infection in the past two weeks or 14 days.

Dr. Peter Clayton, a member of the University of the Philippines Pandemic Response Team, in an August 4 tweet, said only Batanes province would qualify as "Covid-free." Using these as bases: 1) zero active cases and 2) no cases since the start of the outbreak in the country last March. The zero-from-the-beginning record of Batanes may be compared to that of the four "virgin" barangays in Cebu City. Clayton relied on Data Drop of the Department of Health and UP's independent tracker Endcov.ph. Garganera must have used records of DOH at the Cebu City Emergency Center.

The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), basing on the DOH tracker, reported last April 22 that 26 out of 81 provinces in the country were "Covid-free." In Central Visayas, Siquijor was included.

NO REASON TO BE "COMPLACENT." Being tagged "0 Covid" does not guarantee against new or returning cases of infection. Siquijor, clean for six months, recently reported two cases, from natives who came back from travel.

Story continues

Being islands, Siquijor and Batanes have been isolated from the flood of people in urban centers. The geographical location has helped but, added to that, must be early lockdown and coordination of government agencies, which Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco said last August 16 local leaders must include in their host of initiatives and practices against the pandemic.

SAME CQ RULES. Being listed as a "Covid-free" barangay does not remove it from the rest of the area of the GCQ'd Cebu City. The same general quarantine rules, Garganera said, which govern the other barangays, will apply to "0 Covid" barangay.

Garganera sees it as "more of a responsibility of maintaining status quo (on the excellent health situation) than an achievement." Barangay captains may partly disagree, since good leadership is needed to keep the epidemic at bay. In the city, for example, the mayor was blamed for the period when its status reverted to ECQ and MECQ status, like Cebu's sick man, and Cebuanos embarrassed on the national stage by the label "hard-headed and stubborn."

Anyway as to reward for deserving barangays and their leaders, Garganera told SunStar, "we're looking at that, (for) it's really something to celebrate and we congratulate the barangays..." He talked achieving "sustainability... to keep the curve flattened."

That's why the safeguards are not relaxed; the tools, like segmented lockdowns, will be used when needed, said Garganera who obviously, as active task force participant, has honed the skill of disaster response on top of his main job of lawmaking.
Big Brother winner Chad Hurst and his on-screen love interest Sophie Budack had promised to split the $234,656 prize money 50-50 if either of them won the competition.

But Chad, 27, has revealed while he did give his co-star some money, they didn't go halves in the big prize.

Appearing on podcast The Babble, Chad explained that he had given Sophie, 25, a 'bloody good amount' of the winnings.

'It's a bloody good amount!' Chad Hurst has revealed he DID NOT go halves with ex-girlfriend Sophie Budack in his Big Brother winnings, but he did give her some of his $234,656 prize money

'Once the money came in I messaged her straight away and told her that you know, the money's come in so send your bank details over,' Chad said.

'We're just sharing, it's not halves. We made an agreement it's not halves, so yeah. But it's a bloody good amount, I'll tell ya that!'

The reality star has revealed that his first big spend since receiving the money is a 'lad's' weekend away.

Keeping his word: Appearing on podcast The Babble, Chad (right) explained that he had given Sophie (left) a 'bloody good amount' of the prize money

'I'm going away this weekend, so I'm going away with a few lads and me brother and stuff like that to Port Macquarie,' he said.

'So there'll be a few sore heads over the week,' he added with a laugh.

Meanwhile, Chad is already back modelling after he revealed that he was unable to secure modelling work overseas due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Strike a pose! Chad has returned to work as a model after winning $230k on Big Brother

He was in the studio this week, posing for a series of smouldering shots obtained by Daily Mail Australia.

'Things are starting to pick up,' he said earlier this month. 'It's been a good ride after Big Brother. It's definitely been a positive experience.'

Last month, Chad explained he had been unable to secure new work for months due to the coronavirus travel restrictions.

'Modelling wise, I've lost everything. It's s**t. That was a real kick in the d**k,' he said at the time.
FISA Applications to Ask Whether Target Was Government Source

Application for surveillance warrants under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) will now include questions about whether the target has provided information to the government, the FBI said in a filing made public on Aug. 24.

A former FBI lawyer pleaded guilty last week to altering information used in a FISA application. Kevin Clinesmith admitted to intentionally inserting words to an email from the CIA that had originally said Carter Page, a former Trump campaign associate, was a source for the agency.

The new application forms will include questions about whether the target or subject of the request was previously interviewed by, or served as a confidential human source, asset, or operational contact of, the FBI, any other government agency, or a foreign government, Dawn Browning, the acting general counsel for the FBI, told the FISA court in the filing.

The questions are one of a number of improvements, Browning said.

The secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) receives applications from federal law enforcement to spy on people suspected of acting as agents of a foreign power. If approved, the warrants grant broad surveillance powers, including the retroactive collection of all communications. FISC judges approved 907 warrant applications last year.

Carter Page, petroleum industry consultant and former foreign-policy adviser to Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential election campaign, in Washington on May 28, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

The courts presiding judge, James Boasberg, in March ordered the FBI to finalize a number of changes to the FISA process, citing significant factual inaccuracies and omissions relevant to whether there was probable cause to believe Page was an agent of the Russian government. He also banned any officials involved in the application to surveil Page from participating in the preparation of FISA applications.

Page, a CIA-approved operational source between 2008 and 2013, was accused of being an agent of the Russian government. The FBI conceded that the last two warrants it secured to surveil Page were invalidated by the revelations of major errors and omissions in the applications.

The following month, Boasberg, an Obama appointee, ordered the FBI to review 29 FISA applications unrelated to Page that the Department of Justices Office of Inspector General reviewed. Michael Horowitzs team found every one of the applications had a missing or inadequate Woods Filea group of records that substantiate the facts the bureau asserts in applications to the court.

DOJ officials reviewed the files and claimed that all contained sufficient basis for probable cause, with only two material errors uncovered, neither of which invalidated the warrants. The findings were in stark contrast to the 17 major errors and omissions found in the applications to surveil Page.

Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz testifies in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington on Dec. 11, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

In the July 31 filing that was released this week, Browning, the FBI lawyer, said the reform efforts show the bureau remains committed to ensuring that FISA applications it submits to this Court are accurate and complete.

But other changes are also being made, including alterations to a checklist used to vet confidential human sources and FISA-related training, Browning wrote in a separate filing sent to the FISC in June.

Revised forms alone cannot effect the changes necessary to the Governments FISA practice, the lawyer said. Indeed, no request form or checklist can be perfectly designed to address every circumstance.

Ongoing reform efforts are extensive, multi-faceted, and ongoing, the filing stated.

Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.
Universities have won a key change to the Morrison government's university overhaul, securing a guarantee on their funding levels after raising concerns the new legislation would allow the education minister to unilaterally defund them.

The government has also confirmed social work and psychology subjects will be spared significant fee rises following public criticism of the plan by Regional Education Minister Andrew Gee. The change will be funded by further increases of $250 annually for subjects in the two lowest fee categories.

Education Minister Dan Tehan has confirmed key changes to the government's university funding overhaul after pressure from the Nationals. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Responding to the draft legislation released earlier this month, universities had sounded the alarm over the bill empowering a minister to slash base funding grants for teaching without parliamentary approval. The legislation will now be amended to lock in a floor for the funding, meaning it cannot be decreased.

"We have made sensible amendments to the legislation after listening to the constructive feedback provided during the consultation process," Education Minister Dan Tehan said on Tuesday.
The clinic serves children aged 18-months and up, and are staffed by experienced, highly trained autism specialists. These professionals provide children evidence-based treatment called Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, along with family training. HHF also has a clinic in Long Island, NY and will be further expanding in Pennsylvania and New Jersey later this year.

"Our goal is to close the significant gap between children who need ABA therapy and the resources currently available to them," said Fali Sidhva, CEO of Helping Hands Family. "We want to be the solution for parents of children with autism in the Greater Philadelphia Area, and help their children achieve their greatest potential."

In each clinic, HHF employs Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs) who create customized ABA treatment plans for each child to help develop skills, create connections, and gain confidence. Autism affects one in 54 children in the U.S. and continues to rise each year according to the CDC.

Helping Hands Family is currently accepting new clients at all three clinic locations. Parents can call (484) 965-9966 or visit our web page to start services. The three clinics are located at:

Malvern, PA : 209 West Lancaster Ave., Paoli, PA 19301

Mt. Laurel, NJ : 1001 Briggs Rd, Suite 280 Mt. Laurel Township, NJ 08054

East Northport, NY : 229 Laurel Rd E, East Northport, NY 11731

For more information on Helping Hands Family, please visit http://hhfamily.com.

About Helping Hands Family

Helping Hands Family ("HHF") is a growing provider of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy in the Northeast. HHF offers ABA therapy in-clinic, in-home, and in-school based on each child's unique needs. The HHF team is comprised of autism professionals with decades of clinical experience. They are devoted to delivering customized treatment plans for each child and helping parents navigate the path of seeing their child continuously improve their skills. HHF's science-based programs help children with autism make progress in social development and support new ways of interacting with the world.

Media Contact:

Colleen MacDonald

[email protected]

610-217-3521

SOURCE Helping Hands Family
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, on Tuesday, said that the news that he directed the suspension of entry requirements for candidates undergoing physical screening exercise is untrue.

In a statement signed by Frank Mba, the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force, Mr Adamu urged citizens to ignore the trending fake news, saying statutory entry requirements remain sacrosanct.

There were media reports on Monday that the IGP, in a signal, directed that no candidate should be disqualified irrespective of their physical appearance, age, or qualification.

According to a report by PUNCH Newspapers, the IG directed that all candidates who have submitted their applications online should be screened.

Inspector-General of Police directs that you attend to all applicants who successfully submitted their online applications to police recruitment portal irrespective of their physical appearance, age and qualification. You are not to disqualify any applicant for any reason whatsoever.

Note that your recommendation for each applicant will serve as a guide to ascertaining the suitability or otherwise of each applicant. Ensure that the entire process is transparent and devoid of corruption and closely monitor activities of ICT personnel and other members of the team for strict compliance, please, the newspaper quoted a message to police formations by the police chief.

A non-governmental organisation, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), also issued a statement saying the suspension of entry requirements is dangerous and has the potential to widen the door for more criminals and misfits to find their way into the police.

RULAAC said the suspension could lead to people being recruited without regard to merit and equity.

If it is a measure to pave way for disabled people to be represented in the police under diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, it should be clearly stated and specific allocations and measures adopted to target specific numbers equally spread across the country.

Concerns have been expressed in the past about noncompliance with police recruitment guidelines and entry requirements as stipulated in the police regulations. Police recruitment has often been marred by political interference and corruption allowing people without passion and career interest to infiltrate the police, the centre said.

However, the police in a statement on Tuesday said the statutory entry requirements into the Nigeria Police Force remain sacrosanct and would be thoroughly followed in the ongoing police recruitment screening exercise.

The IGP, while noting that no one has the powers to alter the conditions for recruitment into the Force  these, having been clearly provided for in Sections 71  75 and other relevant sections of the Police Act and Regulations  stated that all candidates who successfully completed the online recruitment registration exercise was invited for physical and credential screening from 24th August 2020 to 6th September 2020 at various venues in States across the Federation and the FCT.

The screening officers have been directed to allow all the applicants to participate in the exercise and to recommend their suitability or otherwise in the spirit of transparency, accountability and fair hearing using the already established benchmarks as contained in the Act, the police said.

Screening officers across the nation have also been urged to uphold a high level of professionalism and observe necessary measures in line with COVID-19 prevention regulations throughout the period of the exercise.

To ensure a credible exercise, observers and monitors from the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Police Service Commission and the Federal Character Commission have been invited to provide oversight at the screening, the police added.

Meanwhile, physical screening for candidates who applied to the Nigerian Police Force as constables commenced on Monday across all police commands in the country.

PREMIUM TIMES reporter, who was at the Lagos Command screening venue, on Monday, observed strict compliance with safety protocols such as physical distancing, washing of hands and hand sanitizing, and the use of face masks.

The candidates, who assembled at the Police College, Ikeja, were seen in their white shirts and shorts and made to wear their face masks appropriately.

Candidates screened on Monday were those from Agege and Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government areas, while candidates from Alimosho and Amuwo-Odofin local governments were screened on Tuesday.

The applicants were also subjected to compulsory temperature checks and washing of hands before they were allowed to enter the screening venue.

The exercise was conducted in an orderly manner, as applicants filed into the screening hall in small groups.




Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba

The Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba has revealed that 78 private universities have said they are ready to reopen.

He made this public while speaking on the governments plan to fully reopen universities for educational activities.

Nwajiuba said this during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.

The minister, however, expressed optimism that the date for resumption was around the corner, adding, that we are not going to be brandishing dates.

He disclosed that he and the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, met some stakeholders in tertiary education earlier in the day on the issue.

Nwajiuba said about 78 privately-owned universities are insisting that they were ready for resumption while the response from government-owned universities was still 50-50.

He said that after aggregating opinions, he would return to the PTF to review the situation and then go ahead to make a pronouncement.

The minister urged students of tertiary institutions protesting the continued closure of their schools to be a little more patient with the government.
New York - The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved US$54.5 million for the Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reductions project to address the alarming deforestation and forest degradation challenges in the Northern Savannah Zone of Ghana. The project will be implemented by the Forestry Commission (FC), Ghana with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with multiple national and local institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector.

The projects interventions are expected to result in the restoration of 200,000 hectares of off-reserve savanna forests and 300,000 hectares of degraded shea parklands including the establishment of 25,500 hectares of forest plantations in severely degraded forest reserves. It is expected that the activities will result in an estimate of over 6 million tCO 2 e in emission reductions and removals over the first seven years of the projects lifetime and 25.24 million tCO2e over the period of 20 years.

"I welcome this great milestone in Ghanas Forestry Sector in the deployment of programmes and projects that reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, build ecosystem resilience and also enhance the lives of communities that nurture the forests, stated the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Mr. John M. Allotey. He further emphasized that the success of the project would provide a strong contribution to Ghanas commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the implementation of the National REDD+ Strategy.

The project has leveraged vertical funds, with US$ 30,100,000 grant from the GCF, about US$ 15 million funding from the Government of Ghana and mobilized about US$ 9 million impact investments from the private sector in the shea value chain.

Among other significant benefits, the Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reductions Project will also bring about a breakthrough in the shea sector by enhancing revenue generation for women and strengthen the livelihoods of over 500,000 people in Northern Ghana. The Global Shea Alliance (GSA), a non-profit industry association with 500 members from 35 countries, will be a key partner during the project implementation.

We are particularly happy with the approval from the GCF Board because of how critical this project is in reducing emissions, the expected value additions in the utilization of forest resources and contributions to livelihood improvement especially for women, noted Silke Hollander, Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP in Ghana.

For full press release issued by UNDP in Ghana click here.

About United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

About the Forestry Commission of Ghana
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 14:01:05|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

HANOI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Five children aged from 8 to 15 have drowned in rivers in Vietnam's central provinces of Quang Ngai and Ha Tinh while swimming, local media reported on Tuesday.

Among them, three victims, aged from 13 to 15, drowned on Monday afternoon as they were swimming in a section of Tra Khuc River in the province's Quang Ngai city, daily newspaper Lao Dong (Labor) reported.

Local residents tried to rescue the victims and transferred them to the hospital but they did not survive, according to the report.

Two other children, aged 8 and 10, also drowned while taking a swim in Ngan Pho River in central Ha Tinh province on Monday, Vietnam News Agency reported, noting that bodies of the victims had been found as of Tuesday morning.

An average of 2,000 children in Vietnam died of drowning every year, making it the leading cause of injury-related deaths for children in the country, according to its Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. Enditem
Bolsonaro-Corruption-Reporter-Punch

President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro waves during a visit to Barreiros bridge amidst the coronavirus pandemic on August 7, 2020 in Sao Vicente, Brazil. Credit - Alexandre Schneider Getty Images

Brazils far-right president Jair Bolsonaro threatened to punch a reporter in the face on Sunday after he asked a question about mystery payments made to Brazils first lady by a long-time family associate under investigation for corruption.

Id like to punch you in the mouth, the president told a journalist from O Globo, one of Brazils largest daily newspapers, while walking outside the Cathedral of Brasilia, video released by the newspaper shows. The journalist had asked Bolsonaro to explain reports by Brazilian media that Fabricio Queiroz, who has known the president since the 1980s, and his wife made deposits of almost $16,000 to Michelle Bolsonaros bank account between 2011 and 2017.

Queiroz was arrested in June as part of a corruption investigation by authorities in Rio de Janeiro state into Flavio Bolsonaro, the presidents oldest son. The probe concerns a suspected scheme of embezzlement and money laundering during Flavios time in the state legislature, where he served from 2003-2019. Queiroz worked as an aide for Flavio for some of that period and investigators say large amounts of money moved in and out of his account in 2017 may be connected to the scheme. Flavio, now a senator, has denounced the investigation as a politically motivated attack on his family. Queirozs lawyer called his arrest totally unnecessary.

Brazilian media reported earlier in August that investigators had uncovered new evidence of payments from Queiroz to Michelle Bolsonaro, which contradict previous explanations given for the transactions.

The question President Bolsonaro, why did your wife Michelle receive [$15,800] from Fabricio Queiroz? quickly went viral on Sunday after the altercation with the O Globo reporter, as prominent figures in Brazilian culture, media and politics tweeted it at the president, including YouTuber Felipe Neto and music legend Caetano Veloso. In all, the question has been repeated more than 1 million times online, according to BBC Brasil. The President has not responded directly to the questions, but tweeted Monday morning accusing O Globo of bias against him.

Story continues

The allegations surrounding his family have become a source of political strife for Bolsonaro, who campaigned for the presidency on a promise to stamp out corruption among Brazils elite. He faces crises on several other fronts. The Supreme Court is investigating allegations by former justice minister Sergio Moro that the president abused his power by meddling in the federal police. Bolsonaros handling of COVID-19, which he has dismissed as a little flu, has also galvanized political and public opposition to his leadership. The president and his wife both tested positive for the virus in July, after he spent months publicly resisting social distancing measures and the wearing of masks.

Despite these controversies, though, a poll published August 14 found that Bolsonaros approval ratings have reached their highest levels since his term began in January 2019. According to national pollster Datafolha, 37% of those surveyed saw his administration as great or good, up from 32% in June. Only 34% saw his government as bad or terrible, down 10 points from a month earlier.

Analysts put the increase in popularity down to emergency aid dispersements made by the Brazilian government, which have become a lifeline for poorer people in a country that was still grappling with the impact of a 20152016 economic crisis when the pandemic began. Its hard to underestimate the impact of the coronavirus emergency salary on voters lives, says Gustavo Ribeiro, a political analyst and founder of English-language politics site The Brazilian Report. For 14 million people, it has been the only source of income as of late. That program, which has already cost tens of billions of dollars, is due to expire in September, but Bolsonaro said August 19 that smaller payments could be extended through the end of 2020.

Rodrigo Soares, a professor of Brazilian Public Policy at Columbia University, says the scandals mounting around the presidents family are unlikely to have any impact on his political base, which accounts for about a third of Brazilian voters. Its pretty clear by now that the corruption allegations have really no bite among his core supporters, he says. Among those, I dont think that the [presidents] supposed corruption agenda was ever the main point.
Revenue from casino businesses has increased significantly over the last one to two years. However, the casinos that are open to Vietnamese still have reported losses.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has released a report on amending some provisions of Decree 03/2017 on the casino business.

Before the decree took effect, the country had eight licensed casinos, of which seven had been operational.

After the decree took effect, three integrated resort projects with casinos were approved by the Prime Minister and they were granted licenses by provincial authorities. These are Laguna Lang Co, Phu Quoc and Cam Ranh Casinos.

MOF reported that the eight businesses had revenue of VND1.19 trillion from casino services in 2017 and paid VND645 billion in tax to the state.

In 2018, the revenue reached VND1.56 trillion, an increase of 31 percent over the year before. The casinos paid nearly VND900 billion to the state, an increase of 39 percent.

Two casinos, Van Don in Quang Ninh and Phu Quoc in Kien Giang province, have got the nod from the Party Politburo to receive Vietnamese people under a pilot program. The casino in Phu Quoc has been open to Vietnamese since January 2019.

In 2019, the figures were VND2.5 trillion and 60 percent, respectively. Casinos paid VND1.34 trillion to the state budget, up by 49 percent.

Two casinos, Van Don in Quang Ninh and Phu Quoc in Kien Giang province, have got the nod from the Party Politburo to receive Vietnamese people under a pilot program. The casino in Phu Quoc has been open to Vietnamese since January 2019.

Over 105,000 people went to Phu Quoc casino in 2019, including 47,400 Vietnamese (45 percent).

The cumulative revenue of Phu Quoc casino was VND1.433 trillion, of which the revenue from taxed casino business was VND1.381 trillion.

The 2019 audited finance report of Phu Quoc Tourism Investment and Development JSC showed the loss of VND2.529 trillion from casino and other business activities.

MOF has proposed amending some provisions of the Decree 03 that it finds unreasonable.

The requirement for licensing is that investors have to finish the disbursement of at least 50 percent of total investment capital. The ministry believes that this is unfeasible for casino projects located in areas with incomplete infrastructure.

In this case, investors have to both satisfy the requirements stipulated in Decree 03 and invest in transport infrastructure items. Meanwhile, the investment in transport infrastructure is not counted as investment capital when state management agencies consider the investors disbursed capital.

The requirement on the minimum capital of $2 billion for integrated resort projects with casinos will remain unchanged.

MOF has also proposed amending the current regulation that businesses can advertise at casino points only, because the regulation makes it difficult for businesses to introduce their business to international travellers and Vietnamese.

The ministry believes that it would be better to allow businesses to advertise within the locations where the investment projects with casinos are implemented.

Luong Bang

How much have Vietnams casinos earned during Covid-19? Since 2013, the state budget has collected VND1.9 trillion a year from casinos and prize-winning electronic games.
FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Parker Products, a leading provider of inclusions and other specialty ingredients for the baking, dairy, beverage, confectionery, RTE and snack, and foodservice industries, today announced that cookie manufacturer Creative Food Ingredients (CFI) has joined the Parker portfolio. The transaction was completed on August 25.

"Parker Products has been intriguing consumers with exciting new flavors, textures, and product characteristics for nearly a century," said Greg Hodder, president of Parker. "The addition of CFI's complementary line of baked inclusions and toppings, including the unique Cookie Gems and other rotary cookie bits, positions us as the 'go-to' source of premium ingredients for our customers."

Parker Products was itself acquired by The Riverside Company, a global private equity firm, in late 2017, in a move designed to accelerate Parker's growth and set the stage for expansion opportunities such as that offered by the addition of CFI.

"CFI represents an excellent fit with Parker," Hodder said. "The combination of Parker's excellence in batch processing and artisanal ingredients is a perfect fit with CFI's expertise in higher-volume orders and enables us to address a broader range of customer needs than ever before. The two companies serve many of the same customers with highly complementary product lines, providing an opportunity for customers to source a wider range of high-quality inclusions and ingredients from a single supplier."

CFI's chief executive, Michael O'Flaherty, will maintain an ongoing investment in the business but will transition away from day-to-day operations. Parker has tapped industry veteran Ron Savelli to act as President of CFI, working closely with CFI Operations Director Mike Humberstone to lead manufacturing and related operations in Perry, N.Y.

O'Flaherty said, "CFI has continued to invest in growth since my family purchased the company in 2005. Joining Parker presents compelling opportunities not only for our customers but also for our employees as we look to the future, and that potential was too good to pass up. I'm excited about this next chapter for CFI as part of Parker Products."

Parker and CFI will co-brand in the marketplace, honoring both companies' strong brand equity and complementary product offerings.

To learn more about Parker, visit ParkerProducts.com.

Parker Products

Parker Products makes ingredients that intrigue customers. Parker offers creative inclusions, flavor systems, and grinds like agave-glazed quinoa, blueberry-rosemary fruit prep, and natural peppermint candy grinds. From baking and dairy to beverage, confectionery, and snack, Parker helps build brands across the food and beverage industry.

ParkerProducts.com

Creative Food Ingredients

CFI develops and manufactures baked ingredients including whole cookies, cookie crumbs, crumble toppings, Cookie Gems and other like products. CFI operates multiple facilities in Perry, NY, and employs over 200 employees.

Media Contact:

Jamie Wilson

[email protected]

214-649-5961

Related Images

parker-products-cfi-logo.jpg

Parker Products - CFI logo

SOURCE Parker Products

Related Links

http://ParkerProducts.com


Portland rioters last night chanted 'Jacob Blake' while setting fire to the police union building on the 89th night of demonstrations in the Oregon city.

Police declared yet another riot as some 300 BLM protesters joined in the demonstrations which have not abated since the death of George Floyd in May.

Last night they shouted Blake's name - an unarmed black man shot seven times in the back by a white office in Wisconsin on Sunday - as two fires were set against the wall's of the Portland Police Association building.

Someone climbed onto the association's roof to unfurl a banner and the walls were spray-painted with obscenities, such as 'F**k the police' and 'ACAB (All Cops Are B******s'.

The fresh violence comes as Marquise Love, 25, who is accused of kicking a man unconscious in the city last week, had his bail set at $260,000 on charges of assault, coercion and rioting.

Demonstrators confront police during a protest against police violence and racial injustice in Portland, Oregon, U.S., August 23, 2020. Picture taken August 23, 2020

A demonstrator lights a fire during a protest against police violence and racial injustice in Portland, Oregon, U.S., August 23, 2020

He is alleged to have been among the mob who chased down and attacked Adam Haner after he crashed his truck in downtown Portland on August 16.

Marquise Love was taken into custody on Friday morning, accused of kicking Adam Haner during a BLM protest in Portland

Love turned himself in last week and will appear in court on September 2.

Last night police warned protesters to leave the area of the police association or face 'tear gas and impact weapons.'

Around 200 arrived in the residential area after marching from the Arbor Lodge Park.

Officers arrested several demonstrators and were able to disperse the crowds, setting up a chain-link fence around the police building.

Police said it was not immediately clear how much damage was done to the association building.

The night before police had used tear gas to scatter demonstrators who hurled rocks, bottles and commercial-grade fireworks at officers and set fires in the streets as they marched on a precinct station in another night of violence.

Footage from the scene showed a fire burning an awning at the north precinct late Sunday night and protesters chanting 'burn baby burn' while police tried to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher.

Twenty-three people were arrested.

Pictured: What appears to be an American flag is seen burning during riots in Portland, Oregon, Sunday night

Protesters set off a firecracker during Sunday night's riots in Portland, Oregon

Rioters in Portland on Sunday night. Police ordered demonstrators to clear the area, saying that rocks and glass bottles had been thrown at officers, as well as lasers pointed their direction

Protesters had marched to the precinct from a park, chanting several things including 'Jacob Blake,' who was shot by a white police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday night.

President Donald Trump's administration in July deployed federal forces to Portland to crack down on the protests.

On Friday, he denounced the demonstrations as 'crazy' and said cities run by Democrats had descended into chaos. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is a Democrat.

Portland police said last week that they had declared riots 17 times between May 29 and August 19.

Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest against police violence and racial injustice in Portland, Oregon, U.S., August 24, 2020

A police officer extinguishes a fire on the Portland Police North Precinct building during a protest against police violence and racial injustice in Portland, Oregon, U.S., August 23, 2020. Picture taken August 23, 2020
Agreement has been reached on a lease arrangement that will allow Mean Scoil Mhuire in Longford town access the former Turners Printing premises in Longford town.



The Department of Education has given approval for the project that will facilitate the provision of an additional 7/8 classrooms as the Longford town school works towards re-opening in a Covid-19 era.



The Turners premises closed in March and the agreement sees the Department leasing 11,000sq ft over two floors on a site across the road from the school.

Also read: Invasive species Chub detected on River Inny in Longford



Longford/Westmeath Fianna Fail TD Joe Flaherty has worked closely with school management on the re-opening plans and said: "The lease arrangement is an important step in the route to securing a site for a new school. The existing facility is now at maximum capacity with 570 pupils."

The local TD said a new building for the busy secondary school is a primary responsibility for him and preliminary discussions with Minister for Education, Norma Foley, will continue.



He paid tribute to school principal, Aoife Mulrennan and her team, who have been under considerable pressure in the build-up to re-opening.



The school is due to open for first years on Tuesday, September 1 and they will be joined by other classes on subsequent days with 5th years and Transition Years on September 7.

The school will also use the Temperance Hall until works on the Turners building are completed at the end of September.
Kremlin: Putin Wasn't Involved in Talks on Transportation of Opposition Figure Navalny to Germany

Sputnik News

09:45 GMT 24.08.2020(updated 10:03 GMT 24.08.2020)

Navalny was transported to the German clinic on Saturday after he fell ill on Thursday while on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow. His press secretary suggested he may have been poisoned. However, doctors in Omsk, where he was hospitalised, said there were no traces of poison in Navalny's blood or urine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not participate in talks on the transportation of opposition figure Alexey Navalny to a German clinic, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

"No, this is not the president's prerogative at all. This is a doctors' decision that had to do with the patient's condition," Peskov said, when asked if the president was involved in the talks on the transportation.

According to Peskov, "there is no reason to hold international talks."

"I can only say that our relevant authorities did everything very fast, urgently in this case. All paperwork moments linked to the flight were resolved very fast," the spokesman added.

Navalny was transported to the German clinic on Saturday. He fell ill on Thursday while on a flight from the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow. The plane had to make an emergency landing in Omsk, where Navalny was hospitalised. His press secretary suggested he may have been poisoned. Doctors in Omsk said there were no traces of poison in Navalny's blood or urine, and that metabolic disbalance and sugar levels were the main potential diagnosis. The opposition activist remains in a coma.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






EDWARDSVILLE  Former Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard, PhD, and his wife, Jo, have donated $100,000 to establish the Glenn and Jo Poshard Scholarship Endowment for the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB).

Scholarship awards will be dedicated to community college transfer students majoring in education or teaching with demonstrated financial need and with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

It was a great privilege for Jo and me to serve the SIU System and to see SIUEs success in the higher education community of Illinois, Glenn Poshard said. We hope to continue our efforts to provide additional scholarship assistance to SIUE students in the future.

We are ecstatic and extremely grateful for the generous gift from Glenn and Jo Poshard, said SEHHB Dean Robin Hughes, PhD. Through their selfless giving, the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior will be able to better support our students academic needs. There are no words too great to describe our gratitude and appreciation for their generosity. We look forward to awarding our most deserving students in addition to thanking the Poshards in-person.

Glenn Poshard served as SIU System president from 2006-2014 after being appointed to the SIU board of trustees in 2004. During his presidency, SIUE became the fastest growing public institution in the state. He is a former Illinois state senator (1984-88) and U.S. congressman (1989-99). He also was a gubernatorial candidate in 1998.

The Poshards established The Poshard Foundation for Abused Children in 1999. Dedicated to healing abused children physically and emotionally and to stop child abuse, the foundation has created many rewarding relationships with individuals, agencies and organizations in southern Illinois, as well as statewide, by providing funding for children in crisis when other funds are not available.
Hanoi has launched contact-tracing measures and sampled all people exposed to a young man who tested positive for COVID-19 upon arriving in Japan last week.

The young man arrived in Japan on a flight from the Vietnamese capital and was subject to a rapid-result COVID-19 test, which came back positive.

Hanoi was informed of the mans test result by the Japanese authorities on Saturday, said Nguyen Khac Hien, director of the municipal Department of Health.

However, Japans document sent to Hanoi did not include the mans address.

The local health department had to utilize contact-tracing software to confirm that the man resides in Ba Vi District, Hanoi.

All those exposed to the Hanoi man have been sampled for COVID-19 testing, with all results coming back negative, Hien said.

This is the third case of a person arriving in Japan from Vietnam who has tested positive for COVID-19.

A female doctor, 30, was previously positive for the coronavirus via a rapid COVID-19 test in Japan, but a conclusive test using the more accurate real-time PCR technique found that she was negative.

Hien added that Hanoi has conducted real-time PCR tests on 90 percent of arrivals from Da Nang since July 15.

The central city recorded a local infection on July 25 after the country had gone 99 days without a community-based case.

Since then, 540 local infections have been reported in Vietnam, nearly 88 percent of which have been documented in Da Nang and neighboring Quang Nam Province.

Vietnams COVID-19 tally has hit 1,022 cases, with 588 recoveries and 27 deaths, as of Tuesday morning.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Tesla Inc's chief executive Elon Musk has suggested the US electric carmaker may be able to mass produce longer-life batteries with 50 percent more energy density in three to four years.

"400 Wh/kg *with* high cycle life, produced in volume (not just a lab) is not far. Probably 3 to 4 years," Musk tweeted on Monday ahead of its anticipated "Battery Day" event where Tesla is expected to reveal how it has improved its battery performance.

Researchers have said the energy density of Panasonic's "2170" batteries used in Tesla's Model 3 is around 260Wh/kg, meaning a 50 percent jump from the current energy density which is key to achieving a longer driving range.

Tesla said its Battery Day will take place on the same day as its 2020 annual meeting of shareholders on September 22.

The electric car manufacturer also showed a background image where a number of dots are clustered in line formations, sparking speculation among media and fans about what it will reveal at the event.

South Korean battery expert Park Chul-wan said the image may hint at "silicon nanowire anode," a breakthrough technology which can potentially increase both battery energy density and battery life sharply.

Panasonic Corp earlier told Reuters that it plans to boost the energy density of the original "2170" battery cells it supplies to Tesla by 20 percent in five years.

Tesla is also working with China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) to introduce a new low-cost, long-life battery in its Model 3 sedan in China later this year or early next year, with the batteries designed to last for a million miles of use, Reuters reported in May.

A very "limited number of stockholders" will be able to attend the September 22 events due to pandemic-related restrictions, Tesla said, and a lottery will be held to select attendees.
The dailies on Tuesday, August 25, reported extensively on the COVID-19 scandal with Raila Odinga's ODM party finding itself between a rock and a hard place after issuing a statement that disregarded the allegations.

The standoff in the passage of revenue sharing formula has continued to persist in the Senate with Attorney-General Paul Kihara now calling on the National Assembly to intervene.

READ ALSO: Kevin Omwenga: Autopsy report shows businessman was shot at close range

Newspapers for Tuesday, August 25. Photo: UGC.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Shabiki amvamia muimbaji Diamond na kumuangusha chini akitumbuiza umati

1. The Star

Deputy President William Ruto has seized the opportunity of the ongoing graft allegations to sanitise himself from previous accusations of corruption.

In his new political card, Ruto who has previously been accused of being corrupt has taken advantage of being sidelined in the government to call out those seen to be defending graft reported in the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

For the first time, the DP has accepted that there is massive corruption in the Jubilee government and has boldly castigated those in defense of the allegations, including Opposition leader Raila Odinga and his ODM party.

The DP even alleged the handshake deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila was meant to help the latter get an opportunity to loot.

READ ALSO: Thiago Silva: Chelsea close to signing PSG star shortly after UCL final

The Star newspaper for Tuesday, August 25. Photo: UGC.

Source: UGC

2. Daily Nation

Attorney-General Paul Kihara has asked the National Assembly to step in and solve the division of revenue standoff in the Senate pending enactment of the County Allocation Revenue Act (CARA).

In his advisory opinion, the AG said Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani could only release the 50% equitable share to counties if the same was approved by the National Assembly hence the need for the MPs' intervention.

Kihara said the approval would allow county governments to get money to deal with the financial crisis and at the same time give Senate time to deliberate on the revenue bill.

Daily Nation newspaper for Tuesday, August 25. Photo: UGC.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Mike Sonko embarks on belly reduction mission, makes debut in classy private gym

3. The Standard

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has found itself in unfamiliar territory after issuing a statement that was interpreted to mean corruption allegations at KEMSA were unfounded.

Civil rights groups, religious leaders and a section of political leaders have come out to castigate the Raila-led party for allegedly betraying Kenyans in its role as an Opposition party.

The former premier has, however, defended the statement issued by the party's Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, saying ODM only asked for an audit.

Raila restated his party would not protect any person who would be found culpable.

The Standard newspapers review for Tuesday August 25. Photo: UGC.

Source: UGC

4. Taifa Leo

The Swahili publication satirically suggests that Deputy President Willian Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga have switched roles.

According to the paper, Ruto has taken over the role of the Opposition leader while Raila has become the principal assistant of the president.

The DP has been vocal in condemning graft in the government particularly with regard to COVID-19 funds while Raila has been defending the government and asking for an audit.

Taifa Leo newspaper for Tuesday, August 25. Photo: UGC.

Source: UGC

5. People Daily

The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) has indicated the KEMSA scandal is likely to shock Kenyans.

The commission's CEO Twalib Mbarak said the scandal involved "massive" misappropriation of funds and has a lot of angles to pursue.

The chief sleuth said due to the complexity of the matter, investigations would take long to be completed but exuded confidence the commission would present a watertight case in court.

People Daily newspaper for Tuesday, August 25. Photo: UGC.

Source: UGC

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.

Jowie's wife on how they met, their daughter and why she will love him forever | Tuko Talks | TukoTV.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Northrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/25/2020 -- The global Mobility as a Service Market size is projected to reach USD 70.4 billion by 2030, from an estimated USD 4.7 billion in 2020, at a CAGR of 31.1%.The growth of the global mobility as a service market is influenced by factors such as increasing urbanization and smart city initiatives, growing overall on demand mobility services, need to reduce CO2 emissions, and improved 4G/5G infrastructure and penetration of smartphones. Therefore, the mobility as a service market is expected to witness significant growth in the future.



COVID-19 Impact on Mobility as a Service Market



As this pandemic continues to spread rapidly at a global level, countries across the world are trying to prevent further contagion by taking measures such as social distancing, contact tracing, self-quarantining, surveillance, communication, and testing. So far, China, Japan, and Singapore have managed to flatten the curve, while the US, Brazil, India, Spain, Russia, and Italy are imposing drastic measures to slow down the spread and control fatalities. Companies such as Uber and Lyft have seen massive ride drops due to the COVID-19 crisis. People are avoiding these services due to the rising concerns regarding the spread of the virus. Additionally, with a majority of the population working from home, the use of public transport has reduced by around 70-80% worldwide. This has had a negative impact on the mobility as a service market, which has caused a decline in revenue across all regions. Recently, Spain witnessed a rise in its COVID-19 cases after it lifted its restrictions. South Korea recently announced that it witnessed a second wave of COVID-19 that may further disrupt transportation preferences. A second wave of the virus in other countries could further impact the growth of the MaaS market until a vaccine is developed.



In May 2020, Uber announced a lay-off of its 600 employees in India in a bid to cut costs amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

In May 2020, Ola announced a layoff of its 1,400 staff as its revenue fell by 95% because of the nation-wide lockdown

In April 2020, Lyft announced it would be reducing employee count by 17%, working out to 982 employees, and furloughing an additional 288, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Lyft's business.



Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=78519888



Electric Mobility as a Service is boosting the mobility as a service market. It combines highly innovative technologies and new business models to create conditions for large-scale adoption of electric vehicles. For example, more than 20% of Communauto's fleet consists of electric vehicles. The use of electric vehicles not only reduces carbon emissions but also lowers noise and air pollution. It can also be cheaper to run per mile and reduces dependency on fossil fuels. Along with the use of electric vehicles, autonomous self-driving vehicles are expected to be used for ride-sharing purposes and would create immense opportunities for MaaS.



With the growing popularity and usage of MaaS solutions, the journey management segment is expected to register the highest growth rate of 37.9% from 2020 to 2030. Journey management includes creating a seamless travel experience (single or multi-modal). It also includes providing a range of data generated by users over their transit to the network operators to better understand the network operation and feedback/requirements of users. Journey management allows users to choose any multi-modal commute along with personalization options. It is a dynamic service that gives users real-time information about traffic congestion for an optimized commute.



Bus sharing segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 39.5% from 2020 to 2030. MaaS players provide monthly passes or subscriptions for bus services, prompting customers to avail buses as a preferred mode for short as well as long-distance commute. Bus sharing is an emerging concept with multiple pilot projects running across the world. The integration of bus services with private transport like ride hailing and car sharing services will be the key to the success of the market for mobility as a service in this segment. Buses and cars are widely used for enterprise/corporate mobility. Thus, integrating on-demand car sharing transportation with bus sharing services will be highly efficient and easy to implement.



Request Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=78519888



Asia Oceania is estimated to be the second-fastest growing market due to growth in the China, Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia. The region is expected to lead the market by 2030. The Asia Oceania MaaS market is witnessing impressive growth with increasing mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, and MaaS offerings. In 2018, Grab acquired Uber's Southeast Asia operations and merged Uber's ride-hailing and food delivery businesses with its own operations. In the same year, Toyota collaborated with Grab to expand ride sharing and MaaS in Southeast Asia. Toyota invested USD 1 billion in Grab to boost its operations in more than 200 cities in the Southeast Asian region. In 2019, Grab integrated public transportation options in its app, and became the first company to introduce MaaS solutions for mass consumers in Thailand.



Key PLayers:



The global mobility as a service market is dominated by major players such as Moovit Inc. (Israel), MaaS Global Oy (Finland), Citymapper (UK), Mobilleo (UK), SkedGo Pty Ltd (Australia), UbiGo (Sweden), Splyt (UK), Qixxit (Germany), Communauto (Canada), and Tranzer (Netherlands).



Speak to Analyst @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=78519888
Kimberly Weaver and Addie Hayes bonded earlier this year over a common tragedy: they both lost sons in separate Bradley fighting vehicle accidents in 2019.

But it wasn't until last week that they realized that both soldiers were under the same brigade commander at Fort Hood, an Army base under heavy scrutiny for a wave of soldier deaths.

Weaver's son, Spc. Nicholas Panipinto of Bradenton, Florida, died when the Bradley he was driving rolled over during a Nov. 6, 2019 road test at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Hayes' son, Spc. Octavious Deshon Lakes Jr., of Buford, Georgia died Jan. 14, 2019 when his Bradley rolled off of a cliff in the rugged terrain of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

Both soldiers were assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division's 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team commanded by Col. Kevin Capra, Weaver told Military.com in a recent interview.

Read Next: Afghan Officials: Taliban Truck Bomb, Other Attacks Kill 17

"I was talking to her and we were going back and forth and I was like, 'Oh my God, I just realized that our kids were both at the National Training Center at the same time," Weaver said, referring to one of the Army's largest training hubs at Ft. Irwin, Calif.

Weaver, Hayes and a handful of other parents of service members who died recently in military vehicle accidents are joining together to call for changes to safety procedures during training to prevent future deadly accidents, Weaver said.

Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Florida, earlier this month called for the House Armed Services Committee to hold a public hearing examining the "disturbing rise in deadly training accidents," naming Panipinto's death, as well as the July 30 Marine Assault Amphibious Vehicle accident off the California coast that killed eight Marines and one Navy sailor.

Weaver said she can't help but wonder if her son's death is linked to Fort Hood since the base has been under investigation in connection with the disappearance and apparent murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillen earlier this year. The tragedy has also cast light on dozens of other deaths linked to the post this year.

Fort Hood spokesman Christopher Haug told Military.com that 11 of the 26 deaths so far in 2020 have been linked to accidents involving both on and off-post training incidents, as well as privately owned vehicles. Accidental deaths at Fort Hood are actually down in 2020, he said, from 15 in 2019. In all, 39 Fort Hood soldiers died last year.

"Pardon my words, but it's a s--- show," Weaver said. "What is going on over there?"

Hayes also said she was shocked to realize that her son and Weaver's were from the same Fort Hood unit.

Hayes said she remembers the accident investigation brief she received from Capra in January, "a whole year" after her son's death.

The report found no negligence, even though her son's Bradley rolled off of a 20-foot cliff during a night mission in rainy, foggy conditions at NTC.

Hayes remembers asking why the route had not been examined ahead of the mission.

"Where was the recon?" Hayes said. "I had my [active-duty military] cousin in the briefing, as well and that's all my cousin kept asking. And no one could answer that."

The investigation concluded that Lakes was "not properly restrained based on the seat belt in the driver's station being present and operational with no sight of damage."

While Hayes has her doubts about that, knowing her son, she pointed out that the investigation also noted that the unit's culture "[did] not enforce the mandatory wear of the seat belt in military vehicles."

"What is sad about it is, no mother, no parent should have to go through losing a child like this ... I can see if they are overseas and they're fighting a war ... that I can accept, but during training I cannot accept that," said Hayes, who said she sent an email to Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, asking that "changes be made to all training sites."

She said she has yet to receive a response.

"Commanders and NCOs need to make sure it is safe for these soldiers to go on missions without losing their lives."

As for Capra, Hayes said she doesn't place the blame on him.

"He oversees ... thousands of soldiers, so the commanders that are underneath him, it is their responsibility to make sure that they are doing what they are supposed to do to make sure their soldiers are safe," Hayes said. "He can't be at all these places at the same time."

Weaver met with Capra Aug. 23 to receive her final brief on the investigation report. The meeting also included a casualty assistance calls officer, an Army legal adviser for the command and a chaplain.

"They said a prayer first, which is almost strategic now that I think back -- you know, they get you choked up and then they go over everything we already knew," Weaver said.

The right-side tread of Panipinto's Bradley had come off, and caused the massive vehicle to roll over, the officials said.

"They keep saying he failed to slow when approaching the turn, that he took the turn too fast and that speed was a factor," Weaver said. "But there is no vehicle inspection to show why the track came off. because the track did come off."

Weaver said Capra told her that it had been "raining, so the side of the road was soft."

"I stopped him mid-sentence; I was like, 'No, it wasn't.' Because I already looked back at the weather and it had not rained at all that entire week," Weaver said.

In response to a request for an interview, Capra released a written statement saying that the two accidents "were two distinct and separate occurrences" that happened in "separate units in a brigade combat team of over 4,000 Soldiers, with both deaths occurring under vastly different circumstances."

"The deaths of Spc. Octavious Lakes Jr. and Spc. Nicholas Panipinto were terrible tragedies and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with their family, friends and loved ones," Capra wrote.

"Although we know that nothing can replace Octavious and Nicholas, we have done our best to provide information to the families, help them understand all of the circumstances involved in the passing of their loved ones, and continue to help them find the answers to their continued questions."

Panipinto had received very little driver training before the road test, and was not prepared to drive such a massive vehicle, the investigation showed. In addition, there were malfunctions of the vehicle's communication systems, a lack of medical services on base and significant delays in medical response to the scene of the accident.

"But [Capra] did say there were several failures; he even used the word negligent," Weaver said. "They said they were sorry."

Weaver said Capra appeared distraught and that his hands were shaking during the meeting.

"I don't want to ruin his life; I just want change," Weaver said. "I want change, so it doesn't happen again, that's all."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: Lawmaker Calls for Public Hearing on 'Disturbing Rise' in Deadly Military Training Accidents
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who is among the 23 party leaders who have written to Sonia Gandhi seeking an organisational overhaul, said on Tuesday that "it is not about a post" but about the country that matters most.

IMAGE: Sibal had hit out at Rahul Gandhi on Twitter for a purported remark slamming the letter writers. Photograph: ANI Photo

A day after a stormy Congress Working Committee meeting, Sibal made the remarks in a cryptic tweet.

"It's not about a post. It's about my country which matters most," he tweeted, without elaborating.

After the seven-hour meeting of the party's top decision-making body, the CWC urged Sonia Gandhi to continue as its interim chief till an AICC session can be convened and authorised her to effect necessary organisational changes to deal with the challenges facing the party.

It made it clear no one will be permitted to undermine or weaken the party and its leadership.

The CWC also resolved that inner-party issues cannot be deliberated through the media or in public fora and all such issues must be raised within the party "in the interest of propriety and discipline".

Some senior Congress leaders, including Sibal and Shashi Tharoor, met at their senior colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad's house here on Monday evening after the CWC debated their letter to Sonia Gandhi seeking urgent organisational reforms.

The meeting was also attended by Mukul Wasnik and Manish Tewari, along with some other signatories to the letter who were present in the national capital, sources said.

The leaders discussed the resolution passed at the CWC meeting.

Having a "full time" leadership that is active in the field and "visible" in party offices, devolution of powers to state units and revamping the CWC in line with the party constitution are some of the far-reaching suggestions made by 23 senior Congress leaders in a letter to party chief Sonia Gandhi to revive the organisation.

Sibal had hit out at Rahul Gandhi on Twitter on Monday for a purported remark slamming the letter writers.

Sibal, who is not a part of the CWC, withdrew his tweet a little later after being "informed by Rahul Gandhi personally that he never said what was attributed to him".

The Congress also officially denied that Rahul Gandhi had accused any party leader of "colluding with the BJP".

Former president Rahul Gandhi, it is learnt, launched a sharp attack against the signatories of the letter, questioning their timing as well as the fact they went public with their grievances.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Capturing the exquisite beauty of luxury hotels is often a daunting task. With enormous pressure, the levels of work with big tourism names are often left for more experienced photographers. But experience and expertise are what photographer Antonio Cuellar delivers. The architectural photography icon has worked with the most high-end hotels in the tourism industry today.

Antonio specializes in luxury hotel photography and videography. He is known for his ability to elegantly capture the whole essence of a destination's architecture and lifestyle. With a range of high-end hotel brands in his portfolio, it's no question that he is one of the best. Antonio has done work for the most luxurious hospitality brands around the world.

The luxury hotel photographer has a great dedication towards the highest level of excellence and 15 years of industry experience. Antonio Cuellar has received several photography awards in the field of Architectural photography and travel. The photographer also received the task and privilege of being an esteemed judge of the Luxury Travel Guide. Antonio joined television host Anthony Melchiorri of "Hotel Impossible" and Shane Green of "Resort Rescue" in judging the competition.

Antonio Cuellar's eye for detail is legendary in photographer circles. Specializing in medium format photography, he uses Hasselblad and Arca-Swiss prime lenses and advanced lighting gear. His superior skills, combined with some of the best equipment, ensure that he produces the highest quality imagery for his clients.

In the hotel industry, visuals play a big part in an establishment's marketing strategy. Photos and videos that look great, whether on small scale prints or large billboards, can make or break a luxury hotel. With Antonio Cuellar behind the lens, he can make miracles happen for some of the best hotels and resorts, making already beautiful destinations look majestic in stills or moving pictures.

Some of the best work that the luxury photographer has done were the results of minimal artificial lighting. Armed with his creative eye and weapons of choice, Antonio knows the best times of the day to shoot to maximize natural light.

Today, Antonio has two offices- one in the United States and in the United Kingdom. His local production teams and retouching studios in each location help him scale operations and cater to more clients. This expansion comes as a timely move as his demand has skyrocketed in recent years. With a dedicated team and stable system, Antonio's studios promise a 24-hour turnaround on output if needed.

A destination photographer of epic renown, Antonio Cuellar has travelled worldwide to serve clients in countries like Mexico, Ireland, China, Dubai, Scotland, and The United States. His company has approval from most major hotel brands in the luxury sphere. As a big name in luxury hotel circles, Antonio often gets invitations to work with and dine, experience, and stay at some of the world's most glamorous hotels.

A licensed drone operation with full insurance, his videos often contain some of the most beautiful aerial shots. As a trilingual professional, Antonio puts a premium on professional communication with his clients.

Company: Antonio Cuellar Photography

Email: info@antoniocuellarphotography.com

Phone Number: 917 387 4423 (New York), 44 203 608 7929 (London) 305 458 1131 (Miami)

Website: www.antoniocuellarphotography.com

SOURCE: Antonio Cuellar Photography

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603210/Antonio-Cuellar-Leaving-a-Mark-in-Luxury-Hotel-Photography-Circles
Virgin Australias unsecured creditors will receive between 9 and 13 for each dollar they are owed under the airline's sale to Bain Capital, in a deal its administrator Deloitte says is worth $3.5 billion.

Deloitte's report to creditors, released on Tuesday, also reveals that Virgin was insolvent for up to a month before it called in administrators, from March 22 and even as early as March 18, when pandemic travel restrictions caused its revenue to collapse.

Bondholders and other unsecured creditors will get between 9 and 13 cents if the DOCA is approved. Credit:Albert Perez/Getty

Virgin incurred trading liabilities of $17 million to $35 million, the report says, between it becoming insolvent and March 25, when federal government passed emergency "safe harbour" provisions relieving directors from liability for insolvent trading.

But joint administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said Virgin's directors acted appropriately in waiting until April 20 to call in administrators. The fact they were seeking emergency government funding and support from their shareholders to stave off collapse would be a defence to any insolvent trading claims, he said.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NexTech AR Solutions (NexTech) (OTCQB: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: N29), an emerging leader in augmented reality (AR) for eCommerce, AR learning applications, and AR-enhanced video conferencing and virtual events is pleased to announce it has hired SAP executive Eugen Winschel as Chief Operating Officer. Eugen was a Global Vice President business Leader at SAP, an expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Next-Gen UX developer as well as innovative entrepreneur and intrapreneur.



Winschel has an extensive track record of proven success. In his previous positions with SAP as Global Vice President, he completely transformed the size and experience for global and regional events, digitized the physical world with IoT technology, delivered the first Enterprise Artificial Intelligence solution by using Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing, and ran multiple corporate-wide growth and efficiency initiatives.

In his new role with NexTech, Winschel will be responsible for scaling the company from a 70 person organization into a global powerhouse of 700 people or more, for next-generation augmented reality and video conferencing solutions. With the hiring of Winschel, NexTech expands its organizational capabilities as it rapidly grows and scales from being a visionary startup.

Winschel brings to NexTech extensive global leadership experience in software development for intelligent enterprise solutions and driving transformative innovation and growth. Winschel previously spent 18 years leading global and regional efforts for product development, sales and marketing at SAP, the market leader in enterprise application software. During his time with SAP, Winschel was recognized as an exceptionally innovative intrapreneur, driving cutting-edge products, as well as highly complex strategic, operational and financial initiatives.

Eugen Winschel, incoming Chief Operating Officer of NexTech AR comments NexTech is one of the most exciting and innovative companies in the augmented reality space with a novel visionary approach. I was impressed with how their focus on evolving the technology is perfectly synchronized with their business acumen and ability to see how AR can improve business interactions. He continues People around the globe have shifted to a heavy reliance on virtual connectivity and the AR products that NexTech is creating will change how people do business. Evan Gappelberg has created a unique foundation on which to build the company, resulting in a transformational platform, immensely talented colleagues and limitless potential. It is a personal honor to join Evan and the team to take NexTech to the next level and beyond.

Evan Gappelberg, CEO of NexTech AR comments, The NexTech board is thrilled to have Eugen join the company, and I am beyond excited to have him join the NexTech family at this pivotal time of our rapid growth stage. Bringing on an experienced and innovative technology executive is critical to our future growth. In addition to his 18 years of worldwide experience at SAP, he comes with an unique combination of business and technical savvy and a great understanding for financial success. He consistently exceeds expectations in all areas and I'm confident that he will add tremendous value to the team from day one.

During his 18 year career at SAP Mr Winschels leadership responsibilities included:

Global Vice President, Product Management for User Experience  Intelligent Enterprise Group

Global Vice President, Head of Product Management for Enterprise Artificial Intelligence

Global Vice President, Head of Digital Business Engineering

Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) Worldwide Marketing and Communications Regions

Regional Chief Operating Officer (COO) Middle and Eastern Europe Region, SAP Marketing

Executive Director Office of the Chief Marketing Officer

Director Solution Management

Head of Business Innovation & Operations Industry Solutions

Program Manager Business Innovation Industry Solutions

Pursuant to his appointment, Mr. Winschel will be granted 500,000 stock options with an exercise price of $5.88 for a period of three years. The Company also granted 50,000 incentive stock options to a consultant priced at $5.88 for a period of three years.

About NexTech AR

NexTech is one of the leaders in the rapidly growing Augmented Reality market estimated to grow from USD $10.7B in 2019 and projected to reach USD $72.7B by 2024 according to Markets & Markets Research; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 46.6% from 2019 to 2024 .

The company is pursuing four verticals:

InfernoAR: An advanced Augmented Reality and Video Learning Experience Platform for Events, is a SaaS video platform that integrates Interactive Video, Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality in one secure platform to allow enterprises the ability to create the worlds most engaging virtual event management and learning experiences. Automated closed captions and translations to over 64 languages. According to Grandview Research the global virtual events market in 2020 is $90B and expected to reach more than $400B by 2027, growing at a 23% CAGR . With NexTechs InfernoAR platform having augmented reality, AI, end-to-end encryption and built in language translation for 64 languages, the company is well positioned to rapidly take market share as the growth accelerates globally.

ARitize For eCommerce: The company launched its SaaS platform for webAR in eCommerce early in 2019. NexTech has a full funnel end-to-end eCommerce solution for the AR industry including its Aritize360 app for 3D product capture, 3D/AR ads, its Aritize white label app its Try it On technology for online apparel, 3D and 360-degree product views, and one click buy.

ARitize 3D/AR Advertising Platform: Launched in Q1 2020 the ad platform will be the industry's first end-to-end solution whereby the company will leverage its 3D asset creation into 3D/AR ads. In 2019, according to IDC, global advertising spend will be about $725 billion.

ARitize Hollywood Studios : The studio is in development producing immersive content using 360 video, and augmented reality as the primary display platform.

To learn more, please follow us on Twitter , YouTube , Instagram , LinkedIn , and Facebook , or visit our website: https://www.nextechar.com .

On behalf of the Board of NexTech AR Solutions Corp.

Evan Gappelberg

CEO and Director

For further information, please contact:

Evan Gappelberg

Chief Executive Officer

info@nextechar.com

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information contained herein may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, will be, looking forward or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the Company increasing investors awareness are based on the Companys estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of NexTech to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures and other costs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. NexTech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.




Politicization of things done by governments and what has not been done is a very disturbing and observable phenomenon in Ghana today. The political competition between the ruling party and the opposition party appears to be influencing the quality of work meant to move Ghana's development from strength to strength.

That's why Ghana is where it is. Politicians from NDC and NPP play Ghanaians against each other, and we being so gullible encourage them with loose talk. Cronies of these politicians love the hype because they benefit from the chaos. We all pay tax, so whatever good project is done is NEITHER Mahama or Akufo-Addo's own. It is Ghana's!

Worriedly, we live in a country where almost every issue is refracted with partisan lenses, except maybe the air we breathe. Everything is NPP or NDC, to the extent that our development needs is associated with partisan gymnastics. Sad!

Half-truths and propaganda have diluted the richness of our national development, affecting our living standards. Development whether social or economic is very important to the well-being of every nation, as its contribution to the sustainability of that country cannot be underpinned. However, the politicization of things done by governments and what has not been done by governments in most African countries like Ghana has been a bane and has actually made it almost impossible for its contributions to the country's sustainable development.

In this brief, I make an apparent exposition on one of the things we've done very wrong in this country ; thus turning everything done or undone by governments into sheer politicking.

Whilst facts are sacred and comment is free, we think we can make facts free and comments scandalous. In the national mood, both the National Democratic Party (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) have sought to score political brownie points.

This has led to confused messaging on the scale and level of Ghana's development. Undeniably, it has a characteristic to inhibit progress. The most important reason for this is the conflict between the logics of politics, which discriminates between friends and enemies.

I'm apathetic to our politics in this part of the world. Spare me the tag from any colors because that's not what this is about.

What I'm finding difficult to comprehend is why our politics has been driven around politicization of things done by governments and what has not been done. First, governments are responsible and accountable to the people because development initiatives are executed and advanced with the tax payers money. It's not as though we are a charitable case, where they're using their monies to propel development and advancement. They are not Non - Governmental Organizations (NGOs) or Donors who are doing these things philanthropically or out of free will.

Second, accountability is supreme. Tell us what has been done by way of transparency and helping us to now our money's worth. Political parties make promises and these promises are actuated using our tax as the engine or lubricant. More often, policies are designed by these parties which are mostly not in the favor of the Ghanaian, but because of the cosmetic attempt to outdo competition.

Third, achievements are not what the political parties say they are. It is what the voters say they are. Development is what the average citizen says it is based on improvements being enjoyed in their lives and that of others in their society. Voters are more discerning to do the comparison themselves. But that's what the political environment has been moulded into; where successive parties are constantly waging war against others and trying to outperform each other to prove their relevance.

But genuinely and generally, are these trumpeted developments resulting in a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the lives of Ghanaians? How these parties, with their terms in office have impacted on your life should be the principal motivation for voting for them, and not because they claim they have outdone their competition. You are in a better position to determine which party is best and do not be bamboozled with the idea that party A is better than party B based on some declarations, while your life is not getting any easier.

Politics killing Ghana? Heck no. The scientists in Ghana will do themselves some good if they start working on coming up with a politicking vaccine. Too many folks walking around Ghana and knowingly carrying the politicking virus. I believe that the days of propaganda and political point-scoring should be done and over. The face of politics ought to change, we have to change it, all of us politicians have to change it. We need some sanity in our politics!

Long live leaders of Ghana who are ready to implement policies devoid of party politics. May God's blessings upon homeland Ghana be made visible to the blind and audible to the deaf.

The author, Bright Philip Donkor is the CSA'20 Online Journalist of the Year; Social Commentator, Communication Practitioner, Social Activist, Columnist, and a Prolific Feature Writer.
I watched three of the speeches delivered at the Republican Convention last night  those of Nikki Haley, Donald Trump Jr., and Tim Scott. Based on what I heard, I agree with my Power Line colleagues that the Republicans got off to a fine start.

Haley and Scott embody the American dream and its relevance for minority group members and immigrants. They are walking proof that America doesnt need an overhaul. It just needs freedom and a populace willing to do what it has always taken to succeed.

Scotts speech was the command performance of the evening. It deserves the attention it has received. In this post, though, I want to focus on Haleys speech.

It won me over with the first few lines. They invoked another former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., the great Jeane Kirkpatrick, and her famous they always blame America first indictment of Democrats. Haley stated:

That ambassador said, and I quote, Democrats always blame America first. The year was 1984. The president was Ronald Reagan. And Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatricks words are just as true today. Joe Biden and the Democrats are still blaming America first. Donald Trump has always put America first. He has earned four more years as President.

Exactly. Haley drove the point home with some specifics:

Now, the U.N. is not for the faint of heart. Its a place where dictators-murderers-&-thieves denounce America and then put their hands out and demand that we pay their bills. Well, President Trump put an end to all that. With his leadership, we did what Barack Obama and Joe Biden refused to do. We stood up for America and we stood against our enemies. Obama and Biden let North Korea threaten America. President Trump rejected that weakness, and we passed the toughest sanctions on North Korea in history. Obama and Biden let Iran get away with murder and literally sent them a plane full of cash. President Trump did the right thing and ripped up the Iran nuclear deal. Obama and Biden led the United Nations to denounce our friend and ally, Israel. President Trump moved our embassy to Jerusalem  and when the U.N. tried to condemn us, I was proud to cast the American veto. This President has a record of strength and success. The former Vice President has a record of weakness and failure. Joe Biden is good for Iran and ISIS great for Communist China and hes a godsend to everyone who wants America to apologize, abstain, and abandon our values. Donald Trump takes a different approach. Hes tough on China, and he took on ISIS and won. And he tells the world what it needs to hear.

(Emphasis added)

This is, or should be, the Trump campaigns foreign policy line. Strength is better than weakness. Enemies should be defied, not conciliated.

But Haley comes across best not as a defiant foreign policy figure, but as a leader who stands up without apology for America on the domestic front, but with a winning personality and without alienating normal Americans. Shes an asset in this regard for Trump, too, because he has turned off some potential supporters with his stridency.

Thus, Haleys main job last night was to present a friendly, optimistic, and even somewhat conciliatory face as she vouched for the president on the home front. Haley succeeded.

After a solid, but standard attack on the Democrats economic policies, she turned to her personal story:

Theres one more important area where our President is right. He knows that political correctness and cancel culture are dangerous and just plain wrong. In much of the Democratic Party, its now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie. America is not a racist country. This is personal for me. I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. They came to America and settled in a small southern town. My father wore a turban. My mother wore a sari. I was a brown girl in a black and white world. We faced discrimination and hardship. But my parents never gave in to grievance and hate. My mom built a successful business. My dad taught 30 years at a historically black college. And the people of South Carolina chose me as their first minority and first female governor. America is a story thats a work in progress. Now is the time to build on that progress, and make America even freer, fairer, and better for everyone. Thats why its tragic to see so much of the Democratic Party turn a blind eye toward riots and rage The American people know we can do better. And of course we know that every single black life is valuable. The black cops whove been shot in the line of duty  they matter. The black small business owners whove watched their lifes work go up in flames  they matter. The black kids whove been gunned down on the playground  their lives matter too. And their lives are being ruined and stolen by the violence on our streets.

(Emphasis added)

This is, or should be, the Trump campaigns line on Black Lives Matter.

Then, in the most moving portion of her speech, Haley, the healer, appeared in full:

It doesnt have to be like this. It wasnt like this in South Carolina five years ago. Our state came face-to-face with evil. A white supremacist walked into Mother Emanuel Church during Bible Study. Twelve African Americans pulled up a chair and prayed with him for an hour. Then he began to shoot. After that horrific tragedy, we didnt turn against each other. We came together  black and white, Democrat and Republican. Together, we made the hard choices needed to heal  and removed a divisive symbol, peacefully and respectfully. What happened then should give us hope now. America isnt perfect. But the principles we hold dear are perfect. If theres one thing Ive learned, its that even on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America. Its time to keep that blessing alive for the next generation. This President, and this Party, are committed to that noble task. . . .

(Emphasis added)

Haley never strayed from her mission of trying to boost President Trumps status with voters, especially women, who are outside of the presidents base. But, of course, Haley also wanted to boost her status as a future presidential or vice presidential candidate.

By making a strong case for Trumps reelection while reinforcing her own, very different persona, I think she helped herself, as well as the president.
As the Army assesses competitors to replace its reliable-but-noisy RQ-7 Shadow reconnaissance drone, it's putting some through their paces at the sprawling Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.

Textron's Aerosonde HQ, a catapult-launched and net-recovered unmanned aerial system that is one of four vying to replace shadow, has been undergoing recent testing at Yuma, according to an Aug. 19 Army release.

Read Next: Rise of the Machines: AI Algorithm Beats F-16 Pilot in Dogfight

"We test here whenever we have changes to the system," Kyle Petesch, Aerosonde site lead, said in a statement. "The [Yuma] personnel are very attentive to what we ask for and easy to work with."

The Army's Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System effort aims to select a new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drone, to be used by brigade combat teams to enhance situational awareness and identify threats. Other candidates include the V-Bat vertical takeoff UAS offered by Martin UAV and Northrop Grumman; the Arcturus JUMP-20 UAV; and the FVR-90 from L-3 Harris. Defense News reported in April that the formal competition kicked off with a soldier-operated test of the Arcturus UAV at Fort Riley, Kansas.

This month's Army release did not clarify what kind of testing the Aerosonde HQ underwent in recent evaluations at Yuma.

"Aerosonde has been testing here for more than 12 years," Matthew O'Donald, a test officer, added. "It's a well-proven machine, and there have been numerous upgrades over the years."

Officials did note that the system is relatively quiet, a key selling point. Designed for expeditionary land- and sea-based operations, it's equipped for multi-intelligence payloads in a single 15-hour flight and portable and boasts outstanding optics at high altitudes, Textron Systems states on its website.

"Our end user--a platoon out in the field--doesn't want their targets to know they're being watched," James Ruthven, Aerosonde's senior engineering support manager, added. "Our engine and aircraft has to be quiet, so coming here affords us the opportunity to put people out in the desert and do acoustic measurements. We can tailor how we operate in the real world based on the findings we have here."

With more than 500 permanent radio frequencies, and several thousand temporary ones in a given month, Yuma is the best place to test unmanned aerial systems and associated sensors, the release states.

"This is the easiest place for us to operate, and we get the most complete and comprehensive coverage in support of what we're doing," said Ruthven. "The heat and density altitudes that we find in this local environment are very similar to a lot of the places we're operating in overseas."

Army officials have said they plan to test the four candidate systems throughout fiscal 2020, with soldier evaluations at major bases throughout the country and at the Armys National Training Center and Joint Readiness Training Center. Following a final report, officials want to select a Shadow replacement in 2021.

-- Bing Xiao can be reached at bingxiao2020@u.northwestern.edu.

Related: Army Tests Out Drone That Can Fire Grenades Into Enemy Hideouts
As many as 1,060 new cases of persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 were recorded since the last report at national level, the Strategic Communication Group (GCS) informs on Tuesday.

Another 58 people (32 men and 26 women) infected with the novel coronavirus have died, taking the total number of deaths in Romania to 3,367. Of these, 2 deaths were recorded in the age category 20-29 years, 1 was in the 30-39 age category, 4 deaths were in the 40-49 age category, 10 in the 50-59 year category, 11 in the 60-69 age category, 20 in the 70-79 age range and 10 deaths in the 80+ age category.

According to the GCS, 57 fatalities are of patients who had comorbidities.

As of Tuesday, 80,390 cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus had been confirmed in Romania.

As many as 35,816 patients were declared cured and 9,593 asymptomatic patients were discharged 10 days after detection.

According to the GCS, 1,679,614 SARS-CoV-2 tests have been processed nationwide.

A number of 7,268 people with COVID-19 are being hospitalised, and 490 patients are being treated in ICU, the cited source says.

On the territory of Romania, 10,686 people confirmed with the novel coronavirus are in isolation at home, and 5,562 are in institutional isolation.

A number of 732 people were retested and reconfirmed with COVID-19, the source adds.

Bucharest City (229) and the counties of Iasi (55), Prahova (53) and Brasov (43) are the areas with the most newly confirmed cases of coronavirus compared to the last reporting, informs the Strategic Communication Group.

Most cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection are in Bucharest (9,930) and in the counties of Suceava (5,128), Arges (4,872), Brasov (4,299), Prahova (3,834) and Galati (3,114), the GCS adds.

In the last 24 hours, the law enforcement workers have applied 845 fines, amounting to 207,150 lei, as a result of violations of the provisions of Law 55/2020 on specific measures to prevent and combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Strategic Communication Group said.
A young woman who sued a Georgia school district over the handling of her sexual assault case while she was a student in 2015, has accused officials of circulating her nude photos to 'shame, embarrass, and discredit her'.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the student, who is now an adult, reported being sexually assaulted by a classmate at Peachtree Ridge High School in 2015.

Following her accusation, she sued the Gwinnett County Public Schools in 2018 for the way her case was handled.

The woman is now claiming that the school district has been circulating nude photos of her.

'She had no intent of any adult man or woman or school counselor or the school ever seeing these photos,' Monica Beck, a lawyer for the student, said during a hearing on Monday, according to AJC.

According to a lawsuit, the student, who is now an adult, reported being sexually assaulted by a classmate at Peachtree Ridge High School (pictured) in 2015

'I cannot understand how the school can contend theyre possibly relevant to a claim that a different boy sexually assaulted her,' Beck added.

During the hearing, the woman's attorneys asked US District Court Judge Steve Jones to launch an independent investigation to determine who had seen or sent the photos.

According to AJC, lawyers for the school district said only law enforcement and one attorney had seen the images as part of the investigations.

The woman reported the alleged sexual assault in 2015 while she was a student at Peachtree Ridge. She was 15 years old at the time.

According to the suit, the victim was waiting for her mother to pick her up from school when her attacker 'asked if she wanted to see the Ridge Vision News room' at Peachtree Ridge.

When they entered the room, the suit claims that the attacker 'grabbed her hips, pulled her to him, fondled her buttocks and started pulling down her pants'.

The suit says that the victim tried pushing him off her and yelled: 'No, stop!'

Her attacker then restrained her in a chair, positioned himself above her, and forcibly kissed her. The victim alleged that she was then subject to forced oral sodomy by the attacker.

He eventually let the victim leave, and she went to her mother. The next day she reported the incident.

At the time, she and the accused were suspended from the school because administrators said both had violated a rule against sexual conduct on campus.

The woman reported the alleged sexual assault in 2015 while she was a student at Peachtree Ridge (pictured). At the time, she and the accused were suspended from the school because administrators said both had violated a rule against sexual conduct on campus

She later withdrew from the school and attended another before filing a lawsuit against the school district in 2018.

She has now accused school district officials of circulating nude images of her.

Her lawyers said that the images are considered child pornography because they were taken when she was 15.

According to AJC, the photos were sent from the student to her boyfriend at the time. Her boyfriend was not the alleged attacker.

The school was alerted to the images by the mother of the alleged assailant.

From there, the photos ended up on the personal phone of a school resource officer as part of the investigation.

Attorneys for the school district said that the aforementioned officer, another officer, a district lawyer and possibly an investigator from the Gwinnett County District Attorneys Office had seen the photos.

The district's attorneys said the photos may be relevant to the case.
The Texas Transportation Commission awards hundreds of millions of dollars in highway improvement projects every month, including $835 million in July, to improve mobility across the state.

Those projects will be under construction for the next several years, providing thousands of jobs and adding to the economic vitality of local communities. Completed transportation projects enhance the states long-term economic competitiveness. And people benefit because highway expansions and upgrades shorten travel times, enhance safety and save lives. Commerce and business benefit because those road projects accommodate surging freight traffic demand.

It should be no surprise that COVID-19-related economic slowdowns will cause budget headaches for Texas and every state for years to come. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar recently released an early forecast projecting the state will fall $4.6 billion short during the current two-year budget. That is equal to a relatively manageable 2 percent of the total budget.

Budget uncertainties will confront Texas legislators when they convene in January. How fast will revenue recover? What will they have to cut for the 2022-2023 budget? Those discussions must not ignore the absolute priority that roads and bridges play in our daily lives.

Lawmakers should recognize that an uninterrupted, robust program of priority highway improvement projects are essential to meet the needs of the pandemic and will be a major contribution to our economic recovery. Underscoring this is our continuing need to address population growth and inadequate, aging highways. That includes thousands of miles of Texas interstate highways that are more than 50 years old. They need to be reconstructed and expanded. That takes money.

Texas highway projects are paid for with a combination of revenue sources including state and federal gasoline and diesel taxes, registration fees, and oil and gas severance taxes provided through Proposition 1 and sales taxes provided through Proposition 7, all of which are constitutionally dedicated to maintaining public roadways. More than 80 percent of Texans voted for Proposition 1 in 2014 and Proposition 7 in 2015, which set aside some oil and gas production taxes and general sales taxes for highways. Those measures now provide about $4 billion a year to build and maintain our roadway system. In a sense, those funds are making up for the loss of some $20 billion in projects due to legislative diversion of highway funds to other purposes over the previous two decades.

We have a major highway funding gap in Texas resulting from dramatic population growth, industrial and commercial expansion, accelerating goods movements by truck and an explosion in oil patch truck traffic, all on top of decades of under-investment. While the Transportation Commission has allocated funds for about $70 billion in projects over the coming 10 years, it is estimated there are billions of dollars in unfunded projects waiting in the wings.

Major highway projects travel on a long development conveyor belt from concept to ribbon cutting, often taking 15 years or more. One of the very important benefits of keeping the conveyor belt moving is the preservation of the experience and expertise of the construction and design personnel that actually deliver the wider, safer, smoother roads Texans need. And that is a huge deal, because we drive some 540 million miles each day on Texas roads.

Vehicle travel is obviously evolving, whether we are talking about ridesharing, electric vehicles, truck platooning or autonomous vehicles. What does not change in any scenario as these technologies become more ingrained in our lives is the ongoing need for safe, efficient highways.

While Texas has made significant highway investments in recent years, it is also important Congress act to address historic under-investment at the federal level, both with stimulus funding aimed at highways and with structural changes that commit more resources to transportation.

Yes, we face a coronavirus recession. Thats why committing to an uninterrupted program of priority highway improvements makes sense. Doing so will create jobs and will help Texas make a faster economic recovery. Additionally, it can have the benefit of creating major legacy transportation infrastructure projects that will provide economic benefits for generations to come.

Vic Boyer is chairman of Transportation Advocates of Texas, or TAoT, and president of the San Antonio Mobility Coalition. Drew Campbell is TAoT vice chairman and executive director of the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition.
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) launches a petition website to encourage public schools adopt comprehensive financial education programming. This campaign is designed to show policymakers the American public wants financial literacy taught and leverage this to encourage them to mandate and fund comprehensive personal finance courses in public schools.



The NFEC created this website to give people that believe that public schools should provide comprehensive financial literacy education a voice and encourages them to sign the petition at: https://TeachFinancialLiteracy.org/

The initial goal of this campaign to promote mandated personal finance education in U.S. public schools. The end goal is to help youth gain the skill sets they need to make real-world financial decisions and become self-sufficient.

With the recent Covid-19 crisis, financial problems have reached epidemic proportions. People across the country and in your community are suffering financially. To work toward future generations being better prepared, the NFEC will fund lobby efforts to policy makers as certain signature milestones are reached.

"Our children should all graduate high school with the skills to be self-sufficient and the confidence to make good financial decisions. In this highly polarized political environment providing today's youth a practical financial education is a cause all political parties can get behind. Long-term, this can improve the lives of Americans, strengthen communities and the country." NFEC CEO Vince Shorb

Recent surveys show most people support financial literacy education being taught in schools. Survey results of over 10,000 respondents here .

Only five U.S. states require a one-semester stand-alone personal finance class. Although these efforts are commendable, a one-semester course is far less than what is required to make a meaningful difference. Another 12 states claim they have personal finance classes; however, all are under one semester, they are not stand-alone classes, and most have no testing requirements.

The Teach Financial Literacy campaign is designed to unite individuals who believe that personal finance is an important life skill that must be taught in school . It is the goal of the NFEC to gather enough signatures to give advocates  and others interested in ensuring that students graduate with real-world skills  a platform where their voices can be heard.

According to Austin James, a Certified Personal Finance Consultant (CPFC), "Financial Literacy not only educates individuals about money itself but it empowers them to take positive action that will help enjoy life both now and into the future."

To aid in the campaigns reach and garner more signatures, there are incentives for financial literacy advocates to get involved. Those that help promote the initiative can be invited to participate on the national board and/or be recognized as a contribution advocate .

The National Financial Educators Council is an IRS-recognized public Benefit Corporation whose mission focuses on providing top-quality financial education programming. The NFEC's social impact-focused enterprise has supported the development of thousands of programs over the last decade to reduce the cost and time needed to develop programming, while providing tools and training that increase program impact. New Instagram channel .

Media contact:

Trevor Stoll

[email protected]

702.620.3059

SOURCE National Financial Educators Council (NFEC)

Related Links

https://TeachFinancialLiteracy.org


Police stood near a garbage truck that was on fire during protests Monday. Read more

KENOSHA, Wis.  Jacob Blake, the Black man shot multiple times by police in Wisconsin, is paralyzed, and it would take a miracle for him to walk again, his familys attorney said Tuesday, while calling for the officer who opened fire to be arrested and others involved to lose their jobs.

The shooting of Blake on Sunday in Kenosha  apparently in the back while three of his children looked on  was captured on cellphone video and ignited new protests over racial injustice in several cities, some of which have devolved into unrest. It came just three months after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police touched off a wider reckoning on race.

They shot my son seven times, seven times, like he didnt matter, said Blakes father, who is also named Jacob Blake and who spoke to reporters alongside other family members and lawyers. But my son matters. Hes a human being and he matters.

The 29-year-old was in surgery, said attorney Ben Crump, adding that the bullets severed Blakes spinal cord and shattered his vertebrae. Another attorney said there was also severe damage to organs.

Its going to take a miracle for Jacob Blake Jr. to ever walk again, Crump said.

The legal team plans to file a civil lawsuit against the police department over the shooting. Police have said little about what happened, other than that they were responding to a domestic dispute. The officers involved have not been named. The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating.

After a night during which protests devolved into unrest, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers called for calm Tuesday, while also declaring a state of emergency under which he doubled the National Guard deployment in Kenosha from 125 to 250. The night before crowds destroyed dozens of buildings and set more than 30 fires in the southeastern Wisconsin city's downtown.

We cannot allow the cycle of systemic racism and injustice to continue, said Evers, who is facing mounting pressure from Republicans over his handling of the unrest. We also cannot continue going down this path of damage and destruction.

Blakes mother, Julia Jackson, said the damage in Kenosha does not reflect what her family wants and that, if her son could see it, he would be very unpleased.

She said that the first thing her son said to her when she saw him was he was sorry.

He said, I dont want to be a burden on you guys, Jackson said. I want to be with my children, and I dont think Ill walk again.

Three of the younger Blake's sons  aged 3, 5 and 8  were in the car at the time of the shooting, Crump said. It was the 8-year-old's birthday, he added.

The man who said he made the cellphone video of the shooting, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, Drop the knife! Drop the knife! before the gunfire erupted. He said he didnt see a knife in Blakes hands.

In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns drawn and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire. Seven shots can be heard, though it isnt clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired.

Blakes father told the Chicago Sun-Times that his son had eight holes in his body.

Anger over the shooting has spilled into the streets of Kenosha and other cities, including Los Angeles, Wisconsin's capital of Madison and in Minneapolis, the epicenter of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer following Floyd's death.

Hundreds of protesters defied an 8 p.m. curfew Monday night, massing in downtown Kenosha, where they were met by a wall of law enforcement officers, including members of the Wisconsin National Guard.

Some clashed with officers and vandalized businesses. There were 34 fires associated with the unrest, with 30 businesses destroyed or damaged along with an unknown number of residences, Kenosha Fire Chief Charles Leipzig told the Kenosha News.

A city block was cordoned off Tuesday so officials could survey damage. Smoke filled the air and visibility was low as firefighters used water cannons on still smoldering buildings.

Nobody deserves this, said Pat Oertle, owner of Computer Adventure. Computers were stolen, and the store was destroyed, she said.

This accomplishes nothing, Oertle said. This is not justice that theyre looking for.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, both Republicans, called on the governor to do more to quell the unrest. Steil said he would request federal assistance if necessary.

Evers continued to call for protesters to be peaceful.

Please do not allow the actions of a few distract us from the work we must do together to demand justice, equity, and accountability, he said.

In Madison, about 500 protesters marched to the state Capitol on Monday night, and some broke windows, stole from stores and sprayed graffiti along the way. Police used tear gas and pepper spray on the crowds and six people were arrested, according to Madison police.

In Minneapolis, 11 were arrested after breaking windows at the county jail on Monday night. One police officer suffered a broken hand in an altercation with demonstrators, the sheriff's department said.

I really ask you and encourage everyone in Wisconsin and abroad to take a moment and examine your hearts, Blakes mother said. Do Jacob justice on this level and examine your hearts. ... As I pray for my sons healing physically, emotionally and spiritually, I also have been praying even before this for the healing of our country.

Webber reported from Fenton, Michigan. Associated Press reporters Scott Bauer and Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin, Jeff Baenen in Minneapolis, Aaron Morrison in New York City and Mike Householder in Kenosha contributed to this report.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows continues to push and negotiate for the second round of stimulus payment, but top Democratic leaders continue to reject the proposal.

Meadows continues to court the top Democratic lawmakers to act on the second round of relief package that includes the $1,200 direct stimulus package and $500 for qualified individuals. Millions of Americans are hoping that they will receive the aid next month.

Meadows said he has tried to reach out to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week, hoping to have a meeting and discuss the relief package. However, he was told that the Democratic leader was in a meeting.

Meadows assured the public that he would try to go back to Pelosi's office to discuss the second round of relief aid and will not stop until a deal is done.

Meadows continues to negotiate with Democratic negotiators through a skinny-bill that aims to give initial relief aid to millions of Americans.

He made the proposal when lawmakers recently returned to the Capitol Hill to vote for the U.S. Postal Service funding. However, the Democratic leaders continue to reject Meadows' offer.

It seems that the Democratic leaders' priority is the upcoming election while the White House is working both for the poll and the relief aid needed by millions of Americans amid the pandemic.

According to a Market Watch report, Pelosi said it is up to the administration when to come up with an agreement. The White House and top Republican negotiators have already offered four packages, but they were all rejected.

Pelosi is still pushing for the $3 trillion and does not have a plan to meet halfway with the Republican lawmakers. Meadows has offered the Democrats the opportunity to give the Americans what is available and will only give the rest when everything is fine.

Then Pelosi said: "The President said if we passed a freestanding postal bill, he would sign it. We did. Now he says no." What Trump was pushing days ago was the bill about the second round of relief aid and not the USPS funding.

The President strongly opposed mail-in voting, claiming it allows for fraud. Trump and the Postmaster-General believed that if they pursue the mail-in voting, many could receive the mail ballots even if they are not asking for it.

Meadows said there was "a growing consensus that if we want to do something on postal, we ought to do something on other small businesses and enhanced unemployment - at least pick the things that we think we can agree upon and put that bill on the floor."

At present, the White House expects that Pelosi will recall the lawmakers next week to discuss the relief bill. Once the relief bill passed the House, Meadows said Trump would immediately sign it.
This was a hard title for me to write because I firmly believe if members are fiercely loyal to your credit union, they will market for you, buy more from you and are more profitable. What is at the center of building a loyal relationship with your members? Loyal employees. Without it, youre at a greater risk than you know.

Swiss Psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler Ross authored an amazing book called On Death and Dying that introduced us to the psychological cycle you go through during the grieving process. It is not just about dying; throughout life we experience many instances of grief. Grief can be caused by situations, relationships, or even substance abuse.

I found this amazing article on MDVIP that breaks down the five stages and how this applies to the COVID-19 world we are all immersed in. See if you can relate to any of these feelings:

Stage 1: Denial. This virus is being overblown. I wont stop going about my life because of what some TV reporter tells me.

Stage 2: Anger. Im furious I cant go on my cruise. I know how to wash my hands.

Stage 3: Bargaining. Fine, you can get me to stay home most of the time. But Im still going to run my usual errands to the grocery store and bank.

Stage 4: Depression. Being stuck at home is miserable. I miss seeing my friends and family. When will it end?

Stage 5: Acceptance. Im getting used to the new normal. At least I can still enjoy phone calls. What can I do to help others?

I would venture to guess that most of us have hit the first 4 stages. I know I have and its time to move into acceptance. Ill go with you.

The calendar has been playing tricks on us. First, we were promised that when it got warmer and the flu season usually dies down (probably a bad choice of words there, sorry) it should let up too. I accept this is in no way a seasonal thing and the regular flu season will be upon us soon and it will feel like a tsunami.

Then, we werent promised it, but I think many assumed that when Fall came, schools would open again and that horrible experience of being forced to not only try and work from home, but make sure my kids are doing their schoolwork will never be a reality again.

And yet here we are. We need to accept it and we desperately need to get creative with our accommodations for working parents of school age children. I am not one of those, but I had a conversation with a good friend of mine who is very professional, a great mom and a dedicated employee. Heres what she shared with me:

She said she feels like shes a horrible mother. She works in marketing which many see as non-essential in a time like this, so she is desperately trying to make herself indispensable by working hard on retooling their messaging and being online and active in emails as much as possible so they dont think shes not working. You ask, how does she get this done AND make sure her daughter is getting a good education? By yelling at her to leave her alone and do her homework! And then, she burst into tears on the phone. She also shared that she is an extrovert and going to work fuels her because of the interaction with adult co-workers. It gives her the energy to come home and enjoy those precious moments with her baby girl. Unfortunately, now the drive to survive has taken over.

Which brings me to my next observation of another well-known psychological reference, Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. Abraham Maslow published a paper in 1943 that illustrated the theory of human motivation.

Susan Mitchell wrote an amazing piece on CUInsight in May of this year that did a great job of explaining it in a time of crisis. She refers to the People Pandemic, where we have been rocked back to our core (the bottom rung of the pyramid) focusing on the most basic needs, food, shelter, and hygiene. This explains why people were hoarding toilet paper and making hand sanitizer out of vodka and aloe vera lotion.

Like the stages of grief there are five levels of the human motivation pyramid, and the belief is that you cannot move up the pyramid unless the needs are met at the lower levels. Here they are in order from the bottom to the top:

Physiological needs

Safety needs

Love and Belonging needs

Esteem needs

Self-actualization

Before COVID, credit union management didnt have to worry too much about the bottom two because a paycheck brings financial security and stable employment and a safe work environment are kind of a given in a well-managed, caring culture. All of which, credit unions are known for. Credit unions have even been accused of being too nice and arent quick to downsize or layoff people  they truly are seen as our greatest assetor so we said.

But now we have a double-edged sword. Our financial assets are at tremendous risk at the same time our people are shell shocked. Think of your last core conversion, or when you rolled out a big new product. Did that disrupt your culture a bit? Change is hard for most people, and it probably felt like the first day on the job again  you have so much to learn. Of course, it rocked them. How do you think your employees are feeling today?

Communication.

In most credit unions that Ive worked in and consulted with, communication is always cited as one of the top things they need to improve on. Ive honestly never heard this in a credit union, describing a problem with their culture, Theres WAY too much communication from management. In fact, its the exact opposite.

And that was pre-COVID. We werent good at it when we were all under one roof. Now imagine your employees have been exiled to their home, with their kids, the schools are teaching them how to teach and the credit union is still trying to figure out how to have effective virtual meetings, training, and keep projects moving along.

So how can you build employee loyalty in a time of social distancing, mandatory home schooling, and the COVID crankiness we are all experiencing?

We need to have some fun.

Thats right. Stop working and start playing. There is no playbook written for how to manage your staff during a global pandemic. We are all writing this together. This is a horrible time in history. Awful. Makes me want to scream.

At PixelSpoke (a digital marketing company for credit unions) they asked employees to describe their new co-worker. The funniest one wins. We all have at least one child, pet or partner who, for better or for worse, has been seeing a lot more of us these days. These are my two favorites:

My co-worker prioritizes naps over real work, but she does trade in naps on occasion for strategic-thinking sessions looking out the window. (co-worker: cat)

One of my coworkers refuses to wear pants. Its very unprofessional. The other one keeps interrupting my meetings to ask for cheese sticks. (co-workers: young kids)

Another great idea requires employees take mental health time each day. Think of this as a company wellness program for the brain, not just physical health.

And for those of you that have already gone down the path of distrust and scrutiny of the virtual employee, consider this  53% of financial services respondents to a survey had said that productivity has stayed the same and 20% said its actually improved. The rest? They were probably not as productive as they could have been before COVID. Youll never hit 100% so dont get derailed by notions that you should install some kind of big brother device to make sure youre getting your moneys worth.

If your employees are not happy, dont feel secure, are stressed out about increased demands for their time, and are in the dark most of the time, you will lose good employees and consequently good members.

Maybe we should all begin by changing Human Resources to Happy Resources?

I would love to hear what creative and fun things you are doing for your employees during this COVID crisis.
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf speaks during a press conference on the actions taken by federal officers and agents in Portland during continued unrest from the US Customs and Border Patrol headquarters in Washington on July 21, 2020. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Wolf Calls on Oregon Governor to Send National Guard to Portland

The head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has urged Oregons governor to take action to quell the unrest that has continued nearly every night in Portland since May 28.

Drawing attention to the 37 people arrested during rioting in the last 48 hours, acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said Gov. Kate Brown should send assistance to police officers in the states largest city.

Now is the time for the Governor to deploy her National Guard, send in Oregon State Police or request assistance from the federal government, Wolf said in a statement.

Portland law enforcement is doing what they can but need help to proactively address violence.

Brown, a Democrat, didnt respond to a request for comment.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, on Monday ordered National Guard troops to Kenosha just hours after a single day of rioting.

Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers help set up a medical station amid the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds on March 19, 2020. (Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Holden/U.S. Army National Guard via Getty Images)

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown speaks at the state capital building in Salem, Ore., on Feb., 20, 2015. (Steve Dipaola/Reuters)

The offices of Brown and Ted Wheeler, Portlands mayor and police commissioner, have stonewalled 10 inquiries in the past 10 days.

Brown in late August sent state troopers to assist the Portland Police Bureau and federal officers in battling the mayhem that kept unfolding downtown.

Troopers left after a two-week stint. Capt. Timothy Fox, a state police spokesman, told The Epoch Times that state police had fulfilled their committed period of time but also alluded to a recent decision from the district attorney overseeing Portland deciding not to pursue some criminal charges.

The Oregon State Police is continually 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 conduct is still a priority, Fox said in an email on Aug. 13.

Brown said in a separate statement at the time that the transition was planned for two weeks.

Last night was the final night for @ORStatePolice to take responsibility for keeping the peace and protecting free speech around the federal courthouse building downtown, she said.

This transition was made in coordination with local and federal officials. If further state support is needed in Portland, OSP troopers will be available to return to the city, she added.

Portland police officers disperse rioters past a dumpster fire near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Portland, Ore., early Aug. 21, 2020. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Portland police and Oregon State Patrol troopers work together to arrest two people in front of the Portland Police Bureaus North Precinct during continued rioting in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 11, 2020. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Riots focused on the federal Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse starting in early July, triggering a surge in DHS officers and agents to the city to help protect the building. Police officers helped on-and-off, not responding at all on some nights.

Wolf and Brown reached a deal on July 29 that saw Brown send the troopers in exchange for the planned withdrawal of some federal forces.

But Trump administration officials said the officers would remain in the city until officials were assured the courthouse and other federal properties were safe.

Rioters have since stayed away from the courthouse. Twice last week, they damaged the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in south Portland. ICE is part of DHS.

Mobs have also set two police precincts, a county building, and police union offices on fire since the beginning of August.

More than 599 arrests have been made during the unrest by local and federal officers. At least 130 were charged with felonies, including 80 charged at the federal level.

Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell, promoted in June, said recently that the solution to the unrest is community members and elected officials coming together to denounce this criminal activity.
The Founder and Leader of the All People's Congress (APC), Mr. Hassan Ayariga says he will fight corruption if voted as the president of the Republic of Ghana in the December 2020 presidential elections.



Ayariga who was acclaimed as the flagbearer for the party on Monday, August 24, 2020, said his government will not buy cars for any of his ministers.



Ghanaians are hungry but we prefer wasting money on toys like Landcruiser. My government will not buy cars for any minister, youre paid a salary, use your salary to buy your cars, use your salary to educate your children, he said.



Mr. Ayariga who left the Peoples National Congress (PNC), which he represented at the polls in 2012 to form the APC ahead of the 2016 election, has been the partys only flagbearer contestant.



This year, he was the only aspirant who picked up presidential nomination forms in the APC.



Mr. Ayariga further said that his appointees will have their bank accounts periodically checked in order to curtail corruption in the country.



I will check the accounts of my ministers periodically so that if they are buying huge cars and houses that their salary cant afford, they will account to us, he said.



He also said the party will create more job opportunities for the youth while cloth allowances will be given to young people who cannot afford them.



On health, Mr. Ayariga said the party will build ultra-modern hospitals across the country and also invest in equipment for health facilities.



Mr. Ayariga said there will be free delivery and free dialysis for Ghanaians who are in need of it. Building hospitals is not enough, we need to equip them. And we shall continue to give free dialysis to Ghanaians that need them. There will be free delivery and the government will pay for every Ghanaian born in the country, he stated.

Source: Graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A Mumbai based street artist has taken inspiration from Hollywood's Walk of Fame and created a 'Walk of Shame' on a street in Mumbai. Kangana Ranaut is the first Bollywood celebrity to feature on it.

Giving the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is meant to honour celebrities, a clever twist, a street artist named Tyler has started the Walk of Shame to disgrace the 'most shameless figures' across many fields.

In the past few months, Kangana Ranaut has been accused of settling personal scores over the shoulder of the late Sushant Singh Rajput, has been called out for hypocrisy for attacking fellow outsiders and for ridiculing mental health issues of other celebrities, and has been criticized for spreading hate and negativity.

Kangana was voted to feature on the Walk of Shame by netizens. She has joined Republic TV's editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and Zee News' editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary to receive a spot in the Walk of Fame which is painted on a street in Malad, Mumbai.

ALSO READ: #SuspendTeamKangana Trends; Here's Why Netizens Want Kangana Ranaut's Twitter Account Suspended

Tyler Street Art's Instagram handle stated, "Starting this Independence Day, names of the most shameless figures across industries like Journalism, Politics, Bollywood, etc. will be painted on a street in Mumbai. The names will be selected by the people via online voting. Comment below with the name of the person you think should make it on 'The Walk of Shame'. Names which are repetitive in comments, will then be entitled for the voting list."

Tyler told Mid-Day, "Walk of Shame is the antithesis of Hollywood's Walk of Fame. We celebrate the most notorious personalities which have promoted ideologies that are detrimental to the society's growth. On Independence Day, we celebrate freedom. As an artist, I want to honour freedom of expression."

ALSO READ: VIDEO: SSR's Family Lawyer Says Kangana Ranaut Distracted Mumbai Police; Netizens Share Video Clip

ALSO READ: Kangana Ranaut Fights For Justice, Does Not Pause To Celebrate Sushant's Last Film Dil Bechara


President Donald Trump closed the Republican National Convention with a 70-minute speech at the White House in Washington, DC, that was full of half-truths, exaggerated claims and outright falsehoods.

Here are eight of the presidents latest suspect assertions as Trump campaigns for re-election in November:

Biden will shut down for COVID-19

Claim: Trumps Democratic rival Joe Biden wants to shut down the US economy.

Instead of following the science, Joe Biden wants to inflict a painful shutdown on the entire country. His shutdown would inflict unthinkable and lasting harm on our nations children, families, and citizens of all backgrounds, Trump said in his presidential nomination acceptance speech at the Republican convention event at the White House on August 27.

Fact: No one knows what the pandemic will look like in January 2021, although experts fear there could be a second wave of coronavirus infections. Biden has publicly said he would only shut down the nations economy if scientists and public health advisers recommend he do so. In other words, he said he would follow the science, not disregard it.

In an ABC News interview on August 23, Biden said he would be prepared to do whatever it takes to save lives.

I would listen to the scientists, the former vice president said.

President Donald Trump issued a barrage of distortions and falsehoods in his August 27 Republican nomination acceptance delivered at the White House [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]

US has low fatality rate

Claim: Trump says the US has one of the lowest COVID-19 fatality rates of any country.

The United States has among the lowest case fatality rates of any major country anywhere in the world. The European Unions case fatality rate is nearly three times higher than ours, Trump said in his convention speech.

Fact: Trump is using questionable statistical comparisons between countries to suggest the US is somehow doing better than others in handling the virus.

The US sits right in the middle when it comes to COVID-19 mortality rates in the 20 nations most impacted by the pandemic, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center.

Of the top 20, Mexico has the highest mortality rate at 10.8 deaths for every 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases, followed by Ecuador at 5.8. Saudi Arabia had the lowest rate of the 20 nations at 1.2. The US is 10th lowest of the top 20 nations, with a mortality rate of 3.1.

When Johns Hopkins University looked at the data another way, analysing the COVID-19 death rate for every 100,000 residents, the US fares worse. Only three nations  Brazil, Chile and Peru  posted higher death rates.

Many factors are at play in shaping death toll numbers besides how well a country responded to the pandemic, such as the overall health or youth of national populations and the rate of testing to confirm actual COVID-19 cases.

US has most advanced testing

Claim: The US has a superior testing system for COVID-19.

We developed from scratch the largest and most advanced testing system anywhere in the world. America has tested more than every country in Europe, put together, and more than every nation in the Western Hemisphere combined, Trump said. Think of that: weve conducted 40 million more tests, than the next closest nation, which is India.

This is a dubious claim. The US repeatedly stumbled with testing in the early weeks of the outbreak, as the virus spread. Government experts say the US is still nowhere near the level of testing needed to control the virus.

Dr Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recently testified that health officials are still working to significantly increase testing capacity, calling such expansion a critical underpinning of our response.

The US currently is conducting nearly 750,000 tests a day, far short of what many public health experts say is needed to control the spread of the virus. Some experts have called for four million or more tests daily, while a group assembled by Harvard University estimated that 20 million a day would be needed to keep the virus in check.

Worse, frequent shortages of testing capacity spurred the CDC to quietly issue new guidance on testing on August 24 to reduce demand. While in the early months of the outbreak Trump repeatedly insisted that anybody who wants a test can get a test (which was not accurate), Redfield issued a statement this week saying that, Everyone who wants a test does not necessarily need a test.

Mail-in ballots

Claims: Democrats are trying to rig the 2020 election by sending out millions of mail-in ballots.

With this whole 80 million mail-in ballots that theyre working on. Sending them out to people that didnt ask for em. They didnt ask. They just get them. And its not fair and its not right. And its not going to be possible to tabulate, in my opinion, its just my opinion. We have to be very, very careful. and you have to watch, every one of you, you have to watch, Trump said in a speech opening the Republican National Convention on August 24 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Fact: Voting by mail is already widely available in 30 US states governed by Republicans and Democrats. Safety concerns about the risk of coronavirus infection, especially for older voters and people with health conditions, are the impetus for greater use of mail ballots. There is no evidence that use of mail ballots, when properly handled using modern procedures, results in fraud. Further, there is effectively no distinction between voting by mail and absentee voting, which is common in all states.

Trumps claim that Democrats are trying to steal the election by bulk mailing ballots to 80 million voters is false [Nati Harnik/AP Photo]

Pandemic response

Claim: Trumps White House task force has done an incredible job battling the coronavirus.

If we didnt shut it down at that point, we would have had millions of people dead, millions of people. You see the numbers. The job that Mike Pence and the task force, and all of us together have done has been incredible, what weve done, what weve achieved, Trump said on Monday.

Fact: Trump initially ignored and downplayed the risk of the coronavirus and did not shut down the US economy. It was US business leaders and state governors who first issued decisions to shut down. Trump subsequently urged early reopenings despite recommendations of public health authorities. The total US death toll exceeds 177,000, the highest in the world, and continues to climb as the infection resurges in what experts warn is close to a worst-case scenario.

Obama, Biden Spying on Trump

Claim: Obama, Biden spied on my campaign and got caught.

I watched, President Obama last night and I watched him talking about everything and I had to put it out. I said, yeah but he spied on my campaign and he got caught. You know thats about as bad a thing as you can imagine. If that happened to another campaign on the other side, they would have 25 people in jail for many years already, many many years. Its a disgrace, Trump said in a campaign speech in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, on August 20.

Fact: Former President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden did not initiate or direct the FBIs counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign, which several government reviews have concluded was fully justified. A bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report confirms that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election with the goal of helping Trump get elected. Both the Senate investigation and Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe found Trump welcomed Russias help and sought to coordinate with WikiLeaks through Roger Stone on the release of stolen Democratic emails, something Trump has denied.

While Trump has long insisted his campaign was spied on, the US Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz informed Congress theres no evidence the FBI spied on Trumps campaign [File: Andrew Harnik/AP Photo]

Biden, Democrats are anti-religion

Claim: Democrats took the word God out of the US Pledge of Allegiance recited at the Democratic National Convention.

I can promise you a few things. Number one, we will not be taking the word God out of the Pledge of Allegiance, OK. Like they did a number of times at their caucuses so  they took the word God out. I heard it. I was listening. I said, Isnt that strange. It was sort of weird. Youve heard it all your life, right. Under God, under God, Trump said in Charlotte.

Fact: Trump is facing an erosion of support among evangelical voters in the US and is distorting what happened at the Democratic National Convention in order to falsely portray Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and the Democratic Party as anti-religious. During each of the four nights of live streaming of the Democratic convention, the traditional Pledge of Allegiance was recited using the phrase under God. In two smaller assemblies of the Muslim Delegates and Allies and the LGBTQ Caucus, that were not part of the main programme, the phrase was left out. Some Americans who do not practise religion believe the pledge may be recited without reference to God. Joe Biden is a practising Catholic and attends church on Sundays regularly.

Protecting Americans health insurance

Claim: Republicans are protecting Americans right to health insurance for pre-existing conditions.

So, we protected your pre-existing conditions, very strongly protected pre-exist. And you dont hear that, but weve very strongly protected your pre-existing conditions. So, we got rid of the horrible individual mandate which cost everybody a fortune. And we strongly protected, every Republican is sworn to protecting your pre-existing conditions. Its very important. You wont hear that. You wont hear that from the fake news, Trump said Monday.

Fact: This claim is false. Under Trump, Republican majorities in Congress repeatedly tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act passed during former President Barack Obamas administration which prevents health insurance companies from refusing coverage for pre-existing conditions. The Trump Justice Department is challenging the constitutionality of the law, known as Obamacare, in federal court.
ALBANY  A coalition of 16 unions representing teachers and school staff in the Capital Region released an open letter Tuesday calling on districts to hold off on in-person learning until early October.

The letter, signed by union presidents, cites the failure of the federal government to provide schools with needed funding, looming state aid cuts, and inadequate safety protocols at the school level.

Related: Capital Region school reopening live updates

The health and safety protocols that our school leadership teams are feverishly working to develop cannot be fully implemented without additional support from the federal and/or state government, union leaders said in the letter. Instruction must resume in September but we need more time before we transition to in-person learning."

Teacher unions from large districts in the Capital Region, like Shenendehowa, to some of the smallest, like Oppenheim-Ephratah St. Johnsville , signed the letter.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has said that infection rates are low enough for in-person classes to resume in September.

Districts are bracing for a 20 percent reduction in state school aid as federal funds earmarked for schools and localities are held up during a debate in Congress. Schools are also struggling to update their air filtration systems in classrooms to the state's recommended MERV-13 rating and to secure a reliable supply of personal protective equipment.

Schools have released extensive reopening documents outlining how teachers, administrators and staff will enforce social distancing, mask wearing and conduct daily health screenings.

Most districts are offering full-day classroom instruction for elementary school students while providing a hybrid of online and in-person courses for older grades. All coursework will be offered in online format for students who elect to stay home.

Delaying the start of school in New York is not off the table for school board leaders and superintendents in light of reports of school-fueled outbreaks around the country in recent weeks. While the governor has said schools can reopen, he has left it up to individual districts how instruction will be done.

Some area schools have announced a plan to delay the first day of school to Sept. 14, frontloading their professional development days in order to train teachers and staff in the new safety requirements.

Ballston Spa officials said last week that the district would begin the school year online and delay in-person classed until Oct. 5.

"Virtual grade level meetings are taking place, orientations are being planned, Chromebook and materials pick up schedules are being built, and our planning teams continue refining the details of our reopening," Superintendent Ken Slentz wrote in a letter to parents Monday. "So long as we all continue to do our part in managing the virus, I fully expect that I will be able to announce on September 18 that we will in fact be ready to go for in-person learning on October 5."

Rochester City Schools announced recently that students would not return to school buildings until November.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Schenectady City School officials at a recent board meeting floated the idea of fully virtual model for all students next year, in part, due to high interest from parents in the remote option. Roughly 60 percent of surveyed families indicated they would choose the remote option for the upcoming academic year.

The district is facing numerous logistical challenges, including the fact that some of its buildings are older and many classrooms lack sufficient ventilation to safely hold students in September, said Juliet Benaquisto, of the Schenectady Federation of Teachers.

"We realized as union leaders there is just not enough time in the day for us to be ready by Sept. 14," Benaquisto said. "Some of our superintendents feel confident in the reopening plans, but we are saying, 'Can we take a little more time with a virtual start in order be in a better position to guarantee a safer environment for everyone.'"

The letter from teachers notes that COVID-19 testing can take well over a week in the Capital Region, and reopening plans currently do not require buildings to shut down if a positive case is identified.

"Once able to safely transition to in-person learning we will meet our students where they are academically and developmentally, adjusting instruction as needed so they further grow and thrive," the teachers write. "Thats what we do, but right now their health and safety cant be guaranteed within the halls of our schools.

School officials on Tuesday said they moving forward with reopening plans, which they believe prioritize the health and safety of teachers and students.

Niskayuna Central School District Spokesman Matt Leon said, "At this time, we are not considering a delay to in-person instruction. ... We continue to improve and refine the plan almost every day, taking into account the work of our community-wide reopening task force and the input received at the recent reopening meetings. We understand that there are concerns and questions and we are continuing to work through them."
And the scope of the kind of problems have been expanded to include the kind of stuff that we regard as nuisances: noises, smells, loud music. The kind of things we use to regulate bars and restaurants all the time are really now being captured into this business that isnt really regulated as a business, Smith said.
Sushant Singh Rajput's sister Shweta Singh Kirti took to her Twitter handle to share a message for her brother's fans saying, 'Stay United' as the Central Bureau of Investigation team probes the actor's death case. With CBI visiting the Cooper Hospital, Sushant's bank, questioning the house staff, summoning the 'spiritual healer', Sushant's sister wrote, 'We are exploring and getting to know the facts as the investigation is unfolding and progressing'.

She further added, "Thats why we wanted the CBI to take over so that the truth is revealed to us. I appreciate each and every warrior of SSR. #WarriorsForSSR #StayUnited" In another tweet, Shweta wrote, "I salute each and every warrior of Bhai... you guys are our strength and real hero in every which way. Right now our goal should be to stay united for the right cause. Requesting unity and understanding. #Warriors4SSR #JusticeForSushant" [sic]

On tape, Sandip Ssingh's staff give evasive replies; is Sushant's 'friend' avoiding media?

CBI team visits Mumbai resort for probe in Sushant case

CBI officials probing Sushant Singh Rajput's death case on Monday visited a Mumbai-based resort where the actor is said to have spent a couple of months, and also continued the questioning of the actor's friend and cook at the DRDO guest house. Rajput's accountant Rajat Mewati was also called on Monday for questioning at the DRDO guest house at Kalina in Santacruz, where the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths probing the case are staying, an official said.

CBI officials visit bank where Sushant Singh Rajput held account, leave disgruntled

A CBI team on Monday reached the Waterstone Resort in suburban Andheri, where Rajput apparently spent about two months, for questioning its staff in connection with the probe into his death, according to the official. The probing team went to the resort on Sunday also, but left as its staff members were not there.

Meanwhile, Rajput's accountant Mewati, flat-mate Siddharth Pithani, and cook Neeraj Singh reached the DRDO guest house for questioning by the CBI, the official said. The CBI questioned Pithani, Neeraj, and Rajput's domestic help Deepesh Sawant on Saturday and Sunday also. These three were present in Rajput's house at Mont Blanc Apartments in suburban Bandra when the 34-year-old actor was found dead in his room on June 14.

On Sunday, the CBI team questioned Pithani, Neeraj and Sawant at the DRDO guest house and later took them to the late actor's residence. After spending three hours there, the central agency team left the place along with Pithani, Neeraj and Sawant, who were then again taken to the DRDO guest house in the evening for questioning, the official said.

(with PTI inputs)

Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment.
Long-term care facilities, social gatherings and offices were the largest settings for coronavirus outbreaks last week, according to a new data set released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

On Monday, Aug. 25, the state introduced its new online outbreak tracker. The data set, which is expected to be updated weekly, provides a closer look at which areas have most recently seen COVID-19 outbreaks. The information lists the outbreaks by region, but does not offer specific locations.

Lynn Sutfin, public information officer for MDHHS, said the tracker can serve as a reminder to individuals that outbreaks are still occurring, and thus precautions are still needed.

An outbreak is generally defined as an instance in which two or more cases are linked by a place and time, indicating a shared exposure outside of a household.

Sutfin anticipates the tracker being updated on Mondays, with data from the prior week up through Thursday. She said local health departments report the outbreak data to the state on Thursdays as part of their weekly situation report.

The updates include new outbreaks from the previous week, as well as ongoing outbreaks from prior weeks. New outbreaks are only counted once and will not be included in the ongoing counts.

Last week, there were 13 new outbreaks associated with long-term care facilities, 11 new outbreaks associated with social gatherings, and nine new outbreaks associated with office settings. There were also eight known outbreaks among restaurant employees, and seven outbreaks associated with childcare or youth programs.

The Lansing and Saginaw regions reported the most new outbreaks with 15 and 11, respectively. The northern Detroit and Kalamazoo regions each reported 10 new outbreaks, while the Upper Peninsula only reported one known outbreak.

Of the 222 ongoing clusters or outbreaks, 79 are in long-term care facilities including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, adult day care and group homes. Social gatherings is the next leading contributor with 24, followed by manufacturing/construction and agricultural/food processing facilities with 18 each.

Outbreaks can be removed from the database if there are no additional cases through a 14-day period, according to Sutfin.

State officials note that the chart does not provide a complete picture of outbreaks in Michigan, and an absence of identified outbreak in a particular setting is not evidence that the setting is not having outbreaks.

Many factors, including the lack of ability to conduct effective contact tracing in certain settings, may result in significant under-reporting of outbreaks, the states website reads.

Sutfin said the outbreak data was made public upon requests from stakeholders, media members and the public. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the states chief medical executive, has provided a summary of the data while giving coronavirus updates at Gov. Gretchen Whitmers press conferences in recent weeks.

Over the last week, Michigan is averaging 639 new coronavirus cases and 10 new deaths per day. The state has reported a positive test rate of less than 4% for each of the last nine days.

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 nosewhile in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. See an explanation of what that means here.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

For more data on COVID-19 in Michigan, visit https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/data/.

Read more on MLive:

Michigan gyms in crisis as some flout the law and others bleed out

Tuesday, Aug. 25, coronavirus data by Michigan county: Isabella County cases climb as university returns students

Michigan movie theaters make plea to reopen before its too late

Michigans budget forecast better than predicted, but still clouded by coronavirus pandemic
Olive has been selected to join Start Path, Mastercards award-winning startup engagement program. Olive was chosen to be among 11 startups from across the globe to participate in the program. Annually, Mastercard evaluates approximately 1,500 startups for participation in Start Path, and less than 2% of those applications are accepted into the highly competitive program. The six-month program provides startups with operational support, commercial engagement and the opportunity for strategic investment.

Olive is a card-linked platform for organizations driven to help their members take the first step towards realizing personal, financial and socially impactful goals.

By integrating Olive into their user experience, Olive customers engage members quickly to start making manageable, recurring contributions through rounding up of their spare change. With the ability to accelerate those contributions with meaningful cashback rewards and corporate matching opportunities.

Recent studies show 47% of North Americans feel they have emergency or rainy-day funds to cover expenses for three months, and 78% of American workers say they are living paycheck to paycheck.

"Olive is very excited for this opportunity to collaborate with Mastercard, a global leader in payment technology. Joining the program will give us access to expert mentorship and exposure to Mastercards global-reaching markets. In the wake of recent financial uncertainty, it is more important than ever to plan for your financial future, Olive will help millions of people to begin putting money aside to fund their personal saving, investing and charitable giving goals." said Vincent Alimi, Co-founder & President, Olive Group Ltd.

"In today's landscape where we're moving toward a post-pandemic world, there's no better time to take the plunge and build a business that will address some of the biggest challenges we're all facing," said Amy Neale, Senior Vice President, Start Path & Fintech at Mastercard. "Mastercard is proud to partner with Olive on their journey to grow and scale and provide support and mentorship through the Start Path program."

Olive is the first issuer-agnostic, card-linking platform for accelerating member contributions towards personal goals aligned to corporate objectives. Online wealth managers, retailers, payroll providers and global charities across North America use Olives platform to accelerate recurring deposits and donations through member roundups, cashback rewards and corporate matching. Led by industry pioneers in rounding and digital payments, by former executives of fintech leaders including Mobeewave, and supported by US patents in rounding technology, Olive aims to help every person be financially prepared for their future.

For more information, visit https://oliveltd.com/startpath

Start Path is Mastercards award-winning startup engagement program that brings together a network of innovators from across the globe to shape the future of commerce together. Startups benefit from the knowledge of a global network of Mastercard experts, technologies and channels. Banks and merchants gain access to a global portfolio of elite startups to accelerate commercial products and solutions through collaboration. Launched in 2014, startups that started with Start Path have gone on to raise over $2.7B in capital investment.

For more information about Start Path, visit https://startpath.mastercard.com
FREMONT, Calif.  Residents of the San Francisco suburbs are packing emergency go bags and drawing up inventories of their belongings, dreading the idea that they might need proof for an insurance adjuster if their homes burn.

The pall of choking smoke outside their windows  four times worse than the air quality in Beijing or New Delhi on Monday morning  is a reminder that the wildfires ravaging large parts of Northern California are only a few canyons away.

This is the fourth consecutive year of major conflagrations in California, but this year they feel more inescapable, a ring of fire around the eight million people who live in cities arrayed around the Bay. There are fires sandwiching Silicon Valley, which on Monday was smothered by a sickly white haze. Wildfires are raging in the Salinas Valley to the south and in the wine country of Napa and Sonoma Counties to the north.

I cant stress enough the importance of being prepared to leave, Shana Jones, a unit chief for the fires raging over six counties north of San Francisco, warned Bay Area residents over the weekend.
A journalist who had a sour encounter at a press briefing with a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, in Calabar, Cross River State, has narrated his ordeal to PREMIUM TIMES.

A video being circulated via WhatsApp shows Mr Fani-Kayode abruptly leaving the briefing after pouring invective on the reporter, Eyo Charles of Daily Trust newspaper, whom he said asked him an insulting question.

The incident happened on Thursday at a private hotel where the former minister was briefing reporters on his tour of projects in the South-South state.

The briefing was moderated by Governor Ben Ayades spokesperson, Christian Ita, and attended by reporters from Vanguard, Punch, NAN, AIT, and other media houses.

What type of stupid question is that? What type of stupid question is that? Bankrolling who? Do you know who you are talking to? Mr Fani-Kayode said angrily to the reporter.

Mr Fani-Kayode, in the video, turned and looked at Governor Ayades spokesperson, Mr Ita, who sat close to him. He said he was not going to take any more questions from Mr Charles.

What type of insulting question is that? Which bankroll? To do what? Who can give me money for anything? Who do you think you are talking to? Bankroll what? Go and report yourself to your publisher.

The governors spokesperson, Mr Ita, stood up and tried to pacify the former minister. Sorry sir, Mr Ita said to him. But it appeared he was too angry to listen.

I could see from your face before you got here, how stupid you are. Dont ever talk to me like that, Mr Fani-Kayode kept yelling at the reporter who was still standing and apologising  I am sorry, sir.

Dont judge me by your own standards, the former minister kept saying.

I have been in politics since 1990. I am not one of those politicians that you think will just come. I was taken, I have been locked up how many times by this government. I have been prosecuted, unlike most of these politicians you follow for brown envelopes!

Dont ever judge me by that standard. I spend, I dont take and I am not a poor man, I have never been and will never be.

The other reporters appeared stupefied by the incident and did not ask Mr Fani-Kayode any further question. The minister suddenly stood up and left the room.

I was disorganised  Journalist

The Daily Trust reporter, Mr Charles, told PREMIUM TIMES that he was more disorganised and had to apologise to Mr Fani-Kayode when he heard other reporters told him right there that he should not have asked the question.

He said he did not expect the former minister to suddenly jumped at him.

The question was sir, you said you have gone round six or seven states to inspect projects undertaken by those governors, and now you are here in Cross River state, rounding off your one-week visit to Governor Ayade. Who is bankrolling you? Mr Charles said.

Mr Charles said after the incident a security aide to the former minister walked up to him and began interrogating him. He said he had to hurriedly leave the hotel premises.

The former minister, the reporter said, later called his editor in Daily Trust and demanded his sack.

The reporter said he regretted apologising to Mr Fani-Kayode over the incident.

I am 53, he is not much older than me. I am not a child, I am an adult and I have children, he said.

Daily Trust would be issuing a statement on the incident, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

Judex Okoro, the Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists, in Cross River state, said the journalists union was yet to meet over the incident.

Advertisements



Governor Ayades spokesperson, Mr Ita, however, told PREMIUM TIMES that what the Daily Trust reporter said to the former minister was not a question.

The guy didnt even ask a question. The guy said even though you have not told us who is bankrolling your trips.

When he said that the man now erupted, he was very upset, Mr Ita said. I was trying to pacify both sides.
Sushant Singh Rajputs flat-mate, cook and domestic help were again called for questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday in connection with their probe into the Bollywood actors death, reports said.

Siddharth Pithani, Neeraj Singh and Deepesh Sawant reached the DRDO guest house at Kalina in Santacruz, where CBI officials probing the case are staying, in the morning, news agency PTI reported. Pithani, Singh and Sawant were present in Rajputs house in suburban Bandra when the 34-year-old actor was dead on June 14.

The CBI team also called Rajputs chartered accountant and accountant for information about his financial transactions, PTI cited an official as saying.

Shridhar was questioned by a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on August 3 about the transactions regarding bank accounts of Sushant Singh Rajput. The ED has recorded his statement and will question further if required, an official told ANI.

The ED had on July 31 registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in the late actors death case after a first information report (FIR) was filed by Rajputs father KK Singh against actor Rhea Chakraborty in Bihar on July 28.

A team of the Mumbai Police also went to the DRDO guest house in the morning, the official added.

The CBI team had on Monday visited a Mumbai-based resort where Rajput is said to have spent a couple of months, and also questioned Pithani, Neeraj and Sawant. They had on Friday recorded the statements of Pithani and Neeraj.

The team had Pithani, Neeraj and Sawant to Rajputs flat on Saturday to reconstruct the sequence of events before he was found dead in June. The three were again taken to the flat on Sunday and were also questioned by the CBI at the DRDO guest house.

The Supreme Court had on August 19 upheld the transfer of the FIR, lodged by Rajputs father in Patna against actor Rhea Chakraborty and others for allegedly abetting his suicide, to the central probe agency.

Rajputs father had filed a police complaint in Patna, accusing Chakraborty and her family of abetting his sons suicide and misappropriating his money. The agency has registered an FIR against 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.

Mumbai Police had registered a case of accidental death after Rajput was found dead in his house.

(With agency inputs)
Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2020) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Super Micro Computer, Inc., a producer of computer servers, and its former CFO, Howard Hideshima, with prematurely recognizing revenue and understating expenses over a period of at least three years.

According to the SEC's orders, Super Micro executives, including Hideshima, pushed employees to maximize end-of-quarter revenue, yet failed to devise and maintain sufficient internal accounting controls to accurately record revenue. As a result, the orders find, Super Micro improperly and prematurely recognized revenue, including by recognizing revenue on goods sent to warehouses but not yet delivered to customers, shipping goods to customers prior to customer authorization, and shipping misassembled goods to customers. The orders also find that Super Micro misused its cooperative marketing program, which entitles customers to reimbursement for a portion of cooperative marketing costs. According to the orders, Super Micro improperly reduced the liabilities accrued for the program in order to avoid recognizing a variety of expenses unrelated to marketing, including for Christmas gifts and to store goods.

According to the SEC's order against Hideshima, he was on notice of these and other similar practices, yet failed to properly address them. The order also finds that Hideshima, who signed or approved filings with the Commission that contained materially misstated financial statements, knowingly circumvented certain of Super Micro's internal accounting controls. Super Micro's CEO, Charles Liang, while not charged with misconduct, is required to reimburse the company $2.1 million in stock profits that he received while the accounting errors were occurring, pursuant to the clawback provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

"Reporting revenue in the wrong period gives investors a distorted view of a company's financial condition" said Melissa Hodgman, an Associate Director in the SEC's Division of Enforcement. "The SEC will continue to hold executives accountable when they exploit insufficient internal controls."

Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, Super Micro has agreed to cease and desist from violating Sections 17(a)(2) and (3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and the reporting, books and records and internal accounting controls provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and pay a $17.5 million penalty. Hideshima, without admitting or denying the findings, has agreed to cease and desist from committing or causing violations of the reporting, books and records, and internal accounting controls provisions and pay disgorgement and prejudgment interest totaling more than $300,000 and a $50,000 penalty. Liang consented, without admitting or denying the findings, to reimburse Super Micro $2.1 million in stock sale profits.

The SEC's investigation was conducted by Ian Dattner and Donato Furlano, with assistance from David Mendel of the Trial Unit and supervised by Lisa Deitch and Peter Rosario.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 25, 2020 - 19:21 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

The government said Tuesday 98.6 percent of households in Japan have received the one-off 100,000 yen ($940) cash handouts meant to help cushion the economic fallout from the novel coronavirus pandemic that has continued to linger, with Tokyo seeing 182 new daily cases of the virus.

The government has completed handing out the money to approximately 58.26 million households, equivalent to 12.55 trillion yen, or 98.5 percent, of the budget for the project, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

In principle, the head of a household receives the total amount of the cash handouts for family members transferred to his or her bank account.

Residents in Japan were able to apply for the handouts for three months from when the municipalities they live in began accepting applications, with many reaching their deadline by the end of August.

Tokyo has seen new infections in triple digits for almost the entire month, except for Monday. Although the capital has experienced a daily record of 472 on Aug. 1, the number of cases has been on a decline since mid-August.

The Tokyo metropolitan government's single-day figure of 182 new cases, confirmed Tuesday, now brings the cumulative total in the capital to 19,610.

The figure is nearly double the 95 reported the previous day, which was the lowest daily figure since July 8 when 75 infections were reported.

The daily figures reported by the metropolitan government reflect the most recent totals reported by health authorities and medical institutions.

Tokyo is maintaining its alert at the highest of four levels, meaning "infections are spreading." It has requested establishments serving alcohol and karaoke venues to close by 10 p.m. until the end of August to reduce the risk of infections.

The measures come as the capital is trying to strike a balance between restarting the economy and controlling infections.

The central government's requests for people to stay at home and nonessential businesses to suspend operations had dealt a blow to the economy.

Originally, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party planned to deliver 300,000 yen to households whose income had fallen sharply as part of an emergency policy package approved by the Cabinet on April 7.

It was replaced with a plan to distribute 100,000 yen in cash handouts the following week amid public criticism over the initial plan's strict eligibility requirements.

Related coverage:

Japan economy shrinks at record 27.8% in April-June amid pandemic

Japan's household spending data signal recovery from virus slump
Nairobi health workers have agreed to end their strike as soon as their irreducible minimums are met.

This comes after a meeting with Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union(KMPDU) officials, the NMS and county representatives chaired by Majority Leader Abdi Guyo on Monday.

Thuranira Kaugiria, the Nairobi secretary-general of KMPDU, said they will return to work if the County Public Service Board and the NMS provide a comprehensive insurance cover for doctors under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and give a waiver on promotions.

We are ready to call off the strike but for that to happen our bare minimums must be met. Most of these issues are actionable and can be done away with immediately, said Mr Kaugiria.

Unless doctors are covered by insurance and a waiver is issued on promotions, the strike will go on, he told journalists after the meeting.

NMS Deputy Director-General Robinson Thuku said talks with the NHIF are underway and a solution will be reached by the end of this month.

It is work in progress as we have received a proposal from NHIF. We have already engaged our human resource department to look into what is needed, said Mr Thuku.

The board promised to write a letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday regarding the promotions waiver. It said it had already promoted 100 out of 320 doctors.

The remaining are doctors who need to be promoted through a competitive process as they need to progress through established cadres, said acting chair Thomas Kasoa.

A follow-up meeting between the doctors and county officials will take place today.
As a former student of the Danbury Public School system and current community advocate and organizer, I am very concerned about the future of our schools. We have issues with overcrowding and racially unjust disciplinary practices. Right now, as school districts throughout the country face cuts, we must be open to any solution that will improve our schools. State Sen. Julie Kushners obstinate opposition to Danbury Prospect Charter School will only hurt our community.

First, I would like to state the fact that charter schools in Connecticut receive tremendous oversight from the state Board of Education and must provide rigorous evidence that they are organizationally stable, actively promoting education equity, teaching students effectively and in full legal compliance with state laws. In many ways they have more oversight than our district schools. I believe that including Danbury Prospect with all charter schools in the nation is not only unfair, but also misleading.

Connecticut has very strict oversight procedures for charter schools. And these regulations do work. Weve seen charter schools placed on probation and closed throughout our state, and weve seen charter schools like Achievement First Hartford Academy receive recognition as a state leader for promoting academic growth among high needs students. Charter schools success should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and they require nuanced discussion. For what its worth, Prospect Schools is widely regarded as an extremely successful organization: Their students do better on math and reading and miss less class than students citywide. Based on my research, I am in full support of Danbury Prospect joining Danburys education ecosystem.

I also have an issue with Julie Kushner claiming that since we arent a fix all for all of the problems of the Danbury Public School system, then we shouldnt even be considered. The op-ed says, Charters Arent a Magic Bullet. But what is? I would like the senator to tell one thing that is a magic bullet. The career Academy is not a magic bullet nor is any single policy. To find a true and lasting solution we need a complete and comprehensive solution that contains many of these magic bullets, not just one.

As the president of LEAD, Latinos for Educational Advocacy in Danbury, former President of the Dominican Club of CT and alumni of the Danbury Public School system, I have experienced for myself the effects of overcrowding, and lack of minority role models. I am fighting so future generations do not have to experience what I went through.

Sen. Kushner says that we need to think about new education options along three dimensions: equity, responsibility and transparency. Danbury Prospect Charter School would bring years of experience supporting equitable hiring and ensuring their teaching staff reflect Danburys increasingly brown and Black student body. If Sen. Kushner has a plan to improve racial diversity among our faculty, I would love to hear it. But right now, no one is proposing a real plan.

Moreover, how is it responsible or transparent to propose developing an entirely new school with no outside financial support and no clear timeline when Connecticut is facing the biggest budget crisis since the Great Recession? In an ideal world, our schools would not be partially supported by private donors. But we need all the support we can get, especially right now.

Responsibility requires abandoning ideological commitments and instead looking at issues practically. Prioritizing less crowded schools, diverse teaching staff, and a high-quality education is clearly viewed as the responsible decision by more than 100 community leaders and parents who attended a recent Saturday protest in Danbury; chief among their demands was the opening of Danbury Prospect.

The great irony of Sen. Kushners plan to replicate the West Side Academy in Danbury is that they operate an admissions lottery just like DPCS would. A fact that Sen. Kushner seems to conveniently ignore.

Dont let legislators tell you that this is a fight between charter schools and district schools. Each parent will be able to send their student to whichever school fits their needs best; just like many parents have sent some of their kids to AIS Magnet and keep others in DPS.

I dont expect every legislator to agree with me on every issue. I do expect every legislator to have an honest conversation about improving Danbury schools because the status quo is not sustainable. Sen. Kushners opposition to charter schools is myopic, privileged and bad for Danbury families. We expect a higher level of discourse and discussion from our elected leaders.

Xiomara McNab is president of LEAD, Latinos for Educational Advocacy in Danbury.
Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth

By Brian Stelter

Atria/One Signal. 350 pp. $28

- - -

In March 2019, the New Yorker published a scathing story by Jane Mayer detailing the deepening connections between President Donald Trump and Fox News, the most-watched cable news network. "The White House and Fox interact so seamlessly that it can be hard to determine, during a particular news cycle, which one is following the other's lead," she wrote. In Mayer's telling, the opinion hosts like Sean Hannity amplified Trump's message; dissenting voices were minimized or eliminated; baseless misinformation was blithely peddled as fact, without context or correction. The story gave Democrats seeking to exclude Fox from the presidential primary debate process additional proof that the network was more of a political opponent than a news operation.

Brian Stelter's new book, "Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth," covers much the same ground and offers much the same argument, but in a catty, chatty tone that makes for an easy read, though a less substantive one. Based on three years of interviews with more than 140 staffers at Fox and 180 former staffers and other knowledgeable sources, Stelter describes how the network evolved from a serious news operation with a decidedly conservative perspective to what he asserts is essentially "state-supported TV."

Stelter, chief media correspondent for CNN Worldwide, does not assume Mayer's detached, neutral tone. As he writes in his opening: "What you'll get in these pages is not the Stelter in a navy blue blazer that you see on CNN. I'm writing this book as a citizen; as an advocate for factual journalism; and a new dad who thinks about what kind of world my children are going to inherit."

He continues: "This story is about a rot at the core of our politics. It's about an ongoing attack on the very idea of a free and fair press. It's about the difference between news and propaganda. It's about the difference between state media and the fourth estate. So excuse me if I swear a little - but I am alarmed, and you should be too."

The profanity is there in repeated usage of the words "s---" and "bulls---," as in "Fox spoon-fed bulls--- to Trump," and the point of view is alarmist. Fox, Stelter writes, "is an addictive substance. For its biggest fans, Fox is an identity. Almost a way of life." And the biggest fan of all, though sometimes a mercurial one, is the real estate developer from Queens who rode a wave of resentment to the White House and desperately relies on Fox for inspiration and validation.

Stelter takes his story back to October 1996, when Roger Ailes launched Fox News, fueled by Rupert Murdoch's ample fortune and a burning ambition to provide a counterpunch to the liberal and centrist networks that then dominated cable news. Ailes and Trump ran in the same New York media circles for decades, and each became adept at exploiting their cynical, mutually transactional relationship.

By 2012, when Trump was sullying the political arena by waving the racist banner of birtherism, Ailes gave him a weekly call-in segment on the morning "Fox & Friends" show. That, more than "The Apprentice," allowed him to build an adoring audience for his fact-free crusades, according to Stelter. " 'Monday Mornings with Trump,' " he writes, "changed the course of American politics."

Trump's weekly gig ended when he rode down the Trump Tower escalator to announce his candidacy, but that didn't stop him from maintaining a regular presence on Fox's shows, both news and opinion. A few journalists were willing to challenge the candidate who became president on his repeated lies and obfuscations, but gradually they were pushed out or, exasperated and demoralized, left Fox.

Megyn Kelly, who during a televised debate famously asked Trump about his ugly characterizations of women, was among the most notable; another stalwart, Shepard Smith, held on longer. But Stelter's narrative is studded with lesser-known reporters, producers, editors and anchors who could no longer muster the blind loyalty required of them, even though some had to relinquish lucrative contracts and the quiet power of knowing they had the president's fawning attention.

"Journalism at Fox was being suffocated," Stelter writes. To management, it didn't seem to matter. Thanks to its loyal viewership, and a business model that privileged ratings above all else, revenue continued to flow.

Beyond elevating an extreme form of tribalism, Stelter shows, Fox News accelerates and amplifies Trump's denigration of truth, disregard for facts and manipulation of a pliable public into believing an alternative reality. Here, Hannity was - and remains - the overpowering central force.

"Hannity and Trump worked hand in hand to tar practically the entire American news media as 'fake.' Both men's hypnotic message was that Fox was the only legit network while everyone else was fraudulent," Stelter writes.

Now that message is increasingly shaping the workings of the federal government. By mid-2020, according to Stelter, 20 people had jumped from the network to the White House, including a member of the Cabinet and a deputy chief of staff. The pipeline flows in the other direction as well. This isn't just a matter of an administration hiring like-minded acolytes; it meant that the Fox worldview would directly affect American policy and American lives.

In what surely was a last-minute addition to his book, Stelter catalogues how Hannity and other Fox "talent" dismissed or minimized the threat of the coronavirus, echoing and egging on Trump's unconscionable mismanagement of the pandemic and its dire economic, educational and communal consequences.

For a book that purports to document how a dereliction of journalistic duty can cost lives and damage institutions, "Hoax" too often relies on assertions, blind quotes and unverified accounts. In several instances, Stelter quotes an unnamed source making an accusation that ought to have been fact-checked or simply omitted. It would have strengthened his important argument, especially given his open feuds with Ailes (until he died in 2017) and Hannity.

I doubt "Hoax" will convince die-hard Fox fans of the error of their ways, but it should reach those unaware of the network's dangerous, complicit slide into demagoguery. Stelter's critique goes beyond salacious tidbits about extramarital affairs (though there are plenty of those) to expose a collusion that threatens the pillars of our democracy.

"The Trump age was really the 'hoax' age," Stelter concludes. The question is whether he is correct in putting that observation in the past tense.

- - -

Eisner, a regular contributor to Book World, is the director of academic affairs at the Columbia School of Journalism.
Couriers have won a $3.46-million settlement from food-delivery giant Foodora following the companys abrupt closure in Canada, announced two months after its workers won the right to unionize.

The settlement will result in financial compensation for hundreds of couriers across Canada who lost their jobs amid the COVID-19 pandemic when the company folded in April and initiated bankruptcy proceedings.

The deal was negotiated by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, which couriers overwhelmingly voted to join earlier this year despite Foodoras sudden exit from the country.

In a statement issued Tuesday, CUPW President Jan Simpson said she hoped the settlement would help lessen the financial burden imposed on couriers.

To lose your job during a global pandemic is stressful, but to lose it as a gig worker, with no guaranteed access to government funds, is truly terrifying, she said.

Ivan Ostos, a Foodora courier who helped lead the union drive, added that he was happy to see Foodora has acknowledged its workers deserve a settlement.

If employers believe it is not worthwhile to do business here, we will fight to make sure workers receive what theyre due, Ostos said.

Couriers who delivered food within the last three months of Foodoras operation are eligible for compensation, which will be calculated based on average earnings.

Podcast: Hustled - When your boss is an app. Episode 1

Delivery workers launched a groundbreaking battle with Foodora last year challenging their status as independent contractors, a category that has no protection under employment laws and cannot join a union.

In February, they scored a historic victory when the provincial labour board decided in their favour  the first ruling of its kind on the gig economy in Canada.

The board ruled couriers were not true independent contractors because Foodora exerted considerable control over their working conditions, which couriers had no ability to negotiate or influence.

The decision said couriers were in fact dependent contractors, a category of worker that enjoys some flexibility on the job but is economically vulnerable and, crucially, has the right to unionize.

In late April, Foodora announced that it was leaving the country, citing the highly competitive and saturated Canadian environment. Shortly after, it declared bankruptcy and said it owed restaurants and other creditors more than $4 million.

Foodora entered the Canadian food-delivery market in 2015 when it purchased local startup Hurrier. Foodoras parent company  Delivery Hero  is based in Berlin and made $2 billion in revenue in 2019.

Delivery Hero also filed a $47.5-million claim against Foodora during its bankruptcy proceedings, but agreed to drop that claim if the companys bankruptcy proposal was accepted by Canadian creditors.

The terms, which offered creditors 40 per cent of what they were owed, were approved in court last week.

In a statement to the Star, Delivery Hero spokesperson Melanie Bochmann said closing the multinational companys Canadian arm has not been an easy decision.

Our priority has always been to provide the best possible support to our office employees, riders and partners. Were glad to have reached a settlement, as it enables us to provide additional support to our riders during these unprecedented times, the statement said.

In 2018, Foodora also left Australia with unpaid debts after it was challenged in court over classifying couriers as independent contractors rather than employees.

Amid the pandemic, CUPW has also pressed the government to expand income supports to include gig workers  who have traditionally fallen through social safety nets because of their independent-contractor status. In August, Ottawa announced a new benefit for gig and contract workers who are not eligible for employment insurance.

The Stars six-part investigative podcast on Foodora and the future of the gig economy is available here
Two hurt in Pike

motorcycle crash

Two motorcyclists were hurt Friday in a crash on Interstate 72 in Pike County.

Sheriffs deputies were called at 7:05 p.m. to the east side of the Mark Twain Bridge and determined one motorcycle made contact with the rear of another, which caused both to crash.

Witnesses reported the motorcycles were speeding and passing vehicles in traffic, but the crash still is under investigation.

Garrett Smith, 24, of Barry was taken to Hannibal (Missouri) Regional Hospital for treatment. Patrick Silman, 36, of Barry was treated at the scene and released.



Morgan County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Jacob W. Mills, 29, of 604 Libby Lane was arrested at 9:46 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving under the influence, illegal possession or transportation of liquor by a driver, improper lane use and disregarding a traffic control device after a one-vehicle accident at Illinois Route 104 and Vandalia Street in Waverly.

OTHER REPORTS

 Deputies were called to Sheppard Cemetery at 5:11 p.m. Saturday after it was reported people were camping and needed to be removed.

Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Two juveniles  a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy  were issued citations for curfew violations after police were called at 3:59 a.m. Monday to a report of a large group of juveniles fighting in the 1000 block of North Fayette Street.

 Hanah M. Pullon, 20, of 524 S. East St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:38 p.m. Saturday on a retail theft charge.

 Melinda S. Pullon, 47, of 524 S. East St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:51 p.m. Saturday on a retail theft charge.

 A 12-year-old girl was cited on a curfew violation after police said she was in the 1000 block of North Fayette Street at 5:34 a.m. Monday. Police said charges of resisting or obstructing a peace officer are pending against several juveniles who were in the area but ran from police.

 Zachary D. Hallmark, 22, of Havana was arrested at 2:43 p.m. Monday on a Mason County warrant accusing him of theft and burglary.

THEFTS, BURGLARIES

 A bag of tobacco and a phone were taken during the past couple of months from a residence in the 800 block of Hoagland Boulevard, according to a report filed at 6:52 p.m. Sunday.

 A fraudulent credit card was used to buy two lawnmowers from a business in the 2200 block of West Morton Avenue, according to a report filed at 10:37 a.m. Monday.

VANDALISM

 Two cars sustained unspecified damage while parked in the 800 block of North Main Street, according to a report filed at 8:16 a.m. Monday.

OTHER REPORTS

 A tree fell on a car in the 300 block of West Douglas Avenue, causing damage, according to a report filed at 9:28 a.m. Monday.



Pike County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Dalton N. Brown, 28, of Perry was arrested at 4:15 p.m. Sunday on a charge of theft of a motor vehicle.

 Channon M. Pults, 38, of Pleasant Hill was arrested at 1:36 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving under the influence, failing to reduce speed and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

 Jonathan L. Hare, 25, of Pittsfield was arrested at 10:04 p.m. Friday on a domestic battery charge.

 William A. Watts, 35, of Summerfield was arrested at 1:42 p.m Friday on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

 Timothy J. Yarbrough, 31, of Quincy was arrested at 6:26 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of cannabis by a passenger in a motor vehicle, forgery and theft.

 Justin C. Allen, 25, of Pittsfield was arrested at 6:26 p.m. Wednesday on charges of resisting or obstructing a peace officer, forgery, possession of cannabis by a driver, having no valid registration, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and theft.

 Austin M. Sherfy, 29, of Barry was arrested at 10:45 a.m. Aug. 18 on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

Compiled by David C.L. Bauer
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Dr. Stephen M. Hahn, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, was accused of misrepresenting coronavirus (COVID-19) blood plasma treatment data touted by the Trump administration on Monday and later issued a correction on his statements concerning the statistics used to describe the effectiveness of the method.

The FDA announced Sunday that it has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for convalescent plasma  which has already been used in approximately 700,000 COVID-19 cases  to treat coronavirus patients.

President Donald Trump, who announced the decision during a White House press conference, called the treatment a powerful therapy, and his two top health officials, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II, and Hahn both said the treatment was effective in 35% of patients  a number that reportedly bewildered scientists.

The statistic was not mentioned in the FDAs EUA letter or the agencys official memo outlining the decision, and even the Mayo Clinic analysis frequently cited by the administration did not mention the data referenced on Sunday, the New York Times first reported.

The officials appeared to be referencing a small subgroup of hospitalized patients used in the Mayo Clinic study that were under 80 years old and also not on ventilators when they received high-level antibody treatment within three days of diagnosis, the Times reported.

The Mayo Clinic data does show a 22% death rate among a group of over-35,000 patients when given the treatment within three days of diagnosis and a 27% death rate when given four or more days after diagnosis.

Saying the data cited was an exploratory analysis, Dr. Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research in La Jolla, Calif., tweeted that claim was Not only blatantly wrong, but also an egregious public statement.

Dr. Robert Califf, who was FDA commissioner under President Barack Obama, tweeted that Hahn should correct his statement.

It would be good for Steve to publish a correction. I'm sure he meant to correctly state the translation from relative effect to absolute effect. @EricTopol @ScottGottliebMD @US_FDA https://t.co/AWEJaGDOkn  Robert M Califf (@califf001) August 24, 2020

Later in the evening, Hahn clarified the comments he made  saying the criticism he received was entirely justified.

I have been criticized for remarks I made Sunday night about the benefits of convalescent plasma, he wrote on Twitter. The criticism is entirely justified. What I should have said better is that the data show a relative risk reduction not an absolute risk reduction.

Instead of initially stating that the data showed a reduction of relative risk by comparing one group to another, Hahn conceded that his comments appeared to indicate an absolute reduction in risk as a result of the treatment.

Attempting to push away concerns that the decision to grant the EUA was swayed by politics, after the agency received heat from the White House when it was suggested delays by the FDA to approve vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 have been politically-motivated, Hahn said, The decision was made by FDA career scientists based on data submitted a few weeks ago.

Echoing sentiments he did express Sunday, Hahn added, The authorization of emergency use of convalescent plasma is not a final approval.

FDA will continue to monitor its use and will revoke authorization if needed, he said. We feel broader use of plasma will truly benefit many patients but will require further study.
ODESSA -- Pride Center West Texas has been a dream project come true for Bryan and Clint Wilson. The couple moved to Odessa from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to start the center that serves the LGBTQ plus community in West Texas.

The center, at 1330 E. 8th St., Suite 324, opened its doors last month and hosts events and group meetings and is home to multiple LGBT-plus organizations in the area.

Its been a dream that we have had for a while, said Clint, director of programming. This is Bryans hometown, and hes always had the idea that he would like to come back. We decided that now is a great time to get the ball rolling.

The couple made a leap of faith before seeing what the climate was like for LGBTQ-plus people in West Texas, said Bryan, who is executive director and co-facilitator for the Queer Black and Brown Group. He said they were surprised by how much work people have done in the community.

We found out that we had not one, not two, not three, but four or five different partner groups and other nonprofits who had been doing outreach with parents and family members of LGBTQ people, Bryan said.

He said the area also has groups focusing on trans services and mental health as well as political organizations for those who are uncompromising when it comes to being inclusive to the LGBTQ-plus community. There also are West Texas Pride and Basin Pride organizations that had to cancel their in-person events this year because of the pandemic.

There wasnt even a path for us that was made, Bryan said. It was like there was a nice cushy fluffy bed where we could land and plant ourselves.

Bryan said the centers two primary objectives are facilitating discussion groups and providing one-on-one consultations to connect people with medical care, civil rights attorneys or other needs they might have.

How to get connected: Connect through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PrideCenterWT/

Check out events at https://www.pridecenterwt.org/ --- The mission of Pride Center West Texas is to improve the lives of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) minorities through the provision of safe gathering spaces, educational offerings and social services that prioritize those who identify as LGBTQN+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, nonbinary and others), according to its website. See More Collapse

Shavonica Meyer, who works with PFLAG and Basin Pride and is a Pride Center West Texas board member, said the center has provided PFLAG with a home.

It will be nice to have a private space, she said. We usually meet in a hotel, which is very kind of them to allow us space, but sometimes we have to meet in the lobby, which some people will just leave if that happens.

PFLAG was the first group to make Pride Center West Texas its official home, Bryan said.

The Wilsons donated the funds to open the center and said they are committed to give out-of-pocket to cover monthly expenses for the center for as long as it takes to get more funding from the West Texas community. They own a consulting company working with local businesses and serve as adjunct professors at Odessa College in the school of business and industry.

One of the great things about this center is that we get to include the youth; its not a bar environment, said Midlander Chris McLain, co facilitator for the youth group that will meet weekly at the center. Its always going to be an environment that is for them.



Clint Wilson, who grew up in South Carolina, said the center will have a TV with an Xbox for the youth to use and they will start a library with books written by LGBTQ-plus authors.

It will have that community-center, drop-in hangout feel, specifically for that safe-space feeling they can come and hang around with like-minded people, he said. It is for people who dont just want to come hang out at the bar.

Midlander Courtney Ratliff, a co-facilitator for the Queer Black and Brown Group, said it is refreshing to have a place that isnt alcohol-related.

That is especially valuable for our youth, he said. So often we are talking about creating environments for our youth; however, we dont really create an environment for our youth. That is what this center will allow us to do: provide a safe space for the youth of the Permian Basin to be who they are.

Clint said he and Bryan grew up in areas that didnt have resources for gay youth or adults. He added that having a space that isnt centered around alcohol is beneficial. After seeing the effects of addiction in South Florida where addiction recovery is an ongoing project for many in Fort Lauderdale, they wanted to provide a safe substance-free space.

Midlander Daniel Van Nice, board member and facilitator for Bi and Pansexual Group, said the space will help bring LGBTQ-plus people together from all over the area.

When I spoke to them (the Wilsons) on the phone, I told them its like a rainbow oasis ... Theres so many people in our community that are LGBTQ and dont have anywhere to go, he said. There is nothing like this here. We have PFLAG, Out in West Texas and Basin Pride, but I feel like we have all been so scattered.

Ratliff said a center to bring the LGBTQ plus community together is necessary during this time.

Were all working toward the same goals, he said. Its great that we can finally get together and actually work together toward commonalities and not be the splintered little groups amongst ourselves.

Clint said he hopes the center is a launching point for other LGBTQ plus groups and organizations in the community.

We really hope that were an inspiration, but we dont want to be gatekeepers to everything gay in West Texas, he said. We want to be supportive of everything going on and anything that might happen in the future.

Bryan said the center provides resources to individuals who have been looking for a platform for themselves. The center will be hosting in-person programming with mandatory masks, temperature checks and social distancing measures being practiced. But they also will be hosting online programming for people uncomfortable with going out during the pandemic, he said.

The center has a Trans Voice Therapy Group, which started meeting at the end of July.

It is huge to have a speech therapist who will be providing that service for free to community members, Bryan said. They just have to contact us to sign up.

He said they have started work with local schools and colleges and have developed training for guidance counselors in Odessa schools.

Schools are going to be a big one, he said. We are meeting with three teachers who want to begin work on a Gay Straight Alliance Summit.

Bryan said they will be hosting a queer Bible study with local religious leaders. He said the center isnt a Christian organization, but people can bring their religion with them instead of feeling the need to separate the two.

I would love to have 16 gay nonprofits in West Texas, he said. We will help that happen. We dont operate in a scarcity of mentality, so we believe in empowering and trying to provide resources for people.

Ratliff said the first challenge is just letting LGBTQ folks know that there is a safe space in the area for them. He said people who arent normally included in the conversation or brought to the table will benefit from the center because they can create their own groups within the space as well.

Once we meet that challenge, I think the potential is tremendous, he said. Thats what excites me and makes me want to be part of this effort.
Trump was formally nominated for a second term in the White House during the Republican Convention Monday.

In the Republican Convention was a scaled-down group of delegates gathered for a roll-call vote at the Charlotte Convention Center. After which, Trump's nomination was formally announced.

The theme of the Republican Convention was "Honoring the Great American Story." It highlights "the promise and greatness of America," reported ABC News Go.

It also puts a spotlight on Trump's "leadership and what he has planned for the future," a campaign official said.

Each night has a sub-theme. For Monday, it was "Land of Promise."

Al Jazeera said in a report that only 336 delegates were gathered in the convention for the roll call to nominate Trump. Earlier in the day, the delegates nominated Vice President Mike Pence.

In the 2016 election, there were 2,400 delegates for the Republican convention.

Trump Welcomed with Supportive Cheers

According to Yahoo News, Trump was welcomed by the crowd chanting, "Four more years!" to which he said, "Now, if you want to really drive them crazy, you say 12 more years."

One Trump supporter, 26-year-old Charlie Kirk said he was speaking in his own capacity as a 26-year old. He runs the pro-American student organization Turning Point USA.

"I am here tonight to tell you -- to warn you -- that this election is a decision between preserving America as we know it, and eliminating everything that we love," he said.

He said many may not realize it at the time but he believes Trump is the "bodyguard of western civilization."

Kirk added that he believes Trump is "elected to protect" the Americans' families and loved ones. "President Trump was elected to defend and strengthen the American way of life," he said.

Trump Slams Democrats

According to NBC News, Trump first promised that the focus of the Republican Convention was a more positive and upbeat vision for the county. Then, he opened his speech as newly selected nominee.

Trump opened his speech with attacks on the Democratic Party and their push to expand access to mail-in ballots amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the Democrats are trying to "steal the election" and told those in the convention to not "let them take it away."

In a statement to Fox News, the Biden campaign slammed this claim. The party also said Trump had no "coherent strategy" in handling the pandemic.

Vice President also spoke in front of the convention. He told supporters that the country needs four more years of Trump in the White House.

Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates told Fox that Trump's statements for the coming week are the "last thing" that Americans need to hear. He said the president will simply deliver "more desperate, wild-eyed lies and toxic division in vain attempts to distract from his mismanagement."

He claimed there won't be any word about American families who need urgent help and are looking for ways to defeat the pandemic.

Trump defended his office's response to the virus, though. He said they are fighting a horrible thing that was "delivered by China."

He vowed that the county isn't going to forget it, adding that the U.S. will "do better economically" than last year.

Check these out!

Here's What To Watch On The First Night of Republican National Convention

Kellyanne Conway Announces White House Departure to Focus on Family

Trump Grants Emergency Authorization of Convalescent Plasma Treatment for COVID-19
President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans opened their national convention on Monday by painting a dire portrait of America if Democrat Joe Biden wins the White House in November, arguing he will usher in an era of radical socialism. Trump set the tone early in the day when he addressed Republican delegates in Charlotte, North Carolina, after formally securing the party's nomination for another term, and claimed without evidence that Democrats were trying to steal the election.

Republicans had vowed to offer an inspiring, positive message in contrast to what they characterized as a dark and gloomy Democratic convention last week. But the first night's prime-time program featured speakers who peppered their remarks with ominous predictions if Democrats win power. "They'll disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home and invite MS-13 to live next door," U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, one of Trump's staunchest backers in Congress, said, referring to an international criminal gang.

The four-day convention got under way at a critical juncture for Trump, who trails Biden in national opinion polls during a pandemic that has killed here more than 176,000 Americans, erased millions of jobs and eroded the president's standing with voters.

Trump has focused on a "law and order" message in response to widespread protests following the police killing of George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis, and he has pushed schools and businesses to reopen despite the pandemic. Both messages represent the campaign's effort to win back suburban voters, especially women, who have abandoned the Republican Party in droves during the Trump era.

Also read: US elections: Joe Biden accepts presidential nomination; seeks Democratic, national solidarity in speech

Donald Trump Jr., the president's oldest son, portrayed the ongoing civil unrest as violent assaults on small businesses by anarchists and said Democrats would fail to keep neighborhoods safe. The convention's opening night also laid out what promises to be a central theme of the week: that Biden, a former vice president, and his running mate, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, will merely be puppets of radical left-wing activists.

Multiple speakers accused Biden of wanting to defund the police and ban fracking, though he has rejected both positions. Another frenetic day for Trump threatened to overshadow his attempt to recalibrate the campaign, however. In Washington, congressional Democrats examined U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump donor, over whether he was deliberately sabotaging mail service to harm voting by mail, while one of Trump's closest advisers, Kellyanne Conway, prepared to depart the White House.

The New York attorney general's investigation into Trump's family business deepened on Monday, while the National Guard was deployed in Wisconsin following unrest after a Black man was shot in the back by police. A Reuters investigation revealed a sex scandal involving evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr., a high-profile Trump supporter, whose tenure at the Christian university he runs appeared in limbo.

Also read: US Presidential Elections 2020: Democrats nominate Joe Biden to take on Donald Trump

TRUMP ON THE ATTACK

Earlier in the day, the president repeated his assertion that voting by mail, a long-standing feature of American elections expected to be far more common during the coronavirus pandemic, will lead to widespread fraud. Independent election security experts say voter fraud is extraordinarily rare in the United States.

As he has done repeatedly, Trump described states' responses to infections of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, in starkly partisan terms, casting lockdowns and other steps recommended by public health officials as attempts to influence voting in November. "What they're doing is using COVID to steal an election," Trump said. "They're using COVID to defraud the American people - all of our people - of a fair and free election."

During the prime-time program, the party aired a video praising Trump for his handling of the pandemic, after Democrats spent much of their convention attacking his administration for an uneven response. Medical professionals and small-business owners credited Trump with saving lives and livelihoods.

Also read: Elected US President because Barack Obama did 'such a bad job': Donald Trump

But during a prerecorded appearance at the White House, where Trump spoke with several essential workers including some frontline health workers, none of the participants wore masks, which has become a partisan flashpoint despite recommendations from epidemiologists that masks can slow the disease's spread.

The night showcased some of the party's diverse members to try to appeal beyond Trump's largely white base, including Senator Tim Scott, the lone Black Republican in the Senate, and Nikki Haley, Trump's former ambassador to the United Nations, who is Indian American. "In much of the Democratic Party, it's now fashionable to say that America is racist," said Haley, who is widely seen as a possible future presidential contender. "That is a lie. America is not a racist country."

Also read: For Trump, presidency means 'watching TV', 'zapping people on social media': Bill Clinton

But the program also featured speakers seemingly aimed at firing up Trump's base, including Mark and Patricia McCloskey, a couple from St. Louis who drew national attention for brandishing guns at Black Lives Matter protesters who marched past their home. As befits the first president who starred in his own reality television show, the four-night event will focus heavily on Trump himself. While his acceptance speech will not come until Thursday, when he will address Republicans from the White House, Trump plans to appear each night, and several members of his family were due to deliver prime-time speeches.

In contrast to the Democratic convention, which featured three former presidents, the Republican event does not include former Republican President George W. Bush, who has declined to endorse Trump's reelection. Biden, 77, and his fellow Democrats portrayed Trump, 74, as a force for darkness, chaos and incompetence during their convention, while stressing the Democrats' diversity and values like empathy and unity."
New Delhi: Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to give a statesman like message by recalling the verdict convicting him for the contempt of the court for his two tweets against the judiciary.

Attorney General K K Venugopal also asked the bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra to forgive Bhushan, who has been refusing to tender unconditional apology for the tweets.

He said Bhushan should withdraw all statements and express regret.

The bench, which on August 20 had granted time till Monday to Bhushan to reconsider his defiant statement and tender unconditional apology for the contemptuous tweets, concluded hearing on the quantum of punishment to be awarded to the activist lawyer.

Though Attorney General suggested reprimand but that will be extreme. Don''t make Prashant Bhushan a martyr. Don''t do it. He has not committed murder or theft, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for Bhushan, submitted before the bench, also comprising Justices B R Gavai and Krishna Murari.

Referring to the supplementary statement tendered by Bhushan, his lawyer said that not only this case be closed but even the controversy has come to an end and there should be a statesman like message from the top court.

I make two suggestions. The convicting judgement should be recalled and no sentence should be imposed. I am making a statement on my client''s behalf, Dhavan said.

Referring to Bhushan''s statements and his refusal to apologise, the bench asked Venugopal that mistakes were committed by all but they needed to be accepted and said that here Bhushan was not willing to accept that.

We have to be respectful to each other and tolerant. We are not separate from you (lawyers). We have also come from the bar. We are open to criticism but we cannot go in public, the bench said during the hearing.

Justice Mishra, who is demitting office on September 2, said that judges cannot go to the press to speak their mind.

We are not carrying prejudice against anyone. Don''t think we are not tolerating criticism. There are several contempt petitions pending but tell us has he been punished ever. It is painful to see such things happening at the time when I am demitting office, Justice Mishra said.

The court, which granted 30 minutes to Bhushan to ''think over'' his stand of not expressing regret over his tweets, later sought views of Dhavan on the punishment to be awarded to Bhushan in the contempt case.

Dhavan said he did not support Venugopal''s view that Bhushan be reprimanded as it will be an extreme punishment and moreover, he has not committed any murder or theft and any such punishment will make him a martyr.

Taking note of Bhushan''s refusal to apologise, the bench commented as to what is wrong in apologising, is this word so bad.

Venugopal said that judges were the third party in this case against whom the alleged statements have been made and the court has not heard them.

Why are such allegations being made in the first place, the bench asked.

Judges cannot defend themselves, the bench observed and said that it is the Attorney General who will have to protect the system.

Reprimanding like ''don''t do it again will not be correct, Venugopal said.

Earlier in the day, the court granted 30 minutes to Bhushan to reconsider his stand after the Attorney General sought forgiveness for the activist-lawyer.

He had refused to offer an apology to the Supreme Court for his two tweets against the judiciary, saying what he expressed represented his bona fide belief which he continued to hold.

"Bhushan says the Supreme Court has collapsed, is it not objectionable," asked the bench.

The court can speak through orders only and even in his affidavit, Bhushan has made disparaging remarks against the judiciary, the bench said.

The court should warn him and take a compassionate view, Venugopal told the bench.

When Bhushan does not think he did anything wrong then what is the point of giving him advice to not repeating it, the bench said.

"A person should realize his mistake, we gave Bhushan time but he says he will not apologize," it said.

The apex court on August 14 had held Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt for his two derogatory tweets against the judiciary saying they cannot be said to be a fair criticism of the functioning of the judiciary made in the public interest.

He faces simple imprisonment of up to six months or with a fine of up to Rs 2,000 or with both as punishment.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The NYPD is seeking the publics assistance in identifying multiple individuals sought for questioning in connection to a citywide robbery pattern that has netted over $700,000 worth of stolen property in just over one month and targeted six Staten Island establishments.

The NYPD was initially seeking the individuals for questioning after three robberies that took place in Brooklyn between June 5, 2020 and July 2, 2020 garnered tens of thousands of dollars worth of electronics and other items, according to a written statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

Now, pursuant to an ongoing investigation, police said the individuals were involved in an additional 41 incidents between July 8, 2020 and Aug. 17, 2020, resulting in over $700,000 worth of property being stolen.

The incidents span Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island precincts and involved the individuals forcing entry into various business establishments, including cell phone stores, liquor stores, eyeglass stores, beauty supply stores and grocery stores, the NYPD statement said.

Once inside, ATMs, merchandise, cash and lottery tickets were removed, according to police.

On Staten Island, police said the group first broke into a T-Mobile store, located on Naughton Ave. in Dongan Hills, on July 28, and got away with $550.

The same day, the group attempted to gain entry to a restaurant and jewelry store located within a strip of establishments at 2626 Hylan Blvd., in New Dorp, according to an NYPD spokesman. While they did not gain entry, police said it appeared the group spray-painted cameras at the location.

Less than two weeks later, three separate liquor stores on the South Shore had merchandise stolen on the same day, according to police.

The group first targeted a location within the Woodrow Village plaza on Aug. 9 and fled the location with multiple bottles of alcohol. Then, they headed over to two other liquor stores, located in strips of establishments at 27 Seguine Ave. and 1000 Rossville Ave., before fleeing with additional booze.

The NYPD provided surveillance photos and videos of the individuals sought for questioning.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are kept strictly confidential.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the virtual third Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Leaders Meeting on August 24 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the virtual third Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Leaders Meeting on August 24, together with high-ranking leaders from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and China.



Themed "Enhancing Partnership for Shared Prosperity", the meeting reviewed the MLCs recent cooperation and discussed orientations to promote its collaboration in the coming period.



Regarding the cooperation results, the leaders highlighted important progress made since the second Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Leaders Meeting such as progress in cooperation in Mekong River water management, including the organization of the first Ministerial Meeting of Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation, and the initiation of cooperation between the MLC and the Mekong River Commission. More than 300 technical assistance projects have been implemented with the support of the MLC Special Fund while the Mekong Research Centre and specialised cooperation centres were established.



Regarding the future cooperation orientations, the leaders reaffirmed their determination to jointly build a MLC region of peace, stability, sustainable development and prosperity; and agreed to promote cooperation on three specific pillars.



On security - politics, the countries agreed to maintain high-level exchanges; strengthen dialogue between political parties, parliarments, governments and localities; and promote cooperation in solving non-traditional security issues and in public health to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and restore economic growth. The meeting welcomed China's proposal to establish the MLC Special Fund for public health to support the regional countries response to the pandemic and the health sector later.



In terms of economy and sustainable development, the MLC countries will promote regional connectivity in both hard and soft infrastructure; facilitate investment trade and public-private cooperation; step up cooperation in rural development and poverty reduction, development of digital economy and science-technology, management and sustainable use of water resources in the Mekong River, environment and biopersity protection.



Regarding culture - society and people-to-people exchange, they will implement educational cooperation activities and training programmes to develop high-quality human resources that meet market demand in the era of the fourth Industrial Revolution; while promoting tourism cooperation and cultural exchange.



They also agreed to make more effective use of the MLC Special Fund and improve the quality and practicality of the project, thereby bringing pragmatic benefits to the people of the six countries.



The leaders spent much time discussing cooperation in the management and use of water resources in the Mekong River. They agreed that in the face of the increasingly serious impacts of climate change, riparian countries should further promote the sharing of hydrological data of river basins, conduct joint research and policy dialogue, manage floods and droughts, and closely coordinate with the Mekong River Commission.



Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China is ready to share the year-round hydrological data of the Lancang River, which is a section of the Mekong River flowing through the Chinese territory, and wishes to discuss the building of a channel sharing hydrological data between Mekong-Lancang countries and the implementation of joint cooperation projects on flood and natural disaster warning.



Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highlighted the criteria that the MLC needs to ensure to successfully realise the set objectives for a MLC region of peace, prosperity and sustainable development. They are cooperation on the basis of trust, sincere, and frank and friendly relations; ensuring the principles of equality, consensus, mutual benefit, and respect for international law; and taking people-centered and sustainable development as a consistent content.



He stressed the need to attach importance to finding solutions to common challenges and ensuring the legitimate interests of the member countries.



The MLCs activities must be conducted on the basis of promoting the strengths of the member countries, he said, adding that the regional countries should work harmoniously with ASEAN and other Mekong cooperation mechanisms.



In the context of the region facing unprecedented challenges, the PM emphasised that the MLC should focus on cooperation to minimise the negative effects of the COVID-19 and prevent disruptions in the supply chain, as well as to meet the production and business needs of enterprises.



They need to share information on and experience in COVID-19 prevention and control in a regular, timely and transparent manner; and promote cooperation in vaccine production and facilitate vaccine access, Phuc said.



The country should also cooperate in the use and management of Mekong River water resources and seek long-term solutions to the sustainable development of the basin; share year-round hydrological information and data; strengthen the network of automatic water resources monitoring stations; consolidate natural disaster forecasting and warning systems; and coordinate with the Mekong River Commission and international partners.



At the end of the meeting, the leaders of the six member countries adopted the Vientiane Declaration and witnessed the transfer of the role of MLC co-chair from Laos to Myanmar.
As Congress works to help airports, transit systems and other transportation services impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority and the American Association of Port Authorities, or AAPA, believe its crucial seaports also get the resources necessary to deal with the unprecedented financial, personnel, infrastructure and supply challenges imposed by this crisis. With only modest federal relief, the ability of Americas ports to continue delivering the goods you rely on will be bolstered.

Due to the pandemic this year, AAPA projects direct job losses at Americas seaports of about 130,000. Thats 20 percent of the U.S. maritime workforce, which, at full employment, supports an additional 30 million jobs nationwide. Most big U.S. ports will experience cargo volume declines ranging from 20 percent to 30 percent. Of course, ports that specialize in moving hard-hit cargoes like steel and automobiles, or depend on tourism dollars are particularly vulnerable.

In 2018, cargo activities at Americas seaports generated $5.4 trillion, representing a quarter of the U.S. economy. Those cargo revenues created $378 billion in federal, state and local taxes. Additionally, Americas tourism ports attracted 13 million international cruisegoers, whose spending created $53 billion in business revenue nationwide and generated wages, salaries and taxes exceeding $23 billion.

The Port of Corpus Christi is responsible for $150 billion of economic activity for the United States, as well as $20 billion for Texas. It also generates more than $353 million in local and state taxes, while providing more than 80,000 jobs. But the port has seen the impacts of COVID-19 over the past few months.

Beginning in April, the Port of Corpus Christi has seen consistent month-to-month declines, with the second quarter showing a nearly 13 percent drop in overall tonnage. The effects brought about by this decline in revenue have resulted in the port and its customers reevaluating scheduled capital projects. This is intended to navigate the financial uncertainty ahead. But it also means delaying necessary infrastructure improvements designed to facilitate more commerce and economic growth when it is needed most.

Now facing significant cargo and passenger declines, and added costs for cleaning, sanitation, personal protection equipment and related supplies, Americas seaports are requesting federal assistance. This isnt about replacing lost revenue. Its about maintaining a state of readiness to make good on bond and other debt payments, and keep our workforce employed to the fullest extent possible.

To aid the seaport industrys coronavirus response and recovery efforts, AAPA and the Port of Corpus Christi are urging Congress to provide $1.5 billion in direct grants to help ports cover operations, equipment and infrastructure costs and debt service expenses. Were also asking that any future aid packages be available to local authorities of any size, including ports, and that legislation provide payroll tax credits to cover personnel sick and family medical leave.

An April 2020 report prepared for the U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System shows increasing port-related transportation infrastructure investments above a business-as-usual scenario will deliver higher levels of GDP, create more jobs, increase incomes, improve trade performance and raise productivity.

Every day, seaports like the Port of Corpus Christi are delivering critical goods and materials in the fight against COVID-19. Were also ensuring consumer goods get to the doorsteps of countless millions of Americans who are safely working from home.

Policymakers cannot overlook our nations ports in this pandemic. Now, more than ever, Congress must deliver modest relief to these important gateways to our nations future.

Sean C. Strawbridge is CEO of the Port of Corpus Christi. Chris Connor is CEO and president of the American Association of Port Authorities.
CWC: Sibal, Tharoor meet at Azads house

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 25: A day after the meeting of the Congress Working Committee some of the 23 leaders who had dashed off a letter to Sonia have held a meeting.

PTI reported that some of the leaders including Shashi Tharoor, Kapil Sibal met at the residence of Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday evening. Sibal, tweeted a while ago, " it is not about a post. It is about my country which matters most.'

Suspended Congress leader, Sanjay Jha took to Twitter and said ,' this is just the end of the beginning.'

After Sibal, Ghulam Nabi Azad clarifies on offer to resign at Congress meet

The Congress Working Committee on Monday urged Sonia Gandhi to continue as its interim chief till an AICC session can be convened and authorised her to effect necessary organisational changes to deal with the challenges facing the party.

At an over seven-hour long meeting, which took place in the backdrop of more than 20 party leaders seeking an immediate organisational overhaul and a collective leadership, Gandhi is said to have offered to quit but was requested by the party's top decision-making panel with over 50 members to stay on.

Usain Bolt tests Covid-19 positive, Chris Gayle was at his party | Oneindia News

Announcing the resolution passed by the CWC, the party's General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal later said at a press conference that the CWC unanimously requested Gandhi to continue to "lead the Indian National Congress until such time as circumstances will permit an AICC session to be convened."

The CWC also authorised her to effect necessary organisational changes to take on various challenges before the party.

The party further said the CWC unanimously resolved to strengthen hands of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in every possible way, while it also made it clear no one will be permitted to undermine or weaken the party and its leadership.

CWC: After seven hours, Congress was back to square one

The CWC also resolved that inner-party issues cannot be deliberated through media or in public fora and all such issues must be raised within the party "in the interest of propriety and discipline".

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Tuesday, August 25, 2020, 10:11 [IST]
Istanbul's mayoral race was held twice in 2019, and opposition candidate Ekrem Imamoglu won both times. Fast forward from June 27, 2019  the day Imamoglu, from the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), accepted the position of mayor  to August 2020, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proudly announced the conversion to mosques of both the Hagia Sophia and the Chora Museum.

The Islamization of Istanbul continues as conservative Erdogan supporters enthusiastically cheer for the reconquest of the city with each new mosque announcement. Pro-government media ridicules how the West cannot accept the loss of the Hagia Sophia or Istanbul. As television crews interviewed people waiting to attend Friday prayers on the day of the opening of Hagia Sophia as a mosque, one middle-aged man passionately said, Today, we took Istanbul back.

Even before Imamoglu assumed the mayors seat, it was an open secret that Erdogan intended to curtail the powers of municipal leaders. But the extent of usurpation having reached this level this quick was unfathomable. Al-Monitor spoke with both Justice and Development Party (AKP) and CHP members of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM).

The AKP holds the majority in the IMMs city council. It has 39 smaller municipalities, and 24 of those belong to the AKP. The IMMs budget and revenues are a critical source of income, and the AKP is not willing to let it go. Istanbul accounts for 31% of the national gross domestic product.

Since June 2019, Erdogan has either generated decrees to return the metropolitan municipalities' powers to the ministries, or the AKP-led IMM city council has managed to take over the decision-making power. The IMM has not been the only target, as Ankara has even questioned mayors who tried to distribute free bread in the first days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Max Erdemandi, a researcher at the University of Maryland, told Al-Monitor, For Erdogan, making the 2019 local elections a referendum on his legacy was a huge mistake. He is now caught in a spiral of bad decisions that not only creates many obstacles that prevent Imamoglu from implementing effective governance but further tarnishes Erdogans image as well.

IMM media relations coordinator Sukru Kucuksahin told Al-Monitor that Imamoglu is still awaiting an appointment to meet with the president.

However, Ankara seems determined to block Imamoglu from reaching any of his goals. For example, Imamoglu has expressed he is adamantly against Erdogans mega project Canal Istanbul, an artificial waterway that would link the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara to bypass the vulnerable Bosporus Strait. Imamoglu explained the potential dangers of the project based on scientific data on earthquake safety, economic burden and ecological threats. On Aug. 19, the IMM posted signs all around the city with the slogan that the choice was between Istanbul or the Canal. Police took down all the billboards after midnight. This sort of action by the police would normally require a court order.

The results of the governments power grabs concerning municipal matters became evident. On Aug. 12, Turkey was shocked to see workers drilling the stone walls of 14th-century Galata Tower, as IMM bureaucrats tried to stop the renovation. Back in May, after months of legal battles, iconic Galata Towers property rights were transferred to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A similar process has been followed for different historic sites; for example, the Chora Monasterys museum status was abolished in November 2019, and it was transferred to the Religious Affairs Directorate in July 2020.

The IMM also tried to preserve two historic icons of the city: the Sirkeci and the Haydarpasa train stations. There was a tender under the state railways to rent the idle storage facilities, but with rather scabious justifications, the IMMs bid was eliminated. Instead, a former employee of the IMM, Huseyin Avni Onder, won the bid. Onder is the former chairman of the Archers Foundation (Okcular Vakfi). Erdogans younger son, Bilal Erdogan, serves on the board. The foundation received millions of dollars of financial support from the IMM before Imamoglus electoral victory.

In November 2019, the IMMs AKP-majority city council decided to transfer the metropolitan municipalities lands, along with buildings and businesses on those lands, to the smaller municipalities where the AKP had won.

"The IMMs revenues declined during the pandemic. So Imamoglu sought permission to borrow 4.2 billion liras ($575 million) for the city, but only 648 million liras ($89 million) was granted by the AKP-led IMM city council, said Kucuksahin.

A member of the IMM city council speaking on the condition of anonymity said this money was allowed so that AKP-friendly contractors could be paid for the debt accrued before Imamoglu became mayor.

In July 2020, 565 million liras ($76.5 million) reserved in a bank account for the construction of a new metro was confiscated to pay for the debts accumulated during the AKP era. These are only a few of the unprecedented punitive actions taken against the IMM. The central government's power grab aims to thwart Imamoglus reelection prospects and restore a significant amount of income for the AKP's decades-long clientelism.

The opposition has won the electoral battle, but can they win the war against the central government? Indeed, some neighborhoods set the example of what the IMM is up against after all. The Beyoglu district is home to Istiklal Avenue, which used to be one of the most popular spots for tourists and gatherings. This is where Gezi Park protests originated as well as several other historic marches. The AKP delivered on its promise to clean Beyoglu. Shopkeepers became the perfunctory vigilantes against protesters.

Now, Kadikoy is going through a similar transformation. In July, the shopkeepers attacked a group of youth activists who were commemorating the victims of a terrorist attack. A real estate agent who has been in Kadikoy for two decades told Al-Monitor there was increased pressure on real estate agents and building owners to rent spaces to the native and national people, meaning pro-government people. Then there is pressure on the existing shopkeepers to hire pro-government people. Financial inspectors keep writing fines and left-leaning shopkeepers leave the district, he added.

Last years electoral victories and Erdogans decreasing approval ratings in the polls give the opposition enthusiasm. Erdogan was able to use the IMMs mayoral post as a stepping stone to power. Replicating his model to success no longer seems possible.

The AKP removed most mayors and council members from the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party in Kurdish cities. In the West, their titles remain intact. But their municipal power is decimated, and they cannot even hang posters on their own billboards. Just like Kurdish signs are removed regularly, so are the Turkish ones if the AKP doesnt approve.

These repeated injuries are taken to the courts, only to confirm who really holds absolute political power. Ballot box victories may no longer be sufficient to challenge Erdogans imperial powers.
Lumbering on: A forklift loaded with softwood lumber at a sawmill in Chertsey, Quebec. Photo: Christinne Muschi/Bloomberg

Canada largely won a case before the World Trade Organization (WTO) yesterday in a long-running dispute with the United States over US duties imposed on Canadian softwood lumber exports.

A three-person panel determined that the duties, designed to counter Canadian subsidies, breached global trading rules because Washington had not shown that many prices paid by Canadian firms for timber on government-owned lands were artificially low.

The US industry has complained for decades that Canadian rivals benefit from provincial government subsidies, allowing them to sell their wood for less.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer criticised the ruling, saying it prevented the US from taking legitimate action against Canadian subsidies.

The lumber dispute dates back to the 1980s and has included a previous round of WTO cases lasting from 2001 to 2006.
US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo on Monday met UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab where the two leaders discussed shared foreign policy priorities.

"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab today in Jerusalem, Israel," US State Department said.

"Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Secretary Raab discussed shared foreign policy priorities, including President Trump's Vision for Peace. The Secretary and the Foreign Secretary also discussed coordination on countering Iran's destabilizing influence in the region," it added.

Pompeo on Monday met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and discussed efforts to "address Iranian malign influence in the region", shared challenges to the US and Israel's face, and the benefit of the Abraham Accords.

"We talked about chances for our countries to work together as the whole world tries to push back against this virus that came from Wuhan, China, and I'm confident there are places which our medical systems and pharmaceutical companies will build out a good solution to keep Israelis, Americans, and people all across the world safer and healthier in the weeks and months ahead," said Pompeo during a presser.

Under a historic agreement earlier this month, Israel and the UAE agreed to full diplomatic ties including the mutual establishment of embassies and beginning of open trading. Israel said it would halt its plans to formally annexe parts of the West Bank.

Pompeo is on a five-day Middle-East trip that will also take him to Sudan, Bahrain and the UAE.

-ANI

Also Read: US-China chief trade negotiators hold telephonic talks to discuss implementation of Phase One agreement
Evening Standard

The Covid self-isolation period has been cut to five days, following an announcement by Health Secretary Sajid Javid. The announcement, on January 13, means people can leave isolation at the start of day six, subject to two negative lateral flow tests taken a day apart, with the first of these tests being no sooner than day five. It comes after changes which means Britons who are asymptomatic who return a positive lateral flow test will no longer need to get a confirmatory PCR test.
Bajaj Finance was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying over 4 per cent, followed by SBI, Tech Mahindra, Asian Paints, Bajaj Finserv, IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank and M&M.

Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty closed in the green for the third straight session on Tuesday, propelled by financial stocks amid firm global cues.

After a choppy session, the BSE index ended 44.80 points or 0.12 per cent higher at 38,843.88.

The NSE Nifty inched up 5.80 points or 0.05 per cent to close at 11,472.25.

Bajaj Finance was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying over 4 per cent, followed by SBI, Tech Mahindra, Asian Paints, Bajaj Finserv, IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank and M&M.

On the other hand, NTPC, Sun Pharma, Nestle India, Tata Steel and L&T were among the laggards.

Traders said despite a largely positive trend in global equities, domestic investors were cautious amid lack of directional cues.

Bourses in Tokyo and Seoul ended with gains, while Shanghai and Hong Kong finished in the red.

In the forex market, the rupee ended on a flat note at 74.33 against the US dollar.Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the Reserve Bank of India said it will conduct simultaneous purchase and sale of government securities under Open Market Operations (OMO) for an aggregate amount of Rs 20,000 crore in two tranches.
KAMPALA  President Museveni has aimed a cheeky dig at the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, saying he almost he got a heart attack when I captured a big fish (Sara Kanyike) from my old party (DP).

Mr. Museveni poked fun at Lukwago in brief statement on social media as his former deputy Lord Mayor Kanyike was sworn in as State Minister for Disabilities and Elderly at State House on Monday afternoon.

I want to express sympathy to my son Lukwago (Erias) who almost got a heart attack because because I captured a big fish from my old party (DP), Museveni wrote.

Museveni also hit out at Lukwago saying that he is happy with people like Ms. Kanyike who put the problems of the people ahead of party differences.

Lord Mayor Lukwago responded to Mr. Musevenis cheeky comments with only two lines  Imagine! Mujooja, he said on top of a screenshot of the Presidents post.

Mr Lukwago had implored Ms Kanyike to reject Musevenis appointment but Ms. Kanyike took up job.

President Museveni had in May nominated Ms Kanyike as director for gender, community service and production in the new changes at KCCA that also brought in Ms Dorothy Kisaka as executive director, replacing Engineer Andrew Kitaka who had acted since December 2018.

Other appointments included Dr Daniel Okello Ayen, who was confirmed as the director of public health and environment, and Ms Grace Akullo the new director of human resource and administration.

Related
Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged on Tuesday that the number of deaths happening in West Bengal due to COVID-19 is being under-

reported.

He alleged that private hospitals in the state are hiding" COVID-19 deaths, fearing that patients would avoid those establishments if the cause of the fatalities are reported.

The state government is underreporting deaths caused due to COVID-19, there is no proper mechanism in the rural areas to ascertain whether a person has died of coronavirus infection or some other disease," he said in a video message.

COVID-19 is not a political issue but one that is affecting the lives of everyone, Chowdhury said, asking the people of the state to take precautions.

People are also hiding symptoms of COVID-19 fearing that they or their family members will be stigmatised," he said.

Chowdhury, the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, also alleged that reasons for the death of a person are not being given in rural hospitals.

Panchayat pradhans issue death certificates in many villages of West Bengal and most of the panchayats in the state are held by the ruling party," he claimed.

Medical certificates for the cause of death are not given in most non-urban areas of the state, leading to under-reporting of deaths due to COVID-19," he said.
West Bengal: Fishermen observe fewer shrimp and fish deaths by pollution this year

by Namrata Acharya

August 25,2020 | Source: Mongabay

Around mid-April, when Siddik Mollah, a fisherman at a village called Boyarmari, located in the district of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, found that day-by-day shrimps were growing unhindered on his Bheri (embanked water body with shallow water), he was pleasantly surprised. By the end of April, Mollahs Bheri had a healthy population of shrimp. Yarul Islam Mollah, another fisherman at Boyarmari, also had a similar experience. This year, nearly 90 percent of shrimps survived on his Bheri.



For almost the last ten years, every year, the picture was different. The end of April would come with scenes of dead shrimp floating on Bheris at Boyarmari. On average, between 50-80 percent of the shrimps would die in about 30-35 days of releasing larvae in the water body. This year, almost 95 percent of the shrimp survived, said Mollah.



- At Boyarmari, a village in West Bengal, on an average 50-80 percent of the shrimps being cultivated would die in about 30-35 days of releasing larvae in the water body. This year, almost 95 percent of the shrimp survived, report individual fishermen.



- With factories, especially tanneries, in the nearby areas remaining shut or working only in limited capacity for the last four months, pollution in the river is controlled and fishermen and researchers claim the cleaner water helped fish survive and breed.



- With less pollution, this year, there are expectations that fish stock across West Bengal will rise. Fishermen are yet to see higher fish production turn into profits as, due to western disturbance, not many fishermen could venture into sea for fishing this year.



Small canals connect Bheris at Boyarmari to a river called Bidyadhari, a saline water river, suitable for shrimp cultivation. The river flows through the district of North 24 Parganas to the Bay of Bengal through the deltaic Sundarban region. Bidyadhari receives saline water under tidal effect from the sea. However, it also acts as a conduit to Kolkatas sewage and effluents released from various factories, including tanneries, garment, plastic and glass factories. Effluent from tanneries is the main reason for the contamination of water. Since the last ten years, as the number of tanneries started increasing, water turned more and more contaminated and shrimps started dying, said Mollah. Now, with factories remaining shut or working only in a limited capacity for the last four months due to the nationwide lockdown, anecdotes from fishers claim cleaner water has helped fish and other aquatic species to survive.



Salinity, pollution puts livelihoods at stake



About 25 years ago, most of the existing Bheris were rice fields. As shrimp from West Bengal started gaining popularity in the export markets, farmers saw profitability in shrimp cultivation. They started converting agricultural land into Bheris, and the state government too supported this drive. Shrimp cultivation became a booming trade, not only at Boyarmari, but also in large parts of North 24 Parganas. However, after Aila, a devastating storm that hit coastal West Bengal in 2009, many Bheris turned unfit for shrimp cultivation due to excess salinity. In normal circumstances, this salinity should have normalised naturally in the course of two to three years. However, increasing river pollution never let the perfect condition for shrimp cultivation to prevail again. Shrimps were subject to a disease called White Spot, a bacterial infection, which kills hundreds of shrimp in one go. Contaminated water is one of the major causes of this infection. As a result of this continued dip in shrimp production, many fishermen migrated outside West Bengal in search of jobs.



Rising river pollution



In March 2019, hundreds of farmers from North 24 Parganas staged a protest at Basanti Highway, a major road in the district, against the rising pollution level in Bidyadhari. They claimed contaminated water of the river was destroying their crops, fish, shrimp and causing health problems in children. Effluents from a large number of tanneries in and around Kolkata fall in Bidyadhari.



Tannery industries are listed as the most polluting activity due to the wide type of chemicals applied during the conversion of animal skins into leather. Chromium salts, phenolics, tannins, organic matter, among other products, are constantly released to the environment in tannery wastewater. These pollutants offer environmental risks to the aquatic life and human health, states a 2018 research article.



Kolkata has historically been a hub for leather production. It is home to more than 500 tanneries, which were once concentrated in Tangra, Tiljala and Topsia areas in the eastern fringes of the city. As the city expanded, these areas became densely populated localities, and the pollution on account of the tanneries created havoc for residents. In 1995, the Supreme Court ordered 538 polluting tanneries in the areas to relocate to the outskirts and also set guidelines for leather waste treatment through effluent plants. In 2005, the West Bengal government set up a new leather hub, the Calcutta Leather Complex, at Bantala, outside Kolkata in North 24 Parganas. The complex included an effluent treatment plant. At present, there are about 375 tanneries operating in the complex.



According to Ramesh Juneja, president of the Calcutta Leather Complex, 150 new tanneries have come up in the complex in the last ten years. The complex had a capacity of treating 20 million litres of effluent a day, and it was sufficient for existing units. The complex would add additional capacity of treating 20 million litres of effluent a day soon, as a number of new tanneries are expected to open establishments in the complex in the coming days, said Juneja. In 2018, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report observed that as of April 2017, 49 tanneries out of 376 tanneries in the leather complex were not connected with common effluent treatment plant (CETP). As a result, untreated effluents were discharged into the nearby river without treatment, leading to pollution. Juneja claimed illegal tanneries outside the complex were the source of river pollution.



About 200 illegal tanneries are still operating in Tiljala and Topia region, and they are the source [of] pollution in the river. Tanneries in the leather complex have proper treatment plant and adhere to all norms, he said. We need to seriously take up the issue of river pollution to save and improve the livelihood of the people engaged in shrimp cultivation. Water is an important factor in fishing and higher level of oxygen in the water makes a big difference in the quality and quantity of fish. Shrimp has potential to provide employment to a large number of people, including migrant workers in the region. Uncontrolled and unethical practices of releasing effluents in the river is a major threat to their livelihoods, said Aniruddha Dey, chairperson, Professional Institute for Development & Socio Environmental Management (PRISM), an NGO.



Silver lining in fish production this year



More than 100 kms away from Boyarmari, at Tribeni, a town on the banks river Ganga in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, Arindam Chakraborty, a researcher in the field of fisheries, spotted fish like chital and aar floating alive in good numbers on the banks of the river. Other years, the shore would be populated with dead fish.



For years, an old shipwreck just, about 100-150 feet away from the bank of the river has been a nesting ground of several sweet water fish that grow in parental care. The nooks of the shipwreck provided safe shelter for the fish to breed, as it remained out of bounds of fishing nets. However, when industrial effluent from nearby paper factories mixed with water, the fish would die a natural death and were found floating on the banks. But this year, they were mostly alive. Clean water, less industrial effluents helped the fish survive, said Chakraborty. With less pollution, this year, there are expectations that fish stock across West Bengal will rise.



Due to less pollution, the distribution pattern of fish is better this year. They could migrate till long distances in the river from the sea. Also, during lockdown as fishing activities had come to halt, the population of riverine fish was higher, said B K Mahapatra, principal scientist at Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Kolkata. However, fishermen are yet to see higher fish production turn into profits. Due to western disturbance, not many fishermen could venture into sea for fishing this year. But they do anticipate a good fish stock.



This year, the production of fish like Vemmani Shrimp and Pomphlet was better than last year. However, it will take some time to assess the overall production, as fishermen could hardly venture into the sea due to bad weather. We do expect better fish production this year, said Bijon Maity, secretary of the West Bengal United Fishermen Association. While profits from fishing remain doubtful, fish are surely breathing again in West Bengal.
A Chinese smartphone company has been accused of stealing money and data from their users as some of these phones were pre-loaded with malware.

This problem is persistent with a particular phone brand i.e. Tecno phones by the manufacturer Transsion. The company has been accused of taking advantage of the poor, particularly in developing nations, as reported by Buzzfeed News.

 Reuters

Transsion is currently the African continents top smartphone vendor and beats companies like Samsung. This is not the first instance where cheaper Chinese smartphones have been accused of using malware in their smartphones and are now becoming a security risk in countries including India.

 Pinterest

Buzzfeed News and mobile security firm Secure-D revealed how the malware and scam work on many Transsion phones such as the Tecno W2.



The malware was embedded in these phones right out of the box and would secretly download apps right onto these phones. These apps would then attempt to subscribe to paid services without their knowledge and steal money. This malware is designed to use the data on these phones with attempts to subscribe to paid services.

Malware is usually installed on phones manually or is pre-loaded when the operating system is flashed on the phone. This malware cannot be removed with a device reset which makes it vulnerable to attacks all the time.

 Reuters

According to Buzzfeed News and Secure-Ds investigation, there were 844,000 transactions tied to malware that was pre-installed on Transsion phones last year. The company said that it accounted for up to 18% of all suspicious clicks on the continent.



Transsion told Buzzfeed that some phones did, in fact, have the secret malware but put the blame on an unidentified vendor in the supply chain.

Transsion is now making things right for their customers, however, it seems like the initiative was only taken after it was caught. The company did state that it did not profit from these security breaches and is now rolling out an update to fix the problem.

The main problem here is that some Chinese smartphones, that are budget-friendly, are extracting money from people living in poverty and arent necessarily tech-savvy to notice these security breaches.

source: Buzzfeed News
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A local barbecue sauce company is joining forces with two iconic area businesses to expand its brand.

Branch BBQ Sauce, which hit store shelves a little over a year ago, announced this week it has partnered with Platform Beer Co. and developed two new sauces -- made with Platforms Rosellini Peach Rose Apple Ale.

The new Cherry Peach BBQ sauce and the Thai Chili Grain mustard have been developed in conjunction with Platform Beer Co.

The Cherry Peach BBQ sauce and the Thai Chili Grain Mustard sauce will be sold with wings in the brew houses at the Cleveland and Columbus Platform locations and through its beer delivery service.

In addition, Branch has inked a deal with local grocery chain Heinens to sell its sauces at all the stores locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Illinois.

We discovered the Lakewood company in June after taste-testing 79 barbecue sauces sold in grocery stores. Until this week, the original two Branch flavors were available in 27 independent markets across Northeast Ohio and on the companys website.

The original sauce was created by Chris Tarr, who made the ranch dressing-based sauce as a complement to his mothers Sunday fried chicken dinners. Once he decided -- at the urging of friends -- to manufacture the sauce commercially, they developed Branchero, which brings the heat.

Tarr was already in negotiations with Platform to sell his sauces in their brew houses when the coronavirus struck, but the delay gave the companies time to develop the new flavors based on Platforms ale.

How do the new Branch-Platform sauces taste?

This sauce is made with Platform Beer Co.'s Rosellini Peach Rose Apple Ale. (photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com)

Cherry Peach BBQ Sauce

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 45 | Fat 0g | Sodium 115mg | Carbs 11g | Sugar 10g

First ingredient: Cherry filling

We say: Bright red in appearance and more cherry-tasting than peachy. Jam-like consistency, with big pieces of peach visible, this thick sauce will stick to whatever you put it on.

The Peach Cherry BBQ sauce is made with Platform Beer Co.'s Rosellini Peach Rose Apple Ale. (photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com)

Thai Chili Grain Mustard sauce

This sauce is made with Platform Beer Co.'s Rosellini Peach Rose Apple Ale. (photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com)

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 5 | Fat 1g | Sodium 55mg | Carbs 1g | Sugar 1g

First ingredient: Mustard

We say: Slight heat creeps up on you. Thick and full of mustard seed, it provides a great Asian kick without being overwhelming. The mustard is definitely the star ingredient.

The Thai Chili Grain Mustard sauce. (photo by Brenda Cain, cleveland.com)

Tarr describes his deal with Heinens as mutual. Heinens reached out to Tarr around the same time he was approaching the grocery chain hoping to get his sauce onto its shelves.

All four Branch sauces are being sold for $4.99.

More rankings:
Thousands of citizens and corporates contributed Rs 306 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for treating Covid-hit patients across the southern state, an official said on Tuesday.

"The state government's appeal for liberal contributions to the relief fund received an overwhelming response from citizens and corporates across the state despite corona virus affecting their life and livelihood," an official at the chief minister's office told IANS here.

Of the Rs 306 crore donated to the fund from March 25 to July 23, 50 per cent of the corpus has been spent on Covid relief measures across the state as per the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Union Health Ministry under the National Disaster Management Act.

"While contributions from individuals ranged from a modest Rs 100 to over Rs 1 lakh, corporates and cooperatives donated generously in lakhs of rupees, exemption from income tax notwithstanding," said the official.

As the state-run hospitals did not have medical equipment and installed capacity to treat Covid patients in thousands at a time, the relief fund was used to ramp-up facilities and supplies in designated hospitals and primary health centres at the local body and district levels.

"As intensive care unit (ICU) beds were not in adequate numbers for treating patients in serious condition or requiring oxygen or ventilators, substantial amount of the fund was used in creating more ICUs and oxygen flow beds in cities and towns across the state," noted the official.

Of the relief amount (Rs 153 crore) spent so far, Rs 109 crore was given to the state health department for additional facilities, capacity expansion and medical equipment supplies, Rs 44 crore to the state medical education department for resource mobilisation.

"Personal appeal by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa soon after the pandemic broke in mid-March for contributions evoked good response from the people and institutions as Rs 127 crore was received by the relief fund between March 25 and April 9 during the first phase of the lockdown enforced to contain the virus spread," the official pointed out.

Besides Yediyurappa donating his 1-year salary (Rs 24.10 lakh), 30 per cent salary of all state legislators and ministers, contributed Rs 15 crore to the fund.

--IANS

fb/avk/bg

(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.)
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the next installment in a monthly series that will pose a question or topic chosen by managing editor Michelle Graves, with responses presented by members of the Benzie County Democratic and Republican parties. The author is chosen by the respective party and may change from month to month. This month's topic deals with students returning to school. Michigan students have not been in the classroom since mid-March. Northern Michigan has not been hit as hard by the coronavirus as some other areas in the state. Do you think students in Benzie County should return to the classroom? If so, what precautions should be taken to ensure the health and safety of students and teachers? How can the community support school districts in whatever decisions they make?

Theres plenty of suspense, politicking and chewing on coronavirus research in Lansing, Benzie and around the country regarding re-opening schools. Its head-spinning.

Parents and children are agonizing over competing claims and strategies for gathering together, yet protecting, students, their teachers, staff and families back home. Educators agonize, too, as they consider their own personal  and their families  safety. Its remarkable that so many remain willing to teach. This is not what they signed up for.

Meanwhile, everyone asks, so endlessly, "What should schools do?"

Maybe thats the wrong question. Maybe its: What can WE do so our schools can safely educate our children? Its the thing Republicans used to claim to own: personal responsibility.

Teachers, administrators and health officials are heroically trying to design plans that can re-open schools safely. But, Americas worship of Rugged Individualism  rejecting the simple truth that No Man Is an Island  is interfering.

Specifically, too many citizens and leaders behave in ways that make it hard for kids, teachers, and, really, everyone else.

For example, theres state Rep. Jack OMalley.

OMally talked his 101st Districts four county sheriffs into signing a joint letter, at the height of the pandemic, poo-poohing the governors life-saving COVID executive orders, politicizing medical sciences best available guidance.

OMalley likes to argue that the governors orders threaten to trample on our freedoms. Excuse me, sir: do you mean the freedom to infect other people? I missed that one in the Constitution.

This member of the state House Education Committee said little publicly about a state House proposal, blessedly abandoned in final negotiations between the governor and the Republican-controlled Legislature, to cut aid to already under-financed schools that dont call kids back to classrooms.

OMalley routinely hosts Facebook sessions where constituents attack our governor as an idiot, even as her decisions greatly reduce COVID spread, and even as the representative demands kids go back to school.

Meanwhile, Washington Republicans were so recalcitrant about mask-wearing that the Speaker of the House imposed a mask mandate.

We did see Individual 1 wear a mask twice, prompting media speculation that maybe he was now taking the science seriously. Oh, well

Look: Leaders must be responsible to and for the people they serve. They are not in office to manipulate their way back to reelection. In a crisis they must speak to their community clearly on crucial issues and lead by example.

Is any elected Republican in our community speaking out clearly, strongly and repeatedly, urging people to always wear masks and socially distance?

So, here we are: 173,000 Americans dead, more dying daily. A president and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVoss trying to bully schools into opening. DeVoss trying to shift public health money from poor public schools to private ones, while pouring tons of her own and her pals dough into coffers of Republican candidates who are barely leading on this beyond-crucial health issue.

This avoidance of science, this refusal to boldly set good examples, and this demand, nevertheless, for in-person education are dangerous.

Lets stop badgering educators and public health officials for a magic bullet that solves an insoluble problem. Lets demand that elected officials lead, not cower at the cray-cray that sees masking up as chickening out.

As were learning from states that reopened too soon, producing thousands of new cases and additional deaths, and from schools that tried reopening, only to be forced to close again when kids, teachers and administrators sickened, there really is no sure way to open schools without spreading COVID.

Until there is a fierce commitment from all leaders  national, state and local  to stamp out COVID with rigorous, universal masking, social distancing, hand-washing and even some re-sheltering in place, which most other modern nations are doing with genuine success, schools are stuck in an untenable spot. Making them figure things out for themselves without that fierce commitment is a huge shirking of our responsibility as a community.

We must realize that no man  and no woman, teacher, food worker, janitor, nurse, cashier, legislator or president  is an island. Its not up to the schools to fix this. Its up to all of us.

Jim Dulzo chairs the Benzie County Democratic Party. You can reach him at benziedemocrats.com.
GREENWICH  Private equity firm L Catterton has announced a $150 million investment in Latin America-focused online travel agency Despegar, the latest of several major deals it has made in the industry.

The transaction comes amid COVID-19s rampant spread in the region. Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Colombia and Chile have cumulatively recorded nearly 6 million coronavirus cases and each rank among the 10 countries with the most cases, according to Johns Hopkins Universitys Coronavirus Resource Center. But officials at Greenwich-based L Catterton said that they were still sanguine about Despegars prospects.

As the leading online travel agency in Latin America with strong brand recognition, Despegar has significant potential to continue driving growth in a highly attractive market, Dirk Donath, managing partner of L Catterton Latin America, said in a statement. We believe Despegar is well positioned to succeed over the long term as the travel industry recovers.

Despegar operates in 20 countries across Latin America through its global brand, Despegar, and its Brazilian brand, Decolar. Those two names are, respectively, Spanish and Portuguese verbs for take off.

The companys websites and mobile apps offer products from more than 270 airlines and more than 690,000 accommodation options, according to L Catterton.

The investment in Despegar marks L Cattertons third recent transaction in the travel industry. Previous investments included $400 million in NCL Corp., a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and $75 million in OneSpaWorld Holdings, a provider of health and wellness services and products to cruise ships and resorts around the world.

Among other major deals it has made in the past couple of years, L Catterton last year acquired for $650 million Del Friscos Restaurant Group, which includes Barcelona Wine Bar and Bartaco, two of southwestern Connecticuts most-popular upscale restaurant chains.

Barcelona and Bartaco are being run separately under L Cattertons ownership, with their own strategies and leadership teams.

Describing itself as the largest consumer-focused private equity firm in the world, L Catterton operates with about $20 billion of equity capital.

Its workforce comprises nearly 200 investment and operating professionals, who are based across 17 offices around the world. Its headquarters are at 599 W. Putnam Ave.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
Administrators for scandal-hit payments firm Wirecard said on Tuesday that the insolvent company would lay off more than half its remaining German staff.

Wirecard's workforce will be cut by 730 from around 1,300 staff currently, with 570 kept on at the firm's base near Munich.

"The economic situation of Wirecard was and is extremely difficult in light of the lack of liquidity and the well-known scandalous circumstances," the company's insolvency administrator Michael Jaffe said in a statement.

"The usual restructuring and cost-adjustment measures are not sufficient," he added.

"The number of employees and all other cost positions at all insolvent companies have to be adjusted to the corporate reality."

Wirecard's entire board of management has also been terminated.

The news came as a Munich court opened insolvency proceedings over the company's assets.

Administrators said they are in negotiations with "well-known interested parties" regarding an acquisition of the core business, including the group's still-solvent Wirecard Bank division.

Wirecard's Brazilian operations have already been sold off as part of administrators' efforts to recoup as much money as possible for creditors.

A sale of its North America subsidiary is "well advanced", the administrators added.

Digital payments provider Wirecard, once a rising star in the booming fintech sector, collapsed spectacularly in June after the company was forced to admit a 1.9-billion-euro hole in its balance sheet.

The company's former CEO and several other top executives have since been arrested on fraud charges.

Wirecard was this month kicked out of Germany's blue-chip DAX index after its share price fell 99 percent in the year to date.

edf/mfp/tgb
Voters from towns and cities across Alabama will head to the polls today to elect a host of municipal leaders.

Alabama law requires polls to be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. in the places designated in each town or city. Voters are required to show photo identification. You can see a complete list of accepted photo identification below.

All municipalities in the state will be holding referendums except the following:

Auburn

Bessemer

Birmingham

Dothan

Gadsden

Mobile

Montgomery

Talladega

Tuscaloosa

Check with your municipality for specifics on voting locations.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, social distancing guidelines will be in place in many voting locations though Secretary of State John Merrill said masks are not required.

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.

Acceptable ID

Valid Alabama Drivers License (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days)

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Drivers License

Valid Alabama Nondriver ID (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days)

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Nondriver ID

Valid Alabama Photo Voter ID Card

Valid State-Issued ID (Alabama or any other state) such as a valid Alabama Department of Corrections release temporary ID or valid pistol permit.

Valid Federal-Issued ID

Valid US passport

Valid Employee ID from Federal Government, State of Alabama, County, Municipality, Board, or other entity of this state

Valid student or employee ID from a public or private college or university in the State of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools)

Valid student or employee ID issued by a state institution of higher learning in any other state

Valid Military ID

Valid Tribal ID

You can see more on some of the elections around Alabama below.

Eastern shore mayoral races highlight coastal Alabamas municipal elections

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle has 3 challengers in re-election bid

Pleasant Groves all-white city government poised for change with next weeks election

UFC fighter seeks Homewood Council seat, one of many city elections statewide on Tuesday
Gaza City: Gaza reported its first cases of COVID-19 in the general population on Monday, as authorities confirmed four infections in a refugee camp and security forces declared a full lockdown for 48 hours.

The cases were from a single family in central Gaza, a government spokesman said, amid concern over the territory's potentially disastrous combination of poverty, densely populated refugee camps and limited hospital capacity.

Palestinian police officers pictured last month during an operation to simulate a coronavirus outbreak in Gaza City. Credit:AP

"A full curfew will be imposed starting tonight and in all of the Gaza Strip," said Salama Marouf, chairman of the government's media office.

As rumours spread, people raced to supermarkets to stock up on food and hygiene supplies. Police vehicles toured the streets using loudspeakers to urge Gazans to abide by the curfew.
Islamabad/New Delhi, Aug 25 : Pakistan's former ambassador to Indonesia allegedly sold the embassy building in Jakarta at a throwaway price around 10 years ago.

According to media reports from Islamabad, the country's anti-corruption body, National Accountability Bureau (NAB), on August 19 filed a reference against the former envoy, Major General (retd) Syed Mustafa Anwar, for the alleged offence committed in 2001-02.

Anwar has been accused of illegally selling the building and causing a loss of $1.32 million to Pakistan's national exchequer, the Tribune reported.

The former ambassador, as per the documents submitted to the registrar, had issued an advertisement for the sale of the building without the Foreign Affairs Ministry's approval.

The sale was in violation of his powers under Section 9 (A) 6 of the NAB, the reports said.

The NAB alleged that Anwar in a clandestine manner, had started the process of selling the building immediately after his appointment in Jakarta. Once the process of the sale started, he then sent the proposal to the Ministry.

The Tribune said the reference in the court read that the Foreign Affairs Ministry had banned the sale of the building without its approval in several letters.

The Pakistan Supreme Court last month held that the NAB office was responsible for delay in deciding corruption references including that against the former ambassador.

The apex court had said that the NAB officials were incompetent.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed had observed that NAB officers did not possess enough expertise to conduct proper inquiries and apparently there were no measures in place on the basis of which investigations were examined, the Tribune reported.
The improvising composer-performers Henry Threadgill and Anthony Davis have been among the winners of the Pulitzer Prize for music in the last five years. The trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith was a finalist for the Pulitzer in 2013. All three have collaborated with Mr. Braxton  as have Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Lewis. And all six of these composers have written large-ensemble or orchestral music, most of which has rarely if ever been played by major American orchestras. (Some of these orchestral works are fully notated.)

And all of these musicians are Black. Beginning to program their orchestral music  including works that stretch the orchestral sound into improvisation  would be one way to address larger patterns of racial exclusion in classical music.

The American Composers Orchestra has done more to address this pressing issue than many larger and better-funded institutions. It has performed works by Mr. Threadgill and Mr. Lewis; Mr. Davis has taught in the ensembles Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute. The orchestras artistic director, Derek Bermel, who is also a celebrated composer and clarinetist, underlined the responsibility orchestras have to approach scores by composers who are also improvisers.

Theres a language there, and the language comes out of so many years of study, he said of such composers. And the idea that the orchestra cant move a couple of paces in a certain direction toward what they would do, even as they move many paces to use orchestral notation  to try to codify things in a language that these players appreciate and are familiar with  I find that dynamic odd. Because this is the music of today.
(CNN)  For hundreds of thousands of students in the US, the first day of school means more hours in front of a device, but for some, it means meeting in-person for their newly minted "pandemic pods."

These small groups of students are springing up as schools stay closed against coronavirus and offer online learning instead. Families group together and either share the care and encouragement for virtual classes, or employ someone, even a qualified teacher, to supervise.

The two largest teachers' unions in the country are fearful that the phenomenon will hurt the education of the majority of children.

"These parental pods are like exclusive private schools, very selective on who gets in," said Lily Eskelsen Garcia, president of the National Education Association, which represents three million teachers and school staff from preschool through university graduate programs.

While Eskelsen Garcia accepts that parents want to do what's best for their children, she said pods could limit the promise of equal access to a quality education to all students.

"Of course it's going to exacerbate the inequalities," she said.

Randi Weingarten, president of the 1.7-million strong American Federation of Teachers, agreed.

"Parents, and teachers, are trying desperately to keep kids engaged and learning. Parents with means will do whatever they can, including hiring tutors and joining with other parents in pods. But like holding school outdoors or in parks, pods are a privilege available to too few," she said in a statement to CNN.

"Without public investment, pods will serve the few, not the many," Weingarten warned.

Challenges for parents

Nicolas Niboucha would love to have a private tutor helping his son start first grade in Los Angeles, but that's far beyond his family's means.

Niboucha immigrated from France and his wife from Russia and while they both have good educations from their home countries, the American system is all new to them, which makes it harder to help their son.

"I know he didn't understand a word of what his teacher was saying," Niboucha said of his son taking remote lessons when his kindergarten classes went online this spring. Thinking about the start of the fall semester, he said: "it's stressful for me."

"The way a child in our position can be affected educationally versus, you know, a child that has parents that have the means of hiring a full-time teacher at home, of course, I think there will be there will be an impact on his education," Niboucha said.

Is it safe to send kids to school or daycare? Health experts weigh in

High costs

Marnie Weinstein, who works as an educational consultant based in Washington DC, has been helping pods of families find teachers.

"I think the socioeconomic gap among adults is really shining through right now," Weinstein told CNN of what she had seen. "You know, these families who are breaking off into pods together, they have enough money to pay a fee to find a teacher, a fee to pay $70,000 or $80,000 to a teacher. They all have nannies. So if the child is sick, the nanny can stay with them."

Helen Archer, a mother of 7-year old twins who has helped organize a learning pod for her children in Smyrna, Georgia, told CNN that the program is very expensive. It's not just those in the most disadvantaged areas who can't stretch to pods -- they are also out of reach for many middle-class families.

"It's, somewhere in the realm of $250 per week per child. And that's only for 25 hours a week for the teacher and up to eight kids. Some of us could split it, but not everybody can pay $250 a week," she said. "That's a lot of money."

Megan Davis is a working mother of a rising second grader and fifth grader who will start the school year learning at home in Fairfax County, Virginia. She hopes to get some supplemental help from time to time, but the burden of administering her kids schooling will fall mostly on herself and her husband.

"The idea of that $80,000 number or even anything close to that is completely not even a question," Davis said, when told of the pod option.

"Although it's far from ideal, I do feel that we're just going to take this day by day and make the most of what we can," said Davis, who added she and her husband have the flexibility to work from home.

Challenging inequity, pod by pod

The appeal of pods is clear -- children get some socialization with peers and are helped with virtual learning without being exposed to many people, and parents can return to work.

And some people who have formed them are doing what they can to offer those advantages to families who cannot afford them.

Working mothers Jen Engel and Kristina Christy of Atlanta quickly realized that setting up pods for their first and fourth graders would not be possible for everyone in their community.

"Hiring a supplemental teacher doesn't come cheap and not all parents can afford this luxury," Engel said.

The women set up a network where families could find podmates and caregivers. In their case, they and other families agree to split the cost while inviting in a sixth student from their children's school who could not afford ordinarily to join a pod.

"Private Atlanta schools are open, but the public schools who need to be open more aren't," Christy said. "Virtual learning already puts many at a disadvantage because of the technology gaps."

Annette Anderson, deputy director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Safe and Healthy Schools, urged parents to consider their plans for their children carefully.

"They need to really think about how they're going to balance the academic needs, but also some of the social emotional learning needs to students, so that they can make sure that it's fair and balanced for everyone," she said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Parents and teachers worried pandemic pods will widen education gap."
Story Highlights Stained brands risk fewer employee referrals

The employee experience and brand influences customer brand

Make employees' needs central to brand values

Whether they realize it or not, every leader holds an indelible marker in their hands -- and every action they take marks up their employment brand.

They either leave an ugly stain on their brand for the long run, jeopardizing their ability to attract employees who will care for their customers, or they use that marker to write a strategy that differentiates their employee value proposition and helps them to attract top talent, no matter the circumstance.

Stained brands risk:

Fewer employee referrals -- a prime source for talented candidates. Unfavorable comments, particularly on third-party sites such as glassdoor.com and indeed.com. Higher turnover among valued team members, meaning the organization needs even more high-caliber recruits to meet customer needs.

On the other hand, leaders who use their power to invest to build a premium employment brand continue to attract top talent to their brand, even in difficult times.

These leaders resist falling into a trap of faulty assumptions about talent attraction -- which can be tempting when talent markets are tight.

Leaders who use their power to invest in their employment brand are prepared to attract top talent to their brand, even in difficult times.

A recent Gallup Panel study asked unemployed Americans what was the main reason they were not looking for work? Thirty-four percent of the respondents reported health or safety as primary inhibitors to looking for work, followed by 21% who indicated they were temporarily laid off or furloughed and expect to be rehired within the next 60 days. Just, 2% of respondents cited "government benefits" as the reason they are not searching for employment, even though that has been a common hypothesis about why many may not be looking.

So, we know that leaders who are building return-to-work strategies now, such as those who are struggling to find employees to operate their business, especially hourly ones, must demonstrate they care about employee needs like health and safety and they must manage communication during furloughs with excellence.

But those who invest to build enduring employment brand strategies will get it right not just right now, but for the long run.

What Leaders Must Do to Take Control of Employment Brand

1. Create a customer brand that amplifies your employment brand.

Customers can be some of the best potential ambassadors for your employment brand. What they experience with your organization affects whether they themselves apply or refer a future star.

For example, according to a special report from Edelman on brand trust and the coronavirus, 78% of respondents' businesses have a responsibility to ensure their employees are protected from the virus in the workplace and do not spread it into the community. Responsibility, in turn, is the most powerful driver of a company's reputation.

If safety measures aren't up to par, prospective employees and customers will notice. Customer perceptions influence not only recruiting efforts but also customer outcomes like loyalty. Things like masks, social distancing, pre-shift temperature checks, and new standard operating procedures are all safety measures that signal to potential candidates and customers that leaders care about their health and safety.

Customers can be some of the best potential ambassadors for your employment brand. What they experience with your organization affects whether they themselves apply or refer a future star.

2. Manage the employee experience with the knowledge that it matters to your employment brand.

Trust and stability are both crucial needs that leadership must meet. Now, keeping the bench warm with stars who happen to be furloughed is a winning strategy if leaders plan to call those stars back. If, on the other hand, leaders are not sure if those on furlough will return or if leaders now know that business circumstances are not favorable to hire them back, it is important to communicate this, too.

Remember, 21% of those asked seem to be simply waiting for their employers to call them back to work. If leaders are planning to call people back, they must communicate with them. Your organization's employee experience always matters to your employment brand, and now that experience extends to include those on furlough.

Transparency allows people to consider other opportunities as soon as possible and prevents people from hanging in the balance unnecessarily. How leaders communicate with their teams matters a lot -- not only to current team members but also to future team members when hiring needs return.

Remember, furloughed employees are brand ambassadors and they might even be customers themselves.

3. Embrace the power of purpose and values as an aspect of your employment brand.

A strong organizational purpose can make or break an employer brand. This is a significant area of opportunity for leaders because only four in 10 employees strongly agree that they know what their company stands for.

This disconnect from an organization's purpose has direct consequences for employees' everyday work. Less than half of U.S. employees -- four in 10 -- strongly agree that the mission or purpose of their company makes them feel their job is important.

Leaders must clarify what they stand for. When they get this right, leaders:

Use purpose and values in internal and external communications (think change management and job ads): Values matter to all messaging, both internal and external. One company used their values of unity, excellence, vitality and joy as headlines in their company newsletter to help explain key changes during COVID-19.

When leaders do this effectively, employees make sense of change quickly -- as that change is rooted in familiar values. Leaders can also leverage purpose and values in external communications such as job ads. Gallup helps clients to craft job ads to be used as strategic tools to help attract high-caliber candidates.

Enable manager decision-making that is rooted in values: When company values are clear, managers have a framework with which to make every decision. This affects how they lead their teams as they can check their decisions against company values. Values help make key decisions easy to make.

When leaders have to make a choice about flexibility so working parents can accommodate family schedules, and a company value is treating employees like "family," then they do all they can to accommodate flexibility. How that flexibility is implemented and communicated is what leaks to external sites and can either be a positive, brand-enhancing mechanism -- or a negative stain on the brand that is difficult to erase.

Make employee needs central to values: Now, as people express more concern than ever about health and safety and desire accommodations like flexibility, leadership teams that prioritize employee needs demonstrate that people are central to their decision-making.

When leaders do this, it makes it easy to put things like the health and safety of their people first -- which, in turn, translates to attracting top talent who want to deliver for the brand and its customers.

When employers align on purpose, it helps inform company values which can help inform how leaders manage everything.

An organization's employee value proposition (EVP) is the total value and benefits it promises to give current and prospective employees in exchange for performance. A clear and compelling EVP tells potential hires why an organization is preferable to the rest.

As leaders consider hiring needs or as they develop their return-to-work strategy, they must consider what stories depict how their employees were able to thrive in spite of unprecedented challenges.

Then, they must embed those stories everywhere -- tattoo them far and wide (including on digital channels to reach remote workers) to showcase brilliant work.

Employees are watching now more than ever to make sure leadership teams care for them.

The actions leaders take now will make indelible impressions on their current teams but also on customers of their employment brand, too -- potential future hires.

Leaders must consider every moment to be an employer brand building moment.

By doing this, they have an opportunity to build an enduring hiring strategy, one that will help them to continue to attract star hires, now when times are challenging, but also in the long run.

Take control of your employment brand today: Partner with us to develop a compelling employment brand and employee value proposition .

Bring our Leading High-Performance Teams course to your organization to help all managers learn how to build an engaging environment.
I lived through Charlestons garbage strike in the 1960s. My sister and I lugged our trash and our mothers trash to the dump. It was hard.

I moved to San Francisco in the 1970s. There was another sanitation strike with streets everywhere filled with garbage. Men in three-piece suits and women in high heels stepped carefully to avoid the mess.

You bet, our sanitation workers deserve to be heard. Im horrified about the disparity in wages between North Charleston and Charleston.

Is this really Republican versus Democrat? My sanitation workers are marvelous to me. I thank them profusely every time I see them.

I want their wages and their physical and mental protection taken care of. Just ride the trucks and see if you dont agree.

MOLLY PRATT

Clemson Street

Charleston

Post office outrage

As a veteran who spent a week without the medicine I need to treat nerve damage caused by exposure to Agent Orange 53 years ago in Vietnam, I have two questions for President Donald Trump and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy:

1. How can the post office cut off medications going to veterans and others in hopes of being reelected?

2. Why is it that 100 million mail-in ballots would clog the postal system in November while the same system can handle 1.3 billion holiday cards in December?

BEN GRAHAM

Gypsy Lane

McClellanville

Masks rules go too far

People in Charleston must wear a face mask in public as mandated by Mayor John Tecklenburg and the City Council.

Our friendly city now has a zero tolerance policy, directing police to issue $100 tickets to anyone not wearing a face covering inside or in situations where social distancing is difficult. Warnings will not be given.

This policy could include open spaces such as parks and areas where there is little chance of contracting the coronavirus.

Our liberal politicians seem to think they can dictate mask wearing for visitors and residents instead of letting us make reasonable decisions ourselves.

This mask-wearing mandate is an overreach. How far will this crackdown go? Common sense has gone out the window.

I recently drove around the peninsula and noticed many people wearing face masks before the latest ordinance was approved. The city looks more like a ghost town. Most restaurants seem to be closed on East Bay Street.

There were no horse-drawn carriages and few tourists walking around. Parking spaces were plentiful.

There are negative repercussions for these ordinance-passing politicians to consider. Fewer people coming to Charleston means a slower recovery and more business failures.

Like many in the Lowcountry, I will conduct business in municipalities where I am not required to comply with such draconian measures.

FRED SMITH

Amanda Circle

Goose Creek

Sustain public education

An Aug. 18 letter to the editor posited that people who send their children to private schools should not have to pay for empty seats in public schools.

The writer may be forgetting about the obligations of citizenship.

All taxpayers, including the elderly with grown children and couples with no children, have an obligation to contribute so the entire population can progress.

People who pay for private schools may not have much faith in the public schools, but I wonder if they think this country would be better off without them.

How many citizens who attended public school system have become great researchers, physicists, doctors, inventors and more?

Why would any U.S. citizen resent or try to shirk his or her obligation to help sustain public education for our children and our future?

DAVID STEVENS

Suncatcher Drive

Hanahan

Gilbreth column tasty

COVID-19, unemployment, hurricanes, ugly politics. Unfortunately, these are the stories of our times.

Then every Thursday at the bottom of page A3 in The Post and Courier, theres a breath of fresh air in Dr. Edward M. Gilbreths weekly column.

It might be about a weeping table or a week at the beach, but its required reading in a world gone mad.

He recently tackled the tricky and, at times, controversial subject of summer fruits and vegetables. Heady stuff.

As I was reading about his love of tomato sandwiches (with Dukes mayonnaise, of course) and other local favs, I had to skip ahead to see if the impossible happened.

Was he not going to say that the perfectly ripe peach from the Upstate was the Elvis, Richard Petty and Muhammad Ali of the land? Well, of course he did. Im sorry I doubted him, however briefly.

RICK HALL

Backshore Drive

Mount Pleasant
An IRA mural in Newry Co Down, Tuesday December 7, 2004.

A man accused of directing New IRA activities allegedly held meetings with a Palestinian doctor about developing a relationship with foreign governments "hostile to the UK", a court heard today.

Police claimed David Jordan, 49, had discussions with co-accused Issam Bassalat, 62, in a bid to secure assistance.

Details emerged as the pair were remanded into custody accused of offences linked to a major investigation into the dissident republican organisation.

A total of 10 people have now been charged as part of Operation Arbacia, a surveillance-led offensive targeting the terrorist grouping's activities.

Read More

The probe involved bugging two suspected meetings at properties in Co Tyrone earlier this year.

Jordan, of Cappagh Road in Dungannon, is accused of directing terrorism, belonging to a proscribed organisation and two counts of preparatory acts of terrorism.

The charges relate to his alleged attendance at gatherings in Sixmilecross and Omagh on February 9 and July 19.

Dr Bassalat, originally from Palestine, but with an address at Telford Road in Edinburgh, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Saturday.

He faces a single count of preparatory acts of terrorism in connection with the alleged meeting in Omagh last month.

According to the charge he "attended and addressed a meeting of the Irish Republican Army".

Both defendants appeared remotely from Musgrave Police Station in Belfast.

Jordan sat reading from a book as the charges were put to him.

A Detective Chief Inspector said he could connect the two accused to the alleged offences.

He confirmed that audio and video evidence forms part of the case against them.

No applications for bail were made, but defence lawyers raised concerns over potential entrapment.

Dr Bassalat's solicitor, Gavin Booth, told the court his client is a GP who chaired the Palestinian Society in Scotland.

"This is a peaceful and democratic organisation which raises awareness of the Palestinian cause," Mr Booth insisted.

He claimed Dr Bassalat was "pestered" by an MI5 agent to attend meetings in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

"At the earliest opportunity we will be putting forward the entrapment case," he added.

Jordan's lawyer, Peter Corrigan, argued that the same suspected agent organised an alleged meeting in Edinburgh between his client and Dr Bassalat.

"There's absolutely no mention during that meeting of recruitment for the IRA, procurement of weapons for the IRA, or assisting the IRA," Mr Corrigan contended.

""Predominantly the conversation was about Covid and other matters."

But the detective disputed the defence version of events.

"We believe the meeting was in relation to Mr Jordan seeking assistance in relation to foreign governments hostile to the UK," he said.

"The meeting in Edinburgh was part of a series of meetings, culminating in the relationship with foreign governments being progressed."

Following submissions District Judge Fiona Bagnall confirmed both accused had been connected to the charges against them.

She remanded them in custody, to appear again by video-link on dates next month.

Six other men and two women have already been charged with a total of 34 terrorist offences as part of the same operation.

As well as the PSNI and MI5, the investigation has involved Police Scotland, An Garda Siochana and Metropolitan Police.

Widely regarded as the largest dissident republican terror grouping, the New IRA has been responsible for a series of attempted attacks on police.

In April 2019 one of its gunmen shot dead journalist Lyra McKee as she observed a riot in Derry.
Scientists have gained new insights into the processes that have driven ocean level variations for over a century, helping us prepare for the rising seas of the future.

To make better predictions about the future impacts of sea level rise, new techniques are being developed to fill gaps in the historic record of sea level measurements. We know the factors that play a role in sea level rise: Melting glaciers and ice sheets add water to the seas, and warmer temperatures cause water to expand. Other factors are known to slow the rise, such as dams impounding water on the land, stymying its flow into the sea.

When each factor is added together, this estimate should match the sea level that scientists observe. Until now, however, the sea level "budget" has fallen short of the observed sea level rise, leading scientists to question why the budget wouldn't balance.

A new study published on Aug.19 seeks to balance this budget. By gaining new insights to historic measurements, scientists can better forecast how each of these factors will affect sea level rise in the future.

For example, in its recent flooding report, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) noted a rapid increase in sea level rise-related flooding events along U.S. coasts over the last 20 years, and they are expected to grow in extent, frequency, and depth as sea levels continue to rise.

Factors Driving Our Rising Seas

On reexamining each of the known contributors to sea level rise from 1900 to 2018, the research, led by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, uses improved estimates and applies satellite data to better understand historic measurements.

The researchers found that estimates of global sea level variations based on tide-gauge observations had slightly overestimated global sea levels before the 1970s. (Located at coastal stations scattered around the globe, tide gauges are used to measure sea level height.) They also found that mountain glacier meltwater was adding more water to the oceans than previously realized but that the relative contribution of glaciers to sea level rise is slowly decreasing. And they discovered that glacier and Greenland ice sheet mass loss explain the increased rate of sea level rise before 1940.

In addition, the new study found that during the 1970s, when dam construction was at its peak, sea level rise slowed to a crawl. Dams create reservoirs that can impound freshwater that would normally flow straight into the sea.

"That was one of the biggest surprises for me," said lead researcher Thomas Frederikse, a postdoctoral fellow at JPL, referring to the peak in global dam projects at that time. "We impounded so much freshwater, humanity nearly brought sea level rise to a halt."

Since the 1990s, however, Greenland and Antarctic ice sheet mass loss and thermal expansion have accelerated sea level rise, while freshwater impoundment has decreased. As our climate continues to warm, the majority of this thermal energy is absorbed by the oceans, causing the volume of the water to expand. In fact, ice sheet melt and thermal expansion now account for about two-thirds of observed global mean sea level rise. Mountain glacier meltwater currently contributes another 20%, while declining freshwater water storage on land adds the remaining 10%.

All told, sea levels have risen on average 1.6 millimeters (0.063 inches) per year between 1900 and 2018. In fact, sea levels are rising at a faster rate than at any time in the 20th century. But previous estimates of the mass of melting ice and thermal expansion of the ocean fell short of explaining this rate, particularly before the era of precise satellite observations of the world's oceans, creating a deficit in the historic sea level budget.

Finding a Balance

In simple terms, the sea level budget should balance if the known factors are accurately estimated and added together. It's a bit like balancing the transactions in your bank account: Added together, all the transactions in your statement should match the total. If they don't, you may have overlooked a transaction or two.

The same logic can be applied to the sea level budget: When each factor that affects sea level is added together, this estimate should match the sea level that scientists observe. Until now, however, the sea level budget has fallen short of the observed sea level rise.

"That was a problem," said Frederikse. "How could we trust projections of future sea level change without fully understanding what factors are driving the changes that we have seen in the past?"

Frederikse led an international team of scientists to develop a state-of-the-art framework that pulls together the advances in each area of study - from sea level models to satellite observations - to improve our understanding of the factors affecting sea level rise for the past 120 years.

The latest satellite observations came from the pair of NASA - German Aerospace Center (DLR) Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites that operated from 2002-2017, and their successor pair, the NASA - German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) GRACE Follow-On (launched in 2018). Additional data from the series of TOPEX/Jason satellites - a joint effort of NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales - that have operated continuously since 1992 were included in the analysis to enhance tide-gauge data.

"Tide-gauge data was the primary way to measure sea level before 1992, but sea level change isn't uniform around the globe, so there were uncertainties in the historic estimates," said Sonke Dangendorf, an assistant professor of oceanography at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and a coauthor of the study. "Also, measuring each of the factors that contribute to global mean sea levels was very difficult, so it was hard to gain an accurate picture."

But over the past two decades, scientists have been "flooded" with satellite data, added Dangendorf, which has helped them precisely track the physical processes that affect sea levels.

For example, GRACE and GRACE-FO measurements have accurately tracked global water mass changes, melting glaciers, ice sheets, and how much water is stored on land. Other satellite observations have tracked how regional ocean salinity changes and thermal expansion affect some parts of the world more than others. Up-and-down movements of Earth's crust influence the regional and global levels of the oceans as well, so these aspects were included in the team's analysis.

"With the GRACE and GRACE-FO data we can effectively back-extrapolate the relationship between these observations and how much sea level rises at a particular place," said Felix Landerer, project scientist at JPL for GRACE-FO and a coauthor of the study. "All observations together give us a pretty accurate idea of what contributed to sea level change since 1900, and by how much."

The study, titled "The Causes of Sea Level Rise Since 1900," was published Aug. 19 in Nature. In addition to scientists from JPL and Old Dominion University, the project involved researchers from Caltech, Universite Catholique de Louvain in Belgium, University of Siegen in Germany, the National Oceanography Centre in the United Kingdom, Courant Institute in New York, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Academia Sinica in Taiwan.

JPL managed the GRACE mission and manages the GRACE-FO mission for NASA's Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Based on Pasadena, California, Caltech manages JPL for NASA.

Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
Alameda County will allow certain businesses to reopen in a low-risk capacity by moving operations outdoors. Such businesses include hair salons and barbershops, nail salons, waxing services, skin care services, and non-medical massages.

The orders exclude services which may require a person to remove a face covering, such as eyebrow threading and waxing, and eyelash treatments. The order also excludes tattoo, piercing and electrolysis-related businesses from opening.

The updated health order also allows for outdoor pools to reopen just in time for the end of the summer, permitted that individuals follow social-distancing guidelines. Additionally, the order gives local wineries a respite: They may now serve wine via tastings without needing to also sell an accompanying meal to patrons.

Due to wildfire smoke across the region, the orders will go into effect on August 28.

These outdoor activities we are allowing to reopen are relatively low risk, but whenever we increase opportunities for people to mix, we see an increase in cases, said Dr. Nicholas Moss, Alameda Countys Interim Health Officer, in a press release. Simple actions wearing a face covering, washing your hands often, and staying six feet away from people outside your homeprotect everyone. As we continue to experience poor air quality, there is no better time to stay home as much as possible.

As of August 25, Alameda County is on the state's watch list, preventing the county from making headway toward reopening schools for in-person instruction. According to the state, the East Bay county is conducting 259.1 tests per 100,000 residents per day, and has a case rate of 137.9 per 100,000. All together, the county currently has 16,733 cases and has recorded 234 deaths.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here.

Scientists say Hong Kong man got coronavirus a second time<

Napa County no longer appears on state COVID-19 watch list

Newsom shares positive virus trends, but most of Bay Area still stuck on watch list

How long coronavirus lasts on metal, glass, plastic and other surfaces

Alyssa Pereira is a culture editor at SFGate. Email: alyssa.pereira@sfgate.com | Twitter: @alyspereira


CHATHAM, NJChatham schools will open as planned on Sept. 8, said superintendent Michael LaSusa, ending speculation about more changes to the district's strategy as September approaches.

"The gains and benefits of having students in school, even if its not perfect, outweigh shutting schools down for all virtual," said LaSusa. "The department of health has indicated that we should try to open schools, so I feel that it's my job to find a way to do that as safely as possible."



The plan to stay the course comes days after LaSusa announced that the start of the school year was being moved back one week to give the district more time to install protective equipment and address staffing concerns. At Monday's board of education meeting, LaSusa said the PPE would be installed by the first day, and Chatham schools are prepared for the challenge this fall would undoubtedly bring.



Human Resources Manager Beth Grant said 16 staff members have already been granted leave due to increased coronavirus vulnerability, and 10 more are on leave for other reasons, such as lack of child care. But Grant added that those numbers may be the beginning of a larger problem.



"Employees of the district that have expressed concerns about their ability to start employment at the beginning of the academic year...that number at this time is greater than 100 staff members."

Despite the concerns, LaSusa said the basic question is whether the school district can safely supervise students during the day.

"We feel we can fill most of the [26] teacher leaves in a way that enables us to appropriately supervise students," said LaSusa. But he added that circumstances could change quickly and that the district had to address the large number of staff interested in taking leave this fall. "That 100 [staff] is what we're working through, and not all of those will turn into leaves."

The superintendent and board members expressed frustration with seemingly contradictory guidance from the state, as he and other New Jersey administrators spent most of the summer operating under the directive that some in-person school would be required. But an executive order issued by Gov. Phil Murphy on Aug. 12 reversed course, leaving teachers, school administrators, and parents frustrated and confused.



"We've been working on this night and day," said board president Jill Critchley Weber, "this is not something Mike [LaSusa] just worked on since the governor decided to change things on us."

This article originally appeared on the Chatham Patch
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky informed German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas about the security situation in Donbas and expressed hope that the Normandy format summit will take place as soon as possible.

"We are grateful to you personally, we are grateful to your ambassador, and we would especially like to thank Chancellor Angela Merkel for her continued support. She always supports us on all the priority issues we have: the issue of the war in the east, the issue of Crimea, the issue of our territorial integrity and sovereignty," Zelensky said, the press service of the Head of State informs.

He noted that the visit of Heiko Maas to Ukraine on Independence Day is symbolic evidence of special relations between Kyiv and Berlin.

"I am grateful that on such an important day for Ukraine - Independence Day - we have guests of such a high level," Zelensky emphasized.

The President of Ukraine also expressed gratitude for Germany's consistent support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our state.

The President paid special attention to the progress in the establishment of peace in eastern Ukraine and other steps that bring the next Normandy format meeting at the level of heads of state closer.

"[Its important that] we manage to hold a Normandy format meeting as soon as possible, prepare everything and really move forward. Now there is a feeling that the teams are working well. For 29 days there have been no combat losses or injuries. I believe that this is our great common victory," the Head of State said.

In turn, Heiko Maas assured that Germany would continue to make every effort to succeed in the peace process. He expressed hope that a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Normandy format countries, scheduled for September 2020, would give additional impetus to the implementation of the decisions of the Paris summit.

"Ukraine supports the German views that the summit of leaders should take place at the end of September," Volodymyr Zelensky stressed.

Due to the threat of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Volodymyr Zelensky and Heiko Maas also agreed on the need to deepen cooperation in the fight against the disease. The President of Ukraine thanked the Government of Germany for the recent decision to provide Ukraine with 18 ventilators.

Heiko Maas reaffirmed Germany's support for Ukraine's path towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration. At the same time, he agreed with the need to maintain the EU sanctions policy against Russia until the reasons for its introduction - the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the war in Donbas - are eliminated.

ol
The minister in charge of Malaysia's lucrative palm oil sector has come under fire in the country's parliament for breaking novel coronavirus quarantine rules.



Though Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Mohamad Khairuddin Aman Razali paid a 1,000-ringgit (240-dollar) fine in August for violating stay-home requirements after returning to Malaysia from an official visit to Turkey, lawmakers believe the minister was let off lightly.



Former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Monday that it was "unfair" that "a minister gets to walk free easily" while others face court.



A restaurant owner was jailed in August for five months for quarantine breaches that led, health officials said, to around 40 people being infected with the novel coronavirus.



Around 23,000 people were arrested for alleged violations during Malaysia's anti-coronavirus lockdown, which ran from March 18 to May 4.



Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on Monday that 512 people were arrested the previous day for violations of the remaining curbs, such as visiting illicitly reopened pubs and nightclubs.



Police chief Abdul Hamid Bador said on Sunday that Khairuddin, who is in charge of the world's second-biggest palm oil sector, will be investigated for his quarantine breach.



Malaysia and Indonesia together produce around 85 per cent of the world's palm oil, a widely used ingredient in snacks, cosmetics, fuels and animal feed.



Malaysia's Ministry of Health has reported more than 9,200 cases of novel coronavirus infection and 125 related deaths.

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
Zelensky calls on rabbis of Ukraine to help avoid crowds during Rosh Hashanah celebrations in Uman

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with representatives of the country's Jewish religious organizations and discussed compliance with anti-epidemic restrictions during the celebration of Rosh Hashanah in Uman (Cherkasy region), the presidential press service said.

Zelensky said that Ukraine understands how important it is for tens of thousands of Hasidim to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. At the same time, in 2020 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made significant adjustments to plans and habits, because now the epidemic situation in Ukraine and Israel is of great concern.

"This year, it is a difficult situation with COVID-19, with which the whole world is fighting now. All mass gatherings of people give an increase in infection at times. The mass celebration of Rosh Hashanah will lead to a colossal collapse. It will be the collapse in Ukraine, then it will be collapse in other countries," he said.

The president said that he had discussed the situation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and, according to the head of the Israeli government, about 8,000 believers come to Ukraine from Israel for Rosh Hashanah celebration every year.

"Therefore, they turned to us to close Uman. This holiday is very important. I am sure that every year we will only strengthen our relations. However, we have a difficult situation," Zelensky said.

He asked representatives of Jewish religious organizations in Ukraine to appeal to the Jewish community with an appeal to avoid large gatherings of people on Rosh Hashanah in 2020.

The president said that significant restrictions on mass gatherings were introduced for Ukrainians in April, when Christians celebrate Easter.

The head of state also said that due to the dynamics of COVID-19 spread in Ukraine, the government plans to restrict the entry of foreign citizens.

The rabbis who took part in the meeting said that they understand the situation that has developed due to the spread of COVID-19 and will try to convey information to believers.

Chairman of the Council of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine Rabbi Meir Stambler said that the Torah teaches that the most valuable thing is life, and a person should take care of it.

"We will do all the possible to convey your statement. We understand what is happening and how important it is," the rabbi said.

Chief Rabbi of Kyiv, Chairman of the Association of Jewish Religious Organizations of Ukraine Yaakov Dov Bleich noted the importance of normative regulation of the situation. According to him, it is necessary to envisage restrictions not only for foreign pilgrims, but also for domestic ones.

"There are gatherings of people who live in Ukraine. It is important that everyone understands that there is a framework of legislation," he said.

In addition, during the meeting, the issue of creating a memorial to Babyn Yar in Kyiv was discussed. Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak said that earlier Zelensky held a video conference on this issue with members of the supervisory board of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Foundation.

"The President set a clear task for the President's Office and the Cabinet of Ministers to start building the memorial as soon as possible. Projects are being discussed now. This is a tragedy that happened in our country, and our duty is to perpetuate the memory of people who died in Babyn Yar," Yermak said.

The head of state said that Babyn Yar is a global symbol of something that should never be repeated.
Are you ready to dive into the list that consists of new music releases? Check out the new updates published in the online music blog site - Daily Music Roll. It has been a very short period that Daily Music Roll has set up a massive audience base with its excellent music blogging section. This Online music blog site has featured many aspiring as well as experienced musicians from all across 
Jan D. Achenbach, Walter P. Murphy and Distinguished McCormick School Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, and Mechanical Engineering, passed away at age 85 on August 22. He is remembered for his extraordinary contributions to the field of applied mechanics, and the enduring relationships he built with students and colleagues at Northwestern Engineering.

During his five decades at the McCormick School of Engineering, Achenbach was renowned for his pioneering work on quantitative nondestructive evaluation. Achenbach developed methods for flaw detection and characterization by using contact transducers, imaging techniques, and laser-based ultrasonics. He had also developed methods for thin-layer characterization by acoustic microscopy.

Jan raised the stakes for what is possible for faculty members at Northwestern Engineering, said Julio M. Ottino, dean of the McCormick School of Engineering. His outside influence stretched far beyond the halls of the Technological Institute and McCormick and broadly into the field of applied mechanics. The number of people influenced by him is remarkable.

His career was marked by many honors. Achenbach received a 2003 US National Medal of Technology for his seminal contributions to engineering research and education and for pioneering methods for detecting dangerous cracks and corrosion in aircraft, leading to improved safety for aircraft structure. He was awarded a 2005 US National Medal of Science, the nation's highest honor for innovation in technology and science honoring a lifetime of work. Additionally, Achenbach was a member of both the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Sciences, and an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

He was a pioneer in his field, said Kevin Lynch, chair and professor of mechanical engineering. His leadership, particularly in terms of his seminal contributions and his mentorship of his students, has been a model for faculty in our department for more than 50 years.

Jan was not only a great scientist and engineer, as evidenced by his National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology, but also was the best colleague who was extremely supportive of others, said Yonggang Huang, Walter P. Murphy Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. We will miss him.

Achenbach earned numerous other accolades, including the 2012 ASME Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the 2010 Theodore von Karman Medal from the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the 2001 William Prager Medal from the Society of Engineering Science. In 2011, he was awarded a rare honorary doctorate degree from Chinas Zhejiang University. The founding editor of Wave Motion, a scientific journal on the physics of waves, Achenbach served as the publications editor-in-chief from 1979 to 2012.

Born in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, Achenbach earned his PhD in 1962 from Stanford University. He then served as a preceptor at Columbia University. A year later, Achenbach joined the Northwestern Engineering faculty as an assistant professor of civil engineering, becoming associate professor in 1966 and professor in 1969. He was named Walter P. Murphy Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics in 1981, and then distinguished McCormick School Professor in 1992.

Achenbachs work was both analytical and experimental in nature, with extensive cooperation with investigators from other universities and from industrial organizations on theoretical experimental projects. His work in fracture mechanics was primarily on dynamic fracture, and he also carried out research on structural acoustics and the mechanical behavior of composite materials.

Achenbach founded Northwesterns Center for Quality Engineering and Failure Prevention, a laboratory for quality control in structural mechanics, later renamed the Center for Smart Structures & Materials.

Achenbach was preceded in death by his wife Marcia, who passed away in 2019 after 58 years of marriage.

We have lost a giant of mechanics, a leader and wise member of our academic community, and a great friend, said Zdenek P. Bazant, McCormick Institute Professor, Walter P. Murphy Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering. My wife Iva and I are nostalgic for the 20 years during which Jan and Marcia were our neighbors. We cannot imagine anyone more friendly and accommodating.

Inspired by their lifetime of experiences at Northwestern, the Achenbachs made a number of commitments to support the future of Northwestern Engineering, including funding the Jan and Marcia Achenbach Professor of Mechanical Engineering chairs, and the Jan D. Achenbach Lecture Fund, in addition to other areas.

Jan and Marcia mentored students, building lifelong bonds. One was Jianmin Qu, now the dean of engineering at Tufts University, who earned his masters and PhD from Northwestern Engineering and served as chair of the McCormick School of Engineerings civil and environmental engineering department from 2009 to 2015.

Jan was the one who convinced me to come to Northwestern for my PhD with him. Twenty years after my PhD, he again was the one who convinced me to return to Northwestern Engineering as a faculty member. Both have proven to be pivotal to my career, said Qu. His mentorship and friendship helped me forge my career path, and I am forever grateful for his support and guidance.

No public services are scheduled at this time.
Batka Gets His Gun. Belarusians Take Note. Laughter Ensues.

By Michael Scollon August 24, 2020

At first, the sight of a government Mi-8 helicopter flying over massive protests in Minsk led to speculation that President Alyaksandr Lukashenka was fleeing the capital amid days of opposition pressure for him to step to step down.

In fact, the authoritarian ruler appeared to have been on a reconnaissance mission, taking airborne advantage of his red-and-green aircraft to observe the red-and-white demonstrators challenging him

Then, after touching down, Lukashenka was filmed striding on the grounds of the presidential palace wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying an AK-47 rifle, flanked by an armed entourage that included his 15-year-old son wearing body armor.

But while the scene appeared to be a show of force aimed at demonstrators disputing the August 9 election that he was declared winner of, the message was received with a mix of skepticism, disbelief, and even outright mockery.

The tough-guy appearance was part of a broader demonstration, by him and his government, that has included threats of military intervention, efforts to rally the troops, and sniping comments toward demonstrators.

The imagery added further to the mixed picture of Lukashenka's response, and to concerns that he was contemplating a full-blown aggressive crackdown on opponents.

Such a response likely couldn't happen without Russia's knowledge. But Moscow, which has long had a strained friendship with Lukashenka and has admitted there were shortcomings in the vote, has wavered on its offer of military intervention under the terms of the military alliance known as the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Asked on August 23 about Lukashenka carrying the weapon, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to answer the question.

But Viktor Vodolatsky, a lawmaker for the ruling United Russia party who serves on the parliamentary committee overseeing affairs with ex-Soviet republics, offered his interpretation to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

Lukashenka "wanted to demonstrate his readiness to fight for Belarus, for his country, against the organizers of all sorts of orange revolutions," Vodolatsky was quoted as saying. That's a reference to pro-democracy upheaval in Ukraine, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and elsewhere in the former Soviet space that the Kremlin frequently claims were fomented by the West.

Some observers suggested that Lukashenka's warning shot was a damp squib, noting that there was no ammunition clip on his Kalashnikov. "The footage almost seemed comical in nature, but it is anything but to those in Minsk that are demanding his ouster," the War Zone military blog said.

Aleksei Pushkov, a Kremlin ally in Russia's upper house of parliament, openly questioned the logic of Lukashenka's gun-toting display. "Looks strong, but the scene is dark. Was it necessary to bring things to this?" he said in a post to his Telegram channel. "There were no reasons for such a force majeure. Gross political mistakes were made."

And Vladimir Solovyov, a pro-Kremlin talk-show host on state TV, posted a throwback picture of an armed Lukashenka on his Telegram channel. "Lukashenka with an automatic weapon when it wasn't mainstream," he wrote.

The imagery also drew derision from Carl Bildt, a former prime minister of Sweden and ex-European Union envoy, who said that entire day, including him brandishing the weapon, was "deeply humiliating" for Lukashenka, and suggested he was scared and lacked confidence.

One Twitter user called on readers to offer suitable musical accompaniments for Lukashenka's video, which included an Elton John song ("I'm Still Standing") and the Imperial March from the Star Wars films.

Still, the tough talk hasn't been limited to Lukashenka. Earlier on August 23, ahead of the arrival of some 150,000 demonstrators in Minsk's Independence Square, Defense Minister Viktor Krenin threatened military intervention if any war monuments were harmed.

"We are strictly warning in case of disruption of the order and tranquility in these places, you will be dealing not with the police, but with the army," Krenin said in a video statement posted on the ministry's official Telegram channel.

In videos from Lukashenka's helicopter posted on the state news agency BelTA, the embattled president could be seen sending orders to security forces below. At one point, he can be heard remarking that the protesters had "fled like rats" as riot police began to move in to disperse the demonstrations.

The Telegram channel for the official Belarusian press pool was the first to show Lukashenka addressing his guards as he inspected the security cordon outside his residence after the demonstrators -- some of which reportedly had approached the presidential palace -- had cleared.

"Guys, thank you, you are beautiful!" he is heard telling the guards, adding in reference to the protesters that "we will deal with them."

"We are with you till the end!" the guards responded.

At the end of the day, Lukashenka's press spokeswoman claimed he had been in control from the beginning.

"As the president promised, he did not run anywhere," Natalya Eismont said. "No matter how some bloggers and Telegram channels tried to present it."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/batka- gets-his-gun-belarusians-take-note- laughter-ensues-/30800435.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testified Monday before members of the House Oversight Committee. (U.S. Senate)

If you had spent Monday watching members of the House Oversight Committee grill Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, you would be as confused as I am.

The U.S. Postal Service is in dire financial straits.

The U.S. Postal Service is well funded, partly thanks to a dramatic, pandemic-related increase in mailed packages.

DeJoy is a logistical genius, who has successfully demanded that mail trucks leave processing centers on time.

DeJoy is a soulless bureaucrat so intent on getting mail trucks to stick to their departure schedules that he let them drive away empty. (As L.A.-area Democrat Rep. Jimmy Gomez put it, You focused on getting trucks to leave on time, but you didnt focus on getting mail to the people.)

Ah, details, details.

I felt a little sorry for DeJoy, 63, who sat alone at the witness table in front of smattering of socially distanced lawmakers. He is not a public servant. He is a wealthy, well-connected Republican mega-donor and former owner of a logistics company, which evolved from his fathers Long Island trucking company.

Under questioning by Democratic Rep. Brenda Lawrence of Michigan, a former letter carrier and post office supervisor, De Joy admitted he did not know about Chapter 39 of the U.S. Government Code, which holds that the USPS shall be operated as a basic and fundamental service provided to the people by the Government of the United States, authorized by the Constitution, created by Act of Congress, and supported by the people.

He confessed to Democratic Rep. Katie Porter of California that he doesnt know how much postage is required for a postcard (35 cents), nor has any idea how many Americans to the nearest million voted by mail in the last election.

DeJoy, its clear, knew next to nothing about the Postal Service when he took it over in June. But hey, Donald Trump didnt know anything about the federal government when he took over, either, and look how well thats worked out.

Like the president, DeJoy probably thought his private business experience was all he needed. He would transform the Postal Service, and its 600,000-plus employees who deliver 451 million pieces of mail a day, into a better, more businesslike version of itself.

Story continues

That hasnt happened.

Instead, he has instituted a management hiring freeze, pushed for early retirement for workers and allowed overtime pay to be curtailed at a moment when as many as 40,000 postal workers are either ill or in quarantine because of the COVID-19 virus.

Attempts at cost containment, he admitted, have caused serious delays in mail deliveries.

How serious?

A couple of Democratic lawmakers cited the work of my colleagues Maya Lau and Laura Nelson, who reported last week on widespread delays and dysfunction in California post offices, where sorting machines have been removed or locked up with no explanation. By early August in a South Los Angeles processing facility, they wrote, gnats and rodents were swarming around containers of rotted fruit and meat, and baby chicks were dead inside their boxes.

Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona tried to get DeJoy to blame the slow deliveries on all the rioting going on, but the postmaster general did not bite.

::

During the morning, I toggled back and forth between the DeJoy hearing and the Republican National Convention, which was just getting underway.

As DeJoy was trying to reassure the country that he takes his job as a sacred duty, the president was literally trashing the Postal Service, as he has done for years.

At almost exactly the same time DeJoy vowed that he is working with state election boards and that it is our intent not to have any fraud, Trump was advancing the loony theory that the tens of millions of Americans who will vote by mail are part of a Democratic plot to unseat him.

Theyre using COVID to steal the election, Trump said onstage in Charlotte, N.C., where he made a surprise visit to the convention in the middle of its roll call. Theyre using COVID to defraud the American people.

He brayed that the post office should raise its rates on Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos, who also owns the Washington Post.

When I get bad stories in the Washington Post, said Trump, who has falsely claimed that Amazon does not pay its fair share in postal costs, I wonder why.

Trump has complained so often and so loudly about the imaginary perils of universal mail-in voting that you really had to laugh at his sycophants on the Oversight Committee who accused Democrats on Monday of ginning up a conspiracy theory of their own: that the USPS is under a Republican partisan attack to thwart mail-in voting.

Ranking member Rep. James Comer of Kentucky accused Democrats of whipping themselves into a hysterical frenzy.

DeJoy, for his part, assured the committee that, despite what his political patron has claimed, the Postal Service is well equipped to handle the increase in mail when voting season rolls around.

Notwithstanding the dead bodies of defenseless baby chicks, I really do believe him.
She has temporarily moved to the Hamptons with her family during the coronavirus pandemic.

And Naomi Watts stepped out to pick up some supplies in the nearby hamlet of Montauk on Tuesday.

The actress, 51, visited a 7-Eleven store, where she purchased a bagel, a banana and a packet of Marlboro Lights.

Smoke break: Naomi Watts, 51, picked up a packet of cigarettes, a bagel and a banana from a 7-Eleven in Montauk on Tuesday

The Mulholland Drive star showed off her slender figure in one of her signature black ensembles - a pair of baggy trousers, a matching singlet top and chic sandals.

She accessorised with a tan designer handbag, several necklaces, and, of course, a protective face mask.

Makeup free, the Aussie star pulled her hair back into a low ponytail.

Naomi and her ex-partner Liev Schreiber have been staying together with their sons, Sasha, 12, and Kai, 11, in the Hamptons during the coronavirus pandemic.

Slender star: The Mulholland Drive star showed off her slender figure in one of her signature black ensembles - a pair of baggy trousers, a matching singlet top and chic sandals

She has also been spotted with her boyfriend, actor Billy Crudup, in the area.

Not with Naomi during the outing was her adorable new rescue dog, Izzy.

The New York-based star shared a number of photos of Izzy to Instagram when she adopted the puppy back in May.

Hunkering down: The actress has temporarily moved to the Hamptons with her family during the coronavirus pandemic

'New family member alert with Izzy the pup,' Naomi captioned one post.

She also shared a sweet video of Izzy running on the grass as the song Who Let The Dogs Out by Baha Men played in the background.
The protocols aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 are included in a training course all students will be completing this first week of classes, he said

Another addition to students routines, Bray said, is the Campus Clear app to have employees and students self-certify that they are safe to be on campus.

The app sends a push notification asking the user to complete a one-question self-survey about COVID-19 symptoms.

Depending on the persons response, the app or website will inform the person if they are clear to go to campus or if they should stay home and next steps a person should take if they feel ill or have been around someone who has tested positive.

Its sort of an opportunity for everybody to, at the very beginning of the day, take an assessment, kind of take a look at, OK, how am I feeling today, he said. Thatll be a good routine for everybody to get into.

First-year student Abigail Martinka said she was worried she would miss the experience of being a college student, but was glad to be on campus Monday.
A 29-year-old North Platte man was sentenced to prison on a burglary charge for the second time in a little over a year.

In Lincoln County District Court Monday, Shawn D. Reese received a term of two to four years for a burglary at Complete Family Medicine on March 25.

Reese, who was credited with 153 days served, pleaded no contest July 20.

North Platte police arrested Reese on the night of the break-in and robbery as his physical appearance and clothing matched video footage of an individual inside the medical office.

In June 2019, Reese received a two- to five-year sentence for a 2018 burglary.

Reese, who also has a warrant in Buffalo County for a parole violation in a separate case, was released from prison just after the start of the year.

In other court proceedings Monday (parties are all from North Platte unless noted):

 Shawn Grizzle, 33, of Cozad, pleaded no contest to a count of operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest. The charge stems from a May 6 pursuit in which speeds reached more than 100 mph on U.S. Highway 30.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.25

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Oil and petroleum products exports from Azerbaijan to European Union (EU) countries stood at 2,023,202 tons in January 2020 and 2,112,208 tons in February 2020, Eurostat told Trend.

These figures amounted to 2,622,882 tons and 1,766.656 tons, respectively in the same period of 2019.

In particular, Czechia imported 219,000 tons of oil and petroleum products from Azerbaijan in January 2020, 189,000 tons in February 2020, 69,000 tons in March, 78,000 in April and 139,000 tons in May.

Germany imported 185,750 tons, 269,197 tons, 128,063 tons, 102,729 tons and 206,809 tons from January through May.

Azerbaijan exported 19.5 million tons of oil from January through July 2020, which is 0.02 percent more compared to the same period of 2019, according to the statistical report of the State Customs Committee (SCC).

According to the report, the total volume of exports of petroleum products in the reporting period amounted to $6.3 billion, showing an annual decrease of 48.6 percent.

During seven months of 2020, the volume of exports of petroleum products amounted to almost 705,797 tons, which is 15.4 percent more compared to the same period of last year.

The volume of exports from Azerbaijan during the reporting period of this year totaled $9.1 billion, having shown a 33.6 percent drop year-on-year.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
(Natural News) On December 11, 2018, Mastercard publicly announced that it was partnering with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to develop a new digital immunization records system, which upon closer look appears to be the blueprints for a global Mark of the Beast. And now, nearly two years later, the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) plandemic is rapidly advancing this Mark of the Beast system into full fruition.

As we reported back in July, Mastercard and Gavi have already co-created an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered identity authentication company known as Trust Stamp, which is right now being tested on black lives in Africa. Billionaire eugenicist Bill Gates is also behind the program, which comes with a Wellness Pass component for verifying peoples health, allowing them to return back to normal society.

The Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), it turns out, is the perfect excuse to implement this Wellness Pass on a global scale. Widespread fears about the spread of infection are already changing the way people live, including with temperature checks, mandatory face coverings, and other Orwellian policies that restrict peoples freedoms and liberties in the name of safety and security.

The push towards contactless payments combined with nationwide coin shortages is also accelerating the shift away from cash, which in a matter of just a few short months has almost become taboo. Some stores and shops have already begun posting signs saying, Cash Not Accepted, even though cash is still considered to be legal tender.

From an endgame perspective, the goal is to make everything digital and centrally controlled. Not only will all payments be made using chipped cards like those offered by Mastercard, but eventually everyones medical records will also be electronically synced to these same payment platforms.

Governments will also be able to use this synchronized platform to ensure that children everywhere are up to date on their vaccinations. This includes future vaccinations for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), the earliest of which could be unveiled as soon as this fall.

This partnership will leverage Mastercard expertise and technology, enabling ministries of health and authorized health workers to provide a card with a digital immunization record, to each participating childs caregiver, the 2018 announcement explained.

By empowering caregivers to stay on track to receive critical vaccinations, the program aims to strengthen the efficiency and reach of health services in developing countries where children are most at risk of missing out on immunization. Governments will benefit from having a better understanding of the immunization needs of their communities.

In order to buy or sell, youll need your Wellness Pass

While Mastercard could not come right out and say it at the time, the plan all along appears to have been to eventually scare the world into fearing a pandemic in order to set the stage for the mandatory acceptance and integration of such a program into everyday life.

Had Mastercard announced to the world back then that one day everyone would need to be vaccinated and approved as healthy by the government in order to continue living life as normal, most people probably would have thought the company was crazy. But now that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) has circulated the world and created a new normal, we can now see how the plandemic materialized as the perfect storm to usher in the new world order.

Understand that the covid-19 plandemic is being used to crush human freedoms and ultimately exterminate up to 90% of the population, writes Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, tying it all together. This is being done systematically, deliberately and maliciously.

For more related news about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) plandemic, including how it is being used to usher in the Mark of the Beast, be sure to check out Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

Mastercard.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
DULLES, Va., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Unison, the leading provider of acquisition management software and insight to government agencies, program offices, and contractors, today announced that Unison's PRISM has been selected to support the Department of the Interior (DOI) Interior Business Center's (IBC) client, the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB).

The FRTIB is moving from a legacy acquisition solution to the PRISM Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, which will be fully integrated with IBC's Oracle Federal Financial (OFF) Environment. With this implementation, Unison's PRISM will now support the four federal Financial Shared Services Providers.

The FRTIB manages the largest defined contribution retirement plan, handling retirement assets for more than 6 million US government employees and uniformed services participants.

"Unison is proud to be working with FRTIB, whose mission is completely focused on serving Federal employees and ensuring secure retirements," said Greg Young, General Manager Civilian Software at Unison. "Unison is now supporting Shared Services Providers across the federal government, enabling efficient and effective federal acquisition with real-time visibility and transparency."

With PRISM, the DOI IBC will meet the goal of providing an efficient, comprehensive, end-to-end, webbased application with the tools needed to effectively support the full and complete acquisition management lifecycle, from initial planning to requisitioning through source selection, award, post award management, and closeout to support acquisition requirements.

FedRAMP compliant since 2016, PRISM SaaS offers a holistic approach to acquisition lifecycle management including a full-service functional and technical helpdesk and is widely recognized as the most powerful and intuitive contract writing system.

About Unison

Unison's secure cloud and on-premise software, marketplace, and information products support more than 200,000 users in all cabinet-level agencies, major DoD programs, and leading prime contractors. All software development and support are done within the USA. For over 30 years, Unison has continually advanced software and insight solutions to help federal programs efficiently achieve their missions. Unison is headquartered in Dulles, VA, with offices in Tysons Corner, VA, Clearfield, UT, and San Diego, CA. For more information, visit www.UnisonGlobal.com

SOURCE Unison

Related Links

http://www.UnisonGlobal.com


As India steps on the pedal to further unlock and speed up economic recovery, the recent US travel advisory does not build confidence. Flagging issues of crime, terrorism, unrest as well as Covid-19, Indias Level 4 ranking in the advisory has left the tourism and hospitality industry alarmed. The Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), an umbrella body of 10 national tourism, travel and hospitality organisations in the country, has requested the Union tourism minister to take up the matter with the external affairs ministry.

The bodys concerns are justified because the current travel rating pegs India with countries like Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen and Syria, among others. According to FAITH, its associations have been instrumental in bringing up the number of tourists from 10-15 million to about 40 million in the last decade. It remains a top source for tourism across various segments, while its tourists net the highest average stay in India. In the current scenario, when the country is looking to revive the economy, the travel rating shows Indias state of affairs in poor light.

Given the continuous surge in coronavirus cases, the Indian tourism sector has taken a bad hit and is considered to be making one of the worst recoveries in the global market. Hotel bookings are very low, as is the tourist confidence level. This is ominous for a sector that contributes significantly to the GDP while being a top employment generator.

The asymmetry of states using different lockdown and shutdown measures to control the spread of infections has proved detrimental for the travel and tourism sector. Last week, the Ministry of Home Affairs asked states to allow unhindered movement of persons and goods, which should pave the way for the normalisation of travel and tourism.

But much of it would depend on the confidence levels of domestic tourists. Once domestic tourism picks up without hurting the Covid-19 containment measures, it would send the right message to international tourists too. The festive season that sets off the peak tourism calendar is right ahead, but the onus would be on states to display resilience. It would be for their own socio-economic well-being as well.


China cosies up to EU as US tensions high China is looking to cosy up to Europe as the US presidential election heightens rhetoric

China's foreign minister on Tuesday kicked off a tour of a Europe still reeling from coronavirus, as he seeks to shore up economic and diplomatic relations in light of tensions with the US.

Donald Trump's administration has stepped up anti-China rhetoric in the run-up to the US presidential election on November 3, despite ongoing trade talks.

On his first European stop in Rome, Wang Yi shied away from naming Washington explicitly, but lamented "provocation and damage from external forces" hitting the EU -- a second favourite punching-bag of Trump's.

"A united, stable and prosperous Europe is important for the whole of the world," Wang added.

Italy was the first G7 country to sign on to China's ambitious "Belt and Road" trade and infrastructure investment plan, and Wang on Tuesday inked two new trade deals with Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.

Rome was criticised for last year breaking ranks with other European countries over the investment scheme.

Allies have worried that China's "Silk Road" will destabilise smaller countries by overloading them with debt, boost China's power, and allow key technologies and trade secrets to slip into Beijing's hands.

But Italian leaders now hope boosted export opportunities for the country's main industries -- from agricultural products to machinery -- can help haul it out of a devastating economic crisis brought about by an over two-month lockdown.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Rome in March 2019, signing billions of euros in trade deals.

Di Maio said the latest agreements covered natural gas from Snam, Europe's biggest pipelines operator, and the export of "Made in Italy" food products to China, as well as "important partnerships in the energy and transport sector".

- Human rights and Hong Kong -

But there are clear pitfalls for Wang's stated aim to "consolidate relations" between China and Europe as the top diplomat travels on to the Netherlands, France, Germany and Norway.

Story continues

Just as the trade deals were being signed, visiting Hong Kong activist Nathan Law urged Italy to condemn China for human rights abuses.

Law met with an Italian foreign affairs delegation and told reporters Di Maio should "address Hong Kong's problems and the human rights violations by China".

Italy should "severely condemn" Beijing's human rights record, added Law, who recently fled Hong Kong to London after Beijing imposed a controversial security law on the territory in June.

Law called for a "strong alliance" against Beijing, including "sanctioning" Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations against China's Uighur population in the northwestern Xinjiang province, and in Hong Kong.

Wang said China had passed its law "to fill the gaps that had existed in Hong Kong for years."

"It is a law to combat the violent acts found everywhere and to hinder certain actions of pro-independence Hong Kong people," Wang said.

Di Maio said he had told his Chinese counterpart that Hong Kong's "stability and prosperity are essential."

"It is essential to preserve the high autonomy of the city and the protection of the fundamental rights of its inhabitants," he added.

- US trade talks -

Even as Wang looked to bolster ties with Europe, China is in the midst of trade talks with an increasingly prickly US.

The trans-Pacific atmosphere is far frostier since an initial trade agreement was signed in January.

Tensions have mounted over Trump's charge Chinese leaders allowed the coronavirus to run out of control after it emerged in Wuhan, and the president again dubbed it the "China virus" in a video played during the Republican convention Monday.

The two superpowers are also at odds over technology and China's human rights record.

ams-jhe/tgb
By PTI

NEW DELHI: As many as 10 trade unions on Tuesday condemned the government's proposal to privatise more airports and stake sale in Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

"Granting the airports to a single business entity and group would lead to monopoly and the group will squeeze the extra revenues from passengers and airlines," a joint statement by the ten central trade unions said.

There were income leakage and loss of revenue for the Airports Authority of India at Mumbai and Delhi airports in the past, the statement said.

Hence, it said, "this privatisation of airports should be immediately stopped as it would escalate the cost of the airline travellers and airlines as well".

After the announcement by civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri on August 18 that his ministry would place a proposal for further privatisation of airports before the Union Cabinet, it rubber stamped the proposal for leasing out three airports - Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram - through public private partnership (PPP) on August 19, the statement said.

So far, 12 airports have been cleared this year for privatisation -- Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, Amritsar, Varanasi, Bhubaneshwar, Indore, Raipur and Trichy.

The Airports Authority of India owns and manages more than 100 airports across the country.

None of them is making losses, the unions claimed, adding that Thiruvananthpuram airport, the first international airport in independent India, makes a profit of Rs 125 crore every year.

"Kerala Government has offered to run it and the matter is sub-judice.

Yet the Central Government is bent on preempting the Kerala Government.

The Kerala Assembly passed a unanimous (including the lone BJP MLA) resolution on 24th August 2020 against handing over the Airport to Adani Group," the statement said.

Now, on August 21, there were media reports on the government's move to sell its stake in IRCTC as well, the unions noted.

The unions condemn the central government's fetish for privatisation and sale of all their assets to their cronies and warn that this step is against the interests of the ordinary commuters, and urge the Central Government to withdraw its latest proposal, it added.

The ten central trade unions are INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC.

The other two central trade unions are the RSS affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU).
The Berlin hospital did not specify the substance that struck Navalny. It said, however, that he was affected by a cholinesterase inhibitor, a chemical that blocks the transmission of impulses through the nervous system. One such cholinesterase inhibitor, the deadly Soviet-era nerve agent known as Novichok, was used in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian spy, and his adult daughter, Yulia, in Britain two years ago  an attack British authorities linked to Russian military intelligence.
Dr. Rebecca Berens is like any other primary care physician. She takes the temperatures of toddlers, jots down prescriptions for antibiotics and recommends lab work to diagnose whats wrong with a patient.

But unlike most doctors, she doesnt take health insurance, and she doesnt pack her schedule to see as many patients as possible.

Berens, who runs her practice out of a converted Heights home, is a direct primary care doctor, charging patients a flat monthly fee for unlimited visits, telemedicine access and minor procedures such as sutures. As millions of Americans lose jobs and employer-sponsored health care, many are flocking to medical practices such as Berens Vida Family Medicine as an affordable, stop-gap alternative to costly insurance available on the exchanges of the Affordable Care Act.

Almost every day, Berens said,  Im seeing someone saying Im losing insurance, I cant afford (Affordable Care Act Exchange) marketplace plans, what are my other options?

More Information \ See More Collapse

At Vida Family Medicine, inquiries about becoming a member have doubled from about two to four a week, primarily from people who say they lost employer-sponsored insurance or cant afford health insurance premiums. While there are no statistics on the numbers of patients turning to direct primary care during the pandemic, practices nationwide are reporting an increase in patients, said Tom Banning, CEO of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians and a board member for the Direct Primary Care Coalition, a professional association that represents about 1,200 direct primary care doctors across the country, including Berens.

Its sad that it took a pandemic, Banning said, but it forced individuals to think more about the care theyre buying.

The draws

Membership fees are relatively inexpensive for whats basically having a doctor on-call 24/7. Vida Family Practice, for instance, offers three levels of membership based on age, with the highest costing $100 per month for a patient 50 and older. Prices for a family are capped at $250 per month. Patients pay an additional one-time enrollment fee of $99.

Most services such as physicals, stitches and telemedicine are included in the cost of the membership. More costly procedures and tests generate additional fees tacked on to the bill. At Foundation Primary Care in Katy, for instance, Dr. Thanh Ho Taylor charges $11 for a diabetes monitoring test which would not usually be included in the price of membership.

THINKING TELEMEDICINE: Hospitals closed in, went virtual  and it paid off in 2020

Heres the rub: direct primary care is best suited for healthy patients. The membership fees dont cover emergency room visits, hospital stays and other services that can result in hundreds or thousands of dollars in charges.

Doctors usually recommend that their patients supplement direct primary care with a catastrophic coverage or health insurance plan with a high deductible, which have lower premiums than traditional plans. Both hold financial risks since patients typically must cover thousands of dollars in medical costs before the coverage kicks in.

But, they said, the combination of direct primary care with catastrophic or high deductible coverage can still be cheaper than traditional health insurance with low deductibles because the model capitalizes on the idea that close relationships with primary care doctors keeps patients healthier and reduces the chances of hospitalization and other expensive care.

A recent report from the Direct Primary Care Coalition and Society of Actuaries found that patients using direct primary care visited the emergency department 40 percent less over a year compared to their peers on who see a traditional primary care physician.

Patients also are looking for telemedicine options. Both Berens and Taylor were offering telemedicine services before the pandemic as a convenience for patients who couldnt always stop in for in-person exams.

Taylor estimates that in the three years before the pandemic, about 50 percent of her visits were telemedicine, either over the phone or video calls. That skyrocketed to 90 percent in March.

Mitchel Balladares, a 39-year-old Houston resident, lost his health insurance when he was laid off from his oil and gas job in June. By the first week of August, he was looking for an option that would cost him less than an Affordable Care Act plan, which starts at $253 monthly for a man his age and includes an $8,000 deductible.

Balladares is healthy and only sees a doctor for check-ups and the occasional illness. With a couple Google searches using the keywords affordable health care options, he discovered direct primary care and booked an appointment on Aug. 13 with Taylor at Foundation Primary Care.

At $45 per month, which includes physicals, telemedicine and discounted rates on vaccines and lab tests, it seemed reasonable given his limited income right now, which consists of unemployment benefits, that make up about two-thirds of what he was earning.

For what I'm looking to get done, Balladares said. I think its adequate.

A little personal space, please

The bottom line for many people is that health insurance has become increasingly unaffordable, especially for those out of work or on reduced salaries due to COVID-19. An estimated 659,000 adult Texans lost health insurance during the pandemic, according to Families USA, a consumer healthcare advocacy nonprofit.

Those who are still able to afford a doctors visit have seen things change  doctors suit up in head-to-toe protection, from face shields to plastic bags over their shoes. But the small patient bases of direct primary care doctors mean limited numbers of people in waiting rooms, adding an extra layer of protection that patients might not get at a large practice.

Dr. Kathrym Espana, a physician who runs Concierge Pediatrics in the Rice Military neighborhood, attributes the increase in her patient volumes to parents worried about taking their kids waiting in a crowded lobby.

Recently, shes had a fuller schedule, fitting in 10 patients on the busiest days  which is still only about one per hour, compared to doctors at major medical systems who schedule three or four  and seeing up to 60 patients monthly. Thats a 50 percent increase from her schedule in January and February, when shed see roughly 40 patients per month.

Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox

Its more attractive to come to an office where theres going to be nobody in the waiting room, Espana said.

The downside

On the surface, getting a direct primary care doctor is cheaper than many peoples health insurance premiums. But if a patient needs to go to the emergency room, theyre stuck paying out of pocket for at least a large share of costs, even if they have catastrophic health insurance and similar lower cost plans.

But focusing on preventive care and regular check-ups reduces the chance that patients will need to go to emergency rooms or hospitals for conditions such as strokes, direct primary care doctors say.

Taylor, on her first visit with Balladares, the out-of-work patient, recommended he supplement his membership with catastrophic coverage, but he hasnt bit the bullet and bought such insurance yet. His plan for now is to avoid getting seriously ill, which is easier said than done when a global pandemic is raging.

Its not a one stop shop to fix everything, Balladares said, but for the relatively healthy person, I think it works.

gwendolyn.wu@chron.com

twitter.com/gwendolynawu
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 20:18:39|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

VALLETTA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Malta's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to shrink by 6.6 percent in 2020, according to estimates published Tuesday by the country's central bank.

In a report on its outlook for the Maltese economy between 2020 and 2022, the Central Bank of Malta said that following the expected contraction in 2020, the GDP is likely to grow by 6.1 percent in 2021 and 4.2 percent in 2022.

According to the latest data available, the bank said the Maltese economy is likely to have recorded "an unprecedented contraction" in the second quarter of 2020. It noted, however, "signs of some stabilization in the third quarter."

"While this projection is significantly better than that for other euro area countries, Malta's level of economic activity is expected to be around seven percent lower in 2022 compared to the projections that had been made prior to the outbreak of COVID-19," the bank said in its report. "In fact, it will take until mid-2022 for Malta's GDP to return to its 2019 level."

Compared with the bank's previous projections, the GDP growth was revised downwards in 2020, due to weaker tourism.

It said that the government's fiscal and liquidity measures announced in June to curb the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are estimated to boost GDP by three percentage points, reducing the decline in GDP by nearly a third.

Almost all sectors are expected to be negatively affected by the pandemic and the associated containment measures, it said, adding that the accommodation and food services activities, transportation and storage, and wholesale and retail trade sectors, are expected to be the worst affected. Enditem
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mazda CX-5 stands out from other compact crossover SUVs with its modern design and energizing driving experience. The 2021 CX-5 will continue to exceed expectations with its largest-ever infotainment display, new i-Activsense safety features and a new stylish Carbon Edition. These enhancements complement the CX-5's sophisticated design and available turbo engine to help further encourage owners to seek inspiring adventures. Mazda North American Operations today announces the 2021 Mazda CX-5 will arrive in dealerships next month.

2021 MAZDA CX-5: MORE TO DISCOVER

Many premium features come standard on the 2021 CX-5 Sport. Most notably the new 10.25-inch large center display with the latest Mazda Connect infotainment interface has standard Apple CarPlayTM and Android AutoTM capabilities. It also adds a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services capability, providing the ability to monitor and control the state of the CX-5 remotely by logging into the MyMazda app and in-car Wi-Fi hotspot[2] with three-months or 2GB trial, whichever comes first. Matching this intuitive technology is a responsive driving experience with the naturally aspirated four-cylinder Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter engine, able to deliver 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque on either regular (87 octane) or premium (93 octane) fuel and is equipped with a quick-shifting, six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift and sport modes. While G-Vectoring Control and front-wheel drive are standard, Mazda's i-Activ all-wheel drive with off-road traction assist is available on all trim levels. For peace of mind, the CX-5 comes standard with the brand's suite of i-Activsense safety features including Mazda Radar Cruise Control with stop and go function, Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Other standard features include, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, High Beam Control, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio pairing, two front USB inputs, push button start, electronic parking brake, remote keyless entry, rearview camera, cloth seats, automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, rear roof spoiler and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

CX-5 Touring adds subtle refinements by way of heated driver and front passenger seats, leatherette seats with Lux Suede inserts and dual-zone automatic climate control. Occupants in the rear can enjoy the additions of air conditioning vents, center armrest and two USB charging ports. Other upgrades include Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry, rear privacy glass, six-speaker sound system and auto-leveling function added to the LED headlights.

The all-new available Touring Preferred SV Package will elevate the features on the CX-5 Touring. This package upgrades to the Bose 10-speaker audio, leather seats, power liftgate, power moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, six-way power passenger seat and eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar support and memory positioning.

Another all-new addition to the 2021 CX-5 lineup is the Carbon Edition. Sharing similar features to the CX-5 Touring with Touring Preferred SV Package, the Carbon Edition offers exclusive styling with Polymetal Gray exterior paint, gloss black door mirrors and 19-inch black metallic aluminum alloy wheels. The interior has red leather seats and black honeycomb interior trimming on the dash and door panels. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob add red stitching to help bring the color scheme together. This unique model is offered with two powertrain options. The naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter engine is standard, while the CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo is available with the Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine that delivers 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium (93 octane) fuel or 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular (87 octane) fuel. The CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo will also feature a new badge to help identify the powertrain.

The CX-5 Grand Touring moves up from the Touring trim level with updates inside and out. Interior enhancements include a Bose 10-speaker audio system, leather seats, power moonroof, paddle shifters on the steering wheel, seven-inch TFT reconfigurable digital gauge display, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink and SiriusXM satellite radio with three-month trial subscription. The exterior adds a power liftgate, LED taillights, fog and daytime running lights, Adaptive Front-lighting System, dual heated door mirrors and 19-inch brilliant silver aluminum alloy wheels. The CX-5 Grand Touring is only equipped with the naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter engine.

Stepping into a new class, CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve is equipped with the Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine with new turbo badge and i-Activ all-wheel drive as standard. The driver's experience is enriched with the windshield-projected Active Driving Display. Traffic Sign Recognition is available with the optional Mazda Navigation System accessory installed. Other exceptional upgrades include ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, automatic folding door mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer.

The top-tier CX-5 Signature offers the most in terms of advanced technology and sophisticated design. New i-Activsense safety features Smart City Brake Support Reverse and Driver Attention Alert join the 360 View Monitor with front and rear parking sensors now updated with high-definition digital clarity. Equipped with Mazda Navigation System, CX-5 Signature includes Traffic Sign Recognition. SiriusXM three-year traffic and travel link subscription is also provided. Modern styling is emphasized with Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine layered wood trimming, frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, ambient LED interior lighting, 19-inch dark silver aluminum alloy wheels, black headliner and Signature trim badge.

MSRP[3] FOR THE 2021 MAZDA CX-5 IS AS FOLLOWS:



Front-Wheel Drive i-Activ All-Wheel Drive CX-5 Sport $25,270 $26,670 CX-5 Touring $27,010 $28,410  Touring Preferred SV Package $1,445 $1,445 CX-5 Carbon Edition $28,855 $30,255 CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo $30,660 $32,060 CX-5 Grand Touring $30,460 $31,860  GT Premium Package $1,625 $1,625 CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve - $35,285 CX-5 Signature - $37,405

PREMIUM PAINT COLORS:

Soul Red Crystal Metallic $595 Machine Gray Metallic $495 Snowflake White Pearl Mica $395

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

Follow MNAO's social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.

[1] MSRP does not include $1,100 for destination and handling ($1,145 in Alaska), taxes, title or additional fees. Dealers set actual sale prices.

[2] Mazda Connect 4G LTE Wi-Fi powered by AT&T is available during 3-month/2GB trial period (whichever comes first); monthly subscription. Fall 2020 availability.

[3] MSRP does not include $1,100 for destination and handling ($1,145 in Alaska), taxes, title or additional fees. Dealers set actual sale prices.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations

Related Links

https://www.mazdausa.com


A SON accused of killing his elderly mother told arresting gardai: "guilty, she was vile, she was a pervert".

Brendan Murray (61) made the reply when charged with murdering his mother Neasa Murray (88) at his home in Clontarf, a court heard.

Judge John Brennan remanded him in custody, to appear in court again on Friday.

Ms Murray, a widow and mother-of-five, was found dead at her son Brendans home address at Kincora Court, Clontarf on Sunday, August 23.

This evening, he was brought before a special late sitting of Dublin District Court after being charged by detectives at Clontarf Garda Station.

Det Sgt David Ennis told the judge when he arrested Mr Murray for the purpose of charging him this afternoon, he replied after caution: "I admit it."

He was then charged, at 6pm, and his reply after he was handed a copy of the charge sheet was "guilty, she was vile, she was a pervert," Det Sgt Ennis said.

He applied for a minor technical amendment to the charge sheet and defence solicitor Michael French made no objection.

Sgt Ennis asked for the accused to be remanded in custody to Cloverhill District Court.

Judge Brennan noted that "in light of the nature of the charge", no bail application was being made.

Bail cannot be granted at the district court on a murder charge.

Asking for an early remand date, Mr French said his client "suffers from serious mental health issues, I would like to monitor his progress."

He also asked for an urgent psychiatric assessment of the accused on his arrival in Cloverhill prison.

"It may be a situation where my client will be transferred elsewhere," Mr French said.

Judge Brennan said he was noting the reply to the charge, made the amendment as requested and remanded Mr Murray in custody, to appear in Cloverhill District Court on August 28, by video link.

He said this was for mention only pending the preparation of a book of evidence. The judge also directed a psychiatric assessment of the accused on his admission to Cloverhill prison.

The judge granted free legal aid after Mr French made an application and said the accused was in receipt of social welfare. There was no garda objection.

The accused, dressed in a blue sweater and grey tracksuit bottoms sat muttering and rocking back and forth, then repeatedly stood and blessed himself during the brief hearing.

After Ms Murray's body was found on Sunday night, paramedics rushed to the scene but, despite the efforts of the emergency services, she was pronounced dead.

Ms Murray's address was at nearby Kincora Drive and she was understood to have been living alone there following the death of her husband Charles in January 2018.

Detectives were yesterday conducting door-to-door inquiries in the area as part of the investigation.

The officers, wearing PPE masks, spoke to neighbours and also examined inside the property where Ms Murray was discovered.

The crime scene at Kincora Court remained sealed off yesterday as members of the Garda Technical Bureau carried out forensic examinations.

Ms Murray's body was removed for a post-mortem examination.
Jeremy Corbyn's wife has hinted at a new book about how her husband was the victim of a media slur when he was leader of the Labour Party.

Mr Corbyn's third wife, Laura Alvarez, 51, made the announcement to her 16,600 Twitter followers on Sunday.

It is unclear whether Mrs Alvarez will be writing the book herself or whether she is simply endorsing one which is yet to be published.

Alongside a picture of her and Mr Corbyn, 71, she wrote: 'The mainstream press obsession with its distorted account of previous Labour leadership goes on and on.

Jeremy Corbyn's wife (right) has promised a new book about how her husband was the victim of a media slur when he was leader of the Labour Party

Mr Corbyn's third wife, Laura Alvarez, 51, made the announcement to her 16,600 Twitter followers on Sunday

'Watch this space for a book that tells the actual truth will come and how we can develop our socialist policies for the Many.

'Keep your money for a worthwhile book!'

Mrs Alvarez, a Mexican national, made the announcement just days after a new book to be released in September was revealed to contain details suggesting that Mr Corbyn couldn't empathise with today's 'prosperous' Jewish community.

Mrs Alvarez made the announcement just days after a new book to be released in September was revealed to contain details suggesting that Mr Corbyn couldn't empathise with today's 'prosperous' Jewish community

The book, Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour under Corbyn, is due to be released on September 3 and was written by two journalists - Gabriel Pogrund and Patrick Maguire.

Mrs Alvarez's announcement was ridiculed by many Twitter users, with one even suggesting that the book she was talking about which tells the 'actual truth' was in fact Left Out: The Inside Story.

Another user mocked: 'No doubt it will be filed under fiction in the shops.'

And another said: 'It will be called, ''Not My Fault''.'

Richard Willan wrote: 'What's it called.... An Antisemite writes... Diary of an abject failure...Recollections of life in bitterness... There's so many options.'

Another wrote: 'The title could be ''Can I finish?!'' in reference to Corbyn's favourite catchphrase when being asked challenging questions by journalists and taking a long time in delivering an answer.

Journalists Pogrund and Maguire had front row seats to Labour's calamitous attempt to gain power.

Former aides have revealed non-stop infighting between top strategists, Jeremy Corbyn's anger at losing control of his diary, and his own wife's on-screen snipes.

According to the Times, former senior advisor Andrew Murray spoke to the authors about Mr Corbyn's failure to deal with antisemitism in the party.

Mrs Alvarez's announcement was ridiculed by many Twitter users, with one even suggesting that the book she was talking about which tells the 'actual truth' was in fact Left Out: The Inside Story

Mr Murray, a Unite trade unionist, told them: 'He is very empathetic Jeremy, but he's empathetic with the poor, the disadvantaged, the migrant, the marginalised, the people at the bottom of the heap.

'Happily, that is not the Jewish community in Britain today. He would have had massive empathy with the Jewish community in Britain in the 1930s[...]

'But, of course, the Jewish community today is relatively prosperous.'

Mrs Alvarez is an ex-banker and owns a coffee import business that was investigated for paying it's farmers 93p per 10 bag in 2015.

The couple live together in a million pound house in Islington, London.

Labour campaign chiefs feared that Jeremy Corbyn himself was sabotaging the party's 2019 general election campaign, a new book has claimed

Andrew Murray, left, has said Corbyn (right) struggled to empathise with today's Jewish community because they were relatively prosperous unlike back in the 1930s (file photo)

Serialised in The Sunday Times and the Times, the book details how Jeremy Corbyn ignored his chief of staff, Karie Murphy, who had suggested a visit to Auschwitz as a gesture after he faced criticism for failing to address antisemitism in the Labour Party.

It also reveals Mr Corbyn fell out with John McDonnell to the extent that the pair didn't speak to each other 'for months'.

The book claims Mr McDonnell was unhappy with the disciplinary matters against Jewish MP Dame Margaret Hodge who had questioned Mr Corbyn about antisemitism in the Commons and Mr McDonnell was furious that Jeremy didn't intervene.

Book details how Mr Corbyn fell out with John McDonnell (pictured) to the extent that the pair didn't speak to each other 'for months' over a disciplinary matter involving MP Margaret Hodge

Left Out, by Gabriel Pogrund and Patrick Maguire. claims top advisors knew the party was heading towards electoral disaster months before voters went to the polls in 2019, but were unable to stop it.

But in a damning revelation, the advisor find those present, including party chairman Ian Lavery and John Donnell's wife Cynthia, rejected the warning that the party was losing votes to the Conservatives.

'People in the north just won't vote Tory,' said Lavery, MP for Wansbeck. 'It just won't happen!'

But with just two weeks to go and YouGov putting Conservatives ahead by 359 seats to Labour's 211, any changes including a suggestion to adopt a new campaign slogan of 'We're on your side' would be futile.

The Conservatives won with 365 seats to Labour's 202.

Former aides have revealed non-stop infighting between top strategists, Jeremy Corbyn's anger at losing control of his diary, and his own wife's on screen snipes. Pictured: Corbyn with his office director Karie Murphy

Waters' polling suggested that voters did not trust Labour on Brexit, at the time a position of having a Second Referendum on a Labour deal which some MPs could campaign against.

This convinced McDonnell, the Shadow Chancellor, that Labour had to win back pro-EU voters.

The party would therefore refrain from discussing the detail of Brexit and 'extol the virtues of giving voters the final say via a second referendum'.

But several figures including Corbyn's chief strategist Seumas Milne had argued against this strategy, saying that it would alienate the working class in favour of Boris Johnson's 'Get Brexit Done'.

The book reveals that top figures including John McDonnell knew to party was heading towards electoral disaster months before voters went to the polls in 2019, but were unable to stop it

The book suggests that those who shared Milne's viewpoint were outmuscled over Brexit, which would become a key point of the campaign.

As planning for the campaign got underway, McDonnell would lead discussions, with Karie Murphy, the Executive Director of Corbyn's office sometimes stepping in.

But wary of being blamed for decisions she was unable to take, Murphy would constantly remind people in the room she was not in charge.

Seamus Milne, Corbyn's Chief Advisor, who was a key figures in decision for the 2017 campaign, had also lowered himself from a role of decision maker.

The lack of leadership was combined with infighting between advisors.

Policy adviser Andrew Fisher would refuse to share the draft manifesto with Milne  or anyone he regarded as being in the Milne/Murphy Brexit axis to stop their influence.

In another example in the book, Corbyn threw what one aide described as a 'tantrum' when he learnt that his campaign bus was powered by a diesel engine - the sort that his own manifesto promised to outlaw by 2030

In turn Murphy closely guarded Corbyn's diary 'grid', and Niall Sookoo, Labour's director of elections, refused to share his list of key seats with Milne or Murphy.

After four-years as Labour leader, defeat in the Brexit referendum and a draining antisemitism row, Corbyn's energy was sapped heading into the election.

Polling in 2019 also put him as the most unpopular Labour leader of the past 45 years.

Paul Hilder, a data consultant to the campaign, warned  just as Labour MPs did after their weekly surgeries  that the leader had become a liability.

He recommended that the party deploy a broader team of spokespeople to neutralise the damage a campaign that relied on Corbyn alone would do.

But with a reduced diary and control taken away, Corbyn proved irritable.

In one case, McDonnell proposed that Corbyn would upstage Boris Johnson by making a visit to parts of Yorkshire and the midlands affected by the floods to highlight cuts to flood defences overseen by the coalition.

But Corbyn refused to go, citing the fact he had not been kept in the loop after his office director Murphy took control of his diary and only fed him parts at a time.

The Labour leader became increasingly more frustrated as decisions were taken out of his hands.

In another example in the book, Corbyn threw what one aide described as a 'tantrum' when he learnt that his campaign bus was powered by a diesel engine - the sort that his own manifesto promised to outlaw by 2030.

In protest, he refused to use the battle bus, opting for trains and public transport. This drew ire from his team, as they struggled to reach him with constant poor phone reception while travelling the country.
Jeff Daniels plays former FBI Director James Comey in a new trailer for the Showtime series The Comey Rule.

The limited series, which debuts Sept. 27, is based on A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership, Comeys 2018 book, and takes on the relationship between Comey and President Donald Trump after the 2016 election.

The trailer prominently features Trump asking for Comeys loyalty in a one-on-one dinner at the White House. Trump fired Comey in 2017 as an investigation of possible collusion between Russia and the the Trump campaign was underway.

Comey, 59, grew up in Allendale and is an alumnus of Northern Highlands Regional High School. He stands at 6 feet, 8 inches tall. Emmy winner Daniels, 64, is 6-foot-3.

Just before the 2016 presidential election, Comey sent a letter to Congress saying that the FBI had launched a new inquiry into Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons use of a private email server. Two days before polls opened, Comey said the FBI had not changed its earlier conclusion that Clinton should not face charges in relation to the handling of classified information.

Joining Daniels in the two-part series is Emmy winner Brendan Gleeson as President Donald Trump and William Sadler as Michael Flynn.

Flynn, the national security adviser for the first few weeks of the Trump administration, resigned and pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about talking to Sergey Kislyak, a Russian ambassador, in 2016. Flynn, 61, later withdrew his guilty plea. The Justice Department under Attorney General William Barr moved to dismiss the case against Flynn. Now a federal appeals court is reviewing the decision.

We recently spoke to Sadler (The Shawshank Redemption) about reprising his role of Death this week in Bill & Ted Face the Music, the sequel to Bill & Teds Bogus Journey, starring New Jersey-connected actor Alex Winter as Bill and Keanu Reeves as Ted.

The veteran actor talked about the totally excellent time-travel movies as well as his part in the Comey series.

Which character is the bigger harbinger of doom in their respective stories, Death or Michael Flynn?

I think the harbingers in the White House right now, Sadler, 70, tells NJ Advance Media.

Michael Flynn is sort of more a pawn in this story, he says. Hes a symptom (of) this sort of angry, poisonous partisanship where you cant talk to people who disagree with you ... Thats a really hopeless situation. If we cant talk and find the things that we agree about then its really hard to see a way forward.

Actor William Sadler plays former national security adviser Michael Flynn in "The Comey Rule" and Death in "Bill & Ted Face the Music."Nicholas Hunt | Getty Images

Sadler also plays Gen. John Kelly, former White House chief of staff, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross (who grew up in North Bergen) in the Showtime series Our Cartoon President, an animated series about the Trump administration.

It still remains to be seen whether hes going to spend time in prison or not, he says of Flynn. I think hes going to end up getting pardoned.

Oscar-winning screenwriter Billy Ray (Captain Phillips) adapted Comeys story for TV.

Holly Hunter plays former acting Attorney General Sally Yates in the series, while Jennifer Ehle plays Comeys wife, Patrice Comey, and Michael Kelly plays Andrew McCabe, former acting director of the FBI. Kingsley Ben-Adir plays former President Barack Obama, Scoot McNairy plays Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Jonathan Banks plays former National Intelligence Director James Clapper.

The Comey Rule airs 9 p.m. ET/PT Sunday, Sept. 27 and Monday, Sept. 28 on Showtime.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Send a coronavirus tip here.
The clamour around postponing the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) has been growing. Many leaders in India have urged the Centre to postpone these exams, as demanded by the students, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik is the latest to write a letter seeking postponement of the above entrance exam. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu leader MK Stalin have already sought its postponement.

Here are the latest updates on the controversy:

 In a letter to Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Tuesday, Patnaik said that due to prevailing Covid-19 pandemic situation, it would be highly unsafe and perilous for 50,000 students of the state to visit the test centres physically to appear in these tests.

 Famous climate activist Greta Thunberg has also tweeted in support of the students demanding postponement of JEE and NEET. Its deeply unfair that students of India are asked to sit national exams during the Covid-19 pandemic and while millions have also been impacted by the extreme floods. I stand with their call to #PostponeJEE_NEETinCOVID, she tweeted on Tuesday.

 Mamata Banerjee had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday seeking postponement of NEET and JEE examinations that are scheduled to be held in September. Banerjee said she had expressed her views against the UGC guidelines that required completing terminal examinations in universities/colleges across the country by the end of September 2020. My point was that this decision had a huge potential to put students lives at risk, the chief minister said.

 In his letter to Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, DMK president Stalin said that no decision should be made in haste putting the lives of students at stake. The government should act keeping the well-being and future of students in mind. In the light of the severe difficulties explained above, I sincerely request you to postpone the JEE, NEET until Covid-19 is brought under control, Stalin said.

 The Supreme Court had on Monday declined to pass direction to the central government to hold NEET examination in Gulf countries, but asked the government to allow students to come via Vande Bharat Mission flights to give the exams. A bench of Justice L Nageswara Rao said that the quarantine norms are mandatory for students who would come from the Middle East countries to give exam but allowed petitioners to approach state authorities to seek relaxation.

 The top court had on August 17 dismissed a petition seeking postponement of these exams saying precious year of students cannot be wasted and life has to go on.

 The Medical Council of India recently told the Supreme Court that postponement of the NEET any further shall be a drastic deviation from the academic schedule which may affect the subsequent academic years of the students.

 Over 4,200 students participated in a day-long hunger strike on Monday demanding the cancellation and postponement of exams. Using the #SATYAGRAHagainstExamInCovid, students took to Twitter to urge the government to heed to their demands.

 Around 16 lakh students have registered for NEET this year, while close to 9.3 lakh students had registered for JEE-Mains (Paper I) that was conducted in January. An equal number of students were expected to appear for the second phase of the exam, which are scheduled for April-May each year.

 This year, however, owing to the Covid-19 outbreak, the National Testing Agency (NTA) kept postponing the exam dates.
The requested page is currently unavailable on this server.

Back to [RTHK News Homepage]
New Jersey mayors gathered Tuesday to rally support for expanding civilian oversight of police departments statewide, a week after the Supreme Court limited Newarks ability to investigate local cops.

The leaders of Newark and Jersey City, the states largest cities, and the mayor of Orange Township pushed lawmakers to pass a bill allowing every municipality to have a civilian complaint review board with broad investigatory powers.

Drawing a straight line from Newarks seminal 1967 protest to the Black man shot repeatedly by Wisconsin officers Sunday, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said only outside investigators could keep both residents and officers safe and restore trust in a discipline process largely closed to public scrutiny.

This has never been about Blue and Black, its always been about right and wrong, Baraka said while flanked by dozens of supporters on the steps of city hall. Recent protests against police brutality led mayors around the state to call him about establishing their own boards, he said, and he stressed that Newarks board is still active and receiving complaints.

Officials said they were working with state Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, D-Hudson, and others in Trenton to introduce legislation that would allow every New Jersey city and county to create civilian boards that could issue subpoenas and launch investigations at the same time police departments were investigating their own.

The states top court ruled both powers were illegal under current law.

McKnight did introduce a bill (A4272) in June to expand civilian oversight, but it did not include subpoena power.

If you take an objective look at the policing laws and rules here in New Jersey, you would come to the conclusion it is fundamentally broken, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said to a small crowd of reporters and onlookers.

The police promotion process was too inflexible, he said, and he lamented that complaints against officers were generally shielded from public view. Cops had more authority than most people, he said, and therefore should come under more oversight. He called on Gov. Phil Murphy and state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal to support powerful civilian review boards.

Murphy spokesman Jerrel Harvey said the governor was willing to work with the Legislature to create independent civilian boards that reflect the desires and needs of the communities they serve.

When asked in June if he supported civilian boards in every town, Murphy said, I dont know about every town, but I think the Civilian Review Board has been a big success, personal opinion, in Newark.

A Grewal spokesman said the attorney generals office was working with local officials to allow cities like Newark a larger role in oversight of their police department, and he pointed to testimony Grewal gave last month supporting making disciplinary records public.

That effort will continue, and nothing about last weeks Supreme Court decision alters the Attorney Generals commitment to building trust with the public or promoting transparency, accountability, and professionalism in law enforcement, Peter Aseltine wrote in an email.

Civilian investigations have been supported by activists like Larry Hamm for decades, and Hamm, who leads the advocacy group Peoples Organization for Progress, said Tuesday that police unions had too much influence over lawmakers.

The police cannot be a power unto themselves, he said.

Newark Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 12 had sued the city when it originally gave its civilian board subpoena power.

Its hard to believe that the city of Newark has lost two court battles over the legality of subpoena powers ... and now simply say they want politicians to change the laws in Trenton so they can get their way, union president James Stewart Jr. wrote in a text message. Its no wonder there is such disdain for those in politics when this type of action goes on.

Baraka appealed directly to current cops, some of whom stood in the crowd.

A civilian board would protect good officers, he said, by ensuring those who abused their power were held accountable. While Newark police had improved, he said, that does not mean that there are not officers in our department who ... arbitrarily take the law into their own hands.

A lawyer for the city, Kenyatta Stewart, said they were exploring ways to appeal the New Jersey Supreme Court decision to a federal court.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Blake Nelson can be reached at bnelson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BCunninghamN.

Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips.
It is late in the night  about 10.30pm. The traffic has thinned down. Swiftly darting his eyes around, the man rests his gaze upon a young passerby by the roadside. He walks up to him, and whispers in English, Brother, dont take offence but I see that you are very lucky. The passerby stares at him for a moment, looking puzzled, and goes away with quick steps. The man lowers his head, and then raises his eyes, staring around suspiciously. He finally sits down on a bench, here on this central Delhi street.

Im in a very dire situation at the moment, Sanjeev says. In dusty blue jeans and long whitish kurta, he has a green scarf hanging around his neck. His beard is scraggly. He has drooping shoulders; his eyes are sunken. Sitting away from the orange glow of the street lamp, he is reduced to his silhouette.

I collect money from passers-by, he says in fluent English. These are donations so that I can take care of my daily food.

Taking out a packet from his kurta, Sanjeev says, If you dont mind, try these.

Over Parle-G biscuits, Sanjeev gives clues about his life:

 He is from Benares, UP.

 He was born in 1965.

 He is a graduate in Sociology.

 He was employed in a TV manufacturing company.

 He has parents, two brothers, a wife and a son. They all live in Benares.

 He came to Delhi 20 years ago.

He says, Im in no position to go back to Benares for economic and maintenance (sic) reasons.

Cant his family be a support?

He answers vaguely, muttering: Time passes.

During the day, Sanjeev sleeps under the shade of a bus stop. In the evening, he collects donations for a few hours and stays awake, alone. He says he has no friends.

For 10 years, he worked as a repairer in a television manufacturing company. His job would take him to different states but once every month he would come to the companys Delhi head-office to get his pay cheque. When Sanjeev lost his job and returned to Benares, his parents married him off. A year later he had a son. Soon afterwards, he left home for reasons he asks not to share publicly.

So many years have gone by since then. I havent seen them all this while. In fact, I came to Delhi because it is such a big city. No one can find you here if you want to be lost.

Does he regret leaving his family?

Brother, there is a saying in Hindi: Apno ki do baat nahi bardasht kar sakte. Baad mein lakhon gairon ki baatien bardasht karte hain.

[While we will never tolerate even two minor barbs from our loved ones,

We are later ready to tolerate far nastier words by strangers.]

He now walks away, probably in search of donations, his eyes darting around.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
An Bord Pleanala is due to make a decision this week on an appeal of Kildare County Councils decision to refuse planning permission for a sand and gravel extraction project near Kilcullen.

Last year the Council refused permission for the development on a 32-hectare site at Racefield, Ballyshannon for a period of a dozen years which applicant Kilsaran Concrete (trading as Kilsaran Build) has appealed.

An Bord Pleanala was due to make a decision in May but this was delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

A spokesperson for the Ballyshannon Action Group, formed by a number of concerned residents last year, said:

"Ballyshannon and its surrounding communities have been united in resisting this inappropriate development from the very beginning. Now more than ever, we must protect our home places, animal and plant eco-systems and particularly our own respiratory health.

"There are approximately 79 pits in Kildare, so it is little wonder that our extremely valuable equine industry is becoming fatigued and concerned for its future. Aside from this proposed development, we know that Kilsaran owns a further 500 acres a short distance away.

"The communities in this area of Kildare are already overwhelmed with quarrying activity and we believe that less damaging alternatives must be sought before it is too late."

The decision by An Bord Pleanala is due on or before August 27th.

Kilsaran Concrete stated in leaflets distributed in the area that the proposed project would be developed to the very highest environmental standards and that annual output would be small in comparison to extraction developments nationally.

The company added that the site will be later restored to a landscaped habitat lake which would have a positive impact on local biodiversity.

The Kildare Co Council application attracted numerous submissions, including from the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Old Kilcullen Area Community Association, BAG, the Narraghmore Development association and teachers and parents associated with the primary school in Ballyshannon as well as individual objections and representations from politicians.

Former champion jockey Ruby Walsh, who lives near Kilcullen, also objected to the plan citing health and traffic concerns as well as a potential risk to an equestrian business he is involved in.
Top Lashkar commander gunned down with two more terrorists in Pulwama

Pulwama: The 200 kg explosive had 35 kilograms of RDX procured from Pakistan

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 25: The National Investigation Agency in its chargesheet said that 200 kilograms of explosives were used in the Pulwama attack.

Pulwama Terror Attack: NIA names Masood Azhar and his brother as plotters in the chargesheet

In the 13,500 page chargesheet filed before a special court in Jammu, the NIA said that the Jaish-e-Mohammad used 200 kilograms of explosives to trigger the blast on a CRPF convoy in which 200 jawans were martyred.

The agency which has been probing the case for the past 18 months further said that 35 kgs of the RDX was brought in from Pakistan while the nitro-glycerine and ammonium nitrate were procured locally.

Pulwama attack: NIA charges 19 including Masood Azhar, his brother Rauf Asghar

The chargesheet apart from naming the top leadership of the JeM which includes Maulana Masood Azhar also names Mohammad Umer Farooq as the key conspirator of the attack. He is the nephew of Azhar and son of IC-814 hijacker Ibrahim Azhar.

In its chargesheet, the NIA said that it has enough evidence to show that Farooq was in touch with the JeM leadership in Pakistan.

Further the NIA said that Farooq had entered India in 2018 and he had played the lead role in assembling the IED. It may be recalled that he was killed in an encounter on March 29 along with Kamran, an IED expert.

The NIA has also named Ismail Saifullahm who along with Farooq had crossed the border.

He is however absconding. Another absconding accused in the chargesheet is Sameer Dar. He had managed to escape from the encounter site after Farooq and Kamran were killed.

A hit at Balakot ensured JeM set aside plan for another Pulwama attack

The probe by the NIA revealed that the RDX used in the attack was procured from Pakistan. The JeM terrorists had infiltrated into India and the NIA has video evidence of the same. The NIA also detailed the role of Adil Ahmed Dar, the suicide bomber who rammed the explosive laden vehicle into the CRPF convoy at Pulwama.
Gardai at the scene on Clonshaugh Road where James Mago Gately was shot

A man charged with involvement in the attempted murder of Kinahan cartel target James 'Mago' Gately has been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court.

Mr Gately was shot multiple times as he sat in his car at the Topaz filling station on the Clonshaugh Road, Dublin 17, on May 10, 2017.

David Duffy (33) of Greenfort Lawns, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, is before the non-jury court charged with the offence under Section 72 (1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

Passport

Bail for Mr Duffy had been granted on July 31, but was dependent on the approval of an independent surety of 20,000.

Ms Ciara Vibien, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, yesterday told Mr Justice Tony Hunt that gardai had no objection regarding approval of the surety.

Mr Conor McKenna BL, for Mr Duffy, said his client had handed in his passport to gardai and would be supplying them with a mobile phone number within four days.

Mr Duffy was not required to attend yesterday's hearing before presiding judge Mr Justice Hunt, with Mr Justice Gerard Griffin and Mr Justice Dermot Dempsey.

The charge alleges that he, between December 7, 2016, and April 6, 2017, inclusive, and with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, and with the intention of enhancing the ability of the said criminal organisation, or any of its members, to commit a crime or a serious offence, namely the murder of James Gately, participated in or contributed to activities connected with the said offence.

Mr Duffy was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear before the court again on September 14.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
By Akbar Mammadov

Azerbaijans Defence Ministry has revealed to public the military items seized from the commander of Armenian sabotage and reconnaissance group, Senior Lieutenant Gurgen Alaverdyan, who was captured on August 23.

The ministry has shared the photo of the seized military items in a photo in its official website on August 24.

The sabotage group sought to stage a provocation in the direction of Azerbaijans Goranboy district at about 05:45 on August 23.

In the meantime, the Defence Ministry has commented on the Armenian Defence Ministrys statement that Senior Lieutenant Gurgen Alaverdyan "went missing by losing his way".

Every time an Armenian citizen guiding a sabotage group or a member of this group is taken prisoner by units of the Azerbaijan Army, the advisory, according to the same scenario, presents these persons as missing and lost village residents with psychical problems, mentally ill persons, shepherds, criminals and drunk people, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry wrote on its Facebook page on August 24.

If the captured officer was not in military uniform, the Armenian Ministry of Defense would this time also characterize him as a shepherd or a mentally ill person, the ministry stressed.

Furthermore, the ministry pointed out that if an officer gets lost and the public is not informed about it after more than 24 hours, this once again proves the existence of the arbitrariness, lack of dsicipline in the Armenian army, the constant and deliberate concealment of the growing number of crimes and non-combat losses from the public.

The ministry reminded that the Armenian sabotage groups operation was thwarted as a result of vigilance and professionalism of the Azerbaijani Army.

The ministry reiterated that the military-political leadership of Armenia bears all responsibility for the aggravation of the situation on the line of contact and along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

It should be noted that Armenia has stepped up its military provocation recently, staging sabotage both on the border and on the line of contact. On July 12, Armenian forces shelled Azerbaijan's positions in Tovuz, Azerbaijan's strategically-important district on the border. The Armenian attack killed 12 Azerbaijani servicemen, including an army general, as well as a 76-year-old civilian. Armenian forces retreated after suffering losses in Azerbaijan's retaliation.

Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in a conflict over Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh breakaway region, which along with seven adjacent regions was occupied by Armenian forces in a war in the early 1990s. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and around one million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

---

Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
I shouldnt be paying the amount of taxes I am in New Jersey, and Florida has no taxes, he said. He has taken steps to show tax authorities that he is, in fact, in Florida, such as forwarding his mail to his address there.

But Mark S. Klein, the chairman of the law firm Hodgson Russ, says it is not that simple, as long as taxpayers still have a primary residence in the state where they had been working and intend to return there. The same applies for people who have moved to the Hamptons for the last few months  they will not be exempt from New York City tax if they return to the city once the pandemic is over.

The rule with changing your domicile is you have to leave New York City, land in a new location and stick the landing, Mr. Klein said.

Ive had enough of New York City. Can I lower my taxes by moving out of state permanently?

Yes. Mr. Klein said more than 50 of his clients had moved to Florida, Texas, Nevada or Wyoming since March.

Its not a coincidence that these are no-tax states, he said. The other states with no income tax are Alaska, South Dakota and Washington. Many of his clients have kept their residences in California or New York, he said, but will plan to spend the majority of the year in their homes in lower-tax or no-tax states.

Kent and Ruby Santin, who had lived in Long Island City, Queens, said they were looking to buy in New York when the pandemic hit. Instead, seeking better access to the outdoors, they changed course and bought a house on Lake Tahoe in Nevada.

The lack of income tax there was also a big plus. That was part of the decision, to be totally honest, Mr. Santin, 30, a management consultant said.
Syrian sides meet in Geneva to discuss possible new constitution

Iran Press TV

Monday, 24 August 2020 1:38 PM

Members of the Syrian Constitutional Committee have met at the United Nations Headquarters in the Swiss city of Geneva to discuss a possible new constitution aimed at paving the way for a political ultimate solution to the ongoing conflict in the war-torn Arab country.

The week-long session that kicked off on Monday is the first meeting between Syrian government and opposition negotiators since a failed attempt at talks last November.

Delegations from both sides arrived at the United Nations in separate minivans, with Ahmad al-Kuzbari heading Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government delegation, and Hadi al-Bahra leading up the opposition delegation. They did not speak to reporters.

An unnamed UN spokeswoman confirmed shortly before noon that the week-long discussion had begun.

The members of the constitutional committee, which took almost two years of consultations to be formed, are tasked with reforming the Arab country's constitution before it is put to the vote of the Syrian people.

Representatives of the Syrian government and opposition met in early November last year to discuss a future constitution, part of plans for a political settlement to end eight and a half years of war.

However, a second round of talks planned for later that month was never held due to disagreement on the agenda.

Since then, talks have been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said on Sunday that he had met with co-chairs of the government and opposition delegations over the weekend.

"I am looking forward to a week of substantial discussions on the agenda and moving the process forward," he said on Twitter.

Also on Friday, Pedersen stressed the urgent need to build confidence between the parties.

He also said nobody expects "a miracle or a breakthrough," adding that the meeting is about looking towards identifying areas where progress might be made.

Composed of 50 members from the Damascus government, 50 opposition members, and 50 independent figures chosen by the United Nations, the committee is mandated, within the context of a UN-facilitated Geneva process, to draft and prepare for popular approval constitutional reforms paving the way for a political settlement in the post-war Arab country.

In September 2019, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said an agreement had been reached between the government of Syria and the so-called Syrian Negotiation Commission  an umbrella opposition group supported by Saudi Arabia, on "a credible, balanced and inclusive constitutional committee."

Damascus maintains that the constitutional committee should be a purely Syrian affair to be decided by the Syrian people alone without any foreign interference.

Pedersen, too, has stressed the full commitment of the UN to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Arab country.

An agreement was first made for the formation of the UN-backed Syrian Constitutional Committee in the Russian town of Sochi in 2018.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 09:13:25|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

MANILA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Tuesday it has approved a 125-million-U.S. dollar loan to help the Philippine government improve its capacity to prevent and control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Manila-based bank said the Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit (HEAL) COVID-19 project will enable the Department of Health (DOH) to improve health services across the country through the upgrading of medical equipment and related training.

"This project will help improve the preparedness and resilience of the country's health systems at the national and local levels in handling current and future public health threats." ADB Vice-President Ahmed Saeed said, adding "it will also contribute to the Philippines' efforts toward implementing universal health coverage."

ADB Principal Social Sector Specialist for Southeast Asia Sakiko Tanaka said, "The project will help the government scale up its ability to conduct COVID-19 tests, surveillance, and infection prevention and control, and provide critical care equipment to improve treatment outcomes."

According to the ADB, the government is seeking to more than double the daily COVID-19 testing capacity to 75,000 by the end of the year, compared with nearly 31,000 as of Aug. 15.

The ADB added the project complements an ADB grant to the DOH, which was approved on March 14 to build a pandemic subnational reference laboratory in the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga, north of Manila, with a daily output of 3,000 COVID-19 tests. The lab has been running since May 2020.

The Philippines now has 194,252 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 3,010 deaths and 132,042 recoveries. Enditem
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has tested positive for the coronavirus. A recent video shows Bolt at a large party where he and others were not wearing masks. (Grant Pollard / Invision / Associated Press)

Track and field superstar Usain Bolt has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Jamaica's minister of health announced Monday night. The news came after the eight-time Olympic gold medalist was seen in video at a large party where he and most of the other attendees do not appear to be wearing masks or practicing social distancing.

Bolt posted a video on social media earlier Monday saying he tested for the virus two days earlier and was asymptomatic but still self-quarantining at his Jamaica home while awaiting the results.

Hours later, Jamaica's minister of health confirmed reports that the test had come back positive.

It is now public knowledge that Mr. Bolt has tested positive," Christopher Tufton told reporters. "He has been formally notified, I'm told by the authorities. It triggers an approach to questioning, interrogation if you will, which we follow through with contact tracing.

Those conducting the contact tracing might have their hands full, judging from video circulating on social media this weekend reportedly from a bash celebrating the sprinter's 34th birthday. (Bolt is wearing a black tank top and backward white cap in the video.)

Usain Bolt's bday party. No social distance, NO masks!  pic.twitter.com/ogqUvk1i9r  Verna Reid (@verna_reid) August 23, 2020

Bolt's birthday was Friday. He took a work-related coronavirus test the following day, the 100- and 200-meter world record holder said in his video Monday.

Stay Safe my ppl  pic.twitter.com/ebwJFF5Ka9  Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) August 24, 2020

I am trying to be responsible, so I am going to stay in and stay away from my friends, Bolt said.
Top Republican leaders, including Indian-American Nikki Haley, have warned Americans that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate Senator Kamala Harris' victory in the elections will be a "disaster" for the economy and convert the United States into a "socialist utopia."

On the first night of the Republican National Convention on Monday, senior party leaders during their prime-time address said that the future of America was in danger if the November 3 polls resulted in the defeat of President Donald Trump.

The four-day mostly-virtual RNC will formally nominate 74-year-old incumbent US President Trump as the party's candidate for the November 3 US presidential election. Trump and vice president Mike Pence will be challenged by Biden and his Indian-American running mate Harris.

Former US ambassador to the United Nations, Haley said, their vision for America is socialism. And we know that socialism has failed everywhere.

Joe Biden and the socialist left would be a disaster for our economy. But President Trump is leading a new era of opportunity, Haley, the two-time governor of South Carolina, said.

The Biden-Harris duo was also criticised by Senator Tim Scott.

Joe Biden's radical Democrats are trying to permanently transform what it means to be an American. Make no mistake: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris want a cultural revolution. A fundamentally different America, Senator Scott said. It was not clear if he was alluding to the disastrous Cultural Revolution launched by Chairman Mao Zedong in China from 1966.

If we let them they will turn our country into a socialist utopiaand history has taught us that path only leads to pain and misery, especially for hard-working people hoping to rise, said the Senator from South Carolina.

Last week, the Democrats, led by Biden, had accused Trump of the same.

"The current president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long. Too much anger, too much fear, too much division," Biden said in his acceptance speech on August 20.

Trump's son Donald Trump Jr alleged that Biden's radical leftwing policies would stop US economic recovery cold.

He's already talking about shutting the country down -- again. It's madness, he said.

Joe Biden and the radical left are also now coming for our freedom of speech and want to bully us into submission. If they get their way, it will no longer be the 'Silent Majority,' it will be the 'Silenced Majority.', Trump Jr said.

Maximo Alvarez from Florida said that Trump is fighting against the forces of socialism, communism, and totalitarianism. And he will continue to do just that. And what about his opponent and the rest of the DC swamp? I have no doubt they will hand the country over to those dangerous forces, he said.

Kimberly Guilfoyle, national chair of Trump Victory Finance Committee, alleged that Biden, Harris and their socialist comrades will fundamentally change this nation.

They want open borders, closed schools, dangerous amnesty and will selfishly send your jobs back to China, while they get richer! They will defund, dismantle and destroy America's law enforcement... When you are in trouble, and need 911, don't count on the Democrats, she said.

If you want to see the socialist Biden/Harris future for our country, just take a look at California. It is a place of immense wealth, immeasurable innovation and immaculate environment  and the democrats turned it into a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes, Guilfoyle said.

In President Trump's America we light things up, we don't dim them down. We build things up, we don't burn them down. We kneel in prayer and we stand for our flag! This election is a battle for the Soul of America. Your choice is clear, she said.

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise said that Biden has made a career in Washington for 47 years promising things he's never delivered.

This is an election between a party that wants to burn the foundations of our country to the ground, and a party that wants to rebuild and protect our great nation. The left wants to defund the police, he said.

Georgia State Representative Vernon Jones said that the Democratic Party has become infected with a pandemic of intolerance, bigotry, socialism, anti-law enforcement bias, and a dangerous tolerance for people who attack others, destroy property, and terrorise the communities.

That's what this election is all about. And that's why right now -- more than ever before -- America needs Donald Trump in the Oval Office for another four years! Jones said.
A $3 billion federal program to distribute surplus food to needy families during the pandemic now is under scrutiny by Congress and the FBI.

A congressional subcommittee has launched an investigation into the Farmers to Families Food Box Program and is seeking extensive documentation about several controversial contracts, including one awarded to a San Antonio event planning company called CRE8AD8.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Rep. James E. Clyburn, chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, expressed concern that the Trump administrations management of this critical effort has been marred by questionable contracting practices, a lack of accountability and a failure to deliver food to many communities that needed it most.

Separately, Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, said the FBI had contacted one of the organizations 21 member food banks asking for information about the federal program. Cole did not identify the food bank.

An FBI spokeswoman in San Antonio, Special Agent Michelle Lee, said she could neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.

The FBIs involvement first was reported by Texas Public Radio.

Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat, disclosed his subcommittees investigation in a letter to Perdue on Monday.

In the letter, Clyburn asked the Department of Agriculture for copies of bids, contracts and other records pertaining to 12 companies granted contracts under the food box program.

One of the 12 was San Antonios CRE8AD8 (pronounced create a date), which received a $39 million contract, the seventh largest of the nearly 200 awarded through the program.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios CRE8AD8 came up one-third short on food deliveries for the needy

Clyburns letter asked for the companies bids or proposals, along with any and all follow-up submissions, communications and analyses.

The letter also asks for documents related to the 12 contractors performance, payments they received from the USDA and any audits conducted by the agency.

In addition, the subcommittee is seeking granular detail about food box deliveries, including documents sufficient to show the destination, receiving organization, documentation of acceptance, volume, contents, cost, and actual or expected date of delivery.

Clyburn asked Perdue to provide the information by Sept. 7.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio event planner makes dubious claims about clients, credentials

The congressmans letter cited the San Antonio Express-News coverage of CRE8AD8 and complaints about the companys performance.

The Farmers to Families program is intended to make use of surplus fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products that otherwise would go to waste during the pandemic because growers usual customers  such as restaurants, hotels and schools  either closed or drastically reduced purchases.

Contractors hired by the USDA were supposed to pack the food into boxes and distribute it to food banks and other nonprofits. The need for such relief remains acute, with millions of Americans out of work. Miles-long lines of cars at food banks, including San Antonios, have become a common sight.

The USDA received more than 550 proposals to serve seven supplier regions. In May, CRE8AD8 was granted a contract to supply the Southwestern Region, which includes Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Utah.

The contract raised eyebrows in the food industry because CRE8AD8s owner, Gregorio Palomino, had no experience in food distribution.

He also lacked a Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) license, which is required to operate a produce business. Palomino obtained a license from the USDA on a fast track after receiving the contract.

Doubts about Palomino grew after the Express-News reported he had claimed clients, credentials and business affiliations he did not actually possess. For instance, his LinkedIn profile said he served on the board of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The chamber says he never was on its board.

On ExpressNews.com: A lot of unmet needs  S.A. event planner is passed over for contract extension

Despite questions about his capability and performance, Palomino exuded optimism from the start. He told the Express-News in an interview in May that CRE8AD8 had an exceptional relationship with the San Antonio Food Bank and had worked out a mutually agreeable delivery plan.

We have been coordinating our master efforts with the San Antonio Food Bank, Palomino said. We have talked to and communicated with them regarding the food banks around Texas.  We have come up with a lot of great game plans.

But many food banks complained CRE8AD8 delivered many fewer boxes than anticipated  or none at all.

The San Antonio Food Bank expected to receive 57 truckloads from CRE8AD8, but Food Bank president and CEO Eric Cooper said the company delivered just 22  about what the Food Bank distributes in a single week.

During much of the pandemic, the Food Bank has been serving 120,000 people per week rather than the normal 60,000.

The food industry is full of incredible partners and players that nourish Americans, and it is our privilege to work with them in their philanthropy and in these government programs, Cooper told the Express-News last month. But we have never dealt with a CRE8AD8. They were an anomaly in this program. They were the misfit in what it takes to feed people.

The other food banks in the state that received deliveries from CRE8AD8 were in Austin, Corpus Christi, Houston, Laredo, El Paso, Pharr, Fort Worth and Victoria, according to Feeding Texas.

A USDA official told Congress last month that CRE8AD8 had delivered a total of 500,000 of the 750,000 food boxes specified in its contract. The official said that as a result, the company would not be paid the full $39 million value of its contract.

After the first round of the program ended on June 30, the USDA granted contract extensions to 95 percent of vendors. CRE8AD8 did not receive one, a USDA spokesperson said.

Palomino did not respond to a request for comment for this report.
Kolkata, Aug 25 : The possible comeback of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and ex-Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy into the mainstream politics of West Bengal is likely to raise high hopes amongst saffron workers ahead of the crucial Assembly polls scheduled for next year.

The former Meghalaya Governor who is an ex-BJP state president had earlier said that he is willing to accept any role in the party. He also expressed his desire to return to active politics in Bengal and wants to rejoin the lotus brigade within a couple of days.

On his arrival at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport here from Shillong, Roy on Sunday had said that he would meet the state BJP president with regard to his joining the party, which he expects to take place shortly.

"Yes, I had a talk with him (Tathagata Roy) over the phone. We will have a meeting in a couple of days. He will come to my place in the next two days," BJP state president Dilip Ghosh told IANS.

Amid political speculation on who would become the BJP's poster boy in Bengal for the upcoming assembly elections, Roy's comeback definitely stands out as the most significant one.

Roy was the state BJP president between 2002 and 2006 and also a member of the BJP's national executive committee from 2002 to 2015. Later, he was appointed the governor of Tripura in May 2015. In August 2018, he took over as the governor of Meghalaya.

"Tathagata Roy has been a senior BJP leader for a pretty long time. He had held many important posts in the past. Being a Hindu leader he has always been vocal about various issues on social media which drew a substantial fan following for him nationally," state BJP vice-president Ritiesh Tiwari told IANS.

He said that being a senior member Roy knows a lot of people in the saffron fold. "Whether he will be inducted in the party or not that is a different question. The BJP leadership will take a call on that. I cannot comment on it now," he said.

Tiwari said the BJP is an organisation-based political party. Therefore, no individual leader gets any extra political mileage here.

"But definitely, Roy is an erudite person and knows the party really well. But there has been a fundamental change in the organisation in the last five years - the time when he had left the BJP and became Tripura Governor in 2015. That time the BJP was not so significant in Bengal. But currently, the political situation is completely different. Now it is to see how he will cope with that if he joins back the BJP in Bengal," he pointed out.

The question of who would politically take on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in Bengal on behalf of the BJP has been doing the rounds for quite long now - a person with a similar political background and acceptance to lead the electoral battle from the forefront.

"He was always accepted by the educated middle class Bengalis for his erudite nature and intellectual refinement. It is a good sign for the BJP to score in the coming polls. I don't know how the new BJP will accept him now. But if he joins back it will definitely add value to the party here," said political analyst Udayan Bandopadhyay.

Bandopadhyay said the new BJP leaders who are now in the forefront of mainstream politics in Bengal are fiercely outspoken on radical issues. "Whereas Roy is much more suave in nature while delivering public speeches and is known for his intellectual refinement. Now the question is whether he will be able to survive among the new set of BJP leaders. But yes, he has an acceptance in Bengal and is the most prominent name in the BJP after the late Tapan Sikdar.

"I personally feel if Tathagata Roy is given a little bit of a free hand in the BJP, it will help the saffron brigade to garner more support in Bengal," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 22:38:25|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TOKYO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Japan's former Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai and his lawmaker wife Anri Kawai on Tuesday denied charges of vote buying during the first trial held on the matter at the Tokyo District Court.

Lower house member Katsuyuki Kawai is alleged by prosecutors to have violated the election law by giving cash to the tune of 29 million yen (270,000 U.S. dollars) to around 100 politicians and supporters in Hiroshima Prefecture.

The money is alleged to have been given out by Kawai to secure votes for his wife who won her seat in the upper house election in July 2019.

Anri Kawai is belied to have conspired with her husband on giving five individuals 1.7 million yen (16,000 U.S. dollars) in cash handouts between March and June last year, according to prosecutors.

Tokyo prosecutors arrested the pair in June and they were indicted a month later.

Katsuyuki Kawai, with reference to handing out the money, told the Tokyo District Court, "It was not meant to ask them to vote or round up votes for my wife."

Anri Kawai, for her part denied conspiring with her husband or that she handed out cash for the purpose of securing election votes.

"I never conspired with my husband or handed out cash to get elected," she said. Anri Kawai added that money given out by her husband was to show appreciation for the people running the elections and to congratulate the winners.

Prosecutors said Kawai had taken charge of his wife's election campaign in its totality, and had garnered support from local politicians and supporters "without considering how it appeared."

They said he had a list of illicit payments made related to the election on his computer, although had subsequently deleted it.

The pair have both resigned from Prime Minister Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and will be stripped of their seats in parliament if found guilty. Enditem
Nirupama Viswanathan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: As on Monday, Thiruvottiyur zone has the lowest percentage of active COVID-19 cases in Chennai. The percentage of active cases has halved from 12% on August 4 to 6%.

Corporation officials in the zone along with the monitoring officer in charge credit the rigorous micro-level data collection exercise here for the reduction of active cases.

The zonal control centre that was set up as part of the zone's fight against COVID-19 became a data collection centre where data from various departments including sanitary inspectors and health workers is being compiled.

"We now have extremely accurate and good data about the streets, businesses and people in Thiruvottiyur zone, said a senior official in charge of COVID measures in the zone. This data may prove useful for the city corporation even for non-COVID related activities in future.

Elango Raghupathy, the project head of the zonal control centre, said that the zone has identified 15,754 people with co-morbidities and around 50,000 who were vulnerable including senior citizens. Further, streets where new cases were reported and those that were free of cases after initially reporting high numbers of cases were identified.

Based on the enumeration, the number of fever camps was increased from 12-14 to 18, along with two mobile fever camps.

For the flow of data into the control centre, there were other aspects to be smoothed out, said Elango.

For instance, we had to streamline the reporting system for sector workers and door to door survey workers. As we smoothed it out and told them exactly what the protocol is, we found that more people with ILI symptoms were being identified and taken to fever camps, he said.

According to corporation officials, the reduction in active cases will continue into the future since the test positivity rate has reduced.

However, the mortality rate in the zone still remains on the higher side at 2.94%, second only to the Teynampet zone. Officials had said it was because of the number of people categorised as

vulnerable residing in the zone.
Akwasi Banahene

25.08.2020 LISTEN

The Ahafo Regional Police Command has begun investigation into the gruesome murder of a timber contractor at Mim in the Asunafo North Municipality of the Ahafo Region.

The 38-year-old Akwasi Banahene was killed by unknown persons over the weekend.

The Ahafo Police Command is urging the residents of Mim to volunteer information to help in their investigation.

ASP Kwame Loh the Public Relations Officer of the Ahafo Regional Police Command in an interview with this portal indicated that investigations has begun into the incident.

According to ASP loh, no arrest has been made yet.

Police has launched investigation into the incident. We have also sent the police and military into the in the community. Calm has returned into the town as people go about their duties, he stated.

Source: firstnewsroom.com
Pakistan's foreign minister urged senior Taliban leaders Tuesday to start delayed peace talks with Kabul, telling them the Afghanistan war has "no military solution" just hours after the insurgents claimed another deadly bombing.

Kabul and the Taliban were supposed to have begun talks in March, but are at loggerheads over a controversial prisoner swap that includes hundreds of militant inmates tied to high-profile attacks conducted over the past 19 years.

"Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi underscored Prime Minister Imran Khan's consistent stance that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a political settlement was the only way forward," the Pakistan foreign ministry said in a statement.

The Islamabad meeting between Qureshi and the Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the group's co-founder who spent eight years in Pakistani custody, came shortly after a suicide bombing near an army base in the northern Afghan province of Balkh.

The Taliban-claimed assault comes amid continued violence in Afghanistan, with insurgents conducting daily attacks across the country and in Kabul.

It killed two civilians and one commando and wounded more than 40 other people, military spokesman for the region Hanif Rezayee said. Many houses were damaged or destroyed and soldiers were helping get victims to safety, he added.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the attack was revenge for a video circulating online that appeared to show Afghan troops desecrating the bodies of Taliban fighters in the south.

- No hugs -

Pakistan's foreign ministry released images of Qureshi greeting the Taliban without making physical contact. A similar visit last year drew scorn from Afghan officials when Qureshi and the Taliban were shown smiling and embracing.

Tuesday's greeting was without hugs, apparently to maintain social distancing between the two parties, most of whom were wearing masks.

Story continues

Tensions remain high between Islamabad and Kabul, with the administration of President Ashraf Ghani frequently lashing out at Pakistan for allegedly sheltering, funding and supplying the Taliban.

Pakistan, which was one of only three countries to recognise the Taliban regime in the 1990s, denies the claims.

Islamabad has said that its influence over the Taliban has encouraged the militants to join talks with the US that culminated in February with a deal that would see foreign military forces quit Afghanistan.

Qureshi "emphasised the implementation of the US-Taliban Peace Agreement, in its entirety, paving the way for the earliest possible commencement of Intra-Afghan Negotiations," the foreign ministry stated.

Ghani's spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said Pakistan should do more to bring peace.

"Pakistan has so far failed to deliver on its commitments when it comes to peace and stability in Afghanistan," Sediqqi told AFP.

"We expect the Pakistani government to take practical steps and cooperate with the Afghan government and the international community to help bring stability in the region."

The warring Taliban and Afghan government had signalled they were prepared to launch negotiations immediately after the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, which ended earlier this month, but the process became bogged down over the prisoner swap.

Both sides have fought for nearly two decades in a conflict that has left tens of thousands of people dead.

The Taliban ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, when it was ousted by a US-led invasion. Ghani condemned Tuesday's attack on the military base and urged the Taliban to begin talks.

"The Taliban's emphasis on continuation of violence poses challenges to the peace opportunities," Ghani said, according to Sediqqi.

"The Taliban should give up fighting and killing Afghans, accept a ceasefire and start direct talks with the government of Afghanistan."

In a separate incident Tuesday, gunmen shot and wounded Saba Sahar, a well-known Afghan actress and women's rights campaigner.

Police said Sahar's driver and bodyguard were also wounded in the Kabul attack.

bur-jds-wat/jm
A civil rights complaint in Michigan has accused a math teacher of creating a racially hostile environment by displaying black students' poor grades to the class and calling them criminals.

Mother Charmelle Kelsey filed the complaint on Monday with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights on behalf of her daughter Makayla, a rising junior at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor.

The complaint was filed in conjunction with a 14-page letter composed by the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative at the University of Michigan Law School, which details the allegations of Makayla and several other named and unnamed students.

A school spokesman said in a statement: 'In the Ann Arbor Public Schools, we stand strongly against any and all acts of racism, bigotry and bias. We will not comment publicly on personnel processes or pending litigation.'

Mother Charmelle Kelsey (left) filed the civil rights complaint on Monday on behalf of her daughter Makayla (right), a rising junior at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor

'It's hard when she comes home and says that she's been stalked, and harassed and bullied by teachers,' Charmelle Kelsey said of her daughter to WXYZ-TV.

The bulk of the complaint focuses on Pioneer math teacher Michele Macke, who has been teaching at the school for more than 20 years.

The complaint states that Macke used coded racial language to refer to black students, calling them 'criminals' or 'delinquents.'

'You don't listen in class, your teachers say you are failing,' one black graduate says Macke told her in 2016. '[You are] a hooligan waiting to be a delinquent in life.'

Pioneer math teacher Michele Macke (above) is the focus of the civil rights complaint

The same former student, Ariel Yancey, claims that Macke once grabbed her arm as she was rushing to class, saying: 'You're not going to learn anything anyways because of how you look. You look terrible. You look unsuccessful. This is the attire of a criminal.'

Macke could not be immediately reached for a response to the claims.

The complaint says that Macke also subjected Makayla to insults in front of her classmates.

'Does your mom have a plan for your life? Does your mom work? What does she do for a living?' the complaint claims Macke asked Makayla in front of the class in November 2019, after the then-sophomore had an extended absence due to an unspecified chronic health issue.

After Macke was called to a conference with Makayla's mother and administrators to discuss the demeaning remarks, the math teacher retaliated the next day by asking if any of the students felt she was bullying them and shooting Makayla dirty looks, the complaint claims.

The complaint also claims that Macke would routinely display the grades of struggling students to the class, frequently singling out black students.

Pioneer High School (above) has an enrollment of 1,820 students, of whom 53 percent are white, 15 percent are black, 15 percent are Asian and 7 percent are Hispanic

Makayla said that while she was absent for a doctor's appointment in November 2019, she heard from a classmate that Macke had shown her grades to the class and told the other students she was failing because of frequent absences.

'Though there may be a few white students who have experienced these violations, the students with whom we have spoken believe that Ms. Macke disproportionately targets Black students for grade shaming,' the CRLI letter reads.

Elsewhere, the complaint focuses on the events surrounding several Black History Month presentations held by the high school's Black Student Union in February of this year.

Macke allegedly told her classes that the Black History assemblies were 'a waste of time,' not 'diverse enough,' and that she wished they had focused more on white people who made contributions to black communities.

The complaint states that Macke and some other teachers did not attend the first assembly, and then attended a second assembly but were guilty of 'not engaging' with the presentation.

'The students also say that Pioneer never publicly addressed the fact that Michele Macke and an entire group of teachers intentionally did not bring their classes to these assemblies meant to celebrate Blackness,' the letter states.

The complaint also details several instances where Macke allegedly grabbed black students by their arms.

In one December 2019 incident, Makayla says that Macke refused to give her a study guide she needed after missing classes, and that Macke grabbed the student's arm when she tried to pick up the study guide off of the teacher's desk.

Macke was placed on leave following the incident, and a police investigation did not find evidence to support a criminal charge, according to the complaint.

In February, the school's Black Student Union created an online petition calling for Macke to be fired, which garnered more than 500 signatures, but did not result in the math teacher's termination.

The new complaint lists three demands: that Macke be fired, that an external civil rights organization be called in to investigate Pioneer High, and that a racial discrimination complaint system be created to allow students to file grievances.

State records show that Pioneer High School has an enrollment of 1,820 students, of whom 53 percent are white, 15 percent are black, 15 percent are Asian and 7 percent are Hispanic.
(TNS)  A spreadsheet containing negative COVID-19 test results and personal information of several hundred University of Kentucky students and a few employees was left vulnerable to viewing by anyone with an active UK email address, the university learned over the weekend.While not an external security incident with respect to University systems, this was, without question, a regrettable error, UK spokesperson Jay Blanton said in a statement. We deeply apologize for it and will do everything possible to make it right on behalf of our students and employees.Student and employees names, dates of birth and negative COVID-19 test results were viewable via a public Microsoft Sharepoint file that the universitys contact tracing team was using to share information internally. The spreadsheet included those who had tested negative for COVID-19 in the last two weeks through the universitys initial round of mandatory testing.The vulnerable data has since been moved to a more secure and private location. According to the statement, no social security numbers were available. Anyone with a valid UK credential  virtually any employee or student  was able to access the data.The university is still working to determine how much the information was viewed by those who would not normally have access.We are able to determine who accessed the files in an unauthorized manner and plan to follow up with each individual, Blanton said.Early this week, UK will also be reaching out to the students and employees whose data was possibly viewed. The accessible information was not considered protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act  known usually as HIPAA. According to the university, since the information is student data, its considered protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act  known commonly as FERPA. The vulnerability of the employee data is a violation of the universitys privacy standards.Again, we apologize for this error to members of our community who were impacted by this issue, Blanton said. We are working quickly to address it and will keep everyone informed about our next steps.The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has reported 165 COVID-19 cases among UK students since classes started last week  bringing the total since March to 405. The University of Kentuckys public dashboard, which has the number of cases through Tuesday and only includes the positive tests from UKs student-testing initiative, has recorded 245 cases since Aug. 3 with an overall positivity rate of 1.1 percent. The initiative aims to test all on-campus students within seven days of arrival and concluded on Saturday.Starting Sunday, the university will begin re-testing all of the approximately 5,500 students in fraternities or sororities after the university noted a 3 percent positivity rate among students in Greek life organizations, the university announced Friday . As of the announcement, 30 of the universitys 49 COVID-19 positive students in isolation resided in two fraternity houses.The universitys next steps on the issue will be published on UKs coronavirus website. Those with questions can email coronavirus@uky.edu.
TDT | Manama

A Bahraini ex-convict was sentenced to seven years in jail by the Fourth High Criminal Court for selling drugs. The man, who had recently completed a 10-year imprisonment sentence for his conviction in a similar case, was also fined BD5,000 by the same court. He was caught last Ramadan in May selling narcotics worth BD100 to a secret police informant near a supermarket in Muharraq Governorate.

This happened after the Interior Ministrys Anti-Narcotics Directorate was notified about the mans illegal activities. The secret informant was employed by the police to contact the defendant, consolidate his relationship with him, and eventually buy drugs from him. While policemen were stealthily monitoring the situation, the defendant sold the narcotics to the informant and he was arrested on the spot.

The defendant confessed in the police interrogation that he handed over the drugs to his friend (the informant), but he denied selling it to him and claimed he was giving it for free. On May 18 this year, the Public Prosecution interrogated the defendant and accused him of the illegal sale of hashish, as well as possession of other types of narcotics.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has started his working visit to Azerbaijan, according to the ministry.



"Russian Defense Minister, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu arrived in Baku to take part in the opening ceremony of the Sea Cup competition of the International Army Games-2020," TASS cited the statement as saying.



During the visit, the Russian minister will also meet with his Azerbaijani counterpart Zakir Hasanov, and will be received by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.



The Sea Cup international competition is being organized for the sixth time, Azerbaijan is hosting the tournament for the fourth time. The Russian team will perform this year on the Caspian Flotilla's small artillery ship Makhachkala.
President Donald Trumps America First policy has had a positive benefit around the world, from holding China accountable for its role in the coronavirus pandemic to defeating the Islamic State, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed Tuesday during the second day of the Republican National Convention.

The secretary of State, who delivered his speech against the backdrop of Jerusalems Old City, highlighted several of Trumps notable efforts, including strengthening NATO, providing defensive weapons to Ukraine, killing top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike and defeating the Islamic State.

Trumps America First policy may not have made him popular in every foreign capital, but its worked, Pompeo said.

His presence in Jerusalem also called attention to Trumps decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Pompeos decision to deliver remarks at the convention drew criticism from diplomats and Democrats in Congress, who announced ahead of the speech that they will investigate if the appearance at a political event is legal. And it came on a night when the convention saw other moments that blurred the official and the political, including Trump issuing a pardon and helping five immigrants take the oath of citizenship.

The congressional probe, announced Tuesday by the House Foreign Affairs Committees Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, is likely to further deepen the hostility between Pompeo and leading Democrats. It could also add to tensions inside the State Department, where many employees are aghast at Pompeos choice to participate in the convention.

Pompeos prerecorded appearance at the partly virtual convention is a break with decades of norms in which the chief U.S. diplomat has avoided participating in explicitly partisan events. The argument for avoiding such gatherings has been that the United States needs to speak with one voice overseas, and that the secretary of State needs to be seen as representing the country, not a political party.

Story continues

Pompeo made use of some of Trump's trademark sayings in the speech, including calling the coronavirus the "China virus."

"The president has held China accountable for covering up the China virus and allowing it to spread death and economic destruction in America and around the world and he will not rest until justice is done," Pompeo said.

He also commended the president for brokering the historic "peace deal" between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Trump was able to normalize relations between the two nations, though the UAE has never been one of Israels main adversaries.

"This is a deal that our grandchildren will read about in their history books," Pompeo said.

Aides to Pompeo have defended the appearance, saying he was acting in his personal capacity and asserting that no government resources were used. Theyve also reportedly said government lawyers signed off on his remarks, though they havent shared the legal analysis.

Democrats arent buying these assertions. They say its impossible to separate Pompeos appearance from his job. They also note that Pompeo recorded the remarks in Jerusalem while on official travel, meaning that at the very least he used government resources to get there.

The key question, Democrats say, is whether the appearance violates the State Departments own guidelines  including ones approved by Pompeo  or laws, such as the Hatch Act, that govern political activity by government officials.

The Trump administration and Secretary Pompeo have shown a gross disregard not only of basic ethics, but also a blatant willingness to violate federal law for political gain. Congress has a responsibility to stand up for the rule of law and hold them accountable for this corrupt behavior, said Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), chairman of the oversight subcommittee, in a statement.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, speaks to reporters outside the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 14, 2019, after the Senate rejected President Donald Trump's emergency border declaration. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Castro informed the State Department of his panels investigation in a letter to Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun. News of the probe was first reported by the Daily Beast.

In February, Biegun wrote an email to department staffers urging them to look at a set of updated legal memos, approved by Pompeo, that had detailed guidelines on if and when State Department employees could engage in partisan activities.

One of the memos, whose existence was first reported by POLITICO, includes the following instruction: Senate-confirmed Presidential appointees may not even attend a political party convention or convention-related event.

There do not appear to be exceptions made for Pompeo, a Senate-confirmed presidential appointee. And in general, the restrictions are even more strict for U.S. diplomats when they are overseas.

Just last month, Pompeo sent a memo to all diplomatic and consular posts reminding State Department employees of the strict policies that restrict political activities on their part. The note referred to the same legal memos that had been shared earlier with the department by Biegun.

Its not clear whether Pompeo ordered the policy changed in more recent days to accommodate him. The State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. Some outside lawyers, however, noted that the State Department policy doesnt have the full force of law, and that it can be changed.

State Department employees reached by POLITICO expressed deep disappointment in Pompeo, though many were not surprised given that hes gone further than most secretaries of State in flirting with partisanship.

For instance, he has appeared in the past at events that closely align with the Republican Party, such as the Conservative Political Action Conference. He also devotes a major portion of his media time to conservative news outlets.

He also has been accused of being responsive to requests from Republicans for documents, but not to Democrats requests. This pattern suggests the State Department may not meet the September deadlines Castro gave Biegun to answer questions and produce records.

Democrats also are investigating Pompeos role in the firing earlier this year of the State Department inspector general, whose office is investigating whether Pompeo and his wife, Susan, improperly used State Department resources.

Still, the Republican convention appearance goes further than past seemingly partisan moves by Pompeo, State Department employees said.

Its a total sham, one staffer said. There is no way that the U.S. government is not funding or supporting this speech in some capacity.

Left-leaning pro-Israel organizations have also decried Pompeos decision to tape his message from Jerusalem. They say the move further turns the U.S.-Israel relationship into a Republican cause as opposed to a bipartisan one. Some critics also question whether Pompeos conservative Christian views are driving the decision to use Jerusalem as a backdrop.

Despite the criticism, speaking at the GOP convention offers Pompeo some political benefits.

The former Kansas congressman has allied himself closely to Trump and would likely need the support of the presidents base should he, as expected, run for office in the future.

Pompeo also takes great pains to stay in Trumps good graces, even if it means upsetting his staffers at the State Department, and speaking at the convention could be just another way to show that he puts the presidents needs first.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 25, 2020 - 19:19 | All, Japan

Former Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai and his lawmaker wife Anri Kawai on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to charges of vote buying during the latter's campaign to be elected to Japan's upper house last summer.

Katsuyuki Kawai, a House of Representatives member known for having close ties to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, admitted at his first hearing at the Tokyo District Court to distributing money to people, but said, "It was not meant to ask them to vote or gather votes."

He has been indicted on charges of violating the election law by handing out cash to politicians and supporters in Hiroshima Prefecture to reward them for votes secured in the campaign to get his wife elected in July 2019.

Since none of the local politicians who allegedly received cash has been indicted, Kawai asked for the trial to be dismissed, saying that the prosecutors had conducted plea bargains in order to receive testimonies in their favor.

Anri Kawai said she "never conspired with my husband or handed out cash to get elected," adding that the money her husband gave out was for the purpose of expressing support for people running in local elections or to congratulate those who won seats.

The two were arrested by Tokyo prosecutors in June and indicted the following month, dealing a blow to the Abe administration which has recently seen its popularity wane over its handling of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The couple filed their requests for bail with the district court after the first hearing, their lawyers said.

According to the indictment, the 57-year-old former minister doled out about 29 million yen ($270,000) among 100 people, including local politicians in the prefecture, between March and August last year with the intention of securing votes.

Anri Kawai, 46, is accused of conspiring with him on 1.7 million yen worth of cash handouts to five individuals between March and June last year.

Related coverage:

Ex-Japan justice minister, lawmaker wife charged over vote buying

Arrested ex-justice minister admits cash handout, denies vote buying

Ex-minister's arrest pushes support for Abe's Cabinet lower

During the hearing, prosecutors said Kawai had managed every aspect of his wife's election campaign, and had asked for support from local politicians and others "without considering how it appeared."

The prosecutors also stated that Kawai had created on his computer a list of payments he made in regard to the election, but had later deleted it.

While the Public Offices Election Law urges courts to swiftly deliver rulings on election-related allegations, typically within 100 days from the indictment, the trial is expected to take longer due to the large number of witnesses that are set to be called.

The couple have been held at the Tokyo Detention House since their June 18 arrest and their requests to be released on bail have been rejected twice, making the court appearance the first time they have seen each other in more than two months.

The Kawais, who have both already resigned from Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party over the scandal, will lose their seats in parliament if they are found guilty and the rulings are finalized.

Also on Tuesday, the Hiroshima High Court held the first hearing of an appeals trial for Anri Kawai's former aide Hiroshi Tatemichi, who was found guilty at a lower court in June of bribing her election campaigners.

Tatemichi, 54, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for five years, by the Hiroshima District Court and appealed the decision.

In the election, Anri Kawai, a former prefectural assembly member, won one of the two seats in the Hiroshima constituency where a fellow LDP candidate, the then-incumbent veteran Kensei Mizote, also ran, unsuccessfully.
The recovered Covid-19 cases in India are 3.4 times more than the active cases as of Tuesday, according to Union health ministry.

There are 7,04,348 active coronavirus cases in the country which comprises 22.24 per cent of the total caseload, according to the health ministry data. With 60,975 fresh Covid-19 cases in a day, Indias tally rose to 31,67,323 with recoveries surging to 24,04,585, pushing the recovery rate to 75.92 per cent, according to health ministry.

Active cases are only 22.2 per cent of the total cases. The recovery rate is now more than 75 per cent, Union health ministry secretary Rajesh Bhushan said while briefing the media on Tuesday.

Out of the total active Covid-19 cases in the country, only 2.7 per cent of the patients are on oxygen support, the health ministry said. 1.92 per cent are in ICU, while 0.29 per cent are on ventilator support.

In last 24 hours, India reported 848 deaths due to coronavirus. Indias Covid-19 case fatality rate has declined to 1.84 per cent, according to the health ministry data.
MOSCOW -- The Kremlin has said that there was no immediate need to open a probe into how Aleksei Navalny fell gravely ill -- claiming that German doctors treating the Russian opposition leader were "rushing" to use the word poisoning.

The Charite hospital treating Navalny since he was medically airlifted to Germany at the weekend said on August 24 that its tests indicate he was "poisoned."

The Berlin hospital said the anti-corruption campaigner and staunch opponent of President Vladimir Putin is in an intensive-care unit and is still in an induced coma. His health situation "is serious but there is currently no acute danger to his life," the hospital said.

Following the German doctors' announcement, Western countries and the European Union called on Russia to investigate Navalny's suspected poisoning and hold the perpetrators accountable.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call on August 24 that the German clinic had not conclusively identified the substance behind Navalny's illness.

Peskov said it was unclear to the Kremlin why the German doctors were, in his words, "rushing" to use the word poisoning.

"We dont understand why our German colleagues are in such a hurry to use the word 'poisoning,'" he said.

"If the substance is identified and if it is determined that it is poisoning, then, of course, this will be a reason for investigation," Peskov said.

Navalny's supporters have blamed the Kremlin and Putin personally for the incident. But Peskov said that there was "no way such accusations can be true," calling them "idle talk" and adding, "We have no intention of taking them seriously."

Navalny, 44, fell ill on August 20 during a flight from the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow.

The plane made an emergency landing in Omsk, where doctors put him into an induced coma.

Navalny was flown via commercial air ambulance from Omsk to Berlin on August 22 after a day of insistence by Russian doctors that he was too ill to fly.

Navalny's wife had suggested medical treatment in Germany for her husband -- who had previously been attacked with a chemical that left permanent eye damage and had a bout of suspected poisoning in Russian custody in the past -- would be more reliable, effective, and transparent.

On August 24, the Charite hospital issued a statement saying that "clinical findings indicate intoxication by a substance from the group of active substances called cholinesterase inhibitors."

Cholinesterase inhibitors, also known as anti-cholinesterase, are a broad range of chemicals that are found in several drugs but also in some pesticides and nerve agents.

Russian doctors who treated Navalny contradicted the German colleagues' statement.

The head of Moscow's Bureau of Forensic Medicine, Sergei Shigeyev, said on August 25 that Germany did not appear to have enough evidence to claim that Navalny had been poisoned.

Shigeyev said it was "premature" to come to that conclusion without identifying a specific poison, according to comments carried by Russian state news agency TASS.

"Cholinesterase activity varies significantly among different people, particularly due to certain chronic diseases," Shigeyev said.

The management of the Omsk hospital said it will look into why the results of their tests differ from German test results, while denying that medical personnel there had come under outside pressure from authorities.



"We treated the patient and we saved him. There was no interference in the treatment of the patient and there could not be any," Aleksandr Murakhovsky, the head doctor at Omsk Emergency Hospital No. 1, said on August 24.

According to a Russian newspaper report, Navalny had been under surveillance by Russian federal security agents during his recent trip to Siberia that preceding his illness.

Colleagues and supporters have said Navalny might have been poisoned when he drank tea purchased at the Tomsk airport.

The United States and France on August 25 joined international calls on Russia to conduct a swift investigation into the suspected poisoning.

The U.S. ambassador to Moscow, John Sullivan, said the authorities should launch an immediate, comprehensive, and transparent investigation...that holds the parties behind this act responsible.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later said that the United States is "deeply concerned" about preliminary findings that Navalny was poisoned.

"If the reports prove accurate, the United States supports the EUs call for a comprehensive investigation and stands ready to assist in that effort," he said in a statement.

The French Foreign Ministry said that those responsible for this criminal act must be identified and brought to justice."

Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell have issued similar pleas.

Meanwhile, the speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, announced that one of its committees will probe whether "foreign states" were behind the alleged poisoning.

"The State Duma security committee will be instructed to analyze what happened in order to understand whether this was an attempt on the part of foreign states to harm the health of a Russian citizen to fuel tensions inside Russia, as well as to formulate fresh accusations against our country," Vyacheslav Volodin said in a statement.

Navalny, who has exposed rampant corruption at the highest levels in Russia, has suffered physical attacks in the past.

He endured chemical burns to one of his eyes in 2017 after he was assaulted with antiseptic dye.

In July 2019, Navalny was given a 30-day jail term after calling for unauthorized protests. During that jail sentence, he was taken to a hospital with severe swelling of the face and a rash, and later alleged he was poisoned.

He has been jailed several times in recent years, barred from running for president, and had a bid to run for Moscow mayor blocked.

Navalny has been put under police guard in Berlin, with Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert saying that "protection is necessary" for the Russian dissident since poisoning was suspected.

With reporting by dpa, Interfax, Reuters, TASS, Interfax, and AFP
Kanye West is one busy man. Apart from his music career, he is also a fashion entrepreneur. On top of that, he is a reality star, as he is part of his wife's family reality series. As if he is not busy enough, he is now campaigning to become the U.S. president.

With all these going on in his life, it is all but expected that he is not enjoying every possible minute he could with his wife and children. He must have realized this, too.

In the middle of working on his new album and perfecting his campaign towards the presidency, Kanye West reportedly decided to go home.

From his ranch in Wyoming, the 43-year-old quick flew back to his Los Angeles residence so he can be with Kim and their four kids. A source told People magazine that the family is catching up with each other.

This does not mean that Kanye will be dropping any of the things that kept him quite busy all these years. The source revealed that he is still keen to finish his new music and carry out his presidential campaign.

For what it's worth though, his coming home led to some serious bonding with his wife and kids, as People magazine reported.

Probably because Kim knows this is not for good anyway, the mother of four did not bother posting it. Instead, she posted her trip to Colorado with Kanye and Kourtney last week.

To recall, Kim was the only one who returned to Los Angeles after the trip, while Kanye immediately went to his Wyoming ranch.

Kim, Kanye Headed to Divorce?

If it was apparent that Kim Kardashian wanted the marriage to work, a new source seemed to have implied the opposite.

Last week, a source revealed that Kim is doing her everything to save the marriage. The source added that the KKW Beauty mogul is trying to be silent with what she is feeling and planning, but she is certainly doing something.

Kanye West, for his part, was described as hellbent on becoming president, regardless of what his missus thinks.

The source emphasized that Kanye will not change his unsavory decision to run for president.

However, that was a week ago -- a time when several states have not still rejected his ballot. Given his persistence, Kanye may still continue campaigning, but his decision to go home might be a sign that he is starting to think why he is prioritizing things that are not even as definite as his marriage.

The couple's marriage was already on the rocks before, but West's announcement that he would run for President nailed the coffin. If the main issue in the past was that Kim was starting to feel stuck in her marriage life -- taking care of her kids without much help from Kanye -- running for President might have aggravated her further to think her husband does not care about her.

Not only will this cut the time he spends with them, being in politics is a risky business, which can put a lot of alleged family secrets in danger of being revealed.

It remains to be seen though whether Kanye would ultimately be one of the candidates America would be choosing from in the upcoming election. It also remains to be seen if by then, he and Kim Kardashian are still together.

READ MORE: Kanye West Presidential Bid 2020 Futile, Shouldn't Kim Kardashian Stop Him?
* Netflix says has more than 1 million subscribers in SE Asia

* Boosting mobile-only subscription plans for less than $5 a month -exec

* Netflix expanding local content, new Indonesian productions -exec

* SE Asia global media subscriptions to boom to $3 bln/yr by 2025 -study

By Fanny Potkin

SINGAPORE, Aug 17 (Reuters) - U.S streaming giant Netflix is ramping up its mobile-only subscription plans in Southeast Asia and expanding local content, senior executives told Reuters, just as arch-rival Disney arrives in the fast-growing market.

The world's biggest video streaming platform by paid customers, Netflix told Reuters more than a million of its nearly 200 million subscribers around the world are in Southeast Asia, home to around 655 million people. But the market is ripe for rapid growth, analysts say, with the Disney+ Hotstar launch in Indonesia next month set to become a key battleground.

"What we see in Southeast Asia is that it's a very mobile-centric market", Netflix director for product innovation Ajay Arora told Reuters in a recent interview. That's led the company to push cheaper mobile plans and adapt its product to fit lower-end smartphones, Arora said.

Southeast Asia is estimated to have generated $600 million in overall subscription music and video revenue in 2019, according to a study by Google, Temasek Holdings and Bain & Co - but that's set to explode to an annual $3 billion by 2025, the study said.

Starting with India in August 2019, Netflix has now launched mobile-only plans in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia - all priced at below $5 a month. That's a departure for Netflix, which has held firm on pricing in Western markets.

Repeated coronavirus lockdowns across Southeast Asia have also increased the appetite for content streaming at home across the region. Consultancy Media Partners Asia estimates that Southeast Asia video streaming service subscribers will reach 14.7 million in all by the end of 2020.

Story continues

Netflix executive Arora said his firm is also working to expand its payment options in countries with low credit and debit card penetration. In markets like the Philippines, subscribers can pay for Netflix through their mobile telephone plans, or by purchasing prepaid Netflix cards at convenience stores.

The company faces competition in the region not just from Disney+, a distant, but ambitious, global no. 2 in the industry. Other regional rivals include Hong Kong video service Viu, popular for its Korean dramas, as well as Chinese tech giant Tencent's WeTV, which in June bought the assets of Malaysian streaming platform Iflix.

Disney+ is currently in the middle of a hiring spree across the region and is expected to launch broadly in the coming months jointly with its Indian streaming platform Hotstar. Disney's family and superhero movies have proven consistent hits in Southeast Asia.

In Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country with 270 million people, Disney+ said last week it would start operating in September in partnership with state-owned telco Telkomsel with a catalogue that will include more than 300 local movies.

Bracing for the challenge, Netflix Southeast Asia content lead Myleeta Aga told Reuters that the firm, which announced two new original Indonesian productions earlier last Thursday, places high importance on the region and will continue to ramp up local content offerings. She said Netflix expects to start filming projects in Indonesia and Thailand soon. (Reporting by Fanny Potkin; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
Massive protests and a torch rally was held in Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Monday night to oppose the mega-dams to be constructed by Chinese firms on Neelum-Jhelum River.

Protests erupt in PoKs Muzaffarabad city against the construction of dams by China and Pakistan

Massive protests and a torch rally was held in Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Monday night to oppose the mega-dams to be constructed by Chinese firms on Neelum-Jhelum River. The protesters hailing from Darya Bachao, Muzaffarabad Bachao (Save River, Save Muzaffarabad) Committee chanted slogans like Neelum-Jhelum behne do, humein zinda rehne do (let the Neelum and Jhelum rivers flow, let us live).

The rally was attended by over a thousand people from the city and other parts of PoK. Recently, Pakistan and China signed agreements to construct Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydropower Projects in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project of 700.7 megawatts of electricity as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was signed on July 6, 2020. The $1.54 billion projects will be sponsored by the China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC).

Also read: Despite global boycott calls, Thailand intensifies trade relations with China, buys 22.5 billion baht submarines

Also read: Malis military junta proposes three-year transitional period

The Kohala Hydroelectric Power Project which will be built on Jhelum River is roughly 7 km upstream of Azad Pattan Bridge in the Sudhanoti District of PoK and 90 km from Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan.

The project expected to be completed by the year 2026 will be sponsored by China Three Gorges Corporation, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Silk Road Fund. What really irks locals is high Chinese presence in the area, massive construction of dams, and river diversions threatening their very existence.

Pakistan and China are jointly plundering the natural resources of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan in the wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The resentment in the occupied territories is high against Pakistan and China.

Also read: Trump announces emergency authorization of convalescent plasma to treat Covid-19 patients
Press Release

August 25, 2020 Transcript of Senator Pia S. Cayetano's manifestation in support of Senate Resolution No. 493 expressing condolences to the former Sen. Eddie Ilarde Thank you, Mr. President. I would also like to be the co-author of this resolution honoring the late Senator Ilarde. Unlike many of my colleagues who've had the pleasure of knowing him personally, I didn't really know him personally. I was quite young when he and my dad both served in the Batasan, but I felt like I knew him personally because like many of those my age, he was frequently in our household through his television programs. And what I'd briefly like to share is that my mother, whom many of you know personally, happens to be an American, and she also learned her Filipino by listening to shows of the late Eddie Ilarde and other of his contemporaries during those times. Wala naman pong Netflix, wala naman pong internet, so my mom's way of learning life in the Philippines, the dramas and the comedies of the Philippine life, a lot were learned through television and Eddie Ilarde was part of our household. I was not really familiar with his early days in politics, but I was already in college I think when he ran for the Batasan and that was the time I was more conscious of politics. I found him to be the type of ideal politician in the sense that he always remained humble and simple lang ang mga salita niya, yung mga naiintindihan ng tao. And so those are just some of the memories that I have as a child that I felt I would like to share with his family and loved ones, and to spread into the record also because the younger generation did not have the privilege of knowing this person. So I give my deepest condolences to the family and close friends of the late Eddie Ilarde. And I also pay my utmost respect to them. Thank you.
A WOMAN is facing trial accused of taking a glass shard from her bra and putting it in her mouth in a bid to dodge paying for a meal, claiming it had been in the food.

Marie Moorehouse, also known as Stokes, appeared in court this week charged with deception, following the alleged incident at a restaurant last year.

Naas District Court Judge John Cheatle heard that a book of evidence had not yet been served on her after jurisdiction had been refused at a previous sitting.

It is alleged that Ms Moorehouse and two other women had gone to the Silken Thomas in Kildare town last June and ordered a meal.

The total cost of the meal came to 60, but it is alleged that one of the women took a small piece of glass from her bra, put it into her mouth and refused to pay the bill, claiming the shard had been in the food.

The group of women then left the popular Kildare restaurant without paying for their meal.

It is also alleged that on the same day Ms Moorehouse stopped at a nearby Centra supermarket and took groceries worth 55.

The facts surrounding the case were heard in court last month where it was also explained that Ms Moorehouse was represented by two different solicitors on the separate charges.

The prosecuting garda told Judge Desmond Zaidan at that previous hearing the DPP had directed for the case to be dealt with at the District Court.

However, Judge Zaidan refused to accept jurisdiction in the matter.

It is not a minor allegation Im going to send that one to a judge and jury, he said.

He also commented that it was not advisable for a woman to allegedly keep glass in her bra.

Ms Moorehouse is due to appear in court again next month after the prosecuting garda requested a further extension to allow for the book of evidence to be served.
AIRDRIE, Alberta, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cycle Energy Industries Inc. (OTC: XFLS) announced today it continues to expand its existing energy production portfolio by acquiring 100 percent of Energy Express Canada Corp., a junior oil and gas company located in central Alberta, Canada. The purchase agreement of Express Canada Corp. is for 100 percent of the company's issued and outstanding shares.

Currently, Express Canada Corp. can produce approximately 100-150 barrels of oil per day using traditional recovery methods but Michael McLaren, CEO of Cycle Energy Industries stated production could increase 2-3x current levels by implementing Cycle Energy's innovative recovery and optimization technologies.



"The purchase of Energy Express is a strategic acquisition for us since it has immediate upside potential while giving steady low impact production on a monthly basis," said McLaren. "In addition, the fact that Energy Express is based in central Alberta gives it geographic appeal to us as well. We are confident we will be able to significantly increase daily oil production through our proprietary technology maximizing the potential of what we think is an undervalued asset for our shareholders."



McLaren also said Cycle Energy Industries has identified a number of potential acquisitions in North America to add to its portfolio and is having direct dialogue with a number of them.



About Cycle Energy Industries



Cycle Energy Industries, a Canadian corporation based in the province of Alberta, is a unique energy provider that operates three vertically integrated business units in the WCSB (Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin). We have created a vertically integrated company where each subsidiary creates value and adds support to the other.



Cycle Oil and Gas focuses on acquiring & optimizing underdeveloped oil & gas assets and to employs in-house developed & licensed technologies to increase production, optimize performance & reduce costs. The company currently produces approximately 100 barrels/day of oil as well as several non-operational properties and GORRS (Gross Overriding Royalties).



Cycle Energy Services supports our Exploration and Production (E&P) team with well services and end of life reclamation which gives the E&P company an unprecedented advantage over its competitors. This business plan excels by providing services that would otherwise be too costly and not financially viable for specific workovers or turn around projects. Cycle Energy Services owns and operates combo wireline-service rigs and Hydrovac Units. The focus of Cycle Energy Services is primarily end of life abandonment and reclamation of non-producing assets. The company excels by supplying fixed cost services via our custom rigs and equipment that results in reduced time onsite, faster rig in and rig out times as well as reduced number of vehicles onsite. Cycle's efficiencies reduce the amount of fuel burned to complete the abandonment and reduces the carbon footprint to abandon wells.



Cycle Energy Technologies provides both with R&D capabilities as well as previously developed and licensed technologies that aid in increased production, reduced lifting and operation costs as well as gas and oil field intelligence. Cycle Energy Technologies flag ship technology is our mobile GTL (gas to liquid) system we have been developing and is currently implementing a pilot plant. This technology adds value added to the group by using internal production of gas and adding value by turning it into valuable chemicals and C5+ hydrocarbons as a 3-4x multiple which is industry groundbreaking.



Safe Harbor



This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Cycle Energy Industries Inc., its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) financing plans; (ii) trends affecting its financial condition or results of operations; (iii) growth strategy and operating strategy. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "can," "believe," "potential" and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Cycle Energy Industries Inc.'s ability to control, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. More information about the potential factors that could affect the business and financial results is and will be included in Cycle Energy Industries Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



For further information please contact:

Cycle Energy Industries Inc. . Public Relations and Shareholder Information

Mike McLaren

+1 403-879-2998

Email: [email protected]

www.cycleind.com

Twitter @cycleindustries



SOURCE Cycle Energy Industries Inc.
Stuart Stevens has been a top strategist for Republican presidential candidates George W. Bush and Mitt Romney. His knack for advertising and media has helped conservatives like Haley Barbour, Thad Cochran, and Roy Blunt get elected. Stevens has been many things  a TV writer for Emmy-winning television programs, travel writer and media strategist  but he has always been an unapologetic Republican.

Donald Trump changed that.

Its just been a complete collapse, Stevens told the Yahoo News Skullduggery podcast in reference to the Republican Party since Trumps election. The only thing I can compare it to is the collapse of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union.

Stevens said he is registering as a Democrat in this election, abandoning the party he has worked for throughout his professional life. He said he hopes to expand upon his work designing ads for the Republican Never Trumpers at the Lincoln Project by working for the Democrats in the future because he believes the big questions that affect us as a country are going to be decided in the Democratic Party.

In short, Stevens said, the Republican Party as he knew it is dead. He said he would even vote for Sen. Bernie Sanders, the self-designated democratic socialist, over Trump because the necessity of defeating Donald Trump is so urgent.

Stevens has just published a book, It Was All a Lie: How the Republican Party Became Donald Trump, in which he traces the destruction of the modern Republican Party to the civil rights movement, when the party first lost a huge chunk of the nonwhite vote and never looked back. He said his book concludes that racism has been embedded in the modern Republican Party since that time.

A pattern becomes pretty obvious that there were always these two elements within the party, Stevens said. So in the 50s it was an Eisenhower element and a Joe McCarthy element, and the Joe McCarthy element was imbued with a lot of racism.

He lays some of the blame on William F. Buckley Jr., the intellectual dean of the modern Republican Party and, in his early days, a stone-cold racist, in Stevenss description, who supported continued segregation in the South. Citing the memo by Pat Buchanan to President Richard Nixon that became the backbone of the so-called Southern Strategy  a tactic for attracting white voters by appealing to their racist instincts  Stevens said Trumps Republican Party is cynically exploiting racism just as much or more than its predecessors.

Story continues

Stuart Stevens when he was senior adviser to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney aboard the campaign plane in Philadelphia in September 2012. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Last night there were two people from St. Louis who were at the convention because they had waved guns at black people, Stevens said, referring to Mark and Patty McCloskey, who were videotaped pointing guns at Black Lives Matter protesters who were marching past their home. That is their sole reason to be at that convention.

Stevens said he felt hopeful when George W. Bush became president, espousing a platform of compassionate conservatism, which Stevens said manifested in Bushs commitment to public education and enacting of the landmark education reform legislation No Child Left Behind. But the 2001 terror attacks catapulted Bush into the role of a wartime president, Stevens said, and the compassionate conservatism agenda was subordinated to the Iraq War.

In some ways, Stevens said, the brand of mainstream conservatism he embraced is dead, a victim of its own success.

You had this kind of crime, welfare, taxes, communism set of issues that really had decreased in their urgency, so what would a new conservatism be? Stevens asked. And I think this is what Governor Bush asked himself, and out of that evolved an ethos of compassionate conservatism. The core of that for Bush was education. Its what he really cared about. ... But all of that died on 9/11. Stevens said he now finds himself surrounded by other Bush loyalists who cant bring themselves to fall in line with Trump  Nicolle Wallace, Mark McKinnon, Matthew Dowd and Michael Gerson among them  because we see Trump as so antithetical to what we aspire to be.

Stevens said that he and other conservatives in his camp had long hoped that the party would broaden the tent, but to his surprise most Republicans really didnt want to.

Look at it as DNA: I thought our side was the dominant gene and that that other [racist] side was the recessive gene, Stevens said. I think I have to conclude I was wrong.

Stevens pointed out that the Republican Party began to lose the African-American vote after Dwight D. Eisenhower was president and never won it back. But he said Republicans never wanted to actually broaden the tent and reach minority voters  a dirty little secret he is only now waking up to. He said that after losing to Barack Obama, the Republican Party commissioned an autopsy to better understand what went wrong. That postmortem made clear that the only way the Republican Party could survive would be by appealing to a broader and more diverse coalition of voters.

It was presented not only as a political necessity, which was kind of obvious  sort of like We lost the Super Bowl [and] what should you do is score more points, Stevens said. It was [also] presented as a model mandate that if youre going to earn the right to govern this big, confusing, loud, contradictory country, you need to represent it more.

But Stevens said when Trump came along, the Republican Party largely embraced him with relief.

There was almost an audible sigh of relief: We can just throw that out the window, Stevens said of the Republican reaction. Its like, Thank God, we dont have to pretend we care about this [race] stuff anymore. We can just win with white people.

Thats when Stevens realized that for many in the party, compassionate conservatism and the like were marketing slogans; they werent beliefs.

Stevens said he believes that Biden is running a historically good campaign, but he hasnt written Trump off yet. The power of any incumbent to win is too strong to make Stevens confident that America is rid of Trump.

Its very hard to beat an incumbent president, Stevens said. Particularly a ruthless president like Donald Trump.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
COVID is the alien in the movie of the same name, or Michael Meyers of Halloween movie fame. You can try to kill them or run away from them, but they have more lives than the average cat and keep coming after you, relentless and persistent, not going away until the movie ends. It has its own plan and life cycle, not through conscious thought, but via evolution.

Viruses do what viruses do, regardless of the pronouncement of pandemic modelers, elected officials, or the all-knowing Dr. Fauci. And this wont end until the movie ends on November 4. A recent article in Scientific American put it succinctly, The only job of this virus is to replicate itself. It will make its way through all the susceptibles that it can find. The Wuhan virus is not racist, sexist, or phobic toward any political identity group, despite claims to the contrary by the left. It is not interested in diversity, tolerance, reparations, or wokeness.

In the early days we heard incessantly about flattening the curve. In terms of official policy, the White House set forth a plan in mid-March, 15 days to slow the spread. President Trump announced this initiative from the podium along with a somber looking Dr. Fauci and other task force members. Interestingly when the virus was at its worst, Dr. Fauci didnt feel it necessary to don a large mask, unlike now when the pandemic is losing steam.

Masks and social distancing were not in vogue back in March, but instead common-sense virus precautions were stressed, including staying home if sick, elderly, or with medical comorbidities. Handwashing was emphasized and further recommendations were delegated to local or state authorities depending on their varying situations.

These recommendations were announced March 14, along with the President declaring a national emergency, dedicating more than $42 billion in resources to fighting the Chinese flu carnage. This was only three weeks after Nancy Pelosi strutted through San Franciscos Chinatown declaring, Everything is fine here.

Trumps announcement was only three days after NY Mayor DeBlasio told New Yorkers to hit the restaurants: If youre not sick, you should be going about your life. The President blocked travel from China at the end of January yet Democrats insist he acted too slowly. At the time, Biden called the travel ban hysterical xenophobia.

Trump was actually taking the virus seriously while Democrats were ignoring it. Slow Joe Biden piled on in his convention speech last week saying he had a plan since March. Yet Bidens so-called plan was what Trump had already done, and what Biden condemned at the time. Just another example of Sleepy Joes habitual plagiarism.

But none of the initial 15 days to slow the spread seemed to have an effect. 15 days turned into 50 days, then 100 days, with no end in sight. As the months went by, America had to stay home, couldnt go out to eat or workout at the gym. We were banned from attending church or funerals (unless the deceased was George Floyd) and everyone was required to hide behind a mask.

The originally proposed two weeks was designed to flatten the curve, preventing hospitals and the health system from being overwhelmed with more sick patients than they could handle. It simply delayed illness and death, letting people run but not hide.

YouTube screen grab

New York City and Italy had steep curves with a deluge of cases over a short period of time. Italys healthcare system couldnt handle the surge, but New York City could as evidenced by their empty makeshift hospitals and a 1000 bed floating hospital.

New Zealand flattened the curve completely, aided by their 1500-mile water border and ability to shut down travel into the country completely, placing any new arrivals into strict quarantine.

New York, inadvertently, didnt run or hide but faced the plague head on, pushing through, and getting to the other side. Aside from Governor Cuomos decision to send infected patients into nursing homes, which reeks of gross incompetence at best or mass murder at worst, New Yorks current numbers look good.

New Yorks infection rate is now below one percent for two weeks running. Hospitalizations and ICU patients are the lowest levels since March and deaths have virtually dropped to zero.

New Zealand, on the other hand, completely flattened the curve by closing its borders and earned international media praise for going over a 100 days without any community spread of the Chinese virus. The New York Times heaped praise on NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who, Sold a drastic lockdown with straight talk and mom jokes.

The NY Times editorial board must be wishing she were the Democrat Party nominee, a global progressive icon as they described her, rather than the old senile white bigot they are currently stuck with.

Pride goeth before a fall. After being the model for the rest of the world, mom jokes and all, virus reality hit hard. New Zealand ran but couldnt hide and now has over a hundred new cases, now on lockdown once again. A hundred cases may not seem like a lot, but New Zealand is a small country, about the size and population of Colorado.

Sweden is another example of not running or hiding, facing the virus head on, not closing down or mandating masks and they actually fared better than New York.

Viruses do what viruses do. There are only three solutions for getting through a viral pandemic.

One is a vaccine, but despite 170 prospects working their way through clinical trials, an approved and effective vaccine is still 12 to 18 months away. We cant run or hide for that long, waiting.

Two is a therapeutic, but for viruses these are far and few between. Hydroxychloroquine is a possibility, particularly for symptomatic outpatients not yet sick enough to need hospital care, but media and medical establishment hysteria due to Trump once speaking favorably about it, will ensure it is not allowed to save any lives.

How many Americans died due to the lefts hubris in denying Trump any credit whatsoever? Even if it was a mere suggestion. Trump derangement syndrome has a high fatality rate.

Three is herd immunity, which may be as low as 20 percent when considering both antibody and T-cell immunity, the former easily measured, the latter not. New York, Sweden, and many other parts of the world have hit this this metric, with rapidly dropping hospitalizations and fatalities.

Endless lockdowns, closed businesses, mask mandates, and other restrictions are simply running and hiding from the inevitable. The virus will run through a population, leaving a path of destruction, and eventually burning itself out as evidenced by previous viral outbreaks.

Yet the collateral damage from these running and hiding measures is profound. Economic destruction, deferred medical care, and psycho-social despair are all real, consequencs of a flattened but prolonged curve. The hospitals may not have been overwhelmed but the emotions and souls of so many individuals and families have been decimated.

There is no easy path through a viral pandemic, only a series of policy choices to do the least harm. The virus will run its course and despite assurances of politicians and scientists, you can run but you cant hide.

Brian C Joondeph, MD, is a Denver based physician and freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in American Thinker, Daily Caller, Rasmussen Reports, and other publications. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Parler, and QuodVerum.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority is set to launch its contact tracing course in September that will prioritize regions with high number of COVID-19 cases.

TESDA deputy director general Lina Sarmiento told CNN Philippines Newsroom Ngayon that the 15-day program will be offered for free.

Sarmiento also noted it is important to put extra attention to this program given the urgency of the need for more contact tracers in the country.

This will be done mainly through online, and with few face-to-face classes, she said.

As for qualifications, those with age 21 to 59 years old can apply for the program. They also need to have 10 years of basic education, or have graduated from Grade 10. If not, they should have an alternative learning system equivalent to Grade 10.

The course will involve three key competencies: basic, which will enhance learners communication and working skills; common, which will cover basic skills for the job like first aid; and core, which will cover major components of contact tracing like surveillance.

This was formulated with the help of experts from the Department of Health, as well as those doctors that helped in contact tracing in Baguio City, she noted.

Sarmiento said they are also targeting to give an orientation to more than 40,000 graduates of TESDAs health-related courses regarding contact tracing.

Once they have graduated, they can apply to their respective local government. They will be given a daily allowance of 160, one-time 500 allowance each for personal protective equipment and data, and 100 for insurance.

Sarmiento said they are now finalizing trainers that were recommended by the DOH to be able to start the program next month.

Those interested can apply through the TESDA website or through their regional offices.

The Department of Interior and Local Government said the country needs additional 50,000 contact tracers starting September on top of currently about 85,000 to boost governments efforts for COVID-19 response. The department said current number is not enough to meet World Health Organizations recommendation to have one contact tracer for every 800 people, as well as contact tracing czar Benjamin Magalongs requirement of 1:37 patient to close contacts ratio in order to cut transmission of the virus.

Lawmakers have also approved the 5-billion allocation for contact tracing under the Bayanihan 2. 
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Track Tropical Storm Laura, read more about continuing police protests in Wisconsin and the first night of the RNC, get the latest coronavirus updates and see more stories trending online today.

Top Stories

Laura expected to strengthen to Category 3 hurricane in Gulf of Mexico: See track (Nola.com)

Protesters return to streets in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Black man was shot in back by police (NBC)

RNC 2020 Day 1: GOP formally nominates Trump to 2nd term (ABC)

4 takeaways from RNC, Night 1: No platform but reverence for Trump (NBC News)

Coronavirus news and updates

Fauci says rushing out a vaccine could jeopardize testing of others (CNBC)

While nationwide surge may be slowing, officials warn of troubling Covid-19 signs across US heartland (CNN)

Schools face laptop shortage (CBS News)

Hong Kong reports first case of virus reinfection (BBC)

KFC suspending use of Finger Lickin Good in advertising amid coronavirus pandemic (USA Today)

Read complete prior coronavirus coverage.

Other headlines trending today

5 takeaways from postmaster generals grilling on mail-in voting (ABC News)

Putin critic in coma was poisoned, German doctors say (NY Times)

Greta Thunberg returns to school in Sweden after year off (AP)

LeBron James, Alvin Kamara among stars to demand justice after police shooting of Black man in Wisconsin (ESPN)

Starbucks announces PSL returning early (Today)

McDonalds releasing first-ever new McNuggets flavor, other menu additions (Fox Business)

Kim Yo Jong could be even worse for North Korea than Kim Jong Un, experts say (NY Daily News)
Hydrogen bombs  the worlds deadliest weapons  have no theoretical size limit. The more fuel, the bigger the explosion. When the United States in 1952 detonated the worlds first, its destructive force was 700 times as great as that of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima.

And in the darkest days of the Cold War, the Soviets and the Americans didnt only compete to build the most weapons. They each sought at times to build the biggest bomb of all.

There was a megatonnage race  who was going to have a bigger bomb, said Robert S. Norris, a historian of the atomic age. And the Soviets won.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Nippon Life India Asset Management on Tuesday said it has garnered Rs 720 crore through the new fund offer of its Multi-Asset Fund. The company claimed that this is one of the biggest amounts raised through a new fund offer (NFO) during the pandemic.

Over 80,000 investors spread across 370 locations invested in the NFO of Nippon India Multi Asset Fund through both digital and offline mode, the fund house said in a statement.

Besides, the fund house has received 25,000 SIP (systematic investment plan) applications for the NFO.

It, further, said more than 60 percent of the applications came digitally through various digital platforms of the fund house and its partners.

Nippon India Multi Asset Fund allows investors to take exposure to four distinct asset classes - domestic equity, foreign equity, commodities and fixed income.

"We saw tremendous response from family offices and High Networth Individuals (HNIs) as well.

"The Fund had drawn the attention to the importance of investing across asset classes, particularly to foreign equities, as many investors, including HNIs, had negligible investments in assets like overseas equities and commodities," said Aashwin Dugal, Co-Chief Business Officer of Nippon India Mutual Fund.
Rescuers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) pulled out a four-year-old boy alive from the debris of a five-storeyed building almost 19 hours after it collapsed at Mahad near Mumbai on Monday. Officials said Mohammad Javed Bangi was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he asked for his mother, whose body was later retrieved from the rubble. They added the boy has suffered minor injuries.

Also read: Police to file FIR against 5 in building collapse

His aunt, Rupasa, said the boy was trapped under the debris along with his two sisters and mother. His three family members are still trapped under the rubble. I pray for everyones survival, she said before the body of the boys mother was recovered.

The 10-year-old building collapsed on Monday evening and around 25 people were initially trapped. The rescuers have so far saved seven people while the search is still on for others.

Officials said the boy was rescued at 1:15 pm on Tuesday. They added he was found ensconced under the roof covered with debris.

NDRF commandant Alok Kumar, who is part of the rescue operation, said they are very happy to have rescued the boy safe and sound. Once we located him with the help of sniffer dogs, we ensured that the debris removal work was done smoothly and slowly as there was possibility of debris falling on the head. He is fine and doing well.

Prajit Salunke of Salunke Rescue Team, a private group from Mahad, said the boy was under a collapsed piece of wall. He smiled at us and it was a beautiful sight. The citizens and rescue workers clapped when he was rescued alive, said Salunke.

District dollector Nidhi Chaudhary said despite the challenges, the administration supported by all the stakeholders did a good a job in rescuing the child. We are doing our level best to remove the debris from the spot at the earliest.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Asawase Constituency have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure peace ahead of the 2020 general elections.



Two constituency executives each from both parties signed the document after a mediation process led by the National Peace Council (NPC) to diffuse the seeming tension in the constituency between the two parties.



While the NPP signed after more than three hours deliberations, the NDC initially refused to sign, citing bias on the part of the Police and the Electoral Commission (EC) in the just ended voter registration exercise.



It took extensive engagement by the NPC team led by its Chairman, Prof. Emmanuel Asante to make the NDC delegation to rescind their decision.



They, however, signed on condition that they would exercise their right to self-defence if they come under attack.



Mr Mugis Mahdi, the Constituency Secretary of the NDC, said the party could not trust the Police to protect them, considering events during the registration exercise.



He said there were instances where the Police looked on helplessly when NDC members came under attack.



He said, "some of these things informed our reluctance in signing the MOU but we don't want to create the impression that we are not committed to peace and that is why we have signed."



Prof. Asante commended the leadership of both parties for the commitment to a peaceful election and urged them to engage their members to allow peace to prevail in the constituency.



He said the parties should desist from using internal party security to protect political leaders during electoral activities.



They should allow state security to perform their lawful mandate, he said.



"We have agreed that at some point in October we shall bring together the two candidates, Mr Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak and Mr Alidu Seidu so that they would make a public demonstration that they are for peace for their followers to emulate," he said.



The meeting was also attended by other stakeholders including the Regional Chief Imam, Sheikh Abdul-Mumin Harun and representatives from the Council of Zongo Chiefs who took turns to add their voices to the need for a peaceful election.

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
Interior Minister Marcel Vela announced on Tuesday at the Interior Ministry (MAI) having put up for public debate a draft emergency ordinance strengthening animal protection measures, according to which the Police will be able to issue an order placing an assaulted, injured or abused animal in a shelter.

According to Vela, the draft is designed to protect endangered animals by establishing a mechanism that will allow Police to issue an order to place the assaulted, injured or abused animal in a shelter.

"Also, under the draft ordinance we establish the obligation of the county councils and of the General Council of Bucharest City to provide continuously and permanently public animal shelter services, either by organising their own shelters or by concluding contracts with zoos, animal lovers or other entities," said Vela.

He added that the animals may be placed in temporary custody with non-governmental organisations that prove they meet housing and care conditions in order to be offered for adoption, and the order to place the animal in a shelter can be challenged by holders in accordance with the law of administrative litigation.

"According to the draft, there is established the right of police officers to enter the field, the domicile or residence of any natural person without their consent, as well as in the headquarters of any legal person without the consent of its legal representative, if the information available to the police indicates animals are in danger. The actions of the Police can be photographed or recorded without the consent of the owners of the animal in question," the minister said.

Vela also announced that the law on the organisation and operation of the Romanian Police will be amended to set up a mechanism for assigning police positions in police departments of with personnel specialising in veterinary medicine within the National Sanitary Veterinary Authority or from an external source.

"Considering all these novelties brought by the piece of legislation, we have established that the public animal shelter services should be up and running 60 days of the date of publication in the Official Journal and for a period of 180 days. The Interior Ministry, the Romanian Police and the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority can carry out information activities for the public," added Vela.

AGERPRES .
US Vows to Ensure Israel's 'Military Edge'

By Nike Ching August 24, 2020

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday the United States will ensure Israel's military advantage in the Middle East under any potential U.S. arms deals with the United Arab Emirates.

"The United States has a legal requirement with respect to qualitative military edge. We will continue to honor that," said Pompeo after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

"But we have a 20-plus year security relationship with the United Arab Emirates as well, where we have provided them with technical assistance and military assistance," he added.

The top U.S. diplomat's trip to the Middle East comes after Washington helped broker the Israel-UAE deal earlier this month, a pact that Netanyahu said heralds a new era for the region.

But Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal is a "betrayal" of Palestinians. The Israel-UAE deal is seen as breaking a tradition among most Arab countries not to make peace with Israel until Israel and the Palestinians make peace.

Pompeo is also traveling to Bahrain, UAE and Sudan from August 23-28, with Iran, regional security issues, and "establishing and deepening Israel's relationships in the region" high on the agenda.

The U.S. and Israel are hopeful that other Arab nations will follow the UAE in normalizing relations with Israel.

"We discussed this and I hope we'll have good news in the future, maybe in the near future," said Netanyahu on Monday.

Bahrain and Oman are seen as the next Gulf countries to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.

Monday, British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab renewed a call for a dialogue between governments of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

"Israel's suspension of annexation is an essential step towards a more peaceful Middle East. It is important to build on this new dynamic, and ultimately only the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority can negotiate the two state solution required to secure lasting peace," said Raab in a statement.

Raab met with Pompeo on Monday in Jerusalem and is set to meet with Netanyahu and Abbas this week.

Netanyahu has praised the Trump administration for its efforts to initiate a return of the international sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the 2015 agreement restricting the country's nuclear program.

The United States withdrew from the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and other signatories, including Britain, France and Germany, said because the U.S. walked away they could not support its sanctions action.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The rate of coronavirus infection is increasing day by day. During these times, you will not want to make close physical contact with anyone but only those who you trust as healthy. Because of this reason, places like the billing counters, where there are queues of people, are the worst place you can go.

But, if you need to check your bills but do not want to risk getting coronavirus, you can check bills and pay them from the comfort of the home. This will not only save you lots of time that is wasted during the trip to the billing station and the queue time, but this will also allow you to check, and pay bills on the go wherever and whenever you want. These are the ways you can check utility bills online.

1.

Electricity

Unlike other bills, you cannot guess and pay your electricity bills like TV or internet that charges you a fixed amount every month because you pay based on the amount you use. But, you can check your electricity bills by going to the official website of the Nepal Electricity Authority.

On the website, click on a bright red box in the middle of the screen called bill payment inquiry and you are redirected to another website.

Then, it is just as simple as filling up information and getting your bill. You will have to enter your location, SCNo., your consumer ID and the time period of the bill. Then you will have to click generate and it will send you to a page where you can see all your billed amount and date of it.

After lockdown, the NEA launched a totally different website to let the consumers update their own meter readings. In the website, you have to click of Self Meter Reading tab and it will direct you a different page. Here, first register with your name, email, mobile no and password. Then fill out the form with all your details and then update your bill for the month by clicking on check. It will be open for a week after the day of your meter check [you can confirm the date on your SCNo.] After this you can continue to pay from online payment gateways.

2.

Internet

Nepal Telecom

To pay the bill of Nepal Telecom, all you have to do is visit the website. You can view a page where you need to fill your service name (GSM, CDMA, etc). Then, enter your month for payment and your phone number. Enter your PUK number or A/C number for PSTN phone, then click check bill. Then you will receive all the data you need to know the amount required to check the bill.

Vianet

Similarly, for Vianet, go to the companys website then log in using your username and password provided by the company. Check your unpaid bills from the list of bills and there it shows you your all unpaid bills for the service.

The mobile app of Vianet also gives you details for the bills.

Worldlink and Subisu

You can check the bills of Worldlink and Subisu on e-Sewa. Login to your e-Sewa app and click on the internet bill. Choose your internet service then enter your id or phone number. Then click on proceed then you can see the required amount to be paid.

Worldlink also has a mobile app that shows you the bill information.

3.

Landline

Very much like electricity bills, landline bills are also charged based on the usage; they are not fixed. But, not to worry, checking bill for landlines is very simple. All you have to do is SMS: type CB*phone number (which should contain the area code with 0) and send it to 1415. Then, you will get the SMS reply from the NTC with the bill. You can also check your landline bills using the landline itself (which is called PSTN bill system).

You have to dial 1606 from your landline phone and after several announcements, you have to press 1 or 2 and pick a language of your preference; press 1 once again to get the bill amount; and one more time to learn about the balance you racked up in a specific month or can learn about your total pending bills by directly pressing 2 on your phone set, skipping the long process.

4.

Water

For your water bills, there is not any official website that allows you to do so.

However, you can check your bills every easily by using e-wallet platforms. All you need to have is a Khalti or e-Sewa account. First, you need to go to the Khanepani bill payment section on the app or the website. After that, you need to select a counter for your location. After you have selected the correct counter, you have to enter your customer ID. You can either pay the bill of the respective month or all time. Then, click search. After doing this, you are presented with the amount you will need to pay and can proceed with the transaction.

5.

TV

Unlike most of the above-mentioned utility bills, paying TV bills gets slightly complicated because each TV service provider has a different website where you check and pay your bills online. But, you can also use platforms like e-Sewa or Khalti to pay your bills. Paying your bills via e-Sewa and Khalti is fast and efficient because you do not have to search for the official website of your TV provider. And because most of the utility bills can be paid via that same platform, the payment process for utility bills will not be confusing.

To pay via such platforms, first, you need to go to either the website or app of Khalti or e-Sewa. Then go to TV payment and, choose your provider. After you choose your TV provider, enter your customer ID and press proceed. The billed amount will be shown and you can either proceed with the payment or choose to pay another time.
Republican congressional candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene (pictured) revealed she will be attending Donald Trump's RNC acceptance speech at the White House Thursday

Marjorie Taylor Greene will attend Donald Trump's appetence speech Thursday night on the South Lawn, the Georgia Republican candidate for the U.S. House revealed Tuesday.

'I'm honored and thrilled to be invited to attend President Trump's acceptance speech Thursday evening at the White House,' Greene tweeted with an image of the invitation. 'I'm also equally excited to vote for him again November 3rd, and I'm working hard all over Georgia to help him win.'

The candidate receiving an invitation is a big sign of the president's support as it's unlikely his acceptance speech at the White House will have a large crowd.

'Congratulations to future Republican Star Marjorie Taylor Greene on a big Congressional primary win in Georgia against a very tough and smart opponent,' Trump tweeted after Greene defeated Republican John Cowan in the primary runoff earlier this month. 'Marjorie is strong on everything and never gives up - a real WINNER!'

Greene made national headlines as she ran for the Republican nomination for deep red district of Georgia's 14th congressional district as it was revealed she is an avid QAnon believer. This means she subscribes to a set of conspiracies put out by an anonymous poster believed to be a federal official revealing the 'deep state' is out to bring down Donald Trump.

She will likely take the retiring Rep. Tom Graves' seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the New Year as it's unlikely the seat will flip blue in November.

It was also revealed by CNN Tuesday that Greene wrote blog posts for a conspiracy-laden website where she promoted 'Pizzagate.'

Her invitation to the Republican National Convention speech at the White House this week comes as it was also revealed Tuesday that in 2019 she called for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to be given the death penalty.

Greene is running for retiring Rep. Tom Graves' House seat in Georgia's 14th congressional district, which is staunchly red and unlikely to flip blue in November

She shared an image of her invitation to Trump's speech on the South Lawn

Trump congratulated Greene for winning the Republican runoff earlier this month and called her a 'future Republican Star'

'We the people are fed up,' Greene wrote in a lengthy Facebook post on her campaign's page in February 2019 calling for the impeachment of Pelosi.

'Nancy Pelosi will be receiving copies of a White House Petition demanding the impeachment of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The reason? For crimes of treason, which is not only an impeachable offense, but also a crime punishable by death,' Greene wrote.

The year-and-a-half-old post included a link to a petition she created titled, 'Impeach Nancy Pelosi for crimes of Treason!'

'Nancy Pelosi is guilty of Treason,' Green insisted. 'Nancy Pelosi must be impeached, removed from office, for committing Treason.'

'Once upon a time in this country The People gave a d**n. Once upon a time The People stood for something. Once upon a time The People would stand up against wrongs and would take action to right them,' the candidate concluded.

In 2017 and 2018, Greene wrote two different blog posts for now-defunct website 'American Truth Seekers,' which was a conspiracy-laden website that stopped operating in 2019.

In one of the blogs posted in 2018, Greene promoted 'Pizzagate,' a popular conspiracy theory from 2016 alleging the Clinton and other Democratic Party leaders were running a human trafficking and pedophilia ring as out of a Pizza Shop  a popular conspiracy called 'Pizzagate.'

It was also revealed Tuesday by CNN that Greene claimed in 2019 that House Speaker Nancy should be given the death penalty for 'treason'

She started a petition calling for Pelosi's impeachment

Greene linked to a blog post from a separate conspiracy website speculating that 'Pizzagate' was real, and referenced it in her writing.

'Shockingly, the website tells about information that was only whispered about and called conspiracy theories by all main stream [sic] news media,' Green wrote, linking to the post that falsely claimed a Democratic National Committee staffer was the source for Wikileaks.

'Yet when you go to the website, it tells as if Seth Rich is speaking from the dead saying all the horrible things are true. That Hillary rigged the election against Bernie Sanders. That John Podesta had him murdered. That John Podesta is a pedophile and pizza gate [sic] is real,' She added in the November 2017 post.

In a separate 2017 blog post, Greene wrote that a counter-protester dying during a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia was an 'inside job' meant to 'further the agenda of the elites.'

'What would be the agenda of the elites? Hmm.. Remember Barack Obama's roots are in community organizing. As a matter of fact that's about all he did before he became President. It's also been reported that Obama has an office set up in Washington DC that is being run like a war room, with daily meetings. What would they be up to?' wrote Greene.

She claimed that the 'agenda' in allegedly killing a counter-protest was a 'coordinated war' by former President Barack Obama and other Democrats to overthrow Trump from power.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : State-owned oil companies are struggling to keep up the momentum over their planned capital expenditure for the current fiscal as the Covid-19 pandemic has slowed down project execution and pruned spending.

All public sector oil companies put together have spent just about 20 per cent of their Rs 1 lakh crore capex planned for FY21 in the first four months of current fiscal. As per government data, the capex of oil companies in April-July period stands at Rs 19,569 crore, much slower than previous years.

The spending pattern goes against the wishes of the Finance Ministry that wants state-run companies to become engines of growth during the pandemic by stepping up their investment to kickstart overall economic activity in the country. In fact, in her meetings with PSU chiefs, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stressed that PSUs should complete 50 per cent of their planned capex for the year by September.

Spending by oil companies are closely monitored as they are the biggest spenders among PSUs. But a host of issues have prevented their spending this year. The general conditions in the oil market has been weak, pushing back project implementation. Moreover, several entities are facing labour shortages as well due to their migration during Covid-19 outbreak.

Of the total spending by the oil PSUs, ONGC's overseas investment arm ONGC Videsh Ltd has spent the fastest, completing close to 30 per cent of its annual planned spend of about Rs 7,000 crore.

Privatisation-bound Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has been the slowest in spending reaching just 14 per cent of annual capex of Rs 9,000 crore by July.

IOC has spent just about 18 per cent of its over Rs 26,000 crore capex while ONGC has cut its capex target for this year and so far spent just about 22 per cent of over Rs 32,000 crore spending plan.

HPCL and GAIL have just about managed to reach close to spending a fifth of their planned amounts by July this year.
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- New York City REIT, Inc. (NYSE: NYC), a public REIT which owns a portfolio of eight office and retail condominium buildings in New York City, provided additional details today about its previously disclosed early 10-year lease extension with City National Bank ("CNB") for the retail bank and office space at 1140 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. The lease extends CNB's occupancy at the building until 2033.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, CNB has occupied space at NYC's 1140 Avenue of the Americas location since 2012 and serves as the anchor tenant for the building. CNB is an investment grade company which merged with Royal Bank of Canada in 2015 and offers a full complement of banking, trust and investment services. As part of its new lease agreement, CNB will occupy 35,643 square feet at the property including 3,400 square feet of ground floor space as well as the entire second and third floors in addition to a portion of the 16th floor.

Michael Weil, NYC's Chief Executive Officer commented, "We believe that last month's early lease extension demonstrates the continuing long-term value that CNB finds in this location and allows NYC to execute on its strategy of achieving high occupancy through long term leases with strong tenants. We have built a solid relationship with CNB over the years and we very pleased with the collaborative effort with Harry Topping and the real estate team at CNB as well as the teams at Avison Young and CBRE that worked together to achieve this mutually beneficial result."

Todd Korren, Principal of Avison Young, represented NYC in the transaction. Avison Young has served as the exclusive leasing agent for the 1140 Avenue of the Americas property since 2018. Lynn A. Williams, Vice Chairman, and Jeffrey Welch, Executive Vice President, of CBRE represented the tenant and led the CBRE team in the negotiations.

Mr. Korren commented "I'm thrilled to have been a part of the team that facilitated the City National Bank lease extension. The effort was an incredible collaboration among all of the stakeholders. The new, state of the art air conditioning system which NYC agreed to install in connection with the extension demonstrates a true commitment to the health and well-being of CNB employees and its customers."

About New York City REIT, Inc.

New York City REIT, Inc. is a publicly traded REIT that owns a portfolio of high-quality commercial real estate located within the five boroughs of New York City. Additional information about NYC can be found on its website at www.newyorkcityreit.com.

About City National Bank

Los Angeles-based City National Bank offers a full complement of banking, trust and investment services through 72 offices, including 19 full-service regional centers, in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada, New York City, Nashville, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C. and Miami*. Its 5,300 colleagues deliver highly personal service and complete financial solutions to entrepreneurs, professionals, their businesses and their families.

Through its subsidiaries, including City National Rochdale, LLC; City National Securities, Inc.; First American Equipment Finance, and other affiliated companies, City National also makes available wealth management, brokerage and leasing services among others.

On November 2, 2015, City National merged with Royal Bank of Canada. For more information about RBC, please see rbc.com.

*City National Bank does business in Miami and the state of Florida as CN Bank.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause the outcome to be materially different. In addition, words such as "may," "will," "seeks," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "would," or similar expressions indicate a forward-looking statement, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements, including those set forth in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of NYC's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and NYC's most recent Form 10-Q, as such Risk Factors may be updated from time to time in subsequent reports. Further, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and NYC undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time, except as required by law.

Contacts:

Investor Relations

[email protected]

(866) 902-0063

SOURCE New York City REIT, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.newyorkcityreit.com


Former President Mahama minced no words when he spoke with utmost certainty that commercial bike hailing, popularly known as Okada has created more jobs than two of the NPPs governments flagship initiatives.



In justifying his promise to legalize the business, the NDC flagbearer said that Okada business has done more good to the Ghanaian youth than NABCO and YEA.



He was firm that a legalization and regulation of the Okada will create further opportunities and revenue for the youth.



Why behave like the turkey and bury your head in the sand? This pragyas, Aboboyaa, okadas have created more jobs in this economy than any government job-related policy. It has created more jobs than NaBCo, YEA and all those artificial job creation programs



This position by the former president is widely endorsed by the NDC and among the believers is the MP for Adaklu, Kwame Agbodza.



Agbodza told Neat FM that the promise to legalize Okada is a step in the right direction, stressing that Okada plays vital roles in the movement of people.



Like Mahama, Agbodza is strongly convinced that the Okada business has done the youth a lot of good compared to NABCO and YEA.



But when he was pushed to substantiate his claims with figures, the member of Parliaments Roads and Transport Committee could not give numbers but rather speculated on what he assumes to be the number of Okada drivers in his constituency.



The MP tried to shelve the question but the interviewer insisted on him backing his assertions with figures, an exercise that ended in futility.



Adaklu is a relatively small constituency and I can say that more than hundred people use Okada in Adaklu alone. We know the figures government gave in terms of NABCO though majority are not paid. The principle the former president is saying that if we legalize and regulate it, the youth in Adaklu wouldnt have to go to Ho to look for job.



Interviewer: So we should say that you are just speculating ?



Currently NABCO may not have more than 100 beneficiaries in Adaklu. But Okada, one station has more than 30 rides. So lets not limit the argument to figures. We are discussing at the manifesto stage. The policy aspect of it, he stated in defence.

Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has warned parents against sending their children to universities in Northern Cyprus due to the incessant and mysterious killing of Nigerians in the European nation.

Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, issued the warning on Monday, August 24, 2020, when a delegation led by a judge of the Kaduna State High Court, Justice Aminat Ahmad Bello, visited the commissions office in Abuja.

KanyiDaily recalls that Justice Bello had earlier narrated how her 25-year-old son, Ibrahim Khaleel Bello, who was a third year Civil Engineering student of Girne American University in Girne (Kyrenia), Northern Cyprus, was killed by some people in the country.

Reacting to the development, Dabiri-Erewa said it was too risky to send children to schools in Northern Cyprus as hundreds of Nigerian students had been killed there mysteriously without any conclusive investigations.

She insisted that the country should be blacklisted and therefore called on parents to be wary of sending their wards to Northern Cyprus as the country was not recognized by the United Nations except the Republic of Turkey, adding that Nigeria has no diplomatic ties with the country.

The death of Ibrahim khaleel Bello should be a tipping point to end the continuous killings of Nigerian students anywhere in the world, particularly Northern Cyprus. The time has come for us to blacklist all these universities in Northern Cyprus and advise our students from seeking any form of admission there as it portends danger to their life and future. It is not only Ibrahim. Kennedy Dede, Augustine Ngok, Gabriel Sorewei, Osabanjo Owoyale, Augustine Wallace, Stanley Eteno, Hassan Babatunde, Temitayo Adigun, and Kubat Abraham are just a few of the ones that we even know.

The problem is that most Nigerian parents do not know that Northern Cyprus is not recognised by any country in the world. It is not a UN-recognised country. It is only recognised by Turkey. That is why we have not been able to do much.

Who do you report to? Thousands of Nigerian students are schooling there and I tell you that hundreds have been killed. Who do you take these cases to? And they are killed in similar circumstances. The school just tells you, Well, they committed suicide, and nothing happens.

Dabiri-Erewa however assured the delegation led by Justice Bello that NIDCOM would work with the Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Mission in Turkey and other relevant agencies to ensure justice is done.

She added that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation had already reported the matter to Interpol for further investigation.

KanyiDaily had also reported how the body of a missing 33-year old Nigerian student studying in Cyprus International University, was found in his car boot.
Russian Defence Ministry Plans to Sign $15.5Bln Worth of Contracts at Army Forum - Shoigu

Sputnik News

05:17 GMT 24.08.2020

KUBINKA, Russia (Sputnik) - The Russian Defence Ministry is planning to sign 39 contracts worth a total of 1.2 trillion rubles ($15.5 billion) at the Army-2020 military forum, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday.

"We are expecting to sign 39 contracts, and the total will be almost 1.160 trillion rubles," Shoigu said as aired on Zvezda broadcaster.

The forum held in a Moscow suburb of Kubinka began on Sunday and will last through Saturday.

The sixth international defence industry forum ARMY-2020, organized by the Russian Defence Ministry, will open in the Moscow Region on Sunday and present state-of-the-art weaponry and military hardware.

Russia has hosted the international defence industry event annually since 2015. This year's edition began on Sunday and will end on 5 September.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






A n African American man who was shot in front of his children by police in Wisconsin has been left paralysed from the waist down, his father has said.

Jacob Blake's father told the Chicago Sun-Times that his son was shot eight times during a confrontation with officers on Sunday.

Mobile phone footage taken by an onlooker showed Mr Blake being shot, apparently in the back, as he leant into his SUV while his three children sat in the vehicle.

The incident sparked widespread unrest in the city of Kenosha, with authorities declaring an emergency overnight curfew on Monday.

Jacob Blake, 29, was shot in front of his children / attorneycrump/Instagaram

Mr Blake's father, who is also named Jacob, said his son, 29, now has "eight holes" in his body and doctors don't know if his paralysis will be permanent.

Anger over the shooting spilled into the streets of Kenosha for a second night on Monday, with police firing tear gas at hundreds of protesters who defied the curfew.

The shooting drew condemnation from Democratic governor Tony Evers, who called out 125 members of the National Guard after protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear.

Wisconsin, Kenosha: Jacob Blake Protests - In pictures 1 /21 Wisconsin, Kenosha: Jacob Blake Protests - In pictures REUTERS Law enforcement officers walk amidst tear gas during a protest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS Protestors run for cover as police shoots tear gas in an effort to disperse the crowd during the demonstrations AFP via Getty Images Police clash with protesters in Kenosha on Monday night AP Flames roar from cars torched by protestors a few blocks from the County Court House AFP via Getty Images Protesters clash with officers during demonstrations against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha AFP via Getty Images Kenosha County Sherriff and police officers in riot gear form a line behind a burning truck during demonstrations against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin AFP via Getty Images A protester stands in a cloud of tear gas near a burning garbage truck outside the Kenosha County Court House AP AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AP AP

Police in the city, which lies between Milwaukee and Chicago, said they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute when they encountered the 29-year-old on Sunday.

They did not say whether Mr Blake was armed or why police opened fire, nor did they release details on the dispute.

The officers were placed on administrative leave, which is standard practice in the US following a shooting by police.

Authorities have released no details about the three involved. Mr Evers said the case is still being investigated by the state Justice Department.

The governor was quick to condemn the bloodshed, saying that while not all details were known: "What we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country."

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said the officers "must be held accountable."

"This morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force," he said.

"Those shots pierce the soul of our nation."

Republicans and the police union have accused both politicians of rushing to judgment.

"As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident," Pete Deates, president of the Kenosha police union, said in a statement.

He called Mr Evers's comments "wholly irresponsible."

In the footage of the incident shared online, Mr Blake walks from around the front of his car as officers follow him with their guns pointed.

As Mr Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while the 29-year-old has his back turned.

Loading....

Seven shots can be heard, though it is not clear how many struck Mr Blake nor how many officers fired.
KENOSHA, Wis.: Arsonists set buildings ablaze and torched much of the Black business district in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during a second night of unrest sparked by the wounding of a Black man shot in the back by police as his three young sons looked on.

Kenosha County Board of Supervisors member Zach Rodriguez said the board would hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday on seeking federal help, such as U.S. Marshals Service officers, to quell the unrest after some 300 rioters set fire to buildings overnight.

Essentially, our city was burned to the ground, building by building," he told Reuters. Enough is enough."

Smoke billowed over central Kenosha after police in riot gear clashed with protesters as they defied a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Monday night and Tuesday morning, near where police gunned down Jacob Blake on Sunday.

Blake, 29, remained in intensive care following surgery and would require more operations, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Blake family, told ABC News on Tuesday. Blakes father told the Chicago Sun-Times his son was paralyzed from the waist down.

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
Hurricane FAQs:

What does a Category 2 hurricane look like?

According to the National Hurricane Center, Category 2 storms can range in wind speeds from 96-110 mph. With those speeds, well-constructed homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Shallow, rooted trees can snap or uproot. There would be near-total power loss with outages ranging from several days to several weeks. Hurricane Ike was a category 2 when it hit Galveston in 2008.

What about a Category 3?

The National Hurricane center ranks storms with wind speeds from 111-129 mph as Category 3. Under those conditions, well-built homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks. Hurricane Rita in 2005 made landfall in Southeast Texas as a Category 3 storm.

What category is Hurricane Laura expected to be?

As of Tuesday afternoon, meteorologists from the National Weather Services are predicting a Category 3 storm with a small possibility of becoming a Category 4 before landfall.

What would that look like?

With wind speeds of 130-156 mph, catastrophic damage would occur, according to the National Hurricane Center. Well-built homes will lose most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Power outages would last weeks to months. Most of the area would be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 was a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall near Rockport.

How confident are forecasters in the track of the storm right now?

Most models continue to show the track of the hurricane making landfall on the border of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. With models changing less and the storm drawing closer, the National Weather Center has upgraded their confidence level. However, the storm still could change course. For this reason, hurricane and storm surge watches and evacuations are taking place all the way from San Luis Pass to Morgan City, Louisiana. Anywhere in the cone of uncertainty should be prepared for a major hurricane.

My area is under a mandatory evacuation. What happens if I dont leave?

If you dont abide by mandatory evacuation orders, which have been put in place for counties across Southeast Texas, you will not have access to emergency services and could be without food, electricity and water. As noted, depending on the severity of the storms. utilities could be unavailable for weeks to months. Port Arthur, one of the first municipalities to call for evacuations, states on its website that if you stay, you must be capable of sustaining yourself and your loved ones for 5-7 days. If a disastrous storm strikes our area, any outside assistance in the form of food, drink and medical services may not arrive for days. The entire area could be without water and sewer services as well as electricity for an extended period of time.

More questions? connect with me on twitter @isaacdwindes, or email me at isaacwindes@hearstnp.com .

isaac.windes@hearstnp.com

twitter.com/isaacdwindes
After restaurants and pubs reopened their doors with new safety measures in place on 4 July, Chancellor Rishi Sunaks Eat Out To Help Out scheme was announced to encourage diners to dine in.

It was hoped the scheme would boost the economy, offering people the chance to enjoy up to 10 off their meals if they ate out at a participating restaurant on Monday to Wednesday in August.

The owners of the restaurant, cafe or pub could then claim back the discounts from the government.

Data from booking app OpenTable shows it was a huge success with restaurants on average 27 per cent more full on Monday to Wednesday in the first two weeks of August than they were in August 2019.

The latest data available showed that 35 million half-price meals had been claimed by 18 August.

Eat Out to Help Out ended officially on Monday 31 August, but with government support off the table, many restaurant groups and independents have taken it into their own hands to offer deals to tempt customers through their doors.

Many outlets are now offering the same discount or new initiatives to weekday diners to tempt them to visit.

Here are nine restaurants and chains offering major discounts throughout September in the UK.

London

Kahani, Kensington

Top Indian restaurant Kahani is extending the terms of Eat Out To Help Out throughout September and will also include Thursdays in the deal.

"Not everyone (like ourselves) could open at the drop of a hat, we needed to ensure the safety of not just customers but our staff too, so we only re-opened [earlier this month]", says Chef Patron Peter Joseph of the decision to extend the offer.

kahanilondon.com

Emilias Crafted Pasta, various locations

[Emilias Crafted Pasta, Aldgate]

Fresh pasta trattoria Emilias is extending the EOTHO scheme for their Aldgate and St Katherine's Dock sites, with 50 per cent off pasta dishes from Monday to Wednesday for the month of September.

August was the first stepping stone to securing the future of the restaurant industry. Next, [as offices are scheduled to reopen from] September, we feel its our turn to give back to our guests, says owner Andrew Macleod.

emiliaspasta.com

Iberica, various locations

The Spanish tapas chain is continuing to offer 50 pre cent off food bills from Monday to Wednesday throughout September. Book directly through the restauarnt and quote KEEP EATING OUT to receive the discount.

ibericarestaurants.com

Top Cuvee, Finsbury Park

Neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar Top Cuvee are extending their discount into September on its simple, seasonal menu. A 25 per cent discount will be applied to food on Wednesdays

topcuvee.com

Benares, Mayfair

[Benares restaurant, Mayfair]

Indian-British restaurant Benares will offer the same discount as the Eat Out To Help Out scheme from Tuesday to Thursdays throughout September. Diners can choose from its a la carte or new tasting menus by Executive Chef Sameer Taneja.

The restaurant also has four private rooms which can be hired for more intimate events for up to 16 people  seated to suit distancing measures.

benaresrestaurant.com

Sticky Mango, Waterloo

Modern South Asian restaurant is giving diners the chance to enjoy the same offer of up to 10 off food and soft drinks until the end of September, Monday to Wednesday.

stickymango.co.uk

Kanishka, Mayfair

Diners can continue to enjoy a Michelin star experience at Eat Out To Help Out prices at Indian restaurant, Kanisha. The same offer runs until end of September on its lunch and dinner menu.

kanishakarestaurant.co.uk

Norma, Fitzrovia

The Sicilian-inspired hotspot on Charlotte Street is offering a 10 pasta deal Monday to Thursday throughout September. The regularly rotating special will contain Sicilian ingredients and seasonal flavours, with the deal saving customers up to 14.

Its been brilliant to see Norma so busy at the start of the week, so we wanted to introduce a new initiative to keep the momentum going throughout September and onwards, says Ben Tish, Culinary Director.

normalondon.com

Three Cheers Pub Co, various locations

[The Abbeville Pub, Clapham]

The boutique collection of nine cosy pubs will continue to offer the same discount as the governments scheme by using its own funds in September. Venues include the Bedford in Balham and The Avalon in Clapham.

Tom Peake, owner and co-founder of Three Cheers Pub Co, said: By doubling the period of the offer, and subsiding the discount out of our own pockets, we hope to be able to see more of our lovely customers back, even more often. Weve missed them!

threecheers.co.uk

Kricket, Soho, White City, Brixton

[Kricket, courtesy Hugh Johnson] (Hugh Johnson)

Fans of the modern Indian concept at Kricket can continue to enjoy its food menu for half price for the rest of the year on Mondays  with no cap on spending.

kricket.co.uk

Homeslice, various locations

Lowkey favourite Homeslice will continue to offer half price on its pizza pies Monday to Wednesday throughout September. That means you could pick up a 20-inch pizza for a tenner.

homeslicepizza.co.uk

Rest of the UK

Prana, Cambridge

Indian restaurant Prana are offering a charitable slant on the Eat Out scheme by offering 5 off every meal, and matching the amount with a charity donation to those in need.

pranarestauarant.co.uk

Peru Perdu, Manchester

[Peru Purdu, Manchester]

Vibrant Peruvian restaurant Peru Perdu is extending the terms of Eat Out To Help Out into September, with 50 per cent off the whole menu and soft drinks.

We were overwhelmed by the response to the Eat Out To Help Out Scheme and the support weve seen from our loyal guests, says Jennifer Hughes, brand manager.

Weve built up great momentum and wanted to continue to give back to our following, therefore extending the offer seemed like the perfect solution to us.

www.peruperdu.com

Q Hotels Group, various locations

The hotel group, which has 21 venues across the UK, is continuing the scheme from Monday to Wednesday, all the way up until 30 November.

Its Gin Afternoon Tea has been the most popular dining experience throughout August with a 113 per cent increase in bookings, and expected to remain a favourite with discount-seeking diners.

www.qhotels.co.uk

The Coconut Tree, Cardiff, Oxford, Cheltenham, Bristol and Bournemouth

Sri Lankan bar and restaurant group The Coconut Tree will also continue with an extension to the Monday to Wednesday deal to the end of September. However, the 10 limit will be removed, allowing customers to sample more of its street food inspired menu.

In October the 50 per cent discount will be stripped back and offered on food and soft drinks at lunchtimes only.

coconuttree.co.uk

Bills, various locations

Bills has announced it is extending its Eat Out to Help Out scheme, offering customers 50 per cent off meals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout September.

The restaurant chain will be presenting patrons with a bespoke menu, while also offering guests the chance to have one course for 10 and two courses for 14.50 when dining from the set menu.

bills-website.co.uk

Toby Carvery and Harvester, various locations

Both Toby Carvery and the Harvester chains have promised the extend the Eat Out To Help Out scheme for an extra two weeks.

Both brands are owned by Mitchells & Butler, and are offering the same promotional deal of half price mains until 9 September.

This means you can get an unlimited carvery meal for 3.65.

harvester.co.uk

Pizza Hut, various locations

Pizza Hut will be doing two for one on mains Monday to Wednesday from 7 September - but only if you're signed up to their newsletter.

Sign up to the newsletter here.

Hall & Woodhouse pubs, various locations in the South of England

The pub group is offering the same terms as the Eat Out To Help Out scheme on its traditional fare until Wednesday 30 September.

hall-woodhouse.co.uk
[August 25, 2020] Trianz Awarded 2020 Pandemic Tech Innovation Award SANTA CLARA, Calif. and SYDNEY, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Trianz announced today that TMC, a global, integrated media company, and its TMC Labs product review division, named Workforce Health & Resilience Analytics as a 2020 Pandemic Tech Innovation Award winner. Workforce Health & Resilience Analytics is an analytics solution designed to generate actionable data on the health and wellbeing of a company's workforce. The solution securely collects information from employees and presents it to key stakeholders in the form of insightful dashboards. This allows companies to quickly make critical decisions necessary for an effective, healthy, and productive workforce. "Leaders must make efforts to understand things before they happen and take necessary steps at the right time to steer the organization towards desired outcomes," said Trianz President Ganeshan Venkateshwaran. "We are honored to receive TMC's recognition for this solution, and know from our own experience that workforce health and resilience analytics have enabled better decision making at Trianz. It has helped us and our clients who have ued it to maintain business continuity and protect our workforce."

The Pandemic Tech Innovation Awards will recognize hardware, software, devices/peripherals, applications and services that help society and business function effectively in the face of challenges caused by Pandemics. "Trianz has displayed its commitment to quality and innovation in the development of their tech solutions contributing to managing and overcoming pandemic outbreaks," said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC. "I look forward to more innovation from Trianz and their continued effort towards improving the future of the current challenges faced by the most recent Pandemic." About TMC Through education, industry news, live events and social influence, global buyers rely on TMC's content-driven marketplaces to make purchase decisions and navigate markets. As a result, leading technology vendors turn to TMC for unparalleled branding, thought leadership and lead generation opportunities. Our in-person and online events deliver unmatched visibility and sales prospects for all percipients. Through our custom lead generation programs, we provide clients with an ongoing stream of leads that turn into sales opportunities and build databases. Additionally, we bolster brand reputations with the millions of impressions from display advertising on our news sites and newsletters. Making TMC a 360 degree marketing solution, we offer comprehensive event and road show management services and custom content creation with expertly ghost-crafted blogs, press releases, articles and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and overall marketing efforts. For more information about TMC, visit www.tmcnet.com. About Trianz Trianz simplifies digital evolutions of companies from strategy through execution. Leveraging its global digital transformation database of over 1.5 million datapoints, Trianz provides digital maturity and benchmarking services, transformation strategy development and execution blueprint services. With a unique, multi-disciplinary and collaborative model, Trianz helps clients transition to new business models, digitalized processes and deliver great experiences utilizing Analytics, Digital, Cloud, Infrastructure and Cyber Security technologies. For more information, visit www.trianz.com. Trianz Media Team

media.contact@trianz.com

+1-408-387-5800 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/626944/Trianz_Logo.jpg

[ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ]
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Dzulfiqar Fathur Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020

Documenting 75 years of resilience is a series of special reports by The Jakarta Post to celebrate Indonesias Independence Day, August 17, 1945.

Indonesia has been relying heavily on commodities to generate trade surpluses for the past 75 years, but volatile prices have pushed the country to diversify exports, while the global pandemic and a trade war haunt future international trade.

The countrys trade surplus peaked at US$39.7 billion in 2007, thanks to exports of, among other things, coal, crude palm oil, rubber, timber, bauxite and nickel.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 24)  The coronavirus disease has infected 194,252 people in the Philippines and resulted in the death of over 3,000, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Another 4,686 new cases were reported by the DOH on Monday, with 86 percent or 4,045 infections detected in the last two weeks.

Metro Manila saw 2,519 more residents contracting the virus, while 286 new patients are from Laguna, 218 from Cavite, 189 from Bulacan, and 179 from Rizal.

The disease has also claimed the lives of 13 more patients, pushing the countrys COVID-19 deaths to 3,010. Of the newly reported fatalities, six occurred in August, six in July, and one in June, the DOH said.

Meanwhile, recoveries rose to 132,042, with 729 more cleared of the disease.

The latest figures brought the active cases or currently ill patients in the country to 59,200, which is 30 percent of the national case count.

According to researchers from the University of the Philippines, the country has seen a downward trend in the coronavirus reproductive rate following the two-week implementation of stricter quarantine measures in Metro Manila and nearby regions.

However, they said the Philippines still needs to sustain the momentum to win the battle against COVID-19. They also warned that the trends are subject to change, adding that the development should not let the country slacken its efforts to combat the health crisis.

READ: COVID-19 reproduction rate drops after MECQ, but PH needs to sustain momentum in pandemic fight  research group

President Rodrigo Duterte will again address the nation on Monday night from Davao City to discuss how COVID-19 funds have been spent, according to his spokesperson.
By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) - Talks with the U.N. nuclear watchdog's chief were constructive, Iran's top nuclear official Ali Akbar Salehi was quoted as saying on Tuesday, after meeting Rafael Grossi during a visit to seek access for inspectors to two suspected former atomic sites.

Grossi, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency, wants Iran to let his inspectors into the sites because the agency suspects they could still host undeclared nuclear material, or traces of it.

"Our conversation today was very constructive. It was agreed that the agency will carry out its independent and professional responsibilities and Iran will fulfil its legal commitments," said Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, according to the Students News Agency ISNA.

"A new chapter of cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will start," said Salehi, but added that "Iran will not accept any additional demands beyond its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal".

"We are working on reaching an agreement on @IAEAorgs safeguards verification activities in Iran," Grossi tweeted after meeting Salehi, without elaborating. But some insiders said it could be a sign of Iran agreeing to grant the IAEA access to the two sites after a months-long standoff.

Iran has suggested the agency is seeking access based on the Israeli information, which it argues is inadmissible.

Washington last week pressed the U.N. Security Council to reimpose sanctions lifted under Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, from which the United States has withdrawn.

Tehran says Grossi's visit is unrelated to U.S. moves on sanctions and has called on the IAEA to "distance itself from political pressure by other countries".

"There are issues that need to be addressed ... this does not mean a political approach towards Iran," Grossi said according to Iranian media.

Story continues

"The IAEA will not let third countries impact its relations with any other country."

Grossi will meet President Hassan Rouhani and other officials during his visit.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Alison Williams and Giles Elgood)
Google introduced the Playmoji feature with the Pixel 3 series in 2018. It is basically an upgraded version of the already available AR Stickers. With the newly launched Google Pixel 4a, the company has officially confirmed its no longer supporting the Playmoji AR stickers.

Last week, the new Google Pixel 4a along with several other smartphones received the ARCore certification. According to 9to5google, the Playmoji option in the more section within the camera app is no longer available. Moreover, Playmoji now becomes an exclusive feature for older Pixel smartphones.

Google ditching Playmoji feature starting with Pixel 4a

Furthermore, the third-party Playmoji packs including Avengers, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Stranger Things, and Detective Pikachu are missing from the Play Store. Only the Google packs like Weather, Pets, Japanese Phrases, Travel, Love, Sports, Signs, Food, and Winter are available to download.

Advertisement

Unlike the previously available AR sticker, the users can interact with these Playmoji effects in real-time. It even uses AI for real-time suggestions directly on the camera viewfinder. More interestingly, these effects are also available in the selfie mode.

Also, the company reaffirmed its support to the ARCore platform and mentioned to focus on building great AR experiences that serve a much wider audience. While ARCore is available on many Android smartphones, the Playmoji feature is limited to Pixels and a few LG and Motorola smartphones.

It still works on older Pixel smartphones

The Pixel 4a users can still install the Playground app from the PlayStore, but the Playmoji option doesnt show up in the camera app. The lack of interest from third-party developers could have led to removing this fun feature. Additionally, the AR stickers and Playemoji are limited to very few smartphones.

Advertisement

From now on, the new Pixel users can only add 2D stickers and custom captions. A simple swipe to the more section in the Google camera app can show both these features.

However, the companys newly introduced augmented reality (AR) objects on the google search became widely popular among Android smartphone users. After announcing at the Google I/O 2019, the company has constantly added new 3D animals for viewing in AR directly in the Google Search.

With no requirement of additional sensors, the ARCore also became available on most Android smartphones. Unlike the Playground, ARCore went mainstream and is a key part of many apps and games. Even some games and Snapchat Lenses works with the support of the ARCore platform.
A Miami Police Department SUV: (Miami Police Department - YouTube)

The wife of a veteran Miami police officer died after she became trapped in the rear of his patrol SUV, while he was asleep inside their home.

On Friday, Clara Paulino died in the back seat of the police SUV in Miami Shores, Florida, as her husband, Aristides Paulino, slept inside their home after he had completed a night shift with the Miami-Dade Police Department.

Mr Paulino left the SUV unlocked on the familys driveway, and the 56-year-old climbed into the rear of the vehicle while looking for something, but got trapped when the door closed, according to the Miami Herald.

Ms Paulino did not carry a mobile phone into the car, and was unable to honk the horn for help, as the SUV is fitted with a safety partition to prevent people detained from reaching the front seats.

Stephen Mitchell, the general services bureau director for the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, told the Herald that most police vehicles feature mechanisms that prevent them from being opened from the inside.

Thats standard option with most law enforcement vehicles so that a detainee cant get out of the back of the vehicle, he said.

Miami-Dade detectives found Ms Paulinos fingerprints all over the inside of the SUV, and an officer told the Herald that clearly, she was panicked and trying to get out.

Temperatures rose well above 90f in Miami on Friday, and Ms Paulino spent several hours in the backseat of the vehicle, that one officer described as literally a cage.

Mr Paulino, who has served the midnight shift in the local Wynwood neighbourhood for nearly two decades, has been a police officer in Miami for more than 25 years.

A law enforcement source told the Herald that Ms Paulino had a history of medical issues, that may have contributed to her death inside the vehicle.

Investigators are treating the death of the 56-year-old as an accident, but it remains under investigation by the Miami-Dade Police Departments Homicide Bureau, according to the New York Post.

Story continues

Police spokesman, lieutenant Carlos Rosario told the Herald that Its very preliminary, but added: Theres still a lot of work to be done. But right now, its an unclassified death.

Read more

Police officer filmed punching black woman at Miami airport
After 8 p.m., the group posted a livestream that showed protesters chanting, From the West Side to the South, CPD we want you out! several minutes before officers approached and put handcuffs on several protesters who were standing with their hands up in the street in front of tents.
Columbus, Ohio-headquartered personal lines insurance startup Branch has launched the Branch Insurance Exchange that it says will reduce the cost for its members.

Branch formerly operated as a managing general agency,

Branch bundles homes and auto insurance, requiring only a name and address to get a bindable price in seconds.

Branch says its reciprocal exchange is the first launched in Ohio in 75 years. The Branch Insurance Exchange is owned by its members and managed by Branch for a fixed 5% fee. Clients agree to become a member of the Exchange when they purchase a policy with Branch.

Branch plans to return unused funds to members through vesting dividends.

Branch was founded in 2018 by former Allstate and Esurance executive Steve Lekas and tech entrepreneur Joe Emison. Branch Insurance has launched in five states (Arizona, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Texas) and is underwritten by General Security National Insurance Co.

A few weeks ago, Branch nailed down $24 million in new financing.

Lekas described the reciprocal approach as an esoteric model, though he noted there are some well known reciprocal exchanges including PURE, Farmers and Erie Insurance.

Source: Branch

Topics InsurTech Ohio Startups
SC defers hearing in 2009 Prashant Bhushan contempt case: CJI to place before appropriate Bench

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 25: The Supreme Court has deferred hearing on the 2009 contempt case against Advocate Prashant Bhushan. The court has requested the Chief Justice of India to place the matter before an appropriate Bench.

New SC bench to hear 2009 contempt of court case against Prashant Bhushan | Oneindia News

The court after holding Bhushan in contempt was hearing the arguments on sentencing.

The court had last week given Bhushan more time and said that he should apologise.

Contempt of my own conscience: Prashant Bhushan refuses to apologise to SC

On Monday, Bhushan filed a fresh statement refusing to apologise. He said that retracting his tweets, for which he was held guilty would mean contempt of his own conscience. An insincere apology for them now will amount to "a contempt of my conscience and of an institution that I hold in highest esteem, Bhushan also said.

During the earlier hearing, Bhushan had said that he would not apologise.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said I do not ask for mercy. I do not ask for magnanimity. I shall submit cheerfully to whatever punishment the court imposes on me lawfully.

Bhushan also said that his relationship with the court was neither of a courtier or a cheerleader but an officer of the court. He also said that he has fought cases for the public interest at some personal and professional cost. My tweets were not done in a fit of absent-mindedness. My expressions are permissible before any democracy.

Justice Arun Mishra remarked that doing good things is welcome. We appreciate all those efforts. But where is the balancing. If you do not balance your comments, you will destroy the institution. We do not punish for contempt so easily. Balancing has to be there, restraint has to be there. There is a Lakshman Rekha for everything. Why should you cross the line, Justice Mishra also said.

When the Bench asked whether they should give Bhushan time to reflect on his statement, Attorney General K K Venugopal said that he should be. He has done a tremendous amount of public good. You have held him guilty for contempt, but do not punish him, the AG also said.

The Bench then asked Bhushan to reconsider his statement observing that it could be very lenient only if the person concerned showed a sense of remorse. The Bench has asked him to respond in two days.

The SC today took up the sentence hearing in the case after it had last week held Bhushan guilty of contempt.

The case concerns Bhushan's comments on the judiciary during an interview to the Tehelka magazine in 2009.

The contempt case was taken on the basis of a complaint by senior advocate Harish Salve. This was in relation to a 2009 interview given by Bhushan to the Tehelka magazine.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Tuesday, August 25, 2020, 12:37 [IST]
Elon Musk has kept a tight lid on his brain implant chip startup Neuralink, but the billionaire is set to 'show neurons firing in real-time on August 28.'

The unveiling will be a major event for the firm, but according former Neuralink employees the progress has come at a cost.

Ex-staff members told STAT that the company is plagued by internal conflict and the slow pace of science could not keep up with Musk's demanding timelines.

They claim scientists were given weeks to complete certain projects knowing the research needed longer to perfect, creating a 'pressure cooker' within the company.

Neuralink was also found to test its surgical procedure on monkeys, even though the system posed a risk to the animals, a former employee told STAT.

The report surfaced days before Musk is set to show off the firm's latest progress, which some suggest will be a demonstration of a monkey moving a cursor on a computer screen with its mind.

Scroll down for videos

Elon Musk has kept a tight lid on his brain chip startup Neuralink, but the billionaire is set to 'show neurons firing in real-time on August 28.' The unveiling will be a major event for the firm, but according former Neuralink employees the progress came at a cost

DailyMail.com has reached out to Neuralink for comment and has yet to receive a response.

Neuralink, which was founded in 2016, is designing tiny flexible 'threads' that are ten times thinner than a human hair with the goal of treating brain injuries and trauma.

Ultimately, the technology could one day enable symbiosis between humans and artificial intelligence (AI) - and Musk says it could happen in just 25 years.

However, according to STAT, there are now only two of the eight founding scientists left at the firm due to the turmoil that has plagued the company.

'This examination is based on interviews with five former Neuralink employees  all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to discuss the work publicly or were concerned about facing retribution  and four independent experts and competitors working in brain-machine interface research,' STAT reports.

Ex-staff members told STAT that the company has been plagued by internal conflict and the slow pace of science could not keep up with Musk's demanding timelines. The device is about one inch in diameter, similar to the face of a smart watch, and is implanted by removing a small chunk of the skull

Musk told Joe Rogan in May that Neuralink will have a version ready for human trials within a year.

Scientific papers show that the firm has tested its technology in rats and monkeys, but has yet to do so with human subjects  or even state that they are close to this step.

Former employees said Neuralink was looking to China or Russia to carry out human studies, as the US regulatory process is difficult to pass through.

The implant is about one inch in diameter, similar to the face of a smart watch, and is implanted by removing a small chunk of the skull.

Elon Musk has shared snippets about the device throughout the year  the chip is set to re-train area associated with depression and addiction, along with heal parts linked to body injuries. Scientific papers show that the firm has tested its technology in rats and monkeys, but has yet to do so with human subjects

A small robot connects the thread-like electrodes to certain areas of the brain, stitches up the hole and the only visible remains is a scar left behind from the incision. The 'sewing robot' is said to cost between $10 million and $20 million in startup cash, but now can be made for about $500,000

A small robot connects the thread-like electrodes to certain areas of the brain, stitches up the hole and the only visible remains is a scar left behind from the incision.

The 'sewing robot' is said to cost between $10 million and $20 million in startup cash, but now can be made for about $500,000.

The staff primarily consists of scientists, which said creates tension because the firm is two-faced because it switches between 'a tech company and a medical device company,' one former employee said.

'They are building a medical device and a surgical approach to implant that medical device, and they're approaching it with the use of a tech company  move fast and break things.'

Along with an identity crisis, the company has a demanding culture that one former employee described as a 'pressure cooker' and much of the staff felt 'completely overwhelmed.'

The turmoil eventually created riffs between engineers and neuroscientists who argued about leadership and strategies to get the company off the ground, said several ex-staff members who noted Musk typically sided with the engineers during such conflicts.

Along with an identity crisis, the company has a demanding culture that one former employee described as a 'pressure cooker' and much of the staff felt 'completely overwhelmed.' Pictured is the robot conducting the surgical procedure that implants the chip into the brain

In July, Twitter users Pranay Pathole tweeted Musk asking: 'Can Neuralink be used to re-train the part of the brain which is responsible for causing addiction or depression?'

'It'd be great if neuralink can be used for something like curing addiction/depression.'

Musk who is known to personally respond to his fans shared: 'For sure. This is both great & terrifying. Everything we've ever sensed or thought has been electrical signals.'

'The early universe was just a soup of quarks & leptons. How did a very small piece of the Universe start to think of itself as sentient?'

The advances, however, are a result of pushing scientists to complete what should take months in just weeks.

STAT gives an example from 2017, where the team implanted 10,000 electrodes into brains of live sheep in one surgical process  the experiment failed, the former employee said.

Friday's big reveal is still a mystery, but one person told STAT that Neuralink could share that it is focusing on the primary motor cortex as the main location of the chip.

While another suggests the firm will demonstrate the implant in a monkey, which will move computer cursor on a computer screen with its mind.

Matt Angle, CEO of Paradromics, an Austin, Texas-based competitor to Neuralink, said: 'This could be a chance for [Neuralink] to put on stage some of the things that everyone in the [neuroscience] community knows is possible  but maybe people in the general public, or maybe even people in the investor community, or engineers thinking about making a change in their career don't know all of this is possible.'

Although Neuralink has yet to show what it has been working on, Musk has shared some details.

In May, he spoke on Rogan's podcast about his newborn baby and gave some fresh information about the brain chip startup.

Friday's big reveal is still a mystery, but one person told STAT that Neuralink could share that it is focusing on the primary motor cortex as the main location of the chip. While another suggests the firm will demonstrate the implant in a monkey, which will move computer cursor on a computer screen with its mind (stock photo)

'If you got an interface into the motor cortex, and then an implant that's like a microcontroller near muscle groups you can then create a sort of a neural shunt that restores somebody who quadriplegic to full functionality, like they can walk around, be normal  maybe slightly better overtime,' Musk explained.

When asked about the risks involved with placing a foreign object in the body, Musk said there is 'a very low potential risk for rejection.'

'People put in heart monitors and things for epileptic seizures, deep brain simulation, artificial hips and knees that kind of thing,' he said, noting that 'it's well known what is cause for a rejection or not.'

After Musk is able to cure humans of their ailments, he wants to merge the human brain with AI.

'You wouldn't need to talk,' Musk said, who foresees the technology going further to enable 'symbiosis' between humans and AI.

'I think this is one of the paths to like AI is getting better and better,' he said during the podcast.

'We are kind of left behind, we are just too dumb.'

'So how do you go along for the ride?'

'If you can't beat them join them.'

'We are already a cyborg to some degree,' Musk told Rogan.

You got your phone, you got your laptop If you're missing your phone, it feels like missing limb syndrome.'
DALLAS, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) launched a three-day WOW Sale today through Aug. 27, 2020, 11:59 p.m. Central Daylight Time, with fares starting as low as $39 one-way. As Customers put their Hearts back into traveling, Southwest is offering low fares across the United States. Fall and winter travel is only a click away!

"As Customers begin to feel inspired to travel again, we want them to know that Southwest Airlines has their well-being and comfort in mind supported by the Southwest Promise, legendary Hospitality, and our exceptional People," said Bill Tierney, Southwest Vice President of Marketing. "With fares as low as $39 one-way, bags that fly free, and no changes fees, Customers can easily get away to their next adventure."

Seats, days, and markets are limited. Blackout dates and advance purchase requirements apply. See full fare rules and terms and conditions at Southwest.com. Examples of one-way low fares include:

As low as $39 one-way nonstop between Kansas City and Minneapolis / Saint Paul ,

one-way nonstop between and As low as $39 one-way nonstop between Las Vegas and Oakland ,

one-way nonstop between and , As low as $39 one-way nonstop between Houston (HOU) and Tulsa ,

one-way nonstop between and , As low as $39 one-way nonstop between Chicago (MDW) and Detroit ,

one-way nonstop between and , As low as $39 one-way nonstop between Nashville and Raleigh/Durham ,

one-way nonstop between and , As low as $39 one-way nonstop between New Orleans and San Antonio ,

one-way nonstop between and , As low as $109 one-way nonstop between HOU (HOU) and Cancun ,

one-way nonstop between and , As low as $136 one-way nonstop between Lubbock and Cancun , and

one-way nonstop between and , and As low as $139 one-way nonstop between Baltimore/Washington and Punta Cana .

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES SALE FARE RULES

Book by Aug. 27, 2020 11:59 p.m. Central Daylight Time. 14-day advance purchase required. Nonrefundable. Seats, travel days, and markets limited. Blackout dates apply. Fares valid on nonstop service where indicated; if not indicated, fares are valid on single connecting service. Continental U.S. travel valid Sept. 8, 2020 through Feb. 10, 2021. Continental U.S. to/from Hawaii travel valid Nov. 1, 2020 through April 8, 2021. Interisland Hawaii travel valid Sept. 8, 2020 through April 8, 2021. San Juan, Puerto Rico travel valid Sept. 8 through Dec. 3, 2020 & Jan. 11 through March 4, 2021. International travel valid Sept. 8 through Dec. 9, 2020 & Jan. 11 through March 4, 2021. Points bookings do not include government fees from $5.60 per one-way flight. Except as otherwise specified, continental U.S. travel is not valid on Fridays and Sundays. Travel to Ft. Myers/Naples, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Steamboat Springs/Hayden, CO and Las Vegas and from Ft. Myers/Naples, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Steamboat Springs/Hayden, CO to Las Vegas is valid only on Sundays through Wednesdays. Travel from Ft. Myers/Naples, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Steamboat Springs/Hayden, CO and Las Vegas and from Las Vegas to Ft. Myers/Naples, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, and Steamboat Springs/Hayden, CO is valid only on Tuesdays through Fridays. Travel continental U.S. to/from Hawaii is valid daily. Interisland Hawaii travel is valid Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Travel to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico is valid Monday - Thursday. International travel is valid Monday - Thursday. Travel to Mexico is valid only on Sundays through Wednesdays. Travel from Mexico is valid only on Tuesdays through Fridays. Displayed prices include all U.S. and international government taxes and fees. Points bookings do not include taxes, fees, and other government/airport charges of at least $5.60 per one-way flight. Fares may vary by destination, flight, and day of week and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Travel is available for one-way Wanna Get Away fares. Fares may be combined with other Southwest Airlines combinable fares. If combining with other fares, the most restrictive fare's rules apply. Sale fares may be available on other days of week, but that's not guaranteed. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward future travel on Southwest Airlines, as long as reservations are canceled at least ten minutes prior to scheduled departure. Failure to cancel prior to departure will result in forfeiture of remaining funds on the reservation. Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel may require an upgrade to an Anytime fare depending on Rapid Rewards tier status. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Offer applies only to published, scheduled service.

At Southwest Airlines, there are no Change Fees and Bags Fly Free.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 50th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 60,000 Employees to a Customer base topping 130 million passengers in 2019. Southwest became the nation's largest domestic air carrier in 2003 and maintains that ranking based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded. In peak travel seasons during 2019, Southwest operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 101 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries. In early 2020, the carrier added service to Hilo, Hawaii, and Cozumel, Mexico and announced plans to begin service to Steamboat Springs, Colorado in December 2020 for a total of 104 airports served.

The carrier issued its Southwest Promise in May 2020 to highlight new and round-the-clock efforts to support its Customers and Employees wellbeing and comfort. Among the changes are enhanced cleaning efforts at airports and onboard aircraft, facemask requirements for Customers and Employees, and capping the number of passengers on every flight to allow middle seats to remain open through at least Oct. 31, 2020. Additional details about the Southwest Promise are available at Southwest.com/Promise.

Southwest coined Transfarency to describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and fairly, and low fares actually staying low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply.

Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. Learn more about how the carrier gives back to communities across the world by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

Related Links

http://www.southwest.com


Bengaluru, Aug 25 : Karnataka government has pitched the state for Australian investments, showcasing its multiple strengths in various fields, an official said on Tuesday.

"I invite Australian companies to actively consider Karnataka as an investment destination. The Government of Karnataka assures complete support and we look forward to a fruitful engagement with Australian companies," said Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development.

On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister C. N. Ashwath Narayan and other senior officials held a virtual meeting with Australian government officials, aimed at attracting the country's trade and investments into the state.

Narayan explained the various business opportunities and investments to Australian High Commissioner to India, Barry O' Farrell, in the realms of electronics and semiconductors and others.

"Karnataka has been the preferred choice for investors in the country, and we are currently ranked third in terms of foreign direct investments (FDI) for the period ending March 2020," he said.

Narayan said the southern state is a leading player in multiple sectors with a policy driven ecosystem for industries, including dedicated policies for aerospace, electric vehicles, electronics, textiles, agribusiness, Information Technology and Biotechnology.

According to the minister, Karnataka is a $250 billion economy which is growing at a rate of 9.6 per cent, counting traditional strengths in industries such as machine tools, heavy machinery, automobiles, electronics and defence.

"Bengaluru is home to around 400 research and development centres, 44 per cent of India's total, including over 400 belonging to Fortune 500 companies," he said.

Narayan said Australia can partner with the state in manufacturing, finance, tech, food processing, infrastructure and energy among others.

He referred to the recent state industrial police for the years 2020 - 2025, assuring several benefits to investors in the state.

Explaining about the state's response to Coronavirus disruption to economic activities, Narayan said Karnataka is one of the first states to lift the lockdown to restart economic activities.

"We have opened up everything except schools, recreational facilities, metro rail, international air travel and social gatherings.A AThe State is taking cautious steps to reboot the economy and support economic activities in the State," he said.

Among the Australian diplomats and senior officials were Cahterin Gallagher, senior trade commissioner and general manager for South Asia Austrade, Susan Grace, Consul General in Chennai and others.
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey "fully rejects" a statement by the U.S. State Department objecting to a recent meeting between President Tayyip Erdogan and two leaders of Hamas in Istanbul, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

The State Department had said the officials were Specially Designated Global Terrorists and the United States was seeking information about one for his involvement in multiple attacks, hijackings and kidnappings. It added Erdogan's outreach "only serves to isolate" Turkey.

Turkey's foreign ministry said: "Declaring the legitimate representative of Hamas, who came to power after winning democratic elections in Gaza and is an important reality of the region, as a terrorist will not be of any contribution to efforts for peace and stability in the region."

It added Turkey called on the United States to use its regional influence for a "balanced policy" that will help solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, instead of "serving Israel's interests".

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Jonathan Spicer)
Taylor Ramsey has seen a lot of changes throughout her middle school career, so shes ready for just about anything this school year.

Taylor, 13, was born and raised in Council Bluffs. She attended Hoover Elementary School before moving on to Kirn Middle School, where she started her eighth grade year Monday morning. Taylor said she was a little nervous, but mostly excited, to get back into the classroom in person after schools were shut down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said it simultaneously felt like it was ages ago and just yesterday that she and her peers had to say good bye to the sense of normalcy; however, despite having to wear face coverings and socially distance from her fellow students, Taylor said it was a refreshing feeling being back in school yesterday.

Taylor said it was interesting being back at Kirn after having to spend her seventh grade year at the Council Bluffs Community School Districts Madison Campus while her school underwent renovations. She said she is looking forward to seeing the new and improved Kirn, and that it shouldnt take her long to adjust to the updated facility.

Taylor is a volleyball player, and she is excited for the fall season to get underway. Shes been playing the sport since her fourth grade year, and she plans on playing through high school as a Lynx at Abraham Lincoln. She said shes excited to move on to high school, but for now she will relish her time being top dog at Kirn.

Its pretty nice being the oldest kids in the school, she said with a laugh.

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
At least 90 people died across Pakistan in the last three days; monsoon rain causes more misery to residents of Karachi.

Three days of monsoon rains have killed at least 90 people and damaged 1,000 houses across Pakistan, while another spell of heavy rain lashed the port city of Karachi.

Streets and homes were flooded with sewage water in Karachi.

Videos and photos shared on social media by residents in Karachi showed submerged cars and motorcycles and water entering houses and buildings, wreaking havoc in the countrys most populous city.

Every year the rain shows us that Karachi needs better infrastructure planning. even hospitals such as Agha Khan are suffering God help us all!, one Twitter user said.

Every year the rain shows us that Karachi needs better infrastructure planning. even hospitals such as Agha Khan are suffering God help us all! #KarachiRain pic.twitter.com/TeIXue4IXV  Asim Jofa (@asimjofa) August 25, 2020

If this image from Karachi doesn't shake you to your core, there's something very very wrong with you. pic.twitter.com/9BIWf4IHyx  Ell_Enn (@ell_enn) August 25, 2020

At least three children were killed in rain-related incidents in the city on Tuesday, local newspaper Dawn reported, citing rescue workers and police.

The rains are expected to continue this week in Karachi, where Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier this month sent troops to help local authorities in pumping out rainwater from inundated residential areas.

I. I. Chundrigar

Road Karachi main jahan sary banks k head office hen sheme for Sindh government #KarachiRain pic.twitter.com/UhR0s3Ozay  Biz E-Commerce (@biz_commerce) August 25, 2020

Of the total of the rain-related casualties in Pakistan, 31 were reported in the southern Sindh province, while 23 people died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to the countrys national disaster management agency.

It added that 15 deaths were reported in southwestern Balochistan province and eight in Punjab province.

Thirteen more people died elsewhere in northern Pakistan, including three in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The monsoon season runs from July through September.

Every year, many cities in Pakistan struggle to cope with the annual monsoon deluge, drawing criticism over poor planning.
Alpha News is an independent, Minnesota-based organization that covers stories the local press would rather ignore. Among other things, its intrepid journalists were the main source for video of the riots that devastated Minneapolis earlier this Summer.

Last night, Alpha journalist Rebecca Brannon was covering a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Minneapolis when she was accosted and assaulted by a vicious group of BLM zealots. One woman struck Brannon repeatedly, and attacked her with a construction cone. Ultimately, the BLM thugs stole Brannons phone, with which she had been videoing them, and threw it into a fountain. The phone was destroyed but Brannon was later able to recover video of the incident from the phones SD card.

Here is the chilling footage of BLM thugs assaulting a reporter on the street, withoutsadlyany sign of law enforcement in sight:

*Explicit Language Warning  Video footage of assault on photojournalist @RebsBrannon last night in downtown Minneapolis while covering protests. Her phone was stolen & destroyed but this footage was recovered. The video abruptly ends when the phone was ripped from her hands. pic.twitter.com/hSvNo46dBE  Alpha News MN (@AlphaNewsMN) August 25, 2020



It is easy to understand why Black Lives Matter activists do not want to be filmed by an independent journalist. If more people understood that BLM is a violent, Marxist organization, its support would evaporate quickly.

UPDATE: The Black Lives Matter criminals attacked the Hennepin County jail, and 11 of them were arrested:

A demonstration in downtown Minneapolis in response to police shooting a Black man in the back in Kenosha, Wis., turned destructive and led to 11 people being arrested late Monday and early Tuesday outside the Hennepin County jail. The arrests came after some of the roughly 100 demonstrators broke windows at the jail and threatened to breach its security, according to the Sheriffs Office.

***

The protesters gathered downtown earlier in the evening at the Minneapolis Police Departments First Precinct headquarters before arriving outside the jail, the Sheriffs Office said. Minneapolis police made five arrests of their own, those occurring near the downtown precinct headquarters, said department spokesman John Elder. One was for suspicion of property damage and the others for various misdemeanor offenses, Elder said. We believe thats what brought the demonstrators to the jail, said Sheriffs Office spokesman Andy Skoogman. They were yelling and chanting to release those who had been arrested. A protester used a piece of pavement to break the glass of a jail facility entry door as deputies stood just on the other side, and once the window was busted, thats when deputies began making arrests, Skoogman said.

I suppose the thugs who attacked Rebecca Brannon did not want their criminal activities to be exposed.
Chhattisgarh Police have booked former Director of Medical Education (DME) for allegedly raping a woman in the pretext of providing her a job, police officials said on Tuesday. Raipur Police booked Dr SL Adile on the basis of the statement of a complainant in Mahila Thana on Monday and started a probe.

The complainant, in her statement, alleged that the accused had raped her on the pretext of offering her a job in 2018. We have registered a case under section 376 and probe as started, Superintendent of Police (SP) Ajay Yadav told HT.

On August 22, Raipur Police claimed having received a complaint of rape against Dr Adile. The victim was a resident of Kanker district and the case was transferred to Mahila Thana for further investigation. Dr Adile was unavailable for a comment despite repeated attempts by Hindustan Times.

Also read: Bastar Abhar - Former journalists mission to make district greener

On August 22, state health minister TS Singh Deo ended the extension given to Adile, saying that the health department had received serious complaints against him. Dr Adile was on an extension after his retirement.

When the law department asked for a consent for his prosecution in a case pending with Bilaspur high court, we agreed, Deo had said.

The minister further said that in another case relating to the purchase of items for Dr BR Ambedkar Memorial Hospital there was a complaint of financial irregularities against Adile.

Taking cognizance, I asked senior officials to end Dr Adiles extension, Deo had said.
Boston, Massachusetts, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wentworth Institute of Technologys summer bridge program for Boston public school students is receiving high marks in a new, independent report from the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy. The program, called RAMP, is celebrating its 10th anniversary and experiencing record enrollment this summer, according to Wentworth officials.

The Rennie Centers report characterizes RAMP as an exemplary model for how bridge programs should operate.

Our research is clear: RAMP offers an incredible opportunity for Boston students to connect with campus resources and take on meaningful, real-world learning experiences, said Chad dEntremont, Rennie Center executive director.

Now more than ever, with so many students and families facing uncertainty about their postsecondary plans because of the pandemic, it is critical for institutions to keep students connected to their learning and place them on a path to success. RAMP demonstrates a powerful model for responding to these needs, making its approach particularly valuable and timely in this moment.

Summer bridge programs allow students to explore postsecondary opportunities before enrolling in a college or university. They include a range of experiences designed to orient students to on-campus resources, build their academic skills, and generate a sense of community among participants. Organizers say the programs represent a cost-effective means to increase postsecondary access and bolster matriculation, particularly among first-generation college students.

RAMP kicked off for this summer on July 6. Virtual programming took place through the month of July with on-campus classes and workshops being held in August, for a total of eight weeks. Program participants on campus this month are following anti-COVID-19 protocols in the universitys campus reentry plan. The program serves as a way for students from mainly underperforming schools to familiarize themselves with college coursework through meeting with mentors, receiving front-line academic instruction and taking on project-based learning activities.

Story continues

Since 2011, the RAMP program at Wentworth has offered Boston students an early taste of campus life and college-level classes. The Rennie report cites three areas where RAMP excels:

Student compensation : Bridge programs across the country offer varying levels of compensation to participants, recognizing that many students need to earn money during the summer. RAMP offers approximately $13.75 per hour, above the state minimum wage, along with transportation support for students who commute to campus.

Real-world learning : RAMP, like many summer bridge programs, engages students in hands-on learning opportunities. Where RAMP differs is its focus on making this learning relevant not only to college but also to students lives away from campus. Student teams can work alongside community-based partners to design solutions for complex challenges that require creativity and critical thinking. For example, in one past collaboration, a team worked with a Boston-based organization to design ways to improve the lives of those in rehabilitation from spinal cord injuries.

Career connections: Summer bridge programs frequently feature mentorship opportunities with community and industry leaders to help students broaden their contacts in the field. RAMP goes even further by building dedicated industry partnerships that offer students career pathways with mentorship and guidance. For example, Turner Construction has welcomed RAMP students for site visits and job-shadow days and has hired RAMP alumni as interns and full-time employees.

This summer, according to Erik Miller, director of Wentworths Center for Community and Learning Partnerships, the RAMP program plans to provide education and a stipend to more than 60 City of Boston residents who have committed to Wentworth for the fallan increase from the record 46 RAMP participants last year. See website report.

Boston enrollment at Wentworth is significantly higher overall this year, with nearly 140 students from the city enrolling at the Institute, compared to just over 70 last year, according to President Mark A. Thompson. An increase in available financial aid has helped with this trend, but Thompson also attributed the growth to the universitys commitment to inclusive excellence and sustained work to build a pipeline to inner-city schools through college access programs including not only RAMP, but also dual credit and the newly announced 13th Year courses.

Attachment

CONTACT: Dennis Nealon Wentworth Institute of Technology 617-989-4291 nealond@wit.edu




To outsiders, the demilitarized zone (DMZ) dividing North and South Korea is a flashpoint, a scar, and a reminder that, 70 years after it began, the Korean War is not actually over. But for some of us, the DMZ is also home, CNN writes in the article The key to unlocking peace with North Korea for the United States is cross-border tourism. Resolving tensions along the border and creating an environment where two countries can peacefully co-exist is an opportunity within our reach.

I am the Governor of the Gangwon Province -- a region cut in half by the 1953 Armistice Agreement. Our northern border marks the boundary between the two Koreas. Perhaps no other region of South Korea is more aware of the dangers of war -- or more open to possibilities for peace.

One such opportunity is found in an unlikely place: Mount Kumgang, a resort town located just over the border in North Korea.

The "Diamond Mountains" -- as we refer to the region -- have inspired Koreans since ancient times, and for 10 years from 1998, it was a thriving tourist destination that welcomed two million South Koreans. Managed together by North and South, the resort was a precious example of cooperation between the two countries. However, South Korea stopped taking people across the border in 2008 when a North Korean guard shot dead a tourist who entered a restricted zone. Today, the site stands as a reminder of what might have been.

But that opportunity is not lost. We're seeing the start of the return of tourism, with the hope and expectation that it will only increase as we put this pandemic behind us. So, it is not too early to discuss the idea -- counter-intuitive to some -- of tourism on the border of North and South Korea. The benefits to both Koreas -- along with the United States and every nation with a stake in the stability of the Peninsula -- would be profound. It would promote peace, advance efforts at denuclearization, and increase US and South Korean leverage at the negotiating table.

First, a renewed partnership at Mt. Kumgang could strengthen economic ties between North and South -- and reverse the damage for private businesses that have lost $1.3 billion since the site's closure. Renewed economic relations could also relieve wider tensions on the Peninsula. It is a fine thing to talk together, but even better to have a reason to work together. A partnership at Mt. Kumgang might provide a model for other efforts.

Cultural ties, too, would strengthen. For years, families torn apart by the Korean War have reunited at Mt. Kumgang. Parents have wept tears of joy upon seeing children for the first time in decades. Long-lost siblings have relived cherished memories. Reopening Mt. Kumgang would provide a powerful symbol of what unites us, and hope for achieving enduring peace.

This might sound like a lot to expect of a single tourist site. But Koreans understand the power of culture to connect us. At the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics -- also hosted by my province -- North and South Korean athletes marched together into the opening ceremony during a historic display of unity. That moment opened the door to a series of meetings between Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and the historic summit process between Kim and President Trump.

As with any issue concerning North Korea, risks must be frankly acknowledged. Our greatest responsibility is protecting our people, and a tragedy like the one that occurred at Mt. Kumgang in 2008 must never happen again. The resumption of tourism would require both governments to ensure the safety of visitors.

Partners of South Korea, including some US officials, have also voiced concerns and opposed tourist sites like Mt. Kumgang, claiming they undermine United Nations sanctions against the North. However, international law allows revenue from individual tourists to flow into the North, so this should not present an obstacle. Sanctions must and can be safeguarded under any agreement regarding Mt. Kumgang.
To leave one of our areas centers of greatest virus exposure without a major testing site would undercut our overall ability to contain the virus. News of the closure fueled angst among South Omaha residents that their needs were being neglected at a time of tremendous need.

Its encouraging, then, that the state was able to launch a new testing site this week, at Metropolitan Community Colleges South Omaha campus. The testing is free, but people first must reserve a test through TestNebraska. The assessment is available in English at testnebraska.com and in Spanish at testnebraska.com/es. Those with questions can call the TestNebraska hotline at 402-207-9377.

The start of the new testing operation also shows the continuing value to South Omaha from MCCs extensive investment in the community.
The 14-day rolling COVID-19 positive rate in Pottawattamie County on Monday was 7.6%, according to the Iowa Department of Public Healths state coronavirus website.

Mills Countys 14-day rate was 8.3%.

The state has said 15% or higher is a threshold for schools that request a move to 100% virtual learning, with the rate among the factors to considered for such a request. Students in the Council Bluffs Community School District returned to class Monday, as did students at St. Albert. Lewis Central starts classes today. Heartland Christian School started on Aug. 20.

At 3 p.m. Monday, coronavirus.iowa.gov listed 1,517 positive cases out of 17,040 tests in Pottawattamie County. That includes 13 positive cases on Thursday, 11 on Friday and one apiece on Saturday and Sunday. There were no new cases listed for Monday.

There have been 31 COVID-19 deaths in the county, including 19 at long-term care facilities.

Per capita, the county has 1,622 cases per 100,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control, ranking the county 27th out of 99 counties. Buena Vista ranks first in the state in the metric, at 9,246 cases per 100,000.

Crawford County ranks second at 4,655 per 100,000. The state listed 794 cases in the county on Monday out of 3,988 tests, for a positive rate of 19.9%. The countys rate has fallen since hovering in the 50s earlier in the year amid outbreaks at meat packing plants. The countys 14-day average is 18.4%.

In Iowa Regional Medical Coordination Center region four  which includes Pottawattamie, Mills, Harrison, Cass, Crawford, Shelby, Fremont, Montgomery, Page, Adams, Audubon and Taylor Counties  there were nine hospitalized COVID-19 patients, down considerably from late last week, with six in intensive care, according to coronavirus.iowa.gov. The site listed 171 available inpatient beds, 14 available ICU beds and 45 available ventilators. There was one COVID-19 patient on a ventilator.

Throngs of UI students at Iowa City bars raise alarm

University of Iowa students and several bars in Iowa City are facing criticism after throngs of young adults were seen crowded together outside and within the venues  most without masks  just hours before in-person classes were to start Monday at the university and many Iowa K-12 schools.

Iowa City police took a complaint just after 1 a.m. Sunday that several bars were all over capacity and not enforcing a mask mandate, The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported.

A reporter with The Gazette also checked several bars around midnight and confirmed that most did not appear to be enforcing social distancing inside or mask wearing ordered by Iowa Citys mayor.

The scene came only a day after university officials issued a campus message reminding students to wear face coverings in accordance with city and county mandates and to keep at least 6 feet apart when possible.

News of the unruly scenes came as the Iowa Department of Public Health reported 471 new known coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours as of Monday morning. The state reported a total of 56,584 confirmed cases and 1,039 deaths  including five from Sunday to Monday  since the outbreak began.

Hospitalizations and patients admitted to intensive care also have been trending upward this month, the departments online virus portal shows.

Information about COVID-19

Symptoms in people who have been exposed to coronavirus can include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Most people experience mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks.

Older adults and people with existing health problems are among those particularly susceptible to more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the use of masks when out in public. Make sure it covers the mouth and nose. Face shields are an option as well, as they cover the eyes.

Public health officials recommend:

 Stay home as much as possible.

 Self-monitor for symptoms.

 Call your physician if symptoms appear.

 Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper arm/elbow.

 Wash hands frequently with soap and water.

 Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.

COVID-19 testing is available in Pottawattamie County via two TestIowa locations: All Care Health Center, 902 S. Sixth St., and Western Historic Trails Center, 3434 Richard Downing Ave.

To get tested, residents must complete the online assessment at testiowa.com to schedule an appointment.

For those struggling with mental health during the pandemic, yourlifeiowa.org has several resources, including a hotline at 855-581-8111 and a text-friendly line at 855-895-8398.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center has a COVID-19 screening app  1-Check COVID.

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL) have been commended for the on-going second phase disinfection exercise in tertiary institutions in the country.

The exercise follows the directive by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his 15th national address on measures against COVID-19 for tertiary institutions (both public and private) to be disinfected before reopening yesterday.

Addressing the media, the Senior Assistant Registrar and University Relations Officer, Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) at Fiapre in the Bono Region, Mr. Hammond Oppong Kwarteng, was full of praise for Zoomlion, following the disinfection of his university on Friday, August 21, 2020.

In addition, he said CUCG had equally put in place measures to protect the continuing students who will be returning to campus from the virus.

We have bought Veronica buckets, alcohol-based hand sanitisers and they will be placed at various locations for use by the students. We have also ensured that the students observe social/physical distancing, he added.

The next university to be disinfected was the Valley View Techiman Campus in the Bono East Region, where the acting Campus Registrar, Mr Albert Amo Asimeng, also lapped praise upon MoE and ZGL for carrying out a second disinfection exercise in his university.

He said the importance of the disinfection in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic in the country cannot be overemphasised

He disclosed that following the virus, the university has resorted to the use of technology to teach the students.

However, Mr. Amo Asimeng appealed to the government to include private universities, especially in any package that will enhance education at the tertiary level, following the global pandemic.

From the Valley View University, Techiman Campus, the Zoomlion disinfection crew moved to Methodist University College Ghana, Wenchi Campus, in the Bono Region.

The Head in charge of all the Departments at the university, Rev Francis Aboagye-Nuamah, said the university was well prepared to receive the continuing students.

He also lauded Zoomlion and MoE for the second phase of the disinfection exercise in tertiary institutions.

While highlighting the significance of the exercise, the Zoomlion General Manager in charge of Ahafo, Bono, and Bono East Regions, Mrs. Esther Abayeta Asadoo, urged Ghanaians to continue observing all the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has welcomed Lion's decision to abandon the sale of its $600 million dairy and drinks business to China Mengniu Dairy after it was told it was unlikely to win approval from Australian regulators.

Mr Frydenberg, who did not publicly announce he would block the deal amid rising geopolitical tensions between Australia and the Chinese Communist Party, quietly told Mengniu Dairy in August that it would not go ahead. The Chinese government-owned food company COFCO holds about a 16 per cent stake in Mengniu, which itself is listed in Hong Kong.

"I have been advised that Lion and Mengniu Dairy have mutually agreed to not proceed with the sale process," Mr Frydenberg said on Tuesday. "This follows the communication of my preliminary view to Mengniu Dairy that the proposed acquisition would be contrary to the national interest."

Shareholders in Bellamy's Organic backed the sale to China Mengniu Dairy Company. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Mr Frydenberg has not elaborated on what components of the deal would be contrary to the national interest. There is no agricultural land involved in the deal and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Foreign Investment Review Board and Treasury all approved the sale. Lion is already foreign owned by the giant Japanese brewer and food company Kirin, leading analysts to expect the sale would be waved through.
Nearly 15% job seekers registered on a Delhi government portal launched a month ago have postgraduate degrees. Around 35% are university graduates, data shared by Delhi government showed.

As of Tuesday, at least 1,053,356 people had registered themselves on the government portal  aptly titled Rozgar Bazar  for 808,582 job posts that had been advertised, government data said.

Of the total number of active job seekers, 152,722 had post-graduate degrees, 70,892 had post-graduate diplomas and 369,793 had bachelors degrees. The government, said a senior official, is currently compiling a list of job-seekers who have had prior work experience along with those who are freshers.

The job portal was launched with the primary aim of helping people who lost their jobs during the lockdown. However, it is open for all and anyone can get themselves registered. So, the registered job seekers include freshers as well as people with work experience who may have been unemployed from before the lockdown or those who are looking out for better opportunities, the government official said.

So far, employers have either hired people or shortlisted candidates for more than 1.1 million jobs, which were posted in the portal, said the senior official, adding that the highest job openings happen to be in fields of marketing and sales, back office and data entry along with customer support.

Among job seekers, data entry, teaching, customer support, business development and accounts are the most sought-after fields, said the official.

The fact that there are so many academically qualified people among job seekers, suggests that people are in distress. It shows the importance of having a job portal like this. The portal offers a great diversity of jobs  from accountants, salesmen, telecallers to employers looking for chefs, who specialise in certain cuisines, and photographers, said Jasmine Shah, vice-chairperson of the dialogue and development commission of Delhi, which acts as an advisor to the Delhi government.

Shah further said, For people who are graduating this year, this portal can be a big opportunity. Under the current circumstances, there is not much hope for campus placements. The portal has also been of great help for people with experience who were looking for better work opportunities.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba find that retrotransposons (a.k.a. "jumping sequences") may affect gene expression in melons

Tsukuba, Japan - On the surface, the humble melon may just look like a tasty treat to most. But researchers from Japan have found that this fruit has hidden depths: retrotransposons (sometimes called "jumping sequences") may change how genes are expressed.

In a study published recently in Communications Biology, researchers from the University of Tsukuba and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) have revealed that retrotransposons had a role in altering gene expression when melon genomes were diversifying, and may affect gene expression that induces fruit ripening.

Melons comprise one of the most economically important fruit crops globally. A special feature of melons is the coexistence of two fruit types: climacteric (which produce ethylene and exhibit a burst in cellular respiration as ripening begins), and non-climacteric. Ethylene is a plant hormone important to the regulation of climacteric fruit-ripening traits such as shelf life, which is of major economic importance.

"Because Harukei-3 melons produce ethylene during ripening, we wanted to look at ethylene-related gene expression in this type of melon," says lead author of the study Professor Hiroshi Ezura. "Harukei-3 produces an especially sweet fruit if grown in the right seasons. Because of its taste and attractive appearance, Harukei-3 has been used for a long time in Japan as a standard type for breeding high-grade muskmelon."

To examine ethylene-related gene expression, the researchers assembled the whole genome sequence of Harukei-3 by using third-generation nanopore sequencing paired with optical mapping and next-generation sequencing.

"We compared the genome of Harukei-3 with other melon genomes. Interestingly, we found that there are genome-wide presence/absence polymorphisms of retrotransposon-related sequences between melon accessions, and 160 (39%) were transcriptionally induced in post-harvest ripening fruit samples. They were also co-expressed with neighboring genes," explains Dr. Ryoichi Yano, senior author. "We also found that some retrotransposon-related sequences were transcribed when the plants were subjected to heat stress."

Retrotransposons are transposons (also referred to as "jumping sequences" because they can change their positions within a genome) with sequences similar to those of retroviruses.

"Our findings suggest that retrotransposons contributed to changes in gene expression patterns when melon genomes were diversifying. Retrotransposons may also affect gene expression that brings on fruit ripening," says Professor Ezura.

The Harukei-3 genome assembly, together with other data generated in this study, is available in the Melonet-DB database. Combined with future updates, this database will contribute to the functional genomic study of melons, especially reverse genetics using genome editing.

###
A Danish journalist making a documentary on indigenous resistance against a controversial pipeline was denied entry to Canada by border officials citing Covid-19 restrictions. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Canadian Unions Unifor and Communications Workers of America (CWA), and the Danish journalists' union (DJ) all condemned the use of the pandemic to hamper journalistic work.

Journalist Kristian Lindhardt, working for the Danish public broadcaster DR, was forced to fly back to Denmark upon his arrival in Canada despite presenting press credentials and necessary paperwork justifying his stay in the country. He had also arranged a 14-day quarantine in Vancouver.

Lindhardt had been in Canada before the Covid-19 lockdown to film a documentary on the resistance by indigenous groups against the Trans Mountain Pipeline in the Western Canadian province British Columbia. The pipeline has sparked protest over concerns that it will damage the local ecosystem. Lindhardt wanted to returnk to Canada to continue with the documentary and report on it for his employer DR.

In an interview with The Tyee, Lindhardt said the border officers told him that his work was not essential because there are other journalists in Canada. Lindhardt replied that Canadian media is not covering the story sufficiently. He said: "If my time here is postponed for too long, it might decrease some of the pressure on the officials since less media would be present to cover it."

Journalism is an essential service

"Newspapers, television, radio, call centres, online news outlets and other media services" are classified as essential services in British Colombia. Still, there is no regulation covering the right of foreign journalists to be allowed into the country. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said that decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by border security.

DJ president, Tine Johansen said on Twitter that the deportation of Kristian Lindhardt "is repression of relevant and critical journalism".

Unifor National President Jerry Dias said: "Journalism is an essential service and Canadian border officials must not impede the movement of any journalist operating safely, within the public health directives."

CWA president, Martin O'Hanlon said: "Journalism is of vital importance particularly in times of crisis. Using COVID as an excuse to block a journalist is simply unacceptable. It is especially troubling because COVID is now being used by many regimes as yet another way to crack down on press freedom, and Canada should be setting a positive example for the world. We urge the Canada Border Services Agency to reverse this decision."

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger said: "The Covid-19 pandemic must not be used as an excuse to impede certain media coverages and hamper press freedom. The Canadian authorities haven't provided a valid explanation to deport Mr Lindhardt. We urge the government to clarify the situation and guarantee freedom of information and access rights for foreign journalists"
Daniel L. Davis is a Senior Fellow for Defense Priorities and a former lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army who retired in 2015 after 21 years, including four combat deployments. Follow him @DanielLDavis1.

In a series of entirely predictable moves, after the UN Security Council (UNSC) rejected Washington's proposed resolution to extend a conventional arms ban on Iran, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would soon unilaterally extend the sanctions anyway. These unnecessary actions decrease America's diplomatic leverage, increase the risk of war in the Middle East, and continue to degrade our influence even among our staunchest allies.

The so-called strategy of maximum pressure against Tehran has been--and continues to be--an abject diplomatic failure for our country. It should be abandoned without delay and replaced with a new policy based on a sober analysis of the realities in the region.

The subject of the UNSC's rejection relates to a provision in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, which imposed a five-year ban on conventional weapons sales to Iran. That prohibition automatically expires on October 18th, 2020.

Unsurprisingly, Russia and China voted against the United States' request to extend the ban. What was very much noteworthy, however, was the silence of our allies Germany, France, and the U.K.; only the Dominican Republic voted with us.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blasted the Security Council, saying its "failure to act decisively in defense of international peace and security is inexcusable." One of the key problems for American diplomacy, however, is that few outside of Washington really believe Iran poses a serious threat to global peace and security. For our European allies, preserving the Iran nuclear deal is a far higher priority than increasing the risk of a military confrontation.

The reality is that Iran, at best, is a middling power with an aging military checked by other regional powers and does not have the capacity to pose a significant military threat to America. The entire defense budget of Iran (about $12.7 billion) is about the same as one American aircraft carrier. Further, Iran is more than balanced out by its neighbors: Israel, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey all spend more on defense than Iran.

"Maximum pressure," as currently practiced by the United States against Iran, is a self-defeating mentality that has decisively proven to be an abject failure. Its architects claimed it would bring Tehran to heel, that the pressure would force the ruling mullahs into permanently giving up their nuclear program, and that Washington would end up with a better agreement than the Iran deal that the U.S. pulled out of two years ago. The reality has been almost the polar opposite.

For all the flaws the 2015 agreement contained -- and there were many -- it nevertheless imposed significant constraints on Iran's nuclear programs, made them subject to intrusive international inspections, and by most independent measures effectively froze their program.

In 2018, however, the Trump Administration unilaterally withdrew from the deal and imposed a number of suffocating economic sanctions. Since that time, Tehran has become more belligerent, has dramatically increased the amount of nuclear materials it stockpiles, and has openly increased the development of its nuclear program.

On at least two occasions in the past 12 months, the U.S. and Iran have been a hair's breadth away from stumbling into a war. The longer we blithely continue ignoring our allies and pressing on with maximum pressure, the risk of unnecessary war will continue to rise.

The strategy with the greatest chance of successfully preserving American security -- and the least chance of stumbling into an unnecessary war -- would be to withdraw our combat troops from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan while strengthening our global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capacity (coupled with an ability to strike all direct threats to America before they metastasize).

The reality is that none of the American combat troops on the ground in those three countries helps bolster American security. Yet their proximity to Iran (and other nefarious state and nonstate actors in the region) places them in nonstop danger of being attacked. In retaliation to the death of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani last January, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at a base in Iraq where American troops were stationed. Miraculously, no Americans were killed in the strike. Other U.S. troops, however, in all three locations continue to die, owing to hostile action. It is time to get our service members out and end the daily risk to their lives.

Continuing to employ maximum pressure is a losing proposition for the United States. It exerts pointless pressure on the Iranian regime, alienates our closest allies, and keeps our combat troops in perpetual danger. Risking another endless war is not in our interests.

-- The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration.
Police in Houston are waiting to learn whether the body of a girl who was found in a bayou was that of a two-year-old who had been reported missing by her family over the weekend.

Authorities suspect foul play was involved in the death and are approaching the case as a murder investigation, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said.

Acevedo said on Sunday that there is a high probability the body is that of Maliyah Bass, who went missing on Saturday as she played alone in her apartment complex's playground while her mother was at home cooking breakfast.

Scroll down for video

Maliyah Bass, two, went missing on Saturday morning while left alone outside her family's home in Houston. An Amber Alert for her was issued on Sunday

A jogger on Sunday found a child's body in Brays Bayou, which is located about 17 miles west of Maliyah's home

A jogger spotted the child's body in Brays Bayou in an area southeast of the University of Houston that is about 17 miles west of Maliyah's family's home.

The bayou runs within a mile of the apartment complex, police said. A water rescue team with the Houston Fire Department pulled the body from the bayou.

The case began unfolding at around 9.30am on Saturday, when Maliyah, known to her loved ones as 'Tootie,' was last seen at her family's apartment complex playground in the 10600 block of Beechnut Street, wearing a black tank top with multi-colored polka dots paired with the matching pants and a pair of blue shoes, reported KTRK. She was carrying a pink and white pillowcase containing letter blocks.

The girl's mother, Sahara Erving, and the woman's boyfriend, Travion Thompson, were inside their apartment at the time. When they went outside to check on Maliyah, the toddler was gone.

Neighbors spent hours going door-to-door looking for the missing child on Saturday. Early Sunday, an Amber Alert was issued for Maliyah.

At around 11am on Sunday, a female jogger called 911, telling police she spotted a body in the bayou.

The Houston Fire Department water rescue team responded to the scene and pulled the body of a child out of the water, reported KPRC2. It was then sent to the medical examiner's officer for an autopsy.

Maliyah vanished after being left alone on this playground at the Sunset Crossing Apartments

The girl's mother, Sahara Erving (left), and her boyfriend, Travion Thompson (right), sobbed after learning of the recovery of the child's body

Neighbors were enraged at the couple for leaving the two-year-old girl without supervision outside

'It's my best friend,' Erving tearfully told KPRC of her young daughter after learning of the tragic discovery. 'I'm so sorry...they should have took [sic] me.'

Her boyfriend said through sobs that he treated Maliyah like his own daughter.

'It takes a little mistake...in a blink of an eye my baby was gone,' Thomson said. 'And I feel like it's my fault because I wasn't watching her at the park. I was sitting playing a game.'

Houston community activist Quanell X on Monday visited with Maliyah's family and said he was left with a lot of unanswered questions.

'Who kidnapped the child? Was she ever kidnapped? We dont know yet but it doesnt pass the smell test,' he said. 'No responsible parent would leave their child on the playground like that for 5 minutes knowing its a high crime area and shut the door behind them.'

Police say there is a high probability that the body recovered on Sunday is that of Maliyah

Quanell X also revealed to Fox 26 that the night before Maliyah's disappearance, Erving and Thompson had gone to a store, allegedly leaving the two-year-old alone inside their apartment.

He described the living conditions inside the home as 'rough.'

Meanwhile, neighbors at the Sunset Crossing Apartments exploded with rage, seeing Erving and Thompson arriving home on Monday.

'That hurts me so bad because I feel like they were emotionless,' said Myocya Barnes, who helped search for Maliyah on Saturday. 'They were emotionless while people out here and in this neighborhood are crying tears for to you.'

Police Chief Acevedo has vowed to bring the person or people responsible for Maliyah's suspected death to account.

'We're going to catch them,' he said during a Monday press briefing. 'We're going to find them, and we're going to charge them.'
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25

Trend:

For me, a visit to Azerbaijan is always a good opportunity to exchange views and discuss regional security issues, as well as issues related to our military and military-technical cooperation, Defense Minister of Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu said during a meeting with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

There are issues to be discussed and reported to the presidents. The Azerbaijani team started yesterday. We watched it. The team did not start badly. I mean the tank biathlon. The Azerbaijani team also does well in other competitions. I wish this team success. We cannot but rejoice in the fact that Azerbaijan and its team traditionally host competitions in the Caspian Sea. These competitions are always held at a high level because the traditional hospitality here and the organization of these competitions, of course, are at the highest level, Shoigu said.
The Republican convention started yesterday, a chance for Donald Trump to say "here's what I've done, here's what I intend to do". The media in Ireland and Britain will call it crazy and dumb, and it'll be a bit of both. But the problem with relentlessly portraying Trump as a fascist buffoon is that you end up with no insight into why millions still support him. There are certain things about this administration you're not being told.

First, the excuses. The media is against him; the Democrats tried to impeach him. The bureaucrats won't even work with him.

Three years in and roughly a quarter of the top jobs in Washington are still unfilled. The White House has had its highest turnover of senior staff in 40 years: some were investigated, several showed utter contempt for their boss and undermined his agenda. A Congress that also won't play ball has forced the president to sidestep the sillier promises of his America First programme and achieve more realistic results by different means.

He's not going to build his border wall by the end of the year, but he does hope to have completed around 700km; he has made it much harder to get into America; and illegal immigration has dropped.

He did this mostly through executive orders. And, when Trump takes personal control, things seem to get done.

China is now widely recognised as the number one global threat; the United Arab Emirates has made a peace deal with Israel. Trump wants out of the Middle East and, fingers crossed, he'll get there by establishing an anti-Iran coalition that can keep order while America withdraws.

His greatest achievement, in my eyes, is that there has been no war. Trump, we were told, was a reckless lunatic. He turned out to be more peaceful than Barack Obama.

Until the coronavirus, he had a better economic record, too. Obama's recovery was ups-and-downs; Trump's was near-seamless, capping a record run on Wall Street, a steady rise in household income and the lowest unemployment rate since 1969. This was no accident. Trump has slashed regulations and cut taxes, bribing companies to repatriate investment and jobs - and it's significant that, before Covid hit, Trump achieved the lowest unemployment rate for African-Americans in history.

The president regards himself as progressive on race. He really does. In 2018, he signed a bipartisan bill called the First Step Act that tried to reverse the trend of minorities going to jail for small infractions and for absurdly long sentences.

Under Trump, thousands of Americans have had their sentences commuted. Billions have been spent on drug addiction. It is now illegal to restrain a pregnant woman in a federal jail.

Cops are his people and Trump is their guy. They've got no one else. In 2016, Trump was the candidate of the unfashionable Americans, particularly the working-class, and the social gulf between the parties is stark.

The Democrat convention was hosted by actors, rock stars and comedians. Who has Trump got? A couple famous for defending their property with guns, the widow of a cop murdered during the riots, a schoolboy who was slandered by the media, and a black grandmother who was given life for drug trafficking and who Trump set free.

The breadth of this coalition is extraordinary, yet the more the media laughs at Trump, the more coherent it feels. Many Americans, even if they didn't like Trump to begin with, have come to see his fight against the establishment as symbolic of their own alienation. If he loses, they lose - even if, by some metrics, he's letting them down.

Which brings us to the coronavirus. Again, there are excuses: the US is a federal system and Trump can't be blamed for state-by-state decisions. There are accomplishments, too: the stimulus is huge and America added 1.8 million jobs in July. But the one thing a populist style of government is ill-prepared for is a natural disaster, when you need level-headed, well-informed people in charge. Trump, who asked if the virus could be beaten by injecting bleach into the body, failed on all counts.

In other words, this column is not an endorsement: I find aspects of this administration morally repellent. But we'll never understand America unless we consider fairly what Trump represents and listen to what his supporters say about him - a mistake the Democrats are making, too.

The one thing they failed to address at their convention was why Trump won. They are still treating his victory as if it were a technical error, easily corrected with one more go - gambling that most Americans share their visceral hatred for the president who Joe Biden says is cloaked in "darkness".

The case for Biden is that he's not Trump. It might be that the case for Trump is that he's not quite as bad as Biden thinks. ( Daily Telegraph, London)
World War II beckoned Lieutenant General D S Kalha, barely six months into his marriage. Called for duty by the British, he joined the ranks of 2.5 million Indian soldiers, 87,000 of whom died battling the Axis powers. But their sacrifice would remain forgotten, undocumented decades after Indias freedom.

A research project now attempts to rekindle this gripping memory, offering a glimpse through a just-released micro-documentary 'Searching for the Unremembered.' Digging deeper, US-based Indian researcher Annu Palakunnathu Mathew now wants to unearth the untold stories behind this monumental contribution.

Yes, the British chose not to acknowledge the great Indian sacrifice. But why did Independent India decide to follow the same path? Annu has launched a campaign to unravel this mystery and more through a series of documentaries, interactive talks and exhibitions.

Lt Gen Kalhas story surfaced following a talk Annu delivered in Chennai six months ago. Collaborating with the David Helfer Wells Exhibition and the Bengaluru-based Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Annu had struck gold with her campaign.

In the micro-documentary, released on the MINDIA platform, Annu recalls how a newspaper article on her Chennai talk had a family from Darjeeling contact her. It was Lt Gen Kalhas daughter on line, and a forgotten story was about to be retold, 75 years later.

Landing in Libya, the Indian officer had found himself in the thick of battle. The Italians had the upper hand and the British resistance wilted. Captured as a prisoner-of-war, Lt Gen Kalha was ferried to Italy. But the adventure had just begun.

Annu pieces together the dramatic turnaround in the officers life. While in Italy, in the camp, he kind of picked up some Italian, and he and his friend managed to escape. And because he knew a smattering of Italian, he was able to convince an Italian farming family to hide him and his friend.

But Kalhas turban proclaimed his identity as a Sikh gentleman. The Italian host suggested that he cut his hair to pass off as an insider. After the war, he came back to India. However, over the years they continued exchanging letters back and forth, notes Annu.

His death did not break that special bond between the families. His daughter journeyed to Italy and met with this family.

The story would have been forgotten but for the attempt by Annu and MINDIA, the media streaming platform that strives to bring out unknown, untold, unique stories of India and Indians.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday took up a plea seeking permission to carry out Muharram procession in a limited manner in the backdrop of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

A bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian allowed petitioner Sipte Mohammad to implead all 28 state governments as party in the matter within a period of four weeks.

The petitioner has moved the top court seeking a direction to allow the conduct of Muharram procession by the Shia Muslim community. In the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, restrictions have been imposed on large gatherings.

Wasi Haider, the counsel appearing for the petitioner, contended before the bench that the permission is sought for the procession where only five participants would be allowed, ensuring that safety norms are followed.

The bench observed that the petitioner has not made all the state governments parties in the matter. The state governments are empowered to enforce the Centre's guidelines under the Disaster Management Act.

The top court noted that it needed to hear the state governments before it passed any order in the matter. The bench said the procession would take place in various states and it cannot pass orders without hearing them.

On August 21, the apex court had allowed Jain community temples in Dadar, Byculla and Chembur in Mumbai to remain open for worshippers on the last two days of Paryushan on August 22 and 23 to allow the devotees to worship the Jain Tirthankaras.

The Sri Parshwatilak Shwetambar Murtipujak Jain Trust had moved the apex court against the August 14 order of the Bombay High Court declining permission to allow offering of prayers during the Paryushan period.

The bench had insisted that there is no harm if prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs) are followed. The apex court said that the permission given to the Jain temples should not become a precedent for demands for permission for Ganpati festival or any other religious festival coming up in Maharashtra.
The West Bengal government along with the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata is working to repatriate 19 Tablighi Jamaat members of the neighbouring country, stuck in the state since the COVID-19 outbreak in March. According to a senior official in the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission here, they are currently lodged at a safe house near the India-Bangladesh border.

More than 250 members of Tablighi Jamaat-Bangladeshhad come to India to attend a religious congregation at Nizamuddin in New Delhi in March, he said. Nineteen of them were quartered in Kolkata for quarantine and other official procedures. They were then moved to a safe house near the border. All of them have tested negative for the infection and the process to repatriate them has begun," he told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

A state government official here has also confirmed the development. We are working out the modalities to send these people back to Bangladesh. Talks are on with authorities concerned, including the Union government," the official said.

The Tablighi Jamaat Markaz (headquarters) in Delhis Nizamuddin West had emerged as a coronavirus hotspot in April this year as several people including foreigners, who attended the congregation there during the second week of March, were diagnosed with COVID-19. Subsequently, hundreds of coronavirus cases in the country were found linked to the religious event.
Actor Bobby Deol, who made his streaming debut on Friday with Netflixs Class of 83, will appear in his first web show, Aashram, just a week later. In the MX Player series, directed by Prakash Jha, Bobby plays a godman under suspicion of misleading his followers.

The actor said that the makers have taken precautions against potentially hurting the sentiments of certain communities. He told Mumbai Mirror, These stories have grown out of whats happening around us and create awareness. Prakashji is only warning us not to fall prey to blind superstitions. There is a disclaimer at the beginning, stating that we respect every religion and belief.

The actor said that he trained on his diction with a trainer. I spent a month-and-a-half with my diction trainer, as in my dialogues there were at least four words in a sentence that I did not understand, he said. The show was filmed in Ayodhya.

In an interview to Hindustan Times, Prakash Jha said, It has always been the case with my films, people are concerned and my films are banned but once they come out and people watch them, everyone is quiet.

Bobby recently appeared in the Netflix film Class of 83, in which he played a former top cop given a punishment posting at the police academy. There, he picks five young cadets and trains them into encounter specialists. Bobby, after a career lull for several years, made a comeback to the mainstream with Race 3 and Housefull 4.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
On Monday, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit rejected our campaigns appeal of the lower courts decision denying our challenge to Michigans decision to enforce restrictive ballot access laws in the midst of the pandemic. The ruling is a blatant attack on the democratic rights of the Socialist Equality Party and voters in the state of Michigan seeking a socialist alternative to the Democrats and Republicans in the 2020 presidential election.

In a perfunctory 10-page ruling, Judge John K. Bush made no attempt to answer any of the arguments raised in our appeal, filed July 23. Instead, the appeals court repeated the lower courts finding that SEP members and supporters should have endangered their lives and those of voters by collecting physical signatures on nominating petitions despite the resurgence of positive coronavirus cases throughout the state.

The Sixth Circuit ruling says that the SEP had the opportunity to gather signatures in person from the date of the reopening orders (June 1) to the filing deadline (July 16). However, the court does not mentionand is clearly not concerned aboutthe fact that the number of confirmed daily COVID-19 cases in Michigan had quadrupled during this six-week time frame.

Additionally, the Sixth Circuit ruling says that the SEP should also have been collecting signatures in the dead of winter before the Michigans stay-at-home orders were issued on March 23. Knowing full well that petitioning for the presidential elections does not commence until the warmer weather begins in spring, the Sixth Circuit court ruling states, Kishore and Santa Cruz had the opportunity to gather signatures from January 18 to March 23 (before the Stay-at-Home Order went into effect).

As with the decision of Judge Cox, who was nominated for the US Eastern District of Michigan by Republican President George W. Bush, the Sixth Circuit has solidarized itself entirely with the defendants in our lawsuit: Democratic Party Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections Jonathan Brater.

Since we filed our case on June 18 seeking an injunction against Michigans ballot access law in the 2020 presidential election, it has become clear that both the Democrats and Republicans have refused to change the unconstitutional requirements to collect thousands of signatures throughout the state during the pandemic in order to block to the SEP from appearing on the November ballot for US president.

This bipartisan alignment of both parties of the American ruling elite against the SEP and the working class is further demonstrated by the role of Judge John K. Bush on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. A former leading member of the right-wing Federalist Society, Bush was nominated by President Trump for a seat on the Sixth Circuit in 2017.

During his confirmation hearing, it was revealed that Judge Bush had ghost-written hundreds of blog posts that quoted from far-right sources, attacked gay rights, compared abortion to slavery and, like Donald Trump, promoted birther falsifications about Barack Obamas US citizenship. He declared that the abolitionist movement was a tragedy in American history.

The alignment of the reactionary Judge Bush with Governor Whitmera leading figure within the Democratic Party and a campaign chair for the Biden/Harris ticketmakes it clear that, whatever the differences between the two capitalist parties over tactical political considerations, they always come together against the working class and its party.

Governor Whitmers arguments were hypocritical to the core. While publicly criticizing both Michigan Republicans and President Trump for their opposition to her stay-at-home order, Whitmer argued in court along with the Republicans that the SEP should have been collecting signatures from the voting public during this time.

Also, echoing the arguments advanced in legal documents filed by the Michigan Democrats prior to the ruling of Judge Cox, the Sixth Circuit opinion admits that our campaigns decision not to collect signatures during the pandemic was quite understandable. However, the court ruled that the signature requirement should be maintained in order to avoid ballot overcrowding, frivolous candidates, and voter confusion.

With this statement, Judge Bush and the Sixth Circuit Court have expressed the real reasons for keeping the SEP off the ballot as well as their contempt for the fundamental democratic rights of our campaign and the voting public. In a country where the two parties of the Wall Street banks, corporations and billionaires have exercised a political monopoly over local, state and federal elections for more than a century, all talk of ballot overcrowding and voter confusion is an absurdity.

Above all, the Democrats and Republicans are fearful that genuine socialist candidates getting on the ballot in the presidential elections would attract the support of large numbers of working class and young voters. Only our campaign has put forward a revolutionary socialist and internationalist program for the independent political organization of the working class against the entire capitalist system. The outcome of this case once again proves that the solutions to the problems confronting masses of people are not going to be resolved in the elections, but by the building of a mass, socialist movement of the working class aimed at expropriating the wealth of the rich and ending the duopoly of the Republican and Democratic Parties.
MUMBAI: Mumbai's iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus station will be re-developed and renovated soon and the Indian Railways has invited bids for eligible funding agencies in this regard.

For the first time, funding agencies have also been invited to participate in the CST Station Redevelopment project. IRSDC, the nodal agency of the Indian Railways, is in talks with NIIF ( National Funding agency).

According to sources, the IRSDC is also in talks with pension/ funding agencies. In addition, L&T, Tata Constructions has also been approached & the project is discussed as Mumbai CST Station is a megaproject that has a Heritage Structure too.

The Request for Qualification (RFQ) for the redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST) in Mumbai on PPP has been invited by IRSDC, the Ministry of Railways said on Monday.

The RFQ was issued on August 20 and the pre-bid conference is scheduled to take place on September 22. The deadline to submit applications is October 22, 2020.

Applicants fulfilling the eligibility criteria will be shortlisted for participating in a further stage. The entire bidding procedure is a two-stage bidding process consisting of RFQ and Request for Proposal (RFP).

The selected bidder at the RFP stage will take up the redevelopment of the Railway station and commercial development of the surrounding railway land on leasehold basis up to 60 years for commercial development and up to 99 years for residential development on selected plots, along with operation and maintenance of the station for 60 years on a concession basis.

The user charge will also be another continuous source of revenue to the concessioner which will be available just after the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of the station.

The planning has been done by M/s AREP from France and discussions have been held with various stakeholders on a periodic basis, the Railways said. The redevelopment cost of the station (mandatory cost) including the cost of financing and contingency is Rs 1642 crore.

The investment opportunity for redevelopment is on DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer) basis.

Here are the key salient features of CST (Mumbai) development project:

1. In-principle approval of PPPAC comprising representatives from Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Law, Niti Aayog, Ministry of Railways etc, as per the Guidelines for PPP projects by Govt of India

2. The eligibility criteria is in terms of financial capacity at the RFQ stage and the net worth/ACI should be Rs 821 cr at the close of preceding financial year.

3. The construction and O&M experience capacity shall have to be met after the award of project but before the appointed date.

4. Extended O&M period of railway stations: For providing better passenger services and amenities, railway stations shall be on license with Concessionaire for 60 years.

5. Additional revenue stream: Pre-determined user charges (as notified by MoR) from railway station users as in practice in airports etc.

6. Long Term lease-rights for real estate: Upto 99 years for residential or mix use format & 60 years for non-residential formats. Upto 2.54 lakh sqm of Built up Area (tentative) is allowed for commercial development. Exact built up area allowed shall be known at the RFP stage.

7. No Change in Land use is required.

8. No prior environmental clearance is required from the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

9. IRSDC will be a single-window for approval of master plan and building plans in consultation with local authorities in terms of power conferred under Section 11 of Railway Act, 1989.

10. Alternate Investment Fund (AIF) or Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) are also eligible to participate.

11. All Applicants who meet the qualification criteria shall be eligible to submit price bid at RFP stage, i.e., there is no upper cap for shortlisting of Applicants for RFP stage.
Coronavirus keeps Rohingya indoors on 'genocide' anniversary Rohingya men carry bricks for construction work in Jamtoli refugee camp, near Ukhia, Bangladesh

Almost a million Rohingya refugees stuck in Bangladesh marked three years since escaping from Myanmar on Tuesday, with coronavirus forcing them to hold a day-long "silent protest" inside their flimsy, leaky huts.

An August 2017 military operation that has triggered genocide charges at the UN's top court drove 750,000 Rohingya out of Myanmar's Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh, to join 200,000 who fled earlier.

Three years later, and with no work or decent education for their children, there is little prospect of a return to Myanmar, where members of the mostly Muslim minority have long been treated as inferior intruders.

Myanmar's military "killed more than 10,000 of our people. They carried out mass murders and rapes and drove our people from their home", Mohib Ullah, a Rohingya leader in the camps, told AFP.

For the second anniversary last year, Ullah led a rally of about 200,000 protesters at Kutupalong, the largest of the network of camps in southeast Bangladesh, where 600,000 people live in cramped and unsanitary conditions.

But the Bangladeshi authorities, increasingly impatient with the Rohingya and who a year ago cut internet access in the camps, have banned gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic.

There have been fewer than 100 reported infections and six deaths.

- Silence and prayers -

The sprawling camps have been cut off from the rest of Bangladesh, with the military erecting barbed-wire fences around the perimeters. Inside, movement has been restricted.

With people marking "Genocide Remembrance Day" with silence and prayers inside their rickety homes, the camps bore a deserted look, with shops and the usually teeming tea stalls closed as heavy rain pounded the camps.

Rohingya groups have distributed leaflets and flyers and pasted posters showing Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi and its military chief Min Aung Hlaing.

One poster read: "Aung San Suu Kyi is a terrorist, not a Nobel Peace prize winner". Another called for the International Court of Justice to hang Min Aung Hlaing.

Story continues

"I have been waiting for justice for the last three years," Hanufa Begum, 44, whose husband and two sons were killed in 2017, told AFP as she sat outside her shanty home.

Bangladesh has signed an agreement with Myanmar to return the refugees, but the Rohingya refuse to go back without guarantees for their safety and proper rights.

About 600,000 Rohingya remain in Myanmar, but most are not regarded as citizens, living in what Amnesty International describes as "apartheid" conditions.

- Years of suffering -

The Rohingya doubt the "sincerity of the Myanmar authorities", Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud bin Momen said.

Desperation had led hundreds to flee the camps for other countries this year on rickety boats often arranged by unscrupulous trafficking gangs.

"I cannot describe how much suffering we have gone through for the past three years," said Mohammad Bashar, 30, a madrasa student in Myanmar border town of Maungdaw who lost his father and uncles in 2017.

"Living here in the camps like beggars and unwanted, I often see my tree-shaded homestead, cows and my happy family in my dreams, but that world has been shattered and devastated," he told AFP.

"Myanmar needs to accept an international solution that provides for the safe, voluntary return of Rohingya refugees, while an understandably stretched Bangladesh should not make conditions inhospitable for refugees who have nowhere to go," said Brad Adams from Human Rights Watch.

sa-sam/stu/fox
Delhi, Karnataka, Bihar: What is allowed and what is not

Is ePass required to travel from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Chennai, Aug 25: The Ministry of Home Affairs directed all states to not block inter and intra state travel. While Karnataka has lifted all restrictions and done away with the e-pass system, Tamil Nadu appears to be reluctant to do so.

The government in TN is of the view that e-pass aides in contract tracing of COVID-19 positive cases. The government is in favour of continuing with the e-pass system.

However the government has Mae the e-pass system automatic as a result of which travel has been eased.

Is ePass Required To Travel From Tamil Nadu to Karnataka

A final decision on the e-pass would be taken by Tamil Nadu on August 29, following a review meeting with the district collectors, a Times of India report said.

Many are reluctant to do away with the e-pass system and Chief Minister E Palaniswami is saiid that have expressed his displeasure with the Centre's new directive. He is of the view that all efforts taken to contain the pandemic would go waste if the pass system is abolished.

Relaxation of e-pass is a challenge to the health department. I would however also say that the spread of the pandemic is not due to travel. People should wear masks, wash hands, maintain social distancing, health minister, Vijay Bhaskar said.

Usain Bolt tests Covid-19 positive, Chris Gayle was at his party | Oneindia News

Until such decision is taken on August 29, the e-pass remains mandatory if you are travelling from Karnataka or any other state to Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, Karnataka has done away with the following for those travelling to the state:

Register on Seva Sindhu portal

Undergo medical check-up at state borders, bus stations, railway stations and airports

Undergo screening at the receiving centres in the districts

Get hand stamping done

Follow 14 days of mandatory quarantine (home/institutional)

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Tuesday, August 25, 2020, 12:43 [IST]
CHICAGO  Patrons must wear a face covering during all interactions with staff at Illinois bars, restaurants and other food service areas under new statewide rules announced Monday. The updated regulations make the commonsense courtesy mandatory for customers for the first time.

Revised Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity safety guidelines take effect Wednesday mandating that masks be worn whenever tables are being serviced, orders are being taken, or food or beverages are being delivered  whether indoors or outdoors. Customers should also have their nose and mouth covered when picking up carryout or drive-thru orders as well.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the new policy is aimed at protecting workers and slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

"Illinois has had a mask mandate since May 1 of this year, and in most establishments people are adhering to it, but it's important that we treat hospitality employees just as you would in any retail store or establishment," Pritzker said. "This new requirement asks a little bit more of our residents dining out in order to protect their health and safety and that of our front-line hospitality workers."

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said the updated guidelines aim to make it clear that face coverings should be worn anytime people interact with someone outside of their immediate circle. She said going out for food or drinks should not serve as an excuse for people not to take precautions against COVID-19.



"Stop wearing your face coverings incorrectly. You're literally contributing to infection transmission by doing so, and by contributing to infection transmission, potentially to an additional life that will be lost," Ezike said.

"To the people who say that face coverings don't work: You are simply wrong," she added. "It doesn't matter what video you saw on the internet or the fake headline you read; please know that face coverings do save lives, but they must be used in conjunction with social distancing and hand-washing."

Story continues

RELATED: Businesses That Don't Enforce Pritzker's Mask Mandate Face Fines

The governor said the policy was aimed at reducing the risk of airborne transmission by restricting the amount of droplets in the air.



"Remember how COVID-19 transmits. It is essentially your saliva becoming aerosolized when you're speaking," Pritzker said. "The idea is to make sure that the masks are being worn when the servers are coming to your table so you're not exposing them, making sure that at all times when you're not eating that you're wearing a mask, trying to, again, keep the aerosolization and, more importantly, the viral load down."

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced new statewide mask guidelines for patrons of bars and restaurants Tuesday. (Patch via Gov. Pritzker's Office)

Restaurants and bars  sometimes crowded, cramped and noisy  can be especially infectious, the governor warned.

"This stuff can linger in the air," he said. "And the more people that you have in the room, and particularly if you're eating and drinking, where you're adding to the amount of saliva that's in their mouth, you're adding to the viral load in an area."

Under existing rules implemented as part of Phase 4 of Pritzker's Restore Illinois reopening plan, all patrons are required to wear masks when on the premises of bars or restaurants except while eating or drinking at a table or bar. The updated guidelines are intended to make interactions with patrons and staff safer, according to state officials, who said it was crafted along with trade groups such as the Illinois Restaurant Association, or IRA.

"In partnership with industry leadership at IRA and employee protection organizations representing hospitality staff across the state, our latest guidelines will put the health and safety of our hospitality industry employees first and allow consumers to have confidence that Illinois bars and dining establishments are taking all precautions to allow a safer experience," Michael Negron, acting director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said in a release announcing the new guidelines.



Sekou Siby, president and CEO of the nonprofit group Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, said the restaurant industry is responsible for employing about one out of every 10 U.S. workers  14 million people.



"On behalf of the thousands of restaurant workers that we serve in Illinois and across the country, we strongly support Gov. JB Pritzker's initiative to enforce restaurant guidance during this unprecedented public health crisis. This is significantly critical for the safety and health of our restaurant workers and customers  and the gateway for workers to get their jobs back and revive the economy," Siby said in the release. "This updated guidance, which can be a model for other states, underscores the need for a vital policy on how restaurant businesses should reopen safely, equitably and responsibly."

Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said the new guidelines reinforce the pro-mask messaging his organization has been driving home in recent months.

"Face coverings will protect both diners and team members during this critical time," Toia said. "If we want to stay on a steady path with reopening, it is up to every individual to work collectively toward this common goal."



RELATED: Masks Go Over Nose And Mouth, Pritzker Says, As Illinois Adds 1,680 New Cases

The new guidelines take effect the same day as new COVID-19 resurgence mitigation measures for Region 7, which includes Will and Kankakee counties. No indoor service is allowed at bars or restaurants, reservations are required, and all establishments must close at 11 p.m.

Pritzker said people must follow face covering requirements to avoid more and stricter restrictions in other regions of the state.

"Restaurateurs and bar owners want to remain open for business, and we want them to also, and this new requirement will help keep people safe while moving the economy forward," he said. "And, frankly, that's a goal that we all believe in."

This article originally appeared on the Across Illinois Patch
Cadence Design Systems, Inc CDNS unveiled UltraLink D2D PHY (physical interfaces) IP for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Companys TSM 7 nanometer (nm) FinFET (Fin Field Effect Transistor) process technology.

The availability of Cadence UltraLink D2D PHY IP on N7 process will help customers to check bit-error rate (BER), insertion loss, performance across all process corners, and maximum transmission speed.

Cadence also rolled out UltraLink D2D PHY IP on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Companys 6 nm process called CLN6FF, and 5nm Fin Field-Effect Transistor (FinFET) process.

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. Price and Consensus

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. Price and Consensus

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Cadence Design Systems, Inc. Quote

The latest UltraLink D2D PHY IP solution is a low-latency, high-performance PHY for die-to-die connectivity. It delivers up to 40Gbps wire speed in a non-return to zero (NRZ) serial interface. It also offers 1Tbps/mm bandwidth, unidirectionally. It is cost effective compared with other solutions as it works with multi-chip modules (MCM) on organic substrates.

This IP solution augments the companys Intelligent System Design strategy, which expands system-on-chip (SoC) design expertise. It assists developers to design chips that provide accelerated artificial intelligence (AI), 5G and cloud computing technologies.

Notably, evolution of semiconductor manufacturing processes from 10 nm to 7 nm and even 5 nm technology is opening new business avenues for simulation software solution providers, including Cadence. The accelerated deployment of 5G technology is anticipated to spur further growth in this regard.

Robust features of the new PHY IP offerings, amid strength in semiconductor end-market on high data center demand and growing clout of cloud-based high-performance computing (HPC) solutions, are expected to bolster adoption. This, in turn, is expected to boost top-line growth in the quarters ahead.

Story continues

Solid Growth Prospects Bode Well

Cadence IP solutions continue to gain significant traction. In the second quarter of 2020, the companys IP segment contributed 14% to overall revenue.

The company is witnessing strong demand for high-speed DDR, Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes), and Tensilica IP products. The companys PCIe (peripheral component interconnect express) solutions are also being widely adopted.

Cadences IP solutions are witnessing rapid uptake particularly in the edge-computing and high-performance computing (HPC) end-markets. Per Mordor Intelligence data, HPC market is projected to witness a CAGR of 6.1% from 2020 to 2025.

Also, growing clout of Cadences IP solutions in the automotive end-market holds promise. The advanced driver assistance systems ("ADAS") market is expected to see a CAGR of 11.9% from 2020 to 2030, per a MarketsAndMarkets report.

Moreover, higher investments on Internet-of-things (IoT) as well as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) present significant growth opportunity.

This rapid uptake of the companys IP product suite instils optimism in the stock. Notably, shares of Cadence have surged 60.4% in the year-to-date period compared with the industrys rally of 30.4%. Notably, Cadence currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Near-Term Challenges

However, the coronavirus-caused global supply-chain disruptions, sluggishness in the automotive sector and shutdown of factories are anticipated to negatively impact demand for Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software and tools in the near term, which is a headwind for Cadence.

Also, the company has to persistently invest in product enhancements and portfolio expansion to maintain competitive position in the EDA market against ANSYS ANSS, Synopsys SNPS and Siemens AG. This is likely to weigh on margins at least in the near term.

The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All

Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.

See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>





Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



Synopsys, Inc. (SNPS) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) : Free Stock Analysis Report



ANSYS, Inc. (ANSS) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSM) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
The arrival of the VVIP aircraft from the US, which will be used to fly president, vice president and prime minister, has been delayed due to technical reasons, senior Air India officials said on Tuesday.

The plane was scheduled to arrive in India during the first half of this week, the officials noted.

Senior officials of the carrier reached the US earlier this month to receive the plane from aircraft manufacturer Boeing, the officials said.

Another custom-made B777 plane for the travel of VVIPs is likely to be received from Boeing in September, they noted.

It was expected that the delivery of these two planes, which are earmarked for VVIP travel only, would be done by July. However, due to COVID-19, their delivery has been delayed by a few weeks.

During the travel of the VVIPs, the two B777 aircraft will be operated by pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and not of Air India, an official said.

Currently, the president, vice president and the prime minister, fly on Air India's B747 planes, which have the call sign ''Air India One''.

Air India pilots fly these B747 aircraft for the dignitaries and the Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) maintains them.

When these B747 aircraft are not flying the dignitaries, they are used by the Indian carrier for commercial operations.

The new planes will be used for travel of the dignitaries only. These two aircraft were part of Air India's commercial fleet for a few months in 2018 before they were sent back to Boeing for retrofitting them for VVIP travel.

The B777 planes will have state-of-the-art missile defence systems called Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS).

In February, the US agreed to sell the two defence systems to India at a cost of USD 190 million.

The Centre has already initiated the process of divestment of its stake in Air India, which has a debt of over Rs 60,000 crore. However, the process has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(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.)
Recent research by the University of Hong Kong has given more weight to the troubling news of patients, who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and seemingly recovered, testing positive for the virus again.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is still investigating the reports of patients testing positive after being released from treatment, noting that it has no findings yet.

Meanwhile, on Monday in a statement, University of Hong Kong researchers said, an apparently young and healthy patient had a second case of COVID-19 infection which was diagnosed 4.5 months after the first episode, the TIMES reported.

For close to eight months, COVID-19, a disease caused by a rare strain of the coronavirus family, has held a firm grip on humanity, spreading to over 200 countries, infecting almost 24 million people, and causing the death of over 800,000.

There is no vaccine yet for the pneumonia-like contagion that has continued to defy science as scientists are still struggling to answer many questions regarding how the virus spreads, the exact nature of the disease it causes, and especially the possibility of reinfection.

There have been widespread reports of possible reinfection in places where the virus has been battled and contained. The most dramatic of these was in mid-May when COVID-19 reemerged in Wuhan, the birthplace of the deadly pandemic, sparking fears of a fresh wave of infections in China.

This led to Chinese authorities ordering the testing of all 11 million residents of the city under 10 days.

According to nna widely circulated document from Wuhans anti-virus department, cited by several Chinese local media, six new locally transmitted cases were reported within one district in Wuhan nearly two months after no infections have been seen in the entire city.

While these developments are building on research suggesting the possibility of reinfection, the latest by the Hong Kong-based university would be the first to find a patient that tested positive before contracting the virus again.

There have also been reports of presumed reinfection in the United States and elsewhere, but none of those cases have been confirmed with rigorous testing. Recovered people are known to shed viral fragments for weeks, which can cause tests to show a positive result in the absence of the live virus.

But according to the Times report, Hong Kong researchers sequenced the virus from both rounds of infection and found significant differences in the two sets of viruses, suggesting that the patient was infected a second time.

The report said, the 33-year-old man had only mild symptoms the first time, and no symptoms this time around. The reinfection was discovered when he returned from a trip to Spain, the researchers said, and the virus they sequenced closely matched the strain circulating in Europe in July and August.

Our results prove that his second infection is caused by a new virus that he acquired recently rather than prolonged viral shedding, said Kelvin Kai-Wang To, a clinical microbiologist at the University of Hong Kong.

Expert Opinions

Forensic experts said the research could have a significant influence on how governments manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, epidemiologists are saying that the fact the Hong Kong man is the first documented case of reinfection does not make the quest for a vaccine futile.

If anything, it might mean that researchers and scientists might have to consider the possibility of a multi-tiered vaccine strategy, where different vaccines are tailored towards different strains of the virus, said Ikemesit Effiong, head of research, SBM, Nigerias leading intelligence platform.

The case of the Hong-Kong man shows the strain he has now is different from the one he contracted and recovered from.

While this complicates the overall global response, it doesnt necessarily make COVID an impossible virus to handle.

READ ALSO:

It doesnt make it more difficult, it means the fight will take a different dimension and it is good that the issue of reinfection is coming now that vaccines are still very much in the trial phases, so facts like these can be incorporated into ongoing quests to find a vaccine for the contagion, said Mr Effiong.

Experts had hoped that the new coronavirus might behave more like its cousins SARS and MERS, which seemed to produce long-lasting immunity of a few years.

One thing is that the human understanding of the virus continues to grow every day. It changes and mutates and now ongoing research efforts would have possible cases of reinfection as an additional focus, said the researcher.
Kind today announced the company will commit to source by 2025 its almonds exclusively from bee-friendly farms that set aside land for wildflowers and do away with two bee-killing pesticides. The snack company will also fund a program at the University of California, Davis to monitor progress.

By encouraging growth of healthy bee habitats, Kind hopes to combat a decline in the pollinator population. Since Kind uses one to two percent of the world's almonds, the project will have significant impact and, according to an Environmental Defense Fund spokesman, can bring "long-term environmental benefits for soil health, water retention and regional biodiversity." Founder Daniel Lubetzky says his company is placing a real emphasis on environmental sustainability: "It's the logical next step."

It is hard to underestimate the importance of bees. One study published last month noted that: "Most of the world's crops depend on pollinators, so declines in both managed and wild bees raise concerns about food security." The study looked into seven crops in 131 locations across the US, estimating "the nationwide annual production value of wild pollinators to the seven crops we studied at over $1.5 billion." The study said a decline in pollinators "could translate directly into decreased yields or production for most of the crops studied."

Last year Kind competitor Clif Bar attracted media attention by publishing an ad in the New York Times where it challenged Kind to source organic ingredients. Lubetzky says he respects Clif's societal commitments and that the competitor is doing good things, but he continues to counter that Clif's use of sugar as a leading ingredient is a dissonance for a nutrition bar brand.

Today's announcement is the result of more than two years of stakeholder engagement with scientists and Kind's own supply chain to refine an environmental sustainability plan where the company can have real impact. "If bees end up collapsing we have a very very serious problem," says Lubetzky. "The hope is that three to five years from now these steps become standard practice."

After growing his snack company from the ground up, Lubetzky last year stepped down as CEO to become Executive Chairman. He gives his team the credit for developing the new sustainability plan, which also includes aspiring to reach 100% recyclability, compostability, or reusability across all its plastic packaging by 2025, and an investment in renewable energy.

During a Zoom interview Lubetzky continuously makes reference to his four children (who want his attention during our call), saying it's his responsibility to leave them a better world. That means a world with biodiversity, pollinators, good water management, and a steady food supply. Promoting a healthy ecosystem for almonds also means ensuring that Kind will be able to continue sourcing its key ingredient well into the future. "This is about enlightened self-interest," says Lubetzky.

He notes that in today's world the private sector "permeates our lives more than government... and with that power comes responsibility." While not every problem can be solved through market solutions, "when you're able to come up with business models to tackle challenges that exist, they can scale faster - I don't have to go around with a hat asking people for donations. So market forces are really powerful and you want to try to deploy them and channel those strengths to try to do the maximum that you can do in society," he adds.
Has Covid-19 made you reconsider your smoking habit? Images: Getty

The global coronavirus pandemic has claimed 807,000 lives and infected 23.3 million people, with the world now racing to find a vaccine.

But with the virus still circulating, the health crisis has prompted people to quit smoking en masse amid fears the habit worsens the disease once contracted.

While smoking increases a persons risk of respiratory infections or illness, there are no studies yet showing that smoking increases a persons chance of contracting Covid-19.

Smoking costs the global economy more than US$1 trillion (AU$1.39 trillion) every year, according to the World Health Organisation and kills more than 8 million people around the world every year. The WHO says it will ultimately kill up to half its users - making it a significantly more deadly health crisis than coronavirus in some ways.

More than one million people in the UK ditched the cigarettes since the beginning of the pandemic, with 41 per cent attributing the decision to their concerns about Covid-19.

And in Australia, four times as many people have tried to quit smoking during Covid-19, Minister for Health Greg Hunt has revealed.

Smokers are more at risk of serious illness if they become infected with Covid-19, Hunt said.

Smokers are more likely to have lung damage or lung disease, which greatly increases the risk of serious illness should they contract Covid-19. When someone smokes, their fingers make contact with their lips. This may increase the chances of transmitting the virus from their hand to their mouth.

And in South Africa, the Government banned tobacco products during its five-month lockdown in a radical move. Tobacco companies are now planning to sue over the ban - the only ban of its kind worldwide. The ban has since been removed.

British American Tobacco (BAT) Plc in June downgraded its forecasts for full-year sales growth as lockdowns in developing countries stung sales, with curfews in several countries denting uptake. BAT expects a 7 per cent decline in global industry sales volumes of cigarettes.

Story continues

Using one crisis to solve another

For former New Zealand Prime Minister and co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response Helen Clark, the links between the two health crises are obvious.

As part of her role, Clark has a mandate to investigate what went wrong in containing Covid-19 and make recommendations about future preparedness.

The independent panel will release its interim report in November with a final report due in May 2021.

Clark, who will speak at the Yahoo Finance All Markets Summit on 17 September, tackled New Zealands smoking epidemic as Minister of Health in 1989. She led the country's first comprehensive tobacco control legislation in a bid to stamp out the tobacco epidemic.

To tackle the smoking crisis, Clark said New Zealand needed to make changes that the country now takes for granted.

[The legislation] banned smoking on public transport, banned sales to under-sixteen year olds, required disclosure of ingredients, restricted smoking in indoor workplaces, banned tobacco advertising and sponsorship, and established the Health Sponsorship Council (now the Health Promotion Agency) to replace tobacco sponsorship, Clark said.

New Zealands smoking rate has plummeted to one in eight adults. This major achievement has prevented thousands of early deaths from cancer and heart and lung diseases, and has contributed directly to our increasing lifespan. Very few young people now take up smoking.

And Covid-19 has highlighted the way the world can make major behavioural shifts - changes that will be required to address the tobacco epidemic.

Less socialising also has a role to play in reduced smoking habits, University of Massachusetts assistant professor of psychiatry Amy Harrington said.

She described the pandemic as providing a unique window of opportunity for smokers to quit as it provides the added motivation, and makes popping down to the shops to purchase cigarettes a more risky activity than previously.

Others still are choosing to smoke less due to the financial considerations.

The average Australian smoker spends $5,237 a year on cigarettes, and also cops significantly higher health insurance premiums.

And the price of cigarettes is only increasing - the price of cigarettes increased 25 per cent in 2010 and between 2013 and 2025 is on a path to increase 12.5 per cent every September. That means that the average 25 pack will cost $48.50 from next month.

Quitting is hard, even under normal circumstances. Many people say that smoking or vaping is a way they deal with stress, and these are stressful times, Harrington said.

On the other hand, smoking is often a social activity. With offices and factories closed and people away from friends and colleagues, old social patterns of smoking with friends and in certain places at certain times of day are disrupted. Social distancing can effectively take away the social aspect of smoking, particularly if no one else in the home smokes.

Helen Clark will speak at the Yahoo Finance All Markets Summit on 17 September. Clark was the Prime Minister of New Zealand for three successive terms from 19992008. Helen engaged widely in policy development and advocacy across the international affairs, economic, social, environmental, and cultural spheres.

She now co-chairs the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response with former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Ex-Leningrad Region penitentiary official imprisoned for 15 years for murder organization

 RAPSI, Eugeny Varlamov

17:18 25/08/2020

MOSCOW, August 25 (RAPSI)  The Leningrad Regional Court based on a guilty verdict of jurors sentenced ex-deputy chief of the Federal Penitentiary Services (FSIN) St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region directorate Sergey Moiseyenko to 15 years in high-security prison for organization of assassination against his subordinate, the Prosecutor Generals Office reports Tuesday.

Another defendant Igor Zakharov, who had been found guilty of ammunition trafficking, received 14 years behind bars. According to investigators, Zakharov has supplied a pistol for committing the murder.

According to investigators, Colonel Nikolay Chernov, the head of the technical supervision department for the FSINs St. Petersburg Directorate, was murdered in order to hide corruption crimes that took place during construction of a new detention center in the region.

Investigators believe that in late 2016 Moiseyenko asked Sabir Sadykov to kill Chernov, after the latter began to counteract corruption plans of the then penitentiary offical. In turn, Sadykov received a gun and ammunition from another defendant Igor Zakharov.

The case documents read that in March 2017 Sadykov appointed a meeting with Chernov on a highway. On March 2, 2017, the defendant allegedly shot the victim, who died in a hospital on March 7.

Sadykov was sentenced to 9 years in a penal colony; he is the main witness in the Moiseyenko and Zakharov case.
Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle speak during the first night of the Republican National Convention. (Getty Images)

At their convention last week, Democrats sought to frame the presidential election as a referendum on the character of the nominees  Joe Bidens vs. President Trumps.

At the first day of their convention Monday, Republicans sought to frame the presidential election as a referendum on the character of the country  as a nation of individuals or a dystopian socialist collective.

This is a column not about Republican hyperbole, but rather about the question underlying the pictures the GOP speakers painted of the countrys past, present and future. To wit, does government exist to empower individuals, or does it exist to manage shared responsibilities?

The simple answer is both, but last week the Democrats focused hard on the latter as they talked about the need to beat COVID-19, address climate change, confront systemic racism and rebuild the countrys infrastructure. It was a leave no one behind convention.

On Monday, the GOP message was more hold no one back. Speaker after speaker talked about how he or she had become successful by working hard, powered by little more than their own will and the help of their families. When Democrats lead, they warned, the government doesnt assist, it obstructs and weakens. And worse, it doesnt protect individuals, their homes and their businesses from the mob thats burning and looting cities.

With characteristic subtlety, Kimberly Guilfoyle, a fundraiser for the Trump campaign, declared that Democrats want to enslave you to the weak, dependent, liberal, victim ideology, to the point that you will not recognize this country or yourself. Even when speaking to an empty room, Guilfoyle turned it up to 11.

The worldview offered Monday didn't acknowledge structural problems that are widening income and wealth gaps. To the extent that poor kids are being held back by lousy schools, the solution offered was to make public schools compete for scarce dollars with private ones (which the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr., said his father viewed as the civil rights issue of all time).

Story continues

No one mentioned the millions of unemployed Americans or the COVID-19 death toll, nor did anyone utter the word climate. Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and governor of South Carolina, declared that America is not a racist country, even as she talked about her own family being discriminated against as brown-skinned immigrants in the South.

Liberty has always been a core American value, so theres a natural tension between individuals liberty interests and their desire for a stable, secure, healthy and prosperous world around them. The latter requires no small amount of sacrifice, whether it be paying taxes or curbing pollution, maintaining social distance or serving in the military.

But while the Democrats harped on the notion that were all in this together, Republicans on Monday stuck to the liberty side of the equation, zooming in on the suffocating excesses of the politically correct left. Cancel culture was a frequent punching bag, with Trump Jr. delivering the most forceful indictment.

In the past, both parties believed in the goodness of America. We agreed on where we wanted to go. We just disagreed about how to get there, he said. This time the other party is attacking the very principles on which our nation was founded: Freedom of thought. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The rule of law.

Never mind that the Trump administration has been forced to reverse course more than 100 times after being sued for violating the rule of law, according to the New York University School of Laws Institute for Policy Integrity. And never mind that the two parties stopped agreeing on where we wanted to go probably around the time the GOP nominated Barry Goldwater in 1964.

A more hopeful vision of the individual was offered by Republican Sean Parnell, whos running for Congress in Pennsylvania. An Army veteran who spent more than a year fighting in Afghanistan, Parnell captured the tone that Trump had suggested was going to dominate the GOP convention (a promise not yet kept).

In our tent, you are free, Parnell intoned. Free to speak the truth, choose your journey, define your life. You have the power to go as far as you aim, then aim higher and keep going because that is what Americans do. We are idealists and dreamers, lovers of adventure. We are rugged and independent. We dont make excuses. We make the impossible a reality.

On the surface, Mondays session was about strength versus weakness. But underneath it all, the message was that the problems we face are surmountable by individuals, if only the government would let them. In the middle of a pandemic, with unemployment at the highest level since 1940 and with the nation convulsed by an overdue reckoning on racism, that feels like a tough sell. But Republicans have three more nights to make the pitch.
By Express News Service

LUCKNOW: All the six accused in the murder case of TV journalist Ratan Singh were arrested. The journalist was killed in his village Phephna under the Phephna police station area in Ballia district on late Monday night.

Phephna station officer Shashi Mauli Pandey has been suspended for dereliction of duty.

The district police had arrested three main murder accused  Arvind Singh, Dinesh Singh, and Sunil Singh  on Monday night. Rest of the three accused -- Susheel Singh, Veer Bahadur Singh, and Vinay Singh -- were held on Tuesday. In all 10 persons were booked for the murder of the Ratan Singh. Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Awasthi, confirmed that six persons were arrested in the case so far.

Taking cognizance of the incident, UP CM Yogi Adityanath announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the bereaved family. The CM has issued directives to the district police administration to bring the culprits to books at the earliest.

The CM also directed the district police chief Devendra Nath to probe the role of local police personnel and take strict action against them if found slacking in the discharge of duty.

The Ballia police have been claiming that the journalist was murdered over an ongoing land dispute by his neighbours.

ADG (law and order) Prashant Kumar said that Ratan had a land dispute with his neighbour Dinesh Singh. On Monday, the two had a verbal dual which later took an ugly turn when Dinesh shot Ratan and fled away, said Kumar.

ALSO READ | TV journalist Ratan Singh shot dead over land dispute in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district

However, DIG, Azamgarh Range, Subash Chandra Dubey said: Preliminary probe has suggested that the two parties had fought over a piece of land in their village in December 2019. Both the parties had lodged FIRs in the case. However, after the investigation into the case, Ratan Singhs name was removed from the FIR. He added that on Monday there was a verbal spat when the victim was beaten up when he placed his haystack on a plot.

To save his life, the scribe ran away from the scene. The miscreants chased and shot at him. The DIG clarified that the murder was not a result of any story or report covered or shown by the journalist.

Deceased Ratan Singhs father Vinod Singh, however, denied that the issue of keeping haystack on the plot led to the killing of his son. He claimed that a person named Sonu Singh (known to the family) took Ratan along to his house where all the assailants were ready rods, sticks, and firearm. First they thrashed Ratan with rods and sticks.

To save his life, Ratan ran away from the scene and took shelter in the house of village head Seema Singh. But the assailants chased him and shot him dead inside the house of the village head, said the bereaved father. He added that his elder son was also killed by the same party two years ago.

The Ballia SP claimed that the complaint submitted by the family of the deceased named 10 people. Of 10, six have been arrested and rest four will also be nabbed soon, the SP said, adding that the killers would be slapped with Gangster Act and National Security Act could also be invoked against them.
Indian Parliaments much-awaited monsoon session should start from September 14 and end on October 1 , the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh has recommended, according to people familiar with the matter.

The dates will now have to be approved by the Union cabinet, which will then forward them to the President.

CCPA has also suggested a total of 18 sittings as the government has a total of 11 ordinances to clear, the people cited in the first instance added on condition of anonymity. The government is also bracing for a demand from Opposition parties to debate the India China border conflict, the Covid situation, the state of the economy, problems of migrant workers and the recent allegations against social media giant Facebook.

According to the people, the government is discussing with stakeholders, a plan that involves skipping the Question Hour to reserve more time for debates and legislative business. Conducting Question Hour requires huge manpower which is not advisable amid pandemic. We are talking to different parties before taking the final call, said one official. HT has previously reported that during wartime in 1962, 1965 and 1971 and the Emergency (1975-77), the Lok Sabha didnt have question Hour.

Officials added that the government and the two presiding officers will also decide whether the proceedings of the two Houses be in two shiftsLok Sabha in the morning and Rajya Sabha in the afternoon, or vice versa or spread across alternative days. According to officials, the Rajya Sabha secretariat favours shifts.

The Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has called a meeting on August 27 to discuss how to prepare for the session.

The Houses are being prepared for the session with measures such as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation of the air-conditioning system, 10 display screens for live proceeding, placards to indicate names of parties, earmarked seats for top leaders and special cables linking the two Houses.

While ministers, former PMs and floor leaders will get preference in the main chamber, many party MPs  even from the ruling party  will be accommodated in the galleries.

The government will aim to replace 11 ordinances during the session. This includes a cluster of agriculture-related ordinances promulgated during the Covid pandemic to help Indian farmers such as the Farmers Produce Trade And Commerce (Promotion And Facilitation) and the Farmers (Empowerment And Protection) Agreement On Price Assurance And Farm Services Ordinance and essential commodities amendment ordinance.
Building upon the work that has been done under the WCO Mercator Programme, a workshop on the implementation of a national advance ruling system was held by the Namibia Customs and Excise (NCE) on 10 August 2020. It was jointly organized with the WCO and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) within the framework of the EU-WCO Programme for the Harmonized System in Africa (HS Africa Programme).

The NCE embarked on the implementation of a comprehensive advance ruling system some time ago and has been making significant progress in that area. The workshop offered an opportunity to review the work accomplished so far and determine the next steps in the process. The instrument establishing an advance ruling system in Namibia has been submitted for the final approval and is expected to enter into force in the near future.

During the workshop, the importance of raising the awareness of all of the intended beneficiaries of the advance ruling system was recognised in order to ensure that the system is not only formally and technically available, but is also actively used by traders and makes a real difference for them in terms of promoting certainty and predictability of international trade transactions.

The SACU representative at the workshop stressed that advance rulings were getting increasingly prominent on the agenda of the Union as an important trade facilitation measure and as a useful international standard. He welcomed the progress achieved by Namibia and undertook to continue the active promotion of advance rulings among the SACU Member States, in close cooperation with the HS Africa Programme. The HS Africa Programme will be further working with Partners at NCE to build required capacities reflecting on the Mercator Implementation Plan.

For more details, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian opposition figure currently living in exile in Lithuania, spoke to MEPs in the European Parliament via video link on August 25, saying that Belarus was undergoing a peaceful revolution.

She hit out at the actions of the Belarusian authorities. The authorities use the tactics of intimidation, fear and physical threat, she said. At least six people were killed, dozens are missing; this is taking place in the middle of Europe. She highlighted the case of her husband, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, an opposition activist who was jailed in the run-up to the election, and described the election results as falsified.

The revolution in Belarus is not a geopolitical revolution, it is neither a pro-Russia nor anti-Russian revolution, it is neither an anti-European Union or pro-European revolution, she said. It is a democratic revolution  I call on all the countries of the world to respect the sovereignty of Belarus.

Tsikhanouskaya told MEPs that Belarus had woken up and said her goal was to obtain free and fair elections through peaceful dialogue.

Her speech was welcomed with a round of applause by many of the MEPs present, though a minority disagreed with her assessment, including Manu Pineda, a Spanish MEP for the United Left party.

Pineda said: Mrs Tsikhanouskaya, you know the pressure the EU can bring to bear. Weve seen it in Venezuela. Are you prepared to ensure sanctions against your people because they didnt vote for you? As president, are you looking for a bloodbath, as took place in Ukraine? Are you prepared for the people of Belarus to pay with blood, pain and suffering for the fate that they didnt elect you as president? Because this is what this is all about. Credit: European Parliament via Storyful
A resident is taken from the Epping Hardens Aged Care Home on July 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

New COVID-19 Measures to Protect Victorias Healthcare Staff

Victoria will boost measures to protect health, aged and disability workers with new data showing most who are infected with COVID-19 contracted it on the job.

The new data is at odds with Premier Daniel Andrews suggestion on Aug. 12 that the majority of healthcare workers were acquiring coronavirus outside of the workplace.

But Victorian chief medical officer Andrew Wilson clarified that assertion, saying it was based on statistics from the states first wave of the virus.

Then, only 22 percent of healthcare cases were believed to have caught it at work.

At the time, that was the data, that was the information that we had, he told reporters on Aug. 25.

This has been very quick, this wave. Its happened over a few weeks.

It takes more than a few days to untangle the cases because theyre happening at the same time.

Two-thirds also could be underselling the scale of on-site health worker infections, as it rises to 86 percent when cases still under investigation are not counted.

Its likely those cases will tell a very similar story, Wilson said.

Poor infection practice has probably been the main driver of infection, he said.

There have also been issues about aged care workers moving between different facilities.

Other leading causes of infection in the health sector were shared spaces, substandard PPE use and ageing ventilation systems.

Aged care workers (674) and nurses (497) represented 88 per cent of all healthcare-acquired cases from July 1 due to their large workforces and close contact with patients, Wilson said.

Under the states updated strategy to combat the problems, every health service in Victoria will introduce personal protective equipment spotters and study potential aerosol transmission hotspots.

They will also trial fit testing for high-risk staff to ensure virus particles cannot penetrate safety gear, while a newly-established PPE taskforce has recommended the use of N95 masks in emergency departments, COVID-19 wards and aged-care sites.

Wilson said some outbreaks had been directly related to the incorrect storage of PPE and potential contamination by aged care residents.

Every health service across the state will also be required to self-assess staff amenities to ensure they meet minimum standards for physical distancing, cleanliness and infection control.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said break rooms deemed too small to allow workers to eat and drink safely would be replaced by marquees and other temporary set-ups.

But the Australian Medical Association scorned the state governments response, saying it showed they still werent taking the issue seriously.

AMA president Omar Khorshid described it as too little, too late.

Australia had the chance to act, but is now playing catch-up in its efforts to protect frontline staff, he said in a statement.

By Callum Godde
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Swiss stock market saw largely directionless trade through mush of Tuesday's session, bouncing back and forth across the unchanged line before fading late in the day to end firmly in the red. Early momentum was provided when it was reported that U.S. biotechnology company Moderna, Inc. said it concluded advanced talks to provide 80 million doses of its experimental coronavirus shot to the European Union. The SMI dropped 77.14 points or 0.75 percent to finish at the daily low of 10,231.25 after peaking at 10,346.73. Among the actives, Adecco plummeted 1.86 percent, while Swisscom sank 1.70 percent, Lafarge Holcim retreated 1.43 percent, Swiss Life dropped 1.07 percent, Swatch Group and Nestle both lost 0.92 percent, UBS Group shed 0.45 percent, Zurich Insurance skidded 0.26 percent and Novartis and Swiss Re both slipped 0.19 percent. The weakness was mostly in line with the other European markets, which couldn't hold early gains as they looked ahead to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's highly anticipated speech at the Jackson Hole symposium on Thursday. Germany's DAX eased 4.92 points or 0.04 percent to 13,061.62, while London's FTSE tumbled 67.72 points or 1.11 percent to 6,037.01 and the CAC 40 in France rose 0.38 points or 0.01 percent to 5,008.27. On the corporate front, Credit Suisse (CS) said the company is taking further steps to streamline its business by merging NAB's (Neue Aargauer Bank AG) business with that of Credit Suisse in Canton Aargau by the end of this year. The company's announced measures, including the planned merger of NAB with Credit Suisse, are anticipated to result in gross cost savings of around 100 million Swiss francs per annum from 2022 onwards. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Wisconsin's statewide mask mandate might be in jeopardy after a conservative firm took aim at the legality of Gov. Tony Evers' underlying public health declaration in a lawsuit Tuesday.

The Democratic executive's second state of emergency order is the basis for the new directive requiring that face coverings be worn in indoor spaces outside of one's private residence. The push, which went into effect Aug. 1, was the administrations first broad effort to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic since the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the Democrats extended stay-at-home order in May.

Though Evers' order cited "a new and concerning spike in infections" from recent data as the basis for its issuance, officials from the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty argued in a lawsuit filed in Polk County Circuit Court that the directive arose from the same public health crisis Evers sought to address this spring.

That means, the complaint said, the latest order amounts to a unilateral extension of his original state of emergency, which is "unlawful."

This lawsuit is not about whether masks are good or bad, or whether Wisconsin ought to do more, or less, to address COVID-19," WILL head Rick Esenberg said in a statement. "It isnt even about whether the state should have a mask mandate. This lawsuit is about our system of government and the rule of law. Governor Evers cannot seize these time-limited emergency powers more than once without legislative approval.

Evers spokeswoman Britt Cudaback in a statement slammed Republicans for aiming to prevent moves to bolster the health and safety of Wisconsinites.

"From safer at home to the April election and now masks, theyve filed more lawsuits than they have passed bills during this pandemic," she added. "We know requiring masks and face coverings will help us save lives, and Gov. Evers will continue listening to science and public health experts in making the best decisions for the people of our state."

The underlying public health order and basis for the mask mandate, the complaint noted, could likely serve as a way to "issue any number of additional measures  including travel bans, lockdowns and the closing of businesses, churches and outdoor gatherings," though Evers has not issued any follow-up mandates in the nearly four weeks since this went into effect.

Under the mask order, individuals over age 5 must wear face coverings indoors outside of their private residence and in spaces where people congregate, such as outdoor bars and restaurants, taxis and more, when around individuals outside of a person's immediate family, with a few exceptions.

Public health emergency orders are limited to 60 days unless they're extended by a legislative joint resolution. Evers on March 12 initially issued an emergency order, which was set to expire on May 11. A safer-at-home order, originally set to expire April 24, was extended by the administration until May 26. It was later struck down by the Wisconsin Supreme Court prior to its expiration.

The complaint argued that because the original declaration hadn't been lengthened by the Legislature, promulgated as an administrative rule during a process involving the Legislature and state agencies or placed within the powers or local governments as designated by state statute, "Evers has no constitutional or statutory basis to continue to declare or exercise emergency powers related to COVID-19."

Evers' new order is set to expire Sept. 28, unless it's revoked by the governor or a joint resolution of the Legislature.

Even if a judge were to find Evers acted lawfully, the complaint asks the court to determine the underlying state statute that allowed him to declare a new state of emergency be classified as "an unconstitutional delegation of legislative powers to the executive."

Though Senate GOP leadership immediately threatened to convene to block the mask mandate after it was announced at the end of July, the Legislature hasn't returned to act on it.

Bringing this week's challenge are three Polk County residents (Derek Lindoo, Brandon Widiker and John Kraft), who the complaint notes are all required to follow the mask mandate and any subsequent orders from the governor stemming from his public health declaration.

The suit noted the trio were compelled to wear a mask when they would otherwise choose not to as the state spent taxpayer dollars "to promulgate and defend [Evers'] unlawful mask mandate" as well as deploy National Guard troops.

It doesn't appear that the suit would affect existing local mask orders, which counties and cities initially put in place earlier this summer.

That includes Public Health Madison & Dane County, which issued its own county-wide mask order in July with stricter requirements than the later state mandate, all of which remain in effect.

Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0
After the account of the whistle-blower, an unidentified C.I.A. analyst, came into public view, Mr. Trump repeatedly lashed out, at one point at an official gathering alluding to punishment for spies and implying it should apply to the whistle-blower.

Mr. Zaid first applied for the policy in October 2019, just as the whistle-blower complaint was gaining widespread attention and Democrats were moving ahead with an impeachment inquiry over Mr. Trumps dealings with Ukraine. The whistle-blower conveyed his concerns to the inspector general for the intelligence community, who shared them with Congress, touching off a fight between the White House and the House Intelligence Committee.

The impeachment inquiry centered on a phone call in July 2019 when Mr. Trump asked President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine to announce investigations that could have benefited Mr. Trump politically. Mr. Trump, who was withholding congressionally approved military assistance earmarked for Ukraine, pressed Mr. Zelensky for an investigation into Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his son Hunter Biden.

The House approved two articles of impeachment. But only one Republican, Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, joined Democrats in voting to convict Mr. Trump during the Senate trial. Mr. Trump has since insisted he was exonerated, and has lashed out at people who backed impeachment.

Mr. Zaid said Hanovers lack of appetite for such coverage served the aims of people who wished to silence whistle-blowers.

By taking this decision, Hanover is sending a horrible message that is being echoed by the Trump administration, that whistle-blowers are not legitimate and do not deserve protection, Mr. Zaid said. One must question why this decision occurred now, in the wake of my representing a whistle-blower whose allegations not only proved to be true, but led to the impeachment of the president of the United States.

Mr. Zaid said he had never had a client file a claim against him.

Hanovers decision may be related to Mr. Trumps use of the court system to try to silence journalists and critics, delay investigations into his administration or his personal finances and to fight attempts at transparency, said Joshua Geltzer, a visiting professor of law at Georgetown and the executive director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection.
As the summer draws to a close, we find ourselves on the doorstep of a school year like no other.

And, across the state, so many students, educators, support professionals, parents, and school leaders are asking the same questions. What are the rules? What can we do to reopen? What will school look like this year? Is it safe?

The 180,000 dedicated education professionals I represent as president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) are eager to return to their schools and classrooms. They want to be back with their students and colleagues.

But they want to do it in the safest possible way. They want to protect their students and their students families as well as their colleagues and their colleagues families.

And, like everything else Pennsylvanians have been asked to do to slow the spread of the coronavirus, we can only open schools safely if we follow the rules.

PSEA has been working with state leaders for months to encourage them to provide schools with a roadmap to safely reopening. In the last few weeks, the state departments of health and education have released directives and guidelines for school districts that, among other things, emphasize:

The necessity of wearing face coverings to prevent the spread of the virus in schools;

The need for social distancing in schools and classrooms;

Science-based metrics for determining when its safe to hold in-person instruction and when online only or a blended approach of in-person and online instruction is needed; and

Procedures informed by health experts for responding to COVID-19 exposures that occur at school.

These guidelines provide a clear pathway for school leaders. Now we need to make sure that every school in Pennsylvania follows them. Doing so will ensure that our students, staff, and families stay safe and that we slow the spread of this terrible virus.

Considering the rules, it is clear that students, teachers, and staff must wear face coverings in school buildings, unless they fall under an exception, such as students with certain disabilities do. We know from the experts that wearing a face covering is one of the single most impactful ways to prevent the spread of the virus.

There also is no question that everyone in school buildings should maintain 6 feet of social distance at all times. To recommend anything less than 6 feet in school buildings will put students and staff at risk.

And, perhaps more important than anything else, schools should follow the science-based health guidance on school reopening procedures that the state issued on Aug. 10. If a school is in a county where blended or remote learning plans are recommended, then that school should follow the guidance and do just that. Period.

Pennsylvania has produced these data-driven guidelines for a reason. The goal is to keep everyone as safe as possible by reducing health risks. To achieve this goal, we all need to take these rules seriously  and follow them.

Our schools are safe havens where Pennsylvanias students learn and where dedicated educators and support professionals work. Taking unnecessary risks with the health of kids, school staff, and their families is simply the wrong thing to do during a pandemic.

But, if we follow these rules, we can still educate our students, while taking steps to stop the spread of this virus more quickly. Thats what it will take to open our schools for safe, in-person instruction.

This is what we all want. And if everyone works together and follows the rules, we can get there.

Rich Askey is a Harrisburg music teacher and president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
ALBANY  City school districts in the Capital Region hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic could see a majority of their families choosing a fully virtual learning option at the start of the academic year, according to preliminary parent surveys released by school officials.

In contrast, large suburban districts in the Capital Region expect about 20 percent of their students to learn remotely in the fall.

Officials at Albany and Schenectady city districts said that around 60 percent of families surveyed selected the fully remote option, while 40 percent expressed interest in a hybrid learning model that incorporates a mix of in-person and remote education. At Shenendehowa Central School District, roughly 18 percent of families selected the remote option. In East Greenbush, 26 percent have expressed interest in the virtual model.

A statewide analysis of back-to-school plans released last week suggests a sharp racial gap, with minority and low-income families significantly more likely to be wary of sending their children back to the classroom amid the threat of COVID-19.

Fewer than half of Black parents and just 61 percent of Latino parents in New York state said their child will attend school in-person this fall among parents given the option, compared to 74 percent of white parents. The disparity is driven by greater fears among parents of color who worry their child or another family member will contract the coronavirus and less overall confidence in the education system, according to a poll from The Education Trust  New York.

The disparity was also seen between parents living in low-income households and those from more affluent backgrounds, with just 53 percent of parents in households making less than $50,000 a year saying their child will attend school in-person, compared to 74 percent of parents in households making at least $50,000.

Ian Rosenblum, executive director of The Education Trust  New York, said the data showed minority families disproportionately indicated they would rely on remote learning this fall. They are the same students who were underserved before the pandemic and during the spring school closures.

Rosenblum called on school leaders to find strategies to deliver high-quality remote instruction. This crisis has already worsened the pre-existing inequities in public education, and unless we get remote and blended learning right this fall, the opportunity gaps in our education system will continue to widen, with lifelong consequences for children, Rosenblum said.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

In Schenectady, it means the district is exploring a full virtual learning model for all students, a scenario that Acting Superintendent of Schools Aaron Bochniak conceded could lead to staff layoffs but would not "necessarily be in the everyone's best interest and most importantly the interest of students."

The pandemic has taken a significant toll on families of color: Across the state, Black and Latino communities are experiencing significantly higher rates of infection and life-threatening complications, according to data from the state Department of Health.

Students living in poverty also rely on school for access to food, social services, supplies and a quiet space to study.

With infection rates still hovering around 1 percent, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo earlier this month gave schools approval to reopen in September. Most districts are offering full-day classroom instruction for elementary school students while providing a hybrid of online and in-person courses for older grades. All coursework will be offered in online format for students who elect to stay home.

School districts also surveyed parents to gauge interest in school transportation. Districts found that roughly half of the families that selected the hybrid option said they would rely on buses for transportation.
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
Santa Barbara California, 2017. Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP

More than 1.1 million acres have been destroyed by wildfires in California, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The total acres burned is larger than the size of Rhode Island.

The state is also experiencing two of the three largest fires in its history.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Raging wildfires in California are consuming land at an alarming pace.

More than one million acres have burned across the state as of Monday. The two biggest fires: the SCU Lightning Complex fire and the LNU Lightning Complex fire, are tearing through five counties south of San Francisco and another five counties north of the city by the bay.

And as the flames sear the landscape, firefighting resources are stretched thin on every front. "Foundationally and fundamentally we're at a point every resource at our disposal, every resource that we have within the state, is being used," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a news conference on Monday.

Most of Northern California is still under a "red flag warning" until Tuesday morning.

Business Insider previously reported that at least seven people have died as a result of the fires.

The LNU Lightning Complex Fire is the second-largest in the state's history and has burned over 350,000 acres, injured two emergency workers and two civilians, destroyed at least 870 buildings, and damaged over 230 buildings, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The SCU Lightning Complex Fire began on August 18 and has grown to the third-largest in the state's history and has already destroyed nearly 350,000 acres.

Dry lightning strikes have sparked many of the wildfires burning throughout the state.

According to NPR, the wildfires have subjected over 250,000 people to evacuation orders and warnings.

"You could overlay half of one of these fires and it covers the entire city of San Francisco," Cal Fire spokesman Brice Bennett said according to NPR.

Read the original article on Insider
Kim Yo Jong could be North Koreas most tyrannical dictator yet if she succeeds her brother Kim Jong-Un and may prove a credible nuclear threat to the US, its claimed.

Thats the view of one diplomacy expert, amid speculation that power will pass to Yo-Jung following unconfirmed reports Jong-Un is in a coma.

Sung-Yoon Lee, a professor at Tufts Universitys Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, believes the reports about the secretive states leader have been exaggerated  but says it is clear that Yo-Jong is being groomed to take power.

And he predicts Jong-Uns younger sister will prove to be a cruel dictator.

The way for her to build up her credibility and net worth, that is, the way for her to get respect, is not to play nice but be a cruel dictator to her people and a credible nuclear threat to the US, he told the New York Post.

She may prove herself fiercer and more tyrannical than her brother, father, or grandfather.

He said if Yo-Jong does take power, she will need to be ruthless, particularly in the early years of her reign.

Retired US Army Colonel David Maxwell agreed with Mr Lees assertion.

Col Maxwell helped devise the Pentagons 1999 contingency plan with South Korea for the collapse of the Norths regime.

I havent seen any evidence, any indication of how she might rule, but my speculation  given the reputation and history of the family  is that she would rule with an iron fist, Col Maxwell said.

Jong-Un was expected to be more open with the outside world when he succeeded his father Kim Jong II in 2011.

While that has not proved the case, his sister is expected to take a more abrasive stance.

If she takes charge, her reign would likely be heralded by missile launches as a show of strength, according to Victor Cha, who was a director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council during the administration of former President George W. Bush.

He also predicted she would instigate a purge of government figures in order to install people loyal to herself, and would be a hard-liner with South Korea and the US.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
Check Presentation

L to R: Jo Anne Sanford, SECU Foundation Board Chair, presents ceremonial check to Alan Winstead, Meals on Wheels of Wake County Executive Director.

L to R: Jo Anne Sanford, SECU Foundation Board Chair, presents ceremonial check to Alan Winstead, Meals on Wheels of Wake County Executive Director.

RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the COVID-19 crisis continues to threaten the health and well-being of North Carolina senior citizens, SECU Foundation has provided an additional round of disaster relief assistance to Meals on Wheels North Carolina (MOWNC). A second $500,000 grant from the Foundation will both help the organization replace lost revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic and support the growing need for food deliveries to over 43,000 homebound senior adults through a network of programs in all 100 North Carolina counties.



SECU Foundation awarded a $500,000 relief grant to Meals on Wheels North Carolina in April 2020. This grant reduced the meal delivery waiting list, which was populated by 4,000 senior adults statewide, by 63%. According to Meals on Wheels North Carolina, over 1,400 individuals statewide remain on a waiting list for meal delivery service, and it is estimated that 400,000 senior adults in the state are food insecure.

The pandemic continues to spread disease and economic hardship, experienced by an increasing number of the people of North Carolina, observed Jo Anne Sanford, SECU Foundation Board Chair. SECU Foundation remains a dedicated supporter of a range of non-profits serving the most vulnerable citizens in our state. As resources are increasingly strained, we are here to help organizations like Meals on Wheels North Carolina persevere through this difficult time so they can focus on doing what they do best  providing vital food services to individuals and families facing financial challenges during this crisis.

Senior adults across the state continue to remain vulnerable to the consequences of COVID-19. Meals on Wheels programs statewide are experiencing increased requests for food and we support those programs in meeting their requests, said Alan Winstead, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels of Wake County. Continued support from the SECU Foundation greatly impacts Meals on Wheels of North Carolinas ability to help local programs provide nutritious meals and add new participants. We are very grateful for this substantial gift that benefits our senior neighbors across the state.

Story continues

About SECU and the SECU Foundation

A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 83 years. The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trust and estate planning services, and investments through its partners and affiliated entities. SECU serves over 2.5 million members through 270 branch offices, 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone, a website, www.ncsecu.org and a Mobile App. Members can also follow and subscribe to SECU on Facebook and YouTube. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of nearly $200 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide. In addition to the website, highlights are also available on the SECU Foundation Instagram page.

Contact: Jama Campbell, Executive Director

Office: 919-839-5562 | secufoundation@ncsecu.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ad6c5970-6682-45c1-9dab-cc342698313c




China has been giving experimental coronavirus vaccines to groups facing high infection risks since July, a health official told state media. No vaccine has yet passed final, large-scale trials to prove it is safe and effective enough to protect people from contracting the virus that has led to almost 800,000 deaths worldwide. The aim is to boost the immunity of specific groups of people, including medical workers and those who work at food markets and in the transportation and service sectors, Zheng Zhongwei, a National Health Commission official, told state TV in an interview aired ...
From the Boston Tea Party to Black Lives Matter, Stacker looks at some of the most famous American protests and how they impacted the United States.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu make joint statements during a news conference after a meeting in Jerusalem on Aug. 24, 2020. (Debbie Hill/Pool via Reuters)

Pompeo Reassures Netanyahu US Will Ensure Israels Military Advantage

The United States will ensure that Israel retains a military advantage in the Middle East under any future U.S. arms deals with the United Arab Emirates, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Aug. 24.

The United States has a legal requirement with respect to the qualitative military edge, Pompeo told reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We will continue to honor that.

Netanyahu said he had been reassured on the issue by Pompeo, who began a Middle East visit in Jerusalem that will showcase U.S. support for IsraeliArab peace efforts and building a front against Iran.

The United States stood by that commitment, and I have no doubt that it will continue to do so, Netanyahu said at the press briefing after the meeting with Pompeo.

A U.S.-brokered deal on normalizing relations between Israel and the UAE was announced on Aug. 13. But there has been some dissent in Israel over the prospect of the Gulf power now obtaining advanced U.S. weaponry, such as the F-35 warplane.

Speaking on CNN on Aug. 22, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner said the UAE had been trying to get the F-35 for a long time.

This new peace agreement should increase the probability of them getting it. But its something were reviewing, he said.

Pompeo said Washington for more than 20 years had provided the UAE with military support needed to stave off shared threats from Iranalso Israels arch-foe.

The United States will, however, review the arms sale to ensure that the U.S. commitment to Israel is preserved and its military relationship the UAE will secure and defend the country against Iran, Pompeo said, adding that both of these objectives can be achieved.

(LR, rear) Senior adviser Jared Kushner, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, national security adviser Robert OBrien, and others clap for President Donald Trump (L) after he announced an agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel to normalize diplomatic ties, at the White House on Aug. 13, 2020. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Netanyahu praised President Donald Trump and his administration for brokering the IsraeliUAE peace agreement and said the deal doesnt include any arms deal.

The agreement has been a boon to peace and to regional stability. I think it heralds a new era where we could have other nations join, Netanyahu said.

The Palestinians warned the Trump administration against trying to sideline them in the Middle East.

Recruiting Arabs to recognize Israel and open embassies does not make Israel a winner, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in an interview with Reuters. You are putting the whole region in a lose-lose situation because you are designing the road for a forever conflict in the region.

The IsraeliUAE peace agreement was announced on Aug.13 and has been applauded by world leaders.

Per a request from Trump, Israel has suspended declaring sovereignty over certain areas, including the West Bank, and has focused on expanding ties to other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.

After 49 years, Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalize their diplomatic relations, Trump said. They will exchange embassies and ambassadors, and begin cooperation across the board and on a broad range of areas, including tourism, education, health care, trade, and security.

William Wechsler, director at Washington-based think tank the Atlantic Council, said about the deal: It is a strategic victory for regional security as it increases the pressure on Iran and its proxies. Over the four decades since the revolution, the regime in Iran has been the greatest beneficiary of the structural disunity between all of those who are threatened by its malign behavior.

Tuqa Nusairat, deputy director at the Atlantic Council, said the deal provides no tangible benefit for Palestinians whose future and livelihoods continue to be negotiated and determined by external actors whose interests are diametrically opposed to the Palestinians.

What is being portrayed as a concession on Israels part, pulling back on Netanyahus plan to illegally annex parts of the West Bank, is a face-saving measure for all parties, Nusairat added.

After visiting Israel, Pompeo will travel to Sudan, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.

The U.S. commitment to peace, security, and stability in Israel, Sudan, and among Gulf countries has never been stronger than under President Trumps leadership, the spokesperson said.

Epoch Times reporter Zachary Stieber and Reuters contributed to this report.
Health Ministry has confirmed that India is in conversation with Russia over the COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V which was earlier launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Reuters

"As far as Sputnik V vaccine is concerned, India and Russia are in communication. Some initial information has been shared," said said Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Union Health Ministry.

Russia had recently registered "world's first COVID-19 vaccine" and is now in the phase III trial of the vaccine, which involved more than 40,000 people at more than 45 medical centres around Russia, the TASS news agency reported earlier.

Kirill Dmitriev/Reuters

The RIA news agency cited Russian Industry Minister Denis Manturov as saying that Russia is planning to produce between 1.5 million and 2 million doses per month of its potential coronavirus vaccine by the year end, adding that the country will gradually ramp up its production to six million doses a month.

Sputnik V, an adenovirus vector-based vaccine, was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology & Microbiology along with Russian Direct Investment Fund&was registered on Aug 11.Talks are underway between India & Russia for collaboration on the vaccine. pic.twitter.com/DFY2Liitjc  IANS Tweets (@ians_india) August 25, 2020

Earlier, reports stated that Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund that is funding the Russian coronavirus vaccine programme, is now keen on producing their candidate Sputnik V in India.

Dmitriev told India Today that India has the manufacturing capability to mass produce the COVID vaccine and hence Russia is interested in bringing India on board as a production partner.

Dmitriev said several nations are interested in the production of the vaccine from countries in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

"The production of the vaccine is a very important issue. Currently, we are looking for a partnership with India. We believe that they are capable of producing the Gamaleya vaccine and it is very important to say that those partnerships to produce the vaccine will enable us to cover the demand that we have," he said.

Also Read: Amid Fear Of Moving Too Fast, Russia Produces First Batch Of COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V



Dubbed as Sputnik V, the vaccine is developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian defence ministry. Russia registered the vaccine after less than two months of human testing. The results of initial trials have not been made public yet.

Disclaimer: While there have been several different types of treatments being given to COVID-19 patients across the world, there isnt any one drug that has worked as a sure-shot treatment yet. Dont self medicate/stock up and always consult your doctor/medical health professional.


Amid ongoing strikes and protests, the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, who claims to have won the August 9 presidential elections with 80 percent of the votes, has threatened an all-out military crackdown on protesters.

On Sunday, mass protests again took place in several cities. In Minsk, protests were said to be about as large as the Sunday before, when an estimated 100,000 protesters were out in the streets. In Grodno, a city in the west of the country, about 20,000 people demonstrated against Lukashenko, demanding that he resign. The Grodno region, along with Minsk, has been the main center of the strike movement that has swept the country for two weeks now.

Protesters called for new elections, and many chanted slogans in support of striking miners in Soligorsk and tractor factory workers in Minsk. There was a heavy police and military presence during the protest in Minsk, with soldiers surrounding World War II monuments in the city center. The Ministry of Defense had earlier published a statement strictly warning that In case of disruption of the order and peace in these placesyou will have to deal not with the police but with the Army. The Ministry of Defense also denounced protesters as fascists.

Protests in Minsk on August 16

After the protest ended, extraordinary scenes showed Lukashenko flying over the empty streets of Minsk, saying theyve dispersed like rats. He descended from the helicopter at the presidential residence with an automatic rifle in hand, and was cheered by heavily armed security personnel.

The mass rallies and strikes were triggered by the initial brutal response by the regime to protests against the election results on August 9 and 10. Over 7,000 people were arrested in the first week of the demonstrations, and 80 people are still unaccounted for. There have been reports of torture and the rape of prisoners with objects, leaving women unable to bear children. As mass protests and strikes continued to grow, the regime initially toned down its use of violence against the protesters. However, now it has decided to go into a full-blown confrontation against demonstrators, and especially striking workers.

On Monday, the leader of a strike committee in Soligorsk, where thousands of potash miners have been on strike since August 11, was arrested. Two members of the oppositions Coordination Council, including Olga Kovalkova, the representative of opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, were also arrested on Monday morning by police while they were trying to talk to striking workers at the Minsk Tractor Factory.

Above all, the regime has escalated its crackdown on striking workers, who have been threatened with layoffs, and have been paid no wages. On Monday, Lukashenko declared that all state-owned enterprises where strikes are taking place should shut down, and then decide whom they want to hire again.

Lukashenko had earlier also threatened to bring in miners from the Ukrainian Donbass to replace striking miners in Soligorsk. There were reports of Russian workers being driven into Belarus to replace striking workers. While no concrete new numbers of strikes and striking workers have been reported in the press, the website belzabastovka.org indicates that there are still 150 strikes going on in the country.

The German financial newspaper Handelsblatt noted yesterday that the Belarusian economy is on the brink of collapse because of the strike movement. The state-owned companies where workers are on strike, according to the Handelsblatt, accounted for $10 billion out of a GDP of less than $60 billion. Lukashenkos economic adviser stated that billions of dollars had already been lost to the strikes. The Belarusian ruble, the Handelsblatt noted, has been in free fall since the beginning of the protests.

There is no question that enormous social and economic discontent, along with opposition to the authoritarian regime in Belarus, are major driving factors behind the ongoing protests and strikes. Workers in Belarus enjoy close to no labor rights. Companies can fire their entire workforces with just seven-days notice, and the vast majority of labor contracts are temporary. The average monthly wage in 2019 was just $500.

This brutal repression and exploitation of the working class has been enabled by the state-sanctioned unions, which have implemented a brutal regime of surveillance and terror in workplaces. The rival so-called independent unions, which now posture as defenders of the rights of workers, in fact supported the restoration of capitalism, which has created the conditions for the Lukashenko regime to emerge. They now support the pro-EU opposition and have ties to various international union organizations, including the AFL-CIO, which functions as an arm of US imperialism both at home and abroad.

The crackdown by the Lukashenko regime on the strike movement is being facilitated by the right-wing politics of the opposition and the unions. Leading opposition figures are associated with the restoration of capitalism in Belarus and the destruction of the USSR. No less than the Lukashenko regime, they are opponents of the social and democratic rights of the working class, and are, above all, concerned with bringing the strike movement to an end.

While declaring no desire to break ties with Russia, the opposition under Tikhanovskaya is oriented toward closer cooperation with the EU and NATO. Several opposition leaders are notorious Belarusian nationalists who seek to end the status of Russian as an official language in the country.

Last week, an extraordinary EU summit called upon the Lukashenko regime to initiate negotiations with the oppositions Coordination Council. The EU is not recognizing the August 9 elections. This weekend, US Under Secretary of State Stephen Biegun initiated Washingtons first direct discussions with Tikhanovskaya in Lithuania.

Tikhanovskaya later declared that she was grateful to the US for their support for the Belarusian people. According to the Russian Gazeta.Ru, this meeting was the first official contact between the State Department and the opposition leader since the mass protests in Belarus began. Biegun is now traveling on to Moscow and Kiev to discuss the crisis in Belarus with the Russian and Ukrainian governments.

Last Thursday, another opposition leader, Valery Tsepkalo, had stated that he was trying to get the West to recognize Tikhanovskaya as the president of Belarus. He pointed to Venezuela, where the Trump administration has unsuccessfully been trying to topple the government of Nicolas Maduro through right-wing forces around Juan Guaido, and said, such a precedent has been created and its, in principle, possible to do the same thing [in Belarus].

Amid ongoing negotiations with the EU and the US, the opposition has been thrown into a profound crisis by the escalating strikes and protests. Even as she is calling for new elections and insisting on negotiations with the Lukashenko regime, and after weeks in which the opposition declared her the winner of the last election, Tikhanovskaya herself declared this weekend that neither she nor her husband, a jailed opposition blogger, would run in a new presidential election. The opposition has yet to nominate a presidential candidate.

In response to the ever more open backing by the EU and NATO for the opposition, the Kremlin has moved closer to supporting Lukashenko, and especially his repression of the strike movement. The Kremlin has refused so far to enter into negotiations with the oppositions Coordination Council and has denounced the interference of foreign powers in the Belarus crisis.

The strike movement in Belarus has demonstrated the enormous social and political power of the working class. However, workers are faced with an extraordinarily dangerous situation. A way forward can only be found through a complete break with all factions of the capitalist class and the trade unions, and a turn to socialist and internationalist politics on the basis of the lessons of the struggle by the Trotskyist movement against Stalinism.
The scene at 10, Janpath as the Congress Working Committee (CWC) e-meeting on the partys leadership crisis got underway was deja vu all over again. The traditional drama unfolded: inside, Congress leaders urged Sonia Gandhi to continue as president while outside, party workers raised reverential slogans.

The CWC meeting predictably proceeded along placatory and exculpatory lines. Sonia initially was firm on quitting and the leaders, put on the defensive from the word go, were reduced to abject pleading and protestations of loyalty, until she magnanimously agreed to hang on.

Ironically, the crisis erupted precisely because the standard trope of a Congress orphaned without a Nehru-Gandhi at its head is getting old. The party is pretty much orphaned already; it has shrunk but the distance between 10, Janpath and the grassroots worker has not. As Neeraj Sharma, Congress MLA from Haryana (who ran a one-man campaign against Covid-related layoffs) pointed out: The Congress has less than 600 MLAs. It would have been good if the high command had reached out to us during the last few months.

Similar concerns were reflected in the letter written by 23 party leaders to Sonia, proposing a revamp of the Congress. Although several of them transparently had their own axe to grind, the letter, by acknowledging the desperate straits in which the party finds itself, reflected the views of the rank-and-file, hundreds of whom have reportedly endorsed it.

The merits of the suggestions contained in the letter are irrelevant; the very fact that it sought full-time leadership and a measure of internal democracy is seen as lese-majeste, a direct challenge to the family.

Expectedly, family loyalists who are currently well-placed in the party closed ranks around the Nehru-Gandhis. On the eve of the CWC, calls were made to MPs and office-bearers, directing them to dispatch letters declaring undying loyalty to the Nehru-Gandhis. It is the usual nautanki, some leaders showing they are more loyal than the king, said one such office-bearer dismissively.

It is the same tired script. The favoris du roi (favourites of the king) are challenged by leaders who feel marginalised and this is seen as throwing down the gauntlet to the family, which then takes the high moral ground by threatening to efface themselves. The leaders prostrate themselves and the outcome strengthens the dynasty, but weakens the party.

In 1999, party workers threatened self-immolation unless Sonia Gandhi agreed to continue as the party president. In 2004, an MP swore he would blow his brains out if she did not become prime minister. More recently, in 2019, a worker warned he would hang himself after Rahul Gandhi quit as president.

Every time the slightest shadow of criticism touches the Nehru-Gandhis, their foot soldiers stage a show of loyalty. Self-declared Priyanka supporter Jagdish Sharma (a former aide of Robert Vadra) is often at the forefront of such protests.

The fact that the abject dependence of the Congress on the family is inversely proportional to its support base seems counter-intuitive. But as long as internal political rivalries fester, the Nehru-Gandhis (or their nominees) will remain at the helm.

The current challenge to the dynasty was a long time coming  the rumbling within had been getting progressively louder as the family turned a deaf ear to repeated pleas for organisational revamp and the partys torpor  other than the occasional tweet  became unbearable.

The Delhi assembly elections were a reality check, proving once and for all that it is the regional forces which stand to benefit from the BJPs mistakes and not the Congress. The migrant crisis offered an opportunity for revival, but the Congress failed to react and it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who provided an object lesson in making political capital from catastrophe.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, who held the partys veterans rather than his flawed political strategy responsible for the 2019 debacle, stubbornly clung to the same strategy. A sense of frustration grew and Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha stuck his neck out. Predictably, it was chopped off. Then, it was the turn of Ghulam Nabi Azad & Co.

As usual, instead of change, the Congress has opted for continuity. The Nehru-Gandhis may no longer have the ability to enthuse electorates or the moral authority to discipline fractious state satraps and dynasty may have become a liability, but they remain the sine qua non for keeping the party together  and they know it.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On Aug 26, 2020, the international women's organization, GoTopless, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Women's Equality Day in a historical public zoom conference that will gather lawyers, activists, sexologists, and artists to discuss TOPLESS EQUALITY in 2020.

"The 19th amendment may have been ratified 100 years ago on the grounds of gender equality, but this simple constitutional principle is bizarrely not applied to the human nipple," said Nadine Gary, GoTopless President.

Three lawyers who defended GoTopless and Free The Nipple activists have been invited to the GoTopless conference to shed light on this legal incongruence. Joel Flaxman and Dan Hynes will explain why the judges ruled against topless equality in their court cases while attorney Andy Mc Nulty will reflect on his legal victory that prompted 6 states to become legally topless (UT, NM, WY, OK, KS, CO).

"How can topless gender equality still receive opposite legal outcomes from one state to the next, when Gender Equality is a basic constitutional concept today?" asks Gary "we look forward to finding out from these law professionals."

"As long as men are allowed to be topless in public, women should have the same constitutional right. Or else, men should have to wear something to hide their chests," said Rael, founder of GoTopless.org and spiritual leader of the Raelian Movement.

The Raelian philosophy fundamentally supports equal topless rights because it prones the awakening of the mind through the awakening of the body, and vice versa, to produce balanced, peaceful and fulfilled individuals.

"When women and girls are forced to cover their chest in public, their mind and intellectual potential become restricted like tying up a pianist's fingers," explained Gary. " But here it's worse because guilt and shame further damage self esteem compounded by the fact that they see men and boys exempt from the rule.

Dr. Patti Britton, Clinical sexologist and another guest speaker at the conference, will explain the importance of "Depathologizing toplessness" in an attempt to bring sense back into the irrational and puritanical debate over the female breast in public.

Author Grieg Pedersen (The Empire Has No Clothes) will share his experience as a nudist and will relate it to women's challenge in going topless in public, while artist Bryan Crowson will speak about creating bold nude art in the deep South.

SOURCE GoTopless
"IF a farm was going downhill, what are the things you would notice?," UCD researcher Louise Burns asked a number of farmers as part of a wider land-use study she was working on.

Struck by the response which emphasised traditional concepts of tidy and good farming, Louise decided to write a separate paper examining the concept of the 'tidy farmer' in Ireland and how this may affect the uptake of agrienvironmental schemes.

In the coming years, billions is set to be invested by the State and the EU to improve Irish agriculture's environmental performance. Meanwhile, concerns are starting to be raised that millions could be wasted if farmers decide the schemes are too onerous and don't tie into their view of good farming.

The concept of tidy farming being inextricably linked with being a good farmer is not new.

Research confirming farmers' preferences for tidy farmed land has been carried out in many countries, including the United States, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Australia, Sweden, Finland and France.

Irish farmers are no different. The importance of 'keeping the place tidy' is culturally ingrained in the mindset of many Irish farmers and those that don't maintain these standards lose the status of 'good farmer' in the eyes of their peers.

With Irish agriculture facing unprecedented pressure to make radical changes to improve its environmental credentials, Louise Burns research is timely as we all may now need to re-imagine good farming practice.

Many of the radical changes proposed by Government and environmental NGOs go very much against the grain of the tidy farmer mentality.

Visual impact

The visual impact alone of proposed actions such as re-wetting peatlands, not cutting hedges, introducing mixed-species grass swards, and reducing pesticides and fertiliser use would for many if not most farmers be inconsistent with traditional good farming practice.

Evidence of the challenge facing farmers and policymakers addressing this mindset is clear in Burnss research.

'Untidy' features that were frequently mentioned by the farmers included untrimmed/unkempt hedges and weeds on the land. In addition, many farmers, particularly in the west, mentioned the importance of well-drained fields and an adequate application of fertiliser.

Much of the pressure on farmers to 'keep the place looking tidy' comes from their peers, says Burns.

"Farmers don't look at the size of people's farms and judge them, but they are interested in how tidy they are, she says. They are also not really interested in how much money people are making out of their farm. It's all about how their peers farm practices.

She emphasises the importance of dialogue with farmers over how they will adapt to the environmental actions that need to be taken on farms.

"It is important that policymakers actually go out and talk to farmers and find out what really matters to them, she says.

Many of the farmers who responded to her study said their opinions are not taken into account and measures are imposed on them from the outside.

"There is a feeling that people don't appreciate their experiences and understanding of the land.

She says dialogue between policy-makers and farmers is all the more important because the environmental measures being proposed are quite transformational.

"Farmers cannot continue to practice as they are now and not thinking about biodiversity, not thinking about mitigating against climate change. These things are coming anyway. Everyone is vulnerable. Everyone is going to have to adapt," she says.

We need to be able to talk to each other about this. People need to sit and get each others point of view. It's going to be uncomfortable.

REPS and GLAS

Agri-environmental schemes to date have been met with mixed reviews both from farmers and environmental bodies.

In general, farmers were satisfied with the original REPS schemes and the financial rewards which made participation worthwhile.

However, many environmental groups argued that REPS delivered negligible environmental benefits and, in particular, failed to halt the biodiversity decline.

And while the GLAS/AEOS scheme which succeeded REPS had a high participation rate, they have been far from popular with farmers.

The maximum 5,000 payment available to most farmers in GLAS is seen as too low when weighed against the more complex measures in the scheme. Further, many of the key measures such as traditional hay meadow and low and wild bird cover are perceived by many to run contrary to good farming practice.

This in large part explains the low uptake of the scheme among dairy farmers (13pc), farmers in the south-east (20pc) and farms of over 100 hectares (27pc).

Meanwhile, environmental groups insist that the funding for the newer agri-environmental schemes are inadequate for the actions they say are needed at farm level.

With billions earmarked for such schemes in the coming years, policymakers face a clear challenge:

They can create radical environmental schemes which challenge the 'tidy' farmer mentality and risk very low take-up or create simpler and much less onerous schemes which will be popular with farmers but deliver a lower return on environmental targets.

Squaring this circle will be no mean feat.




The number of tourist vehicles travelling into Dublin Port more than trebled between May and July, figures provided to the Irish Independent show.

Passenger numbers have been creeping up on routes from Britain to Ireland despite travel restrictions due to Covid-19.

Dublin Port saw the total number of passengers - including heavy-goods vehicles - increase from 38,465 in May to 83,938 in July.

While not all of these passengers would have been tourists, there has also been an increase in the number of tourist vehicles arriving here.

A total of 23,972 tourist vehicles arrived at the port in July, compared to just 7,165 in May.

Meanwhile, a senior source said many people are opting to travel into Belfast instead of Dublin because there are fewer restrictions.

A spokesperson for Belfast Harbour said 110,000 passengers arrived there in July, compared to just 32,000 in May.

However, the spokesperson added that this was not all tourist traffic, and just the volume of people coming into the harbour.

Stena Line has had to temporarily move its new ferry 'Estrid' off the Dublin to Holyhead route to cover its Belfast to Cairnryan route due to demand.

The company carried out a survey of 84,000 passengers and found the primary destination that people in Ireland want to travel to is Britain, and vice versa.

However, the main reason cited was to visit friends and family. "This contradicts the Government's fears that people just want to take off on their holidays," a Stena Line spokesperson said.

"After the long lockdown, they just want to see their friends and family."

The Department of Transport said all overseas passengers (except essential workers) arriving into Ireland, whether by air or sea, are legally required to complete a passenger-locator form.

Since July 8, people arriving here were asked to "restrict movements", as opposed to self-isolate, which has led to some confusion.

It is the law for the passenger locator form to be filled in, but rules on movement are just a Government recommendation and not the law.
By PTI

AURANGABAD: Over 1,600 Ganesh mandals in Maharashtra's Parbhani district have not installed idols of the deity during the Ganpati festival this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This has been done to avoid crowds and to check the spread of the viral infection in the district, Collector Deepak Muglikar told PTI on Monday.

Last year, 1,680 Ganesh mandals registered with the district administration for conducting the celebration.

This year, none of them installed the Ganesh idol, he said.

The 10-day Ganesh festival this year began on Saturday under the shadow of coronavirus.

"We had appealed to people to help the administration in curtailing the Ganesh festival celebration this year.

As a result, there has been no public installation of Ganesh idols in Parbhani," the collector said.

In Aurangabad also, the festival celebration has been subdued in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, 1,524 mandals registered for the celebration in Aurangabad's rural areas and 522 of them implemented the concept of 'one village one Ganesh' (collective celebration of the festival).

This year, the number of mandals which installed the Ganesh idols has come down to 446.

Out of these, 208 have implemented the 'one village one Ganesh concept, Superintendent of Police Mokshada Patil said in a release.

Celebrations are low-key this year and contributions from businessmen and shopkeepers have also reduced, Aurangabad Ganesh Mahasangh president Kishor Tulsibagwale said.
Ryanair has said it will hold its annual general meeting (AGM) of shareholders on September 17, unless fresh Covid-19 restrictions interfere with the plan.

In a notice to the stock market, the airline said its AGM will be held in the City North Hotel and Conference Centre, Gormanston, Co Meath, on Thursday, September 17.

However, shareholders were warned that the numbers who will be able attend in person will be restricted and are encouraged to instead submit forms of proxy to ensure they can vote without being physically present.

"There will be limited ability to facilitate attendance in person, the AGM will be as brief as possible, observing social distancing measures. The venue will be vacated promptly after the AGM and refreshments will not be provided," the company said.

Shareholders were also warned that if it is not possible to hold the AGM in compliance with public health guidelines or applicable law the event may be adjourned or postponed.

The documents circulated ahead of the planned AGM reiterate the airline's warning of the risk of a hard Brexit.

"In light of ongoing uncertainty about the negotiation of the future trading relationship between the EU and the UK, we continue to plan for a 'hard' Brexit to occur on December 31, 2020," the airline said.

If that happens, Ryanair has previously warned that UK-based shareholders will lose their voting rights in the company and would in future only be able to sell their shares to EU nationals.

The motions to be voted on at the meeting include the re-election of directors, approval of the annual report, executive pay, as well as motions giving the board flexibility to potentially issue new shares or buy back existing shares.

The agm itself comes against a bruisingly difficult trading environment for Ryanair. Its most recent financial results recorded an after-tax loss of 185m for the three months to June 30 - the worst ever loss suffered by the airline in the early summer quarter.

At the time, CEO Michael O'Leary warned the company could not provide guidance on anticipated profit for the rest of the financial year, which runs until March 2021.

"A second wave of Covid-19 cases across Europe in late autumn [when the annual flu season commences] is our biggest fear right now," he said.

Ryanair has increased flights to around 60pc of its normal European schedule since July, but the return of operations and of passenger numbers has been complicated by changing travel guidance in particular markets and ongoing advice to most people not to travel from the Irish Government - which remains an important market for the airline.

"Stansted [London] is running probably 50pc of its normal capacity. Most of the Italian airports are running at about 70pc of their normal capacity. Dublin Airport is running at about 10pc of its normal capacity. Cork and Shannon are even worse," Mr O'Leary told the Irish Independent last week.
Solar panelson the rooftop at AGL's Docklands office in Melbourne, Australia, on Aug. 20, 2015. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Aussie Solar Industry to be Reviewed for Bad Practices

Energy Minister Angus Taylor has launched a two-month inquiry into the integrity of the rooftop solar industry.

The Department of Energy and Emissions investigation will also involve the Clean Energy Regulator while focusing on the solar accreditation processes, the integrity of installers, financing practices, and unaccredited operators in the market.

Taylor told AAP on Aug. 25 that the investigation came after integrity issues were raised in a range of recent reports of the rooftop solar sector.

Australians are world leaders in the uptake of rooftop PV, shown by the uninterrupted strong growth in rooftop solar, Taylor said.

Protecting the integrity of a system that has such a wide-ranging impact on Australian households and businesses is a top priority.

Confirming the news, the peak body for clean energy in Australia, the Clean Energy Council, said in a media statement on Aug. 25 that it welcomed any genuine review into the regulations and oversight in the Australian solar industry.

But the council noted it was worried the move could be politically motivated.

The Clean Energy Council would be deeply concerned if this became politicised as was the case in 2015 when the Abbott Government initiated a review of the solar industry as part of its campaign to reduce support for renewable energy, the statement read.

Taylors office has said that the inquiry is not about attacking renewables but is an effort to ensure public confidence in the industry after reports of defective installations, non-compliance, and hardball selling tactics.

The Clean Energy Council stated in its media statement that it was driving stricter standards for solar panels and inverters, increased training and support for installers and clamping down on poor behaviour from retailers.

We are confident that this means the vast majority of solar customers get a good quality solar system that is safely installed, the statement read.

However, not everyone agrees with the Clean Energy Councils assessment of the industry.

Industry expert Finn Peacock from the SolarQuotes Blog, and author of The Good Solar Guide, told The Epoch Times on Aug. 25 that the industry does have a problem with substandard installation and safety.

Peacock explained that not all solar installation companies are the same, and often those with the cheapest rates are employing lowly-paid sub-contractors who are in a rush to get the job done.

This is a cut-throat industry with many firms competing to be the lowest-priced, he said.

The result is that mistakes get made. I have been told about examples where subcontractors have been so rushed they installed systems on the wrong houses. Not apartments or neighbouring homes, but the wrong house entirely, Peacock said.

My fear is though that any solutions found by the government will be a long list of regulations and will miss the obvious solutions, he noted.

Peacock identified one of the most significant failings in the industry to be the lack of mandated inspections on the solar panels.

Australia has really good regulations around electrical work and consumer laws, Peacock argued.

He believed a rigorous independent inspection routine would alleviate most of the issues around sub-standard solar installations.
The serious issues and concerns raised in a letter by a galaxy of senior Congress leaders, including several former Union ministers and former CMs, to Mrs Sonia Gandhi earlier this month are far-reaching, and how the party handles it will be crucial not only to its own future but to the state of our polity.

While Mrs Gandhi was quick to call a meeting of the CWC to discuss the matter on Monday, the questions it raised are too wide-ranging to be resolved at one meeting.

The letter flagged the sense of drift in the party that many raised of late, and sought a full-time and effective leadership that will be visible and active.

To an extent this could be seen as criticism of Mrs Gandhis stewardship for the past 12 months as interim president. But it would be wrong to regard her as its target -- Mrs Gandhi is hugely respected by all sections of the Congress -- and the letters primary aim might have been to deter any attempt to reinstall her son Rahul as Congress president, interim or otherwise.

Mr Gandhis two-year term as chief wasnt a great success, though he did lead it to a string of Assembly victories, before presiding over the Congress second successive Lok Sabha debacle in mid-2019, after which he swiftly resigned.

Many Congressmen are unhappy that though not having any formal role, he plays an active role behind the scenes and takes decisions that create confusion. Many are upset that he doesnt listen to them or they dont have any access to him.

Its undeniable that the Gandhis  Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka -- are the Congress only nationally recognisable figures. All others are identified with a state or region.

That gives them a unique standing. But that said, the Congress must also accept that if the Gandhis  for whatever reason  want to pass on the mantle, Indias only national Opposition party must make other arrangements.

If it showed wisdom, it would be a huge mistake to treat the letters signatories as dissenters or rebels -- let alone accuse them of playing the BJPs game. Most have served the Congress for decades, many all their lives.

It would do well to treat the letter as a wake-up call, on how to revitalise Indias grand old party so it can take on the BJP as well as several regional rivals.

Six years after it lost power to the Narendra Modi-led BJP, and again last year, the Congress failed to make any honest introspection on the reasons for successive defeats.

Any problem cannot be tackled until one acknowledges it in the first place, but the Congress prefers to brush all inconvenient truths under the carpet. That is no solution. In any democracy, dissent, discussion and debate only strengthens a party, not weakens it.

Congress leaders could look towards Americas Democratic Party, for instance, on how widely divergent views, freely expressed, built a stronger organisation to focus on the removal of Donald Trump.

In India, the issues are many  the governments handling of the economy, the pandemic, the Chinese intrusion, what stand to take on the Ram Mandir  which the party should discuss in depth before taking on the BJP.

A stronger Congress means a stronger Opposition, which is vitally needed in India so that a government with a sweeping parliamentary majority can be kept in check.
Regulatory dispensations that the pandemic has necessitated in terms of the moratorium on loan instalments, deferment of interest payments and restructuring may have implications for the financial health of banks, unless they are closely monitored and judiciously used, the RBI said in its annual report today.

Although gross and net non-performing asset ratios had come down in March 2020 along with receding slippage ratios, the economic fallout of the pandemic is likely to test this resilience, especially since the regulatory accommodations announced in the wake of the outbreak have masked the consequent build-up of stress, said the RBI in its 2019-20 annual report today.

Beginning March, the RBI had announced several measures to help the COVID-19-hit economy. This include a six months moratorium on loans and a one-time loan restructuring of loans impacted by COVID-19. These measures have averted a big spike in NPAs (non performing assets) for now.

The RBI, citing the macro stress tests reported in the July 2020 Financial Stability Report, said the NPAs may surge 1.5 times above their March 2020 levels under the baseline scenario and by 1.7 times in a very severely stressed scenario. The system level CRAR can drop to 13.3 per cent in March 2021 from its March 2020 level under the baseline scenario and to 11.8 per cent under the very severe stress scenario, the RBI said.

In the backdrop of likely asset quality pressures on Indian banks, recapitalisation of public sector banks is key, the RBI said.Recapitalisation plan for public and private sector banks assumes

critical importance. The minimum capital requirements, which are calibrated on the basis of historical loss events, may no longer suffice to absorb post-pandemic losses, the RBI said.

Recently, the Reserve Bank has already advised banks and NBFCs to carry out COVID-19 stress tests and take necessary remedial measures proactively.

The ability to raise capital as well as build resilience to ensure financial stability in anticipation of more frequent, varied and bigger risk events than in the past shall be contingent on the governance standards in banks, particularly on strength of risk governance framework, the RBI said.RBI governor, Shaktikanta Das had recently asked banks to prepare for the Covid shock by enhancing their capital strength. A series of banks had recently raised capital from the market to guard against the bad loan shock.
The findings shed light on a persistent riddle of a global pandemic in which a weakened economy has somehow spared most U.S. families from the worst of the financial toll. Just 37% call the national economy good, down from 67% in January. But at the same time, 63% describe their personal financial situation as good, largely in line with what it was before the pandemic began more than six months ago.
The race for a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is well underway. Its tempting to assume that once the first vaccine is approved for human use, all the problems of this pandemic will be immediately solved. Unfortunately, that is not exactly the case.

Developing a new vaccine is only the first part of the complex journey thats supposed to end with a return to some sort of normal life. Producing hundreds of millions of vaccines for the U. S.  and billions for the world as a whole  will be no small feat. There are many technical and economic challenges that will need to be ...
New Delhi/Jammu, Aug 25 : The chief of Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad, Maulana Masood Azhar, along with his brothers Abdul Rauf Asghar and Ammar Alvi, was continuously giving directions and guidance to the Pakistani JeM terrorists who had infiltrated into India using Pakistani SIM cards and WhatsApp calls and messages, both before and after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF troopers were killed.

The Pakistani SIM cards were even active after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack.

The NIA also intercepted the WhatsApp messages and the photographs shared with their handlers in Pakistan.

The National Investigation Agency's (NIA) chargesheet also alleged that the JeM had initially planned the attack for February 6, 2019, but due to heavy snowfall and closure of the highway, the attack was deferred to February 14. These revelations were made in the 13,800-page chargesheet filed by the NIA in a special NIA court in Jammu on Tuesday against 19 people, including the attack mastermind - the slain Mohammad Umar Farooq, son of IC 814 hijacking conspirator Ibrahim Athar.

A top NIA official related to the probe told IANS: "Azhar and his brothers were in constant touch with Farooq and other Pakistani nationals through Pakistani SIM cards. These SIMs were active even after the Pulwama terror attack." The official said that the anti-terror probe agency also recovered the WhatsApp messages, calls and messages sent through other secure messaging applications.

This is for the first time that the agency has revealed images of the IEDs used in the blast and the pictures of all the accused which were shared with their handlers in Pakistan.

An NIA source said that it also got the assistance from the FBI to crack the WhatsApp calls and messages and other messages shared on other secure messaging platforms.

The NIA in its chargesheet also named suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar, his aide Sameer Dar, Shakir Bashir, father-daughter duo of Peer Tariq Ahmed Shah and Insha Jan and, Waiz-ul-Islam, Mohammad Abbas Rather, Bilal Ahmed Kuchhey, Mohammad Iqbal Rather, Ashaq Ahmed Nengroo and Mohammad Ismail alias Saiffudin, a Pakistani national and IED expert.

Besides the suicide bomber, the chargesheet also includes the names of five other accused who were killed by security forces, of which three were Pakistani nationals.Besides Farooq, the slain Pakistani nationals include Mohammad Kamran, one of the IED experts, who was killed in a brief encounter with Indian security forces in March last year while Qari Ansari was killed in another encounter.

The slain Indian nationals named in the chargesheet are suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar while the others are Sajjad Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Anantnag and Mudasir Ahmad Khan, a resident of Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir.

The chargesheet has been filed in the Jammu court along with the pictures and digital evidence of the Pulwama terror attack under several sections of the IPC, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Foreigners Act of Jammu & Kashmir.

An NIA spokesperson said: "During investigation it has been revealed that the Pakistan-based JeM leadership consisting of Masood Azhar, Asghar and Alvi were continuously giving directions and guidance to the Pakistani JeM terrorists, who had infiltrated into India, both before and after the attack." The official said that they had also planned to carry out another suicide attack which was averted due to the Balakot airstrikes by the Indian Air Force and due to the killing of the main conspirator Farooq by security forces.

"Further, due to international pressure, Pakistan lay low," the official said.

The NIA alleged that during investigation it was revealed that there was a "well-crafted mechanism" by the Pakistani establishment to push terrorists into Indian territory from the launch pads located in Pakistan's Shakargarh opposite Samba-Kathua sector in Jammu.

The official further said that the Pulwama attack was a result of a "well-planned criminal conspiracy" hatched by the Pakistan-based leadership of JeM.

"The JeM leaders have been sending their cadres to terrorist training camps of Al-Qaeda-Taliban-JeM and Haqqani-JeM in Afghanistan for receiving training in explosives and other terrorist tactics," the chargesheet alleged.

The chargesheet said that the main accused Farooq, son of IC 814 hijacking conspirator Ibrahim Athar, also visited Afghanistan for explosives training in 2016-17.

"In lieu of the lives of the 155 passengers, Azhar was released from an Indian prison," the official said referring to the 1999 hijack of the Indian Airlines jetliner.

The NIA said that Farooq infiltrated into India through the International Border in Jammu-Samba Sector in April, 2018 and took over as JeM commander of Pulwama in J&K.

"Farooq along with his Pakistani compatriots Kamran, Ismail (both IED experts) and Qari Yasir and local associates Sameer and Adil planned and prepared for the attack on security forces using IEDs," the official said.

He said that Bashir, the father-daughter duo of Peer Tariq Ahmad Shah and Insha Jan, and Bilal Ahmad Kuchey provided all logistics and harboured the JeM terrorists in their houses.

The NIA official said that in the first week of February 2019, Farooq, Sameer, Adil and Bashir made the IED using RDX, calcium-ammonium nitrate, gelatin sticks and aluminium powder and assembled it in two containers, one weighing around 160 kgs and the second one weighing around 40 kgs.

"The two IED containers were fitted in a Maruti Eeco car and were ready by the morning of February 6, 2019. However, because of heavy snowfall, the National Highway was closed for vehicular movement," the NIA said in its chargesheet.

"When the national highway reopened on February 14, Bashir drove Adil on the highway. Adil then took charge of the vehicle and drove on further and carried out the suicide attack by ramming the car laden with 200 kgs of high-grade explosives into a bus of the CRPF convoy," the NIA official said.He said that the chargesheet is the result of painstaking investigation in the last one-and-a-half year.

"A lot of digital, forensic, documentary and oral evidence establishing a fool-proof case against the accused for this dastardly and barbaric attack has been collected," the official said. He said that the chargesheet has brought on record the all-out involvement of Pakistan-based entities in carrying out terrorist strikes in India and inciting and provoking Kashmiri youth.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers this afternoon. High around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 34F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Actor Sushant Singh Rajputs flatmate and friend Siddharth Pithani has narrated the chain of events leading up to the actors death on June 14, in his statement to the Central Bureau of Investigation, which has been accessed by ABP News. In his statement, Siddharth recalled having a conversation about Sushants finances with him, and said that in the days leading up to his death, Sushants behaviour had changed drastically.

He said that Sushant moved from his old apartment into the new one in 2019, because he felt that the old house was haunted. His girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik also claimed to have felt such things. Siddharth said that from June to September 2019, Sushant began spending more time with Rhea, and wasnt as focussed on his work. Siddharth said he had to move to Ahmedabad for some family reasons and started a new job.

Also read: Rhea Chakrabortys friends defend her against Sushant Singh Rajput abetment allegations, say she gave up film offers to take care of him

In January, he was called back by Sushant, who told Siddharth that he wanted to quit acting. When I reached Sushants bedroom, Sushant started hugging me and crying. While crying, he told me that he is going to sell everything in the house and stay at his Pavna farm. Sushant also wanted to keep a track of his expenses. Siddharth said that Sushants house manager Samuel Miranda told him that Rhea used to make purchases with Sushants credit card.

A few days later Rhea returned to Sushants house. At this time Rhea told me that from now on, I and she and Dipesh will take care of Sushant together, he said. In January, he took a trip to Chandigarh with Sushant, his bodyguard, and his sister Mitu. During the trip, Sushant had a health issue, which was taken care of after Siddharth gave him some prescription medication.

Sushant Singh Rajput's roommate Siddharth Pithani reaches ED office at Ballard Estate in Mumbai. (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT Photo)

Sushants Chandigarh-based sister Neetu asked Siddharth to give her all the details about Sushants health, and the medication he was taking. After returning to Mumbai, Sushant began working out, and feeling as good as before. Siddharth said that he used to give him his medicines during this time, and that Rhea soon moved in with them. It was also around this time that the actor was offered two film projects.

Soon afterwards, Sushant told Siddharth that he was feeling fine, and to stop his medication. Then I advised them not to stop the medicine suddenly. Sushants health started deteriorating again in the last week of April, he said. Sushant started isolating himself and stopped talking to his housemates. His health deteriorated further in the first week of June.

On June 8, Siddharth said, Rhea abruptly packed her bags and left, asking him to take care of Sushant. The actors sister Mitu soon arrived, and spent a few days before leaving on June 12. During her visit, Siddharth said that Sushant was withdrawn, and didnt eat much. It was around this time that news of his old manager Disha Salians death emerged, which greatly troubled Sushant. He asked Siddharth to keep him updated about the developments in the case, to which his name was being attached, and also asked Siddharth to sleep with him in the same room.

Also read: Siddharth Pithani reveals Sushant Singh Rajput was heartbroken in January, said I have no one

On June 14, the day of Sushants death, Siddharth said, I came to the hall and started working on the system. Around 10.30 am, Keshav told me that Sushant sir was not opening the door. I told this thing to Dipesh. We both knocked on the door but Sushant did not open the door. Thats when I got a call from Mitu Didi. She said that she called Sushant and the phone rang but he was not picking up the phone. We also told them that we are also trying, but he is not opening the door. Siddharth then called a locksmith, who broke the lock, was given Rs 2000 and asked to leave.

When they entered the room, they found Sushants body. After speaking to his Sushants sisters Mitu and Neetu, he called the police, who arrived shortly.

Siddharth, along with members of Sushants staff such as the cook Neeraj and the house manager Samuel Miranda, have been questioned by the CBI. Vikas Singh, the lawyer hired by Sushants father KK Singh, had previously described Siddharth a very intelligent criminal.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Ugandan prison authorities warned on Tuesday that mass-testing is needed for inmates of the countrys congested jails after 153 prisoners tested positive for the coronavirus.

A prison worker and 153 inmates tested positive for the virus on Saturday in Amuru prison near the South Sudan border, a spokesperson of the Uganda Prisons Service, Frank Baine, said.

We are asking (the) government to help us carry out the testing of all inmates and prisons staff all over the country.

This is when we will know the magnitude of the problem, Mr Baine said.

Cases are soaring up everywhere and we are worried for our staff and inmates, he added.

Uganda has so far confirmed 2,362 coronavirus infections and 22 deaths, according to the countrys health ministry.

(dpa/NAN)
Thats right, 25 years ago Microsoft officially released Windows 95, an operating system that was far more consumer-focused and internet ready than its predecessors. It also licensed a Rolling Stones song to commemorate its new innovation, the Start menu. Instead of watching a goofy video of execs stumbling around to the music, though, Microsoft would probably rather see you mark the event with this quick clip showing the evolution of Windows over the years.

Features like Internet Explorer would arrive in the Plus! expansion pack, while Windows 98 pushed the bar even further when it came to being ready for your online life and new connectors like USB. Of course its Start menu isnt the only decision that persists to this day  its possible the name itself is why the company is on Windows 10 instead of Windows 9 right now.
Hyogo prefectural Police have arrested a 33-year-old male teacher for allegedly planting a hidden camera inside a changing area for men at a bath in Akashi City, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Aug. 24).

At around 8:55 p.m. on Sunday, Daiki Takaoka allegedly placed the camera inside a locker in the menas dressing room at the sento bath Tatsunoyu in order to take tosatsu, or voyeur, footage.

Upon his arrest on suspicion of violating a prefectural public nuisance ordinance on Monday, Takaoka admitted to the allegations. aMy intention was to photograph young nude men,a the suspect was quoted by the Akashi Police Station.

Takaoka is a teacher at a public elementary school in Kobe City. After the suspect planted the camera, which was wrapped in a towel, a bather grew suspicious about the lockeras open door. The bather then found it inside.

When the suspect returned later to collect the camera, he attempted to flee. However, a bather and others apprehended him in the parking lot.

An examination of the footage on the camera showed nude bathers, police said.
Opposition leader says 'peaceful revolution' under way in Belarus Tikhanovskaya was allowed to contest the vote after her husband was jailed and barred from running

Exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya told the EU parliament on Tuesday that a "peaceful revolution" was under way in Belarus after huge protests broke out over disputed presidential elections.

The strongman leader of ex-Soviet Belarus Alexander Lukashenko claimed a sixth term in August 9 elections that sparked historic street rallies and a violent police crackdown condemned by rights groups and Western leaders.

"A peaceful revolution is taking place," Tikhanovskaya, 37, told EU parliamentarians, speaking in English via video link from Lithuania, where she fled after claiming victory in the ballot, fearing reprisals from the authorities.

The trained English teacher who was allowed to contest the vote after her husband was jailed and barred from running said that the mass protest movement had no geopolitical aims.

"It is neither a pro-Russian nor anti-Russian revolution. It is neither an anti-European Union nor a pro-European Union revolution. It is a democratic revolution," said.

Lukashenko, Europe's longest-serving leader, detained his closest rivals in the run-up to the vote which he barred independent observers from monitoring.

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets since election officials announced that the 65-year-old authoritarian leader had won a landslide victory with some 80 percent of the ballot.

Tikhanovskaya described the largest protests in Belarus's post-Soviet history as "a peaceful striving of the people for self-determination and basic dignity."

"The demand of Belarusians is simple: a free and fair election," she said. "This is the wish of the whole nation".

Several members of the opposition's Coordination Council that is seeking new elections have been arrested in recent days or summoned for questioning after Lukashenko accused them of attempting to "seize power".

jbr/am/wdb
Hurricane and storm surge watches were issued Monday afternoon for areas along the Louisiana coast as Tropical Storm Laura continues on its forecast track toward the Gulf of Mexico.

Update: Hurricane Laura to form in the Gulf soon, and Marco is now a depression

Laura is expected to reach the southwestern Louisiana coast as a hurricane late Wednesday or early Thursday, possibly as a strong Category 2 storm, according to the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters are warning that conditions are ripe for the storm to quickly intensify as it enters the Gulf of Mexico. The latest models show "a period of rapid strengthening is possible once an inner core is able to organize," according to the NHC's 4 p.m. update

Meanwhile, the forecast for Tropical Storm Marco was largely unchanged, as the storm continued to deteriorate Monday on its approach to the Louisiana coast.

Tropical Storm Laura

Forecasters urged caution around Laura's exact forecast track and intensity, saying these are still uncertain. The NHC warned of the risk of life-threatening storm surge for a wide swath of the Gulf coast, from northeast Texas to Mississippi.

Laura was located about 175 miles east of the western tip of Cuba, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. It was moving west northwest at 20 mph, and forecasters expect it to cross into the Gulf of Mexico by early Tuesday.

Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up

That's where warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear could allow Laura to strengthen.

Here's a summary of the new watches in effect for Tropical Storm Laura:

A storm surge watch is in effect from San Luis Pass, Texas, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, including Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Lake Borgne for areas outside of the southeast Louisiana levee system.

A hurricane watch is in effect from Port Bolivar, Texas, to west of Morgan City, Louisiana.

A tropical storm watch is in effect from south of Port Bolivar to San Luis Pass Texas and from Morgan City to the Mouth of the Mississippi River.

Tropical Storm Marco

Marco will likely be downgraded to a tropical depression tonight, and coastal Louisiana will be mostly spared tropical storm force winds, forecasters said.

At 4 p.m., Marco was located about 15 miles east southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Its maximum sustained winds were 40 mph. Tropical storms have winds of 39 to 73 mph.

Earlier Monday, all tropical storm and storm surge warnings for Marco were discontinued.

Don't miss a storm update this hurricane season. Sign up for breaking newsletters here. Follow our Hurricane Center Facebook page here.
Read an overview of news from Slovakia for Tuesday, August 25.

Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled

Here's a summary of news from Slovakia for Tuesday, August 25, 2020. Do not miss our tips for reads at the end of this digest.

If you want to support our work, consider buying the online subscription to have full access to all our content. Thank you for being our readers.

Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement

COVID-19 traffic light shows red in Bratislava

Two weeks after Bratislava launched a so-called COVID-19 semaphore, which allows the city to respond in a timely manner to the deteriorating epidemic situation, it has changed its colour to red.

It will impact several mass events it is organising and the operation of retirement homes.

As the implementation of anti-pandemic measures is the responsibility of the Public Health Authority and the government, the capital may only implement preventive measures within its competence, the city authorities underlined.

For example, they cannot cancel mass events the city does not organise, or close stores and other businesses.

Other coronavirus-related news

Slovakia has 28 new coronavirus cases as of August 24. The total number of positive cases has thus increased to 3,452. Read more detailed statistics here.

as of August 24. The total number of positive cases has thus increased to 3,452. Read more detailed statistics here. The Interior Ministry has approved two projects that are supposed to help deal with COVID-19 , including the purchase of equipment for firefighters and the creation of its own diagnostic test for the coronavirus detection.

, including the purchase of equipment for firefighters and the creation of its own diagnostic test for the coronavirus detection. The State Administration of Material Reserves claims that it is ready for the second coronavirus wave . Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has not asked it to purchase the coronavirus vaccine yet.

. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has not asked it to yet. Visits to the oncology and radiotherapy wards of the Michalovce hospital (Kosice Region) have been banned from August 25 until further notice.

Environmental disaster in eastern Slovakia

Due to the continual pollution, the Posa sludge bed in the Zemplin region is now considered an environmental disaster.

The toxic waste has its origin in the Chemko Strazske chemical plant, according to the Za Nasu Vodu civic association. The company was supposed to stop the discharge in 2015.

Substances from the sediment basin may contaminate water in local wells and endanger peoples lives, the organisation added.

In other news:

Slovak health care was ranked 21 among 25 evaluated countries in the Health for Money Index 2020. The ranking was conducted by the non-governmental Institute of Economic and Social Studies (INESS).

in the Health for Money Index 2020. The ranking was conducted by the non-governmental Institute of Economic and Social Studies (INESS). A 20-year-old Austrian citizen , originally from Somalia, who carried out an attack on Venturska Street in Bratislava on August 23 morning, has been charged with causing an injury and rioting. He is threatened with two to five years in prison.

, originally from Somalia, who carried out an attack on Venturska Street in Bratislava on August 23 morning, has been charged with causing an injury and rioting. He is threatened with two to five years in prison. Legislators will meet on September 2 to discuss the laws vetoed by President Zuzana Caputova . Speaker of Parliament Boris Kollar (Sme Rodina) has reassured that the coalition will override the vetoes.

. Speaker of Parliament Boris Kollar (Sme Rodina) has reassured that the coalition will override the vetoes. The private TA3 news channel will change hands . A new investor is said to join the ownership structure, the Hospodarske Noviny daily reported. Michal Ruttkay, the head of a marketing agency with several political campaigns in its portfolio, is said to become general director.

. A new investor is said to join the ownership structure, the Hospodarske Noviny daily reported. Michal Ruttkay, the head of a marketing agency with several political campaigns in its portfolio, is said to become general director. The national postal services provider Slovenska Posta issued the XVI Paralympic Games in Tokyo postal stamp on August 24, with Slovak Paralympic athlete Veronika Vadovicova printed on it.

The XVI Paralympic Games in Tokyo postal stamp. (Source: Slovenska posta)

The Prievidza-based car supplier Brose aims to employ as many as 2,000 workers by 2025 at the latest . Currently, it employs 1,060 people.

aims to employ . Currently, it employs 1,060 people. The Council for Budget Responsibility has reduced its estimate of this year's general government deficit to 8.8 percent of GDP, down from 9.4 percent. The council has justified the reduction due to higher revenues from taxes and levies resulting from better consumption and stabilisation of the labour market.

down from 9.4 percent. The council has justified the reduction due to higher revenues from taxes and levies resulting from better consumption and stabilisation of the labour market. A new African swine fever outbreak has been confirmed in the village of Calovka in eastern Slovakia. All 221 pigs on the farm will be killed in the near future.

Slovak Emmy laureate who dedicated his life to work behind the scenes passed away Read more

The hardest ferrata in Slovakia opened in Skalka Read more
IRGC destroys terrorist team in Iran's northwestern city of Maku, confiscates weapons

Iran Press TV

Monday, 24 August 2020 1:52 PM

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) forces have destroyed a team of terrorists in the vicinity of northwestern Iranian city of Maku in West Azarbaijan Province.

In a statement on Monday, the IRGC's Hamzeh Seyed al-Shohada Base said its forces engaged the terror team in the general area of Maku and destroyed it on Sunday.

"Last night, a counter-revolutionary terrorist group affiliated to the global arrogance that intended to penetrate deep into our country's territory was caught in the intelligence net spread by Hamzeh Seyed al-Shohada Base fighters in the general area of Maku," it added.

The statement noted that all three members of the team were killed during the clashes.

The IRGC added that significant quantities of weapons, military equipment, ammunition and communication equipment were also confiscated during the operation.

IRGC forces regularly engage in clashes with terrorists seeking to carry out acts of sabotage across the country.

Back in July 2019, the IRGC said it had disbanded a team of terrorists in the country's northwestern province of West Azarbaijan, killing two of its members.

The terrorists were ambushed as they were trying to infiltrate the country from the province's Chaldoran County. Two terrorists were killed in the clashes and several others were wounded, the statement noted.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Click here for the latest Bradley County arrest report.

Man Arrested After Stealing Public Works Truck; Driving It Through Security Gate

Rep. Howell Backs Away From Bill To Shorten Parole Eligibility Time For Those Convicted Of 1st-Degree Murder

Austin Garrett Gets Endorsement Of Several Area Sheriffs

A man charged with stealing a public works truck and destroying a facility gate is being charged with burglary and vandalism. Chattanooga Police responded to an in-progress vehicle theft ... (click for more)

Rep. Dan Howell has backed away from a bill that would shorten the parole eligibility time for those convicted of first-degree murder. The current eligibility time is 51 years. The bill ... (click for more)
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Austria's production index declined at a softer pace in June, amid a fall in both industrial production and construction output, data from Statistics Austria showed on Tuesday. The production index decreased 10.3 percent year-on-year in June, following a 14.3 percent fall in May. Production in the metal industry, machine and vehicle construction, and mineral oil processing has been declining from the previous year, since March, the agency said. Industrial production fell 11.5 percent annually in June and construction output decreased 6.8 percent. On a month-on-month basis, the production index rose 5.0 percent in June, after a 8.5 percent gain in the prior month. On a monthly basis, industrial production grew 5.7 percent in June and construction output rose 3.1 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 01:40:00|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The president of the Security Council said Tuesday that he will not take any action on a purported U.S. notification for a "snapback" mechanism on sanctions against Iran.

Indonesia's UN ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, whose country holds the Security Council presidency for the month of August, said he "is not in the position" to take further action as there is no consensus among council members over the issue.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday submitted Washington's demand for the return of all pre-2015 UN sanctions against Iran. But the overwhelming majority of Security Council members hold that the U.S. move does not constitute a "notification" as envisaged in Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Iran nuclear deal.

They argued that the United States has no right to invoke the "snapback" mechanism as it is no longer a participant since it withdrew from the deal in May 2018.

Asked on Tuesday by Russia and China on how he would proceed with the U.S. demand, Djani said: "It is clear for me that there is one (council) member which has a particular position on the issue while there are a significant number of members who have contesting views. In my view, there is no consensus in the council. Thus, the president is not in the position to take further action."

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.

Under the resolution, if no member of the Security Council has submitted a draft resolution to prevent a snapback within 10 days of a notification by a participant state, the president of the Security Council shall submit such a draft resolution and put it to a vote within 30 days of the notification. Enditem
Serial conman Peter Foster netted $1.73 million worth of stolen Bitcoin pretending to be a man named Bill Dawson, police allege.

Starting in April last year, police say Konstantinos Stylianopoulos sent Mr Foster - posing as Bill Dawson - Bitcoin transactions worth between $125,000 and $890,000 on various occasions.

Police allege he then transferred the Bitcoin into his own cryptocurrency account at the Independent Reserve, a cryptocurrency financial institution.

On August 20, Mr Foster, 57, was arrested during a beach stroll in Port Douglas, Queensland, by two detectives posing as early-morning joggers.
Usain Bolt is one of the most popular and recognizable Olympians ever. The former sprinter, who was dubbed the fastest man on the planet, retired in 2017 but still continues to make headlines today.

An unfortunate one came on Aug. 24, 2020 when it was confirmed that the eight-time Olympic gold medalist tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). Bolt reportedly attended a mask-free party one week earlier. Following the test result, he self-isolated at his home with his girlfriend Kasi Bennett.

Usain Bolt | Ian Walton/Getty Images

Heres more about Bolts lady including how long theyve been together, how many children they have, and how Bennett reacted when pictures surfaced of her man in bed with another woman.

They kept their relationship private for years

Bolt and Bennett were seeing each other for a while before the public knew, as they chose to keep things private. It wasnt until a 2016 interview with The Telegraph, that the Olympic champ revealed that he had been dating someone for a couple of years.

Im not going to tell you who she is, he said. I want to keep it small for now, because I know when it gets out theres going to be a lot of things to say, and I told her she cant handle it. Because Ive been through the media. I understand how you guys are.

Shortly after that interview, Bolt made his relationship with Bennett public via an Instagram photo which he captioned, President and First Lady.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDw2wfEocT6/?utm_source=ig_embed

Bennett works in marketing and has a law degree

Bolts girlfriend hails from Jamaica as well and is four years younger than her beau.

Her IG notes that she has a Legum Baccalaureus or Bachelor of Laws degree, which is an undergraduate law degree earned outside the United States.

Bennett has done some modeling and works in marketing as the managing director of Elevate Marketing House Ltd. According to the companys Twitter account, it is a full service marketing and business development agency.

In addition, Bennett founded Project Kase in 2017. The non-profit organization supports the development of Jamaicas children.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtbH16ohLUo/

She didnt stay quiet after Bolt was pictured in bed with another woman

Bennett and Bolt experienced some public drama after pictures of the Jamaican sprinter in bed with a woman named Jady Duarte were leaked online.

The Daily Mail reported that Duarte originally sent the images of them together to a WhatsApp group of friends and claimed she didnt know who Bolt was.

The photos surfaced just a few weeks after Bolt shared his first social media post with Bennett. So how did his girlfriend respond to the pic of him with the Brazilian student?

Bennett liked a tweet directed at Bolt and wrote, You traded your life with a goddess for a one night fling with someone who will never even come close.

The couple gave their daughter and twins boys fitting names

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWeB5dFGB0/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=a1d96f11-ad8b-4186-99f9-3c3e57e434c0

The couple was able to move past that and work things out, and today Bennett calls Bolt her soulmate.

Bennett and the retired athletes first child was born in May 2020. They named their baby girl Olympia Lightning Bolt, following the birth of their daughter the pair welcomed twin boys and gave them the names Thunder Bolt and Saint Leo Bolt.

Bolt previously spoke to People about whether or not he would like his children to follow in his footsteps.

People always say, Are you going to put your kids in sports? But for me, if they want to be in sports, fine, I dont really care, Bolt told the publication. But, I wont push them to do track and field. I think its going to be hard when you have a dad that is a superstar in a supersport, I dont think you should do that sport.

He added, I think you should do something else because there is so much pressure on you to live up to expectations.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 03:23:23|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ANKARA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Tuesday called on NATO allies Turkey and Greece to resolve their dispute over Eastern Mediterranean through dialogue, semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

During a joint news conference with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu at the end of his visit to Turkish capital Ankara, the German top diplomat said that the escalation of tensions in the region helps no one.

Germany currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.

"Escalation in Eastern Mediterranean helps neither the European Union, nor Turkey, nor Greece," Maas said, urging Ankara and Athens to settle their dispute on hydrocarbon explorations by talking to each other.

Cavusoglu, for his part, warned Athens against any missteps in the region, saying that "Turkey is ready to do whatever is necessary."

"Greece should not put itself at risk by rising to bait at some countries," stressed the Turkish minister, adding that his country is ready to "fairly share" the resources in Eastern Mediterranean.

Greece and Turkey disagree on their overlapping claims on hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, based on conflicting views of how far their continental shelves extend.

Turkey has sent an exploratory vessel and navy ships to the disputed waters, leading to rising tensions in the ties between the two neighbors. Enditem
>>> No new COVID-19 cases reported over last 12 hours



>>> Six new COVID-19 cases reported on August 24 afternoon



>>> More COVID-19 patients recover, including 10-year-old girl

The committee convened its latest meeting on Monday afternoon (August 24) under the chair of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, who is also the head of the committee.

The committee agreed that the new outbreaks in Da Nang, Quang Nam and Hai Duong have been put under control.

Lessons learned from the fight have been discussed, on which the Ministry of Health (MoH) will provide training for localities across the country on the prevention and control of COVID-19.

In addition, the MoH was assigned to coordinate with other relevant ministries, agencies and localities to promptly issue a manual on safe coexistence amid COVID-19, as well as a handbook on epidemic prevention and control in schools.

The health ministry was also tasked with reviewing the entire system of machinery and research projects for bio-product production serving COVID-19 testing and promoting vaccine research in Vietnam.

To live safely with the epidemic, the committee suggested that media agencies and mass organisations continue providing information and mobilising the public to comply with the anti-epidemic regulations.

* According to the MoHs Department of Preventive Medicine, since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Vietnam to 15:00 on August 24, Vietnam has performed a total of 1,009,145 tests using the RT-PCR technique.

Medical workers take samples from local residents for COVID-19 testing in Da Nang. (Photo: NDO/Anh Dao)



Notably, over the past month, testing capacity has increased 5-6 times compared to the peak period during March-April this year. Within a month (from July 24 to August 24), units nationwide carried out testing on 485,215 samples (16,173 samples per day).

Currently, there are 71 units that have been granted the licence to carry out COVID-19 confirmation tests.

* Also on August 24, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Thanh Phong called on local authorities and agencies to be drastic in implementing the dual task of resuming socio-economic activities while strengthening COVID-19 prevention, with the latter to be given top priority.

He also urged for an urgent plan for epidemic prevention during the National Day (September 2) holiday. The citys Department of Education and Training was asked to organise safe new school year opening ceremonies for local students, while the Department of Planning and Investment should evaluate the effectiveness of the first business support package towards issuing a second bailout in the near future.

* On the same day, the Da Nang Department of Education and Training announced that the city will carry out COVID-19 test for all candidates and the forces serving the delayed 2020 national high school graduation exams in the locality on September 1. The results are expected to be announced late September 1 or early morning September 2.

Candidates with positive results will have to receive isolated treatment and be considered for automatic high school graduation, while those with negative results will participate in the exams and comply with measures and regulations for epidemic prevention. In the national 2020 high school graduation exams, Da Nang has nearly 11,000 candidates sitting at 24 venues. The exams were organised on a national scale early this month, with some delay in several localities hit by COVID-19.

* On August 24, the People's Committee of Quang Ngai Province allowed the reopening of local catering and coffee shops, as well as recreational activities and transport services but with ensured epidemic prevention and control measures.

Local authorities announce the lifting of a medical blockade in a residential area in Quang Phu Ward, Quang Ngai City, August 23, 2020. (Photo: NDO/Hien Cu)



* Dong Nai Province acted similarly as it has allowed religious activities, education, sports, production, business and services to return to normal, but in line with COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

* The People's Committee of Phu Ly City has announced the lifting of medical isolation for the Dinh Trang residential cluster in Lam Ha Ward, after the order was imposed on it from August 3 in relation to a local COVID-19 infection.

* On August 24, the People's Committee of Hai Duong Province decided to establish a medical quarantine area for 28 days, from 12:00 on August 24, on a local residential are and a production facility in Hai Duong City, in relation to a new COVID-19 infection.

Medical staff measure the body temperature of people in quarantine at a local concentrated isolation camp at the dormitory of Hai Duong University, Hai Duong City. (Photo: NDO/Quoc Vinh)



* On August 24, Central Retail Vietnam announced that Nguyen Kim, a member of Central Retail, has implemented a series of programmes to present equipment to hospitals in Da Nang and Quang Nam, as well as providing laptops to support online learning for local underprivileged students.

* On the same day, the Power Generation Corporation 2 (EVN Genco 2) awarded VND50 million to support Quang Tri Province in its COVID-19 fight. The locality has received more than VND2.5 billion to support the local COVID-19 prevention and control work, comprised of over VND500 million in cash and over VND2 billion worth of goods and necessities.

* Nearly 320 Vietnamese citizens in Canada were repatriated on a flight that landed at Van Don International Airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh on August 24. Passengers included people under 18, the elderly, the sick, students who completed their studies but lacked accommodation, workers with expired visas or labour contracts, stranded tourists, and others with special disadvantages.

Upon landing at Van Don Airport, those on board received health checks and were sent to concentrated quarantine facilities.
FORT MILL, S.C. - A man has been accused of firing gunshots at a gathering of President Donald Trumps supporters along a road in South Carolina.

There were no injuries, police said.

Marquise Damarius Asomani, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was arrested after police responded to a report of shots fired Monday evening in Fort Mill, the Fort Mill Police Department said in a statement Tuesday.

About 30 people had gathered and were waving American flags and holding up Trump signs, said Sgt. Bill Rhyne with the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

On the same day, Trump had made a brief stop at an airport in Greer, about 90 miles (140 kilometres) west of Fort Mill, after addressing the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

When police arrived Monday, witnesses told them that three men had driven by them multiple times while making derogatory remarks and yelling obscenities at them from their car, according to the statement.

They also said the driver of the car then extended his arm through the car window while holding what appeared to be a handgun, Zachary said. Thats when witnesses say they heard the gunshots.

Officials did not say if the gunshots were fired at the Trump supporters or towards another area.

Angie Freeman, a Trump supporter, told WSOC-TV she was in a parade of cars with supporters waving the flags when the shots rang out. We had all the windows down because we had all the flags out the windows, and it was very loud and it was four or five shots, Freeman said.

Rhyne said the gunshots came from a red Volkswagen Jetta that then drove off down a highway. A South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper who had just approached the area tried to catch up with the vehicle, he added.

The trooper lost sight of the car after it exited the highway. It was later found by law enforcement officers abandoned behind a closed business in Fort Mill, Rhyne said.

Authorities then stopped a white Chevrolet with four occupants that was leaving that area and identified three people suspected of involvement. Two were released without charges, Major Bryan Zachary of the Fort Mill Police Department said. Asomani, 23, was taken into custody from that group and charged with multiple charges including six counts of assault, and battery of a high and aggravated nature. His bond was set at $75,000.

It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment.
Yves here. I am running this article as a critical thinking exercise. On the one hand, it is not difficult to make a case that the accounting net worth of most companies is a questionable measure, for instance because pretty much any public company of significance has made acquisitions and paid a handsome premium over the sellers market value.when over 3/4 of deals dont work out due to buyer overpayment.

Even though this post is about non-financial corporations, the financial/non-financial distinction isnt as tidy as it seems. Multinational run their Treasuries as profit centers; many earn more than 25% of their profits from trading. That means the issues Steve Waldman raised about the net worth of banks apply to them to a degree:

The bottom line is simple. The capital positions reported by large complex financial institutions are so difficult to compute that the confidence interval surrounding those estimates is greater than 100% even for a bank conservatively levered at 11 tier one capital. Errors in reported capital are almost guaranteed to be overstatements. Complex, highly leveraged financial firms are different from other kinds of firm in that optimistically shading asset values enhances long-term firm value When I say stuff like confidence intervals surrounding measures of bank capital are greater than 100%, what does that even mean? Capital does not exist in the world. It is not accessible to the senses. When we claim a bank or any other firm has so much capital we are modeling its assets and liabilities and contingent positions and coming up with a number. Unfortunately, there is not one uniquely true model of bank capital. Even hewing to GAAP and all regulatory requirements, thousands of estimates and arbitrary choices must be made to compute the capital position of a modern bank. There is a broad, multidimensional space of defensible models by which capital might be computed. When we measure capital, we select a model and then compute. If we were to randomly select among potential models (even weighted by regulatory acceptability, so that a compliant model is much more likely than an iffy one), we would generate a probability distribution of capital values. That distribution would be very broad, so that for large, complex banks negative values would be moderately probable, as would the highly positive values that actually get reported.

Finally, I have difficulty with the notion that share prices in secondary markets have much meaning, despite how commonly they are held as investments. Unlike bonds, shares are a legally weak and ambiguous promise, basically Well pay you dividends if we make money and feel like sharing and You have a vote but we can dilute it at any time, and we have staggered boards too, so pound sand. Share prices of most companies move 100% in a year. How can you say the value at the low point is any more valid than at the high point? As Warren Buffett has said, in the short term, the stock market is a popularity contest, while in the long term, he contends it is a weighing machine.

Similarly, even though market cap is widely used as a key metric of company value, that price is set at the margin. It isnt the price sellers can expect to realize if every one, at the same time every day, decided to cash in.1

By Steve Roth (steve@steve-roth.com), a serial entrepreneur and the publisher of Evonomics.com and Sabri Oncu (sabri.oncu@gmail.com) is an economist based in Istanbul, Turkey. A slighly edited version of this article first appeared in the a href=https://www.epw.in/journal/2020/28-29/h-t-parekh-finance-column/wealth-corporations.html>Economic and Political Weekly on 11 July 2020

Financial Assets = Liabilities. Its one of the great accounting-identity truisms of economic understanding  both among traditional, mainstream economists, and even (especially) among many heterodox, accounting based practitioners. It seems obvious: When a company issues and sells bonds, it posts a liability to its balance sheet; the bond buyers hold financial assets on theirs.[1]

The problem is, that truism isnt even close to true. The most obvious example is corporate equity shares  financial assets by any definition. The asset value of outstanding shares is vastly larger than firms book value, shareholders equity  the bottom-line balancing item on the liability side of firms balance sheets. Over the last half century, the market-to-book ratio of the S&P 500 has ranged between 2X and 5X.

The discrepancy exists even for U.S. Treasury bondsoutstanding, though that discrepancy is quite small.

As soon as a new financial asset is issued, at least if its tradeable in the markets, its price starts changing. Asset holders look at their brokerage statements, which are marked to market instant by instant, and see that they have more or less assets. Meanwhile the liabilities on issuers balance sheets remain (mostly) unchanged. Financial Assets = Liabilities.

Economists can hardly be blamed for this incorrect understanding. The national accounts themselves obscure this reality. If you look at the Flow[2]tables in the Feds quarterly Financial Accountsor Flow of Funds, for instance, you wont find any accounting for changes in asset holdings due to changes in market prices  revaluation. So those tables cant explain changes in assets and net worth from period to period. Theyre accounting-incomplete  certainly so if you compare them to the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income that publicly traded corporations are required to publish quarterly.[3]

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (dollars in milions) Year Ended December 31 2016 2015 2014 Net earnings $24,427 $24,414 $20,170 Other comprehensive income Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments 13,858 (8,520) 5,831 Applicable income taxes (4,846) 3,104 (2,602) Reclassification of investment appreciation in net savings (6,820) (2,332) (3,360) Applicable income taxes 2,387 816 1,176 Foreign currency translation (1,541) (1,931) (2,032) Applicable income taxes 66 (43) 183 Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans 354 424 (1,7023) Applicable income taxes (187) (140) 624 Other, net (17) (94) 8 Other comprehensive income, net 3,254 (8,806) (1,335) Comprehensive income 27,681 15,608 18,835 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 291 275 256 Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders $27,390 $15,333 $18,579

The same is true, even more, of The National Income and Product Accounts (NIPAs)  though those accounts make no claim or aspiration to such complete accounting; they dont include anything resembling sectoral balance sheets.

How can we make An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nationsabsent a comprehensive accounting of wealth accumulation?

Happily, there is a set of complete, fully stock-flow-consistent sectoral accounting statements available, based on the System of National Accounts(SNA) standards developed and promulgated by the United Nations and allied institutions. Think of them as Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP), but for countries. In the U.S., the SNA-compliant accounts are called the Integrated Macroeconomic Accounts (IMAs). They were released only in 2006, with quarterly tables released in 2012 (annual-only for financial subsectors). Their data extends back to 1960. Youll find them as the S tables at the end of the Feds quarterly Z.1 or Financial Accounts report. Theyre also very conveniently available in interactive form here, and all the sectoral tables are available in a single Excel workbook here.

In the IMAs, each sector has a balance-sheet account (with Net Worth as the bottom-line item), and crucially, a Revaluation account tallying Changes in net worth due to nominal holding gains/losses, broken out for various asset classes. With this inclusion, each sectors table fully explains change in net worth during an accounting period.

But that finally returns us to the title of this article: the net worth of firms. There is what seems to be a very particular oddity in the IMAs, which on examination yields a rather revelatory understanding of economies and economic statements:

In the twenty-five years since 1995, according to the IMAs, the net worth of the U. S. nonfinancial firms sector has been positive in only two.

Its pretty eye-popping. Nonfinancial firms arent worth anything, are worth less than nothing? No. Rather, these notional net worth figures reveal an important accounting and economic reality, embodied in a quirk of the IMAs accounting: net worth is meaningless for firms.Or to put it another way: unlike households, firms dont own their own net worth. Their bottom-line, right-hand side balancing item is not net worth, its shareholders equity. The possessive apostrophe says it all: shareholdersown firms net worth.[4]

And ultimately, all that value is owned by the household sector. (This ignoring the Rest of World sector, non-domestic ownership, for simplicity.) Sure, firms own shares in firms which own shares in firms, but ultimately households own it all. Because since 1865 in the U.S., nobody can own equity shares in households, in people. People own firms but firms dont own people. Its a one-way, asymmetrical ownership relationship. The IMAs reflect that asymmetry.

Jumping to the IMAs Household balance sheet, you see exactly that: household assets include the total value of all firms, at current market prices (market capitalization). The firms sector[5]is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the household sector. Its value is telescoped onto the left-hand side of the household sector balance sheet.

And this is how the IMAs apparent quirk arises, for three reasons. First, theres an attempt to present all sectors similarly, with net worth at the bottom. (Even though sectors arent all treated the same in other matters, for good and necessary reasons; their accounting realities are fundamentally different.) Thats problematic when firms dont actually have anything thats meaningfully called net worth.

Second, the IMAs post firms equity liabilities to their balance sheets as just another liability  not broken out as a singular item as in corporate reports. Think: Liabilities and Shareholders Equity.

Third, The IMAs post firms equity liabilities not at book value, but at market value. Another oddity results: when share prices go up, firms liabilities do as well, so their net worth goes down. Its kind of wacky.

Again, this results from a desire for accounting consistency and closure. The firm sectors market-priced equity liabilities equal households market-priced equity assets. What goes missing is a key measure for firms: book value, the standard measure of shareholders equity. Its quite easy to calculate: subtract firms equity liabilities from their total liabilities, and subtract that from their total assets. Its annoying that the IMAs dont do that for us as the firms bottom line, or at least in a memo item. But the exercise is a great way to understand the underlying economic and ownership reality that the IMAs reveal so well.

Understanding the Wealth of Nations

Some may be wondering, Why does all of this matter? Its important because it reveals a giant lacuna in economists understanding of wealth accumulation, the wealth of nations, and the relationship between wealth and real capital. Contrary to a quite ubiquitous conception, for instance, neither the household sectors Net Saving (in the Current Account), or Capital Account accumulation, comes even close to explaining the sectors wealth accumulation.

Over the twenty years 20002019, the U.S. household sectors Net Saving was $14 trillion, while its net worth increased by $75 trillion. Of that, $38 trillion is attributable to nominal holding gains, unrelated to the sectors current-account Saving. And of that, $27 trillion is attributable to nominal holding gains on equity shares.

Not all of that $27 trillion materialized magically, of course. The firm sectors book value (roughly, their cumulative saving on behalf of their household owners) also increased over that period, by $21 trillion. That explains much, but not nearly all, of the equity holding gains accrued by households. Even in this one equity asset category, theres a $6 trillion remainder, unexplained  equivalent to $48,000 for every American household.

Absent the complete accounting embodied in the IMAs, these quite massive numbers are completely invisible to economists, and their models. The economy doesnt balance to saving. In an important sense, thats just an artificial, residual balancing item.

The economy balances to net worth: the wealth of nations.

[1]This is the very definition of a financial asset: it has a related liability on another balance sheet. Nonfinancial assets, such as land titles, dont. All liabilities are inherently financial; the debt is due to someentity, which holds that obligation as an asset on its balance sheet.

[2]Renamed the Transactions tables as of June 2018, with the following note (emphasis added): As of this publication, the term flow is being replaced by the term transactions. The concept being referred to, which is the acquisition of assets or incurrence of liabilities, is not being changed. The change in terminology is intended to prevent confusion with the broader concept sometimes called economic flow, which is the change in level from one period to the next and is composed of transactions, revaluations , and other changes in volume. The new terminology brings the Financial Accounts of the United States into better alignment with international guidelines in the System of National Accounts 2008 (SNA2008).

[3]berkshirehathaway.com/2016ar/2016ar.pdf page 37

[4]Its revealing to compare nonprofits, which like households and unlike for-profit firms, dont have shareholders. They own their own net worth (if anyone does). Thats why theyre included in the household sector accounting, and that sector is properly labeled Households and Nonprofit Institutions Serving Households (NPISHes).

[5]There are actually three firms sectors in the IMAs: corporate nonfinancial, corporate financial, and noncorporate nonfinancial (with additional tables detailing subsectors of the financial sector). For brevity, simplicity, and clarity, we speak of them here collectively as the firms sector.

_____

1 Please dont say all those public shares could be bought by private equity. Private equitys share of global equity is only on the order of 5%.
MINSK: A Belarusian court ordered an opposition leader jailed for 10 days on Tuesday as the government pursued a crackdown on the few figures still at large, with more mass demonstrations planned against President Alexander Lukashenko.

Despite most major opposition figures being in jail or in exile, Lukashenko has so far failed to put down protests against his 26-year rule more than two weeks after an election his opponents say was rigged.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets over the weekend and dispersed peacefully. Lukashenko has denied election cheating. He has called the protesters rats" and says they are funded from abroad.

Siarhei Dyleuski, who has led strikes at the Minsk Tractor Factory, one of the countrys flagship industrial plants, appeared in court in a steel cage on Tuesday, a day after being arrested. The court ordered him held for 10 days while prosecutors pursue a criminal case against the opposition Coordination Council for attempting to seize power.

Another council member, Olga Kovalkova, appeared at a separate court after spending a night in jail. Kovalkova is the main representative of opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya still in Belarus.

The opposition Coordination Council was set up last week with the stated aim of opening negotiations with the government.

Another council member, Pavel Latushko, the former head of the main state drama theatre, was questioned by investigators on Tuesday but was not arrested. He emerged saying he would go back to work and the councils activities were not illegal.

The council includes dozens of figures representing broad swathes of society, among them author Svetlana Alexievich, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, who has been summoned for questioning on Wednesday.

Later on Tuesday, teachers were scheduled to hold a demonstration. Lukashenko has threatened to fire any teachers who do not support the government.

The intimidation will not work. We will not relent," Tsikhanouskaya said in a video link with the European Parliament. We demand all political prisoners freed. We demand to stop the violence and intimidation by the authorities."

OPPOSITION

Tsikhanouskaya, 37, fled to Lithuania after the election her supporters say she won. A political novice, she emerged as the consensus opposition candidate after better-known figures were barred from standing, including her jailed activist husband.

Belarus is the closest ally to Russia of all former Soviet republics, and Lukashenkos fate is widely seen as in the hands of the Kremlin, which must decide whether to stick with him as his authority has ebbed.

There are signs Moscow still backs him. Russia has sent journalists to staff Belarus state TV after workers quit in protest against what they described as orders to broadcast propaganda. Nevertheless, Lukashenko is seen in Moscow as a truculent and erratic ally, with a strained personal relationship with President Vladimir Putin.

The West has had to balance its sympathy for a nascent Belarusian pro-democracy movement with its concern that strong support would trigger a Russian-backed crackdown.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun was due in Moscow for talks on Tuesday after meeting Tsikhanouskaya on Monday in Lithuania.

The crisis also threatens to hurt the finances of a country with only limited foreign currency reserves. The Belarus rouble fell to a new low against the euro, and there have been queues at exchange points as Belarusians try to buy hard currency.

A board member at the central bank told Reuters any shortages of currency were a technical matter and did not signal liquidity problems at the banks.

(Additional reporting by Robin Emmott in Brussels; Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Giles Elgood and Angus MacSwan)

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
UPDATED story Aug 29:



On Friday evening, The Original Ninfas Uptown announced that the restaurant will reopen Saturday, Aug. 29. at 10 a.m. and resume regular business hours.

Original story Aug. 25:

The Original Ninfas Uptown announced on Tuesday that it has been locked out of its BLVD Place location at 1700 Post Oak Blvd. due to failed lease negotiations.

"We had 65 workers show up for work today with no warning. It was disheartening," said Rachel Austin, a representative for the restaurant.

Niel Morgan, who owns Legacy Restaurants, the group behind Ninfa's, said talks with the landlord of its Galleria/Uptown locale, Whitestone REIT, fell through unexpectedly.

This came as a bit of a shock," Morgan said in the release. "We have been negotiating in good faith for some time, and Ninfas was not requesting any rent forgiveness. On Friday, we were informed that our proposed deferral and payment plan was acceptable subject to resolving one remaining issue, so we believed we were making progress."

OPENING IN THE HEIGHTS: Burger Joint owners to open The Taco Stand restaurant

The CEO of Whitestone REIT, Jim Mastandrea, said in an email that extensive discussions were held but his company was unable to reach a mutual agreement with the restaurant. Moreover, an undisclosed rent amount has gone unpaid.

Ninfas has not paid rent since March despite being open and operating throughout the pandemic," Mastandrea said in the email. "Whitestone REIT has contributed significant investment and resources to Ninfas and we have a vested stake in their success. Ninfas refusal to make any payment toward rent or property expenses has left us with no choice. It is unfortunate Ninfas is not honoring its commitments as we also have responsibilities to our stakeholders, debt holders and shareholders."

Lance Gilliam, a partner at The Waterman Steele Group real estate advisors which represents Ninfa's Uptown, said it's standard practice for his firm to advise its clients not to pay rent until negotiations have been finalized.

"To be fair, we have not paid rent. We don't advise our clients to pay until we have an agreement in place, because what can happen is that the landlord takes the rent and then the negotiations fall through anyway," Gilliam told the Houston Chronicle.

Gilliam said restaurant rent negations are not uncommon amid the coronavirus pandemic as the industry struggles to survive. "Our firm has been on the phone with landlords since March trying to work through how restaurants can get through to the other side of COVID-19. We've had great success in most cases."

COMING TO THE EAST END: Street to Kitchen will serve authentic Thai street food

When negotiations fell through regarding Ninfa's lease, Gilliam said it was very unexpected.

"In this case, the landlord had essentially agreed but wanted Morgan to increase his personal risk," said Gilliam. "This is the only landlord we have dealt with that has wanted to gain during the pandemic."

Morgan echoed Gilliam's sentiments. I really dont understand this tactic. Its quite disappointing to see a landlord seek to improve its position instead of sharing the burden during a very difficult time for the restaurant industry."

But Mastandrea said Whitestone REIT has supported all of its clients, offering payment plans and financial assistance programs throughout the coronavirus crisis.

"This has been a huge undertaking to serve each of our tenants and to support the communities they serve," Mastandrea said via email. "We remain open to resolving our contract issues with Ninfas and Mr. Morgan. This is been stressful for all of us, tenants and landlords, alike and we are committed to working directly with them on a mutually agreeable solution.

Whitestone REIT acquired the 216,944-square-foot urban mixed-use center in 2017.

The Original Ninfas Uptown opened on June 10, 2019. The Original Ninfa's at 2704 Navigation Blvd. remains open.

Find preparation tips, alerts to follow, and more storm news in Chron.com's Hurricane Guide.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its judgement on the sentence of senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan in connection with a contempt of court case over his tweets accusing former Chief Justices of India of corruption.

A bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, reserved the order after hearing the arguments on the sentencing of Bhushan in the suo motu criminal contempt case.

Senior advocate Dr Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for Prashant Bhushan, sought permission to read out the supplementary statement by Bhushan during the hearing. To this, Justice Mishra pointed out what was the point of reading it when the court has already read it.

Attorney General KK Venugopal said that several sitting and retired judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts (former) have commented upon corruption in the higher judiciary.

ALSO READ | Didn't tweet in fit of absent mindedness, expressed my bona fide belief, Prashant Bhushan tells SC

AG Venugopal further said that these statements were perhaps only to tell the court about the facts and ask for reforms. "It may be a fit case to forgive him. The apex court may consider and may give him a warning and let him (Bhushan) go," Venugopal suggested.

Bhushan was earlier this month held guilty of contempt of court by the Supreme Court for two of his tweets, the first one posted on June 29, related to his comment/post on a picture of CJI Bobde on a high-end bike.

In his second tweet, Bhushan expressed his opinion on the role of last four CJIs amid the state of affairs in the country.

Earlier today, the Supreme court also deferred the hearing on another contempt of court case against Prashant Bhushan and asked the Chief Justice of India to place before an "appropriate" bench questions arising out of the matter.
UBON has launched SP-43 Light Up Wireless Speaker. Powered by a 1200mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery the newly launched speaker offers massive hours of continuous playtime. Supports TF-card, FM & USB port function the speaker amplifies sound throughout the room, making a rich music listening experience. This new speaker comes with the latest Wireless Version Support v5.0 and can be paired via Bluetooth to the soundtrack up to 10 m range. This set includes the portable speaker and a power cord. The company offers 3 months warranty against manufacturing defects + 3 months extended warranty. UBON SP-43 Light Up Wireless Speaker is available on all leading e-commerce portals across the country at a price of INR 1,999/-.

Backed by 10 hours battery backup and double LED RGB lights and Belt SP-43 Wireless speaker has strong built, stylish design: featured with an innovative design of multi-colour LED lighting, control single colour or multi-colour lights while the speaker is on. This speaker is a perfect combination of modern design and hi-tech quality. This newly launched speaker offers you non-stop music experience that makes it perfect for every occasion.

UBON SP-43 Light Up Wireless Speaker offers premium HD sound on the power output of 5Ws which makes it a must-have gadget for audiophiles who love catching every snare and snap with that deep booming bass that allows for a memorable listening experience. In an era of music, it comes to you with powerful Bluetooth. With extremely easy push buttons, play, pause or repeat it ensure utmost convenience and keep your rhythm going.

Commenting on the new launch, Mr. Lalit Arora, Co-Founder, UBON said, Being a leading player in the consumer electronics industry, we, at UBON, always strive to provide innovative products to our customers in the best possible prices. This newly launched product assures the best-in-class music experience to our customer and has the power to become the life of every party. This speaker is proudly Made-In-India and supports the mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
THE LATEST: Baby bonds, $1B in new taxes, $4B in borrowing. Heres what youll find in Murphys just-released budget plan.

New Jersey millionaires, smokers, and gun owners would pay more in taxes and the state would borrow $4 billion to help fill a massive tax revenue hole in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic under a revised, nine-month state budget proposal Gov. Phil Murphy will unveil Tuesday, NJ Advance Media has learned.

Murphy will also propose restoring the popular Homestead Tax Rebate and Senior Freeze programs, and the approximately $32 billion taxpayer-funded budget would include a $2.2 billion surplus, according to two sources familiar with the spending plan. There would also be no cuts to school funding, sources said.

The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the proposal.

More details about the budget will emerge when Murphy outlines the plan at 10 a.m. Tuesday in a socially distanced address at SHI Stadium at Rutgers University in Piscataway.

The Democratic governor previously introduced a $40.9 budget proposal in February, but the COVID-19 crisis upended the states finances, and the plan was never enacted. Instead, state leaders extended the fiscal year until Sept. 30 and enacted a temporary three-month $7.7 billion budget.

The proposal Murphy will outline Tuesday would be for the new, nine-month fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. He and state lawmakers will then have a little more than a month to argue, negotiate, and craft a final plan. The state Legislature must sign off on a budget before Murphy can sign it into law.

This comes as the governor says the state is facing a $5 billion hole in tax revenue in the wake of vast business closings and social-distancing restrictions to help fight the pandemic. Murphy has said the state will need a combination of budget cuts, tax increases, borrowing, and federal aid to close the gap.

The new plan includes a few items that were in Murphys original budget proposal from six months ago, according to sources:

The so-called millionaires tax  which would increase from 8.97% to 10.75% on gross income between $1 and $5 million. Murphys fellow Democrats who control the state Legislature have blocked that plan twice since the governor took office.

An increase of $1.65 in taxes on each pack of cigarettes sold in the state.

An increase of $48 on the fee people must pay to buy a handgun permit in the state and an increase of $95 on the fee for every firearms identification card, among other gun fee hikes.

Meanwhile, Murphy will seek to borrow $4 billion, sources said  which is less than originally expected.

The Legislature gave the governor permission to borrow up to $9.9 billion over the next two years because of the pandemic. Republicans sued to stop them, but the state Supreme Court ruled the plan doesnt violate the state Constitution  though the ruling stressed leaders could borrow no more than the amount of the shortfall.

Murphy said Friday he will use borrowing judiciously.

In addition, the state would make a $4.9 billion contribution to New Jerseys troubled pension system for public workers under the budget. That would be the largest in state history and almost as large as the tax revenue gap.

The budget, sources said, would also restore the Senior Freeze program and the Homestead Property Tax credit, which helps about 580,000 seniors, disabled, or low-income homeowners.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.
Lisa Armstrong has viewed homes with her new boyfriend as she prepares to move out of the property she shared with ex Ant McPartlin, it has been claimed.

According to The Sun, the makeup artist, 43, was accompanied by new lover James Green, 37, and her beloved pooch Hurley as she perused prospective abodes.

A source told the publication of Lisa, who got a 6million west London mansion in her divorce settlement from Ant, 44: 'Lisa wants to start again in her own home.'

On the move? Lisa Armstrong has viewed homes with her new boyfriend as she prepares to move out of the property she shared with ex Ant McPartlin, it has been claimed

In snapshots obtained by The Sun, Strictly Come Dancing makeup artist Lisa is seen looking chic in a polka dot minidress and sunglasses as she chats with James.

Carrying two bags, she her four-legged companion Hurley on a leash as she merrily chats with James, who dons a light long-sleeved shirt with shorts.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Lisa Armstrong for comment.

On Saturday morning, Lisa appeared to confirm her romance, after fans reached out to her on Twitter to congratulate her on the happy news.

Case of the ex: The star's new relationship with James Green, 37, comes three years after her split from Ant McPartlin, 44, was announced (Pictured together in 2010)

Her new relationship with James comes three years after her split from TV personality Ant was announced.

Lisa looked to be happier than ever as she was seen enjoying an outdoor date with her rumoured new boyfriend James in London earlier this month.

And, the makeup artist appeared to confirm their romance after a fan got in touch on social media.

Her follower tweeted: 'Just love the fact that, A. Your Career continues to soar. B. You have a handsome good man who clearly cares for you (Finally).

'I wish you...... Love, life and magic in all you do.'

Confirmation? The make-up artist appeared to confirm their romance after a fan got in touch on social media

Rather than denying the relationship rumours, Lisa retweeted the message for her followers to see, adding three kiss-blowing emojis, and added: 'Thank-you Kathy xx.'

The blonde is said to have met James before lockdown but started seeing him properly once restrictions started to ease.

An onlooker who spotted the pair together earlier this month, told The Sun: 'She and James both looked really happy.

'They were very lovey-dovey  as you are in the early stages of romance. They were chatting intently, holding hands, and she was laughing a lot.

'They made no effort to disguise their feelings. After the pictures of the couple emerged, a fan wrote to Lisa on Twitter: 'Yes Lisa! He is fit! So chuffed for you, get in!!!'

'Fit': The head of make-up and hair for Strictly Come Dancing seemed to confirm their relationship as she responded to a delighted fan on Twitter

The head of make-up and hair for Strictly Come Dancing retweeted the message with her 142,000 followers and added three smiley face emojis.

'She also liked another tweet from a fan that told her: 'You f***ing Queen.'

Meanwhile, her ex-husband Ant continues his relationship with his former personal assistant and girlfriend of two years, Anne-Marie Corbett, 43.

Lisa and Ant finalised their divorce back in April after their split in January 2018 following the presenter's highly documented battle with painkillers and alcohol

Love life: The TV icon has been dating his former personal assistant Anne-Marie Corbett, 43, for two years (pictured in November 2019)

Earlier this year, Saturday Night Takeaway host Ant was reported to have handed over 31 million to Lisa, including their 5 million home in West London.

The beauty expert was said to have been the 'peacemaker' during an eight-hour long discussion about her divorce from the TV star, claimed The Sun.

The publication first alleged the TV veteran offered up more than half of his estimated 50 million fortune, but was 'delighted' that the case has come to an end as he can 'move on', two years after announcing their split.

However, as the news broke, the former musician took to Twitter to deny the reports, posting: 'Nope a load of nonsense AGAIN....'

She went to 'like' tweets that stated: 'no amount of money could ever compensate for what this poor girl has had to endure', and 'Get what you can!

'You deserve it! Terrible treatment of you since you found out when we did! And with a so called friend! It's heartbreaking behaviour.

'I bet the money means nothing in some respects, it certainly can't buy the respect she deserves or make up for the sh***y spineless way he scurried off & tried to silence her.

'Whatever the sum is I'm sure it will be put to much better use & I wish her all the best'; and 'Why do people care what you get, no amount of money big or small can change the fact a heart was broken'. [sic]

At the start of 2020, the former couple were said to be on civil terms, with the exes speaking have 'without an intermediary' as they continue to share custody of their pet Labrador.

All over: The makeup artist and the presenter finalised their '31 million' divorce back in April after their split in January 2018 (pictured on their wedding day in 2015)

Late last year, friends of the former couple told The Mail On Sunday that despite efforts by Ant to keep their split low-key, Lisa still wanted her day in court. She is understood to have felt that Ant 'got away with a lot' following their split.

She was also believed to be dismayed and deeply hurt that he moved on so quickly when he started a new relationship with Anne-Marie.

A source close to the couple said: 'Ant has been very generous in terms of the financial settlement but Lisa is totally the opposite of someone who is motivated by money.

'She doesn't care about that  she earns her own. But she has been so hurt by all of this.

'What the general public and his fans don't realise is that Ant's decision to end the marriage came after years of Lisa trying to save him from himself.

'There were at least three years when she was at her wits' end and it was tough. Watching him move on was very, very difficult. Lisa is very much aware that a judge may not award her as much as Ant is offering but she doesn't care.

'She has suffered tremendously in all of this and she wants her day in court.'

Their union legally came to an end during a 30-second hearing in October 2018, finalising over a decade of marriage. He can now marry his 'rock' Anne-Marie.

Ant and Lisa met at a roadshow in Newcastle in the mid-1990s while Lisa was an aspiring pop star in Deuce. He had often spoken of their struggle to have children.
Asian hornets reportedly pose a threat to native species. (SWNS)

Asian hornets are set to arrive in the UK in record numbers over the next few weeks, experts have warned.

Unsettled weather will reportedly create a perfect breeding ground for the enormous flying insects which could see them appear in large numbers from 7 September onwards.

The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) says Asian hornets are now most likely to be spotted in the south of England.

And Lynne Ingram, co-ordinator of Somersets Asian hornet action teams, warned the species can give a powerful sting and will play havoc with the UK's bee population.

Small pockets of the hornets have been spotted in previous years, mainly around the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, but the BBKA say the public's help is now desperately needed.

An Asian hornet chases bees near a beehive in northern France last September. (Getty)

They have called on people to send in photos of their nests so they can be destroyed before the hornets are able to multiply.

See it, snap it and send it! Ingram said.

We need the publics help to save our bees from the Asian hornet which has been wreaking havoc through Europe since 2004.

"Now is the time to spot the hornets so that their nests can be destroyed before they multiply.

If you see a hornet take a photo, send it to us and well do the rest. Or use the official Asian hornet watch app and report it.

"The arrival of the hornet in Britain is especially bad news for bees, a favourite food source, and a single hornet can completely devastate a beehive, devouring up to 60 at a time.

The University of Exeter is carrying our research into the impact Asian hornets are having on honeybees and other pollinators where they become established.

Research fellow and behavioural ecologist Dr Peter Kennedy said: Asian hornets are anticipated to be a significant mortality factor influencing a broad spectrum of insects, including honeybees, on top of existing stressors (habitat loss, disease, pollution, climate change, etc.) that already impact our beleaguered native pollinator community.

Story continues

Worldwide, invasive non-native species are recognised as being a serious threat to biodiversity, and it is consequently important that we encourage the public to be informed, vigilant and proactive in reporting the presence of Asian hornets and other invasive species.

The hornets are able to kill with one sting among people who have an allergy, while they also pose a threat to the environment and native species.

One hornet can also eat 50 bees in a day.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK News
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Punit Paranjpe (Agence France-Presse) Mahad, India  Tue, August 25, 2020 20:00 512 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c406af1c 2 World India,collapsed-building Free

Rescuers in India pulled a four-year-old boy from the rubble of a collapsed building to loud cheers on Tuesday, hours after the five-story apartment block came down "like a house of cards", killing 11 and burying up to 60 others.

The accident late Monday in the western town of Mahad led three disaster-response teams and sniffer dogs to work through the night, combing tin sheets, twisted metal and broken bricks.

Officials said many residents of the 47 flats inside the building were spared because they had already fled the town to escape the coronavirus pandemic.

The cause of the accident was not immediately clear but building collapses are common during India's June-September monsoon, with old and rickety structures buckling after days of non-stop rain.

National Disaster Response Force spokesman Sachidanand Gawde told reporters that locals and emergency workers had retrieved the bodies of 11 victims in addition to the little boy who survived the collapse.

Video of the rescue effort showed onlookers applauding and cheering as the child was plucked out of the wreckage and hauled up on a stretcher.

Estimates of the number trapped ranged from 20 to 70 on Tuesday morning after dozens managed to flee when the building began to shake.

"No one knows how many people are actually stuck inside," a Mahad police official told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that authorities had initially feared much worse, with early estimates as high as 200.

Mahad legislator Bharat Gogawale told AFP that many of the building's occupants appeared to have been out shopping when the accident occurred around 7:00 pm.

Others had left the town altogether, preferring to wait out the pandemic in their home villages.

"Many families were not residing in the building as they went to their native places due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown," district official Nidhi Choudhari told the Press Trust of India.

Residents' complaints

As emergency workers made their way through the wreckage, looking for survivors, distressed relatives watched, desperate for news of their loved ones.

"Three people from my family are stuck under the rubble -- my mother, my sister and my nephew," said Gazala, a doctor who preferred to give only her first name to AFP.

Mustafa Chafekar, a resident who had been in home quarantine after testing positive for the virus, told the Mumbai Mirror that he and his family of five initially thought they were experiencing an earthquake.

"We ran down immediately... The whole [structure] collapsed right in front of us," the 39-year-old said of their escape.

He said residents had previously complained to the builders about the condition of the complex.

Local politician Manik Motiram Jagtap told TV9 Marathi that the structure was 10 years old and built on "weak" foundations.

"It fell like a house of cards," Jagtap said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was "saddened".

"My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their dear ones. I pray the injured recover soon," he said.

The monsoon plays a vital role in boosting agricultural harvests across South Asia. But it also causes widespread death and destruction, unleashing floods, triggering building collapses and inundating low-lying villages.

The death toll from monsoon-related disasters this year has topped 1,200, including more than 800 in India.

The building collapse is a further blow to the state of Maharashtra, already hit hard by the coronavirus, with the region accounting for more than a fifth of India's more than three million infections.

The pandemic has also cast a shadow over India's ongoing Ganesha Chaturthi festival, with Hindu devotees ordered to sharply scale down celebrations and rituals honoring the much loved elephant god.
The efficiency of coronavirus testing can be improved significantly by using a mathematical technique, according to a new study.

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel adopted a new approach to a technique known as pool-sampling, which tests a group of people rather than individuals to identify suspected carriers quickly at a relatively low cost.

An algorithm programmed to use combination, a mathematical technique that deals with the selection of items from a collection, was able to identify cases with a 100 per cent accuracy rate, according to the research published in Science Advances last week.

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

The team divided 384 samples into 48 pools, and the content of each sample was mixed to ensure it appeared in six different pools.

Four positive cases were found among the samples and scientists were able to use the technique to pinpoint where it had come from.

About 10 to 30 per cent of Covid-19 patients had no symptoms but could spread the virus significantly, according to the lead researcher Angel Porgador.

Until there is a vaccine, there will be an urgent need to increase diagnostic testing capabilities to allow for screening of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic populations, he said in a statement.

Pool sampling is already being used as a weapon in the global fight against the pandemic. Beijing, for instance, screened 10 million residents in about a week using this method.

Beijing used pool testing to test 10 million people. Photo: Reuters

Researchers in the capital grouped one sample from each person in a pool and all people in the pool  usually three or five people  were tested again if the group result was positive.

In the Israeli study, each person was only tested once and fewer tests were needed.

Porgadors team warned that their method would only work in areas where the disease was prevalent in 1 per cent or less of the population because too many positive cases meant the algorithm could no longer produce reliable results.

Story continues

But the researchers remained positive about the technologys effectiveness, writing in the study that with the implementation of lockdown and other measures, we anticipate that in the near future carrier rates are likely to drop below this threshold in many countries.

Another common problem with pool testing is the dilution of samples.

If oral or nasal swipes from different people are mixed, viral genes become more difficult to detect with commercial test kits.

The researchers said the optimal sample-to-pool ratio was around eight. As long as the number of pools stayed under this threshold, false reports rarely occurred, if at all.

The new pooling method, called P-BEST, has been approved by the Israeli Ministry of Health for use in clinical laboratories earlier this month.

More than 1,000 health care workers have received rapid screening using the method.

But it is unclear whether other countries such as China will embrace the technology.

An official working at one of Beijings coronavirus test centres told state media in June that the handling of a large number of samples could be very challenging, and their biggest nightmare was messing up the labelling.

Although the new approach can reduce the number of tests, it will increase the burden on technicians if the division and combination of samples has to be handled manually.

But a liquid-handling robot could do almost all the work, according to the Israeli scientists, and would take about an hour to pool the 384 samples without human intervention.

This article Coronavirus tests could be more efficient using this mathematical technique first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020.
<p><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/dominic-raab-7670" target="_blank"><strong>Mr Raab</strong></a> will visit <a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/israel-5981" target="_blank"><strong>Israel</strong></a> and occupied <a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/palestinian-territories-7738" target="_blank"><strong>Palestinian territories</strong></a> for talks with senior figures, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.</p><p>His trip comes little more than a week after Israel <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/uae-and-israel-to-sign-deal-halting-palestinian-land-annexation-12048637" target="_blank"><strong>halted its planned annexation</strong></a> of parts of the occupied West Bank and established diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).</p><p>Ahead of his visit, the foreign secretary said: "The UK remains committed to Israel's security and stability, and the recent normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE was an important moment for the region.</p><p>"Israel's suspension of annexation is an essential step towards a more peaceful Middle East.</p><p>"It is important to build on this new dynamic, and ultimately only the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority can negotiate the two-state solution required to secure lasting peace."</p><p>Mr Raab will push for renewed dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders and reinforce the UK's commitment to preventing annexation and pursuing a negotiated two-state solution.</p><p>As well as meeting Mr Netanyahu in Israel, Mr Raab will also hold talks with Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi and defence minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz.</p><p>He will also meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh in Ramallah, during which he will call on them to resume cooperation with Israel and pursue direct talks.</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>Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced the normalisation of relations between the UAE and Israel following a deal struck between Mr Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan.</p><p>The agreement will see Israel backing down from "unilateral annexation" of areas of the occupied West Bank - land sought by the Palestinians for their future state.</p> <p>Israel signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994 but the UAE - along with most other Arab nations - did not recognise Israel and had no formal diplomatic or economic relations with the country until this month.</p><p>However, Mr Abbas last week described the deal as "nonsense" and accused the UAE of turning its back on Palestinians.</p>
An Algerian court condemned journalist Abdelkrim Zeghileche to two years in prison over a Facebook post on August 24, but he was released from prison on 23 December to return directly to court for hearings in two other cases. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) deplored the ruling as a blatant attack against freedom of expression and expressed its grave concerns over the growing media crackdown in Algeria.

Updated: December 23, 2020

On 23 December, Abdelkrim Zeghileche, head of the independent web-based radio station Radio Sarbacane, was released from prison to be taken to court again for hearings in two other cases.

In one case, he is accused of insulting the president and opening Radio Sarcabane without authorization. The prosecution seeks for confirmation of another six-month prison sentence and a fine of 50,000 dinars ($380).

In the other, a former official in Constantine, a city located in northeast Algeria, accused him of defamation. The prosecution points to a year in prison and a fine which hasn't been specified yet.

The verdicts of both cases are expected on 30 December.

In the latest trial against him, Zeghileche was charged with endangering national unity and insulting the head of land. He allegedly posted calls to create a new political party on Facebook.

Zeghileche has been in detention since June 24. On August 24, an Algerian court sentenced him to two years in prison and a fine of 100,000 dinars ($777). His lawyer Djamel Aissiouane said he would appeal the ruling.

Anti-government protests have swept Algeria since last year when demonstrators ousted president Abdelaziz Bouteflika from power.

In recent months, Algerian courts have stepped up the prosecution and harassment of journalists, protestors, opposition politicians and social media users. Lawyer Aissiouane told AFP: Now, whenever any of Algerias opposition speaks, they label them as endangering national unity to jail them.

Growing pressure over journalists and media

In early August, journalist Khaled Drareni was sentenced to three years in prison for reporting on the Hirak protest movement. The IFJ and other international journalists associations and human rights organizations strongly condemned his sentence.

In July, Ali Djamel Toubal, who had also reported on the anti-regime demonstrations, was sentenced to 15 months in prison on charges of insulting official state institutions.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: We are deeply concerned over the deteriorating state of press freedom in Algeria. We demand the immediate release of Abdelkrim Zeghileche and all the journalists detained in Algeria.
Planned Parenthood agrees to install ultrasound equipment, drops case against Ind. abortion law

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

After years of legal battles, abortion giant Planned Parenthood has agreed to drop its lawsuit against an Indiana law that requires women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound 18 hours before an abortion.

A court filing on Aug. 19 states that Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky reached an agreement with the state and agreed to drop its three-year lawsuit against the 2016 law it claimed would hinder women's access to abortion.

The Planned Parenthood affiliate had been granted a court injunction in 2017 after it argued that the law requiring abortion clinics to perform an ultrasound on patients was unconstitutional.

Last week, however, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky agreed to install ultrasound equipment in its Fort Wayne clinic and train staff on how to use it. Both parties in the litigation  the state of Indiana and Planned Parenthood  also asked the court to dismiss the case.

Due to events that have occurred in the more than three years since this court entered the preliminary injunction  including, Plaintiffs addition of a new ultrasound machine at a new clinic in Fort Wayne  the parties have conferred and agree that, on January 1, 2021, the preliminary injunction should be vacated and this case should be dismissed, the court filing states in part.

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill reacted favorably to the news. Im pleased that Planned Parenthood saw the likelihood that this very reasonable law ultimately would be upheld, he said. To their credit, they recognized the merits of avoiding further legal wrangling over this matter.

The legal battle Hill referred to began after then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed House Bill 1337 into law four years ago. The bill includes several pro-life measures, including a requirement mandating that abortion providers perform an ultrasound at least 18 hours before an abortion is performed.

Almost immediately following its passage, the bill began to face legal challenges from pro-abortion groups, including Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union. A federal judge struck down the law less than 24 hours before it was set to take effect.

A decision by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower courts ruling blocking the law. Eventually, the battle over House Bill 1337 reached the United States Supreme Court.

Last month, the high court threw out the Seventh Circuits ruling, ordering the lower court to reconsider the case in light of its decision in June Medical Services, L.L.C. v. Russo. While that Supreme Court's decision invalidated a Louisiana law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at local hospitals, Chief Justice John Roberts indicated in his concurring opinion that states still had wiggle room to enact abortion restrictions in some cases.

In the past, members of the judicial branch have upheld state laws mandating that women be shown ultrasounds before an abortion. Last December, the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from pro-abortion groups seeking to strike down a Kentucky law requiring mothers to view an ultrasound and listen to their childs heartbeat before they confirmed they wanted to have an abortion.

The Supreme Courts decision not to hear the case enabled the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upholding the Kentucky law to remain in place. Two weeks ago, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals gave the state of Arkansas the green light to implement laws banning dismemberment abortions and sex-selective abortions.

Last October, a federal judge upheld a Virginia law requiring ultrasounds and waiting periods for women seeking abortions. That law was overruled by the Reproductive Health Protection Act, signed into law by Gov. Ralph Northam this past April.

However, not every judicial ruling on abortion that has taken place in the past year has resulted in a favorable outcome for the pro-life movement. In addition to the Supreme Courts ruling on the Louisiana law, a federal judge in Iowa blocked a law requiring a 24-hour waiting period for abortions from going into effect there.
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.




A message from the health director

The following is a note from Dr. Wade Kartchner, health director of the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District.

As many of you may know, those most vulnerable to becoming severely ill and even dying from COVID-19 are those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The latest data show that over half of the deaths in Virginia due to COVID-19 have occurred in these facilities.

Until now, our district has been relatively spared, but that is no longer the case. We currently have three outbreaks -- Brookside Rehab and Nursing in Fauquier County, Culpeper Health and Rehab in Culpeper and Countryside Assisted Living in Madison County. We are working closely with these facilities to assist in their response to these cases. The response consistently includes the following measures from the VDH Long Term Care Taskforce website:

Point prevalence surveys that test staff and residents for COVID-19 on a regular basis and more often during an outbreak.

Limit points of entry to the facility. Visitors, volunteers and non-essential healthcare personnel are restricted from the facility, except for end-of-life situations.

Restrict all residents to their room and enforce social distancing. Cancel all group activities and communal dining.

Residents should be allowed to leave only for medically necessary purposes (e.g., hemodialysis), and should wear a face mask (if tolerated) when they leave.

Designate a location to cohort residents with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Screen health care personnel for fever and respiratory symptoms at the beginning of their shift. If they are ill, have them put on a face mask and leave the workplace.

Implement universal use of face masks for HCP while in the facility, as supply allows.

Designate particular health care providers who will be responsible for caring for COVID-19 patients.

Follow environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures consistently and correctly.

Understand that once a case is introduced into any congregate setting (think workplace, penal institution etc.), it is difficult to control the spread of any infectious disease. Compound that with the medical conditions many of these patients have, including ones that require significant medical care or ones that leave them without the mental faculties to self-regulate, and spread is even more problematic.

As can be imagined, these are difficult times for everyone, and these most vulnerable in our society need to be protected.

It reiterates the point that we, particularly those who are working in these environments, need to be careful and follow the 3 Ws even when we are away from the workplace. For virtually the only way these cases occur is when someone brings it into a facility.

So lets watch out for each other, especially these folks who cant fend for themselves. Wash your hands often, Watch your distance from others, and Wear a mask when you cant.
With more people working from home full-time to help slow the spread of coronavirus, millions of American employees are using more electricity at home. Recent data we pulled across the country shows a 10-15% increase in usage is expected this summer and emissions that were normally specific to the workplace have now been divided across employee homes. This trend is unlikely to slow down any time soon, with three in five U.S. workers preferring to continue to work remotely as much as possible. With one third of Americans currently working from home, commuting to and from the office has gone down significantly. As fewer people drive or take public transportation to work, companies can reallocate those benefits and start to look at how to subsidize utility bills as a new form of employee benefit.

"Most employees are working from home right now, and some will not be returning to the office post covid-19," said Alexa Minerva, Senior Director of Partnerships at Arcadia. "As home energy consumption increases, we're eager to start working with businesses on getting their employees access to clean energy that alleviates much of the burden, and at the same time reduces their carbon footprint. As our lifestyles with home energy change, so should employee benefits."

How it works:

Arcadia connects workplaces in any state with 100% clean energy for their employee's homes at no cost, and companies can choose to subsidize monthly bills for their team through the platform.

Employees have access to their own Arcadia account for their home, which takes 3 minutes to set up, streamlines utility bill payments and comes with impact tracking and a monthly impact report.

Businesses have access to sustainability reports that can be used to offset their scope 3 emissions reporting.

Companies committed to emissions or sustainability goals need creative new ways to deliver on their commitments as office energy use falls and business travel declines. Arcadia offers a way for employers to meet these goals while leveraging the work from home environment. Offsetting employees' home energy is the most important new carbon emissions category all companies should be looking at.

"We're thrilled to partner with Arcadia on this new initiative," said Alan Zang, Senior VP, Finance & Operations at CustomerFirst Renewables. "Getting the program up and running is incredibly easy and enables us to empower our employees that are no longer in the office, while also staying on track with internal goals to reduce carbon emissions and aligning perfectly with our mission as an independent energy advisor to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy use."

For more information on Arcadia's employee benefits program and ways you can partner with Arcadia, please visit www.arcadia.com/partners

ABOUT ARCADIA

Arcadia makes choosing clean energy easy. As the only nationwide tech company focused on consumer energy, Arcadia's software manages consumer utility accounts to bundle clean energy, energy efficiency tools, rate monitoring and more in a simplified, modern account experience. Founded in 2015, the company's platform now integrates with more than 125 utilities in all 50 states, manages 4.5 terawatt-hours of residential energy demand, is the largest residential energy broker in the country, and manages the most community solar subscribers in the U.S. For more information, visit www.arcadia.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

CONTACT: Brennan Johnson, [email protected]

SOURCE Arcadia

Related Links

http://www.arcadia.com


In Canada, schools prepare to reopen classes with special measures as parents from the U.S. navigate border restrictions.

Sending kids to school in Canada from the U.S. amid travel restrictions In Canada, schools prepare to reopen classes with special measures as parents from the U.S. navigate border restrictions.

Sending kids to school in Canada from the U.S. amid travel restrictions In Canada, schools prepare to reopen classes with special measures as parents from the U.S. navigate border restrictions.

Sending kids to school in Canada from the U.S. amid travel restrictions In Canada, schools prepare to reopen classes with special measures as parents from the U.S. navigate border restrictions. Shelby Thevenot Chris Collette Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

U.S. parents who send their kids to school in Canada have to navigate the travel restrictions that are now in place for another month.

Canada has extended border restrictions on U.S. travellers until September 21, which is weeks after classes are set to start across the country.

U.S. parents are facing prolonged processing delays this year as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) works to process a large backlog of study permit applications. Online application processing for new study permits is currently estimated to take about 20 weeks, according to the IRCC webpage.

Under normal circumstances, eligible students could get their study permits immediately at land border crossings or at the port of entry of an airport. But since travel restrictions were implemented in March of this year, travel to Canada for a discretionary or optional reason is not permitted which includes travelling to ports of entry for the purposes of making an immigration application.

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

However, Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) told CIC News that students who enter Canada from the U.S. may still be able to get their permits immediately at a port of entry, as long as they can establish that they are coming to Canada for an essential reason.

Students who enter Canada from the U.S. may apply for their study permit upon entry to Canada, however, they must still demonstrate that their travel to Canada is not for an optional or discretionary purpose, CBSA said in an email. Students who can complete their studies online are encouraged to remain in their home country. The onus is on the student to demonstrate that their presence in Canada is required.

Coming to Canada to study is still considered to be discretionary or optional unless the student needs to be in the country to complete their studies. As such, U.S. students may be granted study permits at ports of entry if they meet the usual study permit application requirements and can show the border services officer that they need to be in Canada to carry out their studies. They could do this by including a letter from their school saying that their in-person presence is essential to the program, for example, or that it is impossible to complete the program remotely.

U.S. students who do come to Canada will also have to quarantine themselves for two weeks, and they will have to satisfy the border officer that they have a suitable quarantine plan. In all cases, the final decision is at the discretion of the border officer.

Parents will have to have their own essential reason and quarantine plan to make a case for themselves to accompany their children to their residence while in Canada.

CBSA said that people who are driving students to their Canadian institutions will generally be considered as travelling for a discretionary or optional purpose of travel, meaning they may be denied entry. The spokesperson also said that the parents, or drivers, may be denied entry if they cannot comply with the mandatory quarantine requirements.

Travel restrictions between Canada and the U.S. will be reviewed within the next month.

Find out if you are eligible for any Canadian immigration programs

 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved
pv magazine spoke with Catherine Von Burg, CEO of the Californian battery company, to discuss why she believes lithium-iron-phosphate is the chemistry of the near future.From pv magazine USA. U.S.-owned analyst Wood Mackenzie last week estimated lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) is poised to overtake lithium-manganese-cobalt-oxide (NMC) as the dominant stationary storage chemistry by 2030. While that is an ambitious prediction in its own right, one company, Simpliphi, is looking to drive the transition even sooner. "There's a really critical factor that's also having an impact on the industry that ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Spain has started the week just as the last one finished: watching the general rise in nearly all of the indicators that measure the spread of a second wave of the coronavirus with concern. Since last Monday, a total of 46,000 cases have been diagnosed  an increase of 13% of the total since the epidemic took hold. The country has so far confirmed 405,000 positive cases since the month of March.

Madrid continues to be the focal point of the health crisis, and has registered 15,000 new cases in just a week, a rise of 16.1% to 108,000 cumulative diagnoses. The region has 300 more hospitalizations since last Thursday, when the Health Ministry began to offer detailed information on this data point, which is a rise of 24% in four days, to a total of 1,544 patients. This figure is 12% of the total capacity of the regions hospitals. Admissions in intensive care units (ICUs) are currently at 165, 31% more than on Thursday.

The rising trend is present in a large number of the regions, but it is true that in some of them we are observing the stabilization of the number of cases Fernando Simon, director of the Health Ministrys Coordination Center for Health Alerts

The Madrid region on Sunday opted to confine the small municipality of Tielmes on Sunday, a measure that, according to the Health Ministry, might not be the last that needs to be adopted. Its true that in other municipalities, which form part of the larger metropolitan Madrid, its more difficult to apply this type of measure, but of course if the incidence continues to rise, drastic measures will have to be taken, said on Monday Fernando Simon, the director of the Health Ministrys Coordination Center for Health Alerts (CCAES), during one of his regular press conferences on the coronavirus crisis. I dont know if it will be a lockdown or of another type, without restricting mobility beyond the perimeter. Im sure that the Madrid region has all of the options on the table.

One of the few pieces of good news reported on Monday by the ministry is that the spread of the virus is slowing in regions that have been in a poor epidemiological situation, such as Aragon and part of Catalonia. This shows that carrying out mass PCR tests and tracing contacts can improve even the most pessimistic of scenarios. The cost, however, is the need for more restrictions, such as those announced on Monday by the Catalan regional premier, Quim Torra, which will prohibit meetings of more than 10 people apart from for reasons of transport, work or education.

Fernando Simon during Monday's press conference. Oscar J.Barroso (Europa Press)

But the situation is clearly getting worse in the rest of the country, in particular in areas that began with a better epidemiological situation. The best example is Murcia, which, since Thursday, has seen the number of ICU patients triple, to 31. Its hospital admissions are also up 131% and positive cases have risen 25%. All of this yesterday prompted the regional government to limit social meetings to six people.

The effect of the pandemic has also notably increased in the Balearic Islands, where hospitalizations have risen 43%, the Canary Islands, where hospitalizations are up 30% and ICU admissions up 69%, Castilla-La Mancha (hospitalizations up 45%) and Castilla y Leon (hospitalizations up 26%). The latter two regions, however, saw lower rises than the remainder in terms of new cases: around 10% for the last seven days. This would suggest that the measures implemented to control infections are taking effect. Experts explain that hospitalizations and mortality begin to rise two or three weeks after new cases do.

The indicators are also promising in Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia and Extremadura, but they have begun to rise in Andalusia. In the Basque Country, the situation continues to be complicated and the number of new cases has risen 16% in a week, with hospitalizations up 21% since Thursday to 404, which is 10% of the health services capacity. ICU admissions have risen 37%, to 37, since Thursday.

Madrid continues to be the focal point of the health crisis, and has registered 15,000 new cases in just a week

The rising trend is present in a large number of the regions, but it is true that in some of them we are observing the stabilization of the number of cases and in the weekly incidence, Simon explained on Monday.

The data for the country as a whole, however, paints a mostly worrying picture. The cumulative incidence in the last 14 days, which is one of the variables most used to compare the situation with other countries, continues to rise and is currently at 166 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

The number of people who have begun to suffer symptoms in the last two weeks, however, has fallen slightly. The ministry does not supply data over the weekend, but on Friday, this figure was at 21,659 and on Monday it was just under 21,000. This data point is also closely observed by the experts to monitor the progress of the epidemic, given that it offers the most recent indicator of the health crisis. This fall, after many days on the rise, is, in principle, positive. More days are needed, however, before it can be determined whether this is a solid change of trend.

The number of Covid-19-related fatalities, meanwhile, came in at 96 for the last seven days in Mondays report, which is 34 more than Friday. This data, however, is not representative of the real situation given that the global total supplied by the Health Ministry continues to suffer considerable delays compared to the numbers being announced by the regions themselves.

Simon also explained on Monday that he expected there to be fewer cases of common colds and the regular flu this fall and winter, given the obligatory requirement to wear masks in public. We will continue to wear them, which means that the risks will be reduced, the CCAES director explained.

As for the return to schools in September, Simon admitted that the reopening of classrooms could see the virus transmitted more easily, but he pointed to the planned upcoming meetings between the central government and Spains regional authorities, which are aimed at ensuring that children can return to school with sufficient safety measures so that this doesnt mean any risks for the population.

English version by Simon Hunter.
A vegan Instagram model who allegedly filmed herself snatching piglets from a factory farm has also been accused of breaking into a chicken farm.

Lauren Ann McGeachin, 28, was accused of breaking into Cameron Pastoral Companys piggery near Toowoomba, southern Queensland, in November last year.

She was charged with stealing stock and entering a premises with intent and later accused of breaking into Williams Poultry, The Courier Mail reported.

Scroll down for video

Instagram model Lauren Ann McGeachin (pictured with a piglet), 28, allegedly broke in to a piggery near Toowoomba, southern Queensland, in November last year

McGeachin (pictured) was charged by police after sharing a series of videos featuring her and others inside the farm with the baby pigs to her Instagram account

The activist allegedly broke into the chicken farm in Canningvale some time between July 12 and 14 last year.

McGeachin fronted Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday and has indicated she will plead guilty to both incidents.

McGeachin was initially charged after allegedly posting a series of videos featuring her and others inside the piggery with baby pigs.

She shared distressing footage showing piles of dead piglets in a stall with a live sow with her 70,000 Instagram followers.

The vegan activist (pictured with a dog) faced court on Monday and was also charged over allegedly breaking into Williams Poultry chicken farm in Canningvale last July

McGeachin is charged with entering premises with intent to commit an indictable offence

Other videos showed partially buried pig carcasses and McGeachin cradling the rescued piglets.

In a later Instagram highlights reel titled 'court', McGeachin said she was 'interrogated' about the animals after eight police officers raided her home.

'We rescued piglets a few months ago and I am now being charged with rescuing them,' she said.

She later told her Instagram followers the animals had been confiscated and she was worried they would be euthanised.

'I don't know how they are or where they are, which sucks,' she said in a video.

'They (also) said I could be facing a $6,000 [fine] and a conviction.

'Just for rescuing piglets that were in a factory farm.'

McGeachin also told her followers she was 'planning on entering a guilty plea'.

She is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.

Police previously said three other women were also charged following an alleged theft at the piggery.

It is understood McGeachin intends to plead guilty to both the July and November break-ins
Earlier this month, Agneepath actor Sanjay Dutt was diagnosed with lung cancer. His colleague and friend in the film industry, Suniel Shetty reacted to this news and said that he consciously prays for Sanjay all the time, and he hopes that Sanjay will recover soon.

Sanjay was admitted to the Lilavati hospital after complaining of breathlessness. He tested negative for COVID-19 but was eventually diagnosed with lung cancer.

Talking about this, Suniel told Times of India, "Now, you hear about Sanju (Sanjay Dutt) being unwell. Be it morning or evening, he is always consciously in my prayers. He has gone through hell. I am praying to God to help him recover faster."

Suniel also shared how much it hurts to have lost valuable artists in the film industry this year. "I don't even want to talk about what has happened this year because every day when you see pictures of the people we have lost, it hurts. It hurts like crazy. People have loved them as an individual not only as actors. They have lived life and they were such wonderful people. They were knowledge banks. That is what hurts the most," he said.

Sanjay is currently undergoing preliminary treatment in Mumbai's Kokilaben Hospital. His wife Maanyata Dutt, who was in Dubai with their children due to the pandemic, flew back to Mumbai to be with her husband. In a recent statement, she updated Sanjay's well-wishers on his health, and requested people to not speculate about it.

With regard to work, Sanjay will next be seen in Sadak 2, a sequel to the 1991 movie Sadak. Directed by Mahesh Bhatt and produced by Mukesh Bhatt, the film also stars Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur and Pooja Bhatt.

ALSO READ: Maanyata Dutt Issues Statement On Sanjay Dutt's Health, Says He Is Under Preliminary Treatment

ALSO READ: Kamya Panjabi Observes Akhand Jyot For Sanjay Dutt's Health And Well Being On Ganesh Chaturthi
The wife of a Florida police officer died after she got trapped in the back seat of his work SUV for hours in sweltering 90-degree temperatures, officials say.

Clara Paulino, 56, died inside her husband's police Ford Explorer on Friday outside their home in Miami Shores, according to the Miami Herald.

She is the wife of Aristides Paulino, who has been a cop in Miami for 25 years.

He was asleep in their home after his midnight shift when his wife climbed into the back seat of the vehicle looking for something around 1pm and got trapped inside by the door's latching mechanism, which prevents it from being opened from the inside.

Pictured: Clara Paulino, 56, died inside her husband's police Ford Explorer on Friday outside their home in Miami Shores

Paulino didn't have her cellphone and the safety partition in the vehicle prevented her from reaching over the front seat to honk the horn for help.

'It's literally a cage,' one Miami cop said of the vehicle's rear seat.

The Miami police cars have cages that separate the back seat from the front seat, have bars on the windows and can only be opened from the outside, according to NBC Miami.

Aristides, 58, and the couple's son found her body around 5.30pm  about four and a half-hours after she got trapped.

Her fingerprints were found all over the interior of the Ford Explorer following the horrific incident.

'Clearly, she was panicked and trying to get out,' a source told the Herald.

It's not clear what she went into the SUV for.

Her husband left it unlocked in their driveway after he returned from work following a night shift and went straight to bed Friday morning.

Investigators are treating Clara's death as an accident, but an investigation is underway by the Miami-Dade Police Department's Homicide Bureau.

The wife of Florida police officer Aristides Paulino died after she got trapped in the back seat of his work SUV for hours in sweltering 90-degree temperatures, officials say. The scene and the SUV (circled) is pictured

Clara (pictured) climbed into the back seat of the vehicle looking for something around 1pm and got trapped inside by the door's latching mechanism, which prevents it from being opened from the inside

Clara's fingerprints were found all over the interior of the Ford Explorer following the horrific incident. Her husband was asleep inside their home at the time after his midnight shift. She is seen in a picture from her Facebook account

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office is still investigating and has not ruled on a cause of death.

A police source told the Herald she had a history of medical problems that may have contributed to her death inside the vehicle.

'It's very preliminary,' police spokesman Lt. Carlos Rosario said. 'There's still a lot of work to be done. But right now, it's an unclassified death.'

Aristides and Clara had been married for 28 years.

Investigators are treating Clara's death as an accident, but an investigation is underway by the Miami-Dade Police Department's Homicide Bureau. Police on the scene above

Their son Aristides Jr said to the Herald the family didn't want to talk about her death.

'We haven't even buried her yet and it's a lot [of] pain,' he said.

'Horrible, horrible, horrible, imagine someone, that happening to someone,' neighbor Daphne Steward said to NBC.

'She loved her family and her children and I believe it's just an unfortunate situation.'

While hot-car deaths are not unusual, they're more common among young children left in vehicles by a caretaker.

Inside the back of a Miami PD Ford Interceptor SUV similar to the one Clara Paulino became trapped inside
August 25 : The drugs and Dubai link have been coming up time and again in Sushant Singh Rajputs death case, making the case even more complicating. In the latest development, a possible drug angle has emerged from Rhea Chakrabortys WhatsApp chat, bringing her role in drug cartel under the CBI scanner.

According to a Times Now report today, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials have recovered details of Rheas WhatsApp chats, and alleged her of usage and dealing of drugs. Raising questions over a possible drug angle, ED made these two charges as per their findings from Rheas WhatsApp chat. In Rheas WhatsApp chat, ED has found Rhea talking to different suppliers. ED has handed over the details in sealed envelopes to the CBI as well as the Narcotics Control Bureau, it is reported.

#Exclusive #Breaking | BIG DISCLOSURE: New drug angle emerges. ED (@dir_ed) shares details of Rheas chats with CBI & NCB.



Rhea Chakraborty's 'role' in drug cartel is under the lens.



Details by Navika Kumar, Group Editor - Politics, Times Network. | #SSRDeathDisclosure pic.twitter.com/mCEwhFS6Wb  TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 25, 2020

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy has also been alleging a drug link and a Dubai link in the late actors death, which he says is a murder and not a suicide.

BIG DISCLOSURE in Sushant's case: New drug angle emerges after ED shares details of Rhea Chakraborty's WhatsApp chats with CBI & Narcotics Control Bureau.



Details by Navika Kumar, Group Editor - Politics, Times Network. | #SSRDeathDisclosure pic.twitter.com/ETlVmNdV8K  TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 25, 2020

Meanwhile, the late actors family has revealed that on June 14 when they came to know about Sushants demise, they reached Mumbai from Patna at around 11-11.30 pm. They told Times Now that on reaching Sushants flat they were shocked to see that the late actors flatmates and staff members were cooking dinner in a visibly casual attitude as if nothing unusual has happened. Nobody looked shocked by the incident that the actor was found hanging at about 1 pm.

Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery
COLONIE  Brian Fenelon grew up beneath the flight path of Albany International Airport.

While others were annoyed by the roar of commercial jets that interrupted conversation, Fenelon spent his boyhood on Mordella Road in Colonie with head craned skyward, transfixed by the allure of aviation.

As soon as he heard a jet engine, hed run outside as fast as he could and stare up at the sky, recalled his mother, Marion Fenelon. When he was 6 he started to say, Im gonna fly airplanes someday. 

His mother marveled at her sons singular devotion. It seemed unusual to be so focused at such an early age and even more so that he would follow through, she said.

His late father, William Fenelon, a New York State Police senior investigator, encouraged his sons fascination with flying, but it carried a caveat: Thats great, but you have to pay for it.

Fenelons obsession to become a pilot took hold at 12. He towed a Lawn-Boy behind his 10-speed bike and mowed lawns around the neighborhood in the early 70s for $5. He got another fiver if there was a big backyard.

Fenelon took an introductory flying lesson at 14, passed the Federal Aviation Administrations written exam to be a private pilot at 16 and began taking flight lessons each weekend the next year while a senior at Colonie Central High School.

He worked at Clays Fish Fry and McDonalds on Wolf Road for the minimum wage in 1976. He saved all he made to pay the $45-an-hour fee for an airplane rental and instruction at Greenfield Aviation Flight School, based at the Albany airport.

Flying hooked him from day one and all he wanted to do with his life was to become a pilot. He was laser-focused, said his brother, David Fenelon, 58, a financial advisor who lives in Bolton Landing.

On Thursday, Capt. Brian Fenelon, 61, will retire after nearly 19 years with Southwest Airlines. He will conclude a 44-year career as a pilot, including two decades as an Air Force lieutenant colonel spent mainly training pilots on B-52 long-range bombers.

His final trip will be logged piloting Southwest Flight 1695, departing Albany at 4:25 p.m. and scheduled to land in Baltimore at 5:45 p.m. Family members will be in both cities to help celebrate the end of an aviation career with more than 18,000 hours total flying time. It's nowhere near a record, but it's a substantial number of cockpit hours.

It will be an emotional leave-taking of a career that began as a childhood dream.

I expect Ill shed a few tears, Fenelon said. Flying was all I ever wanted to do."

Were all really proud of him, said his sister-in-law, Kim Fenelon, who lives in Bolton Landing. She and her husband, David, are arranging a small luncheon party on the observation deck with Fenelons mother, of Ballston Spa, and two of her grandchildren who live locally.

They will watch from atop the new parking garage as a water cannon spray from airport fire trucks salutes the Southwest Boeing 737 on the tarmac.

Brians wife, Donna, and their son, Corey, will greet his flight when it lands at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, a Southwest hub. The couples other son Matthew, is completing training at a flight school in Texas and hopes to become a commercial or corporate pilot.

Fenelons Albany flight instructor, Arnie Fowler, who trained him in a Piper Cherokee 140, left a lasting impression. He never raised his voice, no matter how badly I messed up, Fenelon recalled

As a high school senior, Fenelon knew he had earned the respect of Fowler when he rode his bike to the airport on a very windy Saturday for his flying lesson, but the flight school was empty. Fowler said he had canceled the lessons of his other students that day, all of whom were much older than Fenelon.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Were going to work on cross-wind landings and I think you can handle it, Fowler said. Student pilots typically complete about 65 hours before a final check ride in order to earn a pilots license. Under Fowlers tutelage, Fenelon passed his final check ride with the absolute minimum of 40 hours of flight time training and became a licensed pilot at 17.

After graduating from Colonie High, Fenelon accepted a four-year Air Force ROTC scholarship to Manhattan College with a pilot slot attached to it.

He graduated with a bachelors degree in physics and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force. He was sent to Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas for training. He spent three years there as a T-37 instructor pilot and met his future wife on a Texas dance floor at Louies Backyard, a waterfront seafood restaurant in South Padre Island.

The couple married in 1985 and he was re-assigned to a four-year stint at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Mich. He served as aircraft commander and evaluator pilot for B-52s. Their two sons were born there. The family moved to California and spent three years at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, followed by a stint at Air Combat Command Headquarters in Virginia.

Fenelon narrowly missed being deployed to Saudi Arabia with a B-52 unit during the Gulf War. He never got to fly a combat mission. I guess I was a little relieved and a little disappointed, he said. You train for something your entire career and at the last minute they tell you that you arent going.

After his retirement from the Air Force at age 52, he chose Southwest over two other commercial airlines he interviewed with because of their fun-loving and family-style atmosphere.

He flew to every Southwest destination, both domestic and international, with foreign stops mostly in the Caribbean. He chose to retire now to take advantage of an early retirement incentive offered by Southwest, which has suffered substantial losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In retirement, Fenelon plans to fly a plane he co-owns with a friend, a Vans RV-7, a two-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt aircraft. Hes also mulling building his own plane.

Im not going to sit back and watch TV all day, Fenelon said. Im always looking for the next adventure.

On Thursday, perhaps a young girl on Mordella Road will hear the roar of a jet engine, run outside, look skyward and see the Southwest jet Fenelon is piloting on his final flight. Maybe she, too, will dream of the wild blue yonder like a boy named Brian did not so long ago.

Paul Grondahl is director of the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany and a former Times Union reporter. He can be reached at grondahlpaul@gmail.com
The gossip tabloid was embroiled in political scandal, but that was hardly anything new  if anything, that was part of its business model. Circulation was down, but that was the case for the entire publishing industry. Its parent company had put it up for sale, but a surprisingly appropriate new buyer had emerged for this impulse-buy fixture of the supermarket checkout lines  Hudson News, perhaps the last thriving operator of newsstands in the country.
Five years ago I flew to Gibraltar to meet a former Tory MP. He was in self-imposed exile across the border in Spain after he had been accused of being a serial child killer in the UK.

He had lost his job and grace-and-favour home on the Duke of Rutland's estate as a result of claims that he was part of a murderous VIP paedophile ring  which also included former prime minister Sir Edward Heath, retired chief of the defence staff Lord Bramall and former home secretary Lord Brittan.

The man I met in the lobby at Gibraltar's imposing Rock Hotel in September 2015 was Harvey Proctor, who had agreed to see me after I had written two prominent articles in the Mail exposing his accuser, a mysterious figure then known as 'Nick', as a suspected serial liar and conman.

A BBC documentary on VIP abuse fantasist Carl Beech, pictured above, was branded a 'cover-up' last night for failing to properly acknowledge the corporation's own role in the scandal

We spent several hours together discussing the claims made against him, the support his accuser had received from Labour's then deputy leader Tom Watson, and the reporting on the case by a little-known investigations website called Exaro  as well as the BBC.

At length, we also talked about the running of Scotland Yard's controversial VIP abuse inquiry, Operation Midland, and a senior officer's public declaration that Nick's allegations were 'credible and true'.

At the end of our meeting, Proctor  then in his late 60s and dapper in his summer jacket with a colourful pocket handkerchief  tearfully asked me whether I thought he was a serial child killer.

I looked him in the eye and replied firmly: 'No and I'm going to see this through to the end. Not only to force the Met to shut down Operation Midland, but to ensure your name is cleared.'

It was to be the start of an extraordinary relationship between me, a long-serving crime journalist, and the former politician who was desperate for anyone to believe in his innocence.

As we went our separate ways that day five years ago, neither of us could possibly have foreseen what lay ahead in the Nick case. Not only did Operation Midland close without any arrests or charges six months later, but a judge-led inquiry into the probe identified 43 major blunders by detectives. It also recommended that Nick  real name Carl Beech  be investigated for perverting the course of justice and fraud. The withering report by former high court judge Sir Richard Henriques also threw the book at Exaro and the BBC.

In addition, it highlighted the role that Watson had played in making the Met take Beech's allegations  which included claims he had been tortured with wasps and snakes, and had his dog kidnapped by a former spy chief  seriously. Beech, a former NHS manager who was subsequently revealed to be a paedophile himself, was jailed for 18 years last summer.

Proctor belatedly received 900,000 in compensation and legal costs from the Met in an out-of-court settlement. It was a satisfying moment in my career.

So when the BBC approached me late last year asking me to contribute to a documentary on the Beech case, I was happy to help. I wanted to expose how police, politicians and journalists suspended disbelief and were gulled by an opportunist whose appalling lies damaged the hard-earned reputations of innocent VIPs.

This January a BBC crew came to my house and interviewed me for hours about my involvement in the case. I did not hold back in my condemnation of the effects of Beech's lies, on his greed and lack of empathy for his victims, and how he had exploited the hysteria after the Jimmy Savile scandal for his own benefit.

I was sharply critical of the role of Watson, who had met and supported Beech, and Exaro, the (mercifully now defunct) website which peddled the paedophile's lies.

I declared that Operation Midland was possibly the worst police investigation ever. Certainly in modern times.

For me, Beech was an outrageous liar who was testing the incredulity of the inept officers who interviewed him.

But when the BBC showed me an early edit of Monday night's documentary a few weeks ago, I was appalled.

Some sequences were creditable, it is true. The harrowing accounts of Lord Brittan's widow Diana and Lord Bramall's son Nick  along with the comments of Beech's ex-wife Dawn  gave viewers a powerful insight into the damage caused by the paedophile's lies.

But as a matter of principle, I could have nothing to do with the programme. The reason? I felt I had been misled and was stunned that the BBC had airbrushed the egregious role of Watson, who had taken Beech at his word to harry innocent people for political gain.

His name was not even mentioned in the first edit. The programme's final cut only referred to him in passing after I had complained that it had distorted the facts about the Nick scandal.

It was in 2012 that Watson told the Commons there was 'clear intelligence suggesting a powerful paedophile network linked to Parliament and No 10'. This set the hare running on the VIP abuse inquiry. He later met Beech and

described one of their conversations in 2014 as 'very, very traumatic and difficult'. He said: 'He only told me about one murder... and I didn't need to hear any more.'

When Lord Brittan died in January 2015, Watson  quoting an email from Beech, whom he described as a 'survivor'  wrote in a newspaper column that the former home secretary was 'as close to evil as a human being could get'.

The campaigning politician was later forced to apologise to Lord Brittan's widow, who was devastated by the shocking attack on her innocent  and recently deceased  husband.

Despite all this  and an official inquiry ruling his VIP abuse claims were baseless  Watson's hugely significant role in the Nick case was not considered in Monday's documentary. I found that truly disturbing.

Powerful backer: Carl Beech's lies were given credence by Tom Watson, pictured above

But my deep unease was not just about this. It was also triggered by the benign treatment of Mark Conrad, a former reporter at Exaro  the disgraced website which gave oxygen to Beech's lies and which had close dealings with Watson during Operation Midland.

Conrad also had regular contact with Beech and was criticised in Sir Richard's scathing report on the Met's inquiry.

Given the damage caused by his questionable reporting, I was shocked that he had such prominence in the programme ('almost narrator status', another contributor told me privately yesterday) and was presented as a credible and sympathetic figure.

I found this deeply offensive to Beech's victims and it made it impossible for me to remain in the programme  although all my criticisms of Watson, Exaro, and the Met ended up on the cutting room floor anyway.

As well as covering the Nick case, Conrad reported extensively on a bogus allegation of rape made against Lord Brittan by a mentally ill Labour activist known as Jane, who was also supported by Tom Watson.

His coverage of the case caused Lady Brittan severe trauma  another factor in my decision to pull out of the programme.

Another aspect of the BBC documentary which I found deeply troubling was the lack of any proper examination of the corporation's own role in the Nick scandal.

BBC journalists Tom Symonds and Tom Bateman were key players in a 'harmful' catalogue of incidents which made the probe even harder for police, Sir Richard said in his 2016 report. Beech met both Bateman and Symonds, yet neither were mentioned in the programme, let alone interviewed over their extensive dealings with him. Why?

I know from well-placed sources that BBC journalists spent days courting the serial liar in 2014  some allegedly convinced they were onto the biggest political scandal since Watergate.

Instead there was merely a passing reference to Beech's murder allegations being headline news in a prime-time BBC bulletin.

This was extraordinary. The BBC's decision to place him at the top of the news agenda gave him the credibility he craved  and gave false authority to the VIP abuse inquiry story.

The decision to gloss over this key aspect of the case, and effectively exculpate the BBC of any wrongdoing, was poor judgement which undermined Monday's programme.

The fact is this documentary overlooked important facts  and by doing so, in my opinion, showed how badly it was compromised on the story  possibly because of its other failings in the wake of the Savile affair, such as its coverage of the false sex allegations made against Sir Cliff Richard.

For the sake of Harvey Proctor and others wrongly accused by Beech, I was left with no option but to ask to be removed from programme. Seeing the final cut, I have no regrets.
Your browser does not support the audio element.

An undercover reporter makes a foray into the sugar dating scene in Hanoi in this exclusive serial expose by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

>> Part 1: Search for new flame

Sadism seeker

Using the disguise of a sugar baby searching for a benefactor, the reporter received dozens of offers from sugar daddy candidates.

Do you handle pain well? Tran Minh Thanh, whose name has been changed for this article, said to his date, whom he found on Tinder, a popular dating app, as he fidgeted with his wine glass.

Thanh claimed to be the chief executive officer of a video game development company, which has a huge project with a Singapore-based partner underway.

Looking for a sugar baby under 22 years old, experienced in intimate stuff, VND25 million [US$1,080] of monthly allowance, his Tinder profile wrote in a straightforward manner.

After swiping right  a finger gesture to express interest in people's profiles on Tinder  on each other, Thanh and the Tuoi Tre reporter engaged in a conversation that led quickly to an in-person date.

He arrived to the date in a dashing semi-formal outfit. A car key dangling on his keychain completed the look of a nouveau riche, middle-class man.

Again, do you handle pain well? he repeated.

He explained that the sugar-baby-to-be was expected to join him in BDSM practices  which stands for bondage-discipline, dominance-submission, and sadism-masochism, a spectrum of sexual activities that include pain, physical restraints, and unequal power relationships.

Thanh is about to marry his girlfriend of five years, but does not want to perform the pain-inducing practices with her. To gratify the deep, kinky desire, he opted to find a BDSM partner outside of his relationship.

Ill leave space for you to decide, I would not pressure you since this is a win-win situation: you gain money, I gain pleasure. I know this would hurt a lot physically, which is why I am compensating you VND25 million per month, not to mention a rewarding tip if you perform well, he assured.

A sweet transaction

Just as upfront with his intentions is Ho Minh Bang, whose name has also been changed to maintain confidentiality, a 49-year-old with a wife and two kids.

He is also an active member of a secret sugar dating community on Facebook.

Prior to their meeting, the prospective sugar daddy detailed his qualifications for a sugar baby in a Facebook post: Aged 18 to 22, light skin, height above 160cm, must be a university student, obedient, disciplined and is able to keep a secret.

After getting in touch with the Tuoi Tre reporter, he set up a meeting at a bar on Lac Chinh Street, Hanoi.

When asked about his urge for extramarital flings, Bang gradually unfolded the details of his sex life.

His wife is entering perimenopause at 53 and no longer has an appetite for sex, yet his libido is still functioning.

The fact that faithful marriage no longer provides him with sexual gratification led him down new paths to quench the beast inside.

In addition to that, he also needs a companion whom he can bring to alcohol-laden feasts with business partners.

He topped off each activity listed with a money reward, which will be entitled to his sugar baby as long as she is obedient and knows their place.

In a prior text message correspondence with the Tuoi Tre reporter, Hai said each sugar baby would get VND4 million ($172) per meeting.

Each of his sexual rendezvous requires at least 3-4 sugar babies to satisfy his potency, Hai added.

Staying true to his businessman ethos, Bang pulled out a prepared contract with legally binding responsibility for the sugar baby: anticipating calls and text correspondence with the provider is prohibited while engagement in any other love affair or sugaring liaison is not allowed either.

Other terms mention the exclusion of condoms during sexual intercourse and the conferral of contraception responsibilities and the liability in case of pregnancy entirely on the sugar baby.

On the other hand, the sugar daddy is liable to provide VND4 million per month for his sugar baby to set up two meetings per week.

If the relationship sustains, the sugar baby would get help from her provider to start a small business for herself after graduating from university.

Coming in multiple shades

Next on the list of sugar dating hopefuls encountered by the Tuoi Tre correspondent is Quang Phong, a middle-aged man in Hanoi.

After getting in touch through the sugar daddy-baby Facebook group, he took no time to rope the undercover reporter into a real-life meeting at a pub in Ba Dinh District of the capital city.

During conversations, Phong made it known that he is in the sugar dating scene only to find someone to talk to.

I just went through a divorce a few months ago. The loneliness is tormenting me, so Im looking for people who I can vent my feelings with, Phong said.

After the divorce, he found it hard to open up to people around him. The sugar dating dynamic hence seems to be the optimal choice for his situation, as he can get quality time from eloquent people for a price he can afford.

Primarily, he seeks company from university students who are educated and adept at conversation. Sex, while not being the ultimate criterion, is not totally ruled out from Phongs vision of a sugaring relationship.

Talking of past sugaring attempts, Phong did not see any longevity as he found all women he has met to be 'shallow.'

Other sugaring candidates do not share the tactful approach that Phong chose as they use vulgar and profane language as soon as possible, right from the first date.

Nam, a man described as rude by your correspondent, asked her about public sex and even spoke of peeking at her bosoms in their very first encounter.

Prospective sugar daddies show up at dates in different manners. Some drive luxury cars and don formal clothing to the appointment, while others blend in with meager, even poor-looking outfits.

Nevertheless, they all promise a great amount of monthly compensation to talk sugar babies into joining them and providing a myriad of services they desire.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Fisherwomen in Lamu, Kenya, uncover rare octopus closures

August 25,2020 | Source: The Star

A group of fisherwomen in Lamu, Kenya, have discovered two temporary octopus closures, giving the sector a major boost.



The women, under the Pate Marine Community Conservancy (PMCC), discovered the octopus closures on Pate Island. They cover about 284 acres of marine area.



The closures are managed by a group of fisherwomen from Pate, Shanga-Rubu and Shanga-Ishakani beach management units.



The temporary closures are usually closed for three to four months, then reopened, resulting in increased catch and size of octopus, better market prices, increased income, increased fish population and improved ocean habitat.



In recent days, Lamu women have become more proactively involved in patrol and enforcement of key fishery resources in nearshore ecosystems.



As a result, the Lamu government, in partnership with other stakeholders such as the Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT) and The Nature Conservancy, launched a special programme last week aimed at enhancing womens access to fishing areas. They will use a unique model of community-based conservation so they can benefit more.



During the event presided over by Deputy Governor Abdulhakim Aboud, who doubles as the county executive for Agriculture and Fisheries, two special fishing boats  MV Pweza 1 and MV Pweza 2  were donated to women groups in the region.



The boats will enhance womens socio-economic empowerment, sea safety, including rescues at sea, and enable them to meet emergency needs like taking members to hospital. The vessels will also reduce overreliance on lifts or sharing of boats with their male counterparts.



"We want to empower a unique community-based conservation initiative that is helping protect and sustainably manage critical coastal and marine habitats, including enhancing fish stocks, delivering ecosystem and community benefits to fishers here on Pate Island," Aboud said.



Lamu county fisheries officer Simon Komu said unlike other coastal regions of Kenya, women in Lamus Kiunga and Pate Marine Community Conservancies are greatly involved in harvesting octopus and other intertidal fishery resources by gleaning (collecting and gathering), while men fish in deeper waters.



According to Hassan Yusuf of the NRT-Coast, a local NGO leading the initiative, such a programme is meant to empower women and greatly help address existing gender inequalities and gaps in fishing communities such as those associated with access to and control of natural resources.

 The Star 2020

Theme(s): Fisheries Resources.
09:04

Indian-American politics during a bitter electoral season took an ugly turn on Tuesday when the South Asians for Biden launched a smear social media campaign against Republican politician Nikki Haley over her remarks a day earlier that the United States is not a racist country.

Following backlash from the community members and many others, the South Asians for Biden, which is affiliated to the Biden campaign, apologised and deleted its tweet later in the day.

"Upon further reflection, an earlier tweet drawing attention to the name of Ambassador Nikki Haley has been removed. South Asians for Biden regrets the tone of the message," the group tweeted after deleting its previous tweet.

Earlier in the day, the South Asians for Biden challenged Haley over her remarks on the first night of the Republican National Convention that America is not a racist country.

"In much of the Democratic Party, it's now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie. America is not a racist country," said Haley, the former US Ambassador to the United Nations.





Her speech, in which she narrated her Indian-American background, has been widely praised.

However, the South Asians for Biden in a tweet, which has now been deleted, alleged that Haley had to change her name from Namrata to Nikki mainly because it is the other way round. "If America isn't racist, why did Namarata Haley feel compelled to change her name to 'Nikki'?" it said.

"Maybe just the Republican Party is?" the South Asians for Biden said.

The tweet attracted criticism from various quarters.





"The Biden campaign made a racist and false accusation against Nikki Haley, and Journos have chosen to completely ignore it," one of her Twitter followers said.

"There is nothing the Democrats hate more than a conservative women of color. Nikki Haley infuriates them because she refuses to toe the radical leftist ideological line... and Democrats can't stand when people of color think for themselves," tweeted author Liz Wheeler.

As many came out in support of the 48-year-old Indian-American politician, the South Asians for Biden was quick to apologise.





"We will continue to focus on the very real issues facing South Asian voters this election," it said after it expressed its regret and deleted its previous post.

The South Asians for Biden also retweeted several tweets that were highly critical of Haley.





"Nimrata Nikki Haley's invoking her 'brown child in a black and white world' narrative just doesn't sit well when she sat silent while brown children were put in cages," said Kavita Patel in a tweet that was retweeted by the South Asians for Biden.

In her speech on Monday, Haley had said, "I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. They came to America and settled in a small southern town. My father wore a turban. My mother wore a sari. I was a brown girl in a black and white world.

In a tweet in 2018, Haley had explained that Nikki is her name on her birth certificate.





"Nikki is my name on my birth certificate. I married a Haley. I was born Namrata Nikki Randhawa and married Michael Haley," she said in a tweet on May 20, 2018. At that time she was the US Ambassador to the United Nations.

Nikki is a popular name in Punjabi.





Nikki means "Little One" in Punjabi.

Born as Nimrata Randhawa in South Carolina, she is the daughter of Ajit Singh Randhawa and Raj Kaur Randhawa, who emigrated from Amritsar in Punjab. -- PTI
HALIFAX, NS, Aug. 24, 2020 /CNW/ - Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, Jaime Battiste, and Member of Parliament for Halifax West, Geoff Regan, on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, today highlighted support through the Surplus Food Rescue Program for vulnerable Canadians facing food insecurity and Canada's fish and seafood industry. The program will purchase up to $15.5 million at the cost of production, of surplus fish and seafood which will be distributed to families in need.

The funding was announced at Clearwater Seafoods, who in partnership with the Membertou First Nation, will receive $1.49 million towards the purchase of 150,000 pounds of surplus scallops. The project will distribute high quality scallops to Indigenous households, with the Membertou First Nation leading the distribution of the product to Mi'kmaq communities in Nova Scotia and across Atlantic Canada.

In addition, Green Seafoods Ltd. will receive $55,230 through the program to rescue 24,000 pounds of frozen, cooked blue mussels. The mussels will be distributed to vulnerable populations in Nova Scotia through Feed Nova Scotia's existing distribution network.

The innovative Surplus Food Rescue Program is a $50-million federal initiative designed to repurpose and redistribute food inventories of high volume, highly perishable surplus products falling under horticulture, meat, and fish and seafood to vulnerable Canadians, while avoiding food waste. These surpluses were created because the COVID-19 pandemic largely shut down the restaurant and hospitality industry, leaving many producers without a key market for their food commodities.

The Program awarded contributions to eight organizations who will be leveraging existing networks and food hubs, established by national food recovery agencies and companies, to bring the food to all regions of the country. The fish and seafood sector makes up approximately one third of these contributions, and will result in 2.6 million pounds of fish and seafood, including walleye, salmon, tuna sole and pollock, scallops, and blue mussels, to be purchased and distributed charity organizations and food-insecure families across Canada.

Quotes

"Our fish and seafood harvesters work day in and day out throughout the harvesting season to earn a good living and feed families here in Canada and around the world. Through this initiative, we are able to rescue a significant portion of this year's catch and ensure it gets to those who need it most. It's a win-win."

- The Honourable Marie Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Since the COVID-19 pandemic reached our shores, Nova Scotians have demonstrated an outstanding level of compassion for those among us who needed a helping hand. Through this program, the federal government is enabling community organizations to acquire food to distribute to those in need, while also lending a hand to our fish harvesters, who are so integral to our economy and our identity as Nova Scotians."

- The Honourable Geoff Regan, Member of Parliament for Halifax West

"Nova Scotia has rightly earned a reputation for providing world-class seafood to consumers around the world. This partnership between Clearwater Seafoods and the Mi'kmaq community of Membertou will ensure that, rather than go to waste, this surplus will be distributed to Indigenous communities here in Nova Scotia and across Canada."

- Jaime Battiste Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria

"Clearwater is very pleased to participate in this program that will provide free access to nutritious, high quality seafood to First Nations families in Atlantic Canada."

- Ian Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Clearwater Seafoods

Quick Facts

Food is purchased at cost of production, so that producers and processors will be compensated fairly for what would otherwise be lost, but will not make a profit.

Since 1976, Clearwater Seafood, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia has grown to become one of the world's leading wild seafood companies dedicated to Sustainable Seafood Excellence.

has grown to become one of the world's leading wild seafood companies dedicated to Sustainable Seafood Excellence. According to Statistics Canada, one in seven Canadians indicated that they live in a household where there was food insecurity over a one month period during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inuit, First Nations, Inuit and Metis adults across the North experience five to six times higher levels of food insecurity than the Canadian national average

In 2019, there were 1.1 million visits to food banks and 5.6 million meals served on average each month.

This announcement builds on the measures we have introduced to keep Canada's agri-workforce strong, including:

agri-workforce strong, including: $100 million for food banks and local food organizations to help Canadians experiencing food insecurity, which is helping serve an estimated 2 million Canadians through 1,800 different community-level food organizations.

for food banks and local food organizations to help Canadians experiencing food insecurity, which is helping serve an estimated 2 million Canadians through 1,800 different community-level food organizations.

Over $77 million in funding for the Emergency Processing Fund (EPF), whose objectives include helping companies implement changes to safeguard the health and safety of workers and their families.

in funding for the Emergency Processing Fund (EPF), whose objectives include helping companies implement changes to safeguard the health and safety of workers and their families.

$25 million through Nutrition North to ensure food security for Canada's most vulnerable

through Nutrition North to ensure food security for most vulnerable

Travel exemptions for all temporary foreign workers, including seasonal agricultural workers and fish/seafood workers.



$50 million in funding for the Mandatory Isolation Support Program for Temporary Foreign Workers to help the farming, fish harvesting, and food production and processing sectors cover the incremental costs associated with the mandatory 14-day isolation period imposed under the Quarantine Act on temporary foreign workers upon entering Canada .

Associated links

Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

Like us on Facebook: CanadianAgriculture

SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

For further information: Jean-Sebastien Comeau, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, [email protected], 343-549-2326; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected];

Related Links

www.agr.gc.ca


Pastor Andy Stanley explains why North Point is suspending services until 2021

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Responding to some members who accused him of bowing to Caesar, Pastor Andy Stanley of Atlantas North Point Community Church explained why his church decided to suspend services until 2021. The decision, he said, is not left-wing, Marxist agenda, but based on whats central to the Christian faith.

In a video message, Stanley said the megachurchs decision is based on the true stance of the Christian faith.

We did not suspend services because of government pressure; there was none," he emphasized. "Were not afraid, were not bowing to social, cultural or political pressure.

Theres a storm of confusion right now due to three things, the leader of the multi-campus church pointed out.

One, everything is politicized, he said. There are no neutral topics right now  from school reopenings to masks and the virus; everything is politicized and no one is neutral, he explained.

Two, he said, cancel culture is prevalent. If you say something I dont like  or agree with, Id discount everything youve ever said and everything youve ever accomplished in your life, he noted.

Stanley told church members hes been at the receiving end of the cancel culture.

Ive gotten quite a few voicemails, emails and actual letters to my home from longtime church attenders who are leaving or whore telling me they are leaving our churches because of our decision to suspend services for the remainder of this year, he said.

Some have said hes bowed to Caesar and adopted a left-wing, Marxist agenda, and therefore theyre leaving the church.

Stanley added that hes been calling almost everyone whos responded in such a way and whose numbers he could find. He said when he convinces them that its wise to suspend services, they acknowledge how much the church means to them and their children.

Every such conversation ends on a friendly note, the pastor said, adding that he hopes they dont actually leave the church.

Three, theres a version of Christianity that Ive worked very, very hard to help avoid. And thats "culture-war Christianity."

This is the version of Christianity consumed with winning, he explained. Its a version that sees itself perpetually under attack and consequently feels the need to attack back. It requires an enemy for sustainability.

He said he knows this version well because he grew up with this version.

It is a perversion of our faith, he stressed, adding that it also sets the church up to be a tool of politicians rather than the conscience of the nation. This type of Christianity is more concerned about winning than loving.

During His earthly ministry, everybody wanted Jesus to take their side. But Jesus refused to do so. Quoting Philippians 2:6, the pastor said, Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.

Unlike the 21st century people, Jesus did not play to win, he said. Jesus played to lose.

And thats because He was playing a completely different game that had completely different rules with a completely different win.

Jesus played to lose so that the other team, which includes you and I, could win, Stanley added.

The pastor then read Philippians 2:7, Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

He explained, The church looks more like Christ when we are defending other peoples rights, rather than our own.

He said his church has chosen to suspend services not because thats best for us.

The best thing for me (or for us) is to open up as soon as possible, he said. That would be a win for us. That would be a loss for our community both in terms of what could happen and in terms of the message it sends.

While making the announcement about the suspension of services last month, Stanley said, Based on the uptick in COVID-19 cases, the results of our attendee surveys and the experiences of churches that have already reopened weve decided to suspend in-person adult worship services for the remainder of the year.

Writing on Facebook, he explained that it was a difficult decision to make as the church was hoping to start gathering again on Aug. 9 but the pandemic disrupted that plan.

Now as you would imagine, that was not a casual decision. In fact, back in May when we announced a possible August 9 reopening, the COVID numbers were actually moving in the right direction. That has changed. Consequently, we cannot guarantee your safety and thats a big part of this decision, Stanley said at the time. Even if we did reopen, we certainly would not be able to create a quality adult or childrens worship experience with social distancing protocols in place.

The Summit Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in Durham, North Carolina, whose pastor is the denomination's president, has also announced that it won't be holding services for the remainder of the year due to COVID-19. Instead, it will be hosting small home-based gatherings in a push toward making disciples.
The United Nations says it is releasing $9 million to address immediate needs following the explosion that devastated Beirut and help strengthen operations in the city's hospitals.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said on Thursday the money from the Lebanese Humanitarian Fund will be following by additional funds from the U.N.'s Central Emergency Response Fund.

He said the U.N. is carrying out assessments of the damage and needs resulting from the massive explosion and hopes to hold a meeting on Monday to inform the 193 U.N. member states of the results and launch an appeal to help Lebanon.

He says: We're trying to get the relevant figures ready as soon as we can. Haq said the World Health Organization reported that the blast left three hospitals unusable and two others with substantial damage and that the equivalent of 500 hospital beds have been lost." He said the initial $9 million will be used to expand and establish additional intensive care units where needed and provide trauma kits, ventilators, medical supplies and medicine.

WHO will help cover 1,000 trauma interventions and 1,000 surgical interventions for people suffering from burns and wounds caused by glass and other debris resulting from the blast.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intervene to ensure that pension lump sums paid to people retiring from this year are commensurate with their contributions over the years.



The TUC said the President's intervention had become necessary after data and analysis by the union showed that the amount of lump sums received by retirees under the National Pensions Act (2008), Act 766, was lower than the amount they would have received under the PNDC Law 247.



They blamed the smaller lump sums received under the Act 766 to what they described as smaller past credits paid by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).



Act 766 replaced the PNDC Law 247 in 2010 as part of a new pensions reform exercise that aimed at improving the lump-sums and monthly pensions paid to retirees.



Data



Data gathered by the union and an analysis of it showed another anomaly which was that the lump-sum benefits of those retiring in 2020 were low compared to what they would have received under PNDC Law 247, the TUC said in the petition to the President.



It was signed by the Secretary General of the TUC, Dr. Yaw Baah.



Land For sale



The petition also called on the President to revise a recently announced government policy that would exclude security services from the unification of pensions under the three-tier pension scheme, saying it defeated the principle of solidarity in the scheme.



The TUC cannot support such a policy. We urge you, Mr. President, to review the policy, the petition said.



The labour union also called for the intervention of President Akufo-Addo to redress the huge government indebtedness to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).



Lump sums



Explaining their position on lump sums, the TUC said that under the PNDC Law 247, retirees received lump sums that were equal to 25 per cent of their total pension benefits.



It added that with the introduction of the Three-Tier Pension scheme in 2010, part of the contribution to SSNIT was hived off and paid into a privately managed second-tier scheme, with contributions to that scheme (including returns from investment of the fund), replacing the 25 per cent lump sum paid by SSNIT.



Kinapharma Safeway



As part of the arrangement, SSNIT was required to pay what is known as past credits, which represents part of the contributions retirees made to the SSNIT scheme (First-tier scheme) before the commencement of the implementation of the three-tier scheme in January 2010.



According to the union, from January 2020, a beneficiarys lump sum was being computed as: 25 per cent lump-sum = Past Credit from SSNIT + contributions to Second-Tier schemes (including returns on investment).



The TUC maintained that a significant number of their members, who retired in 2020, had already received their lump-sums based on that formula, which it said was smaller when compared to the amount they would have received under the PNDC Law 247.



TUCs letter attributed the reduction in the lump-sum to the low past credits being paid by SSNIT based on a formula that is not clear to us."



The TUC has, on several occasions called for a stakeholder meeting to discuss our concerns but no such meeting has been convened.



"Retirees are receiving lump-sums that do not match their contributions to SSNIT, it said.



Compulsion



The labour union said it was compelled, once again to write, requesting for the Presidents intervention in correcting what the union considered as injustice and unfairness in the implementation the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766).



It said the union strongly believed that the intervention of the President would be timely and appropriate to avert an imminent labour unrest.



Exclusion of security agencies



It added that the unions had read in the media about Cabinets approval for the exclusion of security agencies from unification of pensions under the Three-Tier Pension Scheme as provided for in Act 766.



Such a policy will undermine the solidarity principle that serves as a bedrock for the Three-Tier Pension Scheme, particularly, the First-Tier SSNIT Scheme. The TUC cannot support such a policy.



We urge you, Mr. President, to review the policy, the letter said, adding that the union was counting on the leadership of the President in those matters.



Arrears



Regarding government indebtedness to SSNIT, the union said it was one of the factors that had compelled SSNIT to pay low lump-sums as a way of protecting the scheme in order to have adequate funds to pay monthly pensions to retirees on SSNIT payroll under the first-tier scheme.



The TUC therefore wants the Presidents intervention in rectifying the issue.





Source: Graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
New York, Aug 25 : Less than a week after Kamala Harris made history by becoming the first Black and Indian-American woman of colour to be chosen for a major party's presidential ticket, former US Ambassador to the UN and breakout Indian-American star Nikki Haley took the stage on the opening night of the Republican National Convention (RNC) and urged Americans to give President Donald Trump four more years in the November election.

On Monday night, Haley tore into the Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's campaign plans, describing in detail what she called a "radical left" future fuelled by "anarchy", "riots" and "cancel culture".

She pushed back against critics who cast the Trump White House as racist.

"America is not a racist country. This is personal for me. I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. My parents never gave in to grievance and hate. I was a brown girl in a black and white world.

"America is a story that is a work in progress," Haley added.

Republicans opened Monday night's prime-time convention with dark warnings about America's future if Trump doesn't win a second term, casting him as a protector of religious freedom, the right to bear arms and much more.

Haley is one of two people of colour who spoke at the RNC on Monday night. The other is South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate.

Taken together, both Harris and Haley's presence at their party's convention gigs speaks to the steady rise of Indian-Americans in US politics.

Haley was the first Indian-American to serve in the US cabinet when Trump appointed her as the Permanent Representative to the UN with cabinet status.

A star of the Republican Party, she left the post at the end of 2018 and has been active in politics.

There has been speculation about her running for President in 2024.

A poll by Leger early this month found that she ranked third as the choice of Republicans to be the party's candidate in 2024 with 11 per cent support, behind Vice President Mike Pence with 31 per cent and the President's son, Donald Trump Jr, with 17 per cent.

Haley became the first woman and non-White to be elected governor of South Carolina in 2010 and the second Indian-American to be elected to the office after fellow Republican Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.

Republicans will spend the week trying to convince the American people that Trump deserves four more years.

Trump's supporters are casting the 2020 election as a choice between the American values of freedom and what they cast as the "radical left" world of the Biden-Harris ticket.
Beeline Russia, a prominent digital operator with approximately 50 million subscribers, has selected P.I. Works to move towards experience-driven and automated network operations.

Beeline, a prominent digital operator in Russia, has selected P.I. Works' advanced network services and cutting-edge automation technology to transform its network operations and enhance customer experience.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005356/en/

The partnership involves the deployment of P.I. Works' 24/7 Automated Network Management solution and its Performance Management solution for Beeline's 2G, 3G and 4G networks with services encompassing radio, transport and core. Initial rollouts began in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Krasnodar through intelligent operations of Beeline's network.

According to Beeline, early results of the deployment show higher efficiencies in terms of spectrum resources, paving way for faster data speeds and increased service reliability. The deployment also saw major enhancements in Beeline's network performance indicators in terms of capacity, accessibility and throughput. These combined with P.I. Works' long-standing expertise, global experience and best practices have contributed towards making Beeline's network more competitive and customer centric.

Valery Shorzhin, Executive Vice-President for Technological Development, VimpelCom PJSC (brand Beeline), said:

"Network development remains our strategic focus area. LTE network is currently available in Russian cities locating 87% of the country's population, and we continue to spread coverage meeting the interests of our clients through an ambitious network development program. To optimize its built infrastructure, Beeline was the first Russian operator to transfer to the new generation of the SON system. It improved network performance in Moscow, provided high data speeds and increased service reliability. After the system was deployed, mobile Internet speed in Moscow grew by 27%. With the new system at work Beeline will become an even more customer centric company on the telecom and digital technology market."

Zafer Genc, Network Services Director at P.I. Works, said, "As an independent automation vendor, P.I. Works gives utmost priority to its customers' best interests. Our global services expertise, combined with the multi-vendor and -technology automation portfolio, is very well poised to address Beeline's quality, efficiency and transformational requirements. Such capabilities empower us to understand Beeline's existing and future network transformation needs much better and further expand the scope of our partnership with Veon Group."

To learn more about P.I. Works' advanced network services and network automation portfolio, please contact us at marketing@piworks.net.

About

https://pi.works/2QjNUlX

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005356/en/

Contacts:

Media, P.I. Works, Melih Murat, marketing@piworks.net
Ram Vilas Paswan

New Delhi: Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan has been admitted to Fortis Escorts heart institute here with congestion in lung and complications with the functioning of kidneys.

According to media reports, Paswan, who is the minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution; condition is stable and doctors are closely monitoring him.

Advertisement

Ram Vilas Paswan

Media reports say that the Union minister is suffering from multiple health issues, including per-existing heart conditions. He had undergone heart related procedures earlier.

Doctor said that the minister has poor heart function and he is inoperable because of the pre-existing heart conditions. Paswan is under medication now and the medical team is keeping a close watch on him.
Record Low Volatility Why Stock Market Investors Need to Fasten Their Seatbelts



"Because financial markets are a fractal, present conditions never maintain"

Elliott Wave International's analysts have long noted that periods of low stock market volatility are almost always followed by periods of high volatility.

Granted, periods of low volatility can stretch for a while, yet a change occurs sooner or later -- and that shift is often dramatic.

Here's a case in point from the Elliott Wave Theorist which published on Oct. 23, 2017 (The Elliott Wave Theorist is a monthly publication which offers analysis of financial markets and social trends):

Persistent new highs in stock prices week after week and recently day after day have led to a substantial reduction in the volatility of stock prices, to the point that the CBOE Volatility Index has just reached an all-time low.

The VIX futures contract is widely characterized as a bet on the future, that is, as a gauge of expected volatility. But futures contracts always reflect the present, never the future. And because financial markets are a fractal, present conditions never maintain.

As you may know, a fractal is an object that is similarly shaped at different scales.

At the time the chart published, Large Speculators were short a record number of VIX futures contracts.

Yet, it wasn't long before the inevitable changed unfolded.

Stock market volatility took a big jump in late January and early February of 2018, with the DJIA surrendering 10% in less than two weeks.

And 2018 also brought other periods of eyebrow raising volatility.

On Dec. 7, 2018, Bloomberg reported that the S&P 500 had 1% daily trading swings 56 times up to that point in 2018.

What does that have to do with the present?

Well, the August 14 U.S. Short Term Update, an Elliott Wave International thrice-weekly publication which provides near-term forecasts for major U.S. financial markets, notes:

With the exception of five days in early June, the VIX has been declining since March 18, when prices spiked to a high at 85.47. This five-month decline culminated with a streak of 7 consecutive lower closes through August 10. ... Currently, Large Speculators are net short nearly a third of all open interest in VIX futures.

Of course, it's possible that the VIX slips to even lower lows before a jump in volatility unfolds.

One invaluable analytical tool to use along side the VIX is the Elliott wave model, which is fully described in the Wall Street classic book, Elliott Wave Principle: Key to Market Behavior, by Frost & Prechter. Here's a quote:

No matter what your convictions, it pays never to take your eyes off what is happening in the wave structure in real time. Ultimately, the market is the message, and a change in behavior can dictate a change in outlook. All one really needs to know at the time is whether to be long, short or out, a decision that can sometimes be made with a swift glance at a chart and other times only after painstaking work.

Get more insights into the Elliott wave model by reading the entirety of the online version of Elliott Wave Principle: Key to Market Behavior.

Simply become a member of Club EWI, the world's largest Elliott wave educational community, and access to the book is 100% free. Club membership is also free.

Follow this link: Elliott Wave Principle: Key to Market Behavior.

This article was syndicated by Elliott Wave International and was originally published under the headline Why Stock Market Investors Need to Fasten Their Seatbelts. EWI is the world's largest market forecasting firm. Its staff of full-time analysts led by Chartered Market Technician Robert Prechter provides 24-hour-a-day market analysis to institutional and private investors around the world.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




Darasamut Underpass to close for maintenance

PHUKET: The Darasamut Underpass will be closed to traffic from 9am to midday tomorrow (Aug 26) while the Phuket Highways Office carries out repairs and maintenance to the electrical control system in the tunnel.

transport

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 25 August 2020, 10:40AM

The Darasamut Underpass will be closed to traffic from 9pm to midday tomorrow (Aug 26). Image: Phuket Highways Dept

Phuket Highways Office Chief Somwang Lohamut explained that it is necessary to close the tunnel to traffic while workers check and repair the electrical system in the control room, bringing the lighting and other signal lights offline. We apologise for any inconvenience while the work is being carried out, Mr Somwang said.
Subscriber content preview

By JOCELYN GECKER and MICHAEL LIEDTKE

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO  Schools across the United States are facing shortages and long delays, of up to several months, in getting this year's most crucial back-to-school supplies: the laptops and other equipment needed for online learning, an Associated Press investigation has found.

The world's three biggest computer companies, Lenovo, HP and Dell, have told school districts they have a shortage of nearly 5 million laptops, in some cases exacerbated by Trump administration sanctions on Chinese suppliers.





. . .
A Covington mother who has pressed for a French immersion program in St. Tammany Parish public schools for three years is making another legal push to get the classes launched this school year, which begins in just over two weeks.

Anne Ogden, who first sued the school district over the issue in 2018, is suing again, this time to compel it to offer the program to kindergarten and first-grade students when classes begin next month.

The new lawsuit, filed Aug. 14, claims that the school district flouted the state's Immersion School Choice Law when it informed the 71 parents who had petitioned for the creation of a French immersion program that it would not be offered this year.

The suit has been assigned to 22nd Judicial District Judge August Hand but no hearing date has been set. Representatives for the school district could not be reached for comment.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to order the school system to establish the French immersion program"by the opening of school after Labor Day or as soon thereafter as possible," the suit says.

The plaintiffs also want the court to bar the school system from creating a waiting list or limiting the number of students allowed to enter the program.

The new lawsuit is the latest in a legal battle Odgen has fought against the school district in an effort to get French immersion.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Ogden's first suit also focused on a form the school system required of parents demanding them to make an irrevocable commitment to the program, even though the system had not specified where in the classes would be offered. That suit argued that the form was not a requirement of state law and had been designed to discourage participation.

Judge Raymond Childress of the 22nd Judicial District ruled in favor of the school system in that lawsuit. But in January, an appeals court agreed that the school system couldn't require an irrevocable commitment.

Despite the court loss, French immersion advocates seemed to have prevailed in the spring of 2019, when enough parents of incoming kindergarten students petitioned the system for creation of the program. But that July, the school system sent out a letter saying the program wouldn't be offered because not enough parents had sent in the form.

This year, more than enough parents filed the petition to met the 25-student requirement for both grades. But in June, the school system again cited the lack of commitment forms in a letter saying the program was off.

Ogden went back to court, saying that the school system was in contempt of the appeals court ruling and state law. But in a hearing earlier this month, Childress said that the plaintiffs were trying to re-litigate a case that had already been heard.

That meant Ogden had to start over, which she did in the new lawsuit. Her new litigation comes after the state Legislature made changes in the law, adding Spanish immersion and setting an earlier deadline to submit petitions.

Ogden's latest suit argues that the new law makes clear that the petitions themselves are the necessary commitment and that the new version of the law overrules the use of a separate form.
This initiative is part of Suburban Propane's SuburbanCares platform, which highlights its continued dedication to giving back to the local communities. Suburban Propane has undertaken similar initiatives to support frontline healthcare workers in some of the most affected COVID-19 regions in the nation, including Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington DC.

"Currently, Florida is one of the most impacted states by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. It is both a privilege and an honor to continue supporting our local communities during these unprecedented times," said Nandini Sankara, Spokesperson for Suburban Propane. "A heartfelt thank you to Jersey Mike's for once again joining forces with us to show our appreciation to the frontline healthcare workers at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel."

"We are excited to partner with AdventHealth and Suburban Propane to continue our mission to make a difference in the lives of the people in our community. Giving to give is at the core of our company and we are grateful for this opportunity to give back," said Todd Quinzi, Area Director, Jersey Mike's Subs Florida.

"We are incredibly grateful for Suburban Propane's generous donation of Jersey Mike's subs to our team members," said AdventHealth Wesley Chapel President & CEO, Erik Wangsness. "Not only does this gesture keep us nourished but it has a huge impact on our morale. These acts of compassion lift our spirits and remind our health care heroes that the community is thinking of them. On behalf of all of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, thank you!"

Additional information on Suburban Propane's nationwide COVID-19 relief efforts can be found at https://www.suburbanpropane.com/ .

About Suburban Propane

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., is a nationwide distributor of propane, fuel oil and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity, servicing over 1 million customers through its 700 locations across 41 states. The company proudly celebrated 90 years of innovation, growth and quality service in 2018. The brand is currently focused on three core elements including Suburban Commitment - showcasing the company's 90+ year legacy of flexibility, reliability and dependability, Suburban Cares - highlighting dedication to serving local communities across the nation and Go Green with Suburban Propane - promoting the affordable, clean burning and versatile nature of propane as a bridge to a green energy future. Suburban Propane is a New York Stock Exchange listed limited partnership headquartered in Whippany, NJ. For additional information on Suburban Propane, please visit http://www.suburbanpropane.com/.

About Jersey Mike's Subs

Jersey Mike's, a fast-casual sub sandwich franchise with more than 2,500 locations open and under development nationwide, believes that making a sub sandwich and making a difference can be one and the same. Please visit www.jerseymikes.com.

About AdventHealth West Florida Division

The West Florida Division of AdventHealth has some of the nation's brightest medical minds making lifesaving breakthroughs with surgical pioneers, scientists and researchers using leading edge technology and innovation to deliver our brand of whole-person care. Our network of care includes AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Connerton, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Lake Placid, AdventHealth North Pinellas, AdventHealth Ocala, AdventHealth Sebring, AdventHealth Tampa, AdventHealth Wauchula, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills, as well as five freestanding offsite Emergency Rooms including AdventHealth Brandon ER, AdventHealth Central Pasco ER, AdventHealth Palm Harbor ER, AdventHealth TimberRidge ER, and AdventHealth Westchase ER. We are more than hospitals, as we have a robust system of care including specialty acute care, over 200 primary care and specialty employed physicians, Express Care at Walgreens clinics, urgent care centers, wound care, physical therapy, home care, mobile mammography and more. AdventHealth is a faith-based not-for-profit health care system with a mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ. AdventHealth has hundreds of care sites and nearly 50 hospitals across the United States. For more information about AdventHealth, visit AdventHealth.com, or Facebook.com/AdventHealth, and for West Florida Division, click here.

SOURCE Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.

Related Links

http://suburbanpropane.com


US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testifies before a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on slowdowns at the Postal Service ahead of the November elections on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., August 24, 2020 Tom Williams/Pool via REUTERS

US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said he would bring back some cost-cutting measures after the election, during his testimony in from of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee on Monday.

Cost-cutting measures such as removing hundreds of high-volume mail-sorting machines across the country, the removal of some mail collection boxes, canceling overtime for mail carriers, and cutting post office hours have been criticized for delaying mail.

States were concerned that the delays would impact mail-in-ballots for the November election.

Several Democrats have called for DeJoy's resignation.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told the House of Representatives Oversight Committee he would bring back some cost-cutting measures that have been criticized for contributing to delivery delays after the election, Reuters reported.

DeJoy spoke to the committee on Monday and offered two specific initiatives he would enact  "creating our new on-time transportation network and designing an engaged functional organizational structure."

DeJoy and the US Post Office have been scrutinized for several recent measures to reduce costs, including removing hundreds of high-volume mail-sorting machines across the country, along with the removal of some mail collection boxes, canceling overtime for mail carriers, and cutting post office hours, Business Insider previously reported.

CNN reported that DeJoy said he won't bring back mail-sorting machines that were removed from service. He's claimed that the change was routine and a response to the change in mail volume and that the measure was underway before he became the postmaster.

The postmaster general also claimed that he didn't order the removal of collection boxes but said he suspended their removal to avoid the perception that the decision was in any way politically motivated.

Story continues

I did, however, suspend these practices to remove any misperceptions about our commitment to delivering the nation's election mail," DeJoy said according to CNN. "Any further assertions by the media or elected officials is furthering a false narrative to the American people."

Much of the concern over the cost-cutting measures was prompted by reports sent to 46 states and Washington DC saying that it would be hard for the USPS to guarantee that ballots would be delivered in time to be counted in the upcoming election. Lawmakers also expressed apprehensions that older Americans who rely on mailed medication would see delays in delivery.

During his hearing, DeJoy attempted to reassure the committee that the delays would not affect ballots at a time when around half of voters could vote by mail.

While DeJoy told the committee he wants to bring some of the cost-cutting measures back, Democrats are hoping to stop his efforts until at least January.

On Saturday, the House voted to provide $25 billion in funds to the USPS, though that legislation will likely fail in the Senate.

President Trump has also said he would veto it and the Postal Service also opposes that legislation, according to Reuters.

Some have accused DeJoy, who has donated $2.7 million to President Donald Trump and other Republicans since 2016, of political interference, especially after Trump falsely suggested that mail-in-voting allows for fraud and benefits Democrats.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Aite Group, in partnership with the Mobile Payments Conference, recognizes innovative digital wallet providers leveraging best-in-class technology at an awards presentation during this year's virtual conference, MPC 2020.

Boston, MA, Aug. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aite Group has announced the winners of the 2020 Digital Wallet Innovations Awards. The awards, which will be presented virtually today during the Mobile Payments Conference, recognize innovation achieved by digital wallet providers that are changing the way that commerce is done.

In its second year, the awards program honors industry leaders that identify and implement new products, capabilities, and levels of automation and effectiveness that remove friction and add value to the consumer and merchant commerce experience. They are the pathfinders in the digital payment space. The winners across the six categories are as follows:

Customer Experience: Afterpay

Merchant Experience: VELA

Product Design: Zeepay

Value-Added Services: DailyPay

Market Adoption: Comviva and Airtel Uganda

In addition to the categories, Aite Group has created an overall winner for the first time this year, and one of the five winning firms will receive that award. The overall winner will be announced during the Mobile Payments Conference.

The award winners and finalists were selected based on the following criteria, which were considered when scoring each entry:

Level of innovation and competitive advantage

Market needs

Impact on customer experience

Impact on customer operational efficiency

Level of new revenue opportunity for the organization

Impact on customer retention/new customer attraction

Level of scalability across customer base

Future roadmap

"We are delighted to recognize and celebrate innovation achieved by leading digital wallet providers," said Thad Peterson, senior analyst at Aite Group. "Digital wallets are leading an explosion of innovation in the payment ecosystem, and it's great to have an opportunity to recognize the leaders of this revolution."

The winners were selected by a global panel of independent experts on digital payments and wallets. The identification of an Aite Group award winner or finalist is not an endorsement by Aite Group of any vendor, product, or service.



To request additional information about Aite Group's Digital Wallets Innovation Awards or to learn more about the Digital Wallet Database, please contact us at pr@aitegroup.com. The identification of an Aite Group award winner or finalist is not an endorsement by Aite Group of any vendor, product, or service.



About Aite Group:

Aite Group is a global research and advisory firm delivering comprehensive, actionable advice on business, technology, and regulatory issues and their impact on the financial services industry. With expertise in banking, payments, insurance, wealth management, cybersecurity, fraud and AML, and the capital markets, we guide financial institutions, technology providers, and consulting firms worldwide. We partner with our clients, revealing their blind spots and delivering insights to make their businesses smarter and stronger. Visit us on the weband connect with us on Twitterand LinkedIn.



About MPC Mobile & Digital Commerce Event:

MPC Mobile & Digital Commerce Event is the premier annual conference and exhibition on the future of alternative payments worldwide. MPC is known for bringing together thought leaders, innovators and decision-makers from financial, technology, government, retail, marketing, and mobile industries to discuss the evolution of the payments industry. Attendees benefit from access to the world's foremost experts in emerging payments and commerce, blockchain and digital currencies, cybersecurity and consumer privacy, customer experience and loyalty, and customer engagement and marketing.



About MPC20:

MPC20, which marks the 10th year of the Mobile & Digital Commerce Event, is being held virtually August 24-26, 2020. This year's theme, "The Future of Mobile & Digital Commerce is Here," will focus on the current and future applications of alternative payment technologies in established economies and emerging markets. For more information or to register, visit www.mobilepaymentconference.com.
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Charleston, which is located at 9181 Medcom Street, has served the community since 1993. Complementing local acute care services like those provided by MUSC Health, the 49-bed hospital provides physical, occupational and speech therapies as well as 24hour nursing care that aim to restore functional ability and quality of life. The hospital serves patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries including strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions.

"MUSC Health, a healthcare leader well known for its high-quality patient care, is a natural fit as a partner for our North Charleston hospital," said Ed Mowen, president of Encompass Health's MidAtlantic region. "Aside from elevating the superior rehabilitative care already provided at our hospital, we plan to make an even greater impact across the state through our collaboration on academic programs and telehealth."

"The residents of our state are affected by a high incidence of serious illnesses that often require intensive rehabilitation services," said Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., CEO of MUSC Health and vice president for Health Affairs, University. "Through our collaboration with Encompass Health, we have the ability to expand services that are designed to maximize our patients' recoveries and levels of function. Being able to reach more South Carolinians with specialized rehabilitation services after an adverse health event will help us deliver a better quality of life for the residents of our statewide community."

"Another important aspect of this collaboration is our ability to increase educational opportunities for various healthcare professionals in Encompass Health hospitals and other patient care settings across the state," said Lisa K. Saladin, PT, Ph.D., executive vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost at the Medical University of South Carolina. "We look forward to placing MUSC medical, nursing, pharmacy and therapy students, among others, in educational rotations where they will develop a variety of clinical skills. Combined with the MUSC didactic curriculum, this real-world training prepares our health professions students to deliver top-quality care to our patients," she noted. Statistics show that a high percentage of healthcare professionals continue to live, work and contribute to the state where they complete their residency training or clinical rotations.

Encompass Health will continue to manage the hospital operations and its employees. MUSC Health currently operates inpatient rehabilitation beds in both its Florence and Lancaster markets, but does not have this capability in Charleston. This jointly owned hospital offers opportunities to enhance access and care coordination for MUSC's Charleston-area patients requiring rehabilitation services.

The operation of the hospital as a joint venture is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

About Encompass Health

As a national leader in integrated healthcare services, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that includes 136 hospitals, 245 home health locations, and 83 hospice locations in 39 states and Puerto Rico, the Company is committed to delivering high-quality, cost-effective, integrated care across the healthcare continuum. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter and Facebook.

About MUSC Health

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the oldest medical school in the South, as well as the state's only integrated, academic health sciences center with a unique charge to serve the state through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and nearly 800 residents in six colleges: Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. The state's leader in obtaining biomedical research funds, in fiscal year 2019, MUSC set a new high, bringing in more than $284 million. For information on academic programs, visit musc.edu.

As the clinical health system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest quality patient care available, while training generations of competent, compassionate health care providers to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Comprising some 1,600 beds, more than 100 outreach sites, the MUSC College of Medicine, the physicians' practice plan, and nearly 275 telehealth locations, MUSC Health owns and operates eight hospitals situated in Charleston, Chester, Florence, Lancaster and Marion counties. In 2020, for the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

MUSC and its affiliates have collective annual budgets of $3.2 billion. The more than 17,000 MUSC team members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers and scientists who deliver groundbreaking education, research, technology and patient care.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to the likelihood, timing and effects of the completion of this hospital project, are forward-looking statements. In addition, Encompass Health may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Encompass Health's actual results or events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the regulatory review and approval process, any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against the Company; the possibility this project will experience unexpected delays; the ability to successfully complete and integrate this project consistent with Encompass Health's growth strategy, including realization of anticipated revenues, cost savings, and productivity improvements arising from the related operations and avoidance of unforeseen exposure to liabilities; the continued spread of COVID-19, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of the spread; the actions to be taken by Encompass Health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and Encompass Health's response thereto; the hospital's ability to maintain proper local, state and federal licensing; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's information systems; Encompass Health's ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages and the impact on Encompass Health's labor expenses from potential union activity and staffing shortages; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2019 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

Encompass Health contacts:

Media:

Hillary Carnel | 205 970-5912

[email protected]

Investor Relations:

Crissy Carlisle | 205 970-5860

[email protected]

MUSC Health contact:

Media:

Sheila Champlin | 843 792-2691

[email protected]

SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.

Related Links

http://www.encompasshealth.com


SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Thousands of firefighters continued corralling two of the biggest wildfires in California history on Monday as dangerous weather that threatened to roll back recent gains turned out to be far milder than forecast.

As temperatures cooled and winds calmed over the weekend, firefighters gained ground on the LNU Lightning Complex fire, burning across a fatigued wine country north of San Francisco, and the SCU Lightning Complex, which has been threatening the eastern outskirts of San Jose and cities as far south as Gilroy.

But forecasts had predicted a new round of so-called dry lightning: thunderstorms that produce little if any rain but much electricity. By midday, though, those storm cells had blown past the Bay Area harmlessly and the National Weather Service canceled a "red flag" fire warning for the region.

The two complex fires, which comprise several blazes each, began 10 days ago when thousands of lightning strikes hit dry vegetation. The fires have grown to be the second- and third-largest fires in terms of acreage burned in state history. Of the more than 600 smaller fires burning in the state, 17 are designated as major, tugging fire crews in several directions simultaneously.

The fires already have charred 1.2 million acres - an area larger than Rhode Island - and have killed seven people and destroyed more than 1,200 buildings. More than 100,000 people have evacuated their homes over the course of the recent fires amid fears that gathering in shelters could increase the spread of the coronavirus in the state with the most reported cases.

President Donald Trump declared a major disaster in the state over the weekend, which freed up federal aid that he once threatened to withhold because of what he has described as poor forest management. Many of the state's woodlands, including some areas burning now, are managed by the federal government.

In a midday briefing, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday thanked Trump for the declaration. He called this "a critical week" for firefighting efforts with forecasts calling for considerably cooler weather but unpredictable winds.

"We're deploying every resource we have right now," Newsom said.

Firefighters from across the state, as well as the National Guard, have been stretched thin by the number of blazes, which have come well before the state's traditional peak fire season in the fall. A climate of extremes here in recent years - wet winters and springs followed suddenly by hot, dry summers - has virtually erased the time frame for what had for decades constituted fire season.

In his briefing, Newsom said the state had experienced 4,292 fires, which burned a total of 56,000 acres, by this time last year. This year the total acreage charred so far here is 1.4 million acres. There have been 7,002 fires, a 63% increase from the previous year.

Though more than 14,000 firefighters are confronting the flames, the sheer number of outbreaks and sweeping, ember-carrying winds have left crews playing catch-up for days. Seven states have sent fire engines to California despite their own worries that dry, hot and windy conditions at home will spark similar blazes.

California also is somewhat shorthanded because crews of prison inmates, numbering 28 each, usually help fight such fires by clearing brush ahead of the flames to create breaks and carrying out other essential tasks.

More than 8,000 inmates have been released early this year because of a severe covid-19 outbreak in the state prison system. Inmate crews have been reduced in size, state fire officials say. The work, while sometimes hazardous, is voluntary, pays nominally, and goes toward a prisoner's credit for early release.

As Monday began, fire officials appeared most worried about the shifting winds, which in the northern LNU fire threatened to push flames toward the Sonoma County towns of Healdsburg and Guerneville, both popular wine-country tourist destinations. That fire is now nearly a quarter contained.

The same was true of the smaller CZU Lightning Complex fire that is the southwestern-most of three major Bay Area fires, having burned more than 50,000 acres in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, including historic coastal Redwood groves.

Newsom said such "dense forests . . . are historically immune from significant fires along our coast."

"This is a region that has simply never seen forest fires because of the weather conditions," said Newsom, who spent part of the weekend visiting that area. "It is a proof point that we are in a different climate and we are dealing with different climate conditions that are precipitating fires the likes of which we haven't seen in modern recorded history."

Although lighter than predicted, winds threatened to push embers and flames through forests toward several small mountain and coastal communities. A heavy fog layer that persisted for much of the weekend helped moisten the fire's fuel and curtail its spread.

Many residents of the mountainside town of Bonny Doon, north of Santa Cruz, have defied evacuation orders to remain in threatened areas to protect their homes. The fire is 13% contained.

Fire officials have warned that, while they are optimistic about the changing weather, they will likely be fighting the largest blazes for weeks. Many crews are working 72-hour shifts, three times longer than normal between rests.

Those not directly threatened by the fires are still suffering from the effects of smoke, which has drifted at least as far east as Nebraska.

Many parts of California are experiencing hazardous air quality conditions, and local health officials have warned residents in several counties to remain indoors as much as possible.

In the Central Valley, scorching hot this time of year, smoke is complicating efforts to treat covid-19 cases in what remains the state's hardest-hit region.

Newsom said most of the fire evacuees are staying in hotel rooms, family homes and other places outside official shelters, where people are screened for the virus and required to wear masks. He said the state faces a shortage of air purifiers that help circulate the air inside the shelters and lessen the risk of the virus's spread.

"This makes some of our wildfire fighting efforts a little more challenging," Newsom said. "But we are up to the task."
Jaipur, Aug 25 : In a recently held survey conducted on 1,162 beggars in Jaipur by the Jaipur police commissionerate, 5 beggars were found to be post-graduates while 193 beggars had completed schooling. Among others, 39 were literate while 903 were illiterate.

The survey was conducted with the aim of making Jaipur city beggar-free, said police officials. The survey also had a question on the professions these beggars would choose if given a chance.

A total of 160 beggars were disinterested to take up any work, while 117 were ready to do any work. Surprisingly, 27 of them showed keen interest in contributing to the education sector. Others expressed their wish to go for labour work, catering, handwork, hotel work etc.

The survey also checked the religious backgrounds of these beggars. While 1016 beggars said they had Hindu background, 111 were Muslims, 6 among them were Sikh, four were Christians, two were Jain while 23 did not disclose their background. While there were 939 male beggars, a total of 223 women beggars were found in the city.

As per the age-wise survey, maximum beggars, 278 in number were between the age group of 31-40 years while 259 beggars were between 41-50 years of age. Surprisingly, there were 52 beggars in the age category of upto 10 years while 80 beggars were between 11 to 20 years of age.

The survey also found out the native states of these beggars. While 809 beggars were from Rajasthan, 95 were from Uttar Pradesh, 63 from MP, 45 from Bihar, 37 from West Bengal, 25 from Gujarat and 15 from Maharashtra. The least were from Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh numbering one each while there were two beggars each from Karnataka and Kerala.

The survey was conducted in the district aimed at rehabilitating the beggars. In fact, on Monday, the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly passed the Rajasthan Beggars or Rehabilitation of Poor Persons (Amendment) Bill, 2020 by voice vote.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Rajendra Singh Yadav presented the Bill in the House for discussion. Earlier, the House vociferously rejected the proposal to publicise the bill for seeking public opinion.
U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Cotulla Station stopped a human smuggling attempt near Encinal, authorities said.

On Monday morning, agents pulled over a white pickup truck west of Encinal. Agents said they approached the vehicle and observed eight individuals hiding underneath plywood in the bed of the pickup. Authorities said the individuals did not have personal protective equipment, or PPE.

An immigration inspection on the group revealed that all were citizens of Mexico who had crossed the border illegally. Records revealed that one immigrant had a criminal conviction for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon with an eight-year sentence.

This further reflects the lack of regard smugglers have for the safety of our communities in that they smuggle dangerous criminals into our country, Border Patrol said in a statement.

The driver, a U.S. citizen, and the eight immigrants were taken into custody to be processed accordingly. Authorities seized the vehicle.

To report suspicious activity such as human or drug smuggling, download the USBP Laredo Sector app or contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994.
Protests erupted in Kenosha, Wisconsin Sunday night after a still unidentified Kenosha police officer shot an unarmed African-American father of three, 29-year-old Jacob Blake, in the back seven times at point-blank range. Blake was attempting to enter his vehicle where his children, aged three, five and eight, were seated in the back.

The video, which has been viewed millions of times across multiple social media platforms in less than 24 hours, uncorked a geyser of social anger in Kenosha and across the country as protesters took to the streets in opposition to unending police brutality.

Blakes father confirmed Monday that his son remains in serious condition at the Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.

Screenshot from video of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin on August 23, 2020.

It has been three months since the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police sparked mass multiracial and multiethnic protests, yet despite declarations of Black Lives Matter by capitalist politicians, coupled with promises of reform and performative acts of solidarity between kneeling police and protesters, the police, an instrument of class rule, are well on track to exceed 1,000 killings for the sixth year in a row, with the Washington Post recording 651 fatal shootings so far this year.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation released a statement within hours of Blakes shooting declaring that the agency will be leading the investigation into the shooting with the aim of providing a report of the incident to the prosecutor within 30 days, after which the prosecutor will make a determination about what charges, if any, are appropriate.

Two unidentified Kenosha police officers have been placed on administrative leave, pending the results of the investigation, which will rely on witness statements and social media video footage.

According to the Kenosha News, the citys police department is one of 440 law enforcement agencies that do not use body cameras. The department is not slated to get cameras until 2022 at the earliest and there is no guarantee the department will actually use them properly.

On Sunday night, Democratic Governor Tony Evers released a statement, echoed by Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes during a Monday press conference, which sought to obfuscate the class nature of police violence and present the shooting exclusively in racial terms, blaming racism in our state and our country.

Democratic presidential candidate and leading architect of the modern US criminal justice system Joe Biden, who earlier this year recommended as a solution to unending police murder that cops shoot them in the leg instead of the heart, likewise called for a full and transparent investigation and for efforts to dismantle systemic racism.

On Monday, Evers issued an executive order requesting a special session of the legislature to convene on August 31 to take up a series of bills Evers had proposed earlier in the summer that will do nothing to stop the epidemic of police terror. The measures call for a statewide use-of-force policy, a ban on chokeholds and more de-escalation training.

At the same time, Evers announced that he had activated 125 soldiers from the Wisconsin National Guard to be deployed to Kenosha for guarding infrastructure and making sure our firefighters and others involved are protected. By others he was referring to the police, with whom the military will be working closely to suppress and arrest protesters in violation of tonights curfew.

Tensions in the impoverished deindustrialized city in southeastern Wisconsin, with an unemployment rate of 9.9 percent, remained at knifes edge throughout the day Monday after an afternoon press conference with Mayor John Antaramian at the citys public safety building devolved into another scene of police brutality. Riot police pepper sprayed the assembled crowd of journalists and community members who were demanding entry to the building before the news conference was declared over.

Later Monday evening, police in riot gear fired tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper balls at protesters who had gathered outside the citys courthouse after an 8 p.m. curfew went into effect. National Guard Humvees were deployed to back up the police.

The events that led up to Sundays shooting are still clouded, as the authorities seek to dissipate public anger while an official justification is concocted. What is known is that the shooting took place at approximately 5:11 p.m. on the citys north side at 40th St. and 28th Ave. According to state authorities, police were dispatched in response to a domestic incident. However, it is unclear at this time who exactly called police or why they were interacting with Blake at all.

Witnesses and Blakes attorney, Benjamin Crump, attest that Blake, who works as a security guard, was breaking up a fight between two adult women. Stella London, who lives in the neighborhood with her daughters, thought the incident began over a scratched car and that once the police showed up, they just assumed Blake was the problem, she recalled to the Washington Post.

La-Ron Franklin, speaking to ABC7, said she witnessed some girls fighting. Franklin then saw a gentleman breaking up the fight. When he was turning to get his kids, the officer shot this man seven times."

Blakes fiancee, Laquisha Booke, told ABC7 that Blake was unarmed. That don't make no sense to treat somebody like that, who is not armed, with the kids in the back screaming, she said.

Jacob Blake (left) (Credit: The Office of Ben Crump)

Following the shooting, a crowd quickly gathered around the officers, who were forced to retreat in the face of hundreds of people as they marched towards the local police station, demanding that the shooter be arrested.

Upon arriving at the police station, a multiracial group of protesters, including women and children, were ordered to disperse and then met with a fusillade of rubber bullets and tear gas. Police attempted to use garbage trucks to block the protesters path. However, as night fell, the trucks were set ablaze, as angry demonstrators remained on the streets outside the Kenosha County Public Safety building, filling the night with cries of No justice, no peace.

Hundreds of protesters continued to remain in the streets, defying the hastily imposed 10:15 p.m. Sunday night curfew. In response, SWAT teams as well as riot police and an urban assault vehicle were deployed in an attempt to enforce the curfew, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets at marchers well past 1 a.m.

Besides Kenosha, demonstrations against police violence were held in several US cities over the weekend, including Madison, Wisconsin; Louisville, Kentucky; Detroit, Michigan; Portland, Oregon and Lafayette, Louisiana, where 31-year-old Trayford Pellerin was gunned down by Louisiana state police Friday night outside of a Shell gas station. Pellerin, who was black, died after multiple police officers fired 11 rounds at him as he attempted to enter the gas station.

Police were allegedly called to the scene after someone reported a man walking around with a knife in his hands. In a cellphone video, Pellerin can be seen walking towards the gas station as police pursue on foot and in vehicles. As Pellerin reaches for the door, shots are fired from multiple weapons.

Rickasha Montgomery, who filmed the shooting, said she saw police shock Pellerin with a taser before shooting him. As with the shooting of Blake, neither man was facing officers, much less attempting to get physical or violent, yet both were met with deadly force.

As news of the shooting spread, protests were held throughout the weekend and into Monday in Louisianas fourth largest city. Three protesters were arrested Saturday night after refusing orders to disperse by police who, clad head to toe in riot gear, proceeded to fire tear gas and smoke bombs at marchers. On Sunday, nearly 200 protesters descended on Lafayette City Hall into the evening, chanting, Back turned, dont shoot!
Celebrating the unstoppable entrepreneurs whose ambitions transform our world

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and BERLIN, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that CEO, Florian Wegener of ZAGENO was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 New England Award finalist. Now in its 34th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program honors entrepreneurial business leaders whose ambitions deliver innovation, growth, and prosperity as they build and sustain successful businesses that transform our world. Florian was selected as one of 30 finalists by a panel of independent judges.



Award winners will be announced through special virtual events on October 6, 2020, and will join a lifelong community of esteemed Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. This year, unstoppable entrepreneurs who have provided extraordinary support for their communities, employees, and others during the COVID-19 crisis will also be recognized for their courage, resilience, and ingenuity.

Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent competitive award programs for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. The nominees are evaluated based on six criteria: overcoming adversity; financial performance; societal impact and commitment to building a values-based company; innovation; and talent management. Since its launch, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries around the world.

"It is an honor to be recognized by EY as a finalist for Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 New England. ZAGENO's bold mission is to democratize life science by providing laboratory teams with a digital commerce experience like that enjoyed by consumers," said Florian Wegener, CEO of ZAGENO. "As an entrepreneur, the success achieved thus far has everything to do with the team assembled around me - from investors and product developers to customer support teams. A big vision like ours can only be accomplished together."

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards to be announced in November during a virtual awards gala. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2021.

Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries - all supported by vast EY resources.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP America and the Kauffman Foundation. In New England, sponsors also include Fama PR, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Nixon Peabody, TRUE Search, Woodruff Sawyer, Chatham Financial, Morgan Lewis, and Sullivan and Worcester.

About ZAGENO

ZAGENO is on a mission to accelerate scientific innovation by streamlining biotech purchasing processes with its award-winning, first-of-its-kind e-commerce platform. With over 20 million products available, ZAGENO makes online shopping for any research material convenient, efficient and reliable. The ZAGENO experience includes its Scientific Score, a best-in-class product rating system that offers unbiased, peer-reviewed ratings to support accurate purchasing decisions. Available on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices, ZAGENO makes biotech purchases easier than ever and is an ideal sales channel for suppliers and partners. Founded in 2015, ZAGENO has offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Berlin, Germany. Visit ZAGENO on the web at zageno.com ; follow ZAGENO on social media at LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , and Facebook .

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. Winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. ey.com/us/eoy

About EY Private

As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/private

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, strategy, transaction and consulting services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com .

For more information:

Greg Vitarelli

greg@zageno.com

+1 617 455 9627




Television actor Divyanka Tripathi celebrated her first-ever Ganesh Chaturthi with husband, television actor Vivek Dahiya, this year. She took to her Instagram page to share pictures and videos of the festivities.

One of her Instagram posts was captioned, They say He comes to you when He wants to. He finds a way. Our Ganu was love at first sight. Stayed with us only a short while giving us positivity and peace for the times to come. Ganpati bappa morya! #EcofriendlyGanpati #DiveksFirst.

Television actor Ankita Bhargava, the wife of Divyankas Yeh Hai Mohabbatein co-star Karan Patel, wished for her and Vivek to have a baby soon. Ankita commented on Divyankas post, Having him come over is the most beautiful feeling ever!!! Godbless you guys with more and more happiness! Next year Gannu bhaiyya ko company dene keliye koi Baal Ganesha hona chahiye (Next year, there should be a little one to give Lord Ganesha company)! #sorrybutnotsorry.

Divyanka shared a video of her and Vivek dancing in front of an idol of Lord Ganesha and captioned it, #GanpatiBappaMorya #EcofriendlyGanpati #DiveksFirst.

Also read | Amaal Mallik blasts Salman Khan fans who trolled him for calling Shah Rukh Khan his favourite actor: Idiots went crazy

Vivek also posted pictures from his Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations with Divyanka and wrote, Wishing everyone health (with the best immunity) and happiness. To new beginnings, our first. Ganpati bappa morya! #GaneshChaturthi.

Divyanka and Vivek, who met on the sets of Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, were set up by their mutual friend and co-star Pankaj Bhatia. The two have earlier said that there was no courtship period because they both had marriage on their minds. They got engaged in early 2016 and a few months later, on July 8, 2016, tied the knot in a private ceremony in Bhopal.

Recently, Divyanka was rumoured to be replacing Erica Fernandes in the Kasautii Zindagii Kay reboot. However, she took to her Instagram stories to clarify, DTD as Prerna in KZK? Its a rumour! (Just clearing the air for those who care).

Follow @htshowbiz for more
The Great Barrier Reef is home to the world's most extensive coral reef system with almost 3,000 corals found, and not only that, an astonishing underwater museum can be located amidst the marine life.

Different kind of museums is found worldwide and offer a wide variety of experiences. Museums are visited by thousands of tourists a day to discover artworks found, collected, and donated by art collectors. In Australia, a peculiar museum takes experience to a whole new level.

The Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) takes the experience below sea level as it brings its guests, adventurers, and those who want to see the admire the beauty underneath the surface. The museum recently opened in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, according to The Inertia. This is the first of its kind in the Southern hemisphere just off the coast of Townsville.



MOUA attributes the opening of the underwater museum to showcase the history of the country's "First Nations people" and raise awareness on the reef. The people behind the museum is aimed at showing the natural beauties of the marine world and promote the advocacy of conserving and restoring the reefs found underneath.

"Our vision is to create a global art attraction which tells the stories of the land, people and environment; provides significant economic benefit to the local economy and builds the capacity of operators and businesses within the local tourism industry." according to MOUA's website.

ALSO READ: [VIRAL] Stunning Snow Photos Show Australia's 'Coldest Day of the Year'

MOUA: Insider Look



The Museum of Underwater Art is located nearly 60 feet below the surface housing a sunken greenhouse for the corals. The reef is surrounded by 'Reef Guardians' that protect the coral reefs from various dangers that may be present.

According to The Inertia, Reef Guardians acts more than a statue because of its design to withstand a Category 4 Hurricane. This intensity is devastating to the sea.

The museum also eases the worries of environmentalists that are concerned in the sculptures being harmful with the marine life found underneath. The said sculptures are made with fish and coral-friendly cement and among this, embedded pieces of coral.

MOUA aims for the museum to be part of the Great Barrier Reef's ecosystem and serve as shelter for many of the marine life found below deck.

MOUA's Visions

The Museum of Underwater Art aims to promote its visions towards the people who will take part to explore or even study the marine life found on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

MOUA envisions itself to be part of a large collective that will bring benefits to the following sectors: Environment, Local Tourism, Local Jobs, Arts and Culture, Palm Islands Indigenous Story Telling, and Education and Global Research.

MOUA's Artist: Jason deCaires Taylor

The Museum of Underwater Art's lead designer is sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. The world-renowned underwater sculptor, Taylor, created his masterpieces for the museum and shared its advocacy of protecting the environment, particularly the marine life.

Taylor is known to have taken part in building the world's first underwater museum known as MUSA in Cancun, Mexico. Another project, Museo Atlantico, aimed to create a large-scale artificial reef in Europe that boosted the biological mass in the area for about 200 percent more.

The effort by Taylor resulted in rare species of sharks, barracudas, marine sponges, and more to visit the reef and consider it a sanctuary for all aquatic life.

ALSO READ: This Wireless Clean Energy Device Acts Like a Plant-Carbon-Neutral Fuel Produced Through Artificial Photosynthesis!





This article is owned by Tech Times



Written by Isaiah Alonzo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
 Read the full article on Motorious

Forget the presidential limo, these are the real beasts.

Surviving in Antarctica and the Arctic Circle is a challenge that requires specialized equipment, and that's especially true when it comes to the vehicles required to traverse some of the harshest and coldest terrain on the planet. For the U.S. government's National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs, exploring Earth's extreme regions just got a little easier thanks to a trio of highly modified Toyota off-road vehicles, which are all named after female explorers with ties to Iceland, Greenland and the U.S.

Image Credit: Gufinnur or Palsson via Office of Polar Programs

Not many details were provided about these Toyotas, but all three rigs were built by Arctic Trucks. They all have similar looks with roof racks, snorkels and wide fender extensions to accommodate the massive 44-inch tires mounted on 17 inch wheels.

The coolest of the three is definitely Louise  a Toyota Hilux converted into a 6x6. This monster truck is the cargo hauler of the bunch with the standard cargo box replaced by a flat bed. The name for this truck comes from Louise Arner Boyd, an American who explored Greenland and the Arctic starting in the 1920s.

Image Credit: Dave Haney via Office of Polar Programs

Barbara and Gudrid are identical Toyota Land Cruiser 78 Troop Carriers with the front bumpers removed allowing for a super-high (if not perfectly vertical) approach angle. Barbara was named after Barbara Hillary, an American who became the first black woman to reach both poles. She traveled to the North Pole in 2007 at the age of 75, and four years later she traveled to the South Pole; she passed away in 2019. Gudrid is named Gudrid 'the Far-Travelled' Thorbjarnardottir, an Icelandic explorer.

Image Credit: Dave Haney via Office of Polar Programs

Source: National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs

Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Its great to have someone at the helm, Ms. Eisen said. But Krasner may be D.A. for four years. Career prosecutors are there for 20, 30 years. Somethings been missing from this movement.

Adam Foss, a former assistant district attorney, is trying to fill the gap.

When Mr. Foss started as a prosecutor in Boston in 2008, he was trained in the law, but not the world he was stepping into. I took a year of criminal law without hearing about poverty or racism, he said. He gradually realized how a few days incarceration could change a life. I knew that every young person I incarcerated was coming out worse on the other side, he said. He began working with their families and community groups to find help for them instead.

We allow really young lawyers, who are very privileged, to go into communities that are desperately disinvested in, and make decisions about them, Mr. Foss said. In 2016, he founded Prosecutor Impact, a nonprofit organization, to help those prosecutors do better.

Zach Klein, the city attorney of Columbus, Ohio (his office handles misdemeanors and domestic violence), hosted a Prosecutor Impact workshop a year ago for his 150 staff members, paid for by local businesses and the Columbus Foundation.

Mr. Klein emphasized that diversion doesnt excuse crime. There are still bad people, he said. But others just need a leg up. How do you use the criminal justice system to provide that leg up?

Well before the workshop, Mr. Klein had created an unusually comprehensive diversion program that asked people arrested for shoplifting 36 questions, such as, Are you eating? Do you have housing? If food insecurity is the reason, then visiting a pantry is part of your diversion program, he said. To my knowledge, no one in the program has offended again. He has recently expanded the list to cover other crimes.

Prosecutor Impacts philosophies were not new to Mr. Kleins prosecutors. My staff generally was open-minded, he said. But people who become prosecutors generally have a certain mind-set: Uphold the law and put people in jail. There was a little bit of skepticism about why we were taking two weeks to do this training.
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- "A lot of motorcycle clubs complain about how hot leather and denim vests are when riding in the summer," said an inventor, from Stockton, Calif., "so I invented the VENTILATED MOTORCYCLE VEST."

The patent pending invention helps to keep a motorcycle rider cool while riding in hot summer weather. In doing so, it offers an alternative to traditional leather and denim vests. As a result, it enhances comfort and style and it could help to prevent sweat and irritation from the heat. The invention features a lightweight design that is easy to wear so it is ideal for motorcycle owners. Additionally, it is producible in design variations and a prototype is available.

The inventor described the invention design. "My design offers a cooler option and it could make traveling more enjoyable."

The original design was submitted to the Sacramento sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 19-SOG-281, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp

Related Links

http://www.inventhelp.com


After previously delaying the proposal of a 2021 property tax rate, Midland County Commissioners on Monday unanimously voted to propose the no-new-revenue rate, which will bring in the same amount of property tax revenue as the previous year.

The rate proposed by the Commissioners Court was 12.88 cents per $100 evaluation, slightly above this years rate of 12.8. Falling property values likely contributed to a higher rate being needed to bring in the same revenue.

There was little discussion by the court before Commissioner Randy Prude made a motion to propose the 12.88 rate. Prude made a motion two weeks earlier to propose the same rate, but it died for lack of a second following confusion over changes that went into effect with the passing of Senate Bill 2.

The main cause for confusion during the Aug. 10 meeting was uncertainty over whether the court would be allowed to later set a tax rate higher than what they had proposed. Under SB 2, also known as the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act, they are no longer able to increase the rate after its proposed.

Several commissioners raised concerns Aug. 10 over that stipulation, saying changes to the 2021 county budget, which will not be adopted until September, may make it necessary to adjust the tax rate.

However, there was no indication Monday that anyone on the court was seeking a higher tax rate, and the commissioners acknowledged they would not be able to later raise the rate above 12.88.

Proposing the no-new-revenue rate means there wont be any public hearings to discuss the tax rate. The county previously was required to hold two public hearings regardless of the rate proposed, but Senate Bill 2 removed this requirement if commissioners propose the no-new-revenue rate.

SB 2 also lowered the cap that determines a voter-approval rate. Under SB 2, if the proposed tax rate would bring in more than 3.5 percent revenue than the previous year, an election is automatically triggered. There was previously an 8 percent cap on year-over-year revenue before voter approval is needed.

The Commissioners Court last year set the rate just below that 8 percent cap in anticipation of the lower voter-approval rate taking effect this year; the rate that would have triggered an election last year was 12.85.

Commissioners were scheduled to discuss County Judge Terry Johnsons proposed 2021 budget during Mondays meeting but opted to delay that discussion until this morning. The tax rate will be adopted in September along with the county budget.
5G technologies promise to bring along immense opportunities to revolutionize our lives, it also holds special importance for Industries as 5G can play a key role in achieving goals of Industrial Automation.

In view of the potential ahead, COAI in partnership with the 5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation (5G-ACIA) and 5G India Forum (5GIF) today organized a joint webinar on "Making Industry 4.0 Happen With 5G" to discuss the Industrial Automation landscape and opportunities.

The event witnessed presentations from Dr Andreas Mueller (Bosch), General Chair of 5G-ACIA, and Dr. Afif Osseiran (Ericsson), General Vice-Chair of 5G-ACIA on "5G for Industrial IoT - An overview and Industrial use cases and requirements".

The webinar also witnessed a panel discussion on making Industry 4.0 happen with 5G, the panel included Dr Nagahanumaiah, Director, CMIT; Monika Gupta, Vice President, Global 5G Engineering Lead, Capgemini; Jayant Moghe, Senior VP - Network Solutions, Mavenir; Ankit Bhargava, Principal Consultant-Industry 4.0, Tech Mahindra and Dr Sunil Jha, Automation Lab, Dept. Mech Engg., IIT. The session was moderated by Dr Sendil Devar, Ericsson.

Automation with industrial IoT is the ability to connect sensors, devices, equipment, software applications, manufacturing production processes, workers, and end consumers, and 5G technologies will be even more significant for enterprises to support the rigorous requirements of critical communications.

The event brainstormed to identify the requirement of industry verticals and readiness of Indian ecosystem partners to provide reliable connectivity, infrastructure, and services.

The event witnessed participation from TSPs, Telecom OEMs, Manufacturing industry players, System Integrations who will play a critical role in furthering Industry 4.0 in India to stimulate and accelerate the digitization road map of the industries.

"We at COAI are delighted to have this partnership with 5G-ACIA. To make Industry 4.0 Happen with 5G, there is a need to collaborate across verticals with telecom operators and manufacturers to see how 5G gets commercially deployed in the country and to ensure that all possible industry verticals and Government work in sync for developing the ecosystem," said Lt Gen Dr SP Kochhar, Director General, COAI at the event.

"5G may lift Industry 4.0 to the next level and enable unprecedented degrees of flexibility, productivity, and efficiency in industrial manufacturing. 5G-ACIA is happy to collaborate with COAI to jointly pave the way for the success of Industrial 5G in India and around the globe," stated Dr Andreas Mueller (BOSCH), General Chair, 5G-ACIA, during the event.

"India is one of the top ten manufacturing globally. Efforts have recently been made to accelerate the progress in Industry 4.0 both by the government and industries in cities like Pune, Chennai. 5G-ACIA alliance hopes by having a closer collaboration with COAI and 5GIF, this will further raise awareness about industrial 5G and how manufacturing use cases can leverage from 5G. Further, in order to deliver a vital 5G ecosystem for automation industries major stakeholders including vertical industries, MNOs and regulators have an important role to play," stated Dr Afif Osseiran (Ericsson), General Vice-Chair, 5G-ACIA, his thoughts during the event.

5G-ACIA is the central global forum for shaping 5G in the industrial domain. On one platform, various industries from all over the world jointly create a new ICT and OT ecosystem and set the frameworks for a highly attractive emerging market.

5G India Forum (5GIF) - an industry collaborative forum, was established to enable synergizing the national efforts and play a significant role in shaping the strategic, commercial, and regulatory development of the 5G ecosystem in India.

COAI was constituted in 1995 as a registered, non-governmental society. COAI's vision is to establish India as the global leader of innovative mobile communications infrastructure, products and services, and achieving a national teledensity of 100 per cent, including broadband.

The association is also dedicated to the advancement of modern communication and towards delivering the benefits of innovative and affordable mobile communication services to the people of India.

The 5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation (5G-ACIA) is the central global forum for shaping industrial 5G standards. 5G-ACIA members jointly prepare for the disruptive change 5G will bring, promote a better understanding of industrial needs, and gain insights into a highly attractive emerging market.

5G-ACIA provides a unique global platform for OT and ICT companies, academia, and all relevant stakeholders to influence 5G development and deployment in line with industrial imperatives.

They make the results of their work directly available to 3GPP, the main standardization body for developing 5G. 5G-ACIA is a market representation partner of 3GPP and has the formal status of a working party of ZVEI e.V.

For more information, please visit www.5g-acia.org.

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The failed 2019 campaign to repeal House Bill 6, the Ohio nuclear bailout law thats now at the center of a federal corruption investigation, is facing possible sanctions this week from the Ohio Elections Commission for not disclosing who funded the campaign.

Elections commission members on Thursday will consider a complaint against Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts, the well-financed political group that attempted to repeal HB6 through a citizens referendum. The group disbanded late last year, shortly after it missed a legal deadline to collect the hundreds of thousands of signatures needed to place the the issue on the ballot for a statewide vote.

Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts never filed a state campaign-finance report detailing the groups 2019 expenditures, which included ads, legal expenses and paid petition workers. That led Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRoses staff to refer the case to the elections commission in March.

Elections commission staff now is recommending fining the group $5,225, or $25 for each day that has passed since Jan. 31, the deadline under state law for campaign groups that performed political work during 2019.

The elections commission could fine the group up to $100 a day, said Elections Commission Director Phil Richter. But since Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts, formed shortly after the passage of HB6 in July 2019, is considered a first-time offender, precedent is to consider a lower-end penalty, Richter said.

Gene Pierce, a Republican political consultant who served as a spokesman for the repeal campaign, declined to comment for this story, as did the groups campaign manager, Brandon Lynaugh.

House Bill 6 created subsidies worth more than $1 billion for two Ohio nuclear plants, as well as funding for three solar projects and two coal plants owned by a consortium of Ohio utility companies. The legislation was the subject of a massive lobbying campaign from secretive groups on both sides of the issue. The bill came under renewed public scrutiny last month, when federal agents arrested House Speaker Larry Householder, alleging he corruptly agreed to pass the legislation for FirstEnergy Corp. in exchange for $60 million to help Householder so he could push for the bailout legislation.

Federal prosecutors have alleged FirstEnergy and related companies secretly spent tens of millions of dollars to get the get the bill passed, which included running ads pressuring legislators to sign it, hiring campaign workers to interfere with the repeal campaigns efforts to gather signatures and running ads discouraging voters from signing the repeal petitions. The company and its affiliated political groups structured their spending to make it impossible or difficult to track.

Householders arrest upended Ohio politics, led to calls to close dark money loopholes in state campaign-finance law that facilitated the massive HB6 campaign and prompted Gov. Mike DeWine and state legislative leaders to say HB6 should be repealed.

Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts, a coalition of natural-gas utility interests and environmental groups, also never disclosed its donors.

However, a new campaign calling itself the Coalition to Restore Public Trust has formed to pressure lawmakers to repeal House Bill 6. The group, which recently announced plans to run $900,000 in digital ads targeting 22 state legislative districts, says its sponsors include Vistra Energy, a Texas-based utility company and the Ohio Oil & Gas Association.

Read related coverage from cleveland.com:

Secretary of State Frank LaRose backing bipartisan legislative push cracking down on dark money in Ohio following corruption scandal

Federal charges describe elaborate scheme, bankrolled by FirstEnergy, to corrupt Ohio politics and secure nuclear bailout

Anti-House Bill 6 group misses deadline to report campaign donors, spending details

Heated HB6 campaign shows why Ohio needs to close dark money loopholes, advocates say

Nuclear bailout bill shows how big money can be put to work in the Ohio Statehouse
Campus News

No big screen, but Buffalo Film Seminars perseveres

By SUE WUETCHER

Eventually, well get back to sitting in the dark together, watching movies the way they ought to be watched. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly posed challenges for instruction at UB, both last semester and for the upcoming fall semester. But its been particularly difficult for the Buffalo Film Seminars, which for the past 20 years has been devoted to the idea that movies are meant to be seen on the big screen, in the company of others.

When Western New York shut down and the Amherst Theatre, home to the series, went dark last March, faculty members Diane Christian and Bruce Jackson scrambled to finish the spring semester via streaming access, virtual Goldenrod Handouts on the individual films and 15-minute Vimeo introductions for each film.

For the upcoming fall semester, the couple has developed another workaround for the series 41st edition, which they call the COVID-19 edition, running from Sept. 1 through Dec. 1. These dates align with what would have been the regular Tuesday night screenings and discussions at the Amherst Theatre.

All 14 films featured for the fall are available now for online streaming. All UB faculty, staff and students  and anyone else with a UB email account  will be able to access, without cost, 13 of the 14 films through the UB Libraries Kanopy portal. The one exception is Once Upon a Time in the West, which is available on YouTube for $4.95.

All 14 films are available through Amazon Primes streaming service. Some of the films are available at no additional cost, while others require a $3.95 or $4.95 fee for a 30-day rental.

An email notification about each film will be sent out a week before the films nominal screening date to students registered for Christian and Jacksons Film Directors class (ENG 381), as well as to the Department of Englishs Discussion List and to the Buffalo Film Seminars listserv (email Jackson or Christian to get on the BFS listserv). That notice will include a URL for the pairs Vimeo introduction to the film and a PDF of that weeks Goldenrod Handout. The notice will also include an invitation to a Zoom session at 7 p.m. on the nominal screening date, which will substitute for the usual post-film discussion in the theater.
Idea Grove, a unified PR and marketing agency for B2B tech. B2B tech innovators are among those who are building the infrastructure for the new normal.

COVID-19s heroes include courageous doctors and nurses on the front lines, as well as grocery store clerks, delivery drivers, fast food employees and mass transit workers, all of whom are exposing themselves to greater risk to benefit society. There are other heroes, too: the B2B tech companies providing remote learning, communication, cleaning and other technologies that enable the United States to remain productive during this crisis.

Idea Grove, a unified PR and marketing agency for B2B tech, is proud to have recently added to its client roster several companies whose work is helping Americans through this difficult time.

These companies are heroes to us, Idea Grove CEO Scott Baradell said. B2B tech innovators are among those who are building the infrastructure for the new normal. Technology time and again has been the hero for our society. On so many occasions, when we have thought the U.S. economy was in decline, our innovation has saved us and moved us forward. And so it will be in this case.

Idea Grove clients helping our society to succeed in the COVID economy include:



Perpetual Motion, a disinfecting drone distributorship that is making arenas and other indoor and outdoor facilities safer during COVID-19. Perpetual Motion leverages American-made, state-of-the-art drone technology, EPA-approved chemistry and industry expertise to enable large-scale facilities to safely disinfect and reopen. The companys founders turned to Idea Grove to develop and distribute their first press release, execute a media relations campaign, create Perpetual Motions social media profiles and launch their website, establishing the companys online presence to get the word out to potential partners and investors.

Istation, an educational technology leader that is helping schools stay on track at a time when remote learning is especially critical for our children. As Istations agency of record, Idea Grove is supporting the company with a comprehensive PR program, highlighting its EdTech solutions and securing opportunities for the company to share insights on urgent topics for educators, students, parents and school administrators.

OpenLoop, a technology-driven staffing platform that is matching healthcare providers with facilities during the fight against COVID-19. OpenLoop matches hospitals and care centers with physicians and nurses so they can quickly fill gaps while eliminating the need for costly staffing agencies. A young startup founded by medical students, OpenLoop waived all fees for its service in the early days of the COVID crisis to help match healthcare workers with the hospitals that needed them most.

ReadyComm, an enterprise webcasting provider that offers real-time closed captioning in more than 100 languages. As global corporations and event planners have scrambled to find ways for the show to go on during the COVID pandemic, ReadyComma leader in global digital event solutionshas stepped in to fill the void. Idea Grove is helping to drive awareness and growth of ReadyComm with a complete website redesign and digital marketing program.

S5 Stratos (S5), a cloud-based artificial intelligence products company that is helping retailers evolve and adapt during unprecedented times. S5 sought out Idea Grove to raise awareness of how its solution is helping retailers track changing consumer demand, predict selling patterns and make smarter decisions faster. Idea Grove quickly developed a PR campaign to boost visibility of S5s solution, using customer success stories to demonstrate the impact of advanced data science in business planning.

With our economy seeking to find its footing amid uncertainty, its comforting to see so many B2B tech innovators doing their part to help us through these times, Baradell said. We are proud to be a strategic partner in driving awareness and adoption of their solutions. The entire Idea Grove team draws inspiration from our clients relentless optimism, practical ideas and hard work.

About Idea Grove

Since 2005, Idea Grove has distinguished itself as that rare agency that truly understands growth-oriented B2B technology companies and their buyers. Idea Groves unified PR and marketing service offering has been built from the ground up with the specific challenges of B2B tech in mind, including grasping complex technologies, maintaining momentum through long sales cycles and influencing the decision-making of both business and IT buyers. Idea Grove can be reached at inquiries@ideagrove.com or 972.235.3439.
Courtesy

Federal officers have deported an immigrant who was wanted for aggravated sexual assault of a child in Mexico, authorities said.

Last week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed David Neri-Dominguez, 38, from the country via the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge.
BOSTON, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the significance of integrating technology and innovation to the delivery of legal services intensifies, Suffolk University Law School will be offering two online courses this fall as part of their six-course online, part-time Legal Innovation and Technology Certificate program. The two courses, Process Improvement and Legal Project Management and Design Thinking for Legal Professionals, will provide insight into how legal professionals and law firms can deliver legal services with greater efficiency and effectiveness, as well as how they can build solutions that provide maximum value for their clients and end users.

In Process Improvement and Legal Project Management, participants will explore strategies to gain competitive advantages in the marketplace through applying important process improvement toolkits (including Lean, Six Sigma, Legal WorkOut, Pure Technology, BPR, RPA, Theory of Constraints, PDCA, Gemba, 5S, and the main concepts behind each), and applying the five key phases in executing a process improvement project, as well as project descriptions for the context of a legal environment. The course will be instructed by Catherine Alman MacDonagh, a former corporate counsel and law firm executive and current CEO and founder of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute.

Design Thinking for Legal Professionals will present the conceptual need for firms to adopt human-centered approaches to solving problems by identifying the needs of end-users and building solutions that provide them maximum value. Course content will address developing and testing prototypes and iteratively improving these tools for better results, as well as understanding the operations of organizations and how to improve those organizations. The course was developed by Margaret Hagan, director of the Legal Design Lab at Stanford Law's Center on the Legal Profession, and will be moderated by Nicole Bradick, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Theory and Principle, a legal technology product design and development firm.

"Our courses are not just about conveying information  we also work to change the way our students think," says Professor Gabe Teninbaum, director of the program and Assistant Dean for Innovation, Strategic Initiatives, and Distance Education. "These courses are emblematic of that approach, and we expect participants will develop a new lens through which to problem solve."

Both courses correspond with areas identified by legal professionals as essential to their career growth in today's competitive climate. The two courses start September 8, 2020, and can be taken individually or as part of the overall certificate program that can be competed in a year (or longer if desired). The courses are designed for attorneys and other legal professionals (law librarians, paralegals, marketing officers, regulatory officers, etc.) who are dedicated to preparing their organizations, and themselves, for the future of law. To learn more, visit https://www.legaltechcertificate.com/.

About Suffolk University Law School

Suffolk University Law School in Boston, MA, regularly appears on lists of the most innovative law schools in the country and is a national leader in helping students reimagine legal services delivery. To learn more, visit http://www.suffolk.edu/law/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Brad Wuorinen

(617) 209-6449

[email protected]

SOURCE Suffolk University Law School

Related Links

http://www.suffolk.edu/law/


The Sexual Assult Referral Centre (SARC) in Zamfara on Tuesday said it had recorded a total of 160 cases of sodomy, defilement and rape in one year.

The coordinator of the centre, Ahmed Shehu, made this known in Gusau while receiving members of the Zamfara Children Parliament who were on a visit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit to the centre and remand home in Gusau was supported by the Save the Children International, an NGO.

Mr Shehu said that the cases involved mostly underaged children and teenagers.

He described the rate of rape and assault of children in the state as alarming, saying there was cause for serious concern.

We received a case of a father who assaulted his four-year- old biological daughter, he said. We need both governmental and individual support on this issue, especially at the community level.

Mr Shehu, who said the centre was facing a serious challenge in the area of funding, noted that this was affecting its ability to carry out its responsibilities.

We are seriously facing inadequate funding and lack of enough accommodation.

We need government support to improve this centre, especially to expand it in a way that we can admit more victims.

The current situation is that we cannot admit victims; we can only treat people.

We want to have children room and the standard SARC cannot be completed without children room, he said.

ALSO READ:

He thanked the state ministries of justice, health as well as women, children and social development for the support they had been giving to the centre.

Mr Shehu, however, called on the people, especially parents, to be vigilant and monitor their children.

He also urged parents hiding rape cases involving their children to always report such incidents, saying they were not doing them any good.

Earlier, Sumayya Aminu-Aliyu, the Speaker of the Children Parliament in the state, said that the visit was part of efforts to assess the situation and challenges affecting children in the state.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Hong Kong  Tue, August 25, 2020 07:55 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c402bc40 2 World Hong-Kong,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-relapses,COVID-19-infection,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free

A Hong Kong man who recovered from COVID-19 was infected again four-and-a-half months later in the first documented instance of human re-infection, researchers at the University of Hong Kong said on Monday.

The findings indicate the disease, which has killed more than 800,000 people worldwide, may continue to spread amongst the global population despite herd immunity, they said.

The 33-year-old male was cleared of COVID-19 and discharged from a hospital in April, but tested positive again after returning from Spain via Britain on Aug. 15.

The patient had appeared to be previously healthy, researchers said in the paper, which was accepted by the international medical journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

He was found to have contracted a different coronavirus strain from the one he had previously contracted and remained asymptomatic for the second infection.

"The finding does not mean taking vaccines will be useless," Dr. Kai-Wang To, one of the leading authors of the paper, told Reuters. "Immunity induced by vaccination can be different from those induced by natural infection," To said. " will need to wait for the results of the vaccine trials to see if how effective vaccines are."

World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said on Monday that there was no need to jump to any conclusions in response to the Hong Kong case.

Instances of people discharged from hospitals and testing positive again for COVID-19 infection have been reported in mainland China. However, in those cases it was not clear whether they had contracted the virus again after full recovery - as happened to the Hong Kong patient - or still had the virus in their body from the initial infection.

The preliminary number of patients in China who tested positive again once being discharged from hospital was 5%-15%, Wang Guiqiang, an infectious disease specialist in China's expert group for COVID-19 treatment, said during a press briefing in May.

One explanation was that the virus still existed in the lungs of patients but was not detected in samples taken from upper parts of the respiratory tract, he said. Other possible causes were low sensitivity of tests and weak immunity that could lead to persistent positive results, he added.

Jeffrey Barrett, an expert and consultant with the COVID-19 Genome Project at Britain's Wellcome Sanger Institute, said in emailed comments to Reuters that it was very hard to make any strong inference from a single observation.

"Given the number of global infections to date, seeing one case of re-infection is not that surprising even if it is a very rare occurrence," he said.
St Leos College Carlow first day back for first year students. Student Jasmine Pina (12) who started her second level education . Picture; Gerry Mooney

Confusion marked the beginning of the return to school today after 152 pupils gathered in a hall for assembly.

Incoming first year students at St Leos College, Carlow started the day with a socially-distanced prayer service, each seated a metre part in the hall.

Principal Niamh Broderick welcomed the pupils, including her own daughter Laura (13) to the school, which has introduced strict health measures, including the wearing of face masks and staggered lunch breaks

But images of the morning service sparked controversy with Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) President Ann Piggott telling RTE News at One that it was unwise and ill advised to hold such assemblies.

Ms Piggott said that in the community we are being told no more than 15 people can gather outside and six inside. It would be better if assembles happened in small numbers, not in large gatherings.

Ms Broderick said they had followed Department guidelines and everything was done properly and safely.

Expand Close St Leos College Carlow first day back for first year students. School principal Niamh Broderick pictured with her daughter Laura (13) who had her first day of secondary school . Picture; Gerry Mooney / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp St Leos College Carlow first day back for first year students. School principal Niamh Broderick pictured with her daughter Laura (13) who had her first day of secondary school . Picture; Gerry Mooney

The school closed at 12.30pm for its first day back since March 10 and Ms Broderick said the feedback from the students and parents was fantastic.

We are doing the best we can. Its great to see the children and the staffs are all so happy to be back.

Its just a shame we couldnt see the childrens smiling faces.

Ms Broderick said the ethos of being a Catholic school, which promotes the ethic of care and well being, was fundamental, more than ever.

But from now on, there will be staggered lunch breaks, minimised movement of students, classrooms assigned to one class, a one way system in and out and hand sanitisers in every classroom and in the corridors.

Its about rethinking everything we did before, Ms Broderick said.

We have advised students to minimise what they bring into school.

A school needs copy books and students need to use pens but we are issuing advice round not sharing items.

We are asking students to sanitise their own spaces, to sanitise on entry into each room and building.

Lunch times are also staggered. We have a canteen offering a more limited menu but we are also encouraging children to eat outdoors, where possible.

Expand Close St Leos College Carlow first day back for first year students. School principal Niamh Broderick . Picture; Gerry Mooney / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp St Leos College Carlow first day back for first year students. School principal Niamh Broderick . Picture; Gerry Mooney

A protective barrier has been put in place to restrict parental visits unless authorised by Ms Broderick.

And children are receiving Covid-19 training. Ms Broderick said: It will take time to train them but they were all so well behaved today.

However, it is the nature of girls to greet o one another, so we are really teaching how to maintain social distance and how to move around school in this new normal.

Classrooms are being ventilated to add extra safety for children.

Six year students will return on Thursday and Friday for the induction day the first years have just experienced.

All classes will return to normal next week. Everyone complied, the children were all really superb, Ms Broderick said.

For everyone there was of course a level of nerves and anxiety but once everyone came back and saw the measures we have put in place, everyone feels reassured now.

I am really happy to be back, I couldn't wait to get back after so long and Im just delighted to see all the green uniforms, which looked absolutely perfect.

Mother Patricia Pina, 38, sent her daughter; Jasmine 12 to St Leos and said she felt much more confident after doing so.

It was difficult going to a new school in normal circumstances but Jasmine had a lovely day.

I was worried and I was sure I was the only parent crying today but its all fine now. She is happy and feels safe, so I feel relieved. Jasmine loves school and children need to be back together, to learn together.

Expand Close St Leos College Carlow first day back for first year students. Cousins Nthati Rammusi (12) and Lauriane De Sa (12) who started their second level education . Picture; Gerry Mooney / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp St Leos College Carlow first day back for first year students. Cousins Nthati Rammusi (12) and Lauriane De Sa (12) who started their second level education . Picture; Gerry Mooney

Cleopatra Rammusi, 39, who works as a carer, also sent her daughter Nthati, 12, to St Leos and said she felt comforted by the school giving parents detailed information beforehand.

It went well and Nthani enjoyed her day. She bought her own masks this morning.

She is used to wearing masks but in a class setting it was kind of weird but shes used to wearing it so she was happy to be in school with a mask. Most of her friends were there and she made new friends.

I dont think parents and kids should worry. Theres different opinions but if you can let your child do a sport; why not send them back to school in a more controlled environment?

I know the numbers will probably spike in some schools but we have to try to do our best to help our kids, as its their education.

Children need their routine and they need to be with each other as no good can come from children being isolated.

The mother said she would like to see the Government roll out support for any parents who must take time off with children who fall sick during the pandemic.
Of all the unknowns still surrounding the transmission of the coronavirus, one thing is for sure: Being indoors with lots of people in cramped conditions is a major no-no.

That sobering fact has put industries that rely on in-person and high-density interactions--from wedding and concert venues to hotels and restaurants--in incredible distress. Not only are consumers not interested in convening inside right now, employees are also reluctant to return to work.

While many of these in-person businesses are waiting out the pandemic and staying closed temporarily, others are taking steps to mitigate the spread of the virus, which they hope will inspire enough people to come back inside to keep their businesses afloat.

From retrofitting HVAC systems with mechanical filters to purifying the air with UV rays, the business of cleansing the air is big--and for the companies navigating the process, daunting. Here are four steps for improving your company's air quality and more.

1. Swap your filters.

While an HVAC system handles a building's heating, cooling, and ventilation, the system's filter can be limited in terms of air purification; it might catch big particles but not smaller air pollutants.

For those wishing to turn this filtration up a notch, consider swapping in a mechanical commercial filter, suggests Donna Hager, president and CEO of Macan Deve, a White Plains, New York-based engineering and architecture firm. Your best options, says Hager, include HEPA and MERV filters. Both can improve a room's air quality, but HEPA filters are denser, making them ideal for labs or hospitals, where people often handle dangerous materials.

Considering the sensitivity surrounding Covid-19, HEPA filters might be ideal. The filter's density can be problematic, however. Since it's so strong, it can curb airflow and force the HVAC system to work harder, potentially costing owners more in energy bills.

A lower density but still powerful MERV filter could be a good alternative. MERV filters with a minimum rating of 8 to 12 are ideal for filtering out pollen and mold spores. The higher you go on the MERV scale, the stronger your filter; MERV filters with a value of 13 to 16, for instance, can keep particulates as small as 0.3 microns from entering an enclosed space. Note that MERV ratings are not standard; filter strength can vary from brand to brand.

2. Retrofit your HVAC.

Because not every HVAC system is compatible with the HEPA filter, you might need to retrofit your HVAC system, which involves optimizing existing HVAC networks for new components.

The cost of retrofitting an HVAC system to a MERV 13 filter depends on the size and age of your current system, with smaller jobs clocking in at 25 cents per cubic foot per minute, says Gabriel Domenikos, director of operations at Airlogix, a commercial and industrial air conditioning and refrigeration company based in New York City. In other words, a job that takes one hour--which Domenikos says is the standard amount of time it takes to retrofit a single HVAC unit--could cost around $2,000 for a typical 4,000 square-foot office space in New York or upwards of $25,000 for a 100,000 square-foot space.

Retrofitting an HVAC system might also supply energy savings, as resealing or replacing ductwork, for instance, can curb energy waste. But the cost is not insignificant, and your individual company's needs might vary. So do have a local HVAC contractor weigh in your options, adds Hager.

3. Use UV rays.

For smaller offices, portable UV air purifiers can provide a handy solution. UV air purifiers use UV light to disinfect the air by breaking down bacteria caught in the filter. Compact and mobile, UV air purifiers like those offered by Molekule, a UV air purifier company based in San Francisco, range in price from $399 to $799. The company also offers a more robust purifier intended for use in medical spaces.

Edward Nardell, a professor of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School, advocates using UV light to keep the air clean. Nardell, who's been a specialist in tuberculosis since the early '80s, worked with TB patients in American homeless shelters. Through his research, he found that UV was "quite safe." He added that on days when the UV lights were deployed in hospitals, "the air was about 80 percent less infectious."

4. Go beyond filtration.

While cleaning your air is important for any in-person business, it should not be your only defense against the coronavirus, says Jeffrey Siegel, a civil engineering professor at the University of Toronto.
Support from the Executive and backing of shoppers is vital for our retail industry

It is no secret that the retail industry has been going through an immensely tough time in this past few months. Retailers large and small across the UK have lost billions due to the sheer scale of the collapse in sales during March to July compared to the same period last year.

Retail accounts for 15% of all employment in Northern Ireland as well as supporting thousands of supply chain jobs in everything from agri-food and services.

It is an excellent bellwether of the wider economy. If retail is doing well you can be pretty certain the rest of the economy is too and conversely bad news for retail is a harbinger of an ill wind for other industries.

That's why this last quarter of the year is going to be so important to an industry that is already struggling and we can already see the thundery clouds gathering for what could be a second perfect storm following the lockdown.

From the end of October to the end of the traditional January sales is what we in the trade call our golden quarter.

Read More

This is when many retailers make the majority of their profit for the year and what sees them through the leaner months of the rest of January, February and March.

Quite simply, it is our most important time of the year and that's why any challenges at this time are unwelcome. And boy do we have challenges coming...

The country is now officially in recession. The Office for National Statistics latest figures said the UK downturned in lockdown, with a 20.4% slump in GDP, its worst ever.

However, Northern Ireland's separate composite economic index had already shown two quarters of shrinking growth - meaning we had already been in recession. That could easily translate into a vicious cycle of lower consumer confidence and reduced consumer spend at the very time when retailers need to hear the tills ringing to ensure their survival.

Also a possibility are local or regional lockdowns or (God forbid) a second wave of Covid-19 which again would prevent consumers from returning to our high streets and retail destinations.

Such instances would also put back the return of town and city centre workers which means a lack of people on the high street from offices which again decreases footfall, normal trade as well as the ever important impulse spend.

But it is not just about the lack of money coming in.

The costs for retailers have been huge on extra staff, PPE, and social distancing measures, which we estimate to have cost over 5m in Northern Ireland so far.

These costs will continue to rise over the coming months as the furlough scheme ends and some very hard decisions will have to be made. And added to all this is the uncertainty and the costs associated with preparation for the end of the UK-EU economic transition period where there is still a lack of detail.

Some retailers want detail to ensure they comply with the new regime... whilst others simply want to find out if they have a viable business model come the 1st of January.

While some of these challenges are out of our hands, there others that are in our power here in Northern Ireland. The money pledged by Ministers Ni Chuilin and Poots to support cities, towns and villages with everything from signage to awnings is welcome as is the High Streets Task Force announced by the Executive but which has not met yet.

However, we need to look at other measures especially reform of our antiquated business rates system and ways to give shoppers confidence to return to our retail destinations, and that means working in partnership with hospitality, leisure and government.

This is all shaping up to be an almighty test for the industry.

Many household names have stumbled or tumbled over recent months, and every indication is that the shake out is set to continue unless the industry gets the support it needs from the Executive and from the canny NI shopper.
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Committed to helping California families facing hunger, the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), creators of got milk? and toma leche, and the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), representing California dairy farm families, today announced a partnership with Feeding America to help provide 1 million meals1 and 1 million servings of milk2 through the launch of #FoodForThought, a campaign highlighting acts of kindness while inspiring and encouraging people's desire to give back to their community.

To view additional photos, click here: https://dam.gettyimages.com/assignments/the-creators-of-got-milk-and-california-dairy-farm.

More than 4.2 million people in California face hunger and that number is rising. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased need for food assistance in communities across the country. #FoodForThought is dedicated to recognizing the myriad acts of kindness displayed by individuals and groups committed to serving communities  from preparing meals for families to surprising and delighting friends with milk and cookie drops and much more. Starting this week, with a donation of 1 million servings of milk from California dairy farm families, each #FoodForThought mission of kindness post shared and engaged with on Instagram that mentions @gotmilk through September 30th will help contribute meals towards the accompanying 1 million meals goal.

"This initiative naturally leans into who we are, what we do and what makes milk special  wholesome, nutritious, comforting - while giving people a reason to share positivity by joining a good cause that helps mitigate the uncertainty some families feel when it comes to their next meal," said Steve James, Executive Director of the California Milk Processor Board and visionary leader of 'got milk?'. "Our state has a population in need, with many who can give. So, whether you can give a lot, give a little, give kindness, give love - as neighbors, we know there's strength in coming together. As got milk? and toma leche, we know strength starts with nourishment. Milk has a role to nourish families in California and encourage people to spread acts of kindness in their communities. #FoodForThought is just the start of the amazing things we can do together and provides the opportunity of spreading social good and positivity to California families in need."

To launch the campaign with the first #FoodForThought act of kindness at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, 'got milk?' enlisted the help of actor, producer, director and father of three, Matt Bomer, and Brazilian-Mexican actor, television personality and father of two, Jaime Camil. Matt and Jaime joined got milk?/toma leche and California dairy farmers to shadow veteran volunteers for a behind-the-scenes look at the impactful and profound work happening at Feeding America member food banks. During the visit they honored volunteers with a meal and special care package and presented a $300,000 donation to Feeding America from California dairy farmers to fund over 1 million servings of milk in California communities.

"California dairy farmers put their heart and soul into providing a wholesome product and ensuring it is accessible to all communities. It pains farmers to see so many children and families struggling with hunger and they are grateful to do something to help," said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. "Each small act of kindness  from volunteering time at a food bank to providing a meal or a smile to a neighbor  feeds positivity and hope in communities. We hope this initiative also fuels ongoing support for organizations like Feeding America in their service to help families in need."

Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief and food rescue organization in the country, reports in its Map the Meal Gap study that 1 in 9 people  or over 4 million  Californians are struggling with hunger, including more than 1.3 million children.

"Before the COVID-19 pandemic, every community was home to families struggling with hunger. Sadly, that shows no sign of stopping and food banks are experiencing a rise in demand," said Blake Thompson, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Feeding America. "#FoodForThought will bring relief to our neighbors in California who are worried about where their next meal will come from. We thank the California Milk Processor Board and California dairy families for their generous support."

The #FoodForThought donations will be coordinated by Feeding America to 17 of its member food banks and their network of feeding programs in California. You can learn more about #FoodForThought and ways to donate/help by visiting gotmilk.com, tomaleche.com and realcaliforniamilk.com, or following @gotmilk @tomaleche @realcalifmilk or #FoodForThought on Instagram. Direct donations can be made through milklife.com/give.

1Every dollar donated to Feeding America secures the equivalent of at least 10 meals on behalf of their network of local member feeding programs, including nutritious foods like milk. From August 24, 2020 through September 30, 2020 each engagement received on a #FoodForThought post, generates a $1 Feeding America donation from the California Milk Processor Board, with a guaranteed minimum commitment of $25,000 and a maximum commitment of $100,000 for a goal of 1 million meals.

2Feeding America considers the value of a gallon of milk to be $4. A $300,000 donation by California dairy families will secure 75k gallons of milk. With 16, 1-cup servings of milk per gallon, that will equal 1.2 million servings of milk.

About the California Milk Processor Board

Since 1993, the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), creator of the famous got milk? campaign, has been committed to increasing milk consumption throughout California. One recent initiative, "Bones Love Milk," is dedicated to educating youth on the real benefits of milk as "nature's energy drink" in an unconventional way, showcasing how milk is a true nutrient powerhouse, delivering strong bones, energy, hydration and muscle recovery. The CMPB is funded by all California milk processors and administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The got milk? trademark is a federally registered trademark and service mark. For more information, visit www.gotmilk.com .

About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state's dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. The CMAB's purpose is to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk. The organization promotes California dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com , Facebook , YouTube , Twitter , Instagram and Pinterest .

About Feeding America

Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE California Milk Processor Board
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 20:52:01|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

SHIJIAZHUANG, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Police in north China's Hebei Province have busted an online gambling ring, involving total funds of over 2 billion yuan (about 289.2 million U.S. dollars).

Police in the city of Handan said they launched an investigation into the case in May when 56 suspects involved in a telecommunication fraud related to the ring were arrested.

A suspect, identified by his family name Jiang, told police that one of his accomplices, surnamed Wang, conducted financial transactions for overseas gambling websites over the past year. Under Wang's instructions, Jiang had withdrawn illegal gains worth more than 560,000 yuan from different bank deposits.

Follow-up investigation revealed that a ring led by Wang provided cash flow services for gamblers, such as money transfers and transactions, and obtained a commission in exchange. The activities were conducted through a self-developed online platform.

The ring was busted on June 12 in Weihai, Shandong Province. Coercive measures were taken against 15 suspects, including Wang, who were involved in illegal gains worth more than 10 million yuan, according to the public security bureau of Handan.

Further investigation is underway. Enditem
Talks between West African envoys and Mali's new military rulers failed to yield agreement on Monday on how the country should return to civilian rule after last week's coup, negotiators said.

Separately, they also said ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita -- whose return to office had initially been demanded by the regional bloc ECOWAS -- no longer wished to govern.

Deadlock on the key issue of civilian transition emerged after the fledgling junta denied it wanted a three-year handover period overseen by a soldier.

"There were discussions on both sides, given that at this stage nothing has been set down, nothing has been decided, and that as far as we are concerned, the final architecture of the transition will be discussed and defined by us," the junta's spokesman, Colonel Ismael Wague, told the media.

Thousands of people gathered in Bamako on Friday to support the army and junta after they overthrew Keita. By ANNIE RISEMBERG (AFP)

The chief ECOWAS envoy, former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan said: "We have agreed on a number of issues, but there are some issues that we have not agreed. So on those issues we told the military officers the thinking of ECOWAS and we asked them to go and review."

The August 18 coup has shocked Mali's neighbours, who fear that a fragile state battling jihadism and an economic slump may slide into chaos.

ECOWAS -- the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States -- sent a high-level delegation to Bamako on Saturday to press its demands for the "immediate return to constitutional order."

On Sunday, an ECOWAS source said the junta "wants a three-year transition to review the foundations of the Malian state."

"This transition will be directed by a body led by a soldier, who will also be head of state," the source said, adding that the government "will also be predominantly composed of soldiers."

This account was confirmed by a junta official, who told AFP that "the three-year transition would have a military president and a government mostly composed of soldiers."

But on Monday, Wague denied that the junta had approved any such plan.

"Any decision relating to the scale of the transition, the transition president, the formation of the government will be done among Malians" and be followed by "mass consultation," he said.

Keita appeared on national TV in the early hours of Wednesday, saying he had no choice other than to quit. By - (ORTM/AFP)

Many Malians took to social media on Monday to attack the idea of a three-year transition.

After taking power on August 18, the junta had pledged elections would be held within a "reasonable" timeframe.

ECOWAS worries

The bloc's leaders are to confer on Wednesday as to how to proceed, mindful of Mali's last coup in 2012, which led to a regional revolt that metastasised into a jihadist insurgency.

They have already decided to close Mali's borders and issued threats to impose sanctions against the coup leaders, which the junta said Monday it is contesting.

"It is the people who will suffer much more from sanctions," said Wague, the junta's spokesman.

Mali's political crisis. By Gal ROMA (AFP)

The bloc has already intervened in several crises in West Africa, including The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Keita was elected in 2013 after running a campaign in which he pitched himself as a unifying force in a fractured country.

He was re-elected for a second term in 2018 but failed to make headway against the jihadists, and the ethnic unrest they ignited in the centre of the country further damaged an already sickly economy.

An outcry over the results of long-delayed legislative elections in April cemented his unpopular reputation, and in June a protest movement was born aimed at forcing him to resign.

ECOWAS has stood by Keita and called for him to be restored to office, but this issue seems to have elapsed.

He told the envoys that he no longer wanted to return as president, both sides said.

Jonathan said Monday that the 75-year-old former leader told him "he was not forced to resign but he has resigned and he is not interested in governance again. He wants a good transition so that the country will go back to a democratically-elected government".

The junta's spokesman Wague shared a similar account of Keita's position: "He said that for him it's over, he never wants to return to power again, he resigned voluntarily, without pressure."

The coup leaders say they are holding 17 leaders at a barracks about 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the city after releasing two others last week.
SOUTHAMPTON, England, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In an acknowledgement of the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) guidance and the complexity of operating world voyages, luxury cruise line Cunard will be extending its pause in operations from November 2020 until March 25, 2021 for its ship Queen Elizabeth; until April 18, 2021 for Queen Mary 2 and until May 16, 2021 for Queen Victoria.

Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said:

"We are so sorry to all those guests who were due to sail on any of the cancelled voyages and for the disappointment this news will cause. After very careful consideration and reviewing the latest guidance, we simply do not feel it would be sensible to start sailing again with our current schedule so we have reviewed future itineraries.

"Queen Elizabeth has returned to the UK and with ongoing uncertainty over the re-opening of many ports and countries, it is sadly not practical to continue her planned itineraries for 2021.

"Therefore, in addition to the pause in operations, all of Queen Elizabeth's sailings due to depart between March 26, 2021 and December 13, 2021, in and around Australia, Japan and Alaska, will be cancelled.

"These voyages will be replaced with a programme of shorter duration European holidays ranging from three to 14 nights, departing from Southampton. These will start at the end of March 2021, with a series of scenic voyages around the coast of Cornwall, the west coast of Ireland and the Scottish Isles. There will also be short breaks to Amsterdam which will include an overnight in the city, as well as voyages to northern and southern European destinations including Norway and the Iberian coast, with several of these itineraries featuring overnight city stays.

"Queen Elizabeth's new programme will be completed with a series of seven and 14 night voyages in the Mediterranean, sailing from Barcelona. It is an exciting new programme which I am sure will have great appeal."

All new itineraries on board Queen Elizabeth will be available to book from September 29, 2020.

Palethorpe continued "Additionally, recognising the immense disappointment of those on board Queen Mary 2's curtailed World Voyage this year, and the cancellation of her World Voyage in 2021, we are delighted that Queen Mary 2 will sail a classic World Voyage in 2022. This will replace her scheduled sailings departing January 3, 2022 to April 3, 2022, including the voyage to South America."

The new 118 night adventure will depart roundtrip from New York on January 3, 2022 and include calls to Greece, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Australia and Bali before returning to Southampton via Abu Dhabi, Oman, Italy and Portugal. The ship will sail through the Suez Canal both on the outbound journey and on return. It will be bookable, either as a full world voyage or as one of six sectors, from September 8, 2020.

"Given the current uncertainty, the complexity of our scheduled World Voyage with our international mix of guests visiting many countries and continents, each with its own evolving travel regulations was a very real factor in our decision making."

Cunard will be contacting guests and travel agents who are impacted and, once again, all guests who have had their voyage cancelled will automatically receive an enhanced 125% Future Cruise Credit or alternatively can fill in the website form for a 100% refund.

Full details of the changes to operations and options available to guests due to travel on cancelled voyages, as well as the latest updates, can be found at www.cunard.com.

About Cunard

Cunard is a luxury British cruise line, renowned for creating unforgettable experiences around the world. Cunard has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic, since 1840, celebrating an incredible 180 years of operation. A pioneer in transatlantic journeys for generations, Cunard is world class. The Cunard experience is built on fine dining, hand-selected entertainment and outstanding service. From five-star restaurants and in-suite dining to inspiring guest speakers, the library and film screenings, every detail has been meticulously crafted to make the experience unforgettable. There are currently three Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria with destinations including Europe, the Caribbean, the Far East and Australia. In 2017, Cunard announced plans to add a fourth ship to its fleet to be launched in 2022. This investment is part of the company's ambitious plans for the future of Cunard globally and will be the first time since 1998 that Cunard will have four ships in simultaneous service. Cunard is based at Carnival House in Southampton and has been owned since 1998 by Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK).

SOURCE Cunard
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa has ordered to investigate the people behind the revolutionary government movement.

In a statement on Tuesday, Gamboa also denied involvement to calls for such reform. Moreover, political stunts such as this are ill-timed considering that we are in the midst of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

The PNP chief said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will look into the matter to know if there is basis in order to file charges to the people behind the said movement.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he does not agree with the movement.

Any complaint for inciting to sedition will be seriously investigated by the DOJ [Department of Justice], he added.

A revolutionary government will disregard the current Constitution, meaning all branches of the government might be eliminated.

On August 21, Gamboa confirmed that he received an invitation from the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte - National Executive Coordinating Committee to attend a meeting calling for a revolutionary government.

The group said they also invited other officials, namely Armed Forces Chief Lt. Gen Gilberto Gapay and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

This was the same group who pushed President Rodrigo Duterte to run for President in 2016.

The group launched an event last week to show their support to the movement. It believes that this could accelerate the establishment of federalism before the term of the current administration ends in 2022.

In a 2017 speech, Duterte threatened to declare a revolutionary government if attempts to destabilize the government worsen.

Duterte has denied ties with the movement during his taped speech aired on Tuesday.
That release could not be found.
The James Beard Foundation itself was trying to leave behind its origins as a group that celebrated the restaurant industry, and make itself over as one that led the charge for reform.

It was a lot to handle. By last week, the foundations leaders had settled on calling off the rest of the 2020 awards season, which only a few days before had seemed like a remote possibility.

The short list of nominees had been announced in May. The final vote had been cast and counted soon afterward. But in July and August, the slate of nominees began to crumble, according to interviews with foundation officials, nominees and members of the committee that administers the restaurant and chef awards.

Some chefs took themselves out of the running. The foundation asked others to drop out, having deemed them too controversial because new allegations about their personal or professional behavior had surfaced over the summer. The critics, reporters and other media people on the restaurant awards committee say they were overwhelmed by the number and speed with which chefs were falling under suspicion.

At an emergency meeting held on Zoom in late July, a foundation staff member who had seen the final voting results raised a second concern: No Black people had won in any of the 23 categories on the ballot.

This would not have been a first for the James Beard awards. The foundation and the restaurant awards committee had promised many times recently, though, to field more diverse slates of candidates. Many observers saw progress. This year, a number of Black chefs were named as semifinalists or nominees. But they had lost in the final round of voting, according to people who were briefed on the racial breakdown of the results.

The message came through that they knew who the winners were, and the winners didnt look like they want them to look, said one committee member, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of concerns about violating the nondisclosure agreement everyone on the panel is required to sign.
COLUMBIA  The University of South Carolina said Tuesday it is quarantining students of two sororities after several residents tested positive for COVID-19 during the first week of classes.

The semester began Thursday but photos and videos of large parties inside homes and around pools at student apartment complexes have been circulating on social media showing hundreds of unmasked people crowded close together.

Bob Guild, president of the Granby Mill Village Neighborhood Association several blocks from USC's Greek Village, said house parties have cranked back up in his neighborhood since students returned to rental homes.

At night, Guild said he can again hear music and the steady din of voices from a rental house near his Pall Mall Street home. Small crowds of college students carrying cases of beer to nearby parties have again become regular sights.

The kids are back and they are partying, Guild said.

USC did not name the houses placed under quarantine but they are Delta Delta Delta and Chi Omega, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the quarantine order.

Efforts to reach the leadership of the two houses were unsuccessful Tuesday.

They are among the five largest sororities on campus with more than 300 members each, according to university data.

The quarantine lasts up to 14 days and was decided with the input of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, USC said.

Students affected were either asymptomatic or had minor symptoms with no need for hospitalization, the school said. A small number of fraternity and sorority members, usually about 30, actually live in the houses in the Greek Village off Blossom Street. Most members live off campus.

The houses are where hundreds of members assemble for daily meals and weekly meetings. The sororities are closed to members who are not living inside the house.

The sororities are providing takeout meals, as well as contact tracing, for any members living outside the house who were near someone infected.

USC expected a rise in coronavirus cases as more than 30,000 students returned for the semester to the state's largest college. USC is the only large college in the state to start the fall semester with some in-person classes. Other schools, including Clemson University and the College of Charleston, began the semester will all-online instruction.

USC reported 90 COVID-19 cases among students in the first 20 days of August. USC had 44 active student cases as of Thursday.

We moved quickly to identify positive students and then to quarantine the impacted houses and its residents," USC President Bob Caslen said in a statement. "I remain confident in our ability to mitigate cases through testing, compliant student behaviors and the wearing of face coverings. Our campus community can be assured that we will act quickly and decisively if student behaviors are not compliant."

Much of the school's restrictions apply to on-campus housing and activities in school buildings. USC has limited enforcement of off-campus residences, where most students live, such as the Olympia and Granby neighborhoods where residents have long complained about college students in rentals playing music and partying into the early hours of the morning.

Some of the problem houses display flags with Greek letters of USC's fraternities and sororities, Guild said.

Despite President Caslens optimism, I do think that the real issue is that on-campus enforcement has simply driven the problem into the community, Guild said. Ive yet to see it being effectively dealt with by the university.

At Olympia Mills apartments Tuesday, a dozen residents played a pickup game on the basketball courts. Only a handful of residents entered the pool area through a gate hung with signage for "I Pledge Columbia," the personal pledge USC has asked its students to sign saying they would behave in a socially responsible manner to slow the spread of the virus.

The property manager was unavailable for comment and did not respond to emails sent by The Post and Courier. But a mask-wearing staff member did point out a security guard posted poolside, monitoring the handful of sunbathers.

Vi Hendley, a resident of the Olympia neighborhood southwest of USC, said she has seen crowds of unmasked students at the Olympia Mills pool, and students still pack house parties near her home of three decades.

They are drinking and drugging way too much, Hendley said. Theyre yelling and screaming and not wearing masks and not social distancing.

The Columbia City Council is poised to pass a crackdown on landlords who allow large house or apartment parties as a way to contain the virus that has struck those under age 30 the most in South Carolina.

The council asked student apartment complexes to close community pools to stop to large gatherings.

Columbia City Councilman Ed McDowell said Columbia police have responded to at least two house parties in the past couple weeks, both in the Waverly area.

A group of 75 to 100 students were dispersed from one home. Then, Airbnb was contacted after a party at one of its rental properties was broken up on Friday.

"We feel we've done the right thing in passing the ordinance," McDowell said. "(COVID-19) numbers are lower but cases are still out there."

Chris Trainor contributed to this report.
Diners eat outside at Fishing With Dynamite in Manhattan Beach. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

This week in dining news:

Outdoor dining extended

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti last week announced an extension of the citys Al Fresco program, an initiative that permitted restaurants to set up outdoor dining areas in public spaces such as sidewalks and parking lots, until at least the end of this year. The permits were initially set to expire at the end of August.

Fire Belly

Sichuan Impression owners Kelly Xiao and Lynn Liu have launched Fire Belly, a new Hollywood-based delivery and takeout concept that offers lighter, healthier and more nutritious Sichuan-style cooking. Dishes include spicy spareribs, kung pao shrimp, and tofu with avocado and roasted peppers. Fire Belly is available through Grubhub, Postmates and UberEats.

instagram.com/firebellyla

The Cloverfield

The Cloverfield, a casual pizza and burger bar across the street from the Santa Monica Airport, is open for outdoor dining and takeout. The menu features chicken liver mousse with apple mostarda, cacio e pepe and steak frites along with an extensive gin and tonic menu curated by manager Mary Thompson.

3300 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, (424) 500-2075, thecloverfield.net

Montys Good Burger

Plant-based burger spot Montys Good Burger is open on West 3rd Street for takeout. The new location is the fourth that owners Nic Adler and Bill Fold have opened since 2018. Menu items include a vegan double cheeseburger with Impossible patties, milkshakes, tater tots and a kale Caesar salad.

8432 W. 3rd St., (213) 915-0257, montysgoodburger.com

Mikaza Nikkei Sushi

Mikaza, a Japanese-Peruvian sushi bar from the owners of San Fernando Valley taco spot Pablitos Tacos, is scheduled to open next week in downtowns Spring Street Arcade. The restaurant will offer sushi, yakitori, ceviche and tacos as well as a menu of cocktails made with pisco and Japanese whiskies.

542 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, mikazadtla.com

Avenue 26 Tacos DTLA

Popular Lincoln Heights stand Avenue 26 Tacos has opened its first bricks-and-mortar taqueria on 8th Street downtown. The new location offers burritos and quesadillas as well as meat options such as lengua, tripas and chicken.

Story continues

816 W. 8th St., Los Angeles, instagram.com/ave26tacos

Paper Rice

Paper Rice is open in Pasadena for outdoor dining and takeout. The fast-casual Vietnamese restaurants menu includes fresh spring rolls, noodle bowls and banh mi, along with Vietnamese iced coffee and lemongrass lemonade.

20 E. Union St., No. 150, Pasadena, (626) 345-5333, paperrice.com

American Barbecue Showdown

Bludsos BBQ founder Kevin Bludso will serve as a judge on the new Netflix series "American Barbecue Champion," a cooking competition show that follows the countrys best backyard smokers and competitive barbecuers as they compete for the top title. The eight-part series premieres Sept. 18.

Bebot fire

Long Beachs Bebot Filipino Soul Food was damaged in a fire earlier this month and forced to close temporarily. Owner AC Boral told the Long Beach Press-Telegram that he plans to rebuild the restaurant and launch a local nonprofit called Bebot Community Kitchen. A GoFundMe fundraiser to support the project had raised over $13,000 as of last week.

gofundme.com/f/bebotwontstop

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
August has been a turbulent month for Colombian politics, after former president Alvaro Uribe was placed under house arrest in the midst of an investigation over alleged witness tampering. Uribe, the countrys most powerful politician and a long-time opponent of the 2016 peace deal signed by the Colombian government and the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), contends that the probe against him amounts to political persecution. He and his party are now using the fledgling transitional justice as a punching bag, in a bid to contrast his legal difficulties with the fact that former FARC rebels are yet to be convicted of crimes they committed during the armed conflict.

In mid-August, in an ironic turn of events, Uribe went from accuser to defendant after a suit he filed against a rival senator who contends that he and his brother helped create a paramilitary group in his home region of Antioquia in the mid 1990s backfired. After his lawyer was charged with purportedly attempting to bribe witnesses who could testify against the former president, the Supreme Court unanimously decided that Uribe could potentially obstruct justice and should be placed under house arrest for the duration of the investigation.

Uribes strategy

Uribe, who claims he is innocent and stepped down from his Senate seat last week, has sought to portray the probe as the result of a justice system mired by corruption and political retaliation. His resignation complicated a fuzzy case even more, as the Supreme Court could lose its jurisdiction.

The former presidents strategy has been twofold. On one hand, he has repeatedly called his opponent, senator Ivan Cepeda, part of a new generation of the FARC, without offering any evidence to back his accusation. Cepeda, a staunch defender of the peace accord and a left-wing politician whose father was murdered by the paramilitaries in cahoots with state agents, was never a part of the guerrilla and has been a lawmaker for over a decade under a different party than the one created by the former rebels.

This association, however, allows media-savvy Uribe to revive an old ghost, in a country where the now demobilised guerrilla remains vastly unpopular. He owes a significant part of his political capital to his role in weakening them militarily a decade ago, paving the way for his successor Juan Manuel Santos to lead them to the negotiation table. To this day, less than 10 percent of Colombians have a positive perception of FARC, even though two thirds of them still believe that a negotiation was the best way to end a 52-year-old armed conflict that has left more than 9 million victims.

Recommended reading Colombian transition gets confusing with a disarmed FARC and an armed one

The best defence is a good offense

Uribe and his followers are also seeking to contrast his detention with a widely derided legal fiasco involving a former high-ranking FARC member who spurned the peace deal and is now a fugitive.

Jesus Santrich, a former FARC negotiator and one of their 10 leaders who had been guaranteed a seat in Congress under the peace accord, was sought in extradition after being caught in a US-led sting operation apparently planning a drug operation after the peace deal was signed. After several months of political bickering between Ivan Duques government, the transitional justice system, the US Embassy and the Attorney General, they were unable to reach an agreement on how to disclose evidence gathered by the US.

This was a crucial piece of information needed to determine whether the transitional justice or the ordinary one should try him, and if an extradition was possible. The Supreme Court ruled that as an elected lawmaker, Santrichs case fell under its jurisdiction and determined he could remain in liberty during the proceedings given his commitment to the peace agreement. The former rebel, however, ended up fleeing and joining a minority group of former FARC leaders who went up in arms again in mid-2019. Uribe and his party sought to make him a poster child of the accord and in particular the transitional justices flaws.

Targeting the courts

Even if the Santrich fracas eroded the credibility of all the institutions involved, Uribe and his party have pinned the blame squarely on the Supreme Court, the same one now probing Uribe, and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, locally known as JEP. Shameful: in a 23-page decision, the Supreme Court left narco-terrorist Santrich  now a fugitive and sought in extradition by the US  in liberty. In a 1,554-page one, it now tries to justify depriving former president Uribe of his liberty, said senator Paola Holguin.

Even President Duque, who was groomed for the job by Uribe and belongs to his party, lobbed a thinly veiled jab at the transitional justice. It hurts as a Colombian that many persons who brutally wounded the country are allowed to defend themselves in freedom or are even guaranteed they will never go to prison, while an exemplary public servant who occupied the countrys highest dignity isnt allowed to defend himself at liberty, his presumption of innocence respected, he said in a public address.

Even though there is no factual basis for this parallel, given that Uribe is not being prosecuted for crimes committed during the armed conflict, the symbolism is not lost on many Colombians who credit him for saving the country from FARCs clutches and cannot understand why after two and a half years the peace tribunal hasnt yet brought charges against any of the former rebels.

More attempts to modify the transitional justice?

Amid Uribes detention, his party is renewing calls to modify the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, the judicial arm of the transitional justice system they have unsuccessfully tried to modify twice in two years. Paloma Valencia, a senator close to Uribe who has announced her interest in running for the presidency in 2022, called for a constituent assembly to reform the entire justice system, including merging the countrys top courts into a single one and eliminating the JEP. Colombia should stop accepting the JEP, a jurisdiction created to benefit terrorism and guarantee impunity for those who blew up entire towns, cruelly kidnapped millions of Colombians and forcefully recruited children. The JEP must end, she said in Congress. She had already announced in May that she would introduce a fifth bill seeking to reform the transitional justice system.

The governing party already backed her initiative to seek a complete makeover of the countrys 29-year-old Constitution, although Duque shied away from it. They currently dont have a majority that would allow them to reform the entire Constitution, but such a scenario risks opening the doors to dismantling the peace deal that paved the way for 13,302 rebels to lay down their weapons in 2017 and that is legally enshrined in it.

Can the former president face the special peace tribunal?

Uribes legal difficulties have revived an old debate in Colombia: can the former president face the special peace tribunal? Although witness tampering charges fall under ordinary criminal law, the Supreme Court is also investigating Uribe in 30 other cases and Congress in 200 cases, many of which could be indeed linked to Colombias armed conflict. Even the probe that led to his detention could be connected, because right-wing paramilitary groups, originally born to counter left-wing guerrillas in the 1980s and eventually responsible for thousands of homicides and massacres, are considered a party to the conflict.

No other accusation against Uribe has advanced in the justice system, but if it did the former president could face the possibility of a lengthy prison term. The JEP would instead allow a 5-to-8-year sentence in a non-prison setting, provided he acknowledges responsibility, contributes the truth and redresses victims.

Save for one detail: the JEP is barred from prosecuting former presidents. Ironically, it was Uribes party who pressured for them to be excluded from the transitional justices jurisdiction, as they always characterised the JEP as an attempt to prosecute their leader.

Legal security vs political legacy

This happened after negotiations on the transitional justice chapter of the peace deal stalled in mid-2015 and Santos tapped three external jurists to step in and help accelerate discussions. In September 2015, after they announced they had reached a preliminary agreement with FARC on what the JEP would look like, journalists asked them if former president could eventually be prosecuted. It could, they responded, even though nothing in the text either confirmed nor denied that hypothetical case.

As a result of the ensuing controversy, the Governments negotiating team pushed to introduce a clause in the agreement barring the prosecution of former presidents by the JEP. In the end, the accord reiterates that the ordinary legal rules apply to them. This could change as a result of a broad political consensus, although Uribe and his partys distrust of the JEP is still a major obstacle.

In the long term, that Uribe may benefit from the transitional justices special sanctions regime may hinge on his decision to prioritise his legal security over his political legacy.
DUBLIN, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Ethylene Oxide Markets in China" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

China's demand for Ethylene Oxide has grown at a fast pace in the past decade. In the next decade, both production and demand will continue to grow. The Chinese economy maintains a high speed growth which has been stimulated by the consecutive increases of industrial output, imports & exports, consumer consumption and capital investment for over two decades. This new study examines China's economic trends, investment environment, industry development, supply and demand, industry capacity, industry structure, marketing channels and major industry participants. Historical data (2009, 2014 and 2019) and long-term forecasts through 2024 and 2029 are presented. Major producers in China are profiled.



The primary and secondary research was done in China in order to access up-to-date government regulations, market information and industry data. Data was collected from Chinese government publications, Chinese language newspapers and magazines, industry associations, local governments' industry bureaus, industry publications, and in-house databases. Interviews were conducted with Chinese industry experts, university professors, and producers in China. Economic models and quantitative methods were applied in this report to project market demand and industry trends. Metric system is used and values are presented in either Yuan (RMB, current price) and/or US dollars.



This market research report provides hard-to-find market data and analyses. Today, China has the largest market in the world. If you want to expand your business or sell your products in China, this research report provides the insights and projections into Chinese markets necessary for you to do so.



Key Topics Covered:



I. INTRODUCTION

Report Scope and Methodology

Executive Summary

II. BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Economic Outlook

Key Economic Indicators

Industrial Output

Population and Labor

Foreign Investment

Foreign Trade

Financial and Tax Regulations

Banking System and Regulations

Foreign Exchange

Taxes, Tariff and Custom Duties

III. ETHYLENE OXIDE INDUSTRY ASSESSMENTS

Ethylene Oxide Industry Structure

Ethylene Oxide Industry Production, Capacity and Demand

Major Producer Facility

Market Share of Key Producers

Major Ethylene Oxide Producers

Major End-Users

Major Foreign Investments

Potential Entrants

Technology Development

China's Ethylene Oxide Price

IV. ETHYLENE OXIDE PRODUCTION AND DEMAND

Overview

Ethylene Oxide Production and Demand

Ethylene Oxide Output

Ethylene Oxide Demand

Ethylene Oxide Capacity

Ethylene Oxide Capacity Expansion

Ethylene Oxide Import and Export

V. ETHYLENE OXIDE CONSUMPTION BY MARKET

Ethylene Oxide Markets Outlook

Glycol Market

Glycol Market Outlook

Surfactant Market

Surfactant Markets Outlook

Polyaether Market

Polyaether Market Outlook

Ethanolamine Market

Ethanolamine Market Outlook

Glycolic Ether Market

Glycolic Ether Markets Outlook

Polyethylene Glycol Market

Polyethylene Glycol Market Outlook

HEC Market

HEC Markets Outlook

Other Market

Other Market Outlook

VI. MARKET ENTRY CHANNELS

China Market Entry Overview

China's Distribution System

Distribution System Rubber Processing Chemicals Distribution Channels

Transportation and Freight Infrastructure

Communications

China's Market Entry

Market Entry Licensing

Franchising

E-commerce

Trading Companies and Local Agents

Representative Offices and Chinese Subsidiaries

Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprises

VII. ETHYLENE OXIDE PRODUCER DIRECTORY

Ethylene Oxide Producer Profiles and Directory

Major End-Users

Companies Mentioned



Liaoning North Chemical Co., Ltd

China Sanjiang Fine Chemicals Company Limited

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wrw52a



About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.25

Trend:

The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Russia will discuss settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Trend reports on August 25 referring to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the ministry, Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, will pay an official visit to Russia on August 26 at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov.

"The heads of the foreign ministries will discuss the status and prospects of bilateral cooperation, key aspects of the regional and international agenda, including settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the ministry said.

As the ministry noted, Bayramov is also scheduled to meet with Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexey Overchuk and Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russias Federal Assembly Ilyas Umakhanov.

The ministry also pointed out that Russia and Azerbaijan are linked by the strategic partnership, built based on good-neighborliness, equality, and mutual respect's interests.

"The fundamental bilateral document is the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Security between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan dated July 3, 1997. The provisions of the Treaty were further developed in the Declaration of Friendship and Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan dated July 3, 2008, the ministry also said.

Currently, more than 150 international legal documents have been signed between the two countries. Furthermore, trade and economic cooperation continue to successfully develop. By the end of 2019, Russian-Azerbaijani trade turnover amounted to $3.169 billion. Russian exports to Azerbaijan amounted to $2.312 billion whereas imports were equal to $857 million.

According to the ministry, active work is underway to implement the decisions of the 18th session of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, which was held on December 9, 2019, in Baku.

Our cooperation in the humanitarian sphere remains a consistent priority, with an accent on strengthening the common linguistic, educational, and cultural spaces, the ministry stated.

An important component of Russian-Azerbaijani interaction is interregional cooperation. At present, about 600 enterprises and organizations operating in most of the regions of the Russian Federation are involved in foreign trade activities with the Republic of Azerbaijan where 18 of them have cooperation agreements with Azerbaijan. We intend to continue the positive practice of holding Russian-Azerbaijani interregional forums, the ministry pointed out.

For more than two decades Russia has been a key mediator in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict's settlement, including as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. Given the geographic proximity and common history of our peoples, resolving this conflict is of paramount importance to us. Assistance to the conflicting parties is one of Russia's foreign policy priorities, added the ministry.

We consider the upcoming visit in the context of the continuation of the Russian-Azerbaijani political dialogue, the further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation," the ministry concluded.
Medics carry tools for mass testing of Covid-19 on a street in Son Tra District of Da Nang, August 3, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong.

Seven community transmission cases in Da Nang have taken the national Covid-19 tally to 1,029 and the number of active cases to 409 on Tuesday.

"Patient 1023," 20, male and "patient 1024," 16, female, are residents of Hoa Vang Districts Hoa Tien Ward.

They live in a neighborhood that has already been isolated after it registered many locally transmitted cases of the novel coronavirus. Their samples were taken on Monday.

The other five new cases, patients 1025 to 1029, are two men and three women aged between 20 and 70. Residents of My An Ward in Ngu Hanh Son District, they are relatives of a woman who was confirmed a Covid-19 patient earlier.

Since July 25, when the country recorded its first community transmission of the virus after more than three months, 547 people have been infected.

Community infections since have spread from Da Nang to 14 other localities.

A month-long lockdown imposed on the citys Da Nang Hospital was lifted Tuesday afternoon. This is the third and last hospital in Da Nang to be freed from lockdown, after the Da Nang Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Hospital on August 10 and the Da Nang Hospital C on August 8.

Also Tuesday, four more Covid-19 recoveries were announced in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

The pandemic has killed 27 patients, who also suffered from other severe diseases including kidney failure and cancer.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will nominate acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf to the top spot in the agency.

The president made the announcement on Twitter, praising Wolf's leadership of an agency that plays a major role in the key Trump administration policy areas of immigration and crime.

'I am pleased to inform the American Public that Acting Secretary Chad Wolf will be nominated to be the Secretary of Homeland Security,' Trump tweeted. 'Chad has done an outstanding job and we greatly appreciate his service!'

Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf has been nominated for a promotion by President Donald Trump, though it's unclear if he'll get Senate confirmation before the 2020 election

President Donald Trump (right) is photographed with Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf (left) earlier this month

President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday that he planned to nominate Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf to officially lead the agency

What Went Wrong at Homeland Security The day before she resigned on April 10, 2019, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen tried to amend the order of succession so Kevin McAleenan to succeed her. But the order of succession can only be changed for vacancies that occur when the secretary is unavailable to serve due to a disaster or catastrophe. Since that was not the case, therefore, McAleenan was ineligible to take over, the GAO report found. The law actually required the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency succeed Nielsen. But President Trump named McAleenan, the head of Customs and Border Protection, to the job. McAleenan then altered the order of succession further, providing for Wolf to take over from Him. Wolf then changed things so Cuccinelli could move into the deputy position. But all that was illegal because McAleenan was never legally in his job for all the subsequent changes to be implemented. Advertisement

Wolf's prospects for Senate confirmation are unclear.

There is a narrow window for Wolf to be confirmed before the Nov. 3 election, with the Senate away until Labor Day and then scheduled to recess in mid-October.

Wolf has been a vocal advocate of an administration decision to use DHS to protect federal property and monuments following the protests that erupted this spring over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

That included the deployment of federal agents in tactical gear to protect the courthouse in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Wolf was named acting secretary in November 2019 after Trump removed his predecessor, acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan after six months in the post leading an agency that has the third largest budget in the federal government.

The nomination comes amid uncertainty over whether Wolf, as well as acting deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli, has been legally entitled to hold the top job at DHS.

The Government Accountability Office said in a finding released Aug. 14 that the federal rules of succession had been violated at DHS and neither Wolf nor Cuccinelli could legally hold their positions without Senate confirmation.

That gave new legal ammunition to the many legal challenges to the Trump administration's restrictive immigration policies.

The administration disputed the GAO finding and insisted that both men could legally hold their positions under the law.

Trump circumvented the Senate confirmation process when he put the two men in their jobs.

He has said he prefers to have acting officials in top positions instead of appointed ones as it gives him more flexibility.

The government watchdog found, that in the DHS case, the moves were in violation of the The Vacancies Reform Act, which governs such temporary appointments.

The problem began with a sequence of events following the resignation of DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in April 2019.

Kevin McAleenan, who took over as acing secretary, had not been designated in the order of succession, GAO said, and therefore could not hold the acting position.

So the subsequent personnel moves he made were invalid, the GAO found.

'Because the incorrect official assumed the title of Acting Secretary at that time, subsequent amendments to the order of succession made by that official were invalid and officials who assumed their positions under such amendments, including Chad Wolf and Kenneth Cuccinelli, were named by reference to an invalid order of succession,' the report read.

Trump replaced McAleenan with Wolf in November of 2019. Wolf had previously served as Nielsen's chief of staff at DHS.

Cuccinelli is an immigration hardliner who previously served as acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Wolf elevated him to the deputy secretary position.

In March, a federal judge ruled that Cuccinelli's appointment to head USCIS was illegal and he did not have the authority to issue policy directives tightening asylum rules.

The two men vowed to fight the finding.

'We wholeheartedly disagree with the GAO's baseless report and plan to issue a formal response to this shortly,' DHS spokesman Nathaniel Madden said in a statement.

In its report, GAO noted that it was not examining the consequences of Wolf and Cuccinelli's improper appointments, or the impact on the actions they have taken in those roles.

Those questions were referred to the DHS inspector general.

'We have not reviewed the legality of other actions taken by these officials; we are referring the matter to the Inspector General of DHS for review,' the report noted.

But lawsuits over Wolf's and Cuccinelli's actions are inevitable.

The GAO conducted its review in response to inquiries from House Democrats: Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson and Oversight and Reform Chairman Carolyn Maloney.

In response to the findings, the two lawmakers called on Wolf and Cuccinelli to resign.

'GAO's damning opinion paints a disturbing picture of the Trump administration playing fast and loose by bypassing the Senate confirmation process to install ideologues,' Thompson and Maloney said in a statement.
The demand for cybersecurity experts is growing as the world moves ever more online, and Alabamas new school to train those experts is off to a start that proves the point. The Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering opened for its first year in Huntsville this month with 71 students from across the state and strong financial backing. It is Alabamas only fully public, residential high school for students interested in engineering and cyber technology. Tuition and housing are free.

On Aug. 18, Raytheon Technologies gave a $4 million boost to funding a new school building in Cummings Research Park. The schools foundation has raised another $13 million. The new architects rendering above shows the permanent headquarters to come in 2022, the schools third year.

Students are meeting now in the former Oakwood Academy building on the campus of Oakwood University, School President Matt Massey said. Residential students will stay in an Oakwood dormitory, and the university is making its library, facilities and transportation fleet available to the students.

The new school is designed to help meet a national shortage of qualified cybersecurity experts and engineers. One study cited by experts in the field says the cybersecurity workforce needs to grow by 145 percent to meet global demand. Advanced cybersecurity capabilities are critical to our national defense today and in the future, Raytheon Missiles & Defense President Wes Kremer said announcing the investment. Through collaborative partnerships like ASCTE, we will grow our capacity in cyberspace to ensure its security for generations to come.

The school offers an incredible opportunity for students to learn from leaders in STEM education, as well as subject matter experts within industry like those from Raytheon Technologies, Massey said. Its goal is to grow to 350 students.
Namibia to resume foreign tourism; Lebanon announces record daily death toll; US colleges see spike in cases.

Turkeys new coronavirus cases have jumped to its highest level since mid-June at 1,502, according to data provided by the government, which responded by banning some celebrations in 14 provinces.

Champion sprinter Usain Bolt has tested positive for coronavirus days after celebrating his 34th birthday with a big party.

More than 23.6 million people around the world have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, and 15.3 million have recovered. More than 813,000 have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Here are the latest updates:

Tuesday, August 25

20:30 GMT  Lebanon announces record 24-hour coronavirus death toll

Lebanese authorities have said 12 people died due to the coronavirus pandemic in the past 24 hours in the highest tally since COVID-19 arrived in the country in February.

The ministry of health also announced 532 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 13,687 including 138 deaths.

20:15 GMT  On billboards, farewells to Perus COVID-19 victims writ large

Peruvians unable to personally bid farewell to loved ones who have died during the novel coronavirus pandemic have seized on the offer of billboard space to say their final adieus writ large.

Around the capital Lima and in eight other cities, posters, billboards and advertising trucks pay homage to victims of the virus, who in most cases were transferred directly from the hospitals where they died to burial sites without funerals because of the risks posed by the highly contagious disease.

Jano Madrid, you made this world a better place, reads one; another says: We will never forget your lovely smile, Petty, and a third: Fortunato Mestanza, the mark you left can never be rubbed out.





20:00 GMT  Turkish opposition leader Babacan tests positive for COVID-19

Turkeys former economy czar and the leader of the opposition Deva (Remedy) Party, Ali Babacan, said he has tested positive for coronavirus but was in good health, becoming the most high-profile Turkish politician to contract COVID-19.

I just learned my COVID-19 test result is positive. Thank God, I am in good condition at the moment. My doctors said I needed to remain in quarantine with my family for some time. I will continue my work from home, God willing, Babacan said on Twitter.

19:45 GMT  Bolsonaros son Flavio tests positive for virus in Brazil

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaros eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, said he has tested positive for the new coronavirus but was asymptomatic.

The 39-year-old senators office said in a statement he was feeling fine, isolating at home and taking the anti-malaria drug chloroquine, which his father has aggressively pushed as a treatment for COVID-19 despite studies finding it is ineffective against the virus.





19:30 GMT  Colombia could participate in more vaccine trials, health minister says

Colombia is in discussions to join other phase three clinical trials for a vaccine, the health minister has said, and will not reverse an end to its national quarantine.

The government said on Monday that Colombia, which has nearly 552,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and is finishing more than five months of lockdown at the end of August, would participate in trials with Johnson & Johnson.

We are also talking with other companies about the possibility of holding clinical trials, Health Minister Fernando Ruiz told Reuters in a telephone interview. He could not name the companies because of confidentiality restrictions.

18:55 GMT -Young people fueling recent spike of coronavirus in Americas, UN agency says

Young people are driving the spread of the coronavirus in the Americas, the head of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has said, noting that both deaths and caseloads have doubled in the region over the past six weeks.

Briefing reporters on a webcast, Dr Carissa Etienne chastised governments that have rushed economic reopenings despite data that shows a worsening pandemic.

This is not a good sign. Wishing the virus away will not work, she said, detailing what she described as a real disconnect between the relaxation of containment measures and the continuing spread of the virus.

18:15 GMT  Former Maldives president tests positive for COVID-19

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, a former president who ruled the Maldives for 30 years, said he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Health authorities in the Maldives warned this week that the spread of the virus in the densely populated capital, Male, may be reaching an uncontrollable level.

The city of 150,000 people has reported more than 100 cases almost every day since the beginning of August.

       . I have tested positive for Covid-19. May Almighty Allah bless me and all other sick people with a speedy recovery and good health! Aameen!  Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) August 25, 2020

18:10 GMT  EU trade chief insists he broke no COVID-19 rules on Irish trip

European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan has said he adhered to all COVID-19 rules during a trip to Ireland in the past month, while acknowledging he should not have attended a golf dinner that has outraged the Irish public.

The event led an Irish minister to resign and several legislators to be disciplined but left a series of questions for Hogan, who also drew criticism for twice visiting a county under lockdown and for using his mobile phone while driving.

To the best of my knowledge and ability I believe that I complied with public health regulations in Ireland during my visit, Hogan said in a statement.

https://twitter.com/PhilHoganEU/status/1298251592936722434?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

17:55 GMT  French new coronavirus infections below last weeks highs

The French health ministry had said it recorded 3,304 new coronavirus infections, well below daily highs seen last week and taking the cumulative total to 248,158.

The number of new infections was above the 1,995 reported on Monday  which traditionally shows a dip  but remained well below Sundays new post-lockdown record of 4,897 and below levels above 3,600 reported in the second half of last week.

17:45 GMT  Namibia to resume international tourism from September 1

Namibias government has said the country will reopen to foreign visitors from September 1 to try and salvage thousands of jobs in tourism, badly hit by coronavirus travel bans.

The announcement came despite a recent spike in coronavirus cases, which have almost tripled to over 6,000 this month.

Recorded deaths have risen from 11 to 57 since August 1.

17:30 GMT  Africa could be past the peak of virus pandemic: WHO

Africas coronavirus outbreak may have passed its peak, the World Health Organization (WHO) continental chief said, warning against complacency to avoid a second wave.

WHO Africa regional director Matshidiso Moeti told a conference of African health ministers that numbers of new cases were declining.

We are seeing that we have had what seems to have been a peak, and now we have the daily numbers of cases being reported overall in the region going down, she said during an online meeting.

17:05 GMT  Actor Antonio Banderas cured of coronavirus

Spanish actor Antonio Banderas has said that he is cured of the coronavirus, which he contracted several weeks ago.

The actor known for his roles in films like, The Mask of Zorro. and, Philadelphia, said on Twitter he had kept to a disciplined confinement for 21 days since learning he was infected.

After 21 days of disciplinary confinement I can say now that today I overcame the Covid 19 infection. I am cured. My thoughts go to those who werent as fortunate as me, and to those who suffered more than I did. I also wish strength to the ones who are in the middle of the fight  Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) August 25, 2020

16:40 GMT  Hungary can reopen schools next week, minister says

Hungary can reopen schools next week for the first time since mid-March based on fresh data on coronavirus infections, state news agency MTI has reported, citing Minister of Human Capacities Miklos Kasler.

Kasler said the government had worked out a protocol for schools to follow about social distancing, using sanitisers, and the use of common areas.

He did not go into detail and did not say if wearing a mask would be mandatory.

16:25 GMT  University of Alabama sees 1,000 virus cases since reopening

The University of Alabama, seen as a test case for returning to in-person learning amid the pandemic, has reported close to a thousand positive coronavirus cases since reopening.

The school has published a COVID-19 dashboard which shows a total of 566 positives since last Wednesday when term started, in addition to 400 people who tested positive when arriving.

16:10 GMT  UK daily stats show 1,184 new confirmed cases of COVID-19

The United Kingdom has recorded 1,184 new cases of COVID-19 in the latest daily statistics, up from 853 on Monday, government figures showed.

Sixteen people died after testing positive for the coronavirus within the previous 28 days, compared with four deaths announced on Monday.





15:55 GMT  Teenagers killed by Angolan police enforcing virus rules: Amnesty

Angolan security forces have killed at least seven young men, including minors, when violently enforcing coronavirus lockdown rules between May and July, Amnesty International said.

Most of the victims were teenagers allegedly shot dead by police and army officers, who either fired at them directly or hit the boys accidentally.

15:40 GMT  American Airlines to cut 19,000 jobs when US aid expires in October

American Airlines has said it will cut 19,000 US jobs in October as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to weigh on air travel, unless the government extends aid for airline employee payrolls.

Airlines received $25bn in US government stimulus funds in March meant to cover payrolls and protect jobs through September.

As the money runs out without a travel recovery in sight, airlines and unions have lobbied Washington for another $25bn, but talks have stalled.





15:25 GMT  Thousands of Swedes got false positive COVID-19 result due to test kit fault

About 3,700 people in Sweden were told in error that they had the coronavirus due to a fault in a COVID-19 testing kit from China, the Public Health Agency has said.

The kit from BGI Genomics could not distinguish between very low levels of the virus and a negative result, the agency said.

The supplier must adjust the performance that is required for this test to be used, Karin Tegmark Wisell, the head of its microbiology department, said.





15:10 GMT  KFC tells customers to hold off on the Finger Lickin for now

Kentucky Fried Chicken is temporarily suspending its long-time advertisement slogan its finger lickin good, calling it inappropriate in the current COVID-19 pandemic situation where personal hygiene has become top priority to stem transmission.

In an era when face masks and hand-washing have become the norm and health officials are recommending people to stop touching their faces, KFC said the slogan doesnt feel quite right.

14:55 GMT  Indias new COVID cases top global tally for 18th day

India has reported the highest number of new coronavirus cases globally for the 18th straight day, remaining well ahead of the United States and Brazil, a Reuters tally based on official reporting showed.

It took India from the end of January, when the countrys first case was reported, until July to reach around 1.6 million cases, a period when the government imposed a strict lockdown. However, infections have rocketed by another 1.5 million since the start of August, taking the total to around 3.1 million, behind only Brazil and the United States.





14:40 GMT  Lebanon service sector says will rebel against lockdown

A representative of Lebanons hospitality sector has said that service and tourism businesses would defy a newly reinstated coronavirus lockdown that has compounded the blast-hit countrys economic woes.

From tomorrow, we will open our doors, said Tony Ramy, head of the syndicate of owners of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and pastry shops.





14:35 GMT

Hello, this is Elizabeth Melimopoulos taking over the live updates from my colleague Hamza Mohamed in Doha.

12:55 GMT  UK PM Johnson really pleased with work done to reopen schools

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was really pleased by the work teachers had done to get ready to reopen from next week, a test of his government after it failed to return all children to schools earlier this year.

Johnson, whose Conservative government has come under fire for how it has tackled education during the coronavirus crisis, said it was crucial for all children to return to school and that he would look at medical evidence to see whether he should change the governments advice on wearing face coverings.

Im really pleased by the work that teachers, schools, parents, pupils have done to get ready, he said on a visit to southwest England.

12:40 GMT  Spain: PM Sanchez says army to help fight pandemic

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday that the army would be deployed to help regional governments to fight a rise in coronavirus infections.

Spains central government will make 2,000 soldiers available to the regions, which are responsible for healthcare, to assist them in tracking cases, he told a news conference.

12:00 GMT  Ugandan prisons demand mass testing after 153 inmates infected

Ugandan prison authorities warned on Tuesday that mass testing is needed for inmates of the countrys congested jails after 153 prisoners tested positive for the coronavirus.

A prison worker and 153 inmates tested positive for the virus on Saturday in Amuru prison near the South Sudan border, Uganda Prisons Service spokesman Frank Baine told the dpa news agency.

We are asking government to help us carry out the testing of all inmates and prisons staff all over the country. This is when we will know the magnitude of the problem, Baine said.

Cases are soaring up everywhere and we are worried for our staff and inmates, he added.

Uganda has so far confirmed 2,362 coronavirus infections and 22 deaths, according to the countrys Health Ministry [Abubakar Lubowa/Anadolu]

11:30 GMT  Finnair to cut 1,000 jobs as coronavirus end not in sight

Finnish national carrier Finnair announced plans on Tuesday to cut 1,000 jobs, or 15 percent of its workforce, amid dire warnings about the economic impact of the coronavirus.

A rapid turn for the better in the pandemic situation is unfortunately not in sight, chief executive Topi Manner said in a statement.

Our revenue has decreased considerably, and that is why we simply must adjust our costs to our new size, Manner said.

The 1,000 job cuts will not apply to cabin and flight deck crew, Finnair said, although flying staff will remain on furlough until further notice [Sean Gallup/Getty]

11:00 GMT  Coronavirus cases in Africa approach 1.2 million

Coronavirus cases in Africa are now close to 1.2 million and the death toll on the continent is nearing 28,000, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said in an update.

The total number of COVID-19 infections stands at 1,195,297, including 27,783 fatalities and 921,783 recoveries.

Southern Africa is the continents worst-hit region with 652,400 cases and 14,100 deaths.

An overwhelming majority of these infections and fatalities  611,500 cases and 13,200 deaths  have been reported in the state of South Africa alone [Themba Hadebe/AP]

09:50 GMT  UN: Global tourism loses $320bn amid coronavirus pandemic

The global tourism industry has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, with $320bn lost in exports in the first five months of the year and more than 120 million jobs at risk, the United Nations chief has said.

In a policy briefing and video address on Tuesday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said international tourist arrivals decreased by more than half because of the global health crisis, which has crippled the worlds economies.

The tourism industry is devastated by the new coronavirus, with tourist arrivals halved and more than 120 million jobs at risk, according to the UN [File: Hollie Adams/Getty]

Tourism is the third-largest export sector of the global economy, behind fuels and chemicals, and it employs one in every 10 people worldwide, Guterres said. In 2019, it accounted for 7 percent of global trade.

Read more here.

09:30 GMT  Indonesia confirms 2,447 new infections

Indonesia reported 2,447 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases to 157,859, data from the countrys COVID-19 task force showed.

An additional 99 deaths were recorded, taking the total to 6,858, the highest COVID-19 death toll in Southeast Asia.

09:15 GMT  Coronavirus: Why are more young people getting infected?

An increasing number of young people are now getting infected with the novel coronavirus, with clusters of cases emerging in different locations as countries have eased restrictions and lifted lockdowns.

Between February and July, there was an increase in the proportion of individuals aged between five and 24 being infected, according to an analysis of six million cases  out of the more than 23 million total infections worldwide  reported to the WHO by member states.

Among the available data of these six million cases, one-third of which were from the United States, the proportion of infected people aged five to 14 years grew from 0.8 percent to 4.6 percent, those aged 15 to 24 years grew from 4.5 to 15 percent.

Read more here.

08:55 GMT  Myanmar urged to restore internet in Rakhine to help contain virus

Humanitarian workers battling coronavirus in Myanmars Rakhine state have urged authorities to restore high-speed internet access to help tackle rising infections.

Aid workers from three groups said the government should restore 4G internet access to help inform people about the virus.

If they do not do it at this time, when information is essential, it will be recorded in history as a crime, said Zaw Zaw Tun, the secretary of one of the aid groups, the Rakhine Ethnic Congress.

Citing security, Myanmar has curbed internet access in large swathes of the area, where many people live in camps due to fighting between the army and ethnic minority fighters.

08:25 GMT  Qantas to cut 2,500 more jobs

Australian flag carrier Qantas announced plans on Tuesday to cut almost 2,500 more jobs, just days after posting a huge annual loss as it reels from a collapse in demand caused by the coronavirus.

Qantas and its budget offshoot, Jetstar, said they would outsource their ground handling operations at all domestic airports, pending a final review of the roles.

It comes on top of 6,000 redundancies already announced as the company undertakes a $10bn cost-cutting blitz in response to the most challenging period in its 99-year history.

Qantas has grounded more than 200 of its planes after the firms revenues collapsed 82 percent between April and June [Stephen Coates/Reuters]

08:00 GMT  Russia reports more than 4,600 new infections

Russia reported 4,696 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, pushing its national total to 966,189, the fourth-largest in the world.

Authorities said 120 people had died in the last 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 16,568.

07:50 GMT  Oxford COVID-19 vaccine data could go before regulators this year

An experimental COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca could be put before regulators this year if scientists are able to gather enough data, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group said on Tuesday.

It is just possible that if the cases accrue rapidly in the clinical trials, that we could have that data before regulators this year, and then there would be a process that they go through in order to make a full assessment of the data, Andrew Pollard told BBC Radio.

The Oxford vaccine showed early promise in the first human trial when it produced an immune response [Reuters

Over the past two weeks, at least 150 students and 43 school staff have tested positive in the greater Seoul area, Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae told a briefing.

06:50 GMT  AstraZeneca starts trial of antibody treatment for COVID-19

AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it started early-stage trials for an antibody-based treatment for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, as the British drugmaker also ploughs on with its vaccine candidate.

The trial will evaluate if AZD7442, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, is safe and tolerable in up to 48 healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 55 years in the United Kingdom with the backing of the United States.

06:35 GMT  Mexico widens net for infections in battle against virus

Mexican health authorities will begin this week to use a broader definition to identify possible coronavirus cases, a top official said, after questions about whether testing was too limited.

A new definition of suspected infections will come into use on Tuesday and will include loss of smell, loss of taste and diarrhoea as possible COVID-19 symptoms, Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said.

It will also allow a person with just one symptom, rather than two or more, to be viewed as potentially infected.

This gives you a larger margin of potential, which will result in faster, timelier attention for a greater number of people, Lopez-Gatell told a news conference.

Mexico on Monday reported 3,541 new cases and 320 fatalities, bringing its total tallies to 563,705 cases and 60,800 deaths [Rebecca Blackwell/AP]

06:20 GMT  Hong Kong to ease some coronavirus measures

Hong Kong announced it would ease some coronavirus measures from August 28, as the government cautioned against complacency despite a steady fall in the number of new cases.

Hong Kong had seen a resurgence of locally transmitted cases since the start of July but the daily number has fallen from triple digits in recent weeks to low double digits.

Mondays daily infection count of nine new cases was the lowest in nearly two months.

06:10 GMT 

Hello, this is Hamza Mohamed in Doha taking over from my colleague Kate Mayberry in Kuala Lumpur.

05:30 GMT  Pakistans active cases fall to four-month low

Latest figures from Pakistan show the country has 8,934 active cases of coronavirus  the lowest since April 24, according to Al Jazeera correspondent Asad Hashim.

Pakistan recorded an additional 450 cases on Monday and 11 deaths.

It carried out 24,231 tests with a positivity rate of 1.87 percent.

04:30 GMT  Rohingya mark three years since crackdown

The Muslim-majority Rohingya will mark three years since a brutal crackdown by the Myanmar army forced them into refugee camps in Bangladesh with a silent protest forced by coronavirus curbs.

Fear of an outbreak has prompted authorities in Bangladesh to ban all gatherings and restrict refugees movements although only 84 cases have been confirmed.

Mohib Ullah, a Rohingya leader in the camps, says people will mark the day with silence and prayers in their makeshift huts.

There will be no rallies, no work, no prayers or mosques, no NGO or aid activities, no schools, no madrasas and no food distribution, he told the AFP news agency.

About 750,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar in August 2017 in a military crackdown that led to the country being charged with genocide at the United Nationss top court.

A medical centre inside the Kutupalong refugee camp where coronavirus restrictions mean the Rohingya will mark the third year since they were forced out of Myanmar with a silent protest in their shelters [Munir Uz zaman/AFP]

04:15 GMT  FDAs Hahn apologises over false blood plasma data

While Dr Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has told the Reuters news agency the FDA makes its decisions based on science and public health concerns, he has taken to social media to apologise for misrepresenting a key statistic related to the efficacy of blood plasma treatment for COVID-19.

The agency issued emergency authorisation for plasma use on Sunday, and Hahn came under pressure after repeating a false claim from the US president that the treatment reduced mortality rates by 35 percent.

In a series of tweets, Hahn said the criticism was entirely justified.

I have been criticized for remarks I made Sunday night about the benefits of convalescent plasma. The criticism is entirely justified. What I should have said better is that the data show a relative risk reduction not an absolute risk reduction.  Dr. Stephen M. Hahn (@SteveFDA) August 25, 2020

OK, via @twitter, @SteveFDA 30 mins ago has started to walk it backhttps://t.co/8xWoTJB63Q

But that is not enough. pic.twitter.com/8rdVZYu4IY  Eric Topol (@EricTopol) August 25, 2020

This thread from @SteveFDA Commiss Hahn shows his effort to explain why @US_FDA reversed its position on plasma treatment for #COVID19 on the eve of the #RNCConvention2020 and his mea culpa for incorrect statement of benefits. And @EricTopol zinger.https://t.co/EzMWR2da6K  Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) August 25, 2020

03:35 GMT  FDA commissioner says agency makes decisions based on science, not politics

Dr Hahn says the agency will not be influenced by political pressure when it comes to approving a vaccine for COVID-19.

I will not participate in a decision at FDA thats made upon anything other than data and science, Hahn Reuters. That I can assure you.

Hahn said the FDAs decision to issue an emergency authorisation for blood plasma treatment for coronavirus at the weekend was not political.

The commissioner said the agency was focused solely on the good of the American public and dismissed President Trumps claims of a so-called deep state within the organisation wanting to slow the development of vaccines.

03:00 GMT  Lockdown drives increase in abuse of elderly people

The police in Malaysia say abuse of elderly parents by adult children increased during lockdown, known locally as the MCO.

Siti Kamsiah Hassan, the principal assistant director of the polices Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division, told the Malay Mail that the unit recorded 134 such cases during the first three months of the MCO compared with 125 cases in the previous three months.

The unit also logged 205 cases of domestic abuse, compared with 261 previously.

The police figures are based on actual complaints received where investigations have been opened, she said.

Malaysian NGOs say there was a rise in domestic violence during the lockdown with families forced to stay at home over a prolonged period of time.

01:40 GMT  Jamaica confirms Bolt has tested positive for coronavirus

Jamaicas health ministry has confirmed that Usain Bolt has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder over 100 and 200 metres earlier posted a video of himself on Twitter saying he had taken a test and was in quarantine.

Bolt took the test on Saturday, after celebrating his 34th birthday at a big party where he did not wear a mask. He retired from sprinting in 2017.

You can read more on that story here.

Olympic champion Usain Bolt, pictured here winning the mens 100m at the Rio Games in 2016, has been diagnosed with coronavirus [File: Franck Robichon/EPA]

01:30 GMT  Jump in cases from unknown sources in Seoul

South Korea has reported 280 new cases of the new coronavirus  including 264 local infections.

While many of the cases are linked to the Sarang Jeil Church and a mass rally many members later attended, there are also a growing number of unlinked cases, according to Yonhap news agency.

It says about 18.5 percent of the cases identified over the past two weeks have no known infection route, compared with 8.5 percent in the previous two-week period.

Physical distancing measures have already been tightened in Seoul and from Wednesday all teaching in schools in the metropolitan area will go online again.

01:05 GMT  Coronavirus catches worlds fastest man?

Usain Bolt has put himself into quarantine after being tested for COVID-19 on Saturday.

I am trying to be responsible so I am going to stay in and be safe for my friends, the sprinter, who has won eight Olympic golds, said in a video he posted to Twitter.

Stay Safe my ppl  pic.twitter.com/ebwJFF5Ka9  Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) August 24, 2020

00:15 GMT  Victoria reports 148 cases, eight deaths

The Australian state of Victoria has confirmed 148 new cases of the new coronavirus and eight deaths in the past 24 hours.

The states capital, Melbourne, is slightly more than halfway through a six-week lockdown imposed as a second wave of cases emerged in the state.

#Covid19VicData for August 25, 2020.

There have been 148 new cases of #coronavirus (#COVID19) detected in Victoria in the last 24 hours, and 8 deaths. Our thoughts are with all of those affected.

More information will be available later today. pic.twitter.com/X2DprabMoQ  VicGovDHHS (@VicGovDHHS) August 24, 2020

00:00 GMT  Fauci warns against rushing approval for vaccine

Anthony Fauci, the top infectious diseases expert in the US, has warned about the risk of rushing through a vaccine without testing it properly first.

Fauci, who is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told Reuters giving approval to one potential vaccine would make it difficult, if not impossible for other vaccines to enrol people in their trial.

Scientists and health experts are concerned US President Donald Trump might pressure the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the countrys main regulator, to approve a vaccine as a way to boost his chances in Novembers presidential election.

On Sunday, Trump signed emergency use authorisation for COVID-19 plasma before the treatment had been properly assessed in clinical trials.

Its absolutely paramount that you definitively show that a vaccine is safe and effective, both, Fauci said.





23:30 GMT  UN says virus lockdowns have helped keep ISIL at bay

The UN says the threat from ISIL (ISIS) has been reduced by the coronavirus lockdowns imposed in many countries.

Measures to minimise the spread of COVID-19, such as lockdowns and restrictions on movement, seem to have reduced the risk of terrorist attacks in many countries, said Vladimir Voronkov, undersecretary-general for counterterrorism.

Voronkov warned, however, that there was evidence ISIL was regrouping in conflict zones like Syria and Iraq, and had an estimated 3,500 fighters in West Africa.

-

Hello and welcome to Al Jazeeras continuing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Im Kate Mayberry in Kuala Lumpur.

Read all the updates from yesterday (August 24) here.
A lawyer for former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic told a UN court on August 25 that he was at risk of a "miscarriage of justice" because he was mentally unfit to take part in an appeal hearing on his life sentence for genocide.

Mladic has challenged his 2017 conviction and life sentence for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, including the 1995 Srebrenica massacre.

"I am unable to meaningfully gain instruction from Mr. Mladic, nor be assured that he is able to meaningfully participate and follow" the proceedings, lawyer Dragan Ivetic told the hearing that was held partially by video conference because of coronavirus measures.

He said the two-day hearing that started on August 25 shouldn't proceed without an analysis of the 77-year-old Mladic's fitness to participate. At a hearing last month, Mladic's legal team warned that the former general could be suffering from early-stage dementia.

"It is a denial of due process to sentence or proceed criminally against someone who is incompetent to stand trial," Ivetic said.

The hearing proceeded despite Ivetic's objections. Mladic, looking frail, was in court and initially wore a face mask because of coronavirus regulations, before pushing it below his chin and then removing it completely.

Lawyers for Mladic have repeatedly complained about his ill-health, but in a written ruling before the August 25 hearing, judges said that the lawyers hadn't "substantiated that Mladic is unable to communicate, consult with his counsel, and/or understand the essentials of proceedings."

The two-day appeal hearing is being held at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which deals with cases left over from now disbanded international war crimes tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

Mladic was captured in 2011 after years on the run. Dubbed the Butcher of Bosnia, he received a life sentence in 2017 for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed during Bosnia's 1992-95 war.

Dubbed the Butcher of Bosnia, he was sentenced to life behind bars in 2017 for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide for his role in the Bosnian civil war in the 1990s.

This included genocide committed by his Bosnian Serb forces in and around the eastern Bosnian town of Srebrenica in mid-1995, Europe's worst mass murder since World War II, where some 8,000 Muslim men and boys were slaughtered.

Mladic will be allowed to address the court for 10 minutes on August 26.

Mladic had to be removed from the court in 2017 after an outburst in which he accused the judges of lying.

With reporting by AFP, AP, and dpa
Maisie Newell, who died as a result of injuries she sustained as a baby which left her disabled. (PA Images)

A father who fatally injured his baby daughter after throwing her into a cot has said he is a lowlife scumbag.

Dean Smith, 45, has admitted the manslaughter of Maisie Newell but denies her murder.

Jurors have heard that Maisie was left disabled after she suffered a fractured skull and brain injuries in the incident in August 2000.

She was four weeks old at the time, but survived until June 2014, when she died aged 13 as a result of those injuries, the Old Bailey trial was told.

Giving evidence, Smith, from Bushey, near Watford, became tearful as he told how he hurt Maisie after she did not stop crying.

Earlier on the day he threw her, jurors heard he had a tiff with partner Amanda Lee, who stepped out of their home in Edgware, north London.

Smith's trial is being held at the Old Bailey. (PA Images)

Smith said he felt anxious and he fed Maisie, changed her and winded her but that did not stop her crying.

He said he was five or six feet away from the cot when he threw Maisie into it, and heard a little thump, which he thought was the cot hitting a wardrobe.

Smith went to have a cigarette and played on his Playstation, thinking nothing had happened, the court heard.

However, when Lee came back she noticed Maisie appeared pale, and Smith said she went hysterical.

Becoming emotional, Smith added: I was in shock. I was in a completely different place.

Smith was jailed for three years in 2001 after admitting grievous bodily harm without intent.

Both of his children went on to be adopted.

On being told Maisie had died in 2014, he said: I just broke down, I was a mess.

I think Im a lowlife scumbag. I cannot believe I did it.

Smith told jurors he was surviving not living, adding: Im disgusted in myself. I wish it was me, not her.

He has denied intending to kill or seriously injure his daughter and the Old Bailey trial continues.
After the CWC meeting on Monday ended with interim party chief Sonia Gandhi being asked to continue for the time being and an "all is well" vibe given by Congress, the signatories to the letter calling for a change in the party leadership met at Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad's residence.

Former Union Ministers Manish Tewari, Shashi Tharoor, Mukul Wasnik, Anand Sharma and Kapil Sibal reached Azad's residence and met for more than an hour, but it is not clear what transpired there.

In the Congress Working Committee meeting, Sharma, Azad and Wasnik were cornered by Gandhi loyalists, with even former Union Minister Ambika Soni targeting Azad, saying that he has not been without power for decades, so what problem does he have now, sources said.

Sources say that Azad, who is Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Sharma, his deputy, may find it tough to continue in their posts now.

However, Sonia Gandhi said that "she does not hold any ill will against any colleague or any other thought of any other nature, for she treats them as part of the family", according to party's chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

"Irrespective of however hurtful the remarks in the past many years of any colleague may have been, she maintained that she has always risen above them to keep the Congress family together and to fight for the cause of the people. That is the message she gave to the Congress workers and the leaders," he said.

The Monday meeting of CWC came in wake of the letter written by 23 leaders who questioned the party leadership and was promptly responded by Sonia Gandhi.

"She wrote me a letter on August 20, which contained an indication to 'Begin Deliberation' in order to put in place a process... today itself we decided to have an AICC session at the earliest," said party General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal.
Lloyds of London does not have to pay the U.S. governments Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. $3 million in judgment interest because the FDIC waited too long 18 months after a final judgment  to try to collect it.

The action stems from insurance proceeds that Lloyds paid to the FDIC under an insurance policy issued to Omni Financial Services for the period of June 9, 2008 through June 9, 2009. The policy was subject to a maximum aggregate liability limit of $10 million for the policy period.

Timothy C. Batten, Sr., U.S District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, ruled that because the underlying judgment provided coverage in a specific amount, that was the final amount. Because the FDIC did not demand interest before this judgment was entered, its demand was not timely.

Allowing FDIC to recover millions of dollars in pre-judgment interest without having timely demanded that interest would be unjust and inconsistent with Georgia law regarding the recoverability of pre-judgment interest, Batten wrote in rejecting FDICs bid.

The dispute over the interest payment came about following an investigation into improprieties in Omni Banks loan and redevelopment departments. the bank was closed, and the FDIC was appointed as receiver. The FDIC sent a demand letter to various Omni Bank directors and officers and copied Lloyds; it also sent a separate letter to counsel for Lloyds. Lloyds underwriters denied coverage, triggering three separate lawsuits in 2012.

Two of these actions were settled and the court granted summary judgment in the other (which was affirmed by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals). Specifically, on October 11, 2016, the court entered an order finding that the policy provided coverage in the amount of $10 million.

On April 2, 201818 months after the final judgment was entered in the last remaining casethe FDIC informed Lloyds for the first time that it believed it was liable for approximately $3 million in pre-judgment interest. Neither the FDIC nor any of Omnis officers or directors had mentioned the statute or prejudgment interest before this.

Lloyds responded that the FDIC had waived any rights under the statute and on July 27, paid the $10 million policy limit to the FDIC in addition to federal post-judgment interest.

The FDIC sued to collect the prejudgment interest and Lloyds sought summary judgment to dismiss the FDIC claim.

The court, citing past cases, said a party may not recover interest under Georgias statute unless it has expressly demanded the interest before entry of a final judgment as to the principal amount due because the party opposing the award of interest is entitled to an opportunity to contest it before judgment.

The parties disputed whether the FDICs demand was timely. From FDICs perspective, the earlier judgment resolved only whether coverage existed under the policy, not a final amount due. However, as Lloyds pointed out, the final judgment stated that its policy provided coverage for the $10 million in stipulated judgments that the FDIC obtained against the insured defendants

The case is Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, As Receiver For Omni National Bank, Plaintiff, v. Certain Underwriters At Lloyds, London.

Topics Excess Surplus Georgia Lloyd's
A 14-year-old, deaf and mute girl was gang-raped and murdered with bricks and stones at her own school in India.

A child was playing in Uttrita Middle School's playground in Khirundha when he found the body of the disabled girl who had gone missing the night before, local media reported.

Hundreds of local villagers gathered and the police found that the ninth grader's face had been crushed with bricks and stones.

Balbadda police today detained four people to question about the rape and murder but said they are yet to make a breakthrough in the case.

Hundreds of outraged locals gathered in Khirundha after the body of a 14-year-old girl was found raped and murdered

Godda SP YS Ramesh told the Times of India that they have to rely on forensic evidence because there are no witnesses.

Police are still waiting for a post mortem report to reveal whether the child was murdered before or after she was raped.

The victim went missing on Saturday evening and was found dead the next morning sparking outrage in the community.

Elected representative Deepika Pandey Singh said that what happened to this girl has shaken him and called for those to did it not to be spared.

Local government requested to fast track the case to court and to bring the harshest punishment to anyone involved.

India was classified the most dangerous place for women in 2018 because of its high levels of domestic and sexual violence.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation poll of 550 global experts made the classification based on the 33,356 rapes and 89,097 assaults that year.

Pictured: People protesting against 'rape culture' in India after a 27-year-old veterinarian raped, murdered and burned in 2019

Pictured: Demonstrators protest in New Dheli about the rape and murder of the veterinarian in 2019

Only six days ago local media reported on a 17-year-old girl who was drugged and sexually assaulted by two of her boyfriend's friends after she eloped with him.

On August 21 a police charge sheet revealed horrific details about the rape and murder of a ten-year-old, disabled girl in Jaipur in May.

Her brother and three of his friends kidnapped her, raped her while watching pornography and then killed her.

He confessed to the crime and said he did it because he hated how dependent his disabled sister was on the family and saw her as a burden.

In 2017 rapes that were reported to police amounted to 90 a day, according to government data.

Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India with the National Crime Records Bureau reporting in 2019 that the number of rape cases doubled in the 17 years between 2001 and 2017.

The same data showed that every fourth rape victim in India in 2018 was a minor, and over 50 per cent of them were between 18 and 30 years old.

In just under 94 per cent of rape cases the victims knew their rapists who were often family members, friends, partners or employers.

And yet India's National Family Health Survey said that 80 per cent of women who experience sexual violence do not report it.

In December 2019 American media organisation National Public Radio interviewed activists and experts about why rape is such an issue in India.

Altamash Khan is an instructor that works with colleges on how to prevent sexual violence and works with nonprofit Men Against Violence and Abuse in Mumbai.

He told NPR he thinks sexual violence would be reduced if 'we can chip away at age-old patriarchal values' and look at 'the spectrum of violence' including things like catcalling.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pauses as he meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion in Athens on July 21, 2020. (Costas Baltas/Reuters)

Germany Urges Greece and Turkey to Talk, to Avoid Catastrophe

ATHENSGermany urged Greece and Turkey on Tuesday to solve their dispute over energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean Sea through dialogue, warning of the risk of a military confrontation.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass, who visited Athens and is also expected to visit Ankara on Tuesday to help defuse rekindled tensions between the two NATO allies, said Germany and its EU partners stood alongside EU member Greece.

The current situation in the eastern Mediterranean is equivalent to playing with fire, Heiko Maas said after meeting his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Athens. Every little spark can lead to catastrophe.

NATO allies Greece and Turkey vehemently disagree about their overlapping claims on hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean, based on conflicting views of how far their continental shelves extend.

Tensions rose after Turkey deployed its Oruc Reis survey vessel to waters Ankara claims in a move Athens called illegal.

On Sunday, Turkey issued an advisory known as a Navtex to extend the vessels operations until Aug. 27. Greece then issued its own advisory that it will hold military exercises in the same area, off the Greek island of Crete.

After meeting Maas, Dendias said Greece wanted to talk with Turkey but it would not do so under threats and the country stood ready to defend its sovereign rights.

Dendias also said the Eastern Mediterranean dispute was not just a bilateral issue but one for the whole European Union.

It concerns the European family as a whole, it concerns the EUs sovereign rights, its  security, Dendias said.

EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Berlin on Aug. 27-28 and will discuss the issue.

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkeys navy will not back down as Greece sows chaos in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Bars and restaurants in Birmingham which flout social distancing rules will be shut down after the Government rubber-stamped new powers to stop the spread of coronavirus in the city.

Birmingham City Council has announced that as of Wednesday it will have the ability to investigate reports of premises failing to adhere to Covid-19 guidance.

Council officials and police officers will be able to issue formal warnings to any which are breaking the rules while repeat offenders could ultimately be forced to close.

The powers also include the ability to ban events like weddings and funerals if there are concerns about the number of people who may attend while parks and other outdoor spaces could also be shut in the interests of public health.

The measures, put forward by the city council and agreed by the Government's Gold Command which is chaired by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, come after Birmingham was designated as an 'Area of Enhanced Support'.

Rising case numbers prompted ministers to give the designation to the city last Friday.

It means Birmingham is now subject to additional testing in order to establish the extend of the spread of infection amid fears the city could face a local lockdown.

Birmingham City Council today announced new powers which will allow the authority to shut businesses which flout social distancing rules. The city centre is pictured on Sunday

Councillor Ian Ward, the leader of Birmingham City Council, said: 'While the recent figures show our rates are going down, we cannot be complacent.

'We must all continue to follow all the relevant safety guidance in order to protect our families, friends and work colleagues.

'Most importantly staying disciplined now is a price worth paying when compared to the cost of damaging the future life chances of our City's children  which may happen if there is a spike in the rate of infections and schools have to close, or parents do not send them due to concerns about the potential risks.

Mr Ward said most people in Birmingham are adhering to Government guidance.

'For those that are not we are now enacting powers to ensure that they do,' he said.

'These new powers will allow us to intervene when businesses are putting staff and customers at risk of infection.

'By all working together to take action now, we can hopefully bring the numbers down, prevent further restrictions and protect the health and jobs of people across the city.'

The city council is urging customers to report restaurants and bars which fail to ask for their contact details and which do not require patrons to socially distance.

Hospitality businesses are also being reminded that they should not accept bookings for more than six people or from groups from more than two households.

The first step in enforcement proceedings for rule-breaking firms will see them hit with a written warning.

Continued flouting of the rules could then see them served with a formal notice of closure.

Decisions on prohibiting weddings and funerals will be taken on the basis of a maximum event size.

Around 200 people were seen gathering in Birmingham city centre, around Hampton Street, on Friday August 14

Police were called out to an illegal gathering in Northfield, near Birmingham, on Saturday

There is no intention to change the numbers of people that can attend different types of events which currently stands at 30.

The new crackdown comes after police in Birmingham were called to more than 70 parties in recent days, including one in Northfield which included two marquees and a DJ.

Around 200 people were seen gathering in the city centre, around Hampton Street, on Friday August 14.

As of this Friday new powers will come into force meaning organisers of illegal raves can be fined up to 10,000.
Boris Johnson has dropped advice against the use of face coverings in English schools, in an 11th-hour U-turn after he came under pressure from unions, opposition parties and schools.

From 1 September, staff and pupils in secondary schools in local lockdown areas like Manchester and Birmingham will be required to wear face coverings when moving around the building and in communal areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain. Masks will not be mandated in the classroom.

Elsewhere in the country, masks will not be obligatory but school leaders will have the discretion to require face coverings in communal areas if they believe that is "right in their particular circumstances". The new rules will also apply to sixth-form colleges

The last-minute changes came after the Scottish government ordered the use of face coverings in communal areas of secondary schools and all school transport north of the border and Wales announced it was reviewing the policy.

They were welcomed by the Association of School and College Leaders, which had been pressing Mr Johnson for a rethink. But Labours shadow education secretary Kate Green dismissed the change as half-baked and said Mr Johnson was trying to pass the buck to headteachers.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 28 November 2021 Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City battles for possession with Aaron Cresswell of West Ham United during a match at the Etihad during snow Manchester City/Getty UK news in pictures 27 November 2021 Residents clear branches from a fallen tree in Birkenhead, north west England as Storm Arwen triggered a rare red weather warning AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 26 November 2021 A killer whale (orca in the fjord of Skjervoy, northern Norway AFP/Getty

Parents and schools needed clarity and leadership, but instead the government have just passed the buck back to them, said Ms Green.

Face coverings should be compulsory in communal areas in schools. Instead of this half baked U-turn the government should have given clear guidance and a plan to deliver it.

Schools in England and Wales are set to resume lessons for all students on Tuesday, after five months away from the classroom for most.

But despite World Health Organisation advice issued on 21 August that over-12s should cover their faces in situations where they cannot maintain social distancing, the UK government stuck to its guidance that masks were not necessary.

Downing Street said on Monday that there were "no plans" to review the guidance. And as late as Tuesday morning, business secretary Alok Sharma insisted that "Public Health England do not recommend the wearing of face masks in schools ... there is no current plan to review that particular guidance."

But by lunchtime, Mr Johnson was signalling that a U-turn was on its way, as he came under growing criticism from unions, rival politicians and scientists. While continuing to insist that schools were safe under existing guidance, he told reporters during a visit to Devon: If we need to change the advice then of course we will.

Hours later, Gavin Williamson's Department for Education confirmed the switch, which it said was taken in response to the revised WHO advice.

Mr Williamson said: Our priority is to get children back to school safely. At each stage we have listened to the latest medical and scientific advice. We have therefore decided to follow the World Health Organisations new advice.

"In local lockdown areas children in year 7 and above should wear face coverings in communal spaces. Outside of local lockdown areas face coverings wont be required in schools, though schools will have the flexibility to introduce measures if they believe it is right in their specific circumstances. I hope these steps will provide parents, pupils and teachers with further reassurance.

His change of heart was likely to spark a backlash from Tories who had urged the PM to resist calls for students to cover up. Prominent backbencher Huw Merriman said masks would "further downgrade the learning environment", while Marcus Fysh denounced calls for them to be obligatory as "scientifically illiterate guff".

ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton welcomed the shift in policy.

It was inevitable that the policy on face coverings would change following guidance from the World Health Organisation, and we recognise that the government in Westminster has responded to our call for a quick direction on this matter with the reopening of schools imminent," said Mr Barton.

The new policy is discretionary, other than in places where coronavirus restrictions apply, and secondary school and college leaders will welcome the flexibility this affords them to decide what best suits their circumstances. We look forward to seeing the full guidance as early as possible.

The return of schools is being seen as a crucial test of the governments handling of the restoration of more normal conditions after months of restrictions, with ministers hoping it will trigger a widespread return to Covid-secure workplaces by parents. But the escalating row over masks saw Mr Johnson risk losing control of the process as some schools indicated they would ignore the official guidance.

The Oasis Academy chain announced that staff and pupils in its 52 schools will be wearing masks as part of their uniform when doors reopen and the chair of the Commons Education Committee, Robert Halfon said the prime minister had just 24 hours to provide clarity to headteachers.

Oasis founder Steve Chalke welcomed the new advice, telling the BBC: The problem is when government doesnt work alongside the unions and school leaders and we end up doing all sorts of acrobatics and topsy-turvy U-turns. What we need to do is work together.

The developing debate saw the Westminster government once again follow in the wake of Scotland, where Nicola Sturgeons administration confirmed new rules on face masks early in the day.

Scotlands education secretary John Swinney said there was increasing evidence that face coverings can provide protection for the wearer and those near to them, adding: We want to continue to protect what we have achieved in suppressing the virus and re-opening schools, and to do the best for children in schools.

Welsh health secretary Vaughan Gething later announced a review of guidance by the Cardiff executives scientific advisory group.

And London mayor Sadiq Khan - who was at the forefront of calls for mandatory face-coverings on public transport - indicated that he was considering advising headteachers in the capital to tell teenage pupils to wear masks where social distancing was not possible.

The early start to autumn term in Scotland almost two weeks ago was followed by a coronavirus outbreak in a Dundee school which has been linked to 27 infections.

The chair of the British Medical Associations medical academic staff committee, Dr David Strain, said this flare-up and the new WHO advice strengthened the case for masks in school corridors.

In the absence of clarity, given the known detrimental impact of school closures, we must err on the side of caution in order to ensure that when schools re-open they remain open," said Dr Strain, from Exeter University Medical School.

In order to minimise the need to re-implement lockdown measures, any step  no matter how small  would be of benefit to ensure children and young adults are enabled to resume their education.
The FBI released a photo Monday of a gold Honda Accord that was seen outside a Hollywood RaceTrac gas station July 27.

Investigators say the occupants of the car may have information about the disappearance of a missing 21-year-old mom, Leila Cavett.

Cavetts 2-year-old son Kamdyn was found wandering in a Miramar apartment complex on July 26. Cavett has not yet been seen since.

Last week, the FBI announced a $10,000 reward for information that helps find Cavett. The agency also released video clips of Cavetts whereabouts before mysteriously disappearing.

On Thursday, August 13, 2020 FBI Special agent George Piro asked for the publics assistance into the mysterious disappearance of Leila Cavett. Leila is a 21-year-old mother who was last seen on July 26, 2020, hours before her 2-year-old son, Kamdyn was found wandering alone in an apartment complex near the 1800 block of SW 68th Avenue in Miramar, Florida.

The last known clip was at the Racetrac, 5800 Hollywood Blvd., on the night of July 25.

The picture released Monday is from July 27, which is a day after Kamdyn was found. Investigators say the four-door sedan, which has visible damage to the left rear bumper, was parked near the fuel pumps between 11:24 and 11:28 p.m.

Investigators believe the occupant(s) of this vehicle may have witnessed something related to the investigation of 21-year-old missing mother, Leila Cavett, the FBI said in a new release.

The FBI, along with the Miramar and Hollywood police departments, have been trying to find Cavett since her son Kamdyn was found walking around in the 1800 block of Southwest 68th Avenue, in the area of the Willowbrook Apartments, at around 8 a.m. July 26.

Cavett, who lived in Georgia prior to coming to South Florida, drove here in a white pickup truck, which was later found at a Hollywood Walmart.

On Aug. 16, Shanon Ryan, a man who calls himself a witch, was picked up on charges of lying to authorities. The next day, Ryan, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, was charged with kidnapping after investigators say his car was seen near where Kamdyn was dropped off.

He was still in Browards Main Jail Monday evening.

Ryan, before his arrest, had posted an hour-long video about his relationship with Cavett and said he was the last person to see her.

Anyone with information is asked to call FBI Miami at 1-800-CALL-FBI or go to FBI.GOV/TIPS.
Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has fired shots at former President and flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama over his comments regarding the Akufo-Addo administration's free SHS policy.



The free SHS programme is said to have benefited about 1.2 million school children in Ghana.



First batch of the beneficiaries are currently writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination.



But former President John Mahama has criticized the policy and vowed to review it if re-elected as President of the Republic in the general elections this year.



 . . within the first 90-days after I take office as the President of Ghana, I will call for the arrangement of a very broad stakeholder and consultative meeting on the way forward for a better free SHS . . . The NDC shall ensure that all issues raised which are feasible and doable will be factored into the NDC manifesto, Mr. Mahama.



In his response, Vice President Dr. Bawumia has described former President Mahama's statement as "senseless".



To him, it would be better for the former President to outline precisely what he will do with regard to his "review" of the free SHS programme but not make a general statement.



"You say you'll review it. It doesn't make sense," he said in an exclusive interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo'.



He further jabbed Mr. Mahama and his NDC saying, "they will say anything that they think they should say to try and win elections".









Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Thousands of children are benefiting from the added protection provided by the worlds first malaria vaccine (RTS,S) one year after it was introduced in three African countries.

The pilot vaccine implementation programme which was introduced in April last year is taking place in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.



At a webinar to provide updates on the achievement of the vaccine and how it had responded to COVID-19, the Lead for the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme at the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Mary Hamel, said vaccines were powerful public health tools and the introduction of a malaria vaccine was a major step forward in malaria control.



The webinar was a collaboration between the Roll Back Malaria Partnership to End Malaria and the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN).



Malaria, COVID-19



Dr Hamel said the prevention of malaria was particularly important around this time of COVID-19 when access to clinics were disrupted.



She said in the era of COVID-19, malaria prevention was strategically important because the symptoms of COVID-19 overlapped quite a bit with the symptoms of malaria in children.



She said there had been little or no impact on vaccine distribution or uptake in the pilot countries during the COVID-19 period and the evaluation component of the implementation programme was continuing.



But we are being very vigilant and watching closely because we expect that COVID-19 will peak in sub-Saharan Africa probably in the next one or two months, so we are monitoring the situation, she said.



Malaria vaccine



Dr Hamel said the malaria vaccine did not prevent all malaria cases but reduced the number of malaria episodes a child would experience and reduced the chance of getting severe malaria.



She said in order to get the most benefits from the vaccine, it had to be supported with other malaria prevention tools such as sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) in order to save tens of thousands of lives.



She said evaluation from all three countries that were piloting the malaria vaccine would help inform how best the vaccine could be introduced into the routine immunisation system.



Dr Hamel recalled that there was tremendous progress in malaria control between 2000 and 2015 with a dramatic decline in malaria cases and halving of malaria deaths.



However in 2015, the progress stalled and about 240,000 children died of malaria in 2018, adding that the incidence of malaria was still increasing in some high-burden countries.



So we need new tools to get malaria control back on track to change that trajectory and further reduce malaria, and the RTS,S vaccine may be the next new tool, she added.



She commended the network of African scientists who played a major role in the development of the vaccine, including leading the phase 3 trial, which was the largest clinical trial across Africa.



Furthermore, she said the pilot of the malaria vaccine could also not have happened without the strong commitment from the Ministries of Health of the three countries.



Next step



Dr Hamel said while the pilots continued, it was expected that thousands of more children would be vaccinated in the coming year or two, and information that would be gathered would feed and inform policy recommendation for the broader use of the vaccine.



Ghanas situation



For his part, the Africa Lead at the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Mr John Bawa, said as of now, about 106,000 children in Ghana had received the first dose of the malaria vaccine and by October this year, the first set of children who started last year would be due for their fourth dose of the malaria vaccine.



He said that was a great accomplishment, especially within the context of COVID-19.



He said during the early times of COVID-19, the partners involved in the malaria vaccine anticipated that there could be some impact on the uptake so they worked effectively with the Ministries of Health of the pilot countries to be able to put in place measures to ensure that the impact of COVID-19 was minimised.



He explained that the main strategy the ministry took was to be proactive and to come up with appropriate guidelines that ensured that session sizes were reduced as much as possible, social and physical distancing were maintained and also made sure that the necessary logistics in terms of PPEs that the teams needed were made available.



Additionally, he said the massive public education also helped maintain the level of coverage of the malaria vaccine even within the COVID-19 period.



While COVID-19 is still a critical issue in Ghana, the Health Ministry has also prioritised the need to sustain malaria and other services, especially the ones that affect the health of women and children in the country, he said.



The ministry has been able to leverage the ongoing communication on COVID-19 to provide additional information on caregivers and community members to continue immunisation services.



Mr Bawa said the country had also benefited immensely from the rollout of other malaria intervention programmes, especially ITNs, effective case management and indoor residual spraying, and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) in other parts of the country.



Those, he said, had reduced the burden of malaria significantly in the country although some parts of the country had recorded significant numbers of malaria. He was, therefore, hopeful that the malaria vaccine, which was an additional tool, would be able to minimise or control malaria towards the goal of elimination that the country had set.



He said the community and caregivers in the pilot areas had been ecstatic about the malaria vaccine, adding that so far, the uptake had been good.



A recent malaria cluster survey report by the Ghana Statistical Service indicated that when community members were asked about their knowledge of the malaria vaccine, most of them said yes they had heard and close to 90 per cent of them said they will be ready to present their children for the malaria vaccine if it becomes available and if their children are due for it.



Mr Bawa commended the Ministry of Health and the teams on the ground for the great work they were doing, adding that, There is a lot of potential and good news as we continue to roll out the malaria vaccine.



RTS,S



The RTS,S is the first and to date the only vaccine that has demonstrated some effectiveness in reducing malaria in young African children. The vaccine is being delivered by the Ministries of Health as part of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).



About 360,000 children per year across the three pilot countries will receive the vaccine.



When used together with effective interventions such as bed nets, insecticide spraying, diagnostics and drugs, the vaccine has the potential to protect thousands of African children who die from malaria every year.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
CHICAGO, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year, thousands of firefighters race up hundreds of stairs in full firefighter gear weighing over 45 pounds during American Lung Association Fight For Air Climbs in more than 40 cities nationwide. To honor these heroes, the Lung Association has launched its inaugural 2021 Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Calendar to raise funds to support the vision of a world free of lung disease. Calendars can be pre-ordered starting today for $20 each, to be delivered in October. Each calendar features photos of our firefighters at their local Fight For Air Climb from Los Angeles and New York to Milwaukee to Miami and everywhere in between.

The Lung Association mission hits close to home with firefighters because of their increased exposure to gases, chemicals and smoke in the line of duty. Respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, remain a significant health issue for firefighters and emergency responders. One of the many pollutants found in smoke is particle pollution, which is a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in air so small that they enter and lodge deep in the lungs. Firefighters can inhale smoke and a wide range of chemicals that may be present in a burning building.

"COVID-19 may have changed the way we do our signature Fight For Air Climb, but that won't stop the Lung Association from honoring some of our most dedicated supporters," said American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer. "Every purchase of a Fight For Air Firefighter Calendar will support the brave people who risk their lives, so they can save others."

Among the heroes affected by lung disease include first responders to the site of the terrorist attack on Twin Towers in New York City on September 11, 2001, many of whom developed different variants of asthma, acute rhinitis, sinusitis, sore throat acute cough and other lung diseases. On that day, some firefighters' lungs aged the equivalent of 10 to 12 years in the first weeks to months following the attack from the dust they breathed.

The Fight For Air Firefighter Calendars will include fire-safety tips and statistics on how fires affect our lung health, as well as tips for how to train for your next Fight For Air Climb. Additionally, Lung Association volunteers and donors will be featured in the calendar to highlight how they acted nimbly and helped keep the mission of saving lives through improving lung health going stronger than ever.

For more information about the Fight For Air Firefighter Calendar visit Lung.org/calendar.

For media seeking to schedule a media interview with a local firefighter or lung health expert, contact Stephanie Goldina at the American Lung Association at 312-801-7629 or [email protected].

About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

American Lung Association  55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150  Chicago, IL 60601

1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 1425 North  Washington, D.C. 20004

1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org

CONTACT: Stephanie Goldina | American Lung Association

P: 312-801-7629 E: [email protected]

SOURCE American Lung Association

Related Links

lung.org


Sudan said Tuesday it cannot form diplomatic relations with Israel now, dashing hopes for a speedy breakthrough during a visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok told Pompeo that Sudan's transitional government -- which replaced ousted strongman Omar al-Bashir last year and is set to rule until 2022 elections -- has "no mandate" to take such a weighty step.

The announcement was a setback to a charm offensive by the US and Israel to forge more ties between the Jewish state and the Arab world following a landmark US-brokered August 13 agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Israel remains technically at war with Sudan, an East African country which for years supported hardline Islamist forces under its former strongman Bashir, and which remains on a State Department blacklist of backers of terrorism.

Hamdok also urged the US not to link "the subject of lifting Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and the subject of normalisation with Israel," his spokesman said.

The coalition which led Sudan's protest movement, the Forces of Freedom and Change, had also argued earlier that the government has "no mandate" to normalise ties with Israel, noting "the right of Palestinians to their land and to a free and dignified life".

Sudanese protesters rallied on December 19, 2019 to celebrate the first anniversary of the start of the uprising that toppled Omar al-Bashir. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP/File)

Hamdok's office said he had made the same point to Pompeo, the first US Secretary of State to visit Sudan since Condoleezza Rice went there in 2005.

"The prime minister clarified that the transitional period in Sudan is being led by a wide alliance with a specific agenda -- to complete the transition, achieve peace and stability in the country and hold free elections," government spokesman Faisal Saleh said.

Hamdok had told Pompeo that his interim government "does not have a mandate beyond these tasks or to decide on normalisation with Israel".

Terror watch-list

Sudan's ousted president Omar al-Bashir arriving at the start of his trial over the 1989 coup against a democratically elected government that brought him to power. By Mohammed ABUAMRAIN (AFP/File)

When Pompeo arrived hours earlier, he tweeted the fact that he had flown to Khartoum on a historic "first official non-stop flight" from Tel Aviv.

The US top diplomat also met Sudan's Sovereign Council chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for talks which the State Department had said would express US "support for deepening the Sudan-Israel relationship".

Netanyahu had met Burhan in February in Uganda and later announced that the two leaders had agreed to cooperate towards normalising ties. Sudan's cabinet however later denied that Burhan had made such a promise.

Sudan's new joint civilian-military transitional government has vowed to break with the Bashir era and launched sweeping social and political reforms.

The cash-strapped country hopes Washington will soon take it off its terrorism blacklist as it seeks to fully re-integrate into the international community and attract more aid and investment to rescue its crisis-hit economy.

Sudan has been on Washington's terror list since 1993 because of its earlier support for jihadists, including Osama bin Laden, who lived in the country for years in the 1990s before heading to Afghanistan.

Sudan has been in talks on compensating the victims of Bashir-era Al-Qaeda attacks, including the 2000 USS Cole bombing in Yemen and the simultaneous 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

Hamdok wrote on Twitter that he and Pompeo had a "direct & transparent conversation regarding delisting Sudan" from the terror list and on receiving US government support.

"I continue to look forward to positive tangible steps in supporting the glorious Sudanese revolution," Hamdok wrote.

Economic crisis

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Monday in Jerusalem at the start of Pompeo's regional tour. By DEBBIE HILL (POOL/AFP)

Pompeo's visit came as Sudan faces a deep economic crisis, laid low by long years of US sanctions and the 2011 secession of the oil-rich south.

The United Nations says more than 9.6 million people -- almost a quarter of Sudan's population -- suffer severe food insecurity.

Bashir is on trial over the Islamist-backed coup that brought him to power over three decades ago, and the transitional government is at pains to distance itself from his legacy.

It has agreed in principle to hand Bashir over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague where he faces charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the Darfur conflict.

Conflict broke out in the vast western region in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels staged an uprising against the government, citing marginalisation and discrimination.

Khartoum responded by unleashing the feared Janjaweed militia, mainly recruited from Arab pastoralist tribes, in a scorched earth campaign that left 300,000 people dead and displaced 2.5 million.

Hamdok has made finding a peace deal with rebel groups a priority, in order to bring stability to restive regions that also include Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

burs-sk-fz/par
The University of Alabama has recorded 566 cases of COVID-19 in the first week after in-person classes started, figures released Monday show.

A total of 531 positive cases were reported on the Tuscaloosa campus since August 19; six at their Birmingham campus; eight in Huntsville and 21 for UAB clinical enterprise employees.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said the city would be closing bars for the next two weeks after what university officials described an 'unacceptable' rise in cases among students, faculty, and staff.

The numbers threaten to derail plans to continue the semester on campus. 'The truth is that fall in Tuscaloosa is in serious jeopardy,' Maddox said.

Patrons stand on the Bear Trap's rooftop bar on The Strip, the University of Alabama's bar scene, Saturday, August 15, 2020, in Tuscaloosa. More than 20,000 students returned to campus for the first time since spring break

People make their way along The Strip, the University of Alabama's bar scene, Saturday, August 15. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said the city would be closing bars for the next two weeks after what university officials described an 'unacceptable' rise in cases among students, faculty, and staff

While the daily average of new COVID-19 cases has been trending downward statewide, school officials have expressed concern about images of large crowds waiting outside off-campus bars.

The university on Friday announced a 14-day moratorium on all in-person student events outside of classroom instruction after more than 20,000 students returned to campus for the first time since spring break.

Social gatherings are prohibited both on and off campus and the common areas of dormitories and fraternity and sorority houses are closed, according to the new guidelines. Visitors are not being allowed in dormitories and sorority and fraternity houses.

The isolation space at the university is currently nearly 20 per cent full, data shows.

Baylor Garland, left, arrives to move in for his freshman year, assisted by his father Alan, right and mother, Teena, at the University of Alabama on Saturday, August 15

Students and visiting family wait outside a restaurant on August 15 in Tuscaloosa

People line up outside to wait for limited access indoors to order food from Taco Mama on August 15 in Tuscaloosa

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey praised the mayor and university officials for acting swiftly

UA president Stuart Bell said: 'Our challenge is the virus and theres a difference, folks...Its not student behavior, OK. Its how do we have protocols so that we make it to where our students can be successful, and we can minimize the impact of the virus.'

Mayor Maddox announced the closures along with the end of bar service at restaurants during a news conference with campus officials.

Maddox said university officials requested the action. Maddox said an unchecked spread of the virus threatens both the health care system and the local economy if students are sent home for the semester to do remote learning.

School officials said there has been a rapid rise in cases, particularly among fraternities and sororities. The university on Friday had announced a moratorium on student gatherings both on and off campus.

'Although are initial re-entry test was encouraging, the rise in COVID cases that we've seen in recent days is unacceptable and if unchecked threatens our ability to complete the semester on campus,' Bell said at a news conference.

The university had earlier announced that initial results from a testing program found few students returning to campus were positive for COVID-19. Dr. Ricky Friend, dean of college of community health sciences, said subsequent testing last week has found more cases.

'During that time, we encountered many students who have been exposed since returning to campus, particularly in the Greek system,' Friend said.

He added: 'We are concerned that each day that goes by there might be more cases.'

Bell wrote that violations of health and safety protocols, both on and off campus, are subject to harsh disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from the university.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey praised the mayor and university officials for acting swiftly.

'They have made tough decisions, and I appreciate Mayor Walt Maddox and The University of Alabama leadership for tackling a serious problem as quickly as possible,' Ivey said.

Alabama has recorded more than 117,000 cases of the virus; the death toll stands at 2,024.
Pace Life Sciences Lab Services Adding Emerson Resources to our portfolio allows Pace Life Sciences to further support our pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical clients from early-stage research and development through phase 2 clinical trial material manufacturing.

Pace Analytical Services, LLC, the largest American-owned laboratory network providing environmental and life sciences analytical information and services, today announced that it has acquired Emerson Resources, Inc., a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in dosage form development and clinical trial material manufacturing.

Adding Emerson Resources to our portfolio allows Pace Life Sciences to further support our pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical clients from early-stage research and development through phase 2 clinical trial material manufacturing, comments Eric Roman, CEO of Pace Analytical. For clients, this means seamless support through each critical milestone in bringing a new drug to market.

Services provided by Emerson Resources are focused on solid oral dosage formulation development and the production of clinical trial materials in support of bringing pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products to market. This acquisition expands the capabilities of Pace Life Sciences to include clinical trial material manufacturing, greatly rounding out our overall service offerings, adds Greg Kupp, COO of the Pace Analytical Life Sciences Division. The production of clinical trial materials requires a robust quality system, deep technical expertise, and the agility to ensure materials are ready for the clinic on time. Emerson is exceptional in these areas and represents a strong addition to the Pace Analytical lab network.

Emerson Resources principals Jay Signorino, COO and Chip Signorino, CFO, are exiting the family business and have been looking for a buyer with a good cultural fit. Pace holds the same cultural values and aspirations as Emerson, notes Jay Signorino. We believe this will be an easy and beneficial transition for the Emerson team and our customers.

Over the next six months, Emerson Resources will transition to operating under the Pace Analytical brand. The Emerson Resources lab is in the Philadelphia, PA area and joins Pace Life Sciences lab locations near Boston, MA, St. Paul, MN, and San German, PR. Kupp will oversee the management and operations of all Pace Life Sciences lab locations.

About Emerson Resources

For more than 12 years, Emerson Resources, a premier pharmaceutical development company, has delivered value-added service, ingredients, and expertise to clients in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Emerson Resources is a leader in dosage form development, manufacturing cGMP clinical supplies, analytical method development, analytical method validation, release testing, and stability testing. Based in Norristown, Pennsylvania, the Companys expansive facility features development and analytical laboratories, a cGMP clinical supplies manufacturing plant, and a specialty ingredients excipients manufacturing center. For more information, visit emersonresources.com.

About Pace Analytical

Pace Analytical Services, LLC makes the world a safer, healthier place. For decades, we have been the trusted source for quality environmental and life sciences lab testing and analysis and the resource for scientific lab staffing, regulatory, and equipment services. Our work is done in partnership with our clients by providing the science and the data they need to make critical decisions that benefit us all. Pace delivers science better to businesses, industries, consulting firms, government agencies, and more through the largest, American-owned and nationally certified laboratory network. Science matters at PACELABS.com
Shanghai holds a city-wide 5G application contest

By:An Ranran, Lu Yukun | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-08-21 19:47

By the end of July, Shanghai had built more than 25,000 outdoor 5G base stations and over 31,000 indoor 5G stations, making itself the city with the most 5G stations nationwide. As a 5G pioneer, Shanghai has promoted the development of 301 5G applications covering manufacturing, health care and education.

In addition, a city-wide 5G application contest has been launched already. The organizer mentioned that this year they received a total of 153 programs in five areas including manufacturing, transportation, health care, living and construction of smart cities. Lots of well-known enterprises have participated in the contest, bringing their latest achievements in the field of 5G application.

Qian Xiao, director of the Infrastructure Management Office of Shanghai Economy and Information Technology Commission, said that financial experts are invited to join in the contest and some financial institutions and venture capital organizations are also invited to verify the feasibility of programs in the competition.

On Tuesday, the organizer announced that 30 programs got through to the final session, which is to be held in the Lingang area on August 28.

Chen Wen, professor of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and one of the judges, mentioned that 5G will be a revolutionary technology and affect every aspect of our lives. The full 5G System will not only bring eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband), which provides greater data-bandwidth, but will also boost the development of industry, manufacturing and telemedicine. The age of the Internet of Things is coming, Chen said.




When Trevor Henry arrived at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday, Aug. 21, he was expecting to drive division leading Desperate Man in the second of two $107,200 Gold Series stakes for the two-year-old pacing colts. He did not have a drive in the first Gold division.

Fortunately for Henry, Jack Darling had just learned that Randy Waples was unable to drive Friday and the trainer was in need of a replacement to steer Bulldog Hanover in the first split. Henry was happy to step into the breach and, eight races later, he had piloted both colts to Gold Series victories.

Starting from the outside post nine, Henry dropped Bulldog Hanover down to the rail in seventh and sat at the back of the main pack as Lawless Shadow sprinted out to a :26.3 quarter and battled Springbridge Duel to a :55.3 half. Springbridge Duel kept the tempo lively through the 1:23.4 three-quarters as No Bettor Joy and Bulldog Hanover started to advance up the outer lane. Turning for home, Henry moved Bulldog Hanover into an open lane and the colt sprinted down the stretch to a three-length victory in a personal-best 1:52. Favourite Lawless Shadow finished second and Flash Cube was third.

He raced good for the nine-hole. He had a lot of luck -- three of them made breaks and he landed in a good spot -- but yeah, he raced really well, said Henry. Hes a nice colt.

Trevor did a good job. When he drew the nine-hole, youre kind of expecting the worst, but actually the trip worked out perfect and he got around all the breaking horses, added owner/trainer Darling. So he got a little bit lucky and ended up getting a good trip, but he raced big too. That was a nice mile.

Bulldog Hanover started his Ontario Sires Stakes campaign at the Grassroots level, finishing second in the July 6 season opener and romping to a five-length win in the July 20 leg, both at Woodbine Mohawk Park. With a month in between the second Grassroots leg and Fridays test, Darling gave the Shadow Play son a tightener in an August 11 qualifier, where Bulldog Hanover cruised to an 11-length win in 1:56.

Hes basically been a nice colt all the way through; he just kept getting better and better as we went. He qualified good, he won the Grassroots kind of handy, so we gave him a try in the Gold and it looks like hes a nice Gold horse too, said Cambridge, Ont. resident Darling. Hes just a nice horse. Hes just that cocky type, always feeling good, got lots of try to him, and a beautiful-looking horse. Most of the Shadow Plays are great-looking horses and he is one of them.

Another good-looking son of Shadow Play, Desperate Man lined up at post three in the second Gold division and left well enough to land in fourth as Bettor Sun and Darling trainee Avion Seelster hustled to a :26.2 quarter. Bettor Sun marched on to a :55 half, with Henry angling Desperate Man off the rail and catching a windbreak from Ucanttouchthis. As Bettor Sun paced by the 1:23.2 three-quarters, Desperate Man had advanced to third and, once the colts squared up in the stretch, Henry asked the favourite for another gear and Desperate Man drew away to a 1-1/4-length victory in a personal-best 1:51.2. Bettor Sun stayed game for second and Socrates Blue Chip closed to be third.

Tonight he got second-over and kind of got towed up into it, said Henry. I figured he would be a little short because he hasnt raced in a while, and then the qualifier we had him in he made a break at the gate and he never got a real good workout that day, but he still finds a way to win. Good ones do.

Desperate Man romped to victory in the July 3 Gold Series opener and the July 18 Gold leg, both at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and then dropped into the same August 11 qualifier as Bulldog Hanover for his prep in advance of Fridays start. However, things did not go according to plan for Henry, trainer Kathy Cecchin and her co-owners, husband John Cecchin, daughter Nicole Davies and son-in-law Paul Davies, all from Arthur, Ont. Desperate Man made a break behind the starting gate and was never part of the action.

He was just behind the gate so long because, with the two-year-olds, they bring the gate way to the back here and he was behind it for quite a while, Henry explained. When I schooled him the once, he actually did it, but then he landed right away and I got away with him, but that day he just didnt land and it was just one of those things. Better going for nothing than when hes going for money.

While Henry does not foresee any long term issues for the colt behind the starting gate, he said it is unlikely Desperate Man will be hustling off the wings this season.

I dont think youd want to really rush him out of there, it takes him a while to kind of get in gear; hes a big colt. Hell come to that when he gets older, but for now it takes him a while to get in the motion, said the driver. Hes not maybe as quick off the gate as some of them, but...hes quicker home than the rest of them.

The two-year-old pacing colts will make their fourth Gold Series start at Woodbine Mohawk Park on September 5 before wrapping up their regular season at Flamboro Downs on October 4. The top 10 point-earners through the regular season will earn a spot in the $250,000 Super Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park on October 17.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park

(With files from OSS)
This is the heartwarming moment police officers from a local station house in Puerto Rico accompanied the youngest son of a murdered cop to his first day of school.

A team of four officers escorted Robert Matthew Medina to school in Ponce on Monday.

Medina was just eight months old when his police officer father Roberto Medina-Mariani was shot dead at the age of 34 by a mugger three years ago.

Touching video shows the moment the boy, who will turn four in a couple of months, arrived at the school in a squad car.

He was joined on the early morning ride to school by another boy, and both were applauded by an honor guard of officers as they entered the building.

The footage was posted by the department to their Facebook page, explaining that the gesture was to honor the memory of their fallen colleague.

Robert Matthew Medina (left with cop) is accompanied to his first day of class by a member of the Ponce, Puerto Rico, police department, almost three years after his dad, Roberto Medina-Mariani, was killed while trying to stop a robbery at a restaurant

Robert Matthew Medina arrived to his first day of school on Ponce Police Department vehicle. His father,

Roberto Medina-Mariani was off-duty the night of September 11, 2017 when he was killed while encountering three suspects trying to rob four restaurant customers and the eatery in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Officer Mediana-Mariani had been off-duty inside Herol Cafe in Ponce on September 11, 2017 when Cristian Serrano-Delgado drove up to the eatery with two accomplices, Jonathan Valentin-Santiago and Ruben Miro-Cruz.

Valentin-Santiago and Miro-Cruz went up to four individuals and announced the robbery, taking the jewelry and money from the customers while also robbing the restaurant.

Mediana-Mariani, who served in the National Guard and was on the police force for six years, then opened fire at the suspects and shot one.

One of the robbers returned fire, and killed the off-duty cop.

Serrano-Delgado was sentenced 30 years in jail after he was found guilty of murder and robbery.

Valentin Santiago received a 32-year and four-month sentence while Ruben Miro-Cruz was sent to prison for 24 years and six months.

Mediana-Mariani, who was posthumously ascended to sergeant after his death, was survived by his wife, son Robert, and daughter, Iris Nahir.
Settlement Affairs Minister Tzachi Hanegbi said Aug. 25 that Israel opposes the sale of even one screw of the F-35 fighter jet to any country in the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates. We oppose the sale of even one screw of one plane of the stealth fighters to any country in the Middle East, if we have peace with them or not. Thats our position, and it has been presented in the past and has been clarified in recent weeks.

Hanegbi is considered a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Still, some Israeli reports claim that Netanyahu knew about such a possibility ahead of announcing the normalization agreement with the UAE. But Netanyahu, speaking at a joint Aug. 24 press conference with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said, "I have to say simply that this deal did not include Israels acceptance of any arms deal and I dont know of any arms deal that has been agreed upon. It may be contemplated; our position hasnt changed.

The revelation of the American intention to sell F-35 fighter jets to the UAE generated controversy in Israel. After the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the United States pledged to preserve Israels qualitative military edge in the region by considering Jerusalems position before selling advanced weapons to any of the countrys neighbors.

The F-35 stealth jet is one of the most sophisticated aircraft in the world. According to reports, Israel has so far received more than 20 F-35 jets. Dozens more will be delivered in coming years. From the Israel Defense Forces point of view, the stealth jet is a major component in Israels military advantage in the Middle East, which is why the sale of such airplanes to the UAE brought such harsh reactions. Still, Israel cannot prevent the United States from going ahead with the sale; Israel can only try to place hurdles in the way of such a deal. In his remarks, Hanegbi acknowledged that reality, saying, The Americans are not required to accept our position. They didnt accept it when they decided to sell the stealth fighters to the Turks, who are not an enemy state, but whom we understand we could have some kind of a conflict with.

News of the American sale intentions were accompanied by reports that Netanyahu and head of the National Security Council, Meir Ben-Shabbat, were in the know well ahead; these reports were denied by Netanyahu. Still, Defense Minister Benny Gantz penned a sharp letter Aug. 20 criticizing Netanyahu and Ben-Shabbat for that. Gantz accused both men of reaching out directly  without asking his permission  to the IDF air force commander, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, to inquire into Israels policy regarding Arab neighbors acquiring F-35 fighter jets.

The controversy over the issue is far from dying down. Israeli law requires the approval of the Defense Ministry for any export of Israeli-made advanced technology, even to friendly countries. A recent report by Yediot Ahronoth claimed that the prime ministers office and the Mossad had fought with the Defense Ministry over approval for selling advanced weapons to the UAE. The report did not specify which weapons were in question. Other sources said that all Israeli sales of advanced weapon systems, even those promoted by the Mossad and the prime ministers office, were approved by the Defense Ministry.

According to an Aug. 24 report, the UAE canceled a trilateral meeting with Israel and the United States scheduled for Aug. 28 in New York over Netanyahus opposition to the brewing US-UAE deal.
ShoutMeLoud, a platform to learn, and grow as a blogger or digital marketer, has been creating a formidable community of bloggers, popularly known as Shouters, over the last 12 years. Spearheaded by Harsh Agrawal, Founder, ShoutMeLoud, the platform offers digital marketing tips to bloggers, freelancers and small businesses, besides providing valuable How-To tips for Blogging, Podcasting, YouTubing to increase traffic, sales and brand value.

Also read: We are seeing strong demand from rural and smaller markets: Ajay Motwani

Interestingly, as stated in his website, Agrawal bought the domain ShoutMeLoud.com on December 1, 2008 by borrowing a credit card from his friend. It was not easy to ask for a credit card from anyone, but we all have one such friend, he writes. Since then, ShoutMeLoud has become more than just a popular blog, garnering more than 1 million page views a month and making a positive impact on many peoples lives.

In conversation with Adgully, Harsh Agrawal speaks about the 12-year journey of the platform, turning blogging into a paying and successful venture, the power of social media marketing and more.

Tell us about Shoutmeloud, its journey and how it has become Indias leading Digital Marketing platform?

The 12-year long journey of ShoutMeLoud has been a great experience at personal, professional, and entrepreneurial levels. My first reaction will always be  Wow! Thats amazing. I discovered blogging in 2008 and since then I was fascinated by the very idea of writing my work and spreading it around the world. Thats how the idea of ShoutMeLoud came into being and it has carved a niche for itself. When I began, it took me 2 months to discover that blogs can also make money, and that was when the idea of blogging completely changed for me.

The biggest challenge for me came after a few months of starting my blog, when I received the letter of joining Accenture. I am a trained engineer and had to decide  should I take the risk of blogging further, or should I stay safe and join one of the biggest MNCs in the world?

I found myself in a big dilemma when my heart wanted to do blogging, but it had its risks. Working in an MNC was a safe bet and the future seemed financially secure. I sought advice from my elders and peers, and the best advice came from a friend who worked in another MNC, and he said, Harsh, we all work with a dream of one day doing something of our own one day, and you, my friend, you are already doing it. His words resonated with my thinking, and I decided not to join Accenture and pursue my career as a professional blogger instead.

The success of ShoutMeLoud is very much related to this story, because my intention with ShoutMeLoud is to help people become their own boss. We only release tested, proven methods that work for us and will work for others. To share some statistics, we drive more than a million page views a month, and much of our traffic is organic. We always take the best route for helping our audience and one of our philosophies is  No one should lose money because of us.

All these simple but powerful principles have made ShoutMeLoud an award-winning platform in digital marketing.

What is the industry market size of the segment that you operate in? Who are your competitors?

Encompassing the revenue size of the global digital marketing industry is a gargantuan task owing to the multifold increase and ever-expanding dimension of this vertical. Digital marketing spends will reach $146 billion by 2023 in the US alone as per Forrester. For India, as per IBEF accounts, the digital advertisement market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 33.5 per cent to cross the Rs 25,500 crore ($3.8 billion) mark by 2020.

Were in the creative field, and our biggest difference is consistency and our field-proven case studies. We are proud that we have led all the major segments of the digital marketing and blogging industry. In the last 12 years, weve seen a lot of sites trying to copy our strategy, and some of them caught the eye for a moment. But, as I always say, passion is one of the biggest drivers of successful blogging, and thats hard to copy.

What are the Digital Media Marketing strategies post COVID-19?

We have seen a significant amount of new interest in the area of digital marketing. People are beginning to understand the importance of becoming a creator and being self-sufficient. As the recession looms, it may be the best time for everyone to start a side job.

The biggest one is  We Care. Since the situation around the globe is difficult, the biggest message that we convey to potential leads is that we care, and you are not alone in this situation to work from home. Communicating to connect should be a go-to strategy for any brand in the post-COVID-19 period. Putting brand value, mission statement, empathy, safety, and people first is the way to stand out.

Some of the areas of digital marketing where we see significant growth are:

Live Video: These areas are becoming more and more popular among B2C segments and can be used by any brand. One could use the YouTube Free platform or even a webinar setup with Zoom or other webinar platforms. The biggest advantage of live video is that it helps convert leads into sales.

Multicast and redistribution: One could easily take their existing videos and use multicast technologies such as OBS, Restream.io to reuse existing video content across multiple platforms, one way to maximise ROI from video content that is difficult to produce and cost-sensitive.

Online learning: Every brand, especially in the B2C sector, should focus on providing its users with a kind of online learning platform. This is perhaps the most powerful method of lead generation for brands of all sizes, and it makes perfect sense, as a huge world power relies on online learning to make them self-sufficient, and attracting this new generation of workers would be very rewarding in the coming period.

Why are brands investing in social media marketing?

Unlike PPC, Social Media does not generate direct sales, but increases brand loyalty and helps your brand establish itself as an authority. Indeed, the lack of an active social media profile has a negative correlation with brand perception.

Thanks to tools like AgoraPulse, SocialPilot, Social Media Marketing has become more manageable, and we have been able to automate a large part of it.

Nowadays, it is hard to imagine that a brand exists without some kind of social media presence. Always remember that social media is a place to engage, build a community, and establish authority, rather than sell hard.

The last but most important thing is that social media marketing helps in enhancing brand awareness. Many first-time users would discover your brand on social media and thus, become your potential customers in the future. It is usually longer, but very rewarding.
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has filed a complaint against 12 accused associated with Hizbul Mujahideen terror group, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA). The complaint has been filed before Special Judge, Patiala House Court in New Delhi.

The complaint is based on the charge sheet filed by NIA against FIR registered in October 2011 under Sections 120-B read with 121-A Indian Penal Code and Sections 17, 18, 39 & 40 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. According to the press release of ED, Mohammad Shafi Shah and his associates were involved in bomb blasts in Jammu and Kashmir. At the time of arrest, a huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from them.

In the investigations under PMLA, the security agencies found that Hizbul Mujahideen was funding terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Syed Salahuddin, the self-styled commander, based in Rawalpindi Pakistan, was providing support for the transfer of funds.

An operation named JKART (Jammu & Kashmir Affectees Relief Trust) was involved in procuring funds from the terror outfits under the supervision of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and ISI. The funds were sent to India via Hawala Channel, barter traders and human carriers.

These funds were distributed among kin of active and dead Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists using different channels, including Hawala, Human Carriers and banking. Mohammad Shafi Shah was the mastermind behind the distribution of the funds.

The investigation agencies attached 13 properties belonging to seven terrorists totalling Rs 1.22 crores under PMLA.
ELSAH  Starting Wednesday, new coronavirus protocols will be in place at Principia College in Elsah.

Without question, we are facing unusual and unprecedented circumstances for our college, college president John Williams said Monday in a public email. In order to align across the institution, Principia College is requiring daily self-screening, including recording of temperatures, of all residents and visitors.

In July, Principias Board of Trustees adopted the policy that both its Elsah campus and its school in St. Louis should follow protocols and practices based on the Illinois Department of Public Health and the St. Louis County public health department.

As a result, Principia College is requiring daily self-screening  including recording of temperatures  of all residents and visitors. Each day employees and students who reside on campus, and those who come to campus, must complete an online screening survey. Participants must take their temperature using their own thermometer or one available in student housing, at the Principia College Gatehouse or in designated offices around campus.

Upon submitting the information, people will receive either a green checkmark with the date and time the survey was submitted or further instructions. Students living on campus must complete the survey by 3 p.m. each day. Students commuting to campus must complete the survey before arriving at the gatehouse. Principia employees living on campus must check in by 10 a.m. Those coming to campus must complete the survey before arriving at the gatehouse.

Williams said that, while on campus, all community members must maintain six-foot physical distancing, wear masks, and keep personal spaces disinfected. He said the college has increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting, installed hand-sanitizer dispensers at the entrances of all buildings and increased increased ventilation.

He added that he was aware the screening protocols present an unusual and uncomfortable challenge.

We are not Christian Scientists or non-Christian Scientists, he wrote. We are not students or employees; we are not School or College; we are not pro-mask or anti-mask; we are not resident or visitor.

We are of one institution and mission, each bringing our most effective tools for health and safety, and respecting the commitment and practice brought to our endeavor by others, Williams said.
Regulatory News:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) ("PSH") today announced that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's Public Shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"):

Trading Venue: London Stock Exchange Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 25 August 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 24,751 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 2,025 pence 26.58 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 1,974 pence 25.91 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 2,002 pence 26.28 USD Ticker: PSHD Date of Purchase: 25 August 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 17,384 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 26.60 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 26.00 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 26.38 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 25 August 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 21,997 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 26.60 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 25.55 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 26.15 USD

PSH will hold these Public Shares in Treasury. The net asset value per Public Share related to this buyback is 37.82 USD 28.56 GBP which was calculated as of 18 August 2020 (the "Relevant NAV"). After giving effect to the above buyback, PSH has 193,203,795 Public Shares outstanding, or 199,217,469 Public Shares calculated on a fully diluted basis (assuming that all Management Shares had been converted into Public Shares at the Relevant NAV). Excluded from the shares outstanding are 17,752,955 Public Shares held in Treasury. The prices per Public Share were calculated by Jefferies.

The number of PSH Management Shares and the one special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) have not been affected.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies.

Category: (PSH:ShareRepurchases)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005840/en/

Contacts:

Camarco

Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk
THE Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) is encouraging Philippine exporters to sell to Russia and take advantage of its preferential tariffs under the Eurasian Economic Union Generalized System of Preferences (EAEU GSP).

One of our strategies in expanding exports is to venture into non-traditional partners like Russia. Thus, we encourage exporters to maximize the benefits from the EAEU GSP, said DTI-EMB director Senen Perlada.

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an international organization for regional economic integration. Its member-states are the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation.

Products covered by the EAEU GSP are eligible for a 25 percent discount on customs duties. These include food, furniture and industrial goods.

Food products include meat, fish, fruits, coffee, cacao, coconut products, sauces and condiments. Furniture, gifts and houseware in the list are articles of wood, basket ware, artificial flowers, statuettes, ceramics and imitation jewelry.

Also included are industrial goods like natural rubber. These products can also enjoy tariff preference in other EAEU member states.

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the EAEU has allowed for the submission of an electronic or paper copy of Certificate of Origin (CO) Form A which the exporter needs to provide the Russian importer to avail itself of the preferential tariff. The exporter will be given six months from the date of registration of the declaration of goods to submit the original CO Form A to the customs authority.

Bilateral trade

In 2019, Russia was the Philippines 21st trading partner, 32nd export market and 18th import supplier. Exports to Russia increased by 18.81 percent from US$86.07 million in 2018 to $102.26 million in 2019.

Top exports consisted of industrial products like electronics, ignition wiring sets, activated carbon, new pneumatic tires and watches as well as agricultural products such as desiccated coconuts, carrageenan and other fruits and nuts. Bananas, avocados, mangoes, pineapples and papaws are among the Philippines top fruit exports to Russia.

Interested exporters can email mariajaenagoaco@dti.gov.ph for assistance and more information. (PR)
By Ayya Lmahamad

The volume of turnover between Azerbaijan and Moldova amounted to $5.5 million during the period of January-July 2020, local media reported with reference to the National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova on August 24.

According to the statement, the cost of goods imported by Azerbaijan from Moldova exceeded $2.1 million for first seven months of the year. In addition, 782,700 tons of goods were imported by Azerbaijan in reporting period.

Moreover, Moldova exported from Azerbaijan products worth $3.4 million during the reporting period. Additionally, the volume of exported goods amounted to 9.1 million tons.

The volume of Azerbaijans foreign trade turnover amounted to $15 billion in the period between January and July 2020.

During the reporting period, export amounted to $9.1 billion, which is 61.46 percent of the total volume of foreign trade. Meanwhile, imports amounted to $5.9 billion, which is 38.54 percent from the total volume of foreign trade.

Likewise, during the reporting period, top five countries in terms of export were Italy with $1.8 billion, Turkey with $351 million, Israel with $254 million, Greece with $188 million, and India with $170 million. At the same time, the top five countries in terms of imports were Russia with $434 million, Turkey with $390 million, China with $354 million, U.S. with $282 million and Germany $138 million.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Overnight reports from Jacksonville police:

 A resident of the 400 block of South East Street told police he found a wallet on the roof of his garage at 5:48 p.m. Monday.

 An apparently intoxicated woman wandering around in a T-shirt and underwear was told to leave Best Western at 1709 W. Morton Ave. after witnesses said she tried to get people to fight her at 12:15 a.m. Tuesday.

 Sarah J. Mullen, 21, of Chandlerville was arrested at 1:04 a.m. Tuesday on a disorderly conduct charge after being accused of causing multiple disturbances at Best Western at 1709 W. Morton Ave.
In 1914, Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels banned alcohol from all U.S. Navy property, and ever since the cup of coffee has replaced the sailors grog aboard American ships.

Those black beans became just as important for fueling the Navy as diesel fuel or uranium. Descendants of sailors who fought in World War II might have noticed their dad or grandpa adding a dash of salt to their morning coffee and wondered why on Earth they would do that.

There are actually two reasons old salts have been known to do this (and its not why theyre called old salts).

Aboard Navy ships mornings dont happen at the same time for every sailor. As a result, the ship keeps coffee brewing all the time, so no matter when your morning is, a cup of joe is ready somewhere.

But anyone who has ever had a big steaming cup of government coffee knows, its not the best. Thats true today, and it was true during World War II.

When your coffee tastes terrible you have a few options. You can add cream and sugar -- if its available. Or you can cut the bitter taste some other way. For World War II era sailors, the most readily available way was through the use of table salt.

You might have seen some people salting fruit like cantaloupe and grapefruit or adding salt to their beer. Thats because when presented with both flavors at the same time, human taste buds can be fooled into ignoring bitter tastes and reacting more strongly to salty tastes instead. Salting coffee did the trick to reduce the bitter flavor and made the brew more palatable.

An enlisted coffee mess aboard a submarine. (National Archives and Records Administration)

But thats not the only reason sailors of that era grew accustomed to salty coffee, bringing the preference home with them when the war ended. The desalination units on World War II-era ships that converted sea water to drinking water werent 100% efficient at removing the salt from the water. As a result, the coffee retained a slightly salty flavor, so sailors just got used to the taste.

Now that we know that trick, we can all feel free to buy the worlds worst bulk coffee and, with a little salt, make it seem like Juan Valdez himself brought it to you from the mountains of Colombia.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

Want to Learn More About Military Life?

Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox.
GIMLI  Less than a day after Erin O'Toole won the leadership position for the Conservative party of Canada, Manitoba's MPs gathered to prepare for a potential election and to discuss party policies and topics like reconciliation and drug use.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

GIMLI  Less than a day after Erin O'Toole won the leadership position for the Conservative party of Canada, Manitoba's MPs gathered to prepare for a potential election and to discuss party policies and topics like reconciliation and drug use.

The caucus, made up of seven MPs and a senator, met at Lakeview Gimli Resort on Monday. It was the group's first meeting since COVID-19 hit Canada.

Larry Maguire (BrandonSouris) and Raquel Dancho (KildonanSt. Paul) were all smiles in one of the resort's conference rooms Monday afternoon. Both had backed O'Toole as he campaigned to be party leader.

O'Toole took the top spot after three rounds of counted votes.

"I have to say... Early this morning, when Erin O'Toole won, was the first time in five months that I really felt a sense of great optimism for the world," Dancho said.

One reason she endorsed him was because of his savvy social media presence, she said.

JESSE BOILY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Conservative MP Raquel Dancho was at the Manitoba Conservative Caucus meeting in Gimli to talk about ongoing issues in the province and meet with local leaders.

"To me that spoke to his vision of the future, that he wants to reach out, that he wants to bring in younger Canadians," Dancho said.

Many of the round one votes in Winnipeg went to MacKay. However, Dancho and Maguire said OToole did well in urban areas in their own ridings. They said he attracts conservatives from across the spectrum.

"My riding, for example, he came in first place," Dancho said. "We have strong social conservatives... Strong fiscal conservatives, and frankly, moderate conservatives."

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Maguire said he expected the leadership race to be tight.

"There is only one way to beat Mr. Trudeau, and that's to stick together," Maguire said, adding that Trudeau seems elitist to many Canadians and that O'Toole can win trust by being relatable.

MP James Bezan (Selkirk  Interlake  Eastman) was MacKay's campaign head in Manitoba. He was not made available for comment Monday.

While in Gimli, the politicians met with former police chief Devon Clunis to discuss policing and the Black Lives Matter movement. They spoke with Grand Chief Arlen Dumas about his developmental work, and they spoke with groups dedicated to saving Lake Winnipeg.

The caucus meeting ends today.

gabrielle.piche@freepress.mb.ca
A man walks past a large face mask pinned to a tree in Melbourne on August 3, 2020 after the state announced new restrictions as the city battles fresh outbreaks of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Australian employment fell by 1% over the month to August 8, data showed on Tuesday, with job prospects particularly hard hit in the southeastern state of Victoria as it grapples with a fresh wave of coronavirus infections.

The latest fall in employment underlines the deepening cracks in the labor market, with the government predicting unemployment in the country would climb above 13% by the end of September, from a 22-year high of 7.5% in July.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed payroll jobs for the period fell 2.8% in Victoria, which has suffered the biggest decline in employment since mid-March when Australia recorded its 100th coronavirus case.

The release, an experimental weekly series, differs from the monthly official employment data and is based on wage payment figures from the Australian Taxation Office.

Economists said Tuesday's numbers are a cause for concern as they showed jobs growth had stalled after a sharp rebound in recent months.

"Obviously Victoria isn't helping and weakness across Victoria may have spilled over to other states," said Callam Pickering, economist at global job site Indeed.

"Policymakers will need to be proactive in the coming months and there should be concern that rates of JobSeeker and JobKeeper are being reduced when unemployment remains so high."

About 1.3 million Australians have applied for the Covid-19 jobless benefit, called JobSeeker, according to government figures.

Economists estimate at least another 6 million people  a quarter of the population  are having their wages subsidized by a separate relief package for shuttered companies called JobKeeper.

"Clearly many Australian businesses are in a precarious position and that is reflected in their hiring decisions," Pickering said.
In Los Angeles in 2013, high school students celebrate the LAUSD decision to ban student suspensions for "willful defiance." California banned the practice for all K-8 students in 2019. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Three school districts in Barstow and Oroville discriminated against Black students and students with disabilities by excessively disciplining them, prompting the state to impose five-year corrective plans, California Atty. General Xavier Becerra said Tuesday.

The California Department of Justice found that Barstow Unified School District, Oroville City Elementary School District and Oroville Union High School District had a "systemic over-reliance on punitive, exclusionary discipline against Black students and students with disabilities," according to a news release from Becerra's office. It also found that the districts failed to respond adequately to complaints of harassment and discrimination, including in some cases the use of racial slurs.

Our society is built on how we educate our children, Becerra said in the release. When our schools use punishment discriminately, it has lasting consequences. And when our schools fail to adequately address bullying or racial harassment, we all suffer.

Among the department's findings were the following:

At Barstow Unified, with 6,435 students in the last school year, Black students and students with disabilities were more likely to be punished and suspended than students of others races and without disabilities.

At Oroville City Elementary, Black students lost days of school due to suspension at a rate 18 times the statewide average. Middle school students with disabilities received almost twice as many days of punishment as students without disabilities. The district north of Sacramento serves 2,739 students.

At Oroville Union High, with 2,237 students, Black students were 56% more likely to be suspended out of school than white students for the same types of behaviors.

Duane Jones, an Oroville parent with sons in elementary and high school, both of whom are Black, said each had been suspended after reporting bullying and harassment by white students to teachers, only to see them take no action. The older son, now 17, was the target of racial slurs involving the n-word, and the younger son, now 10, was bullied by another student who took food off his lunch plate, Jones said.

Story continues

When the harassment escalated and Jones' sons fought back, they were suspended  but the white students were not, he said.

His younger son still has not recovered from his in-school suspension, during which he was left alone all day in the principal's office. He has trouble controlling his emotions and can become inconsolable when things don't go his way, Jones said.

"Our black children have it hard enough trying to learn something and trying to get a good foot in this lifetime without losing their education," Jones said.

The department began its investigations in May 2019. It would not comment on the original source of complaints about the districts.

The findings come about a year after California extended its ban on so-called willful defiance suspensions for disruptive behavior from Grades K-3 to Grades K-8, though students may still be suspended for more serious actions. Research has shown that suspensions and the accompanying loss of instructional time disproportionately affect students of color, particularly Black students.

The investigation found that Barstow Unified illegally suspended students in grades K-3 for disruption and defiance, the attorney general's complaint against the district said. Seventy percent of the students suspended were African-American, though just 20% of its students overall are. The district also routinely used suspensions for relatively minor behaviors, including use of vulgar or obscene language, the complaint said.

In Oroville City Elementary School District, data showed that elementary schools reported high numbers for reports of physical injuries at the district's elementary schools. This "raised concerns," the complaint said, either that minor offenses are being incorrectly coded as more serious ones in order to suspend students for them, which would be illegal, or that the campuses are unsafe  "or both."

And at Oroville Union High School District, the attorney general's office found that use of "exclusionary punishment"  removing students from class  was excessive, with 90% of defiance or obscenity incidents resulting in in-school or out-of-school suspensions.

All three school districts have agreed to five-year corrective action plans, to be overseen by an independent monitor. The plans include revising student discipline policies, regularly analyzing student discipline data for evidence of bias, strengthening counseling services, putting in place systems to meet students' academic and emotional needs, and improving procedures for handling student complaints.

The settlements, announced Tuesday, follow a series of actions the California Department of Justice has taken against school districts that have implemented discriminatory practices. Last year, Becerra announced the state's first desegregation order in 50 years, in the Sausalito Marin City District. It also has reached settlements with the Stockton Unified School District and the Mojave Unified School District.

"What we're finding is that ... some of our schools and the personnel in our schools are not complying with the requirements of the law," Becerra said at a news conference Tuesday. "Most of the time it has a lot to do with resources. Oftentimes it has a lot to do with changing laws that folks arent keeping pace with. And unfortunately sometimes its that there is a negligence. ... Whatever the case, its the job of the Department of Justice to ... make sure that every child is getting the education not just that they deserve, but that theyre entitled to."

All three district superintendents said they were committed to ensuring equitable school environments. Supt. Jeff Malan of Barstow Unified said the district would "leverage" its already existing behavioral interventions, extend bilingual services and recruit new talent. Supt. Corey Willenberg of Oroville Union High said that as a result of the settlement, his district had already modified its student discipline policy and employee training program.
Friends of actor Rhea Chakraborty have spoken about her relationship with Sushant Singh Rajput, and the steps that the couple took together to get him treatment for his alleged mental illness. According to a HuffPost report, Rhea even turned down a couple of film offers to focus on being there for Sushant. The friends have not been named.

The actors need to keep his reported bipolar disorder a secret from the industry and his own family forced them to isolate themselves, the friends said. Sushants therapist, Susan Walker, in an earlier interview to journalist Barkha Dutt had said that Sushant had been diagnosed as bipolar. Actors family has dismissed the reports that the actor had a mental disease and have filed an abetment to suicide FIR against Rhea, which is now being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

A mutual friend of the couple said that they moved out of Sushants old house and into a new one in 2019 because he felt that the old apartment was bad for his mental health. He wanted to live in a house with a bigger terrace. When they moved into the new house, they also changed much of their staff. This was done, according to the friends, to maintain privacy arounds Sushants mental health and prevent news about it from being leaked to the press.

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Shweta asks Kangana Ranaut to stay strong, fight on, actor thanks her for squashing all rumours against me

One friend said that during this time, the actor retreated into a shell, and the couple would frequently cancel plans at the last minute. Id just get a message that she needs to be with Sushant, that hes unwell, the friend said, and added that Rhea devoted her time to taking care of Sushant at the expense of her career, and even opted out of two films in 2019. The friend said, When youre so deeply in love, you feel everything that your partner feels, you feel their pain as your own.

When Sushant was severely ill, he depended on Rhea as somewhat of a mother figure. Rhea gave Sushant courage to attend the sessions, Susan Walker had said in her interview.

Rhea has been accused of abetting Sushants suicide, and siphoning off his funds, in the FIR filed by Sushants father in Patna. The case is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation after a Supreme Court decision on the matter. It was earlier being investigated by the Mumbai Police.

The situation has left Rhea distraught, according to the friend. They havent had a moment to grieve. Has anyone paused to think that heres a young woman who lost the love of her life? Its bonkers for us to even process the hysteria thats unfolding right now. Its so far from the truth, it shocks the mind, the friend said.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
ELLICOTT CITY, Md., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackpoint Cyber, a leading technology-focused cyber security company, today announced that it has raised its Series B round of funding and will be appointing John N. Stewart, the former Senior Vice President and Chief Security and Trust Officer at Cisco, to its board of directors. The company has been steadily growing its presence in the Managed Service Provider market as a 24/7 Managed Detection and Response service and recently launched MDR 4.0, the industry's first contextually aware managed detection and response platform.

Stewart has over three decades of experience in the industry, having served on the Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Cyber Security Review panel, the cybersecurity think tank at the University of Maryland University College, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th United States Presidency. He is currently the founder and President of Talons Ventures and his motto is simple: make an impact.

Regarding his appointment to the Blackpoint Cyber board of directors, Stewart says, "I've been seeking something like this out for a very long time. Blackpoint Cyber is pushing the envelope via their multi-tenant managed detection and response platform and delivering within a top-rate partner community. After seeing the technology, business plan, success-to-date, and the team's passion, I'm honored to be joining their Board."

"We are ecstatic that John is joining our board of directors; someone with his experience and stature in the cyber security industry is the perfect addition to round out the group of talented and upstanding individuals that we already have at the helm of our organization," says Jon Murchison, CEO and Founder of Blackpoint Cyber. "We are currently experiencing record expansion, so we are both honored and privileged to have John join our team and guide us during this phase of rapid growth."

Blackpoint Cyber's current board of directors and advisors include some other heavy hitters in the space including Chris Inglis, former Deputy Director of the NSA, Ron Clark, former DHS and NSC, Hamid Akhavan, former CEO of T-Mobile, Raj Singh, founder and CEO of LCC International and founder of Telcom Ventures, Tom Donohue, founder and CEO of Adelphi Capital, and Dana Shell-Smith, ex-US Ambassador to Qatar.

Blackpoint Cyber offers a 24/7 Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service for the Managed Service Provider (MSP) industry, helping these companies streamline their security stacks, increase their profitability, and give their clients world class cyber security. The Security Operations Team uses Blackpoint's own software, SNAP-Defense; built from the ground up to detect hackers in the earliest stages of a breach and to provide real-time response when needed using its patented live network map and lateral spread detection techniques.

To learn more about Blackpoint Cyber, visit https://blackpointcyber.com/

About Blackpoint Cyber

Blackpoint Cyber is a cyber security company headquartered in Maryland, USA, and was established by former U.S. Department of Defense and Intelligence cyber security experts. Leveraging its real-world cyber experience and knowledge of hacker tradecraft, Blackpoint provides a true 24/7 Managed Detection and Response service for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and real-estate owners to effectively secure their own networks as well as those of their clients.

Media Contact

Nicole LaDue

Marketing & Design Lead

[email protected]

240.538.7598

SOURCE Blackpoint Cyber

Related Links

https://blackpointcyber.com


An artists impression of the new development at St Annes Park in Dublin

A controversial property development has been given the green light by An Bord Pleanala to start building on St Pauls playing fields near Dublins St Annes Park.

A total of 657 apartments, a creche and associated works, has been greenlit by planners.

Last month the developer won a high court challenge regarding An Bord Pleanalas refusal of planning permission for 536 housing units in Raheny, north Dublin.

The I Love St. Annes campaign group said it is disappointed at todays decision from An Bord Pleanala.

The group added: This is the third attempt to gain planning on the St. Pauls pitches, the first application was withdrawn and the second refused.

We had successfully challenged this current application in the High Court. An Bord Pleanala acknowledged that yet again, there was an error in their decision and it was remitted back to them, at their request, before arguments were heard.

It would appear that An Bord Pleanala have now re-issued their decision, with minor changes. We will review this decision with our legal team to establish if the issues raised at judicial review have been satisfactorily dealt with.

The St. Pauls playing fields comprise C15 acres of privately owned land next to St Annes Park.

The park itself was recently named as one of the worlds top five parks in the Green Flag Peoples Choice awards.

Indeed, this campaign has collected over 10,000 signatures from Dublin and around the world, opposing this development.

It is obvious, even from a cursory visit to the proposed site, that building here would have long term, irreversible and potentially catastrophic impacts on St Annes park and the adjacent UNESCO biosphere for which the park is a buffer zone.

Parents should also be aware that the five-year building licence will have unforeseen implications for St Pauls boys secondary school which sits at the centre of the St Pauls lands.

The applicant is Crekav, part of the Marlet Property Group.

Permission has been granted, with conditions. The submissions were considered by the Board on August 18 and the decision was made to grant the planning permission with the inspectors recommendations.

One of the recommendations listed by An Bord Pleanala is that the sites location is on lands with a zoning objective which includes residential development being open for consideration.

Another recommendation was given due to the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness and to the National Planning Framework which identifies the importance of compact growth.

Under Board direction the proposed development must be carried out and completed in accordance with the plans and particulars lodged with the application

Any further details must be agreed with the planning authority and the developer has to agree such details in writing.

In the high court, the developers sought permission under the 2016 Planning and Development (Housing and Residential Tenancies) Act 2016 - a fast track process for housing.

The developers had originally applied to build 536 residential units, 104 houses and 432 apartments and ancillary works on the land, which had previously formed part of lands of St Pauls College, a Raheny secondary school.

The Board had in 2018 granted permission for the development but its decision was challenged in three separate proceedings from Clonres CLG, a local residents group, and by others.

Labour TD Aodhan O'Riordan said that it is likely that locals opposing the development will seek a judicial review into An Bord Pleanala's decision.

"The saga continues because I'm quite sure that over the coming days, local representatives and the I Love St Anne's campaign group will find some way to re-asses the judgement.

"It is desperately disappointing that An Bord Pleanala has made this decision.

"If nobody understood the importance of St Anne's Park before, they certainly have appreciated it during the lockdown. The ability to use that green space has been such a life saver for many people in terms of their mental health and physical health, to be able to get out and go to St Anne's.

"I think this decision today will be desperately disappointing to many more people who didn't realise before how important the park is to them."

He said that opposing the development is not a case of NIMBYism.

"I have supported a huge number of housing applications right across Dublin Bay North.

"This one is where two judicial reviews that I have backed in Dublin Bay North and both of them have proven to be successful.

"[These lands are] not intended to basically build a small town on what are playing pitches," he added.

"It's a case of trying to protect playing fields."

"What I don't think is appropriate is the rezoning of the city to be thrown to one side to benefit a developer. That's what's been done, it's been done in the past in this city and it's being done again now."
Politicians from across the divide have rounded on Sinn Fein's Martina Anderson for claiming the Troubles victims' pension would mainly benefit "those who fought Britain's dirty war in Ireland".

Earlier Justice Minister Naomi Long said that the scheme could cost up to 800m.

Ms Anderson tweeted: "800m 4 pensions mainly for those who fought Britain's dirty war in Ireland. 800m mainly 4 those involved in collusion.

"800m mainly 4 British troops like Paras who murdered people on Bloody Sunday and Ballymurphy. 800m mainly to discriminate and criminalise and exclude."

Read More

The DUP urged the Sinn Fein leadership to sanction the Foyle MLA for her "deeply offensive tweet". The SDLP called on Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill to clarify their position on her tweet, which was later deleted.

In a damning High Court ruling last week Sinn Fein was ordered to stop blocking the implementation of the pension scheme. The party claims the criteria discriminate against former republican prisoners.

Expand Close Justice Minister Naomi Long / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Justice Minister Naomi Long

The Justice Minister branded Ms Anderson's tweet "an outrageous, gratuitous insult to all those who will qualify for the pension".

Mrs Long said: "Sinn Fein have a right to their view about how the Government has implemented the pension. They have a right to make their case, as has every party. They do not have a right to launch such vitriol at those who will qualify or smear them in this way."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood described Ms Anderson's comments as "unacceptable, disgusting and grossly insulting to hundreds of victims who sustained life-changing physical and psychological injuries".

Calling for an apology, he said: "The campaign Sinn Fein has waged against delivering this pension, forcing victims who have endured decades of hardship living with deep physical and emotional scars to go to court to get what they deserve, has been deeply disturbing.

"How much more insult can Sinn Fein add to the injury that these victims have sustained?

"How much more pain are they willing to inflict on people who have survived the most horrendous atrocities? Martina Anderson is a senior Sinn Fein MLA. Her party president Mary Lou McDonald and joint First Minister Michelle O'Neill should urgently clarify if they believe victims applying for this pension are 'mainly those who fought Britain's dirty war' or were 'involved in collusion'."

UUP MLA Doug Beattie said: "Tweets like this confirm the complete lack of integrity from Sinn Fein.

"Having spent years denying the rights of innocent victims to a pension, and followed that up by disobeying the law, we now have this piece of deluded nonsense from Martina Anderson."

Mr Beattie said the party seemed determined to "slur" IRA victims and was showing it was shameless and had "an appalling lack of humanity".

Expand Close DUP MLA Gary Middleton / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp DUP MLA Gary Middleton

Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton described Ms Anderson's comments as "patent nonsense".

He said: "The Sinn Fein leadership must deal with this shocking tweet.

"This cannot be allowed to go unchecked.

"People who have lived most of their lives with shrapnel from an explosion in their body - or who are haunted with the smell, taste and noise of a bombing - should not be labelled by Martina Anderson."

He added that he would be "exploring with the Northern Ireland Assembly authorities whether this statement is in fact a breach of the Members' code of conduct".

He said: "In my view it falls well short of decency, never mind the standards expected from an MLA."

TUV leader Jim Allister said that Ms Anderson could "always be relied on to lower the tone" but her "outbursts" likely reflected Sinn Fein's actual thinking better than the contributions of "some of its more subtle figures".

Asked to comment on Ms Anderson's tweet, Sinn Fein said: "The proposed victims' pension scheme is not the type of scheme envisaged under the Stormont House Agreement and is completely inconsistent with the legal and agreed definition of a victim.

"It's our view that this scheme will be exclusionary, discriminatory and divisive. Its policy intent was and remains to create a hierarchy of victims and reinforce the British state narrative around the conflict.

"Sinn Fein remain committed to delivering a pension scheme which is based on equality and open to everyone who was seriously physically and psychologically injured during the conflict."
The adorable two-door convertible can hold its own in kei races, and, more importantly, its highly customizable nature allows owners to go stir crazy on custom projects. There are a myriad of ways that you can customize the Copen, including, in this case, turning to Japanese tuner extraordinaire Liberty Walk with a specific requirement: turn it into a Nissan R35 GT-R.

In the world of Japanese kei cars, the Daihatsu Copen often gets lost in the shuffle, overshadowed by models like the Honda Beat, Suzuki Cappuccino, and yes, even the Autozam AZ-1.

Whats the Daihatsu Copen?

The Daihatsu Copen is a two-door Japanese kei car that burst into the Japanese car market scene in 2002. Its now in its second generation, and, not surprisingly, the Copen has enjoyed a successful run, in part due to its sports-car-like looks and peppy-for-its-class performance. No ones going to mistake the Copen as a legitimate performance car thanks to the 660-cc three-cylinder engine that produces 63 horsepower. .

Owing to its kei car roots, the Daihatsu Copen isnt available in the U.S. market. Over in Japan, though, the tiny kei car sells for around $15,000 to $18,000.

What kind of tuning opportunities are available to the Daihatsu Copen?

A little perspective might be in order here. First of all, theres not much you or anyone can do with regards to tuning the Copens 660cc three-cylinder engine. Over in Japan, kei cars are subject to strict rules and taxation regarding the size of their engines and the emissions these engines produce. So if youre looking to add a turbocharged four-cylinder engine into your Copen, youll not only have a hard time fitting that engine into the car, but you also run the risk of violating Japans laws regarding kei cars.

In other words, stay away from any engine upgrades when it comes to kei cars like the Copen.

But as far as other modifications are concerned, you can go as nuts as you want. You can even ask Liberty Walk to turn your Copen into a Nissan GT-R.

What kind of conversion does Liberty Walk offer for the Daihatsu Copen?

This is probably the most fun tuning kit weve seen in a while. The front section of the Copen is a near carbon copy of the 2020 Nissan GT-R. Other than the headlights, everything is almost identical.

Liberty Walk even added Nissans signature V-motion front grille to go with the vented hood and the intake setup, complete with those strips of LEDs. The riveted fender flares and the GT-R-esque rear bumper are all clear callbacks to Godzilla.

The only addition that you can call unique is the massive rear wing at the back of the Copen.

Then again, the GT-R boasts the same setup so you might as well call that another form of imitation on Liberty Walks part.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, isnt it?

In this instance, the answer is a resounding yes! Nothing about this conversion suggests that Liberty Walk was going for a look that isnt taken directly from the Nissan GT-R. Its as if the tuner  or maybe it was the owner  wanted the Copen to pay homage to the GT-R .

Its a shame that the conversion ends in the exterior. It wouldve been sick if the tuner managed to find a way to drop the GT-Rs 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 into the Copens engine bay. Then again, such work requires serious physical changes to the kei car, not to mention all the laws and regulations that Liberty Walk stands to violate if it actually pulled off that conversion.

How much does the conversion cost?

Probably the best part about this conversion is that all of it costs only around $4,000, and thats after taxes. Thats a cheap price to pay for the results that youre getting. Mind you, that price is just for the Copen-to-Godzilla conversion kit. The cost of the kei car  around $15,000 to $18,000  isnt included in that total. All told, youre looking at a cost of around $19,000 to $22,000 for this whole bit. Its a small price to pay for the opportunity to roll around Tokyo or Osaka in a faux Nissan GT-R.

Final Thoughts

Im geeked about this conversion, but Im also sad about it. I cant get enough on how incredible the Copen looks in the GT-R costume. Its awesome in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, the downside to this project is availability. The Copen isnt available in the U.S. so youre going to have to a lot of backflips to get one stateside.

Love it Incredible looks Captures the visual look of Godzilla Youd want to be seen in it

Leave it Performance is far from GT-R-like Availability is a question mark Definitely not for everyone



Source: Liberty Walk
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 07:30:25|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on Aug. 19, 2020 at the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve of San Mateo County shows a helicopter flying over the dense smoke of wildfires in San Francisco Bay Area, California, the United States. (Photo by Dong Xudong/Xinhua)

California Governor Gavin Newsom said Monday that more than 14,000 firefighters and more than 2,400 engines now are working to contain the hundreds of wildfires.



SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. state of California has seen 7,012 fires burn 1.5 million acres (about 6,070 square kilometers) to date this year, compared to last year at this time when 4,292 fires had burned 56,000 acres as of Monday, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Fires in Northern California's LNU Complex alone, the largest blaze in the state with 350,000 acres (about 1,416 square kilometers) in size as of Monday, have destroyed 871 buildings, damaged 234 and threatened 30,500, while its containment grew to 22 percent, Cal Fire reported on Monday. Five people have died in the LNU Complex, bringing the state's total confirmed loss of life to seven.

Photo taken on Aug. 19, 2020 at the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve of San Mateo County shows the dense smoke of wildfires in San Francisco Bay Area, California, the United States. (Photo by Dong Xudong/Xinhua)

Of the 350-plus recreation sites in the San Francisco Bay Area, only about 150 are still open. Parks were being closed from smoke, dangerous fire conditions or fire activity, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said Monday that more than 14,000 firefighters and more than 2,400 engines now are working to contain the hundreds of wildfires. Some 2,200 California evacuees from wildfires now are in emergency shelters around the state. 
Former Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Buttigieg endorses former U.S. Vice President Biden's campaign for U.S. president during a Biden campaign event in Dallas

By Matthew Lavietes

NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - As the U.S. Democratic National Convention drew to a close, Pete Buttigieg, the party's first openly gay presidential candidate, took to the virtual stage to note the historic significance of his campaign.

"The day I was born, close to where I'm standing here in South Bend, the idea of an 'out' candidate seeking any federal office at all was laughable," said Buttigieg, who came out in 2015 after being elected mayor of South Bend, Indiana, in 2012.

"Yet earlier this year I campaigned for the presidency, often with my husband at my side, winning delegates to this very convention."

Buttigieg's high-profile candidacy, along with a record number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people running for office this year, has cemented 2020 as one of the most progressive election cycles in U.S. history.

This year, more than 880 openly LGBT+ candidates have appeared or will appear on ballots across the country, nearly double that of 2018, according to the LGBTQ Victory Institute, which supports LGBT+ candidates.

The U.S. political landscape has shifted rapidly, with 843 openly LGBT+ elected officials at all levels of government nationwide - double that of 2016, it said.

Still, LGBT+ people hold only 0.17% of elected positions nationwide, the Institute found, while making up 4.5% of the population.

Attitudes have changed since Kathy Kozachenko became the first openly gay person to win an election in 1974, securing a city council seat in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

"This city is being taken over by hippies and faggots," fellow councilman Clyde Colburn told local media in the Midwestern city at the time.

With the advent of AIDS in the 1980s, which decimated a generation of gay and bisexual men, a wave of homophobia scapegoated potential LGBT+ leaders.

It was not until 1999 that Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin became the first openly gay politician to be elected to Congress.

Story continues

Before her, politicians, including Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank and Arizona Congressman Jim Kolbe, only came out after being elected.

CHANGING ATTITUDES

President Donald Trump's 2016 victory as a political outsider has encouraged more LGBT+ candidates to stand this year, said Don Haider-Markel, a political science professor at the University of Kansas.

Before Trump, under-represented groups like women, African-Americans and LGBT+ people feared they could not get elected because they were not visible in mainstream politics, he said.

"A lot of those perceived barriers weren't really that real in the first place, but they've kind of been removed in the sense of, 'well, if he can do it, I can do it'," he said.

The surge in candidates can also be explained by Americans' shifting attitudes on LGBT+ rights and in response to the conservatism of the Trump administration, Haider-Markel said.

"I see it in large part as a reaction to the Trump era and the politics of Trump," he said.

Support for same-sex marriage, largely seen as synonymous with support for LGBT+ rights, has risen to 62% of Americans, according to the Public Religion Research Institute, compared with 36% in 2007.

"When I was growing up, there was no openly gay member of Congress and there was no one in public life from whom I could draw comfort and inspiration to be my authentic self," said Mondaire Jones, an openly gay Democratic candidate.

If elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Jones, who is from a New York City suburb, would be one of the first openly gay Black members of Congress, along with another New Yorker, Ritchie Torres. Both are favoured to win.

"It was never why I was running for office," Jones told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, describing 2020 as a "renaissance" for LGBT+ candidates.

"But I know the power of representation," he said, adding that he has received letters of thanks from LGBT+ youth all over the country during his campaign.

GENUINE LEADERS

Democrat Katie Dixon launched her campaign for the Kansas House of Representatives in January and in June, as she worked on LGBT+ issues for Pride month, came out as bisexual.

"I was like, 'I can't not say something'," said Dixon, whose parents and son did not know her sexuality at the time.

"It almost felt disingenuous to say, 'Oh I'm an ally, I'm an ally in this fight'."

Dixon went on to win her party's primary race.

"I've always considered this a liability and it's just not," she said. "You have to be genuine and people respond to that because they want genuine leaders."

Buttigieg bowed out of the presidential race in March after he came second in the New Hampshire primary, and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden's candidacy.

Despite his loss, he made a lasting change on U.S. politics, other candidates say.

"Mayor Pete broke a barrier at the highest level of politics," said Torres, who is seeking to represent New York City's South Bronx in Congress as a Democrat.

"Once there is a viable, openly LGBTQ candidate in a fiercely contested presidential primary, there's no longer a ceiling for as far we can go as a community."

(Reporting by Matthew Lavietes, Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst and Katy Migiro; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers the lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly. Visit http://news.trust.org)
The makers of Bigg Boss Telugu 4 are leaving no stone unturned to make the upcoming season more entertaining and safe amid the COVID-19 outbreak. As per the latest report, the contestants of the show who are currently under quarantine, are prepping themselves to enter the house soon. It is said that the quarantine period will end by August 29, and the contestants will be making their entry into the Bigg Boss house after their COVID tests come out negative.

The yet-to-become housemates are being monitored by doctors, who are recording their body temperature on a day-to-day basis. If the rumours are to be believed the contestants will also have their check-up done on a daily basis once the show begins. The show will also follow all the lockdown and social-distancing norms with necessary precautions. Talking about the Bigg Boss Telugu 4 contestants, there are several names emerging on social media, including Poonam Bajwa, Hamsa Nandini, Sunitha Upadrashta, Mangli Chinmai, Akhil Sarthak and Viva Harsha.

As of now, the contestant names have been kept under wraps and the makers are gearing up to thrill the fans with their announcement only on the maiden episode of Bigg Boss Telugu 4. For the uninitiated, the show will reportedly be telecasted on Star Maa from August 30. The makers had recently dropped the teaser of the show featuring its host Nagarjuna in a unique avatar. On a related note, Nagarjuna had also hosted Bigg Boss Telugu 3, which became the talk of the town for his impeccable presentation. The last season gained high appreciation compared to all the previous seasons of Bigg Boss Telugu and the actor garnered love for his hosting skills.

Bigg Boss Telugu 4: Nagarjuna Shoots Special Promo

Nagarjuna's Remuneration Per Episode Of Bigg Boss Telugu 4 Will Stun You!
More than 400 Lao students are expected to return to Vietnam via the central province of Quang Tri.

Authorities of Quang Tri have agreed to allow the students to enter the country via Lao Bao and La Lay border gates.

Lao Bao Border Gate in Quang Tri



The Lao students will come back to training facilities in the central city of Thua Thien-Hue, the southern province of Dong Nai and Hanoi to continue their study.



According to Quang Tri authorities, the province has recorded seven Covid-19 patients with thousands of people defined to have had close contact with the patients. The province is facing difficulties in ensuring quarantine conditions.



The province has asked Thua Thien-Hue Province which accounts for the highest number of Lao students to prepare Covid-19 prevention quarantine facilities to receive them. The two provinces are quite near from each other.



Meanwhile, the remainder of 23 students, with six due to go to Hanoi and 16 others for Dong Nai, will be isolated in Quang Tri as the number is low and the distance from Quang Tri to the two localities is quite far.



The Quang Tri Department of Foreign Affairs has been assigned to work with the Vietnamese Consulate General in Laos and Lao concerned agencies to arrange suitable time to take Lao students to return to Vietnam in line with Covid-19 prevention regulations. Dtinews

Dang Duc

Dozens of Lao students in Vietnam return home illegally Up to 56 Lao students studying at a college in the central province of Quang Tri have returned to their country without permission from authorities amid the complicated Covid-19 pandemic.
'Mr Bird, who has been on Pearsons board since May, spent several years as the chairman of Walt Disney International.' Photo: Pearson / PA

Educational publisher Pearson has turned to former Disney executive Andy Bird for a leader to guide the company through its move to become a digital-first business.

Mr Bird, who has been on Pearson's board since May, spent several years as the chairman of Walt Disney International, turning the media giant into a digital-first business - an echo of Pearson's own ambitions.

The 35-year industry veteran will be appointed once shareholders accept clauses in his pay package, which includes a more than 50pc rise in base salary compared to his predecessor John Fallon.

His pay package also includes 16pc of his base salary, or 200,000 (221,000), in cash in lieu of a pension, incentive plans, and money towards a New York flat "to be used for business purposes".

Parts of the plan will need shareholder approval, and Mr Bird's appointment in mid-October will depend on this, Pearson said.

Chairman Sidney Taurel said: "We are delighted to have secured someone of Andy's calibre, after an extensive search and selection process.

"Andy brings a wealth of international consumer experience, as well as significant expertise in building brands, transformational change and driving digital innovation.

"He is an inspirational and dynamic leader with an excellent track record of growth.

"Because of his experience and skills, he is extremely well placed to continue the transformation of Pearson, leading it to a new era of growth and enhancing value for all our shareholders," Mr Taurel said.

"The board and I congratulate Andy on his appointment and look forward to working with him."

Mr Bird said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to be joining Pearson as the next chief executive at an exciting time for the company.

"Since joining the board earlier this year I have quickly come to see the enormous potential across the company's businesses, the strength and dedication of the people who work here, and the great opportunities that exist for Pearson to become a digital- first learning company.

"I believe we have exciting prospects ahead and I look forward to playing my part in shaping the future of the company, with the leadership team, to unlock our full potential and achieve sustainable growth for all our stakeholders."
Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was blocked on Tuesday (August 25) due to landslide in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir. The landslide happened following heavy rainfall in the area.

It may be recalled that the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was reopened on Saturday (August 22) after remaining closed for past two days due to landslides.

"The highway was cleared for one-way traffic around 10 am. After clearance of the stranded vehicles, the traffic will be allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu," Deputy Superintendent of Police, National Highway, Ajay Anand told PTI.

Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir has been receiving heavy rains for the last few days, triggering landslides across the Union Territory.

The blocking of highway means that many passenger vehicles and trucks carrying essential commodities to Kashmir will not be able to reach the UT on time. Government sources said that these vehicles will be cleared on priority after restoration of the traffic on highway.
There was another night of riots and fire in Portland. How many more times do we wake up to a headline like this: "Portland police declare riot after fire set at precinct"?

According to the story, Governor Kate Brown has 7,800 National Guardsmen but refuses to activate them to deal with the situation in Portland.

This is a combination of lawlessness, incompetence, and dereliction of duty. Isn't protecting citizens an important responsibility of government?

First, lawlessness just brings you more lawlessness. We are dealing with anarchists and radicals. They want to destroy and will continue to do so until someone has the courage to stop it.

Second, this is incompetence because the governor's unwillingness to act will end up destroying the tax base. According to a July report, the estimated repair costs to public buildings is $300,000 and $4.8 million in property damage to businesses. I'm sure that the numbers have gotten larger in August.

Third, it is a dereliction of duty. Elected officials take an oath to enforce laws, and citizens pay taxes for public services, such as police protection.

Maybe these Democrat leaders think a President Biden will step in and bail them out. Don't bet on it, because the anarchists will keep burning, and the federal government does not have the money.

Wake up, Governor Brown. It's time to end this madness in Portland and defend the people who pay taxes.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

Public Domain.
After the break, her doctor referred her to Stanford Health Care, where Michael Gardner, MD, professor of orthopaedic surgery, spent three hours on March 10 piecing together the 47-year-olds shattered tibia and ankle joint with the help of metal rods and screws. Quivey was in the hospital two nights before going home to San Mateo, California.

She had to return to Stanford for imaging to ensure her leg was healing properly, but other follow-up visits took place in her apartment, with her smartphone.

After downloading an app that allowed her to talk with Gardner via video, she showed him and his team how well she could move her foot, discussed her pain medications and described her progress in physical therapy. She held the phones camera over her leg so they could check her incision.

It was so easy, said the pharmaceutical representative and mother of a 13-year-old and a 10-year-old. Its so hard to find the time, being a mom with two kids and working. With a video visit, I can see my doctor on a break from work.

Back before COVID-19, Christopher Sharp, MD, chief medical information officer of Stanford Health Care, had been encouraging physicians, nurses and other providers to conduct online visits when patients didnt need tests or hands-on care. Progress was slow  in 2019, fewer than 2% of patient visits were conducted virtually  but that was expected. Legal, reimbursement and technological hurdles had to be sorted out, and some patients and clinicians were reluctant.

Then came the coronavirus. By mid-April, 70% of Stanford Health Care visits were virtual, with nearly 50,000 patients having their first online medical encounter. Visits at Stanford Childrens Health exploded as well: Its crazy how quickly it happened, said Natalie Pageler, MD, chief medical information officer at the childrens hospital. In just a few weeks, online pediatric patient visits mushroomed from 35 a day to more than 500.

Other health care organizations have also seen a surge in online visits, though few are as dramatic as Stanfords: Based on insurance claim data from nonprofit FAIR Health, telemedicine across the nation grew from 0.38% of visits in February to 13% in April.

Insurance companies and government agencies aided the transition by quickly changing their rules to reimburse online health care. Everyone got comfortable with virtual visits overnight, Sharp said.

Once Stanford resumed non-emergency procedures and Bay Area counties starting lifting shelter-in-place restrictions, the number of online encounters dropped. They currently make up about 40% of all visits at Stanford Health Care, and Sharp is confident theyll remain popular among patients and physicians.

Telemedicine just makes sense for a lot of people, he said. Its especially useful for working parents or people with transportation problems.

Sharp now hopes to push telemedicine to the next level, in which patients wear devices that measure heart rate, glucose levels, blood pressure and other indicators, then transmit that information to a health care team.

We see a possibility for a change in paradigm, where the doctor-patient relationship becomes more of a continuous interaction, instead of a twice-yearly meeting, he said. A lot of digital medicine is about building connections. Its a very patient-centric mode of contact.
For the first time in two decades, Girl Scout uniforms are getting a makeover.

Over the course of their 108-year history, Girl Scout uniforms have been designed by icons like Mainbocher, Halston and Bill Blass. Now students at the Fashion Institute of Technology are taking a stab at it.

Girls Scouts of the USA has given the green-light for three students to reimagine the traditional uniform for older scouts to better reflect what they want from their clothing. The new apparel collection, designed for scouts ages five to 17, was created by Nidhi Bhasin, Jenny Feng and Melissa Posner, FIT students from the Fashion Design class of 2020.

The trio offered a variety of options, like cotton-blend and crewneck T-shirts, full-zip hoodies, drawstring joggers, pocketed spandex leggings, cargo pants, a soft knit skater dress, and a light-washed denim jacket  each sporting the iconic Girl Scout trefoil. The size range extends up to 3XL, and prices range from $10 to $49.

Girl Scout uniforms have morphed from the original homemade dark blue middy blouses and skirts with sateen ties in 1912 to Mainbochers loose-fitting dress designs in the Forties, Halstons Seventies blazers and skirts and Bill Blass kelly green dresses, pants and dropped shoulder blazers in the Eighties. More recently, Girl Scouts have donned green vests with their earned patches, along with white tops paired with skirts or pants.

The student designers were selected by leadership from the FIT DTech Lab, an entity within the colleges Innovation Center. They completed the designs using 3-D virtual prototyping and an apparel design software platform that ensures minimal waste and eliminates the need for physical sampling. The Girl Scouts and students conducted focus groups with current scouts to gain insight into what they wanted to see in the designs.

Girl Scouts really helped strengthen my self-confidence and encouraged me to pursue my interests. With this collection, our shared goal was to not only design trendy attire, but also make sure that girls would feel inspired, proud and powerful while wearing each piece, Bhasin, one of the designers and a Girl Scout alumna, said. Todays Girl Scouts are the next generation of leaders, so we needed to make sure they dress the part so they can continue to take on the world.

Story continues

The redesigned official uniform includes a new khaki utility vest for $34 and pocket sash for $14 option made exclusively for Girl Scouts in sixth grade through high school. The vest has a cinched waist and epaulet shoulder, and features two functional front pockets. The sash, in four-way stretch woven twill, also has built-in hidden cellphone pockets for easy storage.

Wendy Lou, deputy chief revenue officer of the Girl Scouts, who oversaw the project, said, At the Girl Scouts, we move at the speed of the girl and adapt our programming and apparel to meet their needs and the world we live in.

The girls, as well as more than 59 million alumni, Lou said, have a strong affiliation for the Girl Scout brand and how they represent their connection to it.

For over a century, weve updated our uniforms every decade or so to reflect the trends at that time, but never quite in this impactful of a way. We heard from some of our older Girl Scouts that they were craving uniforms that were contemporary and functional but also fully customizable to reflect their unique personalities. These are girls that are making serious change in their local communities and, in some cases, on a national level, so its important to us that they feel their best while representing us and everything we stand for, she said. This collection includes fresh updates to our distinctive uniform pieces  like the vest and sash  but also several other apparel options for everyday life, like joggers or a cargo skirt with functional pockets for smart phones and more, so Girl Scouts (and nonmembers) can proudly demonstrate their association.

All items are available for preorder at girlscoutshop.com/gsstyle. Consumers can save 10 percent on any item through Sept. 8, 2020 with promotion code 10GSStyle.

Today there are 2.5 million Girl Scouts, consisting of 1.7 million youth members and 750,000 adults working mostly as volunteers.

Launch Gallery: Girl Scouts Uniforms Through the Years

Best of WWD

Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
When Representative Duncan D. Hunter of California and his wife, Margaret, were accused by federal authorities in 2018 of spending nearly $250,000 of campaign funds to pay for a lavish lifestyle, they responded in two very different ways.

Mr. Hunter, a Republican and Marine Corps veteran, denied any wrongdoing, accused prosecutors of participating in a deep state conspiracy and even sought to put the blame on his wife, saying that she was in charge of the family finances.

Margaret Hunter, on the other hand, quickly admitted wrongdoing, cooperated with investigators and offered to testify against her husband, officials said.

That difference, the authorities said, helps explain why the two received such different sentences after both pleaded guilty to a single charge of conspiracy to steal campaign funds. Mr. Hunter, who resigned from office, was sentenced in March to 11 months in federal prison.
Cambridge University has joined the global race to find a coronavirus vaccine and could begin clinical trials within months.

Scientists at the prestigious institution are working on a vaccine they hope could protect against other coronaviruses, as well as the one that causes Covid-19.

It won't target the 'spike' protein on the outside of the virus, as other scientists are attempting, but will try to mimic a more complete version of the pathogen itself.

And the team are trying to make the jab needle-free, designing it so it can instead be administered using a burst of air from a jet injector, which forces the liquid through the top layer of skin using pneumatic pressure.

They say the type of vaccine they're making has proven safe in the past and appeared to work for in trials for SARS, a similar type of coronavirus disease.

The British Government has given the researchers 1.9million to develop and test out their vaccine in the hope that it will prove successful.

The university's fierce rivals in Oxford are already in large-scale human trials of their own experimental injection, with hundreds of millions of orders already placed by governments around the world.

Hopes of the Covid-19 pandemic coming to an end and life returning to normal mostly hinge on a working vaccine being found so that people can live without fear of the virus.

Scientists at Cambridge University (Pictured: Queens College at the university) have joined the global race to find a vaccine that works against Covid-19

The vaccine is being developed by Cambridge scientists and a spin-off company called DIOSynVax, dedicated solely to producing vaccines.

It is different to jabs being made by Oxford and Imperial because it uses whole DNA  two strands of genetic material  instead of RNA, which contains one strand.

The researchers say this makes the vaccine more stable and versatile, allowing it to be freeze-dried and used in the jet injector delivery system.

This would make it particularly helpful in poorer countries where it is difficult to keep the product refrigerated or to get access to needles and syringes, for example.

And it also focuses on different parts of the coronavirus than other vaccines in development are doing.

While most choose to target the spike proteins on the outside of the coronavirus, the Cambridge team said immunity based on antibodies produced against these spikes may be weak and short-lived.

Research has found that not everybody who gets Covid-19 develops this antibody immune response, and some of those who do only have low levels of it.

A different type of immunity called T cell immunity, however, appears much stronger and this is what the Cambridge team want to develop.

To do this they are focusing on developing a wider range of sections of the virus so the vaccine would still recognise the virus if its spikes mutated, and which could also make it effective against other types of coronavirus.

Graphic explains how the Cambridge University vaccine could work, and how it differs to the ones made by Oxford and Imperial College London

The team also added that interaction between antibodies and the spike proteins can sometimes trigger an immune system over-reaction which could be harmful.

Dr Rebecca Kinsley, chief operating officer of DIOSynVax and a PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge, said: 'Most research groups have used established approaches to vaccine development because of the urgent need to tackle the pandemic.

'We all hope the current clinical trials have a positive outcome, but even successful vaccines are likely to have their limitations  they may be unsuitable for vulnerable people, and we do not know how long their effects will last for, for example.

HOW DOES A JET INJECTED VACCINE WORK? Jet injection is a way of administering a vaccine without using a needle and syringe. It has been used for decades but is less common than the standard 'jab' form of vaccination. It works in a similar way, however, and still contains a small quantity of liquid which holds the vaccine inside it, and inserts this into the body where it is picked up by the immune system. A jet injector gun forces the vaccine liquid through the top layer of skin in an extremely high-pressured, tiny stream which is propelled by gas pressure inside the device. It uses pneumatic pressure to force the liquid through the top layer of skin where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. One benefit of the jet injector is that it is almost contact-free - except that the end of the gun must touch the skin - so the risk of cross-contamination may be lower than with needles, which have the potential to be re-used in unsafe environments or poor countries. It is possible, however, that bodily fluids can get onto the gun and carried to the next patient. Advertisement

'Our approach  using synthetic DNA to deliver custom designed, immune selected vaccine antigens  is revolutionary and is ideal for complex viruses such as coronavirus.

'If successful, it will result in a vaccine that should be safe for widespread use and that can be manufactured and distributed at low cost.'

Professor Jonathan Heeney, founder of DIOSynVax added: 'Our strategy includes targeting those domains of the viruss structure that are absolutely critical for docking with a cell, while avoiding the parts that could make things worse.

'What we end up with is a mimic, a synthetic part of the virus minus those non-essential elements that could trigger a bad immune response.'

To develop the vaccine the DIOSynVax team have harvested genetic material from all known coronaviruses, including those in bats - the natural hosts - and ones that infect humans but cause mild illnesses like common colds.

They hope this will help to make the vaccine more general and able to build up immunity against numerous types of virus in case another one jumps to humans in the future.

Using the genetic material the researchers can work out how to produce antigens of the coronavirus.

An antigen is a part of the virus that the body recognises as an invader, and which triggers an attack from the immune system.

The spike protein is one type of antigen, but the Cambridge team have tried to incorporate other sections of the virus as well to tackle more bases.

When the DNA coding for these antigens is inserted into the body, it forces the immune system to reproduce them and then immediately learn how to destroy them, which in turn generates immunity in case someone gets the virus for real.

The researchers have got funding from UK Research and Innovation and will be trialled at University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, potentially as soon as autumn.

Professor Saul Faust, director of the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility, said: 'It is critical that different vaccine technologies are tested as part of the UK and global response to the pandemic as at this stage no one can be sure which type of vaccine will produce the best and most long-lived immune responses.

'It is especially exciting that the clinical trial will test giving the vaccine through peoples skin using a device without any needles as together with stable DNA vaccine technology this could be a major breakthrough in being able to give a future vaccine to huge numbers of people across the world.'

Cambridge's attempt to make a vaccine comes alongside dozens of other institutions around the world all scrambling to develop one that works.

There are more than 100 being made and in various stages of testing and top medics and public health officials expect one to be completed some time next year.

Although the Holy Grail would be a 'sterilising' vaccine, which completely destroys and stops the virus, scientists say it is more likely they can make one that simply prevents people from dying and turns Covid-19 into a mild cold-like disease.

Russia is the only country to have officially approved a vaccine but it came under heavy criticism for not doing proper clinical trials and scientists are sceptical of it.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Patpicha Tanakasempipat (Reuters) Bangkok, Thailand  Tue, August 25, 2020 08:10 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c402d96a 2 SE Asia Facebook,Thailand,Facebook-groups,pro-democracy,lese-majeste,Monarchy Free

Facebook on Monday blocked access within Thailand to a group with 1 million members that discusses the country's king, after the Thai government threatened legal action over failure to take down content deemed defamatory to the monarchy.

The move comes amid near daily youth-led protests against the government led by the former military junta chief and unprecedented calls for reforms of the monarchy.

The "Royalist Marketplace" group was created in April by Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a self-exiled academic and critic of the monarchy.

On Monday night, the group's page brought up a message: "Access to this group has been restricted within Thailand pursuant to a legal request from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society."

Pavin, who lives in Japan, said Facebook had bowed to the military-dominated government's pressure.

"Our group is part of a democratization process, it is a space for freedom of expression," Pavin told Reuters.

"By doing this, Facebook is cooperating with the authoritarian regime to obstruct democracy and cultivating authoritarianism in Thailand."

Facebook declined to answer Reuters questions about blocking the group.

The company has said that when it receives complaints of posts violating local laws, it may restrict the availability of the content in the country.

Thailand has strict lese majeste laws that forbid defaming the king, with penalties of up to 15 years in prison.

Earlier this month, Thailand's digital minister accused Facebook of not complying with requests to restrict content, including insults to the monarchy.

On Aug. 10, he gave Facebook 15 days to comply with court takedown orders or face charges under the local Computer Crime Act, which carries a fine of up to 200,000 baht ($6,367.40) and an additional 5,000 baht ($159.18) per day until each order is observed.

"The deadline is almost up and Facebook understands the context of Thai society, so they cooperate," ministry spokesman Putchapong Nodthaisong told Reuters.

The ministry last week filed a separate cybercrime complaint against Pavin for creating the group.
Syria condemns Turkish force's move to cut off drinking water in Hasakah

Iran Press TV

Monday, 24 August 2020 6:08 PM

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has condemned in the strongest terms Turkish military forces' latest decision to cut off the drinking water supply in the country's northeastern province of Hasakah.

The ministry, in a statement released on Monday, denounced the measure as an act of war crime and a crime against humanity under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions that apply in times of armed conflict and seek to protect people who are not taking part in hostilities.

"Turkey and its proxies, with the blessing of the US administration and allied terrorists, have used water as a weapon against Syrian women, children, the elderly and disabled people for inhumane and political purposes, stopping the pumping of water from Allouk station for 16 times over the past few months," the statement read.

The statement noted that the measure has prevented water from reaching residents of the provincial capital city of Hasakah and other neighborhoods over the past two weeks, and that it comes at the time when locals have to bear scorching weather conditions and rising cases of coronavirus infection.

The Syrian foreign ministry highlighted that the Damascus government as well as national humanitarian organizations and provincial authorities have activated mechanisms to deal with the situation, but deployment of US and Turkish forces to the northern part of Syria is slowing down the process.

The ministry then called upon world bodies, particularly the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and leaders of the European Union to assume their responsibilities and honor UN Charter plus international law.

The statement stressed that Turkish and US military forces, Daesh and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Takfiri terrorists and militants affiliated the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue to undermine Syria's sovereignty and independence in a gross violation of the international law and UN Charter.

On Friday, Syria's permanent representative to the UN Bashar al-Jaafari appealed to United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to intervene immediately and to utilize all available means in order to stop water supply cut by Turkish troops in Hasakah.

Guterres, for his part, said he is aware of the situation in Hasakah and that he has already tasked the UN team in Syria as well as UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, with adopting all necessary measures to resolve the matter quickly and deliver humanitarian aid to all affected people until Allouk pumping station becomes operational again.

On October 9, 2019, Turkish forces and Ankara-backed militants launched a long-threatened cross-border invasion of northeastern Syria in a declared attempt to push Kurdish militants affiliated with the so-called People's Protection Units (YPG) away from border areas.

Ankara views the YPG, which is supported by the White House, as a terrorist organization tied to the homegrown Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region in Turkey since 1984.

Two weeks after the invasion began, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, signed a memorandum of understanding that asserted YPG militants had to withdraw from the Turkish-controlled "safe zone" in northeastern Syria within 150 hours, after which Ankara and Moscow would run joint patrols around the area.

The announcement was made hours before a US-brokered five-day truce between Turkish and Kurdish-led forces was due to expire.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Altron CEO Mteto Nyati has slated the ANC, saying it has gone past its sell-by date and is no longer relevant to the economic and social challenges of our times.

Nyati is one of the top technology executives in South Africa who has been in charge of Altron since April 2017.

Under his leadership, the companys share price more than doubled  from R1,100 per share in April 2017 to its current level of R2,252.

Nyati transformed Altron by putting diversity and inclusion at the core of Altrons turnaround strategy.

High-profile executives like Nyati seldom criticize the ruling party or the government for fear of retaliation and losing government business.

He broke this mould, however, saying that to save South Africa, we must stop our collective silence on corrupt friends, colleagues, and leaders.

He continued to lambaste ANC leaders on Twitter and called for change in South Africa.

The leaders have buried their heads in the sand. It is time for change. We must create our own future, he said.

He added that South Africa suffers from the inability of its leaders to hold others and themselves accountable.

SA does not have a corruption problem. We have a blind loyalty sickness, said Nyati.

This statement sparked a lively debate on Twitter, with 144 comments and 813 re-tweets at the time of writing.

The ANC has gone past its sell by date. It is no longer relevant to the economic and social challenges of our times. The leaders have buried their heads in the sand. It is time for change. We must create our own future. #PutSouthAfricaFirst  Mteto Nyati (@mteton) August 22, 2020

How to fix the country

Speaking to Tefo Mohapi last year, Nyati said a common vision is needed in South Africa to fix the country and grow the economy.

Nyati said at Altron he created a common vision where every employee feel they have a future at the company.

They dont think this black guy who is leading is only leading for black people. Everyone feels that if they do their bit, they can reach any level, he said.

He said you cannot have an environment where people with great skills and the ability to add value do not feel they belong in South Africa.

We have a new narrative  which comes from the radical economic transformation narrative  where we moved so far from our constitution which says South Africa belongs to all of us, he said.

We now think of South Africa from a colour or race perspective. There are people who we say do not belong here.

He said South Africa needs to embrace all different races and cultures to help to fix the country with an inclusive vision.
Cars queue at the Victorian border near a police checkpoint in Albury, Australia on July 8, 2020. (David Gray/Getty Images)

Australian Business Groups Seek Clearer Border Rules

Further damage to the Australian economy could be expected unless the states agree to a uniform set of border controls, business groups have warned.

Almost 30 groups have signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state and territory leaders warning the piecemeal border closures are impacting families, destroying jobs and crippling the economic recovery.

A transparent and easily understood set of nationally consistent principles is urgently needed, the groups said.

This would allow states and territories to apply a uniform set of internal border controls in response to outbreaks or changes in conditions.

Business Council chief Jennifer Westacott says while the border closures have been important to deal with COVID-19 they have ignored the way modern business operates.

We urge national cabinet to agree to a national framework that clearly sets out the thresholds of when internal border controls can be implemented and how they would apply, she said.

Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers said the states were listening to medical advice.

The absolute worst thing for the economy would be another outbreak of the virus, he told the ABC.

The economy is expected to show a substantial contraction when official figures are released next week, Morrison told parliament on Aug 24.

However, there is a glimmer of hope that confidence may be on the mend, which would be a boost for retailers in the months ahead.

The ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence rose 2.4 percent last week, ending seven weeks of consecutive declines, as employment rose again in the latest official figures and on early signs that Victorias COVID-19 outbreak had peaked.

The latest confidence reading is due on Aug. 25.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics will also release its latest payroll data, a special series to give a frequent guide to how the labour market is performing during the pandemic.

The latest official labour force report showed more than 340,000 jobs have been created across the country in the past two months, resulting in only a further modest tick up in the official jobless rate to 7.5 percent.

But taking into account those still employed but working zero hours, Treasury estimates the employment increase has been even greater.

That brought the national effective unemployment rate down to 9.9 percent after peaking at 14.9 percent in April.

But it warns Victoria faces up to 400,000 job losses as a result of harsh coronavirus restrictions, which would see the national effective unemployment rate increase above 13 per cent again.

Colin Brinsden in Canberra
One day after an estimated 200,000 people flooded the streets of Minsk demanding longtime leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka to step down, the council established to facilitate a transfer of power met the reporters in the Belarusian capital for the first time.

Members of the Coordination Council made clear that Lukashenka, whose 26-year reign was extended in the disputed August 9 presidential vote, would have to wake up to the new political reality.

Belarus has changed and authorities will have to talk to us, Maryya Kalesnikava, a council member and close ally of its creator, the self-exiled opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, said August 24.

Lukashenkas government has responded to the councils challenge this way: his prosecutor-general has opened an investigation, claiming the council is attempting to seize power illegally and of having an anti-Russian agenda. Two of its members have been arrested. Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich was called in by the powerful Investigative Committee for questioning on her participation with the council.

Now, instead of planning for a possible post-Lukashenka future, the council finds itself parrying the governments propaganda blows, said Kamil Klysinski, a senior fellow at the Warsaw-based OSW Center for Eastern Studies.

Tsikhanouskaya announced the creation of the Coordination Council on August 18, nine days after the vote. The goal was to ensure a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Belarus which erupted after Lukashenka was declared the winner with some 80 percent of the vote, giving him a sixth straight term in office.

Official results said Tsikhanouskaya won only 10 percent of the ballots; something she and her supporters have rejected, saying the vote was falsified.

At the same time that council members were being arrested, Tsikhanouskaya, who fled to Lithuania as protests erupted in Minsk, met with a senior U.S. diplomat in Vilnius. The meeting, with the number two diplomat at the U.S. State Department, was the latest in the Western efforts to encourage Lukashenka to talk to his opponents, especially the Coordination Council, whose members include a former Lukashenka government official.

Soon after polls closed on August 9, Belarusians took to the streets to protest what many suspected was yet another rigged election, a vote that was not even monitored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

In the ensuing crackdown, some 7,000 people were detained and hundreds beaten; many have complained of torture and maltreatment while in police custody. The EU and United States have led condemnations of the vote and crackdown.

At a Minsk news conference on August 24, opposition lawyer Maksim Znak said as many as 600 people were involved with the Coordination Council; about 70 formed its backbone, and seven were on the groups presidium. He invited all Belarusians to join the councils activities.

We are for cooperation and dialogue with all countries, especially with neighbors, said another council member, Paval Latushka, a 47-year-old former ambassador, Foreign Ministry spokesman, and ex-culture minister.

Since 2019 he has been the head of Minsks oldest theater, the 19th century Janka Kupala National Theater.

Last week, after speaking out against the government, Latushka was fired from his post and the theater has become a flashpoint for the demonstrations.

He told the news conference that the sight of detainees emerging from prison with bruises and complaining of punishment beatings convinced him to join the protests.

Besides Latushka and Alexievich, a beloved and renowned cultural figure whose health has reportedly deteriorated, the council includes several dozen prominent civic leaders.

Lukashenka, meanwhile, has gone to extremes to paint the group as subversive while he also appears to be warming up again to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Belarusian leader has also put troops on alert amid unfounded allegations NATO forces are gathering on its western borders, a claim the Western military alliance has rejected.

On August 21, as part of the criminal probe that claimed the council was aimed at seizing power and undermining the national security of Belarus, Znak was called in for questioning by the Investigative Committee.

Znak earlier had filed an official complaint with the Supreme Court calling for the election results to be ruled invalid.

Three days later, on August 24, outside the Minsk Tractor Factory, authorities detained two council members: Volha Kovalkova, a top aide of Tsikhanouskaya, and strike organizer Syarhey Dyleuski. They were accused of attempting to organize an unauthorized protest rally at the plant.

Both appeared in court after spending a night in jail. Dyleuski was sentenced to 10 days in jail.

Another member of the council, lawyer Lilia Vlasova, was also summoned to the Investigative Committee on August 24 for questioning.

Alexievich, who has accused Lukashenka of launching a war against his own people with the crackdown, was due to appear before the Investigative Committee for questioning related to the council on August 26.

And more institutional pressure continued to pile up on August 25, when the head of the countrys Supreme Court ruled the council was unconstitutional.

The pressure on the council has drawn criticism from international organizations.

We are outraged by the launch of criminal proceedings against members of the Coordination Council, which has formed with the sole objective of facilitating a peaceful dialogue with the current government of Belarus, said Marc Behrendt, director of Europe and Eurasia programs at Freedom House, the U.S.-government-funded democracy monitor.

In e-mailed remarks to RFE/RL, Klysinski said the council had not yet become a focus of, or rallying point for, opposition groups.

So far the Coordination Council has not become an efficient and strong center of the protest movement or the main focus for all opponents of the regime, Klysinski said.

Moreover, the propaganda counteroffensive of the regime including accusations of being radically anti-Russian even strengthen the fear on possible political strategy, especially concerning foreign policy. Now, one of the main tasks of the council is to deny all those allegations, he added.

Crisis In Belarus Read our ongoing coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election, widely seen as fraudulent.

Meanwhile, as Lukashenka continued tightening the vice, Tsikhanouskaya received a public endorsement from U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun

"She is a very impressive person and I can see why she is so popular in her country," Biegun said after August 24 talks in Vilnius.

"The purpose of the meeting was to listen, to hear what the thinking is of the Belarusian people and to see what they are doing to obtain the right to self-determination," he added.

In a presentation before the European Parliament on August 25, Tsikhanouskaya repeated her appeal for countries to support the Belarusian people to achieve a "free and fair" election result.

"Belarus has woken up. We are not the opposition anymore. We are the majority now," Tsikhanouskaya told the parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.

Klysinski argued that as opposition grows, and the Coordination Council becomes more visible, Lukashenka will become more desperate and will likely resort to even harsher measures.

But Lukashenka is now so angry and upset and desperate to hold onto power that I doubt he will follow rational policy, he said. And that means strong repression of the council.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is riding on the wagon of political Islam to become the Caliph of the Muslim world. For ensuring his success, he has converted Turkey into a lab of political Islam during his 18-year rule. To radicalise the children and youngsters and to build an army of Islamic preachers, he has changed the entire education system of Turkey  dominated by political Islam and projecting Erdogan as the tallest Muslim leader.

The roots of his radicalism lie in the very fact that Erdogan is himself an alumnus of an Imam Hatip school - a set of schools for training Islamic clergymen in a traditional manner. He changed the purely religious nature of the curriculum into politicised Islam that is against the ethos of Turkish culture and shifted the focus of these schools to extremism.

As per some experts since Erdogan came to power, the number of such schools began to rapidly increase, taking the number from 450 to 5,000 in the past 18 years. The number of Imam Hatip schools has outnumbered the science schools in at least 61 provinces of Turkey. The army of preachers to carry forward Erdogans agenda is being build within these schools.

However, popular discontent against these schools have started erupting as these schools serve no purpose except radicalising students and after graduating from such schools, students are left with no skill sets, no scientific temperament, and eventually no job prospects in the real world.

A recent survey conducted by Ensar Foundation Centre for Religious Education has revealed that over 70% graduates from Imam Hatip schools regretted their decision of being educated from such schools. Besides, 73% graduates of such institutions said that they would not study at such schools, if given a second chance. While 68% students said that they were unhappy with studying at those schools and were uncertain about their future.The survey also revealed that most of the students admitted in Imam Hatip schools earlier had a poor academic record and failing to secure admissions in other schools, Imam Hatip was their last option.

According to the survey,  44% respondents confessed that they chose Imam Hatip schools after their poor performance in the national high school placement examinations  an exam that helps students to secure admissions in schools of their choice based on the marks secured in the exam.

To build a world dominated by political Islam, Erdogan needed to prop a similar model in Turkey itself. Erdogans party Justice and Development Party (AKP) is on a mission to destroy the secular fabric of the country since it came to power. It believes that through radical Islamic education, it can build and train its own staff. To serve the Purpose, besides brainwashing the parents, Erdogans party has also started to forcefully admit students in these schools.

Besides producing Islamic clerics and foot-soldiers for Erdogans political islamist aspirations, these schools have also started to take over the political economy of the country. The top posts of Turkey's administration and politics are being increasingly acquired by the alumnus of the Imam Hatip schools. The alumni of Kartal Imam Hatip High School, which is also the alma mater of President Erdogans son Bilal Erdogan, have taken over the top positions in the national airlines of Turkey - Turkish Airlines.

It is interesting to see that Nearly 80 schoolmates of Bilal Erdogan have taken over the top posts of the Airlines. The list also includes board members Arda Ermut and Ogun Sanlier, assistant general managers Abdulkerim Cay and Ahmet Olmustur, press undersecretary Yahya Ustun, head of advertising Rafet Fatih Ozgur, head of human resources Ebubekir Akgul, besides others.

However, this is not an exclusive case of nepotism related to Erdogan family and Turkish airlines. Earlier, Recep Tayyip Erdogan appointed his aide Mehmet Ilkar Ayci, also an alumnus of Kartal Imam Hatip school, as the chairman of the board of the Airlines. President Erdogans elder son Ahmet Burak Erdogan has also contributed in tarnishing the image of Erdogan family through nepotism. Manta Marine - the shipping company he is associated with, is facing allegations of corruption and favoritism as its funds have suddenly doubled and are increasing at a rapid rate. Ahmet Burat Erdogan is a senior partner in the airlines and is alleged to promote the company by making illicit favours. However, the door is not equally open for the common youth, leaving them with no other option than to indulge in criminal and radical activities.

The degradation of the youth through promotion of radical Islamist schools at one hand and making illegitimate favors to his own folks, Erdogan has killed two birds with one stone. Firstly, he is ensuring that his kins keep ruling the nation by controlling the resources and facing no tough competition from the Population with an unscientific temperament. Secondly, he is successfully creating an army of Islamic clerics which could further his political Islamist agenda across the world. In this way, Erdogan is taking Turkey towards a path of slow death and proving to be the worst thing that could have happened to the country.
Donald Trump's re-nominating convention this week is united around his vision for the party, but a loss in November will expose deep rifts in the GOP, forcing a battle over whether his brand of divisive, populist politics will last.

Win or lose, few in Republican politics think the party can ever return to the roots Ronald Reagan planted 40 years ago that embraced small government and an interventionist foreign policy.

That's because Trump managed to harness a Republican base that isn't likely to fundamentally change even if he loses. It is older, predominantly White and more rural - the same voters who gave rise to the populist Tea Party movement a decade ago - and few Republicans think they'll automatically embrace a more moderate vision of the party or a more moderate brand of Republican candidate.

For that reason, the traditionalists face an uphill climb. Trump's allies see the president as a Reagan-like figure who has re-made the Republican Party in a way that will last for a generation, said Andy Surabian, a former Trump White House aide who is now a Republican strategist.

"2024 is going to end up being a contest of people trying to prove that they have the ability to carry on the Trump torch, moving forward," Surabian said. "The path for the party is pretty set."

The problem with trying to move away from Trumpism after he's left Washington is that there may not be enough Republicans in their corner, and they would need to persuade Democrats and independents who are hostile to Trump to warm to a GOP candidate. Well-to-do, college-educated suburbanites focused on business-friendly policies, many of whom were turned off by Trump's coarse style, might be hard to bring back into the GOP fold.

That tension is evidenced by the absence at the convention this week of the only living Republican former president, George W. Bush, who won two terms in part by appealing to suburban moderates open to his message of "compassionate conservatism."

By contrast, Trump draws his support heavily from working-class, non-college educated voters - mostly men - who want to slash immigration and oppose growing multiculturalism.

Michael Steele, who served as Republican National Committee Chairman after President Barack Obama was elected in 2008, acknowledges the difficulty of fully remaking the party, but he would like to see the GOP alter its positions to be able to appeal to a more diverse swath of voters to remain relevant in a changing world.

"I think that's an important battle that has to take place," said Steele, a frequent Trump critic, who said he wants to see the party have the "epiphany" that Democratic nominee Joe Biden predicts will happen after Trump departs the scene.

"There's a reason why a lot of us have not left" the Republican Party, Steele said. "We think it's worth the fight."

The party doesn't lack for possible standard-bearers in a post-Trump world, as Republicans like Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan emerged as a vocal critic of Trump's handling of coronavirus. In Congress, Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse and 2012 nominee Mitt Romney, now a senator, have been anti-Trump voices.

But others in the party more likely to hew closely to Trump's playbook won featured roles at this week's convention. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley spoke Monday and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem will speak later in the week, both considered 2024 possibilities. Others include senators Tom Cotton, Tim Scott and Joni Ernst. Dan Crenshaw, a first-term congressman from Texas viewed as a future face of the party, will also speak.

To varying degrees, they've all allied themselves with Trump, as have other possible 2024 contenders like senators Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.

"We're already starting to see all this jockeying for what comes next," said Republican strategist Doug Heye.

Haley, in her address, seemed to be looking at both this election and, fleetingly, at what's next. "We will build on the progress of our past and unlock the progress of our future. That future starts when the American people re-elect President Donald Trump," she said.

Democrats took advantage of the split to build their own strength, inviting a half-dozen Republicans, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Ohio governor John Kasich, to their convention.

But at the GOP convention on Monday, speakers sought to tie Trump to the party's values.

"The Republican party is the pro-America party," said Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who sought to tie Trump's vision to the party. "President Trump is the pro-America candidate. This election is about who can preserve the values, principles, and institutions that make America great."

A November win for Trump would all but end the internal strife, unifying Republicans around his vision for at least another four years. It would compel 2024 aspirants to play to his formidable political base and elevate the politicians already embracing his populist movement.

The roots of Trump's rise go back to Pat Buchanan's challenge to George H.W. Bush in 1992, which fueled the rise of an isolationist, protectionist wing of the Republican Party, according to Nicole Hemmer, a presidential historian at the University of Virginia.

"The ferment has been there and the accelerant of social media has been poured over the top of it," Hemmer said. "I don't think it's going to become Mitt Romney's or John Kasich's party. That ship sailed long ago."

The GOP has tried to change its ways before, ordering up a famous "autopsy" after Romney lost to Barack Obama in 2012.

Among the conclusions: Republicans need to be more welcoming to gay and minority voters, give a greater voice to GOP governors and get out of its ideological cocoon.

Trump was openly hostile to that report, calling it a Republican "death wish."

Steele said such a report isn't possible now. "You're going to come back around on the other side and what are you going to say, 'Just kidding?' Voters aren't stupid," he said. "There are going to be consequences to the choices we have made over the last four years."

Some Republicans say they hope the party can return to a focus on ideals, rather loyalty to its leader once Trump is no longer in office. They're also hungry to show they can competently run the country, concerned that Trump's widely panned handling of the coronavirus pandemic may have undermined confidence in the GOP's ability to govern.

Trump has already made a mark on congressional races, boosting loyalists and torpedoing traditional figures who openly defied him. Several primaries in House and Senate races have boiled down to which candidate will be most loyal to Trump.

In two of the most dramatic examples, Laura Loomer - an anti-Islamic, far-right activist - and Marjorie Taylor Greene - a supporter of the QAnon conspiracy movement - won House primaries in Florida and Georgia, respectively.

A Trump loss could hurt the Republican Party in donations.

More than any other Republican, Trump has relied on small-dollar donors, who have given more than half of the $1 billion that he and the Republican National Committee have raised for his re-election. But so far, those donors haven't done the same for other GOP candidates.

Republicans are increasingly worried whether the party can appeal to his loyal base of small-dollar donors who've poured money into his re-election effort once he's no longer on the ballot.

After winning the Republican nomination in 2016, Trump quickly took control of the party, making it tougher for anti-Trump candidates to have a voice. He installed loyalists as chairmen of the RNC and 42 state parties. Members of Congress who clashed with him - including senators Jeff Flake of Arizona, who endorsed Biden on Monday, and Bob Corker of Tennessee - have retired.

Trump says the future of the Republican Party is Trump himself, often joking to rally crowds that he'll seek a third term in 2024, which would be unconstitutional. He leaves little doubt that he expects to maintain influence in the party well beyond his presidency, tweeting memes showing Trump yard signs into 2048 and beyond.

Yet some Republicans are sounding the alarm that the party's appeal to a mostly White voter base can't last.

Democrats win roughly 80% of non-White voters, and the country is on course to become a majority-minority country as soon as 2044.

"Eventually the Republican Party is going to have to adapt to demographic change," said Daniel Galvin, a Northwestern University professor and author of a book on presidential party building. "The question is what happens in the meantime."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 05:59:30|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on Aug. 21, 2020 shows a logo of the video-sharing social networking company TikTok's Los Angeles Office in Culver City, Los Angeles County, the United States. Video-sharing social networking company TikTok on Aug. 24 filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order banning any U.S. transactions with its parent company ByteDance. (Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Video-sharing social networking company TikTok on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order banning any U.S. transactions with its parent company ByteDance.

In the 39-page indictment acquired by Xinhua, U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and U.S. Department of Commerce were listed as defendants.

According to the document, TikTok accused the U.S. authorities of stripping the rights of the company without any evidence to justify the extreme action, and issuing the order without any due process as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles-based tech firm argued that the executive order is a misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), authorizing the prohibition of activities that have not been found to be "an unusual and extraordinary threat" in this case.

The executive order was issued "for political reasons rather than because of an 'unusual and extraordinary threat' to the United States, which is a condition for the President to exercise his authority" under the IEEPA, TikTok noted.

The plaintiffs, TikTok Inc. and ByteDance Ltd., seek a declaratory judgment and order invalidating and enjoining the executive order and any implementing regulations issued by the Department of Commerce later.

"The President's executive order is unconstitutional and ultra vires, and must be enjoined," the document read. Enditem
MOSCOW  The Kremlin on Tuesday denied having anything to do with the apparent poisoning of Russias most prominent opposition leader, Alexei Navalny.

"We cannot take these accusations seriously," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow. "Let's put it this way: Accusations that simply cannot be true in any way are empty noise. We do not intend to take them seriously."

Peskov also said that German doctors claiming to have found evidence of poisoning were rushing to conclusions.

Image: Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny takes part in a rally in Moscow, Russia (Shamil Zhumatov / Reuters)

The Charite Clinic in Berlin, which has been treating Navalny since he was airlifted out of Siberia by a German ambulance flight on Saturday, issued a statement Monday saying lab analyses showed Navalny was poisoned with a substance used in nerve agents.

It is important here to calmly analyze what was said and written, Peskov added. We have not learned anything new here. ... Unfortunately, the substance cannot be identified. The analysis done by both our doctors and German doctors is the same. But the conclusions differ.

Navalny fell seriously ill on a flight last week, forcing the plane to do an emergency landing in the Siberian city of Omsk, where he spent two days on a ventilator and in a coma in what doctors described as critical condition.

He was airlifted to Germany on Saturday after two days of lobbying by his family and supporters. While airlift was possible sooner, doctors in Omsk insisted Navalny was in no condition to travel, although his associates say authorities were stalling to allow any poison in his system to dissipate.

Navalny is one of Russia's best-known figures. An outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, he has spent much of the past decade in opposition politics as part of an anti-corruption investigation, publishing slick YouTube videos detailing official corruption at all levels.

These efforts have earned him many enemies in Russia beyond the Kremlin's walls.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement Tuesday that the United States was "deeply concerned" by reported preliminary conclusions from German medical experts that Navalny was poisoned.

Story continues

"If the reports prove accurate, the United States supports the EUs call for a comprehensive investigation and stands ready to assist in that effort," the statement said.

"Navalnys family and the Russian people deserve to see a full and transparent investigation carried out, and for those involved to be held accountable," it said.

Navalny would not be the first opponent of Moscow or Putin to be poisoned. Activist Petr Verzilov was poisoned in 2018, and like Navalny he fell into a coma and was evacuated to Berlin. In 2015, another opposition figure, Vladimir Kara-Murza, was similarly poisoned.

The Charite statement said that whatever substance was used on Navalny, while not yet identified, belonged to a group of cholinesterase inhibitors  which are used in pesticides, have some limited medical applications and are also used in chemical weapons.

The effect of the poison  namely, the inhibition of cholinesterase in the body  was confirmed by multiple tests in independent laboratories, Charite said in its statement Monday. As a result of this diagnosis, the patient is now being treated with the antidote atropine.

Doctors in Omsk have said that they did not find any sign of poisoning while tending to Navalny. The chief doctor of the Omsk hospital, Alexander Murakhovsky, reiterated this several times at a news conference Monday morning.

Navalny associates and supporters have suggested that the medical analysis in Omsk was subject to pressure from the Russian security services. Murakhovsky on Monday denied that there was any kind of outside influence on his analysis of Navalnys condition.

"I can say, as I have already said, that we treated the patient and saved him, Murakhovsky said in response to a journalist from an independent Russian TV station. "There was not, and could not have been, any kind of influence on the patient's treatment."
HARRISBURG  With a federal lawsuit from President Donald Trumps campaign on hold until October, it could be up to Pennsylvanias Supreme Court to settle crucial questions of election law in the presidential battleground, including whether to count mail-in ballots returned without secrecy envelopes.

The state Supreme Court could decide any day now whether to take over and fast-track a state Democratic Party lawsuit on a matter that could affect more than 100,000 ballots in the Nov. 3 presidential election.

The Democratic Partys lawsuit, among other things, asks the courts to order counties to count mail-in ballots that arrive without secrecy envelopes.

It is a gray area of the law, and Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, estimated the number of votes returned without secrecy envelopes is from 3% to 5% of all mailed-in ballots.

Thats a significant number, so that issue needs to be resolved, Costa said.

Trumps campaign in June sued in federal court to, in part, secure an order preventing those ballots from being counted. But a federal judge on Sunday put that case on hold, saying its claims must wait, at least until Oct. 5, to see if state courts settle them.

Pennsylvania authorized a broad vote-by-mail law last year at a prescient time, just before the pandemic fueled interest in voting by mail in the states June 2 primary election.

As a result, more than half of the 2.8 million ballots cast were mail-in or absentee ballots. That record-smashing number of votes-by-mail is expected to grow in the presidential election, when Pennsylvania could help decide the outcome.

Even with Trump baselessly excoriating mail ballots as fraudulent, both the states Republican and Democratic parties are encouraging members to vote by mail, and Trumps campaign is leaving door-hangers encouraging voters to sign up for your ballot today!

If at least 3 million people in Pennsylvania vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election, as expected, just 1% of that is 30,000 ballots, while 5% is 150,000 ballots. If 4 million people vote by mail, 5% is 200,000 ballots.

That is compared to the approximately 44,000 ballots that Trump won by in Pennsylvania in 2016 when he became the first Republican since 1988 to capture the states electoral votes.

Tim Benyo, the chief clerk of Lehigh Countys board of elections, said he doesnt remember the issue coming up as such a point of contention  until now.

A secrecy envelope is essentially an unmarked envelope that holds the ballot inside the return envelope and theoretically shields election officials and people authorized to watch vote counting from knowing a voters choices.

Pennsylvania is one of 16 states that require secrecy envelopes be provided to voters, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. But one of Gov. Tom Wolfs top elections officials messaged counties in May to tell them that there is nothing in the law that requires them or authorizes them to discard a ballot that is returned without a secrecy envelope.

A majority of counties counted them in the June 2 primary, the Democratic Partys lawsuit said.

Mercer County, which did not count them, set aside almost 400 ballots without secrecy envelopes out of about 8,300 cast. Another, Lawrence County, set aside about 430 ballots out of about 8,000 cast. Thats about 5% in both counties.

Lawrence Countys director of elections, Ed Allison, said he welcomes clarity on it.

If we get a ruling from the court or legislation telling us what we can and cant do, Im tickled to death, Allison said. As an election direction, any ambiguity that can be settled by a court of law or legislation, Im all for it. I dont necessarily have to agree with it, but it fixes it.

Last week, Wolfs Department of State issued updated guidance to counties that said naked ballots should be counted under the law.

In the meantime, Wolf and state lawmakers are discussing making a range of changes to election law to help fix glitches in the primary elections massive vote by mail before Novembers election.

Rep. Garth Everett, whose committee handles election issues, said he doesnt have a problem with the states guidance on handling ballots without secrecy envelopes. While lawmakers could still weigh in, it is not a sticking point, said Everett, R-Lycoming.

It may be a moot point now, Everett said.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.25

Trend:

Azerbaijans Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed an order on the allocation of funds for taking additional measures to eliminate the damage caused to the civilian population of the Tovuz district by shelling from the Armenian armed forces, Trend reports referring to the Cabinet of Ministers on August 25.

According to the order, funds in the amount of 450,000 manat ($264,710) were allocated from the reserve fund provided in the state budget of Azerbaijan for 2020 to the Executive Power of Tovuz district.

As earlier reported, following continuous ceasefire violations of Armenia's armed forces, the country launched another military provocation against Azerbaijan on July 12. Grossly violating the ceasefire regime, Armenian armed forces opened fire in the direction of Azerbaijan's Tovuz district.

The tensions continued on the border, July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed an Armenian stronghold, army vehicles.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Dentyl is the only UK mouthwash brand to take part in the 12-week study

Researchers will test whether or not gargling with Dentyl mouthwash can help prevent the spread of Covid-19 amid claims it could fight the virus.

Covid-19 patients at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales will take part in the research to find out if it has the potential to reduce the levels of the virus in saliva.

SARS-CoV-2  the coronavirus behind the pandemic which has killed 800,000 people  is an enveloped virus with an outer fatty (lipid) membrane.

Studies have suggested agents found in mouthwash  such as low amounts of ethanol  could disrupt the membranes of other lipid viruses.

For instance, researchers say iodine mouthwashes have proved very effective against SARS and MERS, two diseases caused by similar coronaviruses.

Dentyl  which contains the anti-microbial cetylpyridinium chloride  is the only UK mouthwash brand to take part in the 12-week study.

Professor David Thomas is the lead author of the study, titled: 'The measurement of mouthwash anti-viral activity against Covid-19'.

He said: 'We are very keen to start this much-needed clinical trial as our review of the literature indicated that we need to look deeper into the possible positive impact that mouthwashes may play on the transmission of Covid-19.

'We believe this is an exciting opportunity to determine whether a compound that can inactivate an enveloped virus in a test tube may work in humans, actively shedding the virus in the mouth and throat.'

HOW COULD MOUTHWASH FIGHT COVID-19? Coronaviruses belong to the class of 'enveloped viruses', meaning they are covered by a fatty layer that is vulnerable to certain chemicals. Studies have suggested agents found in mouthwash  such as low amounts of ethanol  could disrupt the membranes of other lipid viruses, in the same way as UV rays. For instance, researchers say iodine mouthwashes have proved effective against SARS and MERS, two diseases caused by similar coronaviruses. Scientists in May called for urgent research into the use of readily available mouthwash to reduce the spread of the virus. Advertisement

Jerry Randall, chief executive of Venture Life, Dentyl's parent company, said: 'We are excited at the prospect that this long-standing, well-known mouthwash product could help in the fight against Covid-19.'

The launch of the study comes after a group of scientists in May called for urgent research into the use of readily available mouthwash to reduce the spread of the virus.

Publishing their review in the Function journal, the authors wrote: 'We highlight that already published research on other enveloped viruses, including coronaviruses, directly supports the idea that further research is needed on whether oral rinsing could be considered as a potential way to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2.'

Lead author Professor Valerie O'Donnell, co-director of Cardiff University's Systems Immunity Research Institute, said at the time: 'Safe use of mouthwash  as in gargling  has so far not been considered by public health bodies in the UK.'

She added: 'This is an under-researched area of major clinical need  and we hope that research projects will be quickly mobilised to further evaluate this.'

The completed research will be peer reviewed before it is published in around six months' time.

It comes after experts last month claimed iodine mouthwash could destroy Covid-19 and prevent or reduce its effects if someone is already sick.

Researchers at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain said the specific type of mouthwash can have 'significant virucidal activity'.

Testing on a small group of patients with Covid-19, they found using the mouthwash reduced the number of viruses that were in their saliva.

Lower viral loads  the number of viruses circulating through the body  have been linked to milder symptoms and faster recovery.

Iodine mouthwash is stronger than popular shop-bought products such as Listerine or Colgate, which typically don't contain the antiseptic chemical.

Instead, they are more commonly used by dentists. One brand that contains iodine is Betadine.
MICHIGAN  More than 98,000 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Michigan as of Tuesday morning, according to the most recent data released by state health officials.

Michigan reported 779 new cases of the coronavirus Tuesday, bringing the statewide case total to 98,439. The state also said 20 more people have died from the respiratory illness, increasing deaths attributed to the virus to 6,417 in Michigan.

Health officials said that six of the 20 newly reported deaths were identified through a vital records search.

Don't miss important updates from health and government officials on the impact of the coronavirus in Michigan. Sign up for Patch's daily newsletters and email alerts.



Michigan ranks 18th in the U.S. in coronavirus cases, according to the World Health Organization. The state ranks ninth in the nation in deaths being attributed to the virus. Michigan has ranked as high as third in the nation in coronavirus deaths.



The World Health Organization reported that nearly 6 million cases of the coronavirus have been reported in the U.S. Over 181,000 people in the U.S. have died from the virus, with 3.2 million people have recovered from the coronavirus.

Nearly 24 million cases of the coronavirus have been reported around the world, according to the World Health Organization. More than 819,000 people across the globe have died from the virus, while over 16.4 million have recovered.

This article originally appeared on the Detroit Patch
A majority of Republicans believe the coronavirus death toll surpassing 177,000 in the US is 'acceptable' and the nations handling of the pandemic is 'going well', according to a new poll.

A new poll by CBS News-YouGov conducted between August 19 through 21 revealed that 57 percent of Republican respondents believe the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 'acceptable', and 43 percent deemed it 'unacceptable'.

Republicans were the only partisan group in which a majority of voters believed the number of virus deaths was acceptable.

In contrast, 90 percent of Democrats said the number of coronavirus fatalities was unacceptable and 10 percent said it was acceptable.

A majority of Republicans believe the number of coronavirus deaths surpassing 177,000 is 'acceptable' and that the nations handling of the pandemic is 'going well', according to a new poll

A new poll by CBS News-YouGov conducted between August 19 to 21 revealed that 57 percent of Republican respondents believe the US death toll for the devastating COVID-19 pandemic is 'acceptable', while just 10 percent of Democrats agreed

In answering a question on whether the number of US deaths are actually higher or lower than reported, 44 percent of all voters believe the number of fatalities is higher than the government says. However, only 18 percent of Republicans agreed

In the poll, 73 percent of Republicans said the nations handling of the pandemic is 'going well'. Overall 38 percent of voters of various political backgrounds said the handling of the pandemic was going well and 62 percent thought it was 'going badly'

Among Independents, 67 percent labeled the death toll as unacceptable and 33 percent found it acceptable.

In the poll, 73 percent of Republicans said the nations handling of the pandemic is 'going well'.

In that specific poll a total of just 38 percent of voters across all political parties believe the pandemic was 'going well'.

Over all 62 percent of voters said the White Houses handling of the crisis is 'going badly', but only 27 percent of Republicans agreed.

In answering a question on whether the number of US deaths is actually higher or lower than reported, 44 percent of all polled said the number of fatalities is higher than the government says.

A member of the medical staff treats a patient who is wearing helmet-based ventilator in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at the United Memorial Medical Center on July 28 in Houston, Texas

Houston Fire Department EMS medics prepare to transport a man with possible COVID-19 symptoms to a hospital on August 11 in Houston

However, only 18 percent of Republicans believe the number of fatalities is higher than reported and 64 percent of GOP voters believe the number of dead is actually fewer than reported.

The poll surveyed 2,226 US registered voters between August 19 to 21 and the margin of error was 2.4 percentage points.

As of Monday evening the US has reported more than 5.7million COVID-19 infections  a quarter of the worlds reported cases  and the death toll reached more than 177,000 fatalities - almost 22 percent of the worlds reported deaths.

President Donald Trump has been heavily criticized by the public and members of Congress for his handling of the pandemic and has clashed heads with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading expert on infectious diseases.

The president has come under fire touting hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the virus and has gone on Twitter sprees sharing posts in favor of the anti-malarial drug, despite disagreement from medical experts across the globe.

However, it seems that his Republican backing supports his work in office in handling the coronavirus crisis.

As of Monday evening the US has reported more than 5.7million COVID-19 infections and 177,000 deaths
The aftermath of a gas explosion in Armagh which destroyed a house and vehicles

More than 3,000 has been raised to help support the families left devastated in the aftermath of a massive gas explosion destroyed homes in Armagh city.

It happened in the Ardmore Avenue area on Sunday afternoon.

After the fire was brought under control, the roof of one house completely collapsed, with nearby vehicles gutted.

Yesterday, more than 150 people donated 3,200 to the families affected in an appeal launched by the Armagh I news outlet.

Sinn Fein councillor Garath Keating told the website: "The key thing is that nobody was hurt. It could have been very different.

"It really is a miracle that nobody was injured or hurt thanks to the very brave and heroic efforts of the Fire Service."
She was alone in her room in the nursing home. For the past two months, she had been receiving hospice care for heart failure and a chronic lung disease. Several years before, her family had made the decision to transfer her to the nursing home as her health care needs became unmanageable. As a mother, grandmother, and sister, she had plenty of visitors  often several times a week and always on Sunday. She seemed happy. The staff at the nursing home were very attentive, and the facility itself was clean, comfortable, even homey.

Then COVID-19 hit in March, and everything changed for this family: no visitations were allowed, no meals could be shared, no hugs or kisses allowed, no one to get closer than two arms' length away. The escalation from resident to hospice care occurred soon after the pandemic began lurking around the facility. The family believed that her deterioration could be correlated to the withdrawal of human touch from her loved ones.

She passed away in May with no family at her bedside, no one to hold her hand, no friend or relative to whisper something lovingly in her ear. While she died peacefully, she left this world utterly alone. It didn't have to be this way.

The circumstances of this story have been repeated thousands of times across the country and the world. Almost 50% of all COVID-19 deaths in this country have occurred in nursing homes. Most deaths in nursing homes, however, are not due to COVID-19. There are countless other causes of death. Yet all visitations have been banned for everyone in a U.S. nursing home. How does it make any sense to condemn an entire population of every nursing home in America to loneliness? Could such an edict do more harm than good?

Isolation is deadly  we have seen the highest suicide rates since the Great Depression. More children have died from suicide than COVID-19. The shutdown of houses of worship, schools, and businesses has had devastating consequences. It may take us years to recover from this foolish decision.

Consider this:

 If we can fly cross county safely with masks on, why can't we be with a loved one during their final days utilizing the same precautions? We have rapid COVID-19 testing where results are available within an hour. Couldn't this be employed by nursing homes to ensure that visitors are negative for the coronavirus?

 If we can shop safely at Costco with masks on, why can't we worship at a church, synagogue, or mosque just as safely? Surely being able to pray is just as important as finding large-quantity discounts?

 If we can safely wait in line to buy a bottle of liquor or a six-pack of beer, why can't we just as safely wait in line to vote on Election Day? Wouldn't all of us consider voting equally important to getting a buzz on?

 Why can't children attend school in person, but adults can attend a rally of any size they like? Children are very low-risk for contracting COVID-19. Note that as of August 18, 2020, only one child under the age of 18 has died of COVID-19 in the state of California, yet many more have died of influenza. We do not routinely close schools due to an outbreak of influenza, yet we are closing them all over the country because of the threat of this virus. Our children are unnecessarily suffering from being out of school. I wish the fact that child abuse reporting is down 25% were the result of a less violent world. Unfortunately, we aren't that lucky. We have more abuse, only less reporting.

Looking at these instances, the conclusion is clear: COVID-19 is no longer a health care crisis; it is a crisis of the soul of America.

There is hope that a growing number of Americans are waking up to the reality that our American way of life is in jeopardy.

Like generations before us who waged war to protect America, we are being called upon to fight for the country we love. Although we are not at war, our fight is equally important and difficult.

Fight by questioning everything. Fight by supporting candidates for local office (school board and city council) who understand what is at stake. Fight by running for office yourself. Fight by peacefully protesting. Fight by writing letters to the editor or posting on a social media site.

Pixabay
Best Men's Linen Shirts (and How to Wear Them)

11 Linen Shirts for Every Occasion

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

Product photos from retailer site.

Linen fabric has long been a durable, dependable summer-friendly fabric made from the flax plant. According to Encyclopedia Britannica: Flax is one of the oldest textile fibers used by humans; evidence of its use has been found in Switzerlands prehistoric lake dwellings. Fine linen fabrics have been discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs.

RELATED: Best Short Shorts for Men

Thanks to its ability to conduct heat well by absorbing and releasing moisture quickly, garments and fabrics made from linen feel cooler in warmer months, making them the ideal option for men looking to elevate their style above the ofttimes chosen cotton t-shirt. This is why come summertime, you'll see linen pants, a blazer, a jacket, and even a full on linen suit - the breathability of pure linen natural fiber makes linen shirts a classic menswear staple for the warm weather wardrobe. Whether it be for a special occasion, that extra hot summer day, or even everyday wear, there seems to only be one real drawback of natural fabric texture Wrinkles.

It's time you forget what youve been told about the fiber from flax you know as linen. Times have changed, and it's time to appreciate the very look and nature of the loosely woven classic fabric. The wrinkles of linen are actually what make it great. When someone wears the flowy fabric, its showing an ease  a comfort in wearing a fabric that couldnt be too formal if it tried. Sure, suits and dress shirts can be found frequently made from linen, but its inherent qualities keep it apart from a tightly woven super 150s wool-silk or a 100% Egyptian cotton broadcloth.

Simply put: embrace the wrinkle.

Best Linen Shirts for Men

How to Wear Linen Men's Shirts

Introducing a linen shirt into your wardrobe  warm weather wardrobe, everyday wear, or somewhere in between  might seem intimidating. If you are used to swapping out your button front shirts for a simple polo style, then you can easily grab one of these and wear it just about the same way.

Do: Wear it untucked, with casual jeans, chinos, or shorts whenever you feel the need to be cool - both literally and figuratively.

Wear it untucked, with casual jeans, chinos, or shorts whenever you feel the need to be cool - both literally and figuratively. Dont: Take it too seriously. Relax. There is a common misconception that linen is an unforgiving luxury fabric that needs to be reserved for a special occasion. That is simply not true. Linen can be washed and dried just like all of your other clothes (although always read washing instructions) so it should be worn like all your other clothes.

Take it too seriously. Relax. There is a common misconception that linen is an unforgiving luxury fabric that needs to be reserved for a special occasion. That is simply not true. Linen can be washed and dried just like all of your other clothes (although always read washing instructions) so it should be worn like all your other clothes. Do: Consider wearing it into the fall. Much like linen sheets (we are a big fan), linen clothing is actually great to incorporate into your cold weather wardrobe as well. Its a sturdy fabric that can actually help regulate temperature all year long, not just during the hot summer days.

Consider wearing it into the fall. Much like linen sheets (we are a big fan), linen clothing is actually great to incorporate into your cold weather wardrobe as well. Its a sturdy fabric that can actually help regulate temperature all year long, not just during the hot summer days. Dont: Overthink it. Pick a style that you think you would wear and then go for it. The nature of this style is to be lightweight and airy, so dont go for anything too slim fit. Fabric does stretch out a bit over time, but you should still aim to buy the size that fits you naturally.

If you want to feel safe, grab a solid option and ease into the stye. If youre looking to dive into the deep end of this trend, go for a bold floral print that will surely get you noticed. If you are feeling somewhere in between, dont worry, there are plenty of options for you guys too.

Weve picked out 11 men's linen shirts that we think that you should take a serious look at for the warm temperatures that remain.

Best Overall Linen Shirt

UNTUCKit Wrinkle-Resistant Linen Shirt

This is the linen shirt for the modern man. Featuring UNTUCKit's signature untucked design and wrinkle-resistant linen fabric, this is how linen is done these days. This shirt works with just about anything, for less than $100, hence why its our pick for one of the best linen shirts for men.

From $50 at UNTUCKit.com

Best Relaxed Linen Shirt

Tommy Bahama Sea Glass Breezer Linen Shirt

Youd swear this Tommy Bahama shirt was a washed Oxford with a cutaway collar at first glance, but look again. It's linen all the way. Keep this tucked or leave it untucked with dark jeans, light chinos - even throw it on with a pair of white linen pants and get into full on vacay mode.

$99.50 at TommyBahama.com

Best Short Sleeve Linen Shirt

Amazon Essentials Short Sleeve Linen Shirt

Swap this short sleeve linen shirt from Amazon for your go-to polo or T-shirt when you want to up the sophistication factor while remaining cool and comfortable. This style works well with light denim, chinos of just about any color and of course, your best summer shorts.

$22 at Amazon.com

Best Linen Shirt on a Budget

28 Palms Relaxed-Fit Long-Sleeve Linen Shirt

Starting at under $10, available in over 10 colors, and ranging in sizes from XS to XXL, this shirt from 28 Palms should satisfy just about anyone looking for a linen button down shirt on a budget. We suggest wearing it open on the beach, but you can wear it closed with jeans or board shorts away from the water as well.

From $8 at Amazon.com

Best Loose-Fitting Linen Shirt

Everlane Linen Standard Fit Shirt

The woven stripe may be subtle on this Everlane shirt, but less can certainly be more when it comes to linen. We suggest you wear this untucked with just about anything. Not sure if you like this incredibly neutral and natural color well enough to drop the way below retail price? Youre in luck, over half the colors available are on sale, for even less.

$50 at Everlane.com

Best Linen Dress Shirt

Polo Ralph Lauren Custom Fit Linen Shirt

If you absolutely have to dress up the perennially casual fabric, why not do so with a brand that knows how to dress up better than just about anyone? This bold button-down shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren looks great under a suit jacket, with a pair of seersucker trousers, tucked into crisp chino shorts  basically anything you will end up wearing to a semi-formal event in the warm weather, this shirt is a must.

$110 at RalphLauren.com

Best Patterned Linen Shirt

J.Crew Short-Sleeve Linen Shirt

Just relax with a bold tie dye design from J.Crew. It may stand out from those other button down numbers you have hanging in your closet, but don't let that intimidate you. Throw this on over a t-shirt and wear it with shorts or casual pants for an easy, lightweight summer layer.

$59.99 at JCrew.com

Best Casual Linen Shirt

Abercrombie Camp Collar Button-Up Shirt

Camp collars have become a wardrobe must (trust us on this one) so why not add one like this from Abercrombie to your rotation? It's designed to be the most casual iteration of the summer style staple. The flat hem along the bottom of this blue-hued linen-blend makes it an untucked-only and the camp collar means you cant get too stuffy and buttoned up. Even better, the linen-cotton blend helps take this into fall, winter, spring, and summer all over again  meaning youll be able to wear this all the time.

$24.99 at Abercombie.com

Best Linen Camp Collar Shirt

Dandy Del Mar The Tonga Linen Shirt

If you really want to nail the camp collar trend, go with one with a seriously summer print. Not your everyday white linen shirt, this is the summer shirt you'll want to make your signature casual look for every spontaneous backyard BBQ, while at the same time, thrown in your bag for all day trips to the beach. If youre looking to add extra flare, grab a straw boater hat and your best huarache sandals and go enjoy the hot, humid summer nights.

$119 at DandyDelMar.com

Best Linen T-Shirt

Inis Meain Melange Linen T-Shirt

Pair this slubby, slouchy, seriously chic shirt with your cuffed selvedge denim for a perfect summer variation on your jeans and T-shirt outfit.

$110 at MrPorter.com

Best Linen Henley

Bonobos Short Sleeve Linen Henley

Not your basic boring white tee  which has its time and place  and not that stuffy long sleeve business you might not be too keen on wearing with any regularity, this henley from Bonobos is both stylish and sophisticated. Wear it with the usual jeans or shorts, or go bold with white denim, contrasting trousers or even a seven inch corduroy short to really amp up the retro feel. This is so stylish, it even works under a jacket.

$88 at Bonobos.com

Linen seems to be everywhere lately, so these mens linen shirts are just the tip of the iceberg on the subject. If these dont strike your flax-fiber fancy, use them as a jumping off point to let you know whats trending and stylish and make a note as to where to start when adding one to your warm weather wardrobe or add them to your everyday wear rotation. Youll be ready for the yacht in no time.

You Might Also Dig:

AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. To find out more, please read our complete terms of use.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 20:48:25|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have developed a more targeted approach to control fall armyworm by using drones to spray a new kind of granular pesticide, according to the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).

Fall armyworm larvae usually live deep inside corn leaves, making it difficult for liquid pesticides to reach through traditional spraying methods.

Researchers from the Institute of Plant Protection under the CAAS developed a kind of granular pesticide that can fit into the structure of corn leaves and drop directly into the plant section where fall armyworm larvae live.

The granular pesticide, with each particle having a diameter of 0.3 to 0.5 mm, can be sprayed using drones. Field experiments showed that spraying granular pesticides is more effective than spraying traditional liquid pesticides.

The institute has signed a cooperation agreement with relevant biotechnology companies to improve the manufacturing technique and spraying technologies of the granular pesticide, in order to promote large-scale application, according to the CAAS. Enditem
He attacks his own appointees at the Food and Drug Administration and the FBI. An incoherent list of second-term agenda items his campaign (finally) released Sunday pledges to drain the swamp, whose ranks he has multiplied; to Cover All Pre-Existing Conditions, the coverage of which is at risk only because the Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to gut such protections afforded by Obamacare; and to End Bureaucratic Government Bullying of U.S. Citizens and Small Businesses, when it is Trumps own bullying and weaponized bureaucracy that have drowned Americans and their businesses in administrative bloat and uncertainty.
The priority tasks set before the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine by the President of Ukraine  Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will be achieved in full, Defense Minister Andriy Taran has said.

Among the priority tasks of the Defense Ministry are further reform of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the development and strengthening of their combat capabilities, the implementation of NATO standards on the path of further integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic region. It is also the provision of the latest weapons and military equipment to the units of the Ukrainian army, primarily those that are performing combat missions in the Joint Forces Operation area, Taran said.

The minister also stressed that the Ukrainian side adheres to a full and comprehensive ceasefire and continues to resolve the situation in eastern Ukraine through political and diplomatic means.

Taran promised to continue to pursue a policy aimed at strengthening the social protection of servicemen. It refers to the creation of decent conditions for military service, the provision of military and their families with housing, decent reimbursement, priority right to enroll in educational institutions, free education, appropriate medical care, development of medical infrastructure, etc.

According to the minister, all these tasks are of paramount importance and require consolidation of efforts, persistence and determination from both the leadership of the Defense Ministry and all personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Taran stressed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine stand ready to succeed in achieving the set goals.

ish
When a 26-year-old Uber driver walked into a California deeds office two years ago, it was the real-estate equivalent of a butterfly flapping its wings and causing a tsunami half a world away.

Hired by an elderly Chinese passenger to do more than drive, he began shifting titles to luxury U.S. hotels owned by Beijing-based conglomerate Anbang to shell companies run by one Andy Bang. The events that followed  including nearly $1 trillion in claims  will be under scrutiny in a Delaware courthouse starting Monday in one of the most eccentric cases in the states history.

The timing of the title transfers in 2018 was hardly coincidental. The Chinese government had declared that Anbang, a multi-billion-dollar holding company, was a fraud, and sentenced its flamboyant founder, Wu Xiaohui, to 18 years in prison as it sought a buyer for the hotels. The South Korean asset manager Mirae Global won the competition for the $5.8 billion purchase that included the Essex House on Central Park South and the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay Resort in northern California.

What Mirae didnt know was that, as the authorities were closing in, Wu used a Delaware law to make an agreement with the shell companies and protect his interests. In other words, the South Koreans promised to buy hotels that Anbang may no longer have owned.

Or, as the Chinese argue, the title transfers, along with eye-popping awards approaching $1 trillion, may have been part of a massive fraud and not worth the paper on which theyre printed. Either way, the South Koreans want out of the deal; the Chinese  in the form of a reconstituted Anbang now partly known as Dajia Insurance Group  say thats not an option. Judge Travis Laster of Delaware Chancery Court has the unenviable task of deciding whos right  as well as whether the plunging value of the hotels, due to Covid-19, is another basis for scrapping the purchase.

At a court hearing earlier this year, Laster questioned whether Andy Bang is a real person or part of some criminal syndicate. He called the case odd and exceptional and seemed to credit Dajias assertions that the case involved potentially insubstantial shell companies who were using the courts for nefarious purposes.

In response to a request for comment, Mirae said that at trial, it will show that Anbangs effort to frame this litigation as a case of buyers remorse due to Covid-19 was a smokescreen designed to divert attention from the fraud and concealment, and Anbangs breach of the sales agreement, that are the true reasons why this transaction did not close.

Dajia officials in China didnt respond to a set of questions for this article. But a representative in New York pointed to a May statement in court by one of its lawyers, Adam Offenhart, asserting that Mirae is basically cloaking itself with the cloud generated by these fraudsters, by people that courts on two coasts have dismissed actions because they refused to appear or because they thought fraud was involved.

Zhao Yan, an officer of one of the Delaware companies, said in a telephone interview that the firms arent fraudulent and arent working for Wu but for themselves and to defend private property against wrongful taking by the Chinese government. Zhao, a former journalist for The New York Times who spent three years in a Chinese prison on what were widely viewed as trumped-up fraud charges, was considered a crusading investigative journalist 15 years ago.

Waldorf Astoria

The story starts with Wu, an ex-car dealer whose third wife was the granddaughter of former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping. In 2004, Wu set up an insurance company for the growing Chinese middle class. As premiums poured in, he went on an $18-billion buying binge starting in 2014. He snapped up New Yorks Waldorf Astoria hotel for nearly $2 billion and bought Dutch insurer Vivat. In 2016, he acquired Blackstone Groups Strategic Hotels & Resorts unit for $6.5 billion. That companys luxury lineup featured San Franciscos Westin St. Francis, the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the Half Moon Bay. (He also began talks to buy 666 Fifth Avenue, the marquee tower owned by the family of President Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner.)

Delaware Shells

But in 2017, weeks before his arrest, Wu signed an agreement empowering the Delaware limited-liability shell companies to act on his behalf. Under Delaware law, owners of such companies arent listed in public records.

The pact, written in Mandarin and referred to in court papers as the DRAA Blanket Agreement, relies on the Delaware Rapid Arbitration Act, created in 2015 for speedy recognition and payment of arbitration awards.

The agreement authorizes the recording of grant deeds transferring ownership of properties held by Anbang including hotels, banks and bank branches. It gives Wus family and other signers of the contract claims to the hotels, including the Waldorf Astoria.

The 15-page contract also specifies that if Chinese regulators seize Anbang, the Delaware companies can sue it. And if the Chinese authorities learn about the existence of the pact, the signers contend their lives are in danger and arbitration panels can impose massive penalties to be paid to the LLCs.

The signers were, on one side, Wu and Chen Xiaolu, an ex-Chinese military officer and son of a former mayor of Shanghai, and on the other, one of the LLCs, the Amer Group, and Andy Bang. After being questioned by the authorities about Anbang two years ago, Chen died of a heart attack.

Zhao wrote in his brief that as part of the collateral backing up the DRAA, Anbang agreed to put up 16 hotels and four other properties valued at at least $9 billion, and pledged $1 billion in cash as a performance bond.

The Amer Group owns the U.S. trademark to An Bang and has had long-running litigation, both in the U.S. and China, over it with Anbang, although some here and there suspect Amer is working with Wu on the alleged scam. A lawyer for Wu, Chen Youxi, declined to comment on anything related to Anbang.

Embezzlement

Three weeks after the DRAA contract was finished, Wu was arrested. A year later, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison for fraud and embezzlement of more than $12 billion. He also had assets worth 10.5 billion yuan ($1.65 billion) confiscated, including four villas.

With Wu in a cell, the Chinese government took over Anbang and injected 60.8 billion yuan ($8.8 billion) to insure its solvency.

Four months later, the Uber driver, Daniil Belitskiy, walked out of the San Mateo County recorder of deeds office with ownership papers to the Half Moon Bay resort. Over the next three months, he did the same with five other resorts in California  the Four Seasons Silicon Valley, the Montage Laguna Beach, the Ritz Carlton Laguna Nigel, the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco and the Lowes Santa Monica Beach Hotel. All were transferred to Delaware shells.

A person familiar with the case said Belitskiy, who didnt return calls, got into the title-transfer business after he picked up an Uber fare named Andy Bang.

One of the more perplexing questions is: Who is Bang? Some in the case say hes the on-the-ground supervisor of the scheme, dispatching Belitskiy and then seeking to monetize the ownership claims. They say he also uses the pseudonyms Mike Martin, Joe Martin and Boss Chou to communicate with the Delaware companies lawyers and others. His real name may be Hai Bin Chou, Anbang contends. We believe he is the natural person behind these LLCs, Shireen Barday, one of Anbangs attorneys, told Laster at the January hearing. She also said he signed the incorporation papers for several of the firms.

Most of the emails made public in the court hearing are not from Bang but from Mike Martin, who describes himself in one of them as an 86-year-old former lawyer. In other emails, hes described as a native Chinese speaker.

For a while, Martin was in close touch with Evan Williford, a Delaware attorney who represented the shell companies for five months in 2019. He told Judge Laster Bang and the Martins appear to be real. For all I know, these are three separate people, he said at the January hearing. Williford didnt respond to calls and an email seeking comment.

Emails Made Public

No matter what his name is, an elderly Chinese man using the moniker of Andy Bang visited the Montage Laguna Beach Hotel in November 2018, according to emails made public during an August court hearing. The man said he was a person familiar with Anbang from previous associations, and he shared his knowledge about the company and its chairman, Matthew Hart, an executive of the Anbang unit that operated the hotels, said in a November 8, 2018 email. The visitor also asked to review the propertys financials, Hart noted. The hotel refused.

A month later Belitskiy transferred title to the 30-acre resort, where rooms go for more than $770 per night, to Andy Bang LLC, one of the Delaware shells, according to public records.

Chinese regulators said they knew nothing of this when they sold the properties to Mirae Global. Miraes lawyers claimed that Dajia, which has taken over many Anbang assets, knew as early as March 2019 about the DRAA agreement when it came up in a trademark dispute between the Amer Group and Anbang in Beijings Intellectual Property Court. They contend the company kept it quiet to ram the deal through.

Dajias lawyers say they learned about it only this year when the deal was about to close.

Dajia officials have said they didnt know about the DRAA arbitration panels convened in July, November and December 2019 to decide how much compensation the shells deserved for the hotels seizures. People familiar with the case said Andy Bang recruited the panelists.

Arbitrators

Most arbitrators are retired judges or lawyers but under the DRAA, parties can select anyone they agree upon. The Anbang panelists included pool cleaners, TV camera operators and a waiter at a Chinese restaurant, court filings show.

Three of the arbitrators live in a trailer park in San Raphael, California next to a car dealership. One served time on assault-weapons charges; others have minor criminal records, according to a report by Stephanie Douglas, a former FBI agent who investigated the arbitrators background for Dajia.

Guang Hui Dai, a waiter at Mings Chinese restaurant in nearby Tiburon, told Douglas he never attended an arbitration panel but signed a final award at the behest of Boss Chou, a regular customer.

The waiter, who speaks limited English, confirmed in an interview he went to no meeting about the dispute over the hotels and only recognized one name on the six-person panel on which he allegedly served.

The panels, which met in the office of Steve Nielsen, a lawyer based near San Rafael, awarded the Delaware companies a total of $810 billion in compensation over the loss of the hotels. It later grew to $936 with interest and escalator clauses. Nielsen declined to comment.

In his appeals court brief, Zhao criticizes Douglas for singling out arbitration panel members for being poor and living in a trailer park. He says the ex-FBI agents report is prejudicial and defamatory, and shows bias and despises in apparent scornful mood. Zhao also noted the arbitration law allows parties to choose their own arbitrators. What his the relevance for DRAA arbitrators being poor?

In August 2019, Mike Martin hired Delaware lawyer Williford for $20,000 and sought to use the DRAA to get payment. Williford noted all kinds of problems: There is a possibility the awards might generate a great deal of unanticipated litigation and/or be not as helpful to you as you wanted, he wrote.

Williford advised Mike Martin and Bang to translate the DRAA agreement, saying Laster wouldnt approve any awards otherwise. They werent happy.

We cannot translate stuff, otherwise we pay $180 billion. You pay for us? Martin replied in a Sept 5, 2019 email. Maybe Joe can fly over and show you the original stuff, you can check and see with yr own eyes just like cal attorney Steve did. Deal?

By October, Williford had enough and dropped Martin, Bang and the shells as his clients. His request to withdraw wasnt approved until December, however.

Martin and the shells then turned to Stamatios Stamoulis, of the three-man Wilmington law firm of Stamoulis & Weinblatt, who agreed to take the case for a $35,000 retainer. Last November, Martin indicated impatience with Stamouliss pace and emailed him, WE PREPARE BIG BONUS for u if the attorney would file the awards and get a court stamp. PLEASE RUSH TO FILE NOW.

Stamoulis and Nielsen warned Martin that submitting about $1 trillion in arbitration awards could draw undue attention. I agree with Stams thoughts on not getting the awards too high, Nielsen said in a December 13, 2019 email. Stamoulis declined to comment on his work for the shells.

$1 Trillion

Two days later, Stamoulis emailed Martin: you now have six judgments accepted and on the docket in Delaware for a total of about $1 trillion dollars (936,000,000,000 to be exact.)

In April, Judge Laster granted Dajias demand for a copy of the DRAA contract. He also OKed Stamouliss request to stop representing the shells. Stamoulis declined to comment for this article. Since no other lawyers have shown up at hearings for the Delaware LLCs, it seemed increasingly like the fraud argument could carry the day.

But things turned out to be not so clear. Last February, DLA Piper partner John Reed wrote to Stamoulis to say hed been hired by the shell companies to look into the DRAA agreement.

Reed said his preliminary probe showed many things do not add up if all of this is supposed to be some outright fraud.

He noted Anbangs litigation history with the Amer Group, that Chen proposed the pact empowering the shell companies and Wus signature on the agreement appears to match the signatures on the Anbang Insurances trademark litigation. Reed said it appeared the agreement was specifically created to deal with the remedies to be implemented from the outcome of the companies trademark fights. He also noted it was negotiated and drafted by the parties without the assistance of lawyers, which is not unusual in China. The lawyer wrote that he had colleagues in the firms Beijing office continuing to check the agreements legality. Then in May, DLA Piper quit as well. Reed declined to comment.

Meanwhile, Dajia launched actions to restore its title to the hotels and have the arbitration awards dismissed as fraudulent. Last month, Laster threw the awards out; the shells are appealing.

Lasters decision to throw out the arbitration awards because the shells dont have Delaware attorneys  or any lawyers  representing them amounts to a ripping off of the companies due process rights, Zhao said in his appellate brief. Such an outrageous final judgement should be reversed and vacated for gross violation of appellant/petitioners property rights, he added.

Miraes main contention is that Dajia violated the sales agreement by not informing them when they learned about the DRAA pact and the questionable title transfers. But Mirae Global has another problem. Covid-19 has killed business travel and halved the value of the hotel portfolio, their lawyers said in court filings. That alone could justify pulling the plug, they add.

Laster will rule on both questions.

With assistance from Dingmin Zhang.

Top photo: The JW Marriott Essex House in New York. Photographer: Robin Marchant/Getty Images North America

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics California Claims Fraud USA New York China
South Africa: Minister receives legal assistance request from Afriforum

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola on Tuesday confirmed receiving a mandamus application from Afriforum on behalf of the Republic of Botswana.

The application contains confirmatory affidavits purportedly signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions and Head of International Cooperation Unit at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions in the Republic of Botswana respectively.

This follows reports that Afriforum, a non-state actor, has been briefed to act on behalf of the Republic of Botswana to obtain mutual legal assistance from South Africas Central Authority for Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) and Extraditions, which is the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

Mutual legal assistance in criminal matters is a process by which States seek and provide assistance to other States in servicing of judicial documents and gathering evidence for use in criminal cases.

These requests are conventionally transmitted through diplomatic channels to provide for direct communication between central authorities of concerned states. Under normal circumstances, each state usually appoints a Central Authority to receive assistance requests and the Central Authorities communicate with each other directly and forward the requests for assistance to the competent authority in their respective States.

South Africa receives numerous Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) requests every year from states all over the world.

The enlisting of the assistance of a non-governmental organisation, to deal with such matters, which are purely of a diplomatic and bilateral nature, is unprecedented.

In international law, the SADC Protocol on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters makes no provision for non-governmental entities to serve as intermediaries between States whether solicited or not, since bilateral relations is the exclusive preserve of sovereign nations.

South Africa and Botswana enjoy strong historical relations dating back to the days of the struggle against apartheid.

To underscore the point, in the past year alone, South Africa has provided Botswana with mutual legal assistance on six matters.

We have taken note of the court application by Afriforum. The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services has subsequently instructed the State Attorney to oppose the application, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development said in a statement.

The Mutual Legal Assistance request in this case refers to an alleged element of money laundering.

Owing to the nature of the alleged crime which is a serious crime in South Africa, there is legal requirement for law enforcement agencies to conduct a preliminary investigation, as such, a request of this nature may become protracted and complicated by the multiplicity of law enforcement agencies involved.

This is not peculiar to South Africa, it is standard practice across the world. In our case the procedures on how such matters are to be facilitated are provided for in the International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Act, 1996 (Act 75 of 1996).

As sisterly nations do, we have been communicating directly with the Central Authority in Botswana, the Director of Public Prosecutions and Head of International Cooperation Unit at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions in the Republic of Botswana respectively.

The Republic of Botswana, through these established channels of communication has indicated that, on this matter in particular, a new request will be made.

This new request has not been received yet, the department said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China is looking to turn on the charm in Europe to push back against a U.S. campaign for allies to shun cooperation with Beijing.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi kicked off a week-long Europe tour Tuesday, with planned stops in Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, France and Germany. The trip comes on the heels of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's two visits to Europe in as many months, in which he warned that China poses a greater threat than Russia.

In Rome for a meeting with his counterpart Luigi Di Maio, Wang told reporters that China's relations with the European Union are on a positive trend. "But our relations are suffering from provocations and also damage from external forces, so we must concentrate on our common interests," Wang said without identifying those forces.

"I want to emphasize that China has never wanted to wage a cold war," Wang said. "We do not let other countries do so to push their own private interests, damaging the interests of other nations."

For China, the European trip is part of a broader push to stabilize key relationships around the world, particularly as the U.S. seeks to keep Huawei Technologies Co. out of 5G networks, rewire global supply chains and prevent Chinese apps like TikTok and WeChat from accessing American data. China has recently toned down its rhetoric against the U.S., and both sides this week reaffirmed their commitment to the phase-one trade deal.

In addition to Wang Yi's visit to Europe, his boss also recently made trips to Singapore and South Korea. Yang Jiechi, a Politburo member who oversees China's foreign affairs, also pushed for a trilateral summit this year between China, South Korea and Japan, another U.S. ally.

"What China is doing is to keep relations with other countries normal and present itself in a more objective way," said Gao Zhikai, a former Chinese diplomat and translator for late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. "To the extent there are distortions created by the U.S., China has the right to bring the situation back to normal."

Wang said in Rome that he wants to reinforce cooperation with European countries in battling the pandemic, as well as "safeguard multilaterism" and sees China's Belt & Road global infrastructure initiative as the driving force for boosting economic ties with Italy. PipeChina and Italy's Snam SpA agreed on a partnership project in the Chinese gas market on the day of Wang's visit, Foreign Minister Di Maio said.

Europe's strategic significance to Beijing has increased as relations with the U.S. deteriorate and Pompeo seeks to build an anti-China bloc of countries, according to a researcher at the government-affiliated Chinese Academy of Social Sciences who asked not to be identified due to rules for speaking with the media. While the virtual China-EU summit in June didn't go well, Beijing sees ties warming as Europe looks to revive its economy in the wake of the pandemic, the researcher said.

Earlier this month, Pompeo gave a speech before the Czech Senate in which he said the "tide has turned" against China in the U.S. and is starting to in Europe.

"China's world dominance is not inevitable," he said, adding that the U.S. ejected "Chinese intellectual property thieves" and sanctioned "human rights abusers in the Chinese government."

China has sought to blame Pompeo for worsening ties with the U.S. while appealing to a broader set of policymakers. Gao, the former Chinese diplomat, likened him to a "hired gun."

On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian hailed China's relations with France, the next stop on Wang's tour through Europe. He mentioned that President Xi Jinping has held four phone calls this year with his counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

"China and France are both major countries in the Security Council and also with a tradition of independence," Zhao said. "We have to continue following the consensus of our two heads of states."
Daniel Andrews was up very late the other night furiously pounding out self-justifying tweets after announcing he would seek a 12-month extension to the COVID-triggered state of emergency.

I know how he feels. That same day I posted an apparently misleading tweet saying: The Justice Party supports the Victorian government on extending the state of emergency. Wish it were not necessary.

Former federal senator and journalist, Derryn Hinch. Credit:Jesse Marlow

It prompted the biggest avalanche of complaints (and abuse) I have experienced since I founded the Justice Party four years ago. Our Victorian Upper House members, Stuart Grimley and Tania Maxwell, were also drenched in the flood of protests.

Mea culpa. I should have said that I supported an extension of the state of emergency, but this was not a blank cheque. It was not intended as forelock-tugging to Premier Andrews, whose pocket I am supposedly in, even though I have never met the man. (I did request a phone conversation when I was a federal senator but was fobbed off to an underling. I suspect my reply ruined any chances of a chat. I said I wanted to talk to the organ grinder and not the monkey.)
Last month, Vegrow, an agritech startup focussed on aggregating small farms, raised $2.5 million in funding from Matrix Partners India, Ankur Capital and a few other venture capital (VC) and angel investors. The funding came at a time when the Bengaluru-based venture saw the beginning of a revival in the agriculture sector since Covid-19 began to spread in India. Vegrow is certain that even as people are coming to terms with the disruptions caused by the pandemic, bouncing back is just a matter of time.

The startup is now working to bring modern inputs and best practices to Indias agri sector to address multiple problems across the broken supply chainfrom boosting production and timely finance to access to better markets. We do see a lot of activity in the agri value chain across stakeholders, says Shobhit Jain, co-founder of Vegrow. There are multiple new policies from the government to support the ecosystem. Existing agri giantsfrom producers of seeds to foods companiesare expanding their presence and multiple agritech companies are trying to solve systemic problems. However, the industry is vast and complex, and it will take time to have the necessary infrastructure and supply chain built, he says.

Though it is early, government reforms will unlock some markets and spur private investments. We are already seeing some of this emerging, says Ritu Verma, co-founder at Ankur Capital. There are consumer-driven trends that have come up on healthy, nutritious food, and one will also see linkages back to farms for some of this emerging. I expect sentiment to invest in this segment to be high, she says.

Driven by Covid-19 and market reforms, existing traditional players will invest in digital technologies for agriculture, which they hadnt done before. In addition, there is renewed investor interest in the sector driven by the attractiveness and resilience that an essential services sector brings with it, Verma says.

The demand side of agriculture, which has been fairly consistent and predictable, has been affected due to the lockdowns and changing consumption patterns such as avoiding eating out, says Tarun Davda, a managing director at Matrix Partners India.

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 many small, unorganised businesses in the current supply chain are not equipped to adapt to this change. This means the supply chain that was already estimated to be wasting 30 percent of fruits and vegetable because of inefficient demand-supply matching is now even more inefficient. This would directly impact farmers earnings as they would struggle to find the right buyers. Therefore, clearly, organised market linkages are the need of the hour, Davda says.

We are seeing that by being adaptable and collaborative, organised players across the value chain are increasing their market share. Although it is still a very small share of the entire market, we expect this momentum to go a long way, he says.

We see a revival predominantly in essential commodities. Demand and supply are getting back to normalcy. Farmers are getting back to their farms, Thirukumaran Nagarajan, co-founder and CEO of Ninjacart, another agritech provider, tells Forbes India. More farmers are also adopting technological advancements. Hassle-free production and distribution are what todays farmers are looking for, which is evident from the queries Ninjacart has fielded, he says.

Ninjacart is a B2B fresh foods supply chain company that connects farmers directly to customers (retailers, restaurants, food service providers) across major cities in less than 12 hours through a technology-driven integrated supply chain. It takes a data-driven approach that recommends what crops to grow, pricing and demand patterns.

Also read - Agri-startups can offer tech solutions to keep food supply chain rolling amid COVID-19 crisis: Study

The pandemic has reiterated that a complete rural sustainable development plan can prevent or better equip the economy for another crisis, so it is only wise to work towards it, Nagarajan says, adding that sustainable growth to ensure food security at large will remain the key factor in the revival of the sector.

Both farmers and end consumers will adapt to technology quickly. For example, food tracing will become widespread, especially in the fresh foods category. Food tracing for fresh foods is at a nascent stage in India compared to other countries, but its something that cannot be ignored in the long run.

Indias fresh food supply chain is the most fragmented in the world. It is also the largest employer globally, contributing to 58 percent of Indias workforce. Covid-19 lockdowns disrupted the supply chain, leaving the farmer with no ways to harvest, distribute and sell their produce. The city markets or mandis were shut. Distributors had stopped operating due to fear of a spread. Transport restrictions led to drivers abandoning trucks full of produce in the middle of interstate highways, which created huge waiting time for vehicles. Many farmers were left with no option but to leave the produce unharvested to rot in the farms, resulting in financial loss. Beyond the monetary loss, it is disheartening for a farmer to see his crop go waste... it leads to emotional pain, Nagarajan says.

According to Verma, farming per se is oblivious to the pandemic, as seasons and climate are the drivers for production. However the disruption of supply chains has had an impact on both farmers and consumers. Produce cannot be harvested and moved as usual. So rebuilding supply chains and redefining traditional modes of transacting (selling produce and buying inputs) are critical for farmers as social distancing and lockdown will be the norm, at least in the immediate future.

Over the past few years, people have realised that farming is remunerative but not consistent, says Jain of Vegrow. The startup wants to build the worlds biggest asset-light farm by partnering with small farmers on a profit-sharing model. Vegrow increases the net earnings of partner farmers by exploiting technology across different stages of the farming cycleit helps them in crop planning, gives them access to quality inputs, monitors their adherence to best practices and ultimately sells their harvest to the right buyers.

Startups like CropIn Technology Solutions are also helping agri businesses to efficiently manage their farms and maximise their productivity through data-driven insights, and connecting all the stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem effectively.

The Bengaluru-based venture focuses on artificial intelligence and data analytics-based software for agri businesses globally, providing real-time advisory for crops based on local weather information and high resolution satellite imagery analytics. It also provides solutions for yield-risk mitigation and forecasting, in addition to the farm-to-fork traceability and input channel management, says founder and CEO Krishna Kumar.

With digital solutions such as those from CropIn, one can continue with business as usual, Verma says. Banks can monitor farmers they have lent to; processors can work with farmers, and still continue to engage digitally and so on.

Agritech companies can also help solve critical problems like wastage, land utilisation, market linkages and credit availability. The major contribution would be to build economically viable models using tech and data which can be further scaled across geographies or crops, Jain of Vegrow says.

Agriculture is one of Indias largest industries, and the lack of organisation in the space outlines the vast opportunity available, Matrixs Davda says. Ankur Capitals Verma agrees, adding that a large part of the problem on farms and the corresponding supply chains is the fragmentation and the associated information asymmetries that it leads to. Digital solutions could link different actors to each other. This not only drives efficiency and market linkages, but also offers possibilities to change and re-route production as needed.

Once the seed is in the ground, the farmer doesnt have many choices. Having information of what to sow and then having market linkages is critical, Verma says. As markets have moved further away from the farm, including around the globe, farmers sell at whatever price they can get. So technology is critical to both upgrade production and solve post-harvest market linkages.

Technology can instantly address challenges related to the standard of the crop, quantity, distribution, and storage, says Nagarajan. Farmers can analyse demand, pricing, and variation in weather. The mechanised process of farming can lead to minimising manual efforts. Technology can also assess crop planning, pest control and disease mitigation, apart from improving financial security for the farmer.

When it comes to distribution, technology directly connects the farmer to the buyer that offers better pricing for the farmer and minimises product cost for the end consumer, Nagarajan says.

Better weather prediction systems, smart use of remote sensing for better planning, scalable and cost effective IoT systems (internet of things) to monitor crops for real time advisory and supply chain tech are some of the areas that could help farmers get better returns, says Jain.

One-stop solutions spanning agronomy services, agri inputs, market-linkages and financing will work best for farmers, says Davda. This is not just about solving for the convenience of the farmers, but also about building a sustainable business model. For example, because of increased smartphone and internet penetration among the farmer base, it is now feasible to disseminate a lot of information to the farmers online, and therefore, a lot of startups are building apps that provide agronomy advisory services.

The solution is incomplete until these solutions provide access to the agri inputs that they are recommending on their app. A majority of farmers buy these inputs on credit, so platforms will also have to extend credit. And, to be able to manage the credit risk, these startups will need control over the output of the farms. Therefore, a full-stack offering for all the problems of farmers makes total sense.

(This story was first published on Forbes India
'Bunzls own sales in the first half of this year were 4.8bn.'

UK-based logistics and distribution group Bunzl said it has bought Abco Kovex, an Irish maker and distributor of flexible packaging with operations here and in the UK.

Abco Kovex sells products such as stretchfilm, paper packaging and pallet wrap to businesses in the food, construction, packaging, foodservice and pharmaceutical sectors.

Swords, Co Dublin based Abco Kovex had sales last year of 23m. Bunzl's own sales in the first half of this year were 4.8bn.

Abco Kovex is owned by two of its directors Noel O'Sullivan and Brian Fitzsimons. Completion of the sale is subject to clearance of the transaction by the Irish competition authority.

Bunzl said its proposed acquisition of Abco Kovex will complement its existing operations and expand its customer base in Ireland and the UK.

The company also announced a deal to buy MCR Safety, a Memphis, Tennessee based distributor of own-brand personal protection equipment (PPE) and safety products with operations in the US, Mexico, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Colombia and Costa Rica.

Bunzl's operations in Ireland before the Abco deal included Bunzl Irish Merchants, a big supplier cleaning and hygiene products and services to industry that the UK company bought back in 2007 and which includes Bunzl O'Mahony Packaging and Bunzl Catering Services.

Bunzl announced the acquisitions alongside results for the first half of the year yesterday. The company reported a 16.6pc rise in profits for the period and said it will resume dividend payments, bolstered by robust demand for facemasks and gloves as well as food packaging for the grocery sector.
Police Round Up Opposition Coordinators In Belarus

By RFE/RL's Belarus Service August 24, 2020

MINSK -- Authorities in Belarus have stepped up detentions of prominent protest organizers and summoned others ahead of efforts to punish high-profile opposition leaders and dull weeks of unprecedented unrest.

The latest crackdown follows a weekend that saw signs that five-term President Alyaksandr Lukashenka was increasingly determined to stay in power despite public anger that drew at least 100,000 antigovernment demonstrators in Minsk on August 23.

Nobel Prize-winning writer Svetlana Alexievich, 72, became the latest member of a council for an exiled presidential challenger who insists this month's election was rigged to be targeted in the crackdown.

The ailing Alexievich said after the August 9 vote that "the authorities have declared war on their people."

She has now been summoned to appear before Belarus's Investigative Committee on August 26 as a witness in a criminal case on the establishment of Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya's seven-member Coordination Council, a spokesman for the council said.

An aide for a disqualified presidential hopeful, Viktar Babaryka, who was jailed before the election, told RFE/RL that Alexievich's health had prevented her from taking part in the council's work.

However, she was said to be in contact with the group.

The authorities detained two members of Tsikhanouskaya's Coordination Council outside of a tractor factory in Minsk earlier on August 24.

The Coordination Council says Volha Kovalkova, a top aide of Tsikhanouskaya, and strike organizer Syarhey Dyleuski were detained early on August 24 and accused of attempting to organize an unauthorized protest rally at the Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ).

The 30-year-old Dyleuski is a worker at the tractor factory, whose outspoken criticism of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has attracted international media attention as well as pressure from Belarusian police.

Kovalkova's associate, Dzyanis Sadouski, told RFE/RL that police informed the Coordination Council that the two were detained as part of an "administrative" case against them, and that they would most likely be fined.

Another member of the opposition Coordination Council, attorney Lilia Vlasova, was summoned to Investigative Committee headquarters on August 24 for questioning.

Mass Protests

Their detentions come a day after more than 100,000 demonstrators packed the streets of the Belarusian capital on August 23 in a mass rally against Lukashenka -- the latest in more than two weeks of protests against an official presidential election tally that showed Lukashenka winning reelection by a landslide.

The protests have been growing in size amid a brutal postelection crackdown by Belarusian authorities and a heavy security presence in Minsk, with fresh warnings being issued to protesters during the weekend by the Belarusian army.

Dyleuski has said he started going through the giant MTZ factory's workshops to call for a strike after he witnessed injuries sustained by demonstrators who say they were tortured in police custody.

Hundreds of workers have joined Dyleuski to demand new elections and the release of political prisoners -- turning Dyleuski into the leader of a strike movement that has become a major challenge to Lukashenka's grip on power.

On August 21, Dyleuski and Tsikhanouskaya's lawyer Maksim Znak had been summoned to the headquarters of the Belarusian Investigative Committee as part of a criminal case in which the opposition Coordination Council is accused of attempting to illegally seize power.

That move came after Znak on August 21 filed a complaint with the Belarusian Supreme Court calling for the election results be ruled invalid amid widespread allegations that the vote count was fraudulent.

Lukashenka has ordered the military into full combat readiness, raising the prospect that the army may unleash a much-feared bloody crackdown to suppress the unprecedented wave of street protests across the country.

During the weekend, Lukashenka also said he would start closing factories on August 24 where there have been protests from workers who had previously formed his base of political support.

"If a factory is not working then let's put a lock on its gate from Monday, let's stop it," the Russian RIA Novosti news agency quoted Lukashenka as saying on August 22. "People will calm down and we will decide whom to invite [to work] next."

Lukashenka also expressed confidence that the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization would support him in any confrontation that he has with protest organizers in Belarus.

In neighboring Lithuania, where Tsikhanouskaya fled after the presidential election, the opposition leader met on August 24 with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun.

"She is a very impressive person and I can see why she is so popular in her country," Biegun said after the talks in Vilnius. "The purpose of the meeting was to listen, to hear what the thinking is of the Belarusian people, and to see what they are doing to obtain the right to self-determination," he added.

Biegun insisted that the United States "cannot and will not decide the course of events in Belarus," saying this was "the right of the Belarusian people."

The United States and the European Union have dismissed the Belarusian election as neither free nor fair and urged the authorities to engage in dialogue with the opposition.

Also on August 24, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Lukashenka "must, after this further weekend full of protests that we have seen, recognize the reality on the streets of his country but also the reality in the heads of the people in this country."

"So once again, our urgent call is not to use force and to uphold the rights of demonstrators," Maas said at a joint news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv.

With reporting by Current Time, Reuters, AP, TASS, Interfax, The New York Times, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/30799339.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






New Delhi: Actor Sanjay Dutt's wife Maanayata recently shared an adorable photo of their children Shahraan and Iqra from their Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at home and wrote, "Sands are shifting.... God...protect your peace...answer your prayers." The photo has Shahraan and Iqra smiling for the camera cutely. Take a look:

The Dutts had a low-key Ganpati Puja at home this year over the weekend. Sanjay Dutt returned home from hospital just in time for the puja. The 61-year-old actor has been diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. He got hospitalised last Tuesday for treatment.

Sharing a picture from the festivity, Sanjay Dutt wrote, "The celebrations aren't as huge as they used to be every year but the faith in Bappa remains the same. I wish that this auspicious festival removes all the obstacles from our lives and bless us all with health and happiness. Ganpati Bappa Morya."

Sanjay Dutt was first hospitalised on August 10 due to breathing problems. He stayed in the hospital for two days. A couple of days later, he revealed that he is taking a sabbatical from work for medical treatment. However, he didn't reveal about his ailment.

Later, it was said that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

After Sanjay Dutt left for the hospital last week, Maanayata issued a statement to update about the actor. She said that Sanjay Dutt's initial treatment would continue in Mumbai and the family would consider going abroad for further treatment when the coronavirus pandemic situation eases.
A federal judge didnt follow all the rules when he ordered the emergency temporary release of ICE immigration detainees from two Pennsylvania county prisons in April over concerns they were at heightened risk of contracting COVID-19, a U.S. appeals court ruled Tuesday.

U.S. Middle District Chief Judge John E. Jones III did not fully weigh all the factors or set sufficiently specific restrictions on the detainees before freeing them, Judge Thomas M. Hardiman wrote in the opinion the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit issued overturning Jones release order.

Nor did Jones give federal officials an adequate chance to contest the claims in the petition more than 20 ICE detainees filed seeking COVID-19-based release from the York and Pike county prisons, Hardiman found.

Jones issued the release directives after concluding the prisons couldnt effectively impose health measures, such as social distancing, to protect the detainees from COVID-19. The detainees claimed to have medical conditions that made them especially susceptible to the coronavirus. Jones found conditions in the prisons posed a threat to the constitutional rights of the detainees.

Hardiman said Jones should have given the governments arguments greater weight since they showed anti-COVID-19 precautions were being quickly introduced in the prisons. Nor was release necessarily a cure-all for the contagion concerns, he found.

For example, the district court did not consider the particular confinement conditions of each petitioner at York and Pike. Nor did it compare the conditions of the particular communities to which each petitioner would be released, Hardiman wrote. Questions abound on this point. How prevalent was the virus in their home communities? Would they live in close quarters with many family members or others? Were their families or roommates exposed to the virus or at risk of exposure? How would their access to healthcare at home compare to that provided at York and Pike? In other words, were they more likely to contract the virus than if they remained detained?

He also found that Jones should have probed more deeply into the individual backgrounds of the detainees. Some of their criminal histories involve serious offenses, such as aggravated assaults, threatening sexual assault, first degree robbery, and weapons violations, Hardiman noted.

We acknowledge difficulties faced bycourts in emergent matters and the need to act immediately, particularly during a pandemic, he wrote. But exigent circumstances do not empower a court to jettison fundamental principles of due process or the rules of procedure that govern such matters.
Tropical Storm Laura has made it into the Gulf of Mexico, and it could be about to explosively strengthen.

The National Hurricane Center is now forecasting Laura to not only become a hurricane, but be at least a Category 3 hurricane when it makes landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday in Texas or Louisiana.

Laura was near hurricane strength on Tuesday morning with 70 mph winds. Hurricane force winds begin at 74 mph.

Hurricane watches stretched from east Texas to central Louisiana on Tuesday, and the National Hurricane Center.

The storms probable path shows it likely moving north into Arkansas from Texas and Louisiana before shifting east toward Kentucky and Tennessee on Saturday and reaching the East Coast by Sunday. More than 72 hours out, the path of the storm is likely to change.

Heres a look at Laura on Tuesday morning:

LOCATION

As of 7 a.m. CDT Tuesday, Tropical Storm Laura was located in the southeast Gulf of Mexico about 145 miles northwest of the western tip of Cuba, or 625 miles southeast of Lake Charles, La.

TRACK FORECAST UPDATES

Lauras forecast track has shifted a bit to the west overnight, and more westward shifts could be coming later today, according to the hurricane center.

Laura has slowed down a bit overnight. It was tracking to the west-northwest at 17 mph.

On the official forecast track from the hurricane center, Laura is expected to move away from Cuba today and deeper into the Gulf of Mexico.

Laura should move northward across the Gulf today through Wednesday and approach eastern Texas and western Louisiana on Wednesday night.

Landfall could come by early Thursday morning somewhere near the Texas-Louisiana border.

The hurricane center noted that the majority of its model guidance has shifted to the west in the latest runs.

Forecasters have shifted the track westward a bit in response as of Tuesday morning but warned that future westward track adjustments could be required later today.

As of Tuesday morning the forecast cone stretches from the Houston area in Texas eastward to central Louisiana.

However, a note of caution from the hurricane center: Users are again reminded not to focus on the exact details of the track or intensity forecasts as the average NHC track error at 48 (hours) is around 80 miles and the average intensity error is close to 15 mph. In addition, wind, storm surge, and rainfall hazards will extend far from the center.

INTENSITY FORECAST

Laura had 70 mph winds on Tuesday morning and appeared to be getting better organized, according to the hurricane center.

Now that its in the Gulf its expected to strengthen to a hurricane later today.

Significant strengthening is anticipated, and Lauras winds could reach as high as 115 mph before it makes landfall late tomorrow or early Thursday.

Laura will be moving over very warm Gulf water and wind shear is forecast to be on the light side, setting the stage for what could be rapid intensification before landfall, the hurricane center said.

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...

* San Luis Pass, Texas, to Ocean Springs Miss.

* Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas and Lake Borgne

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...

* San Luis Pass, Texas, to west of Morgan City La.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Mayabeque, La Habana, Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth

* Dry Tortugas

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...

* San Luis Pass to Freeport, Texas

* Morgan City, La., to the mouth of the Mississippi River

WHAT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE IS SAYING

Lauras track should keep the storm well west of Alabama, but the National Weather Service in Mobile is continuing to keep a close eye on it.

Alabama coastal areas will face the threat of rip currents, rough surf and minor coastal flooding for the next few days.

Tropical Storm Laura is forecast to become a hurricane today, then a major hurricane right before it makes landfall along the LA/TX coast Wed night.



Locally, high surf expected Tue night into Wed with 6-8 ft breakers. A HIGH RISK of rip currents continues. #mobwx pic.twitter.com/uC2bwE75zv  NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) August 25, 2020

A high risk of rip currents will be in place through the end of the week for Alabama and northwest Florida beaches.

There is a high surf advisory through Wednesday, with 6- to 8-foot breakers possible.

Minor coastal flooding of 1 to 2 feet will also be possible in low-lying areas in Mobile and Baldwin counties.

WHAT ABOUT MARCO?

Marco is done as of Tuesday morning.

Marco made landfall as a minimal tropical storm with 40 mph winds near the mouth of the Mississippi River on Monday evening.

Marco weakened even more overnight and became a remnant low on Tuesday morning, and the hurricane center has issued its last advisory on it.
In a rejoinder to BJP President JP Naddas remark on DMK ''inciting people against national spirit'' and ''sheltering those who were not working in the interest of the nation'', DMK President and Tamil Nadus Opposition leader MK Stalin lashed out at the BJP calling them the enemy of Tamil culture and national unity.

Addressing the Tamil Nadu BJPs executive committee meeting (virtually), on Monday, JP Nadda appealed to his party members to give a befitting reply to the Dravidian party in the assembly elections scheduled for 2021. He said that DMK had always been inciting feelings against national spirit and was anti-development and interest of the nation. Nadda wanted party members to highlight that with the Ram temple coming up in Ayodhya and the revocation of special status fo Jammu and Kashmir, India is one from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

In a statement, the DMK President was quick to lash out at the national ruling party saying that the BJP was threatening democracy across the country and that they were targeting the DMK in Tamil Nadu by riding on the back of the BJPs puppet AIADMK government, which is ruling the state. Stalin emphasized that DMK was a Democratic Party that believed and worked towards development and national interests.

Our party cadre has fought against the Emergency and stood up for the rights of the people and for upholding democratic values in the country. But BJP has pushed India into an undeclared emergency, where states freedoms are being snatched away and diversity of the country is under threat Stalin said.

The DMK Presidents statement touched upon the house arrest of former leaders, intimidation against activists and the tendency of certain ruling oaten leaders to refer to political rivals as anti-Indian and anti-national. It also mentioned the recent controversy where DMK MP was asked if she was Indian, for not speaking Hindi and the Yoga Webinar where non-Hindi speakers were asked to leave.

The BJP which is trying to buy political leaders in Tamil Nadu also, is against the unity of the country and the democratic values of the country the statement from Stalin said.
PepsiCo India today unveiled a new look for its leading juice brand Tropicana. Tropicanas tasty and refreshing juices will now be available in a cool new PET bottle which is affordable, attractive and provides a convenient solution to consumers on-the-go. In addition, Tropicana also introduced a new campaign Hawabaazi Gone, Asli On which intends to bring alive the persona of the Tropicana drinker by showing a comparison of two different personalities  the frivolous and show off Hawabaaz and the Authentic Cool Doers which demonstrate the Tropicana consumer. The campaign TVC builds on the need for authenticity by todays youth vs show-off or false pretenses and intends to celebrate the spirit of people who are genuine and perform in life.

The new PET bottle is a reiteration of the brands commitment towards pioneering new innovations and has been developed basis extensive consumer feedback. Available in 200ml and 500ml variants across all flavors, the new vibrant, transparent bottles give consumers a cool new way to enjoy refreshing goodness on-the-go.

The material (PET) used for Tropicana Aseptic PET is 100% recyclable and contributes to preserving the environment for good. The product in PET is made using the aseptic technology, which involves procedures that prevent microbial contamination with no addition of preservatives keeping Tropicana safe for consumers.

Commenting on the launch, Vineet Sharma, Director, Juices, PepsiCo India, said, Tropicana is one of the leading players in the Indian juice and juice drinks market, and we are all set to unlock additional growth not only for the brand but also the category. Tropicanas new attractive PET packaging and revamped positioning are aimed to accelerating its growth by expanding availability.

We are very excited to launch the Hawabaazi Gone, Asli On campaign targeting the youth. The campaign brings about a clear distinction between doers vs people who just talk, thereby celebrating the genuineness of the young generation. The campaign has been developed basis extensive consumer research and builds on the codes of authenticity, which are very important to consumers today. Todays youth believes in working hard and making it big on their own and that is the core messaging of the new campaign. We are confident the new positioning and campaign will help Tropicana strengthen connect with them. he further added

Commenting on the campaign, Reshna Banerjee Senior Creative Director, Wunderman Thompson also said, Tropicana as a brand has been an obvious choice for many of todays generation who believe in being authentic and play by actions to prove themselves in comparison to those who are all talk and no show. The campaign encapsulates this thought throwing light on the fact that the show off [hawabaaz] bubble of confidence bursts when faced with a situation but the Asli guy, filled with the inherent goodness not just wins the day, but also goes a long way. This inspires the youth to not get stuck in the fake garb of being a hawabaaz but to be genuine, authentic, and hence Asli. In a nutshell, with Tropicana, Hawabaazi Gone, Asli On!
The first night of the Republican National Convention was extremely light on policy talk. The party put together no platform this year, opting instead to draft a simple resolution declaring its intent to support whatever Donald Trump decides he wants to do. So, instead of mounting an argument in favor of a sweeping policy agenda on Monday night, the conventions cast members spent most of their time painting Trump as an empathetic leader who loves Black peoplebut will also keep Black people from moving to the suburbs where you, white voters, live.

Advertisement

One of the few exceptions was the topic of school choice, which was raised by almost every speaker on Mondays docket. California public school teacher Rebecca Friedrichs, who has been fighting for years to prevent teachers unions from compelling members who oppose their unions politics to pay union dues, appeared at the beginning of the evening. In her speech, Friedrichs accused teachers unions of trapping so many precious, low-income children in dangerous, corrupt, and low-performing schools by opposing policies that divert money from public schools to charter, private, and parochial schools. Friedrichs praised Trump for empower[ing] kids to escape dangerous, low-performing schools with a proposed tax credit program that would encourage funding for private and home-school education.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to the Slatest newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

Trump himself showed up to promise he would rescue kids from failing schools by helping their parents send them to a safe school of their choice. Kim Klacik, a congressional candidate from Maryland, said Democrats have neglected Black voters, who want school choice. Two other Black Republicans, Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, suggested that their partys school choice policies could provide a counterweight to the racism and poverty that close off opportunities for children of color. Donald Trump Jr. agreed. It is unacceptable that too many African American and Hispanic American children are stuck in bad schools, just because of their ZIP code, he said in his Monday night speech. Donald Trump will not stand for it. If Democrats really wanted to help minorities in underserved communities, instead of bowing to big money union bosses, theyd let parents choose what school is best for their kids. On Tuesday morning, Trump Jr. followed up his speech with an op-ed on Fox News website, titled President Trump defends school choice from attacks by Democrats and teachers unions.

Advertisement

Advertisement

School choice wasnt a major winning issue for Trump during his last campaign, and it hasnt been a significant focus of his first term. Education isnt a determinative issue for the vast majority of presidential voters. So whats with this sudden emphasis on school choice?

Advertisement

The first reason is that party conventionsand, sometimes, entire campaignsare designed to energize a candidates base. School choice is the top issue for a relatively small population of voters, but that population is a passionate one, and one that has found a stalwart ally in Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. At the same time, Democrats are far from united on the issue. It might be one of the few places where Trump stands to soften some swing voters perceptions of him.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

School choice has also become a resonant topic in the culture wars Trump relies on to animate his base. The second pillar of Trumps two-prong education plan, in addition to the tax credit proposal, is teach American exceptionalism. Conservative parents fret about the secular indoctrination of public schools; liberals are incensed by voucher programs that enrich parochial schools where LGBTQ students are mistreated or banned. The GOP loves to promote the myth of anti-Christian bias in the U.S., couching a variety of anti-choice and anti-LGBTQ bills in the language of religious freedom. The party promotes its efforts to send taxpayer money to religious schools the same way. School choice sits at the nexus of many of the topicsChristian persecution, transgender kids in sportsTrump and his allies like to talk about most.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

In some places, there are also visible racial divides on the issue of school choice. In Florida, the biggest swing state in the country, where several Black Democratic legislators support tax credit scholarship programs like Trumps, some analysts have credited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis position on the issue with his ability to win 18 percent of Black womens votes in 2018. (Just 8 percent of Black men voted for DeSantis.) Along with the criminal justice reform bill he trumpeted in his Super Bowl commercial, Trump has made school choice part of his attempt to convince Black voters that he has their best interests at heart: During his State of the Union address in February, he used the story of Black middle schooler Janiyah Davis, the recipient of a school voucher funded by DeVos, to sell his tax credit proposal. Never mind that Trumps proposed federal policy and the tax credit and voucher programs he supports are decimating funding for public schools around the country, which plenty of kids still attend.

Advertisement

Advertisement

One interesting factor is that theyre talking about all of this right now, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Parents around the country are struggling with the competing demands of work, child care, their childrens education, and ensuring their familys safety during a public health crisis. Some families who would have never dreamed of home-schooling their children are now considering that doing so may be the least bad of several bad options in this previously unimaginable bind. Without any solid federal guidance or relief plan for school reopenings, virtual learning, or any other aspect of pandemic survival and recovery, parents have been set adrift, forced to cobble together an education plan on their own. The concept of school choice, so frequently framed as a path toward a better school, might sound pretty good right now. That assumes frazzled parents might not think too hard about what it really meansleaving public schools, and everyone who relies on them, behind.
By Pham Duy Khuong - Managing director, ASL LAW

Firstly, the EVFTA has and will have a far-reaching impact on the legal system of Vietnam. Before it could come into effect, two important domestic laws  the Law on Investment and the Law on Enterprises  had to be adjusted. Specifically, a myriad of conditional business lines have been cut, opening the doors for EU businesses in areas where it used to be very challenging to invest in Vietnam.

Furthermore, many cumbersome administrative procedures were struck down to create a simpler and more efficient business environment. For instance, regulations have been simplified for livestock breeding, which is one of the industries of interest for European businesses highlighted in the EVFTA. These changes removed many unnecessary conditions and stages of quality inspection for imported livestock products.

Another highlight is the protection of intellectual property rights. The first issue of note is geographical indications (GIs). Specifically, Vietnam has agreed to provide legal protection for 169 GIs from the EU. Indeed, this is important for the EU, since products bearing GIs bring great benefits to EU countries from money to reputation, especially in the sectors of wine, agricultural products, foodstuff, and spirits which have accounted for a large part of the value of the EUs exports.

Hence, the protection of GIs from the EU means the protection of the rights and interests of EU enterprises. This will help European businesses not only expand their markets to Vietnam but also give them the right to deal with infringements and unauthorised use of GIs by other parties or failure to meet the standards of goods derived from products bearing GIs. The GIs now enjoying protection in Vietnam include well-known indications such as French Champagne, Greek Feta, Italian Parmigiano Reggiano, Spanish Rioja, and Scottish Whisky.

However, there are some exceptions in the EVFTA. For example, during the 10-year transition period from the date of entry into force of the agreement, the protection of the GI Champagne does not prohibit the use of this indication nor the translation or transcription of the indication in Vietnamese territory as long as it is used in a fair and commercial manner for a product in the class of wine.

In addition, through the EVFTA, Vietnam made a commitment to extend the protection for industrial design (ID) by acceding to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement within two years of the EVFTA. With this, Vietnam will protect partial designs.

In addition, within three years of the EVFTA taking effect, Vietnam shall also join the World Intellectual Property Organization to protect the copyright of materials on digital networks by adding regulations for the protection against infringements of technological measures.

In terms of tariffs, since the EVFTA took effect, Vietnam has removed 48.5 per cent of tariff lines on EU goods, equivalent to 64.5 per cent of EU exports to Vietnam. Within seven years from the date of effectiveness, 91.8 per cent of tariff lines (97.1 per cent) shall be eliminated and the rate shall reach 98.3 per cent (99.8 per cent) after 10 years.

Moreover, for the 1.7 per cent of remaining tariff lines, Vietnam has also committed to applying tariffs as described in its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments or apply special elimination schedules. This applies for products like cigarettes, petroleum, beer, cars and components, and motorbikes. For example, motorbikes and motorcycles over 150 cubic centimetres shall be subject to 0 per cent import tariffs within seven and 10 years, respectively. Another instance is cars which have a committed tax reduction schedule of 10 years, except for cars with larger engines.

The reduction of these tariffs will benefit EU enterprises and create a fair business environment between Vietnamese and EU companies.

In terms of market access, the elimination of customs duties on goods exported from the EU have created many opportunities to access the Vietnamese market and open the road for EU enterprises to invest in Vietnam. Besides, EU enterprises have great expectations in the pharmaceutical market in Vietnam. Since the EVFTA, customs duties were abolished for around half of the pharmaceutical products imported from the EU and the rest shall be duty-free within seven years. This provides far more access for EU enterprises.

For services, apart from those lines subject to WTO commitments, Vietnam has made deeper commitments in the EVFTA by opening many more sectors.

The EVFTA brings many opportunities for EU enterprises in the Vietnamese market. This has shown an aspiration for deeper integration and trade relations with the EU and for developing relations for sustainable development in the future.
Qantas Survival Plan Includes Outsourcing Over 2000 Jobs

Qantas in a desperate move to survive the CCP virus pandemic has announced that it may need to outsource some operations in an attempt to save an estimated $100 million each year.

More than 2000 employees, including managers, could be impacted if the struggling airline goes ahead with proposals to improve efficiency.

The airline has already removed some 6,000 jobs in what it called rightsizing and restructuring.

Todays announcement will be very tough for our hard-working teams, most of whom have already been stood down for months without work, said domestic operations boss, Andrew David.

This obviously adds to the uncertainty, but this is the unfortunate reality of what COVID-19 has done to our industry.

Currently, the airlines domestic capacity is at 20 percent of pre-pandemic levels, and international travel is expected to take years to recover.

Qantas and Jetstar, under the Qantas Group, directly employ people in various ground operations roles, including baggage handlers and aircraft cleaners, at 11 large airports around the country. They also use specialist ground handlers at 55 other domestic airports.

The announcement comes as Qantas Group posted a $2.7 billion statutory loss in FY20 and a $4 billion drop in revenue due to the pandemic of COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus.

This is the greatest challenge the aviation industry has ever faced, and airlines have to change how they operate to ensure they can survive long-term, said Andrews.

Qantas has grounded 220 aircraft amid the pandemic, and already stood down the vast majority of its workforce, while mortgaging assets to raise cash.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce acknowledged how difficult the news would be for ground handling crew and their families.

But unfortunately this ongoing crisis means we have to make some really tough decisions which impact our team members who have provided a consistent and professional operation over many years, he said in a media release on Aug. 25.

The ten airports that Qantas proposes to outsource this work are Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Townsville.

Jetstar has decided to outsource ground handling at Adelaide, Avalon, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, and Sydney Domestic.

The airline informed its employees and the relevant unions on Aug. 25.
Technavio has been monitoring the off-grid solar power systems market and it is poised to grow by 2.97 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 11% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005438/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Off-grid Solar Power Systems Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire).

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Latest Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. ABB Ltd., ENGIE SA, Gem Energy Australia Pty. Ltd., Greenlight Planet, M-KOPA Kenya Ltd., NantEnergy Inc., OutBack Power Inc., Schneider Electric SE, SMA Solar Technology AG, and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

The high cost of grid expansion has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, the high initial cost might hamper market growth.

Off-grid Solar Power Systems Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Off-grid Solar Power Systems Market is segmented as below:

Application Non-residential Residential

Geographic Landscape APAC Europe MEA North America South America



To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR43608

Off-grid Solar Power Systems Market 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our off-grid solar power systems market report covers the following areas:

Off-grid Solar Power Systems Market size

Off-grid Solar Power Systems Market trends

Off-grid Solar Power Systems Market industry analysis

This study identifies the growing Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) model as one of the prime reasons driving the off-grid solar power systems market growth during the next few years.

Off-grid Solar Power Systems Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the off-grid solar power systems market, including some of the vendors such as ABB Ltd., ENGIE SA, Gem Energy Australia Pty. Ltd., Greenlight Planet, M-KOPA Kenya Ltd., NantEnergy Inc., OutBack Power Inc., Schneider Electric SE, SMA Solar Technology AG, and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the off-grid solar power systems market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Off-grid Solar Power Systems Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist off-grid solar power systems market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the off-grid solar power systems market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the off-grid solar power systems market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of off-grid solar power systems market vendors

Table Of Contents :

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2019

Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 2024

Five Forces Analysis

Five forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Application

Market segments

Comparison by Application

Non-residential Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Residential Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by Application

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market Drivers

Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

ABB Ltd.

ENGIE SA

Gem Energy Australia Pty. Ltd.

Greenlight Planet

M-KOPA Kenya Ltd.

NantEnergy Inc.

OutBack Power Inc.

Schneider Electric SE

SMA Solar Technology AG

Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005438/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/
San Antonio is known for steamy hot summers and mild winters, but we're not all sunshine and rainbows. The Alamo City has its share of extreme weather events, flooding to those rare snow sightings.

Of course, some years yield more extreme weather events than others (think Hurricane Harvey - although San Antonio was spared much of the damage).

We've rounded up some of the city's craziest weather events, from severe to strange, that broke records and made for some fantastic photos.

Ten recent weather events in San Antonio - from severe to strange - broke records and made for some incredible photos. Scroll through the slideshow to see them all.
The father of a black man who was shot in the back several times by police said his son is now paralysed.

Jacob Blake's father - who is also named Jacob Blake - told the Chicago Sun-Times that he'd been informed by doctors that his son had been shot eight times and that he would be paralysed from the waist down as a result.

Mr Blake was shot Sunday by police while they were responding to a domestic disturbance call. An officer shot Mr Blake in his back while he was trying to get into his SUV. Mr Blake's children were in the vehicle and were witness to the shooting.

Mr Blake's shooting ignited protests in Wisconsin. Some individuals looted and set businesses on fire.

More follows
SAINT LOUIS  In a basilica where mosaics and architecture rival those of European cathedrals and Pope John Paul II once prayed, Mitchell T. Rozanski was installed Tuesday as the 10th archbishop of St. Louis.

The former bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, known more for a pastoral rather than activist approach on societal issues, used his first homily to call on Catholics to be gateways and not gatekeepers in engaging in a civil discourse that does not demonize those with differing views. Speaking in both English and Spanish, Rozanski noted that both the church and society are still suffering from the scars of racism.

As Catholics and Christians we need to ask where is God in all of these, said Rozanski, who had struck a similar theme recently during a homily at a prayer service in Springfield for racial healing.

Rozanski, a Baltimore native who was first appointed auxiliary bishop of that Maryland archdiocese in 2004 by Pope John Paul II and then Springfield bishop in 2014 by Pope Francis, served as the main celebrant at his installation Mass.

Capacity restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic limited the by-invitation only crowd size at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, where Pope John Paul II visited in January 1999 and on whose campus met civil rights activist Rosa Parks.

Clergy in attendance included Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop emeritus of Philadelphia, who was St. Louis archbishop during the 31-hour historic papal visit on Jan. 26, 1999, as well as Monsignor Dennis Kuruppassery, the representative of the papal ambassador in Washington, D.C. Kuruppassery performed the imposition of the pallium, a Y-shaped band of lambs wool worn over the shoulders and that symbolizes a metropolitan bishops authority over all the dioceses in his province as well as his special relationship with the pope.

Several hundred clerics in white vestments and facial masks proceeded Rozanski into the basilica to the processional hymn, All People That on Earth Do Dwell.

Rozanski, standing alone on the lower area of the altar and in gold vestments, was welcomed to his cathedral by his predecessor, Archbishop Robert Carlson, a welcome that brought a loud round of applause.

In his remarks and in reading a letter from Pope Francis, Kuruppassery said he had every confidence that Rozanski would be the type of spiritual shepherd that would lead with Gods love.

We need lives that show the miracle of Gods love, said Kuruppassery, adding this needed to be shown through service and not by force.

He added, We are not to become rich, but to love the poor, and that Rozanskis service in Springfield showed he was ready to lead the St. Louis archdiocese.

In what was his first homily as archbishop of St. Louis, Rozanski expressed gratitude for his appointment, as well as loyalty to his new community. He noted that the broadcast of the ceremony was allowing his parents, whom in thanked for everything, in Baltimore to view it.

St. Louis, with about a half-million Catholics among its diocesan population of 2.5 million, is listed as 34th in size among U.S. dioceses.

In contrast, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, where Rozanski served as bishop from his Aug. 12, 2014 installation until his June 10 appointment by Pope Francis as archbishop of St. Louis, ranks 71st.

The Vatican today named the Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, bishop of Worcester, Mass., as the apostolic administrator for the Springfield Diocese, in addition to being Worcester bishop, until a new leader is selected by the Pope Francis. Worcester until 1950 was part of the Springfield.

During his years in Springfield, Rozanski faced a number of challenges and controversies including the merger of two Catholic high schools to build a regional preparatory school, the commissioning of a report that founded credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor against one of the dioceses most influential bishops and accusations that he contributed to a diocesan history of cover up around such allegations.

He visited all of Springfields parishes, something he said he plans to do in St. Louis as other archbishops have done there, ordained five transitional deacons to the priesthood this month in Springfield and during a recent prayer prayer service for racial healing Rozanski, whose archdiocese includes the city of Ferguson, called for a change of hearts.

He welcomed a branch of the traditional Thomas Aquinas College into his diocese and administered over a diocese that just sold its Newman Center on the grounds of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst to that university for $12.5 million, sold Northampton properties long on the market this spring to a Holyoke developer for $1.6 million and received more than $2 million for its operations and various ministries through the Paycheck Protection Program.

The St. Louis archdiocese has had a history of leadership of those both close to the Vatican as well as the more independent minded, including Cardinal Raymond Burke.

Related content:
Calif.: Lower temperatures and a let up in lightning storms offered relief on Tuesday to firefighters battling some of the largest and most ferocious wildfires in Californias history.

Three massive blazes in the San Francisco Bay Area grew slightly overnight but their containment ticked up as over 14,000 firefighters fought two dozen major fires across the state.

Authorities say California is in a megafire era," with two of the states largest ever wildfires burning simultaneously and climate change blamed for blazes in 2,000 year-old redwood forests long spared from flames.

Isolated thunderstorms are still possible in the upper portion of northern California and the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range," Daniel Berlant, assistant deputy director of state wildfire authority Cal Fire said in a statement.

Since the unprecedented dry-lightning siege began Aug. 15 over 13,000 strikes have started fires that burned over 1.25 million acres, an area larger than the Grand Canyon.

The fires are far from under control with over 230 strikes in past day sparking new fires after more than 650 in the last 10 days, Cal Fire said.

At least seven people have killed and over 1,400 homes and other structures destroyed.

Smoke from fires created unhealthy air quality for a large swath of northern California and drifted as far away as Kansas.

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
KENOSHA, WI  Multiple buildings were torched, storefronts were damaged and graffiti littered boarded-up buildings during the second night of destruction in Kenosha following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

On Monday morning, Kenosha residents had awakened to smoldering buildings and firefighters aloft on ladders trying to extinguish flames. But compared to the destruction caused Sunday night into early Monday morning, Monday night's destruction was far more extensive and cut across a greater portion of the city.

Damage was once again reported downtown, as well as west into Kenosha's Uptown neighborhood and into a retail center in Pleasant Prairie that included Dick's Sporting Goods and the Kenosha Target store.

Kenosha police were out in force Monday night, using tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper bullets to disperse an angry crowd that gathered in front of the Kenosha County Courthouse.

About 125 members of the National Guard were called out to the area Monday afternoon to brace for the second night of civil unrest. Authorities instituted an 8 p.m. curfew; however, that did little good as protesters ransacked both the downtown area and the Uptown area, which is west of the city center.

"What we heard last night in the city of Kenosha is unacceptable," Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian said during a Monday afternoon news conference, which had to be moved indoors to prevent from being overrun by protesters. "Rioting and looting is not something that is acceptable to the community. [It] also has consequences, and people will have to be held accountable in legal process and due process just like everybody else."

Blake, 29, was shot Sunday evening by police as he leaned into his SUV, cell phone video showed. The shooting occurred while three of his children were reportedly sitting inside the vehicle.

Blake's father, also named Jacob Blake, said his son is paralyzed from the waist down following the shooting. Blake's father told the Chicago Sun-Times that he was told his son was shot eight times during the confrontation with police.



Story continues

Bystanders watch as Kenosha firefighters put out the last flames at the Danish Brotherhood Lodge, 2206 63rd St. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

The Danish Brotherhood Lodge, 2206 63rd St., was set ablaze just before 11 p.m. Monday in Kenosha's Uptown neighborhood, which is a collection of businesses and homes near 63rd Street and 22nd Avenue just west of downtown Kenosha.

Rode's Camera Shop was destroyed Monday night. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

Just around the corner, Rode's Camera Shop lay in ruins. The shop first opened in 1911 and took up residence in Uptown during the 1950s. The business has been owned by several generations of the Rode family. Early Tuesday, it lay in a smoldering heap beneath charred wood and crumbling brick.

Kenosha firefighters put out a fire at a local mattress shop, which was destroyed overnight. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

Uptown bore the brunt of Monday night's protest, as a nearby mattress shop and local tavern were burned and sustained heavy damage. Storefronts throughout the area had smashed windows and other, lighter damage.

Bystanders survey the scene in Kenosha's Uptown on Tuesday morning. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

Reuther Central High School was littered with graffiti Monday night. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

A toppled streetlight in downtown Kenosha. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

Once vibrant, even by coronavirus pandemic-era standards, downtown Kenosha stood at a standstill Tuesday morning. Nearly all buildings had boarded-up windows, and some had messages pleading with protesters to leave them alone. Some businesses had "BLM" or "Black-Owned" spray-painted on them, while the Olive Tree Restaurant had the message "Kids Live Upstairs" written in red spray paint.

The Olive Tree Restaurant in downtown Kenosha has a message pleading with protesters to leave it alone for the sake of children who live upstairs. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

Kenosha dump trucks, some burned out, block the eastern approach to the Kenosha County Courthouse Tuesday. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

The County Credit Union at 925 59th St. was burned out Monday night. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

Reporting and writing from The Associated Press were used in this report.



This article originally appeared on the Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant Patch
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Anand Shrama, one of the 23 signatories to the letter written to Sonia Gandhi a fortnight ago seeking an organisational overhaul and a change in the leadership on on Tuesday (August 24) clarified that their intention was to convey 'shared concerns' over the present environment in the county. The Congress leader added that the move was taken with the best interest of the party in their hearts.

In the Congress Working Committee meeting, which was called amid reports of division in the party, members of the 'group of 23' were dissed by many for voicing their concerns, several signatories asserted that they were "not dissenters" but "proponents of revival" of the party.

Responding to a tweet by Congress MP Vivek Tankha, in which he had said the letter was not a challenge to leadership but a parchment of action to strengthen the party, Sharma said, "Well said. The letter was written with the best interest of the party in our hearts and conveying shared concerns over the present environment in the country and sustained assault on the foundational values of the constitution."

Having a 'full time, active and visible' leadership, devolution of powers to state units and revamping the CWC in line with the party constitution were some of the key suggestions made by the 23 senior Congress leaders, in the letter sent to Sonia Gandhi, to revive the organisation.
PIGGS PEAK  It seems police officer Busta Vilakati may have to once again go toe-to-toe with the town council.

In June 2019, the council demolished a wood structure owned by Busta.

This time, he has been served with a notice of contravention in that he constructed a structure that had not been approved by the town council.

The structure, which is situated on a hill, is being referred to as a double-storey mansion by some residents.

The house is visible several metres from the Piggs Peak-Motshane Highway so much that sometimes motorists stop to take photos.

Constructed

It is constructed from dark wood and it is fenced around, with an outside sitting area.

There is also a pit latrine which is constructed from similar wood.

Residents who were found near the structure yesterday had mixed feelings about the construction.

Some of the residents wondered why Busta was allowed to construct a structure yet other residents were not allowed to do so.

The house is said to have attracted so much attention that residents said plain-clothes police officers also arrived to inspect it.

When reached for comment about the presence of police officers at the site, the Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said it could be that police officers may have just been admiring the house.

However, she also said Busta had also reported that fencing material had been stolen from the premises.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Piggs Peak Town Council Mzwandile Ndzinisa said Busta had approached the council to build a storeroom for tools. He said that when building inspectors from the town council went to the site later, they discovered that he had deviated from the original construction plan. Following this discovery, he was served with a contravention notice, advising him to stop the illegal activity and pull it down. In the event he fails to comply with this contravention notice, council will pull down the structure, stated Ndzinisa.
The government is so far shying away from a second lockdown that could cost the economy trillions and lead to even more massive job losses despite the coronavirus resurgence.

Social-distancing rules are being tightened, but there seems to be a feeling at Cheong Wa Dae that another lockdown would be unsustainable. The same feeling prevails in some other countries that have experienced a second wave after lockdown was eased.

President Moon Jae-in said in a meeting with senior secretaries Monday, "We face a life-threatening situation. It is not an easy choice."

"I urge everyone to pool their strengths so that we do not reach the worst-case scenario," he added. "If we fail to stop the spread at this stage, we have to raise social distancing to the highest level" including the lockdown of the entire Seoul metropolitan region.


Skeena Intersects 25.03 g/t AuEq over 35.42 metres in 21A Zone at Eskay Creek New Discovery of Deep Mineralization in Lower Mudstones

Posted by Publisher Internet

Skeena Resources Limited (TSX: SKE, OTCQX: SKREF) (?Skeena? or the ?Company?  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/skeena-resources-ltd/ ) is pleased to announce gold-silver drill results from the ?2020 Phase I surface drilling program at the Eskay Creek Project (?Eskay Creek?) located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. Six ground-based and helicopter supported diamond drill rigs are being utilized for the 2020 Phase I program in the 21A, 21B and 21C Zones for Preliminary Feasibility Study (?PFS?) resource category conversions. Additionally, the Company is also conducting exploratory drilling in the near-mine environment testing the Water Tower Zone (?WTZ?) as well as the largely underexplored Lower Mudstone (?LM?) sequences, which lie beneath the historically mined Contact Mudstone sequences. Reference images are presented at the end of this release as well as on the Company?s website.

Phase I ? 21A Zone Infill Drilling Highlights:? Excellent grades over substantial thicknesses

93 g/t Au, 40 g/t Ag (6.46 g/t AuEq) over 34.40 metres (SK-20-274)

90 g/t Au, 235 g/t Ag (25.03 g/t AuEq) over 35.42 metres (SK-20-290)

52 g/t Au, 24 g/t Ag (6.84 g/t AuEq) over 36.50 metres (SK-20-291)

Phase I ? Exploratory Lower Mudstones Drilling Highlights:? New discovery below historic mining

99 g/t Au, 21 g/t Ag (12.27 g/t AuEq) over 5.99 metres (SK-20-274)

99 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag (6.26 g/t AuEq) over 4.20 metres (SK-20-290)

Gold Equivalent (AuEq) calculated via the formula: Au (g/t) + [Ag (g/t) / 75]. Reported core lengths represent 80-100% of true widths and are supported by well-defined mineralization geometries derived from historical drilling. Grade capping of individual assays has not been applied to the Au and Ag assays informing the length weighted AuEq composites. Processing recoveries have not been applied to the AuEq calculation and are disclosed at 100%. Samples below detection limit are nulled to a value of zero.

New Deep Mineralization Discovered in Even Lower Mudstone Below 21A Zone

Three drill holes designed for PFS resource category conversion in the 21A Zone were extended to explore the Lower and Even Lower Mudstone (?ELM?) sequences. This drilling intersected 5.99 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag (6.26 g/t AuEq) over 4.20 m within a broader anomalous interval grading 3.67 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag (3.83 g/t AuEq) over 10.50 m in the ELM at a vertical depth approximately 200 m below surface in a previously unexplored area (SK-20-290). This new discovery of discordant, replacement-style mineralization is hosted within an intercalated sedimentary sequence of mudstones and siltstones. Differing from the overlying historically mined Contact Mudstone, this new discovery possesses a different geochemical signature in that there are no significant concentrations of the pathfinder suite of elements (Hg-As-Sb). Drill holes SK-20-274 and SK-20-291 intersected weakly anomalous mineralization in the Lower Mudstones suggesting they are a greater distance from a yet to be discovered synvolcanic feeder and provide support for the geological concept model. The evidence of mineralization in these lower mudstone units, lying below the historically important Contact Mudstone, could represent not only the discordant, crosscutting epigenetic/replacement style, but also needs to be evaluated for the possible presence of stacked predecessor exhalative synsedimentary mineralization events. This new discovery is entirely open for expansion along strike and up-dip and represents a target amenable to underground mining methods.

Additional Mineralization Discovered in Lower Mudstone Below 21A Zone

Phase I drilling has intersected additional mineralization in the LM grading 11.99 g/t Au, 21 g/t Ag (12.27 g/t AuEq) over 5.99 m within a larger interval averaging 6.49 g/t Au, 11 g/t Ag (6.63 g/t AuEq) over 12.94 m (SK-20-274). This mineralization is situated 50 m below the designed PEA open-pit and 25 m up-dip of the previously reported intersection of 312.81 g/t Au, 95 g/t Ag (314.07 g/t AuEq) over 2.21 m including 1,380.00 g/t Au, 322 g/t Ag (1,384.29 g/t AuEq) over 0.50 m (SK-19-063).

Infill Drill Results Demonstrate Grade and Width Continuity

The infill component of the Phase I program continues to confirm the continuity of the modelled mineralization in the 21A Zone as demonstrated by intersection of 21.90 g/t Au, 235 g/t Ag (25.03 g/t AuEq) over 35.42 m (SK-20-290). Further support for the geological concept model are provided by intersections 5.93 g/t Au, 40 g/t Ag (6.46 g/t AuEq) over 34.40 m and 6.52 g/t Au, 24 g/t Ag (6.84 g/t AuEq) over 36.50 m (SK-20-274 and SK-20-291, respectively), which validated the expected resource grades and mineralization distribution.

?This is the first time Skeena has systematically tested the laterally-extensive Lower Mudstone Sequences with exploratory drilling?, notes Paul Geddes, the Company?s Vice President Exploration & Resource Development. ?With only three drill holes in a very limited area of the property, we have proven the geological concept model that the LM and ELM, laying below the Contact Mudstone, are mineralized by the same fluids that produced the overlying mining area, and are very prospective. Our ongoing 2020 exploration program will continue to focus on syn-volcanic feeder zones with emphasis on where these feeders intersect all the mudstones, specifically the Lower Mudstones discussed here.?

Skeena?s CEO, Walter Coles Jr. commented, ?We?ve drilled 46 holes at Eskay Creek since we restarted our exploration program in July. This press release represents the assay results from only the first three of those holes. In September we intend to add two more drill rigs, which will bring our rig count up to eight. Over the next six months we will have a steady stream of assay results from both infill and step-out exploration holes, which should make for an exciting fall.??

About Skeena

Skeena Resources Limited is a junior mining company focused on developing the past-producing Eskay Creek gold-silver mine located in Tahltan Territory in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company released a robust Preliminary Economic Assessment in late 2019 and is currently focused on infill and exploration drilling at Eskay Creek to advance the project to Pre-feasibility. Skeena is also exploring the past-producing Snip gold mine.

Qualified Persons

Exploration activities at the Eskay Creek Project are administered on site by the Company?s Exploration Managers, Colin Russell, P.Geo. and Adrian Newton, P.Geo. In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Paul Geddes, P.Geo. Vice President Exploration and Resource Development, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting the exploration activities on its projects.

Quality Assurance ? Quality Control

Once received from the drill and processed, all drill core samples are sawn in half, labelled and bagged. The remaining drill core is subsequently securely stored on site. Numbered security tags are applied to lab shipments for chain of custody requirements. The Company inserts quality control (QC) samples at regular intervals in the sample stream, including blanks and reference materials with all sample shipments to monitor laboratory performance. The QAQC program was designed and approved by Lynda Bloom, P.Geo. of Analytical Solutions Ltd., and is overseen by the Company?s Qualified Person, Paul Geddes, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration and Resource Development.

Drill core samples are submitted to ALS Geochemistry?s analytical facility in North Vancouver, British Columbia for preparation and analysis. The ALS facility is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for gold assays and all analytical methods include quality control materials at set frequencies with established data acceptance criteria. The entire sample is crushed and 1kg is pulverized. Analysis for gold is by 50g fire assay fusion with atomic absorption (AAS) finish with a lower limit of 0.01 ppm and upper limit of 100 ppm. Samples with gold assays greater than 100ppm are re-analyzed using a 50g fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish. Analysis for silver is by 50g fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish with a lower limit of 5ppm and upper limit of 10,000ppm. Samples with silver assays greater than 10,000ppm are re-analyzed using a gravimetric silver concentrate method. A selected number of samples are also analyzed using a 48 multi-elemental geochemical package by a 4-acid digestion, followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and also for mercury using an aqua regia digest with Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish. Samples with sulfur reporting greater than 10% from the multi-element analysis are re-analyzed for total sulfur by Leco furnace and infrared spectroscopy.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute ?forward looking information? and ?forward looking statements? within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will meet management?s expectations.? Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as ?anticipates?, ?believes?, ?targets?, ?estimates?, ?plans?, ?expects?, ?may?, ?will?, ?could? or ?would?.? Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters.? While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Natasha Pernicka has been the executive director of The Food Pantries for the Capital District since 2011, but her career in service started 19 years ago. The Food Pantries is a coalition of 68 food pantries that serve 65,000 people, and Pernicka has been using her talents to solve problems, develop new programs, increase revenue and create growth so no one is ever turned away for lack of food. As executive director, just two of her accomplishments were to increase revenue and in-kind support by 92% between 2011 and 2017 and increase food funding by 54% from 2012 to 2015 to assist pantries. Prior to her current role, Pernicka was assistant executive director at HATAS. During that time she earned a master's in public administration from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, graduated from the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Tech Valley program and served on the Junior League of Albany's Board.

What drew you into nonprofit work, first at HATAS and then at The Food Pantries?

I first started in the nonprofit sector in 2001 at a suicide prevention organization in Colorado. I had just returned from teaching English in Japan and I wanted to help people. I wasn't exactly sure how I would accomplish this, but my friend's mom told me about a program coordinator job at the Suicide Resource Center and I went for it. It was a small organization so I was able to be involved in many aspects of the work and I really found my calling. I was able to help people, raise awareness, start new programs to fill gaps, and be a part of a bigger community of people trying to make a difference. Through out my career I have worked in organizations that focus on suicide prevention and grief support, mental health support, senior social rehabilitation, homelessness, youth development, and food security  all opportunities to help people at different points in their lives.

We have a national debate between how much government agencies should do and how much nonprofits and private institutions should do to feed hungry people. What is your approach?

Thanks to a Siena College poll we know that 96% of New Yorkers agree that no one in New York state should go hungry. The No. 1 way to end hunger is for employees to earn living wages. According to United Way's Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed report, 43% of Capital Region households do not have the income and/or resources they need to cover their basic needs. This number is shocking, yet not uncommon across the country, and we simply cannot continue doing business as usual. The No. 2 way to end hunger is to increase investment in federal nutrition programs such as universal free breakfast and lunch in schools, SNAP (food stamps), and WIC (Women, Infants, Children nutrition program). The federal programs are intended to fill in where earnings or circumstances fall short. However, these programs are supplemental in nature. The third way to end hunger is through the social safety network of food pantries and other nonprofit programs. With approximately 65,000 people seeking food assistance annually from The Food Pantries network of 68 Capital Region food pantries I would argue that what was once "emergency" food programs operating out of church closets is now a vast supplemental food system fueled by volunteers and individuals writing donation checks. The fourth way to end hunger is a newer strategy, focusing on the value of consistent healthy food to a person's health. Growing social care systems, like Food is Medicine, as a part of our health care system have the potential to make an incredible difference in people's lives.

Also mentioned in your nomination were the struggles you faced in your career when you didn't feel you were succeeding and the post-partum depression you experienced. How did you get through it?

I would say that I didn't get through it gracefully, although looking at me from the outside you might not have recognized it. I tend to go inside myself when I am struggling, put on a smile, and carry on. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I am persistent and don't give up easily. I learned some important life lessons, although in hindsight, from my darkest moments. (1) Sometimes you keep trying and trying and don't make any progress. It is these times that giving up is the right thing to do. It is not failure to give up something that is not right for you, no matter how hard you try to make it so. (2) I'm Gen X so 'No Fear' was a pretty popular brand which I identified with  reckless boys and intense alternative sports. I didn't learn what 'No Fear' really meant until a couple of years ago when an incredible local woman leader took me under her wing and mentored me. ('No Fear' means) not fearing failure, not fearing change, not fearing what other people think about me. (3) Ask for help. You, yes, you. In the early part of my career I worked in mental health and was really good at encouraging other people to ask for help when they need it. Not so good at doing it for myself. I used to be afraid that people would see me as weak, incompetent, or a burden if I asked for help. Future Natasha, or me now, is much better at reaching out when I am going through a tough time, and my friendships have grown much deeper for really showing up in the relationships.

We are in an unprecedented time. How is the work going to fulfill the needs across the region for food?

Food is a basic need. This crisis is highlighting the precariousness in which so many people live day to day. This year, the need is much greater with jobs being lost and people living paycheck to paycheck running out of resources. Working together as a network of food providers is critical to provide access while following social distancing and safety practices. We are stronger together. We communicate, share resources and information, and through this we are able to maximize the resources our community has to meet the needs. The true heroes are the front line pantry staff and volunteers, our food delivery drivers moving thousands of pounds of food from the food bank to our network of pantries, and our team on the Food Access Referral Line. We have been able to identify communities and neighborhoods with low access and have been able to mobilize food support programs to those areas.
UBS Investment Bank today announced coupon payments for the ETRACS Alerian MLP Index ETN (NYSE Arca: "AMU") and ETRACS Alerian MLP Index ETN Series B (NYSE Arca: "AMUB"), both traded on the NYSE Arca.

NYSE

Ticker ETN Name and Prospectus/

Pricing Supplement* Valuation

Date Ex-

Date Record

Date Payment

Date Coupon

Amount Payment

Schedule Current Yield

(annualized)** AMU ETRACS Alerian MLP Index ETN 8/17/20 8/27/20 8/28/20 9/8/20 $0.2399 Quarterly 11.00% AMUB ETRACS Alerian MLP Index ETN Series B 8/17/20 8/27/20 8/28/20 9/8/20 $0.2399 Quarterly 11.00%

The table above provides a hyperlink to the relevant prospectus and supplements thereto for each of our ETRACS ETNs, which are identified by their names. For more information on each ETRACS ETN, see "List of ETNs."

**"Current Yield (annualized)" equals the current Coupon Amount, multiplied by four (to annualize such coupon), divided by the Closing Indicative Value of the ETN on its current Coupon Valuation Date rounded to two decimal places for ease of analysis. The Current Yield is not indicative of future coupon payments, if any, on the ETN. You are not guaranteed any coupon or distribution amount under the ETN.

About ETRACS

ETRACS ETNs are senior unsecured notes issued by UBS AG, are traded on NYSE Arca, and can be bought and sold through a broker or financial advisor. An investment in ETRACS ETNs is subject to a number of risks, including the risk of loss of some or all of the investor's principal, and is subject to the creditworthiness of UBS AG. Investors are not guaranteed any coupon or distribution amount under the ETNs. We urge you to read the more detailed explanation of risks described under "Risk Factors" in the applicable prospectus supplement, or product supplement and pricing supplement, as applicable, for the ETRACS ETN.

UBS AG has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus and supplements thereto) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for the offerings of securities to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, along with the applicable prospectus, pricing, or product supplement to understand fully the terms of the securities and other considerations that are important in making a decision about investing in the ETRACS. The applicable offering document for each ETRACS may be obtained by clicking on the name of each ETRACS identified above. You may also get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. The securities related to the offerings are not deposit liabilities and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Switzerland or any other jurisdiction.

About UBS

UBS provides financial advice and solutions to wealthy, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as private clients in Switzerland. UBS's strategy is centered on our leading global wealth management business and our premier universal bank in Switzerland, enhanced by Asset Management and the Investment Bank. The bank focuses on businesses that have a strong competitive position in their targeted markets, are capital efficient, and have an attractive long-term structural growth or profitability outlook.

UBS is present in all major financial centers worldwide. It has offices in more than 50 regions and locations, with about 31% of its employees working in the Americas, 32% in Switzerland, 19% in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and 18% in Asia Pacific. UBS Group AG employs over 67,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

This material is issued by UBS AG and/or any of its subsidiaries and/or any of its affiliates ("UBS"). Products and services mentioned in this material may not be available for residents of certain jurisdictions. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Please consult the restrictions relating to the product or service in question for further information. Activities with respect to US securities are conducted through UBS Securities LLC, a US broker/dealer. Member of SIPC (http://www.sipc.org/).

ETRACS ETNs are sold only in conjunction with the relevant offering materials. UBS has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by the applicable prospectus supplement, or product supplement and pricing supplement, for the offering of the ETRACS ETNs) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read these documents and any other documents that UBS has filed with the SEC for more complete information about UBS and the offering to which this communication relates. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, you can request the applicable prospectus supplement, or product supplement and pricing supplement, by calling toll-free (+1-877-387-2275). In the US, securities underwriting, trading and brokerage activities and M&A advisor activities are provided by UBS Securities LLC, a registered broker/dealer that is a wholly owned subsidiary of UBS AG, a member of the New York Stock Exchange and other principal exchanges, and a member of SIPC. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a registered broker/dealer and affiliate of UBS Securities LLC.

UBS specifically prohibits the redistribution or reproduction of this communication in whole or in part without the prior written permission of UBS and UBS accepts no liability whatsoever for the actions of third parties in this respect.

Alerian MLP Index, Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index, Alerian Natural Gas MLP Index, AMZ, AMZI, and ANGI are trademarks of Alerian and their use is granted under a license from Alerian.

UBS 2020. The key symbol, UBS and ETRACS are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. Other marks may be trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005882/en/

Contacts:

Media contact

Christina Aquilina

1-212-713-4488

christina.aquilina@ubs.com

Institutional Investor contact1

+1-877-387 2275

1 Individual investors should instruct their broker/advisor/custodian to call us or should call together with their broker/advisor/custodian.
The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) is racing to float shares of its special purpose vehicle (SPV) on the Ghana and the London stock exchanges before the end of the year.



The main subsidiary of the MIIF and holding company, Agyapa Royalties Investment Ltd, will be listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), while its subsidiary, ARG Royalties Ltd, will be quoted on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), both through initial public offers (IPOs).



A Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Charles Adu Boahen, disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in an interview at Peduase, near Aburi in the Eastern Region last Saturday.



Supported by the Chief Executive Officer of the MIIF and former Member of Parliament for Kumawu, Mr Yaw Baah, Mr Adu Boahen said the government came up with the idea of leveraging the mineral royalties of the country in order to maximise the value from the resource and not allow it to drown in the Consolidated Fund, without tracing what it had been used to do.



Prospectus



He said the company was finalising its prospectus for securities and exchange regulatory approvals before the listing, with the hope of doing it before the elections were held.



Mr Adu Boahen gave an assurance that all details about the transactions, profiles of directors and incorporation costs would be disclosed in the prospectus.



He said the benefits to accrue to the country were many and both tangible and intangible.



They included the dividends from the companys operations, job creation when it helped to finance mining operations with its parent entity, the MIIF, while it would put the country on the international map as a destination for gold mining, as investors would become more interested in the country, he said.



We will see a huge uptake in investments in the mining sector in Ghana based on this IPO. This is essentially a marketing cause  youre selling Ghana to investors, making them aware of the opportunities, and this is how you can get that value  through this IPO, Mr Adu Boahen said.



Background



The government passed the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978) with the key objective of maximising the countys mineral wealth for the benefit of Ghanaians, while ensuring that receiving royalties from gold mining companies is sustainable.



The law was amended a couple of weeks ago to enable it to incorporate subsidiaries and use it as an SPV to do business across the world.

The parliamentary approval also included approvals of four other related agreements among the MIIF, the SPV and other entities with which it would have transactions.



The SPV is Agyapa Royalties Ltd, initially incorporated as Asaase Royalties Ltd, which has been incorporated in a British channel island, Jersey, where it will enjoy tax reliefs on transfer of dividends and other concessions that allow it to retain much of the incomes it generates.



The company will be responsible for managing 75.6 per cent of Ghanas royalty inflow from the 12 gold mining companies that currently operate in the country, with four more expected to come on stream.



It will later list on the LSE, but the government, through the MIIF, will retain at least 51 per cent, while a subsidiary of Agyapa, ARG Royalties Ltd  to be responsible for channeling the royalties to its parent company  will be listed on the GSE, with the government maintaining a similar shareholding structure.



As of 2017, the average inflow of royalties was estimated at GH650 million. The Minerals Development Fund received 20 per cent of that, the Ghana Revenue Authority got 2.4 per cent, with Agyapa Royalties absorbing 75.6 per cent.



But many analysts and political figures have criticised the transaction and alleged that it is meant to allow a few individuals to have control over the countrys mineral royalties for personal gain.



Benefits



Throwing light on some of the benefits the arrangement would yield, Mr Adu Boahen said apart from the physical benefits, such as the proceeds from the transaction, Ghana would have a very transparent entity and vehicle which could be used to raise future investments for financing mining assets across Africa.



He said because of the 100 years of gold mining experience in the country, there was a huge depth of expertise in the sector which had not been leveraged enough.



There is a huge depth of expertise in the mining sector but we have not been able to internationalise or leverage that expertise and knowledge to capitalise on other opportunities across the continent, he said.



For instance, he said, Ghanas universities had produced many geologists whose expertise could be used to prospect for or assess mining assets across the continent where Agyapa could take advantage and invest for more returns.



By setting up this company, we can hire our own geologists to look at mining assets across Africa, to give us feedback about which one is a good investment and this will enable Ghana to really create a huge entity that has a footprint across Africa, the Deputy Finance Minister said.



Ghanaians can own shares



On whether ordinary Ghanaians could buy shares of the companies, he said that was essentially the rationale for the dual listing, especially for listing on the Ghanaian bourse.



He said the GSE listing would be a retail IPO, where everybody would be able to buy shares in it through brokers.



GIIF



Explaining the difference between the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and the latest vehicle, Mr Adu Boahen said the GIIF was a sovereign fund to raise money to invest in infrastructure.



On the other hand, he said, the MIIF was set up to better manage royalties and proceeds from the mining sector that accrued to the state and dividends received from the subsidiary.



He said although the country had been receiving royalties over the years, we could not pinpoint any particular project that had been the outcome of the royalties, as everything fizzled into the Consolidated Fund.



We are hoping that with the establishment of the MIIF, that will change and we will be able to see where our money is going, instead of it disappearing into the Consolidated Fund to be used for general budgetary purposes, he said.



How it works out



The SPV, incorporated as a private institution, independent of governmental control, will receive the royalties due the state to capitalise the company.



It will then float up to 49 per cent on the LSE to be in the business of financing mining infrastructure and assets in Ghana and across the world.



The Deputy Finance minister also explained that local small-scale mining companies could resort to Agyapa for equity financing to bolster the local mining industry to ensure that Ghanaians were also involved in mining activities.



He said the MIIF would also invest in indigenous mining companies using the proceeds it received from its subsidiaries.





Source: Graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Read about others here.

For the past two decades, Alfredo Breitfeld, a rare-bookseller from Buenos Aires, had attended the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair, an annual bonanza for those who love the printed word.

All year, every year, the gregarious and courtly Mr. Breitfeld, whose specialty was Spanish material, looked forward to the fair, held each March at the New York Armory in Manhattan. This year was no different, though health issues, including a bad knee, impeded his mobility, and though the novel coronavirus was beginning to be of concern in the United States as he prepared for the trip in mid-February.

He went anyway, along with 200 or so other dealers, and Mr. Breitfeld, with his bad knee, could be seen zipping around on a scooter in the armorys vast Drill Hall. The fair, from March 5 to 9, attracted 10,000 attendees.
City council is being lobbied to make it mandatory for Winnipeg Transit riders to wear face masks, instead of just telling them they should.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

City council is being lobbied to make it mandatory for Winnipeg Transit riders to wear face masks, instead of just telling them they should.

As new requirements to don non-medical masks pile up during the COVID-19 pandemic, an online petition challenges Transit to follow that trend.

"The consensus has emerged around mask-wearing as a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially in places where social distancing isnt possible," said Zach Fleisher, who created the petition. "So far from (Winnipeg) transit, weve seen a recommendation (that riders wear masks) but, as people have seen, the recommendations dont always result in adherence."

Fleisher said a mandatory policy would be more effective at changing behaviour. He said most large Canadian cities already require mask use on public transit, including Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton and Calgary.

A growing number of businesses also require masks, including Walmart stores. Real Canadian Superstores will impose a mask mandate on Aug. 29.

On Monday, the Manitoba government announced it will also require that visitors to hospitals and health centres wear masks, starting on Sept. 1.

Also Monday, University of Manitoba faculty, staff and students  as well as visitors, contractors and vendors  will be required to wear masks in all indoor common or shared spaces on campus. This takes effect immediately on the Bannatyne campus, and on Sept. 1 for all U of M campuses.

"If every other city has figured this out, if Walmart has figured this out  whats missing from Winnipeg Transit?" he asked.

The union for Winnipegs bus drivers, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, has supported mask use. But ATU has also stressed bus drivers must not be tasked with enforcing a mandatory mask policy, since that could leave them at greater risk of assault.

Fleisher, who previously worked for the union, said he expects social pressure would help ensure riders follow a clear rule on facial coverings, even if enforcement is rare.

Coun. Shawn Nason (Transcona) said face masks should not only be mandatory on public transit but also at all indoor city buildings, at times when social distancing isnt possible.

"Given the sudden uptick with regards to cases outside of Winnipeg, I think  we need to look at this promptly. And I think its time for mandatory (rules) over suggestions," said Nason.

The councillor said he expects Winnipeggers would co-operate with a mandatory requirement.

"Its like no smoking in public spaces. Its not like (that rule is) heavily enforced, its more the will of the people to keep it to a minimum. It becomes the cultural norm," said Nason.

A few riders waiting to catch downtown buses on Monday agreed masks should be required on public transit.

"Its about the community  (The city) should take precautions by making the masks mandatory, so that everybody will feel safe," said Sheriff Dada.

Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitobas chief public health officer, said the province could consider mandatory mask rules to help avoid a return to widespread business and government shutdowns.

"We were successful (during) the first few months with this virus with very stringent public health restrictions. And so the only public health measure between those restrictions is masks. So thats where we may go before we get to any further widespread restrictions," said Roussin.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Mayor Brian Bowman wasnt available for an interview on Monday. In an email, spokesperson Jeremy Davis noted city and provincial officials are discussing "recent provincial government changes related to masks."

Meanwhile, a separate petition now opposes a recent Manitoba government mandate that kids in Grade 4 to 12 must wear masks at school when they cant socially distance, showing not all Manitobans support mask requirements.

The same group of students is also required to wear masks on school buses.

"Mandatory wearing of face masks is unconstitutional  We as parents deserve the right to choose what is best for each individual child," states the online petition shared by Manitoba Together, a group thats held rallies to oppose pandemic restrictions.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga
Almost 200 years later and 500 metres from where explorer John Oxley disembarked from the Brisbane River in 1824 and changed life forever for First Australians, the family of Australias first Indigenous parliamentarian celebrated a special moment.

Neville Bonner's grandchildren watched as Brisbanes newest double-decker CityCat was named after him to recognise the achievements of the man born near the Tweed and who grew up around Ipswich to become a senator.

Neville Bonner, former Liberal senator and Aboriginal elder statesman.

The Neville Bonner vessel will permanently carry the Aboriginal flag, rather than the red ensign on other CityCats.

Senator Bonner was the first Indigenous person to serve in Australias federal parliament. His term spanned 1971 to 1983.
Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - The entrance to Seven Springs LLC, in Bedford, N.Y., a property owned by the Trump family, is quiet, Sept. 23, 2009.

New Yorks attorney general asked a court Monday to compel some of President Donald Trump's business associates, including his son, Eric, to testify and turn over documents as part of her investigation into whether the president's company lied about the value of its assets in order to get loans or tax benefits.

Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, said her civil investigation of potential fraud in Trumps business dealings, which began last year, has been held up by a lack of co-operation from the president and his family.

The petition seeking the courts intervention was filed after lawyers for Eric Trump abruptly cancelled his planned interview with investigators late last month.

For months, the Trump Organization has made baseless claims in an effort to shield evidence from a lawful investigation into its financial dealings, James said in a statement. They have stalled, withheld documents, and instructed witnesses, including Eric Trump, to refuse to answer questions under oath. Thats why weve filed a motion to compel the Trump Organization to comply with our offices lawful subpoenas for documents and testimony. These questions will be answered and the truth will be uncovered, because no one is above the law.

The court petition was made just as the Republican Party was nominating Trump for re-election, and the presidents company immediately dismissed it as a political stunt.

While we have tried to co-operate in good faith with the investigation at every turn, the NYAGs continued harassment of the company as we approach the election (and filing of this motion on the first day of the Republican National Convention) once again confirms that this investigation is all about politics, read a statement emailed by Trump Organization chief legal officer Alan Garten.

James' investigation was launched in March 2019 after Trumps longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, told Congress that Trump had repeatedly inflated the value of his assets to obtain more favourable terms for loans and insurance coverage.

While the probe has previously received press attention, Monday's court filings revealed new details about its focus.

Among other things, it said investigators were looking into how the Trump Organization and its agents assessed the value of Seven Springs, a 212-acre (0.9-square-kilometre) estate north of New York City.

Trump had initially purchased the property in 1995 with the intent of turning it into a golf club, but after that project failed to progress, he granted an easement over 158 acres to a conservation land trust in 2016 in order to qualify for an income tax deduction.

In its court filing, the attorney general's office said a professional appraisal done at the time determined that Seven Springs was worth $56.5 million prior to the donation. The land being conserved in exchange for the tax deduction was worth $21.1 million, it said.

Cohen said during his congressional testimony that when Trump was trying to buy the Buffalo Bills in 2014, he provided financial statements to Deutsche Bank saying Seven Springs was worth $291 million in 2012.

James' investigators said in the court filing that they have not yet determined whether any law was broken.

The White House referred questions to the Trump Organization.

The president last year accused New Yorks governor and attorney general of harassing all of my New York businesses in search of anything at all they can find to make me look as bad as possible.

James' office issued subpoenas to the Trump Organization and to Seven Springs LLC in December 2019, seeking financial documents, the filing said. Since then, both have engaged in extensive good-faith discussions concerning the Trump Organizations compliance with the subpoenas. But the two sides are now at an impasse, according to the court filings, which were partially sealed.

The attorney generals office is also attempting to collect information about the Trump National Golf Club near Los Angeles, where the Trump Organization donated a conservation easement over part of the property in 2014 and received a tax deduction.

And investigators said they were also probing the circumstances of how the Trump Organization handled tax issues related to more than $100 million of debt related to the Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago that was forgiven between 2010 and 2012. Investigators said they have not been able to confirm whether any of that forgiven debt was recognized as taxable income, according to the court filings.

The list of Trump-related properties being looked at also includes a landmark office building at 40 Wall Street in Manhattan, where the Trump Organization owns a lease.

James' office asked the court to enforce subpoenas sent to the Trump Organization and to a firm that has represented Trump on tax issues. In addition to Eric Trump, it has asked the court to order two lawyers that did work for Trump to sit for interviews with investigators.
A 35-year-old assistant sub-inspector who allegedly raped an 11-year-old girl inside the toilet of government quarters in Dehradun on Sunday, was arrested Monday evening, police said.

The survivors father is visually impaired while her mother who lodged a complaint against the accused identified as one Sanjiv Jagudi has a differently-abled hand. Jagudi was currently deployed at state polices 112 emergency helpline centre in Dehradun, said police.

Circle officer (city), Sekhar Chand Suyal said the girls mother in her complaint to the police said, her family and the accused both live in the same complex of government quarters.

On Sunday afternoon, her daughter had gone to the toilet. When the girl didnt return after some time, she went to check. After reaching near the toilet she called her several times but there was no answer with the door closed from inside. Suddenly, Jugadi opened the door from inside and escaped, said Suyal.

He said that when the woman entered the toilet, she saw her daughter in an unconscious state. She then took the girl home and called the neighbours.

One of the neighbours called the police which rushed to the spot and took the girl to a hospital.

Later in the evening, her mother lodged a complaint against Jugadi following which he was booked for rape under section 376 of IPC and 5/6 of POCSO Act, said Suyal.

A team was formed to nab Jugadi. He was arrested on Monday and presented before the court which sent him to jail, he said.

Superintendent of police Dehradun (city) Shweta Chaubey said, The accused had come on attachment to the radio department of 112 state emergency helpline centre in Dehradun from Rudraprayag district about two years ago.

A departmental action would soon be taken against him by the police headquarters also. As far as the girl is concerned, she is at present in a stable condition at her home, she said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kalyan Das Kalyan Das covers crime, transport, human rights and central government offices from Bhopal and Indore. ...view detail
Advertisement

It was only a year ago that 'back to school' meant the usual cart full of school supplies, pressure to buy pricey new sneakers and dealing with kids' disappointment over a getting a dreaded teacher.

Now Covid-19 has turned this once predictable time of year on it's head and presented parents with challenges and dilemmas no one could have anticipated.

After a summer devoted to surveying, studying and strategizing, the only certainty about this new school year is that nothing is certain at all, as the pressure to get students back in classrooms amidst the Covid-19 pandemic grows.

Last week the White House turned the screw with the announcement that teachers are now considered 'critical infrastructure workers,' while CDC director Dr Robert Redfield compared teachers to physicians  a vocation in which practitioners have to 'stay in the arena.'

But as schools open up, the clearer it has become that there is just no legislation for the vagaries of the coronavirus.

State by state, district by district plans have been made, unmade and remade.

As of Monday, only two of the nation's top 15 largest school districts  New York and Hawaii - plan to reopen classrooms even part-time.

In Indiana, a high school reopened only to shift to online learning after just two days.

North Paulding High School in Dallas, Georgia, drew national attention on the first day of class when students posted pictures and videos of hallways crowded with kids not wearing masks. Six students and three members of staff subsequently tested positive and the school went online with a plan to review the decision.

After a summer devoted to surveying, studying and strategizing, the only certainty about this new school year is that nothing is certain at all, as the pressure to get students back in classrooms amidst the Covid-19 pandemic grows. Pictured: Corinth Elementary School third grade teacher Brooke Marlar helps her new student Navaeh Malone, get started with her assignment on the first day back to school on July 27 in Corinth, Mississippi

As schools open up, the clearer it has become that there is just no legislation for the vagaries of the coronavirus. State by state, district by district plans have been made, unmade and remade. As of Monday, only two of the nation's top 15 largest school districts  New York and Hawaii - plan to reopen classrooms even part-time

Four percent of rural districts and 21 percent of suburban areas have announced fully remote plans compared to 55 percent of urban districts. Pictured: Graph showing learning method recommendations for schools during Covid-19 across city, suburb and rural areas

In some places the virus arrived before the students.

In Georgia's largest school district, Gwinnett County, 260 employees were excluded from work before they had even returned to prepare for starting classes remotely on August 12.

The same thing happened 55 miles away in Pickens County, Georgia where class start dates were pushed back two weeks after staff who gathered for training at an elementary school tested positive.

Chicago Public Schools announced earlier this month they would open remotely after a summer of planning a hybrid return.

Los Angeles Unified, the nation's second largest school system, decided last month to abandon plans for an in-person return and start the year fully online.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis was forced to walk back on his July 6 order that 'all brick and mortar schools' should 'open at least five days a week for all.'

Days later, as Florida's number of confirmed cases spiked at 51,000, Miami Dade school board voted unanimously to allow schools to pivot between in-person, fully remote and hybrid models.

Four percent of rural districts and 21 percent of suburban areas have announced fully remote plans compared to 55 percent of urban districts.

Parents who have a choice about sending their kids back into the classroom are in a quandary.

Meanwhile parents in New York, the largest school district in the nation, have found themselves presented with a dilemma as much as a choice, after Governor Cuomo gave the go-ahead for partial re-opening of classes.

Father-of-two Tyghe Trimble, 38, has decided to keep three-year-old Emerson and eight-year-old Jodie at home.

But the Editor in Chief of parenting blog, Fatherly, told DailyMail.com that it was a decision that 'kept him up at night.'

Meanwhile parents in New York, the largest school district in the nation, have found themselves presented with a dilemma as much as a choice, after Governor Cuomo gave the go-ahead for partial re-opening of classes. Father-of-two Tyghe Trimble, 38, (pictured) has decided to keep three-year-old Emerson and eight-year-old Jodie at home. But the Editor in Chief of parenting blog, Fatherly, told DailyMail.com that it was a decision that 'kept him up at night'

Manhattan-based leadership consultant and mother-of-three Eden Abrahams (pictured), 51, agrees  but her calculations led her to a different decision. She has two children of school age: Fifth grader, Amanda, 10, who attends Manhattan New School and 15-year-old Will, a sophomore at The Bronx School of Science. They will both embark on hybrid learning when their schools reopen in September

He said: 'They'll both be staying at home because in our complex calculation that made the most sense. Does the decision keep me up at night? Absolutely.

'But is it the best decision for the information I have at hand? I think so.'

Trimble said it's 'a complex calculus for parents.'

He explained: 'So many people are looking at it in the context of coronavirus alone  is it safe for my family's health?'

But according to Trimble, as well as public and personal health worries there's also, 'financial well-being, child development and psychology at play.'

Manhattan-based leadership consultant and mother-of-three Eden Abrahams, 51, agrees  but her calculations led her to a different decision.

She has two children of school age: Fifth grader, Amanda, 10, who attends Manhattan New School and 15-year-old Will, a sophomore at The Bronx School of Science.

They will both embark on hybrid learning when their schools reopen in September.

For Abrahams the benefits of even a partial return to class outweighed the risks. She explained: 'Right now it feels relatively safe to me and I think that the cost of not having social interaction with other kids and not having any component of in-person learning just isn't optimal.'

Both schools have, she said, outlined stringent physical changes and protocols  open windows, hand sanitizer, social distancing, mask wearing, temperature checks and isolation rooms for students who show any symptoms.

Sara Lind, a 37-year-old activist whose son Archer, 7, is going into second grade in the Upper West Side's PS166 has taken the same stance though her decision was complicated, she explained, by the fact that Archer's 80-year-old grandmother lives with them.

She said: 'It's definitely a complicating factor and something we really thought about. But I feel it's important for kids to have that social interaction, even though it won't be the same, and they will be distanced and wearing masks.'

Sara Lind (pictured), a 37-year-old activist whose son Archer, 7, is going into second grade in the Upper West Side's PS166 has taken the same stance though her decision was complicated, she explained, by the fact that Archer's 80-year-old grandmother lives with them

Art Advisor Christina Shearman, 43, is facing a similar quandary at her home in Connecticut where she is a mother and stepmother of five.

Her youngest  one of 20-month twins  suffers with chest problems that have seen him hospitalized and so the prospect of sending her four-year-old back to pre-school, with all the risk of exposure that brings, is fraught.

She said: 'There's only an in-person option as it's really a very small pre-school. He loves it and it's wonderful, but we are extremely cautious.

'Throughout shutdown they've only been having very limited play-dates and even though there's maybe only ten or 12 in his class, I'm just not sure we can be comfortable with that.'

Back in New York, Lind's comfort level with her son's partial return is boosted by the fact they live only three blocks from school and he doesn't need public transport to get there.

But the practicalities of what happens when he does are still a source of concern.

She said: 'It's a crowded block  with a private school and a daycare, as well as my son's school. The sidewalks are narrow so if they're checking temperatures on the way in and everyone's crowded waiting it does feel like a potential recipe for disaster.'

Lind, who is running for City Council, District 6, hopes to see the city extend its Play Street program to accommodate this issue. At the moment the program allows for the recurrent closure of 12 city streets.

The details of hybrid plans vary but all are reminiscent of complex custody settlements hammered out between parents and schools.

Abrahams' youngest child, Amanda, will go to school one day a week for two weeks and two days a week in the third week. Son Will's school has just announced their students will spend 25 percent of their time in class, possibly equating to one day a week.

For Lind, Archer's schedule will flip-flop between two days in school/ three days out for one week and three days in/two days out, the next.

She admitted, 'I'm sure we'll see people turning up on the wrong day!'

The details of hybrid plans vary but all are reminiscent of complex custody settlements hammered out between parents and schools. Pictured: The nationwide analysis on district recommendations for the start of the school year

North Paulding High School in Dallas, Georgia, drew national attention on the first day of class when students posted pictures and videos of hallways crowded with kids not wearing masks (pictured). Six students and three members of staff subsequently tested positive and the school went online with a plan to review the decision.

But with less than three weeks to go in New York, there is still no certainty that teachers will turn up, because many have applied for waivers. Nor is it certain that all students' remote learning will be conducted by teachers from their own districts.

Many schools will have teachers dedicated to fully remote learning and students who have opted for that will remain remote for the rest of the year.

Physician and mother-of-two Anahita, who lives in a suburb of Philadelphia, had decided to allow her 11-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter back to school for the two days of classroom learning, which was announced in July when Philadelphia revealed plans for a hybrid model.

But she admitted to DailyMail.com that she breathed a sigh of relief when the district later pivoted to fully remote learning until at least October.

She said: 'I think a lot of parents are frustrated and it's been a tough summer, but I also think that people are doing their best and working with the information as they have it.'

The district has also aimed to continue to support vulnerable students, provide school meals for students who depend on them and help families access low-cost internet.

I think a lot of parents are frustrated and it's been a tough summer, but I also think that people are doing their best and working with the information as they have it.

Parents in her district were offered three options: a virtual academy, outsourced to a third-party company, fully remote learning provided by the district itself and a hybrid of online and in-class.

She said: 'The plan was that half the kids will go in Monday, Tuesday and half will go in on Thursday, Friday and I believe Wednesday is going to be required for teachers planning lessons.'

She said she and her husband had chosen this option with the kids' best interest in mind, rather than being governed by her own, understandable, 'risk aversion.'

But as things stand it's a relief that the problem has been kicked down the road until Fall.

While there is no 'easy' way out of this Covid chaos, parents affluent enough to ditch regular schooling entirely in favor of 'pods' or 'hubs' have found their own albeit temporary, solution.

According to independent think tank, the Center for Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) 'home-schooling collaboratives,' where a small group of parents pay for their children to learn in a bespoke environment, may actually serve as a model for students with disabilities and learning difficulties in public schools.

Similarly, parents with significant funds may choose to jettison their school's ad-hoc version of online learning in favor of a la carte courses and learning experiences.

For entrepreneurs Chriselle Lim, 35, and Joan Nguyen, 34, necessity truly proved to be the mother of invention when shutdowns left the Los Angeles based mothers struggling to engage their children in the conventional Zoom classes offered.

Marietta, Georgia plans to spend $640,000 to hire 55 monitors to check students' symptoms before boarding school buses

If six feet of social distancing is observed, then the 54 seats on a school bus dwindles to just eight. Dundee Michigan expects to spend more than $300,000 adding routes to address this issue, while Odessa, Texas plans for buses to run on continuous routes while students arrive and depart at staggered times. Pictured: Children getting off a school bus on July 27 in Corinth, Mississippi

According to Lim: 'I pulled my five-year-old daughter Chloe, out of her school's remote learning very early on.

'I noticed that with the kids all crowded onto the screen and on mute when they weren't being addressed directly, she found it scary at first and then when she understood how it worked, she lost interest.'

The women already ran preschool education company Bumo - meaning parent in Korean - and provided a 'physical and digital community' for working parents. Unable to find a good online alternative for their own children, they decided to make one.

Nguyen explained: 'We wanted to create this virtual learning experience and make it as 'unplugged' and experiential as possible.

'Parents can get a Brain Box every month with all their child will need for activities if they like, or they can just sign up to the live daily classes.'

The classes in this virtual school are small, for ages two to six, and 'interactive.'

A five-week program of live classes in just one subject costs $128, with parents signing up for several.

Nguyen admitted: 'The shortcoming is that you don't have that physical interaction and collaboration which is important so I would be remiss to say we checked all the boxes in that sense.

'But we do that best we can to foster personal connection.'

According to a study published in Education Week, 67 percent of 153 districts won by Hillary Clinton in 2016 will open fully remotely. In contrast, at 58 percent, the majority of 307 districts won by Donald Trump will open fully or partly in-person.

But the return doesn't always reflect what many might consider the most pertinent metric - infection rate.

In Arizona, an epicentre with the fifth highest hospitalization rate in the country, JO Combs Unified School District announced on Monday, August 17, that its schools would no longer be returning to classes in person as originally planned. Officials cited an 'overwhelming' number of teachers who simply refused because they felt 'unsafe.'

The district is in Pinal County, which has recorded more than 8,600 confirmed cases and 164 Covid deaths.

Students have been back in school in Corinth, Mississippi for close to a month with just 23 percent of its high school students opting for remote learning. Superintendent Dr Lee Childress (pictured), 62, told DailyMail.com he made the decision after months of extensive planning. He explained: 'We had groups of teachers and administrators that worked throughout the spring on formulating a plan'

But just over the county line in Maricopa, Queen Creek Unified district pushed ahead with an in-person return despite resistance and the fact that it sits in the third worst hit county in the nation, with more than 127,000 confirmed cases and 2,500 deaths.

Students have been back in school in Corinth, Mississippi for close to a month with just 23 percent of its high school students opting for remote learning.

Superintendent Dr Lee Childress, 62, told DailyMail.com he made the decision after months of extensive planning. He explained: 'We had groups of teachers and administrators that worked throughout the spring on formulating a plan.

'Then we took that plan and began to share components  we held weekly Facebook Live sessions with parents and the community. We listened, then developed a series of proposals which I took to the school board for vote.'

Dr Childress added: 'We are using thermal scanners to take everyone's temperatures at the start of school, we have all sorts of hand washing procedures in place, lunches are served in the classroom, recess is more organized with no free play.

'Children are not going to the library or having physical education. There's no music where children are singing, no pep rallies or sporting events.'

Among the many measures to try to limit student contact, high school students are not allowed to linger by their cars if they drive to school or congregate in the parking lot and masks must be worn all day.

Dr Childress told DailyMail.com they have had 'no issues with compliance' in daily mask wearing from any of the students  even the very youngest in the district's elementary school.

He would like to take activities outdoors, he said, but so far the Mississippi heat has made that impossible and instead doors and windows are left open and classes spread out into cafeterias and gymnasiums.

Although he is confident with the path they have chosen, Dr Childress, who has been the district's Superintendent for 21 years, admitted: 'It's kind of like drinking out of the fire hose because it's happening so fast.'

Five students tested positive for Covid-19 on day two and 160 students and staff have been quarantined since school reopened  28 were still in quarantine at time of writing.

The physical changes required for an in-person return are costly.

Marietta, Georgia plans to spend $640,000 to hire 55 monitors to check students' symptoms before boarding school buses.

If six feet of social distancing is observed, then the 54 seats on a school bus dwindles to just eight. Dundee Michigan expects to spend more than $300,000 adding routes to address this issue, while Odessa, Texas plans for buses to run on continuous routes while students arrive and depart at staggered times.

At the other end of the spectrum, the CRPE suggests that students attending school entirely online could lose anywhere from one third to one half of their academic gains from last year with large racial and class disparities

Many students have no access to computers or WiFi, so the district has handed out 18,000 devices and Superintendent Vivian Ekchian has piloted an extraordinary scheme in which schools are reopening but only for online learning. Pictured: A chart showing the percentage of students in households with no internet or computer access by race

Pictured: A chart showing the percentage of students in households with no internet or computer access by family's annual income

With teachers seeking waivers from their doctors, threatening strikes and speaking publicly about writing their own wills, it seems that moving schooling online is the path of least resistance.

At the other end of the spectrum, the CRPE suggests that students attending school entirely online could lose anywhere from one third to one half of their academic gains from last year with large racial and class disparities.

Meanwhile, McKinsey & Company warns of potentially devastating long-term consequences of remote learning on both students and the economy. And those with the least, stand to lose the most.

Data from Curriculum Associates, creators of i-Ready digital-instruction and assessment software, suggests that while 90 percent of high-income students regularly log onto online instruction, only 60 percent of low-income students do. Engagement rates also lag in schools serving predominantly black and Hispanic students.

In Glendale Unified Schools District 52 percent of students get free or subsidized school meals and many come from homes where the first language is one of 50 other than English.

Many students have no access to computers or WiFi, so the district has handed out 18,000 devices and Superintendent Vivian Ekchian has piloted an extraordinary scheme in which schools are reopening but only for online learning.

Last week about 1,000 of the district's 13,000 students were expected to return to schools where gymnasiums and cafeterias have been converted into socially distanced 'classrooms' and 'remote' study is overseen by staff members there, not to teach, but to offer technical assistance and keep students focused on their work.

It may seem a counter-intuitive model but for students of parents who cannot stay at home or do not have online resources it could be the difference between learning and slipping through the cracks. Ekchian has already been approached by other districts who want to replicate the model.

Speaking to CNN Ekchian said: 'I can't be in a hospital helping a patient, but I can be at a school site helping a student. And that is my definition of being an essential worker in this capacity.'

Trump's push to reopen hasn't come with a federal road map, rather a series of vague aspirational gestures in the general direction of a return to school.

And, while there may be the will to get there, it is clear that right now, parents and schools are struggling to find the way.
Notice about Roy L. Pearson

Page Menu Campus Announcements

Archive Facebook Twitter YouTube RSS Search This Site Submit Search

Provost Peggy Agouris sent the following message to the campus community Aug. 24, 2020. - Ed.

Dear Colleagues,

Roy L. Pearson, Chancellor Professor of Business Emeritus, passed away on August 16, 2020, at 80 years of age. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Louise Johns Pearson. Their grandson is a current student at W&M.

Born in Hong Kong, Roy later moved with his family to Farmville, Virginia. He earned his undergraduate degree in Business as well as his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Virginia. After graduation, he taught at the University of Arkansas and at Centenary College of Shreveport, LA. He was encouraged to return to Virginia by then business school dean Charlie Quittmeyer and joined the William & Mary School of Business Faculty in 1971. He was foundational to the business schools early development and success. Roy retired from the Mason School Faculty in 2005, becoming Chancellor Professor Emeritus.

Roy's research and teaching focused on forecasting and time series analysis. He also taught macroeconomics to business graduate students. In particular, he taught forecasting to our MBA students for three decades. According to longtime faculty colleague, Jim Haltiner, Among the MBA students, Roy had the reputation of being an exacting professor with a demanding workload and with high standards, but someone they really respected and learned from. Roy was a favorite of our students and both he and our MBA alumni looked forward to having dinner together at our annual MBA Class Reunions in May. Roy published in the top international journals in forecasting. He also has served on the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Forecasters (IIF) and as Associate Editor of IIF's Foresight: The International Journal of Applied Forecasting.

Professor Pearson had a gift for translating academic knowledge into information that was useful to the business, public, and government communities. From 1984 to 1998 as Director of the W&M's Bureau of Business Research, he regularly published his quarterly two-year-ahead economic forecasts  and also ten-year forecasts  for the state of Virginia and six of its metropolitan areas. And he continued to prepare national, state, and sub-state forecasts for businesses and government agencies until very recently.

From a public standpoint, Roy was the dean of economists in Virginia. He served on the Governor's Advisory Board of Economists at the pleasure of eight Virginia governors (Robb, Baliles, Wilder, Allen, Warner, Kaine, McAuliffe, and Northam). He also has served as Vice President of the National Business and Economics Society and as President of the Virginia Association of Economists (1990-91). He was named a Distinguished Fellow of the Association in 1998. In 1994-95, he was President of the Association for University Business and Economic Research.

Roy was an expert at economic impact modeling. He prepared economic impact studies for government organizations, businesses, and non-profit organizations periodically since 1979. Recent published reports have been for the Port of Virginia (2008 and 2014), Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (2012, 2013, and 2014), the Virginia Maritime Association (2016), Union Mission Ministries (2016), and in 2019 two reports for the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. Professor Scott Swan in the Mason School was a co-researcher with Roy in most of these economic impact studies, and I am thankful to Professor Swan for these summary sentiments: Roy Pearson represented the best of academics - meticulous research, creative techniques, and insightful conclusions. He was a beloved teacher to everyone he met and my most valued mentor. I have never met a more brilliant analyst, accomplished intellectual, and nicer guy. His passion for life  his work, his hobbies, his friends (which included most everyone he met), and especially his family  was inspiring. I already miss him tremendously.

A private family service was held in Farmville, Virginia last Friday.

Peggy
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is to impose further restrictions on the work of the media in Idleb, in an attempt to control activities and shape public opinion reports Shaam News Network.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Salvation Government have been using a selection of means and methods to restrict media activity in their areas of control, as part of a continuous attempt to spread its control and impose their hegemony on activists and the media corps as a whole.

The Media Relations Office of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is run by figures who use fake names, including non-Syrian figures, issued multiple decisions to exert pressure and intimidate activists, after realizing that carrying out arrests had major consequences that moved public opinion against them.

Among the decisions issued by these entities is obliging activists in all areas of their control to apply for a press card issued by the Media Relations Office in the Salvation Government, although there is no ministry of information in the so-called government. Moreover, those who refuse to present their card are being threatened with legal accountability and a possible suspension of their media activity.

The underlying plan aims to census the names and gather the personal data of activists in the liberated areas who are working in the media field as well as their addresses and the media agencies with which they are affiliated. This indicated that the card has a more security-oriented aim than a professional one.

As of late, the Media Relations Office has been keeping tabs on activists work through their official pages. Many alerts and warnings were sent to activists via fake and official numbers, regarding posts on Facebook or Twitter.

The office relies on the method of intimidation and threatening activists, especially those working with media institutions that contradict the political agenda of Tahrir al-Sham, and may oppose them and criticize their practices, claiming its keenness to work in the media and serve the Syrian revolution. This is used as a tactic to alert many activists of the need to cease work for these institutions and pressure them using promises as well as accountability and prosecution threats.

Shaam News Network learned, through several sources, that an official of the Media Relations Office in the Salvation Government, Molham al-Ahmad  which despite being a fictitious name, is a well-known figure among Idleb activists  contacted many activists and warned them about continuing to work with several Syrian and Western media institutions, claiming that these institutions are not working in the interest of the revolutionary movement.

The authorities did not stop there; they continued to pressure a number of media activists through other means, including summoning them to formal and informal meetings, and following the method of carrot and stick, until their requests to part ways with the media institutions were met, and coercing them into making it look like they left voluntarily without interference by any outside party.

What is more, Tahrir al-Sham and the Salvation Government take advantage of any video clip broadcast through some media channels, including Russian media, to pursue activists. According to activists, those clips are often used as an excuse to pressure them.

Furthermore, the Media Relations Office in the Salvation Government prohibited work with Al-Aan TV and Al-Youm Channel, including sending any material to them, and giving interviews. Step Agency was also boycotted, with the media office confirming that sending any material to these entities would expose the owner of the material to legal accountability.

According to Shaams sources, there is a long list of media institutions that are going to be targeted and whose employees are going to be suffocated and have their freedom restricted, including Shaam News Network, Aleppo Today, and Orient, in addition to Western agencies such as AFP. According to the sources, the media office is waiting for the appropriate time to carry out their plan.

Tahrir al-Sham and the Salvation Government are trying, through media relations, to attract activists in the countryside of Idleb by inviting them to attend so-called consultancy meetings with Tahrir al-Shams leader, Mohammed al-Jolani, meetings whose real aim is to try to get activists to support their media plan.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
High tides surging from a narrow creek destroyed the car Kathy Blake once parked in her gravel driveway here. Over the past two decades, the water has ruined half a dozen of them.

Since October, when one of those floods filled the first floor of Blakes home with 6 inches of water, shes been living in a camper with her husband and granddaughter, in that same driveway.

Not far away in this tiny community on Marylands lower Eastern Shore, Chesapeake Bay waves have eaten away at the land Gary McQuitty uses to offer hunting trips. Last year, he had to move a duck blind inland. McQuitty expects to have to move it again soon, as the waves creep toward his hunting lodge.

The evidence of rising seas stretches to Dorchester Countys mainland, too, up the winding road toward the county seat of Cambridge. Across the rural southern half of the county, everything is projected to be inundated  frequently if not constantly  by the end of the century.

The signs of change are so glaring around Dorchester, they are forcing difficult decisions. In this county of 32,000 people, experts say the confrontation with rising water caused by climate change is coming more quickly than just about anywhere else on the East Coast.

And its coming at a time when turnover has left Dorchester without key personnel who had been guiding the problem-solving.

Dorchester County is a good example of our canary in a coal mine, said Michael Scott, dean of the Henson School of Science and Technology at Salisbury University, who has spent years mapping land losses in the county. These same issues are coming to a county near you. Its just a matter of when or where.

Across Dorchester, shores have receded by as much as 600 feet since the 1970s, Scott said, and they continue to lose ground each day.

Already, rising sea levels are helping to turn the marshes of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge into open water, and dotting them with dead trees, killed by exposure to salt water. Refuge caretakers are selective in purchasing new land, avoiding wide swaths that are expected to be underwater within a generation.

Dorchester County homebuyers increasingly pay in cash to avoid the skyrocketing flood insurance premiums that mortgage lenders require.

Road closures are routine as high tides jump riverbanks and rise through storm drains. There is talk of curtailing any new development across southern Dorchester, even as theres also discussion of extending sewer lines to far-flung communities where a rising water table threatens widespread septic system failures.

Buildings and artifacts dating to the times of county native Harriet Tubman, or to days even before Captain John Smith toured the countys shores, are at risk. As historians assess the threat to cultural resources, they say that in some cases their only logical option will be to meticulously document whats there before its lost.

Also threatened is the historic center of Marylands seafood industry on Hoopers Island, where crab-picking operations are already struggling amid labor shortages and the coronavirus pandemic.

Through it all, a fundamental question faces residents like Blake and McQuitty. Stay and adapt, or give up and go?

Their answers are different, though neither believes the waters will stop rising. They agree they live in a beautiful place that is at risk.

Once it goes, youre never getting it back, McQuitty said.

Historical Forces Made Worse

Dorchester has always been flood-prone during Marylands worst storms, such as Hurricane Isabel in 2003, which damaged hundreds of homes in the county.

And the county has long dealt with erosion eating away at exposed peninsulas and islands. More than 300 people lived on Holland Island, about 10 miles south of Hoopers, into the early 1900s, but its last house collapsed into the bay in 2010. Applegarth, the southernmost of three villages that once constituted Hoopers Island, didnt survive the 1933 Chesapeake-Potomac hurricane, the same devastating storm that wrought Ocean Citys inlet.

The threats tides and storms pose to the county are expected to accelerate as the climate warms, suggesting more communities will inevitably disappear. Models suggest the Chesapeake Bay will rise as much as 2.1 feet by 2050  enough to put most of the southern half of Dorchester under water  and close to 4 feet by 2100. Scientists say this is happening both because global seas are rising as temperatures do, and because the Delmarva Peninsula has been sinking since the last Ice Age.

Over the past decade, the county has begun to address the dire predictions.

After years of debate, the County Council in 2011 adopted a policy requiring the lowest floor of any new structure to be elevated at least 2 feet above a base flood level. In 2016, officials revamped a tax sale process designed to encourage redevelopment of vacant buildings. They added a step that reviews flood hazards before those properties receive any investment. The policy won an award for innovation from the Maryland Association of Counties.

Jim Bass, coastal resilience program manager at the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, praised the county for some remarkably progressive ideas for a rural, conservative community.

Officials hardly had a choice, he suggested.

When youre watching your backyard wash into the Chesapeake Bay, were not talking about the philosophies of climate change anymore. Were talking about public safety now, said Bass, whose organization is focused on preserving Eastern Shore communities and quality of life.

That doesnt mean its easy for residents to agree on solutions. Though the erosion is undeniable, many say they arent sure climate change is the cause.

The county has laid out many ideas for adaptation in a new comprehensive plan, a draft of which is under review. It calls for efforts to preserve cultural heritage, restrict development along shorelines, and explore use of state and federal money to raise vulnerable structures or install flood vents that prevent water damage.

As officials prepare to put those policies into practice, the county government is without several staff members who have helped guide its approach in addressing flooding, including its director and assistant director of planning and zoning and its head of emergency management. An environmental planner also recently departed, for a similar job in Wicomico County.

County manager Keith Adkins said he is busy working to fill the vacancies, and did not respond to further questions from The Baltimore Sun. County Council President Jay Newcomb, a Democrat who owns Old Saltys Restaurant on Hoopers Island, did not respond to requests for comment.

Councilman Lenny Pfeffer, who is said to be the bodys first member who wasnt born and raised in Dorchester, called flooding a major concern, but said he worries that with just $60 million in the countys annual budget, it cant afford to be proactive in addressing the threat. Sen. Addie Eckardt, a Republican who represents people in Dorchester and three other Shore counties, said the economic contraction brought on by the coronavirus pandemic will make it more difficult for the state to help address land loss.

There could be more federal help ahead. A program passed into law in 2018 could begin offering grants by the end of this year, with a total amount based on 6% of spending nationally on disaster relief in the previous year. The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program could go toward disaster planning, projects to raise or otherwise reinforce buildings, as well as to buy out owners of repeatedly flooded properties.

Government Buyouts Considered

But that last strategy in particular has proved controversial in Dorchester. The county was developing a plan to guide buyouts in 2018, until an election in which three of five County Council seats changed hands paused the effort.

A year and a half later, discussion over the policy may soon resume  the proposed new county comprehensive plan suggests that in some cases, buyouts may be the best option.

The idea of a buyout program has sparked debate in the past because it stands in contrast to efforts to invest in new infrastructure and flood prevention in places like Norfolk, Virginia, and Annapolis, said Anna Sierra, who led Dorchesters emergency services department from 2016 through early 2019 and now holds a similar position in Caroline County.

Its a very hard conversation to have, Sierra said. Its hard to look somebody in the eye who is a fourth-generation or fifth-generation resident and say, Your culture, your generational land, it doesnt matter as much as it does across the water because you dont have as much money. 

It also raises concerns about the viability of the community for residents who want to stay. A birds-eye view of the southern half of the county is pockmarked with empty spaces where houses were simply torn down after Isabel, and others have long been sitting empty.

Census data shows that nearly 40% of buildings in southern Dorchester were vacant as of 2010, a rate on par with, if not exceeding, some of the most blighted neighborhoods of Baltimore.

For some, any reason to keep investing along vulnerable shoreline has already disappeared.

Morgan Tolley, who comes from a long line of watermen but has abandoned the profession himself, decided to sell his late fathers home in Wingate, a village on the southeastern side of the county. After his father died in 2015, he sold it to a Washington resident seeking a second home.

He still owns the Meredith & Meredith Seafood Co. crab processing house his family began operating in Toddville a century ago, which is listed in a Maryland Historical Trust inventory of historic properties. But he has no expectation it will be put to use again, or that anyone would want to buy property in that part of the county anymore.

Its just a place where watermen tie their boats up, Tolley said. Theres not any buying and selling going on there anymore.

For it and many other historic and cultural resources, preservation may not be a viable option at all.

In some cases, a building may have to be altered so much to prevent flood damage it would lose its historical integrity, said Elizabeth Hughes, director of the Maryland Historical Trust. That was the trusts determination recently when a group developing a waterfront park in Cambridge sought to move an old church that sits by a graveyard outside Vienna, some 15 miles to the southeast. The trust denied a request for a grant to cover the relocation costs.

If you have to raise a structure to such an extent it can no longer be understood in its historical context, you have to question to what extent are we reducing harm versus causing harm? Hughes said.

But then there are residents and preservationists like Midge Ingersoll, who dreams of moving and recreating entire villages to protect the countys heritage, including those of Native Americans, slaves and free Black people, and watermen. Ingersoll, who lives in a 1740s-era home that was raised 4 feet in 2000, said she hopes to see a balance between preservation and adaptation as more historic structures are threatened.

As for McQuitty and Blake:

McQuitty is among those residents pushing for resilience. He and others on lower Hoopers Island applied for a grant to explore ways to prevent the community from becoming the latest in a history of disappearing Chesapeake islands. The group is poised to receive $55,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration later this year. It plans to study ways to slow erosion, and estimate potential costs.

I think its worth saving, McQuitty said.

But Blake says its a matter of when, not if, her home floods again. She doesnt think shed be able to sell the simple two-story cottage. Skyrocketing flood insurance rates are already making home sales tricky along such vulnerable shoreline.

She thought she found a solution in 2018, negotiating a government buyout that would allow her family to start over elsewhere, but that deal fell apart.

Now, Blake figures her only option to escape her worries is also the worst-case scenario for an area where scars from Hurricane Isabel remain.

My greatest hope for getting out of here is the big one, she said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Flood Maryland
Indias tally of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases rose to more than 3.1 million after 60,975 fresh infections and 848 deaths were reported from across the country in the last 24 hours, Union health ministry data showed on Tuesday morning.

According to the health ministry, there are 704,348 active cases and 58,390 people have succumbed to the disease till date. Indias Covid-19 total recoveries crossed 2.4 million as 66,550 patients were discharged between Monday and Tuesday morning.

With this the recovery rate is now at 75.91%, which the government has attributed to effective implementation of the policy of testing aggressively, tracking comprehensively.

Effective clinical management of the patients in the ICUs has been instrumental in keeping the Case Fatality Rate low and on a steady downward trajectory. It has further dipped to 1.85% today, the ministry said on Monday.

Delhi may be facing a fresh challenge to control an outbreak it had contained to a considerable extent, data has shown. The Covid-19 positivity rate has started rising again in Delhi, with 7.4% of all tests conducted in the last week coming back positive, the highest this number has touched in over a month.

Experts say positivity rate shows how widespread the virus is in the community, and when coupled with an increase in new cases, indicates that the virus is spreading fast.

India has tested more than 3.5 crore people for Covid-19 so far, resolutely following its TEST TRACK TREAT strategy, the health ministry also said on Tuesday morning.

However, Indias daily testing for Covid-19 dropped sharply on Sunday, as 609,917 tests were conducted, the lowest in two weeks, according to health ministry data. The daily testing count was around 200,000 fewer than that of the previous day.

Sundays was the lowest test count since August 10, when 477,027 tests were conducted. India had conducted its first Covid-19 test on January 23 at the Indian Council of Medical Researchs (ICMRs) National Institute of Virology in Pune and has conducted 3,590,213 tests till date.

Meanwhile, the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) will start the Phase II human clinical trial of the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine candidate in India from Tuesday. The observer-blind, randomised controlled study to determine the safety and immunogenicity of Covishield on healthy adults will begin at Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College and Hospital in Pune.

Serum Institute has partnered with British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for manufacturing the Covid-19 vaccine candidate, developed by the University of Oxford.
A man with severe mental health issues who slit a father's throat in 2002 has absconded while on day release from a mental health facility in the NSW Central West and may have made his way to Sydney.

Michael Striker, 48, was last seen leaving a store on Peisley Street, Orange, about 10.30am on Monday. He was seen an hour later in the Bathurst area.

Police are seeking Michael Striker who went missing while on day release in the state's west. Credit:NSW Police

It is understood Mr Striker may have made his way to the Sydney region on Tuesday.

Mr Striker is housed at a mental health facility at Bloomfield Hospital in Orange, which is managed by NSW Health.
The exporters were selected from the nominations of agencies concerned and based on such criteria as minimum revenues, business reputation among foreign partners, fulfilment of tax obligations, and environmental compliance.

Seafood, textile, and rice account for the largest numbers of exporters on the list, with 38, 28 and 26, respectively.

There are also 22 rubber exporters, 19 fruit and vegetable exporters, 15 pepper exporters, 13 cashew nut exporters and 12 tea exporters.

Other sectors with companies on the list include coffee (11), handicrafts (9), dairy (4), pharmaceuticals and medical equipment (6), footwear (4), building materials (10) and mobile phones (3).

The announcement of the list is necessary to assist Vietnamese companies to increase exports and expand their markets, especially as Vietnam is participating in a wide range of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
A Marion County woman is charged with TennCare fraud for selling prescription medication obtained using TennCare healthcare insurance benefits.



The Office of Inspector General, working with the Jasper Police Department, on Tuesday announced the arrest of Kathy Norman, 61, also known as Kathy McNabb. She is charged with one count of TennCare fraud, a class D felony. Investigators say Ms. Norman used TennCare benefits to obtain a prescription for the painkiller oxycodone, later selling the drug to someone else.



The OIG would like to recognize the outstanding effort of the Jasper Police Department, Inspector General Kim Harmon said. We hope to continue these strong established relationships with local authorities to ensure that dangerous drugs are kept off our community streets.



If convicted, Ms.

Norman could face up to 12 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by District Attorney General Mike Taylor of Marion County.The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated over 5,760 criminal cases leading to more than $10.8 million ordered in restitution to TennCare. This has helped lead to a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to the latest figures. To date, 3,075 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982, toll-free or by logging on to www.tn.gov/oig/ and following the prompts that read Report TennCare fraud.
(Natural News) On Monday, Aug. 24, after a weekend of rampant gun violence in the Democrat-controlled city of Chicago, 66 people were shot, including three teenagers and five other men who died from their injuries.

Of those 66 people who were shot, 24 of them received their gunshot wounds between Friday and Saturday evening. Three of the five deaths that occurred during the weekend were all killed early Saturday morning, in three different shooting incidents.

The surge in gun violence has prompted activists to demand that Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, to declare a state of emergency in the city and have the National Guard deployed in order to supplement the numbers of the Chicago Police Department (CPD).

The latest wave of gun violence has broken this summers record set by the shootings that occurred last weekend, wherein 64 people were shot, seven fatally, with one 12-year-old boy and six teenagers counted among the injured. (Related: Chicago prepares for new wave of looting and violence following police-involved shooting of a criminal who fired at officers first.)

Five gunshot victims dead in one weekend

The first fatality occurred before midnight on Friday in the Austin neighborhood in Chicagos West Side. A man leaped out of a black SUV-type vehicle and opened fire. Ronald Boyd, 26, received three gunshot wounds, in the neck, chest and leg. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His companions, a 37-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, received a gunshot wound each and are expected to recover.

Around two hours later at 2:04 a.m. on Saturday, in the South Chicago neighborhood, a man came out of a vehicle and shot Antione Rose, 33, in the head and abdomen. Rose died on the scene. A companion of his who was standing nearby was hit in the leg and abdomen and taken to a nearby hospital, where he is currently in critical condition.

At around 5 a.m., three hours after the previous shooting, another incident in Austin left Devon Nelson, 31, dead thanks to a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to a hospital in the neighboring township of Proviso, where the doctors pronounced him dead.

The last attack to occur on Saturday happened at around 7:22 a.m. in the South Lawndale neighborhood in the West Side. Esteban Campos, Jr., 43, was shot several times and pronounced dead upon arriving at a nearby hospital. A companion of his was also shot, once in the arm, but is in good condition.

The last fatal attack occurred at around 6:20 a.m. on Sunday in North Lawndale. Twenty-seven-year-old Martin Coleman received a gunshot wound in the chest and the pelvis. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Along with all of these horrible deaths, 61 other people were injured during the weekend, including three minors  three 17-year-olds.

Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and learn about how conservatives and other patriotic Americans need to not just bug out of liberal cities, like Chicago, but also out of Democrat-controlled states, like Illinois. When the United States inevitably descends into a civil war, constitutional rights and liberties will only be upheld in red states.

Chicagos crime problem could be solved by the National Guard  but the mayor doesnt want them in her city

Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot and many of her allies in the Chicago City Council have been stalling efforts led by political rivals to ask Gov. Pritzker to declare a state of emergency and send in the National Guard in order to properly address gun violence in the city.

In an attempt to defend her decision, Lightfoot, a native of Ohio, invoked the 1970 Kent State shootings. That was a huge moment in my young life, she said.

While she explained that she understands the concerns of people who want to bring in the National Guard, she is worried about the fact that they have a very different approach to dealing with crime than the CPD.

I dont want a circumstance where we bring in a tool that isnt the right tool for the moment, she said.

On Wednesday, August 19, several aldermen invoked a rarely used state law to force the City Council to conduct a special meeting, which they held virtually. The main point on the agenda was the proposal to send the National Guard into Chicago. During this meeting, Lightfoots allies in the council attempted to push the proposal into committee, which would guarantee its delay.

Chairman of the Public Safety Committee Ald. Chris Taliaferro, who represents Austin, where two of the five deaths occurred, accused Lightfoots allies in the council of being anti-democratic.

When Taliaferro tried to call for a vote before the proposal could be rushed to committee, Lightfoot tried to cut him off, which caused a commotion as he accused the mayor of trying to stifle debate. One alderman told Lightfoot that she was not a dictator, which made the mayor relent.

While the aldermen did debate the matter, the vote  30 in favor, 17 against  still sent the proposal into committee, delaying it and possibly killing it. This decision was opposed by many aldermen, including those who are against calling in the National Guard.

I voted no to refer the National Guard resolution to committee because Im prepared to discuss and vote against this misguided resolution today, said Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. This mayoral administration has consistently used her hand-picked committee chairs to stifle debate and our democratic process.

Crime is surging in cities controlled by the Democratic Party. Stay updated on the latest events in places like Chicago, Portland, Seattle and Kenosha by reading the articles at Rioting.news.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

Chicago.SunTimes.com

ChicagoTribune.com
New Delhi, Aug 25 : The body of a 25-year-old man was found in the Yamuna on Tuesday morning at Kalindi Kunj barrage in southeast Delhi's Shaheen Bagh. When the body was spotted at the riverbank, the PCR was informed and additional staff from Shaheen Bagh police station reached the spot.

When the body was taken out it was found that a heavy stone was tied around the legs indicating that the man had been murdered and the body was then thrown in the river.

"We have registered a case of murder under section 302 of IPC and are investigating the case. The identity of the man is yet to be established and we are trying to get the missing report from nearby police stations to identify the deceased," said a senior police officer.

Police suspect the man was murdered somewhere else and his body might have been thrown in the Yamuna to destroy evidence.

The body has been sent for post-mortem and further investigation is on.
Up is down, down is up. President Donald Trump thanked CNN Tuesday for its Republican convention coverage, while Fox News heard complaints from some viewers that it wasnt showing enough.

Trumps tweet that he was very appreciative to CNN for showing the vast majority of the Republicans opening night program was also likely a coded message to Fox, the network of choice for many of the presidents fans.

The numbers illustrate why he cares: 45% of people following coverage of the conventions last hour on the top six networks Monday were watching Fox News Channel, the Nielsen company said.

Overall, 15.8 million people watched the final hour of convention coverage Monday, down 16% from Democratic candidate Joe Bidens first night last week. Foxs audience was up 238%, but Democratic convention viewership beat Republicans on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and MSNBC.

Also read| Melania Trump, Mike Pompeos address: All you need to know about Republican convention Day 2

While MSNBC and CNN combined had just under 10 million viewers for Bidens first night, they had 3.6 million for Trump, Nielsen said.

CNN and MSNBC showed virtually all of the Democrats prime-time program last week, and it was clear Monday that for consistencys sake, they would try to do the same for Republicans.

I commend them for it, said Frank Sesno, a former CNN Washington bureau chief and director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University. Its a very difficult editorial call.

Conventions represent one of the best opportunities for a party and candidate to make their case to voters, he said. Its more concentrated this year without the physical conventions, and with the parties programming a tight two hours each night, there are fewer opportunities for TV analysts to break in.

Also read| The first ladys night: GOP features Melania Trump

MSNBC was more aggressive breaking in with fact checks, questioning the claims of a nurse who praised Trumps response to the coronavirus pandemic and a Missouri couple that stood outside their home with guns when a Black Lives Matter protest moved past.

We hope that we dont have to keep doing this all night, MSNBCs Rachel Maddow said after the first fact check.

Fox kept its prime-time opinion stars, Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, on the air for the first hour and a half of the convention Monday. Like Hannity did last week with the Democrats, they dipped in and out of showing what was going on at the convention  and, in fact, showed more of the Republicans than of the Democrats last week.

But Fox didnt show all of it. And the network had a lot more people watching Monday than the week before, and a lot more people who cared about seeing what was going on with the Republicans than they did with Democrats.

It led to some odd moments. For instance, Foxs Brit Hume was telling Carlson about how the Republicans wanted to showcase more women  at the same time CNN and MSNBC were carrying Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniels speech live.

Similarly, Hannity told viewers that the media, the mob, they wont be covering large parts of the RNC that well be showing. While he was not showing the convention, CNN and MSNBC were.

Enough with Hannity, Hannity, Hannity, tweeted Steve Walsh, press secretary to a Republican congresswoman from Missouri. Please just show me the convention!

A Fox representative said the networks coverage plan for Republicans is the same as it was for the Democrats.

A week after Trump said in an interview that it was pretty boring when Democrats used pretaped segments during their convention, only three people who talked for the GOP on its first night  McDaniel, former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott  spoke live.
Final lists of candidates have been released for Solvang and Buellton, which both have incumbents seeking re-election to mayoral and city coun
Damascus, Aug 25 : The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the cutting off of water supply by Turkey in the northeastern province of Hasakah, state news agency SANA reported.

Cutting off the water in the Alouk water station in the northern countryside of Hasakah is a "crime against humanity," the ministry said in a statement on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Turkish forces have cut off the water in Hasakah more than 16 times in the past few months, it noted.

The water has been cut off for over two weeks, affecting 1 million people in Hasakah, the ministry said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights watchdog has said Turkey cut off water in Hasakah as the Kurdish Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, which controls much of Hasakah, had refused to feed electricity to areas controlled by the Turkey-backed rebels in the countryside of Hasakah.
Trinh The Hung, director of the preventive health centre of Hanois Phuc Tho District, will never forget the day he was informed of the districts first COVID-19 case earlier this month.

A health worker in Hanoi's Phuc Tho District taking sample for COVID-19 testing of a person travelling from Da Nang City.  VNA/VNS Photo

It was about 3am on August 7. I got a phone call from the Hanoi Centre for Disease Control informing me there was a SARS-CoV-2 positive case in Hamlet 2 of Van Phuc Commune, Hung recalled.

Although I was ready to prepare myself for the pandemic, at that time I couldn't help feeling nervous. Immediately, I called to report to the districts Steering Committee for Pandemic Prevention for urgent zoning and quarantining, Hung said.

District health workers and the rapid response force went to work.

When the teams reached the patients family's street, it was about 4am. Everything was still quiet and the whole block of houses was still asleep.

The health workers and local authorities immediately looked at the field for plans to zone off the area. The patient's family woke up and opened the door for the teams, Hung said.

When I informed them one of their family members had tested positive for the virus, they were a little bit panicked, Hung said.

So we had to keep them calm, do the patients epidemiological investigation, carry out procedures to send the patient to the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases and disinfect the house and neighbouring areas, he said, adding this took them more than an hour.

The rapid response teams also started the health monitoring measures by informing the people around and tracking those who had contacted the patient, he added.

Quick tracing and zoning

Since the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit in Da Nang City in July, the district's rapid response teams have been working day and night, tracing cases and taking samples for testing.

Over the past month, the teams started working at 7am at a testing facility in the yard of Tam Hiep Commune Secondary School.

In the hot and humid weather, the staff had to wear protective suits from head to toe, making for hot and sweaty work.

They did not complain and worked diligently to take samples and determine the epidemiological history of people who had returned from Da Nang.

As a head of five rapid response teams, Hung arrived at the testing place very early every day to supervise the work.

For Hung and his teams, the past days were full of stress, pressure and anxiety.

Since Phuc Tho District recorded the first COVID-19 case, the health workers knew that day or night, wherever there was a risk of infection, the "white-blouse warriors" would have to go, he said.

So far, a total of 623 people returning from Da Nang have had their samples taken for testing.

Even in emergency situations, the rapid response teams always followed professional anti-epidemic procedures. Thanks to that, after the first case, there were no new cases, Hung affirmed.

Previously, the districts health workers participated in the testing process in Ha Loi Hamlet of Me Linh District when the first wave of pandemic occurred in mid-April, and that experience helped them react quickly for the second outbreak.

Work hard in protection suits

For those who perform the testing as technician Giang Thi Binh from the diagnostics faculty of Hanoi's Phuc Tho District medical centre, each disease outbreak is a new war.

Her job is full of risks because of her close contact with suspected cases and COVID-19 patients.

While working, all personal needs must be put aside in a tight protective suit.

"Thirsty but could not drink. Itching but could not scratch. It was very uncomfortable in the protective clothes but everyone got used to them, Binh said.

When the shift finished and it was time to take off the suits, Binh was covered in sweat. She quickly drank some water, went to the toilet and found a place for a short break.

When informed about suspected cases, my task was to come there and take samples. I was always in a ready state, Binh said.

Procedures must be implemented quickly and accurately. The samples were quickly stored in cold boxes to send for testing, she said.

Each time they went to households to take samples, the medical staff must change into new protection suits to ensure safety. This was time-consuming.

There were days that I had to work and go to many families. I had to change into more than a dozen protective suits, said Binh.

The whole day to collect samples was breathless but it was not the end of the task. The job of the testing technician also includes matching the codes and sending the samples to Hanois Centre for Disease Control for testing, she said.

Some days, Binh had to line up until midnight to send samples and finished work at 1 or 2am of the next day.

At that time, I suddenly remembered I had not contacted my two young children for a whole day, who I had to send to my grandparents to take care of when participating in the anti-pandemic campaign, the female technician said.

There were times the "white-shirt warriors" felt exhausted, tired and wanted to rest but seeing other colleagues nationwide fighting every day, they had more motivation.

The COVID-19 pandemic may last for a long time, but health workers are strong of spirit and are ready to fight day or night. VNS

Hard-working technicians at Da Nang lab seek COVID-19 infection cases The Da Nang Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been busy on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 over the past 10 days due to Da Nangs administration accelerating mass testing.
Trade talks between the two superpowers resume. China sees progress but US is more cautious. Wang Yi asks Europe not to align itself with the Trump administration. Former Chinese ambassador to the United States says China is not a danger because Beijing does not lead a military alliance like the Soviet Union.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  After running high, tensions between China and the United States are giving way to fresh talks.

Chinas Vice Premier and main trade negotiator Liu He spoke on the phone yesterday with his US counterpart to assess the state of "phase one" of the trade agreement signed by the two governments in January.

Liu described the conversation as "constructive". In diplomatic terms, this means that the two sides have not reached an agreement but have not yet walked away from the negotiating table.

The two countries are still seeking progress, Liu stressed, working on greater coordination between their "macroeconomic" policies.

By contrast, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer did not mention any coordination, noting instead that the two delegations discussed future steps needed to implement the trade agreement.

Under the deal, China pledged to buy more US products and services, up to US$ 200 billion by the end of 2021, in order to equalise the trade imbalance between the two countries.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, China has failed so far to deliver on its pledge. For this reason, the US is pressing for the deal to be fully implemented.

Washington has not let up accusing Beijing of expansionist aims in East and Southeast Asia; unfair business practices; industrial and technological theft; human rights violations, including in Hong Kong; and spreading the coronavirus.

During a meeting yesterday in China with his Hungarian counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the "unilateral" policies of the Trump administration, urging European countries not to align themselves with the US against his country.

Wang began today a week-long European tour, starting with Italy to be followed by Germany, France, the Netherlands and Norway. He said that "decoupling" China from the United States, as suggested by the Trump administration, is "unfeasible and unreasonable".

However, Wangs plea risks falling on deaf ears. Hong Kongs security law has drawn strong criticism from the European Union, and the campaign launched by US President Donald Trump to ban Chinese 5G technology is gaining ground in the Old Continent.

For Chinese leaders, Washington's aggressive stance is unjustified. Zhou Wenhong, former Chinese ambassador to the US, points out that China does not lead a military alliance against the US-led NATO, as was the case with the Soviet Union. In his view, it is misleading to speak of a new Cold War.

The former diplomat notes that China does not pose a direct military threat to the United States, which would do better to accept the "inevitable" peaceful rise of the Asian giant.

For the US however, the ongoing massive air and naval exercises involving the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) troops in the China seas, the Yellow Sea and the Gulf of Bohai tell a different story.
Germany has placed Alexei Navalny under guard in hospital after determining that the long-time critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin had most likely been poisoned while campaigning in Siberia.

Mr Navalny collapsed on a plane last Thursday after drinking tea that his allies believe was laced with poison. He was flown to Germany for treatment on Saturday.

"The suspicion is that Mr Navalny was poisoned given that unfortunately recent Russian history has had several such suspected cases," German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief spokesman, Steffen Seibert, told journalists.

"Because one can say with near certainty that it was a poisoning attack, protection is necessary."

Russia's government made no immediate comment on the German statement. The Kremlin said on Friday that it was still unclear what caused Mr Navalny to fall ill.

The incident could further strain Russia's fraught relations with its European and Nato neighbours, who have accused it of mounting attacks on dissidents in Europe in the past - accusations that Russia has dismissed.

Earlier yesterday, doctors at the Siberian hospital that first treated Mr Navalny said they had saved his life but that they had not found traces of poison in his system.

"If we had found some kind of poison that was somehow confirmed then it would have been a lot easier for us. It would have been a clear diagnosis, a clear condition and a well-known course of treatment," senior doctor Anatoly Kalinichenko told reporters in the Siberian city of Omsk.

The Russian doctors did not say what they treated him for. Last week they said they had diagnosed him with metabolic disease, possibly brought on by low blood sugar. The doctors said they had not come under pressure from authorities while treating Mr Navalny.

Mr Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlin's side for more than a decade, exposing what he says is high-level graft, and mobilising crowds of young protesters.

He has been repeatedly detained for organising public meetings and rallies and sued over his investigations into corruption. He was barred from running in the presidential election in 2018.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Atavion has introduced new packages for website development services. Rather than making large, one-time payments, companies can now opt to pay small monthly fees for custom high-end websites.

Atavion

Dmitry Yarchuk, the company CEO said, "We have created these packages to support our fellow businesses during the Coronavirus pandemic. Our new monthly plans are much more affordable than single time payments and include all features of a premium website development project. Most importantly, we take care of all aspects of the development process, so our clients can leave all the worrying to us."

There are various website development packages to choose from depending on a business's specific requirements.

Atavion offers a single-page website, the most popular choice for small to medium businesses, at $149 per month. These websites promote continuity and fluidity for the user and look to be more modern and engaging than other alternatives. This package is ideal for those looking to start up a business and want their aims and offers to be clear and concise.

For medium to large businesses, the multiple page website package starts from $199 per month. This package is ideal for companies that are looking to expand their website beyond a single page. This may include service pages, blog pages, or whatever their business desires.

For those who are looking to sell their services or products online, the final package on offer is the e-commerce website package, starting at $299 per month. While this may be the more expensive option, this offer will provide a business with a fully-fledged online store, allowing for direct access to their products no matter where their clients are in the world.

Unlike trying to figure out free website builder solutions, the team at Atavion takes care of everything from start to finish. Their new website development packages include everything from custom mobile friendly design and coding, to website tools integration, branded domain names and hosting. The aesthetics will be created to perfection, with the company choosing all appropriate illustrations and photos, and ensuring that the copy-writing is engaging and professional. Atavion will also take care of all maintenance and updates that the website may require, as well as its onsite search engine optimization.

The online marketing agency ensures that all their projects are completed by an expert team of award-winning specialists in the website development field. The company aims to ensure that each of its clients beats their competitors by boasting a top-quality website that engages visitors and encourages them to contact the business or make a purchase.

In a technologically advancing world, a top-quality website is crucial if you want to push your business to the next level. While the average price for an Atavion custom website project is approximately $7,000, for those who are hesitant to pay such amounts in a single installment, these new monthly website development plans are ideal.

Contact:

Dmitry Yarchuk

Phone: 213-290-3616

Related Images

image1.jpg

Related Links

Atavion Online Marketing Agency

SOURCE Atavion

Related Links

https://atavion.com


Philadelphia police remove a vehicle from the scene of a homicide at Ramona and I Streets early Tuesday morning. Read more

Philadelphia police on Tuesday were examining clues from a bloody cab after its driver died when his throat was slashed in Juniata Park.

Officers found the man lying in the street near I Street and Ramona Avenue. His cab, a Toyota Camry with limousine license plates, had crashed into several parked cars.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released.

There was blood and cash inside the cab and money also was found on the street.

Police were seeking witnesses and are also reviewing surveillance camera video.

No arrests have been made and the investigation was ongoing.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) hit an obstacle in the Pulwama terror attack probe for the initial 10 months in piecing together the sequence of events since key players such as Masood Azhars nephew Mohammad Umar Farooq, and Pakistani terrorists Kamran Ali and Qari Yasir were killed in encounters by the security forces.

Even though Farooq, the key figure in the attack, was killed on March 29, 2019, his mobile phone was lying with the Jammu and Kashmir Police for several months.

In December 2019, the first ray of hope came for the agency, which took over the probe immediately after the attack, with the retrieval of numerous photos, videos and conversations from Farooqs mobile phone; he clicked several photos of his journey from Pakistan to India through the border, his accomplices, and the bomb-making process, according to an official who requested anonymity.

Also read: ISI wanted a Hurriyat-like body in Kashmir, says NIA

Also, his conversations on WhatsApp and other chat platforms with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leadership, primarily his uncles Abdul Rouf Asghar and Ammar Alvi in Pakistan, and other operatives from the Valley  were found around this time. Soon, the probe team, led by inspector general Anil Shukla, deputy inspector general Sonia Narang and superintendent of police Rakesh Balwal, found a picture of a Kashmiri youth, Shakir Bashir Magray, in Farooqs phone.

Magray (24) was identified as a resident of Kakapora in Pulwama.

This was when NIA realised that it could have hit a jackpot.

Magray, who ran sawmill near the blast site from where he conducted the reconnaissance of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy, was arrested on February 28 this year, the first in the case. It was found that his house was used for stocking explosives and making the bomb that would be used to attack a CRPF convoy and kill 40 security personnel.

In a chat retrieved by NIA, Farooq was found discussing around the time when Indian and Pakistani fighter jets were engaged in a dogfight towards the end of February 2019 that there should be a war between both countries as it will give an opportunity for hundreds of Jaish fighters to infiltrate into India.

NIA also recovered conversations that proved Farooqs uncles in Pakistan were giving him directions to prepare for a second attack after Pulwama; the Jaish had to abort its plans in the face of growing international pressure on Pakistan.

The agency found two bank accounts of Farooq  in Pakistans Allied Bank Ltd and Meezan Bank, in which money for the Pulwama attack was deposited. Conversations regarding the transfers were retrieved by NIA. Selfies, photos, videos and chats recovered from Farooqs phone helped NIA establish Pakistans link to the terror conspiracy.

Also read: ISI pushed Jaish for intel on IAF bases after Balakot

During interrogation, Magray disclosed details of the conspiracy, including how Farooq was the one running the show and giving directions to them.

Six more persons  Insha Jan, her father Peer Tariq Ahmed Shah, Waiz-ul-Islam, Mohammad Abbas Rather, Mohammad Iqbal Rather and Bilal Ahmed Kuchhey  who played in a role in providing logistics or shelter to Pakistani terrorists, were arrested in the following months.

Jans house, NIA said, was used to make the propaganda video clip of the suicide bomber; the clip was released after the attack.

In its 13,500-page charge sheet filed in a special NIA court in Jammu on Tuesday, the agency named 19 people, including Azhar and Farooq, for planning and carrying out the attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy on the behest of Pakistan.

Lot of digital, forensic, documentary and oral evidence establishing a fool-proof case for this dastardly and barbaric attack has been collected. The charge sheet has brought on record the all-out involvement of Pakistan based entities to carry out terrorist strikes in India and to incite and provoke Kashmiri youth, said NIA deputy inspector general Narang.

The agency will soon send Letter Rogatories (LRs)  a judicial request seeking information from abroad  to Pakistan seeking information on Farooq, and the Jaish leadership.
THE residents of Rahan Road in Tullamore are preparing to do battle with a company called Strategic Power Ltd over its plans to build ''a 50,000 tonne'' Anaerobic Digester at Ballyduff, Tullamore.

In its application Strategic Power Ltd says it is proposing to develop the ''renewable biogas facility on a 2.1379 hectare site.''

The application which includes a feedstock reception hall, digester tanks and units, manure reception tanks, covered silage clamps, pasteurisation unit and laboratory, is being sought under section 41 of the planning and development act 2000 (as amended) for a period of 10 years.

The application requires an industrial emissions licence from the environmental protection agency and an environmental impact assessment report.

Anaerobic Digestion has been described as a natural process where plant and animal materials (biomass) are broken down by micro-organisms in the absence of air.

The proposed development site is currently a greenfield site comprising 2.14 hectares. It is located west of the Rahan Road around 2km north west of Tullamore. The site is bounded by the Rahan Road to the west and by agricultural grassland on all other sides. Tullamore Hardware is 50m to the south and Axis Business Park is east of the Rahan Road. The Tullamore to Clara railway line runs close to the south and west of the site.

The residents living along the Rahan Road are objecting on the grounds that the facility will they say receive, ''5500 tonnes of fodder beet,5500 tonnes of maize silage,15,000 tonnes of liquid farmyard manure, 15,000 tonnes of silage and 9,000 tonnes of chicken manure.''

They say, ''this produce will be fed into an anaerobic digester which will produce biogas and fertiliser. The biogas will be fed into the gas network.''

Residents say the developer intends to lorry in this ''type of product [minimum 30 loads per day] and lorry out the digestate [a fertiliser created at the end of the process] to be spread on surrounding farms.''

Rahan Road Residents Association claim everyone in the town will be affected by this plant and are seeking the support from local council representatives.

Their main objections are, odour from the plant, vermin risk, increased traffic on the Rahan road, noise and traffic as the plant will run 24/7.

They also say there could be potential for ''fire and explosion'' at the plant adding that there have been numerous examples from the UK of this happening.

They also fear ''gas poisoning from gas leaks, and the risk of pathogens including salmonella, parasites, viruses, fungi from the digestate.''

Councillor Declan Harvey has added his voice to the objections. He says he is supporting the residents on the grounds of health and safety. ''I was born on Healy Street and the smell from the sewerage plant is horrendous at times. It has a small anaerobic digestion system',' he adds. Cllr Harvey is also concerned about the possibility of ''toxic gasses''.

People can view the plan on the Offaly County Council planning website,using the code is 20/321.

Submissions on the plant must be in by today Wednesday, August 26. Offaly County Council will give its decision on September 16, 2020.
Senator Fiona O'Loughlin said: "I organised a virtual meeting today between the Minister for Education Norma Foley, myself and the other Kildare politicians."

She said: "We had a really positive engagement about the reopening of Kildare schools this week and next. We have to move forward together now as a community into this next phase.

Schools are ready to welcome back their students and I wish teachers, parents and students of all ages a safe and happy return to school."

Meanwhile, principals, teachers and parents are expressing some concerns.

There are 314 children on the role at Bunscoil Bhride, Rathangan Girls National School.

Speaking recently, to Principal Maria Rogerson, she said: Noone can guarantee safety, the staff and children are anxious to get back. We want to make sure that it is a happy place to get back to.

She says that the 'logisitics' are massive. There are questions arising about how Aisteoir, the curriculum for Junior and Senior Infants will be addressed. She says that this involves a lot of 'moving from station to station, learning through vocabulary and play.' Each play item will be cleaned after use, and there will be a limit on the amount of toys used. There are 21 teachers in the staff, including four Special Needs Assistants.

Also this September the school is opening a new classroom for children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder( ASD). She is positive that all can be achieved.

Ms Rogerson says that they are trying to plan the guidelines and that there are a lot of 'unanswered questions', such as what happens if a teacher sick, and these are being addressed within the coming days.

As she says, 'pods' and 'bubbles' have become the new words.

From third class upwards, children will be one metre apart.

She said: A lot of hand hygiene will be taught in September. We have put hand sanitisers in all rooms.

Teachers will have the option of wearing visors, and children will not be wearing masks, Maria Rogerston, said when speaking to this publication, recently.

School children at second level could be spending up to eight hours a day wearing masks.

Richard Daly, of Athy Community College, anticipates that the biggest challenge for teachers and students will be the wearing of masks. He says that many teachers will look at the option of wearing a visor as that could give the children the opportunity of seeing facial expression from the teacher, but that he says may not be as secure as wearing a mask.

The Department of Education says that masks are recommended for students and teachers. Mr Daly said: There is a claustrophobia that goes with masks. I don't know how people do this all day long. I think that most schools will go by the Department recommendation, it would be about six hours, and more, of the wearing of masks for students. We will try and break this up as much as possible, with breaks. Sometimes when there is a small amount of students present, we could achieve two metres.

Mr Daly says that a mask would not be needed for outside.

He said: The touching and handling of a mask will be taught. I have even spoken to adults who do not know how to use a mask properly. On transport to and from school, they will require a mask, and when going into a shop. The onus will be on schools on how to give hygiene etiquette and training on to how to use masks properly. Also how to cough, and how to wash hands properly - getting the thumbs to the back of the hands. We have to comply with the regulations from the Department of Education. However challenging it is for teachers, it will be even more challenging for students. It will be even tougher for the kids, they don't have the same flexibility and breaks as the teachers do.

On arrival at school, a pupil will get a break from the mask outside, just before entering the school. They will then proceed with two-hour lessons, wearing masks, and then the 11am break outside, for 15 minutes. Then they will come back in for another two-hours of lessons followed by the 40 minutes break at lunch time, then another further two-hours of lessons, before getting the bus and putting the masks back on to go home.

Mr Daly said: They will probably say, school was lovely but the mask was horrible.

He said: There is no denying that a mask is difficult. There is still variance on whether one should use screens between students and teachers, there may a number of insurance issues in relation to this.

Mr Daly says that there are complications with a number of subjects such as Art, Home Economics, Metal Work, and so on. He said: We have removed computers, they are all in storage, because of the keyboards, we would have to be cleaning them all the time. Children will have Chrome books all day and he says that a lot of schools are now looking at not having copies, but replacing hand-writing with typing.

Mr Daly says that not too many teachers will be picking up copies now, and that there will be a lot of technology-enhanced learning.

He said: We have been delivering education remotely and there will be a similarity to that. They will be submitting work online, so that there is not contact.
Against the backdrop of the activities of the Chinese helicopters close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh, Indian forces have deployed troops equipped with shoulder-fired air defence missiles on the crucial heights there.

"Indian troops armed with the Russian-origin Igla air defence system have been deployed on the crucial heights along the border to take care of any enemy aircraft trying to violate the Indian air space there," sources told ANI here.

The Russian-origin air defence systems are used by both the Indian Army and the Air Force and are supposed to be used when the enemy fighter jets or choppers come close to own locations or deployments during hostilities.

The India side has also enhanced its surveillance through the deployment of radars and surface to air missile systems to keep track of the enemy air movement there.

While building up in the Eastern Ladakh sector including areas such as Galwan valley and Patrolling Point 14, the Indian forces had observed that a number of Chinese choppers had tried to come inside Indian territory near the flashpoints.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had also deployed its Su-30MKI around the first week of May to foil a possible airspace violation by Chinese helicopters in the Eastern Ladakh area.

India is keeping a close watch on the Hotan, Gar Gunsa, Kashghar, Hopping, Dkonka Dzong, Linzhi and Pangat airbases of the PLAAF in the Xinjiang and Tibet region and all of them have been highly active in recent times.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has upgraded a number of these bases in recent times including the construction of hardened shelters, the extension of runway lengths and deployment of additional manpower to carry out more operations.

The Linzhi airbase opposite the Northeastern states is mainly a helicopter base and the Chinese have also built a network of helipads there to enhance their surveillance activities in those areas.

(ANI)

Also Read: Indian tri-services contingent to take part in Kavkaz-2020 along with Chinese, Pakistani troops
Its very quiet right now at Sweet Farm in Half Moon Bay. No chickens clucking, no cows mooing, no goats bleating. In fact, no animals currently live on the 12-acre farm.

On Thursday night, about 35 farm staff and volunteers hauled 175 animals out of the nonprofit sanctuary as the CZU Lightning Complex fires grew.

Sweet Farm owners Nate Salpeter and Anna Sweet had taken in 35 evacuated animals from a sanctuary farther south on Wednesday night. But within 24 hours, the evacuation zone was extended to just the other side of their farms ridgeline. So they jumped into action.

Theres a vast network of sanctuaries and also various animal rescue groups that all come together in moments of crisis, Salpeter said. People really step up when its needed. ... It was a very professional and very coordinated effort.

With the help of the San Mateo County Large Animal Evacuation Group, the animals were shuttled off to sanctuaries a safe distance from the blazes that have engulfed 78,000 acres in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. It was the first wildfire evacuation for Sweet Farm, which opened in 2015.

Theirs is just one of many stories of animal evacuation efforts during the recent rash of lightning-caused wildfires that erupted early last week throughout the Bay Area and beyond. From Daly City to UC Davis to Santa Cruz, a network of agencies, animal owners and volunteers is building on practice from previous fire disasters to coordinate care and shelter.

Nate Salpeter /

This recent group of fire complexes across 12 counties endangered many farm and ranchlands, forcing owners to act quickly to move animals of all sizes off their properties.

The San Mateo County Large Animal Evacuation Group specializes in these distinctive challenges that are growing more common as wildfire seasons worsen. Organization President Kris Thoren said the early arrival of wildfires this year underscores the need for large-animal owners to have a plan in place before crisis hits.

Large animals need preparation, Thoren said. Its not like throwing a dog in the back of the car. You need to think ahead, be prepared with your emergency plan and practice that emergency plan.

Salpeter was relieved to have help from volunteers who understood how to handle different types of animals, including their 37-year-old stallion.

These animals come from animal abuse situations and are recovering from different types of traumas, he said. Just last year (the stallion) had ocular cancer and had to have one of his eyes removed. In an evacuation situation, there's a lot of noise and things going on. Not being able to see out of the side of his face becomes even more stressful.

Jamie Cotten / Special to The Chronicle

The San Mateo group has been a major piece of the evacuation puzzle. Dozens of its volunteers mobilized to assist with coordination and care at the Cow Palace in Daly City, which is housing nearly 300 large animals evacuated from across San Mateo County, most from the south coast.

In five days, the facility has taken in 75 sheep, 68 cattle, 54 goats, 53 chickens, 36 horses, four peacocks, three llamas, one pig and one donkey.

The San Mateo Office of Emergency Services put the Cow Palace on standby Tuesday afternoon, and county officials activated the facility as an emergency evacuation center less than 24 hours later, said Cow Palace CEO Lori Marshall. As part of the state fairground network, the event center was prepared for the logistical challenge of housing a large number of animals on the fly, she said.

We were already making calls to get stalls and setting up the livestock pens to prepare for the animals, Marshall said.

A group of 75 sheep and three truckloads of cattle were just some of the large animals evacuated to the Cow Palace on Sunday evening. Animals that arrive together are kept in the same pen to give them a sense of normalcy among the upheaval. Every day, more animals arrive, Marshall said.

They are evaluated by a veterinarian, and notes are posted outside the pen or stable to ensure that volunteers know the correct food and medicine that each animal requires.

Pumpkin, a 21-year-old golden palomino horse, and an 18-year-old donkey named Trouble were among the first evacuees to show up. Pumpkin and Trouble are being kept together in the stables set up in the Cow Palace parking lot. Pumpkin receives her evening medicine in a slice of apple and twice-daily feedings of her preferred grass hay, in accordance with her owner Steve Grahams wishes.

We are relieved, Graham said by phone Monday. We were very worried, but its good to know that they are safe and in good hands.

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine / Photo by Don Preisler

In Yolo County, the renowned UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine also ramped up efforts to help care for animals injured in the LNU Lighting Complex fires. Most are coming from Napa and Solano counties.

Every disaster is different in terms of the types of animals and injuries that we see, said Dr. Bret McNabb, the clinics director. The nature of where the fires have been so far has affected horses and livestock in the area, and its certainly skewing more toward large animal injuries than small at this point.

Since Friday, the clinic has treated four horses, nine alpacas and llamas, two sheep, six goats, and two cats, mostly for burns and smoke inhalation, or secondary complications from wildfires and evacuations. Teams are also deployed in the field at local evacuation centers and with animal control officials behind fire lines to find animals in need of medical attention.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

McNabb said while the clinic has been through this before with other wildfires, COVID-19 has provided another level of complexity to keep everyone safe while still trying to provide response, he said. Before, they could squeeze 20 people in the medical area without a second thought. Now they need to be aware of physically distancing.

But one positive from the pandemic is that the staff is already better versed in telemedicine, so the hospital can be reserved for the most critical cases.

We are able to use FaceTime, Zoom and other platforms to communicate with vets at the evacuation centers, McNabb said. This streamlined medical care were able to provide reduces the stress of hauling and transportation.

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter

Santa Cruz animal shelter moves into next phase

Meanwhile, down on the coast, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter moved a majority of its animals out of the shelter on Wednesday night in preparation for evacuations, with 200 pets now in foster care, said general manager Melanie Sobel. Since Thursday morning, a steady flow of dogs and cats has arrived, as well as birds, snakes, geckos, monitor lizards, a frog, a tarantula and two horses. About 400 animals occupy the shelter now.

Sobel said intake has slowed down, and now people are coming in to pick up or drop off donations since many fleeing their homes didnt have time to grab basic supplies. Now the shelter is refocusing efforts.

The next phase were working on is addressing the hundreds of calls for residual pets left by people, such as chickens and outdoor cats, that are not as easy to round up in a panic, Sobel said. Once those areas are clear, were sending teams up there to either help the animals shelter-in-place by providing food and water, or taking them into the shelter.

Some of the worst wildfires in state history have occurred in Northern California in just the past few years. For better or worse, communities are improving response and acting quickly.

The silver lining to come out of past tragedies is everyone is more and more prepared than the last one, McNabb said. The activation of personnel and of resources came together rapidly. Theres been a good job at the local response with local livestock owners, horsemen and volunteers supporting and assisting in working together.

Now, communities are holding their breath, hoping that possible thunderstorms and windy conditions dont worsen the wildfires. If things dont take a turn in the next few days, Salpeter hopes Sweet Farm will have its animals back this weekend, bringing life to the sanctuary once again.

Were staying positive, he said. We have our fingers crossed that the community comes out stronger than before. Even if something did happen, we will get through it.

Kellie Hwang and Nora Mishanec are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com, nora.mishanec@hearst.comTwitter: @KellieHwang., @NMishanec
Hong Kong: Virus test plan set for lift trade

The Electrical & Mechanical Services Department today announced it will arrange free and voluntary COVID-19 testing for lift and escalator trade practitioners from August 26.

The department will give out self-sampling kits via registered lift and escalator contractors to their employees.

These registered lift and escalator engineers and workers as well as general workers and apprentices should take deep throat saliva samples by themselves and return the samples to the testing agency via their employers.

Registered lift and escalator engineers or workers who are not employed by registered contractors can take their valid registration cards to the departments headquarters from August 27 for registration and self-sampling kit collection.

Practitioners who take part in the scheme should register online at www.tgptest.gov.hk. The website will commence service on August 26.

The testing agency will not obtain the participants personal data. Cases with positive results will be relayed to the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.

The department strongly appealed to practitioners to take part in the testing scheme, continue to comply with the government regulation to wear masks and maintain personal and environmental hygiene.

Call the department hotline at 2808 3121 or the testing agency at 2114 2281 for enquiries.

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Philips B. Braun Onvision Xperius regional anesthesia

Philips B. Braun Onvision Xperius

Philips B. Braun Onvision Xperius regional anesthesia needle placement

August 25, 2020

Amsterdam, the Netherlands  Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and B. Braun, a global market leader [1] in regional anesthesia and pain management, today announced 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Onvision, a breakthrough ultrasound guidance solution for real-time needle tip tracking. Available exclusively on the latest version of the B. Braun and Philips Xperius ultrasound system together with the dedicated Stimuplex Onvision needle, Onvision gives anesthesiologists the confidence to accurately position the needle tip inside the body for Peripheral Nerve Blocks (PNBs).

Accurate needle placement is critical to the success of regional anesthesia procedures such as PNBs. While real-time ultrasound imaging has proved to be a valuable tool for needle guidance, failure to optimally visualize the needle tip remains a challenge, with 10-15% of all PNBs ineffective after a single-injection technique [2]. In real-time, Onvision accurately indicates where the needle tip is inside the body, both in and out of the ultrasound viewing plane [3]. It helps the user align the needle with the probe in a user-friendly interface that can lead to a reduction in procedural time [4].

When I first started to use Onvision, I didnt think that we would increase the number of out-of-plane procedures, but I was happily surprised we did, said Paul Kessler M.D. Ph.D., Vice Chairman, Clinic of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt (Germany). Onvision gives you the extra assurance to perform deep and difficult blocks both in- and out-of-plane.

FDA clearance for Onvision represents the latest advance in a multi-year strategic alliance between Philips and B. Braun to innovate in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, a rapidly growing alternative to general anesthesia. Regional anesthesia is an essential part of pain therapy and offers clear advantages when compared to general anesthesia such as pain elimination during and after surgery [5], improved functional outcomes [6], and faster mobilization [7].

Story continues

The increased confidence and predictability offered by the Xperius Ultrasound System and Onvision Needle Tip Tracking is empowering more anesthesiologists to embrace regional anesthesia as a viable and effective alternative to general anesthesia, said Tobin Taylor-Bhatia, Head of Innovation for Image Guided Therapy at Philips. By innovating together with B. Braun weve created a solution to one of the biggest challenges in regional anesthesia  accurate positioning of the needle tip in the body.

Onvision is the groundbreaking technology that allows anesthesiologists the predictability [4] and confidence [4] they need while positioning the needle during a procedure, said Dr. Angela Karpf, M.D., Corporate Vice President of Medical Affairs at B. Braun. B. Braun continues to add products to our regional anesthesia therapy portfolio that help achieve faster postsurgical recoveries, optimize procedural workflow and enhance user experience.

Together, B. Brauns Stimuplex Onvision needles and Philips Onvision needle tip tracking technology indicate the position of the needle tip in relation to the ultrasound viewing plane to an accuracy of 3mm [3]. A sensitive micro-sensor placed on the needle, combined with advanced signal processing and visualization techniques on the Xperius system, indicate the real-time location of the needle tip in relation to the 2D ultrasound viewing plane. The solution provides greater flexibility in needle trajectory [8] and can reduce procedure times [4].

In addition to FDA clearance, the Onvision solution is CE marked. It is available for sale across the EU and in Chile and is expected to be available in the United States in Q4 2020. For more information about Onvision visit bbraun.com/onvision .

[1] 2019Q2 All Regional Anesthesia Products  Total Market HC & OPM Dollars (GHX, IQVIA [MDSA] & B. Braun Actual Data)

[2] Paqueron X. Time Sequence of Sensory Changes after Upper Extremity Block. Anesthesiology 2004; 101:162-8

[3] Test Report Validation - NTT for PNB, Document Number: D000245353, Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V.

[4] Kasine, T., et al. Needle tip tracking for ultrasoundguided peripheral nerve block proceduresAn observer blinded, randomised, controlled, crossover study on a phantom model. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2019;00:18. https: //doi. org/10.1111/aas.13379

[5] Liu SS. Strodtbeck WM, Richman JM. Wu CL. A comparison of regional versus general anesthesia for ambulatory anesthesia: A meta-analysis of randomized control trials. Anesth Analg. 2005 Dec;101(6):1634-42

[6] Cohen NP, Levine WN, Marra G, et al. Indwelling interscalene catheter anesthesia in the surgical management of stiff shoulder: a report of 100 consecutive cases. J Shoulder Elbow Surgery. 2000;9:268-274

[7] Nielsen et al. Outcomes after RA. Int Anesthesiol Clin. 2005 Summer; 43(3):96

[8] Test Report Validation - NTT for PNB, Document Number: D000245352, Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V.

Onvision needle is manufactured by B Braun and the Onvision module for Xperius is manufactured by Philips. Onvision is a registered trademark of B. Braun and Philips. Stimuplex is a registered trademark of B. Braun Medical Inc.

For further information, please contact:

Hans Driessen

Philips Global Press Office

Tel.: +31 610 610 417

E-mail: hans.driessen@philips.com

Twitter: @hansdriessen_ph

Allison Longenhagen

B. Braun Medical Inc.

Tel.: +1 484 523 9801

Email: Allison.Longenhagen@bbraunusa.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2019 sales of EUR 19.5 billion and employs approximately 81,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

About B. Braun

B. Braun Medical Inc., a leader in infusion therapy and pain management, develops, manufactures, and markets innovative medical products and services to the healthcare industry. Other key product areas include nutrition, pharmacy admixture and dialysis. The company is committed to eliminating preventable treatment errors and enhancing patient, clinician and environmental safety. B. Braun Medical is headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and is part of the B. Braun Group of Companies in the U.S., which includes B. Braun Interventional Systems, Aesculap and CAPS.

Globally, the B. Braun Group of Companies employs more than 64,000 employees in 64 countries. Guided by its Sharing Expertise philosophy, B. Braun continuously exchanges knowledge with customers, partners and clinicians to address the critical issues of improving care and lowering costs. To learn more about B. Braun Medical, explore our website .





Attachments




Yemen, UNHCR, 300,000 lose homes due to floods Including people who had already been displaced

(ANSAmed) - ROMA, 25 AGO - UNHCR issued a statement denouncing the fact that 300,000 people lost their homes, income, food stores and personal belongings due to catastrophic floods that took place in Yemen.



An estimated 300,000 people in the last three months in Yemen have lost their homes, crops, livestock and personal belongings due to torrential rains and severe flash floods, said UNHCR in a statement. It said amongst the newly displaced are people who were previously forced by the conflict to flee their homes, and now they are once again having to rebuild their lives and communities.



Many displaced were already living in poor conditions The UN agency said the hardest-hit areas include governorates of Marib, Amran, Hajjah, Al Hudaydah, Taizz, Lahj, Aden and Abyan, where floods have killed at least 148 people in the last two months alone. In Hababa, a sudden and catastrophic break of the Al-Roone dam led to the uncontrolled release of 250,000 cubic metres of water, affecting thousands of people in IDP sites in Al-Tahseen, Souq al-Lill and elsewhere. Many of the internally displaced people (IDPs) displaced by the floods were already living in abject poverty, often in overcrowded, makeshift shelters made from plastic sheeting or mud that have been washed away or sustained significant damage. People are now being forced to shelter in mosques, schools, with relatives, or live out in the open, in abandoned buildings, some of which are at risk of collapsing, or in whatever is left of their damaged homes. Many were already struggling to survive, with little to no work opportunities and barely able to afford one meal for their families each day. Desperation and despair are rising in this phase in which the world's worst humanitarian crisis plumbs to new depths.



Concern for extreme vulnerability of displaced communities UNHCR said it is deeply concerned that the displaced communities are extremely vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, with many unable to practice social or physical distancing, access clean water for hand-washing or enact other measures to prevent transmission of the virus. The country's health infrastructure is already badly damaged by years of conflict. Thousands more may yet be impacted as the rainy season is expected to continue and the capacities of many dams, some of which are in poor condition due to neglect in recent years because of the conflict, are becoming increasingly overwhelmed. In Marib, the dam has reached the overflow level and is highly vulnerable to bursting if further extreme and extended rainfall overfills the reservoir. Flooding would destroy the downstream irrigated area, where sites hosting thousands of people who have become internally displaced by the conflict are located, as well as the lower parts of Marib town. The UN agency is rushing to provide emergency shelter support and core relief items. Together with partners, it is engaging the displaced communities to raise awareness of COVID-19 protection and prevention measures. After more than five years of conflict, more than 80% of Yemen's total population requires humanitarian assistance. Nearly four million IDPs, returnees, refugees and asylum-seekers are now reliant on regular humanitarian aid to survive.



(A street is flooded by rainwater following torrential rains in the old city of Sana'a, Yemen, 9 August 2020. Photo: EPA/YAHYA ARHAB) (ANSA).




Advertisement

When a massive wildfire swept through Californias oldest state park last week it was feared many trees in a grove of old-growth redwoods, some of them 2,000 years old and among the tallest living things on Earth, may finally have succumbed.

But an Associated Press reporter and photographer hiked the renowned Redwood Trail at Big Basin Redwoods State Park on Monday and confirmed most of the ancient redwoods had withstood the blaze.

Among the survivors is one dubbed Mother of the Forest.

An old-growth redwood tree named 'Mother of the Forest' is still standing in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California, on Monday

Another ancient redwood given the name 'Father of the Forest' is seen above on Monday in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California after surviving the CZU Lightning Complex wildfire

A helicopter and crew releases water to extinguish a section of the LNU Lightning Complex Fire near Middletown, California

'That is such good news, I can't tell you how much that gives me peace of mind,' said Laura McLendon, conservation director for the Sempervirens Fund, an environmental group dedicated to the protection of redwoods and their habitats.

Redwood forests are meant to burn, she said, so reports earlier this week that the state park was 'gone' were misleading.

The historic park headquarters is gone, as are many small buildings and campground infrastructure that went up in flames as fire swept through the park about 45 miles south of San Francisco.

'But the forest is not gone,' McLendon said.

A redwood forest smolders Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calif. The CZU Lightning Complex wildfire tore through the park but most of the redwoods, some as old as 2,000 years, were still standing. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The fire-ravaged park headquarters building is seen after the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire passed through Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Firefighter Cody Nordstrom, of the North Central Fire station out of Kerman, Calif., monitors hot spots while fighting the CZU Lightning Complex Fire on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Bonny Doon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A fallen old-growth redwood tree falls over a road leading up park headquarters Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A wildfire-damaged sign welcomes visitors in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California, on Monday

A fallen redwood tree in the historic, protected state park pictured above after the CZU blaze passed through

The CZU Lightning Complex wildfire tore through the park but most of the redwoods, some as old as 2,000 years, were still standing

'It will regrow. Every old growth redwood I've ever seen, in Big Basin and other parks, has fire scars on them. They've been through multiple fires, possibly worse than this.'

When forest fires, windstorms and lightning hit redwood trees, those that don't topple can resprout.

Mother of the Forest, for example, used to be 329 feet tall, the tallest tree in the park. After the top broke off in a storm, a new trunk sprouted where the old growth had been.

Trees that fall feed the forest floor, and become nurse trees from which new redwoods grow. Forest critters, from banana slugs to insects, thrive under logs.

On Monday, Steller's jays searched for insects around the parks partially burned outdoor amphitheater and woodpeckers could be heard hammering on trees.

Occasionally a thundering crash echoed through the valley as large branches or burning trees fell.

When Big Basin opened in 1902 it marked the genesis of redwood conservation.

The park now receives about 250,000 visitors a year from around the world, and millions have walked the Redwood Trail.

The park only recently reopened after COVID-19 related closures and now is closed -because of the fire. The road in is blocked by several large trees that fell across it, some waist-high, some still on fire.

Helicopters and crew members carry water to extinguish a section of the LNU Lightning Complex Fire near Middletown, California, on Monday

The LNU Lightning Complex Fire has become one of the largest wildfires in California history, second only to a complex that scorched NorCal in 2018

The image above shows a view of a home that was destroyed by the LNU Lightning Complex Fire on Monday

The LNU Lightning Complex fire is spread over five counties and has burned over 350,000 acres. The massive wildfire has destroyed at least 870 structures and is 22 percent contained

Ash blankets the ground around burnt trees in the aftermath of the LNU Lightning Complex Fire along Lake Berryessa in Spanish Flat, California, on Monday

The LNU Lightning Complex Fire burned 350,000 acres in the North Bay, leaving four dead and hundreds of buildings destroyed

More than 600 wildfires have sparked statewide and burned through more than 1.2milllion acres since mid-August, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Sid Torun, owner of MS Torun Family Vineyards, walks through a portion of his property that was burned by the LNU Lightning Complex Fire on Monday

The massive wildfire has destroyed at least 870 structures and is only 22 percent contained

Burned cars sit under the skeleton of a tree after the LNU Lightning Complex Fire swept through the area on Monday

A home was left completely destroyed by the LNU Lightning Complex Fire in Napa, California, on Monday

The image above shows cars destroyed by the LNU Lightning Complex Fire in Napa, California, on Monday

While there is a great deal of work to be done rebuilding campgrounds, clearing trails and managing damaged madrones, oaks and firs, Big Basin will recover, McLendon said.

'The forest, in some ways, is resetting,' she said.

State Parks District Superintendent Chris Spohrer said he was pleased to know the redwoods had survived.

He said an assessment team had only been able to check buildings so far, and that he hopes they can inspect the trees in the coming days.

'The reason those trees are so old is because they are really resilient,' he said.

Three massive wildfires as raging in Northern California after they were ignited by more than 13,000 lightning strikes since mid-August, scorching through 1,875 square miles of land and killing seven people.

On Monday firefighters had a brief respite from the flames as humidity rose, but the state is still reeling from dozens of blazes including two of record-breaking size.

More than 600 wildfires have sparked statewide and burned through more than 1.2milllion acres since mid-August, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

More than 1,200 buildings have been destroyed and 14,000 firefighters have been deployed, including some on 24-hour shifts.

Now firefighters are facing off with three large fire complexes surrounding the Bay Area, all sparked by lightning: the LNU Lightning Complex, the SCU Lightning Complex, and the Santa Cruz Fire also known as the CZU Lightning Fire.

Three massive wildfires are raging in Northern California as 250,000 people are under evacuation orders and seven have been killed. Firefighters respond to a structure fire in part of the CZU Lightning complex in Boulder Creek, California on Sunday

The blazes have burned through more than 1.2million acres or 1,875 square miles since mid-August. Firefighters from Barstow put out hotspots along Highway 9 during the CZU Lightning complex fire on Sunday

More than 1,200 buildings have been destroyed and 14,000 firefighters have been deployed in the fires.

Multiple firefighters work together to tackle the flames from the CZU Lightning complex blaze on Sunday in Boulder Creek

Now firefighters are facing off with three large fire complexes surrounding the Bay Area, all sparked by lightning: the LNU Lightning Complex, the SCU Lightning Complex, and the Santa Cruz Fire also known as the CZU Lightning Fire (above)

CalFire released this map showing the location of active fires raging across the state

SATELLITE SPOTLIGHT: @NOAA's #GOES17 continues to track the extensive #smoke from the #wildfires across Northern California. This #GeoColor view shows the smoke blowing well away for the #fires, stretching hundreds of miles over the Pacific Ocean. #CAwx #CaliforniaWildfires pic.twitter.com/tjskieth8E  NOAA Satellites - Public Affairs (@NOAASatellitePA) August 19, 2020

The fires are so powerful smoke is visible from outerspace, stretching hundreds of miles over the Pacific Ocean.

However, things are looking up. A warning about dry lightning and gusty winds that could trigger more fires was lifted for the San Francisco Bay Area on Monday.

'Mother Natures helped us quite a bit,' Billy See, the Cal Fire incident commander for a complex of fires burning south of San Francisco, said.

Yet, a quarter of a million of people are still under evacuation orders and warnings.

Officials are warning people to not return to their homes amid the blazes. Six people who returned to a restricted area south of San Francisco to check on their properties were surprised by fire and had to be rescued, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said.

The fires have claimed seven lives so far.

Firefighters battling a fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco discovered the body of a 70-year-old man in a remote area called Last Chance over the weekend.

He had been reported missing and police had to use a helicopter to reach him in an area of about 40 off-the-grid homes that had been under an evacuation order.

Resident Austin Giannuzzi cries while embracing family members at the burned remains of their home during the LNU Lightning Complex fire in Vacaville, California on Saturday

Resident Alyssa Medina reacts after finding an intact cup amidst the burned remains of her home during the LNU Lightning Complex fire in Vacaville on Saturday that was decimated in the LNU Lightning Complex Fire

'Vaca Strong' can be seen through heavily smoke filled air on a blacken hillside, after flames from the LNU Lightning Complex Fire burned through a rural area of Vacaville

Utility workers make repairs to lines that were destroyed by the LNU Lightning Complex fire on Monday

Ben Lomond firefighters work on a blaze at The Sequoia Retreat Center during the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires on Friday in Ben Lomond

Following the LNU Lightning Complex fires, a scorched VW Microbus rests in a driveway of the Spanish Flat community in Napa County, California on Monday

Utility workers survey the damage a mobile home park that was destroyed by the LNU Lightning Complex fire on Monday

'This is one of the darkest periods weve been in with this fire,' Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Chris Clark said on the discovery of the mans body.

The LNU Fire and SCU fires have both burned more than 500 square miles. The LNU blaze in wine country has been the most deadly and destructive blaze of them all - leaving five dead and 845 homes destroyed in its wake. Three of those victims were in a home that was under an evacuation order when they died.

As of Monday afternoon the LNU fire, located in the northern Bay Area and Central Valley, is the second largest in the states recorded history. It spans 350,030 acres and is just 22 percent contained.

The SCU Lightning Complex stretched 349,196 acres and was 10 percent contained as of Monday morning. The SCU Lightning Complex fire, located east of San Jose, is the third-largest fire in the state's recorded history.

'The size and complexity of this fire is not one weve seen in times past,' Cal Fire Chief Shana Jones said.

Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires leap above Butts Canyon Road on Sunday. The LNU blaze in wine country has been the most deadly and destructive blaze of them all - leaving five dead and 845 homes destroyed in its wake

A firefighter keeps watch as crews light backfires to contain the Moc Fire, burning between Hwys 49 and 120 adjacent to the Priest Coulterville Road near Groveland, California on Sunday

A stove sits on its side at a mobile home park that was destroyed by the LNU Lightning Complex fire on Monday in Napa, California

Cal Fire spokesman Steve Kaufmann said lightning was responsible for about 585 fires in the past week and that more than 1.1million acres have been scorched since August 15  more than five times the size of New York City of the entire state of Rhode Island set on fire.

As of Monday more than 10million people in the West were under red-flag warnings, which means warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds provide for an increased risk of fire danger, according to the National Weather Serivice.

The fires have been further complicated by evacuations amid the coronavirus pandemic and looting in some areas.

'What were hearing from the community is that theres a lot of looting going on,' Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said, adding that 100 officers were patrolling areas and anyone not authorized to be in evacuation zones would be arrested.

A view of a home that was destroyed by the LNU Lightning Complex fire on Monday in Napa, California. This blaze has spread over five counties and destroyed over 870 structures and is just 22 percent contained

The downtown Sacramento skyline is covered with smoke and the air quality is very poor due to fires raging through Northern California

Firefighters from Barstow put down hotspots along Highway 9 during the CZU Lightning complex fire on Sunday

Firefighters respond to a structure fire along Riverdale boulevard as the fire line creeps up on Highway 9 during the CZU Lightning complex fire on Sunday in Boulder Creek, California

Fire commander Chief Mark Brunton with Cal Fire was one of the victims robbed while trying to face the fires.

He said after he left his fire vehicle to help direct operations someone entered it, stole personal items including a wallet and 'drained his bank account.'

Gov. Newsom has issued a checklist for residents to take face masks, sanitation supplies, important documents, medication and three days worth of food and water.

Over the weekend Newsom said the state received a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration due to the fires meaning President Trump released federal aid to supplement recovery efforts in Lake, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo counties.

This year there's been a spike in wildfires. So far in 2020 there's been 7,014 fires compared to 4,292 at this time in California last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

Last year, wildfires charred a total of 260,000 acres and killed three people, according to Cal Fire.
We noticed some overheating problems with our Galaxy Note 20 Ultra as well, and it has now been revealed by an iFixit teardown as to why it was happening.

The iFixit team took apart the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra and found that underneath the big camera bump, there was something missing, the vapour chamber and copper heat pipes to be precise.

Whats odd is that some Galaxy Note 20 Phones use the vapour chambers and copper pipes while some dont. The problem persists in both models of the phones and seems to be at random.

 iFixit

The phones that do not have the copper pipes and vapour chamber, instead use a graphite thermal pad that is causing the overheating problem. YouTuber JerryRigEverything also found a hint to have the copper pipe and vapour chamber missing in one of the phones while the other model does. You can see for yourself in his teardown video.

It seems like Samsung has used both methods i.e. graphite thermal pads and vapour chambers, but it is a cause of worry as nobody would know which phone has what.

It is worthy to point out that our phone would heat up when taking pictures or playing less graphic intensive games like Mario Run. In fact, even Android Authority said in their review of the Qualcomm version of the phone, The Note 20 Ultra warmed up all the time. Using the camera? The phone gets hot. Playing a game? The phone gets hot. SamMobile pointed out its temperature went up to 45-46C with just 5-6 minutes of 8K recording.

 MensXP_Akshay Bhalla

If you are planning to purchase the Galaxy Note 20 or the Note 20 Ultra, it would be prudent to check the phone for thermal issues before purchasing as you never know which version you might get. It would be hard to figure out the type of cooling the phone is using, however, if the phone gets hot just by carrying out simple tasks, there is a good chance the phone is missing the vapour chambers and copper pipes.

It is also worthy to point out that Note 20 phones that come with a graphite thermal pad and face heating issues cannot be fixed via a software update as it is more of a hardware problem.



Source: iFixit
LBC presenter James OBrien has launched a public attack on his own radio station for the way it promoted a clip from his show during which he told a caller: When a child dies, its on you.

OBrien had an exchange with a concerned parent called Michael on his show on Monday about the issue of schools in England reopening next week for the first time since they were closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Boris Johnson has said parents have a moral duty to send their children back to school in September.

When the caller, a father-of-three, said his children needed to go back to school, at the end of a lengthy exchange OBrien told him: When a child dies, its on you.

LBC presenter James O'Brien told a parent who called his show: 'When a child dies, it's on you.' (LBC)

LBC later published an article on its website and tweeted about the exchange, but pulled both after OBrien complained about the way it was presented.

In its since deleted tweet to promote the show, LBC wrote: This caller backed schools returning next week despite the risk of coronavirus  James OBrien told him that if a child dies its on you.

But OBrien later tweeted: Theres something very 2020 about trending on Twitter after explaining, at length, why I couldnt pick a side on school returns because both decisions involve dangerous consequences.

Obviously, Im stunned by the incredibly crass way the clip was written up & promoted by @LBC.

After deleting its original tweet, the station later issued an apology, tweeting: Earlier today we published a tweet linking to an edited version of this call to James O'Brien.

The tweet lacked important context and we apologise to James for the way it unintentionally misrepresented his view. To set record straight, here is the call in full.

During the five-minute exchange with Michael, OBrien said: The problem will be, and I think we should probably get this up front and centre before it happens, and obviously please God it wont happen, but when there is an outbreak or God forbid even a fatality, this is the thing they cant say out loud isnt it, that that is the calculation, that is the price that you believe and they believe and this is why Im still 50/50 despite the power of your arguments.

Story continues

When that happens, its on you, mate.

LBC removed a page on its website describing the exchange. (LBC)

When Michael tried to argue with this, OBrien continued: You cant not agree with that, its just true.

When it happens, its on the people that were most supportive of the idea of going back to school. Thats why Im in a very rare position of ambivalence.

Youre not arguing with me, youre agreeing with me, but its on you. That dead child. I only need to find one, Michael, and its on you.

If you are 100% behind this idea, then when a child dies its on you.

Theres something very 2020 about trending on Twitter after explaining, at length, why I couldnt pick a side on school returns because both decisions involve dangerous consequences. Obviously, Im stunned by the incredibly crass way the clip was written up & promoted by @LBC.  James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) August 24, 2020

OBrien was criticised by a number of Twitter users, including ITVs Good Morning Britain presenter, Piers Morgan.

He tweeted: Wow. You tell a listener the death of ANY schoolchild from COVID is personally on him if he thinks (as most people do) that kids should now return to school - and now chuck your network and its social media team under the bus for tweeting accurately what you said? Shameless.

OBrien tweeted back: Theyve apologised and explained the mistake, Piers. The matter is closed.

Coronavirus: what happened today

Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter
The Community Rescue Service has been saved after sending out an SOS to Belfast City Council

The Community Rescue Service has been saved after sending out an SOS to Belfast City Council.

The search and rescue charity, run by volunteers, had been operating from an office at Apollo Road in Belfast.

But it was notified by its landlord that the premises were to be vacated due to plans for new developments by a commercial partner.

During a recent strategic policy and resources committee meeting, councillors were told the service had asked for help, stating it would no longer have a HQ in the city.

A report explained that suitable premises were identified at Dunbar Link, currently the council's 'disaster recovery suite', which the CRS could use on a temporary basis.

Councillors agreed to temporary use of the Dunbar Link premises for up to three months initially.

The council has discretion to extend this arrangement on a month to month basis. A small office will also be available for the team within the depot.
ANKARA, Turkey - German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas appealed to NATO allies Greece and Turkey on Tuesday to enter a dialogue and de-escalate military tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, warning of an abyss if their dispute is not resolved peacefully.

But rhetoric remained high, with Turkeys top diplomat warning that if Greece takes wrongful steps, Ankara will do the necessary without any hesitation.

Maas conducted shuttle diplomacy between Athens and Ankara in a bid to mediate between the neighbouring countries who are locked in an acrimonious dispute over maritime boundaries and offshore energy rights. Both have sent warships to shadow each other and announced military exercises within a broad area between Crete and Cyprus where Turkey has a vessel conducting research.

His visits came ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Berlin later this week, at which Turkey will be discussed. Germany holds the rotating EU presidency.

What we really need is a willingness for dialogue, Maas said during a joint news conference with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu. A further escalation is not in the interest of Greece, not in the interest of the EU and also not in the interest of Turkey.

The situation is very risky, Maas warned. Whoever moves closer and closer to the abyss can at some point fall down. Thats a development which we want to avoid.

He added: Nobody wants to solve this conflict militarily, which would be absolute insanity .. but the willingness for dialogue is there.

In Athens earlier, Maas warned after a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias that any spark, however small, could lead to a disaster.

No one can have an interest in that, and certainly not in a military confrontation between NATO partners and neighbours, Maas said.

The Turkish vessel Oruc Reis has for weeks been carrying out seismic research escorted by Turkish warships. Greece, which says the ship is operating over the countrys own continental shelf in an area where it has exclusive rights on potential undersea gas and oil deposits, sent warships to shadow the Turkish flotilla.

Turkey disputes Greeces claims, insisting that small Greek islands near the Turkish coast should not be taken into account when delineating maritime boundaries. Ankara accuses Athens of trying to grab an unfair share of the eastern Mediterraneans resources.

Turkey is also prospecting for hydrocarbons in waters where Cyprus claims exclusive economic rights.

On Tuesday, both Greece and Turkey signalled readiness for dialogue but blamed each other for the tensions.

Turkey is ready to hold talks with everyone for the fair sharing (of resources), Cavusoglu said. Turkey has always supported dialogue with Greece and has been in favour of resolving problems through diplomacy, not conflict.

We are not the ones that increase tensions, he said, blaming Greece for the breakup of previous efforts for a dialogue earlier this month.

Cavusoglu warned: Greece must forego its spoiled acts. It should not allow itself to be egged on by other countries and put itself into risk... If you take wrongful steps ... we would do the necessary without any hesitation.

In Athens earlier, Dendias said Greece has proved that it is and remains always ready for dialogue.

However, he said, there cannot be dialogue under threats, there cannot be dialogue under provocations and ultimately dialogue cannot be considered, not only for Greece but for any state, when its sovereign rights and sovereignty are being violated.

The Greek foreign minister accused Turkey of displaying neo-Ottoman ideology, referring to Ankaras perceived desire to revive the Ottoman Turkish empire that once ruled most of the east Mediterranean, including what is now Greece. He insisted Athens would protect its sovereign rights and interests against its much bigger and more heavily armed neighbour.

As we speak, Turkey continues to act illegally, to escalate, to provoke, Dendias said. Instead of a de-escalation, we are witnessing new provocations. We are witnessing the attempt to implement expansionist aims against neighbours and allies.

Germanys Maas said he had travelled to Athens with two messages: One message is that Germany and the whole European Union stand by Greece in firm solidarity, he said. The other -- equally important -- message is that what we now need absolutely and immediately are signals of de-escalation and a readiness for dialogue.

Maass visit comes as Greece began a navy and air force exercise southeast of Crete. On Monday, Greek and U.S. military ships and aircraft also conducted joint drills south of Crete.

Turkeys Defence Ministry tweeted that two Turkish frigates and an Italian destroyer also conducted training in the eastern Mediterranean Tuesday.

Adding to the tangle of overlapping drills, Cyprus Defence Ministry said warplanes and navy ships from France, Italy, Greece and Cyprus would be holding air and sea military exercises off the island nation starting Wednesday.

France and Greece will deploy both aircraft and warships as part of the Aug. 26-28 drills, while Cyprus will activate its air defence system to test its capabilities.

Greece has demanded Turkey withdraw the Oruc Reis. Ankara has refused to back down and extended its notification about the research vessels operations to run through Aug. 27.

Athens then announced the military drills. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Monday night that as of now, Greece will be the only one responsible for any negative development in the region, and said the Greek exercise endangers the coastal and navigational safety of all ships in the region.

The escalating tension has raised concerns of conflict between the two regional rivals, which have come to the brink of war three times since the mid-1970s, including once over prospecting rights in the Aegean Sea.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has warned of the danger of an accident when so many military vessels are concentrated in a small area. Earlier this month, Athens said a Greek frigate and a Turkish frigate escorting the Oruc Reis collided. No injuries were reported on either side. Greek media reported the Turkish frigate had suffered minor damage above the waterline.

____

Derek Gatopoulos reported from Athens, Greece. Geir Moulson and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin. Elena Becatoros in Athens and Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus, contributed to this report.
Two years into custody at Colorado's abhorrent Supermax Prison, Jihadi Beatles Abu Hamza was distraughtly pounding on his prison cell door to get out. His attorneys are denouncing its "inhuman and degrading conditions."

Hell on Earth

It is assumed that his British Islamist extremism successor, ISIS fanatic Alexanda Kotey had Hamza's dreary fate in mind when he recently stated that the worst circumstances would transpire would be to be taken into custody in a US prison.

Meanwhile, two British jihadis who are accused of forming part of ISIS' "Beatles" murder cell find it unfavorable to be imprisoned in a high-security United States prison.

El-Shafee el-Sheikh, 32, and Alexanda Kotey, 36, are known as George and Ringo due to their British accents, are reportedly being held by US special forces in Iraq following their capture two years ago by the Syrian Democratic Forces.

It is probable that two ISIS fighters, associated with the murder of numerous Americans, will be brought to trial in a Virginia courtroom. The progress arrives as Attorney General William Barr sent a letter to the UK home secretary asserting that the United States will not seek or implement the death penalty in their case.

"The Beatles''

The notorious execution team is labeled as "The Beatles."

According to US officials, they would like to try Britons El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey for their role in the Jihadi John-led cell alleged for beheading journalists, aid workers, and other Syrian hostages, reported New York Post.

The commitment not to pursue capital punishment for the Jihadi Beatles members and simply detaining them in a prison in the United States reverses two years of US policy.

Also Read: Three Georgia Inmates Rush to Save Life of Guard Suffering Cardiac Attack

Barr wrote, "We would hope and expect that, in light of this assurance, the evidence can and will now be provided promptly," reported Defense One.

The aforementioned two members of ISIS' notorious "Beatles" fear a fate worse than death in a US supermax prison cells dubbed as "Hell on Earth."

Elsheikh and Kotey, with alternative names "George" and "Ringo," will eventually be extradited to America. Prosecutors affirm that they will not be put to death.

The prison is labeled hell on earth as its inmates are locked up alone inside window-less cells in a span of 23 hours daily, with minds filled with boredom.

The fear-inducing supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, or the Alcatraz of the Rockies, is where the two British jihadis accused to be part of Beatles ISIS could be imprisoned.

ADX Florence

ADX Florence has a reputation of being one of America's toughest prisons as inmates as the aforementioned locking alone is within 12ft by 7ft cells.

Along with mattresses on top, beds are concrete slabs. The brick buildings are surrounded by razor wire, attack dogs, guards patrol, and marksmen stand watch.

Kotey and Elsheikh face extradition to the US. Considering that Hamza's offenses pale in comparison to ''Ringo'' and ''George,'' the pair will almost certainly join him at Supermax.

On being convicted to America, according to Jihadi Beatles member Kotey, ''I would not want to spend time in a prison in the US. That would not be good. That would be the worst thing that could happen," reported Daily Mail.

Related Article: Ghislaine Maxwell's Attorneys Ask Judge to Stop Accusers From Posting Evidence Online

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Wed seen what Samsungs Galaxy Z Fold 2 would look like even before the tech giant unveiled it at an Unpacked event earlier this month thanks to various leaks. Now a video review (via DroidLife) is giving us a closer look at the foldable a few days before the dedicated Fold 2 event happens on September 1st. While the review isnt in English, it clearly shows the Fold 2 in various angles and compares it in detail against its predecessor.

Youll see the device in action in the video above as the reviewer uses it to view Maps, play games and take selfies  you can even listen how much richer its speaker sounds compared to other phones. Side-by-side with the first Fold, it becomes pretty obvious that the form factor has gotten an upgrade. Its display may be bigger than the first Fold, but its also thinner.

The huge front camera cutout is gone  along with the bezel that looked out of place on a $2,000 phone  and has been replaced with a hole-punch lens. Youll also get a glimpse of the devices improved hinge design, which according to leaks, is fully enclosed to prevent dust from getting in. The video also shows how the devices screen rotates and how Fold 2s Flex mode, which treats the two sides of the phone as two separate screens, works.

In a few days, Samsung will finally reveal all there is to know about the new phone, including its price and release date. Thats also when pre-orders will begin, though you can already register your interest for the 5G version of the device on Samsungs website.
This would entail the Centre acquiring land and then giving it on lease to the miners. Speaking at a stakeholders discussion on commercial coal mining held by Ficci, the nominated authority for coal auction said the Centre can only assist, and that it is the miners who need to persuade the state government for land acquisition. The Centre is thinking on an initiative wherein land acquisition would be ...

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has lately gone on an overdrive to dodge the global dirty money watchdogs blacklist, on Tuesday suffered a huge setback when Pakistans Senate defeated two legislations that were seen to be critical to efforts to get his country off the hook at the next Financial Action Task Force review.

Khan announced the defeat of the two legislations on Twitter, delivering his sharpest takedown of opposition leaders who he tweeted, were trying to save their corrupt money and sabotage Pak efforts to exit FATF grey list.

Opposition tries to hide behind facade of democracy to protect their loot & plunder. To blackmail for NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) by defanging NAB (National Accountability Bureau, they would even have Pak put on FATF black list to destroy nations economy & increase poverty, Imran Khan said.

Pakistan had last returned to the FATF grey list in June 2018 when the anti-terror funding watchdog found deficiencies in Islamabads money laundering and anti-terror funding laws and their implementation. Over the last one week, Khan has enacted laws and designated over 100 people as terrorists to evade the blacklist at the next FATF review expected in October.

Also Read: Biggest pressure from FATF, says NSA Ajit Doval on Pakistan attempt to avoid blacklist

Khans government had been able to get the two legislations - Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Waqf Properties Bill - cleared by Pakistans lower house after a heated debate that mostly centered around the role of the National Accountability Bureau.

But the twin legislations appeared to have hit a roadblock in the Senate.

Opposition tries to hide behind facade of democracy to protect their loot & plunder. To blackmail for NRO by defanging NAB, they would even have Pak put on FATF black list to destroy nation's economy & increase poverty. They keep threatening to bring down govt unless given NRO.  Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 25, 2020

An upset Khan turned to Twitter, venting against the opposition leaders. Khan said the opposition leaders were looking for an immunity deal like the one offered by ex-President Pervez Musharraf back in 2007.

The 2007 legislation, National Reconciliation Ordinance, was a controversial law promulgated by General Musharraf as part of a deal with Pakistan Peoples Partys Benazir Bhutto. It allowed amnesty from legal action to politicians, political workers and bureaucrats accused of wrongdoing between January 1986 and October 1999. It was quashed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry soon after. Gen Musharraf sacked the chief justice, a move that plunged the country into a political and judicial crisis.

Khan, who accused the opposition of threatening to pull down his government unless given a similar immunity deal, said he would not give in.

Let me make clear: No matter what happens, my govt will not allow any NRO as it would be betrayal of nations trust in holding plunderers of public wealth accountable. Musharraf gave NROs to the 2 pol ldrs which quadrupled our debt & destroyed economy. There will be no more NROs, he said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
New Delhi: Filmmaker Mahesh Narayanan's Malayalam thriller 'CU Soon' trailer has released and it is every bit intriguing. The film was shot on phone amid the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic. The edgy thriller will stream on September 1, 2020, on OTT giant Amazon Prime Video.

Watch the trailer here:

The film is edited and directed by Mahesh Narayan.

It features Fahadh Faasil, Roshan Mathew and Darshana Rajendran. 'CU Soon' tells the story of a software engineer from Kerala who has been assigned by his family to help his Dubai-based cousin find his missing fiancee after she leaves behind a video-based suicide note.

Earlier, Fahadh Faasil said: "Working with Mahesh has always been an inspiring experience. We had an incredible stint with our erstwhile blockbuster Take-Off. Making CU Soon was an interesting and exciting experience. Having shot the film entirely during the lockdown, were immensely glad to be able to continue to entertain and bring exciting content for our audience even at a time like this and hope that fans across the world enjoy and share their love towards the film."
The New York Times

TikTok sued the US government Monday, accusing the Trump administration of depriving it of due process when President Donald Trump used his emergency economic powers to issue an executive order that will block the app from operating in the country.

The suit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California, is TikToks most direct challenge to the White House and escalates an increasingly bitter back-and-forth between the popular video app and US officials.

Trump has repeatedly said TikTok, which is owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance, poses a national security threat because of its Chinese ties.

On 6 August, he issued twin executive orders banning transactions with TikTok and Chinese social media app WeChat within 45 days.

A week later, he issued a separate executive order giving ByteDance 90 days to divest from its US assets and any data that TikTok had gathered in the United States.

We do not take suing the government lightly; however we feel we have no choice but to take action to protect our rights, and the rights of our community and employees, the company said in its suit.

Our more than 1,500 employees across the US pour their hearts into building this platform every day," the company said, noting that it planned to hire more than 10,000 more workers across eight states in the coming years.

Relations between the US and China have soured in recent months over rifts in geopolitics, technology and trade. The campaign has been partly provoked by Chinas more assertive posture but also Trumps desire to convince voters that he is tough on China.

As part of that, Trumps advisers have zeroed in on technology companies that they say are beholden to the Chinese government through security laws, including ByteDance, Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei and internet company Tencent, the owner of WeChat.

Trumps first executive order against TikTok draws its legal authority from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which allows the president to regulate economic transactions in a national emergency. Past administrations have used it to punish foreign governments, as well as drug kingpins and hackers, but have never used it against a global technology company.

Jason M Waite, a partner at law firm Alston & Bird, said that courts would probably be reluctant to challenge the president on national security grounds. But if a court does decide to rule against Trump, that could end up curtailing the powers of the presidency.

I do think the US should be concerned about having to defend IEEPA actions and the impact that could have on the authority of a future president, Waite said.

TikTok said in a blog post explaining the grounds for its lawsuit that the Trump administration failed to follow due process and act in good faith, neither providing evidence that TikTok was an actual threat, nor justification for its punitive actions.

The company also claimed that the purported national security threat identified by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States was based on outdated news articles and did not address the documentation provided by TikTok demonstrating the security of user data.

One of the Trump administrations chief concerns has been the storage of American user data on foreign servers. But in its complaint, TikTok said it had taken extraordinary measures to protect the privacy and security of TikToks US user data, which included storing American users data outside China on servers in the United States and Singapore.

The company said it had also erected software barriers that stored US user data separately from the data kept on other products and companies owned by ByteDance.

The company also said many of its top personnel  including its chief executive, general counsel and global chief security officer  were all in the United States and were not subject to Chinese law. And further, content moderation across the TikTok app is led by a team based in the United States, operating independently from China.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the suit.

The presidents move to ban WeChat, a social media app used widely by people of Chinese descent in the United States, is also facing legal challenges. On Friday, a nonprofit group calling itself the WeChat Users Alliance filed a separate suit in a federal court in San Francisco arguing that the presidents attempt to ban WeChat violated various constitutional protections, including the First Amendment, and seeking an injunction against the move.

The executive orders against TikTok have led ByteDance to explore the sale of the popular video app, which is used by millions of teenagers and influencers. The company is in talks with multiple American firms, including Microsoft and Oracle, for the sale of at least parts of its business. TikTok is continuing to negotiate a potential sale while it fights the US government in court.

Such a deal would require the company to move American user accounts over to the acquirers servers, a stipulation required by the White House. Microsoft is largely seen as the front-runner in the negotiations.

Another Chinese tech company that the Trump administration has targeted as part of its clampdown is Huawei, the giant maker of smartphones and telecommunications equipment. Huawei has also tried to use the US legal system to push back, though not always successfully.

Last year, the company sued the US government over a spending law that prohibited federal agencies and contractors from using Huawei equipment, saying its constitutional rights had been violated. A federal judge in Texas ruled in the governments favor this year.

Huawei also sued the Federal Communications Commission late last year after the agency barred US mobile carriers from using government subsidies to buy the companys gear. That case is still being heard.

Mike Isaac and Ana Swanson c.2020 The New York Times Company
 Flash

China's foreign ministry on Monday expressed support for companies including TikTok to take up legal weapons to defend their legitimate rights and interests.

The ministry's spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a question concerning announcements by TikTok and some WeChat users in the United States to file lawsuits against U.S. government executive orders to defend their legal rights.

China will also continue to take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, Zhao said.

He said some U.S. politicians are working to crush such Chinese companies as TikTok, WeChat and Huawei because they are down with an anti-China syndrome and will strike at anything Chinese.

"That explains their frantic attempts to hunt down TikTok and other Chinese companies by pinning the ideological label on them under the pretext of 'national security'. All the lies and smears are just disguise for their daylight bullying and robbery," he added.

The wanton actions some U.S. politicians have taken against specific companies, such as TikTok, are in essence organized and systematic economic bullying targeting outperforming non-U.S. multinational companies. U.S. politicians fear their strength and success and would even resort to state power to pummel them, said the spokesperson.

"This is a repudiation of the principle of market economy and fair competition that the United States has always boasted about. This is trampling on international rules and disrupting exchanges and cooperation in science, technology and innovation riding the trend of globalization. The world will only see more clearly the true face of these self-serving bandits-like politicians," the spokesperson added.
A sense of dread gnawed at Dr. Rachael Zacks for the first time in her career.

She had deployed to many international crisis regions for CDC, but in March, as the United States began grappling with COVID-19, Rachael went out for the first time in her own country to track the diseases spread. Social media disinformation and public discontent had stoked her worries that some residents might greet CDC teams with suspicion when they knocked, asking to draw blood.

Ive gone to very remote places in this world and worn CDC garb and never been nervous about the reaction I would get because I feel if people see that were here to help, they usually trust us, says Rachael, a physician and officer in CDCs Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS).

Five days after returning to Atlanta from Ebola vaccine work in South Sudan, Rachael faced her fears and flew to Seattle with her colleague Jon Dyal, a physician and public health professional who also specializes in particularly dangerous viruses, like Ebola. The two went to test people who had close contact with one of the USs first-known COVID-19 patients to see whether they had produced antibodies against the disease, indicating the virus that causes it had spread to them, too.

EIS prepares disease detectives like Jon and Rachael rigorously to respond to public health threats. Since 1951, it has trained more than 3,800 public health professionals to tackle outbreaks like polio, smallpox, Ebola, HIV/AIDS, SARS, Zika, and now COVID-19.

When Rachael and Jon departed Atlanta, panic buys were emptying store shelves, states mulled lockdowns, and people hunkered down at home.

Everywhere we went was a ghost town. The airports were empty. It was eerie to walk around downtown Seattle and not see another human. We felt like we were in an alternate reality zombie movie where we were the last humans on Earth, Rachael says.

Wearing protective gear and CDC identification, she and Jon began visiting homes. Door after door opened to smiles and kindness.

It actually renewed my faith in humanity, Rachael says. They wanted to be part of the solution. People were behind us and wanted to help make things better.

The blood samples Rachael and Jon collected delivered a scientific surprise. None of the people who had close contact with the infected man had produced antibodies, not even those who had been in the car with him while he had symptoms.

The findings helped fuel a global discussion about how COVID-19 spreads and the possibility that super-spreader individuals and super-spreader events might play a big role.

While Rachael and Jon were in Seattle, super-spreader outbreaks ravaged eldercare facilities outside of town. The two joined other EIS colleagues to trace contacts there in long-term care facilities where COVID-19 had caused half of the residents to be hospitalized.

Not being able to hug surviving patients at the facilities or people who lost loved ones was hard for Rachael, but she could not risk spreading the disease. To keep them and herself safe, she comforted them over the phone.

The hardest part for me personally was seeing peoples sense of helplessness. In public health, its our job to support them through that, Rachael says.

She returned to Atlanta, where, after self-isolating, she worked in Atlanta-area counties on a CDC pilot study about asymptomatic spread, which is when people who have no symptoms spread COVID-19. Science has since shown that it accounts for much of the pandemics progression.

Rachael has also seen symptoms of COVID-19 so extreme that they led to a double lung transplant in one patient.

The scariest part has been that for a good number of people, this virus is so severe, and its not just people with pre-existing conditions, Rachael says.

In mid-July, Rachael deployed to Denver, and much had changed. Airports were packed, and nearly all passengers wore masks. In Denver, hardly a face was not covered.

In her personal life, working in the US has given Rachael more time with her partner, and in her home office, she is eying new projects. One would take her back to Africa to study how badly COVID-19 affects malnourished children.

A pandemic can make us realize we are all truly connected, Rachael says, here at home and across the whole world.
By Akbar Mammadov

Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has expressed condolences to Georgia due to the recent tragic road accident that killed 17 people.

Very saddened to hear about the tragic road accident on the Shatili highway in Dusheti municipality of Georgia. We express condolences to the families of those killed in the accident and wish a speedy recovery to the injured, Bayramov wrote on his Twitter page on August 24.

Bayramov noted that Azerbaijans support and solidarity are with friendly people of Georgia.

Seventeen people lost their lives in a minibus accident near the village of Biso in Georgias Dusheti Municipality on August 23 when the bus that left the Mtskheta-Mtianeti road in the Caucasus mountains fell 80 metres down the cliff.

---

Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, KYODO NEWS - Aug 25, 2020 - 15:44 | All, Coronavirus, Japan, World

The COVID-19 outbreak has created a number of global crises simultaneously -- in health, economy and politics. Without swift and ambitious actions these crises risk morphing into an existential crisis for free and democratic societies.

The pandemic has increased the urgency for a global alliance of democracies to counter the rising autocracies. As the leading Asian democracy with unparalleled political goodwill in both Washington and Brussels, Japan will play a pivotal role in making such an alliance possible.

Even before COVID-19 struck, the world's autocrats were emboldened by the perceived U.S. withdrawal from its global leadership role, by the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, a strained transatlantic alliance, and a rise of anti-system politicians.

COVID-19 has accelerated the pace of history and caused countries to retrench into short-term self-interest. The EU faced major challenges to its unity as member states responded to COVID with national responses that gave little consideration to their neighbors. The United States expressed its intention to leave the World Health Organization, while China continued to refuse Taiwan access to its annual assembly despite being a model of how to respond to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, through necessity, freedom in our own societies has been curtailed, with economic and political power centralized to the state.

The situation may seem grim, but it is always darkest before the dawn. We have an opportunity for an ambitious new vision for multilateral cooperation, where the democracies of the world find new forms of collaboration and mutual reinforcement to counter the rising autocracies and write the global rulebook for the post-COVID global order.

We already see early signs of a new alliance of democracies forming. China's actions have helped to make Americans and more recently Europeans less naive about Beijing's intentions. For decades, the democratic West's approach has been to engage China, in the hope that it would make the rising superpower conform to our norms and standards, and become more open, liberal and democratic as its middle class grew.

But the opposite has happened under President Xi Jinping's nationalist agenda. Beijing's actions during the COVID outbreak, its efforts to isolate Taiwan, the disinformation campaigns that have cost lives, its attempts to divide allies and build dependency through unreciprocated strategic investment in sensitive sectors, and the Hong Kong security law have delivered Europe a much-needed wakeup call.

The United States has recently called for a global alliance to stand up against China. I believe we can be more confident: the world needs a global alliance to stand up for democracy. Here is where Japan can take a critical global role.

Transatlantic relations are strained. Atlantic trade wars, caustic presidential tweets, and shaky commitments to NATO on both sides of the Atlantic have undermined trust. Yet both the United States and Europe can easily agree on the importance of Japan. President Donald Trump has a strong personal relationship with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, while the EU sees Japan as its closest and most dependable ally in the Asia-Pacific. The EU's recently concluded trade agreement, political partnership and a deal to allow for free flow of data were more than signs of common interests for Europe: they represented a global declaration of unity across continents.

This Japan-Europe-U.S. triumvirate can form the basis of this new alliance of democracies, uniting the Atlantic and Pacific. It should not be a cumbersome bureaucratic structure like the United Nations, but a group focused around both common values and interests. It could start with a few crucial subject areas such as technology, health, and trade and investment.

Perhaps the most pressing topic is technology, where the world stands at a crossroads. Data will be to the 21st century as oil was to the 20th century. In the 19th century, global power belonged to those who controlled the seas. In the 21st, it will belong to those who rule over our digital highways. It cannot be China.

Fragmentation of the democratic West risks allowing China to win this race, and to set the global standards for the deployment of new technology from 5G to artificial intelligence. If this is allowed to happen, our world and its standards will be molded by a Communist dictatorship. Yet the United States and Europe have very limited cooperation, with U.S. tech firms viewed with suspicion and Europe seeking to reproduce old American initiatives like cloud computing rather than focusing its efforts on working with likeminded partners to deliver the next big breakthroughs.

Here again, Japan is crucial. The United Kingdom has proposed a D-10 -- adding the power of India, Australia and South Korea to the current G-7 nations of Europe, North America and Japan. Its main purpose would be to develop common alternatives to Chinese 5G providers. Let's build on that proposal.

For example, the EU and Japan recently concluded a "data adequacy decision" recognizing that Japan's data protection standards are equivalent to Europe's high standard. We now transfer data as though Japan were an EU member. Under Japan's recent G-20 presidency, Abe proposed an ambitious idea to take those standards global to allow free flow of data "with trust." We should work toward such a system within the D-10 so that our innovators in the democratic world have access to the abundance of data they need to win the race and write the new global rulebook.

The imperative for such an agreement has only increased in recent weeks as the EU's court struck down Safe Harbor, the agreement for transferring data between Europe and the United States. The window for an ambitious deal is there if our leaders wish to seize it.

In time, such an alliance can be widely expanded to look at other areas where multilateralism is failing -- including reform of the World Health Organization and World Trade Organization; supporting emerging democracies with an economic proposition that is more attractive than China's debt-trap diplomacy; and greater cooperation in regions like the Arctic or in trying to restart multilateral trade talks that were a real possibility only 15 years ago.

The past few months have seen the retreat of freedom and democracy around the world. Now we have an opportunity to promote their rapid advance, with Japan's help. It will take initiative and leadership, but we can restore confidence in our open and free societies, and strengthen the spine of the free world against those who seek to divide and conquer. Let's seize the opportunity.

(Anders Fogh Rasmussen is a former Danish prime minister who served as secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization between 2009 and 2014. He is the founder of Rasmussen Global, a political consultancy firm headquartered in Copenhagen and Brussels.)

Related coverage:

U.S., China agree to ensure "success" in partial trade deal: USTR

Trump vows to get allies to pay "fair share" as 2nd-term goal

FOCUS: Fears grow over China's possible massive sales of U.S. debt as weapon
The Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front government in Kerala comfortably overcame the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition after 11 hours of discussion on Monday. Eighty-seven votes were polled by the LDF against 40 of the Congress-led United Democratic Front in the 140 member assembly on Monday. Though five hours was decided as the limit for the discussion with Covid-19 protocol, the allegations and response lengthened the session and the voting was held only at 9.20 pm.

Curiously, a record was created by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, for the longest speech in the history of the Kerala assembly, by taking 3 hours and 42 minutes to respond to the allegations raised by the Opposition. It started at 5.32 pm and ended at 9.15 pm. When the CMs speech, mainly recounting achievements of the state government rather than countering the allegations, exceeded 3 hours, the opposition members started protesting, but he did not quit and took nearly one more hour before concluding the speech.

The chief minister, who defended the appointment of the consultancies and the accusations against minister KT Jaleel but was silent on the alleged Life Mission scam, broke the record of his cabinet colleague Thomas Isaac.

Thomas Isaac

Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac, on March 3, 2017, set a new record of having presented the lengthiest state budget in terms of duration. He overtook the record set by former chief minister Oommen Chandy by a margin of three minutes. A large chunk of the Budget presentation was spent on listing out names of almost all the beneficiaries of different schemes.

Oommen Chandy

Oommen Chandy, when he was the chief minister, set the record for the lengthiest Budget presentation in the assembly on February 13, 2016, delivering a speech lasting 2 hours and 54 minutes. According to then assembly Speaker N Sakthan, Chandy crossed the previous record of 2 hours and 50 minutes set by former finance minister K M Mani. The total time could have crossed three hours if the chief minister had not skipped four or five pages regarding the financial aid to cultural institutions.

VK Krishna Menon

The record for the longest speech in the United Nations is in the name of another Keralite, Indias former finance minister VK Krishna Menon. According to the Guinness World Records, his statement to the Security Council was given during three meetings on January 23 and 24, 1957. According to the records, the meetings lasted more than 8 hours.

Fidel Castro

The second-longest speech at an international forum was again at the UN and was delivered by Cuban leader Fidel Castro in 1960. It lasted 4 hours and 29 minutes. Castro bettered his own record in 1986 when he spoke for 7 hours in Cuba.

Stewart Stevenson

Stewart Stevenson, a Scottish lawmaker, holds the record for the longest speech in parliament. In 2004, he delivered a speech over 23 hours and 51 minutes on International Suicide Prevention Week. However, according to some reports, this was due to the failure of the parliaments sound system as he started to speak.

Ted Cruz

United States Senator Ted Cruz spoke for 21 hours 19 minutes in the US Senate in 2013 against Obamacare. His speech was interrupted with remarks by other senators of his party.

Coming back to India:

Narendra Modi

On Independence Day in 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke for 92 minutes at the Red Fort. It is the longest ever Independence Day speech.

Arun Jaitley

Late union finance minister Arun Jaitleys very first Budget speech in 2014 lasted over two hours.

Pranab Mukherjee

Pranab Mukherjee, who in 2014 was the union finance minister in the United Progressive Alliance government, gave a Budget speech that lasted nearly an hour and 50 minutes.

Jawaharlal Nehru

On the night of August 14, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru made his famous tryst with destiny speech. The speech was 72 minutes long, and was the longest Independence Day speech in Indian history until Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an 86-minute Independence Day address in 2015.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 14:58:40|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The opening night of the 2020 Republican National Convention (RNC) on Monday saw Republicans scrambling to defend U.S. President Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 5.7 million people in the country, with roughly 177,000 deaths.

Speaking at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., Louisiana oral surgeon G.E. Ghali, who had recovered from the disease, said that the country's "medical investigation and drug development systems were not designed for a pandemic."

Ghali claimed that Trump has "cleared away the red tape that usually makes drug approvals a long and drawn out process" and that his administration's program is "accelerating the testing, supply, development and distribution of therapeutics, diagnostics, and very shortly, effective vaccines to counter COVID-19."

The remarks came hours after the latest poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed that the public approval on Trump's handling of the pandemic has dropped to 31 percent.

The figure represents a 13-point decline from a similar survey in March, when the pandemic first took hold. Trump's overall job approval rating also dropped to 35 percent from 43 percent in March, according to the poll.

Trump also made an appearance at the virtual RNC on Monday night in a video with a group of frontline workers including two nurses, a postal worker, a truck driver, a custodian and a police officer in the East Room of the White House.

Neither Trump nor other participants wore masks. The White House has been testing Trump daily for coronavirus and also tests everyone who comes in close contact with him.

Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, said last month that the United States is not "doing great" in its response to the virus compared to other countries.

Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and Donald Trump Jr, the president's eldest son, were among the speakers for the RNC's first night themed "Land of Promise," which a Trump campaign official said honors "the promises President Donald J. Trump has kept since his first presidential campaign."

Most of the speakers used their speeches to highlight what they believed as Trump's achievements during the first term, make their cases for his reelection, and lash out at Democrats and 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

"Joe Biden and the Democrats are still blaming America first," said Haley, also former governor of South Carolina. "Donald Trump has always put America first."

Biden, in a tweet on Monday night, said that Trump is "the only person responsible for our failed COVID response," as the former U.S. vice president's campaign has made it a central argument for his White House bid, the third in his nearly 50-year political career.

"I don't blame him for the COVID crisis. I blame him for walking away and not dealing with the solutions," said Biden, referring to Trump, in his first joint interview with his running mate Senator Kamala Harris of California with ABC News, which aired on Sunday.

"The idea of saying that this is going to go away, that some miracle is going to happen, there's all talk about the crazy things about bleach and using, I mean it's just, he hasn't listened to the scientists," Biden added.

Earlier on Monday, 336 delegates gathered in person at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a state-by-state roll call that formally nominated Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for the 2020 Republican presidential ticket.

Both Trump and Pence delivered a speech at the convention center on Monday to thank the delegates for the renomination. The president will formally accept the Republican nomination for a second term from the White House South Lawn on Thursday night. Enditem
Major General To Van Hue, head of the Department for Administrative Management of Social Order under the Ministry of Public Security told local media about the ministrys plans to introduce chip-based identity cards.

A man has fingerprinting scanned when applying for a new ID card.  VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan

Why does the Public Security propose chip-based identity cards at this time?

Currently, Vietnamese citizens are using either nine-digit ID cards, 12-digit ID cards or the ID cards with 2D barcode. The latest kind of ID was introduced in 2016 but until now, only available in 16 cities and provinces nationwide including Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thai Binh, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, TPHCM, Can Tho, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Quang Binh.

The issuance of 2D bar code ID has faced difficulties including cost.

The Ministry of Public Security wants to speed up the project on ID issuance so to bring it in line with the national database population project. Under the project, as of July 1, 2021, 50 million ID cards would be granted to eligible citizens. (The Law on Citizen Identification in 2014 stipulates that people from 14 years old are eligible to get an ID card and it will be renewed when they turn to 25, 40, and 60 years old.)

On the back of valid ID cards in Vietnam, personal information is posted while with the latest form of ID cards, the information is coded under 2D-barcode.

However, studies found that the 2D bar code fails to add more information into the ID cards or implement online transactions under the e-Government system that Vietnam is deploying.

So, the Public Security Ministry proposed Government to issue chip-based ID cards.

When Vietnam introduced 12-digit ID cards in 2012, electronic chips were expensive and the country faced difficulties to master the technology.

However, now, electronic chips are much cheaper and Vietnamese companies can produce the chips. E-chips have more advantages than the barcodes, especially as the chips could store the data that not only serves public security sector but also other sectors.

As the chips are widely used all over the world and more suitable to e-Government, the ministry of Public Security proposed to apply this form of identification.

How does the ministry prepare for the issuance of chip-based ID cards?

So far, the ministry submitted the proposal to Government. Once the proposal is approved with proper funding disbursed, further preparations will be made. The ministry expects to start granting the chip-based ID cards from November this year across the country.

What technology will be used to make the chip-based ID cards?

We are considering options. The Public Security Ministrys leaders asked for 50 million ID cards to be issued by July next year. If we buy equipment, install software programmes and make the cards ourselves, funding will be higher because we will have to buy equipment at the same time. It will also generate waste as part of the equipment would become unused as on average, only four million people apply to get ID cards yearly including those who are 14 years old and those required to renew their ID cards.

In another option, we recommend the Government allow us to hire equipment and hire qualified companies to print the ID cards.

If chip-based ID cards begin to be issued from November, should all citizens change their in-use ID cards immediately?

Not necessarily. Citizens can continue using their current ID cards and will change them when they expire.

To save States funding and avoid annoyance to citizens, we asked police in 16 localities to tell people avoid changing ID cards if it is not urgent.

Please wait until the new form of ID cards is approved so that we can help save States resource as well as avoid inconvenience when re-applying for ID cards in the near future.

However, if people urgently need a new ID cards at this time, the issuance is still done as usual. VNS

Over the past 63 years, the ID card in Vietnam has undergone changes five times. The first nine-digit ID card made debut in 1957. It was renewed in 1964 and 1999. The 12-digit ID card was introduced in 2012 and ID with barcode was in 2016. The latest kind of card is now available in 16 cities and provinces. The Law on Citizen Identification in 2014 stipulates that people from 14 years old are eligible to get an ID card and it will be renewed when they turn to 25, 40, and 60 years old.

Vietnam plans to issue electronic ID card with multiple information Local experts said the Ministry of Public Security should consider the necessity and the cost of the new ID card issuance.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 21:18:10|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIRUT, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese judicial authorities arrested on Tuesday three additional suspects over the explosions of Beirut's port, making the total number of arrested people over this case 12, the National News Agency reported.

Earlier this month, three senior officials at Port of Beirut were arrested, including General Director of Customs Badri Daher, former Customs Director Chafic Merhi and Director General of Beirut Port Hassan Koraytem.

Two huge explosions rocked Port of Beirut on Aug. 4, shaking buildings all over Lebanon's capital, and killing over 177 people and wounding 6,000.

Damage was estimated by Beirut's Governor to be valued at over 10 billion U.S. dollars. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 18:13:41|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ULAN BATOR, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia will fully secure its domestic demand for wheat and potatoes, the country's food and agriculture minister said on Tuesday.

Minister Zagdjav Mendsaikhan said the Asian country is expected to harvest 487,600 tons of wheat and 237,000 tons of potato this autumn, according to the government's press office.

Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country in the world, and a significant portion of the country's 3.2 million people raise livestock to make a living. Enditem
We need help. This just one of the moms with puppies. 134 dogs, mostly female with puppies or pregnant were removed... Posted by Delta Animal Shelter on Tuesday, August 25, 2020

DELTA COUNTY, MI  A call about a horse in a roadway led Michigan State Police troopers to bust an alleged puppy mill in the Upper Peninsula on Monday, Aug. 24.

Troopers from the MSP Gladstone Post seized 134 dogs from a residence in Maple Ridge Township, Delta County, police said. There were 65 adult dogs  most either pregnant or with a litter of puppies  and 69 puppies.

Some of the dogs appeared to be malnourished and in poor health, police said.

It was horrible, Delta Animal Shelter said in a Facebook post seeking donations for the care and medical treatment of the animals. The shelter assisted on the scene and has taken possession of the dogs and puppies.

These dogs are scared, the post says. Theyve never been inside; never on a leash.

The dogs and puppies seized included golden retrievers; standard poodles; goldendoodles; Australian shepherds; Aussiedoodles; mini Australian shepherds; yellow, black, white and chocolate Labrador retrievers; German shepherds; Yorkshire terriers; various teddy bear breeds; a pit bull-Cane Corso mix; chihuahuas; and Boston terriers, according to the shelter.

All the dogs will be vaccinated, de-wormed and treated for fleas, and will receive medical care today, Aug. 25, the post said. Bathing and grooming are in progress.

Right now, the thing we need the most is monetary donations for their medical care, the post said.

Donate here.

Please be patient with us as we are unable to keep up with messaging. All the support is hugely appreciated by these... Posted by Delta Animal Shelter on Tuesday, August 25, 2020

An investigation is ongoing. The owner of the alleged puppy mill operation could be charged criminally.

Delta County Sheriffs Office and Delta Animal Shelter assisted at the scene.

READ MORE:

Girl, 16, dies after jumping off moving pontoon boat on Michigan lake

After bears spotted in Michigan campground, Forest Service says to be bear aware

Man charged with domestic violence, child abuse after alleged campground assault
Day after the stormy CWC meeting, which saw the party divided on the leadership issue, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh Vivek Tankha on Tuesday said that the signatories of the letter are not dissenters but proponents of revival.

Friends we are not dissenters but proponents of revival :: the letter was not a challenge to leadership but a parchment of action to strengthen the party :: universally truth is best defence whether it be Court or Public Affairs :: history acknowledges the brave & not the timid," Tankha wrote on Twitter.

Friends we are not dissenters but proponents of revival :: the letter was not a challenge to leadership but a parchment of action to strengthen the party :: universally truth is best defence whether it be Court or Public Affairs :: history acknowledges the brave & not the timid. Vivek Tankha (@VTankha) August 25, 2020

Tankha was refering to the letter written by 23 senior leaders to party chief Sonia Gandhi, asking her for sweeping changes in the party. The timing of the said letter was questioned by Rahul Gandhi. Besides Tankha, the list of signatories includes five former chief ministers, sitting MPs Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari, members of Congress Working Committee and over a dozen former union ministers.

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal also tweeted on Tuesday, saying its not about a post but Its about the country which matters most to him.

Its not about a post Its about my country which matters most Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) August 25, 2020

Notably, on Monday Sibal had first hit back at Rahul Gandhi for his reported accusation that senior Congress leaders who called for a change in party leadership were dissenters and colluding with the BJP but later withdrew it after being told that Gandhi never said what was attributed to him.

Was informed by Rahul Gandhi personally that he never said what was attributed to him. I therefore withdraw my tweet, Sibal tweeted, soon after Congress spokesperson also issued a denial stating that Gandhi had not stated or even alluded to such a charge during the Congress Working Committee meeting.

At the meeting, Sonia Gandhi had offered to resign after the dissenting letter was made public. It was, however, decided that she would remain the interim president till an All India Congress Committee (AICC) session is called and the next full-time president elected. The party has reportedly set a six-month deadline to finish the process of electing its next chief.

The meeting also witnessed an outpour from all the nearly 50 Congress leaders, including its four chief ministers, of support in favour of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, who were urged to lead the party in the coming years.
Three years on from the killing of US-British journalist Christopher Allen in South Sudan, a UN rights expert on Tuesday urged the FBI to step up and conduct an investigation.

Allen, 26, a freelance reporter, was embedded with rebel fighters and fatally shot in the head during a battle with the South Sudanese army in late August 2017.

The fact that for three whole years there has been no independent investigation into Mr. Allens killing sends a very dangerous signal that journalists and media workers can be targeted with impunity, said Agnes Callamard, UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

The governments of South Sudan and the United States can and must take steps to ensure that the circumstances of Mr. Allens murder are fully, independently and fearlessly investigated, she said in a statement.

The FBI has a duty, both legal and moral, to investigate Mr. Allens killing because of well-founded suspicions that war crimes may have been committed by members of South Sudanese forces, she said.

United Nations experts do not speak for the UN but report their findings to it.

South Sudans six-year civil war erupted in December 2013, just two years after it obtained independence from Sudan. The war left 380,000 dead and millions displaced.

Callamard said at least 10 other journalists had been killed with impunity during the civil war.

Mr. Allens murder is indicative of the wider climate of hostility towards journalists in the country, she said.

The rapporteur noted she had written to the South Sudanese authorities on January 30 this year asking about an investigation but had received no response.

Washington said it had raised concerns with the South Sudan government, while London voiced concerns about the lack of an investigation, said Callamard.

She therefore urged the US Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct its own inquiry.
Reuters

A likely frontrunner to take the mantle of the Republican Party after Donald Trump contended during the Republican National Convention that the United States "is not a racist country."

Nikki Haley, a former US ambassador to the United Nations and a former South Carolina governor who is likely a 2024 candidate for her party's nomination, made the claim despite saying moments earlier that her family faced discrimination when she was a young girl.

"America is not a racist country," she claimed. "America is a story that is a work in progress."

"In much of the Democratic Party, it's now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie. America is not a racist country," Ms Haley said. This is personal for me. I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. They came to America and settled in a small southern town. My father wore a turban. My mother wore a sari. I was a brown girl in a black and white world.

"We faced discrimination and hardship. But my parents never gave in to grievance and hate," Ms Haley said. "My mom built a successful business. My dad taught 30 years at a historically black college. And the people of South Carolina chose me as their first minority and first female governor."

She then pivoted to an attack on Democrats, while opting against using the term "black lives matter."

"America is a story that's a work in progress. Now is the time to build on that progress, and make America even freer, fairer, and better for everyone. That's why it's tragic to see so much of the Democratic Party turn a blind eye toward riots and rage," she said. "The American people know we can do better. And of course we know that every single black life is valuable."

But she then ticked off a list, saying black police officers, business owners and kids killed during violent acts all "matter."

She appeared to be one of the few speakers of the night who did not calibrate their entire remarks for Mr Trump. Parts of her speech felt like a test drive for a 2024 White House bid.

Story continues

For instance, she touted her decision following a deadly shooting at a black church in Charleston, South Carolina, by a white supremacist to remove the Confederate flag from outside the state capitol building.

"It doesn't have to be like this. It wasn't like this in South Carolina five years ago. Our state came face-to-face with evil," she said. "A white supremacist walked into Mother Emanuel Church during Bible study. Twelve African-Americans pulled up a chair and prayed with him for an hour. Then he began to shoot.

"After that horrific tragedy, we didn't turn against each other. We came together  black and white, Democrat and Republican," said the potential 2024 candidate. "Together, we made the hard choices needed to heal  and removed a divisive symbol, peacefully and respectfully."

Read more

Donald Trump Jr says Joe Biden is 'Loch Ness monster of the swamp'

Trump jokes about hydroxychloroquine as he appears at RNC

Agriculture Secretary Perdue appears to violate Hatch Act at WH event

Trump looks to shore up suburban vote at RNC
SALINAS, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- RPM Team, a turnkey design-build group dedicated to homeless housing solutions, is pleased to announce their strategic alliance with Homebound Services CA (HBSCA). HBSCA non-profit specializes in social services, program development, and ongoing operations of homeless facilities, low barrier navigation centers and housing that require on site trauma care and intensive case management. Founder, President and CEO of HomeBound Services CA, Mr. Cruz Avila announced, "HBSCA is excited to be aligned with RPM Team as they have built the most affordable homeless solutions the west coast has seen to date. Blessed to be able to work side by side with their team as we open the doors to hope and social services to all those in need."

Avila brings 20+ years of experiencemost recently as CEO of Fresno's Poverello Houseworking to enrich the lives and spirits by providing meals, social services and dignified temporary shelter. His partnerships with agencies assisting those in need led to his decision to expand his outreach to assist other government agencies and NGO's. His program development institutes the appropriate care and curriculum for the specific needs of the homeless.

The United States Supreme Court silently affirming Martin v Boise dictates that homeless persons cannot be punished for sleeping outside on public property in the absence of adequate shelter alternatives. With the State's deficiency in homeless service infrastructure, more shelters need to be built. However, the construction of overdue shelter facilities and affordable housing units is not a panacea to the homelessness pandemic. Homeless individuals, and families, have experienced trauma while trying to survive on the streets. The only long-term solution to ending the cycle of homelessness is to provide on-site intensive case management (with staff trained in trauma response) and individualized care with dignity and respect.

With the alliance of HBSCA, RPM Team is able to provide a turnkey solution for public and private sector agencies serving growing unsheltered homeless populations. By providing professional "wrap-around" operations and programming, HBSCA fosters the critical component necessary to move people permanently out of homelessness. These dignified services are the heart and soul of every successful shelter and navigation center.

David Renard, President of RPM Team, positively summarizes the new partnership, stating, "Cruz Avila brings the missing link to fully engage the needs of a city or county and marshal specified care to a homeless individual. Our manufacturer led design project delivery method proves that construction costs of navigation centers and emergency shelters can be lowered by fifty percent. But, what about operations? With his leadership of the Poverello House, Mr. Avila is uniquely qualified to assist the overall operational solution and provide the beacon of hope our homeless populations need. RPM can continue carrying on its mission to affordably house the homeless and all those in need."

https://rpm-team.com

Contact: David Renard, President, [email protected], 408-439-3283

Contact: Cruz Avila, CEO, [email protected], 559-360-5556

SOURCE RPM Team LLC

Related Links

https://rpm-team.com


A man who allegedly set his partner alight in a horrific attack on Sunday is being treated in the Fiona Stanley Hospital burns unit along with the victim.

Police say mother of two, Andrea Atkins-Greed, was doused in petrol and allegedly set on fire by Daniel Bolderson, 37, around 1.15pm at a home in Medina.

He has been charged with grievous bodily harm and criminal damage by fire, but was unfit to face court on Monday.

Both Mr Bolderson and Ms Aktins-Greed remained in hospital in a stable condition on Tuesday.
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The National Committee for the Peoples salvation (CNSP), the military junta that seized power Tuesday in Mali, has denied news carried by foreign news agencies that it wants a three-year transition, with a military leader and several officers in the new government
25.08.2020 LISTEN

Over the years the good people of Ghana have always needed a well-composed political party in the country that can help relieve them from the struggles that has embedded them for far too long.

The government of the day has touched so many important areas that needs an evaluation, it's undoubtedly one of the best Manifesto's that has a proven record of transforming and changing lives with facts contained in it (Use the Fact Tracker when in doubt ).

The pain killer governmental approach by the government has proven to be the best of it's kind.

Looking at the current economy and comparing these government to the previous NDC government, one can proudly say he/she has brought "Abroad to Ghana" as said by the Ashanti regional Chairman- Wontumi, Ghana is not completely transformed but the rate at which the NPP is transforming lives with Technology, tells us the future it has for us.

The current performance of H.E Nana Addo led the government to make it difficult for any political party to contest them in this year's December polls because of the resilient performance in every sector of the economy.

We as the UPP Party Executives want to further stretch that our party will remain resolute with matters of fact and truth. Our party remains committed to the good works of the government and will Chastise it as and when necessary.

Among the list of few important reliefs by the Nana Addo led government( Manifesto)

1. All Training Teachers and Nurses denied engagement have been engaged

2. Allowances for Teacher and Nursing trainees have been restored

3. Tax waiver on all Health workers in these difficult times Relieved

4. The life changing Free Senior High School policy comes in as a blessing to Ghanaians even though it's implementation is faced by some few challenges.

5. Student now need only their Ecowas Identity card to enable them access the loan scheme, such awesomeness.

6. Construction of 5 District hospitals in Sawla, Tolon, Buipe, Somanya and Wheta .

7. Over a 90,000 Nabcans engaged

8. NEIP

9. Our good brothers and sisters into Kayayi are now relieved from paying Market tolls.

10. Value for money, seeks to construct 4 interchanges with just 289 million Dollars

The Nana Addo led administration looks very promising and compassionate in their delivery of promises and the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian. God bless our homeland Ghana.

Signed

National Communications Officer.
TORONTO - Competition in the cannabis beverage market is due to heat up as a company backed by Molson Coors Canada launches a group of pot drink brands over the next few months.

Truss Beverage Co.  a joint venture between the brewer and Ottawa-based cannabis company Hexo Corp.  on Tuesday unveiled five brands that it hopes will conquer the market and appeal to emerging tastes.

From a consumer perspective, weve only seen interest continue to grow in the sector and we think the timing is perfect as were coming to market and beverages, said Scott Cooper, Trusss president and chief executive in an interview.

Trusss extensive push into the sector comes in a year when the cannabis drinks space has experienced an uptick in new products.

Cannabis retailers are already selling Everie products from Fluent Beverage Co., a joint venture between Anheuser-Busch InBev and B.C. pot company Tilray Inc., A1 Cannabis Co.s Basecamp cannabidiol iced tea and Aurora Cannabis Inc.s Drift citrus shots.

Also on the market are sparkling grapefruit water from Houseplant  actor Seth Rogens brand  and beverages from Canopy Growth Corp.s Tweed.

Truss entered the pot drink space in December, when it partnered with Flow Alkaline Spring Water to launch goji-grapefruit and raspberry-lemon waters infused with cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in cannabis.

Cooper says its new brands include Little Victory naturally-flavoured sparkling beverages and House of Terpenes sparkling tonics with botanically-sourced terpenes  aromatic oils that flavour cannabis.

Veryvell, an existing Truss brand that currently offers cannabis extract drops, will centre around cannabidiol products and wellness, while XMG and Mollo will focus on drinks that are geared toward special occasions.

Many of the beverages have a low to medium dose of CBD or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis that helps produce a high.

While some companies would shy away from launching five brands at once, Cooper said Truss made a deliberate decision a year ago to be different.

We went into it with the thought of lets try one or two brands and see how it goes and we really got into it, he said.

This category needs that leadership and we needed to create that structure and the breadth of offerings to really help breakthrough.

Making cannabis edibles, including drinks, taste good is key to most companies strategies, which depend on attracting casual or first-time pot users to bolster sales from heavy users. These newcomers may easily be turned off by the thought of smoking weed, but drinks that taste more like fruit have long been considered a gateway for these consumers.

Truss studied the market and discovered about 43 per cent of those who tried a cannabis beverage did so because it meant they could consume pot without smoking it.

Drinks can also attract cannabis consumers who find the smell of smoke a major barrier to enjoying it in a social setting.

Almost 75 per cent of those surveyed said they dont like the lingering odour of cannabis flower and 76 per cent dont consume cannabis because they dont feel traditional methods offer enough dosage control.

For Truss to take advantage of that opportunity, it figured out how to mask some of the strong taste of cannabis that could turn a first-time or casual drinker off with flavours such as lemon, black cherry and mango-pineapple.

We were looking at technology and trying to understand emulsification because cannabis is an oil and doesnt blend (naturally with) water, so that was a key challenge we had to solve, said Cooper.

Around bioavailability, (we were) ensuring that we had a product that consumers can absorb into their body in a reasonable time frame.

It was only then that the drinks could start being produced in a Belleville, Ont facility.

Now that they are ready for store shelves, other obstacles have come along: first the COVID-19 outbreak, then a U.S.-imposed tariff on aluminum, which Truss uses to can some of its beverages.

Neither worry Cooper.

Aside from small construction delays, COVID-19 hasnt caused material effects on Truss, he said.

Though the pandemic has kept many Canadians home and cutting back on shopping trips, Cooper was convinced consumers could be enticed into trying Trusss new drinks through advertising, social media and online orders.

The 10-per-cent tariff, he said, was also far from a concern.

We have a warehouse full of cans, he said. Were not worried about that. Were well ahead of that game.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2020.

Companies in this story: (TSX:TIL, TSX:HEXO, TSX:TPX, TSX:ACB, TSX:WEED)
IAEA Chief Arrives In Iran Amid Inspections Standoff

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda August 24, 2020

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has arrived in Iran for a visit aimed at improving cooperation on the country's nuclear activities.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi is scheduled to hold talks with high-level Iranian officials over the next two days, including President Hassan Rohani and Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.

It is Grossi's first trip to Iran since taking over the IAEA leadership eight months ago and comes amid a mounting standoff between the Vienna-based UN agency and Tehran over access to two sites where nuclear activities might have occurred and with the United States pressing for reimposing UN nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran.

"My objective is that my meetings in Tehran will lead to concrete progress in addressing the outstanding questions that the Agency has related to safeguards in Iran and, in particular, to resolve the issue of access," Grossi said ahead of his trip.

The IAEA's board of governors passed a rare resolution in June calling on Iran to provide access to two sites where nuclear activities may have taken place in the past.

The resolution, the first of its kind since 2012, demanded that Iran "fully cooperate" and "satisfy the agency's requests without any further delay," including by providing "prompt" access to the two sites in order to clarify whether undeclared nuclear activity took place there during the early 2000s.

At the time, Grossi accused Iran of denying access to the two locations for six months, and said that for almost a year "it has not engaged in substantive discussions to clarify our questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities."

Iran maintains the IAEA has no legal basis to inspect the sites in question.

The IAEA-Iran standoff comes with the United States pressing for reimposing UN sanctions lifted as part of a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. Washington exited the agreement more than two years ago and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week formally launched the monthlong process of activating the nuclear accord's "snapback" mechanism aimed at reimposing UN sanctions on Iran, citing Iranian violations of the deal.

But the U.S. move faces opposition at the Security Council, where other members have questioned the United States' right to do it since Washington withdrew from the nuclear pact.

The United States claims it remains a "participant" in the accord because it was listed as such in the UN resolution that enshrined it.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iaea-chief -arrives-in-iran-amid-inspections -standoff/30800531.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






5 | India to get 100 million AstraZeneca's vaccine shots by December 2020, say Reports: With Covishield, the coronavirus vaccine candidate jointly developed by the University of Oxford and British firm AstraZeneca entering phase 3 trials, Serum Institute of India (SII) has started ramping up the production of the vaccine. The world's largest vaccine maker plans to have 100 million doses ready by December 2020 for an inoculation drive that could begin across India that same month, Bloomberg reported on November 13.

Doses of the potential coronavirus vaccine developed by researchers at Oxford University arrived at the Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College in Pune for phase-2 human trials on Tuesday, an official said.

The trial may begin from Wednesday, said a top official of the institute, one of the 17 sites selected for the phase 2 human trials in the country by Serum Institute of India (SII).

"To start with we have identified five volunteers who will undergo COVID-19 and antibodies test. Those whose reports are negative will be shortlisted for vaccination on Wednesday," said Dr Sanjay Lalwani, Medical Director, Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre.

He said the hospital has been given a target of enlisting 300 to 350 volunteers. Those chosen for receiving a dose of vaccine will be in the age group of 18 to 99 years, he told PTI.

Dr Jeetendra Oswal, deputy medical director of the hospital, said after they are administered the vaccine, the volunteers will be monitored as per the standard trial protocol.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

The other hospitals where trials are to be conducted include B J Medical College Hospital in Pune, AIIMS Delhi, Rajendra MemorialResearch Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh,Nehru Hospital in Gorakhpur and Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam.

SII, the world's largest vaccine maker, has signed an agreement to manufacture the potential vaccine developed by the Jenner Institute of Oxford University in collaboration with British-Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca.

Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here
Canadas Conservatives have chosen Erin OToole to lead them into the next election. But which Erin OToole will they get?

Will it be Angry Erin, the fired-up right-winger who railed against Justin Trudeau, the CBC and the Chinese government for the past eight months or so, and promised to take Canada back from whomever it was who supposedly snatched it away?

Or will it be Inclusive Erin, the pleasant, reassuring fellow who accepted his resounding victory over Peter MacKay in the wee hours of Monday morning while reaching out to everyone  black, white, brown, LGBT or straight, Indigenous or newcomer, and so on.

Which Erin OToole emerges as the genuine article in the next few weeks will go a long way toward determining how successful the Conservatives will be in challenging the Liberals for power, possibly as early as this fall but more likely next year.

The party still stings from the hard lesson of last fall: when it veers away from the centre, especially on social issues, it opens the way for the Liberals to occupy the great centre-left of Canadian political life and claim victory.

OToole tacked to the right during the leadership contest to win the hearts of Conservative activists. He kept MacKay well below the 40-per-cent first-ballot support he needed to secure a majority, and picked up votes from supporters of the two candidates most identified with the social-conservative wing of the party, Leslyn Lewis and Derek Sloan.

It made sense as a strategy to win the leadership, but OToole must now pivot to position the party for a general election. The question is how he can do that in a way that will be convincing to regular voters, but not be seen as a betrayal by those on the right who pinned their hopes on him.

Andrew Scheer flubbed that task last year. He couldnt come up with answers on hot-button issues like abortion and same-sex rights that made socially progressive voters in vote-rich areas like the GTA and Montreal feel comfortable with him.

Scheer reminded us all once more on Sunday night why he fell short. His farewell address to supporters was chippy and tone-deaf; his shots at the Soviet Union (dead lo these past 29 years) and the dreaded mainstream media served only as a reminder of why he had to go.

OToole did much better. He immediately reached out to voters who he acknowledge dont usually consider the Conservatives as an alternative. And even during the campaign he indicated he wont let symbolic issues trip him up (he promises to march in a Pride parade once large-scale events like that return).

It feels like a good start, but it wont be easy. The OToole Conservatives must be prepared to offer an alternative vision to the governing Liberals in just a month, when Parliament reopens with a Throne Speech on Sept. 23.

COVID-19 will still be the over-riding concern at that point, and the pandemic means the times just arent conducive to traditional conservative, and Conservative, remedies of smaller government, less spending and lower taxes.

Voters are scared and are demanding support  at almost any cost. The Trudeau government has made it clear it intends to go along with that mood. Will the Conservatives try to swim against the tide, or end up offering what OToole once dismissed as Liberal-lite?

Its also unclear how the various strands inside the Conservative party will work themselves out. The party clearly turned its back on MacKay and the traditional progressive Conservatism he represented. And its members showed surprisingly strong support for the candidates most comfortable with social conservative issues, especially Lewis.

She managed to attract 30-per-cent of voters on the second ballot, a remarkable result for a political newcomer. As a Black woman, she may be in a position to attract non-traditional Conservative voters. But she would also put some restrictions on abortion and denounces so-called political correctness. Its a very mixed bag.

The clock is ticking loudly for the new leader. He can get away with just projecting a friendlier image for a little while. But in the midst of an economic and social crisis, Canadians will be looking for substance very soon.
Japan is staring at an unusual problem -- it is running out of credit card numbers as the country sees a surge in online shopping amid the coronavirus pandemic. Credit card companies in Japan are struggling to come up with original 16-digit numbers as consumers are increasingly opting for cards over cash.

The increase in credit cards also comes on the heels of the government's campaign to encourage cashless transactions. The Shinzo Abe-government introduced a point system after it increased sales tax from 8 per cent to 10 per cent.

Japanese credit card companies issue 16-digit cards so they can partner with international firms such as Visa and Mastercard. The first six digits represent country code, brand and other information. The last 10 digits are issued by the companies. Japanese credit card companies have said that an increase in card issuances will result in a shortage of combination of numbers, as mentioned in the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper.

One of the obvious solutions to this problem is to add an extra digit to the 16-digit numbers. However, the new reform and advanced trials to prevent forgery could cost the industry billions of yen. The industry is also reluctant to pass on the cost to consumers. Moreover, if they decide to add an extra digit, the next question would be whether to update almost 300 million existing cards or to allow them to co-exist.

Credit card usage received a boost this year after people were asked to remain indoors amid the pandemic. Meanwhile, Japan is also attempting to reduce its dependence on cash. However, most older consumers are more comfortable with the usage of cash payments.

Also read: COVID-19 pandemic: Japan mulling extension of special employment subsidy

Also read: COVID-19 effect: Japan's exports plunge 19.2% in July
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Emme, a healthcare technology company focused on women's health, today announced the launch of the Emme Smart Case, an integrated solution designed to reduce the 9% failure rate of birth control pills. The smart technology device solves the most significant issue with birth control pills women face  pill adherence. The Emme Smart Case is now available for purchase at www.emme.com , and the Emme Pill and Health tracking app is available in the App Store.

The company also announced $2.5M in seed funding led by Magnetic Ventures with participation from existing investors. The firm's founding partner, Christine Aylward, joined the board, along with experienced healthcare innovator and Evidation CEO Deborah Kilpatrick. Christine and Deborah bring to Emme extensive experience in the medical device, digital health, and pharmaceutical industries.

Approximately 10 million women use the pill in the United States each year for contraception and health management. While the pill should be taken on time every day to be effective, 80% of women miss at least one pill per month. "Emme is the first company to offer a comprehensive and complete birth control solution," said Christine Aylward, Founder and Managing Partner of Magnetic Ventures. "Many companies deliver pills, but no other company can tell you when to take the pill, and when you should use back-up contraception to help avoid getting pregnant. It may seem simple to be compliant with pill management - but pregnancy rates while on the oral contraception prove it's not."

People on the pill currently rely on memory, alarms, or apps. Unfortunately, missed pills are prevalent with these solutions because they are subject to user error and alarm fatigue. Motivated to solve this pressing healthcare issue, Amanda French and Janene Fuerch, MD, co-founded Emme in 2017 during their fellowship at Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign. "Missed pills result in nearly one million unplanned pregnancies in the United States each year. They also disrupt hormone balance causing side effects such as bleeding, nausea, mood changes, and headaches," French shared. "After hearing stories from hundreds of women about the stress of the pill, I knew we could help improve the effectiveness of the pill by solving the problem of adherence with technology."

Emme offers the first integrated system, which removes the burden of remembering to take the pill and notifies at-risk users when back-up contraception is needed. The Emme Smart Case is compatible with more than 100 brands of birth control pills and uses patent-pending, multi-sensor technology to track when pills are taken. The smart case syncs with the app to send persistent customized reminders until the dose is taken and provides relevant health information. Users can also manage their cycles with tracking for mood, symptoms, and side effects. In beta testing, the Emme Smart Case and app drove an 80% reduction in missed pills, while 85% of participants reported improved confidence with the pill.

"Technology has evolved rapidly in the past decade," said French. "It is exciting we can now apply smart technology to improve the pill's effectiveness for millions of women to help solve the industry-wide challenge of pill adherence.

About Emme:

Emme is a healthcare technology company with a mission to put women's health in women's hands, starting with birth control. Their first product, the Emme Smart Case and app, is an integrated technology-enabled solution designed to safeguard the birth control experience and help reduce the rate of missed pills. The Emme Smart Case uses patent-pending, multi-sensor technology to track when pills are taken. The smart case syncs with the app to send persistent customized reminders until the dose is taken and provides contraceptive guidance when needed. The app also offers users a comprehensive view of their health by supporting cycle, mood, and side effect tracking. Emme was co-founded in 2017 by Amanda French and Janene Fuerch, MD. The pill forever changed women's health in 1960Emme is making it compatible with the 21st century. For more information, visit https://www.emme.com.

CONTACT: Rachel Johnston, [email protected], 619-985-7955

SOURCE Emme

Related Links

http://www.emme.com


Sophia Antipolis, France - 25 Aug 2020: Scientists today urged people with atrial fibrillation - the most common heart rhythm disorder - to kick the habit and cut their stroke risk. The research is presented today at ESC Congress 2020.1

One in four middle-aged adults in Europe and the US will develop atrial fibrillation, a condition set to affect up to 17 million people in the EU by 2030.2 People with atrial fibrillation are five times more likely to have a stroke than those without the arrhythmia. The risk of death is also elevated with atrial fibrillation, by two-fold in women and 1.5-fold in men. Stroke is the most common cause of death in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Previous studies have shown that smokers are more likely to develop atrial fibrillation and subsequent stroke. While many strokes are prevented with oral anticoagulant drugs, there are limited data on the impact of smoking cessation after atrial fibrillation diagnosis.

This study examined the association between smoking cessation after newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation and the risks of stroke and all-cause death. The researchers used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database and the National Health Screening database. Koreans aged 40 and older are advised to have a national health check-up every two years. Take-up rates are high: for example, 75% were screened in 2014.

The researchers identified 523,174 patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in 2010 to 2016. Patients with prior strokes were excluded. The study included the 97,637 patients who had a national health check-up less than two years before being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, and a second check-up within two years afterwards. Patients were followed-up after the second check-up until the end of 2017 for the occurrence of stroke or death.

The average age was 61 years and 62% were men. Participants were classified according to smoking status before and after atrial fibrillation diagnosis: never-smoker, ex-smoker (stopped smoking before diagnosis), quitter (stopped smoking after diagnosis), current smoker (includes those who persistently smoked before and after diagnosis; and new smokers who started after the diagnosis). The proportions of never smokers, ex-smokers, quitters, and current smokers were 51.2%, 27.3%, 6.9%, and 14.6%, respectively.

During a median three-year follow-up, there were 3,109 strokes and 4,882 all-cause deaths (10.0 per 1,000 person-years and 15.4 per 1,000 person-years, respectively).

Compared to current smokers, quitters had a 30% lower probability of stroke and 16% reduced likelihood of all-cause death, after accounting for other factors that could influence the relationships such as age, sex, high blood pressure, body mass index, and physical activity.

Quitters remained at higher risk compared with never-smokers. The risks of stroke and all-cause death were raised by 19% and 46%, respectively, but these associations were consistently observed only in men. New and persistent smokers had even greater risks of stroke compared to those who had never smoked. For new smokers, the probability was raised by 84% and for persistent smokers it was elevated by 66%.

Study author Dr. So-Ryoung Lee of Seoul National University Hospital, Korea, said: "Smoking precipitates blood clots that could lead to a stroke, which may be why giving up lowers risk. The remaining stroke risk after quitting might be through the damage already caused to the arteries - called atherosclerosis."

She noted that the benefits of quitting were less pronounced in those who had been heavy smokers before their atrial fibrillation diagnosis. Heavy smokers were defined as those who had smoked 20 cigarettes every day for at least 30 years. "This may be related to longer-term damage to the blood vessels which increases susceptibility to having a stroke," said Dr. Lee.

Dr. Lee said: "If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do, it's never too late to quit. Regardless of how much you smoke, kicking the habit is good for health."

###

Notes to editors

Authors: ESC Press Office

Mobile: +33 (0)7 85 31 20 36

Email: press@escardio.org

The hashtag for ESC Congress 2020 is #ESCCongress.

Follow us on Twitter @ESCardioNews

Funding: None.

Disclosures: None.

References and notes

1Abstract title: Impact of smoking cessation after the new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation on the risk of stroke: a nationwide cohort study.

2Kirchhof P, Benussi S, Kotecha D, et al. 2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS. Eur Heart J. 2016;37:2893-2962. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehw210.

For more information about atrial fibrillation, visit. https://www.afibmatters.org/.

About the European Society of Cardiology

The European Society of Cardiology brings together health care professionals from more than 150 countries, working to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people lead longer, healthier lives.

About the ESC Congress 2020

ESC Congress is the world's largest gathering of cardiovascular professionals contributing to global awareness of the latest clinical trials and breakthrough discoveries. ESC Congress 2020 takes place online from 29 August to 1 September. More information is available from the ESC Press Office at press@escardio.org.
KITCHENER  Nearly fifty people gathered by the clock tower in Victoria Park Tuesday evening in a sombre commemoration of the genocidal attack against Muslim Rohingya communities by the Myanmar (formerly Burmese) government in late August 2017.

This is the third annual event to take place in Kitchener, home to the largest population of Rohingya people in Canada. Nearly every Rohingya community member present knew of family and friends who have fled to camps in neighbouring Bangladesh and surrounding areas. There are over 700,000 Rohingya living in camps currently.

Saifullah Muhammad, a local Rohingya community leader, opened the event.

We remember all of the members of the community who have been killed, attacked, and displaced, Muhammed said. It is also a day to recognize the strength, spirit, and successes of Rohingya communities around the world.

Kamal Hossain, 24, came to Canada in November 2007 as a refugee. He said that when he thinks about what has happened to his people, he cries every time.

What can I say? This shouldnt be happening, Hossain said. The Burmese government has no humanity.

The violence against the Rohingya in 2017 drew sharp criticism from the UN and countries around the world.

The head of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, Marzuki Darusman, recently reported that Myanmar is failing in its obligations under the Genocide Convention to prevent, to investigate and to enact effective legislation criminalizing and punishing genocide, and that brutal clearance operations in 2016 and 2017 remain in place and strong.

Jaivet Ealom, 27, is a Rohingya community member who came to Canada in 2017. Ealom, an undergraduate student studying a double major in economics and political science at the University of Toronto, agreed that this is an ongoing issue.

This genocide has been going on for just over the last five decades, Ealom said.

The fact is, cruelty, violence and brutality can only take root under the cover of darkness. It is only by shedding light on tragedy like this that we can stop the violence and displacement from continuing, and hopefully work toward a lasting solution where we can all live in peace and to our full potential as individuals and as a community.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 10:04:15|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

SHANGHAI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai reported two new imported COVID-19 cases and no increase in domestically transmitted cases on Monday, the municipal health commission said Tuesday.

One case is a Chinese national living in Japan, who flew to Shanghai on Aug. 21, while the other is an Indian national who traveled by sea from India on July 31 and arrived in Shanghai on Aug. 22 for vessel maintenance.

Both cases have been transferred to designated medical institutions for treatment, and 47 close contacts have been put under quarantine.

As of Monday, Shanghai had reported 540 confirmed imported cases and 342 locally transmitted cases. Enditem
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

Two more former students of the now-closed St. Anthony Home for Boys came forward Monday to file childhood sexual abuse lawsuits against nuns who ran the orphanage after a top superior at the religious order recently stated she didnt believe children had been molested there, their attorneys say.

The two men are not motivated by compensation, as the sexual abuse happened many decades ago, but primarily want the truth to be known, and are asking the Court to put into public archives all documents that point to the need for accountability and transparency, said their attorneys Brad D. Hall and Levi Monagle in a statement on Monday.

The allegations in both lawsuits focus primarily on the conduct of a specific nun at the now-closed orphanage in Albuquerque, which was operated by the Sisters of St. Francis, based in Colorado Springs.

The new cases come just weeks after the filing of a similar lawsuit, which alleged sexual abuse in the late 1950s and early 1960s by nuns, a chaplain and traveling priests at the home.

Meanwhile, the Journal has learned that the same orphanage was at the heart of a clergy childhood abuse lawsuit settled out of court 25 years ago by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and Sisters of St. Francis.

In that case, a woman claimed nuns at the school took her and her sister for cleansing rituals with holy water, after which nuns and priests performed non-consensual sexual acts and physical abuse.

The former school chaplain named in that 1994 lawsuit is listed on the archdiocese list of priests who have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse.

The orphanage took in thousands of children over the years until it was closed in the early 1970s. Some students parents had died; others were placed there because their parents could not take care of them.

The two new cases filed Monday contend the two plaintiffs realized in August 2020, for the first time that there were connections between the childhood sexual abuse at St. Anthonys and the issues and harm (they) have been dealing with their entire lives, the lawsuits contend.

Both men, who are from different communities and dont know each other, contacted Halls office after reading an Aug. 7 Journal story about the lawsuit filed by another former St. Anthony student, Hall said.

The men took issue with a statement in the story from Sister Marietta Spenner, the current Provincial of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Colorado Springs. Her statement was included in a response sent to the Journal by Mount St. Francis CEO Gail Hickert.

Spenner was quoted as saying, I am deeply troubled by the recent allegations that have been brought forth. I do not believe that anything like that ever occurred at Saint Anthonys Orphanage. The mission of our Sisters today, as it has been for decades, is to continue the mission of Jesus: standing in solidarity with those who are in any way poor and powerless, and addressing the unmet needs of our time with justice, mercy and compassion.

On Monday, Hickert told the Journal in an email that she had no response to the new lawsuits beyond that previously provided.

The lawsuits are an attempt to try to get the truth out there, Hall and Monagle said in their statement.

One of the two plaintiffs, named as John Doe 196, was placed at the orphanage by his father at age 9. His mother died four years earlier and the family lived in a small rural northern New Mexico community. He alleges once his father placed him there for education and guidance, he was beaten for crying and force fed by one nun in particular, referred to as Sister Clare.

The lawsuit alleges that, as a vulnerable child resident of a full-time boarding school in the mid-1950s, he also was sexually abused by Sister Clare, who would allegedly sit on the edge of his bunk bed at night, and fondle him and other boys. He noticed her sitting by other boys with her hand under the sheet as a regular night occurrence.

Journal efforts to try to locate Sister Clare on Monday werent successful.

The lawsuit states that on a field trip to the Rio Grande Zoo, the boy managed to slip away and began running as fast as he could, sobbing. He didnt know anyone in Albuquerque or where he was going, but once he reached Fourth Street, a car honked and pulled up next to him, the lawsuit states.

The couple inside, whom he didnt know, asked what was wrong and he told them he was running to his grandmothers house, not realizing it was about 150 miles away.

Plaintiff refers to this woman in the car as his guardian angel and her husband as a saint, the lawsuit states. The couple ended up driving the boy to his grandmothers home. Once she learned about the emotional and physical abuse at the School, she refused to return him and raised him herself, the lawsuit alleges.

In the other lawsuit filed Monday, John Doe 195 contended he was a resident at the home from 1961 to 1966 after his single mother could no longer care for him.

He too contends he was preyed upon by Sister Clare, who slept in a room directly off the boys dormitory. The sexual abuse occurred at least weekly for four years, his lawsuit alleges.

He never knew when Sr. Clare would appear at his bedside and so slept in a constant state of fear and great apprehension. She also was physically abusive in giving him more than 100 beatings with a wooden paddle, the lawsuit added.

Upon information and belief, Sr. Clare sexually abused many children over the years, John Doe 195s lawsuit states. The Sisters failed to warn or disclose to parents or relatives that children were, or had in the past, been seriously harmed by rampant sexual abuse occurring at all levels of St. Anthony Home for Boys, the lawsuit added.

After the religious order settled the 1994 lawsuit filed by a woman referred to as Jane Doe, the Sisters of St. Francis failed to reach out to all students who had attended the School or see if other victims were out there struggling alone with their nightmares, who might need professional help, according to the John Doe 195 lawsuit.
Glamour's September issue is all about black hair, with a cover that spotlights six black women who say they have faced discrimination at work because of their natural locks.

The women's monthly decided to forgo celebrity cover stars this month in favor of highlighting the stories of Farryn Johnson, Brittany Noble, Rachel Sakabo, Destiny Tompkins, and Kimberly and Gale Young-McLear  all black women who say that they were targeted at their jobs for their hair and, in some cases, lost those jobs when they refused to change their natural styles.

Presented together, their stories intend to make a powerful case for the CROWN Act, a law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination in employment and educational opportunities, which has so far only been passed in seven states.

Spotlight: Glamour's September issue focuses on black hair and was guest edited by Ashley Alese Edwards

One of the cover stars is Brittany Noble, 33, who worked as TV journalist for WJTV in Mississippi. She says she went to great lengths  and spent a small fortune  maintaining her hair in a way that was considered 'on-air' appropriate.

She would flat-iron it and use a hot comb every day, which did lots of damage to her hair  so she started using wigs and sew-ins, which cost $700 to $800, to keep her 'do looking straight and shiny for the camera.

But one day in February of 2017, while she was pregnant with her first child, she decided to embrace her natural hair.

'This month I met the first black woman to anchor the news at WJTV. It was 1973 and she was rocking a big fro. She said her boss wanted her to "straighten her hair because it wouldnt fit on the 19 inch screen,"' she wrote on Instagram at the time, sharing a photo of herself with natural hair behind the news desk.

Experiences: The cover story features an interview with Brittany Noble, an on-air journalist who decided to stop straightening her air and wearing sew-ins  and was eventually fired

Not OK? After a month, her news director asked her to change it, telling her the natural look was 'unprofessional

Hitting back: In 2018, she was fired  and went on to file a lawsuit on the grounds of racial and sex discrimination

'For the first time in my 8 year career, I decided not to straighten my hair!! Thanks to countless episodes of #blackgirlmagic on #Blackish for giving me the strength to rock these braids on TV.'

She continued to wear her hair that way, but after a month, her news director asked her to change it, telling her the natural look was 'unprofessional.'

She didn't change it, and about a year later, Nexstar Broadcasting told her that company policy dictated that she couldn't have 'shaggy, unkempt' hair on air.

In 2018, she was fired  and went on to file a lawsuit on the grounds of racial and sex discrimination.

Nexstar Broadcasting has argued that Noble's 'hairstyle was unprofessional,' not her 'natural hair'  though it seems to be that the 'hairstyle' was her natural hair. The company also claims that her termination was not about her hair.

'If I want to wear my hair straight, no one should judge me,' Noble told Glamour. 'And if I want to wear my hair natural, I should have that right.'

Another story: Rachel Sakabo, who worked at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City, claims she was fired less than two weeks into her job due to her dreadlocks

'I'm black so I'm used to people making racially ambiguous statements, but this is super blatant,' she said

Rachel Sakabo, 36, was fired from her job as a front desk employee at New York City's luxe St. Regis hotel in 2016  and she, too, says that her hair was the sticking point.

Sakabo said she wore locs to the job interview and training courses, so her bosses knew her preferred style before they even hired her. But once she started working, they asked her to remove the locs.

'I can not unlock them,' she explained. 'I can take them out by shaving off my hair.'

'This is our reality as Black individuals  that we will be judged for every little thing, down to our hair,' she told Glamour

Just two weeks later, she said, they let her go, telling her she was 'not a good fit'  something she said made no sense.

'I'm black so I'm used to people making racially ambiguous statements, but this is super blatant,' she told DailyMail.com at the time.

'The conversation [about my hair] and the way that they told me I didn't fit, it just happened way too closely,' she said. 'Because everything else, I fit.'

Starwood Hotels denies that Sakabo's firing had anything to do with her hair, telling DailyMail.com: 'The accusation is absolutely false. We are very proud of our excellent record for diversity and inclusion.

'By policy, we are unable to discuss specifics about the reason for an associates separation from employment, but can say it had nothing to do with what has been alleged.'

Sakabo wanted to sue, but couldn't afford it, and has since moved into a different line of work altogether, forging a career as a doula.

'This is our reality as black individuals  that we will be judged for every little thing, down to our hair,' she told Glamour. 'We have to make laws so that we can be accepted. Its bittersweet and bulls*** at the same time.'

Her hair: Farryn Johnson, 32, also lost her job at Hooters in 2013 after several written warnings from management about her hair

Farryn Johnson, 32, also lost her job in 2013 after several written warnings from management about her hair.

Rude: She was told her highlights didn't look 'natural' on a black woman

Johnson worked at Hooters, but didn't face trouble until she got highlights in her hair. Her manager demanded she remove them, saying they didn't look 'natural' on black women.

Johnson refused, and noted that other women at the restaurant had highlights. She received written warnings about her hair, and was eventually fired.

She went on to file an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint, in which she also alleged that black waitresses at the restaurant weren't allowed to wear natural curls at work.

Hooters denies her claims, but was ordered to pay lost wages and damages.

'A good company is not going to judge you by your physical appearance. They're going to focus on your work experience, intellect, abilities, and what you can bring to their team,' Johnson said.

She has since found a new job with Netflix, who, Johnson says, hired her with blond highlights in her hair.

Cute: Destiny Tompkins worked at a Banana Republic in 2017 and was told by a white male manager that her box braids were too 'urban' and 'unkempt'

The magazine also spoke to Destiny Tompkins, who worked at a Banana Republic in 2017 and was told by a white male manager that her box braids were too 'urban' and 'unkempt.'

He said he couldn't give her more shifts until she removed them.

Although the manager in question was fired when Tompkins went public with her story, she says that the experience has had a devastating long-term impact on her life and on her career, telling Glamour that she still 'struggles trying to work in retail or food'.

Tompkins also faced backlash from her peers at school, who told her that she was simply 'overreacting' and 'being extra about being black' after the Banana Republic incident was made public.

And Gale Young-McLear, 45, said the discrimination extends to the military, too. Until 2013, she wore locs in the Coast Guard with no problem  but then the military changed its policy, deeming her hair not 'compliant,' even though it didn't interfere with her uniform.

Her wife Kim, 36  who is also in the Coast Guard  lobbied to get the rule changed in the Coast Guard, and succeeded after ten months. After similar efforts from women in other branches, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marine Corps all followed suit.

These stories are all highlighted in Glamour's new issue, which was guest edited by Ashley Alese Edwards.

'The relationship between Black women and their hair is unique, powerful, and extraordinary,' Edwards said. 'Yet for too long, Black hair has been the subject of unwarranted scrutiny and controversy. '

To that end, the issue is promoting the passage of the CROWN Act in all 50 states.

The CROWN Act was created in 2019 and 'prohibits discrimination based on hairstyles by extending statutory protections based on race to hair texture and protective styles in state Employment, Housing, Education Codes.'

This means a ban on discrimination against men and women based on their hair texture or their choice to wear protective styles including braids, locs, twists, and bantu knots.

So far, it has only been signed into law in seven states; New York, New Jersey, California, Washington, Virginia, Maryland, and Colorado.

According to the campaign to get the law on the books in more states, black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from the workplace because of their hair, and 80 per cent say they have to change their hair to fit in at the office.

'The Crown Act is not just about Black hair, but also civil rights,' said Johnson, the former Hooters waitress. 'Its about the right for Black people to have freedom and equality. The right to define our beauty through our own eyes and not someone elses. The right to not allow others to diminish or devalue our heritage.'

Glamour's September issue package also includes a PSA called I've Been Told, which stars Gabrielle Union, Keke Palmer, Marsai Martin, and Uzo Aduba.
Rocky shorelines, crashing waves and, of course, oodles of seafood: Coastal New England is a paradise for anyone with a bit of saltwater in their blood. Its also home to some of the countrys oldest culinary traditions evolving out of the New World ports where countless immigrants have landed for a new life in America over the past several hundred years.

As idyllic as that may sound, few of us will get to savor a bite this year with the COVID-19 outbreak scuttling travel plans. Fear not, though. Were going to visit those delectable destinations from the safety of our own kitchens.

New England is a six-state region comprised of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont with a wide range of coastline, mountains and prairie resulting in a diverse food culture. Well stick to the shore on our trip, where numerous global cultures have melded with indigenous traditions and ingredients to form unique, largely seafood-driven cuisines.

Lets kick the journey off with a stop in Providence, R.I. The state has the nations densest population of Portuguese immigrants, giving its capital city an unrivaled number of Portuguese restaurants, including mainstays such as O Dinis, Madeira Restaurant, Riviera Restaurant and dozens more.

At all of those, youll find well-guarded recipes incorporating salt cod, a beloved staple of both Portugal and New England. The abundant cod in North Atlantic waters spurred much of New Englands economy as an export and drew countless immigrants to work the boats for centuries.

Weve baked the fish into a layered and olive oil-doused casserole of potatoes, onion, egg and olives called Bacalhau a Bras. Despite the name, the dish is a mildly salty melange perfumed with sweet onion.

Boston will almost certainly be on anyones New England itinerary. Weve included a classic taste of Beantown in the famous Boston Baked Beans recipe from the landmark Durgin-Park Restaurant, which opened in 1827.

Sadly, the restaurant closed last year, but their recipe lives on. While many in the rest of the country are used to gooey sweet, tomato-sauced beans out of a can, these are an elemental and irresistible study in pork and legume.

Were also taking a spin through the citys Chinatown, the last remaining historic enclave of Chinese immigrants in New England. Numerous restaurants there and throughout the region have developed recipes for a Cantonese-style stir-fry of lobster, ginger and scallions. Its packed with savory flavors with a unforgettable pop from the ginger.

While were in Massachusetts, lets take a swing through Marthas Vineyard. The exclusive island is home to a tiny but beloved eatery called Larsens Fish Market, which ladles out an exquisite seafood chowder laced with lobster that can be adapted to most types of fish and shellfish available in area grocery stores. For folks used to bland chowders, take heed: This version has bite with an aggressive hit of Old Bay seasoning.

New Haven, Conn., is considered by many to the one of the countrys top destinations for pizza  no surprise given the citys roughly 20 percent Italian American population. Among the most famous pie joints is Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, famed for its pizzas topped with clams, garlic and olive oil.

For a sweet sendoff, well venture to the tiny town of Wells, Maine, where the Maine Diner has sated appetites with classic New England comfort food since 1983. The restaurant serves a well-known regional dessert called Indian Pudding, a simple porridge of cornmeal sweetened with molasses and spiced with ginger and cinnamon thats ended meals in New England for centuries.

In colonial days, New England was part of an important shipping triangle. Numerous distilleries in the Northeast transformed molasses from the Caribbean into rum that was exported to Europe. And cornmeal  known then as Indian meal  was an affordable source of calories. They came together in a sweet and timeless bite of history that still satisfies today.

Recipe: Bacalhau a Bras (Portuguese Salt Cod Stew)

Recipe: Durgin-Park Restaurants Boston Baked Beans

Recipe: Cantonese Lobster with Ginger and Scallions

Recipe: Larsens Fish Markets Seafood Chowder

Recipe: Frank Pepe-style White Clam Pizza

Recipe: Maine Diners Indian Pudding

pstephen@express-news.net
For the moment, the administration is trying to straddle the F-35 question. The UAE has not made a formal request, and the process for approval of any arms transfer  particularly one as fraught and complicated as the F-35s would be  is likely to last many years. Past administrations have skirted the issue whenever possible, either sidestepping requests from Arab countries or selling items in smaller quantities or of lower sophistication, as was the case with Egypts purchase of F-16s. Such a move might be an option to persuade Israel that its own fleet of 20 F-35s remains superior.
Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd on



Tuesday announced its entry into the hospital nutrition segment with the launch of 'Celevida Maxx' in India.

It is a unique addition to Dr Reddys nutrition portfolio and is designed to help manage the nutritional needs of Cancer, Critical Care and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients in India, a press release from the company said.

M V Ramana, Chief Executive Officer of Branded Markets (India and Emerging Markets), Dr Reddys Laboratories said, "We are pleased to foray into the hospital nutrition segment in India. With Celevida Maxx, we look forward to strengthening our presence in the nutrition segment and continue making a positive impact on patients lives."



Dr Reddy's Celevida Maxx contains a unique triple action formula of high protein, high omega 3 fatty acids to help tackle the problem of inflammation and Astaxanthin, which is clinically proven to support immunity.

According to the drug maker, a single serving of Celevida Maxx has been designed keeping patient compliance in mind.

It offers high protein in a single serve of 33 gms, with medium chain triglycerides (MCT) that get easily absorbed in the body and readily provide energy.

Malnourished patients need a ready source of energy that can be easily absorbed with high protein thereby helping stabilize the rapid weight loss that is seen in conditions like cancer.

Celevida Maxx contains vegetarian ingredients, no added sugar and comes in two flavors, Orange and Strawberry, Dr Reddys 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.)
BOSTON: The Massachusetts man who as a 12-year-old boy appeared in an iconic television commercial for Prince spaghetti running through the streets of Bostons Italian North End has died.

The death of Anthony Martignetti was announced on Facebook on Monday by his brother Andy. He was 63.

It is with a heavy and hurting heart that we announce to our family and friends that our brother Anthony J. Martignetti passed away suddenly in his sleep last night," Andy Martignetti wrote. None of us have accepted this yet and I dont know when we will. RIP little brother, till we meet again, I love you."

The 1969 commercial featured a woman not Martignettis real mother leaning out a tenement window and shouting Anthony! Anthony!"

The commercial that ran nationally for 13 years cut to the young boy, who had moved to the U.S. from Italy just three years prior, sprinting through the city streets, until he burst panting through the front door.

I always understood that it was larger than me, that I had a responsibility to preserve what that commercial meant to people, Martignetti told The Boston Globe last year. I knew that if I got into trouble, little Anthony from the spaghetti commercial would be all over the paper.

Martignetti later worked as a court officer in Dedham and lived in Bostons West Roxbury neighborhood.

He is survived by his parents, wife, son, two brothers and a sister.

A wake is planned for Thursday with a funeral Mass and burial scheduled for Friday.

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
Catholic Republican calls Trump, Pence 'gifts' from God America doesnt deserve

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Kicking off the Republican National Convention on Monday, Jay Shepard, a Catholic Republican delegate from Vermont, described President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence as "gifts" that God has bestowed upon us but not because we deserve them."

Shepard, who describes himself as a Catholic Donald Trump Republican, made the statement during an opening prayer for the convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, in which he praised the president as an imperfect believer who is on his way to God while painting Catholics like Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as wayward.

Thank you, O Lord, for all the gifts you provide us, not because we deserve them, but solely through your grace and mercy, let us acknowledge the many gifts that God has bestowed upon us, starting with a president and vice president that reflect the values of our founding fathers and are willing to fight for those values, starting with life, knowing that all life is precious, from conception to natural death, Shepard prayed.

There is no choice but to fight for the unborn. For those of us who are true to our Catholic faith, we pray for an end for the intrinsic evil that is abortion. Give us the strength to fight for our religious freedom as our president does, and instill in us the spirit and commitment to stand with the poor in a continued fight for religious freedom.

In his prayer, Shepard expressed appreciation for American troops and their families as well as police officers who are on the frontline of law enforcement every day, before pointing to the state of the presidents faith.

We are all sinners and none of us are perfect. We recognize that faith is a journey. It is not where we start that journey, but where we are now and where we strive to be. Help us all to follow President Trump, whose actions show he is on the journey to you, Lord, Shepard prayed.

He then spoke against "the other party" and those who claim the faith but lead people astray.

Let us not be deceived by those who were once close to you but have turned away in favor of embracing political ideology yet claiming Catholic beliefs and words while their actions turn them and their followers away from you, he prayed.

We pray that you change their hearts and bring them back to you.  Please, Lord, continue to guide our party to the light. And we pray that those from the other party will turn away from the darkness and join us in our march to you, our Lord and Savior. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Last week, Biden's Catholic faith was featured prominently at the Democratic National Convention.

For Joe, faith isnt a prop or a political tool. Ive known Joe for about 30 years and Ive seen his faith in action, Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware said. Joe knows the power of prayer, and Ive seen him in moments of joy and triumph, of loss and despair turn to God for strength.
Tmall Luxury, Chinas leading online destination for high-end and designer brands, announced new features to bolster luxury brands connections with Chinas Gen Z, a digital-first fashion-forward customer base that is fast becoming a driver of global luxury consumption.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005678/en/

Tmall Luxury connects brands with Chinas Gen Z consumers (Photo: Business Wire)

Tmall Luxury launched three new features to educate, entertain and engage the new generation of luxury buyers: Soho Live, a daily livestreaming service focusing on all things luxury; Soho Mag, a content-rich channel with the latest fashion news jointly developed with fashion editors and trend-setting influencers; and an upgraded membership program offering personalized services to high-value customers.

Chinas Gen Zs fondness for high-end goods is fused with their love for streetwear and anything inspired by pop-culture. For them, luxury is more than a status symbol. Fashion is a way of self-expression and identity. Under the New Luxury banner, Tmall is looking to celebrate the confidence, boldness and open-mindedness of this new class of luxury shoppers.

Gen Z has demonstrated strong spending power for luxury products in China. A report by McKinsey & Company showed Chinas Gen Z spend an average of RMB 25,000 (US$3,600) a year on luxury goods, already as much as their parentsthe post-65s/70s generation.

Getting Younger

The same consumer patterns are evident on Tmall Luxury. Around 80% of the customers on the platform are 35 years old or younger, with highest concentration in the 26-30 age group. And with the number of luxury consumers in the 18-25 age group more than doubling between July 2018 and June 2019, this younger consumer segment is set to become a bigger driver in the luxury industry.

To tap into the New Luxury trend in China, top luxury players, such as Valentino, Balenciaga, Golden Goose, Hugo Boss and many others, are collaborating with Tmall Luxury to sharpen their appeal with this influential group of emerging luxury shoppers.

By providing Tmalls unparalleled analytics and insights on luxury consumption in China, we empower luxury brands with a deeper and more accurate understanding of local consumer preferences, said Mike Hu, Alibaba Group vice president and general manager of Tmall Luxury, Fashion and FMCG. These insights allow luxury brands to precisely tailor their communications to Chinese young audiences, while staying true to their brand identities.

Launched in 2017, Tmall Luxury is widely recognized by luxury brands around the world as the preferred platform to connect with Chinas young shoppers. To date, nearly 200 leading brands have opened flagship stores on Tmall Luxury Pavilion. The new Luxury Soho channel, which caters to young value-conscious consumers, has also attracted a growing number of brands.

Being on a digital platform such as Tmall allows Golden Goose to talk to consumers across China about the brand's integrity, craftsmanship and its versatile range of products and to grow in a way that ensures both quality and quantity, said Mauro Maggioni, Asia-Pacific CEO of Italian high-fashion brand Golden Goose, which launched on the Pavilion earlier this month. He added that China is the most ideal market to tell the brand story, thanks to the ecosystem that has already been in place.

New Features to Capture New Taste

Aside from being digital natives, another quality that sets Chinas Gen Z apart from the previous generations of luxury buyers is their penchant for creative content, social media and interactive features.

With that in mind, Tmall Luxury has launched Soho Live as a destination for luxury-focused livestreaming, helping designer brands effectively leverage the popular medium to engage their Chinese fans through real-time interaction with their favorite KOLs and fashionistas. This is complemented by another new content-marketing tool Soho Mag, which allows consumers to tune in anytime for the latest fashion trends as well as shoppable editorial features.

Tmall Luxurys incisive understanding of consumer trends in the luxury sector will help it to provide personalized, multi-tiered services to its high-end customers as part of its new upgraded membership program.

About Tmall

Launched in 2008, Tmall (www.tmall.com) caters to consumers ever-growing demand for high-quality products and premium shopping experience. A large number of international and Chinese brands and retailers have established storefronts on Tmall. In the 12 months ended March 31, 2019, Tmall was the largest third-party online and mobile commerce platform for brands and retailers in the world in terms of GMV, according to Analysys, and continues to grow quickly. Tmall is a business of Alibaba Group.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005678/en/
Awards given by the Royal Academy of Engineering seek to recognise and reward the very best engineering talent whose achievements make a huge impact on society.

Cambridge-based experts assembled a global manufacturing team comprising of Defy and Denel in South Africa, Prodrive and Beko in the UK and Arcelik in Turkey to develop a high-performance ventilator for manufacture in South Africa. The ventilator became the first intensive care ventilator to be manufactured in the continent.

The initiative brought together extensive research, design, manufacturing and testing capabilities to enable the mass production of cost-effective mechanical ventilators named Impilo at Defy's Jacobs factory in KwaZulu-Natal.

This project mirrors COVID-19 relief efforts undertaken by Arcelik, which, to date, has produced 5,000 life-saving mechanical ventilators at its electronics facility in Turkey on a not-for-profit basis, to meet both domestic and international demand. 2,607 of these ventilators have already been sent to 18 countries including some of the hardest hit African countries such as Somalia, Chad, Nigeria, Niger and Libya. Now, the advanced technology, manufacturing and supply chain capabilities of Arcelik and its brands are leveraged through the power of collaboration to help save more lives in countries in need and in particular, Africa.

Polat Sen, CFO of Arcelik, responsible of Sub-Saharan Africa operations, says: "We're honoured to have been involved in The Open Ventilator System Initiative alongside many talented academics, experts and engineers. It's a source of pride to be recognized with the Royal Engineering Academy Award, considering the potential impact of this initiative on hardly challenged developing countries. Our team has played a vital part in fighting coronavirus and the project should be held up as a model example of cross-industry collaboration. At Arcelik we want to be part of the solution; working collectively with businesses and governments to fight COVID-19 globally."

About Arcelik

With over 30,000 employees throughout the world, 12 brands (Arcelik, Beko, Grundig, Blomberg, ElektraBregenz, Arctic, Leisure, Flavel, Defy, Altus, Dawlance, Voltas Beko), sales and marketing offices in 34 countries, and 23 production facilities in 9 countries, Arcelik offers products and services in more than 140 countries. As Europe's second largest white goods company according to market share ranking based on quantity, Arcelik reached a consolidated turnover of 5 billion Euros in 2019. With almost 70% of its profits coming from the international markets, Arcelik is the R&D leader in Turkey  holding more than 3,000 international patent applications to date with the efforts of 1,600 researchers in 15 R&D and Design Centers in Turkey and R&D Offices across five countries.

www.arcelikglobal.com

About Impilo:

Impilo is a full-function ventilator and can therefore be used whether a patient is sedated in an invasive mode, or requires assisted ventilation triggered by their own breathing while awake in non-invasive settings, and also with patient-triggered conditions.

Prototype versions of Impilo were developed under the specifications of the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the World Health Organisation's requirements for ventilators. Pre-production versions of the ventilator have been manufactured in the United Kingdom and are locally manufactured by Defy and Denel Land Systems. The production version is being fast-tracked by Defy Appliances and Denel Land System to ensure it is ready to be delivered in South Africa.

SOURCE Arcelik
ZAMBOANGA CITY  Eight villages in the southern Philippine province of Sulu are now free from the influence of the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf...
H ealth officials have said two patients from the Netherlands and Belgium have been reinfected with Covid-19, raising concerns about people's immunity to the virus.

It comes after the microbiology department at the University of Hong Kong (UHK) revealed on Monday that they had documented the world's first official case of coronavirus reinfection.

The scientists at UHK used genome sequencing to show the 33-year-old man from Hong Kong contracted Covid-19 strains in April and August that were "clearly different"

Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst said the case of Covid-19 reinfection in Belgium was of a woman who had was infected for the first time in March and then again in June.

He told Reuters: "We don't know if there will be a large number. I think probably not, but we will have to see.

"Perhaps a vaccine will need to be repeated every year, or within two or three years. It seems clear though that we won't have something that works for, say, 10 years."

Mr Van Ranst added that the woman's symptoms were relatively mild, and her body may not have created enough antibodies to prevent reinfection.

Medical staff wear personal protective equipment as a precautionary measure against coronavirus in Hong Kong / May James/AFP via Getty Images

The National Institute for Public Health in the Netherlands said on Tuesday that it had also observed a Dutch case of reinfection.

Virologist Marion Koopmans told the Dutch broadcaster NOS that the patient was an older person with a weakened immune system.

"That someone would pop up with a re-infection, it doesn't make me nervous," she said. "We have to see whether it happens often."

Europe starts to ease itself out of Coronavirus lockdown 1 /28 Europe starts to ease itself out of Coronavirus lockdown Commuters sit in a coach at the Cardona underground metro station, with red circles on the ground indicating where to stand to maintain distance in mILAN AFP via Getty Images People walk on a street of the Balearic island of Formentera which will begin from Monday (May 4) de-escalation stage where outdoor areas of bars and restaurants can open at half occupancy, while groups of up to 10 people will be allowed in public places and in homes, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak on the island of Formentera, Spain Reuters A thermal camera (Top L) scans the body temperature of commuters arriving from regional trains at the Cardona railway station in Milan AFP via Getty Images Students arrive to the Akademisches Gymnasium high school in Vienna on the day of the reopening of high schools in the country after more than a month of closure due to the new coronavirus pandemic AFP via Getty Images Olga Prades helps bride Isabel Jimenez try on a wedding dress, as they both wear protection masks and gloves, at her bridal shop Innovias, on the first day that some small businesses are allowed to open during lockdown amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Madrid, Spain Reuters Mirel Chetan and Elena Banaseanu clean and disinfect the books of the Antonio Machado bookstore on the first day of attention to the public after 51 days of closure due to the COVID 19 coronavirus on May 04, 2020 in Madrid, Spain Getty Images A mouth mask obligation publicity at Simonis subway station in Brussel AFP via Getty Images A shop assistant attends a client at a camera shop in Barcelona AFP via Getty Images Workers at a hair salon work on customers, all wearing face masks to prevent the spread of new coronavirus in Athens AP A commuter wearing a protective mask waits for a train inside the Nuevos Ministerios metro station, on the first day mask usage is mandatory in public transport, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Madrid, Spain Reuters Students Lea Karner and Dorian Di Giorgio arrive to the Akademisches Gymnasium high school on their bicycles in Vienna on the day of the reopening of high schools in the country after more than a month of closure due to the new coronavirus pandemic. AFP via Getty Images Commuters enter the Cardona underground metro station, with the way out clearly marked in Milan AFP via Getty Images Commuters wearing protective face masks exit the metro station on Syntagma square, on the first day of easing of a nationwide lockdown against the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Athens, Greece Reuters Workers at a hair salon work on customers, all wearing face masks to prevent the spread of new coronavirus in Athens AP Commuters arrive from regional trains at the Cardona railway station in miLAN AFP via Getty Images Commuters wearing protective face masks leave the platforms of the metro station on Syntagma square, on the first day of easing of a nationwide lockdown against the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Athens, Greece, Reuters Commuters wearing protective face masks stand on a platform of the metro station on Syntagma square, on the first day of easing of a nationwide lockdown against the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Athens, Greece Reuters Travellers wait for a train at the Cardona railway station in Milan AFP via Getty Images Commuters exit a coach at the Cardona underground metro station, with red circles on the ground indicating where to stand to maintain distance in Milan AFP via Getty Images Commuters arrive from regional trains at the Cardona railway station in Milan AFP via Getty Images Commuters arrive from regional trains at the Cardona railway station in Milan AFP via Getty Images

Dr Margaret Harris from the World Health Organisation (WHO) told BBC Breakfast the discovery of reinfections was an "important piece of science" and that the health organisation has been tracking anecdotal reports of possible reinfection or infections with a different strain.

Prior to this, it wasnt clear whether the tests were perfect  youve got a negative when someone was still infected with the same virus," said Dr Harris.

So this is the first time we have seen very clearly two different versions of the same coronavirus.

Whats important here is this is just one case out of more than 23 million, so while we did expect that it could happen it is not clear that this is something that is likely to happen to many people, because we would expect that given the quality of the surveillance  and the study in Hong Kong shows what a high level of surveillance they are doing there  you would have expected to see many more cases if this was happening a lot.

But what it also tells us is what we long suspected, that we dont know enough about how long immunity lasts or whether it lasts a long time in most people or many people, or not many people so all of those questions are still open.

When asked if the news indicated a second spike, Dr Harris responded: That doesnt really necessarily indicate whether or not you would have a second spike but what it does indicate is this idea that many people had was like just let it wash over us, it will be fine, was never a wise choice.
Coronavirus Updates: Maharashtra's case count increased to 7,18,711, while the toll due to the pandemic reached 23,089 with the addition of 295 fatalities.

Auto refresh feeds

"These steps have been introduced to ensure adherence to social distancing norms at the centres in view of the COVID-19 pandemic", it said.

The National Testing Agency said it has planned several steps to conduct the papers safely which include increasing the number of examination centers, alternate seating plan, fewer candidates per room and staggered entry and exit.

The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) will be conducted in September as scheduled, officials said on Tuesday, amid a growing chorus for postponing the crucial tests in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airline said 23,500 employees have accepted buyouts, retired early or taken long-term leaves of absence, but that was not enough to avoid involuntary cuts. The furloughs of union workers and layoffs of management staff announced Tuesday will fall heaviest on flight attendants, with 8,100 being terminated in October.

American executives said the furloughs can only be avoided if the federal government gives airlines another 25 billion to help them cover labor costs for six more months.

American Airlines said Tuesday it will cut more than 40,000 jobs, including 19,000 through furloughs and layoffs, in October as it struggles with a sharp downturn in travel because of the pandemic.

While the US, India and Brazil still have the highest numbers of new cases in the world, the downward trend is encouraging.

About 43,000 new cases are being reported daily across the country, down 21% from early August, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

The number of Americans newly diagnosed with the coronavirus is falling  a development experts say most likely reflects more mask-wearing but also insufficient testing  even as the disease continues to claim nearly 1,000 lives in the US each day.

The 39-year-old senator's office said in a statement he was "feeling fine," isolating at home and taking the anti-malaria drug chloroquine, which his father has aggressively pushed as a treatment for COVID-19 despite studies finding it is ineffective against the virus.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, said Tuesday he has tested positive for the new coronavirus but was asymptomatic, reports AFP.

"If anyone is found violating protocol, strict action should be taken against them," the CM said, emphasising on strict adherence to COVID-19 protocol.

He said that religious and cultural events and programs are not allowed in public places in view of the COVID-19.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday directed police and administration officials to take all necessary security measures for upcoming festivals such as Ganesh Utsav, Anant Chaturdashi and Muharram.

India has exponentially scaled its testing from one in January to 10 lakh/day in August 2020, said Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Twitter. With the positivity rate progressively falling, testing has worked as an effective tool to limit the spread of COVID-19 infection.

Sharing this information on the social media on Tuesday, Rawat said he and his family underwent a COVID-19 test along with the staff and the security personnel at the CMO as a precautionary measure.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has isolated himself for three days as a precautionary measure despite his novel coronavirus test report coming negative.

Sputnik V has been developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology along with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). The vaccine has not been tested in phase 3 or larger clinical trials.

According to government sources, the matter was discussed by the national expert group on vaccine administration for COVID-19 in its last meeting held on 22 August.

The Russian government has reached out to India seeking a collaboration for manufacturing its COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V and conducting its phase 3 clinical trial here, sources told PTI.

"The virus is new and we are learning about it daily. There is no guarantee that coronavirus will not come again in those who were infected before. Those who are not developing antibodies in enough amount might get infected again. Courage is the main drug for battling the pandemic," Rajender told a news channel.

Health Minister of Telangana Eatala Rajender on Tuesday said there have been two cases of coronavirus reinfection in the state, reports Livemint.

President Donald Trump has successfully delivered on the economy in the first term of his administration before it was hit by the coronavirus pandemic, top Republicans said, urging Americans to give him another chance at the White House to deliver again post-COVID-19.

Two COVID-19 patients -- an 86-year-old woman suffering from coronary artery disease and a 79-year-old man suffering from paralysis -- have died, the official said. The fresh infections have pushed the number of active cases in the Union territory to 677, he said.

Six new patients have travel history, while the remaining 35 infections were detected during contact tracing, he said.

The COVID-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 2,945 on Wednesday as 41 more people tested positive for the infection, while two fresh fatalities pushed the Union territory's coronavirus death toll to 37, a health official said.

The city recorded 1,544 more COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths on Tuesday. It was the first time in over a month that the number of new infections crossed the 1,500 mark.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Chief Secretary Vijay Dev and senior officials will attend the meeting, which will take place at 11 am, according to sources.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called a high-level meeting to discuss the rising number of novel coronavirus cases in Delhi, sources told PTI on Wednesday.

The Health Minister of Telangana announced the day after the Hong Kong case made news, that at least two cases of coronavirus reinfection have taken place in the state.

Two patients in Europe have also been confirmed to have been re-infected with COVID-19. The evidence gathered for COVID-19 reinfection has raised questions around how durable our immunity really is against SARS-CoV-2  either naturally or with a vaccine. Peoples immunity to the coronavirus, and how best to tame the pandemic are still areas being explored, experts have said.

Researchers in Hong Kong have reported what they say is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 reinfection. The patient supposedly fell ill with COVID-19 in August, after having recovered from an earlier infection by SARS-CoV-2 in March 2020.

Indias COVID-19 total on Wednesday rises to 32,34,474 with 67,151 new cases in the last 24 hours. The countrys toll rises by 1,059 to 59,449. As many as 24,67,758 people have recovered from the infection in the country.

These new cases were reported on Tuesday, the official from the district collectorate said. The fatality count in the district reached 3,348 with the death of 47 patients on Tuesday. Twelve of them were from the rural parts of the district, he said.

With the addition of 788 positive cases of coronavirus, the infection count in Maharashtra's Thane district has gone up to 1,16,413, an official said on Wednesday.

He died of a heart attack at about 5.30 am, while undergoing treatment for the viral infection, they said. The 1989 batch officer hails from Karimnagar and was due to retire by the end of this month.

Additional Superintendent of Police of Jagtial district, K Dakshina Murthy (58), contracted coronavirus and was admitted to a private hospital here a week ago, police said.

A senior police officer in Telangana died of COVID-19 here on Wednesday, just days before his retirement from service, reports PTI.

The next hearing on the matter will be on 1 September.

"You cannot be interested only in business and not about sufferings of people," the top court said.

Supreme Court asked Centre to file a reply and make its stand clear on giving moratorium on charging interest on loan as well as interest-on-interest during moratorium period declared during COVID-19 pandemic.

It had ample powers under Disaster Management Act to decide whether it could stop banks from charging interest on deferred EMIs and stop interest on interest for moratorium period, the top court said.

Directing the Centre to file an affidavit stating its stand on moratorium on loan repayment, the Supreme Court accused it of 'hiding behind RBI decision' on the issue.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday held a meeting with Health Minister Satyendra Jain and other officials over the increase in number of COVID-19 cases in the National Capital.

Coming down heavily on Centre for not taking a stand on giving moratorium on charging interest on loan, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said, "the problem has been created by your (Centre's) lockdown. This is also not the time to consider business. The plight of people has to be considered."

"Total number of confirmed cases reach 14,189, including 2,622 active cases, 11,423 recoveries and 144 deaths till date, said the Maharashtra Police.

After 122 more cops tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra, the total number of cases climbed to 14,189 on Wednesday. The COVID-19 toll in the force is now at 144 after two more succumbed to the virus.

"I have been tested COVID-19 positive yesterday. People who came in contact with me during the last few days, should go for Covid test immediately," he tweeted.

Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said on Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with COVID-19. The veteran Congress leader urged all those who came in contact with him recently to get tested.

According to the ICMR, 3,76,51,512 tests have been conducted so far, including 8,23,992 samples on Tuesday.

The recovery rate rose to 76.30 percent with 63,173 more people having recuperated, while the case fatality rate has declined to 1.84 percent, the ministry said. There are 7,07,267 active cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), comprising 21.87 percent of the total 32,34,474 infections, the ministry data stated.

Seventeen Army men  15 in East Siang and two in West Siang  along with three paramilitary personnel in Lower Siang and one in Tirap tested positive for COVID-19, Jampa said

Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday reported 100 new cases of COVID-19, taking the state's tally to 3,412, a senior Health Department official told PTI. Among the fresh cases are 22 security personnel and a health worker, he said.

The Minister had recently said that the government plans to further enhance the testing to 75,000 per day soon.

Out of 25.13 lakh samples tested so far till last evening, 59,787 were tested on Tuesday alone, and among them 24,587 were rapid antigen tests.

"Karnataka has steadily ramped up it's testing capacity increasing the number of labs from 02 to 108 today. In the last five days, we conducted 3,23,753 tests clocking more than 50,000 tests per day. Yesterday we crossed 25 lakh tests & so far we conducted 25,13,555 tests (sic)," Sudhakar tweeted.

Steadily ramping up its testing capacity, Karnataka is clocking more than 50,000 tests per day, and has conducted more than 25 lakh so far, state Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said on Wednesday.

The president of National Students' Union of India (NSUI), Neeraj Kundan and president of the Delhi wing of the students' body commenced the hunger strike along with eight other members. They are also demanding that varsities should not hold exams during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the Congress-affiliated NSUI today began an indefinite hunger strike demanding the postponement of the NEET-JEE and fee waiver for six months for students during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corpoation (GHMC) registered 475 fresh infections, followed by Rangareddy 247, Medchal Malkajgiri 204), Nalgonda 190, Khammam 161, Warangal Urban 139 and other districts. All 33 districts in the state reported positive cases in double digits.

Telangana posted 3,018 fresh coronavirus cases, the highest single day spurt so far, pushing the state's total infection count to 1.11 lakh. With 10 more fatalities the toll rose to 780, a state government bulletin said on Wednesday, providing data as of 8 pm on 25 August.

According to a release from the district authorities, of the fresh COVID-19 cases, 67 have been reported from the limits of Aurangabad city, while 56 are from rural areas. The district has recorded 21,515 cases so far, of which 4,430 patients are currently undergoing treatment, the data revealed.

As many as 123 persons tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district, rising the tally of cases to 21,515 on Wednesday, an official said.

The researchers noted that airborne transmission by respiratory aerosol droplets produced during coughing and sneezing is the dominant mode of spreading for infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

N95 masks may be the most effective at reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus, according a study by researchers, including those from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which suggests that any mask is better than no mask at preventing COVID-19.

The former President had also tested positive for COVID-19 at the time of his admission, the hospital said.

He was admitted to the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi Cantonment on 10 August, where he was operated for removal of a clot in the brain. Thereafter, he developed a lung infection and is being treated for the same.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee continues to be in deep coma and his renal parameters are "slightly deranged", the hospital treating him said on Wednesday. Doctors attending to 84-year-old Mukherjee said he continues to be on ventilator support.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that his government will double coronavirus testing in the Capital since there has been a small increase in the number of new cases. At present, 20,000 tests are being conducted per day in the city.

Congress MLA V D Satheeshan, who had moved the no confidence motion against the Pinarayi Vijayan government on August24was among those who offered worship to Lord Vishnu, the presiding deity.

As many as 200 devotees offered worship this morning, temple sources said. Floor markings had been made for devotees to ensure social distancing.

The Lord Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram opened for devotees on Wednesday morning adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols. The temple had not allowed worshippers inside since March 21 in view of the pandemic.

This indicates that majority of COVID-19 suspects don't come forward for testing at the right time and are admitted to hospitals in a critical condition at the eleventh hour, he said.

In an official statement, the collector said that 60 per cent of COVID-19 deaths were of patients who succumbed to the infection within 72 hours of being admitted to hospitals.

Delay in testing and admission of critical patients has led to an increase in the COVID-19 death toll in Maharashtra's Palghar district, collector Dr Kailash Shinde said on Wednesday.

With Puducherry logging 511 new COVID-19 cases today, the aggregate number of those infected by the viral infection shot up to 11,930. Eight more people succumbed to the novel coronavirus infection, taking the toll to 180, reports PTI.

He said 1.46 lakh tests were done in the state on Tuesday and it should be increased to 1.50 lakh per day, adding that testing plays the most important role in controlling the infection. Work on enhancing the testing capacity should be continued, he said.

In a meeting with senior officials, Adityanath said there was a need to think "two steps ahead" to effectively check the coronavirus spread.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over daily 1.46 lakh novel coronavirus tests being done in Uttar Pradesh and issued directions for increasing the capacity to 1.50 lakh per day.

He added that 57,592 patients have been discharged after treatment until now.

Rajasthan reported six more COVID-19 fatalities on Wednesday, taking the death toll in the state to 986 as 610 new cases of the infection pushed the overall tally to 73,935. Of the total number of cases reported in the state, 14,607 are currently active, a health department official said.

According to the yet-to-be published findings, the vaccine combined with the Seqirus MF59 adjuvant, provided protection against virus reproduction in hamster models, and reduced lung inflammation, following exposure to the virus.

A COVID-19 vaccine candidate being developed by Australia's University of Queensland has shown "positive" results against the novel coronavirus in preclinical tests, raising hopes for its potential effectiveness and manufacturability, the varsity said on Wednesday, reports PTI.

Tamil Nadu reports 5,958 fresh cases of the coronavirus infection, taking the cumulative case count in the state to 3,97,261. With 118 more succumbing to the disease, the toll has climbed to 6,9839 while the number of recoveries has reached 3,38,060 with 5,606 persons getting discharged today. The state now has 52,362 active cases, said the state health department.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said 23 MLAs and ministers are coronavirus positive with just two days to go before the state assembly session. Three of the 23 MLAs are cabinet ministers. Another minister who had tested positive earlier has recovered. The chief minister gave the number during a video conference with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who had held a virtual meeting with CMs of opposition-ruled states to discuss a range of issues faced by them. "As of today, two days before the scheduled Punjab Vidhan Sabha session, 23 ministers/MLAs were COVID positive," said the CM according to an official release. "If this is the state of the legislators and ministers, one can only imagine how grave the situation on the ground is," he said.

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who tested positive for coronavirus, was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Wednesday and a nine-member committee has been constituted to monitor his health. Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a committee under the chairmanship of head of Pulmonary Medicine department Dr Jogesh Sarma has been constituted to monitor the health status of the former chief minister. Gogoi, who had tested positive Tuesday was initially advised home isolation by the doctors, but was admitted to GMCH Wednesday after he was found to be mildly symptomatic.

The COVID-19 toll in West Bengal on Wednesday reached 2,964 after 55 people succumbed to the disease, a bulletin issued by the state health department said. The state's caseload also went up to 1,47,775 with 2,974 fresh cases of infection were reported, it said. Since Tuesday, 3,314 people were recovered from the disease. The discharge rate is now 79.75 percent. The number of active cases stood at 26,954.

The COVID-19 toll in West Bengal on Wednesday reached 2,964 after 55 people succumbed to the disease, a bulletin issued by the state health department said. The state's caseload also went up to 1,47,775 with 2,974 fresh cases of infection were reported, it said. Since Tuesday, 3,314 people were recovered from the disease. The discharge rate is now 79.75 percent. The number of active cases stood at 26,954.

clarified that the figure was due to Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) portal update following a "glitch". According to the BMC, the tally of COVID-19 cases in the city rose to 1,39,532 with 1,854 new infections, while the toll increased to 7,502 after 28 more patients succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours.

Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. With 1,854 new cases, the number could have been the highest-ever in a single-day in Mumbai, but the civic body

Mumbai's COVID-19 tally rose to 1,39,532 with the addition of 1,854 new cases, while the death toll crossed the 7,500-mark on Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday announced that all educational institutions in the state till end of Durga Puja vacation in view of the prevailing pandemic situation. The announcement was made by Patnaik after reviewing the situation due to COVID-19 in the state. Keeping in view the concerns expressed by students and parents, it has been decided to close schools and colleges till the end of Durga Puja holidays, Pataik said in a statement. The five-day Durga Puja festival is slated to be held between 22 to 26 October .

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said 23 MLAs and ministers are coronavirus positive with just two days to go before the state assembly session. Three of the 23 MLAs are cabinet ministers. Another minister who had tested positive earlier has recovered. The chief minister gave the number during a video conference with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who had held a virtual meeting with CMs of opposition-ruled states to discuss a range of issues faced by them. "As of today, two days before the scheduled Punjab Vidhan Sabha session, 23 ministers/MLAs were COVID positive," said the CM according to an official release. "If this is the state of the legislators and ministers, one can only imagine how grave the situation on the ground is," he said.

Tuberculosis is associated with a 2.1-fold increased risk of a severe COVID-19 disease, the health ministry said on Wednesday, recommending that all newly-diagnosed tuberculosis patients or those currently on treatment should be tested for COVID-19 and vice versa. The prevalence of tuberculosis among COVID-19 patients has been found to be 0.37 to 4.47 percent in different studies, the ministry said and highlighted that there has been an overall decline in tuberculosis notification by 26 percent during January to June, as compared to the previous year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. In its "Guidance note on Bi-directional TB-COVID screening and screening of TB among ILI/SARI cases" issued on Wednesday, the ministry said studies have shown that a history of active as well as latent tuberculosis is an important risk factor for the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A second jumbo COVID-19 hospital was inaugurated in Pimpri Chinchwad area near Pune on Wednesday, the Pune district administration said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar virtually inaugurated the facility set up at Annasaheb Magar Stadium. Thackeray appreciated the efforts of the district as well as civic administrations of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad for setting up the facilities in short time. Last week, the first COVID-19 jumbo facility was inaugurated at the College of Engineering, Pune. While inaugurating the facility, Thackeray said that "chase the virus" campaign to break the chain of infection will be extended across the state.

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who tested positive for coronavirus, was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Wednesday and a nine-member committee has been constituted to monitor his health. Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a committee under the chairmanship of head of Pulmonary Medicine department Dr Jogesh Sarma has been constituted to monitor the health status of the former chief minister. Gogoi, who had tested positive Tuesday was initially advised home isolation by the doctors, but was admitted to GMCH Wednesday after he was found to be mildly symptomatic.

Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday recorded 167 fresh COVID-19 cases, raising the infection tally to 5,322, while the death toll from the disease climbed to 31 with two more fatalities. The total number of active cases in the state stands at 1,428, Shimla Additional Chief Secretary (Health) R D Dhiman said. Of the latest fatalities, one each was reported from Kangra and Chamba districts.

All religious places in Rajasthan will reopen for public from September 7, months after they were closed due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, an official statement said on Wednesday. The decision was taken during a review meeting on the coronavirus situation in the state chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Social distancing norms will have to be followed and all religious places will be sanitised from time to time, the statement said. District collectors and superintendents of police will carry out inspections and ensure all safety measures are taken, it said. Gehlot instructed officials to ensure that health protocols are followed properly and there is no crowding at these places, according to the statement.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates: The Maharashtra Cabinet decided to postpone all exams being conducted by the state Public Services Commission (MPSC) in view of the COVID-19 situation. The revised schedule for the exams will be announced later, state Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar told the council of ministers during its meeting.

Amid the scramble to produce a vaccine against the deadly COVID-19,Tamil Nadu's Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and Sri Ramachandra Hospital, in Chennai, will join the Oxford University in conducting human clinical trials of 'Covishield' on nearly 300 health volunteers aged 18 and above.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced a series of relaxations by allowing to resume flights operations from six COVID hotspot states, but extended the closure of educational institutes till 20 September.

At a virtual meeting of Opposition chief ministers called by Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh urged the states to approach the SC again for postponing the NEET, JEE exams.

The record high recoveries have ensured that the number of active cases of COVID-19, which is the "actual caseload" of the country, comprises only 21.87 percent of the total cases, the health ministry highlighted.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that his government will double coronavirus testing in the Capital since there has been a small increase in the number of new cases. At present, 20,000 tests are being conducted per day in the city.

The recovery rate rose to 76.30% with 63,173 more people having recuperated, while the case fatality rate has declined to 1.84%, the health ministry said.

Supreme Court asked Centre to file a reply and make its stand clear on giving moratorium on charging interest on loan as well as interest-on-interest during moratorium period declared during COVID-19 pandemic.

"You cannot be interested only in business and not about sufferings of people," the top court said.

The next hearing on the matter will be on 1 September.

Indias toll rises by 1,059 to 59,449. As many as 24,67,758 people have recovered from the infection in the country

The Union health ministry on Tuesday said that the COVID-19 positivity rate in the country has been steadily falling even though the testing has increased exponentially.

The testing for the coronavirus infection has gone up from 363 tests per 10 lakh per day on 1 August to more than 600 tests per 10 lakh per day at present, the ministry claimed. However, the positivity rate of COVID-19 calculated on the basis of a seven-day rolling average, has come down from 11 percent during the first week of August to 8 percent at present, Union Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said during a press briefing.

India registered 60,975 new cases of the novel coronavirus infection, taking the overall case count to 31,67,323, while the toll climbed to 58,390 with 848 fatalities being reported in a span of 24-hours, the health ministry said in its morning update.

Over half of India's dead include people aged 60 and above, it added.

Recoveries also surged to 24,04,585, pushing the recovery rate to 75.92 percent, it said.

According to the health ministry national recoveries, are now 3.4 times the number of active cases. Currently, there are 7,04,348 active cases in the country, which comprises 22.24 percent of the total caseload, the data updates at 8 am showed.

However, many states continued to reported rising tallies on Tuesday with Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh reporting their biggest spike in COVID-19 cases in a single day, while Maharashtra crossed seven lakh in total confirmed cases.

On Tuesday, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar, Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister Sunder Sham Arora and Manipur's social welfare minister Nemcha Kipgen tested positive for the virus.

Active cases drop by 6,423 in 24 hrs, says health ministry

In a press briefing, the Union health ministry said that the active coronavirus cases in the country have reduced by 6,423 to 7,04,348 in the past 24 hours.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that 2.70 percent of the patients undergoing treatment are on oxygen support while 1.92 percent are in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 0.29 percent are on ventilators.

Stressing that the fatality rate has dropped to 1.84 percent, Bhushan added that 69 percent of COVID-19 deaths have been reported in men and 31 percent in women.

"Thirty-six percent of the deaths were reported among patients in the age group between 45-60 years and 51 percent among people aged 60 and above. Eleven percent deaths were reported in the age group of 26-44 years and one percent each among people aged 18-25 and those below 17," he said.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that the testing capacity has gradually increased to reach a landmark of 10 lakh samples in a day on 21 August.

"COVID-19 testing capacity has increased significantly, from 10 tests per day on 30 January to touching 10 lakhs tests per day on 21 Augus," said ICMR director general Balram Bhargava.

"We have 1,524 COVID testing laboratories in India and as on 24 August, 3,68,27,520 tests have been done," he further said.

Responding to question, the ICMR DG said that "irresponsible, less cautious" people are driving the pandemic in India.

Bhargava said, "I would not say young or old, I would say irresponsible, less cautious people who are not wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing are driving the pandemic in India."

Minors in 5-17 age group most exposed to virus, shows Delhi sero-survey

Meanwhile, data from a serological survey conducted in Delhi this month showed that minors between the ages of 5 and 17 are most exposed to the novel coronavirus Conducted between 1 and 7 August, the survey, second in the city, showed that 29.1 percent of the population in the National Capital has now developed antibodies against the SARS CoV-2 virus.

As many as 15,000 people from different age groups participated in the survey  around 25 percent of them below the age of 18, 50 percent were between the age of 18 and 50, and the rest aged above 50.

A prevalence rate of 34.7 percent was found among the participants aged between 5 and 17, the survey results show.

As many as 31.2 percent of the people aged above 50 have recovered from COVID-19, it shows. Among those in the 18-50 age group, 28.5 percent people have developed antibodies against the virus.

ICMR data suggests that people aged between 21 and 50 account for 61.31 percent of the COVID-19 cases recorded in India till 21 August.

Congress leader DK Shivakumar tests positive

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said he has tested positive for coronavirus and has been hospitalised.

I had fever and have tested positive for the Corona Virus. I am doing well, but as a precaution have been hospitalized and am under the good care of doctors. With your wishes and blessings, I will soon be back. I appeal to all those who came in contact with me to be cautious.  DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) August 25, 2020

Congress sources told news agency PTI that the 58-year-old leader got admitted to a private hospital in the Bengaluru's Rajajinagar last night.

".... he (Shivakumar) had symptoms since Monday morning like cough and fever, and had back pain for two days. On getting tested the reports came out positive," the sources said.

In Punjab, Industries and Commerce Minister Sunder Sham Arora said he contracted the infection.

"I have been tested positive for COVID-19 and have quarantined myself at my Chandigarh residence. I request all those persons who came in contact with me during last few days please get tested for coronavirus infection. Otherwise, I am at present not having any physical problem," Arora wrote on his Facebook page.

Arora, who is a legislator from Hoshiarpur seat, is the fourth minister of Amarinder Singh-led Congress government to have contracted the virus.

Congress MLA from Rajpura Hardial Kamboj and Akali MLA from Sanaur Harinderpal Singh Chandumajra also tested positive for COVID-19.

In Manipur, social welfare minister Nemcha Kipgen said she has tested positive for COVID-19.

After getting symptoms of coronavirus, I got myself tested and the report came back positive. I sincerely request all of you who came in contact with me in the past few days to kindly isolate yourselves and get yourselves tested.  Nemcha Kipgen (@KipgenNemcha) August 25, 2020

Kipgen (57) is the first minister in the state cabinet to have contracted the disease. A spokesperson of the COVID-19 control centre told news agency PTI that she has been asked to undergo home isolation.

Meanwhile Jharkahnd Mukti Morach (JMM) chief Shibu Soren, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, was shifted to a private hospital late on Monday night as a precautionary measure.

Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh report record increase in cases

Several states including Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh reported, an increase in daily cases and deaths. Chhattisgarh witnessed the biggest spike in COVID-19 cases in a single day with 1,145 people testing positive, taking the state's case count to 23,199, while 12 more deaths pushed the toll to 218.

Madhya Pradesh too recorded its highest single-day spike of 1,374 coronavirus cases, taking the case count to 55,695, health officials told PTI. The toll due to COVID-19 rose to 1,263 after 19 patients succumbed since Monday evening, they said.

The coronavirus infection positivity rate jumped past 11 percent in Andhra Pradesh as nearly 10,000 fresh cases were reported, taking the overall tally to 3,71,639 on Tuesday. While 9,419 patients got cured and discharged from hospitals, 92 succumbed to coronavirus in 24 hours ending 9 am on Tuesday, according to a bulletin.

Maharashtra reported 10,425 fresh cases of coronavirus infection, taking the state's tally to 7,03,823. With this, cases in Maharashtra crossed the seven lakh-mark. The state had crossed the six lakh-mark on 17 August. The toll due to the pandemic in the state rose to 22,794 with 329 fatalities being reported during the day.

With inputs from PTI
"Millions of kids and teens think that traditional reading is boring and the global shift to remote learning will make it even harder to maintain literacy goals. Pathbooks reinvents the concept of reading and we want to invite students that are struggling with remote learning to use our app for free." -- Jorge Louis Caballero, Pathbooks, CEO

The current crisis is an especially difficult time for students coming from low-income families and families of color. Pathbooks is partnering with non-profit partners to increase educational equality and help students transition to online learning. Partners include Youth Guidance , The Urban Advocates & Achievers , Si Podemo and Me Quieres Ayudar .

This program is in collaboration with Pathbook's crowdfunding campaign that allows anyone to invest in Pathbooks for as little as $100. For every $100 invested, the company will give 10 students unlimited access to their app for one year. The crowdfunding campaign has raised $11,478 so far which will result in 1,147 students gaining access to the Pathbooks app.

About Pathbooks:

Pathbooks is reinventing the concept of reading by making it accessible, interactive, and fun. Our app engages young readers through a unique, immersive experience that combines technology with reading. We make the reader a part of the story, immersing them into the plot and inviting them to make decisions that impact the conclusion. This helps children develop key emotions, decision-making skills, and a love of reading at an early age. To support Pathbooks mission to help kids and teens discover that reading is wonderful and become readers for life, visit their equity crowdfunding campaign on Republic (https://republic.co/pathbooks).

SOURCE Pathbooks

Related Links

https://republic.co/pathbooks


MakeMyTrip launches myPartner, offline travel agents to bolster business through online platform

Kolkata, Aug 25 (UNI) MakeMyTrip has announced the launch of a dedicated platform, myPartner for travel agents to empower and assist them in offering seamless and enhanced travel booking experience to travellers.

The intuitive and user-friendly platform has been designed to provide offline, local travel agents access to one of widest selection of online travel inventory.

The myPartner platform will enable them to offer a variety of travel choices, bundled with customization, personalization and travel booking convenience for their customers.



The rapid digital adoption in metros and non-metros, accelerated further due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to drastic changes in buying behaviors of travellers, as they shift online to explore and make informed travel purchase decisions.

The fast evolving environment requires local, offline travel agents to embrace digitization to provide for travellers needs while enhancing overall customer service levels to cater to their demands in the new normal.

While digitizing day-to-day booking processes of all offline travel agents alike, myPartner has been conceptualized and built to immensely benefit the highly-fragmented local travel market beyond metro cities.

With real-time access to an inventory spanning across all travel segments, local agents in tier II, III markets and beyond will be able to simplify and provide transparency throughout the booking process to travellers, while providing more travel options than ever before.



Speaking about the myPartner platform, Rajesh Magow, Group CEO, MakeMytTrip, said, The travel ecosystem demands deeper and wider collaboration amongst all stakeholders in the value chain in order to make a sustained recovery as the sector has been hit hard by the pandemic. "

" Through our new MyPartner offering we are very proud to give access of our rich content and inventory of domestic and international hotels at best prices to travel agents in the country. This will help them in making a faster recovery as travel restrictions are lifted gradually. 



As Indians return to travelling in the new normal, travel agents leveraging our platform will be able to offer options that adhere to MakeMyTrips mySafety standards which is designed in accordance with the guidelines issued by the health authorities.

The mySafety standard focuses on prioritizing safety across all travel touch points offering a safer environment throughout the travel journey.



Additionally, the platforms integrated Express Care option enables a hassle-free end-to-end booking experience for the agent by providing easy post-booking modifications, cancellations and any other last-minute itinerary adjustments in just a few clicks.



UNI SJC AKM
Japan share market finished session higher on Tuesday, 25 August 2020, as risk appetite buying supported by following a Wall Street overnight rally driven by vaccine hopes. Also supporting the mood were statements from both China and the United States saying top-level trade representatives had held constructive talks over the future of the Phase 1 trade deal.

At closing bell, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average added 311.26 points, or 1.35%, to 23,296.77. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 18.10 points, or 1.13%, to 1,625.23.

Total 30 issues of the 33 industry category of Topix index ended into black territory, with Air Transportation, Textiles & Apparels, Banks, Real Estate, Iron & Steel, and Marine Transportation issues being notable gainers, while Precision Instruments and Pharmaceutical issues were notable losers.

Markets worldwide were boosted when U. S. regulators on Sunday authorised the use of blood plasma from recovered Covid-19 patients as a treatment option. The U.

S. Food and Drug Administration's move was hailed by President Donald Trump.

Aiding market sentiment was a report the Trump administration is considering fast-tracking an experimental COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca Plc and Oxford University for use in the United States ahead of the nation's upcoming presidential election.

Top trade representatives from the U. S. and China had a call recently to discuss the implementation of the phase one agreement between the two economic powerhouses, according to the Office of the U. S. Trade Representative as well as Chinese media.

CURRENCY: The Japanese yen traded at 106.27 per dollar after seeing levels below 105.5 against the greenback last week.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fuel Your Pipeline. Close More Deals. Our full-service marketing programs deliver sales-ready leads. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! Learn more

Googles Nest line of smart home products will be combined with ADTs security services in a partnership announced Monday by the two companies.

As part of the deal, Google will invest US$450 million into ADT to acquire a 6.6 percent interest in the security and smart home solutions provider.

The companies also agreed to each spend $150 million for co-marketing, product development, technology and employee training.

In a statement, the pair explained that the partnership will integrate Googles hardware and services and ADTs DIY and professionally installed smart home security solutions to innovate the residential and small business security industry.

The future ADT and Google home security solution is expected to advance smart home offerings and attract new consumers seeking premium technology, end-to-end smart home service and trusted security, they added.

Risky Bet

Home security is one of the most popular reasons households purchase smart home devices, observed Jessica Ekholm, a research vice president with Gartner.

She cited a 2018 survey by the firm that found 66 percent of U.S. responders said they were likely to use smart home devices for preventing access to the home while they were away, while 64 percent noted they were likely to use the devices for security when away from home for long stretches of time.

Partnering with ADT will help Google reach potential new customers that are currently opting for managed security services, thus reaching beyond Googles Nest usual clientele, Ekholm told TechNewsWorld.

Frank E. Gillett, a vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research, though, sees the partnership as a risky move.

This is a very big bet by Google on physical security being a big motivation for people adopting Google products, he told TechNewsWorld. I find that puzzling because I dont think consumers want another $50 a month bill, unless Google can flip ADTs value proposition and change it from an annoying monthly fee and occasional valuable service to a constantly valuable service for which you gladly pay for.

Tapping Into Valuable Channel

However, Gillett acknowledged the deal could give Google an advantage over its rivals in the market. It recruits a motivated partner to emphasize Google over Amazon or Apple as a smart home control system, he said.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The deal also gives Google access to an important channel for its smart home products.

Today, Nest products are, by and large, sold at retail, explained Ross Rubin,the principal analyst with Reticle Research.

An important channel for home security and home automation is the professionally monitored service business where ADT is one of the most recognized brands, he continued.

In making Nest products available through ADT, he told TechNewsWorld, Google can expose them to customers who are specifically interested in this kind of functionality and are actively seeking that out by contacting a monitoring service provider.

Google will get better access to that customer base and for ADT, he said, they get access to products that are more sophisticated, have a broader ecosystem than products they have distributed in the past.

Changing Dynamics

Adam Wright, smart home senior research analyst at IDC, observed that the Google-ADT deal illustrates the changing dynamics of the smart home market.

For some time, the market has been categorized as one with clearly defined segments  do-it-yourself versus fully managed services, he told TechNewsWorld.

In the past 12 months or so, DIY vendors are finding added success in areas that have traditionally been exclusive to managed service providers, he continued.

Vendors like Nest, Ring, Samsung, and others have launched installation and professional monitoring services for their DIY home automation and security solutions, which essentially blurs the lines of differentiation between DIY vendors and managed service providers and may increase the appeal of adopting a DIY approach to smart home solutions, Wright explained.

He argued that managed services providers need to respond to encroachments on their market by DIY outfits by pivoting their strategies to allow for a more agile, a la carte approach to their solutions and customer acquisition strategies.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

That kind of strategy was behind ADTs launch in January of Blue by ADT. The DIY smart home security offering allows customers to customize a smart home security system on their own terms, with no long-term contracts required.

By offering DIY products alongside the full suite of managed services solutions, managed service providers will be better equipped to reach a broader range of consumers that might be at first reluctant to invest in a whole-home package, Wright said.

So, he added, for Google, this deal can provide a significant boost to its lineup of DIY smart home monitoring and security solutions by positioning it to compete more strongly against both other DIY competitors and also other fully managed service providers like Vivint, Brinks and others.

Cash Welcomed

Googles infusion of $450 million into ADT is more important to the home security company than to the search giant, maintained Mark N. Vena, a senior analyst with Moor Insights & Strategy.

This cash infusion will allow ADT to operate as an ongoing entity without disrupting their current business, he told TechNewsWorld.

It will also help ADT design more bleeding edge products that integrate Google Assistant functionality at a more robust and intuitive level, said Vena.

For Google, he added, it helps them get into the residential and businesses services business. Google could probably do that without investing in ADT, but many customers might be wary of partnering with Google for security services due to Googles somewhat compromised privacy and data protection reputation.

ADT is a trusted brand in this space and this would aid Google as they try to expand their brand and product line in the security services area, Vena explained.

Slicker Hardware

ADT, in turn, can benefit from Googles reputation.

ADT, like most professional services security companies and cable companies, has ugly and badly designed equipment, observed Forresters Gillett.

If ADT uses the slicker hardware and better applications of Google, it will drive sales for Google and customer engagement for ADT, he said.

ADT wants to expand beyond the 20 percent of the market that pays for professionally monitored security because it and others in the industry have been under assault from cable TV and Internet service providers, he added. So for this partnership to be successful, ADT will need to grow its share of the market.
President Donald Trump appeared Monday during the Republican National Convention with six people who his administration helped free after they had been taken into custody in countries around the world and held sometimes for years.

In a short video, Trump said they were among more than 50 people who have been freed from 22 countries during his administration.

"We're very proud of the job we did," Trump told the group, noting that National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien had been involved in the negotiations.

One of the men, Michael White, was a U.S. Navy veteran arrested in Iran in 2018 while visiting a girlfriend he'd met online. After being convicted of insulting the country's top leader, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

With the help of Swiss officials, who have overseen U.S. interests in Tehran for four decades, White was released earlier this summer. He had been in captivity for 683 days.

Another person, Sam Goodwin, spent two months in custody in Syria after visiting that country without a visa. Lebanese officials helped negotiate his release last year.

From left, former hostages Josh Holt, his wife Tammy Holt, and Pastor Bryan Nerran. (RNC)

"I think I speak for my former fellow hostages and detainees here when I say I am just as grateful as I have ever been for anything to be home safely, Goodwin said to Trump at the White House.

"We got you all back," Trump responded.

In Turkey, Pastor Andrew Brunson was accused four years ago of following Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish cleric who that country's president, Tayyip Erdogan, has said was behind a 2016 coup.

Brunson, who was charged with terrorism, was released on Oct. 12, 2018, after Trump said he had a "few conversations" with Erdogan.

In Venezuela, Mormon missionary Joshua Holt was arrested after an anti-gang police squad accused him of stockpiling grenades and an AK-47 assault rifle. Holt had gone to the country to marry a Venezuelan woman, Thamara Candelo, whom he;d met online, but authorities said they were keeping the weapons at her family's home.

Holt was held in a Caracas prison for two years without a trial. Several U.S. lawmakers helped secure his release in 2018.

In India, Pastor Bryan Nerran was arrested last year after not declaring $40,000 in cash on his way to Nepal. He was freed in May.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

According to a new study published by Polaris Market, the global Computer Aided Engineering Market is anticipated to reach USD 11.86 billion by 2026. The increasing penetration of smartphones and tablets are the major factors driving the demand for CAE software. The developing economies worldwide are witnessing high increase in the demand for consumer electronics owing to rising affordability of the people. Further, augmented use of modern engineering modes including, 3D printing, building information modeling, concurrent engineering, and 3D modelling are bolstering the computer aided engineering market growth for CAE software worldwide. However, factors such as piracy of CAE software as well as rising open-source threat are hampering the market growth to certain extent. Also, inadequate technical expertise and lack of skilled labor in several countries globally is restricting the growth of the computer aided engineering market.

Some of the key players operating in the computer aided engineering market includes Casio Computer Co., Ltd., BenQ Corporation, Dell Technologies, Inc., Seiko Epson Corp., NEC Display Solutions, PLM Software, Inc., Dassault Systemes, Exa Corporation, ESI Group, and Numeca International among others.

Download sample Copy : https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/computer-aided-engineering-market/request-for-sample

On the other hand, cloud-based CAE tools helps the vendors to escalate market penetration in small as well as medium sectors by providing advantages such as reduced maintenance costs and operating costs as well as mobility of the companies. Further, CAE software plays a significant role in the economic growth of several industries including aerospace & defense, automotive, finance, oil & gas, and healthcare among others.

During the past few years, a trend has been noticed in the CAE software marketplace. The players operating in the computer aided engineering market are entering into partnerships as well as mergers & acquisitions between the CAE providers and resellers. This has resulted in increased presence of value-added resellers in large number, which is further acting as a driver to boost computer aided engineering market growth. CAE software offers broad application range as well as supports various tasks including, analysis, simulation, validation, and manufacturing of engineering products. Although, CAE software is an analysis and troubleshooting tool, several critics claims that there is a delay in the accurate results, which acts as a hindrance to the market growth. Also, due to availability of open-source solutions, companies often avoid to make investments in attaining commercial licenses of CAE solutions thus, further restraining the CAE software market growth. Moreover, increasing computational fluid dynamics adoption that facilitates in reducing electric vehicles costs as well as forecast of thermal conditions, is anticipated to propel the growth of the computer aided engineering market during the coming years.

Do you have questions or special requirements? Ask our industry experts: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/computer-aided-engineering-market/speak-to-analyst

On the basis of geography, Europe is anticipated to account for the major share of the computer aided engineering market in terms of revenues, followed by North America. Also, Asia Pacific computer aided engineering market is expected to demonstrate high growth during the forecast period. The presence of strong automotive industry in Europe and consumer electronic industry in developing nations of Asia Pacific are the factors influencing market growth for computer aided engineering. Further, governments of the developing nations of Asia Pacific region are encouraging the growth of their manufacturing sector by providing funds, subsidies, and tax benefits in order to boost their economic growth. This is anticipated to support the market growth owing to constant increase in the manufacturing sector. Some of such initiatives include Make in India as well as Made in China 2025. Also, automation of industrial equipment is rising at a very high pace, which is likely to bolster the computer aided engineering market growth. Moreover, constant increase in the labor costs worldwide is encouraging the adoption of equipment automation by the manufacturing industries thereby, positively influencing the market growth.

Buy Now : https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/checkouts/4271

Contact us

Polaris Market Research

Phone: 16465689980

Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com

Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com
Pakistan-based terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar, chief of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, has been named as the mastermind of the Pulwama terror attack of February 2019 along with two of his brothers - Rauf Azghar and Maulana Mohammed Ammar - in the chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency.

The 13,000-page chargesheet, filed at a special court in Jammu on Tuesday, said the key conspirator of the attack was Mohammed Umer Farooq, who was a nephew of Masood Azhar and son of IC-814 hijacker Ibrahim Azhar. As many as 19 terrorists, including the Pakistan-based handlers, have been named as accused.

The NIA has submitted to the court that it has enough evidence to show that Farooq was in touch with the leadership of Jaish in Pakistan before, during and after the terror strike on the CRPF convoy, in which 40 soldiers were killed.

The NIA has relied on scientific and digital evidence to prepare its case as the investigation lasted more than 18 months. Officials aware of the developments said call recordings, WhatsApp chats, pictures and videos have been recovered from the phones of the accused.

The chargesheet says that 200kg of explosives was used to trigger the blast, of which 35kg was RDX that was brought from Pakistan and the rest was locally procured ammonium nitrate and nitro-glycerin.

Farooq, the chargesheet says, had entered India in April 2018 and was the main assembler of the IED used in the attack. He was killed in an encounter on March 29, 2020 along with IED expert Kamran.

Another key conspirator named in the chargesheet Ismail Saifullahm who had crossed the border from Pakistan a few days after Farooq. He is still absconding.

Also absconding is Sameer Dar, who was part of the core group that planned the terror attack. Dar was with Farooq and Kamran when they were killed in the encounter, but had managed to escape.

The investigation agency said that the terrorists were ready to first strike on the CRPF convoy on February 6, 2019, but snowfall had led to closure of the highway and delayed their plan.

On the fateful day of February 14, one Shakir Bashir, who had a shop near the blast site, observed that road opening parties were being set up on highway and alerted Farooq, setting in motion the attack. The bomb was also prepared at Bashirs house, the NIA said.

Adil Ahmed Dar, the local fidayeen who drove the bomb-laden vehicle into the CRPF bus, actually observed which bus had the maximum jawans and specifically chose that bus to ram his vehicle in to cause maximum casualties, said the chargesheet.

The NIA said it has also found evidence to show that after Pulwama, another big attack was planned, but the idea was dropped after the Balakot air strikes.
Unexpected bad news hit California more than 11,000 times last week. That's the estimated number of lightning strikes that unleashed two of the biggest fires in state history. The fires are burning at the same time across more than 1.4 million acres, sending a cloud of smoke stretching across the Western U.S.

Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, has emerged as one of the foremost voices explaining how California became a climate tinderbox. Forests dried out over years of rising temperatures, then the ecosystem suffered through the most intense heat wave in decades (and millions of people suffered through the first rolling blackouts in 20 years). The heat and dryness left everything primed for a catalyst to set off a drastic impact.

Lightning sparked the first of what are now more than 7,000 fires. Last year at this time, according to the governor's office, there were 4,300 fires that burned 56,000 acres.

The fiery consequences of extreme heat are not a surprise. In fact, Swain co-authored a paper that came out just last week with a remarkably prescient and straightforward title: "Climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme autumn wildfire conditions across California." The timing is a shock, however, since autumn is still a month away.

Swain's research and blogging-his post on the underlying environmental dynamics has drawn more than 1,500 comments so far-have made him a public face of climate science while his home state burns. In an interview, he talked about the heat wave, what to expect once coastal winds start the real fire season, and where he sees good news in all this. The interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Q: When we spoke last week you said the recent heat wave in California would raise the risk of wildfires. That was a worry for the fall, something weeks or even months away-and then fires exploded within 48 hours. What happened?

A: A really big lightning event. Usually this time of year there's a limited number of fire-starts in Northern California. But unfortunately we got 11,000 opportunities for fires to take hold, and several hundred of them did. Usually the peak of fire season is autumn-unless you get 11,000 lightning strikes without any rain.

Q: How rare is that?

A: We didn't see it coming seven days out, but it was in the forecast the day before. In terms of climate change, we don't really know if these [lightning] events will become more or less common as the climate warms. You can't really generalize about thunderstorms. The thunderstorms you get in California are actually quite different from the thunderstorms you get in most of the rest of the world.

Q: Do these fires mean California is off the hook for the fall?

A: Offshore wind can start some time in September. A lot of the fires currently burning won't be out for weeks, after the traditional offshore-wind fire season begins. The vegetation that hasn't burned yet is still extremely dry. There wasn't really any meaningful rainfall anywhere. This has catapulted us forward to a bad fire season already, regardless of what happens moving forward.

Q: But shouldn't there be a very tiny silver lining here? Things can't burn twice.

A: One of the interesting things we saw, especially in the LNU complex fire in Napa, Solano and Lake counties, is a lot of the areas that burned have already burned in the past couple of years-in some cases twice. There are some places where this is the third time they've burned in six years. Usually you would expect burn scars to last for a few years and reduce, if not prevent, fires. Most folks would think we'd have at least five or seven years of reduced risk in some of these areas. But there was just enough time for the vegetation to grow back and support a fire. The warming and drying effect has been so profound that stuff that had regrown was actually dry enough to burn pretty intensely.

Q: How concerned should we be about the very old trees in Big Basin Redwood State Park?

A: They're a fire-resilient species, generally speaking, but it was also a particularly intense fire. If you look at their tree-ring core history, a lot of them have witnessed four or five fires over a 1,000-year life. They can clearly thrive in low to medium intensity fires. This is a pretty high intensity fire. There's going to be a ton of studies on what happened in Big Basin a few years down the line. It's going to tell us a lot about the resilience of redwood to our new fire regime-not the one that they evolved in and thrived under for thousands of years.

Q: Have forests come back after fires over the last few years?

A: Sometimes an intense fire would have been survivable had it not been followed up by extremely dry and hot conditions after the fire. The fire doesn't always kill the tree. Sometimes the drought following the fire kills the tree.

Q: Scientific inquiry and panic don't go great together. What do people get wrong because worry is so high?

A: Unfortunately, a lot of people have interpreted climate thresholds to be like intrinsic, physical cliffs: Once you hit 2 [Celsius], suddenly there's no way to stop it before it hits 5C of warming or something like that. I get dozens of emails a week from people who are panicked that there's a hair trigger, a very specific temperature level after which all hope is lost. Of course, that's not how the physical system works, which is good news. I don't often get to say that things are not as bad as people think. But that is one instance where people fortunately have overestimated the degree to which things will quickly get worse.

Q: So how bad is it, actually?

A: The reality is it's more of a sliding scale. Things are getting worse, and they're getting worse pretty quickly. But that's because we're continuing to push the system pretty quickly in the wrong direction, actively. Once we stop doing that, that will slow down.

Q: What else are people getting wrong about the fires?

A: Some folks will say that prior to colonization in California, a million acres a year of fire would have been no big deal. I have no doubt that's actually true. But we don't live in a world where there's 10,000 indigenous people living in relatively small communities in California. There are 40 million people. While it may be true that more land burned in the past, that's not really the relevant comparison.

The relevant question is: Why are fires becoming harder to control now in the 21st century? There are a variety of answers, one of which is the unfortunate legacy of how we dealt with fire in the 20th century. But the other answer is climate change. It really does matter just how dry the vegetation is, in terms of how the fire behaves. Even relatively "run-of-the-mill fires" are exhibiting this extreme behavior. And that's what the problem is right now in Northern California. There are dozens of fires, and none of them really are all that minor because they're all burning really aggressively.

Q: Should we assign names to heat waves, like we do with tropical storms?

A: Oh boy, I don't know. Naming hurricanes kind of makes sense. In the Atlantic basin, you're not going to get 200 hurricanes a year. In a bad year, you're going to get 20. That's a manageable number of names. Heat waves, though, can happen anywhere on Earth, and they're defined very differently from one place to another. If it's hot for a month in summer, is that one heat wave? Most people on Earth don't experience a hurricane every year. Pretty much everybody on Earth experiences more than one heat wave a year.

Q: Maybe we should give them first names and last names.

A: I don't know exactly what the science communication is on the naming of extreme events. I know that there is, amazingly, gender bias among people's perception of hurricane intensity. The death rate is higher slightly for female hurricane names, because people have a tendency to underestimate them. Which says a lot.

Q: What else are you working on?

A: We're currently developing a statewide disaster-contingency scenario for an extreme flood event. It's the most foreseeable disaster that everyone's going to say came by surprise. Think about what happened in 1862 in The Great Flood. We know it's already physically possible, since it already happened without climate change. Today it would be a multi-trillion dollar disaster. We already showed that we think that the likelihood of this happening over the next 40 years is about 50-50. Over the next 60 years, it's right around 100%.

Q: Any good news at all?

A: A lightning outbreak that had been in the forecast again for [Sunday] night turned out not to be so widespread after all. So OK, it's something.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, visits to patients with COVID-19 in Argentinian hospitals have been prohibited to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, creating a somber scenario: thousands of people have died in almost total solitude.

While most hospitals and clinics try to bridge the divide between relatives and patients using video calls, a small group of institutions are starting to allow visitations.

Psychologist Romina Tagnotta was hired at Centro Gallego in the middle of the pandemic after the clinic realized it needed a specialist to connect critically ill patients with their relatives.

Every day she walks inside the intensive care units, mobile phone at hand, organizing calls so that relatives can see their loved ones.

"We love you so much mom, you're going to get well, you're going to get strong, yes?" Sebastian Ezequiel Okada said in a WhatsApp video call to his mother Esther Nako, 77, who laid intubated in serious condition and died August 22nd.

Tagnotta says relatives are very grateful for her constant presence but fear that is not enough.

"The feeling of loneliness, not having been with the relative himself (at the hospital) is what changes death in these times of the pandemic," said Tagnotta.

The isolation protocol not only affects COVID-19 patients but in many hospitals across the country, such as in the Centro Gallego, critically ill patients without the new coronavirus cannot get visits either.

Fernanda Mariotti, 53, felt tormented by what she experienced with her mother Martha Pedrotti, who was infected in the nursing home where she lived and was admitted last month to another capital sanatorium with mild COVID -19 symptoms.

In tears, Mariotti told the AP that she insistently asked the doctor to allow her to visit her since the isolation deeply upset her, but always ran into the same answer as an insurmountable wall: the protocol prohibited it.

Mariotti is convinced that her mother's death, who died on July 20 of heart failure, was partly caused by sadness.

"My mother died of heart failure which I think was triggered by grief, loneliness, abandonment, fear, anguish," Mariotti said.

In order to change that, Mariotti started a petition online to humanize the treatment patients that has over 30,000 signatures so far.

The Mater Dei sanatorium in Buenos Aires is part of the growing number of medical centers in Argentina that allow relatives of certain COVID-19 patients to accompany them during their hospitalization.

There, Augusto Briceno, 59, was able to say farewell to his mother.

"Feeling her warm skin, her living body gave me peace me," Briceno told AP days ago when he remembered the day when, equipped with gloves, mask, face shield, and other means of protection, he stroked the head of his mother, Ines Nivia Frascino, who was irretrievably fading away.

This week the city government of Buenos Aires announced that it is studying the possibility of creating a protocol similar to Mater Dei's for all the city hospitals, eventually reaching hundreds of patients in the hardest hit region.

These policies of greater empathy with patients and relatives, come at a time in Argentina when infections and deaths have sharply increased.

Since the pandemic hit the South American country in March, there have been about 330,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and almost 7,000 deaths.
Wilkes-Barre, PA (18701)

Today

Snow showers this morning. Peeks of sunshine later. Morning high of 35F with temps falling to near 20. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. Low 9F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Burma Myanmar Govt Arrests 20 Illegal Chinese Migrants Heading to Thai Border Town

20 Chinese citizens were detained for illegally crossing the border into Myanmar. / Tatmadaw True News Information Team

Yangon Government officials and the security forces say they have detained 20 Chinese citizens, who illegally crossed the Chinese border in Shan State at Namtu in Kyaukme district on their way to Myawaddy in Karen State.

They were detained in downtown Namtu on Sunday and immigration officials are investigating, according to Namtu Townships Police Major Tint Swe.

We have not yet opened cases against them. The immigration department is still investigating with a translator. We dont know the details, he told The Irrawaddy.

The Chinese citizens and their traffickers left Namkham Township in Shan State and were heading to Myawaddy on the Namtu-Mansan-Hsipaw-Mandalay route, according to the Namtu Township information department.

The militarys Tatmadaw True News Information Team also reported on the arrests.

Myawaddy has seen a surge in Chinese migrants since 2018 after the military-backed Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) implemented a city expansion project in partnership with a Chinese firm. Residents and civil society organizations have expressed concerns about the projects lack of transparency. The increasing number of casinos run by the BGF near Myawaddy is another pull factor.

The BGF was formed in 2010 from a splinter group of the former Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, which is itself a faction of the then rebel Karen National Union.

In the second week of July, the military raided an illegal casino near the Myawaddy border and arrested four Chinese gamblers.

According to the Tatmadaw True News Information Team, the military detained 88 Chinese citizens who illegally crossed the border into Myanmar between July 14 and August 23, 68 in Shan State, 10 in Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region and 10 in Naypyitaws Tatkon Township.

Some crossed the border river to Muse in Shan State from China and reached Mandalay, it said.

They are normally charged under Article 13(1) of the Immigration Law for illegally crossing a border and deported after serving their punishment, police spokesman Colonel Kyaw Thiha told The Irrawaddy.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Army Extends Unilateral Nationwide Truce, Excluding Rakhine State

Japanese FM Discusses Travel Restrictions, Rakhine With Myanmar State Counselor, Army Chief
As a hurricane moves through the Gulf of Mexico, Humble ISD announced its schools will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, Humble ISD Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen announced on Twitter around noon.

The district is canceling all classes and activities to give Humble ISD stakeholders an opportunity to prepare for Laura, which is projected to be a Category 3 hurricane by the time it makes landfall late on Wednesday.
Chikungunya risks warned for Vietnam

The HCM City Diseases Control Centre has warned of Chikungunya infection risks for Vietnam as the epidemic is ravaging Cambodia.



Doctor Le Hong Nga from the centre said that since August 6, Chikungunya Fever has spread to 15 cities and provinces in Cambodia, affecting up to 1,700 people, including localities which border Vietnam such as Tbong Khnum, Ta Kheo and Kampot.

To date, Chikungunya Fever has hit many countries in Asia and Africa. The virus has been identified in Vietnam since 1975.



There has not yet been any kind of vaccine for disease prevention. Clinical symptoms of Chikungunya Fever are similar to dengue fever. It does not often cause deaths but tortures patients for a quite long time.



HCM City has not yet recorded any Chikungunya patients, Nga said but noted that people needed to obey preventive measures.



People need to keep their living environment clean and ensure that water does not stagnate in containers. It is also important to have ways to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.



Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans through infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the letter mentioned, adding that its symptoms may include acute fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, a headache, nausea, fatigue, and a rash.



Earlier, authorities of Mekong Delta province of An Giang also urged local departments and agencies to raise alertness and monitoring of the Chikungunya epidemic.


By Choi Sung-jin





Korea was one of the model cases in dealing with COVID-19 by getting the pandemic under control without national lockdowns.



Peevish U.S. President Donald Trump, perhaps tired of frequent comparisons with the Korean examples, wastes no time pointing out any problems occurring here.



This country now stands at the crossroads of entering into the second wave of a national epidemic, however. Two troublesome groups arouse popular resentment in this regard  some Protestant churches and medical doctors.



Sarang Jeil Church has become the nation's new coronavirus hotbed with an accumulated caseload of 875 as of Monday noon. Its members systematically impeded quarantine efforts, sneering at and assaulting officials and refusing to take tests. Jun Kwang-hoon, the church's pastor who tested positive himself, said the government is committing "virus terror."



Jun and his followers staged an anti-government rally in the heart of Seoul on Aug. 15, the National Liberation Day, along with other right-wing groups. Some 10,000 people, many without masks or hanging them over their chins, chanted slogans and ate food together. The virus outbreak in its aftermath forced the government to drive up social distancing to the second-highest level in the Seoul metro region.



In Korea, some Protestant churches have always tried to expand their congregations through enlisting the power of politics. Likewise, some political groups, mostly conservatives, have resorted to seeking churches' influence to lift approval ratings and win in elections. Their collaboration began with the birth of the Republic of Korea in 1948 when the first President Syngman Rhee joined forces with large Protestant churches. They had one thing in common  whenever faced with crises, the two groups pointed to "commies and leftists" as culprits.



As recently as in March 2019, Hwang Kyo-ahn, then leader of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, which was renamed this year as United Future Party, visited Pastor Jun. The two had since been seen attending various rallies together raising each other's hands. The conservative party had made no efforts to keep its distance from the ultra-right church. Now that Jun's church has emerged as a new epicenter of virus outbreaks, the opposition party is denying its ties to the church. The separation of church and state is one of the prerequisites for a modern democratic nation. When they collude with each other, the nation becomes confused and people suffer.



Equally incurring the wrath of people reeling under the protracted coronavirus fight are doctors. Physicians and surgeons under the Korea Medical Association criticize the Moon Jae-in administration's four healthcare policies  increasing medical school college admission quotas, setting up a public medical school, introducing telemedicine, and giving insurance benefits to some Oriental medicines  as the "four evils." Thousands of trainee doctors been staging a strike and some medical students call for boycotting the state exams for becoming doctors next month in a show of protest. If churches have added oil to the pandemic fire, doctors are fanning the flames.



According to statistics, Korean doctors earned about six times more than urban workers on average in 2017, two to three times wider than the income gaps in other member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In contrast, the number of doctors per 1,000 people stood at 2 here in the same year, excluding traditional Korean medicine practitioners, far lower than the OECD average of 3.5. The number of medical college graduates is six per 100,000 people in Korea, less than half of the average 14 in the rich countries' club. Even if the admission quotas increase by 400 in 2021 as the government plans, the number of graduates will stand at 6.8 in 2027, barely half of the OECD average.



Whatever these doctors say, their resistance to the four policies can be little more than self-interest and self-protection. Little wonder the website of the presidential office is full of petitions calling for a stern response to the medical community. Some urged the government not give another opportunity for medical students rejecting state tests.



The KMA says the number of doctors is rapidly increasing here in contrast to the equally shrinking population. However, the fast population aging in this country will redouble the demand for healthcare in the coming decades. Their claim  that 400 more doctors a year, or 4,000 in a decade, under the government plan, will downgrade the quality of about 130,000 physicians  is contrived or nonsense.



The doctors also maintain that one public medical school will not solve the shortage of public doctors. Then the alternative will be opening more than one public medical school, not discarding the plan altogether. Contactless healthcare service has long been a norm in many advanced countries, including the U.S. and Japan. Korean doctors reject it because face-to-face treatments are more profitable. Giving insurance coverage to packaged traditional Korean medicines whose efficacy and safety have not been verified may also need some more discussion. Still, doctors' opposition to this plan also smacks of discrimination against traditional Korean medicine practitioners or begrudging them regardless of whether they could help some patients.



The medical community may be right that a simple increase of doctors cannot resolve all problems unless the government addresses the imbalance between different specialties, departments and regions. However, these are reasons for supplementing, not withdrawing, the proposed policies. The KMA is even turning down the proposal for a "coronavirus truce," only repeating their calls for canceling the policies and revealing their only purpose is to maintain the status quo.



Christians frequently say "love thy neighbor," but too many of them don't seem to care for others' safety. Doctors have taken the Hippocratic oath to put "patients' lives and health" ahead of all else, yet most of them are putting down their tools in the middle of a once-in-a-century pandemic. Koreans may not be able to get over the coronavirus blues for a long while yet.





Choi Sung-jin (choisj1955@naver.com) is a Korea Times columnist.


New polling data are confirming the ironic observation that the Democrats' angry, miserable convention resulted in a polling bounce  for President Trump. Gallup confirms what Rasmussen first discovered. Ellie Bufkin writes in in Townhall:

A new poll released Monday from Gallup showed that the four days of virtual speeches and minimal fanfare produced by the Democratic National Convention did little to shore up support for the party of Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris. In fact, despite the glowing reviews from corporate media of the DNC and its speakers, the Gallup poll showed that Americans claiming to be Democrats or affiliated with the party dropped by two points since the same poll was conducted in June. Enthusiasm for the Republican Party, however, increased by three points, shrinking the Democratic advantage by a stunning five points as the presidential election draws ever closer. The new poll follows a trend in national polling that has shown a dramatic narrowing of the gap between the Democrats' nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, after months of numbers reflecting Biden as the clear leader. Rasmussen reported on Monday that recent polling also showed the nation's approval of the president was on the rise, sharing that 51 percent of respondents approved of the job he was doing.

The fact that the Dems didn't even whisper "impeachment" during their glorified Zoom conference call convention reveals that they realize they shot themselves in the foot with that gambit, but they learned nothing from that lesson and squandered four days of free network informercial time on counterproductive propaganda. The key question is, why?

My theory is that the unprecedent level of media bias favoring Democrats and demonizing Republicans has given the donkeys a fatally distorted sense of what the public is thinking and feeling. It is the political analogue to the dangerous medical condition of congenital insensitivity to pain. The National Institutes of Health warn of the danger when the negative feedback of pain is unavailable:

This lack of pain awareness often leads to an accumulation of wounds, bruises, broken bones, and other health issues that may go undetected. Young children with congenital insensitivity to pain may have mouth or finger wounds due to repeated self-biting and may also experience multiple burn-related injuries. These repeated injuries often lead to a reduced life expectancy in people with congenital insensitivity to pain. Many people with congenital insensitivity to pain also have a complete loss of the sense of smell (anosmia).

Their media friends no longer help the Democrats, despite their profound commitment to unseating Trump and driving the "fundamental transformation" promised by Barack Obama 12 years ago. They have lost their sense of smell for political danger because they get no negative feedback. They cannot bring themselves to listen to warnings from the alternative conservative media, for their self-esteem forbids them from paying any attention, and their commitment to maintaining the illusions propagated by the MSM requires absolute dismissal of anything coming from Fox News or the conservative blogosphere. Google helps along the process by blocking material from American Thinker and other conservative websites from appearing in their search results. This partially blinds Democrats to signs of danger.

I doubt very much that the Democrats will change and start paying attention to negative feedback from alternative media, for the very basis of their politics is reassuring themselves that they are virtuous. It's all about feeling good about themselves and excusing their own bad behavior on the theory that leftist politics cancels out any personal failings. Harvey Weinstein receiving plaudits from feminists is the shining example of this phenomenon.

Other than their true believers who habitually watch CNN and MSNBC and subscribe to the digital New York Times in order to be instructed on what to think, the American public has caught on to the media's game and no longer trusts what they have to say about Republicans. P resident Trump hilariously acknowledged this yesterday:

President @realDonaldTrump to the press: "Good to see you all. I hope you had a great weekend at your convention!" pic.twitter.com/wsafk5agyk  Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) August 23, 2020

Stand by for more Democrat blunders.

Photo credit: Twitter video screen grab.
Armed men on Monday attacked a school in Kaduna, killing one person and kidnapping seven students and a teacher, residents said.

The armed men killed a man and abducted seven students and a teacher of Prince Academy, located at Damba-Kasaya village in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident happened around 8 a.m. on Monday when the gunmen stormed the rural community while the students were preparing for their Junior secondary school examination.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the abducted students are JSS3 students who were among the exit students asked to resume by the federal and state government.

The kidnapped female teacher was identified as Christianah Madugu while the man who was reportedly shot dead was identified as Benjamin Auta, whose house is close to the school.

A youth in the area who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES, Akila Barde, said the assailants arrived on motorcycles well armed.

They came into the village shooting before they went to the school and picked the students who were receiving lessons in preparation for their Junior examination.

They were all children from 12 years above. We confirmed seven students, male and female, were taken away.

A teacher too, Christianah Madugu, was abducted alongside the students and another farmer was taken from his farm.

A man who lives close to the school, Benjami Auta, was shot and died, leaving behind a nursing wife, he said.

According to Mr Akila, some residents pursued the gunmen into the bush, forcing them to release some of the victims, separate from those taken away.

He also said the assailants torched some houses before fleeing the community.

READ ALSO:

Repeated efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to get the reactions of the police and the Kaduna State government to this latest incident have not been successful.

The Kaduna police spokesperson, Mohammed Jalige, did jot return calls or reply short messages on Monday night and Tuesday morning. The Kaduna commissioner for internal security, Samuel Aruwan, did not also return calls and messages to his phone.

The incident at the Chikun school is the latest in the spate of attacks by armed men on Kaduna communities and schools.

The state is one of the Northwest states that has suffered from repeated attacks by armed bandits. Other states such as Zamfara and Katsina also witness such attacks.

The attacks have continued despite the deployment of more soldiers and other security operatives to the state.
" " It's not hard to feel empathy for ASIMO even though ASIMO can't feel anything. AP Photo /Aaron Favila

Artificial consciousness could give way to serious ethical questions. If machines become self-aware, could they react in a negative way to the situation they're in? Could machines object to being used as tools? Would they have feelings?

There's a lot of debate on the subject. Since no one has managed to create an artificially conscious machine, it's impossible to say what features it will and won't have. But if machines gain the ability to be self-reflective, it could require us to reconsider the way we think about them. At what point would a machine possess the sort of intelligence and consciousness that would necessitate us bestowing them legal rights? Or would machines remain tools and possibly consider themselves to be slaves?

Advertisement

Conscious machines form the basis of several apocalyptic science fiction tales. Movies like "The Matrix" or "The Terminator" envision a world in which machines have subjugated mankind. These scenarios rely on the concept of self-recursive improvement.

Self-recursive improvement refers to the theoretical ability of a machine to examine itself, recognize ways in which it could improve its own design and then either tweak itself or build new and improved versions of machines. Each generation of machines would be smarter and better designed than the generation before. Futurist Ray Kurzweil suggests that machines will become so adept at improving themselves that before long we would enter an age in which technology evolves at a blisteringly fast pace. We would have to redefine reality because it wouldn't resemble the present at all. He calls this the singularity.

In this world, what happens to humans? In some scenarios, we merge with machines. Artificial and real consciousness become something entirely new. But in other scenarios, the machines come to the conclusion that humans are no longer necessary. At best, the machines ignore us as they continue to build more impressive technology. In the worst case, machines wipe us out either as an act of self-preservation or in revenge.

These scenarios could all be moot -- we may never learn the secret to creating an artificial consciousness. It could be that consciousness is fundamentally physiological and that we can't simulate it artificially. But just in case we do figure it all out, you may want to be a little nicer to your computer.

Learn more about artificial intelligence by following the links on the next page.
JSW Energy on Monday said its Director (Finance) Jyoti Kumar Aggarwal has resigned to pursue career opportunities outside the company.

Aggarwal will step down from the Directorship (Director - Finance) and as Key Managerial Personnel (Chief Financial Officer) of the company with effect from the close of business hours on 15 September 2020, the company added.

JSW Energy will announce the appointment of his successor in due course.

JSW Energy's consolidated net profit fell 7.5% to Rs 219.56 crore on a 25.2% decline in net sales to Rs 1,805.15 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019.

Shares of JSW Energy rose 0.79% to Rs 57.30 on BSE. JSW Energy is an integrated power company primarily engaged in generation and sale of power. Its business segments include power generation, power transmission, mining, power trading and equipment manufacturing.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
He Jinyi, a livestreaming saleswoman, discusses black fungus during an online broadcast at an exhibition center in Jinmi on July 21. [China News Service/Zhang Yuan]

The use of modern technology is raising incomes and helping impoverished families in a mountainous region.

One May afternoon, shortly after He Jinyi started livestreaming and selling agricultural produce in Jinmi, a village in Zhashui County, Shaanxi Province, a villager unexpectedly appeared in front of the camera.

Usually the farmers are too shy to show their faces, but this man was happy to be filmed as he worked, tending to the black fungus, an edible mushroom, he was cultivating.

Having started in spring last year, the use of livestreams to sell produce is still a novelty in the village, which is located in the region of the Qinling-Bashan mountains.

Walking around some greenhouses, He occasionally entered and used her phone and a holder to show the audience how the black fungus is cultivated.

"I feel very happy because it's great that the fungi growers have acknowledged the camera and gained a sense of livestreaming their products, which has boosted my confidence in joining the sector," the 26-year-old said.

In April last year, the law graduate from Northwest University of Political Science and Law in Xi'an, the provincial capital, joined the five-strong livestreaming team at Qinling Tianxia, an e-commerce company based in Zhashui, Shangluo City.

She joined the company, which sells the fungi, in 2016 when she graduated from college.

Black fungus is on show in an exhibition room at the village on July 21. [China News Service/Zhang Yuan]

Booming Trend

In recent years, livestream sales have become big business, accompanied by the rise of several celebrity hosts who make millions every year selling products via outfits such as Taobao, China's biggest e-commerce sales platform.

Unlike traditional TV sales, livestreams are usually conducted via mobile phones.

The format allows hosts to engage with audiences in real time and gives viewers a chance to make requests or comment about the goods being sold, fostering a sense of participation.

Having started in 2015, China's livestreaming craze developed gradually from the eastern regions to the middle and west.

Many places nationwide, especially rural areas, began promoting and selling local produce, prompting young people like He to undergo training to sell agricultural goods via multiple platforms.

A report by the Forward Industry Research Institute in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, said the scale of China's livestreaming e-commerce market is expected to reach 961 billion yuan ($139 billion) this year, a rise of 128 percent year-on-year. It also estimated that the number of livestream users will reach 550 million by the end of December.

Livestream sales platforms have provided new opportunities for a number of poverty-stricken areas, driving local economic development in new ways.

A guide displays black fungus to visitors at a greenhouse in Jinmi Village, Zhashui County, Shaanxi Province, on July 21. [China News Service/Zhang Yuan]

Becoming Richer

In recent years, Jinmi has shaken off poverty by developing an industry based on black fungus.

By the end of last year, 549 of the 553 residents had been lifted out of poverty, accounting for 187 of the 188 households, according to local authorities.

Chen Qinghai, a 44-year-old resident, was once mired in poverty. Before the fungi industry was established, he worked part time in nearby mines, earning less than 20,000 yuan a year.

"Two years ago, when my wife was in poor health, some cadres from our village called to offer me the opportunity to plant black fungus," he said.

Chen left the mines and returned to the village early last year to build a greenhouse to grow the fungi.

He used 50,000 mushroom bags to grow black fungus, earning 30 yuan per 500 grams via offline sales.

However, once he started selling his produce via livestreams, his income soared.

"In the first half of this year, I earned more than 30,000 yuan by planting fungi. That's much more than I made in a year working at the mine," he said.

The father of three said his big wish is to buy a car and take his family for a drive.

In 2016, he and his family left their house deep in the Qinling Mountains and moved into a newly built house in the village.

The following year, the household was lifted out of poverty.

Lai Shengtao, first secretary of poverty alleviation in Jinmi, said the humid climate in the mountainous area had provided many job opportunities for village residents and attracted a number of talented people.

Jinmi has the perfect conditions for the cultivation of fungi, which thrive on dampness and humidity, according to Lai.

"An industry chain was formed around the planting of black fungus, which allowed many villagers to find jobs that suited them and doubled their incomes," he said.

"What we do, mostly, is have a lot of villagers planting fungi in their own greenhouses. After they harvest the mushrooms, companies take over and sell the produce either online or offline."

He added that the villagers are not required to spend their own money on spore bags and other equipment. Instead, local agricultural cooperatives undertake preparation of the raw materials.

"Otherwise, the villagers would have to manage and maintain the whole process of planting the fungi and then harvesting it when the time came," he said.

The industry has brought considerable benefits to the villagers, as each year around 3 million spore bags produce 150 metric tons of black fungus.

"In the future, I hope more people from different sectors will join this industry chain to make the fungi our magic wand to eradicate poverty," Lai said.

He Jinyi, a livestreaming saleswoman, discusses black fungus during an online broadcase at an exhibition center in Jinmi on July 21. [China News Service/Zhang Yuan]

New Impetus

The introduction of livestream sales of agricultural produce has given new impetus to the development of Jinmi, which will provide more opportunities for the produce to go global.

Zhao Shaokang, CEO of Qinling Tianxia, said the company has earned 6 million yuan from livestream sales of black fungus since the start of the year.

The livestreams allow vendors to amass about 300 orders a day, amounting to 6,000 yuan to 8,000 yuan, and fungi and related produce can be sold nationwide.

"The goal of our livestreaming sales is to see more of our produce sold in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative in the near future," Zhao said.

'Shoppertainment'

When measures to contain the novel coronavirus were imposed nationwide, they became a catalyst for people to move their shopping habits online.

Wang Mingqiang, vice-president of Alibaba Group and general manager of AliExpress, a cross-border online retail platform, said part of the shift has seen people's consumption habits change as e-commerce boomed and livestreaming became more popular, tapping into new sales channels.

"This 'shoppertainment' has reshaped the entire business landscape, in addition to changing consumers' online shopping habits," he said.

He added that livestreaming has become an important channel in China for the creation of new employment opportunities and raising people's incomes.

"More interestingly, what we have witnessed is that many consumers are unlikely to return to the traditional offline business model once they get used to online shopping," Wang said.

"Some overseas consumers, even those who had their first contact with e-commerce during the pandemic, quickly changed their habits and bought household supplies and protective equipment online in the months that followed."

Worldwide, the pandemic has accelerated the shift to online activities, driving the development of the e-commerce market in a positive direction, he added.

The Right Choice

Back in Jinmi, He, the saleswoman, has often wondered whether she made the right choice in leaving her legal career and becoming a livestreamer.

"I always thought that an online livestreaming salesperson was an internet celebrity, someone required to sing or dance in front of the camera. In my mind, all online anchors were like that," she said.

"But after training, I found that everything and each platform is worth a try," she added.

"When I'm livestreaming, I can decide how to do the broadcast. More often than not, I chat with customers about topics ranging from the agricultural industry to my work and even my daily life.

"Within three or four hours, in addition to selling produce online, I share my insights with the audience. It feels great to resonate with them."

(Source: China Daily)
The number of patients in hospital with COVID-19 continues to rise in B.C. after a weekend that saw 269 new cases confirmed and one more death.

Eighteen patients are being treated in hospital, including five in intensive care, up from a total of 13 hospitalized on Friday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Monday. The number of patients in hospital is now the highest it's been in two months.

The latest update, which covers the last three days, brings the number of active cases to a new high of 913 out of 5,184 cases to date. The one-day total of 109 new cases confirmed on Saturday is also the highest number of new cases in one day so far.

"As we live with COVID-19 in our communities our goals continue to be clear. We need to minimize our new cases," Henry said.

"Despite the recent outbreaks and clusters that we have seen in the past week and the rising case numbers, we still have low undetected transmission in our province. We are able to find and connect most people who have this disease."

A total of 203 people have died from the coronavirus in B.C.

Monday's update also included one new outbreak in a long-term care home in the Fraser Health region, bringing the total number of active outbreaks in the health-care system to 10.

In recent weeks, B.C. has increased its testing capacity for the virus to between 4,000 and 5,000 a day. Henry said the rate of positive tests remains relatively low, but the health-care system needs to be prepared.

"There are many more months of this to come," she said.

Henry acknowledged B.C.'s caseload is higher now than it was when the province began shutting down public services and businesses in March, but said health officials now understand much more about the virus, including how to track and prevent transmission.

"Shutting down is not an answer to things," Henry said, pointing out that even New Zealand, despite its considerable success against the disease, has been unable to completely prevent transmission.

Story continues

While there have been some exposures to the virus in restaurants and bars, Henry said the vast majority of businesses are taking the proper public health measures, and she worries that a blanket shutdown would just drive social functions underground.

Stricter enforcement begins

The province is continuing to urge people to maintain physical distancing as cases increase and is doing more to encourage the public to follow safety guidelines.

Last week, the province announced law enforcement authorities would have the authority to issues fines of up to $2,300 to people who host large events that violate public health orders during the pandemic.

Watch | Dr Bonnie Henry says limiting large events is the only way to ensure adequate contact tracing:

This weekend, the host of a party in Victoria that, according to police, drew as many as 60 people, was fined $2,300. The same fine was issued to four separate venues in Surrey and to the organizers of a large party in Richmond.

Henry said Monday that it's up to every individual to follow public health advice, but enforcement measures are there for when they're needed.

"Our B.C. COVID-19 response is about all of us doing our part," she said.

"We need to all continue to do the right thing from the get-go, so that we don't need to use the enforcement measures."

Health Minister Adrian Dix said the key to getting through the pandemic is not to finger point, but for everyone to take personal responsibility for their actions and recommit to measures like avoiding large gatherings, maintaining physical distance and wearing a mask when necessary.

Schools are expected to reopen in B.C. on Sept. 10.

As cases have increased in recent days, some parents are considering homeschooling their children.
OTTAWAThe federal government is planning to transfer $2 billion more to the provinces to pump more money into the safe reopening of schools, the Star has learned.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the 13 premiers and territorial leaders on a conference call Tuesday, their first since July 29, and outlined his plan, which comes after schools have reopened in some parts of the country, or are about to next week, multiple sources say.

The funding would come on top of the $19-billion package that Ottawa offered provinces to relaunch their economies in July, two provincial sources said, speaking for background only. The money is to roll out in two stages, $1 billion now and the next billion in January.

Ottawa advised provinces just a couple of days ago that the money would be coming.

A provincial source, also speaking on condition they not be identified, told the Star that the amount to be transferred is $2 billion, and while people will take the money, it is once again an announcement that the prime minister is making without any advance consultation or discussion with the provinces. That sentiment was echoed by a different provincial representative.

A senior federal source confirmed Trudeau will make the announcement in the GTA on Wednesday, but would not specify the amount. It is to be allocated to provinces based on their share of the population of school-aged children, aged 4 to 18.

On the federal-provincial conference call, Trudeau told the provincial and territorial leaders that his government recognized elementary and secondary schools are an area of provincial jurisdiction and that his government is flexible about how the money is spent.

The federal source confirmed that and underlined that the Liberal government is being fully respectful of provincial responsibilities in how they will decide to spend the money. He said the prime minister is aware safety concerns are on a lot of parents minds, and premiers are working as hard as they can to reopen schools as safely as possible.

This will allow them to take additional measures or whatever new measures they wish to take, the federal source said.

Depending on how much or how little is provided per province, it could allow for more cleaning in schools or other kinds of physical accommodation for social distancing between teachers and students. Many provinces and school boards are well along in their reopening plans.

However, at least one provincial representative said a number of premiers are annoyed at Trudeau, who they see as once again putting on a show. The source said Trudeau wants to be able to roll out the announcement Wednesday and tell Canadians he had a good conversation with the premiers about it and claim they are all working together.

Two provinces pointed out that many provincial plans are well underway and the new funding is not likely to make a huge difference at this point, once the federal money is parcelled out.

An Ontario government source welcomed the funds but expressed frustration that the money didnt come sooner.

Over a dozen calls with the PM and not once was this funding brought up, said the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly and asked not to be named. We are days away from back to school, where was this money months ago? We are obviously not going to turn down money, but this is pretty late in the game.

Parents and teachers across the country have complained of inadequate preparations.

Last week, after Trudeau shuffled his cabinet in the wake of his finance ministers resignation, the prime minister underlined that he had heard the worries of families, especially as some provinces report new COVID-19 cases after weeks of declining numbers.

For parents especially, this is a big worry in terms of the school year. I hear that. As a dad Im concerned about this, too, he said. Provincial leaders have a responsibility to make sure that our kids are safe in their classrooms.

As federal government well do whatever we can to help, including through our $19 billion safe restart agreement.

Asked if he was sending his own children back to school, Trudeau avoided a direct answer. He said like all parents he was looking at the schools plans as September rolls around.

Were looking at class sizes. Were looking at how the kids are feeling about wearing masks, said Trudeau.

I know all my friends as parents are asking these same questions and were looking for answers and of course as a federal government we will be there to support the provinces as they make important decisions to ensure that all our kids have the opportunity to be safe as the school year starts up.

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller told reporters Tuesday the federal government intended to step up to help First Nations schools reopen, even though it recognized there is a web of government jurisdictions involved.

Initially, Ottawa had proposed sending $14 billion to the provinces, an amount that was increased to $19 billion in July. It was intended to cover a range of needs, from schools, health care, municipalities, child care and aid to vulnerable populations like the elderly in long-term care.

A federal source told the Star that money is to be spent over the next six to eight months, but the Trudeau government foresees having to spend much more to cushion the economy from the pandemic.

In Ontario, school boards continue to adjust their plans for how to accommodate most of the provinces two million students who were set to return to school full-time, with mandatory masks for staff and students in Grades 4 through 12.

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube said Tuesday that province does not intend to change its back-to-school plan, despite criticism from doctors and scientists who have called it inadequate. In Montreal, Dube said the plan was conceived in partnership with experts in the health and education fields and it will not be modified in response to concerns raised in an open letter signed by some 150 doctors and scientists.

In the open letter sent Monday to Dube as well as to Premier Francois Legault and to other officials, the signatories said the governments health directives for students arent sufficient, school ventilation systems need to be updated, and families must be offered remote learning options.

The signatories are calling on the government to encourage social distancing within classrooms, require mask-wearing inside classrooms, and to oblige schools to screen children for symptoms of COVID-19.

Ontario Liberal Party leader Steven Del Duca welcomed the infusion of federal funds.

He posted a statement on Twitter Tuesday night, claiming Ontarios Ford government is only willing to spend 78 cents per kid so I welcome any federal leadership on schools reopening.

He tweeted at Doug Ford, Premier its time to stop wasting $ on useless ads + step up with a responsible plan to get our kids back to school safely.

Correction  Aug. 27, 2020: This story was edited to correct the spelling of Marc Millers given name and to correct his characterization of federal assistance to First Nations schools.
A new personality with new opportunities but, in so many ways, freshly minted Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole faces the very same problems that humbled his predecessors.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new personality with new opportunities but, in so many ways, freshly minted Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole faces the very same problems that humbled his predecessors.

The victor in a vote-counting process that unfolded Sunday night at a glacial pace, O'Toole has a lot going for him. He is forceful, experienced and he already holds a seat in the House of Commons. But beyond those obvious attributes, he has not yet demonstrated any plan to manage a party that has established itself as the three-headed monster of Canadian politics.

The first head represents the moderate centrist voters from coast to coast who are just begging for a moderate small "c" conservative leader and party that can provide a real alternative to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals. This head wants fiscally conservative, socially progressive policies. They want a leader who can march in a Pride parade and wage war on the budget deficit.

PATRICK DOYLE / THE CANADIAN PRESS A new personality with new opportunities but, in so many ways, freshly minted Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole faces the very same problems that humbled his predecessors.

In the middle of the three-headed beast, you've got hardcore Western separatists who cannot be faulted for being a wee bit bewildered about the outcome of this leadership vote. How, these party Tory supporters are asking themselves, did a candidate from Ontario snatch the helm of a party that has been ruled by good-ol' Western boys since it was founded just over 16 years ago?

If that isn't a strange enough coupling, you must contend with the ravenous yaw of a third head: the small but impressive social conservative wing made up of party supporters that continue to have faith that O'Toole's win is a chance to recast the Tories as a firmly anti-abortion, anti-same sex marriage, make-Canada-great-again juggernaut.

Rather than demonstrate a capacity to bridge these three distinct constituencies, O'Toole has only shown that he pandered just enough to all three constituencies to win the leadership.

O'Toole marketed himself as a mostly moderate option not unlike the challenger, Peter MacKay. He promised a more evolved policy on climate change and has implied he would do nothing to dial back rights for the LGBTQ* community. He has also promised to march in Pride parades as long as they do not exclude groups like police officers.

Put it all together and you have a new leader who is all over the political and ideological map. Just like the party he now leads.

O'Toole worked hard to court Westerners, launching his leadership campaign in Calgary. Notwithstanding his promise to provide a climate change policy, he sold himself to Westerners as a champion of the oil patch ready to fight back against foreign-funded eco-activists trying to eradicate the oil economy.

Finally, he quietly courted social conservatives so that he was their choice on second and third ballots. Overall, he has said he does not support taking away any right already established by the courts but is less clear about what he would support within the social conservative agenda.

Put it all together and you have a new leader who is all over the political and ideological map. Just like the party he now leads.

Ever since the 2015 election and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's inglorious self destruction, the Tories have struggled to find an identity that can both soothe the party's volatile internal constituencies while offering enough value to open-minded swing voters.

O'Toole is clearly more confident and convincing than the affable but awkward Andrew Scheer, who simply could not navigate his way out of that space between the political rock and a hard place. When he was backed into intractable policy quandaries, Scheer managed to consistently miss the sweet spot.

To undecided voters, Scheer was too far right, particularly on social issues. His failure to figure out how to engage with Pride Day events, or have a simple discussion about gun control, made him a punching bag for the Liberals. Inside the party, he simply failed to manage the competing viewpoints and forge a common cause.

On the heels of the Scheer experience, O'Toole will have to prove to people inside and outside his party that he is better at finding a path to that common cause. And that is going to be a tough path if events that unfolded in parallel to the leadership convention are any indication.

Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

The Wexit party announced this past weekend it would be ready to run candidates in Western provinces should there be a snap election this fall. The Tories hardly need to deal with yet another splinter party competing for support in their heartland.

FRANK GUNN / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Ever since the 2015 election and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's inglorious self destruction, the Tories have struggled to find an identity that can both soothe the party's volatile internal constituencies while offering enough value to open-minded swing voters.

There's one last problem facing O'Toole: he will have precious little time to forge a new brand and build support within the party before he must confront a wounded Liberal government and a confidence vote that will greet September's Throne Speech.

A fall election is hardly a forgone conclusion. If he wants to topple the Trudeau government, he will have to reach some sort of agreement with the Bloc Quebecois and the NDP for all three parties to support a vote of non-confidence. That means the other opposition parties will be watching the new Tory leader's performance and his policies to see if they want to be aligned with him on that important vote. There is no guarantee either party will want to join O'Toole if he lurches to the right.

If he wants to exceed Scheer's performance and results, O'Toole is going to have to radically re-define Canadian conservatism in a fresh and innovative way. And the clock is already ticking.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
Wetherspoons are running out of tomato ketchup due to Rishi Sunak's popular Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme.

The pub chain was hit by 'high demand' and reduced supply after flooding at Heinz's factory during storms.

Sachets of brown sauce and mustard have also been impacted amid fury from customers.

It comes as it was revealed more than 64million meals have been claimed by diners since the Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme was launched this month.

Sachets of tomato ketchup, brown sauce and mustard have been impacted amid fury from customers (file photo)

The pub chain (pictured, one in Cornwall) was hit by 'high demand' and reduced supply after flooding at Heinz's factory during storms

A worker at The Gateway (pictured) in East Didsbury, Manchester, added: 'We've not had any ketchup for weeks. It's the great tomato sauce scandal'

One diner at The Coinage Hall in Helston, Cornwall, told the Sun: 'I went to get some from the condiments table and there was none left.

'I felt robbed. Our fish and chips were ruined.'

A worker at The Gateway in East Didsbury, Manchester, added: 'We've not had any ketchup for weeks. It's the great tomato sauce scandal.'

Among those hit are The Three Hulats in Chapel Allerton in Yorkshire, The Dragon Inn and The Square Peg, both in Birmingham, and The Old Unicorn in Leeds.

A JD Wetherspoon spokesman said: 'We apologise to customers. We are working with our suppliers to resolve the issue as soon as possible.'

Heinz added: 'Unfortunately, there was some flooding in our Telford factory.

'The good news is that all our lines are back up and running and we are working hard to return to full supply.'

The hospitality industry has seen a surge in demand since the Eat Out to Help Out scheme was brought in at the start of the month.

More than 64million meals have been claimed by diners since the Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme was launched this month

The Treasury said it shows a continued 'upward trend' in dining, after 10.5million meals were claimed in the first week, climbing to 35million for the first fortnight.

A total of 87,000 claims have been made by restaurants and cafes signed up to the scheme, it said.

Pub and hospitality leaders have called on the Treasury to extend the scheme, which has now entered its fourth week.

Eat Out to Help Out has provided diners with a state-funded 50 per cent discount on food and soft drinks between Mondays and Wednesdays in August.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: 'Today's figures continue to show that Brits are backing hospitality - with more than 64 million meals discounted so far, that's equivalent to nearly every person in the country dining out to protect jobs.

Eat Out to Help Out has provided diners with a state-funded 50 per cent discount on food and soft drinks between Mondays and Wednesdays in August. Pictured: Chancellor Rishi Sunak

'This scheme has reminded us how much we love to dine out, and in doing so, how this is helping to protect the jobs of nearly two million people who work in hospitality.

'I am urging everyone, where they can, to continue to safely enjoy a meal while the scheme remains open.'

Claims from the first two weeks of the scheme cost around 180million, according to HMRC.

David Page, co-chairman of Franco Manca owner Fulham Shore, said: 'Eat Out to Help Out immediately increased our restaurant customer numbers by over 50%, thus enabling us to get all our staff back to work.

'In fact, we are now creating new jobs by hiring and training more people as fast as we can.'

Andy Laurillard, chief executive of Thai dining chain Giggling Squid, said: 'As a result of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, we have managed to avoid making any redundancies and we no longer have any of our 950 staff on furlough.'
Children brought up in cities with access to green environments have higher intelligence and lower incidences of behavioural problems, a study suggests.

Greater levels of residential green space in urban areas could lead to a shift in population IQ, with children attaining better results, according to a research team at the Universities of Hasselt and Ghent in Belgium.

Though several previous studies have linked access to green areas with positive outcomes for child development, the study is the first to examine the connection with IQ.

The scientists assessed more than 700 people aged between 8 and 15, and found a 3.3 per cent increase in space within a 3km radius from the residential address was associated with a 2.6-point higher total IQ.

The differences among children with lowest IQs was found to be the most pronounced, where even small improvements could have a considerable impact.

Furthermore, the proximity to green areas was also associated with a reduction in problem behaviour, such as attention issues and aggression.

The research team said the nature of the study showed the associations were consistent across different socio-economic groups.

The results show that well-planned green cities are important to create an optimal environment for children to develop their full potential, Esmee Bijens, a researcher at UHasselt and UGhent and co-author of the study, told The Independent.

I believe green space is important for children on several levels, she said.

Access to nearby natural outdoor play spaces may enhance childrens executive functioning, and a meta-analysis revealed that the greening of school yards across multiple sites in North America and Western Europe have been associated with better psychological well-being and improved school performance among pupils.

Dr Bijens added: Our results are not biased by the socioeconomic background of the participants. The association between green and intelligence were found in children from parents with a high as well as a low educational level.

The scientists said though the contribution of proximity to green space to an individuals IQ might be moderate, high residential green space in children living in an urban area could cause a shift in population IQ towards a lower incidence of a low IQ.

The study notes that green spaces, such as parks, grassy areas, gardens and areas with trees, provide environmental benefits by reducing air and noise pollution.

The authors said: Higher residential green space is associated with lower ambient air pollution and noise exposure. Both have been associated with diminished cognitive development. Furthermore, from a health perspective, green space promotes physical activity and stress reduction.

Apart from the promotion of physical activity, green space in the living environment could also lead to more social contacts. In addition, higher levels of neighbourhood green space were associated with significantly lower levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

The scientists used satellite mapping to assess the study participants addresses and their distances from green spaces

The computer modelling the team used also adjusted for potential confounding factors, which included sex, age, parental education and neighbourhood household income.

This study demonstrates that green spaces such as the proximity of a city park can make a difference for the development of children, said Professor Tim Nawrot from the University of Hasselt

These findings are relevant for policy makers and urban planners to create an optimal environment for children to develop their full potential.

The research is published in the journal Plos Medicine.
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 8, 1945, just months after Germany's surrender and the liberation of Nazi death camps ending the Holocaust, an unlikely and unexpected winner was crowned Miss America in Atlantic City, NJ. It was Bess Myerson, tall, talented, beautiful  and Jewish. In spite of antisemitism and threatening calls to pageant judges warning them against selecting a Jew, Bess took the title home to her family's tiny apartment in the Shalom Aleichem housing project in the Bronx, NY.

"The One and Only Jewish Miss America" documentary tells the story of Bess Myerson, beauty queen from the Bronx, NYC, who overcame antisemitism to win the 1945 Miss America pageant. David Arond, award-winning filmmaker, directed and produced "The One and Only Jewish Miss America" documentary to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Bess Myerson winning the pageant in 1945.

A concert pianist, Bess Myerson tied for first in the talent contest, won first place in the swimsuit competition, impressed the judges in personal interviews, and, as the only college graduate among 42 contestants, represented a new kind of post-war poise, intelligence, and feminism. It was a victory not just for Bess, the middle daughter of struggling immigrants from Russia, but also an all-American validation for Jewish-Americans and immigrants all over the country.

New York's Museum of Jewish Heritage is premiering "The One and Only Jewish Miss America" on September 8, 2020, 75 years after Bess Myerson's historic win  and 99 years to the day after the pageant was founded as a bathing beauty contest. At 7:00 p.m. EDT, filmmaker David Arond will conduct an online panel discussion with those featured in the film: Barra Grant, Bess Myerson's daughter and an accomplished actor and screenwriter, and two international authorities on antisemitism: Abraham Foxman, a friend of Bess's and director emeritus of the Anti-Defamation League, and Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism and criminal justice professor, California State University, San Bernardino.

"The documentary follows Bess's life from childhood, when she thought she was ugly and gangly," says Arond, "through her entry into the Miss New York City pageant, which her older sister arranged without her knowledge." The story continues after the Miss America pageant, when sponsors withdrew their support of a Jewish winner. Bess Myerson never received the promised $5,000 scholarship (which she hoped to use at the Julliard School for a master's degree in music) and the new car from Ford Motor Co. Her Miss America pageant tour also ended in disappointment, when she faced antisemitism and restricted hotels and concert venues that prohibited Jews from entering. Instead of giving up, she started a new tour, with the support of the Anti-Defamation League: a 15-city educational tour to promote respect for all people, regardless of race or religion. "Bess Myerson symbolizes the spirit of standing up to prejudice of all kinds," Arond adds. "Her tour of tolerance led to her work in media, politics and social justice."

The 51-minute documentary has won more than two dozen best documentary feature awards and will be screened at film festivals around the world. To watch the trailer and learn more, click on www.jewishmissamerica.com. To view the film and register for the online September 8 panel discussion, visit the Museum of Jewish Heritage at www.mjhnyc.org

Documentary Premiere and Online Panel Discussion

September 8, 2020, 7:00 p.m., EDT

Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York City: www.mjhnyc.org

Trailer: www.jewishmissamerica.com

For interviews with director David Arond, Barra Grant, Abraham Foxman, or Brian Levin, contact Cindy Graff Cohen, [email protected] or 915-203-3538.

SOURCE Museum of Jewish Heritage, NYC
A candidate in the Oceanside city treasurers race filed a complaint Tuesday with the state Fair Political Practices Commission alleging the city campaigned on behalf of incumbent City Treasurer Gary Ernst in an email announcing his death.

Ernst  who was running for re-election in November  died of natural causes last month, the city announced in a brief news release on Sept. 23 and in an email newsletter called The Oceanside Tide that was sent Monday to city residents.

The item explained that Ernsts name would still appear on the ballot because the printing deadline had passed, and that  should Ernst be elected  the City Council would appoint a replacement for him.

As a general rule, state law prohibits newsletters or other mass mailings sent at public expense on behalf of candidates if the item advocates or unambiguously urges a particular result in an election, according to the commissions website.

Advertisement

Attorney and community activist Nadine Scott  the only other candidate running for Oceanside city treasurer  complained to the FPPC that through the email newsletter the city was promoting the deceased candidate over her.

As the second candidate on the ballot for the office, I believe this a violation of candidate advertising rules, mass mailing rules, misuse of public funds for a political purpose and many other violations, Scott said.

City Attorney John Mullen disagreed.

The article (in the newsletter) is to inform the residents that the elected treasurer passed away and is comparable to an obituary, Mullen said. It is the exact same information in the city press release announcing the passing of Mr. Ernst. It also explains very briefly how the elections code deals with this very unique situation. There was no intent to advocate on behalf of any candidate.

A spokesman for the state Fair Political Practices Commission confirmed the agency received the complaint, but said the agency doesnt comment on complaints or any potential investigation.

The announcement in the city newsletter said Ernst was a long-time resident of Oceanside, an active member of the Oceanside Rotary and a member of the California Treasurers Association. It doesnt mention Scott by name, but notes that there is a two-person race for treasurer.

The announcement also briefly explains what may happen after the election, if Ernst should win: the office would be declared vacant and the City Council could fill the vacancy by appointment or by a special election.

Scott, who serves as treasurer for the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County, has been endorsed by Councilwoman Esther Sanchez.

Councilman Jerry Kern was quoted in a San Diego Union-Tribune column on Sunday saying that Scott is not qualified for the position and that Oceanside residents should vote for Ernst.

edward.sifuentes@sduniontribune.com

@EdwardSifuentes
Virginia is an irregularly shaped state spanning both sides of the Chesapeake Bay and sliced into segments by rivers and mountains. One of the original thirteen colonies, Virginia once claimed land from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. Kentucky was sliced off in 1792 and West Virginia in 1863 in the midst of the Civil War, a war that produced wounds that are still not healed.

Because of geography, rapid population growth along the Interstate 95 and 64 corridors, and a good bit of gerrymandering, the states eleven Congressional Districts have developed unusual shapes over the years. The 1st and 7th Congressional Districtswhere I have lived, worked on newspapers, and voted since 1987run roughly north and south and parallel one another. And they make pretty good specimens if you are trying to get a sense of whats going on at ground level in this strange and monumental election season.

Not that figuring whats going on is easy. For one thing, so much is different this time around. Gone, thanks to COVID-19, are opportunities for candidates to meet tens of thousands of voters at the Hanover Tomato Festival and The State Fair of Virginia in Caroline County. Gone, too, are many smaller county fairs, as well as the food, beverage, and music festivals. COVID-19 is not the only difference this time around. There is also the rapidly changing face of the media, which dictates different strategies for the candidates and tosses into elections an element of the unknown.

Although they have a lot in common, the 1st and the 7th districts also have exhibited some differences over the years.

1st District

Virginias 1st District, sometimes billed as Americas First because it included Jamestown for more than a century, includes Caroline and Hanover Counties, where I wrote for two weekly newspapers until their demise in 2018. It has sent Republicans to Congress since 1977, usually by comfortable margins. This is still rural, small-town Virginia, although proximity to rapidly growing metropolitan areas has brought suburbs and demographic changes.

This years 1st District race pits a longshot Democratic nominee, Qasim Rashid, against Rob Wittman, the Republican who has represented the district since 2007.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

Wittman, who is sixty-one, was first elected in 2007 in a special election after the incumbent died. He was re-elected in 2008 and every two years since. Wittman worked for twenty years with the Virginia Department of Health as an environmental health specialist and later for the Division of Shellfish Sanitation. Regarded as somewhat moderate compared to current Republicans, Wittman commutes to Washington DC from his home in Montross, near George Washingtons birthplace, experiencing the same highway gridlock as many of his constituents. He has been a champion of the local seafood industry, is strong on veterans affairs, and is pushing for greater broadband access in rural communities, which is in tune with many of the voters in his district.

Qasim Rashid, who is thirty-eight, of Garrisonville, was born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He earned a bachelors degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a JD from the University of Richmond School of Law. He has worked as a human rights lawyer and has written several books, including The Wrong Kind of Muslim, which Kirkus Reviews called a heartfelt memoir of Muslim-on-Muslim discrimination and oppression in his native Pakistan. Rashid won the Democratic nomination for Congress in the June 23 Primary, narrowly defeating Vangie Williams, who was the Democratic nominee in 2018 and gave Wittman his strongest challenge to date.

7th District

Virginias 7th District was also considered a GOP sure bet for decades. It is less rural and arguably more cosmopolitan than the 1st. It sent Republicans to Congress from 1971 to 2016. Yet in 2020 it is regarded as one of the nations key battleground districts.

First-term Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, who is forty-one, of Glen Allen, a Democrat, seeks reelection. A former teacher and former CIA officer, Spanberger flipped this once-Republican stronghold in 2018, defeating the two-term Republican incumbent, Dave Brat, by fewer than 6,800 votes. But this didnt all happen all at once. Attitudes within the district and the geography of the district itself had changed.

Republican Eric Cantor had been elected to Congress in the 7th District in 2000 and rapidly climbed up the ladder. He was chosen to be the House minority whip in 2009 and then moved up to House majority leader in 2011. For years, Cantor easily bested the sacrificial lambs that the Democrats put up in his district. Then it all imploded when he lost his own partys nomination in the 2014 primary, becoming the first sitting House majority leader in history to lose his congressional seat.

Cantor lost to a political neophyteBrat, an economics professor at Randolph-Macon College in Hanover County, and a darling of the Tea Party and several conservative radio talk show hosts, who portrayed Cantor as someone who spent too much time in the Nations Capital and too little time tending to the concerns of his constituents.

In a 2016 Washington Post interview, Cantor said, It turned into an anyone-but-Cantor vote. But it was also a little bit of canary in the coal mine. Cantor did not elaborate on what message the dead canary was sending, but after his defeat in the primary, Cantor resigned his seat and Brat was elected to finish his term, and won reelection in 2014 and again in 2016.

That year, Donald Trump won the 7th District with fifty-one percent to Hillary Clintons forty-four percent. But in 2018, the 7th District again confounded the pundits when another political newcomer, Spanberger, won with fifty percent of the vote to Brats forty-eight.

Voter dissatisfaction with Brat and two years of Trump played a role in this, but so did redistricting. In 2014, a panel of federal judges had ruled that Virginias congressional map violated the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution by packing Black voters into the 3rd Congressional District. The court-ordered redistricting moved Hanover County, which is 86.7 percent white and solidly Republican, from the 7th to the already conservative 1st district. This affected the 2016 and 2018 Congressional elections in both districts. Spanberger began her well-financed campaign for reelection in 2020 launching local television ads long before she even knew who she was running against.

Meanwhile, the pandemic played a role in the selection of Spanbergers opponent. A much-delayed Republican nominating convention finally took place on July 18, where a state legislator, Nick Freitas, who is forty-one, of Culpeper, defeated five other candidates. Freitas, born in California, is a former Army Green Beret with two tours in Iraq. He was first elected to the state House of Delegates in 2015, winning re-election twice. In 2018 he unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination to challenge US Senator Tim Kaine. His campaign started running TV ads in the district on August 12 that emphasize his familys dedication to service, starting with his father, a police officer, and his mother, a nurse, and on his own decision to enlist in the Army just out of high school, three months after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Campaigning in a Pandemic

One certainty is that these two racesWittman vs. Rashid in the 1st District, Spanberger vs. Freitas in the 7thwill be vastly different from past campaigns. The ongoing pandemic and uncertainties about mail-in ballots are factors, as is the rapidly changing nature of media.

Just a decade ago, local media was much healthier than it is now, said Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth, Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, in Fredericksburg. And that has an effect on politics.

Medium sized papers were able to invest the resources necessary to cover at least some statewide matters themselves, Farnsworth said, and even local weeklies would have some stories about the world beyond ones home communities. With all the cutbacks required in the financially challenged environment of local news, there is much less attention to regional or statewide politics, and that makes it very hard for challengers, and even incumbents, to receive much attention. But incumbents are better known, so they benefit from an environment where politics generates less media attention.

One result: candidates do more on the web, and hope that a significant number of voters notice their efforts, Farnsworth said. COVID-19 has accelerated that trend. Candidates really have to be online almost exclusively during the pandemic, Farnsworth said.

That, in turn, surfaces a challenge: The biggest problem with social media is misinformation, Farnsworth said. Individual politicians and/or their partisan supporters have decided that deceit really pays off in politics. So there is a lot of false information out there. There has always been a misinformation problem in political discourse, but social media outlets allow lies to move faster, and to be distributed more widely, than ever before.

To help understand how things have changed from as little as four years ago, particularly in the 1st District, I also went to Matt Rowe, the 1st District Democratic Chairman. In 2016, Rowe, then thirty-five, was the Democrats nominee for Congress in the 1st District. This was also the first congressional election under a court-ordered redistricting, under which the 7th became more competitive and the 1st even more Republican. The political makeup definitely changed, Rowe said.

On top of that, it was a presidential year, so voter turnout was higher than in off-years. He lost decisively. Ill be honest; it was going to be very uphill to begin with. I did not know how the Trump factor would affect the election, Rowe said in reference to a strong showing by the Trump-Pence ticket in rural Virginia. Its not unfair. You play the hand you are dealt.

But in 2020 it is completely different, Rowe said. Social media and Zoom can be used to provide content that will stand out. Rashid ran for state senate last year. Often you get folks that come inthey dont have name recognition. Qasim has a quarter million followers on Twitter. He is a perfect candidate in some ways.

Rowe added, One of drawbacks, though, is if you are good at speaking to a crowd, and there are no crowds. Its hard to imagine how this could be any more different from 2016.

Qasim Rashid has a young, but seasoned, campaign manager, Ayodele Okeowo, who is working hard to confront the challenges of 2020. Okeowo said this is his fifth political campaign and his fourth as campaign manager. He was the Southeast US director of the recent presidential campaign of Pete Buttigieg. (All four candidates for Congress from the 1st and 7th Districts were contacted for this article. Not all responded.)

The objective of any campaign is to get to the voters and it is extremely difficult now to get before the voters and express ourselves. Digital and virtual communications offer opportunities, he said, but even that is difficult in areas where broadband access is limited, as it is in rural Virginia, Okeowo said.

Its trial and error. Without major events to go to, it is difficult to get our message across. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution.Okeowo said a series of debates is planned between Rashid and the Republican incumbent, Wittman. Small gatherings of nine or ten people are also in the works.

The first of those encounters took place on August 20 at a Criminal Justice Forum and Debate, at the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy in Spotsylvania County. Appearing before an audience that was mainly law officers or retired officers, both candidates said they do not support defunding the police. Their approaches to preventing police brutality and overreach were quite different, however. Rashid said he supported national standards. Wittman argued for state and local control.

In the 7th District, Deborah Caprio, of Spotsylvania County, was a grassroots volunteer on Spanbergers campaign in 2018 and has been involved in the early stages this year, though she misses the person-to-person contact. We used to get training and meet at a campaign office two or three days a week, Caprio said. There is no campaign office now.

In an August 16 email to volunteers, Spanberger acknowledged the changes: I know what youre thinking: not another Zoom. Believe me, I understand. Everything we do these days is virtual: committee meetings, caucus calls, town halls, meet and greets, phone bankingyou name it, were executing it online! Both my Congressional office and our campaign team are adapting to this challenging climate in every way we can.

PREVIOUSLY: South Texas is a bad algorithm right now

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Greg Glassner is a Caroline County resident with more than forty years of experience in the newspaper business, the majority of it as editor of community weeklies in Virginia. He was editor of the Herald-Progress in Ashland for eight years, retiring in 2012. He also served as interim editor of the Caroline Progress in Bowling Green for six months in 2015, and wrote a weekly column and feature stories for both papers until they ceased publication in March 2018. A US Army veteran who saw service in Southeast Asia, Glassner is the author of five books, including biographies of US Attorney General William Wirt and Virginia Gov. William Extra Billy Smith.
At-home health testing service LetsGetChecked began 2020 growing at a fast clip and with plans to find a location for its next customer call center office. Then came Covid-19.

The New York City- and Dublin-based startup moved fast--it raised $71 million in the spring to develop an at-home Covid test and won FDA approval for it in May. As of July 2020, LetsGetChecked is seeing more than 800 percent year-over-year revenue growth. While the company has begun to rapidly expand its customer care team, the virus has kept staff remote. But LetsGetChecked is continuing its search for office space, trying to take advantage of shifts in the commercial real estate market that have created opportunities for businesses not available even six months ago.

In the second quarter of 2020, office vacancies nationwide hit 13 percent. Available subleases made up 2.7 percent of all available space on the market, reaching a level not seen since 2010, according to an analysis by commercial real estate firm CBRE. Between Covid's severe curtailing of economic activity and the increasing number of employees working from home, many companies are downsizing their offices. Uber, Square, and Dropbox have all listed portions of their San Francisco offices for subleasing in recent months. REI is looking to sell its never-been-used new 400,000 square-foot headquarters in Seattle.

Asking rent prices have yet to fall, which is typical in a down cycle as landlords try to hold out as long as possible, says CBRE chief economist Richard Barkham. At the same time, Barkham says, landlords are eager to fill space, so they're willing to offer a bevy of concessions to the right tenants, including rent-free periods, build-out expenses, and flexible lease terms.

"The more the balance of power has slipped between landlord and tenant, the greater the opportunity for a bargain," Barkham says.

That's precisely what LetsGetChecked is banking on. "There's so much uncertainty. We're hiring a large number of staff in Tampa, but we're not sure how big we'll get or how soon," says Ronan Ryan, the COO. "So we need the flexibility of, say, starting with 15,000 square feet with an option to add another 15,000 square feet in the same building in the future. Before [Covid], landlords weren't as ready or willing to give that."

Where to look

Not surprisingly, in the past quarter the biggest shifts in the commercial real estate market have occurred in tech hubs and metropolitan areas heavily dependent on mass transit. Austin saw the biggest decline in demand, with a net absorption rate of -2.3 percent, according to CBRE's Q2 office report. Net absorption measures the total new square footage leased minus the total square footage tenants no longer occupy, over a given time period. California, Texas, and New York markets have all seen the biggest drops, with previously hot metropolitan areas like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, and Houston all ranking in the top 20 for negative net absorption (see the graphic below for more detail).

"I'd look for opportunities in downtown areas. Austin, San Francisco, L.A.--it's been very difficult to get space in those cities in the past 10 years," Barkham says. "This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to acquire prime space in San Francisco."

Another way to consider opportunities is to look for areas with large inventories of new construction space about to hit the market. Currently, 134 million square feet of office space is under construction in the U.S., which makes up 2.5 percent of total office inventory, says David Smith, head of occupier research in the Americas at real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield. But certain markets that were in high demand pre-pandemic, like Seattle, Charlotte, and Nashville, have reached 5 percent. That's a lot of vacant space that's going to need to be filled.

Similarly, since the pandemic started, millions of square feet in subleased space have flooded the market, says Cushman & Wakefield executive managing director Nathan Piehl. From last December through June, available subleased space across the country is up 21 percent.

"For growth businesses still in the startup phase or even mature companies starting in new markets, sublease opportunities are economically advantageous," says Piehl, who specializes in tenant representation. "They require minimal capital, often they're furnished, and you're dealing with what's already been negotiated."

Prior to Covid, LetsGetChecked had zeroed in on Tampa as an ideal location for its next customer call center because of its labor force skills--the area boasts a large number of nurses. Post-Covid, Ryan says the increase in available subleases has been substantial. "Companies took these large amounts of office space thinking they'd grow into them, and now they're quite urgently putting them out to market as subleases," he says.

The company has not yet signed a lease, but Ryan says it aims to do so in the next 60 days. Needing to staff up remotely in Tampa before selecting a space has had its advantages. Whereas the company previously thought a downtown office would be fun and convenient for its staff, Ryan says they've learned through feedback from new employees that a more suburban location nearer to the city's nursing colleges would make more sense.

How to sweeten the deal

As LetsGetChecked considers its options, it's also trying to time a deal to take the fullest advantage of the moment. In addition to more flexible lease terms, Ryan says, the company is already seeing a willingness from landlords to offer rent-free periods and to cover some build-out costs.

"Landlords are going to try to hold face rates for as long as they can," Piehl says. "So you're going to see more rent abatement, tenant improvement allowance packages, moving allowances, furniture and equipment allowances--these are all things you can ask for now that you couldn't ask for six months ago." Plus, you can consider non-monetary concessions, such as the ability to revisit market rents in a year or two, he adds.

LetsGetChecked is going to need at least five to six months to do a build-out for its new Tampa space, which pushes its soonest move-in date to early 2021. The space will likely be configured with more than six feet of space between employees, larger meeting spaces, and plexiglass partitions for safety.

When the office is ready, the company is at a greater advantage than most as it plans for employees' reentry: Since LetsGetChecked makes Covid tests, the startup can do all of its testing in-house, and its on-staff clinical team can advise on how best to set up the space.

Q2 2020 negative net absorption by region

Below are the 20 U.S. markets that saw the biggest drop in demand in the second quarter of 2020 for office space as measured by their net absorption rate, or the total new square footage leased minus the total square footage tenants no longer occupy in a given time period.

Market Square Footage Leased Absorption Rate Austin -1,265,260 -2.3% San Francisco -2,298,518 -1.8% Fairfield County -617,768 -1.5% Los Angeles -1,924,410 -0.9% Orlando -352,305 -0.8% Kansas City -441,533 -0.8% Walnut Creek/I-680 Corridor -358,366 -0.8% Sacramento -364,080 -0.7% Boston -1,330,405 -0.6% Salt Lake City -289,713 -0.6% San Diego -420,162 -0.5% Phoenix -486,488 -0.5% Houston -1,027,096 -0.5% New Jersey -433,324 -0.5% Philadelphia -445,308 -0.4% Oakland -114,383 -0.4% San Jose -333,132 -0.4% Manhattan -1,369,769 -0.3% Las Vegas -113,097 -0.3% Dallas/Fort Worth -639,155 -0.3%
Representative image

India is working towards discontinuing the use of equipment from Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE amid tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Though there is no formal ban, the government has asked domestic telecom players to avoid using Chinese equipment in future investments, including 5G networks, a Financial Times report has said.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story.

"It's open now that the government is not going to allow Chinese equipment," a telecom industry executive told Financial Times. "There is now clarity ...It's really game over."

The telecom industry "has already disallowed 5G testing with Chinese vendors", the executive said.

There has been an informal call in India to boycott Chinese goods. Investments and contracts with Chinese companies have come under increased scrutiny after a clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers at Galwan Valley in Ladakh.

India is unlikely to impose a formal ban on Chinese equipment since it might provoke a tough response from Beijing, a government official told Financial Times.

"The thinking is: 'Let's do tough rather than talk tough'," the official said. "We don't want to make life miserable for consumers. But when it comes to big public contracts and critical infrastructure, we would prefer non-Chinese companies. That message has gotten through to Indian business."
Thanks to their Commitment to Offering their Clients the Best Quality Customer Service, the Two Real Estate Brokers are Already Doing Very Well in the Seattle Area

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Jacob Weaver and Brandon Byrne, real estate brokers and founders of the Weaver Byrne Group, are pleased to announce that even though they launched their company quite recently, they are already making quite a positive impact on the Seattle, Washington luxury real estate space.

To learn more about the Weaver Byrne Group and the services that Jacob, Brandon and their team offer their valued clients, please visit https://weaverbyrnegroup.com/.

As a spokesperson for the Weaver Byrne Group noted, Jacob Weaver and Brandon Byrne are a very holistic and well-rounded pair of young real estate brokers who are devoted to going above and beyond for their clients.

"They look at things from the right angle while focusing on their clients' needs, and they offer a number of non-standard services like investment type strategies, off-market access, clever marketing and proactive, private placements with buyers and sellers," the spokesperson noted, adding that these client-centric approaches have helped the Weaver Byrne Group to dominate the Seattle luxury real estate space in a very short amount of time.

"Jacob and Brandon are willing to go the extra mile, and they already have an outstanding track record of working with their clients."

For clients who wish to buy a house in the pricey Seattle area, Weaver and Byrne are also proud to offer creative finance options that help people achieve their dream of home ownership in the beautiful region. Their inclusive and tailored approach means they understand that not every client is alike; as a result, are willing to give their all to everyone they work with.

Weaver and Byrne also realize that in order for their new company to succeed, they have to put in a lot of effort. The duo is working seven days a week, and they have gladly committed part of their daily life to their real estate careers. As a result, the spokesperson noted, the Weaver Byrne Group is already surpassing other long-established brokers in the Seattle region with their high-quality service.

About the Weaver Byrne Group:

Jacob Weaver and Brandon Byrne, young up and coming partners and real estate brokers and founders of the Weaver Byrne Group, are already dominating the Seattle luxury real estate space with their high-quality service. For more information, please visit https://weaverbyrnegroup.com/.

Contact:

Victoria Kennedy

manager@victoriakennedyofficial.com

+1 (702)935 89 06

SOURCE: Weaver Byrne Group

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603258/Jacob-Weaver-and-Brandon-Byrne-Founders-of-the-Weaver-Byrne-Group-are-Dominating-the-Seattle-Luxury-Real-Estate-Market
Kabul, Aug 25 : Five people were killed and 32 others injured after a suicide car bombing took place outside a special forces' camp in Afghanistan's Balkh province on Tuesday, an army source saidd.

The incident occurred in Balkh district, and the victims were shifted to military and civilian hospitals by ambulances and army vehicles, Hanif Rezai, spokesman of army Corps 209 Shaheen based in the region, told Xinhua news agency.

The victims comprised two soldiers and three civilian, while the injured included six military personnel, he said.

More details were awaited as an investigation is underway into the incident, Rezai added.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
(Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has dismissed as "absolute nonsense" a suggestion that he will quit early next year.

Speculation about the prime minister's future was fuelled after the father-in-law of his senior aide Dominic Cummings reportedly said Johnson was struggling with his health and would leave Number 10 in six months time.

But during a visit to Devon, Johnson, who spent time in intensive care with coronavirus in April, said he was feeling "far better", partly due to losing weight.

Johnson was forced to address questions about his future after Cummings' father-in-law, Humphry Wakefield, reportedly suggested that the prime minister was on the way out.

The Times reported that he told a visitor to his Chillingham Castle home that Johnson was still struggling badly and will quit in six months.

"If you put a horse back to work when it's injured it will never recover," he reportedly said.

But during a visit to Appledore Shipyard, Johnson told Devon Live: "It's absolute nonsense. I am feeling, if anything, far better as I've lost some weight.

"Not enough, but I have lost at least a stone and a half."

A Number 10 source said the rumour was "utter nonsense" and they were "baffled by it".

By David Hughes, PA Political Editor

source: PA

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
ALBANY  Resisting calls from Albany County prosecutors and the victims mother for a harsher sentence, a judge sentenced Isis Knight to the minimum of 15 years to life in prison Monday for her role in the 2018 murder-for-hire of Ty-Son Williams.



In doing so, state Supreme Court Justice Peter Lynch slammed prosecutors from District Attorney David Soares' office for displaying a myopic focus on maximum sentences and offering unpersuasive hollow arguments for a 25 years to life sentence.

The arguments fail to reflect that Isis Knight is, in fact, an individual, a human being who should be afforded an opportunity for rehabilitation, the judge said.

On Nov. 8, 2018, the 25-year-old Knight, known as Risky, lured Williams to Park Avenue and Philip Street under the pretense of a sexual encounter. Once there, Sha-mel Rush, a member of the Yard street gang based in the Ida Yarbrough apartments, shot the 22-year-old Williams several times.

We are cognizant of the fact that Isis Knight is a human being, Assistant District Attorney Jessica Blain-Lewis told the judge. I would remind the court that Ty-Son Williams was as well.

Knight and Rush, 28, were indicted on first-degree murder charges carrying the possibility of life in prison without parole. Rush, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, was sentenced to 26 years to life in November. That month, Knight pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. At that point, she was expected to face 25 years to life in prison.

Blain-Lewis on Monday detailed the reasons for Lynch why she believed Knight deserved the maximum. The prosecutor played a short slideshow of the victim, as well as social media messages showing Knights clear role in setting Williams up to be murdered. The presentation was similar to the way prosecutors deliver closing arguments to juries -- a point the judge seized upon more than once.

If you could focus on the issue of sentencing, that would be helpful," the judge told Blain-Lewis. "She's guilty. I understand that."

Family members of Williams, a father of two children, and the defendant were in the courtroom.

Lea Johnson, the victims mother, implored the judge to sentence Knight to the maximum.

I am extremely on fire right now because Isis did not show Ty-Son any mercy, the mother said. Please, judge, dont be fooled by Isis demeanor

She said Knight is pure evil and vicious, adding, Isis is remorseless and a cold-hearted killer. They call her Risky because she stops at nothing.

Lynch said despite Knights clear guilt, he believed she has serious mental issues. The judge told Knight she became caught up here in a horrific act but is a young person who has a possibility at rehabilitation.

The judge said Soares office has consistently engaged in a one dimensional view of sentencing with a myopic focus on maximum sentences.

Lynch said as a judge, he needs to balance between punishment, deterrence, isolation from society and the possibility of rehabilitation.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Isis -- you are guilty, the judge said. But any individual who comes before this court for sentencing, notwithstanding the gravity of the offense, is entitled to be treated with dignity and basic human decency. The Albany County district attorneys one-dimensional view of the case fails to understand that or at least acknowledge that.

The Times Union reported on Aug. 8 that Lynch was expecting to sentence Knight 15-to-life -- and that prosecutors told the judge in court papers they believed Knight was actively portraying herself as crazy in an attempt to dupe the court into giving her a lower sentence.



In phone calls recorded at the Albany County jail, Knight referred to the judge as so f---ing lenient, according to the district attorneys office memo. Lynch questioned whether the recording showed Knight saying the words.

Court papers included a letter from an Albany police detective who told the judge the killing of Williams fueled a wave of Albany gang violence between the Yard gang and "uptown" gang members based in Albany's West Hill area that is continuing into 2020. Lynch, in turn, said prosecutors were attempting to make Knight a scapegoat for gang violence which, the judge noted, has dated back at least to 2005 when he was a defense attorney. At the time, he said, Knight would have been 10 years old.

When offered a chance a speak, Knight read aloud from a letter and apologized to the victims parents. The defendant said if she had been in the same mindset she has now, she would not have been involved in the crime.

Her attorney, Trevor Hannigan, asked the judge for a just sentence.
(CNN)  US President Donald Trump recently claimed that if his Democratic rival Joe Biden wins this November's presidential election, China will "own" the United States and Americans will have to learn to speak Chinese.

The suggestion that Democrats are soft on China is a reoccurring policy theme that the President has returned to throughout his four years in office. Now, as Trump prepares to take on Biden in a bid to secure a second term, his administration is once again amping up the anti-China rhetoric.

Ahead of this week's Republican National Convention, Trump's campaign announced its second term agenda. The short document sets out 10 core priorities. Near the top of the agenda is "End our reliance on China," listed right after "Jobs" and "Eradicate Covid-19."

The campaign said it plans to bring back 1 million manufacturing jobs from China and hold the country "fully accountable for allowing the virus to spread around the world."

Since Trump took office, relations between the two countries have spiraled to their lowest point in decades. Trump has waged a tariff war, sanctioned Chinese officials, angered Beijing with his support for Taiwan, and banned Chinese technology companies, including prized telecommunications giant Huawei.

Though concerns about China have become decidedly more bipartisan in recent years, there remains a view among many in Washington that Chinese leaders would prefer a President Biden come 2021. It's an idea that was given fresh impetus, after William Evanina, a top US intelligence official, said in a statement last month that Beijing would rather Trump lose the election.

During a key note address at the opening night of the Republican convention, Monday, former ambassador to the United Nations and former governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley said Biden would be "great for Communist China."

But experts say the reality is far more complex, and China's leadership remains decidedly split on which candidate would better align with the country's long-term strategic aims.

Social media mockery

From Beijing's perspective, Trump appears to have weakened America's traditional alliances and international reputation. Chinese propaganda has cited Trump's response to the pandemic, which has now killed more than 177,000 Americans, as proof of the US' failing political system and faltering global leadership.

On Chinese social media, Trump has been mockingly named "Chuan Jianguo," or "Build up the Country Trump", with online users positing that Trump is bolstering Chinese President Xi Jinping's regime by wrecking America. Although Trump has unleashed an onslaught of attacks on China in the form of tariffs, sanctions and bans, he has largely acted unilaterally, without the support of key allies.

"They know Biden will be a multilateralist, whether it's on trade, whether it's on security, whether it's even on human rights," said Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on US-China Relations. "He will have a multilateral approach to China and those people are fearful of a Biden presidency."

During Trump's presidency, China has been given a window to be more assertive on the international stage. After Trump announced America's withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), Xi said China would provide $2 billion over two years to help with the global pandemic response. China has pressed ahead with a national security law in Hong Kong, hardened its stance on self-governing Taiwan, which China views as an inseparable part of its territory, and continued to aggressively push its claims of sovereignty in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

According to Minxin Pei, professor of government at Claremont McKenna College and author of "China's Crony Capitalism," Biden would reinstate America's support for multilateral organizations, including the World Health Organization, while strengthening trade and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliances -- all of which would constrain China.

Though Biden only mentioned China once in his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention last week, he has repeatedly condemned Trump for being weak on China. He's called Xi a "thug" and his campaign ads have claimed Trump hasn't held China accountable for the spread of the pandemic, amid suggestions Chinese officials covered up the initial outbreak.

In the Democrats' sweeping 92-page party platform outlining policies including health care, climate change and the economy, China is mentioned 22 times. The document outlines how "Democrats will take aggressive action against China or any other country that tries to undercut American manufacturing," work with "allies to stand up to China," condemn "China's mass internment of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities" in Xinjiang, and enforce sanctions on entities "responsible for undercutting Hong Kong's autonomy."

Biden wrote in a Foreign Affairs article earlier this year that, "China can't afford to ignore more than half the global economy. That gives us substantial leverage to shape the rules of the road on everything from the environment to labor, trade, technology, and transparency, so they continue to reflect democratic interests and values."

Susan Shirk, chair of the 21st Century China Center at UC San Diego and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State during the Clinton administration, said China has "lost a lot of friends in Asia" by using its economic power to coerce other countries into endorsing the Chinese line. "If there is a Biden administration, building a stronger coalition in Asia will be a lot easier."

Trump's 'unpredictability'

But whereas a Biden presidency would be challenging for Beijing, Trump presents something altogether different for risk-averse leaders in Beijing: volatility.

In a recent US intelligence report compiled by top official Evanina, Trump's "unpredictability" was cited as a reason why China would prefer Biden.

When Trump first took office, he sang Xi's praises after they dined together at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. But that hasn't stopped him alternating between aiming threats at China and announcing that he and Xi "love each other."

Experts say that this type of unpredictability increases the risk of military escalation, in areas where interests overlap, such as the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Taiwan.

"We do not have a good communications and crisis prevention with China the way we had with the Soviet Union during the Cold War," Shirk said. "So it's a very dangerous situation."

Chinese state media has called Biden "smoother" to deal with, creating room to cooperate on major international issues like climate change and nuclear non-proliferation. Henry Wang, an adviser to China's cabinet and founder of the Center for Globalization, said that under a Biden administration, there would be more opportunities for dialogue.

Pei said the split in Chinese attitudes toward Trump and Biden depend on whether officials in Beijing are taking a short- or long-term view. Those who take a long-term view prefer Trump, since they view him as being incompetent and unable to get allies on board, thus giving China more room to maneuver. Another four years of Trump would lead to more internal divisions within America, reducing its ability to successfully wage a long-term struggle against China, Pei said.

"The Biden administration can devise a long-term strategy that is sustainable, that is multilateral with ally support, that will actually contain Chinese power, much more effectively for the next two to three decades," Pei said.

Those focused on the near-term would prefer Biden, since he would put a pause in the rapidly deteriorating relations. "A Biden administration will most likely have a pause in what I call this demolition process, Pei said. "It's not in the US' fundamental interest to demolish the most important relationship in the world."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Trump or Biden, which candidate does China want in the White House?."
WILMINGTON, Del.  The Democrats made one thing clear with the virtual pageantry of their convention last week: They are united to defeat President Trump in November. The festivities also foreshadowed another looming fight, this one between the moderate and progressive wings of the party.

The convention sketched out a policy agenda for Joseph R. Biden Jr., the Democratic nominee, in broad strokes, showcasing his big-picture priorities without citing many dollar figures. That helped Democrats appeal to as wide a universe of voters as possible. It also allowed them to skirt the policy disagreements that still exist between moderates like Mr. Biden and the progressive wing of the party, which has claimed a number of notable victories in congressional primaries this year.

Its not that weve changed our opinions on what is necessary, Representative Pramila Jayapal, Democrat of Washington and a co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said after the convention. Citing the crisis facing the country, she predicted that Mr. Biden is going to be pushed by the times to be bold.

We have to do some immediate things, and the task will be to make them as progressive as possible, with the platform being sort of the floor and not the ceiling, Ms. Jayapal said.
East Chinas Jiangsu is taking the leading in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects at a level that embodies prosperity, sustainability and civility, serving as a successful example in this regard.

Rows of villas line a river running through Kaixiangong Village in the southern part of the province. The village has achieved steady development, with a collective income of 3.18 million yuan (almost 450,000 USD) and 1.2 private cars per household. There are many similar villages like Kaixiangong in southern Jiangsu.

The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) set a goal to double the 2010 GDP and per capita personal income by 2020, an important indicator for finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Achieving the goal ahead of schedule, in 2019 Jiangsu provinces GDP exceeded 9,963.1 billion yuan, ranking second nationwide, and its per capita disposable personal income hit 41,400 yuan, both of which doubled the figures from 2010.

Photo shows Kaixiangong village in Suzhou, east Chinas Jiangsu province. (Photo/Leng Jinming)

The unbalanced development between the southern and northern parts of the province has been a tough issue to tackle. Northern Jiangsu is the measure of success in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and at a high level, said Secretary of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee Lou Qinjian, adding that after years of efforts, now people in the region are embracing a well-off life.

People in Shihe township, east Chinas Jiangsu province, find jobs near home through a poverty relief plant. (Photo/Wang Xinnian)

To win the battle against poverty in Huaian in northern Jiangsu, the province started with the income increase of poor villages and low-income farmers. According to the provinces plan, the operating income of each poor village should exceed 180,000 yuan, and the poverty line for low-income people should be an annual per capita net income of 6,000 yuan during the 13th Five-Year Plan.

Gu Zhou, Party head of Songji village, Qingong township of the citys Huaian district, feels confident about the two indicators.

A water bird in the Daxigang Wetland Park, Xinan neighborhood, Xinwu district, Wuxi, east Chinas Jiangsu province perches on a fence above the water. (Photo courtesy of Xinan neighborhood of Xinwu district)

Well reap a bumper harvest of fruits this autumn, said Gu, explaining that the village set up a cooperative in 2018, planting over 20 hectares of pecans, 6.6 hectares of apples and 6.6 hectares of peaches. The provincial poor villages development of the fruit industry is inseparable from the pairing assistance by the provinces forestry bureau.

According to the official, there were 511 registered low-income farmers from 166 households in the village with a population of more than 3,200. With an underdeveloped collective economy, the village also faced serious problems of left-behind children, women and seniors. Gu didnt expect that the village would shake off poverty so quickly.

Photo shows a restaurant in Qianjiadu village, Jiangning district, Nanjing, east Chinas Jiangsu province. (Photo/Leng Jinming)

Songji has also developed the under-forest industry. Last spring, the village planted 20 hectares of cabbages under the fruits, adding over 60,000 yuan for the collective. In the second half of 2019, the planting of rutabaga and radish increased the collective income by 150,000 yuan. Chickens, ducks and geese are also raised under the forest, and more than 20,000 poultry have been slaughtered this year.

Aerial photo shows a zigzagging road that has been nicknamed the mini Sichuan-Tibet Highway due to its beauty in Jiangning district, Nanjing, east Chinas Jiangsu province. (Photo/Li Wei)

Over the past two years, 245 households, including 102 registered low-income families, contributed more than 106.6 hectares of land to the cooperative. They can get a guaranteed return of 900 yuan per 0.06 hectares of land, dividends from the cooperatives total revenue at the end of each year, and an average daily salary of 80 yuan.

As a result, the villages collective income has soared to 400,000 yuan from 220,000 yuan in 2018. The figure is expected to exceed 600,000 yuan this year. Meanwhile, the per capita net income of villagers increased from 15,000 yuan in 2018 to last years 18,000 yuan, which is expected to surpass 20,000 yuan this year. All registered low-income villagers shook off poverty last year.

Shihe township, 50 km south of Songji, is lifting people out of poverty through poverty relief industrial projects. Three years ago, the township established a 2,041.7-square-meter standard plant with a 2 million yuan provincial fund for targeted poverty alleviation and rent it to a leading local company. Thanks to the project, over 60 villagers found jobs near home, and the annual rent of 160,000 yuan has been used to help 270 registered poor households get rid of poverty.

According to the Jiangsu Provincial Office of Poverty Alleviation, by the end of 2019 the annual per capita income of 2,540,000 registered poor rural people in the province, or 99.9 percent of the total, had reached 6,000 yuan, and all 12 provincial poor counties and districts had shaken off poverty.

Jiangsu has made remarkable progress in environmental protection. In 2007, cities around the Taihu Lake, including Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou, made huge investments in ecological restoration of the lake, leading to gradually improved water quality. In early 2013, the three cities were awarded the titles of national ecosystem-friendly cities for their progress.

Photo shows a scene of the art performance by the farmers brass band at the auditorium in Mazhuang village, Xuzhou, east Chinas Jiangsu province. (Photo courtesty of the publicity department of Jiawang district)

In 2016, the Daxigang Wetland Park in the Xinan neighborhood of Wuxis Xinwu district was upgraded to a provincial one. One year later, the neighborhood grew flowers on contiguous uncultivated land, making it a popular tourist destination. In 2019, the Huihaiwan Ecological Park covering 340,000 square meters began to receive visitors.

Ecological progress also brings benefits to the waterside Qianjiadu Village in Nanjings Jiangning district. Since 2009, the district began to build beautiful pilot villages. Located in the junction of the Qinhuai, Lishui and Jurong rivers, the village has maintained a balance between economic development and ecological protection.

In 2017, Qianjiadu was listed as one of the provinces first batch of distinctive villages. According to Li Hai, deputy head of Jiangnings bureau of agriculture and rural areas, the district has over 1,000 pilot villages like Qianjiadu.

Photo shows Enlai community, a model one in Huaian, east Chinas Jiangsu province. (Photo/He Zhuoyan)

There is a zigzagging road that has been nicknamed the mini Sichuan-Tibet Highway due to its amazing natural scenery in the district, attracting more and more tourists here. The 8.5km-long road with 38 curves has brought prosperity to the local people.

Jiangsu has also been vigorously promoting social civility and witnessed remarkable results in this regard.

In December 2014, General Secretary Xi Jinping called for the construction of a new Jiangsu that embodies prosperity, civility and sustainability during a tour of the province. Three years later, Xi stressed social civility in rural areas during his visit to Mazhuang village in the provinces Xuzhou.

Mazhuang is one of the examples. The village has promoted social civility early and Xis praise boosted its cultural confidence in the new era, said Meng Qingxi, former Party secretary of the village.

In October 1988, Jiangsus first farmers brass band was established in Mazhuang, marking the beginning of the villages move to eliminate outmoded customs and promote social civility. Meng, the then Party secretary, also attached great importance to the role of Party building in guiding social civility.

Over the past 30 years, the band has given performances in Xuzhou and even in international music festivals.

Based on the band, the village has built stations to promote social civility in the new era and public cultural facilities such as a library, cultural plaza, auditorium and exhibition hall of the villages history, according to Mao Fei, the current first Party secretary in Mazhuang, adding that the village has become an example of social civility in rural areas.
During a tour of the West Jefferson High School with coronavirus precautions it can be seen that each desk in the classroom has a grey or red sticker on the top corner in Harvey, La. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. Each period, students will be asked to alternate their use of desks and to clean them off after each class. The school is scheduled to open on August 26. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
One hundred years ago on Aug. 26, American women secured the right to vote when U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified that the 19th Amendment had been properly ratified as part of the United States Constitution. Virginia was not one of the ratifying states in 1920, but Virginia women deserve a great deal of credit for the outcome. They worked tirelessly for more than a decade to make womens suffrage a reality.

Although a national womens suffrage movement began in the mid-19th century, Virginia women did not join the effort in a meaningful way until 1909 with the founding of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia (ESL). The ESL affiliated itself with the National American Woman Suffrage Association but fixed its sights on changing Virginias constitution to allow women the vote.

Headquartered in Richmond, the ESL launched an intensive educational campaign aimed at persuading Virginians to support the cause. Suffrage leaders argued that voting was a fundamental right of citizenship, that womens needs could not be met in law and public policy unless women could vote, and that all of society would benefit from womens full participation in public life.
EnWave Corporation Refining Development of a Medical Device to Relieve COVID-19 Symptoms

Posted by Publisher Internet

EnWave Corporation (TSX-V:ENW | FSE:E4U) (?EnWave?, or the \Company\  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/enwave-corp/ ), announced today it is collaborating with the University of British Columbia (?UBC?) to investigate a manufacturing method for a new inhaler with the goal of using it to help provide relief for COVID-19 patients (the ?Project?). The Project will be primarily funded by a $50,000 NSERC Alliance government research grant.

UBC researchers are searching for a drying method that would allow for the encapsulation of microparticles (used to improve the delivery and absorption of drugs) into an inhalable treatment. EnWave?s patented Radiant Energy Vacuum (?REV??) dehydration technology has shown promise as a viable option for this specific manufacturing process.

UBC researchers involved are Assistant Professor Anubhav Pratap Singh and Professor David Kitts from UBC?s Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and Assistant Professor Mattia Bacca and Postdoctoral Fellow Alberto Baldelli from the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

?This inhalable treatment aims to provide relief to COVID patients while a vaccine is in development. We hope it can be more accessible, reasonably affordable and commercialized much sooner,? said Baldelli.

Currently, there are no preliminary results. However, the research team hopes to generate the first prototypes of encapsulated ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) by the end of the summer. At the same time, project collaborators from the University of Sydney and St. Paul?s Hospital in Vancouver are going to generate data on the toxicology of ACE2 to lung tissue.

Uniformity and process repeatability has previously been demonstrated through the use of REV? technology in the pharmaceutical industry. A cGMP REV? machine design has previously been built and has demonstrated fast drying cycles for vaccines (approx. 6 hours to 12 hours) with equal or superior retention of biological activity compared to traditional lyophilization techniques. Competing lyophilization technologies generally take 24 hours or longer to stabilize pharmaceutical products.

Researchers at UBC and EnWave are assessing the feasibility of REV? technology for the manufacture of the inhalable ACE2 encapsulated microparticle. The Project will be segmented into two phases, a lab scale feasibility assessment and a proof of concept trial.

Recent funding for this research has been approved by the Government of Canada through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (?NSERC?). The Project is entitled: ?Treating the early symptoms of Covid19 by encapsulating recombinant ACE2?.

?The innovative nature of our proprietary drying technology could support a breakthrough in the commercial feasibility of the COVID-19 treatment that our UBC collaborators have been developing,? stated EnWave?s CEO, Mr. Brent Charleton. ?We hope that this Project will lead to a viable treatment against COVID-19 and help strengthen the fight against this pandemic.? ??

About EnWave

EnWave Corporation, a Canadian advanced technology company, has developed Radiant Energy Vacuum (?REV??) ? an innovative, proprietary method for the precise dehydration of organic materials. EnWave has further developed patented methods for uniformly drying and decontaminating cannabis through the use of REV? technology, shortening the time from harvest to marketable cannabis products.?

REV? technology?s commercial viability has been demonstrated and is growing rapidly across several market verticals in the food, and pharmaceutical sectors, including legal cannabis. EnWave?s strategy is to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with innovative, disruptive companies in multiple verticals for the use of REV? technology. The company has signed over thirty royalty-bearing licenses to date. In addition to these licenses, EnWave established a Limited Liability Corporation, NutraDried Food Company, LLC, to manufacture, market and sell all-natural dairy snack products in the United States, including the Moon Cheese? brand.?

EnWave has introduced REV? as a disruptive dehydration platform in the food and cannabis sectors: faster and cheaper than freeze drying, with better end product quality than air drying or spray drying. EnWave currently offers two distinct commercial REV? platforms:

nutraREV? which is a drum-based system that dehydrates organic materials quickly and at low-cost, while maintaining high levels of nutrition, taste, texture and colour; and,

quantaREV? which is a tray-based system used for continuous, high-volume low-temperature drying.

EnWave is also active in the pharmaceutical industry through a joint development agreement with GEA Lyophil, a leader in GMP drying machinery.

More information about EnWave is available at www.enwave.net.

Safe Harbour for Forward-Looking Information Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking information based on management\-\-s expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company\-\-s strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures, and the expected synergies following the closing are forward-looking statements. All third party claims referred to in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate. All third party references to market information in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate as the Company did not conduct the original primary research. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 23:40:59|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

LUANSHYA, Zambia, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese firm, China Nonferrous Metal Company Luanshya Copper Mine (CLM), had donated protective materials to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in Zambia.

Sydney Chileya, spokesperson for CLM, said the Chinese mining firm had given out 1,000 masks to children in examination classes to four schools in Luanshya mining district in the Copperbelt province of Zambia.

"We are further working with the district administration office to sensitize the masses about COVID-19," Chileya said.

He said the Chinese mining firm has been conducting community sensitization using public address system.

"We are seriously campaigning against this pandemic. We are also out there in our communities warning people about the deadly virus," he said.

Patrick Maipambe, District Commissioner of Luanshya, said he was happy with the efforts that corporate organizations such CLM were putting in the fight against the pandemic.

"It is my hope that the disease will be defeated soon. We just need to join our efforts by working with other stakeholders to find solutions," he said. Enditem
By Ann Saphir

(Reuters) - A year ago, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned fellow central bankers of the significant risks posed by trade policy uncertainty, and the lack of precedents for monetary policy in the face of those unknowns.

As Powell this week prepares to address the Fed's annual central bankers' conference - usually held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but being conducted virtually this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic - uncertainty and the threat it poses to economic growth looms larger than ever.

Everything is up in the air now, including how fast the coronavirus will spread, how many more people will die from COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, and whether U.S. lawmakers will deliver a new economic rescue package, and how big it will be if they do.

Added to that are political storm clouds gathering ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election, with President Donald Trump already stoking doubts over the fairness of the process and its outcome.

Against that background, Powell is expected to open the Kansas City Fed's annual economic policy conference on Thursday with an update on the U.S. central bank's plans to refit its monetary policy approach to a world where persistently low inflation and low interest rates numb the effects of the Fed's recession-fighting stimulus measures.

Rising uncertainty about the economic outlook, which economists say stunts household spending, business investment and factory output, may add to pressure on the Fed to bolster its policy arsenal.

"When you have high degrees of uncertainty, it tends to mean policy is less effective," says Nicholas Bloom, an economics professor at Stanford University. "For a given bang you need many more bucks."

A gauge of economic uncertainty that Bloom developed with colleagues has skyrocketed this year.

And new research published last week by the Fed suggests that "uncertainty shocks" compound over time, so that several in a row deliver a much bigger blow to the economic outlook than each one might have in isolation.

Story continues

As much as economists recognize that uncertainty threatens growth, in other words, "the existing paradigm is understating the true effects of uncertainty," the researchers wrote.

MORE CLARITY?

After a record-setting contraction last quarter, the U.S. economy has shown some signs of returning to growth, with existing home sales surging in July, and a widely followed survey showing business activity snapping back.

High-frequency data on retail store visits and employment across industries moved higher in recent weeks after plateauing amid a spike in COVID-19 cases earlier in the summer.

Credit card spending also rose, data from JP Morgan shows, although that may not capture the activity of the roughly 28 million Americans who are collecting jobless benefits, which shrank this month as extra federal payments lapsed.

Still, the recent upturn in economic data, along with a slowdown in new infections since mid-July, has some economists wondering whether the recovery will be more rapid than many think.

"We focus a lot on the downside risks; dont forget about the other side of the distribution," Tim Duy, an economics professor at the University of Oregon, wrote in his blog on Monday.

Still, Fed policymakers are concerned the plethora of unknowns is exacerbating downward pressure on growth.

"Uncertainty is quite high, and I think uncertainty matters a lot for players in the economy, and consequently for the economy itself," Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin said earlier this month. "Many seem frozen in place by today's uncertainty."

In remarks that echoed the minutes from the Fed's most recent policy-setting meeting, Barkin said the biggest drivers of uncertainty are the course of the virus and whether the U.S. government will deliver a new rescue package to cushion the pandemic's economic fallout. Lawmakers have deadlocked in their talks over another stimulus package.

Powell could use his speech this week to lay out a clearer path for what he and his colleagues do control: monetary policy.

With low inflation and interest rates making the Fed's conventional tools less powerful than before, policymakers have been weighing whether to try to offset long periods of weak inflation with periods of higher inflation, an approach known as average inflation targeting.

They have also discussed beefing up their promise to keep interest rates low for some time to come, perhaps by ruling out any future rate hikes until unemployment, which was 10.2% in July, falls to some specified level.

Both changes would mean easier monetary policy, which, all things being equal, should bolster economic growth.

(Reporting by Ann Saphir; Editing by Paul Simao)
Romania's Defence Minister Nicolae Ciuca will participate on Wednesday and Thursday in an informal meeting in Berlin of EU defence ministers that will take place under the auspices of the German presidency of the Council of the European Union.

According to the Defence Ministry (MApN), Ciuca will also be attending a conference of DEU FNC defence ministers of the Framework Nations Concept (FNC) states.

These are the first meetings of defence ministers amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to MApN.

The agenda of the informal meeting includes debates on the EU's operational commitments and how to develop co-operation with partners, the Strategic Compass, a future instrument of the European Union's Security and Defense Guidance, and on the concept of a European culture of security and defence in a post-COVID context.

The conference of the Framework Nations Concept members will focus on the debate and approval of the Progress Report no. 4 of the DEU FNC. The report reflects the developments within this group in 2019 - 2020, as well as the activities carried out on the two levels of the initiative: the establishment of large units and the areas of capability clusters, capabilities identified in order to intensify cooperation.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix are invited to attend.

AGERPRES .
Russia's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that a Russian armoured vehicle was attacked during a joint Russian-Turkish patrol in Syria's Idlib province, the Interfax news agency reported.

The ministry added that two servicemen had been injured in the attack.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Indian Ambassador to Venkatesh Varma on Monday said that India hopes to ink a deal for manufacturing Russia's Kamov Ka-226 in the country next year.

"There are still some technical discussions regarding indigenisation of production in India of the Kamov 226 We hope that these discussions will be successful soon and therefore we will then go to the next stage of the signing of the contract for the production of Kamov 226," Varma told Sputnik.

Earlier this month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched Konkurs Missile Test Equipment and Konkurs Launcher Test Equipment, which have been indigenously designed and developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

These products were earlier being imported from

Meanwhile, Varma told Sputnik that the defence industry cooperation will be one of the key areas of collaboration between India and and it will be addressed at the upcoming India-Russia bilateral summit.

"[The Indian-Russian bilateral summit] will cover all issues -- political, economic, trade, energy. And, of course, defence cooperation will be one of the main pillars of cooperation," Varma told Sputnik.

"We expect some very major announcements, including Russian support for the Make in India program of Prime Minister Modi. Russia has extended very positive support, we are very grateful for that," he added.

Earlier today, the diplomat said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to attend the events of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Further, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to participate in the SCO meet.

(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.)
Earlier this month, more than 60 former students at Ballet West, a boarding school in the Scottish Highlands, accused Jonathan Barton, the schools vice-principal and son of its principal, of pressuring teenage female students at the school to have sex with him and carrying on affairs with some of them. Over the past week, Barton resigned, the police began an investigation, and the teaching accreditations of both Bartons were withdrawn; consequently, Ballet West is now beginning the process of liquidation.  The Herald (Scotland)
3 Kudos 1 Bookmarks

So this is my GMAT debrief. It will be as short as can be without omitting what I believe to be key details, but included at the end it a very short list of my stats and material. I am a military veteran currently completing my undergraduate in economics from a large state school. Though I have a relatively high GPA of 3.98 I was terrified of the GMAT. After all the slang name for my job in the military was knuckle draggers ( jet fighter mechanic), and I had attributed my success in college thus far to my discipline, attention to detail, and mostly, luck. I began studying for the GMAT around April 12th. After reading on reddit about this site I came here, and after reading multiple positive debriefs advocate I decided that should be me first stop. My plan was to begin studying while finishing up the semester and two months later take the GMAT. However, I may of bite of more than I could swallow. I was taking 7 classes, all upper division, and working 30 hours at the same time. I figured tough cookies and I should push harder. Unfortunately I realized that during studying I was not learning anything. In fact the next day I would not remember taking the last quiz or finishing the chapter, and this brings me to my first few tips: pace and rational expectations. I realized my pace was unrealistic and that my expectations were going to hurt me in the long run, so I made the decision to postpone the exam by a month and a half. This allowed me to finish the semester and turn my attention fully to the GMAT. During June I studied everyday 2-6 hours; the average study time moved up from 3 hours to 6 hours by end of June. Funny thing, I did not take a practice test before starting the process and had no idea how I would fare. I thought about it but decided that the assessment would be wasted if I had not completed the course. When I was close to 70% done with they introduced verbal, this was a dread for me. I did complete the verbal but was brain-dead through most of it. Anyhow, I finished and had my first practice test 700 (44Q,41V). It felt good to be in mythical "700" range but I had ran out of time on math and guessed the last 10 or so problems and guessed basically all of verbal. I then bought the Manhattan SC, and I can only recommend it. English is actually my second language as I am an immigrant from Europe so I never truly learned the right rules of English and would always fall for the colloquialism traps, I never even understood active vs passive voice. In school I have been told by multiple professor that my ideas and analytics are incredible but my mechanics and grammar are trash. Manhattan SC more than being informative was quite a fun read ( I also watched GMAT ninja and owe the man a beer), your mileage may vary. In between test I would also read through old chapters and do problems out of the . Once week or so I took a practice test the results were as follows:



710, 49Q,38V

720, 48Q,41V

690, 47Q,38V ( lost my marbles came to the chat for support lol)

730, 49Q,40V

750, 49Q,44V



This last practice test was 3 days from my test day. With COVID 19 the only test facility I could find was 180 miles away and at 8 am. Eager to just get it over with I decided to go for it. I drove up two days early got a hotel and lightly studied. The week leading up I had barley studied as well, but my last 750 assured me that my memories would not atrophy. I got to the testing center early checked in and started my test. I am not going make a mountain out of a mole hill but several little factors kept me off my game. I walked out with a 690 47Q,38V 8 IR and depression. This is not what I had worked for. So I spent the 4 hour drive home thinking about what I wanted to do. In fact I spent the next two days thinking about what I should do. I decided to take the online GMAT. I scheduled it for 16 days later because I am a loser and did not realize I could take it sooner. Every other day in between fits of disgust I studied for less than 3 hours. I retook test 2 and 4 and received a 770 and 760 with lots of repeats. I figured whatever I am good candidate I will be OK with a 690 this is just a bonus roll. I checked in and spent an hour waiting. I wish the screen at the end of check in would of gave me a warning but whatever. In fact there were more issues so comment if you want details but I will continue. The math felt too easy I was done with 10 or so minutes to spare. Verbal, on the other hand, felt like it was trying to hurt me on a personnel level. My strength in verbal has always been CR and RC in fact on the 690 I had a 51 CR and 47 RC ( my SC was lower than my self esteem post exam) but online flipped that. SC felt easy CR stayed in the middle and RC was hard. I move through and finally reached the break. I came back and felt like IR was hard but I did not care because it was IR after all. Then I freaked out for 6 days until I got my scores today:



740 50Q 41V 8IR, and that's all folks.



On a closing note, work hard and do what feels comfortable. I think I could of done this in a way were my GF wouldn't have felt neglected and I would of done more than become a GMAT machine for 4 ish months, but as they say hindsight is 20/20. In regard to those who have a crap day on their first attempt, just take it again. A lot of people told me to start studying again, I was so grossed out by the thought I would of rather ate the guide and try to absorb the knowledge then read about anything about the GMAT, so I would say do what you can and if your honest with yourself you result will be a reflection within a margin of error of your work.



Time studied: 4ish months

Study material: , Manhattan SC, , GMAT 18



Official Practice Tests

700, 44Q,38V

710, 49Q,38V

720, 48Q,41V

690, 47Q,38V

730, 49Q,40V

750, 49Q,44V



Repeat Official Practice ( after first official test)

770 50Q,47V

760 50Q,44V



OFFICIAL GMAT:



690 47Q,38V



OFFICIAL ONLINE GMAT:



740 50Q,41V



I told myself that I would write this when I was done and that I would read it once and then walk away from the GMAT, wish you all the best!
Frederick Community College has been awarded a grant from the Maryland State Department of Education Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund (CCCPDF) for the 11th year in a row. The $59,381 grant will pay for tuition, fees, and books for FCC students working in the child care field.

We are proud of our students who work in the child care field and provide a critical service to families in our community, said FCC President Elizabeth Burmaster. We thank the Maryland State Department of Education for this funding that helps our students get the training and experience needed so that they in turn can provide the best learning environment for the young children in their care.

The funding helps students who are enrolled in the early childhood or elementary education degree programs at FCC and who work in a licensed child care center or licensed home daycare.

Over the last decade, this grant has helped approximately 150 students work toward their degree at FCC.

This grant has made a college degree possible for many students who otherwise wouldnt be able to afford it, said Delaine Welch, early childhood education program manager at FCC. Having a college degree opens doors for child care providers, and gives them more opportunities to advance in their career and earn more for themselves and their families.

For more information on this grant, contact Delaine Welch at dwelch@frederick.edu.

For more information on the early childhood or elementary education degree programs at FCC, click here.
dog-training-positive-reinforcement

A golden doodle puppy and a trainer at a dog training class at Doggy Business in Portland, Ore., on June 4. Credit - Holly Andres for TIME

I was about a month into raising a new border collie puppy, Alsea, when I came to an embarrassing realization: my dog had yet to meet a Black person.

This was worrying for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it forced me to admit I have next to zero Black friends in Portland, Ore. Also, Id read several books on raising a dog, and they all agree on at least one thing: proper socialization of a puppy, especially during the critical period from eight to 20 weeks, means introducing her to as many people as I possibly could. Not just people, but diverse people: people with beards and sunglasses; people wearing fedoras and sombreros; people jogging; people in Halloween costumes. And, critically, people of different ethnicities. Fail to do this, and your dog may inexplicably bark at people wearing straw hats or big sunglasses. Or at Black people.

This emphasis on socialization is an important element of a new approach to raising the modern dog. It eschews the old, dominating, Cesar Millanstyle methods that were based on flawed studies of presumed hierarchies in wolf packs. Those methods made sense when I raised my last dog, Chica, in the early aughts. I read classic dominance-oriented books by the renowned upstate New York trainers The Monks of New Skete, among others, to teach her I was the leader of her pack, even when that meant stern corrections, like shaking her by the scruff of the neck. Chica was a well-behaved dog, but she was easily discouraged when I tried teaching her something new.

I dont mean to suggest I had no better option; there was then a growing movement to teach dog owners all about early socialization and the value of rewards-based training, and plenty of trainers who employed only positive reinforcement. But in those days, the approach was the subject of debate and derision: treat-trained mongers might do what you want if they know a biscuit is hidden in your palm, but theyd ignore you otherwise. I proudly taught my dog tough love.

Story continues

This time, with the assistance of a new class of trainers and scientists, Ive changed my methods entirely, and I have been shocked to discover booming product lines of puzzles, entertaining toys, workshops and canine enrichment resources available to the modern dog parent, which has helped boost the U.S. pet industry to $86 billion in annual sales. Choke collars, shock collars, even the word no are all-but-verboten. Its a new day in dog training.

The science upon which these new techniques are based is not exactly new: its rooted in learning theory and operant conditioning, which involves positive (the addition of) or negative (the withdrawal of) reinforcement. It also includes the flipside: positive or negative punishment. A brief primer: Petting a dog on the head for fetching the newspaper is positive reinforcement, because youre taking an action (positive) to encourage (reinforce) a behavior. Scolding a dog to stop an unwanted behavior is positive punishment, because its an action to discourage a behavior. A choke collar whose tension is released when the dog stops pulling on it is negative reinforcement, because the dogs desirable behavior (backing off) results in the removal of an undesirable consequence. Taking away a dogs frisbee because hes barking at it is negative punishment, because youve withdrawn a stimulus to decrease an unwanted behavior.

Much has changed about the way that science is applied today. As canine training has shifted from the old obedience-driven model directed at show dogs to a more relationship-based approach aimed at companion dogs, trainers have discovered that the use of negative reinforcement and positive punishment actually slow a dogs progress, because they damage its confidence and, more importantly, its relationship with a handler. Dogs that receive too much correctionespecially the harsh physical correction and mean-spirited Bad dog! scoldingsbegin to retreat from trying new things.

These new methods are backed by a growing body of scienceand a rejection of the old thinking, of wolves (and their descendants, dogs) as dominance-oriented creatures. The origin of so-called alpha theory comes from a scientist named Rudolph Schenkel, who conducted a study of wolves in 1947 in which animals from different packs were forced into a small enclosure with no prior interaction. They fought, naturally, which Schenkel wrongly interpreted as a battle for dominance. The reality, Schenkel was later forced to admit, was that the wolves were stressed, not striving for alpha status.

A study from Portugal published last fall in the pre-print digital database BioRxiv (meaning it is not yet peer-reviewed) evaluated dozens of dogs selected from schools that either employed the use of shock collars, leash corrections and other aversive techniques or didntsticking entirely or almost entirely to the use of positive reinforcement (treats) to get the behavior they wanted. Dogs from the positive schools universally performed better at tasks the researchers put in front of them, and the dogs from aversive schools displayed considerably more stress, both in observable wayslicking, yawning, pacing, whiningand in cortisol levels measured in saliva swabs.

These new findings are especially relevant this year. Dog adoption in the COVID-19 era has ballooned, arguably because isolated Americans are newly in search of companionship and because working from home makes at least the idea of raising a puppy feasible. Before the pandemic, it was young city dwellers driving the boom in demand for and supply of dog trainers who employ positive methods, and an explosion in the proliferation of professional trainers across the globe. Often because theyve delayed or decided against having children, millennials and Generation Z are spending lavish amounts of money on pets: toys, food, puzzles, fancy harnesses, rain jackets, life jackets and training. And those professional trainers, from the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization to renowned handler Denise Fenzi, have formed a legion of experimenters. They universally report that the less negativity they use in training, the more quickly their dogs learn.

Over the past 15 years, handlers with Guide Dogs for the Blind, which trains dogs to be aides for sight-impaired people, have extinguished nearly all negative training techniques and with dramatic results. A new dog can now be ready to guide its owner in half the time it once took, and they can remain with an owner for an extra year or two, because theyre so much less stressed out by the job, says Susan Armstrong, the organizations vice president of client, training and veterinary operations. Even bomb-sniffing and military dogs are seeing more positive reinforcement, which is why you might have noticed that working dogs in even the most serious environments (like airports) seem to be enjoying their jobs more than in the past. I dont think youre imagining that, Armstrong says. These dogs love working. They love getting rewards for good behavior. Its serious, but it can be fun.

Susan Friedman, a psychology professor at Utah State University, entered the dog-training world after a 20-year career in special education, a field in which she has a doctorate. In the late 1990s, she adopted a parrot, and was shocked to discover that most of the available advice she could find about raising a well-mannered bird involved only harsh corrections: If it bites, abruptly drop the bird on the floor. If it makes too much noise, shroud the cage in complete darkness. If it tries to escape, clip the birds flight feathers. Friedman applied her own research and experience to her parrot training, and discovered it all comes down to behavior. No species on the planet behaves for no reason, she says. Whats the function of a parrot biting your hand? Why might a child throw down at the toy aisle? Whats the purpose of the behavior, and how does it open the environment to rewards and also to aversive stimuli?

Friedmans early articles about positive-reinforcement animal training met a skeptical audience back in the early aughts. Now, thanks to what she calls a groundswell from animal trainers newly concerned about the ethics of animal raising, Friedman is summoned to consult at zoos and aquariums around the world. Some of her advice centers on two key principles now widely appreciated in dog training. The first is of arbitrary reinforcement, the same principle used to addict gamblers to slot machines. If rewarded on an intermittent schedule, were likely to keep trying, and trying to make those rewards more consistent. Same with dogs: if rewards for good behavior come at a seemingly arbitrary pace, they will keep behaving well in an effort to make those rewards arrive more regularly.

Friedmans other main emphasis is on understanding how a better analysis of an animals needs might help trainers punish them less. Last year, she produced a poster called the hierarchy roadmap designed to help owners identify underlying causes and conditions of behavior, and address the most likely influencersillness, for examplebefore moving on to other assumptions. Thats not to suggest old-school dog trainers might ignore an illness, but they might be too quick to move to punishment before considering causes of unwanted behavior that could be addressed with less-invasive techniques.

The field is changing rapidly, Friedman says. Even in the last year, trainers have discovered new ways to replace an aversive technique with a win: if a dog scratches (instead of politely sitting) at the door to be let out, many trainers would have in recent years advised owners to ignore the scratching so as not to reward the behavior. They would hope for extinction, for the dog to eventually stop doing the bad thing that results in no reward. But thats an inherently negative approach. What if it could be replaced with something positive? Now, most trainers would now recommend redirecting the scratching dog to a better behavior, a come or a sit, rewarded with a treat. The bad behavior not only goes extinct, but the dog learns a better behavior at the same time.

The debate is not entirely quashed. Mark Hines, a trainer with the pet products company Kong who works with dogs across the country, says that while positive reinforcement certainly helps dogs acquire knowledge at the fastest rate, theres still a feeling among trainers of military and police dogs that some correction is required to get an animal ready for service. Leash corrections and pinch collars are science-based, as well, Hines says. Positive punishment is a part of science.

The key, Hines says, is to avoid harsh and unnecessary kinds of positive punishment, so as not to damage the relationship between handler and dog. Dogs too often rebuked will steadily narrow the range of things they try, because they figure naturally that might reduce the chance they get yelled at.

The Cesar Millans of the world are not disappearing. But the all- or mostly positive camp is growing faster. Hundreds trainers attend Clicker Expos, an annual event put on in various cities by one of the most prominent positivity-based dog-training institutions in the world, the Karen Pryor Academy in Waltham, Mass And Fenzi, another of the worlds most successful trainers, teaches her positive-reinforcement techniques online to no less than 10,000 students each term.

While there is some lingering argument about how much positivity vs. negativity to introduce into a training regimen, theres next to zero debate about what may be the most important component of raising a new dog: socialization. Most trainers now teach dog owners about the the period between eight and 20 weeks in which it is vital to introduce a dog to all kinds of sights and sounds they may encounter in later life. Most bad behavior is really the product of poor early socialization. For two months, I took Alsea to weekly puppy socials at Portlands Doggy Business, where experienced handlers monitor puppies as they interact and play with one another in a romper room filled with ladders and hula hoops and childrens playhouses, strange surfaces that they might otherwise develop fear about encountering. Such classes didnt exist until a few years ago.

A vizsla puppy at a dog training class at Doggy Business in Portland, Oregon, on Jun. 4. Holly Andres for TIME

I also took Alsea to dog-training classes, at a different company, Wonder Puppy. At the first session, trainer Kira Moyer reminded her human students that the most important thing we need to do for our dogs is advocate, which is also based in a renewed appreciation of science. Instead of correcting your dog for whining, for example, stop for a moment and think about why thats happening? What do they want? Can you give that to them, or give them an opportunity to earn the thing they want, and learn good behavior at the same time?

Enrichment is another booming area of the dog-training world. I didnt feed Alsea out of a regular dog bowl for the first six months shes been with me, because it was so much more mentally stimulating for her to eat from a food puzzle, a device that makes it just a little bit challenging for an animal to acquire breakfast. These can be as simple as a round plastic plate with kibble dispersed between a set of ridges that have to be navigated, or as complex as the suite of puzzles developed by Swedish entrepreneur Nina Ottosson. At the highest level, a dog might have to move a block, flip the lid up, remove a barrier or spin a wheel to earn food. Another common source of what we consider bad behavior in dogs is really just an expression of boredom, of a dog that needs a job and has decided to give himself one: digging through the garbage, barking at the mail carrier. Food puzzles make dinnertime a job. When Ottosson first started, they called me the crazy dog lady. Nobody believed dogs would eat food out of a puzzle, she says. Today, nobody calls me that.

When Alsea was 4 months old (shes 12 months now), I traveled south of Portland to Oregons Willamette Valley to introduce her to Ian Caldicott, a farmer who teaches dogs and handlers how to herd sheep. First we watched one of his students working her own dog. As the border collie made mistakes, the tension in her owners voice escalated and her corrections grew increasingly harsh. Just turn your back and listen, Caldicott said to me. You can hear the panic in her voice creeping in.

Dogs are smart and can read that insecurity. It makes them question their faith in the handler and, in some cases, decide they know better. Raising a good sheepdog is about building trust between the dog and the handler, Caldicott says. That does require some correctiona Hey! when the dog goes left instead of right, at timesbut whats most important is confidence, both in the dog and the handler. In the old days, sheepdogs were taught left and right with physical coercion. Now, theyre given just enough guidance to figure out the right track by themselves. Were trying to get an animal that thinks for itself. A good herding dog thinks he knows better than you. Your job is to teach him youre worth listening to, Caldicott says. The ones born thinking theyre the king of the universe, all you have to do is not take that away.


New captain for Yarmouth Salvation Army

The Salvation Army corps in Great Yarmouth now has a new captain at the helm, and is inviting the local community to pop in and say hello.

Captain Marie Burr arrived in Great Yarmouth at the end of July, in the midst of all the work going on to serve the community during the pandemic, so she has needed to hit the road running.



Marie says I was born and bred in Whitstable in Kent, so I come from a seaside town and I am very happy to be back by the sea to work. Before coming to Great Yarmouth, I was appointed to the church in Leytonstone in London for twelve months and, before that, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, for five years. As you can imagine Great Yarmouth is very different for me.



Despite the differences, I absolutely love it here; the people are so kind and generous. I love the location, and all of my church folk and the local community have been so helpful. I am starting to find my way around.



During the current restrictions, the Salvation Army in Great Yarmouth has been giving out about 120 food parcels, around 100 hot meals, and 60 family picnics each week. They are seeking more volunteers to deliver parcels to people that are still shielding, and assisting the local council hub with their deliveries as well.



The church has not returned to live Sunday worship but they have two services online each week - anyone can join on Great Yarmouth Salvation Army YouTube channel on a Wednesday and Sunday. It is hoped that the charity shop near the market place will re-open in September.



Marie said I hope to be in Great Yarmouth for a few years to come. If you would like to pop along and meet me, please do.



The Salvation Army centre is on Tolhouse Street, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2SQ.



Email address: great.yarmouth@salvationarmy.org.uk



Phone: 01493 858 069



This story first appeared on Network Yarmouth .

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in East Norfolk?

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.

Tony Rothe, 25/08/2020
The former University of Manitoba dean accused of misusing faculty funds is now overseeing operations at a law school in the United Kingdom.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The former University of Manitoba dean accused of misusing faculty funds is now overseeing operations at a law school in the United Kingdom.

Jonathan Black-Branch, who abruptly left his position as dean of U of M's Robson Hall in the spring  ending his five-year term early by upwards of one year, without public explanation  has been appointed head of the Southampton Law School.

In a university article published on Aug. 18, Black-Branch said he was honoured to take on the new role and to be named a professor of international and comparative law at the research-intensive University of Southampton.

"My vision is to further support our faculty and students, to enhance teaching innovation and to foster research collaborations as well as to engage a wide range of external partnerships to raise Southamptons reputation for delivering high-quality programmes and research excellence," he said.

Black-Branchs international scholarly profile and managerial experience make him "exceptionally well-qualified" to lead, one of his new colleagues said in the post.

The announcement was made days after a Free Press report revealed six U of M-affiliated lawyers penned a letter to the Law Society of Manitoba to raise questions about Black-Branchs capacity to provide professional services and his "honesty, trustworthiness and competency as a lawyer."

The signatories alerted the society about their all-but-certain belief Black-Branch was the senior employee found to have committed wrongdoing in a July U of M report.

The Winnipeg institutions 2019-20 whistleblower report indicates a single internal investigation during the last academic year found an employee had committed wrongdoing related to the purchase of goods and services, conflict of interest, and the mismanagement and misuse of funds. The findings also indicate the unnamed employee directed others to commit wrongdoing.

The U of M-affiliated lawyers who suggested the employee is Black-Branch in the confidential Aug. 14 letter cited him mentioning U of M administration was looking into his management last fall, and his sudden and unexplained departure.

Black-Branch went on leave in early May, which is when the then-associate dean in the faculty assumed the role as acting dean. On July 1, prominent lawyer and businessman David Asper took over the post. Asper has been mum on the circumstances surrounding his new title; meantime, the U of M continues to provide vague statements on the matter, citing privacy interests.

On Aug. 17, Asper wrote to faculty community members to address the Free Press report about the allegations levelled against Black-Branch. In his email, Asper wrote that while he recognizes many community members have legitimate questions about his predecessors departure, he cannot answer them.

"Lawyers often have to function in a world of confidentiality to respect the relationship with our clients, institutions or the law. Sometimes, there are competing imperatives about what is, and should remain confidential, and what is in the public interest ... This can create very complex issues for lawyers," he wrote.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

"We have to live with ourselves and the ethical choices we make, and I simply do not believe we should be drawn into the public discussion. There are profound interests at stake  those of Jonathan Black-Branch, the whistleblower legislation and its purposes and protections, our faculty, our university, and indeed the public interest."

Sources told the Free Press Black-Branch recently sold his Tuxedo home and left the province.

Sometime during the last 10 days, Black-Branchs contact information on the Law Society of Manitoba registry was updated. A phone number with an Oxford, United Kingdom area code has replaced his 204 number. He is still listed as a practising lawyer. (It is unclear if the law society is investigating the complaint since investigations are confidential.)

Neither Black-Branch nor a University of Southampton spokesperson responded to a request for comment before deadline Monday.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
Jonathan Ananda By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its judgement on the plea by telecom firms seeking a staggered payment schedule for their massive AGR dues, most of which remains unpaid. The days proceedings also saw the bench make a crucial observation: If spectrum trading guidelines mandate the clearing of dues before such transactions, then the government should cancel spectrum licenses where statutory dues have not been paid; these could then be auctioned offpossibly for a higher value.

In its submission to the bench of Justices Arun Mishra, S Abdul Nazeer, and M R Shah, the Department of Telecom (DoT) had said that spectrum trading guidelines require the seller to satisfy all pending dues before the sale of spectrum. They also allow the DoT to seek dues on any revenues from such spectrum from both the seller and buyer, jointly or severally.

If telcos are unwilling to pay, we will direct cancellation of spectrum allocation. How else is DoT supposed to deal with such an issue? the bench asked. If the bench decides in this direction in its final order, Bharti Airtel is set to get stuck with additional AGR liability due to its takeover of bankrupt Aircels and Videocon Communications spectrum licenses.

Videocon owes Rs 1,376 crore, while Aircel owes a whopping Rs 12,289 crore. If Airtel does not pay up, it will lose a large portion of its spectrum resources and may have to bid for the same through a DoT auction.

As for Reliance Jio, which shares over 30 per cent of bankrupt Reliance Communications (RCom) spectrum, it had told the court earlier that it was willing to pay any dues arising from its use of the same, but that it would not pay any of RComs dues.

Even in this case, Jio may still end up losing these assets, though. The court has expressed strong reservations about the sale of spectrum through the IBC process, noting that the new holder will end up with no encumbrances and AGR dues would be wiped out. The bench said it will clarify whether there will be any additional liability for Jio and Airtel in its final order. This is likely to come before September 2, which is the day Justice Arun Mishra will retire.

Final order likely to come before September 2

The Supreme Court has reserved the judgement on the telecom adjusted gross revenue (AGR) case for a new date. While the bench has not mentioned any date, the judgement is expected to come before September 2, when Justice Arun Mishra will retire.
Residents in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas, were ordered to evacuate as Hurricane Laura strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday night en route to its expected landfall late Wednesday.

The storm is forecast to make landfall Wednesday night as a major Category 3 hurricane with winds of up to 115 mph in eastern Texas.

The mandatory evacuation order was signed Tuesday morning as the storm headed toward Houston. The mandatory evacuations will be ongoing through early Wednesday, officials said, citing the "uncertainty of the path and the heightened intensity of this storm."

PHOTO: Laura is now moving through very warm water in the Gulf of Mexico which is a favorable atmospheric environment for strengthening. (ABC News)

City services were suspended at noon local time. The state will be providing buses throughout the area for those residents who have signed up for transportation assistance.

"With the uncertainties of this storm and its increasing strength, we need to take all necessary precautions to protect our residents," Galveston Mayor Craig Brown said early Tuesday. "Its imperative that you make plans this morning to secure your homes and move you and your family to safety off the island."

MORE: Coronavirus live updates: University reports 'alarming increase' in COVID-19 cases

He urged residents to secure loose items and leave the island, adding that it was "urgent that residents heed this mandatory evacuation and leave with all family members and pets."

Officials in Orange County, Texas, also issued a mandatory evacuation order for all residents. The county noted that first responders wouldnt be able to travel once winds reach 35 mph.

Residents in Port Arthur, Texas, located about 110 miles northeast of Galveston, were also under mandatory evacuation orders. The mandate was a "direct result of the imminent dangers" from Laura and Tropical Storm Marco, a separate storm system in the Gulf of Mexico that's forecast to make landfall on the Southeast Texas coastline mid-day as a tropical depression. It's expected to produce heavy rainfall and wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour.

Story continues

PHOTO: Workers board up windows at the Galvez Hotel & Spa, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Galveston, Texas, as Hurricane Laura heads toward the Gulf Coast. (David J. Phillip/AP)

City officials in Houston and Harris County urged residents to stay off the roads so people evacuating have access to the freeways. Local officials urged all residents in the storm's path to fill up their gas tanks and generators now.

"People are going to be evacuated, either from Port Arthur, from Chambers to Galveston County, to the extent that is called for, to allow them to kind of get through on, going into Wednesday," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement.

He added, "Harvey was a rainy event. This one, for example, would be more of a windy day. We are certainly more prepared than we were three years ago. We learned a lot from Hurricane Harvey but you cannot compare Harvey, with what we are dealing in this particular case."

PHOTO: The predicted Category 3 hurricane is bringing with it many threats including a possible storm surge up to 11 feet from Louisiana to eastern Texas and winds gusting over 100 mph with rainfall forecast to be more than a foot for eastern Louisiana. (ABC News)

Hurricane Laura has kept people along the Gulf Coast guessing for days as the projected track continues to change. Turner said he woke up Tuesday to find Lauras track had shifted slightly west and closer to Houston, the countrys fourth-largest city with a population of about 7 million.

In an interview with ABC News Tuesday, the mayor urged people not to panic. City officials said they dont expect Laura to be another Hurricane Harvey or Tropical Storm Imelda, which both led to catastrophic flooding. They do, however, expect this storm to be a fast-moving wind event, which could bring a storm surge, structural damage and power outages.

Compounding the situation, of course, is the pandemic, which is why Turner told residents to stock up on necessary food, supplies and PPE. He said he anticipates that COVID-19 testing will be suspended until after the storm and the city won't be opening mass shelters as it has in years past.

PHOTO: Landfall is expected to occur on late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. (ABC News)

Galveston County also issued voluntary evacuation orders for residents on the Bolivar Peninsula, including the unincorporated areas of Port Bolivar, Crystal Beach, High Island and Gilchrist, where inundation models currently show a possible 3 feet to 6 feet of flooding on the Bolivar Peninsula.

The voluntary evacuation could become a mandatory evacuation depending on further weather updates, county officials said.

The Port of Galveston closed Tuesday afternoon until further notice. The state is also suspending ferry operations from the Bolivar Peninsula starting at 11:30 p.m. local time Tuesday.

MORE: Black man shot by police in Wisconsin is paralyzed, his father says

Voluntary evacuation orders were issued Tuesday evening for several other low-lying areas and coastal communities in southeastern Texas.

ABC's Houston station KTRK shared powerful images, showing intense gridlock as people evacuated the Galveston area.

Over 130 flights scheduled for Wednesday have been canceled at George Bush Intercontinental Airport ahead of the hurricane, according to FlightAware. All major U.S. airlines -- including United, Southwest, Delta, American and JetBlue -- have issued weather waivers to allow travelers to adjust their flights without fees.

PHOTO: Alfreda Henderson and her daughter Miracle, 5, walk to a charter bus that will evacuate them from Galveston Island to Austin in anticipation of impact from Hurricane Laura, Aug. 25, 2020, from the Galveston Housing Authority offices in Galveston. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Laura is currently strengthening as it moves through warm water in the central Gulf of Mexico, with sustained winds up to 85 mph. Landfall is expected to occur on late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning with possible storm surge of up to 13 feet in parts of eastern Texas and western Louisiana.

Tuesday evening, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards also advised coastal residents to prepare for storm surge, warning that parts of the state could start seeing an impact starting Wednesday morning.

It's going to be a large, powerful storm," Edwards said.

ABC News' Welington F. Gomez-Munoz, Rachel Katz, Marcus Moore, Alyssa Pone and Gina Sunseri contributed to this report.

Parts of Southeast Texas under mandatory evacuation as storm strengthens originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - South32 Limited ("South32") and Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX: TMQ) (NYSE American: TMQ) ("Trilogy Metals"), partners in Ambler Metals LLC ("Ambler Metals"), announce that the Board of Ambler Metals LLC ("Ambler Metals") has appointed Ramzi Fawaz as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ambler Metals effective 1 September 2020. Ambler Metals is the 50/50 joint venture company formed by South32 and Trilogy Metals to explore and develop the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects ("UKMP").

Mr Fawaz joins Ambler Metals from Newmont Corporation where he was Senior Vice President Projects from February 2011 to October 2019, with responsibility for the development and execution of Newmont's major gold and copper projects globally.

Before joining Newmont, Mr Fawaz served as Senior Vice President Operations at Atomic Energy Canada Ltd. where he led all project development, refurbishment and building of the CANDU reactor projects. Prior to Atomic Energy, he was with Royal Dutch Shell, where he worked for 30 years in various senior roles. Among those, Mr Fawaz was responsible for leading the Athabasca Oil Sands Expansion Project in Canada and the Nigeria LNG Train 3 and LPG expansion project in Nigeria.

Mr. Fawaz brings to the role extensive leadership experience in US and international project development. Throughout his career, he has engaged extensively with all stakeholders related to major project developments, including executive management, boards of directors, shareholders, local communities, contractors, utilities and various regional and federal government agencies.

South32 Chief Executive Officer Graham Kerr said, "We welcome Ramzi's appointment as President and CEO of the Ambler Metals team. With decades of experience in the development of major resources projects, his leadership will be integral to the next phase of Arctic studies and unlocking the value of the Ambler District's high-quality base and precious metals resources."

President and CEO of Trilogy Metals Tony Giardini said, "After an exhaustive global search, we have secured a person who I think will make a significant contribution to the growth and development of the UKMP. Ramzi has a track record of success in the development of remote projects."

Mr Fawaz has a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and a Master's degree in power engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.

About South32

South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company. Our purpose is to make a difference by developing natural resources, improving people's lives now and for generations to come. We are trusted by our owners and partners to realise the potential of their resources. We produce bauxite, alumina, aluminium, energy and metallurgical coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead and zinc at our operations in Australia, Southern Africa and South America. With a focus on growing our base metals exposure, we also have two development options in North America and several partnerships with junior explorers around the world.

About Trilogy

Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metals exploration and development company which holds a 50 percent interest in Ambler Metals LLC which has a 100 percent interest in the UKMP in north western Alaska. On December 19, 2019 South32, which is a globally diversified mining and metals company, exercised its option to form a 50/50 joint venture with Trilogy. The UKMP is located within the Ambler Mining District which is one of the richest and most-prospective known copper-dominant districts located in one of the safest geopolitical jurisdictions in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic VMS deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high-grade copper and cobalt mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler mining district - the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within land package that spans approximately 172,636 hectares. The Company has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., a Regional Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler mining district in cooperation with local communities. Our vision is to develop the Ambler mining district into a premier North American copper producer.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the economic potential of the Ambler Mining District or the potential development of the Arctic project. These forward-looking statements reflect expectations at the date of this release; however, they are not guarantees or predictions of future performance. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements contained in this release. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable laws or regulations, neither Trilogy Metals nor South32 undertakes to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Trilogy Metals' expectations include risks related to the permitting, financing and advancement of the UKMP and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Trilogy Metals' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2019 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other Trilogy Metals reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time.

Further information on South32 can be found at www.south32.net and further information on Trilogy Metals can be found at www.trilogymetals.com .

SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc.

Related Links

www.trilogymetals.com


ORO-MEDONTE, ONTARIO  Oro Station held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, August 20, celebrating its new Automotive Innovation Park in Oro-Medonte. The groundbreaking officially marks the start of construction of a 500,000 square foot industrial facility that will join a business park with a motorsport road course and testing facilities. The project will be home to automotive engineering, education, service, supply and manufacturing businesses.

The facility is forecasted to bring 1800 construction jobs to the region and 700 full-time jobs upon completion. Oro Station will be home to a 4.1km motor circuit for performance testing, training, research and commercial use. In partnership with Georgian College, Oro Station will become a center for automotive education providing opportunities for students of multiple faculties to engage with the industry and partake in advanced training opportunities. Oro Station will provide a destination and platform for new automotive technologies to be developed here in Ontario.

The first phase of development for the park is to include site servicing and earthworks with the circuit planned for completion in 2022. Construction of commercial and industrial buildings is slated to begin in 2021.

People who ceremoniously broke ground included Premier of Ontario Doug Ford, Attorney-General and local MPP Doug Downey, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, MPP Jill Dunlop, MPP Andrea Khanjin, MP Doug Shipley, Warden of Simcoe County George Cornell, Mayor of Oro-Medonte Harry Hughes and Council, President of Georgian College MaryLynn West-Moynes and colleagues, as well as members of the automotive industry and local community.

Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, said We make some of the best cars anywhere in the world here in Ontario. Theres no reason why we cant make our province the top destination for auto innovation and this project will help us maintain our position as leaders in the sector across North America. I want to thank Oro Station for their hard work to champion this project and bring more jobs and economic opportunity to Simcoe County.

We are grateful for and humbled by the foresight and support of the Premier and Provincial government, our local Member of Parliament, and our Regional and Municipal governments, said Geoffrey Campbell, Managing Partner of Oro Station. The Automotive Innovation Park began as a concept, born from a passion to preserve the automotive past while looking to an innovative future with education at its core. We are honoured to have unanimous support from multiple levels of government and excited to be building Oro Station here in Ontario.

From day one, our government has been committed to cutting red tape and getting critical projects started. It was my privilege to make a Ministers Zoning Order last fall to help get shovels into the ground faster for the development of this unique facility, said Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark. This project is just one example of our ongoing work to build strong communities with good local jobs.

MPP Doug Downey said, The impact that Oro Station will have on our local economy is tremendous. Geoff and his team have shown true Ontario Spirit, ingenuity and dedication. I thank them for their commitment to economic investment in our community, and I am excited to see this project continue to grow and flourish well into our future.

About Oro Station: Oro Station is a new automotive innovation park located in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, Canada. Oro Station will be home to the future of automotive technology and education, while providing specialized services in motorsports, automotive restoration, and advanced engineering. The site will feature 500,000 square feet of industrial space dedicated to automotive research, engineering, education and development, including a 4.1km test track with dynamic driving areas. Oro Station will create connections between enthusiasts and experts alike, and establish a vibrant community with an eye towards advancing the automotive industry in Canada. For more information about Oro Station please visit www.orostation.ca.

Media Contact: Alexis DeRosa // +1 647-544-5394 // ad@orostation.ca
As millions of young people graduate around the nation, it is natural that they consider their next steps, especially in these times of extraordinary economic hardship and uncertainty. Generations of high school graduates have been wrongly led to believe that in order to obtain high wage employment, the only options is a four-year degree at a traditional college or university.

However, this pathway is not for everyone and it is certainly not the only way to financial prosperity. This type of thinking represents a one-size fits all solution that wont actually provide more economic opportunity for Americans or boost our economy. What America needs is a renewed focus on skilled labor and the nuclear energy industry is well equipped to bring skilled technical labor back to our communities. Many technical colleges around the country already have the types of programs needed to train qualified technicians who serve as the backbone of one of our nations most critical industries.

Nuclear power accounts for 20% of our nations energy production and 55% of all carbon-free energy in the United States and as long as we remain committed to boosting our nuclear energy industry those numbers should only continue to grow.

In 2010, The New York Times profiled a nuclear power technician from Miami. Esperanza Lapaix, whose family emigrated from Cuba when she was a young child was able to buy a home with a husband and is,[T]he first member of her family to own a house and have a reliable, great-paying job, A story like Esperanzas is the classic tale of the American Dream that was possible through the nuclear energy industry.

The average nuclear power plant employs between 500 and 1,000 workers, creating about $40 million in labor income each year. In addition to engineers and reactor operators, a plants workforce includes welders, pipefitters, masons, carpenters, and electricians  all positions that do not require four-year college degrees. Moreover, the construction of a nuclear plant can create several thousands of jobs during peak construction, primarily for craft laborers. These types of laborers are in demand all over the country and the nuclear industry is willing to pay for them; nuclear plant worker salaries are on average 20% higher than those of other electricity sources.

Unfortunately, in recent years America has not prioritized the development of our nuclear industry. America currently has 98 nuclear reactors operating in the U.S., with the average reactor being about 38 years old, and there are only two new reactors under construction. Compare this to China, which has recently begun to place an increased focus on its own nuclear energy industry. China has 12 nuclear reactors currently under construction and the Chinese Communist Partys five-year energy plan outlines ambitious targets for its nuclear sector. According to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, China added the most nuclear power capacity in the world during the last decade, strongly aided by government promotion of nuclear power.

The high paying blue collar positions associated with the nuclear energy industry are more than just jobs. Before companies began to outsource more and more American manufacturing jobs, high wage skilled work was abundant and its impact was felt. According to a 2018 study, the proportion of less-educated workers who are able to secure high-paying jobs has declined dramatically over the past 50 years. The same study also found that the, socioeconomic outcomes in terms of marriage, employment, crime, and health have deteriorated. Nuclear energy can not only provide our nation with clean and reliable energy, but may provide a new path forward for Americans to obtain the economic opportunities enjoyed by previous generations that are so critical to our nations success in the 21st century.

As China continues to rise as the U.S.s top economic rival in the 21st century, nuclear energy, and nuclear power will be a large part of this rivalry. It is critical that the United States continues to support our own nuclear energy industry to ensure that the backbone of our economy, the American worker, is able to soar once again.

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's (R-TN 3rd District) district is based in Chattanooga and includes a large swath of East Tennessee, including Oak Ridge.
Credit Suisse could cut up to 500 jobs in its Swiss banking business as it seeks to generate 100 million Swiss francs in annual savings through a new digitally-focussed retail banking strategy reducing its branch footprint.

Announced on Tuesday, the overhaul is the latest stage in a revamp of the lender's Swiss retail business and will see the bank fold subsidiary Neue Aargauer Bank into its overall Credit Suisse brand and close about a quarter of its branches across the country. It is part of a group-wide 400 million franc savings package unveiled at the end of July.

"The changes to Credit Suisse's branch network across Switzerland, including branches in Canton Aargau, are expected to be implemented by the end of 2020," Switzerland's second-biggest bank said in a statement.

"With a goal of 109 locations - compared to 146 at present -Credit Suisse will continue to have a strong regional presence in the future."

Other European lenders have also announced branch closures as the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the switch to digital banking.

Credit Suisse is also hoping to attract younger clients by launching a new digital offering in October.

"Historically, we're less well established with younger customers," Swiss executive Andre Helfenstein told journalists on a call. "We want to make a step forward in this area."

The Swiss Bank Employees Union on Tuesday urged the bank to avoid dismissals at least until the end of 2020 and criticised it for announcing restructuring during great economic uncertainty and despite solid financial results.

Helfenstein said the bank would do its best to offer affected personnel - primarily in the region of Aargau but also elsewhere in Switzerland - new roles, adding further positions would be generated as the bank reinvests in its digital push.

Further details on the bank's digital plan and branch revamp - which will focus more on servicing clients with stronger advisory needs - will be presented in September. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
A protest against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Stars like Kevin Hart and Lebron James have joined the many voicing support for Jacob Blake after he was shot by Kenosha Police Department officers on Sunday evening.

Hart took to social media on Tuesday to express his frustration that, based on the video footage, officers chose to shoot Mr Blake instead of finding other ways to detain him during the altercation. James also gave his thoughts on the situation, saying, "We are scared as black people living in America".

Mr Blake's father, also named Jacob Blake, revealed on Tuesday morning that his son was paralysed from the waist down after he was shot by police seven times. The doctors don't yet know if the paralysis will be permanent. The 29-year-old man remains in the ICU as he recovers from his injuries.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is now representing Mr Blake and his family. Mr Crump already represents the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Trayford Pellerin  all of whom have died in altercations with police officers across the US.

In an interview, Mr Crump said they have no received any evidence to disprove that Mr Blake was unarmed during the altercation with police. Bystanders said they maybe heard police say Mr Blake had a knife, but no reports have yet indicated if that is true.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigations is now investigating the shooting that occurred on Sunday evening. The two officers, who have not yet been identified, involved are reportedly cooperating with the investigation but have been placed on administrative leave.

Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley confirmed on Monday that the investigation into the shooting that took place on Sunday evening in Kenosha, Wisconsin was under investigation, but it was in its "early stages".

After the investigation is complete, all information will be handed over to the district attorney's office and they will file charges if warranted.

Protests have mounted in Kenosha following the shooting, with these protests often turning violent in the evenings. Local businesses have been looted and set on fire, and protesters have clashed with police in riot gear.
Opalesque Industry Update - The Swiss Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the revision of the Collective Investment Schemes Act (CISA). The revision will create a new category of fund, the limited qualified investor fund (L-QIF), that offers qualified investors an alternative to similar foreign products. SFAMA (the Swiss Funds and Asset Management Association) supports this project, the implementation of which represents an important step toward strengthening the Swiss financial sector and enhancing Switzerland's competitiveness as a location for funds and asset management. The core aim of the draft is to create a flexible form of collective investment scheme under Swiss law that is not subject to FINMA (the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) approval and can thus be launched much more quickly and cost-effectively. At the same time, this innovative product, which is to be available only to qualified investors, should guarantee the usual levels of quality and security. The asset manager or fund management company responsible for an L-QIF must be an institution supervised by FINMA. This indirect supervision takes due account of qualified investors' need for protection. Both open-ended and closed-ended collective investment schemes in accordance with the CISA could be set up as L-QIFs. They would enjoy flexibility as regards their investment universe so as to offer investors the greatest possible choice. In addition, the tax treatment of L-QIFs as Swiss funds would be crucial to their success. Parliament is expected to debate the draft in its 2020 winter session after the preliminary advisory committee. It is likely to enter into force in 2022.

Press release

Bg Article source - Opalesque is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
A Bareilly resident was arrested here while trying to deliver heroin valued at Rs 75 lakh in the international market, the police said on Tuesday.

Police said Rizwan, a resident of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested after he came to the national capital's Ring Road area to supply around 500 gram heroin to one of his contacts.

With the arrest, the Crime Branch claims to have busted the supply chain of the contraband gang that was operating from Bareilly to Delhi, and neighbouring Ghaziabad.

Rizwan told the police during interrogation that he was working as a tailor in Jaipur for the last few years.

During a visit to his native village, he came to know that some persons had earned handsome and quick money by indulging in drug trafficking.

One of the residents of his village who used to work as a tailor at Chandigarh had also earned a good amount of money in a short span of time.

"In order to earn quick money, he also started supplying heroin by procuring the same from drug traffickers active in his village to people in Delhi and Ghaziabad," said Rakesh Paweriya, DCP, Crime.
Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, one of the senior most members of the 'group of 23' who have called for far-reaching reforms within the party, said on Tuesday it is an "admitted fact" that the organisation is not in a position to take forward 'the Congress philosophy and protect the democracy'. He also asserted that Sonia Gandhi's leadership is always required. The former union minister further said the intention of the letter was to keep the party ready for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as also for assembly and local bodies elections in the country.

"It is an admitted fact that organisation of the Congress party is not in a position to take forward the Congress philosophy and protect the democracy in the present turbulent condition prevailing in the country," Moily said in a statement. Stating that the Gandhi family is always known for patriotism and sacrifice, Moily said Sonia Gandhi's leadership is always required and her consent to continue as president is the "most welcome step".

The statement came a day after high drama at the Congress Working Committee meeting where many leaders, including former party chief Rahul Gandhi, lashed out at the letter writers. "At any time of crisis, both at the national and state level, I always stood by the national leadership of the Congress party to preserve the unity and integrity of the party," Moily said, underlining that he has been in the Congress since the last 50 years having joined under the leadership of Indira Gandhi. "Even during my tenure as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance, I was critical of the performance of the NDA government. My loyalty to the Congress party is always steadfast and will continue to be present till my life," the former Karnataka chief minister said.

Noting that the Congress is one of the two big national parties in the country, Moily alleged that the NDA government at the Centre has become a threat to the basic principles of democracy  secularism, equality and inclusiveness. The Congress should always be battle-ready to fight the divisive politics of the BJP, he said. "Since I have been one of the signatories to the letter addressed to the Congress President, the intention is absolutely to keep the party ready for the 2024 Lok Sabha, assembly and the local bodies elections being held in the country," Moily said.

The CWC urged Sonia Gandhi to continue as its interim chief till an AICC session can be convened and authorised her to effect necessary organisational changes to deal with the challenges facing the party. After the seven-hour meeting of the party's top decision-making body, the CWC made it clear that no one will be permitted to undermine or weaken the party and its leadership.

The CWC also resolved that inner-party issues cannot be deliberated through the media or in public fora and all such issues must be raised within the party "in the interest of propriety and discipline". Separately, some other members of the 'group of 23' also said on Tuesday that they were "not dissenters" but "proponents of revival" of the party. PTI ASK BJBJBJ..

.
Intel plans to increase investment in Vietnam

This was revealed by Kim Huat Ooi, general manager of Intel Products Vietnam at Ho Chi Minh City at the US Business Summit titled Driving Partnership and Innovation for the Future held in the city this morning (August 25).

He lauded Vietnam's investment climate which has improved tremendously over the past years. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, Vietnam has taken quick action with strong policies to control the pandemic. As a result, Intel can maintain stable operations during the crisis. In the first half of 2020, Intel saw its output increase 30 per cent, contributing three-fourth of its total global output.

Intel has invested $1 billion in Vietnam and is looking to increase this in the coming years. The export revenue of Intel in Vietnam has reached $3.6 billion. With the new investment in Ho Chi Minh City in the coming time, the figure is expected to increase significantly. Intel will also use the fresh capital to develop local middle and senior leaders for the Vietnamese factory, according to Intel Vietnam's general director.

Intel's chip factory in Saigon High-Tech Park is its largest chip assembly and test plant in the world. In March alone, the factory produced 2 billion units, including semiconductor chips and processing chips used in computers and other devices. The factory produces 25 chips every second.

Intel Corporation first announced a $300 million investment for an assembly and test plant in Vietnam in 2006. The firms total registered investment was raised to $1 billion nearly a year later. The plant went into operation in 2010.
SANTIAGO, ChileWhen Cristabel Lopez, 43, quit her studies after becoming pregnant at 17, the distant idea of owning a home where she could raise her baby seemed unrealistic.

Overcoming the odds, she realized her dream on the back of Chiles economic boom, becoming a health insurance consultant and, at age 33, paid the deposit on a home in an up-and-coming middle-class Santiago suburb. Houses on the palm-lined street featured high-barred fences to ward off burglaries, but Cristabel was a homeowner  for most Chileans a signal of reaching the middle class.

COVIDs arrival to the country in March now threatens to undo everything for Cristabel, who shares the house with firstborn Felipe, now 26, and his sister Rafaela, 13. She and Felipe have lost all their work income due the pandemic.

Like millions of middle-class families in Latin America, they now hang over a financial precipice and face sliding back into the conditions of poverty Cristabels parents endured.

To get my own house was a dream, said Cristabel. I felt like I had made it. Now there is just worry and uncertainty.

Their suburb of Maipu  a cross-section of Chiles middle-class with households of vastly varying incomes  has been decimated by COVID through job losses. There are now warnings that all of Chiles middle class, which the government says makes up 70 percent of the population, is vulnerable.

Houses in Maipu, a suburb of Santiago. (Liam Miller / Pudumedia.com)

National statistics show unemployment reached 12.2 percent between April and June, the highest since 2010, but deeper consequences loom beneath these figures with poverty levels expected to revert 15 years.

The absence of economic activity and the fact around a third of the population works in the informal sector has put all those people back to levels of poverty many people thought no longer existed here, said Patricio Navia, a political scientist at NYU and Chiles Diego Portales University. It has turned out, as we always knew, the safety net in Chile is weak.

Story continues

A slump in copper pricesthen a pandemic

Inequality across Latin America had fallen to all-time lows during the past two decades, but these progresses are in jeopardy. Chiles neoliberal rise has been emblematic of the region, but now it finds itself in a unique position reeling from two major crises that began with massive protests over austerity in October and now the coronavirus.

One of the most unequal places in the world, Chile erupted in an angered social uprising five months before COVID arrived in March, with many of the vast middle class already straining under inequality. A $0.04 hike on Santiagos metro system was enough to spark protests by students, which snowballed into marches against weak pension payouts, expensive education and healthcare, and living-costs.

Chiles per capita GDP has increased over the rest of Latin America since its return to democracy in 1990, due to a copper boom. But the promised rewards have not been adequately felt outside the countrys rich 10 percentile.

The pandemic delayed an April referendum for a fairer constitution as Chileans quarantined inside their homes.

Social scientists have been trying to warn the governments about it for decades, said Emmanuelle Barozet, a social worker at Universidad de Chile who has been studying the countrys middle classes for 25 years. There was a very real danger a shock to the system would place huge numbers of families in circumstances that would be difficult to recover from.

The thunderbolt in Barozet and her colleagues economic modeling was a catastrophic price slump in copper. We didnt imagine it would be a pandemic, she said.

Chile entered a total quarantine in June after initial efforts to curtail the virus with dynamic quarantine zones  moving according to local outbreaks  backfired and left dangerously-few critical hospital beds.

Emmaneuelle Barozet (Courtesy of Emmaneuelle Barozet)

They were overconfident, said Barozet. Many Chileans dont get paid unless they go to work. Chile is not a society of salaried employees with protected employment. Nobody compensates for wage losses, so many were unable to comply with the quarantine.

A subsequent total lockdown has flattened Chiles curve and spurred newly-eased restrictions this month, including some free movement in downtown Santiago, but businesses largely remain closed and millions of Chileans are in limbo, with doubts that jobs will return.

Four-in-ten workers have no protections

The fundamental problem that exists in Chile is that the median income is very close to the poverty line, explained Barozet. This means income in Chile is very low. Even if your government categorizes you as middle class with these earnings, you probably dont have savings to help you cope with a shock.

The slippery term middle class is used broadly to describe anyone neither rich or poor and often chased as a status symbol by Chileans hoping to distinguish themselves from the poor or working class. But Barozets work reveals at least four sublevels, mainly divided by access to money and use of public or private education and health, with more people  and less stability  the lower one goes. A 2019 study by Chiles SOL Foundation showed almost 40 percent of the employed workforce  3.6 million people  worked without a contract and the protection this offers.

In addition, at least 50 percent of women do not work for a wage, meaning many households depend on a single income. Chile also has one of the highest levels of temporary or limited-term contracts  even for highly skilled positions like academics  which are easy for employers to terminate and difficult for workers to oppose with Chiles negligible unions.

Upper-middle class families in the shimmering glass condos of Sanhattan, a nickname for a wealthy area of Santiago, live in conditions that are a far cry from Cristabels modest-but-colorful suburb. Those more privileged are also losing jobs, but not necessarily seeing costs reducedas expensive private schools and health insurers continue to charge.

The downturn stopped Cristabels search for a replacement job after she was laid off in December, but disaster struck when her son Felipes $1180 contract at a mall as a perfume merchandiser was frozen in April. I will most likely be fired, said Felipe, a father of one. Retail is changing forever, and Im adrift.

The pair will now join 4.4 million Chileans drawing against their own pensions to survive what comes next.

Felipe L?pez with his mother, Cristabel, and sister, Rafaela. (Liam Miller / Pudumedia.com)

The Pinera governments soft loan offers, followed by a single $630 grant for middle-class workers, was not enough to stop its own coalition members from helping force a controversial bill allowing Chileans to withdraw 10 percent of their pension fund, with 77 percent of those eligible applying. One-in-five Chileans withdrew everything in their fund because they had less than the minimum $1,300 saved.

No serious economists or experts, right or left wing, advise to take money from pension funds, said Cristobal Bellolio, a political scientist in Santiago. But it seems Chile has now had enough of experts, too.

As the bill passed through the Senate, a popular phrase reverberated around Santiago: Pan para hoy, hambre para manana. Bread for today, hunger for tomorrow.

Follow NBC Latino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The exhibition Kissing Through a Curtain was slated to open in mid-March at MASS MoCAbut then the museum closed for four months in response to COVID-19. By the time it reopened on July 11, the show, and its name, had acquired new dimensions and associations that its creators had never intended.

We were all shaking our heads that the title proved to be closer to the CDCs guidelines for intimacy than an evocative metaphor for translation, curator Alexandra Foradas said recently.

The act of translationacross borders and between languages, cultures, individuals and artistic mediumsis the theme of the exhibition, which juxtaposes the work of 10 artists. The seed took root when Foradas was taking a German translation course as part of her graduate work at Williams College five years ago. She began musing on how meaning is shaped, and how translation acknowledges and attempts to reach across boundaries.

We were thinking and talking a lot culturally at that time about what happens at our nations bordersthe increasing xenophobia and isolationism on the rise worldwide, Foradas said. Moving across borders meant something different than it means in the time of the pandemic, when moving across borders is fraught with danger to yourself and others.

Mounted in a gallery space at MASS MoCA thats spacious enough for visitors to socially distance easily, Kissing Through a Curtain is loosely divided into various approaches to the idea of translation, Foradas explained, and offers a sense of play alongside works that ask people to more deeply consider moments of mediated communication and contact. One of things that was important to me was to have these moments of levity.

One of those is the installation Double Bubble, by North Adams artist Kim Faler. Faler approached the concept of translation by casting head-size renditions of chewed bubble gum in four very different mediums: metal, glass, wax and gypsum (a soft mineral used in plaster). The pieces hang at head height in the gallery, so visitors are at eye level with the organ-like objects.

A lot of my work is taking something accessible that we all have a relationship to, and opening it up to something larger when we spend time with itputting literally in front of your face something thats been always there, Faler said.

She experimented with casting in brass and ironcreating heavy, permanent objects that bring to mind memorials and trophies, along with their sociopolitical implicationsand, at the other end of the spectrum, fragile, transparent blown-glass renderings. Playing with the different resonances within each of the hollow pieces, she added a sound element by inserting speakers into five of the sculptures that emit noises of chewing and bubble blowing, giving viewers a sense of what it would be like to get inside someone elses head.

Bubble gum has an innate ability to capture emotion, tension and anxiety in this very passive way, Faler said. Its something that people use to quell anxietyyou take all the emotion thats pent up and output it through a piece of gum, almost like a blind sculpture that youre making in your mouth. In the age of COVID, the work takes on new meanings, speaking to our heightened anxiety, the fear of contact with others saliva and the idea of isolating ourselves within a protective bubble.

Another example of translating through mediums, Justin Favelas interpretations of Jose Maria Velascos landscape paintings are made with glue and strips of tissue paper, the material of pinatas. The colorful pieces reference the connection between the history of conquest in Spain and Central America, and the history of pinatas, which supposedly were brought from China to Spain by Marco Polo, and then to Mexico by Catholic missionaries.

In an installation inspired by the legendary Peacock Throne of the Mughal emperors, Osman Khan composed electronic dance music derived from the Indian musical forms of raga and taals. (The piece throws a mini dance party twice daily.) Turkish artist Asli Cavusoglus Not Equal To, pairs words and phrases that nominally refer to the same thing but which have different connotative meanings, Foradas explained, such as illegal vs. undocumented and Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays. Nasser Alzayanis Watering the distant, deserting the near examines the transmission and disintegration of memory, in the form of sand tablets that recall his childhood recollections of visiting a spring near his familys home in Bahrain.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Another among the group of artists looking at translation from individual experience to shared history, Kameelah Janan Rasheed often uses Xerox machines and scanners as tools for translation, introducing light and movement into the process. Her work in the exhibition, Every sentence is a sponge, explores the ways in which a sentence absorbs multiple meanings over time, she said recently. What would it look like to wring out a sponge to see what else comes out, what other resonances or associations are possible from that sentence?

In investigating the history of Black and Muslim people in America, Rasheed investigates translation not as a perfect moment of mirroring or echoing or full comprehension, but as an opportunity to think about the failures, the unsatisfactory elements of translation, as a reminder that some things are untranslatable, and cannot be made legible in other forms or languages, she said. Translation then ends up being a process that changes the actual nature of the thing being translatedoften protecting or favoring one group of people over another.

Ultimately, Kissing Through a Curtain remains relevant not because of its inadvertent references to social distancing, but because the pandemic has magnified the persistent, deep-rooted issues it addressespolarization, division and the challenges of understanding one another. Rather than changing the substance of the show, the current times have more likely shifted the way viewers receive it, Foradas reflected.

We need different things from art than we thought we needed a few months ago, she said. Right now, we have this really deep well of shared experience as a result of the pandemic and the uprisings, and visitors experience of the exhibition has been inflected by that. What youre looking at provides something for your brain to focus on that maybe gives it time to process, even and especially if its related to what youve been experiencing. Art can offer a mode of processing lived experience.

More Information If you go When: Wednesday-Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Wednesdays and Sundays, 10-11 a.m., elderly and immune-compromised admission) Where: 87 Marshall St., North Adams, Mass. Tickets: Advance, timed tickets required: $20; seniors/veterans, $19; students with ID, $12; kids 6-16, $8 Info: (413) 662-2111 or https://massmoca.org See More Collapse

Tresca Weinstein is a frequent contributor to the Times Union.
Each of the winners have demonstrated that their program has made a positive contribution to the lives of their adult learners as well as the community, and all serve as a model for other organizations to adapt.

"We received fantastic submissions this year and are so impressed by not only the creativity and innovation of the programs, but also the impact that these programs have on communities across Canada," said Mack Rogers, Executive Director of ABC Life Literacy Canada. "We thank Canada Life once again for their continued support of this award, which ultimately helps build capacity in the literacy and learning field."

Since its inception in 2012, 45 LIAs have been awarded to literacy organizations across the country (9 top awards and 36 honourable mention awards), representing $360,000 in funding for the field.

"It's our pleasure to congratulate this year's deserving top and honourable mention winners. At Canada Life, we support educational initiatives that focus on adult literacy and recognize the need for programs that provide adult learners with the essential skills they need to succeed in life," said Debbie Down, Director, Community Relations at Canada Life. "That is why we're proud to support ABC Life Literacy Canada and the Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award. Working together with community organizations, we make a positive impact that helps improve the well-being of all Canadians."

REP Here in Canada will be presented the LIA in October during a virtual event. The award presentation followed by a moderated discussion will showcase all LIA winners as models for best practice in the literacy and essential skills sector. Register for the virtual event.

TOP WINNER, receiving $20,000

REP Here in Canada, Vancouver, BC

Program: Here Magazine

Here Magazine is a print and digital publication produced by adult learners through community workshops called Here Labs. Here Labs are multi-discipline, hands-on workshops where participants learn and develop storytelling tools suitable to each learner's language skill level and include writing, photography, podcasting, and videography. Here Lab workshops lay the groundwork for the publication and explore issues relevant to newcomer, immigrant and racialized communities from the perspective of the learners. The goals of the program are for participants to be published in Here Magazine, to be actively involved in the publication process, and to overcome real and perceived barriers to skill development.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS, receiving $5,000 each

Burnaby School District (BSD) 41 LINC Program (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada), Burnaby, BC

Program: The BSD LINC Literacy Stream Program

The BSD LINC Literacy Stream Program serves multi-barriered, high-risk adult ESL (English Second Language) newcomer and refugee learners. BSD's winning program focuses on adult learners with limited literacy and language skills in their first language and who have gaps in their education. The program's curriculum offers language training that can be immediately integrated and applied to learners' everyday lives. The program employs language for settlement-related themes and real-world tasks. Guest speakers and field trips expose learners to their new language and skills in authentic situations.

Centre for Family Literacy, Edmonton, AB

Program: The Edmonton Literacy Classroom on Wheels (the COW Bus)

The Edmonton Literacy Classroom on Wheels (the COW Bus) is a free family literacy program that engages adults and their children in literacy activities. It is a mobile lending library and program space that visits 10 communities in the Edmonton area, at the same time each week for 30 weeks. The COW Bus travels to communities experiencing unemployment, lack of community resources, low income, isolation, and other barriers. The program engages learners in shared literacy experiences that enhance the skills of both parents and children. Essential skills are embedded in programming to create opportunities for conversations around what is needed to be able to learn.

John Howard Society of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON

Program: Skills Plus

Skills Plus is a continuous intake program that builds learners' confidence, self-esteem, and literacy skills. The program meets learners at a "pre-literacy" level: it provides regular workshops on everything from employment skills to mindfulness and guided meditations. The program focuses on physical and mental health by offering regular walks, chats with teachers and volunteers, as well as nutritious food. Skills Plus works with learners on a path of self-discovery and learning. Participation in the program results in improved social skills, empathy, and mutual support. The style of teaching holds the fact that the students are talented, valuable, and worthy at its core. Skills Plus does not just impart literacy and basic skills; it helps learners build self-empathy and compassion. It provides them with an understanding of self and new, more positive social roles.

Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB

Program: Essential Skills for Atlantic Fisheries (ESAF)

Essential Skills for Atlantic Fisheries (ESAF) launched in 2018 and is an essential skills program that proactively addresses the labour market challenges faced by fisheries sector employers in the Atlantic provinces. ESAF serves employers in the fisheries sector, as well as low-income unemployed individuals looking for work. Learners develop essential skills like reading, document use, and numeracy, by practicing tasks directly related to work in the fisheries industry. The program is unique in its application of essential skills training to industry-specific competencies. ESAF's development was a highly collaborative project, with input from government and community organizations in all four Atlantic provinces. The cross-provincial nature of the program is a rare and a shining example of an innovative solution to a wide-spread issue.

About ABC Life Literacy Canada

ABC Life Literacy Canada is a non-profit organization that aims to strengthen organizations that promote adult learning by developing and supporting the use of high-quality introductory learning materials and resources written in clear language. We envision a Canada where everyone has the tools and opportunities they need to improve their literacy and essential skills. For more information on literacy and ABC Life Literacy Canada's programs, visit www.abclifeliteracy.ca.

About The Canada Life Assurance Company

Canada Life is a leading insurance, wealth management and benefits provider focused on improving the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. For more than 170 years, individuals, families and business owners across Canada have trusted us to provide sound guidance and deliver on the promises we've made.

As of January 1, 2020, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life became one company  Canada Life, and today, we proudly serve more than 13 million customer relationships from coast to coast to coast.

SOURCE ABC Life Literacy Canada

For further information: Ashley Tilley, Communications, ABC Life Literacy Canada, 647-326-9693, [email protected]

Related Links

http://abclifeliteracy.ca/


Both groups believe they got their messages across during the protest and counter-protest that took place in Niagara-on-the-Lake on Sunday.

At War for Animals Niagara initially planned its protest and march, starting in Simcoe Park, to stand up for the values of the late Regan Russell after signs from NOTL horse-drawn carriage supporters at a Burlington protest a few weeks ago suggested the animal rights activist died by suicide. She was struck by a transport truck carrying pigs.

Residents, who launched a counter-protest, did so with the mindset they are exhausted by the animal rights activists protests, which began in NOTL in 2017.

The animal rights groups protests over the years have been against Sentineal Carriages, a horse-drawn carriage company. The groups members have been asking the business to move to electric or pedal carriages.

However, Jason King, one of the leaders of the group, said the protest on Sunday wasnt about horse-drawn carriages, but the values Russell held.

Weve gathered here in Niagara-on-the-Lake today in response to Locals for Carriages and Sentineal Carriages holding a two-part sign at a vigil in Regan Russells honour at (the) Fearmans slaughterhouse in Burlington, King said.

One sign held by the carriage supporters at the Burlington protest mentioned Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and the other said Russell died by suicide.

Were here today to let Sentineal Carriages know, as well as the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, that we dont find it acceptable that their residents demean somebody who has been nothing but loving her entire life here on this earth, King said.

In response, Jennifer Jones-Butski, who has been leader of Locals for Carriages, said residents are tired of the animal rights activists coming to town, harassing and intimidating people.

They are using Regan Russell as a means to gain more support, Jones-Butski said.

She admitted the signs were held by carriage supporters in Burlington, but stood by her apology issued on Aug. 20.

We never meant to hurt anybody.

The animal rights group began with speeches and other ceremonies in honour of Russell at the pavilion in Simcoe Park before marching toward the intersection of Queen and King streets, where local residents set up their counter-protest.

Despite multiple standoffs and shouting back and forth at the park entrance and on the street, neither group became physical.

I definitely think that we showed today that we are extremely peaceful, and that we dont hold any grudge or ill will against these people, said Adam Stirr, another leader with the animal rights group.

The most hurtful part for me was watching these locals from the friendliest town in Canada literally berate (Russells) stepson and her husband, who just lost his wife like two months ago, and who is here today to honour her memory, Stirr said.

Sean Sentineal, owner of Sentineal Carriages, believed their message was clear.

Our main message is that everybody has a right to protest, he said. They can protest all they want.

We dont want to be yelled at, screamed at, harassed, posted online, Sentineal added. We just want to feel safe at work and thats the message were trying to get across, and I think we accomplished that today.

Stirr said the animal rights activists just want to see the horse-drawn carriages shift to electric or pedal carriages and stop using the horses themselves.

Our plan for transition, which weve been pushing the entire time, has been if they agree to implement an experimental carriage here, he said. If they want to transition carriages to a pedal-operated carriage, weve spoken to a bicycle expert, its possible.

Stirr added that the business wont need new carriages and that they can be retrofitted.

Sentineal said the horse and carriage business isnt because of the tours, but because of their love for horses and the time they spend with the horses.

We do an amazing thing and manage to make a living with our best friends, he said. The whole thing about horse and carriage, we sell tours because of the horse.

You take the horse out of the equation and suddenly youre just a taxi giving tours, Sentineal said, adding electric carriages wouldnt be feasible.

Sentineal recalled a phone call his business received on Aug. 19 from an anonymous caller threatening to burn his horse barn down.

The police are at my place right now  We spent a lot of money on security and we have the police there as well, he said, in addition to the NRPS being present at his home for multiple nights since the call.

To their credit, Niagara Regional Police took the threat pretty seriously, Sentineal said. I never thought Id be sleeping in my barn because somebody was going to burn it down.

Animal rights activists plan to hold future protests, with one scheduled next weekend in Hamilton.

Horse-drawn carriages did not operate on Sunday.
Citis investors may be asking themselves what did those additional checks consist of. Were any alerts triggered and if so how and why were they ignored? And how did Citis own funds end up being transferred to Revlons lenders? The bank was only the administrative agent for the loan, according to its own description, and the cosmetics company had on Aug. 11 remitted the interest amount to Citigroup for transfer, not the principal.
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Saudi Arabia Oil Co.s senior management reshuffle is more than just a game of high-level musical chairs at any old energy company.

The oil giant faces an uphill battle to meet promises made before its record-setting initial public offering last year  and before the coronavirus pandemic hit  to deliver a $75 billion dividend payment this year and, presumably, a similar sized payout in 2021. It needs to adapt to meet the challenge.

Aramco, as the company is widely known, is creating a new corporate development organization that will focus on portfolio optimization, with a brief to assess existing assets and boost access to growth markets and technologies. It will be led by Senior Vice President Abdulaziz Al Gudaimi, who now heads up the companys unprofitable downstream business.

The change, it said, constitutes a refinement of Aramcos existing structure, not a fundamental organizational change. But it does suggest that the company is adapting itself to look more like its private sector rivals such as Exxon Mobil Corp. or Royal Dutch Shell Plc.

Aramco has never had to worry much about its portfolio of assets before. It developed oil fields at home in Saudi Arabia, building and operating the infrastructure to process, transport, export and refine its output. And, increasingly, it invested in joint ventures with overseas processors to refine its crude and lock in guaranteed markets. With huge profits to be made in the upstream sector of the business  finding, producing and selling crude oil  crude prices and production volumes have been the driver of corporate profit across the industry. But, as I wrote here, thats a model that has been turned on its head this year.

Western oil companies have weathered the Covid-19 storm by slashing dividend payments, and in the case of the European majors, the successes of their trading departments  both things Aramco couldnt tap.

Aramco has been hit twice by the pandemic and taken heavier blows than its competitors. First, the collapse in global demand triggered a rout in oil prices, taking Brent from almost $70 a barrel at the start of the year to below $20 in mid-April. Prices are now back around $45 a barrel, but have been stuck there, as the recovery in demand has faltered.

Story continues

The second punch came from the Saudi-led OPEC+ response that saw the 23-nation group cut production by a record 9.7 million barrels a day in May. That slashed the volume of crude the company pumped by more than 4 million barrels a day, or 35%, between April and June. Under the current terms of the OPEC+ deal, output restraint is due to remain in place until April 2022.

Aramcos revenues have taken a battering. Free cash flow slumped to $6.1 billion in the second quarter, but the company maintained its $18.75 billion dividend payment. It had no real option. Before floating 1.5% of the companys shares on the local stock market, its majority owner, the Saudi government, promised that dividend payments in 2020 wouldnt fall below $75 billion.

Unless the companys fortunes change dramatically, it will be impossible to maintain those payments without resorting to heavy borrowing. The company is unlikely to get much help from crude prices. Brent is forecast to average less than $42 a barrel this year, rising to $48 next year and $54 in 2022, according to the median of estimates in Bloombergs commodity price forecasts survey.

And it cant just pump more oil. Aramcos production should average 9 million barrels a day for the rest of 2020, rising to just under 9.5 million next year under the terms of the OPEC+ deal  thats still about 250,000 barrels a day below what the company pumped before it embarked on its brief output surge in April.

Prior to Aramcos IPO, JP Morgan Chase & Co. told prospective investors in a research report that under an acid test of crude at $40 a barrel and production of 9 million barrels a day  pretty close to the scenario facing the company this year  Aramco would only remain within its self-imposed borrowing target by cutting the dividend by 30% and slashing spending dramatically.

In this environment, its unlikely a simple strategy refinement will be enough. Aramco may have to rationalize what it already does. Earlier this year, it hired advisers for a potential multi-billion dollar sale of a stake in its pipeline business. It may be looking to shed other non-core assets. It says its still committed to a $10 billion refinery joint venture in China, denying it was suspending its involvement. However with dividend payments having to take priority, now may not be the moment to commit to a heavy investment that wont deliver income for several years.

Perhaps because of its decision not to reduce payments to shareholders, Aramcos stock has fared much better than those of its rivals. Its share price is down by less than 2% since the beginning of the year, compared with drops of 41% for Exxon and 48% for Shell.

The problem Aramco faces, though, is how to keep those dividend payments going until oil prices and production get back to comfortable levels. More actively managing its asset portfolio is one part of its response.

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

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
25.08.2020 LISTEN

The Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has said Professor Kwamena Ahwois book titled 'Working with Rawlings,' contains several inexcusable witting misstatements, factual errors, and conclusions.

In his second critique of the book, Amidu indicated that he has swallowed the bait of Mr Ahwoi's book in which he turned rumours about him into shameless facts.

"The fact that no finger had been raised against his uncontested previous scholarly works does not mean that no finger can be raised against his Working with Rawlings. Kwamena Ahwoi baited me with his Working with Rawlings with the romours about me he turned into shameless fact," he stated.

According to him, Ahwoi is reaping where he has not sown.

He said the Prof. Ahwoi has ingeniously appropriated PNDC policies and achievements as though the PNDC could not have functioned and achieved any reasonable success for ushering Ghana into a true democracy and decentralization without him.

Mr Amidu added that the impression that if Mr. Kwamena Ahwoi had not been born or had died the PNDC would have ceased to exist upon his demise may be the product of a figment of an infected mind and "everybody knows that nobody is indispensible in this world. The world would move on without any of us, high or low."

"I have raised my finger in protest against his internalized penchant for reaping where he has not sown. I am challenging the accuracy of his historical knowledge and conclusions as a matter of fair comment and in the public interest. I have shown in the foregoing disclosures that I am qualified to challenge and critique Kwamena Ahwois Working with Rawlings."

Read full article here:

Disclosure of Possible Conflicts of Interest In Writing This Critique

I stated in my concluding introductory presentation of this critique of Kwamena Ahwois Working with Rawlings that I intend to be guided by the hallowed ethics of accountable and transparent writing which require professionals or academics of any breed who engage in any serious discourse for public education, guidance and consumption to disclose everything which the public must take into account in assessing the veracity of their work. I am accordingly going to state fairly soon what I sincerely believe may be possible biases and conflicts of interest on my part which I must guard against and which the reading public must know from the onset in my attempt to present, as far as humanly possible, an objective critique of Kwamena Ahwois Working with Rawlings. The disclosures I make will assist me to bring myself within the acceptable ethical standards empowering me to critique the authors book in an accountable and transparent manner.

I wish, therefore, from the onset to begin with a confession of my career shortcomings. I failed my First University Examinations (FUE) in African Studies in the University of Ghana. It used to be elegantly stated in generous language as being referred in African studies. I passed it at my second world war, as students used to refer to the re-sit of the paper, otherwise I passed all my undergraduate and professional law exams and later my conflict resolution exams at one sitting without going to any second or third world war or cowardly flee the battle field altogether. One could have attained the highest grades at the degree level but the award of the degree was withheld until one fought the world wars and became victorious in African Studies.

My second confession is that the author and I, who considered ourselves as Vandal mates from our student days at the Commonwealth Hall and the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana disagreed on an ethical issue in 1990/1991 on the condition precedent for presenting legislation to the Chairman of the PNDC for his signature within the mandate of PNDCL 42. This arose from a letter I wrote to the Chairman of the PNDC as the PNDC Deputy Secretary for Justice and Attorney-General with reference number L. 21/87/Vol. II dated 28th December 1990 on the Local Government (Amendment) (NO. 2) Law, 1990. Nana Ato Dadzie, the PNDC Secretary, PNDC Secretariat, for some reason decided to write letter with reference number PNDC/S. 272/Vol. 3 dated 3rd January 1991 to the PNDC Secretary for Local Government requesting him to submit his reaction to my letter (which he enclosed) to enable him place the matter before the Chairman of the PNDC. It set off a series of unpalatable exchanges as a result of which the PNDC Secretary for Local Government (the author  like his late friend P.V. Obeng before him) presumptuously demanded for my dismissal by the Chairman of the PNDC. The PNDC Chairman as usual ignored the demand. Instead, the PNDC Chairman got Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu to mediate an uneasy peace between the two of us whom the Chairman referred to as his able lieutenants.

The letter I wrote to the Chairman of the PNDC dated 28th December 1990 was innocently written and without any malice at the time it was written. But subsequently, certain facts that came to my notice in London in or around September 1993 educated me in hindsight that Nana Ato Dadzie was privy to facts about the author I was ignorant about at the time I wrote the letter. Nana Ato Dadzie used the occasion to provoke a fight between the author and I by calling for the authors reaction to my letter. Nana Ato Dadzie achieved the result he wanted. I thought the matter was settled but after my nomination and introduction at the Castle meeting on 3rd September 2000 as the NDC running mate for the 2000 elections the author walked up to me, congratulated me, told me my nomination was proof that the system works no matter how long it took for recognition to come. He assured me that he could always forgive even if he could not forget.

The innocent letter bomb I threw to the Chairman of the PNDC which set Nana Ato Dadzie in motion concluded as follows:

8. I should state that as a person duly enrolled to practice the profession of law in Ghana I find myself in a seriously unethical position of having to conduct Governments legislative business in this manner. I am however compelled to forward the Law to avoid any possible delays in the execution of Government policy if insisting on ethics will have this effect.

At the time of writing these innocent words on 28th December 1990 I did not know and could not have imagined that the author had not been enrolled on the roll of lawyers.

I am stating these facts to put myself within the requirement of transparency and accountability to the public who are going to be consumers of this paper. I have an ethical duty to bring the reading publics attention to any matters which will make my critique appear biased so they may guard against it in assessing my critique. Having delivered myself of this burden, I can now say and demonstrate that I am qualified to attempt a critique of Kwamena Ahwois book, Working with Rawlings because of my antecedents within the 31st December Revolution and the PNDC , and the NDC Governments under the Fourth Republican Constitution which spans more than the period the author was actively a minister of state and writes about.

Review of Qualification to Write This Critique Of Kwamena Ahwois Working with Rawlings And Highlighting Some of His False Assertions

On 31st December 1981, I was in private practice as a professional lawyer with Mr. Asochina Ajumbra Luguterah, in his Lugu Chambers in Tamale, having been duly enrolled on the roll of lawyers in Ghana on 11th November 1978. I worked with the PNDC from February 1982 to 6th January 1993. I started as a member of the Interim Northern Regional Coordinating Secretariat of the Peoples Defence Committees and Workers Defence Committees (PDCs/WDCs). In February 1982 I was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Enquiry into the Cotton Development Board with Edward Karbo, of Town and Country Planning Department, Tamale (now the Lawra Naa) and One Mr. Agyemang, then teaching at the Ghana Secondary School, Tamale, as members. The sub-committee of the National Investigation Committee (NIC) completed its work and presented its report to, Mr. John Ndebugre, the then PNDC Secretary for Northern Region in December 1982.

In January 1983 my name was included in a public announcement by the PNDC to report to the Castle for an interview. I met Kofi Totobi-Quakyi, Kwame Peprah, Ohene Kena, Yaw Donkor, and others who also came for the interview at the Castle. The late PNDC Member, Mr. Ebow Tawiah, the late Professor Ansah Asamoah, Mr. John Ndebugre and others constituted the interview panel.

On or around 20th February 1983 a number of the interviewees were appointed by the PNDC to various positions. Kofi Totobi-Quakyi, Kwame Peprah, Ohene Kena and I were appointed Deputy PNDC Secretaries. I was posted to the Upper East Region as PNDC Deputy Secretary. I doubled as the Acting PNDC Secretary for the Upper East from February 1984 to September 1984 when Mr. Ndebugre was reshuffled to the Ministry of Agriculture. I also served in the PNDC Government in various capacities until 6th January 1993.

I was thrust by the PNDC into playing various roles during its tenure in office. I am proud to have had the opportunity alongside other committed comrades to have fulfilled, without incident, my internationalist obligations to the international revolutionary struggle in Africa. Whilst serving as PNDC Secretary for Volta Region, in 1988, the PNDC offered me the opportunity to double as Chairman of the NIC Sub-committee to investigate malpractices at the then Social Security Bank Limited, an assignment responsible for the eventual reorganization of that Bank.

I am also proud to have been reluctantly thrust by command of the PNDC into the Consultative Assembly, 1991 only to become the Chairman of the House Committee. I was one of the nominees of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Committees of the CDR to the Assembly. I contested for the nomination when Captain Kojo Tsikata requested me to do so after informing me that the author had refused his request to contest as one of the nominees to represent the CDR for Greater Accra. I combined my positions in the Consultative Assembly with that of Deputy Attorney General and PNDC Secretary for Justice. I was the liaison between the Consultative Assembly and the PNDC, interacting frequently with Justice D. F. Annan and Captain Kojo Tsikata for the evolving true democracy.

As Chairman of the House Committee of the Consultative Assembly 1991, and liaison between the PNDC and the Assembly, I was consulted and played several roles in the evolving democratic process which the PNDC had articulated from its inception under section 32 of the PNDC (Establishment) Proclamation (Supplementary and Consequential Provisions) Law, 1982 (PNDCL 42) by setting up a National Commission for Democracy (NCD). The NCD was in addition to performing functions related to elections, to (e) formulate for the consideration of Government programme for a more effective realization of a true democracy in Ghana. Factually, Mr. Justice Annan who was later to become PNDC Member and Chairman of the NCD was not an operative of the PNDC when PNDCL 42 was enacted. The erroneous impression painted by the author as though it was the authors super- intelligence, vision and efforts that instructed the PNDC in its decentralization programme for a true democracy when he became a PNDC Secretary for Local Government in late 1988, is therefore, a half-truth and deceitful for a scholar as I will soon demonstrate.

In May 1992 after the dissolution of the Consultative Assembly, the PNDC decided and instructed me through Mr. Justice Annan to represent the PNDC Government as lead advocate in cases brought against the Government in Court. When I objected, Mr. Justice Annan asked me to lodge my appeal upstairs because he was only a messenger. I did not appeal and that was what brought me face to face with then Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo in the first quasi-constitutional case of Gbedemah & 28 Others v Interim National Electoral Commission, 26th May 1992, High Court, Accra (Unreported). This was the case in which Mr. K. A. Gbedemah and 28 Others (including the late Mr. J. B. da Rocha who deposed to the opposing affidavit against the application by the Defendant raising preliminary objection to the action) sought the enforcement of their fundamental human rights under the 1992 Constitution which had been approved at the referendum on 28th April 1992 to come into force on 7th January 1993. Technically this was the first constitutional case after the approval at the referendum of the 1992 Constitution. Bilson v Attorney-General [1993-1994] 2 GLR 413 was the second quasi-constitutional case in which I was the lead lawyer for the PNDC Government as the 2nd Defendant and not the first as erroneously implied by the scholar-author in his book. Mr. Joe Reindorf was the lawyer for the 1st Defendant. I have run ahead of myself!

I also feel honoured that the Chairman of the PNDC who did not know me personally before my appointment had built such trust and confidence in my poor intellect and capabilities that (whilst I was in the Upper East Region, later at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industries Science and Technology and at the Volta Regional Administration) he persistently passed messages through Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, PNDC Member, to me to hold myself in readiness for a job he had in store for me to perform for the revolution.

I was compelled to accept a transfer to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development as PNDC Deputy Secretary to support the venerable Gertrude Zakaria-Ali the pioneer Deputy Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development after I tendered my resignation from the Government on grounds of corruption by some colleagues at the Upper East Regional Administration. Mr. K. Acquah Harrison had become the PNDC Secretary after his former Ministry of Rural Development and Co-operatives was merged with the Ministry of Local Government before I was posted there. Mr. J. A. Kuffuor was the first PNDC Secretary for the Ministry under the PNDC. He was followed by Mr. Kwame Dwomoh-Kessie, and Mr. F. A. Jantuah as PNDC Secretaries for Local Government before Mr. K. Acquah-Harrison under whom I worked. By virtue of my service as PNDC Deputy Secretary for the Upper East Region and Acting PNDC Secretary for the Upper East Region for nine months in 1984, and my subsequent appointment as PNDC Deputy Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development in January, 1986, I know as a matter of fact that the author was not and could not have been the architect of the Local Government and Rural Development policy and structures which had been evolved from the inception of the PNDC to ensure the decentralization and democratization of the Local Government structures in Ghana long before he ever got near the Ministry as a PNDC Secretary.

The author has over the years usurped the collective achievement of the PNDC and its numerous PNDC Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries for Local Government, and the Regional Secretaries who labored incrementally to establish a true democratic and decentralized structure for Ghana. The author has persistently behaved as though there was no firm basis established by his predecessors when the author was belatedly appointed a PNDC Secretary in 1988. The authors claims to expertise and being the architect of the collective achievement of the PNDC and NDC Governments under the Chairmanship and Presidency of Flt. Lt. Rawlings which have gone unchallenged does a great disservice to transparent and accountable disclosure required of any person who lays claims to being a scholar. But this is a Sir Cecil John Rhodes scholar, if one knows who Sir Cecil John Rhodes was in the Pan Africanist struggle for emancipation and freedom in Southern Africa

And it came to pass! I became the first and only Deputy PNDC Secretary and Deputy Attorney General under the PNDC from 21st October 1988 to 6th January 1993: the professional revolutionary assignment the PNDC Chairman had apparently held in store for me as a lawyer. I was appointed Deputy Attorney-General and PNDC Deputy Secretary for Justice on 21st October 1988 at a time when the incumbent Attorney-General had been hospitalized. I was, thrust by the PNDC into having responsibility for the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General. Mr. E. G. Tanoh who was PNDC Secretary for Chieftaincy Affairs was later given supervisory responsibility with me literally holding the fort for Mr. G. E. K. Aikins until Mr. E. G.Tanoh was reshuffled as Attorney General and PNDC Secretary for Justice in December 1990. I remained the only Deputy Minister and Deputy Attorney General under the NDC1 and the NDC 2 Governments till Professor Mills and I lost the 2000 elections.

It was not possible for any legislation to be passed into law without the involvement of the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice. First and foremost the Committee of Secretaries or the Cabinet had to recommend a PNDC Secretary or Ministers legislative proposals for consideration and enactment. The Attorney General and his Director of Legislative Drafting had to scrutinize the proposed legislation before submission to the enacting authority for consideration. No Minister has the ability solely by himself to consider policy proposals and turn them into draft proposals for law without the approval and concurrence of the Executive Authority. The supporting public servants servicing the Secretary or Minister with their technical expertise were a charge on the consolidated fund and not on the Ministers personal resources. It could not, therefore, as the author wishes the whole world to believe that he is the architect and author of all the achievements of the PNDC and NDC1 and NDC2 Government in the sphere of Decentralization and Local Government. The Report on Evolving A True Democracy presented to the PNDC by the NCD on 25th March 1991 does not even support the authors spurious claims. There is a word for any scholar who adopts the work of a collective for any scholarly achievement without expressly acknowledging those contributions.

The Chairman of the PNDC also appointed me concurrently as the Chairman of the Public Agreements Board under paragraph 42 of PNDC Law 42 from 1989 to 6th January 1993. As Chairman of the Public Agreements Board the PNDC mandated me to attend its meetings in my personal capacity as the Board Chairman, in order to defend the recommendations of the Board. I say confidently that the PNDC under the Chairmanship of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings never approved a public agreement which was dis-recommended by the Board even though I incurred the displeasure of some PNDC Members, and PNDC Secretaries for the Board recommending against the approval of some of their public agreements.

In the ELKON-SIC agreement, for instance, brought by the Ministry of Works and Housing to the Board, the Chairman of the PNDC stood by Board when the matter came up for consideration at the PNDC meeting for disapproval in the teeth of opposition from the Chairman of the Committee of Secretaries, Mr. P. V. Obeng, the PNDC Secretary for Works and Housing, Naval Captain K. A. Butah (rtd), and the PNDC Secretary for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Kwesi Botchway. The Board established conclusively that the foreign company was depending entirely on the SIC to provide all the financial resources except the architectural and engineering expertise for the joint venture. The foreign company was at the same time to be both the administrative, and technical managers of the joint venture with the Government of Ghana. I was consequently privy to many discussions at the PNDC which PNDC Secretaries, including the author, and their deputies were not privy to.

I served in the first two Governments of the NDC under the 1992 Constitution from 7th January 1993 to 6th January 2001 during which I worked with Dr. Obed Asamoah as the Attorney General who had been doubling also as the Chairman of the Financial Committee of the NDC. I can say without any shadow of doubt from my association with Dr. Asamoah in 1992 and thereafter that without Dr. Obed Asamoah, the NDC as a political party would have been stillborn even before the 1992 Presidential and General Elections. He had been the General Secretary for K. A Gbedemahs National Alliance for Liberals (NAL), in 1969 and the United National Convention (UNC) of Mr. William Ofori-Atta, in 1979. In my estimation, there was nobody in the PNDC system with equivalent political party organizational experience as Dr. Asamoah. He is entitled to recognition for those efforts.

I also served in the Fifth Government of the Fourth Republic from 2009 to January 2012. I was appointed the Presidential Advisor on Legal Affairs with the mutual understanding that I will never be a Minister of State. Nonetheless, I was moved to the Ministry of the Interior as Minister of the Interior, and after more than three objections to move to the Attorney Generals Department I succumbed in January 2011, moved to be the Attorney General and left the Government on 19th January 2012 after a principled disagreement. This was because my colleagues from the PNDC era who had appropriated the gentle and sick Professor even from his family were uncomfortable with my closeness to President Mills who had been my personal friend since he taught me commercial law in my third year at the University of Ghana in the mid-1970s in addition to my being his running mate for the 2000 elections. While President Mills could not resist the pressure from the cabal between the periods from June 2009 to 12th January 2012 I continued to be a frequent invitee to the Presidents office for consultations on several matters. Sir Bebeako-Mensah, the then Secretary to the President may confirm how often the President invited me for consultations. I saw at close quarters how the infirm President Mills was misused and abused by the predators of his generosity to the detriment of his failing health as will subsequently be narrated by his brother in 2017 in a published interview. Was the President Emeritus, Flt. Lt. Rawlings, one of the predators who prevented the status of President Mills failing health from being made public to enable them to selfishly and greedily misuse, abuse, and bleed him to death?

I am now a public officer serving in the capacity of the Special Prosecutor under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) and gagged from active politics.

Kwamena Ahwoi Was Not The Alter Ego Of The Achievements of The PNDC or NDC1 & 2 Governments

Mr. Kwamena Ahwois Working with Rawlings falsely presents the author as the alter ego of the PNDC Government and the NDC1 and NDC2 Governments. The author has ingeniously appropriated PNDC policies and achievements as though the PNDC could not have functioned and achieved any reasonable success for ushering Ghana into a true democracy and decentralization without him. The impression that if Mr. Kwamena Ahwoi had not been born or had died the PNDC would have ceased to exist upon his demise may be the product of a figment of an infected mind and everybody knows that nobody is indispensible in this world. The world would move on without any of us, high or low.

I have not read any of Kwamena Ahwois previous works. Kwamena Ahwois Working with Rawlings, however, contains several inexcusable witting misstatements, factual errors, and conclusions. The fact that no finger had been raised against his uncontested previous scholarly works does not mean that no finger can be raised against his Working with Rawlings. Kwamena Ahwoi baited me with his Working with Rawlings with the romours about me he turned into shameless fact. I have swallowed the bait. I have raised my finger in protest against his internalized penchant for reaping where he has not sown. I am challenging the accuracy of his historical knowledge and conclusions as a matter of fair comment and in the public interest. I have shown in the foregoing disclosures that I am qualified to challenge and critique Kwamena Ahwois Working with Rawlings. Stay with me! I shall be back. Ghana First.

MARTIN A. B. K. AMIDU
Trina Solar, a worlds leader in solar technology manufacturing, has signed an agreement with Yancheng Economic and Technological Development Zone in Jiangsu province to expand its manufacturing capacity of 210mm solar cells.



In line with Trina Solars strategies, the company will add 7.6GW in annual production capacity at its Yancheng production site, increasing its 2.5GW overseas cell capacity.



Another 2.4GW of existing production capacity at the Yancheng site will be upgraded. With other new production capacity and upgrading existing production capacity, the companys annual production capacity will reach 26GW with 70% Ultra-High-Efficient 210mm cell by end of next year.



The 10GW 210mm cells will be used in the Trina Solar Vertex 600W+ new product series, which has been widely acclaimed in the market. The latest moves will not only speed up technological innovation in the industry, but also provide a broader space for reducing balance of system and levelized cost of energy from the system side to ensure stable customer income.



Trina Solar is dedicated to an all-round value strategy that delivers immense benefits to its customers. Relying on the R&D platform of its critical photovoltaic science and technology laboratory, Trina Solar plans to strengthen R&D investment in the field of large-size cells and modules to ensure that the average efficiency of newly built passivated emitter and real cells reaches 23% early next year.



The company will continue to deploy forward-looking battery and component technology as it seeks to maintain its leading market position.



Gao Jifan, General Manager and Chairman of Trina Solar said the company will further enhance its core competitiveness through cost and scale advantages in expanding the production capacity of high-efficiency large-size solar cells, seize market development opportunities for monocrystalline products, and enhance profitability and the company's comprehensive competitiveness with the advantage of policies in Yancheng that are forward looking and give invaluable support to industry.



Antonio Jimenez, Managing Director and Vice President, Trina Solar Middle East & Africa Region, commented: Clean energy transition in the MEA region has been dramatic and countries are rapidly adopting renewable energy sources to meet their future energy needs and reduce carbon emissions. We always strive to contribute in the sustainable development of the global photovoltaic industry. The addition of the 10GW of cell production capacity will reinforce our position in the solar value chain. Similar to introducing the Vertex 210mm cell modules, this is again a step of Trina Solar leading the solar industry.  TradeArabia News Service


Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday opened up the possibility of individual regions being able to request the declaration of a state of alarm in their territory (or part of it) in order to impose stricter measures against the spread of Covid-19, including localised lockdowns.

"Requests which fulfil the health criteria will have the support of the government," said Sanchez, who explained that regional chiefs would have to bring the case to Congreso for debate before such measures can be approved.

"The evolution [of the virus] is not good, especially in some territories, which have done worse than others, but we are far from the situation of March. Now we must not let fear paralyse us," he said.

Another measure announced by Sanchez in his appeal for "co-governance" in the fight against the pandemic was to make 2,000 military personnel available to the autonomous communities to bolster contact tracing which now has the additional help of the Radar COVID mobile application.

"Its effectiveness was proven in the pilot test in La Gomera, detecting almost twice as many contacts as manual trackers. With more than 20 per cent implementation, it could reduce the impact of the pandemic by 30 per cent. Everyone should download the application," he said.

New cases, a "concern"

In response to the increase in infections across Spain during the last few weeks, Sanchez said that the situation was "a concern" but asked for "calm".

"Covid-19 cannot take over our lives. We are going to flatten the curve again; we already did it at a more difficult time, we know how to do it now," he said.

The causes of the upturn, he said, "are the same as in Europe as a whole: nightlife or family gatherings". As a result, he has also asked for young people to commit to tackling the virus and therefore, he said, the government has started campaigns on social media through so-called influencers.

Sanchez also stressed that the national health system is better prepared to face the pandemic than it was a few months ago. "We know the virus better and we are confident that we have more resources," he insisted.
Jamie Lee Curtis has fans on the edges of their seats for the next installment in the Halloween franchise, which has been delayed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the two-time Golden Globe winner made sure to keep busy during quarantine, as Hollywood attempts to bounce back from the coronavirus.

She showed off her toned physique in a casual chic black ensemble as she stepped out for a meeting in Beverly Hills on Monday.

Back in black: Jamie Lee Curtis showed off her toned physique Monday in a casual chic black ensemble while stepping out for a meeting in Beverly Hills

The 61-year-old donned a sleeveless fitted black top, complemented with a pair of matching slim cargo pants.

She accessorized with a pair of silver aviator sunglasses, a matching necklace and black flip flops, carrying her iPhone on a crossbody strap.

Curtis took precautions against COVID-19 in a black and white face mask, printed with a photo of Prince and lyrics from his 1984 hit song Let's Go Crazy.

She's recently been hosting an Audible Originals podcast, entitled Letters from Camp, a story written by her goddaughter Boco Haft.

Casual chic: The 61-year-old donned a sleeveless fitted black top, complemented with a pair of matching slim cargo pants

Silver fox: She accessorized with a pair of silver aviator sunglasses, a matching necklace and black flip flops, carrying her iPhone on a crossbody strap

Dearly beloved: Curtis took precautions against COVID-19 in a black and white face mask, printed with a photo of Prince and lyrics from his 1984 hit song Let's Go Crazy

Cool story: She's recently been hosting an Audible Originals podcast, entitled Letters from Camp, a story written by her goddaughter Boco Haft

The True Lies star told Newsweek: 'I knew kids weren't going to get the opportunity to go to camp this year, so we decided to bring summer camp to them.'

She added: 'We wanted to create something delicious for young people during this horrible summer where they were denied many of the opportunities of being young.'

Curtis stars in the podcast alongside godson Jake Gyllenhaal, 39, and she produces with Halloween assistant Russell Goldman.

She's set to return for Halloween Kills, which was recently postponed from its October, 2020 premiere date to October 15, 2021.

The scream queen recently revealed that filming is expected to resume early next year, after production was put on hold in March.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : Lisa Heydlauff came from the UK two decades ago to find out how children go to school in India. While she found her answer in quick time, she also realised that children, especially from indigent homes needed to be shown the entrepreneurial path to have any chance at cracking the future.

This led Heydlauff to launch Map of Me (MoM), a mobile channel that celebrates young entrepreneurial efforts in India. MoM is part of Going to School (GTS), a not-for-profit company founded by her that makes design-driven stories, books, graphic novels, games, and television series to teach impoverished children.

IANSlife speaks to Heydlauff to know how she is trying to imbibe entrepreneurial skills in the youth of India and more. Excerpts: When did the idea of MoM come to you and what made you think of this approach?

Heydlauff: The idea came to me when stuck in traffic in Bengaluru I looked over and saw young people on a bus, also stuck in traffic, scrolling on their mobile phones. I know I impatiently wanted to get out of the traffic to go where I needed to go, yet they seemed patient and knew what to do with three hours. It gave me the idea that the long commute to work by public transport, trains, buses, metros, if you could design a skills platform for that then you'd enable young people to use that time to learn the skills they need to get new jobs or make the jump to becoming entrepreneurs. It wasn't the same captive audience as schools, but another audience of young people who were already at work and wanted to do more.

Do you believe the Indian youth has it in them to become excellent entrepreneurs? Heydlauff: Yes, I think we all do. We need new narratives and stories though to encourage young people to think that being an entrepreneur is a choice, not a fall back option. The narratives we see still are of wildly successful businessmen who are multi-millionaires. Then we talk about bootstrapping, 'jugaad', or social enterprise. Let's just go straight to it and be honest with young people - the global economy will never be able to create enough jobs for everyone, and even if it could, would you as a young person want that job which will always be insecure? Why not look at what you can control.

The world is a mess. Full of problems. Every problem is an opportunity for you to be a problem-solving entrepreneur to solve the problem for you and everyone around you. Young people in India, or every person across the globe has the potential to be an entrepreneur, they just need to find the big reason why, the problem they want to solve and take a risk to begin.

In your experience is there gender differences amongst entrepreneurs which you may have gathered? Do women score better or worse? Heydlauff: The data on young women entrepreneurs is not robust and that's because we're up against a lot, women are still largely in traditional careers and sectors when they do work or become entrepreneurs, food, childcare, sewing/fashion, beauty - and we are not expected to make it long term because of marriage and children and balancing a home.

There are so many things that have to come into place from families, culture, support systems like childcare, to enable women to make it. Often entrepreneurship for women is seen as home-based; what can she do at home? On her doorstep? Someone once asked me, I want her out of the house, so other young women see her, a proximity role model, riding a scooter, taking the bus, participating in the world around her, going to work in a new field - clean energy, solar, biomass, STEM careers, coding, running a funky food truck - doing whatever it is that women haven't done yet at scale to open the doors for many more women to the same. I often think we're waiting for someone else to go first.

Time has run out. India needs us at work, fully participating in all new sectors and ventures to balance the odds, to take on Climate Change, to make our cities safe, just, inclusive. Being a woman at work, a woman entrepreneur is not just about work, it's about changing everywhere we go by sometimes just turning up.

Who is the youngest entrepreneur you have encountered so far? Heydlauff: I met a boy who was 13 who had a story, a business in his mind, a second-hand shoe story he called it, he told me an amazing story about quality, pricing, marketing and he had super clean white shoes to go to school.

Tell us a little about how you will take MoM offline when schools start? Heydlauff: MoM works online, for young people age 18-23 it's a free platform powered by video, young people we hope will tune in, visit the site, app every morning on their commute to work on public transport to learn skills for work, explore new enterprises, answer our quiz questions to win fun stuff like a bicycle and helmet to cycle to college or work.

For our secondary audience of young people in Grade 11 and 12, there are 26 steps to making a new life plan focusing on school to work transition. The benefits of MoM is that it's free, funky and in each language of each city with bespoke content. With a global telecoms supporter of BT, the platform and content is set up to reach millions of young people on the way to work to enable them to discover new things they might like to do and dually to reach young people in government schools who are currently offline - by BT volunteers taking the content on mobile phones, tablets, laptops to schools young people not only get to make new life plans and online bullet journals, they meet young people with jobs they might like to do and can ask them lots of questions about how they did it.

Has the lockdown proved a bit more beneficial for MoM, given that the young are increasingly online? Heydlauff: Not really, I think we still want to meet other people in real life and we get our ideas for what's next by coming together. Turning up, talking in person can't be replaced by technology especially when it comes to how young people learn at school, which is together with helpful skilled adults chatting equally.

(Puja Gupta can be contacted atpuja.g@ians.in)
MINNEAPOLIS - Prosecutors have urged a Minnesota judge not to dismiss the charges against one of four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd, saying Tou Thao pushed back a crowd of concerned bystanders and prevented them from intervening as the other officers pinned Floyd to the ground.

In a filing late Monday, the attorney generals office said there is more than sufficient evidence to support charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter against Thao. His attorney had filed a motion to dismiss.

Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill has scheduled a hearing for Sept. 11 to hear motions. The four were fired after the May 25 death of Floyd, a Black man, which sparked protests against racial injustice and police brutality worldwide.

Derek Chauvin, who kept his knee pressed to Floyds neck for nearly eight minutes, is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. J. Kueng and Thomas Lane face the same charges as Thao. Prosecutors want to try the four together. Trial is scheduled to begin March 8.

In the first five minutes Floyd was on the ground, he told the officers at least 20 times that he could not breathe. He told them nearly 10 times that he was dying. And then he fell silent, prosecutors wrote.

As Floyd lost consciousness, a crowd of bystanders pleaded with Thao. They told him that the officers were killing Floyd. They screamed that Floyd had stopped moving. They alerted Thao that Floyd had stopped breathing. And they begged Thao almost 30 times to take Floyds pulse, the filing continued. But instead of intervening on Floyds behalf, Thao continued to push the crowd of bystanders back to the sidewalk, allowing the other officers to continue to pin Floyd to the ground  with Chauvin on Floyds neck, Kueng on Floyds back, and Lane on Floyds legs.

Thao has minimized his role in Floyds death, describing himself in an interview with investigators as a human traffic cone as he held back the onlookers. His motion to dismiss cited a lack of probable cause to support the idea that Thao knew the other officers were going to commit a crime or that he intended to further the commission of a crime.

Thaos attorney, Bob Paule, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a federal review of the states autopsy report filed into evidence Tuesday said it agrees with the states findings that Floyds heart stopped while he was being restrained.

The federal evaluation was conducted by the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner and requested by the U.S. Department of Justice, which is investigating whether the officers violated Floyds civil rights. The federal medical examiner found Floyds death happened due to the police restraint in the setting of his serious heart disease, and methamphetamine and fentanyl use.

According to prosecutors notes filed into evidence, Hennepin County Medical Examiner Andrew Baker told prosecutors that the level of meth in Floyds system was low, but that the level of fentanyl was high. Had Floyd been found alone with no other contributing factors, Baker said he could conclude Floyd overdosed, according to the notes.

A summary of findings from a separate autopsy commissioned by Floyds family found he died of asphyxia due to neck and back compression, which impeded blood flow to his brain.

___

For AP coverage of racial injustice issues: https://apnews.com/Racialinjustice

___

Explaining AP style on Black and white: https://apnews.com/afs:Content:9105661462
Kumasi, August 24, 2020  School children from the Nhyiaeso Basic School have applauded the MTN Ghana Foundation for building and handing over a six-unit classroom block and staff bungalow for children in the area.

The facility, which was put up at a cost of Ghc500,000 will serve about 356 pupils. It comes with a staff common room and headteachers office which have all been fully furnished.

The Ag General Manager for the Northern Business District of MTN Ghana Simon Amoh handed over the completed facility to the Chief and people of Nhyiaeso within the Asante Akyem district.

Samuel Koranteng, Corporate Services Executive and Executive Director of the MTN Ghana Foundation said, I am really pleased about the completion of this important facility. The MTN Ghana Foundation embarked on this project because of the value we place on education. We believe that children of school-going age and those yet unborn equally deserve better opportunities in education at all levels.

The facility will bring hope and relief to about 356 pupils (184 boys and 172 girls) and teachers from Nhyiaeso. It will also serve eight other surrounding communities. We look forward to hearing about high retention in school and increased enrolment, Mr Koranteng said.

The request for the building was presented to MTN Ghana Foundation board by Ohemeng Tawiah, a journalist working with Joy Fm who chanced upon the school whilst covering a story in the area. According to the story he carried, pupils in the school had gone through several challenges including walking over 20 kilometers to the neighboring towns to attend school. Reports indicate that some of the girls where sexually assaulted by some herdsmen in the surrounding communities. The existing facilities were in a very poor state and many of the structures were almost collapsing. The provision of the classroom block school will therefore help to eliminate absenteeism on the part of both pupils and teachers. It will also end the long trekking pupils had to undertake to access education.

.The representative of Agogomanhene, Nana Brentuo Asadro Nti said, I am amazed at what MTN has done to promote education in this area and I wish to express my sincere gratitude to MTN.

In his remarks, the DCE, Hon. Francis Oti Boateng also said, Government appreciates the role of the private sector and commends MTN for such an initiative. Comparing this new school to the old dilapidated structure, this is a tremendous improvement. Considering the cost of the structure, it would have taken years for the Assembly to accrue that amount of money to provide such a facility. Well done to MTN for supporting Asante Akyem and its environs.

The District Education Director, Madam Mildred Ama Kwakye Agyapong also said, this is one of the finest school buildings in the country. We are grateful for the relief this would bring and how it would also enhance education in this area. I plead with the people of Nhyiaeso to take good care of the building to make it last longer.

Among other dignitaries who attended the brief ceremony were the Odikro of Nhyiaeso Nana Kwasi Owusu, Hon. Andy Appiah Kubi, MP for Asante Akyem North and Mr. Jim Aglah, the General Manager of Multimedia Group in Kumasi. The event was also attended by MTN officials in the region.

For about twelve years now, the MTN Ghana Foundation has been instrumental in supporting national development efforts through a conscious investment in the areas of Education, Health, and Economic Empowerment. Over USD 15,207,874.19 has been invested in about 149 projects across the country out of which 85 are education projects. These projects are estimated to have impacted over 4 million people.
The International Space Station will offer a trio of strong chances for spotting it as it orbits Earth this week.

The best chance comes for four minutes beginning at 5:35 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, when the ISS will appear at 15 degrees above southwest, rise to maximum height of 89 degrees in the sky and then disappear at 40 degrees above northeast.

Lesser, but still very strong, opportunities will be:

Thursday, August 27, for two minutes beginning at 4:50 a.m., when the ISS will appear at 46 degrees above south-southeast, rise to 50 degrees and then disappear at 26 degrees above east-northeast.

Saturday, August 29, for two minutes beginning at 4:51 a.m., when the ISS will appear at 51 degrees above northwest, rise to 53 degrees and then disappear at 24 degrees above northeast.

NASA explains, The horizon is at zero degrees, and directly overhead is 90 degrees. If you hold your fist at arms length and place your fist resting on the horizon, the top will be about 10 degrees. Each additional fist-depth above the horizon is roughly another 10 degrees of elevation.

NASA doesnt issue one of its Spot the Station alerts for anything less than 40 degrees, and the space station is not expected to meet or top that point again this week.

According to NASA, the space station looks like an airplane or a very bright star moving across the sky, except it doesnt have flashing lights or change direction. It will also be moving considerably faster than a typical airplane (airplanes generally fly at about 600 miles per hour; the space station flies at 17,500 miles per hour).

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.

Contact Marcus Schneck at mschneck@pennlive.com.
Setting Kansas City's Agenda

Nick's Picks |Back to School...For Now, RNC Week and New Charlie Parker Film It's first day of class for most of our area universities. The University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Kansas, University of Missouri-Columbia and Kansas State University are all beginning in-person instruction this week. Many students, though, are now finding that after moving into their dorms all of their classes have shifted online.

Kansas City Fights For Justice

Family, police continue to ask for tips in man's murder near 40th and Jackson from July KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - We've told you about how murders are hard to solve without good leads from witnesses. But the murder of Louis Davis Jr. last month that police think was an attempted robbery has yielded not a single tip. Nothing. "He was a soft-spoken person," Louis Davis Jr.'s brother Reggie Davis said.

Golden Ghetto Falls Down

Overland Park cancels Fall Festival OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - The City of Overland Park has announced the cancellation of their annual Fall Festival. The festival was slated to take place during the final weekend of September, but the city decided to cancel the event to limit the spread of COVID-19. "Public health and safety are a priority for the city.

Actress Pioneers Pr0n Game

Meet the Meryl Streep of Porn Over the past five years, women have increasingly stepped into the roles men have historically held within the adult industry. Not only are women generating more content, assuming the positions of director, producer and star, they're also experiencing longer careers as self-invested entrepreneurs profiting from today's internet-based business model.

High Praise For Prez Trump

Republican National Convention kicks off with a near spiritual devotion to Trump WASHINGTON -- The first night of the virtual Republican National Convention featured more than a dozen speakers. And while the GOP had fewer celebrities and fun backdrops than Democrats had last week, the evening technically went off without a hitch. Trump himself only appeared on camera twice over the course of the night.

American Flashpoint 2.0

Kenosha becomes center of nationwide protests after police shoot Black man in front of his children Buildings and cars in Kenosha, Wisconsin, were set ablaze Monday night amid protests reignited by the police shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake.

COVID Hits Home

While nationwide surge may be slowing, officials warn of troubling Covid-19 signs across US heartland New Covid-19 cases in the US may be on the decline but some officials across the country's heartland reported worrisome news this week.

Politico Power Play Awaits

Diplomats aghast as Pompeo set to address RNC from Jerusalem WASHINGTON - Diplomats who are barred by law from mixing work and politics say they're appalled by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's decision to address the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, breaking with long-standing traditions aimed at isolating American's foreign policy from partisan battles at home.

Reporting American Revival

'Dead' woman discovered alive in body bag at funeral home A young woman who was declared dead at her suburban Detroit home opened her eyes at a funeral home as she was about to be embalmed, a lawyer has said. "They would have begun draining her blood to be very, very frank about it," Geoffrey Fieger told WXYZ-TV.

KC Good Cause Cleanup

Volunteers needed for yard cleanup for those with disabilities The Whole Person is looking for volunteers to help clean up yards for people with disabilities."Often people with disabilities have difficulty in keeping up with their yard work and often they might be in a situation that the city is about to give them a fine," said Terri Goddard, of The Whole Person.The event is usually done twice a year, but with the pandemic, the spring cleanup was canceled.The Whole Person is hoping for 300 to 400 volunteers to help clean up homes."This year we've had 45 houses register to be a part of the event.

Lost & Found Justice

Man's police patch quilt found, cleaned and returned after local thieves stole it KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It's a happy ending to a story many thought wouldn't have one. A young man traveling through Kansas City to college had his one-of-a-kind quilt stolen earlier this month. Hundreds of police patches cover the quilt, and thanks to a few kind Kansas Citians, it's on its way back to him [...]

Kansas City Double Take Heat

Your Storm Track 5 Daily Forecast Another hot and humid one is on the way for your Tuesday. Mostly sunny skies and high temperatures near 95..

This morning we're inspired byas we contemplate pop culture, community news and top headlines . . .is the song of the day and this is thefor right now . . .
Sakthy Vell, lawyer for the family of Nora Quoirin, at the inquest as the family could not attend

An inquest into the death of Irish teen Nora Quoirin, which opened in Malaysia yesterday a year after her body was found, has been told there was no sign that she had been kidnapped.

Nora's disappearance from her family's cottage at the Dusun Eco Resort in southern Negeri Sembilan state on August 4 last year sparked a massive search operation.

Her naked body was found on August 13 beside a stream in a palm oil estate about 2.5km from the resort.

Coroner Maimoonah Aid said the inquest is aimed at determining when Nora died, the cause of her death, how she came to her death, and if anyone was criminally involved.

Disabilities

Negeri Sembilan police chief Mohamad Mat Yusop, the first witness, said the investigation showed no criminal element. He said there was no indication Nora was abducted and no ransom demand.

Police believe Nora climbed out of a window on her own, and the post-mortem showed she succumbed to intestinal bleeding due to starvation and stress, he said.

Her Irish mother and French father, Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin, say Nora was kidnapped because she had mental and physical disabilities and could not have wandered off on her own.

Resort owner Haanim Bamadhaj, who gave evidence through video conference, said Nora's parents had told her the teenager only had her underwear on when she went missing and that she would hide when she was frightened.

Recalling the night, Ms Haanim, whose house faces the Quorin's cottage, said it was peaceful and that her dog, who would bark if there were outsiders, was also quiet.

She acknowledged that a window of the cottage that was found ajar the morning Nora disappeared was faulty and could be opened from the outside. But she said there have never been any criminal break-ins in her property since it opened for business 11 years ago.

A recording of the girl's mother calling "Nora darling, Nora, Nora, mummy here" that was used during the search was played to the court.

The inquest, which is set to run until September 4, is to involve 64 witnesses.

The Quoirin family lawyer, S Sakhty Vell, said Nora's parents could not attend the inquest due to the coronavirus pandemic but will give evidence through video conference. A British doctor who conducted a second post-mortem on Nora's body will also give evidence remotely, he said.

Negligence

The Quoirin family have sued the resort owner for alleged negligence. They said in their lawsuit that there was no security at the resort and that a cottage window was found ajar with a broken latch on the morning Nora disappeared.

Nora had poor motor skills, needed help to walk and her mental age was about five or six years old, her parents said in the lawsuit.

Gurdial Singh Nijar, the lawyer representing the resort, told reporters after the first day of the inquest that the incident was unfortunate but "there was no culpability" on the part of the resort owner.

Nora's parents have welcomed Malaysia's decision to hold the inquest after police classified the case as "no further action". They said the inquest will be "crucial in determining the fullest possible picture of what happened to Nora".
Protesters in Madison again took to the streets Monday as outrage over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha Sunday roiled the nation.

Blake, 29, who was unarmed, remained in serious condition Monday after Kenosha police shot him. A widely seen cellphone video made by an onlooker showed at least one white Kenosha police officer shooting at Blakes back as he leaned into his SUV, which had his three children sitting in it. Seven shots can be heard in the video.

You always have the feeling if it happens there, it can happen here, said Sheri Carter, the first African American woman elected Madison City Council president. It puts a layer of stress and anxiety on the Black community, although it didnt happen in our community.

As a Black woman, Rep. Shelia Stubbs, D-Madison, said watching the video of Blake getting shot was "traumatic."

"I am shook up. I cried," Stubbs said. "My heart goes out to Jacob Blake's family. There were children in that vehicle that could have been killed by a gunshot from law enforcement, whose job is to protect and serve."

Stubbs said one of the worst parts is that, after the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, police violence against Black people is starting to almost feel normal.

About 100 to 200 people gathered shortly after noon on the Capitol steps before marching down State Street.

Protesters made their way toward UW-Madisons campus chanting Black Lives Matter and Jacob Blake. They briefly held up traffic on Johnson Street, where they shouted all cops are bad cops at a handful of police officers watching from the curb.

Demonstrators continued marching into the evening.

Absolutely horrific

Reina Werth, one of the protesters, said she was marching because systemic racism in the U.S. is showing "now more than ever."

The video that came out of Kenosha is absolutely horrific, Werth said. I dont understand how people can watch it and not be here.

Protester Jae Buck, 21, said she was sexually harassed by a police officer while out of state about a month ago. Buck, who is white, said the experience gave her a taste of what she said it must be like to be afraid of police all the time.

"No one is out here protesting or being angry for no reason," Buck said.

Brandi Grayson  founder and CEO of Urban Triage, which organized many of the local protests against the death of Floyd  said her organization was not out leading protests Monday, but acting in a support role.

She said those who are more focused on the potential destruction that could follow the protests than being outraged about police brutality should consider that Black people have been "murdered without justice or due process."

Were in support of protesters. We are in support of however that manifests, Grayson said. We dont have the judgment of how the rage  the Black rage and Black pain and 400 years of oppression  what that looks like. We dont have a judgment on that.

By Emily Hamer, The Wisconsin State Journal (TNS). State Journal reporters Chris Hubbuch, Shanzeh Ahmad and Tamia Fowlkes contributed to this report.

More:

Upstate NY police officer suspended over response to Black Lives Matter sign

Black Lives Matter mural unveiled in midtown Harrisburg

If not now, when?: Black women seize political spotlight
The students and families in this area need access to every educational resource possible, and we ought to be working together continually to make sure that happens, Carter said. This came about because of a global crisis, but it shouldnt take a pandemic to bring about this type of agreement amongst our institutions. Hopefully, this can lead to a long-lasting compact between our four schools and provide a model for colleges and universities across the state and the country.

Coastal Carolina University President David A. DeCenzo also touted the agreement.

As leaders of higher education institutions in our region, we share the responsibility of removing barriers to learning and ensuring access to facilities and technology for all of our students, he said. Our institutions have a long-standing history of connecting well with one another. This agreement opens up imaginative new prospects for meeting our students needs together.

The compact is the product of discussions between the schools this summer when all four were busy building their fall reopening plans.
COLUMBIA, S.C.  According to updated data, communities with mask requirement ordinances in place continue to see a slower rate of coronavirus spread compared to communities without mask requirements, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said Tuesday.

The data continues to reinforce what weve already known about proper wearing of masks and their success in helping to stop the spread of this deadly virus, said Dr. Brannon Traxler, a DHEC physician.

Nearly 40 percent of residents, or approximately 2,000,000 South Carolinians, reside in jurisdictions that have local mask requirements in place.

When comparing the jurisdictions that have mask requirements in place to those that don't, the jurisdictions with mask requirements have shown a 44.2 percent greater decrease in the total number of cases during the five weeks after the requirements were implemented.

Those jurisdictions with mask requirements in place have seen an overall decrease of 43 percent of total cases for the five weeks after the requirements were implemented compared to before the requirements were in place. This is an overall decrease of 99.2 cases per 100,000 people from before the mask requirements to after.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, chairs a symposium on advancing integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Aug. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

HEFEI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed efforts to seek continuous results in the integration of the Yangtze River Delta through focusing on major work of integrated and high-quality development.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a symposium held in Hefei, capital city of east China's Anhui Province on Thursday.

The integration mechanism and interconnected infrastructure have played a role in epidemic prevention and control as well as economic recovery, Xi said in a speech delivered at the symposium.

In general, a new development pattern for the integration of the Yangtze River Delta is taking shape, Xi said.

WHY THE DELTA

He called for a deeper understanding of the delta's status and function in China's economic and social development, so as to better promote the region's integrated development amid grave and complex circumstances.

Xi urged the delta region to take the lead in forming a new development pattern that takes the domestic market as the mainstay and allows the domestic and foreign markets to boost each other.

Noting that the region should also rise to assume the role of the trail-blazer of China's technological and industrial innovations, Xi said Shanghai and the entire delta region should not only provide quality products but also serve as a source of high-level technologies to support China's high-quality development.

Xi underscored achieving faster progress in developing the region into a new high ground of reform and opening up.

Efforts should be made to improve the business environment in line with world-class standards, and attract talent and enterprises from home and abroad with a development environment scoring high in openness, services, innovation and efficiency, Xi said.

He also called for efforts to promote trade and investment facilitation and strive to make the delta region an important bridge between the international and domestic markets.

INTEGRATION, HIGH-QUALITY

Xi stressed focusing on the keywords of integration and high quality to push forward integrated development of the delta. Integrated approach and measures should be taken to break administrative barriers, enhance policy coordination, and enable the smooth flow of production factors on a larger scale.

He underlined promoting high-quality economic development of the Yangtze River Delta, intensifying efforts to achieve scientific and technological breakthroughs, boosting quality development of cities in the Yangtze River Delta region, fostering the momentum of high-quality development in underdeveloped regions, and promoting high-standard reform and opening-up of Pudong.

Xi urged the provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang as well as Shanghai to prioritize key areas and major fields including integrated circuit, biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and called for efforts to foster the innovative development of micro, small and medium-sized technology companies.

He said the high-standard reform and opening-up of Pudong is of strategic significance to the development of Shanghai, the integrated and high-quality development of the Yangtze River Delta, as well as the socialist modernization in China.

Xi called for continued efforts to develop the Lingang area, a newly- launched section of the Shanghai pilot free trade zone, and boosting development of Shanghai as an international financial center to support the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Delta and the country.

Meanwhile, Xi demanded efforts to consolidate the foundation for the green development of the Yangtze River Delta, stressing that priority should be given to the protection and restoration of the Yangtze River's ecological environment, and measures must be taken to fix prominent environmental problems.

He underscored the need to enhance the access to basic public services in the region, so as to shore up weak links in people's livelihood while pursuing regional integration.

The integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta will not be achieved overnight, Xi said, calling on people to remain patient, think long term but act with a sense of urgency.

To deliver more fruitful outcomes, the plans for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) should be drawn up in a practical way, he said.

Vice Premier Han Zheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the leading group for promoting the integrated development of Yangtze River Delta, also attended the symposium.
Houston teens have launched a free tutoring service through LimitlessMinds for kindergarten through eighth-grade students.

With school back in session for many districts, many parents across the area are finding out they could use a little assistance with homeschooling their children, and that is where this non-profit organization steps in.

LimitlessMinds, co-founded by Manan Shah and Linda Liu, was "designed to help students continue learning despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic."

SCHOOL CLOSURES DUE TO HURRICANE LAURA: School closures: Galveston, Brazosport, Huffman ISD cancel classes due to Hurricane Laura threat

The Houston chapter of LimitlessMinds was launched on July 20, by Monica Balakrishnan (founder, co-president, and a junior at Carnegie Vanguard High School).

The other two chapter leaders include Madeline Hsu (co-president, junior at Carnegie Vanguard High School), and Oceana Jin (vice president, junior at Bellaire High School).

With a team of about 40-45 high schoolers, from all across the Houston area, the three teens do all the backend work which includes matching the students with the tutors and promotion for the program.

"Tutoring occurs on different platforms such as Google Hangouts, Zoom, FaceTime, etc. It is a one-on-one session and parents need to be present to maintain civility on both ends," said the teens.

According to the Houston chapter of LimitlessMinds, they offer services for students in K-8 in a wide variety of subjects that also includes foreign languages and coding.

"Because the tutoring is all done through virtual platforms as long as there is an established time between the tutors and the tutees, there seems to be not many difficulties/challenges.," said the Houston teens.

The teens stated they have received an abundance of positive and encouraging feedback from parents.

"Thank you for this great program, it is just what we need right now in this challenging time!" stated a comment from a testimonial page LimitlessMinds shared.

"Great program! As two working parents with three young kids, this is a much-needed relief for us," said another comment from a parent.

The teens also shared that they do need more tutors to help out.

"All the tutors will need to do is sign up at the interest form link. The only requirements to be a tutor are that they must be a high schooler(grades 9-12) and willing to put in some time/effort to teach a student in a subject of their choice."

Parents can find more information through the website here, or email limitlessmindshouston@gmail.com.

STAY INFORMED: Sign up to receive breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.
OTTAWA  After spending the Conservative leadership campaign courting socially conservative voters, Erin OToole has reaffirmed his pro-choice position and vowed to defend Canadians existing rights should he become prime minister.

Speaking Tuesday at his first news conference as his partys leader, OToole attempted to avoid the ambiguity on social issues that plagued his predecessor, Andrew Scheer, on the campaign trail in 2019.

I am an MP with a clear track record for standing up for human rights, whether its women, whether its the LGBTQ community. I won the leadership of the Conservative Party as a pro-choice Conservative MP, and thats how Im going to lead as leader of the opposition and thats how I will be as prime minister, OToole told reporters.

But like Scheer before him, the support of social conservatives was crucial to putting OToole over the top in the partys leadership contest  and he wasnt exactly subtle in courting their votes.

Early in the contest, OTooles campaign attacked rival Peter MacKay for saying hed require Conservative cabinet members to vote against any legislation that would reopen the abortion debate. OToole promised both backbench Conservative MPs and cabinet ministers would be free to vote their conscience on moral issues like abortion and assisted dying.

Listen to The Star's Alex Boutilier discuss Erin O'Toole's win

OToole also explicitly appealed to social conservatives to make him their second or third choice in the partys ranked ballot leadership contest.

The Durham MPs platform also promised legislation to protect conscience rights of medical professionals whose beliefs, religious or otherwise, prevent them from carrying out or referring patients for services that violate (the workers) conscience.

The rights of Canadians must be respected. Rather than dismissing the conscience rights of Canadians, a mature society like Canada should work on solutions to accommodate all rights, the platform read.

Asked Tuesday about his support for Bill C-225, a private members bill aimed at creating a criminal offence for harming a fetus in an assault on a pregnant woman, OToole insisted the bill was a public safety measure, and not  as critics argued  a covert attempt to give legal rights to fetuses.

Conservative sources said OToole did not make any explicit bargain when he sought support from socially conservative elements within the party. Rather, it was a reference to social issues as a stinking albatross around Scheers neck in the 2019 that made MacKay a non-starter for the social conservatives. That left the door open for OToole to seek their support as a second or third choice in the ranked balloting.

Despite OTooles pro-choice assurances Tuesday, the Liberals signalled that they intend to use social conservatism as a wedge issue against the new Conservative leader.

Oakville MP Pam Damoff issued a statement before OTooles news conference that called on the Conservative leader to boot former rival Derek Sloan from caucus. If he doesnt, Damoff argued, hed be condoning Sloans anti-choice and anti-LGBTQ comments during the campaign, as well as his attack on Dr. Theresa Tams loyalty to Canada.

If Mr. OToole wants to prove that he only pandered to far-right groups in order to win the leadership, and not as part of his vision for the next campaign, he has a lot of work ahead of him, Damoff wrote.

However, the first item on his list needs to be removing Derek Sloan from his team.

OToole brushed aside that call, and said he looks forward to speaking with Sloan and the rest of the Conservative caucus about how to move forward as a unified party.

In a leadership race, theres always some pressure, theres ideas, theres a contrast of ideas, he said. Thats finished.

I received a clear mandate, and Im very excited to meet with my caucus and talk with all of them about uniting and going forward together.
South Africa: Gauteng Health urged to fast-track disciplinary proceedings

Acting Gauteng Health MEC, Jacob Mamabolo has directed the department to compile a full report on all long outstanding disciplinary cases.

In a statement on Monday, the MEC also urged the department to commence immediately with hearings and to fast-track cases which were already underway.

This comes in the wake of the announcement of investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) where departmental officials are implicated.

Disciplinary action if left pending for a long period has a negative impact on the departments performance and affect the confidence the people of Gauteng have placed on us. It also leaves staff anxious, as they are worried about their future.

Furthermore, it constraints the department as you have people who by virtue of their transgression have demonstrated that they no longer have an interest to serve the people of our province, Mamabolo said.

The MEC added that the department remains committed to addressing maladministration and rooting out corruption.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (Agence France-Presse)  Tue, August 25, 2020 21:08 512 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c406cadb 2 Art & Culture auction,Jack-White,White-Stripes,Third-Man-Records,memorabilia Free

The auction, presented as a garage sale by Jack Whites Third Man Records, will take place via Online Nashville Auctions from Wednesday, Aug. 26 to Sunday, Aug. 30.

As recording studios had to clear their schedule in reaction to coronavirus-induced shelter-in-place orders, Third Man Records took the opportunity presented by the necessity of social distancing to comb through the storage vaults and hidden closets at their headquarters and pulled the best of their infrequently used studio gear, furniture and more.

Read also: Online Pablo Picasso auction raises almost 5 million

Among the items on offer are stage monitor covers and pedalboards used on tour by The White Stripes, as well as a few of the many drum sets used by the band in the Michel Gondry-directed video for their 2003 single, Hardest Button To Button.

Also going under the hammer at Online Nashville Auctions are guitars from Whites personal collection, clothing used in an array of video shoots and a wide variety of other stage equipment.

One of the most coveted items available is a 19-inch Paiste Full Crash cymbal used by American drummer Meg White during her years in the White Stripes.

Theres no telling how long Meg had used this cymbal, but at the VERY least, I would expect it to have been used for the preceding week of shows in Australia and New Zealand, as part of the Big Day Out Festival. Its not too far-fetched to think the cymbal would have been used even longer than that, but its impossible to verify, White Stripes archivist Ben Blackwell said in a statement, adding that this is the coolest item available in this auction.

A portion of the proceeds of the garage sale will go to the non-governmental organizations John Peel Centre and Gideons Army, as well as the Detroit Phoenix Center.
Shanu Hinduja

Empowering Women and Promoting Gender Equality

Empowering Women and Promoting Gender Equality

Los Angeles, California, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Financier has been all up in arms talking about women empowerment and the women in the financial sector



The early 21st century saw the eruption of demand for women empowerment replacing what was previously the need for women empowerment after decades of protesting and canvassing. As women joined the workforce in masses, representing womens issues in parliaments, the movement had become a series of tidal waves. Shanu Hinduja belongs to one of the waves.

I see first hand why we need more women business leaders and entrepreneurs  and why we need more respect for those that have gained success, Ms. Hinduja said to Daily Front Row on the topic of women in the financial sector.

Ms, Shanu Hinduja is the chairperson of Geneva-based Hinduja Bank Ltd. and the Hinduja Foundation US. She is also the co-chair and director of Hinduja Global Solutions Inc. However, her role as a financier is not the only arena in her life where she enjoys success and shares the passion for, for Ms. Hinduja is also an outspoken activist of womens rights and women empowerment. She began her own career working for Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and Nomura. She completed her schooling in France at the famed INSEAD Business School.

Fortunate enough to be in a position of influence, I strongly believe it is my responsibility to give back, in order to support others empowerment and boost their own opportunities.

Ms. Hinduja is of this opinion as she continues to preach passionately the need for gender equality and promotes diversity in the workplace. Hinduja, aside from inspiring and calling out to women to go and chase their dreams, also refutes the outdated, patriarchal views that only men should hold positions of significance in the world of finance.

To date, most Swiss Bank CEOs and chairpersons have been men, with the general female workforce accounting for only 5% of the total. Hinduja, on being offered this opportunity, has grasped it with both hands and used her privilege to proudly embrace her activism, which has further given her the opportunities to speak at top forums and global conferences. She is also a distinguished writer and speaker on current affairs, ranging from tech to healthcare, education, and globalization. Her work has proved to be of influence across the globe, affecting US, Indian, and European media.



Following in the footsteps of her father Mr. S. P. Hinduja, Ms. Hinduja has worked alongside him to provide scholarships to gifted students attending Columbia University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Cambridge University. She has also addressed the UN General Assembly of over 130 attending countries on the imposition of gender roles and the dire need for gender equality for future progress.

Story continues

There is no doubt that as the waves keep coming, Shanu Hinduja will use that momentum to further her success in her own field and her activism to help other women succeed.

About Daily Front Row: The Daily Front Row is a fashion-industry magazine and publication known commonly as The Daily. With Brandusa Niro as its current editor, the publication is based in New York, USA, and was founded in November 2002.

Media Details:

Company: The Daily Front Row

Contact Person: Thomas Herd

Website: https://fashionweekdaily.com/

Email: info@fashionweekdaily.com

Phone: 310 490 3171



Attachment






Financial Report FY2020

Sydney, Aug 25, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In the financial year the MNF Group ( ASX:MNF ) ( FRA:M2S ) derived recurring and variable revenue from the sale of its software and services in Australia, New Zealand and internationally.WholesaleThe Wholesale business unit provides voice and communications capabilities including phone numbers, voice carriage services and telco cloud services.Domestic Wholesale customers are predominantly Retail Service Providers (RSPs), Managed Services Providers (MSPs) and IT companies in Australia or New Zealand. Domestic Wholesale services are typically sold through subsidiary brands Symbio Networks, iBoss and Telcoinabox.Global Wholesale customers are predominantly international UCaaS, CPaaS and CCaaS vendors, software and app developers and global telecom providers. Global Wholesale services are typically sold through Symbio Networks and TNZI.DirectThe Direct business unit provides mobile, conferencing and collaboration services directly to residential, small business, enterprise and Government customers, predominantly in Australia.Enterprise and Government customers are served through the MNF Enterprise brand in Australia and Supernet in Singapore. Small business customers are served by Connexus and Express Virtual Meetings, while residential customers are served by Pennytel and MyNetFone.Operating ResultExcluding costs associated with acquisitions, earnings before net interest, tax expense, depreciation and amortisation expense (EBITDA) increased by 40.5% to $38.2m, with net profit after tax (NPAT) increasing by 20.2%* to $11.9m, compared to the prior year.The total dividend for the full year is 6.1 cents per share (fully franked), with the Company declaring a final dividend of 3.6 cents per share for the second half of the 2020 financial year. The full year dividend payments represent 41% of the 2020 full year EPS.To view the FY20 Results Presentation , please visit:To view the FY20 Financial Report, please visit:About Symbio Holdings Limited

Symbio Holdings Limited (ASX:SYM) is one of Asia-Pacific's fastest growing technology companies. Listed on the ASX since 2006 and twice winner of the Forbes Asia-Pacific "Best under a Billion" award. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the company has over 500 people located across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. Symbio develops and operates a global communications network and software suite enabling some of the world's leading innovators to deliver new-generation communications solutions.

As the world moves to IP, Symbio is building the brands, services, network and technology to lead the way.
A deal to sell the company behind some of Australias most popular milk brands to a Chinese firm has been called off.

Lion Dairy and Drinks  home to Big M, Dare Iced Coffee and Yoplait yoghurt  was to be sold to Chinese company Mengniu Dairy as announced by Japanese company Kirin in November 2019. However, the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) has stopped the sale from being approved.

We are disappointed with this outcome and will now consider pathways forward in relation to the Lion Dairy & Drinks business, Lion said in a statement released on Tuesday morning.

The Australian Financial Review reported last week that federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who has the ultimate say on deals considered by FIRB, did not support the transaction. Mr Frydenberg has said the deal would be contrary to the national interest.

However, both parties have said the ceasing of the deal was a mutual decision.

Related: Changes to FIRB process causing big delays for startups raising offshore capital

Lion notes that China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited has been awaiting the outcome of the Foreign Investment Review Board review of its proposed purchase of Lion Dairy & Drinks, the statement said. Given this approval is unlikely to be forthcoming at this time, Lion and Mengniu Dairy have mutually agreed to cease the current sale process.

The deal has been blocked as the Morrison government begins discussions on draft legislation that will make permanent changes to the foreign investment approval process. Temporary amendments were created hastily at the height of the pandemic in March, with permanent measures expected to be put in place in January 2021.

The government is reforming the foreign investment framework to respond to increasing concerns regarding foreign takeovers of distressed local companies hit by the recession. The Federal Treasury outlines in the reform that The Government will introduce a new national security test to ensure that it can act to address national security concerns arising from individual investment proposals which would otherwise be below the screening thresholds when the temporary $0 screening arrangements lapse.
In a relatively dark year for the television world, might the return of Dr Jane Halifax be one of the brighter spots?

New series Halifax: Retribution is sequel to Halifax f.p., the popular 1990s series starring Rebecca Gibney as straight-talking forensic psychiatrist Dr Halifax. And while reviving beloved characters can sometimes be risky business, the TV experts on The Televisionaries podcast think it may work.

Anthony LaPaglia and Rebecca Gibney star in Halifax Retribution.

"I think it's a terrific return for the character of Jane Halifax, and a really polished production," says The Guide and Green Guide reviewer Debi Enker. "It's been quite a disappointing year in many ways for local production  I think this is the best one I've seen all year."

Spectrum deputy editor Kylie Northover says the Melbourne-set show (which airs on Nine, the owner of this masthead) brings a new perspective of the city to audiences, with many of the scenes shot from above to complement the storyline of a sniper on the loose.
More snow on the way in Pennsylvania; here's how much to expect
Weather Alert

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Very cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 20 to 29 below zero. * WHERE...Central, northern and southern Vermont and northern New York. * WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 10 AM EST Friday. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Temperatures will drop well below zero tonight into early Friday morning with northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph expected across the region. The coldest wind chills are expected between 5 AM and 9 AM Friday with winds expected to weaken as the day progresses. Temperatures will remain on the cold side throughout the day with high temperatures only climbing into the single digits above zero. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. &&
White supremacist Richard Spencer has announced he is voting for Joe Biden - only for Biden's campaign manager to say his 'absolutely repugnant' views were '10,000 percent unwelcome here'.

Spencer, 42, tweeted on Monday that he was abandoning Donald Trump, describing the president as 'an obvious disaster'.

'The MAGA/Alt-Right moment is over,' he tweeted.

'I made mistakes; Trump is an obvious disaster; but mainly the paradigm contained flaws that we now are able to perceive. And it needs to end.'

White supremacist Richard Spencer has lost his enthusiasm for President Donald Trump

On Monday Spencer, 42, announced that he was voting for Joe Biden in November

The neo-Nazi told his 81,000 followers that they should 'be patient.'

He added: 'We'll have another day in the sun. We need to recover and return in a new form.'

Asked by another Twitter user how he intended to vote, he replied: 'I plan to vote for Biden and a straight democratic ticket.

'Its not based on accelerationism or anything like that; the liberals are clearly more competent people.'

Spencer reveled in the surprise that his announcement made, retweeting memes of himself

'The liberals are clearly more competent people,' said Spencer in his tweets backing Biden

His support was rejected the same day by Biden's team.

'When Joe Biden says we are in a battle for the soul of our nation against vile forces of hate who have come crawling out from under rocks, you are the epitome of what he means,' tweeted Andrew Bates, the director of rapid response for the campaign.

'What you stand for is absolutely repugnant.

'Your support is 10,000% percent unwelcome here.'

Biden's director of rapid response swiftly declined Spencer's offer of support in November

Spencer popularized the term 'alt right' to describe a politics that combined racist white nationalism, isolationism and criticism of mainstream conservatism.

From 2011 he was based in Whitefish, Montana, from where he edited and published a new online magazine, Alternative Right, and soon took over the National Policy Institute - a white identity think tank.

Alt right support for the 2016 Trump campaign, and Spencer's veneer of civility  largely avoiding crude slurs and the markers of previous neo-Nazi subcultures  allowed Spencer to gain media coverage and a hearing in some mainstream outlets.

Before the 2016 election, Spencer wrote on Twitter: 'We have a candidate for President whos demystifying racism and the financial power structure.

'No matter what happens, I will be profoundly grateful to Donald Trump for the rest of my life.'

Spencer shot to national attention in 2016 after shouting 'Hail Trump!' and being greeted with Nazi salutes at an event in Washington shortly after Trump was elected.

On Inauguration Day, his profile only rose when he was punched in the head during a live television interview with an Australian broadcaster.

As recently as July 2019 Spencer was interviewed on CNN.

Richard Spencer popularized the term 'alt right' and became the face of white nationalism

Spencer shot to attention with his 2016 chant of 'Hail Trump' at an election party

Spencer's endorsement of Biden draws parallels with the endorsement of Trump from David Duke, a KKK former grand wizard.

On the campaign trail in 2016, Trump was repeatedly asked about Duke's support, but insisted he had no idea who he was.

When asked on CNN in February 2016 if he would disavow the support of the KKK and other white supremacist groups, as the Anti-Defamation League has urged him to do, Trump said that he would first need to research the groups.

'If you would send me a list of groups, I will do research on them and certainly I would disavow if I thought there was something wrong,' Trump said.

'You may have groups in there that are totally fine. It would be very unfair. So give me a list of groups and Ill let you know.'

Two days later, he finally tweeted about Duke: 'I disavow, OK?'

Duke, however, has stayed loyal.

In a series of tweets in July, he reissued that endorsement - but suggested that Fox News host Tucker Carlson replace Mike Pence as vice president.

'Trump & Tucker is the only way to stop the commie Bolsheviks! It is the only path to beat them! #TrumpTucker2020,' he tweeted.
Ive thought long and hard about this, Rogina said. I feel this action is in the best interest of the health and safety of the public. I want to take a measured approach and keep our area moving in the right direction. I ask everyone to follow recommendations to wear a mask, watch your distance and wash your hands.
YEREVAN.  The standards created in secret were suddenly introduced like and explosion and put up for discussion. Armine Vaghramyan, a teacher at School No. 122 in Yerevan, mentioned this Tuesday at a press conference regarding the forthcoming education process in Armenia.

"I want to assure that no educator, no scholar, no figure in the field was aware of this process. In the conditions of secrecy, groups were created that have set absolutely unacceptable standards.

Next, we also received an imperfect documentthe order for school attendance. That order was also discussed when it was already written, it should have been put into use, but it had not been discussed before. The order is completely imperfect, she said.

Vaghramyan added that with this regulation, teachers are required to take a COVID-19 test en masse, and teachers cannot enter their schools without it. "Is there a provision [in the Constitution] that the schoolchildren and their parents must also take a mandatory test? In that case, let's test the whole nation," she stressed.

In her turn, historian and ethnographer Susanna Melikyan Noted: "How can a school with 700-800 students check so many children for fever and then admit them to school in the morning? How many hours should it take? Or does the teacher have to teach for eight hours in a mask? What about his/her health?

Or what does it mean not to let a child to go on recess? This is something abnormal, unnatural and just hysterical, sickening. (). No parent would agree to have their child sit wearing a mask for 45 minutes [in class]. Schools must go on indefinite strike as of September 1."
OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente has announced that Jeff Collins is the new regional president for Kaiser Permanente in the Northwest. In this role, Collins will lead all health plan and hospital operations for Kaiser Permanente in Oregon and southwest Washington, which, as the area's largest nonprofit health plan, provides care for more than 628,000 medical and 289,000 dental members.

Collins joined Kaiser Permanente in 2008 and has a 35-year history of strong leadership and expertise across complex health care systems in California, Florida, and Michigan. He has been interim president for Kaiser Permanente in the Northwest since June 1.

"Over the past 75 years, we've built a foundation of superior health care services for our patients, members, and communities," said Greg Adams, Kaiser Permanente chairman and CEO. "We're pleased to bring to the Northwest a proven leader of Jeff's caliber as we continue to deliver on our mission of high-quality, affordable health care, now  during the COVID-19 pandemic  and for many years to come."

Before arriving in the Northwest, Collins co-led Kaiser Permanente's 14 service areas in Northern California, comprised of 21 hospitals and 257 medical offices and serving 4.5 million members. Prior to that, he was senior vice president/area manager in 3 of those service areas.

In his new position, Collins is responsible for leading the Northwest health plan and hospitals leadership team and partnering closely with the Northwest Permanente Medical Group and Permanente Dental Associates, as well as Kaiser Permanente's labor partners. His role also includes responsibility for initiatives in the Northwest that address the social health needs of our members and the local community. This includes grants, donations, and strategic investments that strengthen resources for housing, food, and economic opportunity.

"Jeff stepped into his interim role during the throes of a worldwide pandemic," said Kim Horn, executive vice president and group president for Kaiser Permanente markets outside California. "He is effectively executing a reactivation plan providing members safe access to high-quality care, including dramatically increased access to telehealth and virtual services that enable members to receive care in the safety and comfort of their homes. Under Jeff's leadership, Northwest's expansion of virtual care will be part of the new ways we are meeting members' expectations for quality and convenience."

About Kaiser Permanente

For 75 years, Kaiser Permanente has been committed to shaping the future of health and health care  and helping our members, patients, and communities experience more healthy years. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Since July 21, 1945, Kaiser Permanente's mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.

For more information, contact:

Michael G. Foley, [email protected], 503-867-5621

Vincent Staupe, [email protected], 510-318-1557

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente

Related Links

http://www.kaiserpermanente.org


To clamp down on opulent banquets paid for with taxpayer money, Chinas top leader, Xi Jinping, banned alcohol at military functions after he came to power in 2012. In 2013, he also introduced a national guideline prohibiting expensive liquors at events held by local governments and state enterprises.

Though the bans resulted in a drop in liquor sales, some officials kept drinking together in secret. State news media reported that 20 officials were punished in Yunnan Province after binge-drinking at a government function in September 2017. A county official in Guangxi Province died of alcohol poisoning in April 2017 after celebrating his first day on the job with colleagues. Seven officials who had drunk with him were fired.

Efforts to contact Mr. Yang were not successful. But he wrote that the dinner banquet, held at a luxury hotel in the capital, had destroyed his illusions about the finance industry.

In the message he posted in a group chat on Friday, he said he had sensed that his abstinence would become an issue. He had alerted his boss before the banquet that he did not drink for personal reasons. But the boss still pressed him to swap his beverage for an alcoholic one.

Mr. Yang wrote that he apologized, but did not give in.

Then, he said, another director approached him with an expletive-laden rant for rejecting an offer of alcohol from a superior and smacked him on the cheek. As he left the banquet hall, he said, his new colleagues erupted in jeers.

Some internet users in China praised his firm stance and warned against the risks of succumbing to pressure. But the pressure to drink, and the slap, sent him in search of answers.

On the morning after the dinner, in a 114-person group chat for new hires, Mr. Yang asked recruiters whether alcohol was part of the job. If I dont drink alcohol, is that not in keeping with the companys requirements? he asked. Does my experience exceed the pressure I should have borne professionally?
Seoul, Aug 25 : South Korean Defence Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo on Tuesday said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, seems to be in control of a key unit of Pyongyang's ruling Workers' Party.

Asked by a lawmaker during a National Assembly session if Kim Yo-jong has a substantial grip on the party's Organization and Guidance Department, the Minister said that he did thought so, reports Yonhap News Agency.

But Kim Jong-un is believed to maintain his sole control of the party, the regime and the military, while he has delegated some "roles and responsibilities" to his aides, Jeong said.

On a view that Kim Yo-jong oversees Pyongyang's strategy on Seoul and Washington, the Minister said: "It appears to be true, as she expressed so." Kim Yo-jong is the younger sister of Kim Jong-un and the only one of his siblings considered a close and powerful ally, the BBC reported.

She first gained international attention in 2018, when she was the first member of the Kim dynasty to visit South Korea.

She was part of the delegation to the Winter Olympics, where North and South competed as a joint team.

Kim Yo-jong also worked alongside her brother at international summits, including his meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, China's Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.
Children in the Wilson School District were treated to a back-to-school bash Monday evening at West Lawn United Methodist Church.

We invited families with children under 12 to a casual, family friendly fellowship event to celebrate the end of summer and start of the school year, said Kelly Rismiller, director of children and family ministries.

In the church parking lot, children made tie-dye face masks, sent pastors splashing into a dunk tank and posed for back-to-school shots in a photo booth.

School supplies were handed out, and children were treated to a dance party with DJ Dave. Someone went home with an Amazon Fire tablet won in a raffle.

The West Lawn Church food truck dished out hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.

On a more serious note, children signed a quilt square to be included in a special blanket that will be presented to a courageous youngster in the church Sunday school whos battling a brain tumor.

Its been a difficult summer, Rismiller said, and the church wanted to do something to remind its families that the church was thinking of them.

We wanted to wish our kids the best and let them know we are with them in prayer and thought, she said. What better way to do it than a fun back-to-school event.
Russian Human Rights Council member urges Foreign Ministry stand up for Ukrainian activist

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

12:28 25/08/2020

MOSCOW, August 25 (RAPSI)  The case of Ukrainian activist, pedagogue Tatyana Kuzmich, charged with treason, is a next step in elimination of everything Russian in Ukraine, according to member of Russias Presidential Human Rights Council Alexander Brod.

No violation can be seen when analyzing the indictment; the charges are based on mere allegations and clearly pursue elimination of everything related to Russia, Russian language, and Russian culture, underway in Ukraine, Brod says.

The civic activist believes Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky follows the aggressive Russophobe policy of his predecessors, what results in a plunge in the number of his supporters wishing to keep cultural and economic relations with Russia.

Russias Foreign Ministry, Ombudsman, human rights watchdogs in Russia and Europe, Brod insists, need to stand up for the Ukrainian activist, who is a victim of the inhuman policy pursued by Ukraine.

The information on the detention of Tatiana Kuzmich has been already reported to the Councils Standing Commission on International Cooperation in Human Rights, Brod notes adding that he intends to urge the Commission to stand up for the Ukrainian activist.
Wildlife warrior Bindi Irwin and her husband, Chandler Powell, are soon to welcome their first child together.

And on Tuesday, 23-year-old Chandler shared an inspiring message about his beautiful wife to Instagram.

Alongside a charming photo of the couple, the former professional wakeboarder paid tribute to his 'best friend' as they spent time together in Queensland.

Young love! Bindi Irwin's (right) husband, Chandler Powell (left), shared an inspiring message about the wildlife warrior on Tuesday, as the couple prepare to welcome their first child

'I married my best friend,' he began.

'We recently found out our family is growing, and we've spent the past few weeks helping research crocodiles on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Far North Queensland.

'Every day is incredible with my beautiful wife.'

Romantic: 'I married my best friend, we recently found out our family is growing, and we've spent the past few weeks helping research crocodiles on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Far North Queensland,' the former professional wakeboarder, 23, wrote on Instagram on Tuesday

It comes amid news that Bindi and Chandler are 'in talks' to make a TV series documenting their journey to becoming parents.

According to New Idea on Monday, Bindi and Chandler could potentially make millions of dollars from syndication rights.

Bindi, 22, has been a television star since she was born, and also has a considerable following on Twitter and Instagram.

Stardom: It comes amid news that Bindi (left) and Chandler are 'in talks' to make a TV series documenting their journey to becoming parents

While she is currently based at Australia Zoo in Queensland, there are rumours the show could be filmed in America.

This makes sense because Chandler hails from Florida and Bindi's mother, Terri Irwin, is from Oregon.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Australia Zoo for comment.

In the money! The pair are reportedly 'in talks' to make a series documenting their experiences before, during and after Bindi gives birth. Bindi pictured with an Animal Planet crew

Bindi confirmed earlier this month that she was expecting her first child to Chandler, her husband of less than a year.

She told her Instagram followers on August 11: 'Baby Wildlife Warrior due 2021. Chandler and I are proud to announce that we're expecting!

'It's an honour to share this special moment in our lives with you,' she added.

'Though I'm still in my first trimester, we really want you to be part of our journey from the beginning of this new life chapter.'
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Mumbai, India  Tue, August 25, 2020 13:01 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c404586a 2 Entertainment Amitabh-Bachchan,bollywood Free

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan is back at work filming India's version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" following a bout of COVID-19, while authorities eased coronavirus curbs on movie and TV shoots.

A blanket ban on studio activity in March dealt a huge blow to India's cinema and TV industries, hitting not just Bollywood -- the world's most prolific film factory -- but also regional movie-making hubs and productions for television and streaming platforms.

In June shooting was allowed again but with strict rules, including a ban on actors and crew aged over 65 -- including Bachchan, 77 -- until a court overturned that earlier this month.

Late Sunday the government eased the regulations but still insisted that common facilities be regularly sanitized, masks worn and social distancing "followed as far as possible".

But the relaxation depends on individual Indian states, and Maharashtra, home to Mumbai and Bollywood and responsible for more than a fifth of India's virus cases, is sticking to the old rules for now.

"We are careful and will review these decisions based on how the pandemic is evolving in the state," a spokesman for the state government told AFP.

Shows such as "Kaun Banega Crorepati?" for instance, which Bachchan has hosted as quizmaster since 2000, will not be shot before a studio audience.

The veteran star, who spent much of July in a Mumbai hospital, shared a photo with his 22 million Instagram followers of crew members "in a sea of blue PPE", wearing full-body overalls and face masks.

Maharashtra authorities have sought to combat the spread of infections by banning producers from filming elaborate dance numbers and fight sequences -- a staple of popular Hindi cinema.

Social-distancing norms also put a stop to kissing or embracing, meaning a return of styles from the more conservative 1980s, when Bollywood songs often cut to images of flowers brushing against each other -- then a shorthand for romance.

In addition to providing crew members with medical and life insurance, producers in Mumbai are required to have a doctor, nurse and an ambulance on set.

Members of the Bachchan dynasty have been among the country's highest-profile coronavirus patients.

The superstar, his actor son Abhishek, actress daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, and granddaughter Aaradhya were all admitted to hospital last month. All four have since been released.
RTHK: Facebook vows legal action over ban on Thai group

Facebook said on Tuesday it would file a legal challenge against a Thai government order to take down a group where pro-democracy activists held discussions about the monarchy, a taboo subject in the country.

A growing tide of youth-led protests has swept Thailand in recent weeks  buoyed by anger against what many regard as an illegitimate, military-aligned government and an overly powerful royal family.

The private Facebook group, called "Royalist Marketplace", was created in April and had more than a million members before it was taken down on Monday.

A Facebook spokesperson said the network had been "compelled" by the government to remove the group.

"Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on people's ability to express themselves," the platform said.

"We work to protect and defend the rights of all internet users and are preparing to legally challenge this request."

The company did not give details of the legal action, but warned that such requirements would undermine its ability to reliably invest in the country.

Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an exiled Thai activist based in Japan and moderator for the group, said it had been a place for "genuine discussion" on the monarchy, including its political role and protesters' proposals for reforms.

Thailand's biggest recent pro-democracy rallies have seen up to 20,000 turn out on the streets, in a movement partly inspired by the Hong Kong protests last year.

Protesters are calling for more transparency of palace finances and for the royal defamation law to be scrapped  as well as the dissolution of parliament and a new constitution. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
August 25 : BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy has been alleging from the very beginning that Sushant Singh Rajput was murdered. He has made several shocking allegations, and the latest one is that the popular actors autopsy was deliberately forcibly delayed.

Subramanian Swamys latest allegation came after Times Now telecast a sting operation on Monday showing a forensic officer who stated on camera that no traces of chemicals in a dead body last for more than six hours or so, and the late actors autopsy was done about 12 hours after his body was recovered. So there was no question of finding any traces of chemicals in his autopsy.

Now the diabolical mentality of the killers and their reach is being slowly revealed: autopsy was deliberately forcibly delayed so that the poisons in SSRs stomach dissolves beyond recognition by the digestive fluids in the stomach . Time to nail those who are responsible  Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) August 25, 2020

Swamy took to his Twitter handle today and wrote, Now the diabolical mentality of the killers and their reach is being slowly revealed: autopsy was deliberately forcibly delayed so that the poisons in SSRs stomach dissolves beyond recognition by the digestive fluids in the stomach. Time to nail those who are responsible. The politician claims a Dubai link in Rajputs death.

Like in Sunanda Pushkar case the real give away was what was found in her stomach during post mortem by AIIMS doctors. This was not done for Sridevi or Sushant. In Sushant case a Dubai compliant drug dealer Ayash Khan had met Sushant on the day of Sushants murder. Why?  Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) August 24, 2020

On Monday, the Rajya Sabha MP alleged that the late actor had met a Dubai compliant drug dealer on the day he was found dead, that is, June 14. Swamy wrote on his official Twitter handle, In Sushant case a Dubai compliant drug dealer Ayash Khan had met Sushant on the day of Sushants murder. Why?

Meanwhile, the CBI team has asked the forensic team of AIIMS in New Delhi to examine Cooper hospitals post-mortem report. The AIIMS forensic team, headed by Dr Sudhir Gupta, will submit its findings of the post-mortem and viscera report by Friday to the CBI team.

Earlier, Dr Sudhir Gupta, head of the AIIMS forensic department, told the media that a medical board of five members are examining the autopsy report of Rajput to look into the possibility of a murder. He also raised question over the missing time of the late actors death in the autopsy report.

The autopsy report of the late actor, done by the Cooper hospital in Mumbai, stated asphyxia due to hanging as the cause of the actors demise. The report also ruled out the presence of any poisonous substance in the actors system at the time of death.

Latest updates on Sushant Singh Rajput Death Mystery
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 04:04:39|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TEHRAN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif criticized U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for "violating his own country's laws" and trying to "flood" the Middle East with weapons.

On a note on Twitter reported on Tuesday by semi-official Fars news agency, Iran's chief diplomat wrote that the U.S. Secretary of State "has no qualms about violating his own country's laws."

"Standing next to world's #1 nuclear threat, he declares his desire to flood our region with even more US weapons", the Iranian official posted on Monday.

Zarif added an image pointing to declarations made by Pompeo on Monday after meeting Israel's prime minister, about "the possibility of providing the Emirates with the military equipment it needs to defend itself against Iran."

A second image shows the heading of a July 24 article on The New York Times under the title "Trump administration is bypassing arms control pact to sell large armed drones," criticizing weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

At the end of his note, the Iranian FM said the U.S. Secretary of State is "trying to impede lawful normalization of Iran's defense cooperation" with other countries.

The United States recently failed to win a vote at the UN security Council for its drafted resolution to extend a UN arms embargo against Iran, which expires in October. Enditem
Starting school is a major milestone for both kids and parents. But it doesnt sound like Jill Duggar is feeling any regret about enrolling her oldest child in kindergarten. The ex-Counting On star and mom of two says she feels blessed by the support shes received as she breaks with a family tradition and sends her son Israel to public school.

Jill Duggar says she feels peace as son starts school

Getting emotional on a childs first day of school is to be expected, but for Jill, 29, the moment may have been more fraught than for other parents. She and her husband Derick Dillard, 31, decided to forgo homeschooling and instead enroll Israel in a public kindergarten. Thats a big shift for Jill, who was homeschooled by her parents and never attended public school.

But it sounds like Jill is getting plenty of support for her decision. Feeling loved and blessed by so many friends whove reached out and sent their prayers up for a wonderful first day of school for Israel! she wrote on her Instagram Story on August 24.

Ive definitely felt peace and the day has been wonderful so far! she added. Cant wait to hear all about his day when we pick him up!

Counting On fans applaud Jills decision

RELATED: Counting On Fans Accuse Jill Duggar of Hiding a Baby Bump  Could She Finally Be Expecting Baby No 3?

While a few people wondered why Jill wasnt homeschooling, many Counting On fans were fully behind Jill and Dericks decision to enroll their son in public kindergarten.

You have made a good choice for your son, one wrote.

Some of my best memories are from playing with my friends at school, another commented. Prayers for your sweet family as you embark on a new adventure!

Some think Jill should go back to school

Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard | D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra

Israel wasnt the only member of the family starting school. Derick was also headed back to campus to begin his third year of law school at the University of Arkansas. With two members of the family in school, a few people thought it was time for Jill to consider doing the same.

Israel looks so happy and so do you, one person wrote on Instagram. He will do amazing. Hope you take this time to further your education too, whether you go forth and use it or use it to continue to educate your kids at home knowledge is something you can never take away.

A couple of fans thought Jill  who once trained to be a midwife  should consider nursing school.

Would love to see you get a Bachelors in nursing to further your midwifery career, one commented. Maybe there is an online program or something flexible that could work with your schedule.

If Jill did decide to pursue higher education, it would be a major milestone. While her husband and a handful of her in-laws have college degrees, neither her siblings nor her parents have gone to college. Perhaps Jill will eventually be the first member of the Duggar family to earn a bachelors degree.
Three members of Vietnam's tank crew celebrate when they cross the finish line at the opening match of the International Army Games 2020 on August 24, as seen in a still image from a video of   Channel of Russia's Ministry of Defense.

Vietnam crossed the finish line first in the Tank Biathlon competition in Russia on Monday but was placed second due to technical mistakes.

The event is part of the 2020 International Army Games that began outside Moscow on Sunday with 16 tank crews divided into two divisions based on their results last year.

One of them grouped Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Serbia and Uzbekistan. The other had Congo, Laos, Myanmar, Qatar, South Ossetia, Tajikistan and Vietnam.

In the opening round, Vietnam took on Myanmar, South Ossetia and Qatar.

Each had a three-member crew.

Vietnam had Tran Viet Hai as leader, Le Quang Hiep as gunner and Hoang Manh Tuan as driver.

Initially it took Hiep a while to get his bearings but soon began to shoot accurately, repeatedly hitting all three simulated targets at a distance of 1,600-1,800 meters.

South Ossetia and Myanmar also performed well, hitting all targets.

In the second round Vietnam took the lead before Hai used a 12.7 mm machine gun to take down a helicopter. Myanmar too managed to hit, South Ossetia missed the target while Qatar was stuck and unable to move due to some problem.

In the first round, Hiep failed to shoot down anti-tank soldiers with his first volley. He quickly adjusted his aim and destroyed the target with his second, helping Vietnam go past South Ossetia and cross the finish line first.

Vietnam completed the event in 28 minutes and 20 seconds followed by South Ossetia in 34 minutes and 17 seconds. Myanmar was third while Qatar gave up halfway.

But the Russian referees, after a discussion, decided to penalize Vietnam for several technical errors.

The amended times were 32 minutes and 20 seconds for Vietnam and 31 minutes and 49 seconds for South Ossetia.

This years Army Games attracted over 6,000 military personnel from 39 countries from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Central and Latin America.

They are being held in 10 countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia and Uzbekistan.

Vietnam sent a team of 125 officers and men, the second time it is participating.

It has eight teams: a tank crew, medical staff, food service specialists, emergency rescue personnel, literary/art and dancing contestants, snipers, combat engineers, and a chemical reconnaissance vehicle crew.
The threats that tides and storms pose to the county are expected to accelerate as the climate changes, suggesting more communities will inevitably disappear. Models suggest the Chesapeake Bay will rise as much as 2.1 feet by 2050  enough to put most of the southern half of Dorchester underwater  and close to four feet by 2100. Scientists say this is happening both because global seas are rising as temperatures do, and because the Delmarva Peninsula has been sinking since the last Ice Age.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-20 23:57:27|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

The spokesperson of the mutineers, Col. Maj. Ismael Wague (C) speaks during a press conference in Kati, near Bamako, Mali, on Aug. 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Habib Kouyate)

The African Union Commission said the "unconstitutional change" of government in Mali further complicates the situation on the ground.

ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) Commission said the "unconstitutional change" of government in Mali further complicates the situation on the ground, particularly the implementation of the peace and reconciliation agreement as well as the current efforts in the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime in the country.

The statement was made by the the Peace and Security Council of the AU Commission, which also on late Wednesday suspended Mali from the AU membership during its latest meeting that dwelt upon the situation in the western Africa country.

"The Council strongly condemned the unconstitutional change of government in Mali, which took place on August 18, 2020, which further complicates the situation on the ground, particularly the implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Mali emanating from the Algiers process, signed in 2015, as well as the current efforts in the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime in the country," the Council said in a statement issued on late Wednesday.

The Council had also decided "to immediately suspend the participation of Mali in the activities of the AU until the restoration of normal constitutional order in the country, in line with the relevant AU instruments, particularly the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, the 2000 Lome Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Governments and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, as well as the 2009 Ezulwini Framework for the Enhancement of the Implementation of AU Measures in Situations of Unconstitutional Changes of Government."

Noting the urgent need for a rapid resolution of the current crisis based on respect for constitutional order and reflecting the aspirations of the people of Mali within the framework of the relevant AU instruments, the council further appealed to the Malian people "to remain calm and to work together to resolve the crisis in their country."

It also called on the Malian defence and security forces to respect the country's constitution, uphold their professionalism, stick to their constitutional mandate and to unconditionally return to the barracks, as well as to refrain from interfering in the country's political processes.

It also demanded "the unconditional release of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister H.E. Boubou Cisse, and that defence and security forces to ensure creation of a conducive environment for an unimpeded return to civilian rule."

Mali's mutinous soldiers are seen in front of a military camp in Kati, near Bamako, Mali, on Aug. 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Habib Kouyate)

It also encouraged "all Malian political actors to embrace dialogue and reconciliation, within the framework of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Mali, as the only viable approach for addressing the current challenges facing the country."

The council further encouraged expediting the implementation of the provisions of the Agreement, in order to reach a lasting solution to the crisis prevailing in the country."

It also commended and "fully supports" the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the sustained efforts being deployed in Mali, with a view to assisting the Malian stakeholders to find a consensual, peaceful and lasting solution to the current crisis in the country, and "looks forward to the outcome of the Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government scheduled for August 20, 2020."

It also encouraged the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to continue supporting the Malian stakeholders, including in the implementation of the 2015 Agreement. It also called on partners to continue providing support to Mali.

Noting the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the council also underscored the imperative for Africa Centers for Decease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) "to continue deploying its efforts in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease pandemic," as it emphasized the need to take "the necessary steps to ensure enhanced support to Mali to enable the country to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on its population."

The council also decided to remain actively seized on the matter.

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, currently detained by soldiers in the military camp in Kati, a town close to Bamako, announced late Tuesday night his resignation and the dissolution of the National Assembly and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse's government.

Leaders of the military coup said Wednesday they would enact a political transition and stage elections within a "reasonable time."

For months, the opposition coalition has been organizing demonstrations to demand Keita's resignation, accusing him of worsening the security situation in the northern part of the country and Mali's economic recession.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

The American Bar Association rated the two nominees for the vacant federal judgeships in New Mexico as well qualified  the associations highest ranking.

The nominations of Albuquerque attorney Brenda Saiz and longtime federal prosecutor Fred J. Federici III could go to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in early September.

The U.S. District Court in New Mexico is considered one of the busiest in the country and has been shy one judge for two years and another for more than 18 months.

Federici and Saiz were nominated by President Donald Trump in May from a list of candidates provided by New Mexico Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich.

The American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary rates nominees based on integrity, professional competence and judicial temperament.

The findings of the committee, announced earlier this month, were unanimous for both Federici and Saiz.

Federici was first assistant U.S. attorney and Saiz was a director at Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin & Robb P.A. at the time of their nominations.

Federici worked in the U.S. Attorneys office for 25 years as a prosecutor, head of the criminal division and chief of the offices national security section.

Saizs civil law practice concentrated on medical malpractice, trucking law and product liability issues. She also taught at the University of New Mexico School of Law.

Saiz earned her B.A. and J.D. from the University of New Mexico, where she served as an editor of the New Mexico Law Review while in law school.

Federici earned his B.A. from the College of William & Mary in Virginia and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

If their nominations are approved by the U.S. Senate, the U.S. District Court in New Mexico would have a full complement of seven full-time judges for the first time in several years.

Last year, federal judges complained that they were being crushed by caseloads because they were down to four judges.

U.S. District Judge Kea W. Riggs was confirmed by the U.S. Senate last year and sworn in on Dec. 31, 2019.
Researchers have discovered that neurons can fuse, potentially upending the way neurological disorders are diagnosed and treated.

It had previously been accepted that neurons could never fuse together, however a research team headed by scientists from the University of Queensland has found they can.

False-colour image of nematode worms with fused neurons produced by UQ researchers. Credit:Hilliard Lab, Queensland Brain Institute

Molecules known as fusogens are essential for cells to fuse while the body is developing, however they are not usually present in the nervous system, except in certain circumstances such as a viral infection.

The researchers applied fusogens to the brains of small worms and discovered the neurons could fuse, upending the accepted scientific knowledge on the subject.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 17:37 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4063676 1 City pedophilia,crime,molestation Free

The East Jakarta Police have arrested a Quran teacher in Jakarta who allegedly molested three children.

East Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr Arie Ardian said the teacher, identified only as FS, did not put up a resistance and confessed his crimes to the police.

Arie explained the incident happened at around 2:30 p.m on Sunday. FS, who also worked as a mosque caretaker, was teaching the victims, aged between 9 and 10, to read the Quran.

He said FS groped his victims during the teaching session. The suspect tried to justify his actions by saying it could help the victims with Quran reading. He also asked the victims not to tell anyone about his actions.

He told the victims to keep it a secret to avoid misunderstanding, Arie said as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday.

However, upon learning about the incident, the victims families immediately reported FS actions to the police on Aug. 20. (dpk)

Topics : pedophilia crime molestation
Schools and universities across the US are reopening for in-person classes amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic. Outbreaks on college campuses where students have returned have already forced some colleges to cancel in-person classes and switch to online learning. The experiments at UNC and Notre Dame show the inevitability of outbreaks on reopened campuses is the rule, not an exception.

Albion Collegea small, private liberal arts college located in Albion, Michiganis one of those colleges which has already brought students back to campus. An Albion student, who wishes to remain anonymous, has documented his first week after returning to campus in a diary.

Albion promised a safe return with the installation of automatic doors, a testing routine for students and staff and sanitization. But his experience reveals a different picture, one of unsanitary rooms, a lack of sanitization supplies, failing protocols and a testing regime full of holes.

This students account provides just one example of what is taking place on college campuses throughout the country.

The WSWS urges college students, faculty and staff to contact us and tell us your school reopening story. Sign up for the WSWS Educators Newsletter and help build the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee.

***

Day 1, 12 days until classes start

Date: 12/08/2020

I arrived at Albion in the morning with my father and sister who would help me move in. A series of tents had been set-up for check-in.

At one station, I received a fabric mask and a bag filled with one digital thermometer, two pairs of thin plastic gloves, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, and one disposable paper mask. I then completed a nostril swab test. I expected to receive the results at the end of the day but did not. I should note that my father and sister were not tested, only receiving screening, which does not account for asymptomatic cases.

Finishing check-in, we drove to the Seaton dorm hall where I would be moving in and living with a roommate presumably until late November when classes end.

Inside the dorm building we found tight, crowded hallways which lacked proper air circulation. There were large groups unable to social distance and some individuals not wearing masks. The elevators were off-line due to social distancing, making the thin stairwells the only way for me to reach my dorm on the top floor.

Later, once I was alone in my room, I noticed how filthy the room was. I found dirt, dust and grime in every corner of the room and around furniture. My only assurance that the room had in fact been cleaned came from a sticker on the door indicating that staff had cleaned it days prior.

Exploring the rest of the dorm building later in the day, I discovered that there is only one water fountain, meaning that it will become a hot spot for potential infections.

The laundry room, which only had a few machines operational and will likely not be disinfected regularly, will probably be another point of infection.

Finally, there are the shared bathrooms and showers, which already showed signs of uncleanliness. I have serious concerns over my safety when using the stalls and the cramped showers given that these facilities are fully public and only cleaned once a day. The sinks were also not updated with sensor activations, meaning spread is possible from the handles as well.

Day 2, 11 days until classes start

Date: 13/08/2020

Today is my first full day of living on campus. At noon, I entered the dining hall where a staff member sitting behind a plastic barrier directed me to follow a line of six-feet apart stickers on the ground. Currently, all students must choose a to-go meal option until classes start.

But, already, students are eating in groups. The administration expected students to get their food and eat alone in their dorm rooms. In other words, they expected students to act like machines for the whole semester.

Later in the day, I happened upon a poster advertising a scavenger hunt for roommates in which they would travel around campus looking for locations to photograph. While Albion asks students to stay as isolated as possible before classes begin, they, at the same time, actively encourage students to freely walk around campus.

Day 3, 10 days until classes start

Date: 14/08/2020

I finally received my test results today, and I tested negative for the virus. Of course, it is possible that I and others on campus have already been exposed to the virus since getting tested.

However, I received an alarming email from Albions president announcing a positive case on campus. The email didnt give any information as to whether the person was a staff member or student, or what dorm they lived in if they were the latter. It only stated the person never came in contact with anyone longer than fifteen minutes in the last 14 days (no closer than six-feet with or without a mask), which I assume the school expects us to think means that no one has been exposed.

Recently, Ive noticed in the past few days a growing concern among those on campus regarding the app called Aura which Albion is using for contact tracing. Students have raised concerns over the apps invasive big-brother style tracking of users locations. While contract tracing is necessary, I am alarmed at the potential the app has for enforcing a jail-life environment for students on campus.

Day 4, 9 days until classes start

Date: 15/08/2020

Albions president informed us again by email that another infection has appeared on campus. This time, however, the administration admitted that the positive individual had come into contact with other members of the community.

As expected, the administration failed again to provide any information on the identity, living location, travel locations or occupation of the infected individual. The same is the case for those whom the school has identified as exposed individuals, who will be contacted secretly by the school. This secretive process is keeping vital health information from students, faculty and staff.

Given the speed and lack of understanding of the spread on campus, I dont think its out of bounds to say Albion is in the early stages of an outbreak. While those who know they are infected will remain in quarantine rooms on campus for 14 days, others unknowingly exposed to the virus are spreading the virus further than administrators and students are aware.

Albion College, Michigan (Photo: albion.edu)

If a widespread outbreak occurs and the school decides then to shut down the campus, presumably, all students face bringing the virus home with them. My mother is over 50 and suffers from asthma, making her at risk of severe health repercussions if infected. Im sure Im not the only one in this situation, and I cant imagine the devastation this will cause, all of which we could have been avoided with online learning.

It is alarming that cases are rising this early when classes have not even started yet, most of which will be in-person. Whether infections are spreading primarily among the student or staff body will not matter once the two collide in classrooms five days a week, starting on the 24th.

Day 5, 8 days until classes start

Date: 16/08/2020

There have been no new announcements of new COVID-19 cases on campus, and, perhaps more critically, no word on the scale or spread of currently announced cases. The student body, and presumably the faculty and staff, have been left in the dark by the administration.

I have come across new advertisements for in-person events today, this time a flowerpot planting. Once again, I cannot wrap my brain around the contorted and dangerous logic on display in these ads. The school is publicly advising students to stay safe, socially isolated, and not gather with their peers, and yet they promote activities violating all three.

By bringing students back to campus, they were already playing Russian roulette, and these advertisements are essentially encouraging students to put another bullet in the cylinder.

Day 6, 7 days until classes start

Date: 17/08/2020

Things are continuing to deteriorate. For instance, while the school should be refilling hand-sanitizer dispensers regularly, today, I noticed most were running empty in my dorm building. I also saw paper towels empty in the bathroom.

In an email I was sent today, the president reinforced the narrative of student responsibility for controlling the spread of the pandemic, stating, It will take ALL of us working together to be able to remain at home on campus for the semester, adding, following the Together Safely protocols and policies is both an individual and community responsibility.

The president also revealed the schools growing fears of their policies falling apart:

I want to acknowledge that over the last few weeks, inaccurate, misleading, and, in some cases, false information about the Together Safely plan has been shared. Some have tried to encourage the press to investigate our approach to suggest we are incapable of being together safely. Others have suggested reporting violations of our Together Safely protocols and policies to the Calhoun Department of Public Health (DPH). I hope that you will join me in showing them we can, and will, succeed.

Day 7, 6 days until classes start

Date: 18/08/2020

The president of Albion released another statement today blaming students for potential outbreaks on campus after two incidents, a small party and a gathering near the dining hall, occurred. The introduction of the email directly referenced the administrations real fear, a campus shutdown, as it referenced outbreaks at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Notre Dame.

The president, gaslighting students, stated that two incidents involving Albion students risked undermining public trust in a way that could lead to the Calhoun County Health Department or the Governors office ordering us to close. This comment reinforces the fact that the administrations focus is not on our safety, but whether or not they can remain open and continue to draw in revenue from students.

He then vaguely expresses that the administration will punish violators of protocol: Students who are alleged to have violated College standards, including our public health protocols, are subject to the Colleges judicial process.

This last message only makes clear that if we bite the bullet during their forced game of Russian roulette and contract COVID-19, we will be the ones to blame.

Unquestionably, there is growing distrust and discontent among students. I found a petition online calling for the safe reopening of Albion, which includes the expansion of online learning options, lower costs, and the improvement of assistance from the college administration. While it is lacking in a few areas (e.g., not calling for a shutdown of in-person living and learning, not mentioning the safety of faculty and staff, and veering into identity politics), the petition has attracted nearly 200 signatories (one-tenth of the student population), most of them from today.

If Albion refuses to close before an outbreak occurs and forces a shutdown, the virus will run rampant throughout the campus. When a shutdown finally does happen, students will return to their homes across the country and internationally, spreading the virus further. My fear of bringing the virus home to my high-risk mother may soon become a reality if Albion is not closed immediately.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is not in the National Democratic Congress kind of comfortable lead, which the now-opposition party touted during the 2016 general elections.

He said the Akufo-Addo government is confident that its achievements in the past four years, will inure to the NPPs electoral fortunes in the 7 December 2020 polls.

Dr Bawumia said on Thursday, 25 August 2020 that the election, which is just three months away, is in the hands of God.

I think we have to go round and tell the good people of Ghana what the Akufo-Addo government has achieved in the last four years, he told Acra-based Peace FM in an interview with Kwame Sefa Kayi on the stations morning show Kokrokoo.

I believe that if we are able to communicate our policies and how they have benefitted people, I think the people will look at us favourably but we dont want to take anything for granted, we have to work hard and pray and leave it in the hands of God, he said.

Asked by Kwami Sefa Kayi if the NPP feels it is a done deal, Dr Bawumia said: Definitely not in the type of comfortable lead that our opponents were last time.

We leave that one for them, he said.

We have hope that the work weve done will help us, he noted, adding: Its a lot of work, the work is massive, it speaks for itself.

In the Vice Presidents view, theres no district in this country that hasnt been touched by the work that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has done.

--classfmonline
LUND, Sweden, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Diaprost announced today that it has signed an exclusive license agreement with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for IP related to the use of PSA antibodies for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes for prostate cancer. Diaprost is a private pharmaceutical research and development company based in Lund, Sweden and whose principle asset is h5A10, targeting PSA, a validated clinical biomarker. The h5A10 antibody combined with the appropriate payload offers the potential for highly specific therapeutic and diagnostic products, for example as a therapeutic product to deliver cytotoxic radionuclides. Diaprost's h5A10 is already in pre-clinical development for the treatment of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men and having a high unmet medical need. h5A10 displays high levels of specificity and affinity to PSA as well as successful tissue biodistribution and cellular internalization.

"We believe this License Agreement complements the current IP-portfolio on the antibody h5A10 maximizing the potential of both Diaprost and the h5A10 program," said Johan Drott, the CEO of Diaprost. "We will now focus Diaprost's efforts to deliver yet another important new oncology therapy to patients."

This h5A10 project follows in the footsteps of Diaprost's successful earlier work in prostate cancer focusing on the hK2 antibody which led to a sale of the asset to a leading global oncology company.



About Diaprost

Diaprost was founded in 2005 based on the idea that the transformative success of the PSA assay for detection of prostate cancer could be leveraged as a personalized theranostic (therapy and diagnostic) platform. The technology and patent applications were pursued by researchers at Lund University in Sweden with support from private investors. Diaprost is collaborating with leading international experts in the fields of molecular medicine, biotechnology, immunology, radiology, radiation physics, laboratory medicine, and oncology. The Diaprost pipeline covers humanized antibodies for both diagnostic- and therapeutic applications targeting PSA.

In the beginning of 2020 Diaprost announced that the hK2 program with h11B6 was transferred after option exercise in a successful deal with one of top ten pharmaceutical companies within oncology.

For more information, please contact:

Johan Drott, CEO, Diaprost AB

+46 709 224 140

[email protected]

www.diaprost.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/diaprost-ab/r/diaprost-ab-acquires-rights-to-use-of-psa-antibodies-from-leading-new-york-cancer-center,c3178692

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/15278/3178692/1296290.pdf Press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/diaprost-ab/i/ceo-johan-drott-diaprost-ab,c2814670 CEO Johan Drott Diaprost AB

SOURCE Diaprost AB
Iranian, French Foreign Ministers Discuss Developments Around Nuclear Deal - Tehran

Sputnik News

21:14 GMT 24.08.2020

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, have discussed developments related to the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), during phone talks in the wake of US's attempts to revive sanctions against Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

Last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sent a letter to the UN Security Council requesting that it invoke the 2015 nuclear agreement snapback mechanism under Resolution 2231, citing Iran's non-compliance with the accord. Zarif, in turn, sent a letter to the UNSC calling on the members to prevent Washington from attempting to reimpose UN sanctions against Iran because it is no longer a participant of the 2015 nuclear deal.

"During a telephone conversation this afternoon, the Iranian and French foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations, and the recent developments related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as well as to the situation in Lebanon [after the Beirut blast]," the ministry said in a statement on Monday.

Earlier in August, Washington announced its plans to trigger the snapback mechanism to reimpose all the UN sanctions against Iran, which were previously lifted under the JCPOA, after failing to get the UN Security Council to pass a resolution aiming to indefinitely extend the arms UN embargo on Iran, before it expires in October. Zarif has said that Washington's move to trigger snapback sanctions linked to the agreement was "illegal."

The JCPOA, signed in 2015 by Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, stipulates the removal of international sanctions from Tehran in exchange for it scaling down its nuclear program and ensuring it is peaceful. The deal was then enshrined in UNSC Resolution 2231, including a provision on a five-year arms embargo.

The United States unilaterally abandoned the agreement in May of 2018.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Then he concluded, Kamala Harris seems to be descended less from the legacy of, lets say, Frederick Douglass than from the legacy of the plantation itself.

Nice try, but Douglass, who escaped a Maryland plantation to become a renowned abolitionist author and diplomat, also was of mixed race, as are more than a few African Americans.

Rush Limbaugh joined the sarcastic chorus, angrily. Shes not African American, he growled on his national talk show. She doesnt have slave blood. Shes not down for the struggle.

And who is? Certainly not Limbaugh, in my humble view.

Besides, as The Daily Show host Trevor Noah, a biracial South African, said while reporting these sound bites from the right wing, being partially descended from a slave owner is one of the Blackest things you can be.

Indeed, so is having non-Blacks persistently try to tell you what you can be. Race itself long has been based in this country on the one-drop rule: Just one drop of Black blood in your background makes you Black.
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 (4:53 pm) - Score 4,464

Weve just been informed that UK ISP Gigaclear has today reached a settlement in their R100 (Reaching 100%) legal dispute with the Scottish Government. The case had been preventing the LOT 1 part of the deployment contract from being award to BT and thus delaying the roll-out of superfast broadband (30Mbps+).

At present Scotland has already awarded two out of its three contracts under their 579m R100 project  Central (LOT 2) and Southern (LOT 3)  to BT (Openreach). Meanwhile a legal challenge by UK ISP Gigaclear, which was brought against the proposed award of LOT 1 (North Scotland / Highlands) to BT, had been preventing that from moving forward (here).

NOTE: R100 focuses on the final 5-6% of premises without access to 30Mbps+ broadband or any future upgrade plans. The LOT 2 contract will upgrade at least 47,000 of these, while LOT 3 will do around 26,000.

The majority of Openreachs build, excluding LOT 1, should be completed by the end of 2023 (LOT 3 by summer 2024) and almost all of this is expected to be delivered using gigabit capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology (see here and here).

However, the LOT 1 area is the largest one (valued c.384m) and reflects about 100,000 premises around the Highlands and Islands, Angus, Aberdeen and Dundee. The contract also specified 9 mandated areas where 25% of premises must be able to get speeds of at least 100Mbps (on a Gigabit-capable connection). Gigaclear was one of several providers to bid on LOT 1.

Gigaclears lawyer, Mark Lindsay QC, previously argued (here) that Scottish Ministers made a manifest error in the procurement process (apparently this relates to the technical issue of bid scoring). The provider had reportedly sought for the court to set aside BTs award, with the possibility of financial damages as a secondary remedy.

The good news is that weve this afternoon been informed that Gigaclear has reached a settlement in the R100 dispute (CA172/19 Gigaclear Ltd &c v The Scottish Ministers). At present this is breaking news and we have very little information to add, except that the ISP is under a confidentiality agreement and so can only confirm the fact that the case is settled.

We are currently attempting to confirm whether or not the LOT 1 award can now proceed with BT, although that would seem to be the implication. We hope to have more details shortly.

UPDATE 26th August 2020  11:48am

Weve managed to get a response from the Scottish Government and BT, which sounds like good news.

A Scottish Government Spokesperson said: We can confirm that agreement has been reached on this matter and we will now focus on finalising the North Lot contract to enable us to, as quickly as possible, progress delivery of access to superfast broadband to people, businesses and communities in some of the most remote parts of Scotland.

An Openreach spokesperson said: Were very pleased the legal action has been resolved and we can now move toward signing contracts which will allow detailed survey work to start in the North of Scotland.

We now have to wait a little bit before the details of the LOT 1 deployment are known.
After being forced by the Thai government to block access to a group critical of the countrys king, Facebook said it will legally challenge the demand, according to Reuters. The situation has once again cast a light on Facebooks policies around authoritarian governments and showed what actions it might take in response.

Amid ongoing protests in the nation, Facebook geo-blocked a group with over a million members called Royalist Marketplace, after repeated demands by Thailands Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. In response, the groups founder Pavin Chachavalpongpun accused Facebook of giving in to pressure from the military-led government.

Our group is part of a democratization process, it is a space for freedom of expression, he told Reuters. By doing this, Facebook is cooperating with the authoritarian regime to obstruct democracy and cultivating authoritarianism in Thailand.

After careful review, Facebook has determined that we are compelled to restrict access to content which the Thai government has deemed to be illegal. Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on peoples ability to express themselves.

Facebook said it planned a legal challenge. After careful review, Facebook has determined that we are compelled to restrict access to content which the Thai government has deemed to be illegal, Facebook said in a statement to TechCrunch. Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on peoples ability to express themselves.

Over recent weeks, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets criticizing the military government and royal family. Theyre demanding changes to the constitution and abolition of laws that restrict freedom of speech and dictate 15-year prison sentences for defaming the king.

In the past, Facebook has been heavily criticized for not taking action to curtail misinformation, particularly in nations with authoritarian governments. It was accused of allowing hate speech in Myanmar, setting the stage for persecution and genocide against the Rohingyan minority. It has also been criticized for abetting government misinformation in the Philippines and elsewhere.

A Thai spokesperson told Reuters that Facebook complied with its demands (and threats of fines) because it grasped the context of Thai society. However, Facebook said in a statement that excessive government actions like this... undermine our ability to reliably invest in Thailand, including maintaining an office, safeguarding our employees, and directly supporting businesses that rely on Facebook.
The Ghana Tuna Association (GTA) has appealed to the government to reduce fees on tuna vessels, especially in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic when businesses are reeling from economic pressure, with some being given bailouts.



It claimed that the introduction of high licensing fees on tuna vessels had affected the production of tuna and led to redundancy among workers in the sector.



The fees were adjusted from $35 to $135 per gross registered tonnage (GRT), meaning that under the new fee regime, vessels of 1,000 tonnage are required to pay an annual fee of $135,000, while those with higher tonnage of 1,500 GRT could pay in excess of $200,000.



The President of the GTA, Mr John Davidson, who made the appeal, said not only had the 15 locally owned vessels been laid up or made temporarily idle but that 45 crew members of the laid up vessels, stevedoring staff and casual labourers, numbering about 3,000, had been made redundant since January 2020 when the vessels became inactive.



The situation, he said, had also affected the production of some tuna processing companies and those in the Free Zones area, which had either shut down operations or reduced their production levels.



Companies such as JL Fisheries, Trust Fishing Ventures, D&H Fishing and Maroc Logistics have all shut down their operations, as they are unable to afford the fees, coupled with the ban on bait harvesting using light, he said.



Agreement



Mr Davidson claimed that although an agreement was reached among stakeholders on February 14, 2020 to adjust the rate from $35 per GRT to $65, that had not been followed through because the authorities had insisted on the $135 per GRT.



He said engagements with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the Fisheries Commission outlined modalities for the adjustment of the fee from $35 per GRT to $65 per GRT, which is a 75 per cent rise on the existing rate, the authorities insisted on $135, from an initial increase of $200.



Our expectation was to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) after we had reached an agreement on the $65 per GRT, but that has not been the case, since the ministry and the commission have not been cooperative, he alleged.



The meeting also proposed the need for pole and line vessels to pay 50 per cent of an agreed fee of $65 for the remaining quarters of the year to give them some room to recover and also be allowed to undertake bait fishing using light as they strategised to pay the full increment in the 2021 season.



Fisheries Commission



The Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, Mr Michael Arthur Dadzie, said the commission, together with the leadership of the GTA, the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG) and other stakeholders, had some engagements where a joint proposal was forwarded to the appropriate authorities for attention.



But I must say that the Cabinet gave approval for the fees to be pegged at $200 per GRT, which was subsequently approved by Parliament for implementation, he said.



He said the GTA, however, petitioned the Presidency, resulting in a directive given to the parties to engage and come up with a workable solution.



While we were waiting for Parliament to review the new fees, the Presidency gave an order for the $200 to be reduced to $135, and that is what we have been implementing. We made the group know that Parliament has not reviewed the fees to reflect the new figure directed by the Presidency, Mr Dadzie explained, and wondered why the group claimed the commission was not being cooperative.



On bait fishing using light, he said since pole and line vessels used anchovies for their operations, the group came up with a proposal to be allowed to do light fishing for baits, which was prohibited under the law.



Our response was that we could explore, on experimental basis, which is an acceptable practice, to bring on board the light to attract the anchovies, so they could stay in business, he said.



However, Mr Dadzie said they risked having issues with artisanal fishermen in the Keta and Saltpond areas, where the anchovies resources were located, since those groups of fishermen were also aware of the prohibition laws on bait fishing.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Ulysse Nardin has consistently offered us nautically inspired watches presenting a seamless blend of innovative technology and watchmaking savoir-faire. While the brand definitely boasts a collection of more classic watches, theyre widely known for their bolder, edgier pieces. The latest model is no exception to the rule of eyebrow-raising names : introducing Blast, an entirely new collection, made up of four models featuring combinations of different case materials.

THE YEAR OF X

The letter X has gone from recurring guest to starring role in Ulysse Nardins latest collections  a thread that aesthetically unites all its watches under one umbrella. Things are no different with the new Blast : the X shape overlaps a rectangle on the dial, sandwiching the movement together, clearly visible through the openworked dial.

Blue Blast  Joy Corthesy

Upon closer inspection, the new Blast bears all the edgy aesthetic codes weve come to know from Ulysse Nardin. The openworked dial was designed so that more of the movement is visible, with the 2.5 Hz tourbillon spinning at 6 oclock. The indexes are straightforward, hourmarkers coated in Super-LumiNova (as are the hours and minutes hands). The symmetry is more streamlined, with the Ulysse Nardin logo taking pride of place above the dial center. The lugs are also new for the brand, reshaped to be more geometric and leaner, like the wings of a stealth jet, and finished with a variety of polishes to catch the light in different ways.

Rose Gold Blast  Ulysse Nardin

With a 45mm case, the Blast comes in four variations : white, blue, black and rose gold. The white version has a case made of white ceramic, with metallic gray and dark blue detailing for an icy palette. The blue version features a titanium case middle offset with a titanium bezel, rectangular bridge, tourbillon cage and X all in blue, along with gray sculpted hands and hour-markers. For a dash of warmth, the Blast also comes in a sleek black DLC-coated and rose gold version with a rose gold tourbillon cage and lugs. By far the one most clearly inspired by Earths natural elements is the black version, featuring a black ceramic case and bezel, black rectangular bridge, along with a red and black X. For the first time ever, Ulysse Nardin has also developed a colored balance wheel for the black version of the Blast, in red to match the red X. All four versions come with straps in structured rubber, alligator leather or velvet.

Blue Blast  Joy Corthesy

Blast welcomes a new movement

The Blast stemmed from 18 months of research and development that involved establishing a new approach to the mechanics inside the watch. The watch houses the UN-172 caliber, the next evolutionary step in the brands movement development. The UN-172 has a boosted power reserve of three days and features, for the first time in a skeletonized Ulysse Nardin model, an automatic silicon tourbillon. The tourbillon is housed in a newly designed X-shaped cage that varies in color depending on the model, appearing in flaming bright red, bicolor rose gold, or electric blue. As well as adorning the case, platinum shows up in the movement in the form of a new powerful micro-rotor, visible through the front of the watch at 12 oclock. Its only natural for Ulysse Nardin, as a leading champion of silicon, to use the material for this movements escape-wheel, pallet-lever and balance spring. The brand has been partnering with silicon component manufacturer Sigatec for well over a decade now, having launched their joint venture together in the pursuit of developing tougher and more reliable silicon components. The Blast marks the next step forward for Ulysse Nardin, anchored in a willingness to innovate, looking towards the future in both its design and movement.
Wisconsins governor declared a state of emergency Tuesday after some protesters vandalized businesses and set dozens of buildings on fire in a city where police shot a Black man multiple times, apparently in the back in view of his children.

The shooting of Jacob Blake on Sunday in Kenosha was captured on cellphone video and ignited new protests over racial injustice in several cities, just three months after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police touched off a wider reckoning on race.

Blakes father, also named Jacob Blake, told the Chicago Sun-Times that his son is paralyzed from the waist down and has eight holes in his body. The elder Blake said he didnt know if his sons paralysis was permanent.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers called for protesters to be peaceful, while also saying the National Guard presence would be doubled from 125 to 250 in Kenosha after crowds destroyed dozens of buildings and set more than 30 fires on Monday night.

We cannot allow the cycle of systemic racism and injustice to continue, said Evers, who is facing mounting pressure from Republicans over his handling of the unrest that has followed the shooting. We also cannot continue going down this path of damage and destruction.

Blakes father said that he learned Sunday night that officers had shot his 29-year-old son and shortly thereafter he watched the video, which appears to show his son being shot in the back.

I want to put my hand on my sons cheek and kiss him on his forehead, and then Ill be OK, the father, who was traveling from North Carolina to Milwaukee, where his son is being treated, told the newspaper. Ill kiss him with my mask. The first thing I want to do is touch my son.

Three of the younger Blakes sons  aged 3, 5 and 8  were in the car at the time of the shooting, according to Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney representing the family. Crump scheduled a Tuesday afternoon news conference in Kenosha with Blakes family members to address the shooting.

Police in Kenosha have released almost no information about the shooting, beyond saying the officers were responding to a domestic dispute when they encountered Blake. The Wisconsin Department of Justice is leading the investigation, which is expected to take several weeks. The officers were placed on administrative leave, which is standard practice in such cases.

The father has not returned multiple messages left by The Associated Press. He is slated to speak at a March on Washington commemoration on Friday organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton. His father and the victims grandfather, Jacob Blake Sr., was a prominent minister and civil rights leader in the Chicago area in the 1960s.

The man who said he made the cellphone video of the shooting, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, Drop the knife! Drop the knife! before the gunfire erupted. He said he didnt see a knife in Blakes hands.

In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns drawn and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while Blake has his back turned. Seven shots can be heard, though it isnt clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired.

Since the shooting, anger has spilled into the streets of Kenosha and other cities, including Los Angeles, Wisconsins capital of Madison and in Minneapolis, the epicenter of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer following Floyds death.

Hundreds of protesters defied an 8 p.m. curfew Monday night, massing in downtown Kenosha, where they were met by a wall of law enforcement officers, including 125 members of the Wisconsin National Guard.

Some clashed with officers and vandalized businesses. There were 34 fires associated with the unrest, with 30 businesses destroyed or damaged along with an unknown number of residences, Kenosha Fire Chief Charles Leipzig told the Kenosha News.

One of the buildings destroyed was the Wisconsin Department of Corrections probation and parole office. Most staff had already transitioned to working remotely, and all essential operations are continuing, said department spokeswoman Anna Neal.

A city block was cordoned off Tuesday so officials could survey damage. Smoke filled the air and visibility was low as firefighters used water cannons on still smoldering buildings.

Nobody deserves this, said Pat Oertle, owner of Computer Adventure. Computers were stolen, and the store was destroyed, she said.

This accomplishes nothing, Oertle said. This is not justice that theyre looking for.

US Sen. Ron Johnson and US Rep. Bryan Steil, both Republicans, called on the governor to do more to quell the unrest. Steil said he would request federal assistance if necessary.

A Wisconsin state lawmaker said Evers, who is white, and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who is Black, encouraged violence with their comments after the shooting.

They did not call for peace. They did not encourage calm, Republican state Sen. Howard Marklein said. They did encourage people to jump to conclusions and take negative action.

Evers continued to call for protesters to be peaceful.

Please do not allow the actions of a few distract us from the work we must do together to demand justice, equity, and accountability, he said.

In Madison, about 500 protesters marched to the state Capitol on Monday night, and some broke windows, stole from stores and sprayed graffiti along the way. Police used tear gas and pepper spray on the crowds and six people were arrested, according to Madison police.

In Minneapolis, 11 were arrested after breaking windows at the county jail on Monday night. One police officer suffered a broken hand in an altercation with demonstrators, the sheriffs department said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Canadian real-estate development company Brookfield Residential has been targeted by a new ransomware group calling itself DarkSide, an incident experts say is the latest in a steadily rising problem.

DarkSides website, which is on the dark web, meaning its not indexed by conventional search engines, states it has downloaded data  including HR, finance, payroll and more  from Brookfield.com, the URL for Brookfield Residentials parent company.

A spokesperson for parent company Brookfield Asset Management said the target is Brookfield Residential, and that the parent companys network has not been affected.

A statement from Brookfield Residential confirmed that the company recently identified a data security incident, which involved unauthorized access to a limited subset of files.

We immediately alerted appropriate authorities, restored affected systems and implemented additional security measures, the statement said.

DarkSides website states that the data is poised to be published if the company does not pay, though it does not specify an amount. The website appeared to start publishing data on August 16.

A Brookfield Residential spokesperson said the company is reaching out to anyone whose information may have been compromised, but they believe the breach is limited to internal employees.

The Calgary-headquartered company has assets totalling $5.7 billion as of June 30, 2020, according to its Q2 report.

On August 10, a news release posted to DarkSides website states that it is a new product on the market, but that does not mean that we have no experience and we came from nowhere.

The post states that DarkSide only attacks companies that can pay the requested ransoms without killing their businesses, and will not attack hospitals, schools, non-profits or the government sector.

It provides guarantees for target companies, including chat-based support, decryption of one test file to prove the decryptor works, and deletion of all data after payment. If companies refuse to pay, the group says it will publish and store data for at least six months and notify partners, customers and media of the leak.

If you dont want to pay, you will add to the list of published companies on our blog and become an example for others, the post reads.

Brett Callow, a threat analyst at anti-malware company Emsisoft, said DarkSide bears similarities in its approach to REvil, the ransomware responsible for the largest known demand to date: $42 million, demanded of a celebrity law firm that represents Lady Gaga and other high-profile artists.

He said its unclear whether the group has simply stolen data, encrypted Brookfield Residentials systems, or both.

Callow said its becoming increasingly common for ransomware groups to do both, so that they have additional leverage: companies arent just paying to decrypt their data, but also to prevent it from being published.

Queens University professor David Skillicorn agreed that this is an increasingly common practice, where hackers steal data before encrypting it so they have more leverage, a second string to their bow.

Callow said that in the world of ransomware, there are some well-known groups you can more or less trust to follow through after a payment.

Some of them are actually very professional, he said  theyve got good customer service and a guaranteed response time, and when you pay youll likely get a working decryption. Its also common for groups not to attack certain types of organizations, such as health-care companies or hospitals, he said.

DarkSide is new, so its unclear whether its one of these professional groups, said Callow, as is REvil.

Once the data has been decrypted, however, theres no guarantee it will be deleted on the attackers end, he said.

Skillicorn said the other, less reliable groups are likely the biggest segment of ransomware right now, bottom-feeders who probably dont even have the capability to decrypt the files, having bought the ransomware from the black market pre-made.

Callow and Skillicorn said attacks like the one on Brookfield Residential have been rising, and will continue to  Skillicorn said theyre a daily occurrence.

Earlier this month, Canadian delivery company Canpar Express experienced a ransomware attack that briefly brought down its website.

Skillicorn said more and more attacks are being done using spear phishing, which involves sending a very sophisticated email to one person within an organization as opposed to a mass spam email.

Phishing is getting very, very sophisticated, he said, adding that these emails can seem so legitimate that theres often not much an organization can do to protect themselves.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Sudan coming from Israel on what he said was the first official non-stop flight between the two countries, as the US promotes stronger Sudan-Israel ties

Related Sudan PM says he talked with Pompeo about removal from terror list

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday that he was not mandated to normalise ties with Israel and the issue should not be linked to Sudan's removal from a U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list.

Pompeo arrived from Israel on what he said was the first official non-stop flight between the two countries, as the United States promotes stronger Sudan-Israel ties.

He met Hamdok and ruling council head Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, tweeting that Sudan's democratic transition was a "once in a generation opportunity".

The United States has been restoring relations with Sudan following the ousting of former Islamist leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019 after mass protests. The country is one year into a 39-month political transition in which the military and civilians are sharing power.

Its economy is in crisis and authorities have been pushing to end the U.S. terrorism listing, which prevents Sudan from accessing financing from international lenders.

Pompeo's visit follows an accord between Israel and the UAE this month to forge full relations, and comes as Israel and the United States push more Arab countries to follow.

In February, Burhan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Uganda, a meeting condemned by Sudanese protesters. He afterwards cast doubt on any rapid normalisation of relations, though Israeli aircraft soon began overflying Sudan.

Ties with Israel are a sensitive issue in Sudan, which was among the hardline Muslim foes of Israel under Bashir. The government sacked its foreign ministry spokesman last week after he called the UAE decision to normalise relations with Israel "a brave and bold step".

Hamdok told Pompeo that the transitional government "does not have a mandate ... to decide on normalisation with Israel" and the matter would be decided after Sudan's transitional bodies were formed, according to government spokesman Faisal Saleh.

A legislative body to serve alongside the ruling council and the government is yet to be formed.

"The Prime Minister called on the U.S. administration to separate the process of removing Sudan from the list of states sponsoring terrorism and the issue of normalization with Israel," Saleh said.

Washington sanctioned Sudan over its alleged support for militant groups and the civil war in Darfur. Trade sanctions were lifted in 2017.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has announced that the government will in November this year commence a national digital address system to transform the economy.



In an interview on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, Dr. Bawumia revealed that about 4 million unique addresses have been developed for every property in Ghana.



He stated that by November, every house in Ghana will have an address and this is part of the government's goal to digitize the nation.



"Every property in Ghana will have a unique address in November . . . You're going to have a completely working national property addressing system," he said.



Additionally, every street in Ghana will have a name, the Vice President told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
New Delhi:

Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit Singh, on Sunday joined BJP. Earlier, she has been associated with Akali Dal and Congress as well. Sarabjit Singh was an Indian national sentenced to death by Pakistan Court. Sarabjit was convicted of terrorism and spying by a Pakistani court.

Dalbir Kaur was working towards his release since 1991 till his death in 2013. She was fighting for Sarabjits release with Pakistan authorities. Dalbir also escalated Sarabjits matter in India and met with influential people to request release of her brother.

Sarabjit Singh was caught on an unmarked Indo-Pakistani border area in Pakistan and arrested by the Pakistan Rangers near Kasur. Singh and his supporters claimed that the arrest was a case of mistaken identity and that he was only a poor farmer who was drunk and had strayed over the border. His sister said that the family launched a search but could not find any clue to his whereabouts for nine months.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Kellyanne Conway prepares to appear on "Meet the Press" from the North Lawn at the White House on Sunday. (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)

Dear Kellyanne Conway:

You dont know me, but the news of your decision to leave your position as senior advisor to President Trump in order to focus on your children during this relentlessly stressful time resonated with me in a deep and personal way. Now, there may be other reasons  "focus on my family" is the great catch-all departure phrase as you well know  but I'm going to take you at your word. Why would you lie?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brutalized so many, but its been particularly hard on working mothers, hasnt it? With everyone home 24/7, the demands on your time, even when you are clearly working, are endless. And dont get me started on the way the refrigerator seems to empty itself and no one seems to understand how a dishwasher works except you.

I feel your pain, Kellyanne, especially now that school is starting and parents once again are expected to add "teacher" to their job description. Let me congratulate you, by the way, on your decision to ignore your boss incessant demands that schools bring students back to the classroom. I was so relieved to discover that your kids will be learning remotely at least for the first few months. At least you understand that even one kid harmed is too many. Especially when it's your kid.

My kids are home too; I can only imagine the worry some parents are experiencing in states that hewed more closely to the presidents directive. Some school districts opened only to close again. Whew! And it only took a few thousand more Americans contracting the coronavirus  and no doubt many, many more being exposed  to make that happen. Ah, well, it is what it is.

You wont have that anxiety at least, thank God. Though I imagine you and your husband are quite worried about your oldest daughter, Claudia, what with her apparent desire to emancipate herself from your care. Social media, am I right? But then the pandemic has been so hard on young people. Stuck at home with nothing much to do but watch infection and death rates spike as so many Americans  emboldened, I have to point out, by your boss  first downplayed the pandemic, then fought against wearing masks and following other guidelines offered by medical experts.

Story continues

How hard it must be for young people, seeing any hope of summer enjoyment or for that matter, gainful employment, wither with the economy. My son is a 2020 college graduate; after all those years of hard work, he'd like to start working in his chosen profession, except there is no work in his chosen profession at the moment  but think of his savings at tax time! My daughters would also like to be experiencing some sort of life separate from their parents. Alas, we do believe in science  as a family!  so they have been sticking pretty close to home, watching helplessly as their country, lacking any real federal guidance, fights itself more fiercely than the virus.

Is it any wonder so many high school and college kids are still partying like it was 2019? At least Claudia has been confining her interactions to the safety of social media. Which is why, I suppose, you and your husband decided that Twitter was the way to inform her that you both would be returning home full time. She seemed pretty upset, though, posting her frustration that you hadnt even discussed it with her first. But as I said, the coronavirus and our countrys inability to deal with it effectively have been very hard on young people.

Add to all that the many protests against racism and police brutality  social scourges we really should have eliminated by now, dont you think?  and I imagine a lot of teenagers are feeling pretty pissed off about the world they will inherit, if they can ever leave the house. My kids are a bit older than yours and their frustration has led to many spirited and emotional conversations in our house, let me tell you.

I've had to look them in the face and acknowledge that I haven't done enough to make the world better or safer for them and it has not been much fun. I too am a loving mother who wants to take care of her children, but I'm realizing like never before that "more Mama" doesn't mean "less drama." It means Mama has to face the drama, the altered realities and overwhelming frustration of young people wondering how we screwed things up so badly. And face it in person, every day. Mama's had to realize that all the banana bread and homework checking in the world cannot fill the cracks that have widened between people in the past four years. Cracks that kept us from fighting this virus as a country rather than a series of politicized nation-states.

And my public profile and political clout are so much lower than yours, Kellyanne. Youre a senior advisor to the president. Its only natural that family members might feel you are in some way personally responsible, at least in part, for our federal government's terrible handling of a crisis that has gotten so bad that you, Kellyanne Conway, fixer extraordinaire, feel you need to quit your job to tend to your children.

But there are so many things to be grateful for, arent there, Kellyanne? We are among the lucky ones after all; we have jobs that do not put us in harms way and resources that allow our families to shelter safely, our children to experience online learning in the best environment possible. Lots of people dont have that. Because the United States has been unable to control COVID-19 in the way other countries have, lots of people have lost loved ones, lots of people are still sick, many are out of work or forced to remain in jobs that are far riskier than culture columnist or senior advisor to the president.

But look at you! The ultimate pandemic success story! Your family has enough financial stability that in the middle of a crashing economy both you and your husband can afford to quit your jobs to take care of your children. What a message that sends!

Family first, obviously, but if we're being honest, only when its your own family. I mean, even taking alternate facts into account, Trump has not been a very family-friendly president. Whatever gains he can claim to have made in the economy have been wiped out by the coronavirus. And, as you are learning firsthand, without any kind of national childcare program, parents are simply on their own when it comes to balancing work and family. Especially now, with so many schools and daycare centers closed, the burden of having it all has landed largely on mothers.

If only there had been a working mother among Trumps inner circle, a woman who could have moved this presidency to take the safety of American families seriously enough to not dismantle his pandemic team, to view early reports seriously; to take dramatic federal action; to unite the country against a common foe; to, at the very least, not make things worse by downplaying and politicizing a virus that has killed 177,000 Americans, shattered the economy and made life harder for millions of families.

Including, as it turns out, yours.

So congratulations on your decision to quit your job in order tend to your children full time. Amid the crisis you helped create, you and your husband are among the few Americans who can.

Sincerely,

Mary McNamara
The lawyer for musician Mzbel says his client is yet to be charged after she was arrested and granted bail on Monday.



According to Lawyer James Appiah Duker, his client was only asked to report to the Police today.



He added that the Police had asked her to come without her lawyer.



"She is in good mood, I have spoken to her this morning and she has been asked to come back to the Police at 12 O'clock this afternoon and hopefully, she is going to be there with one of her lawyers. The Police have themselves indicated that they didn't even want the lawyers to be there but...," Lawyer Duker said in an interview on Joy FM.



Arrest



Mzbel, known in her private life as Belinda Nana Ekua Amoah was arrested by the Greater Accra Regional Police Command on Monday.



According to the Police Public Relations Officer of CID, DSP Juliana Obeng, the musician was cautioned under Section 208 of the Criminal Code (Publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the Public).





Explaining the circumstances leading to the arrest in an interview on Adom FM, DSP Obeng said it relates to a petition filed at the CID by television personality Stacey Amoateng after Mzbel reportedly said in a radio broadcast that she (Stacey) was HIV positive.



DSP Obeng added that Mzbel reported to the Police on her own volition before she was later arrested.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Well-known social activist Sandeep Pandey has taken strong exception to alleged targeting of one Nasir Pathan, 42, resident of Chandana village in Kheda district, Gujarat, by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists by taking up an emotional issue like cow slaughter. Pandey in a statement has demanded from the authorities to take action against people who abuse religious agenda to serve their political and personal interests.After a series of accusations, including for cow slaughter, failing to find any substantiation, Pandey, who is winner of the prestigious Magsaysay award and is vice-president of the Socialist Party (India), said, VHP activists have filed a weird complaint stating that Pathan has been to Pakistan and moves around the country, and has links with terrorists.An activist of the Socialist Party (India), Nasir, Pandey asserted, did go to Pakistan, but that was on a mission to promote peace and friendship at people-to-people level in which Ive also participated, adding, He indeed moves around the country but only to meet activists and attend meetings of social organizations.About a week back, Pandey said in his statement, VHP activists had filed a complaint with the district magistrate, Kheda, that Nasir Pathan had slaughtered hundred cows in 2019 and buried them in the land on which Bharat Bhai Ramji Bhai Lamka runs a restaurant. The police did not believe in the wild story and refused to file FIR, Pandey said.It all began with a debt dispute resulting from Lamka taking a loan of Rs 10-15 lakh in several installments, whose amount is claimed to have reached a whopping Rs 90 lakh. Nasir came in picture recently when his support was sought by a VHP activist, who had given the loan, to evict Lakma from the land. However, Nasir refused citing a written agreement.Failing to get cop response, a new complaint was filed by the VHP activist against Pathan, Lamka and his two brothers Randchod Bhai and Bhupat Bhai, two others from Chandana villagers Ibrahim and Salim, a butcher, that they had come and attacked him with a knife with the intention to kill him.Bringing pressure from some higher level office bearers of VHP, this time the devious brothers were successful in getting a FIR registered. All accused had to take bail from the magistrate, Pandey said.
Debicki to play

Princess Diana

The Crown has found its Princess Diana.

Elizabeth Debicki will play the Princess of Wales in seasons five and six of The Crown, the Netflix series announced.

Debicki will join a new cast for the series that includes Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth, Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret and Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip. Staunton succeeds Olivia Colman and Claire Foy in the role.

Emma Corrin is playing Diana on the dramas upcoming fourth season, but Debicki will take on the part for whats sure to be the characters most dramatic chapters. Seasons five and six are expected to be the shows final seasons. No premiere date of season four has yet been announced.

Princess Dianas spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many, Debicki said on Twitter. It is my true privilege and honor to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one.

Debicki, a 29-year-old Australian actress, is seen as a rising star after a breakout performance in Steve McQueens Widows. She also stars in Christopher Nolans upcoming thriller Tenet. Other credits include The Great Gatsby, The Burnt Orange Heresy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Perrys work

being honored

Tyler Perry has won awards from the NAACP and BET. Now hes getting a big one from the Television Academy: He and his foundation are the recipients of the 2020 Governors Award.

The prize, picked by the academy board of governors, honors Perry for his unprecedented achievements in television and his commitment to offering opportunities to marginalized communities.

Perry has so far created 22 feature films, over 20 stage plays, 13 television shows and two bestselling books. The Atlanta-based producer was one of the first major filmmakers to power back up production in the wake of the coronavirus health crisis.

Tyler Perry has changed the face of television and inspired a new generation of content creators. He pioneered a new brand of storytelling that engages people of color both in front of and behind the camera, and his shows have resonated with a global audience, said Governors Award selection committee Chair Eva Basler in a statement.

The award honors an individual or organization in the television arts and sciences whose achievement is so exceptional and universal in nature that it goes beyond the scope of annual Emmy Awards recognition.

Previous recipients of the Governors Award include Star Trek, American Idol, Masterpiece Theater and Comic Relief.

 Associated Press
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) continued to take action against school teachers at PCMC schools for avoiding Covid duties.

Until June,74 teachers were given a showcause notice. Three teachers were also fined earlier this month.

Civic chief Shravan Hardikar has fined three teachers of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation schools for failing to attend the Covid survey duty earlier this month. The teachers were issued showcause notices and were told to give a reply, according to a PCMC official.

Generally, teachers have been assigned work to assist doctors and health care workers. Duties include a door-to-door screening of residents, Covid surveys, and sending WhatsApp awareness messages to the public.

In two months (July and August), a number of teachers were fined by PCMC.

The civic body keeps fining those who are avoiding Covid duties. It is a must for all PCMC teachers, they have been given rotational duties, said Jyotsna Shinde, administration officer, education department, PCMC.

Shinde added, If a teacher continues to miss Covid duties, strict action will be taken against them. Currently, most of the teachers have been given show cause notices but we are thinking to take more strict actions if teachers keep on repeating such mistakes.

Duty is given to all the teachers and it is compulsory. None of the teachers should give false reason and ignore duties, she said.

Box

YCMH doctors protest against PCMC

Doctors at the Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH) wore black bands to protest against the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).

On Saturday in the general body meeting, many corporators talked disrespectfully with Dr Rajendra Wable, dean of YCMH hospital and thats why doctors protested on Monday. However, work continued at the hospital.

The letter from YCMH stated, It is not the first-time senior doctors were disrespected in a general body meeting. Since the last two years our doctors have been treated in the same way. Corporators should give us respect, we are doing duty devotionally even during Covid times. Due to such foul language our sentiments have been hurt and thats why we are working today with black bands.

Dr Wable was not available for comment.
CAIRO (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Sudan on Tuesday to push for normalizing ties with Israel, building on momentum from the recent historic agreement to establish relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The Sudanese transitional government said, however, that it does not have a mandate to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. It called on the Trump administration to not make the removal of Sudan from a U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism contingent upon normalizing relations with Israel.

Sudan is on a fragile path to democracy after the popular uprising led the military to overthrow autocratic leader Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. A military-civilian government now rules the country, with elections possible in late 2022.

The transitional authorities are desperate to have sanctions lifted that are linked to its listing by the U.S. as a terror sponsor. That would be a key step toward ending its isolation and rebuilding its battered economy, which has plunged in recent months, threatening to destabilize the political transition.

Pompeo is the first U.S. secretary of state to visit the African country since 2005, when Condoleezza Rice visited. He also is the most senior U.S. official to visit the African country since last years ouster of al-Bashir.

Pompeo arrived from Israel and while he was still airborne he tweeted: Happy to announce that we are on the FIRST official NONSTOP flight from Israel to Sudan!

His flight was the first direct trip between Tel Aviv to the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Pompeo was in Israel on Monday on the first stop of his multi-country tour in the region. The trip follows the Aug. 13 agreement between Israel and the UAE to establish diplomatic ties.

Pompeo met Tuesday with Sudanese Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the head of the ruling sovereign council, and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok,

Hamdok later described his meeting with Pompeo as great" and tweeted in English that they had a direct & transparent conversation" about removing Sudan from the U.S. terror list, bilateral relations and the U.S. government's support for the civilian-led transitional government in Sudan.

Story continues

The prime minister urged the Trump administration not to link the removal of Sudans name from its list of state sponsors of terrorism to the normalization of times with Israel, said Information Minister Fasial Saleh.

"The transitional government does not have the mandate ... to decide on normalization with Israel. This matter will be decided after the completion of the transitional authority, said Saleh. He was referring to the legislative body that has yet to be formed.

The sovereign council said Pompeo also met with Burhan but did not give details. A Sudanese military official said their talks focused on the next step toward normalization and incentives that Sudan will gain." He spoke on condition of anonymity because of he was not authorized to brief reporters.

"Great to be in Khartoum for meetings with the civilian-led transitional government. The democratic transition underway is a once in a generation opportunity for the people of Sudan," Pompeo tweeted.

Pompeo's discussions with the Sudanese leaders marked the continued deepening of the Israel-Sudan bilateral relationship, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

She said Pompeo also urged the Sudanese premier to provide protection to civilians in the Darfur region, which has seen a spate of armed attacks that killed dozens of people.

In February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Burhan, during a trip to Uganda where they pledged to pursue normalization. The meeting was held secretly and only announced after it happened. It also paved the way for another first  two weeks after the meeting in Uganda, an Israeli aircraft made a historic first flight over Sudanese territory.

At the time of the Burhan-Netanyahu meeting, the Sudanese military said the talks with Israel were an effort to help end Sudans status as an international pariah state.

Following a meeting with Hamdok on Monday, a coalition representing the protesters who helped topple al-Bashir last year said in a statement that the transitional government has no mandate to decide on normalizing ties with Israel.

The coalition, known as Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, also emphasized the right of the Palestinian people to their land and the right of free and dignified life, the statement said.

Sudan hosted the landmark Arab conference after the 1967 Mideast War where eight Arab countries approved the three nos: no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel and no negotiations.

But in recent years those hostilities have softened, and both countries have expressed readiness to normalize relations.

A Sudanese government official told The Associated Press last week that deliberations between Sudanese and Israeli officials have been going on for months, with the help of Egypt, the UAE and the U.S.

Sudan's former Foreign Ministry Ambassador Haidar Badawi said last week that Sudan was looking forward to making a peace deal with Israel. His comments immediately drew a pledge from Netanyahu to do all thats needed to wrap up a deal. Badawi was later dismissed from his post by acting Foreign Minister Omar Qamar al-Din who claimed that his ministry had not discussed the issue of ties with Israel.

The designation of Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism dates back to the 1990s, when Sudan briefly hosted Osama bin Laden and other wanted militants. Sudan was also believed to have served as a pipeline for Iran to supply weapons to Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

___

Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed.
Ivanka Trump had pep in her step as she left her Washington, D.C. home in a seafoam green shirt dress on Tuesday, after standing by her father's side at the Republication National Convention the day before.

The 38-year-old looked elegant in the belted $1,990 Ralph Lauren frock, which was buttoned to the top collar and featured slit sleeves that gave her the appearance of wearing a cape.

President Donald Trump's eldest daughter has worn the now sold-out dress a few times before, but on this occasion, she paired it with an accessory she may not have imagined wearing pre-pandemic  a floral face mask.

Pep in her step! Ivanka Trump gave a wave as she stepped out of her Washington, D.C. home on Tuesday morning

Outfit of the day: The White House senior adviser looked elegant in a $1,990 seafoam green Ralph Lauren frock

Ivanka has faithfully donned a protective face covering for the majority of her public outings, despite her father's wavering stance on masks.

She has also taken great care to match them to her outfits, with Tuesday's look being no exception.

Keeping the focus on her sleek shirt dress and her colorful mask, she wore classic suede pumps in an understated shade of nude.

Matching seafoam green earrings peeked out from underneath her hair, and she carried a cream leather clutch in her hand.

Ivanka also had on a red string bracelet on her left wrist, which she has been wearing off and on for a few years now.

Added details: Matching seafoam green earrings peeked out from underneath her hair, and her floral face mask also complemented her look

Details: The now sold-out dress was buttoned to the top collar and featured slit sleeves that gave her the appearance of wearing a cape

Hello: She put on a show during her short walk from her front door to the Secret Service vehicle waiting at the curb, giving a wave to the paparazzi as they captured her departure

Although she hasn't spoken about the purpose of the bracelet, it does bear a resemblance to the type of red string that Kabbalah practitioners wear to ward off the 'evil eye.'

Ivanka had a twinkle in her eye as she headed to work, and while there was no way to tell, she appeared to be smiling behind her mask.

She got a late start on Tuesday, leaving her home at 10:30 a.m.  three hours after her husband, fellow White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, stepped out the door.

Ivanka seemed well-rested and chipper, despite spending most of the day on the campaign trail in North Carolina with her father the day before.

She put on a show during her short walk from her front door to the Secret Service vehicle waiting at the curb for her, giving a cordial wave to the paparazzi as they captured her departure.

Accessorizing: The former model carried a cream leather clutch in her hand and wore nude suede pumps

If it ain't broke: Her long blonde hair was center-parted and flat ironed straight  the same hairstyle that she donned to speak at the RNC in 2016

On the go: Ivanka got a late start on Tuesday, leaving her home at 10:30 a.m

Her long blonde hair was center-parted and flat ironed straight. Coincidence or not, it was the same hairstyle that she donned to speak at the RNC in 2016.

Ivanka may be on hand to support her brother Eric Trump, 36, and half-sister Tiffany Trump, 26, who are both slated to speak at the RNC on Tuesday evening.

It's a rare appearance for Tiffany, who gave a well-received speech four years ago at the convention in Cleveland, Ohio, where she talked about her father in personal terms, showing a different side to the GOP nominee.

'My dad is a natural-born encourager, the last person who will ever tell you to lower your sights or give up your dreams,' she told the crowd.

President Trump's youngest daughter usually pops up at major events in his administration  the State of the Union address, the trip he took to Mount Rushmore on July 3, and the state dinner in London.

Early bird: Ivanka's husband, fellow White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, stepped out the door three hours earlier at 7:30 a.m.

Heading out: Jared, 39, donned a navy suit and a maroon tie. He carried a black work bag in his hand as he left the front gate of their home

In early August, she was seen at a boat parade for President Trump in Montauk, cruising along with Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle.

All of the oldest children of President Trump are all participating in the convention in some form. However, it's unclear if 14-year-old Barron will make an appearance.

The president's youngest child may show up for his speech on Thursday, which traditionally ends with the nominee's family taking the stage for a photo-op (and, in a normal convention year, balloons).

First Lady Melania Trump will also be addressing viewers on the second night of the convention from the White House.

Her words will likely be scrutinized following the controversy surrounding her speech at the 2016 RNC, which heavily mirrored a portion of Michelle Obama's address at the Democratic National Convention in 2008.

Strutting her stuff: Ivanka put on a very chic display as she left her D.C. home on Monday morning ahead of the Republican National Convention

Arrival: Ivanka was pictured disembarking Air Force One at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina a few hours after leaving her home

While President Trump is expected to speak on all four nights of the RNC, his eldest daughter will not address supporters until Thursday  the final evening of the event.

It is understood that she will introduce her father as he prepares to accept the Republican party's official nomination.

It's already been a busy week for Ivanka, who traveled to North Carolina to be by her father's side on Monday.

She was seen strutting out of her home in a $1,990 white dress from Lela Rose that had pretty blue flowers printed across it.

Ivanka added matching accessories, opting for a white face mask, white strappy sandals, and a $1,540 white Max Mara handbag.

Surprise! Ivanka and her father made an unscheduled appearance at the convention shortly after landing in Charlotte, where President Trump accepted the 2020 nomination in person

Watching on: She stood to the side of the stage as her father made a surprise speech. 'We have to win,' the president said. 'This is the most important election in the history of our country'

Making it official: Delegates officially nominated Trump to be their candidate in November during the roll call Monday morning

Clearly conscious of the fact that she will spend the next four evenings in the spotlight as she joins President Trump at the RNC, Ivanka went all out on the glam.

She chose to go all out with the eye makeup, modeling bold eyeshadow complete with plenty of mascara.

Meanwhile, her blonde hair was styled in loose waves that hung down below her shoulders.

Shortly after leaving her home, Ivanka traveled to North Carolina, where she and her father visited a Farmers to Families Food Box program site in Mills River ahead of the start of the convention.

'I am incredibly excited to join the President in North Carolina as he sees first-hand the incredible work being done through our Farmers to Families Food Box program,' she said in a statement.

Special: The president is set to speak on all four nights of the convention; however, Ivanka (pictured with Trump in 2016) will only address supporters on Thursday

Support: Her siblings  Don Jr., Eric, and Tiffany  are all scheduled to speak at the event

Ivanka was pictured disembarking Air Force One at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, having taken off her face mask and replaced it with a glamorous pair of sunglasses.

She then made an unexpected visit to the convention ahead of schedule, where President Trump accepted the nomination in person, while Ivanka watched on from the wings.

During his speech, the president told the scaled-back convention: 'We have to win. This is the most important election in the history of our country.'

Soon after the surprise speech, Ivanka and her father flew to Asheville Regional Airport in Fletcher, North Carolina, before making their way to Mills River for their visit to the Farmers to Families Food Box program site.

They were met by a crowd of fans, with Ivanka's arrival, in particular, eliciting cheers and screams.
FOREST HILL, Md., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecotone, an ecological restoration firm, has experienced substantial growth over the past few years, and renowned business magazine Inc. has taken notice once again by naming Ecotone as one its fastest-growing private companies in America for the fourth consecutive year. The inclusion in the "Inc. 5000" list is notable, as Ecotone joins esteemed national brands such as Microsoft, Vizio, and Zappos.com as "Inc. 5000" recipients.

Owner, Scott McGill with his wingman, Goose.

A key to Ecotone's success has been its ability to identify local restoration projects, such as streams and wetlands in need of repair, and partner with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to offset some of the costs, allowing local municipalities to improve their natural environments without going beyond their budget. "It's a win-winthe local town or city can provide its residents a healthier, safer environment, while we do the legwork to find the funding. It's our contribution to beautifying our local communities, improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, and encouraging a natural restoration," said Ecotone's owner Scott McGill. "Our philosophy is to allow nature to restore nature. We set the table and let nature take it from there."

While being recognized for growing its business is welcomed, McGill stressed that his company's focus is beyond the bottom line. "We didn't set out with the intention to grow earnings or improve our profit margin. Our goal was to help our clients and partners solve important ecological and water quality problems. Making the Inc. 5000 for 4 years in a row was simply a result of our company's mission to find and execute innovative, cost effective, and nature based solutions for our customers and the environment. Open sourcing our approach with the ecological restoration community at large is how we are scaling our outcomes to other regions of North America and the world. Our Bhag is to change the way world thinks about and executes on ecological restoration challenges."

About Ecotone:

Founded in 1998, Ecotone is a Harford County, MD based ecological restoration company that designs and builds sustainable ecosystems to reduce erosion of stream banks, manage stormwater, conserve and restore wetlands, and restore forests. The company provides full-delivery ecosystem restoration, mitigation, design, construction, and consulting solutions throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Ecotone officially became a B Corp in 2018, a certification for businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. To learn more, please visit www.ecotoneinc.com.

Contact:

Mary Beth O'Bryan

410.420.2600

[email protected]

SOURCE Ecotone, Inc

Related Links

http://www.ecotoneinc.com


Plans for a new 25-unit apartment building for the north end of Peterborough were announced Tuesday, with some of the units providing affordable housing for families and individuals in need.

Women and Gender Equality Minister Maryam Monsef, the MP for Peterborough-Kawartha, Mayor Diane Therrien and developers of the project announced the project Tuesday afternoon.

The development, which is partnering with Kawartha Participation Projects, a non-profit group that helps young adults with physical disabilities, will be located on the citys outskirts at 3789 Water St., at Woodland Drive near Trent University.

The estimated cost of the project is about $8.3 million, with the federal government providing $7.6 million in funding.

The development will house up to 25 families and individuals who need housing assistance in the community with accessible units will be available for those who need features like lowered countertops and ground floor suites.

It will have two studio units, two one-bedroom units, 14 two-bedroom units, and 7 three-bedroom units in a four-storey building.

Construction is expected to start soon with a projected completion in August 2021.

Monsef described the project as a unique partnership opportunity and a hallmark of the national housing strategy.

The initiative encourages construction of rental housing needed most to help relieve pressures on escalating costs of rent, Monsef announced. This is a development meant to provide energy efficiency, full accessibility and of course greenhouse gas reductions.

Last year the federal government announced $8 million in funding for the new Brock Mission project on Murray Street and the planned new Habitat for Humanity Peterborough three-storey, 41-unit condo building on Leahys Lane.

With all the recent affordable housing initiatives and shelters spaces, Monsef said something great can be produced when the community bands together.

With the Brock Mission, the 15 new affordable units there, the 30 shelter beds for homeless and at-risk men, along with habitat for humanity Peterborough build to support new affordable homes, she said.

Laheys Lane is a reminder that when this community puts forward ideas and the strong partners in the community apply for these dollars, we have a very high success rate.

City officials are hoping that construction of more rental units will help to alleviate some of the citys housing issues.

We know housing has been a long-standing issue in our community and over the last couple of decades has been an issue that has been building to the point where we are today, Therrien said

Rental units certainly are one of the pieces that are really in demand and have been missing in a lot of ways from new construction over the last decade, so it is a really exciting project.

Patrick Cooper, CEO of Kawartha Participation Projects, said the agency works with some of the most vulnerable groups in the city, providing affordable and accessible housing for them to live comfortable lives.

Keeping them safe, keeping them from homelessness, at a time when, as we are seeing with COVID the importance is to have safe affordable adequate and accessible housing, Cooper said.

Accessibility is fairly important because many of these people wouldnt have housing, even if it was an accessible unit on the top floor of a three-storey walk-up. These are individuals who are the most vulnerable and I am proud we are able to provide that housing.

Sheldon Rokin, president of Green Leaf Group Inc., said some of the units will fall within the federal affordable housing mandates.

Twenty-eight per cent of the units meet the federal guidelines for affordability, Rokin said.

They are pegged to Statistics Canadas family income in the area and the overall project produced aggregate is at least 10 per cent less than market value, so those are the criteria we are working in.

The new units will help with the need for affordable housing in Peterborough, Monsef said

Given the extreme demand and the low supply for housing in this community, any additional units will add to affordability and there is certainly a number of affordable units that this project, as with any project needs to meet, she said.

Peterboroughs rental vacancy rate last year was 2.1 per cent, close to the national average of 2.2 per cent.
Home services marketplace Urban Company (formerly UrbanClap) on Tuesday announced an employee stock sale programme - its third and largest to date - worth $5 million (Rs 37.5 crore). Under the latest programme, more than 180 employees would be eligible for liquidating their vested employee stock options (ESOPs) that would be purchased through a secondary transaction by existing investor, Vy Capital, a statement said.

"This is our third and largest ESOP sale event, and re-affirms our commitment towards creating a world-class ESOP programme," Urban Company co-founder Abhiraj Singh Bhal said. Urban Company's ESOP programme has terms such as an exercise price of Re 1, accelerated vesting, a flat 4-year vesting schedule (25 percent each year) and an infinite hold period to exercise the ESOPs after the employee leaves the company, he added.

According to Bhal, about 450 employees or 40 percent of the company's full time staff have ESOPs - from customer service representatives to its senior vice presidents. The move comes at a time when many startups have had to resort to layoffs or furloughs as business was impacted significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic-led lockdown.

Also read: COVID-19 crisis: Credit Suisse to close 37 bank branches in Switzerland

The latest sale values each ESOP at Rs 1.10 lakh, which is the same price as the Series E secondary transaction which took place in June 2019, Urban Company said. Urban Company's first ESOP sale event occurred in June 2017, coinciding with the Series C round of funding and valued each ESOP at Rs 24,500. During this $1 million ESOP sale, about 25 employees were eligible.

The second ESOP sale event ($2.5 million) was held in December 2018, valuing each ESOP at Rs 61,864. This coincided with the Series D round of funding, during which about 100 employees were eligible. To date, the company has awarded ESOPs to 670 employees, including 450 current employees.

Urban Company awards ESOPs to employees at the time of recruitment, during an appraisal cycle, and as part of various internal recognition programmes.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Students who attend Catholic schools in Central New York will be back in their classrooms every day this fall.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse announced today that its 22 schools all will open for in-person learning, five days a week.

Being able to come together to provide supportive environments for learning is our priority at each of our Catholic schools, said William Crist, the superintendent the Catholic schools.

Christian Brothers Academy is separate from the diocesan schools and already announced its reopening plans. Students there, like in most public schools, will have a hybrid school schedule.

Crist had previously said all of the schools had enough space to open for in-person instruction while still maintaining social distancing in the classrooms.

Catholic school costs $5,000 a year for elementary school; 7-12 is $7,000.

Other private schools, too, have been planning to reopen for in-person instruction.

In a letter to parents, Crist said each school has also prepared a plan for remote and hybrid instruction, in case infection rates increase and they become necessary.

Private schools, like public schools, must submit their plans for reopening to the state, detailing how they will meet both health and educational needs.

The first day of school for students in Syracuse Catholic schools in Sept. 9.

Marnie Eisenstadt is a reporter who writes about people and public affairs in Central New York. Have an idea or question? Contact her anytime: email | twitter | Facebook | 315-470-2246
PROVIDENCE, RI  Despite the pandemic, nearly half of Rhode Island voters said they plan to vote in person on Election Day, according to an informal survey by Patch.

The 559 people who responded to the survey were pretty evenly split about voting in-person versus by mail or via hand-delivered absentee ballot. Just under one half said that they plan to cast their ballot in person, while just over one quarter said they plan to entrust it to the U.S. Postal Service. Around 17 percent said they planned to use an absentee ballot that they would deliver to their local board of canvassers by hand.

The remainder, just under 8 percent, said they planned to vote early at their town or city hall.

Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea has been a vocal supporter of voting by mail, calling it a "safe and secure option, especially during this pandemic."

The practice has become a hot-button issue across the state this election season, with Republicans challenging the suspension of a requirement that absentee ballots be notarized with a signature or two witnesses.

The issue made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, which sided with state officials and left the suspension in place.

"Your health should never be the price of admission to our democracy," Gorbea said at the time of the decision. "Making it easier to vote safely from home by removing the burden of obtaining two witnesses or a notary is a common-sense step that will protect Rhode Islanders during this pandemic ... I thank the Supreme Court for delivering their decision in a timely manner and I look forward to delivering Rhode Islanders safe and secure elections they can trust."

Survey responses echoed the state divide, with nearly equal numbers saying they were either "highly confident" or "not at all confident" that voting by mail could be conducted in a safe, not fraudulent manner. The remainder, around 25 percent, fell somewhere in the middle.

Story continues

One respondent said they planned to vote in person, but not for reasons connected to the pandemic.

"I will vote in person because I am not confident that my signature on file is going to match my current signature [because] I registered to vote almost 30 years ago," they said. "This election is too important to not have my vote count on a technicality. Unless you have successfully voted by mail previously or are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19, I would go to the polls in person."

Recent changes to the postal service, including eliminating overtime for workers and removing sorting machines, have led to reports of mail slowdowns and concerns about mail ballots getting to their destinations on time to be counted.

"My mail has slowed down!" one person wrote. "I am now watching [Postmaster general Louis] Devoy being questioned by Congress and he needs to be cleaning toilets! I will vote and mail my ballot early and hopefully be able to track it."



Still, the majority of respondents, nearly 60 percent, said they have not noticed any changes to their mail delivery service.

Rhode Islanders have until Oct. 4 to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general election, and can request a ballot by mail until Oct. 13. More information is available on the Secretary of State's website.





This article originally appeared on the Cranston Patch
A Qatari envoy arrived in the Gaza Strip late Tuesday bringing financial aid and seeking to ease the Israel-Hamas tensions that have led to daily Israeli strikes on the Palestinian territory, informed sources said.

Mohammed el-Emadi arrived with $30 million to help the territory of two million people, half of whom live under the poverty line, sources close to the envoy told AFP.

He was expected to meet Hamas officials during the night.

Israel has bombed the Hamas-ruled enclave almost daily since August 6, in response to airborne incendiary devices, called fire balloons and, less frequently, rockets launched across the border into Israel.

The fire balloons  makeshift incendiary devices fitted to inflated balloons, condoms or plastic bags  have sparked multiple blazes on farmland in southern Israel, causing significant damage to crops.

They are widely seen as an attempt by Hamas to improve the terms of an informal truce under which Israel committed to ease its 13-year blockade in return for calm on the border.

But so far Israels response has been to tighten the blockade. It has banned Gaza fishermen from going to sea and closed its goods crossing with the territory, prompting the closure of Gazas sole power plant for want of fuel.

As a result, the Gaza Strip has had electricity, from the Israeli grid, for less than four hours per day.

Hamas on Monday called the closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing a crime against humanity and called on the international community and decision-makers in the region to break their silence to bring an end to the blockade.

An Egyptian delegation has been shuttling between the two sides to try to broker a renewal of the truce, so far without success.

Qatari delegation sources said the Israeli side had told El-Emadi that it is prepared to allow the power station to refuel and to lift its blockade in exchange for a return to calm and an end to the incendiary balloons.

Israel and the Islamist Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.

The latest ceasefire deal stipulates a monthly aid payment from Qatar of $30 million until the end of next month.

The truce also provides for permits for Gazans to work in Israel and financing for Gaza development projects, both measures that would provide some economic relief in the impoverished territory where unemployment exceeds 50 percent.

Informed sources agree that differences over implementing the economic measures are at the heart of the heightened tension between Israel and Hamas.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Norman Harsono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 16:32 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c405d0ee 1 Business gas-project,Abadi,Indonesia-Deepwater-Development-IDD,TangguhLNG,Jambaran-Tiung-Biru-fields,Chevron,shell,#PostScript Free

Four Indonesian strategic upstream gas projects are facing headwinds from pandemic-related restrictions and exiting operators, presenting challenges to the countrys ambition to become a major Asia Pacific gas exporter by 2030.

The four national strategic projects are expected to produce 65,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and 3,484 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of gas, according to Upstream Oil and Gas Special Regulatory Task Force (SKK Migas) data.

The projects are the Abadi field in gas-rich Masela Block, near Maluku; Indonesia Deepwater Development (IDD) in the Makassar strait, near Sulawesi; Tangguh Train 3 in West Papua; and Jambaran Tiung Biru (JBT) in East Java. The combined value of the four projects is an estimated US$37.21 billion.

However, the two biggest projects, IDD and the Abadi field, are on the verge of losing a key stakeholder, throwing the projects future into the realm of uncertainty.

The projects, whose gas production is 9.5 times their oil production, are expected to drive Indonesias transition from an oil economy to a gas economy, an ongoing transition since 2002.

Abadi field

The biggest project among the four is the Abadi gas project in Masela Block, whose minority operator, Shell, was revealed last month to be planning an exit.

Shell and Japans Inpex Corp, which control a 35 percent and 65 percent stake, respectively, were slated to develop a multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in the Abadi field, which holds an estimated 10.7 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves.

Shell then received government permission to start divesting its assets in Masela, with the first step being opening geological data of the block to potential buyers.

On Monday, SKK Migas head Dwi Soetjipto stated that the company would divest its assets over an estimated 18 months, adding that Shell would continue developing the Abadi field despite the divestment.

The aim is to have [Abadi] onstream by 2027 and we have agreed with operators to try and stick with this schedule, SKK Migas head Dwi Soetjipto told lawmakers on Monday.

SKK Migas operations deputy Julius Wiratno previously told The Jakarta Post that Shells exit was due to poor macroeconomic conditions amid the unfolding health crisis.

The projects were ready to go, but now, with COVID-19 and low oil prices, its wait and see and maybe with some re-calculations, he said.

Shell Indonesia declined to comment while Inpex Corp said it would continue focusing on developing the Abadi field.

As the operator of the project and with the government of Indonesias support, we have confidence that this project will continue to progress, said Inpex acting corporate communications manager Moch N. Kurniawan.

The $19.8 billion project, located in the southeastern Arafura Sea, aims to produce 1,600 mmscfd of liquefied natural gas (LNG), 150 mmscfd of piped gas and 35,000 bopd of gas condensate, once operational by 2027.

Abadi is the biggest project among the four by output and investment value. The project has a long history of delays due to disagreement between the government and operators over development plans.

Indonesia Deepwater Development (IDD)

The second-biggest project is the IDD project, whose operator, United States-based Chevron signaled plans to exit the project earlier this month.

A Chevron spokeswoman said the project was not attractive enough to secure global portfolio capital but also noted that the company had not made the final call to pull out.

We believe the project will have value for another operator, PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia spokeswoman Sonitha Poernomo told the Post.

The government has offered the project to Italys Eni, according to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministrys acting oil and gas director general Ego Syahrial.

The $6.98 billion project is expected to produce 844 mmscfd gas and 27,000 bopd once operational in 2025.

IDD is one of the largest pre-development resources in Southeast Asia, but owing to the challenges of developing a high cost, low margin project in a volatile price environment, development has stalled for several years, said upstream oil and gas analyst Andrew Harwood of energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie.

Tangguh Train 3

The third-biggest project is Tangguh Train 3 in Bintuni Bay, West Papua, led by British energy firm BP.

The $8.9 billion project is expected to produce 700 mmscfd of gas and 3,000 bopd once operational in 2021.

The latest SKK Migas data show that the projects onshore development hit 83.27 percent completion while its offshore development reached 98.15 percent completion as of June this year.

The targets are slightly below the targets of 84.35 percent and 99.39 percent completion, respectively, due to manpower and material delays following international lockdowns.

SKK Migas urges BP Tangguh to commit to its onstream plan of 2021, said Dwi of SKK Migas at a press conference on first-half performance on July 17.

Most recently, SKK Migass Julius said manpower had been trickling back on site. The project had up to 13,000 workers in March but dropped to as low as 6,000 workers as Indonesia entered a partial lockdown to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

Starting in early July 2020, it has been gradually going up, and now there are around 7,500 workers, he said.

Jambaran Tiung Biru (JBT)

The smallest project among the four is the Jambaran Tiung Biru (JBT) project in Bojonegoro, East Java, operated by state-owned oil and gas giant Pertamina.

Pertamina subsidiary Pertamina EP Cepu or PEPC  pronounced Pepsi  expects the $1.53 billion project to produce 190 million mmscfd of gas, mostly slated for electricity generation but also for industries in Central and East Java.

The latest SKK Migas data show that the project had reached 66.62 percent completion as of June, below the 77.01 percent target, also due to manpower and material delays amid the pandemic.

In the latest development, PEPC drilling manager Bambang Purwanto said on June 16 the company had finished drilling four out of six gas wells for the JBT project. His team would proceed with drilling the fifth and sixth wells.

We hope these drillings happen smoothly such that we can 100 percent complete drilling by November this year, he said in a statement.

Julius of SKK Migas said on Aug. 14 that Pertaminas drilling activity was still on schedule even though construction had been delayed.

JTBs progress has slowed due to a lack of manpower, but the drilling is okay. Its still on schedule, he said.
DUBAI/JERUSALEM: The UAE and Israeli defence ministers on Tuesday held their first publicly-acknowledged phone call since their countries agreement to normalise ties, officials said, heralding possible security cooperation.

The conversation between Mohammed al-Bawardi and Benny Gantz came amid Israeli dissent at the prospect that the U.S.-brokered deal could grant the Gulf power access to advanced weaponry previously denied to it, such as F-35 stealth fighter jets.

In their 10-minute call, Bawardi and Gantz discussed boosting communication for the benefit of their countries in particular and the region as a whole", a statement carried by UAE state news agency WAM said.

Gantzs office quoted him as saying that they agreed to keep an open channel between them".

We share important security interests, collaboration will strengthen regional stability," a statement from Gantzs office said.

The normalisation accord, announced on Aug. 13, forges a new axis in confronting Shiite Muslim Iran and Sunni Islamist militants in the Middle East, and makes the UAE only the third Arab country to forge ties with Israel in more than 70 years.

But the UAE has argued that the agreement should remove any hurdle" to advanced U.S. weapons sales, arguing that it eliminates any potential for belligerence between it and Israel.

Seeking to allay Israeli security concerns, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reassured Israel on Monday that it would retain a military advantage in the region under any future arms deals with the UAE.

An Israeli defence official said that while Israel was firm in opposing any prospective U.S. sale of the F-35 to the UAE, the Netanyahu government was entirely immersed" on the question of expanding criteria for Israeli defence exports to the Gulf power.

According to defence industry sources, Israel has sold the UAE security products in the cyber and surveillance realm. A study by the University of Torontos Citizen Lab has linked spyware technologies produced by Israels NSO Group to political surveillance in the UAE.

In the early 2000s, Israel was in talks to sell the UAE drones, according to a U.S. official who was involved in the negotiations - but called off the deal after the 2010 death in Dubai of an arms dealer with the Islamist group Hamas, which Emirati authorities blamed on a Mossad hit team.

(Writing by Rami Ayyub; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Alexandra Hudson)

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 33-year old man who knocked a woman unconscious in a homophobic attack outside an east Belfast bar was sentenced for the hate crime on Tuesday.

Kristopher Gibson shouted 'what a right hook I've got' after punching the woman as she stood with her wife outside the Stoker's Halt last March.

Handing Gibson a 16-month sentence at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Patricia Smyth said the woman "was seriously assaulted for one reason and one reason only, and that was her sexuality."

"The law recognises the vulnerability of persons from the LGBT community and the importance of imposing sentences which deter others from committing such appalling offences, and the courts will protect victims from hate crime."

The father-of two, from Bloomfield Parade, was told he will serve eight months of his sentence in prison, followed by eight months on licence.

He was ordered to surrender himself to Laganside Courts on Thursday to be taken into custody.

As she sentenced Gibson, Judge Smyth noted the injuries the woman sustained may require cosmetic intervention, and said "there is no question that the emotional and psychological impact of this attack has been significant."

The violent incident occurred at around 1.20am on March 17 last year, as the woman stood with her wife and friends outside the bar.

Addressing Gibson, Judge Smyth said: "She became aware of a male, you, to her left who was 'mouthing' about 'gays'. You approached close to her and were very aggressive in your manner.

"You pushed your mobile phone into her face, she moved her hand across her face and moved back. She cannot remember anything else thereafter."

Judge Smyth revealed a witness at the scene said Gibson "became aggressive and made derogatory comments about homosexuals" when he heard that the two women were married, and that without warning he punched one of them and knocked her unconscious.

As a male friend when to her aid as she lay on the ground, Gibson then repeatedly pushed the man's back as he assisted the injured woman.

Gibson then shouted 'what a right hook I've got' before goading others at the scene. The injured woman's wife heard Gibson shout 'f***ing gays' and other homophobic slurs, and described him as angry, agitated and drunk. She took pictures of him on her phone which were later handed to police.

Judge Smyth said that when she regained consciousness, the injured woman was suffering from "agonising pain" to her face and head.

She was rushed to hospital where she was treated for a laceration to the back of her head, and soft tissue injuries to her left cheek.

Judge Smyth said that after reading reports, it was clear the injured woman still experiences tingling and numbness to her cheek which may require cosmetic intervention.

After fleeing the scene, Gibson was apprehended a short time later in the kitchen of a nearby house and struggled with officers as he was arrested.

He was charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on the woman, assaulting the man who came to her aid, and assaulting police. He gave a 'no comment' response to police, and later denied attacking the woman - instead claiming he had been mistakenly identified.

Defence barrister Richard McConkey provided written submissions on behalf of his client, including a Probation Report which indicated Gibson had expressed shame as his actions and the words he used toward the women that evening.

Mr McConkey said that at the time, Gibson was drinking heavily and cannot remember the offending taking place - but has since expressed remorse and is "thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour."

The barrister urged Judge Smyth to consider Gibson's settled family life, his employment as a supervisor in a factory, a complete lack of relevant previous offending, and the fact he has now admitted all three offences.

Judge Smyth said she had taken into account these points, and noted Gibson told a Probation Officer he did not harbour any hostility to people in same-sex relationship.

However, she questioned the remorse Gibson expressed - given he maintained a "lying defence that this was a case of mistaken identity" - and told him that as part of his period of eight months on licence, "you engage in work to challenge your underlying attitudes to those of a different sexual orientation and to address your alcohol issues."

He was ordered to surrender himself at Laganside Courts at 10am on Thursday (27th), when he will be taken into custody to serve an eight-month prison sentence.
Two people were reported dead and 16 others feared trapped on Tuesday after a residential building collapsed in Western India, the Police said.

The five-storey building, said to house several families, collapsed in Maharashtra states Raigad district on Tuesday.

Police officer Shashikiran Kashid said two people died in the accident and the seven injured people were rescued by the National Disaster Response.

More than 70 people were initially feared trapped, but Raigad Police Chief, Anil Paraskar, said about 60 inhabitants managed to flee just as they felt the tremors when the building began to crumble.

The officials denied media reports that they were rescued.

Meanwhile, the Police revised the figures of 22 injured it released on Monday night.

Police suspect the building had structural defects.

However, a criminal case was filed against the builder.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief about the accident and instructed local authorities to provide all possible assistance to the victims.

Building collapses are common in India, usually due to shoddy construction, substandard materials and disregard to regulations.

Many of these accidents occur during the monsoon season.

(dpa/NAN)
Loading Regional authorities have brought back some restrictions that were lifted along with the national lockdown, but some regions, including hard-hit Madrid, have complained about a lack of legal measures or concerns about how to use those available. Following concerns from parents and teachers over a lack of clarity on government and regional plans for the safe reopening of classrooms in about two weeks, Sanchez said: "I guarantee to the fathers and mothers and teaching staff that educational centres will be safe from COVID, and that they will be much safer than many other environments where our young ones have been in the past few weeks." Both Madrid and Catalonia announced they would carry out mass testing of students and hire more staff to ensure smaller class sizes when the new term begins. India's new COVID cases top global tally for 18th straight day

India reported on Tuesday the highest number of new coronavirus cases globally for the 18th straight day, remaining well ahead of the US and Brazil, a Reuters tally based on official reporting showed. It took India from the end of January, when the country's first case was reported, until July to reach around 1.6 million cases, a period when the government imposed a strict lockdown. However, infections have rocketed by another 1.5 million since the start of August, taking the total to around 3.1 million, behind only Brazil and the US. The rate of new cases in India is increasing rapidly, climbing by 60,975 in the latest 24-hour period, according to the federal health ministry.

"If we cross the absolute numbers (in Brazil and the US), I won't be surprised, but we also have a larger population," said Giridhar Babu, epidemiologist at the non-profit Public Health Foundation of India. But deaths have remained comparatively low  at 58,390, or 1.84 per cent of total cases  lower than the global mortality percentage of 3.4 per cent. India reported its first COVID-19 fatality in mid-March, with the death toll rising to around 35,700 by the end of July. In August so far, around 22,600 deaths have been recorded. Deaths are considered a lagging indicator, given the two-week incubation period of the disease. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has said it is reassured by the high recovery rate  around 75 per cent of the total 3.1 million cases are no longer infected, according to data from the federal health ministry. Jair Bolsonaro's son tests positive for COVID-19

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of president Jair Bolsonaro, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to a statement by Flavio's spokesman. Flavio has no symptoms of COVID-19 and is at home, it said, adding he has started taking chloroquine and azithromycin as part of a treatment against the virus. Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, left, with his father, President Jair Bolsonaro. Credit:AP President Bolsonaro is a big supporter of chloroquine, a drug used to treat malaria, despite the lack of solid evidence it works against the disease. Bolsonaro himself caught the virus earlier, as well as his wife Michelle Bolsonaro and his youngest son, Jair Renan.

Gaza in lockdown to contain its first COVID-19 outbreak Gaza was in lockdown on Tuesday after the first cases of COVID-19 in the general population of the Palestinian enclave, whose restricted borders until now had helped spare it from an outbreak. Health authorities in the Hamas-controlled territory are concerned over the potentially disastrous combination of poverty, densely populated refugee camps and limited hospital facilities in dealing with an outbreak. Palestinians line up to buy bread during a 48-hour lockdown. Credit:AP A government spokesman said the four cases were uncovered after a woman travelled to the West Bank, where she tested positive. Four members of her family then tested positive in Gaza, the first cases outside quarantined border facilities.

Loading Interior Ministry spokesman Eyad al-Bozom said the family had been in contact with many other people in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, and that the camp was now isolated from the rest of the 360 square kilometre territory. "Pandemic investigation committees are conducting the necessary tests to follow up the conditions of the infected four people and those who had come in contact with them," he said. Businesses, schools and mosques were shuttered late on Monday, and the enclave's streets were largely deserted as police broadcast loudspeaker warnings to obey a 48-hour curfew.
The vice president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Local 1326 in Gary would like to know a lot of things, such as why the U.S. Senate wont pass $25 billion in relief money, a bill passed by the House on Saturday, for the United States Postal Service. He also wonders why the new tier of postal workers has to rely on members donating their old uniforms so they can have something that identifies them as employees. Theres also something he wants everyone to know.
President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Isaac Jay Hyde, says promise by President Akufo-Addo to abolish the guarantor system in the acquisition of student loans will enable beneficiaries of the Free SHS to attain tertiary education with so much ease.

Dr Bawumia, speaking at the NPPs manifesto launch on Saturday, August 22, 2020, revealed that the government will afford tertiary students the opportunity to obtain a student loan with the use of the national ID card only.

If you look at Ghana, our gross tertiary is less than 17 percent. So if we are to catch and build the human capital which will help us transform the economy, then we have to get more enrollment into the tertiary sectors. One of the problems for students in getting enrollment and access is affordability. Whether it is enrollment into the public or private universities, the ability to get the money is also a high bottleneck because when these Senior High Students graduate, many of them will look to go for tertiary education and we have to facilitate their ability to do so.

So we have a major promise; a policy initiative which we say all tertiary students except teacher and trainees who will be on the allowance will be able to get the option to obtain a student loan without the requirement of the guarantor. The problem for many tertiary students is the current scheme asks for guarantors and a lot of people are not willing to put their pensions on the line so many are not able to access the student loan. So you don't need a guarantor and all you need is your national ID card. That's all and you will be accessing your loan and once you complete your education, repayment will be deferred after your tertiary education. You will get a one year grace period after your national service, then you start paying, he promised.

Mr. Hyde, in an interview with Citi News, said the intervention, if implemented, will help needy students at the tertiary level.

Free SHS is expected to have been more beneficial to people who are from less-privileged homes and ordinarily would not have gone to school but for the intervention of the policy. Now the next stop I expect the government to be focused on is how do we make sure these people get to go to the universities, and if they are going, what are the likely challenges? Accessibility and finances; and that is what I believe this intervention is here to cure.

The loan is there but many students may not be able to access it because they may not have the guarantors so if you help them with guarantors that means that you are most importantly ensuring they go to school.

---citinewsroom
SEATTLE  The Washington State Department of Health reported 4 more coronavirus-related deaths and just 359 new cases of the virus Monday, continuing a trend in plateauing or declining case counts across the state.

Deaths were reported in King, Snohomish, and Spokane counties Monday.

Health officials say they believe the lowered case counts are a sign that the state's second wave of coronavirus infections may be on the way out, but continue to warn residents that lax behavior could cause a third wave of infections and deaths in the fall if transmission rates are not controlled.



The latest update mean a total of 1,867 Washingtonians have died due to the coronavirus, and 71,371 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed since the pandemic began.

Washington approved for $300 pandemic unemployment boost

Washington residents receiving unemployment will soon be receiving an extra $300 in benefits, now that the state has been approved to receive extra aid from FEMA.

"FEMA will work with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to implement a system to make this funding available to Washington residents," FEMA said in a release Monday.



The state Employment Security Department says they are still unsure when those benefits will begin being send to recipient's accounts, but the payments will be retroactive to August 1. To be eligible for the extra cash influx, unemployment applicants must have filed their claims over a three-week period between July 26 and August 15, and must certify that they are unemployed at least in part because of the pandemic.

Governor Inslee confirmed at a conference last week the state was applying to receive the extra benefit boost, but said he remains concerned that the money is not as much as the $600 boost the federal government had offered earlier in the pandemic, which expired at the end of July.

Read more: Washington Approved For $300 Unemployment Aid Boost

UW seeks volunteers to test potential treatment

Story continues

UW Medicine is seeking volunteers across Washington to help test a new potential treatment for the coronavirus. The treatment, a drug called LY3819253, is a blood infusion which contains coronavirus antibodies. Researchers say that, if the drug is successful, it should provide immediate protection against the virus which should last for several weeks after treatment.

So far, there have been no proven commercially available coronavirus treatments, so this test's success could potentially alter the course of the pandemic going forward.

To qualify, volunteers must be 18 or older and must have tested positive for the coronavirus in the last week before they entered the drug trial. Patients also must have shown at least one coronavirus symptom in the two days before they take the drug.



"People living in the Seattle area who have recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not hospitalized have the opportunity to make a huge contribution by participating in this study," said infectious disease physician and UW professor of medicine Ann Collier.

UW is just one of 25 sites testing the drug. Nationwide, 220 patients will be enrolled in the trial half of whom will receive a placebo and half will receive the real drug.



Read more: UW Medicine Seeks Volunteers To Test Coronavirus Treatment

45 confirmed cases in Bremerton medical center outbreak



An outbreak at the St. Michael Medical Center in Bremerton has now grown to 45 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Of those, 30 were in medical center staff, and 15 were in patients.

The outbreak began early in the month: back on August 4, the Kitsap Public Health District was alerted that an employee at the center had tested positive for COVID-19. After investigating, on the 13th the health district determined that five more cases could be linked to the medical center. The next day they declared an outbreak at the center and recommended that all staff and patients be tested for the virus. Since then dozens more have tested positive.

To combat the outbreak, the hospital has continued thorough screening of staff and patients, but are also restricting visitation for patients and limiting movement between units.

Total coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths by county:



County Confirmed Cases Hospitalizations Deaths Adams 552 (+3) 30 6 Asotin 49 (+2) 2 2 Benton 4,001 (+15) 341 122 Chelan 1,667 (+11) 62 (+1) 11 Clallam 196 (+9) 4 1 Clark 2,056 199 (+1) 52 Columbia 13 3 1 Cowlitz 520 (+1) 46 6 Douglas 1,118 (+6) 50 7 Ferry 24 (+1) 1 (+1) 0 Franklin 3,843 (+9) 268 55 Garfield 4 0 0 Grant 2,079 (+19) 111 15 Grays Harbor 215 (+7) 18 5 Island 265 (+1) 33 11 Jefferson 69 (+2) 11 0 King 18,797 (+135) 2,229 (+4) 716 (+3) Kitsap 937 (+8) 80 (+3) 8 Kittitas 448 21 21 Klickitat 166 (+2) 10 3 Lewis 308 (+5) 30 4 Lincoln 31 2 1 Mason 292 (+8) 21 (+1) 1 Okanogan 971 (+1) 36 6 Pacific 60 8 2 Pend Oreille 53 6 0 Pierce 6,564 (+27) 724 (-2) 162 San Juan 29 1 0 Skagit 983 (+2) 88 22 Skamania 58 5 1 Snohomish 5,965 (+18) 751 (+1) 207 (+1) Spokane 5,044 (+33) 362 (+1) 124 (+1) Stevens 123 (+1) 14 1 Thurston 868 (+7) 76 12 Wahkiakum 6 0 0 Walla Walla 704 (+9) 49 4 (-1) Whatcom 1,057 (+3) 82 39 Whitman 160 (+5) 2 0 Yakima 10,830 (+14) 759 (+1) 235 Unassigned 246 (-5) 7 4 Total 71,371 (+359) 6,542 (+12) 1,867 (+4)

The above numbers are provided by the state Department of Health, and some numbers differ from the totals provided separately by county health agencies.

This article originally appeared on the Gig Harbor Patch
Mr. Coleman criticized corporate Democrats on Tuesday and said voters had known about his troubled past when they voted for him. In June, two months before the primary, he said that allegations that he had harassed, bullied and threatened girls online when he was in middle school were accurate. He told one sixth-grade girl that she was fat and that she should kill herself. He circulated nude images of another girl, 13 at the time, after she refused to send him more images.

After Mr. Coleman won the primary race, Democratic leaders, who hoped to capture enough seats in the Kansas Legislature to break the Republicans majority, said they hoped he would pull out. A spokeswoman for Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, said that Mr. Coleman was not fit to serve in the Legislature. Ms. Kelly and other Democratic leaders said they were supporting Mr. Frownfelter, who said on Tuesday, through his campaign manager, that he would seek re-election as a write-in candidate in the general election.

In recent months, in a social media post, Mr. Coleman wrote that he would laugh and giggle if a former Republican state lawmaker died of the coronavirus, according to The Kansas Reflector, a nonprofit news organization.

Some on the left, however, defended his candidacy, saying his middle school misconduct should not outweigh the anti-abortion-rights stance and other positions of the incumbent he had defeated. Mr. Colemans platform includes support for universal health care and the legalization of marijuana.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused the cancellation of many events and programs, but it didnt stop a group of Grosse Ile residents from making blankets for hospitalized children.

Following a three-year tradition of partnering with the nonprofit organization Fleece & Thank You, Michigans largest provider of comfort care to hospitalized children, Grosse Ile High School held a virtual blanket-making event this past May and June to generate 45 no-sew blankets for children in the hospital.

Participating students and members of the Grosse Ile community ordered blanket-making kits through F&TYs website that were shipped directly to their front doors.

After finishing the blankets and uploading a personalized video through the organizations proprietary video platform, blanket makers dropped their blankets off to Lindsay Labadie, the high school student responsible for coordinating the virtual event.

The blanket-making events have become such an important tradition for our high school and community that we couldnt let a pandemic stand in our way of helping those kids in the hospital, Labadie said.

She knows the comfort a F&TY blanket brings firsthand. Labadie received one while battling a rare form of brain cancer in 2018. When the F&TY fundraisers original organizer at Grosse Ile High School graduated, Labadie stepped up to lead the cause she connected to and cared about so deeply.

Fleece & Thank You is a Farmington Hills-based nonprofit organization that works with local groups to make blankets and video messages, and then delivers the blankets to hospitals.

Its goal is a simple one. Every child in every hospital bed receives much- needed hope in the form of a colorful, fleece blanket and a friendly face at the start of the treatment.

The organization provides all of the materials for the no-sew blankets, which are made with two pieces of fleece, cutting the ends and then tying the pieces together.

Sometimes Fleece & Thank You will go to larger events and sometimes smaller groups can go to the organizations warehouse, where people can get together and make the blankets at the same time.

Each time a blanket is made, a video is also made by the blanket maker created to accompany it. The video is posted online and made accessible only to the blanket recipient. Its a way to personalize the blankets and provide some encouragement to the children in the hospital.

We are grateful to the Grosse Ile High School for its continued support of our organization, said Nicholas Kristock, founder and executive director of F&TY. The need is great with more than 30,000 blankets requested each year in Michigan, one for every child entering the hospital for treatment. The majority of our donated blankets are generated from our community blanket-making events, but the COVID-19 shutdown made such gatherings impossible. Virtual events like the one out of Grosse Ile High School are a fun way for volunteers to still participate while staying safe and comfortable in their own homes.

For more information about the organization and its mission, visit fleeceandthankyou.org.
LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said on Monday central banks' independence must be maintained, in a statement in response to a change of Zambia's central bank governor.

Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Saturday dismissed central bank governor Denny Kalyalya and replaced him with former deputy finance minister Christopher Mphanza Mvunga.

"Without credible institutions and sound policies, sustained economic growth and much needed improvements in living standards will not be possible," the IMF said.

(Reporting by Tom Arnold; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
More than 64 million meals have now been claimed by diners since the Government launched the Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme at the start of the month.

The Treasury said this represents a continued 'upward trend' in dining, after 10.5 million meals were claimed in the first week, before climbing to a total of 35 million for the first two weeks.

A total of 87,000 claims have been made by restaurants and cafes signed up to the scheme, it said.

More than 64 million meals have now been claimed by diners since the Government launched the Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme at the start of the month. Above, diners in Gerrard Street, China Town

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: 'Today's figures continue to show that Brits are backing hospitality'

Pub and hospitality leaders have called on the Treasury to extend the scheme, which has now entered its fourth week.

Eat Out to Help Out has provided diners with a state-funded 50% discount on food and soft drinks between Mondays and Wednesdays in August.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: 'Today's figures continue to show that Brits are backing hospitality - with more than 64 million meals discounted so far, that's equivalent to nearly every person in the country dining out to protect jobs.

'This scheme has reminded us how much we love to dine out, and in doing so, how this is helping to protect the jobs of nearly two million people who work in hospitality.

'I am urging everyone, where they can, to continue to safely enjoy a meal while the scheme remains open.'

Claims from the first two weeks of the scheme cost around 180 million, according to HMRC.

Pub and hospitality leaders have called on the Treasury to extend the scheme, which has now entered its fourth week

David Page, co-chairman of Franco Manca owner Fulham Shore, said: 'Eat Out to Help Out immediately increased our restaurant customer numbers by over 50%, thus enabling us to get all our staff back to work.

'In fact, we are now creating new jobs by hiring and training more people as fast as we can.'

Andy Laurillard, chief executive of Thai dining chain Giggling Squid, said: 'As a result of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, we have managed to avoid making any redundancies and we no longer have any of our 950 staff on furlough.'
The Kremlin has rejected accusations of involvement in an alleged attack on Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who is in a coma in a German hospital, a day after doctors said tests indicated that he was poisoned.

The politicians allies say the Kremlin is behind the illness of its most prominent critic, with some demanding an investigation into whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was involved.

These accusations absolutely cannot be true and are rather an empty noise, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. We do not intend to take it seriously.

Expand Close Kremlin critics are demanding a probe into whether Vladimir Putin was involved in Mr Navalnys illness (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Kremlin critics are demanding a probe into whether Vladimir Putin was involved in Mr Navalnys illness (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Mr Peskov saw no grounds for launching a criminal investigation into Mr Navalnys condition, saying that it could have been triggered by a variety of causes, and determining one should come first.

If a substance (that caused the condition) is found, and if it is determined that it is poisoning, then there will be a reason for an investigation, Mr Peskov said.

Mr Navalny, a politician and corruption investigator who is one of Mr Putins fiercest critics, fell ill on a flight back to Moscow from Siberia on Thursday and was taken to a hospital in the city of Omsk after the plane made an emergency landing.

Over the weekend he was transferred to the Charite hospital in Berlin, where doctors said they have found indications of cholinesterase inhibitors in his system.

Cholinesterase inhibitors act by blocking the breakdown of a key chemical in the body, acetycholine, that transmits signals between nerve cells. Mr Navalny is being treated with the antidote atropine.

Mr Navalnys wife, Yulia Navalnaya, has been visiting her husband every day and made no comment to reporters as she arrived on Tuesday.

Expand Close Mr Navalnys wife, Julia, arrives at the Berlin Charite hospital (Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Mr Navalnys wife, Julia, arrives at the Berlin Charite hospital (Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP)

Chancellor Angela Merkel personally offered Germanys help in treating Mr Navalny and, along with other European officials, has called for a full Russian investigation.

Charite said Mr Navalny had undergone extensive examination by a team of physicians and that clinical findings indicate poisoning with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors.

Cholinesterase inhibitors are a broad range of substances that are found in several drugs, but also pesticides and nerve agents. Charite said the specific substance to which Mr Navalny was exposed is not yet known but that a further series of comprehensive tests had been started.

Mr Navalnys spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said the Russian governments reluctance to launch an investigation was expected.

It was obvious that the crime would not be properly investigated and a culprit found. However, we all know perfectly well who that is, Ms Yarmysh tweeted.

Experts have warned that it is far too early to draw any conclusions about how the agent may have entered Mr Navalnys system, but note that Novichok, the Soviet-era nerve agent used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, was a cholinesterase inhibitor.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines Life)  As Metro Manila eases back into General Community Quarantine, here are some online and socially-distanced events to look into this week.

"Heneral Luna" online premiere

TBA Studios celebrates the tail end of History Month with a free screening of Jerrold Tarogs critically acclaimed 2015 biopic, Heneral Luna. The live premiere will be screened on TBA Studios YouTube page on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020 at 9 p.m.

For updates, visit their Facebook Event page or watch the film directly on their YouTube channel.

"Sa Kuwento Namin: E-Storytelling ng mga Alamat ng Filipinas"

In line with Buwan ng Wikas 2020 theme Wika ng Kasaysayan, Kasaysayan ng Wika, Sentro Rizal of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Adarna House and Likha-an teamed up to present digital adaptations of Philippine mythology and legends. Sa Kuwento Natin: E-Storytelling ng mga Katutubo at Orihinal na Alamat ng Filipinas will be held on Saturday, Aug 29, 2020, from 6 to 7 p.m. The event will explore the work of Virgilio S. Almario, National Artist for Literature.

Listen to adapted stories on their YouTube channel.

#StayWtihC1: Dahling Nick screening

Cinema One, Digital MNL, Nick Joaquin, He Lives., and Intramuros Organization join together for a week-long screening of Dahling Nick, a film celebrating the life and works of legendary writer and National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin.

The movie will be screened for free on their YouTube channel from Aug. 21 to 26.

"Drawing the Line: Recognizing the Various Shapes and Forms of VAWC"

Violence against women and children (VAWC) is a issue not to be taken lightly. UP Paralegals Association, Gabriela Womens Party, and The Coalition Against Trafficking Women in Asia-Pacific will be holding a webinar addressing this topic, so that VAWC can be recognized more in the context of human rights and the practice of law. The talk will be held on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020 from 4 to 6 p.m. through Zoom.

Pre-register for limited slots here.

Visayan Tattooing and Tattoo Designs

Cebuano cultural initiative Gabii sa Kabilin will be holding the third part of their series of webinars this week, as a collaboration with Museo Sugbo. Featured artist Piper Abas from Atawu Culture and Tradition will be delivering a talk on Visayan tattooing and tattoo designs on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Watch the webinar on Facebook or Gabii sa Kabilins YouTube channel, and pre-register to participate here.

Objects of Desire

Art gallery and furniture store Aphro will be holding an exhibit, entitled Objects of Desire, featuring 25 different artists including Baby Evil, Miguel Puyat, and Stanley Ruiz. The show will begin its run on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020 in Aphros space in Chino Roces, Makati City.

For inquiries, send Aphro Living a message on Facebook.
Daily Trust newspaper said its reporter in Cross River State, Eyo Charles did nothing wrong that could have warranted Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, to pour invective on him for asking a question at a press briefing.

The incident which happened on Thursday in Calabar was captured in a video that has gone viral on social media.

Mr Fani-Kayode, who was visibly angry, told the reporter he was foolish for asking him who bankrolled his tour of projects in Cross River and other states in the South-south.

The briefing, moderated by Governor Ben Ayades spokesperson, Christian Ita, was meant for the former minister to talk to the reporters about his tour.

It was attended by reporters from Vanguard, Punch, NAN, AIT, and other media houses.

I could see from your face before you got here, how stupid you are. Dont ever talk to me like that, Mr Fani-Kayode kept yelling at the reporter who was still standing and apologising  I am sorry, sir.

Dont judge me by your own standards, the former minister kept saying.

I have been in politics since 1990. I am not one of those politicians that you think will just come. I was taken, I have been locked up how many times by this government. I have been prosecuted, unlike most of these politicians you follow for brown envelopes!

Dont ever judge me by that standard. I spend, I dont take and I am not a poor man, I have never been and will never be.

He also threatened to report the correspondent to his publisher.

The former minister later took to Twitter to say that the reporter did not ask him a question but made an assertion which he said was insulting.

Media Trust Limited, the publishers of Daily Trust, issued a statement on Tuesday condemning Mr Fani-Kayodes action.

We stand by Charles, and commend him for his calmness during the ordeal, said the statement which was signed by the editor-in-chief, Naziru Abubakar.

Daily Trust reporters are responsible professionals, who uphold the tenets of journalism, as well as best practices.

That Fani-Kayode attacks a reporter doing his job, is an indication of the chilling disregard he has towards the media, and its work in investigating and reporting on issues.

As always, we stand in solidarity with our reporters, and will continue to fight for the rights of all journalists. After all, journalism is part of the bedrock of democracy; therefore practitioners must not be intimidated or threatened as they carry out their work, the statement said.

We urge the Nigeria Police to take note, that if anything happens to Charles, Daily Trust will hold Fani-Kayode responsible, especially due to the intensity of the verbal threats he issued during the shocking incident.

The actions of Fani-Kayode are not only reprehensible, but also constitute a setback to press freedom, in a most dire form. This kind of assault raises major concerns over the safety of journalists in Nigeria.

Nigerians have equally expressed their outrage on the verbal assault on the newspapers South-south correspondent.
COVID-19 is a means of isolating them from their friends and family. Perpetrators are threatening to throw their victims on the streets.





by Victor Cherubim





What have we seen in the months since the outbreak of the Coronavirus which no one speaks about is harassment, of one kind or another? Besides, the restrictions placed on free movement by our governmentsand health authorities, we have also created boundaries ourselves that enabled us to make some separation between work and non-work life. We have been forced to stay at home, trying hard to meetends meet, with other pressures on us. Children have been house bound, pets have been not cared for as much as we liked, ourlife and our environment has been claustrophobic.













All this impediment has gone against the grain of mankind being a social animal, of wanting to interact with others, for familiarity, for sustainability. After months of so called isolation, social distancing, quarantine fatigue has set in. People need to live their lives and are making safer choices, even if those choices are not as safe as staying at home. We see people starting to take risks on the one end of the spectrum and at the other end, parents are not at all convinced against all the advice of health professionals and Boris Johnson, that it is safe to send their children to school in September 2020.





Fear as a tool of silence





A woman whose babies are going hungry will do anything to put food on the table. We have these and many other stories about women desperate to go back to work after the pandemic. It is a slant mainly on women in poorer countries which themedia in the West tries so hard to expose, whilst hiding the fact that clothing conglomerates in these same countries of the West exploit cheap labour to provide cheap clothing for their outlets, as this is todays niche. It is no Victorias Secret that exploitation of women in poor countries after the Coronavirus, is rampant.





I have noticed over the years, that women in our parts of the world being treated as a different species than women in the West. It is a stigma that has a deeper meaning.





We hear of garment workers, say machinists in clothing factories, in countries like India, Mexico, Turkey, Bangladesh, Vietnam and even Sri Lanka, the so called chain of countries which have the largest poor populations of women workers who rely on their sewing skillset, to make a bare living, rather than being qualified asprofessionals orin technical know how. They are the stigmatised as the ones being easily assaulted for sex, stalked, groped, harassed and raped in the sweatshop clothing factories which produce cheap clothing for international brands. Bangladesh garment workers have been highlighted having faced serious sexual violence in the workplace in recent days.





Sexual harassment in the fashion industry in the poorest of the poor nations, during this pandemic, is the newest exposure in the media in the West, to produce more for less,as people are not buying clothing as they used to.





Inhumane treatment of women in their homes in the so called West?





What is not in the news is that women in the West are suffering inhumane treatment in their homes after the pandemic, with money very tight and tempers frayed to put food on the table.Everybody talks about male masochism, but nothing seems to have been done either in Parliament or in the home. It is a taboo subject of keeping women safe in their homes. It seems that the home which is the isolation unit is not infected with Coronavirus but with sexual, more like domestic violence. Not one perpetrator has been fined. No criminal charges for sexual assaults have been brought by the victims.as far as I know in the UK.





For people, women who are experiencing domestic violence, the lockdown which was and is mandatory to curb the spread of the virus, have literally trapped them in their homes with their abusers, isolated from people and the resources that could help them Time magazine.





COVID-19 is a means of isolating them from their friends and family. Perpetrators are threatening to throw their victims on the streets.





Domestic violence is rooted in power and control, as we all feel a lack of control over our lives, it is impacting the lives of women with health systems becoming overstretched, medical care on video conferencing. Parental homes is no longer a choice due to the virus, even many social services for victims of domestic violence have suffered from budget cuts with the looming recession.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Helsinki, Finland  Tue, August 25, 2020 07:25 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4029c30 2 World finland,Prime-Minister,Sanna-Marin,working-hours Free

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin called for cutting the current eight-hour working day in her keynote speech to her Social Democratic Party on Monday, arguing shorter hours could be offset by increased productivity.

Marin, who floated the idea of a six-hour day before becoming prime minister, would need to convince the other four parties in her coalition to push through a reduction in the working day amid rising unemployment due to COVID-19.

"We need to create a clear vision and concrete steps as to how Finland can proceed towards shorter working hours and Finnish employees towards better working life," the 34-year-old leader told her party members, who had elected her chairwoman of the Social Democrats on Sunday.

Marin, one the world's youngest serving prime ministers, has led Finland's center-left government since December 2019, after an ally in the coalition forced her predecessor Antti Rinne to resign.

Together with Rinne, who continued to chair the party until Sunday, Marin has steered the government to the left, raising pensions and cancelling some of the previous government's spending cuts.

Earlier on Monday, her party conference rejected a proposal to experiment with a six-hour working day, adopting instead the objective of shortening hours or introducing more flexibility into working life.

Marin said shorter working hours could become possible by increasing productivity and were not in conflict with strong public finances or the government's goal of lifting Finland's employment rate from the current 73.7% to at least 75%.

"The wealth brought about by the increase in labor productivity has to be split not only between owners and investors but also to ordinary employees," she said.

Marin reiterated the government's plans to invest in education and its goal of making Finland carbon neutral by 2035, calling for green investments to boost the economy.
A former Channel Nine executive has revealed what he thinks will happen to The Ellen DeGeneres Show, after it was abruptly pulled from Nine's daytime schedule.

Rob McKnight, who has worked for all the major Australian networks and now runs the TV Blackbox website, said on Tuesday that while Ellen's brand is certainly 'in trouble', he's confident she can bounce back.

He argued that many of Ellen's devoted fans around the world are willing to turn a blind eye to her failures as a manager, adding: 'The feedback quite clearly shows people don't want to know the truth about her.'

His analysis comes after Channel Nine chose to stop airing the U.S. talk show this week pending an internal investigation by WarnerMedia into accusations of racism, bullying and sexual harassment behind the scenes.

The inside story of Nine's deal with Ellen DeGeneres: A TV executive has revealed the future of the talk show in Australia, after it was pulled from the schedule amid 'bullying' accusations

'I have a feeling Ellen will come back on in the U.S. and she's not going to skip a beat,' McKnight said.

'Those ratings are still going to be there, because when we talked about this issue on the Ben, Rob and Robbo Show, our feedback quite clearly shows people don't want to know the truth about her.'

McKnight added that discussions are still ongoing between Nine and Warner Bros. regarding the new season, despite the show being pulled from Nine's schedule for the time being.

From mean to comeback queen? Rob McKnight, who has worked for all the major Australian networks and now runs the TV Blackbox website, said on Tuesday that while Ellen's brand is certainly 'in trouble', he's confident she can bounce back

His view: 'I have a feeling Ellen will come back on in the U.S. and she's not going to skip a beat,' McKnight (pictured) said. 'Those ratings are still going to be there, because... our feedback quite clearly shows people don't want to know the truth about her'

McKnight and his co-hosts on the TV Blackbox podcast also suggested that cutting The Ellen DeGeneres Show from the midday time slot was simply a 'cost issue'.

'Anything out of prime time... is not a priority,' McKnight said.

Channel Nine stopped airing The Ellen DeGeneres show effective as of Monday.

The network is instead airing reruns of Desperate Housewives - which previously screened on Seven - during Ellen's usual time slot between 12pm and 1pm.

Cancelled: McKnight's analysis comes after Channel Nine chose to stop airing the U.S. talk show this week pending an internal investigation by WarnerMedia into accusations of racism, bullying and sexual harassment behind the scenes

'We are resting Ellen repeats on Nine and have replaced with Desperate Housewives,' a Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

While The Ellen DeGeneres Show has been pulled from Nine's schedule for the foreseeable future, repeats will continue to air on multichannel 9Gem.

Discussions between Nine and Warner Bros. regarding broadcast rights for the upcoming season, which begins next month, are said to be 'ongoing'.

The show, which has aired on Nine since 2013, is currently the subject of an internal investigation by WarnerMedia, after multiple staffers alleged that a culture of bullying, intimidation and harassment was rampant behind the scenes.

Making headlines: The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which has aired on Nine since 2013, is currently the subject of an internal investigation by WarnerMedia, after multiple staffers alleged that bullying, racism and sexual harassment were rampant behind the scenes

Warner Bros. Television announced last Monday that three senior producers had been fired from Ellen's show: Ed Glavin, one of the executive producers; Jonathan Norman, a co-executive producer; and Kevin Leman, the show's head writer.

They were sacked following an internal investigation into multiple allegations of a 'toxic' work culture behind the scenes of the popular daytime talk show.

Employees described a working environment rife with 'racism, fear and intimidation'.

Earlier this month, a Nine representative confirmed the network had chosen not to air new episodes from the current season, which Ellen is recording in self-isolation from her $27million mansion in California, because they were best-of episodes.

Re-runs: The network has dropped Ellen for now and is instead airing reruns of Desperate Housewives weekdays from 12pm to 1pm. Pictured: Desperate Housewives stars (L-R) Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria and Felicity Huffman

'In the end, they were running best-of iso compiles which we weren't contracted to acquire,' the spokesperson said.

Instead, Nine opted to screen reruns of The Ellen DeGeneres Show from before the coronavirus pandemic forced production to move from the studio to Ellen's home.

However, these repeats have now stopped airing altogether, with soap opera Desperate Housewives - starring Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman and Eva Longoria - filling the midday time slot instead.

Gone: Warner Bros. Television announced last Monday that three senior producers had been fired from Ellen's show: Ed Glavin, one of the executive producers; Jonathan Norman, a co-executive producer; and Kevin Leman, the show's head writer

Nine had previously stopped airing Ellen's self-isolation broadcasts back in April, and replaced them with the American sitcom Kevin Can Wait.

But the network resumed airing repeats of The Ellen DeGeneres Show a week later.

It remains to be seen if Nine relents once again by pulling Desperate Housewives from the schedule and reinstating Ellen.

As well as 9Gem, the show will continue to screen locally on FOX Arena.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.
Donald Trump

Washington: US President Donald Trump has appreciated India for listening to his request to release an American pastor who was arrested last October on charges of carrying USD 40,000 of undeclared currency.

Tennessee pastor Bryan Nerren, who was released by India after intervention from Trump this May, attended a round table with the President in the Oval Office of the White House along with several other American citizens who were released from overseas abductions and detentions.

Advertisement

Donald Trump

India responded very well to my request. Appreciate that, Trump said.

The taped roundtable was broadcast during the first night of the four-day Republican National Convention on Monday.

Advertisement

In his brief remarks, Nerren explained that he had been arrested by the Indian officials while travelling in the country.

Nerren was arrested in Bagdogra, West Bengal last October on charges of travelling with USD 40,000 of undeclared currency.

Donald TrumpOthers who appeared on the video were Andrew Brunson, a pastor, accused of being part of a terrorist group, the Gulen movement, and was arrested on October 7, 2016, by Turkey and Joshua and Tamara Holt, arrested in Venezuela shortly after their wedding and accused of stockpiling weapons.

Advertisement

In February, Rhonda J Nerren wrote a letter to Trump seeking the release of her husband Pastor Nerren. The president is believed to have taken up the issue during his visit to India in February.

Nerren was arrested in October 2019 and charged with violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act for travelling with USD 40,000 of undeclared currency. On October 11, he was released on bail.
(@FahadShabbir)

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny's team considered transporting the activist to Tallinn for treatment before settling on Berlin, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said on Tuesday

HELSINKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th August, 2020) Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny's team considered transporting the activist to Tallinn for treatment before settling on Berlin, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said on Tuesday.

"Estonia agreed to open the airspace [to the air ambulance] and have him treated here," the minister was quoted as saying by the Delfi news website.

The 44-year-old opposition figure fell ill on a flight to Moscow from Siberia this past Thursday and was taken to a hospital after his plane made an emergency landing in Omsk. He went into a coma and was flown to Germany on Saturday after his condition stabilized.

Doctors at Berlin's Charite hospital, who ran lab tests on Navalny's samples, said they pointed to poisoning with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors and were treating him with the antidote atropine. Navalny is in a coma. His condition is severe but stable.

Boris Teplykh, a senior official at the Moscow-based Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center, told Sputnik that clinical findings of German doctors did not equal discovering traces of a toxin in Navalny's system. The patient was first administered atropine in the Omsk clinic, he said.
12th CLMV Economic Ministers Meeting held online

The 12th Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Vietnam (CLMV) Economic Ministers Meeting was held online on August 24.













At the event (Photo: VNA)

The meeting is a key event within the framework of the 52nd ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting and related meetings scheduled for August 22-30 in Hanoi.



Attending were Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak, Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Khemmani Pholsena, Myanmar Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Thaung Tun, and ASEAN Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi.



Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, who led the Vietnamese delegation, proposed the CLMV countries enhance policy coordination to overcome difficulties caused by COVID-19, continue activities to link firms together, and remove obstacles facing exports and imports and cross-border trade.



Regarding the progress of the CLMV economic cooperation action plan for 2021-2022, many activities have been basically completed or achieved positive results.



Ministers agreed to adopt action plans in the fields of trade and investment cooperation, the delivery of regional commitments, post-pandemic recovery, the CLMV development framework, and human resources development.



They pledged to assign heads of delegations at the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting (SEOM) to strengthen coordination and propose new and practical projects in the new era.



Anh suggested CLMV countries remain active and proactive in seeking resources support from development partners to carry out regional cooperation projects.



He said countries should outline new joint projects on capacity improvement and technical support in the fields of digital economy, innovation, start-up facilitation, smart production, 5G eco-systems, transportation, trade, and logistics infrastructure connectivity.



In order to ensure the operation of supply chains, he proposed that countries facilitate trade, simplify processes and procedures for exports-imports and customs clearance in border areas, and enhance transportation and logistics connectivity.



CLMV countries should continue sharing experience and information on policymaking, and create a favourable environment for attracting shifting investment waves, towards turning CLMV into an attractive destination for investors, he said.



Speaking highly of the Vietnamese ministers proposals, participants agreed on the need to boost cooperation to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemics impacts on economic-trade links, maintain trade and investment flows, and improve the countries capacity to cope with the pandemic and economic recovery.
Smothastenesewisky is enjoying her run through the Buckeye Stallion Series. The two-year-old pacing filly won her fourth-leg division of the series on Monday night (August 24) at MGM Northfield Park, which hosted three $17,500 splits of the BSS.

Smothastenesewisky remained undefeated through six starts and lowered her lifetime mark to 1:53.2. Driver Hunter Myers left from Post 1, but had to retake at the quarter in :27.2. The duo never looked back from there and went on to win by five lengths for trainer Brian Haynes. The Nob Hill High-Tender Spirit filly is owned by Robert Mondillo and Donald Robinson and returned $2.40 to win. Ryan Stahl was second with Lady Warrior while Heavenissofaraway and Aaron Merriman finished third.

Apple Soozy came home in 1:53.3 with Ronnie Wrenn Jr. and Dan OMara for owner Marjorie Polhamus. The filly was hung to the quarter in :28 on the way to victory by one and one-quarter lengths. The daughter of Mr Apples out of Sidewalk Sleeper paid $2.20. Medoland Scarlet and Chris Presley finished second while Clara Lou and Kurt Sugg got the third spot.

The other division was won by Pompatuse Of Love, a Mr Wiggles-Big Time Blaire filly, in 1:54.1. Aaron Merriman was in the bike for trainer-owner Kimberly Dailey. Merriman moved three-wide at the half while on the way to win by one and three-quarter lengths and paid $4.00 to win. Nora Tova and Chris Lems finished second and Diamond Official with Anthony MacDonald came home third.

Leg 4 of the Buckeye Stallion Series will continues September 10 at Eldorado Scioto Downs with the two-year-old filly trot.

(Ohio Harness Horsemens Association)
During a conversation with Armenian News-NEWS.am, international relations analyst Suren Sargsyan said the reelection of US President Donald Trump wont lead to changes in the Armenian agenda.

According to him, the major factors of the US governments pro-Armenian policy must be the Armenian American community and Yerevans efforts in the foreign policy sector, and Armenia cant rely on coincidence when it comes to such issues.

As far as Armenian voters are concerned, some support Trump, others support Biden (candidate of the Democratic Party-ed.). However, there is a peculiarity (the Armenian community is based in California, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, and the Democratic Party is stronger in these States). In this regard, the incumbent US President doesnt really need the Armenians votes, the political scientist stated and recalled that Trump is the only US President who hasnt promised the Armenians anything during his election campaign, neither in the past nor now.

Simultaneously, it was during his presidency that the US Congress passed the Armenian Genocide Resolutions. As far as the Senates veto is concerned, this is due to the Turkish Presidents visit to Washington DC and the aspiration to avoid tension or scandal during the visit, Sargsyan concluded.
When he was a young man, Gordon Hastings had his head in the clouds.

A mid upper gunner on a Lancaster during the Second World War, Hastings saw his share of fair skies and darkness from his perch in the storied bomber.

Sunday, Hastings, now 96, found himself in a seat on the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museums most famous plane, courtesy of CEO and pilot Dave Rohrer.

Earlier this summer, Hastings visited the museum with daughter Laura Waters, where her brother-in-law had booked a flight on an aircraft. A couple weeks later they were back, and Hastings  logbook in hand  visited with Rohrer.

The former airman, who lives in Niagara Falls, sees the Lancaster fly overhead summer weekends as it tours the region.

A wreath of remembrance inside the nose cone of the plane. Barry Gray

So it was fitting that Hastings, a member of the Pathfinders 405 Squadron, took to the skies for a long forgotten, yet familiar view, including a look from the mid upper turret.

Back on the ground, a beaming Hastings got a hug from his daughter and congratulations all round. And the flight itself?

It was just beautiful, said Hastings.

Pilot and Museum CEO Dave Rohrer readies for takeoff. Barry Gray/The Hamilton Spectator

Gordon Hastings in his seat pre-flight. Barry Gray/The Hamilton Spectator
FORT MILL, S.C.: A man has been accused of firing gunshots at a gathering of President Donald Trumps supporters along a road in South Carolina.

There were no injuries, police said.

Marquise Damarius Asomani, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was arrested after police responded to a report of shots fired Monday evening in Fort Mill, the Fort Mill Police Department said in a statement Tuesday.

About 30 people had gathered and were waving American flags and holding up Trump" signs, said Sgt. Bill Rhyne with the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

On the same day, Trump had made a brief stop at an airport in Greer, about 90 miles (140 kilometers) west of Fort Mill, after addressing the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

When police arrived Monday, witnesses told them that three men had driven by them multiple times while making derogatory remarks and yelling obscenities at them from their car, according to the statement.

They also said the driver of the car then extended his arm through the car window while holding what appeared to be a handgun, Zachary said. Thats when witnesses say they heard the gunshots.

Officials did not say if the gunshots were fired at the Trump supporters or towards another area.

Angie Freeman, a Trump supporter, told WSOC-TV she was in a parade of cars with supporters waving the flags when the shots rang out. We had all the windows down because we had all the flags out the windows, and it was very loud and it was four or five shots, Freeman said.

Rhyne said the gunshots came from a red Volkswagen Jetta that then drove off down a highway. A South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper who had just approached the area tried to catch up with the vehicle, he added.

The trooper lost sight of the car after it exited the highway. It was later found by law enforcement officers abandoned behind a closed business in Fort Mill, Rhyne said.

Authorities then stopped a white Chevrolet with four occupants that was leaving that area and identified three people suspected of involvement. Two were released without charges, Major Bryan Zachary of the Fort Mill Police Department said. Asomani, 23, was taken into custody from that group and charged with multiple charges including six counts of assault, and battery of a high and aggravated nature. His bond was set at $75,000.

It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment.

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
Legislation giving all workers two weeks of paid pandemic leave is on the verge of passing the Senate after Labor threw its support behind the Greens push.

While the government opposes the move, all but ensuring its defeat in the lower house, those backing it hope it forces a new conversation about how to support workers who have to isolate during the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the proposed laws, every worker, including casuals, would be given access to 14 days of paid pandemic leave each year on top of any sick leave entitlements. The 14 days could cover one long quarantine period or several shorter ones, for instance while someone was waiting for COVID-19 test results.

Greens leader Adam Bandt believes his party is on the verge of securing Senate support for paid pandemic leave. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

It would also force the government to support employers with the cost, similar to the JobKeeper wage subsidies.
Pakistan: FCS deal with foreign investment makes waves

by Razzak Abro

August 25,2020 | Source: The Express Tribune

A recent agreement of the Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS) hinting at foreign investments, has caught the eye of the Sindh Cooperation Department. The development, which has raised several concerns, came after the execution of a deal which resulted in a dozen fishing vessels arriving at the Karachi Fish Harbour. The Registrar Cooperative Societies office, a supervisory body of the provincial government also responsible for the FCS audit and inspection, has expressed its lack of awareness about the agreement.



In this regard, the FCS has received a letter from the registrars office, seeking details of the said agreement, including its approval and execution. According to the registrar, Suhail Baloch, who is also an official FCS member, he had no knowledge of the agreement and a letter stating his primary concerns has been issued to the department. The agreement talks about launching fish processing units and related projects, all financed by Chinese investments. Any agreement such as this requires a formal approval of the FCS board of directors, he informed The Express Tribune.



In response to the registrars letter, the FCS has directed the issuance of the agreements details and proof of approval by the FCS board of directors. In addition, the FCS management has also been asked to furnish details of the notice, agenda and minutes of the board meeting, as well as directors attendance and details of the firm with whom the agreement was signed. Further, the organisation is also required to confirm whether any authority from the Sindh Cooperative Department had approved the said agreement. As per FCS manager Shaukat Hussain, the agreement was signed upon the board of directors approval.



FCS bylaws authorise the board of directors to take such decisions and make agreements. The company with whom the agreement is signed will introduce modern fishing and processing plants in the country. This will boost Pakistans fish exports, worth 1,000 million dollar annually, he said. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Yousuf Baloch, an elected director on the FCS board, said that the FCS management had misguided its elected directors about the agreement. According to him, they were kept in dark about the agreements details and were only informed that a foreign company would establish ice plants at the fish harbour.



Only a select few members of the FCS board were taken into confidence about the agreement. The management has yet not shared its details with the majority of the elected directors, he said. Moreover, even the objections raised by some elected directors at board meetings were not made part of the proceedings. They have also lodged complaints with the registrar in this regard, Baloch claimed. On the other hand, the local fishing community has also expressed apprehensions about the agreement, fearing a disastrous impact on their livelihood. According to a fishermens spokesperson, Saeed Baloch, the agreement is against their interests as it could potentially deprive them of their catch. The FCS has granted fishing licences to over 100 foreign vessels. These modern vessels are called factory ships and are equipped with entire processing plants. If allowed to function, they will not only deprive the local fishermen of their catch but also kill thousands of jobs associated with the industry, he told The Express Tribune.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2020) - FenixOro Gold Corp (CSE: FENX) (OTC: FDVXF) (FSE: FD8) is pleased to announce that it has acquired the rights to certain mineral claims from Polo Resources Limited. The 848ha package of four claims is contiguous with and west and northwest adjacent to FenixOro's Abriaqui Project.

Polo, through its subsidiary Andina Gold, has been awarded seizure rights to the claims pursuant to legal action it has taken, and Andina has commenced the procedure for seizure of the properties. FenixOro will issue 1,000,000 common shares to Polo in exchange for the rights to the properties under seizure order. These shares will have a legend restriction that will be removed upon Polo's receipt of formal title award from the relevant court, up to a maximum of 18 months, following which the titles will be registered in the name of FenixOro. FenixOro will fund all costs associated with the court proceedings.

FenixOro CEO John Carlesso stated: "This is an exciting development for both the Company and the local community of Santa Teresa and areas surrounding Abriaqui. For FenixOro this is a significant property addition that will nearly triple the size of our claims package, and add additional potential for gold mineralization in the central and northern portions of the project. The new licenses contain the extension of the 250 meter wide northwest trending vein family and they add significantly to the overall mineral potential of the property package. From the community perspective, this allows for additional employment opportunities for local workers while ensuring that working conditions adhere to the highest environmental and safety standards."

The primary mineral target at Abriaqui is a sequence of more than 80 high grade, "Buritica style" mesothermal veins many of which have assayed over 20 g/t gold and as high as 146 g/t gold. The veins outcrop over 800 vertical meters with areas of intervening lower grade stockwork mineralization. As reported in recent press releases (July 23, 2020 and August 19, 2020) a soil sampling program has demonstrated an increasing number of significant vein targets that appear to occur along the full extent of the project, in a broad northwest to southeast trend. This acquisition extends that potential to the northwest.

About FenixOro Gold Corp.

FenixOro Gold Corp is a Canadian company focused on acquiring gold projects with world class exploration potential in the most prolific gold producing regions of Colombia. FenixOro's flagship property, the Abriaqui project, is located 15 km west of Continental Gold's Buritica project in Antioquia State at the northern end of the Mid-Cauca gold belt, a geological trend which has seen multiple large gold discoveries in the past 10 years including Buritica and Anglo Gold's Nuevo Chaquiro and La Colosa. As documented in "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Abriaqui project Antioquia State, Colombia" (December 5, 2019), the geological characteristics of Abriaqui and Buritica are very similar. The report also documents the high gold grade at Abriaqui with samples taken from 20 of the veins assaying greater than 20 g/t gold. Abriaqui has not yet been drilled but surface and underground geological mapping and sampling as well as a preliminary magnetometry survey have been completed. The property is drill-ready pending finalization of the government permitting process.

Fenix's VP of Exploration, Stuart Moller, led the discovery team at Buritica for Continental Gold in 2007-2011. The Buritica Mine currently contains measured plus indicated resources of 5.32 million ounces of gold (16.02 Mt grading 10.32 g/t) plus a 6.02 million ounce inferred resource (21.87 Mt grading 8.56 g/t) for a total of 11.34 million ounces of gold resources. Buritica is scheduled to commence production in 2020 with annual average production of 250,000 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of approximately US$600 per ounce. Resources, cost and production data are taken from Continental Gold's "NI 43-101 Buritica Mineral Resource 2019-01, Antioquia, Colombia, 18 March, 2019"). Continental Gold was recently the subject of a takeover by Zijin Mining in an all-cash transaction valued at C$1.4 billion.

Corporate Office:

FenixOro Gold Corp

350 Bay St. Suite 700

Toronto, ON

Telephone: 1-833-ORO-GOLD

Email: info@FenixOro.com

Website: www.FenixOro.com

Technical Information

The comparison between Abriaqui and the nearby Buritica project is meant only to indicate the similarities between the two in terms of geological setting. FenixOro does not imply that exploration results and/or economic characteristics of a potential future mine at Abriaqui will be similar to those seen at Buritica. The sampling done at Abriaqui is in the form of rock chip and channel samples on surface and in shallow underground workings on vein exposures. The samples were prepared and analyzed at ALS laboratories in Medellin and Lima respectively. Samples were taken, prepared, shipped and analyzed following, industry standard QA/QC protocols and were submitted with certified reference standards.

Stuart A Moller, P. Geol. (British Colombia) Vice President of Exploration of FenixOro and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained within this press release. Mr, Moller is a geologist with over 40 years of experience in world-wide mineral exploration including 10 years in Colombia.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of FenixOro's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to information concerning the Abriaqui. Although FenixOro believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. In particular, there is no guarantee that Abriaqui will be drilled or produce viable quantities of minerals, that the Company will pursue Abriaqui or that any mineral deposits will be found.. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this press release, and FenixOro does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62499
Bengaluru, Aug 25 : Thousands of citizens and corporates contributed Rs 306 crore to the Karnataka Chief Minister's Relief Fund for treating Covid-hit patients across the southern state, an official said on Tuesday.

"The state government's appeal for liberal contributions to the relief fund received an overwhelming response from citizens and corporates across the state despite corona virus affecting their life and livelihood," an official at the chief minister's office told IANS here.

Of the Rs 306 crore donated to the fund from March 25 to July 23, 50 per cent of the corpus has been spent on Covid relief measures across the state as per the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Union Health Ministry under the National Disaster Management Act.

"While contributions from individuals ranged from a modest Rs 100 to over Rs 1 lakh, corporates and cooperatives donated generously in lakhs of rupees, exemption from income tax notwithstanding," said the official.

As the state-run hospitals did not have medical equipment and installed capacity to treat Covid patients in thousands at a time, the relief fund was used to ramp-up facilities and supplies in designated hospitals and primary health centres at the local body and district levels.

"As intensive care unit (ICU) beds were not in adequate numbers for treating patients in serious condition or requiring oxygen or ventilators, substantial amount of the fund was used in creating more ICUs and oxygen flow beds in cities and towns across the state," noted the official.

Of the relief amount (Rs 153 crore) spent so far, Rs 109 crore was given to the state health department for additional facilities, capacity expansion and medical equipment supplies, Rs 44 crore to the state medical education department for resource mobilisation.

"Personal appeal by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa soon after the pandemic broke in mid-March for contributions evoked good response from the people and institutions as Rs 127 crore was received by the relief fund between March 25 and April 9 during the first phase of the lockdown enforced to contain the virus spread," the official pointed out.

Besides Yediyurappa donating his 1-year salary (Rs 24.10 lakh), 30 per cent salary of all state legislators and ministers, contributed Rs 15 crore to the fund.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has dismissed claims its experimental Covid-19 vaccine could be fast-tracked in the US amid reports Donald Trump wants to get it approved before the presidential election this autumn.

White House insiders claim the US President is considering speeding up regulatory approval for the jab, originally developed by Oxford University scientists.

Getting a vaccine into use and slowing down the US's devastating coronavirus crisis  the worst in the world  could boost Trump's chances of becoming re-elected in November, when he runs against Democratic candidate Joe Biden, who accused him of having 'failed to protect us'.

But AstraZeneca, which oversees manufacturing and distribution of the jab, said it has not entered any talks about getting it an emergency use authorisation in the US. It added that it would be 'premature to speculate on that possibility'.

It comes after Number 10 yesterday insisted Britain will be the first to get the Covid-19 vaccine, if it is proven to work. The UK has already bought 100million doses of the jab, while the US has ordered 300million.

Early trials have shown promising results, with tests showing the vaccine is safe to use in humans and appears to provoke an immune response. But data that proves it protects people is not expected until later this year.

The only country in the world to have approved a vaccine against Covid-19 so far is Russia. But it came under fire for doing so without proper clinical trials.

Risks of using jabs that have not been tested thoroughly include damaging side effects or administering one that doesn't really work. If something goes wrong with an official vaccine, it could further dent already-fragile public faith in vaccinations.

US President Donald Trump has watched his country gripped by one of the worst Covid-19 crises in the world with more than 5.7million officially confirmed cases of the disease

AstraZeneca, which claims it can manufacture 2billion doses and already operates several facilities in America, denied that it has had discussions with the US about an early deal.

A spokesperson for the Brentford-based firm said: 'AstraZeneca has not discussed emergency use authorization with the US government and it would be premature to speculate on that possibility.

'Late stage Phase II/III trials for AZD1222 are ongoing in the UK and other markets globally, and we do not anticipate efficacy results until later this year.'

Professor Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Emergency use authorisations are well established by regulators both in the US and Europe.

'In fact you may be aware this week the FDA has granted emergency use of plasma therapy. So the process of going through emergency use authorisation in an emergency is well established.

'But it still involves having carefully conducted data, just as we are collecting information about the vaccines in clinical trials that are conducted rigorously. And evidence that it actually works.

'The trial we are running from Oxford, we would expect to have safety data and evidence the vaccine actually works before anything were to progress form there. And of course it would be AstraZeneca that would take it to regulators.'

He added that it is 'just possible' that there may be enough clinical trial data on Oxford Universitys Covid-19 vaccine to put before regulators this year.

The comments come after Englands chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said a vaccine for coronavirus may not be ready until next winter.

Professor Pollard said: 'I think that Chris Whitty is quite rightly being cautious, that it could take as long as that to first of all to demonstrate a vaccine works and is safe and then to go through the processes of regulators looking at that very carefully to make sure everythings been done correctly.

'But it is also just possible that if the cases accrue rapidly in the clinical trials that we could have that data to put before regulators this year, and then there would be a process that they go through in order to make a full assessment of the data.'

On the news that Mr Trump was considering fast-tracking the vaccine, one of the UK's top medical officers yesterday warned that there should be 'fair distribution' of any working jab and that richer countries should not hoover up all the supplies.

And in a thinly-veiled dig at President Trump, the World Health Organization's boss said a global roll-out of a coronavirus vaccine was in the 'interests of all countries'.

Dr Tedros Adhanom warned that 'vaccine nationalism' may cause prices to spike and lead to a prolonged pandemic because poorer countries would be priced out of a jab.

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca (pictured, a chemist at its HQ in Sydney, Australia) is already manufacturing the vaccine developed by Oxford University so that millions of doses will be ready if it is proven to work

AstraZeneca, which claims it can manufacture 2billion doses and already operates several facilities in America, denied that it has had discussions with the US about an early deal

AUSTRALIA BUYS OXFORD VACCINE BUT EXPERTS WARN AGAINST RUSHING Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has locked in a deal with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca to secure a potential coronavirus vaccine, if its Oxford University phase three trials prove successful. But doctors have warned a coronavirus vaccine may create dangerous side-effects and argued against a 'no jab, no play' policy. Vaccine development is typically a long and complex process that can take up to 15 years. Because of the urgency of the coronavirus pandemic, researchers are fast-tracking their testing, hoping to produce a safe and effective innoculation by next year. Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid said even positive phase three trials - mass testing on members of the public - would not prove the vaccine candidate is safe. 'We have to acknowledge it is a rushed approval process and even if the phase three trials on this Oxford vaccine go really well, it's still not absolutely proven that it is safe, not as proven as is normally the case,' he told The Age newspaper. 'That does increase the risk that there might be rare side effects ... that we just don't know about.' Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has been involved in fast-tracking the testing of the Oxford University candidate vaccine. In May, the CSIRO said it was already at the stage of pre-clinical trials - a position that typically takes up to two years to reach. Dr Khorshid said it was expected the Oxford coronavirus vaccine would only be approved for adults in Australia at first. He said the Australian Government's proposal of forcing people to take the AstraZeneca vaccine by tying it to services such as childcare, school or social security payments could not be justified because it had been rushed through clinical trials. Mr Morrison has said he wants to make an approved vaccine 'as mandatory as possible', but it is not going to be compulsory. Deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said possible punishments for unvaccinated people could include not being able to go to restaurants, travel internationally or catch public transport. Monash University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor Colin Pouton told The Age it was important that people should have the right to refuse. University of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Professor Heidi Larson, said it was precisely the 'no jab, no play' policies that had sparked the anti-vaccination movement worldwide. Advertisement

Mr Trump has already vented his frustration at the slow process of getting a vaccine, accusing officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of deliberately delaying evaluations until the election is over.

He did announce significant progress yesterday, however, when he confirmed that US hospitals could now use blood plasma from recovered Covid-19 patients as an emergency treatment, claiming that it could reduce the risk of death by a third.

The President's best hope for getting the jab used before clinical trials have finished would be to get authorisation for 'emergency use' from the FDA.

This is the course of action people briefed on the situation said he is considering taking, the Financial Times reported.

Emergency use authorisation allows officials to push through medical products without proper testing because there is a clear immediate need for them.

It has already been used during the Covid-19 crisis for drugs including the antiviral medication remdesivir, which scientists suggested could reduce the risk of death.

If emergency use were to be granted for the vaccine, it could mean it being pushed out after trials on only 10,000 people even though the FDA standard is for 30,000 people or more.

Large trials are under way in Britain and around the world, but results are not expected for months to come.

But approval for the jab could be made as soon as September, according to an FT source briefed on a meeting between US politicians.

Chief of staff at the White House, Mark Meadows, and the US Treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, reportedly confirmed the plan to Democrats at the end of July.

Senior Democratic politician Nancy Pelosi allegedly warned the government against 'cutting corners'.

Top officials have said they would not stand for it if Mr Trump forced through the vaccine without data to prove it was safe.

Dr Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research within the FDA, said he would resign if it happened.

And the assistant secretary for the US Health and Human Services Department, Michael Caputo, denied that emergency use authorisation would be given.

Mr Caputo, who was a member of Donald Trump's campaign team in 2016, said: 'Irresponsible talk of an unsafe or ineffective vaccine being approved for public use is designed to undermine the presidents coronavirus response,' the FT reported.

Commenting on the prospect of the vaccine being fast-tracked in the US, England's deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said that everyone around the globe should have 'fair and safe access to vaccine development'.

Dr Harries told Sky News: 'We have a global crisis... It is really important that everyone around the world has fair and safe access to vaccine development.

'Obviously those countries which are more developed have the facilities to develop the vaccine and get it safely out to their populations. But I think all public health colleagues would be wanting fair distribution.'

Boris Johnson's office insisted that Britons would not lose out on the jab to other countries.

His official spokesman said today: 'AstraZeneca have entered into a number of agreements with other countries.

'They have the global licensing agreement with Oxford, but we have been clear: once it has been found to be effective, we have signed a deal for 100million doses which means that once it is effective the UK will get first access.'

Boris Johnson's official spokesman said today that people in Britain would be the first in the world to receive Oxford University's Covid-19 vaccine if it is proven to work (Pictured: The Prime Minister at the National Memorial Arboretum in England this month)

GLOBAL VACCINE PROGRAMME 'IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL COUNTRIES', WHO SAYS A globally coordinated roll-out of a coronavirus vaccine will be in the 'interests of all countries', the World Health Organization's (WHO) director general has said in a thinly-veiled dig at President Trump. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned against 'vaccine nationalism' and said competition between rich nations may lead to prices spiking exponentially, which would only prolong the virus. Instead, he urged countries to support the Covax vaccines facility, which has the 'largest and most diverse' Covid-19 vaccine portfolio in the world. He told a WHO press briefing that 172 countries were 'engaging' with the mechanism, which aims to deliver at least two billion vaccine doses by the end of 2021. The US is not involved. Dr Tedros said: 'We're working with vaccine manufacturers to provide all countries that join the effort timely and equitable access to all vaccines, licensed and approved. 'This doesn't just pool risk, it also means that prices will be kept as low as possible. 'New research outlines that global competition for vaccine doses could lead to prices spiking exponentially in comparison to collaborative efforts, such as the Covax facility. 'It would also lead to a prolonged pandemic as only a small number of countries would get most of the supply. Vaccine nationalism only helps the virus.' Nine vaccines are currently part of the Covax portfolio, while discussions were ongoing with four other producers, Dr Tedros said. Advertisement

The US has been one of the worst hit countries in the world during the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than 5.7million cases have been officially diagnosed and at least 176,808 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University, which has kept a track on the pandemic since it began in December.

President Trump has been accused of mishandling the crisis and refusing to face up to his government's mistakes, shifting the blame to others and disputing statistics.

Last week the president lashed out at the FDA and accused them of dragging out the process of getting a vaccine ready to go.

He said in a tweet: 'The deep state, or whoever, over at the FDA is making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics.

'Obviously, they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd. Must focus on speed, and saving lives!'

The only country to have officially approved a coronavirus vaccine is Russia but the circumstances around it have drawn harsh criticism from scientists.

The jab  given to President Vladimir Putin's own daughter  was reportedly tested on fewer than 40 people before being officially approved.

One scientist blasted Putin's move as 'unethical' because an 'improperly tested vaccine' could have 'disastrous' effects on public health.

While others warned that there is 'no data' to tell whether the Russian vaccine is effective.

Another expert warned that 'the damage from release of any vaccine that was less than safe and effective would exacerbate our current problems insurmountably'.

One expert in Britain said it was 'disturbing' that world leaders might fast-track vaccines or force them through without proper safety testing in order to make political gains.

Professor Danny Altmann, an immunology expert at Imperial College London, said: 'It should be incredibly disturbing to the global medical community to see any potential attempts by any politicians, whether in Russia, the US or elsewhere, to seek to manipulate, short-circuit or exert influence in any way over the agreed scientific protocols that are in place to carefully evaluate comparative safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccines.

'In decades to come, we wont remember which politician polled a few more or less votes.

The Oxford University jab is being trialled in the UK but also in other countries such as Brazil and South Africa because they have more cases of Covid-19 than Britain does so it will be easier to test (Pictured: A trial participant in South Africa receives the jab)

'But we really wont forget any failed opportunities to put in place the safest most effective possible global programmes to eradicate this pandemic.'

WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE ORDERED OXFORD'S VACCINE ALREADY? UK The UK is the host of research and development efforts of the vaccine, which has been developed by researchers in Oxford and will be manufactured by AstraZeneca, a company based in Cambridge. The British Government has ordered 100million doses of the jab and has already started manufacturing them so they're ready to go if and when clinical trials are successful. The price paid has not been disclosed. US The US Government has ordered 100million doses of the vaccine and contributed $1.2billion (910m) to the research and development of the jab. European Union (EU) The European Commission has agreed a deal for 300million doses of the vaccine if its clinical trials work, with the option to buy a further 100million. The deal has been made on behalf of countries in the EU. The amount of money spent is unknown. Australia Australia has confirmed it ordered enough doses of the vaccine to give one to its entire population of 25million people. It is not clear how many doses the nation has ordered. The UK - with a population of 66m but an order of 100m - ordered more than it needs. China One company in China has agreed a deal with AstraZeneca to make at least 100million doses of the vaccine. Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products, based in the city of Shenzhen, will increase capacity to 200m per year by the end of 2021. Russia A Russian company, R-Pharm, also has a deal to produce and distribute the vaccine, but it is unclear how many it will make or what it will pay to AstraZeneca. Brazil Brazilian officials have set aside $360million (274m) for at least 100million doses of the vaccine. Brazil is currently in one of the worst Covid-19 crises in the world with more than 3.6million official cases so far and 114,000 deaths. Advertisement

While small trials can show whether a vaccine is likely to be safe, the months or years-long Phase III tests which measure effectiveness have not yet taken place, while the WHO has not yet granted approval for the jab.

Oxford University's vaccine, which is being developed with the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, is now in phase three trials in the UK and Brazil.

In these tests the vaccine is being given to tens of thousands of people in real-world environments to see if it protects them from Covid-19. It is the most advanced coronavirus vaccine trial in the world.

Professor Sarah Gilbert, who is leading the Oxford team, is confident the jab could be ready for the most vulnerable people in society by the end of the year.

The team have genetically engineered a virus to look like the coronavirus  to have the same spike proteins on the outside  but be unable to cause any infection inside a person.

This virus, weakened by genetic engineering, is a type of virus called an adenovirus, the same as those which cause common colds, that has been taken from chimpanzees.

The UK Government is not expected to start using the jab until large trials have proved it is safe.

Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said on Saturday it would be 'foolish' to assume a vaccine would be ready before 2021.

Professor Whitty said: 'I would obviously be delighted if it came earlier rather than later but I'd be quite surprised if we had a highly effective vaccine ready for mass use in a large percentage of the population before the end of winter, certainly before this side of Christmas.

'Now that may be wrong, a lot of people are doing a huge amount scientifically, logistically to make sure that's a pessimistic statement, to try and see if we can get a vaccine at extraordinarily fast speed but we have to check it works and we have to make sure it's safe and these things do take time.

'So I think if we look forward a year I think the chances are much greater than if we look forward six months and we need to have that sort of timescale in mind.'

It comes as the World Health Organization's (WHO) director general said a globally coordinated roll-out of a coronavirus vaccine will be in the 'interests of all countries'.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned against 'vaccine nationalism' and said competition may lead to prices spiking exponentially, which would only prolong the virus.

Instead, he urged countries to support the Covax vaccines facility, which has the 'largest and most diverse' Covid-19 vaccine portfolio in the world.

He told a WHO press briefing that 172 countries were 'engaging' with the mechanism, which aims to deliver at least two billion vaccine doses by the end of 2021.

Dr Tedros said: 'We're working with vaccine manufacturers to provide all countries that join the effort timely and equitable access to all vaccines, licensed and approved.

'This doesn't just pool risk, it also means that prices will be kept as low as possible.

'New research outlines that global competition for vaccine doses could lead to prices spiking exponentially in comparison to collaborative efforts, such as the Covax facility.

'It would also lead to a prolonged pandemic as only a small number of countries would get most of the supply. Vaccine nationalism only helps the virus.'

Nine vaccines are currently part of the Covax portfolio, while discussions were ongoing with four other producers, Dr Tedros said.

WHICH TOP VACCINE CANDIDATES HAVE THE UK SECURED DEALS FOR? 1. GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi Pasteur: 60million doses The Government revealed on July 29 it had signed a deal with pharmaceutical giants GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Sanofi Pasteur If the vaccine proves successful, the UK could begin to vaccinate priority groups, such as frontline health and social care workers and those at increased risk from coronavirus, as early as the first half of next year, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said. Human clinical studies of the vaccine will begin in September followed by a phase 3 study in December. The vaccine is based on the existing technology used to produce Sanofi's seasonal flu vaccine. Genetic material from the surface protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is inserted into insect cells - the basis of Sanofis influenza product - and then injected to provoke an immune response in a human patient. 2. AstraZeneca (manufacturing University of Oxford's): 100million AstraZeneca, which is working in partnership with Oxford University, is already manufacturing the experimental vaccine after a deal was struck on May 17. Professor Sarah Gilbert, who is leading the Oxford team, is confident the jab could be ready for the most vulnerable people by the end of the year. Her comments came after the results from the first phase, published in The Lancet on July 20, showed promise. The team have genetically engineered a virus to look like the coronavirus - to have the same spike proteins on the outside - but be unable to cause any infection inside a person. This virus, weakened by genetic engineering, is a type of virus called an adenovirus, the same as those which cause common colds, that has been taken from chimpanzees. 3. BioNTech/Pfizer: 30million US drug giant Pfizer - most famous for making Viagra - and German firm BioNTech were revealed to have secured a deal with the UK Government on July 20. It reported positive results from the ongoing phase 2/3 clinical trial of one called BNT162b1 on July 1. The company is still running phase 2 trials at the moment. Pfizer's vaccine is one called an mRNA vaccine, which do not directly inject bits of the virus into the body but send genetic material. mRNA vaccines programme the body to produce parts of the virus itself by injecting the body with a molecule that tells disease-fighting cells what to build. The immune system then learns how to fight it. 4. Valneva: 60million The Government has given Valneva  whose vaccine is understood to be in the preclinical stages of development  an undisclosed amount of money to expand its factory in Livingston, Scotland. While the Government revealed a 60million dose deal on July 20, the company said it had reached agreement in principle with the UK government to provide up to 100million doses. Valneva's jab is an inactivated whole virus vaccine, meaning it injects a damaged version of the coronavirus itself into the body. The virus has been destroyed in a way that makes it unable to cause infection, but the body still recognises it as a dangerous intruder and therefore mounts an immune response which it can remember in case of a real Covid-19 infection. 5. Janssen (Johnson & Johnson): 30million The Government has agreed to buy 30million doses of a vaccine made by Janssen if it works. Officials have agreed to help the company in its development of the jab by part-funding a global clinical trial. The first in-human trials of Janssen's jab began in mid-July and are being done on adults over the age of 18 in the US and Belgium. The jab is named Ad26.COV2-S, recombinant, and is a type of jab called a viral vector recombinant vaccine. Proteins that appear on the outside of the coronavirus are reproduced in a lab and then injected into the body to stimulate an immune reaction. The 'Ad' part of the vaccine's name means it works using an adenovirus - a virus best known for causing the common cold - as a vehicle to transport the coronavirus genetics into the body. 6. Novavax: 60million Britain has ordered 60million doses of a vaccine being developed by the US-based company Novavax. It will help to fund late-stage clinical trials in the UK and also boost plans to manufacture the vaccine in Britain. Novavax's jab, named NVX-CoV2373, showed positive results in early clinical trials. It produced an immune response in 100 per cent of people who received it, the company said, and was safe and 'generally well-tolerated'. Novavax's candidate is also a recombinant vaccine and transports the spike proteins found on the outside of the coronavirus into the body in order to provoke the immune system. 7. Imperial College London: Unknown quantity Imperial College London scientists are working on Britain's second home-grown hope for a jab. The candidate is slightly behind Oxford's vaccine in terms of its progress through clinical trials, but is still a major player. The UK Government is understood to have agreed to buy the vaccine if it works but details of a deal have not yet been publicised. Imperial's jab is currently in second-phase human trials after early tests showed it appeared to be safe. Imperial College London will try to deliver genetic material (RNA) from the coronavirus which programs cells inside the patient's body to recreate the spike proteins. It will transport the RNA inside liquid droplets injected into the bloodstream. Advertisement

Fury over Donald Trump's approval of using blood from Covid-19 survivors to treat infected patients as top scientists warn there is no proof it works

Fury erupted today over the controversial decision by the US to approve treating Covid-19 patients using the blood of coronavirus survivors.

Top scientists warned there is no proof the century-old treatment works, despite several studies offering promising results.

The Food and Drug Administration last night gave doctors emergency authorisation to use convalescent plasma, saying the 'known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product'.

Donald Trump called it a 'very big day' at a White House briefing yesterday, adding that the approval was a 'truly historic' moment. The US President also claimed that the treatment was proven to reduce the chance of death from coronavirus by more than one third.

But scientists criticised US officials for making the 'bad conclusion' because the therapy has not been put through the most rigorous human trials, meaning there is no conclusive proof that the treatment works.

One expert, however, called it 'good news' and said he hopes the UK can soon begin to use convalescent plasma routinely.

British researchers leading a major trial into promising therapies  which found that dexamethasone can cut the risk of death in critically-ill coronavirus patients  said the move was 'ripping up good science that protects patients'.

The FDA said more than 70,000 patients had already been treated with convalescent plasma, which sees infected patients given the antibody-rich blood of survivors in an attempt to boost their immune response and fight the disease.

It comes just days after top US experts, namely Dr Anthony Fauci and Dr Francis Collins, reportedly stepped in to pause the authorisation of convalescent plasma because the evidence was not strong enough to do so.

Trump lashed out at the FDA at the weekend and accused the agency of attempting to delay the approval of Covid-19 therapeutics until after the president election in November.

'This is a very big day,' President Trump said at a White House briefing on Sunday, adding the approval was a 'truly historic' moment

Dr Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist from Harvard, said: 'What the hell - This is a bad convalescent plasma conclusionit was not a randomized trial'

Martin Landray, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Oxford, who is leading the RECOVERY trial, did not welcome the FDA's authorisation

WHAT IS CONVALESCENT PLASMA AND WHERE HAS IT BEEN USED? Convalescent plasma has been used to treat infections for at least a century, dating back to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. It was also trialed during the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza virus pandemic, 2003 SARS epidemic, and the 2012 MERS epidemic. Convalescent plasma was used as a last resort to improve the survival rate of patients with SARS whose condition continued to deteriorate. It has been proven 'effective and life-saving' against other infections, such as rabies and diphtheria, said Dr Mike Ryan, of the World Health Organization. 'It is a very important area to pursue,' Dr Ryan said. Although promising, convalescent plasma has not been shown to be effective in every disease studied, the FDA say. Is it already being used for COVID-19 patients? Before it can be routinely given to patients with COVID-19, it is important to determine whether it is safe and effective through clinical trials. The FDA said it was 'facilitating access' for the treatment to be used on patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections'. It came after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that plasma would be tested there to treat the sickest of the state's coronavirus patients. COVID-19 patients in Beijing, Wuhan and Shanghai are being treated with this method, authorities report. Lu Hongzhou, professor and co-director of the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre, said in February the hospital had set up a special clinic to administer plasma therapy and was selecting patients who were willing to donate. 'We are positive that this method can be very effective in our patients,' he said. Meanwhile, the head of a Wuhan hospital said plasma infusions from recovered patients had shown some encouraging preliminary results. The MHRA has approved the use of the therapy in the UK, but it has not been revealed which hospitals have already tried it. How does it work? Blood banks take plasma donations much like they take donations of whole blood; regular plasma is used in hospitals and emergency rooms every day. If someone's donating only plasma, their blood is drawn through a tube, the plasma is separated and the rest infused back into the donor's body. Then that plasma is tested and purified to be sure it doesn't harbor any blood-borne viruses and is safe to use. For COVID-19 research, people who have recovered from the coronavirus would be donating. Scientists would measure how many antibodies are in a unit of donated plasma - tests just now being developed that aren't available to the general public - as they figure out what's a good dose, and how often a survivor could donate. There is also the possibility that asymptomatic patients - those who never showed symptoms or became unwell - would be able to donate. But these 'silent carriers' would need to be found via testing first. Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda is working on a drug that contains recovered patients antibodies in a pill form, Stat News reported. Could it work as a vaccine? While scientists race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, blood plasma therapy could provide temporary protection for the most vulnerable in a similar fashion. A vaccine trains people's immune systems to make their own antibodies against a target germ. The plasma infusion approach would give people a temporary shot of someone else's antibodies that are short-lived and require repeated doses. If US regulator the FDA agrees, a second study would give antibody-rich plasma infusions to certain people at high risk from repeated exposures to COVID-19, such as hospital workers or first responders, said Dr Liise-anne Pirofski of New York's Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. That also might include nursing homes when a resident becomes ill, in hopes of giving the other people in the home some protection, she said. Advertisement

The new FDA authorisation means those who had coronavirus and recovered can now donate their blood to be used as a treatment for those currently suffering from the disease.

The FDA approves emergency use authorisations during public health emergencies to speed along unapproved therapeutics to treat or prevent serious diseases where there are no other adequate and available alternatives.

For instance, on May 1, the FDA authorised the emergency use of Gilead Science's experimental antiviral remdesivir to treat patients.

'Today I'm pleased to make a truly historic announcement in our battle against the China virus that will save countless lives,' Trump said last night as he was flanked by Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn.

The president also claimed the treatment has proven to reduce the chance of death from coronavirus by more than one third.

Mr Azar said: 'I just want to emphasise this point because I don't want you to gloss over this number. We dream in drug development of something like a 35 per cent mortality reduction.'

'This is a major advance in the treatment of patients. This is a major advance.'

Trump claimed that over 100,000 Americans have already enrolled to receive this treatment.

'Based on the science and the data, the FDA has made the independent determination that the treatment is safe and very effective,' Trump assured.

He highlighted that he was not the one pushing for the approval.

Mayo Clinic researchers revealed findings last week that suggested convalescent plasma could improve survival odds for Covid-19 patients.

The study assessed 35,000 patients given convalescent plasma, including a high number who were critically ill.

But the study compared patients who had received the treatment with each other. It looked at mortality rates between patients given high or low doses of antibodies, and between those treated early and later.

This is different to a randomised placebo controlled study  when an experimental drug or therapy is compared with a placebo or alternative medicine to see if it truly offers better survival rates.

Randomised trials are deemed the gold standard for testing if a therapy truly works because they eliminate any bias.

The findings were published on a pre-print server, MedRxiv, on August 12. Because they are not in a medical journal, they have not been scrutinised by other scientists yet, which helps to flag flaws.

The findings show 8.7 per cent of patients treated with convalescent plasma within three days of diagnosis died after seven days, compared to about 12 per cent of patients who were treated four days or more after their diagnosis  a statistical difference of around 37 per cent.

Those treated with plasma containing the highest levels of antibodies had a 35 per cent lower risk of dying within a week compared to those treated with less-rich plasma.

Dr Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist from Harvard, pointed out the 35 per cent reduction in mortality was not between the experiment group and control group.

Reacting to the news of the FDA's authorisation on Twitter, he said: 'What the hell. This is a bad convalescent plasma conclusion  it was not a randomized trial. Trump doesn't care, but FDA head should know better!'

There are two randomised control trials of convalescent plasma therapy ongoing in the UK  the REMAP-CAP trial is seeing if it will help patients in intensive care, while the RECOVERY trial is looking at hospitalised patients.

Martin Landray, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Oxford, who is leading the RECOVERY trial, did not welcome the FDA's authorisation.

He wrote on Twitter: 'Convalescent plasma for COVID-19. It may work. We hope it will work. But nobody knows if it does. That's why we are studying it in the #RECOVERYtrial. Then we'll know & wont have to guess.'

Another RECOVERY trial lead, Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases at Oxford, said: 'Allowing widespread use of unproven treatments creates confusion and undermines chances of improving care through proper science.

'This is not "cutting red tape" it's ripping up good science that protects patients.'

But Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist from University of Warwick, was pleased with the developments.

He told MailOnline: 'The FDA emergency use authorisation for convalescent plasma to treat Covid-19 is great news.

'Ive been a strong advocate for this approach since the beginning of the outbreak and, with other colleagues, petitioned the government to investigate its use.

'Convalescent plasma therapy has been used to the prevention and treatment of many infectious diseases for more than a century. Over the past 20 years this approach has been successfully used in the treatment of SARS, MERS and 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu with good safety profile and efficacy.

'I hope the UK trial reports soon and we can begin using convalescent plasma routinely to treat patients with Covid-19.'

Dr Feigl-Ding pointed out that the 35 per cent reduction in mortality was not between the experiment group and control group

Another RECOVERY trial lead, Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases at Oxford, said: 'Allowing widespread use of unproven treatments creates confusion and undermines chances of improving care through proper science'
Bangkok: Facebook has blocked access within Thailand to a group with 1 million members that discusses the country's king, after the Thai government threatened legal action over failure to take down content deemed defamatory to the monarchy.

The move comes amid near daily youth-led protests against the government of former military junta chief and retired general Prayut Chan-o-cha and unprecedented calls for reforms of the monarchy.

The "Royalist Marketplace" group was created in April by Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a self-exiled academic and critic of the monarchy.

Thai critic Pavin Chachavalpongpun in Japan.

On Monday night, the group's page brought up a message: "Access to this group has been restricted within Thailand pursuant to a legal request from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society."
Foley Family Wines (FFW), a top 5 producer and marketer of Ultra Premium wine and one of the fastest growing portfolios in the U.S., today announced Colangelo & Partners (C&P, http://www.colangelopr.com) as its agency of record to develop and execute an integrated communications program targeted to key trade, consumer and media stakeholders.

Under the new partnership, Colangelo & Partners will manage a combination of media relations, social media content creation and digital partnerships for Acrobat Wines, Banshee Wines, Chalone Vineyard and Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery, and a social media and digital campaign for Chalk Hill Estate Winery. C&P will execute campaigns to highlight the unique characteristics and history of each Foley Family Wine brand, with an emphasis on raising awareness on a national level.

The Foley Family Wines portfolio is a collection of historic and iconic brands, states Chief Marketing Officer Gerard Thoukis. We are excited to bring new life and amplify the stories of some of the most established and nationally distributed brands in our luxury wine portfolio through our partnership with Colangelo & Partners.

Foley Family Wines (FFW) was established by Bill Foley in 1996 with the acquisition of Lincourt Vineyards in Californias Santa Ynez Valley. Since then, FFW has become one of the major producers, distributors and marketers of wine in the U.S. and internationally. FFW has an incredibly unique and diverse portfolio of wineries of highly individualistic wines from premier growing regions in Washington, Oregon, California and New Zealand.

The opportunity to work with Foley Family Wines is incredibly exciting for us, said Juliana Colangelo, VP, California at Colangelo & Partners. Acrobat Wines represents one of our first forays into Oregon, and we are also thrilled to be working with stalwarts like Banshee and Chalk Hill Estate Winery. Not to mention the chance to tell the stories of iconic and historical wineries like Chalone Vineyards and Sebastiani Vineyards.

Foley Family Wines joins Colangelo & Partners renowned international portfolio that includes Frescobaldi Toscana, Far Niente Family of Wineries & Vineyards, Charles Krug Winery and Maisons Marques & Domaines USA among many other prestigious wine companies and institutions.

All future media inquiries and partnership requests for Foley Family Wines brands (Acrobat, Banshee, Chalone, Chalk Hill, and Sebastiani) should be directed to Colangelo & Partners (foley@colangelopr.com).

About Foley Family Wines

Established by Bill Foley in 1996, Foley Family Wines is a portfolio of highly-acclaimed wines from some of the worlds greatest vineyards. Every brand in the companys portfolio has a distinct style and legacy. Foley Family Wines owns the following properties in California: Foley Sonoma (Geyserville), Chalone Vineyard (Monterey), Foley Estates (Sta. Rita Hills), Lincourt Vineyards (Solvang), Merus (Napa Valley), Foley Johnson (Napa Valley), Kuleto (Napa Valley), Chalk Hill (Sonoma County), Sebastiani (Sonoma County), Lancaster Estate (Sonoma County), Langtry Estate (Lake County), Firestone Vineyard (Santa Ynez Valley), Eos Winery (Paso Robles), Roth Estate Winery (Sonoma County), Banshee (Sonoma County). The company also owns Three Rivers Winery in Walla Walla, WA, Acrobat (Oregon), and The Four Graces in Dundee, OR. In New Zealand, the company owns Vavasour (Marlborough), Clifford Bay (Marlborough), Grove Mill (Marlborough), Dashwood (Marlborough), Martinborough Vineyard (Martinborough), Te Kairanga (Martinborough), and Mt. Difficulty (Bannockburn, Central Otago)

About Colangelo & Partners

Colangelo & Partners (http://www.colangelopr.com) specializes in premium food, wine and spirits brands, and has long established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on 'closing the loop' between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results. Founded in 2006, Colangelo & Partners was honored as one of the years top integrated communications firms at the 2013 Agency Elite Awards and for one of the best digital marketing campaigns at the 2014 Digital PR Awards.
Asakusa is the center of Tokyos shitamachi (literally low city), where an atmosphere redolent with the citys past survives. Asakusas main attraction is Senso-ji, a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century. The entry to the temple is via the Nakamise, a shopping street well known for its wood-block prints, local snacks, traditional kimonos and dangling paper lanterns.

The year was 1995. I was on one of my early visits to While looking for the usual touristy knick-knacks at the crowded Nakamise souvenir shops, I got into a conversation with a young Japanese lady who spoke good English and was curious about the Ganesha tee I was wearing. As we got chatting she pointed me to a temple on a slight hillock nearby saying I could meet Lord Ganesha right there in too! I was amazed and intrigued.

Matsuchiyama Shoden (also called the Honryuin Temple), poised on a low hilltop oversees the Sumidagawa river and was immortalised in one of Utagawa Hiroshiges famous Ukiyo-e (woodblock paintings). This temple of the Tendai Sect of Buddhism, the tourist information board said, was most likely established in 601 AD (even perhaps in 595 AD as per other records). Yes, that is older than the main Senso-ji temple of Asakusa (which was most probably established in 645 AD). Matsuchiyama Shoden is a Ganesha temple, dedicated to Kangiten.

The Japanese deity Kangiten inherits many names and characteristics from the Hindu god Ganesha. He is known as Binayaka-ten very similar to our Hindu Vinayaka; the Japanese names for the God - Ganabachi and Ganwha sound very similar to Ganesha. Like Ganesha, Binayaka is also the remover of obstacles, and when prayed to, he is supposed to bestow good fortunes on devotees, shower prosperity, bestow success and good health to all. In addition, Binayaka-ten in is said to be the destroyer of Evil; a beacon of morality. Research shows me that there is yet another moniker for Ganesha  Sho-ten or Aryadeva, the harbinger of good luck and fortune. So much for similarities.

The name Kangiten, is generally connected to Tantric embracing deity icons, venerated as the givers of joy and prosperity. The Dual Kangiten icon called Soshin Kangi-ten (dual-bodied god of bliss) is a unique feature of Shingon Buddhism. It is also called Soshin Binayaka in Japanese, and is really the same as Nandikeshvara in Sanskrit.

Early Buddhism was deeply intertwined with Hinduism. Consequently, many Japanese schools of Buddhism, especially those influenced by Tantric thought, brought Hindu devas or gods in their fold of worship. Some of these, over time, got adopted in the local pantheon and are associated with different bodhisattvas. So, the lines have kind of blurred over the centuries.

Interestingly, the Japanese avatar of Lord Ganesha is not into modaks. His favourite offering is radishes! All across the temple of Matsuchiyama, on the walls and on the roof, all I saw were carvings and paintings of daikon (Japanese white radish). Kangiten in Japan, I was told, is a creator of obstacles, who is however placated easily through prayer and transforms into a remover of obstacles. And what appeases him are radishes! Daikon is seen as a symbol of marital harmony, better relations and love between married couples. Blessings of Kangiten, the brochure said made for perfect matchmaking, and helped fertility post marriage. Symbolism very similar to our Lord Ganesha.

Kangiten / Vinayakaten are the names of Ganesha in and he has been worshipped in the country for past about 1000 years.

Daikon offerings were emblazoned on lanterns, stone plates and wood carvings at the temple. They were everywhere. Matsuchiyama Shoden apparently holds a daikon festival on 7 January every year when people come to pray for the well-being of their families and success in business. When a daikon is offered by a devotee, the pershad given by the shrine is cooked Japanese radish (furofuki daikon) and sacred rice sake (omiki). The sake is pretty usual at Japanese shrines but the cooked radish was surely different. At the temple, besides the overwhelming daikon imagery, there were plenty of images of money pouches too. I think the pouches signified success in business. Not different from Hindu symbolism.

Bliss-buns (kangi-dan), a deep fried confection filled with red-bean paste is supposed to be a delicacy of the Shoden temple. However, I could not sample these during my visit.

A poster on display at Matsuchiyama Shoden talked about an oil-bathing (yokuyu kito) ritual to honor the deity Kangiten, referred to him in the communication as the God of Bliss. The ceremonial bathing ritual was apparently meant to fulfill all the prayers of devotees, I was told during my temple visit. How the ritual bathing is exactly done however was not very clear, as there was no information available about it. It must be, I suppose, like the mustard oil poured at Hanuman temples on Tuesdays back home. One session, the poster said, cost JPY 3500. I had to give the oil-bath a miss, whatever it was supposed to be.

The Matsuchiyama Shoden temple is rather small. There is a small pond on the premises. The hill, a local informed me, is accessible by The Sakura Rail, a cross between an elevator and a monorail. I came back blessed from the temple visit though the actual Ganesha statue remains vaulted because it is ensconced in an inner sanctum not visible from the public areas.

While Kangiten is worshipped throughout Japan, Hozan-ji on the summit of Mount Ikoma is his most important and active temple. Though the temple is believed to have been founded in the sixth century, it came in the limelight in the 17th century when the monk Tankai (16291716) made the temple's Gohonzon, a Heian period, gilt-bronze image of the Dual Kangiten, the centre of attraction and devotion.

There is also a large Kangiten in Kyoto, installed by Emperor Gikogon in 1372 CE, which is the closest likeness to the Indian Ganesha.

So, during this period of Ganesha celebrations in India, it is gratifying to know that the Lords dominions extend to far-away Japan where the Vighnaharta has a following too.

Dr. Sandeep Goyal is a self-confessed Nipponophile. He has visited Japan over 100 times. He is the author of two books on Japan, Konjo  The Fighting Spirit and Japan Made Easy, both published by Harper Collins.
The main aim of stock picking is to find the market-beating stocks. But the main game is to find enough winners to more than offset the losers So we wouldn't blame long term TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE:THS) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 44% over a half decade. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 15% in the last 90 days. This could be related to the recent financial results - you can catch up on the most recent data by reading our company report.

View our latest analysis for TreeHouse Foods

Because TreeHouse Foods made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. When a company doesn't make profits, we'd generally expect to see good revenue growth. Some companies are willing to postpone profitability to grow revenue faster, but in that case one does expect good top-line growth.

Over five years, TreeHouse Foods grew its revenue at 1.7% per year. That's not a very high growth rate considering it doesn't make profits. Given the weak growth, the share price fall of 7.5% isn't particularly surprising. The key question is whether the company can make it to profitability, and beyond, without trouble. It could be worth putting it on your watchlist and revisiting when it makes its maiden profit.

You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. If you are thinking of buying or selling TreeHouse Foods stock, you should check out this free report showing analyst profit forecasts.

A Different Perspective

Investors in TreeHouse Foods had a tough year, with a total loss of 10%, against a market gain of about 23%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, longer term shareholders are suffering worse, given the loss of 7.5% doled out over the last five years. We'd need to see some sustained improvements in the key metrics before we could muster much enthusiasm. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand TreeHouse Foods better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with TreeHouse Foods , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

Story continues

TreeHouse Foods is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
NEW DELHI : Tata Motors Ltd will significantly reduce its group automotive debt of 48,000 crore ($6.4 billion) over the next three years, the company's chairman said during its annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday.

Tata Motors is "deleveraging this business substantially" and has set targets to generate free cash flows, N Chandrasekaran said.

Automakers globally have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic which has hurt demand for cars and disrupted supply chains because of curbs on travel and the movement of goods.

This has derailed Tata Motors' turnaround plans for its domestic business and British luxury unit, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), but the company said it is committed to cutting costs, tightening investment spending and improving profitability.

"The company is working with agility to transform towards a future that is strong, sustainable, and financially rewarding," Chandrasekaran said, adding that the group would also look to "unlock non-core investments".

Tata Motors' domestic business is expected to generate free cash flows from fiscal year 2021 while JLR will achieve this a year later in 2022, the company's CFO, P B Balaji said during the virtual shareholder meeting.

Shares of Tata Motors ended 5% higher on Tuesday while the broader Mumbai market remained flat.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
Katie Price bemoaned the challenges of being in a cast after breaking both her feet, as she attempted to have a bath on Monday.

The former glamour model, 42, took to Instagram Stories to share a glimpse of the tiring attempts to get washed off, warning fans she couldn't get her casts wet.

Katie returned to social media on Monday after being rushed to hospital with a suspected infection over the weekend, following surgery on her broken feet last week.

Scroll down for video

Disastrous: Katie Price bemoaned the challenges of being in a cast after breaking both her feet, as she attempted to have a bath on Monday (pictured in hospital after the surgery)

On her Instagram Stories Katie revealed she first had to try and get from her wheelchair into the bath with her feet in the air.

She wrote: 'Got to use my upper body strength to get in the bath legs up run the water and CANNOT get my cast wet.. such a mission to have a bath.'

It seemed that Katie's attempts to get clean were far from smooth sailing, as after making it into the bath she still had to keep her legs elevated and her casts dry.

Annoying: The former glamour model took to Instagram Stories to share a glimpse of the tiring attempts to get washed off, warning fans she couldn't get her casts wet

Fiddly: Katie shared a snap of her wheelchair as she used all of her upper body strength to lift herself into the bath

Painful: It seemed that Katie's attempts to get clean were far from smooth sailing, as after making it into the bath she still had to keep her legs elevated and her casts dry

Doting: But luckily she was still joined by her beloved guard dog Blade who wandered up to the edge of the bath in the posts

She wrote in the caption: 'Well at least I'm working my core strength.'

But luckily she was still joined by her beloved guard dog Blade who wandered up to the edge of the bath in the posts.

On Monday Katie broke her social media silence after being rushed to hospital following surgery on her broken feet.

The star kept her bandaged legs and feet elevated as she shared a video of herself in her underwear on her Instagram story while recuperating at home with her loved ones.

Back home: On Monday Katie broke her social media silence after being rushed to hospital following surgery on her broken feet

In the video, Katie, clad in a pastel pink crop-top and shorts, displayed her colourful casts as she lay on the sofa at home.

The star wrote: 'So boring just lying here. I suppose it's Netflix time.'

Katie was joined by her protection dog Blade who licked her face as she recuperated.

In a sweet gesture, Katie was presented with a drink of Ribena by her son Harvey, 18, with Katie exclaiming 'I love you Harvey!' as he gave her the drink.

Casts: The star kept her bandaged legs and feet elevated as she shared a video to her Instagram story while recuperating at home with her loved ones

The star also posted a snap of her leg casts with the caption 'Happy Monday.'

This comes amid claims Katie has been warned by doctors that she must keep her legs elevated in order to aid her recovery, after she was rushed to A&E at Epsom hospital in Surrey.

The star was said to have been in 'excruciating agony' earlier on Saturday when she'd visited the hospital, according to The Sun.

A source speaking to the publication claimed: 'Katie has been sent home and told in no uncertain terms that she must keep her legs up or they wont heal properly.'

The insider went on to say: 'Shes just going to have to lie down and give herself time to heal.'

MailOnline has contacted Katie's representatives for comment.

Sweet: In a sweet gesture, Katie was presented with a drink of Ribena by her son Harvey, 18, with Katie exclaiming 'I love you Harvey!' as he gave her the drink

Cute: Katie was joined by her protection dog Blade who licked her face as she recuperated

Loyal: Katie's canine companion licked her face as she rested following her surgery

It was reported earlier in the day that she was suspected to have an infection and required further treatment at Chelsea and Westminster hospital, just a week after undergoing major surgery.

The star broke both her feet during a freak accident while on a family holiday in Turkey earlier this month.

An insider told The Sun: 'Katie was in excruciating agony all night, couldn't eat, couldn't focus and nothing was working. Painkillers weren't touching it so pals rushed her to A&E in Epsom.

'Doctors decided to move her to the Chelsea and Westminster hospital for further treatment but the fear is she could have an infection.'

Medical advice: Katie was warned by doctors to keep her feet elevated as she returned home on Saturday after being rushed to hospital following surgery on her broken feet

Pain! An insider said: 'Katie was in excruciating agony all night, couldn't eat, couldn't focus and nothing was working. Painkillers weren't touching it so pals rushed her to A&E in Epsom'

A representative for Katie Price told MailOnline: 'She had a terrible night. I can confirm Katie was taken to her local A&E hospital ( Epsom ) and then referred back to the Chelsea and Westminster.'

It comes after Katie was left devastated after a surgeon confirmed the extent of her 'smashed' feet and stated she 'couldn't have done a worse job' of injuring herself.

Taking to her YouTube channel on Friday, Katie explained: 'The surgeon made it clear that I couldn't have done a worse job to myself.

'They're smashed, broken and it's bad, really bad. It's bad, life changing injuries what I've done, so they're just going to do their best.'

She shared her doctor's recent diagnosis before entering surgery on August 14 2020, as they confirmed her injuries are 'life-changing' and will leave her with horrendous scars.

Warning: Katie was advised by her doctors that her feet 'won't heal properly' if she didn't keep them elevated during her recovery period

Katie discussed her shock at hearing the news while wearing a medical robe and resting on her hospital bed, as she prepared for her next operation at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital.

Katie recorded herself eight hours later following the operation,and she seemed in brighter spirits as the anaesthetic slowly wore off.

She revealed that a member of staff told her, when they opened her legs up in surgery, they were more 'smashed and mangled' than they appeared on the x-ray and the op was much harder than anticipated.

Katie experienced the horrendous accident after she jumped off a wall at the Land of Legends theme park in Turkey and broke both her ankles and feet.
The Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, which have become immensely popular in Delhi-NCR over the years, are this time prioritising safety over everything. A host of popular Ganpati pandals and the unique idols, which used to be placed in them, will be missed amid the pandemic as the celebrations wont take place at the same scale as previous years. But, there are some interesting modifications that will be part of this annual ritual.

Recently, the committee that organises the famous Lalbaugcha Raja celebrations in Mumbai decided to not to keep the Ganesha idol this year. Some popular pandals in Delhi-NCR such as those at Dilli Haat and Lal Bagh Ka Raja Ganpati Mahotsav wont be in action this year either.

But, a few some Ganpati pandals that have come up, have strictly put safety norms on top priority.

Sanitisation must: Air to Surface

Shri Ganesh Sewa Mandal Delhi (Regd.) that has been organising a 10-day Ganesh Mahotsav Delhi Ka Maharaja for the past 18 years, will celebrate only a two-day Sukshma 19th Ganesh Mahotsav this year; keeping in mind the norms of social distancing. The event scheduled at Lovely Public School in Priyadarshini Vihar has begun on August 22. Besides plans to go live on Facebook, to allow the devotees to get virtual darshan of Ganpati Bappa, they have also scheduled 30 minute darshan slots for the members, wherein each slot will accommodate a maximum of 20 persons. There would be a gap of half an hour after every slot of Darshan for air and surface sanitisation and disinfection of the premises. Cultural programs by Sadhvi Purnima Poonam and Chitra Vichitra of Vrindavan will be telecast live on their Facebook page.

The pandal has a full-time dedicated air and surface sanitising person with machine, a special security personnel to ensure that there are not more than 20 people at any given point of time, CCTVs, hand sanitiser dispensing stands at multiple locations.

Get mask along with prasad

Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti in Gurugram will celebrate its 28th Ganesh Festival this year. Due to Covid-19 conditions, the festival will be celebrated in a very different manner than the usual way. But, all the members of the team have same enthusiasm as always and we have accepted the new way of celebration.This year, Ganesh sthapana will be done at the residence of one of our members, and the rituals will be for just two days. Very limited number of members will be visiting the puja, and all precautions like social distancing, sanitisation etc will be undertaken without fail. In addition, we plan to distribute masks to the devotees who come for darshan, says Sandeep Joshi from the managing committee of this pandal.

On the second day, Ganesh visarjan was done in one small tank at that very house itself. The idol was brought brought in from Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, and was much smaller in size than previous years.

Forget garlands, bring sanitisers along

For the Odiya community in Gurugram, which has been organising the Ganpati fest for over a decade, at Kendriya Vihar, the celebrations have also been limited to a house this year, with a small, informal gathering.

Similarly, the Sree Vinayaka Chaturthi Celebrations 2020 at Sree Vinayaka Mandir Marg at Delhis Sarojini Nagar, have also been restricted. Herein devotees are allowed for darshan in small batches, but no flowers or garlands are allowed to them.

Vipin K Sethi from Ganesh Utsav Mandal, old Rajinder Nagar, says, Since well not be able to do it in the park this year, we got together and placed a small idol at our residence, for only one day this year. Puja was conducted as per rituals, and Ganpatis favourite food, ladoos were distributed as the prasad. But, most importantly, we kept the sanitisers handy, and strictly maintained social distance! This time, we have decided to make food packets and distribute them to the needy. We have been organising Ganpati celebrations for the last 32 years, and last years idol last year was 12 feet high. But, due to Covid-19 this year, we got a very small idol, to reduce the scale of celebration.

Come Online to get Bappas Darshan

Sri Sathya Sai Ganesh Utsav at Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar is organising online darshan for the devotees this year. All the rituals are being telecast live on the Facebook page.

A similar arrangement is being made by most other Ganpati organisers in Delhi-NCR. We will be encouraging the devotees to watch all the cultural programs online; these will however be conducted for all nine days (from August 22 August to 30), adds Joshi, from Gurugrams Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti.

Author tweets @Nainaarora8

Follow more on Facebook and Twitter

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Democrat Kamala Harris Is First Woman of Color Nominated for VP by Major US Party
When Gem Hunter Don Kogen showed up at the Kat Florence studio in 2018 with his latest discovery, the jeweler was amazed at the quality of the Tourmalines: "Even in their uncut form the stones sparkled and glowed. I have never seen anything like it. The uncut stones were so completely different from what I have experienced with Tourmalines in the past."

Don Kogen explains that Paraiba Tourmalines have always been renowned for their fine neon colors. It is the trace element Copper that makes Paraiba sparkle like no other Tourmaline and what actually makes metallic bearing Tourmalines so special. When Don Kogen discovered a small pocket of Titanium bearing Tourmaline in Botswana he immediately realized that he was looking at a very rare phenomenon that has never been unearthed before.

Kat Florence says demand for fine grade color gemstones are on the rise, with new records being broken regularly. The most recent auction record set at Christie's for Tourmaline was in May 2018 for a 14.27 carat matching pair of Neon Paraiba Tourmaline earrings selling at $2,778,000 ($194,000 per carat). With less than 200 of these rare Neon Titanium Tourmalines ever discovered, it will be interesting to see what price the rare Tourmalines will fetch at auction. Kat Florence explains: "A selection of my Neon Tourmaline pieces have been on display in museums throughout Europe, Asia and the US since 2019."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1243368/Rosalita_Life_Kat_Florence.jpg

Contact

Rosalita Life for Kat Florence

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Rosalita Life
Germanys new coronavirus cases increased at a pace close to Saturdays four-month high, while the infection rate fell below a key benchmark of 1.0.

There were 1,628 new infections in the 24 hours through Tuesday morning, taking the total to 236,122. The daily gain compared with 633 on Monday and 1,737 on Saturday, which was the most since late April. There was one fatality, lifting the overall number of deaths to 9,276.

Click here for full Covid -19 coverage

German cases have ticked up in recent weeks, mirroring a trend across Europe, with health officials blaming the increase on social gatherings and travelers returning from abroad.

Bavarian Premier Markus Soeder warned Tuesday that Germany risks a return to the peak levels of daily new cases close to 7,000 seen at the end of March and beginning of April. He ruled out easing restrictions on movement and social gatherings.

The numbers are worrying and its clear that the situation isnt going to get easier, Soeder said in a video message posted on Twitter. Right now its not about loosening the reins but tightening them. There is no reason to panic but there is to be greatly concerned.

Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold talks with Soeder and his regional counterparts on Thursday to discuss Germanys strategy to contain the virus.

On Monday, federal and regional health officials said they plan to scrap a requirement for people returning to Germany from high-risk areas to be tested for the coronavirus as capacity is stretched.

Travelers will still be subject to a two-week quarantine, which can be ended after five days if a test result shows they dont have the virus. The changes will likely take effect in mid-September or early October.

Germanys reproduction factor -- the average number of people infected by one person with the virus -- fell to 0.98 on Monday from 1.08 the day before, according to the latest estimate from the Robert Koch Institute.
The Morrison government is facing a backbench push to help thousands of stranded Australians come home, with MPs calling for a review of the strict cap on international arrivals.

At least four Coalition MPs raised the issue of the cap on international arrivals at a Coalition party room meeting on Tuesday morning in Canberra.

MPs have been fielding concerns from constituents about family members unable to return under the cap of about 4000 arrivals a week. Credit:Jason South

Several Nationals MPs also used the Coalition's joint party room meeting to voice their concerns about state border closures, which have caused havoc for regional communities, the agriculture workforce and access to rural health services.

The first face-to-face meeting of Coalition MPs in nine weeks lasted almost two hours, canvassing many issues stemming from the government's response to the pandemic.
Lucknow, Aug 25 : The Shiv Sena and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Uttar Pradesh have demanded an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the death of state Minister Chetan Chauhan, who succumbed to Covid-19 on August 16.

Sanjay Singh, the AAP MP has sent a letter to the Lucknow Police Commissioner to register an FIR against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Medical Education Minister Suresh Khanna and SGPGI director Dr. R. K. Dhiman for negligence in treatment that led to the minister's death.

Chauhan was being treated for Covid-19 at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) Lucknow before being shifted to the Medanta hospital in Gurugram where he breathed his last.

The state unit of the Shiv Sena, on the other hand, has demanded a CBI probe into the death of Chetan Chauhan, questioning the circumstances under which he was shifted from a government hospital in Lucknow to a private facility in Gurugram.

A delegation of the Shiv Sena met Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday and handed over a memorandum to her in this regard.

In a statement issued later on Monday night, the Shiv Sena asked, "Under what circumstances was late minister Chetan Chauhan shifted from SGPGI in Lucknow to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram? Did the government have no faith in SGPGI, a prestigious institution?" The statement further said, "The minister was hurt by the attitude of the doctors and staff of SGPGI. Till now, no action has been taken against the guilty doctors and staff of the SGPGI. In the entire episode, the government continued to sleep, and two ministers succumbed to Covid-19." Earlier, on Saturday, Samajwadi Party MLC Sunil Singh Sajan had alleged in the Vidhan Parishad that Chauhan died, not because of Covid-19, but due to carelessness in his treatment at the SGPGI. Sajan, who was admitted in the same ward as the late minister, said that the medical staff had misbehaved with Chauhan.

"Once during a round, a doctor and a nurse asked 'who is Chetan', to which the minister raised his hand since he was a simple person. He was asked as to when he got infected with the virus, to which he explained the entire matter to the hospital staff." "At that time, another personnel asked Chauhan what do you do, to which he said he is a minister in the Yogi Adityanath government," Sajan had said. He had said he was angered by the hospital staff's behaviour with Chauhan.
A BBC documentary on VIP abuse fantasist Carl Beech was branded a cover-up last night for failing to properly acknowledge the corporations own role in the scandal.

The programme had already been re-edited following complaints that former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson had been airbrushed out. But victims and family members of those smeared by Beech last night accused the BBC of glossing over its own failings.

Former MP Harvey Proctor  the only supposed member of the paedophile gang invented by Beech who is still alive  said the fantasists claims would not have been taken so seriously had the BBC not given him such substantial airtime.

The BBC documentary The Unbelievable Story of Carl Beech was branded a cover-up last night for failing to properly acknowledge the corporations own role in the scandal

Its home affairs correspondent Tom Symonds interviewed Beech  initially known only as Nick  around the time he made allegations to the Metropolitan Police.

Mr Symonds was criticised by a detective for feeding Beech information  but was not named or interviewed in Mondays BBC2 documentary, The Unbelievable Story of Carl Beech.

The programme did, however, acknowledge that Beechs allegations were lent credibility by coverage on the News at Ten.

Mr Proctor said: The roles of Mr Watson and the BBC were completely glossed over. The programme lacked critical analysis, judgement and gravitas and was a cover up of the BBCs own role. It was a missed opportunity, and I think a deliberately missed opportunity by the BBC, because they were in the frame for giving Beech substantial airtime. There was no explanation of why their correspondent showed Beech photographs of children I was supposed to have murdered.

Former MP Harvey Proctor (pictured)  the only supposed member of the paedophile gang invented by Beech who is still alive  said the fantasists claims would not have been taken so seriously had the BBC not given him such substantial airtime

Beech was eventually jailed for 18 years for fraud and perverting the course of justice, having falsely accused a string of figures including Labour peer Lord Janner and Edward Heath. Lord Janners son Daniel said: The whole programme... was a disgrace. There was no apology at all from those who actually encouraged [Beech].

Sir Edwards godson Lincoln Seligman added: It didnt make clear fully that for a long time the BBC supported the whole idea of Beech and the paedophile ring. I dont think there has ever been a proper apology for that. It did mention Tom Watson but he was much more important in sustaining the whole thing than it made clear.

In fact, the final cut contained only a passing reference to Mr Watson, whose claims to Parliament in 2012 of a VIP paedophile ring added credibility to Beechs lies.

A BBC spokesman said: As with all programmes, the filmmakers approached many potential contributors. Not all wished to take part. They added that the complex story had been extensively covered across the BBC, including a Panorama special which raised many questions about the role of Mr Watson and the... police.

In fact, the final cut contained only a passing reference to Mr Watson (pictured), whose claims to Parliament in 2012 of a VIP paedophile ring added credibility to Beechs lies

Whitewash that made a mockery of a national scandal

By Stephen Wright, Associate News Editor for the Daily Mail

Five years ago I flew to Gibraltar to meet a former Tory MP. He was in self-imposed exile across the border in Spain after he had been accused of being a serial child killer in the UK.

He had lost his job and grace-and-favour home on the Duke of Rutlands estate as a result of claims that he was part of a murderous VIP paedophile ring  which also included former prime minister Sir Edward Heath, retired chief of the defence staff Lord Bramall and former home secretary Lord Brittan.

The man I met in the lobby at Gibraltars imposing Rock Hotel in September 2015 was Harvey Proctor, who had agreed to see me after I had written two prominent articles in the Mail exposing his accuser, a mysterious figure then known as Nick, as a suspected serial liar and conman.

We spent several hours together discussing the claims made against him, the support his accuser had received from Labours then deputy leader Tom Watson, and the reporting on the case by a little-known investigations website called Exaro  as well as the BBC.

Not only did Operation Midland close without any arrests or charges six months later, but a judge-led inquiry into the probe identified 43 major blunders by detectives. It also recommended that Nick  real name Carl Beech  be investigated for perverting the course of justice and fraud

At length, we also talked about the running of Scotland Yards controversial VIP abuse inquiry, Operation Midland, and a senior officers public declaration that Nicks allegations were credible and true.

At the end of our meeting, Proctor  then in his late 60s and dapper in his summer jacket with a colourful pocket handkerchief  tearfully asked me whether I thought he was a serial child killer.

I looked him in the eye and replied firmly: No and Im going to see this through to the end. Not only to force the Met to shut down Operation Midland, but to ensure your name is cleared.

It was to be the start of an extraordinary relationship between me, a long-serving crime journalist, and the former politician who was desperate for anyone to believe in his innocence.

As we went our separate ways that day five years ago, neither of us could possibly have foreseen what lay ahead in the Nick case. Not only did Operation Midland close without any arrests or charges six months later, but a judge-led inquiry into the probe identified 43 major blunders by detectives. It also recommended that Nick  real name Carl Beech  be investigated for perverting the course of justice and fraud. The withering report by former high court judge Sir Richard Henriques also threw the book at Exaro and the BBC.

'We spent several hours together discussing the claims made against him, the support his accuser had received from Labours then deputy leader Tom Watson (pictured),' says Stephen Wright

In addition, it highlighted the role that Watson had played in making the Met take Beechs allegations  which included claims he had been tortured with wasps and snakes, and had his dog kidnapped by a former spy chief  seriously. Beech, a former NHS manager who was subsequently revealed to be a paedophile himself, was jailed for 18 years last summer.

Proctor belatedly received 900,000 in compensation and legal costs from the Met in an out-of-court settlement. It was a satisfying moment in my career.

So when the BBC approached me late last year asking me to contribute to a documentary on the Beech case, I was happy to help. I wanted to expose how police, politicians and journalists suspended disbelief and were gulled by an opportunist whose appalling lies damaged the hard-earned reputations of innocent VIPs.

This January a BBC crew came to my house and interviewed me for hours about my involvement in the case. I did not hold back in my condemnation of the effects of Beechs lies, on his greed and lack of empathy for his victims, and how he had exploited the hysteria after the Jimmy Savile scandal for his own benefit.

I was sharply critical of the role of Watson, who had met and supported Beech, and Exaro, the (mercifully now defunct) website which peddled the paedophiles lies.

Stephen Wright says: 'Proctor (pictured) belatedly received 900,000 in compensation and legal costs from the Met in an out-of-court settlement. It was a satisfying moment in my career'

I declared that Operation Midland was possibly the worst police investigation ever. Certainly in modern times.

For me, Beech was an outrageous liar who was testing the incredulity of the inept officers who interviewed him.

But when the BBC showed me an early edit of Monday nights documentary a few weeks ago, I was appalled.

Some sequences were creditable, it is true. The harrowing accounts of Lord Brittans widow Diana and Lord Bramalls son Nick  along with the comments of Beechs ex-wife Dawn  gave viewers a powerful insight into the damage caused by the paedophiles lies.

But as a matter of principle, I could have nothing to do with the programme. The reason? I felt I had been misled and was stunned that the BBC had airbrushed the egregious role of Watson, who had taken Beech at his word to harry innocent people for political gain.

His name was not even mentioned in the first edit. The programmes final cut only referred to him in passing after I had complained that it had distorted the facts about the Nick scandal.

'For me, Beech was an outrageous liar who was testing the incredulity of the inept officers who interviewed him,' says Stephen Wright

It was in 2012 that Watson told the Commons there was clear intelligence suggesting a powerful paedophile network linked to Parliament and No 10.

This set the hare running on the VIP abuse inquiry. He later met Beech and described one of their conversations in 2014 as very, very traumatic and difficult. He said: He only told me about one murder... and I didnt need to hear any more.

When Lord Brittan died in January 2015, Watson  quoting an email from Beech, whom he described as a survivor  wrote in a newspaper column that the former home secretary was as close to evil as a human being could get.

The campaigning politician was later forced to apologise to Lord Brittans widow, who was devastated by the shocking attack on her innocent  and recently deceased  husband.

Despite all this  and an official inquiry ruling his VIP abuse claims were baseless  Watsons hugely significant role in the Nick case was not considered in Mondays documentary. I found that truly disturbing.

But my deep unease was not just about this. It was also triggered by the benign treatment of Mark Conrad, a former reporter at Exaro  the disgraced website which gave oxygen to Beechs lies and which had close dealings with Watson during Operation Midland.

Conrad also had regular contact with Beech and was criticised in Sir Richards scathing report on the Mets inquiry.

Given the damage caused by his questionable reporting, I was shocked that he had such prominence in the programme (almost narrator status, another contributor told me privately yesterday) and was presented as a credible and sympathetic figure.

I found this deeply offensive to Beechs victims and it made it impossible for me to remain in the programme  although all my criticisms of Watson, Exaro, and the Met ended up on the cutting room floor anyway.

As well as covering the Nick case, Conrad reported extensively on a bogus allegation of rape made against Lord Brittan by a mentally ill Labour activist known as Jane, who was also supported by Tom Watson.

'Beech (pictured), a former NHS manager who was subsequently revealed to be a paedophile himself, was jailed for 18 years last summer,' says Stephen Wright

His coverage of the case caused Lady Brittan severe trauma  another factor in my decision to pull out of the programme.

Another aspect of the BBC documentary which I found deeply troubling was the lack of any proper examination of the corporations own role in the Nick scandal.

BBC journalists Tom Symonds and Tom Bateman were key players in a harmful catalogue of incidents which made the probe even harder for police, Sir Richard said in his 2016 report. Beech met both Bateman and Symonds, yet neither were mentioned in the programme, let alone interviewed over their extensive dealings with him. Why?

I know from well-placed sources that BBC journalists spent days courting the serial liar in 2014  some allegedly convinced they were onto the biggest political scandal since Watergate.

Instead there was merely a passing reference to Beechs murder allegations being headline news in a prime-time BBC bulletin.

This was extraordinary. The BBCs decision to place him at the top of the news agenda gave him the credibility he craved  and gave false authority to the VIP abuse inquiry story.

The decision to gloss over this key aspect of the case, and effectively exculpate the BBC of any wrongdoing, was poor judgement which undermined Mondays programme.

The fact is this documentary overlooked important facts  and by doing so, in my opinion, showed how badly it was compromised on the story  possibly because of its other failings in the wake of the Savile affair, such as its coverage of the false sex allegations made against Sir Cliff Richard.

For the sake of Harvey Proctor and others wrongly accused by Beech, I was left with no option but to ask to be removed from programme. Seeing the final cut, I have no regrets.
A new report from South Korea suggests that Samsung will do some serious rescheming of its flagship offerings. With the S20, Samsung launched three variants (S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra). Meanwhile, the Note20 came with two variants: the Note20 and Note20 Ultra.

According to the report from The Elec Korea, the Galaxy S20s successor, referred to as the Galaxy S21, will come with an S Pen  but only on the Ultra variant. The S21 lineup is expected in the first half of next year. The Galaxy S21 is reportedly codenamed Unbound with variants: M1, N2, and O3. The S Pen will apparently arrive with the O3 model.

According to @hwangmh01,



Samsung Galaxy S21 Series Code name is 'Unbound'.



3 devices in development: M1, N2 & O3.



The device O3 will have an S-Pen. Rumors about Samsung dropping Note series really coming true?  https://t.co/zqYJxeCPxk  Ishan Agarwal (@ishanagarwal24) August 24, 2020

Samsung has reportedly not confirmed the release of the Galaxy Note21 for next year yet (perhaps its too early), but speculations have arisen that Samsung would discontinue the Galaxy Note and instead launch an S-Pen enabled Galaxy Z Fold 3. This could mean Samsung would launch the Galaxy S in H1, and new Z Fold/Z Flip phones in H2.

With advancements in mass production of UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) Samsungs has the capacity to produce 600,000 folding displays per month and plans an end goal of 1 million folding displays per months by the end of the year. Samsung might not sell as many folding devices as it does Notes, but the high-profit margin of folding devices could potentially offset the lower number of units. The Galaxy S21 lineup could also get more sales.

Samsung already has many flagship smartphone offerings and narrowing them down to fewer devices isnt a bad idea. How do you feel about there no longer being a Note lineup (speculatively, of course) and what do you think of a more expensive Galaxy Z Fold 3 with S Pen support?

Source (translated)
Iran Admits June Explosion At Nuclear Facility Was 'Sabotage'

Radio Farda August 24, 2020

The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has confirmed for the first time that the recent destructive blast at Natanz nuclear facility was sabotage.

"The explosion at the Natanz nuclear facility was the result of sabotage operations. Security authorities will announce the reason behind the blast in due time," Behrouz Kamalvandi told the Islamic Republic's Arabic-speaking TV, al-Alam, August 23.

"Security investigations confirm the sabotage nature of this action. What is certain is that there was an explosion in Natanz. However, security officials will announce the details of the explosion and how and with what material it took place in due time," Kamalvandi reiterated.

Iran announced an incident at the Natanz facility on June 2 that destroyed a building housing uranium enrichment centrifuges, but it didn't disclose the cause of the incident. Natanz, 334 kilometers (about 207 miles) south of the Iranian capital city, Tehran, is the center of the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment activities.

At the time, Kamalvandi had merely stated that the damage caused by the explosion at a shed adjacent to the Natanz uranium enrichment center was "significant."

Three days after the devastating blast, Kamalvandi told Iran's official news agency, IRNA, "In the medium term, this accident could slow down development and production."

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on August 22 that the organization's Director-General, Rafael Grossi, would travel to Tehran before the world powers meet in Vienna.

The world powers, plus Iran, are scheduled to meet in Vienna on September 1. On Monday, Mr. Grossi is set to arrive in Tehran to pressure Iran to grant IAEA inspectors access to two suspected former atomic sites after a months-long standoff.

Nonetheless, Kamalvandi says that the Islamic Republic is ready to give the IAEA inspectors access to the two suspected sites, provided they raise all their questions at once, receive answers, and close the case.

According to Kamalvandi, one of the suspected centers is around Shahreza in Isfahan province, and the other is near Tehran.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has not opposed access to its nuclear facilities from the beginning. Still, it believes that IAEA's questions should have a legal basis and should be based on serious evidence and documents, Kamalvandi told al Alam TV, adding, "Questions based on espionage-linked allegations, and the like, are not and will not be acceptable at all. Providing access to IAEA is subject to the condition that questions and ambiguities should end forever."

Furthermore, Kamalvandi asserted that when the IAEA has a question from a country, it is the inalienable right of that country to ask the Agency for the basis and documentation of the issue or problems.

Kamalvandi's revelation coincided with the imminent visit of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Director-General to Iran.

Emphasizing that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not have confidential data hidden from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Kamalvandi said, "Discussing the safeguards, additional protocol and JCPOA are of the main purpose of the IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi's first visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran."

JCPOA, the joint comprehensive plan of action, is Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Britain, China, France, Russia, the USA, and Germany.

After extending it for four times, Washington withdrew from the deal on May 8, 2018, and reimposed batches of sanctions on the clergy-dominated Iran.

Tehran recently denied IAEA's access to its nuclear facilities in Shahreza and near the Iranian capital city. Following the denial, the IAEA Board of Governors on June 19 adopted a resolution proposed by three European countries reprimanding the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities.

The Agency says there may have been activities on the two suspected sites in the early 2000s that Iran had not previously reported to the IAEA. Tehran, however, has dismissed the allegation.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-admits- june-explosion-at-nuclear-facility -was-sabotage-/30799574.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 17:39:49|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

JUBA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan said it's seeking 250 million U. S. dollars from African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) to cushion the economy from disruptions occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lily Albino Akol, deputy minister of agriculture and food security, said the loan facility will be used to finance government priorities including mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on the economic sector.

Speaking on state-owned radio South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Monday evening, Akol said the government is in the final stages of securing a deal with the bank, noting that the loan will be used to bridge the deficit in the country's revenues created by COVID-19 impact on the economy.

"The economic cluster listened to the presentation presented by the minister of finance, and it was a presentation of an emergency loan from African Export and Import Bank. The total amount is 250 million U.S. dollars," Akol said in Juba after a presentation made by the finance minister during the economic cluster meeting.

She added that the Afreximbank in principle agreed to continue with the process of finalizing the loan, but urged the government to adhere to the right measures.

The official said the key areas to be funded through the loan include peace implementation, mitigation of the economy, especially after the low economic growth imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Akol further reiterated that the government would use the loan to procure necessary supplies to help fund some important infrastructural projects which will provide job opportunities to the country's young people.

"We will look at the implementation of the peace agreement, the fight against COVID-19 and food security in terms of availability of necessary commodities in the market as well as agricultural production," said Akol.

The move comes barely a week after the central bank announced that it has run out of foreign exchange reserves and could not stop the pound's depreciation in the country. Enditem
In the largest closure of recreation lands in the regions history, fire activity has shut down nearly 200 parks, open space preserves and watersheds in the Greater Bay Area.

Park managers attributed the closures to smoke, red flag warnings, fires and firefighter activity.

Closures include 100% shutdowns of Point Reyes National Seashore, watersheds in Marin Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and all San Mateo County parks. These closures join more than 65 parks in the East Bay Regional Park District, and a connected network of state and county parks, and open space preserves on the South Peninsula and in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

All parks are closed until further notice as park rangers are assigned to support the CZU Lightning Complex fire fighting efforts, San Mateo County Parks Director Nicholas Calderon wrote on the departments website.

Of 350-plus recreation sites in the Greater Bay Area, only about 150 are open. Most of them are near the shorelines of the bay, delta or ocean, including the San Francisco and Marin headlands in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Their status and locations are listed in red and green, for closed and open, respectively, on The Chronicles Outdoor Tracker interactive map at www.sfchronicle.com.

On Sunday afternoon, wind aroused the Woodward Fire at Point Reyes National Seashore, where the entire 71,000-acre park, with access points at Sir Francis Drake near Inverness, Five Brooks along Highway 1 and Palomarin north of Bolinas, was closed.

At the Dixon Fire Lookout on Barnabe Peak in Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Michael Pechner, a volunteer firefighter and meteorologist, watched the Woodward Fire explode on Inverness Ridge in the park.

Until midafternoon Sunday, all I could see was smoke with quarter-mile visibility, Pechner said. Then the Woodward Fire blew up. Its burning in the canyons of both sides of Inverness Ridge and near Limantour Road. The big 747 is doing most of the (fire retardant) drops, but they cant dive down and maneuver into the small canyons.

The Woodward Fire is in the vicinity of where the Vision Fire burned in October 1995, when 12,353 acres were scorched in a wildfire started by an illegal campfire.

Other major closures of recreation sites this week include the entire watershed lands and lakes of the Marin Municipal Water District, East Bay Municipal Utility District and Contra Costa Water District. They include Los Vaqueros, San Pablo and Del Valle reservoirs in the East Bay hills, the top recreation lakes in the Bay Area.

Fires are not burning in all of the parks. At East Bay Parks, for instance, all but seven of the 73 parks were closed last week, with fires burning at six: Del Valle, Mission Peak, Morgan Territory, Round Valley, Pleasanton Ridge and Sunol Regional Wilderness.

Across the region, parks were being closed from smoke, dangerous fire conditions or fire activity. At Half Moon Bay State Beach, for instance, the campground was closed so firefighters could use it as a staging area, according to a ranger.

Some of the Greater Bay Areas largest recreation lands have been shut down.

In the South Bay, the largest state park in Northern California, Henry W. Coe State Park at 87,000 acres and with access points out of Morgan Hill, was shut down. In the East Bay, Mount Diablo State Park and its four entry points were closed last week.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, a connected matrix of a dozen parks and preserves that span from Skyline to the sea were closed. At the most famous, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, the 78,000-acre CZU Lightning Complex fires Fire devoured the ranger station, visitor center, museum and amphitheater.

Tom Stienstra is The Chronicles outdoors writer. Email: tstienstra@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @StienstraTom
Lip-reading is vital for many deaf or hearing-impaired people to communicate. To combat the disadvantage of mouth coverings, sellers have produced masks with clear vinyl panels so the mouth can still be seen while the wearer is protected. The Red & Black has compiled a list of four places to purchase a clear or see-through face mask.
Maple Leaf Foods workers in Brandon are calling for a two-week shutdown of operations at the local in an open letter sent out Monday morning to members of the media.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Maple Leaf Foods workers in Brandon are calling for a two-week shutdown of operations at the local in an open letter sent out Monday morning to members of the media.

The letter, which was released with the help of migrant worker advocacy group Migrante Manitoba, calls into question the provincial government and Maple Leaf's assertion that cases of the virus are not being transmitted at the plant.

"The claim from the Maple Leaf President and CEO as well as the provincial government that the employees cases are linked to community gatherings and interactions, and are not linked to the plant is unacceptable," the letter reads. "Many of our co-workers have limited interactions with the community outside of the facility, while seeing confirmed cases rising. It is clear that the spread of COVID among workers at Maple Leaf is a direct result of our employment at Maple Leaf, and the working and living conditions we endure while working for this company."

This open letter represents the thoughts of approximately 200 workers at the plant, Migrante Manitoba organizer Miwa Marcelino said. According to him, copies of the letter have been sent to Premier Brian Pallister, Health Minister Cameron Friesen, Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew, Manitoba Liberal leader Dougald Lamont, Brandon West Progressive Conservative MLA Reg Helwer and Brandon East Progressive Conservative MLA Reg Isleifson.

As of last Friday, there were 70 cases of COVID-19 among the approximately 2,000 workers at the pork processing plant. Maple Leaf has suspended pork exports to China because of the outbreak and required some employees to work mandatory overtime last Saturday out of concerns for the welfare of the hogs waiting to be processed in Brandon.

Other demands made by the workers include a deep cleaning of the entire plant, ensuring that every employee gets tested for the virus and job security and wage protection for staff during any shutdown.

The letter also echoes concerns made by an anonymous employee at the plant to the Winnipeg Free Press earlier this month that the company has not taken steps to improve safety in common areas like bathrooms and the cafeteria.

"On April 18, 2020 during the pandemic, the facility changed the staff locker area, and made the area very crowded and impossible to keep physical distancing for workers," the letter reads. "The facility also didnt consider new health measures for washrooms. There are no measures to keep physical distancing for workers, no staggered times for washroom access, and workers often go to the washroom at the same time. There is no place to wash hands in the cafeteria, no hand sanitizer in the cafeteria. Since the week of August 17, workers found that no doctors are issuing doctors notes for sick leave."

The Sun has reached out for comment to Maple Leaf and the union representing workers for comment on the letter.

Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin is set to provide a COVID-19 update for the province at 1 p.m. this afternoon, a day after Manitoba recorded its greatest-ever single-day increase of cases since the pandemic started.

 cslark@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @ColinSlark
Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas have been exclusively dating since March, and their relationship is going stronger than ever.

The couple is always spotted engulfed in some extreme PDA, always laughing in paparazzi pictures, looking so in love and happy with each other.

However, the Cuban beauty is said to be worried for her boyfriend.

Affleck has had a party lifestyle and has suffered years of alcohol addiction. Even after he has fully recovered and has become a new man, de Armas isn't taking any chances.

The "Knives Out" star is keeping a very close eye on her beau. According to the grapevine who spoke to Heat, "Ana is very aware of Ben's past, and even though they're head over heels right now, she doesn't think for a second he's looking to meet anyone else."

The source revealed how Ana de Armas described Ben Affleck having a "thrill-seeking, playboy side."

It has been claimed that the 32-year-old sultry star is happy to let the "Batman v Superman" actor spend time with his friends and three kids, who he shares with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

However, Ben Affleck reportedly has been asked by Ana de Armas to always come home at nine on the dot every night.

"There's wariness on Ana's part because she knows he's a major flirt who loves a bit of attention."

The insider added that recent pictures of Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Garner have only added to her worries that he could go off the rails.

"Ana's keeping an extremely close eye on the situation with Jen, too. She's worried that her beach date with Bradley could have been a ploy to make Ben jealous."

The unnamed source further claimed that the "Bond" girl "knows she's probably reading too much into it, and Ben and Jen would never do anything."

However, it still worries her since she knows that Affleck's soulmate was Garner for over a decade.

"For now, Ana's banning Ben from any late nights at Jen's."

And maybe Ana de Armas has something to be worried about after all.

Star Magazine has also reported that though Ben Affleck is happily dating de Armas, he still bristles at the news of his ex-wife Garner and her best friend, Bradley Cooper.

Even though the "Daredevil" star is into deep with de Armas, insiders told the magazine that he still feels a tinge of jealousy at the thought of Cooper and Garner potentially hooking up.

"He was always a little jealous of Jen and Bradley's connection during their 'Alias' time together," and added, "So he's not exactly applauding this."

The insider added how Affleck is planning to oversee the situation, and at the same time, is fully aware that he is not in the position to judge.

"There's nothing he can say because Jen's been so cool about his love affair with Ana."

Jennifer Garner has recently broken up with a boyfriend of two years, John Miller. According to reports, the two broke up because the "13 Going on 30" actress is not ready to settle down yet.

READ MORE: Princess Diana Tragedy: Meghan Markle Convinced Prince Harry to Open Another Investigation?
An international team of researchers led by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) has upgraded a key computer code for calculating forces acting on magnetically confined plasma in fusion energy experiments. The upgrade will be part of a suite of computational tools that will allow scientists to further improve the design of breakfast-cruller-shaped facilities known as stellarators. Together, the three codes in the suite could help scientists bring efficient fusion reactors closer to reality.

The revised software lets researchers more easily determine the boundary of plasma in stellarators. When used in concert with two other codes, the code could help find a stellarator configuration that improves the performance of the design. The two complementary codes determine the optimal location for the plasma in a stellarator vacuum chamber to maximize the efficiency of the fusion reactions, and determine the shape that the external electromagnets must have to hold the plasma in the proper position.

The revised software, called the "free-boundary stepped-pressure equilibrium code (SPEC)," is one of a set of tools scientists can use to tweak the performance of plasma to more easily create fusion energy. "We want to optimize both the plasma position and the magnetic coils to balance the force that makes the plasma expand while holding it in place," said Stuart Hudson, physicist, deputy head of the Theory Department at PPPL and lead author of the paper reporting the results in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion.

"That way we can create a stable plasma whose particles are more likely to fuse. The updated SPEC code enables us to know where the plasma will be for a given set of magnetic coils."

Fusion combines light elements in the form of plasma -- the hot, charged state of matter composed of free electrons and atomic nuclei -- and in the process generates massive amounts of energy in the sun and stars. Scientists are seeking to replicate fusion in devices on Earth for a virtually inexhaustible supply of safe and clean power to generate electricity.

Plasma stability is crucial for fusion. If plasma bounces around inside a stellarator, it can escape, cool, and tamp down the fusion reactions, in effect quenching the fusion fire. An earlier version of the code, also developed by Hudson, could only calculate how forces were affecting a plasma if the researchers already knew the plasma's location. Researchers, however, typically don't have that information. "That's one of the problems with plasmas," Hudson said. "They move all over the place."

The new version of the SPEC code helps solve the problem by allowing researchers to calculate the plasma's boundary without knowing its position beforehand. Used in coordination with a coil-design code called FOCUS and an optimization code called STELLOPT -- both of which were also developed at PPPL -- SPEC lets physicists simultaneously ensure that the plasma will have the best fusion performance and the magnets will not be too complicated to build. "There's no point optimizing the shape of the plasma and then later finding out that the magnets would be incredibly difficult to construct," Hudson said.

One challenge that Hudson and colleagues faced was verifying that each step of the code upgrade was done correctly. Their slow-and-steady approach was crucial to making sure that the code makes accurate calculations. "Let's say you are designing a component that will go on a rocket to the moon," Hudson said. "It's very important that that part works. So you test and test and test."

Updating any computer code calls for a number of interlocking steps:

First, scientists must translate a set of mathematical equations describing the plasma into a programming language that a computer can understand;

Next, scientists must determine the mathematical steps needed to solve the equations;

Finally, the scientists must verify that the code produces correct results, either by comparing the results with those produced by a code that has already been verified or using the code to solve simple equations whose answers are easy to check.

Hudson and colleagues performed the calculations with widely different methods. They used pencil and paper to determine the equations and solution steps, and powerful PPPL computers to verify the results. "We demonstrated that the code works," Hudson said. "Now it can be used to study current experiments and design new ones."

###

Collaborators on the paper include researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, the Australian National University, and the Swiss Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne. The research was supported by the DOE's Office of Science (Fusion Energy Sciences), the Euratom research and training program, the Australian Research Council, and the Simons Foundation.

PPPL, on Princeton University's Forrestal Campus in Plainsboro, N.J., is devoted to creating new knowledge about the physics of plasmas -- ultra-hot, charged gases -- and to developing practical solutions for the creation of fusion energy. The Laboratory is managed by the University for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, which is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Beijing, China  Tue, August 25, 2020 08:53 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4032b76 2 Business China,US-China-trade-war,trade-talks,COVID-19,trade-agreement Free

Top Chinese and United States negotiators spoke on the phone Tuesday about their phase one economic deal, Beijing's commerce ministry said, amid soaring tensions between the two sides on several fronts.

The US and China signed the accord in January, bringing a partial truce in their lingering trade war, and obliging Beijing to import an additional US$200 billion in American products over two years, ranging from cars to machinery and oil to farm products.

But the COVID-19 pandemic has put pressure on the agreement and China's purchases of those goods has been lagging.

Vice Premier Liu He spoke with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on the phone, and both sides "agreed to create conditions and atmosphere to continue to push forward the implementation of the phase-one of the China-US economic and trade agreement", the ministry said.

Beijing also said the two countries had a "constructive dialogue on strengthening the coordination of the macroeconomic policies of the two countries".

The phase one deal called for officials to hold a "check-in" every six months, although trade talks that were expected earlier this month appeared to have been postponed.

Confirmation of the call came as TikTok, owned by Chinese parent company Bytedance, filed a lawsuit challenging the US government's crackdown on the popular video app, which Washington accuses of being a national security threat.

US President Donald Trump in recent weeks has stepped up rhetoric against China ahead of what is expected to be a tough re-election fight, raising questions about the deal's fate as well as the possibility of a phase two agreement.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2020 Struggling with mental health challenges can make you feel isolated, frustrated, and overwhelmed. It impacts every stage of life, and affects how you think, feel, and act.

This guide from USA.gov can help you learn how mental illness differs from other illnesses, recognize warning signs, and find resources to help.

Know the Difference Between Mental Health and Mental Illness

At times, people use the terms interchangeably. But, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same. It's important to understand the difference.

Mental health includes your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It also helps determine how you handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.

Mental illness is one of the most common health conditions in the United States. It affects a person's thinking, mood, or behavior. The most common forms include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These may be short-term or long-lasting and affect a person's ability to function day-to-day.

A person can experience poor mental health and not have a mental illness. A person with a mental illness can experience periods of good social or emotional well-being.

Recognize Warning Signs

When it comes to your emotions, it can be hard to know what's normal and what's not. Pay attention to warning signs like these that show you or a loved one may have a mental health problem:

Withdrawing from the people and activities you enjoy

Having low or no energy

Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual

Having severe mood swings that cause problems in your relationships

Find Help

If you or a loved one is struggling or has concerns about their mental health, know that there are ways to get help. Reach out to a health care provider. Connect with professional groups, advocates, and experts.

And you can get help right away from these official helplines and resources from the CDC, National Institute for Mental Health , and other organizations.

It's important to remember that asking for help is a normal part of life. You never need to feel like you have to take on the world alone.

SOURCE USAGov

Related Links

https://www.usa.gov


British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab welcomed Tuesday a recent normalization agreement between Israel and United Arab Emirates and the halting of Israeli plans to annex the West Bank.

"This is a very positive step and with it, of course, which is very important, the suspension of annexation," Raab said.

He spoke after he met with his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, in Jerusalem.

The Israel-UAE agreement delivered a key foreign policy victory to President Donald Trump as he seeks reelection and reflected a changing Middle East in which shared concerns about Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians.

Raab arrived in Israel on Monday for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials in an effort "to press for renewed dialogue" and a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict.

Late on Monday Raab met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo  also on a stopover visit to Israel  and discussed Trump's Mideast plan, which the Palestinians have rejected, and shared concerns about Iran.

On Monday Raab urged for consensus to be built regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Britain abstained from voting on a U.S. resolution to indefinitely extend the U.N. arms embargo on Iran, with the Trump administration getting support from only the Dominican Republic.

The vote in the 15-member council earlier this month was two in favor, two against and 11 abstentions, leaving it far short of the minimum nine "yes" votes required for adoption. Russia and China strongly opposed the resolution, but didn't need to use their vetoes.

Russia, China, United Kingdom, France and Germany remain committed to the deal with Iran and diplomats from several of these countries have voiced concern that extending the arms embargo would lead Iran to exit the nuclear agreement and speed up its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

(Representative Image)
By Choe Chong-dae





My family and I just returned to Seoul from a summer vacation at a small rural fishing village on Jindo and the nearby towns of Haenam, Yeongam and Wando in South Jeolla Province. The towns and villages in the region share picturesque traditional charms, incredible beauty and a rich rural marine cultural heritage.



Jindo, Korea's third-largest island after Jeju and Geoje, is also identified with the Korean breed of dog named after it, the Jindo. It is renowned and valued for its loyalty, watchfulness and intelligence.



What inspired me most in Jindo was the site of the Battle of Myeongnyang where the Korean hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-98), thwarted a Japanese invasion in 1597. With a fleet of only 13 ships, Admiral Yi triumphed over the Japanese invaders, disabling or destroying many of their 133 warships without losing any of his own in the waters of the Myeongnyang Strait off Jindo. His remarkable leadership, outstanding tactics and expert knowledge of the geographical features and unpredictable currents of the straits off Jindo led to Korea's victory.



The Myeongnyang Strait, called Uldokmok, means "Sea Passage with Roaring Currents." Because the straits are narrow and the current very strong, it was hard for many ships to pass through them simultaneously. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Admiral Yi wisely utilized the terrain and tidal currents to his advantage.



Standing at the site of the Battle of Myeongnyang, I was transported back to the time of the 1592-98 Japanese invasions, also known as the Imjin War, and the echo of Korea's shouts of victory. Admiral Yi Sun-sin is Korea's foremost maritime hero. He is revered at home and abroad for his great naval victories.



I have read records including "The Man Who Transforms Korea, Yi Sun-shin," published by Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK), that the Battle of Myeongnyang and the Battle of Hansan deserve to be compared with the world's greatest naval battles such as the battle of Salamis won by the Greek Admiral Themistocles against Persia in 480 B.C, the battle of Calais won by the British Admiral Lord Howard against the Spanish Armada in 1588 and the Battle of Trafalgar won by British Admiral Lord Nelson against French-Spanish allies in 1805.



Jin Lin (1543-1607), general and naval commander of the Ming Dynasty of China, is reported to have acclaimed Admiral Yi by stating "his merit is to display his skills to handle all things of heaven and earth." Wakisaka Yasharu, a Japanese admiral who participated in the Hideyoshi invasions, stated that "the person I truly fear is Yi Sun-sin, the person I hate the most is Yi, the person I like the most is Yi Sun-sin, the person I admire the most is Yi."



One must mention the Jingbirok, a book written by Ryu Seong-ryong, who served as prime minister of Joseon during the war. It depicts the turbulent history of Korea and how it survived the seven-year-long crisis of Japanese invasions. If it were not for patriotism of Admiral Yi, Korea would have been lost in the late 16th century. The site of the Battle of Myeongnyang reminds the nation to avoid the mistakes of the past and to value courage and integrity.





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




The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) has approved a plan to reduce class sizes in its elementary schools and stagger reopening dates for the 2020-21 school year.

The proposals were approved by trustees at Mondays board meeting.

The plan to reduce class sizes will allocate $7.4 million in funding to reduce kindergarten class sizes and $3 million to reduce class sizes for students in Grade 4 through 8.

The plan marks a significant drop from its initial request to Ontarios ministry of education to pay $43 million to reduce the boards elementary class sizes to 15 students per class.

Instead, the new plan will reduce the average kindergarten class size to 22 students per class, and the average classes in Grades 4 to 8 to 24 students per class.

According to Shawn McKillop, spokesperson for the HWDSB, the board did not include plans for Grade 1 to Grade 3 classes because those are already capped at 20 students.

Manny Figueiredo, the HWDSBs director of education, told trustees that the ministry declined the boards request for $43 million and offered $933,505 instead, as part of a provincewide grant of $30 million for reducing class sizes.

The ministrys rejection drew criticism from some trustees.

Our hand has been forced, said Becky Buck, trustee for Wards 8 and 14. Im disappointed in the ministrys decision to inadequately fund our board, as theyve done with the rest of the province.

To finance the plan, the board has agreed to dip into its reserve funds to help finance the $10.4 million cost of reductions in class size.

The plan calls for funding for 56 new teachers and 47 new classrooms for kindergarten students, as well as 36 new teachers and 30 new classrooms for Grade 4 to 8.

The new positions that are created for the reduced class sizes would be eliminated next school year, the board says.

The costs would be covered by the boards 2019-20 savings, an additional funding of nearly $1 million from Ontarios Ministry of Education, contingency money for the 2020-21 school year, and the existing reserve funds.

The board has access to nearly $12 million in reserve funds, but has said that it does not want to use the entire sum in case of other costly emergencies throughout the year, opting to use a maximum of $9 million in reserve funding.

The board also noted that its average class size projections are based on the assumption that all students will return in-person. Depending on how many students decide to stay home, the number of students per class might actually be lower than projected, the board says.

In-person enrolment numbers are expected to be released following the pre-registration deadline for parents and guardians, slated for Tuesday at noon.

The board also approved a plan to stagger the reopening dates of elementary and secondary schools in September.

Students will enter classes gradually for the first weeks in order to familiarize themselves with COVID-19 protocols.

The HWDSB plan indicates that the first two days of school will only be open to students with special needs, while the remainder of students will be placed into two groups to enter schools on alternating days during the first week.

One group will attend school on Sept. 10 and Sept. 13, while the other will attend school on Sept. 11 and Sept. 15.

All students will return to school on Sept. 16.

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) approved a plan to stagger reopening dates for elementary classes last week.

As of Sunday, the board has said that almost 3,000 HWDSB students are expected to learn online, but the board predicts there could be as many as 5,000 once the final numbers come in.
KITCHENER  Before Sandra Dunn ever swings her hammer, she throws herself into the research, trying to understand the work she is about to bring to life.

The Kitchener-based blacksmith and visual artist is a rigorous researcher, bringing a historian-like lens to the art she creates.

Her next project is no exception.

Dunn and a team of collaborators have been chosen as one of five finalists to design a monument in Ottawa commemorating Canadas mission in Afghanistan.

The winning proposal will receive a minimum of $3 million to build the monument and a place for visitors to gather.

Its a huge honour to be involved in a project like this, said Dunn. Ive spent a fair amount of time sitting down with veterans and currently serving soldiers, and so I understand that what were going to try and convey is going to be very complex.

Canada was involved with the United Nations-mandated mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014, with more than 40,000 Canadian men and women serving in uniform.

Over nearly 13 years, 158 Canadian soldiers were killed and 1,800 were injured while serving in Afghanistan.

Dunn will be joined by a diverse team on the project, featuring a long list of architects, engineers, a veteran of the Afghanistan mission and even a journalist who covered it  the Globe and Mails Graeme Smith.

Kitchener architect John MacDonald will also play an important role in the monuments design.

With the team assembled, and their submission approved, Dunn and her co-contributors will now start to develop a concept and create a formal proposal for what the monument will look like.

This is the fun part for Dunn.

Having recently worked on monuments commemorating the First World War and Second World War, she said shes embraced digging into the research, throwing herself headfirst into the project to understand what the monument should represent.

But with a team based in Kitchener, Ottawa and Montreal, the COVID-19 pandemic will offer a new sort of challenge: working in isolation.

The team has yet to have its official site visit, a critical component in developing a design.

We will have to go to Ottawa eventually, because I cant imagine doing a collaborative design process without getting together in person over a number of sessions, she said.

The five design teams will have until spring 2021 to complete their proposals.

Design concepts will be evaluated by the same jury, made up of experts in the fields of visual arts, urban design and representatives from key stakeholder groups. This includes a veteran of Canadas mission in Afghanistan, a representative of the families of the fallen, a non-veteran representative of the mission in Afghanistan and a military historian.

More information on the teams and the jury can be found online.

When completed, the National Monument to Canadas Mission in Afghanistan will provide a fitting tribute and a lasting reminder  for their families, their friends, and for the people of Canada  of those who served and of those we lost, said Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay in a statement.

The monument will be built north of the National Holocaust Monument and across the street from the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. It is scheduled to be completed by 2024, barring any complications that arise due to COVID-19.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 24, 2020) - Kuya Silver Corp. ("Kuya" or the "Company") is pleased to report that on Friday, August 21, 2020, through our local joint venture entity, S&L Andes Export SAC, we received approval from the Regional Government of Huancavelica for the Estudio de Impacto Ambiental Semi Detallado ("EIA" or, in English, Semi Detailed Environment Impact Study ) for the Concesion de Beneficio Planta Bethania (or, in English, Bethania processing plant) project. The Bethania silver mine has been in operation as a stand-alone mine (i.e. with no processing capabilities) until being placed on care and maintenance in 2016. The approval covers the design for 350 tonne per day crushing, grinding and flotation circuits as well as a tailings storage facility and ancillary infrastructure.

Kuya entered into a share purchase agreement in 2017 to acquire an 80% interest in S&L Andes Export SAC, the Peruvian company that owns the Bethania Silver mine and under Kuya's direction has been undertaking permitting efforts for a first-ever on site processing plant as a priority since 2018.

Subject to the completion of the proposed business combination (the "Transaction") with Miramont Resources Corp. ("Miramont") announced June 11, 2020 which upon successful completion and stock exchange approval would result in Kuya taking over Miramont and the resulting company being listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, Kuya expects to be in a position the close the acquisition of the 80% interest in S&L Andes Export SAC later this year.

David Stein, Founder and President of Kuya stated, "The approval of the EIA for the Bethania plant project is a major accomplishment by our Peruvian team and partners, and for the Company. In addition, I would like to acknowledge the support of the Poroche community, which has been important to achieving this milestone. Not only is the permit a critical step in restarting production from the Bethania mine, but our team and stakeholders can take pride in our design for a modern, environmentally conscientious operation, particularly in terms of water usage, surface disturbance and overall efficiency."

About Kuya Silver Corp.

Kuya is a privately held Canadian-based silver-focused mining company, earning into an 80% interest in the Bethania Silver Mine, located in Central Peru. Bethania was in production until 2016, toll-milling its ore at various other concentrate plants in the region, and Kuya's plan is to implement an expansion and construct a concentrate plant at site before restarting operations. Bethania produced silver-lead and zinc concentrates from the run of mine material until being placed on care and maintenance due to market conditions and lack of working capital. It is expected that shortly after the closing of the Transaction, Kuya will close its acquisition of the 80% interest in the Bethania Silver Mine.

For more information, please contact:

Kuya Silver Corp.

info@kuyasilver.com

www.kuyasilver.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the conditions to closing the Transaction and other matters. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. As a result, there can be no assurance that the proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. The forward-looking statements in this press release include the Company's intentions regarding the completion of the Transaction. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to continue operations if the Transaction is not completed, the Company's ability to raise further capital, the Company's ability to obtain regulatory and exchange approvals, and the Company's ability to complete the Transaction. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62403
Houston officials and public health experts are expressing concern that Tropical Storm Laura could amplify the spread of COVID-19 by displacing residents to public shelters or residences outside the area, increasing opportunities for transmission.

With that scenario in mind, Mayor Sylvester Turner on Sunday encouraged Houstonians to get tested for COVID-19 before the storm makes landfall. Forecasters have predicted it will come ashore late Wednesday or early Thursday, though the path remained uncertain by Monday evening.

Officials from Harris County and the American Red Cross began preparing for potential shelter needs months ago, County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Monday. At Red Cross shelters, officials will provide face coverings, conduct health screenings and follow federal social distancing guidance, the organization announced in a news release. It also will operate more shelters with a reduced capacity in each.

This is not a situation where we would have the same kind of shelters were used to, where its completely open space and no division between folks, Hidalgo said.

Turner, who urged people to get tested on Monday or Tuesday, tweeted, You need to know your status for yourself, family members and friends.

Turner spokeswoman Mary Benton said the mayor wants residents to know whether they are carrying COVID if they are forced to make evacuation plans.

If it got to the point of evacuation or sheltering in public, we want to help people plan accordingly, Benton said. Were trying to prepare, and even with a storm, we have to remember that the city is dealing with a pandemic.

While some coastal cities have ordered or recommended residents evacuate, Turner and Hidalgo have yet to do so. Hidalgo said the pandemic will factor into whatever decision she makes.

The other consideration is, youre asking folks to leave, stay with friends and family, she said. That is additional exposure. So, were thinking about all these things, weighing the risks.

Dr. Peter Hotez, an immunologist at the Baylor College of Medicine, said that while disaster officials may come up with creative solutions to help contain the spread of COVID, public shelters would be a nightmare even under the best circumstances.

The effect may be especially pronounced, Hotez said, because those most likely to seek shelter in a public setting come from low-income communities where people are more vulnerable to the effects of COVID due to the prevalence of underlying health conditions.

It also would be difficult for contact tracers to follow the spread of the virus during an evacuation, he said.

If you think about it, without a vaccine, what do we have? We have masks, we have contact tracing and social distancing  which are not great, but its all we have, Hotez said. With a hurricane, weve knocked out two of our three pieces of artillery equipment.

Turners plea for residents to get tested came two days after he sounded the alarm over the drop in demand for COVID tests in Houston, a phenomenon seen in other parts of the country.

I know people are tired of COVID-19. I am tired of COVID-19, Turner said Friday. But the reality is, the virus is still here. There are far too few people getting tested.

In May and June, Turner said, demand for testing was so high that the question was, what are the plans to increase capacity?

Well, we have increased capacity, and there are testing sites all over, Turner continued. And as we have increased capacity, people have, literally, they stopped going to the testing sites.

By late afternoon Monday, forecasters were projecting Tropical Storm Lauras center would make landfall along the western Louisiana coast, though Houston and the upper Texas Gulf Coast remained under a hurricane watch.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
Xtalks Life Science Webinars Drug-drug interaction status for a molecule can be of great importance  for example, a high drug-drug interaction status as a victim drug (high fraction metabolized, small therapeutic window) is at risk of restrictive labeling and even non-approval.

Join David Wilkinson, Principal Study Director, Metabolism, Covance in a live webinar on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 10am EDT (3pm BST/UK).

Assessment of drug-drug interactions is an increasingly important component of drug development to help ensure safe efficacious medicines. Since 1997, the regulatory agencies FDA, EMA and PMDA have endorsed the use of in vitro metabolism studies to assess the DDI potential of new chemical entities (NCE). Over the past 10 years, however, scientific progress has been rapid, fueled by sophisticated in vitro models and in silico predictive programs.

To reflect this scientific progress, the FDA, EMA and Japans MHLW (PMDA) have issued updated guidance/guidelines outlining what in vitro data should be obtained, mainly focused on CYP enzymes and drug transporters, and how this should be processed with possible consequences for potential clinical assessment and product labeling. This webinar will review and compare these three regional guidelines for testing new chemical entities for their potential drug-drug interactions.

Drug-drug interaction status for a molecule can be of great importance  for example, a high drug-drug interaction status as a victim drug (high fraction metabolized, small therapeutic window) is at risk of restrictive labeling and even non-approval.

For more information or to register for this event, visit A Comparison of FDA, EMA & PMDA Regulatory Guidance for In Vitro Drug-Drug Interaction (DDI) Assessments.

ABOUT XTALKS

Xtalks, powered by Honeycomb Worldwide Inc., is a leading provider of educational webinars to the global life science, food and medical device community. Every year thousands of industry practitioners (from life science, food and medical device companies, private & academic research institutions, healthcare centers, etc.) turn to Xtalks for access to quality content. Xtalks helps Life Science professionals stay current with industry developments, trends and regulations. Xtalks webinars also provide perspectives on key issues from top industry thought leaders and service providers.

To learn more about Xtalks visit http://xtalks.com

For information about hosting a webinar visit http://xtalks.com/why-host-a-webinar/
In stark contrast to jurisdictions whose leaders have passively accepted rampaging mobs wreaking destruction on their citizenry, Tennessee has sent a powerful signal to wannabe insurrectionists, who have not neglected the Volunteer State. Following George Floyd's death in May, The AP reported:

Protesters in Tennessee's capital set fires inside and outside a courthouse Saturday night and toppled a statue of a former state lawmaker and newspaper publisher who espoused racist views.



YouTube screen grab.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper declared a state of civil emergency after protesters set a fire inside Metro Courthouse. The flames were quickly put out. Demonstrators also made their way down Broadway Street, famed for its plentiful honky tonks, as well as the historic Ryman Auditorium  known as the mother church of country music. A few small fires were lit near the the national historic landmark, which was built as a tabernacle in 1892 and restored in 1994, but those were quickly extinguished by firefighters. Thousands had rallied near the state Capitol starting in the afternoon to protest police brutality and racism. The demonstration turned violent after darkness fell, with protesters breaking windows in government buildings and causing other property damage.

Republican Governor Bill Lee called a special session of the state legislature to address the threats to civil order, and the solons introduced and passed a bill (H.B. 8005) that was signed by Lee last Thursday, with no press conference or other fanfare, substantially increasing penalties on people engaging in destructive protest and occupying public spaces while denying their use to others.

The Associated Press summarizes:

[T]he new law now states that those who illegally camp on state property would now face a Class E felony, punishable by up to six years in prison, rather than a misdemeanor. Felony convictions in Tennessee result in the revocation of an individual's right to vote. The bill also imposes a mandatory minimum 45-day hold if convicted of aggravated rioting; enhances the fine for obstructing emergency vehicles from accessing highways; requires a court to order restitution for damaging state property; and creates a Class C felony offense for aggravated assault against a first responder  which carries a $15,000 fine and mandatory minimum 90-day prison sentence.

It may require some criminal prosecutions under the new law for Tennessee demonstrators to grasp the notion that they will be held personally responsible for the destruction they cause and will suffer felony penalties under a broader range of circumstances. But this is how our political system is supposed to respond to emerging threats. And the dress rehearsal for revolution currently being carried out across the nation definitely a serious threat that requires strong tools to counteract.

Hat tip: TheBlaze.
Edrington restructure to centralise operations in Glasgow and Singapore

Edrington Global Travel Retail (GTR) will be splitting its key functions between hubs in Singapore and Glasgow in a company restructure which comes into effect next month.

Under the restructure, marketing and commercial activities will be run from Singapore, in close proximity to Asian travellers and anticipated growth opportunities in the region, while finance and supply chain functions will be centralised in Glasgow to provide a global reach across time zones and accessibility to key global retailers.

The shake-up will also see Jeremy Speirs assume leadership of the business in the role of regional managing director, Edrington GTR, based at the Glasgow hub. Formerly managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa travel retail, Jeremy has spent more than 15 years at Edrington in a variety of commercial roles.

He takes over from Suzy Smith, who will return from Singapore to Glasgow to take up the post of director of strategy and innovation.

The global travel retail business has been turned upside down by the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw almost all international travel grind to a halt. As the sector begins to pick up again, businesses have been analysing their operations to assess how to maximise opportunities in the new travel landscape.

Jeremy Speirs said: "This restructuring allows us to deliver a more agile response to the needs of our retail customers in a much-changed landscape while retaining a global footprint to accelerate growth as the travel industry recovers. Travel retail remains strategically important to Edrington and we are fully committed to our partners, to The Macallan Boutique programme and to delivering the innovation for which our brands have become known in this channel."

25 August 2020 - Bethany Whymark
New River Community College recently received state approval to offer a new training program for those interested in studying to be a Certified Production Technician.

The CPT program prepares and certifies individuals for career pathways in advanced manufacturing. The purpose of the program is to recognize, through certification, individuals who demonstrate mastery of the core competencies of manufacturing production at the front-line, including entry-level through front-line supervisor, through successful completion of the certification assessments.

The goal of the CPT certification program is to raise the level of performance of production workers both to assist the individuals in finding higher-wage jobs and to help employers ensure their workforce increases the companys productivity and competitiveness.

This program and the certifications received will be beneficial for individuals and companies looking to increase knowledge of production practices, said Jeanne Symanoskie, an NRCC workforce development coordinator.

The addition of the Certified Production Technician program to our FastForward offerings increases the available options to individuals and businesses in our community, which is great for our manufacturing and production companies, said Symanoskie.

The program consists of four individual certificate modules: Safety; Quality Practices & Measurement; Manufacturing Processes & Production; and Maintenance Awareness. Individuals must earn the four certificates to receive the full CPT certification.

The program will be administered by NRCCs workforce development office as one of its FastForward offerings, which are low-cost, short-term training programs that prepare students for in-demand careers. Typically, students who take FastForward programs pay only one-third of the normal cost of training. Additional funds are also available to help offset training costs.

An exact date and enrollment details for the first course offerings in the new program will be announced at a later date. For more information, contact NRCC workforce development at 674-3613 or email WFDtraining@nr.edu.

Submitted by Kelly Kaiser

Submitted by Kelly Kaiser
In coming up with an appropriate sentence for a Thorold man caught with what the courts described as graphic and disturbing videos of child pornography, a local lawyer urged a judge to focus on the offender rather than the offence.

Defence counsel Mark Evans in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines Tuesday said a cookie-cutter type of approach to sentencing perhaps doesnt do justice to the manner of the individual.

Offenders find themselves before the courts for a variety of reasons, he added, and each should be sentenced based on their personal situation.

Case in point, he said, his client Marc Seguin is a first-time offender, has a loving and supporting family and friends, and accessed child pornography during a dark time in his life.

He asked the judge to consider a sentence of 90 days behind bars, and cited several cases in which individuals convicted of similar offences received what could be considered lenient dispositions.

Judge Harvey Brownstone pointed out those cases were on the low end of seriousness and involved images of semi-naked or naked prepubescent children and teenagers.

Seguins video collection, he said, was particularly vulgar in comparison.

Your client was looking at children between the ages of four and eight who were being penetrated by adult males in every possible orifice. Show me one case where a four-year-old or an eight-year-old was penetrated by an adult male and the person didnt go to jail for at least six months.

Evans said his 38-year-old client was not someone who spent hours a day immersing himself in that world of this material, rather he dabbled during a dark period in his life.

The judge said the degree of severity of the child pornography is a direct aggravating factor that requires an increased jail term.

Im not saying theres good child pornography, theres no such thing, but I think any reasonable person would agree that a picture of a naked child alone is a lot less severe than a video of a child being raped.

Evans said the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge and is filled with regret and remorse.

He has strong family support, is well educated, has good work history and has volunteered in his community.

If theres one positive that comes out of all these terrible things is he appears to have been drawn out of the dark place and has people around him who are helping him to avoid a return, the lawyer said.

Brownstone said accessing child pornography is an insidious and perpetual crime.

The young victims are essentially re-abused every time someone views the material and the images and videos are virtually impossible to remove from the internet.

Children who have this done to them ... every person they meet, they dont know if that person has looked at (the images or videos) or not. So youll forgive me if my sympathies go more to the four year old and eight year old getting raped than your client, whose getting his jollies looking at them.

The sentencing hearing was postponed until Thursday so the judge, at the Crowns request, could view a brief compilation of the videos.

The judge had the option to watch the video in his chambers, but said he wanted to have the defendant present.

I want to the offender to see that the judge was forced to look at this disgusting, abusive and horrific evidence, Brownstone said.

Seguin came to the attention of Niagara Regional Police in 2017 following an investigation into a child sex case involving a gynecologist in Utah.

Dr. Nathan Clark Ward, then 56, was arrested after police investigated claims a doctor had recorded a video of the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl and shared the video with another individual.

The gynecologist and former staff physician with the U.S. air force is now serving a 37-year jail sentence after being convicted of a number of child sex-related offences.

The U.S. investigation led local police to a Dropbox, a personal cloud storage service frequently used for file sharing.

The NRP executed a warrant at the defendants Thorold home in February 2018 and seized a number of computer systems and storage media for forensic examination.

The Crown is seeking a sentence of 12 months behind bars, followed by probation.

Judges have the duty to impose sentences that reflect the profound wrongness of this type of criminality, said Crown attorney Michal Sokolski.
Getty Images

Public Health experts in North Carolina have raised concerns about officials at this years Republican National Convention not enforcing Covid-19 regulations.

Gibbie Harris, Mecklenburg public health director, said she was concerned about the lack of face mask-wearing at the event, which began on Monday at the Charlotte Convention Center.

I have just shared concern about the lack of mask-wearing and social distancing in the room at the RNC Roll Call Meeting with the RNC Convention staff, Ms Harris said in a statement on Monday.

I have been assured that they are working hard to address these issues. All attendees agreed to comply with the requirements prior to attending and were informed that these requirements would be enforced.

According to the Charlotte Observer, RNC officials had previously assured Ms Harriss office that they would enforce North Carolinas statewide mandate on face masks, which stipulates that they must be worn in public places.

On the day that Mr Trump officially accepted the Republican Party nomination for president, around 300 party delegates gathered at the convention centre.

Photos from inside the RNC show some delegates appearing to flout the rules by not wearing face masks  and appearing to continue doing so even after Ms Harris had raised the issue with GOP staff running the convention.

Images also showed some attendees huddling together in small groups and shaking hands during intervals in the days proceedings. The Independent has contacted the RNC for comment.

The first day of the 2020 Republican convention began early in the day as Mr Trump and his vice president Mike Pence accepted their nominations to re-run for office.

The president paid a surprise visit to the city, where he warned delegates that the only way they can take this election away from us is if this is a rigged election, raising anew his unsupported concerns about Americans expected reliance on mail voting during the pandemic.

Story continues

Experts say mail voting has proven remarkably secure.

The fact the Republicans gathered at all stood in contrast to the Democrats, who held an all-virtual convention last week. The Democratic programming included a well-received roll call video montage featuring diverse officials from across the nation.

On day two of the convention, Republicans will hear from Eric, Tiffany and Melania Trump, as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Senator Rand Paul. Nicholas Sandmann, who featured in a viral video last year in front of the Lincoln Memorial in the nations capital, is also scheduled to speak.

Read more

Ex-Fox News host attacks California in shouted speech at RNC
Adani Group's plans to acquire majority stake in Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) has hit fresh roadblock as global investors Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Canada's Public Sector Pension (PSP) Investments have written a letter to the government on the issue. They claim if the deal between GVK and the Adani succeed, it would be a breach of a previous agreement in which an investor consortium involving National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), ADIA and PSP Investments had agreed to acquire a majority stake in the company, which operates Mumbai Airport.

In the letter to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and finance ministry, the two global investors have sought a meeting with government officials at the earliest to discuss the issue, Economic Times reported, citing sources.

The development came in wake of recent report that Gautam Adani-led Adani Group is set to acquire a 74 per cent stake in MIAL, which operates the country's second-largest airport.

In October 2019, the consortium of ADIA, PSP and NIIF had proposed to purchase 79 per cent shares in GVK Group's airport holding company GVK Airport Holdings for Rs 7,614 crore. However, the deal got stuck due to legal proceedings.

The letter was sent last week after the investor consortium gave nod to GVK Group, the majority stake holder in the MIAL, to talk to Adani Group to explore a possible deal even though they have "deal exclusivity" till January 31, 2021, reported the leading daily. The ADIA and PSP Investments have alleged that a negotiation with a new suitor is a breach of contractual terms.

As per report, Adani group has proposed to acquire a 50.5 per cent stake held by GVK Group in Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) and another 23.5 per cent of minority partners, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), and Bidvest Group. ACSA and Bidvest own 10 and 13.5 per cent stake, respectively, in the MIAL.

With this acquisition, Adani Group flagship will become the largest private operator of airports in the country after GMR Group. This would also provide the Group ownership of the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport, in which MIAL holds 74 per cent stake.

Last week, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal for leasing out three airports, Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram, to Adani Enterprises that won these in an auction last year. The private developer had emerged as the successful bidder in a global competitive bidding conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The leasing out of these airports was part of the original six that were awarded to the Adani Group. The Ahmadabad, Lucknow and Mangalur airports were awarded earlier to the conglomerate. With this, the company has won rights to operate, maintain and develop these airports in a public private partnership mode for 50 years.

However, Kerala government has opposed the Centre's decision to privatise Thiruvananthapuram airport. The state Assembly on Monday passed a "unanimous resolution" demanding the withdrawal of the Centre's decision to lease out the international airport to Adani Enterprises. Moving the resolution, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the Centre should re-examine its decision and the operation and management of the airport be handed over to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in which the state government has stake.

Meanwhile, shares of Adani Enterprises continued rally for the second consecutive session amid report to acquire majority stake in MIAL. The stock was trading 14.98 per cent higher at Rs 286.60 apiece on the Bombay Stock Exchange on Tuesday. There was spurt in volume trade as 19.17 lakh shares have changed hands over the counter so far as compared to two-week average volume of 6.01 lakh crore.

By Chitranjan Kumar

Also Read: Adani Group set to acquire 74% stake in Mumbai International Airport

Also Read: Cabinet approves leasing out of Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram airports to Adani Group

Also Read: Kerala Assembly passes 'unanimous resolution' opposing Trivandrum airport lease
(Newser)  In a feat worthy of Greek mythology, a heroic sea captain rescued a young girl who had been taken to treacherous waters by a unicorn. The 4-year-old was playing on an inflatable unicorn pool toy when a strong current took her away from the beach at the town of Antirio and toward the busy shipping lanes of the Gulf of Corinth, apparently while her parents were distracted, the Greek City Times reports. The port authority notified a local ferry captain, who managed to safely rescue the girland the unicornafter finding them floating in the open sea. "She was in a state of shock. She was clinging on this inflatable toy and did not move, she was frozen. When she saw us approaching, she shrieked," ferry captain Grigos Karnesis told local media, per the Greek Reporter. (Last year, an 8-year-old North Carolina boy on a unicorn ended up a long way from shore.)
Healthy pregnant women are not more likely to fall seriously ill with Covid-19, a study suggests.

There were fears mothers-to-be would be more vulnerable to dying from the disease because their immune system is weaker during pregnancy.

But researchers have now quashed the concerns, after analysing data from 2million women from the UK, US and Sweden.

They found expectant mothers with no underlying conditions face no greater risk of developing severe Covid-19 than women who aren't pregnant.

But, similar to what has been seen in the general population, pregnant women with existing health conditions, such as lung, heart or kidney disease and diabetes, were more likely to end up in hospital.

King's College London academics, who led the research, said these women should be monitored more closely.

Scientists have yet to fully understand whether or not babies can catch the virus in the womb, despite evidence suggesting it is possible.

Healthy pregnant women do not fall more seriously ill from Covid-19, a study suggests. Pictured: A pregnant women in Columbia, March 16

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says every baby reported to have been diagnosed with Covid-19 shortly after birth was 'well'.

It says: 'Given current evidence, it is considered unlikely that if you have the virus it would cause problems with your babys development.'

And the body says: 'There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk of miscarriage if you become infected with coronavirus and are pregnant.'

But because the virus has only existed for eight months, it's still shrouded in mystery and experts can't say for certain whether babies are at risk.

For example, researchers have yet to discover whether or not babies born to women who were seriously ill face a greater risk.

The pandemic has been a worrying time for pregnant women, who may have feared they were at an increased risk of catching the coronavirus.

In the early days of the pandemic, pregnant women in the UK were told to be extra stringent with social distancing and hand washing while scientists worked out if they were particularly susceptible to infection.

But since then the science has suggested otherwise, and that women are no more likely to be infected than women who are not pregnant.

For the new study, which has not yet been published in a journal, Dr Erika Molteni and colleagues analysed data from two groups of women.

In the first group, the researchers analysed self-reported health data from around 14,000 pregnant women using the COVID Symptom Study app - developed by King's College London (KCL) and the health tech firm ZOE.

WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE BABIES CAN CATCH COVID-19 IN THE WOMB? Babies may be at risk of catching the coronavirus from their mother during pregnancy, scientists have previously warned, but there is no clear proof. In April, Chinese doctors published the case reports of four newborns who tested positive for the infection within a few days of a Caesarean delivery. Three had been isolated as soon as they were born because their mothers had been diagnosed before birth. The fourth mother and baby tested positive a fortnight later. The researchers said they 'couldn't rule out' that the babies had picked up the virus while still in the womb via the placenta - however, there was no direct evidence of this. It's possible the babies contracted the killer virus from the hospital, but the odds were 'low' due to special infection control measures in place at the time, the scientists said. Researchers from Italy said on July 9 that they had found signs of the virus in several samples of umbilical cord blood, the placenta and, in one case, breast milk when studying 31 women with Covid-19 who delivered babies in March and April. In one case, 'there's strong evidence suggesting that the newborn was born already positive because we found the virus in the umbilical cord blood and in the placenta,' said study leader, Dr Claudio Fenizia, an immunology specialist at the University of Milan. In any case, the possibility of fetal infection seems relatively rare, he said. Two of the babies in the study had tested positive for Covid-19. Days later, researchers from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center said a baby born with the coronavirus in Texas provided the 'strongest evidence yet' that the infection can be caught in the womb. The unnamed girl was wheeled into intensive care as soon as she was born because her mother had been diagnosed with Covid-19, according to the report in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. She tested positive for the coronavirus the day after birth, and when scientists analysed her placenta, they found inflammation and traces of the coronavirus. This proves that the baby caught the virus while in the womb rather than after she had been born, the team claimed. The Royal College of OG says: 'Emerging evidence suggests that transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy or birth (vertical transmission) is probable.' This is when a disease passes from mother to baby during the period immediately before and after birth, for example across the placenta, in the breast milk, or through direct contact. The college emphasised that in all reported cases of newborn babies developing coronavirus very soon after birth, the baby was fine. And there is no evidence right now to suggest an increased risk of miscarriage. Some babies born to women with symptoms of coronavirus have been born prematurely. It is unclear whether coronavirus caused this or the doctors made the decision for the baby to be born early because the woman was unwell. Advertisement

The app has been downloaded by four million people in the UK who regularly update information about if they have symptoms of the virus or have had a Covid-19 test.

Some 629 pregnant women (4.5 per cent) were 'suspected Covid-19 positive' based on an algorithm that takes their reported symptoms into consideration.

Some 21 (0.15 per cent) were hospitalised for their condition around the time of their symptoms, suggesting severe disease.

The researchers compared this with data from 387,000 women who used the app but were not pregnant.

There were just over 25,000 women suspected to have the disease (6.4 per cent) and nearly 600 (0.15 per cent) ended up in hospital.

For the second part of the study, data was drawn from nearly 1.9million women who responded to the US-based Facebook COVID-19 Symptom Survey, led by the Carnegie Mellon Delphi Research Center.

Users specified if they had experienced a set of symptoms in the past 24 hours.

The team looked at survey responses from around 1.3million women, including nearly 42,000 of whom who said they were pregnant.

A total of 1,076 (2.9 per cent) of the pregnant respondents were suspected to have Covid-19, compared with 44,772 (four per cent) of the non-pregnant women.

Hospital data was not available for the second cohort, meaning the researchers could not analyse severity of the disease between the groups.

The most common symptoms for pregnant women were similar to women who weren't pregnant, including persistent cough, headache, loss of taste or smell (anosmia), chest pain, sore throat and fatigue.

But in both cohorts, there was an increased incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms, which could be mistaken for symptoms of the pregnancy itself, the doctors feared.

Some 78.2 per cent of pregnant women in the second group suffered nausea or vomiting, which are not considered key signs of Covid-19.

In the first group, pregnant women did not report a loss of appetite as much as women who were not pregnant.

Pregnant women reported being tested more frequently for coronavirus, which may be because they are more driven to get a test if they felt unwell.

Overall the findings show pregnant women were no more likely to report suspected Covid-19 and they had a similar duration of illness than those who weren't pregnant.

They did not go to hospital more often. And analysis showed no difference in the severity of symptoms, measured on an index based on how many symptoms they reported.

But it's important to note the study only looked at Covid-19 patients who show symptoms, and researchers know up to three-quarters of infected people do not show signs of the disease.

Pregnant women with existing health conditions, such as lung, heart or kidney disease and diabetes, were more likely to end up in hospital with Covid-19, similar to what has been seen for comparable groups in the general population.

Marc Modat, a senior lecturer at King's College London said: 'Our study highlights the power of gathering and analysing large-scale health data to understand how Covid-19 affects different groups within the population.

'We need to encourage as many people as possible to use simple health technology like the COVID Symptom Study app to shed light on this new disease and monitor its progress over the months ahead.'

Dr Molteni said: 'Although our findings should be reassuring for healthy women who are pregnant at this time, it highlights the importance of protecting those with underlying health conditions and keeping a close eye on them during their pregnancy, particularly if they start showing symptoms of COVID-19.

'It's vital that we all keep taking steps to protect the health of everyone in our communities by sticking to social distancing guidelines, wearing face coverings in public and following good hand hygiene practices.'

The study, published as a pre-print paper online, did not look at the outcomes for the babies of the pregnant women in the study who did have Covid-19.

But they noted preterm birth, Cesarean delivery, and stillbirth may be more frequent if a women catches the coronavirus.

Some babies born to women with symptoms of coronavirus have been born prematurely. It is unclear whether coronavirus caused this or the doctors made the decision for the baby to be born early because the woman was unwell.

The baby may also catch the virus during birth or after being born, as transmission from the mother to baby in the womb is 'possible'.

For a long time, scientists said the transmission of the virus through the placenta 'cannot be ruled out' after reports of newborns being born with Covid-19.

But in July, a baby born with the coronavirus in Texas provided the 'strongest evidence yet' that the infection can be caught in the womb, doctors said.

The unnamed girl was wheeled into intensive care as soon as she was born because her mother had been diagnosed with Covid-19, according to the report in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

She tested positive for the coronavirus the day after birth, and when scientists analysed her placenta, they found inflammation and traces of the coronavirus.

This proves that the baby caught the virus while in the womb rather than after she had been born, the team claimed.

Italian experts also found 'strong evidence' of transmission in the womb after studying 31 women with Covid-19 who gave birth between March and April.

Two babies tested positive for the virus. Researchers found signs of the coronavirus in several samples of umbilical cord blood, the placenta and, in one case, breast milk.
Guest services associate Mia Rogers, 23, left, gives Project Roomkey guest Stanley Monk, 58, his lunch under the watchful eye of nurse Richard F. at a Project Roomkey hotel in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

After 52 weeks of anger management, Mia Rogers found maintaining her inner peace easier than finding a job.

Her two-year probation had ended in February. With her felony assault conviction reduced to a misdemeanor, the 23-year-old was just getting into the groove when the coronavirus shut everything down.

"I had nowhere to look for work," she said.

After a couple of months living on the edge of homelessness, Rogers found her way to Chrysalis, the downtown nonprofit that prepares the hard-to-employ for work and finds them jobs.

Guest services associates Mia Rogers, 23, left, and Jon Crosby, 27, collect lunches for guests at a Project Roomkey hotel in Los Angeles on July 22. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Today she has a job that fits her outgoing personality and has her thinking positively about the future. By an odd twist, she owes it to the coronavirus.

Rogers is one of dozens of Chrysalis employees working at hotels and motels on lease to Los Angeles County to shelter homeless people who are at risk of complications from COVID-19 because of their age or medical conditions.

As the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority built staffs to run the 38 hotels that are now leased through Project Roomkey, it needed to fill a variety of jobs not usually associated with hospitality  security guards, case managers, nurses and dozens of people to tend to the guests' needs.

Their duties include going door-to-door to deliver three pre-packaged meals and two snacks daily, sanitizing, record-keeping, making sure guests wear masks and keep their distance and, importantly, maintaining a positive environment for fragile people who are isolated in their rooms for long hours every day.

Guest services associate Mia Rogers, 23, left, listens to Fire Wilson, 66, remember to social distance while they conversed at a Project Roomkey hotel in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Those assignments are mostly filled by Los Angeles city and county workers displaced from their regular jobs. The city hired Chrysalis to supplement its workers in 15 of the hotels.

It was a good fit for Chrysalis' transitional jobs program. While preparing for permanent jobs, about 450 clients work for the agency. They make a little above minimum wage and get job experience and something to put on their resumes.

Most are contracted to business improvement districts, which assess property owners in an area to supplement city services. Easily identifiable in yellow, green and purple T-shirts that signify their district, they push brooms and trash cans picking up downtown's detritus. Others are janitors at a homeless services agency, work with freeway road crews or tend the city's homeless storage facilities.

Story continues

Since Project Roomkey began, about 120 of Chrysalis' transitional workers have gone to work in hotels, and about 55 are currently on the job.

Rogers is one of 12 Chrysalis workers assigned to a 94-room hotel in the Fairfax district. It's the only one of the 38 Project Roomkey hotels that has a beefed-up nursing staff to function as a recuperative center for people who have active medical conditions that require attention. It's not equipped for quarantine, so guests who test positive for COVID-19 are moved to other sites for isolation. (The Times is withholding the identity of the hotel to protect the privacy of its guests.)

She arrives for her morning shift at 7, after a 45-minute bus ride from South L.A. Part of her day is in the lobby, converted to an office. Working with homeless people has been a revelation for Rogers.

Nurse Qiana Parhm of the National Health Foundation, right, consults with Project Roomkey guest David William, 63, at a Project Roomkey hotel in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

"Where I come from, South-Central, you would think homeless people is just drug addicts," she said. "You wouldn't really look into their stories, learning it's from mental illness, some people just down on their luck. It's been really touching here. Really touching."

About half the Chrysalis' workers, like Rogers, have criminal convictions that limit their job potential.

For one of them, a colleague on the morning shift, the chance to work with the nursing staff could be a boost for her chosen career.

But for now, a nursing license is out of the question for Dwona Beroit, who said she spent 32 months in prison for carrying a firearm.

"Probably later in life after I get it expunged," she said of her hopes for a credential.

After prison, Beroit entered a state-funded residential treatment program in El Monte. From there she was referred to Chrysalis. Project Roomkey is giving her work and  a key goal of the transitional job program  a resume in line with her goals.

Guest services associate Dwona Beroit, left, talks with Project Roomkey guest Fire Wilson, 66, at a Project Roomkey hotel in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Her plan is to return to school this fall to become a certified nurse's assistant.

"I think I found my niche," she said. "I can always help people."

Filling out the morning shift are Jonas McClanahan, an Army veteran recently released after four years in Ironwood prison, in Blythe, for burglary, and Jon Crosby, an Ohio transplant who found himself on the street when his job at Chipotle evaporated.

McClanahan, 37, had lived at a recovery program in Venice for several weeks when the stay-at-home order forced him to make a tough choice. The home didn't want residents coming and going every day, he said.

"I had to choose between staying there and sitting around or going to work and get my life back together," he said.

He chose Chrysalis and Project Roomkey. He lived on the streets until he found a room for rent in a house. He's about to move into his own apartment. He thinks he can make it on his $17-an-hour salary.

"I don't eat out, can't go to movies," he said.

Divorced by the mother of two of his children, he looks forward to reuniting with a son whose mother has died and is living with grandparents. Beyond that, he has only a hazy view of what happens after Project Roomkey comes to an end.

"I feel lucky to be working," he said. "I've got a lot of applications out there."

Guest services associate Jon Crosby, 27, carries a tray of lunches for guests at a Project Roomkey hotel in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Crosby, 27, landed on skid row shortly after his 2018 move to Los Angeles. He got away with the help of friends who let him stay with them and was renting a guest house in Burbank when he lost his job and couldn't pay his rent. He went back to what he knew, skid row.

On a tip, he walked into Chrysalis.

"Within a week I got a job," he said.

For now he lives in a house in Hollywood converted by its owner to congregate living with five beds in each of its three bedrooms.

"Just a place to live," he said. "Helping people get off the street."

Just before noon the four workers loaded carts in the food storage room and rolled them to their floors.

Accompanied by a caseworker and registered nurse, each began knocking on doors.

Mia Rogers, 23, left, gives Project Roomkey guest Larita Garner, 61, her lunch at a Project Roomkey hotel in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

"Elizabeth. Lunch time," Rogers shouted outside a door.

A frail woman opened the door.

"Going to get your temperature," the nurse said, aiming a device at her forehead.

"Do you have any questions, concerns, anything I should know about?" the caseworker asked.

She didn't.

"You want a chicken wrap?" Rogers asked. "How many waters, one or two?"

The woman took the offering and returned to her room. The team moved on to the next door.

"You gotta know what they like," Rogers said. "I have to convince people that say, 'I just want cookies and snacks.' I say, 'This tastes just like cookies and snacks.' "
She ultimately decided to tweet about the allegations in an attempt to shut them down  largely because "as someone who has experienced sexual coercion myself, I wasn't going to sit there and have someone falsely accuse me." In 2017, after victims of Harvey Weinstein first began to come forward publicly, Reinhart took to her Tumblr account to write about a negative experience she'd had in the industry when she was 16. In her post, she wrote about how a "significantly older" colleague on a project who was in a "position of power over (her)" tried to force himself on her. Looking back, Reinhart says, she wishes she hadn't written about the experience when she was "still trying to wrap (her) brain around it." She doesn't plan on naming the individual because "this person is irrelevant anyway, so it's not like I'd be taking down their career."
NYC Mayor Encourages Schools to Turn Streets, Parks Into Outdoor Classrooms

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio encouraged schools to move classes outdoors when the new school year starts next month, as part of their strategy to resume learning amid the ongoing pandemic.

We know the disease doesnt spread the same outdoors, de Blasio said Monday during his daily press briefing. We want to give schools the chance to do as much outdoors as they can.

The outdoor learning initiative applies to all public, public charter, private, and religious schools in the city, which currently aims to bring a majority of students and teachers back to the classroom on Sept. 10.

De Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza said they expect school administrators who wish to take advantage of the initiative to develop and submit their plans by Friday. Schools that lack a dedicated outdoor space of their own will need to identify streets, parks, and playgrounds that they want to use while protecting students and staffs safety in their plans.

Principals have a lot of experience with outdoors, de Blasio said. Theyre very resourceful.

A teacher at Yung Wing Elementary School moves desks and chairs in her classroom to socially distance desks for the 2020-21 school year in New York City, N.Y., on Aug. 17, 2020. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Carranza said some principals are planning to close sections of streets around their school and set up tents in nearby parks. In that case, the citys transportation and parks departments have been told to prioritize the schools proposals.

I am excited about outdoor learning as a supplement to the school day, Carranza said. Before COVID, as a teacher and a school leader, I realized how important it was for my scholars to get time outdoors. Now, in partnership with our sister agencies, that will be possible for more schools even if a school doesnt have a yard.

When asked about the funding, neither de Blasio nor Carranza clarified how much the citys funds would have to go into the plan. Instead, they urged PTA boards in affluent districts to donate money to help buy equipment and supplies for schools in need.

A lot of what you need to do wont cost much at all, de Blasio said. Its pretty simple.

In response, the principals union on Monday criticized the mayor and the citys education department for launching the initiative far too late and haphazardly.

Once again, the city and DOE have made decisions, rolled out guidance and announced a deadline far too late and haphazardly for school leaders to develop and implement a thoughtful and well-constructed plan, said Mark Cannizzaro, president of Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, in a statement released to Chalkbeat. Without funding, this plan will exacerbate existing disparities.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 19:26:23|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

HARARE, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- About 70 participants from the Zimbabwean government ministries and departments will this week participate in a five-day China-Zimbabwe economic reform and transformation virtual workshop to discuss the crafting of a five-year national development plan with assistance from Chinese experts.

The plan seeks to enhance production capacity and investment through the implementation of special economic zones, the government-controlled Herald newspaper reported Tuesday.

The five-year plan, which follows Zimbabwe's Transitional Stabilization Program (TSP), will be implemented from 2021 to 2025.

The workshop also seeks to discuss designing, planning and implementation of special economic zones, the operation of one-stop-service centers, attraction of investment, and preferential policies using the examples of the Harbin National Economic and Technological Development Zone and the Chengdu National Economic and Technological Development Zone.

Zimbabwean participants will be in Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, various government offices and three special venues.

The workshop will be conducted in line with COVID-19 guidelines, especially the need for social distancing.

Generally, Zimbabwean participants travel to China for the workshop every year, but this has not been possible this time around because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Secretary in Vice President Constantino Chiwenga's Office, Godfrey Chanakira, said the training started in December 2015 when several agreements were signed between Zimbabwe and China.

Among them was an agreement between Zimbabwe and the National Development and Reform Commission of China, which entailed the two nations cooperating on the process of economic reform and transformation.

"The five-year development plan has been on a special request based on the last team which went to China for training. We have already started the process of developing our first five-year plan following on to the Transitional Stabilization Program.

"The program will cover the period 2021 to 2025 and any assistance in that regard learning from the experience of others, will be welcome," he said.

Chanakira said in addition to Special Economic Zones, the government was looking at broader areas of cooperation like the development of a five-year development plan and how they could access any funding, which is accessible to African countries, from China.

"We have not made much strides in attracting the developers for the special economic zones and this is one of the reasons why government has set up the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency and special economic zones now fall under that agency," he said.

The Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, said the workshop was meant to further strengthen the cooperation framework between the government, represented by the Office of the President, and China represented by the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission.

"The training is part of the government's cooperation in enhancing production capacity and investment through the implementation of special economic zones. Government would want to see the gazetted special economic zones implemented expeditiously and has so far put in place all the institutional framework including the establishment of a one-stop-shop center called the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency to handle all investment matters under one roof," he said.

Rushwaya said Zimbabwe under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been on a drive to see urgent reforms in the economic sphere under the mantra, "Zimbabwe is Open for Business".

In December 2015, Zimbabwe and China signed agreements in energy, agriculture, mining, infrastructure, tourism and other key areas, including the framework agreement on the development of production capacity cooperation between the National Development Reform Commission of China and the Office of the President and Cabinet of Zimbabwe.

Chinese Professor Song Qun said the significance of the five-year plan included identifying the directions and specifying major tasks for national development for a certain period.

"This should include facilitating social cohesion and mobilize effective resources in a centralized way to accelerate development.

"The five-year plan should develop countries to leverage their late mover advantages to catch up with and even surpass the developed countries," he said. Enditem
An engineer shows an experimental vaccine for Covid-19 that was tested at the Quality Control Laboratory at the Sinovac Biotech facilities, Beijing, April 29, 2020. Photo by AFP/Nicolas Asfouri.

Vietnam and other Mekong countries will receive priority once China completes developing a Covid-19 vaccine, the Chinese premier said Monday.

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam are first in line to get the vaccine, Premier Li Keqiang told the third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) leaders' meeting, held online due to Covid-19 constraints, Chinese state media reported.

He added China would set up special public health funds under Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, and continue to provide Mekong countries anti-epidemic and technical support.

Li promoted cooperation in fighting the pandemic, saying China is ready to support the World Health Organization.

On August 22, China granted emergency use authorization to multiple Covid-19 vaccines developed by domestic drug makers. For now, it has only supplied these vaccines to those at high-risk of contracting the novel coronavirus, including front-line medical staff and border guards.

In the near future, the vaccine program will be expanded to staff in the sectors of transportation, service, and vendors to "first build an immunity barrier among special population groups" to prevent a wave of infections in the fall and winter, Zheng Zhongwei, head of Chinas coronavirus vaccine development program, told Chinese state TV Saturday.

Yet Chinas latest vaccine developments are viewed with doubt, with Papua New Guinea recently saying it had turned back a group of Chinese miners who had received an experimental coronavirus vaccine.

Researchers around the world have been developing 150 potential vaccines, of which eight types have proceeded to end-stage clinical trials. Only two vaccines have been approved (mass and emergency) in Russia and China.

Vietnams Health Ministry said earlier this month it had registered to buy the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Russia.

The ministry said it had also registered to buy the vaccine being developed by the U.K. and was cooperating with other vaccine producers worldwide, including in the U.S., to seek assistance in the production of a Covid-19 vaccine in Vietnam.

Vietnamese labs are working hard to get a Covid-19 vaccine ready for clinical trial by the end of this year.

Covid-19 vaccines produced by four Vietnamese institutions  Vaccine and Biological Production No. 1 (VABIOTECH), the Center for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals (POLYVAC), the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC), and Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology  have shown positive initial results.

The ministry had said earlier Vietnam aims to have a Covid-19 vaccine by 2021.

Since July 25, when Vietnam's first local Covid-19 transmission in over three months was recorded in Da Nang, outbreaks have occurred in 15 localities, with 540 domestic infections as of Tuesday morning.

The nation has so far reported 27 Covid-19 deaths.
Its fair to say the federal Conservatives had a trying time with respect to announcing its new party leader on August 23. Several thousand ballots had been unfortunately shredded in a sorting machine, and had to be reproduced by hand to be properly counted.

When the dust finally settled in the wee morning hours in Ottawa, Erin OToole emerged victorious over Peter MacKay on the third ballot. The Tories, to their credit, had chosen very well and very wisely.

Its no secret that I publicly endorsed OToole last month. Although I wasnt involved in any Tory leadership campaign, and had no dog in this fight, the former Veterans Affairs Minister clearly had the most intelligent, detailed and realistic vision.

OTooles plan is fiscally conservative. He strongly supports the free market economy and private enterprise. He wants to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, repeal the federal carbon tax, implement pay-as-you-go legislation for the federal deficit, end corporate subsidies, and initiate an allowance for a one-time, $50,000 RSP withdrawal to be invested in ones business, among other things.

He also took a balanced approach when it came to social conservatism. He wants to double the child care expense deduction to help young families, for instance. He also supports gay rights and a womans choice to have an abortion, but believes the Tories must respect all our members, which includes social conservatives.

OToole has therefore followed former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harpers successful model of incremental conservatism. This establishes a proper balance of fiscal and social conservative policies that appeal not only to party members, but also Canadians from all walks of life who worry about high taxes, big government, family values and individual rights and freedoms.

This political formula led Harper to three straight federal election victories in 2006, 2008 and 2011. OToole is obviously hoping to replicate these powerful moments. Nevertheless, he knows that relying on past political achievements wont create a path to electoral success in 2020 and beyond.

Canadian politics and society have changed since Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took power five years ago. Certain time-honoured strategies related to politics and economics need to be modified or crafted differently to appeal to young people, minority groups and so forth. Political movements like Black Lives Matter have brought social awareness to the table. Growing distrust for capitalism and privatization is evident. And the coronavirus pandemic has led some Canadian individuals and business owners to become fearful of an uncertain future.

Meanwhile, OToole has to overcome several potential hurdles. Hes not well known (yet) outside of Canadian conservative circles. His leadership style and personality will obviously be different than Harpers or even Andrew Scheers. There will be disgruntled Conservatives that he needs to keep in the political tent. The honeymoon period for a Canadian political leader is frightfully short these days, too.

But theres no reason to believe OToole, whos been a Tory MP since 2012 and understands the day-to-day grind of his current vocation, cant move the political needle in his favour.

OToole started that process in his acceptance speech. He introduced himself several times to the television audience. He was smiling and upbeat. He welcomed MacKay, Leslyn Lewis and Derek Sloan on stage to help rebuild the Conservative family. He spoke of inclusion and party unity. He used his true blue Conservative credentials to promote a far-reaching political and economic vision that will build support throughout our country.

The newly-minted Conservative leader also started the important process of differentiating himself from Trudeau. Not by constantly criticizing the embattled left-leaning PM, but rather emphasizing the need to build political and personal bridges. We must continue to point out Liberal failings and corruption, he said last night, but we must also show Canadians our vision for a stronger, prosperous and more united Canada.

Thats what Harper successfully accomplished for nearly a decade, until Canadians decided they wanted political change. Thats what Scheer was unable to properly communicate with voters, which is one of the main reasons he lost last years federal election.

OTooles political destiny has yet to be written. But the opening paragraph of the first chapter is already intriguing.
A Derry man has been charged with assaulting his pregnant sister the day after he was released from prison for a similar offence.

Ryan Tracey, 29, of St Brecans Park has been charged with common assault, disorderly behaviour and assaulting and resisting police on August 22.

Police were called to a disturbance at St Brecans Park at 8.20pm on August 22.

They spoke to the defendants sister who said she was standing at the front of the property when Tracey slapped her in the face.

The alleged injured party claimed that one of her teeth was chipped as a result.

She admitted kicking him in the groin in retaliation.

A police officer told the court that the alleged injured party is pregnant.

PSNI officers arrived at the property ten minutes after the incident when the defendant was arrested.

He was intoxicated and struggled with officers but was restrained.

A PSNI officer told the court that the 29-year-old called police smelly orange b******s and shouted up the RA.

When placed in a police vehicle his behaviour didnt change, the officer said, and he attempted to bite a PSNI officer.

During police interview Tracey said he was drinking in his mothers house on Friday and Saturday.

He drank a crazy amount of alcohol, by his own admission, the officer said.

Tracey denied the assault allegation saying his sister arrived during the day and made the incident up.

The court heard that he has 43 convictions and had been released from prison on Friday for an assault on the same person.

Bail was opposed with the officer citing a risk of reoffending and breaching bail.

He also had no faith that he will remain sober.

Defence barrister Sean Doherty said his client had just been released from Maghaberry prison where he spent four weeks in isolation.

That was linked to current public health advice where prisoners are kept in isolation for a period of 14 days due to the risk of spreading Covid-19.

Mr Doherty said the defendant suffers from depression and anxiety and those four weeks impacted on his mental health.

He made reference to the defendants alcohol consumption which included 24 cans of beer.

Defence counsel told the court that Traceys sister has made no statement of complaint, body worn camera footage doesnt identify any injury and she is currently on bail for assault.

Two male relatives witnessed the verbal argument, he said, and could be interviewed to confirm there was nothing physical.

He added that his client could be bailed to his uncles address.

The defendant is petrified of spending another two weeks in isolation, he concluded.

District Judge Barney McElholm said he treated the defendant leniently on Friday but Tracey threw it back in my face.

He is a completely unsuitable candidate for bail. He will continue to offend and breach bail and I have no confidence whatsoever in releasing him.

The defendant was remanded in custody to appear before court again on September 17 by way of video link.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 04:05:51|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

MINSK, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Belarus Petr Miklashevich said the Coordination Council, created on the initiative of ex-presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, is unconstitutional.

The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus does not provide for a possibility to establish public organizations and bodies authorized to revise results of a presidential election, Miklashevich told reporters on Tuesday.

The official urged all citizens and organizations involved in public and political activities to stick to the Constitution. This will allow efficiently thwarting attempts to destabilize the situation in the country and undermine the stability and sovereignty of the state, peace and accord in the society, he added.

On Aug. 14, Tikhanovskaya, who is in Lithuania, announced the creation of the Coordination Council, the purpose of which is to organize the transfer of power. On Aug. 19, the first meeting of the Coordination Council took place in Minsk.

Opposition activists demanded putting an end to the political persecution of citizens, releasing all political prisoners, recognizing the Aug. 9 presidential election as invalid, and holding new elections in accordance with international standards.

On Aug. 19, Belarus Prosecutor General Aleksandr Konyuk said that a criminal case has been opened against the Coordination Council. "Establishment of such a council and its activities are aimed at seizing state power, harming the national security of Belarus," he said. Enditem
SEATTLE, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Headset, the leading provider of data and analytics to the cannabis industry, announced today it is launching its competitive intelligence tool, Headset Insights, in Oregon. This will be Headset's fifth U.S. retail-derived cannabis market read based on aggregated Point of Sale data at the receipt level. Headset Insights is currently available in California, Colorado, Nevada and Washington.

The expansion of Headset Insights into Oregon will provide the rapidly-expanding U.S. cannabis industry with even more valuable consumer trend insights and real-time market data. The platform will help cannabis businesses in Oregon track changes within the market, better identify competition and efficiently manage their inventory. The additional data will enable analysts to construct more precise projections for the U.S. cannabis market as a whole.

"With this launch, Headset Insights will officially cover every legal recreational market in the Western U.S. and allow us to conduct more comprehensive and accurate analyses of the overall industry trends taking place in that region. We are thrilled to share these insights with our users and help them build more informed and effective business strategies, " said Cy Scott, Founder and CEO of Headset. "Considering Oregon has a very distinctive cannabis market in terms of demographic makeup, the data and trends we uncover will provide our users with a unique perspective and a broader understanding of the industry as a whole. I am very intrigued to see what trends and nuances will be unveiled."

Oregon's recreational cannabis market has experienced huge success since adult use was legalized in 2015, boasting a 253% increase in monthly recreational sales from January 2017 to July 2020. It brought in $464.6M in the first half of 2020 with May's $91.5M in total cannabis sales breaking the record for highest sales in one month. Headset Insights will help cannabis companies in this rapidly-maturing West coast market to better position themselves for growth and get ahead of market changes.

"We are delighted that our strategic alliance with Headset continues to bring unparalleled value to the industry," commented Richard Lee, VP Business Development, Nielsen. "This launch rounds out our combined coverage of the legal West coast markets and will provide our clients with a profound understanding of developing category, segment, brand and product trends within the region."

To learn more about Headset Insights, please click here .

About Headset:

Headset is a data analytics company in the cannabis industry with a mission to help businesses make better-informed decisions through data. Headset focuses on collecting and analyzing consumer transaction information. Headset's models and dashboards help cannabis retailers better optimize their day-to-day operations. In addition, product manufacturers, processors and distributors leverage the aggregated, standardized and anonymized receipt-level sales data in real-time to identify trends and opportunities, stay competitive and collaborate with retail customers. Learn more at https://www.headset.io/.

Contact:

Renee Cotsis

[email protected]

SOURCE Headset

Related Links

https://www.headset.io


Four Vietnamese students attending the 2020 International Biology Olympiad hold the national flag in Hanoi, August 2020. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Education and Training.

A Vietnamese high school student has won a gold medal at the 2020 International Biology Olympiad which was held online.

Ho Viet Duc, a 12th grader at the Hue High School for the Gifted in Hue, was the winner while three other Vietnamese won a silver, bronze and consolation medals, the Ministry of Education and Training said on Monday.

The competition was originally supposed to be held in Nagasaki, Japan, in mid-July, but the Covid-19 pandemic and resultant travel restrictions meant organizers had to host it online.

Contestants had to take two theoretical and practical tests each, and were monitored on closed-circuit cameras. They took the tests on August 11-12 at the University of Science in Hanoi.

Last year Vietnam won one silver and three bronze medals in Hungary.

Vietnamese students have been doing well in international contests this year.

Last month all four Vietnamese contestants won gold medals in the International Chemistry Olympiad, the countrys best ever performance.

Last week they also won one gold, four silvers and one bronze at the International Informatics Olympiad.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina speaks during the Republican National Convention on Monday. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press)

Sen. Tim Scott, the highest-ranking Black Republican in Congress, painted Democrats as wanting to radically transform America and offered his personal biography as a counterargument to their agenda in a speech Monday at the Republican National Convention.

The South Carolina senator, giving the capstone address of the evening, portrayed himself as the product of "the promise of the American journey," an up-by-the-bootstraps story of upward mobility that brought the grandson of a cotton picker to the U.S. Capitol  and warned that Democratic rule could undermine such a trajectory.

"While this election is between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, it is not solely about Donald Trump and Joe Biden," Scott said. "Its about the promise of America. Its about you and me  our challenges and heartbreaks, hopes and dreams."

Scott's personal history anchored his remarks. Raised primarily by a single mother and struggling in school, he credited his mother's encouragement and a businessman mentor for paving his way to success. The heavy tilt toward biography  and prime-time speaking slot  underscored Scott's ambitions as a national political figure.

His speech, alternately aspirational and lacerating toward the opposing party, mirrors the balancing act that Scott has tried to pull off during President Trump's tenure. As one of three Black senators and the only Black Republican, he has forged a delicate relationship with Trump, whose rhetoric on race relations can veer into inflammatory or offensive.

Scott condemned a video of Trump supporters that the president retweeted earlier this summer, in which a man can be heard yelling "white power." The senator said the clip was "terrible" and should be taken down; the tweet was later deleted, and the White House said Trump did not hear the racist shout.

But the South Carolinian has largely kept his critiques of the president out of the public eye, preferring to raise concerns with Trump privately.

Story continues

"I think a critique is best in a one-on-one environment. When you don't like something that has happened, you are better sharing that one on one," Scott told CNN in June.

When protests exploded this year over racial inequities in the criminal justice system, Scott took the lead in the GOP policing reform measure. His bill  which would have banned chokeholds, prohibited no-knock warrants for federal drug cases and established a national database to track misconduct  failed to advance in June, blocked by Democrats who had their own legislation that proposed more sweeping changes.

Scott, in his speech, lamented the failed effort.

"Democrats called our work a token effort, and walked out of the room during negotiations because they wanted the issue more than they wanted a solution," Scott said. "Do we want a society that breeds success, or a culture that cancels everything it even slightly disagrees with?"

With race relations especially raw after high-profile deaths of Black Americans such as George Floyd, Scott emphasized racial reconciliation, owing his first win in an overwhelmingly white House district to voters who "judged me not the color of my skin, but on the content of my character."

Like the speaker who preceded him  former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who is of Indian descent  Scott emphasized the nation's progress on race.

"We live in a world that only wants you to believe in the bad news  racially, economically and culturally polarizing news. The truth is, our nations arc always bends back towards fairness," Scott said. "We are not fully where we want to be, but I thank God almighty, we are not where we used to be."

Scott has focused most of his energies in partnering with the White House on Opportunity Zones, a provision in the 2017 tax cut bill that aims to stimulate investment in high-poverty areas. He trumpeted the program in his remarks as "the first new, major effort to tackle poverty in a generation." On Monday, before his speech, Scott touted a White House report that said that $75 billion had been committed to such neighborhoods thanks to the program.

Much of his speech aimed to chip away at Black support for Democrats, portraying Joe Biden as an architect of mass incarceration because of his work on the 1994 crime bill and highlighting the former vice president's myriad malapropisms on race, including his declaration that a Black person who was unsure about supporting him "ain't Black." (Biden later apologized.)

More broadly, he depicted Trump's opponents as seeking "a fundamentally different America"  accusing them of pursuing a "socialist utopia" that would close off opportunities that enabled Scott's climb.

He closed with a return to his personal history, acknowledging his late grandfather who dropped out of school to pick cotton and never learned to read or write  but lived to see his grandson elected to the U.S. House and Senate.

"Our family went from cotton to Congress in one lifetime," Scott said. "And thats why I believe the next American century can be better than the last."
NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Brock Pierce, the digital currency pioneer and global philanthropist, received the unanimous endorsement of the Independence Party of New York at its presidential nominating convention on Thursday. The party, which has more than 500,000 members statewide, represents the largest organized bloc of moderate voters of any minor party in the state, and it is among the largest third-party political organizations in the nation.

2020 Independent candidate for President of the United States

Chairman Frank MacKay stated the following: "Brock Pierce is clearly the best candidate for our times. The world is changing, and we need a President of the United States who understands how to leverage science, technology, and the digital economy to improve people's lives. Brock Pierce is the kind of principled leader that can move this nation forward and create a new major party in America based in common sense and moderate policies to counteract the highly partisan nature of the current electoral landscape."

Upon accepting the nomination, Pierce stated, "I feel very honored to receive the endorsement of the Independence Party of New York for our campaign for President of The United States of America. Having the support of the third-largest party in America is a massive endorsement of the freedom, prosperity, and harmony that our campaign is all about. This is a time of unprecedented crisis, calling for unprecedented solutions worthy of the 21st Century. I am prepared to lead America with all of my heart, mind, soul, and spirit. If we join together now, in this moment, we can rise from the ashes of divisiveness and create a much better world."

Brock Pierce is a proven innovator and global leader in technology and the economics of digital currency. Brock's love for technology and its limitless possibilities inspired him to become an entrepreneur at the age of 16 and eventually a leader in blockchain technology, a modern expression of the American dream. Brock's companies and his inventiveness have helped grow the American economy, and through his development and investments in emerging technologies such as the blockchain, he has created thousands of jobs and a strong economic foundation for future generations.

The Party also endorsed Pierce's running mate, Karla Ballard, for Vice President. "We are wholeheartedly pleased to support Karla Ballard for Vice President of the United States. In addition to a strong track record in business and social change, she will take her place in history among the women running for Vice President in the 2020 election," stated Chairman MacKay.

The Independence Party of New York also launched a new website at www.independencepartyny.org for information about the party, presidential race, and mission.

More information on Brock Pierce and his candidacy may be found at www.brock.vote.

Media Contact:

Frank MacKay, State Chairman of the Independence Party of NY

(631) 741-8518

Email: [email protected]

Related Images

brock-pierce.jpg

Brock Pierce

2020 Independent candidate for President of the United States

Related Links

Independence Party

SOURCE Independence Party of New York
Jerry Knight, the owner of River Theater in Guerneville, couldnt bear the thought of abandoning his beloved theater  adorned with angel wings and celebrity paraphernalia, including a signed guitar by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones.

The theater is like his home. Hes owned it for 11 years, but started working there as a sound engineer in the 1970s. Unlike most of his neighbors and friends, he refused to evacuate. He has two fire hoses installed near the exits of the theater just in case the Walbridge Fire, part of the LNU Lightning Complex, rages through town.

I cant imagine this theater not being here, Knight said as he dragged a large, foam, pink elephant closer to the theater doors. Its the heart of the town. Im staying.

The LNU Complex, which has been burning in Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties and is the second biggest blaze in state history, reached 351,817 acres by Monday, with 25% containment.

Firefighters said the Walbridge Fire was contained mostly in the hills and Mount Jackson  near Guerneville and Dry Creek Valley. But they were keeping watch, particularly in Rio Nido, in case the blaze bore down the hills toward the towns. Their first priority is to protect homes, said Sid Andreis, a Cal Fire captain.

Using dozers and hand crews, firefighters spent most of the day putting down fire lines, cutting brush and starting back-fires to get rid of fuel that would cause the blaze to grow even more. Some small spot fires continued to burn in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, but firefighters werent yet concerned that the small fires would turn catastrophic.

Luckily, we dont have the winds right now and the dozers are doing a lot of work. Now that we got through that red flag warning, we are looking good,  Andreis said referring to the red-flag warning that was supposed to be in effect until 5pm, but was canceled due to a turn in weather conditions.

Last week, Knight bought 60 pounds of wild salmon and 160 oysters to celebrate his 74th birthday with friends and neighbors. But when the fire forced him to cancel, he opened the doors of his theater to the firefighters and police officers that had taken over the town and served them his birthday dinner and cake instead.

Guerneville remained under a mandatory evacuation order Monday. Some neighboring Russian River towns, including Monte Rio and Forestville, were downgraded to evacuation warnings and residents cautiously returned to check on their homes.

Laurel Anderson, 32, evacuated with her 66-year-old mother from her Forestville home Thursday morning. The two drove down the coast toward Point Reyes, stopping at various hotels, but couldnt find a room. They gave up and returned home. Most of Andersons neighbors had stayed behind.

Everyone else in my neighborhood said we will only leave if we see flames, she said after buying beverages at Sams Market, the only grocery store open in town. We all look out for each other.

Meanwhile, Christina Hoisington, 51, who works at Sams Market, said she hadnt returned to her Guerneville cabin on Sweetwater Springs Road for nearly a week.

My house could be burned right now. I dont really know, she said sitting on the steps outside the market.

Micah Pendergraft, a 45-year-old Guerneville resident, ran out of the store with a bagel and orange soda.

I dont know if well ever be allowed back  thats our joke, he said.

The town of nearly 4,500 people in Guerneville was deserted. The doors of the towns antique stores and thrift shops were locked. The lights in the art galleries were turned off. Restaurants didnt have any customers  the chairs were instead stacked against the windows. One resident, Ron Rozewski, 80, said Guerneville was like a zombieland. No people, no cars.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

The only sound, aside from the occasional fire truck blaring its siren, was the electronic music Eric Rathe played on his phone.

Balancing carefully on the railings outside a Bank of America in the middle of town, the 35-year-old danced and sang along to an empty town. He said he refuses to leave.

I love this town, Rathe said. Ill never leave it, no matter what happens.

Nearby, Jimena Garcia was working in the kitchen of La Bodeguita, a Mexican restaurant owned by her family. Garcia and her family had just returned to their Monte Rio home after the evacuation order was downgraded to a warning.

She said sheriffs deputies allowed her family to return to their restaurant so they could get rid of spoiled food.

For them, it was one disaster after another. Garcias family has already suffered a loss of income after being forced to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic and now their restaurant is closed again for eight days and counting.

We dont have jobs right now, the 18-year-old said. Its been a lot of stress. If its not one thing, its another thing. Weve been through floods, and now we are dealing with fires.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
New moderate income housing program could be on the way to Long Beach
GULL LAKE, MI -- A man was charged with operating a boat while intoxicated causing death after police said he struck and killed a swimmer on Gull Lake over the Fourth of July weekend.

Tyler Boyd, 37, of Grand Rapids, was arraigned Tuesday, Aug. 25, on a felony charge of operating a watercraft while intoxicated causing death in connection to the 18-year-old swimmer killed on Gull Lake in July, according to court documents.

Emergency responders were called to Gull Lake at 1:44 p.m. Sunday, July 5, in Kalamazoo Countys Ross Township, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. The victim killed was identified as Jack William Mitchell, 18, of Richland Township.

Police said Mitchell was swimming when the boat struck him. He was taken to shore for life-saving efforts but was pronounced dead from his injuries at the scene, police said.

Boyds bond was set at $30,000. He is expected back in court at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, for a probable cause conference. While awaiting his next court date, Boyd is prohibited from drinking alcohol or using drugs and cannot leave the state of Michigan.

Also on MLive:

Girl, 16, dies after jumping off moving pontoon boat on Michigan lake

Michigan man suffering from stroke traveled 100 miles on U.S. 131 with shredded tires, police say

Woman killed, man seriously injured in collision with Road Commission tractor
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25

Trend:

Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, who is on a working visit to Azerbaijan, on August 25.

Welcoming the guests, Hasanov stressed that friendly relations between the heads of Azerbaijan and Russia determine the dynamic development of relations between the two countries in all spheres.

Touching upon the military-political situation in the region, Hasanov stressed that Armenia's aggressive policy is a serious threat to peace, stability, and security not only in Azerbaijan but also throughout the region.

Referring to the recent provocations committed by the Armenian side in the direction of Azerbaijan's Tovuz district, Hasanov noted that they were aimed at undermining relations between Azerbaijan and the CIS countries.

Stressing the role of the Russian Federation in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Hasanov emphasized that Russia, like all international organizations, recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and respects the independence and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Expressing gratitude to the Azerbaijani side for the warm welcome, the Russian defense minister expressed deep condolences to the families of Azerbaijani servicemen who died as Shehids (martyrs) in the recent clashes on the border with Armenia.

Commenting on the recent media reports on the transportation of weapons from Russia to Armenia by aircraft, Shoigu noted that this transportation was not intended for the supply of weapons and military equipment, including military-type property to Armenia, but for the delivery of construction materials used in large-scale construction work carried out at the 102-nd Russian military base in this country, as well as with the aim of rotating military personnel serving at this military base.

Shoigu especially stressed that until today Russia has not taken any steps directed against Azerbaijan and would not take such steps in the future.

The parties also discussed issues of international and regional security, the current state of military cooperation and prospects for the development of relations, as well as exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest in the field of military-technical cooperation.
A giant snowman erected on the bank of Songhua River in Harbin, the capital of Northeast Chinas Heilongjiang province, has drawn much attention online. Around 2,000 cubic meters of snow was used to create the 18.5-meter-tall figure dressed in a red hat and scarf. Since December, ice and snow sculptures featuring Winter Olympics and Lunar New Year elements have popped up across the city famed for its ice festivals, drawing many visitors

Jan 20, 2022 06:19 PM
While some say excessive force was used by law enforcement in Kenosha on Monday night during protests following the shooting of Jacob Blake, others say the government needs to be tougher on those who damaged property, destroyed businesses and threatened law enforcement, particularly as protests are expected to continue throughout this week.

Our city looks and smells like a war zone," Crystal Miller, a Kenosha resident and Republican running for state Assembly, said on her campaign's Facebook page in a video Tuesday morning while standing in front of rows of destroyed cars at a dealership decimated the previous night.

Some fires burned through the night Monday, as emergency services avoided Kenosha's downtown while protesters remained.

After calls from several Republican leaders and community members, Gov. Tony Evers said Tuesday he "will be increasing the presence of the Wisconsin National Guard to ensure individuals can exercise their right safely, protect state buildings and critical infrastructure, and support first responders and firefighters." He added: "Tonight, and in the days ahead, if you are going to protest, please do so peacefully and safely. Please do not allow the actions of a few distract us from the work we must do together to demand justice, equity, and accountability.

In a statement Tuesday issued less than an hour before the additional troops were confirmed to be headed to Kenosha, state Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, and state Rep. Samantha Kerkman, R-Salem, said to Evers: "On behalf of the citizens of Kenosha and Kenosha County, we respectfully request your immediate action to bring additional resources to stop the rioting and lawless destruction that persists in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake. The city is burning. Residents are heartbroken, terrified for their lives and livelihoods and city. They are literally begging and crying for help ...

"The scars of this week cannot heal until the violence stops. The rioting must end."

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., said that he will help Evers bringing in federal help should the Democratic governor request it.

The violence and destruction we witnessed the past two nights in Kenosha needs to be stopped. Public safety must be assured. If the Mayor (John Antaramian) and Governor dont believe they have sufficient resources to do so, they need to request federal assistance immediately. I am prepared to support their request," Steil said in a Tuesday statement.

Still, some demonstrators say that law enforcement caused Sunday's and Monday's demonstrations to escalate. Erica Gordon, a retired U.S. Navy medic from Indianapolis who has served as an informal "street medic" for injured demonstrators at protests since May and was in Kenosha Monday, said that law officers were out in riot gear with snipers on buildings hours before the 8 p.m. curfew went into effect.

That kind of tactic, she said, is more likely to lead to violence from both sides.

One-hundred-fifty National Guard members were dispatched to Kenosha on Monday, but were not seen until after the sun went down. Many of them engaged with protesters, using less-lethal weapons such as rubber bullets and launching tear gas canisters.

Some, primarily Republicans, say more force and larger numbers of officers are needed to restore order to the city.

The governor sent us 150 National Guard? Are you kidding? 150 National Guard?" Miller said. Did he not know what he has seen in Madison was going to happen in our city last night? And what orders did they (the National Guard) have? They werent trying to keep us safe. Why did they put a curfew in place? What was the purpose? Who got arrested because they violated curfew? When are we going to hold leadership accountable?"

"They let us burn," she continued. Where was Governor Evers and what was he thinking?

In an email, Wisconsin National Guard Capt. Joe Trovato said that the Guard is not "the lead agency in this response" and that it is "serving in a support role" after receiving "a request for assistance from civil authorities in Kenosha County."

According to Trovato, the Guard's "Citizen Soldiers are assisting local authorities in preserving public safety and the ability of individuals to exercise their First Amendment rights to peacefully demonstrate."

In a tweet Tuesday morning, Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, added: "Two nights of violence in Kenosha and weve seen many tweets/statements from the Governor (Tony Evers) & Lt Gov (Mandela Barnes) condemning the police, but I havent noticed one yet that condemns the violence and property damage."

In the days since Blake was shot, Evers and Barnes have tried to call the Legislature into order to pass police reform bills, in addition to Evers sending Guardsmen to Kenosha.

Republican leadership, led by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, have called for setting up another task force to further analyze the problems related to racial injustice. Some Democrats  including Barnes  say Vos' task force call is a distraction from the fast-paced law changes protesters are asking for.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley stands on stage in an empty Mellon Auditorium while addressing the Republican National Convention at the Mellon Auditorium on August 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Nikki Haley, President Donald Trump's former ambassador to the United Nations, went all in for President Donald Trump in her speech at the Republican National Convention on Monday night.

"Joe Biden and the Democrats are still blaming America first," she said. "Donald Trump has always put America first and he has earned four more years as president."

Since leaving the administration in 2018, Haley has remained staunchly supportive of the president, stoking rumors that Trump would pick her to replace Mike Pence as his 2020 running mate.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Nikki Haley, President Donald Trump's former ambassador to the United Nations, went all in for President Donald Trump in her speech at the Republican National Convention on Monday night.

"Joe Biden and the Democrats are still blaming America first," she said. "Donald Trump has always put America first and he has earned four more years as president."

The former South Carolina governor defended Trump and her own record on relations with Iran, North Korea, and Israel, celebrating the president for "ripping up" the previous administration's nuclear deal with Iran and for imposing sanctions on North Korea.

Haley argued that the Democratic party's "vision for America is socialism" and that "they want to tell Americans how to live and what to think."

The daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley argued that "America is not a racist country" and that "every Black life matters," mentioning Black police officers, business owners, and children whose "lives are being ruined and stolen by the violence on our streets."

Haley resigned from her post as UN ambassador after two years at the end of 2018, shortly after Trump announced he trusted Russian President Vladimir Putin over US intelligence officials at his notorious Helsinki press conference. She has since served on the board of Boeing, raked in a reported $200,000 for speaking engagements, and founded a conservative non-profit, Stand for America.

Story continues

She's publicly disagreed with Trump on rare occasions, including in certain instances when the president has made racist statements.

"I proudly serve in this administration, and I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country," Haley wrote in a September 2017 op-ed. "But I don't agree with the president on everything."

Haley called Trump's response to the deadly 2017 neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville "hurtful and dangerous" in her 2019 book, which offered a largely glowing review of the president.

She wrote that she called the president during the backlash to his offensive remark that there were "very fine people" among the neo-Nazi marchers. She said she told Trump he had to "stop acknowledging the haters" and "understand the power of your voice." Haley said Trump disagreed with her comparison between the racist ralliers' intentions to stoke hate and the motivations of the neo-Nazi shooter who massacred 10 Black Americans at a Charleston, South Carolina church in 2015.

Haley also publicly criticized Trump during the 2016 Republican primary, calling on him to denounce his white supremacist supporters and release his tax returns. Haley endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio during the 2016 primary and urged GOP voters not to support the party's "angriest voices," referring to Trump.

"I will not stop until we fight a man that chooses not to disavow the KKK," Haley said at a campaign rally for Rubio. "That is not a part of our party. That's not who we want as president. We will not allow that in our country."

Trump hit back by claiming in a tweet that "the people of South Carolina are embarrassed of Nikki Haley!"

Haley has since been staunchly supportive of the president and his administration, stoking rumors that Trump would pick her to replace Vice President Mike Pence as his 2020 running mate. Haley is a rare woman of color in the Republican party's highest ranks, and is widely viewed as a future leader of the party.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/25/2020 -- VoiceAmerica, the leader in online media broadcasting and the largest producer and distributor of live internet talk radio, announced the newest podcast episode by Landmark Recovery, "The Veteran's Journey, From Addiction to Recovery" , with host Zach Crouch, and guests Lieutenant Commander Bill Reynolds and Dr. Kevin Chapman. The episode played live on August 25th and can be heard on-demand at Landmark Recovery Radio.



Host Zach Crouch is joined by Lieutenant Commander Bill Reynolds and Dr. Kevin Chapman. Bill Reynolds, a 30-year Navy veteran and trained physician assistant, discusses what an opioid addiction may look like within the military and veteran communities. He also shares what he believes to be the best treatment plan to address client's unique challenges. Dr. Kevin Chapman, founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (KYCARDS), explains the power of emotions within an individual's recovery and how emotions can be difficult to regulate both during and after their treatment.



About Landmark Recovery

Landmark Recovery offers individualized treatment, including detox, inpatient drug and alcohol rehab, intensive outpatient, and alumni programming to address addiction. Landmark has drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in Carmel, Louisville, Oklahoma City and Lexington, OK. Their sister company, Praxis by Landmark Recovery, is based in Louisville, Kentucky and serves the Medicaid population. If you or a loved one need help with drug or alcohol recovery, call 866-504-8545 or visit Landmark Recovery.



About VoiceAmerica

VoiceAmerica, the pioneer of digital radio programming since 1999, is the original digital broadcast company for the production and delivery of Live Internet Talk Radio programming and continues to be an industry leader in Live Internet Talk, podcast audio creation, production, and distribution. VoiceAmerica creates and distributes over 500 unique and innovative radio programs that engage millions of listeners worldwide. Five diverse VoiceAmerica network channels distribute live programs daily that reach a growing domestic and international audience.



Listen live at VoiceAmerica Variety, VoiceAmerica Business, VoiceAmerica Health, VoiceAmerica Empowerment, VoiceAmerica Influencers, and on our Apple and Android devices.

Follow VoiceAmerica on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. To learn how to become a host or sponsor on VoiceAmerica.com, call 1-855-877-4666.

VoiceAmerica | Become a Host | Advertise with us | About VoiceAmerica

CONTACT: Zach Crouch  Alicia.Borchardt@landmarkrecovery.com
Inc. magazine revealed that Intellibright, the leading Google Premier Digital Marketing Agency in Austin, is No. 1189 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list provides a unique look at the most successful independent businesses and Intellibright is one of only 113 Austin companies to make the list and was ranked in the top five marketing companies in Austin for growth. Previous honorees on the Inc. 5000 list include Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, and Patagonia.

Intellibright founder and CEO, Ron R. Browning, responded to the ranking, saying, Intellibright was founded on the purest form of performance marketing, Pay Per Sale. It is our extreme pleasure that this model has achieved great success and helped to propel us onto the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the United States. Our incredible team continues to grow. Many thanks to our nationally recognized industry partners that enabled us to achieve such a significant milestone by entrusting Intellibright to manage their digital marketing.

Intellibright has grown to be a marketing leader in the Austin market with its suite of services since its founding in 2009. Contributing to its significant growth and ranking on the Inc. 5000, Intellibright provides services for HOP Energy, AmeriPro Roofing, Infinity Replacement Windows, and Nations Roof among others.

About the Inc. 5000:

Companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 have been highly competitive within their markets and achieved a 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.

ABOUT INTELLIBRIGHT:

Intellibright is a Google Premier Digital Marketing Agency that offers a comprehensive suite of services focused on revenue generation for clients. Founded in 2009 and based in Austin, Texas, Intellibright is led by Founder/CEO Ron R. Browning, an experienced digital sales and marketing entrepreneur, and COO, Jay Nguyen, formerly of Apple. Intellibright serves clients in high-ticket service industries like energy, roofing, and windows, and utilizes Pay Per Sale and Fixed Price programs that focus on revenue generation for clients. In 2020, Intellibright was ranked #1189 of the Inc. 5000s fastest growing companies.

**Media click here for images**

FOR MEDIA ONLY: For more information, please contact Christy Sievert at pr@intellibright.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.
Some 330,000 Southeast Texas residents will officially be under a mandatory evacuation order as of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday as part of the first mandatory pre-hurricane evacuations in Southeast Texas in more than a decade.

All residents of Orange and Jefferson counties were ordered to leave as Tropical Storm Laura slugged its way toward the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where it was projected to strengthen into at least a Category 2 hurricane. . Throughout the day, forecasters grew increasingly certain that it would make landfall around the Texas-Louisiana border.

Around 8 p.m., they informed Jefferson County officials that the increased certainty now included a direction change that prompted the order.

Its what I call the 2020 conundrum, County Judge Jeff Branick said before being given the update. If it goes 20 miles to the east, we should be OK. If it goes 20 miles to the west, we better hold on.

Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bill Bartie was the first to order evacuations.

Just go to higher ground, Bartie said, announcing the evacuation was to begin at 6 a.m. Go to San Antonio. Go to Austin. Get away from here.

Bartie acknowledged the lingering uncertainty among modeling projections and said he would be willing to relax the order should the forecast change for the better. But with a potential storm surge of between 9 and 11 feet for his area, he said he felt it was time for action.

More Information Orange County evacuations Evacuation launch sites starting at 9 a.m. today: Lamar State College Orange, 410 Front St., Orange Vidor Elementary, 400 Old U.S. 90 East, Vidor If you can't get to one of the transportation sites, starting at 6 a.m. this morning, call: For County Residents 409-745-9794 or 409-745-9765 For City of Orange Residents 409-883-1050 For City of West Orange Residents 409-883-7574 For City of Pinehurst Residents 409-886-2221 For Vidor area Residents 409-238-6444 See More Collapse

Related: Hurricane Laura expected to be Category 2 at landfall

The National Weather Services Lake Charles office warned that the storm could inundate Sabine Pass, the Port Arthur levee and parts of Hilldebradt and Taylor bayous under more than 6 feet of water. That convinced Branick to issue a partial evacuation order Monday evening for the affected areas.

That order later was expanded to the entire county based on the new information.

All area cities were expected to issue their own mirroring Branicks.

Beaumont Mayor Becky warned residents who choose to stay that emergency services personnel would cease operations once wind speeds reach 35 miles per hour.

Related: Local hospitals make storm plans amid continuing pandemic

Bartie said his city has made arrangements to help transport individuals who cant get themselves out of Port Arthur. Like so much else this year, those plans are complicated by the coronavirus and the requirements for social distancing. For example, he said, buses can take only 15 people  fewer than half the usual capacity.

In Orange County, residents who cant evacuate themselves can board buses that will be leaving from Lamar State College, 410 Front St. in Orange, or Vidor Elementary School at 400 Old U.S. 90. Individuals who cannot get to one of the transportation sites can call their city or, for the unincorporated areas, county to receive assistance.

The Texas Department of Transportation had no immediate plans Monday night was not anticipating starting contraflow in the Southeast Texas area.

Such a decision would be made in concert with the Department of Public Safety.

Top hits: Get Beaumont Enterprise stories sent directly to your inbox

Official orders notwithstanding, many Southeast Texans spent Monday preparing for the storm.

Residents filled sandbags, boarded up their windows and shopped for essentials. Government officials issued disaster declarations and continued tweaking plans for shelter, rescues and other emergency responses, should they be necessary.

Many Southeast Texas school districts, which have struggled to reopen after the coronavirus shutdown last spring, announced they would close once again.

When determining whether to heed voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders, among other storm-related decisions, Entergy Texas recommends residents review their emergency plans and make any needed changes as if theyre going to be without power.

Vice President of Customer Service Stuart Barrett suggested residents use the companys storm planning tool at entergystormcenter.com to help make those decisions.

With disaster declarations issued, other planning for potential needs, such as a shelter for residents and restoring power from downed power lines, continued. While Southeast Texas has done its fair share of storm planning, officials are doing so this time through the lens of coronavirus.

Related: How to get ready for a hurricane, according to Texans

For example, to observe social distancing, Jefferson County officials have been working with the Red Cross on sheltering residents. But this year, that could include the use of hotel rooms to allow individuals to social distance.

Its unclear what the cost difference would be between that and a shelter at Ford Park or some other arrangement that deploys the use of, essentially, a large room with beds set up in it.

A disaster declaration issued Monday afternoon from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and President Donald Trump clears the way for federal government reimbursement for evacuations and shelters, according to a news release from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Texas is grateful to President Trump and our partners at FEMA for quickly granting this Federal Emergency Declaration, Abbott said in the release. As tropical storms Marco and Laura head toward the coast, the state of Texas is working with local and federal partners to ensure our communities have the resources they need to respond to these storms.

The declaration joins others that have been issued by all Southeast Texas counties and several municipalities as well.

Related: COVID-19 precautions could cause delays in power restoration

For area residents planning to stay in their homes, Entergy Texas warned that coronavirus-related precautions could extend power restoration wait times, especially if there are widespread outages. Crews will continue to practice social distancing while in the field and customers are asked to stay away from work zones.

Entergy Texas Senior Communications Specialist Allie Payne noted that the company has several months of experience working with such precautions  powering customers ability to work from home and emergency operations center and hospitals that are fighting the pandemic.

Even still, it means fewer workers will be stretched across a larger number of staging sites. But Entergy is working with its regional partners and has additional equipment such as drones and airboats should it be necessary.

kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/KaitlinBain
When the Alamo makeover finally gets off the ground, the Long Barrack could regain its second story, and a defensive ramp and platform could be replicated at the compounds southwest corner, where the garrisons largest cannon was fired during the 1836 siege and battle.

The features appear in a new rendering of the master plan showing what the project might look like in 2024.

On ExpressNews.com: Alamo grounds reopen, but fate of plaza makeover is uncertain

The Alamo has posted the image on its Facebook page, showing a birds eye view of the vision for the new plaza.

The plan has hit a roadblock with a delay in relocation of the Cenotaph, a move that leaders of the project say is critical to the sweeping renovation of the plaza, a historic mission and battle site.

Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer

A proposal to move the monument honoring the nearly 200 known Alamo defenders is awaiting final consideration by the Texas Historical Commission, which typically meets quarterly.

In January, the historical commission delayed action on moving the Cenotaph, asking for more details on the rationale for its proposed placement of the monument by the Menger Hotel. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commission has since met via video conference to discuss other business, but has not resumed the case on the Cenotaph.

Commission officials have tentatively scheduled a Sept. 22 in-person meeting in Austin to take up the matter.

Until then, the Alamo is asking its Facebook followers to register support for the plan at supportthealamoplan.com.

Eric Gay /Associated Press

When you step onto Alamo Plaza, are you able to imagine the site as both a mission and a place of battle? Its hard to do with so many modern attractions and distractions, the Alamo said in its posting. What if the carnival attractions were replaced with a world class museum with the largest exhibit ever on the Texas Revolution? The Alamo currently only has space to display 2% of its artifacts!

On ExpressNews.com: Demonstrators threaten use of force to stop Cenotaph relocation

The public-private $450 million project, which is backed with city and state funds but also includes a large private fundraising component, would develop a 130,000-square-foot Alamo museum and visitor center.

Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer

But a design of the museum has not been publicly released, and the latest illustration doesnt reveal whether three state-owned historic buildings on the west side of the plaza would be preserved as part of the museum.

Local preservationists, including the Conservation Society of San Antonio, have said the 1883 Crockett Building and the facade of the 1921 Woolworth Building must be kept intact as part of the new museum.

Scott Huddleston covers Bexar County government and the Alamo for the San Antonio Express-News. To read more from Scott, become a subscriber. shuddleston@express-news.net | Twitter: @shuddlestonSA
 Nice to see the peaceful protestors in Kenosha, Wisconsin, transitioning so easily into Trump re-election rallies.

 How is it possible that Sean Connery is 90 years old today?

 This week in self-owning tweets:

The Times says this like its a bad thing . . . or untrue.

Of course, Nikki Haley is the daughter of two Indian immigrants. But to the melanin-obsessed liberals, shes not a true person of color. Marshall, somehow a Fox New contributor, passes the blame as follows:

Blaming your intern is always a great look.

This is what happens when you think you can Hogg the limelight. Even Greta Thunberg has gone back to school.

Jemele Hill is one of The Atlantic magazines finest. She must be angling for MSNBC.

 Finally, not sure of the data source for this chart, but I expect it is accurate. Remember: black likes matter, defund the police, and end bail.
HOUSTON, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society of Pharmacovigilance (ASP) today announced that the Standardizing Laboratory Practices in Pharmacogenomics (STRIPE) Initiative has developed a collaborative community with participation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). ASP is convening the STRIPE community to accelerate the development of personalized medicine practices as the standard of care by building a platform for stakeholders to resolve shared challenges in pharmacogenetics testing.

STRIPE Collaborative Community

"We must keep raising our expectations of what is possible. STRIPE symbolizes an industry-wide commitment to our field, to each and every patient that deserves the safest and most effective medication, and to every patient seeking the promise of personalized medicine," states Benjamin Brown, Executive Director at the American Society of Pharmacovigilance. "The community aims to harmonize and optimize standards, practices, and resources related to pharmacogenetics testing that will improve access to safe, accurate, and reliable information about a patient's medication and drug-gene interactions."  Sara Rogers, Pharm.D., ASP Director of Clinical Affairs

The purpose of a collaborative community is to bring together medical device stakeholders in a continuing forum of private- and public-sector members, including the FDA, to achieve common outcomes, solve shared challenges, and leverage collective opportunities. CDRH sees participation in a community-based collaborative approach to the ongoing evaluation of the evolving science, as part of its commitment to continue engaging with health care professionals, guideline setting, patient and test developer groups. "CDRH is committed to engaging with stakeholders as we work to protect patients while fostering the development of new and innovative diagnostics," says Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., Director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Ultimately, collaborative communities seek to contribute to the improvement of areas affecting U.S. patients and healthcare.

STRIPE aims to develop a common agenda for addressing challenges in personalized medicine to achieve its aim of large-scale change to bring pharmacogenomics into standard of care. Together, members will guide vision and strategy, support activities, establish shared measurement practices, build public will, advance policy and mobilize resources.

Stakeholders in personalized medicine interested in learning more and joining the STRIPE community are encouraged to visit the website: http://stopadr.org/stripe.

About American Society of Pharmacovigilance

The American Society of Pharmacovigilance is a national biomedical and healthcare network with membership open to all healthcare professionals. Their mission is to reduce the high rate of suffering and morality due to adverse drug events. ASP represents the unity of different areas of expertise coming together to have a bigger impact on addressing the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.

American Society of Pharmacovigilance

P.O. Box 20433

Houston, TX 77225

www.stopADR.org

Contact:

Geneva Morel

Director of Communications

Email: [email protected]

phone: 469-939-8475

SOURCE American Society of Pharmacovigilance

Related Links

http://www.stopadr.org/


Setting aside the buzz kill for Portlands economic prospects, thats not a wise move. Restraint is often the right stance for law enforcement, and yes, there are times when more assertive policing is fuel on the fire of unrest. The trouble with allowing public pandemonium is that it can invite more of the same, in one city after another, and function as an inducement to escalation. And the police in Portland have been allowing pandemonium for far too long.
TROY, Mich., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rehmann, a fully integrated financial services and advisory firm, has been named one of Construction Executive's (CE) Top 50 accounting firms for the second year in a row.

"The construction industry has been impacted significantly by COVID, and our advisors have continued to provide critical support and real-time solutions to clients in the industry," said Bob Nagle, principal at Rehmann. "Rehmann has a solution to meet a wide variety of business needs, and we are honored to partner with a many leaders in the construction industry."

CE developed The Top 50 Construction Accounting Firms ranking by asking hundreds of U.S. construction accounting firms to submit their 2019 revenues from construction practices, number of CPAs in construction practices, percentage of firm's total revenues from construction practices and number of construction clients in 2019, among other data.

"Construction accounting firms play a vital role in helping construction companies make sound financial decisions, whether it's business as usual or during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic," said Lauren Pinch, editor-in-chief, CE. "This ranking highlights the leading firms in our industry and the people who help contractors financially plan for the short- and long-term to ensure their businesses and their workforce are resilient, profitable and successful."

Rehmann is a fully integrated financial services and advisory firm with nearly 900 associates in Michigan, Ohio and Florida, providing accounting and assurance, comprehensive technology, accounting and human resource solutions, specialized consulting and wealth management services to their clients.

About Rehmann

Rehmann is a fully integrated financial services and advisory firm that provides accounting and assurance, comprehensive technology, accounting and human resource solutions, specialized consulting and wealth management services. For more than 75 years, Rehmann has provided forward-thinking solutions and made it a priority to anticipate our clients' daily and future needs. Rehmann has nearly 900 associates in Michigan, Ohio and Florida. Rehmann is an independent member of Nexia International, offering clients a global approach. Find us online at rehmann.com.

Contact: Holly Shier

248.458.7923

[email protected]

SOURCE Rehmann

Related Links

https://www.rehmann.com/


Billionaire global investor Barry Sternlicht told CNBC on Tuesday that at this point in the presidential race he plans to vote for Democrat Joe Biden for president.

Sternlicht, who earlier this year said he agreed with President Donald Trump's push to get the economy reopened from coronavirus-related closures, said in a "Squawk Box" interview that "I would probably vote for Biden right now."

"I think that on the margin the nation needs to heal and I think we need to get back together, and I don't think we're going to do that with the rhetoric from the right," said Sternlicht, whose $60 billion Starwood Capital Group has vast real estate interests, including luxury hotels and shopping malls, among its many other industries.

Sternlicht expressed serious concerns about the far-left wing of the Democratic party, but said he believes that the former vice president in the Barack Obama administration is the better candidate for the current moment in the U.S.

"I'm in the middle. I'd be an independent. I'm fiscally conservative and socially liberal, like most of my peers, and we don't have a party. We kind of just wing it," added Sternlicht, who in the past also supported Trump's business-friendly agenda including corporate tax cuts and rolling back business regulations of his predecessor.

"The Biden tax plan, which I'm happy to pay more taxes, but I don't think this increase in the capital gains rate is a good idea for investment in our country, which we need to do," Sternlicht said.

If Biden were to get his way on capital gains, and the limit on state and local tax deductions, or SALT, is also not repealed, "you're talking 60% plus taxes on the wealthy in New York City, and they will leave," he added.

Sternlicht also said he was concerned with the Trump administration's current foreign policy approach, contending the U.S. needs to take a more constructive approach toward allies and some adversaries, such as China.

"We have to have a peaceful world order. I think being friends with our allies, we know who our allies are. I can't understand our tilt toward Russia, and we have to have a constructive dialogue, not a fist fight, with China," he said.
Ohio State University has issued 228 interim suspensions for unsafe gatherings so far, as the school cracks down on social gatherings of more than 10 people.

As colleges begin classes this month, monitoring social gatherings and parties is now a priority in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. OSU students must wear a face mask, practice physical distancing and may not host or attend gatherings of more than 10 people.

Interim suspension refers to a period of time where the student cannot be on campus, until officials complete the student conduct process. How long this process can take varies, spokesman Benjamin Johnson wrote in an email.

Students began moving in on Aug. 12 at OSU. The interim suspensions were issued for alleged activities between Wednesday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 23.

The universitys Office of Student Life monitors off-campus gatherings and reports individuals. If a student organization is involved in a gathering, it can lose funding and university recognition.

We have one shot at this  responding to what so many of you asked for: an on campus semester at Ohio State, Vice President of Student Life Melissa Shivers wrote in a letter to the campus community.

For many, this could be their last semester as a student. For first year students, their first college experience at Ohio State. For some, this is where they find housing safety and food security. Dont make intentional choices now that inherently challenge the future for so many members of our Buckeye family.

High-profile outbreaks at other universities consistently made headlines as students returned, including the University of North Carolina, where leaders suspended undergraduate in-person classes after 130 students tested positive in the first week, according to CNN.

Ohio State University is the largest public college in Ohio and one of the largest in the country.

At the University of Akron, 12 students were sent warning letters from Student Judicial Affairs for parties at off-campus residences.

Because of our proactive approach and the positive work of the University of Akron police officers, we were able to keep the large gatherings down as much as possible, spokeswoman Cristine Boyd wrote in an email. While there were many parties, it appears that most of the party hosts tried to keep their party small. We did have to disperse crowds here and there, but most hosts were very responsive.

At private Case Western Reserve University, the schools safety department completed no reports for off-campus parties. The university is working with partner police departments on monitoring.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller says police did not seek legal advice before fining Arts Minister Don Harwin for breaching a COVID-19 travel ban because everyone should be treated equal.

Mr Fuller again doubled down on the decision to fine Mr Harwin $1000 for travelling between his Sydney and Pearl Beach residences during lockdown earlier this year, saying police did not seek legal advice before issuing on-the-spot fines, despite experts being available "24/7" at his direction.

Don Harwin travelled to and from his Pearl Beach rental property in an alleged breach of COVID-19 restrictions, but the fine was dismissed.

Documents released to NSW Parliament last week revealed a senior detective was told to proceed with a fine against Mr Harwin, despite requesting legal advice over doubts the minister was in breach of a travel ban while at his Central Coast home during lockdown in April.

At the time, front-line officers were urged to seek legal advice in relation to the interpretation of Public Health Orders prior to issuing a fine.
Syracuse, N.Y.  He still wears a bow tie and carries a platter. But his shade has turned from a bright green to a dusty yellow. And theres something different about that flame.

The dinosaur featured in the logo of the Syracuse-based Dinosaur Bar-B-Que restaurants has a new look, courtesy of a total brand redesign from the local agency CINSYR Creative Group.

The look is familiar, but different.

We didnt want to mess too much with that old dog, Dinosaur owner John Stage said. But it was time for a refresh. We wanted to make it pop.

The original dinosaur logo dates back more than 30 years, before the first Dinosaur restaurant opened in downtown Syracuse in 1988. The green figure blowing flames on a platter of food was initially drawn by a woman Stage dated when he and his buddy and co-founder Mike Rotella were still hauling a smoker to biker events in the mid-1980s.

It was later incorporated into the branding for the restaurants (there are now seven) and related merchandise.

Stage turned to the crew at CINSYR for the update. The agency was founded in Cincinnati by Michael Vine and Antoun Choueiry, before relocating to Syracuse (hence the name.).

CINSYR focused on updating the primary dinosaur caricature logo and the secondary mark, which had been a curvy version of the words Dinosaur Bar-B-Que but is now more block letter style. (The kept the funky spelling of bar-b-que, of course. Stage once admitted that came about because he and Rotella didnt know how it was spelled.).

One element of the new primary logo is that the Dino part of the name is a different color  its white on the yellow version. (There are also black-and-white versions). That makes sense since so many of the restaurants fans simply call it Dino anyway. As for the flames, they now project from the platter, which no longer has food on it.

Its a cleaner look overall.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is a Syracuse icon, a destination, Vine said in a news release. We wanted the brand refresh to be an evolution, not a revolution.

The new logo is now showing up throughout the Dinosaur world, on menus and T-shirts and more, Kathleen White, CINSYRs director of creative content and strategy. It was painted on the front of the Syracuse restaurant last month and on the companys headquarters on West Genesee Street last week.

It will also make its way to Dinosaurs bottled sauces, but those versions arent likely to hit the market until next year.

Stage says the Dinosaur restaurants are still hanging in there despite the restrictions due to the coronavirus.

The Upstate locations (Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Troy) are all open for indoor/outdoor dining (with restrictions) and takeout. The two New York City locations are not yet open for indoor seating. And the Newark, N.J. location remains closed for now because its location is not suitable for takeout. A location in Stamford, Conn. closed permanently this summer.

The new brand logo for Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has been painted on the front of the restaurant at 246 W. Willow St. in Syracuse. (CINSYR Creative Group).

MORE ON RESTAURANTS

After 40 years, Dominicks Restaurant is up for sale

Cafe Kubal opens new shop in Hawley-Green neighborhood

Parklet-style outdoor dining debuts in Armory Square

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 06:05:28|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TUNIS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian scientific committee for the fight against the coronavirus approved on Tuesday the health protocol for the start of the new school year slated for Sept. 15, reported Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP).

"The protocol provides for the application of physical distancing between pupils and also requires the wearing of masks for teachers and educational staff only," TAP quoted as saying Habib Guedira, member of the scientific committee for the fight against the coronavirus.

"Pupils will not be required to wear masks because they are less exposed to the risk of contamination than adults," Guedira added.

The health official stressed that the health protocol stipulates to strengthen preventive measures in areas that record an increase of COVID-19 cases.

The total number of confirmed cases in Tunisia surged to 3,069, the Ministry of Health said Tuesday in a statement.

So far, a total of 1,456 patients have recovered from the virus in the country, while the death toll hit 71.

The Tunisian government has imposed strict preventive measures shortly after the detection of the first coronavirus case on March 2.

The North African country has received several batches of medical aid from the Chinese government, Chinese foundations and companies since late March to help its fight against the pandemic. Enditem
Will the Presidents address now provide fresh impetus for rekindling that trouble? It will be a test case for future archaeological explorations in the North and East in particular.





by Ameer Ali





Once the 19th Amendment is abolished or seriously revised, and GR acquires dictatorial powers under a new constitution, will he push through draconian measures to satisfy his supremacist constituency?













Sans any pomp and pageant and dressed in western suit, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR) flawlessly delivered his 20-minute address to the new parliament. Although it was basically a rehash of his earlier address, delivered on 5 December 2019, captioned Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour, there were certain policy pointers in the second, which, if read between the lines, should worry the minorities in particular.





It was an address solely aimed at satisfying the aspirations of the majority Buddhist community on whose overwhelming support his government achieved its victory with almost two-third majority, and on whose satisfaction, GR sees the repository of peoples sovereignty. There was not one word in the entire address where he referred to the aspirations of the minorities.





SLPPs resounding victory was more the result of the same Sinhala-Buddhist-ethno-nationalist Gota-wave that ensured GRs victory at the last presidential election than an endorsement of what the President claimed to be the way we have governed the country during the past nine months. It was a period of militarised administration marked by irresponsible fiscal populism, which led to simmering social and economic discontent. The financial cost of the nine months administration and the resulting economic plight were never revealed in full to the public. In fact, the political pressure brought upon the Election Commission to hold the election at the earliest possible opportunity was primarily to avoid any possible calamity at the polls when economic reality threatened to start biting. Even now water shortage and chronic power cuts are jeopardising any quick economic recovery.





Among the controversial issues raised in that address were the principle of one country one law, advice of only the Buddhist clergy on governance, protection of places of archaeological importance to preserve Buddhist heritage, changes to the system of proportional representation, and legal rights for lands occupied by people for many years. These are issues which certainly would raise great concern especially among the Tamil and Muslim communities.





One country one law





The issue of one country one law was first raised in the Yahapalana parliament in the context of the controversy over the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) of 1951. The Justice Marsoof Committee Report (JMCR), which recommended a series of progressive measures primarily to remove the misogynic elements in MMDA and to make it more gender balanced with some modernist touch, was sabotaged by a coalition of orthodox ulama led by the infamous All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) and Muslim politicians.





It was then that parliamentarian Ven. Athureliya Rathana Thera representing JHU raised the principle of one country one law and demanded the total abolition of MMDA. Does President Rajapaksa support this Theras contention? The new Minister of Justice has already stated that Muslims should stop the tradition of early marriages, as recommended by JMCR. Will he also support and implement the rest of that reports recommendations, or yield to the demands of Buddhist ultra-nationalists to abolish Muslim personal laws altogether? Muslims will be watching future developments on this matter with great concern. Added to that is the issue of cremating Muslim bodies. The President sanctioned it under the exceptional circumstance of the pandemic, despite widespread protests from Muslim and other groups. Under the principle of one country one law, will that exception be legislated as the norm for Muslims by the new government?





Moreover, what would be the position of the Buddhist clergy who are supposed to advise the president on matters of governance, is also something to be watched with great interest. On the advice of clergy, it is true that members of Buddhist clergy played a historic role in the ancient past to maintain virtuosity in governance. Sri Lanka today is a multireligious and multicultural polity. Why not the President select a team of clerics from all major religions to advise him on matters of governance when needed? Instead, the presidents address simply endorses the contention of Buddhist supremacists that this country belongs only to the Sinhala Buddhists and that only they would determine what is virtuous and what is not.





A related issue is about protecting places of archaeological importance to preserve Buddhist heritage. On the face of it no one can question the legitimacy of or rationale for such undertaking. Any ancient heritage, whether it be Buddhist, Hindu, Christian or Islamic, is national heritage and beyond that it is also the heritage of entire humanity. However, when archaeological explorations come into clash with communities of people whose physical existence and livelihood in that surrounding are threatened alternative arrangements for those communities should be found.





Already, the appointment of a task force just before the election, ran into trouble with a community of Muslim cultivators in Pottuvil. According to one observer the members of that task force except for one had little expertise on archaeology. Because of the trouble and to control the damage before an election, further explorations in that area were halted.





Fresh impetus for rekindling trouble





Will the Presidents address now provide fresh impetus for rekindling that trouble? It will be a test case for future archaeological explorations in the North and East in particular.





Similarly, the idea of issuing legal documents to lands occupied and tilled by people for many years should be welcomed in the interest of providing not only economic security for those tillers and their families, but also of increasing the productivity of such lands. Once again, there are specific issues especially regarding lands occupied by security forces and their families during and after the civil war. In several such instances, especially in Tamil and Muslim areas, those lands had previous owners. Will the government take measures to return those lands to those owners or legitimise the post-war status quo? This is one issue that makes reconciliation with the Tamil community particularly difficult.





Finally, the intended electoral reforms. The most important reform the country deserves at this point of time is a reduction in the volume of representatives and improvement in their quality. The standard of debate and behaviour of great many representatives in recent parliaments was a national disgrace. Quite many of them were a burden on the taxpayer and a source of corruption. That said, the intended reforms should not be a mechanism to reduce representation of minority communities.





In fact, that was one of the motives behind JR for introducing the system of proportional representation. He was particularly unhappy of the disproportionate influence a minority like Muslims used to hold in the parliament. However, even under his system Muslims continued to maintain that influence by creating their own ethnic party. Although they are weak in total number, they have turned that weakness into strength by capitalising on the weakness of the electoral system.





Even in the last election, despite major divisions and factions among themselves Muslims were able to capture more than twenty seats in the legislature. Had the election results produced a hung parliament that Muslim block would have gained a strong bargaining power.





Likewise, a united Tamil front with dozens of representatives in the parliament would be a problem to implement the agenda of Buddhist supremacists. Does the President therefore, through his electoral reforms aiming to reduce the strength of minorities in the legislature? Once the 19th Amendment is abolished or seriously revised, and GR acquires dictatorial powers under a new constitution, will he push through draconian measures to satisfy his supremacist constituency? In such situations what would be the reaction of those minority representatives who are now sitting on the government side? These are perturbing questions arising from the Presidents address if read between the lines.





(The writer is attached to the School of Business and Governance, Murdoch University, Western Australia.)
Kerala's Kumbalangi to be first synthetic pad-free village in India

How Kerala Police CCSE under Cyberdome is fighting crimes against children

Fire at Kerala Secretariat, Oppn alleges conspiracy to sabotage evidence in gold smuggling probe

India

oi-Deepika S

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 25: A fire broke out in the protocol department in the North block of the Secretariat here, housing important offices, on Tuesday evening, but was brought under control, fire and rescue department said.

The department was informed at around 4.45 pm about the blaze and fire engines left for the secretariat immediately, the sources told PTI.

P Honey, Additional secretary, Housekeeping Cell at the Secretariat, said a short circuit from a computer is suspected to have triggered the blaze, which has been doused.

Four more arrested in Kerala Gold Smuggling case, incriminating material seized

'No important files have been destroyed. They are all safe', the official told a television channel.

Covid-19: Parliament monsoon session likely from September 14th to October 1st |Oneindia News

There were only two people in the office as the remaining staff had gone on quarantine, he said, adding they were not injured.

The opposition Congress-led UDF in the state has alleged attempts to sabotage the investigations into the gold smuggling case, in which Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office has come under scrutiny.

"Very important files regarding the gold smuggling case have been completely destroyed. No backup file is available. This is a suspicious case. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is responsible for this," said Ramesh Chennithala, Congress leader.
Any violators should face zero tolerance



Complying with social distancing rules and anti-infection measures is the key to containing the spread of COVID-19. This is all the more important because South Korea faces a second wave of mass infections.



Yet some members of our society are making ill-conceived efforts to flout the guidelines and proper measures against the highly contagious virus. They should realize that their reckless and irresponsible behavior jeopardizes the heath of not only themselves but also others.



Now at the center of mounting criticism is the Sarang Jeil Church and its conservative pastor Jun Kwang-hoon. The church in northern Seoul has emerged as a new epicenter of COVID-19 infections. Over 870 confirmed cases are linked to the church. Its infection cluster stems from a sheer disregard for social distancing guidelines. The church was also found to have failed to follow disinfection rules when it held a mass prayer service last month.



Jun should take the blame for encouraging his church members to attend an anti-government rally in central Seoul on the Aug. 15 National Liberation Day. He gave a speech to the rally without following a self-quarantine order. He also called on churchgoers to refuse to take a test for the virus. Jun, who is under quarantine at a hospital after contracting COVID-19, accused the government of persecuting his church.



The church has also tenaciously impeded the health authorities' efforts to conduct an epidemiological survey on its facilities. Its members have wrongfully claimed that district health centers manipulated the results of virus tests to find all church related persons positive for the coronavirus. A couple even spat in the face of a district official who asked them to take a test.



This irrational behavior only diminishes existing efforts to fight the virus. The church and its pastor cannot shirk their responsibility for the resurgence of the coronavirus. New daily infections have continued to record triple figures since Aug. 14. The present situation appears far more serious than the first wave which was triggered by the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the southeastern city of Daegu in February and March.



No religious organization should try to repeat the Shincheonji nightmare. No one is given free rein to propagate the pandemic in the name of religion. Churches and temples are not allowed to hide behind a constitutional right to religious freedom. They ought to carry out their obligation of protecting the health of both congregants and the public.



Anyone can criticize the government for its policy blunders. Frankly speaking, the health authorities have made some mistakes in coping with the unprecedented health crisis. But spreading fake news about COVID-19 is a crime no less grave than the spreading of the virus itself.



President Moon Jae-in has vowed to take stern action against those refusing to comply with social distancing rules which have become stricter from mid-August. Any violators should be subject to zero tolerance. We should endure temporary inconveniences and practice the rules laid out to the public in good faith if we hope to defeat the virus.


Kochi, Aug 25 Aug 25 : The Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala on Tuesday suffered a huge setback after a division bench of the Kerala High Court ruled that the CBI will probe the case of two Youth Congress workers murdered near Periya in Kasaragod last year.

Incidentally it was the Vijayan government which brought in high-profile lawyers to defend them, after a single bench of the High Court earlier directed a CBI probe, quashing the police charge sheet in the case last year.

The Pinarayi Vijayan government had come under fire from various quarters after they decided to approach the division bench against the single bench verdict. The gruesome murders took place on February 17, last year.

The family members of the victims and the Congress party have been demanding a CBI probe into the twin murders alleging that senior CPI-M leaders in the district conspired to eliminate the two young Congress workers. A.Peethambaran, a local CPI-M leader is the prime accused in the case and is under arrest.

Youth Congress workers Krupesh, 19, and Sharath Lal (Joshy), 24, were attacked by three motorcycle-borne men while returning from an event. While Krupesh died at the Kasargod district hospital, Joshy succumbed to injuries on his way to a medical facility in Mangaluru, Karnataka.
The University of Alabama on Monday reported that more than 550 people on campuses have tested positive for coronavirus since classes began less than a week earlier.

Of the 566 new cases at the University of Alabama's campuses and facilities, 531 of them were reported in students, faculty and staff at the university's main campus in Tuscaloosa, according to the school's tracker, released Monday.

Those numbers don't include the 310 students who tested positive before Wednesday, Aug. 19, upon returning to school at the Tuscaloosa campus.

Kellee Reinhart, senior vice-chancellor for communications and community relations at the university, told NBC News that "the University has an ample amount of quarantine space for COVID-positive students."

"Many students have chosen to go home to recuperate," she added.

Selwyn Vickers, dean of the School of Medicine at UAB and co-chair of the UA System Health and Safety Task Force, said that "over the past week, due to student behavior, we have seen a spike in the number of students who have sought re-testing because they became symptomatic or were exposed to a COVID-positive individual. That trend prompted the decision to take further steps to reduce the chance that the COVID- 19 virus will escalate dramatically.

Image: University of Alabama's bar scene (Vasha Hunt / AP)

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox announced Monday that bars would be closed for two weeks, beginning Monday night. Restaurants would also have to eliminate bar service for two weeks. Alcohol can only be served at tables.

"The goal of all of these protocols is to keep our students on campus, and allow our classes to be delivered in that way, and by doing that we're able to flatten this curve and move forward in our semester. This is a very dynamic situation. We value our students' health, their ability to get the most out of their Tuscaloosa and Alabama experience," University of Alabama President Stuart Bell said during a news conference.

Story continues

Gov. Kay Ivey said she appreciated Maddox and University of Alabama leadership "tackling a serious problem as quickly as possible" and making "tough decisions."

"As our students adjust to being back on campus, Tuscaloosa leaders and university officials are focused on helping to ensure their health and safety," Ivey said. "If we do not act expeditiously, it leaves the potential for a situation to get out of hand, which would require even tougher, longer-lasting decisions to be enacted."

Universities across the country have been struggling with bringing students back to campuses amid the coronavirus pandemic. Auburn University, also located in Alabama, reported 207 coronavirus cases for last week. Alabama has reported more than 110,000 coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, and more than 2,000 deaths.
The India Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued an alert for moderate to heavy" rains in the national capital over the next three days. Delhi-NCR is very likely to experience one or two spells of moderate rain from Wednesday evening/night to Friday afternoon, with heavy rainfall at isolated places on Thursday," it said.

The rain is likely to inundate low-lying areas and disrupt traffic on roads, it warned. Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the regional forecasting centre of the IMD, said the monsoon trough will remain close to Delhi-NCR from Tuesday evening to Friday.

Under its influence, convergence of lower-level easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal and south westerly winds from the Arabian Sea will take place over northwest India, he said. On Tuesday, cloudy weather kept the mercury below the 34 degrees mark in Delhi. However, humidity levels shot up to 92 per cent.

Delhi has recorded 213.3 mm rainfall against the normal of 210.6 mm in August so far. Overall, it has gauged 531.9 mm precipitation against the normal of 486.7 mm since June 1, when monsoon season starts.

The Yamuna was flowing precariously close to the warning mark on Tuesday and water levels in the river is likely to increase as the weather department warned of heavy to very heavy" rainfall in northwest India. The water level was recorded at 204 metres at 10 am and at 203.98 metres at 6 pm, below the warning level of 204.50 metres," an official of the Irrigation and Flood Control department said. The river had swelled to 204.38 metres on Monday, which was just a metre below the danger mark of 205.33 metres.

Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the regional forecasting centre of the India Meteorological Department, said heavy to very rainfall is likely in northwest India over the next three four days due to the northward shifting of the monsoon trough. Water was being released into the Yamuna at the rate of 33,406 cubic metres per second (cusec) at 6 pm from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryanas Yamunanagar district. One cusec is equivalent to 28.317 litre per second.

The flow rate was 7,418 cusec at 10 am, the official said. Normally, the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage is 352 cusec, but the discharge is increased after heavy rainfall in catchment areas.

Delhis Water Minister Satyendar Jain had Monday said the government was ready to deal with any flood-like situation. We have a flood-control system ready and it will be activated when any situation demands it," he said.

The government has a plan ready for all the areas along the Yamuna, right from Palla village to Okhla, he said. The water level of the river rose due to heavy rainfall in its catchment area over the last few days.
Many colleges are welcoming students back for in-person learning and dormitory living this fall semester. Looming over everything: Campuses could shut back down at any time.

With COVID-19 cases still high, many colleges are developing shutdown contingency plans alongside their reopening arrangements.

At the same time, the pandemic is fueling new debate about whether colleges should charge the same tuition for online and in-person classes. Tuition typically covers the cost of instruction  salaries, software, labs and such  and that cost at many schools may have increased.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, as an exception, has a different cost structure for online, hybrid and in-person classes. Still, it announced that students wont receive a tuition refund if in-person classes move online this fall. And, after the pivot from its sister school at Chapel Hill, it told students to prepare for a similar transition if cases rise.

That leaves freshman Owen Palmer weighing the possibility that the education he is paying for may not be the one he gets. Im taking a risk because (the university) mentioned they cant do refunds, says Palmer. For him, the risk is worth it, but he does wonder what hell do if the campus has to close.

Heres what he and other students can expect as the fall shapes up.

Dont expect a break on tuition

Some schools have cut tuition. Hampton University is offering students a 15% discount, bringing undergraduate tuition to $12,519. Other schools are offering additional scholarships and grants.

But tuition decreases and additional aid arent the norm.

If I had to make bets, I would say a lot of colleges will be (freezing tuition) until they get a better sense of the economy, says Arun Ponnusamy, chief academic officer at the college admissions and application counseling company Collegewise. But there will be other colleges that say, We need money to run this school.

That may be happening already. George Mason University in Virginia approved a tuition increase of $450. The University of Michigan approved a 1.9% tuition increase. Both schools are planning a mix of online and in-person instruction.

Meals and housing refunds likely

Many colleges arent publicizing their shutdown contingency plans  or how refunds will work. But students can look to how their school handled refunds in the spring to gauge how fall might play out.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University gave refunds for on-campus housing and meal plans, says William Hudson Jr., the schools vice president for student affairs. If the campus has to shut down this fall, Hudson says the refund structure would probably be the same.

Other colleges also offered direct refunds for students. For example, Temple University automatically deposited partial refunds for room and board in students bank accounts. The University of North Carolina Wilmington gave prorated refunds for room and board.

But some colleges opted for account credit instead.

The University of Arkansas refunded about 20% of room and board costs to student accounts. They havent announced an official plan in case of a fall shutdown, but staff members expect itll be the same.

The University of Alabama offered a prorated refund for room and board, and parking. Students could take a cash refund immediately or apply that amount and an extra 10% as an account credit for the fall.

How can you prepare?

If youre planning to return to campus housing, contact your school and ask about its shutdown contingency plans. Youll want to know what factors would cause it to shut down again. This could be a campus COVID-19 outbreak of a certain size, an increase in local cases or other factors.

You cant stop a campus shutdown, but if you know the metrics your school is looking at, you can anticipate it and react more confidently.

Make backup plans for housing if your campus closes. Determine if youll go home, stay with a friend, get your own apartment or something else. Communicate your intentions with those you plan to stay with or scope out affordable apartments in advance. That way, if the campus shuts down suddenly, you know exactly where youll go.

Ask your college about emergency funds and grants if a campus closure will cause you financial hardship. Many colleges have funds available for students.

Plan how youd use a refund. If your school offers a direct refund, consider whether youll need that money for living expenses . If you dont need the money for living expenses, send the refund back to your student loan servicer. Doing so will keep your overall loan balance down and save you money in the long run.

More From NerdWallet

Cecilia Clark is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: cclark@nerdwallet.com.
In what could be the first such case, Punjab National Bank (PNB) has received Rs 24.33 crore ($3.25 million) as proceeds from the liquidation of Nirav Modi-owned companies, which are undergoing bankruptcy proceedings in the US.

The bank informed the Ministry of Corporate Affairs that upon liquidation of the debtors' assets by the US Chapter 11 Trustee, a sum of $11.04 million (Rs 82.66 crore) was available for distribution to unsecured creditors, including PNB. The bank has said that further recovery is subject to other expenses and settlement of claims of other claimants.

ALSO READ: PNB fraud case: Interpol issues arrest warrant against Nirav Modi's wife

The MCA in a statement has said that the maiden repatriation of $3.25 million is an unprecedented achievement of the government in its fight against corporate fraud in overseas territory. The Ministry has also initiated proceedings for disgorgement of monies from entities promoted and controlled by Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

According to reports, three Nirav Modi-promoted companies - Firestar Diamond Inc, A Jaffee Inc, and Fantasy Inc had filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection in the Southern District of New York. PNB requested the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to support and join the bankruptcy proceedings in New York in order to help PNB realise its claims in the debtors' assets.

ALSO READ: PNB fraud: ED files fresh charge sheet to boost Mehul Choksi's extradition chances

The US Bankruptcy Court of Southern District of New York on July 26, 2018, recognised the claims of PNB in the proceeds of sale of assets of the properties of the debtor companies. It also authorised PNB to issue subpoenas to compel the examination of Nirav Modi, Mihir Bhansali and Rakhi Bhansali under oath.

Subsequently, on August 24, 2018, the examiner appointed by the New York Bankruptcy Court submitted his report. The report explains the modus operandi of the fraud, and the manner in which the US-based employees of the debtors participated in the fraud.

One prominent feature of the fraud was the apparent facade of independent companies, which were, in reality, entities promoted and/or controlled by Nirav Modi and were engaged in 'round-tripping' of the diamonds amongst themselves.

ALSO READ: 2,426 firms 'looted' Rs 1.47 lakh crore from banks; will govt investigate, asks Rahul Gandhi
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Madrid, Spain  Tue, August 25, 2020 08:00 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c402c9a9 2 World Spain,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-infection,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free

Spain's cumulative tally of coronavirus cases hit 405,436 on Monday after a surge in infections last week, making it the worst week for infections since late March.

The country's health ministry added nearly 20,000 infections for last week after revising upwards the number of cases for at least four of the days in that week.

Infections have risen sharply since Spain lifted a three-month lockdown in late June, but deaths have been much lower than during the epidemic's late-March peak. Three people died in the past 24 hours, with the total death toll at 28,872.

In the past 24 hours, 2,060 cases have been diagnosed, the ministry said, a lower level than seen last week.

"Right now there is a certain level of community transmission across Spain," health emergency chief Fernando Simon told a news conference.

Seeking to halt the resurgence, regional authorities are bringing back restrictions that were lifted after the national lockdown reduced the number of new cases.

In Catalonia, which has reported more than 1,000 daily cases over the past five days, social gatherings will be limited to 10 people, while southeastern Murcia banned meetings of more than six people and recommended people over 65 stay at home.

Catalan leader Quim Torra said the next three weeks - when thousands of workers will return from holidays and children are due to head back to school - will be crucial for reducing COVID-19 transmission.

"No distractions, no deviations and maximum concentration ... because one way or another this country has to get back to work and reopen schools," he told a news conference in Barcelona.

With the start of the school term just weeks away, teachers and parents' associations are angry at the government's lack of a coherent back-to-school plan.

Madrid, which has logged more than 24,000 cases in the past two weeks, has urged people in the worst-hit areas to stay at home and has not ruled out targeted lockdowns if the situation deteriorates.
Stewart, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2020) - Decade Resources Ltd (TSXV: DEC) ("Decade" or the Company) announces that it has entered into an option agreement with Teuton Resource Corp. on the Lord Nelson property. The property located 34 kilometres east of Stewart, BC is comprised of 2630 ha in 6 separate claims. The property is located along contact zone of volcanics to the west and sediments to the east.

Decade has the right to earn up to a 55% interest in the Lord Nelson property under the following terms:

Payment of $100,000 over 4 years with an initial payment of $10,000.

Issuing 400,000 shares of Decade on signing.

Issuing an additional $90,000 of Decade stock over a 4 year period.

Expenditures of $2,000,000 over 5 years.

Decade has the right to earn an additional 20% by placing the property into production. Teuton retains a 2% Net Smelter Royalty. The agreement is subject to TSX Venture approval.

Highlights of the property include:

Grab sampling in 2019 on the Lord Nelson near the boundary with the Del Norte property yielded 0.25 to 272 g/t (8 oz /t) gold and 60 ppm to 17.45 % copper. A photo of a mineralized outcrop is attached.

gold and 60 ppm to copper. A photo of a mineralized outcrop is attached. Examination by consulting geologists working for Decade Resources in 2020 confirmed the location and nature of the 2019 sampling, and discovered more mineralized occurrences to the north in an upslope direction from Nelson Creek (assays are awaited).

Nelson Creek, lying immediately to the south of the copper-gold bearing showings, is known to have produced coarse, placer gold in the 1930's. A definite source for this gold has not yet been found.

Geophysical surveys by Teuton in previous years indicated EM anomalies extending north from the Del Norte project into the Lord Nelson tenures. One of these anomalies is spatially associated with the LG vein, a known high-grade gold occurrence with a minimum 1.2 km strike length.

A series of ZTEM anomalies were identified in a multi-property survey in 2018. The northernmost of these is on the Lord Nelson property. Of this anomaly, Geotech's geophysicists stated that it: "coincides with a strong Aerotem conductor. It lies at the contact between volcanics and sediments of the Hazelton Group. This target is stretching roughly in the NS direction over a distance of >1.8 km and has an estimated resistivity of <50 ohm-m at depth of 300m. It occurs within a zone of complex structural pattern and represents probably the northern extension of the conductor that hosts the LG vein system. "

Ed Kruchkowski, president of the Company states: "The Lord Nelson tenures are on strike with the volcanic/sediment contact being tested by the Company in Nelson Creek at present. The Company has noted that the horizons being tested appear to strike north on to the newly optioned claims. Also, helicopter flights to the area of the Del Norte drilling pass directly over the newly optioned tenures. The new showing area which is at low elevations allows the Company to have a longer exploration period in this region."

Drilling is continuing at the Del Norte project and is successfully intersecting all intended target zones.

Ed Kruchkowski, P. Geo., a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 is responsible for the contents of this release. E. Kruchkowski is not independent of Decade as he is the president of the Company.

Decade Resources Ltd. is a Canadian based mineral exploration company actively seeking opportunities in the resource sector. Decade holds numerous properties at various stages of development and exploration from basic grass roots to advanced ones. Its properties and projects are all located in the "Golden Triangle" area of northern British Columbia. For a complete listing of the Company assets and developments, visit the Company website at www.decaderesources.ca which is presently being updated. For investor information please call 250-636-2264 or Gary Assaly at 604-377-7969.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DECADE RESOURCES LTD.

"Ed Kruchkowski"

Ed Kruchkowski, President

"Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

"This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements."

New Cpy Mineralization

Lord Nelson Valley - Aug 12, 2020

To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3615/62477_1d5c02c9b4a2ab65_001full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62477
New Jersey and a handful of other states and local governments sued the U.S. Postal Service Tuesday, accusing President Donald Trumps administration of deliberately hampering the agency to undermine a federal election.

The lawsuit asks the court to undo recent changes accused of slowing delivery nationwide, including the removal of sorting machines, collection boxes and reduction in overtime.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said last week he would stop many of those controversial policies, but state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal concluded only a lawsuit could ensure the agency would be ready for a surge in mail-in ballots because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The postal services dramatic changes threaten to disenfranchise voters, Grewal said in a statement, while also hurting vulnerable citizens who rely on the mail for prescription drugs and other things that help them survive.

Tuesdays complaint targeted Trump, DeJoy and the postal service. A spokesman for the agency declined comment on the lawsuit but pointed to a recent postal service statement saying they have more than enough capacity to handle election mail volume and that removing collection boxes is decades-old protocol.

A White House representative did not immediately return a request for comment.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

The postal service has removed or is removing more than two dozen important machines, including bar code sorters and automated sorters, from distribution centers in Kearny, Teterboro, Bellmawr, Hamilton and New Castle, Delaware, according to the lawsuit, and packages that should have been delivered July 18 had still not left a Jersey City center more than four weeks later.

Those and other actions should be reversed because they were unconstitutional and failed to follow laws requiring the agency to run nationwide policies by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the complaint said. The states also said the changes inhibited their ability to run an election.

The lawsuit adds to a growing tangle of legal maneuvers embroiling an agency rarely pulled into partisan politics.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday voted to increase postal service funding and roll back the same changes targeted by the lawsuit, a move supported by New Jerseys Republican representatives. Trump has said hell block increased funding in order to cripple mail-in voting.

Trump has repeatedly said mail-in voting has a high risk of fraud, despite evidence to the contrary, and his campaign is suing New Jersey to block Gov. Phil Murphys plan to send mail-in ballots to every voter.

The postal service warned New Jersey last month it couldnt guarantee all ballots would be delivered in time to be counted, but DeJoy has since testified that election mail is his No. 1 priority and denied accusations of partisan meddling.

That wasnt enough for officials in New Jersey, who said his testimony failed to explain how he could ensure the timely delivery of election mail given that the agency did not plan to undo these delay-inducing policies.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for Washington D.C. along with New York city and state, Hawaii, and the city and county of San Francisco.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Blake Nelson can be reached at bnelson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BCunninghamN.

Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips.
The phrase "too much of a good thing" may sound like a contradiction, but it encapsulates one of the key hurdles preventing the expansion of renewable energy generation. Too much of a service or commodity makes it harder for companies to sell them, so they curtail production.

Usually that works out fine: The market reaches equilibrium and economists are happy. But external factors are bottlenecking renewable electricity despite the widespread desire to increase its capacity.

UC Santa Barbara's Sangwon Suh is all too familiar with this issue. The professor of industrial ecology has focused on it and related challenges for at least the past two years at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management. "Curtailment is the biggest problem of renewable energy we are facing," said Suh, who noted it will only escalate as renewable energy capacity increases.

Now Suh, along with Bren doctoral student Jiajia Zheng, and Andrew Chien at the University of Chicago, have presented an innovative proposal to address this issue by routing workloads between data centers in different regions. The concept, published in the journal Joule, is cheap, efficient and requires minimal new infrastructure. Yet it could reduce thousands of tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, all while saving companies money and encouraging the expansion of renewable energy.

The main roadblock

Curtailment comes into play when renewable energy sources generate more electricity than is required to meet demand. Modern power grids balance energy supply and demand in real-time, every minute of every day. Extra electricity would overwhelm them, so it needs to be either stored, sold off or curtailed.

This occurs because reliable energy sources -- like fossil fuel and nuclear power plants -- are critical to grid stability, as well as meeting nighttime demand. These facilities have to operate above a minimum capacity, since shutting down and restarting them is both costly and inefficient. This sets a minimum for electricity from conventional power sources, and if renewables continue to generate more power, then the extra energy is effectively useless.

California is a case study in the challenges of variable renewable electricity and the problem of curtailment. Presumably the state could sell its surplus electricity to neighbors. Unfortunately, many power grids are encountering the same problem, and the transmission network has limited capacity. As a result, the state has resorted to selling excess electricity at a negative price, essentially paying other states to take the energy.

There are two other solutions for dealing with excess electricity aside from simply curtailing energy generation, Suh explained. Energy can be stored in batteries and even hydroelectric reservoirs. That said, batteries are incredibly expensive, and hydropower storage is only suitable for certain locations.

The other option is to use the extra electricity to generate things of value that can be used later. "Whatever we produce will have to be stored and transported to where it's needed," Suh pointed out. "And this can be very expensive.

"But," he added, "transporting data and information is very cheap because we can use fiber optics to transmit the data literally at the speed of light." As the authors wrote in the study, the idea behind data load migration is "moving bits, not watts."

An innovative idea

The task ahead of the authors was clear. "The question we were trying to answer was can we process data using excess electricity?" Suh said. "If we can, then it's probably the cheapest solution for transporting the product or service made using excess electricity."

Currently, Northern Virginia hosts most of the nation's data centers. Unlike California's grid, CAISO, the grid Northern Virginia sits on, PJM, relies heavily on coal-fired power plants, "the dirtiest electricity that we can ever imagine," in Suh's words.

Suh, Zheng and Chien propose that workloads from the PJM region could be sent to centers out west whenever California has excess electricity. The jobs can be accomplished using electricity that otherwise would have been curtailed or sold for a loss, and then the processed data can be sent wherever the service is needed. Data centers usually have average server usage rates below 50%, Zheng explained, meaning there is plenty of idle capacity ready to be tapped.

This plan is not only environmentally sound; it represents significant savings for the companies using these services. "This approach could potentially save the data center operators tens of millions of dollars," said lead author Zheng. Since the electricity would otherwise have been useless, its cost to the company is essentially zero.

The authors analyzed historical curtailment data of CAISO from 2015 through 2019. They found that load migration could have absorbed up to 62% of CAISO's curtailed electricity capacity in 2019. That's nearly 600,000 megawatt-hours of previously wasted energy -- roughly as much electricity as 100,000 Californian households consume in a year.

At the same time, the strategy could have reduced the equivalent of up to 240,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2019 using only existing data center capacity in California. "That is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from 600 million miles of driving using average passenger vehicles," Suh said. And, rather than costing money, each ton of CO2 emissions averted by switching power grids would actually provide around $240 in savings due to decreased spending on electricity.

Untapped potential

These findings were within what the authors expected to see. It was the ramifications that amazed them. "What surprised me was why we were not doing this before," Suh said. "This seems very straightforward: There's excess electricity, and electricity is a valuable thing, and information is very cheap to transmit from one location to another. So why are we not doing this?"

Suh suspects it may be because data center operators are less inclined to cooperate with each other under current market pressures. Despite the environmental and financial benefits, these companies may be reluctant to outsource data processing to a facility run by a different firm.

In fact, the data center industry is somewhat of a black box. "It was very challenging for us to get detailed information on the power usage characteristics and energy consumption data from the industry," said Zheng.

Harnessing the potential of curtailed renewable energy will require fluid coordination between the data center operators. Shifting the system may require changing the incentives currently at work. This could take the form of new regulations, a price on carbon emissions or collaborations between rival companies.

"Two different things need to happen in parallel," Suh said. "One is from the private sector: They need to cooperate and come up with the technological and managerial solutions to enable this. And from the government side, they need to think about the policy changes and incentives that can enable this type of change more quickly."

A widespread price on carbon emissions could provide the necessary nudge. California already has a carbon price, and Suh believes that, as additional states follow suit, it will become more economically attractive for companies to start using the strategies laid out in this study.

And these strategies have huge growth potential. Data processing and renewable electricity capacity are both growing rapidly. Researchers predict that the datasphere will expand more than fivefold from 2018 to 2025. As a result, there is a lot of room for data centers to absorb additional processing needs using excess renewable energy in the future.

This paper offers only a conservative estimate of the financial and environmental benefits of data load migration, Suh acknowledged. "As we increase the data center capacity, I think that the ability for a data center to be used as a de facto battery is actually increasing as well," he said.

"If we can think ahead and be prepared, I think that a substantial portion of the curtailment problem can be addressed in a very cost-effective way by piggybacking on the growth of data centers."

###
The Rajasthan Assembly session, which began on August 14, was adjourned sine die on Monday after three sittings but without the question and zero hours. The Opposition legislators were prompt to say that the sole purpose of the session was to prove the governments majority. Experts said if lawmakers cannot hold the government to account in Assembly, it was was a dangerous trend for democracy.

The government and the Assembly management said the question and zero hours were disallowed in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Assembly session convened on August 14 when the Ashok Gehlot government moved and won the confidence motion by voice vote. This followed more than a month-long political turmoil arising out of the rebellion by former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs.

Also read: Did he say it or did he not? Rahuls remarks on letter writers create flutter

The Assembly was adjourned until August 21 and when it reconvened that day, there was only discussion on Covid-19 situation in the state, no question or zero hour was allowed. The same happened on Monday, during the third sitting of the Assembly when 13 bills were passed in the House but no discussion on them took place even as the Opposition boycotted the business advisory committees (BAC) meeting over five bills tabled on Monday itself.

The government tabled eight bills on August 21 and five on Monday; all were passed amid protest by the Opposition. Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said they didnt have enough time to study the new bills. The Opposition also staged a walkout.

BJP MLA Kalicharan Saraf, who is a member of the BAC, said, Not holding question and zero hour is unjustified. It is happening only because the government has the mandate. We protested in the BAC meeting, too. The government wanted to have this assembly session only for the trust vote and is unconcerned about public issues.

Two other BJP MLAs echoed the sentiment.

Pratap Singh Singhvi said it is in the question and zero hour that lawmakers could grill ministers over issues of public interest. The state is in the grip of locust invasion, parents are protesting over school fee, theres the issue of unemployment  there was so much that we wanted to discussed but the session became a mere formality, he said.

Jogeshwar Garg accused the government of misusing its mandate in the BAC. It called the session for its own requirement, he added.

According to the Assembly website, there are around 1,200 questions for the session, including the starred ones. Twenty-five starred questions were listed on Monday.

Assembly Speaker CP Joshi said everyone wanted the session to be longer but the BAC decided against it because of the rising number of Covid-19 cases. There was no intention to prevent the Opposition from raising questions and seeking a reply from the government but the question and zero hour would have led to the inflow of more people in the Assembly, he said in the House.

No state assembly across the country is holding question or zero hour because of this, he added. The speaker said that in Bihar, a one-day session happened and around 13 bills were passed. Even in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the speaker will take a call to take question hour or not.

The session will be called again once the situation improves and all issues will be discussed, the Speaker said while addressing the House.

Chief whip Mahesh Joshi also blamed the pandemic for not holding question and zero hour. During these, department officials and staff are required to be in the Assembly and we wanted to prevent the flow of more people, he said.

But political commentator Narayan Bareth said that in the democratic system, questions are most important as they hold the government to account. There is no democracy if there arent questions, he said. Its not about the Congress or the BJP; they both are equal. Its a dangerous trend of not addressing questions, he added.
An 84-year-old pensioner bashed within an inch of his life and left for dead has won his battle to survive the cowardly attack.

Emilio Lombardi suffered a broken nose, eye injuries, and numerous deep cuts after he was attacked outside his home in Cannington on August 16.

The elderly man spent days in a coma clinging to life at Royal Perth Hospital after allegedly being slashed with pieces of a mirror broken off his car.

Mr Lombardi awoke from his coma on Monday and was moved from intensive care to a standard ward while he is on the mend.

Emilio Lombardi suffered a broken nose, eye injuries, and numerous deep cuts after he was attacked outside his home in Cannington on August 16

Quade Karsum Jones, 28, who accused of bashing an 84-year-old pensioner within an inch of his life, has been charged with an extraordinary list of crimes

He is said to be confused about waking up in hospital and what happened to him, and is still in critical condition, but is recovering from his horrific injuries.

Quade Karsum Jones, 28, and another man were arrested on Thursday after a four-day manhunt sparked by outrage over Mr Lombardi's savage beating.

Police allege Jones also indecently assaulted a woman in her 40s, bashed another in her 20s in the head with a metal sign, and violently robbed a man in his 20s.

The alleged rampage lasted just an hour, between 6.30pm to 7.30pm, but Jones, a roofing tradie, managed to rack up seven charges.

They include intent to do grievous bodily harm, indecent assault, robbery, and assault occasioning bodily harm.

The young man allegedly attacked by Jones is one of Mr Lombardi's neighbours and described it as 'terrifying'.

Police allege Jones also indecently assaulted a woman in her 40s, bashed another in her 20s in the head with a metal pole, and violently robbed a man in his 20s

Jones was arrested on Thursday morning at Kelmscott Railway Station suspected of being involved in the sickening assault of the helpless pensioner

'They came out of nowhere. I was kicked and punched. One of them tried to spray paint into my eye,' he told Nine News.

Jones will remain behind bars until September 15 after briefly facing Perth Magistrates Court on Friday.

A 24-year-old man who allegedly joined Jones in his crime spree was charged with multiple counts of criminal damage and firearm and drug crimes.

He allegedly sprayed graffiti on two walls, a gate, and a park bench, threw a brick through a window, and damaged two letterboxes and a fence.

Police also allegedly found drug smoking implements, a round of ammunition, and a slingshot during a search of his Armadale home. He will face court on September 15.

Mr Lombardi went outside his home to investigate a disturbance during the allege crime spree, and was allegedly attacked with a car mirror on his front lawn.

Jones was arrested at Kelmscott Railway Station before police carried out a raid on his father Dean Gray Jones' home in Seville Grove.

Emilio Lombardi, 84, was allegedly assaulted outside his home in Cannington in Perth on August 16, suffering gruesome injuries (pictured)

Mr Lombardi left his home on on Henry Street East at about 7pm to investigate a disturbance happening outside his property when he was allegedly assaulted

The other man was nabbed in Yanchep, on the opposite side of Perth to his home, on Thursday as police redoubled their efforts amid public outrage.

Police still want to speak with anyone who interacted with Jones and his co-accused on the night of August 16, or who noticed damage to their property.

Holding back tears on Thursday as she announced the arrests, Cannington Acting Detective Sergeant Alexandra Hill said police were 'stoked' a breakthrough had been made following the alleged 'cowardly, disgusting and appalling act'.

'This kind of incident is sickening and will no doubt leave a lasting impact on this victim for the rest of his life,' she said.

Western Australia Police said they had received an 'overwhelming response' from the community since they first shared photos of Mr Lombardi's gruesome wounds.

Footage has emerged of Mr Lombardi smiling and laughing in happier days - before he was allegedly set upon on Sunday.

CCTV footage from a nearby property shows two shadowy figures walking through a backyard on Sunday evening.

Pictured: Police using a battering ram to carry out a raid on Jones' home in Seville Grove

Jones was taken into custody at Kelmscott Railway Station after police said they received an 'overwhelming response' to their appeal for information into the alleged attack

The alleged rampage lasted just an hour, between 6.30pm to 7.30pm, but Jones managed to rack up seven charges

A police forensic team conducted testing at a property about 2km away in an attempt to find DNA evidence which could help find those involved.

The vicious assault garnered so much attention from West Australians that Premier Mark McGowan flagged the issue in parliament.

'Attacking an 84-year-old man is a shocking and appalling thing for anyone to do, and the police are looking to deal with that matter as quickly as they possibly can,' he said.

Mr Lombardi's neighbour described the gruesome scenes he was faced with after hearing the commotion outside.

'I went to see what's going on and there was all blood along the front of the patio,' one neighbour told 7News.

'I looked inside and there's blood and guts inside the house.

'He's just a hell of a nice guy, grows veggies out the back, brings them over to us, just one hell of a guy.'

Footage has emerged of Mr Lombardi smiling and laughing before he was allegedly set upon when he went out into his front yard

The 24-year-old man was arrested in Yanchep in Perth's far north as part of their investigation into the alleged assault

Acting Detective Sergeant Hill said Mr Lombardi had lived in the area for 40 years.

'They are horrific, horrific injuries that this man has sustained to his face. People should be able to feel safe in their own homes.'

Sergeant Hill said Mr Lombardi's family were 'shaken up' by the brutal assault, which appeared to have no motive.

'They are devastated... It's been a very long week for them,' she said.

The victim's ute, which was left with a smashed window and bloodstains, is being used in the police investigation.
By Express News Service

KOLKATA: A tribal woman living in a Birbhum district village was allegedly gangraped after she failed to shell out Rs 50,000 penalty as prescribed by a kangaroo court for her relationship with a man belonging to a non-tribal community.

The woman and her lover were caught when they were returning from a local market and were kept confined in a local club where the two were assaulted before the kangaroo court was organised. In her complaint to the police, the woman alleged she was dragged behind the club where five men gangraped her.

Though the incident took place on August 18, the victim could not muster courage to visit the local police station to lodge a complaint. A local leader of the tribals social wing took the woman to the police and the news of the gangrape surfaced on Sunday.

The police have arrested seven persons, including the tribal head of the village. The accused were remanded in police custody for seven days. The police said the womans husband died a few years ago and she, a mother of two, developed a relationship with a man living in the same area who doesnt belong to the tribal community.

The local tribals were against the relationship and the incident appears to be a fallout of it, said a police officer.

In the complaint with Mohammad Bazar police station, the woman said: The group of men took us to the local club where we were assaulted. I was told to pay a penalty of Rs 50,000 which was not possible for me. We were released the next morning.

Shyam Singh, superintendent of Birbhum police, said the woman mentioned five names in the FIR.
Protein 'chameleon' colors long-term memory

HOUSTON - (Aug. 24, 2020) - A chameleonlike protein in neurons can change its mind, and in the process change our brains.

Scientists at Rice University and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) uncovered new clues in the protein CPEB3 as part of their dogged pursuit of the mechanism that allows humans to have long-term memories.

The study by Rice theoretical biophysicist Peter Wolynes and Neal Waxham, a neurobiologist at UTHealth's McGovern Medical School, provides insight into a positive feedback loop between forming the actin backbones that give dendritic spines their shape and flexibility and the actin-binding domains in CPEB3, a functional prion that binds RNA which also forms long-lived aggregates that may indeed store the stuff that memories are made of.

Protein-folding models by Wolynes and his group at Rice's Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP) and experiments at UTHealth turned up previously unknown structural details for CPEB3 and how it binds to actin, as reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences paper.

In the process, they also examined the key role played by a protein known as SUMO, a regulator that attaches to and detaches from other proteins in cells to modify their functions. The researchers suspect it helps to regulate when and how CPEB3's chameleonlike ends (the N-terminus and C-terminus) bind to either SUMO or the flexible, filamentous actin (f-actin) spines in dendritic spikes.

CPEB3 proteins are soluble when attached to SUMO, which also buries their actin-binding sites. But during synaptic activity, they can be "deSUMOylated" and become available to bind with the hydrophobic binding pockets along f-actin filaments.

The models show that when attracted to actin, CPEB3 transitions from a coiled coil of helices into a beta sheet structure that "zips" into a hairpin configuration that allows it to aggregate with other CPEB3 proteins.

Upon aggregation, CPEB3 appears to translate its target messenger RNAs, which include actin mRNA that strengthens the synaptic junctions essential to memory, completing the positive loop.

"This is a more ambitious project than the actin-CaM kinase study, where we also simulated a really huge actin system with a really huge protein," Wolynes said. In that study, published a year ago, CTBP researchers modeled how a central protein (CaMKII) holds parallel actin filaments together, a state that could be visualized in an electron microscope by Waxham's lab.

Now the researchers are defining the structural details that allow CPEB3 to bind to either actin or SUMO, but not both. "One of the main aspects of this paper is to reconcile those two quite different parts of the story," he said. "We think the CPEB terminals are chameleonlike because they let the molecule choose whether it will interact with the SUMO or with the actin.

"We're not to the end of the story yet," Wolynes said. "But the latest results put us in a reasonable place to say more about the mechanism."

###

Rice graduate student Xinyu Gu is lead author of the paper. Co-authors of the paper are Rice alumni Nicholas Schafer of Schafer Science and Mingchen Chen, Rice academic visitor Qian Wang and UT Health medical student Sarah Song. Wolynes is Rice's D.R. Bullard-Welch Foundation Professor of Science and a professor of chemistry, of biochemistry and cell biology, of physics and astronomy and of materials science and nanoengineering and co-director of the CTBP. Waxham is the William M. Wheless III, Professor in Biomedical Sciences and a professor of neurobiology and anatomy at UTHealth, and a member of the faculty of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

The National Science Foundation, through its support of the CTBP and a RAISE grant, funded the research.

Read the abstract at http://www. pnas. org/ cgi/ doi/ 10. 1073/ pnas. 2012964117 .

This news release can be found online at https:/ / news. rice. edu/ 2020/ 08/ 24/ protein-chameleon-colors-long-term-memory/

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Related materials:

Scientists advance search for memory's molecular roots: http://news. rice. edu/ 2019/ 08/ 26/ scientists-advance-search-for-memorys-molecular-roots-2/

Wolynes Research Lab: https:/ / wolynes. rice. edu

Waxham Lab: https:/ / sites. google. com/ uth. edu/ waxham-lab/ home

Wiess School of Natural Sciences: https:/ / naturalsciences. rice. edu

Videos:

https:/ / youtu. be/ U99c0txELWU

Researchers at Rice University modeled the binding structures of actin and associated proteins they believe are responsible for the formation of longterm memory. Here, the beta hairpin form of zipper sequence is a potential core for the formation of intramolecular beta sheets. In the predicted complex structure of F-actin and three PRD+ABD constructs shown above, the three PDB+ABD constructs are shown in rainbow color, from blue to red, from N-terminal to C terminal. The surfaces of first 4 negative residues of actin mono-mers are colored in red and the surfaces of the two positive ends of the zipper sequence is colored in blue. (Credit: Center for Theoretical Biological Physics/Rice University)

https:/ / youtu. be/ o7h_H9Ag-qk

Researchers model the binding structures of actin and associated proteins they believe are responsible for the formation of longterm memory. An annealing simulation created at Rice University shows F-actin attracts the 2 ends of zipper sequence to facilitate the formation of the beta hairpin form. The surface of the 4 negative-charged residues in actin is shown in red. The surface of the positive-charged residues at the 2 ends of the zipper sequence is shown in blue. (Credit: Center for Theoretical Biological Physics/Rice University)

Images for download:

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2020/ 08/ 0824_MEMORY-3-small-1. jpg

Researchers at Rice University modeled the binding structures of actin and associated proteins they believe are responsible for the formation of longterm memory. Here, the beta hairpin form of zipper sequence is a potential core for the formation of intramolecular beta sheets. In the predicted complex structure of F-actin and three PRD+ABD constructs shown above, the three PDB+ABD constructs are shown in rainbow color, from blue to red, from N-terminal to C terminal. The surfaces of first 4 negative residues of actin mono-mers are colored in red and the surfaces of the two positive ends of the zipper sequence is colored in blue. (Credit: Center for Theoretical Biological Physics/Rice University)

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2020/ 08/ 0824_MEMORY-2-SMALL-1. jpg

Xinyu Gu.

https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2020/ 08/ 0824_MEMORY-1-WEB. jpg

Peter Wolynes, left, and Nicholas Schafer. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,962 undergraduates and 3,027 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 4 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

Jeff Falk

713-348-6775

jfalk@rice.edu

Mike Williams

713-348-6728

mikewilliams@rice.edu

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Volta's digital, place-based media allows forward-thinking brand partners to reach high-value audiences in historically unavailable "out of home" locations, while simultaneously driving a mission of sustainability forward. Nadya will be responsible for Volta's brand and marketing strategy, advertising, creative services, social media and corporate communications.

"Volta uses data to predict where to place charging in a way that best benefits our site and media partners. Nadya's deep experience in the data world will be tremendously additive to our team as the electric vehicle market accelerates," said Scott Mercer, Founder and CEO of Volta.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing, data and technology, Nadya comes to Volta with a background spent building and scaling emerging business models. Previously, she was responsible for leading marketing and business development at PlaceIQ, the leader in location intelligence, creating awareness, adoption and revenue growth. Prior to joining the PlaceIQ team, Nadya held positions overseeing marketing, corporate strategy, business development, partnerships, and M&A for numerous multi-channel marketing companies, most notably Experian's Marketing Services $1B global business, where she was a founder of Experian's global Audience Services platform.

"Scott's vision to create a new model of electric vehicle charging is based on meeting consumers where they are in the real world. The power of Volta's concept lies in offering new participants a role in this monumental shift: brands can support sustainability, and site owners can offer amenities that are proven to attract customers," said Nadya Kohl, Volta's new Chief Marketing Officer. "Having devoted my career to understanding consumer behavior through data, I can't think of a more exciting mission. I'm thrilled to join the Volta team at this pivotal time."

Based in New York, Nadya has worked extensively in the media, consumer products, retail, and high-tech fields, with global brands such as Mars, Wal-Mart, Oracle, PwC and AMEX. Press images can be found here.

About Volta

For over a decade, Volta has been building a nationwide electric vehicle charging network to drive the world forward. Named after Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the electric battery, Volta's award-winning charging stations benefit brands, consumers, and real-estate locations by providing valuable advertising space to businesses and free charging to drivers. Strategically located in places where consumers already spend their time and money, Volta's chargers are currently the most used electric vehicle charging stations in the United States. Headquartered in San Francisco, Volta is bringing to communities the means of building a sustainable fueling network for the 21st century. To learn more, visit www.voltacharging.com .

SOURCE Volta

Related Links

https://voltacharging.com


Ahead of Hurricane Laura making landfall, Cameron Parish officials announced a mandatory evacuation for the entire parish.

Laura is forecast to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday around the Louisiana/Texas state line. Laura is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 storm.

Driving conditions are expected to remain 'favorable' until midday Wednesday, officials said.

"Once it is determined that traveling is no longer safe in these areas, no one will be allowed to enter," OHSEP Director Danny Lavergne write in a memo.

Officials specifically said that the order includes the lower Parish communities south of the Intracoastal Waterway of Johnson Bayou, Holly Beach, Cameron, Creole, Grand Chenier and Big Lake and areas south of Kelso Bayou Bridge in Hackberry.
Renovation

25 August 2020

The Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, a member of Marriott International's Autograph Collection, is stepping out with a reimagined guest experience inside and out following a comprehensive, multi-million dollar renovation. From the exterior to the 150 guest rooms to the extensive meetings and event spaces, paired with an overall brand refresh, the timeless charm of seaside hospitality both the hotel and destination are known for, shine brighter than ever.

The expression "fair winds and following seas" has long been used to wish safe travel at sea, offering a sense of security and peace meant to comfort any traveler. At the newly renovated Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, the only hotel in the destination situated on the water, this mantra is lived out in every gracious detail thanks to Washington, D.C.-based design firm Baskervill. The renovation brings the historic hotel's harborside location inside with a maritime-inspired design.

Upon arrival, immediately noticeable is the building's original brick facade, now a welcoming white, set off beautifully by new awnings, lighting, furniture, and planters to complete the contemporary-meets-coastal-classic look. Ocean hues of blues, grays, and tans beckon guests in, richly layering fabric and textural accents, complemented by natural materials in furniture and accessories throughout the rooms and public areas. An eclectic collection of artwork, curated assortment of furniture and organic patterns inspired by the graceful movement of the winds and seas gives the space a charming and residential feel, all complemented by unparalleled harbor views.

Enhancing the existing water and vibrant city views, each of the 150 guest rooms and the signature Waterfront Harbor Suite boast thoughtful details inspired by elements of a sailboat, with warm tones and textures derived from the sailboat cabins in the hull of a vintage seafaring vessel. Featuring walnut hardwood floors reminiscent of a boat deck and a tufted channel headboard with brass nailheads inspired by nautical hardware, guests are welcomed with bright white linens with coastal blue trim. Bathrooms have been completely redone in tonal blues and whites.

For meetings, events, and weddings, The Annapolis Waterfront Hotel is unmatched with its newly renovated 9 event rooms, over 6,000 square feet of interior event space plus 8,500 square feet of adjoining outdoor event space with stunning harbor views. In the Chesapeake Ballroom, which walks out to an open-air patio event and dining space overlooking the Annapolis Harbor, subtle nautical influences imbue the space with warmth and familiarity. The essence of a historic, seaside town is infused into all aspects, resulting in an upscale, authentic sense of place.

The location of the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel is irreplaceable and visitors find there is no better place from which to launch their Annapolis exploration, or get down to business with ease. The iconic hotel is also home to Pusser's Caribbean Grille, a waterfront favorite regional restaurant and bar. As the only hotel on the Annapolis waterfront, and surrounded by the bustling boating culture of The Chesapeake Bay, the property is also adjacent to the town square, the Annapolis Yacht Basin and Annapolis Yacht Club. Located at the pedestrian core of the remarkably walkable city and a short walk from the Main Gate of the United States Naval Academy, the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel is an ideal destination for leisure and business travelers.

Annapolis Waterfront is participating in Hersha Hotels and Resorts Rest Assured Program, outlined in their COVID-19 updates here. The Rest Assured Program is a 5-point program to ensure guests and staff are safe while on property. The program includes increased cleaning and sanitation measures, reimagined guest services, innovative accommodations and proactive communication between staff and guests.

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.annapoliswaterfront.com or call 888-773-0786. Current hotel packages can be found here.

HHM, formerly known as Hersha Hospitality Management, operates nearly 135 hotels across the United States. It provides turnkey hotel management, investment, and development services for independent hotels and leading brand affiliations through Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Intercontinental Hotel Group. HHM's highly experienced team is accustomed to serving as a fiduciary to publicly traded companies, joint ventures, institutional real estate owners and private investors. Additional information on HHM can be found at hhmhospitality.com.

Hersha Hospitality Trust (HT) is a self-advised real estate investment trust in the hospitality sector, which owns and operates high quality upscale, luxury and lifestyle hotels in urban gateway markets and resort destinations. The Company's 48 hotels totaling 7,644 rooms are located in New York, Washington, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, South Florida and select markets on the West Coast. The Company's common shares are traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "HT". For more information on the Company, and the Company's hotel portfolio, please visit the Company's website at www.hersha.com
I cannot tell my true name, says Ramiz Halawani, a 37-year-old teacher in Damascus. You know how bad and violent our security intelligence are. They have spies everywhere. So, I am using another name.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Independent, Mr Halawani said he contracted Covid-19 earlier this month, as the epidemic swept through the Syrian capital. I have been sick with coronavirus infection for 10 days, he said. I got the infection from a colleague of mine at a summer school. After almost a week, I felt exhausted with fever and a dry cough. I thought it was just a flu, but as a precaution I told my wife and three children to stay with my parents-in-law.

The next morning, Mr Halawani woke up with a sore throat and a bad headache. He knew some doctors and nurses at a clinic near where he lived and went there. He described his symptoms to them and they tested him, telling him to go home and quarantine himself while they waited for the results of the test. The next day I called the doctor, who told me that I had tested positive, says Mr Halawani. He was told not to try to go to a hospital because they were all full up and would not accept him as a patient.

The Syrian government has been playing down just how swiftly the disease is spreading. It has reported just 2,293 Covid-19 cases and 92 deaths, 52 of which in Damascus.

One nurse from a large hospital in Damascus told The Independent that the Syrian health ministry number for those infected is only 10 per cent of the true figure. The nurse said that the huge al-Mouwasat University Hospital, where he worked, was full up with patients, many of them sleeping on mattresses on the floor.

The number of people dying is likely to be much higher than the government admits. Mr Halawani said he lives close to a big cemetery and saw dozens of dead bodies being secretly buried there at night: Three weeks ago, six small trucks, usually used in hospitals to transfer medicine and medical equipment, arrived in the cemetery at about 10pm. They were accompanied by about 15 men in full PPE, two of them carrying Kalashnikov automatic rifles.

Out of curiosity, Mr Halawani walked to the fence around the cemetery where he was shocked to see that they were taking dozens of dead bodies out of the trucks. When some of his neighbours got close to the scene, one of the men with the bodies shouted that they should move away so that the disease does not infect us. Mr Halawani said he counted about 45 bodies, but believes the total figure to be over 60.

The 5 million population of Damascus are in a poor position to resist the spread of coronavirus. People are crammed into houses, often half a dozen families where there used to be one, because they have fled to the greater security of the Syrian capital during the last nine years of war. They have been impoverished by the conflict, with eight in 10 Syrians living below the poverty line according to the UN. This deprivation suddenly became much worse this summer after the Trump administration introduced the so-called Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act, named after the Syrian photographer who documented thousands of people killed by the government. The act, which came into force on 17 June, reinforces tight economic sanctions against Syria that were already crushing the economy.

The new measures amount to a full economic blockade and have led to soaring prices, the near collapse of the Syrian currency, and shortages of food and other necessities. Though the ostensible purpose of the sanctions may be to protect ordinary Syrians from the regime, its real impact has been to make them even poorer, more malnourished and more vulnerable to coronavirus. Syrians in the street complain that they have to choose between buying masks and buying bread.

Mr Halawani is a little better off than many of those infected in Damascus, but he still finds the medicines he wants to buy very expensive. After the doctor told him that he had tested positive for coronavirus, he said: I went to the pharmacy wearing gloves and a mask and bought some paracetamol, an antibiotic called Azithromycin, and vitamin C tablets. He reckons that anybody who has coronavirus in Syria needs at least 25,000 Syrian pounds (7.61), for the extra costs and points out that this is more than half the monthly income of many people. This is why the number of deaths is increasing so dramatically, he said. People are not dying of the disease, but rather of poverty. It is not starvation [that is killing them], but lack of money to buy medicine.

Syrians often do not want to admit they have coronavirus because they do not think anything can be done for them and they do not want to become social outcasts. Mr Halawani said there are dozens of cases of infection in his neighbourhood, but many are hiding it and will not go to a clinic or hospital. A neighbour of his was tired and coughing, but when Mr Halawani asked him if he was infected, he said it was simply flu. Later a nurse in the neighbourhood clinic confirmed to Mr Halawani that the man did indeed have coronavirus.

He himself soon discovered how easy it is to acquire pariah status when he openly admitted that he had the illness.

A week after he had first been diagnosed, he was having difficulty in breathing, chest pain and had lost his sense of taste and smell. His doctor told him to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, but this was not as easy as it sounds. I had announced to my neighbours that I was infected and they should not shake hands with me, he recalled. But his honesty only meant that when he went out to buy fruit from the nearby groceries, they refused to sell him anything.

All the shopkeepers were shouting at me as soon as they saw me at a distance, though I was wearing a mask and gloves, he said. He was forced to walk for an hour to shops in another district where he and his illness were not recognised. In his home district, even the minibuses would not take him because the drivers knew he was infected. This is ridiculous, he said. I know many people in the neighbourhood who are also infected but they hide it. They claim that it is just a flu and go shopping and get on a bus and nobody criticises them.
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the national woman suffrage centennial celebration continues, there's a new book from author Bill Haltom about the unsung hero of Tennessee's final ratification, Rep. Joseph Hanover of Memphis.

Bill Haltom Book Cover

The book, Why Can't Mother Vote: Joseph Hanover and the Unfinished Business of Democracy, tells the story of a Jewish immigrant from Poland who believed so strongly that women should vote that he ran for the Tennessee General Assembly to support woman suffrage. He revered this country's founding documents and always questioned why his mother couldn't vote. He strongly supported the partial suffrage bill that passed in Tennessee in April 1919 granting women the right to vote in municipal and presidential elections only. Later, he became the House floor leader during the raucous special session of August 1920 when Tennessee was the last state that could possibly ratify the 19th Amendment.

Hanover, who was a young lawyer, kept the pro-suffrage votes together despite the opposition of the railroad, liquor and manufacturing lobbies. The 19th Amendment would not have been ratified in Tennessee without his zealous support, strategizing with national suffrage leader Carrie Chapman Catt, and his unwavering belief in democracy and the rule of law.

Hanover's contribution has been overlooked. This book adds to the historical record of those who were significant in the struggle for American women to become enfranchised.

Author Bill Haltom of Memphis, who is also an attorney, said Hanover's story is inspirational and shows the impact one committed person can make. He interviewed several members of the extended Hanover family to tell this story.

The book and e-book are available on barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, and Books-A-Million.

ISBN: 978-1-7333626-3-4 Price: $22.95. Hardcover. 140pgs.

ISBN: 978-1-7333626-4-1 Price: $8.99. Ebook.

More information is at www.billhaltom.com.

Contact: Jacque Hillman. [email protected] 731-394-2894

SOURCE Bill Haltom

Related Links

http://www.billhaltom.com/


Kurt Hansen Joins Pikes Peak International Hillclimb Broadcast Team

DENVER, CO (August 24, 2020) a Long-time Denver-based Race Central Television and ESPN Radio Host, Kurt Hansen will join the broadcast team covering of the annual aRace to the Cloudsa??? at Pikes Peak. The 98th running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, by Gran Turismo international event will be contested August 30, 2020. Hansen will be heard live on KRDO NewsRadio beginning at 7 a.m. MT until the conclusion of the race tentatively around 4 p.m. MT. Due to the pandemic fans will not be allowed to attend the unique event making the broadcast team a vital element to the success of the race.

aIam thrilled to return to announcing one of Americaas truly amazing and unique motorsports events,a??? said Hansen, a multiple award-winning broadcaster. aThis is the third time Iave been asked to be one of the announcers and itas a real privilege. There is really nothing like Pikes Peak, racers come from around the world to aRace to the Cloudsa and Iam really looking forward to it.a???

Hansen, an honorary member of the Colorado Hill Climb Association and Former Pikes Peak International Board Member said, aOur host KRDO Radio has assembled a great team of broadcasters to call the event. Iam looking forward to join the team, itas always an exciting event, so be sure to tune in!a???

About Race Central:a

Race Central brings the greatest names in Motorsports to race fans throughout America and the World for over 25 Years on dozens of Broadcast Television Partners in Prime Time, Amazon Prime and Roku and additional Online Partners Online and Racecentralmedia reaching a potential 500 Million US Homes.

For more information go to: a Race Central
Mitotech S.A, a Luxembourg-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel pharmaceuticals targeting mitochondria, in partnership with Essex Bio-Technology, a bio-pharmaceutical company specializing in Ophthalmology and Dermatology, announced completion of enrolment in its pivotal U.S. Phase 3 VISTA-2 study of SkQ1 ophthalmic solution in patients with moderate to severe Dry Eye Disease (DED). SkQ1 belongs to the class of cardiolipin peroxidation inhibitors developed for treatment of a spectrum of age-related disorders, including Dry Eye Disease (DED).

VISTA-2 is a multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study involving two treatment arms: SkQ1 ophthalmic solution and vehicle solution, administered BID. 610 patients have been enrolled in the study across multiple centres in the U.S. to receive treatment over a 2-month period.

We are proud to have reached full enrollment in our pivotal study, said Natalia Perekhvatova, Chief Executive Officer of Mitotech S.A. At the same time, we recognize that COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging environment for patients and healthcare industry worldwide. Mitotech and Essex Bio-Technology remain in close contact with medical centres and investigators to ensure the safety of trial participants as well as medical professionals involved in the study. With multiple layers of safeguards in place we are looking forward to completing the study in Q4 2020.

VISTA-2 is Mitotechs first pivotal study in Dry Eye Disease designed to confirm outcome of its VISTA-1 study conducted back in 2019. VISTA-1 facilitated dose and primary endpoint selection for VISTA-2 having demonstrated statistically significant SkQ1 impact against vehicle on multiple signs and symptoms of Dry Eye Disease over the 2-month course of treatment. At the same time the study highlighted excellent safety profile of the drug with tolerability being statistically similar to that of an artificial tear.

Our appreciation to everyone involved for their ongoing efforts in supporting timely completion of study enrolment, said Malcolm Ngiam, President of Essex Bio-Investment Limited. We look forward to evaluating the study read-out and to moving one step closer to making SkQ1 available for the world-wide DED market.

About SkQ1

SkQ1 addresses DED through a novel mechanism of action, acting on the mitochondria at a cellular level. Unlike current standards of care, which act primarily as anti-inflammatory agents, SkQ1 has been shown to not only relieve inflammation but also improve tissue degeneration and tear quality deficit by targeting oxidative stress within the eye. In VISTA-1  a Phase 2b/3 clinical study in the United States (NCT03764735) - SkQ1 showed evidence of efficacy in reducing both the signs and symptoms in dry eye subjects.

About Mitotech S.A

Mitotech S.A. is a Luxembourg-based biotechnology company developing novel drugs for treatment of predominantly age-related disorders. The core technology behind Mitotech products is based on a novel class of small molecules  mitochondria targeting cardiolipin peroxidation inhibitors. Companys lead compound SkQ1 is being developed in several drug formulations covering a variety of therapeutic areas with major focus on ophthalmology and neurodegenerative diseases.

About Essex Bio-Technology

Essex Bio-Technology is a bio-pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes genetically engineered therapeutic rb-bFGF (FGF-2), having five commercialized biologics marketed in China since 1998. The products of the Company are principally prescribed for the treatment of wounds healing and diseases in Ophthalmology & Dermatology, which are marketed and sold through more than 8,880 hospitals and managed directly by its 43 regional sales offices in China. Leveraging its in-house R&D platform in growth factor and antibody, the Company maintains a pipeline of projects at various clinical stages, covering a wide range of fields and indications.
San Francisco International Airport will reopen the "A gates" of its International Terminal on September 1 as more foreign airlines resume flights in coming weeks.

Its a sign that demand for air travel is slowly recovering, although passenger figures are still a fraction of what they were in 2019.

SFO closed the 15-gate concourse (also known as "Boarding Area A"), on April 1 after international carriers made deep cuts to their route networks because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airport consolidated international flights into the international terminal's "G gates" on the opposite end of the airport's horseshoe shape. Thats where United Airlines and other Star Alliance flights operate.

The closure of the "A" half of the international terminal has given the airport an opportunity to do extensive maintenance on the building. Energy-saving LED lights have replaced older lamps. Ceiling tiles, HVAC filters, doors, fire alarms sprinklers, elevators and escalators have been repaired or replaced.

Passengers will most likely notice new social distancing markers and plastic shields separating workers from travelers throughout the concourse, two attributes of commercial flying nowadays.

RELATED: SFO first airport in US with rapid COVID-19 testing

Since April, the 14 gates in Boarding Area G have been enough to accommodate SFOs scant international flight schedule. As airlines trickle back in that's starting to change.

Aeromexico, Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Philippine Airlines will move from their temporary gates on the G side back to the A gates in September.

Don't miss a shred of important travel news! Sign up for our FREE weekly email alerts.

Unknown to many travelers, SFO operates two separate arrivals halls-- one for the A side and another for the G side. Starting in September, both security and U.S. Customs and Immigration checkpoints will be open. Regrettably, airline lounges located in Concourse A will remain closed, according to airport spokesperson Doug Yakel. Late last summer, British Airways debuted a multi-million dollar redo of its A-side lounge (Story and photos here) and Cathay Pacific recently nearly doubled the size of its lounge space.

sfo

A handful of airlines are planning to resume flights to the Bay Area in the coming months:

-Emirates resumes flying from its Dubai hub on Sept. 1.

-SWISS resumes flights from Zurich on Sept. 2.

-United will add additional flights to Shanghai (via Seoul) on Sept. 4 and resumes flights to Munich on Sept. 9.

-COPA Airlines will resume flights to Panama City on Sept. 4.

-Air Canada has tentatively scheduled non-stop flights from Montreal to resume on Oct. 2.

-Fiji Airways plans to resume flights from Nadi on Oct. 2.

-TAP Air Portugal resumes flights from Lisbon on Oct. 2.

-Lufthansa will resume flights from its Frankfurt hub on Oct 3.

All of these planned service resumptions will likely operate less-than-daily and could change. Also, remember that regulations vary, and for now Americans are not allowed to travel to many of the countries to which these airlines fly due to COVID-19.

In 2019, 44 airlines operated international flights out of SFO, a banner year of growth for the airport. Currently, 19 airlines have returned to the airport.

Demand for international air travel remains low, and may not recover to their 2019s heights for years, according to travel industry forecasts.

Read all recent TravelSkills posts here.

Chris McGinnis is SFGATE's senior travel correspondent. You can reach him via email or follow him on Twitter or Facebook. Don't miss a shred of important travel news by signing up for his FREE weekly email updates!

SFGATE participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Schools across west-central Illinois began a new year Monday, some with in-person lessons and others through remote learning.

Readers shared some of their first day photos. Those who want to add their own can by sending them to jjcnews@myjournalcourier.com and making sure to include the students name, grade and, if wanted, school attended.
Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media file

WEST HAVEN  The University of New Haven will hold a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremonyTuesday for the schools new $35 million Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation, which will offer classes and creative endeavors in an effort to prepare the next generation of leaders and problem solvers to excel in the careers of the future.

The Bergami Center, a 45,000-square-foot building that now is the largest on campus, features the most technologically advanced collaborative classrooms, engineering and science labs, video production studios, a makerspace, and an esports training and competition space dubbed The Stable, officials said in a release Tuesday.
An eatery with Turkish-inspired specialities soon will open its doors in downtown Nazareth.

Mersin on Main plans to move into 52 S. Main St. sometime next month. The site most recently housed the Dolce cafe and prior to that, Xpresso Cafe and JellyBean Town USA. Owners Eileen Simak and Erdinc Uzun of Bushkill Township say the name comes from the port city on Turkeys Mediterranean coast.
Tyres on Tuesday said its board will meet later this week to consider raising up to Rs 1,100 crore.

The company's board will meet on August 28 (Friday) to consider capital raising options for an amount aggregating up to Rs 1,100 crore by way of equity or debt instruments, including non-convertible debentures, among others, Tyres said in a regulatory filing.

Post approval from the board, the shareholder approval, if required, will be sought, it added.

The Kolkata-based firm, which caters to two-wheelers, three-wheelers and commercial vehicles, however, did not share reasons for raising capital.

(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.)
KALAMAZOO, MI  A 30-year-old Kalamazoo man was critically injured during a shooting, according to police.

At 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officers responded to several calls for shots fired in the area of Ada Street near Woodbury Avenue. While officers were canvassing the area, a citizen notified them that a male was shot in the 500 block of Ada Street, KDPS said in a news release.

Officers found an unresponsive male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and began life saving measures. The victim was transported to a hospital by ambulance, where he is listed in critical condition, police said Tuesday afternoon.

The area was cordoned off for approximately three hours while crime lab technicians processed the scene and officers canvased the area. Detectives responded to the incident and are investigating, police said.

Suspect information is not available at this time, police said.

Police ask anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8120 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

Read more:

Kalamazoo College students demand cancellation of in-person classes amid pandemic

Kalamazoos newest cannabis business is hiring

Kalamazoo pastor charged with human trafficking, child sex abuse
Three Sydney schools will close on Wednesday due to possible COVID-19 infections - while an alert has been issued for a busy shopping centre and a city gym after confirmed coronavirus cases.

On Tuesday night, the New South Wales Education Department revealed Riverstone High School, Wyndham College and Schofields Public School will all undergo cleaning while coronavirus tests for the students concerned are processed.

An urgent alert has also been issued to shoppers who visited the Broadway Shopping Centre in the city's CBD on Saturday after an infected customer entered an Apple and a Kmart store between 3.30pm and 5.00pm.

Anyone who visited the stores during this time was told to be on high alert for symptoms.

Quarantined hotel guests leaving to board coaches outside the Travelodge Hotel Sydney after it was found to not be compliant with COVID-19 health and safety standards. Three Sydney schools are due to close on Wednesday because of possible coronavirus infections

Wyndham College is one of the three schools to close on Wednesday to undergo cleaning

Riverstone High School (pictured) and Schofields Public School will also close their doors on Wednesday while coronavirus tests for students are processed

NSW Health has also issued an alert for the City Tattersalls Fitness Centre on Pitt Street in the Sydney CBD after two attendees - a gym member and a contractor - tested positive to COVID-19.

Those who attended the venue on August 19, 21 or 23 should watch for symptoms of the infection.

Anyone who was at a nearby office block at 300 George Street on August 19, 20, 21 or 24 should also be alert for symptoms because one of the Tattersalls cases worked there while infectious.

NSW Police have worked through the night to relocate 366 people quarantined in a Sydney hotel to 'more suitable' accommodation after it was found not to be complying with COVID-19 health and safety standards.

An audit of The Travelodge Hotel in Surry Hills in the city's east on Tuesday uncovered the deficiencies, with police making the decision to relocate the returned travellers to more suitable accommodation.

The relocation operation started on Tuesday afternoon and was expected to take about 12 hours.

A shopper visited an Apple Store and a Kmart at the Broadway Shopping Centre (pictured) between 3.30pm and 5.00pm on Saturday afternoon

Meanwhile, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has backed the state's hotel quarantine system despite a coronavirus-positive security guard being fined twice for failing to isolate while waiting for his test results.

Ms Berejiklian says the process is monitored by police daily and audited regularly, but noted no system is foolproof.

The 22-year-old male security guard was fined $2,000 for visiting Westfield Burwood after his test on Thursday and Burwood's Service NSW building on Friday afternoon.

The Campsie man was on Saturday confirmed as the second Marriott hotel security guard to catch the virus, and was fined on Sunday.

Broadway Shopping Centre in the City of Sydney raised the alarm on Tuesday night after being contacted by New South Wales Health

Elsewhere, the NSW government is considering easing travel restrictions for residents on the NSW-Victoria border.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the coalition government will over the next 10 days look at extending the border zone from 2.5km to 50km.

Mr Barilaro also flagged further changes including increasing the distance agricultural workers can travel to a 100km radius on either side of the border.

NSW on Tuesday recorded three new COVID-19 cases, including one returned traveller in hotel quarantine and two close contacts of previously known cases.
Hosea Yakubu, a police Inspector has been confirmed dead after allegedly being assaulted by soldiers at Eleme Petrochemical gate, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to reports, Yakubu was returning from patrol duty with two of his colleagues when they were accosted by a military officer in mufti uniform who accused them of driving against traffic to avoid a gridlock on Eleme road.

A fight broke out between the policemen and some military officers after the police driver was slapped.

A family source told The Nation that the late police officer was struck with a thick wood, which made him fall to the ground. He was later rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical attention, but died at the hospital.

The source added;
TC Sups Special Meeting Agenda View Photos

Sonora, CA  Tuolumne County is hoping to receive outside funding to help offset the costs of responding to the 2,800 acre Moc Fire.

Board Chair Sherri Brennan signed a disaster proclamation back on August 21, and the board then had seven days to ratify it, which was done during a special meeting this morning. The county is hoping to receive California Disaster Assistance Act revenue, and any other federal dollars which may become available.

CAO Tracie Riggs noted that the Sheriffs Department called in all available deputies, and outside mutual aid, to help evacuate 3,700 homes (mostly near Groveland and Pine Mountain Lake). The total cost to the county is not immediately clear, as time cards still need to come in, and officials are still assisting with the re-population efforts underway today.

Sheriff Bill Pooley adds, We have a strong law enforcement presence up there, and we will continue to have it up there for probably the next 24 hours. We anticipate releasing some mutual aid units this evening or tomorrow. It took us 18 and a half hours to evacuate the entire area, and we anticipate it will take at least that long to re-populate and do everything else.

Board Chair Sherri Brennan praised the coordination and cooperation among the various local partners. She says, Tuolumne County does it right. When we have an emergency, we all pull together. It is not political. It is doing the right thing for the benefit of those residents who are in harms way.

The Moc Fire Emergency Declaration was ratified with a 5-0 vote.

To read the latest story about the Moc Fire response, click here.
The Russian Ambassador to India, Nikolai Kudashev, on Tuesday formally reached out to India seeking a partnership in the production of the Covid-19 vaccine, Sputnik V. Reports claim that Russia is planning to produce 6 million doses of coronavirus vaccine per month.

The development comes amid the persistant efforts of the Indian embassy in Moscow to engage with the Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology, which has developed the vaccine, to get safety and efficacy data on the vaccine trials.

Last week, Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), said Russia is looking for a partnership with India for producing COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V.

Meanwhile, commenting on the Russian vaccine, Sputnik V, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said that the real test of its efficacy will be in phase III of the trial. The WHO said, "30% protection at the population level is needed. Phase III only starting, which will really be the test of efficacy."

Sputnik V has been developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, along with the RDIF. The vaccine has not been tested in Phase 3 or larger clinical trials. Addressing an online press briefing, Dmitriev said several nations are interested in the production of the vaccine from countries in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced that his country has developed the world's first vaccine against COVID-19, which works "quite effectively" and forms a "stable immunity" against the disease.

The RIA news agency cited Russian Industry Minister Denis Manturov as saying that Russia is planning to produce between 1.5 million and 2 million doses per month of its potential coronavirus vaccine by the year end, adding that the country will gradually ramp up its production to six million doses a month.

"The production of the vaccine is a very important issue. Currently, we are looking for a partnership with India. We believe that they are capable of producing the Gamaleya vaccine and it is very important to say that those partnerships to produce the vaccine will enable us to cover the demand that we have," he said. Dmitriev said Russia is looking forward to international cooperation.

Story continues

"We are going to do clinical trials not just in Russia but also in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, probably in Brazil and India. We are planning to produce the vaccine in more than five countries and there is a very high demand from Asia, Latin America, Italy and other parts of the world regarding the delivery of the vaccine," he said. Alexander Gintsburg, the director of the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and an academician at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said more than 20,000 people have taken part in the clinical trials of vaccines and drugs, based on human adenoviruses or human adenoviral vectors.

"Vaccines do not contain live human adenoviruses, but human adenovirus vectors, that is, human viruses that cannot multiply in the body and are completely safe," he said. The Sputnik V vaccine consists of two shots that use different versions of adenoviruses  virus types, some of which cause the common cold  that the manufacturers have engineered to carry the gene for the surface protein of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19.

"The approach of the Gamaleya Institute with the vaccine, using two human adenoviruses serotypes: number 5 (Ad5) and number 26 (Ad26), has a clear advantage over the one-vector approach used by other developers," Gintsburg said.
An 'arrogant and dangerous' Queenslander has been sentenced to community service after he tried to sneak back into his home state from New South Wales three times in one day.

James Steven Nech, 28, from Indooroopilly in Brisbane, went on a single day trip to Snapper Rocks and then into New South Wales, on Thursday.

He was carrying a border pass, at the time which he falsely assumed would grant him access back into Queensland later in the afternoon.

This is despite border restrictions, imposed by Queensland's government, stating anyone entering from NSW has to spend 14 days in hotel quarantine.

But he was swiftly turned away at Currumbin Creek Connection Ramp, as officers explained he wasn't considered an essential worker and would need to fly across the border before quarantining for 14 days if he wanted to return home.

Motorists are stopped at a checkpoint at Coolangatta on the Queensland- New South Wales border earlier this month. Nech tried to cross this border unsuccessfully on Thursday

Instead, he drove himself to Coolangatta, where he was again turned away at the border, Courier Mail reported.

During his third attempt at Gold Coast Highway, Nech was fined $4,000 for repeatedly attempting to breach the border restrictions and sent on his way yet again.

Later on Thursday evening, police arrived at Nech's Indooroopilly home and found that he was present.

The suburb of Indooroopilly, as well as neighbouring areas, have been identified as potential COVID-19 hot spots and 'at risk' areas after a swathe of newly diagnosed cases visited the areas while infectious.

He confessed that he snuck over the border by foot, but would not reveal how he got from the Gold Coast to Brisbane - at least an hour's drive north.

Motorists are seen approaching a checkpoint at Coolangatta on the Queensland- New South Wales border earlier this month

Nech appeared in Brisbane Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to breaching a public health direction.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Tara Williams suggested he be sentenced to 14 days imprisonment for the offence.

'I submit that he should receive a period of imprisonment and that should be akin to the quarantine period that he should have been required to undergo,' she said.

'Having regard to community expectations that a defendant who breaches those restrictions should not have the benefit of pleading guilty and receiving a lesser penalty than he should have done if he complied with those (restrictions).'

The magistrate argued actual imprisonment should be used as a last resort and instead sentenced Nech to 200 hours of community service - as well as entering the quarantine he skipped.

The Queenslander was told to fly across the border where he could be handled appropriately by staff and directed to hotel quarantine. Pictured: Travellers are temperature tested by health officials after arriving on a Qantas flight from Melbourne to Sydney on July 7

Ms Palaszcuk has been slammed for her tight border restrictions, with critics arguing they are destroying the economy (pictured, the border on August 7)

Magistrate Andrew Moloney described his conduct as 'arrogant and dangerous', adding that it 'put many members of the community at risk'.

'There was a way to come back to Queensland lawfully and you chose not to do it, putting potentially the community at risk and I take judicial notice that there has recently been community transmission where the source of that is not yet known,' he said.

St Williams said Nech believed he did not deserve to quarantine after spending just a few hours in New South Wales.

'He stated he did not and had returned because he did not think he should have to stay out of Queensland as he was a resident and had only been visiting the Tweed.

'When asked how he'd come over he stated he'd walked over the border and would not say how came to be back at his address.'
Lion Dairy & Drinks owned products Pura Milk, Farmers Union, and Dare on May 25, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Australian Dairy Sale to China Mengniu Called Off as Regulators Unlikely to Approve

The proposed AU$600 million ($430 million) sale of one of Australias largest dairy firms, Lion Dairy & Drinks, to China Mengniu Dairy Co. has been called off.

Lion owns local brands Pura Milk, Dairy Farmers, Dare, and Vitasoy.

Its Japanese owner, beverage company Kirin Holdings, confirmed in an investor update (pdf) on Aug. 25 that, despite receiving the go-ahead from Australias competition watchdog in February for the sale, it was unlikely to receive approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).

FIRB approval, and permission from the Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, were the final hurdles for the deal to proceed.

Given this approval has not been secured to date and is unlikely to be forthcoming at this time, regrettably, the parties have agreed to terminate the Agreement, Lion said in the statement.

Frydenberg released a statement on the same day, saying, I have been advised that Lion Dairy & Drinks and China Mengniu Dairy Company have mutually agreed to not proceed with the sale process.

This follows the communication of my preliminary view to Mengniu Dairy that the proposed acquisition would be contrary to the national interest, he said.

Last year, Frydenberg approved Mengnius $1.5 billion acquisition of Bellamys Organic.

However, the latest decision comes amid a backdrop of rising diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Canberra, as well as the Chinese regimes recent anti-dumping investigation into Australian wine.

This year, the treasurer blocked two Chinese-backed mining firms from investing in Australian rare earth mining firms. In June, he also announced a tightening of foreign investment laws on national security grounds.

Mengniu entered into negotiations with Kirin about the purchase of Lion in November 2019.

Mengniu is 31 percent owned by the China National Oils, Foodstuffs and Cereal Corp., a state-owned entity and Chinas largest importer and exporter of food.

Bega Cheese is considered a leading contender to acquire Lion Dairy.
For too long Australias First Nations communities have suffered from systemic racism, present across many societal sectors. Perpetuated in the form of subtle bias and outdated power structures; First Nations peoples attempts at self-determination have been blighted.

So how do we encourage workplaces and institutions to embrace diversity and create change from within?

Join us for this poignant conversation with Professor Larissa Behrendt, Associate Professor Pauline Clague and Phillipa Mcdermott, as we work to understand how we can move forward together.

Speakers

Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO is a Eualayai/Gamillaroi woman and the Director of Research and Academic Programs at the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning at the University of Technology, Sydney. Larissa is a graduate of the UNSW Law School and has a Masters and SJD from Harvard Law School. Larissa is an award-winning author and filmmaker and won the 2018 Australian Directors Guild Award for best Direction of a Documentary Film for After the Apology. Larissa won the 2002 David Uniapon Award and a 2005 Commonwealth Writers Prize for her novel Home . Her second novel, Legacy , won a Victorian Premiers Literary Award. Larissa was awarded the 2009 NAIDOC Person of the Year award and 2011 NSW Australian of the Year. Larissa is the host of Speaking Out on ABC Radio.

Associate Professor Pauline Clague is a Yaegl women from the North Coast of New South Wales. Known for her extensive work in championing and producing the works of Australias emerging First Nations filmmakers, Pauline has produced numerous documentaries and dramas. Pauline was the Series Producer for ABCs Messagestick from 2000-2004. Pauline was also the Indigenous training officer at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School from 2009 to 2013; developing more than 35 courses around Australia and training 650 First Nations people in film, television and radio. Pauline has also served as a board member for the Arts Law Centre of Australia. Pauline was the creator of Our Stories, Our Way, Everyday which works with 60 First Nations companies around Australia to produce documentaries from remote, regional and emerging filmmakers each year. In 2015 she won the Stanley Hawes Award 2015 for Contribution to Australian Documentaries.

Phillipa Mcdermott is a Wakka Wakka and Mununjali woman. Phillipa is head of Indigenous Employment at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Chair of Bangarra Dance Theatre and is acknowledged as an influential national senior leader in the fields of recruitment, media and the arts. Her work encompasses complex decision-making and high level strategic planning, governance and change management, HR and workforce planning. Phillipas Board memberships include the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre and Ramsgate Out of School Hours Care. Phillipa is also the Previous Chair of Gadigal Information Service and Koori Radio and Co-Chair of Corroboree Sydney as well as Chair of Tullagulla Inc. Phillipa has also sat on the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board and on the Boards of NAISDA, First Hands Solutions, The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team and Media Ring.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 04:55:44|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The humanitarian situation in Libya, which is already dire, could turn into a humanitarian disaster if hostilities erupt over the coastal city of Sirte, the United Nations warned on Monday.

"The UN remains concerned about a possible humanitarian disaster should the continued escalation and mobilization around Sirte lead to military operations," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "The lives of more than 125,000 people in and around Sirte remain at great risk."

On Friday, Guterres welcomed a call from both sides in the Libyan conflict for a cease-fire and an end to hostilities.

However, published reports said Gen. Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Tobruk-allied Libyan National Army, has rejected the cease-fire plea.

"It is clearly extremely important that all the parties involved work on the same basis, and that is for a cease-fire, cessation of military activities, for the good of the Libyan people themselves," Dujarric told a regular, virtual briefing.

Libya is also dealing with those fleeing other African countries attempting to reach Europe from its shores by boat amid the COVID-19 crisis, he said.

Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers continue to attempt to cross the Mediterranean, at great risk to their lives, the spokesman said. Last week, at least 45 people, including five children, drowned in the worst shipwreck this year when the vessel's engine exploded off the coast of Zwara.

With more than 11,000 COVID-19 cases and nearly 200 deaths, the disease continues to increase exponentially, he said. Confirmed cases are now higher in the west, particularly around Tripoli, seat of the internationally recognized government, and Misrata. However, a larger proportion of the people in the south have also been affected.

Capacity for testing, tracing and treatment remains extremely low across the country and there are shortages of equipment and supplies in all parts of the country, and access for aid workers continues to be a challenge, Dujarric said.

Getting aid workers into Libya is compounded by the pandemic and virus restriction measures.

The United Nations and partners are supporting the Libyan authorities' response to the virus by providing supplies and personal protection equipment, the spokesman said.

Despite the problems, the United Nations and partners have reached more than 243,000 people with humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the year, including 66,000 internally displaced people and 58,000 migrants and refugees, he said.

Fuel shortages and electricity cuts of more than 18 hours a day are making living conditions even worse. Health facilities have also suffered from electricity cuts, forcing some to temporarily suspend operations, said the spokesman. Enditem
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25

Trend:

On August 25, the opening ceremony of the "Sea Cup" international contest took place at the base of the Naval Forces of Azerbaijan, Trend reports with reference to Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The event was attended by the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defense of Russia General of the Army Sergei Shoigu and other guests.

First, the guests, laying flowers at the monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev, erected in front of the headquarters of the Naval Forces, paid tribute to his memory.

The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Z. Hasanov welcomed the participants and guests of the ceremony and declared the "Sea Cup" international contest open.

Russian Defense Minister General of the Army S. Shoigu thanked for organizing the event at a high level.
Advertisement

"The current focus of our research group is using technology and simple interventions to improve the management of chronic lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smartphones have lots of potential to monitor different symptoms and detect changes early, so we worked with our research partners from University of St. Gallen and ETH Zurich to develop an app for measuring coughing."The study involved 94 asthma patients who were being treated at two clinics in Switzerland: the Lung Centre, Cantonal Hospital, St Gallen, and the mediX Group Practice, Zurich. Each patient visited their asthma clinic at the beginning and end of the study and was assessed for their use of asthma treatments, symptoms such as shortness of breath and whether their asthma had any impact on their daily life.For 29 days in between, they slept with a smartphone in their bedroom with the app running that measured the noise of their night-time coughing. The app also prompted patients to report their night-time symptoms.The researchers found that the amount of night-time coughing varied a lot from one patient to the next, but they also found a strong correlation between an increase in night-time coughing over the course of a week and a subsequent worsening of asthma symptoms.Dr. Rassouli said: "Our results suggest that night-time coughing can be measured fairly simply with a smartphone app and that an increase in coughing at night is an indicator that asthma is deteriorating. Monitoring asthma is really important because if we can spot early signs that it's getting worse, we can adjust medication to prevent asthma attacks."Now they have used the smartphone app to monitor coughing in people with asthma successfully, Dr. Rassouli and his team plan to try the same technology out with people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Thierry Troosters, who was not involved in the study, is President of the European Respiratory Society and Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences at KU Leuven, Belgium. He said: "Asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people in Europe alone. It cannot be cured, but by ensuring that patients use their treatments as prescribed by their doctors, asthma can usually be well-controlled. Uncontrolled asthma can interfere with school or work and lead to serious asthma attacks."This study offers a potential new way to monitor patients for signs that their asthma might be getting worse, and the fact that it works via a smartphone makes it accessible to most patients. The app could also make it easier to gather lots of data to study night-time coughing in asthma and other respiratory conditions. The elegant mix of easy and available hardware such as a smartphone, combined with artificial intelligence that can work with 'noisy' data, will provide clinicians with additional eyes and ears to judge the clinical condition of their patients in real life, rather than only at the doctors' office."Asthma patients should still consult their doctor if they feel that their symptoms are worsening in any way, even if technologies like this do not highlight an increase in night-time coughing or other symptoms."Source: Eurekalert
Teachers Are 'Freaked Out'

More to Come?

(TNS)  All teachers will be on the frontlines when school buildings reopen. But in some cases, they might formally be considered essential workers, which means they'll be expected to continue to go to work even if they've been exposed to COVID-19.Backed by the White House, a handful of states have given the green light for teachers to be considered critical infrastructure workers, and in at least Tennessee and Florida, some districts already have put that policy in place. While most people who've been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 are advised to quarantine for two weeks, critical workers like teachers in those districts are told to keep working after an exposure, as long as they aren't displaying symptoms and take other safety precautions.Designating teachers as essential allows districts to more easily maintain staffing levels to keep school buildings open--a daunting task, given the expected shortage of available substitute teachers and requirements that staff members stay home with even mild symptoms that could be tied to COVID-19, such as a sore throat or cough. But it also increases the risk that the coronavirus could spread throughout the school community, public health experts say.While it's unclear how many states have given districts leeway to designate teachers as essential, the Trump administration has given the practice its blessing. On Aug. 18, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released updated guidance that added teachers and teachers' aides to the list of critical infrastructure workers. Other employees on the list include doctors, police officers, firefighters, and grocery store workers.The list is not a federal directive, but it reinforces what the White House has been saying for weeks now: School buildings must reopen, and teachers must report to work."[I]t is our firm belief that our schools are essential places of business, if you will, that our teachers are essential personnel," said White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany in a press briefing in late July. "Our meatpackers were meatpacking because they were essential workers. Our doctors were out there treating because they're essential workers. And we believe our teachers are essential."Yet educators say this designation would put them and students at risk. Many have already been fighting against returning to school buildings, saying it's not safe to reopen. The possibility of being declared essential workers has only increased anxiety levels.The White House has "not actually gotten us the [personal protective equipment] that would make schools safe, they have not gotten us the testing that would make schools safe, they have not done anything on a national basis to stop the virus," said American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. "They think teachers are dispensable."About half of the 700 districts in's database on school reopenings, which is not nationally representative, have opted to resume in-person instruction at least some days of the week, including four of the 25 largest districts. Those districts are now trying to figure out the logistics of running school buildings during a pandemic.In the Martin County, Fla., school district, officials told employees the day before school started that they would be considered essential workers and would not have to quarantine after known exposure. A district spokeswoman told news site WPTV that this decision was made to maintain adequate staffing levels to continue providing full-time instruction, as required by the state.The spokeswoman said teachers who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 would receive free rapid testing and know within 24 hours if they are positive, too. Rapid tests have a higher inaccuracy rate than other tests, however, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that they cannot be used to definitively rule out infections. The district also plans to determine who has to go into work upon exposure on a case-by-case basis.Still, one teacher, who did not want to be identified, told WPTV that teachers were "freaked out.""I thought the timing absolutely was horrendous," the teacher said. "You don't tell me the day before school starts that all of a sudden, I'm an essential worker."The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that anybody who was within six feet of someone with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes should quarantine for 14 days, unless the exposed person has had COVID-19 within the last three months. Quarantining helps prevent spreading the disease before a person knows they are sick or if they don't feel symptoms."Symptom screenings and fever checks are a nice way to reassure us that someone is not actively ill, but it's insufficient when it comes to COVID," said Dr. Sadiya Khan, an epidemiologist and an assistant professor of preventative medicine at Northwestern University's school of medicine. She added that up to 30 percent of people infected with the coronavirus never display symptoms but can still spread the virus. And it can also take a few days for symptoms to show up after exposure.Districts that want to have teachers come back to the classroom without quarantining upon exposure should have an infrastructure in place for rapid testing, Khan said. Other safety precautions include mask wearing, physical distancing, and proper ventilation systems--but those would all have to be perfect, she said.Otherwise, having teachers who have been exposed to COVID-19 return to the classroom without quarantining could be "propagating an outbreak--not just in the school, but also in the students' homes, and the teachers' homes, and the local community," Khan said.In Tennessee, at least six districts have designated employees as critical infrastructure workers. The commissioners of the state departments of health and education sent a letter on Aug. 18 to all superintendents saying that they would accept the designation--but urged caution, warning that it could "present a greater opportunity for COVID-19 transmission within schools."Districts that declare teachers to be essential workers must take precautions, the letter says, including requiring teachers who have been exposed to wear face masks and to self-quarantine when not at school. Also, teachers who live with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and cannot avoid close contact must quarantine, the state commissioners said, regardless of the district's policy.Even so, teachers in those districts are "quite alarmed," said Beth Brown, the president of the Tennessee Education Association. "It's just absolutely negligent to eliminate quarantine as a virus-fighting tool," she said.And while some policymakers--including White House officials--have argued that teachers are just as essential as health-care professionals, law-enforcement officials, and other critical infrastructure employees, all of whom must keep reporting to work in order to keep the country running, Brown said it's not a fair comparison. Schools are not set up to effectively social distance, she said, and the spring semester proved that teachers can do their jobs remotely.Some districts across the country have told teachers that if they are feeling well but are under quarantine orders, they can teach from home via webcam, while an aide is in the classroom with students to monitor behavior and help facilitate lessons.Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's administration is evaluating whether to incorporate the federal guidance into the state's legal framework, according to the Associated Press."We've had some superintendents reach out to ask where the administration is on this topic," the governor's spokeswoman Candice Broce told the AP. "We're in the soliciting-input mode."The Forsyth County district, outside Atlanta, had initially designated all school employees to be essential workers, but reversed course after a lawyer for Kemp told the district it would have to wait until the state makes a decision, according to the AP.In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds and Dr. Caitlin Pedati, an epidemiologist and the medical director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, told reporters in a press conference early this month that the state would allow teachers to serve as essential workers if there's a workforce shortage and safety measures are taken, including monitoring teachers' symptoms and temperature twice a day and having a plan in place in case teachers do fall ill.It's not clear if any Iowa districts have set policies that would designate teachers as essential workers.Meanwhile, the South Carolina public health agency has told districts that asymptomatic teachers and school staff can continue to work after exposure "if it is necessary to maintain school operations and staff limitations exist." Those educators should be vigilant about social distancing, always wear a mask, and isolate if they do develop symptoms. They should also quarantine in their home when not at work, the agency said.Ryan Brown, the spokesman for the state education department, said in an email that he's not aware of any districts that have deemed teachers as critical infrastructure workers at this time, but many may choose to do so for school nurses.Being considered essential workers would further raise the anxiety levels of teachers in the state, said Sherry East, the president of the South Carolina Education Association. Teachers, she said, are already scared enough at the thought of returning to the classroom."We always feel like we're essential, but if the tagline 'essential' puts us in danger, we don't want that," she said. "We're not medical professionals. ... We're here to educate your children."
Usain Bolt attends Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on Nov. 5, 2019. (James Gourley/Getty Images)

Gold Medalist Usain Bolt Tests Positive for CCP Virus

A Jamaican runner known as the worlds fastest man tested positive for the new virus from China.

Jamaicas top health official confirmed the diagnosis of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) virus late Monday, telling reporters that the countrys leaders have been avidly discussing the positive result of our beloved Usain Bolt.

Jamaicas Health and Wellness Minister D. Christopher Tufton said at the briefing that the situation would be investigated.

Bolt, 34, said in a message posted online that hes focused on being safe as he isolates himself.

Just taking it easy, he said while lying in bed, wearing a tanktop, appending a caption that said stay safe my ppl.

Tufton appealed to people to follow guidance on prevention and control measures like wearing masks, hand sanitizing, social distancing, and staying home when sick.

If people dont follow those, harsher measures are required, he warned.

We intend to increase significantly the level of enforcement and prosecution, particularly for persons who have been allowed to enter the island and who are not maintaining the quarantine, Tufton said.

Authorities started tightening some measures, implementing curfews in several areas over the weekend, and banning funerals.

Over 29,000 people are under quarantine at their homes.

Bolt said he was tested on Saturday, a day after he celebrated his birthday.

He said hes showing no symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus.

Bolt won eight gold medals across four Olympic games. He is now retired.




Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to hold a press conference as early as this week about his health after recent visits to a hospital stoked public concern, local media reported on Tuesday.







Abe on Monday visited a Tokyo hospital for the second time within days, saying he had received the results of an examination performed last week and undergone additional checks.







He told reporters after the visit that he wanted to speak again later about his medical tests. Broadcaster TV Tokyo, citing a government source, said on Tuesday that the press conference could be held as early as this week to give an update on Abe's health, as well as additional COVID-19 measures.







Asked about the plans for a media conference during a regular press briefing on Tuesday, government spokesman Yoshihide Suga referred to Abe's comments on the previous day without elaborating further. (Reuters)


KALAMAZOO, MI  A Kalamazoo pastor accused of sexually assaulting four male victims between the ages of 15 and 17 is said to have paid the children to have sex with his wife while he watched.

The Rev. Stricjavvar Strick Strickland, of Kalamazoos Second Baptist Church, has been charged with 11 felonies connected to alleged incidents spanning from Aug. 1, 2015- Aug. 31, 2018, according to a probable cause affidavit filed last week in Kalamazoo County District Court.

Related: Kalamazoo pastor charged with human trafficking, child sex abuse

A warrant for Stricklands arrest was issued Aug. 21. As of Tuesday, Aug. 25, the pastor was yet to turn himself in. His attorney, Michael Hills, told MLive early Tuesday, that the two were making arrangements for the pastor to turn himself in.

It has been two years since these allegations first came forward and Pastor Strickland has remained in contact and available. He is not running from this, Hills said. Pastor Strickland remains ready to turn himself in and deal with these charges accordingly.

Strickland, 37, faces two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct on a student, another on a person age 13-15 and another by force or coercion, according to court records. He also faces four counts of human trafficking of a minor for commercial sexual activity and three counts of child sexually abusive activity.

If convicted, the pastor faces a potential penalty of 15 years in prison on each of the first four charges, and 20 years on each of the other seven charges, according to his warrant.

In a bond recommendation, filed with the court along with the arrest affidavit, Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor Christin J. Mehrtens-Carlin recommends the court not allow the pastor to have any contact with the four alleged victims, his wife Jazmonique Strickland, or anyone under the age of 18.

Per the reports, the defendant and his wife would use their employment at Phoenix High School (in Kalamazoo) and to some extent, the defendant would use his work as a pastor, to find male teens to engage in sexual activity with the wife, while the defendant watched and masturbated, Mehrtens-Carlin writes in her bond recommendation.

The four said to be victims in the case ranged in age from 15-17 when the alleged acts occurred, she wrote.

Mehrtens-Carlin, who is recommending a cash or surety bond of $500,000 in the case, said it is also alleged that Strickland engaged in similar behavior with his ex-wife years ago while living in Mississippi.

Strickland, when reached by MLive Tuesday, called the charges absolutely preposterous and said he still had no information regarding the specifics of the allegations levied against him.

All I can say for now is that we are prepared for this fight, the pastor said. God will prevail.

Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Scott Ernestes wrote about the specifics of the allegations in the probable cause affidavit, which was filed Aug. 18.

Ernestes wrote in the affidavit that he was first contacted in August 2018 by two juveniles and one of their fathers referencing a potential sexual assault that occurred during the years 2015-18.

At that point, an investigation began, Ernestes wrote.

Related: State police search home of Kalamazoo NAACP president, pastor

The two juveniles told Ernestes, according to the affidavit, that both of them were students at Phoenix High School during the 2017-18 school year when they met the couple. Jazmonique Strickland, according to the affidavit, was a secretary at the school.

Both of the boys, who turned 17 during that school year, were alleged to have been paid $100 each to have sex with Jazmonique Strickland on separate occasions while her husband watched, the affidavit states. The pastor is also alleged to have paid the children each $100 so he could watch his wife perform oral sex on them.

Additional money was allegedly given to one of the boys to text nude photos to the pastor, the affidavit states. The pastor also allegedly sexually assaulted one of the boys and then gave him money after the boy told him to stop.

A third victim, interviewed in September 2018, told the detective he was 16 years old in 2015 when he was first asked to send the reverend nude photos in exchange for money.

Later, when the boy was 17, Strickland coerced the child into allowing him to perform oral sex on the boy, according to the detectives affidavit. In exchange, Strickland allowed the boy to use the pastors vehicle, the affidavit alleges.

Ernestes states he interviewed a fourth victim in February 2019. The victim told the detective he was 15 years old in August 2015, when he was paid $200 by Strickland to have sex with the pastors wife on a couch in the couples basement. According to Ernestes report, the victim claimed this type of incident happened on other occasions during 2015 and 2016 as well.

In February 2019, five days after Ernestes interviewed the fourth individual, Hills and Strickland hosted a press conference where the two denied any wrongdoing had occurred whatsoever.

In a separate Kalamazoo County court case, Strickland faces an assault charge stemming from an incident with a former church deacon that occurred at the Second Baptist Church in December 2019. That misdemeanor case is currently set for trial beginning Sept. 30 in Kalamazoo County District Court.

Strickland has been pastor at Second Baptist Church in Kalamazoo since 2012. He also previously served as the NAACP Kalamazoo Chapter president from 2016-18.

There are no charges pending against Jazmonique Strickland at this time.

Also on MLive:

Kalamazoo pastor defends himself amid police investigation

Kalamazoo pastor charged with assault of church deacon

Boater charged with operating while intoxicated in Gull Lake swimmers death

Votes will be recounted in 6 Kalamazoo County primary election races
Lady Amelia Windsor's sister Lady Marina has shared sweet throwback photographs to celebrate the royal's 25th birthday.

Amelia, who is 39th in line to the throne, is seen holding a glass bottle as a youngster in one of the adorable snaps, while another captures her with her two older siblings Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick, 31, and Lady Marina, 27, as children.

Lady Marina shared the pictures to Instagram, with the caption: 'Happy Birthday my amazing Mel, so pleased you were born 25 years ago today' and 'Happiest happiest of birthdays to my magical sister, ray of sunshine and forever partner in crime'.

An appreciative Amelia was quick to reply with her own sweet message, commenting on her sister's post: 'Love you to the moon and back'.

Lady Amelia Windsor's sister Lady Marina has shared sweet throwback photographs (pictured) to celebrate the royal's 25th birthday

Amelia (pictured), who is 39th in line to the throne, is seen holding a glass bottle as a youngster in one of the adorable snaps

The heiress and model, who turned 25 yesterday and is the granddaughter of the Duke of Kent, has returned to Notting Hill, London, after spending lockdown at her parents' Cambridge property.

Lady Amelia's elder sister Marina, who attends Cambridge university, also appeared to stay at the family estate amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Amelia has modelled for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana and designed her own range of accessories in collaboration with Penelope Chilvers.

Another captures her with her two older siblings Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick, 31, and Lady Marina, 27, as children (pictured)

Lady Marina shared the pictures to Instagram , with the caption: 'Happy Birthday my amazing Mel, so pleased you were born 25 years ago today' (above)

She is represented by Storm models, which also looks after the likes of Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne.

Additionally she has been named as a contributing editor in Tatler Magazine, and reportedly interned at jewellery house Bulgari, during her time studying at Edinburgh university.

Despite most of the royals keeping their private life off social media, Amelia is a big fan of Instagram and regularly shares glimpses of her glamorous life with her 84,700 followers.

Despite backlash over Londoners escaping to visit their second homes at the start of the UK's coronavirus-related lockdown, Lady Amelia fled to her parents' home in Cambridge in late March. Pictured: A snap of the area, shared by the royal to her Instagram in April

Her sister Marina also has a public social media account, with nearly 4,000 followers, and often shares photographs of her stunning family.

Amelia has previously suggested that her Instagram account is just a snapshot of her life, with the eco-friendly royal revealing that she tries to live as sustainably as possible and often borrows clothes from brands for events.

The royal fled to her parents' house in Cambridge in late March, joining the Londoners escaping to visit their second homes at the start of the UK's coronavirus-related lockdown.

She shared a snap of the city dated 23 March, a week after the government advised against all non-essential travel and fears mounted that capital dwellers could be spreading the disease across the country.
Donald Trump Jr. during his pre-recording address to the Republican National Convention at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press )

Welcome to a parallel universe.

Conventions are unabashedly partisan affairs, offering the purest distillation of a political party and its beliefs. So a certain amount of contrast is to be expected when Democrats and Republicans stage their coronations back-to-back.

But the differences on display Monday at the opening night of the GOP convention weren't just jarring. They could practically knock your fillings out.

The COVID-19 pandemic that has scythed a deathly swath across America was not the scourge Democrats suggested, but rather a malady  "the China virus"  that Republicans depicted as well in hand. (Notably absent was much sympathy for the families of nearly 180,000 Americans who have died.)

The economy that cratered to depression levels of unemployment was not only snapping smartly back, speakers suggested, but stands poised to hit stratospheric new heights very soon.

Never mind offering divergent solutions. Democrats and Republicans can't even agree on the problems the country faces.

Here are five takeaways from day one of the Republican National Convention.

Paint it black

President Trump and fellow Republicans promised a week of uplift and celebration, striking a contrast with a Democratic gathering that Trump derided as the darkest and gloomiest in history.

At times, though, it was hard to see any light for all the pitch-dark foreboding.

Speaker after speaker decried a country whose cities have spiraled into mayhem, where children are indoctrinated in hateful propaganda, where the religiously faithful are under siege.

Trump, accepting the nomination in a surprise appearance, cast his reelection as the only thing standing in the way of anarchy and irreversible decline. If Democrat Joe Biden is elected, he bluntly declared, Your American dream will be dead.

Feeling better?

Trump! Trump! Trump!

If a little Trump is good, the president seems to believe, a lot of Trump is a tremendously beautiful thing.

Story continues

Typically, the nominee-in-waiting, or a president up for reelection, lies lows for most of the week. It's a quaint tradition, akin to the olden days when a bride on her wedding day was kept from sight until the Big Moment  in this case, the acceptance speech that culminates the convention.

Last week, Biden broke somewhat with protocol. He appeared onscreen to briefly celebrate his formal nomination and popped up in a series of taped round-table policy discussions before speaking live at Thursday night's finale.

Trump, in keeping with the ubiquity of his presidency, planned to be a presence on each of the convention's four days.

He began Monday with a drop-by in Charlotte, N.C., where delegates were gathered to formally install him as the GOP nominee. He thanked them in remarks lasting more than an hour (more than double the time of Biden's acceptance speech).

Trump then repeatedly popped back up in prime time in a series of videos extolling his performance and celebrating his achievements with the recurring theme promises made, promises kept.

His omnipresence was another pledge made and kept.

Trump the troll

Never mind tax cuts, rolled-back regulations or the appointment of conservative judges.

One of Trump's greatest appeals to his base is his capacity to reduce opponents to a quivering, sputtering mass of agitated outrage. It's called owning the libs, and the president is a master at wielding lock and key.

Accepting the nomination, as a somewhat distanced, partially masked ballroom of delegates took up the requisite chant of "four more years," a beaming Trump stepped to the microphone and slyly offered a suggestion. "If you want to really drive em crazy," he offered, "you say 12 more years.'"

The crowd took up the cry, in defiance of the constitutional two-term limit, as the heads of Democrats around the country spontaneously combusted.

Trump, redux

With five offspring, there has been talk of Trumps running for president in perpetuity. Picture the Bushes or Clintons, with a lot more marble and gold filigree.

All of Trump's children, save his youngest son  14-year-old Barron  have been slotted as convention speakers, a lineup that does nothing to lay such speculation to rest.

The star billing went Monday night to Donald Trump Jr., who made one of the fundamental arguments for his father's reelection.

The 42-year-old Trump said things were going swimmingly until the novel coronavirus, a spawn of "the Chinese Communist Party," blindsided the country and kicked the legs out from under the strong economy the president helped build. Having done so once, Trump Jr. said, his father stands uniquely suited to invigorate the economy again.

The "radical left-wing policies" of Biden  "Beijing Biden"  would stop things cold, Trump asserted. "If youre looking for hope, look to the man who did what the failed Obama-Biden Administration never could do and built the greatest economy our country has ever seen."

That statement is an exaggeration  there have been other periods of greater prosperity in the country's history  but that has not stopped father or son or the many others who repeated it Monday night.

A more conventional roll call

The tally of states, which formally bestows the presidential nomination on a party's pick, is one of those traditions that marked another line of demarcation between Democrat and Republican.

Taking social distancing to the extreme, Democrats conducted their roll call via remote feeds from the 50 states, District of Columbia and territories across the waters of the Pacific and Caribbean. It was a colorful, sometimes goofy but earnest and unexpectedly uplifting survey of this great land, its varied people, topography and, in the case of Rhode Island, official state appetizer. (Calamari!)

Republicans took a more familiar approach.

Held before prime time, representatives of each state and territory appeared before a white convention backdrop with the convention logo, pledging their allotted delegates as those on hand offered a smattering of applause.

There was the usual good-natured braggadocio, about Arizona's Grand Canyon, the rivers of Missouri, the patriotism of Puerto Rico's veterans and the like. But the roll call also offered a preview of the week's political messaging, with delegates extolling the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, opposition to legalized abortion, and support for police and those who stand during the national anthem.

Later, in prime time, Republicans emulated  OK, copied  the Democrats with their own swift pass through the 50 states and territories.

There was a lot of cheerleading for Trump but no calamari.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 19:18:10|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

People experience an exhibition at the Bastogne War Museum in Bastogne, Belgium, Aug. 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

BRUSSELS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- "You have to know your past to better understand the present and consider the future. It is important to remember what happened 75 years ago, in order to understand where we are now and to learn from the past," said the head of the Bastogne War Museum, Mathieu Billa, in Belgium.

Billa, also a Belgian historian, made the remarks in a recent interview with Xinhua on the 75th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

The Bastogne War Museum, inaugurated in 2014, serves as an example of hard-won peace by showing visitors the context, causes, events and consequences of World War II through the prism of the Ardennes Counteroffensive, a major battle in Bastogne, a Belgian region in the Ardennes.

The Bastogne War Museum's exhibition room displays many objects recalling the fierce battle that took place in the Ardennes during the winter of 1944-1945. That battle forced Adolf Hitler's army to withdraw on the Eastern Front, precipitating the fall of Nazi Germans.

The museum offers visitors optional audio-guided tours through four fictional characters: a German lieutenant, an American soldier, a young teacher from the Communal school of Bastogne and Emile Mostade, a 13-year-old boy.

The stories told by Mostade about the life of civilians during the occupation and during the battle are often much appreciated by young visitors.

When the war broke out, Mostade lived in Noville, 7 km from Bastogne, and his parents ran a bicycle shop in the town.

"On Dec. 18, the sound of the cannons approached my village ... I have to admit that I'm a bit scared, especially since there's no more electricity," the boy's voice said.

His parents decided to send him to his uncle Victor's house in Bastogne where he ran a cafe with a solid cellar underneath.

"There are already at least 20 people in the cellar ... When the bombing starts again, I take my accordion and play as loud as I can to hide the noise of the bombs. The problem is that I only know one tune ..." the voice continued.

His parents who stayed in Noville to guard the house were killed. His mother was killed by a bomb that destroyed the house, and his father was shot at random by the Germans who were taking revenge after finding a hidden transmitter.

"Mom and Dad died in that battle. A lot of innocent people like them were victims because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They met people on their way who did not respect the lives of others," said the voice.

Curator Billa said, "These four people are fictional characters but inspired by reality. And thanks to them, we really have the different points of view on the Second World War."

According to Billa, the primary role of the museum is to educate visitors about the past. The museum has designed visiting programs for students and the general public to leave a message of peace to the younger generations, for whom war is a distant memory.

"Leave your hatred behind, if you have any. Every person you meet should be like a sister or a brother. Be good to one another. That way the world will be happy," an American veteran visiting the museum was heard as saying to a local reporter.

Billa expressed the same wish. "May the world continue to live in peace and prosperity."
A teenager was held hostage, beaten and repeatedly raped after visiting a house to look at a spare room, a court has heard.

The 18-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was allegedly put through the violent ordeal for up to 15 hours at a flat in north London, Wood Green Crown Court heard.

Her friend had left her alone with Chakib Bellaoui, 26, after the three went clubbing in February.

She suffered a fractured eye socket and swelling and bruising before escaping the room covered in blood after her alleged attacker went to the bathroom, the court was told.

Bellaoui, of Tottenham, is on trial accused of false imprisonment, four counts of rape and one count of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Opening the case on Tuesday, prosecutor Abigail Husbands told jurors the complainant and her male friend had met Bellaoui earlier that day and swapped numbers before a night out.

They then went to Bellaouis flat and took cocaine as he said he had a spare room to rent after hearing the teenager needed a place to live, jurors heard.

But the prosecutor said the complainants friend then left having apparently lost his phone, and she subsequently found herself having sex with the defendant.

Ms Husbands said: She couldnt remember whether it was with her consent but it may have been.

But what was happening in the bedroom changed.

She distinctly remembers the defendant wanting anal sex. She said that was not happening, she said no, and he just ignored her, held her down by her wrists, she was trying to fight back but it didnt work.

She was saying no, she was crying and screaming.

She eventually gave up fighting and he went about his business.

Bellaoui allegedly raped her three more times before forbidding her to leave or get dressed before locking his door and then violently battering her, jurors heard.

The defendant, who followed proceedings with an Algerian Arabic interpreter, allegedly started telling the teenager he loved her, and burned himself with cigarettes and cut himself with a knife to show her he was sorry, the prosecutor said.

In a police interview from two days after the incident played in court, the complainant, whose face is visibly swollen with black eyes, tells officers: I was begging him to let me leave. I was really scared. He slapped me and I finally hit him back and he started battering me.

Then he got a knife and I got really f***ing scared.

He cut himself so I knew he would not be scared to cut me so I sat down and played along with an idea I could go back and get my stuff and live with him for two weeks as a trial period.

After escaping and screaming for help covered in blood, a member of the public called police, she said.

Jurors heard Bellaoui was then flagged as wanted and was arrested in North Wales in March, around a month after the alleged attack, trying to board a ferry to Dublin.

His semen DNA was found on vaginal swabs taken from the complainant and he was picked out of a video identification parade by her friend as being the man whose room they visited, the prosecutor said.

The trial, before Kalyani Kaul QC, continues.
- Uhuru said Mwahima was a strong champion for community development projects, a trait he noted had endeared the deceased to the residents

- The president said Mwahima was an approachable, witty and visionary elder and leader who offered wise counsel

- The late MP was confirmed dead at his Vyemani home in Likoni sub-county, Mombasa on the night of Monday, August 24

President Uhuru Kenyatta has mourned former Likoni MP Masoud Mwahima as an elder statesman, witty leader and a grassroots mobiliser.

In his condolence message to the family, Uhuru said Mwahima was a strong champion for community development projects, a trait he noted had endeared him to the residents.

READ ALSO: Rusinga Island: Where locals use signposts to publicise their family names, homesteads

Masoud Mwahima died on the night of August 24. Photo: The Star.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Mombasa: At least two confirmed dead in accident involving Governor Joho's brother's family

"Mzee Mwahima was an approachable, witty and, visionary elder and leader who offered wise counsel and outstanding service to the people of Mombasa especially his Likoni constituency for decades," he said.

On his part, Governor Hassan Joho described the late legislator as a pillar of strength that always stood firm in defense of the people of Likoni and Mombasa at large.

"I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and I pray to the Almighty to alleviate your grief. May the Almighty Allah SWT accept all his good deeds and grant our beloved Mzee Masoud Mwahima jannatul firdaus. Amin," he eulogised.

The late MP was confirmed dead at his Vyemani home in Likoni sub-county, Mombasa on the night of Monday, August 24.

According to the family, the veteran politician succumbed to asthma complications barely a day after he received treatment at St Thomas Hospital on Sunday.

We took him to hospital after he had complained of asthma yesterday (Sunday), and when we brought him back, he was okay. Today night when we were seated outside our home, we heard a long silence and when we went to check him, he was dead, said his son Juma.

He was first elected to parliament in 2007/2008 on ODM ticket and re-elected in 2013 but ditched the Orange brigade for Jubilee Party in readiness for the 2017 General Election.

Prior to joining national politics, he had served as the Shika Adabu councillor, the Mombasa municipal council deputy mayor and later as mayor from 1999 to 2002.

Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news.

Jowie's wife on how they met and why she will love him forever | Tuko Talks | Tuko TV.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
WASHINGTON - Tawanda Johnson drives to her two oldest children's charter school and picks up breakfast and lunches for them almost every day during the week. She also picks up meals at that same school for her younger daughter, even though she attends a different charter school in the city.

And sometimes, she instead collects the meals at her nearby neighborhood public high school - a school none of her children attends.

When the coronavirus pandemic shut down schools across the country, the Agriculture Department - the federal agency overseeing the nation's school lunch program - made temporary changes to the program, including enabling families like Johnson's to pick up multiple meals at one site.

But some of those changes are set to expire in September, and school districts are bracing for more restrictions on who can pick up free meals at schools and where.

Washington-area school leaders have joined districts across the country in calling on the federal government to extend flexibility in the lunch program and accusing the Trump administration of politicizing the program as a way to encourage districts to reopen schools.

They fear stricter eligibility could hinder the abilities of people such as Johnson, whose husband has lost wages during the pandemic, to secure free meals for her family.

"These meals really help me and my family," said Johnson, a D.C. government worker whose oldest children attend IDEA Public Charter School, which also provides groceries to families. "I am so excited and happy for this food. They make fun of me, but I'm serious, I'm so grateful."

Thirty million American students eat school meals. Of them, 22 million qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Only 6 in 10 students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch have managed to access meals during the pandemic, according to an Urban Institute study.

During the pandemic, the meal program operated much like it does during a typical summer, when districts set up sites in strategic locations and any child can pick up free food during an allotted time.

When schools closed in March, parents could pick up meals on behalf of their children at a single site, even if their children attend different schools. They could get them from a school system or charter network in which their children were not enrolled. And even if they did not qualify for free and reduced-price lunches and breakfasts - which families are eligible for if their annual earnings are no more than 185% of the federal poverty level - they could still pick up meals, no questions asked.

The federal government reimburses school districts for the meals - up to $3.68 for lunch during the school year and $4.09 during the summer.

Beginning Sept. 1, the USDA says it will only reimburse meals for children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. Families must also pick up a lunch at the school system or charter network their children are enrolled in. And families will no longer be permitted to collect meals for children who are not yet old enough to attend public school.

Some flexibility will remain, including allowing parents to pick up meals for their children even if they are not with them.

But with reports showing low-income children are not receiving sufficient nutrition during the pandemic, advocates fear the changes will only exacerbate the challenges.

In D.C., where there are 63 charter networks and students travel across the city to attend them, advocates worry the consequences can be particularly dire. Every charter network is considered to be its own school system, and Johnson, for example, would have to collect meals for her older children at IDEA and go to another school to pick up meals for a younger child. Other children who attend a charter school far from their homes may be unable to collect meals if they have no transportation.

Families attending a D.C. Public Schools campus would still be able pick up meals at any campus within the school system.

D.C. Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn said the city is working to ensure students get the meals they need and has joined 1,300 local, state and national organizations in calling on the federal government to extend the meal flexibilities into the fall.

School districts can enact rules of their own, but they will only be reimbursed for meals that meet federal guidelines.

"The only possible explanation I can offer is that the Trump Administration is attempting to use the well-being of children and access to food as a way to strong arm school systems back into buildings before health experts deem it safe to do so," Kihn said in a statement. "This is antithetical to our DC Values."

"USDA is committed to feeding children in need and ensuring they continue to have access to nutritious meals during the pandemic," Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a statement. "Through waivers that USDA has provided for the full school year, schools can utilize bus routes, operate curbside pickup and send children home with multiple meals at one time."

In Virginia's Prince William County, the less flexible meal program will have serious consequences, warned Adam Russo, the director of school food and nutrition services. He said the school system's meal sites were bustling all summer, serving about 8,000 meals a day, a 50% increase from previous years.

During the pandemic, everyone received free meals, even those who typically are only eligible for reduced-price meals. But in the fall, these families will have to pay the reduced price of 70 cents for breakfast and lunch. While it's not a lot of money per meal, it adds up, and Russo said he worries about the financial strain this could cause families.

He said some families from nearby Manassas City Public Schools also used the district's meal program, and Russo worries about turning them away come September.

"By the time it flips, we'll have been feeding everyone for free for six months," he said. "They're not going to understand why on Friday they got a free meal, but a few days later they suddenly have to pay for it."

During the pandemic, some districts have struggled to serve the volume of meals they typically do, according to Beverley Wheeler, director of D.C. Hunger Solutions, an advocacy organization. For example, D.C. Public Schools, which serves 52,000 children, served 1,106,483 meals between March 16 and Aug. 19.

During the same period last year, it served 2,840,987 meals, more than twice the amount. Wheeler said she fears that students are going without meals, and if they are getting them, they may not be as nutritious as the balanced school lunches.

Since March, the USDA has provided families that receive free or reduced-price school meals with a few hundred dollars in extra Pandemic EBT funds, a debit card benefit for food-insecure households. Those additional benefits are also set to lapse.

"If those flexibilities are not in place, the burden on our parents is not going to be tremendous. I'm having nightmares," Wheeler said. "We know that it's a nutritious meal, not just another meal in your belly."

In D.C., some charter schools are attempting to find solutions for families who cannot easily commute to campus during the pandemic. At IDEA, where two of Johnson's children attend, the school already uses a large bus emblazoned with its logo to set up makeshift meal sites at locations closer to families' homes. They also have been using the van in the spring and summer to distribute fresh produce bags to families.

The school also delivers meals and groceries to families' homes if they are unable to pick them up.

Friendship Public Charter School - the city's second-largest charter network that educates more than 4,000 students - has distributed 46,000 meals since the pandemic began. Since May, it has been delivering meals to the homes of 125 students whose families are unable to pick them up.

Renee Sims is a foster parent with three school-age children. One child attends IDEA and the other two attend Theodore Roosevelt High - a school on the other side of the city. Sims picks up meals for all three at IDEA and collects groceries from the charter school's bus at a site near her home.

She said she has a car and will go to Roosevelt to pick up meals if she needs to, but she would prefer the convenience she was offered in the spring and summer.

"I would rather do it this way," Sims said. "But when anyone is offering a service, you have to get creative to get there."
If you have a job, 2020 has been like spending a year on a hamster wheel; you may be able to take a break but you probably havent been able to go anywhere. If not, youve probably become quite adept at wall staring (or travelling domestically).

When you cast your mind to next year, however, your hopes might once again start to climb. But before you get giddy; remember, even if predictions like Alan Joyces July 2021 one come true, that doesnt mean youll be allowed everywhere immediately.

As the Australian governments decision to prohibit citizens (bar a special exemption) from leaving, and other countries decisions to ban certain nations citizens (for instance, the US from arriving) show, theres going to be a lot to take into account when it comes to travel resuming. Not only do you need to be allowed entry, but you also need permission to leave (let alone to come back).

Far more likely then, than every destination on your bucket list suddenly reopening, is for various travel bubbles and corridors to open up in dribs and drabs until normal levels of travel resume (which should happen by 2024).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@wonderlustnewzealand) on Aug 22, 2020 at 2:04pm PDT

On that note, aviation expert Neil Hansford recently gave news.com.au some juicy predictions for the first countries likely to pop up on Australians can travel to list.

1. New Zealand

2. Pacific Islands

3. Singapore

4. Japan

5. Vietnam

6. Cambodia

7. UK

8. Germany

9. Scandinavia except Sweden

10. Ireland

Dr David Beirman, tourism lecturer at the University of Technology, backed up Hansfords prediction that Bula and Kiwi bubbles could be in the works, while noting the interstate difficulties we are currently seeing down under could prove a major handbrake (the point being: if we cant work that out, how are we going to work out an international agreement?).

The Australian government has been keen to move on the trans-Tasman bubble, involving New Zealand, and the Bula bubble involving Fiji and several other South West Pacific Islands, Dr Beirman told news.com.au.

Problem is, that unless we have some uniformity on internal Australian travel  its very difficult to work travel bubbles such as those which already operate in the EU countries.

Aviation expert Hansford also told news.com.au it would take time for us to be able to visit some developing nations, even if a vaccine were to become available.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Fiji Club (@thefijiclub) on Aug 23, 2020 at 10:55am PDT

Africa and South America could be 24-36 months away. Even with a vaccine only wealthy nations populations will be able to afford it and even in Australia to vaccinate all of us within three months would be impossible.

Once other countries can demonstrate NSW levels, the world will open up.

This puts a damper on the Balinese governments reported interest in negotiating a travel bubble with Australia.

As for the setback weve seen in Victoria, Mr Hansford said it has set us back by four or six months.

For now though, the only thing that remains a certainty, is that the near future of flying in Australia is domestic. How do we know that? Money speaks. As the ABC reports, Qantas, Virgin and Rex are all looking local.

This means putting long-distance planes into hibernation.

Looking forward, Peter Harbison, airline analyst and executive chairman of CAPA  Centre for Aviation, told the ABC, as restrictions began to ease, airlines actions would all come down to testing.

In the US they are publishing routes that arent actually operational to test market demand, he said.

Theyll publish 20 flights online and see how they go and pull the ones that dont work.

We saw this in Australia before the latest restrictions and well see it again.

Watch this airspace.

Read Next
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 19:57:05|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KABUL, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 88 civilians have been killed in Taliban-related violence and clashes in over the last two weeks, the Ministry of Interior said Tuesday.

The Taliban outfit's militants launched 781 attacks, killing 88 civilians and wounding 133 others within the last two weeks in 27 provinces of the country's 34 provinces, the ministry said in a statement.

Most of civilian deaths and injuries occurred in southern Kandahar and eastern Ghazni provinces during the period, according to the statement.

"Targeting civilians is contrary to the entire human, religious, moral and war standards, which is mostly ignored by the Taliban militant group," the statement blamed.

The Taliban militants have not made comments on the report so far. Enditem
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25

Trend:

As a result of the measures carried out by the Azerbaijani army, the commander of the sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Armenian Armed Forces, senior lieutenant Gurgen Alaverdyan, born in 1989, was identified and detained on August 23 at 06:00 in the direction of the Goranboy region of the front line, Trend reports on Aug. 25 referring to the joint information disseminated by the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office and the State Security Service.

There were solid suspicions that Gurgen Alaverdyan, having taken part in illegal armed formations in the territory of the Kalbajar region, occupied as a result of the wars of aggression initiated by the Armenian armed forces, attacked the military personnel, military enterprises, departments, organizations of Azerbaijan or individuals, causing harm to their health, causing significant property damage or other socially dangerous consequences, as well as committed actions classified as illegal acquisition, storage, transportation and carrying of firearms, their parts and ammunition. There were also solid suspicions that Alaverdyan, on behalf of the Armenian special services, in order to collect and transfer to this country information constituting a state secret for their use to the detriment of the security of Azerbaijan, crossed the state border on August 23, 2020 for espionage purposes.

On the fact, the General Prosecutor of Azerbaijan opened a criminal case under Articles 100.2 (waging an aggressive war), 276 (espionage), 279.1 (creation of armed formations or groups not provided for by law), 228.1 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation or carrying of weapons, component parts for it, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices) and 318.1 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).

In order to conduct a thorough, complete and objective preliminary investigation within the framework of a criminal case, a joint operational-investigative group was created, consisting of employees of the Prosecutor General's Office, the State Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Border Service.

Given the nature and complexity of the crime committed, the Prosecutor General has instructed the Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office to conduct a criminal investigation, and proper investigative actions and operational-search measures are currently being carried out.
Boris Johnson today appeared to lay the groundwork for a humiliating U-turn on pupils wearing face masks in schools as he said 'if we need to change the advice then of course we will'.

Currently head teachers in England are being told that face coverings will not be necessary in schools when they reopen next week as long as they adhere to hygiene rules.

But Nicola Sturgeon has said secondary school pupils in Scotland will be required to wear masks when in communal areas and when travelling between classes, piling the pressure on the PM to change tack.

That move was confirmed this morning by Scotland'a Education Secretary John Swinney who said secondary schools will be given 'obligatory guidance' that pupils should wear masks when outside the classroom from next Monday.

Downing Street and senior ministers have insisted in recent days that there were no plans to review the guidance in England.

But Mr Johnson has now signalled there could be a change in approach as he said: 'On the issue of whether or not to wear masks in some contexts - you know, we'll look at the the changing medical evidence as we go on. If we need to change the advice then of course we will.'

He added: 'If there are things we have to do to vary the advice on medical grounds, we will, of course, do that.

'But as the chief medical officer, all our scientific advisers, have said, schools are safe.'

A report by the Tes education magazine claimed this afternoon that Public Health England and the Department for Education have agreed to change the policy to make wearing masks compulsory in communal areas, with an announcement expected in the near future.

It came as the Welsh government announced it is conducting a review into whether face masks should be worn in its schools.

Teaching unions have seized on the issue, with the Association of School and College Leaders demanding Mr Johnson follow Ms Sturgeon's lead.

The Government is desperately trying to persuade parents to send their children back to school amid lingering safety fears and the face masks issue risks undermining the efforts of ministers.

There is now growing speculation that Ms Sturgeon's decision to act first on face masks will ultimately force Number 10 to reverse its stance as a growing number of schools signalled they will ask pupils to wear coverings when they change lessons regardless of Government advice.

It would not be the first time that the SNP leader has humiliated Mr Johnson during the pandemic.

She has repeatedly gazumped the PM throughout the crisis, taking action before the UK Government on things including announcing a ban on large social gatherings, closing schools and saying that the original three week lockdown would be extended.

The Scottish government was also the first to act in the wake of the recent exam results furore.

Boris Johnson has previously said face masks are not necessary in schools, but Nicola Sturgeon has said secondary school pupils in Scotland will be asked to wear them when travelling between classes

There is growing speculation that Mr Johnson, pictured during a visit to Appledore Shipyard in Devon today, recently saved in a 7m deal, will ultimately be forced into a U-turn on the masks in schools issue

Business Secretary Alok Sharma today said there are 'no current plans to review the guidance on face coverings in schools'

Schools defy Boris Johnson and say they will ask pupils to wear masks regardless of Government advice A growing number of schools in England today signalled they will ask their pupils to wear masks when they reopen next week, regardless of Government advice. Staff and pupils at 52 schools run by the Oasis Academy chain will be wearing masks when they change classes, founder Steve Chalke said. He told the BBC News channel face coverings will be considered part of the uniform adding that 'we will consult with everyone but this is the way we are going.' He said the move has been made because 'we believe this makes our schools safer than they would otherwise be', not just for students and staff but also their families. Mr Chalke, who said it is 'all about common sense and taking responsibility', told the BBC: 'There is no such thing as being Covid-safe, just Covid-safer. Based on our values and our sense of morality - these are the moves that we are choosing to make.' He added: 'Oasis is responsible for 32,000 children, and around about 4,500 staff, not just teachers but all staff in schools. And we are responsible to make those schools as Covid-safe as possible.' Mr Chalke said the wearing of masks would only be required during 'transition' between lessons. Advertisement

THE TRUTH ABOUT FACE MASKS: WHAT STUDIES HAVE SHOWN Research on how well various types of masks and face coverings varies but, recently, and in light of the pandemic of COVID-19, experts are increasingly leaning toward the notion that something is better than nothing. A University of Oxford study published on March 30 concluded that surgical masks are just as effective at preventing respiratory infections as N95 masks for doctors, nurses and other health care workers. It's too early for their to be reliable data on how well they prevent infection with COVID-19, but the study found the thinner, cheaper masks do work in flu outbreaks. The difference between surgical or face masks and N95 masks lies in the size of particles that can - and more importantly, can't - get though the materials. N95 respirators are made of thick, tightly woven and molded material that fits tightly over the face and can stop 95 percent of all airborne particles, while surgical masks are thinner, fit more loosely, and more porous. This makes surgical masks much more comfortable to breathe and work in, but less effective at stopping small particles from entering your mouth and nose. Droplets of saliva and mucous from coughs and sneezes are very small, and viral particles themselves are particularly tiny - in fact, they're about 20-times smaller than bacteria. For this reason, a JAMA study published this month still contended that people without symptoms should not wear surgical masks, because there is not proof the gear will protect them from infection - although they may keep people who are coughing and sneezing from infecting others. But the Oxford analysis of past studies- which has not yet been peer reviewed - found that surgical masks were worth wearing and didn't provide statistically less protection than N95 for health care workers around flu patients. However, any face mask is only as good as other health and hygiene practices. Experts universally agree that there's simply no replacement for thorough, frequent hand-washing for preventing disease transmission. Some think the masks may also help to 'train' people not to touch their faces, while others argue that the unfamiliar garment will just make people do it more, actually raising infection risks. So what about cloth coverings? Although good quality evidence is lacking, some data suggest that cloth masks may be only marginally (15 per cent) less effective than surgical masks in blocking emission of particles, said Babak Javid, principal investigator at Cambridge University Hospitals wrote in the BMJ on April 9. He pointed to a study led by Public Health England in 2013 which found wearing some kind of material over the face was fivefold more effective than not wearing masks for preventing a flu pandemic. The study suggested that a homemade mask 'should only be considered as a last resort to prevent droplet transmission from infected individuals, but it would be better than no protection'. Advertisement

Mr Johnson's comments on face masks in schools came as:

Sally Collier, the chief executive of exam regulator Ofqual, quit her post in the wake of the A-level and GCSE results debacle.

Mr Johnson said that in hindsightthe Government 'might have done some things differently' with regards to exam results.

The Conservative chairman of the Education Select Committee Robert Halfon called for 'more clarity' on the wearing of face masks in schools.

Wales' health minister Vaughan Gething said he hoped to make an announcement on whether schoolchildren will be made to wear face coverings by the end of Wednesday.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and children's charity Unicef issued guidance at the weekend that children aged 12 and over should wear face coverings like adults, particularly if they cannot stay six feet apart from others.

Ms Sturgeon immediately launched a review of their use in Scottish schools, which have now been reopen for two weeks, and said they would probably have to be worn in areas such as 'corridors and communal areas'.

In response, the Association of School and College Leaders called on Mr Johnson to conduct his own review, in a move that will frustrate the Government as it tries to assuage parent and pupil safety concerns.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the ASCL, told the BBC this morning: 'The guidance which had come from Westminster, it wasn't just that it said 'young people don't need to wear face masks', it was also saying that actually they shouldn't be wearing it because it increases hygiene risks because they are fiddling around with their masks all the time.'

He added: 'If we are going to have a screeching U-turn from the Government could we have that now so that at least we can plan for the start of term?'

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said advice from the WHO 'ought to be listened to'.

'We have to stay abreast of the science, so when the World Health Organisation says that children over 12 should wear masks in communal areas at school, that ought to be listened to,' he said.

Mr Johnson has said it is 'vital' for pupils to go back to school next week, with the PM insisting that the risk of children catching the disease is 'very, very, very small' and the risk of them suffering badly from it is 'very, very, very, very, very small indeed'.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma had earlier today suggested the UK Government was intending to stand firm on the masks issue as he said the advice had been 'consistent' for months.

He told LBC Radio: 'Public Health England does not recommend face coverings in school and the reason for this is because pupils and staff are mixing in consistent groups and we have provided additional guidance, together with Public Health England, in terms of how you can keep schools safe.

Ofqual chief quits in wake of A-level and GCSE results chaos The chief executive of exam regulator Ofqual quit today, days after a furious row over A-Level and GCSE grades in England. Sally Collier resigned as chief regulator after four years in the role and will be replaced temporarily by her predecessor Dame Glenys Stacey. Ms Collier, a career civil servant, had come in for criticism over the chaos that enveloped exam results for thousands of teenagers unable to sit tests because of coronavirus. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson attempted to pin blame on the regulator amid calls for his resignation after the system used to grade students was found to unfairly penalise pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. In a statement this afternoon Ofqual said Ms Collier, who had not worked in education previously, 'has decided that the next stage of the awarding process would be better overseen by new leadership'. 'As a result, the Ofqual Board has asked Dame Glenys Stacey to assume a temporary leadership role as acting Chief Regulator until December 2020, having previously served as Chief Regulator between 2011 and 2016, it added. 'She will be supported by a new committee of the Ofqual board, which will include one or more of the current Ofsted board members. This new committee will be chaired by Amanda Spielman and will oversee the work of Ofqual to the end of the year.' It came as Boris Johnson has expressed his regret over the exam results chaos in England and admitted that in hindsight the Government 'might have done some things differently'. Advertisement

Unions tell ministers head teachers will not fine parents who keep children at home Headteachers won't fine parents who decide to keep their children home from school next week, unions have signalled to Downing Street. Number 10 insisted compulsory fines should be used as a 'last resort' to force parents into bringing their children into the classroom when schools reopen. But unions, who have opposed the return to the classroom because of the danger coronavirus poses to teachers, told The Telegraph fines were 'counterproductive'. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: 'Talking about fines now is unhelpful. Members cannot say don't use them but they are more motivated by co-operation rather than coercion.' Nick Gibbs, the schools minister, said strict attendance was 'not optional' but parents could raise any concerns they might have directly with schools. Headteachers have the power to impose fines of 120 per parent, which is halved if paid within 21 days. If the fine goes unpaid and the case makes it to court some parents could be left with a 2,500 fine and a three-month prison sentence. Fines are usually brought in after five days of non-attendance. Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NAS/UWT, the second biggest teaching union, said schools needed to work with parents 'constructively'. Advertisement

'As I said, there are no current plans to review the guidance on face coverings in schools.'

He later told Sky News that 'there is no current plan to review that particular guidance' as he rejected suggestions that the Government could simply make wearing masks in schools voluntary.

The Business Secretary also claimed pupils are actually at lower risk of catching coronavirus in school than they are outside school.

He said: 'I think you have to look also at the science of this and you will have seen the messaging that has come from the chief medical officers, the deputy chief medical officers, saying very clearly that the chances of being infected from Covid in a school is very, very small.

'If you look at the statistics from Public Health England, in June we had on average around one million children in pre-school and primary settings and there were 70 incidents of infection.

'The chances of being infected in school are incredibly low. In fact the chances of being infected are higher outside a school setting so we have to go on the basis of the scientific and medical advice that we get and that is very clear at this stage which is that there is not a recommendation for wearing face coverings in schools.'

Political pressure is growing on Mr Johnson to change the current guidance with the Labour Party this afternoon formally calling for the use of face masks in communal areas in secondary schools.

Kate Green, shadow education secretary, said: 'There is a growing body of evidence that the use of facemasks in communal areas in secondary schools helps protect students and staff and drive down transmission.

'The Prime Minister must listen to this evidence and act quickly to give certainty to parents and teachers who are just days away from schools reopening.

'The last thing concerned parents and pupils need is another last minute u-turn from this government that throws school plans into chaos.'

Dr Margaret Harris, a spokeswoman for the World Health Organisation, said face masks in school could help lower the risk of spreading infection.

She told Times Radio: 'The idea is that you limit the amount of virus that comes from a person's mouth or nose while talking loudly, especially when you can't physically distance.

'In schools there are a lot of places where it is difficult to physically distance.

'The wearing of a mask increases the other things you do - washing hands, social distancing and ensuring that you don't touch your hands nose, eyes with unwashed hands.

'A mask is an extra thing, it is not the only thing. It is not an obligatory thing, it is something that needs to be negotiated.'

The Government is under growing pressure to change its approach after a YouGov survey found a majority of people - 52 per cent - believe secondary school children should wear masks.

On widening the use of masks in English schools, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said yesterday: 'We are not in a position where we are suggesting that, because we believe there is a system of controls that are there in place for all schools for children to be able to return safely and for staff to be able to operate safely within those schools.'

Some experts have questioned the wisdom of asking children to wear masks amid fears it could actually spread the virus.

Professor Russel Viner, the president of the Royal College of Pediatricians and a member of the government's SAGE advisory committee, told Radio 4: 'There are a lot of concerns for mask wearing for children, particularly younger children.

'They touch their face because they are constantly worried about the mask, so it could potentially spread the virus more.

'There is very little evidence for the use of masks in schools.'

Jenny Harries, England's deputy chief medical officer, said yesterday the evidence on whether children over 12 should wear masks in schools was 'not strong'.

The WHO says children aged 12 and over 'should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults, in particular where they cannot guarantee at least a one metre distance from others and there is widespread transmission in the area'.

But the Department for Education has said head teachers must not force pupils or staff to wear them.

Its guidance states the benefits from wearing masks on public transport or in shops do not apply to the school environment, and misuse could increase the risk of transmissions.

And there are also worries about the impact of masks on teaching and communication, especially for children with learning difficulties.

Instead, 'changing habits, cleaning and hygiene are effective measure for controlling the spread of the virus', according to the guidance.

Exceptions are where children require intimate care, or if they become unwell with coronavirus symptoms and teachers are unable to maintain a two-metre distance.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: 'If a school puts in place the measures that are in the guidance that we issued in early July then masks are not necessary for staff or pupils.'

The Department for Education said: 'We have consistently followed Public Health England advice, which does not recommend the use of face coverings in schools because there are a range of protective measures in place, including children staying in consistent groups.

'We have set out the system of controls schools should use, including cleaning and hygiene measures, to substantially reduce the risk of transmission of the virus when they open to all children in the coming weeks.'

An under-fire Mr Williamson yesterday broke cover to guarantee every school in England will be supplied with coronavirus home tests to hand out to parents when they reopen next week.

The Education Secretary used an interview to pledge that teachers would be able to send ill children home with a kit so that a family member can use it to quickly determine whether they have Covid-19.

Staff will also be allowed to use the swab kits under guidance that says they should be handed out by teachers 'where they think providing one will significantly increase the likelihood of them (the ill person) getting tested.'

Under guidance issued by the Department for Education, if the child tests negative either using a home kit or after visiting a testing centre they can return to school with the minimum of disruption.

If they test positive they must quarantine at home while the school takes steps to limit the spread.

But many have questioned whether every school getting Covid-19 home testing kits before September is an achievable feat in the first place - with sceptical parents vowing to hold the Education Secretary to his word.

Pupils wear face masks at a school in Belfast yesterday after returning to school for the first time since March

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jenny Harries says pupils are more likely to be hit by a bus than catch Covid Pupils are more likely to be hit by a bus on their way to school than catch coronavirus in the classroom, the deputy chief medical officer claimed yesterday. Dr Jenny Harries said the risk of children being involved in a traffic accident or of catching the flu are 'probably higher than the current risk' posed by the deadly virus. Meanwhile, Education Minister Nick Gibb this morning insisted parents will be fined if they refuse to send their children back to school next week. He also said the Government is sticking by its advice to teachers that they do not need to wear masks despite a growing row with unions over staff safety. Public Health England data has shown that teachers are more likely to be infected than their pupils, after one in 23,000 students tested positive during the partial reopening of schools before the summer holidays. Advertisement

General Secretary of the Teachers' Union Dr Patrick Roach said: 'We wait with interest to see more detail about the Education Secretary's promise of home testing kits for use by schools.

'It is important that this latest announcement from Ministers delivers on substance and that there is an adequate supply of testing kits to help keep schools safe not just on the first day back at school but throughout the term and beyond.'

Ministers have said that it will be compulsory for pupils to attend classes, with the risk of fines for parents who did not comply - although Mr Williamson said they would only be used as a last resort.

Local authorities can fine parents 120 - cut to 60 if paid within 21 days - over a child's absence from school, with the threat of prosecution if they fail to pay.

Mr Williamson said: 'In terms of fining, we would ask all schools to work with those parents, encourage them to bring their children back, deal with concerns that they have and fining would be very much the last resort, as it has always been.'

Public Health England data showed the partial reopening of schools before the summer holidays resulted in just one in 23,000 children catching coronavirus.

Some 70 children tested positive out of more than 1.6 million who were in class, with many confirmed as having the disease actually being asymptomatic.

But some 128 staff members tested positive, with most transmission believed to have taken place between adults.

Public Health England data has shown that teachers are more likely to be infected than their pupils, after one in 23,000 students tested positive during the partial reopening of schools before the summer holidays.

Yesterday, 17 staff and two pupils have tested positive for coronavirus at a school in Dundee just two weeks after schools in Scotland reopened following lockdown.
Got a question or tip? Contact us at bizmojoidaho@gmail.com.
Universal Life Church Symbol This year, the Church said, Universal Day would fall on November 3rd.

The Universal Life Church Ministries (ULCM) announced on Monday, August 24th that it had added a new holiday to the calendar: Universal Day. This year, the Church said, Universal Day would fall on November 3rd.

To explain its new holiday, ULCM published an entry to its widely circulated blog The Visionary as well as a standalone website at UniversalDay.org. The new religious holiday, they write, gives their ministers and members a chance to to connect and engage with one another, to discuss some of the big questions and challenges that face humanity.

At UniversalDay.org, the Church encourages its members to take time out of their days on November 3rd to pray, meditate, talk with other ULCM members in their communities, write to their elected representatives, and vote. Citing the COVID-19 crisis, the Universal Life Church Ministries has also made available on that website specific information to assist people in safely voting by mail, wherever possible. The Church describes voting as a sacred act and encourages its members to vote for whichever candidates and issues most closely align with [their] beliefs and values in furtherance of one of their two central tenets: Do That Which is Right.

They argue that the celebration of Universal Day, which falls on the same day as the U.S. General Election, justifies their ministers requesting an absentee ballot for religious reasons in those states that permit mail-in ballots to be sent to registered voters with a request for religious accommodation.

The ULCM is perhaps most well-known for its provision of ordinations online to any individual who feels so-called" at its websites like ULC.org The ULCM states that its ministers perform a wide range of religious ceremonies, in addition to acting as general ministers in their communities. Its ordained ministers, which reportedly include celebrities like Conan OBrien and Ian McKellen, are often featured in newspapers and on television performing weddings. ULCM asks only that its ministers abide by its two central tenets:

1. Do that which is right

2. Practice your faith however you see fit, so long as that practice is in accordance with the law and does not infringe upon the right of any other to do the same.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 14:16:04|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

CHICAGO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The unrest following police shooting of a black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday evening continued into Monday, when crowds tried to cram into the Public Safety Building for a news conference, knocking a door off its hinges.

Riot police tried to disperse the crowds with tear gas and pepper spray. Meanwhile, Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian confirmed more than 100 Wisconsin National Guard members had been deployed in Kenosha by late Monday.

A video posted on social media shows 29-year-old Jacob Blake walked to a grey van followed by two police officers with weapons drawn. As Blake opened the door to get in, an officer grabbed Blake's shirt to hold him still, and shot him at close range in the back at least seven times.

Blake was in stable condition Monday after surgery, his father said in a social media video.

Protests erupted immediately following the shooting on Sunday evening. At least three garbage trucks were burned out and windows were shattered at several businesses. A police officer was injured by a brick, said the mayor at the news conference on Monday.

In a statement released on Monday, Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden said the shots "pierce the soul of our nation."

"Equal justice has not been real for Black Americans and so many others. We are at an inflection point. We must dismantle systemic racism," Biden added.

The Division of Criminal Investigation under the Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating the case. "We understand that there is a need for this investigation to move swiftly," Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said at the news conference. The division aims to provide a report on the incident to the prosecutor within 30 days.

The Blake family has retained civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump to represent them. Crump also represented George Floyd's family after Floyd was killed by police brutality in May in Minneapolis in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Enditem
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.25

By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:

The value of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Czech Republic amounted to $156.8 million over 1H2020, compared to $179.8 million during the same period of 2019, Trend reports with reference to Kazakhstans Statistics Committee.

The share of Czech Republic in the total value of Kazakhstans trade turnover stood at 0.4 percent during the reporting period compared to 0.4 percent during the same period of 2019.

Kazakhstans export to Czech Republic amounted to $37.4 million over the period from January through June 2020, compared to $37.5 million during the same period of 2019.

Czech Republics share in the total volume of Kazakhstans export also amounted to 0.1 percent during the reporting period of 2020 compared to 0.1 percent during the same period of 2019 indicating it was flat year-on-year.

In turn, Kazakhstans imports from Czech Republic stood at about $119.3 million over the reporting period, compared to $141.9 million during the same period of 2019.

Czech Republics share in the total volume of Kazakhstans import amounted to 0.7 percent during the reporting period of 2020 compared to 0.8 percent during the same period of 2019.

The total volume of Kazakhstans trade turnover amounted to $42.5 billion over the period from Jan. through June 2020 which indicates a decrease from $46.1 billion during the same period of 2019.

Kazakhstans export amounted to $26 billion during the reporting period of 2020 ($28.6 billion in the same period of 2019), whereas import amounted to $16.5 billion ($17.5 billion in 2019).

---

Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh
The offices of Canal de Mocambique were attacked and set alight by unknown individuals around 8:00 pm on Sunday, 23 August, burning office equipment, furniture and other relevant documents to ashes. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Sindicato Nacional de Jornalistas (SNJ) Mozambique, in condemning this horrendous and cowardly act.

According to local reports in the region, Canal de Mocambique offices were attacked with Molotov cocktails. It is believed they were specifically targeted because of the paper's critical reports on corruption and most recently its reports on disputes of the fuel business in the country.

In a statement the SNJ said this atrocious act constitutes an attack on press freedom and freedom of expression in Mozambique. This action is aimed at silencing not only journalists from Canal de Mocambique, but the entire class of journalists through intimidation which constitute a violation of the constitution.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, described it as a cowardly act designed to silence the newspaper because of its critical reports. The perpetrators of this heinous crime are definitely those who feel aggrieved by the reports of the newspaper and have erroneously decided to take the law into their own hands by resorting to violence and banditry. Such deplorable acts of criminality must be condemned by all citizens as it derails democratic gains and undermines the rule of law and good governance.

The IFJ backed the SNJ in calling on the Government of Mozambique to do everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators are identified, arrested and brought to justice. The Government of Mozambique must also ensure that Canal de Mocambique are fully compensated with regards to all the equipment that they have lost as well as the office furniture and documents.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Syracuse firefighters are at the scene of an fire Monday night near LeMoyne College.

Someone called the Onondaga County 911 Center at 10:32 p.m. to report an oven fire at 300 Audubon Parkway, Apt. 23, at Briarcliff Estates, according to police dispatches.

Syracuse police and firefighters, and American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance responded to the scene.

When firefighters arrived, they told 911 dispatchers the fire had spread. More firefighters were called to the scene.

One person in the village of East Syracuse alerted neighbors on social media that the smoke drifting through the village is from the fire on Audubon Parkway in the city of Syracuse.

Firefighters remained at the scene at midnight, according to 911 dispatchers. No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates.

Syracuse Fire Fighters are currently battling a residential structure fire on Audubon Parkway. Engine Companies 17, 9,... Posted by Syracuse Fire Fighters IAFF Local 280 on Monday, August 24, 2020

Have a tip or a story idea? Contact Catie OToole: cotoole@syracuse.com | text/call 315-470-2134 | Twitter | Facebook
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Guangzhou is ambitious to see its automobile capacity surpass 5 million units in 2025, according to a document approved by Guangzhou municipal government on August 24 at a press conference themed the pandemic prevention and control and the work resumption.

The document, dubbed the Opinions on Speeding up the Development of Guangzhou's Automobile Industries (called the Opinions for short), said that the capital of Guangdong province aims to make the output value of automobile manufacturing industries with annual revenue of 20 million yuan ($2,890,382) or more exceed 1 trillion yuan ($144,519,110,000) on an annual basis in 2025, and a world-class automobile industrial cluster will take shape then.

(Photo source: GAC Group's WeChat account)



Moreover, until 2025, the commercial operation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be initially realized in Guangzhou. In terms of annual NEV capacity, Guangzhou strives to be among the top 3 cities in China.

As for the ICV business, Guangzhou will work at hammering out a country-leading 5G-based IoV (Internet of Vehicles) standard system and building an enclosed zone for ICV (intelligent-connected vehicle) tests. By 2025, a state-level demonstration zone for the applications of smart traffic and ICVs based on mobile broadband & Internet is expected to be basically completed.

According to the Opinions, Guangzhou also wishes to form a relatively complete world-class auto parts supply system in 2025.

To achieve the aforementioned targets, Guangzhou government will support traditional automakers in taking actions to integrating corporate businesses, conducting mergers & acquisitions and developing strategic cooperation. Those carmakers with independent R&D abilities will be rewarded with not more than 100 million yuan ($14,451,911) for five consecutive years for market promotion.

To accelerate the construction of NEV manufacturing bases and industrialization of NEV models, Guangzhou's authorities will grant one-off R&D award worth not more than 100 million yuan ($14,451,911) to an all-new self-developed NEV model whose first-year annual sales exceed 10,000 units, according to the Opinions.
Like everybody Im devastated for how 2020 has played out so far. I had a really productive offseason both on and off the bike and had planned to compete in almost the entire EWS and WC DH series. I was really excited to get more EWS experience under my belt and had worked hard to be able to prove my third place at EWS Derby was no fluke. The choice to sit out for the remainder of the races was not easy to make.



The current pandemic has made me realize there are more important things in life then racing a bike and after considering everything, I decided to listen to the government's travel advice and not take the risk involved with travelling to the other side of the world right now. In the meantime Im looking forward to attending all the events possible within Australia and taking on some media projects Ive never had time for before! I'm still committed to racing 100% and will be ready to go when travelling and racing become somewhat normal again.  Connor Fearon
No surprises, no solutions in SIU report on Penners death

Re: Police cleared in New Years Eve shooting death of St. Catharines Fred Penner, Aug. 20

The death of Fred Penner, who at the time was in mental distress, at the hands of two police officers was preventable.

In defence of the police officers, it seems obvious they had not received training for such a situation.

Yes, Mr. Penner presented a threat, wouldnt release the bread knife upon command and advanced towards the officer. But riddling his body with nine bullets from point-blank range was not the answer.

A Taser or a single bullet into Penners leg would have disabled and disarmed him for the officers to assume control at which time he could be escorted to the hospital for a mental evaluation.

It is not surprising the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) absolved the officers from any wrongdoing, as it rarely disciplines officers.

However, the SIU should have shown a little empathy towards Penners family by offering a few recommendations to prevent another senseless and unnecessary death.

Barry TuttlePort Colborne

Conditions not reasonable for return to school

Re: Niagara conditions very reasonable for kids to return to school, says Hirji, Aug. 16

I disagree, the conditions to return to school are not acceptable.

Do you have a child going back to school in September?

No playground access, no sharing anything, and a mask is mandatory all day.

Come on, man, think about the people who care about this situation.

Brad MalloyFort Erie

Province must facilitate change in local governance

Re: Details from funding announcements good news for Niagara, chair says, Aug. 17

What a disappointing article for taxpayers in Niagara.

Throughout this whole crisis Niagara municipalities have threatened service cuts or raised taxes, if funding was not forthcoming. What is consistent, is no discussion about operating government differently in Niagara, despite cries from local business owners about the high level they are being taxed.

Premier Doug Ford has made a decision to support local municipalities, in essence just throwing money at them, even if it supports municipalities who refuse to reduce duplication and waste local taxpayer money.

There are 139 elected positions here in Niagara and numerous examples of duplication. Instead of trying to address these issues as previously promised, Premier Fords government will throw money at it and support inefficiency.

Ever since Fords government backed out of its promise for regional governance reform, local discussions have gone quiet. Premier, it is time for your government to take a stand and facilitate this change as local government is only interested in the status quo and not in changing.

Al McKaySt. Catharines

There are good people out there

On a recent weekend, my wife and I (we are in our 80s and 90s) stopped by the Beer Store in Thorold. The lineup had about 12 people in it and we decided my wife would do the first shift.

An employee came out and took all orders on a clipboard. When my wife got close to the entrance I took over.

The gentleman in front of me now picked up his purchase and to my surprise also carried mine out the door. He said, All paid for, and put it in my trunk.

Who paid for this? I wanted to know. I did, he answered, jumped in his truck and drove off.

I stood in awe and could not believe what just happened.

If you are out there, good buddy, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hard to believe but true: Good people are still out there.

Claus Busse Allanburg

Letters welcome

We welcome letters from our readers. Send them to letters@niagaradailies.com or mail to 55 King St., Suite 600, St. Catharines, Ont., L2H 3HR. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Please include your name, address and phone number for verification purposes.
Canada said it was demanding answers from Iran over the mistaken downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet after Tehrans limited" initial report failed to explain why it fired missiles at the plane.

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehrans main airport on January 8.

Iran admitted days later that its forces had accidentally shot down the Kiev-bound Boeing 737-800, killing all 176 people on board, including 55 Canadians.

The Canadian government said Sunday it had received a copy of the Iranian report on the cockpit voice recorders.

This preliminary report only provides limited and selected information regarding this tragic event," Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Transport Minister Marc Garneau said in a statement.

The report only mentions what transpired after the first missile strike but not the second and only confirms information that we already know."

We expect the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide an answer on important questions of why the missiles were launched in the first place and why the air space was open," they added.

These are the questions that Canada, Canadians and most importantly, the families of the innocent victims need answered."

Iranian officials on Sunday said the cockpit voice recorder showed the pilots were still alive after the first of two missiles hit the plane.

Iran, which has no means of decoding the black boxes, sent them to France for analysis in mid-July, nearly six months after the disaster.

An association of the victims families slammed the Iranian report as a ridiculous display of deceit and obscurantism" and called for those responsible for the missile strike to be brought to justice, Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya news said.

Also Watch:

This shameful display was devoid of any answers to concerns and questions that suggest the missile strike may have been intentional," the association said in a statement on Monday quoted by Al-Arabiya.

At the time of the incident, Tehrans air defenses had been on high alert in case the United States retaliated against Iranian strikes hours earlier on American troops stationed in Iraq.

Those strikes were carried out in response to the killing of a top Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani, in a US drone strike near Baghdad airport.
A member of medical staff takes coronavirus test samples of a woman during drive-thru coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing, on a converted ice rink, in Alkmaar, Netherlands, on Apr. 8, 2020. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Reuters)

Two European Patients Re-infected with Coronavirus

AMSTERDAM/BRUSSELSTwo European patients are confirmed to have been re-infected with the coronavirus, raising concerns about peoples immunity to the virus.

The cases, in Belgium and the Netherlands, follow a report this week by researchers in Hong Kong about a man there who had been re-infected with a different strain of the virus four and a half months after being declared recoveredthe first such re-infection to be documented.

That has fueled fears about the effectiveness of potential vaccines against the virus, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people, though experts say there would need to be many more cases of re-infection for these to be justified.

Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst said the Belgian case was a woman who had contracted COVID-19 for the first time in March and then again in June. Further cases of re-infection were likely to surface, he said.

We dont know if there will be a large number. I think probably not, but we will have to see, he told Reuters, noting that COVID-19 had only been in humans for less than a year.

Perhaps a vaccine will need to be repeated every year, or within two or three years. It seems clear though that we wont have something that works for, say, 10 years, he said.

Van Ranst, who sits on some Belgian COVID-19 committees, said in cases such as the Belgian womans in which symptoms were relatively mild, the body may not have created enough antibodies to prevent a re-infection, although they might have helped limit the sickness.

Genetic Testing

The National Institute for Public Health in the Netherlands said it had also observed a Dutch case of re-infection.

Virologist Marion Koopmans was quoted by Dutch broadcaster NOS as saying the patient was an older person with a weakened immune system.

She said cases where people have been sick with the virus a long time and it then flares up again were better known.

But a true re-infection, as in the Dutch, Belgian, and Hong Kong cases, required genetic testing of the virus in both the first and second infection to see whether the two instances of the virus differed slightly.

Koopmans, an adviser to the Dutch government, said re-infections had been expected.

That someone would pop up with a re-infection, it doesnt make me nervous, she said. We have to see whether it happens often.

WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told a U.N. briefing in Geneva regarding the Hong Kong case that, while anecdotal reports of reinfections had surfaced now and then, it was important to have clear documentation of such cases.

Some experts say it is likely that such cases are starting to emerge because of greater testing worldwide, rather than because the virus may be spreading differently.

Still, Dr David Strain, a clinical senior lecturer at the University of Exeter and chair of the British Medical Associations medical academic staff committee, said the cases were worrying for several reasons.

The first is that it suggests that previous infection is not protective, he said. The second is that it raises the possibility that vaccinations may not provide the hope that we have been waiting for.

By Anthony Deutsch and Philip Blenkinsop
After besieged Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka strode from his helicopter gripping an assault rifle on August 23, some watching may have felt a flash of deja vu. It was the same distinctive model of gun Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was frequently photographed with and the favored weapon of Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The weapon Lukashenka brandished was a Soviet-made AKS-74U, a lighter, stubbier variant of the AK-74 assault rifle in use by military forces around the world. The specialized AKS-74U was first made in 1979 and is less powerful and less accurate than the AK-74, due to its short barrel.

The "S" and "U" in the name of the AKS-74U -- standing for "skladnoi" (folding) and "ukorochenny" (shortened) in Russian -- hint at the prime design motivation. The AKS-74U is around half the length of the AK-74 and was made as a personal self-defense weapon, especially for armored-vehicle crews who needed a gun with more penetration power than a pistol and something small enough to be maneuvered inside the cramped quarters of a tank or armored personnel carrier.

The appeal of the AKS-74U for bin Laden is believed to be largely in the symbolic value of the weapon. During the jihadist insurgency against the 1979-89 Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the super-modern gun was initially impossible to buy on the black market, therefore its ownership by jihadis was seen as a kind of "scalp" indicating victory over a Soviet soldier. A practical advantage for fugitive terrorist leaders such as bin Laden and Baghdadi is that the gun is relatively easy to conceal when compared to other, nearly meter-long, Soviet assault-rifle designs.

But with ample space, an obvious eagerness to show off his weapon, and an entire modern arsenal at his disposal, why did Lukashenka pick up a decades-old weapon known for limited range and accuracy? The answer may be found in Lukashenka's military history. In the early 1980s Lukashenka served as the deputy commander of a Soviet motorized infantry company and was probably issued an AKS-74U. It's possible the Belarusian president's weapon of choice is a personal keepsake from the Soviet Union.
The wiry figure of an illegal gold miner wields his machete to cut a path through virgin rainforest, opening the way for his partners heading to a gold mine deep in the Itaituba region of the Amazon, between two protected forest reserves.

Dercilio Franchini, 52, and his partner Ze Preto, 64, have been working this small, illegal mine for months.

Its one of the hundreds dotted through the tropical forest, part of a gold rush that started in 1984 after the precious metal was discovered in the region.

After the federal government built a highway cutting through Para state, miners, loggers and ranchers flooded into the region.

Franchini has been gold mining for over 30 years and makes between $1,000 and $1,500 a month, far above the average wage of a Brazilian worker.

He says the area affected by his mine is relatively small, about 360 square yards (300 square meters). And he argues the forest he and other miners cut into recovers within two years, but concedes the use of mercury to extract gold, and the blasting of soil to get at the ore damages the terrain.

Im a father, I have kids studying," Franchini said. Well continue to work, because I have to survive, I have to provide for my family."

The National Mining Agency estimates around 30 tons of gold worth some $1.1 billion are illegally traded in the state of Para annually. That is around six times the amount legally declared.

Environmental activists say the lure of such riches has encouraged illegal miners like Franchinis, adding to the growing deforestation in the region and poisoning the land with toxic chemicals and runoff.

Even legal mining is largely unregulated, according to Eco Watch and other activist groups, with those operations tending to be much larger and thus more destructive.

And Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is pushing a bill introduced in February of this year to open more land to mining, including in indigenous areas.

Environmental activists say that measure could lead to the exponential growth of already growing deforestation in the region.

According to the Amazon Geo-Referenced Socio-Environmental Information Network, a monitoring group, more than 450 illegal gold mines are active in the rainforest, with thousands of applications for legal mines pending if the Bolsonaro bill is approved.
The cast of the hit TV series West Wing is coming back for the first time in 17 years for a good cause.

On Tuesday it was shared that A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote will be filmed at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles in early October and will air on HBO Max, according to Variety.

Rob Lowe, Dule Hill, Allison Janney, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford, and Martin Sheen are expected to reprise their roles, which will be shot under COVID Safe Way Forward Protocols.

Back together: The cast of the hit TV series West Wing is coming back for the first time in 17 years for a good cause. A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote will be filmed at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles in early October and will air on HBO Max

Variety shared that the actors will assemble for a special staged theatrical presentation of the Hartsfield's Landing episode from the third season.

Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme and Casey Patterson will produce.

The show will also feature guest appearances that have not yet been announced.

Producers hope to raise awareness for When We All Vote, a non-partisan, nonprofit organization co-chaired by Michelle Obama. Obama is also sharing a special message to be aired during the show.

Back at it: Martin Sheen, seen left in 2019, will reprise his role as President Jed, right

She looks the same! Allison Janney, left in February, and right on the show with cast mates

He has moved on: Bradley Whitford, left in 2019, and right on the show as Josh Lyman

The West Wing ran from 1999 until 2006. The show was critically acclaimed and was loved by the Emmys, picking up a total of 27 awards.

The show was about the personal lives of presidential advisers.

Democratic President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet, played by Sheen, was the dominant character of the show as he weathers scandals and threats.

The series was produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

The way he was: Rob Lowe in 2019 at left, and in a cast shot right playing Sam Seaborn

He will be back too: Richard Schiff, left in 2019, and right as Toby Ziegler

Sorkin is writing the original material for the event.

'Tommy and I are incredibly excited to be getting The West Wing cast back together for this staged reading and to support When We All Vote in their efforts to get all of us involved in this election,' Sorkin said.

'With A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote, we are excited to revisit this legendary series and offer our passionate fans something that is substantial, meaningful and unforgettable, while also promoting an important message for our time,' said Sarah Aubrey, head of original content for HBO Max.

'Combined with WarnerMedia's donation to When We All Vote, this special not only entertains, but also help ensure the organization can carry forth its mission to increase voter participation in every election.'

HBO Max is also working on an unscripted reunion special of Friends which has been delayed many times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Headquarters (HQ), a newly formed strategic advisory studio, launched a revolutionary approach and suite of services to help cannabis entrepreneurs enter, build, scale, and unlock accelerated growth in California's multibillion-dollar market. HQ unveiled its " HQ California Launchpad ," a new, proprietary six-month growth program, which culminates in a 30- to 60-day in-store pilot program, to take businesses and emerging brands from idea to products-on-the-shelf in six-months.

"California is a golden opportunity, but the state's cannabis market can be challenging for even the most seasoned cannabis entrepreneur given its fractured nature, politics, barriers to entry, and other hurdles," said Headquarters CEO Daniel Abrahami . "Our team, vetted partners, deep relationships, unique blend of services , and new HQ California Launchpad help clients avoid pitfalls, overcome their toughest problems, and build, launch, and scale smarter and faster. As the California marketplace evolves, we look forward to helping more businesses and brands identify opportunities that transform their startups into powerful enterprises for years to come."

The HQ California Launchpad arms clients with a dedicated project manager, support staff, experienced sales team with key relationships, vetted vendors, service providers, buyer introductions, and domain and cannabis industry experts, who've been through the process numerous times, to help brands efficiently expand in key markets across California. The HQ California Launchpad includes three phases, all of which are designed to help cannabis brands test, iterate, and get to market more efficiently, smarter, and faster.

Phase One - Ideate: The first phase of the HQ California Launchpad dives into the clients' brand, products, long-term vision and key consumer demographics. The HQ team also leverages internal and external data points to develop a roadmap to help guide key decisions all the way through a clients' launch.

The first phase of the HQ California Launchpad dives into the clients' brand, products, long-term vision and key consumer demographics. The HQ team also leverages internal and external data points to develop a roadmap to help guide key decisions all the way through a clients' launch. Phase Two - Develop : HQ California Launchpad's second phase focuses on the development of the clients' go-to-market strategies, designs, formulations, supply chain, packaging and sample runs. This phase happens in a four-month window where HQ works side by side with internal teams to deliver a product that is ready for in-store testing.

: HQ California Launchpad's second phase focuses on the development of the clients' go-to-market strategies, designs, formulations, supply chain, packaging and sample runs. This phase happens in a four-month window where HQ works side by side with internal teams to deliver a product that is ready for in-store testing. Phase Three - Validate: HQ California Launchpad's last phase includes 30 to 60 days spent in-store. Phase three of the program concentrates on validating the clients' brand early and often and tests assumptions uncovered in the prior two phases. It also acquires user and buyer feedback and prepares the brand to rapidly scale throughout California .

"HQ's team is laying the foundations for success in California," said WolfPac Founder Emanuel Bernal . "As a vertically integrated operator in Colorado, I need a team I can trust to represent the company and what it stands for. Starting with their data and leading through the launch, HQ is giving us the competitive advantage we need to succeed in California."

"The support from HQ's launchpad is helping us save time and tons of money but also helping us avoid the pitfalls and minimize capital risk," said Opia Founder Ben Ramirez . "The reliable supply-chain, the vetted vendors, the sales and distribution support are all keys to Opia's success in California"

HQ was founded by a team of seasoned professionals who honed their skills working at and with iconic brands such as GE , Papa & Barkley , Microsoft , American Express , and High Times . The strategic advisory collective offers businesses and startups a suite of strategies, data, products, services, marketing, and expansion solutions that deliver the insights, rigor, expertise, and relationships needed to discover and seize upon transformative growth opportunities in the world's largest and most competitive cannabis market: California.

Today, California is seeing a 140% rise in new consumers trying cannabis products. Businesses have a median valuation of $15 million and the state's cannabis industry is expected to be a $5.6 billion market by the end of 2020. However, California's cannabis market has also experienced unprecedented levels of change and disruption, which has made entering the world's largest cannabis market daunting for even the most seasoned cannabis businesses.

For more information, visit https://www.cannhq.com/ , https://twitter.com/weareyourhq or https://www.linkedin.com/company/hdqtrs .

About Headquarters

Headquarters (HQ) is a strategic advisory collective that works with clients to unlock accelerated growth in California's multi-billion dollar cannabis market. From purpose to products, brands to experience and customers to operations, HQ brings the insight, expertise and relationships needed to both uncover and realize transformative opportunities. With a suite of business strategies, data, products and services solutions, marketing campaigns and expansion programs, the firm brings a host of services to discover and seize upon transformative growth opportunities. HQ arms clients with breakthrough insights to launch and build businesses and brands in a smarter and more efficient way. For more information, visit https://www.cannhq.com/ , https://twitter.com/weareyourhq or https://www.linkedin.com/company/hdqtrs .

CONTACT: Ellen Mellody, [email protected]

SOURCE Headquarters

Related Links

https://www.cannhq.com


On the third anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough issued a disaster declaration Tuesday and urged residents to get ready for Hurricane Laura which is forecast to make Texas landfall as a potential Category 4 storm Wednesday evening bringing damaging winds.

Because of the forecast, the county will close Wednesday at noon for all non-essential personnel. A special commissioners court meeting for Thursday has been canceled and will be rescheduled.

During a press conference Tuesday Keough said while the county will see some rain, the biggest threat is wind in contrast to Hurricane Harvey, which dumped around 50 inches of rain on the region as it pushed across Texas in August 2017.

We are within the forecast cone and because of that and because the wind shear with the hurricane it continues to move a little more west, he said. Please understand, because of the hot water and hot air coming across the gulf, it is picking up speed and getting larger.

Its like jet fuel with this particular storm.

Keough said residents should make sure they have items needed to be able to sustain them, their families and pets for at least week. He added it would be beneficial to fill your vehicles with fuel.

Do this today, dont wait, he said.

Keough also warned motorists to stay away from high water areas.

I urge all residents to follow the weather closely, he said.

Keough said there will be no evacuations for Montgomery County.

Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, said Lake Conroe is 15 inches below normal pool and the San Jacinto River Authority would not likely need to release any water since the storm is expected to bring more wind than rain.

Along with the Montgomery County, the city of Conroe is also preparing for the effects of the storm.

In a statement released by Mayor Toby Powell, a shift of just 20 or 30 miles to the east or west could make all the difference for us here in Montgomery County.

What I can say with certainty is that the incredible staff at the city is preparing for whatever may come, he stated. All of our departments are coordinating with one another to ensure we are prepared for the coming days. Please take steps to prepare your homes and families. Make sure you have adequate food, water, and any medications you may need as well as flashlights and other emergency supplies.

Residents can register for AlertMCTX, the countys official emergency alert system, to receive real-time weather alerts and post-storm recovery information.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com
Just when it seemed that 2020 couldnt get any worse, health officials are warning about the dangers of an aggressive flu season hitting while we are still battling COVID-19 this fall.

They are calling the scenario a twindemic, which is as bad as it sounds.

Experts who make a living thinking about worst-case possibilities say the combination could be devastating to a system still reeling from the current pandemic. But you dont have to be a pessimist to see the dangers.

Hospitals crowded with COVID patients would be confronted with another wave of those sickened by the flu. Health-care workers who have spent more than six months in the trenches fighting new coronavirus outbreaks would be stretched even thinner. People recovering from one virus would be weakened in battling the other.

Fortunately, there is a simple way to avoid this dose of double trouble: Get a flu shot.

Its that easy. It could save thousands of lives, including your own and all those who benefit from treatment in an ICU bed you wont need.

Unfortunately, as with the guidance to wear a mask, socially distance and wash your hands to avoid spreading COVID, too many people refuse to get a flu shot even in the best of times.

Years of data show flu vaccinations reduce the chances of getting sick and, if you do, make the symptoms milder. They also reduce the time spent in hospital for those who get sick enough to be admitted. And yet fewer than half of adult Americans took the time to get a shot during the 2018-19 season.

Excuses range from lack of time, a general fear of vaccines and the mistaken belief that a shot can actually give you the flu. It doesnt. The low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches that some people experience are actually evidence that your body is gearing up to fight the virus.

Some skeptics even suggest that its better to catch the flu than to take the shot. Thats a huge risk. Influenza kills tens of thousands in America every year.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 39 million and 56 million people were sickened by the flu in the United States during the 2019-20 season. Influenza prompted more than 18 million medical visits, more than 410,000 hospitalizations, and at least 24,000 deaths that year. The upper estimates put hospitalizations at 740,000 and deaths at 62,000.

Add those influenza totals to the U.S. COVID count of 5.7 million cases, an as-yet uncounted number of hospitalizations and almost 180,000 deaths, and its clear why medical authorities are concerned about a viral perfect storm overwhelming hospitals and health-care workers.

A flu shot isnt a guarantee but it greatly reduces risks and medical consequences, especially important in the time of COVID.

Recent studies by CDC researchers and others suggest that vaccination usually reduces the risk of getting the flu by 40 percent to 60 percent among the overall population. A 2018 study showed that among adults hospitalized with flu, vaccinated patients were 59 percent less likely to be admitted to the ICU than those who had not gotten a shot. Among adults in the ICU with flu, vaccinated patients on average spent four fewer days than those who were not vaccinated.

The U.S. flu season runs from October through April, with peaks between December and February. Last season was beginning to fade when COVID-19 hit, so we mostly avoided the twindemic effect. That wont be the case this season, even if a COVID vaccine is developed and on the market quickly.

Officials with Harris County Public Health say they are already talking about when to launch a public awareness campaign and are awaiting more guidance from the CDC.

The agency will include a map on its website showing where to get flu shots and additional information when that effort begins.

Retail drug stores, clinics and other outlets are already offering vaccinations. Now is the time to get yourself and your loved ones vaccinated.

The possibility of a COVID-flu twindemic may sound as far-fetched as two hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico at once. But these things do happen. And it is 2020.
CAIRO - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Sudan on Tuesday to push for normalizing ties with Israel, building on momentum from the recent historic agreement to establish relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The Sudanese transitional government said, however, that it does not have a mandate to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. It called on the Trump administration to not make the removal of Sudan from a U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism contingent upon normalizing relations with Israel.

Sudan is on a fragile path to democracy after the popular uprising led the military to overthrow autocratic leader Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. A military-civilian government now rules the country, with elections possible in late 2022.

The transitional authorities are desperate to have sanctions lifted that are linked to its listing by the U.S. as a terror sponsor. That would be a key step toward ending its isolation and rebuilding its battered economy, which has plunged in recent months, threatening to destabilize the political transition.

Pompeo is the first U.S. secretary of state to visit the African country since 2005, when Condoleezza Rice visited. He also is the most senior U.S. official to visit the African country since last years ouster of al-Bashir.

Pompeo arrived from Israel and while he was still airborne he tweeted: Happy to announce that we are on the FIRST official NONSTOP flight from Israel to Sudan!

His flight was the first direct trip between Tel Aviv to the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Pompeo was in Israel on Monday on the first stop of his multi-country tour in the region. The trip follows the Aug. 13 agreement between Israel and the UAE to establish diplomatic ties.

Pompeo met Tuesday with Sudanese Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the head of the ruling sovereign council, and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok,

Hamdok later described his meeting with Pompeo as great and tweeted in English that they had a direct & transparent conversation about removing Sudan from the U.S. terror list, bilateral relations and the U.S. governments support for the civilian-led transitional government in Sudan.

The prime minister urged the Trump administration not to link the removal of Sudans name from its list of state sponsors of terrorism to the normalization of times with Israel, said Information Minister Fasial Saleh.

The transitional government does not have the mandate ... to decide on normalization with Israel. This matter will be decided after the completion of the transitional authority, said Saleh. He was referring to the legislative body that has yet to be formed.

The sovereign council said Pompeo also met with Burhan but did not give details. A Sudanese military official said their talks focused on the next step toward normalization and incentives that Sudan will gain. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of he was not authorized to brief reporters.

Great to be in Khartoum for meetings with the civilian-led transitional government. The democratic transition underway is a once in a generation opportunity for the people of Sudan, Pompeo tweeted.

Pompeos discussions with the Sudanese leaders marked the continued deepening of the Israel-Sudan bilateral relationship, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

She said Pompeo also urged the Sudanese premier to provide protection to civilians in the Darfur region, which has seen a spate of armed attacks that killed dozens of people.

In February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Burhan, during a trip to Uganda where they pledged to pursue normalization. The meeting was held secretly and only announced after it happened. It also paved the way for another first  two weeks after the meeting in Uganda, an Israeli aircraft made a historic first flight over Sudanese territory.

At the time of the Burhan-Netanyahu meeting, the Sudanese military said the talks with Israel were an effort to help end Sudans status as an international pariah state.

Following a meeting with Hamdok on Monday, a coalition representing the protesters who helped topple al-Bashir last year said in a statement that the transitional government has no mandate to decide on normalizing ties with Israel.

The coalition, known as Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, also emphasized the right of the Palestinian people to their land and the right of free and dignified life, the statement said.

Sudan hosted the landmark Arab conference after the 1967 Mideast War where eight Arab countries approved the three nos: no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel and no negotiations.

But in recent years those hostilities have softened, and both countries have expressed readiness to normalize relations.

A Sudanese government official told The Associated Press last week that deliberations between Sudanese and Israeli officials have been going on for months, with the help of Egypt, the UAE and the U.S.

Sudans former Foreign Ministry Ambassador Haidar Badawi said last week that Sudan was looking forward to making a peace deal with Israel. His comments immediately drew a pledge from Netanyahu to do all thats needed to wrap up a deal. Badawi was later dismissed from his post by acting Foreign Minister Omar Qamar al-Din who claimed that his ministry had not discussed the issue of ties with Israel.

The designation of Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism dates back to the 1990s, when Sudan briefly hosted Osama bin Laden and other wanted militants. Sudan was also believed to have served as a pipeline for Iran to supply weapons to Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

___

Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed.

Read more about:
In an interview on the occasion of the virtual third Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Leaders' Meeting on August 24, Son said Vietnamese ministries and sectors have actively taken part in drafting documents in a constructive and cooperative spirit, for the common interests of the whole region.

At the event, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and senior leaders from other member countries discussed major issues affecting the regions sustainable development and necessary solutions to related challenges, the Deputy FM stressed.

The meeting focused on reviewing the implementation of the first 5-year cooperation plan in the 2018-2022 period among its six member nations  China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, and their future cooperation orientations, he noted.

The leaders appreciated the practical and effective implementation of cooperation in the three key pillars of security and politics, economy and sustainable development, and cultural exchange between the MLC member countries, especially the MLC Plan of Action for 2018-2020, which has benefited people and enterprises.

The close and effective cooperation among the member nations was also shown clearly in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in recent times, he said.

The leaders also applauded achievements in the regional cooperation in the last two years, Son said, noting that the countries have implemented more than 300 technical assistance projects across areas, including trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, and water resources management.

A number of specialised cooperation centres such as the Global Centre for Mekong Studies, the Water Resources Cooperation Centre, the Centre for Environmental Cooperation, and the Centre for Agricultural Cooperation, were established and have seen stable operation, he said.

The leaders affirmed their determination to promote cooperation to address environmental and socio-economic challenges facing the countries, through expanding cooperation in the three main pillars and five priority areas, including connectivity, production capacity cooperation, cross-border economic cooperation, agriculture and poverty alleviation, and water resources management.

The highlights that were agreed upon by the leaders at the meeting include strengthening cooperation in public health to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic via joint research activities, policy dialogue and sharing experience in disease prevention and control, improving the capacity of the countries in handling urgent medical problems, and ensuring equal access to vaccines and medicine.

Development of infrastructure, digital economy and hi-tech agriculture, climate change adaptation, environmental management, ensuring stability of production and regional supply chains, and cooperation in education-training and human resources development were also key issues put on table, Son said.

According to Son, the meeting spent a lot of time discussing cooperation in managing water resources in the Mekong River, and the leaders agreed to further strengthen cooperation in managing and using the Mekong River water resources sustainably.

The six countries will organise a periodic MLC Ministerial Meeting on water resources cooperation, promote policy dialogue, share information, data and experience in cross-border water management, build a channel sharing information on water resources, conduct joint studies on Mekong River water resources and collaboration activities on climate change adaptation, hydropower dam safety, and flood and drought management.

The leaders also highly valued the proposal to set up a hydrological data centre and share data sources for the Mekong countries in the context of severe drought.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 16:55 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c405ec0a 1 Lifestyle beauty-industry,beauty-influencer,Cosmetics,foundation,Sociolla,Make-Over,Dear-Me-Beauty Free

For Jakarta-based student Benedicta Dita Sari Vita Suwanto, finding foundation makeup that blends perfectly with her tanned skin tone, locally referred to as sawo matang, is like looking for a needle in a haystack, especially when it comes to local brands.

After years of searching, her choice fell on the darkest shade of Rose All Days The Realest Lightweight Foundation, though that still didnt satisfy her.

When I go outside, sometimes I have to add more cream contour or bronzer, so my face wont look flat or pale, Dita recently told The Jakarta Post by phone.

According to Dita, most local brands only cater to warm to neutral undertones -- the color from underneath the surface of your skin that affects your overall hue; available in warm, neutral and cool options.

They dont provide options for my skin tone; [namely for] neutral to cool undertones, she said.

Beauty influencer Lifni Sanders, who has been actively promoting shade inclusivity and a diverse range of foundation shades among local brands, agreed that Indonesian beauty companies often featured a limited range of foundations. She also noted a lack of fairness.

If a brand releases six shades [of foundation], five of them are for medium to light skin tones, while theres only one for tanned skin. Thats it. People with tanned to darker skin tones have fewer options  or even none at all, Lifni told the Post on July 29. If a brand cant launch 10, 15 or 20 shades, at least make them equally [available].

Lifni, who is of Papuan descent, said if a brand was only able to provide a limited shade range of foundations, they should be equally available for light, medium, tanned and darker complexions.

Local brand Dear Me Beauty (DMB) was recently criticized regarding the issue after promoting its latest concealer products alongside tanned and dark-skinned emojis on the TikTok platform. "Come on diversity give us nothing [...] using tanned and dark-skin emojis without actually having medium/dark shades???" said a Twitter user who shared the screenshot of the post.

come on diversity give us ~nothing~@livjunkie kak lip your thoughts on DMB social media team doing this~ using Tan and dark skin mojis without actually having medium/dark shades??? pic.twitter.com/oHNujW7cJN  yaribu spoiler (@KIRIBAKUSHONEN) July 24, 2020

In the comment section, two TikTok users could be seen inquiring about the products darker shades, to which the brand merely responded: You can use the available shades and Have you tried our medium plus shades?

Habira, one of the netizens who brought the topic to Twitter, said she followed DMBs TikTok account and often criticized its limited shades range. I would never have thought that its customer care staff would give such a response. Of course, Im appalled, shocked and disappointed."

The brand immediately apologized on its Twitter and Instagram accounts, expressing its regret over the insensitive and unpleasant comments. It stated that it had improved its training and management to prevent similar incidents.

Were very grateful for all criticism and suggestions from beauty enthusiasts. Its truly a lesson and reminder for us to keep getting better, added Dear Me Beauty CEO Nikita Wiradiputri in an email to the Post.

Nikita said the brand was planning on launching three new foundation shades for tanned to darker skin tones at the end of this year.

Key to inclusivity

According to beauty technology company PT Social Bella cofounder and CMO Chrisanti Indiana, customers positive responses and local brands willingness to innovate could help improve inclusivity in the country's beauty industry.

We see it as something that has to be embraced by local brands in the future as Indonesian customers are getting smarter in choosing products and understanding their own needs, Chrisanti said during a press conference on Aug. 4.

Launched in 2010, Make Over is one of a few local brands that cater to tanned to darker skin tones.

A representative of the brand said the challenge of producing complexion products for lighter, medium or darker shades was the same, and that the development could take years. However, based on consumer demand, its products for medium complexion are said to be the most popular ones, followed by lighter and darker complexions.

Lifni said the lack of people of color representations and the portrayal of beauty as synonymous with fair complexions and straight hair in the media might have influenced demand for darker foundations in Indonesia.

All this time, people have been told that lighter skin equals beauty, so theyre looking for products that have a lightening effect, said Lifni.

According to the ZAP Beauty Index 2020, a survey by beauty clinic ZAP involving 6,460 respondents between 13 and 65 years of age in Indonesia, 69.6 percent said they indeed wanted their skincare and beauty products to have a lightening effect. (kes)
Hurricane Laura is projected to become a Category 3 major storm before making landfall on the US Gulf Coast.

Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate the Texas and Louisiana coasts on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Laura strengthened into a hurricane that forecasters said could slam into land as a major storm with ferocious winds and deadly flooding.

More than 385,000 residents were told to flee the Texas cities of Beaumont, Galveston and Port Arthur, and still more were ordered to evacuate low-lying southwestern Louisiana, where forecasters said more than 3.35m (11 feet) of storm surge topped by waves could submerge entire towns.

The National Hurricane Center projected that Laura will become a Category 3 hurricane before landfall, with winds of around 185km/h (115 mph), capable of devastating damage.

The main point is that were going to have a significant hurricane make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday, National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Ed Rappaport said Tuesday.

Businesses in Lake Charles, Louisiana prepare for Hurricane Laura, which is expected to hit somewhere along the Gulf Coast late Wednesday and early Thursday [ Joe Raedle/Getty Images via AFP]

Forecasters said ocean water could push onto land along a more than 724 kilometre-long (450-mile) stretch of coast from Texas to Mississippi. Hurricane warnings were issued from San Luis Pass, Texas to Intracoastal City, Louisiana; and storm surge warnings from the Port Arthur, Texas, flood protection system to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

While crosswinds ripped apart Tropical Storm Marco, which still doused the region with heavy rain on Monday, there was little to keep Laura from turbo-charging. Nearly all the computer simulations that forecasters rely on show rapid strengthening at some point in the next couple of days.

The waters are warm enough everywhere there to support a major hurricane, Category 3 or even higher, Rappaport said. The waters are very warm where the storm is now and will be for the entire path up until the Gulf Coast.

Laura passed Cuba after killing nearly two dozen people on the island of Hispaniola, including 20 in Haiti and three in the Dominican Republic, where it knocked out power and caused intense flooding. The deaths reportedly included a 10-year-old girl whose home was hit by a tree and a mother and young son crushed by a collapsing wall.

Forecasters turned their attention to the Gulf Coast, where up to 11 feet (3.4 metres) of seawater  a storm surge  could inundate the coastline from High Island, Texas to Morgan City, Louisiana, the hurricane centre said.

Paul Humphrey, of New Orleans, Louisiana, loads plywood into his truck, to board a friends home in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Laura, which is expected to bring high winds and storm surges along the US Gulf Coast [Kathleen Flynn/Reuters]

Were talking about something thats on the order of 10 feet [three metres] and thats going to penetrate well inland, Rappaport said.

On top of that, up to 38cm (15 inches) of rain could fall in some spots in Louisiana, said Donald Jones, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Lake Charles, Louisiana  in the bulls-eye of Lauras projected path.

Whatever happens, happens. Were going to roll with the punches, said Captain Brad Boudreaux, who operates a fishing guide service in Hackberry, Louisiana, near the Texas border.

The silver lining for US coastal residents is that Marco weakened into a remnant just off Louisianas shore on Tuesday. Satellite images showed a disorganised cluster of clouds, what meteorologists call a naked swirl, Jones said.

The crew of a hurricane hunter plane confirmed that Laura became a hurricane with top winds of 120km/h (75mph) shortly after passing between the western tip of Cuba and Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula. It was 941km (585 miles) southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, heading west-northwest at 26km/h (16mph).

The hurricane centre warned people not to focus on the details of the official forecast, however, since storm surge, wind, and rainfall hazards will extend well away from Lauras center along the Gulf Coast.

In Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas, mandatory evacuation orders went into effect at 6am (11:00 GMT) Tuesday. People planning on entering official shelters were told to bring just one bag of personal belongings each, and have a mask to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

If you decide to stay, youre staying on your own, Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie said.

Officials in Houston asked residents to prepare supplies in case they lose power for a few days or need to evacuate homes along the coast. Some in the area are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey three years ago.

State emergencies were declared in Louisiana and Mississippi, and shelters opened with cots set farther apart, among other measures designed to curb infections.

Lauras unwelcome arrival comes just days before the August 29 anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which breached the levees in New Orleans, flattened much of the Mississippi coast and killed as many as 1,800 people in 2005. Hurricane Rita then struck southwest Louisiana that September 24 as a Category 3 storm.
MARYLAND  A majority of Maryland residents worry that mail-in ballots will be not be received or counted properly for the Nov. 3 general election, according to an informal reader survey Patch conducted this weekend. Many survey respondents said they've noticed a slowdown in mail delivery in recent weeks, and a majority reject President Donald Trump's assertion that voting by mail encourages fraud.

A total of 1,345 Maryland Patch readers responded to the voting survey published Saturday. The survey, which appeared in questionnaire form on Patch, is meant not to be a scientific poll but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.

Many commenters said they will drop off their ballots at collection boxes if provided in their counties, rather than vote in person because of the coronavirus concerns.

Forty-six percent of the respondents said they plan to vote by mail in the fall, while another 23.6 percent said they will take advantage of early voting at an in-person location ahead of Election Day. Only 22.6 percent of those surveyed said they plan to vote in person on Nov. 3.

One commenter who identified as an election judge for 20 years said there is absolutely no difference between mail-in voting and absentee voting.



"My husband and I are going to get our ballots by mail, but then drop them off to a collection site where they are receiving them," one voter wrote. "We are concerned about the USPS being tampered with by Trump in order to steal the election."

"Mail delivery has been messy since the pandemic," said another commenter. "I want my vote to count, so I plan to vote in person. I think that if people are uncomfortable with in person they should request an absentee ballot. Still wont fix the mismanagement of the USPS."

And a dissenter wrote: "Mail in votes should be requested by voters, like ABSENTEE ballots. They are entirely different. Who wants blank ballots sent to old addresses or deceased individuals."

Story continues

Registered voters in Maryland can now request mail-in ballots for the general election. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maryland Board of Elections is encouraging people to vote by mail, and a record number of people are expected to cast their ballots in this manner.



Requests to get a mail-in ballot must be submitted by Oct. 21. Voters will receive a ballot plus envelope with postage paid.

A significant number of survey respondents said that with stores and restaurants open again, and civil rights protests at times ignoring cautions against gatherings, Maryland voters should cast their ballots in person.

"If you are allowed to go to the stores and thousands of people can protest, we should have the right to vote in person. I 100% feel mail in voting will be a mess, fraud and inaccurate," said one reader.

Nearly two-thirds of those who took part in the survey said they had concerns about mail-in ballots being accounted for.

"I would rather do in-person voting but out of concern will do voting by mail. However, I plan to take my ballot to the election office," a voter said.

"If we can go to the grocery store with a mask, we can vote in person," another said.

With more Americans expected to vote by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Post Office has been in the spotlight for mail delay concerns amid recent operational changes. After public outcry, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said the changes are paused until at least after the election. According to NPR, that means post office hours won't be altered, mail processing facilities won't be closed, and existing mail processing equipment and collection boxes will stay. DeJoy promised that post offices will be ready to handle the anticipated influx of election mail.

Related: MD Election 2020: How To Get Mail-In Ballot

About half of those who responded said they are worried about wait times or health risks tied to in-person voting on Election Day.



"Too many risks surround in-person voting," said one resident. "Voting by mail, as soon as the opportunity presents itself, is the best and safe way to exercise our democratic rights as American citizens!"



A respondent who identified as a doctor said it will not be safe for large groups of people to be inside a school gymnasium or public library waiting in line to vote. "I have already requested a vote-by-mail ballot (on line), and when it arrives by email, I will print it, complete it and then HAND CARRY my ballot to one of the election drop boxes," the reader said.



"I believe it should be done in person. Not sure I would vote by mail. Many things could go wrong by mail," said a voter.



President Trump has said he believes voting by mail will encourage fraudulent activity. Of our respondents, 55 percent disagreed with the president's claim, while 45 percent agreed.

"Trump's lies are the enemy of election integrity and voter confidence. Boards of Elections and public officials must do everything they can to ensure elections are properly handled, that lies are rebutted, and that the public can be served," said a respondent. "I am grateful for all their efforts to date, but I fear that worse is yet to come."

This article originally appeared on the Annapolis Patch
It was so encouraging to see Jeb! Bush and Ben! Sasse and Chris! Wallace all turn on a dime last week and start going after the rampant conspiracy theories that plague our republic.

Certain members of the Democratic Party, and I won't say who, have insisted for twenty years that 9/11 was an inside job. The same party whose presidential nominee Colin Powell just endorsed is certain that the general lied about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq so that Dick Cheney could make a fortune on Halliburton stock and George Bush could lead a new crusade against Islam in the Middle East.

Even after the release of thousands of internal emails revealing global warming hysteria to be based on nothing but fraud, a coalition of the unscrupulous continues to insist that the planet is a few short years from death (but please send your donations to the U.N.'s favorite green advocacy front groups tomorrow and support mega-taxation in the name of global government, and we can still miraculously survive!).

Hillary lost not because she's an unlikeable person, a horrible politician, and a grifter extraordinaire; she lost because the election was stolen from her by the Russians, the same people who bankrolled the Clinton Foundation for influence while buying up America's uranium stockpile. Everyone knows that the Russians would prefer to throw away mountains of leverage over the corrupt Clintons for an unknown political quantity who can't be controlled or silenced like Donald Trump.

And when it's not the Russians stealing American elections, it's those nasty, racist voter identification laws that are to blame for Democrat losses. Or the dastardly plot to rid America of her mailboxes before they can be stuffed with fraudulent ballots. Sure, the National Association of Letter Carriers just heartily endorsed Dementia Joe for president, an act that will leave at least half of America extra-skeptical of whether postal employees who have been elevated to vote-gatherers can really be trusted to handle Republican ballots, but the real problem is that if we don't spend billions of additional dollars making sure that every illegal, deceased, or imaginary voter in America has enough ballots to cast in multiple states, then this next election will be stolen from Democrats just as it was ripped from the hands of "Governor" Abrams in Georgia.

So, again, thank goodness Jeb!, Ben!, and Chris! are all over these nefarious conspiracy theories before they upend whatever still loosely binds this nation together, or worse, leads to city-wide destruction and insurrectionist rebellion the likes of which living Americans have never seen.

What's that? None of those dangerous conspiracy theories is what they have in mind, you say?

Oh, right, of course not. The fearless NeverTrump brigade had a smorgasbord of mass conspiracies against the American people from which to choose  the Russia hoax, the Ukraine hoax, the weaponization of a virus into an economy-killing election-year attack against America, BLM and Antifa Marxist violence across the U.S. in the name of "justice," and now the great U.S. mail vote heist  and they settled on that one consonant in the English alphabet wedged somewhere between "pusillanimous" and "rat" that drives leftist media mavens and their Republican sympathizers crazy.

Stompy-foot Ben! even says Republicans in the Senate may lose their majority because the president doesn't take the time to respond to the Democrat press corps's attempts to bait him by calling his voters "nutjobs" and "idiots" as he and Jeb! do. It will have nothing to do with the fact that certain Republican members of the Senate have spent four years providing political cover for an Obama-Brennan-Comey espionage operation and coup against a legitimately elected president, while constantly fanning the flames of conspiracy, themselves, by hammering the president as an imaginary Russian spy, an imaginary dictator, an imaginary racist and sexist, an imaginary culprit in Joe and Hunter Biden's Ukraine bribery scandal, and so much more. If certain Republicans in the Senate are worried about losing their majority, perhaps they shouldn't have been helping to sabotage a Republican presidency simply because it didn't get the coveted Will-Kristol-Schmidt endorsement in bland mediocrity.

At some point, you have to laugh at the gall of these people.

If anybody has put the Republican Senate at risk this year, it's not the president of the United States, who has managed to turn the other cheek and endorse the elections and re-elections of that small number of myopic Republicans who openly despise him. Rather, it's the group of Kasich-McCain holdovers who are too daft to know or too socialist to care that they've joined sides with the Bernie Sanders revolutionaries attempting to overthrow America by staying mum while a corrupt Democratic Party and an even more corrupt press corps throw one insane conspiracy theory after the next at the Deep Stateslayer in the White House.

Ben! and Jeb! and Chris!, like Mitt! and Jeff Flake and Michael Steele, have never heard a conspiracy theory against President Trump that seemed too preposterous for them to believe or an allegation against the White House that didn't require them to fly around D.C. squeaking like a bunch of tufted titmice eager to condemn whatever new Trump activity CNN declares a scandal worthy of collective RINO hyperventilation and immediate fainting.

Please, please loosen the corsets suffocating these poor gentlemen dreaming of a world where Reagan and Trump never happened and in which establishment Republicans can trip all over themselves for the chance to be first to surrender to Democrats while statues of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are replaced with those of Oscar Lopez Rivera and Bill Ayers.

Before the masters of the universe in D.C. decide to strike the letter "Q" from our language permanently, perhaps they would do well to look into the mirror at the conspiracy-rambling loons they've become for at least the last four years. Here in the hinterlands, we've watched the political class frothing at the mouth over Russians hiding behind every bush, race hoaxes materializing faster than Jussie Smollett can tie his own noose, politics prancing around as psychiatry, political vengeance disguised as criminal justice, Biden Ukraine scandals turned into impeachments, a Chinese virus turned into an excuse for mass incarceration and bureaucratic bullying, and any number of officer-involved shootings shamelessly exploited to justify mass destruction and violence across America.

Ever since President Trump's election, Americans have been bombarded with insane, evidence-free conspiracy theories pushed by the same pimps and pros in D.C. who have today decided that this "Q" business is just plain kooky. Or maybe they simply realized that BLM and Antifa domestic terrorism has become such a problem for Democrats' election chances that they needed to change the national conversation in a hurry. Or is that too far out there for Jeb! and Ben! and Chris! to understand?

Hat tip to DeborahSQ.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr.
The Oregon Health Authority on Monday reported 220 new coronavirus cases and three more deaths, with the number of Oregonians requiring hospitalization for COVID-19 in free fall.

Ten days ago, the number of Oregonians hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 stood at 167.

But officials reported just 98 active hospitalizations Monday, representing a 41% decline. Oregon hasnt had fewer than 100 people in the hospital with COVID-19 since June 26.

Meanwhile, Oregons reported case counts have dropped from the daily highs seen in July. But that appears to be in part because of testing declines.

The percentage of Oregonians tested who are positive for coronavirus has remaining relatively constant for eight weeks, at between 5.1% and 6.2%, according to state data.

The latest report, released Monday, showed a 5.1% positivity rate for tests collected last week. That rate is preliminary and is likely to move slightly downward.

Where the new cases are by county: Clackamas (22), Columbia (1), Coos (1), Deschutes (1), Jackson (23), Jefferson (7), Josephine (1), Klamath (2), Lane (2), Malheur (7), Marion (33), Morrow (2), Multnomah (59), Polk (2), Umatilla (11), Washington (34) and Yamhill (12).

New fatalities: Oregons 418th death linked to coronavirus is an 87-year-old Washington County woman with underlying health conditions. She tested positive Aug. 16 and died Aug. 22 at her home.

The 419th fatality is a 77-year-old Washington County man with underlying medical conditions. He tested positive Aug. 14 and died Aug. 18 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.

Oregons 420th death is a 73-year-old Washington County woman with underlying health conditions. She tested positive July 29 and died Aug. 23 at her home.

The prevalence of infections: State officials had not provided detailed numbers since Friday. Officials reported 703 new confirmed infections out of 11,985 people tested since then, equaling a 5.9% positivity rate.

Who got infected: State officials had not provided detailed numbers since Friday. Since then, new confirmed or presumed infections grew among the following age groups: 0-9 (36); 10-19 (93); 20-29 (154); 30-39 (148); 40-49 (105); 50-59 (93); 60-69 (62); 70-79 (30); 80 and older (11).

Whos in the hospital: The state Monday reported 98 Oregonians with confirmed coronavirus infections are currently in the hospital, down 13 since Friday. Oregon remains well below its capacity, with hundreds of hospital beds and ventilators available.

Since it began: Oregon has reported 25,155 confirmed or presumed infections and 420 deaths, among the lowest totals in the nation. To date, 522,041 Oregonians have been tested.

-- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
There have been clashes for a second night in Wisconsin, with buildings and cars set alight, following the police shooting of a black man on Sunday.

Jacob Blake, 29, is in a stable condition after he was shot several times as he went to a car and opened its door in the city of Kenosha.

Governor Tony Evers has called up the National Guard to aid local police.

The killing of black man George Floyd in Minnesota in May led to protests against racism and police brutality.

Demonstrations across the US and in many cities internationally put a spotlight on the treatment of African-Americans by US law enforcement and prompted a wider reflection on racism in society.

Video footage of the Kenosha shooting, taken from across the street and shared on social media, shows Mr Blake leaning into the car and an officer grabbing his shirt, with seven shots heard.

A curfew has been in effect in Kenosha from 20:00 local time (01:00 GMT) and will last until 07:00 on Tuesday  but has been defied by some protesters.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
Editors note: This article has been updated to reflect the Lebanon Township Board of Educations vote to begin the academic year all-remote on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Find all of the most important pandemic education news on Educating N.J., a special resource guide created for parents, students and educators.
Two teenagers have been jailed for a total of 20 years after stabbing a 17-year-old boy and leaving him to die on a street in Nottingham.

Ezekiel Clarke was killed in February when he was stabbed several times in the arm, chest, heart, liver and lung during an attack on a street in Radford.

A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of his murder. He was also found guilty of robbery and possession of a bladed article in a separate incident.

Ezekiel Clarke, 17, who died shortly after police and ambulance crews were called to a report of a stabbing in Churchfield Lane, Radford at around 7.10pm on Wednesday February 19. He had ambitions to work in construction or property development and enjoyed gardening and painting.

He was given a life sentence in detention with a minimum term of 13 years to serve before he can apply for parole at a Nottingham Crown Court sentencing on Monday.

Jaheim Williams, 19, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in detention at a young offenders' institution.

After the sentencing, Ezekiel's heartbroken sister vowed to take a stand and help tackle knife crime in the city following her brother's death.

Shimea Anderson, 33, said: 'I would like to add that knife crime is a major social issue within society. Here in Nottingham we have many stabbings but fewer deaths from stabbings like other areas such as London and Birmingham.

'As a city, as a community, do we really want to become like other cities in the country where lives being lost to knife crime becomes a daily or weekly occurrence?

'It is not for the victim's family alone to stand up and fight to make change. There are many organisations that are working with young people to prevent knife crime - but they can not do it alone.

'This is Nottingham and this is the city we live in and our community. These are our children becoming victims or perpetrators and engaging in knife crime culture.

'We need to be doing more together as one and working with organisations who are out here fighting for our children - your children.'

Jaheim Williams (pictured), 19, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in detention at a young offenders' institution

After the sentencing, Ezekiel's heartbroken sister vowed to take a stand and help tackle knife crime in the city following her brother's death. Pictured: The scene after the stabbing

His mother Julie Jones, 54, added the 'hopes and dreams' she had for her son were taken from her 'in the blink of an eye' on the night he was killed.

She said: 'He had so much ahead of him and was truly looking forward to every moment of it, a career, seeing the world through the eyes of an adult, a family of his own, all of which he can no longer do.

'What was taken from us on that fateful night in February was everything, all the hopes and dreams every parent has for their child, gone in the blink of an eye.

'No words can truly describe the impact this loss has had, heartbroken, doesn't come close, the pain is constant, I miss him every day.

'I would like to take this opportunity to thank detective Inspector Rich Monk and all of his team for bringing the perpetrators of Ezekiel's murder to account.

'Any sentence handed out would have seemed unjust to us, there is no true justice for taking a life, however the sentences given seem extremely lenient and we as a family feel it does not reflect the severity of the crime.

'I just hope the sentences imposed will serve as a deterrent to others, it may just stop some other cowards from taking a knife out tonight and destroying somebody's else's life, as well as their own, because these senseless killings really do have to stop.'

Police and ambulance crews were called to reports of a stabbing in Radford, Nottingham at around 7.10pm on February 19.

A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of Ezekiel's murder

Ezekiel's attackers ran away from the scene after the stabbing, leaving the teenager to die in the street.

A port-mortem revealed he died due to the second injury to his heart, liver and lung. The first stabbing was to his arm and chest.

The court was told the 16-year-old defendant in the case was also involved in a knife-point robbery two days before Ezekiel died.

The teenager wielded a knife and stole a coat, rucksack and chain from a 17-year-old boy on February 17.

Another 16-year-old, who cannot be named, was given an 18-month detention and training order for his role in the knifepoint robbery to which he pleaded guilty in the first instance.

Nottinghamshire Police has a dedicated Knife Crime Team committed to tackling violent crime, along with a range of other tactics and operations that the force uses to prevent and reduce knife crime.

Superintendent Mat Healey said: 'Nottinghamshire Police is committed to tackling knife crime, both through education and enforcement, and will investigate all reports thoroughly.

'This particular incident has resulted in the tragic loss of such a young life and we would like to pass on our sympathy to Ezekiel's friends and family. This incident has affected the whole Radford community.

'Sadly this death highlights the importance of the societal need to ensure that carrying knives never becomes acceptable.

'We will not tolerate people carrying knives in Nottinghamshire. We urge parents and carers to talk to their children about the dangers of carrying knives and the terrible impact that knife crime can have on them, their friends, their family and their community.

'Anyone who knows of someone who carries a knife has a chance to prevent tragedies like this by reporting their concerns.'
A former British Army corporal was snared by paedophile hunters after he tried to groom a 14-year-old boy with a string of 'sexualised' text messages.

James Clark thought he'd been messaging a boy named Carl but was caught by a vigilante group who turned up at his home in Derby to challenge him.

The 78-year-old veteran, who was jailed for more than two years for grooming, had been committing sex offences since 1973 and had already served two prison sentences since leaving the forces.

On May 6, the paedophile hunters knocked on his door in High Street, Alfreton, having set up 'Carl's' decoy profile account.

James Clark, pictured, thought he'd been messaging a boy named Carl but was caught by a vigilante group who turned up at his home in Derby to challenge him

Lucky Thandi, prosecuting, said: 'The defendant had been sending sexualised messages to Carl and gave him his address saying they should meet.

'He went as far as telling Carl that he should not tell anyone what they were doing.

'The group attended at the address and attempted to ask him about the messages before calling the police.'

Miss Thandi said after being arrested and answering 'no comment' to the questions he was asked by detectives, Clark was released under investigation.

But on three occasions between then and June of this year he was caught with either mobile phones or tablets that he had failed to declare to the police, breaking the terms of his order.

On one of them, when he was living in Railway Terrace, in Derby, a support worker caught him frantically trying to hide a box under an armchair which contained a phone.

Clark, who has 18 convictions for 44 offences dating back to 1973, pleaded guilty to attempting to seek the company of a person under the age of 18 and three other breaches of his sexual harm prevention order.

Eight of those 18 convictions are for sexual offences.

The pensioner, of Uttoxeter Road, Mickleover, was handed an old sexual offences prevention order when he was jailed for three years for possession of indecent images in 2008.

He was then jailed again for having 2,500 more indent images in 2013 and was handed an updated sexual harm prevention order.

Clark committed this latest offence out of 'a background of deep unhappiness and deep loneliness', Derby Crown Court was told, having left the army after discovering his wife was having an affair.

Andrew Vout, mitigating, said the defendant's family life 'disintegrated' after that.

The 78-year-old veteran was jailed for more than two years at Derby Crown Court, pictured

Jailing him for 32 months, Recorder Martin Butterworth said: 'The most serous offence is seeking to be in the company of a 14-year-old boy who you were grooming.

'You tried to arrange a meeting with what you thought was a naive 14-year-old with the intention of him having sexual contact with you.

'The fact is that you are now an old man who, when you are at liberty, find yourself isolated.

'Your family has disowned you and over the years you have found yourself friendless.

'But you are a 78-year-old man who has a bad record for sex offending and breaching orders.'

Speaking after sentencing, an NSPCC spokesperson said: 'Clark's disgusting attempts to groom what he thought was a young boy show how easy it can be for a sexual predator to manipulate children online.

'This case should be a reminder of how vital it is for parents and carers to speak to their children about their online lives, and help them understand the risks they face and where they can turn if they are worried about something.

'Children need more protection from dangerous individuals such as Clark.

'This is why we are pushing the Government hard to publish the Online Harms Bill in the Autumn which will force tech companies to design in safety measures for all the young people who use their platforms.'

Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111. Adults with concerns for a child's wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 8005000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
With the growth of internet, online services and tools  most jobs have already moved online since past two decades. But as Covid-19 hit the economies and businesses this year, many more offline & traditional jobs have also moved online like education, governance, consultancy, medicine to name a few.

More & more businesses around the world are now finding ways to work & hire online. Businesses like thesis writing service have always been online, but for thousands of companies this is a great challenge. Working online from home is now the new norm considering present situation and companies now use online collaboration & productivity tools to make this possible.

Companies & HR departments around the world have moved to online hiring for different skill sets and many people are now able to work online remotely & make money online due to this. Online work and money making online is now more common and is taking over offline jobs.

People looking for jobs in Kenya are also finding ways to work online and make money online which can be seen with surge in the number of web searches for the terms Make Money Online and Online Jobs that have grown by 50% post Covid-19.

Many of you might be wondering on how you can start working online or make money online.

To make things easy for you, we have researched 6 most popular ways that you can work and earn money online in Kenya:

1) Freelancing and Online Jobs

Kenyans can earn money by offering their skills online, there are jobs available in almost all kinds of areas like 

a) Coding  One can easily learn coding skills and most coding require basic math & logic to write algorithms & codes. There are many free courses available online on programming languages like Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python etc. You can Build Apps, develop a Software, Code a Website using these skills and there is lot of demand for such skills since everyone is looking to go online or on mobile these days.

b) Data Analysis  Using Python, R & Math skills one can analyze large sets of data, these skills are in high demand in IT, Bioinformatics, Finance. You can learn data science online from websites like Udemy, Coursera, MIT OCW, edX. OCW and edX have free courses to start from.

c) Financial Analysis  People with Finance background can offer their skills to Finance startups in analysis & charting.

d) Customer Support  Many companies are looking for remote support professionals online. There are support jobs in different categories  IT, Sales etc.

e) Writing  Internet is based on content that is well researched and helpful. If you are an expert on a topic or you are good at researching and writing on a topic, then you can offer content writing services to websites and publishers.

f) Digital Marketing  Since everything is now on internet and people search for shopping & content online, as a business you need to promote your App or website for which Online Marketing skills are required like SEM, SEO, Social Media Marketing. You can learn these skills for free online from websites like Moz.com, Google Forums and offer these services to businesses.

g) Video Making & Editing Jobs  If you are good in Video Editing, there are many jobs for you in advertising, online content creation.

h) Artist, Animation & Graphics  You can use these skills in Gaming and Animation. These sectors have huge demand for work force.

i) Photography  If you are a photographer, you can earn money by selling photos on Stock Photo websites like 123RF, iStockPhoto, Shutterstock.

j) Education/Teaching  If you are skilled in any industry, have knowledge about topics like Science, Math, Languages, Engineering, Technical Skills etc. There is a lot of demand for online education these days and you can earn a decent money by educating others online. You can educate users online, sell courses, books on websites like Udemy, edX, Coursera, Chegg, Skillshare, Tutor.com, Amazon Kindle, Scribd etc.

k) Designing Skills  You can offer graphic design & web design services to businesses. There are free courses for these on W3Schools.com, Tutorialpoint.com

l) Others Skills  There are many other skills like Translation, Transcription, Writing Reviews online, surveys, data entry that are in demand.

Many companies are offering online jobs these days for above skills & much more. You can either search & apply for these jobs on job search portals like: Brightermonday.co.ke, Indeed.com. Or you can work as a freelancer on Fiverr, Upwork or Freelancer.com

2) Online Celebrity or Influencer

These days viewership of Social Media & Online Content Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram has surpassed television & print media. Billions of users see online videos, content online on these platforms. And billions of dollars of advertising and products are sold through it.

You can also create good content that people like to see for example gaming, parody, educational videos or anything you like and get a fan following and earn money by selling items to your followers or earn from endorsements of advertisers on your channels on these platforms.

3) Selling Online through E-commerce

You can earn money by Selling Goods or Services online on own e-store on WooCommerce, Wix, Shopify or Bigcommerce.

The goods can be anything that you can make yourself or even sourced from others. Like you can sell electronic goods, clothes etc. Some sellers online even source goods from manufacturers/suppliers in other countries and these suppliers ship them to customers in your name using drop shipping.

You can even sell online through marketplaces like Jiji, Jumia, Amazon, Ali Express, Ebay instead of setting up your website. These marketplaces will handle store setup for you and even shipping in case of Amazon & Jumia.

4) Blogging or Start your own website

You can earn money by writing on things you love or on what people like to read and earn money from Advertising, Adsense, Affiliate Marketing with traffic you get on your website/blog. You can also sell services or goods or courses on your websites to earn money.

5) Online Investing

You can also earn money by investing online through trading/investing apps. Investors like George Soros, Warren Buffet have made millions/billions of Dollars from investing in right stocks & instruments.

Due to Covid-19 many big stocks & commodities like Oil lost up to 50% of their value from what they normally are. This led to flood of new investors who wanted to cash in on cheap markets, when markets rebound some of these stocks & commodities got back most of their value as a result many people become millionaires during this period. While some lost millions during this market crash as they could not predict the markets properly.

According to Trade Forex Kenya, Investing in the financial markets is a very risky business and it requires highly specialized skills & a lot of experience (years of it). It is a very risky way to earn money for beginners and sometimes even for experts.

These days almost all investing is available and done online. Online investing apps have made it accessible to ordinary people with little capital.

With online investing apps and platforms, you can invest in various instruments like Mutual Funds, Shares, Commodities, Bitcoin & Forex Trading.

There are many investors and day traders in Kenya that invest and speculate online on shares, commodities & Forex and some of them are also successful. There are around 70,000 traders in Kenya. During Covid-19 this number has grown even more as online investing got a lot of attention from new investors.

6) Selling Domains & Collectors Items Online

Many people pay high money for rare or premium items like antiques, wine, vintage cars, paintings, even premium domains. If you already have a hobby of collecting antiques & valuables then you can turn it into business.

Or you can start collecting rare coins, stamps, antiques or things that collectors find valuable. These items can fetch thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars if sold to the right buyer. There are online marketplaces like Craigslist, Ebay where people list such items, you can research what sells and for how much and you build a business on it.

Even premium domain names can fetch from $1,000 to whopping $1-2 million dollar in marketplaces like Sedo, Flippa, Dan.com, Sav.com, Afternic etc. Domain is like a piece of virtual real estate and you just need to register a right cool domain that people would want to buy then you can make money from it.
Im continuing the discussion about how bodies matter. And when I say bodies matter, I mean ALL bodies, not just those bodies that happen to be able bodies. Do we truly see those with disabilities as valuable members of our community, worthy of love, respect, and dignity? Do we believe God created them as very good image bearers? Or do we stigmatize, judge, make assumptions, and even demean those whose bodies are not just like our own?

This has been a unique season for Christians in the U.S., as most of our churches were shuttered due to COVID-19, with many doors remaining shut even today. We long to be together, and we pray for the day the doors can be open, welcoming us back to worship together once again. For many of our brothers and sisters with disabilities, the Church has often been a closed, unwelcoming space. This is literally true in some cases, as the physical structure of some buildings has not allowed these neighbors even to enter in through the front doors. Its also true, though, in the sense that people with disabilities have not felt welcomed nor valued by the Church. As is true with any of us, these friends long to be part of the Church, but oftentimes it is the Church that has protested the loudest about making accommodations, particularly physical accommodations to buildings, in compliance with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990). I just discovered the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) helped lobby most vociferously against this legislation, and were one of the main groups that succeeded in getting an exemption added for churches and Christian schools that exists to this day.

Some churches, of course, have chosen to make accommodations, but many have not because it would be too costly for their congregations. So, while we have spent our money and opened our churches for countless programs and events, many times we have balked and fought and protested against spending money to help welcome in our brothers and sisters with disabilities. To them, the Church has always been closed. What will it take for us to truly open up our churches for all?

Recently I sat down with my friend, Alicia, one of the most courageous, gifted individuals I know, to discuss her experiences as a person with disabilities in the Church. What I heard was, in a word, heartbreaking, and I hope what I learned from her serves as a wake-up call to those in leadership in churches but also in general to those of us who follow Christ.

One of the most frustrating and sorrowful parts of Alicias church journey has been the overlooking of her gifts, passions, and the ways in which she can contribute to the Body of Christ. Alicia uses a wheelchair, but her wheelchair, by no means, is what defines her. Shes a gifted artist, loves to work with children, has an incredible life story she enjoys sharing, and is an incredible advocate for many in our world who are overlooked and even unseen by the Church. Yet, in her words, People see you as a cripple instead of as a person with gifts and abilities. She has felt incapable and incompetent to be able to add anything to the life of the Church, and even on the rare occasions when she was asked to volunteer, often there was no thought given to her transportation needs in getting to and from the facility. She also lamented how, The Church wants you all fixed up and perfect before you can help or volunteer. We dont have a seat at the table. People with disabilities are overlooked and excluded.

She also lamented how, The Church wants you all fixed up and perfect before you can help or volunteer. We dont have a seat at the table. People with disabilities are overlooked and excluded.

Perhaps even more egregious were the churches she attended or visited where she was told her disability was caused by sin in her life. People would sometimes lay hands on her and pray over her without even asking her permission. In fact, they went so far as to attempt to cast demons out of her. They would then proceed to insist she was healed and tried to get her to stand up and walk. This is wrong on so many levels, but as Alicia put it, They tried to play show and tell with me. They were trying to use me as some type of prop, but what they didnt know, because they didnt bother asking me, is I already was able to get up out of my wheelchair and walk. Dont make assumptions about people.

I asked her about the popular annual prom nights for people with disabilities, which many churches hold with much fanfare. She pointedly responded, It sometimes feels like inspiration porn to be honest. Are you doing this just to make your church look good? Is it just a one-off event? What are you doing throughout the year to follow up, to provide help and hope for these people? People with disabilities are not your promotional tools. We want to be included. We want to be welcomed in at all times, not just once a year. These might be hard things for some of us to hear but if we desire a better way forward, a Church that is actually fully open to people with disabilities, we need to hear these thoughts and perspectives.

What does it look like to be an open and inviting church? Here are three things Alicia recommended as a starting point:

Add accessibility as a line item to your budget. Be creative. Maybe you cant redo the structure of your building, but perhaps you can install an external ramp or a lift. Consider non-structural things, too, like adding closed-captioning and including texts with photos. Perhaps you could hire an ASL interpreter for your services. Not everything needs to be expensive to make a difference. Consult with an expert in this area who can guide you through the process. Talk to people with disabilities. Treat us like everyone else. Ask us how were doing. Ask us how you can pray for us. Get to know us, inside and outside of the church. Plan events with us in mind. Consider our transportation needs when making decisions about times, days of the week, and venues. Include us in the planning. Dont be embarrassed to ask questions. We would much rather you ask than make assumptions.

May we first and foremost see our friends with disabilities as fellow-heirs, image bearers, and contributing partners in the Kingdom work we are to be about here on the earth. May we stop making people like Alicia feel theyve done something wrong, as if God didnt love me enough to heal me. May we be willing to see each person, each body, as fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator. May we be willing to lay aside the idolatry of perfection and admit were all broken people. May we not define people with disabilities by assumptions we have made or as embodied projects to fix but as people to love, befriend, and value. When the time is right to reopen our church doors and to do so safely, may they be opened widely for all.

A place to start: The Bible and Disability
Euromonitor International is the world's leading independent provider of strategic and tactical market research. We create data and analysis on thousands of products and services around the world.
"We are the United States. Have we been united?" asked Jacob Blake's mother Julia Jackson in a speech on Tuesday. https://www.facebook.com/fox6news/

Jacob Blake's mother, Julia Jackson, gave a powerful speech Tuesday, calling for national unity and healing.

"Everybody, let's use our hearts, our love, and our intelligence to work together to show the rest of the world how humans are supposed to treat each other," Jackson said. "America is great when we behave greatly."

Blake has been in the hospital since Sunday after being shot at least seven times in the back by Wisconsin police officers. His father revealed Blake is now paralyzed from the waist down, and it's unclear what his long-term prognosis will be.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

The mother of Jacob Blake, the Black man shot at least seven times in the back by Wisconsin police, delivered a powerful speech to reporters Tuesday, in which she called for healing and asked people to pray for her seriously injured son.

"Citizens, police officers, firemen, clergy, politicians, do Jacob justice on this level and examine your hearts. We need healing," Julia Jackson said.

"As I pray for my son's healing physically and emotionally and spiritually, I also have been praying, even before this healing, of our country."

Videos posted of the altercation between Blake and Kenosha, Wisconsin, law enforcement Sunday showed Blake walking away from two officers. In one video, an officer can be seen pointing a gun directly at Blake while extending his arm to grab Blake's T-shirt from behind. Seconds later, Blake appeared to attempt to get into his car when the officers begin to shoot, firing seven consecutive rounds while Blake had his back turned to them.

It is still unclear what happened in the minutes before the altercation began. Both officers involved in the incident are on administrative leave, according to various news reports, but neither has yet been identified by authorities.

Protests against police brutality have erupted in Wisconsin following the shooting. In some cases, demonstrators set fire to cars and buildings, while police officers deployed tear gas and rubber bullets.

Story continues

Blake remains in the hospital, where he's been undergoing numerous surgeries, his family attorney Ben Crump told reporters Tuesday.

Blake's attorney Benjamin Crump said his mother Julia Jackson was initially denied access to her son at the hospital. https://www.facebook.com/fox6news/

The bullets "severed his spinal cord," Crump said, adding that some of Blake's verterbrae were shattered in the shooting. His father, Jacob Blake, Sr., told the Chicago Sun-Times that his son is paralyzed from the waist down, and doctors aren't yet sure whether that will be more permanent.

Crump said in the press conference that it was difficult for Jackson to obtain permission from the hospital to view her son.

Jackson, speaking about her interaction with Blake upon her visit, said she believes Blake is not yet aware "what happened at this point."

"I don't think he's there yet," she added.

But Jackson said she's sure Blake would be "unpleased" if he knew that some demonstrations and protests have been marked by violence.

Citing what she believed would be Blake's feelings about the protests, Jackson in her speech, characterized by powerful emotions and eliciting at times stunning silence from the crowd of reporters who listened on, called for the nation to begin a healing process.

"We are the United States. Have we been united?" she asked. "To all of the police officers, I'm praying for you and your families. To all of the citizens, my Black and brown sisters and brothers, I'm praying for you. I believe you are an intelligent being just like the rest of us. Everybody, let's use our hearts, our love, and our intelligence to work together to show the rest of the world how humans are supposed to treat each other. America is great when we behave greatly."

Read the original article on Insider
In an effort to stop attacks in residential areas, the National Army has announced plans to relocate headquarters from the towns and cities to the Aleppo countryside writes Alsouria Net.

The National Army, which operates in the northern and eastern countryside of Aleppo, has put into effect a plan to shut down its military headquarters in cities and residential neighborhoods.

In an interview with Alsouria Net, the National Army spokesperson, Youssef Hamoud, said that the plan is to shut down the headquarters in the cities and to assemble them in special military camps in the countryside of Aleppo.

Hamoud added that the plan aims to establish, more stability in the countryside of Aleppo, and acts as a step towards the process of reaching military discipline.

According to the official, the plan also aims to define the responsibilities of other institutions such as the national police and the military police, provided that the work of the National Army is limited to certain operations and military operations are restricted to defending the region.

This plan comes after popular calls to shut down the military headquarters in residential neighborhoods in the countryside of Aleppo, in light of recent fighting in the area among the military factions.

The northern and eastern countryside of Aleppo, from Afrin to Jarablus, is witnessing security chaos, in the form of explosions that hit residential neighborhoods and cities from time to time.

While National Army factions accuse the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of being behind the bombings, activists from the Aleppo countryside say that the responsibility for the bombings rests with the National Army.

Yesterday, the Third Corps of the National Army issued a decision to move all their military headquarters outside the city of Afrin, northwest of Aleppo.

The northern and eastern countryside of Aleppo has been witnessing intermittent clashes between National Army factions, especially in the cities of al-Bab and Jarablus in the eastern countryside, which are adjacent to the areas controlled by SDF.

The recent clashes resulted in the killing of a number of civilians in the city of al-Bab, which is witnessing an unstable security situation, due to the spread of several military formations inside and around it.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyllow, a new line of California-grown cannabis flower, is premiering its proprietary strains throughout the last week of August with a series of virtual, women-led events, giveaways, and local activations.

Wyllow Wyllow

The company's "Awaken with Wyllow" virtual launch event series aims to bring mindfulness, inclusivity and self-care to the forefront. The series includes a yoga session, a joint-rolling class, an uplifting live sound bath, and a live Fireside Chat with other female CEOs in the business to discuss the industry, diversity, and social equity on August 26th, for Women's Equality Day.

Wyllow will donate a set amount of proceeds each month over the course of 4 months to Cannaclusive, an organization facilitating fair representation of minority cannabis consumers, while amplifying minority-owned cannabis businesses. Through initiatives such as The Accountability List which calls attention to cannabis companies with zero Black employees on staff, and the InclusiveBase, a database of people of color spearheading industry, Cannaclusive aims to position minority consumers and entrepreneurs as allies in the fight for legalization.

The official "Awaken with Wyllow" schedule of events is as follows:

Wyllow x Uplifting Sound Bath hosted by Dynasty Electrik is taking place via Zoom on August 24 th at 6:00PM (PCT).

hosted by Dynasty Electrik is taking place via Zoom on at (PCT). Wyllow x Freedom Yoga 30-minute Slow Flow & Energy Healing with Freedom Yoga led by Rhea Mallari on August 25 th at 6:00PM (PCT).

30-minute Slow Flow & Energy Healing with Freedom Yoga led by on at (PCT). Wyllow x Camille Roistacher Fireside Chat with Wyllow and CEO + Founder, Camille Roistacher on August 26 th at 6:00PM (PCT).

Fireside Chat with Wyllow and CEO + Founder, on at (PCT). Wyllow Presents J-Rolling with Jenn Joint-rolling session by Jennifer Ortiz on August 27 th at 6:00PM (PCT).

Joint-rolling session by on at (PCT). Wyllow x DJ Essty virtual performance by LA native DJ Essty to close the week of launch events on August 28 th at 8:00PM (PCT).

To RSVP to one of more of the Wyllow events, head to https://www.shopwyllow.com/events. To book a meeting or place a wholesale order, visit shopwyllow.com/inquiry.

PRESS BOILERPLATE

Wyllow offers exotic indoor-grown cannabis flower for the conscious cannabis connoisseur. Based in Los Angeles, Wyllow is a female-owned and operated company created in 2020 as an inclusive brand that's designed and intended for all. Wyllow utilized exclusive genetics, hand-selected from world-class cultivators and breeders. Their proprietary strains and terpene profiles, paired with smooth flavors evoke a long-lasting high, bringing you to an elevated state while remaining fully functional and aware of your experience. As a brand powered by Voyage Distribution, Wyllow can easily tap into a vast network of 250+ cultivators to cut out the middlemen and bring a high-end product directly to the consumer at a reasonable price, without sacrificing quality. Wyllow believes that even though money doesn't grow on trees, there are plenty of other things that do, which can bring happiness  like luxury indoor cannabis at attainable price points. Wyllow is part of The Floret Coalition, an anti-racist collective of small businesses in the cannabis space funding equity-oriented actions that serve a spectrum of needs in Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. For more information, check out the Wyllow website at shopwyllow.com or follow @shopwyllow on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Spotify.

Wyllow Contact: Camille Roistacher

[email protected]

+1 (424) 241-3396

Media Contact: Tom Van Daele

[email protected]

+1 (310) 804-2170

SOURCE Wyllow
Mike Pences attempt to rebrand the presidents iconic slogan for the upcoming 2020 election has been ridiculed after his speech on the opening night at the Republican National Convention (RNC).

Social media users mocked the vice president for a seemingly glaring flaw in the new phrase, which provided an updated take on Donald Trumps 2016 campaign line Make America Great Again.

Speaking on the first night of the RNC on Monday, Mr Pence told the virtual audience: were gonna make America great again, again.

Viewers were quick to criticise Mr Pence, saying that it implied the administration had failed in its initial efforts to make the country great in their first term.

Make America Great Again, Again  the 2020 GOP platform is basically that Trump deserves a mulligan, one user said.

Mr Pence just capped off his surprise speech at the RNC by pledging to make America great again, again, which sounds like an acknowledgement that the first term didnt go so well, New York Daily News reporter Chris Sommerfeldt tweeted.

Others joked that the administration was using the rebrand as an opportunity to sell new and improved MAGA merchandise.

Mr Trump just wants to sell a bunch of new hats, another user posted.

Some took the opportunity to support Democratic presidential nominees Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

@VP you had your chance to make America great again. No need to add again, again. You and don had your chance. Get ready to move out. #BidenHarris2020Landslide, one user said.

Mr Trump, however, has coined the phrase Keep America Great as his 2020 presidential election campaign slogan.

A month after announcing his run to seek a second term in office, the US President told a rally in Pennsylvania he could not use his 2016 motto Make America Great Again because he had already done that.

So our new slogan, this is on the assumption it happens, you can never be 100 per cent sure, is going to be, Keep America Great  exclamation point, he said.
Educational mandate meets digital reality: Groupe Media TFO transitions to an omnichannel model and refreshes its brands to better reach kids in the new era of digital education.

TORONTO, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - The disruption of the labour market heralded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution is already being felt across the digital world, which is undergoing a deep redefinition. Ahead of the upcoming back-to-school season, Groupe Media TFO has confirmed its commitment to teaching employability skills1the skills kids will need for the jobs of tomorrow. With a focus on education, the vitality and influence of Ontario and Canada's Francophonie, Groupe Media TFO has renewed its branding to better serve Francophone and Francophile audiences amidst ever-changing content consumption patterns.

"At Groupe Media TFO, this passion for the company's mission and mandate encourages us every day to adapt to digital changes and to continually seek new, innovative ways of aligning our content's public value with the needs created by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This new positioning will help us create content to reflect the current diversity of the Ontarian Francophonie and equip kids with the employability skills they will need in an ever-changing world," says Eric Minoli, General Manager and Chief of Operations.

Ahead of a very unusual back-to-school period, TFO will offer all its audiences L'Echo, its first animated short, an allegory about education and citizenship values, which addresses the importance of pursuing and believing in your dreams. Through its new brand signature, "Enlightening tomorrow," TFO reminds audiences that its role is to support students, educators and parents with high-quality and trustworthy French-language content. Families are encouraged to watch L'Echo together.

"The idea of L'Echo is the authentic expression of our educational values: diversity and inclusion, non-judgement and self-confidence. Renewing our brands has been the result of exceptional collaborative efforts alongside Juniper Park/TBWA. The collaborative and creative transformation was led by David Toto and his team, whilst keeping our audiences at the heart of our vision. We are very pleased with the final result, which is fresh, rekindled and connected to our audiences across Ontario and Canada to foster their curiosity and desire to learn in French," says Carole Nkoa, Chief Marketing, Communications and Philanthropy Officer.

"TFO is a jewel of the Ontarian and Canadian Francophonie, an institution that plays an essential role in the growth of Canadian communities. Undertaking this exciting project for such a media company and its unique innovative model has been a delight over these past few months. Refreshing TFO's visual identity, reorganizing its brand portfolio and relaunching its communication strategies has been a collaborative, memorable experience for the Groupe Media TFO and Juniper Park/TBWA teams. It's been a great personal pleasure to participate," says David Toto, President, Juniper Park/TBWA.

Building an omnichannel media company: the power to drive content

From the very beginning, Groupe Media TFO has always seized digital opportunities to fulfill its mandate as an educational and cultural public medium and a showcase for the many faces of our Francophonie. In the quest for new and better ways to serve its audiences, Groupe Media TFO started its digital renewal last year to better understand its consumers and their habits, and to quickly adapt its content despite a shifting landscape.

The change towards becoming an omnichannel media company seemed to be the most organic solution: driving TFO's content in accordance with audience interests, across interconnected channels on TV, web platforms and apps, and meeting its consumers on their terms, wherever they are.

"This evolution in our visual identity happened completely organically with our traditions. Our audiences can now recognize themselves in our new niches: the MiniTFO brand for children up to 8 years of age, FlipTFO for preteens aged 9-12, and PlusTFO , our new informational and cultural niche, which also includes ONFR+, our news franchise for Francophone Ontario. The IDELLO platform by TFO will continue to serve teachers and students. This new omnichannel approach will better leverage our audience preferences in our decision-making processes," says Nadine Dupont, Chief Content Officer.

This renewed and optimized vision is focused on an ambitious strategic plan with an emphasis on education and employability skills. It will enable the company to create stories to design our collective tomorrows, by supporting new generations of Canadians. A special focus will be on promoting the French Fact. It was an opportune moment to modernize and grow the company's vision of learning to foster a love of education and curiosity in the light of global competencies becoming a priority in learning. With TFO, every day, children and teens develop their knowledge, human values and social consciousness.

About Groupe Media TFO

Groupe Media TFO: stories that shape our tomorrows

Groupe Media TFO is a Franco-Ontarian public media company offering an interconnected discovery experience across its educational, cultural and news content in French. Audiences lie at the heart of Groupe Media TFO's omnichannel mission and vision; they can see themselves growing alongside TFO's innovative and award-winning creations. By its educational mandate, on television, on digital platforms and through its initiatives and applications, Groupe Media TFO puts knowledge within arm's reach. At the forefront of digital learning, the company reflects the vitality and diversity of the community it serves and prepares the next generation for the world of tomorrow.

__________________________________ 1 These are the skills young generations will need in the future for the job market. There are six: critical thinking and problem-solving, collaboration, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, communication, learning to learn, world citizenship and sustainability

SOURCE Groupe Media TFO
3 Years After Harvey, Some in Houston Still Waiting for Help

HOUSTONSome Houston residents say they endured difficult, often hazardous living conditions while waiting months, even years, for help from the city to fix flood-damaged homes after Hurricane Harvey.

Sleeping in a closet because it was the only space that didnt reek of mold. Dealing with rodents and roaches that would come in through warped or rotted flooring. Couch surfing at 67 years old until patchwork repairs made a home temporarily habitable.

Those were just some of the things people dealt with as they waited for help they say never came, despite submittingand resubmittingpaperwork.

Three years after Harvey, some Houston residents feel angry and abandoned as their repair efforts were bogged down by a city program they described as slow and bureaucratic. The program has finished rebuilding less than 70 homes since it started in Jan. 2019.

Some residents, like 70-year-old Doris Brown, turned to nonprofits and the state. They also formed a groupthe Harvey Forgotten Survivors Caucusto bring attention to their plight.

Doris Brown talks about the repairs made from the flood damage to her home in Houston, Texas, on July 31, 2020. (David J. Phillip/AP Photo)

We have a right to be angry. We past angry now. We mad as hell, said Brown, whose home had to be rebuilt because of mold.

City officials admit the repair programs progress has been slow but blame this partly on the Texas General Land Office, or GLO, which oversees the funding. The city accused the land office of providing muddled guidance, resulting in rejection of homeowners applications.

The state GLO has not been a good partner with us, said Mayor Sylvester Turner.

The land office said the city was unprepared to run the program and rejected help.

The city of Houstons lack of progress is unacceptable, said GLO spokesperson Brittany Eck.

The city sued the GLO to stop it from taking over the funding. The GLO also began its own repair program in Houston, adding to residents confusion.

The government is bickering over funding as far as who it belongs to, but it really belongs to the residents and the residents are still here waiting with hands empty, said Julia Orduna, with Texas Housers, a nonprofit that works on housing issues.

Harvey dumped up to 50 inches (1.3 meters) of rain in the Houston area after making landfall on Aug. 25, 2017. It killed 68 people and caused about $125 billion in damage in Texas.

The city received nearly $1.3 billion in federal funding to repair and rebuild homes, provide rental assistance, and create new affordable housing. A third of the fundingnearly $428 millionwent to a program for home repair and reconstruction.

As of the end of July, the program had fixed 68 homes and reimbursed 73 people who did their own repairs. The land office had fixed nearly 1,800 homes across Texas as of Aug. 13.

In the Houston area, Harvey flooded more than 150,000 homes, with more than 16,000 residents identified as potentially needing repair help.

About 50 percent of Houston households impacted by Harvey were low- and moderate-income, according to the city. Community advocates say many damaged homes were in Black and Latino neighborhoods that have lacked economic investment and proper infrastructure to keep them from flooding.

Theyre still in the double digits of homes repaired. No matter how you slice it, thats a failure, said Ben Hirsch, with West Street Recovery, a local nonprofit that rebuilt Browns home and that of 59-year-old Lawrence Hester.

Lawrence Hester stands with his grandson at his home in Houston, Texas on Jan. 31, 2020. (Juan Lozano/AP Photo)

For nearly 2 1/2 years after Harvey, Hester lived with three relatives in a home that became overrun by black mold, rodents, roaches, and sometimes snakes. He used buckets bought at a dollar store to collect water leaking from the Harvey-damaged roof.

Living in those conditions for so long, I felt like it was normal, Hester said.

Hesters home has mostly been rebuilt with a few minor repairs on hold because West Street Recovery stopped construction due to the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic also forced the Harvey Forgotten Survivors Caucus to move its advocacy efforts online.

Unable to get help from the city, Lloyd Nelms, 41, accepted an offer from the GLO. Every morning during the 17-day construction process, Nelms traveled from his hotel to watch and reassure himself it wasnt a dream. On June 2, he got the keys to his rebuilt home.

I lost hope in the city, but I didnt lose hope in God, said Nelms.

Lloyd Nelms sits underneath a small tent as utility workers set up electrical power at his newly constructed home in Houston, Texas on May 26, 2020, (Juan Lozano/AP Photo)

Houston officials say critics are focusing only on the number of finished home repairs and ignoring their other projects, including developing over 3,500 new affordable rental homes and so far helping 136 families through a homebuyer assistance program.

Tom McCasland, director of Houstons Housing and Community Development Department, which runs the repair program, declined an interview request, citing the lawsuit. In a statement, he said his agencys focus remains on helping residents recover.

Residents and advocates say while the GLO has been more responsive than the city, they still have concerns. The biggest one is a rule limiting the number of bedrooms in a rebuilt home. The GLO says this allows more homes to be fixed.

Brown said she and the caucus will continue pushing for change in how disaster victims get help.

We are resilient people, Brown said. Were going to continue to fight and were not going to quit because this is our right.

By Juan A. Lozano
Photo: (Photo : Photo by Flora Westbrook from Pexels)

The first death of a child in Iowa due to the coronavirus was recorded in June. However, it was belatedly reported by the state health department last Sunday evening.

The child is five years old. Other detailes, like state residency, however, was not disclosed.

According to reports, the delay in the announcement is because the medical examiner's office has only concluded its investigation last August 6.

READ ALSO: Should Parents Be Alarmed? Here Are the Coronavirus Symptoms in Children [Experts Reveal]

Why was the death announced late?

The Iowa Department of Public Health said in a statement that they first ensured the child's identity would remain protected and that the family has been notified. The state health department said, 'We have made every effort to protect the identity of this child, while the family grieves this devastating loss."

According to CBSN Minnesota, the announcement came after The Associated Press asked about information fount on the state health department's website. The question was about the information on the recorded individual under the age of 17 who died in Iowa.

The medical examiner's statement said that a full range of tests was made to the child and that this was a protocol for those who died under the age of 17. Also, there were other tests performed, considering the health history of the child.

READ ALSO: A Three-Year-Old Girl Whose Mom Died Due to Coronavirus Wants to Know When Her Mom Is Coming Home

School reopenings in Iowa

The announcement of the death of the child due to the coronavirus came one day before the school reopenings in Iowa.

The schools have been ordered to reopen by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. He instructed at least fifty percent in-person instruction.

Because of this order by Gov. Reynolds, state teachers' union from the Iowa City and Des Moines are moving forward with legal action. They are testing the authority of Gov. Reynolds to order schools to offer in-person schooling.

The teachers believe that the order from Gov. Reynolds is not safe for the children and the teachers for now. They also reiterated that the decisions on when to return should be up to the local school boards.

READ ALSO: While Fighting Coronavirus, 3 Moms Gave Birth to Their Babies

The coronavirus in Iowa

According to reports from the Iowa Department of Public Health, there are around 1036 people who already died due to the coronavirus.

About 90% of those deaths are people who are 61 years old and older. Most of the 90% died due to coronavirus while in a nursing home that experienced an outbreak. Almost 20% of those who died were forty years old and below.

The state health department faced a few issues regarding its credibility, after acknowledging there were erroneously backdated positive and negative cases. The department said it was due to data error.

READ ALSO: Newborn Baby in Minnesota Tested Positive for Coronavirus [He Is Only 25 Days Old]
OTTAWAThis is still a party that would rather fight than win.

That was the raw feeling inside Peter MacKays camp on Monday morning, hours after the Conservative Party co-founder suffered a stinging defeat to Erin OToole in the partys leadership contest.

Now that a hard-fought and at times nasty contest is over and OToole has taken the reins, what does the race and the results tell us about the DNA of the modern party?

Even thats the subject of debate among partisans, yet a few threads emerge.

First, despite a call by OToole and outgoing leader Andrew Scheer for party unity, the current Conservative party has not yet moved past the contradictions or divisions of its past, and those old rivalries might yet confound the new leader.

Second, the strong showing of Leslyn Lewis and Derek Sloan, the two candidates who were unabashedly socially conservative and anti-abortion, shows a base of support that demands to be taken seriously by the party leader, and not merely pandered to.

Third, OTooles courting of his anti-abortion rivals  and his belated declaration that he is personally pro-choice  leave the party open, once again, to Liberal accusations of a hidden agenda in the minds of some Conservatives.

OToole won with a convincing 57 per cent support on the third ballot. But it was a bruising race that has left hard feelings.

Listen to The Star's Alex Boutilier discuss Erin O'Toole's win

A MacKay campaign source who spoke on a background-only basis said that during the race, OToole remarked on more than one occasion to fellow Conservatives who did not support his leadership bid, How are the backbenchers doing?

It may have been a quip. Or a threat. But its meaning was clear: youre with me or youre against me. More MPs lined up behind MacKay than OToole. Now they wait to see how OToole will shape his team for the job ahead.

Party unity is imperative for OTooles survival as leader, and for electoral success.

Yet the repudiation of the partys co-founder was a profound personal blow to MacKay and his supporters.

MacKay was seen as the front-runner when he entered the leadership race. His campaign had early communications stumbles, but not ones that were necessarily fatal. Even up to last week, Conservative commentators believed it was his to lose.

But there was unquestionably a lingering sense that MacKay was a red Tory, too Eastern, too old party establishment, too PC, to carry the banner.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney  a former cabinet colleague  backed OToole over MacKay, recording videos to support him. OToole played to that sentiment, calling MacKay Liberal-lite.

Late in the night, Andrew Scheers former campaign manager, Hamish Marshall, texted the Stars Alex Boutilier to rub it in, echoing MacKays criticism of Scheers inability to win last years election: Peter MacKay losing this leadership is like missing a shot on an empty net.

Still, MacKay supporters believed he represented a moderate voice of fiscal conservatism and was the only candidate capable of broadening the Conservative voting base to win a general election.

They say his campaign had two weak spots: early on, MacKay said he wouldnt roll back rights and would whip a vote on abortion, only to belatedly say he would allow free votes on matters of conscience. And while he mostly agreed to reverse Liberal gun controls enacted in Bill C-71, MacKay declined the gun lobbys demand to remove the power to classify firearms (and designate certain weapons as prohibited) from the RCMP and give it back to cabinet, as Stephen Harper had once done.

OTooles campaign capitalized on that, drumming up support among gun clubs in Quebec, whose members turned out to vote for him, said a MacKay organizer.

The source said OTooles is a victory that stems from the power of special interest groups: just as Scheers 2017 leadership win owed a debt to anti-abortion voters and dairy farmers, OTooles campaign owes its victory to socially conservative voters and gun owners, many in Quebec.

Now that its over, the party and OToole must look forward.

Its hard to imagine MacKay running for a seat in Parliament under OTooles leadership, although he said he would.

Its not clear what role Lewis will play in OTooles plans for his office or campaign ahead. However the Liberal Party seems certain to pounce on the perception that OToole is indebted to social conservatives.

Combined, Lewis and Sloan captured 35 per cent of the first-ballot points up for grabs. Lewis, a lawyer, party newcomer and political rookie, continued to hold strong, coming close to finishing second.

Some of Lewiss vote came from Conservatives who were excited about the potential of a Black woman to broaden the partys appeal to a more urban and female audience.

At a minimum, the strength of her showing means a reckoning to be had with the partys socially conservative wing.

Her campaign manager Steve Outhouse sees it differently.

Outhouse says that over the course of the race, Lewis went from being a so-con candidate to being a leadership candidate who happened to be socially conservative  because she could clearly articulate her views on what she would or wouldnt do.

That works both ways, he said, and can be turned to political advantage.

Rather than a stick that Liberals like to beat Conservatives with, Outhouse believes the strongest position that we can take as a party is just the most democratic one  I think that was part of Leslyns appeal.

There is a political advantage of our party being the only big-tent party that will allow people to have different views on these difficult topics, he said. If were the only the party that allows them to talk about something thats important to them, then we have an advantage that we should not give up with the electorate.

Outhouse said the vote results show there are still different corners of the Big Blue Tent.

He said the party needs to make sure the tent stays inclusive of all of them.

That was the intent of the Lewis campaign, he said.

We need to put to bed this notion that we cant win with social conservatives. Whats been shown repeatedly in both the 2017 race and now in this race is that the party cant win without social conservatives. And we need to make sure that we respect each others views.

All this matters because the party could be thrust into another general election within months, if not weeks.

Opposition parties might unite to vote non-confidence in the Liberals upcoming throne speech or economic measures to expand pandemic spending on an ambitious new agenda as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised.

So party unity is surely job number one for Erin OToole.

Correction  Aug. 26, 2020: This article was edited to correct the surname of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.
Jacob Blake lies on the street after being shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on August 23. Incident Response/Reuters

Delays in supplying body cameras to police in Kenosha, Wisconsin means that there is no officer footage of Sunday's shooting of Jacob Blake, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Kenosha police shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, seven times in the back on Sunday, in circumstances that are now being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

The incident was captured on camera by an onlooker in cellphone footage that was widely shared, and which has sparked protests.

Kenosha officials unanimously approved body cameras for police in 2017, the AP reported, but regulatory questions and budget restrains mean they are not due to arrive until 2022.

"The body camera footage on this one would have told right from wrong right away," one councilmember told the AP of Sunday's shooting.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Kenosha officials approved body cameras for the city's police force three years ago, but put off supplying them until 2022, according to the Associated Press (AP).

The delay means that there is no officer video record of the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Sunday.

The incident, in which Blake, a Black man, was shot seven times in the back as he attempted to get into his car, was recorded and shared on social media by an onlooker across the street.

The footage has sparked protests and civil unrest across the city. A curfew was imposed until Tuesday morning local time, and on Monday the National Guard was deployed on the orders of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers.

A protester faces police in riot gear outside the Kenosha County Courthouse the day after Blake's shooting. David Goldman/AP

However, there is much that is not yet known about the circumstances of the shooting. The state's Department of Justice has launched an investigation which aims to provide a report within 30 days.

Although Kenosha police have cameras in their squad cars, it is unclear whether any car footage captured the shooting.

Rocco LaMacchia, chairman of Kenosha council's public safety committee, told the AP: "The body camera footage on this one would have told right from wrong right away."

Story continues

A still from a video, posted to Twitter, showing police following Jacob Blake moments before shooting him. @davenewworld_2/Twitter

County Board member Zach Rodriguez told local newspaper The Kenosha News on Sunday that the questions raised by the Blake shooting emphasize the need for police body cameras.

"This situation what happened here today, whether it ends up being justified or not, this highlights the need for the city, the mayor especially, to address the situation this year with this budget," he told the paper.

The AP reported that law enforcement and city leaders unanimously endorsed body cameras in March 2017.

However, budget constraints and regulatory queries meant that supplying them was postponed until 2022, the AP said.

The holdup was partly due to an absence of regulations from Wisconsin authorities on data storage, privacy issues, and public records, according to the AP. Regulations for the cameras were signed into law by gov. Tony Evers in February, the agency reported.

Funding shortfalls further pushed the date back to 2022, the AP said. Storage costs as well as the cost of the cameras themselves are often beyond police departments' ordinary budgets, according to Steven Casstevens, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.



"There's a demand to defund the police. Yet the flip side is that people are demanding body cameras," he told the AP. "You can't have it both ways."

Nonetheless, LaMacchia, the Kenosha public safety chairman, said that the shooting was likely to move the issue to the top of the council's agenda.

"We have moved it back so many times," he told the agency. "I got a feeling this is going to move up on the ladder really fast because of what's going on around the United States right now. Body cameras are a necessity. There's no doubt about it."

Business Insider has contacted Kenosha Police and City Council for further comment, but did not immediately receive a reply.

Read the original article on Insider
A mysterious radio burst coming from the same spot in deep space on a regular cycle has returned 'right on schedule', according to astronomers.

In June, University of Manchester researchers confirmed a Fast Radio Burst called FRB 121102 wasn't just repeating but was doing so on a 157 day cycle.

They predicted it would return sometime in July or August and that is exactly what happened, according to new observations of the source of the burst.

FRB 121102 is in an unknown dwarf galaxy about three billion light years away and Chinese astronomers predict the current active cycle will end by September 9.

Fast Radio Bursts (FRB) are very short but very intense pulses of radio waves. They were first discovered in 2007, but their origins remain unknown to astronomers.

Writing in the Astronomer's Telegram, a team from the National Astronomy Observatory of China used the 1,640ft Aperture Spherical radio telescope to monitor the location the busts and predict it is actually on a 156.1 day cycle.

This artists impression of the Fast Radio Burst featured in this study shows one possible origin story - coming from a large star (blue) with a companion object - possibly a neutron star (pink)

The Chinese team predict the active phase is due to end between August 31 and September 9 - when a renewed 67 day silent phase is expected to begin.

If there is still evidence of radio bursts coming from that region of space after September 9 then the burst has either evolved or the predictions are wrong.

'If the source is continuously on after the projected turning-off time, it suggests that the putative period of the source is not real or has evolution,' the team wrote.

FRB 121102: THE FIRST REGULAR RADIO BURST CYCLE FOUND Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are brief, bright pulses of radio emissions from distant but so far unknown sources. Only one FRB has been found to repeat, an object known as FRB 121102 in a galaxy about three billion light-years away. More than 200 high-energy bursts have been observed coming from FRB 121102, since it was first detected in 2012. In June 2020 a team from the University of Manchester confirmed that the burst was happening on a repeating and predictable cycle. They discovered it went through a 90 day silent phase then a 67 day active period where burst could be detected. Nobody knows exactly what causes the bursts but predictions include a black hole system or a type of neutron star called magnetars. Advertisement

'We encourage more follow-up monitoring efforts from other radio observatories.'

The Chinese team combined data from the original University of Manchester observations using the Joddrell Bank Radio Telescope and more recent observations by the Max Planck Institute using the Effelsberg 100m Radio Telescope.

Observations by the German team using the Effelsberg telescope up to 2020 found 36 bursts from the source of FRB 121102 and led to a 161 day cycle prediction.

The Max Planck team predict the active period will end on October 14, 2020 - more than a month after the end of the active period predicted by the Chinese team.

The Chinese team say their predictions are more recent and combine data from all previous studies to create an accurate prediction of the end day of the active phase.

Researchers from the University of Manchester, who discovered the fact the burst was repeating at scheduled intervals, predict it could come from a black hole.

Over the past four years, astronomers have used the 240ft Lovell Telescope to study one of these unusual bursts - known as FRB 121102 - to look for patterns.

They found that at the time, in June, the source was off but should be back on before August 28 - a prediction proved to be correct by recent observations.

This is only the second time an FRB has been shown to repeat - the first, known as FRB 180916.J10158+56, has a 16-day cycle.

The team say proving these bursts have a regular pattern helped the team rule out some origins for these mysterious astronomical phenomenon.

'The discovery that at least some Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) repeat has ruled out cataclysmic events as the progenitors of these particular bursts,' the authors wrote.

Most of these bursts flare just once and are then never seen again - making them impossible to predict, according to astronomers.

Some show repeat activity, but until recently that was found to be completely random - at least it was until the 16-day cycle of FRB 180916.J10158+56 was found.

The presence of a regular sequence in the burst activity could imply that the powerful bursts are linked to large-scale cosmic phenomenon.

These could include the orbital motion of a massive star, a neutron star in a binary system or a black hole.

The incredibly strong pulses may come from a black hole or neutron star (artist's impression) with unprecedented power three billion light-years from Earth, experts say

Over the past four years astronomers have used the 240ft Lovell Telescope (pictured) to study one of these unusual bursts - known as FRB 121102 - to look for patterns

Other potential explanations for the cyclic activity include periodic flare-ups caused by a wobble in the rotational axis of a highly magnetised neutron star.

When Fast Radio Bursts were first discovered in 2007 they were initially thought to be a one-off event linked to the explosion of a massive star.

This burst, that has the 157 day cycle, was first discovered in 2012 and was the first to show any kind of pattern when it was seen repeating for the first time in 2016.

Benjamin Stappers, FRB hunter, said the result relied on regular monitoring and non-detections of the signal - in the 67-day gaps - was just as important as the signals.

To their surprise, the timescale for this cycle is almost 10 times longer than the 16-day periodicity exhibited by the first repeating source, FRB 180916.J10158+56, which was discovered by the CHIME telescope in Canada.
Sudan said Tuesday it cannot establish diplomatic relations with Israel for now, dashing hopes for a speedy breakthrough during a visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok told Pompeo that Sudan's transitional government -- which replaced ousted strongman Omar al-Bashir last year and is set to rule until 2022 elections -- has "no mandate" to take such a weighty step.

The announcement was a setback to a charm offensive by the US and Israel to forge more ties between the Jewish state and the Arab world following a landmark US-brokered August 13 agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Israel remains technically at war with Sudan, an East African country which for years supported hardline Islamist forces under Bashir, and which remains on a US State Department blacklist of backers of terrorism.

Hamdok urged the US not to link "the subject of lifting Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and the subject of normalisation with Israel," his spokesman said.

The coalition which led Sudan's protest movement, the Forces of Freedom and Change, noted "the right of Palestinians to their land and to a free and dignified life" and argued that the government has no mandate to normalise ties with Israel.

Sudanese protesters rallied on December 19, 2019 to celebrate the first anniversary of the start of the uprising that toppled Omar al-Bashir. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP/File)

Hamdok's office said he had made the same point to Pompeo, the first US secretary of state to visit Sudan since Condoleezza Rice went there in 2005.

"The prime minister clarified that the transitional period in Sudan is being led by a wide alliance with a specific agenda -- to complete the transition, achieve peace and stability in the country and hold free elections," government spokesman Faisal Saleh said in a statement.

Hamdok told Pompeo that his interim government "does not have a mandate beyond these tasks or to decide on normalisation with Israel", the statement said.

Terror watch-list

Sudan's ousted president Omar al-Bashir arriving at the start of his trial over the 1989 coup against a democratically elected government that brought him to power. By Mohammed ABUAMRAIN (AFP/File)

When Pompeo arrived hours earlier, he tweeted that he had flown to Khartoum on a historic "first official non-stop flight" from Tel Aviv.

The US top diplomat also met Sudan's Sovereign Council chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for talks which the State Department had said would express US "support for deepening the Sudan-Israel relationship".

Netanyahu had met Burhan in February in Uganda and later announced that they had agreed to cooperate towards normalising ties. Sudan's cabinet however later denied that Burhan had made such a promise.

Sudan's new joint civilian-military transitional government has vowed to break with the Bashir era and launched sweeping social and political reforms.

The cash-strapped country hopes Washington will soon take it off its terrorism blacklist as it seeks to fully re-integrate into the international community and attract more aid and investment.

Sudan has been on Washington's terror list since 1993 because of its earlier support for jihadists, including Osama bin Laden, who lived in the country for years in the 1990s before heading to Afghanistan.

Sudan has been in talks on compensating the victims of Bashir-era Al-Qaeda attacks, including the 2000 USS Cole bombing in Yemen and the simultaneous 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

Hamdok wrote on Twitter that he and Pompeo had a "direct & transparent conversation regarding delisting Sudan" from the terror list and on receiving US government support.

"I continue to look forward to positive tangible steps in supporting the glorious Sudanese revolution," Hamdok wrote.

Economic crisis

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Monday in Jerusalem at the start of Pompeo's regional tour. By DEBBIE HILL (POOL/AFP)

For Sudan, the question of normalising Israel ties is highly sensitive.

It was in Khartoum in 1967 that Arab leaders, their nations reeling from a blistering defeat against Israel in the Six-Day War, adopted their famous "Three No's" resolution: "no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with it."

Sudan expert Marc Lavergne of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) called Tuesday's developments "a failure for the Americans, who thought they could force a poor and fragile country like Sudan to normalise its relations with Israel."

"But the Sudanese government reacted wisely," he said. Sudan "is already divided enough, there's no need to add more with (the question of) normalisation with Israel, on which there's no consensus. Sudan has other fish to fry with all the problems it has."

Pompeo's visit came as Sudan faces a deep economic crisis, laid low by long years of US sanctions and the 2011 secession of the oil-rich south.

The United Nations says more than 9.6 million people -- almost a quarter of Sudan's population -- suffer severe food insecurity.

Bashir is on trial over the Islamist-backed coup that brought him to power over three decades ago, and the transitional government is at pains to distance itself from his legacy.

It has agreed in principle to hand Bashir over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague where he faces charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the 2003 Darfur conflict.

burs-sk-fz/par
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray

The Shiv Sena on August 25 slammed 11 Congress legislators in Maharashtra who threatened to protest against the state government over the issue of the constituency development fund.

The Sena, in its mouthpiece Saamana, said that the protest is similar to raising questions against Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi and its former party president Rahul Gandhi. Congress had extended support to the Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

Referring to the letter sent by over 20 Congress leaders to Sonia Gandhi demanding an overhaul of the organisational structure, Sena, in the editorial, said there is "instability and unease" within the grand old party and that it needs to play the role of an active opposition, according to a Hindustan Times report.

Kailash Gorantyal, a Congress legislator from Jalna, has threatened to go on a hunger strike along with 10 other Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs)over what he claims is step-motherly treatment being meted out to Congress constituencies in distribution of funds. Gorantyal had in January also threatened to resign if he was denied a spot in the state cabinet.

"The situation in the country isnt all well. There is instability and unease in the Congress party itself. Theres the Modi government in power but theres a need for an active opposition party in a parliamentary democracy. The Congress should play the role of an active opposition party," the Saamana editorial said.

"But instead of questioning the ruling party [at the Centre], the Congress legislators are going on a protest against the government where they are partners. It is their right in a democracy but this is akin to questioning Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi who had given their go-ahead to form the government," the editorial added, according to the newspaper.

The editorial, which is in Marathi, also stated that the MVA government will complete its five-year term and opposition parties in Maharashtra should not get excited over this display of resentment.
BEIJING, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM) ("Autohome" or the "Company"), the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Second Quarter 2020 Highlights [1]

Net Revenues in the second quarter of 2020 were RMB2,313.3 million ( $327.4 million ), in line with the Company's guidance.

in the second quarter of 2020 were ( ), in line with the Company's guidance. Online Marketplace and Others Revenues in the second quarter of 2020 were RMB540.2 million ( $76.5 million ), which contributed to 23.4% of total revenues, compared to 17.0% in the corresponding period of 2019. Data Products in the online marketplace and other business achieved revenue growth of close to 70% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2020.

in the second quarter of 2020 were ( ), which contributed to 23.4% of total revenues, compared to 17.0% in the corresponding period of 2019. in the online marketplace and other business achieved revenue growth of 70% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2020. Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc. in the second quarter of 2020 was RMB824.5 million ( $116.7 million ), compared to RMB801.9 million for the corresponding period of 2019.

in the second quarter of 2020 was ( ), compared to for the corresponding period of 2019. Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc. (Non-GAAP)[2] in the second quarter of 2020 was RMB881.0 million ( $124.7 million ), compared to RMB855.4 million for the corresponding period of 2019.

Mr. Min Lu, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Autohome, stated, "Autohome is making steady strides in building an open and diversified automotive ecosystem with its unique product matrix and ongoing innovations. To support OEMs' digital transformation, we expanded our offerings beyond project-based services, with annual performance-based comprehensive marketing solutions now available, helping our automaker partners plan and carry out their marketing campaigns more efficiently. Our data products also continued their strong growth momentum on the back of proven effectiveness and further product optimization. Looking forward, we remain focused on expanding the breadth and depth of our offerings while providing customers with highly efficient intelligent services that provide even further value to the automotive industry."

Mr. Jun Zou, Chief Financial Officer of Autohome, added, "Our second-quarter results reflected solid progress in executing our key growth strategy. Data products together with auto-financing and transaction businesses, achieved double-digit revenue growth, contributing to strong year-over-year growth of 38% in the online marketplace and others revenues. Core businesses also registered sequential improvements, which indicate the gradual recovery of the auto market. Meanwhile, net margin for the quarter improved on a year-over-year basis as we remained committed to enhancing operating efficiency across the platform. We will continue to explore new growth opportunities while keeping a disciplined cost structure, in order to deliver positive returns for our shareholders in the long run."

[1] The reporting currency of the Company is Renminbi ("RMB"). For the convenience of readers, certain amounts throughout the release

are presented in US dollars ("$"). Unless otherwise noted, all conversions from RMB to US$ are translated at the noon buying rate of

US$1.00 to RMB7.0651 on June 30, 2020 in the City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the

Federal Reserve Bank of New York. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into

US$ at such rate. [2] Adjusted net income attributable to Autohome Inc. (Non-GAAP) is defined as net income attributable to Autohome Inc. excluding share-

based compensation expenses and amortization expenses of intangible assets related to acquisitions. For more information on this and

other non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the tables captioned

"Reconciliations of Non-GAAP and GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this release.

Unaudited Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Net Revenues

Net revenues in the second quarter of 2020 were RMB2,313.3 million ($327.4 million), compared to RMB2,309.0 million in the corresponding period of 2019.

Media services revenues were RMB932.1 million ( $131.9 million ), compared to RMB1,028.3 million in the corresponding period of 2019. The decline was primarily due to the decrease in average revenue per automaker advertiser.

revenues were ( ), compared to in the corresponding period of 2019. The decline was primarily due to the decrease in average revenue per automaker advertiser. Leads generation services revenues were RMB841.0 million ( $119.0 million ), compared to RMB888.8 million in the corresponding period of 2019. The decline was primarily due to the decrease in the number of paying dealers.

revenues were ( ), compared to in the corresponding period of 2019. The decline was primarily due to the decrease in the number of paying dealers. Online marketplace and others revenues increased by 37.8% to RMB540.2 million ( $76.5 million ) from RMB391.9 million in the corresponding period of 2019. The increase was driven by data products as well as auto-financing and transaction businesses.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues was RMB265.2 million ($37.5 million), compared to RMB263.6 million in the corresponding period of 2019. In addition, cost of revenues included share-based compensation expenses of RMB6.2 million ($0.9 million) during the second quarter of 2020, compared to RMB4.1 million for the corresponding period of 2019.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were RMB1,281.3 million ($181.4 million) in the second quarter of 2020, compared to RMB1,335.3 million in the corresponding period of 2019.

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB872.4 million ( $123.5 million ) in the second quarter of 2020, compared to RMB892.9 million in the corresponding period of 2019. Sales and marketing expenses for the second quarter of 2020 included share-based compensation expenses of RMB9.3 million ( $1.3 million ), compared to RMB12.9 million in the corresponding period of 2019.

expenses were ( ) in the second quarter of 2020, compared to in the corresponding period of 2019. Sales and marketing expenses for the second quarter of 2020 included share-based compensation expenses of ( ), compared to in the corresponding period of 2019. General and administrative expenses were RMB82.5 million ( $11.7 million ) in the second quarter of 2020, compared to RMB81.8 million in the corresponding period of 2019. General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2020 included share-based compensation expenses of RMB15.2 million ( $2.1 million ), relatively flat compared to the corresponding period of 2019.

expenses were ( ) in the second quarter of 2020, compared to in the corresponding period of 2019. General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2020 included share-based compensation expenses of ( ), relatively flat compared to the corresponding period of 2019. Product development expenses were RMB326.4 million ( $46.2 million ) in the second quarter of 2020, compared to RMB360.6 million in the corresponding period of 2019. Product development expenses for the second quarter of 2020 included share-based compensation expenses of RMB24.8 million ( $3.5 million ), compared to RMB20.2 million in the corresponding period of 2019.

Operating Profit

Operating profit was RMB870.7 million ($123.2 million) in the second quarter of 2020, compared to RMB835.3 million in the corresponding period of 2019.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was RMB174.4 million ($24.7 million) in the second quarter of 2020, compared to RMB147.3 million in the corresponding period of 2019.

Net Income Attributable to Autohome Inc. and EPS

Net income attributable to Autohome Inc. was RMB824.5 million ($116.7 million) in the second quarter of 2020, compared to RMB801.9 million in the corresponding period of 2019. Basic and diluted earnings per share/per ADS or "EPS" were RMB6.92 ($0.98) and RMB6.89 ($0.97), respectively, compared to basic and diluted EPS of RMB6.77 and RMB6.70, respectively, in the corresponding period of 2019.

Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Autohome Inc. (Non-GAAP) and Non-GAAP EPS

Adjusted net income attributable to Autohome Inc. (Non-GAAP) was RMB881.0 million ($124.7 million) in the second quarter of 2020, compared to RMB855.4 million in the corresponding period of 2019. Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS were RMB7.39 ($1.05) and RMB7.36 ($1.04), respectively, compared to non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS of RMB7.22 and RMB7.15, respectively, in the corresponding period of 2019.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of RMB13.0 billion ($1,843.9 million). Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter of 2020 was RMB465.7 million ($65.9 million).

Employees

The Company had 4,006 employees as of June 30, 2020.

Business Outlook

Autohome currently expects to generate net revenues in the range of RMB2,240 million ($317.1 million) to RMB2,280 million ($322.7 million) in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary view on the market and its operating conditions, which are subject to change, particularly as a result of uncertainties surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 (8:00 PM Beijing Time on the same day).

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

United States: +1-855-824-5644 Hong Kong: +852-3027-6500 Mainland China: 8009-880-563/400-821-0637 United Kingdom: 0800-026-1542 International: +1-646-722-4977 Passcode: 22378791#

Please dial in ten minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call.

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until August 31, 2020:

United States: +1-646-982-0473 International: +61-2-8325-2405 Passcode: 319335127#

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://ir.autohome.com.cn.

About Autohome Inc.

Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM) is the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China. Its mission is to enhance the car-buying and ownership experience for auto consumers in China. Autohome provides original generated content, professionally generated content, user-generated content, AI-generated content, a comprehensive automobile library, and extensive automobile listing information to automobile consumers, covering the entire car purchase and ownership cycle. The ability to reach a large and engaged user base of automobile consumers has made Autohome a preferred platform for automakers and dealers to conduct their advertising campaigns. Further, the Company's dealer subscription and advertising services allow dealers to market their inventory and services through Autohome's platform, extending the reach of their physical showrooms to potentially millions of internet users in China and generating sales leads for them. The Company offers sales leads, data analysis, and marketing services to assist automakers and dealers with improving their efficiency and facilitating transactions. Autohome operates its "Autohome Mall," a full-service online transaction platform, to facilitate transactions for automakers and dealers. Further, through its websites and mobile applications, it also provides other value-added services, including auto financing, auto insurance, used car transactions, and aftermarket services. For further information, please visit www.autohome.com.cn.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, Autohome's business outlook, Autohome's strategic and operational plans and quotations from management in this announcement contain forward-looking statements. Autohome may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Autohome's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Autohome's goals and strategies; Autohome's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the expected growth of the online automobile advertising market in China; Autohome's ability to attract and retain users and advertisers and further enhance its brand recognition; Autohome's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services; competition in the online automobile advertising industry; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Autohome's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Autohome does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement net income presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc., Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS and Adjusted EBITDA as non-GAAP financial measures. We define Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc. as net income attributable to Autohome Inc. excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization expenses of intangible assets related to acquisitions. We define Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS as Adjusted Net Income attributable to Autohome Inc. divided by the basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Autohome Inc. before income tax expense/(benefit), depreciation expenses of property and equipment and amortization expenses of intangible assets and share-based compensation expenses. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance, in addition to net income prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are important to help investors understand our operating and financial performance, compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and assess our core operating results, as they exclude certain expenses that are not expected to result in cash payments. The use of the above non-GAAP financial measures has certain limitations. Share-based compensation expenses have been and will continue to be incurred in the future and are not reflected in the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures, but should be considered in the overall evaluation of our results. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliation of non-GAAP and GAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Autohome Inc.

Investor Relations

Anita Chen

Tel: +86-10-5985-7483

Email: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Xi Zhang

Tel: +86-10-6508-0677

E-mail: [email protected]

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-mail: [email protected]

AUTOHOME INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Amount in thousands, except per share data)



For three months ended June 30,

For six months ended June 30,

2019

2020

2019

2020

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited) Net revenues:





















Media services 1,028,308

932,078

131,927

1,671,543

1,498,388

212,083 Leads generation services 888,799

841,020

119,039

1,622,886

1,511,479

213,936 Online marketplace and others 391,855

540,170

76,456

626,461

850,030

120,314 Total net revenues 2,308,962

2,313,268

327,422

3,920,890

3,859,897

546,333 Cost of revenues (263,630)

(265,217)

(37,539)

(448,084)

(443,079)

(62,714) Gross profit 2,045,332

2,048,051

289,883

3,472,806

3,416,818

483,619























Operating expenses:





















Sales and marketing expenses (892,901)

(872,426)

(123,484)

(1,402,625)

(1,396,647)

(197,683) General and administrative

expenses (81,807)

(82,482)

(11,675)

(149,565)

(171,634)

(24,293) Product development

expenses (360,603)

(326,385)

(46,197)

(629,176)

(618,323)

(87,518) Total operating expenses (1,335,311)

(1,281,293)

(181,356)

(2,181,366)

(2,186,604)

(309,494) Other income, net 125,239

103,991

14,719

201,277

226,462

32,054 Operating profit 835,260

870,749

123,246

1,492,717

1,456,676

206,179 Interest income 114,206

128,869

18,240

228,427

266,260

37,687 Loss from equity method

investments (89)

(360)

(51)

(1,671)

(1,815)

(257) Fair value change of other non-

current assets -

-

-

(4,026)

(9,116)

(1,290) Income before income taxes 949,377

999,258

141,435

1,715,447

1,712,005

242,319 Income tax expense (147,285)

(174,430)

(24,689)

(266,810)

(299,914)

(42,450) Net income 802,092

824,828

116,746

1,448,637

1,412,091

199,869 Net income attributable to

noncontrolling interests (213)

(351)

(50)

(449)

(435)

(62) Net income attributable to

Autohome Inc. 801,879

824,477

116,696

1,448,188

1,411,656

199,807 Earnings per share for

ordinary share





















Basic 6.77

6.92

0.98

12.24

11.85

1.68 Diluted 6.70

6.89

0.97

12.12

11.79

1.67























Weighted average shares used to compute

earnings per share attributable to common

stockholders:









































Basic 118,463,582

119,160,448

119,160,448

118,347,380

119,114,768

119,114,768 Diluted 119,632,344

119,746,398

119,746,398

119,494,603

119,696,812

119,696,812

AUTOHOME INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP AND GAAP RESULTS (Amount in thousands, except per share data)

























For three months ended June 30,

For six months ended June 30,

2019

2020

2019

2020

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited) Net income attributable to

Autohome Inc. 801,879

824,477

116,696

1,448,188

1,411,656

199,807 Plus: income tax expense 147,285

174,430

24,689

266,810

299,914

42,450 Plus: depreciation of property and

equipment 25,681

38,289

5,419

51,007

70,694

10,006 Plus: amortization of intangible

assets 2,917

2,921

413

5,834

6,151

871 EBITDA 977,762

1,040,117

147,217

1,771,839

1,788,415

253,134 Plus: share-based compensation

expenses 52,397

55,420

7,844

105,584

113,277

16,033 Adjusted EBITDA 1,030,159

1,095,537

155,061

1,877,423

1,901,692

269,167 Net income attributable to

Autohome Inc. 801,879

824,477

116,696

1,448,188

1,411,656

199,807 Plus: amortization of acquired

intangible assets of Cheerbright,

China Topside and Norstar 1,139

1,139

161

2,278

2,278

322 Plus: share-based compensation

expenses 52,397

55,420

7,844

105,584

113,277

16,033 Adjusted net income

attributable to Autohome Inc. 855,415

881,036

124,701

1,556,050

1,527,211

216,162 Non-GAAP earnings per share

for ordinary shares





















Basic 7.22

7.39

1.05

13.15

12.82

1.81 Diluted 7.15

7.36

1.04

13.02

12.76

1.81























Weighted average shares used

to compute earnings per

share attributable to common

stockholders:





















Basic 118,463,582

119,160,448

119,160,448

118,347,380

119,114,768

119,114,768 Diluted 119,632,344

119,746,398

119,746,398

119,494,603

119,696,812

119,696,812

AUTOHOME INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Amount in thousands, except as noted)













As of December 31,

As of June 30,

2019

2020

RMB

RMB

US$

(Audited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited) ASSETS









Current assets









Cash and cash equivalents 1,988,298

2,004,278

283,687 Short-term investments 10,806,812

11,022,952

1,560,198 Accounts receivable, net 3,231,486

2,967,765

420,060 Amounts due from related parties,

current 29,501

36,877

5,220 Prepaid expenses and other current

assets 302,285

517,357

73,227 Total current assets 16,358,382

16,549,229

2,342,392 Non-current assets









Restricted cash, non-current 5,200

5,200

736 Property and equipment, net 281,773

359,799

50,926 Goodwill and intangible assets, net 1,532,024

1,526,772

216,101 Long-term investments 71,664

69,849

9,886 Deferred tax assets 27,782

27,782

3,932 Other non-current assets 879,040

1,093,914

154,833 Total non-current assets 2,797,483

3,083,316

436,414 Total assets 19,155,865

19,632,545

2,778,806











LIABILITIES AND EQUITY









Current liabilities









Accrued expenses and other payables 2,417,438

2,149,244

304,206 Advance from customers 95,636

91,175

12,905 Deferred revenue 1,370,953

1,084,236

153,464 Income tax payable 45,489

118,349

16,751 Amounts due to related parties 36,387

46,538

6,587 Total current liabilities 3,965,903

3,489,542

493,913 Non-current liabilities









Other liabilities 45,534

106,128

15,021 Deferred tax liabilities 538,487

495,697

70,161 Total non-current liabilities 584,021

601,825

85,182 Total liabilities 4,549,924

4,091,367

579,095











Equity









Total Autohome Inc. shareholders'

equity 14,629,097

15,563,899

2,202,927 Noncontrolling interests (23,156)

(22,721)

(3,216) Total equity 14,605,941

15,541,178

2,199,711 Total liabilities and equity 19,155,865

19,632,545

2,778,806

SOURCE Autohome Inc.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines Life)  Its a thrilling scene thats hard to resist: Fresh from meeting each other on the crossroads of an empty city, Gavreel Alarcon (Kokoy De Santos) takes Cairo Lazaro (Elijah Canlas) to a footbridge somewhere on Emerald Avenue, where the sight of towering buildings and swaying trees bear witness to the continuation of their first romantic tryst. The newly minted lovers face each other again, only to be separated a few inches apart by an improvised hug glove that Gav set up to ensure physical distance and safety. Captured in slow motion, they remove their masks and lock lips through the plastic barriers, while Ngayon, a power-pop ballad written and produced by Emerzon Texon, segues straight to the final verse and chorus.

When pop newcomer Dex Yu sings the final lines, Ngayon, akoy sayo / Malaya na tayo in its carefree glory, transcendence ensues. For that flash of a minute, the world spins to a standstill. Not even a plastic cover disrupting the skin-ship would stop my favorite fictional gay couple from showing affection; its a reassurance that love abounds in the time of pandemic.

The thing thats so great about the closing scene of Gameboys episode 10 is how a completely obscure pop song, propelled by whirring synths and awe-inspiring melodies, not only ticks all the boxes of what makes for a pivotal music moment in an LGBT-themed web series, but fully embraces the buildup of romantic excitement in a way that is universal and relatable. The visuals on the other hand, sum up the collective frustration of our times: the need for physical contact and warmth, the fear that comes from passing or contracting COVID-19 in an attempt to keep the spark alive, and the looming uncertainty of making it out there, alive and capable of loving and being loved. It all comes together perfectly, as if it were orchestrated for us to feel things: comfort, relief, paranoia, excitement, and yearning.

Cai and Gavs love story proves that these incredible odds are quite survivable, and in the words of Gameboys music supervisor and composer Emerzon Texon, theres a great possibility that this romantic chase leading up to the last scene, would need its very own soundtrack. Ngayon is that turning point when a song suddenly becomes the narrator, and Texon wasnt even sure of the magic that he has in his hands yet with such a gift of effortless beauty. When I got the brief, I presumed that we would need two songs for this episode, and that our existing songs would suffice, Texon admits. Then I got the episode 10 video and realized that the post credits scene would definitely need a new song, since the scene punctuates a new chapter in Cai and Gav's relationship. After completing the lyrics, I recorded the study and sent it to Direk Perci Intalan.

The IdeaFirst Company executive producer Perci Intalan loved the material, but he was looking for something more melodic for the refrain. Texon says, So I changed it, recorded the new part and sent it. After his approval, I then arranged the song and prepared the recording guide for Dex. I think the [entire] process was done in less than threedays.

Racking up close to 200,000 streams on all digital platforms in a week, Ngayon sounds like something Autotelic, Ebe Dancel, or The Itchyworms would record in a heartbeat: an irresistible anthem that soars with a contagious chorus and radio-ready pop hooks. Not to mention, the lyrics are skillfully written by virtue of ubiquity and universal appeal; its rousing effect lingers before you realize its over.

Having done several music supervision projects and compositions, Texon has established himself as the go-to collaborator for several film and television projects, including That Thing Called Tadhana, The Breakup Playlist, How To Be Yours, The Panti Sisters, and On The Wings Of Love. A quick look at his IMDB profile would reveal close to a hundred composing credits under his name. Despite being prolific in his craft and winning major awards for his music scores, Texons work remains unnoticed in the publics eye.

But to the few industry folks who recognize the outstanding talent that hes put into enhancing the narrative onscreen or emphasizing a particular moment or montage, hes a thespian with a keen eye and ear for detail. Even Intalan can attest to his impressive but underrated portfolio. Emerzon has been a great collaborator of ours for so many of our films. My films Distance and Unforgettable are among the more recent ones. For a project like Gameboys where everything is a blank canvas and there are really no set rules, it's good to be working with someone like Emerzon who dares to push the envelope further and further.

In Gameboys, Texon writes, composes, arranges, and produces all the original music for the series, based on the existing content by the creative team. In terms of composing original songs specifically for the series, Texon puts the story into consideration first, and writes lyrics that would embody the essential ideas presented by the characters.

While playing with the lyrics, the song structure is being formed so the words should syllabically fit in the rhythm I intend to accomplish, and rhyme with other words that I think would work, he says. When I have a working melody going, everything else follows. My goal always is to come up with one strong verse and refrain. All the additional verses and refrains are usually easier to finalize.

Perhaps the reason why people are drawn to the Gameboys soundtrack is because the songs understand the complexity of our present conditions and the need to escape from it once in a while. As a progressive Boys Love (BL) series that earned global recognition for challenging existing tropes and subverting problematic representations of the LGBTQ+ community, Gameboys is fully aware of the milieu that it represents. It dabbles into pop songs that touch on the broad aspects of the human experience. By pulling the audience outside of its market while taking advantage of the wide-ranging appeal that it fosters, the show raises awareness of the struggles of marginalized voices.

Its easy to predict the theme that binds these songs: finding romantic connection to ease self-imposed isolation, using the metaphor of gaming to document the transition from complete strangers to lovers, and serving the directors vision of kilig with precision and indelible pop sensibility. There is nothing innovative about the production or even groundbreaking on its songwriting, but it doesnt make sense to overlook the fact that these music moments offer delightful giddiness in the face of unprecedented challenges or capture the beauty of emotional fragility of a particular scene.

Panalo Ka, an enjoyable upbeat number with electronic, disco, alternative rock, and 80s glam rock influences, will probably end up as the song that catapulted Gameboys OST onto the forefront of the pop soundtrack canon. Parts of the track are used twice in parallel scenes that show excitement and confusion on Cairos face as he meets Gav for the first time: one in episode four where he waited for Gav to show up in person, but failed to do so because of lockdown restrictions, and on episode 10 where hes about to finally physically meet the love of his life in person, outside Zoom calls and Facebook messenger chats, in the middle of an empty street where theres only the two of them in sight.

With its sunny harmonies and power pop arrangements, the song takes listeners to a reassuring place where surrendering to ones romantic feelings is as good as being free.

After the release of the music video of 'Isang Laro,' fans were requesting for an upbeat tune, Texon recalls, overwhelmed with the fact that his work is slowly gaining traction in the BL community. To get me started, I used the actual score from episode one as an intro, and wrote the lyrics with Cai's POV in mind. I did it without knowing what a bop is. I just stuck to the basics: a catchy hook to blend well with the lyrics, coupled with an upbeat vibe. When the music video came out, that really gave the song an initial boost. Now I'm just grateful it has made it to a lot of people's playlists.

Theres no denying Texons flair for impeccable pop songcraft. Hes on the level of Thyro and Yumi in terms of expertly weaving the accessibility of the narrative with mathematical technique and rhythmic effortlessness, while taking notes on the contemporary trends that define the current crop of hits. As a composer and music producer, you have to open your ears and mind to the evolving music as each generation changes, he says. You have to welcome these changes, and still be mindful of your personal preferences and taste in music as you attempt to create your own work. As much as I can, I try to listen to what's playing on the top of the charts to keep me updated.

When it comes to collaborating with other artists, Texon makes sure to leave room for their own creative input or execution. On the novelty ditty Angel of Peace, he allowed Elijah Canlas to write his own rap and deliver an apology with a star-making performance. Texon also wrote and produced the clubby, house thumper My Kind of Love for Elora Espano. I remember that scene where Gavs best friend Pearl admits in the Zoom call about her frustrations of being confined at home, wanting to dance the pandemic away. The sassy and upbeat character got Gav and Cai grooving to Espanos quarantine jam and dancing together as if no ones watching. Somehow, the song takes on an entirely new meaning in the context of strict lockdowns: To borrow Steve Holdens line in his review of Robyns Dancing On My Own, it represents the precise moment on the dancefloor when you have to get your desperation, frustration and sadness out.

Texon knows how to turn these uplifting tunes into powerful statements of young love amid troubling times, and hes not afraid to blend in the background and give way to the story first and foremost. When the viewers make Cai and Gav's story their own, that's when everything becomes bigger, including the music, he says. As a part of the team, I have to challenge myself to create something that would make the existing good story better through all-original music. The way the characters have touched the fans, including myself, sets a perfect space where music can fit perfectly.

***

Check The IdeaFirst Company YouTube page or Emerzon Teoxon's Spotify artist page for the Gameboys OST
STOCKHOLM - Sweden is stepping up its defence activities in the Baltic Sea region due to what a high-ranking official called a deteriorating security situation as Russia and NATO conduct military operations in the area.

The Swedish armed forces said Tuesday that they initiated a high-readiness action in the southeastern and southern Baltic Sea due to the current, extensive military activity in the region. Sweden is not a member of NATO.

The armed forces gave no details about the deployment but said the goal is to strengthen maritime surveillance in the Baltic Sea at sea and from the air.

The Baltic News Service reported Tuesday that four Russian naval ships were detected near Latvian territorial waters. Two frigates from a multinational NATO maritime force were to visit the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda, the news service reported Monday.

Extensive military operations are underway in the Baltic Sea region, both from Russia and the West, in a way that in some parts has not been experienced since the days of the Cold War, Chief of Joint Operations Vice Adm. Jan Thornqvist said.

In a statement, he said it was the Swedish armed forces assessment that the risk of a military attack on Sweden is currently low, but the unpredictable security situation in our immediate area places high demands on our accessibility and preparedness.

We follow, we adapt, and we choose methods in our way of meeting the world around us, Thornqvist said.

The corona pandemic has also led to increased global concern and uncertainty. Overall, the situation is more unstable, more conflict-ridden and more difficult to predict. The current developments in Belarus remind us of this, he added.

The military deployment is a way of sending the signal, both to our partners and to the Russian side, that we stand up for Swedish integrity and sovereignty, Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist told Swedens news agency TT.

Swedens external military intelligence service said in March that the security policy situation in the region has deteriorated over time, meaning there is an increased risk of military incidents and confrontation that can, in the worst case, lead to a situation escalating.

The Military Intelligence and Security Service, known by its Swedish acronym MUST, said the dynamics between the United States, China, Russia and the European Union (...) affects the security policy situation in the Baltic Sea region.

In December 2017, Sweden decided to establish the nations first new military regiment since World War II  a unit of 350 soldiers based on the strategically important Baltic Sea island of Gotland.

The permanent unit was deployed during 2018 to the islands main town, Visby. The infantry regiment there was dismantled in 2005.

Across the Baltic Sea, Estonias foreign intelligence agency has said that the likelihood of a military attack from neighbouring Russia remains low.

____

Jari Tanner in Helsinki, Finland, and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.
Americans have to make this virus go away and it is happening, President has said, as he thanked the frontline workers for their incredible efforts to combat the pandemic.

Trump appeared in a taped Oval Office conversation with a group of frontline workers - doctors, nurses, firemen, policemen, postal workers.

This was not the first time when Trump called the novel as China's virus.

In March, he had said that is responsible for the spread of the novel and called the COVID-19 as the "Chinese Virus".

He, later, insisted the term was accurate because the virus originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

Calling the group his friends and the incredible workers who helped the US fight the coronavirus, Trump said we can call it many different things - from virus - I don't want to go through all the names because some people may get insulted but that's the way it is.

"These are great great people, doctors, nurses, firemen policemen. We want to thank you all, you have been incredible," he said.

And we want to thank you and all of the millions of people that you represent, Trump said during the conversation, aired on the first night of the Republican National Convention.

I'm for the nurses, I'm for the doctors, I'm for everybody. We just have to make this China virus go away and it's happening, Trump said.

As of August 24, more than 5 million cases have been confirmed in the US. There have been more than 170,000 deaths in the country.

Speaking to a postal worker in the group, he said we're taking good care of our postal workers, that I can tell you. Believe me, we're not getting rid of our postal workers. You know they'd like to sort of put that out. If anyone does it's the Democrats, not the Republicans, he said.

Trump has been targetting the US Postal Service, claiming that voting by mail will result in huge fraud during the November 3 presidential election.

Among the group of people on the tape were two police officers who had recovered from the coronavirus.

That means we don't have to be afraid of you, once you recover. We have the whole thing with plasma happening. That means your blood is very valuable, Trump said, amid laughs.

The US Food and Drug Administration on Sunday approved using blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors to treat other patients.

To one of the police officers, Trump asked what had helped him recover from COVID-19 and then said, I won't even ask you about the hydroxychloroquine. It's a shame what they've done to that one. But I took it, Trump said, amid laughter from the group of people.

Speaking on the first night of the convention were Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who came into the spotlight after they aimed their guns at Black Lives Matters protesters in June outside their home in St Louis.

Whether it's the defunding of police, ending cash bail so criminals can be released back out on the streets the same day to riot again, we're encouraging anarchy and chaos on our streets," Mark McCloskey said.

"It seems as if the Democrats no longer view the government's job as protecting honest citizens from criminals, but rather protecting criminals from honest citizens, McCloskey said.

He said that not a single person in the out-of-control mob outside his house was charged with a crime. "But you know who was, we were. They've actually charged us with felonies for daring to defend our home, he said.

Patricia McCloskey said the Democrats are not satisfied with spreading the chaos and violence into American communities but want to abolish the suburbs all together through rezoning that would bring crime, lawlessness and low-quality apartments into thriving suburban neighbourhoods.

These are the policies that are coming to a neighbourhood near you. So make no mistake. No matter where you live, your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats' America, she said.

Mark McCloskey said Trump will defend the God-given right of every American to protect their homes and their families.

Patricia McCloskey added that when there is no basic safety and security in American communities, we will never be free to build a brighter future for ourselves, for our children, or for our country. That's what's at stake in this election. And that's why we must re-elect

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rating Action: Moody's revises Methuen, MA's outlook to stable; affirms A3 GO rating

Global Credit Research - 25 Aug 2020

New York, August 25, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the City of Methuen, MA's issuer and general obligation limited tax (GOLT) ratings at A3. The city's negative outlook has been revised to stable following improvements to the city's financial operations and reserves. The city has approximately $46.4 million in outstanding general obligation debt, of which $2.4 million is rated by Moody's.

The issuer rating is equivalent to the city's hypothetical general obligation unlimited tax (GOULT) rating; there is no debt associated with the GOULT security.

RATINGS RATIONALE

The A3 issuer and GOLT ratings reflect the City of Methuen's narrow but improving reserves and liquidity following deficit financing borrowing and conservative budgetary practices driving an operating surplus. Also included are the impact of new management and low level state oversight. The city has a sizeable, growing tax base, healthy resident wealth and incomes and manageable long term liabilities and fixed costs. Governance is a key factor in the rating action as state oversight and new financial management is considered a credit positive and stabilizing factor.

The city's outstanding debt is considered GOLT because of limitations under Massachusetts law on property tax levy increases referred to as Proposition 2 1/2. The lack of distinction between the GOLT rating and the issuer rating reflects the city's ability to override the property tax cap. Additionally, all general obligation debt issued by local governments in Massachusetts is backed by a pledge of the full faith and credit of the issuer.

We regard the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under our ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety. The coronavirus crisis is not a key driver for this rating action but could affect the city in fiscal 2021 which began July 1. The city derives approximately 37% of its operating revenue from state sources. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Aa1 stable) is currently experiencing significant declines and delays in income tax and sales tax revenue. State officials have committed to level funding of state aid based on fiscal 2020 allocations although there is currently no state budget for the fiscal year. The situation surrounding coronavirus is rapidly evolving and the longer term impact will depend on both the severity and duration of the crisis. If our view of the credit quality of the town changes, we will update the rating and/or outlook at that time

Story continues

RATING OUTLOOK

The stable outlook reflects the city's return to balanced operations, reserve growth and projected growth and improved financial management.

FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OF THE RATINGS

-Continued balanced operations resulting in reserve and liquidity growth

-Favorable outcome of police union arbitration

FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO A DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS

-Return to imbalanced financial operations resulting in reserve deterioration

-Unfavorable outcome of police union arbitration

LEGAL SECURITY

The city's outstanding general obligation debt is secured by the city's general obligation limited tax, full faith and credit pledge. The pledge is considered limited tax because not all of the debt service is excluded from the tax levy limits of Proposition 2 1/2

PROFILE

Methuen has a population of approximately 47,300 and is located along the New Hampshire (Aa1 stable) border, 28 miles north of Boston (Aaa stable).

METHODOLOGY

The principal methodology used in these ratings was US Local Government General Obligation Debt published in July 2020 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBM_1230443. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.

REGULATORY DISCLOSURES

For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.

For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.

Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.

Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569.

At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating outcome announced and described above.

Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.

Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.

Katherine Townsend Lead Analyst PF General Administration Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 7 World Trade Center 250 Greenwich Street New York 10007 US JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Douglas Goldmacher Additional Contact Regional PFG Northeast JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653

 2020 Moody's Corporation, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Moody's Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved.

CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. AND/OR ITS CREDIT RATINGS AFFILIATES ARE MOODY'S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES, AND MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY MOODY'S (COLLECTIVELY, "PUBLICATIONS") MAY INCLUDE SUCH CURRENT OPINIONS. MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THE RISK THAT AN ENTITY MAY NOT MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE AND ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT OR IMPAIRMENT. SEE MOODY'S RATING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS PUBLICATION FOR INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ADDRESSED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE CREDIT RATINGS. CREDIT RATINGS DO NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LIQUIDITY RISK, MARKET VALUE RISK, OR PRICE VOLATILITY. CREDIT RATINGS, NON-CREDIT ASSESSMENTS ("ASSESSMENTS"), AND OTHER OPINIONS INCLUDED IN MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF CURRENT OR HISTORICAL FACT. MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS MAY ALSO INCLUDE QUANTITATIVE MODEL-BASED ESTIMATES OF CREDIT RISK AND RELATED OPINIONS OR COMMENTARY PUBLISHED BY MOODY'S ANALYTICS, INC. AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES. MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE OR PROVIDE INVESTMENT OR FINANCIAL ADVICE, AND MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AND DO NOT PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PURCHASE, SELL, OR HOLD PARTICULAR SECURITIES. MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DO NOT COMMENT ON THE SUITABILITY OF AN INVESTMENT FOR ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. MOODY'S ISSUES ITS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLISHES ITS PUBLICATIONS WITH THE EXPECTATION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT EACH INVESTOR WILL, WITH DUE CARE, MAKE ITS OWN STUDY AND EVALUATION OF EACH SECURITY THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR PURCHASE, HOLDING, OR SALE.

MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS,ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY RETAIL INVESTORS AND IT WOULD BE RECKLESS AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR RETAIL INVESTORS TO USE MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS OR PUBLICATIONS WHEN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION. IF IN DOUBT YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISER.

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROTECTED BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COPYRIGHT LAW, AND NONE OF SUCH INFORMATION MAY BE COPIED OR OTHERWISE REPRODUCED, REPACKAGED, FURTHER TRANSMITTED, TRANSFERRED, DISSEMINATED, REDISTRIBUTED OR RESOLD, OR STORED FOR SUBSEQUENT USE FOR ANY SUCH PURPOSE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ANY FORM OR MANNER OR BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER, BY ANY PERSON WITHOUT MOODY'S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT.

MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS,ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY ANY PERSON AS A BENCHMARK AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES AND MUST NOT BE USED IN ANY WAY THAT COULD RESULT IN THEM BEING CONSIDERED A BENCHMARK.

All information contained herein is obtained by MOODY'S from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error as well as other factors, however, all information contained herein is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind. MOODY'S adopts all necessary measures so that the information it uses in assigning a credit rating is of sufficient quality and from sources MOODY'S considers to be reliable including, when appropriate, independent third-party sources. However, MOODY'S is not an auditor and cannot in every instance independently verify or validate information received in the rating process or in preparing its Publications.

To the extent permitted by law, MOODY'S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability to any person or entity for any indirect, special, consequential, or incidental losses or damages whatsoever arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information, even if MOODY'S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers is advised in advance of the possibility of such losses or damages, including but not limited to: (a) any loss of present or prospective profits or (b) any loss or damage arising where the relevant financial instrument is not the subject of a particular credit rating assigned by MOODY'S.

To the extent permitted by law, MOODY'S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability for any direct or compensatory losses or damages caused to any person or entity, including but not limited to by any negligence (but excluding fraud, willful misconduct or any other type of liability that, for the avoidance of doubt, by law cannot be excluded) on the part of, or any contingency within or beyond the control of, MOODY'S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers, arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information.

NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY CREDIT RATING, ASSESSMENT, OTHER OPINION OR INFORMATION IS GIVEN OR MADE BY MOODY'S IN ANY FORM OR MANNER WHATSOEVER.

Moody's Investors Service, Inc., a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Corporation ("MCO"), hereby discloses that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to Moody's Investors Service, Inc. for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from $1,000 to approximately $2,700,000. MCO and Moody's investors Service also maintain policies and procedures to address the independence of Moody's Investors Service credit ratings and credit rating processes. Information regarding certain affiliations that may exist between directors of MCO and rated entities, and between entities who hold credit ratings from Moody's Investors Service and have also publicly reported to the SEC an ownership interest in MCO of more than 5%, is posted annually at www.moodys.com under the heading "Investor Relations  Corporate Governance  Director and Shareholder Affiliation Policy."

Additional terms for Australia only: Any publication into Australia of this document is pursuant to the Australian Financial Services License of MOODY'S affiliate, Moody's Investors Service Pty Limited ABN 61 003 399 657AFSL 336969 and/or Moody's Analytics Australia Pty Ltd ABN 94 105 136 972 AFSL 383569 (as applicable). This document is intended to be provided only to "wholesale clients" within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. By continuing to access this document from within Australia, you represent to MOODY'S that you are, or are accessing the document as a representative of, a "wholesale client" and that neither you nor the entity you represent will directly or indirectly disseminate this document or its contents to "retail clients" within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. MOODY'S credit rating is an opinion as to the creditworthiness of a debt obligation of the issuer, not on the equity securities of the issuer or any form of security that is available to retail investors.

Additional terms for Japan only: Moody's Japan K.K. ("MJKK") is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Group Japan G.K., which is wholly-owned by Moody's Overseas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCO. Moody's SF Japan K.K. ("MSFJ") is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of MJKK. MSFJ is not a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO"). Therefore, credit ratings assigned by MSFJ are Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings. Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings are assigned by an entity that is not a NRSRO and, consequently, the rated obligation will not qualify for certain types of treatment under U.S. laws. MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registered with the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration numbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively.

MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY125,000 to approximately JPY250,000,000.

MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements.


Amid the coronavirus-enforced



lockdown, more than 1,300 people battling mental stress and depression have approached the government with requests for medical help, a state health official said.

Private doctors also claimed that the number of people suffering from depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and phobia of stepping out of home has significantly increased in the last few months.

"Out of the 36 districts in Maharashtra, 30 have reported 1,302 cases of people seeking help of psychiatrists," a senior official from the state health department told PTI.

Some of them suffered from violent behaviour, like attempt to self-immolate, self-harm and outburst as a result of prolonged depression, she said.

"The data is still being compiled as some of the districts are yet to report cases. The numbers could be much higher than the currently reported 1,302 cases," she said.

Noted psychiatrist Anand Nadkarni said before March this year (prior to the outbreak of COVID-19), he used to get six to seven cases of OCD daily, but now the number has gone up to 32 to 36 every day.

"Most of the people do not admit OCD as an illness and thus, its impact remains for a longer time on their life. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of psychiatrists in the overall health sector field," he said.

In some cases, there has also been a significant increase in alcohol consumption, Nadkarni said.

"Liquor consumption has reduced among students, as most of them have returned home, but it is higher among the middle-aged working class. Increased liquor consumption makes them weaker and more susceptible to the infection," he said.

Another expert Mrudula Apte said they used to get two to three patients per week for general stress related issues at their clinic in Pune before the outbreak of the pandemic.

But, the number has now gone up to at least three cases every day, she said.

"People are coming up with multiple issues, some suffering from direct affect of COVID-19 outbreak, like financial uncertainty, and some with secondary issues like problematic family relationships, space issues, lack of coping mechanisms like meeting friends, going to the gym, going to restaurants or shopping, she said.

Elderly people and young adults seem to be most affected, she said, adding that aged people living alone also approach them for help.

Public health expert and Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control technical committee chairman Dr Subhash Salunkhe said the rise in depression and mental stress triggered by the COVID-19 crisis is a global phenomena.

"People who were already suffering from such ailments are complaining of increased illness. Some people who had mild symptoms or had similar problems which were never detected are now seeking consultation," he said.

There are also cases of people who earlier never complained of stress or its management, but are now facing challenges due to the pandemic, Salunkhe 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.)
Innovation lies, quite literally, at the core of WIN. The ERG is not just a social connective group for female employees  although social connection, networking and allyship are all key value propositions for WIN members. Rather, WIN and other ERGs at Zurich are increasingly becoming business resource groups (BRGs), with WIN contributing to an innovation mindset that helps drive the business forward, while showing the value that women can bring

WIN has long championed diversity and inclusion at Zurich North America, where women make up half the workforce and the CEO is Kathleen Savio. Zurich policies such as flexwork  over 60% of employees had flexwork arrangements prior to the COVID-19 outbreak  and 12 weeks of 100% paid family leave for parents welcoming a child to their family via birth, adoption or fostering, are intended to empower all employees to reach their full potential.

Read next: Zurich confident in "sustainably" paying high level of dividend

WIN programming helps keep the business aware of emerging challenges for employees, while helping women feel heard and supported. In a recent WIN virtual panel discussion, three female employees, including the leader of another Zurich ERG, the Zurich African Ancestry Alliance, openly shared challenges they were experiencing during the pandemic, including caring for older parents, planning for the possibility of remote schooling for children in the fall, and coping with racial tension and national unrest.

People are seeking connection more than ever, said Teresa Logue (pictured, main image), head of the Womens Innovation Network (WIN) and head of manager excellence at Zurich North America. Thats one reason Logue has been working with Zurichs talent acquisition team to highlight WIN as part of the employee value proposition during the recruitment and selection processes.

Logue explained: We want to make this part of our employee promise, and we want to introduce it early when people are researching potential career opportunities. We want to show that we have these wonderful ERGs, like WIN, that employees can join, which will help them learn about the company and our culture, network and simply be part of something bigger. And were trying to be really purposeful around how we do that across the lifecycle of a persons employment with Zurich.



A WIN panel discussion to mark International Womens Day

WIN plays a key role in providing career development opportunities for women within Zurich. This year, the group had planned to hold a Womens Leadership Summit, where 75 women from across Zurich were invited to participate in three days of purposeful programming designed to address business and personal development. Unfortunately, the conference  which was to be held at Zurich North Americas headquarters in Schaumburg, IL  had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WIN plans to reformat it as a virtual event before the end of the year.

Read next: Zurich launches series to help employees transition back to workplace

Another unique offering WIN has put in place are the WIN Leagues, which are small breakout groups intended to help build connections and support conversations around personal development. Each league has eight members who connect via video chat once a week. The goal of the leagues, as explained by Logue, is for members to collaborate without geographical locations, connect with different perspectives, practice conscious networking, develop meaning relationships, and focus conversations on impactful topics.

Each league is led by a female senior leader. They last for eight weeks, which allows each of the eight members to choose one topic of discussion, Logue told Insurance Business. The topic can be anything thats important to that member. Some members have referenced TED Talks, others have shared Harvard Business Review research on a particular topic, and at the moment, there are lots of discussions around how to balance remote working with family life and what back to school is going to look like. These leagues are wonderful, intimate, and psychologically safe places for members to talk and get real insight.

A survey about the leagues at the end of season one produced overwhelmingly positive feedback, Logue said. We took a net promoter score approach, and we scored 86, which was extraordinarily high for our WIN events. Some of the notable comments were: I loved connecting with women in other areas whom I would likely never have interacted with, and The sessions were honest, reflective, and empowering. One of my favorite pieces of feedback was: Our 30-minute weekly meeting is the one meeting of my work week that I look forward to the most.

After a successful first year of leagues in 2019, WIN recently launched season two, with 207 league members across 26 leagues in the US and Canada. Furthermore, Logue  who also heads up the Manager Excellence program at Zurich  has learned from the success of the WIN leagues and is considering a similar peer-to-peer model in how Zurich is developing managers.



Zurich employees struck the #EachforEqual pose after a WIN event for International Womens Day

WINs business value is recognized throughout Zurich, and not just among its female employees. In fact, while some organizations struggle to elicit male involvement for women in insurance initiatives, Zurichs WIN has secured the executive sponsorship of chief claims officer Paul Lavelle.

Paul is our fiercest ally, and he's committed to our mission, Logue said. The fact that we have extraordinarily strong executive male support at the top of the house is fantastic. We also have about 130 men who are official members of WIN, and many other men join our events and serve as important allies to our members. There is continued focus in getting more men involved, but the fact that Paul is our sponsor, and a very visible one at that, has really been serving us well.

Success begets success, Logue added. Its the quality of the WIN programming, and the candor of the conversations, that is attracting participation and engagement. I think everyone, regardless of gender, can identify with some of the challenges that women bring forth in the WIN panel discussions. Its energizing and its time well spent because they not only talk about challenges, but also how theyre addressing them. Its really an investment in your own development when you listen and engage with WIN discussions.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fresh Covid cases in the Telugu Chetty Street (TC Street) in Karamana sparked concern on a day the district reported 182 cases including two deaths. The deceased are Varadan (67) from Pazhayakada, who died on August 18, and Libis (70), a Parassala native who died on August 21. Among the total cases, 158 are instances of infection through local transmission. In TC Street, 20 tested positive from 60 tests conducted over the past two days. The street consists of 153 houses, six small streets and a population of 563 people. One of the small streets here, Kovil Street, is now a Janata Quarantine zone.

Ten houses in the street are in quarantine and all necessary materials are provided by volunteers. Earlier, a street here had declared themselves a containment zone after new cases were reported. The cases are from contact with a Covid patient from Arannoor ward who had visited his relatives houses here recently, said Karamana Ajith, councillor for Karamana.Of the 15 cases reported from Karamana, 14 were from TC street. More tests will be conducted there on Wednesday.

New cases were also reported from regions including Chempazhanthy (5), Kanjiramkulam (5), Poovar (4), Kunnathukal (4), Kowdiar (4), Kaithamukku (4), Poovachal (4) and Pulluvila (3). A total of 17 healthcare workers are also among the new positive cases. As many as 170 recoveries were also reported on the day.

A total of 1,500 people were newly put under observation in the district. As many as 3,863 people are currently under hospital isolation while a total of 19,514 people are under home quarantine. On the day, 287 people were newly admitted to hospitals with symptoms and 370 patients were discharged. While 336 samples were sent for testing, 748 results were received.As many as 18 people who need psychological support called to the mental health helpline while 1,443 people in quarantine were called and offered mental support.

found infected in random tests at Venjaramoodu fish market

TPuram: The fish market at Venjaramoodu was closed down on Sunday for 14 days after six out of 20 people were tested positive in random Covid tests conducted here. All workers and people associated with the market were placed in quarantine. Covid testing was conducted by Nellanad panchayat. However, testing is being delayed due to shortage of antigen test kits. There is a limitation in availing the test kits. Each health centre has close to 50 kits and we are conducting many tests. We have a list of 40 people for initial tests. The bigger issue is testing everyone who visited the fish market.

The people who tested positive are loading workers. None of the positive patients are symptomatic, said Binu S Nair, councillor, Venjaramoodu. Fish from this market is sold at different panchayats, including Mudakkal, Kallara, Manickal, Vembayam, Pullampara and Vamanapuram by vendors. So, there is a possibility of a huge cluster formation. The sources of infection here have been identified to be people who arrive in vehicles from other states carrying fish. The market will remain shut for 14 days while the workers are tested and contact tracing is carried out. The health department is observing the situation as it was a fish market which became a epicentre of super spread in Kumarichanda in Thiruvananthapuram.
A gospel-singing Brazilian congresswoman has been accused of masterminding the barbaric murder of her preacher husband after at least six failed or aborted attempts to kill him with poison or in staged robberies.

Anderson do Carmo was 42 when he was shot dead in June 2019 as he returned to the home he shared with the church crooner-turned-politician Flordelis dos Santos de Souza.

The celebrity congresswoman, who congregants and fans call simply Flordelis, claimed her husband  with whom she had famously raised more than 50 children  had been slain by thieves.

But allegations of a bizarre and lurid family plot to murder the evangelical preacher emerged on Monday as police arrested five of Flordelis children and one granddaughter for involvement in the crime.

The 59-year-old lawmaker  who has made records for one of Brazils top gospel labels and was elected to congress in 2018  could not be arrested because she enjoys parliamentary immunity.

But investigators said they had no doubt Flordelis, who reportedly wept uncontrollably as police raided her home, was the ringleader.

The conclusion the investigation reached was this: that she planned this cowardly murder, the homicide chief Antonio Ricardo Lima Nunes told reporters as the singers handcuffed relatives were led away by heavily armed officers.

The motive was that she was unhappy with the way in which pastor Anderson lived his life and handled the family finances.

Do Carmos grisly murder  he was reportedly shot more than 30 times, predominantly in the groin and thighs  made nationwide headlines and has continued to do so since.

Brazilian newspapers have published a succession of sensational allegations, including that the evangelical couple frequented a swingers club in west Rio where the singer was spotted in a state of inebriation. Flordelis denied those claims and has repeatedly denied involvement in her husbands murder.

Lets say we were surprised by todays events, her lawyer, Anderson Rollemberg, told the website UOL on Monday.

Story continues

Police, however, say they are sure she was the architect of his killing.

Mondays pre-dawn round-up was dubbed Operation Luke 12  a reference to the New Testament chapter in which Jesus tells his disciples: There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

Local reports alleged the conspiracy began in May 2018, when scheming relatives began secretly spiking pastor Andersons food with arsenic. It ended just over a year later, in the early hours of 16 June 2019, when the preachers body was riddled with bullets at the couples home in Niteroi, a city near Rio.

In the intervening period newspapers claimed there were at least five other failed or aborted attempts on his life, either by poisoning his food and drinks or staging robberies.

One of the congresswomans daughters, Simone, was found to have trawled the internet for information on cyanide in food but claimed that was merely out of curiosity and to help a friend whose dog had a tumour.

The O Globo newspaper reported that the pastor had actually discovered plans to murder him and threatened to bug all of the telephones in the family home, forcing the plotters to communicate with burner phones.

Related: 'Enter through the back door': secret church services in Mexico and Brazil defy Covid-19 rules

Flordelis was born and raised in Jacarezinho, a sprawling Rio favela, where she began her singing career and met her future husband in the early 1990s. The couple went on to found a church together  the Ministry of Flordelis  and became famous for their huge family which was made up of 55 children, the majority adopted.

Flordelis used her celebrity as a springboard into politics and was one of Rios most-voted federal lawmakers in 2018 with nearly 200,000 votes. Im going to fight for the family, for life and for women, she vowed as she took office.

Homicide chief Nunes said Mondays detentions  which followed the arrest of two other sons last year  meant about 20% of Flordeliss family had allegedly been involved in the pastors murder.

It was a barbaric, cowardly crime, he told breakfast TV.

Just a week earlier Flordelis had posted a photograph to Instagram  where she has nearly one million followers  in which she appeared straddling a camel with her late husband during a trip to Israel.

I still feel lost  part of me died with you  I feel a mixture of pain and disgust  what they did to you was so cruel, she wrote before signing off: I love you my Baby.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 08:58:06|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chief of the Chinese side of the China-U.S. comprehensive economic dialogue, held a phone conversation with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday morning.

The two sides conducted a constructive dialogue on such issues as strengthening bilateral coordination of macroeconomic policies and the implementation of the China-U.S. phase-one economic and trade agreement.

The two sides agreed to create conditions and atmosphere to continue pushing forward the implementation of the trade deal. Enditem
NBC News Nikki Haley speaking at the Republican National Convention on Monday night

On a night that saw Republicans primarily showcase and thank Donald Trump, former Trump appointee Nikki Haley joined in embracing the president on everything from policy to rhetoric.

Haley, 48, is the former governor of South Carolina and served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from January 2017 through the end of December 2018.

Her remarks Monday night were made from Washington, D.C., during the remote Republican National Convention, which is taking place without crowds this week due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Much of Haley's speech was a warning-filled hypothesis of what Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's presidency could look like. She championed Trump's disdain for "cancel culture"  even as he has called for boycotts of various businesses  and aligned herself with a number of his policies and beliefs.

Haley invoked her own Indian-American ancestry while arguing that the country as a whole is "not racist," in clear reference to ongoing protests against racial injustice following the killing of George Floyd in police custody in late May.

This is personal for me, Haley said, adding, My father wore a turban. My mother wore a sari. I was a brown girl in a Black and white world. We faced discrimination and hardship, but my parents never gave into grievance and hate.

"In much of the Democratic Party, it's now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie," she said. "America is not a racist country."

RELATED: Black Man Shot by Wisconsin Police in Front of 3 Sons, Says Lawyer, as Video Sparks Protests

Julie Jacobson/AP/REX/Shutterstock Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in 2018

Haley, who was born to two Indian-American immigrants, graduated from Clemson University with a degree in accounting and briefly worked in finances before entering government.

Story continues

She was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2004 and served as the state's governor from 2011 to 2017, when she was appointed to her role in the Trump administration.

Given her pedigree, and how she handled the response to the mass shooting in a black church in Charleston in 2015, she is seen as a top contender for the presidency once Trump leaves office.

Haley's December 2018 resignation reportedly caught most off-guard  including White House staff  but President Trump appeared supportive of her decision, according to Fox News.

"Hopefully you'll be coming back at some point, maybe in another capacity," Trump told Haley after she resigned. "You can have your pick."

RELATED: The Trump Family & More: Here's Who Is Speaking At the Republican National Convention This Week

Evan Vucci/AP/REX/Shutterstock From left: President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in 2018

After leaving her post as U.N. ambassador, Haley went on to serve on the board of directors for airline giant Boeing before she resigned from the lucrative position in March because of her disagreements over airline bailouts amid the pandemic, according to NPR.

In her time outside of politics, Haley authored a memoir about working in the Trump administration. Unlike others who have left the Trump administration only to write scathing accounts of their time in his White House, Haley only provided "glancing" critiques of the controversial president, according to The Washington Post.

Haley did, however, write about having private objections to Trump's 2018 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his lack of condemnation for a 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that resulted in a counter-protestor's death.

A leaders words matter in these situations. And the presidents words had been hurtful and dangerous, Haley wrote in her book. I picked up the phone and called the president.

Elsewhere, she has sometimes pushed back on his infamously provocative and pugilistic social media style.

"This is so unnecessary," she tweeted back at Trump last year after he posted about a political opponent's home being burgled.

On Monday, she celebrated Trump's rhetoric, saying that he tells the world what it needs to hear" and said, he knows that political correctness and cancel culture are dangerous and just plain wrong."
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin James Gomez and Saul J. Takahashi (The Jakarta Post) Tokyo  Wed, August 26 2020

Both Southeast Asia and Japan are experiencing new forms of hate speech that are increasingly played out over social media platforms. Updated measures in Southeast Asia to tackle new forms of hate must move away from the negative impact of old rules that threaten democracy. The Japanese government, for its part, must take effective measures against the normalization of hate.

Asia Centre, in its latest report, Hate Speech in Southeast Asia: New Form, Old Rules, discusses these and other related matters in this 40 page report released on July 22, 2020.

Hate speech has no universally accepted definition. The UN has noted that in all of its forms, hate speech characteristics comprise any kind of communication in speech, writing or behavior, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender or other identity factor."

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
DURA Automotive Systems will open a $59 million manufacturing facility in Muscle Shoals to produce battery trays for electric vehicles, creating 279 jobs.

The project, announced today, will involve the company leasing an existing building in the Shoals Research Airpark from the Shoals Economic Development Authority. DURA, based in Michigan, is partnering with the authority on a $11.5 million expansion and build-out of the structures interior.

DURA has 6,700 employees worldwide and operates 31 facilities in 13 countries.

Electric vehicles, or EVs, are a growing segment of the automotive industry. Mercedes-Benz has invested $1 billion in its Tuscaloosa County operations, including an electric battery plant, as the automaker prepares to build electric versions of models in Alabama.

This investment represents Duras commitment to support global customers in the transition to electrified, high performance vehicles, DURA CEO Kimberly Rodriguez said, in a statement. We are delighted to extend our well-established European expertise in design and manufacturing of lightweight structural architectures to the North American market.

Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said the project will help the states automotive sector keep pace with industry.

DURA Automotive Systems decision to locate its EV battery tray manufacturing facility in Muscle Shoals reflects the expanding capabilities of the automotive supply chain for electric vehicle production in Alabama, Canfield said. Our auto industry is focused on the future and will continue to adapt to meet all challenges.
New Delhi/Jammu, Aug 25 : The chief of Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad, Maulana Masood Azhar, along with his brothers Abdul Rauf Asghar and Ammar Alvi, was continuously giving directions and guidance to the Pakistani JeM terrorists who had infiltrated into India, both before and after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF troopers were killed.

The National Investigation Agency's chargesheet also alleged that the JeM had initially planned the attack for February 6, 2019, but due to heavy snowfall and closure of the highway, the attack was deferred to February 14. These revelations were made in the 13,800-page chargesheet filed by the NIA in a special NIA court in Jammu on Tuesday against 19 people, including the attack mastermind - the slain Mohammad Umar Farooq, son of IC 814 hijacking conspirator Ibrahim Athar.

The NIA in its chargesheet also named suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar, his aide Sameer Dar, Shakir Bashir, father-daughter duo of Peer Tariq Ahmed Shah and Insha Jan and, Waiz-ul-Islam, Mohammad Abbas Rather, Bilal Ahmed Kuchhey, Mohammad Iqbal Rather, Ashaq Ahmed Nengroo and Mohammad Ismail alias Saiffudin, a Pakistani national and IED expert.

Besides the suicide bomber, the chargesheet also includes the names of five other accused who were killed by security forces, of which three were Pakistani nationals.

Besides Farooq, the slain Pakistani nationals include Mohammad Kamran, one of the IED experts, who was killed in a brief encounter with Indian security forces in March last year while Qari Ansari was killed in another encounter. The killed Indian nationals named in the chargesheet are suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar while the others are Sajjad Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Anantnag and Mudasir Ahmad Khan, a resident of Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir.

The chargesheet has been filed in the Jammu court along with the pictures and digital evidence of the Pulwama terror attack under several sections of the IPC, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Foreigners Act of Jammu & Kashmir.

An NIA spokesperson said: "During investigation it has been revealed that the Pakistan-based JeM leadership consisting of Masood Azhar, Asghar and Alvi were continuously giving directions and guidance to the Pakistani JeM terrorists, who had infiltrated into India, both before and after the attack." The official said that they had also planned to carry out another suicide attack which was averted due to the Balakot airstrikes by the Indian Air Force and due to the killing of the main conspirator Farooq by security forces.

"Further, due to international pressure, Pakistan lay low," the official said. The NIA alleged that during investigation it was revealed that there was a "well-crafted mechanism" by the Pakistani establishment to push terrorists into Indian territory from the launch pads located in Pakistan's Shakargarh opposite Samba-Kathua sector in Jammu.

The official further said that the Pulwama attack was a result of a "well-planned criminal conspiracy" hatched by the Pakistan-based leadership of JeM. "The JeM leaders have been sending their cadres to terrorist training camps of Al-Qaeda-Taliban-JeM and Haqqani-JeM in Afghanistan for receiving training in explosives and other terrorist tactics," the chargesheet alleged.

The chargesheet said that the main accused Farooq, son of IC 814 hijacking conspirator Ibrahim Athar, also visited Afghanistan for explosives training in 2016-17. "In lieu of the lives of the 155 passengers, Azhar was released from an Indian prison," the official said referring to the 1999 hijack of the Indian Airlines jetliner.

The NIA said that Farooq infiltrated into India through the International Border in Jammu-Samba Sector in April, 2018 and took over as JeM commander of Pulwama in J&K. "Farooq along with his Pakistani compatriots Kamran, Ismail (both IED experts) and Qari Yasir and local associates Sameer and Adil planned and prepared for the attack on security forces using IEDs," the official said.

He said that Bashir, the father-daughter duo of Peer Tariq Ahmad Shah and Insha Jan, and Bilal Ahmad Kuchey provided all logistics and harboured the JeM terrorists in their houses. The NIA official said that in the first week of February 2019, Farooq, Sameer, Adil and Bashir made the IED using RDX, calcium-ammonium nitrate, gelatin sticks and aluminium powder and assembled it in two containers, one weighing around 160 kgs and the second one weighing around 40 kgs.

"The two IED containers were fitted in a Maruti Eeco car and were ready by the morning of February 6, 2019. However, because of heavy snowfall, the National Highway was closed for vehicular movement," the NIA said in its chargesheet. "When the national highway reopened on February 14, Bashir drove Adil on the highway. Adil then took charge of the vehicle and drove on further and carried out the suicide attack by ramming the car laden with 200 kgs of high-grade explosives into a bus of the CRPF convoy," the NIA official said.

He said that the chargesheet is the result of painstaking investigation in the last one-and-a-half year.

"A lot of digital, forensic, documentary and oral evidence establishing a fool-proof case against the accused for this dastardly and barbaric attack has been collected," the official said. He said that the chargesheet has brought on record the all-out involvement of Pakistan-based entities in carrying out terrorist strikes in India and inciting and provoking Kashmiri youth.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)
The Russian government has reached out to India seeking a collaboration for manufacturing its COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V and conducting its phase 3 clinical trial here, sources said. According to government sources, the matter was discussed by the national expert group on vaccine administration for COVID-19 in its last meeting held on August 22.

Sputnik V has been developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology along with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). The vaccine has not been tested in phase 3 or larger clinical trials.

has been scepticism in some quarters about limited data related to the efficacy of the vaccine.

The Russian government has reached out to the Indian government seeking a collaboration for manufacturing their COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, and conducting its phase 3 trial here," a source in the government said.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) along with the Department of Health Research has been asked to lead and look into the matter. They (Russian government officials) have shared some information and data on Sputnik V, while more data related to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine is awaited," the source said.

When asked if the Russian government has placed any formal request for the manufacture of its COVID-19 vaccine in India, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said at a press conference, As far as Sputnik V vaccine is concerned, both India and Russia are in communication. Some initial information has been shared while some detailed information is awaited."

According to sources, Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev has approached the office of Principal Scientific Advisor K VijayRaghavan as well as secretaries of the departments of biotechnology and health research in this regard.
As the Purdue Bell Tower chimed, a class of about 20 students met on the lawn of the Engineering Mall. Associate professor Mireille Mimi Boutin struggled with an iPad to get a handful of virtual students dialed into the electrical and computer engineering course via Zoom. It was a disaster, she said. Some students couldnt connect, so she would have to find time this week to give the same introductory lecture again. Ill have to teach on Sunday. Ill have to teach at night.
Amazon has today launched The Climate Pledge, Amazons commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement.

As part of this pledge, Amazon have set goals, such as being 100% powered by renewable energy by 2025, including in Ireland.

Amazon are making investments and innovating to help achieve these goals and have announced a new 115-megawatt (MW) wind farm project in Ardderroo, Galway, which will begin operating in 2022, and will support Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centres in the country.

The new project in Ardderroo adds to existing projects in Esk, Co. Cork, which will come online in September 2020, and Meenbog, Co. Donegal, which will follow in early 2022. In total, these three projects are projected to add 229 MW of renewable energy to the Irish grid each year, reducing carbon emissions by 366,000 tonnes of CO2 each year, and producing enough renewable energy to power 185,000 Irish homes per annum.

To be powered by renewable energy in Ireland, Amazon have committed to offtake 100% of the power from these projects without relying on public funding. As a result, Amazon are the first organisation in Ireland to sign unsubsidised Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs). Once all projects are operational, Amazon will be the largest single corporate buyer of renewable energy in the country.

Source: www.businessworld.ie
5 notable Republicans who've endorsed Joe Biden over Trump

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Coinciding with the first day of the Republican National Convention, the Biden presidential campaign has released a list of over two-dozen prominent Republicans that have endorsed the Democrat former vice president Joe Biden for president.

The endorsements from former Republican members of Congress were announced via an email sent Monday morning to Biden campaign supporters announcing the Republicans for Biden outreach initiative.

In a strong rebuke to the current administration, these former members of Congress cited Trumps corruption, destruction of democracy, blatant disregard for moral decency, and urgent need to get the country back on course as a reason why they support Biden, stated the campaign in the email.

These former Members of Congress are supporting Joe Biden because they know what's at stake in this election and that Trump's failures as President have superseded partisanship.

Republicans for Biden aims to get more members of the GOP who feel disaffected by the president to vote Democrat in November.

The list of former GOP Congressmen is the latest high-profile example of notable Republicans and other members of the GOP publicly proclaiming their support for Biden.

The following pages list five prominent Republicans who have endorsed Bidens presidential campaign.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Next




LUXEMBOURG , Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mitotech S.A, a Luxembourg -based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel pharmaceuticals targeting mitochondria, in partnership with Essex Bio-Technology, a bio-pharmaceutical company specializing in Ophthalmology and Dermatology, announced completion of enrolment in its pivotal U.S. Phase 3 VISTA-2 study of SkQ1 ophthalmic solution in patients with moderate to severe Dry Eye Disease (DED). SkQ1 belongs to the class of cardiolipin peroxidation inhibitors developed for treatment of a spectrum of age-related disorders, including Dry Eye Disease (DED).



VISTA-2 is a multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study involving two treatment arms: SkQ1 ophthalmic solution and vehicle solution, administered BID. 610 patients have been enrolled in the study across multiple centres in the U.S. to receive treatment over a 2-month period.



"We are proud to have reached full enrollment in our pivotal study", said Natalia Perekhvatova, Chief Executive Officer of Mitotech S.A." At the same time, we recognize that COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging environment for patients and healthcare industry worldwide. Mitotech and Essex Bio-Technology remain in close contact with medical centres and investigators to ensure the safety of trial participants as well as medical professionals involved in the study. With multiple layers of safeguards in place we are looking forward to completing the study in Q4 2020."



VISTA-2 is Mitotech's first pivotal study in Dry Eye Disease designed to confirm outcome of its VISTA-1 study conducted back in 2019. VISTA-1 facilitated dose and primary endpoint selection for VISTA-2 having demonstrated statistically significant SkQ1 impact against vehicle on multiple signs and symptoms of Dry Eye Disease over the 2-month course of treatment. At the same time the study highlighted excellent safety profile of the drug with tolerability being statistically similar to that of an artificial tear.



"Our appreciation to everyone involved for their ongoing efforts in supporting timely completion of study enrolment," said Malcolm Ngiam , President of Essex Bio-Investment Limited. "We look forward to evaluating the study read-out and to moving one step closer to making SkQ1 available for the world-wide DED market."



About SkQ1 SkQ1 addresses DED through a novel mechanism of action, acting on the mitochondria at a cellular level. Unlike current standards of care, which act primarily as anti-inflammatory agents, SkQ1 has been shown to not only relieve inflammation but also improve tissue degeneration and tear quality deficit by targeting oxidative stress within the eye. In VISTA-1  a Phase 2b /3 clinical study in the United States (NCT03764735) - SkQ1 showed evidence of efficacy in reducing both the signs and symptoms in dry eye subjects.



About Mitotech S.A Mitotech S.A. is a Luxembourg -based biotechnology company developing novel drugs for treatment of predominantly age-related disorders. The core technology behind Mitotech products is based on a novel class of small molecules  mitochondria targeting cardiolipin peroxidation inhibitors. Company's lead compound SkQ1 is being developed in several drug formulations covering a variety of therapeutic areas with major focus on ophthalmology and neurodegenerative diseases.



About Essex Bio-Technology Essex Bio-Technology is a bio-pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes genetically engineered therapeutic rb-bFGF (FGF-2), having five commercialized biologics marketed in China since 1998. The products of the Company are principally prescribed for the treatment of wounds healing and diseases in Ophthalmology & Dermatology, which are marketed and sold through more than 8,880 hospitals and managed directly by its 43 regional sales offices in China . Leveraging its in-house R&D platform in growth factor and antibody, the Company maintains a pipeline of projects at various clinical stages, covering a wide range of fields and indications.







SOURCE Mitotech




A Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to cyberstalking after threatening to injure and kidnap a former classmate at Minnesota State University, Mankato who rejected his romantic advances.

Jeffrey Colin Purdy, 28, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of cyberstalking, US Attorney Erica MacDonald announced.

Purdy was a former classmate of his victim.

While attending the school the victim repeatedly declined his romantic propositions and she eventually blocked Purdy on her cell phone and social media accounts.

Purdy sent her long letters and emails and would wait in the lobby of her dorm for hours, according to the Mankato Free Press.

Jeffrey Colin Purdy, 28, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of cyberstalking a former classmate at Minnesota State University, Mankato, who rejected his romantic advances. Pictured left in March and right in undated mugshot

The university first began receiving reports about the woman in 2016 on its online incident reporting website. The initial reports falsely claimed she was causing trouble in the dorms and those reports escalated into threats, some saying the woman would be sexually assaulted.

The Mankato Department of Public Safety requested assistance from the FBI in identifying the sender of the anonymous reports.

On September 15, 2017 the Mankato Department of Public Safety received a complaint from an individual stating she had been receiving harassing emails from Purdy.

Purdy used Mankato States Silent Witness Report, an anonymous incident reporting tool, to make frequent, violent threats against the victim from August 30, 2017 through February 21, 2020. Authorities traced the IP address used to make one of those Silent Witness Reports back tp Purdy. A view of Minnesota State University, Mankato's campus above

Between August 30, 2017 and February 20, 2020 Purdy communicated threats to injure and kidnap the woman.

The woman filed a harassment restraining order against Purdy in 2017. That restraining order was extended after she received an anonymous text threatening rape.

He was banned from being on campus through the end of 2019.

Purdy used Mankato States Silent Witness Report, an anonymous incident reporting tool, to make frequent, violent threats against the victim from August 30, 2017 through February 21, 2020.

Authorities traced the IP address used to make one of those Silent Witness Reports back to Purdy who admitted on February 20 to sending all those Silent Witness Reports.

He was charged with felony counts of stalking, harassment and threats of violence Tuesday in Blue Earth County District Court.

In Minnesota, cyberstalking is punishable with fines and jail time if the accused knowingly instills reasonable fear of harm to a person.
Almost a million Rohingya refugees stuck in Bangladesh mark three years since escaping from Myanmar on Tuesday, with coronavirus forcing them to hold a day-long silent protest inside their flimsy, leaky huts.

An August 2017 military operation  that has triggered genocide charges at the UNs top court  drove 750,000 Rohingya out of Myanmars Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh, to join 200,000 who fled earlier.

Three years later and with no work or decent education for their children, there is little prospect of a return to the country, where members of the mostly Muslim minority have long been treated as inferior intruders.

Myanmars military killed more than 10,000 of our people. They carried out mass murders and rapes and drove our people from their home, Mohib Ullah, a Rohingya leader in the camps, told AFP.

For the second anniversary last year, Ullah led a rally of about 200,000 protesters at Kutupalong, the largest of the network of camps in southeast Bangladesh, where 600,000 people live in cramped and unsanitary conditions.

But the Bangladeshi authorities, increasingly impatient with the Rohingya and who a year ago cut internet access in the camps, have banned gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The sprawling camps have been cut off from the rest of Bangladesh, with the military erecting barbed-wire fences around the perimeters. Inside, movement has been restricted.

Fears the deadly virus could spread like wildfire  because physical distancing is almost impossible  have not been borne out, with just 84 infections confirmed and six deaths.

The Rohingya will mark Genocide Remembrance Day with silence and prayers in their rickety homes all day, Ullah said.

There will be no rallies, no work, no prayers at mosques, no NGO or aid activities, no schools, no madrasas and no food distribution, he added.

 Apartheid 

Bangladesh has signed an agreement with Myanmar to return the refugees. But the Rohingya refuse to go without guarantees for their safety and proper rights.

About 600,000 Rohingya remain in Myanmar, but most are not regarded as citizens, living in what Amnesty International describes as apartheid conditions.

The Rohingya are not convinced of the sincerity of the Myanmar authorities, Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud bin Momen said.

Khin Maung, a 25-year-old Rohingya activist who lost 10 relatives in the horrors of 2017, said the mood in the camps was very depressed.

We want justice for the murders. We also want to go back home. But I dont see any immediate hopes. It may take years, Maung, who leads a Rohingya youth group, said.

He said the desperation had led hundreds to flee the camps this year on rickety boats often arranged by unscrupulous trafficking gangs.

Myanmar needs to accept an international solution that provides for the safe, voluntary return of Rohingya refugees, while an understandably stretched Bangladesh should not make conditions inhospitable for refugees who have nowhere to go, said Brad Adams from Human Rights Watch.
Evangelical leaders urge Trump admin. to stop summarily deporting unaccompanied migrant children

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Over a dozen prominent evangelical charities and organizations are calling on Ivanka Trump to pressure the administration to stop using the pandemic to suspend legal safeguards for unaccompanied migrant children and allowing them to be housed in hotels and deported.

In a letter sent to the presidents daughter and presidential adviser Monday, the leaders of 16 evangelical networks, institutions and organizations urged the 38-year-old to do everything within your influence to ensure that the Trump administration once again enforces provisions of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act related to unaccompanied children.

The bipartisan 2008 law governs how migrant children who are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian when apprehended at the U.S. border are treated by federal agencies.

The law mandates that unaccompanied migrant children who might be vulnerable to trafficking be transferred to the custody of the Department Health and Human Services so they can be placed with care providers until a family member or sponsor can be identified.

But in March, the Department of Homeland Security suspended the legislations protections and cited public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic as justification for doing so.

Instead of being referred to the custody of HHS, which has trained capacity to care for traumatized, vulnerable children, unaccompanied children are being summarily expelled to their countries of origin, sometimes after brief, unregulated stays in hotels, the evangelical leaders wrote in the letter to Trump. These children are returned to situations where, tragically, many are at high risk of trafficking, violence and exploitation.

We are writing to urge that you do everything within your influence to ensure that the provisions of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act related to unaccompanied children are once again enforced.

The letter was spearheaded by Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief, the humanitarian arm of the 45,000-church National Association of Evangelicals.

Other signatories include Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; NAE President Walter Kim; Edgar Sandoval, president of the international evangelical humanitarian charity World Vision; Philip Langford, president of the anti-trafficking organization International Justice Mission US; and Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition.

It was also backed by scholars such as Kim Berry Jones, director of the Center for Justice & Reconciliation at Point Loma Nazarene University in California, and Sandra Morgan, director of the Global Center for Women & Justice at Vanguard University in California.

Ivanka Trump has helped head a $35 million White House initiative that seeks to provide safe housing for victims of human trafficking. At an event earlier this month, she called human trafficking the gravest of human rights violations.

As leaders of evangelical Christian ministries, organizations and denominations deeply concerned with the wellbeing of children and victims of human trafficking, we strongly agree with your recent assessment that human trafficking is arguably the gravest of human rights violations, the letter reads. We applaud the recent announcement of federal funding to various non-profit organizations, including many Christian ministries, to provide housing and services for survivors of human trafficking.

The letter comes after the Associated Press reported last month that migrant children as young as 1 are being sheltered at Hampton Inn & Suites hotels in Arizona and Texas  for weeks in some cases  before they are deported.

In their letter, the evangelical leaders point out that the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act was passed by Congress after extensive advocacy by many evangelical organizations, including some of those that we lead.

The HHS manages a network of care providers, including many faith-based nonprofit organizations, that provide temporary care for the children until a family member or other sponsor can be identified, screened and approved.

Several of our ministries operate in Central America, addressing the root causes of migration such as violence, poverty and lack of opportunity, the letter stresses. The majority of these unaccompanied children are expelled to this region, and our colleagues there have witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of this policy.

Through the legislation, unaccompanied children can also elect to return to their home countries or pursue forms of legal relief they may be qualified for under U.S. law, such as asylum.

Regardless, the TVPRA ensures that they receive due process and are protected from harm while they await the adjudication of their case, the letter explains.

While the evangelical leaders say they support measures that aim to protect public health during the pandemic, they think the federal government can take appropriate precautions to minimize any public health concerns without disregarding the life-saving protections guaranteed by the TVPRA.

Indeed, if schools can safely re-open in many parts of the country, as the administration has urged, our country should also be able to accommodate a relatively small number of unaccompanied children following public health best practices to minimize the risk of spreading the coronavirus, they contended.

The recent acknowledgment from DHS that children are being tested and expelled to their countries of origin only after testing negative for COVID-19 demonstrates that these children do not present a risk of bringing further incidence of COVID-19 into the U.S.

The evangelical leaders argued that COVID-19 should not be used as a pretext for abandoning our national commitment to standing for vulnerable children and against the scourge of human trafficking.

Our faith compels us to speak up for these children, they stated.
Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more

Contract disputes do arise from time to time. Whether the issue is early termination, delay of deliverables, breach of performance, or the like, it is best to plan for the worst and hope for the best.

When there is a dispute, whether the contract contemplates this or not, either party should consider a legal process called mediation to avoid the time and cost of fighting in court (litigation) or in arbitration, both of which are the subject of Part 6 of the series, so we will keep those topics to a minimum here.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a process where parties to a dispute meet face-to-face (these days, on Zoom) along with a neutral third party  called a Mediator  to try to resolve the dispute on their own and avoid prolonged and costly litigation or arbitration.

The mediation process varies around the U.S., but generally the Mediator and the parties work together to figure ways to end the dispute by reaching a written settlement agreement.

As a general rule and by state laws, the Mediator is not allowed to testify in court or at an arbitration about the mediation since everything related to the mediation process is confidential, unless the parties agree otherwise.

Often times the Mediator will have private telephone conversations with the parties and their attorneys to discuss the details of the dispute, which generally leads to a face-to-face or Zoom mediation conference.

However, before there is a face-to-face mediation conference the parties and their lawyers often submit confidential mediation statements (that is, position papers), or exchange non-confidential mediation statements so that they tell the opposing party what they think.

When the parties and their lawyers attend the mediation conference, they generally they are separated in different rooms (or Zoom rooms) to avoid conflict and encourage the parties to share the confidential details about the dispute with the mediator. In these separate meetings, referred to as caucuses, the Mediator discusses the issues in dispute with the intention of being honest and candid about the issues.

Also, the Mediator also discusses the likelihood of success in litigation or arbitration since if there is no settlement, the parties may end up spend lots of money and time fighting in litigation or arbitration.

What if the Contract Requires Mediation?

If the parties agree by contract to a mediation, most courts and arbitrators will require that the parties actually complete a mediation before moving forward to litigation or arbitration.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Regardless, the parties can always agree to mediate if a conflict develops even if there is no contractual requirement. Sometimes contracts require the use of third party services such as the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or JAMS shall manage the mediation as part of the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services.

Notwithstanding the AAA and JAMS, there are thousands of professional mediators around the U.S. who make themselves available to help resolve disputes, so you should be able to find a mediator in your location.

How is a Mediator Selected?

Mediations tend to be more successful if the parties and their lawyers have trust and confidence in the mediator.

Normally there is a vetting process where the AAA or JAMS recommends a list of local mediators and then the parties conduct their own research to find the right person to serve as the mediator.

Part of the vetting process is to make sure that the mediator is not biased one way or the other, so it is important to ask the right questions find the right mediator.

Notwithstanding anything else about the mediation process, if a party and their lawyer make settlement offers during the mediation process that does not mean that the offers can be used as evidence in a subsequent lawsuit or arbitration because of Rule 408 of the Rules of Evidence:

Rule 408. Compromise Offers and Negotiations

(a) Prohibited Uses. Evidence of the following is not admissible  on behalf of any party  either to prove or disprove the validity or amount of a disputed claim or to impeach by a prior inconsistent statement or a contradiction:

(1)furnishing, promising, or offering  or accepting, promising to accept, or offering to accept  a valuable consideration in compromising or attempting to compromise the claim; and

(2) conduct or a statement made during compromise negotiations about the claim  except when offered in a criminal case and when the negotiations related to a claim by a public office in the exercise of its regulatory, investigative, or enforcement authority.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

(b) Exceptions. The court may admit this evidence for another purpose, such as proving a witnesss bias or prejudice, negating a contention of undue delay, or proving an effort to obstruct a criminal investigation or prosecution.

Rule 408 encourages parties to make settlement offers since those offers cannot be used in litigation or arbitration, so it is essential that lawyers clearly mark all settlement offers under Rule 408 to protect the offer.

Conclusion

If the parties can resolve their disputes in a mediation and avoid the cost and time in litigation or arbitration, that can be a win-win, not to mention to allow the parties to get on with business.

The next part in this series which will describe litigation and arbitration if the mediation is not part of the contract, or the parties are unable to settle their disputes in the mediation.

Read Part 6: Lawsuit or Arbitration?
MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Concord Summit Capital, LLC ("Concord Summit") announced today the successful financing of a 172, 959 square-foot Class A office building in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the amount of $38.3 million. The property is located within a 27-acre mixed-use development which includes 760 multifamily units, 150,000 square feet of high-end retail and 400 hotel rooms being delivered in two phases from 2Q 2020-2022.

The office building, owned by Encore Capital Management ("Encore"), recently underwent $15 million in renovations, including a redesigned modern building lobby, full elevator upgrades, new corridors, new bathrooms and new modern tenant buildouts. Encore is a full-service real estate investment and development company with land acquisition, entitlement, development, construction sales and marketing capabilities in-house.

Concord Summit served as financial advisors to Encore Capital Management on this transaction. During a COVID-affected lending environment, Concord Summit successfully structured, negotiated and secured several competitive bids that resulted in the selection of New York Life.

"Art Falcone and Encore have been valuable clients for us for many years and hopefully many more years to come, and we are very proud to have brought New York Life to them as a new relationship," said Kevin O'Grady, Managing Director of Concord Summit.

ABOUT CONCORD SUMMIT CAPITAL

Concord Summit is a partnership between Summit Investment Management, Concord Wilshire Companies and Kevin O'Grady.

Summit Investment Management is a global investment company headquartered in Denver, Colorado (summit-investment.com). Concord Wilshire Companies is a national real estate development and investment company headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (concordwilshire.com). Kevin O'Grady is a 40-year industry professional having completed over $20 billion in transactions under his management.

Concord Summit is a premier nationwide intermediary between sponsors and providers of capital in commercial real estate transactions. Concord Summit specializes in all asset classes, including but not limited to office, retail, land, multi-family, mixed-use, industrial, and hospitality product types. The firm provides sponsors with access to a broad range of debt and equity capital as well as unmatched knowledge of the market and industry, in order to achieve the most efficient execution and results. For more information, go to www.concordsummit.com

Media Contact:

Todd Templin, BoardroomPR

954-370-8999

SOURCE: Concord Summit Capital

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603266/Concord-Summit-Capital-Completes-383-million-Loan-Through-New-York-Life-on-Suburban-Fort-Lauderdale-Office-Building
A former Saudi intelligence official living in Toronto says his son-in-law has been detained overseas in retaliation for a lawsuit the official filed accusing the crown prince of sending a hit squad to kill him.

A statement issued on behalf of Saad Aljabri on Tuesday said Salem Almuzaini, Aljabris son-in-law, had been summoned Monday to Saudi state security offices, where he was arrested.

His whereabouts are unknown, the release states.

The development follows the alleged detainment by Saudi officials of two of Aljabris children, earlier this year.

Officials with the Saudi embassy in Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to the Stars request for comment.

Aljabri, who is said to have developed a close relationship with U.S. intelligence officials on counterterrorism files, fled to Canada in 2017, around the time that crown prince Mohammed bin Salman carried out a bloodless palace coup.

Aljabri had maintained a relatively low profile in Toronto until earlier this month, when he filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., accusing bin Salman of sending a group of hit men to Toronto to kill Aljabri in the fall of 2018, just a couple of weeks after the death of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey.

The alleged plot was foiled when the team failed to get past border officers at Torontos Pearson airport, according to the lawsuit.

Aljabri alleges he was targeted because of his intimate knowledge of bin Salmans activities and potential to undermine bin Salmans influence. The lawsuit names bin Salman and several associates as defendants.

So far, they have not replied to the lawsuit. Once served, they have 21 days to respond. Experts have told the Star the crown prince is likely to assert some kind of immunity.

Tuesdays news release alleges that Almuzainis arrest and disappearance are the latest acts of reprisal and intimidation by the crown prince against Aljabri.

Already this year, two of Aljabris children, Sarah and Omar, were reportedly detained in Saudi Arabia. Their whereabouts are also not known. The lawsuit alleges the pair are being used as human bait to lure Aljabri out of hiding.

My innocent siblings Sarah and Omar have been held incommunicado in Saudi Arabia since March because our father rebuffed (bin Salmans) demands that he return to Saudi Arabia, where true justice cannot be found. Now Salem joins Sarah and Omar in unlawful detention, Aljabris son, Khalid Aljabri, a Toronto cardiologist, is quoted as saying in Tuesdays statement.

They are de facto hostages, innocent of wrongdoing.

According to the statement, Almuzaini had previously been held by Saudi officials for 45 days. He was released in January 2018 but was made to wear an ankle bracelet, banned from travelling abroad and has been used by Saudi state security as a means to communicate and exert the Kingdoms influence on Dr. Jabris family.

Almuzainis wife and children reside in Toronto.

This month, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair put out a statement saying, While we cannot comment on specific allegations currently before the courts, we are aware of incidents in which foreign actors have attempted to monitor, intimidate or threaten Canadians and those living in Canada.

Read more about:
The on Tuesday sought a response from the on a plea of 13 foreign members, facing criminal cases for alleged violation of visa norms, that their trial be consolidated before one court in the state.

A bench comprising justices A M Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna asked the state government to respond to the plea and posted the matter for hearing on Monday.

In a hearing conducted through video conferencing, the bench suggested that the trial against these 13 Jamaat members can be conducted before one court in Patna.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said that he does not have any objection and the trial can be consolidated as done in Delhi where a court at Saket is hearing all such cases



Earlier, the Centre had told the that look out notices issued against some foreigners, who have challenged in the apex court the government's orders blacklisting several citizens of 35 countries for alleged involvement in activities, have been withdrawn.

The Solicitor General had said that petitioners who are before the apex court would be "free to leave" India subject to any other pending proceedings including order passed by the court requiring their presence.

"Solicitor General has also, in all fairness, submitted that if the concerned petitioners tender apology, as envisaged by the Madras High Court in the concerned criminal case, the said petitioners can be permitted to leave India despite the pendency of the criminal case but subject to such orders that may be passed by the concerned trial court," the bench had said in its order.

As per the information available, 205 FIRs have been lodged against foreign members by 11 states and 2,765 such foreigners have been blacklisted so far, the Centre had said in its affidavit.

Of these, visas of 2,679 foreigners (including 9 Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders) have been cancelled, it had said, adding that remaining 86 include Nepalese nationals who do not require visa.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
One of the major drawbacks of a face mask is that it hides the wearers smile.

Baltimore-based ClearMask LLC has solved that problem by developing a transparent mask that reveals a persons facial expressions and visual cues while still blocking droplets and particles. This week the company announced that it has received initial approval from the Food and Drug Administration for the medical-grade version of its surgical mask.

The FDAs 501(k) clearance allows the company to manufacture the masks.

After three years of research, development, and testing, we are thrilled to bring a human-centered mask to everyone who needs it, especially those who can benefit from improved visual communication, such as children, older adults, deaf and hard of hearing people, and those who do not speak the same language, Allysa Dittmar, president of ClearMask, stated in a news release.

Besides health care organizations, the privately held company envisions schools, stores and hotels making use of the masks.

The medical version of the ClearMask offers ASTM Level 3 fluid protection for heavy levels of aerosols, spray and/or fluids that health care workers are likely to encounter. All ClearMasks are designed to be fog-proof.

The mask was devised by graduate students and alumni of Johns Hopkins University after the companys deaf co-founder experienced the frustration of being unable to communicate with doctors and nurses after her surgery.

The company sells its non-medical mask in a box of 24 masks at a reduced price. It says it has been bought by state emergency management agencies and other essential emergency workers.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here.

Newsom: San Francisco likely to be removed from state watch list Thursday

Email to employees says Farallon Restaurant will close permanently

Target profits, sales soar as shoppers shift from essentials to electronics, furnishings

Woman filmed hurling racist insults, breaking COVID rules at Dolores Park

How long coronavirus lasts on metal, glass, plastic and other surfaces



Mike Moffitt is an SFGATE Reporter. Email: moffitt@sfgate.com. Twitter: @Mike_at_SFGate
A nanny in China has been punished by police after she was caught savagely slapping an 11-month-old boy while looking after the baby alone.

Security camera footage shows the woman spoon-feeding the infant before suddenly hitting the childs face multiple times.

The 54-year-old, known by her surname Zhang, told the authorities that she was feeling resentful from being scolded by the boys parents before the incident.

A nanny in China has been punished by police after she was caught savagely slapping an 11-month-old boy while looking after the baby alone at the boy's home in Heilongjiang province

Ms Zhang was fined and given 10-day detention after the boys parents discovered the incident through the CCTV camera and contacted police in north-eastern province Heilongjiang.

The boys mother was said to be watching the live surveillance footage when she spotted the horrifying scene last Tuesday.

The nanny is seen in the CCTV footage feeding the boy with a spoon while the infant was sitting on a high chair.

While the child was eating the food, Ms Zhang suddenly slapped the boy twice to make him let go of the spoon.

The woman then hit the baby again while cleaning his mouth with a wipe. She is said to have slapped the youngster five times within the two-minute clip.

Ms Zhang can be heard saying to the boy in the video: Youre just looking to be smacked.

Security camera footage shows the 54-year-old Chinese woman, known by her surname Zhang, spoon-feeding the infant before suddenly hitting the childs face multiple times

Shocked by what they saw, the parents checked through the security footage and spotted the nanny violently pushing their child to the ground a few days earlier.

The boy is seen in the video tottering towards Ms Zhang who was scrolling on her phone. He was elbowed by the woman before falling to the floor and hitting his head.

The family immediately contacted the police and the recruitment agency that employed Ms Zhang after watching through the footage.

While being questioned by officers, the nanny claimed that she hit the baby because she was feeling irritated from previously being scolded by the parents.

Police gave Ms Zhang 10-day detention and a fine of 500 yuan (55) as punishment, according to Pear Video.
A fire broke out on Tuesday evening in the protocol department in the North block of the Kerala Secretariat, which houses important offices, in state capital Thiruvananthapuram, but was brought under control, said fire and rescue department sources.

The sources said the fire broke out at section II of the protocol section under the General Administration Department around 4.45pm and was brought under control soon after. According to primary reports, a few files, documents and computers are reported to have been burned in the blaze.

The incident happened a day after the assistant protocol officer MS Harikrishnan was summoned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the gold smuggling case at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport.

Soon after, the opposition said the fire was a conspiracy to destroy evidence in the case. Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala demanded a comprehensive probe, while state BJP president K Surendran said it was a sabotage to do away with evidence.

Very important files regarding the gold smuggling case have been completely destroyed. No backup file is available. This is a suspicious case. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is responsible for this," Chennithala said, adding he will meet the governor over the matter.

The agencies should investigate this because there are several files in the protocol section in connection with the gold smuggling case. It is an attempt to save the state Protocol Officer Shine Haq," the BJP leader said.

BJP and Congress leaders held a protest outside the Kerala Secretariat alleging the fire was a conspiracy to destroy evidence in connection with the smuggling case. Surendran, who reached the spot with other party leaders, was taken into police custody and later released. Mediapersons who reached the spot were evicted immediately, while some alleged they were manhandled by security officers.

After protests, Chennithala and MLA VS Sivakumar were allowed inside the secretariat.

Files containing details about the gold smuggling case, including those sought by the NIA and other probe agencies in connection with Minister KT Jaleel were purposefully burnt," news agency ANI quoted Surendran as saying. BJP leaders, including me, were arrested when we visited the place to bring out the truth."

Later on Tuesday, an expert committee was set up to look into the incident of fire. The committee, which will be headed by Disaster Management Commissioner Koushik, will submit its report in a week. The state crime branch will also initiate a probe, which will be led by ADGP Manoj Abraham.

P Honey, Additional Secretary of the Housekeeping Cell at the Secretariat, said a short circuit from a computer is suspected to have triggered the blaze. No important files have been destroyed. They are all safe," he said.

There were only two people in the office as the remaining staff had gone on quarantine, he said, adding they were not injured.

The protocol section operates on the second floor of the building of the secretariat.

The NIA had asked the state protocol officer to furnish details of diplomatic consignments that arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport in the last four years as part of the probe into the gold smuggling case. Harikrishnan had appeared before the NIA officials on Monday. It was his second visit to the NIA office in Kochi in connection with the case.

(With inputs from N Srinath in Kochi)
Mumbai, Aug 25 : As Sanjay Dutt takes a break for medical attention after reportedly being diagnosed with lung cancer, his wife Maanayata Dutt offered a prayer to lord Ganesha, seeking peace, protection and positivity.

"Sands are shifting... God... protect your peace... answer your prayers," she wrote on her verified Instagram page, tagging her post with #love, #grace, #positivity, #dutts, #ganpatibappamorya, #beautifullife, #thankyougod.

Maanayata wrote the post along with a picture of their children, twins Shahraan and Iqra. In the picture, the twins strike a similar smiling pose for the camera.

Sanjay's eldest daughter Trishala Dutt reacted to the picture with a folded hand and heart emojis.

On August 11, Dutt, who was hospitalised a few days before that owing to breathing problem and chest discomfort, shared that he was taking a break for medical treatment.

Although the 61-year-old actor or his family members did not reveal anything officially, trade analyst and film industry insider Komal Nahta soon confirmed that Dutt has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

"Sanjay Dutt diagnosed with lung cancer. Let's pray for his speedy recovery," tweeted Nahta on his verified Twitter account, @KomalNahta.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 05:19:05|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

JERUSALEM, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israel is advancing a new economic plan that will include increased grants for negative income tax recipients, the Prime Minister's Office said on Tuesday.

Negative income tax grants are already given by the state to low-income workers, in order to encourage participation in the labor market.

Currently, Israel's unemployment rate stands at 20.7 percent with more than 847,000 jobless people, compared to only 3.9 percent with 162,500 people unemployed just before the pandemic outbreak in the country in late February.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Israel Katz are currently advancing the plan following a series of discussions.

The discussions, chaired by Netanyahu and Katz, were attended by Governor of the Bank of Israel Amir Yaron, the head of the National Economic Council, Avi Simhon, and other senior officials.

"The finance minister and I are currently talking about submitting additional economic plans, including the promotion of a negative income tax, in order to encourage and reward going to work, and we have more plans on the way," Netanyahu was quoted as saying. Enditem
Ashley Kemp, executive director of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, said Ethics Rule 2.4 prohibits the use of public funds or resources, such as computers or time, to influence the results of an election for state office or a state question.

And she said generally, anyone with personal knowledge of any potential violation of the ethics rules may file a complaint with the commission following the process in the ethics rules.

But she said she will not comment on whether any activity is possibly illegal or inappropriate.

Asked whether Epic, which is the name used publicly by a nonprofit whose legal name is Community Strategies Inc., is prohibited from sending election-related messages as a nonprofit entity, Kemp responded: Whether activities of 501(c)(3)s under the tax code are permissible is a question for the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) not the Ethics Commission.

Tulsa World readers sent in screenshots of Epics email. Epic did not respond to the Worlds request for its original email message to parents but confirmed it had sent it.

Its spokesman declined to specify whether all students parents had been sent the email or only a select group.
New Delhi, Aug 25 (UNI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Tuesday said India and Portugal share a warm and cordial relationship which has grown stronger under the capable leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa.

Mr Birla held a virtual meeting with Mr Duarte Pacheco, MP, Parliament of Portugal and candidate for Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Presidential Election 2020, at the Parliament House here.

The Speaker further mentioned that India and Portugal have deepened their relationship in diverse areas of mutual interest such as science and technology, defence, shipping, education, and culture.

Mr Birla also welcomed the formation of a Parliamentary friendship group to strengthen Parliamentary diplomacy and deepen the relationship between the two nations.

In his meeting with Mr Pacheco, he welcomed Mr Pachecos candidature for IPU Presidential Election 2020.

Mr Birla said Mr Pacheco has an extensive experience in public life and has also led the IPU delegation of Portugal. The Speaker also mentioned that according to IPU Convention, the next President should come from the '12 Plus' Group.

In his response, Mr Duarte Pacheco thanked Mr Birla, observing that besides being the largest working democracy, India is also an important and vocal member of the IPU. He hoped that India and Portugal would further strengthen their partnership on important global issues.

UNI RSA SHK1952
People gesture as they take part in a rally against presidential election results near the Ministry of Education in Minsk on August 25, 2020. (Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Belarus Jails Two Opposition Leaders; Teachers Head Rally of Thousands

MINSKBelarus jailed two opposition leaders for 10 days on Tuesday as the government pursued a crackdown on the few figures still at large, while schoolteachers led a new protest of thousands against President Alexander Lukashenko.

Despite most major opposition figures being in jail or exile, Lukashenko has so far failed to put down protests against his 26-year-old rule, more than two weeks after an election his opponents say was rigged.

People attend an opposition demonstration to protest against presidential election results at the Independence Square in Minsk on August 25, 2020. (Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Olga Kovalkova and Siarhei Dyleuski were brought to separate courts where they were each jailed for 10 days. Kovalkova is the main representative still in Belarus of opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Dyleuski has led strikes at Minsks flagship tractor factory.

Both are senior figures in an opposition Coordination Council, set up last week with the self-described aim of negotiating with the authorities. They were arrested on Monday.

Lukashenko has accused the new council of attempting to seize power, and prosecutors have launched a criminal case.

People gesture as they take part in a rally against presidential election results near the Ministry of Education in Minsk on August 25, 2020. (Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

In the latest protest, thousands gathered on Tuesday at the ministry of education to demonstrate against a threat by Lukashenko to fire any schoolteachers who do not support his government. Rallies have typically attracted thousands during the week, swelling to tens of thousands on weekends.

I have come so that teachers are not afraid, so that their voice can be heard, so that they can work even if they have a different view from the authorities, said a literature teacher who gave her name as Svetlana.

Lukashenko has denied election cheating. He has called the protesters rats and says they are funded from abroad.

A girl covers with an old Belarusian National flag as people stand near the place where Alexander Taraikovsky died amid the clashes protesting the election results, in Minsk, on Aug. 24, 2020. (Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Photo)

His posturing has grown steadily more confrontational: in recent days he has been pictured on state television with a Kalashnikov rifle and tactical vest. Yet so far, a long-standing threat of a decisive police operation to clear the streets has yet to materialize.

Another opposition council member, Pavel Latushko, a former culture minister and head of the main state drama theater, was questioned by investigators on Tuesday but not arrested. He emerged saying he would go back to work and the councils activities were not illegal.

The council includes dozens of figures representing broad swathes of society. Nobel Prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich has been summoned for questioning on Wednesday.

The intimidation will not work. We will not relent, candidate Tsikhanouskaya said in a video link with the European Parliament. We demand all political prisoners freed. We demand to stop the violence and intimidation by the authorities.

This image made from video shows Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko armed with a Kalashnikov-type rifle near the Palace of Independence in Minsk on Aug. 23, 2020. (State TV and Radio Company of Belarus via AP Photo)

Opposition

Tsikhanouskaya, 37, fled to Lithuania after the election her supporters say she won. A political novice, she emerged as the consensus opposition candidate after better-known figures were barred from standing, including her jailed activist husband.

Belarus is the closest ally to Russia of all former Soviet republics, and Lukashenkos fate is widely seen as in the hands of the Kremlin, which must decide whether to stick with him as his authority has ebbed.

There are signs Moscow still backs him. Russia has sent journalists to staff Belarus state TV after workers quit in protest against what they described as orders to broadcast propaganda.

People carry a portrait of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, former candidate for the presidential elections during opposition rally in front of the government building in Minsk on Aug. 17, 2020. (Sergei Grits/AP Photo)

Nevertheless, Lukashenko is seen in Moscow as a truculent and erratic ally, with a strained personal relationship with President Vladimir Putin.

The West has had to balance its sympathy for a nascent Belarusian pro-democracy movement with its concern that strong support would trigger a Russian-backed crackdown.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun was due in Moscow for talks on Tuesday after meeting Tsikhanouskaya on Monday in Lithuania.

The crisis also threatens to hurt the finances of a country with only limited foreign currency reserves. The Belarus rouble fell to a new low against the euro, and there have been queues at exchange points as Belarusians try to buy hard currency.

By Andrei Makhovsky
At a press briefing last week, President Donald Trump offered public encouragement to supporters of QAnon, an online fascistic conspiracy theory group that justifies violence against Trumps political opponents, including leaders of the Democratic Party such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Trump went out of his way to praise supporters of the online trend. He claimed not to know very much about QAnonalthough he has retweeted QAnon-linked material at least 200 times, according to Media Matters, a site that monitors right-wing media and internet activity.

Ive heard these are people that love our country, he said during a White House news briefing on the coronavirus. I dont know much about the movement other than I understand they like me very much, which I appreciate. But I dont know much about the movement.

Warming to the subject, Trump continued, These are people that dont like seeing whats going on in places like Portland and places like Chicago and other cities and states.

A man holds a Q sign waiting in line to enter a campaign rally with President Donald Trump in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on August 2, 2018 (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

It was after a reporter gave details about QAnon in a follow-up questionnoting that QAnon claims Trump is fighting a Satanic cult of child sex traffickers and cannibals linked to the Democratic Partythat the US president went beyond his previous arms-length posture.

Well, I havent heard that, but is that supposed to be a bad thing or a good thing? he replied. If I can help save the world from problems, Im willing to do it. Im willing to put myself out there.

Online message boards linked to QAnon immediately lit up, hailing Trumps reply as an endorsement of their demented and bigoted ravings.

At least one supporter of QAnon recently won a Republican primary in Georgia for a seat in the House of Representatives. The candidate, Marjorie Taylor Greene, is expected to win the general election in Georgias heavily Republican 14th Congressional District and become the first open QAnon backer in Congress.

Another supporter of the trend won the Republican primary for US Senate in Oregon, although Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley is a heavy favorite for reelection there. A total of 19 Republican congressional candidates have been linked to QAnon, although only two, Greene and Lauren Boebert in Colorados 3rd Congressional District, are considered likely to win seats.

Another ultra-right candidate, Laura Loomer, won the Republican nomination for Congress in Floridas 21th Congressional District, a heavily Democratic district currently held by Representative Lois Frankel.

The main significance of Loomers victory was that Trump is a resident of that district, which includes his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, and he likely voted for her in the primary, for which he requested a mail ballot. Trump effusively welcomed her candidacy. Great going Laura. You have a great chance against a Pelosi puppet! he tweeted on the night Loomer won the nomination.

Loomer is an ultra-Zionist and vitriolic Islamophobe, who has described Islam as a cancer on society and called for a non-Islamic form of Uber or Lyft because I never want to support another Islamic immigrant driver. She has been banned from most social media platforms because of her strident anti-Islamic bigotry.

In 2017, she retweeted a magazine headline about 2,000 migrants drowning in the Mediterranean and added an applause emoji and the words, Good. Heres to 2,000 more. She has also dismissed the terrorist attack in New Zealand, in which a fascist gunman murdered 50 Muslim worshippers at two mosques, declaring, Nobody cares about Christchurch.

Neither anti-immigrant racism nor fascistic conspiracy theories are too much for the Republican Party. Loomer was endorsed in the primary by Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida and Paul Gosar of Arizona, and Greene had the support of House Freedom Caucus leaders such as Andy Biggs of Arizona and Jim Jordan of Ohio.

According to a report in the Guardian, Greene had significant financial support from Mark Meadows, a former leader of the House Freedom Caucus who is now White House chief of staff, and other high-ranking Republican campaign donors.

The Your Voice Counts Political Action Committee, linked to Meadows, gave $2,000 to Greenes campaign in March. The RightWomen PAC, whose executive director is Meadowss wife Debbie, gave $17,500 to help Greene in her runoff victory against conservative Republican John Cowan. The House Freedom Fund spent more than $30,000 to support Greene and raised nearly $90,000 more from donors for her campaign, the Guardian wrote.

This explains why, when asked on several Sunday morning television interview programs about Trumps comments embracing QAnon, Meadows declined to condemn the conspiracy theory outlet, but instead attacked journalists for raising the subject. In response to a question from ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, Meadows flatly lied, saying of QAnon, I had to Google it to figure out what it is.

Other donors to Greene included Barb Van Andel-Gaby, chairman of the board at the Heritage Foundation, a leading right-wing think tank in Washington, and a member of the family that founded Amway, along with the late Richard DeVos, father of Dick DeVos, the billionaire husband of Trumps secretary of education.

The Guardian cited several other billionaires who had given money to Greene, including at least one who is Jewish, even though Greene traffics regularly in anti-Semitic attacks on liberal Jewish billionaire George Soros.

Supporters of QAnon have been arrested for real-world crimes that were politically motivated by materials posted on social media, including at least one would-be assassin of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. The army reservist who attempted to kill Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in July was also linked to QAnon.

According to a report Friday in the New York Times, the most open connection between the Republican Party and the fascist trend has developed in Texas, where the state Republican Party has launched a new campaign slogan, We Are the Storm. This is a direct overture to QAnon supporters, who frequently use that slogan to describe what they anticipate will be a military coup led by Trump that will end in the round-up and mass execution of his Democratic Party opponents.
Nokia Corporation NOK recently announced that its 7705 SAR-Hmc wireless service aggregation router has been certified for use on FirstNet. Created in a public-private partnership between the federal government and AT&T T, FirstNet is a nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to ensure public safety. It supports communications for more than 13,000 public safety agencies and organizations across the United States.



Nokias 7705 service aggregation router (SAR) delivers Time-division multiplexing (TDM) and IP/MPLS (Multi-protocol Label Switching) services, which makes it perfect for enterprises and governments. As part of Nokias Service Router product portfolio, the device runs the Nokia Service Router Operating System. It is managed by the Nokia Network Services Platform for end-to-end application delivery and management.



Importantly, FirstNet devices and modules go through an extensive review so first responders can be certain that Nokias 7705 SAR-Hmc meets the highest standards for reliability, security and performance. The 7705 has been designed for smart grid modernization and is proven in the utility market. In general, the device supports multiple services across a range of transport media including microwave, optical, copper and wireless. Its interface enables smooth migration from circuit-based to IP/MPLS-based transport to reduce operating costs and add new services.



With its FirstNet Ready router, Nokia now aims to provide secure wireless access for first responders anywhere in the country. Meanwhile, Nokia is making good progress in its Mobile Access business, while enhancing cash generation. The company aims to accelerate its product roadmaps and cost competitiveness through additional 5G investments in 2020. Nokia is witnessing a healthy momentum in its focus areas of software and enterprise, which augurs well for the licensing business.



The Finland-based telecom equipment maker is positioned to benefit from copper and fiber deployments of passive optical networking. The company also expanded its IP routing business into the data center market. Nokia seeks to expand its business into targeted, high-growth and high-margin vertical markets to address opportunities beyond its primary markets.



Nokias shares have added 21.2% in the past six months compared with 26.9% growth of the industry. The company has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 15.6% compared with the industrys 15.1%.





Story continues







Currently, Nokia carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).



Some other top-ranked stocks in the broader industry are Plantronics, Inc. PLT and Acacia Communications, Inc. ACIA, both sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



Plantronics has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 540%, on average. The companys earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters.



Acacia has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 17%, on average. The companys earnings topped the consensus estimate in three of the last four quarters.

The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All

Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.



See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>



Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



ATT Inc. (T) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Nokia Corporation (NOK) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Plantronics, Inc. (PLT) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Acacia Communications, Inc. (ACIA) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
With no new coronavirus cases and a stunning new hairdo, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had two reasons to smile on Tuesday morning.

There were fears a new COVID-19 cluster could explode in the state after six people connected to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre at Wacol, in the city's south-west, were diagnosed at the weekend.

But after a massive testing effort on Monday, with more than 8,000 Queenslanders coming forward, no new cases were recorded in the 24 hours to Tuesday.

Showcasing her newly cut, glossy locks, Ms Palaszczuk addressed Australia in a slimming white jacket and scarlet lipstick.

'It is wonderful news that we have had zero overnight cases,' she said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk showcased her glamorous new hairstyle on Tuesday

The new hair is starkly different to Ms Palaszczuk's previous style (pictured)

Large queues were seen on the Gold Coast as hundreds of people were told to go home late Monday evening and return to swamped testing centres on Tuesday

There are 18 active cases of coronavirus in Queensland, with only one new case on Monday: a relative of a worker at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre.

The detention facility is linked to Queensland's first community outbreak in more than a month, since two young women allegedly lied on their border declaration passes and snuck into the Sunshine State after visiting Victoria.

Diana Lasu, 21, Olivia Winnie Muranga, 19, later tested positive for coroanvirus sparking fears of a huge outbreak.

Both women and their friend Haja Timbo, 21, have been charged under the public health act with one count each of providing false or misleading documents and fraud. If convicted they face up to five years in jail and fines of up to $13,345.

Five workers from the detention centre, and five family members, have now tested positive.

Queensland Health released a list of 29 at-risk locations throughout Brisbane which could have been exposed to coronavirus.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the outbreak is likely linked to the two young women who allegedly lied their way into the state.

'It looks like this cluster has the same viral strain as one of the young women who went down to Melbourne ... at this stage it does look like it could be linked,' she said.

More than 8,000 Queenslanders were tested on Monday (Gold Coast University Hospital testing centre queue pictured) with the premier acknowledging the long queues

Dr Young is urging Queenslanders in the area to keep getting tested, as she believes there may have been a missed case, which has led to community transmission.

'We will need to continue those testing levels for the next week to just make sure that there is not a case that we have missed,' she said.

'I am beginning to think that is what has happened with this detention cluster.

'So now we have that early genome sequencing information.'

Haja Timbo (pictured) was identified as the third woman who allegedly provided misleading documents at the Queensland border after visiting Melbourne

Diana Lasu (right), 21, and Olivia Winnie Muranga (left), 19, allegedly lied on their border declarations about where they had been when they arrived in Brisbane from Melbourne via Sydney on July 21

Ten cases have now been linked to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre at Wacol (pictured)

Ms Palaszczuk, who usually wears her hair straight or tied up in a ponytail, is single, but says finding love in her line of work is 'almost impossible'.

'If the right person came along, I would be open to it but...I'm not going to settle (for anyone),' she told the Courier Mail.

'It's simply not true that we all need a partner to be fulfilled. It's lovely when it's the right person, of course, but it is very possible to be single and very happy.'

Residents in south-east Queensland are being urged to wear masks whenever they find themselves in crowded places.

Hundreds of people were turned away from testing centres in the Gold Coast on Monday and told to return on Tuesday.

Queenslanders are pictured queueing to be tested for COVID-19 at the Gold Coast University Hospital

This map shows the local government areas currently impacted by the latest restrictions following a COVID-19 outbreak in the community

Gyms, nail salons, grocery stores and takeaway restaurants have been on high alert since Sunday.

From August 9th to August 21st, infected Queenslanders visited 29 locations up to 43 times, potentially exposing thousands of people to the deadly respiratory virus.

Queensland health authorities were forced to limit indoor and outdoor gatherings in the state's southeast to ten people.

There is also a 30-person limit on gatherings elsewhere in the state and aged care homes were also put on lockdown.

'We're concerned about this (detention centre) cluster because people have been out and about in the community,' Ms Palaszczuk said over the weekend.

Ms Palaszczuk has been slammed for her tight border restrictions, with critics arguing they are destroying the economy without providing any guaranteed safety (pictured, the border on August 7)
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of the Governing Council and appointment of Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, NCPD.

The appointment is in line with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2019.

Personal Assistant to the President on New Media, Bashir Ahmed disclosed this via his twitter handle on Monday evening.

According to the (Prohibition) Act 2019, the commission shall be harder by a part time Chairman and six members who shall be persons with Disabilities representing the geo-political zones of the Federation subject you confirmation of the Senate for four years term of office in the first instance and maybe and maybe reappointed for a second term of four years and no more.

The Executive Secretary, who shall be responsible to the Council for the implementation of the policies and administrations of the daily affairs of the commission shall also be persons with Disabilities with a five year tenure Inn the first instance and maybe reappointed for a second term of four years and no more, Bashir explained.
SANTA FE  A state Council for Racial Justice, created by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, dived into several weighty issues Monday during its first meeting.

While no votes were taken, issues discussed by the groups members included expanded law enforcement training, banning the use of tear gas, access to paid sick leave and an analysis of state-level racial disparities.

Alexandria Taylor, the director of sexual assault services for a state coalition of rape crisis centers, was appointed chairwoman of the council.

She said she wants the group to eventually prioritize three or four issues that could be recommended to lawmakers before the 60-day legislative session that starts in January.

We really want to have an impact and see things happen, Taylor said.

Lujan Grisham created the advisory council this summer after the killing of George Floyd, an African American man, by Minneapolis police officers sparked protests around the nation, including in New Mexico.

The governor tuned in to the remote meeting  to listen and take copious notes, she said  that was accessible to media members but not the general public.

Meanwhile, a separate nine-member state Civil Rights Commission has also started its work. The commission was created under legislation passed by lawmakers during a June special session and is required to provide recommendations by mid-November.

Its work is focused specifically on civil rights issues, including the legal doctrine of qualified immunity that protects law enforcement officers and other public officials from facing personal lawsuits for most types of actions while on the job.
France recorded a new post-lockdown record of new Covid-19 cases on Sunday; the virus has also bounced back in Spain, Italy and Germany. Death rates remain low as the virus is mainly circulating among young people, but experts say social-distancing measures should be tightened to stop the pandemic severely affecting the more vulnerable elderly once more.

France reported 4,897 new coronavirus cases on August 23  the third time in the past week that the daily figure has surpassed 4,000, and the highest tally since the country emerged in May from the two-month lockdown that held the virus back. The score was down to 1,955 on Monday, although the number tends to be artificially low at the start of the week as there is a lag in processing results over the weekend.

In Spain a strict lockdown ending in May wrestled the caseload down, only for the coronavirus to bounce back from early July onwards, with the daily tally reaching 6,900 on August 22. The countrys worst-affected region, Catalonia, banned gatherings of more than 10 people on Monday to try to reduce transmission of Covid-19.

Confirmed new cases topped 1,000 in Italy on Sunday, the highest since the lockdown ended in May  just weeks after the figure was running at some 200 a day. Germany has also seen an uptick in cases over recent weeks, reporting on Saturday its highest daily number of new coronavirus cases since the pandemics peak in April.

Journalists and politicians have frequently referred to a resurgence in Covid-19 as a second wave. However, the World Health Organisation stated in July that this term is inaccurate and that it would be preferable to describe Covid-19 as having one big wave, seeing as the virus never went away and does not follow seasonal variations like influenza pandemics, such as the 1918-20 Spanish flu.

The key thing is that Covid-19 never went away from these European countries, and when you get low levels of the virus still present, you release the lockdown measures and you get more people interacting, particularly indoors, its almost inevitable that you would see the cases go up, Linda Bauld, a professor of public health at Edinburgh University, told FRANCE 24.

Story continues

Covid disappeared from our minds

Frances recrudescence in confirmed cases was not just caused by increased testing, Health Minister Olivier Veran told weekly paper Le Journal de Dimanche on Sunday.

The fact that the proportion of positive tests is rising in Spain, France, Italy, Germany and the UK  and most sharply in Spain and France  suggests a real increase in the incidence of infection in all these countries, explained Claire Standley, an assistant professor at Georgetown Universitys Center for Global Health Science and Security, in an interview with FRANCE 24.

Covid-19 is four times more prevalent among under 40s than among over 65s in France. Most of the transmission is taking place at festive gatherings of young people without social-distancing measures, Veran said.

In Italy, the government shut nightclubs earlier in August due to clusters of young people catching Covid-19 there, while German public health body the Robert Koch Institute has said that a substantial number of its new cases are among returning holidaymakers, in particular young people.

Post-lockdown France has seen some instances of a generational clash  notably in Brittany last month, where a cluster of cases among beachgoers in their twenties prompted a livid reaction from the French governments top official in the region, excoriating irresponsible young people ignoring the danger. Since then, illegal parties on weekends in Paris Bois de Vincennes park and a four-day, non-stop rave in early August in Frances southern Cevennes region have captured the medias attention.

A French ARTE TV documentary broadcast in June titled The End of the Coronavirus? showed a group of young people at a Parisian cafe terrace refraining from social distancing and the use of face masks. I think Covid has disappeared from our minds, one of them said. From the moment we could go out at the end of the lockdown, it was like the virus had gone, she continued.

In much of western Europe, it is largely the younger groups who are out and about, mixing, taking advantage of the lockdowns being released, with gatherings of young people at hospitality venues such as bars and at house parties responsible for a significant number of coronavirus clusters, Bauld pointed out.

Many young people contracting the virus have been asymptomatic or experience fewer health problems. Indeed, the number of deaths per day has remained low in France  seldom exceeding 30 over the past couple of months. This figure was in the hundreds throughout the lockdown, surpassing 1,000 several times.

Across Europe weve seen a very significant reduction in hospital admissions and the use of intensive care beds, and large reductions in deaths, largely because the increased infections are mostly among younger adults, said Bauld.

In many countries older people are being much more cautious, for good reason, because the risk is so much higher, Lynn Goldman, dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, told FRANCE 24.

Risk of exponential transmission

But while serious cases are relatively rare for the young, Georgetown University's Standley cautioned that there are still many examples of younger people, including those without known underlying illnesses, who experience severe disease, hospitalisation, and even death  including a 16-year-old girl who became Frances youngest victim of the disease in March.

As transmission rates rise within one age group, it is likely that there will be spillover to older, more vulnerable age groups as well, especially if transmission is widespread within the community and individual cases are not adequately tracked and traced, Standley continued.

Despite such risks, European governments don't want to impose lockdowns again  after the successful but gruelling confinements in the spring provoked brutal economic recessions. Emmanuel Macron ruled it out in France on August 20, telling Paris Match magazine that we cant shut down the country again because it would cause too much collateral damage.

Instead, the French president continued, local strategies should be used to control the virus. On August 19, Toulouse became the first French city to make face masks compulsory in all outdoor places. Face masks were already compulsory on French public transport and enclosed public spaces, while many local councils  of beach towns like St. Tropez and Le Touquet, as well as big cities such as Paris and Lyon  have mandated them in busy outdoor areas. On a nationwide level, the French labour ministry recommends working from home for those who can do so.

Such measures will have to be tightened if France and its neighbours want to stop the pandemic spiralling out of control again, Standley argued, adding: I am concerned countries in Europe are not acting more decisively right now, in light of increasing case numbers, to curb transmission. High levels of community transmission now  while people still can socialise outdoors and hopefully reduce (though not eliminate!) their risk of exposure  are what will drive exponential transmission in the coming weeks and months.
A celebrity photographer's ten-year-old autistic son was given a sleeping drug and had a sponge placed in his mouth before he died, an inquest heard today.

Dylan Freeman's body was discovered at the family's home in Acton, West London, on August 16. His mother, Russian national Olga Freeman, was charged with murder and remanded in custody until her next appearance at the Old Bailey.

An inquest opening today heard that the 40-year-old mother, who had recently been prescribed antidepressants, had administered her son with a sleeping drug.

She then placed a sponge in his mouth and tied it in place with a bra before calling her friend to tell her what she had done, West London Coroner's Court was told.

Mrs Freeman, the boy's sole carer and the ex-wife of photographer Dean Freeman, is then said to have turned herself in at Acton police station where she was arrested.

Olga Freeman, 40, holds the arm of her ten-year-old son Dylan in an undated photograph

A court artist's impression of Olga Freeman as she appeared at the Old Bailey on August 19

Coroner Chinyere Inyama said: 'Dylan had many additional needs and suffered from autism and Cohen syndrome, partial sight, speech language and mobility issues.

'The mother called a friend in the early hours of morning and stated to the friend that she had killed her son.'

Mr Inyama added that the mother administered a sleeping aid and then 'placed a sponge in his mouth and held it in place by tying it with a bra'.

After Mrs Freeman turned herself in, officers rushed to the address but found the boy lifeless, the inquest heard.

Mrs Freeman is pictured her well-known celebrity photographer husband Dean Freeman

Dylan's body was discovered at the family's home in Acton, West London, on August 16

One of Dylan's teachers identified his body at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London on August 20, the hearing was told.

The coroner confirmed he was satisfied with the provisional cause of death as 'upper airway obstruction by a foreign body.'

He added: 'There is no evidence of any other injuries as a result of assault or restraint.'

The inquest was adjourned until March 5 next year while criminal proceedings continue.

Forensic teams arrive at the scene in Acton on August 16 after the boy was discovered dead

A police officer opens a car door as detectives investigate in West London on August 18

A spokesman for the boy's father said he was in Spain at the time of his son's death.

Paying tribute to his son, Mr Freeman said: 'Dylan was a beautiful, bright, inquisitive and artistic child who loved to travel, visit art galleries and swim.

'We travelled extensively over the years together spending such memorable time in places including Brazil, France and Spain. I can't begin to comprehend his loss.'

Mr Freeman said he has been 'touched' by the messages of support he had received.

The mother is due to appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing at the Old Bailey on November 4.
The $600 million takeover of Australian drinks company Lion by a Chinese firm has been blocked by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on national security grounds.

Mengniu Dairy, which is 25 per cent owned by the Chinese government, had agreed to buy Lion from Japanese parent company Kirin last year.

Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board cleared the deal in February but Mr Frydenberg has now stepped in to prevent it, as the political and trade war between the two nations stepped up.

A Chinese dairy company has pulled out of a $600million deal to buy Aussie drinks maker Lion, which owns Diary Farmers milk (pictured), amid tensions between Canberra and Beijing

Lion is behind several beer brands including James Squire and Tooheys, and milk brands including Farmers Union and Dairy Farmers.

The Treasurer told Daily Mail Australia that he decided not to approve the deal because he believed it would be 'contrary to the national interest'.

But Chinese media insists there is no national security threat and the move is part of the political tensions between Australia and China.

Chinese news site The Global Times, a mouthpiece for the Communist Party government, wrote: 'Banning a Chinese company from buying an Australian dairy brand doesn't make much economic sense.

'It would show that bilateral relations will continue on a downward spiral, with the Australian side willing to risk its global reputation in order to maintain a tough line against China in all aspects.'

Lion is behind several beer brands including James Squire, Tooheys and XXXX

Liu Qing of the China Institute of International Studies told the newspaper the move is a 'provocation' by Australia which will bring retaliation from China.

Lion said in a statement: 'Lion notes that China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited has been awaiting the outcome of the Foreign Investment Review Board review of its proposed purchase of Lion Dairy & Drinks.

'Given this approval is unlikely to be forthcoming at this time, Lion and Mengniu Dairy have mutually agreed to cease the current sale process.

'We are disappointed with this outcome and will now consider pathways forward in relation to the Lion Dairy & Drinks business.'

The sale of Lion-Dairy would have advanced Kirin's strategy of offloading underperforming assets.

Kirin said cancellation of the deal was 'unfortunate' but 'the revival and restructuring of Lion-Dairy and Drinks are a top priority'.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said: 'I have been advised that Lion Dairy & Drinks Pty Ltd and China Mengniu Dairy Company Ltd have mutually agreed to not proceed with the sale process.

'This follows the communication of my preliminary view to Mengniu Dairy that the proposed acquisition would be contrary to the national interest.'

China has launched an anti-dumping investigation into wines imported from Australia in a major threat to the $6billion industry (pictured, a woman browsing wine in Beijing)

The canceled deal was the latest salvo in an ongoing tit-for-tat trade war between the nations which emerged in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and Australia's support for an inquiry into China's role in spreading it.

Last week China launched an anti-dumping investigation into wines imported from Australia in a major threat to the $6billion industry.

The 12-month inquiry, which could lead to huge tariffs, will look into whether Australian winemakers 'dumped' cheap bottles into China to drown out local producers between 2015 and 2019.

But Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said he was 'perplexed' by the move because Australian wines in China are expensive, and only cheaper than New Zealand's bottles.

The move came after China threatened 'further action' last month when Canberra cancelled its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and extended visas for its residents.

Thousands fear they could be unfairly arrested under China's new national security law, but the policy only further inflamed tensions between Australia and the communist regime.

After Canberra led global calls for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19, China retaliated by slapping an 80 per cent tariff on Australian barley, suspending beef imports and telling students and tourists not to travel Down Under, in an apparent attempt to damage the Australian economy.

In June, Scott Morrison said cyber-attacks by a state-based actors have increased dramatically in recent weeks and targeted 'all levels of government' as well as 'critical infrastructure'.

Security chiefs said the hackers are using the so-called 'spear-phishing' method to steal sensitive login details by sending scam emails, and carrying out regular 'reconnaissance' to find weak points in Australia's defences.

Intelligence sources said the attacker was China.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25

Trend:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Peoples Poet Fikrat Goja.

Dear Fikrat Goja,

I extend my congratulations to you  a prominent representative of modern Azerbaijani literature  as you celebrate your 85th anniversary, and wish you robust health and new successes, the head of state wrote.

With your unique style of expression and writing style you have made valuable contributions to the treasury of the Azerbaijani poetry, skillfully benefiting both from the bright traditions of Azerbaijani literature and achievements of world poetry. Your poetry, which is rich in lyrical and philosophical generalizations and dominated by a strong sense of innovation, is the embodiment of the unity of tradition and innovation. Today, everyone remembers a great number of songs composed to the poetic pieces written by you with love and respect for our language, Azerbaijani president wrote.

Your activity, which has become an expression of a poet's sensitive approach to world events, has always brought with it a deep social content. Worthy of high assessment are your poems in which you have always focused on praising the principles of freedom and independence, as well as your continuous productive activity aimed at enriching Azerbaijani literature with new achievements and developing modern literary processes in the light of the ideas of Azerbaijanism.

I hope that you will continue serving our people with your new works for many years to come, President Ilham Aliyev said
A high profile Trump supporter and health-rights activist has used the death of British baby Charlie Gard to attack Joe Biden and the Democrats plans for socialised medicine.

In a delivery on the first night of the Republican National Convention, cancer survivor Natalie Harp claimed Britains National Health Service decided that it was too expensive and too cruel to keep him alive.

The toddler, who suffered from the extremely rare condition mitochondrial depletion syndrome, died in 2017 after authorities at Londons Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) said there was no chance of him recovering. They opposed the request of his parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, who wanted to take their 11-month-old son to the US for experimental treatment.

A court in the UK, and an appeal court in Europe, agreed with hospital officials that the treatment available in the US stood no prospect of success and that further treatment would continue to cause Charlie significant harm.

Ms Harp, a member of the Trump campaign advisory board, praised Mr Trumps support of treatments that have not been fully tested, something that has become known as the right to try.

 Matt Gaetz tells RNC that Democrats want to invite MS-13 gangsters to come and live 'next door'

Fox News said that before the measure passed, Ms Harp had failed two rounds of chemotherapy, was rejected from clinical trials and was quickly running out of options.

After Mr Trump signed the legislation into law, she was allowed to explore experimental treatment opportunities as well as find new doctors and medications.

Now, with the coronavirus, everyone knows what that feels like to be waiting for a cure  but weve only been waiting a few months. Just imagine what 2020 wouldve looked like, fighting for your life, without Donald Trump fighting for it too, Ms Harp said.

In Joe Bidens America, China would control our drug production. Wed be one step closer to government-run healthcare. We wouldnt just be unable to keep our doctors, wed be lucky if we could see any doctor.

She claimed some of us would be denied care, for in socialised medicine, you dont beat the odds.

You become the odds, she added. And I would lose my right to try, just like Charlie Gard, that terminally ill British baby whose government-run health care system decided it was too expensive and too cruel to keep him alive.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  The filing deadline for prospective write-in candidates passed Monday with no one challenging any of five Cuyahoga County Council members seeking new terms during the Nov. 3 election, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

That means four of the five incumbents face no opposition in the partisan races. But Dyrone Smith, a Libertarian who ran a long-shot campaign for Cleveland mayor in 2017, is running as an independent against Council Vice President Pernel Jones Jr..

Jones represents District 8, which includes portions of Cleveland, along with Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, Cuyahoga Heights and Newburgh Heights.

Running unopposed are:

-Democratic Councilman Dale Miller of District 2, representing Brook Park, Lakewood and portions of Cleveland.

-Democratic Councilman Scott Tuma of District 4, representing Parma, Middleburg Heights and Parma Heights

-Republican Councilman Jack Schron of District 6, representing several east side communities including Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Independence, Mayfield Heights, Seven Hills and Solon.

-Democratic Councilwoman Cheryl Stephens of District 10, representing East Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, University Heights, Bratenahl and portions of Cleveland.

Nonpartisan candidate Danielle Dronet had filed to run against Stephens in the general election, but Dronet was removed as a candidate after the board of elections found she failed to collect enough signatures to make the ballot.

The terms of the remaining six council members, four Democrats and two Republicans, expire in 2022.

The part-time positions pay $52,884 a year.
Wellington: Families of victims gunned down at two New Zealand mosques last year urged a judge to impose the toughest possible sentence  life without parole  on the gunman as he showed no remorse and appeared to smirk at one survivor during a sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

Mirwais Waziri, who was wounded during the attack at Christchurch's Al Noor mosque, put aside his prepared court statement and addressed white supremacist Brenton Tarrant directly, after seeing that he did not have "any regrets, any shame in his eyes".

Survivor Mirwais Waziri speaks directly to Brenton Tarrant at Tarrant's sentencing hearing on Tuesday. Credit:Getty Images

"He does not regret anything," said Waziri in the High Court in Christchurch on the second day of the sentencing hearing.

"Today you are called terrorist and you proved to the world that us Muslims are not terrorists. I say to the people of New Zealand that terrorists do not have religion, race and colour," Waziri said, his words drawing applause from the public gallery.
Supporters of Enbridges Line 5 came out in droves for an online Monday night hearing, almost overpowering the voices of opponents to the controversial dual pipeline that runs, in part, under the Straits of Mackinac.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is reviewing an application by Enbridge to build a tunnel to house its pipeline.

Enbridge is asking if it currently has the authority to remove the section of Line 5 that carries crude oil and natural gas liquids under the Straits of Mackinac and replace it with a new line housed inside a multi-use tunnel and buried under the bedrock of the Straits.

About 55 people spoke during an online hearing about the fate of the controversial Enbridge Line 5 pipeline, more than half of them in support. In the past, before coronavirus, protesters would flock to any meeting or hearing on the controversial line, carrying signs and chanting. But in the online format, more than half of the voices heard were in support of the tunnel project.

The Enbridge Line 5 replacement projects protects good paying jobs and our economy, while at the same time safeguarding the environment, said Randie Pearson, a rapid response coordinator for the United Steelworkers International Union. This project provides an environmentally sound solution at no cost to the taxpayer.

But opponents continue to say the current, 63-year-old line is unsafe and efforts to build a new tunnel would further delay getting the line out of the water  and possibly upset wildlife and the environment during the build. They want Line 5 shut down for good.

The tunnel would serve only one purpose, housing a pipeline that benefits a private corporation not the people of Michigan, said Sean McBrearty Michigan legislative and policy director for Clean Water Action. This project has no demonstrable public benefit, safer alternatives exist, and this project has huge potential to harm our public trust resources.

The first hour and a half of the meeting was flooded with support for Line 5, which carries oil and natural gas liquids under the Straits of Mackinac. Supporters included trade union officials, Republican and Democratic lawmakers, and Enbridge employees.

But while everyone was allowed to speak that wanted to, opponents of Enbridge accused the company of flooding the meeting with supporters and drowning out the voice of those that oppose Line 5 and the tunnel project.

It is clear the industry allies, flooded this pre-registration for the comment period and have largely shut out the publics voice on this issue, said Beth Wallace, manager, Conservation Partnerships with the National Wildlife Federation.

Enbridge spokesman, Ryan Duffy later denied the accusation saying, We dont have any control over the order of speakers and we welcome the wide-ranging public input that is part of the hearings.

Canadian pipeline giant Enbridge has been working for years to start building a $500 million tunnel to house a new section of the Line 5 oil pipeline. The new section would replace the decades old dual pipelines with a single, 30-inch-diameter pipe.

It filed an application with the MPSC in April. This application does not request approval for the tunnel, just for the commission to say Enbridge has the necessary property rights for installation, operation, and maintenance of the new pipe segment.

When Enbridge applied to the MPSC for authority to move the portion of the line under the bedrock, they also asked MPSC to rule if Enbridge even needs permission in the first place. Enbridge argued they still have the ability to move or re-site the line under the original 1953 construction plans.

Line 5 transports nearly 23 million gallons of oil per day between the Lower and Upper Peninsula. In May and June, the Canadian company revealed damage to the line including spots on the pipeline where protective coating had worn away and bare metal was exposed, and damage to an anchor support on the dual pipeline.

Enbridge later said that vessels that the company hired might be to blame for the damage.

Opponents pointed to the damaged line as a reason for the commission to deny the application.

The Straits of Mackinac is known as the center of the freshwater world, said Patty Peek, is chair of the Straits of Mackinac Alliance. Its unique, stunningly beautiful, and incredibly vulnerable. Why would the state of Michigan be willing to sacrifice this unique place for a pipeline tunnel project that is unnecessary to the well being of our citizens?

Enbridge has long maintained that the line in its current condition is safe.

The entire process with the MPSC is scheduled to go well into the summer of 2021, with parties yet to file testimony, rebuttal testimony, and briefs.

More From MLive:

Citing concerns about UM student gatherings, Ann Arbor enacts emergency ordinance

Michigan Civil Rights Commission picks assistant Detroit police chief as new executive director

Northern Michigan orchard lawsuit against Whitmer complains of hypothetical punishment, says AGs office
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.25

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Greece imported 608,351 tons of oil and petroleum products from Azerbaijan from January through May 2020, as compared to 512,000 tons for the entire year of 2019, Eurostat told Trend.

The country imported 139,000 tons in January 2020, 90,000 tons in February, 265,693 tons in April and 113,658 tons in May. The country didnt import oil and petroleum products from Azerbaijan in March 2020.

This is while in 2019, Greece imported 83,000 tons in April, 181,000 tons in July and 89,000 tons in November and 159,000 tons in December.

Azerbaijan exported 19.5 million tons of oil from January through July 2020, which is 0.02 percent more compared to the same period of 2019, according to the statistical report of the State Customs Committee (SCC).

According to the report, the total volume of exports of petroleum products in the reporting period amounted to $6.3 billion, showing an annual decrease of 48.6 percent.

During seven months of 2020, the volume of exports of petroleum products amounted to almost 705,797 tons, which is 15.4 percent more compared to the same period of last year.

The volume of exports from Azerbaijan during the reporting period of this year totaled $9.1 billion, having shown a 33.6 percent drop year-on-year.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
The Star-Ledger recently published a guest column (Raise income and corporate taxes) by two New Jersey economics professors encouraging Gov. Phil Murphy to raise taxes to overcome the revenue shortfall our state is facing, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

Alan S. Blinder and Yana van der Meulen Rodgers wrote that raising taxes on incomes over $250,000 would bring over $1.5 billion of much-needed revenue to help low-income residents and those who lost jobs due to the pandemic.

The problem with experts and professors is that they make a living at looking at statistics, analyzing papers and adding numbers. They have no experience in running a business.

I hope these professors are aware that an income of $250,000 income is barely enough to make ends meet in New Jersey, considering we have the countrys highest property, and the highest costs in the nation for pretty much everything else.

I am a small-business owner. My economic knowledge comes from being in the trenches every day, and having to make tough decisions regarding salaries, benefits, and just to be solvent and able to pay my bills.

My own economic expertise has taught me that the best way to create economic growth and highly paid jobs is to lower taxes for small businesses, giving them an incentive to hire workers, pay them well and give them benefits.

When playing with numbers, the experts should notice that owners of small businesses will go out of their way to cap their income at $250,000 to avoid a tax increase. That could mean cutting salaries, reducing purchases and perhaps moving their businesses to a less expensive place.

Aurora DeJuliis Carluccio, Montclair

Freeholders vote remotely to make others show up in person

This paper reported on Aug. 14 that freeholders in Morris, Cape May, Ocean, Sussex and Warren counties passed resolutions opposing the mostly mail-in ballots that New Jersey is using for the upcoming general election.

I listened to the recording of the Morris County freeholder board meeting held on Aug. 12, when its resolution was passed. This meeting was held online, obviously because of concerns related to spreading COVID-19.

So, while the freeholders were careful not to take any risks with their own health, they passed a resolution stating that Morris County voters and poll workers should have to risk theirs in order to have regular in-person voting.

I am concerned about the health risks for the elderly poll workers who would be working a 14-hour shift on Election Day. Also, I have to wear a mask when I grocery shop. Should we mandate that anyone who votes in person must wear a mask? What if someone refuses to do so? Should we deny them the right to vote?

To avoid all the inherent risks and troubles that voting in person would bring this year, it is best to vote by mail. Even if there are increased costs, ensuring the health of our poll workers and voters is worth it.

Joseph Balwierczak, Madison

Mulshine virtually unreadable

Paul Mulshine wrote in a recent column that the Dems virtual convention is virtually unwatchable. I strongly disagree.

I found the political figures who spoke to be informative and factual. I was happy to see that so much time was given to regular Americans who had stories to tell about how they have been negatively impacted by our last four years of failed presidential leadership.

I also felt uplifted by the talk of the Democratic plans for the future concerning health care, our environment, job creation, infrastructure spending and using science to beat down the pandemic.

What I do find to be virtually unreadable are Mulshines columns.

I really wish the Star-Ledger would hire a conservative columnist who would accurately represent the GOP values that the party once proudly stood for before the coming of Donald Trump.

Carl F. Young, Clark

Which one was the shooter? The victim?

News outlets, including NJ Advance Media, routinely use the terms officer-involved shooting or police-involved shooting, especially in headlines, to describe instances where police officers shoot civilians.

These terms are vague and confusing, keeping the identity of the shooter and victim unclear. Worse, though, they simply accept the law-enforcement authorities versions of events, setting them in stone before all the facts are known.

I urge NJ Advance Media to remove this term from usage.

Peter Chen, Newark

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters.
Gunnar Hansen raises his weapon in frustration in the final scene of 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'.

Legendarys new Texas Chainsaw Massacre film has drafted in a new director just one week into production, according to a report on Deadline.

The horror film, which is being billed as a direct sequel to Tobe Hoopers 1974 original, had been shooting for a week in Bulgaria until Northern Irish directors Andy and Ryan Tohill quit the project over creative differences. Award-winning cinematographer David Blue Garcia has been drafted in as their replacement.

The report says the last minute personnel change was abrupt, and was made because Legendary didnt spark to what it saw. Texas-born Garcia, who made his feature directing debut in 2018 with Tejano, is said to be starting shooting the film again from scratch.

Actors Gunnar Hansen (front left) as Leatherface, Jim Siedow (front right) as Old Man, John Dugan (back right) as Grandfather and Edwin Neal (back left) as Hitchhiker in a publicity shot for the slasher film 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, 1974. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

The new film is set in the present day and will bring back the original films antagonist Leatherface as a 60-year-old to wreak havoc in the 21st century. Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade), Sarah Yarkin (Happy Death Day 2U), Jacob Latimore (The Maze Runner) and Moe Dunford (Vikings) will star.

Read more: Inside Texas Chain Saws gruelling shoot, 45 years on

Hoopers terrifying 1974 film  released as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre  was hailed as a horror masterpiece when it was first released, spawning seven sequels, the most recent  Leatherface, technically a prequel  coming in 2017. 2013s Texas Chainsaw 3D was also billed as a direct sequel to Hoopers original film, and although a minor box office hit, it was slated by critics.

Legendary Pictures, the studio behind the Jurassic World and Godzilla franchises, acquired the Texas Chainsaw rights in 2018, and set Dont Breathe director Fede Alvarez as producer on a new film.
Newly elected Conservative Leader Erin OToole delivers his winning speech following the Conservative party of Canada 2020 Leadership Election in Ottawa on Aug. 24, 2020. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

OToole Pledges to Fight for Middle Class, but Ready If Election Is Triggered

Newly-elected Conservative Leader Erin OToole says he wants to work constructively with the Liberal minority government to bring effective leadership to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OToole says his party will be ready if an election is called.

The Liberals speech from the throne, set for Sept. 23, will lay out the governments post-pandemic plan and will be followed by a confidence vote.

The new Conservative leader says he told Trudeau he wants the government to address western alienation in its throne speecha key campaign issue OToole has vowed to address.

In his opening statements, OToole positioned himself as a fighter who understands ordinary Canadians and is ready to rebuild Canadas post-pandemic economy.

He also spoke of reorienting international trade towards ties with like-minded countries while distancing from predatory countries.

We will trade freely with free nations and not spend our time chasing trade deals with predatory countries like communist China, he said.

OToole said healing Western alienation and division in Canada will not happen if Ottawa does not support the resource sector.

If they continue to leave out the ability for our resource sector to get Canadian resources to market, were going to see more Western alienation, were going to see less jobs and opportunity for Canadians in Ontario, in Atlantic Canada, he said.

So we need to make sure that Canadas strength in natural resources is part of that economic plan. We can do that while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but we have to be proud of what we produce here in Canada.

OToole also vowed to broaden the partys base of support while healing any internal rifts, and called on Liberal and NDP voters to reconsider the conservative party.

OToole spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, a call both sides said was cordial and touched on the rigours of a campaign as well as the prorogation of Parliament.

OToole spent his first day on the job on Monday meeting with senior members of the party, including former leader Andrew Scheer, as he strives to refresh the Opposition Leaders Office and the partys front benches.

A key strategy for the OToole campaign had been to focus on the fact he had a seat in the House of Commons and was ready to start work on defeating the Liberal government.

OToole said he will soon announce his new shadow cabinet.

With files from The Canadian Press
Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-Category
In response to the Duke study, aerosol scientists have conducted their own gaiter experiments, studying the face coverings ability to block droplets and whether it is possible to produce smaller particles similar to what the Duke researchers saw. The new research showed that when a single-layer gaiter is worn doubled up, it is highly effective at blocking a range of particle sizes, according to the results of tests done by Linsey Marr, a civil and environmental engineering professor at Virginia Tech who studies aerosols. (In the Duke study, the gaiter tested was not folded over.) Marrs work has been supplemented by research from Ryan Davis of Trinity University in Texas, who shot water droplets at a strip of woven polyester spandex material taken from a gaiter and did not see any particle breakup or transmission. Meanwhile, Christopher Cappa, a professor at the University of California at Davis, suggested that the high number of particles detected during the Duke gaiter test may be partly due to fibers shedding from the fabric.
Damage to city-owned property  including garbage trucks, street lights and traffic signals, among others  from rioting over the last week in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake has climbed to nearly $2 million, city officials said Monday night.
We realize our residents dont want to be restricted in their gatherings, they dont want to forgo spending time at their favorite watering holes, they dont want to limit the number of people in their yards and they dont want to control their interactions with others, Will County Executive Denise Winfrey said during the news conference with Pritzker at the Will County Health Department officials. We also realize that our past behavior is what got is to our present situation.
The Bombay high court (HC) has directed the Maharashtra government to provide copies of the medical reports of Professor Sudha Bharadwaj, Dr. Anand Teltumbde and Vernon Gonsalves, who are lodged in Mumbais Byculla Womens Jail and Navi Mumbais Taloja Jail, respectively, to their families, lawyers and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) before the next hearing of the case on Friday (August 28).

All three are accused in the Elgar Parishad/Bhima Koregaon case.

The court has held that the inmates and their families have the right to know the status of their health condition and, as a result, the reports must be shared with them at the earliest.

A two-member HC division bench, comprising Justices RD Dhanuka and VG Bisht, while hearing the application of Professor Bharadwaj, who had moved HC against the rejection of her bail application by a special NIA court.

Professor Bharadwaj had applied for bail on grounds of her health condition and the raging coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, which has afflicted several inmates and staff in the states prisons and correctional homes.

Advocate Ragini Ahuja informed HC that Bharadwaj had comorbidities and due to overcrowding in the Byculla Womens Jail she was susceptible to contract SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease.

Maharashtra government authorities submitted before the HC bench a medical report of Professor Bharadwaj dated August 21.

The court perused the report, which stated that her health condition was stable and she would be entitled to other medical facilities, if she required them.

However, the bench observed that Professor Bharadwajs family members had a right to know about her wellness and the report must be shared with them at the earliest.

Public prosecutor Deepak Thakare, who represented the Maharashtra government, informed the court that the medical report would be shared with her family members by Tuesday evening.

There was a separate hearing of the application of Gonsalves and Dr. Teltumbde, who had sought to undergo Covid-19 tests. The court was told by the state authorities that Gonsalvess medical report was submitted earlier. While the corrected report of Dr Teltumbde was ready and would be submitted before the court by Friday.

Advocate Mihir Desai, who appeared for Gonsalves and Dr. Teltumbde, pointed out that the medical report of Gonsalves was not shared with his legal counsel.

Desai sought directions to the state in a bid to keep his clients legal counsel abreast with their latest health conditions.

Earlier, Gonsalves and Dr. Dr. Teltumbde had sought to undergo Covid-19 tests after their fellow accused Vara Vara Rao (81) was found to have contracted the viral infection in July.

The next hearing of the case will be on Friday.

.
Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai sent a note to employees this past week, telling workers to sign up for an internal emergency alert system that includes location-specific assistance, as California wildfires continue to blaze across the state.

"Like many Bay Area Googlers, the first thing I noticed when I stepped outside today was the smell of smoke from nearby fires," Pichai said in an email sent to employees late last week and obtained subsequently by CNBC. "Fires burning across California and Colorado have already prompted thousands to evacuate their homes and our hearts go out to the many Googlers affected."

Google did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment.

Pichai told employees that the company is tracking staffers who have opted in to its internal emergency notification system, which is run by its security teams. Google's Global Security and Resilience Services, which Pichai refers to as "GSRS," is tracking and reaching out to employees in affected areas while offering support, he said. The GSRS team organized tips for employees on preparing for poor air quality, evacuations and power outages "with peak wildfire season only just beginning in the U.S., and made even more challenging by Covid-19," he said.

"Our security teams continue to monitor the situation and reach out to Googlers who may be affected as the fires move," Pichai continued in the company-wide email. "If you haven't done so already, a reminder that you can share your location history with our Emergency Locator and Notifier system so that our security teams can provide support if you need it."
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Two newly repositioned drugs with the potential to combat key symptoms of COVID-19 were announced today by Biovista , an AI-driven bioscience firm that has been successfully repositioning drugs for over a decade. Biovista identified Cablivi and Atozet as particularly suited to target specific aspects of blood clotting and inflammation in the context of COVID-19.

This follows the strong mechanistic rationale Biovista released in March, suggesting Aprotinin and Irbesartan as potential COVID-19 treatments to reduce the effects of the cytokine storm as well as helping reduce viral loads.

"We continue to focus on possible solutions for key complications, or sequelae, of COVID-19," said Dr. Aris Persidis, president and co-founder of Biovista. "With our latest rolling drug repositioning update, we address the micro-blood clots in the lungs and hearts of COVID-19 patients that can have devastating consequences, and suggest treatments."

As scientists around the globe race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, public health experts caution it will likely take years to develop and administer. In the meantime, as the virus continues to spread, Biovista is applying new types of artificial intelligence to find treatments that will mitigate disease complications that arise post-infection.

Biovista's AI platform, Project Prodigy, maps all known drugs against every possible mechanism in which the COVID-19 virus operates and causes complications. "Our workflow is unique in terms of its massive coverage," said Dr. Eftychia Lekka, senior investigator, drug discovery for Biovista. "We will continue to update and share possible therapies with the world until effective treatments are found and developed."

Treating COVID-19 has been especially difficult because it causes multiple complications that affect nearly every organ system in the body - from muscles and fibromyalgia, to kidney and pancreatic function, to cardiopulmonary issues, hyper-inflammation, and even neurological issues.

"Typical machine learning AIs aren't designed for something like Covid-19, where what happens next is unknown," Dr. Persidis said. "Biovista's Project Prodigy is a game-changer AI because it is designed to go where matching and classifying AIs stop. Project Prodigy recombines all known data points to build entirely new scenarios, and that's our edge."

In addition to proposing possible treatments for further study, Biovista's AI is supporting the global response to COVID-19 and other deadly diseases. The firm has made portions of Project Prodigy publicly accessible through their data and hypothesis exploration tool called VIZIT. In June alone, VIZIT provided answers to over 20,000 unique searches made by scientists and drug developers in over 75 countries.

"Our team decided to make key parts of our AI open-access, to share the potential of AI discovery with colleagues around the world. Using new types of accessible AI and billions of data points, we hope to improve patient health and safety around the globe during this pandemic and beyond," added Dr. Persidis.

To collaborate with Biovista, please contact us at [email protected] .

About Biovista:

Biovista is a multi-award-winning bioscience firm focused on delivering innovative solutions in AI and drug repositioning. Biovista's proprietary Project Prodigy AI platform helps develop and evaluate novel hypotheses supported by detailed reasoning from the world's publicly available research data. The objective is to solve real-world healthcare problems, including new uses for existing drugs, finding existing drugs to target a disease of interest, such as COVID-19; and assessing drug safety in clinical trials. For more information, please visit Biovista's website: biovista.com .

SOURCE Biovista

Related Links

http://www.biovista.com


A recently published study led by The University of Texas at Arlington says that student debt may hurt students' chances of securing full-time employment due to added pressure in their job search.

Ariane Froidevaux, assistant professor of management in the College of Business, is first author of "Is Student Loan Debt Good or Bad for Full-Time Employment Upon Graduation From College?" in the Journal of Applied Psychology.

In 2020, student loan debt in the United States hit a record high of $1.56 trillion, according to the Institute for College Access & Success, with the average student loan debt at about $30,000. Previous studies have found significant long-term consequences of student loan debt, such as reduced wealth accumulation and homeownership.

"Student debt mainly had more negative effects on college students' likelihood of securing a full-time job than beneficial ones," Froidevaux said. "You can do certain things like getting a job during the summer that may help you get a full-time job upon graduation. But in the end, student debt leaves students with a lot of stress, and it is long-lasting."

Mo Wang of the University of Florida, Jaclyn Koopmann of Auburn University and Peter Bamberger of Tel Aviv University co-authored the article. The researchers say that having student loan debt is a financial stressor to students that leads to additional stress during their job search, which in turn can harm their chances of securing a full-time job.

"Student loan debt creates an anticipated loss of financial resources, which brings higher levels of stress to student job-seekers," said Froidevaux, who is a fellow of the Eunice and James L. West Distinguished Professorship. Her research interests include career transitions, retirement and aging in the workplace, and identity negotiation.

The more financially strained individuals are, the less likely they are to have sufficient energy and motivation to invest in their search for a successful job placement, she said. Results from the study also suggest that students who are more stressed about their student loans were likelier to work more hours in part-time jobs. This stress in searching for a job reduced the likelihood of securing full-time employment upon graduation from college. The research team used data from 1,248 graduating seniors from four different American universities.

The researchers suggest students can ease the strain of debt by recognizing that it will occur and taking steps to reduce that stress. Froidevaux said that if students reappraise debt as an investment in future earnings, they sometimes can better deal with it.

The research team suggests that students aren't the only ones who can take steps to ease the burden of loan debt. University career development offices should consider adopting job search interventions aimed at improving stress management and financial planning. Businesses, too, can support their new employees by implementing human resource policies such as student loan repayment assistance.

"Student loan debt is a fact of life for most college graduates," said George Benson, professor and chair of the Management Department in the College of Business. "This research shows that the impact goes beyond the debt itself. I like that the research gives recommendations for ways to reduce stress. It also has suggestions for those businesses that hire our graduates to help those stress levels."

###
The Interpol has issued a red notice against the wife of Nirav Modi, the prime accused in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

The notice has been issued in connection with money laundering case registered against Ami Modi in India. A red corner notice acts as international arrest warrant.

Ami had left India with Nirav Modi and other family members in first week of January, 2018, just before agencies started investigations in the PNB scam. It is alleged that she had gone to the US.

Ami was director in few companies which were allegedly used by Nirav Modi for laundering money.

The ED had named Ami as an accused in the PNB money-laundering case for the first time in March last year.

Nirav Modi was arrested in London by the Scotland Yard authorities in March 2019. He was declared an economic fugitive offender under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act in December last year.

On June 8, a special court set up under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) ordered confiscation of movable and immovable properties belonging to Modi. The order was passed in accordance with section 12 of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act on an application filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is probing money laundering charges in the fraud case.

The fugitive businessman is fighting extradition to India. Earlier this month, a UK court remanded Modi to further remanded in custody until August 27.

The 49-year-old has been lodged at Wandsworth Prison in south-west London.




Haiti - Education : MHAVE proposes to FNE to invest in Educational Academies of Excellence





Monday, August 24, Louis Gonzague Edner Day, Minister of the Minister of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) sat for the first time as a member of the Board of the National Education Fund (FNE) which met for the second time since the beginning of the year.



On the agenda for this meeting : internal regulations, the budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the draft order relating to the organization and functioning of the FNE and matters of general interest.



The internal regulations, which have already been submitted for the appreciation of the members of the Council in previous meetings, were adopted subject to the comments of MHAVE and MEF.



As for the Budget, it was also approved subject to the comments of the Minister of National Education and Vocational Training regarding the amount allocated to teacher training.



Regarding the FNE's organization and operation manual, the document was transmitted to the members of the Board, on recommendation of the Prime Minister will set, by decree, the administrative organization of the institution.



During the general debates, Minister Day, given that remote regions do not benefit from a quality education, drawing on his experience as Departmental Delegate for the West and considering that in provincial schools the infrastructures are not not adequate proposed to the FNE to invest in the long term in "Educational Academies of Excellence" in each department.



Explaining that these academies will be places of reference that will receive students from neighboring areas who will live at the Academy and return to their families during school holidays. Living quarters will also be provided for teachers and their families as well as dormitories for students. This will restore confidence to the students, to teach them how to cultivate, civility, living together and excellence.



For Minister Day, these Academies will facilitate quality training aimed at supporting students by teachers who are well trained to deliver quality education.



A proposal which was welcomed positively by Joseph Frantz Nicolas Director General of the FNE (and Executive Secretary of the Council) who said he hoped that a favorable follow-up will be given to this project.



SL/ HaitiLibre


















A day after fireworks at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, with the party still trying to recover, an attempt is being made to recover lost ground and do some damage control.

Sources on Tuesday said party interim president Sonia Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have got together to take on the BJP over an issue they feel can endear themselves to many, especially students. The two leaders have convened a meeting of like-minded opposition chief ministers at 2.30pm on Wednesday.

Apart from Banerjee and chief ministers of Congress-ruled states, Jharkhands Hemant Soren and Maharashtras Uddhav Thackeray attend the meeting to be held through video-conference. Top of the agenda is postponement of the NEET and JEE Main examinations scheduled for the first week of September. Also on the agenda is protecting the federal structure of the country.

Banerjee on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the second time, asking for postponement of the exams to be held amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Sources said the issue of compensation to states would also be discussed in a bid to evolve a collective stand ahead of the the August 27 GST Council meeting.

The meeting assumes significance as it will be held in the backdrop of an almost non-existent opposition unity, especially over key issues. Opposition unity has taken a huge setback, particularly during parliament sessions due to which the government was able to pass key bills, such as the one on triple talaaq.

At the initiative of Banerjee and Gandhi, a renewed attempt is being made to rally together the opposition to take on the BJP government over an issue likely to resonate with many, especially students and middle class.

But more importantly, sources say, this is an attempt to also reiterate that Gandhi still has the charisma and power to reach out to opposition leaders and that she is heard. It also shows that Banerjee and Gandhi continue to share a good equation despite the TMC and the Congress being at loggerheads in West Bengal.

This little help from Banerjee would help in settling the strong pitch in the CWC that there is no match for Gandhi in the Congress. It would also show to the BJP that the two women are ready to take them on.
This is the moment a British man who claims to have spent three days at sea on a surfboard after falling off a cruise ship, was plucked from the water.

Coastguards who rescued him released the picture today, showing him with a lifejacket on over a white shirt with his sleeves rolled up his arms.

A spokesman for Spanish Coastguards said in a tweet, naming the vessel the tourist was pictured alongside as it approached him to pull him from the sea: 'Salvamar Vega yesterday rescued and took to Estepona a man discovered by a yacht 10 miles south-west of Marbella.

'He was adrift on a surfboard. The man who was rescued said he had been at sea for three days after falling from a ship.'

The 55-year-old was picked up by the coastguard near Marbella on Monday afternoon.

This is the moment a British man who claims to have spent three days at sea on a surfboard after falling off a cruise ship, was plucked from the water yesterday by the Spanish coastguard near Marbella

A British man who was found floating fully-dressed on a surfboard in the middle of the ocean has told Spanish officials he spent three days adrift after falling off a cruise ship

Crew members on a yacht called Estelar spotted the man and alerted rescuers.

They said he was fully dressed and claimed to have spent several days at sea after falling off a boat. It is not clear how he obtained the surfboard.

Local reports late on Monday night described the man as British and the vessel he fell from as a cruise ship - which has yet to be identified.

The man is said to have told the coastguard that the accident had happened three days earlier.

Coastguard vessel Salvamar Vega took him to Estepona Port before a waiting ambulance took him to a local health centre to be treated for hypothermia.

His exact whereabouts on Monday night were unknown.

Police - who could not be reached for comment - are expected to question him about his ordeal once he is well enough.

It is not known if the man was on holiday in Spain or is a resident there.

The rescue has fuelled a wave of speculation about how the mystery man ended up on a surfboard.

One social media user said: 'I'm intrigued about this story, because finding a surfboard while you're lost at sea would be even stranger than falling off a boat with the surfboard.'

Another added: 'What's the story, that they threw the surfboard to him when he fell instead of rescuing him?'

Coastguard vessel Salvamar Vega (file image of coastguard vessels pictured) took him to Estepona Port before a waiting ambulance took him to a local health centre to be treated for hypothermia

Spain was put on the UK Government's mandatory quarantine list in July causing chaos as holidaymakers were given just five hours' notice.

British holidaymakers looking for a summer break in the Costas now must isolate for 14 days on their return to Britain.

Last week, Spain recorded a new single-day record for Covid-19 cases since the country emerged from a three-month lockdown in mid-June.

Some 7,039 confirmed cases were reported on Thursday, prompting Spain's chief epidemiologist to tell a press conference: 'Don't be confused, things are not going well.'
" " A lab test of Salter's Duck. The Duck is the tear-drop shaped object, many of which would be attached to a long spine undersea. In practice, the duck will not need the mounting above it. See more green science pictures Jamie Taylor/Stephen Salter

You know the price of gas is high when you settle for the closest station because it's not worth wasting precious gas to drive around looking for a better price. Or when people start trading in their gas-guzzling lawn mowers for an old-fashioned push mower [source: AP].

Rising prices and the fear of reaching peak oil cause people to question whether we're entering -- or are in the midst of -- an oil crisis. Environmental activists, who want to reduce the output of greenhouse gases from fossil-fueled power plants, see an upside to this situation, however. As more people call on companies and governments to solve or prevent an impending crisis, environmentalists get a chance to promote and fund clean, renewable energy.

Advertisement

A similar scenario played out in the 1970s, when an oil crisis stirred business and government leaders to invest in energy alternatives. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as well as Egypt and Syria agreed to stop shipping their oil to countries that supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War, which included the U.S., among other countries [source: Halber].

Stephen Salter, a professor at the University of Edinburgh in the U.K. who was working with robotics, saw a solution in the sea. He began working with a group to develop a device that would efficiently convert the power of ocean waves into usable electricity. Waves occur when water absorbs the energy of winds and condenses that energy into an extremely powerful, reliable force. The difficulty comes with trying to harness this immense energy.

The group came up with a mechanism known as Salter's Duck (or the Edinburgh Duck), which they thought could reduce the country's dependence on oil. Certainly, the idea behind Salter's Duck achieved everyone's highest expectations about the potential of using wave energy. But did it ever came into fruition?

Keep reading to find out.
He concisely defined the historic stakes in 2020: This is a life-changing election that will determine Americas future for a very long time. Character is on the ballot. Compassion is on the ballot. Decency, science, democracy. They are all on the ballot. Who we are as a nation. What we stand for. And, most importantly, who we want to be. Thats all on the ballot.

He pointedly pledged to repair our battered standing in the world: I will be a president who will stand with our allies and friends. I will make it clear to our adversaries the days of cozying up to dictators are over. Under President Biden, America will not turn a blind eye to Russian bounties on the heads of American soldiers. Nor will I put up with foreign interference in our most sacred democratic exercisevoting.
Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg said Monday she has returned to school after a year off campaigning to curb climate change.

My gap year from school is over, and it feels so great to finally be back in school again! the 17-year-old tweeted, attaching a smiling photo of herself with a schoolbag on her back and her hands resting on a bicycle.

Thunberg did not say in which city or school she would be continuing her studies.

Since her last school year finished in June 2019, the teenagers travels around the world meant that she ended up doing lessons remotely.

Rather than head into the final years of secondary school, she travelled across the Atlantic by sailing boat -- hoping to highlight the carbon emissions of flying.

Her ultimate destination had been the COP25 UN climate conference in Chilean capital Santiago.

But the event was ultimately shifted to Madrid because of massive unrest in Chile, leaving Thunberg to sail back from the US to Europe on board a catamaran belonging to a young Australian couple.

While in North America, Thunberg rebuked world leaders at the UN, had a repeat visit with former US President Barack Obama, was given the keys to the city of Montreal and travelled around the continent in a Tesla electric car lent by former California governor and action star Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 13:54:56|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KUNMING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- It has been more than four months since doctor Geng Jiawei came back from Laos, but she still gets messages from her peers in the Southeast Asian country inquiring about the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

"I often get questions about the use of drugs and how to improve the prevention and control of COVID-19," said Geng, a 51-year-old infectious disease doctor who was among a group of 12 Chinese medical experts sent to Laos to help deal with the country's epidemic outbreak in late March.

During their two-week stay in Laos, the Chinese experts visited hospitals across the country, offered advice on enhancing epidemic prevention and control and held training sessions for local medical staff.

"As soon as we disembarked from the plane, a wave of heat hit us, even standing still the sweat poured from us like rain," Geng recalled.

Despite the oppressive heat, the Chinese experts managed to visit the Lao Ministry of Health and three hospitals in the Lao capital on the first day, and interacted with officials and medics to learn about the local epidemic situation. They also worked through the night to draft a COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment plan according to the local conditions.

"We were really racing against time to fight the coronavirus during our stay in Laos. We worked an average of 14 hours every day," Geng said.

"But our efforts were very worthwhile," she added. "Lao people donated many anti-epidemic supplies to China when we were suffering from COVID-19. When confirmed cases were reported in Laos, it was time for us to repay the kindness of our neighbors."

The Chinese expert team is a showcase of the public health cooperation between the six countries in the Lancang-Mekong region -- China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The six countries launched a Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism in March 2016.

The countries' joint efforts have effectively contained the epidemic in the region, according to Liu Zhi, director of the Center for LMC Studies under Yunnan University.

"The six countries' joint fight against COVID-19 has yielded extraordinary results, given the weak public health infrastructure in the region," Liu said.

Nan Mya Mya Win, a Burmese language teacher working in southwest China's Yunnan Province, also witnessed the close cooperation among Lancang-Mekong countries in combating the virus.

In January, Nan Mya Mya Win helped the local government in Ruili, a city in Yunnan on the China-Myanmar border, translate government publications and news into Burmese to inform many workers from Myanmar in the city about the latest epidemic situation.

She also appeared in five short videos about epidemic prevention, including videos informing the public how to properly wash their hands and wear masks. The videos have been played on the screens at Ruili's border control office and even been posted on social media platforms in Myanmar.

"Many people from Myanmar commented on social media that the videos have helped them fend off the virus," Nan Mya Mya Win said. "China and Myanmar have been supporting each other in the anti-epidemic fight. In particular, China has sent medical experts and supplies to Myanmar, helping my country contain the epidemic."

On Monday's third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting, China pledged to give priority to providing COVID-19 vaccines to Mekong countries once a vaccine is developed and deployed in China. China will also continue to provide anti-epidemic materials and technical support to Mekong countries.

"As the coronavirus epidemic is still raging across the planet, it is necessary to leverage the LMC mechanism and enhance sub-regional public health cooperation for the benefit of all Lancang-Mekong countries," Liu Zhi said. Enditem
LOS ANGELES  This morning, Lili Reinhart woke up and read a headline about herself. It said that she'd broken up with her boyfriend, "Riverdale" co-star Cole Sprouse, and was so heartbroken that she felt like she was dying.

Then she got pissed. She and Sprouse had, in fact, split in March; the actor would confirm as much on Instagram a few days later. But she had yet to utter a word about the separation to the press.

So, sleep still in her eyes, she logged on to Twitter and said that her words had been used for "clickbait"  that she'd "never speak so candidly" about a private relationship. Even if she used to pose with Sprouse on magazine covers and walk the red carpet with him at the Met Gala.

But it can be difficult to draw those boundaries when you've established yourself as one of the most open young Hollywood stars. At 23, Reinhart speaks freely about her bisexuality, body image and mental health. She has weighed in when her colleagues have been accused of sexual harassment and racism. And over the next few weeks, she's unveiling two intensely personal new projects: "Chemical Hearts," a film for which she channelled her own battle with depression, and "Swimming Lessons," her debut book of poetry.

With nearly 25 million Instagram followers  a product of her role as Betty Cooper on the CW's "Riverdale"  she finds herself weighing her natural inclination towards transparency against the judgment of the public.

"This pandemic has been incredibly hard, and it's hard to stay positive," she admits. "I want to post sad songs on my Instagram just like everyone else does. But I hold myself back, because I know I have millions of people watching me who want to dig through every little thing I post and try to figure out the meaning behind it."

Amid the pandemic, Reinhart moved into her first house  what TMZ referred to as a $2.7-million "Spanish beaut" in Encino. That's where she is today, surrounded by new furniture that doesn't feel like hers yet. Her dog, Milo, is barking at the UPS delivery man. She's wearing a Playboy T-shirt she bought from PacSun.

Since "Riverdale" shut down production in Vancouver in March, Reinhart has mostly spent her time alone here. She's tried to look at quarantine as an opportunity  writing in her journal, learning how to meditate, meeting weekly with a therapist, reading self-help books.

"Obviously, I'm dealing with a lot of depression. So how do I find a light at the end of the tunnel?" she says. "I really wanted to go out of my way to find the root of it. Now, when I feel something come up, I let it come out. Because otherwise, it's literally harming my body and my brain. Allow your body to feel what it feels. That is literally how you heal."

Almost as soon as "Riverdale" thrust her into the spotlight in 2017, Reinhart revealed that she'd had depression since she was 13. Since then, it's become something she feels fans identify her by  a responsibility she has mixed feelings about. As she writes in "Swimming Lessons":

People wish for me to be this trailblazing girl. The one who has marked out a path for others to follow on how to be happy, how to fight when your limbs feel broken. Sometimes I feel like a fraud.

Which is partly why "Chemical Hearts" appealed to her so much. In the film  which is now streaming on Amazon, and on which she also serves as executive producer  she plays Grace, a high schooler grappling with the grief of surviving a car accident that killed her boyfriend. When she starts falling for a new boy (Austin Abrams), her sadness begins to overtake the fledgling relationship.

"I used a lot of my own inner turmoil," Reinhart says of the role. "I don't really describe myself as bubbly or joyful. I'm making myself out to be, like, the Grinch over here. But I've lived with depression for a long time now, so playing a girl who is clearly feeling sombre and going through heartache and grief wasn't so foreign to me. It wasn't that hard for me to access."

When she began work on the film in 2019, Reinhart had just wrapped a supporting turn in the female-empowerment stripper drama "Hustlers." Though she'd had small parts in a few independent films before, "Hustlers" marked the first time people really saw Reinhart act outside of the soapy teen TV series. Opposite the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu and Keke Palmer, she was memorable as a wide-eyed dancer who vomits any time she's anxious. It was a comedic part, and director Lorene Scafaria says she liked Reinhart for it because, like the actress, the character "is seen as a pretty face, and if you're not looking closely enough, you don't see she's really deep and soulful."

"I met Lili right after Luke Perry passed away, so it was a really hard moment in her life," recalls Scafaria, referring to the death of Reinhart's "Riverdale" co-star. "In the moment, I wasn't sure what part of that was her own personality or how much of it was circumstantial. I think the surprise with her is that she runs very deep. Her fan base might look at her and think she's so beautiful and has a great life and all these gifts, so I think it's so important that she does show the world what she goes through. I'm really proud of her for not presenting herself in a wine-and-roses way."

Because of "Riverdale," Reinhart has a lot of young fans. She says she doesn't "want to come off as a bad role model" to them, so she doesn't promote drinking alcohol in her personal life and tries not to curse on her Instagram stories. Richard Tanne, the director of "Chemical Hearts," says that since meeting her last year he constantly hears the actress mention "her fans and what they're looking for."

"I've heard her say 'Oh, my fans are dying for the trailer, I wish we could speed it up a few days,'" he says. "She has a truly dedicated legion of followers, some of whom have a social media presence entirely devoted to her as a human being. I'm sure that back in the '90s, when Julia Roberts was becoming a huge star, there were people connecting to her in the same way that people are connecting to Lili. But I have to imagine that because of the accessibility of social media, there's a more potent form of loyalty."

It remains to be seen how strong that loyalty might be as Reinhart inevitably transitions away from "Riverdale." Like her co-stars Sprouse, Charles Melton and KJ Apa, her first starring movie role is coming in the form of a young romance. This makes sense to her: The show does, after all, position them as "romantic leads  hot, young teenagers who are horny and ready for love." But she says her film ambitions are actually quite serious. She'd love to model a career after Tilda Swinton, a "chameleon" who she admires for always showing a different side of herself on screen.

"I would like people to start seeing me as a film actress," Reinhart acknowledges. "I want people to see me and know: 'Hey, I'm in this for the long haul.' This is a career for me. I'm not just gonna be on 'Riverdale' for five years and then disappear."

For now, though, Reinhart is still on "Riverdale," which will soon enter its fifth season. She flew back to Canada this past weekend, where she and her cast mates will have to stay until Christmas due to COVID-19 travelling restrictions. The last five months marked the longest the cast has ever been apart, a period during which many of them also weathered controversy.

In June, Vanessa Morgan tweeted that she was "tired of how Black people are portrayed in the media," implying that her "Riverdale" character Toni Topaz was one of the roles "being used as side kick non dimensional characters to our white leads. Or only used in the ads for diversity but not actually in the show." The show's creator, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, issued a public apology and vowed to "do better to honour her and the character she plays. As well as all of our actors and characters of colour."

Reinhart, who said she's "grown closer" with Morgan through the phone in recent months, said Aguirre-Sacasa called the entire cast after his posts in an effort to "make sure we all felt comfortable."

"I mean, the show historically has been pretty white," Reinhart says. "Roberto is very conscious of it now to make sure that that doesn't happen again and Vanessa doesn't feel that she's put in that position again. I feel as a producer now moving forward how important it is that I'm not stereotyping, stereocasting anything  really making sure I'm going out of my way to do right by Black people, by transgender people, by people who don't look like me."

A couple of weeks after Morgan spoke out, she and other "Riverdale" stars came under fire when anonymous Twitter accounts accused her, Sprouse, Reinhart and Apa of sexual abuse. Some of the tweets were later deleted, while some of the nameless accounts admitted they had been lying. Even though Reinhart "knew this person was lying," she was also worried about how to respond to the allegations because she didn't want to "victim-shame."

"It's a twisted world we live in, because it takes so much for someone to come forward about something they've been through, and especially to name their abuser," she said. "So when people do that falsely, it hurts the entire movement. It just makes us go back, like, 7,000 steps. It's so discouraging."

She ultimately decided to tweet about the allegations in an attempt to shut them down  largely because "as someone who has experienced sexual coercion myself, I wasn't going to sit there and have someone falsely accuse me." In 2017, after victims of Harvey Weinstein first began to come forward publicly, Reinhart took to her Tumblr account to write about a negative experience she'd had in the industry when she was 16. In her post, she wrote about how a "significantly older" colleague on a project who was in a "position of power over (her)" tried to force himself on her. Looking back, Reinhart says, she wishes she hadn't written about the experience when she was "still trying to wrap (her) brain around it." She doesn't plan on naming the individual because "this person is irrelevant anyway, so it's not like I'd be taking down their career."

"And that person told me it didn't happen," she says. "I didn't want to be invalidated. So I think in choosing to not name them, I knew they weren't going to come back at me trying to defend themselves. I could just tell the story as it was."

Tumblr was also where Reinhart first began to share her poetry, which will be published by St. Martin's Griffin on Sept. 29. She began writing poetry when she was 16, first taking bits of diary entries and expanding upon them. She developed an affinity for poets like Lang Leav who write in "cute little paragraphs," finding comfort in words from others she felt had similar depths of emotion. Now, she writes her poems in the Notes app on her iPhone, and has already completed an additional 100 since finishing "Swimming Lessons."

Readers of the book will no doubt parse Reinhart's poetry as they do Taylor Swift's lyrics, searching for coded references to Sprouse. Some of them more blatantly refer to her ex, like a poem about the "flushed faces" of the fans with "trembling hands" who want to be close to the man who she knows "better than anyone in the world." Others  about a girl who overlooked cheating because she "craved passionate, overwhelming euphoria"  are more oblique.

"Some of them are obvious for a reason, because I'm not badmouthing someone," Reinhart says. "I was speaking very fondly of someone I was in love with. I don't feel any shame from it. People will 100% read between the lines, make their own conclusions  that's fine. I'm not going to encourage it, but I'm going to say that a lot of the poems were coming from emotion rather than an actual event."

The publication of "Swimming Lessons" will no doubt force Reinhart to further examine her relationship to the public, who she alternately seems torn between pleasing and ignoring. Earlier this year, for instance, she revealed on Twitter that she felt insecure about her body next to her "perfectly chiseled" co-stars. She says she did it because she wanted to show her fans that unlike some actors  many of whom she has witnessed not eating for 12 hours before they appear scantily-clad on-screen  she has an "average" body.

"I don't have the CW girl body  tiny waist, nice-shaped legs, skinny, small, tiny," Reinhart says now. "I had to do a bra and underwear scene in this last season and I felt really insecure about it. I really, really didn't want to do it. I didn't tell anyone this. I wasn't pressured into doing it. I did it because it was my job. But I felt bad about myself doing it. I really did. And this is where it gets complicated. I can't preach body positivity if I don't practice it. So even if I'm not feeling amazing about my body, I felt it was important for me to do the scene anyway in my bra and underwear so people could see my body as it was. I did it for the people who feel like they need to look a certain way."

But when it comes to the trolls who "hide behind a fake Twitter account and call (her) fat," Reinhart grows angry. She says she doesn't respect anyone who comments on another's body, and would never take the opinion of "such a bottom-feeder" seriously.

"You go on Instagram, and I'm like, 'Oh, look, all these people with these beautifully toned bodies' and then go to the beach  does anyone on the beach in the real world look like that? I don't see anyone looking like this. Instagram and Victoria's Secret runways are not a portrayal of how people look in real life."

But Instagram is also where Reinhart has gone to reveal some of the most private things about herself. In June, she used the platform to come out as a "proud bisexual woman"  something she says she decided to share almost on a whim. Growing up in Ohio, Reinhart says she first questioned her sexual preferences when she was in the fifth grade while waiting at the bus stop.

"I thought: 'Do I like girls? I don't know,'" she recalls. "As I've gotten older, the answer has become 'Yes. Clearly, I do.' ... I think I just felt at this point in time: Why not? If suddenly I started dating a girl publicly, I didn't want people to be, like, what the ... ?

"Not that I would even owe anyone an explanation. Because I don't."
The 2020 Republican National Convention kicks off today, with the evenings speech docket featuring such esteemed luminaries of the conservative movement as the presidents son Donald Trump Jr.; his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle; the St. Louis couple who waved guns at Black Lives Matter protesters; and a Montana coffeeshop owner. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, members of Congress, and President Donald Trump himself will also address the crowd. To guide you through the evening, weve rounded up top liberal and conservative commentators below. Youll see liberal tweets on the left and conservative tweets on the right.

See more of Slates coverage of the 2020 election.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected a new national lockdown, putting pressure instead on regional authorities to come up with a response as the nation reemerges as the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe.

"The evolution is not good, it is worrying especially in some regions and we need to tackle it," Sanchez said Tuesday at a news conference after a cabinet meeting in Madrid. The central government will provide whatever support the regions need and they will be authorized to declare a local state of emergency if necessary, he said.

"We need to take control, we need to flatten this second curve that is now rising in a threatening way," he added.

The comments were the first the beleaguered premier has made in public since Aug. 4. His absence fostered the impression that the government was rudderless at a time when coronavirus infection rates were climbing at a faster pace than anywhere else in Europe. Last week, new cases rose to a four-month high, mirroring a surge across the continent.

A tentative revival of tourism -- which accounts for around 12% of the economy -- has also faltered as a host of countries including Germany and the U.K. advised against traveling to Spain.

Spain's fight to contain the resurgent pandemic has been complicated by the practice of delegating authority. Health policy is typically managed by the 17 regional governments, with the central administration in Madrid limited to a loose coordinating role.

Because Sanchez was unable to stitch together a working consensus at the start of the pandemic, he took control of the health system through special powers granted under a state of emergency. He then faced repeated demands from regional presidents to hand them back and brought the state of emergency to an end in June.

The decentralized system is also muddling the start of the school term in early September. Concerns are growing that there aren't clear health guidelines for teachers and students. Failure to restart classes could deal another major blow to the economy, with hundreds of thousands of working parents potentially left to take care of their children at home.

The tourism sector is crying out for assistance after the worst summer season in living memory. One demand is that the government should extend state support for the labor market, set to expire Sept. 30, though that would add to the strain on already stretched public coffers.
The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But when you pick a company that is really flourishing, you can make more than 100%. For example, the Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) share price has soared 156% in the last three years. How nice for those who held the stock! Also pleasing for shareholders was the 102% gain in the last three months.

Check out our latest analysis for Lithia Motors

While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

During three years of share price growth, Lithia Motors achieved compound earnings per share growth of 13% per year. This EPS growth is lower than the 37% average annual increase in the share price. This suggests that, as the business progressed over the last few years, it gained the confidence of market participants. That's not necessarily surprising considering the three-year track record of earnings growth.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for Lithia Motors the TSR over the last 3 years was 164%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

Story continues

A Different Perspective

It's nice to see that Lithia Motors shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 110% over the last year. And that does include the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 21% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Someone with an optimistic perspective could view the recent improvement in TSR as indicating that the business itself is getting better with time. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Lithia Motors better, we need to consider many other factors. For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs for Lithia Motors that you should be aware of before investing here.

But note: Lithia Motors may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
TROY, Mich., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- This August marks one year since the official launch of ICONMA's Digital Solutions division and website, www.iconmadigital.com.

Over the last year, ICONMA has worked with a wide range of clients and offer an expanded IT service offerings list, including Cloud Consulting, Application Services, Data Solutions, Big Data, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, and Offshore Staff Augmentation.

"For many years we've provided both IT project services and IT staffing to our clients, but with the launch of ICONMA Digital Solutions, we have an increased focus on the modern solutions today's businesses need," said Sat Yalaman, ICONMA Co-Founder and Executive Vice President. "We look forward to developing more innovations for our clients."

About ICONMA

ICONMA is a Global Information Consulting Management firm providing Professional Staffing Services & Project-Based Solutions for organizations in a broad range of industries. A certified woman-owned company celebrating 20 years of business in 2020, ICONMA's Corporate Headquarters is based in Troy, Michigan with locations throughout the United States, Canada, and India.

Connect with ICONMA on social media

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SOURCE ICONMA

Related Links

www.iconma.com


YANGON: Aspiring politician Abdul Rasheed was born in Myanmar and is one of the very few members of the Rohingya Muslim minority to have Myanmar citizenship.

His father was a civil servant. But when the country goes to the polls in November, the businessman will not be able to stand as a candidate because officials accuse him of having foreign roots.

Rasheed is among at least a dozen Myanmar citizens from the Rohingya Muslim minority who have applied to be candidates in the Nov. 8 general election, hoping to get into politics under the newly democratic government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Six of them have been rejected after officials said they failed to prove their parents were citizens at the time of their birth, a requirement under the election law.

The election is another important test for Myanmar as it makes a transition away from military rule but rights groups say the disqualification of Rohingya candidates demonstrates the limits of reform.

Everyone in Myanmar, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, must have the same opportunity to contest in elections," said Tun Khin, head of the Burma Rohingya Organization U.K, urging international donors to halt funding to the electoral agency.

In his apartment in Yangon, Rasheed leafed through reams of identity cards and letters.

We have all these documents that the government issued, and they dont accept the fact that my parents are citizens. I feel bad about that and concerned," he said.

Myanmar does not recognise the term Rohingya or the community as an indigenous ethnic group.

Instead, they are derided as Bengalis", implying they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, despite tracing their history in Myanmars Rakhine State back for centuries.

Successive military governments that ruled Myanmar stripped the Rohingya of identity documents, leaving many with no proof of their origins.

More than 730,000 fled from Myanmar in 2017 after a military crackdown the United Nations said was carried out with genocidal intent. Myanmar denies genocide, saying its security forces were engaged in a legitimate campaign against Rohingya insurgents.

Several hundred thousand Rohingya who remain in Myanmar are mostly confined to camps and villages and subjected to curbs on movement and access to healthcare.

Monywa Aung Shin, a senior official from Suu Kyis National League for Democracy, said the electoral organisations that rejected the candidates were just following the law.

Whether Bengali or not, foreigners and non-ethnic people are not allowed to run in the election, he said.

NO VOTER LIST

Tin Hlaing, chairwoman of the Rakhine State election commission that rejected Rasheeds application, said it was certain his parents were not citizens at the time he was born.

In his apartment, Rasheed held up the documents held by both his parents, which he said once sufficed as proof of citizenship. The cards were withdrawn in the 1990s when many Rohingya found such cards replaced with temporary white cards".

In 2015, President Thein Sein announced the white cards would also be nullified, stripping Rohingya of the right to vote in 2015 polls that brought Suu Kyi to power.

While excluded from voting or standing in that election, many Rohingya put their faith in the longtime democracy leaders party.

We can understand the previous situation, that previous governments backed up by the military did not follow the democratic norms," said Kyaw Soe Aung, the general secretary from Democracy and Human Rights party (DHRP), one of three Rohingya parties in Myanmar.

But it is difficult to understand that Aung San Suu Kyi and her democratic government would do the same."

The party chairman, Kyaw Min, 72, was also rejected this week, despite winning a seat in a 1990 election, that was nullified by the former military government, and spending years in prison along with other democracy activists.

Abu Tahay, an independent Rohingya candidate who was also barred from the polls, said the exclusion of Rohingya people from the election - as candidates and voters - meant they would feel thwarted in trying to reach their goals of securing citizenship and living in peaceful coexistence" with all citizens.

They dont have any hope for their future, he said.

While voter lists have been posted across the country, none has appeared at the camps outside the Rakhine state capital of Sittwe, where about 100,000 Rohingya are confined, community elder Kyaw Hla Aung told Reuters by telephone.

In 2015, about 200 people appeared on the voter list but this time, there is no voter list," he told Reuters by phone.

Aye Win, one of the six Rohingya who have been approved to stand in the election, said there was little hope of victory unless many more Rohingya were granted citizenship ahead of the vote.

If not, the situation is not good, he said.

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 protester who was shot Monday night in Bedford County suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and the residents involved are being questioned by investigators.

The Pennsylvania State Police issued a press release Tuesday morning about the shooting that occurred on the 800 block of Lincoln Highway in Juniata Township around 10:35 p.m. Monday.

Police will hold a press conference updating the incident this morning.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, a group of activists had been traveling from Milwaukee to Washington D.C. when the incident involving two residents in Bedford County occurred.

Gunfire was exchanged, and one of the activists was struck, police said in a press release.

Further details of the shooting were not immediately available.

The activist is being treated at the Conemaugh Hospital, and the residents involved are being questions by police, according to the state police.

Investigators believe there is no ongoing threat.

At least some of the altercation was caught on a live stream being broadcast on social media by the protest groups leader, Frank Nitty.

12ABC WISN in Wisconsin is reporting that in one of the videos, Nitty can be heard telling the other demonstrators to get in their vehicles, before another person is heard saying loudly, Were leaving, you dont have to be violent.

The protesters live stream video shows what appears to be two people standing in a driveway on an unidentified street; one of them appears to have a long gun, 12ABC writes, adding:

"This dude is shooting at us," Nitty can be heard saying before a vehicle pulls slightly forward blocking the camera's view of the person with the gun.

At least two shots can be heard.

The Pennsylvania State Police Heritage Affairs Section, a specialized unit dedicated to building relationships with historically underserved communities, is assisting in the investigation, police say.

No names have been released.

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25

Trend:

The co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group would like to organize a meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers this autumn, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told TASS on the eve of his official visit to Russia, Trend reports on Aug. 25.

However, Armenia's actions actually bring the efforts of the mediators to zero, Bayramov added.

"Armenia disrupts the conflict settlement process in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and other occupied Azerbaijani territories not only by military attack which occurred on July 12, the minister added.

The leadership of this country undermines the chances for the resumption of the negotiations, stating about the need to consolidate the results of the war, excluding the possibility of withdrawing its armed forces from the occupied territories, threatening to strike at the Azerbaijani settlements, continuing the policy of illegal settlement in the occupied territories, thereby changing the demographic situation there, Bayramov said.

In such circumstances, it would be early to talk about the dates of the meeting of the foreign ministers, Bayramov said.

We expect the guarantees from the OSCE MG that the Armenian side wants to conduct substantive negotiations on the withdrawal its armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories and the elimination of other consequences of the armed conflict, as it has been envisaged in the UN Security Councils four resolutions dated 1993 and the OSCE Budapest Summit Declaration dated 1994, Bayramov said.

The implementation of such agreements will allow to consider political issues in the future, the minister said.
By Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS: More than 10,000 Islamic State fighters are estimated to remain active in Iraq and Syria two years after the militant group's defeat, and their attacks have significantly increased this year, the UN counter-terrorism chief said Monday.

Vladimir Voronkov told the UN Security Council that Islamic State fighters move freely "in small cells between the two countries."

He said the Islamic State extremist group, also known as IS, ISIL and ISIS has regrouped and its activity has increased not only in conflict zones like Iraq and Syria but also in some regional affiliates.

"However, in non-conflict zones, the threat appears to have decreased in the short term," he said.

Measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19, such as lockdowns and restrictions on movement, seem to have reduced the risk of terrorist attacks in many countries.

Nonetheless, Voronkov said, "there is a continued trend of attacks by individuals inspired online and acting alone or in small groups, which could be fueled by ISIL's opportunistic propaganda efforts during the COVID-19 crisis."

He said the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the challenges of eliminating the threat of terrorism, pointing to actions by IS and other terrorist groups seeking "to exploit the far-reaching disruption and negative socioeconomic and political impacts of the pandemic."

But Voronkov said the pandemic's impact on IS recruitment and fundraising activities remains unclear, and there is no clear indication of a change in the extremist group's strategic direction under its leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi.

Turning to Africa, Voronkov said the Islamic State in West Africa Province remains a major focus of ISIL global propaganda, and its total membership of approximately 3,500 makes it one of the largest of the remote 'provinces'.

He said it continues to reinforce links with the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, "which remains the most dangerous group in the tri-border area of Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Niger."

While IS only has "a few hundred fighters in Libya," he said, they have been exploiting ethnic tensions and represent "a potent threat capable of broader regional impact."

He also pointed to worrying attacks by the Islamic State Central Africa Province in Congo and Mozambique, "including complex attacks and brief takeovers of villages."

ALSO READ | At least 14 killed, 75 wounded in IS allied militant bomb attacks in southern Philippines

In Europe, Voronkov said, the main threat comes from "Internet-driven, homegrown terrorist radicalization," citing three ISIL-inspired attacks in France and two in the United Kingdom.

He also noted "acute concerns about radicalization and failed rehabilitation in prisons, and the imminent release of dangerous inmates with a terrorism background or connections."

In Afghanistan, Voronkov said, ISIL's affiliate has conducted high-profile attacks in various parts of the country, including Kabul, and seeks to use Afghan territory "to spread its influence across the region" and to attract fighters who oppose the recent peace agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban.

Elsewhere in Asia, ISIL claimed its first attack in the Maldives in April, he said, and attacks on security forces in southeast Asia occur regularly though government counter-terrorism operations have kept up pressure on the extremists.

Voronkov said the COVID-19 crisis has further complicated "the already dire and unsustainable situation" of thousands of people with suspected links to IS who are stranded in camps in Syria and Iraq, especially women and children.

"Repatriation, prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration and the protection of the vulnerable have become ever more urgent," he said.

While some countries have repatriated their nationals, especially children, many have not.

Voronkov reiterated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call for all countries to implement international law and bring home all their stranded women, men and children.

"The global threat from ISIL is likely to increase if the international community fails to meet this challenge," the head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism warned.

US Ambassador Kelly Craft said the United States shares the secretary-general's concern and has brought back American citizens and prosecuted them where appropriate.

Despite the Islamic State's defeat on the battlefield, she said, "we must work together to ensure that the population of detained foreign terrorist fighters as well as their family members displaced in Syria and Iraq do not become the nucleus of an ISIS 2.0."

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, whose country is Syria's main ally, said the global terrorist threat from ISIL remains high, and its leadership is planning terrorist attacks in the border area between Syria and Iraq.

"At the same time, the terrorists do not intend to give up plans to revive the `caliphate' in Iraq," he said.

ISIL continues to build up its combat potential and is seeking to expand the area and scope of terrorist attacks in the country.

Nebenzia said ISIL's organization and tactics suggest "that it has now fully transformed into a network structure with a high degree of autonomy of branches and `sleeping cells' in various countries and regions of the world."
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Knights of Columbus has sent $250,000 for disaster relief to Lebanon in the wake of the devastating Beirut explosion.

"This is a great tragedy that merits the prayers and full attention of the world," said K of C Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "The calamity in Lebanon is a threat to the vital Christian community there and threatens the existence of Christianity throughout the Middle East. This desperate situation must be addressed."

The Knights' gift was conveyed through Bishop Gregory Mansour, who leads the Maronite Eparchy (diocese) of St. Maron of Brooklyn, NY. It will include: $125,000 for Caritas Lebanon; $50,000 to the St. Vincent de Paul Society; $50,000 for Telelumiere/Noursat Christian Television in the Middle East; and $25,000 for Sesobel, which serves special needs children and their families.

Bishop Mansour said the donations "mark the special charism of the Knights: to serve the poor, to lift up our special needs children, to communicate the saving message of Christ, and to remind the small and tireless Church now in Lebanon that men of good will are near to them in their time of need."

The Knights' gift follows a donation by Pope Francis of 250,000 euros ($295,488) in aid as an expression "of his fatherly closeness to people in serious difficulty," a Vatican press release stated.

At least 178 people were killed and 6,000 were injured in a blast near Beirut's port on Aug. 4. The explosion caused extensive damage to the city and flattened buildings near the port. Some 300,000 people were left temporarily homeless.

Since 2014, the Knights of Columbus has spent more than $25 million on behalf of persecuted Christians and other religious minorities targeted for elimination in the Middle East. The support has funded rebuilding  and saving  the town of Karamles, Iraq, after its liberation from ISIS; fed tens of thousands of displaced people; provided short-term and long-term housing for the displaced; and supported educational, medical and other programs for those targeted by ISIS.

The Knights of Columbus is one of the world's leading fraternal and service organizations with 2 million members in more than a dozen countries. During the past year, Knights around the world donated $187 million for worthy causes in their communities. In recent months, that charity has been focused on the coronavirus pandemic via food banks, blood drives and the Knights' community focused "No Neighbor Left Behind" program.

About the Knights of Columbus

In addition to its charitable efforts, the Knights of Columbus also provides financial services to groups and individuals, resulting in more than $112 billion of life insurance in force, and through its money management firm, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, it invests in accord with Catholic social teachings. From helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to helping stock food banks, to offering top-rated and affordable insurance products to its members, the Knights of Columbus has supported families and communities for more than 138 years.

SOURCE Knights of Columbus

Related Links

www.kofc.org


/* custom css */

.tdi_75_1e5.td-a-rec{ text-align: center; }.tdi_75_1e5 .td-element-style{ z-index: -1; }.tdi_75_1e5.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_75_1e5.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; }@media (max-width: 767px) { .tdi_75_1e5.td-a-rec-img { text-align: center; } }

Advertisement

The Governor of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is after my life. He wants to take over my large expanse of land known as the Airport Road Layout Phase IV and V. This lands measures over 400 plots. I bought it from Umuenwene Iji, Nike, Enugu, Enugu East local government area in 2008.

But the plot by the Gov Ugwuanyi to terminate my life and take over the land came to a head precisely on Friday, August 14, 2020. That was two days (12th of August, 2020) after the execution of the Order of Mandamus by an Enugu State High Court issued to the IGP to make sure that I take over full possession of my property which Gov Ugwuanyi was hiding under the cover of the Federal Ministry of Aviation to grab from me by claiming that it is now part of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Let me state this unequivocally that I am a patriotic Nigerian. So I am not opposed to government acquiring any land, including my own for overriding public interest. I also know that normally acquisition is done through due process. But what Gov Ugwuanyi is trying to do in my case is completely different. He wants to appropriate my land for his personal gain, using his office as the governor of Enugu state to achieve that.

/* custom css */

.tdi_74_e44.td-a-rec{ text-align: center; }.tdi_74_e44 .td-element-style{ z-index: -1; }.tdi_74_e44.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_74_e44.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; }@media (max-width: 767px) { .tdi_74_e44.td-a-rec-img { text-align: center; } }

Advertisement

My travails started about 5 years ago when the then Chairman of Enugu East LGA, Hon. Cornelius Nnaji and his nephew the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly approached me to give them half of the entire layout or they would use their position to take away the land from me. When I refused and called their bluff they now went and incited Umuchigbo community and Edward Ubosis community to start laying claims to my land. Both communities went to court against me over the ownership of the layout. But the court presided over by Justice J.O. Odugu in suit no. E/247/2015 gave judgment in my favour.

Consequently, I employed five security men to guard the layout for me. But Nnaji and his cohorts wrote a petition to Governor Ugwuanyi that I was harboring kidnappers in the place. One fateful day the Governor led a team of security operatives to the layout and arrested my security men, tagged them criminals and charged them to court. They were remanded in prison custody for good one year before I could secure their release through the court. The Governor even approached the then State Commissioner of Police Enugu State, Mr. Ojukwu, to arrest me, accusing me of harbouring kidnappers in the place. But the Commissioner explained that he was aware of the presence of the security men at the layout and that I was not harbouring kidnappers there. So the Commissioner declined the order to arrest me.

Determined on taking my land forcefully from me, Nnaji and his cohorts brought in one Emeka Ene, the Managing Director, En-Power Energy Ltd, based in port Harcourt and empowered him to start construction of a free Trade Zone in the layout. Nnaji even invited Governor Ugwuanyi to come and declare the place a free trade zone, the same land he had earlier accused me of harbouring kidnappers in. Nnaji further co-opted two serving commissioners in Enugu state government and promised them five plots of land each in the layout. They went into the land and demolished 25 duplexes, nearing completion, claiming that the layout is a free trade zone belonging to the Enugu State Government.

The owners of the demolished buildings now sued to court, alleging that I sold government land to them. The trial Judge, Justice A.R Ozoemena, in suit no. E/642/2016 gave judgment in my favour, stating that I am the bona fide owner of the layout and that the layout neither belongs to the Enugu State Government nor was it revoked by it. It was after I took possession of the layout based on this judgment that Gov Ugwuanyi invited me. When I met with the Governor I complained to him how Hon. Nnaji, Hon Edward Ubosi and some serving commissioners under him have been trying to dispossess me of my land. Convinced about my plight the Gov invited the Commissioner for Lands Mr. Solomon Onah that very night and warned him in my presence to desist from trying to dispossess me of my land.

Surprisingly, two months after my meeting with the Governor in 2018, they drafted some mobile Policemen to give protection to the area, saying they were protecting the Akaunu Ibiam International Airport land. This is the same layout Hon Nnaji and gang earlier claimed belonged to Umuchigbo community, later a free trade zone of the Enugu state government, is now being claimed to be the property of the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Aviation. To make good their scheme they co-opted the manger of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Chief Security officer of FAAN Enugu, including some Air force men to be guarding the area. Meanwhile Nnaji and co have sold some plots of land from the same layout they claim belong to the Federal Government to private developers to the extent that 30 buildings were erected in the layout. Obvious that Nnaji and his cohorts have convinced the Enugu State Government to dispossess me of the land, I now ran to the Inspector General of Police and explaining my plight he gave me some police protection. Two weeks after, I moved in there and started construction. The Enugu State Commissioner for Capital Development Authority and some officials of FAAN, accompanied by operatives of the Nigerian police and the Air Force, loaded in five Hilux trucks stormed my layout and demolished several buildings and five thousand beacons. They said the buildings were obstructing free flow of traffic in the Airport, claiming the demolished buildings were illegal structures on FAAN land.

It is important to state here that Emeka Ene the MD of En-Power who Nnaji as the chairman of Enugu East LGA brought and gave C/O on my layout took me to court, claiming ownership of the layout. I am now in court with him over the land in suit no. E/094/2019. Note also that the same Hon Nnaji who is now claiming the layout belongs to the Federal Government has also sued along his brothers to an Enugu State High Court (Court 8) in suit no. E/9/2020, claiming that the layout belongs to their Nnaji nuclear family.

In the course of my travails, I had also reported the matter to the EFCC whose officials after investigation turned in their report in my favour. With the recent completion of the renovation work at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Governor Ugwuanyi is now trying to hide under the perimeter fencing of the Airport to take over my layout. To achieve this they decided to fence in my layout which is over 400 plots into the Airport land. I then approached an Enugu State High Court which issued an order of mandamus, compelling the State Commissioner of Police to assist me possess my land. Consequently, the Commissioner gave me 40 police men to execute the order of mandamus which is to assist me take full possession of my layout by removing illegal structures built on it. This incident happened on Wednesday August 12, 2020. The Governor of Enugu State was later to drive to the Layout, accompanied by heavy security men. Fuming with rage, the Governor said that I damaged Federal Government property with armed thugs. He then drove straight from to my private residence at No 23 Eziokwe str. Trans Ekulu, Enugu. Fortunately, I was not in house when he came, but he met a friend of mine Hon. Arc. Paul Eze who was a colleague of his in the National Assembly. Hon Eze represented Uzo-Uwani/Igbo Etiti Federal Constituency while the Gov represented Udenu/Igbo Eze North Federal Constituency. Hon. Eze is currently paralysed and is recuperating in my house after he was discharged from the hospital. Governor Ugwuanyi told Eze that he had come to demolish my house and that he would kill me; that I cannot come from Anambra state and be contesting a choice property with him in Enugu State where he is the Governor.

The Governor later invited the Minister for Aviation and told him that I used some armed thugs to destroy FAAN property at the Airport and that I should be dealt with. The Governor immediately followed up by demolishing my two palatial duplexes. Painfully, I did not remove even a pin before the houses were demolished. He even declared a manhunt for me and directed that I should be shot on sight.

This is the trouble I am passing through in the hands of Gov Ugwuanyi. I am appealing for the intervention of well meaning Nigerians, especially illustrious Igbo sons and daughters to help me secure my life and my hard earned layout.

Arc J.J Emejulu

Nkolofia Village, Awka Etiti

Anambra State

/* custom css */

.tdi_76_5ef.td-a-rec{ text-align: center; }.tdi_76_5ef .td-element-style{ z-index: -1; }.tdi_76_5ef.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_76_5ef.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; }@media (max-width: 767px) { .tdi_76_5ef.td-a-rec-img { text-align: center; } }
Actors Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson recently welcomed a daughter to the world. Its the couples first child together.

While every womans pregnancy is different, Turner-Smith chose a rather non-traditional way to deliver her child. Lets take a closer look at how the two met and why they decided to deliver their daughter at home for a reason that may surprise you: systemic racism.

How Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson met

RELATED: Jodie Turner-Smith Tweets About Joshua Jackson in Little Fires Everywhere: Objectifying My Husband on the Internet Is My Kink

Jackson has been on Hollywoods radar for years, starring in the Mighty Ducks series in the 90s as well as Cruel Intentions. He skyrocketed to stardom as Pacey on the teen drama Dawsons Creek. Turner-Smith came to fame as one half of the starring duo in the film Queen & Slim.

US Weekly reported that the two met at Ushers 40th birthday party in 2018. A source told the magazine that the couple hit it off nearly immediately:

They were all over each otherSuper smitten and gazing into each others eyes as they danced together their whole night.

The whirlwind romance continued, and only a year later the two found themselves tying the knot. People reported that in August 2019 the couple got their wedding license.

Prior to meeting Turner-Smith, Jackson had dated actor Diane Kruger for ten years. The couple showed up for the premiere to Queen & Slim both sporting new wedding bands.

Soon after they got married, the couple discovered that they were pregnant.

Jodie Turner-Smiths pregnancy

According to an interview Turner-Smith conducted with British Vogue for their current issue, she experienced lots of challenges with her pregnancy. Turner-Smith got pregnant just as Queen & Slim was premiering.

Then she dealt with two major issues our nation and the world are currently grappling with: the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the killing of George Floyd at the hands of a Minnesota policeman. She experienced some health issues but managed to shoot her first action film while pregnant.

Its certainly a trying time for everyone in this current climate, but its apparent that Turner-Smith was looking at an especially challenging pregnancy due to her career and the external pressures facing society. Heres how she chose to deal with all of that.

Why Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson decided to deliver their daughter at home

Turner-Smith and Jackson participated in a home birth delivery of their child. After three days in labor, she gave birth to a healthy baby daughter. But why did the couple opt for a less conventional delivery method? Turner-Smith said that the reason for their decision was systemic racism:

We had already decided on a home birth because of concerns about negative birth outcomes for black women in AmericaAccording to the [CDC], the risk of pregnancy-related deaths is more than three times greater for black women than for white women, pointing, it seems to me, to systemic racism.

This wasnt a decision Turner-Smith made on her own. She had the full support of her husband, Jackson, who agreed that it was the right call for the couple:

Both of us had watched our own mothers struggle to raise children without such support. Both of us were determined to create something different for ourselvesHe kept saying to me, Theres no part of this that Im going to miss. And there wasnt.

The call was an unconventional one to be sure, but it highlights the fact that delivering a child is a deeply personal decision. Every couple has the right to make it as they see fit. In the case of Jackson and Turner-Smith, they made a choice based on how they perceive social injustices and their impact on the delivery process.
Waterford-based VR Education has appointed Dr Harry Kloor as a non-executive director.

VR Education develops virtual reality (VR) training and education products that make it easier to collaborate on tasks remotely, create content and learn.

Demand for remote working and remote learning tools has exploded during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Based in the United States, Dr Kloor is the CEO and co-founder of tech company Beyond Imagination.

In addition, he has worked as an advisor for NASA and the United States Senate, according to a statement from VR Education.

Dr Kloor has also worked with a number of scientific organisations, universities, and companies to advance technologies ranging from robotics, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, deep machine learning, sensor networks and internet-of-things.

Mike Boyce, who has been a non-executive director of VR Education since February 2018, is stepping down from the board to pursue other interests.

Richard Cooper, chairman of VR Education, said: "[Dr Kloor] has deep experience in the education sector and in driving adoption of new technologies, particularly in the important US marketplace.

We look forward to his insight and support as we continue to deliver on our strategy and benefit from the increasing interest in VR in multiple sectors."

VR Education was founded by husband and wife team, David and Sandra Whelan.

Earlier this year, Taiwanese consumer electronics company HTC Corporation invested 3m in VR Education in exchange for a 20pc stake in the Irish business.

Last month VR signed a multi-year agreement with Tokyo Global Gateway (TGG) for use of its 'Engage' platform.

TGG is a large-scale English-education facility, managed and operated by a consortium of five private-sector entities appointed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education. .

That agreement comprises an initial one-off fee for custom work alongside annual software licence fees.

In 2018 VR Education raised 6m (6.7m) when it listed on the London and Irish stock exchanges.
India's most wanted terrorist and 1993 Mumbai blasts mastermind Dawood Ibrahim lives in a palatial bungalow at Karachi's posh area and he is in regular touch with several actresses of Pakistani film industry, according to DNA's exclusive report.

You must have heard many times about the relationship between Bollywood and the underworld. Once upon a time, Dawood Ibrahim had a great influence on Bollywood and he used to invest in several Bollywood films. Many Indian actors used to go to attend his house parties too. But it seems that Dawood's interest in film industry has not ended even after running away to Pakistan.

Dawood's relationship with Pakistani film industry came to light in 2019 when a small-time Pakistani actress was awarded the 'Tamga-e-Imtiaz', a big civilian honour in Pakistan. The name of this actress is 37-year-old Mehwish Hayat. Interestingly, Mehwish was not a known face until a few years ago but she has now become a popular face of Pakistan's media and glamor industry.

Several people had raised questions over the Pakistan's government decision to bestow 'Tamga-e-Imtiaz' to Mehwish and it was reported by a web portal that the Pakistani film industry is shocked to know that Mahvish has been given such a big honour.

A web portal reported that whether Mahvish was given the Tamga-e-Imtiaz because she has really done so much work for the film industry or because of her relationship with a Karachi-based powerful person who is very close to ruling Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf party. When Mehwish was trolled after this news, she called it a conspiracy against her.

Sources told Zee Media that Dawood is currently in regular touch with a Pakistani actress and she has now become one of the biggest weaknesses of the fugitive gangster.

Mehwish had started her career with an item number and it is said that after this item number she grabbed the attention of Dawood Ibrahim. It is said that Mehwish later got opportunities to work in several big projects due to her closeness with an influential person from Karachi, who is no one but Dawood. The meteroic rise of Mehwish shows that Dawood still maintains a lot of hold in film industry and he can make anyone's career in the glamour industry.
Gazas militant Hamas rulers imposed a territory-wide curfew on Tuesday after authorities detected the first local cases of the coronavirus, raising fears of a wider outbreak in the blockaded territory that is home to some 2 million Palestinians.

Gaza has registered more than 100 cases and a fatality since the start of the pandemic, but until now all the infections were linked to quarantine facilities for returning travelers. Most lockdown restrictions were lifted months ago, with even wedding halls operating normally.

The four cases detected in central Gaza indicate the coronavirus has breached the territorys defenses, and a wider outbreak could overwhelm a health care system battered by years of war and isolation, with only a few dozen ventilators for the entire population.

Gaza has also seen rising tensions in recent weeks between Israel and Hamas, as militants have launched incendiary balloons and rockets into Israel while demanding the easing of the blockade imposed when Hamas seized power in 2007. Israel has responded by tightening restrictions further and launching airstrikes against militant targets.

Hamas announced a 48-hour curfew after the four cases were announced late Monday. Schools, businesses, markets and mosques were ordered to close, and police patrols stopped and inspected the few cars passing through checkpoints.

The four patients are related and live in the al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza. On Tuesday, Hamas-run police roamed the empty streets to enforce the lockdown.

Hundreds of people nevertheless took part in the funeral of four militants from the Islamic Jihad group who were killed in a mysterious blast late Monday in Gaza City.

The mourners, few of whom wore masks, marched shoulder to shoulder through the citys crowded Shajaiyeh neighborhood despite calls from the group to take precautions and limit attendance to relatives of the slain militants.

All Gazans returning home through Israel or Egypt have been required to remain isolated at designated centers for 21 days. Authorities have detected 110 cases in the quarantine facilities since March, and 72 of them have recovered. A woman with underlying health problems died from the Covid-19 disease caused by the virus.

Abdelnasser Soboh, director of the World Health Organizations Gaza office, said cases of local transmission were expected. This was not surprising to us, he said.

He added that authorities are following the correct procedures to track the source of the infection and people who were in contact with the patients.

The health ministry said a woman from Gaza who was allowed to travel to Jerusalem for medical treatment had tested positive after arriving there. Health workers back in Gaza then tested her family members, revealing the four cases. The woman is still in Jerusalem.

Hamas seized control of Gaza from rival Palestinian forces 13 years ago. In response, Egypt and Israel imposed a crippling blockade on the territory. Israel says the blockade is needed to keep Hamas from importing and manufacturing arms. Hamas and Israel have fought three wars and countless skirmishes.

There have been no deaths or serious injuries from the recent exchanges of fire, and neither side is believed to be seeking war. But any fatalities could spark an escalation.

The attacks were coordinated by Hamas to pressure Israel to ease the blockade. Instead, Israel has closed Gazas sole commercial crossing and its fishing zone. The territorys only power plant was forced to shut down a week ago for lack of fuel, leaving most Gazans with just four hours of electricity per day.

Gazas heath infrastructure has been hollowed out by years of conflict, and would be ill-equipped to cope with a major outbreak. Gazas health facilities only have around 100 ventilators, more than half of which are already being used.

The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees said it is extremely concerned by the closure of the power plant and its impact on Gaza residents.

We are calling on all concerned parties to maintain a supply of electricity that is sufficient to meet the basic needs of the civilian population, said Matthias Schmale, director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza.

Soboh of the WHO said that his organization managed to bring in 10 new ventilators for a special field hospital for coronavirus patients in Gaza, raising the number of these machines at that hospital to 50.

We can deal with hundreds of patients, but not thousands, he said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  The House Committee on Health has created a technical working group that will consolidate various positions on measures pushing for the establishment of a medical reserve corps.

In a virtual meeting on Tuesday, lawmakers underscored the need to ensure that there will be enough health workers in times of disasters and emergencies. They are proposing to recruit even non-licensed graduates of different medical courses.

The Philippine Medical Association agreed, but it also pointed that out non-licensed graduates should only work under the supervision of licensed practitioners.

Yun pong walang mga license we can use them in the telemedicine kasi they are not directly concerned with the patient, PMA Vice President Benito Atienza said.

[Translation: Those without license, we can use them in the telemedicine because they are not directly concerned with the patient.]

Health committee chairperson Quezon 4th district representative Angeline Tan said she believes those who finished a four-year medical course should be qualified.

Definitely we have to define yung hanggang saan lang ang functions na pwede nilang gawin. So that ma-prevent din natin yung mga legal implications should we call them on duty kasi buhay yung hahawakan nila, Tan said.

[Translation: Definitely, we have to define the extent of the functions they can serve. So we can also prevent legal implications should we call them on duty because they will be responsible for people's lives.]

The Philippine Nurses Association, for its part, encouraged the recruitment of nurses as long as there are clear provisions on salary and benefits. The group said it is still trying to find out why there is a shortage of nurses despite the high number registered with the Professional Regulation Committee.

We have so many nurses, we have so many in the roster of the PRC. We are looking where are the whereabouts?, Philippine Nurses Association president Dr. Rosie De Leon explained.

Doctors' groups have appealed for help as medical frontliners feel the strain of attending to the still-increasing number of COVID-19 patients, with thousands of them already infected.

A similar bill seeking the creation of a medical reserve corps has been filed at the Senate.
San Francisco, Aug 25 : Investment firms General Atlantic and Sequoia Capital are driving Cloud major Oracle's potential bid for TikTok which is under pressure to divest its US business, The Wall Street Journal reported.

General Atlantic and Sequoia Capital have large stakes in TikTok's parent ByteDance which is a Chinese unicorn.

These two investment firms are pushing Oracle's potential bid for TikTok as they are concerned that they might miss out on some actions if Microsoft becomes successful in purchasing TikTok's business in the US, said the WSJ report on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Microsoft revealed earlier this month its intention to buy TikTok's services in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

A report in The Financial Times last week said that Oracle was also seriously considering purchasing the app's operations in these countries.

The pressure on ByteDance to sell TikTok's US business increased after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on August 6 effectively threatening a ban on the app next month over national security concerns.

A subsequent executive order issued on August 14 gave TikTok an option to divest its US operation within 90 days.

TikTok filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging the first executive order.

The short video-sharing platform accused the US authorities of stripping the rights of the company without providing any evidence to justify the extreme action.
Towards the end of the seven-hour long stormy meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Monday, Sonia Gandhi was quoted saying that at the end, the party, like a family, comes together as one, despite differences among its members.

The CWC resolution issued later read it notes that inner-party issues cannot be deliberated through the media or in public fora, without naming any leaders.

The CWC urges and advises all concerned to raise such issues only in party fora in the interest of propriety and discipline, it said.

Soon after the meeting, the unified portrayal notwithstanding, many leaders among the 23 who were signatories to the letter of dissent, including Anand Sharma, Manish Tewari, Kapil Sibal and Shashi Tharoor met at senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azads house.

The sequence of events speaks of a clear rift within the party. The meeting outcome was not dramatic with the leaders unanimously deciding to request Sonia Gandhi to continue as partys interim president for now. Yet, it was marred with clear battle lines drawn between the Gandhi family loyalists and those who wrote the letter seeking collective leadership and a revamp of major bodies.

Most of those present at the meeting, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, reportedly slammed the 23 dissenters questioning the content and the timing of the letter.

The two voices that have been at the forefront of exposing the governments inadequate responses, divisive politics and audacious responses are of Smt Sonia Gandhi and Shri Rahul Gandhi, the resolution read reiterating that the voices of our two leaders have inspired generations of Indians, both within and outside the Congress party.

Also Read: Carry on, Congress

Now what next for the grand old party, especially when elections in Bihar and other states are nearing. At the CWC meeting, however, the leaders clarified that they were not against Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi. Many familiar with the developments said Rahul Gandhi will be elected as the President at the All India Congress Committee session scheduled in six months.

Many downplayed the dissent. Find me a party that is perfect  Yes we need to respond to changes that are happening in the political framework. And we will respond, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid told News18 in an interview. I have not seen the party blaming the dissenters. But there is context and time to anything you do, he said.

The fresh row over leadership within the Congress comes at a time when Congress has not only been losing election after election but also been unable to hold on to power in states, such as Madhya Pradesh, where it formed the government. Not to mention the recent desertion, including that of Jyotiraditya Scindia, who joined the BJP and the turmoil in Rajasthan which eventually ended with a truce between the Sachin Pilot camp and the other led by chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

While the surname Gandhi has been an asset since it glues leaders together, it has also become a liability as has been testified by the letter written by 23 senior leaders. I think what played out in the CWC, the crisis is only going to deepen. Its no good news for Congress. Either some leaders will quit or there will be a clear rift, Sanjay Kumar of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) told Moneycontrol.

In the past too, leaders who had raised issues on leadership in the party had faced consequences. In 1999, three dissenting leaders, Sharad Pawar, PA Sangma and Tariq Anwar were expelled from the party for six years after they raised the foreigner tag of Sonia Gandhi who became the partys president in May that year.

The Gandhis may have won, but Congress has lost. This was an opportunity for the party to do a course correction but they failed us and the nation, said a Congress leader who did not want to be named.
Two killed and up to 70 people feared trapped after five-storey apartment block comes down in Maharashtra state.

Rescuers in India pulled a four-year-old boy from the rubble of a collapsed building to loud cheers on Tuesday, hours after the five-storey apartment block came down like a house of cards, burying up to 70 people.

The accident late on Monday in the western town of Mahad, south of Mumbai, led three disaster-response teams and sniffer dogs to work through the night, combing tin sheets, twisted metal and broken bricks.

The cause of the accident was not immediately clear but building collapses are common during Indias June-September monsoon, with old and rickety structures buckling after days of non-stop rain.

National Disaster Response Force spokesman Sachidanand Gawde told reporters emergency workers had so far retrieved the bodies of two victims in addition to the little boy who survived the collapse.

Earlier, a local official told the Reuters news agency that rescue workers had pulled more than 60 people alive from the rubble.

Video footage of the rescue effort showed onlookers applauding and cheering as the child was pulled from the wreckage and hauled onto a stretcher.

Estimates of the number of people still trapped ranged from 20 to 70 after dozens managed to flee when the building began to shake.

No one knows how many people are actually stuck inside, a Mahad police official told the AFP news agency on the condition of anonymity, adding that authorities had initially feared the worst, with early estimates as high as 200.

Rescue workers search for survivors in the debris [Francis Mascarenhas /Reuters]

Mahad legislator Bharat Gogawale told AFP that many of the buildings occupants appeared to have been out shopping when the accident occurred at about 7pm local time (13:30 GMT).

As per latest estimates, we think 20 people are trapped inside, he said.

Others had left the town altogether, preferring to wait out the pandemic in their home villages.

Many families were not residing in the building as they went to their native places due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, district official Nidhi Choudhari told the Press Trust of India.

Mustafa Chafekar, a resident who had been in home quarantine after testing positive for the virus, told the Mumbai Mirror that he and his family of five initially thought they were experiencing an earthquake.

We ran down immediately  The whole (structure) collapsed right in front of us, the 39-year-old said of their escape.

He said residents had previously complained to the builders about the condition of the complex.

Local politician Manik Motiram Jagtap told TV9 Marathi that the structure was 10 years old and built on weak foundations.

It fell like a house of cards, Jagtap said.

Saddened by the building collapse in Mahad, Raigad in Maharashtra. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their dear ones. I pray the injured recover soon. Local authorities and NDRF teams are at the site of the tragedy, providing all possible assistance: PM  PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was saddened by what happened.

My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their dear ones. I pray the injured recover soon, he said.

The monsoon plays a vital role in boosting agricultural harvests across South Asia. But it also causes widespread death and destruction, unleashing floods, triggering building collapses and inundating low-lying villages.

The death toll from monsoon-related disasters this year has topped 1,200, including more than 800 in India.

The building collapse is a further blow to the state of Maharashtra, already hit hard by the coronavirus, with the region accounting for more than a fifth of Indias more than three million infections.

The pandemic has also cast a shadow on Indias continuing Ganesha Chaturthi festival, with Hindu devotees ordered to sharply scale down celebrations and rituals honouring the much-loved god.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has issued a press release stating that Alexei Navalnys poisoning isnt in the Russian leaderships favor. The press release comes after the meeting of Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov and US First Deputy Secretary of State Steven Bigan.

Bigan raised Alexei Navalnys issue. Viewing the case as an incident, the American side stressed that if the version of him being poisoned as an opposition figure is confirmed, Washington will take measures, on the backdrop of which the American publics response to Russias intervention in the 2016 US presidential elections will be obscured.

I drew my interlocutors attention to the inadmissibility of groundless allegations, and we emphasized that the Russian leadership supports a more thorough and objective investigation into the incident, Lavrov said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation recalled that all the data regarding the history of Navalnys disease have been transmitted to the brigade of German doctors who have arrived in Omsk to transfer Navalny to Charite Clinic in Berlin.
The conspiracy to attack the CRPF convoy in Pulwama in February 2019 was hatched by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar and his two brothers Rauf Azghar and Maulana Mohammed Ammar, and was executed in Kashmir by his nephew Ummer Farooq, the National Investigation Agency has said in its chargesheet.

It all started when Farooq infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir in April 2018, the NIA chargesheet says, suggesting that the attack conspiracy was underfoot for 10 months. A few days after Farooq, Ismail Saifullah, also infiltrated into Kashmir, the agency said.

The two accused crossed over the international border into Samba district in Jammu and were received by Ashiq Ahmed Nengroo - named in chargesheet as absconding - and Mohd Iqbal Rather.

The NIA said that the phones recovered from the accused contained videos that showed them cutting fences along the international border and crossing into India on a moonless night.

Nengroo, who the NIA believes has escaped to Pakistan, met Farooq and Saifullah at the Bein river bridge and helped them reach the Kashmir Valley by crossing the national highway.

The procurement of the explosives began by October-November 2018. The NIA chargesheet says that accused Shakir Bashir, who was arrested on February 28, 2020, turned out to be the main help of Ummer Farooq. It was at Bashirs house that the IED was made. He collected the explosives from other over ground workers and stocked them.

The car which the terrorists used to attack the CRPF convoy in Pulwama on February 14, 2019, killing 40 soldiers.

While the 35 kg RDX used in the IED was brought from Pakistan, other substances like gelatin sticks and ammonium nitrates were bought from local fertiliser shop. Waisul Islam, another accused in the case, allegedly ordered aluminium powder from an e-commerce site.

On the night of February 5, 2019, the IED was made by Adil Ahmed Dar, the local fidayeen who drove the bomb-laden vehicle into the CRPF bus, Sameer Dar, Ummer Farooq and Shakir Bashir. Sameer Dar was also part of the core group of attackers, said the NIA. He escaped from the encounter in which Farooq and IED expert Kamran were killed.

On the morning of February 6, a blue-colour Maruti Eeco car was parked at Shakir Bashirs house and the explosives were fitted. Two drums of IED were made - one was of 160 kg and the other was 40 kg.

The investigation agency said that the terrorists were ready to first strike on the CRPF convoy on February 6, 2019, but snowfall had led to closure of the highway and delayed their plan.

On the fateful day of February 14, Shakir Bashir, who had a timber shop near the blast site, observed that road opening parties were being set up on highway and alerted Farooq, who swiftly got the group into action, setting in motion the attack.

It was Shakir who drove the explosive-laden vehicle till about 500 metres before the attack spot, and then handed it over to Adil Dar. The NIA said Dar observed which bus in the convoy had the maximum jawans and specifically chose that bus to ram his vehicle in to cause maximum casualties.
A medical cannabis testing laboratory is the subject of an investigation by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority amid allegations of falsifying product test results.

Agency officials confirmed F.A.S.T. Laboratories, which has its headquarters in Oklahoma City, has pending inquiries with the OMMA and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

OMMA Director of Communications Terri Watkins told the Tulsa World, I can confirm there is an ongoing investigation into F.A.S.T. Laboratories and its owner, Kyle Felling, but said there is nothing else I can provide to you at this time.

Meanwhile, OBNDD Communications Director Mark Woodward said OBN isnt in a position to discuss the actions of our agency regarding FAST Labs at this point.

Neither Watkins nor Woodward was able to provide a timeline on when their work may be complete, nor did they provide specific details about the reasons for the investigations or say whether the two agencies are working together on the matter.
A 'controlling and manipulative,' businessman, 54, strangled his wife to death with a dressing gown cord before heading to the pub to drink and take cocaine, a court has heard.

Ian Hamer is accused of murdering his wife of 27 years, Joanne Hamer, who was found lying partially clothed on a bed at their home in Worlaby, North Lincolnshire, in May last year.

Hamer, 54, has admitted manslaughter - saying his mental state at the time was such that he did not understand what he was doing - but denies murder.

Jason Pitter QC, opening the case for the prosecution, told the jury at Hull Crown Court that the marriage began to deteriorate at an early stage due to Hamer's behaviour.

Mr Pitter said: 'He was somebody who was controlling and manipulative. He was also, as part of that, very jealous and possessive.'

Ian Hamer, 54, (right) was accused of murdering his wife Joanne Hamer, 48 (left). He is now facing a new second charge of manslaughter

The barrister said Hamer would control what his wife wore, check up on her, monitor her interactions on social media, and accuse her of having affairs.

He was also physically aggressive towards her, and 'heavy-handed' with their three children, and the police had been called to their home on a number of occasions, the jury was told.

The court heard that Hamer had developed a problem with alcohol over the years and had conducted at least one affair.

The jury heard that, in the weeks leading up to her death, Mrs Hamer, 48, had either moved out or been thrown out of the marital home and was considering buying another property.

Hamer 'wasn't happy' as he would have to contribute financially and said he was being blackmailed, culminating in Mrs Hamer calling off the purchase and being 'permitted' to move back into the family home, the jury was told.

Mr Pitter said: 'Joanne Hamer wanted to give the defendant one last chance.'

But the barrister said Hamer was communicating with another woman two days before his wife's death and told the jury: 'One conclusion you could reach is that he wanted her out of the way.'

On May 6 2019, the court heard, Hamer called his mother-in-law to tell her that his wife would not be contacting her as usual as she had a sore throat.

He also sent his son out to buy throat lozenges.

Mr Pitter told the jury that Mrs Hamer's mother later called police because she was concerned that 'something terrible may have happened to her daughter'.

He said: 'She was tragically correct.

'Joanne Hamer lay dead in her bed, partially dressed with only some of her night clothes on and the cord of her dressing gown around her neck.

'She had been strangled and killed by the defendant.'

Hamer (left), a self-employed businessman, was arrested about 24 hours after his wife's body was discovered. Right: Mrs Hamer

Mr Pitter continued: 'He left his wife there and just went about his business as if nothing had happened.'

The barrister told the court that Hamer went to a pub 'without a care in the world', where he played pool, 'laughing and joking' with people in the bar.

The jury heard that Hamer drank alcohol and took cocaine and was seen 'surreptitiously' removing his wedding ring.

He was arrested the following day and was treated for an injury to his wrist, stating that he had cut himself because 'he was so upset and traumatised', the court heard.

Mr Pitter said Hamer refused to answer any 'significant questions' during interview but used the 'technical legal term' of manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

He said those close to Hamer had some concerns about his mental state over the years and the court is expected to hear medical evidence that he had some psychiatric issues.

The trial continues.
Just when it seemed 2020 couldn't get worse, a particularly awful wildfire season has ignited across California, setting our already dystopian world ablaze and leaving the Bay Area to choke on what is officially the most polluted air in the world.

Sparked by a series of rare, dry lightning storms last week, hundreds of fires have already scorched nearly one million acres across our region. As of press time on Monday, containment is at just 10 percent for the SCU Lightning Complex (in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties); 22 percent for the LNU Lightning Complex (in Sonoma, Napa, and Solano counties); and 9 percent for the CZU (in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties). Smaller fires have also sparked in Marin, Monterey, Butte, and Tuolumne counties, and beyond.

Already, tens of thousands have been forced to flee their homes, and one of California's most beloved and oldest state parks, Big Basin, has been all but eviscerated. Four people have died.

We encourage you to follow NBC Bay Area, which is keeping an updated list of evacuations, evacuation centers, and maps of the burn zones; Cal Fire for information hotlines and safety precautions; and also the San Francisco Chronicle's Air Quality Map.

We also refuse to sit helpless and just watch as our home state burns. We have updated this 2019 article to reflect resources for 2020: what and where to donate, how you can volunteer, and other ways to help victims of the Northern California wildfires now. We will do our best to keep this guide updated. If you have a helpful tip, please email edit@7x7.com or leave us a comment on Facebook or Instagram.

Volunteer with the American Red Cross See on Instagram With Cal Fire maxed out, the American Red Cross is actively seeking thousands of volunteers to help with food donations, shelter upkeep, and more throughout California. Join a virtual presentation outlining the various Disaster Service opportunities across the Bay Area at 4pm Thursday, Aug. 28th. Applications are being accepted online and in person. (The Red Cross also accepting monetary donations, as well.) // redcross.org

How to Donate Food, Clothing + Goods to Wildfire Victims See on Instagram Before you dump off your old clothes at the local shelter, it's always best to call ahead to evacuation centers, shelters, and food banks before venturing out with your donation. First, find out what they needand what they don't. (Copious amounts of of food went to waste at Los Angeles fire stations in 2018 because there wasn't enough manpower to distribute it.) Clothing: Especially in the age of Covid, all clothing donations should be either new or appropriately cleaned. Socks and underwear are especially appreciatednew ones only, please. Food: Non-perishables are preferred. Some fire stations and food banks will accept homemade food, but it's best to avoid using any ingredients prone to allergic reactions (nuts, cinnamon, shellfish, etc.) for safety reasons. Toiletries and personal care items are important. Find a local food bank at cdss.ca.gov/food-banks. Find a local shelter at maps.redcross.org. Find an evacuation center at nbcbayarea.com.
LONDONIn January, the Chinese city of Wuhan became the first in the world to undergo a lockdown to fight the coronavirus pandemic. In many ways this crucial period remains a mystery, with few images escaping the censors grasp.

A new film by Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei helps fill in some of that missing history. Although now living in Europe, Ai remotely directed dozens of volunteers across China to create Coronation, a portrait of Wuhans draconian lockdown  and of a country able to mobilize huge resources, if at great human cost.

The audience has to understand that this is about China, Ai said in a telephone interview from Portugal. Yes, its about the corona lockdown, but it is trying to reflect what ordinary Chinese people went through.

Despite early missteps, China has fared better than many other countries in taming the epidemic, with 4,700 deaths compared to more than 172,000 in the United States. The Communist party goes to great lengths to squelch displays of grief and anger but still retains broad domestic support for its efforts.

The film reflects this broader story through vignettes that follow the events chronologically: It begins Jan. 23 with a couple driving through a snowy night to return home to a suburb of Wuhan and ends April 8 with people burning paper money  a traditional offering to the dead  on a street corner.

In between are scenes and stories remarkable for their rare access into the machinery of the Chinese state. These include up-close images of a hospital being built in a matter of days and an inside look at an intensive-care unit; scenes of medical staff being rewarded with membership in the Communist party and of workers at a crematory kneading bags of human ashes so they will fit into urns.

The overall impression, especially in the films first half-hour, is one of awesome efficiency. Crews quickly bolt prefabricated rooms together; ICU machines beep and purr. The new party members are sworn in with their right fists raised up, and the crematory labourers work so hard that they complain that their hands ache.

As the film progresses, the human costs become more apparent. A volunteer worker whose job is finished is not allowed to leave the quarantine zone, so he sleeps in his car in a parking garage. Mourners wail inconsolably at a crematory, and a man fights to be allowed to collect his fathers urn without government officials present  something authorities do not permit because they are afraid the mourning will turn to anger at the government for having allowed the virus to spin out of control.

Though best known as an artist for his large installations, Ai has often investigated sensitive issues in China on film, including a documentary about a man who murdered six police officers in Shanghai and one about why so many schools collapsed in the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.

I had a team that could start quickly, Ai said of making Coronation. They didnt have to ask what I wanted.

Besides volunteers and paid crews, Ai said he was aided by his partner, Wang Fen, who has siblings living in Wuhan. She had a deeply emotional involvement, he said.

The hardest footage to shoot was inside the ICU, Ai said, but he could not divulge how it was filmed. He said much of it was done with hand-held video cameras about the size of a smartphone that are able to stabilize images. It helped, he said, that many people were wearing masks: that made them feel less nervous about getting in trouble for speaking on camera.

Ai said he amassed nearly 500 hours of footage that he and his team cut down to make the roughly two-hour documentary.

The film is available in the United States on Alamo on Demand and in other parts of the world on Vimeo on Demand, including Canada where it can be rented for 48 hours for $8 (U.S.). Ai said he had hoped to show it first at a film festival, but festivals in New York, Toronto and Venice, after first expressing interest, turned him down. He said that Amazon and Netflix also rejected the movie.

He says his impression is that this was because many of these festivals and companies want to do business in China and so avoid topics that might anger Beijing, something other Chinese directors say is common.

The Venice International Film Festival declined to comment, while the Toronto Independent Film Festival and Amazon did not return calls or emails. Others denied that politics played a role. A spokesperson for Netflix said it was working on its own documentary about the virus, while a press officer for the New York Film Festival said in an email that we want to emphasize that political pressures do not and have never played a role in the festivals curatorial selection.

Ai said the film points to how Chinas technocratic successes present a formidable challenge to open societies. Its brand of state capitalism has delivered decades of fast economic growth and has helped raise tens of millions out of absolute poverty.

But its not just how efficiently you make decisions but what you deliver to human society, Ai said. China has no answers there.

Rather than providing the world with a model for how to govern, Chinas response to the virus shows an increasingly nervous, fragile country, he said. In the scenes where mourners collect ashes, for example, Ai said viewers should note that all the people in white suits and full personal protective gear lurking in the background are members of state organizations trying to make sure that a lid is kept on the grief.

China has this very clear view that once you lose control then chaos follows, Ai said.

It has not roots to stabilize itself because it has no non-governmental organizations, just the government.

Read more about:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.25

By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:

The value of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands amounted to $1.9 billion over 1H2020, compared to $2.1 billion during the same period of 2019, Trend reports with reference to Kazakhstans Statistics Committee.

The share of the Netherlands in the total value of Kazakhstans trade turnover stood at 4.5 percent during the reporting period compared to 4.5 percent during the same period of 2019 indicating it was nearly flat year-on-year.

Kazakhstans export to the Netherlands amounted to $1.7 billion over the period from January through June 2020, compared to $2 billion during the same period of 2019.

The Netherlandss share in the total volume of Kazakhstans export amounted to 6.9 percent during the reporting period of 2020 compared to 7 percent during the same period of 2019.

In turn, Kazakhstans imports from the Netherlands stood at about $120.7 million over the reporting period, compared to $99.1 million during the same period of 2019.

The Netherlandss share in the total volume of Kazakhstans import amounted to 0.7 percent during the reporting period of 2020 compared to 0.6 percent during the same period of 2019.

The total volume of Kazakhstans trade turnover amounted to $42.5 billion over the period from Jan. through June 2020 which indicates a decrease from $46.1 billion during the same period of 2019.

Kazakhstans export amounted to $26 billion during the reporting period of 2020 ($28.6 billion in the same period of 2019), whereas import amounted to $16.5 billion ($17.5 billion in 2019).

---

Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh
A 15-year-old boy was killed and an 18-year-old man was injured after a group of nearly a dozen people allegedly resorted to firing and stabbing in south Delhis Tigri Camp late on Monday, triggering panic and fear among local residents. Two separate cases of murder and attempt to murder have been registered.

Also read: Delhi Police file case in Jamia firing, say no empty shells found

Police officers said preliminary probe has revealed that the attack was the result of enmity between two groups over a past incident.

Later in the day, an 18-year-old man was arrested and two minor boys were apprehended for their alleged involvement in Monday nights violence.

The three apprehended persons told us that the attack was planned and led by one Annu alias Sourabh in retaliation of the murder of one Vinay that was recently reported in Dakshinpuri area. Their disclosure is being verified and corroborated with the facts pertaining to Vinays murder, said deputy commissioner of police (south) Atul Kumar Thakur, adding that raids are being conducted to nab Annu and other absconding suspects.

One boy aged 15 was declared brought dead at the AIIMS Trauma Centre. He had suffered injuries in the attack. The other injured person, Amman alias Mohammad Ali,18, was fired upon and stabbed by the group of attackers. He is undergoing treatment, said DCP Thakur.

Police said that Ammans statement has been registered and using the details and physical descriptions of the attackers that he gave, the investigating team are looking for the suspects and conducting raids to nab them.

To avoid further clash, police personnel remained deployed in Tigri Camp area throughout the night.
South Africa: SA records 100 new COVID-19 deaths, cases rise to 611 450

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 611 450 after 1 677 new cases were identified as of Monday, while the death toll is 13 159.

Of the 100 additional fatalities recorded, 36 were in Mpumalanga, 19 in the Western Cape, 14 in KwaZulu-Natal, 12 in Gauteng, 11 in the Eastern Cape and eight in Limpopo.

According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the number of those who have recovered stands at 516 494, which translates to a recovery rate of 84%.

The total number of tests conducted to date is 3 564 065, with 10 640 done since the last report.

Gauteng remains the epicentre with 206 525 cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 110 102, Western Cape 104 667 and Eastern Cape 85 240.

The Free State has 35 367 cases, North West 24 371, Mpumalanga 23 163, Limpopo 12 643 and Northern Cape 9 322.

Fifty remain unknown.

Worldwide, there have been 23 311 719 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 806 410 deaths reported to the World Health Organisation.

Mkhize salutes doctors

Engaging doctors and health professionals on Monday, the Minister thanked them for the role they are playing in the face of the deadly pandemic.

Today is about you, the frontline healthcare workers. The ones in the trenches who hold the human face and render the human touch to all the policies, regulations, science and academic research that has flooded the health service delivery space, as we were confronted with a virus for which we had no precedent and no formula.

It is the doctor that must examine, test, probe, reassess, worry and dedicate his abilities towards the management of life."

The Minister said he appreciated the uncertainly under which the doctors are working and the frustrations they face.

The fear of knowing every time that the next patient could be the one that infects you and not knowing how your own body will respond to the virus.

Mkhize saluted them for the sheer tenacity and resilience they have portrayed, which has positioned leaders in the global COVID-19 response.

This battle has not been without its casualties. Over 27 000 of our colleagues have become infected with the virus and tragically it has robbed us of 240 of our talented healthcare workers. We mourn every soul lost to this enemy.

The Minister assured the healthcare workers that government will continue to engage with structures representing them, as they seek to create a new culture of mutual understanding and respect.

Meanwhile, Mkhize said this is no time to be complacent, as the number of infections drop.

We have now started to dismantle some of the field hospitals, as we have concluded field hospital beds are no longer necessary. Now, we shift our focus to facility refurbishment and oxygen reticulation, he said.

However, discussions to foster co-operation between private and public sectors are ongoing.

This discussion needs to continue, as we have learnt through this pandemic that we are all health service providers and the future will be much better for all South Africans if we continue to operate as a united front, Mkhize said.

He hopes the crisis will advance the cause of Universal Health Coverage through the National Health Insurance.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
India Square could soon become Jersey Citys newest outdoor dining destination.

On Sunday, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop tweeted a plan to convert a section of Newark Avenue between Tonnelle Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard into a pedestrian-friendly dining area.

Great cities have great pedestrian spaces, Fulop said in a tweet. Weve been studying traffic patterns + working w/ the merchants in India Square on how to re-imagine this area + make it more pedestrian friendly. Its long overdue.

That stretch of Newark Avenue, just north of Journal Square, is a hub of the citys South Asian community and home to a densely packed array of restaurants, grocery stores, and Hindu temples.

According to a picture tweeted by the mayor, Fulops plan calls for converting large swathes of the street into outdoor dining areas and adding two parklets, one on the north side of Newark Avenue and the other on Liberty Avenue.

Under the plan, a roughly 125-foot-long section of Herbert Place would be closed to through traffic and 21 parking spaces on both sides of Newark Avenue would be eliminated to make way for pedestrian and dining access. Dining spaces would be enclosed with planters and barricades.

The stretch of Newark Avenue will remain a two-way street, with 11-foot-wide eastbound and westbound lanes still open for through traffic.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mayor has worked to expand pedestrian plazas across the city for outdoor dining and to aid in social distancing. A new plaza in Exchange Place is also in the works.

Work would begin on the India Square project after Labor Day, Fulop said in his tweet.

Cities should be flexible and always looking for ways to improve, he said.
The state of Wisconsin has been roiled by an incident yesterday that culminated in the shooting of a man named Jacob Blake by Kenosha police officers. The events leading up to the shooting are unclear, but this video shows some of what happened:

Apparently there was some kind of domestic disturbance that resulted in police being called. As the video begins you cant see Blake, but several officers are standing next to a parked car. Blake either stands up from lying on the ground orI thinkgets out of the vehicle. Two officers have their guns drawn, but we dont know why. Blake walks around the car with the officers following him. He obviously is not responding to their commands and starts to get into the car, evidently intending to drive away. One of the officers tugs on his shirt, and finally shoots him.

Response to the video was immediate. Press accounts refer to demonstrations, but what happened last night was rioting and arson:

Wisconsins governor Tony Evers called out the National Guard, but not before he poured fuel on the flames:

Tonight, Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kathy and I join his family, friends, and neighbors in hoping earnestly that he will not succumb to his injuries, Evers said in a statement. While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.

News accounts generally emphasize Blakes race to the exclusion of all else. But what should we make of the incident itself? As Governor Evers said, some facts are not yet known. What happened before the video begins that caused the officers to draw their weapons? We dont know. Watching the video, one can argue that it shouldnt have been necessary for the officers to shoot Blake. And that may indeed prove to be the right answer.

But what, exactly, were they supposed to do? Gang-tackle him? That wasnt a viable option as he was getting into the car. Let him drive away? With hindsight, I am sure they wish they had done exactly that, as their own lives will now be destroyed.

But we rely on the police to maintain order on our streets. If suspects simply ignore officers who are called to the scene of a crime or disturbance, if they refuse to obey the officers orders and drive away, how can the police do the job we expect from them? The social contract is fragile. It assumes, among many other things, that in the heat of the moment, people will do as police officers direct so that order and a modicum of peace can be preserved. If police officers across the country are told to simply let suspects drive away if they prefer not to cooperate, the result will be chaos and more violence.

To me, the most salient question is, what made Jacob Blake think it was a good idea to disregard police officers who had their guns drawn, to refuse to obey their commands, and to try to drive away from the scene? This kind of inexplicable behavior precedes most instances of what is alleged to be police brutality.

Is it wrong to suspect that Black Lives Matter bears some responsibility here? The BLM movement encourages blacks to hate and despise police officers, and it is no leap to go from that to refusing to follow their orders in street encounters. In a world without hysterical anti-police propaganda from the left, would Jacob Blake have done what he did? Would his encounter with the Kenosha police have ended without mishap? We will never know, but it is reasonable to ask the question.
Official comments on prospects for raising retirement age for women

23:30, 25.08.20 6609

The size of the minimum pension from July 1 grew by UAH 74 (US$3).
Former President George W. Bush will not explicitly endorse Joe Biden despite a number of more traditional Republicans crossing the aisle to back the Democrat in recent days.

'We've been quite clear and consistent - President Bush is retired from presidential politics and will not be weighing in,' Bush spokesman Freddy Ford told The Hill newspaper, adding 'it's not in the cards.'

There's been speculation that Bush could join Republicans including ex-Sen. Jeff Flake, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and other retired GOP pols who says they'll vote Biden over President Donald Trump

A spokesman for former President George W. Bush (pictured) said he was 'retired from presidential politics and will not be weighing in,' when asked if Bush might walk across the aisle and endorse Democrat Joe Biden

Former Republican President George W. Bush won't endorse Democrat Joe Biden (left) and it was previously reported that he did not plan to support the re-election bid of President Donald Trump (right)

There's no question that the relationship between Trump and the Bush family is fraught after Trump's brutal 2016 primary campaign against former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who Trump famously coined as 'low energy.'

But Biden hasn't been able to capture the endorsements of any top-tier Republicans or those who are currently in office.

Sen. Mitt Romney, the Republicans' 2012 nominee who voted for one of the articles of impeachment against Trump, stayed silent during last week's Democratic National Convention when there was similar speculation that he might back Biden.

Cindy McCain, the widow of GOP Sen. John McCain, the party's 2018 presidential nominee, narrated a video about her late husband's friendship with Biden, but did not appear on-screen to officially endorse him.

And Bush did pop his head back into national politics last week to endorse Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate Republican who's facing her greatest re-election challenge yet in Maine, after her vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh made her one of the Democrats' biggest targets.

Collins is facing another woman on the ticket, Democrat Sara Gideon.

The Real Clear Politics polling average currently has Gideon 4.5 points ahead.

The former president and former first lady Laura Bush invited Collins over to lunch at the family's Kennebunkport, Maine compound Friday, before coming outside and addressing the press to make the endorsement.

Prior to that, The New York Times reported in June, that Bush would not be supporting Trump's re-election effort - and he's not slated to speak at this week's Republican National Convention.

Collins and a number of other endangered GOP senators are also staying away from the four-day Trump affair, which feature appearances from the president every day.

Additionally, a group of Republicans who are either explicitly supporting Biden or simply against Trump, have launched their own shadow convention this week, called the Convention of Founding Principles.

That convention has so far featured speeches from former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, former FBI Director James Comey and former NSA and CIA Director Michael Hayden, among others.
The Interpol has issued a global arrest warrant against Ami Modi, wife of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who is a prime accused in Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. The arrest warrant has been issued on charges of money laundering case registered against her in India, according to officials.

As per officials, the global police body has issued a Red Corner Notice on the request of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). A Red Corner Notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

Ami Modi, who was reportedly last seen in the United States in 2019, is stated to have left country soon after the alleged bank fraud case came into light in 2018.

The enforcement agency has charged Ami Modi for conspiring and money laundering with her husband Nirav Modi apart from his uncle Mehul Choksi and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are among the prime accused being probed by the ED in connection with a bank fraud worth more than $2 billion at the Brady House branch of Punjab National Bank. Modi is currently lodged in a UK jail after being arrested in London in March 2019. He is currently fighting a legal battle against his extradition to India.

He was declared a fugitive economic offender this year by a Mumbai court. The court had also ordered confiscation of his assets. Under the fugitive economic offenders law, the ED has confiscated assets worth Rs 329.66 crore belonging to Nirav Modi. The seized properties include flats in Mumbai, London and UAE, bank deposits and shares.

The ED till now has attached assets worth Rs 2,348 crore of Nirav Modi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.With PTI inputs

Also Read: Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi case: ED brings back Rs 1,350 cr of diamonds, pearls from Hong Kong

Also Read: Nirav Modi's assets worth Rs 330 crore seized, include flats in Mumbai, London, UAE
Amid a growing chorus for postponing various central examinations, including NEET and JEE, grew louder across India, Swedens teen environmentalist Greta Thunberg recently joined the outrage by expressing her concern about Indian students being forced to give exams during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its deeply unfair that students of India are asked to sit national exams during the Covid-19 pandemic and while millions have also been impacted by the extreme floods. I stand with their call to #PostponeJEE_NEETinCOVID," the student activist tweeted.

Her statement came in the wake of the the Education Ministry finalising the date for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG). JEE-M which was initially meant to be held in April has been postponed to September, as has been the NEET exam which was delayed twice due to rising cases of coronavirus across the country.

Despite some students and parents associations expressing relief at the decision and the Education Ministrys firm stand so far against any further postponement, students from across the country have been demanding postponement of the exams.

On August 23, over 4,000 students observed a day-long hunger strike to press for the demand in view of rising COVID-19 cases.

The protest came on a day Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the government must listen to the mann ki baat of students and arrive at an acceptable solution" and his party demanded that the Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) be deferred.

Greta Thunbergs support to the protesting students was vastly appreciated on social media.

Global community is raising our voice! We're grateful to you even more than any word can express!! #MODIJI_POSTPONEJEENEET  Snehanjali Panigrahy (@Snehu_0429) August 25, 2020

https://t.co/n3aeb4EMgNWhole world are in the support of postponement of jee and neet examination .then why this government forced give exam .our health is much more important .#MODIJI_HELPJEENEET #POSTPONEJEE_NEET @PMOIndia @DrRPNishank @EduMinOfIndia Piyush (@Piyush460836081) August 25, 2020

Support for students from an unlikely quarter  https://t.co/Rs9DbqUzDf Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) August 25, 2020

International Environmental Activist Greta Thunberg extended her support for postponement of exams.Huge wakeup call for Govt and people. #MODIJI_POSTPONEJEENEET https://t.co/ws54qXSEt8 Ashutosh kumar (@ashutoshaisa) August 25, 2020

Despite the opposition, many students are also in favour of conducting the exams in September without any further postponement.

Earlier in August, a group of parents and students even launched an online signature petition to ensure no further postponement of the UG entrance examinations for engineering and medical students. As per a reports, students suggested that a one-day lockdown be imposed on exam days to ensure that only the students and exam candidates were allowed to step out on those days.
Senator Andreas Borgeas View Photo

Sacramento, CA  After easily passing through the California Senate, a bill by Senator Andreas Borgeas failed to gain the support of the Democratic leadership in the Assembly.

Senate Bill 1457 would have granted state agencies the ability to express restraint in administering fines to small businesses and the discretion to consider the severity of a violation, and the steps a business may have taken to comply, before issuing a fine.

Borgeas says, It is disappointing that in the midst of a pandemic, politics takes precedent over people and small businesses. SB 1457 would have provided much-needed relief to small businesses faced with civil penalties and fines.

The bill would also require agencies to work with small businesses to establish policies for waiving or reducing penalties. Borgeas says he will re-introduce the bill during the next legislative session.
NSW Health also announced on Tuesday night it is investigating two COVID-19 cases who attended a Pitt Street gym on multiple occasions over the past week. The department is advising anyone who attended City Tattersalls Fitness Centre on August 19, 21, or 23 to be alert for symptoms. People who visited the office building at 300 George Street near Wynyard station on August 19, 20, 21 or 24 should also be alert for symptoms, after one of the cases worked there while infectious. Separately, an alert has been issued by Broadway Sydney Shopping Centre after confirmation a person who tested positive for COVID-19 visited the Apple Store and Kmart on Saturday, August 22, between 3.30pm and 5pm. Mirvac, the property group that owns the shopping centre, sent an email out on Tuesday night saying that both stores in question were undergoing deep cleaning.

"The centre and all other retailers will remain open," the email said. Meantime, three western Sydney schools will be closed on Wednesday after a possible coronavirus case was identified at each school. Riverstone High School, Schofields Public School and Wyndham College at Quakers Hill will all be non-operational on Wednesday. The Wyndham College HSC trials have been postponed to a later date, and students due to undertake their HSC Drama examination will be contacted by the school. The coronavirus test results will be confirmed on Wednesday. "The schools will be non-operational for the on-site attendance of staff and students and will be thoroughly cleaned as an extra precaution while we await the test results," the Department of Education said in a statement on Tuesday night.

Earlier, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the fact only one other person - the second security guard - had subsequently tested positive showed the hotel quarantine operation was working. "50,000 people through [hotel quarantine], 80,000 shifts in security, and we've had two minor issues," Mr Fuller said. "We're certainly proud of the hotel operation as it stands, and we believe that success of that operation is one of the primary reasons that NSW is leading COVID-19 not just in Australia, but across the world." A NSW Police statement said any hotels "that do not meet expectations are rotated out of the hotels roster". The 366 people who had been staying at the Travelodge would be moved to another quarantine hotel. The operation began on Tuesday afternoon and was expected to take up to 12 hours.

"The health, safety and comfort of all quarantined travellers remains a top priority for NSW Police," the spokesperson said. Three new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday. One case was a returned traveller, and the other two cases were contacts of previously confirmed cases. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government was "ready and willing to make any changes" to hotel quarantine infection control protocol if needed. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government was willing to make changes to protocol if needed. Credit:Jessica Hromas "We have to accept that a pandemic is, unfortunately, unpredictable," she said.

"It relies on everybody doing everything right 100 per cent of the time, and it's extremely challenging." Mr Fuller said private security formed an important secondary tier for hotel quarantine security, which is run by police with assistance from the defence force. "They've saved 80,000 police shifts, theyre an important part of the operation. And let's again be mindful that there's been two incidents," he said. There are 4185 people quarantined in 16 hotels across Sydney, a NSW Police spokeswoman said. All police, ADF personnel and private security contractors involved in hotel quarantine received a one-off infection control training session, instructions on the proper use of personal protective equipment and there are daily on-site briefings.

"Further, security officers have ready access to gloves, masks and hand sanitiser, and are instructed to wear PPE at any time when physical distancing is not possible," the spokeswoman said. In Western Australia, a Perth woman has received the states toughest penalty yet for breaching quarantine rules after she hid in a Victorian truck to cross the border. Asher Van Der Sanden, 28, was sentenced to six months jail on Tuesday after hiding in a car within a truck to pass through the border. Asher Van Der Sanden was sentenced to six months' jail for breaching border restrictions. Credit:Facebook She was found at her partners home in a beachside Perth suburb on August 11 after failing to arrive on her scheduled flight from Melbourne to Perth.

Loading Magistrate Andrew Matthews described the offence as very serious. "Your actions really undo what this government in WA has done to prevent the community spread of this hideous virus," he said. Victoria recorded 148 new cases of COVID-19 and a further eight deaths, taking the national death toll to 525. Facing mounting backlash to a government proposal to extend the state of emergency for an additional 12 months, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said it would not be extended for more than four weeks at a time.

Mr Andrews said it was an "insurance policy" he hoped the state would not have to use. "I can assure all Victorians - regardless of where they live, regardless of their views on any matter ... these restrictions will be in place for not one day longer than they need to be," he said on Tuesday morning. Queensland recorded no new cases, but genomic sequencing has now linked the Brisbane Youth Detention cluster with the virus found in two women who returned from Melbourne last month. Queenslands Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said health authorities were hoping to find the "missing link" between the earlier cases and the detention centre outbreak. "The cases we don't find are the ones that can lead to chains in transmission," she said.
DANBURY  The mayor is expected to visit a local testing site amid the citys spike in coronavirus cases.

Mayor Mark Boughton will be at the Community Health Centers pop-up site at Broadview Middle School at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

There have been 240 new positive tests in the past two weeks, including 15 new cases on Monday, the mayor has said.

The Community Health Center is providing free testing for the virus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Broadview Middle School, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Rogers Park Middle School, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Broadview Middle School and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Pleasant AME Zion Church.

This is in addition to a permanent site open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 8 Delay St. No appointments are necessary.

The Greater Danbury Community Health Center is offering free testing from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at its rear lot on 120 Main St., 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Park Avenue Elementary School, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at 120 Main St. Appointments are preferred, but not required, by calling 203-456-1413. Symptoms or a doctors order are not required.

That health center offers testing from 3 to 5 p.m. every Monday, as well as 8:30 a.m. until as needed on Wednesdays and Fridays at 120 Main St. The center works with the health department to offer testing at pop-up locations on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 203-456-1413 to find out the locations.

Testing is also available at CVS, DOCS Urgent Care and the three AFC Urgent Care facilities in the city. Nuvance Health provides testing at primary care offices.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 01:12:09|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (rear) meets with Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (1st L) in Athens, Greece, on Aug. 25, 2020. Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer on Tuesday expressed his confidence in the Greek government's handling of the migration issue during his meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, said Greek government sources. (Photo by Nick Paleologos/Xinhua)

ATHENS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer on Tuesday expressed his confidence in the Greek government's handling of the migration issue during his meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, said Greek government sources.

The discussion focused on the developments in the "explosive problem that threatens the Greek borders, which are also the borders of Europe" and Nehammer reaffirmed his country's readiness to further assist Greece in practice, the same sources said.

On his part, the Greek prime minister expressed the satisfaction of the Greek side for Austria's support in the European Union.

Nehammer's two-day visit to Greece came after a "coordination platform" for migration policy was set up in Vienna in July, aimed to make the measures of the EU and the Western Balkans more effective.

The platform will focus on coordinating cooperation in protecting the external borders, returning migrants without a right to asylum, fighting against smuggling, and establishing faster and more efficient asylum procedures.

The land border between Greece and Turkey in the north and the northeastern Aegean Sea islands have received the bulk of flows of migrants and refugees into Greece since 2015.

During the past five years, more than one million people reached Greece and most continued their journeys to other European countries until the winter of 2016, when borders along the Balkan route were sealed off.

Currently, Greece hosts about 100,000 asylum seekers, according to data provided by the Migration and Asylum Ministry earlier this August. Some 28,000 were currently hosted in overcrowded facilities on Greek islands and about 12,000 were transferred to the mainland since January to improve the living conditions, according to the ministry.
Texas was already one of the nations most-watched battlefields this year. Then came the pandemic.

Republicans and Democrats are brawling over a dozen House seats in the state's most expansive political landscape in recent memory  swing districts that also happen to encompass some of the worst-hit coronavirus hotspots in Texas.

Roughly 70 days before the election, Republican incumbents have been forced on the defensive by the pandemic, as Democrats pitch their health care platform and try to tag the GOP as irresponsible and anti-science.

Democrats are looking to flip as many as seven GOP seats, spanning the suburbs from San Antonio to Dallas to Houston, with several more in play that were hardly seen as competitive a few months ago. But the coronavirus, which has killed more than 11,000 Texans and infected a half million more, has permeated the tightest races on issues from mask orders to health insurance to school openings, according to candidates and strategists in Texas.

Every day, I talk to somebody who has Covid in their family ... When I talk to voters, that is definitely the number one issue to them, said Sri Preston Kulkarni, who is running again for a sprawling seat outside Houston that he narrowly lost to GOP Rep. Pete Olson, who has since announced his retirement.

Health care had already been a top issue for Kulkarni in 2018. This time, the ex-Foreign Service officer is holding campaign events with an epidemiologist and an expert in vaccine development; meanwhile, his opponent  GOP sheriff Troy Nehls  once compared local mask mandates to a communist dictatorship. though he has toned down the rhetoric since cases surged in Texas.

The virus has also roiled the race of freshman Rep. Chip Roy, a vocal GOP critic of Anthony Fauci who has openly questioned his warnings against reopening the economy too soon and is now in a toss up race with Democrat Wendy Davis for a district in the suburbs of Austin.

Davis has hammered Roys crusade against the nations top infectious disease expert. She pointed out that Roy privately sparred with his fellow Republican Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.) over Fauci, an interaction first reported by POLITICO; shared pictures of Roy not wearing a mask; and accused him of not taking the pandemic  or the experts  seriously. (Cheney has since tweeted in support of Roy.)

Story continues

His rhetoric is not matching the reality of whats happening on the ground here, Davis, a former state senator, said in an interview. Were going to do everything we can to make sure people know this about him.

Recent polling conducted for the Davis campaign found that the CDC is popular by a three to one ratio in the district, according to a summary of the data.

Roy insists he is taking the coronavirus seriously, saying of course its real and noting his own family has taken extra precautions during the pandemic. But he also accused Democrats of trying to politicize the virus and argued that the nation should listen to multiple voices and follow actual science, not the panic science.

Besides safety, Roy said the most pressing issues facing his constituents are reopening schools and providing aid for struggling businesses. Roy has authored bills for both, including a bipartisan measure that was signed into law granting more flexibility for Paycheck Protection Program small business loans  one of Roys biggest legislative accomplishments to date.

The PPP bill we got through is major, Roy said in an interview. I cant go anywhere where I dont have someone coming up and saying [my business] wouldnt be alive if we didnt have the greater flexibility.

The states shift from a conservative bedrock to a major political battleground can be attributed to a mix of GOP retirements, changing demographics and a suburban revolt against President Donald Trump.

But the coronavirus is further scrambling the landscape for Texas Republicans, who for decades made up one of the most powerful, tight-knit delegations in Congress. The state is still battling alarmingly high infection rates  among the worst per capita in the country  even as some key metrics, like hospitalizations, have begun to improve.

We think Texas would have been competitive either way, said Abhi Rahman, communications director for the Texas Democratic Party. But its definitely made the races more competitive.

Republicans, too, have put up some of their top recruits against vulnerable Texas Democrats. That includes Wesley Hunt, a Black Army veteran running against Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas), who has begun running ads promising to help Houston recover from the pandemic and this month formed a medical professionals advisory board for his campaign. Hunt, himself, recently tested positive for the coronavirus.

Two other GOP candidates, Genevieve Collins  running to unseat freshman Rep. Colin Allred in a competitive Dallas-area suburbs seat  and Beth Van Duyne  seeking an open seat against Democrat Candace Valenzuela  both appeared alongside Trump during his recent visit to the state. The president delivered a speech on oil and gas, with little mention of the coronavirus, even as the state recorded over 9,000 cases that day.

GOP operatives say they see a chance to go after Democratic incumbents, especially with their party leaders stuck in an ugly stalemate with the White House over more relief aid. Republicans are also betting on a conservative backlash to the Democratic push for mask mandates, concern about opening schools and a rescue plan for the U.S. Postal Service, though it remains one of the most popular federal agencies.

Instead of focusing on the issues Texans care about, like getting folks back to work, Democrats are obsessing over deranged ideas like defunding the police and mailbox conspiracy theories, NRCC spokesman Bob Salera said in a statement.

Beth Van Duyne, mayor of Irving, Texas, attends the North Texas Presidential Forum hosted by Faith & Freedom Coalition and Prestonwood Baptist Church, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in Plano, Texas. Set to address a presidential forum at the 40,000-member Prestonwood Baptist Church on Sunday are tea party favorites Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Yet several of their GOP candidates have made a concerted shift to address the states surge in coronavirus cases  a sign that taking the pandemic seriously may be critical in some of the toughest races.

Van Duyne, who is seeking retiring GOP Rep. Kenny Marchants seat in the suburbs between Fort Worth and Dallas, has begun running ads on health care, in which she promises to keep protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

Her Democratic challenger, Valenzuela, said shes noticed a stark shift in GOP rhetoric on health care as the pandemic hit their district, which is well-educated and increasingly diverse. But Valenzuela, who grew up in poverty and has built her campaign on bolstering the working class, argued that shed been talking about it from the start.

For Democrats, I think this is pretty normal. For Republicans, theyre starting to sound a little more like us. Its a strange thing to see and to hear, Valenzuela said.

Democrats have also campaigned on the fact that the Texas Republicans are leading a lawsuit to dismantle the Affordable Care Act  during a pandemic  in a state that already has the highest number of uninsured people. The Supreme Court is due to hear oral arguments in that case in November, just after the election.

Health care is on the forefront of [voters] minds, especially living through a public health crisis, said Julie Oliver, a Democratic candidate trying to unseat Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas)  whose seat was recently downgraded from safe to likely Republican by election forecasters.

Still, some Texas Republicans, like Roy, have leaned into Trumps own rhetoric, arguing that Trumps mishandling of the crisis has been exaggerated and calling for the reopening of schools and businesses. Many are eager to appeal to Trumps loyal base, hoping that conservatives will turn out in droves in November with the president himself on the ballot, unlike in 2018 when Democrats took back the House, and flipped a pair of Texas seats.

This spring, for example, freshman GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw recorded a video praising Trumps response to the pandemic, which he dubbed Debunking the Lefts COVID-19 Narrative. Trump himself tweeted the video, which has been viewed 8 million times. This month, Crenshaw recorded a podcast episode that once again defends Trumps strategy, and instead blames the media for its manipulative coverage.

Democrats, meanwhile, have sought to tie all vulnerable GOP lawmakers to Trump, whose shaky handling of the crisis has hit his approval ratings, and to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who has faced a backlash for quickly reopening the state. Theyve also tried to compare GOP candidates to Rep. Louie Gohmert, the notoriously anti-mask Texas Republican who contracted coronavirus last month.

Republicans, for the most part, arent shying away from addressing the crisis in their campaigns. But in contrast to Democrats, they are running on calls to safely reopen the economy and schools and are focusing heavily on aid for struggling small businesses.

But complicating the GOPs messaging is the fact that many of the popular aid programs, from business grants to the extra $600-per-week unemployment checks, have expired. And unemployment rates are still climbing.

March to July, [Republicans] were talking about how many jobs had been saved and all that. I think Republicans did a good job with PPP, said Matt Mackowiak, a Texas-based GOP strategist. The problem is, its now expired.

Speaking more broadly about the political impacts of the crisis, Mackowiak said the assumption is that its helping Democrats. But by exactly how much? Not sure.


A tradie who had his finger torn off when his wedding ring became snagged on his ute has shared gruesome pictures as a warning to others.

Dean Outlaw was strapping down a wheelbarrow on Friday when he slipped over and the ring became stuck on a bolt protruding from his vehicle.

He said the pressure of the ring as he fell to the ground ripped his finger clean off before it 'went flying' into the back of his ute.

The tradesman, from the New South Wales Central Coast, was left in horrific pain and called out to a nearby handyman who helped stem the bleeding with a towel.

Dean Outlaw snagged his finger his ute while he was strapping down a wheelbarrow and the pressure ripped his finger clean off. Pictured is the removed finger

'The pressure bunched it all up until the skin has given away and it shot off like a champagne cork,' he told Yahoo News.

'I rang my wife who was five minutes down the road and asked her to come and get me.

'She came out and she and the customer had to go looking through the back of the ute to find the finger.'

Mr Outlaw is now at Sydney's North Shore Hospital with his finger reattached and moving, but he has yet to regain any feeling.

Mr Outlaw called out to a nearby handyman who rushed over to stop the bleeding with a towel. Pictured is his hand after the accident

Mr Outlaw said his wife Kathy (both pictured) and a customer helped hunt for his missing finger while he tried to stop the bleeding

While blood has moved into the finger, doctors are concerned at the lack of circulation and placed leeches on it to force some flow.

Mr Outlaw said doctors may have to take further action if his blackened finger does not start circulating blood properly to try and prevent amputation.

He warned his fellow tradesmen on Facebook to stop wearing any kind of jewellery on the job to avoid similar incidents.

'I'm now in hospital for a week and they reckon it will be 3 months before I can go back to work,' he said.

'So if you're wearing a ring, my recommendation is to take it off and if you really want to wear something get a rubber or silicon one.'
Rep. Jim Jordan, one of Trumps most bombastic backers, testified to Trumps intensity and his willingness to fight. But what I also appreciate is something most Americans never see  how much he truly cares about people. He spoke of how Trump consoled his family after the death of his nephew.
The Shiv Sena has taken a dim view of the eleven Congress legislators who have threatened to protest against the government. The party said that their protest is similar to raising questions against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi who extended their support to the formation of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government.

In an editorial in partys mouthpiece Saamana, Sena said that there is instability and unease within the Congress party but it needs to play the role of an active opposition party.

Congress Jalna MLA Kailash Gorantyal has threatened to go on a hunger strike over constituency development funds. He has claimed support of 10 other Congress legislators without naming any one of them. The MLA added that Congress constituencies are given a step-motherly treatment in the distribution of funds. Gorantyal, who defeated Senas Arjun Khotkar, had threatened to resign in January after he was not given a spot in the state cabinet.

Also read: Congress turmoil - A look at past instances involving letters

The editorial in the Marathi daily said the MVA government will complete its full five-year term and the opposition party in Maharashtra need not rejoice over the display of resentment.

The situation in the country isnt all well. There is instability and unease in the Congress party itself. Theres Modi government in power but theres a need for an active opposition party in a parliamentary democracy. The Congress should play the role of an active opposition party, it stated.

But instead of questioning the ruling party [at the Centre], the Congress legislators are going on a protest against the government where they are partners. It is their right in a democracy but this is akin to questioning Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi who had given their go-ahead to form the government, the editorial added.

It further stated that Congress ministers in Maharashtra, Balasaheb Thorat, Ashok Chavan, and Nitin Raut, have not spoken publicly on the matter but the three leaders are working to keep the government functioning.

If the Congress legislators are going to sit on a hunger strike then it is the partys matter to look into. The opposition will get an easy issue and it will add to Congress woes. Uddhav Thackeray is capable of resolving political issues, the editorial said.
EDMONTONAlberta Premier Jason Kenney has announced a limited reset of his cabinet to accommodate a renamed portfolio for jobs, the economy and innovation.

But Kenney rebuffed calls by both doctors and the Opposition to move Health Minister Tyler Shandro, who has been in a months long bitter feud with the Alberta Medical Association over physician pay.

Doug Schweitzer, who was justice minister, will head the rebranded Jobs, Economy and Innovation department.

This effectively takes the Economic Development, Trade and Tourism portfolio (and) renames it, Kenney said. Additional functions will be added to the ministry over the weeks and months that come.

This is a broadened and expanded ministry.

Tanya Fir, who headed the original portfolio, has been moved to the backbenches.

Kenney said Schweitzer will work to implement Albertas recently launched plan to rejuvenate its faltering economy.

Alberta is being hit especially hard with the double whammy of the global coronavirus recession, on top of that the collapse of energy prices which has clobbered our largest industry  oil and gas, Kenney said in front of Government House in Edmonton.

The Conference Board of Canada on Tuesday released a report forecasting Alberta will be the most heavily hit province economically this year with an 11 per contraction in its GDP.

Kaycee Madu, a lawyer who was born in Nigeria, takes over from Schweitzer. Kenney said Madu is the first Black justice minister in Canada and will oversee a crackdown on crime, particularly offences against property; review the Police Act; and introduce legislation this fall that would allow citizen-initiated referendums.

Alberta NDP Finance critic Shannon Phillips said the economy was struggling before COVID-19 hit and the Kenney government has done little to jump-start it. Putting Schweitzer in place isnt going to fix anything, she said.

What we see here is maybe a refurbishing. The economic development ministry, perhaps putting a new salesman in charge, Phillips said.

Lets be clear. This is not about a sales pitch. This is not about public relations. This is about the real conditions of peoples lives and the real struggles that Albertans are facing right now.

Backbencher Tracy Allard, a businesswoman and member of the legislature for Grande Prairie, enters cabinet as Madus replacement at municipal affairs. Kenney said she personifies the entrepreneurial culture of Alberta.

He said it will be her job to help municipalities get through the COVID crisis and to stop them from raising taxes at a time when every aspect of the economy has been hard hit. He is also tasking her with developing fiscal report cards for municipalities to gauge how they are doing and to compare them with other municipalities across the country.

Shandro has been in an open battle with doctors after he government tore up their original fee agreement in February. Many doctors, particularly in rural areas, said they could no longer afford to both work in hospitals and keep up their practices. The medical association said earlier this year that its members had lost confidence in the minister.

But Kenney said Shandro has the premiers full support.

Kenney said the cabinet shuffle ensures that we have the right people in the right place as we ensure a strong recovery from the COVID recession.

Phillips said its not a surprise that Shandro wasnt moved.

It is the goal of the premiers office and the government to create chaos within the public health-care system and so in that respect Mr. Shandro is doing exactly the job that the premier has set out for him, she said.

Read more about:
"Strict rules do not work as people seem to break them," said Arne Elofsson, a professor of biometrics at Stockholm University, adding "Sweden is doing fine."

Anders Tegnell, an epidemiologist involved in managing Swedens pandemic, thinks masks give a false sense of security: The belief that masks can solve our problem is very dangerous. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven thinks voluntary social-distancing rules and not closing schools but banning gatherings of more than 50 people has been the right approach. Now there are quite a few people who think we were right, he told a newspaper. The strategy that we adopted, I believe is right  to protect individuals, limit the spread of the infection. -MarketWatch

According to the European CDC, Sweden has an infection rate of 37 cases per 100,000 people - far lower than Frances 60 per 100,000 and Spains 152.7 cases per 100,000 despite imposing months of lockdowns of varying degrees.

And while the New York Times (in July) and MarketWatch (in June) said that Swedens economy is doing 'just as bad as countries which imposed lockdowns, the BBC pointed out earlier this month that Swedens economy 'only' contracted 8.6% in the April-June period vs. the previous three months, while the European Union saw a contraction of 11.9% over the same period based on newer economic data.

Meanwhile, lockdowns and the ensuing economic fallout have had a significant impact on mental health.

A new approach?

As Swedens model for dealing with COVID-19 appears to have survived its trial by fire, other countries are now rethinking blanket lockdowns as they weigh the economic impacts against health risks, according to the Wall Street Journal. Some of their thinking agrees with Swedens, while several points of disagreement exist. The Journal also notes that "Swedens current infection and death rates are as low as the rest of Europes, suggesting to some experts the country may be close to herd immunity."

In a nutshell, via The Journal:

Decide on a plan and stick with it

According to Nobel laureate economist Paul Romer, the US couldnt decide on whether we were "going for mitigation or suppression," who added that mitigation efforts to achieve herd immunity means accepting hundreds of thousands of additional deaths, and that a total lockdown strategy "doesnt make sense unless youre going to stick with it as long as it takes."

New Zealand - an island nation which conducted draconian lockdowns for two months, were able to claim that their strict measures worked until an outbreak earlier this month resulted in another round of widespread restrictions.

"Were harming the economy, waffling back and forth between what is right, what is wrong with a slow drift of companies closing their doors for good," said Harvard epidemiologist, Dr. Michael Mina, who said that because the US couldnt decide on a path forward, the result was a "complete disaster."

Masks are good, based on results

Despite conflicting information from the World Health Organization and CDC on masks, countries and cities which quickly donned face masks did better than those who did not, such as the city of Jena, Germany vs. similar cities which did not require them, according to a study for the IZA Institute of Labor Economics, which concluded that masks resulted in a 40-60% reduction in infections.
The various inquiries and commissions under way  bushfires, aged care, disability and COVID-19  will identify significant areas for improvement in shared responsibilities between the Commonwealth and states. We can only hope that in the future it will no longer be acceptable for the Commonwealth to withhold funding from the states to acquire more firefighting helicopters or for there to be unclear primary responsibility for allowing cruise ships to dock.

The tragedies and dysfunctionalities that are presented over and over to those inquiries provide stark evidence that the Australian federation is no longer fit for purpose. There is duplication and uncertainty at different levels of government and there is a clear absence of designated primary accountability by governments.

An aged care home resident being evacuated in Melbourne. Credit:Justin McManus

Improved communication and the creation of a shared vision between the Commonwealth and the states is important, but can only achieve so much. Constitutional reform is too hard and too slow. Short of a complete reset, the only realistic solution is a devolution of powers and responsibilities by the Commonwealth to the states. This rather turns on its head what has been up until now the glib answer of eliminating or disempowering the states.

In mid-2014, then prime minister Tony Abbott announced terms of reference for a white paper on the reform of the federation. There was a clear commitment to the concept that responsibility should lie with the lowest level of government possible (known as subsidiarity), but it proved to be a fruitless exercise because, among other things, taxation reform  the elephant in the room  was left to a separate process. Discussion papers were prepared covering health, education and housing. The health paper made no mention of aged care, perhaps not surprisingly, given that it has taken the pandemic for politicians to understand the interconnectedness between health and aged care. The white paper exercise was shelved when Abbott lost the prime ministership.
Development of coastal industrial zones appears to be the right move to take advantage of incoming FDI.

BW Industrial, a joint venture between Warburg Pincus and Becamex IDC, has followed famous realtors moves to set up an IZ on Dinh Vu Peninsula in Hai Phong City. The project is hoped to open this September.

DEEP C IZ in Hai Phong

Prior to that, Dinh Vu welcomed a Belgium investor  Rent-A-Port NV  with its DEEP C industrial complex project which alone makes up 20 percent of total FDI in Hai Phong.

Like Hai Phong, the local authorities of coastal provinces of Vietnam have been trying to attract FDI to industry projects in coastal areas.

In 2019, the Quang Ninh provincial announced tax and land fund incentives to lure FDI into the Quang Yen coastal EZ, where Rent-A-Port NV could use the available land to build DEEP C III and a deep water seaport, capable of receiving large vessels with tonnage of over 30,000 DWT.

As of the end of June 2017, Vietnam had had 325 IZs, coveringva total area of 94,900 hectares. The figure had risen to 335 only by the end of March 2020, covering a total area of 97,800 hectares, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).

Tesa, a German manufacturer of hi-tech adhesive tapes used in the electronics and automobile industries, was one of a few European investors who announced the building of its factory in DEEP C in mid-June, the time when all economies had closed their doors to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

As of the end of June 2017, Vietnam had had 325 IZs, coveringva total area of 94,900 hectares. The figure had risen to 335 only by the end of March 2020, covering a total area of 97,800 hectares, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).

Covid-19 has slowed the relocation of production facilities out of China, which has also affected the industrial real estate market in H1.

However, IZs near the sea are a trend for Vietnams logistics development in the future. In Singapore, for example, IZs are built at seaports, and then logistics centers, where liberalized trade and regional goods distribution centers are developed.

Kim Chi

Reality and vision for industrial zones The media have recently featured industrial properties, especially industrial land, as a potential area to attract investment.
A steam-powered cargo boat, a tugboat that traveled the Great Lakes, a railroad barge, and a replica of the Independence, a packet boat built for the Erie Canal Village in Rome, New York, inspired some of the submissions to the Erie Canal Museums Brick-a-Boat model canal boat challenge.

Entries will go on display on the museums website, https://eriecanalmuseum.org/exhibitions/digital-exhibits/, Friday, Aug. 28. The exhibit celebrates the 200th anniversary of the canal, and its opening in Syracuse in 1820.

We wanted to give children and families a fun, creative activity while we were closed to the public, said Natalie Stetson, the museums executive director. Summer and navigation season were approaching, so we thought people would enjoy a contest they could enter online.

Children, teens, and families from across New York and other states submitted pictures of their models. Judges from the MOST-Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the Buffalo Maritime Center, and Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will select top entries. The museum will announce them after the exhibit opens. Builders will receive ribbons and recognition on the museum website.

The public can also vote for their favorite boat through the digital exhibit. People can select their top entry through Sept. 24, and the Peoples Choice winner will be announced on Sept. 25.

Contest rules allowed original works made with building toys like LEGO and Mega Bloks. The museum offered inspiration on its website with pictures of different kinds of boats, and everyone who registered received a digital copy of A Canal Boat Primer.

We hope this contest will become a yearly tradition for builders, boat and canal lovers, and families around the country, Stetson said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, above, has endorsed George Gascon in the Los Angeles County district attorney's race. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)

Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed George Gascon on Tuesday in his bid to become Los Angeles County district attorney, marking the political reunion of two former Bay Area allies.

As San Francisco's mayor, Newsom appointed Gascon police chief and later district attorney, so the endorsement is hardly a surprise. But it marks the latest in a raft of high-profile endorsements picked up by Gascon this summer as a national debate about criminal justice reform has energized his attempt to unseat Jackie Lacey as the county's top prosecutor.

"This November Angelenos will choose who to turn to as calls to re-imagine our dated system of justice grow louder, and I urge them to join me once again in turning to George Gascon," Newsom said in a statement.

Lacey became Los Angeles' first Black district attorney in 2012 and is seeking a third-term helming the nation's busiest district attorney's office. But she has been the target of near constant criticism from Black Lives Matter organizers and other progressive groups calling for an overhaul of the criminal justice system. Gascon, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a reform candidate and represents a nationwide push to elect more progressive prosecutors.

In recent months, vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have endorsed Gascon. U.S. Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) and Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) rescinded their endorsements of Lacey  who is often criticized by activists for her hesitancy to prosecute officers involved in shootings  amid protests against police brutality.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also seemed to walk back his endorsement of Lacey, saying in a June interview that it may be time for a change in the district attorneys office. He has not endorsed Gascon.

Lacey still enjoys support from a broad array of law enforcement unions and elected officials including Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and four members of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. San Francisco Mayor London Breed also spurned Gascon to endorse Lacey last year.
The last Oregonian jail to house federal immigration detainees is taking steps to gradually discontinue the practice.

The board overseeing the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility (NORCOR) in The Dalles, Oregon unanimously agreed to phase out its two-decade contract with U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE).

NORCOR's decision to terminate the contracts "comes as the overall numbers of in custody episodes has declined over the past year, decreasing the reliance of revenue for the NORCOR budget," according to a NORCOR statement.

The board could not be immediately reached for comment.

The news was celebrated by Gorge ICE Resistance, an immigration rights group which formed in May 2017 to support a group of immigration detainees who held a hunger strike to protest poor living conditions.

Im so grateful to our NORCOR Board for taking the high road, said Red Stevens, a volunteer clergy member who visits with people detained at NORCOR, including immigrants held for ICE. Hopefully this signals a return to the rehabilitation and rebuilding of our close community, without the need to profit from the humanitarian nightmares of outcasts and refugees.

NORCOR has provided detention space for ICE where detainees can be housed for months.

The U.S. Department of Justice notes that under U.S. federal law, any person "apprehended while entering or attempting to enter the United States at a time or place other than as designated by immigration officers shall be subject to a civil penalty."

A Wasco County Judge ruled in 2019 that the jail did not violate Oregons sanctuary law, because ICE detainees have been apprehended, arrested or seized by ICE prior to arriving at NORCOR.

The ruling found that NORCOR inmate's average daily cost amounted to $97, $80 of which was reimbursed by ICE.

A Tacoma, Washington facility, the Northwest Detention Center, also contracts with ICE.

The Wasco facility houses inmates from Wasco, Gilliam, Sherman and Hood River counties, whose taxpayers fund the facility. Josephine County ended its own ICE contract in 2018.

Oregon law bans police and local law enforcement from using local resources to pursue a person solely over their immigration status.

Angelina Godoy, a University of Washington professor and director of the Center for Human Rights, co-authored a report on both NORCOR and the Cowlitz County Jail accusing the two facilities of operating unlawfully.

In the past five years, ICE has sent at least 14 juveniles to NORCOR, according to Godoys report.

The report said that the juvenile detainees held at the facilities were separated from families living on the East Coast before being sent to to jails across the country.

Godoy noted that NORCOR has not provided evidence whether the juvenile detainees being held were lawfully transferred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which represents immigrant youth as authorized by Congress.

ICE, as a component of DHS, must transfer any child in its custody to the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Godoy wrote in her report. It is unclear why the youth housed at Cowlitz and NORCOR remain in ICE custody rather than being transferred to [the Office of Refugee Resettlement], Godoy wrote in the report.

In her report, Godoy noted that juveniles in the jails are housed with criminal defendants in spite of their ages and alleged civil rather than criminal violations.

Godoy added that ICE "has no authority to punish migrants for criminal offenses; while some people detained by ICE may previously have been convicted of a crime, or may still face criminal charges in another jurisdiction, ICE detention is limited to administrative immigration violations."

Gorge ICE Resistance said it "will monitor closely as NORCOR completes the process to cancel the contracts."

An update is expected from NORCOR during its September board meeting.

--Tim Gruver | The Center Square / Argus Observer

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Naga, Camarines Sur (CNN Philippines Life)  After three consecutive miscarriages, my parents decided to pray the novenas to San Ramon Nonato, one of the famous saints invoked by childless couples, and to Nuestra Senora de Salvacion, a popular Marian image venerated in Tiwi, Albay. Like a combo, the tattered/taped novenas have been passed around from one family to the next supplicants. For nine days, my Kapampangan father had to prepare the altar and entertain the barangays most requested parapanganam or prayer leaders, Nana Taqui, Nana Bitang and my maternal grandmother, Nana Edad. The three women told the unsuspecting couple that for their novena prayers to be effective, they have to make a vow that if the child is a boy, they would have to take him to the seminary and help him become a Catholic priest.

Three months after the novena, their prayers were granted, and I was given the name Kristian to mark the fulfillment of this contract. In 1999, I entered the seminary, and before I was finally turned over to the rector, they ceremoniously handed me over the two novenas, and jokingly, I said to them, that I will not need those booklets because if I were to become a priest, I should remain celibate for the rest of my life. My mother insisted that I keep them just the same so as to remind me always that if not for those printed prayers, I will never be born.

This, I believe, is the beginning of my love story with this small publishing press that can be found in a nondescript house in Sabang, Naga City. Since 1946, the Cecilio Press has continued to print and distribute devotional materials that celebrate the power of the local language that is Bikol, the language of my birth.

The novenas produced by Cecilio Press served as my first reading materials. After the mass, if his budget permits, my father will buy me a novena to a saint. I would easily learn and memorize the life stories and miracles attributed to these particular saints and of course the effectiveness of prayers addressed to them in case of needs. For snakes and other wild animals, San Benito; for dog attacks, San Roque or/and Santo Domingo; for stomach aches, Santa Teresa de Avila; for toothaches, Santa Apolonia; and for lost things, San Antonio, ad infinitum. Of the novenas I collected, I particularly remember the Letania Nin Sarong Ina Na Nagadan nin Aking Sadang (Litany of a Mother Who Lost a Child), which my grandmother asked me to pray every Friday with her so that we continue to remember the three children my mother lost before I was born. The Letania contains a long poem, a valediction of the unborn child to the mother and the mothers response of letting the child go. Many times, I have seen my grandmother cry over the sheer power of the words printed on those fragile papers.

Praying the Letania, I felt indebted to these siblings I never had the chance to know. I remember visiting and lighting a candle in a Catholic cemetery in Pampanga, where my supposed eldest brother was buried, who is named Pedro, and the other is Juan, who was buried in our barangay chapel. And then the third one believed to have been devoured by an aswang.

I was about to enter the primary school, when we started praying a novena for my mother, this time, we invoked San Rafael, the patron saint for travelers. My mother was bound for Qatar to become a domestic helper, a katabang to a Muslim family in the Middle East.

Among the Cecilio Press writers, Rosalio Imperial Sr., stands as the most prolific and significant. He translated several Western literary classics including Leo Tolstoys War and Peace and Anna Karenina, Jose Rizals Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo and the Tagalog Ibong Adarna to Bikol verses.

All my childhood life since the day my mother conceived me and left us for abroad, I have been dependent on these little intercessory booklets that Cecilio Press has tirelessly published. In my book, this printing press founded by Gaudencio Cecilio, is the glorious reminder of a post-war era, that Bikol, which is the language and people borne out of typhoons and volcanic eruptions, dispersed by thick mountains and high seas, whose histories and cultures remain unknown and unappreciated by many of us now, remain steadfast, standing humbly on its ground because we have cultural institutions like Cecilio Press.

Recently, volumes of unpublished manuscripts, copies of novenas, prognosticos, (dream guides) abecedario and diccionario (language resource materials), caton and perdon, including the first letterpress of the Cecilio Press were donated to the Ateneo de Naga University through its Institute of Bikol History and Culture and the Fr. James OBrien Library. During this time when access to everything is limited, I still try to frequent the library and spend hours marveling at the cover illustrations, reading and encoding the handwritten manuscripts of ex-seminarians Antonio and Manuel Salazar who wrote most of the Bikol novenas, including those in my special personal collection. The library has some copies of the Kalendaryong Bikol which served as an almanac until the '70s. A Bikol-Spanish-English dictionary written by Luis Dato, one of the early poets in English and at the same time a Bikolista.

Among the Cecilio Press writers, Rosalio Imperial Sr., stands as the most prolific and significant. He translated several Western literary classics including Leo Tolstoys War and Peace and Anna Karenina, Gustav Flauberts Madame Bovary, Jose Rizals Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo and the Tagalog Ibong Adarna to Bikol verses. A former mayor of Naga City, Sali Imperial (his pen name) can be considered our Bikols Lola Basyang, translating many European romantic tales to the common language. Imperial also wrote several poems on love, retold biblical, apocryphal, and fairy tales, including his account of the comet Kahoutek that appeared in 1973.

In these many collections that can now be accessed by scholars and literary historians, one can just marvel how through the years, the very few agencies that promote and ensure the life of the Bikol language are not really someone from the colonized educational system that we have or the culturally malnourished local government units. But Bikol writers like the Salazars, Dato, and Imperial, and this small printing press that up to this day continues to print and distribute its classics and bestsellers, the Bikol novenas written in obviously unadorned recycled papers, but in a language that for me is continuously animated by its humble vision of eternity. Read and performed in formidable cathedrals and makeshift chapels as peoples fervent prayers asking for rains, or for a bountiful harvest, or for protection against this deadly virus, or the dreaded drought, or for someone to pass the board exams, or for heaven to grant their wish for a child or for a safety and peaceful passage to the next life  one can see where every language is anchored and directed  to hope. Hence, language, whether global or indigenous, national or local, should not only be remembered or celebrated every August like this annual Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa. In my case, I continue to struggle with Bikol, in this language of my birth, I continue to imagine and conjure the rawitdawit and usipon and screenplays that I hope will illuminate a certain understanding about the complexities of being Bikol.

In this language of my birth, I carefully read the words that have come before me, fixed as prayers printed in the tattered novenas of Cecilio Press, sacred words that were once in my fathers and mothers tongues.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Gov. Mike DeWine announced a new effort Thursday in which his cabinet members are to create plans in the state agencies they control that would promote racial equity  from transportation to health, to families and foster care, to help for small businesses.

The effort is called the Ohio Executive Response: A Plan of Action to Advance Equity, DeWine said.

It comes after a final report was released Thursday by the Governors Minority Health Strike Force, created in April to brainstorm solutions to the disproportionate number of Black Ohioans and other minorities affected by the coronavirus.

The strike force report didnt just look at the coronavirus. DeWine asked the strike force to look at other health concerns and social issues that affect health -- such as disease, poverty and infant and maternal mortality.

Black Ohioans make up just under 14% of Ohios population, but they represent 25% of COVID-19 positive cases, 32% of hospitalizations and 19% of deaths of people with the coronavirus, DeWine said.

It is wrong in that in Ohio today, the overall life expectancy of African American Ohioans is four years shorter than a white Ohioan, he said.

The strike forces report has 34 recommendations to improve minority health outcomes, including:

-Acknowledging racism is a public health crisis, which DeWine agreed with. There are racial disparities in so many different areas, and health and education, he said. Racism is a public health crisis. This is something we have to work on every day.

-Recruiting and retaining people of color in health professions.

-Strengthening early childhood education, building more pathways to higher education and addressing chronic absenteeism from school.

-Decreasing incarceration rates and developing a health and criminal justice partnership.

-Implementing services and policies to prevent eviction.

-Increasing access to public transportation.

-Monitoring inequities and disparities by requiring state agencies to develop dashboards, visual tools that help analyze complex data.

House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, an Akron Democrat who was a member of the strike force, has been a critic of its process of getting a report out, saying it dragged out and there could have been a handful of specific, quicker actions to help the state and minority communities get a handle on COVID-19 spread earlier in the pandemic.

She compared the strike force to others the governor established for the restaurant industry or hair stylists, for instance, who completed their work and submitted reports in a matter of weeks. The Minority Health Strike Force was led by two members of DeWines administration.

Democrats called for that same sense of urgency when it came to the health and lives of Black Ohioans who have seen the worst effects of coronavirus since the outset of this pandemic, she said in a prepared statement. But here we are, 115 days later, nearly four months since the governor created the Minority Health Strike Force, and two months after the final report was initially due. For thousands of Black workers and Black families, its too little, too latethe damage is done.
Turkey will lift the restrictions on scheduled flights to Kazakhstan from August 27, the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development said in a statement.

It was noted that the flights will be operated in strict compliance with the sanitary and epidemiological standards of both countries.

Kazakhstan's airline Air Astana will resume flights to Turkey from August 29, the press service of the carrier said, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported.
Two individuals believed to be military personnel and some civilians have sustained several injuries after a bloody clash between them and some residents of Dome Faase near Obom Domeabra in the Greater Accra Region.

Tuesdays clash was over a land boundary dispute.

The coalition of Ga communities which comprises of over 20 communities and share a border with the Eastern Region alleged that, the Mponuahene of Akyem Apadwa and the Akyem Traditional Council were taking their farmlands from them hence the resistance that led to the chaos.

Speaking to Citi News, at the sidelines of a press conference on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, Divisional Chief of Obom Traditional Council, Nii Kpakpo Amartey blamed the Ghana Armed Forces for getting involved in chieftaincy issues.

Practically, we are not in an era of tribal intimidation. So the Akyem Mponua hene and the estate development company should be mindful that administrative boundaries do not serve as chieftaincy boundaries. Moreover, nobody is above the laws of the country. We are stating emphatically that we will not sit idle and watch on for these atrocities to go on. We the members of the affected communities are prepared to tame them as men of valour and might. We are certain that the office of the President will not superintend over land guard issues so the office must act swiftly to bring the activities of these hooligans to a halt before any escalation.

One of the two Military men who was assaulted by the angry crowd who spoke to Citi News about the development said, they were wrongly assaulted.

Our work is that we give warning shots so when the other side stops, both leaders will sit down and talk. But this one didnt happen like that. They came and attacked us and said we came here voluntarily and not by assignments. We are known soldiers and we are not doing illegal or criminal work. My major concern is that the people didnt ask us anything and they started beating us.

---citinewsroom
One of India's leading health & wellness companies, Butterfly Ayurveda, recently launched Coronafly, Ayurvedic medicine for the management of COVID-19.

Amid the coronavirus scare in the world, people are looking up to alternative and traditional medicines along with modern medical science.

Managing an infectious disease like coronavirus is a big challenge in any field of healthcare. Ayurveda, the ancient medical science of life, has answers for effective management of coronavirus symptoms.

The viral infection attacks human immunity in its first attempt. However, just like a wildfire, the communal spread of the virus is fast.

People are taking stringent measures to stay protected and keep their immunity strong. The increase in production and sale of health supplements, and body shielding accessories like masks and gloves is just part of this domino effect.

Although these are effective steps, they are not sufficient. Something like a viral pandemic demands more protection. This comes through boosting the immunity of the body and mind. For this, the use of Ayurveda has come out as an effective option.

The science of Ayurveda dates back to thousands of years. Its approach is holistic and takes into account the whole body instead of its parts.

Ayurvedic medicine for high fever, cough & cold, body pain & weakness, joint pain and body infections, diabetes and many other ailments, have been in use for decades and passed on from generation to generation.

There are numerous herbs and spices that are high on medicinal properties and can be taken to take care of COVID-19 symptoms. Herbs like Haldi help in reducing inflammation and pain, also in rejuvenating the body tissues of blood and plasma.

Tulsi helps combat respiratory ailments and helps in detoxification. Giloy flushes out toxins, brings down fever and reduces respiratory problems. Ashwagandha helps normalize cortisol levels, and soothe anxiety & stress, and is a natural rejuvenator and immunity booster.

Mulethi helps with cough and sore throat, and also helps with liver health. These herbs also carry antiviral and antibacterial properties that safeguard us against flu-like symptoms.

Keeping the current need in mind, Butterfly Ayurveda has launched Coronalfy, an Ayurvedic medicine that is composed of herbs mentioned above, and more.

It helps treat flu-like symptoms of coronavirus. These include acute sore throat & dry cough, shortness of breath, fever, headache & bodyache.

While the modern medical scientists are trying their best to find a vaccine or a cure to the virus, with the introduction of Coronafly, Ayurveda has shown how it can be used to boost the body's immunity, help relieve pain and stress, and most importantly, proven to be an effective remedy to help treat inflammation in the body and boost respiratory health.

The research and development team has made earnest efforts in developing this polyherbal medicine, Coronafly, which is also helpful in boosting liver health and is rich in antioxidants.

Coronafly capsules come packed in HDPE bottles, with 60 capsules in each bottle, and are made in GMP certified premises and licensed by the State Dept. of AYUSH.

Suggested dosage includes one-two capsules thrice a day in case of symptoms or as directed by a physician. In case there are no symptoms then a single capsule can be taken in a day for a month.

It is to be stored in a cool & dry place, and away from direct sunlight and shouldn't be refrigerated. There are no side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth etc. associated with this formula.

Coronafly is available for sale from Butterfly Ayurveda's official website (www.butterflyayurveda.com) and other e-commerce websites like Amazon, 1MG, Lybrate and Magic Pin.

This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message.
Researchers analyze thousands of microbial genomes and discover that two abundant groups produce energy using ancient methods that may predate the evolution of respiration.

A new scientific study has revealed unique life strategies of two major groups of microbes that live below Earths surface. A publication in Frontiers in Microbiology reports that these groups, originally thought to rely on symbiotic relationships with other organisms, may also live independently and use an ancient mode of energy production.

These microbes, which belong to the groups Patescibacteria and DPANN, are really special, really exciting examples of the early evolution of life, said Ramunas Stepanauskas, a senior research scientist at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and an author of the paper. They may be remnants of ancient forms of life that had been hiding and thriving in the Earths subsurface for billions of years.

Stepanauskas led a research team that used advanced molecular techniques and bioinformatics to analyze thousands of microbial genomes and learn about their evolutionary history. Reading their genetic code revealed that these two groups of abundant microbes lack the capability to breathe in order to synthesize ATP, the common energy currency of life.

The team found that these microbes, which live in a variety of environments in Earths interior, appear to gain energy only through the process of fermentation. Many organisms are capable of fermentation, including humans when their muscles run out of oxygen during intense exercise  but they use it only as a supplementary source of energy.

Our findings indicate that Patescibacteria and DPANN are ancient forms of life that may have never learned how to breathe, Stepanauskas said. These two major branches of the evolutionary tree of life constitute a large portion of the total microbial diversity on the planet  and yet they lack some capabilities that are typically expected in every form of life.

The researchers found that the most recent common ancestors of these two lineages lacked the ability to breathe, just as their modern descendants do. For the first two billion years of Earths existence, there was no oxygen in the atmosphere. Today, oxygen is a key component of Earths atmosphere and essential to the life it can support  but just a few hundred feet underground, conditions have not changed, and this recent discovery suggests that some subsurface life hasnt, either.

Scientists had previously speculated that because Patescibacteria and DPANN have very simple genetic features and metabolism, they must live symbiotically and depend upon host organisms to survive. In the new study, the research team found no evidence that Patescibacteria and DPANN are dominated by symbionts  most of them seem to live as free cells and rely on the primitive pathway of fermentation to supply themselves with energy.

Dependence on other organisms is a feature of life, said Jacob Beam, a former postdoctoral researcher at Bigelow Laboratory and the lead author of this study. There are no absolutes in biology, and our research shows that microbes can vary along the spectrum of interdependencies.

Scientists analyzed microbes from diverse environments around the globe, including a mud volcano at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, hydrothermal vents in the Pacific, and the worlds deepest gold mines in South Africa. Bigelow Laboratory Bioinformatics Scientist Julie Brown, Research Scientist Nicole Poulton, former Postdoctoral Research Scientists Eric Becraft and Oliver Bezuidt, and Research Experience for Undergraduates intern Kayla Clark worked on this project, alongside with an international team of scientists who contributed to fieldwork, laboratory, and computational analyses.

In addition to revealing the inner workings of Earths subsurface and the evolution of life, these findings can provide a model system of what life on other planets may look like. Environments on Mars and other bodies in the solar system likely resemble Earths subsurface, and Patescibacteria and DPANN represent examples of life that appear to require very little energy to survive, which scientists expect would be a requirement for life on other planets.

This project would not have been possible without the collaboration of this diverse group of scientists collecting samples around the world and uniting their expertise, Beam said. Through the collaboration of a global group of scientists working together, we know more about the inner workings of these microbes that form a major fraction of the total biodiversity on our planet.

This work was funded by the National Science Foundation, the United States Department of Energy, the Simons Foundation, the Russian Science Foundation, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
FILE PHOTO: A wallaby is seen on in burnt bushland on Kangaroo Island

By Colin Packham

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's most populous state said on Tuesday it will compel owners to clear their land of flammable material as it endorsed 76 recommendations from an enquiry into deadly bushfires.

Fires razed more than 11 million hectares (37 million acres) of bushland across Australia's southeast early this year, killing at least 33 people and billions of native animals, a disaster that Prime Minister Scott Morrison called Australia's "black summer".

Amid public anger, the federal and state governments commissioned independent enquiries.

New South Wales (NSW), which recorded the highest death toll from the fires at 25, on Tuesday became the first to release findings. Its Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the state government had accepted all recommendations.

Among recommendations, the state will require landowners to clear or burn flammable material - usually dried brush and dead leaves - for firefighters to be trained in treating wild animals and the creation of a fund to develop technology to detect fires.

"These 76 recommendations are wide-ranging but what they also show is that there is no silver bullet. The last summer was caused by a crippling drought," Elliott told reporters in Canberra.

The issue of hazard reduction, however, is the most contentious as questions arise about the cause of the fires.

Morrison, a supporter of the fossil fuel industry, this year said removing flammable material was as "important as emissions reduction and I think many would argue even more so", a stance rejected by several former firefighting chiefs.

Environmental groups said Australia - one of the world's biggest carbon emitters on a per capital basis - must reduce its greenhouse emissions, amid forecasts for more frequent and severe droughts as the climate changes.

(Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Robert Birsel)
A meeting of the advisors to the leaders of the countries involved in the Normandy-format talks on Donbas which was earlier scheduled for August 28 has been cancelled, an source close to the negotiations on the Ukrainian side told Interfax-Ukraine.

"The meeting of the advisors to the leaders has been cancelled," the source said.
Increasing the number of examination centres, an alternate seating plan, fewer candidates per room and staggered entry and exit feature among the steps the National Testing Agency (NTA) will take for the safe conduct of medical and engineering entrance exams  NEET and JEE  in September.

Over 950,000 students will sit for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main), or JEE, across 660 centres from September 1 to 6, the premier testing agency said on Tuesday. In January 2019, over a million candidates took the test for admission to top engineering schools across 570 centres.

According to data released by NTA, a government agency, nearly 1.6 million candidates of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) will take the entrance exam for admission to medical and dental courses in 3,842 test centres on September 13  up from the 2,546 centres that were set up for 1.52 million students in 2019.

Additionally, in case of JEE-Mains, the number of shifts has been increased from the earlier 8 to 12, and the number of candidates per shift has been reduced from earlier 1.32 lakh (132,000) to 85,000 now, an NTA statement said. While JEE-Mains is a computer-based test, NEET is a pen-paper test, it added.

The steps were introduced to ensure adherence to social distancing norms at the centres in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. A chorus to postpone the exams in view of the coronavirus disease outbreak is growing with several politicians joining a large section of students in making such a demand.

In order to ensure proper social distancing inside the examination halls, the candidates will be seated in alternate seats in case of JEE-Mains. In case of NEET, the number of candidates per room has been reduced from 24 to 12, the statement said.

For ensuring social distancing outside the examination hall, the entry and exit of candidates has been staggered, it added.

Adequate arrangements have also been made outside the examination centres to enable candidates stand with adequate social distancing, while waiting. Candidates have also been issued advisory guiding them about Dos and Donts for proper social distancing, the statement said.

The agency said the exams were being held in view of the academic interests of the students, citing that the Supreme Court had rejected a plea seeking postponement of the two entrance tests.

The agency also said over 99% candidates got their first choice of cities (for test centre) in case of both examinations.

According to state-wise data shared by NTA, for both the exams, the highest number of students is in Maharashtra (228,000 for NEET and 110,000 for JEE).

Several opposition leaders including Congresss Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, DMK president MK Stalin and Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia have demanded the exams be postponed.

But on August 17, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking the postponement of the two exams amid spurt in the number of Covid-19 cases, saying precious year of students cannot be wasted and life has to go on.
Song Fei sews a pankou to a cheongsam at her cheongsam shop in Chengdu

City, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on August 13. [CNSPHOTO/Wang Lei]

"This fabric is called xiangyunsha (gambiered Guangdong gauze)," said Song Fei, while she introduced a traditional cheongsam to customers. "Dyed with pure plant extracts and unpolluted river mud, the time-honored silk drapery is dubbed 'soft gold' in the textile industry."

To everyone's surprise, the knowledgeable Song  who has incredible insights into cheongsam, a body-hugging one-piece Chinese dress for women, is a lawyer who has practiced law for 10 years in Chengdu City, Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Song loves traditional Chinese culture and has always had a fondness for cheongsam. In 2017, she ceased working as a lawyer and traveled to Suzhou, one of the famous embroidery cities in China, to learn design and handicraft skills of cheongsam and traditional costumes, becoming a cheongsam designer.

At first, Song's family and friends were not optimistic about her choice to switch from a distinguished career to an artistic field.

Knowing little about clothing, Song learned from scratch, which was a huge challenge for her. "The pain was unthinkable, but since I had chosen that profession, I had to stick to it. I want a career that I truly enjoy," said Song.

Song returned to Chengdu with new skills and creative passion in 2019 and founded her design brand, hoping to pass on the traditional culture and aesthetics to more people.

"To be honest, compared with my previous job, this one is harder and leaves me with much greater financial pressure. But my sense of satisfaction is beyond comparison when my works are recognized and appreciated," said Song, who added that it takes at least one month to create a cheongsam.

After more than a year in business, Song gradually gained fans by sharing her creations on social media platforms and at marketing events.

"Traditional cheongsam are one-piece tailored dresses of Chinese origin that require making with natural materials by hand. However, modern cheongsam are often made with artificial fabrics and produced by machine," Song said. "In the face of rapid social and economic changes, traditional cheongsam are receiving less attention due to the popularity of mass-produced, assembly-line gowns."

To save the beauty of traditional culture, Song wants to integrate time-honored handicrafts into people's daily lives, believing that traditional culture should not be the territory of museums.

"Lawyers use laws to help other people in need while a cheongsam designer passes on tradtional Chinese culture. Both are meaningful types of work with social responsibilities," said Song.

Song Fei sketches a design for a cheongsam at her shop in Chengdu City, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on August 13. [CNSPHOTO/Wang Lei]

Song Fei takes the measurements of a customer at her shop in Chengdu City, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on August 13. [CNSPHOTO/Wang Lei]

Song Fei stitches a pankou to a cheongsam at her shop in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on August 13. [CNSPHOTO/Wang Lei]

(Source: CNSPHOTO/Translated and edited by Women of China)
Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said that he has tested positive for the coronavirus COVID-19. Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, he said that he is doing well but as a precaution been hospitalised.

He also asserted that he has a fever. Shivakumar appealed to all those who came in contact with him to be cautious.

I had fever and have tested positive for the Corona Virus. I am doing well, but as a precaution have been hospitalized and am under the good care of doctors. With your wishes and blessings, I will soon be back. I appeal to all those who came in contact with me to be cautious.  DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) August 25, 2020

"I had fever and have tested positive for the Corona Virus. I am doing well, but as a precaution have been hospitalized and am under the good care of doctors. With your wishes and blessings, I will soon be back. I appeal to all those who came in contact with me to be cautious," he tweeted.
For those looking to breed Standardbreds or buy yearlings this fall, Walter Parkinson said one of the best returns on investment comes from Ontario-sired and Ontario-bred horses.

Parkinson, the president of the Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association (SBOA) and the Standardbred breeder representative on the board of Ontario Racing (OR), pointed to a number of advantages the provinces Standardbred Improvement Program (SIP) offers horse owners.

First and foremost is the rich and deep Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) program which offers two tiers, multiple events at the provinces Standardbred tracks and, most importantly, total purses of some $15 million, making it one of the most lucrative sires stakes programs in North America. This year, OR added a third tier, called the 'Prospect Series,' as a pilot project.

On top of that, in 2020 there is just over $3 million available in Standardbred breeders awards.

Ontario-sired Tall Dark Stranger, winning the 2020 Meadowlands Pace

SIP is one of three breed-specific improvement programs that flows out of Ontarios Horse Improvement Program (HIP) administered by OR. HIP also supports the Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP) and the Quarter Horse Racing Industry Development Program (QHRIDP).

While TIP chooses to allocate more funding to Thoroughbred breeders awards, Parkinson stressed the SIP program is driven mostly by the OSS program.

Certainly in our breed, it goes hand in hand to have the strongest purses you can have and then reward the excellence you can achieve from that. I think it works well for Standardbreds in general, not just the Ontario program. Overall, thats been the basis of Standardbred breeding, having a strong sires stakes program, Parkinson said. I think we're extremely competitive in getting the best stallions available in any given year, along with Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio in some capacity. So I think that's what the sires stakes program does. It gets you top sires in your jurisdiction. And in order to do that, you need to create a program that incents them to come and incents breeders to breed in your jurisdiction to those stallions.

Ontario-sired Tattoo Artist, taking his life's mark at Woodbine Mohawk Park

This year, Gold purses have typically exceeded $100,000 per race, Grassroots divisions were going for an average of $23,000, and Prospect Series events carried purses of, approximately, $7,000.

I think the uptake on it has been fairly good, Parkinson said of the Prospect Series. It gives people an alternative if they have a nice quality horse that is ready to race, but maybe not quite Grassroots competitive. They have a nice option to race (in the Prospect Series) instead of just an open overnight.

Parkinson said planning meetings for next years OSS events will be held this fall, but he doesnt anticipate any dramatic changes to the program for 2021 and, likely, the Prospect Series will return.

Though, the COVID-19 global pandemic will have some impact on purses.

Your home market area wagering is your determining factor for a lot of money in this industry, Parkinson said of the primary source of SIP funding, which comes from what people physically wager in the Ontario area where they live on Ontario horse racing. With teletheatres and on-track betting windows closed due to the pandemic, that means home market wagering is only coming from those that bet on Ontario horse racing over the internet. Much of the current handle is coming from simulcast wagering from outside of the province. The sooner (teletheatres and on-track betting windows) can open up, hopefully we can recover a bit from that. I think it's important too to realize everything in the world has been affected. So, people should assume that horse racing is going to be affected to some extent, but its not anything specific to horse racing. Its across the board, worldwide, industry wide.

One advantage Ontario has over other jurisdictions is a long-term provincial funding agreement in place that provides approximately $100 million annually to the horse racing industry. In many other Standardbred jurisdictions in North America, purses are dependent on casino revenue. Some casinos  such as the non-tribal locations in the state of New York  remain closed, meaning the biggest funding source for purses is temporarily halted in that state and some tracks have plans to end their racing seasons early this year. Not so in Ontario.

As Thoroughbred breeder David Anderson recently told OR, I think we're fortunate that our purse structure is not focused around casino revenue. With our long-term funding agreement in place [with the province of Ontario], theres a real sense of security.

Ontario-sired Beaumond Hanover, taking his life's mark at Woodbine Mohawk Park

Parkinson said Ontarios program, remains strong due to the dedication of the funding and the horses themselves. If COVID-19 wasnt even in the scenario, the quality of the horse is still the same. I think it's an amazing, excellent group of Ontario-sired horses that are going to be sold, wherever they're being sold this fall. We're seeing a great year in the Ontario Sires Stakes program.

Parkinson said those horses to be sold this fall were the result of mating decisions made long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

He also pointed specifically to this years three-year-old pacing colt division that features two top colts in Beaumond Hanover and Tattoo Artist that are both undefeated through three OSS Gold Series events in 2020. As well, Ontario-sired Tall Dark Stranger is the leading horse in the division and is the recent Meadowlands Pace and Cane Pace winner.

There's no question about the quality of horse, Parkinson said. If you want to race next summer or in a sires stakes program  or just have an open stakes horse  then this fall is the time to purchase an Ontario Standardbred.

(Ontario Racing)
A Lao democracy activist who vanished under mysterious circumstances in Thailand last year is still missing, with Thai police saying no progress has been made in the investigation into his disappearance.



Od Sayavong, aged 34 at the time he went missing, disappeared in Bangkok on Aug. 26, 2019 after telling a roommate he would be home for dinner, Ods roommate told RFA in an earlier report, adding that Ods involvement in politics was the most likely reason for his disappearance.



He had come out to protest against the [Lao] government, and most recently he had posted a video clip online criticizing the Lao government during the time of the ASEAN meetings in Thailand, the roommate said.



Thai efforts to find answers to Ods disappearance have now stalled, a police official at the Bung Kum police station in Bangkok told RFAs Lao Service on Aug. 21, five days before the anniversary of Ods disappearance.



Our investigators have sent all the documents we have about this case to the government departments that are working on it, and U.N. officials also came to the station to talk to us about this, the police official said.



There has been no progress in this case for now, he said.



Sunai Phasuk, an advisor in Thailand to the rights group Human Rights Watch, meanwhile voiced frustration at the lack of information on the disappearance of the missing Lao activist, who has been listed as a person of concern by the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR because of his advocacy for democracy and human rights in Laos.



There has been no progress at all, Sunai noted. Whats happening?



Nothing has changed. His disappearance was reported to the police, but the investigation in this case is going nowhere, Sunai said, adding that his office follows up on the case from time to time to see if the Thai police are doing their job.



'Every reason to abduct'



The Lao government had every reason to abduct Od Sayavong, and the operation appears so far to have been a success, said Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch in the Asia-Pacific Region, speaking to RFA.



But the Lao government has denied taking him, and no one saw them do it. They have not disclosed any information [about the case], and we dont have any evidence either, Robertson said.



Part of a group of Lao dissidents living in Bangkok, Od had taken part in a June 16, 2019 protest in the city calling for political freedoms and human rights in Laos, especially for the victims of government land grabs and dam collapses that have left hundreds stuck in poor housing without a way to earn a living.



He had also called for the release of three Lao workers given long prison terms in April 2017 for criticizing the government while working in Thailand, and for a U.N. investigation into the disappearance of rural development expert Sombath Somphone.



Sombath disappeared on Dec. 15, 2012, when police stopped him in his vehicle at a checkpoint on the outskirt of the Lao capital Vientiane. He was then transferred to another vehicle, according to a police surveillance video, and has not been heard from since.



Before his abduction, Sombath had challenged massive land deals negotiated by the government that had left thousands of rural Lao villagers homeless with little paid in compensation. The deals sparked rare popular protests in Laos, where political speech is tightly controlled.



Meanwhile, government officials in Laos denied any knowledge of Od Sayavongs disappearance or current whereabouts.



This guy disappeared in Thailand, an official of the Lao Ministry of Public Security said, speaking to RFA, adding, Well look into the case.



In the past, there were some people who defamed the government and opposed its policies, and the government would warn them not to defame others without any reason, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.



That cannot be done here in Laos, he said.



Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Subscriber content preview

Pebble Limited Partnership has 90 days to come up with a mitigation plan for thousands of acres and nearly 200 miles of streams.



By MARK THIESSEN

Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA  A proposed gold and copper mine at the headwaters of the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery in Alaska would cause unavoidable adverse impacts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said in a letter to the developer released Monday.

The corps is giving Pebble Limited Partnership 90 days to come up with a mitigation plan for thousands of acres and nearly 200 miles of streams to secure a key federal permit to proceed. Once filed, the corps said it will decide if the plan for Pebble Mine is sufficient, David Hobbie, the corps' regional regulatory division chief said in a letter to James Fueg, vice president for permitting at the partnership.





. . .
"I want to share with you what it means to me to be just an ordinary guy caught up in the horror inflicted by this man," Gosse said, recounting how his aunt was "shot in the chest and left to bleed out on the floor as her life slipped away."
There is reportedly a feud as Jennifer Garner does not find it favorable that Ben Affleck's girlfriend Ana de Armas is getting too involved with the three children that Affleck and Garner share.

Ana de Armas and Ben Affleck first met on the set of "Deep River" where they forged a romantic relationship and eventually appeared showing off their love on the streets and various outings. Recently, Affleck introduced his children to de Armas with Garner's reported permission and things were supposedly smooth-sailing.

Jennifer Garner Finding the Situation Unfavorable

Jennifer Garner was in contact with her attorneys. She is apparently working out a schedule that will work out the duration that she and Affleck will spend with their three children Violet, Samuel, and Samuel, reported National Enquirer.

The Introduction

Affleck introduced his kids to her 32-year-old girlfriend after weeks of quarantining with her. "Ben really likes Ana and he takes it very seriously when introducing his kids to anyone," according to a source close to the Justice League actor, reported Hollywood Life.

Affleck and de Armas have merely been officially dating for a couple of weeks. Garner and Affleck were married from 2005 to 2018.

A couple of Instagram conspiracy theorists believe that the "Deep River" co-actors are merely hamming up their relationship for the paparazzi as a PR stunt for their new movie.

Affleck and Garner are reportedly doing well in the mature co-parenting department are taking each other's feelings into consideration. According to the source, "Ben is understanding. (He) said he would work with Jennifer to prepare the kids for meeting (Ana)," reported Yahoo Style.

Also Read: Has Baby Number 4 United Ben Affleck And Jennifer Garner?

Amid reports of a feud between Jennifer Garner and Ana de Armas, Affleck's girlfriend lauds how he devotes his time to work, his children, and co-parenting with his former wife. De Armas said, "Ana thinks Ben is such a sweet and nice guy. (She) admires how he juggles so much between work, his kids, and co-parenting with Jen," reported Geo News.

Conditions Imposed by Jennifer Garner

Despite ongoing divorce proceedings with Affleck, a tabloid report indicated that Garner had a few conditions. One such was that she "didn't want to disrupt their daily routine by allowing different women to come into and out of their lives," according to a source, reported Latin Times.

Paparazzi recently spotted Affleck and de Armas on a sanity walk with 14-year-old Violet, 11-year-old Seraphina, and 8-year-old Sam. The children are also hanging out with the couple at Affleck's Pacific Palisades home. "He (Ben) wants the kids to spend time with her [de Armas] so they can get to know her," according to a source, reported People.

Clarifications

Rumors about Garner finding de Armas spending time with her children unfavorable is common. Tabloids have been pitting them against each other.

The two female actors are allegedly simultaneously pregnant. In truth, the actresses are not conceiving.

Star reported that the "Batman vs Superman" actor cannot be in denial that he is jealous of Garner and Bradley Cooper's relationship.

The contravening narratives from the different tabloids are not in agreement, proving that the stories regarding the trio are all incorrect.

Despite news of a feud between Jennifer Garnery and Ana de Armas, Gossip Cop debunked that Garner has been nothing but supportive of her former husband since their 2015 separation. The celebrity fact check website stated that there is no reason to believe that she would find it unfavorable that he is finding happiness in a new relationship.

Related Article: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner Divorce Updates: Pregnancy Rumors Choked as Actress Celebrates Ex-Hubby's Birthday

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made history Tuesday night when he addressed the Republican National Convention, a move that critics say violates a long-standing State Department policy that draws a line between diplomacy and politics.

Pompeo videotaped his brief speech Monday night from the rooftop of the famed King David Hotel in Jerusalem, using striking views of the Old City as a backdrop. By the time the public heard his remarks, he had visited Sudan and already traveled on to Bahrain.

Pompeo used his minutes before the camera to tout the Trump administration's foreign policy, including the announcement earlier this month of a peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The State Department said Pompeo's decision to speak at the RNC was made in his personal capacity and did not involve government resources. But it left many diplomats dumbstruck.

"You can argue that U.S. government resources are not being used," a former diplomat said, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to maintain contacts within the State Department. "But he is not speaking as secretary of state? Is he speaking as Joe Blow? I don't think so."

Another former senior official called the decision "very tacky."

The tradition stretches back to the aftermath of World War II, when Sen. Arthur Vandenberg, a Republican who chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, asserted that "politics stops at the water's edge." That means foreign policy represents all Americans, not any particular faction, and should not be infected by domestic politics.

Many of Pompeo's predecessors maintained a high firewall, though some attended their party's conventions. No sitting secretary of state, however, has made a speech at one.

"As secretary of state, I am obliged not to participate in any way, shape, fashion, or form in parochial, political debates. I have to take no sides in the matter," Colin Powell said in 2004, when he decided not to attend the RNC while he was secretary of state under George W. Bush.

Pompeo's speech was taped in Jerusalem a day earlier, apparently to highlight a successful foreign policy narrative of normalized relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, a recognition highly popular with President Donald Trump's base of evangelical voters.

Pompeo, an evangelical Christian, once told an interviewer from the Christian Broadcasting Network that it is "possible" that Trump is like a modern-day Esther, a biblical character who persuaded the king of Persia not to destroy the Jews.

The Trump administration has been strongly supportive of Israel. It moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, one of only a handful of countries that have their embassies there because the city's status was considered a subject for future negotiations with the Palestinians.

Ronald Neumann, president of the American Academy of Diplomacy, noted that Pompeo is building on the practice previous presidents running for reelection touting their foreign policy successes.

"I see this as a continuation and a piece of how domestic politics have entered into foreign policy," he said. "It's a big step, but it's not out of nowhere."

The State Department recently updated its restrictions on mixing politics and diplomacy in a memo from the legal adviser dated Dec. 3, 2019, that Pompeo approved.

"The Department has a long-standing policy of limiting participation in partisan campaigns by its political appointees in recognition of the need for the U.S. Government to speak with one voice on foreign policy matters," the memo said. "The combination of Department policy and Hatch Act requirements effectively bars you from engaging in partisan political activities while on duty, and, in many circumstances, even when you are off duty."

Among the restrictions in the memo, first reported by Politico and viewed by The Washington Post, is this statement: "Senate-confirmed Presidential appointees may not even attend a political party convention or convention-related event."

In an email to employees dated Feb. 18, 2020, Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun said the updated guidance was even more restrictive than what is required by law, to protect the institution's integrity as it argues on behalf of American values overseas. He said it applied to all employees.

"In my case, as a Senate-confirmed Department official, I will be sitting on the sidelines of the political process this year and will not be attending any political events, to include the national conventions," he said in the memo viewed by The Post.

Some veteran diplomats were aghast that Pompeo would make his videotaped speech after approving the updated guidelines.

Nancy McEldowney, the former dean of the Foreign Service Institute that trains incoming diplomats, said Pompeo had crossed the line "of precedent, propriety and ethics." She called it a "blatant attempt to use American diplomacy to support Trump's campaign."

"As we've seen in numerous cases and most acutely in Ukraine, Secretary Pompeo will stoop to almost any low to satisfy Trump's endless need for praise and sycophancy," she said. "American diplomats put their lives on the line every single day in support of our diplomacy and natural security. When Pompeo violates the ethical norms and nonpartisan standards of his office, he fails the people who work under him."

The State Department declined to comment, beyond an early statement saying Pompeo is addressing the convention "in his personal capacity."

"No State Department resources will be used," the statement said. "Staff are not involved in preparing the remarks or in the arrangements for Secretary Pompeo's appearance. The State Department will not bear any costs in conjunction with this appearance."

Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Tex., vice chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said later Tuesday that Pompeo's participation in the convention was "a potential violation of federal regulations, U.S. State Department policy, and the Hatch Act," which limits the involvement of federal employees in most political activities.

"It's absolutely unacceptable that a sitting U.S. Secretary of State, America's top diplomat, would use official taxpayer-funded business to participate in a political party convention, particularly after the State Department published guidance that explicitly prohibits such activity," Castro said in a letter to Biegun, adding that a panel would look into the matter.
Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Travis Kupp, a member of our Emerging Fellows program checks the impact of internal chaos on Asian futures through his eighth blog post. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the APF or its other members.

It is said that nature abhors a vacuum. While the truth of that proposition may be debated in the physical sense, it is almost certainly true of power politics. In Asia, the incumbent powerhouse is headquartered in Beijing, where one could say that all major roads under construction on the continent lead. However, for much of recent history this has not been the case for China and, even with a substantial lead today, it is not a guaranteed future. If China were to soon fall into a state of internal turmoil, the rest of the continent could experience a period of political and economic refactoring. Alternatively, the collapse of an even more powerful China in the future could leave the rest of Asia in a state of dangerous disarray. As and when the country undergoes such a massive shock, Asias future will change radically.

In a near-future turmoil scenario, Chinas still incomplete work of hegemony over Asia may allow for a gradual shift in the center of gravity. Southeast Asia could take back ownership of its manufacturing base, decreasing dependency on their giant neighbor and giving rise to a rebalanced ASEAN with a more assertive bloc of the smaller nations. However, with a more volatile partner and less attractive market to their north, these states will need to look elsewhere for reliable trade partners. These will likely be found westward.

Meanwhile, India and Russia would find themselves in a struggle to lead the continents economy and to pursue their agendas in Central Asia more tenaciously with one major player distracted. The full potential of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) dashed, affected nations will be left indebted to a nation unable to effectively enforce its covenants. New projects could take control of and repurpose some of this existing infrastructure to more strongly connect Russia and Europe to India and the Southeast. The net effect would be an Asia now led from its West.

If China is able to keep major change at bay until after the successful entrenchment of the BRI and significant military expansion, the rest of Asia may react in a more extreme manner. In this future, Japans debate over remilitarization will be resolved overnight in favor of protecting itself from an unpredictable neighbor. The island nation would likely also need to quickly overcome its differences with South Korea in order to establish a stronger defensive position. Chinas struggle for sovereignty of its coastal waters would heat up quickly.

Resentment toward Chinese hegemony in BRI-dependent states would also begin to boil over as dependent economies collapse. India and Russia would see opportunities for strategic advantage in greatly weakened Central Asia, Pakistan and Kazakhstan especially, but would need to tread carefully. China would be in a position to retaliate swiftly and forcefully if threatened by such encroachment, assuming the military takes a leading role in re-establishing stability in the state. However, rising threats in the East could weaken this position.

Whenever a tumultuous social and political change strikes China, its neighbors will be obliged to act. Peaceful outcomes would involve significant rethinking of economic flows and relationships across Asia with an opportunity for China to reintegrate when it stabilizes. If Chinas turmoil occurs after its rise to dominance is more complete, the continent would at best be thrust into a state of heightened tension, and at worst into the next global war. Asia and the world can only hope that any major difficulties in China will occur slowly enough, and perhaps soon enough, to avoid such an outcome.

 Travis Kupp 2020
The global coffee pod machine market size is expected to grow by 1,428.20 thousand units during 2020-2024. The report also provides the market impact and new opportunities created due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect the impact to be significant in the first quarter but gradually lessen in subsequent quarters with a limited impact on the full-year economic growth.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005588/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Coffee Pod Machine Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Request challenges and opportunities influenced by COVID-19 pandemic Request a Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impacts

The increase in strategic partnerships among vendors is leading to the availability of a diverse range of coffee pod brands, driving the demand for pod machines. For instance, Keurig Green Mountain has a host of agreements with coffee brands such as Folgers and Starbucks, to produce and use coffee pods for its own Keurig pod machines. This situation is conducive to the growth of the global coffee pod machine market because the modern customer is willing and can pay a reasonable premium for a pod machine that can brew a diverse set of branded beverages.

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR44624

As per Technavio, the cost-effectiveness and usability of coffee pod machines will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This research report also analyzes other significant trends and market drivers that will influence market growth over 2020-2024.

Coffee Pod Machine Market: Cost-effectiveness and Usability of Coffee Pod Machines

Apart from the traditional coffee-consuming countries of North America and Europe, rapid urbanization across the world is driving the inculcation of new food customs and habits and preferences of global food trends across emerging economies. This is fostering the acceptance of coffee pod machines across these economies. One of the fundamental drivers for the growth of the global coffee pod machine market is the convenience, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use offered by coffee pod machines to the modern consumer. Coffee pod machines cost less than a fully-automatic commercial coffee maker. With a more compact, portable, and sophisticated design, these machines can fit aesthetically into any modern residential or office environment. In addition to being easy to use and maintain, coffee pods are gaining popularity due to their one-time use, quality, and quick disposability.

"Other factors such as the increasing commercial demand for coffee pod machines, and the availability of diverse choices of coffee flavors will have a significant impact on the growth of the coffee pod machine market value during the forecast period," says a senior analyst at Technavio.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Coffee Pod Machine Market: Segmentation Analysis

This market research report segments the coffee pod machine market by end-user (non-commercial and commercial) and geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and MEA).

The European region led the coffee pod machine market in 2019, followed by North America, APAC, South America, and MEA respectively. During the forecast period, the European region is expected to register the highest incremental growth due to factors such as premiumization, individuality, and localization trends in the consumption of coffee.

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report

Some of the key topics covered in the report include:

Market Drivers

Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Competitive scenario

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005588/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/
ORANGE  Maggie Mao thought about sticking it out and keeping the Donut Palace open, but in the end the eerie sense of a storm bearing down helped her decide to pack up and go to Houston.

Last time we got the end part of it, Mao said of the last strong storm, Imelda, to really rout the east Texas Gulf coast. But now, this time, who knows? Better to leave.

Evacuation sent thousands scrambling to protect their homes and head out of Orange County before hurricane-force winds potentially tossed waters from the Gulf of Mexico in to the Sabine River, sending a surge through the city. The county, on the Lousiana border, is one of the likely landfall spots for the growing storm, which forecasters said could reach Category 3 by the time it barrels into the coast.

Charter bus companies with contracts approved by the FEMA via the Department of Homeland Security paid for the buses. Drivers descended from as far away as Hot Springs, Ark., and Little Rock to ferry passengers, most headed to San Antonio and Dallas. Between 170 and 200 people were bused from Orange County, officials said, as stragglers came through the door of the community college gym used as a meeting site.

Theyre talking about up to 11 feet surge, said Gerald Warnell as he pointed south of downtown Orange where a mass of bayous, lake and creeks tangle into a wetland capable of flooding the city.

I was here when the water came last time, Warnell, 59, said as he waited to follow a caravan of buses out of town to shelter in San Antonio.

Water wasnt the worry for most people, this time.

They say its the wind thatll be bad, said Christian Ross, 46, as he gassed up to get out of Orange. I boarded up all the windows and Ill hope for the best Hope I did a good job.

Orange County Judge John Gothia, along with city officials, ordered a mandatory evacuation, effective 6 a.m. Tuesday. Those unable to leave or with no place to go without aid, like Warnell, were being bussed from collection points in Orange and Vidor coordinated by emergency management officials.

Sharon Johnson, 66, cannot drive anymore and requires a walker most of the time. She said she didnt want to leave but could not risk staying.

Ive got no one to check on me, Johnson said, hugging a large shopping bag of belongings she grabbed before the bus came to get her. Its just not safe for me to stay.

Many Orange residents seemed to reach the same conclusion. By midday, most businesses except for the H-E-B, hardware store and gas stations were closed. Cars snaked their way to Interstate 10, the main exit point for the community, currently under construction to the Louisiana border.

Fred Collins, 61, was hanging plywood over the windows of the Donut Palace and then high-tailing it to Dallas. His house and motorcycle were already locked down.

They said leave, so Im leaving, he said.

A.J. Harvey, between helping hang panels on the windows, said if it was just him, hed stay.

But I got a little boy, he said of his 9-year-old son. I cant wait it out with him.

Others were more optimistic, if with some reservations.

I made plans to get my family safe, get my grand-babies out, said Julia Thomas, who planned to stay. The Lord will protect us, so I will tough it out at home.

Even newcomer Robin St. Pierre wasnt sweating it too much even as others hit the road.

Im from Iowa, so we have tornadoes, she said. Those come with no warning, at least theres a warning about this.

dug.begley@chron.com
Blistering barnacles!

That is how Captain Archibald Haddock, the character from popular comics series of Tintin, would have reacted. And one wouldn't fault with Nitin Sarin if he had too.

On August 24, the Chandigarh-based lawyer got a call from delivery service company FedEx, informing that a shipment in Sarin's name has been detained by the Customs department at Delhi's international airport.

The objection raised by the Customs officials was:"Import of drones/planes not allowed. Proper description of goods and value evidence required."

The Managing Partner of Sarin & Co, which specialises in aviation law, was confused but soon realised that the shipment in question was nothing but two figurines he had ordered from Tintin's online boutique, from Belgium. The figurines were of Air India plane models, based on illustrations from Tintin in Tibet, one of the titles from the comic series.

But why would Customs officials have a problem with plane models that Sarin had ordered for his two-year-old daughter?

As it turned out, what had probably alerted customs officials was the description on the two models - Air India plane, and Air India aeroplane. The officials, probably being cautious - or bordering on overcautious - wanted to check if the shipment included drones.

Drones are among the list of prohibited items that can't be imported into India. If one does want to import, said industry observers, then approvals from multiple agencies, including aviation regulator DGCA, are needed.

Sarin hadn't because he didn't want a drone. Just a figurine.

"I have spent the morning sending a 17-page reply to FedEx, explaining that the items are toys and not anything that can be classified in drones/restricted category," Sarin told Moneycontrol. The 17-page reply included copies of the transaction, receipt and pictures of the two figurines.

"I have imported hundreds of diecast airplane models. All via registered post, not a single finger was raised," said Sarin, who also specialises in Customs and Excise laws.

The lawyer is not alone in having similar experiences. Soon after Sarin shared his experience on social media platform Twitter, he drew responses from Twitterati who had similar experiences, with documents and car models.

Check out some of the responses:



We as a French organization working in India facing similar issues with @DHL_India & @FedExIndia who are holding back our envelopes containing manuals and documents & asking for unnecessary KYC. Hope @Customs_India and @PMOIndia does take immediate steps to resolve this issue !!

 kingshuksen (@kingshuk_sen) August 25, 2020

And this one:



I regularly face such issues. Even with everything shared in advance, they wont bother to inform until about 10 days after shipment about hold-up and I have to keep the follow-ups. Something which should take a week to deliver, ends up taking 21 days at times.  Vipul (@gvips82) August 25, 2020

By all accounts, Sarin may also have to wait, anything from a week to a fortnight before his shipment is cleared. In other words, while the two figurines reached India - from Belgium - within 10 days, it may take longer for them to clear the Customs officials scrutiny.

"Ten thousand thundering typhoons!" is how Captain Haddock would have described it.
Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, attends a seminar where local political advisors exchange their work experience in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang on Monday called for taking advantage of the institutional strength of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to improve national governance.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, made the remarks during a seminar where local political advisors exchanged their work experience in Beijing.

He stressed implementing the overall Party leadership over every dimension and whole process during the work of the CPPCC, and called for efforts to transform the Party's decisions into broad consensus and voluntary action of society.

Wang also required improving the working mechanisms of the CPPCC, including committee-member lecture programs and seminars for political advisors, to build consensus.

Local political advisory organs should always uphold the Party's overall leadership over CPPCC work, Wang stressed, urging the organs to concentrate on important issues of the Party and government, the difficulties of people's livelihood, and the focuses of social governance.
Cash-strapped has shown a surplus of $424 million in July after posting a deficit of $100 million in June, the country's has said.

The State Bank of said "this is the fourth monthly surplus since last October."



The SBP said that the strong turnaround in the remittances and exports is achieved "with support from several policy and administrative initiatives taken by the bank and the federal government, the Express Tribune reported.

"Pakistan's current account balance swung into a surplus of $424 mn in July 2020 after posting a deficit of $100 mn in June," it said.

The export of goods increased to $1.89 billion in July compared to $1.58 billion in June. It was, however, 14 per cent lower than $2.22 billion export in July 2019, according to the

The remittances hit a record high of $2.77 billion in the single month of July compared to $2.47 billion in June and $2.03 billion in July 2019.

The import of goods enhanced by 2 per cent to $3.63 billion in the month compared to $3.56 billion in the previous month. It was, however, 13 per cent lower than $4.18 billion import of July 2019.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that the change from deficit into surplus was due to recovery in exports and increase in the remittances.

Next Capital Managing Director Muzammil Aslam said the balance of the current account in surplus is in line with the market expectations.

"The growth in workers' remittances was, however, surprising (in the month of July 2020)," Aslam said.

He said the balance in surplus would at least help the to absorb shocks if it encounters any unexpected higher import payments in the remaining months of the fiscal year.

The government has targeted to record the current account balance in deficit in the range of 1-1.25 per cent ($3-3.5 billion) in the year 2020-21 compared to 1.1 per cent (around $ 3 billion) in the previous fiscal year 2019-2020.

"The surplus in July has made it easier to achieve the set target of the current account deficit," he said.
It is on record that since the conflict between farmers and Fulani herders that has led to the hacking and butchering of many innocent Nigerians by the Fulani herdsmen got too nasty - from Ogun to Enugu, Ondo, Lagos, Imo, Rivers and Benue States etc. - that the Federal Government of Nigeria has been trying desperately without any consideration to the feelings of other Nigerians in settling the Fulani herdsmen in every part of Nigeria.

It should be recalled that under this very government there were moves to forcefully grab land in every state across the nation for the settlement of the Fulani herdsmen in the name of Land colony. It failed as Nigerians in unison rejected the plot. But the agents of this secret agenda did not give up as they restrategized and rebaptized the rejected Land colony with the name called RUGA (Rural Grazing Area), but of course the agenda was the same, the settlement of the Fulani herdsmen across Nigeria. Once more Nigerians scolded them and threw the rubbish in the waste bill. But like a desperate he-goat in pursuit of a she-goat, they reluctantly retracted with a statement that RUGA has been suspended - a very strong message that they will come back. At this juncture, I warned in one of my articles titled, RUGA Policy: All We Want Is A Total Cancellation And Not A Suspension.

And I wrote,  The simple explanation is that Buhari and his government will wait for the right time  in their own faulty thinking  to reintroduce the RUGA policy. But be very careful and watchful because when that time comes it will definitely not be called RUGA, but in whatever disguise they may want to bring it up again the intent will still remain the same, a settlement for their Fulani people.  This government will next time make this Fulani agenda look like a policy that all Nigerians should benefit from, but it will be a deception people like me will not fall for, and I do not know about you.

True to the warning that was like a prophecy come true, the group behind this interior motive came up again with a policy they called National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP). In moves to sell the agenda that has been rejected many times, they explained a lot on how Nigerians will benefit so much from the policy. But for Nigerians, the agenda remains the same, land colony for Fulani herdsmen. Nigerians again rejected the already rejected idea. But the people have not given up as they are at it again and this time they are at the verge of success that Nigerians feared that it will be agony, bloodshed and death for them if the proposal should become a law hence the multiple rejections.

That people at very high places have been trying in disguise and so very desperately to foist this policy on Nigerians should get every right-thinking Nigerian worried.

According to The Guardian 16.08.20 editorial, the danger of more conflicts, bloodshed and perhaps war loom in Nigeria as the office of President Buhari has shockingly returned the same bill Nigerians have in many different occasions rejected for legislation, and the threat is that the bill is at its third reading at the House of Reps. and at the verge of becoming law. The bill this time is called, National Water Resources Bill, 2020.

The Bill seeks to bring all water resources (surface and underground) and the banks of the water sources under the control of the Federal Government through its agencies to be established by the Bill.

The Bill, if passed into law, will clip the wings of state and local government authorities as well as individuals from making use of the water at their backyard without a permit from Abuja. This development will engender serious contentions across Nigeria. The result would be water wars, which would be more devastating than the contentions over grazing land and even oilfields, The Guardian newspaper wrote.

The force of this bill if not curtailed now will entangle many Nigerians rapidly like boisterous sea waves, and there will be no redemption for anyone engulfed in the cobweb - because any hope of redemption would have been irredeemably shattered the day the bill was passed into law. Consequently, I join well-meaning Nigerians to raise my voice against this bill, and to equally remind the Nigerian lawmakers not to forget that they are the representatives of the people and should accordingly act in respect of the will of those they represent and in accordance to their consciences so that posterity will judge them well.

BY Uzoma Ahamefule, a concerned patriotic citizen, writes from Vienna, Austria.

+436607369050 (WhatsApp messages only)
Her ancestors, Tempel and Esther Smith, imported 20 Lipizzans from Austria in 1958 and founded Tempel Farms in the United States. It became known as one of the few places in the world where the Lipizzan horses are bred, trained and perform on the same property. Tempel Farms is in Old Mill Creek near Wadsworth and includes sprawling acres where hay is raised and horses can roam. For many summers, visitors have watched trained Lipizzans use their powerful legs to perform aerial maneuvers and to trot and canter in time to the music.
A straZeneca has revealed it has begun a UK-based trial on a potential antibody-based treatment for tackling the Covid-19 virus.

The US-funded phase 1 trial, which includes up to 48 healthy participants from the UK aged between 18 and 55, will evaluate the safety and tolerability of the treatment.

It is being aimed at people who may not be able to have a vaccination or for high-risk populations where additional protection from the virus may be needed.

AstraZenecas response to the pandemic also includes an agreement with the University of Oxford for the development and distribution of a vaccine aimed at preventing Covid-19.

The antibody-based treatment was licensed to Astra in June after its discovery by Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Funding for the trial is being made through the US Department of Defense and US Department of Health and Human Services.

The treatment aims to mimic natural antibodies in a way that will neutralise the effects of the virus and affect its capacity to infect healthy cells. It could also be used to treat and prevent disease progression in patients already infected by the virus.

Astra's BioPharmaceuticals R&D executive Mene Pangalos said: "This trial is an important milestone in the development of our monoclonal antibody combination to prevent or treat Covid-19.

This combination of antibodies, coupled to our proprietary half-life extension technology, has the potential to improve both the effectiveness and durability of use in addition to reducing the likelihood of viral resistance."

Should Astra achieve favourable results, the Cambridge-based company will need to carry out larger late-stage Phase II and Phase III trials to evaluate its efficacy as a potential preventative and treatment approach against Covid-19.
The Kerala police have arrested six people in connection with a kidnapping attempt of a youth from a paid quarantine facility in Kannur districts Koothuparambu. Sources told CNN-News18 that a gold smuggling link is being suspected behind the incident.

According to police, Binshad, a native of Kannur, had returned from Dubai and landed Kochi airport recently. From there he headed to a paid quarantine facility in Koothuparambu.

When Binshad was leaving the facility after completion of the quarantine period, a group of men barged in and tried to drag him out of the building. His friends and another group of men came to his rescue and a scuffle broke out between them," said Yatish Chandra, Kannur district police chief.

The investigative officers suspect gold smuggling to be the reason behind the incident. Binshad could have been a carrier and upon reaching the destination he did not handover the gold, leading to a scuffle, they said.

Police have arrested six men from both the groups under various sections of the IPC ranging from kidnapping to unlawful assembly, rioting and wrongful restraint.

A case has also been registered against Binshad under Section 308 which deals with attempt to commit culpable homicide.
LONDON, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As diplomatic missions to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) have started to resume, the ambassador of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis to UNESCO met his counterpart representing Brazil. Dr David Doyle, Ambassador of St Kitts and Nevis to UNESCO, and His Excellency Santiago Irazabal Mourao, Ambassador of Brazil to UNESCO, identified areas of mutual interest to both countries.

The two discussed the capabilities of this specialised UN agency in natural science, education, and cultural heritage. Ambassador Mourao highlighted the significance of the relationship between St Kitts and Nevis and Brazil, which have had a long history of mutual support for each other.

His Excellency Irazabal Mourao stated: "With Ambassador Doyle, we reaffirmed the important links between Brazil and Saint-Kitts and the close cooperation of our countries at UNESCO. We consider that St Kitts and Nevis, as a prominent representative of the Small Islands Developing States. [The country] brings an important perspective to discussions within UNESCO, in particular to those related to the management of water and environment."

In response to the meeting, Hon. Jonel Powell, St Kitts and Nevis' Minister of Education, Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture, said that "Brazil represents one of the Federation's strongest allies in the region. I am delighted to learn that our relationships extend to collaborating at UNESCO in the pursuit of attaining the Sustainable Development Goals in critical areas like education and cultural heritage."

Established in 1984, St Kitts and Nevis' Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme also supports socio-economic development in areas of health, education, and tourism across the islands. The Programme requires applicants who have passed rigorous due diligence checks to make an economic contribution to the country. Under the Sustainable Growth Fund's limited-time offer, families of up to four can make a one-off contribution of US$150,000 and obtain citizenship for life.

Due to Foreign Minister Mark Brantley's efforts, the country often announces the establishment of visa waiver agreements and constantly expands the country's diplomatic relations. St Kitts and Nevis citizenship allows visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to nearly 160 destinations, an advantage paired with wider economic opportunities and social benefits. St Kitts and Nevis' CBI Programme is also the only one offering an Accelerated Application Process, which ensures that successful applicants acquire citizenship and the accompanying passport within 60 days.

[email protected]

www.csglobalpartners.com

SOURCE CS Global Partners
STOCKHOLM, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hiroki Matsuhashi and Takuma Miyaki from Japan receive the prestigious 2020 Stockholm Junior Water Prize for their innovation to prevent soil erosion. HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden announced the winners during an online award ceremony as part of World Water Week At Home on 25 August.

Stockholm Junior Water Prize is an international competition where students between 15 and 20 present solutions to major water challenges.

Hiroki Matsuhashi and Takuma Miyaki have developed a method to control soil runoff and increase food production, using the traditional Japanese soil solidification technology Tataki.

"This system is made of only inexpensive natural materials, so it is cheap and eco-friendly. We would like to spread this system to the world and solve water and food problems," the duo said in a filmed presentation of their project.

The Jury noted that: "This year's winners have proven that simple local solutions can solve water problems in a global context. Through systematic studies the contestants have developed methods to make water conservation and soil management more achievable. The contestants effectively combined scientific knowledge and experimentation to revolutionize the way water is collected, used, and conserved for agriculture in arid regions."

The winners were announced by HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, the Prize's Official Patron, who expressed great admiration for all the finalists.

A Diploma of Excellence was awarded to Zoe Gotthold, USA, for a creative approach to limiting the impact of oil pollution in marine ecosystems. By isolating the emulsion that forms between spilled oil and seawater she had found a promising solution and "demonstrated extraordinary knowledge and perseverance", according to the Jury.

This year, the public could also vote in the People's Choice Award, which went to Adittya Kumar Chowdhury and Khaled Iftekhar from Bangladesh. They have developed a low-cost method to purify water with naturally derived poly glutamic acid and Moringa oleifera seeds.

Stockholm Junior Water Prize has been organized every year since 1997 by Stockholm International Water Institute, SIWI, with Xylem as Founding Partner. This year everything was however online, due to Covid-19. "I am humbled by the fact that many of these projects were developed under the most challenging of circumstances," said Ania Andersch, manager for Stockholm Junior Water Prize at SIWI.

Press contact Hawra Daoud, press@siwi.org, +46720-506008

Find photos here.
Wilfredo Lee/AP

Heads-up, frequent fliers, if you're trying to head out on a quick getaway to smaller cities across the U.S, you may hit a snag. American Airlines has announced they are suspending flight service to 15 markets in October, including one Texas city, Del Rio.

The airlines has removed service to 15 cities as a result a result of diminishing demand and expiration of air service requirements associated with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic (CARES) Act, according to an American Airlines press release.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to apologise over what it says were lies he spewed about the cost of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange.



The Vice President says the interchange cost $260 million but the NDC accused Dr. Bawumia of adding the cost of two separate and distinct projects; the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange and the Ring Road Flyover to arrive at the amount he quoted.



Dr. Bawumia suggested that the NDC inflated the contract sum for the construction of the Kwame Nkrumah Circle interchange.



But the Communication Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, at a press conference on Monday, August 24, 202 said the current government created the impression as though the $260 million was the cost of just one projectthe Kwame Nkrumah Interchange.



This mischief which was peddled by no less a person than the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana is shameful and reprehensible to say the least, Mr. Gyamfi said.



The scope of work of the two projects are totally different, and so it is disingenuous and shameful for Dr. Bawumia to lump the cost of the two projects together and create the impression that same is inflated.



The NDC maintains that the cost of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange project as approved by Parliament and expended by the contractor was $90 million at the time.



This fact is contained in the Parliamentary Hansard of 16th August 2012, when the transaction was approved by the 5th Parliament of Ghana, with the full participation and approval of the then NPP Minority, Mr. Gyamfi said.



He also recalled that the Mahama government on October 1, 2014 laid before Parliament another export credit facility for the design and construction of another projectthe Ring Road Flyover at a cost $170 million.



Given the NDCs stance, Mr. Gyamfi said if Bawumia has any modicum of respect for Ghanaians, he will honourably do the needful by retracting and apologizing for this lie which has further lowered his fast-sinking reputation and sullied his integrity and that of the high office he occupies.

Source: citinewsroom.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Dom Raja of Varanasi, Jagdish Chaudhary, died on Tuesday (August 25). He was 55 and had been ailing for some time.

Soon after the news of his demise Prime Minister expressed grief over the incident. Taking to microblogging site Twitter, PM Modi wrote in Hindi, ''Extremely saddened by the demise of Dom Raja Jagdish Chaudhary of Varanasi. He settled in the culture of Kashi and was the conductor of the Sanatan tradition there. He worked for social harmony throughout his life. May God give peace to his soul and give the family the strength to bear this suffering.''

 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2020

The Dom Raja was one of the proposers for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last Lok Sabha elections.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also condoled the death of the Dom Raja and called it a major loss.

 Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) August 25, 2020

The Dom Raja of Kashi, as the head of his Chaudhary clan, which considers itself the most exalted among the Dom sub-castes, is considered the chief keeper of the fire burning uninterrupted at Varanasi`s Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats, which are reserved for cremation.

It is believed that if the pyre is lit by the Dom Raja`s clan, the dead achieve salvation.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Dubai, United Arab Emirates  Tue, August 25, 2020 07:00 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c402832c 2 World Israel-UAE,Israel-Palestine-conflict,Israel-annexation,normalization,diplomatic-relations Free

The health ministers of Israel and the United Arab Emirates spoke by telephone Monday to discuss cooperation in the fight against the novel coronavirus, Emirati state media reported.

The call between Emirati minister Abdul Rahman Al-Owais and his Israeli counterpart Yuli Edelstein came after the announcement on August 13 that the two nations would normalize ties in a historic US-backed deal.

The two ministers discussed ways to "strengthen cooperation in the medical field" related to the pandemic, the official Emirati agency WAM reported.

They spoke about possible scientific and medical partnerships including vaccine trials and treatments as well as a possible exchange of delegations, it said.

Even before their move to normalize ties, which makes the Gulf state only the third Arab country to seek to establish full diplomatic ties with Israel, firms from both countries had agreed to collaborate against the respiratory disease.

Two Israeli defense companies signed a deal with an Emirati company in July to develop a non-invasive coronavirus screening test which could produce results in minutes.

State-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the country's largest aerospace and defense firm, as well as the government's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, last month signed the memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi-based technology company Group 42.

And earlier this month, the UAE's APEX National Investment and Israel's TeraGroup signed an agreement to jointly develop research and studies on the novel coronavirus, WAM reported.
A few years ago, when John Calhoun and the Original Big 7 Social Aid and Pleasure Club rallied for equal justice with Lycia Ferguson and others outside of the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, they were seeking equal justice, saying funding for indigent defense would be one of the most significant steps forward. It was a big ask. There are few places with criminal justice funding equations. But they thought it was important, important enough to host a second-line protest that has become an annual event.

The first such justice gathering was 2016. Last week, the New Orleans City Council unanimously agreed to fund the Orleans Parish Public Defenders Office and the District Attorneys Office more fairly.

With the stroke of a pen by Mayor LaToya Cantrell, the law would require city officials to give the public defenders 85% of whatever budget is approved for the district attorney. The 2020 budgets for the two justice agencies were $6.7 million for the district attorneys office and $2.3 million for the public defenders office. If the law had been in place, the public defender agency would have received $5.6 million.

You dont have to be a certified public accountant or a fiscal officer of any kind to know that having more money means you can do more. The total city budget this year is $722 million. New Orleans leaders are deciding what criminal justice will look like in the near future.

Quite frankly, they simply believe that things ought to be fair, a grateful but stoic Chief Public Defender Derwyn Bunton told me. He said the council is showing that poor and rich people should have an equal chance with justice, and the people fighting for both should be as good as if youre rich than if youre poor.

Bunton, 48, has been dealing with unequitable funding since he became the top public defender in 2009. Today, no other public defender office in Louisiana has this kind of support from elected officials, and that speaks volumes. It makes me happy, but not proud.

In 2019, city public defenders represented more than 25,000 court cases in Criminal District Court, Municipal and Traffic Court and some juvenile court cases not handled by the Louisiana Center for Children's Rights. They work to balance caseloads per attorney, but its a lot. Misdemeanor attorneys handle 800 to 900 cases each year. Felony attorneys handle 300 cases. The national standards are 500 for misdemeanors; 150 for felonies. Bunton describes the work as blistering, making it tough to keep good people. They ask them to stay at least three years; the national average stay is two years. It becomes really hard to hold onto them, said Bunton. We lose them to other nonprofits. We lose them to law firms. We lose them to other government entities. Or they just leave and start their own practices.

This isnt simply about attorneys. When you need representation, its more than simply your lawyer, Bunton said. Theyre up against attorneys who often have paralegals, secretaries and investigators. Each plays a role because the law, and legal disputes, can be complicated.

Weve got a lot going on right now, but itll be budget time soon. Come October, Cantrell and City Council will work on a 2021 budget that likely will be completed no later than early December.

According to City Council President Jason Williams, who sponsored the legislation, the council created the Jerome Big Duck Smith Justice System Advisory Committee to look at the world of criminal legal system investments and receive expert testimony and recommendations. That group might propose additional equality, investment and parity solutions.

The people who have been going out to voice concerns about equal justice the last few years had good reason to celebrate when the council voted 7-0 in favor of a law granting more equal funding. But, if theyre serious, the next time theyll demonstrate and protest theyll focus on specific funding levels and true parity.

The largest sign at the first justice rally read: New Orleanians for a Fully Funded Public Defender.

Criminal justice advocates who fought to see a more fair system may get to see that in 2021. But they wont see parity. An 85% funding formula is a significant move; but parity means equal in funding, pay, resources, status.

Whens the rally for the next 15%? You made this happen. Make that happen. Make me proud.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 08:09 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c402d525 1 World COVID-19,vaccine-diplomacy,China,UAE,Indonesia Free

Indonesia has secured a supply of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in the ballpark of 300 million doses until the end of next year, the government has said, following ministerial visits to China and the United Arab Emirates last week.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo recently instructed Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir to meet with Chinese and Emirati officials to follow up on crucial vaccine cooperation as well as other economic partnerships.

Speaking at the presidential palace on Monday after reporting the results of their four-day trip abroad, Retno said the outcome of the visit had exceeded initial expectations, especially with regard to vaccine procurement.

Indonesia has secured a commitment to be sent 20-30 million doses of the potential vaccine by the end of this year, some 80-130 million doses in first quarter of next year and 210 million doses for the remainder of 2021, she said.

Therefore, if we talk about numbers, we have secured 290 million to 340 million for 2021, she told reporters in a virtual briefing on Monday.

The first of the deals were secured when the two ministers visited Chinas resort city Sanya on Hainan Island on Thursday, while the rest were negotiated with UAE officials in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

In Sanya, Retno and Erick oversaw two deals between state-owned pharmaceuticals firm Bio Farma and Chinas Sinovac Biotech that would give Indonesia the equivalent of 50 million doses of the potential vaccine from November to March and priority access for the rest of 2021.

Read also: Government, Bio Farma secure vaccine bulk supply from China's Sinovac

It will be supplied in the form of vaccine bulk, an aqueous form of the purified antigens, or vaccine, provided in a large container from which individual vials are filled.

Indonesia is already cooperating with Sinovac in the phase three clinical trial of the vaccine candidate, with tests being carried out on 1,620 volunteers in Bandung, West Java, since earlier this month.

The government has also looked into partnerships with two other Chinese drug manufacturers, Sinopharm and CanSino Biologics.

On the second leg of the trip to Abu Dhabi, the ministers oversaw deals struck between two state drugmakers, Kimia Farma and Indofarma, and Group 42 (G42) Health Care, an artificial intelligence-based Emirati company that is actively involved in the research, development and distribution of COVID-19 testing and treatment applications.

G42 signed an agreement with Kimia Farma to develop vaccines and another with Indofarma to develop test kits using laser technology and AI to detect the virus.

We think this [laser and AI] technology will be able to help with quicker tracing, and of course, support safe economic activity, Retno said.

For the deal with Kimia Farma, G42 agrees in principle to cooperate on a wide scope of products including drugs, health services, research and development as well as clinical trials and production, marketing and the distribution of vaccines.

Details of the agreement remain under wraps, but Indonesia has sought to be part of the Sinopharm-G42 cooperation, having sent a team of reviewers to closely monitor the implementation of phase III clinical trials of a vaccine candidate they had codeveloped.

Sinopharm and G42 began phase III trials of the vaccine candidate in Abu Dhabi in mid-July, involving up to 15,000 volunteers.

Read also: Explainer: When will a coronavirus vaccine be ready?

The Chinese drugmaker previously said its vaccine candidate may cost no more than 1,000 yuan (US$144.27) for two injections once it completed trials and began mass production, Reuters reported.

The UAE is becoming Indonesias most important partner in the Middle East during this pandemic, having set up a priority travel corridor for essential businesses in order to facilitate greater economic cooperation.

The only other nations with such an arrangement are China and South Korea.

Retno said the President had instructed her and the SOE minister to go to the UAE after receiving a congratulatory phone call from its de facto leader, Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nayhan, on Indonesias Independence Day.

In the telephone conversation, the President, among other things, said he would send Pak Erick and me to Abu Dhabi to follow up on all cooperation in amid this pandemic, Retno said from Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

During their visit, the ministers had meetings with Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nayhan and Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail Al Mazroui, for updates on some of the existing projects the two had countries agreed on after Jokowis visit to Abu Dhabi in January.

Among the deals is a collaboration between state-owned oil and gas companies Pertamina and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), as well as a project in Subang, West Java, with Elite Agro  the UAEs leading agricultural company.

Retno also announced that the groundbreaking for a high-profile 145 megawatt floating solar power plant project in Cirata Reservoir in West Java was scheduled for June next year with the aim of beginning operations in the second half of 2022.

We also conveyed to the Emirati Foreign Minister that Indonesia is currently exploring cooperation to distribute Indonesian pharmaceutical products to the Middle East and Africa, she said.

In late April, as a sign of solidarity, the UAE sent 20 tons of medical equipment to Indonesia and purchased nearly 30 tons of dried and fresh food products from archipelagos micro, small and medium enterprises.

There was no mention of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during the Indonesian delegations trip to Abu Dhabi, despite the UAEs recent announcement that it would normalize ties with Israel. As a staunch supporter of Palestine and a major critic of Israels illegal occupation of Palestinian territory, Jakarta has yet to establish ties with Tel Aviv.

Read also: Kindred spirits: Indonesias 75 years of unwavering support for Palestine

In this current position, the government must maintain good relations with the UAE by not making any comments [on the conflict] and instead put an emphasis on positive economic cooperation, said Yon Machmudi, a Middle East expert from the University of Indonesia.

He said it was a consequence of practicing foreign policy from a heavily economic perspective.

Going forward, Yon said the UAE would act as a business hub for countries that still held reservations against the Jewish state.
Taiwan has recently issued a series of restrictions on Chinese tech companies, from streaming apps to e-commerce.

Why it matters: Critics say that recent U.S. restrictions on Chinese tech companies stem from Trumpism rather than legitimate concerns. But Taiwan is spooked by Chinese tech as well.

The moves come amid a warming U.S.-Taiwan relationship, and as both countries grow more alarmed about Beijing's goals in the region.

What's happening: On Aug. 24, Taiwanese authorities ordered e-commerce website Taobao Taiwan to register as a Chinese company, a designation that in Taiwan comes with tougher regulations, rather than as a foreign company.

Taiwanese regulators said that Taobao Taiwan, which is owned by a British-registered company, is ultimately controlled by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, which owns Taobao in mainland China.

Last week, Taiwan also issued new rules that prohibit Chinese streaming platforms Tencent and iQiyi from operating there.

The big picture: Taiwan's proximity to China, its tiny relative size, and the knowledge that the Chinese Communist Party aims to annex it has made some of the self-governing democracy's policies appear prescient.

Taiwan excluded Huawei from its digital infrastructure back in 2014. Taiwan's digital minister, Audrey Tang, has called Huawei a "Trojan horse."

back in 2014. Taiwan's digital minister, Audrey Tang, has called Huawei a "Trojan horse." Young Taiwanese occupied the nation's legislature in 2014 in protest of a potential trade pact with China, concerned about the political leverage that Beijing could wield if the two economies deepened their ties. Concerns about China's use of economic power to interfere in democratic politics did not become widespread in Western countries until around 2018.

Context: Taiwan's recent moves come amid growing concern in several countries about Chinese tech companies.

President Trump recently issued an executive order calling for the forced sale of Chinese video app TikTok to a non-Chinese company and prohibiting transactions with Chinese messaging app WeChat.

Several European countries, after U.S. urging, have stated that they will limit or exclude Chinese telecom giant Huawei from their 5G networks.

India, embroiled in a border dispute with China, has banned dozens of Chinese apps.

Yes, but: It's not clear what major national security concerns would be alleviated by the Trump administration's executive order on WeChat. And vague wording has left Chinese people abroad worried about what new barriers they may face when trying to stay in touch with loved ones back in China.

In addition, the Trump administration's tendency to mix politics and business has muddied the waters, fueling speculation that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's private warning to the administration last October influenced the administration's decision to investigate TikTok  which is a direct Facebook competitor.

The bottom line: The Taiwanese government views Chinese tech companies as a serious problem deserving of regulation, scrutiny and, if necessary, exclusion.
WHITEHALL  Whitehall residents and businesses began cleaning up Tuesday after powerful storms ripped through the area on Monday night.

The National Weather Service estimated that 5.85 inches of rain fell, based upon data from its Whitehall weather station.

Village Mayor Phil Smith said Tuesday that the damage is still being assessed because not much could be done Monday night.

The storm came through and blew everything down almost immediately, he said.

Village Hall was completely flooded and a Quick Response crew was on scene Tuesday to begin the cleanup process.

Paper documents are going to be transported off-site and freeze-dried in an effort to preserve them, according to Smith. Village information technology crews are working to set up government operations remotely.

A boil water advisory remains in effect for the village as the storms caused a tree to fall on the 14-inch main that feeds the village. The Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company is distributing bottled water at its firehouse. The state is providing the water.

Smith said village officials were informed of the leak that happened when the storms were still going through.

We dispatched several crews to deal with that only to find out that the road was blocked due to power lines down and trees, so they had to bushwhack through it to get to it, he said.

By the numbers Whitehall was hit hard by fast-moving storms on Monday that knocked down trees and wires, damaged buildings and flooded roads. The Washington County Department of Public Safety reported that emergency personnel responded to the following incidents: Flooded roadways: 8

Flooded structures: 21

Water rescue: 1

Trees and wires down: 33

Tree on vehicle: 2

Tree on house: 2

Sinkhole: 1

Vehicle off the roadway: 1

Damage to utility, furnace or fuel oil: 5

Grass and brush fire: 1

There were no reported injuries from the storms. One woman was evacuated from her Broadway residence by boat as the flooding was over 3 feet, Smith said.

The Whitehall Police Department and Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company responded to over 80 storm-related incidents.

The American Red Cross has assisted 14 people from three families on Broadway, Gilmore and West streets and anticipate more residents will require assistance.

In addition, Washington County is coordinating with the American Red Cross to make disaster clean-up kits available to those significantly affected by the flooding.

The Whitehall United Methodist Church has donated a supply of flood buckets, which include clean-up supplies for people who have had flooding damage at their residence or business. They will be available at the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company.

Residents in awe

Residents said they had never seen as much wind and rain before.

The storms took one of Paul Goulds trees in his Pauline Street yard and tilted it at an angle. Another tree was damaged.

It was crazy. The wind was going everywhere. The water was going everywhere, he said.

His porch was flooded, but no one was injured and there was no other damage.

Jean Mead said a bunch of trees fell like dominoes in the backyard of her sister Karen Beckwiths South Williams Street house.

The wind came through so powerful and, of course, the pouring rain made the soil much easier for all these trees to just fall, she said.

Schools damaged

Whitehall Central School had extensive damage to its elementary and junior-high school buildings, including flooding and roof damage. Superintendent of Schools Patrick Dee said insurance adjusters, roofing experts and water remediation experts were on site shortly after the storms to assess the damage and begin the necessary repairs.

Based on the assessments and an expedited plan of action for cleanup and repairs, we anticipate that school will still be able to open as scheduled on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, although it may be entirely online until repairs and remediation can be completed, Dee said in a letter to the community. We will keep you up-to-date on our progress as well as with additional instructional information as we have a better understanding of repair and remediation timeline.

Our community has already had our share of challenges, and together we will persevere through yet another one, Dee added.

Travis St. Clair, general manager of Skene Valley Country Club, said the storms knocked about a dozen trees down and washed out sand traps at the golf course. It also swept away a bridge workers use to maintain the course.

The 13th and 14th fairway that abuts Whitehall Central Schools property was completely submerged, according to St. Clair.

The only grass you could see was the 13(th) green, he said.

The waters did not start to recede until about 6 a.m. Tuesday, according to St. Clair.

Three golfers were caught in the storms, according to St. Clair. They ended up leaving their cart behind because it was too wet to drive back to the clubhouse and made it back on foot.

St. Clair said he may be able to reopen as soon as Wednesday. Luckily, he had some cousins and people from other golf courses that came to his assistance. They were bringing in new crushed stone for the parking lot and sand for the bunkers.

Fire and police officials and representatives from the Washington County Department of Public Safety are assessing storm-related damage. Residences or businesses in need of an assessment are asked to contact the countys Operations Center at 518-746-2500 to arrange a site visit.

Joe Kelley, owner of Joes Pizza, said the storms caused a sinkhole to open up underneath the foundation of his building. He put about $20,000 into renovating the business during the last couple of months.

Its frustrating, he said.

Mayor Smith shares that feeling. The village has dealt with multiple emergencies over the years.

In November, several residents and businesses were without water for multiple days because of a series of leaks.

In October 2019, a 100-year-old segment of the retaining wall along the Champlain Canal near Lock 12 broke apart from the newer section. That caused a section of the road to buckle.

In May 2018, the historic Flatiron Building on Main Street partially toppled. The structure had been deteriorating for many years.

Everything seems to hit Whitehall, Smith said.

Reach Michael Goot at 518-742-3320 or mgoot@poststar.com and follow his blog poststar.com/blogs/michael_goot/.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 5 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / The law firm of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP reminds investors of the upcoming deadline to move for appointment as lead plaintiff in the class action litigation on behalf of investors who purchased the common stock of FirstEnergy Corp. ("FirstEnergy" or the "Company") (NYSE:FE) between February 21, 2017 and July 21, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period").

If you purchased the common stock of FirstEnergy during the Class Period, you may move the Court for appointment as lead plaintiff by no later than September 28, 2020. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your share of any recovery in the actions will not be affected by your decision of whether to seek appointment as lead plaintiff. You may retain Lieff Cabraser, or other attorneys, as your counsel in the action.

FirstEnergy investors who wish to learn more about the litigation and how to seek appointment as lead plaintiff should click here or contact Sharon M. Lee of Lieff Cabraser toll-free at 1-800-541-7358.

Background on the FirstEnergy Securities Class Litigation

FirstEnergy, headquartered in Akron, Ohio, is an electric utility company. The action alleges that, during the Class Period, defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding FirstEnergy's internal controls, business practices and prospects. In particular, defendants boasted of FirstEnergy's legislative "solutions" to difficulties with its nuclear facilities, but failed to disclose that those "solutions" revolved around an illicit campaign to influence state lawmakers to support legislation favoring the Company. For nearly three years, FirstEnergy and its affiliates channeled more than $60 million to state politicians and lobbyists, including Ohio Speaker Larry Householder, to ensure the passage of Ohio House Bill 6 ("HB 6"), which provided a $1.3 billion ratepayer-funded bailout of FirstEnergy's failing nuclear facilities. Defendants also falsely stated that they were in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations throughout the Class Period, when in reality they were exposing the Company and its investors to undisclosed risks of legal, financial, and reputational damage.

Story continues

On July 21, 2020, federal agents announced the arrest of Speaker Householder and four other persons, including a lobbyist for FirstEnergy, in connection with a $60 million racketeering and bribery scheme. The criminal complaint and affidavit described an alleged pay-to-play scheme in which FirstEnergy influenced the legislative process in order to guarantee the passage of HB 6, including by defending the bill against a citizens ballot initiative to overturn the bill. Prosecutors described the case as the "largest bribery, money-laundering scheme" in Ohio history. On this news, the price of FirstEnergy stock fell $7.01 per share, or almost 17%, from its closing price of $41.26 on July 20, 2020, to close at $34.25 on July 21, 2020, on heavy trading volume.

On July 22, 2020, Cleveland.com published an article providing additional details regarding the Company's illicit actions in connection with the scheme. On this news, the price of FirstEnergy stock dropped an additional $7.16, or 20.9% from its closing price of $34.25 per share on July 21, 2020, to close at $27.09 on July 22, 2020, on extremely heavy trading volume.

About Lieff Cabraser

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with offices in San Francisco, New York, and Nashville, is a nationally recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility.

The National Law Journal has recognized Lieff Cabraser as one of the nation's top plaintiffs' law firms for fourteen years. In compiling the list, the National Law Journal examines recent verdicts and settlements and looked for firms "representing the best qualities of the plaintiffs' bar and that demonstrated unusual dedication and creativity." Law360 has selected Lieff Cabraser as one of the Top 50 law firms nationwide for litigation, highlighting our firm's "laser focus" and noting that our firm routinely finds itself "facing off against some of the largest and strongest defense law firms in the world." Benchmark Litigation has named Lieff Cabraser one of the "Top 10 Plaintiffs' Firms in America."

For more information about Lieff Cabraser and the firm's representation of investors, please visit https://www.lieffcabraser.com/.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Source/Contact for Media Inquiries Only

Sharon M. Lee

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP

Telephone: 1-800-541-7358

SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/601204/FE-INVESTORS-September-28-2020-Filing-Deadline-in-Class-Action--Contact-Lieff-Cabraser




Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 10:05:47|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ACCRA, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A dedicated pool of funds and effective leadership by some larger economies are needed for a successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a Ghanaian expert has said.

Director of country engagements and operations at the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) Edward Brown told Xinhua in a recent interview that the experience from the Regional Economic Commissions (RECs) showed that the absence of a dedicated fund to drive economic integration activities was a major difficulty in successful implementation.

"The lack of a dedicated fund has been a very critical issue with the RECs, so if the AfCFTA is going to work, it would have to consider putting together a dedicated fund that drives this inter-country agenda," Brown said.

Therefore, he urged the secretariat commissioned in Ghanaian capital Accra to spend some time in identifying and addressing capacity constraints at national levels, as well as putting in place supporting organizations needed for the effective implementation of the AfCFTA.

On broader strategic issues, the ACET official said there was a need to "integrate integration disparities," including integration gaps, and lack of skills and capacities, adding that successful implementation of the program would depend on the ability of the signatories to bridge regional differences.

The conditions for integration differ among economic powerhouses like South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya, which will benefit from further liberalization, and other member countries, said the expert.

"It is therefore particularly important that large economies display some degree of commitment and leadership to drive the implementation," he told Xinhua.

Brown urged the continent to learn from the European Union's experience of having Germany and France at the forefront of the agenda before other countries came on board.

The AfCFTA will not be successful if the larger economies do not truly believe in it and want to participate in its implementation, said the economist.

Brown was of the view that a strong commitment by the likes of Nigeria and South Africa to AfCFTA's implementation would encourage other countries to join.

At national levels, Brown underscored the need to domesticate the policy, and to ensure that the private sector was adequately informed and involved.

He said the private sector needs to bring their views and concerns to the table for national strategies to be developed in ways that are consistent, aligned, and harmonized with the overall AfCFTA agenda. Enditem
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  A conservative South Korean pastor who has been a bitter critic of the country's president has tested positive for the coronavirus, health authorities said Monday, two days after he participated in an anti-government protest in Seoul that drew thousands.

More than 300 virus cases have been linked to the Rev. Jun Kwang-hun's huge church in northern Seoul, which has emerged as a major cluster of infections amid growing fears of a massive outbreak in the greater capital region.

Officials are concerned that the viruss spread could worsen after thousands of demonstrators, including Jun and members of his Sarang Jeil Church, marched in downtown Seoul on Saturday despite pleas from officials to stay home.

Jang Shi-hwa, a disease control expert in Seoul's southern Gwangak district, said Jun was tested Monday morning at an area hospital, which later reported to her office that he had tested positive but did not exhibit any symptoms. Jun was seen smiling and talking on his cellphone, with his mask pulled down his chin, as he boarded an ambulance that took him to a different hospital in Seoul for isolated treatment.

South Korea reported 197 new cases of the virus on Monday, the fourth straight day of triple-digit increases. Most of the new cases in the past few days have come from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, home to about half of the country's 51 million people.

Churches have been a constant source of infections, with many failing to require worshipers to wear masks, or allowing them to sing in choirs or eat together.

Health workers have so far linked 319 infections to Juns church after completing tests on about 2,000 of its 4,000 members. Police are pursuing some 700 church members who remain out of contact.

Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip urged anyone who participated in the weekend protest to come forward for testing if they experience fever or other symptoms. Jeong Eun-kyeong, director of South Koreas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said there's concern that the outbreak at the church could spread nationwide through its members' activities.

Story continues

We believe we are in the early stage of a major outbreak, she said.

President Moon Jae-ins government has strengthened social distancing restrictions in the Seoul metropolitan area  a move it had resisted for months out of economic concerns  and urged residents to avoid visiting other parts of the country for two weeks.

Juns church has become South Korea's second-biggest virus cluster, behind a branch of the secretive Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the southeastern city of Daegu that was tied to more than 5,000 cases following a surge of infections in the region in late February and March.

The country managed to stabilize the outbreak in the Daegu area by April after bringing medical resources and personnel to the region from other parts of the country. Health workers were able to quickly ramp up testing and aggressively trace contacts by extensively using cellphone location data and credit-card records.

But the resurgence of the virus in the greater capital area  which has 10 times more people than Daegu  has been a rude awakening for a country that had been eager to tout its gains against the virus.

While health workers were able to contain the outbreak in Daegu, where infections were mostly tied to the Shincheonji church, they're now struggling to track transmissions and predict infection routes in the Seoul region, where clusters have been popping up from churches, restaurants, schools and other places.

Moons government is pressing charges against Jun for allegedly disrupting disease-control efforts by ignoring orders to self-isolate, discouraging worshipers from getting tested and under-reporting the churchs membership to avoid broader quarantines.

Juns lawyer, Kang Yeon-jae, denied the accusations during a news conference Monday, insisting that he only received self-isolation orders after returning home from Saturdays rally.

During Saturdays protest, Jun, who is known for provocative speeches that are often filled with bizarre claims, said the outbreak at his church was a result of an attack, accusing an unspecified opponent of pouring the virus onto the church.

Prosecutors pushed for Jun's arrest, asking a Seoul court to revoke his bail.

Jun was indicted in March on charges of violating election laws ahead of April's parliamentary elections by allegedly asking participants at his rallies to vote against Moons party, which would be illegal because the official campaigning period hadnt yet started. Juns bail was granted on condition that he doesnt take part in rallies that could be related to his pending case.

Shincheonjis 88-year-old chairman, Lee Man-hee, was arrested earlier this month over charges that the church hid some members and under-reported gatherings. Lee and his church have steadfastly denied the accusations, saying theyre cooperating with health authorities.
25.08.2020 LISTEN

Cadbury Ghana Limited, makers of Richoco, is proud to announce the commencement of its education support programme aimed at assisting parents and guardians to pay the school fees of their wards. The programme will be executed through an annual Richoco My Ghana My Pride National Essay Competition which is open to upper primary, junior and senior high school students across the country.

We are delighted to announce this essay contest, as it is an opportunity to embolden Ghanaian students to participate in issues of importance to our country such as our heritage. It is essential for us to understand the perspective of the youth when it comes to our rich cultural sites and activities in their communities, stated Kwabena Opoku, Marketing Manager of Cadbury Ghana Ltd.

Rules of the contest

The competition is open to all Upper Primary, Junior High and Senior High School students who are Ghanaian. Students are to write on the topic: Your cousin, who lives in a different part of the country, is coming to visit you for the holidays. Write a letter to him/her telling them about the top 5 exciting and interesting things to do in your region for when they visit.

To participate:

Contestants are to submit a handwritten essay of not more than 400 words for Upper Primary, 600 words for Junior High School and 750 words for Senior High School.

Attach an empty pack of either Richoco 1kg or 2 packs of Richoco 500g.

Entries must be dropped off at any of the vantage points pan Ghana. (Visit Cadbury Richoco on Facebook and Instagram for the drop off points).

Participants must be an Upper Primary, JHS or SHS student living in Ghana.

Applicants must submit their complete contact information (school name and address, residential address, phone number and email address).

Deadline for entries is 30th September 2020.

The deadline for submission will be Wednesday, 30th September 2020. 15 submissions will be shortlisted and invited to take part in a final quiz in October 2020.

Prizes

A whopping GHS 100,000 will be split among 15 students and 3 schools.

The top 5 essays from each category (Upper Primary, JHS and SHS) will take part in the final quiz to determine who wins the grand prize from that category.

The winners from each category will win GHS 10,000 for themselves and another GHS 10,000 for their school.

The remaining finalists will walk away with cash prizes for themselves.

Cadbury Richoco which was launched in 1992 is made using only the finest Ghanaian cocoa and has since 1992 been featuring prominently in the Chop Boxes of many students past and present.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : Former IPS officer, often referred to as Karnataka's 'Singham', K. Annamalai joined the BJP in New Delhi to add edge to the saffron party's effort in making inroads in Tamil Nadu, a state where the party is virtually non existent.

Quoting Thikkural, a classic Tamil language text, the former super cop-turned-politician highlighted the significance of adding 'nationalist' spirit.

Considered one of the greatest works on ethics and morality, the quote from Valluva's book is significant as BJP is widely seen as a party of Hindi heartland that seeks to impose the Hindi language on Tamils. This reference to the Tamil text that was authored hundreds of years before Christ, surely seems to bring home the point of the BJP in a state where it is not seen favourably.

Joining in the presence of BJP General Secretary P. Muralishra Rao and Tamil Nadu BJP President L. Murugan, Annamalai quoted 'Thikkural' to say he will serve the saffron party as a loyal soldier.

BJP's General Secretary (Organization) B.L. Santosh is believed to have ensured this induction, behind the scene. Santosh is the same man who is also believed to have brought Pawan Kalyan to the NDA fold a few months back.

Just before joining, the BJP's new face in Tamil Nadu met the party's Mysuru MP and a young turk Pratap Simha in the national capital.

Annamalai, the 36-year-old former IPS officer called the BJP a nationalist party and while quoting Thikkural, he added that he can contribute to that steam of belief as well. After resigning from service, he had launched an organisation with an aim to work with farmers in Karur and Coimbatore.
Man who assaulted policeman during ID check gets 7-year jail term  Investigative Committee

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

14:11 25/08/2020

MOSCOW, August 25 (RAPSI)  The Moscow City Court has sentenced native of Kirgizstan Makhmudzhan Matmusayev to 7 years in a maximum security penal colony for attempt on his neighbors life and assault on a police officer, the Moscow Main Investigative Directorate of Russias Investigative Committee informs RAPSI on Tuesday.

In early May, a Moscow district court dismissed the assault charges brought against the man on the base of a video record of the incident; however later investigators found out that Matmusayev attacked his neighbor with a knife and again petitioned the court to detain him on this new evidence.

The man has partially admitted guilt saying he was seriously drunk at the time he committed these crimes.
They may just opt out of the whole insane charade and stop paying the mountains of debt and stop trying to prop up the deranging pretense of middle-class snobbery.

Though many blame Donald Trump for dividing the nation, the nation was already disunited. Trumps election simply added day-glo paint to the lines that had long been hardening between disunited, disaffected camps.

As Ive explained over the years, disunity is the systemic source of collapse-- not just of nations and empires but of enterprises and families. In other words, disunity is scale invariant: it breaks down marriages, family fortunes, partnerships, corporations, nations and empires with the same dynamics.

When challenges arise--and challenges always arise--the unified family, enterprise, nation or empire can make the shared sacrifices necessary to meet the crisis head-on, and not just survive, but as befits an anti-fragile system (as per Nassim Talebs definition of anti-fragility), become stronger as a result of adapting to the crisis.

The family, enterprise, nation or empire fragmented by profound disunity is incapable of not just shared sacrifices but of a shared consensus on how to proceed against challenges such as famine, pandemic and economic depression.

It is the nature of human existence that shared sacrifice is the glue that binds disparate individuals and groups into a unified and thus powerful entity. In the early days of the Roman Republic and Empire, the wealthiest citizens were taxed heavily to raise the money needed to defend Rome or prosecute wars of conquest.

The patrician class served as officers in the army, and it was their duty to serve in the front lines, and in some cases (such as the horrendous defeat at Cannae) suffer higher combat death rates that common soldiers.

Profound disunity is characterized by the recognition that favored elites make no sacrifices, and this injustice consumes the binds of civil unity. The elites benefit the most from the system, piling up enormous fortunes and great political power, while the disempowered masses make the sacrifices on the battlefield and pay the taxes.

This disunity is not only political; it is social, economic and cultural as the elites wealth soars in direct correlation to their unwillingness to make any sacrifices for the common good.

Grasping for power via philanthro-capitalist foundations is not a sacrifice; its just a PR spin on the same old elitist accumulation of self-serving influence.

Though the mechanics are obscured by the financial games of central banks and financiers, the commoners understand that the nations elites are parasitic and predatory, rigging the financial and political systems to benefit themselves at the expense of the nation and its citizenry.

Though its convenient to divide America into two camps, anti-Trump and pro-Trump, these camps are each fragmented into disparate interests. There is no middle ground in the nation and none within the various warring camps.

As the Federal Reserve gooses the stock market to new heights, Americas billionaires add hundreds of billions in additional wealth to their already obscene piles--piles largely untouched by taxes. In America, sacrifice has long been something demanded of the commoners: they fight the wars, they pay the taxes, they do the work and they sacrifice their health in jobs that only further enrich the few who reap all the gains while sacrificing nothing.

While Americas spoiled, parasitic elites indulge in financial and sexual debauchery, fraud and embezzlement, the commoners grow weary of the widening divide in wealth, income, power, health and ethics. Americas spoiled, parasitic elites are not just self-serving, greedy, and predatory; theyre overconfident and hubris-soaked.

As for the commoners--theyve been fragmented for decades into warring camps, fighting over social mores, political theater and all the frustrations of the powerless: embittered by the erosion of security and fairness and the indignities of slaving away for corporations that enrich the few while impoverishing the many, exhausted by the insecurities of chronic under-employment and the exploitations of the gig economy, the commoners may eventually find common cause in overthrowing their exploitive elites.

Or they may just opt out of the whole insane charade and stop paying the mountains of debt and stop trying to prop up the deranging pretense of middle-class snobbery in favor of an honest, low-cost mode of living that dispenses with servitude to self-serving, greedy elites and their corporate-plantation technocrat overlords.

Could America Have a French-Style Revolution? (July 14, 2020)

Asking this is like asking, could the Western Roman Empire fall? Yes, it could, yes it did. Based on the nations multiple sources of profound disunity, collapse is only a matter of when, not if.

Recent Podcasts:

AxisOfEasy Salon #18: The Endgame of Financialization Resembles a Philip K. Dick Novel (58 min)

My COVID-19 Pandemic Posts





My recent books:

Audiobook edition now available:

Will You Be Richer or Poorer?: Profit, Power, and AI in a Traumatized World ($13)

(Kindle $6.95, print $11.95) Read the first section for free (PDF).

Pathfinding our Destiny: Preventing the Final Fall of Our Democratic Republic ($6.95 (Kindle), $12 (print), $13.08 ( audiobook): Read the first section for free (PDF).

The Adventures of the Consulting Philosopher: The Disappearance of Drake $1.29 (Kindle), $8.95 (print); read the first chapters for free (PDF)

Money and Work Unchained $6.95 (Kindle), $15 (print) Read the first section for free (PDF).



If you found value in this content, please join me in seeking solutions by becoming a $1/month patron of my work via patreon.com.
(Natural News) The world is at risk of a hunger pandemic, and it could reach biblical proportions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations.

Various countries have already been suffering from famine before the coronavirus escalated. But the arrival of the pandemic and the subsequent disruption of many livelihoods worsened the situation. Latin American nations, as well as eastern and central Asia, are particularly in danger of a hunger crisis.

Beasley noted that unless immediate and sizable action is taken, multiple famines could occur in the coming months and reach an epic scale.

I must warn you that if we dont prepare and act now  to secure access, avoid funding shortfalls and disruptions to trade  we could be facing multiple famines of biblical proportions within a short few months, said Beasley in a statement to the U.N. Security Council.

Escalating hunger crisis

According to Beasley, the forecast for the 2020 scenario on food insecurity was already dire before the pandemic broke out. In war-torn countries such as South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, food insecurity and the displacement of families from their homes are rampant. In 2019 Yemen, for example, about 14.3 million people were classified as being in acute need of humanitarian assistance, while 3.3 million people were displaced from their homes.

Other areas around the world are also suffering from an ongoing economic crisis before the pandemic. These places include Lebanon and African nations such as Ethiopia, the Democratic Country of the Congo and Burkina Faso. Many of these countries are further affected by various disasters, such as the locust swarms in Africa and the recent port blast in Beirut, Lebanon.

In his statement, Beasley said that the situation is bound to get worse. The 2020 Global Report on Food Crises estimated that about 135 million people faced acute levels of hunger in 2019. This number could nearly double due to the pandemic, with the WFP estimating an additional 130 million people on the brink of starvation. At worst, about three dozen countries could experience famine. In fact, in 10 of these countries, more than one million people are currently on the verge of starvation.

In an interview with the news agency TASS, Beasley noted that the prevalence of hunger is expected to increase the most in Latin American nations. It is estimated that the regions hunger prevalence can increase by as much as 269 percent. In comparison, the hunger prevalence in eastern and central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa can increase by up to 135 percent and 90 percent, respectively.

All the data we have, including the WFPs forecast that the number of people experiencing malnutrition will grow by 80 percent by the end of the year points to a real disaster, added Beasley.

These projections cover only the immediate effects of the pandemic  more long-term damage is expected to materialize in the coming years. According to Beasley, migrations will increase while social tensions are expected to grow and compound current conflicts. He also said that hunger will likely affect those who didnt experience it before. (Related: The next chapter of this plandemic will be the FINAL LOCKDOWN for humanity mass extermination, door-to-door medical kidnappings, forced inoculations and engineered famine.)

Ongoing humanitarian efforts

The organization is currently helping Rohingya refugees in Myanmar and people from Bangladesh, which is facing flooding problems that are worsened by the pandemic. They have already reached out to five million people in South Sudan, but an additional one and a half million needed food and other necessities due to the pandemic.

The organization also started assisting in Lebanon in the wake of the countrys economic crisis. After the August 4 explosion, Beasley visited Beirut to deliver the organizations first wave of humanitarian aid. The WFP is helping rebuild the bombed port in addition to providing food supply.

With global hunger already high, Beasley urged international donors to provide additional funding to the organizations humanitarian efforts. The WFP aims to assist 138 million people in 83 countries, which will require 4.9 billion dollars over the next six months. Beasley noted that in all of these countries, humanitarian help is the peoples last hope for survival.

Starvation.news has more on the current scenario on global famine cases.

Sources include:

StrangeSounds.org

WFP.org

News.UN.org

IFPRI.org

TASS.ru
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 01:34:13|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

DUBAI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel on Tuesday discussed vistas of military cooperation between the two countries, according to the official WAM news agency.

The discussions took place over a telephone call between UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bawardi and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

The two sides believe that the recent peace deal reached between Israel and the UAE will help achieve peace and stability in the region as it represents a positive step in this direction.

Moreover, the UAE and Israeli defense officials express hope to strengthen communication channels and establish solid bilateral relations for the benefit of their countries in particular and the region as a whole. Enditem
Security researchers have found some low-cost Chinese smartphones ship with malware that aims to steal your money. The malware cannot be removed even by factory resetting the smartphone. The malware steals money by subscribing to paid services.

Update: August 25, 2020, 1:40 PM: We had reached out to Tecno for a statement on the issue and this article has been updated to reflect that statement.

According to Secure-D and BuzzFeed News, the low-cost Tecno W2 smartphone has shipped with a malware that subscribes to paid services to steal the users money. The budget smartphone sells in African countries like Egypt, Ghana, and South Africa along with Indonesia and Myanmar.

The malware in question here is the Triada and xHelper software. It silently downloads and subscribes to apps which are paid services. This causes the user to have not only high bills but high consumption of data as well. The thing is, this budget smartphone is attractive to the poorer section of society, those looking for budget smartphone offerings. The biggest downside is that this malware cannot be removed even by factory resetting the smartphone.

According to Android Authority, Transsion, the China-based company behind the Tecno brand, has pinned the malware on an unnamed vendor in the supply chain process. It said that it delivered fixes for Triada in March 2018 and xHelper in late 2019. However, the issue doesnt appear to have gone away. Secure-D said it was still blocking Triada and xHelper on Transsion phones through April 2020, and it may simply be dormant.

This isnt the first time the malware has made an appearance. According to Secure-D, the pre-installed malware was previously discovered on Alcatel phones made by TCL in markets like Brazil, Malaysia, and Nigeria.

Kenneth Adu-Amanfoh, the executive director of the Africa Cybersecurity and Digital Rights Organization told BuzzFeed, You have all these wonderful features for cheap, but there is a hidden cost. There are a lot of Chinese phones that have malware installed on it.

According to the BuzzFeed report, People in the United States are also being exploited. Earlier this year, Malwarebytes, a security service, found preinstalled malware of Chinese origin in two phones offered to citizens with low incomes as part of the US governments Lifeline program, which provides subsidized phones and mobile data. Both phones were made by Chinese companies.

In case you were wondering how severe the malware is, the security firm Secure-D has blocked 844,000 transactions connected to preinstalled malware on Transsion phones between March and December 2019.

We reached out to Tecno mobiles for a statement on the issue and here is what they had to say. The statement reads, "After a thorough investigation, it was identified that Triada was an old and solved mobile security issue globally, and the fix/solution to the W2 Triada problem was released to all consumers on March 20th 2018. TECNO identified the Triada issue back on March 1st 2018 with a certain version of W2 as the only infected W2 devices across all series of TECNO mobile phones. At the initial time of detecting the issue, we put together a security team to work on the solution, and released the first official OTA fix to consumers on March 20th 2018 with rigorous system tests and GMS test set out by Google. By April 30th, 2018, the official OTA fixes adapted for different versions of W2 devices were released, assuring that the problem was fixed once the consumer accepted the system update by installing the fix. For current W2 consumers that are potentially facing Triada issue now, they are highly recommended to download the OTA fix through their phone for installation, or contact TECNOs after-sales service support for assistance if any questions".

The statement goes on to say, "At TECNO, we have always attached great importance to consumers data security and products safety. Every single software installed on each device runs through a series of rigorous security checks, such as our own security scan platform, Google Play Protect, GMS BTS and VirusTotal test. In addition, a 90-day security patch update is periodically delivered to TECNO consumers to ensure that the security of our products and protection of consumers devices from malware infection arent compromised".

"About xHelper, whose behaviour was similar to Triada, was a separate global mobile security issue firstly appeared in 2019. We have deployed professional security tools such as GMS BTS and VirusTotal to detect the xHelper issue since last November. All TECNOs new product releases and software maintenance releases for old products must go through the test. No reports of xHelper have ever been detected since then" the statement concludes.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, everyone is resorting to staying indoors and this has led to educational institutes and offices move to a study from home and work from home model. The lower-income group of society has resorted to budget smartphones to ensure they can stay connected and their children can participate in online classes.

Chinese brand Huawei is under scrutiny for spying and the world is moving towards banning TikTok for security reasons. In India, local manufacturing is looking to ramp up as local consumers have an anti-China sentiment due to the recent tensions on the border. Brands like Micromax are looking to make a comeback in India while Apple is not only beginning the production of the iPhone SE 2020 in India but also looking to Assemble its upcoming iPhone 12 in India by the middle of 2021.
University of Hong Kong scientists claim to have the first evidence of someone being reinfected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Genetic tests revealed that a 33-year-old man returning to Hong Kong from a trip to Spain in mid-August had a different strain of the coronavirus than the one he'd previously been infected with in March, said Dr Kelvin Kai-Wang To, the microbiologist who led the work.

The man had mild symptoms the first time and none the second time; his more recent infection was detected through screening and testing at the Hong Kong airport. "It shows that some people do not have lifelong immunity to the virus if they've already had it, To said. "We don't know how many people can get reinfected. There are probably more out there." The paper has been accepted by the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases but not yet published, and some independent experts urged caution until full results are available.

Whether people who have had COVID-19 are immune to new infections and for how long are key questions that have implications for vaccine development and decisions about returning to work, school and social activities. Even if someone can be infected a second time, it's not known if they have some protection against serious illness, because the immune system generally remembers how to make antibodies against a virus it's seen before.

Also read: COVID-19 vaccine distribution under special emergency use a bad idea: Anthony Fauci

It's not clear how different a virus needs to be to trigger illness, but the new work suggests that COVID patients should not be complacent about prevention measures? and should continue social distancing, wearing masks and other ways to reduce infection, To said. Two experts with with no role in the work agreed. "We've always known reinfection was a possibility and I think this is highly suggestive that it occurred in this case, said Dr Jesse Goodman, a former US Food and Drug Administration chief scientist now at Georgetown University.

"If there is a reinfection, it suggests the possibility there was residual immunity... that helped protect the patient"from getting sick again, Goodman said. However, if immunity wanes from natural infection, it could be a challenge for vaccines and may mean booster shots are needed, he added. Julie Fischer, a microbiologist at CRDF Global, a nonprofit health group in Arlington, Virginia, said the study gives convincing evidence that reinfection can happen.

Also read: Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt tests COVID-19 positive

The real question is what this means for severity of disease if that occurs, and whether such people can infect others, she said. One expert saw the report as good news. Dr Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said it's encouraging the reported reinfection was without symptoms.

"That's a win as far as I'm concerned" because it suggests a first infection may protect a person from moderate to severe disease the second time around, he said in an interview streamed by the Journal of the American Medical Association. A mid-May survey by the doctors' information-sharing site Sermo found that 13% of the 4,173 doctors responding believed that they had treated one or more patients who were reinfected. Among the respondents, 7% of those in the US and 16% in other countries thought they'd seen such a case.

However, health officials have also wondered whether people who tested positive long after their initial illness were simply showing signs of not completely clearing the virus rather than being infected anew.

Also read: Trump administration mulls fast-tracking Oxford COVID-19 vaccine before elections
has threatened to protest across Uttar Pradesh if the party's demand of (CBI) investigation into Minister Chetan Chauhan's death is not met.

Party's state unit chief Anil Singh said that the government is trying to hide something and there should be a CBI inquiry.

"We submitted a memorandum to the Governor. Our demand is there should be CBI probe into Chetan Chauhan's death. Under what circumstances he was shifted to Medanta from PGI. Were there inadequate facilities in PGI? The government is trying to hide something. There should be CBI inquiry," Singh told ANI.

"There should be FIR against PGI administration. If our demand of CBI probe is not met, then will protest across all district of the state," he said.

Rajya Sabha MP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh had also submitted a complaint to Lucknow Police Commissioner Sujeet Pandey to register an FIR against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his government colleagues alleging that Chetan Chauhan died due to negligence of the state government.

However, Sangeeta Chauhan, wife of Chetan Chauhan has refuted allegations of medical negligence as a reason behind the death of the Uttar Pradesh Minister and asked people to refrain from creating a controversy over her husband's demise.

Chauhan, was Uttar Pradesh Minister for Sainik Welfare, Home Guards, Civil Security and Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD). He passed away in Gurugram on August 16. He was admitted to a hospital after testing positive for COVID-19.

(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.)
In June, dozens of New York Times reporters staged a social-media revolt over an article written by Arkansas Republican senator Tom Cotton in which he argued for a federal role in controlling violent riots that had erupted across America. Running the column puts Black @NYTimes staff in danger, tweeted the staff members  a protest that eventually led to opinion editor James Bennets offering his resignation.

This woke takeover of newsrooms was entirely predictable, as many of todays reporters and editors are entering journalism after being steeped in progressive values at their campus papers and supported by leftist administrators.

In fact, the idea that merely printing a Republican viewpoint is offensive is a common one on campus, where words and photos are now often ascribed the same power as violence. For instance, late last year, editors at the Northwestern campus paper actually apologized for sending a photographer to take pictures of a protest that took place during a campus visit by former U.S. attorney general Jeff Sessions. We recognize that we contributed to the harm students experienced, the papers editors wrote, explaining that some of the protesters found pictures of the event retraumatizing and invasive.

While our goal is to document history and spread information, nothing is more important than ensuring that our fellow students feel safe. . . . We failed to do that last week, and we could not be more sorry, the apology continued.

In February 2018, Ethan Brady, the editor of the Middlebury Campus, explained the papers decision to run a photo of political scientist Charles Murray, given that seeing the photo may be especially jarring, particularly for students of color who feel that Charles Murrays rhetoric poses a threat to their very humanity. Brady said most of the section editors, and the managing editor of the Middlebury Campus felt that running the photograph of Murray standing on a stage would be inappropriate. At a speech given by Murray the previous March, a female Middlebury professor, Allison Stanger, was attacked by protesters and suffered a concussion and neck injury.

Story continues

At Louisiana State University, the student paper apologized for using a photo of a black woman above a story about the schools party culture. At Syracuse, a student paper fired a conservative columnist for writing a piece in a separate publication that called institutional racism a myth. A recent news article at the University of California, Davis paper called graffiti criticizing the Chinese Communist Party racist and xenophobic.

Of course, one expects to see an inordinate representation of progressive viewpoints in the opinion sections of student papers. One is more likely to see a statue of Dick Cheney on the Yale campus than an op-ed opposing abortion rights. But todays reporters are emerging from cocoons where leftism rules every word of every section.

In many cases, this is because overwhelmingly progressive schools choose the academic advisers who control the school papers, leading to fawning coverage of school presidents and administrators. In 2018, at the University of North Alabama, an adviser was forced out of his job after the school paper exposed a system barring university employees from speaking to the media.

Meanwhile, at Marquette University, the school paper recently ran the full text of a post by a prospective student whose acceptance was revoked after she had written an offensive Snapchat about George Floyd, but refused to publish the embarrassing details when racist and sexist social-media posts made by the university presidents son were uncovered.

While the paper did name the presidents son and kept the identity of the high-school student private, it thought the details of the former were too much for readers to handle. Rightly or wrongly, it is our opinion that doing so would serve no other purpose than to further spread offensive material, said the reporter who broke the story. She later said she didnt want to spread the hurtful language and the imagery.

However, campus papers arent entirely without courage. Last November, the Harvard Crimson stood up to a number of pro-immigration groups that were outraged the paper reached out to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement department to comment for a story about a protest on campus. Despite the schools Undergraduate Council voting to condemn the papers actions, the Crimson stood strong, recognizing that hearing the other side of any story is basic journalistic practice.

But these instances of common sense are especially notable because they are exceedingly rare. In college newspapers, citizens are getting a glimpse of what they can expect in the future  in trying not to spread hate, they are instead spreading disinformation.

More from National Review
"Hunt Military Communities is wholly dedicated to ensuring that our communities are operating efficiently and with a minimal environmental impact," said Greg Raap, Vice President of Hunt Military Communities, Hawaiian Islands. "Through the deployment of solar energy systems, we can help reduce energy costs and reinvest those resources into our communities, reaffirming our commitment to military families in Hawaii and across the United States. We recognize Hawaii's initiative in championing sustainability, and the state's significant military leadership. We so value Hunt's partnerships with the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps, both of which are deeply vested in the state."

Ohana Military Communities has invested in numerous community solar projects in Hawaii, including the company's latest solar PV project, which was completed in November 2017 at the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific in Wahiawa. With this update, 27% of OMC's total Hawaii residential electricity consumption is now being supplied by 15.7 MW of rooftop solar energy systems located across 15 communities: Halsey, Radford, McGrew, Hokulani, Hale Moku, Ford Island, Catlin Park, Hele Mai, Doris Miller, Pa Honua, Mololani, Waikulu, Heleloa, and Ulupau, and by the ground-based solar array at Pearl City Peninsula.

The installation of the additional PV systems further reduces OMC's environmental impact, decreases reliance on non-renewable energy sources, and helps to lower electricity costs by approximately $3 million dollars per year for the PPV project, savings that are reinvested into the communities themselves. A few notable HMC reinvestments projects include large destination playgrounds and dog parks constructed over the last several years. Renovated residences include 251 historic homes governed by programmatic agreements with Hawaii's historic preservation offices. OMC has also been able to award approximately 84% of its construction contracts to local Hawaii businesses and 70% to small businesses well above government requirements.

With more than 28 years of service in Hawaii, Hunt is a company that has long been recognized for its innovative use of underutilized government properties, as well as its commitment to creating premier master-planned communities that complement the cultural and geographical riches of the Hawaiian Islands. Hunt's Hawaii projects reflect the company's deep roots in public-private partnerships and sustainable projects.

About Hunt Military Communities

Hunt Military Communities, the largest military housing owner, offers unsurpassed quality and service to more than 165,000 residents in approximately 52,000 homes on Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Army installations across the USA. We do this through our core values: safety, kindness, efficiency, enthusiasm, and selflessness and our 5-Star Service commitment. With a 50-year legacy and a partnership with the Department of Defense, HMC strives to ensure the integrity of our military communities and the families who live there.

Hunt has developed eight projects on four islands, manages more than 7,000 homes at Ohana Military Communities, has grown to become the second-largest owner of multi-family homes, and is responsible for the ongoing management of more than 1,300 acres of land on the islands. Hunt's Hawaii projects reflect the company's deep roots in public-private partnerships and innovative projects.

For more information, visit www.huntmilitarycommunities.com .

SOURCE Hunt Military Communities
Most of the major oil and gas operations in Southeast Texas evacuated employees and prepared for plant shutdowns Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Lauras impending landfall sometime on Thursday.

Motiva and Valero started reducing staff at their Port Arthur operations and continued shutdown processes Tuesday as the city and most of Jefferson County saw forecasts of hurricane force winds and serious storm surge levels.

Valero confirmed in an email to The Enterprise that most personnel would leave the Port Arthur plant by the end of the day and it was working with emergency authorities to monitor the situation but was still making decisions about its other coastal operations.

Our other Texas Gulf Coast operations continue to work through hurricane preparedness protocol that includes activities such as assessing refinery operations and potential storm impact, securing equipment and ensuring we have adequate supplies available, Lillian Riojas, a Valero spokesperson, wrote in an email. We are monitoring the storms path and will make other refinery operation decisions as necessary.

Under normal conditions, the Valero facility is capable of refining up to 335,000 barrels per day.

Exxon Mobil took similar steps for its Beaumont chemical plant and refinery after reducing production Monday in preparation for a possible shutdown.

The Beaumont refinery has a levee and other designs to protect it, but the company said it wasnt taking any risks with staff safety given the wind forecasts and storm surge estimates.

We are reaching out to our employees and their families to confirm they remain safe, Nakisha Burns, an Exxon Mobil Beaumont spokesperson, wrote in an email. We have communicated the Jefferson County mandatory evacuation order to all employees and are staffing onsite with essential personnel only.

The Beaumont refinerys 366,000 barrels per day capacity makes it one of the largest operations in North America, just below Motiva.

Exxon Mobil had a similar situation last year when it temporarily shut down its Beaumont refinery because of flooding caused by Tropical Depression Imelda.

Motiva and Chevron Phillips Chemical in Orange reported flaring activities through the Southeast Texas Alerting Network (STAN) Tuesday morning as it went through its storm preparations.

Laura is forcing companies to temporarily halt about 82% of the oil production and 57% of the natural gas production in the Gulf, according to an Interior Department bureau that oversees offshore oil and gas production.

Workers have been evacuated from 281 production platforms, almost half of the 643 Gulf of Mexico platforms. Of the 26 drilling rigs in the Gulf, 17 have been evacuated or moved from the storms track, the department said Monday. Tens of thousands of offshore workers are employed in the Gulf.

In southern Jefferson County, two liquid natural gas export facilities under construction in Sabine Pass decided to clear out workers and secure sites ahead of the storm.

Sempra LNG evacuated workers from the proposed Port Arthur LNG in Sabine Pass and prepped Cameron LNG in Louisiana to weather the storm.

In an email to the Enterprise, representatives for the company said all equipment at the Port Arthur LNG construction site has been moved to higher ground and personnel have been evacuated.

The company still plans to operate its facility across the border in Hackberry, Louisiana, but only with the most essential staff.

For Cameron LNG, the facility will continue to operate with a ride-out team of essential operations personnel, representatives for Sempra LNG wrote in an email. All non-essential personnel and contractors have been directed to safely work from home or an alternate location.

Production at the liquid natural gas export facility will be significantly reduced while operating with limited workers.

Port Arthur LNG is still awaiting a final investment decision before construction, which is expected next year, but crews have been working to relocate a part of Texas 87 around the proposed facility location to help lay the groundwork for the site.

Sempra LNG has reported that the Cameron LNG facility was designed to withstand Category 5 hurricane strength winds and was elevated above the historic major flood stage for the area.

Golden Pass LNG took similar step to clear out crews at its Sabine Pass export terminal as it is prepared for what could be a days-long work stoppage.

The company reported it cleared barges from the off-loading facility, lowered piling rigs, closed all openings in its levee to enclose the site and added additional rock armoring to its perimeter.

The company had originally intended to keep a small crew of workers at the facility to monitor the situation and execute emergency dewatering but decided later in the day on Tuesday to send all staff away from the site.

Golden Pass plans to close the site on Tuesday and Wednesday (and possibly Thursday depending on Hurricane Lauras impact), representatives for the company wrote in a statement.

Golden Pass LNG is a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and Exxon Mobil that is in the middle of a years-long process to convert the facility into an export terminal aimed at delivering liquid natural gas to foreign markets.

The company said it has been in frequent communication with personnel to review storm preparation guidelines and is working in tandem with its contractor, CCZJV (Chiyoda, McDermott and Zachry).

Sabine Pass has been placed under a storm surge warning by the National Weather Service since around Monday. The latest forecast from the NWS predicted the possibility of 9 to 13 feet in isolated coastal areas of southern Jefferson County.

Paul Takahashi and L.M. Sixel contributed to this report.

jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/jd_journalism
The Three-River Source National Park in northwest China's Qinghai province, which contains the headwaters of three great rivers of China: the Yellow, the Yangtze, and the Lancang, is the first pilot project of China's national park initiative.

Near the headstream of the Yellow River, grasslands are flourishing in lush green and lakes stretching as far as one can see, where bar-headed geese, ruddy shelducks and other rare birds are frolicking with each other.

We are seeing animals species that had never appeared here and rare animals are flocking in," said Ma Gui, an official with the Yellow River section management committee of the Three-River Source National Park, referring to the changes that are happening to Maduo county, the heartland of China's Sanjiangyuan (Three-River-Source) National Natural Reserve, as well as one of the core conservation and breeding areas of the Yellow River section of the Three-River-Source National Park. Situated 4,200 meters above the sea level, the county near the headwater of the Yellow River is hailed as 'the land of a thousand lakes'.

However, a 90-kilometer road linking Maduo county and the Yellow River source once worried Ma a lot. In the past, the road was covered by vast stretches of black soil and it was almost impossible to find any trace of grass.

All the sand and gravels needed for building the road were collected from the roadside, leaving the area with more than 400 pits that looked like fish scales. Besides, a white "scar" is seen on the mountain near the road, as a considerable part of the mountain was cut off.

Now more than 300 of these pits have been filled and covered by pasture forage grass. Those deep ones now serve as signs of negative example that reminds us to never do that again," Ma said.

After five years of efforts, the trend of grassland degeneration has been effectively curbed in the Three-River-Source National Park. An average of 6 percent more water resource is being conserved on an annual basis there, and the grassland coverage and grass yield have also increased by over 11 percent and 30 percent respectively from a decade ago. Wildlife population is also on a significant rise.

China initiated the national park initiative in 2015, which encouraged pilot zones under the initiative to give top priority to ecological conservation. The ongoing 10 pilot zones stretch over 12 Chinese provinces and cover a total area of over 220,000 square kilometers, or 2.3 percent of the Chinese land territory.

At present, Chinas National Forestry and Grassland Administration has started a third-party reviewing for the 10 pilot zones, which is expected to be finished before the end of October, to officially establish their national-park status by the end of 2020.

According to the Administration, China has established a total of 11,800 nature conservation areas of various kinds since 1956 that cover around 18 percent of the land area and 4.1 percent of the sea area under the jurisdiction of the country.

However, these nature conservation areas have been managed by multiple departments, which caused a series of problems on management, demarcation and division of duties. Protection and development are also a pair of sharp contradiction in these areas.

By establishing the national park system, the country intends to create a new mechanism that enables unified management of nature conservation areas by one department.

The endeavor has so far achieved significant results. At present, the pilot zone of the nature reserve of Siberian tiger and Amur leopard has tended 17,367 hectares of forests, finished clearing and reforestation of 2,130 hectares of woodland, and restored the ecological environment for 741 hectares.

Since the establishment of the pilot zone, the numbers of wild animals such as black bear, roe deer, and deer have been growing with each passing day.

Another pilot zone, the Wuyi Mountain pilot zone in east China has completed ecological restoration in 433.33 hectares of land, rectified 487 hectares of illegal tea hills, and demolished 39 illegal constructions.

The pilot zone in a conservation area of giant panda, which has implemented ecological restoration and habitat restoration project and made efforts of build reintroduction base for giant pandas, has managed to restore nearly 2,667 hectares of habitat for giant pandas.
Ha Tien 1 Cement sees revenue down 14%

25 August 2020

Vietnams Ha Tien 1 Cement JSC has seen its net revenue decline 14.1 per cent YoY to VND2035bn (US$87.1m) in the second quarter of 2020. Gross profit posted a minor decline of 2.6 per cent YoY to VND419.8bn.

The company recorded a pretax profit of VND257.5bn, falling nearly VND3bn compared to the 2Q19.

In the first half of the year, net revenue was down 13.7 per cent YoY to VND3767bn while pretax profit edged upwards to VND397bn. As a result, the first half has met 44 per cent of the revenue plan and nearly 48 per cent of the annual profit plan.

Published under
As a grounded Japanese build carrier started to leak bunker fuel into Mauritius south-eastern coast, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth declared a state of environmental emergency. According to international media reports, Jugnauth on August 7 called the satellite images of oil spill very sensitive. Mauritius even appealed France for help and said that the spill represents danger for the country that heavily relies on tourism and has been hit hard by the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic.

While appealing for help from France and President Emmanuel Macron, Jugnauth reported said that Mauritius doesnt have the skills and expertise to reflect stranded ships. He further added that bad weather has also made it impossible to act.

READ: Mauritius: Oil Spills From Grounded Bulk Carrier, Officials Launch Investigation

According to international media reports, the MV Wakashio carrier ran aground on July 26 during a voyage from China to Brazil via Singapore. The Mauritian authorities warned of an oil spill following a breach in the Panama-flagged ship carrying oil and diesel.

The Ministry of Environment, in a statement, said that the vessel had reported a leakage of oil and its crew had been evacuated. The environment minister of Mauritius, Kavy Ramano even said that the island nation is in a situation of environmental crisis.

READ: 'Symbol Of A Great Friendship': Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth On Key India-backed Project

Oil spill described as a disaster

As per reports, the shipping vessel is owned by Japans Nagashiki Shipping. A spokesperson for the shipping company reportedly blamed the oil spill incident on bad weather and said that with constant pounding, the starboard side bunker tanker has been breached. They also informed that preventive measures are in place and an oil boom has been deployed around the vessel.

The ship was is reported to have been carrying nearly 3,800 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel oil, 207 tonnes of diesel, and 90 tonnes of lube oil. The vessel had 20 crew members, including ten non-essential crew members. A police investigation has also been initiated.

Mauritius is famous for its crystals clear beaches. It also has a wide range of fish and is a major exporter of tuna as well. Several experts are reported to have called the spill a disaster and have expressed concerns over pollution in the region.

READ: PM Modi & Counterpart Inaugurate India-aided Mauritius SC Building; Send Message For China

READ: PM Modi, Jugnauth To Jointly Inaugurate Mauritius Supreme Court Building
Lucknow, Aug 25 : Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Ajay Kumar Lallu, along with party workers, was detained in Rae Bareli on Tuesday while he was on his way to Ballia to meet the family of journalist Ratan Singh, who was shot dead on Monday night.

The vehicles in which Lallu and other party workers were travelling were stopped by the police. After this, the Congress leaders began walking towards Ballia and were again detained in Salon by the police.

This, according to Congress sources, is the 23rd time that Ajay Kumar Lallu has been prevented from reaching his destination by the state police.

Earlier this month, Lallu was detained while going to Bansgaon in Azamgarh to meet the family of a Dalit sarpanch who had been killed.

In May this year, he was arrested in Agra and sent to jail for almost three weeks for 'misguiding the government on the issue of buses for migrants.'
TDT | Manama

Texel Air, an established private airline and maintenance, repair and operations company based in Bahrain, announced yesterday the arrival of the Boeing 737-700 FlexCombi. A first-of-its-kind globally, the conversion aircraft has been developed to provide the most versatile third-party cargo charter solution available in the market.

The aircraft arrived at the companys private hangar at Bahrain International Airport, where it was greeted by Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Eng Kamal bin Ahmed Mohamed, alongside other VIPs and Texel Air management and board.

The aircraft, which will be based in the Kingdom, is unique in its ability to be configured in seven different ways for multiple purposes in a remarkably fast 48- hour time frame. The FlexCombi can switch seamlessly to operate humanitarian, government, express integrator and commercial flights from major airports to smaller remote runways, with configuration flexibility achieved without compromise in cargo volumes and customised-mission capability.

In addition to cargo, the aircraft is able to transport up to 24 people as well as offer the option for medical evacuation flights using two speciality medical beds installed on the aircraft. The Transportation Minister commented: I am very pleased to welcome Texel Airs new aircraft to Bahrain today.

This is an innovation milestone for our aviation industry and is a reflection of Bahrains conducive investment environment and advanced regulations in the industry. The new aircraft presents a brand new offering to the airline industry and we are very proud that Bahrain is the launchpad for this. It is an example of how Bahrain is not only a good place to establish a business, but also to grow it successfully.

Texel Airs parent company Chisholm Enterprises CEO George Chisholm added: We are delighted to welcome the arrival of our first-of-a-kind Boeing 737-700 FlexCombi to Bahrain, where we have proudly grown from an organic start-up airline to a leading innovator in niche cargo operations serving the Middle East, North Africa and global markets.

From our strategic position in Bahrain, a growing regional hub for aviation and logistics, we will operate this versatile aircraft, serving an international roster of clients that have long awaited a solution that provides them with unmatched levels of flexibility.

The FlexCombi was developed in partnership with USbased PEMCO World Air Services, who effectively translated the concept into an approved FAA STC. For its work on the FlexCombi, PEMCO, in September of 2017, was awarded Innovator of the Year at the Chicago Freighters World Conference.
The two countries leaders met in Khartoum on Tuesday

Ethiopia and Sudan are committed to making all efforts to reach a successful conclusion in the trilateral negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the two countries leaders said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

Such a conclusion would lead to a win-win situation for all parties, which would make the dam a means of territorial integration between the riparian states, the statement also said.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his Sudanese counterpart Abdalla Hamdok held bilateral discussions in Khartoum on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the pair stressed their commitment to the mediation efforts of the AU, which has brokered this round of talks on the mega-dam, under the principle of African solutions to African problems.

The two premiers praised progress in addressing outstanding issues related to the border line and areas, ordering joint mechanisms to continue their tasks in the same spirit of cooperation and fairness to reach solutions agreeable to both parties.

An Ethiopian delegation including the Ethiopian irrigation, defence and foreign ministers landed in the Sudanese capital on Tuesday morning for a one-day visit, which comes amid continuing disputes between Addis Ababa, Khartoum, and Cairo over the hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile.

Abiy said the fate of Ethiopia and Sudan are "intertwined and are rooted in longstanding historic and strategic relations," according to a separate statement released by the Ethiopian prime minister's office following the meeting.

"We are one people, one family  any issues, including in relation to the GERD and borders, can be addressed amicably through continued and sustained good faith discussions," Abiy was quoted as saying.

The mega-dam, which is being built 15 kilometres from the Ethiopian-Sudanese border, has been a source of contention for nearly a decade, as Cairo fears it will significantly reduce its crucial water supply from the River Nile, while Sudan fears it could endanger the safety of its own dams.

Egypt and Sudan have sought a legally binding deal on the filling and operation of the dam, while an Ethiopian proposed draft contained guidelines.

Trilateral legal and technical committees are engaged in a week-long round of negotiations, to end on Friday, over outstanding points of disagreement.

The committees are scheduled to submit a report to South Africa, the current chair of the African Union, this weekend.

The AU-mediated talks were launched last month after the negotiations between the three countries reached a deadlock last year, as did negotiations sponsored by the US and World Bank in February.

"The complementary nature of both countries compels them to work together for mutual benefit," said Hamdok, according to the Tuesday bilateral statement.

"With strengthened collaborations on the economic front, Ethiopia and Sudans economies can be a catalyst for progress in the Horn region and Africa," he also said.

The two sides had affirmed solidarity for each others endeavours and agreed to settle any issues through continued dialogue and negotiations, the statement read.

The Ethiopian premier's statement said Tuesday's visit came on the heels of the one-year anniversary of the signing of the constitutional declaration, facilitated by Abiy, which enabled the formation of Sudans transitional government.

He congratulated the Sudanese government on what he described as "the milestones" achieved since then.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


New Delhi: India has invited Vietnam to part of its Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the East Asia Summit in Bangkok, Thailand in 2019.

Increasing trade connectivity- maritime transport and Maritime security are among the seven key pillars of the initiative. Other five are-- Maritime ecology, maritime resources, capacity building and resource sharing, disaster risk reduction and management, science, technology and academic cooperation.

The invitation was extended during the 17th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting led by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Vietnam's foreign minister Pham Binh Minh.

A statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "India and Vietnam agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation in line with Indias Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEANs Outlook on Indo-Pacific to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region."

Invitation to Vietnam comes even as both New Delhi and Hanoi deal with an aggressive China. While Bejing's ties with India deteriorated after Galwan face-off, Vietnam has raised alarm after Chinese intrusion into its exclusive economic zone.

Both sides have increased engagement in the last few years with a high-level visit such as the visit of Vietnam's President to India and Indian PM visit to Vietnam. India and Vietnam will serve concurrently as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in 2021.
Teachers have called for an urgent review in relation to children wearing face coverings in certain circumstances.

It comes following advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which states that children over the age of 12 should wear face masks, and children aged between six and 11 should wear coverings depending on how widespread the transmission of the virus is.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said it has written to Taoiseach Micheal Martin seeking clarity on the expert health advice relating to primary and special schools.

In a statement, INTO said the union sought clarity on a number of issues from Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly three weeks ago.

These issues included the wearing of face coverings and the approach to be taken by the HSE in a school in the event that a pupil or staff member tests positive for Covid-19, the union said.

INTO has reminded An Taoiseach that, as 100 children have tested positive in the last fortnight, it is vital that priority access to testing and tracing be made available to everyone in the education sector.

INTO has noted that the WHO is now recommending that children aged six and older wear face masks and, in that context, calls on government to urgently review the HPSC guidance in relation to children wearing face coverings in certain circumstances.

Expand Close An advertisement for a school book supplier on the side of a bus in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp An advertisement for a school book supplier on the side of a bus in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

The union was promised in June that this guidance would be updated to reflect the changing situation in the context of Covid-19 epidemiology in Ireland.

A review was also promised in light of the experience of other jurisdictions whose schools reopened in May and June.

It comes as the phased reopening of schools began today.

Many primary and secondary schools are reopening this week and next week.

The president of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) has also raised concerns about teachers in high risk groups returning to schools.

Ann Piggott said she has received phone calls and letters over the past few weeks from extremely vulnerable teachers.

There are two groups, theres a very high risk group and a high risk group and a lot of people in the high risk group have very serious conditions, such as cancer, lung conditions, chronic kidney disease, or combinations of diabetes and chronic kidney diseases, and asthma, she told RTE.

While the teachers wish it were the perfect situation and they were perfectly able to go back to work, if they go back to work they are seriously in grave danger.

All thats open to them is that they could apply to occupational health service to have their situation looked at to see if it was possible for them to have alternative working arrangements.

The HSE guidelines states that people who are in a high risk group should stay home as much as possible, and they should work from home if theyre at high risk and they should practice social distancing.

We thought that a perfect solution would be if a vulnerable student who cant come to school who will be at home could be taught by the vulnerable teachers.

That would make sure that everybody is quite safe and were only talking about a very low percentage of teachers.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire criticised the Department of Education for what he described was their lack of consideration of students and staff with underlying health conditions

The partys spokesman for education also claimed that the roadmap for the reopening of schools and the departments guidance offers very little direction.

While small in percentage terms, in real terms many children will see their lives profoundly affected, and they are just as much entitled to a decent education as anyone else, Mr O Laoghaire said.

There is very little guidance on how they will be supported and it appears that much of the responsibility will fall on special education teachers.

These teachers will be pulled from pillar to post as it stands under the Governments plans and will be very stretched in attempting to provide education remotely on top of their existing duties.
A U.S. specialist in infectious diseases visited on Monday Sao Paulo's the Paraisopolis favela, one of the most extensive poor neighbourhoods in Brazil, which has been heavily affected by the pandemic.

Dr. Rajeev Fernando travelled to several cities affected by COVID-19 in Brazil, including Manaus, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

While he distributed masks and made connections hoping to assist locals in dealing with the pandemic, he is gathering information that could help health authorities bring the virus under control in the U.S.

Dr. Fernando met Jessica Fernandes, a Paraisopolis favela resident, who was infected by COVID-19 as well as her parents.

"COVID in my family was devastating. Three people were infected in my family; two are recovering; unfortunately, my mother didn't have the same chance, she died," said Fernandes whose family was one of the first cases inside the Paraisopolis favela.

Meanwhile, in Brasilia, President Bolsonaro attended the ceremony 'Brazil defeating the COVID-19' at Planalto Palace.

"If hydroxychloroquine wouldn't have been politicized many of these 115,000 lives that Brazil reached this moment could have been saved," said President Jair Bolsonaro.

According to government figures, the current number of coronavirus deaths in Brazil reached 115,309 with more than 3.5 million confirmed cases.

(Image Credit Pixabay)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-08 01:05:51|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Friday inspected construction of the 300-km standard gauge railway (SGR) from the commercial capital Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, said a statement issued by his office.

The statement said relevant officials told Majaliwa that construction of the 300-km SGR is 87 percent complete.

"The government has embarked on the construction of the transportation infrastructure to enhance trade within and outside the country," said the statement, adding that improvement of the infrastructure was also aimed at giving Tanzanians more choices for the mode of transportation.

In November 2019, Tanzanian President John Magufuli said the governments of Tanzania and Rwanda were in final stages of negotiations to construct an SGR from Isaka dry port in Tanzania to Rwanda.

Magufuli said the SGR will also serve landlocked countries of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He said feasibility studies for the SGR linking Tanzania and Rwanda have already been undertaken, adding that the two countries are now looking for financiers of the project.

Also in November 2019, the Trade and Development Bank (TDB), a trade and development financial institution in Africa, approved a loan of 1 billion U.S. dollars to Tanzania for infrastructure projects.

A statement issued by the Directorate of Presidential Communications at Chamwino State House in Dodoma said the release of the loan was announced by TDB President and Chief Executive Officer Admassu Tadesse during talks with President Magufuli. Enditem
The peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will play an important role during the meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia and Azerbaijan. This is what Azerbaijans new Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov told TASS a day before his first visit to Moscow as foreign minister.

Blaming the Armenian side for provocations in the direction of Tavush Province of Armenia in July, the minister said Baku expects the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, including Russia to take consistent steps to advance the peace process within the scope of constructive and substantive talks.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to blame Armenia, the minister thoroughly listed the damages incurred by the Azerbaijani side, didnt forget to state the initial causes of the conflict, presented the distorted version of the UN Resolutions and cited the document adopted during the Budapest Summit. In this sense, we hope the international community, and first of all, the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, compel Armenia to renounce its policy on the maintenance of status-quo and launch substantive talks, the scope of which is approved under the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the decisions of the OSCE, primarily the Budapest Summit document, the minister declared.

In response to the question about the creation of mechanisms for monitoring of ceasefire violations on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, the minister assured that there is already a mechanism for monitoring the ceasefire regime in the conflict zone, namely the mission led by Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzik and reiterated the well-known statement that it is necessary to eliminate the occupation, that is, dislocate the Armenian Armed Forces from all the seized territories of Azerbaijan.

According to him, the Co-Chairs want to organize a meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the fall, but Armenias actions are de facto make the mediators efforts null and void.

The minister reiterated the reproach in regard to Russias supply of weapons to Armenia and added that the supplies create a risk of escalation of tension and undermine the peace process and, in general, pose a threat to Azerbaijans security.
Schools in Croatia will reopen on Sept. 7, Minister of Science and Education Radovan Fuchs said here on Monday.

The new school year will start as planned despite a recent sharp rise in new COVID-19 cases.

Croatia has seen a surge of COVID-19 infections in August, with 306 new cases registered on Saturday alone, an all-time high since the outbreak started here in late February. There have been 136 new infections in Croatia in the last 24 hours as of Monday afternoon, and 2,212 cases remain active, according to the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

The minister on Monday presented during a press conference instructions for the beginning of the school year. Schools will have to follow measures that are already in force in every-day life, such as physical distancing, reduction of contacts between groups, and extra hygiene precautions.

In addition, it is necessary to organize classes so that students come into contact only with their peers from the class and as few teachers as possible. In order to reduce contact between students, the classes will not start at the same time and some schools will work in two shifts.

Schools have to provide safe conditions for children and ensure a physical distance of at least 1.5 meters between them. It means that larger classes will be divided. In schools where that is not possible, wearing masks will be mandatory for higher classes and teaching staff.

"The basic rule is that those who have symptoms or knowledge that they are infected do not go to school, and all schools should prepare in detail and respect epidemiological measures," the minister said.

He said that they are working on the possible online classes for those who are infected or in self-isolation. The ministry is also working on a document that will elaborate on further details and different possible scenarios in case of a greater pandemic in the future.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak that started in the country on Feb. 25, Croatia suspended schools on March 16, and reopened them in late May, but only for classes from grades 1 to 4. Others finished the school year through online classes.
For the past few years, I've been working on a book about how to cook in a wok.* In the past, I've written about how the greatest barrier between a home cook and good wok-cooking is equipment: a Western home range simply doesn't have the heat output that a restaurant-style wok burner has, which leads to fundamentally different flavors in stir-fried dishes. A lot of the research and testing I've been doing for the book has focused on ways to overcome this barrier.

*If you're one of the folks asking when it will be released, the answer is WHEN IT'S READY.

The big problem is that in the US, we are most familiar with restaurant-style Chinese food. Chinese-American restaurant menus draw particularly heavily on Cantonese-style stir fries that rely on high heat. But do you think every household in China has a 160k BTU/hr jet engine burner installed? On the contrary, the food that most people eat in China every day is home-cooked, on equipment not vastly dissimilar from what's found in a Western kitchen.

That said, as someone who grew up with that elusively smoky flavor of restaurant-style Chinese food, it's something I long to capture in my own cooking. In the past, I've found moderate success stir-frying over burning coals. The torch hei technique Tim Chin wrote about for Serious Eats is also one of the strategies I employ in my book (and in my own kitchen). But for true restaurant-style food, you need a true restaurant-style burner. The kind that shoots up a jet of flame big enough to lick up and over the back edge of the wok as you toss, imparting that signature smokiness.

Luckily, if you've got a bit of outdoor space, a propane tank, and a bit of cash to spend, true restaurant-style stir-frying is within your grasp. Here are my recommendations.

Our Favorites, at a Glance

The Best Outdoor Wok Burner for Restaurant-Style Cooking: Powerflamer 160EI

The Powerflamer 160EI from Outdoorstirfry.com was the clear winner in my testing. It features a 20psi regulator that delivers a maximum hourly BTU output of 160kmore than ample for even a banquet-sized portion of fried rice or noodlesa burner ring that delivers maximum heat to the center of the wok (where it should go), a wok ring with a built-in heat guard to keep your hands (relatively) cool, and most importantly, a pilot that can be left on, and a gas-flow adjustment valve at the burner-end of the gas line, allowing you to adjust your flame dynamically as you cook without having to walk over to the propane tank.

The construction on this one is, let's say, "industrial chic." It's not much more than a restaurant-grade burner with a few parts welded onto it and a ring to rest your wok on, but if restaurant-style cooking is what you're after, restaurant equipment is what you need.

PowerFlamer Outdoor Wok Burner Buy on Outdoorstirfry.com

The Most Portable Outdoor Wok Burner That Still Performs Well: Eastman Outdoors Burner

The Eastman Outdoors Big Kahuna Wok Burner can put out a maximum of 65k BTU, which seems small compared to the other models I tested, however, because the flame is concentrated in the center, it's actually able to produce better wok hei and is more suitable for stir-frying than even the 200k+ BTU models I tested. It's inexpensive, and has telescoping legs that form a wide, stable tripod base. It's not quite powerful enough to cook for a huge party, but it'll easily handle enough food for even a large family meal. The major downsides are that it's a little low for comfortable cooking (at least for my 5'10" frame), and the only gas control is at the tank, rather than at the burner end of the line.

Eastman Outdoors 90411 Portable Kahuna Wok Burner Buy on Amazon

The Criteria: What We Look for in a Great Wok Burner

A good wok burner must be suitable for stir-frying. It must be suitable for stir-frying a large volume of food. It must heat quickly and efficiently, and it must produce plenty of smoky wok hei (when you want it to). It should be capable of heating a carbon steel wok until it's literally glowing orange-hot, but it should also be able to maintain a low enough temperature to gently simmer braised dishes.

A good outdoor wok burner should also be easy to use. Wok cooking requires frequently adjusting the flame under the wok as you cook, so good placement of the gas valve is key.

A good wok burner should feel solid, stable, and robust, able to withstand the heavy-duty abuse that extreme temperatures and frequent banging with a wok full of food will impart. It should also feel safe. You shouldn't worry that your property or your body are going to catch on fire as you're preparing dinner, nor should you worry that a round-bottomed wok is going to roll around or spill over when you set it down on the cooking grate.

The Testing

There's a wide range of outdoor burners designed for frying turkeys, brewing beer, and cooking in a wok, but when it comes down to it, many of them utilize similar burners, connectors, pressure regulators, and housing setups. The range of features in heavy-duty outdoor cooking equipment is not nearly as wide as it is for most other equipment, which made narrowing down my list to five burners relatively easy. In my roundup, I included a couple of high-output brewing burners with wide burner rings, a jet-style turkey fryer burner, a restaurant-style wok burner redesigned for outdoor use, and a portable multi-purpose burner.

For my testing, I was interested in gauging exactly how much energy each burner could transfer to the wok (as opposed to the total energy output of the burner), design elements that were suited or unsuited for wok cooking, ease of use, safety, and stability. To do this, I conducted five different tests: heating water to gauge efficiency; very simple egg-fried rice to taste for wok hei; a few recipes that rely on velveting or "passing through" oil (beef chow fun and sweet and sour pork); an extra-large batch of lo mein to push capacity to the max; and, to test versatility, a paella.

I started my test suspecting that I'd wind up recommending the most powerful burners. However, it turns out that the two weakest burners I tested were the best for wok cooking, and I'll explain why as we go through the testing.

Energy Input and Efficiency

First things first, efficiency. The heat output of a burner, measured in BTU/hr, can give you an idea of the maximum amount of energy it could possibly produce. For perspective, the average home burner produces between 3k to 9k BTU/hr. A high-end home burner may produce 12k BTU/hr, while a Western restaurant range may max out at around 35k BTU/hr. The outdoor burners I tested ranged from 65kBTU/hr up to 210K BTU/hr. Even the weakest is six times as powerful as the hottest burner on your stovetop.

However, the actual amount of energy that makes it into the wok can vary depending on a number of factors.

The first is combustion efficiency. No burner is perfectly efficient, but depending on how the gas is distributed and mixed with oxygen from the air, some are more efficient than others. (Incidentally, the color of a flame is directly correlated to the energy released by the flames; a blue flame is hotter than an orange flame, so blue flames are an indication of better combustion efficiency). The second is the shape of the burner. Burners that spread the flame out in a wide pattern lose a lot of energy to the air, where it's not going to do a lick of good in helping you cook (but it may well end up burning the hair off your hands).

To test this efficiency, I filled a carbon steel wok with two liters of water at exactly 20C (about room temperature), set it on top of a burner, then turned on the burner at full blast and timed how long it took to bring the water (and the wok) to 100C. In a hypothetical, completely efficient world, it takes 141 BTUs to raise the temperature of two liters of water by 80C, and an additional 50 BTUs to heat a 1.5kg of carbon steel by the same amount, so let's say roughly 200BTUs total need to be added to the system.

With this number, you can calculate how long each burner should take to bring the water to 100C in a perfectly efficient manner. By then dividing the actual time it takes to heat the water, you can roughly calculate its heating efficiency.

What you find is that no wok burner is particularly efficient. A huge amount of energy gets dissipated into the air while cooking in a wok, but the layout of the flame can still make a big impact on efficiency, as well as absolute performance.

The one with the highest BTU output, the Bayou Classic double jet burner, at 210k BTU/hr, brought the water to 100C in just under a minute, and to a full rolling boil in about one minute 20 seconds. On an absolute scale, that's fast! But it's only about 5% efficient95% of the energy output is being lost to the air. It's easy to see why: Because the grate is wide open, the powerful flames get directed around the sides of the wok.

The wide gas ring on the Gas One burner is great for brewing and boiling, but inefficient and dangerous for wok cooking.

Even less efficient were models with extra-wide burner rings, like the Concord Banjo Single Burner Stove, or the Gas One B-3600H. These burners, both of which put out a maximum of 200k BTU/hr, are designed for brewing. The heat they deliver is spread out across a burner that's around 10 inches in diameter. A massive amount of energy is lost out the sides when trying to cook on them with a 14 or even 18-inch wok. These guys clocked in with an efficiency of around 4%.

The Eastman Portable Kahuna Burner has lower total BTU's than other models, but its centered, concentrated gas ring makes it great for stir-frying.

The two most efficient models were the Eastman Outdoors Portable Kahuna Burner and the Powerflamer 160EI. The 65k BTU/hr Kahuna burner brought the water to 100C in 2 minutes for an efficiency of a little over 9%. The 160k BTU/hr Powerflamer, with a heat shield designed specifically for directing heat to the wok, brought water to 100C in just 45 secondsthat's faster than even the powerful Bayou Classicfor an efficiency of just under 10%.

From an absolute energy-input perspective, the Powerflamer and the Bayou Classic were frontrunners, but the Powerflamer and the Kahuna won out in efficiency.

Fried Rice

Wok cooking isn't just about energy making it into the pan, though. It's also about the energy imparted directly to the food in the form of convection as you toss it up and through the flame. That's where the bulk of smoky wok hei comes in.

To test this, I used my technique for perfect egg-fried rice: I start by frying beaten eggs then break them up with rice, tossing everything up and over the back of the burner with the intent of letting the flames lick up and singe the oil, and finally finishing with some seared light soy sauce and scallions.

Some of these techniques proved almost impossible with the larger Compass and Gas One brewing burners, particularly trying to toss the rice through the flame. Despite their higher energy output, the flames don't shoot up nearly as high as the flames on the Powerflamer, Bayou Classic, or Kahuna, because the flame is spread out across such a wide area.

The other problem those two burners faced was safety. Without any kind of protection between the flame and the handle of the wok, it becomes dangerously hot to try and grab the wok handle, even with a kitchen towel in your hand. I ended up relying on wearing a pair of leather welding gloves for heat protection, which made gripping the handle a little tricky. The Bayou Classic joined them with this issue.

The Kahuna, though it doesn't have a flame guard, only puts out 65k BTU, which is much more bearable during cooking. (Even with 65k BTU, you can easily achieve wok hei when cooking a four-person serving of fried rice).

Only the Powerflamer, with its built-in flame guard, was able to produce smoky fried rice without burnt knuckles.

Velveting and Passing-Through

Velveting and "passing through" are two techniques common in restaurant-style Chinese cooking. Velveting involves marinating meat (usually chicken, pork, or fish) with egg whites and cornstarch, then briefly boiling or deep-frying it in the wok before draining and stir-frying. Passing through is a similar technique, in which sliced meat (such as pork or beef) is briefly passed through hot oil to start the cooking process before it's drained and stir-fried. Both of these techniques rely on being able to rapidly heat a cup or two of water and oil, as well as making on-the-fly adjustments to flame level as you move through the various stages of the process.

Four of the burners I tested (and pretty much every turkey fryer and brewing burner on the market) had a gas adjustment valve located only at the point of connection to the propane tank. For safety, I keep this tank several feet away from the live flame of the burner, which meant that every time I needed to adjust the heat on one of those burners, I had to step away from the wok. And when we're talking jet engine-level heat sources, even a few extra seconds at full blast made the difference between perfect stir-fries and burnt ones.

Moreover, if you accidentally turn the gas down too low, there's a good chance your flame will go completely out, which means you then need to re-light it with a handheld lighter and adjust the flame again. This happened to me multiple times, and made stir-frying even more hectic than it already was.

The Powerflamer features a gas adjustment valve right in front of the burner, and even better, it has an electronic ignition along with a pilot flame that can be left always-on, meaning you can adjust the flame or shut it off completely and reignite it without having to move from your spot.

Lo Mein

For this test, I cooked a double batch (enough to feed eight) of my stir-fried lo mein, to test how effectively the burners heated up a large amount of food and to see how stable they felt holding up a heavy wok. On an indoor home range, attempting to cook this much at once would cause vegetables and noodles to steam instead of sear, making them mushy and dull as opposed to bright and crunchy.

The only burner that struggled a little bit with a full load was the Kahuna. 65k BTU/hr is a lot, but it has its limits at around six servings at a time.

Paella

A classic paella involves evenly heating a wide, shallow pan full of rice, meat, vegetables, and stock so that the rice cooks evenly and forms a browned crust across the entire bottom with no burnt or undercooked spots. This was the only test in which the wide burners and open sides on the Compass and Gas One burners proved more effective than the concentrated rings on the Bayou classic, Kahuna, and Powerflamer. With those wide burners, I could center the paella pan and cook the dish all the way through without having to move it. With the other three burners, I had to treat them more like I do indoor burners, moving the paella pan around as I cooked in order to heat the bottom evenly. Even then, it was difficult to cook without accidentally burning the crusty socarrat (the browned layer of crispy rice at the bottom of the paella) in spots.

How We Chose Our Winners

Throughout my testing, there was one clear frontrunner and it was, perhaps unsurprisingly, the only one specifically designed for wok cooking: the Powerflamer 160EI. It was the most comfortable to cook with, it was the most efficient, it produced the smokiest wok hei, and it has the best features. The only problems it has are minorlegs that feel a little too narrow-set, packaging that felt like it came from someone's garage (it comes packed with scraps of cardboard and paper as cushioning, rather than custome-designed packaging), and a confusing ordering website that feels like it was designed in the '90s. Once you start cooking with it, however, there's no looking back.

I do want to note, however, that for some cooks, the Powerflamer might actually be a little too powerful. For many dishes, I find myself cooking with it at only half-blast, and more than once I burned eggs or meat so badly that I had to toss them out and start over. It has a learning curve. For many users, the 65k BTU/hr Eastman Kahuna Burner will be more than adequate, especially if you value portability, versatility, and a better-looking, more sleekly designed product.

The Best Outdoor Wok Burner: Powerflamer 160EI

The Powerflamer was the clear winner in all of these tests, thanks to its ample power, a burner designed to put the flame where it's supposed to go, and good features like a flame guard, an always-on pilot, and flame adjustment knobs right on the wok instead of by the propane tank. You can also get models that are compatible with your home's natural gas line, or for use with disposable camp stove propane bottles, increasing its versatility.

If there are any downsides to it, it's the aesthetics. It's a restaurant-style industrial wok burner, and it looks like one. The metal tripod legs are simple pipes that connect to the burner with a screw. It feels stable enough, but long-term I plan on figuring out a more permanent installation method, perhaps building it into a metal table or cart.

Incidentally, the wok-cooking setups available from The Wonder Wok have similar burners and specs to the Powerflamer, and you can buy kits there that include a metal cart. I didn't include those burners in my testing because they were unavailable at the time that I was ordering burners, and they're significantly pricier than the Powerflamer and other models.

While it's possible to save some money by setting up a rig like this for yourself at home using individually-purchased parts, spending the extra cash was more than worth to me, since I didn't want to deal with navigating the dizzying array of connectors and lines and valves available.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, at full blast, this burner goes through a 20-pound propane tank in about two-and-a-half hours.

PowerFlamer Outdoor Wok Burner Buy on Outdoorstirfry.com

The Sleeker, Slightly-Less-Powerful Option: Eastman Portable Kahuna Burner

If you don't plan on cooking for more than four to six people at a time, and you prefer a burner that looks like it is designed for home use and is easy to set up, you may want to opt for the Eastman Portable Kahuna Burner. The telescoping legs, which are held in place with thumb screws, are a particularly nice feature, allowing you to easily pop the burner into your trunk for a camping trip or a day at the beach, or giving you the option to tuck it away in the shed for storage. Even with a relatively meager 65k BTU, it still produces plenty of wok hei and is powerful enough for all but the most heavy-duty stir-fry jobs.

At full blast, a 20-pound propane tank will last about six hours.

Eastman Outdoors 90411 Portable Kahuna Wok Burner Buy on Amazon

Essential Wok-Cooking Equipment

For indoor wok cooking, I generally recommend a flat-bottomed carbon steel wok, like the Joyce Chen Pro. But for my outdoor wok burner, I opt for a more traditional round-bottomed version. My current favorite is the Couner Hand-Hammered Carbon Steel Wok, which is made from heavy-gauge steel, takes on a slick non-stick coating quickly, and has a sturdy handle and helper handle.

Couner Carbon Steel Wok Buy on Amazon

There are a few accessories that are also essential for wok cooking. The most important is a long-handled wok spatula and wok ladle. This two piece set is a reasonable size and price for home cooking needs. I also have awooden lid that I use for braising and simmering in my wok. Finally, a bamboo brush makes scrubbing out the wok quick and easy.

FJNATINH Wok Spatula and Ladle Set Buy on Amazon

Zhen San Huan 14-Inch Natural Wood Wok Lid Buy on Amazon

The Competition

It may seem unfair that I included burners that are designed for other tasks in a testing of wok burners, but I did so because people frequently suggest that a turkey fryer is your best bet for outdoor wok cooking. Indeed, I've even suggested it in the past, and if you've already got a turkey fryer or brewery burner, you may not see a need to buy a separate outdoor burner just for wok cooking. As such, I don't see a need to go into the details of why each of the three other burners I tried, (the Bayou Classi, the Concord, and the Gas One) didn't make the cut. All of them had the same issue: a flame that spreads out too much, which makes stir-frying both inefficient and painful.

I do, however, plan on keeping one of them for myself for the next time we have a seafood boil or deep fry a turkey, while the other two I plan on giving to friends who brew beer regularly.
For the third time in seven years, the Ontario Human Rights Commission is seeking an order for the province to stop keeping prisoners with mental illnesses in solitary confinement, citing an ongoing failure by the province to comply with a landmark 2013 settlement.

In a motion filed Tuesday, the OHRC is asking the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal for an order beyond the original settlement to entirely ban solitary confinement for anyone with a mental health disability and to otherwise limit it to 15 continuous days and 60 total days in a year.

The commission also asks for a permanent independent monitor role to be created to provide oversight of Ontarios correctional system  similar to the federal correctional investigator.

Solitary confinement, also known as segregation, is the practice of confining a person to a six-by-nine foot cell for 22 or more hours a day with little or no human interaction, according to the motion. It has been found to cause severe psychological damage, and courts in Canada have repeatedly declared its use to be unconstitutional for people with mental illnesses.

The current settlement terms require that segregation only be used as a last resort for inmates with mental illnesses  but the latest review of compliance found that the use of segregation has only increased since 2013.

There needs to be a full ban because the numbers show that segregation isnt being used as a last resort and in fact they show that people with mental health disabilities are actually placed in segregation more often and for longer than other prisoners, said Insiya Essajee, who has been counsel for the OHRC on the case since it began.

The strict time limits on use of segregation are also needed to further protect people with mental illnesses because a review of segregation practices released earlier this year showed the province is failing to identify inmates with mental health issues and failing to ensure that information is accessible, according to the motion.

I think the long history of non-compliance here, especially given that Ontario itself recognized at the very outset that segregation is harmful for people with mental health disabilities, shows that taking these further steps is warranted, Essajee said.

The requested order for a maximum of 15 days of continuous segregation and a total of 60 days in a year for prisoners who do not have a mental illness would bring Ontario standards to be in line with the latest case law and international standards, she said.

Aside from segregation, the motion also demands that the province comply with other settlement terms, including providing individual care plans to inmates with mental illness.

There is a very real and profound human cost to all of this. In the end, its about peoples lives and their rights, Essajee said, citing the case of Soleiman Faqiri, a 30-year-old man with schizophrenia who died at the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Ont. after 11 days in solitary confinement. Before his death in 2016, Faqiri was allegedly beaten, pepper-sprayed, restrained and covered with a spit hood by jail guards. The OPP and the Crown recently decided not to lay charges against the guards after a second investigation. A lawsuit and inquest are pending.

The OHRC motion comes seven years after the province agreed to a settlement in the case of Christina Jahn, a woman with mental illness and cancer who was held for 200 days in solitary confinement in an Ottawa jail in 2011.

It is the third time the tribunal has been asked to enforce the settlement.

Kristy Denette, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Solicitor General, said Ontario has now met the deadlines for all 31 deliverables specified in the consent orders in a timely manner, including providing enhanced mental health screening for inmates, revising operational policies on segregation and releasing segregation data.

Denette said the ministry is investing in increased staff and infrastructure modernization, which improved safety and security of our institutions and ensure government is in compliance with its obligations regarding the use of segregation within correctional facilities.

With files from Wendy Gillis, Jim Rankin, Fatima Syed and Amy Dempsey
Brigell, who runs a small counseling business while her husband works for the AFSCME union, said they, on the other hand, are lucky to be able to work from home and afford to take a chance on the fall quarter, but she knows other families at Disney II did not have the same choice. Shes heard of so many parents withdrawing before the tuition deadline that she wondered whether the school would even have a pre-K classroom this year, but as of Monday she had not heard otherwise.
MIDDLETOWN  The resurrection of the cozy breakfast and lunch spot across from Superior Court is a story of perseverance, hope and efforts by devoted customers instrumental in its reopening despite the pandemic.

Sabrina Cortes, owner of Cafe 56 on Court Street, at 102 Court St. in Middletown, insists on the freshest food available for her clientele, made from scratch whenever possible.

Cortes, a former executive chef who hails from Guatemala, owns the business in a late 1700s building. She began her endeavor in 2012, after leasing the former Court Street Cafe.

Her logo is the macaw of Mayan culture, which adorns her door and the large artwork on the pained, tin walls.

When the pandemic shuttered businesses, schools, institutions and agencies across Connecticut in mid-March, she closed the restaurant, hoping, like so many, that it only would be for a short time.

Cortes experience applying for a small business loan was fraught with frustration and delays. She may have been discouraged by the mountain of bureaucracy she encountered, but she is not one to give up easily.

Paperwork processors and loan agents are beyond overwhelmed, Cortes knows, and she sympathized with them.

She closed her doors March 23, knowing she would be unable to serve customers after the governor shuttered businesses. Cafe 56 operates on a very low profit margin, said Cortes.

Thats when she applied for assistance from the Small Business Administration relief fund. She was unable to ask for Paycheck Protection Program funds because she doesnt pay herself a salary.

The process was so drawn out, lasting through May, that she had to make the difficult decision to close. At one point, Cortes called the SBA  and was told she was number 1,767. Thats crazy, she said.

Thats when she worked with her landlords to renegotiate the rent through Dec. 31.

She eventually did get the money, with the help of a customer of eight years, meter monitor Fred Kesten, who urged her to fight by emailing state representatives. She reached out to several, all of whom replied in some way.

It was state Sen. Matt Lesser who called Cortes and explained her plight to a contact at the SBA.

Lesser posted about Cortes Saturday on his Facebook page: A few weeks ago, Sabrina told her customers she was shutting down due to the pandemic and people were heartbroken. But then she contacted me, and, working with the great CT team at the U.S. Small Business Administration, we were able to get her the financing she needed to reopen, he wrote.

Not soon after, things began to move quickly, and she obtained the funds. On Aug. 11, she told her devoted customers via social media that she was reopening. Patrons were thrilled, said Cortes, who was trained at the Culinary Institute in San Francisco.

Her expertise is world cuisines  interpreted by her years of experience in the industry.

In Latin America, I ate for 18 years of my life rice and beans, she said. The legume is a staple of meals in Central America.

Families routinely cook five pounds of black beans at the beginning of the week. Each day, some is ladled off and transformed into a variety of dishes, including soup, stew, crispy refried beans, and a dessert with creme fraiche, plantains and cinnamon.

When she graduated from culinary school, with high honors, Cortes prepared food on private sailing vessels, eventually moving to large cruise lines, such as Expeditions Cruises. She traveled to locales such as Antarctica, the Bering Strait, Japan and Cambodia.

Whenever you are grilling burgers  near penguins on an iceberg, what can be better than that? Cortes said.

She was captivated by the bones of the historic building she inhabits, which retains much of the original architecture. Thats when I fell in love with this little place.

Cortes, who lives in East Hampton with her husband, chose Middletown because of its location in the center of the state.

Every week she conjures up a pickup menu representing food from a different part of the globe: France, seared tuna Nicoise salad; Mexico, chicken enchiladas verdes with creme fraiche; American bistro, Angus beef burger on greens (called a meadow); and Spain, Valencian paella with gazpacho and caramel flan.

A pickup meal for two costs $27.50 for two. Vegetarian and gluten-free food also are available.

Cortes insists on the freshest food, including cutting her own potato chips and french fries, and making Portuguese rolls from scratch. I live cooking. Thats my life, she said. Food is languages, and I speak them.

Reservations for pickup must be made two days in advance. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. For information, visit Cafe 56 on Facebook, call 860-740-4711 or go to cafe56ct.com.
The race is on to test and produce billions of doses of the myriad coronavirus vaccines currently in development  and to determine how they will be distributed if approved for use.

Take three pieces of news from the last 48 hours.

The Chinese government revealed it began an experimental program in late July to vaccinate high-risk groups. President Trump is reportedly anxious to announce similar emergency authorizations soon. 172 countries (but not China or the U.S.) have submitted expressions of interest in the COVAX initiative, which aims to distribute vaccines globally according to need, rather than wealth. A new poll found that two-thirds of Americans believe vaccines developed in the U.S. should only be made available abroad after all domestic needs are met.

The big picture: Its increasingly clear that a minority of the global population  likely only a tiny sliver  will be able to obtain a vaccine in the near term.

First in line are people in countries that produce vaccines or can afford to buy them at scale  ahead of, say, health workers or the elderly elsewhere around the world.

As international organizations scale up their efforts to change that dynamic, governments are busy buying up doses for their own populations.

State of play: The U.S. has helped fund the research behind several leading vaccine candidates, and has purchased a combined 800 million doses of six vaccines, with the option to buy 1 billion more, per Nature.

The Trump administration has compared its approach to that of an airplane passenger securing their oxygen mask before helping others, Thomas Bollyky and Chad Bown write in Foreign Affairs.

The major difference, of course, is that airplane oxygen masks do not drop only in first class, they write.

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

The U.K. has also purchased a first-class ticket  340 million doses for a population of 67 million.

That may sound excessive, but the U.K. has (like the U.S.) hedged its bets between several vaccine candidates, most of which require two shots.

And while the EU has led calls for equitable global distribution, the bloc has simultaneously secured hundreds of millions of doses for its members.

Japan has placed large purchase orders, as have countries like Indonesia and Brazil that have less cash to spend but are wary of being left out.

Breaking it down: 2.4 billion doses of one still-to-be-approved vaccine, from Oxford University and AstraZeneca, are already scheduled for delivery by the end of 2021.

While most of the leading vaccines are slated for production in the U.S. and Europe, the Serum Institute of India  the world's highest-capacity vaccine manufacturer  says it will produce upward of 1 billion doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine by next summer.

The institute's CEO says half of those will be distributed domestically, but Indias government is likely to demand even more.

China, meanwhile, has three vaccines in phase III human trials and many more in development, and it says it will treat any successful vaccine as a global public good.

Most analysts expect Beijing to prioritize its domestic population, though the promise of a vaccine is a useful geopolitical tool.

Russia is also attempting to position itself as a global supplier, though its unclear whether Moscow has a backup plan if the vaccine it has fast-tracked doesn't prove to be safe and effective.

The flipside: The clearest alternative to a world in which vaccines are hoarded by a few countries at the expense of the others is the COVAX initiative, from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Gavi vaccine alliance and the World Health Organization.

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

How it works: A "portfolio" of nine vaccine candidates (including the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine) receive investment from COVAX, which will distribute any that are approved to both high- and low-income countries.

Distribution will be based on population size, with health care workers and vulnerable people prioritized and a portion kept in reserve to be deployed to hot spots.

The groups behind COVAX are aiming to avoid a higher-stakes repeat of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, which was secured almost entirely by rich countries.

Between the lines: The incentives are clear for poor countries, but perhaps less so for the rich ones that would effectively subsidize their access.

Gavi CEO Seth Berkley argues that, in fact, it's a "win-win" for rich countries: "Not only will you be guaranteed access to the worlds largest portfolio of vaccines, you will also be negotiating as part of a global consortium, bringing down prices and ensuring truly global access."

Some higher-income countries  including Japan and the U.K.  have expressed interest in COVAX while also cutting deals directly with vaccine manufacturers.

Given the limits on global manufacturing capacity, those deals could undermine the effectiveness of the global initiative.

What to watch: COVAX hopes to distribute 2 billion doses by the end of next year, though it will need significantly more funding than it has currently secured.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 18:22 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4067ab5 1 National MAKI,Firli-Bahuri,KPK,anti-graft-body,supervisory-council,Corruption-Eradication-Comission,ethical,ethical-violation Free

An antigraft watchdog has urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Supervisory Council to demote chairman Firli Bahuri if he is proven to have violated the KPKs code of ethics with his alleged hedonistic lifestyle.

The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Community (MAKI) filed a report against Firli for using a private helicopter to take a personal trip from Palembang, North Sumatra, to his hometown of Baturaja in the same province in June.

If he violated the KPK code of ethics, he should be demoted to deputy chairman, MAKI coordinator Boyamin Saiman said during a hearing on the case on Tuesday.

The helicopter trip, he argued, indicated Firlis hedonistic lifestyle and went against KPK rules prohibiting its leaders from indulging in luxury.

In addition to hearing Boyamins testimony, council members also summoned Firli to provide an explanation.

Supervisory council chairman Tumpak Hatorangan Panggabean led the hearing.

Read also: My salary is enough to rent a helicopter: KPK chair Firli Bahuri denies violating ethics

Boyamin said the council had asked him to prove MAKIs complaints, including details on the alleged helicopter ride and a photograph of Firli without a face mask and therefore, violating, COVID-19 health protocols.

He claimed that based on the registration number, the helicopter had been used by a high-ranking official on a trip from Surakarta, Central Java, to Semarang in the same province in 2015.

He also refuted Firlis previous claim that had taken a helicopter to save time, saying that a trip from Palembang to Baturaja would take three to four and a half hours by road.

During the hearing, Boyamin also that Firli claimed he paid for the helicopter service with his own money after previous concerns that the ride, estimated to cost up to US$1,400 an hour, was an illicit gift given by another party.

Firli declined to answer reporters questions after the hearing, saying he had given all the necessary information to the supervisory council.

He had denied the alleged ethical violations on Monday, claiming he had taken the helicopter to support his work and not for personal use. He added that he made enough money to pay for the ride.

Based on a 2015 government regulation on the financial, protocols and security rights of KPK commissioners, the chairman of the antigraft agency earns a total salary of Rp 123.93 million (US$ 8,449) per month, including allowances.

Tumpak and other council members were not immediately available for comment regarding the hearing.

Boyamin also expressed his appreciation of the supervisory council for swiftly handling the complaint, adding that prior to its establishment in 2019, the KPKs internal supervisory unit could take more than a year to follow up on reports of ethics violations.
Hugh Hefner's son Cooper has officially become a father after welcoming his first child with actress wife Scarlett Byrne - a baby girl named Betsy Rose after the new dad's late grandmother.

The 28-year-old California Senate hopeful shared the joyful news of the couple's new arrival on Instagram, posting several images of their adorable family-of-three while gushing to his followers: 'We are overwhelmed with gratitude, love, and joy!'

Cooper and Scarlett's newborn weighed 6lbs 5oz, and the couple revealed that they named her in honor of the new dad's late maternal grandmother, Betsy Aldridge Conrad, who passed away just last month.

Congrats! Hugh Hefner's son Cooper and his British actress wife Scarlett Byrne welcomed their first child - a daughter named Betsy Rose - on Monday at 5:23pm in Los Angeles

Overjoyed: The 28-year-old politician - who boasts 265,000 social media followers - gushed in his official birth announcement: 'We are overwhelmed with gratitude, love, and joy!'

'My grandmother meant the world to both Scarlett and I,' Hefner told E! News while speaking about the couple's choice of name for their baby girl.

'Scarlett and I are filled with such joy. We couldn't be happier... We look forward to being home and spending time together as a family in the days and weeks ahead.'

In a touching photo shared by the proud father, Hefner is seen standing alongside his wife, who is lying in a hospital bed and cradling their newborn bundle of joy. A video posted alongside the images shows mom and dad sharing a sweet kiss while cuddling their baby girl.

The arrival of baby Betsy was no doubt a bittersweet milestone for the former Playboy CCO, whose famous father Hugh passed away, at age 91, in 2017 from sepsis brought on by an E. coli infection.

Hefner is the son of Hugh and his second wife, former Playmate of the Year Kimberly Conrad, whom he married in 1989, before the couple officially divorced in 2010 after separating in 1998.

'My grandmother meant the world to us': Cooper named his newborn baby - weighing in at 6lbs, 5oz - in honor of his grandmother Betsy Aldridge-Conrad, who passed away last month

Hefner told E! News: 'Scarlett and I are filled with such joy. We couldn't be happier...We look forward to being home and spending time together as a family in the days and weeks ahead'

Betsy is named for Conrad's mother, who passed away less than a month ago, Hefner revealed in a touching Instagram tribute, describing her as 'another mother'.

'She was a mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and loved one,' he wrote in the July 16 tribute.

'For the grandchildren of our family she was our Mema. Mema was kindhearted, generous, and loving to all who knew and met her. Each of our lives more wonderful as a result of being blessed with her soul and spirit.

'For me, Mema was another mother. The two of us shared a bond that filled my life with a joy and warmth that took me home no matter where I was in the world. How lucky we are to have been beneficiaries of her love. How lucky we are to carry her in our hearts each day moving forward.

'Until we see you again, we love you, with all our hearts, our Mema, my Mema.'

Hefner's announcement about the birth of his daughter was met with hundreds of comments from well-wishers - including father Hugh's former girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson, who lived with the Playboy founder for five years between 2004 and 2009.

Tribute: Baby Betsy is named after Hefner's maternal grandmother Betsy Aldridge-Conrad, who passed away in July

RIP: It's a bittersweet milestone for the former Playboy CCO, whose famous father Hugh Hefner passed away, at age 91, in 2017 from sepsis (pictured in 2016)

'Congrats to you all. She's beautiful. Welcome to the world Betsy!' Kendra - who now has two children of her own - wrote.

Scarlett's former Harry Potter co-star-turned-best friend Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood in the movie series, also shared some kind words with the new parents, commenting: 'Oh my goodness shes perfecccct!!! Congratulations!!!'

Another of Scarlett's Harry Potter co-stars - Afshan Azad, who played Padma Patil - also congratulated the new mom and dad, writing: 'I love you all so much!!!!!! So proud of you Scarlett!!! The most perfect baby, my little Betsy! (Im still calling her [Rose]) Love you all so much, I cant wait to meet her.'

Both Afshan and Evanna joined Scarlett for a virtual baby shower earlier this month, with the new mom hosted on Zoom on July 11.

At the time, Scarlett praised her friends and family around the world for coming together to celebrate their baby, sharing an image of the Zoom event on Instagram, while writing: 'Yesterday we celebrated Baby Hefner with a virtual shower.

'It was very special for Cooper and I to see our family and friends come together to show their love and support for our little girl. Our hearts are full of gratitude knowing our baby is already so loved by a wonderful community of people.'

Despite spending much of the last few months in lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, Hefner and his wife have still managed to make the most of their time together - both personally and professionally.

The late Playboy founder's ex-girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson - who lived with him from 2004-2009 - commented: 'Congrats to you all. She's beautiful. Welcome to the world Betsy!'

Sneak peek of nursery! Luckily, Hefner's privileged princess has grandmother Kimberley Conrad, who divorced Hugh in 2010 after nine years of marriage (pictured July 2)

'Our baby is already so loved by a wonderful community!' Scarlett - who's known for her roles in Runaways and the Harry Potter franchise - hosted a virtual baby shower on July 11 via Zoom

In July, Hefner, who wed Scarlett on November 4 in a civil ceremony in Los Angeles, four years after popping the question, announced his plans to run as a Democrat for the California Senate in the state's 30th District, which includes LA.

'I launched a California State Senate Campaign because it is time for more young leaders to focus on the future,' he shared in his official announcement.

'I am committed to building a safer and stronger California one that embodies growth, strength, and spirit,' he continued on his website.

'California and the United States face the greatest challenge of a generation and an uncertain future. Now more than ever, it is vital to have new leaders who will lift up our communities through dedicated public service and innovation, providing greater opportunities and prosperity for all.

'This is why Im running to represent Californias 30th State Senate District.'

Hefner's political plans come after a several career changes that saw him leave his role as CCO of Playboy in order to launch his own digital media company - which was then put on hold when he enlisted in the US Air Force.

In bloom: The Chapman University professor legally married the British 29-year-old on November 4 in a civil ceremony in Los Angeles after a four-year engagement (pictured July 11)

Serving his country: A month later, Cooper officially enlisted in the US Air Force as a Reservist and completed basic training at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio (pictured February 18)

Political aspirations: Hefner announced July 13 that he's launching an exploratory campaign to run as a Democrat for the California Senate in the state's 30th District, which includes Los Angeles County

He completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas, before returning home at the end of March amid the pandemic - where he had to quarantine for two months before being able to hug his wife, he revealed.

'Packed and heading home soon,' he shared on Instagram, while posting an image of himself sitting in his bedroom at the Air Force base.

'My orders take me to California tomorrow morning. A lot of work to be done in the weeks ahead, however right now front of mind is my wife. I cant wait to see her.

'Hugs and more will be delayed as I will be self quarantining for two weeks as a precautionary measure for both her and our little one when Im back in Los Angeles.'

Just a few weeks before he returned home, Scarlett officially announced the news of her pregnancy online, posting images of herself showing off her growing bump, while sharing her 'joy' at their happy news.

'Cooper and I are delighted to share that we have a little one on the way,' Scarlett wrote in the March 10 post.

'Our hearts are filled with gratitude and joy, and the two of us cant wait to meet the newest little Hefner.'
Aveva is poised to become Britain's most valuable software company after it completed the 3.8billion takeover of an American rival.

The firm, which makes computer programmes used to design oil rigs (pictured below), ships and nuclear power stations, is buying data company Osisoft in a deal expected to boost its market value to more than 10billion.

That will propel it above Sage, the accountancy software firm that was worth 8.1billion yesterday.

Aveva said the takeover will allow it to benefit from the trend in manufacturing that has seen companies increasingly use software to track the performance of equipment and supply chains, to find ways to cut costs.

Osisoft specialises in collecting this type of data from mines, factories and other industrial sites using an array of sensors connected to the so-called 'internet of things'.

It is the second major tie-up by Aveva in three years, after the company merged with French giant Schneider Electric in 2017.

Another winner from the deal will be Japan's Softbank, which owns 45 per cent of Osisoft and now stands to make about 1.5billion.

Craig Hayman, the chief executive of Aveva, said: 'The acquisition is perfectly in line with our strategic vision and it will accelerate the enlarged group's role in the digitisation of the industrial world.'

He said the deal would also allow Aveva to 'broaden and deepen' relationships with its customers, providing an opportunity for it to sell them new services.

California-based Osisoft already caters to hundreds of the world's biggest companies, including most of the top oil and gas firms, providing software to 14,000 sites in 127 countries.

It was founded in 1980 by Dr Patrick Kennedy and employs 1,400 people.

In an online advertisement, it asks: 'How come your data isn't performing incredible feats? How come you haven't achieved digital transformation nirvana yet?'

The company promises to collect data and turn it into 'insight' for customers.

It reported that it made adjusted annual profits of 116m after revenues of 373m in its most recent financial year.

Its ownership is largely split between Kennedy and his family, who own just over 50 per cent of the shares, and Softbank, which has just under 45 per cent.

A third investor, Mitsui & Co, owns the remaining 5 per cent but will also sell this as part of the deal. Kennedy is being paid with shares in Aveva and will own about 4 per cent of the company after the takeover.

Aveva said it would also issue 2.7billion worth of new shares to help fund the transaction, with another 685m coming from its cash reserves and borrowing.

TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS Aveva makes software used to design oil rigs, ships and nuclear power stations. It originated as the government-funded research institute known as CADCentre, established to promote computeraided design. Privatised under Margaret Thatcher in 1983, in 1994 it was bought out by the management team, and listed on London's stock exchange in 1996. In 2017, it merged with French giant Schneider Electric which took a 60 per cent controlling stake. That doubled its size, securing it a place on Britain's FTSE 100 index of blue chip firms. It was worth 7.5billion yesterday.

The company's shares rose 7.3 per cent, or 314p, to 4646p after the announcement yesterday, taking its value to 7.5billion.

It has received the backing of Schneider, which owns 60 per cent of Aveva after the 2017 takeover and will also participate in the shares issue.

Softbank will gain a much-needed cash boost from the takeover, after coming under pressure to sell assets from activist investor Elliott. Billionaire founder and chief executive of Softbank Masayoshi Son has been forced to rein in his expansion plans after suffering losses from investments in an array of technology companies through the company's $100billion (76billion) 'vision fund'.

The deal is expected to complete at the end of the year, with Osisoft then becoming a division of Aveva.

The deal met with approval from industry observers.

Analysts at Barclays commented: 'We expect the market to like the deal.

'Industrial software will continue to consolidate and this deal will move forward Aveva's strategic ambitions, in our view.'

It comes after Aveva warned in April that its performance in the first half of this year would be hit by the global economic downturn which has been caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Muni rail service is shutting down in San Francisco again for the next several weeks starting Tuesday, three days after it resumed following five months of being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Muni Metro system had resumed Saturday but is shutting down for the foreseeable future after two splices in the subway overhead wire failed and someone in the system's control center tested positive for COVID-19.

Starting Tuesday, all rail service will be provided by bus. More details about how the closures are affecting various lines can be found at https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/bus-substitution-all-rail-lines.

Jeffrey Tumlin, director of transportation for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, wrote on Twitter about the problems and apologized to Muni riders who will be affected.

Tumlin said contact tracing protocols mean other controllers in Muni's Transportation Management Center will be in quarantine.

"Our rail system has small teams of amazing technical experts. The system doesn't work if a few of them are out," he wrote. "It was fear of this scenario that caused us to shut system in April."

Tumlin said agency officials will be working through the night to rebuild Muni's bus schedule for the third time since April, with delays expected Tuesday morning.

"While today's troubles expose the vulnerabilities of our rail system, they also show the phenomenal resiliency of our buses, and confirm the hard choices we made back in April. COVID is forcing all systems to be more resilient and adaptable," he wrote.

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.
New Delhi: Consumer electronics and gadgets accessory brand UBON has amped up its wireless portfolio with the launch of all new SP-43 Light Up Wireless Speaker.

The company offers 3 months warranty against manufacturing defects + 3 months extended warranty. The SP-43 Light Up Wireless Speaker is available on all leading e-commerce portals across the country at a price of Rs 1,999.

Powered by a 1200mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery the newly launched speaker offers massive hours of continuous playtime, a company statement said.

It Supports TF-card, FM & USB port function the speaker amplifies sound throughout the room. The speaker comes with the latest Wireless Version Support v5.0 and can be paired via Bluetooth to the soundtrack up to 10 m range. This set includes the portable speaker and a power cord.

Backed by massive 10 hours battery backup and double LED RGB lights and Belt SP-43 Wireless speaker has strong built, stylish design: featured with an innovative design of multi-colour LED lighting, control single colour or multi-colour lights while the speaker is on. This speaker is a perfect combination of modern design and hi-tech quality.

SP-43 Light Up Wireless Speaker offers premium HD sound on the power output of 5Ws.

This speaker is proudly Made-In-India and supports the mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Lalit Arora, Co-Founder, UBON said.
Sonu Sood has been a blazing ray of hope to the thousands of Indians who have benefitted from the mans noble public welfare efforts amid the pandemic outbreak. He has not only helped thousands of stranded people, but has also helped many land a job purely based on merit.

Now, to take things even further, and deliver on his promise to help out in any way possible, Sonu Sood has tied-up with a Noida-based apparel manufacturer to help as many as 20,000 workers with jobs and subsidised accommodation.

I am delighted to now offer accommodation for 20,000 migrated workers who have also been provided jobs in garment units in #Noida through @PravasiRojgar. With the support of #NAEC President Shri Lalit Thukral, we will work round the clock for this noble cause @lalit_thukral pic.twitter.com/XejomrrPaL  sonu sood (@SonuSood) August 24, 2020

Taken as a measure to help out not only jobless workers but also businesses and industries who have lost their workforce due to the mass migration of labourers amid the coronavirus outbreak, this initiative taken by the actor is nothing but incredible.

The accommodations are being made by Sonu through the Pravasi Rojgar portal he had launched to reconnect millions of jobless migrant workers with employers. Ahead of the festive season, the Noida Apparel Export Cluster (NAEC) approached Sonu last week seeking help with employing skilled workers.

 BCCL

When informed that confirmed housing for about 1,500 workers can be provided immediately, Sonu decided to launch this project. Now, NAEC along with the Noida and Greater Noida Authorities is trying to find more subsidised accommodations.



This is what Sonu told TOI about his latest initiative, "When I was sending off migrant workers, I always wondered whether they will come back to the big cities again. Gradually, I started getting feedback from many of them who were interested in getting back. But all of them aspired for better standards and living conditions. The workers stayed in highly unhygienic conditions, often in highly cramped rooms. I was looking for people and industrial bodies who were eager to do something more than giving employment to workers. I went through the NAEC's proposal and agreed to step in. For a start, helping 1,500 jobless workers is a great idea."

And obviously, people cannot stop appreciating his unceasing efforts and hard work:

I think we all should pay taxes to @SonuSood sir instead of government. Because he is only person who can use this money in right way.  Sagar Jaiswal (@SagarJayesh07) August 24, 2020

Sir you are great

Many few people are ther in this world like you. You are the only person whom I admire and I prey the almighty to give you a lot more than any other person in the world so that a needy person get help.

 maheshwar (@maheshwartanwar) August 24, 2020

All you write about is less. And if people like you continue to help in the same way, then there will be no poor left in the whole of India. You have always enjoyed happiness in this way, this is my prayer to God.  KUMAR ABHISHEK (@kumarabhishek9i) August 24, 2020

I wonder if you will ever look at my post. Love & respect always stay blessed bro. Amazing deeds accomplished. I had once said wen you have power use it the right way & you did exactly that leaving the comforts of your house during these hard times. A big salute. Jai hind.  carol james (@caroljames1302) August 24, 2020

Woooow amazing sir ur really doing a fab job and I really respect u like Our PM as he too want to progress india and u being an actor doing the same thing sir would love to see u once sir highly appreciated and salute to u .  Payal (@Payal65405101) August 24, 2020

ur doing exceptional work..this type of people are rarely present on this planet ... u have given smile in millions of peoples face... if u can why cant govt. keep it up man..  sunit chetry (@SunitChetry) August 25, 2020

Marvellous! U are from which Planet Sir? Amidst all the negative news of Bullywood , its a solace to see some great work and some empathy for the unknown people! Where own people of Bollywood don't support each other, U shine like the Rising Sun! May ur tribe grow  SDB@99 (@SDB991) August 24, 2020

India is grateful to have someone like you, Sonu.
Teachers have called for an urgent review in relation to children wearing face coverings in certain circumstances.

It comes following advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which states that children over the age of 12 should wear face masks, and children aged between six and 11 should wear coverings depending on how widespread the transmission of the virus is.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said it has written to Taoiseach Micheal Martin seeking clarity on the expert health advice relating to primary and special schools.

In a statement, INTO said the union sought clarity on a number of issues from Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly three weeks ago.

These issues included the wearing of face coverings and the approach to be taken by the HSE in a school in the event that a pupil or staff member tests positive for Covid-19, the union said.

INTO has reminded An Taoiseach that, as 100 children have tested positive in the last fortnight, it is vital that priority access to testing and tracing be made available to everyone in the education sector.

INTO has noted that the WHO is now recommending that children aged six and older wear face masks and, in that context, calls on government to urgently review the HPSC guidance in relation to children wearing face coverings in certain circumstances.

An advertisement for a school book supplier on the side of a bus in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

The union was promised in June that this guidance would be updated to reflect the changing situation in the context of Covid-19 epidemiology in Ireland.

A review was also promised in light of the experience of other jurisdictions whose schools reopened in May and June.

It comes as the phased reopening of schools began today.

Read More Covid-19 outbreak confirmed in Direct Provision centre in Limerick

Many primary and secondary schools are reopening this week and next week.

The president of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) has also raised concerns about teachers in high risk groups returning to schools.

Ann Piggott said she has received phone calls and letters over the past few weeks from extremely vulnerable teachers.

There are two groups, theres a very high risk group and a high risk group and a lot of people in the high risk group have very serious conditions, such as cancer, lung conditions, chronic kidney disease, or combinations of diabetes and chronic kidney diseases, and asthma, she told RTE.

While the teachers wish it were the perfect situation and they were perfectly able to go back to work, if they go back to work they are seriously in grave danger.

All thats open to them is that they could apply to occupational health service to have their situation looked at to see if it was possible for them to have alternative working arrangements.

The HSE guidelines states that people who are in a high risk group should stay home as much as possible, and they should work from home if theyre at high risk and they should practice social distancing.

We thought that a perfect solution would be if a vulnerable student who cant come to school who will be at home could be taught by the vulnerable teachers.

That would make sure that everybody is quite safe and were only talking about a very low percentage of teachers.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire criticised the Department of Education for what he described was their lack of consideration of students and staff with underlying health conditions

The partys spokesman for education also claimed that the roadmap for the reopening of schools and the departments guidance offers very little direction.

While small in percentage terms, in real terms many children will see their lives profoundly affected, and they are just as much entitled to a decent education as anyone else, Mr O Laoghaire said.

There is very little guidance on how they will be supported and it appears that much of the responsibility will fall on special education teachers.

These teachers will be pulled from pillar to post as it stands under the Governments plans and will be very stretched in attempting to provide education remotely on top of their existing duties.
The Dom Raja of Kashi, Jagdish Chaudhary, passed away on Tuesday following a long illness. Dom Rajas are the keepers of the sacred flames revered by Hindus, which is used at the Varanasi ghat for the cremation of bodies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mourned the demise of Chaudhary.

The Dom Raja of Kashi, Jagdish Chaudhary, passed away on Tuesday following a long illness. He was the most senior member of his family. Dom Rajas are the keepers of the sacred flames revered by Hindus, which is used at the Varanasi ghat for the cremation of bodies.

It is believed that the Dom community has been entrusted with the task since the time of Raja Harishchandra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mourned the demise of Chaudhary.

Also Read: Why not apologise if youve caused hurt, SC questions Bhushan as it reserves order on contempt plea

I am saddened by the death of Varanasis Dom Raja Jagdish Chaudhary ji. He was a keeper of the culture of Varanasi and traditions of Sanatan dharma. He worked for the welfare of the society his entire life. May his soul rest in peace and god may grant his family the strength to deal with this loss, Priem Minister Modi tweeted in Hindi.

Adityanath said his demise is a loss for the entire Indian society. The death of Dom Raja Jagdish Chaudhary is saddening. His death is a loss for the entire Indian society. I pray Baba Vishvanath to grant you a place in his Paramdham. Om Shanti, Adityanath tweeted. (ANI)

Also Read: India China standoff: Troops with shoulder fired air defence missiles deployed at LAC
A black Republican congressional candidate claimed that the Democrats take the black vote for granted and that Joe Biden believes 'we can't think for ourselves,' at the Republican National Convention last night.

Kim Klacik is running for office in Maryland's 7th Congressional district, a Democratic bulwark which was represented by the late Elijah Cummings for 23 years.

'Joe Biden believes we can't think for ourselves, that the color of someone's skin dictates their political views,' Klacik said in the segment broadcast at the RNC in Charlotte on Monday. 'We're not buying the lies anymore, you and your party have ignored us for too long.'

The black vote was crucial to Biden's victory in the Democratic primaries but several recent gaffes have been highlighted by conservatives who claim that neither Biden nor the party is truly concerned with the concerns of African-Americans.

Kim Klacik is running for office in Maryland's 7th Congressional district, a Democratic bulwark which was represented by the late Elijah Cummings for 23 years

In May, the former Vice President told rapper and radio host Charlamagne: 'If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black.'

And in an interview in late July, Biden made a clumsy contrast between the Latino and African-American communities.

Speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Biden said: 'Unlike the African American community, with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly different attitudes about different things.'

He later clarified his statement, tweeting: 'In no way did I mean to suggest the African American community is a monolith  not by identity, not on issues, not at all.'

Klacik, 38, continued her address on Monday night, saying: 'And yet, the Democrats still assume that black people will vote for them, no matter how much they let us down and take us for granted.

'Nope, we're sick of it and not going to take it anymore. The days of blindly supporting the Democrats are coming to an end.'

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden adjusts his protective face mask as he speaks during a campaign event in New Castle, Delaware, U.S., July 21, 2020

Democrats dont want you to see this.



Theyre scared that Im exposing what life is like in Democrat run cities.



Thats why Im running for Congress

Because All Black Lives Matter

Baltimore Matters

And black people dont have to vote Democrat

Help us win https://t.co/CSOjc9aQlS pic.twitter.com/XnEDTaDDIG  Kimberly Klacik (@kimKBaltimore) August 17, 2020

Klacik's campaign was given a boost last week when President Donald Trump shared one of her advertisements titled 'Black Lives Don't Matter to Democrats.'

In the film she rips the leaders of the Democrat-run city, asking: 'Do you care about black lives? The people that run Baltimore don't. I can prove it. Walk with me.'

She proceeds to lead the viewer on a walking tour of the city's poverty-ravaged neighborhoods where there is little business, save for corner liquor stores.

Klacik, described as a rising GOP star, is running again for the Maryland 7th District seat left vacant by the late Rep. Elijah Cummings after she lost the special election in April.

Klacik previously ran for the district's seat but lost the special election in April by almost 49 points to Rep. Kweisi Mfume, 71, a former president of the NAACP

It is a deeply Democratic seat and she lost her last attempt at it by 48.7 points. She does not live in the district but promised she would move there if she won.

Trump repeatedly attacked Cummings before his death in October 2019, and called Baltimore 'rat and rodent infested' and 'very dangerous and filthy.'

The 38-year-old is married to 54-year-old strip club manager and accountant Jeffrey Klacik, and lives in Middle River, in Baltimore County. She was born and brought up in Accokeek in southern Maryland and has never lived in Baltimore itself.

Kalcik is a member of the Baltimore County Republican party and has a Facebook page for a small non-profit to 'provide disadvantaged women with the tools needed to obtain a career and gain financial independence.'

In the video, Klacik also urges black residents to throw out Rep. Kweisi Mfume, 71, a former president of the NAACP who beat her in the special election to fill Cummings' seat after his death last year.

She lost the election by almost 49 points.

'Democrats think black people are stupid. They think they can control us forever, that we won't demand better and that we'll keep voting for them forever, despite what they've done to our families and our communities,' she says.

'All black lives matter. Our communities matter. Baltimore Matters. Black people don't have to vote Democrat,' Klacik concludes.

She won the GOP primary in early June to challenge Mfume again.

She hopes to achieve an upset in November despite her loss earlier this year in the majority black district.

Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 4-1 in the district, which includes a significant portion of the city of Baltimore and parts of Baltimore and Howard counties.

The diverse district includes areas of Baltimore that struggle with poverty and violent crime, and more affluent areas and such landmarks as Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Spain said Tuesday it will call in the army to try to help curb the spread of the coronavirus as parts of Europe and Asia battle new surges, while data from the UN health agency suggested the pace of transmission was easing in many parts of the world.

Governments have been ramping up efforts to contain the disease, which has claimed the lives of almost 814,000 people and infected at least 23 million since late last year.

World Health Organization data said fatality and infection rates were easing in most regions, notably in the hard-hit Americas, except Southeast Asia and the eastern Mediterranean.

In Africa, WHO regional director Matshidiso Moeti said new cases were declining after the continent passed "what seems to have been a peak".

But Health Minister Zweli Mkhize of hard-hit South Africa warned that "our biggest worry is whether in fact this is the first surge and there might be another one", pointing to the latest developments in Spain.

One of the worst affected countries in Europe, Spain is to use 2,000 soldiers trained in tracking to help regions identify those who have been exposed to infected people.

"We can't let the pandemic once again take control of our lives... we must take control and halt this second curve," said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Thousands of miles away, South Korea ordered the closure of all schools and kindergartens in the greater Seoul region and a return to online learning.

- 'Alarming emergence of mass infections' -

South Korea's move -- coupled with Mexico's launch Monday of a nationwide televised schooling programme -- underlined the effect on young people of a pandemic now dragging into its ninth month.

UN estimates say at least 60 percent of the global student population has been impacted by school closures across more than 140 countries.

The challenges of reopening schools safely were highlighted as the University of Alabama reported close to a thousand positive coronavirus tests since term started last week.

Story continues

Although fatality rates have been falling, the WHO said it recorded more than 1.7 million new coronavirus cases and some 39,000 new deaths in the week to August 23.

That represented however a five-percent decrease in new cases globally and a 12-percent drop in new deaths compared with the week before.

In some parts of the world, people feel too desperate to keep up the virus fight.

Still staggering from the effects of a massive detonation that devastated capital Beirut on August 4, Lebanese service sector businesses said they would defy a new lockdown order despite record case numbers.

Tony Ramy, who heads the syndicate of owners of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and pastry shops, urged owners to defy an "arbitrary and demagogic decision to close down" for two weeks.

In Gaza, the Hamas government of the Israeli-blockaded strip announced a 48-hour curfew after a cluster of cases was identified, prompting a rush on bakeries.

- Bolt in quarantine -

The latest high-profile case was sprint legend Usain Bolt, who was in quarantine Monday after undergoing a test for the virus that Jamaican media reported had come back positive.

The retired 100 and 200 metres world-record holder said on Twitter that he was "trying to be responsible" by going into isolation, but he did not confirm the result.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's son Flavio also tested positive, saying he was taking the anti-malaria drug chloroquine, even though medical studies have not found it to be effective against the virus.

But there was good news for actor Antonio Banderas who tweeted that he was "cured" after three weeks in isolation over his 60th birthday.

EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan meanwhile was battling for his job after accusations he ignored coronavirus restrictions to attend a golf society dinner in his home country Ireland.

"It is abundantly clear that the event should not have been held and that I should not have attended," Hogan wrote.

Months of lockdowns to stem the virus spread have seen millions lose their jobs and swathes of businesses shut their doors amid fears of a second wave.

On Tuesday, American Airlines said it would lay off around 19,000 workers on October 1 if US lawmakers fail to vote through new support for the limping sector.

Earlier, Australian airline Qantas had said it would cut almost 2,500 more jobs on top of 6,000 already announced, while Finnair said it would slash 1,000 posts.

And Virgin Atlantic said its creditors had approved a rescue worth 1.2-billion ($1.6 billion or 1.3 billion euros).

The drug is being tested on 48 healthy people aged between 18 and 55, the company said, hailing "an important milestone" in the fight against COVID-19.

ds-bur/tgb/jj
Turkeys giant offshore natural gas discovery of 320 billion cubic meters (bcm) in the Black Sea is worth $80 billion in line with current price trends, the International Energy Agency's (IEA) head Fatih Birol said.



The discovery is considered a giant find in international terms and by comparison is equal to all Norway's discoveries in the North Sea since 2010, Birol told Anadolu Agency.



He stressed its importance for Turkey, a country that is 99% dependent on gas imports, commenting that it would help Turkey reduce its current account deficit and natural gas import bill.



On the other hand, Birol said an investment of approximately $6 billion is necessary to start production from the field, which is targeted for 2023.



According to the IEA head, this ambitious 2023 target is not impossible, as it has been done with other gas discoveries but only provided its investment is prioritized and official procedures are dealt with promptly.



This will help Turkey to reduce its import bill but it does not totally solve its trade deficit problems, Birol cautioned.



He noted that Turkey could benefit from cooperation negotiations with oil service and engineering companies, as many have seen major layoffs in the oil and gas industry, which has suffered from a 50% year-on-year drop in investments in 2020.



"Thousands of people working in oil service and engineering companies are unemployed, as there is no investment in this field. Thus, Turkeys discovery came at a very good time to allow the country to be very strong in potential cooperation negotiations with these companies," Birol said.



He also advised that Turkey gain more experience in the offshore industry and related technologies.



"This experience and know-how could give Turkey the opportunity to build offshore wind projects like Denmark and Norway," the EIA head said.

Birols remarks come after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday announced the biggest gas discovery in Turkeys history. The gas field is located at a depth of 2,100 meters below the seabed in the Sakarya Gas Field, located around 170 kilometers off the Black Sea coast.



The gas field could come on stream as soon as 2023, Erdogan said, stressing that Turkey was determined to become a net energy exporter.
Jerry Russells current employer asks herself a question often: How could anyone let Jerry go? That notion comes from Donna Purnomo, who hired Jerry as a dishwasher for her restaurant in 2006 after he was fired from the same position at Golden Corral, on Central Avenue in Albany. While having star chefs and flashy bartenders are crucial to the success of a restaurant, the real meter of success comes from having unseen staff like dishwashers who can always be relied upon.

Russell started working in restaurants as a dishwasher 24 years ago, after moving to Albany from his home state of Alabama. At 63 years old, Russell said that with age comes patience and that has translated well to working the dish station for both Yonos and its adjoining sibling, dp: An American Brasserie, which are both owned by the Purnomo family on Albanys Chapel Street. Be patient, because you can always learn something new, he said, adding that the combination of patience and hard work have helped him maintain his position for so long. Once you get good at a job, its best to hold onto it, he said.

The daily grind of a restaurant can be treacherous, with long hours on ones feet and the crush of time weighing down on every action that is taken. A slow night can impede employee morale and disrupt the constant flow of the kitchen; a busy night can create havoc if the calculated system of service, orders, prep, stocking, cooking, expediting and cleaning is not tuned to perfection. Much of that falls on the dishwasher, who is responsible for everything from bussing tables to pre-service food preparation to keeping dishes stocked and sanitized and making sure the chefs have the equipment they need, clean and within reach. Dishwashers are often viewed as unskilled, entry-level labor earning minimum wage, assigned to high school kids and the otherwise unemployable, but many in the restaurant field say that the dishwasher is the best way to get into the business, and Anthony Bourdain had said that being a dishwasher taught him, every important lesson of my life. Famed chef Rene Redzepi of Noma, in Copenhagen, named his dishwasher his business partner in 2017, after 14 years of working together, saying the longtime employee was the "heart and soul" of the restaurant.

Purnomo summed Russells contribution to the restaurant in a single word: Valuable. She said that his integrity and work ethic are beyond dependable, and Russells guidance of younger dishwashers is a reason why there is so little turnover in that position at her restaurants.

Me and the machine get along really well. The machine doesnt talk back to you if you do something wrong, Russell said. The ability to simply come to work each day and focus on the task at hand is appealing to Russell and why he has been in his position for so long. Jerry has his own way of doing things. We dont mess with Jerrys station, said Purnomo. Russell said the hidden talents of the job include being detail-oriented and methodical in the process and operations. Knowing how to create efficiency and safety is paramount - everything from protecting expensive glassware to ensuring that dinner detritus doesnt splash into the food stations when hosing off plates and pans.

Read the first story from this series, on Mark Bowman from 677 Prime, here.

Other tricks that Russell imparts to fledgling dishwashers include predicting the needs of each chef and knowing what dishes and cookware they require so that they can quickly prepare meals for customers. He credits green scrubbers and Bar Keepers Friend cleaning products as his special tools of his trade. They will save a lot of elbow grease, he said.

Jerry is a very graceful man, said Purnomo. Former colleague Maria Gallo agrees. Gallo was a server at Yonos and said that Russell was a calming presence even in the most harried moments. Its not always an easy environment to consistently exude patience and kindness. Ive never heard him yell or chastise anyone. There was never an unkind tone, Gallo said. She recalls him as an earth angel, and said he was always the first to step in to help when someone was in the weeds.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

"If you ask the right people you get the right answers," Russell said.

Russell said the only thing that COVID-19 has changed in his work is the hours, as he is working shorter days as a result of fewer people dining out. One shift across his career is that there are now more women working in kitchens, which affects his job. Women are tidier and more gentle in their approach to kitchen operations, Russell said, and their level of cleanliness has reduced his workload. Women also tend to remain calm in stressful situations which creates a more hospitable environment in the kitchen.

Russell said he has no plans to retire and enjoys the work. I like getting paid every week instead of every other week, he joked. But part of the draw of the job is the connection he has with his co-workers and employers. Weve grown to be a family, he said.

Three Purnomos is a lot of Purnomos to deal with, said Purnomo, who runs the restaurants with her husband Yono and son Dominick, but notes that Russell takes it all in stride. Without a good dishwasher, she said, everything just falls apart. I have peace of mind to know he will be here. With Jerry, I dont have to worry about it, Purnomo said.

Deanna Fox is a food and agriculture journalist. www.foxonfood.com, @DeannaNFox
WASHINGTON (AP)  Republicans this week are focused squarely on their convention's star, President Donald Trump, and securing his reelection in November. But there's also plenty of angling for what  or who  comes next.

Beyond the speeches, the spin and the stagecraft, the Republican National Convention is casting light on the early maneuvering that is already underway to determine the future of the party after Trump and who will emerge as its 2024 nominee.

Theres a lot happening behind the scenes already," said Republican strategist Alex Conant, who worked for the 2016 campaign of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Still, he said the contest won't begin in earnest until after November, when the electorate decides whether Trump will go down in history as a one-term fluke or the founder of a new Republican Party.

The convention lineup includes a long list of potential future candidates, most notably Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations, who spoke Monday night, and Vice President Mike Pence, who will speak Wednesday. Also allotted time slots: Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Florida Sen. Rick Scott and Donald Trump Jr.

Many are expecting a 2024 repeat of 2016, which drew a massive field of senators, governors and former party officials  along with a reality TV star few took seriously at the time.

This time, Mike Pence and Nikki Haley are, by far, the two greatest fan favorites out there, says Scott Walker, the former governor of Wisconsin and himself a 2016 candidate. "Theres others out there, but nobody else is even close in that stratosphere.

Much will depend on whether Trump secures a second term. If he loses, it could open the door to critics like Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a moderate who voiced alarm at Trump's handling of the coronavirus and recently wrote a book and launched a new national advocacy group promoting bipartisan, common-sense solutions.

On the other end of the spectrum is Pence, who has spent years serving as Trump's most loyal solider. His allies are keenly aware that the former Indiana governor's political future will hinge on whether Trump wins in November, and they have been laser-focused on that goal.

Story continues

Pence has embarked on an aggressive campaign schedule that has included 73 trips to more than two dozen states since October. And he has been holding calls with conservative groups like the Susan B. Anthony List and Heritage Foundation, in addition to sitting for a whopping 152 regional interviews.

If Trump does win in November, it is unclear how another four years would affect Pence's standing and whether he has the charisma or star power to carry the president's base on his own. One donor has quipped that Pence carries all of Trumps baggage without carrying many of Trump's supporters.

At the same time, buzz has been growing about Haley, the rare official who managed to emerge from the Trump administration with her reputation intact and arguably lifted. Since her departure, she has been trying to keep a careful balance, maintaining some independence from the president while not directly drawing his ire.

In her convention speech Monday night, Haley gave an unabashed endorsement of the president while spending time introducing herself to viewers.

I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. They came to America and settled in a small Southern town, she said. My father wore a turban. My mother wore a sari. I was a brown girl in a black and white world.

That background could make for a compelling candidate at a moment when the American electorate is getting younger and more diverse. Haley also would be able to make the case to voters that she has the needed background as a chief executive and on national security.

Regardless of the outcome of the election, conservatives and Republicans are going to regard Nikki Haley as one of the most talented messengers for the cause anywhere across the country, said Rob Godfrey, who served as a spokesperson for Haley when she was South Carolina governor.

Since stepping down as U.N. ambassador, Haley has been a frequent presence on the stump for incumbent Republican Senate candidates in battleground states. Among those shes campaigned for: Iowas Joni Ernst, North Carolina's Thom Tillis and Colorado's Cory Gardner.

This opportunity has given her a chance to make a lot of friends, said Godfrey. Those friends are activists in early primary states. Those are friends with donors all around the country that she can call on going forward for whatever she may want to do.

That's the kind of work would-be candidates have been doing behind the scenes: building relationships, getting to know donors, conservatives and early-state leaders, and trying to build their national profiles.

But whether the president wins or loses, Trump will loom large, having transformed the party from the mold of Ronald Reagan and the Bush family to a nationalist, populist movement fueled by white resentment.

You cant take the Wayback Machine to four years ago and pick up the policies of four years ago. You also cant say youre just going to do the opposite of what Trump does," said James Carafano, a national security analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation.

Historian Douglas Brinkley said he sees little chance of Trump moving out of the spotlight whenever he vacates the office.

Donald Trump will never go gentle into the night," he said. Just because he loses doesn't mean that that's the end of the Trump phenomenon in American politics. And it will be very hard for a Republican to get the nomination without Trump's endorsement in 2024, unless, he said, Trump winds up so mired in legal trouble that he becomes a pariah.

Washington, for its part, is preparing for another round of intrigue.

Maybe the public isnt ready for it, but certainly junkies in both the media and politics are ready," said Walker. They dont want to look past 2020, but theyre excited.

___

Madhani reported from Chicago. Associated Press writer Steve Peoples in New York contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 15:39:57|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

SUVA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Fiji reported Tuesday its second COVID-19 death, a 61-year-old man who returned to the nation on a repatriation flight from Sacramento, the United States, on Aug. 6.

Fiji's Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary James Fong confirmed the death on Tuesday, saying that the patient, who had been in border quarantine where he tested positive for COVID-19, died on Monday night.

"When his condition got a bit worse, he was transferred to the isolation unit at Lautoka Hospital for specialized care. Despite the best care of our health care professionals, he sadly passed away last night at the Lautoka Hospital intensive care," he said.

Fong stressed that the latest fatality does not pose a risk to the public.

Fiji's first COVID-19 death was a 66-year-old man who died at the Lautoka Hospital on July 31.

The man had returned to Fiji from India after receiving surgical treatment for long-standing cardiac condition.

Fiji had reported a total of 18 COVID-19 patients since it confirmed its first case on March 19, and all of them have fully recovered before June 5. But Fiji has reported a number of border quarantine cases since July 6.

Fiji has conducted more than 4,500 COVID-19 tests since January.

Currently, Fiji still maintains a nationwide curfew effective from March 30 this year. Enditem
For most young Chinese people, the Qixi Festival, which celebrates the annual gathering of the mythological Cowherd and Weaver Girl, has become a romantic occasion for expressing their affection to their beloved ones. But do you know the origins of this traditional Chinese festival? Is it really the Chinese version of Valentines Day? What do people usually do on this unique occasion? Please join us to explore the fun facts and mythology behind the Qixi festival!

Origins

The festival originated from the tale of The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, one of the four most famous pieces of ancient Chinese folklore. The earliest known reference to this famous myth dates back to over 2,600 years ago, and was told in a poem from the Classic of Poetry.

The story tells of the love between Zhinu (the Weaver Girl, symbolizing Vega) and Niulang (the Cowherd, symbolizing Altair). As the most capable weaver fairy in heaven, Zhinus love for Niulang, a mortal, enraged the gods, who separated the couple with the Silver River (symbolizing the Milky Way). Although the gods were consumed with fury, the couples love did win some of their sympathy, and they allowed the two to meet over the Silver River once a year. On the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, a flock of magpies would form a bridge so that the lovers could be reunited.

As far back as the Han Dynasty, the practices of the festival were conducted in accordance with formal ceremonial state rituals. Over time, the festival activities also came to include customs practiced by the common people. Though it originated in China, the Qixi Festival inspired the Tanabata festival in Japan, Chilseok festival in Korea, and That Tich festival in Vietnam.

Literature

This beautiful tale of forbidden love has been passed down from generation to generation in China for thousands of years, inspiring Chinese writers, artists and poets to create countless masterpieces on the subject. Since the Zhou Dynasty in the 11th century B.C., poems, popular songs and operas depicting the Qixi Festivals atmosphere and activities have left us valuable resources with which to better understand how the ancient Chinese celebrated the festival and exactly what they thought about it.

One well-known example comes from the famous Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu, who wrote a poem called An Autumn Night to celebrate the Qixi Festival:

 A candle flame flickers against a dull painted screen on a cool autumn night,

 She holds a small silk fan to flap away dashing fireflies.

 Above her hang celestial bodies as frigid as deep water,

 She sat there watching Altair of Aquila and Vega of Lyra pining for each other in the sky.

(Translated by Betty Tseng)

Tradition

Romantic as it sounds, the festival was not originally aimed at lovers, but a festival for girls to demonstrate their domestic skills and to worship the Weaver Girl for her wisdom. Traditionally, girls would take part in worshiping the celestials during rituals, and go to local temples to pray to the Weaver Girl. Paper items were usually burned as offerings, and the girls would recite traditional prayers to bring dexterity in needle work, which in ancient China symbolized the talents and virtues of a good spouse.

Sometimes, contests were held to see who was the best at threading needles under low-light conditions, such as the glow of a half-moon. On this day, Chinese would gaze into the sky to look for Vega and Altair shining in the Milky Way. If it rained on the festival, it meant the couple had been moved to tears by their precious reunion.

In some places, people would build a four-meter-long bridge with large incense sticks and decorate it with colorful flowers. After the proper ritual was observed, the bridge would be burned to bring happiness.

Modern celebration

In modern times, businessmen in China have used the opportunity to market the festival as Chinas Valentines Day, turning it into a highly profitable annual shopping festival.

According to a Xinhua report in 2019, on Alibaba's two major e-commerce platforms Tmall and Taobao, sales of Qixi gifts reached their peak a week before the festival, registering an increase of 118 percent from the previous year. Among them, domestic products were most popular, with sales of traditional Han clothing jumping by 184 percent, while Chinese rouge, an ancient-style blush, saw its sales up over 37 percent from a year earlier.

Compared with the Wests Valentine's Day, data showed that Chinese couples prefer to celebrate Qixi in a more traditionally Chinese way.

A report on the consumption habits of the 2018 Qixi festival published by online food delivery platform Meituan said 42 percent of food consumption on Qixi in 2018 was spent on Chinese cuisine, while on the Western Valentine's Day, it was 35 percent.
The Gujarat High Court on Monday allowed a Pakistani national, who was acquitted in a fake currency case, to go back to his home country and asked authorities to complete formalities for his return. A division bench of Justices Sonia Gokani and NV Anjaria directed the Railway police in Surat city to issue the Pakistani man, Sajjad Burhanuddin Vora, a no objection certificate (NOC) for him to obtain the required exit permit.

The bench disposed of a habeas corpus plea moved by the Pakistani High Commission while directing the Superintendent of Police, Surat Railway police, to issue him the NOC by August 29 for him to travel to his country. A habeas corpus plea is a petition filed to ensure a person under arrest is brought before a court to determine if the detention is legal.

The court also directed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to issue the exit permit and also waive all leviable fees of overstay, among other things, within a period of seven days from the date of NOC. Vora, a resident of Karachi, was in 2016 found in possession of fake demonetised currency notes by the Surat Railways police when he was on way to Mumbai along with his relatives to attend a religious function, police had said.

He was later acquitted in the case by a local court in Surat, which, however, did not allow him to leave India as the appeal against his acquittal moved by the state government in the High Court was pending. The HC had in July 2019 dismissed the appeal. However, the local police refused to give him an NOC without which his return to Pakistan was not possible as the FRRO asked for the document.

In its order on August 17, the Supreme Court also dismissed an appeal against his acquittal moved by the state government. Through his lawyer Aum Kotwal, Vora had last month approached the High Court seeking its direction to the police to issue him NOC. The Pakistan High Commission later filed a habeas corpus petition in the court, saying Vora was being held against his will.
India and Bangladesh are set to operationalise a new riverine trade route on September 3, when a Bangladeshi vessel will transport a cargo of cement to Tripura as part of efforts to boost connectivity between the two countries.

The route connecting Sonamura in Tripura to Daudkandi in Bangladesh is being operationalised under an agreement signed by the two sides in May to boost riverine trade by adding two new routes and five more ports in order to improve connectivity to Indias north-eastern states and reduce transportation costs.

Following discussions between the Inland Water Authority of India and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, the first pilot movement on the 93-km Daudkandi-Sonamura route is expected to be conducted on September 3, people familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity.

The Bangladeshi vessel MV Premier will carry 50 metric tonnes of cement from Premier Cement Ltd of Bangladesh to Tripura via Gumti River, the people said. Customs formalities will be completed at the land customs station at Srimantapur-Bibirbazar, they added.

The new route will facilitate bilateral trade with improved reliability and cost effectiveness for the business community, said one of the people cited above.

India and Bangladesh signed the Protocol for Inland Water Trade and Transit in 1972 for inland waterways connectivity between the two sides for bilateral trade and to improve connectivity to Indias north-eastern states. The protocol was expanded with the signing of a second addendum on May 20 that added two new routes and five ports of call to takes the total number of routes to 10 and ports of call to 11.

During fiscal 2019-20, about 3.5 million metric tonnes of cargo were transported via the inland waterways.

The connectivity provided by the existing and the newly added routes is all the more pertinent amid the Covid-19 crisis as it will be key to economical, faster, safer and greener transportation for the business communities of both countries, the person said.

The other new route  Rajshahi-Dhulian-Rajshahi  will help augment infrastructure in Bangladesh and reduce the cost of transporting goods such as stone chips to northern Bangladesh. It is also expected to decongest land customs stations on both sides.

The new riverine trade route is being operationalised against the backdrop of Indias concerted efforts to boost economic aid and connectivity with key neighbours amid the border standoff with China.

Last month, India handed over 10 railway locomotives to Bangladesh, reflecting a renewed focus on its neighbourhood first policy. This came close on the heels of the first cross-border container train reaching Bangladesh with 50 containers of FMCG goods and fabrics and the first trans-shipment of container cargo from Kolkata to Agartala in the landlocked north-eastern region via Bangladeshs Chattogram port.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
An angry local has clashed with dozens of cops in a Melbourne park as they arrived to break up a group exercise session during the COVID-19 Stage 4 lockdown.

One man filmed his expletive-laden rant in which he described mask-wearing police officers as 'Nazi dogs' and accused them of cashing in on the pandemic.

In the short clip, a convoy of about nine police vehicles were seen pulling up to George Andrew reserve on Monday, which was slammed as 'excessive force' by the man filming.

Melbourne's strict Stage 4 lockdown currently limits outdoor exercise to one hour per day and within a 5km radius of a person's home.

'Wake up you Nazi dogs, you are f****** Victoria Police you are not f****** Nazis!' the man tells the cops.

A Dandenong man labelled Victoria Police 'Nazi dogs' after dozens of officers descended on a park where people were exercising during the COVID-19 Stage 4 lockdown (pictured)

The angry resident, along with a number of other locals, confronted the officers after witnessing the squad cars pull into the park.

'Look at this? For what, for ten kids around here doing exercise, they are kids mate! Wake up to yourselves,' he said.

He accused them of wasting tax payers money and state resources before asking if they 'feel great' about themselves while people around them had 'lost everything'.

'We lost our jobs, you have your jobs, we lost our homes, you have your homes,' the man said.

'You got a pay rise because of us mate!'

Victoria Police received close to a three percent pay rise after agreeing to a new deal with the State Government in December, 2019.

The Dandenong local became increasingly agitated after one of the officers told him 'we are all in this together'.

The man claimed it was an excessive show of force from VIC Police just to address a crowd of ten young people who were exercising at the George Andrews reserve on Monday

After officers forced the man and others from the park (pictured) he chastised them saying they were acting like Nazis, not Victoria Police, before telling the cops to 'go f*** yourselves'

While leaving the area he called the cops 'Nazi police' one last time before telling them to go 'f*** yourselves'.

The video has been viewed more than 124,000 times with a large number of Facebook users praising the man's actions.

'Good on you bro you spoke so well! Love your courage I don't blame your anger,' one user wrote.

'Disgraceful. Leave them alone they are exercising. So many police for what, a few guys who live around there, what the hell,' another added.

But not everyone agreed with the Dandenong man's approach.

'Bogan at his best they should lock him up and throw away the key, think the boys in blue are being very tolerant,' one user replied.

'This is not the way to protest, the police do an amazing job and should be treated with respect,' another user wrote.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Victoria Police for comment regarding the confrontation.

Under Stage 4 restrictions Melbourne residents can only leave their homes for four reasons, to buy essential items like groceries, for care or to give care, exercise and work (a police officer pictured in Melbourne's empty CBD during lockdown)

Under Stage 4 restrictions Melbourne residents can only leave their homes for four reasons, to buy essential items like groceries, for care or to give care, exercise and work.

There is also a nightly curfew from 8pm until 5am.

Meanwhile Victoria has recorded 148 new cases of coronavirus and eight more deaths, taking the state's death toll to 438 and the national figure to 525.

The figures come as the political stoush ramps up over a proposed 12-month extension to Victoria's state of emergency to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

At present, the declaration can only run for six months and will expire on September 13 along with Melbourne's Stage 4 lockdown and regional Victoria's Stage 3 rules.

Victoria premier Dan Andrews said his government won't be able to dictate guidelines such as mandatory mask use and isolation rules without a 12-month extension.

'We've got to protect public health, there can be no economic rebuilding until we fix this problem,' he told reporters.
US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad strongly condemned on Friday the recent attack in Kabul that killed Abdul Baqi Amin, the director of the Scientific Council of the Afghan Ministry of Education who was also one of the negotiators at talks with the Taliban in Doha

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st August, 2020) US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad strongly condemned on Friday the recent attack in Kabul that killed Abdul Baqi Amin, the director of the Scientific Council of the Afghan Ministry of education who was also one of the negotiators at talks with the Taliban in Doha.

Amin participated in several high-level meetings with the Taliban, where a reduction of violence and women's rights were discussed. The official was killed on Wednesday in Kabul after a bomb planted in his car detonated. The attack came less than a week after an incident involving Fawzia Koofi, a member of the Afghan government's peace negotiation team, received minor injuries after being attacked by a group of people in Kabul.

"We condemn this terrorist act and offer our condolences to his family, friends and the Afghan people who yearn for peace.

The right tribute to Dr Amin is for all sides to reduce violence and immediately start intra-Afghan negotiations. There is no legitimate reason for delay," Khalilzad tweeted.

The envoy called Amin's death "tragic" and said that he was killed at the hands of "spoilers who seek to delay and derail Afghan peace."

According to media, the attacks on negotiators and right activists in recent months are aimed at intimidating the Afghan people in the run up to the intra-Afghan talks.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

The security situation in Afghanistan remains tense. Earlier in August, the Kabul administration agreed to free the remaining 400 Taliban prisoners, which is expected to pave a way for intra-Afghan talks under the US-Taliban peace deal.
Pupils from Bloomfield Collegiate School Belfast are back at school today for the first time since March

More than half of teachers in Northern Ireland don't feel prepared to return to their school or college as they reopen to all pupils this week, a survey has suggested.

The NASUWT teachers' union said 58% of those surveyed felt unprepared for the resumption of schools while 89% were stressed and anxious about returning to their school.

A further 77% of teachers admitted that they don't feel it is safe or are unsure if it is safe for pupils to return to school.

Meanwhile, 46% expressed little or no confidence that their school or college will be as safe as possible when they return.

The survey found that 61% of teachers have not been consulted on risk assessments undertaken in their school or college.

The union said there is also a lack of clarity of around provision of PPE equipment, with 31% of teachers not knowing if their school has adequate supplies of hot water and soap, while 19% say there is not enough.

Justin McCamphill, NASUWT National Official for Northern Ireland said the fact that three quarters of teachers don't feel their school is safe for pupils to return is "very concerning".

"Teachers and school leaders have worked hard to prepare their schools for young people to return, yet 61% of teachers have not been consulted on risk assessments undertaken in their school or college," he said.

"Ministers and school employers must do more to reassure the school workforce, parents and pupils that everything possible is being done to minimise viral spread, and that robust procedures are in place should any outbreaks occur."

On Friday, the NASUWT was among six unions who warned MLAs on Stormont's education committee that a "rushed reopening" of schools could result in the "next care home crisis".

Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle, the Assembly committee chair, says staff must be given the resources and support needed to restart schools safely and the Education Minister Peter Weir still needs to provide clarity in many areas.

"The Minister must expedite the allocation of funding for a number of issues including school cleaning, hygiene materials, additional teaching and non-teaching staff to minimise pupil-staff rations, school adaptations and to create the possibility of remote learning when necessary.

"There must also be urgent clarity around the curriculum specification for this academic year, the need for face coverings and the provision of a helpline for principals and parents to receive detailed guidance when needed," he said.
DENVER, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CenturyLink, one of the nation's leading technology companies, today announced a partnership with Bark Technologies, an award-winning content monitoring and screen time management service that protects more than 5 million children and is used in more than 2,300 school districts nationwide. The Bark/CenturyLink partnership will focus on promoting Bark's online safety solutions to millions of existing subscribers and non-customers alike.

With many kids heading back to school virtually across the country, CenturyLink and Bark are reinforcing the need for a more secure internet at a time when families need it most. Anyone  not just subscribers  who visits the CenturyLink website will have the opportunity to take advantage of a 30-day free trial of Bark's signature monitoring and screen time management service, followed by a 20% discount for life on any of Bark's safety packages.

"We're excited to partner with Bark to provide online safety for children and families," said Stephanie Polk, CenturyLink vice president of customer advocacy. "The service monitors texts, emails, YouTube and more than 30 different social media platforms for signs of potential issues like cyberbullying, adult content, online predators and more. Bark is a safety net and an essential toolkit I use with my own family. The easy-to-use parental controls manage screen time and filter websites so parents can have peace of mind while their children are online on any device."

Bark's artificial intelligence (AI) has been instrumental in detecting issues and alerting families to numerous dangers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Over a three-month period, the company analyzed more than 600 million messages from the 30+ apps it monitors and found a number of alarming trends in children's online behavior. These stats include a 23% increase in online predation, a 63% rise in severe hate speech, and an 11% jump in messages with sexual content. Bark's unique design sends alerts only when potential issues arise  without giving full access to children's online accounts. This builds trust among families and preserves kids' privacy.

"We are incredibly excited about our partnership with CenturyLink," said Bark founder and CEO Brian Bason. "Not only will we be able to help protect more kids online, but we are also giving families an even greater level of confidence when it comes to parenting in a digital world."

CenturyLink's expansive reach of approximately 450,000 global fiber route miles, 170,000 on-net buildings, and 100 edge compute nodes combined with Bark's extensive AI, will now help place online safety at a level that is commensurate with their groundbreaking speed.

For more information about the partnership, visit www.bark.us/centurylink .

About CenturyLink

CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL ) is a technology leader delivering hybrid networking, cloud connectivity, and security solutions to customers around the world. Through its extensive global fiber network, CenturyLink provides secure and reliable services to meet the growing digital demands of businesses and consumers. CenturyLink strives to be the trusted connection to the networked world and is focused on delivering technology that enhances the customer experience. Visit news.centurylink.com for more information.

About Bark

Bark helps families manage and protect their children's digital lives. The award-winning service monitors 30+ of the most popular apps and social media platforms for signs of issues like cyberbullying, suicidal ideation, online predators, threats of violence, and more. Bark's web filtering and screen time management tools also empower families to set healthy limits around the websites and apps their kids can access and when they can visit them. After the tragic shooting in Parkland, Florida, Bark extended its suite of online safety services to all K-12 public and private schools in the U.S.  at no cost to them or their communities  and is trusted by more than 2,300 school districts nationwide. Visit www.bark.us to learn more.

SOURCE Bark Technologies

Related Links

bark.us


By ANI

NEW DELHI: Evergreen star Preity Zinta on Tuesday praised Vidyut Jammwal starrer action-drama 'Khuda Haafiz' and said its worth watching.

Sharing a selfie of herself while watching the movie, the actor wrote on Twitter: "Just saw Khuda Haafiz & I must confess that I was very impressed by @VidyutJammwal (Vidyut Jammwal) and the entire cast n crew"

The 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' actor also praised the writer and director of the flick, Faruk Kabir.

"I really enjoyed the movie. Action, Drama, Romance - It's all there. Check it out folks. It's worth watching," the 45-year-old actor added.

Just saw Khuda Haafiz & I must confess that I was very impressed by @VidyutJammwal & the entire cast n crew Great work by Faruk Kabir. I really enjoyed the movie. Action, Drama, Romance - Its all there. Check it out folks. Its worth watching. Congrats @disneyplusHSVIP #Ting pic.twitter.com/D4BFJ1p8j8  Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) August 25, 2020

Last week, superstar Hrithik Roshan too heaped praises on the action-drama movie and urged people to watch it.

Sharing about what had kept the actor hooked, he said in a video, "There are many things about the movie that had kept me hooked, but if you are a Vidyut fan like my mom is.. you have to add 'Khuda Haafiz' on your watch list."

Produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak, the movie features Vidyut Jammwal and Shivaleeka Oberoi in lead roles.

'Khuda Haafiz' also features Annu Kapoor, Aahana Kumra, and Shiv Pandit in supporting roles. The movie was released on August 14 on Hotstar VIP.
By rewriting the Constitution, the Rajapaksa's grip on power will strengthen as the country will return to its previous Constitutional status, in which the President could head Ministries, appoint and dismiss Ministers, appoint officials for the Police, Judiciary and public service and dissolve Parliament at any time after one year.





by S. Binodkumar Singh





As expected, in the very first meeting of the new Cabinet, held on August 19, 2020, the Sri Lanka Government decided to abolish the 19th Amendment and to bring in the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told reporters,









The Cabinet decided to repeal the 19th Amendment and we will bring in the 20th Amendment. However, we will carry forward some good things from the 19th Amendment to the 20th Amendment. Under the 19th Amendment right to information was made a fundamental right and this will be safeguarded.





Co-Cabinet spokesman Udaya Gammanpila added further,





Whatever the positive features of the 19th Amendment will remain, but what they are, it is yet to be decided. Today the Justice Minister [Ali Sabry] was empowered to look into it and he will tell the Cabinet from his perspective what should be kept. Then we will decide what to repeal and what to keep.





Commenting on the 20th Amendment, he stated that we cant comment on what will be included in it yet, but asserted that the Government was keen to fix the errors of the 19th Amendment as soon as possible.





The Cabinet appointed a five-member sub-committee to formulate the 20th Amendment. The members of the sub-committee include Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Justice Minister Ali Sabry and Energy Minisster Udaya Gammanpila. The sub-committee is to submit their observation to the Cabinet. According to reports, Justice Minister Ali Sabry has been empowered to study the 19th Amendment and make recommendations to the Cabinet regarding which elements should be carried forward into the 20th Amendment.





It is pertinent to recall that the then Government of Mahinda Rajapaksa had approved the 18th Amendment on September 8, 2010, according to which:

the President can seek re-election any number of times

the 10-member Constitutional Council was replaced with a five-member Parliamentary Council

independent commissions were brought under the authority of the President

the President was enabled to attend Parliament once in three months and entitled to all the privileges, immunities and powers of a Member of Parliament, other than the entitlement to vote.

Before the introduction of the 18th Amendment the President could seek re-election only twice.





The 'reformist' Ranil Wickremesinghe-led Government, which came in power in 2015, argued that the 19th Amendment was needed to correct the power imbalance created by the 18th. On April 28, 2015, it introduced the19th Amendment to the Constitution, prominently including:

reduction of the term of office of the President from 6 years to 5 years.

re-introduction of the two-term limit on the number of terms a person can hold office as President

the President no longer had the power to remove the Prime Minister at his discretion

the President was required to act on the advice of the Prime Minister when appointing or removing from office any Cabinet Minister, Non-Cabinet Minister or Deputy Minister

provided for a Constitutional Council consisting of seven Members of Parliament and three eminent persons

Moreover, on December 29, 2015, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe appointed a 24-member Public Representations Committee on Constitutional Reforms (PRCCR) composed of academics, lawyers, civil society representatives and politicians of minority parties, to gather public opinion on Constitutional amendments. The PRCCR began collecting grassroots public opinion on January 18, 2016, and completed its work across the country on February 29, 2016. Some 5,000 proposals for constitutional change, both written and oral were presented. Finally, on March 9, 2016, the Sri Lankan Parliament unanimously, without a vote, approved the change of the Parliament into a Constitutional Assembly (CA) to draft a new Constitution for the island nation. The new Constitution was expected to replace the executive President-headed Constitution adopted in 1978, which invested broad executive powers in the office of the President.The new Constitution was expected to abolish the executive Presidency and replace it with a Parliamentary system.





Meanwhile, Rajapaksas opposed the 19th amendment on following grounds:

the 19th amendment sought to weaken the power of the presidency which the 18th amendment had greatly expanded

the 19th amendment curtailed presidential powers and limited the president to two terms

the 19th amendment violated the rights of people and was introduced with the aim of "taking revenge from the Rajapaksas"

the 19th amendment prevented dual citizens from contesting elections as at that time, Gotabaya and Basil Rajapaksa were dual citizens of the US and Sri Lanka

Rajapaksa vowed to repeal the 19th Amendment if voted back to power. Indeed, in his Policy Statement at the opening session of the 9th Parliament on August 20, 2020, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa asserted,





The basis of the success of a democratic state is its constitution. Our Constitution, which has been amended 19 times, from its inception in 1978, has many ambiguities and uncertainties, presently resulting in confusion. As the people have given us the mandate we wanted for a constitutional amendment, our first task will be to remove the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. After that, all of us will get together to formulate a new constitution suitable for the country. In this, the priority will be given to the concept of one country, one law for all the people.

He elaborated further,





An unstable Parliament that cannot take firm decisions and succumbs to extremist influences very often is not suitable for a country. While introducing a new constitution, it is essential to make changes to the current electoral system. While retaining the salutary aspects of the proportional representation system, these changes will be made to ensure stability of the Parliament and people's direct representation.





On August 19, the Cabinet also decided to establish a panel of eminent persons to formulate a new Constitution and asked the Justice Minister to recommend names for the panel to be considered for Cabinet approval. Co-Cabinet spokesman Udaya Gammanpila noted,





We need to discuss the new Constitution with the public, the public needs to debate it. We do not need a Constitution dictated to Sri Lanka by foreign NGOs. The views of Sri Lankans must be reflected in the new Constitution. The Minister of Justice will propose and the Cabinet will decide who will be in the panel.





The Rajapaksa-led Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) sought a two thirds Parliamentary mandate or 150 seats in the 225-member assembly to effect constitutional changes, the foremost of them, the move to abolish the 19th Amendment. During the Parliamentary Elections held on August 5, 2020, SLPP won 145 seats. Adding six seats from its allies including two seats of the Eelam People's Democratic Party and one each of Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, National Congress and All Ceylon Makkal Congress, to the tally, the SLPP alliance is 151-strong, giving it the two-thirds majority it sought.





Meanwhile, reacting to President Rajapaksa's assertion that "priority will be given to the concept of one country, one law for all the people", Chief Opposition Whip, Lakshman Kiriella, told Parliament,





There are certain laws which people practice in their personal capacity. The Kandyan law which is practiced in areas such as Kandy, outlines how property should pass from one generation to another. It will not be easy to do away with such laws. The situation is the same when it comes to the Thesawalamai law and Muslim law.





Kandyan law is a customary law that originates from the 'Kingdom' of Kandy, which is applicable to Sri Lankans who are Buddhist and from the former provinces of the Kandyan Kingdom. Thesavalamai law is a collection of the Customs of the Malabar Inhabitants of the Province of Jaffna and was given full force by the Regulation of 1806. The Law in its present form applies to most Tamils in northern Sri Lanka. The law is personal in nature,and thus applicable mostly to issues of property, inheritance, and marriage. Muslim law is also a customary law which is applicable to Sri Lankans who are Muslims by virtue of birth and conversion to Islam. It governs aspects of marriage, divorce custody and maintenance.





Apprehensive of an imminent threat, Thamizh Makkal Thesiya Kootanii leader and former Northern Province Chief Minister, C. V. Wigneswaran on August 20, 2020, urged the Government,





We have a very powerful government now and a similar government was constituted under the late J.R. Jayawardene in 1977. It was during that regime that we had the 1983 pogrom. Certainly, this government too could follow the path of the elephant at that time and end up as today, to a single member in the future. But I am sure they would not. They would prefer to learn from the mistakes of the past and usher in a period of peace and prosperity where all communities would feel equal to each other and walk with dignity and pride as children of mother Lanka. That freedom and equality could dawn only if it shed the faults of the past and recognise the intrinsic rights of the people living in the North and East who are entitled to the right of self-determination as per Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in addition to their hereditary and traditional rights to be recognised as a nation.





However, in his Policy Statement on August 20, 2020, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had asserted,





As representatives of the people, we always respect the aspirations of the majority. It is only then that the sovereignty of the people can be safeguarded.In accordance with the supreme Constitution of our country, I have pledged to protect the unitary status of the country and to protect and nurture the Buddha Sasana during my tenure. Accordingly, I have set up an advisory council comprising leading Buddhist monks to seek advice on governance. I have also established a Presidential Task Force to protect places of archaeological importance and to preserve our Buddhist heritage.While ensuring priority for Buddhism, it is now clear to the people that freedom of any citizen to practice the religion of his or her choice is better secured.





By rewriting the Constitution, the Rajapaksa's grip on power will strengthen as the country will return to its previous Constitutional status, in which the President could head Ministries, appoint and dismiss Ministers, appoint officials for the Police, Judiciary and public service and dissolve Parliament at any time after one year. The massive victory of the SLPP, a party that occupies the far-right end of the Sinhala Buddhist ideological spectrum, jeopardises the pluralistic cultural landscape of Sri Lanka and the peaceful coexistence of the different ethnic communities. Rajapaksa's talk about Constitutional reforms cannot escape the national burden of the strife-riven past and its unresolved ethnic issue.





The writer Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management where this piece first appeared.
After being closed for three months, the Chattanooga Ben & Jerrys Scoop Shop is back to "serving euphoria" under a new leadership team, just in time for Black Business Month. The Black-owned business group also runs two successful scoop shops in Georgia and is proud to be leading a team that is committed to diversity, officials said.With roots in the South and experience with community activism, Phillip Scotton and the leadership team are excited to widen their roots with the new scoop shop in Chattanooga.Our team loves the Chattanooga area and is so happy to be joining the amazing businesses on Broad Street. We aim to give you a reason to visit soon, Mr. Scotton said.Officials said, "In the Ben & Jerrys spirit, the Chattanooga scoop shop under the Scotton leadership team embodies the Ben & Jerrys three-part mission - fantastic ice cream, sustainable financial growth and serving the common good through the social mission."The Chattanooga scoop shop is looking forward to being a meeting place and support system for the Chattanooga community. The Chattanooga scoop shop encourages non-profits to reach out about social mission events, donations and benefit nights."Any social mission inquires can be directed to Anna at anna@iccbenjerry.com.To celebrate the re-opening of the Chattanooga scoop shop, this week only, the shop is offering 10 percent to any fan who brings in a copy of this article.The Chattanooga scoop shop can be found at 201 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37402 and is open from noon-10 p.m. daily.All menu items are available to go including cones, cups, milkshakes, sundaes, pints and cakes. Customers are asked to order ahead at www.benjerry.com/takeout.
Protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear after Kenosha, Wisc., police shot and wounded a Black man, apparently in the back, while responding to a call about a domestic dispute.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers promptly condemned the shooting Sunday of 29-year-old Jacob Blake, who was hospitalized in serious condition after he was gunned down in front of his three children as he leaned over into his SUV.

Police in the former auto manufacturing center of 100,000 people midway between Milwaukee and Chicago did not immediately disclose the race of the three officers at the scene or say whether Blake was armed, and they released no details on the domestic dispute.

The officers were placed on administrative leave, standard practice in a shooting by police, while the state Justice Department investigates.

The shooting happened at around 5 p.m. and was captured from across the street on cellphone video that was posted online.

In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns pointed and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while Blake has his back turned.

Seven shots can be heard, though it isnt clear how many struck Blake or how many of the officers fired. During the shooting, a Black woman can be seen screaming in the street and jumping up and down.

While we do not have all of the details yet, the governor said in a statement, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.

Evers indicated he intends to take further action over the shooting.

I have said all along that although we must offer our empathy, equally important is our action, the governor said. In the coming days, we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long.

Pete Deates, president of the Kenosha police union, called Evers statement wholly irresponsible.

As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident, Deates said in a statement. We ask that you withhold from passing judgment until all the facts are known and released.

Online court records indicate Kenosha County prosecutors charged Blake on July 6 with third-degree sexual assault, trespassing and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse. An arrest warrant was issued for Blake the following day. The records contain no further details and do not list an attorney for Blake.

In the unrest that followed Sunday night, social media posts showed neighbors gathering in the surrounding streets and shouting at police. Some could be heard chanting, No justice, no peace! Others appeared to throw objects at officers and damage police vehicles.

Officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.

In a scene that mirrored the widespread protests over the police shootings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black people, marchers headed to the Kenosha County Public Safety Building, which houses the police and sheriffs departments. Authorities mostly blocked off the building, which was closed on Monday because of damage, authorities said.

Laquisha Booker, who is Blakes partner, told NBCs Milwaukee affiliate, WTMJ-TV, that her and Blakes three children were in the back seat of the SUV when police shot him.

That man just literally grabbed him by his shirt and looked the other way and was just shooting him. With the kids in the back screaming. Screaming, Booker said.

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who has represented Floyds and Taylors families and said he has been retained by Blakes family, said Blake was simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident. Police did not immediately return messages seeking details on the dispute.

Crump called the police officers actions irresponsible, reckless and inhumane.

We all watched the horrific video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back several times by Kenosha police, Crump said in a statement. Even worse, his three sons witnessed their father collapse after being riddled with bullets.  Its a miracle hes still alive.

Wisconsins Republican Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke cautioned the public and elected officials against racing towards judgment, given how few details were known.

The frustration & anger that many in our communities are feeling must be met with empathy, but cannot be further fueled by politicians statements or actions that can stoke flames of violence, tweeted Steineke, who is white and lives about 140 miles north of Kenosha in Appleton.

For more than 100 years, Kenosha was an auto manufacturing center, but it has now largely transformed into a bedroom community for both Milwaukee and Chicago.

Bauer reported from Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press reporters Jeff Baenen in Minneapolis and Todd Richmond in Madison contributed.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Law Enforcement Wisconsin
Kim Fox was beaten by her former partner Paul Barry (Handout/PA)

A survivor of a horrific domestic violence attack has stated shes afraid for her life, as she appeals to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to stop her attacker gaining early release.

Kim Fox was almost killed after a serious assault by Paul Barry, 38, of Achill Road, Ballybrack, Dublin.

Barry is due to be released at Christmas after serving two years of his 32 month sentence.

Ms Fox told Newstalk: Im terrified hell come back to finish me off, as she pleaded for the Minister for Justice to listen to her case.

I told him it was over, he came into the local pub, demanding money off me, I said youre not getting money.

I went home at 2am, I heard the door bang. the next thing I know I was out cold.

Read More

Ms Fox told how her daughter found her, after getting a bad feeling. She returned home from a friends house and found her mother in bed seriously injured.

She came home with a bad feeling, Ms Fox said. He was smoking, saying shes fine

The way I was placed in the bed she said my hair was red with blood, the pillow and duvet was soaked with blood.

She rang the police and said my mam is dead in the bed'.

The survivor said she had to have plastic surgery, suffered fractured ribs and an injured eye socket.

He was dancing on my head, she said. They found blood and hair round the room.

I had to get new teeth, the injuries were horrific.

Ms Fox said she learned how low sentencing was in Ireland for those who carry out domestic violent assaults and thus I wasn't expecting an awful lot. I know it's five years for domestic abuse.

But to wake up to the papers last week to realise he's getting out at Christmas, I was in total shock.

My daughters having a baby in October. She found me in that state, I'm terrified he'll come back to finish me off.

She explained that some people dont understand why victims of domestic violence stay with the perpetrator.

This was easy to understand for those whove suffered violence, she added.

I couldn't go to my family, I couldn't tell them People say 'why live with an abuser?'. There are so many reasons why.

Ms Fox said she had not been contacted by a liaison officer to inform her Barry was being released.

I rang the police station, the girl I was dealing with was on holiday, she said.

To realise he's getting out so quick, justice hasnt been served.

A petition to keep Barry behind bars has been signed by more than 1,400.

Ms Fox said: I really want the Minister to hear this, I know shes a new minister but Im asking her please listen to me.

In total Ms Fox suffered soft tissue damage to her upper body and face, a fractured eye socket, three fractured ribs and two of her teeth were knocked out.

The survivor spent three days in hospital following the assault at her Dublin home in December 2018.

Barry was sentenced to 32 months in prison but the crime has a maximum sentence of five years.

He has only served 24 months and is due for early release at Christmas.

Ms Fox lost her job as a result of being absent from work for a month after the attack.

Though shes recovered physically, she says shes been left mentally scarred.

The campaign to keep Barry behind bars is being supported by the Stop Domestic Violence in Ireland (SDVII) group, which assisted with legal help and counselling after the assault.

If you have been affected by any issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans helpline 116 123 or Aware helpline 1800 80 48 48 or Pieta House on 1800 247 247 or Women's Aid is available freephone 24-7 on 1800 341 900.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Chris Moorhouse (The Jakarta Post) London  Tue, August 25, 2020 15:12 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4056a9c 3 Opinion Sukarno,history,Book,nonfiction Free

Many people still believe Indonesia gained its independence on Dec. 27, 1949 when the Dutch recognized Indonesia as a sovereign state with the one exception of Netherlands New Guinea. On this date the United States immediately recognized the new Republic of Indonesia.

Independence was not straightforward, however. The Dutch were determined to regain control of what they called the Dutch East Indies, for their wealth was founded on the riches plundered from Indonesia. After World War II the British effectively declared war on Indonesia and sent troops to help the Dutch regain control.

An Englishman, Tom Atkinson, was stationed in Batavia (now Jakarta) and he documented all that was happening in letters to his then-fiancee Rene Box. Tom was instrumental in Indonesia gaining worldwide acceptance of their Independence.

It was on the morning of Oct.13, 1945 that Tom landed at Tanjung Priok, the main port for Batavia. He was a member of the RAF Commando Unit 3210 SC. The unit was part of a task force to achieve the following objectives: disarming the Japanese forces, repatriating Allied prisoners of war and internees, and maintaining law and order

Tom and most of 3210 SC believed there was an ulterior motive for this British operation, as described in Toms own words.

We disembarked from our landing craft at Tanjung Priok quite prepared to fight our way ashore, and quite prepared to fight for the occupation of Kemajoran. But to our astonishment we were greeted with open arms by a very friendly people who welcomed us, spoke to us, talked to us, and showed us what they were doing.

And the things they were doing were remarkable, such as painting murals on walls, also words and slogans. Murals about the equality of man, and woman I suppose too, about freedom, about democracy and about the Atlantic Charter. Now this was the end of the war as far as we were concerned and we were in a situation where we had fought for what we believed, that was for freedom and democracy.

For Tom, the drive to Kemajoran airport was remarkably interesting and very inspiring. Indeed, it was the start of a relationship with the people of Indonesia that was to dominate his life for the next 20 years, and indeed be a major influence on him for the rest of his life.

Tom, his good friend Peter Humphries, and the rest of his colleagues were determined not to fight the Indonesians, and moreover, were determined to do everything in their power to help Indonesia. Tom details this in an article he subsequently wrote but never published.

Peter Humphries and myself were determined that we would take no part in military operations against Indonesia, although we then knew little of the Republic. To avoid active duty, we sought and received permission to establish a British Forces school at Kemajoran, and we became the staff of that school. The building we were given stands at the end of Kemajoran runway, on J1. Garuda.

Consciously and deliberately we then sought Indonesian friends, friends who could enlighten and teach us, and who might know of ways we could help the new born and struggling Republic.

The first such friend was Mochtar Lubis. Memory of how that happened is rather hazy, but I believe it was no more than the accident that the Antara office was near Kemajoran, and that it bore in English the name Antara News Agency. Mochtar was then associated with Antara, and then, as now, had a good command of English (for we then knew no Indonesian), and was articulate and very intelligent. From him, and largely through him, our circle of friends grew. They were, and, so far as I remember, in this order, Pak Said, Charles Tambu, Sudarpo, Soejatmoko, Haji Agus Salim, Moh. Sjah, Sjahrir, Mas Ming and Dr Subandrio.

During the many hours of discussion, debate and argument with these people, it soon became clear that there was one particular task that Peter and I could usefully do, and that was to act as a channel whereby news from Indonesia could reach the outside world. Our school was established and had no real supervision by superior officers. We had typewriters, a duplicator, access to paper, and, most important, access to the British Forces Postal Services. We had a truck which we used to carry pupils backward and forward to their billets from the school.

From these things a newssheet was born, News From Indonesia, issued twice each week, with material supplied by our friends and allies, prepared on RAF premises, using RAF equipment and facilities, and distributed worldwide by means of the British Forces Postal Service. Of course, all of this was surreptitious, done without the knowledge of superior officers and with a certain amount of cloak and dagger atmosphere.

Seventy or eighty copies of that newssheet were sent out twice each week from Kemajoran to America, Britain, Australia, India, Malaya, Ceylon. They were addressed to newspapers and magazines, political parties, politicians, universities and individuals. In so far as we influenced world opinion  and we did  it was through that medium, not through intelligence reports, for we submitted none of those, nor had channels from them.

The Indonesian government presented in 1995 a plaque of appreciation, signed by Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, to Atkinson in recognition of his dedication to Indonesia. (Courtesy of Chris Moorhouse/File)

Even after demobilization in 1946 and his return to the UK, Tom still supported the Indonesians in their efforts to have independence universally recognized. Tom describes these efforts in his own words.

Late in 1946 it became clear to us that we could not continue issuing News From Indonesia. Dutch authorities were assuming more and more power in Jakarta, and we had several close escapes from discovery. Senior British officers who had at least turned a blind eye to our operation (and sometimes warned us of imminent danger) were moved away. Peter was not quite due for demobilization and stayed in Jakarta until December 1946. It was arranged that I would continue to issue News From Indonesia from England, on the basis of information supplied to me by Peter in Jakarta.

Without access to the material supplies of the British Forces  paper, stencils, envelopes and postal facilities  the expense of issuing News From Indonesia was crippling, and of course all expenses had to be paid out of my own pocket. That pocket was not deep and was soon empty. Fortunately, just as it was becoming impossible to finance any more issues, Peter returned from Jakarta, bringing with him the sum of 80 pounds from Antara and the mandate to establish an Antara office in England. That mandate, incidentally, was issued to me by Adam Malik, whom I had not then met, but whose reputation as a champion of independence I well knew.

It was not a big sum of money, but it did enable us to continue issuing News From Indonesia (now over the name of Antara) and generally to continue propaganda efforts in England on behalf of the Republic.

That subsidy from Antara soon became exhausted. My pocket had long been empty, and Peters pocket was fast emptying. At that time Dr Subandrio arrived in London, and from our point of view his arrival was very opportune. He arrived in the autumn of 1947 as the authorised representative of the Republic.

He did not represent a political party or a political grouping, but the Republic as a whole, and his personal political affiliation was immaterial.

The question of whether Subandrio sought out Peter and I on his arrival in London, or whether we sought him out is quite irrelevant. We knew he was arriving; he knew we were there. He was the authorized representative of the Republic; we were issuing a Republican newssheet under the aegis of Antara. Naturally we came together immediately and gladly.

Fortunately, Dr Subandrio had access to funds. Immediately the propaganda effort was intensified. We used the offices and services of the India League in London at first, thanks to Krishna Menon, and a new newssheet was issued. Indonesian Information was born there, and proudly stated that it was issued by the Representative of the Republic of Indonesia in London.

Through 1948 and 1949 the struggle continued, and in London we did our best to help, reflecting always the policies of the Republican government. We had no policy of our own, no political axe to sharpen, no political advantage to gain. I can say clearly that Dr Subandrio never interfered in the editing or distribution of the newssheet. His task was in the wider field of public and political relations and within the limits imposed by his position as Representative he did excellent work.

With the transfer of sovereignty, the Office of the Representative of the Republic of Indonesia became the Indonesian Embassy. Dr Subandrio was the ambassador, although the first head of mission was Soejatmoko, as charge.

It is not part of my purpose to describe those days, nor the difficulties involved in assimilating into the Embassy those Dutch elements forced onto us by The Round Table Conference agreements. Suffice it to say that in early 1953 I was transferred from London to Jakarta, into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Note the year of my transfer, 1953, when Dr Subandrio was transferred to the Embassy in Moscow, not 1956, when he returned from Moscow to become secretary-general of the Ministry.

During the years I spent in Jakarta, I was a pegawai negeri (civil servant) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was paid as such. However, largely because of problems with Dr Subandrio (which does not concern this narrative) I spent much of the time from 1956 onward in the offices of the National Council and later of the Supreme Advisory Council. President Sukarno used my services as a speechwriter  not a stylist  and indeed I was responsible for all the Presidents writings and speeches in English from the Bandung (African-Asian) Conference in 1955 to the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1960.

President Sukarno is recognized as one of the worlds most powerful voices for preaching Independence for countries and for the abolishment of colonial powers. During the 1950s Sukarno traveled the world and gave some very famous, powerful and long speeches making his arguments for countries to be in control of their own destiny. All of these speeches were written by Tom Atkinson, and Sukarno gave these speeches generally without any alterations.

Tom was always concerned that future historians would misinterpret the fact that he, Tom, wrote Sukarnos English speeches, as he later states.

Well I was putting words into his mouth but what I wasnt doing was putting ideas into his mind. I think I had a sufficiently deep understanding of his thought processes, his ideas, and his ideals to be able to interpret those in the English language that he used so effectively and which he loved so dearly too.

The main driving force for Indonesia gaining independence was President Sukarno. But what of Sukarno the man? Tom later recalled his memories of Bung Karno (familiar name for Sukarno).

The memories that I have of Sukarno are of a man with the most loving nature. I had a very close working relationship with Bung Karno, and also a very close human relationship. We would walk together, make jokes together and sing together. I loved Sukarno deeply. Sukarno was the essence of goodness in man with his love for, and interest in all people. He could translate the most complicated of ideas into simple words. He could express the deepest longings, the deepest hopes and ambitions of humanity, in simple words that all could understand. He was a great orator and could move crowds with his words. Sukarno was one of the truly great figures of the 20th century.

One of Toms few regrets about the years in Jakarta was that he refused Bung Karnos suggestion that he should write his biography, as he recalls.

In an intimate moment one day he asked me to do this and rather sadly, I thought, pointed out that he was a poor man and that all he owned was a small plot of land in central Java. He felt that in his old age he would like to have money to live in comfort, and he thought that one way of doing this would be to produce a biography. I too would have benefited from that, not only in terms of exposure, but in financial terms.

Unfortunately, at the time and after giving it very serious consideration I decided against attempting this work on the basis that it would bring me into prominence. At that time, it would be in 1958 or 1959, I was intent on remaining very anonymous. It seemed to me that my duty lay in the backroom and not in a prominent position.

After leaving the employ of the Indonesians, Tom did make one further point.

It has been said, although not yet written, that I must have become rich during my years with the Republic. Indeed, I did become rich, but not in money. My mind was enriched by contact with some of the finest people of this generation. Pak Said (and Indonesia is much the poorer for his death, which I mourn deeply) taught me how to love all mankind. Haji Agus Salim taught me to see the truth that lies behind the word. President Sukarno taught me how simplicity and love can lie behind pomp and ceremony. Captain Sen Gupta of the Indian Army taught me how to analyze and examine and reject the words of politicians. Mochtar Lubis taught me that courage resides in intellectual honesty, not in the physical facing of an enemy. And Molly Bondan taught me humility.

If I had properly learned, and could apply, all the lessons of those years I would be wealthy indeed. But money? I came to Indonesia penniless and penniless I left.

Tom led a remarkable life after leaving the employ of the Indonesian government, but this was all subsidiary to the work he did with the Indonesians. It is few men that can say at the end of their life that they felt so strongly about a nations future that they did something to help achieve it.

Tom, of course, was far too modest to say this himself, but it is undoubtedly true. Perhaps the most fitting tribute to Tom is, to quote the words he himself quoted at the end of an interview about his life:

I look back on a long life, a very interesting life, a life with many experiences, much change, but I look back with great pleasure at my youth. I think its all summed up by saying, in the words of an English poet, William Wordsworth  Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, and to be young was very heaven.

***

The writer is the author of Merdeka: One Mans Fight to Free a Nation from Colonial Oppression (ISBN 978-1-910745-88-5), which was recently published by Luath Press.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.

Topics : Sukarno history Book nonfiction
As India grapples to deal with the ongoing coronavirus crisis, there has been another pandemic" that has raised its ugly head - racism. From the start of the health emergency, there have been numerous accounts of North Eastern people in the country facing racism and racist attacks by their fellow Indians.

That has now progressed to anyone who does not look Indian" (who knows what that even looks like?) - which includes foreigners, even if they have been living in the country for a while.

Recently, a New Zealand YouTuber uploaded a video speaking about a racist attack he faced in Delhis Chandni Chowk. Karl Rock, whose Instagram account shows that he is married to an Indian and has been residing in India, has thousands of followers and travels to different cities of India, exploring their nooks and crannies. He was walking down the spice market in Chandni Chowk when a local hurled abuses at him and asked him to leave the country.

The local called Karl Corona" and told him to leave the country. Karl tried to speak to the man and tried to reason with him, clarifying that he had lived in India for a long time. But the man refused to pay heed and continue to attack him.

Karl also says in his YouTube video that this is not the first time hes been in such a situation. The first time, he says, he was forced to take a Covid test and that cops were called on him.

How to Shop at an Indian Spice Market (Ft. Angry Racist Man ) https://t.co/kHgJjP8yfT Karl Rock (@iamkarlrock) July 18, 2020

Ironically, Karl had donated plasma earlier for Covid-19 patients in India. Even Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had tweeted about Karl, saying that he set an example for many.

According to a report by Indian Express, Karl had seen Kejriwals post on social media about a newly opened plasma bank in the city. He had contracted the virus and recovered the month before and decided to do his bit.

Karl Rock, a New Zealand origin Delhiite donated plasma at Delhi govts plasma bank. You must watch his video about his experience. I am sure this will encourage many more to come forward to donate their plasma and help save lives," Kejriwal had tweeted in July.

Karl Rock, a New Zealand origin Delhiite donated plasma at Delhi govt's plasma bankYou must watch his video about his experience. I am sure this will encourage many more to come forward to donate their plasma and help save lives. @iamkarlrock pic.twitter.com/VySSg0P0yV  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 10, 2020

The Coronavirus pandemic in India and around the world has fuelled racism against certain communities. For instance, in the initial phases of the pandemic, the Chinese were targeted for their eating habits and repeatedly blamed for causing the pandemic.

In India, several North East Indians have reported abuse and harassment on grounds of race since the pandemic started. In March this year, a North East woman living in Delhi narrated her horrifying experience when men spat on her and called her corona.

READ:He Spat and Called Me Corona, Racism Against North East Indians Feeds Off Coronavirus Panic

Karls case was no different.

Heres the thing - calling people or places corona dehumanises the people and the culture in the eyes of the larger viewers, thus encouraging neagtivity toward them - a classic technique used by racists to legitimise their actions against the said aggressor.

With resepct to coronavirus, any individual, irrespective of caste, nationality or gender, is susceptible to it in equal degrees. No particular community is more prone to or safe from the virus or even more likely to transmit the infection as compared to other communities. The virus, unlike humans, does not discriminate.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Cloudy with morning snow ending, then windy and turning colder with falling temps and some afternoon clearing. A coating to 1-2" of snow expected in the morning. .

Tonight

Partly cloudy, windy, and very cold. Wind chills near or below zero later at night.
BOSTON, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International has selected meQuilibrium, the leading science-based resilience training solution, to support the mental wellbeing of its global associates. Marriott's associates worldwide can now access meQuilibrium's digital science-based cognitive solution to navigate these unprecedented times and build their adaptive capacity, resilience and agility.

"meQuilibrium's best-in-class solution offers mental wellbeing expertise that supports our associates who are managing the stress and uncertainty associated with disruption, transformation and rapid change," says Dr. David Rodriguez, Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Marriott International.

"Marriott is invested in the wellbeing of all associates, including those returning to work or currently furloughed as well as front-line employees who may be dealing with anxiety, uncertainty and stress," says Dr. David Rodriguez, Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Marriott International. "meQuilibrium's best-in-class solution offers mental wellbeing expertise that supports our associates who are managing the stress and uncertainty associated with disruption, transformation and rapid change."

"Our partnership with Marriott is a testament to their people-first culture," says Jan Bruce, CEO and co-founder, meQuilibrium. "Marriott has long been known for prioritizing its associates' wellbeing and we are glad they have chosen our science-based resilience platform to meet the mental health needs of their associates. They are taking measures in this extraordinary time to take care of their associates."

COVID-19 has disrupted the world and business challenges continue to mount, making resilience all the more important. meQuilibrium's platform provides data-driven insights for individuals by creating predictive models that generate relevant, interactive, and skill-building activities, resources, and support. The platform offers a highly personalized, prescriptive journey to help employees become more resilient, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent.

Marriott associates can access meQuilibrium Engage, a cloud-based, globally scalable system designed to help people manage stress and change. Multiple language editions are available to associates including Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese to help support Marriott's global workforce.

About meQuilibrium

meQuilibrium is the #1 digital solution for building resilience at scale for Fortune 500 global enterprises, helping businesses innovate and navigate uncertain times. meQuilibrium harnesses the science of resilience, AI, predictive analytics and neuroscience to help businesses build workforce wellbeing and potential. Leading employers have recognized the power of resilience, and meQuilibrium's intelligent cloud-based resilience-building system, to both mitigate the negative impacts of stress on an individual basis, at scale, but to also build resilient and agile workforce populations capable of thriving in change.

meQuilibrium has been named to the Inc. 5000 list two years in a row and has been honored with numerous other awards including a TalentCulture 2020 HR Tech Award and Deloitte's 2019 North America Technology Fast 500 Award. Learn more at https://www.meQuilibrium.com .

Media contact:

Beth Brody, BrodyPR

[email protected]

908-295-0600

SOURCE meQuilibrium

Related Links

https://www.meQuilibrium.com


Elephants are truly astounding creatures and it's only very recently we have begun to truly understand the gentle giants. Their memory is legendary and for good reason. Elephants remember other elephants and humans for decades.

In one such example, an elephant touched trunks with her daughter and granddaughter at a zoo in Germany after being separated for 12 years.



www.hallelife.de

According to a Mail Online report, in the wild, bull elephants leave the herd to find a mate but female elephants tend to remain with their mothers for life.



Also Read: A Home For Gentle Giants: Kerala Gets India's First Ever Elephant Rehabilitation Centre

The reunion of the family is part of a programme to slowly recreate this natural process in herds being held in captivity. The photographs of the reunited elephants were taken at Bergzoo in Germany's eastern city of Halle, states the Mail Online report.

www.hallelife.de

'Pori's arrival in Halle is an important step in modern elephant husbandry,' Zoo director, Dr Dennis Muller was quoted as saying on the Zoo's official website.

'In the future, all elephant herds in European zoos should be cared for in such natural family structures. Today we have come a great deal closer to this goal,' he added.



Also Read: Heartbreaking Mourning: Mother Elephant Uproots Transformer That Electrocuted Her Calf

The 39-year-old elephant named Pori was shifted from her former home in Berlin to the Bergzoo in the eastern city of Halle, where a reunion with her 19-year-old daughter Tana was set up after 12 years of separation and Pori promptly remembered her.

www.hallelife.de

She even touched tunks with her granddaughter Tamika, 4, who she has now met for the first time.

For now, Pori is in a separate enclosure from her offspring but in the next few days they will spend time together in the outer section to get accustomed to each other.

Pori is an African elephant who was born wild in Zimbabwe in 1981.

She brought to Germany to the Magdeburg Zoo, where she lived from 1983 to 1997 and was then sent off to Tierpark Berlin for breeding purposes. In 2001, she gave birth and raised her first calf Tana, reports the Halle Zoo official website.

Also Read : Elephant Mom Senses Danger For Calf & Calls For Help, The Whole Family Comes To Their Rescue


As many as 50 Niagara-on-the-Lake businesses could be helped and up to 100 jobs preserved through a funding program announced Tuesday, according to the federal government.

That $500,000 commitment  and a second promise of $400,000 to help the Shaw Festival  was announced by Melanie Joly, minister of economic development.

Our tourism industry and the 1.8 million Canadians it employs have been hard hit by COVID-19  Joly, who is also the minister responsible for the FedDev Ontario program, said in a news release.

This funding from FedDev Ontario will help Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Shaw Festival continue welcoming visitors, adapt to the new reality and keep supporting the regions visitor economy.

Niagaras hard-hit tourism sector  composed largely of workers in information, culture, recreation, accommodations and food sectors  employed only 18,800 people in July, compared to 33,900 in July 2019, according to Statistics Canada.

The $500,000 investment will allow the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to provide local small- and medium-sized tourism businesses funding up to $20,000 to help them offset the costs of reopening during COVID-19.

It is also expected to help them cover expenses incurred adapting their sites to provide better health protections during the pandemic.

Joly said as many as 50 businesses could be helped through that funding.

She also offered up to $400,000 to help the Shaw Festival stage outdoor performances and attract more visitors as Ontario continues to move through economic recovery during the pandemic.

Lord Mayor Betty Disero said the federal funding will help to reduce the impacts of COVID-19, and in some cases act as a life preserver for local businesses, especially heading into the (tourism industrys) shoulder season.

Shaw Festival executive director Tim Jennings said the theatre would use these funds to provide free and low-cost outdoor performance activities and purchase equipment to ensure the safest possible experience for everyone.

Due to COVID-19, Shaw cancelled most of its 2020 season, though it hopes some productions scheduled for after Sept. 15  Charleys Aunt, Flush and A Christmas Carol  might still be able to go ahead with fall and Christmas season dates.

Normally, the Shaw attracts about 250,000 theatregoers annually. According to the federal government, roughly one-quarter of Niagara-on-the-Lakes working residents are employed in the tourism industry.
Carrie Gracie has said she is proud to have fought for a fair workplace as she announced that she has left the BBC.

The journalist said in a social media post it was time to do something new after being at the corporation for 33 years.

She became a figurehead for women at the BBC when she resigned from her position as China editor in January 2018 in protest at pay inequalities at the broadcaster.

#BBC my last day on air. After 33 years, time to do something new. Proud of a few things: told the China story, fought for a fair workplace, gave away the back pay I won, wrote the book. But most of all grateful to audiences and brilliant colleagues. THE BEST. Ill miss you. X pic.twitter.com/Q5wsU58Xbj  Carrie Gracie (@TheCarrieGracie) August 25, 2020

The BBC subsequently apologised for underpaying Ms Gracie and reached an agreement over her back pay.

A number of high-profile disputes over equal pay at the corporation followed, including the employment tribunal which found Newswatch presenter Samira Ahmed should have been paid the same as colleague Jeremy Vine for similar work.

On Tuesday Gracie said on Twitter that she has had her last day on air.

After 33 years, time to do something new, she wrote.

Proud of a few things: told the China story, fought for a fair workplace, gave away the back pay I won, wrote the book.

Video of the Day

But most of all grateful to audiences and brilliant colleagues.

The BBC tweeted a tribute to Gracie, saying goodbye and good luck.

It added that she was a distinguished journalist whos made a hugely important contribution to the BBC over the last three decades.

We wish her all the best with her future plans now shes decided to leave us.

A number of Gracies BBC colleagues and broadcasters also paid tribute to her after she announced her departure.

Evan Davis tweeted: What a fantastic three decades Carrie.

You are a giant, really good luck with the next phase.

What a fantastic three decades Carrie. You are a giant, really good luck with the next phase.  Evan Davis (@EvanHD) August 25, 2020

Martine Croxall, who presents on the BBC News Channel, said: I salute you, CG, as a friend and colleague and champion.

It was a privilege to do battle with you.

Gracie said in 2018 that she would donate the backdated pay she received from the corporation to gender equality campaigning charity the Fawcett Society.

The money was to be used to set up a fund for women who need legal advice on equal pay claims and to support the organisations strategic legal work.
Representative image

Katie Thomas and Sheri Fink

At a news conference Sunday announcing the emergency approval of blood plasma for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, President Donald Trump and two of his top health officials cited the same statistic: that the treatment had reduced deaths by 35%.

Trump called it a tremendous number. His health and human services secretary, Alex Azar, a former pharmaceutical executive, said, I dont want you to gloss over this number. And Dr. Stephen M. Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said 35 out of 100 COVID-19 patients would have been saved because of the administration of plasma.

But scientists were taken aback by the way the administration framed this data, which appeared to have been calculated based on a small subgroup of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a Mayo Clinic study: those who were under 80 years old, not on ventilators and received plasma known to contain high levels of virus-fighting antibodies within three days of diagnosis.

Whats more, many experts  including a scientist who worked on the Mayo Clinic study  were bewildered about where the statistic came from. The number was not mentioned in the official authorization letter issued by the agency, nor was it in a 17-page memo written by FDA scientists. It was not in an analysis conducted by the Mayo Clinic that has been frequently cited by the administration.

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

For the first time ever, I feel like official people in communications and people at the FDA grossly misrepresented data about a therapy, said Dr. Walid Gellad, who leads the Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing at the University of Pittsburgh.

It is especially worrisome, he said, given concerns over how Trump has appeared to politicize the process of approving treatments and vaccines for the coronavirus. Over the next couple of months, as data emerges from vaccine clinical trials, the safety of potentially millions of people will rely on the scientific judgment of the FDA. Thats a problem if theyre starting to exaggerate data, Gellad said. Thats the big problem.

Follow our LIVE Updates on the coronavirus pandemic here

When asked where the 35% figure came from, an agency spokeswoman initially directed a reporter to a graph of survival statistics buried in the Trump administrations application for emergency authorization. The chart, analyzing the same tiny subset of Mayo Clinic study patients, did not include numerical figures, but it appeared to indicate a 30-day survival probability of about 63% in patients who received plasma with a low level of antibodies, compared with about 76% in those who received a high level of antibodies.

On Monday, Dr. Peter Marks, the director of FDAs center for biologics, evaluation and research, said that the agency reviewed published studies of plasma and conducted its own analysis of data from the Mayo Clinics program of hospitalized patients who received plasma. Although the size of the benefit varied, he said in a statement, there appears to be roughly a 35% relative improvement in the survival rates of patients who received the plasma with higher versus lower levels of antibodies.

He added: Given the safety profile observed, the totality of evidence regarding potential efficacy more than adequately met the may be effective standard for granting an Emergency Use Authorization.

Convalescent plasma, the pale yellow liquid left over after blood is stripped of its red and white cells, has been the subject of months of enthusiasm from scientists, celebrities and Trump, part of the administrations push for coronavirus treatments as a stopgap while pharmaceutical companies race to complete dozens of clinical trials for coronavirus vaccines.

Although there have been some positive signs that it can reduce deaths in COVID-19 patients, no randomized trials have shown that it works. A popular access program set up this spring by the FDA and run by the Mayo Clinic has provided the treatment to more than 70,000 people, but it has also, some researchers said, hindered enrollment in the more rigorous randomized trials that could definitively prove whether it works. The emergency authorization released Sunday broadens that access program.

Statisticians and scientists said that Hahn, in saying at the news conference that 35 out of 100 sick COVID-19 patients would have been saved by receiving plasma, appeared to have overstated the benefits.

Dr. Robert Califf, who was FDA commissioner under President Barack Obama, said on Twitter on Sunday that Hahn should correct his statement.

Hahn did not respond to repeated requests for clarification on his comments.

The publicly released data from the Mayo Clinic shows that, among the larger group of more than 35,000 patients, when plasma was given within three day of diagnosis, the death rate was about 22%, compared with 27% when it was given four or more days after diagnosis.

Dr. Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research in La Jolla, California, and a longtime expert in clinical trials, said that convalescent plasma has not yet shown the benefit that Hahn described  and that he should issue a correction.

He needs to come out with that, and until he does, he has no credibility as an FDA commissioner, Topol said.

On Sunday night, an agency spokeswoman posted a chart on Twitter claiming that plasma has shown to be beneficial for 35% of patients  neglecting to mention that the figure was based on a subset of a subset of the data.

In an interview Monday, one of the Mayo Clinic studys main authors, Dr. Arturo Casadevall of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, said he was also stumped. Do I know where the 35% comes from? he said. No.

Casadevall said that the FDA had conducted its own analyses of the data, and that the paper he and his colleagues posted this month to a so-called preprint server  before it has been peer reviewed by a medical journal  contained only a portion of the total available data.

Casadevall said focusing on the 35% number distracted from the broader takeaway: that convalescent plasma shows promise, at a time when doctors have few other options. I think that I would not focus so much on that  people can say things in many different ways, but I think that one has to look at the data, he said. I think the important thing is that all the indicators show a reduction in mortality.

Emily R. Smith, an epidemiologist at The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health in Washington, D.C., agreed that the issue was a distraction, but for a different reason.

Were trying to track down numbers and preprints and Twitter slides, and thats a big distraction from the bigger issue of  do we think theres good evidence to suggest this is safe and effective? she said.

She and others, including the FDA in the emergency authorization itself, have said that existing data  from the Mayo Clinic and other nonrandomized studies  cannot replace rigorous trials that will more definitively indicate whether and in what groups of patients the treatment is effective. On Monday, the chief scientist for the World Health Organization, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, said at a news conference in Geneva that only a few of these convalescent plasma trials had reported findings, and that the trials had been relatively small. The results in some cases point to some benefit but have not been conclusive, she said. At the moment its still very low-quality evidence.

c.2020 The New York Times Company
Syracuse, N.Y.  A Syracuse man was charged Monday with murder and attempted murder in connection with three shootings that left one man dead and another man paralyzed.

Tyquan Graham, 26, of 332 W. Newell St., was charged with fatally shooting a man at about 11:47 p.m. July 26 in the 1000 block of South Salina Street, Syracuse police said in court documents. The court documents did not identify the victim.

The timing of the shooting corresponds to the shooting death of 42-year-old Erskine Dodson Jr. Police said at the time that Dodson was shot and was dropped off at Upstate University Hospital at 11:47 p.m. that night. He later died from his injuries.

Erskine Dodson Jr., 42, of Syracuse, was fatally shot on Sunday, July 26, 2020.

Graham shot the man with a 9mm handgun, police said in court documents.

On July 27 at 12:08 a.m.  20 minutes after Dodson arrived at the hospital  Graham fired several shots into a residence at 164 Berger Ave., police said in court records. No one was injured in the shooting, according to court documents, but the shooting would have placed each occupant of this residence in grave risk of eminent death.

Graham is also charged with shooting a man multiple times on Aug. 16 in the parking lot of a Conoco gas station, 3200 S. Salina St., in Syracuse.

Police said in court documents that the victim, identified by police at the time as a 23-year-old man, was sitting in the drivers seat of his vehicle a few feet away from Graham when Graham opened fire.

The shooting happened around 8:16 p.m. The man was struck in the chest, torso and arm and was rushed to Upstate University Hospital in critical condition.

The man was paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the shooting, police said in court documents.

Police found three spent 9mm casings at the scene.

Graham was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree reckless endangerment and three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, all felonies.

Graham was arraigned in Syracuse City Court Monday evening and is currently being held without bail in the Onondaga County Justice Center.

Contact Jacob Pucci at jpucci@syracuse.com or find him on Twitter at @JacobPucci.
The snapback mechanism in the Iran nuclear deal could isolate Washington and undermine its UN veto power

The US has played its last card amid escalating international tensions over the reinstatement of sanctions on Iran.

Last Friday the clock began ticking on the automatic restoration of UN sanctions on Iran, using the snapback mechanism in the Iran nuclear deal.

According to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the snapback provision is a tool that could allow the automatic return of sanctions on Iran within 30 days after one of the signatory countries of the deal activates the mechanism in response to a lack of Iranian compliance.

On 20 August, the US administration sent a letter to the UN Security Council requesting the launch of the snapback mechanism.

The US move comes in response to the failure of its efforts in the Security Council to extend the arms embargo on Iran, which will end 18 October.

Therefore, the 30-day countdown has begun, but the consequences and ramifications are far from clear and the coming days will see a power struggle, with legal and political claims made on both sides of the argument.

The US move is opposed by 13 countries of the Security Councils 15 member states. Harsh criticism against the US came from Washingtons European allies and China, but the strongest criticism came from Russia.

As soon as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered the letter invoking snapback, Russias Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky, tweeted: Looks like there are 2 planets. A fictional dog-eat-dog one where the US pretends it can do whatever it wants without cajoling anyone, breach and leave deals but still benefit from them, and another one where the rest of the world lives and where international law and diplomacy reign.

Britain, France and Germany said they oppose the US motion and will use all available diplomatic tools to frustrate it.

In a joint statement, the three European nations said Washington cannot call for a snapback of sanctions because the US administration withdrew from the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in 2018.

The EU announced that it will meet with Russia, China and Iran in Vienna on 1 September to discuss their options.

The EUs top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said in a statement, I will continue to do everything possible to ensure the preservation and full implementation of the JCPOA by all. The JCPOA remains a key pillar of the global non-proliferation architecture, contributing to regional security.

A European diplomat told Al-Ahram Weekly: It is Trumps last card after Washingtons failure to extend the arms embargo on Iran. It is a gamble. America does not control the Security Council and cannot restore sanctions against Iran by itself. The coming days will be a test for transatlantic relations. France, the UK and Germany are determined to prevent America from destroying the nuclear deal. Which power will prevail? This is the question.

The Trump administration dismissed its critics after activating the snapback mechanism. Pompeo and US Special Envoy for Iran Brian Hook questioned the motives of those who object.

We dont need anyones permission, Hook told reporters in a briefing after the unilateral US move. Iran is in violation of its voluntary nuclear commitments. The condition has been met to initiate the snapback, said Hook.

LEGAL ARGUMENTS: In the coming days, the debate over the US move will not only be political, but also legal.

When Pompeo officially informed the Security Council president and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the US was invoking the snapback, Pompeo said that Washington has a legal right because the US is mentioned as a party to the 2015 nuclear deal in Resolution 2231.

But many critics emphasise the fact that the US was described as a JCPOA participant in a paragraph of Resolution 2231 that is purely descriptive; it lists as a factual matter the participants at the time of the resolutions adoption in 2015.

Hence, the term participant is not a honorific title; it denotes active

participation in the deal, and complying with its terms, which the US ceased to do.

But even if the US is still a participant state, using the snapback mechanism does not lead automatically to reimposing sanctions within 30 days after the US presents the Security Council with a notification.

A Security Council diplomat told the AP news agency that according to his understanding the US letter from Pompeo did not trigger the snapback and the start of the 30-day process to reimpose UN sanctions. Thus, the US action would have no effect and the council president would not be required to introduce a resolution to

extend sanctions relief, which would face a US veto, the diplomat said.

He also emphasised the importance of ensuring that Iran understands this and does not make any rash decisions.

Furthermore, resorting to the snapback mechanism is the final stage of the JCPOA dispute resolution mechanism, which can restore previous UN resolutions that were suspended under Resolution 2231.

Paragraph 10 of Resolution 2231 explains how the countries participating in the JCPOA could use dispute resolution mechanisms if Irans noncompliance was found to constitute significant non-performance.

Many UNSC countries argue that there is no violation of the deal from Iran.

UNDERMINING THE US VETO: Following the meeting with Pompeo, Indonesias UN Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, the current council president, began one-on-one consultations with its 14 other members on the legality of the US action, council diplomats said.

All members, except the Dominican Republic, informed the council president that since the US is not a party to the 2015 JCPOA, the Trump administrations action is illegal.

Even Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton said the US has no legal grounds for triggering the UN mechanism to renew sanctions on Iran.

Writing in The Wall Street Journal on Sunday, Bolton said Its too cute by half to say were in the nuclear deal for purposes we want but not for those we dont.

He added: That alone is sufficient reason not to trigger the snapback process. Why afford any American legitimacy to this misbegotten creature? Further, the UN Charter allows no vetoes to decide procedural questions, and that is how between nine and 13 members may categorise, and thereby stymie, Mr Trumps ploy.

Irans Foreign Minister Mohamad Javad Zarif picked up the comments, tweeting: At least he is consistent  a trait notably absent in this US administration.

Susan Rice, former US president Barack Obamas national security adviser, tweeted that invoking the snapback would undermine the US veto.

Invoking the snapback, when the US first violated the Iran deal by withdrawing unilaterally, will undermine the US veto in the UNSC and global sanctions regimes. Dumb and Dumber, she said.

The Europeans fear that the reimposition of sanctions may lead Iran to quit the nuclear deal entirely and go ahead with efforts to develop atomic weapons. They are hoping to preserve the 2015 deal, in the event Trump loses his bid for a second term.

Democratic candidate Joe Biden has said he would try to revive the agreement.

The Iranian nuclear deal is hanging by a thread. All eyes will be on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). If the IAEA concludes that Iran is still committed to the deal, the legal and political justification for the US snapback move will be even weaker.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


More than half of "sudden" cardiac arrest victims had contacted health services before

Sophia Antipolis, France - 25 Aug 2020: Today scientists report that 58% of "sudden" cardiac arrest sufferers sought medical help during the two weeks before the event. The research is presented today at ESC Congress 2020.1

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiac arrest is lethal within minutes if left untreated and it is estimated that, on average, less than 10% of victims survive.

"The high mortality from cardiac arrest in the community emphasises the need to identify those at risk," said study author Dr. Nertila Zylyftari of Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark. "This is very challenging since these are considered sudden and unexpected events. But our study indicates that patients felt unwell in the days leading up to the cardiac arrest."

Previous studies have reported that some patients had symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest discomfort and palpitations in advance of a cardiac arrest and contacted the healthcare system. But there is little information on when and where these contacts occurred.

This study investigated contacts with GPs and hospitals in the year before a cardiac arrest. To get a picture of whether there was any variation throughout the year, the researchers examined each week separately. In other words, what proportion of patients contacted a GP or hospital 52 weeks before the arrest, 51 weeks before, and so on, up to one week before.

The researchers used the Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry to identify all residents who suffered a cardiac arrest outside of hospital in Denmark between 2001 and 2014. Using the unique civil registration number assigned to all Danish citizens, the researchers linked information from several national administrative registries, including dates of GP and hospital contacts.

A total of 28,955 people had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during the 14-year study period. The median age of victims was 72 years and 67% were men. To compare the results in cardiac arrest patients with the overall population in Denmark, each patient was matched by age and sex to nine people from the general public.

Each week during the year before the cardiac arrest, the percentage of patients in contact with their GP was relatively constant (26%), until two weeks before when it rose to 54%. Every week during that same year, just 14% of people in the matched population contacted their GP.

As for hospital contacts in the year before the arrest, these were relatively constant for the first six months. Each week during that six months, around 3% of patients contacted a hospital. Weekly contacts then gradually increased during the next six months, peaking at two weeks before the arrest, when 6.8% of patients contacted a hospital. Every week during that same year, just 2% of people in the matched population contacted a hospital.

Dr. Zylyftari said: "To our knowledge this was the first study to assess cardiac arrest victims' attempts to get help from both GPs and hospitals throughout the year before the event and compare them with the general population. We show that the proportion of patients who contacted GPs and hospitals were higher every week throughout the year before their event compared to the matched population in the same year."

"It was surprising to see that in the two weeks prior to the cardiac arrest there was an increase in contacts especially with their own doctor," she added.

In a separate analysis, the researchers examined all contacts made to the healthcare system (either GP, hospital or both) during the two-week period prior to the cardiac arrest. This showed that 58% of cardiac arrest patients had contacted the healthcare system compared to 26% of the matched population.

Information was not collected on the reasons why cardiac arrest patients sought medical advice. But the data show that of those who communicated with their GP during the two-week period before the event, 72% did so by phone or email and 43% had a face-to-face consultation. (Some did both, which is why the total exceeds 100%.) Meanwhile, 25% of the cardiac arrest patients who visited hospital during the two-week period before the event had cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Zylyftari said: "More data and research are needed on the reasons for these interactions - for example symptoms - to identify warning signs of those at imminent danger so that future cardiac arrests can be prevented."

###

Notes to editors

Authors: ESC Press Office

Mobile: +33 (0)7 85 31 20 36

Email: press@escardio.org

The hashtag for ESC Congress 2020 is #ESCCongress.

Follow us on Twitter @ESCardioNews

This press release accompanies an abstract at ESC Congress 2020 - The Digital Experience.

It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Society of Cardiology.

Funding: This project has received funding from the European Unions Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme ESCAPE-NET under grant agreement No. 733381.

Disclosures: No conflicts of interest to declare.

References and notes

1Abstract title: Contacts to the healthcare system prior to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

About the European Society of Cardiology

The European Society of Cardiology brings together health care professionals from more than 150 countries, working to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people lead longer, healthier lives.

About the ESC Congress 2020

ESC Congress is the world's largest gathering of cardiovascular professionals contributing to global awareness of the latest clinical trials and breakthrough discoveries. ESC Congress 2020 takes place online from 29 August to 1 September. More information is available from the ESC Press Office at press@escardio.org.

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
MICHAEL STRAVATO, STR / NYT

Golden Pass LNG has cleared out crews at its Sabine Pass export terminal and is preparing for what could be a days-long work stoppage as Hurricane Laura comes closer to shore.

The company has confirmed plans to send almost all of its workers off-site except for a small emergency crew for the next several days, pending the impact of the incoming storm.
Facebook News, the social network's dedicated news section launched to U.S. audiences in June, is soon expanding to international markets. The company announced today it plans to accelerate its plans to bring the product to non-U.S. markets, including the U.K., Germany, France, India and Brazil, within the time frame of six months to a year.

As in the U.S., Facebook says it's committed to paying news publishers in the new markets for the content made available in the Facebook News product. However, it notes that the experience may not be exactly the same as it is in the U.S., in other ways.

"Consumer habits and news inventory vary by country, so well work closely with news partners in each country to tailor the experience and test ways to deliver a valuable experience for people while also honoring publishers business models," explained Campbell Brown, Facebook VP of Global News Partnerships, in an announcement detailing Facebook's plans.

As the product expands in these international markets and beyond, the company will face various new laws and regulations that require tech firms like Facebook to pay for news. In Australia, which was not listed as one of the new destinations, Facebook and Google will both have to pay for news content under a recently launched system. Similar laws are being enacted in the EU, as well. France, for example, was the first of the European Union Member States to push Google to pay for reuse of news snippets in Search and Google News, as part of a law that requires tech companies to pay publishers.

Facebook News' planned launch in that country seems to indicate the company has managed to successfully negotiate with regulators.

The Facebook News product itself is still too new to pass judgement on at this time, as it's only been available for a couple of months to all in the U.S. But Facebook, it should be noted, has had a rocky history with news distribution on its platform before its launch of Facebook News.

Story continues

Years ago, Facebook had offered a short list of trending stories across the network. But when it fired the editors who curated that section, Facebook's algorithms began posting fake news to the list. Facebook finally removed the feature in June 2018.

The company also tried to serve publishers over the years, with mixed results. It once pitched the concept of "Instant Articles" that loaded quickly in Facebook, but restricted advertising, subscriptions and the recirculation modules publishers relied on, leading many to abandon the feature. And it once pushed the "shift to video," but had inflated its video metrics. When Facebook pulled back on paying publishers, some news businesses were wiped out. Also in 2018, Facebook announced it would deprioritize the distribution of news posts in its News Feed in favor of personal updates from friends and family, shrinking referrals to news outlets.

In more recent years, Facebook's role in the spread of fake news, propaganda, disinformation and other un-fact-checked content has been brought to light. Unfortunately, any changes Facebook makes at this point may be too late to address the underlying issues. For example, by the time Facebook decided to ban some QAnon groups and accounts earlier this month, the conspiracy movement had become a part of the mainstream consciousness. Last May, the FBI had even flagged that conspiracy theory-driven extremists, including those who believe in QAnon, were now a domestic terrorism threat.

Facebook News, then, has a big battle ahead. It's not just the company's latest effort to woo publishers who have been burned repeatedly by Facebook's efforts, it also serves as the company's latest solution to the growing misinformation problem.

The news section, programmed by journalists, today requires that publishers qualify for inclusion by having a significantly large audience and abiding by integrity standards. Facebook claims to look for negative signals, like if the content gets flagged by fact-checkers or if it includes clickbait, engagement bait or use of scraped content. But elsewhere on the social network, Facebook takes a different approach to misinformation. It had been at the same time relaxing its rules around misinformation for several high-profile conservative pages, leading to questions about its overall news judgement.

At launch, Facebook News had over 200 general news publishers and thousands of local and regional publications in the U.S.

Today, the company says its plans are to also grow Facebook News in the U.S., in addition to bringing the product to new markets. It will focus more specifically on growing engagement with Facebook News in the U.S.

Facebook also claims that over 95% of the traffic Facebook News delivers to publishers is incremental to the traffic they already get from News Feed.
Additional Wisconsin National Guard members will be deployed in the state to respond to protests  sparked by the police shooting of a Black Kenosha man on Sunday  that have turned violent over the last two nights.

Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency related to protests. Under the order, the Guard will deploy an additional 125 members to support Kenosha County. Additional adjustments will be made to meet local needs, Evers said in a statement. The Guard deployed 125 members to Kenosha on Monday.

"Everyone should be able to exercise their fundamental right  whether a protester or member of the press  peacefully and safely. We cannot allow the cycle of systemic racism and injustice to continue," Evers said in a statement. "We also cannot continue going down this path of damage and destruction."

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Blakes mother, Julia Jackson, said the damage in Kenosha does not reflect the feelings of her family and if her son could see it, he would be very unpleased.

Three of the younger Blakes sons  aged 3, 5 and 8  were in the car at the time of the shooting, Blake's attorney Ben Crump said. It was the 8-year-olds birthday, Crump said. Crump added Blake has been left paralyzed following the shooting.

They shot my son seven times, seven times, like he didnt matter, said Blakes father, who is also named Jacob Blake. But my son matters. Hes a human being and he matters.

Evers said in a statement National Guard members will provide "support to local law enforcement and to protect critical infrastructure and cultural institutions necessary for the well-being of the community, and to provide support to first responders such as the Kenosha Fire Department." Guard members will not impede peoples' ability to peacefully protest, or the media's ability to report on the situation, Evers said.

On Sunday, Kenosha police shot 29-year-old Jacob Blake multiple times in front of his three children as he attempted to enter his SUV. Blake was hospitalized in serious condition. As of Monday, Blake remained in serious condition.

Cellphone footage taken by an onlooker showed at least one Kenosha police officer shooting at Blake's back as he leaned into his vehicle. Seven shots can be heard in the video.

Evers released a statement on Sunday saying he stood with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equity and accountability for Black lives in our country  comments Kenosha Professional Police Association President Pete Deates later called wholly irresponsible.

While Evers has repeatedly said he supports Wisconsinite's right to assembly and free speech, some Republican lawmakers have criticized the governor's comments as inciting violent protest.

Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, said in a statement on Tuesday that Evers' statement was "designed to fan the flames of outrage without having any of the details necessary to make such a judgement."

"Everyone has the right to peacefully protest," Kapenga said in a statement. "However, we place ourselves in a dangerous position if some in society are allowed to break the law in the name of justice  Governor Evers once again has shown very little interest in upholding the rule of law, a key function of his position."

Also on Tuesday, Congressman Bryan Steil, U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin, state Rep. Samantha Kerkman and state Sen. Van Wanggaard sent Evers a letter requesting "immediate action to bring additional resources to stop the rioting and lawless destruction that persists in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake" in Kenosha.

"The city is burning," the letter states. "Residents are heartbroken, terrified for their lives and livelihoods and city. They are literally begging and crying for help."

In Madison on Monday, peaceful daytime protests were followed by overnight destruction that included smashed windows, fires and looting on State Street and near the Capitol Square area. Police responded with tear gas, pepper spray and sponge projectile rounds.

"Let me be clear. This needs to end," Rep. Tod Ohnstad, D-Kenosha, said in a statement on Tuesday. "The devastation we have witnessed the past two nights is completely unacceptable. I believe we must condemn the arson and violence we have seen this week in the same manner we condemn the excessive use of force and widespread injustices the public has rightfully mobilized against. One wrong does not justify another."

On Monday, Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes called for the Legislature to meet mext Monday in special session to take up a package of police-reform bills introduced more than two months ago.

The nine bills  which would ban the use of choke holds by Wisconsin police officers, as well as limit other uses of force  were first introduced in June, following the death of another Black man, George Floyd, while in Minneapolis police custody.

However, GOP leaders in the Assembly and Senate have not convened on the proposed legislation. On Monday, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, announced the creation of a task force focusing on racial disparities, educational opportunities, public safety, and police policies and standards.

Several Democratic lawmakers, who have expressed support for Evers' bills, have widely criticized the task force as too little too late.

The Legislature is not required to debate or vote on the bills.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

WATCH NOW: Scenes from a second night of protests in Madison over Kenosha police shooting of Jacob Blake

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
How being children of a sharecropping mother and entrepreneur father shaped how they see the world

Popular conservative political commentators Diamond and Silk are so close they can finish each others sentences. Born just 10 months apart, the sisters, Lynnette Diamond Hardaway and Rochelle Silk Richardson, had no political ambitions when they sat down together to film a video to air their opinions back in 2015. But their directness struck a chord with viewers, and they shot to fame before they even realized what was happening.

They have an interesting cast of characters to thank, as the sisters detail in their new book Uprising, a candid memoir that reads just the way they sound when they speak.

Silk said they had no plans for politics or fame, but theyve told their story in their new book so you can understand how God works.

The book opens with a little anecdote of a vision board the sisters had in 2008; on it was a picture of the wine-colored chair that Donald Trump had sat in on The Apprentice, and it went onto the board with the hopes of one day being able to afford the chair. Little did they know, seven years later they would be sharing the stage with Trump during his run for president.

While I had my eyes on the chair, God had his eyes on something much bigger for me and my sisters life, the book opens.

God is not going to bring you to it if hes not going to see you through it, Silk added. He had a plan and we went totally with God and this plan, we went with the flow of it, we didnt question it, and now here we are.

Lynnette Diamond Hardaway (L) and Rochelle Silk Richardson. (Courtesy of Regnery)

Parents Who Paved the Way

In Uprising, the sisters go all the way back to even before their childhood, introducing their parents, Elder and Evangelist Hardaway, and the unique lives they led that shaped their children.

Their mother grew up on a sharecropping farm and lived in a cottage with holes in the roof so big she could see the stars at night, with no running water or electricity. But unlike many around her, she refused to settle for what she was given or become another statistic of poverty, and she set out to build a better life for herself. Their father is a preacher and an entrepreneur who found a way to see opportunity where others saw failure, and who together with their mother built both businesses and churches.

Profit margins werent big, and success was hard-won, but there was freedom in it. Silk is the oldest of six siblings; she was born in January and Diamond arrived on Thanksgiving Day that same year. They grew up hearing their parents stories, which undeniably shaped their own entrepreneurial spirits and ambition. But they also grew up keenly aware that other people did not always look on their familys success positively; even relatives would respond with a mixture of disdain and envy. Learning to ignore it would prove essential later on.

They wouldnt walk around as victims, Diamond said of their parents. They knew it was going to be a better day, a better life.

With everything they told us and we saw, we didnt realize that at the end of the day they were instilling the tools that we needed, Silk said. They gave us what we neededthey probably didnt even know what they were doing thenbut thats what was happening.

When we say we were created for such a time as this, thats how were able to withstand the storm, Silk said of the mounting backlash they received as they grew in popularity.

Growing up in the center of their community came with its own set of difficulties for the girls, too. As preachers kids, they were expected to be community leaders, and to look, act, and dress a certain way. The weight of their parents expectations combined with bullying at school led to cracking under pressure, and both girls distanced themselves from religion. They candidly talk about how, despite bad memories of church, they never lost faith or their trust in God.

We believe faith is something you should have, to sustain your life source, Diamond said.

Their parents also taught them a lot about believing in themselves.

That is one thing our parents taught us  Believe it and you will achieve itand you have to know that, and that was instilled in us very early on.

When Diamond and Silks videos and social media took off, they once again found themselves in the spotlight, this time for sharing their opinions on politics.

Weve been outspoken, Silk said. And being outspoken has this particular boldness of not going along with the status quo.

For daring to say that they shouldnt be expected to vote for a particular candidate or support this or that political movement just because they are black, the sisters have both become sought-after voices and received a great deal of backlash.

Realizing that it was OK to think for ourselves and have a difference of opinion, its not that were controversial, what we are is opinionated, Silk said. But what happens is, because our opinions dont fit someones narrative, they are the ones that make it controversial.

Most of the media is left-leaning, Diamond added, and they bombard the public with the same narrative over and over until people believe the whole country adheres to this narrative.

We have to have our own place and our own space, Diamond said. Social media became that platform.

When I look back at our life, growing up, we learned how to speak our mind and tell the truth about it, Silk said. Tell the truth, because it hurts to bite my tongue.

Life prepared us for today, Diamond added. Everything prepared us for this day, everything that we went through growing up prepared us for today.

Changing Hearts and Minds

Diamond and Silk arent political pundits who talk about the Left, Right, or legislation in the abstract. Their initial interest came from lived experience, and things they saw happen in their community. The North Carolina sisters worked in textiles for several years. They saw the factories get shut down and the jobs go overseas. They knew people in their community who worked in manufacturing for decades only to be asked to train their replacements who would take those jobs out of the country. They saw businesses in their neighborhood close down, and people lose hope. That was why they took an interest in Trumps campaign when he talked about jobs, trade, and secure borders.

People were out of work, people were trying to figure it out, people were desperate, depressed, Diamond said. People who had worked in manufacturing for 30, 40 years, what were they going to do? They were told to go back to school to get retrained. Those people  now have debt because of student loans.

This was not good for the American people; these were people destitute, not having jobs, on the corner talking about will work for food, trying to figure it out and not being able to feed their families, send their kids to college, thats what was happening.

They remembered people in the community questioning things, but no one had solutions that worked.

Manufacturing is one of the key things, especially in the South, one of the key ways people made a living, saved, bought homes, sent their children to school, and for all of that just to be ripped away from them? For the sake of what? Silk said.

We saw just big factories just closing down, and it didnt make sense to us. So when you had Donald Trump come along and talk about solutions, it made sense. Before Donald Trump, no one had solutions, like Diamond said, it was, Go back to school, get on food stamps.'

Their videos started going viral, and they became even more famous after getting invited up on stage by Trump during his 2015 campaign. But two years later, the sisters realized their content wasnt reaching as many people as it used to, and their followers were wondering why they werent seeing Diamond and Silks posts. The sisters then discovered this was deliberate.

We did not know what the way forward was going to be, but we did know that we were not going to let these social media companies get away with it, to tell everyone what was happening, Diamond said.

Silk spent over half a year going back and forth with companies before receiving an email stating they had been penalized for being unsafe to the community and the decision was final and they could not appeal. The sisters made the email public but were still accused of making things up, promoting a hoax or a conspiracy.

The decision to go public about the shadowbanning was just a gut feeling, as the sisters recount in their book, but they soon saw this as being part of Gods bigger plan once again. Just days after they received the email, in April 2018, Mark Zuckerberg testified before Congress on an unrelated matterand because Diamond and Silk had caused a stir online, Zuckerberg was asked about this decision. Later that month, the sisters testified before Congress themselves about what was happening on social media, and still then it was met with skepticism.

Back then it was called a hoax, and now its called the truth, Silk said.

And frankly, the pushback deserves some credit for growing Diamond and Silks platform. Theres a whole section in their book about how your haters make you greater.

The backlash came from the black community back in 2015, but the more they hate the more we continue to educate. Since weve got your attention now we have to keep talking, and the more we talk the more black people started seeing what we were talking about, it was like, Oh you know what, yall are right,' Diamond said. And now we have those same people who used to bash us come and apologize, and now theyre on the Trump train.

We could be at the airport and the person you least expect will walk up to us, Oh my gosh, Diamond and Silk! I love you ladies! Even one person was like, I dont like yall, I didnt like yall, but I kept listening and now Im on the Trump train. We get that a whole lot, people changing their mindsets.

People keep saying were in the revolution but no, no, no, Diamond and Silk were in the revolution years ago, in 2015 before it was popular to stump for Donald J. Trump, we gave people permission. What youre seeing now is an evolution, that people are evolving into something great and theyre speaking the truth.

We want everybody to know that we are humbly grateful for your love and support and the best is truly yet to come, Silk said.

Uniting America

The sisters real goal is to help unite America, and they had noticed that before the pandemic upended the economy, we were heading toward the right direction.

Just look at, before this virus came along, what was happening, looking at how we were all becoming and getting along because people had jobs, people were working, people were happy, Silk said. I believe even crime began to go down because people were able to find jobs where they could make money, where they could feed their families. And then all of a sudden now, look at where were at.

In New York City, for instance, the quick reversal has been drastic and obvious; former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton recently commented on how decades of peacekeeping had been undone in three months. Diamond and Silk arent afraid to be blunt about it, and they regularly explain to their viewers how much of the civil unrest they see could be manufactured because the Left does not want America to thrive and secure prosperity regardless of skin color or background.

We are not politically correct, we are politically direct, Diamond said.

But there is a way forward, and that is we have to really look past our skin color and realize we are Americans first, she said.

Silk adds that political opinions are just thatopinions. Just because I do it this way doesnt make me right or make it wrong, and just because you do it that way doesnt make you right or make you wrong; different strokes for different folksand that line of respect is gone in our country, thats why its hard to have a conversation right now, Silk said.

Diamond said: My mission is to get to a day when we can all just be Americans without the left [using] the race card and people would go back to loving this country and being patriotic once again. Because we stay in the greatest country on earth and for us to have people in government positions, and teachers, and some leaders, that want to make Americans feel like they should be anti-American, thats a problem for us. Because where else are you going to go where you have the freedoms that you have today? So our mission is to unite this country.

This is the United States, not the divided states, Silk said.
Remember the stereotype of the lazy college professor living an almost stress-free life while enjoying tenure, virtually a sinecure, often supported by taxpayer dollars? Tomes and articles identifying examples of this professor abound. Along with this job protection comes the opportunity to impose political correctness with impunity.Try telling that story to true contrarians.For an example, consider Michael Jay Shively, who taught biology for 26 years at Utah Valley University. Shively, The Chronicle of Higher Education reports , "was rigorous" and "took pride in the anatomy courses he built and the hard work they required."On March 25, 2019, Shively received a one-page letter from his university president and was quickly suspended and escorted from campus. The letter contained allegations related to the difficulty of Shively's courses and to maltreatment of Shively's colleagues. In the months that followed, the university investigated while Shively experienced what his wife called "a spiraling decline." Before the investigation concluded, Shively took his own life.The courts will have to sort out any responsibility Utah Valley University may bear for Shively's suicide, even as debate goes on over how, as Chronicle reporter Emma Pettit acknowledges,She also wonders what this case says about due process, academic freedom, andMichael Adams, who taught at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington for 27 years, was a contrarian for reasons almost entirely related to partisan politics and religious conservatism. More than a decade ago, UNCW denied Adams promotion to full professor, leading to a lawsuit that cost the university hundreds of thousands of dollars and culminated when Adams won his case against the school. UNCW quickly settled, awarding Adams the promotion and seven years of back pay.The Adams saga took a far more dramatic turn in 2020. As the COVID-19 pandemic raged, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, locked down much of the state. On May 29, Adams tweeted,A firestorm ensued, with both a Facebook group and two Change.org petitions calling for Adams's firing.In the ensuing kerfuffle, UNCW and Adams reached a settlement: Adams would retire on August 1, and the university would pay him slightly more than half a million dollars. For Adams, however, August 1 would never arrive. Just days before his published retirement date, authorities found Adams's body, dead from a gunshot to the head. The sheriff's office stated,Yet another contrarian professor had taken his own life, almost certainly influenced by pressure from his workplace.One obvious difference between Shively's case and that of Adams is that Adams, as his tweet referenced, reflected the stress of the pandemic. Adams lived alone, and authorities came to his home only when a friend and neighbor phoned in that the professor, who had been "erratic" and "stressed," had not left his home for several days.Adams seems to have had only a minimal support system. Almost certainly, no personal support was coming from the university where he remained officially employed at the time of his death. In addition to the difficulties arising from work, Adams also bore the burdens of isolation brought about by a pandemic. We must wonder the extent to which the pandemic and its accompanying stresses brought about or hastened Mike Adams's demise.Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced most of higher education online in March 2020, institutions have warned of the mental health toll it is taking on students. Even asan Active Minds survey has indicated thatUnderstandably, then, higher education mental health advice has proliferated. One Chronicle article about student mental health ominously begins Student mental health issues regarding COVID-19 are receiving the attention of scholars and administrators. But who is addressing faculty needs? And what are these needs?One step higher education could take to support faculty mental health is rigorously defending faculty academic liberty, regardless of politics or a contrarian stance. A perfect opportunity has already presented itself at Auburn, this time involving someone whose politics derive from the left.Incoming Auburn English instructor Jesse Goldberg recently responded to an ACLU tweet with his own tweet that included, " F*** every single cop ." Goldberg came to the attention of Donald Trump, Jr., whose own tweet prompted Alabama state representative Brett Easterbrook to post on Facebook that GoldbergNeither Trump nor Easterbrook provided any evidence that Goldberg's view has affected his teaching or harmed any student; indeed, Goldberg had not yet begun teaching at Auburn. Nevertheless, the university quickly termed Goldberg's tweetand even suggested it was "[h]ate speech." "Auburn officials," the reply went on,The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) termed Auburn's response "ominous" andIn a letter to Auburn President Jay Gogue, FIRE reminded Gogue of Auburn's "green light" rating from FIRE and sought Auburn's assurance that it willAuburn subsequently transferred Goldberg's status to that of " visiting research fellow " who will not teach students. The Chronicle of Higher Education asked of Goldberg and another scholar who denounced the police, "Do their universities have their backs?"They should. Goldberg has received death threats and rape threats, to the point that he told the Chronicle,Thus, Auburn has defended itself against the charge that it has a person Easterbrook suggested isin its classrooms.Auburn must do more. It is too late for UNCW or Utah Valley to check in on Mike Adams or Michael Jay Shively and ask, "Are you okay?" Not only that, but such a call may not have been welcomed by either Adams or Shively.It is not too late for Jesse Goldberg or other academic professionals, however.In addition to the attention colleges are paying to student mental health, these institutions need to create policies and procedures that look after faculty mental health, especially when faculty are teaching from a distance and never seen at the proverbial department water cooler.The support need not be expensive. For decades, religious and civic organizations have used "phone trees" for check-ins and support. Even a welcome supportive text could be the first step toward necessary assistance.Converse College professor Jeff Poelvoorde has adopted a contrarian position against mandatory "anti-bias training" at his school. In doing so, Poelvoorde has placed his 34-year career at Converse at risk, but Stephen H. Balch writes for National Review, " To be sure, Professor Poelvoorde isn't faced with loss of life ."Without intending to sound alarmist, I am not so sanguine. If Auburn and Converse don't have people reaching out to their Jesse Goldbergs and Jeff Poelvoordes, the rest of the profession should. I, for one, shudder to think what lies ahead if institutions and individuals do not.To be sure, colleges face tremendous political pressure from trustees, regents, legislators, and others. When the mob or "cancel culture" comes for a contrarian professor, however, administrators need to worry less about appeasing the mob with "We do not condone" statements and more about standing up for academic freedom. When they do, they will have generations of hard-won liberties and the Constitution of the United States behind them.Life in academia can be more lonely  and dangerous  than anonymous bigots, hotheaded legislators, and even first sons imagine.
Sweden's Public Health Agency said today a faulty test kit had returned some 3,700 false positive results, an error discovered by two laboratories during routine quality controls.

The agency said the PCR kits, which test for an ongoing COVID-19 infection, were made in China by the company BGI Genomics and had been distributed worldwide.

In Sweden, the kits were used by people conducting at-home tests between period March and August, the agency said.

Mostly, 'people who had mild symptoms or who didn't feel any symptoms at the time of the test received false positive results,' the agency said in a statement.

Sweden's Public Health Agency said the PCR kits, which test for an ongoing COVID-19 infection, were made in China by the company BGI Genomics and had been distributed worldwide (Pictured: PCR kits made by Chinese company BGI Genomics)

It added that it would contact those affected this week, as well as adjusting Sweden's official number of cases.

'The faulty test kit has been reported to the Swedish Medical Products Agency. It has been exported by China to many other countries,' the agency said, adding that it has 'informed relevant authorities in Europe and the WHO'.

Sweden on Tuesday said it had 86,891 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and 5,814 deaths.

Lockdown-free Sweden last week recorded its highest death toll in a six-month period for 150 years - with 4,500 of its 51,405 fatalities being Covid-19 related.

It's the highest tally from January to the end of June since 1869 when 55,431 people died, largely because of a famine. The population of Sweden then was just 4.1million, compared to 10.3million today.

It should also be noted that Sweden remained neutral during the two world wars, whereas most European countries were experiencing the equivalent of a six-month coronavirus death toll in the course of a single battle 75 years ago.

People enjoy boat rides, canoe paddling and stand up paddle in the nearly 30 degrees Celsius summer weather at the Palsund canal in Stockholm, Sweden in early August. The country has been unique for its liberal approach to the virus, avoiding locking the country down

Nevertheless, coronavirus means Sweden's deaths are around 10 per cent higher than the average over the last five years, the country's statistics office.

In April the number of deaths was almost 40 percent higher than average due to a surge in COVID-related fatalities.

Although Sweden has struggled compared to its Nordic neighbours, the country's per capita death toll is lower than in the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy.

Sweden has been controversial for its liberal attitude to controlling the pandemic, preferring instead to let run through the population to create a 'herd immunity.'

Its measures have focused on voluntary social distancing guidance.

Most schools have remained open and many businesses have been continued to operate to some extent, meaning the economy has fared significantly better than most.

However, the death toll has been higher than in its Nordic neighbours, which opted for tougher lockdown measures.

Norway, with around half the population, has had only around 260 COVID deaths in total.

The economy of Finland also outperformed its larger neighbour in the second quarter, despite a tougher lockdown.

Finland's gross domestic product shrank around 5 per cent against an 8.6 per cent contraction in Sweden from the previous three-month period.

These figures make for light-reading compared to the 20.4 percent shrinkage in the United Kingdom in the second quarter.
"An image taken in one of our classrooms last week and circulating on social media does not represent the universal values that the North Penn School District strives to instill in both our students and staff," said a portion of the statement the district released Wednesday afternoon.
It is a great day at Lowden Street, as we experience our first major liquidity event, said Matt Bean, Lowden Street Capital Managing Partner. The Polar Bear exit provides great returns to our shareholders, and this milestone for our firm is something that we will never forget.

Lowden Street Capital, a private equity firm focused on rural market investing, announced the sale of The Polar Bear Inn, a 43-room hotel located just outside of Branson, Missouri, to an undisclosed buyer on Aug. 12, 2020.

The sale marks the first major liquidity event for the young private equity firm. Founded by Matt Bean in 2017, Lowden Street purchased The Polar Bear Inn as one of its initial investments and successfully ran it as an extended-stay motel until the city of Branson passed an ordinance that posed issues regarding the propertys classification. The purchaser of the property, a developer in the Branson area, plans to pick up Lowden Streets renovation plans and officially convert the motel into apartments.

It is a great day at Lowden Street, as we experience our first major liquidity event, said Matt Bean, Lowden Street Capital Managing Partner. The Polar Bear exit provides great returns to our shareholders, and this milestone for our firm is something that we will never forget.

The sale of The Polar Bear Inn represents a two-year IRR of 35 percent, a 7.51x multiple on invested capital, and a 51.58 percent cap rate.

Founded in 2017 by Matt Bean, Lowden Street Capital is a private equity firm currently raising its second fund. Lowden Street focuses on small business buyouts in rural communities, assisting small business owners with transitioning their businesses from one generation to the next by offering investing, consulting, and other strategic services. Learn more at LowdenStreet.com.
It is exactly four months until Christmas, but it seems the nation is already yearning for Yuletide.

So much so that John Lewis is opening its online Christmas shop ten days earlier than last year amid a surge in searches for festive products.

It seems the increased amount of time Britons have spent at home during the pandemic has led to families beginning to dream about December 25.

A John Lewis spokesman said: Customer searches on the website for Christmas products are up by 370 per cent on this time last year.

It seems the increased amount of time Britons have spent at home during the pandemic has led to families beginning to dream about December 25. Above, people wait for the John Lewis store in Westfield to open on Christmas Eve

This is the earliest we have ever launched our online Christmas shop and ten days earlier than last year.

The most searched for products in order of popularity are: Christmas trees, baubles, cards, lights and wrapping paper.

The company said web searches for Christmas on the website of sister brand Waitrose over July and August were up 42 per cent on last year, despite there still being 122 days to go.

Searches for Christmas puddings were up 75 per cent, with mince pie searches up 110 per cent.

The company said web searches for Christmas on the website of sister brand Waitrose over July and August were up 42 per cent on last year, despite there still being 122 days to go (file photo)

The stores festive products buyer Jason Billings-Cray said: Christmas celebrations mostly take place in our homes and we have seen how the lockdown has made people think more about their homes, so perhaps we shouldnt be surprised that people are already thinking about how they will decorate them.

He added: During the lockdown many people have spent more time outdoors and become closer to nature.

'From the hundreds of emails from customers asking to be alerted when specific decorations become available it looks as if animal baubles will be the most popular this year with peacocks, squirrels and toucans topping the list of most wanted.'
Lucknow:

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Sunday appointed controversial Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati as the partys national secretary.

Prajapati has been appointed Samajwadi Partys national secretary, a senior party leader said in Lucknow.

Prajapati is the Cabinet minister holding the Transport portfolio department in the Akhilesh Yadav government.

He was sacked by Akhilesh in September after complaints of corruption in the mining department which was under his charge, but was again inducted a few days later.

Prajapati is considered close to Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Reps. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) and Denver Riggleman (R-Va.) are introducing a bipartisan resolution on Tuesday that would condemn the far-right conspiracy theory QAnon.

Why it matters: The vote would put lawmakers on the record on whether they repudiate QAnon, which baselessly claims that a powerful cabal of pedophiles and cannibals within the "deep state" is engaged in a global fight to take down President Trump.

The FBI has categorized fringe conspiracy theories like QAnon as a potential domestic terrorist threat.

Worth noting: Riggleman was defeated in a Republican primary earlier this year after facing conservative criticism for officiating a same-sex marriage.

The big picture: QAnon has grown increasingly popular in mainstream Republican politics, with multiple supporters of the conspiracy theory winning congressional primaries  including Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is set to enter Congress after winning a runoff in a deep-red Georgia district.

President Trump added fuel to calls to condemn QAnon after he praised its supporters at a press conference last week, claiming they "like me very much" and "love America."

Several House Republicans have already condemned QAnon, including Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.).

What they're saying: "Our aim is a fully bipartisan Congressional repudiation of this dangerous, anti-Semitic, conspiracy-mongering cult that the FBI says is radicalizing Americans to violence," Malinowski wrote in a tweet.
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Monday (local time) invoked her Indian roots, saying she was the proud daughter of Indian immigrants and asserted that America is not a racist country.

Washington [US], August 25 (ANI): Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Monday (local time) invoked her Indian roots, saying she was the proud daughter of Indian immigrants and asserted that America is not a racist country.



As she took the stage on the first night of the Republican National Convention, Haley said although her parents faced discrimination and hardship, they never gave in to grievance and hate, CNN reported. This is personal for me. I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. They came to America and settled in a small southern town. My father wore a turban. My mother wore a saree. I was a brown girl in a black and white world, said the Republican politician, who is the only Indian-American listed to be speaking at the convention.



We faced discrimination and hardship. But my parents never gave in to grievance and hate. My mom built a successful business. My dad taught 30 years at a historically black college. And the people of South Carolina chose me as their first minority and first female governor, Haley added.



Also read:Trump announces emergency authorization of convalescent plasma to treat Covid-19 patients

Also read: Malis military junta proposes three-year transitional period

The former UN envoy said that America is a story that is a work in progress. Now is the time to build on that progress, and make America even freer, fairer and better for everyone, she was quoted as saying by CNN.



In much of the Democratic Party, it is now fashionable to say that America is racist. That is a lie. America is not a racist country. she said.

Haley remarked, The American people know we can do better. And of course, we know that every single black life is valuable.



The black cops who have been shot in the line of duty  they matter. The black small business owners who have watched their lifes work go up in flames  they matter. The black kids who have been gunned down on the playground  their lives matter too. Their lives are being ruined and stolen by the violence on our streets, she said.



Haleys remarks assume significance as protests across the US broke out earlier this year, after George Floyd, an African-American man, died when an officer named Derek Chauvin used his knee to pin Floyd to the ground. Chauvin had kneeled on Floyds neck for nearly nine minutes.



It does not have to be like this. It was not like this in South Carolina five years ago. Our state came face-to-face with evil. A white supremacist walked into Mother Emanuel Church during Bible Study. Twelve African Americans pulled up a chair and prayed with him for an hour. Then he began to shoot, Haley said.



She added that everyone irrespective of their colour and from different political parties came together to remove a divisive symbol peacefully and respectfully. (ANI)

Also read: Despite global boycott calls, Thailand intensifies trade relations with China, buys 22.5 billion baht submarines
One of the Worlds leading White Cement manufacturers, JK Cement has announced a brand refresh for its iconic brand, JK White Cement in its all new avatar - JK Cement WhiteMaxX. One of the most trusted brands in the Country, JK White Cement enjoys an enviable position of market leadership in India and across the Globe. With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Gotan, Rajasthan as well as in Fujairah, UAE, it is exported to over 43 nations.

Keeping pace with the changing market dynamics and customer expectations, the Company has given a new, fresh dimension to JK White Cement, rendering it a contemporary and differentiated identity, while integrating a critical section of its product line under the MaxX umbrella, thereby bringing uniformity in the brand architecture. Ushering the Brand into the new WhiteMaxX era, the Company has further strengthened its commitment to deliver the maximum for its consumers and stakeholders, i.e. maximum whiteness, maximum strength, and maximum customer delight.

Speaking on the launch of JK Cement WhiteMaxX, Niranjan Mishra - Business Head (White Cement Business) says, JK White Cement has undoubtedly emerged as one of Indias most iconic and trusted Brands, due to its focus on product excellence, customer orientation and technology leadership, complimented by relentless brand building efforts. With it being accorded the prestigious title of Superbrand in 2019, it was time that the World witnesses JK White Cement in a new avatar. As the preferred choice of customers for over 3 decades, the re-branding is also firmly rooted in our endeavor to build an even stronger consumer connect.

Celebrating the youthful and modern persona of JK Cement WhiteMaxX, the brand story has been amplified through a high decibel launch on social media with the #AbSabKuchMaxX campaign besides BTL. The digital campaign included quirky social media content around MaxX and contests to increase the engagement. The campaign across YouTube, Facebook and Instagram garnered a reach of over 10 million.
Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer, has recorded a series of anti-Trump ads that are scheduled to run during the Republican National Convention painting his former boss as a fraud.

"Later this week, he's going to stand up and blatantly lie to you. I'm here to tell you he can't be trusted -- and you shouldn't believe a word he utters," Cohen, who was convicted in 2018 of federal crimes, including making secret payments to women who claimed they had affairs with Trump, says in the ad revealed Monday night.

Cohen, who is serving his three-year sentence in home confinement because of the coronavirus pandemic, says convention viewers will hear Trump "talk about law and order."

"That's laughable," he says. "Virtually everyone who worked for his campaign has been convicted of a crime or is under indictment. Myself included.

"So when the president gets in front of the cameras this week, remember that he thinks we are all gullible, a bunch of fools," he says.

The ad campaign was made by the Democratic group American Bridge 21st Century, which said it will release digital and TV ads throughout the week.

Cohen, once one of Trump's most trusted employees, was sentenced in December 2018 for what a judge called a "veritable smorgasbord" of criminal conduct, including financial crimes and lying to Congress. He was released in May as part of a nationwide program allowing federal inmates to be transferred to other prisons or confined to their homes because of the pandemic.

He was locked back up about a week after he tweeted that he was writing a tell-all book about Trump. A judge found last month that the decision was "retaliatory" and ordered Cohen released to home confinement.
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the energy industry by driving down demand and engineering the worst-ever crude crash. At the same time, the crisis has fast-tracked the sectors remote transformation to ensure business continuity.



While the adoption of digital technologies in energy had started to show significant growth even before the outbreak of the contagion, clearly, the pandemic has acted as a catalyst in shifting from the traditional drilling and fracking system and changing the way of exploring for oil and gas.



The oilfield service providers, for example, have been at the forefront of this technological revolution.

Growth in Oilfield Digital Technologies

Lets start with Halliburton HAL, which is undergoing a rapid digital transformation. It has signed a five-year strategic agreement with Microsoft MSFT and Accenture ACN to boost its digital prowess in the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. The pact will help Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) Halliburton improve its client services by strengthening real-time monitoring of operations, augmenting AI-driven analytics capability, and speeding up the deployment of new technology and applications. Moreover, Halliburton will shift all of its physical data centers onto Azure cloud. Meanwhile, Accenture will collaborate with Microsoft to help Halliburton with the transition and provide additional transformation opportunities by utilizing its comprehensive cloud migration framework.

You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



A few days earlier, Halliburton collaborated with fellow operator TechnipFMC FTI to launch Odassea, the first distributed acoustic sensing solution for subsea wells. This technology is said to improve seismic imaging and reservoir diagnostics while reducing costs and improving the data gathered for oil and natural reservoirs below the sea floor.



Smaller rival Baker Hughes BKR is also executing on its digital solutions. The company had more than 70% of its drilling activity supported by remote work during the second quarter compared to 60% in the first quarter and roughly 50% in 2019. As part of its digital capabilities, Baker Hughes successfully implemented the remote operations model to support Equinors (EQNR) drilling and well construction activities in the Norwegian Continental shelf.



Meanwhile, the world's largest oilfield services company, Schlumberger SLB has experienced a solid increase in drilling remote operations so far this year, with an expansion of more than 25% during the second quarter. Currently, more than two-thirds of Schlumbergers drilling operations utilize remote capabilities. In fact, the company is looking to double the quantum of its digital business in the foreseeable future with a primary focus on remote operations and digital inspections.

Story continues

Remote Expansion Helps Reduce Costs, Improve Margins

The successful and expanded use of digital technologies has helped the companies to enhance performance and lower operational risk  especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Simply put, it allows them to remove equipment and/or crew from site, substituting with software solutions. With fewer personnel on location, jobs being monitored offsite using remote data center management tools, and the replacement of expensive hardware by software solutions, the operators are able to reduce costs and capital investment. In other words, the increasing cloud-based data flow between site and the back office translates into expanded margins for oilfield service providers.

Does it Kill Jobs Too?

For the energy industry, this technological migration comes at a time when more than 100,000 oil and gas jobs are already lost due to the effects of the novel coronavirus outbreak. The industry is battered big time due to the prevalent pandemic with fuel demand experiencing a massive meltdown following large-scale travel restrictions imposed globally.



Companies are now increasingly opting for remote operations via digital infrastructure with lesser number of field staff. While essential in this virus-infested world, the worrying part is that some of these jobs might never return in the new energy landscape. As it is, improvements in technology over the last few years led to dwindling employment in the field of oil services even as U.S. production broke all records. Now, with the stress on new technologies and innovative ways of working, data analysts and remote operational personnel are in demand at the expense of traditional jobs like frack engineers or those in the operational/manufacturing sphere.

Conclusion

The slump in oil prices and the coronavirus-induced demand shock have pushed drilling activity lower by introducing tremendous uncertainty around the exploration and production spending outlook. Obviously, this translates into lesser work for the companies that make it possible for upstream players to drill for oil and gas. To survive, their cash outflows as capital expenditure continue to fall as the oil service firms reign in their spending levels. They are also pushing for a reduction in overhead and other costs in an effort to become smaller but at the same time striving to improve efficiency and profitability. Most firms claim that the digital push has helped them get more with less.

The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All

Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.



See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>



Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis Report



TechnipFMC plc (FTI) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Schlumberger Limited (SLB) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Halliburton Company (HAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Accenture PLC (ACN) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Baker Hughes Company (BKR) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
Chinas nine-dash line which it has used to claim most of the South China sea is a fabrication, the Philippines defence minister said, accusing Beijing of illegally occupying Filipino maritime territory. Tensions between Manila and Beijing first flared after latter seized Scarborough shoal in 2012 and have been escalated recently. Apart from the Philippines and China, the key waterway is also contested by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei.

On August 23, Filipino Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana asserted that Scarborough shoal lied in the countrys special economic zone. Lambasting China, he added Beijings so-called Historical rights over the area enclosed by nine-dash line did not exist except in their imaginations.

Our fishermen are within our EEZ and likewise our ships and planes conduct patrol sorties within our area. They (China) are the ones who have been doing provocations by illegally occupying some features within our EEZ. Hence they have no right to claim they are enforcing their laws," he told media reporters in a text message.

Read: China Holds Another Round Of Naval Drills In South China Sea

Read: Hong Kong-based Chinese Warship Carries Out Live-fire Drills In South China Sea

Fire drills in South China Sea

This comes as the Peoples Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong released new footage of live-fire drills being conducted in the South China Sea. According to South China Morning Post reports, the footage shows the Hong Kong-based warship called Huizhou firing cannons and torpedoes.

The footage released by the Peoples Liberation Army is also reported to show military personnel carrying out anti-piracy and anti-terrorism operations. The garrison is reported to have said that the anti-submarine training was the main element of the drill. Hong Kong has two warships based in the city, with the Huizhou being primarily used for coastal defence purposes. In addition to being armed with torpedoes, the warship is also armed with surface-to-air missiles.

Read: US Navy Conducts Maritime Exercise In South China Sea Amid Growing US-China Tension

Read: Malaysia Calls Beijing's Claims In South China Sea 'baseless Under International Law'
The district administration has ordered a magisterial probe into allegations by a Covid-19 patient against the staff of the TS Mishra hospital and primary health centre (PHC) in Lucknows Gudamba area.

The patient had made several videos exposing alleged anomalies at the hospital and they had gone viral.

The complainant alleged that after he raised his voice against poor facilities, the hospital staff misbehaved with him and also beat him up. Later the hospital allegedly tried to discharge the patient on the basis of an antigen test.

The probe will be conducted by ADM finance and revenue, said an order by the district magistrate on Monday.

The probe order came on a day when Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath said that the state government was committed to providing the best treatment to all Covid-19 patients and ordered an increase in the number of beds in Covid-19 hospitals in the state to ensure that there is always a surplus of beds at these facilities.
NQ Minerals is a project developer and miner with Australian assets that have plenty of near-term appeal.

The company is led by an experienced team that includes veteran venture capitalist Walter Doyle, who is CEO, and serial entrepreneur David Lenigas, who chairs the business.

Its holdings include the Hellyer mine in Tasmania, the Mount Block permit surrounding the project and the recently-acquired Beaconsfield gold mine.

NQ also owns the Ukalunda precious metals deposit in north Queensland, on which it has identified 33 prospects for follow-up work, including the Sunbeam mine, for which it has secured a mining permit.

Good as gold: NQ Minerals' holdings include the Hellyer mine in Tasmania, the Mount Block permit surrounding the project and the recently-acquired Beaconsfield gold mine.

At SquarePost, also in north Queensland, NQ has found both breccia and vein-hosted gold mineralisation. And it has increased its investment in battery metals specialist TEM.

Lenigas took over as chairman in December as Hellyer's operations continued to improve.

Since then the momentum has built. In July, the operation delivered throughput of 106,365 tonnes of ore, or 1.25mln tonnes annualised, to produce record monthly lead concentrate of 4,075 tonnes.

It also produced 1,509 tonnes of zinc concentrate, 461 ounces of gold and 89,854 ounces of silver.

Lenigas said this was a welcome and dramatic improvement in Hellyer's operational performance and output.

This step change in production has been coupled with an overhaul NQs balance sheet.

It has upgraded its debt facility for Hellyer, reducing annual interest payments by $3.4million (2.6million) annually.

Besides gold, NQ Minerals also produced 1,509 tonnes of zinc concentrate and 89,854 ounces of silver. Chairman David Lenigas said this was a welcome and dramatic improvement in Hellyer's operational performance and output.

While the financial re-engineering was a welcome development, perhaps sexier - for investors at least - was the latest update from the Beaconsfield gold mine.

NQs team has uncovered an average grade of 3.2 grams per tonne of gold from extensive surface stockpiles there.

The revelation that significant gold exists in these stockpiles is a tremendous boost David Lenigas, chairman, NQ Minerals David Lenigas, chairman, NQ Minerals

Excellent gold grades exist in around 80,000 tonnes of surveyed stockpiles in the historic Wetlands area.

Sampling will continue over the entire sites to determine the full extent of the contained gold in this area.

At the same time, work is also underway for the refurbishment of Beaconsfield's 350,000 tonne per year capacity gold processing plant.

The revelation that significant gold exists in these stockpiles is a tremendous boost, said NQ chairman Lenigas recently.

Engineers are now working on budgets and timelines to bring the facility back online as soon as possible.

The ore is only a short trucking distance from the plant and will provide valuable low-cost, high revenue plant feed much sooner than management originally envisaged.

So, its all systems go at NQ. Yet the good news story appears to have been largely overlooked by the market.

The shares have been range-bound this year: the stock is currently changing hands for 7.3p, giving a market capitalisation of just over 27million. That valuation, on the face of it, would seem anomalous.

VSA, the companys corporate broker, expects NQ to generate revenues of 33million and underlying earnings (EBITDA) of 7.7million this year, rising to 52million and 22million respectively in 2021.

And there is the additional kicker of Beaconsfield to add to the valuation equation.

Here in London the group trades on junior Aquis Stock Exchange, where liquidity is sometimes an issue.

A move to what insiders describes as a more established exchange has been mooted and may help alleviate a lack of momentum caused by the current thin trading volumes.

VSA said in June it reckoned the shares were worth around 21p each on a 12-month view, or three times their current value. On that basis, it will be interesting to see how the next year plays out for NQ.
American Spectator publisher Melissa McKenzie assesses last nights speeches at the Republican National Convention. [T]here were some great speeches, she writes in her overnight email update. Heres my ranking in order:

Maximo Alvarez: Immigrant. His video is [here]. Deserves a listen. Tim Scott, Senator from South Carolina. Excellent. Tie: Nikki Haley/Don Jr. The speech that had D.C. fawning over: Nikki Haleys. Of course. Shes the return to normal that so many GOP establishment types yearn for. Shes also the kind of politician that the Left fears and so their loathing was all over Twitter, too. Shes a likable woman politician. The Left could catch a clue. Their strident harpies make all women candidates look bad. Still, though, Im not sure anyone has anything to worry about. The more charismatic conservative woman spoke earlier today and thats South Dakotas Governor Kristi Noem. I cant find her video anywhere, but she did great.

This morning lets go with Herschel Walkers remarks (video in tweet below, quoted here by Tim Haims/RCP). I read that Herschel is 58 years old. Does he look older than 30? He must be doing something right.

Herschels testimonial to Trump reminds me of Judge Herbert Sterns trial practice teaching. Would you rather have an edge in the facts of a case, an edge in the law of a case, or Abraham Lincoln for your lawyer, Stern would ask aspiring trial lawyers. He admonished us to embody character denoting credibility in front of a jury. Thats Walker here.
A city agency moved forward on Monday with proposals for planning the redevelopment of the West Broadway corridor in Missoula.

The Missoula Redevelopment Agencys board unanimously voted to approve hiring a planning firm to create a West Broadway Master Plan for the area bounded by Broadway, California Street, Russell Street and the Clark Fork River for a $65,000 fee.

Ellen Buchanan, the director of the MRA, told the board the goal is to get public input on how best to develop public and private property in the area.

"When the MRA agreed to purchase the Sleepy Inn Motel at the corner of Broadway and Russell Street, it was understood that as soon as the property was no longer needed as a non-congregate shelter for individuals requiring quarantine or isolation as a result of COVID, MRA would move forward with a public process to determine the highest and best use of the site, Buchanan explained. "As was discussed at the time, there are a number of properties that are candidates for redevelopment in the vicinity of the Sleepy Inn and it only makes sense to look at a comprehensive area as we determine how best to reuse that corner.

Because the area is is both a Urban Renewal District and an Opportunity Zone, there is an urgency to to convince developers to combine the tax incentives created by the overlap, she said.

Those are two powerful tools to entice private development, incentives through Tax Increment Financing and tax advantages through the Opportunity Zone, she said. "If MRA and the City have a plan for this area which can be incentivized through the use of TIF funds, it will give potential investors the predictability necessary to commit funds to the redevelopment of the corridor in a way that the community desires.

Board member Tasha Jones said she fully supported hiring the firm for planning efforts for West Broadway.

The river is at the heart of the community and I believe its in the publics best interest that there be a redevelopment in this area to maximize the publics best use of the river in addition to having a seat at the table for the redevelopment of this area, she said. "Many of those buildings are in desperate need of renovation, upgrade and redevelopment.

She said redevelopment will maximize the publics use of the river trail in the area as well as the West Broadway Island park, an urban natural area nearby.

It allows us to be prepared to assist private investors and partners when the opportunity presents itself for redevelopment in this area given its location in an Opportunity Zone, she noted. "So I very much support this proposal.

Earlier this summer, the Missoula City Council and the MRA Board approved a $6.6 million purchase of about 19 acres of property on the Northside along Scott Street using TIF funds.

"With the Scott Street acquisition, it is possible to relocate Missoula Water from the current location on West Broadway to the Public Works complex on Scott Street; thus freeing up a large piece of property on West Broadway that can be redeveloped in the not too distant future and should be included in this planning effort, Buchanan said.

She noted that the current Missoula Water building has a large undeveloped staging area that could be used for whatever the public deems necessary, but housing tops the list. She also noted that several other buildings in the area are either vacant and for sale, or owned by people who would be willing to sell.

Properties in the West Broadway area are primed for redevelopment, she said. Obviously, theres a huge need for housing.

She noted that housing for low-income people is sorely needed, but housing types of all kinds are in demand.

The housing situation grows more dire as people have decided to move in here from other parts in the U.S., she said.

The firm that will hold public input-seeking meetings is Dover, Kohl & Partners, the same firm that the Missoula Business Improvement District hired to complete the Downtown Master Plan. A Big Sky Trust Fund grant could offset the cost of the plan by $25,000, Buchanan noted.

She also said there was a lot of angst and rumors in the community when the city decided to purchase the Sleepy Inn Motel for use as a COVID-19 quarantine shelter. She said theres no truth to the rumor that the city plans for another permanent homeless shelter at that location.

Buchanan also noted that the city is in a holding pattern before determining how to use the current Missoula Public Library building on East Main Street, which will soon be vacant as the library moves into a new headquarters across the street.

We are waiting to see what post-COVID America looks like before deciding the highest and best use of that site, she noted.

City Chief Administrative Officer Dale Bickell told the board that the West Broadway area could be the next gateway to downtown if its redeveloped in the right way.

You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 2

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Note: This story has been updated with new information from city officials.

Syracuse, N.Y.  Mayor Ben Walsh will need the blessing of Syracuses labor unions to enact sweeping cuts to workers hours, overtime and benefits.

But some labor leaders said Walsh started on the wrong foot Friday when he outlined more than 400 furloughs and other budget reductions.

Union leaders say they knew cuts were being discussed, but they hadnt yet agreed to details Friday. And Walshs announcement left them to deal with worried members throughout the weekend.

A group of union officials met Tuesday to discuss the planned cuts.

Members of Walshs administration presented the contingency budget to union leaders first thing Friday morning, before any other meetings, according to Corey Driscoll Dunham, chief operating officer for the city.

City employees have been at the forefront of all of our decisions regarding spending reductions needed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. As such, the administrations first meeting on Friday morning, before introducing the plan to the Common Council or announcing it to the public in the late afternoon, was with the leaders of every employee labor union representing city workers.

Walsh announced the details to the media and the public at 4 p.m. that day.

Eric Yetman, president of the Fire Fighters Local 280, said there was some miscommunication during the budget cut process.

Hed been talking to fire Chief Michael Monds since June, trying to work out details for cuts. Then, Friday, Walsh announced the union had agreed to $1 million worth of concessions by scaling back benefits for members in lieu of layoffs.

I was under the impression [Monds] and I were working out all the details, then the city rolled out their contingency budget, Yetman said. I cant say I was completely blindsided. I was working with Monds and our discussions were mutually beneficial...but I was shocked that they were under the impression it was a done deal.

Walsh did say Friday that budget cuts impacting union benefits were subject to their approval. He said those unions had been engaged throughout the process and were briefed on the changes Friday morning.

Yetman said he reached out to City Hall Friday after Walshs announcement. He met with other union officials today and has no meetings scheduled yet with Walshs administration.

He said the talks about concessions may have to start from scratch after Fridays announcement. He spent most of the weekend hearing from concerned members.

Steve Barnum, president of AFSCME Local 400, expressed frustration about the planned furloughs. His union, which represents many DPW workers, is one of the most-impacted by furloughs.

Right now, I dont even know how [Walsh] went and announced this, Barnum said Monday. He did not talk to one union president.

Hes worried about how DPW will be able to keep the streets clear of snow after the furloughs and cuts to overtime.

The president of the police union, Jeff Piedmonte, said hes been talking with the mayor about budget cuts since June. His top priority, he said, was preserving the jobs of the officers in the academy. He said he received a list of the proposed changes prior to Walshs press conference Friday.

No police officers are being furloughed, nor are any benefits being cut, which means the union doesnt need to approve the changes.

The furloughs and other cuts will save the city $18.1 million over two years. Theyre part of a series of draconian measures meant to balance a $41 million budget gap caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Walsh announced the cuts at 4 p.m. on Friday. The Common Council had previously vowed to stop all city spending at its Monday meeting if Walsh didnt present them a contingency budget.

Walsh and members of his staff will be among the employees furloughed two days a month.

The city will also freeze hiring across departments, leaving more than 100 positions in the police, fire and public works departments unfilled. The cuts include a huge reduction in overtime in the police department as well.

Walsh said the cuts are necessary, since the federal government has steadfastly refused to support local and state governments in its latest round of stimulus money.

The cuts, while severe, avoid any layoffs among the citys workforce.
Qantas is set to cut up to 2,500 jobs by outsourcing its Australian ground handling operations as it braces for a massive revenue hit due to the pandemic.

The announcement on Tuesday comes after the embattled airline reported a $1.9 billion full-year loss.

Baggage handling, bus driving and aircraft cleaning jobs with Qantas and Jetstar would be impacted by the move, with the outsourcing happening at 10 airports across the country.

The expected job cuts are on top of 6,000 across its workforce announced in June, which would take the total job losses to nearly 30 per cent of its pre-pandemic roles.

Qantas Domestic Chief Executive Officer Andrew David said the pandemic was one of the greatest challenges the industry had faced.

He said airlines were having to change how they operated in order to survive.

Baggage handling, bus driving and aircraft cleaning jobs with Qantas and Jetstar would be impacted by the move, with the outsourcing happening at 10 airports across the country (pictured: A cleaner at Sydney Airport)

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the second half of 2020 was the toughest few months in the Flying Kangaroo's illustrious 99-year history - it turns 100 on November 16th - and called on state premiers to reconsider tough border closures

'Today's announcement will be very tough for our hardworking teams, most of whom have already been stood down for months without work,' he said.

'This obviously adds to the uncertainty but this is the unfortunate reality of what COVID-19 has done to our industry.'

Outsourcing the ground handling jobs would save an estimated A$100million a year in operating costs, Mr David Said.

'We've already taken drastic action, with more than 220 aircraft grounded, the vast majority of our workforce stood down and assets mortgaged to raise cash.

'Right now, our domestic capacity is at 20 per cent of pre-COVID levels and international travel is expected to take years to recover.'

The airports affected by the move are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Cairns, Townsville, Alice Springs, Perth and Darwin.

Qantas and Jetstar outsource ground handling jobs at 55 other ports around the country.

Last week the airline announced it would not begin flying internationally again until at least July 2021 as it records a $2billion loss in the 2020 financial year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Qantas is set to cut up to 2,400 jobs by outsourcing its Australian ground handling operations as it braces for a $10billion hit to revenue due to the pandemic

'The impact of COVID on all airlines is clear. It's devastating and it will be a question of survival for many,' Mr Joyce said (pictured)

A near total collapse of travel demand and revenue contributed to the losses, which are similar to those recorded within other airlines throughout Australia.

In addition to the international border closures, in place since March 20 several Australian states closed their domestic borders, further crippling an industry already on its knees.

Bosses confirmed Qantas' international flights were unlikely to restart until at least July 2021, and domestic travel would be at 20 per cent of its usual levels.

The year-on-year figures reflect a promising start to the financial year prior to the pandemic - which was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

But as the virus rapidly spread across the globe, the airline's projected profits collapsed.

The embattled airline estimated the blow from the coronavirus pandemic is in excess of $4billion.

A near total collapse of travel demand and revenue contributed to the losses, which are similar to those recorded within other airlines throughout Australia

Qantas will not begin flying internationally again until at least July 2021 as it records a $2billion loss in the 2020 financial year due to the COVID-19 pandemic

A pilot is seen saluting the last Qantas 747 jet when it left Sydney airport for the last time on July 22 (pictured). The planes were retired early because of the coronavirus crisis

The airline stated this drop was a direct reflection of 'the COVID-19 crisis and associated border restrictions'.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the second half of 2020 was the toughest few months in the Flying Kangaroo's illustrious 99-year history - as he called on state premiers to reconsider tough border closures.

QANTAS RESULTS SUMMARY  $4billion revenue blow from COVID-19 crisis  Profit before tax: $124million (down 91%)  Loss before tax: $2.7billion (majority of which is non-cash, including aircraft write downs)  Operating cash flow: $1.1billion Advertisement

'The impact of COVID on all airlines is clear. It's devastating and it will be a question of survival for many,' he said.

'We don't understand why states with zero cases still have borders closed to other states with zero cases... If it's safe, we need to reopen them.'

Mr Joyce acknowledged recovery would be 'choppy', citing a handful of setbacks the airline had already faced.

'We've already had setbacks with borders opening and then closing again. But we know that travel is at the top of people's wish lists and that demand will return as soon as restrictions lift. That means we can get more of our people back to work.'

Mr Joyce criticised state premiers who are refusing to give clear direction on the border closures.

'We don't have any determination for when the borders will reopen, we think and the federal government thinks they should reopen soon.'

'It's a problem for all business, it's a problem for our business and eventually it's going to be a problem for our economy.'

When asked whether he supported Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's decision to keep borders closed potentially until Christmas, Mr Joyce said he doesn't agree with 'blanket closures'.
T he mother of Dylan Freeman called a friend in the early hours of the morning to say she had killed her severely disabled son, an inquest has heard.

Ten-year-old Dylan died on Sunday, August 16 after his airways had been restricted by a sponge, West London Coroners Court heard.

His mother and primary carer, Olga Freeman, appeared at the Old Bailey last week accused of his murder.

Senior coroner Chinyere Inyama, opening the inquest on Tuesday morning, said the mother had recently been prescribed antidepressant tablets.

Olga Freeman appeared at the Old Bailey last week accused of his murder (Elizabeth Cook/PA ) / Elizabeth Cook/PA

He said Dylan had autism, Cohen syndrome  which affects many parts of the body  and other issues.

Mr Inyama said: His mother appeared to be his sole and primary carer, she had recently been put on antidepressants.

His mother called a friend in the early hours to state to the friend that she killed her son.

He said the mother and her friend went to Acton police station in west London and told them what had happened.

Olga Freeman, appeared at the Old Bailey last week accused of his murder / Facebook

Police and paramedics went to Dylans home in Cumberland Park, Acton, where he was found dead.

The coroner said it appeared he had been administered a sleeping aid and had a sponge placed in his mouth, tied with a strap.

His body was identified four days later by his headteacher.

The preliminary cause of death was given as restriction of the airways.

There was no other evidence of injuries caused by assault or restraint, the coroner said during the eight-minute hearing.

Mr Inyama adjourned the inquest until March 2021, pending the outcome of any legal proceedings.

Dylans father, celebrity photographer Dean Freeman, last week described his son as a beautiful, bright, inquisitive and artistic child who loved to travel, visit art galleries and swim.

Loading....

Olga Freeman is due to appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing at the Old Bailey on November 4.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 11:04:04|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BAMAKO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The mediation delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Mali's military junta failed to reach a consensus on the issue of power transition in Mali, the junta said on Monday.

"Nothing is stopped, nothing is decided in regard to the transition, its duration, its direction and the composition of the government to be put in place," said Colonel-Major Ismael Wague, spokesman for Mali's National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP).

"The architecture of the transition will be determined between us Malians here," he said at the end of the negotiations between the ECOWAS delegation and the CNSP.

"We are in consultation with the ECOWAS and no decision will be taken without the political parties and the vital forces of the nation," he said.

Goodluck Jonathan, the head of the ECOWAS mediation delegation, said that he cannot make any official statement at this moment on behalf of ECOWAS, since "we agreed on a number of issues, but there are some issues that we have not agreed on."

Regarding the ECOWAS sanctions currently imposed against Mali, the heads of state and government will discuss the matter during the upcoming extraordinary summit scheduled for Aug. 26.

Keita, a democratically-elected president, announced Tuesday night, under the pressure of mutinous soldiers, his resignation and the dissolution of the National Assembly and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse's government.

Hours after Keita's forced resignation, the ECOWAS decided to suspend Mali from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies, close all air and land borders with Mali, and stop all economic, commercial and financial flows and transactions with Mali.

During an extraordinary summit of the ECOWAS, the heads of state and government decided to deploy a mediation delegation led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

The delegation, which arrived in Bamako on Saturday, have met various political forces in the country for a peaceful solution to the crisis. Enditem
Milwaukee sixth grade school teachers faced row upon row of empty seats when school opened on Sept. 6, 1944, due to the polio quarantine in effect

Milwaukee sixth grade school teachers faced row upon row of empty seats when school opened on Sept. 6, 1944, due to the polio quarantine in effect Credit - Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Six-year-old Janice Flood Nichols and her twin brother, Frankie, were looking forward to Halloween festivities in the Syracuse suburb of DeWitt, N.Y., in 1953 when he came down with what seemed like a cold. But soon he had difficulty breathing and, by Halloween morning, Frankie had been diagnosed with polio. He died the next night.

Eight children in their first-grade class would also fall ill with the dreaded disease; two more died. The night her brother was buried, Nichols was hospitalized with the same disease. She was placed in an isolation room and could only see her parentswho brought the familys dogthrough a window.

Thats the only memory I have, because they werent allowed to visit me, recalls Nichols, who made a full recovery from paralysis and wrote about her experience in Twin Voices: A Memoir of Polio, the Forgotten Killer.

Polio struck communities like DeWitt seemingly at random. The United States had previously experienced outbreaks, but from the mid-1940s to mid-1950s, they came with relentless regularity. While the two diseases diverge significantly, the sense of powerlessness and unpredictability polio brought resonates in todays COVID-19 pandemic, not least in the way outbreaks can affect the classroom.

The question of schools reopening is the subject of intense national political debate; states vary in their mandates and timelines for in-person instruction. Parents and educators are grappling with tough decisions about when, how or even if children should return to the classroom this fall, weighing social and educational needs against health concerns. Amid this confusion, the dilemmas parents faced in the mid-20th century can help put the long and uncertain road ahead in perspective.

Story continues

Polio sometimes cropped up in the spring or lingered into fall, infringing upon the academic yearand catching communities off guard, since its seasonal surges came predominantly during the summer months. In San Antonio, Texas, an outbreak in the spring of 1946 closed schools at first for a couple of weeksand then for the remainder of the term, disrupting graduation festivities and prompting quarantines.

Despite misunderstandings about how the virus was transmitted (mosquitoes and flies were incorrectly considered culprits), parents knew it was highly contagious, and spread when their children were in close contact with others. Social distancingin the parlance of this pandemicwas the foremost countermeasure, even if it meant keeping kids cooped up when an outbreak abruptly halted summer fun.

Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter

There was tremendous fear, and they would close swimming pools and bowling alleys and beaches and try to keep kids out of crowds, says David Oshinsky, author of Polio: An American Story and director of the Division of Medical Humanities at NYU Langone Health. My mother would give me a polio test every couple of dayscould I touch my toes, could I put my chin to my chest?

Polio Poster Cartoon developed by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (early name for March of Dimes) in 1953 Courtesy March of Dimes

It was a sickness harbored by silent carriersthe majority were asymptomatic. There was a vast area below the tip of the iceberg of people who were shedding the virus unknowingly, which scared parents, says Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center and a professor of pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Therefore, everything became a threat.

Though newspapers ran tallies of death and paralysis, the odds of suffering the most devastating effects were relatively low. (At its peak of almost 58,000 reported cases in 1952, polio caused approximately 20,000 paralytic cases nationwide.) Yet the specter of their children in an iron lung was enough to terrify parents into strictly adhering to precautions, useful or not. Exertion, they were admonished, could worsen symptoms. Fastidiously clean homes were a must. Summer camp or the fair or even school became suddenly terrifying.

During the 1916 outbreak, New York Citywhich bore the brunt of the nations cases and deaths that yearshuttered schools based on rudimentary knowledge of how polio spread. And parents took note when officials announced a policy of leniency: 200,000 children were absent even when classes resumed, the New York Times reported. In Minneapolis, a parents group lobbied successfully in favor of playing safe with additional delays, citing an enduring dilemma: No one is absolutely sure of being right, one way or the other.

Later closures also elicited mixed reactions. As the start of school drew near in 1949, some experts felt schools should not be closed during a polio outbreak nor should their opening be delayed, claiming neither altered the outcome, according to the Associated Press. Conversely, in 1955, during the last major outbreak in Massachusetts, school committeesfaced with mounting parental anxiety over the polio situationhave postponed school opening dates despite state health officials advice to the contrary, the AP noted.

Both arguments were inherently unproveable because cases naturally fell when summer ended. And responses varied between localities, ranging from precautionary closures after one case to re-opening while polio lingered. The optimal level of acceptable risk was, as it is now, difficult to measure.

Whenever the outbreak, its effects could not be delinked from their contemporary social context. When polio shut Chicago schools in 1937 during the Great Depression, it paralleled todays concern that interruptions in learning could be devastating to students, and particularlythose who were already the most disadvantaged, says Michael Hines, a historian of education and assistant professor at Stanford University. When educators experimented with radio lessons, the shift to at-home education magnified socioeconomic gapsincluding disparities in access to technology.

Due to the Infantile Paralysis Epidemic in Chicago, the reopening of schools was delayed. Students listen to a pre-arranged course of study via the radio stations, in accordance with a schedule drawn up by several school principals, on Sept 13, 1937 Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Today, despite echoes of shorter closures, COVID is wreaking havoc on education at a magnitude that defies comparison. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently warned of a generational catastrophe globally that could exacerbate entrenched inequalities.

The longer this goes on, the further it will compound the damage, especially for those who are on the margins, says Hines.

Nonetheless, a recent Gallup poll shows a majority of parents dont want their children back in classrooms full-time yet. Springtime hopes of incremental disruptions have vanished; pandemic closures appear to be here for the long haul.

Polio was eventually defeated in the United States, thanks to vaccines administered to millions of schoolchildren in 1955. But the long journey to that point is a cautionary counterbalance to our impatience for a silver bullet to diminish the threat from COVID. For now, factors like vaccine development and efficacy remain wild cards, says Oshinsky. Will we be talking about it in the fall of 2021? Yes, we will.

Perhaps the starkest truth the history of polio shows us is how little control we have in the face of a virus. Year after year, parents bore the anxiety of coping with an invisible threat to their childrens health, mitigating it as best they could within the constraints of their knowledge and foresight. Though her mother took every precaution possible, in the end, says Nichols, parents knew there was no way they could completely protect their children.
Authorities said two people have died after gunfire erupted in Kenosha as demonstrators protested the police shooting of Jacob Blake, who was left paralyzed, per the New York Times.

Details: At least three people were shot Tuesday evening, and authorities are searching for the suspect, the Washington Post notes. There was a standoff between an armed group who said they were protecting property, as several buildings burned and law enforcement used tear gas on protesters during three nights of unrest.

The latest: Blake is paralyzed from the waist down after being shot eight times by police, his father told the Chicago Sun-Times Tuesday. The Blake family's attorney Ben Crump told a news briefing later in the day, "It is going to take a miracle for Jacob Blake Jr. to ever walk again." He added Blake was "struggling to sustain his life."

The big picture: The issue of disproportionate violence against Black people by police officers has come to the fore this year during protests against systemic racism nationwide  and it is increasingly manifesting in localities across the country.

What they're saying: Gov. Tony Evers (D) tweeted Sunday that he stood "against excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with Black Wisconsinites."

Evers said in a statement Monday that he had authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to support local law enforcement in what he called "a limited mobilization" in order "to help protect critical infrastructure and assist in maintaining public safety and the ability of individuals to peacefully protest."

ACLU said in response: "Militarized policing often only serves to exacerbate tensions, and opens the door to more police misconduct and violence. The response to protesters over police brutality cannot be even more brutality."

Catch up quick: Authorities declared an emergency curfew in Kenosha late Sunday as protesters rallied after video posted to social media appeared to show police officers shooting Blake multiple times at close range in his back after responding to a domestic incident.

Kenosha County declared a state of emergency on Tuesday and the curfew was extended until 7am Wednesday.

Protests had remained peaceful the previous day until the 8pm curfew came into effect and law enforcement fired tear gas at demonstrators, according to the Washington Post. Some protesters then threw firecrackers and water bottles, and began lighting fires and attacking signs and buildings, per the Post.

Clashes continued again Tuesday night and police again used tear gas on protesters after the curfew began.

The backdrop: On Sunday, Kenosha Police said officers had responded to a domestic incident when the shooting occurred and that the Wisconsin Department of Justice was investigating.

The Kenosha News reported that Blake was unarmed and said half a dozen witnesses told the outlet he "had tried to break up a fight between the two women outside a home."

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who's representing the Blake family, told CNN the 29-year-old's three young sons were looking on from a car when he was shot.

Worth noting: Kenosha police do not have body cameras, according to the Kenosha News.

"This situation what happened here today, whether it ends up being justified or not, this highlights the need for the city, the mayor especially, to address the situation this year with this budget," Kenosha County Board Supervisor Zach Rodriguez told the outlet at the scene.

More photos from the protests:

Protesters in front of the courthouse in Kenoshan for a second day of demonstrations on Monday. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

A Kenosha County Sheriff's Department officer at Monday's protest. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Outside the courthouse on Tuesday. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Photo: Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Reuters

Photo: Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Reuters

Editors note: This piece was corrected to show Jacob Blakes first name (not James) and to indicate he was injured (not killed). This article also has been updated with new details throughout.
Pfizer Upjohn, a division of Pfizer  one of the worlds premier biopharmaceutical companies  has launched a campaign #KeepItReal, to help make conversations about erectile dysfunction (ED) less of a taboo for couples, enabling them to discuss their problems and find a suitable solution. India has been called the impotence capital of the world by some1, possibly because of its large population and the high prevalence of lifestyle diseases. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a medical condition in which a man is unable to get or maintain a penile erection,2 which leads to no or unsatisfactory sexual intercourse. While treatment is easily available, men often shy away from addressing ED, which can lead to health and relationship issues.

The campaign was launched with a survey3 to gauge peoples knowledge of ED, its treatment and the factors that influence treatment. Interestingly, the survey revealed that 82% of women said that they would ask their partners to visit a doctor to get the right treatment for ED, instead of talking to friends or relying on home remedies. This highlights the crucial role women play in ensuring that their partners get timely and correct treatment from a doctor for ED.

As part of the campaign, various findings from the survey will be used across earned, and owned media platforms. The brand has also launched its own social media platforms Keep It Real with Pfizer Upjohn on Facebook and Youtube to create a community and raise awareness about the increasingly prevalent issue in the country.

Ashutosh Munshi, Executive Vice President, Head, Brand Practice, Edelman India, said, We created the Keep It Real campaign backed by an insight that Erectile Dysfunction takes a toll on both the suffering man and his partner; it often starts with an impact on their relationship. We are happy to partner with Pfizer Upjohn to make the conversation about ED less intimidating, while also creating awareness about this increasingly prevalent lifestyle disease. Each of the campaign elements were created keeping the consumer at the core, thereby earning their attention and driving engagement.

The film can be viewed on the brands Youtube page.

The film begins at a bar, where a man strikes a conversation with an attractive woman who is seen celebrating her wedding anniversary all alone. The two spend the evening together and the woman accompanies the man to his house. As they are about to enter the house, he reveals that he is married. Plot twist: she is too, and the house is theirs! The man and woman are not strangers, but a married couple who have a child together. The two were trying to reignite their romance with a roleplay date.

But when the man forgets his key to the house, it causes the wife to snap out of the roleplay and they start to bicker. Their conversation leads the viewer to understand that the couple has been having trouble being intimate because of the mans ED. Finally, they stop bickering and get real about the issue. The wife assures her husband that they are in this together and suggests they visit a doctor to find a solution.

The film ends by encouraging couples not to skirt around the issue but to seek real treatment.

____________________

[1] Mutha AS et al. An Observational Study to Evaluate the Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Prescribing Pattern of Drugs in Patients with ED Visiting an Andrology Specialty Clinic, Mumbai: 2012-14. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9(7):PC08-PC11.

[2] .S. National Library of Medicine - MedlinePlus. Erectile Dysfunction. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/erectiledysfunction.html Accessed on Jun 17, 2020.

[3] The Pfizer survey was conducted in two parts. The targeted automated user survey with 1MG was carried out in January 2020 and included 1042 men and women from Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata, who bought products in the sexual wellness category on the 1MG platform. The Docplexus survey report on the experience of doctors with patients with ED was also carried out in January 2020 and included 307 doctors who were either urologists, andrologists, sexologists or consulting physicians. The doctors were practicing in Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune or Ahmedabad.
The word manifesto comes from the Latin word manifestum meaning clear or conspicuous.



The Oxford dictionary defines manifesto as a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate. A manifesto according to dictionary.com is defined as a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives, as one issued by a government, sovereign, or organization.



According to Wikipedia, a manifesto is a published declaration of the intentions, motives, or views of the issuer, be it an individual, group, political party or government.



We are currently at the apex of the political season in Ghana as in about three months the people of Ghana will go to the polls again to elect a new President who will govern this country for the next four (4) years. What makes this election unique is the fact the former President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama (JDM), the Presidential candidate elect for the largest opposition party in Ghana, the National Democratic Congress(NDC) is contesting with the sitting President; the candidate elected by the ruling party the New Patriotic(NPP) Party, His Excellency Nana Addo -Danquah Akuffo Addo. The stakes are therefore high as JDM wants a comeback and Nana Addo wants four more years to do more.



As a ritual, all political parties have to launch their manifestos to convince Ghanaian electorates to give them their mandate. The NPP, the ruling government on Saturday, 22nd August 2020 converged at the examination hall of the University of Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana to lunch its 2020 Manifesto titled LEADERSHIP OF SERVICE: PROTECTING OUR PROGRESS, TRANSFORMING GHANA FOR ALL. Many juicy promises were made to convince Ghanaians why they should retain them in power for the next 4 years. We are all waiting patiently for the NDC party manifesto lunch.



As an academic and a chartered marketer, I would like to equate the political partys manifestos to a product and bring to bear why political manifestos are important and why some manifestos fail to win power in Ghana.



Importance of manifestoes for political parties in general



The importance of manifestos to political parties includes but not limited to the following:





1. Promotion of new ideas with prescriptive notions for carrying out changes





2. Presentation of the stance of political parties





3. Helping a section of voters who can read and understand to make an informed choice on which



political party to vote for.





4. Playing an important role in directing the policies of the government whose political party wins



the elections.





5. Playing an important role in the general transformation of a country when a political party wins



an election.





Explanation to the above stated points





1. Promotion of new ideas with prescriptive notions for carrying out changes

what are the new ideas one may ask?



From the electorates perspective, a new idea is any addition or change in the assortment of available choices. The term new idea is somewhat confusing because it can mean so many things. There are several correct definitions of this term. An idea can be new to the world, the electorate and the political party.



At first, glance, defining a new idea would seem easy. Yet, the term new can be defined from different angles. Is it a new idea to the electorate? Even if it has been available elsewhere and used by others for a long time, the newness of an idea affects electorates decisions as to who to vote for and the political partys marketing strategies. What directly affects the electorates decision to vote in favour of party A or B is how new and convincing the idea is. Also, even from an organizational and marketing perspective, there are degrees of the newness of ideas. Having explained what a new idea is, political parties through their manifestoes try to bring new ideas and promises to convince electorates to vote for them.



The NPP in their just ended manifesto lunch made new promises (new ideas) from the old free Senior High School (SHS) policy, the one district one factory (1D1F) policy, access to student loans by tertiary students with just their identity cards, the building of sixteen (16) new SHS in the 16 Zongo communities in Ghana and the new rent policy.



2. Presentation of the stance of political parties



Manifestos present an opportunity for political parties going into elections to present their stance to the electorates. The NPP touts itself as Capitalist while the NDC touts itself as Social Democrats. Each of these political parties through their manifestos enforces their partys stance through policies and programs they intend to roll out given the chance.



3. Helping a section of voters who can read and understand to make an informed choice on which political party to vote for



Do all Ghanaians read and understand political parties manifestos? Do manifestos win elections? These are some questions people ask frequently when the topic of manifestos is discussed. The answer to these questions is a big Yes. Why? Admittedly, not all Ghanaians can read and understand but with the proliferation of media houses all over Ghana, especially when they explain manifestos in different dialects, Ghanaians become aware and understand the promises in the manifestos of the major political parties. This helps them to make informed decisions based on what they hear.



Furthermore, there is a section of Ghanaians called floating voters who do not have a specific political party they belong. Surprisingly, such people form the majority and are mostly educated. They can therefore easily read and understand manifestos. Thus, they usually vote based on policies and programs in the manifestos of political parties. Ultimately, they always decide who wins the general elections. Hence, the manifestos of political parties win elections.



4. Playing an important role in directing the policies of the government whose political party wins the elections



Manifestos are like a compass and they direct a political partys policies when it wins elections and forms a government. As soon as a political party wins an election, manifestoes are implemented as promised. Manifestos are social contracts between political parties and electorates. Every party who wins an election based on the promises made in their manifestos will see to it that they fulfil their manifesto promises so that their mandate can be renewed when their term of office ends and they seek re-election. A political party who wins elections and forms a government can only be retained under this democratic dispensation if only they fulfil most if not all their promises in their manifesto. If these promises are not fulfilled, the electorates generally will not renew their mandate.



5. Playing an important role in the transformation of a country when a political party wins an election





Manifestos play a major role in the transformation of a country. A country is transformed through policies and programs and these are mostly found in political partys manifestos whether political parties are seeking re-election or want to unseat an incumbent. Without manifestos, countries who do not have developmental policies unlike the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) will be seriously affected.



Having exhaustively discussed the importance of manifestos to political parties let me look at why some manifestos of political parties fail in Ghana. As indicated earlier, I would like to equate manifestos to a product and discuss some reasons why some manifestos (products) fail to win power.



Some reasons why Political Manifestos in Ghana (Products) fail



It is estimated that there is a one-in-three failure rate among new manifesto (product) introductions. Common reasons for manifesto failure in Ghana includes but not limited to the following:





1. Inadequate manifesto superiority or uniqueness: if a manifesto (product) is merely an imitation of an already existing manifesto, it does not offer the electorates a relative advantage, and then the manifesto (product) may be doomed from the start. For example, if the manifesto of political party A is known to be pre-existing and it is copied and pasted by another political party, it will be doomed from the start.





2. Inadequate planning: Many manifestos fail because of political partys inability to conduct proper marketing research about the electorates (consumers) needs, wants and expectations among other things. Also, the failure of political parties to develop realistic forecasts of market demand and accurate estimates of the acceptance of a new manifesto.



3. Poor marketing strategies: No matter how good a manifesto is, adequate resources must be allocated so that winning strategies can be properly executed. Many manifestos fail because some political parties think their manifestos are so good and that they will sell themselves. They, therefore, do not provide adequate resources for the marketing of the policies and programs contained in the manifesto for the ordinary electorate to understand. Poor marketing of a good manifesto cannot win an election.



4. Technical problems: Problems may stem from technical failures during production or design of the manifesto. An example can be missing pages, grammatical errors, and poor printing. These factors can affect the readership of a manifesto.



6. Poor timing: The timing of the lunch of a political partys manifesto is critical. What has become the practice in Ghana is that the ruling party usually lunches its manifesto first before the opposition parties lunch theirs. The reason is that the ruling party will steal the ideas of the opposition party. I, however, hold a contrary view to this practice. I am eagerly waiting for the day an opposition party in Ghana will be bold enough to lunch its manifesto earlier than the ruling party will. I am not in any way suggesting that they should rush, but do a good job by launching their manifestos early enough so that they will get ample time to market it well to the electorates before the ruling party launches its manifesto.



Lunching a political partys manifesto too earlier or too late is not good. Thus, political parties must find a fine balance in terms of the timing of the manifesto launch. We are in August, it is barely three (3) months to the general elections, and political parties are now launching their manifestos. Even though the Coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) has undoubtedly disrupted the plans of political parties, it should still not be an excuse for the late launch of the manifestos/ campaigns of political parties as it could have been launch virtually.



Conclusions



In conclusion, the article has looked at what political manifestos entail, their importance and why some fail. It was looked from a marketing perspective and it has concluded that political manifestos win elections and that generally the electorate read and understand manifestos either by themselves or as explained in various dialects on the various media houses. Again, this article concludes that not all manifestos win elections.



Based on the conclusions, the author recommends the following:



General recommendations



 All political parties must allocate adequate resources for research to know the problems of



Ghanaians and effectively seek to address them.





 Political parties should not be complacent in thinking that their manifestos are so good that they



will sell themselves.Seriouse education must carried to explain the policies and programs to the



ordinary Ghanaian.





Specific recommendations





1. To an incumbent seeking re-election





 Adequate resources must be allocated for the marketing of the policies and programs promised in their manifesto for the ordinary electorate to understand. All available media; both online and offline must be fully utilized. Poor marketing of a good manifesto cannot win an election.





 Experienced people within the party who are tried and tested should train the communicators of the party as to how to explain the policies and programs promised in the manifesto in the local dialects to the ordinary voter to understand.





 Where possible, experts outside the party in areas that the party lacks must be consulted.







2. Opposition party seeking to unseat the incumbent





 Lunch your manifesto earlier than the incumbent so that you can get enough time to market your policies and programs to the electorates.





 Pay more attention and allocate a good budget to the marketing of the policies and programs in their manifesto through the various media platforms for the ordinary electorate to understand.





 Where possible consult experts outside the party for advice in certain critical areas.







Author

Dr Alfred Owusu (Senior Lecturer)



Kumasi Technical University



02448830854

[email protected]



Source: Dr Alfred Owusu (Senior Lecturer)









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A medical worker notes on a bag of samples for Covid-19 testing in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, August 11, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Dac Thanh.

A group of six women, five of them living in the U.S., have raised over $12,000 to fund medical supplies and essentials for Vietnams fight against Covid-19.

When Nguyen Ha said she wanted to lend a hand to the fight, her four friends in the U.S. were immediately on board with the idea.

"We all have families and relatives in Vietnam, so we wanted to do something for our homeland," Trieu Thuy Lan, one of the four, said.

"From our experience in organizing community activities, we saw that a week is the optimal time frame to focus resources into spreading our message quickly. We called it 'A week of joining hands for Vietnam'."

Along with Truong Phan Ngoc My, Bui Ngoc Thi and Doan Thi Minh Phuong in the U.S. and Ngo Ngoc Linh in Vietnam, they hatched a GoFundMe campaign to help Vietnamese regions hardest hit by the coronavirus.

In over a week the campaign raised over $12,400 for buying protective suits, masks, hand sanitizers, and other supplies for communities most vulnerable to the pandemic.

With most of them being working mothers, the women had to work extra hard.

Using her experience as a brand lead for a major beverage firm in North America, Lan, who lives in Southern California, was in charge of social media content and media support and managed the GoFundMe page.

Ha, who is studying at Harvard University and takes care of her two children and currently lives in Houston, managed the accounting and marketing.

Phuong, who lives in St. Louis, was in charge of external affairs. The founder and operator of several organizations by students and experts in the U.S., Phuong has managed to connect the campaign with over 20 organizations and Vietnamese communities in several countries, including the U.S., Japan and South Korea.

Thi, who is pursuing a masters degree in neuroscience and behavior at the University of Massachusetts, translated content from Vietnamese to English, while My, who works in medical technology in Boston, was the contact between the group and charity organizations in Vietnam. Her job was to find donors and those who needed help.

Linh, who works in Hanoi, spent nights working on the campaign with the others.

Clockwise from top left: Truong Phan Ngoc My, Nguyen Ha, Bui Ngoc Thi, Trieu Thuy Lan, Doan Thi Minh Phuong and Ngo Ngoc Linh during a daily online meeting for their fundraising campaign. Photo courtesy of the group's members.

Often the group would stay up until 1-2 a.m. (U.S. time) to discuss the campaign before beginning their daily activities at 6-7 a.m.

"We did not want to simply give the money to a unit in Vietnam, but to ensure with our own hands that every cent you donate would be used most effectively," Lan said.

The campaign, which was launched on August 16, quickly received support from students, businesspeople, scholars and in fact people from all walks of life in the U.S.

By the third day it expanded beyond U.S. shores and attracted support from organizations in other countries like Japan and South Korea. By Monday the campaign raised $12,498 as against the initial $10,000 target.

Lan said: "An 11-year-old girl named Quan in California donated $5, her entire savings for the week. She was happy to hear that the money could help buy three meals for other Vietnamese kids. There is one from Da Nang but is in Los Angeles now, who donated $50 despite being unemployed due to Covid-19."

"We were truly moved by the spirit of cooperation among overseas Vietnamese though many in the U.S., the world's Covid-19 hotspot, and other countries are also suffering due to the pandemic."

On August 21 the group transferred $5,000 to Vietnam to support hospitals and people who lost jobs due to Covid-19 in Da Nang and neighboring Quang Nam Province. The money will be used in Quang Nam's Nong Son District to provide medical supplies and other essentials to doctors, nurses and people in quarantine.

The remaining money will go to other places affected by the pandemic.

"The amount of money might not be a lot, but it represents the solidarity overseas Vietnamese feel for our homeland," Lan said. The group plans to turn the campaign into a permanent one to help in future crises.

Vietnam has had 1,022 Covid-19 cases, 406 of them active. Most of the cases were recorded in Da Nang and Quang Nam, since community transmission resurfaced in late July. There have been 27 deaths.
Chattanooga State Community College Class of 2020 TCAT-Chattanooga graduates were honored during a virtual ceremony to recognize their accomplishments amid a challenging year. Dr. Rebecca Ashford, Chattanooga State president, noted that a majority of students work full- or part-time and have multiple responsibilities that made this year filled with common, but also rare and unprecedented challenges.

You used your intelligence, resilience and grit to finish your classes and never gave up on your dreams or yourself, said Dr. Ashford, proving that you can overcome everything that life throws at you.

College System of Tennessee, TBR Chancellor Dr. Flora Tydings congratulated the graduates by alluding to the qualities of fortitude, attitude and gratefulness to those that have helped them through the process, as the reason for their success.

Dr. Jim Barrott, executive vice president of TCAT-Chattanooga praised all 643 graduates, 28 of whom are military veterans, and the 82 members of the National Technical Honor society that represent the top 13 percent of this years graduating class before introducing guest speaker Oscar Gaytan Cruz, the first male graduate of the Medical Assisting day program. Mr. Cruz, who serves as president of both the student chapter of SkillsUSA at TCAT-Chattanooga and SkillsUSA for the State of Tennessee, told fellow students, We are about to launch into life so remember no te rajes, a Spanish phrase meaning dont back out during tough times and to seek out the top of the mountain youre climbing, no matter what lies ahead.

Graduates, family and friends may view the 2020 TCAT-Chattanooga Virtual Commencement Ceremony at https://bit.ly/3aAkdGq.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Jerry Falwell Jr. says he was depressed after wife had affair, man blackmailed family

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., who is currently on an indefinite leave of absence from the Christian college after a series of public embarrassing acts, revealed Sunday that he had been depressed after his wife, Rebecca, had an affair with a young man who then blackmailed his family.

During a vacation over eight years ago, Becki and I met an ambitious young man who was working at our hotel and was saving up his money to go to school. We encouraged him to pursue an education and a career and we were impressed by his initiative in suggesting a local real estate opportunity. My family members eventually made an investment in a local property, included him in the deal because he could play an active role in managing it, and became close with him and his family, Falwell said in a statement to the Washington Examiner late Sunday.

Shortly thereafter, Becki had an inappropriate personal relationship with this person, something in which I was not involved  it was nonetheless very upsetting to learn about, he explained.

Falwell did not identify his wifes former lover but previous reports identify him as Giancarlo Granda, the son of immigrants from Cuba and Mexico, who was 21 at the time he met the Falwells. Granda met the Falwells while working as a pool boy at the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach. That relationship would eventually result in the Falwells investing in a gay-friendly youth hostel they purchased in 2013 for $4.7 million.

According to the Miami Herald, the investment led to even more trouble as Falwell settled a lawsuit last October brought by 28-year-old lawyer Gordon Bello for an undisclosed monetary sum over the hostel deal. Bello claimed in the lawsuit that he and his father, Miami builder Jett Bello, pitched Falwell on the hostel idea after Granda, a high school friend, introduced them.

Granda, who flew with the Falwells on corporate jets and traveled to Liberty University in 2012 to meet now President Donald Trump (a keynote speaker at the university at the time), was granted a 25% share in the South Beach real estate deal. Bello argued that he was promised a similar share.

He further noted that he met Falwells wife through Granda and formed a personal relationship with her before he met the now suspended university president in the lobby of the Loews Miami Beach for the alleged pitch meeting in 2012, the Miami Herald noted.

In his statement Sunday, Falwell explained how he lost 80 lbs after learning of his wifes affair. The couple, he said, forgave each other, because while her indiscretion may have been more obvious and apparent, I realized that there were important smaller things I needed to do better too.

The forgiveness would soon extend to Granda, Falwell explained, with respect and kindness, both for spiritual and religious reasons, and in the hope that we could help him find his way and allow us to put this behind us, without any harm or embarrassment to our family or to the LU community to which we have dedicated our lives.

After getting to know Granda and his family more, Falwell explained, he learned that he has periodically demonstrated emotionally unstable behaviors with some destructive tendencies, seemingly in response to his inability to achieve his professional goals.

He also suggested that Granda may have targeted other successful women in the same way he targeted his wife. Falwell said he and his wife tried to distance themselves from the former pool boy but things devolved into a fatal attraction type situation.

While we tried to distance ourselves from him over time, he unfortunately became increasingly angry and aggressive. Eventually, he began threatening to publicly reveal this secret relationship with Becki and to deliberately embarrass my wife, family, and Liberty University unless we agreed to pay him substantial monies, Falwell explained. It was like living on a roller coaster.

Over the years, Falwell said, Granda stepped up threats against him and his family when they decided to withdraw completely from him. He threatened "to share more outrageous and fabricate claims about us (under the guise of that business entity).

He clearly moved forward with this plan through a specific member of the media who has continued to badger us, as well as other members of the media, regarding the false claims about the nature of the relationship based on the individuals misrepresentations. Over the course of the last few months this person's behavior has reached a level that we have decided the only way to stop this predatory behavior is to go public, Falwell revealed. We have categorically rejected this persons demands while dealing with him and this particular member of the media who seemed just as obsessed with the prurient, untrue aspects of this story, however fantastic.

Falwell explained that he is now addressing his mental health needs triggered by the ongoing saga in a healthier way and is trusting God to get through it.

I shouldnt have been afraid to admit my vulnerabilities and to reach out for assistance from the mental health professionals who could have alleviated this pain and stress. I am committed to speaking out and sharing with others at Liberty the importance of seeking counseling instead of thinking you need to be tough and try to bear these burdens on your own. I am in the early stages of addressing these issues, he said.

Falwell agreed with Libertys board earlier this month to take an indefinite leave of absence from his roles at the university.

The board's decision came after Falwell apologized for posting a photo of himself at a costume party on a yacht during his family's vacation that showed him wearing a T-shirt and jeans that were unzipped to expose his abdomen and underwear. His right hand was around the waist of his wife's assistant, who was wearing a tank top and unzipped shorts.

A group of 50 ministers who graduated from Liberty University are now calling on the school's leadership to permanently remove Falwell from his post.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 10:20:26|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Video-sharing social networking company TikTok has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order banning any U.S. transactions with its parent company ByteDance.

The judicial challenge to Washington's latest show of commercial bullying is not only a just act by a Chinese company to safeguard its legitimate rights, but a strong response to U.S. abuse of state power to enforce its will and disrupt the free market.

Speaking at the daily press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that China supports relevant companies in taking up legal weapons to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, and will continue to take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legal rights and interests of Chinese companies.

The White House may have wanted to justify its witch-hunt against the Chinese company by resorting to the flimsy fig leaf of national security. However, according to The New York Times, even its spy agency has assessed that there is no evidence showing China has intercepted TikTok's data, or used the app to intrude on users' mobile phones.

Though the company "strongly" disagrees with the White House's so-called national security concerns, as TikTok spokesman Josh Gartner put it over the weekend, for nearly a year it has sought to engage in "good faith to provide a constructive solution."

Unfortunately, Tiktok is confronted with a government that is not shy away from blatantly stretching concept of national security and abusing its state power to bring down certain outperforming non-U.S. enterprises.

By oppressing the Chinese company on the pretext of trumped-up charges, some U.S. politicians have openly discarded the principles of market economy and fair competition, which they have always flaunted.

By using political manipulation to suppress the Chinese high-tech enterprise, those political elites in Washington have also put selfish interests above market principle and international rules to the detriment of U.S. users and companies, since the video-sharing app has more than 100 million users, over 1,500 employees and thousands of business partners in the United States.

In addition, some media have already raised concerns that the U.S. suppression of Chinese tech companies may cost U.S. tech companies heavily by losing the Chinese market, which has the potential to be the world's biggest one.

In fact, it is nothing new for Washinton to use its state machine to suppress foreign companies by means of coercion and intimidation, to which Toshiba and Alstom both fell prey.

Take the incident of the French conglomerate Alstom as an example. In 2013, it was charged with bribery crimes, fined heavily by the U.S. Department of Justice, and forced to restructure with the most important part of its business being acquired by an American company, just because it was poised to challenge America's leading position in the same business arena.

In recent years, other Chinese high-tech enterprises, including two leading Chinese 5G equipment providers Huawei and ZTE, have also fallen victim to U.S. state intervention that seeks to bend the rule-based free market to U.S. will.

As Zhao put it, the wanton actions against certain Chinese companies are in essence organized and systematic economic bullying.

By resorting to state power to pummel foreign business rivals, the hypocrisy of the so-called fair competition touted by Washington has been laid bare.

For decades, the United States has boasted of being the so-called guardian of market economy and fair competition. That mantle is now torn to shreds by those self-serving bandits-like politicians who politicize economic issues.

After TikTok filed the lawsuit against the U.S. government, U.S. reputation of being a country ruled by law is now under intense scrutiny. Enditem
Photo: BC Gov Flickr

In anticipation of the return to school this fall, daily health checks for students, teachers, and anyone who wishes to enter school property, will be the best guard against transmission of COVID-19.

That's the word from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, who acknowledges the many layers of protective measures that will be implemented to keep schools safe cannot match the powerful simplicity of staying home when you're not well.

"The number one thing that protects us ... is that every single day, every student, every adult who goes into the school, has to be assessed.

"That's really the important first line of defence that we have, and we know that works."

Some of the additional measures we are likely to see in school restart plans include physical distancing, staggered class and recess times and ventilation support.

However, Dr. Henry says the exact implementation of COVID-19 precautions will differ depending on the school district or individual school.

Public health has provided parameters of how to operate safely to parents, teachers, superintendents, principals and school districts.

Past that point, it is their decision on how best to incorporate those parameters into an everyday learning situation.

"Every school will be slightly different," says Dr. Henry.

"It's like what we did for restaurants, where we put out the parameters and the restaurants came and said this is how we'll make it work in our setting, in our situation ... the layers are still there but the details need to be worked out - within every single school and every single school district."

Further details will come out later this week as public health officials receive plans from each school district, Dr. Henry confirmed.

She says despite valid fears held by parents and caregivers, it is important to keep in mind that not reopening schools could have a more detrimental impact on children and their learning.

"We're all anxious, of course we are. We need to learn how to live with this virus."
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 24, 2020 / Silver Elephant Mining Corp. ("Silver Elephant" or the "Company") (TSX:ELEF)(OTCQX:SILEF)(Frankfurt:1P2N) announces that its wholly owned subsidiary Nevada Vanadium LLC ("Nevada Vanadium") has entered into a binding definitive Asset Purchase Agreement (the "APA") with CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc. ("Cellcube") to acquire the Bisoni vanadium project (Bisoni Project) situated immediately southwest to Nevada Vanadium's Gibellini Project.

Subject to the terms and conditions in the APA, Nevada Vanadium is acquiring the Bisoni Project by its parent Silver Elephant issuing 4 million Silver Elephant common shares and paying $200,000 cash to Cellcube at closing. Additionally, Silver Elephant will make a one-time payment to CellCube of $500,000 worth of Silver Elephant's common shares, upon the price of European vanadium pentoxide price exceeding US$12 a pound for 30 consecutive business days, occurring on or before December 31, 2023. Closing of the acquisition is expected in September 2020 and subject to the final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The Bisoni Project is comprised of 201 lode mining claims, along a 13.8km strike that covers an area of 16.5 square km (1,656 hectares), easily accessed by a graded gravel road extending south from US Highway 50, and is about 25 miles south of the town of Eureka, Nevada.

Together, the Gibellini and Bisoni Projects are comprised of a total of 934 contiguous claims along a 20.7 km (NE-SW) strike covering 43.4 square km (4,342 hectares). The large combined land package hosts significant vanadium resources in the United States, right in the heart of Nevada, a state which is consistently ranked in top 3 of the most attractive jurisdictions in the world for mining investment in 2017, 2018, and 2019, according to the Annual Survey of Mining Companies by the Fraser Institute, an independent Canadian policy think-tank.

Story continues

The current benchmark V2O5 (vanadium pentoxide) price is US$7.10/lb. in China and US$5.50/lb. in Europe according to Metal Bulletin.

Independently estimated historic resources by Edwin Ulmer and Edwin H. Bentzen III in 2016 for the Bisoni Project are tabulated below:

Table 1. Bisoni Project historic resource calculated in 2016

Historic Category M tons V2O5 % M lbs Contained V2O5 Bisoni McKay Indicated 11.88 0.397 94.4 Inferred 7.05 0.427 60.1

Historic resource calculation adopted a 0.2% V2O5 cutoff grade. A qualified person as defined by NI43-101 has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

The May 28, 2018 NI43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate by AMEC for Company's Gibellini Project is tabulated below:

Table 2. Gibellini NI43-101 compliant resource calculated in 2018

Category M tons V2O5 % M lbs Contained V2O5 Gibellini Measured and Indicated 22.95 0.286 131.3 Inferred 14.97 0.175 52.3 Louie Hill Inferred 7.52 0.276 41.5

Gibellini resource estimate calculated using various cutoffs. The Gibellini Mineral Resource Estimate is filed as www.sedar.com. Additional details are included in the Company's press release dated May 29th, 2018 and outlined in the QP statement at the end of this Press Release.

The Bisoni Project was drilled in 1970's by Hecla, and more recently by Stina Resources (now Cellcube) in 2004, 2005, and 2007.

Historic 2005 drill result highlights include:

BMK 05-01 - 98.5 meters grading 0.46% V2O5 from surface, including 36.0 meters grading 0.76% V2O5

BMK 05-02 - 98.1 meters grading 0.53% V2O5 from near surface, including 40.2 meters grading 0.88% V2O5

BMK 05-03 - 105.2 meters of 0.49% V2O5.

Compiled historic results are tabulated below:

Table 3. Historic Bisoni-McKay drilling results

From

(m) To

(m) Interval

(m) Approx true width (m) V2O5

(%) Hole No. DDH BMK 05-01 0.0 22.9 22.9 79.2 0.25 22.9 62.5 39.6 0.3 62.5 98.5 36.0 0.76 0.0 98.5 98.5 0.46 Hole No. DDH BMK 05-02 7.0 36.3 29.3 n/a 0.29 36.3 64.9 28.7 0.29 64.9 105.2 40.2 0.88 7.0 105.2 98.1 0.53 Hole No. DDH BMK 05-03 4.0 25.3 21.3 n/a 0.27 25.3 130.5 105.2 0.49

These drill results are "historic" as defined by NI43-101 and have not been independently verified. Truth widths unknown except where indicated in Table 3.

The host rocks carrying vanadium mineralization at both the Gibellini Project and Bisoni Project belong to the same Gibellini facies of the Woodruff Shale Formation.

There exist several highly prospective exploration targets in between and around the Gibellini and Bisoni McKay deposits (the two are 14km apart) along the northeast - southwest corridor such as the Big Sky prospect, the Middle Earth prospect and the North East prospect (from Gibellini Project) and BMK and BR zones(from Bisoni Project) all with outcropping surface vanadium mineralization that could potentially ultimately lead to additional vanadium mineral discoveries.

Relevant maps can be viewed at www.nevadavanadium.com.

Gibellini Permit Status and Timeline

Nevada Vanadium recently announced the publication of the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Gibellini Project on July 14th, 2020, thus initiating the 12-month process to the issuance of Record of Decision to permit Gibellini for production in accordance with Secretarial Order 3355 (see Company's press release dated July 17th, 2020).

The publication of the NOI follows the final Mine Plan of Operations (MPO), Project Enhanced Baseline Reports (EBRs) and Pre-Planning Supplemental Environmental Reports that were accepted by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Battle Mountain District prior to the start of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis.

The MPO includes the construction, operation and closure of the Gibellini Project, which is an open pit mining operation and heap leach process facility to extract and recover an average of 10 million pounds of vanadium pentoxide annually, 132 million pounds of vanadium pentoxide over the life of the Gibellini Project.

About Vanadium

On June 2, 2020, US Department of Commerce published the following as it initiates Section 232 investigation into imports of vanadium:

"Vanadium is a metal used in production of metal alloys and as a catalyst for chemicals across aerospace, defense, energy, and infrastructure sectors. Designated a strategic and critical material, vanadium is used for national defense and critical infrastructure applications. Examples include aircraft, jet engines, ballistic missiles, energy storage, bridges, buildings, and pipelines. Vanadium is a key component in aerospace applications due to its strength-to-weight ratio, the best of any engineered material. U.S. demand is supplied entirely through imports.

Vanadium is utilized in our national defense and critical infrastructure, and is integral to certain aerospace applications," said Secretary Ross. "We will conduct a thorough, fair, and transparent investigation to determine whether vanadium imports threaten to impair U.S. national security."

The Gibellini Project is scheduled to become the first primary vanadium mine in the United States at the end of 2023.

Qualified Persons

The technical contents of this news release have been prepared under the supervision of Danniel Oosterman, VP Exploration. Mr. Oosterman is not independent of the Company in that he is employed by the Company. Mr. Oosterman is a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by the guidelines in NI 43-101. The Qualified Person for the Gibellini estimate is Mr. E.J.C. Orbock III, RM SME, a Wood employee. The Mineral Resources have an effective date of 29 May, 2018 and filed on SEDAR on June 25th, 2018 and is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Mineral Resources are reported at various cut-off grades for oxide, transition, and reduced material.

About Nevada Vanadium

Nevada Vanadium, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Silver Elephant Mining Corp (OTCQX: SILEF, TSX: ELEF), is developing the Gibellini Project - the only large-scale, open-pit, heap-leach vanadium project of its kind in North America. Located in Nevada, Gibellini is currently undergoing project engineering and permit development. Further information on Nevada Vanadium can be found at www.nevadavanadium.com

About Silver Elephant

Silver Elephant is a mineral exploration company. Further information on Silver Elephant be found at www.silverelef.com.

SILVER ELEPHANT MINING CORP.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Ron Espell

For more information about Silver Elephant, please contact Investor Relations:

+1.604.569.3661 ext. 101

ir@silverelef.com www.silverelef.com

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this news release are about future events and performance. Such statements are based on current estimates, predictions, expectations, or beliefs. The subjects of the statements include, but are not limited to (i) construction of a mine at the project and related actions; (ii) estimates of the capital costs of constructing mine facilities, bringing the mine into production, and sustaining the mine, together with estimates of the length of financing payback periods; (iii) the estimated amount of future production, of both ore mined and metal recovered; and (iv) estimates of the life of the mine and of the operating and total costs, cash flow, net present value, and economic returns, including internal rate of return from an operating mine constructed at the project. All forward-looking statements are based on Company's or its consultants' current beliefs and assumptions, which are in turn based on the information currently available to them. The most significant assumptions are set forth above, but generally these assumptions include: (i) the presence and continuity of vanadium mineralization at the project at the estimated grades; (ii) the geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of the rock conforming to the sampled results; (iii) infrastructure construction costs and schedule; (iv) the availability of personnel, machinery, and equipment at the estimated prices and within the estimated delivery times; (v) currency exchange rates; (vi) vanadium sale prices; (vii) appropriate discount rates applied to the cash flows in the economic analysis; (viii) tax rates applicable to the proposed mining operation; (ix) the availability of acceptable financing on reasonable terms; (x) projected recovery rates and use of a process method, which although well-known and proven with other commodity types, such as copper, has not been previously brought into production for a vanadium project; (xi) reasonable contingency requirements; (xii) success in realizing proposed operations; and (xiii) assumptions that the project's environmental approval and permitting is forthcoming from county, state, and federal authorities. The economic analysis is partly based on Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, and there is no certainty that any economic assessment based on these Mineral Resources will be realized. Currently there are no Mineral Reserves on the Gibellini property. Although the Company's management and its consultants consider these assumptions to be reasonable, given the information currently available to them, they could prove to be incorrect. Many forward-looking statements are made assuming the correctness of other forward-looking statements, such as statements of net present value and internal rates of return. Those statements are based in turn on most of the other forward-looking statements and assumptions made herein. The cost information is also prepared using current values, but the time for incurring the costs is in the future and it is assumed costs will remain stable over the relevant period.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements by the Company or its consultants. The Company and its consultants believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove correct. In addition, although the Company and its consultants have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events, or results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. The Company and its consultants undertake no obligation to publicly release any future revisions of the forward-looking statements that reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this news release or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

SOURCE: Silver Elephant Mining Corp.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/602831/Silver-Elephant-Subsidiary-Acquires-Bisoni-Vanadium-Project-Next-To-Gibellini




SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announces Steve Sidel, Founder and CEO, Mindoula, is an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 Mid-Atlantic Award finalist. Now in its 34th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program honors entrepreneurial business leaders whose ambitions deliver innovation, growth and prosperity as they build and sustain successful businesses that transform our world. Steve Sidel was selected as a finalist by a panel of independent judges.

Award winners will be announced through a special virtual event in early October and will join a lifelong community of esteemed Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. This year, unstoppable entrepreneurs who have provided extraordinary support for their communities, employees and others during the COVID-19 crisis will also be recognized for their courage, resilience and ingenuity.

Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent competitive award programs for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. The nominees are evaluated based on six criteria, including overcoming adversity; financial performance; societal impact and commitment to building a values-based company; innovation; and talent management. Since its launch, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries around the world.

"I am honored to be a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 Mid-Atlantic award," says Mindoula Founder and CEO Steve Sidel. "During these challenging times, it is affirming to have this opportunity to bring additional recognition to our selfless team of tech-enabled care extenders who remain focused on building a fast-growing business dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families too often overlooked, ignored, labeled, or left behind."

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards to be announced in November during a virtual awards gala. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2021.

Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries - all supported by vast EY resources.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP America and the Kauffman Foundation. In the Mid-Atlantic region, sponsors also include Platinum Sponsor PNC and Gold Sponsors Cooley, DLA Piper, Kelly Benefit Strategies, the Washington Business Journal and the Baltimore Business Journal.

About Mindoula

Mindoula is a leading population health management company that scales the human connection through technology to address mind, body, and life challenges. Mindoula identifies, engages, and serves populations that might otherwise be overlooked or left behind, and delivers tech-enabled, team-based, 24/7 support across the continuum of care. Mindoula's adaptive data science approach, multi-platform technology stack, virtual Collaborative Care Program, and virtual + in-person care extension solutions enable its enterprise partners to achieve improved outcomes and significantly reduce costs by integrating behavioral, medical, and social determinants of health. Headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, Mindoula currently operates in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Nevada, Louisiana, New Jersey, Michigan, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and California with national expansion plans to meet the growing need for integrated whole person care. For more information, please visit www.mindoula.com .

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. Winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. ey.com/us/eoy

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, strategy, transaction and consulting services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

Mindoula Media Contact:

Aileen Kantor

301-537-8996

[email protected]

SOURCE Mindoula
There are up to a hundred different receptors on the surface of each cell in the human body. The cell uses these receptors to receive extracellular signals, which it then transmits to its interior. Such signals arrive at the cell in various forms, including as sensory perceptions, neurotransmitters like dopamine, or hormones like insulin.

One of the most important signaling molecules the cell uses to transmit such stimuli to its interior, which then triggers the corresponding signaling pathways, is a small molecule called cAMP. This so-called second messenger was discovered in the 1950s. Until now, experimental observations have assumed that cAMP diffuses freely - i.e., that its concentration is basically the same throughout the cell - and that one signal should therefore encompass the entire cell.

"But since the early 1980s we have known, for example, that two different heart cell receptors release exactly the same amount of cAMP when they receive an external signal, yet completely different effects are produced inside the cell," reports Dr. Andreas Bock. Together with Dr. Paolo Annibale, Bock is temporarily heading the Receptor Signaling Lab at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) in Berlin.

Like holes in a Swiss cheese

Bock and Annibale, who are the study's two lead authors, have now solved this apparent contradiction - which has preoccupied scientists for almost forty years. The team now reports in Cell that, contrary to previous assumptions, the majority of cAMP molecules cannot move around freely in the cell, but are actually bound to certain proteins - particularly protein kinases. In addition to the three scientists and Professor Martin Falcke from the MDC, the research project involved other Berlin researchers as well as scientists from Wurzburg and Minneapolis.

"Due to this protein binding, the concentration of free cAMP in the cell is actually very low," says Professor Martin Lohse, who is last author of the study and former head of the group. "This gives the rather slow cAMP-degrading enzymes, the phosphodiesterases (PDEs), enough time to form nanometer-sized compartments around themselves that are almost free of cAMP." The signaling molecule is then regulated separately in each of these tiny compartments. "This enables cells to process different receptor signals simultaneously in many such compartments," explains Lohse. The researchers were able to demonstrate this using the example of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), the activation of which in different compartments required different amounts of cAMP.

"You can imagine these cleared-out compartments rather like the holes in a Swiss cheese - or like tiny prisons in which the actually rather slow-working PDE keeps watch over the much faster cAMP to make sure it does not break out and trigger unintended effects in the cell," explains Annibale. "Once the perpetrator is locked up, the police no longer have to chase after it."

Nanometer-scale measurements

The team identified the movements of the signaling molecule in the cell using fluorescent cAMP molecules and special methods of fluorescence spectroscopy - including fluctuation spectroscopy and anisotropy - which Annibale developed even further for the study. So-called nanorulers helped the group to measure the size of the holes in which cAMP switches on specific signaling pathways. "These are elongated proteins that we were able to use like a tiny ruler," explains Bock, who invented this particular nanoruler.

The team's measurements showed that most compartments are actually smaller than 10 nanometers - i.e., 10 millionths of a millimeter. This way, the cell is able to create thousands of distinct cellular domains in which it can regulate cAMP separately and thus protect itself from the signaling molecule's unintended effects. "We were able to show that a specific signaling pathway was initially interrupted in a hole that was virtually cAMP-free," said Annibale. "But when we inhibited the PDEs that create these holes, the pathway continued on unobstructed."

A chip rather than a switch

"This means the cell does not act like a single on/off switch, but rather like an entire chip containing thousands of such switches," explains Lohse, summarizing the findings of the research. "The mistake made in past experiments was to use cAMP concentrations that were far too high, thus enabling a large amount of the signaling molecule to diffuse freely in the cell because all binding sites were occupied."

As a next step, the researchers want to further investigate the architecture of the cAMP "prisons" and find out which PDEs protect which signaling proteins. In the future, medical research could also benefit from their findings. "Many drugs work by altering signaling pathways within the cell," explains Lohse. "Thanks to the discovery of this cell compartmentalization, we now know there are a great many more potential targets that can be searched for."

"A study from San Diego, which was published at the same time as our article in Cell, shows that cells begin to proliferate when their individual signaling pathways are no longer regulated by spatial separation," says Bock. In addition, he adds, it is already known that the distribution of cAMP concentration levels in heart cells changes in heart failure, for example. Their work could therefore open up new avenues for both cancer and cardiovascular research.

###

Literature

Bock, Andreas & Annibale, Paolo et al. (2020): "Optical mapping of cAMP signaling at the nanometer scale"; Cell, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.07.035

Press contacts

Dr. Andreas Bock

Co-head of the Receptor Signaling Lab

Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC)

+49-(0)30-9406-1745

Andreas.Bock@mdc-berlin.de

Professor Martin Lohse

ISAR Bioscience Institute, Munchen

Martin.Lohse@isarbioscience.de

Christina Anders

Editor, Communications Department

Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC)

+49-(0)30-9406-2118

christina.anders@mdc-berlin.de or presse@mdc-berlin.de

The Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine

The Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) was founded in Berlin in 1992. It is named for the German-American physicist Max Delbruck, who was awarded the 1969 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. The MDC's mission is to study molecular mechanisms in order to understand the origins of disease and thus be able to diagnose, prevent, and fight it better and more effectively. In these efforts the MDC cooperates with Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin and the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) as well as with national partners such as the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) and numerous international research institutions. More than 1,600 staff and guests from nearly 60 countries work at the MDC, just under 1,300 of them in scientific research. The MDC is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (90 percent) and the State of Berlin (10 percent), and is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. http://www.mdc-berlin.de

Grants for new research projects : https://www.mdc-berlin.de/news/news/grants-new-research-projects
[Live N.Y.C. mayoral race primary results.]

Six months ago, the 2021 race for mayor in New York City seemed to be coalescing around three well-known Democrats, all male elected officials, and two of them white.

The white men, Corey Johnson, the City Council speaker, and Scott M. Stringer, the city comptroller, had name recognition, fund-raising advantages and institutional support, making it hard to fathom any other candidates having a serious chance to succeed Mayor Bill de Blasio, who will step down because of term-limit requirements.

But then New York City was confronted first by a pandemic that has killed nearly 24,000 people in the city, many of them Black and Latino, and then waves of civil unrest stirred by Black Lives Matter protests.

With 10 months before the 2021 mayoral primary, the race may still come down to Mr. Stringer, Mr. Johnson or the third well-known Democrat, Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, who is Black.
2020 is certainly not a typical year.

From COVID-19 to nationwide protests to a presidential election, this year has proven to be quite an exhaustive one for Americans across the country.

However, in between all of the bad news are some glimmers of hope, especially here in the Nutmeg State.

From coronavirus survivors telling their stories to ordinary people looking to make a difference in their community, here is some good news from Connecticut from the past year.




Mercy

A woman from Uganda who lived in extreme poverty in Scotland has been found dead next to her malnourished baby in a Glasgow flat.

Mercy Baguma, a refugee from Uganda, was found dead by police on Saturday, August 22 after friends raised the alarm when she had not been seen or heard from since Tuesday, August 18.

GlasgowLive reports that the baby boy was rushed to the hospital for treatment but was released yesterday with the childs father now caring for him in a different city.

The report said Mercy lost her job after her limited leave to remain in the UK had expired and was no longer allowed to work. She had to to rely on friends and charities to survive.

Speaking on the sad occurrence, Robina Qureshi, the Director of Positive Action in Housing said: This is the third tragedy to affect the citys refugee population in as many months.

Mercy contacted our charity on August 11 and said she was not getting any financial support yet had made an application to MigrantHelp.

Had she lived she would have been a high priority for a crisis payment from our Emergency Relief Fund like hundreds of others left functionally destitute by the asylum system.

The question remains, why are mothers and babies being left to go hungry in this city, why is it being left to charities and volunteers to pick up the pieces?

Does society have anything to say about that other than call them a drain on society?

The fact is there is no safety net if youre a refugee or migrant.

You are left destitute and without resources. And youre left silenced by far right rhetoric for being forced to ask for help.

Would this mother be alive if she was not forced out of her job by this cruel system that stops you from working and paying your way because a piece of paper says your leave to remain has expired?

Im sure Mercys son will want to ask this and other questions once he is old enough.

A friend of Mercy has set up a GoFundMe appeal to raise funds for her infant son and to cover the costs of her funeral.

She described Mercy as an amazing mother, sister and best friend who always put her family first.
BEIJING, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. ("Xinyuan" or "the Company") (NYSE: XIN), an NYSE-listed real estate developer and property manager, today announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the second quarter on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, before U.S. markets open.

Xinyuan's management team will host an earnings conference call to discuss its second quarter 2020 financial results on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 8:00am ET, listeners may access the call by dialing:

US Toll Free: 1-866-575-6539 Toll/International: 1-323-994-2082 Mainland China National: 4001 209101 Hong Kong Toll Free: 800 961 105 United Kingdom Toll Free: 0800 358 6377

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until September 9, 2020:

US: 1-844-512-2921 International: 1-412-317-6671 Access code: 7000011

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://ir.xyre.com.

A live broadcast will be also available at Roadshowing and FUTU platform, the links are as follows:

https://www.roadshowing.com/roadshowing/info.html?id=26335

https://q.futunn.com/nnq/detail/104747777851400.html

About Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.

Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. ("Xinyuan") is an NYSE-listed real estate developer and property manager primarily in China and recently in other countries. In China, Xinyuan develops and manages large scale, high quality real estate projects in over ten tier one and tier two cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Zhengzhou, Jinan, Qingdao, Chengdu, Xi'an, Suzhou, Dalian, Zhuhai and Foshan. Xinyuan was one of the first Chinese real estate developers to enter the U.S. market and over the past few years has been active in real estate development in New York. Xinyuan aims to provide comfortable and convenient real estate related products and services to middle-class consumers. For more information, please visit http://www.xyre.com.

Investor Contact:

For more information, please contact:

In China:

Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.

Mr. Charles Wang

Investor Relations Director

Tel: +86 (10) 8588-9376

Email: [email protected]

The Blueshirt Group

Ms. Susie Wang

Mobile: +86 (138) 1081-7475

Email: [email protected]

In the United States:

The Blueshirt Group

Ms. Julia Qian

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.xyre.com


Former president John Dramani Mahama has insisted that the renowned Okada business which is illegal per the laws of the country has created more jobs than the recently implemented NaBCo.



The former leader who in a recent address to the people of Kpando in the Volta region promised to legalize the much-dreaded business came under public scrutiny for his remarks.



But he remain unfazed and resolute as he has insisted in a separate interaction that the Okada business has created more employment avenues than any of the employment-based programs of government, including the YEA.



The Nation Builders Corps (NaBCo) which was launched by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government in May 2018 targeted over 100,000 unemployed graduates with a monthly stipend of about GHC700.



John Mahama, while defending his plans to legalise the unpopular mode of transport in an interview with Woesor TV Sunday, August 23, 2020 said why behave like the turkey and bury your head in the sand? This pragyas, Aboboyaa, okadas have created more jobs in this economy than any government job-related policy. It has created more jobs than NaBCo, YEA and all those artificial job creation programs



Giving reasons for his new plan he said people involved in this genuine line of business often suffer harassment from personnel of the Ghana Police Service.



Thus regulating it would prove more sustainable and effective as it has come to stay.



He said, these young people live under harassment because its illegal and so the police stop them, they take money from them and so my suggestion is that why do we behave like the ostrich? Let us legalise it and let us regulate it, lets make it safer



Mr Mahama remarked that as a prelude to the full legalization of the Okada business if he is elected, persons involved must be trained on how to ride a motor cycle properlyhe must have safety precautionsthey must not overload the motor cyclethey must identify that this is a commercial motorcycle so that we know that theyre following the rulesthey must obey all traffic regulations



In terms of adherence to the laws, Mr Mahama indicated that person who flout the rules of the business will have their licenses revoked.



This he believes will bring some discipline into the sector.



Meanwhile, Parliament in 2012 approved a legislative proposal by the government to pass the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (Legislative Instrument 2180) to regulate road transport in the country.



Pursuant to this, Sections 128 (1), (2) and (3) of the L.I. 2180, prohibited the use of motorcycle or tricycle, or what has been popularly known as Okada for commercial purposes.



However, in March 2019, members of the minority in Parliament called for the amendment of the countrys road traffic laws to accommodate the Okada business but that has not materialized.

Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
South Africa: WHO urges countries to sign COVID-19 vaccine pact

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to desist from the nationalisation of COVID-19 vaccines and has requested that they join a vaccine pact.

The call from WHO comes as countries across the world race to find a vaccine for COVID-19.

Following a letter to all member states requesting them to join the vaccine arm of the Act-Accelerator, WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus announced that 172 countries have signed up to COVAX Global Vaccines Facility.

The facility is a critical mechanism for joint procurement and pooling risk across multiple vaccines so that whatever vaccine is proven to be safe and effective  all countries within the facility will be able to access them.

The facility has both the largest and most diverse COVID-19 vaccine portfolio in the world.

New research outlines that global competition for vaccine doses could lead to prices spiking exponentially in comparison to a collaborative effort such as the COVAX Facility.

It would also lead to a prolonged pandemic as only a small number of countries would get most of the supply. Vaccine nationalism only helps the virus, said Ghebreyesus.

Presently, there are nine vaccines that are part of this dynamic portfolio; which is constantly being reviewed and optimised to ensure access to the best possible range of products.

Even now discussions are ongoing with four more producers and a further nine vaccines are currently under evaluation for the longer term, said Ghebreyesus.

The success of the COVAX Facility hinges not only on countries signing up to it, but also filling key funding gaps for both the research and development work and to support lower-income economies within the facility.

Investing in the COVAX Facility is the fastest way to end this pandemic and ensure a sustainable economic recovery, said the WHO DG.

Through the allocation framework, COVAX will ensure that low-, middle- and high-income countries all receive the vaccine in a timely way as soon as there is supply of a safe and effective vaccine.

Initially, when there will be limited supply, WHO said those at highest risk around the world will receive the vaccine.

This includes health workers, as they are on the frontlines in this pandemic and critical to saving lives and stabilising the overall health system.

It also includes people over 65 years old and those with certain diseases that put them at higher risk of dying from COVID-19.

As supply increases, the next stage of the vaccine rollout would be expanded based on an assessment of each countrys vulnerability to the virus.

A number of vaccines are now in the final stage of clinical trials and we all hope we will have multiple successful candidates that are both safe and effective.

In order to be able to secure enough doses to rollout the vaccines, the next step for the partnership is for countries to make binding commitments in support of the COVAX Facility, said Ghebreyesus.

While funds have already been committed towards the COVAX Facility, WHO said more is urgently needed to continue to move the portfolio forward.

The goal of the mechanism is to deliver at least two billion doses of safe, effective vaccines by the end of 2021.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A US national who had come to India on a spiritual trip fought off a man who allegedly attempted to sexually assault her.

The incident happened in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

Agencies

The woman came to Tiruvannamalai in March and was planning to return after visiting Ramana Ashram.

However, she was stranded here due to the lockdown. She extended her visa and took a house on rent in the city.

On Sunday, when the woman was outside her house, the accused who was wearing saffron clothes approached her and pushed her inside her house and attempted to rape her.

The woman who was trained in martial arts managed to overpower the attacker who did not expect her to fight back.

She raised an alarm and with the help of some locals caught hold of the accused who was then handed over to the police.

bccl

The man, identified as Manikandan - a native of Namakkal - was roaming around the temple town falsely claiming to be a saint "attempted to sexually assault" the woman, a senior police official said.

"We are questioning him, investigation is going on and nothing more could be divulged now," he said.

The accused who claims to have travelled across several spiritual centers across the country had come to Tiruvannamalai earlier this year and was living on handouts from pilgrims visiting the temple town.

wikimedia

Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu is dotted with several ashrams, and is popular for the ancient Sri Arunachaleswara temple and many spiritually-inclined people have made this town their home.
In this file photo, the BBC Symphony Orchestra performs at the last night of the BBC Proms festival of classical music at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sept. 12, 2015. (Reuters/Neil Hall/File Photo)

Rule Britannia! BBC to Play Traditional Proms AnthemWithout Any Words

Rule Britannia! will be played at The Last Night of the Proms, the traditional classical concert that is televised to the nation every yearbut without the words, the BBC announced on Monday.

The BBC, Britains publicly funded broadcaster, said that the final night of its Proms concert series would feature only orchestral versions of Rule Britannia! and another patriotic mainstay, Land of Hope and Glory, instead of the traditional versions with lyrics.

File photo shows revelers waving flags during the last night of the BBC Proms festival of classical music at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sept. 12, 2015. (Reuters/Neil Hall/File Photo)

The BBC said in a statement that it changed the details in this years set-list for the event due to much-reduced musical forces and because there would be no live audience.

Political Correctness

Critics, however, accused the broadcaster of caving in to political correctness and pressure from social justice campaigners.

Black Lives Matter activists have, according to reports, objected to the traditional song lyrics due to a perceived association with colonialism and slavery.

The BBC, however, said it would respect the events traditions and spirit, yet at the same time modify the usual Last Night format to adapt to very different circumstances at this moment in time.

The two traditional anthems are hugely popular with the audiences that usually pack the Royal Albert Hall in London each year for the Last Night celebration.

Singalong

Audiences normally wave the Union Jack while singing along to the anthems in whats seen as a triumphant and emotional expression of national pride in Britain.

This year, however, due to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, there will be no live audience at the event.

The controversy over the two songs started on Sunday when an uncited source reportedly told the Sunday Times newspaper that the 35-year-old Finnish conductress, Dalia Stasevska, who will conduct the Last Night, was among those eager to revise the program.

She reportedly wanted to modernize the program and reduce the patriotic elements, the newspaper said.

Stasevska was then criticized on social media, after which the BBC defended her.

We very much regret the unjustified personal attacks on Dalia Stasevska, BBC Symphony Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor, made on social media and elsewhere, the broadcaster said.

As ever, decisions about the Proms are made by the BBC in consultation with all artists involved.

The controversy also drew comment from members of the government, who defended the two traditional songs.

Substance not Symbols

After The Sunday Times story, Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Downing Street office said he believed in tackling the substance not the symbols of problems.

I think its time we stopped our cringing embarrassment about our history, about our traditions, and about our culture, Johnson said on Tuesday in a further response.

His culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, also leapt to the defense of the songs on Monday.

Dowden said he shared the concerns of many about the potential removal of the songs, and wrote on Twitter that he had raised the matter with the BBC.

Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory are highlights of the Last Night of the Proms Share concerns of many about their potential removal and have raised this with @BBC Confident forward-looking nations dont erase their history, they add to it  Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) August 24, 2020

Confident forward-looking nations dont erase their history, they add to it, he wrote.

The BBCs decision to remove the lyrics to the two traditional songs for the Proms finale was also met with criticism from the music world.

Shades of Opinion

The BBC will allow the tune to be played but not sung, thereby offending all shades of opinion all the time, music critic and author Norman Lebrecht wrote in a blog post after the BBC announced the program for the Sept. 12 concert.

There is no excuse for such cowardice. At least one BBC head should roll, he said.

Late on Tuesday, the BBC issued a second statement saying that the lyrics would return to the program in 2021.

Land of Hope and Glory is a patriotic song composed in 1901 by Edward Elgar and with lyrics by A. C Benson.

Rule, Britannia! was set to music by Thomas Arne in 1740, and its lyrics were based on a poem by James Thomson.

Its lyrics include the line Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves, Britons never, never, never, will be slaves.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
The British oil exploration and production (E&P) giant BP Plc has written off a part of its investments in Reliance Industries' much-hyped assets in Krishna Godavari (KG) Basin. The company has not quantified the write-offs country-wise, but it comes to nearly $2 billion for India, Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico.

"Second quarter (April-June) and first half 2020 include the exploration write-off of $1,969 million ($1,670 million after tax) relating to fair value ascribed to certain licences as part of the accounting at the time of acquisition of upstream assets in Brazil, India and the Gulf of Mexico," BP Plc said in its press statement.

In 2011, BP Plc had bought 30 per cent stake in most of RIL's oil and gas blocks, including the gigantic eastern offshore KG-D6 fields. BP Plc entered into the business as an equity partner since the assets were facing huge decline in production quantity. The assets failed to meet its production targets set by the government even after BP Plc's entry. The E&P business of RIL has been making losses for the last 3-4 years.

Also read: COVID-19 fallout: BP slashes dividend after $6.7 billion loss in Q2

BP has previously written off $790 million in 2014 from its Indian investments. Despite the write off, the company has further invested $5 billion along with RIL at three blocks in KG Basin --- -R Series, Satellite & MJ. BP's share would come around $1.5 billion in the new investment.

In addition, BP has invested another $1 billion in July for 49 per cent stake in RIL's fuel retailing joint venture. The new CEO of BP Plc, Bernard Looney said during the recent earnings call, "In India last month, we launched our new Jio-BP mobility partnership with Reliance. It aims to create a fuels retail network of up to 5,500 sites over the next five years. And we'll do that in partnership with our great friend, Mukesh and the team at Reliance."

Also read: Oil majors begin evacuating offshore oil facilities as tropical storms head towards Gulf of Mexico

BP Plc spokesperson said in an email reply, "Unfortunately, at the moment we don't have any more to add to what we have already released. The write offs we discussed in the June press release are across our global operations, and we have not gone into any detail yet on where those write offs will be. Similarly, we have no country specific details to add to Bernard's remarks on exploration and reducing oil and gas production."

COVID-19 pandemic has delayed production from RIL's R-series block, which was planned to start in June. The production commencement has been pushed to the second half of this fiscal. The KG D6 project (three phases) is expected to produce more than 3 trillion cubic feet of gas with gross production of 28 million metric standard cubic metres per day, and should reach peak production by FY24.

Also read: Saudi Aramco losses to derail investment in Reliance

RIL has said earlier that the production from satellite cluster and MJ are expected in 2021-22. BP Plc's impairment charges in the upstream segment were $11,100 million and $11,885 million for the second quarter and half year, respectively. Impairment charges mainly arose as a result of changes to the group's oil and gas price assumptions, the company said. It includes valuation changes in Azerbaijan, BPX Energy, Canada, Egypt, India, Mauritania & Senegal, the North Sea, and Trinidad.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Max Financial Services share price surged over 13 percent intraday on August 25 after global research firm CLSA upgraded the stock to buy and has raised target price.

CLSA has upgraded the stock to buy and has raised the target to Rs 720 from Rs 640 per share. With Axis Bank to buy 17 percent in Max Life against 29 percent earlier, it sees this as another step towards deal closure, according to a CNBC-TV18 report.

The brokerage firm is of the view that the deal revision reduces the uncertainty of a long-term distribution tie-up adding that with less regulatory uncertainty likely, it has upgraded the stock to buy.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in June raised concerns over four clauses in the agreement, according to a Mint report.

"Max Life and Axis have made significant alterations in their proposed JV agreement to secure regulatory approvals and expedite closure of the deal. Max Life and Axis Bank have erased some key clauses in their agreement in order to convince IRDAI," a source told the publication.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story.

In April, Axis Bank said it will raise its stake in Max Life Insurance to 30 percent from 1 percent, after purchasing shares from Max Financial Services (MFS) for nearly Rs 1,600 crore.

The companies have removed a clause that proposed listing of Max Life Insurance after merging it with its listed parent company MFS, since it would have violated Section 35 of the Insurance Act, 1938, a source told Mint.

: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 23:56:13|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese police on Tuesday handed over two Korean criminal suspects to a task team from the Republic of Korea (ROK) at north China's Tianjin Municipality at the request of the ROK, said China's Ministry of Public Security.

The two men, surnamed Lee and Park, were wanted by ROK law enforcement organs for suspected crimes in the ROK, said the ministry, adding that they absconded to China in October 2019 before the Interpol issued a red notice on them. They have since been in China illegally.

The Chinese police attached great importance to the case and arrested the suspects in Langfang, a city in north China's Hebei province, on Aug. 10, according to the ministry.

Chinese public security organs will continue to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation to combat transnational crimes under the law, said the ministry. Enditem
Former Vice President Al Gore on Tuesday endorsed Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, a fellow environmental champion embroiled in a U.S. Senate primary against challenger Rep. Joe Kennedy III.

Gore, Bill Clintons vice president and a longtime environmentalist, said in a video posted by the Markey campaign that the U.S. needs the leadership of his friend Markey in the U.S. Senate now more than ever.

What this (COVID-19) pandemic and the climate crisis have in common is they reveal the horrible inequities in racial injustice and structural racism that has to be dealt with, Gore said. And solving the the climate crisis and creating all these jobs gives us the ideal opportunity to do that.

Gore cited legislation authored by Markey, including bills that reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved fuel efficiency and the Green New Deal, a resolution that calls for reliance on, and creating jobs in, renewable energy, along with combating climate change in vulnerable communities.

We have to have leadership to move forward and boldly with intelligence and creativity and courage, Gore said. Youve got this encyclopedia of solutions to the climate crisis and all of them create jobs. And if we turn in the right direction, we can create these jobs and we can create a compact among ourselves to care about one another, to care about the future that we want to create for our children and grandchildren.

Vice President @AlGore is a foundational leader in the climate movement. I am very grateful to have his support in this election. Together, we will pass a Green New Deal, dismantle the structures of environmental racism, create millions of union jobs, and save our planet. pic.twitter.com/nVgCeLZymn  Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) August 25, 2020

In a tweet, Markey said he was grateful for the endorsement by Gore, a foundational leader in the climate movement.

Together, we will pass a Green New Deal, dismantle the structures of environmental racism, create millions of union jobs and save our planet, Markey said.

The big name endorsement comes a week after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Kennedy, a move that rankled some progressives who argue the Democratic Party has selectively stymied other primary challengers.

Related Content:
New Delhi:

Delhi woke up to a cold morning on last Monday of the year as the temperature dipped following the snowfall in Shimla and other Himalayan regions near Delhi on Christmas.



On Sunday, the temperature plummeted to 15.4 degree Celsius. According to MET department the temperature on Monday will remain around 20 degree Celsius maximum and 10 degrees minimum.



The change in weather has affected movement of trains and flights as well.

Also read | Higher hills of Himachal receive light snowfall, tourists cheer in Shimla and surrounding areas

Summary of Trains affected due to fog/other operational reasons on Monday:

Position at 6.30 AM

Trains Arriving late in Delhi area - 37

Trains Rescheduled - 06

Trains Cancelled- None



Delayed flight, (International)

Arrival : 5

Departure : 0

Cancelled : 0

Delayed flights (Domestic)

Arrival : 1

Departure :4

Cancelled :0

6 (arrival) international flights delayed at Delhi's IGI Airport, 1 (arrival) and 4 (departure) domestic flights delayed due to #fog. pic.twitter.com/DbU6mLhb2Y  ANI (@ANI_news) December 26, 2016

New Delhi Railway station: 37 trains delayed (arriving late in Delhi area), 06 rescheduled due to #fog and other operational reasons. pic.twitter.com/pJjcubYFTL  ANI (@ANI_news) December 26, 2016

Dense #fog in Gurugram, cold wave conditions continue to prevail. pic.twitter.com/44fZ4MhDVO  ANI (@ANI_news) December 26, 2016

Many trains delayed at Kanpur Central railway station as fog envelops different areas in Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/RVkIzqxY8J  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 26, 2016

Fog blankets Delhi, cold wave conditions continue. pic.twitter.com/hz0O9Foiwv  ANI (@ANI_news) December 26, 2016







For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Sudan said Tuesday it cannot form diplomatic relations with Israel now, dashing hopes for a speedy breakthrough during a visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok told Pompeo that Sudans transitional government  which replaced ousted strongman Omar al-Bashir last year and is set to rule until 2022 elections  has no mandate to take such a weighty step.

The announcement was a setback to a charm offensive by the US and Israel to forge more ties between the Jewish state and the Arab world following a landmark US-brokered August 13 agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Israel remains technically at war with Sudan, an East African country which for years supported hardline Islamist forces under its former strongman Bashir, and which remains on a State Department blacklist of backers of terrorism.

Hamdok also urged the US not to link the subject of lifting Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and the subject of normalisation with Israel, his spokesman said.

The coalition which led Sudans protest movement, the Forces of Freedom and Change, had also argued earlier that the government has no mandate to normalise ties with Israel, noting the right of Palestinians to their land and to a free and dignified life.

Hamdoks office said he had made the same point to Pompeo, the first US Secretary of State to visit Sudan since Condoleezza Rice went there in 2005.

The prime minister clarified that the transitional period in Sudan is being led by a wide alliance with a specific agenda  to complete the transition, achieve peace and stability in the country and hold free elections, government spokesman Faisal Saleh said.

Hamdok had told Pompeo that his interim government does not have a mandate beyond these tasks or to decide on normalisation with Israel.

 Terror watch-list 

When Pompeo arrived hours earlier, he tweeted the fact that he had flown to Khartoum on a historic first official non-stop flight from Tel Aviv.

The US top diplomat also met Sudans Sovereign Council chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for talks which the State Department had said would express US support for deepening the Sudan-Israel relationship.

Netanyahu had met Burhan in February in Uganda and later announced that the two leaders had agreed to cooperate towards normalising ties. Sudans cabinet however later denied that Burhan had made such a promise.

Sudans new joint civilian-military transitional government has vowed to break with the Bashir era and launched sweeping social and political reforms.

The cash-strapped country hopes Washington will soon take it off its terrorism blacklist as it seeks to fully re-integrate into the international community and attract more aid and investment to rescue its crisis-hit economy.

Sudan has been on Washingtons terror list since 1993 because of its earlier support for jihadists, including Osama bin Laden, who lived in the country for years in the 1990s before heading to Afghanistan.

Sudan has been in talks on compensating the victims of Bashir-era Al-Qaeda attacks, including the 2000 USS Cole bombing in Yemen and the simultaneous 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

Hamdok wrote on Twitter that he and Pompeo had a direct & transparent conversation regarding delisting Sudan from the terror list and on receiving US government support.

I continue to look forward to positive tangible steps in supporting the glorious Sudanese revolution, Hamdok wrote.

 Economic crisis 

Pompeos visit came as Sudan faces a deep economic crisis, laid low by long years of US sanctions and the 2011 secession of the oil-rich south.

The United Nations says more than 9.6 million people  almost a quarter of Sudans population  suffer severe food insecurity.

Bashir is on trial over the Islamist-backed coup that brought him to power over three decades ago, and the transitional government is at pains to distance itself from his legacy.

It has agreed in principle to hand Bashir over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague where he faces charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the Darfur conflict.

Conflict broke out in the vast western region in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels staged an uprising against the government, citing marginalisation and discrimination.

Khartoum responded by unleashing the feared Janjaweed militia, mainly recruited from Arab pastoralist tribes, in a scorched earth campaign that left 300,000 people dead and displaced 2.5 million.

Hamdok has made finding a peace deal with rebel groups a priority, in order to bring stability to restive regions that also include Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

burs-sk-fz/par
SEATTLE, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jage Media, producers of MJ Unpacked , a state-specific, virtual event series designed for the cannabis industry's brand and retail executives, announced its strategic partnerships with Apex Trading , a leading ERP platform and online wholesale ordering system for licensed cannabis companies.

MJ Unpacked Apex Trading

"Virtual events are continuing to meet the essential needs of businesses during the pandemic," stated George Jage, CEO of Jage Media. "MJ Unpacked, as a virtual experience, more efficiently creates the opportunity for the lead generation, thought leadership, and networking that will keep our industry moving forward. The integration of the Apex platform adds another robust solution to MJ Unpacked making it even easier for buyers to place orders directly in the event environment."

Apex Trading is a full enterprise resource platform offering a cost-effective CRM, real-time inventory management, and online marketing, order and processing solution to cannabis brands and cultivators. John Manlove, CEO of Apex Trading, commented, "Cannabis sales have accelerated during the pandemic, but operators are feeling isolated in the absence of any live events or gatherings. Having the opportunity to leverage our respective networks, facilitate the discovery of new brands, and be a part of the innovative approach at MJ Unpacked is perfectly aligned with our objectives to serve the market."

MJ Unpacked has produced events for the Colorado (May) and California (July) markets. The next event will cover the Midwest region on September 23rd and 24th with its focus on Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma and will fully integrate with the Apex Trading platform in addition to the other robust engagement tools such as live video chat, attendee-to-attendee networking, round tables, new products spotlight, and exclusive show specials. Apex Trading is projecting to have over $250 million in transactions across its platform in 2020.

"The Midwest market is at a critical stage of growth," noted Aaron Fell, retail development director at Jage Media. "The demand to create meaningful connections, scheduled meetings, and a live marketplace between brands and retailers is in high demand within these early state markets."

About Jage Media Headquartered in the greater Seattle area, Jage Media fills the critical gap where cannabis brands and retailers convene with its state-specific MJ Unpacked event series. MJ Unpacked was designed exclusively to enable cannabis industry decision makers to drive the future of the industry, capture the next stage of market growth and deliver a true return on investments and objectives.

For more information, visit www.mjunpacked.com or contact George Jage at [email protected] or 702.338.1642

About Apex Trading Apex Trading is an online wholesale platform featuring order, inventory and client management tools, custom storefronts and data-rich dashboards to help buyers and sellers operate more efficiently. The platform provides state-licensed cannabis cultivators, product manufacturers, distributors and retailers with easy-to-use tools and services and is disrupting conventional wholesale channels.

For more information, visit www.apextrading.com or contact Rob Fess at [email protected] or 619-750-6492

SOURCE Jage Media Inc.
The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike.

We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve.
In this episode, national editor Tory Maguire is joined by North American correspondent Matthew Knott to discuss President Trump's plan for the four-day Republican National Convention that kicks off this evening.

The President hopes to use the prime-time spectacle to change the trajectory of the election campaign in which he currently trails Democratic nominee Joe Biden by an average of eight points in the polls.

Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage.

Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe to The Sydney Morning Herald or The Age.
CASTELVECCHIO PASCOLI, Italy, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Two innovative bio-pharma companies specialized in plasma-derived therapeutics - Kedrion Biopharma of Italy and Kamada Ltd. of Israel - are continuing their work on the development, manufacturing and clinical distribution of a plasma-derived Anti-SARS-CoV-2 product.

The two companies, each known for their cutting-edge biopharma technology capabilities, hope to eventually obtain approval on both sides of the Atlantic for the clinical treatment of severely ill COVID-19 patients. Under the terms of the agreement, Kamada is responsible for product development, manufacturing, clinical development (with Kedrion's support) and regulatory submissions. Kedrion is responsible for collection and supply of plasma from convalescent COVID-19 patients and future distribution of the therapeutic product in the U.S., Europe, Australia and South Korea.

KEDPLASMA USA, with the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has already begun collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma in various collection centers in the United States.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Sunday gave emergency approval for expanded use of antibody-rich blood plasma to help hospitalized coronavirus patients. Pure plasma from convalescent patients that is transferred to those afflicted by the virus cannot be manufactured in millions of doses; its availability is limited by blood donations. The product being developed by Kamada Ltd. And Kedrion Biopharma instead, aims to miniaturize the dosages so it can be produced in large quantities.

Last month Kedrion announced that it had formed a research partnership with Columbia University Irving Medical Center to develop and test a new IgG therapy for COVID-19 which is being developed by Kedrion and Kamada Ltd, a leading Israeli bio-pharmaceutical company that specializes in plasma derived products.

Under the terms of the agreement, Kedrion will supply Columbia with convalescent plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to be used for the manufacturing of IgG therapy. Columbia University will test the convalescent plasma against viral proteins to check the neutralizing power of the hyperimmune Immunoglobulins.

Dr. Steven Spitalnik, Medical Director of the Clinical Laboratories at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said in July that he hopes that if the therapy eventually receives FDA approval it can be administered to his own frontline medical workers at risk for COVID-19 at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and elsewhere.

www.kedrion.com - www.kedrion.us.

SOURCE Kedrion Biopharma

Related Links

http://www.kedrion.com


Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko claimed reelection victory on Aug. 10, with 80% of the vote. Widespread protests in Minsk and other cities, as well as strikes, have continued since the election, with protesters declaring the election results fraudulent and demanding a new election.

The Belarusian government responded with violent repression, detaining and allegedly beating thousands of protesters. Over the weekend, the government shut down media websites and newspapers, amid continued threats to escalate the crackdown on protesters.

Human rights organizations and outside observers have routinely accused Lukashenko's regime of violating human rights and not holding free and fair elections. Lukashenko's government jailed his challengers in the lead-up to the election, and the incumbent's main challenger, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya - a candidate for president and spouse of another jailed candidate - was forced to flee the country after the election.

What's happening in Belarus is not all that unusual. Analysts of election protests have shown that claims of fraud and economic pain make post-election protest more likely. Our research findings also suggest that human rights violations, especially political imprisonment, increase the probability of post-election protests. Here's what you need to know.

What prompts post-election protests? Many of the reasons are familiar - and we see these catalysts in Belarus this year. Election fraud, for instance, often plays an important role in motivating post-election mobilization.

- Typically, international observers would help determine whether a country's elections are free and fair. However, this was the first election in Belarus since 2001 without election observers from OSCE, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. OSCE has raised concerns about the accuracy of the election results, while the European Union and the United States have issued statements of concern that the elections were "not free and fair."

- Another key indicator is poor economic health - research shows that pro-democracy protests are more likely when the economy is not performing well. Belarus experienced a recession in 2015-2016 and further declines in GDP growth last year, and the outlook worsened during the pandemic. Before the election, polls showed declining support for the president, with some polls claiming approval ratings as low as 3%.

- A third factor is the potential spread of post-election protests from country to country. A number of post-Soviet republics have experienced post-election protests in the last decade, including Ukraine, Belarus's southern neighbor. Ukraine was home to two major protest events: the Orange Revolution in 2004 and the 2014 Maidan pro-democracy protests, which ousted President Viktor Yanukovych.

- Political crackdowns can mobilize protesters. An election provides a focal point around which individuals can mobilize in response to broader grievances. Our work shows that post-election protests are more likely when governments engage in repression during the year leading up to the election. In particular, we find post-election protest becomes more probable when a government engages in repressive acts that are both easily connected to explicit government decision-makers, and that the public perceives as having an impact on election outcomes. Imprisoning citizens for political purposes checks both of these boxes and may galvanize protesters.

Our statistical analysis looks at data on all national elections in the world between 1982 and 2012. We examine whether political imprisonment - for speech, opposing the government, or along religious, race, and ethnic lines - increases the probability of post-election protests, while accounting for the effects of opposition strength, economic conditions, fraud and other factors that explain election protests.

We find that when an incumbent party wins an election, and there is no recent history of political imprisonment, the probability of protest is just 8%. However, when there is widespread political imprisonment before the election, the probability of protest more than doubles to 20%.

In Belarus, Lukashenko arbitrarily imprisoned many political activists and opposition party leaders in the lead-up to the election. In May, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a well-known Belarusian vlogger and activist, announced his intention to run in the presidential election. Lukashenko had him arrested two days later. On June 18, another presidential hopeful, Viktar Babaryka, was imprisoned. The European Union protested, demanding that Babaryka be released. After these arrests, Belarus election authorities ruled both opposition figures ineligible to run in the election.

Human Rights Watch reported that Belarus authorities arrested at least 1,100 people in May and June for gathering peacefully to protest or supporting opposition candidates. In a June 29 news release, Amnesty International denounced the government's actions, demanding that Belarus release all of the president's opponents who have been arbitrarily detained in the run up to the election.

Since the post-election protests erupted, Lukashenko has continued to threaten to escalate government repression. On Aug. 20, state prosecutors opened an investigation into opposition activity, and on Aug. 24 police arrested political activists leading the Coordination Council. Supporters of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Lukashenko's main opponent on the election ballot, are leading this group and calling for a new election. Consistent with findings in scholarly research, this increased repression has not quelled the protests, and may in fact be inflaming the situation.

With an economy heavily dependent on Russia - and facing rising unemployment and uncertainty due to the pandemic - Belarus is experiencing economic pressures. It's in a region that has seen other election-related protests in recent years. In addition, the election process is facing charges of fraud, and the government engaged in widespread human rights violations in the lead-up to the election, targeting both opposition leaders and grass roots activists.

The ongoing events in Belarus illustrate how both the election process itself, along with general economic and human rights conditions within a country before an election, can catalyze collective action against governments.

- - -

Bell is a professor in the Department of Political Science at Kansas State University. His research focuses on political violence and human rights. Chernykh is a senior lecturer at the School of Politics and International Relations at the Australian National University. Her research focuses on democratization, comparative political institutions and executive-legislative relations. For other analysis and commentary from The Monkey Cage, an independent blog anchored by political scientists from universities around the country, see www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage
A woman has been slapped with a six-month prison sentence after breaking strict Australian coronavirus quarantine rules.

Asher Faye Vander Sanden, 28, pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court to breaking Western Australia's emergency coronavirus laws by sneaking into the state in a truck.

Ms Vander Sanden was arrested at her partner's home in Perth suburb Scarborough on August 11 after travelling by road from the state of Victoria - a journey of around 2,000 miles.

She had been given permission to fly to Perth and quarantine in a hotel for 14 days before meeting her boyfriend.

File photo of police conducting checks on drivers in Melbourne in July / Getty Images

Local police launched an investigation when Ms Vander Sanden did not arrive at Perth airport.

She appeared in court on Tuesday remotely from Bandyup Womens Prison where she was hit with a sentence of six months and one day in jail.

Ms Vander Sanden was made eligible for parole.

Western Australia has harsh punishments for anyone who breaks its 14-day quarantine rules. Offenders can be jailed for up to 12 months and be fined as much as A$50,000 (about 27,300).

File photo of police conducting checks on drivers in Melbourne in July / Getty Images

Australia appeared to have Covid-19 under control by April, but a bigger and deadlier second wave in June rocked the country.

Victoria, which contains the large city of Melbourne, has been hit hardest and a local lockdown has been re-imposed on the state.

Some 148 people were confirmed to have contracted the virus on Tuesday and eight people died after testing positive.

Loading....

Australia's death toll from the virus stands at 525 according to Johns Hopkins University, which is relatively low compared to many countries of a similar population size.
Emiratis reportedly angered by Netanyahus public denial of the deal and his vow to lobby US Congress to oppose it.

The United Arab Emirates has cancelled a planned meeting with the United States and Israel over differences on the possible sale of American F-35 fighter jets to the Gulf state opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a report said on Monday.

Last week, US President Donald Trump announced that an agreement is under review for the UAE to buy the fighter jets, and a US defence official hinted that a deal could be reached in six months.

The US has sold the F-35 jet to allies  including South Korea, Japan and Israel  but sales to the Gulf require a deeper review because of American policy for Israel to maintain a military advantage in the Middle East.

According to the US news website, Axios, the UAE shelved a planned meeting with the US and Israel on Friday, after Netanyahu came out publicly to deny knowledge of the proposed arms deal between Washington, DC and Abu Dhabi.

Axios said the Emiratis wanted to send a message, adding that the Gulf state felt that Netanyahus statement violated an understanding between them  following their historic announcement on August 13 of the normalisation of diplomatic ties.





They (UAE) were particularly angry that he (Netanyahu) told members of his Cabinet that he would raise his concerns about the deal with members of Congress, the report said.

The report added that the F-35 deal is a top priority for the UAE, which considers it as linked to the normalisation accord with Israel.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is currently in the Middle East to promote the agreement between UAE and Israel, which was brokered by officials of the Trump administration.

On Monday, he said the US would ensure Israel retains a military advantage in the region.

Sidelining Palestinians

The United States has a legal requirement with respect to qualitative military edge. We will continue to honour that, Pompeo told reporters after a meeting with Netanyahu.

Netanyahu said he had been reassured on the issue by Pompeo, who began his tour in Jerusalem. Pompeos regional visit, which is also aimed at building a front against Iran, will take him to Sudan, the UAE and Bahrain.





Pompeo pointed out that Washington had also provided the UAE with military support for more than 20 years, measures he described as needed to stave off shared threats from Iran  also Israels regional rival.

Were deeply committed to doing that, to achieving that and well do it in a way that preserves our commitment to Israel and Im confident that objective will be achieved, Pompeo said.

Meanwhile, the Palestinians warned the Trump administration against trying to sideline them in its Middle East diplomatic push.

Recruiting Arabs to recognise Israel and open embassies does not make Israel a winner, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in an interview with Reuters.

You are putting the whole region in a lose-lose situation because you are designing the road for a forever conflict in the region.
GENOA, Italy, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Costa Cruises continues to work for a responsible and safe start of its operations, scheduled for September, and becomes the first cruise company to earn the Biosafety Trust Certification from RINA, the over 150-year-old testing, inspection, certification and ship classification company that developed the innovative management system certification program.

The certification process, carried out through audits, examines all aspects of life on board and ashore  from the embarkation procedures to hotel services, catering, fitness, relaxation areas and shore excursions  and assesses the compliance of the system with the scheme procedures aimed at the prevention and control of infections.

To obtain certification from RINA, specific training modules for crews have been created in strict compliance with the new health protocols and with the associated shipboard management system implemented by Costa. These training programs reinforce the already strict procedures in place on board Costa's ships, in the embarkation terminals and during shore excursions, introduced with the Costa Safety Protocol, the new health protocol developed by Costa, with the scientific support of independent experts, in response to the COVID-19 situation.

Based on the actual epidemiological situation and considering the opinion of experts, from the first departure of the Costa Deliziosa, scheduled for September 6 from Trieste, and to follow on all ships that will return later into operations, the company will perform the antigenic Covid-19 swab tests to all embarking guests.

The test will be carried out within the wider pre-boarding procedures that have been defined according to the protocols of the health authorities and the Costa Safety Protocol. The quick antigenic test will identify any suspicious cases that may be subjected to a PCR test for further check, thus determining the possibility of embarkation. The company is also offering its guests the option to subscribe a dedicated insurance, with specific services in case of need.

The return of Costa cruises will be progressive and in the name of maximum safety for guests, crews and destination communities. For this reason, the company has chosen to offer itineraries only in Italy, reserved exclusively for Italian guests, for its September cruises. The first ship to sail on September 6 will be Costa Deliziosa, which will sail every Sunday until September 27 offering cruises from Trieste to visit Bari, Brindisi, Corigliano-Rossano, Siracusa and Catania. Costa Diadema will follow on September 19, 2020, with a seven-day cruise from Genoa in the Western Mediterranean, to visit Civitavecchia/Rome, Naples, Palermo, Cagliari and La Spezia.

SOURCE Costa Cruises
Joe Biden's campaign slammed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for recording a speech to be played at the Republican National Convention while on a U.S. diplomatic mission to Jerusalem.

The Democratic nominee's campaign argued it wasn't 'just an abuse of taxpayer dollars, it undermines the critical work being done by the State Department.'

'Making this inherently partisan address from Jerusalem is also the latest instance of this administration seeking to use Israel as a political wedge issue, when the historic bipartisan support in Washington for Israel and her security should never be subordinated to politicization for personal gain,' Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said in a statement to DailyMail.com

'Even by this administration's abysmally low standards, Secretary Pompeo's decision to serve as an errand boy for the President's re-election on a taxpayer-funded diplomatic mission, and his decision to use one of our closest partners as a political prop in the process, is absolutely disgraceful,' she added.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was spotted, appearing to record his convention speech, on Monday on the rooftop of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem

Joe Biden's campaign criticized Secretary of State Pompeo for participating in a political event while overseas representing America on a diplomatic trip

Pompeo's speech, will run Tuesday evening during the second night of the Republican National Convention, is raising questions about both the appropriateness and its legality.

It's unusual for a sitting secretary of state to address a blatantly political event. Former secretaries of state Madeleine Albright and John Kerry have addressed the Democratic convention but only after they had left the State Department.

State Department guidelines forbid participation in political conventions and in political campaigns while on official, government travel. And the Hatch Act forbids government employees from participating in political activities while on the job.

Additionally, last month the department sent out a cable to all employees - under Pompeo's name - reminding them that they 'may not engage in partisan political activity while posted or on TDY abroad, even on personal time.' TDY stands for Temporary Duty.

'Similarly, presidential and political appointees and career (senior executives) are subject to significant restrictions on their political activity; they may not engage in any partisan political activity in concert with a partisan campaign, political party, or partisan political group, even on personal time and outside of the federal workplace,' the July 24th cable read.

It was released late Monday by Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel of New York, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who is a fierce Pompeo critic.

But Pompeo's defenders say he is recording the speech on his 'personal time.'

'Secretary Pompeo will address the convention in his personal capacity,' the department told the Associated Press. 'No State Department resources will be used. Staff are not involved in preparing the remarks or in the arrangements for Secretary Pompeo's appearance. The State Department will not bear any costs in conjunction with this appearance.'

And Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said the party was paying for the production costs associated with the speech.

'The programming, the staging, everything that we're doing will be paid for by the Republican National Committee and the campaign,' she said Sunday on CBS' 'Face the Nation,' add that the Republicans are 'not using taxpayer dollars to pay for our convention.'

Pompeo appeared to tape his speech on Monday on top of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

That could led to another round of criticism if the backdrop of the speech is religious buildings in one of the holiest cities on the planet. And it's led to criticism Pompeo is trying to leverage the U.S.-Israeli diplomatic relationship to boost the president's re-election bid.

A source close to Pompeo told Bloomberg News that President Trump asked Pompeo to speak at the convention and the stop in Jerusalem was the only chance he had to record his remarks.

The person said Pompeo's speech was cleared by four sets of lawyers: his personal lawyer, the White House counsel's office, Republican National Committee lawyers and the State Department legal office.

The secretary of state is in the middle of a trip to the Middle East and North Africa. He landed in the Sudan on Tuesday.

But, despite addressing the convention in his personal capacity, his remarks will focus on President Trump's accomplishments overseas.

Pompeo, in his four-minute speech, will highlight what the administration sees as Trump's foreign policy accomplishments including being tough on China, delivering robust Middle East policy, strengthening NATO, and seeking out diplomacy with North Korea, CNN reported, citing a source briefed on the convention plans.

The secretary will also highlight the moving of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and the Israel-UAE agreement reached last week.

On July 24th, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sent out a memo to State Department employees reminding them not to engage in political activities while they are on overseas travel

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, seen with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is in the middle of a trip to the Middle East and his defenders said he recorded his convention address in his 'personal capacity' and it was paid for by the Republican Party

Pompeo has come under fire on previous occasions for the appearance of using his office for his political gain. He is viewed as someone with presidential ambitions who could run for the Oval Office in 2024.

In May, it was revealed Pompeo held lavish tax-payer funded dinners at the State Department hosting billionaire CEOS, Republican powerbrokers, Fox News anchors and showbusiness stars.

The so-called Madison dinners were revealed by NBC News amid growing questions over Pompeo's use of taxpayer resources after he got President Trump to fire the State Department Inspector General who was investigating whether he got an aide to walk his dog.

The dinners, however, were seen as him building his own power base and donor network with taxpayer resources.

Despite being taxpayer-funded and organized, extensive contact information was also emailed to Susan Pompeo's personal account.

Such information is hugely valuable to a politician building a network of influential friends and financial benefactors.

Previous secretaries of state John Kerry and Hillary Clinton have both sought the White House.

But when President Barack Obama was nominated for his second term, then-Secretary Clinton was on the other side of the world on a tour of the Cook Islands, Indonesia, China, East Timor, Brunei and far eastern Russia.

When Clinton was nominated for president in 2016, then-Secretary Kerry was traveling in Europe and Southeast Asia.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned, according to a statement released Monday by the German hospital where he is being treated.

Berlins Charite hospital said that Navalny was suffering from intoxication by a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors, contradicting Russian doctors who said there was no evidence he had been poisoned. While it was not immediately clear exactly what substance was used to poison the Kremlin critic, the hospital said the effect of the toxin, which blocks cholinesterase, an enzyme needed for the proper functioning of the nervous system, was confirmed several times by independent labs.

Navalny is in a medically induced coma, but there is no acute danger to his life, the hospital said, adding that he is being treated with atropine, a medication used to treat some nerve agent and pesticide poisonings.

Longer-term effects, especially in the area of the nervous system, cannot be ruled out, the statement said.

While patients tend to respond positively to immediate treatment after poisoning, delays can lead to poorer outcomes, according to the National Institutes of Health. Navalny, 44, showed signs of poisoning on Thursday during a flight to Moscow from Siberia. He spent two days in a hospital in Omsk after the plane made an emergency landing.

Omsk doctors said there was no sign Navalny had been poisoned, suggesting his condition could be due to a sharp drop in blood sugar.

The poisoning diagnosis was one of the first to be suggested, including by paramedics, Anatoly Kalinichenko, the deputy chief physician of Omsk Emergency Hospital No. 1, told reporters Monday. This is why the patient was taken to the toxicology department. If we had found any confirmation of poisoning, things would have been much easier for us.

We received definitive answers from two laboratories, which said they did not detect any chemical or toxic substances they could describe as poisons or poisoning products, Kalinichenko said.

Story continues

After Navalnys family pushed to have him moved to another hospital, doctors approved his release on Friday, allowing him to be flown to Germany on Saturday morning.

Navalny remains under the protection of Germanys Federal Criminal Police Office while in the Berlin hospital, which provides security for German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other government officials.

It was clear after his arrival that security measures had to be put in place because we are dealing with a patient who was likely the target of a poison attack, said German government spokesman Steffen Seibert, who added that other Kremlin critics have been poisoned in the past few years.

Western intelligence officials have tied Russian agents to other state-ordered poisonings, including the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his adult daughter in Britain two years ago. A different cholinesterase inhibitor, the deadly Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok was used in that attack.

Given Mr. Navalnys prominent role in Russias political opposition, the authorities there are now urgently called upon to clarify this act to its fullest, and with complete transparency, Merkel and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a joint statement. Those responsible must be investigated and held to account.

More from National Review
While other nations are still at a race on who is the first to release a COVID-19 vaccine for public us, China has claimed that it has begun administering an experimental vaccine in high-risk demographics back in July.

If the claims were true, Beijing would be three weeks ahead of Russia in releasing a vaccine. However, neither of the vaccines from the two countries has passed the standard clinical trials which are needed.

According to The Washington Post, on Saturday, health officials from Beijing announced that they have administered an experimental COVID-19 vaccine to employees of state-owned companies and a number of medical workers. The officials also clarified that the usage of the vaccine was under the "urgent use protocols" since late July.

Meanwhile, the debate on whether ordinary drug-development protocols should be overlooked in order to get treatment and vaccines against COVID-19 in the market has been a topic of conversation for government and health officials worldwide. Many have stated that they would not bypass any protocol in developing their vaccine, however, many have been proven able to do so as the pandemic continues to plague nations and affect their economy.

The announcement from Beijing came after the diplomatic controversy over experimental vaccines. This is after Papua New Guinea claimed that after administering experimental vaccines on a group of Chinese miners Beijing has turned its back.

On the other hand, in the United States, Trump has called out its own Food and Drug administration claiming that the organization was delaying the development of a vaccine from the US. He also added that no substantial detail was provided by the FDA on the delays.

On Sunday, succumbing to the pressures from the administration the FDA gave an emergency authorization for the use of convalescent plasma treatment for COVID-19 patients.

Read also: Experts Urge People to Get Flu Shot, Fear a Possible 'Twindemic' as Flu Season Approaches

Nations in a race to release vaccine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if the standard approval process for newly developed vaccines is followed it usually takes years before a vaccine is released. The process also requires a large sample size in placebo-controlled randomized trials in order to make sure it is effective and safe.

However, nations such as the US and China have made promises to release a vaccine in the market by the end of 2020 or early in 2021. With both nations to do so, it has been noted for them to do so large factory investments need to be ready before the safety tests for the vaccines are done.

Now, given the claims from both Russia and China, the race has become more time-constrained since citizens have been asked to get the untested vaccine as a symbol of their patriotism.

The claims from China comes after the announcement made by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow is the first to have an approved COVID-19 vaccine. But Putin's vaccine has received criticisms from health care experts worldwide questioning its safety and integrity.

Meanwhile, China has announced that the experimental vaccine has also been administered to most of its health executives, including the head of its CDC. The country also stated that those who received the vaccines have reported no adverse effects as of the moment, South China Morning Post reported.



Related article: FDA Gives Emergency Authorization on Usage of Plasma for COVID-19 Treatment

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A bomb detonated in northern Lebanon near a refugee camp as a strike team conducted an operation, killing and injuring a number of people writes Al-Jadeed.

A person blew himself up as the Lebanese security forces besieged him in a Syrian refugee camp in the Akkar region of northern Lebanon, Al-Jadeed TV reported, citing a correspondent nearby.

The explosion caused a number of dead and wounded, and occurred during a raid by the strike force in the Information Branch.

The report said a Syrian man blew himself up in a small room inside the al-Fotouh area, located between Khirbet Daoud and al-Bireh in Akkar.

The mayor of Khirbet Daoud confirmed that the explosion was not within the vicinity of Khirbet Daoud, and that there was a strike operation in the morning, and during this, the explosion took place.

He said, We do not yet know whether the explosion was caused by the detonation of a bomb or if the young man blew himself up, pointing out that the room is owned by a person from the town of Ayn al-Zayt, but it is not known if he had rented it prior to the crime.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
A Year 7 student beaten in a violent brawl on school grounds is being called a 'snitch' and 'sl*t' upon returning to class over having an escort for protection.

The 12-year-old, only known as KC, is preparing to give a statement to Queensland Police after being hit repeatedly over the head by a much larger pupil at Brisbane's Calamvale Community College.

The savage attack on August 18, which was caught on camera, went viral after being shared by her father on social media.

The video shows the Calamvale Community College Year 7 student being hit repeatedly over the head by a much larger pupil on campus on August 18 (pictured)

The Year 7 student returned to school on Thursday but was required to be escorted by a teacher between classes.

She was then flooded with verbal abuse from her peers, who were calling her a 'snitch' and 'sl*t'.

The girl's mother told The Courier-Mail KC would make a statement to the officers at the Oxley District Child Protection and Investigation Unit at Inala Police Station.

They are currently reviewing the footage of the violent incident, she said.

'I will be asking if charges can be laid against them ... She does not want to change,' KC's mother told The Courier-Mail.

'I have called Stretton State College to see if they would accept (my daughter) into their school but they are at maximum capacity.

'We chose Calamvale as it is easier to have (my daughter) and her younger brother in the same school next to their younger sister's child care to make pick-up and drop-off easier for my husband and I.'

In the video the younger girl could be seen kicking the 'twice her size' teenager - believed to be in Year 10 at the College - in an act of self-defense before cowering to protect her face from the punches.

Other students could be heard chanting 'go, go, go' and 'yeah, yeah' before a third girl became involved, striking the Year 7 pupil in the face.

The video, which appears to show three teachers standing by watching, was shared to social media by the 12-year-old's father

After the video went viral fellow students at Calamvale Community College started a petition for the suspension of the much larger student who beat up KC.

The change.org petition was started four days ago and has attracted almost 200 signatures.

'The Year 7 is in my class going around saying that it was fair ... IT WAS NOT ... KC is one of my friends. She does NOT deserve this,' a comment on the petition read.

'School yard bullying should not exist at all,' another said.

'Bullies need to be punished! Absolutely disgusting behaviour! I personally believe they should be expelled and forced to obtain a grade 12 through external online services if unable to behave appropriately. Should be ashamed!' a third comment read.

The College confirmed the Department of Education was aware of the video and incident last week.

In a letter to parents addressing the situation, Executive Principal Lisa Starmer said she shared the 'frustration that these instances occur despite out strong partnerships'.

'It upset me greatly to see students behaving in a way that was not in line with our school values nor what we are used to seeing here,' she said.

'Concern has been expressed as to how this was allowed to happen and where was the duty of care by staff. Teachers at our College are highly qualified, well-trained and understand the policies with regards to bullying and duty of care.

'I am working with the teachers who were present at the altercation to ensure they receive the appropriate support.'

Students can be heard chanting 'go, go, go' and 'yeah, yeah' in the video (pictured) before a third female student became involved, striking the Year 7 student in the face

In an email to KC's parents, Mr Starmer said the student was of an age where it was compulsory she attend school unless she had a medical condition.

'I know you will act accordingly,' the email read.

A Department of Education spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia on August 20 the video was in the process of being removed from online platforms.

'Like all Queensland schools, Calamvale Community College does not tolerate violence and anti-social behaviour,' the spokeswoman said.

'Any situation that threatens the safety and wellbeing of students, staff or others in the school communities is treated extremely seriously, and dealt with as a matter of priority.

'The students in these videos will be dealt with in line with the school's Responsible Behaviour Plan and the Student Code of Conduct, respectively.'
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker urged residents to support local businesses like WheelWorks in Belmont by shopping during this weekends tax holiday when he was reminded of another financial hurdle during the coronavirus pandemic.

Massachusetts is one of several states waiting on Congress to reach a deal on a potential financial relief package that helps states hit hard by the pandemic. COVID-19 not only dealt a blow to consumer spending and brick-and-mortar sales during a statewide shutdown of storefronts, but delayed state tax revenue payments and threw a wrench in the development of a fiscal 2021 budget.

I sure wish they would get around to doing something, and I put this with both parties with respect to creating a relief package to deal with the extension of the unemployment benefits for people and the stimulus for state and local governments, and I really hope at some point, before we get to the election they come back and do this, the Republican governor said Tuesday afternoon inside WheelWorks in Belmont, promoting the tax holiday. A lot of people made a lot of commitments on this, and I would really like to see them follow through and execute on this.

Gov. Charlie Baker, speaking from WheelWorks in Belmont with @JonHurstRAM, plans to discuss the upcoming sales tax holiday. #mapoli  Steph Solis (@stephmsolis) August 25, 2020

Democrats and Republicans are in a stalemate over what should end up in the next coronavirus stimulus package, if there is one. They left for August recess without reaching an agreement on aid, leaving millions of unemployed Americans in limbo over small business loans, extra federal unemployment assistance and other forms of relief that were proposed during negotiations.

Nearly two months after the fiscal year began in Massachusetts, the Bay State lacks a full-year budget.

One major question is how much the state lost in tax revenue as a result of its shutdown of businesses during the stay-at-home advisories during the pandemic. The tax revenue the state received from July 15, this years tax filing and payment deadline, helped close the states spending gap, but its unclear whether the state reached its benchmark for the 2019 tax season and can cover costs in a year when the state was expecting to see education increases.

The Department of Revenue expects to finish processing the fiscal 2020 tax revenues in September, which will give state budget writers a better idea of how bad of a shortfall Massachusetts faces in the wake of COVID-19.

Massachusetts lawmakers say the states financial picture remains too hazy and the prospect of a federal stimulus package too uncertain for them to draft a full-year budget.

The state Legislature extended its two-year session, which traditionally ends July 31, to try to reach deals on several priorities, including a budget. While some conference committees continue to meet, most lawmakers have focused on the Sept. 1 state primary.

On the national stage, Democrats and Republicans have turned their attention to the Nov. 3 general election and the conventions this month. Baker wasnt invited, but he said hes focusing on the COVID-19 response in Massachusetts, including figuring out a budget, education and the economy.

Theres plenty to do to keep us busy around here, he said.

Related Content:
The S&P/ASX 200 opened with a bang on Tuesday but deflated throughout the day before rising in the final minutes thanks to the big four banks and a bizarre rally in Afterpay shares.

The index finished 0.5 per cent higher at 6161.4 points, a gain of 31.8 points and just shy of the five-month high close 6167.6 set last week. The market did get as high as 6199 during the first hour of trading thanks to a strong lead from Wall Street, where the S&P500 and NASDAQ keep hitting fresh highs.

The ASX 200 added 0.5 per cent on Tuesday. Credit:Daniel Munoz

The ASX200 has now improved for two sessions in a row, but has struggled to break through the 6200 barrier.

Sentiment was high when the market opened thanks to a mixed bag of results and online accounting software firm Xero breaking through $100 per share for the first time. Xero ended the session flat at $98.50.

Growth stock Afterpay staged a final-hour rally to close 11.8 per cent higher at $92.48.

Information technology put in the best performance, up 3.8 per cent as a sector, but financials added the most points with a gain of 2.3 per cent after falling for three sessions in a row. It was the best session for the financial sector in two weeks.

Westpac gained over 4.4 per cent to close at $17.85, the biggest one-day gain since 9 June. National Australia Bank gained 4.2 per cent to $18.28, ANZ gained 3.2 per cent to $18.80, and Commonwealth Bank gained 2.2 per cent to $70.45.

The only thing thats really leading the market up is financials, which is incredible, portfolio manager at Tribeca Investment Partners, Jun Bei Liu, said, adding there was a strong pick up in value stocks on Tuesday.

They have underperformed the market recently, perhaps it is catch up? Tuesday is a bit of a reversal day and people probably taking some profit off recent winners

Talk of a COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough boosted the travel sector, although Ms Liu warned "we have seen it before.

Flight Centre shares gained 6.2 per cent to $13.29, Corporate Travel gained 6 per cent to $15.23, and Webjet gained 4.2 per cent to $3.72. Qantas gained nearly 3 per cent to $3.84 and announced plans to sack over 2,400 ground staff.

Among the reporting companies, waste removalist Bingo Industries added 13.2 per cent to $2.43 after saying infrastructure projects would offset a decline in housing constructions.

Scentre Group jumped nearly 7 per cent in the morning to $2.16 before calming to a closing price of $2.10, up 4.2 per cent, despite reporting a $3.6 million interim loss.

And Nanosonics fell nearly 10 per cent to $6.21 after revealing sales of its ultrasound-cleaning Trophon machine dropped sharply in the March to June quarter due to restrictions on health procedures during the pandemic.

Shares in medical glove maker Ansell closed 1.9 per cent lower at $39.52 despite profit jumping 42 per cent. It announced plans to invest $140 million in to manufacture more personal protective equipment.
WATERLOO REGION  One of the enduring legacies of COVID-19 could be increased automation of low-skilled and routine jobs, and Waterloo Region may be more prone to it than other parts of Canada.

Past recessions over the last 30 years have shown a history of routine job losses due to automation, says University of Waterloo economics associate professor Joel Blit. He believes the added incentive of reducing workplace exposure to the virus will only add to the trend this time around.

Imagine if youre a firm that has certain operations you dont want to be shut down, and the biggest threat to your operation is your people  they could get sick, or the government imposes a shutdown, said Blit during an online research symposium hosted by the Region of Waterloo last week.

How do you mitigate that risk and protect your workers? Youre going to try to minimize worker-to-worker interaction and have more worker-to-computer or worker-to-robot interactions.

Automation means companies adopt new technology to replace human workers, often in the form of software, robots or more efficient processes. Companies that dont adopt automation techniques usually become less productive and lose market share and resources to more productive firms that are automating, a phenomenon known as reallocation.

Blit analyzed job losses and recoveries over the past three major recessions in 1992, 2009 and 2016 and a clear pattern has emerged: the number of nonroutine jobs has climbed, while the number of routine jobs has fallen.

Yet most of those losses of routine jobs came during a recession, and in most cases they never came back after being automated away.

You hit a recession, and the number of routine jobs drops like a stone. It stabilizes, but then another recession hits and it drops like crazy, he said.

His findings are supported by a recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report, which also found COVID-19 is likely to accelerate automation in the workplace.

In other words, firms might want to pandemic-proof their operations, the OECD report stated, citing the fact that social distancing and other health care precautions could be in place for at least another year.

The pandemic is also likely to change consumer behaviour as people develop preferences for automated services over face-to-face interactions, the report said.

COVID-19 is shaping up to be the cause of one of the biggest recessions in recent memory, Blit said. Between February and April, about 5.5 million jobs in Canada were either lost or saw hours reduced by 50 per cent or more.

About half of those jobs have since been recovered, but the recovery has been uneven, Blit noted. Low-wage, part-time, self-employed, or recent immigrant workers were hit hardest by the job losses and are more likely to have jobs that become automated.

And the job recovery is slowing down, with some experts saying it could take until the end of 2021 for employment levels to return to pre-pandemic levels, Blit said.

While the shutdown was self-imposed, we cant just remove the shutdown and go back to normal, he said. We have removed the shutdown but were going to be struggling with this for a long time.

That will drive more firms to automate quicker than they may have in the past, Blit said.

Retail trade, construction, manufacturing, and transportation and warehousing will be the hardest-hit routine jobs, Blit said. Waterloo Region is at risk, since about 44 per cent of all jobs in this region are considered routine occupations  two of the biggest employers in the region are manufacturing and retail trade, the economist added.

The average percentage of routine jobs for the rest of Canada is about 38 per cent.

We dont talk enough that COVID-19 will create a very large transformation of our economy through automation and reallocation. This is going to be one of the enduring legacies. Waterloo Region itself is going to be disproportionately affected, Blit said.

Kelly Dick, president of the Waterloo Region Labour Council, said the number of jobs at risk due to automation in this region may actually be higher than the 44 per cent Blit cites.

She worries about what might happen to low-skilled, part-time workers at places like fast-food restaurants or grocery stores who might lose their job to a computer kiosk or robot.

These are low-paying, part-time jobs and people often need two or three of them to make ends meet. When you cut these people off, where are they supposed to go? Dick said. Not only do those people lose a source of income, the community they live in is also weakened, since robots and computers dont pay taxes.

Charlene Hofbauer, executive director of the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin, said automation brings both positives and negatives and presents an opportunity for workers to upgrade their skills.

When automation happens, jobs dont always just disappear  they change, she said. Her group is about to embark on some research in this region to determine how many workers or firms are concerned about the drive toward automation, and just how many jobs might be at risk.

Hofbauer said its important to acknowledge those concerns and ensure workers receive the training and skills they need.

The transition may be easier for white-collar or highly skilled workers in nonroutine jobs, but Blit said its critical that workers who may be replaced by automation receive the support they need to transition to other forms of work.

(Automation) will make us richer, but the benefits and costs will be unevenly distributed, he said. We need to ensure everyone benefits from this transformation and not just a few.
Vera Lynn's rendition of Land of Hope and Glory has reached the top spot in the charts after Laurence Fox urged his 230,000 Twitter followers to help get the patriotic ballad to number one.

Tweeting a version by national treasure Vera Lynn, the actor wrote on Tuesday: 'Wouldnt it be great if we could all come together to get Dame Vera Lynns version of Land of Hope and Glory number one in the charts?

'Would the @BBC then have to play it? What a beautiful day that would be. Please share widely. RT #DefundTheBBC.'

The post was shared thousands of times, propelling a version of the song - on 1994 album Vera Lynn Remembers: The Songs that won World War 2 - to the sought-after top slot.

Vera Lynn's rendition of Land of Hope and Glory has reached the top spot in the charts (pictured)

And the same song is currently taking up the number two position as well - although this version is from 1999 album We'll Meet Again: The Best of Vera Lynn.

Dynamite by BTS is in the third slot and Head & Heart by Joel Corry featuring MNEK takes up number four.

It comes as the BBC was condemned across the political spectrum for its decision to drop the singing of the anthem, along with Rule Britannia, from the Last Night of the Proms on September 12.

MailOnline has launched a petition to the BBC's Director General, Lord Hall, urging him to reverse the decision.

Laurence Fox urged his 230,000 Twitter followers to help get the patriotic ballad to number one

Fox earlier led calls for people to stop paying their licence fees over the BBC's decision.

Laurence Fox - pictured in London in January - said today it would be 'great' if Vera Lynn's version of Land of Hope and Glory could get to the top of the charts

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson condemned the BBC for 'wetness' as both Conservative and Labour politicians united to attack the corporation.

Speaking on a visit to a Devon shipyard, the PM said he 'could not believe' the BBC's decision to censor the much-loved anthems.

'I think it's time we stopped our cringing embarrassment about our history, about our traditions, and about our culture, and we stopped this general fight of self-recrimination and wetness. I wanted to get that off my chest.'

Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also weighed into the row, with a Labour spokesman saying the Proms was a 'staple of the British summer' and enjoying patriotic songs 'was not a barrier to examining our past and learning lessons from it'.

BBC director-general Lord Hall said he backed the decision over the Proms. He told the BBC's media editor Amol Rajan: 'They've come to the right conclusion.'

Asked whether there had been a discussion about dropping songs because of their association with Britain's imperial history, Lord Hall said: 'The whole thing has been discussed by David (Pickard, the director) and his colleagues of course it has.'

Fox's post was shared thousands of times, propelling a version of the song - on 1994 album Vera Lynn Remembers: The Songs that won World War 2 (pictured) - to the sought-after top slot

The national broadcaster initially considered dropping the patriotic songs after criticism of their supposed links to slavery and colonialism, but after a huge row bosses rowed back and announced they would be played instead, but not sung.

North West Durham MP Richard Holden wrote: 'Another stupid move from the BBC. Just let the people sing! At every turn the BBC just dig the hole they're in a bit deeper. They need to stop with this attempt to appease the woke morons.'

Others mocked the corporation for its suggestion that singing the songs would be too risky due to the Covid pandemic, noting that the National Anthem will still be sung by a lone voice on the evening of September 12.

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage and former Labour MP Kate Hoey called for the BBC to be 'defunded'.

And the same song is currently taking up the number two position as well - although this version is from 1999 album We'll Meet Again: The Best of Vera Lynn. Pictured: Vera Lynn singing Land of Hope and Glory
Fortunately, you booked a fully refundable airline ticket through Expedia. That means you can get all of your money back, minus some administrative fees. This should have been a slam-dunk for Expedia. Im not sure why you would have to wait six months -- six months! -- for a refund. Expedia took your money in two seconds via your credit card. Is it unreasonable to expect it to return it in a day or two? No, it is not.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-20 20:37:20|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TEHRAN, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned the charge d'affaires of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Tehran over recent shooting incident at Iranian fishing boats and seizing one of them in the Gulf, according to a statement published by the ministry's website on Thursday.

"Following the shooting of UAE coast guards at a number of Iranian fishing boats and seizure of one of them on Monday evening, which resulted in the killing of two Iranian fishermen," Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the UAE envoy on Tuesday in protest, the statement said.

In the meeting with the UAE envoy, the director of the International Legal Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry condemned the UAE coast guards' measure, and urged for "the release of the detainees and the captured boat, as well as delivering the corps of the killed people and compensation for the damage incurred" on the Iranian fishermen, according to the statement.

"The Abu Dhabi government sent an official note yesterday (on Wednesday) expressing deep sorrow over the incident and announcing its readiness to compensate for all the damage inflicted," it said.

The statement noted that "through the coordination of both countries' border guards, the seized Iranian fishing boat and its crew were released, and legal procedure for delivering the bodies of those killed is underway."

Iran has called on the UAE officials to prevent further similar incidents.

On Monday, Iran also seized a UAE ship "violating Iran's territorial waters" and detained its crew, Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.

The investigations concerning the UAE ship and its detained crew are underway, it said. Enditem
Alex Morse, the 31-year-old mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and the Democratic primary candidate for the states 1st Congressional District, has had a busy few weeks since Aug. 7, when a local college newspaper published an article titled College Democrats allege inappropriate behavior between Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and college students.

The allegations  that the young, gay mayor had used his position of power to sexually proposition vulnerable college students  spread quickly through his western Massachusetts district, leading one member of Holyokes city council to call for his resignation.

But less than a week later, The Intercept published explosive reports alleging that members of the College Democrats at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where Morse once worked, had schemed for months to create a sex scandal to derail Morses progressive challenge to incumbent Rep. Richard Neal, with whom the students reportedly wanted to secure an internship.

Two debates later, and a week before the Massachusetts Democratic primary, Morse says he has been vindicated, and that he is raising more money through donations than at any point so far in his campaign.

A number of folks are seeing it for what it is, in terms of the the language and response to the accusations being rooted in age-old homophobic tropes and the constant overpolicing of the personal lives, the sex lives, of gay men and members of the queer community, Morse told NBC News.

Relationships with 'teenagers'

The Aug. 7 article in UMass Amhersts paper, the Daily Collegian, reported that the schools College Democrats chapter had sent a letter to Morse saying he was disinvited from their future events because the Holyoke mayor used apps such as Grindr, Tinder and Instagram to meet college students who were as young as 18 years old, reportedly making them feel uncomfortable.

The next day, Masslive.com reported on allegations that Morse had relationships with teenagers, and UMass Amherst posted a statement saying it was launching an immediate review of the matter and had no plans to hire Morse back as a lecturer in the political science department, where he worked from 2014 to 2019. The College Democrats of Massachusetts published a letter on Twitter on Aug. 9, saying Morse abused his power for sexual relationships and confirmed they sent a similar emailed statement to the candidate himself.

Story continues

That same day, Holyoke council member Mike Sullivan called for Morse to resign for interactions with naive and innocent teenage college students, according to western Massachusetts news station WWLP.

The LGBTQ Victory Fund condemned Sullivan, saying it believes the use of the word teenagers is meant to purposely evoke homophobic stereotypes of gay men as pedophiles.

The architects of these efforts knew this is where the conversation would lead  with no regard for the homophobia it would unleash, the group said, asking those supporting Sullivans motion to ask themselves whether he would treat a straight candidate the same way.

Sullivan did not immediately respond to NBC News request for comment. However, he told Masslive last week that he is seeking a Holyoke City Council vote on an investigation into the allegations against Morse.

In response to a request from NBC News about the Daily Collegians role in the first days of the controversy and the source of the letter from the College Democrats to Morse, which the paper was the first to report on, a spokesperson shared this statement on Tuesday: The letter was provided by a member within a chapter of the College Democrats of Massachusetts, who was granted anonymity. As newspaper policy, we do not comment further on sourcing.

Two days after the first story broke, Morse posted a statement on Twitter saying accusations that he abused his position were false.

I have never, in my entire life, had a non-consensual sexual encounter with anyone, he wrote. I have never used my position of power as Mayor or UMass lecturer for romantic or sexual gain, or to take advantage of students. I have never violated UMass policy.

Morse decided to stay in the race, saying he trusts the voters of Massachusetts 1st Congressional District to make up their own minds as to whether homophobia influenced the alleged scheme.

If voters aren't seeing the homophobia, they are certainly seeing the establishment  they are seeing a powerful incumbent at risk of losing a seat and the people around him willing to do whatever it takes for him to hold onto power, Morse said.

But just as quickly as the scandal had appeared, it seemed to disappear: A new report cast strong doubts on the original College Democrats letter five days after it made news.

On Aug. 12, The Intercept reported on leaked chat logs showing these students conspiring in 2019 to gin up a sex scandal in order to harm Morses candidacy  and help his opponent, incumbent Democratic Rep. Richard Neal. The Intercept  which did not name the source of the leaked chat logs and private Instagram messages, some of which were included in the article  reported that these young Democrats hoped that by sabotaging Morses campaign they would endear themselves to Rep. Neal, first elected in 1988 and, as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, one of the most powerful incumbent Democrats in Congress.

Two days later, UMass Amherst  which bans faculty from sexual relationships with students for whom the faculty member has any responsibility for supervision, evaluation, grading, advising, employment, or other instructional or supervisory activity announced it had hired an independent attorney to investigate the scandal.

While Morse was not accused of having a relationship with a student he taught, one of the students accused of scheming to harm Morses campaign was reportedly in a journalism class taught by Neal, who is currently listed on the universitys website as part-time faculty lecturer.

The College Democrats of Massachusetts did not respond to NBC News request for comment, but in a statement to HuffPost, which was shared on Twitter, the College Democrats of Massachusetts denied any wrongdoing and said the letter to Morse was not politically motivated and had nothing to do with any of our members professional ambitions or personal politics. In its Aug. 9 letter shared on Twitter before the Intercept reported on its chat logs, the student group said suggestions that its decision to break ties with Morse had anything to do with his sexual orientation are untrue, disingenuous, and harmful.

In a statement, Rep. Neal said, any implications that I or anyone from my campaign are involved are flat wrong and an attempt to distract from the issue at hand.

Morse, however, maintains this was a coordinated political attack with the intention of harming our campaign at a pivotal moment.

There were students that Congressman Neal involved that were trying to curry favor with a powerful incumbent to secure a job, and this goes to the height of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, Morse told NBC News.

The Intercept reports revitalized his campaign by changing the narrative and fueling a surge of campaign donations. On Sunday, Morse appeared to acknowledge this by sharing a picture of himself on Twitter carrying a bag emblazoned with The Intercepts logo: New tote.

The mayor and his message

Since declaring his candidacy last year, Morse has taken an anti-incumbent progressive message to voters in the Bay States first district, which covers part of the central Connecticut River Valley and the hilly western Berkshires area.

On every issue Congressman Neal doesn't understand the urgency of the moment, Morse said. From criminal justice, climate change, to the influence of money in politics.

Hes using his power to benefit the corporate and special interests that have invested millions in his campaign, and hes not using his power to help the people, places, and communities in western and central Massachusetts, Morse added.

His message echoes those that helped propel figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ritchie Torres to primary victories in solid blue districts, and one Morse hopes will win in his Sept. 1 primary.

A poll conducted this month put Morse within five points of Neal, with 13 percent of voters undecided  well within the striking distance that other Democratic challengers from the left had before winning in their primaries.

Morse, who at 31 is among the first of a generation of LGBTQ politicians who came of age using common dating apps such as OkCupid, Tinder and Grindr, said he will never apologize for being young and gay and single and using gay dating apps and having consensual relations with other adult men.

I think my decision to stay in this race and fight and be open and honest about my life and my personal life I think will make it more likely that other young people, other queer people, other single people feel like they, too, can run for office, he said.

Follow NBC Out on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram
Wood Dale, Illinois, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators worldwide, announces a new partnership with Corporation for Skilled Workforce (CSW) to grow and diversify the talent pool of aviation maintenance technicians and reduce future labor shortages. The initiative, powered by a grant from Lumina Foundation, will also raise awareness of lucrative aircraft repair jobs and career pathways in aviation.

Through October 2021, AAR and CSW will engage community colleges and technical training providers in strategic locations to develop competency-based programs, curriculum and stackable credentials that meet FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) requirements. Next month, AAR is launching a pilot program to mentor and develop a cohort of up to 20 women in aviation maintenance at its aircraft repair facility in Miami. The initiative also will expand Skillbridge programs to provide job opportunities for military veterans and active duty personnel who are transitioning to civilian aviation maintenance careers.

The average age of an aviation maintenance technician is 54. The project expands AARs work under its EAGLE Career Pathways Program at seven colleges and technical training centers in the U.S. to mitigate mass retirements in the industry by diversifying the talent pool. The need for skilled technicians has slowed during the pandemic, but we are training new workers now to meet future demands as the industry recovers.

As our industry re-builds following the impact of COVID-19, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen the talent pipeline through recruitment of groups that historically have been under-represented in aviation, said John Holmes, AAR President and CEO. At AAR, we are committed to our core value, Work as One, Be Inclusive, and excited to partner with CSW and Lumina to address our workforce challenges while at the same time increasing our diversity.

Story continues

The success of this project is important to generate more diversity in the aviation industry, said Holly Zanville, strategy director at Lumina Foundation. The need for aviation technicians over the next 20 years is unprecedented. Aviation schools are only producing half the required students to support the needs of the industry.

This project offers CSW an opportunity to work with an industry partner, AAR, on an initiative that brings together competency-based learning and stackable credentials, pathways to good-paying jobs, and a commitment to workforce diversity thats a win-win for the industry and workers, said Jeannine LaPrad, a senior fellow at CSW.

For more information about AARs EAGLE Career Pathway program, visit https://www.aarcorp.com/eagle-pathway-program/. An article about the program (Aviation Maintenance During a Pandemic: The Inside Story) is available at: https://evolllution.com/attracting-students/enrollment_strategies/aviation-maintenance-during-a-pandemic-the-inside-story/

+++

About AAR

AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company that operates in more than 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AARs Aviation Services include Parts Supply; OEM Solutions; Integrated Solutions; and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services. AARs Expeditionary Services include Mobility Systems and Composite Manufacturing operations. Visit www.aarcorp.com.

About Lumina Foundation

Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. Lumina envisions a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nations need for talent through a broad range of credentials. Visit https://luminafoundation.org/about/.

About Corporation for Skilled Workforce

CSW, located in Ann Arbor, Mich., is a national nonprofit that partners with government, business, and community leaders to improve economic opportunity and mobility for frontline workers and people of color. CSW facilitates collaboration across stakeholders and systems to support the development of good jobs and diverse talent through applied research, strategy development, partnership building, and evaluation. CSW believes that reducing disparities in educational and labor market outcomes for frontline workers and people of color is an economic and social imperative. Visit www.skilledwork.org.

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may also be identified because they contain words such as anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, likely, may, might, plan, potential, predict, project, seek, should, target, will, would, or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled Risk Factors, included in the Companys Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described. These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Companys control. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AARs filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT: Daniela Pietsch AAR Corp +1 630 227 5100 editor@aarcorp.com




KENOSHA, Wis. - Anger-fueled protests radiated across the nation Tuesday as the family of a 29-year-old Black man shot in the back by police in this lakeside city demanded swift action to bring officers to justice.

In a highly emotional appearance two days after the shooting, Jacob Blake Jr.'s parents and siblings called for healing and peace following consecutive nights of violence. Julia Jackson, Blake's mother, asked for Americans to show "how humans are supposed to treat each other."

But the family also pinned responsibility for Blake's grievous injuries on what they called a racist law enforcement system that brutalizes Black people, and expressed dismay that his shooter had not yet been fired or charged.

They spoke as Blake - who was shot at least seven times, the bullets piercing his spinal column, shattering vertebrae and shredding vital organs - underwent emergency surgery. The shooting left the father of five young children, three of whom witnessed the incident, paralyzed from the waist down.

"It is going to take a miracle for Jacob Blake Jr. to ever walk again," said the family's lawyer, Benjamin Crump.

Photo for The Washington Post by Joshua Lott

"They shot my son seven times," said Jacob Blake Sr., his father, at a news briefing on Tuesday afternoon, growing emotional as he spoke. "Seven times. Like he didn't matter. But my son matters. He's a human being, and he matters."

That grim late-afternoon prognosis came as this modest Midwestern city of 100,000 prepared for a possible third night of violence and as cities nationwide braced for their own unrest.

An American summer ushered in with a mix of peaceful mass demonstrations and destructive riots in response to the Memorial Day killing of George Floyd appeared poised in the waning days of August to close with a similarly potent blend.

"I want them to stop killing us. Period," said Tarcia Parker, a 36-year-old Black woman who works in health care and who was protesting late Tuesday afternoon in Louisville, a city that has its own high-profile shooting victim at the hands of police, Breonna Taylor.

The outrage over Blake's shooting has been injected into the home stretch of a presidential campaign in which President Donald Trump has sought to instrumentalize fears of urban violence, portraying it as an existential threat to placid suburban living.

More than 48 hours after Blake was shot, Trump had yet to address the incident directly. But speakers at the Republican National Convention this week have repeatedly invoked burning cities, blaming Democratic leaders for allegedly letting mobs run rampant.

"It's almost like this election is shaping up to be church, work and school versus rioting, looting and vandalism," the president's eldest child, Donald Trump Jr., said in his prime-time speech Monday night.

Democratic nominee Joe Biden, by contrast, called for a thorough, independent investigation of Blake's shooting while sympathizing with the "grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force."

But Democrats have also sought to strike a delicate balance, associating themselves with the anger coursing through American cities and towns while distancing themselves from some of the most destructive outcomes.

In Kenosha, those have included burned buildings, ransacked stores and nights of apparent lawlessness as rioters have inflicted damage with few signs of a police presence. Some who gathered in the city threw firecrackers, toppled streetlights, smashed storefronts and set fires, while police launched tear gas and fired beanbag-like projectiles.

The violence prompted Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, on Tuesday to declare a state of emergency in Wisconsin, a day after he called in the National Guard to protect high-profile sites in Kenosha.

"We cannot allow the cycle of systemic racism and injustice to continue. We also cannot continue going down this path of damage and destruction," Evers said in a statement Tuesday. "There remains a line between peaceful assembly and what we saw last night that put individuals, families, and businesses in danger."

He pledged an increased National Guard presence in Kenosha on Tuesday night, while local leaders again imposed a curfew.

Other cities also saw protests overnight Monday and, in some places, damaging unrest. Hundreds of Black Lives Matter protesters gathered in downtown Los Angeles, while in New York, demonstrators convened in Times Square and marched downtown, some extending across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Police in Madison, the Wisconsin capital, said that a crowd was marching there and that some people began setting fires, breaking windows and looting businesses, leading to six arrests.

Authorities also reported dozens of arrests in three places - Minneapolis, Seattle and Portland, Ore. - that have been flash points throughout the summer.

But amid fears of another night of violence across American cities Tuesday, there were still scant details about exactly what happened Sunday in the minutes before Blake was shot.

Police have said only that they were responding to a domestic incident. Neighbors said that there had been an altercation between two women at a birthday party for one of Blake's sons and that Blake had been trying to break it up when officers arrived. Crump said Blake was "simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident."

Blake was shot at close range by a still-unidentified officer as he opened the door to his silver SUV. The incident was caught on video by a bystander, and the footage quickly went viral.

The shooting is being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which has declined to say how many officers are under investigation or whether Blake was armed. The eventual decision about whether any officers will face charges following that inquiry will rest with the local district attorney, who declined an interview request Tuesday.

Blake was in serious condition after the shooting, and family members said he will probably need multiple surgeries to survive.

"They shot my son seven times," Jacob Blake Sr., his father, said at a news briefing Tuesday afternoon. "Seven times. Like he didn't matter. But my son matters. He's a human being, and he matters."

Attorneys for Blake's family said at least one bullet struck the 29-year-old's spinal cord. They also described a litany of other injuries, saying Blake has holes in his stomach, was struck in his arm, and had much of his colon and small intestine removed.

Crump linked the shooting to a litany of other cases that have fueled outrage over police actions, including Floyd's death in Minneapolis. Two days before Blake's shooting, police in Lafayette, La., fatally shot Trayford Pellerin, a 31-year-old Black man, after responding to a call about a man armed with a knife, sparking several days of unrest.

Lafayette Mayor Josh Guillory apologized on Monday and vowed a vigorous investigation into Pellerin's death after he and other city leaders initially appeared to justify the officer's actions.

But Crump also stressed the effect on the Blake family. He pointed to Blake's three sons who Crump said were in the SUV at the time, including an 8-year-old who was celebrating his birthday.

Jackson, Blake's mother, said the family needs prayers, with her son "fighting for his life."

She urged people to protest peacefully, saying she had observed the damage left behind in Kenosha from the nights of unrest. "It doesn't reflect my son or my family," she said, adding that Blake would be unhappy if he knew about "the violence and the destruction."

National civil rights leaders have also called for restraint. The Rev. Al Sharpton, who is leading a march against brutality in Washington on Friday, said in an interview that violence plays into the hands of Trump and other defenders of excessive police behavior.

"Exploding with violence will only make them say, 'See, that's why the police need to be violent,' " he said.

Large numbers of protesters in recent days have been peaceful.

On Tuesday, there were demonstrations in Louisville, where the police killing of Taylor has reverberated since March. At a bridge above railroad tracks in front of the University of Louisville's mammoth football stadium, protesters held a sit-in and refused to move despite police orders.

"We don't see no riot here - why are you in riot gear?" protesters shouted at police.

Interim Louisville police chief Robert Schroeder characterized the protests as "largely peaceful" but said 64 protesters had been arrested during the sit-in. Schroeder said police took the decision to form a line on the bridge to prevent protesters from reaching a busier road that leads to interstate entrances and exits.

But the tenor of some demonstrations has turned violent as night falls. The Hennepin County sheriff said that after a march in Minneapolis on Monday night, demonstrators broke windows at the county jail and 11 people were arrested.

"We fully support peaceful protests, but we cannot - and will not - allow demonstrators to destroy property or jeopardize the safety and security of our inmates, our deputies and our jail," Sheriff Dave Hutchinson said in a statement.

In Portland, police said they declared a riot and arrested 25 people after some demonstrators set fires at a police union building overnight Monday. In Seattle, police said one person was arrested after part of a group damaged a police building and set a fire.

In Kenosha, demonstrations Monday night began peacefully, but clashes between officers and protesters erupted after the 8 p.m. curfew.

Late into the night and through the early morning, however, there were some areas where authorities appeared to almost entirely withdraw.

Outside a mattress store that had been looted and set on fire, Aldolfo and Julia Hernandez said their friend, a 70-year-old man who owned the store, had been beaten by looters.

"Nobody came," Aldolfo Hernandez said, with his wife and daughter sobbing by his side. "It's ridiculous. This is America. This is a national emergency. Where are the firefighters?"

Brick storefronts that had been looted - a hip-hop clothing store, a cellphone store, a tattoo parlor - were also in flames. Many people on the scene said the second floors of both blocks were apartments, mostly for low-income people, which meant at least 50 people would be displaced.

"I don't think people should destroy anything, but the cops need to work for their money," said Brandel Gordon, 26, a Black resident of Kenosha who said he was once a victim of police brutality. "There needs to be social reform in this city."

- - -

Berman, Peiser and Witte reported from Washington. The Washington Post's Tim Craig and Julie Tate in Washington and Josh Wood in Louisville contributed to thi report.
Mazoon Dairy, a leading integrated dairy company in Oman, and SIG Combibloc Obeikan, a provider of aseptic packaging and filling machines, have launched a full range of liquid dairy products in various combiblocSlimline and combiblocMini carton packs from SIG.



Mazoon Dairy takes advantage of the SIGs flexible filling technology for different product categories including white milk, flavoured milk and juice.



These products will be available in four different volumes (150ml, 200ml, 250ml and 1,000ml) and various varieties: chocolate, banana and strawberry in the segment of flavoured milk as well as orange, mango, guava, pomegranate, mixed berry and cocktail in the juice segment. This unique flexibility provided by SIG will give Mazoon product differentiation across its beverage categories to accommodate families as well as single users.



Dr Arjun Subramanian, CEO Mazoon Dairy, said: This launch represents another milestone in our journey of growth. It brings us closer to our bigger goal of fulfilling our national vision for economic development by establishing a self-sufficient economy.



Today we are offering the Omani and other regional markets a wider range of products that appeal to every age category, using the highest standards and best practices in the industry. This could not have been possible without the support of our partner, SIG Combibloc Obeikan.



Abdelghany Eladib, Chief Operating Officer SIG Combibloc Obeikan, said: Oman currently imports 70% of its dairy products and Mazoon Dairy is determined to reduce this to 10%. We are honoured to play a role in supporting the Sultanate and Mazoon Dairys mission in boosting local self-sufficiency and meeting rising demand.



This also falls in line with our strategic expansion into the Sultanate of Oman. By providing the latest product innovations and efficient flexibility solutions, we look forward to continuing our partnership with Mazoon Dairy in their journey towards growth.



Mazoon Dairy Company was established in 2015 as a closed joint stock company between the Oman Food Investments Company and other government investment and pension funds in Oman with a total capital of RO100 million ($260 million).  TradeArabia News Service
Planned Parenthood, NARAL employees allege racism, pay inequity

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Current and former employees of high-profile pro-abortion advocacy groups in the United States have stepped forward to discuss the toxic work environments they have found themselves subjected to, with racism and pay inequity among the most common complaints.

BuzzFeed News spoke with 26 employees at Planned Parenthood affiliates and the national office of NARAL, as well as 16 employees of other reproductive rights organizations. Reporter Ema OConnors interviews with those current and former employees was compiled into a lengthy article, published on Friday.

At the start of summer, I started seeing peopletweeting some hints about experiencing racism at major reproductive rights organizations, OConnor explained in a tweet. Three months and 42 interviews later, Ive published this.

At the start of summer, I started seeing people, including @RBraceySherman, tweeting some hints about experiencing racism at major reproductive rights organizations. Three months and 42 interviews later, I've published this: https://t.co/NZjpxpekzI  Ema O'Connor (@o_ema) August 24, 2020

The article comes just two months after more than 300 current and former employees of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York wrote an open letter calling for the immediate removal of CEO Laura McQuade.

After years of complaints from staff about issues of systemic racism, pay inequity, and lack of upward mobility for Black staff, highly-paid consultants were brought in three separate times to assess the situation, the letter read.

Each time, employees of color were brutally honest about their experiences, but nothing changed, the letter added. Ultimately, the Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Board of Directors terminated McQuade, whose detractors described her as a toxic leader and autocrat.

In the BuzzFeed article, current and former employees of multiple Planned Parenthood affiliates leveled similar allegations against the abortion giant.

One anonymous woman, who served in an administrative role at the Planned Parenthood affiliate in Washington, D.C., shared her resignation letter with BuzzFeed News. Despite her high-ranking role, she said she was constantly told to serve board members food, clean up after meetings, organize peoples parking permits, and other assistant-level work, the article read.

Ive worked at plenty of nonprofits, and I have never been treated so horribly in my life as I was at Planned Parenthood, to the point where I grew very depressed, had a lot of anxiety, and cried in the bathroom almost every day, she said.

Three other racial minorities who once worked at the same Planned Parenthood affiliate backed up the womans claims of a toxic work environment. All four Planned Parenthood DC employees told BuzzFeed News that the office was segregated, with the few women of color all sitting at the same row of desks.

The women also claimed that their white colleagues would refer to them as the barrio or the ghetto girls.

Planned Parenthood is a major political interest group in the United States. Earlier this year, the abortion provider endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and announced that it would spend $45 million, a three-fold increase from the 2016 election, to elect Democrats up and down the ballot in the 2020 election.

In response to the BuzzFeed article, Planned Parenthoods national office issued a statement: It is among leaderships top priorities to ensure our commitments are intentional, actionable, and public so that we, alongside our supporters, patients, and staff, can hold ourselves accountable and more truly fulfill our mission of reproductive freedom for all.

Former employees of the National Abortion Rights Action League have also gone public with their allegations of a toxic work environment. Former NARAL employee Hayley Fairless tweeted about how she faced retaliation for speaking out about the hostile workplace culture.

After repeatedly calling the org in for racism/classism/transphobia, NARAL leadership began extensively surveilling my social media and community activism, she said. "I wont give any specifics because I was forced to sign an NDA to even interview for the job. I have no doubt it would be weaponized. The work culture and execution of its alleged mission was deeply, traumatically toxic, and I regret ever contributing my time to the organization."

Renee Bracey Sherman, who formerly served on the NARAL board, saw tweets from Fairless and others, which motivated her to come forward and explain her reasoning for departing the organization.

I quit my job at NARAL in October19 because I feared for my safety. After repeatedly calling the org in for racism/classism/transphobia, NARAL leadership began began extensively surveilling my social media and community activism and tracking it in private group chats. @ReproJobs  Hayley Farless (@hayleyfarless) June 13, 2020

Anti-Blackness and refusal to address racism is why I quit the board, she said.

We have definitely failed in places and certainly fallen short of our goals at times, NARAL President Ilyse Hogue told BuzzFeed News. I take responsibility for each instance where a person on our staff or board, a member, or an ally felt the impact of that failure.

Like Planned Parenthood, NARAL has endorsed Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Hogue praised the candidates deeply compassionate evolution on the issue of abortion.

Biden, a Catholic, changed his position on the Hyde Amendment, which bans the use of taxpayer funding for abortions. He had previously supported the amendment but switched to oppose it after receiving pushback from pro-abortion activists.
This article will reflect on the compensation paid to Chris Grigg who has served as CEO of British Land Company Plc (LON:BLND) since 2009. This analysis will also evaluate the appropriateness of CEO compensation when taking into account the earnings and shareholder returns of the company.

Note: The company does not report funds from operations, and as a result, we have used earnings per share in our analysis.

See our latest analysis for British Land

Comparing British Land Company Plc's CEO Compensation With the industry

Our data indicates that British Land Company Plc has a market capitalization of UK3.4b, and total annual CEO compensation was reported as UK1.5m for the year to March 2020. That's a slight decrease of 7.2% on the prior year. We note that the salary portion, which stands at UK874.0k constitutes the majority of total compensation received by the CEO.

On comparing similar companies from the same industry with market caps ranging from UK1.5b to UK4.9b, we found that the median CEO total compensation was UK1.3m. This suggests that British Land remunerates its CEO largely in line with the industry average. Furthermore, Chris Grigg directly owns UK5.2m worth of shares in the company, implying that they are deeply invested in the company's success.

Component 2020 2019 Proportion (2020) Salary UK874k UK857k 57% Other UK660k UK796k 43% Total Compensation UK1.5m UK1.7m 100%

Talking in terms of the industry, salary represented approximately 38% of total compensation out of all the companies we analyzed, while other remuneration made up 62% of the pie. It's interesting to note that British Land pays out a greater portion of remuneration through salary, compared to the industry. If salary dominates total compensation, it suggests that CEO compensation is leaning less towards the variable component, which is usually linked with performance.

British Land Company Plc's Growth

Over the last three years, British Land Company Plc has shrunk its earnings per share by 111% per year. Its revenue is down 31% over the previous year.

Story continues

Overall this is not a very positive result for shareholders. This is compounded by the fact revenue is actually down on last year. So given this relatively weak performance, shareholders would probably not want to see high compensation for the CEO. Looking ahead, you might want to check this free visual report on analyst forecasts for the company's future earnings..

Has British Land Company Plc Been A Good Investment?

With a three year total loss of 32% for the shareholders, British Land Company Plc would certainly have some dissatisfied shareholders. Therefore, it might be upsetting for shareholders if the CEO were paid generously.

To Conclude...

As we noted earlier, British Land pays its CEO in line with similar-sized companies belonging to the same industry. Meanwhile, EPS growth and shareholder returns have been in the red for the last three years. It's tough to call out the compensation as inappropriate, but shareholders might not favor a raise before company performance improves.

We can learn a lot about a company by studying its CEO compensation trends, along with looking at other aspects of the business. We did our research and identified 2 warning signs (and 1 which is a bit unpleasant) in British Land we think you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a different set of stocks. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
Jacob Blake may never walk again after being shot at least seven times by police in Kenosha, Wis., an attorney for Blakes family said Tuesday.

The 29-year-old Black man was shot as he opened the door to his car on Sunday while his children were inside the vehicle.

It is going to take a miracle for Jacob Blake Jr. to ever walk again, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump told reporters. Blake is hospitalized in stable condition and appears to have lost the use of his legs, Crump said at a news conference in Kenosha where he was joined by Blakes parents, siblings and the familys other attorneys.

The shooting, which followed months of racial unrest over the killings of Black men and women in several cities, drew widespread condemnation and spawned violent protests in Kenosha. The violence prompted Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers to declare a state of emergency on Tuesday and mobilize the National Guard.

In an emotional plea on Tuesday, Blakes mother, Julia Jackson, called for the violence and destruction to stop, saying it doesnt reflect my son or my family.

But two days after the shooting, Blakes family still doesnt know why police shot Blake, Crump said. He said the department, which hasnt commented publicly on the incident beyond a brief statement on Sunday, has not provided information to the family. Yahoo News reached out to the department multiple times for comment.

Police attempt to push back protesters outside the county courthouse in Kenosha, Wis., on Monday. (David Goldman/AP)

What little is known about the shooting comes from a video that captured the incident and the moments leading up to it. A clip posted to Twitter shows Blake walking to the drivers side of a parked SUV with two officers following closely behind. One of the officers has a gun pointed at Blakes back.

An officer appears to pull at Blake as he opens the door. Then one officer shoots Blake in the back, the video shows. The second officer appears to shoot too. Screams can be heard in the background.

The shooting occurred after police responded to a report of a domestic dispute sometime after 5 p.m., the department said Sunday. Its unclear how or whether Blake was involved in the original incident.

Story continues

While Blake lived, the shooting left him with serious injuries, attorneys said, detailing the extent of Blakes wounds. The bullets severed his spinal cord and shattered some of his vertebrae, Crump said. Blake has holes in his stomach, according to Chicago attorney Patrick Salvi II, and had to have nearly his entire colon and small intestines removed.

Jacob has a long road ahead of him, Salvi said. A lot of rehabilitation.

Blakes dad, Jacob Blake Sr., stammered as he recounted how many times his son was shot.

They shot my son. Seven times, he said. Like he didnt matter. But my son matters. He's a human being and he matters.

At the news conference, an attendee could be heard asking about Blakes criminal history. Wisconsin court records show he had a warrant out for charges of disorderly conduct, third-degree sexual assault and criminal trespass that were filed last month. Crump dismissed mention of the charges Tuesday as character assassination.

Its always after they try to assassinate us in person, they then try to assassinate our character. And the reality is [the police officers] knew nothing about Jacob before that moment that they made that decision.

A protester stands near a cloud of teargas fired by police outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday night. (David Goldman/AP)

Blakes family described him as a devoted father and loving brother and son.

Crump said the family is calling for the officers involved in the shooting to be fired. An investigation into the shooting is being led by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, state Attorney General Josh Kaul said Monday.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is vigorously and thoroughly investigating [Sundays] officer-involved shooting in Kenosha, Kaul said in a statement. As with all investigations we conduct, we will unwaveringly pursue justice in this case.

Thumbnail credit: (Courtesy of Benjamin Crump)

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
25.08.2020 LISTEN

A 12-year-old pupil of Silicon Valley International School in Accra, Neriah Tettey, emerged the winner of the Grand Finale of Schools Sanitation Solutions (Triple-S) What Do You Know, Challenge held on Sunday at the studios of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).

By this achievement, she has now become Ghana's first Child Sanitation Ambassador.

Miss Neriah was very delighted and expressed her preparedness to use her influence as an ambassador to help change the mindset and bad attitude of people towards the environment.

Four highly qualified students competed for the chance to be the national child ambassador for sanitation and hygiene.

After three challenging rounds of quizzes, Neriah Tettey took the ultimate prize home. Her contenders included Joshua Desmenu, also from the same Silicon Valley International, Hemmes Sylvia Apolara from Pong Tamale Experimental School in Tamale, and Maame Akua O. Gyimah from Julian Academy Tema, Community 25.

Miss Tettey scored 23 points with Joshua Desmenu scoring 17.5 points to pick the second position.

Hemmes Apolara placed third with 15 points whilst Mame Akua Gyima won the fourth position with 13 points.

World Vision Ghana, in partnership with Kings Hall Media Limited, organised the Schools Sanitation Solutions (Triple-S) Challenge.

The Masters Encounter of the competition gathered four finalists which included one boy and three girls.

World Vision Ghana and Kings Hall Media Limited recognize the potential of children in the search for sustainable solutions to Ghanas sanitation challenges.

The schools sanitation solutions challenge brought together 194 participants from across the nation. The purpose was for the students to propose solutions to sanitation issues in their communities.

In this regard, the partners have been engaging school children since 2018 in various competition-based sanitation campaigns to help them to exhibit their knowledge and opinions on sanitation.

In line with this, World Vision Ghana and Kings Hall Media Limited launched the Triple-S Challenge in September 2019 and started the Round One of the competition in January 2020.

In his address, the World Vision Ghana Country Director, Dickens Thunde, reaffirmed the organisation's support for students actively involved in sanitation-related advocacies and programs.

Mr Dickens Thunde said the objective of the challenge was to make children agents of change to help improve sanitation in the country.

The challenge is to encourage children to co-create sustainable solutions to sanitation challenges around them and to advocate the removal of barriers and increased access to improved sanitation, particularly in basic schools.

While Ghana has made progress in respect of access to safe water, it is regrettable that the same cannot be said about sanitation. Progress towards universal access to improved sanitation and ending open defecation has been slow, Mr Thunde said.

Despite the many sanitation challenges facing the country, Mr. Thunde said his outfit prioritised the promotion and access to Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) services and they were ready to partner relevant stakeholders to ensure that everybody everywhere got sustainable access to improved sanitation.

Mr Anthony Mensah, the Director of Sanitation, Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, congratulated the contestants for putting up a heartwarming performance.

You are all winners having come this far. The Minister pledges support for the winner in carrying out her ambassadorial duties and also supports this worthy course and would provide the resource required to enable her to carry her duties.
George H.W. Bush, left, and Michael Dukakis shake hands before a debate prior to the 1988 election. (Lennox McLendon / Associated Press)

In July 1988, Michael Dukakis enjoyed a 17-point lead against Vice President George H.W. Bush in a Gallup poll. But Bush went on to crush Dukakis, taking 40 states and winning by seven points. He did so by running an aggressive  critics would say demagogic  scorched-earth campaign against the then-Massachusetts governor.

Its been fun to watch Republicans and Democrats alike invoke the Dukakis-Bush race this summer. It began with Republicans, when Trumps poll numbers started to sink like a bulldog in a bathtub. Keep hope alive, Team Trump insisted. Bush came back from worse.

Now, with Trumps slight recovery in recent polls and the start of the GOP convention  which, according to lore, initiated Bushs 88 comeback  Democrats have been pointing to the story as a we can still blow this cautionary tale for Democrats. As if the party of Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and Al Gore needed a 32-year-old history lesson on that score.

Over the weekend, Adam Nagourney of the New York Times offered a little for both sides with a long recap of that race, headlined: A Glimmer of Hope for Trump? How Bush Mounted a Comeback in 1988.

Its an interesting read, but Im not buying it, and not just because the 17-point Gallup poll was an outlier or even because the electorate today is much less white (85% in 88, 71% in 16) and much more liberal than it was back then.

Beyond basic generalities  polls can be ephemeral, campaigns can have comebacks, etc.  the contrast between 2020 and 1988, not to mention between Bush and Trump or Biden and Dukakis makes the whole thing feel as forced and ridiculous as comparisons of, say, Trump and Winston Churchill.

Indeed, the only thing really useful in the Biden-Dukakis comparison is to consider how much things have changed since 1988.

Lets start with Biden and Dukakis. Sure, Biden is a flawed candidate, but his foibles arent Dukakis. The Massachusetts governor was a bloodless technocrat who famously couldnt muster even hypothetical passion when asked in a debate what hed do if his wife were raped and murdered. He was also relatively unknown to most voters and thus easily defined by the opposition. Say what you will about Biden, but most people think they know who he is, after his eight years as vice president and more than 40 years in public life.

Story continues

The more revealing contrast is on the GOP side. In 1988, Ronald Reagan had concluded two successful terms with high approval. Peace, prosperity, stability and a nonviolent conclusion to the Cold War virtually screamed stay the course. Meanwhile, Trump seems keen on starting a new cold war with China. The economy was good before the pandemic, but thats gone, and stability probably isnt on anyones Trump-era Bingo card.

For campaign strategists, the most striking contrast, tactically, is Bushs strict message discipline compared with Trumps shambolic self-indulgence. Bush stuck to his talking points so doggedly it became the fodder of "Saturday Night Live" skits. Trump cant stick to a script even when Sean Hannity all but begs him too.

More significant were the context and content of Bushs message. People will continue to debate the GOPs use (or abuse) of a law-and-order platform in the campaign (which included a TV commercial blaming Dukakis for a vicious rape perpetrated by a felon who had been furloughed on his watch). But Bushs reputation as a serious, patriotic and responsible member of the moderate GOP establishment gave his broadsides heft.

Bushs patriotic fervor may have seemed steroidal compared with his normally reserved demeanor, but it was philosophically aligned with a career of public service that began when he enlisted to become the youngest World War II Navy combat pilot. And having spent eight years as Reagans dutiful vice president, he had earned the mantle of loyal Reaganite. In short, he made himself a servant of both a cause and a message larger than himself.

Donald Trump cant make himself a servant of a larger message because he is the message. Trump has been governing as a culture war caricature for years.

The contrast couldnt be starker. Trump is running on a platform of Trumpism, but unlike Reaganism, theres no consistent philosophical content to it. Absolute loyalty to Trump is all it demands, which is why, among other things, Trump wants to boycott Goodyear Tires, praises dictators and ditched even the pretense of offering a GOP platform this week.

Trump can still win, but if he does, the victory wont have parallels to the Bush-Dukakis campaign. It will be further evidence of how much American voters have changed since then.




Libyans Hit Streets Despite Cease-Fire

By Heather Murdock August 24, 2020

When shots were heard in Tripoli's Martyr's Square Sunday evening, a few protesters scattered. Others cheered, arms aloft, shouting, "Libya! Libya!"

But the gunfire ended the anti-government protests in Tripoli, the seat of Libya's internationally backed government, and authorities blamed "infiltrators" in the ranks of the security forces for the chaos.

It was the first protest of its kind in the city in at least five years, coming only two days after a cease-fire agreement formally ended a more than yearlong conflict that killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands.

"We just want simple basic services," said protester Ahmed Bin Shaaban, 24. "Electricity cuts out for 15 to 20 hours a day and medicine and food go bad.  When I go to the bank to pick up my salary, they say 'We have no cash.'"

The protest was planned online for the anniversary of the day rebel forces stormed into Tripoli in 2011, forcing Moammar Gadhafi, who ruled the country with an iron fist for more than 40 years, to flee. He was later executed by rebels.

Since then, Libya has been embroiled in political conflicts and a series of civil wars.

By early evening, crowds in Martyr's Square grew to hundreds, with other rallies in other parts of town attracting hundreds more. Protesters said these troubles, compounded by the coronavirus pandemic and rampant corruption, have left people desperate, angry and utterly hopeless.

Particularly galling to protesters is their lack of access to fuel when Libya has the biggest oil reserves in Africa.

"Anyone who is angry when they see their sister or wife waiting in long lines at the bank will support the protest," Bin Shaaban said. "Anyone who is humiliated because their father is sleeping at the petrol station just to fuel his car will come here."

Cease-fire

Last year, crowds gathered weekly and sometimes daily in Tripoli to protest the assault on the city, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and his eastern military.

In June, the siege on Tripoli ended, and Haftar's forces retreated after more than a year of violence.

The war was essentially between Libya's two competing governments  the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and backed by the United Nations. In the east, the government is led by Aguila Saleh, head of Libya's eastern-based Parliament.

Both governments issued pledges to a cease-fire and begin new talks on Friday.

Until recently, Haftar had been known as eastern Libya's de-facto leader with powerful foreign allies. But the upcoming negotiations do not include him. The GNA has said it refuses to negotiate with him. On Sunday, Haftar rejected the deal through a spokesperson.

"The initiative that al-Sarraj signed is for media marketing," said Ahmed Mismari, spokesperson for Haftar's military. "There is a military buildup and the transfer of equipment to target our forces."

Street voices

As the sun began to fade in Martyr's Square on Sunday, Mohammed Abdusalam Dafus, a 23-year-old unemployed college graduate, said amid the fighting and political wrangling that the people have been grossly neglected. He said he fears if things do not change, anger will morph into street violence.

Nearby chants echoed the 2011 protests. Young men shouted, "The people demand the fall of the regime!"

"There is no justice, as far as I can see," Dafus said.

In Misrata, Libya's third largest city, dozens of people gathered outside of a government building stomping on pictures of officials and holding signs with slogans proclaiming, "We won't be silent again you thieves!"

The demonstrations were mostly peaceful, but videos online show incidents of attacks on security forces' vehicles. One person was injured when gunfire broke up the event. It is unclear who organized the protests.

By Monday, Tripoli government officials showed support for the protesters, saying it is their right to demand basic services. But officials offered no concrete plans to deliver the services.

Libya is still in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic, which is particularly frightening since the country's hospital system is in a state of near collapse from years of war. But protesters said economic collapse from lockdowns has so far proven more painful than the pandemic.

"People don't even have ambitions anymore," said Dafus. "There are no dreams."

Salaheddin Almorjini contributed to this report from Tripoli, Libya.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Both nations discussed Chinas recent increase in purchases of American products, as well as future actions needed to enact the agreement, the statement said. Both sides see progress and are committed to taking the steps necessary to ensure the success of the agreement, it read.

Chinas commerce ministry issued a fairly upbeat statement as well. The two sides had a constructive dialogue on strengthening the coordination of the macroeconomic policies of the two countries and the implementation of the first phase of the China-U.S. economic and trade agreement, the statement said. Both sides agreed to create conditions and atmosphere to carry out the deal, the statement added.

The fact that the conversation happened is positive, showing that trade is still moving ahead despite the current tensions between the two countries, said He Weiwen, a former Ministry of Commerce official who still plays an active role in Chinese advisory councils on trade.

Since signing the deal, China has taken steps to open its markets to American banks and farmers, but its purchases of American products are far behind its promise to buy an additional $200 billion by the end of next year. Through June, China had purchased only 46 percent of the products it would need to buy by this point of the year to meet the full-year target, or a total of $40.2 billion, according to tracking by the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Many trade experts called the purchasing goals unrealistic, even before the pandemic. But the administrations supporters say the purchases will most likely increase toward the end of the year, when harvest season arrives for key American crops like soybeans. China has already sharply increased its purchases of American corn and soybeans this summer.
Five cancer patients have tested positive for Covid-19 at the same hospital in Northern Ireland where 20 staff were forced into self-isolation.

Craigavon Area Hospital in Co Armagh has now battled against two clusters of coronavirus.

A member of staff tested positive and three close staff contacts are self-isolating as a precaution, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said.

It added: 'Covid-19 is rising again in our community. We urgently appeal to everyone to wash their hands, cover their face and maintain social distancing.'

The ward is closed to admissions and trust staff are working closely with the Public Health Agency to manage the situation.

Twenty members of staff at Craigavon Hospital in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, are self-isolating after three staff in the hospital's respiratory emergency department tested positive for the virus. Pictured: Entrance to Craigavon Hospital.

Following recent Covid-19 cases in Craigavon's emergency department, some staff are isolating at home as a precaution.

The Trust tweeted: 'With reduced staff, longer waiting times more likely but will keep to minimum.

'Emergency department remains open but is busy - only attend if urgent condition requiring emergency treatment and no alternative.'

The Trust confirmed three staff members at the hospital's respiratory emergency department tested positive for the virus.

On Tuesday, 20 members of staff were self-isolating as a precaution, the Trust said.

'At this stage it is understood that the infection may have transferred in a social setting, ie not within the Emergency Department (ED),' the Trust said.

'Staff in the ED wear full personal protective equipment when treating patients, therefore we do not believe there is any risk to patients at this time.

'The ED in Craigavon remains open but is extremely busy and we would urge the public only to attend if there is no other alternative.'

New restrictions are now in place in Northern Ireland after the department of health's daily coronavirus infection figures revealed 359 individuals had tested positive for Covid-19 in the last seven days. (Stock image)

Another 47 people have tested positive across Northern Ireland, the department of health said, bringing the overall tally to 6,823. No new deaths were reported.

According to the department of health's daily coronavirus infection figures, 359 individuals have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last seven days.

The highest number of cases over the last seven days have been in the Mid and East Antrim Council area (95) followed by Belfast (76) and Antrim and Newtownabbey (44).

The current estimate of the virus reproduction number in Northern Ireland is 1.0 - 1.6 according to the region's department of health.

Last week 60 police officers in Northern Ireland had to undergo testing for Covid-19 following an outbreak at Antrim and Newtonabbey police stations.

A total of eight have been diagnosed with the infection, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.

On Thursday health minister Robin Swann announced new restrictions aimed at curbing the infection rate in Northern Ireland.

Under the new restrictions, thee number of people meeting indoors is to be reduced to six from no more than two households, and the limit on numbers at outdoor gatherings will be slashed in half from 30 to 15.

Mr Swann also announced there would be focused PSNI enforcement of coronavirus regulations in hotspot areas.
Everything is coming up roses for the flower sellers of Chinas southwestern province of Yunnan, where prices of the blooms have jumped more than 200 per cent in the past week  from 1 yuan (14 US cents) to 2.5 yuan each, and rising.

The surge, ahead of Tuesdays Qixi Festival  also known as Chinese Valentines Day  has given heart to florists like Zhao Qianlan, 28, from the Dounan Flower Market in provincial capital Kunming, that business can recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

That could be good news. It means more people may be willing to buy flowers, said Zhao, from Wenshan county in Yunnan.

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

Chinese Valentines Day has revived the countrys flower industry which was almost crushed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Handout

The Qixi Festival promises to be the strongest season of the year so far for Chinas flower industry which, like many others around the world, has been almost crushed by the pandemic since late January.

Cao Yang, a 46-year-old florist who has worked in Dounan Flower Market for eight years, said the experience of Valentines Day in February remained painful.

Most of us stayed at home during Valentines Day, and even when the market reopened, I still felt hesitant if a client walked too close to me, although we didnt have infections in the market and the logistics were cut off so we could not really send out flowers, Cao said.

While visitor numbers to Dounan market remain lower than they used to be, Cao said she was glad things were gradually getting back to normal.

Tourism to the province  which borders Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar and is known for its ethnic minority cultures and magnificent natural beauty  resumed in March and China last month announced that cross-provincial tourism could restart as the government struggled to expand consumption and revive market confidence while preventing a new wave of infections.

Cao, who is originally from Hubei province in central China where the outbreak began, said her business had recovered by 60 per cent, thanks to the internet and the countrys booming logistics industry.

Story continues

At Dounan, Cao and her three employees were busy wrapping heart-shaped flower baskets, while her husband and daughter were selling flowers on social networking services WeChat and Douyin. Business for Qixi Festival this year appears to be similar to previous ones, she said.

Ian Wang, a 28-year-old white-collar worker in Kunming, said he would consider buying roses for his wife on Tuesday, despite the high prices. Because my wife loves roses, its not about the price, he said.

Roses ready for delivery at the Dounan Flower Market. Photo: Handout

Dounan, about 18km from downtown Kunming, has long been home to thousands of flower farms, thanks to its perpetual springlike weather which provides the ideal climate for plants and flowers.

In 2010, with a 3.88 billion yuan (US$549 million) investment from some Hong Kong companies, Dounan was upgraded to a national flower hub, with a mega flower market covering an area of 810,000 square metres which supplies more than three-quarters of the countrys cut blooms and exports throughout the region.

Every day, more than 600 buyers sit in the markets smoke-filled auction room bidding for a share of the 10 million blooms up for sale, with demand driven by the countrys growing middle class. Last year, more than 9.2 billion flowers were traded at Dounan market with a turnover of nearly 7.5 billion yuan.

Dounan is expected to become the worlds largest flower market by 2028. Photo: Handout

By 2028, Dounan is expected to replace the Netherlands Aalsmeer as the worlds largest flower market, with trade increasing to 16 billion flowers and annual turnover expected to reach 35 billion yuan, according to official news portal Yunnan.cn.

But not everyone is optimistic. Flower farmer Zhang Runhong, who owns more than 13,340 square metres of fields in Chuxiong Yi autonomous prefecture  about 120km west of Kunming  lost nearly 300,000 yuan when he made the tough decision to destroy all his lisianthus, sunflowers, lilies and babys breath flowers as most of Chinas economy shut down.

While there were signs of economic recovery, Zhang, in his 40s, said his biggest concern was how the pandemic  largely under control in China  would whittle away at the countrys booming middle class. Big wedding banquets were not allowed and mass gatherings were banned. These events are big sources of demand, Zhang said.

If peoples incomes are shrinking, their purchasing power would be decreasing, and because cut flowers are not a must-have if you dont have enough money, you wont even think of buying flowers, he said. Thats why some florists have decided to grow vegetables instead.

The flower industry could be one of the worst hit by the pandemic. Turnover at the Dounan market slumped by 70 per cent in February compared with the same period of last year, and more than one million flowers were crushed on February 10 alone because of the nationwide lockdown, at an estimated loss of 4 billion yuan in the first quarter, according to Beijing Daily.

In the Netherlands, about 400 million flowers, including 140 million tulip stems, were reportedly destroyed between March and April at Aalsmeer, when the European country tightened measures to contain the coronavirus spread.

Flower exports from China have also stalled, according to Fei Xuemei, the president of Yunnan Aliveflora which has supplied Europe and Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.

China has significantly cut international flights in and out of the country since March, because of the pandemic situation overseas, and although flights have slowly resumed, Fei said logistics would be affected without the steady flow of travel.

For the domestic market, we are looking to grow flowers of higher quality, because these are what people need, but for overseas markets, I dont have a solution yet, Fei said.

More from South China Morning Post:

This article Hope blooms for Chinas flower trade as rose prices soar to meet demand first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020.
New Delhi: Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that structural reforms are a key priority of the government as has been reflected in the slew of measures & policies announced since outbreak of COVID-19.

Addressing the captains of the Indian Industry during a CII event, the FM said that every policy which was introduced had a structural component. Consequently, the reforms are having significant impact on the recovery process which we are currently witnessing.

Taking cognizance of the fact that many sectors such as Tourism, Hotels & Hospitality, Real Estate & Construction and Airlines have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, the Finance Minister said that these are critical sectors with significant multiplier impact on the economy. In order to ease the pain of few of these ailing sectors, the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for the hotels, banquets & related activities will be looked into, she assured. On the issue of strategic disinvestment, the FM highlighted that there was a need to move fast on cabinet cleared disinvestment decisions.

Regarding the private investment cycle which got a fillip from the corporate tax cut in September 2019, investments however couldnt take off due to outbreak of COVID-19, Sitharaman was of the view that in a post-COVID world, these should fructify.

With post-COVID reset happening, emphasis has to be on adoption of data-driven manufacturing models through ploughing greater investments in these models, she further added.

On the issue of local manufacturing, she said that Productivity Linked Incentives (PLIs) scheme has met with excellent response and has helped speed up manufacturing of critical bulk drugs and APIs in 6 states.

On delayed payments by the government agencies, it was said that the Finance Ministry is taking periodic reviews to expedite the due payments to the industry. Further, the Finance Minister alluded that infrastructure sector plays a key role in speeding up growth momentum, hence, to give its financing a further boost, external funds will also be welcome. Responding to a question about the need for lowering GST rates on 2-wheelers, she assured that this was indeed a good suggestion as this category is neither a luxury nor a sin good and hence merits a rate revision. Consequently, this will be taken up with the GST Council, she added.
Two agribusinesses in Washington state will distribute $325,000 among 105 Thai farm workers to settle a federal national origin and race discrimination lawsuit.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said the settlement with defendants Green Acre Farms Inc. and Valley Fruit Orchards LLC, both based in Wapato, Washington, encompasses monetary relief and injunctive relief remedies.

The EEOC initially filed the Title VII lawsuit in April 2011 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington (EEOC v. Global Horizons, Inc. d/b/a Global Horizons Manpower, Inc., Green Acre Farms, Inc., Valley Fruit Orchards, LLC., et al, Case No. 11-CV-3045-RMP).

A default judgment was previously awarded against Global Horizons, the company that provided farm labor services and supplied H-2A guest workers from Thailand to Green Acre and Valley Fruit. The two farms  Green Acre and Valley Fruit  remained as the only defendants left in the case.

The EEOCs claims against the Green Acre and Valley Fruit farms were initially dismissed on summary judgment by the District Court, which also awarded both farms their fees and costs of litigation. The EEOC appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Ninth Circuit overturned the award of fees and costs and reversed and remanded the case back to the District Court. On remand, the District Court again dismissed the EEOCs claims on summary judgment, and the Court granted the farm defendants second motion for fees. The EEOC again appealed to the Ninth Circuit.

The case resolved for a total payment of $325,000.00 which will be distributed among 105 Thai farm workers who were placed at the two farms by Global Horizons, the farm labor contractor.

Additionally, Green Acre and Valley Fruit agreed to implement injunctive relief including accountability measures over farm labor contractors, training, review of policies and procedures, and reporting.

The farms have denied liability at all times during the action.

Source: EEOC

Topics Lawsuits Washington Agribusiness
The Serum Institute of India (SII) is set to begin its phase II/III clinical trials of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine candidate, Covishield, to check its efficacy at Punes Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday.

SII is the worlds largest vaccine manufacturer by the number of doses produced and sold globally. It has entered a manufacturing partnership with AstraZeneca to produce the vaccine.

Also read: 172 countries engaging with global Covid-19 vaccine plan, says WHO

According to the Clinical Trials Registry of India, 17 sites have been selected to conduct the phase II/III trials, observer-blind, randomized, controlled study, to check the safety and immune response of the vaccine candidate among healthy Indian adults.

Around 1,600 adults above 18 are expected to be recruited for the trials across India. Dr Prasad Kulkarni will be the principal investigator for SII and spearhead the process.

On August 3, Indias drugs controller gave approval to SII for conducting phase II and III clinical trials of the vaccine candidate in the country. The results of its phase I trial held in the UK had shown promise in generating an immune response against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.

Covishield will be administered as a two-dose schedule on days 1 and 29 as 0.5 ml dose intramuscularly. Placebo will be administered as a two-dose schedule on days 1 and 29 as 0.5 ml dose intramuscularly.

The vaccine is made from a weakened version of a common cold adenovirus taken from chimps and genetically modified.

Even though confirming that the trial process has started, representatives of SII have been declining to divulge more details regarding the development.

In a statement issued on Sunday, SII said, The phase-3 trials for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are still underway. And only once the vaccine is proven immunogenic and efficacious, SII will confirm its availability, officially. COVISHIELD will be commercialized once the trials are proven successful and all the requisite regulatory approvals are in place. Presently, the government has granted us permission to only manufacture the vaccine and stockpile it for future use.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to spread across the USA, even as the government continues to tries to put measures in place to limit the spread of the virus at state and federal levels. As of now, this country has seen the highest number of cases and deaths in the world. The former accounts for approximately 2% of the total population of the USA, at above 5.8 million. In a new study published on the preprint server medRxiv*, researchers from the Yale Institute for Global Health analyzed the shift in COVID-19 risk perception, behavior, knowledge, and attitude across the U.S. from February to May 2020 by surveying 672 adults.

Preventive Behavior and Health Communications

Many Americans have adopted containment measures such as wearing masks when in contact with people from outside their household, washing their hands after touching any potentially contaminated surface, and physical distancing. However, there is a sizable number who refuse to do so, putting themselves and others at risk. The decision is made based on their risk: benefit assessment, which in turn requires that public health authorities recognize the trends in COVID-19 risk perception across the country. This need is highlighted by the fact that sociocultural factors play a leading role in defining such risk perceptions and the health outcomes associated with it.

In previous pandemics, it has been shown that following recommended health behaviors are crucial to changing the course of viral transmission. This emphasizes further the need to understand how the public understands the risk of viral transmission and illness. In addition, it has become clear that all populations of the American society are not at equal risk, since the overcrowding and underlying chronic disease states commonly encountered in the underprivileged segments of society are pushing up their risk far beyond average levels. This includes the poor of any race, and also Black, Hispanic, and Native Americans. Thus, the risk perception must be shaped sensitively, knowing that such communities have historically been at risk of unethical research methodologies and are therefore understandably suspicious of the medical establishment.

Higher Risk Perception Among Older People

The study was made up of 672 adults, mostly white, with a college or graduate degree. On average, the risk perception was 5.9 and was higher compared with that calculated from an earlier February survey.

The researchers found that people above the age of 55 years from Native American, Native Alaskan, or Asian ethnicities, perceived higher COVID-19 risk. Increased risk perception was also found in those who had already got the infection or knew someone who had it. Blacks, however, did not share this elevated risk perception.

About 93% of the participants said they knew of the pandemic, about 72% rating their knowledge as good or very good. This was up from 39% in February. This self-assessed rating was confirmed by a calculated knowledge score, in which May participants scored better than those who participated in the February survey.

Over 80% correctly stated that there was no vaccine or cure for the illness at present, but 9% and 4% thought there was a cure or vaccine, respectively. Over half of this misinformation came from the media.

Prevention of Infection

Most participants agreed with policies that restrict physical mobility for those likely to carry infection, including quarantine, travel bans, closure of common community facilities, and event cancelations. The greater the risk perception, the higher was the risk score. The release of non-violent prisoners as part of such containment measures was a Yes for 36%, again following the same trend. Risk perception was also more significant for the third of participants who thought temporary discrimination against an ethnic group was reasonable under pandemic conditions (this figure was 38% when adjusted by age, sex, and race). The fuel for this type of discrimination, typically being experienced by Asians, is fear based on the false belief that this ethnic group is more likely to transmit the virus.

Almost 60% of participants reported it was easy to follow the CDC public health recommendations. For the 17% who said that they were difficult, the most common rationales were lack of clarity on the duration of the pandemic and being an essential worker. Still, 85% said they used face masks following CDC guidelines reported it was hard to follow the CDC guidelines, while over 90% said they followed CDC guidelines other once face masks were excluded. Those who reported the highest risk perception typically had or planned to buy reserves of medicine, food, and other stocks of daily necessities.

Economic Perceptions

Most participants said they felt the pandemic had caused a huge economic impact, but that containment measures were rightly prioritized over economic health, at 84% and 70%, respectively. This is in contrast to media reports that most Americans oppose lockdown measures, and may indicate that the media is propagating a false picture of what Americans feel about the pandemic.

Confidence in Official Information and Action

Overall, healthcare professionals and health officials enjoyed the trust of the participants, but not social media. However, health organizations such as the CDC, DHHS, NIH, and the AMA suffered a significant loss of trust. About 35% said they wanted the U.S. President to lead the initiative against the pandemic, significantly higher than the 13% of the February survey. Less than 20% of people favored a leading role for the CDC in contrast to the 53% who wanted this in February.

Need for Trust-Building and Sensitivity

The researchers found that risk perception was variable among demographic groups in the USA. While more people are currently aware of the illness, over 15% still reported false beliefs about it, perhaps due to misinformation and contradictory messages from different sources. This may help public health agencies to understand why some people are likely to resist taking preventive action.

They conclude, Our study demonstrates the continued need for targeted messaging about appropriate infection prevention and protective measures.

When information about an ongoing crisis is not forthcoming, it may breed suspicion and fear. The current study bears this out, with many participants saying they trusted information on the pandemic from the White House or Congress least of all, compared to that from doctors and other healthcare professionals. This may be due to contradictory and delayed communications from these bodies.

The researchers comment, The White House, Congress, and public health organizations, especially the CDC, must agree on the information being communicated to the public and be transparent with the American people to ensure trust in public health and governmental authorities.

Currently, Asians are often discriminated against as the source of the virus, with Asian-owned restaurants experiencing a decline in takeout orders and Asian communities a fall in the number of visitors from other races. This is only exacerbated by the labeling of the virus as the China virus.

Implications

The study is limited by the need for all participants to have a CloudResearch account as well as the use of a smartphone or computer to participate in the survey. However, it is important to recognize that this examines in detail the risk perceptions of COVID-19 during the pandemic, as well as changes over time.

The study concludes with the need for leadership in clear and competent health messaging that will also be evidence-based and sensitive to community cultures, to promote the adoption of preventive measures as reopening strategies are being implemented across the country.

*Important Notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Conservative activist Tomi Lahren inadvertently called Donald Trump a jackass in a message thanking members of the Indian community for supporting the president.

In a video shared on Twitter, Ms Lahren, a political commentator and Fox News "Nation" contributor, can be heard praising the Indian diaspora for apparently getting behind the Make America Great Again campaign.

Because President Trump is wise like an owl, or as you guys would say in Hindi  I hope Im pronouncing this right  President Trump is wise like an ullu. I hope I said that right, Ms Lahren told her followers.

In Hindi, ullu does indeed mean owl. But unfortunately for Ms Lahren, to compare someone to an owl in India is to label them a fool or a jackass.

Eagle-eyed Hindi speakers were quick to spot the blunder, footage of which has since gone viral and attracted coverage from a number of major Indian news outlets. The original clip appears to have been recorded by Ms Lahren herself early on Tuesday morning, but was not visible on her social media channels later in the day.

Recommended Fox News host forced to delete tweet comparing lockdown to slavery

Ms Lahren provoked plenty of amused reactions on Twitter with the gaffe, which came the morning after the president attempted to re-energise his re-election campaign on the first night of the Republican National Convention.

I cant, one wrote, next to a laughing emoji. President Trump is wise like an ullu. In Hindi ullu means owl but [is] used as an insult to consider someone a fool. We all can agree with tomi that Trump is an ullu.

Another said: Im dead. I dont know whats funnier, calling him an ullu or as you guys would say it.... wise like an ooOOolloOo.

He is an ullu - Owl - thats right! Say that again..! another Twitter user quipped.

Ms Lahren first gained national attention as a host on TheBlaze.

She was praised in some quarters for her final thoughts segment, where she frequently criticised liberal politics.

Many of her videos went viral, with the New York Times describing her as a rising media star in late 2016. Ms Lahren was suspended from TheBlaze in March 2017 after saying in an interview on The View that she believed women should have legal access to abortion.

Shortly after that, Ms Lahren began working for the Great America Alliance, a group vocally supportive of Mr Trumps tenure in the White House.
Distance-Aware Materials and Powerful Sky Model Offer More Control Over 3D Environments

PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Chaos Czech releases Corona Renderer 6 for Cinema 4D, a new update to the most artist-friendly renderer for C4D. Artists and designers can now bring more realism to the objects and environments they create in a faster, more creative way.

A new Sky Model can now accurately depict twilight and dawn, providing gorgeous results down to 2.85 degrees below the horizon. Because this model is fully procedural, it is also easy to animate, enabling the simple creation of time lapse sunrises and sunsets. Multiple skies/suns can be also added to any scene, so artists can toggle through options like dusk and afternoon using LightMix.

With the new Distance Map, artists can create procedural materials that understand their proximity to other objects in the scene. Instead of blending boundary lines, artists can now create immaculate coastlines, dirty window sills and ground-hugging fog with ease. Users can also use the map to drive scattering whenever they want to include different grass lengths or twigs under trees.

Other New Features Include:

Adaptive Environment Sampler  Cleaner, more accurate environment lighting replaces the need to add skylight portals.

New Bloom and Glare Controls  New lens effects allow greater realism and creativity with the inclusion of lens dust, scratches and more.

Texture Randomization  Automatically remove tiling artifacts with the new UVWRandomizer for more believability across a scene.

To try Corona Renderer 6 for Cinema 4D now, please visit the Chaos Czech website.

Pricing/Availability

Corona Renderer 6 is available now for the Mac OS and Windows versions of Cinema 4D, R14-S22 (64-bit). Pricing is subscription-based, with monthly rates set at $28.50 and yearly rates at $330. A free 45-day commercial trial is also available at: https://corona-renderer.com/download.

Story continues

About Chaos Czech

Chaos Czech are the creators of Corona Renderer, a high-performance photorealistic rendering engine. Chaos Czech is a leader in architectural visualization software, where it offers a simple, yet powerful approach for professional artists. Chaos Czech continues to bring this approach to its development of new tools and technologies for architectural visualization, VFX and broadcast. Chaos Czech, a Chaos Group company, are headquartered in Prague.

About Chaos Group

Chaos Group is a worldwide leader in computer graphics technology, helping artists and designers create photorealistic imagery and animation for architecture, design, and visual effects. Chaos Groups award-winning physically-based rendering and simulation software is used daily by top design studios, architectural firms, advertising agencies, and visual effects companies around the globe. Today, the company's research and development in ray-traced rendering, cloud computing and real-time ray tracing is shaping the future of creative storytelling and digital design. Founded in 1997, Chaos Group is privately owned with offices in Sofia, Los Angeles, Prague, Seoul, and Tokyo. For more information, visit: chaosgroup.com.

Attachment

CONTACT: Colin McLaughlin 5037969822 colin@liaisonpr.com




India has seen 66,286 new cases of Covid-19 on average every day in the week ended Monday. That works out to 5.3 cases per 100,000 people (assuming Indias population at 1.3 billion). One way of looking at the Covid-19 challenge is to target reducing the number of new cases to less than one per 100,000. This isnt a number picked without basis  it is the trend seen in countries that managed to crush the virus, if only temporarily. Thats a huge challenge for India.

Indias Covid-19 numbers could well see an increase in the coming weeks  as testing increases (although states are blindly using rapid antigen tests without understanding when they should be used  a theme discussed several times in this column), and as the virus moves into rural India. Indeed, the pandemics progress in India has been outward  from the metros to the other cities and towns; and from urban districts to rural ones (see front page).

India and the US are similar in terms of their approach to the pandemic  they opened up when cases were still rising (unlike Europe, where countries opened up only after the number of new cases started declining). Sure, the US saw a dip and then a long plateau between mid-April and mid-June, but cases rose rapidly after that. They rose till late July, when they started falling again. Interestingly, the seven-day average of daily cases in the US is well off its peak seen in late July, but still higher than the peak seen in early April. In contrast, Indias seven-day average has never dipped  the trajectory of the coronavirus disease, in terms of number of cases, has been one steady upward curve as the infection spread across the second-most populous country in the world.

In the week ended Monday, India added 463,999 cases, according to the HT dashboard. This is 26% of the 1.75 million new cases recorded around the world in the same period (the second number is from the New York Times database). This statistic is worrying, although Indias case fatality rate of 1.85% is among the lowest in the world, and of the 3.16 million cases recorded till Monday night, 76% had recovered. The disease is yet to peak in India but doctors have clearly become better at saving lives.

There has been some debate about a possible second lockdown in the US. There hasnt been much talk of one in India. Through August, even some of the states that insisted on partial lockdowns (on certain days) have eased up. This is understandable  the lockdown has wreaked havoc on livelihoods and the economy. Once it became clear that the virus wasnt going away anytime soon, and that a vaccine wouldnt be available till early 2021, the focus moved to living and working with the virus.

The buzz in Delhi is that the next set of so-called unlock guidelines issued by the home ministry could reflect that. HT reported on Tuesday that Delhi Metro could soon begin operations. This is a good move, provided the safety protocols that have been put down on paper are faithfully implemented. That could be problematic, though. Many Indians have shown poor discipline when it comes to wearing masks or practising social distancing. Police departments around the country do not seem keen to enforce the home ministrys guidelines on masks (there is very poor monitoring in markets and parks, especially). Many people who wear masks, wear them improperly. And experience around the world has shown that crowds, especially in enclosed places, are a magnet for the virus. Talk of restarting the Delhi Metro also comes at a time when the number of cases in Delhi is beginning to inch up again (although it is still 60-70% off its peaks)  all the more reason why safety and social distancing protocols will need to be strictly followed, and monitored.

There is no point in pretending things have returned to normal  because they havent.

Note: This article has been corrected to reflect the correct weekly average of daily cases.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Dhaka, Aug 25 : Legendary Bangladesh war veteran Chitta Ranjan Dutta, popularly known as CR Dutta, passed away on Tuesday. He was 93.

A Sector Commander of the 1971 Liberation War, he died at a hospital in the US state of Florida, Rana Dasgupta, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad (BHBCUC), told IANS.

Dutta, who was President of the Parishad, has left behind behind two daughters and a son.

Dasgupta said that one of Dutta's legs broke due to a fall on August, after which he was rushed to a hospital in Florida and was kept on life support. His condition deteriorated on Monday.

"We are trying to bring back his body to Bangladesh," Dasgupta told IANS.

Dutta, was born on January 1, 1927 in Shillong, Meghalaya, where his father was posted as a police officer.

Back then Shillong was the capital of undivided Assam in British India.

He went to the Daulatpur College in Khulna as his father was against him from going to Kolkata.

At the age of 24, Dutta joined the Pakistan Army in 1951 and soon he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

During the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, he served as a company commander.

He later participated in the 1971 Liberation War as Sector 4 Commander.

Following independence, Dutta joined the Bangladesh Army as Brigade Commander in Rangpur (1972) and was given responsibility of creating a new border force the following year.

He went on to become the first Director-General of Bangladesh Rifles (present-day Border Guards Bangladesh).

He was awarded 'Bir Uttam' by the Sheikh Mujib government on December 15, 1973. He also served as Chairman of Muktijuddha Kollan Trust (Freedom Fighters Welfare Association) in 1977 and BRTC in 1979.

After Dutta retired in 1984, he formed the Sector Commanders Forum with other prominent members of the Liberation War.

In June 1988 when Islam was declared as the State Religion of Bangladesh, Dutta actively contested against this decision and argued it violated the "four pillars of the nation" embodied in the 1972 Constitution, namely democracy, secularism, socialism and nationalism.

He reminded the government that the Liberation War was fought on the principles of Bengali nationalism, and not religion.

By declaring Islam as the state religion, he argued the minorities - who form less than 10 per cent of Bangladesh's population - were being marginalised even further and made to feel like outsiders in their own country.

To "fight this injustice", he founded the BHBCUC along with two leaders from other minority communities, Bodhhipal Mohathero (Buddhist) and T.D. Rosario (Christian), with an aims to protect the human rights of the religious and ethnic minorities.
Ciena Corporation CIEN recently joined forces with Infonas to establish a streamlined network infrastructure in the Middle East. Markedly, the company will capitalize on avant-garde Ciena Services and Hosted Manage, Control and Plan (MCP) services as part of the collaboration.



Headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, Infonas is a leading communications services provider in the Middle East that offers regional and international services with advanced network capabilities. With a proven record of designing top-grade solutions to public and private sectors, the company provides end-to-end connectivity and consultation services to enterprises of various sizes. Supported by a dedicated 24x7 technical assistance center, Infonas also monitors and operates cloud infrastructure with adequate specialization in AI technology. Apart from Bahrain, the company conducts its business operations in various international locations such as Chicago, New York, Egypt, Singapore, Kenya and Frankfurt.



Cienas Hosted MCP service is a cloud-native platform that manages software upgrades and server administration. The solution provides hassle-free network ownership to customers and enables service providers to automate several operational aspects across packet network assets with utmost reliability. The Hosted MCP service acts as a one-stop shop solution that delivers quick time-to-value data-driven operations, minimizes deployment efforts and enhances service agility with a low-risk commercial model. Meanwhile, Ciena Services is primarily focused on solving complex business challenges and works on a proven network modernization methodology to meet the proliferating bandwidth demands of customers.



Notably, the Adaptive Network platform forms the backbone of Ciena Services that provides systems integration services, insights services and maintenance services to operate a state-of-the-art network infrastructure amid changing market dynamics. Ciena Services have been specifically designed to support legacy and new business services with modern packet-based approaches. Infonas will also leverage Cienas 6500 Packet-Optical platforms that resolves technological challenges with software control and automation for a more adaptive network. Impressively, the 6500 platform unites Optical Transport Network and packet capabilities in a single platform that helps service providers to streamline operations and maximize operational efficiency with an optimized footprint.



Moving ahead, the Hanover, MD-based company is confident about its resilient business model and is likely to benefit from growing demand for packet-optical transport and switching products, integrated network as well as service management software. It is focused on investing in the data and optical fiber market to capitalize on the tremendous growth opportunities offered through increased bandwidth demand from network service providers, while augmenting its Packet Networking portfolio to capitalize on 5G. It is worth mentioning that Ciena will likely be an ideal partner of Infonas to accelerate network transformation with its industry-leading portfolio of intelligent optical networking solutions across Middle East. Consequently, this will strengthen the companys global scale of operations and technology leadership.



Ciena has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 16%. The company topped earnings estimates thrice in the last four quarters. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 25.6%, on average. The stock has surged 48.3% compared with the industrys growth of 47.8% in the past year.

Story continues





Ciena currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).



Some other better-ranked stocks in the broader industry are ADTRAN, Inc. ADTN, Acacia Communications, Inc. ACIA and Calix, Inc. CALX, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



ADTRAN has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 50.2%, on average.



Acacia has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 17%, on average.



Calix has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 59.7%, on average.

Just Released: Zacks 7 Best Stocks for Today

Experts extracted 7 stocks from the list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys that has beaten the market more than 2X over with a stunning average gain of +24.3% per year.



These 7 were selected because of their superior potential for immediate breakout.



See these time-sensitive tickers now >>



Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



ADTRAN, Inc. (ADTN) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Ciena Corporation (CIEN) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Calix, Inc (CALX) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Acacia Communications, Inc. (ACIA) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
SAINT LOUIS  Western Massachusetts ninth Catholic bishop, Mitchell Rozanski, will be installed today as the 10th archbishop of St. Louis.

The installation Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Central Time (3 p.m. on the East Coast) in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, and will be livestreamed on the Archdiocese of St. Louis YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Highlights of the installation include the imposition of the pallium  the Y-shaped band of lambs wool decorated with crosses and worn over the shoulders to symbolize a metropolitan archbishops special relationship with the Pope as well as his own authority as a shepherd within his province.

Monsignor Dennis Kuruppassery, the representative of the papal ambassador, or nuncio, in Washington, D.C., will perform the imposition of the pallium, once only done in Rome.

As a metropolitan archbishop, Rozanski will oversee three other dioceses in his province. The history of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, with about one half-million Catholics among a population of over 2 million, is rich with both progressive and conservative leaders, immigration of Catholic families into the area that once earned St. Louis the title of Rome of the West, and territory from which 45 other dioceses have broken off over time.

Rozanski, who has been recording video greetings to various populations in the archdiocese, including seminarians, educators and women religious, all with the message of the importance of prayer and a Christ-centered life, will deliver the homily as the main celebrant.

Rozanskis concelebrants are scheduled to include his predecessor in St. Louis, the Most Rev. Robert J. Carlson, and Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop emeritus of Philadelphia, who earlier in his career was appointed St. Louis seventh archbishop by then-Pope John Paul II and who welcomed John Paul to that city in 1999.

Others expected to attend include Boston Auxiliary Bishop Robert Reed.

Hymns during Communion include Stainless the Maiden, described as Polish traditional.

Rozanski came to Springfield in 2014 from Baltimore, where he was auxiliary bishop and where he was raised in a Polish American family. He said during recent media interviews in St. Louis that those of Polish heritage in Springfield made sure he never missed his mothers Polish dishes by keeping him supplied with galumpkis, pierogies and kielbasa.

Related Content:
When Lyndsey Altice from Wisconsin went into labor, she was delighted to bring her second baby into the world; however, moments after the birth of her little daughter, she was startled to feel more contractions and was surprised to welcome a hidden twin whom she was completely unaware of.

Lyndsey Altice gives birth to a surprise twin. (Caters News)

There are no words to describe what I was thinking when I realized I was about to have another baby right there and then, Altice said describing the moment, according to The Daily Mail.

The next contraction was almost instant, I knew before the nurses started saying what they thought it was. I could feel the baby coming but could not communicate it through the contraction, she added.

Baby Billie June, who was born just two minutes after her older sister Ada Maze, made quite a surprise entrance as the mom of three had shown no signs throughout her pregnancy that she was carrying another baby.

Lyndsey Altice, 30, with her twins, Ada Maze and Billie June. (Caters News)

Throughout her 38 weeks of pregnancy, the 30-year-old mom measured her own weight to make sure she was healthy. Additionally, she also reveals that she had two late ultrasounds, one by an OB-GYN and the other by a sonographer, and still they werent able to detect Billie June.

I would feel my belly all the time and my midwife felt at every appointment, Altice told TODAY. You couldnt feel a second baby.

On the day Altice went into labor, she was hooked to a baby monitor, and at that time too, the mother saw only a single heartbeat. However, after Ada came out so tiny, the mom was suspicious that something was wrong, as she said she had put on double the weight since giving birth to her first son, Django.

When I had my son Django a few years previous. He was 9lbs and I put on less weight with him so it was really odd, Altice recalled, according to The Daily Mail.

After another contraction, that day, one of the nurses thought that it was just a water sack she hadnt seen before, and everyone in the room seemed to be confused. However, when the second baby arrived, everyone started to have conversations with each other, and all were a bit surprised by the sudden arrival of Billie June.

As the completely unexpected moment played out on July 13, 2019, Altices sister managed to snap a series of incredible pictures of the mom in a birthing tub holding her two baby girls in complete shock.

Lyndsey Altice, 30, completely shocked as she is handed her twin girls. (Caters News)

[I] had a million thoughts that I couldnt process because I was completely overwhelmed so I just submitted to the moment, I think my face says it all, Altice said. I must have set a world record for how many times someone can scream oh my god; in 10 minutes.

Surprisingly, Altice even obtained an ultrasound recording after the birth of her girls but still wasnt able to identify the second baby.

Now, after more than one year since the surprise moment unfolded, Altice and her husband, Wesley, are more than delighted to have their twin girls.

Twins Ada Maze and Billie June. (Caters News)

Altice reveals that her 3-year-old son too adores Ada Maze and Billie June and gets along really well with them. She also adds that she loves looking back at the photos from that day and admits that she might have been bowled over at that moment but is thrilled to have them.

In May 2020, the mom shared the story of her surprise twins on Facebook, along with pictures from the intimate moment, where its gone viral. She added that she will also show the pictures to the twins once they grow a little older.

We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc
GAZA, Palestinian Territory - Gazas militant Hamas rulers imposed a territory-wide curfew on Tuesday after authorities detected the first local cases of the coronavirus, raising fears of a wider outbreak in the blockaded territory that is home to some 2 million Palestinians.

Gaza has registered more than 100 cases and a fatality since the start of the pandemic, but until now all the infections were linked to quarantine facilities for returning travellers. Most lockdown restrictions were lifted months ago, with even wedding halls operating normally.

Early Wednesday, Gazas health ministry announced the detection of two new cases at Shifa Complex, the largest hospital in the territory, and said they were unrelated to the four COVID-19 patients who were uncovered the previous day and marked the first community transmission.

A wider outbreak could overwhelm a health care system battered by years of war and isolation, with only a few dozen ventilators for the entire population.

Gaza has also seen rising tensions in recent weeks between Israel and Hamas, as militants have launched incendiary balloons and rockets into Israel while demanding the easing of the blockade imposed when Hamas seized power in 2007. Israel has responded by tightening restrictions further and launching airstrikes against militant targets.

Hamas announced a 48-hour curfew after the four cases were announced late Monday. Schools, businesses, markets and mosques were ordered to close, and police patrols stopped and inspected the few cars passing through checkpoints.

The four patients are related and live in the al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza. On Tuesday, Hamas-run police roamed the empty streets to enforce the lockdown.

Hundreds of people nevertheless took part in the funeral of four militants from the Islamic Jihad group who were killed in a mysterious blast late Monday in Gaza City.

The mourners, few of whom wore masks, marched shoulder to shoulder through the citys crowded Shajaiyeh neighbourhood despite calls from the group to take precautions and limit attendance to relatives of the slain militants.

All Gazans returning home through Israel or Egypt have been required to remain isolated at designated centres for 21 days. Authorities have detected 110 cases in the quarantine facilities since March, and 72 of them have recovered. A woman with underlying health problems died from the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus.

Abdelnasser Soboh, director of the World Health Organizations Gaza office, said cases of local transmission were expected. This was not surprising to us, he said.

He added that authorities are following the correct procedures to track the source of the infection and people who were in contact with the patients.

The health ministry said a woman from Gaza who was allowed to travel to Jerusalem for medical treatment had tested positive after arriving there. Health workers back in Gaza then tested her family members, revealing the four cases. The woman is still in Jerusalem.

Hamas seized control of Gaza from rival Palestinian forces 13 years ago. In response, Egypt and Israel imposed a crippling blockade on the territory. Israel says the blockade is needed to keep Hamas from importing and manufacturing arms. Hamas and Israel have fought three wars and countless skirmishes.

There have been no deaths or serious injuries from the recent exchanges of fire, and neither side is believed to be seeking war. But any fatalities could spark an escalation.

Israeli police said a bomb delivered by a balloon exploded on Tuesday near a group of children playing in the Israeli town of Netivot, near Gaza, without wounding anyone.

The attacks were co-ordinated by Hamas to pressure Israel to ease the blockade. Instead, Israel has closed Gazas sole commercial crossing and its fishing zone. The territorys only power plant was forced to shut down a week ago for lack of fuel, leaving most Gazans with just four hours of electricity per day.

Egyptian mediators have visited Gaza to try and shore up an informal cease-fire. On Tuesday, an envoy from Qatar arrived in Gaza with a delivery of cash, according to Hamas police. It was the first time Mohammed al-Emadi has made the delivery in person since February and signalled a possible breakthrough in the truce efforts.

In co-ordination with Israel, Qatar has sent hundreds of millions of dollars to Gaza in recent years for humanitarian projects, fuel purchases and cash payments to poor families, all aimed at shoring up the collapsing economy.

Gazas heath infrastructure has been hollowed out by years of conflict, and would be ill-equipped to cope with a major outbreak. Gazas health facilities only have around 100 ventilators, more than half of which are already being used.

The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees said it is extremely concerned by the closure of the power plant and its impact on Gaza residents.

We are calling on all concerned parties to maintain a supply of electricity that is sufficient to meet the basic needs of the civilian population, said Matthias Schmale, director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza.

Soboh of the WHO said that his organization managed to bring in 10 new ventilators for a special field hospital for coronavirus patients in Gaza, raising the number of these machines at that hospital to 50.

We can deal with hundreds of patients, but not thousands, he said.

___

Associated Press writer Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed.
U.P. Mainstay Readies to Retire after 33 Years

U.P. Mainstay Readies to Retire after 33 Years

August 25, 2020

Not long after graduating from the 101st Trooper Recruit School in 1987, and at the push from a partner, Capt. John Halpin visited Newberry. Growing up in Marine City, in St. Clair County, hed only been to the Upper Peninsula once before, to Sault Ste. Marie.

I loved it there, said Captain Halpin. I put in for a transfer to the Newberry Post as soon as there was an opening for a transfer.

The near brand-new trooper, assigned to the Pontiac Post at the time, was so confident in his decision that he and his wife purchased a home some 400 miles away on South Manistique Lake before the move was even approved.

I needed that transfer to go through or I would have had a vacation home a long way from Pontiac, said Captain Halpin, laughing. It worked out and the U.P. has been home ever since. Its where my wife and I have raised our two children.

Captain Halpin retires at the end of August with most of his 33-year career assigned to the Eighth District, which encompasses all of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan above the Mackinac Bridge. Hes served as district commander for the last eight years.

Ive been fortunate to work with some of the best men and women I know, said Captain Halpin. The U.P. is a special place and I encourage new troopers to give it a chance. I strongly believe serving in the Eighth District gives a unique and well-rounded training experience and a chance at really becoming one with their own communities. With a smaller population base, people know who we are and what we do.

In addition to the Pontiac and Newberry posts, Captain Halpin served at the Manistique and Munising posts, as well as within the Criminal Investigation Division, Forensic Science Division and the Special Investigation Section at Eighth District Headquarters. He was also a member of the Emergency Support Team for almost 10 years.

His career has included high-profile details too, including providing protection when Pope John Paul II visited Pontiac in 1987 and hes helped with security for four sitting presidents. As part of his duties as Eighth District Commander, he was incident commander for eight Labor Day Mackinac Bridge walks.

Something that has really stuck with me was having the opportunity, very early on, to be temporary staff for three trooper recruit schools, he said. Training the next generation of troopers was daunting at times, but so very rewarding. Ive been able to watch them flourish throughout the years saving lives, solving serious crimes and just being there for those in need.



Another high point has been working alongside the dedicated men and women of our local partnering agencies.



Captain Halpin describes low points too, specifically losing 15 troopers, some of whom were close, personal friends, killed in the line of duty. Even with those tragedies, he notes, The good days far outweigh the bad.

Retirement will look a lot different than his days do now. Though he never considered joining the Marine Services Unit, he loves being on the water and has always wanted to follow in his grandfather, father and uncles footsteps sailing on the Great Lakes on a Great Lakes Freighter.

Ive taken the steps to obtain my U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner certifications and documents, Captain Halpin says. In the meantime, until I get that call I will be enjoying the U.P. life.
The defence ministry has put on hold all business dealings with Vectra Advanced Engineering Private Limited for one year following earlier corruption charges in the supply of heavy-duty Tatra trucks to the army, defence ministry officials said.

Eight years ago, then army chief General VK Singh had claimed he was offered a bribe to clear the purchase of sub-standard Tatra trucks.

Also read: MoD revises height restrictions norms in big relief to PMC

Vectra supplied the Czech-made all-terrain Tatra trucks to the army through Bharat Earth Movers Limited. A circular posted on the defence ministrys website said the decision to suspend business with Vectra was in line with the governments penalties for wrongdoing in business dealings.

The circular said the decision to put all dealings with Vectra on hold for a year was taken in the light of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the Tatra deal in 2012 and bribery allegations made by former army chief General VK Singh, who is now a union minister.

In 2012, Singh had alleged that he was offered a bribe of 14 crore to clear the purchase of substandard Tatra trucks.

In 2016, defence ministry cleared its new blacklisting policy for suspending or banning arms contractors for wrongdoings. Dealings with Vectra have been suspended under the 2016 policy that contains penalties that debars firms from conducting business with the government for a period ranging from one to 10 years to remove corruption in the defence sector.
A 24-year-old motorcyclist died Monday after being taken to an Omaha hospital in extremely critical condition following a collision involving a semitrailer truck.

Bryan E. Wright of Omaha was rushed to Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy with CPR in progress but died shortly after arriving at the hospital. The crash occurred about 10:35 a.m. near 132nd Street and Industrial Road.

According to Omaha police, a 2015 Freightliner was traveling north on 132nd and violated a red light. A westbound 2004 Yamaha motorcycle driven by Wright struck the side of the trailer.

A northbound 2012 GMC Arcadia also was struck by debris from the motorcycle. No one was injured in the GMC.

The driver of the Freightliner, George F. Sansing, 44, of Belden, Mississippi, was booked into the Douglas County Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide, police said.

Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form
James O'Keefe, founder and president of the non-profit Project Veritas, in Mamaroneck, New York, on Oct. 31, 2017. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

Project Veritas Files Lawsuit Challenging Oregon Law That Prevents Undercover Journalism

Investigative journalism nonprofit Project Veritas on Aug. 24 filed a lawsuit against Oregons attorney general and Multnomah Countys district attorney.

The outlet filed the lawsuit against Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and District Attorney Mike Schmidt in federal court in Portland. It challenges a state law that prohibits filming without first obtaining the permission of all parties.

The suit accuses Oregon of punishing the gathering and publication of truthful news in the name of privacy.

Outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse where @Project_Veritas and @PVeritas_Action just filed a lawsuit challenging Oregons unconstitutional recording laws. Stay tuned more updates coming soon.#WeHaveRights pic.twitter.com/xopxyieD3S  James OKeefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) August 24, 2020

Outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse where @Project_Veritas and @PVeritas_Action just filed a lawsuit challenging Oregons unconstitutional recording laws. Stay tuned more updates coming soon. #WeHaveRights, Project Veritas founder James OKeefe said on Twitter Monday.

Project Veritas equips reporters with hidden cameras to conduct undercover investigations. The outlet exposes crime and corruption inside government and government-funded organizations.

The news outlet claimed in its lawsuit that the only way employees can safely and effectively practice their First Amendment rights is to secretly record demonstrations.

We think its an injustice. Theres no expectation of privacy in a public place or public park to record what people are doing and saying, OKeefe said Monday outside downtown Portlands Hatfield Federal Courthouse. Theyre not going to be honest with us if I say Im with Project Veritas and Id like to know all the fraud youre committing.

The lawsuit states that if it werent for the current law, Project Veritas would look to place its undercover reporters among fringe groups and protesters to gather information about the rioters that have wreaked havoc in Portland in recent months.

Some of those arrested in the city are linked to Antifa, a far-left anarcho-communist group that openly espouses violence.

We are seeking to strengthen watchdog journalism by overturning an unconstitutional law criminalizing the kind of corruption-exposing journalism which holds the powerful accountable across the country, OKeefe said in a statement.

OKeefe said that his outlets reported has been impeded by the all-party consent law in the state. Individuals who record others without obtaining permission from all parties may face misdemeanor charges.

Imagine the Statesman Journal or the Oregonians coverage of Portlands violent and destructive protests if they were able to record deep inside the civil unrest and expose who is really behind the violence, OKeefe said. By denying the right to record, Oregon bans the most effective means of gathering the news.

A spokesperson for District Attorney Mike Schmidt declined to comment. The Epoch Times has also contacted Rosenblum.
China envoy to Ecuador says fishing vessels follow regulations

August 25,2020 | Source: Reuters

Chinese fishing vessels operating in the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands are complying with international fishing regulations on the high seas and none have been reported for illegal activities, China's ambassador to Ecuador said on Monday.



Ecuador's armed forces last week said 149 of some 325 vessels still fishing near the ecologically sensitive islands had turned off tracking systems to prevent monitoring of their activities.



"Except for some delays or temporary loss of satellite signal, all Chinese ships keep operating and using monitoring systems normally," Ambassador Chen Guoyou told the international relations commission of Ecuador's congress, speaking through an interpreter.



The government of President Lenin Moreno has said that the fleet has not entered the Ecuador's territorial waters.



But environmentalists say this type of fishing allows Chinese ships to take advantage of the abundant species that leave the Galapagos Exclusive Economic Zone and cross into the high seas where Ecuador does not have jurisdiction.



Chen said the vessels are mostly fishing for squid, with a small percentage of them fishing for tuna.



"The operating characteristics of squid fishing boats do not allow the incidental capture of sharks and other protected marine species," he said. "China is a major fishing nation ... and it is also a responsible fishing nation."



He said the vessels comply "strictly" with the regulations created by of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations.



"There is no Chinese fishing vessel" on the lists of vessels engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing published by these agencies, Chen said.



Beijing has promised a policy of "zero tolerance" with the boats and has authorized the Andean country to supervise the vessels. It has proposed a fishing moratorium in the area near the Galapagos between September and November. Fishing fleets usually leave the area before that period.



The Ecuadorian Navy has said that ships are now moving at low speeds west of the islands, which served as the basis for British scientist Charles Darwin's theory of the evolution of species in the 19th century.

 Reuters

Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture.
Singapore is still a little red dot in an uncertain world: President Halimah Yacob

Over the past few months, situations globally and domestically have changed drastically, but one thing is certain: "Singapore is still a little red dot in an uncertain world," said President Halimah Yacob on Monday, August 24.

In a speech before the first session of the 14th Parliament of Singapore, the president outlined the governments plans to help the country to survive and thrive in a post-pandemic world.

"Jobs, support for workers and businesses, economic transformation and sustainable growth will be the governments top agenda for the next few years."

Photo courtesy: MCI, Fyrol

President Halimah stressed that Singapore needs to be "more resilient and nimble than others in responding to change."

She added that the government recognise the fears and anxieties about jobs that Singaporeans have today.

"COVID-19 has amplified the pressures caused by a slowing global economy in recent years, especially on certain groups of workers  such as our lower-wage workers, mature workers and mid-career Singaporeans with heavier financial commitments and families to support."

Jobs will remain the government's top priority for the next few years. "Keeping people in work is the best way to help them take care of their families, and to keep their skills current until the economy improves."

Singapore will also continue to look out for the lower-wage and mature workers, many of whom are also essential workers who have been keeping Singapore going during the crisis. "We are also making a concerted effort to help workers in their 40s and 50s, by matching them to suitable jobs and SkillsFuture programmes. I urge employers to see mid-career Singaporeans as valuable assets, and provide them with opportunities and training for new jobs," President Halimah said.

In her speech, the president highlighted a potentially divisive issue closely connected to the Singaporean identity  that is, the sense of competition for jobs from work pass holders.

"This has become a major source of anxiety, especially among mid-career Singaporeans," she said, adding that the government will take steps to address the concerns, which "not only touch on matters of livelihood, but also on our sense of identity and belonging".

The newly sworn-in Members of Parliament listening to the Address in Parliament. Photo courtesy: MCI, Fyrol

President Halimah stressed, "Our strong education system and training pathways have produced a workforce that can compete against the best in the world. We will work with employers to further strengthen the capabilities of our workforce in every field, and ensure that firms treat Singaporeans fairly when they recruit or retrench workers."

However, she also noted that Singapore must not turn inwards and away from the world.

"We must keep our hearts open to those who come from beyond our shores. We should continue to welcome and integrate those who can contribute to Singapore, and improve our lives and our childrens future," the president said.

"Our Singaporean identity has been formed and strengthened not by excluding those who arrive later, but by successive arrivals adding to the richness of our society."
RICHMOND, Va.: A lawsuit seeking to prevent Virginia Gov. Ralph Northams administration from removing an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee can proceed, a judge ruled Tuesday, clearing the way for a trial in the fall.

Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant rejected much of the states motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a group of property owners along the residential boulevard where the statue is situated. He did narrow the claims that can proceed, dismissing one count entirely and dismissing two plaintiffs from another claim.

The decision at least delays Northams plan, which he announced in early June, citing the pain felt across the country about the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer as he struggled to breathe.

The statue, which sits on a state-owned parcel of land along Richmonds historic Monument Avenue, was unveiled before a massive crowd in May 1890, at a time when the Civil War and Reconstruction were over and Jim Crow racial segregation laws were on the rise.

Now cloaked in graffiti, it and other nearby monuments have become a rallying point during social justice protests and occasional clashes with police.

A trial on the remaining claims is expected Oct. 19, according to Democratic Attorney General Mark Herrings office. Herring has vowed to continue the fight in court as long as it takes to see that the statue is removed.

Attorney General Herring remains committed to ensuring this divisive and antiquated relic of a bygone era is removed as quickly as possible, his spokeswoman Charlotte Gomer said in an email.

The 21-foot-high (6.4-meter-high) equestrian statue, which the state has said weighs about 12 tons (11 metric tonnes), sits atop a pedestal nearly twice that tall.

Floyds death sparked a renewed wave of Confederate monument removals across the U.S., just like a violent 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville before it and a mass shooting at a historic African American church in South Carolina before that.

Critics of the statues say they distastefully glorify people who fought to preserve slavery in the South. Others say their removal amounts to erasing history.

Four other prominent statues of Confederate leaders have been taken down from city property along the avenue this summer.

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
Editor's take: The global pandemic is continuing to wreak havoc on the smartphone industry. With two straight quarters of sales that are down more than 20 percent year-over-year and the looming holiday season, it's anyone's guess as to what the second half of 2020 - and beyond - will look like for smartphone makers.

Research and advisory firm Gartner on Tuesday said global smartphone sales reached 295 million units during the second quarter of 2020. While that is certainly a big number, its a decline of more than 20 percent compared to the 370 million handsets shipped during the same period in 2019.

Naturally, some companies were impacted more than others.

Samsung sold 27.1 percent fewer smartphones in 2Q20 versus the year-ago quarter while Xiaomi saw sales drop by 21.5 percent, from 33.3 million to 26.1 million units. Demand for its [Samsung] flagship S Series smartphones did little to revive its smartphone sales globally, said Anshul Gupta, senior research director at Gartner.

Huawei finished right alongside Samsung with 54.13 million smartphones sold during the quarter, good enough for a virtual tie according to Gartner.

Of the top five manufacturers, Apple fared the best with a year-over-year decline of just 0.4 percent. Annette Zimmermann, research vice president at Gartner, said the launch of the second-gen iPhone SE and an improved business environment in China helped the Cupertino-based company during the quarter.

Global smartphone sales in the second quarter nearly mirrored what we saw in the first quarter, with sales differing by only 0.2 percent.

Image credit: Kwangmoozaa, N.Z.Photography
While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in his office on Aug. 24, he was also in an exhausting battle with Defense Minister Benny Gantz. The fight could have ended with a decision to dissolve the Knesset, sending the country off to a fourth round of elections. Late in the evening, Netanyahu and Gantz accepted a compromise for delaying the duel on the budget by 120 days.

Netanyahu likely found some solace yesterday in his meeting with his old friend Pompeo. Not only is Pompeo the personal representative of US President Donald Trump, he is also an important Netanyahu ally in his own right. Pompeo arrived in Israel as part of a series of visits to the region to advance the peace treaty with the United Arab Emirates. At the same time, he was dropping by to lend Netanyahu a hand during one of the toughest moments of his career.

After a long meeting in Netanyahus office, the two were all smiles as they came downstairs to face the cameras and deliver a number of joint statements. Their body language was warm and intimate despite the masks both men wore.

Pompeo clarified to the press that Israels security interests would not suffer amid recent reports that as a result of the new agreement, the United States plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to the Emiratis. The prime minister has already spent several days defending the normalization agreement and explaining that he did not sell out Israels security for an American arms deal, despite what his rivals claim.

It is safe to assume that the F-35 sale came up in the meeting. Pompeo jumped to Netanyahu's aid, declaring, The United States has a legal requirement with respect to qualitative military edge. We will continue to honor that. But we have a 20-plus-year security relationship with the United Arab Emirates as well.  We will now continue to review that process to continue to make sure that were delivering them with the equipment that they need to secure and defend their own people from this same threat, from the Islamic Republic of Iran as well.  Well do it in a way that preserves our commitment to Israel as well.

Netanyahu said that not only did the deal with the UAE not include any Israeli agreement to an arms deal, but he did not know about any such deal. Israel's position has not changed, he stressed. I also learned from Secretary Pompeo  heard again a very, very strong commitment that under all circumstances, the United States will ensure Israels qualitative edge. That has been proven to be true over four decades of peace with Egypt, two and a half decades of peace with Jordan. The United States stood by that commitment, and I know  have no doubt that it will continue to do so.

Netanyahu returned to his office to continue waging his political battle at home over the state budget. At the time, it was not at all clear what Netanyahu really wanted. Was he hoping to schedule yet another election in three months? Could he defeat Gantz and the Blue and White leadership and find himself a way out of the rotation agreement?

At the very last minute, the Knesset approved a compromise: The vote on the budget would be postponed until December.

Nevertheless, no one involved in politics expects the current government to last much longer. The prevailing assessment is that while its life span may have been extended a few more months, the end of this government is on the horizon. The crisis of trust between the parties and between their respective leaders is so severe that that the chances of anything changing soon are meager at best. Based on comments made yesterday by senior leaders of both parties, there will be no reconciliation.

Netanyahu is preparing for a decisive battle for his public stature on the economy and the coronavirus. So far, he is seen as failing on both fronts.

The United States, Trump and the UAE agreement all play important roles in the prime ministers campaign. Netanyahu will try to present himself as a great statesman compared to other candidates like Gantz, Yesh Atid chair Yair Lapid and Yamina chair Naftali Bennett. They all look weak and inexperienced compared to him.

Sources close to Netanyahu tell Al-Monitor that he and Pompeo talked about a regional peace conference initiated and produced by the United States that would take place in one of the Gulf States. Its purpose would be to push for future normalization agreements between Israel and various other Arab states, including Sudan, Oman, Bahrain and Morocco. Such an event would be a major political boon for Netanyahu, but Trump stands to benefit, too.

Trump and Netanyahu both suffered immensely because of the pandemic and the ensuing economic crises. Trumps decisive moment will come in early November, when he faces off against Joe Biden in the US presidential election. For Netanyahu, the big battle will be pushed off for a few more months. Trumps election for a second term would lend support to Netanyahu and to future agreements in the region. But even before the US election, the signing of the agreement between Netanyahu and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed will likely take place in the White House under Trumps patronage.

Israel HaYom, a newspaper closely identified with Netanyahu, reported on Aug. 22 that Israel hopes to begin direct talks with the UAE as early as this week. Initial discussions to coordinate these talks have already taken place, and more important talks are now being held through intermediaries in Washington. The report also claimed that efforts are underway to arrange a meeting between Netanyahu and Bin Zayed before the agreement is signed.

Netanyahu is hoping for a diplomatic agenda that will overshadow his troubles at home, which include high unemployment, political crises, demonstrations against him and his bribery trial, which is scheduled to start in earnest in January. It is possible that the trial will coincide with an election campaign, which would leave Netanyahu fighting for public support by juxtaposing his historic diplomatic achievements with his legal persecution.

How committed are Trump and Netanyahu to one another? One indication can be found in Pompeo's decision to deliver his speech to the Republican National Convention from Jerusalem. Doing so not only signals unwavering support for Israel to the partys evangelical supporters, he is also strengthening the current administrations commitment to Israel and its interests.

From Israel, Pompeo will continue to Sudan, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, where he is expected to hear more good news about the relationship with Israel growing warmer and the alliance against Iran is getting stronger. And as far as Netanyahu is concerned, Pompeos visit to the region helps him keep the new peace agreement on the agenda.
VIENNA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 25th Aug, 2020) The OPEC Fund for International Development, OFID, has extended four loans to support COVID-19 response efforts in Bangladesh, Benin, Dominica and Guyana. The loans, totaling US$115 million, form part of the OPEC Funds $1 billion commitment to collective and coordinated COVID-19-related assistance for developing countries.

A $70 million budget support loan to Bangladesh will help provide social safety net programmes for the poor and vulnerable, day laborers and informal workers, as well as healthcare staff. The loan will also contribute to economic packages to protect Bangladeshs export industry.

Measures include zero-cost credit to support factory worker salaries and low-interest loans to factories and small- and medium-size enterprises. Furthermore, around 600,000 tons of rice and wheat will be distributed to low-income households.

Benin will receive $15 million to strengthen the countrys disease surveillance and treatment systems, and help purchase rapid diagnostic tests, laboratory equipment, consumables and drugs for hospitals and COVID-19 treatment centres.

Seventeen decentralised laboratories across the country will be equipped to implement mass screening programmes.

A $10 million loan to Dominica will support COVID-19 containment and treatment measures and the expansion of nationwide quarantine services. This will necessitate the purchase of medical supplies and equipment, and salaries for medical personnel.

Guyanas $20 million loan will help bolster a national social safety net programme providing, among other things: food and educational supplies to 20,000 low-income families; social assistance (including utility bill support and unemployment benefits) to around 55,000 households; and subsidised loans and loan guarantees to around 300 micro- and small-sized enterprises in sectors affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Vickie and her team have built an exceptional business, and we look forward to accomplishing great things together.

O2 Investment Partners, LLC (http://www.o2investment.com) is pleased to announce that through Mantis Innovation Group, LLC (http://www.mantisinnovation.com), Bluefin, LLC has acquired and partnered with Crenshaw Consulting Group, LLC (http://www.crenshawconsultinggroup.vpweb.com) and its leadership team to enhance both companies service offerings, geographic presence, and talented employee group.

Miah Dancy, President of BLUEFIN, LLC, commented, We are excited to welcome Crenshaw to BLUEFIN. Crenshaw has been an exceptional business for many years, providing expert solutions to its clients. We value its longstanding success, and we commit to providing its team of dedicated employees the resources they need to grow that success even further. Vickie Crenshaw brings exceptional technical expertise to our management team, and we look forward to working closely with her to continue providing superior service to Crenshaws customers.

Crenshaw has a long history of providing the highest quality roof consulting services to a wide variety of customers in both the public and private sectors, including city, county, and state agencies, school districts, as well as major U.S. insurance carriers. The entire Crenshaw team will join BLUEFINs staff, and Crenshaws owner, Vickie Crenshaw, PE, RRO, RRC, will remain an owner in the combined business and become a Senior Vice President within the BLUEFIN organization.

Vickie Crenshaw commented, Crenshaw is very proud of the legacy we have established and nurtured over the past 16 years. We view this transaction as an opportunity to continue growing, and we welcome the chance to provide an expanded service offering to our clients. Culturally, this is an excellent fit for us, and we are excited for our future with BLUEFIN.

Joe Vallee of O2 Investment Partners added, The addition of Crenshaw Consulting Group creates tremendous opportunity for both BLUEFIN as well as the broader Mantis Innovation Group platform. When combined, Crenshaw adds focused expertise in design services and creates an opportunity for Mantis to provide additional software-enabled services to improve facility performance and reduce operating and capital costs. Vickie and her team have built an exceptional business, and we look forward to accomplishing great things together.

About Mantis Innovation Group, LLC:

Mantis Innovation Group, LLC is a technology-driven firm employing proprietary software and data analytics to improve facility performance. Mantis service offering includes electricity and natural gas procurement; proactive roof, pavement, and envelope management; roof design and quality assurance; demand management; energy monitoring; and solar / renewable implementation. Mantis is headquartered in Houston, TX, with additional operations in Dallas, Texas; Waco, Texas; Coppell, TX; Trenton, New Jersey; Burlington, MA; West Springfield, MA; King of Prussia, PA; Harrisburg, PA; and Brunswick, ME.

About BLUEFIN, LLC:

BLUEFIN is the nations leading provider of facility asset management and facility energy consulting services to clients with large facility footprints. BLUEFIN delivers an innovative portfolio approach to asset management that significantly reduces costs while improving facility performance.

About Crenshaw Consulting Group, LLC:

Crenshaw Consulting Group, LLC is a design, engineering, and consulting firm specializing in roof systems, waterproofing, exterior wall systems, lab analysis, forensic investigation, quality assurance, and construction observation. Crenshaw has expertise in complex site-specific plans and specifications for renovation, re-roofing, repair, and maintenance jobs.

About O2 Investment Partners:

O2 Investment Partners is a Midwestern based private equity firm that seeks to acquire majority interests in lower middle market B2B services, technology, and select niche industrial companies. The firm invests in businesses with earnings growth potential and a clear path to the creation of shareholder value.

O2 invests with a view toward partnering with management to build and grow the business and take it to its next stage of development. This requires not only a clear vision and strategic plan to create shareholder value, but a close partnership and alignment of interest with management.

Additional information is available at http://www.mantisinnovation.com ; http://www.bluefinllc.com ; http://www.crenshawconsultinggroup.vpweb.com ; http://www.o2investment.com
C Shivakumar By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: After nearly four months, traders of Koyambedu wholesale fruit, vegetable, flower and food-grains market are hopeful about reopening of the market, following a meeting between Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and the traders on Monday.

Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu State president AM Vikramaraja told Express, The Koyambedu Wholesale and the foodgrains market is likely to open next month. Soon, a committee will be formed in this regard. As many as 25 traders from the vegetable, fruits, flower and the food grains market will be part of the committee. A standard operating procedure(SOP) will also be formed.

Replying to a query on whether the entire market would reopen immediately, Vikramaraja said,  It will be done step by step. The pending work has to be finished early so that the market can reopen. The market, was closed on May 5 after it became a Covid cluster.

While a temporary market in Thirumazhisai was allocated to 200 wholesale traders, the retail traders were left in the lurch despite promises of alternate sites. The move to shift back the market was also due to non-aviability of Thirumazhisai site. It is learnt that the Public Waorks Department even worked on a plan. But, now officials say the work may not be carried out with the reopening of Koymbedu Wholesale Market next month.

Increase testing: CS

Chennai:Chief Secretary K Shanmugam on Monday advised District Collectors to increase Corona testing and strictly follow treatment protocol. The Chief Secretary also directed the Collectors to increase fever camps and to conduct camps to create awareness. Meanwhile, sources said CM Edappadi K Palaniswami is scheduled to chair a meeting with Collectors on August 29 to decide whether to extend lockdown period and to take a decision on the e-pass system.
A still from video posted to Twitter, showing police following Jacob Blake. @davenewworld_2/Twitter

Witnesses to Jacob Blake's shooting have said that police used a Taser and wrestled with him prior to the shooting, according to multiple sources.

Raysean White, who took the widely-shared video of the incident, told CNN that police also tussled with him before he started recording. Another witness gave the Chicago Sun-Times similar details.

New footage taken from another angle, published by TMZ, is unclear but also appears to show the struggle.

Kenosha Police have urged the public to withhold judgment before the full investigation determines the facts in this "highly dynamic incident," CNN reported.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Police used a Taser on Jacob Blake and tussled with him on the ground prior to shooting him in Kenosha, according to several witness accounts.

A video showing a different angle of the confrontation between Blake and officers also emerged, and appears to support claims of an extended dispute.

Raysean White, one of Blake's neighbors, told CNN that he watched the situation unfold on Sunday before pulling out his phone to video police.

White described the part before he recorded, saying: "One of them had him in a headlock and was punching him in his ribs, the other had him in a headlock on the other side of him and was pulling his arm."

"After they punched him in his rib, the female officer tased him and Jacob kind of leaned on the car and they proceeded to wrestle him toward the back of the car and he went to the other side of the car."

"When they were on the other side of the car on the ground, I had to pick up my camera and start recording."

The second video was published on Tuesday by TMZ. It shows the scene from the other side of the car. This post from TMZ shows a still from the footage:

https://www.facebook.com/TMZ/posts/10164814336885713

The footage mostly appears to show Blake walking around his car and being shot. An unclear portion at the beginning appears to show Blake on the ground in a tussle with officers.

Story continues

Another witness, who did not give their name, also told the Chicago Sun-Times that Blake was hit with a Taser.

They told the paper that an officer grabbed Blake and "they start to wrestle."

"The officer is punching on him," the witness continued. "Two officers come to assist. They get him down on the curb behind his vehicle. Somehow he manages to get up. They said he has a knife."

Then, the witness said, all of the officers pulled out their guns and one told Blake to get out of the car, before shooting.

The witness told the Chicago Sun-Times that he never saw a knife.

The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is ongoing from the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

A comprehensive picture of the full event has not yet emerged. Until the outcome is determined, Kenosha Police asked CNN viewers to hold back from judging what they saw in White's video.

Kenosha Police told CNN: "As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident. We ask that you withhold from passing judgment until all the facts are known and released."

Insider has asked the department for to confirm whether a Taser was used but did not immediately receive a reply.





Jacob Blake lies on the street after he got shot following a police shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S., August 23, 2020 in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Incident Response/Reuters

Another witness, an 80-year-old grandmother who gave her name as Annie, told the Chicago Sun-Times that she did not see Blake jostling with officers before he was shot.

"He wasn't struggling at all," she said, adding that he was "just getting into his car."

Read the original article on Insider
A residents' group is opposing a Catholic mission's multimillion-dollar plan to sell off its 19th century Essendon mansion and build a home for old priests in the grounds.

The St Columbans Mission Society has applied to Heritage Victoria and Moonee Valley Council for permits to subdivide the grounds of North Park mansion.

Michael Whelan, Romy Pane and Gena O'Keeffe are a part of a group who oppose plans to sell North Park. Credit:Justin McManus

Proceeds from the sale of the heritage-listed 132-year-old mansion and most of its grounds will fund a $10 million office and apartments for Catholic priests.

The society plans to sell 90 per cent of the 20,000-square metre property, including the mansion.
By Akbar Mammadov

The commissioning of the Karabakh oil field is important for Azerbaijan in terms of production and oil revenues, the Chairman of Center for Economic and Social Development, Azerbaijani MP and economist Vugar Bayramov said in an exclusive interview with AzerNews on August 25.

Bayramov said that the newly-discovered field will help the country compensate for the declining oil production and maintain stability in oil revenues within the coming years, taking into account that there is a decrease in oil production within framework of OPEC + deal, and the distribution of production the country.

The economist noted that Azerbaijan produced 50 million 795 thousand tons of oil in 2010, but this figure decreased to 37 million 500 thousand tons in 2019. Bayramov added that it means that over the past nine years, oil production in Azerbaijan has fallen by 13.295 million tons per year, both in terms of production sharing and the OPEC + agreement, which, of course, indicates a decline in oil production.

Some 60 million tons of oil is planned to be produced from the Karabakh oil field. It is an initial estimate, and it is expected that the volume of oil produced by Azerbaijan from the field will increase as exploration continues, he said.

Bayramov said that Karabakh fields importance is twofold. On the one hand, it is important in terms of compensating for the declining oil production of Azerbaijan while on the other hand, it is significant in terms of maintaining stability in oil revenues within the coming years.

There is no doubt that oil revenues are important for the development of the non-oil sector, as it creates a source of funding for reforms and programs in this sector. The Azerbaijani president also stated that in the upcoming years, part of oil revenues will be used for the development of the non-oil sector. It indicates that the increase in oil revenues also creates opportunities for maintaining the pace of development in the non-oil sector, and especially for the further development of the non-oil sector in the post-pandemic period, Bayramov said.

In terms of foreign investments in the development of Karabakh oil field, Bayramov said that Azerbaijans State Oil Company (SOCAR) has a 50 per cent stake in the field and the other 50 per cent of shares belong to a foreign company.

Bayramov highlighted that firstly, Azerbaijan must continue cooperation with foreign investors in the oil sector, because it seems crucial in terms of innovation and the transfer of technology in the energy sector. He added that at the same time, the foreign investment provides opportunities to attract more knowledge and skills to the energy sector, taking into account that local specialists were more involved in the development of the field.

More than 95 per cent of the support block in Karabakh is formed by local specialists, which indicates the transfer of knowledge and skills in the energy sector, he noted.

Bayramov underlined that attracting foreign investment is also important in order to minimize risks in the context of volatility in the oil market, as this will allow for significant minimization of excess investment and other risks.

Bayramov said that although Karabakh oil field was the first oil field discovered during the independence period, the lack of technological capabilities and the fact that the field was not profitable during exploration, does not allow the utilization of this field at that time.

However, the subsequent exploration work, especially with the participation of local experts, has already confirmed that oil fields in Karabakh contain more than 60 million tons, the economist stressed.

It indicates that the field is profitable. In fact, the timing of the commissioning of the Karabakh field will directly depend on the volume of oil in the field. After the initial assessment, oil is going to be produced in the Karabakh field, he noted.

Bayramov said that it means that in the upcoming years Azerbaijan will be able to see the compensation of costs and earning of profits on the Karabakh field.

Speaking about the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), a project that will take Caspian hydrocarbons to the European markets via Azerbaijan, Bayramov said that SGC is one of the most considerable projects not only for Azerbaijan but also for the region, considering that this project is an alternative source for the European Union as well.

Azerbaijan ensures the supply of gas to the Turkish and European markets. TANAP has already been launched, the economist noted.

Bayramov highlighted that through TANAP, Azerbaijan supplies gas to the Turkish market, and 95 per cent of the planned work at TANAP has been completed. He added that from this perspective, it will allow Azerbaijan to support the energy security of Turkey, as well as Southern Europe and some Eastern European countries.

Given that Bulgaria will receive gas from the Southern Gas Corridor through the domestic network, according to preliminary estimates, this country will be able to import 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually. Azerbaijan will supply an additional 7 billion cubic meters of gas to the Turkish market, 10 billion cubic meters to the European market in the first phase, and 20 billion cubic meters in the second phase.

The economist noted that the capacity of the Southern Gas Corridor is 31.5 billion cubic meters. At current prices, Azerbaijan will be able to earn more than $100 billion from the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project. It seems crucial in terms of diversification of energy revenues., Bayramov said.

He pointed out that it will allow energy revenues to be generated not only from oil but also from gas. Meantime, it is also important in terms of strengthening Azerbaijan's strategic position in the region, Bayramov added.

Thus, Bayramov underlined that $38 billion has been invested in the Southern Gas Corridor, $25 billion of which belong to Azerbaijan and Georgia.

The Southern Gas Corridor plays an important role in terms of investment and employment as well. It is expected that in the upcoming periods, the Southern Gas Corridor will play a special role in the formation of Azerbaijan's state revenues, he concluded.

Offshore the support block of the Karabakh field of the Baku Heydar Aliyev Deep Water Jackets Plant on August 10.

Karabakh oil field with over 60 million tons of crude was discovered by SOCAR and Norwegian Equinor company in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, 120 kilometres east of Baku in March 2020. The drilling of the first appraisal well on the Karabakh field began on December 23, 2019. SOCAR's CDC drilling company drilled this well with Dada Gorgud floating drilling rig at a depth of 180 meters. Productive layers of the deposit are located at a depth of 3.4 km.

---

Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Created by California-based Luxer One, the solution is a multi-unit system of smart lockers accessed through the Luxer APP. Faculty load and electronically lock individual lockers for students and families to, later, pick-up the contents using an electronic touchpad to open their assigned locker without a key or combination.

"Schools and universities are a newer application for our lockers," says Arik Levy, Founder and CEO of Luxer One, a pioneer in package locker systems for multifamily communities, "but the technology is no different and, arguably, the need is now exponentially greater since COVID-19."

Luxer One has seen sales triple in the school and university space since March 2020.

K-12 SCHOOLS

For school districts like the City of Rochester School District in New York, Luxer Lockers were a lifeline to students when the quarantine began in early spring.

"Luxer helped us quickly distribute learning tools to more than 18,000 students across 60 schools without compromising the safety of our families or faculty," says Network Administrator for Instructional Technology for the City of Rochester School District, Nicole Klimek.

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Newly installed to meet the contactless demands of the 2020-21 academic year, colleges and universities are using Luxer Lockers in their student mailrooms, libraries and within their IT Departments. Smart lockers are viewed as a crucial addition to campus operations even after students return to in-person learning. To learn more, visit www.luxerone.com.

Luxer One first introduced heavy-duty, smart locker systems for package management within multifamily residential developments more than a decade ago. They also developed the industry's first-ever iOS software for smart lockers, earning the company 4.9 out of 5 Stars on Google from users. To date, nearly 60 Million U.S. packages have been delivered to Luxer Lockers.

Contact Nicholas Sanderson, VP Sales & Marketing at [email protected]

SOURCE Luxer One

Related Links

https://www.luxerone.com


Rhea Chakraborty will be summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation after spadework, Vikas Singh, lawyer of Sushant Singh Rajput's father said on Monday.

Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "Rhea Chakraborty will be summoned by the CBI after it has done its spadework. They are examining everybody and once they are able to do their homework properly then only they will start grilling Rhea."

"Once they (CBI) start grilling Rhea and if she does not cooperate with the investigation or gives evasive answers, then the possibility of her arrest will also rise. I'm quite hopeful that probe is going in the right direction," added Singh.

The Enforcement Directorate had already questioned Chakraborty twice -- on Augut 9 and 10 -- and statements of 56 people and other relevant evidence have been collected.

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 actor's father, against Chakraborty in Bihar on July 28. In his complaint, KK Singh had alleged that around Rs 15 crore was withdrawn from Rajput's bank account in the last one year and transferred to "accounts that had no link with him".

On Saturday too, the teams of the CBI and the Mumbai Police visited the residence of Rajput as a part of the investigation in the case related to his death. Both Neeraj (Sushant's cook) and Siddharth Pithani were grilled by the probe agency in connection with the case.

On August 19, the Supreme Court had asked the probe agency to investigate the case related to the actor's death, while holding that the FIR registered in Patna was legitimate.

The single-judge bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy had observed that the Bihar government was competent to recommend transferring the case to the CBI. It had also asked the Mumbai Police to hand over all the evidence collected so far in the case to the CBI.

The agency has registered an FIR against Rhea Chakraborty and others in connection with the actor's death after the Centre accepted Bihar government's recommendation to transfer the probe in the matter from Patna.

The FIR was registered in Patna on a complaint filed by the actor's father KK Singh under sections related to abetment to suicide.

Rajput was found dead at his residence on June 14.

(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.)
To identify the Best Colleges and Best Online Colleges in California for 2020, College Consensus combined the latest results from the most respected college ranking systems with thousands of real student reviews to produce a unique consensus score for each school. According to College Consensus founder Jeremy Alder, "Similar to what Rotten Tomatoes does for movies, College Consensus gathers the publisher rankings and student reviews from around the web and distills the results into simple, easy-to-understand scores so students can quickly and easily compare schools. It is the ranking of all rankings, so to speak." Learn more about the College Consensus rankings methodology at http://www.collegeconsensus.com/about/ .

To help prospective California students evaluate the higher education options that fit their unique needs, College Consensus identified the best-ranked colleges in the Golden State:

Traditional

Stanford University - Stanford, CA Pomona College  Pomona, CA Claremont McKenna College  Claremont, CA University of California-Los Angeles  Los Angeles, CA University of California -Berkeley - Berkeley, CA Harvey Mudd College  Claremont, CA California Institute of Technology  Pasadena, CA University of California-Santa Barbara  Santa Barbara, CA California State University-Stanislaus  Turlock, CA University of California-Davis  Davis, CA

Online

Stanford University  Stanford, CA University of Southern California  Los Angeles, CA California State University-Dominguez Hills  Carson, CA California State University-Northridge  Northridge, CA California State University-Chico  Chico, CA California State University-San Bernardino  San Bernardino, CA Mount Saint Mary's University  Los Angeles, CA California State University-Fullerton  Fullerton, CA Fresno Pacific University  Fresno, CA University of San Diego  San Diego, CA

American higher education didn't start in California, but California might have perfected it. As Managing Editor Carrie Sealey-Morris explains, "There is a job to be done in higher education that takes place on an unprecedented scale in California." There is no other state like California, combining size, population, and diversity: "the third-largest state by land size, and the largest in population, higher education in California excels and is on par with the world's leading educational institutions."

http://www.collegeconsensus.com/

https://www.facebook.com/collegeconsensus/

SOURCE College Consensus

Related Links

http://www.collegeconsensus.com


Flooding in Tabarre township caused by Tropical Storm Laura, in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti on August 23, 2020. A person on his bike crosses the water to get to his house.

Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate the Texas and Louisiana coasts Tuesday as Laura strengthened into a hurricane that forecasters said could slam into land as a major storm with ferocious winds and deadly flooding.

More than 385,000 residents were told to flee the Texas cities of Beaumont, Galveston and Port Arthur, and still more were ordered to evacuate low-lying southwestern Louisiana, where forecasters said more than 11 feet (3.35 metres) of storm surge topped by waves could submerge entire towns.

Forecasters said ocean water could push onto land along a more than 450-mile-long stretch of coast from Texas to Mississippi, and hurricane warnings will be issued later as the storm nears.

The National Hurricane Center projected that Laura will become a Category 3 hurricane before landfall, with winds of around 115 mph (185 kph), capable of devastating damage.

"The main point is that we're going to have a significant hurricane make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday," National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Ed Rappaport said Tuesday.

While cross winds ripped apart Marco, which still doused the region with heavy rain, there was little to keep Laura from turbocharging. Nearly all the computer simulations that forecasters rely on show rapid strengthening at some point in the next couple of days.

"The waters are warm enough everywhere there to support a major hurricane, Category 3 or even higher. The waters are very warm where the storm is now and will be for the entire path up until the Gulf Coast," Rappaport said.

Laura passed Cuba after killing nearly two dozen people on the island of Hispaniola, including 20 in Haiti and 3 in the Dominican Republic, where it knocked out power and caused intense flooding. The deaths reportedly included a 10-year-old girl whose home was hit by a tree and a mother and young son crushed by a collapsing wall.

Forecasters turned their attention the Gulf Coast, where up to 11 feet (3.4 metres) of sea water  storm surge  could inundate the coastline from High Island in Texas to Morgan City, Louisiana, the hurricane centre said.

"We're talking about something that's on the order of 10 feet and that's going to penetrate well inland," Rappaport said.

On top of that, up to 15 inches (38 centimetres) of rain could fall in some spots in Louisiana, said Donald Jones, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Lake Charles, Louisiana  in the bullseye of Laura's projected path.

"Whatever happens, happens. We're going to roll with the punches," said Capt. Brad Boudreaux, who operates a fishing guide service in Hackberry, Louisiana, near the Texas line.
The suspects

25.08.2020 LISTEN

The police are doing critical analysis of the telephone conversations including chats of the two notorious fetish priests being held in the gruesome murder of a Biochemistry consultant.

Investigators at the Information Technology (IT) Department of the Ghana Police Service are currently analyzing telephone conversations between the accused persons and the deceased to ascertain what actually transpired.

As a result, the case of Christian Awoe Gamelie aka Power-One and Famous Adukonu aka Scorpion, both of whom have been accused of murdering Edward Quartey Papafio, was adjourned until September 7, 2020 to enable the police to do thorough investigation.

Appearing before a Kaneshie District Court yesterday, the prosecution led by Detective Inspector Lawrence Anani prayed for an adjournment and the court, presided over by Magistrate Rosemond Agyiri, adjourned the matter to September 7 for continuation because the police were doing some checks as regards the matter.

Shooting Incident

The victim, who resided at Kasoa in the Central Region, was allegedly lured by Power-One and his accomplices under the pretext of doubling money for him and ended up shooting him dead at the shrine locate on the outskirts of Adu Kwadwo near Adeiso in the Eastern Region.

Power-One, 40, and Scorpion, 37, as well as Yaw Azamate, 27, are in prison custody pending their committal proceedings.

Court documents indicate that Power-One and Scorpion admitted to shooting Papafio with a pump-action gun on January 15, this year, and buried the corpse at the shrine.

The three, who are facing charges of conspiracy and murder, have had their pleas reserved until they are committed for trial at the High Court.

A bench warrant that was issued for the arrests of Michael Ahiavinye and one Buzanga who are believed to be connected with the crime is still in force.

Case Facts

The brief facts of the case presented in court indicated that the wife of the deceased, Reverend Mrs. Comfort Ruth Quartey Papafio, on January 17, 2020 reported that her husband had gone missing since January 15.

It said on receipt of the complaint, the police gathered intelligence that Papafio was last spotted at Power-One's shrine, which led to the arrest of Power-One and Scorpion on April 21.

Police Search

According to prosecution, a search conducted at the shrine revealed two pump-action guns, one single barrel gun, 11 packets of cartridges and seven other pieces of the cartridges from his room while two shovels were found hidden at the back of his house.

The prosecution said during interrogation, Power-One and Scorpion admitted shooting Papafio with a pump-action gun on January 15 and buried the corpse at their shrine.

He said on April 29, the two led the police to Power-One Herbal/Spiritual Centre where the police identified the deceased's grave in a makeshift cemetery behind Power-One's house, adding that the scene was secured and an exhumation order was obtained from the court for that purpose.

Body Exhumation

Prosecution said on April 30, a pathologist in the company of senior officers from the CID Headquarters, personnel from the Crime Scene Management Team, Forensic Science Laboratory, Drone Operation and CID/ Headquarters Operational Team, together with the two accused, exhumed the body of the deceased.

He said when the grave was dug, the decomposed body of Papafio was removed, and it was discovered that his grave was among other graves in the well-fenced cemetery.

Prosecution said investigations disclosed that on December 29, Power-One, Scorpion and Azamete conspired to kill Papafio, hence lured him with the assistance of one Buzanga, also a traditional priest at Kasoa.

Prosecution said before the murder, the accused intentionally made false statements to the deceased and succeeded in collecting GH10,650 from him through mobile money under the pretext of conjuring GH400,000 for him to establish his company.

He said Papafio was invited to the shrine on January 15 for purification and in the process Scorpion shot him with Power-One's gun.

The prosecution said the accused then drained Papafio's blood into a plastic gallon and hid it at the shrine while Power-One took possession of the mobile phones of the deceased and later buried him with the assistance of Azamate and Michael, who is also on the run.

---Daily Guide
The Anglican Priest and his 10-year-old who were abducted in Kaduna in the early hours of Saturday, August 22, have regained their freedom.

Reverend Meshach Luka and his son were kidnapped while serving at the Priests station in Kakura II Kujama Missionary Archdeaconry.

Fortunately, they were released on Monday, August 24, two days after they were kidnapped by gunmen.

The good news was announced by HACFO, Hausa Christians Foundation. The foundation had asked for prayers for the father and son immediately after they were abducted.

The foundation did not state how they were found, neither did they give further details.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the first day of the Republican National Convention, in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S., August 24, 2020.

A super PAC that's targeting President Donald Trump is initiating a $4 million ad blitz that's set to run throughout the week of the Republican National Convention.

The Lincoln Project, a political action committee run by a group of Republican "Never Trumpers," is spending the seven figure sum on TV and digital ads that will target voters in the key states of Arizona, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, a spokesman for the group told CNBC.

The PAC plans to air a revamped version of their famed ad, "Mourning in America," which will now feature an updated U.S. death toll from the coronavirus pandemic, along with another spot that boosts Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris. Data compiled by Johns Hopkins University shows that over 175,000 people have died in the U.S. from Covid-19.

Tweet:

When the Lincoln Project ran the initial "Mourning in America" ad in May, Trump took aim at the organization on Twitter, leading to a record day of fundraising. The new version will highlight Trump's relationship with China's president Xi Jinping and accuse him of "praising China's response instead of heeding the warnings."
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadas equalization program discourages natural resource development in have-not provinces, including all three Maritime provinces, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.



Many problems exist within Canadas equalization program, including how it actually discourages natural resource development in have-not provinces, said Ben Eisen, senior fellow at the Fraser Institute and co-author of Measuring the Equalization Clawback on Natural Resource Revenue in Have-Not Provinces .

Clawbacks refer to the loss of equalization dollars for have-not provinces as a result of increasing natural resource revenues. As a province receives more revenue from natural resource developments, it receives less money from the federal government in equalization transfers.

Consequently, governments in have-not provinces that receive equalization are discouraged by the clawbacks from developing natural resourceswhile natural resources can be lucrative, equalization payments are less risky than revenues from natural resources.

And the clawbacks on natural resource revenues are significant.

For example, in 2018/19, the clawback rate from a ten per cent increase in natural resource revenue ranged from 44 per cent in Prince Edward Island to 97 per cent in New Brunswick. Put another way, for every 10 dollars of increased natural resource revenue a government received, it lost $4.40 to $9.70 in equalization money.

In 2020/21, the clawbacks from a ten per cent increase in natural resource revenue ranged from a low of 3.2 per cent in Quebec to 47.4 per cent in Prince Edward Island.

By discouraging natural resource development, Canadas equalization programwith its clawbacks on resource revenuesis actually preventing have-not provinces from prospering, said Alex Whalen, policy analyst at the Fraser Institute and study co-author.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow

Fraser Institute

Alex Whalen, Policy Analyst

Fraser Institute

To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:

Drue MacPherson, Fraser Institute

604-688-0221 ext. 721

drue.macpherson@fraserinstitute.org

Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Like us on Facebook
FILE PHOTO: A 3D-printed Facebook logo is seen placed on a keyboard in this illustration

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Facebook <FB.O> said on Tuesday it was planning to legally challenge the Thai government after being "compelled" to block access within Thailand to a group with 1 million members that discusses the country's king.

The social media giant late on Monday blocked access to the "Royalist Marketplace" group after the Thai government threatened legal action over failure to take down content deemed defamatory to the monarchy.

"Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on people's ability to express themselves," a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters.

"We work to protect and defend the rights of all internet users and are preparing to legally challenge this request."

The statement did not give details on the legal challenge. Insulting the monarchy is illegal in Thailand.

(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Ed Davies)
People run from tear gas thrown by the police near the Colorado State Capitol during rioting in Denver, Colo., on May 30, 2020. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

Illegal Immigrant Arrested After Firing Shots During Black Lives Matter Protest: Authorities

An illegal alien from Mexico was arrested after he opened fire during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Denver, Colorado on May 30, authorities said.

Felix Missael Alva was charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm. He does not yet have a lawyer listed and no pictures of him were available.

According to a criminal complaint, a Denver police detective approached a white Jeep Grand Cherokee with a Hispanic male in the passenger seat.

The man told the detective, This aint no peaceful protest, [expletive] twelve! He then produced a large black handgun that he soon pointed upwards, where a Denver Police Department helicopter was flying.

Alva indicated that the gun was for them and began firing, according to the complaint.

The detective fled in fear of being shot and the driver of the Jeep sped away.

A witness called 911 to report the gunfire and later spoke to the detective. He saw the white Jeep speeding past his residence.

Traffic cameras captured the Jeep moving away from the scene and obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. Records from a previous arrest linked to the vehicle led police to Alva, who said his wife owned the vehicle. The detective who saw the shooting recognized Alva during the execution of a warrant on Alvas home.

Police officers recovered a handgun that the detective said was the firearm he witnessed being used.

Alva told officers that he and his wife did attend a protest in Denver in the Jeep. He said he didnt shoot or own a gun. He said they lit fireworks from the Jeep.

Law enforcement records showed Alva was previously deported from the United States in 2010.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Alva has not legally entered the country since then.

The case is part of Project Guardian, a Department of Justice effort to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearm laws.
Jacob Blake, the Black man whose shooting in the back by Wisconsin police in front of his children on Sunday sparked ongoing protests, found strong support Monday among Massachusetts lawmakers, who reignited calls for legislation to end systemic racism and curb excessive force.

He should be home with his babies, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley said Monday, instead of in the ICU fighting for his life.

Blake, 29, was shot at point-blank range Sunday evening by at least one officer with the Kenosha Police Department, which said in a statement that officers responded to a domestic incident around 5 p.m.

The shooting sparked immediate and widespread outcry across the country, as well as protests, reminiscent of the the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May.

Blakes family said he is now stable condition, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Cellphone video captured by bystanders showed officers pointing their guns at Blake as he walked around an SUV; after he opened the drivers side door, at least one officer, grabbing Blakes shirt from behind, opened fire, with seven audible shots in the video.

Witnesses told multiple outlets that Blake was intervening in a domestic fight before officers arrived.

Mark my words, were going to fight for accountability just as hard as youre fighting to survive & make it home to your family Jacob, Pressley added on Twitter, posting a widely-shared photo of Blake, a father of six, with some of his children.

Jacob Blake is in the ICU fighting for his life. He should be home with his babies. Police shot him in the back 7 times in front of his children.



Mark my words were going to fight for accountability just as hard as youre fighting to survive & make it home to your family Jacob. pic.twitter.com/8dcooPWSJn  Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) August 24, 2020

Police in Kenosha shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back. His children were watching, tweeted Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Im holding them all in my heart today and hoping for a full recovery. Police brutality is a daily threat to Black lives. We must demand accountability.

Police in Kenosha shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back. His children were watching. I'm holding them all in my heart today and hoping for a full recovery. Police brutality is a daily threat to Black lives. We must demand accountability.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) August 24, 2020

Sen. Ed Markey repeated calls to abolish qualified immunity, which blocks individual officers from civil suits, and for holding police accountable for violence, abuse and murder.

Hold police accountable for violence, abuse, and murder. Abolish qualified immunity.  Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) August 24, 2020

Rep. Joe Kennedy III in a Facebook post said nothing justifies shooting a human being in the back seven times as his children watch in horror.

A nation that steals the humanity of Black people on a daily basis is a nation badly broken, he added. We need justice for Jacob Blake.

Nothing justifies shooting a human being in the back 7 times as his children watch in horror. A nation that steals the... Posted by Joe Kennedy III on Monday, August 24, 2020

Thoughts and prayers are not enough, Rep. Jim McGovern said.

McGovern noted that two months ago, the House of Representatives approved the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which was prompted after nationwide calls to address generations of systemic racism.

The bill expands the definition of excessive force, paving the way for victims to file claims against individual officers. The bill would also ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants in drug cases nationwide, provide greater transparency on police misconduct and require officers to wear body cameras.

Republicans and the Trump administration favored a proposal in the GOP-controlled Senate from Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. Similar to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, Scotts package makes federal grants available to police departments that reform and meet higher training standards. The Senate bill calls for data collection on the use of force; the Democratic bill calls for a federal registry of officers with a track record of misconduct.

We must demand legislation and accountability, McGovern added.

Jacob Blake is fighting for his life after being shot in the back by police while his kids were in the car.



Its been 60 days since @HouseDemocrats passed the George Floyd Justice in policing Act.



Thoughts & prayers are not enough.

We must demand legislation & accountability.  Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) August 24, 2020

Rep. Katherine Clark also called for the enactment of the Justice in Policing Act, and said such tragedies will continue until further action is taken against racism and police brutality.

Praying for #JacobBlake.



Until we take action against racism and police brutality, tragedies will continue.



We cant wait another day to enact the #JusticeinPolicingAct. #BLM #BlackLivesMatter  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) August 24, 2020

I stand with all those demanding justice for Jacob Blake, who was shot seven times in front of his children. We won't stop fighting as long as the police are allowed to brutalize and murder those they promised to protect. Black lives matter.  Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) August 24, 2020

Rep. Seth Moulton said he stood with all those demanding justice for Jacob Blake.

We wont stop fighting as long as the police are allowed to brutalize and murder those they promised to protect, he added. Black lives matter.

Blakes father, also named Jacob Blake, said in a video shared on social media that his son was stable and still here,

I cnt sleep. I already got anxiety bad asf. But Jake is stable. Hes gonna fight and make it through this. Thank U big Jake for confirmation Posted by Monique Sheree Allen on Monday, August 24, 2020

Multiple officers have been placed on administrative leave, and the police department and state officials are investigating the shooting. Police did not provide further details, but noted the man who was shot was transported to a Milwaukee hospital.

Gov. Tony Evers authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to back local law enforcement amid protests, the National Guard said in a statement.

Late Sunday night, Evers said that while not all details were known, what we know for certain is that (Blake) is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.

Evers said in a National Guard news release that every person should be able to express their anger and frustration by exercising their First Amendment rights and report on these calls to action without any fear of being unsafe. He described it as a limited mobilization of the guard to support local first responders and protect utilities, fire stations and peaceful protests.

Kenosha police placed an emergency curfew in effect from 8 p.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday.

The public needs to be off the streets for their safety, the department said on Facebook.

Related Content:
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the first night of the Republican National Convention was markedly more negative than the Democratic convention she participated in last week.

Whitmer said the GOP event was grim and spiteful and fear inducing, though she didnt highlight any specific parts of Mondays program. Republicans had promised an optimistic convention, but many of the speakers warned that Americans will not be safe from crime , protesters or the coronavirus if Democratic nominee Joe Biden is elected.

Michigans governor and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., addressed reporters during an online event organized by the DNC. Both were given speaking roles at the DNC last week, which Whitmer said offered a more optimistic program.

Whitmer said Trump tanked the strong economy he inherited from the Obama-Biden administration as business closures caused by COVID-19 result in massive job losses. The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 10.2% in July but 16.3 million Americans are still out of work and the unemployment rate is slightly worse than the highest rate during the 2009 recession.

Whitmer said the economy wasnt as strong as Trump claimed even before the pandemic, noting that the U.S. manufacturing industry experienced in a mild recession last year while farm bankruptcies rose.

While I do think there are a lot of things to be concerned about, they all emanate from the policies coming out of the White House right now and thats why It was such a surprise that they would decide to take this tack, Whitmer said.

The governor said controlling the coronavirus and the resulting economic fallout requires consistent mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines, more testing supplies and more financial relief to small businesses and working families.

Donald Trump has failed to put together a national strategy to help us reach those goals, she said. While other countries got the virus under control and safely reopened, Trumps failed leadership has led to layoffs that are spiking again last month and nearly a third of recalled workers have been laid off a second time.

RNC programming Monday tried to make the case that Trump aggressively responded to the coronavirus while blaming Democrats and the World Health Organization for downplaying the threat. However, Democrats have been critical of Trumps past claims that the pandemic was totally under control and would go away in a few months.

The virus has killed 177,000 people in the U.S., including 6,397 in Michigan.

The RNC featured remarks from Amy Johson Ford, a West Virginia nurse who helped treat COVID-patients in New York City.

I dont want the media taking my personal story and twisting it, so let me be clear: As a health care professional, I can tell you without hesitation, Donald Trumps quick action and leadership saved thousands of lives during COVID-19, she said Monday night.

Michigan native Ronna McDaniel, who leads the Republican National Committee, said Democrats failed to describe their policy agenda during last weeks DNC. During her speech Monday night, the RNC chairwoman said Democrats argument for Joe Biden boiled down to the fact that they think hes a nice guy.

I think what Americans want more than anything is good people who know how to get the job done, and who are going to do what they say theyre going to do and really look out for the American people, Whitmer said.

READ MORE ON MLIVE:

Michigan Trump campaign teases positive vision for Republican National Convention

Michigans Republican delegates cast votes to re-nominate President Donald Trump at RNC

Vice President Mike Pence to visit Traverse City Friday after Republican National Convention

Postmaster general faces scrutiny over impact of mail delays on presidential election
3 1 of 3 Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Students began moving in to residences at Yale University on Monday, minus the sophomore class, which will study remotely for the fall semester and be on campus during spring semester, in order to reduce the on-campus population because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 1,900 undergraduates will live on campus, out of 5,200 total, according to Yale. About 1,600 undergraduates enrolled in residence will live in off-campus housing and 1,700 will study remotely.
Not even the global COVID-19 pandemic can stop industry leaders from using digital platforms and emerging technologies to generate new revenue streams.

Land OLakes and Microsoft have partnered to build cloud, edge computing, sensors and AI solutions to improve services for farmers and dairy producers, propel sustainability initiatives and boost broadband connectivity in a rural America starving for high-speed internet access. Its part of the dairy and agriculture producers strategy for looking to technology partners to help cultivate innovation, says Land OLakes CIO Ted Bekele.

Were a tech-driven company, but were not a tech company per se, Bekele tells CIO.com. Instead of just using Microsofts services, were building solutions side by side. Microsoft is getting in on the innovation cycle.

Land OLakes began purchasing cloud services from Microsoft in 2015, about the time big companies began renting compute capacity over the internet more liberally. Fast forward five years and that deal has blossomed into a strategic partnership, underscoring how some big-name companies have grown comfortable co-creating vertical solutions with cloud vendors.

Traditionally, cloud vendors have cranked out commodity services and sold them with a hands-off approach. But under CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft is taking a kinder, white-glove touch with Land OLakes, endearing itself to customers and propping up the agricultural market.

A data-driven agtech platform

The Land OLakes and Microsoft tie-up comprises several workstreams, Bekele says. The companies are currently co-creating a connected agtech platform atop Microsoft Azure that will bring together Land OLakes portfolio of innovative agtech tools, such as WinField Uniteds R7 Suite, which helps farmers select the best seeds for their land, Data Silo, which stores and shares information between farmers, retailers and third-party providers, and Truterra Insights Engine, which measures sustainability progress.

The partners will also leverage Microsoft Azure and its AI capabilities, along with insights from WinField United Answer Plot test fields, to generate more predictable decisions for placement of seeds and treatments, with the goal of increasing return on investment with the entire acre.

The companies will also create a Digital Dairy, marrying edge computing to capture data from farms with poor internet coverage with AI to provide data-driven insights for dairy producers. This initiative will use sensors and third-party apps to collect data streams on weather, feed management and animal health to fashion a sort of Fitbit for cows, allowing dairy producers to improve profit potential and reduce waste by feeding livestock only what they need and ensuring milk supply doesnt spoil, Bekele says. The companies will also provide transparency throughout Land OLakes milk, butter and cheese supply chain, ensuring consumer confidence that foods are of the highest quality.

As part of the deal, Land OLakes will migrate most of its IT infrastructure onto Azure. Having a unified cloud architecture on which to run its compute workloads, including data and analytics, will drive more efficiency, while helping farmers make more predictive and precise decisions about planting proper seed varieties and optimizing fertilizer placement.

Sustaining crops for future growth

Over time, Land OLakes and Microsoft will expand their collaboration to tackle sustainability. The agricultural industry has long been challenged by climate change, trade issues and an aging workforce, but the emergence of COVID-19 increases hurdles to production and the supply chain.

The companies will work with Land OLakes network of farmers, who work 150 million acres of cropland, to improve the health of their farms soils to both produce more food and store greenhouse gas, including carbon.

Using Azure cloud and AI tools, the companies are developing technology to help farmers predict the carbon benefits of regenerative practices such as no-till, precision nutrient management and planting of cover crops. Combined with remote sensing technologies and satellite data, the solution will make certification of these projects in global carbon markets easier, quicker and less expensive, while boosting profit potential and generate new revenue in carbon markets.

For instance, the partners plan to integrate these new capabilities into the Truterra Insights Engine to build a soil health platform that can help farmers identify new practices that improve the quality of their farms soils, estimate the natural resource and economic benefits of those new practices, generate soil carbon credits, and connect to soil carbon markets that sell certified credits to buyers.

Bridging the digital divide

Addressing the dearth in broadband access for some 14 million Americans in rural communities  another issue compounded by the coronavirus pandemic  Land OLakes and Microsoft are also teaming up to help bring internet access to many farmers who increasingly rely on internet-connected grain siloes and fertilizer systems, Bekele says.

In the short term, the companies are bringing free public Wi-Fi at more than 15 locations in 19 states by providing internet service providers with towers, antennas and other necessary hardware to support fixed wireless connectivity.

The companies are further exploring how to bring broadband solutions, including telehealth, educational resources and digital reskilling, to rural communities using Microsofts Airband program and locations within the Land OLakes network of 300,000 producers.

In accordance with the pandemics social distancing prescriptions, Land OLakes and Microsoft staff who have a direct hand in facilitating the various workstreams are collaborating remotely, often via Microsoft Teams video meetings, Bekele says.

Those working directly on critical workstreams, such as the migration to Azure, conduct weekly check-ins to make sure the projects are on track, with more formal status review meetings occurring monthly. Leaders from both companies convene quarterly to review the projects from a higher level.

The bottom line

The Land OLakes-Microsoft collaboration is a ringing endorsement of the cloud as a platform capable of accelerating digital business by enabling edge computing, AI and machine learning, each of which require a scalable, elastic and high-capacity infrastructure platform like public cloud infrastructure, Gartner analyst Sid Nag said in a statement.

The deal should add to Microsofts growing luster in the public cloud market, where its 18 percent market share ranks a distant second to that of Amazon Web Services, which commands a 45 percent share, according to Gartner.
Oklahoma Firm Named to Inc. 5000 for Third Time Receiving this prestigious honor for the third year is a testament to the hardworking nature of our Team. Our employees continue to provide mission critical solutions to the U.S. Government and other clients despite all challenges. I couldnt be more proud of our Team.

Inc. magazine today revealed that Chloeta is once again 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.

Receiving this prestigious honor for the third year is a testament to the hardworking nature of our Team. Our employees continue to provide mission critical solutions to the U.S. Government and other clients despite all challenges. I couldnt be more proud of our Team commented Chloeta Founder and CEO Mark Masters from their Oklahoma City, Okla. headquarters.

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. Chloeta is a Native American (Cherokee) owned and operated Professional Services firm providing a diverse range of services to both public and private sector clients in defense, intelligence, homeland security and aviation. Founded in Jay, Okla. in 2009 with humble beginnings, the Chloeta group of companies has risen to dominance in the government contracting profession over the past decade.

For further information and interview requests please contact Public Relations at pr@chloeta.com or 877.245.6382.

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/.
PENNSYLVANIA  The 2020 presidential election was shaping up to a big one for Pennsylvanians long before anyone knew public health and the capacity of the United States Postal Service would each play a vital role in it.

Record numbers of voters are expected to cast their ballots by mail, both in Pennsylvania and across the nation, as health officials continue to recommend it as the safest choice amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

On Monday, we asked Patch readers across Pennsylvania to give their thoughts on a number of questions related to mail-in balloting and the upcoming election.

More than 6,000 individuals responded to the informal survey, nearly all of whom say they plan to vote in the upcoming election, and with a majority indicating both that they would vote by mail and that they were concerned their vote may not be counted.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy caused controversy after announcing certain operational changes to the United States Postal Service which Democrats said would cripple the timely delivery of mail-in ballots. Shortly thereafter,

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office announced in response, along with 20 others states, a lawsuit which would prevent those changes, citing the threat to the November election. As the lawsuits were announced last week, DeJoy said all policy or operational changes would be suspended until after the election.

The issue continues to be split on partisan lines nationally. Locally, Democratic leaders were adamant in their optimism that mail-in balloting would be protected, and that Pennsylvanians should not worry about casting their vote by mail.

"Pennsylvanians have every reason to feel confident," Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. "And know that we're on it."





According to the Patch survey, more than 55 percent of respondents said they would vote by mail, with 44 percent saying they would not.

Despite the majority stating they would vote by mail, they also indicated they were concerned their vote would not be counted or received if they did so.

Story continues

That concern does not necessarily translate to a widespread belief of an effort to intentionally undermine democracy. More than 56 percent of respondents said that they do not think voting by mail encourages fraudulent activity.





Voters were also mixed when it came to the optimism they expressed regarding the smoothness of the election, and specifically about the timeliness of vote tabulation. About 37 percent said they were "very confident," but another 35 percent were "somewhat confident," and more than 26 percent of all respondents were "not at all confident."



When asked to put into words their thoughts on the election, "fraud" was one of the most commonly repeated responses. So were "safe" and "necessary."

"You can do this ballot multiple times," one respondent thought. "It cannot be accurate just as a mail in vote."

"My concern is that my primary ballot did not arrive in time for me to return it back in time for the primary," a Bucks County resident said.

Finally: "I am not concerned with receiving my mail in ballot, however, I am concerned with the completed ballots being delivered in a timely fashion. Therefore, I may deliver my ballot in person."

The deadline for applying for a mail in ballot is a week before the Nov. 3 election, on Oct. 27. You can apply or register to vote in person here.

This article originally appeared on the Montgomeryville-Lansdale Patch
Citing that it had no appetite for his high-profile work, Hanover Insurance Group says it will not renew coverage for the attorney representing the whistleblower who first flagged concerns over President Donald Trumps dealings with Ukraine, the New York Times reports.

The Worcester-based insurance provider said the move wasnt political but had to do with specific coverage.

Underwriting and renewal decisions for this program are based on assessments of risk and compliance with our guidelines  politics play absolutely no part in these decisions, a spokesperson for Hanover Insurance Group Emily Trevallion said.

The lawyer, Mark S. Zaid, told the Times he was stunned after he learned Hanover would not renew his lawyers professional liability coverage last month.

Zaid, the report said, called the insurance provider to confirm the decision. Hanover declined to reverse its request.

Hanover said it offers a lawyers professional liability insurance program for general practice law firms, however, certain highly specialized practices, such as whistleblower work, are outside of explicit underwriting guidelines.

Zaid, though, told the Times hes had the same law practice for 25 years with a number of high-profile cases. Zaid also said he told the insurance provider about his whistleblower practice when he was applying for coverage in 2019, the report said. Zaid provided the Times with emails documenting the 2019 coverage.

Hanover, though, said non-renewal was based on new information. Zaids coverage, Hanover said, will also continue through October.

Based on new information about the significant focus Mr. Zaids firm places on whistle-blower work, which was considered at renewal, we informed Mr. Zaid we did not intend to renew his policy, providing more notice than is required by law, Trevallion said. Subsequent to that notice, we have talked with Mr. Zaid to explain our position, and followed up with a written correspondence.

The report said Zaid was notified of the non-renew through a letter, which said the insurer discovered his whistleblower practice when it reviewed his website, and that such an area of law was ineligible for coverage.

We have been advised that liability coverage for firms with significant whistleblower practices is readily available in the surplus lines market, where companies specialize in insuring these types of business, Trevallion said. For the record, our company fully supports the spirit and intent of whistleblower laws and recognizes the value of these laws in a democracy.

Zaid first applied for the policy in October 2019, just as the whistle-blower complaint was gaining attention.

Democrats eventually moved ahead with an impeachment inquiry over Trumps dealings with Ukraine.

The whistleblower said several Trump administration officials believed the president had undermined U.S. foreign policy and illegally sought election assistance from the Ukrainian president. The inspector general of the intelligence community determined that the whistleblower complaint appeared credible.

President Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representative in December. The Senate acquitted Trump in February.

Related Content:
CASTELVECCHIO PASCOLI, Italy, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Two innovative bio-pharma companies specialized in plasma-derived therapeutics - Kedrion Biopharma of Italy and Kamada Ltd. of Israel - are continuing their work on the development, manufacturing and clinical distribution of a plasma-derived Anti-SARS-CoV-2 product.

The two companies, each known for their cutting-edge biopharma technology capabilities, hope to eventually obtain approval on both sides of the Atlantic for the clinical treatment of severely ill COVID-19 patients. Under the terms of the agreement, Kamada is responsible for product development, manufacturing, clinical development (with Kedrion's support) and regulatory submissions. Kedrion is responsible for collection and supply of plasma from convalescent COVID-19 patients and future distribution of the therapeutic product in the U.S., Europe, Australia and South Korea.

KEDPLASMA USA, with the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has already begun collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma in various collection centers in the United States.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Sunday gave emergency approval for expanded use of antibody-rich blood plasma to help hospitalized coronavirus patients. Pure plasma from convalescent patients that is transferred to those afflicted by the virus cannot be manufactured in millions of doses; its availability is limited by blood donations. The product being developed by Kamada Ltd. And Kedrion Biopharma instead, aims to miniaturize the dosages so it can be produced in large quantities.

Last month Kedrion announced that it had formed a research partnership with Columbia University Irving Medical Center to develop and test a new IgG therapy for COVID-19 which is being developed by Kedrion and Kamada Ltd, a leading Israeli bio-pharmaceutical company that specializes in plasma derived products.

Under the terms of the agreement, Kedrion will supply Columbia with convalescent plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to be used for the manufacturing of IgG therapy.Columbia University will test the convalescent plasma against viral proteins to check the neutralizing power of the hyperimmune Immunoglobulins.

Dr. Steven Spitalnik, Medical Director of the Clinical Laboratories at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said in July that he hopes that if the therapy eventually receives FDA approval it can be administered to his own frontline medical workers at risk for COVID-19 at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and elsewhere.

www.kedrion.com - www.kedrion.us.
The IT hubs of Bengaluru and Hyderabad have topped the chart of collections from Google tax so far this year. However, the mop up from the controversial levy made up just up to one per cent of the total from direct taxes in these circles till August 20. The collections from Bengaluru were Rs 176.9 crore, or 0.57 per cent of the total direct tax receipts in the region.

Hyderabad got Rs 118.3 crore from the levy, or 1.1 per cent of the direct tax receipts there. Delhi and Mumbai recorded a joint collection of a mere Rs 87 crore. The total Rs 396 crore has been mopped up, as on ...
Uttarakhand BJP MLA Mahesh Singh Negi who has been accused of rape by a woman, met the partys state unit chief Bansidhar Bhagat on Monday evening to present his version of the case.

Negi had been summoned along with three other party MLAs mired in controversies. The lawmaker has been accused of rape and fathering a child by a married woman earlier this month following which the Dehradun police is carrying an investigation. The woman has also been demanding a DNA test of Negi and her daughter to prove her allegations.

A party office-bearer who was privy to the details of the meeting between Negi and Bhagat said, After reaching Bhagats residence, he spoke to him on the ongoing matter and said that he is ready for any sort of investigation.

However, he also said that the accusations by the woman are a part of a conspiracy by Congress to frame him. He is trying to gather evidence on that and will soon present them to prove that Congress is behind the episode, said the party leader who did not wish to be named.

Bansidhar Bhagat said, The matter is under investigation by police at present. We will wait for the probe to be over. If Negi turns out to be guilty, then strict action will be taken against him as the party never compromises on discipline.

Negi could not be contacted despite several attempts.

The Opposition Congress has meanwhile, attacked BJP and its state government for not taking any action against Negi.

Congress state president Pritam Singh said, The accusations leveled by the woman against him are very serious. She has been demanding a DNA test to reveal the truth but so far nothing has been done on that because of the governments inaction.

CM Trivendra Singh Rawat a few days ago said that Negi is ready for a DNA test but it is done as per a legal procedure. But, CM is forgetting that he is also the home minister of state. Who is stopping him from initiating the legal procedure to direct a DNA test?

If Negi is proved to be the father of the womans daughter in the test, then strict action should be taken against him. And if its not, then stern action should be taken against the woman, he added.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

The Global Candles Industry is expected to register noteworthy growth during the forecast period. One of the significant reasons for the growth of the candles market is the rising use of scented candles as a homecare product. Increasing per capita disposable incomes have affected consumer spending behavior. Consumers are more likely to spend on home furnishings, such as candles, which is expected to drive demand. Scented candles find widespread application in aromatherapy which includes pain management and the treatment of cardiovascular disease, insomnia, and colds and coughs.

Also Read: http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/06/06/1865175/0/en/Candles-Market-Size-to-Reach-USD-13-006-9-Million-by-2023-at-4-26-CAGR-Predicts-Market-Research-Future.html

Major Key Players:

Some of the key players in the global candles market are Diannes Custom Candles, LLC (US), Dandong Everlight Candle Industry Co., Ltd (China), ZHONG Nam Industrial (International) Co., Ltd (Hong Kong), Empire Candle Co., LLC (US), BeCandle (Hong Kong), SC Johnson & Son, Inc. (US), Bolsius International BV (Netherlands), The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. (US), Candle-lite (US), Armadilla Wax Works, Inc. (US), Colonial Candle (US), Vollmar GmbH (Germany), Gies Kerzen GmbH (Germany), Bath & Body Works Direct, Inc. (US), and LVMH Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton (France).

Industry Segments:

The Global Candles Market has further been segmented by Material Type, Category, and Distribution Channel.

The global candles market has also been segregated, on the basis of Material Type, into synthetic wax, paraffin wax, vegetable wax, and animal wax. The paraffin wax segment accounted for the majority market share in 2017; however, the vegetable wax segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.

By Category, the global Candles Market Size has also been segregated into luxury candles and economical candles. The economical segment accounted for the larger market share in 2017, while the luxury candles segment is projected to register the higher CAGR during the forecast period.

The global candles market has also been classified, on the basis of Distribution Channel, as store-based and non-store-based. The store-based segment accounted for a larger market share in 2017. However, the non-store-based segment is expected to exhibit higher CAGR during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis:

North America is expected to be the largest market for candles and the regional market is projected to register a substantial CAGR of 3.83% during the forecast period. The US is the major contributor to the growth of the North American candles market, followed by Canada. In North America, the shape, color, and scent of candles are the most important factors affecting sales in the region. Pillar, votive, and container candles are the most widely purchased candle types in the US. According to the National Candle Association, economical candles range between USD 1.99 to 35; however, luxury candle prices can go as high as USD 200. Moreover, the majority of candle sales, i.e., nearly 35% of annual sales, in the US, occur during Christmas time. In Canada, the trends for the candle industry are similar to that of the US. However, due to a smaller population, the market size is lower. However, the Canadian market is expected to register the highest growth rate due to the high immigration rate and increasing expat population size.

Europe is also expected to account for a significant share of the global candles market and the regional market is projected to grow at a moderate pace during the forecast period. In 2017, the demand for candles in Europe was higher than production, according to the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI). The major candle importing countries include Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. Spain and the UK represent lucrative growth opportunities for candle manufacturers mainly due to the popularity of aromatherapy and awareness of the health benefits of essential oil-infused candles.

Access the full market data and information @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/candles-market-7761

Asia-Pacific held a prominent share of the global candles market in 2018 and the regional market is projected to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period. China is one of the leading markets in the region, accounting for the largest projected market share during the review period. However, the Indian market is expected to exhibit the highest growth rate of 5.78% during the forecast period. The major candle producing countries in the region include China, Vietnam, and India, with the bulk of production exported across the world. China and Vietnam together accounted for nearly 35% of all exports in 2017, according to MRFR analysis.

South America accounted for the largest share of the market in the rest of the world in 2017 and the regional market is expected to register a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Moreover, the Middle East is a potential market for candles and is expected to register the highest CAGR of 5.03% during the forecast period.

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.

MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.

In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.

Contact:

Market Research Future

+1 646 845 9312

Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Dzulfiqar Fathur Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25 2020

The government has registered 12 million bank accounts of eligible recipients in its COVID-19 wage subsidy program, aimed at boosting household spending amid the economic impact of the pandemic, according to a top official of the Fiscal Policy Agency (BKF).

The head of the BKF at the Finance Ministry, Febrio Kacaribu, said the government targeted 15.7 million workers in total and that it was waiting for around 3 million more eligible recipients of the wage subsidy to report their bank accounts to the Workers Social Security Agency (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan), whose data are the basis for the governments assistance program.

The additional recipients are those who are registered individually at the agency, instead of through a company.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 22:28:19|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KHARTOUM, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok on Tuesday said the government has no mandate to normalize ties with Israel and that any such move would come after the transitional period.

Hamdok made the remarks when meeting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who is on a one-day visit to Sudan.

Hamdok explained that the transitional period in Sudan is led by a broad alliance with specific agenda to complete the transition process and achieve peace and stability in the country prior to holding fair elections.

"The transitional government does not have a mandate beyond these tasks to decide on normalization with Israel. This matter will be decided after completion of the transitional rule structures," Hamdok said.

The prime minister further urged the U.S. administration to separate between the process of removing Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and the issue of normalization with Israel.

For his part, Pompeo voiced the U.S. administration's support to the transition and peace process in Sudan, including the efforts to achieve security and stability in Darfur and other conflict-affected areas.

Pompeo arrived in Khartoum from Jerusalem on Tuesday. He is the first U.S. secretary of state to visit the African country since 2005, when Condoleezza Rice visited. Enditem
KYODO NEWS - Aug 25, 2020 - 19:15 | All, World

A Japanese disaster relief team said Tuesday the oil spilled from a grounded Japanese freighter off Mauritius in the Indian Ocean could kill mangroves if it is not cleaned up soon.

The team composed of seven members, including five environment experts, has been conducting an on-site probe of the damage to the environment, especially the mangrove forests and coral reefs, since Friday, while providing on-site environment assistance to the Mauritius government.

"In the heavily polluted areas, oil adhesion to pneumatophores (or aerial roots) can suffocate mangroves to death. Also, if the oil stays for long, its toxic substances can kill mangroves," Noriaki Sakaguchi, vice team leader and an ecosystem conservation expert at Japan International Cooperation Agency, said in an online briefing.

While no dead or dying mangroves have been found so far, the team said oil coating on the pneumatophores of mangroves has been confirmed in all seven surveyed locations, with a wide area of damage found in two sites.

Clearing oil from mangrove forests in a muddy environment, instead of a rocky one, is particularly difficult as the removal work may allow deeper penetration of the oil beneath the forests, according to the team.

The group will start assessing the impact of oil spill on the Ramsar wetlands near the accident site on Thursday.

The bulk carrier Wakashio transporting a total of some 3,800 tons of fuel oil and 200 tons of diesel, operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., ran aground near Pointe d'Esny on July 25, and more than 1,000 tons of oil began leaking from the vessel on Aug. 6.

Following the incident, JICA dispatched last week the second batch of members of the Japan Disaster Relief team to Mauritius.

Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told a press conference Tuesday that the ministry is considering sending additional environment experts to the island nation.

The second team has inspected 12 locations near the shipwreck, finding no apparent coral deaths caused by the oil spill and no evidence of oil on the seabed. However, ropes containing the spill and the wreck of the ship have destroyed corals, according to a team official, and the water near the accident site is murky as a result.

The front section of the ship was towed to open water and sunk as instructed by local authorities after the wreckage was broken into two.

"If turbidity continues for a long period of time, it will put stress on corals and could kill them," Sakaguchi said, adding the team will continue to monitor the situation and take measures to deal with it.

Related coverage:

Stranded ship neared Mauritius to get mobile network for virus info

Japan criticized for weak presence in responding to oil leak in Mauritius

Mauritius arrests captain of Japan-owned ship that leaked oil
In what may possibly be the best news of the year, I am happy to inform you that murder hornets have not made their way to Texas (yet).

Back in May, stories emerged about a species of giant wasps turning up around farms and towns in the Pacific Northwest. The insects, a breed of Asian giant hornet, were quickly nicknamed "murder hornets" for their size and penchant for ransacking and decapitating entire colonies of honey bees.

It's a terrifying thought, and some Texans were understandably spooked in the following months when another species of large wasp began buzzing around their homes. However, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife, these are not the same breed as the bee-killing super predators in the news, and you should be fineas long as you're a human. (Sorry robots).

"Don't panic!" the group said in a Facebook post Saturday. "Those large wasps you're seeing are cicada killers, a native insect that paralyzes cicadas with their stings and then drags them to their nests for their larvae to eat."

COMMUNITIES DURING COVID: 'Quarantine caterpillar' keeps growing to 700+ rocks, bringing families together in Cypress

One of the largest wasps encountered, cicada killers can reach up to 1 inches in length and appear in July and August to feed, mate and produce new nesting burrows.

The Houston Chronicle's Molly Glentzer reports that entomologists at Texas A&M AgriLife were receiving so many calls and emails from nervous residents, they put together a short video explaining the differences between the murder hornet and other Texas insects that are similar in appearance and active this time of year.

While the females are capable of stinging, they're not known to be aggressive toward humans or animals. The males are incapable of stinging, but can be a bit more aggressive. Still, there's no need to lose your sanity over the yellow and black insect.

Since posting their clarification, TPW continues to field questions from nervous residents and hammer home that there are no murder-y hornets in Texas.

"The only Asian Giant Hornet sightings in the U.S. have been in Washington state."

They may look big and intimidating, TPW said, but they don't bother people.

This is one of the few occasions this year you can honestly say "Thank goodness we're human."
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Alibaba Group is seen at the company's headquarters in Hangzhou

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan gave e-commerce site Taobao Taiwan six months to re-register as Chinese-backed rather than foreign or leave the island, in the government's latest shot against Chinese firms.

Taiwan has stepped up oversight of Chinese investments and the operations of Chinese tech firms on the island and last week said it planned to stop local sales of Chinese internet television streaming services, though it didn't plan to block them.

Taiwan treats investment from foreign countries differently to that from China, with far more stringent rules for Chinese firms.

The investment commission of Taiwan's Economics Ministry said on Monday Taobao Taiwan was operated by a British-registered company called Claddagh Venture Investment, which it said was in effect controlled by China's Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

Alibaba owns the wildly popular main Taobao platform in China.

The commission was also concerned about information security as user data was sent back to China, it said, adding that Taobao Taiwan had been fined T$410,000 ($13,961) and had six months to either withdraw its investment or re-register.

"We do not consider the company as a foreign investment," commission spokesman Su Chi-Yun told Reuters. "They will have to decide whether to disinvest or rectify their investment."

The company should have registered as a Chinese investment but came in as foreign since "it's more convenient", he added.

Claddagh's Taiwan office expressed regret at the move and said it had received no formal notification from the government, but said it respected the decision and would "carry out rectification as soon as possible". It did not give details.

It said Taobao Taiwan, launched last year, is an entirely different company from Taobao China and does not come under the Alibaba group.

Alibaba said it was "not in a position to comment".

Claddagh is registered in the British town of Altrincham.

Story continues

Su said even if Taobao chose to register as a Chinese investment in Taiwan, it could still fall foul of rules barring Chinese companies from sectors vital to its business model, such as third-party payments processing or advertising.

($1=29.3680 Taiwan dollars)

(Reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Brenda Goh in Shanghai Editing by Clarence Fernandez and David Holmes)
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) today announced that Dan Leonard will be stepping down as president and CEO, effective September 4.

"Under his leadership, NPC became a leading voice explaining how medicines bring value to our health system and society. Dan increased its membership, expanded its staff, and strengthened its reputation for delivering research-driven insight into key health policy questions," said Blasine Penkowski, Chief Strategic Customer Officer, Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, and NPC Board Chair. "On behalf of the NPC Board of Directors, we thank him for his 12 years of service and wish him well in his future plans."

Leonard served as president and CEO for more than 12 years, during which time he expanded NPC's policy research and communications capacity, developed and strengthened partnerships with other health care organizations, and moved the organization's headquarters back to Washington, D.C., from Reston, Virginia. Leonard's next position will be announced soon.

The NPC Board of Directors will announce an interim president and CEO in the coming days. "The Board and I are confident NPC will continue to make substantial contributions to conversations about the future of health care in the United States," said Penkowski, "especially as stakeholders seek ways to make the health system work better for patients."

About the National Pharmaceutical Council

The National Pharmaceutical Council is a health policy research organization dedicated to the advancement of good evidence and science, and to fostering an environment in the United States that supports medical innovation. Founded in 1953 and supported by the nation's major research-based pharmaceutical companies, NPC focuses on research development, information dissemination, and education on the critical issues of evidence, innovation and the value of medicines for patients. For more information, visit www.npcnow.org and follow NPC on Twitter @npcnow.

SOURCE National Pharmaceutical Council

Related Links

http://www.npcnow.org


A kebab shop in Australia has been fined nearly 4,000 ($7,000) for allowing a large crowd of customers to break out into an impromptu dance party.

Footage shared online showed a swarm of people singing, jumping and embracing in the fast-food joint, with some members of staff filmed clapping along.

Police said the rave took place about 3am local time on Sunday in the Brisbane precinct of popular nightlife spot Fortitude Valley.

In an update on Monday, the force in Queensland said the business had been fined $6,772 (around 3,700) for failing to comply with health regulations.

"Business operators and patrons are reminded to adhere to public health directions including social distancing measures at all times to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading in Queensland," they said.

Videos recorded inside the takeaway restaurant were met with horror on social media.

Local news reporter Georgie Chumbley tweeted: Covid has brought about a lot of unprecedented moments... but I feel like this Valley kebab shop dance party takes the cake.

Last month, young adults were warned of the importance of maintaining social distancing after the biggest-ever study of coronavirus in England found they had the highest infection rates.

The nationwide study, which ran between May 1 and June 1, involved more than 120,000 children and adults being sent throat and nasal swab kits at home.

Adults aged 18-24 had the highest infection rates  probably because they were the least likely group to limit their social contacts.

The 25-34 age group was second highest, followed by children aged five to 17  who were more likely to be infected than adults over 44.

Researchers at Imperial College London, who led the study, said it showed the importance of younger adults remembering to observe Covid-19 rules, especially to protect any vulnerable members of their family.
Addison told lawmakers that the board members acted in what they thought was the best interest of the agency. Youve got somebody who is going to a position that is working for the governor, who will control a lot of what the state does, he said. Its a powerful position that will have impact on MES.
DUBAI, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The health ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Israel on Monday agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the health sector, following an accord between the countries to normalise relations 10 days ago, UAE state new agency WAM said.

Speaking by phone, the ministers discussed cooperation on pharmaceuticals, medial research and COVID-19. A statement from Israel's Health Ministry added they agreed on "initial and immediate cooperation" in the health sector. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington in Dubai and Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Editing by Alison Williams)
Dublin is experiencing another surge in Covid-19, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has warned.

He said he did not want to sound alarmist, but 73 of the 147 cases of the deadly virus diagnosed yesterday were in the capital.

It is being watched closely, he added.

There is particular concern that one in three of the new infections in the capital are due to community transmission so the source cannot be found.

This is higher than in the rest of the country, where the rate is around one in five.

The biggest concentration is in Dublin west, south-west and north-centre but the cases are spread across the capital. Asked if this meant Dublin was heading for a lockdown, he said this was not planned.

Expand Close Young people wearing masks on Grafton Street in Dublin city centre as fears grow about huge surge of cases in the capital. Photo: Stephen Collins / Photos / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Young people wearing masks on Grafton Street in Dublin city centre as fears grow about huge surge of cases in the capital. Photo: Stephen Collins / Photos

Schools

The hope is the restrictions announced nationwide last week will have an impact on cases, he added.

He also warned that more than 160 children under the age of 14, many of whom will be attending school, could be diagnosed with Covid-19 over this week and next.

Dr Glynn was speaking as the nation's classrooms nervously reopen for the new school year amid heightened concern about the risk posed to children and teachers from Covid-19.

He said cases of the virus have been rising among children and a total of 84 were diagnosed last week.

"Of course if nothing changes we can expect a similar number this week and next week.

"Many of those children will be in school, so it won't be a surprise if we have cases in school-aged children but the challenge for us in the first weeks is to respond appropriately."

Parents have been told if there are concerns for their child in a school they will be informed by public health team.

Dr Glynn said he hoped the spreading of misinformation and rumours that marked the early days of the virus here would not be repeated.

Meanwhile, cardiologists in hospitals across the country have treated a number of younger people who recovered from Covid-19 but have been left with heart-related complications.

Professor Robert Byrne, Director of cardiology services at the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin said the patients were found to have myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle.

"We have seen it in patients under 40 years of age who had the virus," he revealed.

It is more evidence that some people who believe they have beaten the infection are left with a range of after effects, including cardiovascular damage.

Prof Byrne, who is chair of cardiovascular research at the Royal College of Surgeons, said there is a need to investigate further the impact of the virus on the heart.

"A small number of patients have developed myocarditis in the acute phase of Covid-19 illness. The symptoms can be a flu-like illness, followed by breathlessness and chest pain.

"The chest pain can be quite sharp and it can get worse when people take a deep breath in."

Cases are also being seen in other countries and a recent German study showed a group of people who were struck with Covid-19 had some degree of abnormality in their cardiac scans afterwards.

Pressure

The study looked at people who recovered from the illness, most of whom were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms.

Two months afterwards almost 80pc had "persistent abnormalities", and 60pc had myocarditis.

"They seemed to be relatively young patients with a median age of 49 and a normal body mass index with relatively normal blood pressure."

Prof Byrne said although the study would need to be replicated the majority of cases here had no known coronary heart disease before being infected with the virus.

Prof Byrne said he is still very concerned that people who have heart disease, and were never infected with Covid-19, are still not seeking medical care because of their fears of catching the virus.

"It's a ticking time bomb," he warned.

"The hospital is still seeing around 20pc less new heart patients than it saw this time last year."
(Natural News) Billy J. Williams, the United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, is warning that the endless rioting and violence in Portland could lead to somebody being killed.

The main incident that has raised Williams concerns is the brutal assault that occurred on Sunday, August 16, in which a man assaulted another man by punching and kicking him repeatedly, which led to the victim becoming unconscious and needing to be rushed to the nearby hospital for medical treatment.

While the circumstances leading up to this brutal assault are still under state and federal review, I must condemn, in the strongest possible terms, this depraved violence, said Williams in a statement.

We must all continue to work together to achieve peace in the streets of Portland. If we are not successful, I fear one day soon we will wake up to the news that a Portlander has been killed. We cannot let this happen.

The victim, Adam Haner, was intervening in the harassment and assault of another individual when he was attacked by the rioters.

He was trying to help and they called him a white supremacist, and then some Black lady smacked him and he got in his truck, said Tammie Martin, Haners girlfriend.

This little group was not a protesting group, continued Martin, who was herself physically assaulted during the incident. They were just looking for a fight. They were trying to fight people driving by. They were just looking to fight somebody.

According to Martin, Haner was released from the hospital on Monday and is spending some time at home recovering from his injuries. (Related: Kill a cop, save a life: Portland rioters chant and cheer for the MURDER of police officers.)

This is not the first time that Black Lives Matter rioters have targeted people in their vehicles, nor will it be the last. Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how a BLM assailant in Austin, Texas, shot at a vehicle and was subsequently killed when the driver returned fire in self defense.

Federal and state authorities tapped to investigate the incident

According to Williams, federal and state authorities are now investigating the circumstances regarding the attack on Haner and Martin  clips of which have since gone viral on social media.

According to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), a manhunt is still ongoing to find and arrest the prime suspect, who was identified on Tuesday afternoon by PPB investigators as 25-year-old Marquis Love, also known by his alias Kesse Love. Love was first arrested in 2012 and has since had several other arrests on his record.

After the assault, he supposedly posted a message on Snapchat confirming that he participated in the assault. Might go to jail for murder tonight for a racist when all I did was fight him. Look it up on Twitter, put money on my books and come see me, said Love.

Love was also incorrectly identified as an employee of Star Protection Agency, a private security company, due to the fact that, after he was identified, people incorrectly believed him to still be a member of the company because he was wearing a black tactical vest that had the word SECURITY on the front.

In a press release, the company said that Love worked for them for three months, from January to March of this year, but has since been let go, and they have denounced any further association with him. The tactical vest is also not company property, as all issued equipment is returned to the company upon an employees exit.

Former assistant US attorney says strong law enforcement necessary to end violence

Stephen Peifer is a retired assistant U.S. attorney and an expert at taking down domestic terrorist organizations, as he has handled cases concerning anarchist and eco-terrorist groups. In an interview with KGW, Peifer outlined how, in order to end the violence in Portland, it is very important for law enforcement to be very strong and effective at all levels. This is especially important since the demonstrations in Portland have become much more violent and destructive.

Peifer also said that local, state and federal law enforcement units need to be coordinating their responses in order to fight back against organized and violent groups with a broad, united front. Unfortunately, Peifer commented, that is not what is happening in Portland. This lack of assistance is severely handicapping the ability of law enforcement to do their duty and protect life and property.

Lastly, Peifer said that prosecutors need to act decisively in order to prevent any further criminal activity. Deterrence is the only answer here, when it comes to violence. Prosecutors should be pushing forward with cases that are easily provable. Once the heat is on, he said, people begin to talk. They begin to give you more and more information which can lead to more arrests and convictions.

When asked about his opinion regarding how prosecutors are currently handling the situation in Portland, Peifer said he believes that Williams is handling the situation correctly, but that the new district attorney for Multnomah County, Mike Schmidt, is not. Peifer criticized Schmidt because of the latters refusal to move forward with cases for certain crimes. It sends a message that the DAs office is not taking its job seriously.

You should be able to prosecute as many crimes as you can prove and once you decide not to do that, then youve basically told the organizers of this activity they can have carte blanche.

The violence in Portland is only escalating, thanks to the fact that Antifa and Black Lives Matter are being encouraged by the lack of an effective response from local public officials. Learn about their latest criminal actions by reading the articles at, and subscribing to, Rioting.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

KPTV.com

LawAndCrime.com

FoxNews.com

OregonLive.com

KGW.com
Michigan health officials are worried about the potential strain that a bad flu season, combined with the coronavirus pandemic, could have on the states health care system this year.

To reduce the risk of the state facing two communicable disease outbreaks at the same time, the Department of Health and Human Services is urging residents to get their flu vaccination this fall.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a statewide media campaign -- Facing the Flu Together -- to encourage Michiganders to get the flu shot. The campaigns goal is a 33% increase from the 3.2 million residents who received a vaccination last year -- or more than 1 million more residents than 2019.

Its more important than ever for Michiganders everywhere to get your flu vaccine, Whitmer said. Preventing the flu will help us save lives and preserve the health care resources we need to continue fighting COVID-19.

Every flu-related hospitalization we see this season will put an additional strain on Michigans economy and our health care systems and hospitals. Our hospitals are still reeling from the spring COVID-19 hospitalizations and are working to prepare for a potential second wave of the virus. I encourage everyone to get their flu vaccine, and tell your friends and family to do the same.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigans chief medical executive, said theres a lot of misinformation about influenza and the flu vaccine, but the science is clear.

The flu can be deadly, and there are steps that we can take to protect against it, she said. Thats why as a parent and a doctor, I make sure myself and my children are protected each year with a flu vaccine for their safety, and for my patients, friends and community.

Dr. Khaldun said the vaccine does not cause the flu. Additionally, she said the vaccine can prevent 40-60 percent of cases of the flu, and that if someone with the vaccine gets the flu, they tend to have less severe cases and are less likely to be hospitalized or to die due to the flu.

During the 2019-20 flu season, the U.S. had an estimated 39 million to 56 million cases of the flu, including 18 million to 26 million medical visits due to influenza and nearly 500,000 hospitalizations.

The flu can be especially dangerous for children, older people and people with chronic health conditions. Last year, the CDC estimated there were 24,000 to 62,000 flu deaths in the U.S. Of those, 187 were children, including six in Michigan.

In Michigan, there were 952 flu-related hospitalizations last year. A spokesperson for MDHHS said the state does not routinely report seasonal flu case data beyond pediatric deaths.

This years flu vaccine is already available in some parts of Michigan, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has worked with manufacturers to have extra flu vaccines available this season. The vaccine will be available across the state and nation in early fall, and the CDC recommends getting it in September or October.

Residents can contact their local health departments, physicians and pharmacies to schedule an appointment to get the shot. More information about the flu and the vaccine is available through the

For more information about the upcoming flu season or flu vaccination, visit the states updated flu website at Michigan.gov/Flu, or the CDCs flu website at cdc.gov/flu.

Michigans Facing the Flu Together campaign will include ads on TV, social media, podcasts, print and radio. The campaign will begin Monday, Aug. 31, and will be viewable statewide, with a focus on targeting the most vulnerable and at-risk populations, according to MDHHS.

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 nosewhile 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:

Where are Michigans latest coronavirus outbreaks? State now offering new data

Tuesday, Aug. 25, coronavirus data by Michigan county: Isabella County cases climb as university returns students

Michigan movie theaters make plea to reopen before its too late
Hubert Esquirol says he was talking on a satellite phone with his daughter, Stephanie Blais, when the 44-year-old was attacked by a black bear at the family cabin on McKie Lake, north of Buffalo Narrows, Sask.

She had called last Thursday at about 5:41 p.m. CST with an update on a malfunctioning water pump and had just sent her nine-year-old son, Elie, into the cabin for an antenna.

Esquirol said he then heard a gurgling noise.

"I waited on the line for two minutes, and I called her name," he said. "I said hello, and there was no answer. So I was talking to her on the phone when the bear attacked her."

According to Esquirol, his daughter would have been making the call facing south in an open area as they have to move away from trees for the satellite phone to work. Buffalo Narrows is 433 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.

The bear, he said, likely would have come up behind her from a forested area with a little pond.

"We speculate that he would have probably jumped up and grabbed her by the neck."

Husband pepper sprays, shoots bear

After waiting two minutes, Esquirol disconnected and called back. No one answered. Seven minutes later, he got a call from his daughter's husband, Curtis Blais, who had been in the cabin's kitchen about 30 metres away.

"Curtis called advising me that a bear attacked her, that he sprayed the bear with pepper spray, and the bear got more angry."

Esquirol said his son-in-law told him he got a gun and shot the bear twice before it went down.

"So by that time, Stephanie had no pulse. He gave her mouth to mouth, but she was injured beyond the point of recovery."

Esquirol had nothing but praise for how his son-in-law reacted, saying that he did everything that he could "and kept his composure."

RCMP said in a release that Blais had "significant injuries" and was flown to Buffalo Narrows, where she was pronounced dead.

Submitted by Hubert Esquirol

"We're very surprised by this. I mean bears don't usually do this," said Greg Johnson, an inspector with the Ministry of Environment conservation officer services. "They don't usually have this type of behaviour.

Story continues

"You know, to have an unprovoked attack like this is very, very rare in most cases."

Victim had 'a strong mind'

Esquirol and his daughter co-own the fly-in cabin north of Buffalo Narrows.

He farms near Meota and is a pilot, and had spent the earlier part of the month at the cabin. Curtis, Stephanie, Elie and two-year-old Uma arrived early last week.

Submitted by Hubert Esquirol

Esquirol said his daughter had "a strong mind" and held degrees in human justice and elementary education.

She lived and worked, at various times, in Kuwait, Taiwan, South Africa and Guatemala  "she had 37 countries on her passport," Esquirol said  before returning to Saskatchewan and marrying in 2000.

Esquirol said his daughter and son-in-law spent their honeymoon at the camp where she died. Days later, he's still trying to process what happened.

"We take some comfort in knowing that, less than 30 seconds before Stephanie was attacked, her children were playing at her feet," he said. "So the bear could have attacked Stephanie, disabled her and then killed the two children, two swats with its front leg.

"It's very sad. Stephanie passed away at a place where she would not have chosen. But given that she was there, she would take acceptance."

RCMP and the Ministry of Environment are investigating and will do a necropsy on the bear to determine if it was sick or suffering from an ailment at the time of the attack. This is the first fatal bear attack in the province since 1983.

Conservation officers have had a busy year in 2020, Johnson said, adding there have been 1,070 reports to conservation officers about bears since the beginning of April. Most of them are related to improper storage of food and garbage, or encounters with people.

The RCMP and the Ministry of Environment extended their condolences to Blais's family.
The 100% Gold Portfolio

When I founded BMG Group Inc. (formerly Bullion Management Group Inc.  BMG) over 20 years ago, I thought that my main challenge would be to get approval for our first fund from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). My premise was that there was no approved way for retail investors to hold bullion in their RRSPs and other registered accounts. In addition, I wanted to structure the fund in a way that would not compromise the three fundamental attributes of bullion: liquidity, no counterparty risk and independent of management skills. Upon investigating closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and proxies, such as mining stocks and futures contracts, I found that all of these structures either compromised the liquidity of physical bullion or were not bullion at all, and were therefore dependent on counterparties for their performance. Other attributes compromised the direct ownership of bullion due to dependence on a portfolio manager to make trading decisions and to manage the asset. In addition, bullion leasing and leverage could distort the pure performance of bullion.

It took four years of negotiating with the OSC to obtain grants for six exemptions from the mutual fund rules in order to establish the first open-end mutual fund that held physical bullion. The main attributeliquiditywas therefore maintained, as US$63 billion of physical bullion trades every day. We also established a fixed investment policy, and we were granted an exemption from requiring a portfolio manager. As investor funds flowed in, BMG simply purchased bullion for the fund without trying to time the market. Leasing of the holdings or leverage of any kind was not allowed, and the fund could not purchase paper proxies or derivatives. The approvals from the OSC were received in early 2002 and immediately after, in March of that year, BMGs first precious metals fund was launchedthe Millennium BullionFund (a tri-metal fund known today as the BMG BullionFund). BMG went on to launch two other funds: BMG Gold BullionFund in 2009 and BMG Silver BullionFund in 2016.

I initially expected that the fund would be supported and endorsed by mining companies, since it would be buying the product that mining companies produced. BMGs success would be their success, as the fund would increase demand for their product. As demand increased, so would the price of bullion, and correspondingly their share price.

Unfortunately, that was not the case. Mining companies were reluctant to recommend purchasing bullion to their investors because of their mistaken belief that it could negatively affect their future share issues.

I was also perplexed by the lack of interest that I received from retail financial advisors and portfolio managers. While I assumed that they understood that adding precious metals to a portfolio of stocks and bonds historically has reduced volatility and improved returns, their lack of understanding and ingrained negative biases was astonishing. Any manager with access to portfolio management software would have easily confirmed the benefits that I was trying to convey. I found that they simply did not want to invest any time to educate themselves on the history of gold and silver as monetary assets, nor on the benefits of bullion. Thus, many advisors and portfolio managers were reluctant to recommend the product to their clients. In addition, I found there were a lot of unfounded biases and deeply ingrained myths toward precious metals bullion among the management of the dealer firms.

For the past 20 years, BMG has been actively educating the investor community, as well as financial advisors and portfolio managers, on the benefits of precious metals in an investment portfolio. I have written a book, $10,000 GoldWhy Golds Inevitable Rise Is The Investors Safe Haven, that is available on Amazon, and we recently produced an audiobook. BMG also distributes a free weekly newsletter, the BullionBuzz, designed to keep investors informed and up-to-date on gold and the precious metals markets, which are not typically covered by the mainstream media. My relentless drive to educate the public has not been easy; in fact, it has been a bigger challenge than getting regulatory approval. I have thought long and hard about why there is such a lack of acceptance or interest in precious metals, and I have come up with many reasons why; a few stand out.

First, there isnt a single university-level course, other than that taught by the Mises Institute, that teaches the fundamentals of money.

Gold has been money for many thousands of years. Gold is mentioned repeatedly in the bible. Every civilization and every government in history has treasured gold. Western United States was built on the 49ers quest for gold. Its been said that gold is built into mans DNA. If you cant accept the thesis that gold is the ultimate money, then youre out of it and in denial. And most likely, you will not understand the coming big picture. Richard Russell

In addition, none of the MBA courses or regulated investment courses or portfolio management courses make any mention of gold, silver or platinum as a portfolio diversifier. Instead of evaluating the benefits of precious metals bullion, many advisors, portfolio managers and even pension funds have completely dismissed precious metals as an asset class.

Most advisors simply ignore precious metals as an asset class, because they believe that since precious metals do not pay any interest or dividends, analysts cant apply their models to evaluate price. Warren Buffetts attitude towards gold provides insight into this negative bias on gold. See his quote below:

Gold gets dug out of the ground in Africa, or someplace. Then we melt it down, dig another hole, bury it again and pay people to stand around guarding it. It has no utility. Anyone watching from Mars would be scratching their head.

The most important reason is that financial advisors and portfolio managers have not shed their biases: normalcy bias, cognitive dissidence and recency bias. The reason is that they are simply not old enough, and therefore lack the personal experience to truly understand precious metals.

If you dont own goldthere is no sensible reason other than you dont know history or you dont know the economics of it Ray Dalio

The average age of portfolio managers is currently 50 years old. This means they are likely to have started in the business in the 1990s. They have no direct knowledge or experience of the gold bull market of the 1970s; they were only 10 years old at that time. They primarily remember the bear market that lasted between 1980 and 2002, and thats it!

They have experienced a tech bubble followed by a crash in 2001. Many investors lost 70% of their portfolios when some of the biggest, most popular tech companies melted down.

In 2008, the real estate markets all over North America became a bubble and crashed. Many investors lost the majority of their investments, and some even lost their homes. Well-established REITs, such as the Dundee Dream Office REIT, lost 84% in just one year!

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world. People were ordered to stay home and to work remotely if possible. Businesses were ordered to shut down, and the financial economy tumbled to levels never imagined. The S&P 500 declined by 34% and the TSX by 37%. Thanks to central banks printing an enormous amount of new money and the worlds governments incurring massive amounts of debt, the markets have corrected to their previous highs. However, the markets, by all traditional measures, are more overvalued than ever before, and all the major currencies have been devalued. Many experts believe that the next leg down will be worse than 1929.

What investors, financial advisors and portfolio managers, as well as pension funds, seem to be missing is that since 2000, there has been a paradigm shift, and gold has risen on average 10% per year.

Most people adapt to and eventually extrapolate so they become overdone, which leads to shifts to new paradigms in which the markets operate more opposite than similar to how they operated during the prior paradigm. Ray Dalio

Since 2000, gold has been the best-performing asset class in six of the 20 years. Most portfolios would be lucky to have averaged a 5% return, and most pension funds require a 6% annual return to meet pension obligations. They would have done much better if they had simply held gold bullion.

Recently, with a triple bubble forming in stocks, bonds and real estate before the COVID-19 crisis, holding gold and silver became critical to preserving your wealth.

I am often asked, How much gold do I need?

To fully understand gold, you need to know that gold is money, and everything that is referred to as money is actually just debt. If you understand that gold is money and you keep it in a safe or a vault, you need to evaluate the risk/reward relationship of taking your moneygoldout of the vault and investing it by giving the proceeds to someone else. For that to make sense, you should be convinced that by liquidating your gold and investing it, you will eventually get more ounces of gold back than the ounces you invested. Unless that is the case, at a reasonable level of risk, you might as well leave the gold in the vault.

While the average since 2000 has been 10%, it was 19% in 2019 and 29% YTD. It has now surpassed the previous high of $2,000 per ounce, and many experts believe it will exceed $15,000 per ounce in the near future.

The most pronounced example of golds performance compared to equities is the comparison to Warren Buffetts company, Berkshire Hathaway. Since gold has outperformed Berkshire, it is highly unlikely that most financial advisors, portfolio managers or pension funds will outperform gold. In fact, the vast majority do not even outperform their indexes.

Gold has experienced some corrections since 2000. It fell 27% in 2012 and 11% in 2016. But these declines were far less painful than the tech crash of 2000 and the real estate crash of 2008. During those crashes, many investments declined to zero. It is important to remember that gold will never decline to zero.

With GDP poised to decline further because of the COVID-19 shutdowns, the enormous amount of currency that the worlds governments will have to borrow for financial aid and the endless printing of currency by the worlds central banks, it is very likely that the price of precious metals will rise significantly in the next few years. Apart from not losing money during the correction, investors should consider the strategy of only holding gold and silver until the correction completes. The opportunity will then be to redeploy some of the increased precious metals holdings into stocks, bonds and real estate at major discounts. At that time, it will be worth taking some gold or silver bullion out of the vault and investing at close to a bottom.

While it is a totally contrarian viewpoint, instead of talking about allocating 10%  20% to gold in your portfolio, start with 100%. If you determine that you should liquidate your gold, then you need to be sure that you will get more gold ounces in return than the gold ounces you are investing, at a reasonable level of risk. If that isnt the case, then it doesnt make sense to sell your gold, invest it in a financial asset and get less gold back.

By Nick Barisheff

www.bmgbullion.com

Nick Barisheff is the founder, president and CEO of Bullion Management Group Inc., a company dedicated to providing investors with a secure, cost-effective, transparent way to purchase and hold physical bullion. BMG is an Associate Member of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA).

Widely recognized as international bullion expert, Nick has written numerous articles on bullion and current market trends, which have been published on various news and business websites. Nick has appeared on BNN, CBC, CNBC and Sun Media, and has been interviewed for countless articles by leading business publications across North America, Europe and Asia. His first book $10,000 Gold: Why Golds Inevitable Rise is the Investors Safe Haven, was published in the spring of 2013. Every investor who seeks the safety of sound money will benefit from Nicks insights into the portfolio-preserving power of gold. www.bmgbullion.com

 2020 Copyright Nick Barisheff - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




Ethiopian Commercial Farms Weed Out Tropical Diseases

The Carter Center and Ethiopias Federal Ministry of Health are working together to protect migrant farmworkers from Guinea worm disease, river blindness, and lymphatic filariasis. Safe drinking water is trucked to the fields, and workers are offered education, water filters, and medication to prevent the diseases. (All photos: The Carter Center/R. Youngblood)

Programs to combat neglected tropical diseases usually are aimed at people in villages at the end of the road and occasionally in big cities where all roads lead. But laborers in the fields of large commercial farms in Ethiopias Gambella region are often neither here nor there, leaving them vulnerable to contracting, and in some cases spreading, debilitating diseases. While The Carter Center and Ethiopia Dracunculiasis Eradication Program have been working for decades to eliminate Guinea worm disease among agricultural laborers through behavior modification, the Center pioneered outreach to agricultural workers in the field for other diseases with a game-changing malaria project in 2013. Building on those successes, the Center and Ethiopias Federal Ministry of Health are seeking to eliminate river blindness, lymphatic filariasis (LF), and Guinea worm  a goal once thought impossible. "To achieve elimination, we must ensure everyone in endemic areas is protected, including people who travel from all over the country for temporary work on commercial farms," said Aderajew Mohammed, the Carter Center's Ethiopia health program director. "The Federal Ministry of Health is doing excellent work toward interrupting transmission of these diseases. We have a very good and effective working relationship with the ministry."

Obang Adhom, front left, relaxes with members of his Abate crew on the Mule commercial farm in Ethiopias Gambella region. They do the tough work of measuring and treating the farms 81 ponds on a rotating 28-day cycle to help eliminate Guinea worm disease.

Agricultural workers are at risk for Guinea worm disease due to the lack of safe sources of drinking water, as evidenced by a 2017 outbreak that arose from a contaminated pond on a commercial farm in Gambella region. Health agents and Carter Center-trained volunteers show the workers photos of Guinea worm cases, remind them to always filter water before drinking it, and tell them about a cash reward available for reporting suspected cases. "We dont want anyone drinking bad water and getting a Guinea worm," said Haile Teklay, manager of Gambellas sprawling Seife farm (which was not involved in the 2017 outbreak). "If our workers are not healthy, the planting and harvesting will stop, the crops will not be delivered, and the workers will not have income." Obang Adhom isnt going to let that happen on the neighboring Mule commercial farm, where he and his Guinea worm prevention team are stationed by invitation of the owner. There are 81 watering holes and ponds of various sizes on the vast farm, plus a large stagnant canal nearby. These reservoirs form a perfect breeding ground for Guinea worm disease. More than 30 are in hard-to-reach wooded areas. Adhom leads a Spartan encampment of men (26 during rainy season, 10 during dry season) who treat all of those water sources with measured amounts of Abate (donated by BASF), a chemical that kills Guinea worm larvae. Adhom developed and maintains a detailed rotating calendar to ensure every water source is treated every 28 days. The team has a hot, strenuous, dangerous job. The canal is teeming with crocodiles, the woods are full of snakes, and lions have strolled through the camp. "Its very hard work," Adhom said, but he is committed to it. He formerly was a Guinea worm volunteer in his home village but agreed to go to the farm to meet the need. "But I am here, and I will stay until they call me back to the village," he said.

At the Seife commercial farm in Ethiopias Gambella region, water is pumped from this human-dug pit and trucked out to watering stations for workers in the fields. The water is filtered to strain out water fleas that may carry Guinea worm larvae. Workers are also supplied with personal pipe filters that they wear around their necks.
Tesla's chief executive Elon Musk has suggested the U.S. electric carmaker may be able to mass-produce longer-life batteries with 50% more energy density in three to four years. "400 Wh/kg *with* high cycle life, produced in volume (not just a lab) is not far. Probably 3 to 4 years," Musk tweeted on Monday ahead of its anticipated "Battery Day" event where Tesla is expected to reveal how it has improved its battery performance.

Researchers have said the energy density of Panasonic's "2170" batteries used in Tesla's Model 3 is around 260Wh/kg, meaning a 50% jump from the current energy density which is key to achieving a longer driving range.

Tesla said its Battery Day will take place on the same day as its 2020 annual meeting of shareholders on Sept. 22.

The electric car manufacturer also showed a background image where a number of dots are clustered in line formations, sparking speculation among media and fans about what it will reveal at the event.

South Korean battery expert Park Chul-wan said the image may hint at "silicon nanowire anode," a breakthrough technology that can potentially increase both battery energy density and battery life sharply.

Panasonic Corp earlier told Reuters that it plans to boost the energy density of the original "2170" battery cells it supplies to Tesla by 20% in five years.

Tesla is also working with China's Contemporary Amperex Technology to introduce a new low-cost, long-life battery in its Model 3 sedan in China later this year or early next year, with the batteries designed to last for a million miles of use, Reuters reported in May.

A very "limited number of stockholders" will be able to attend the Sept. 22 events due to pandemic-related restrictions, Tesla said, and a lottery will be held to select attendees.
As chief communications officer, Hernandez will lead Kaiser Permanente's corporate brand and reputation, internal and external communications, media relations, issues management, executive communications, and digital and social media. As a member of the National Executive Team, she will serve as a key advisor to the chairman and chief executive officer on enterprise communications strategy and programs. The role reports to the KFHP/H executive vice president and chief administrative officer.

"The role of communications at Kaiser Permanente has never been more important given the changes affecting health care, our members, and our communities," said Greg A. Adams, chairman and chief executive officer. "Catherine has an impressive track record as a communications executive and Kaiser Permanente leader. She is strategic, highly collaborative, and brings the vision and commitment needed as we advance our mission in this new environment."

Hernandez will collaborate closely with functional and operational leaders across the organization, including regional communications and marketing leaders, to maximize and coordinate communications and brand strategies and programs enterprisewide.

With more than 30 years of communications and marketing experience, Hernandez has held several communications leadership roles throughout her 17 years at Kaiser Permanente. She has overseen communications for numerous significant strategies, ranging from the launch of Kaiser Permanente's electronic health record system, to acquisition and integration of the organization's Washington Region, to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Before joining Kaiser Permanente, Hernandez served in marketing and communications roles at Macy's, Internet Pictures Corporation (iPIX), and Vanstar. She also served for 4 years on the executive board of NO MORE, a global initiative dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault. She is a member of the Communications 50 and the Public Relations Society of America. Hernandez holds a bachelor's degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

For more information:

Hilary Costa

[email protected]

510-406-6654

About Kaiser Permanente

For 75 years, Kaiser Permanente has been committed to shaping the future of health and health care  and helping our members, patients, and communities experience more healthy years. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Since July 21, 1945, Kaiser Permanente's mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente

Related Links

http://www.kaiserpermanente.org


In February, Kiely agreed to plead guilty to a charge of attempted official misconduct, but with the understanding he could ask the court to withdraw the plea if he met the terms of the agreement within a six-month period. After hearing assurances from the probation department, the States Attorneys Office and Kielys attorneys that the terms had been satisfied, Judge Victoria Rossetti dismissed the charge Tuesday.
Troubled Swiss-Irish food group Aryzta received a boost ahead of its extraordinary general meeting (EGM) next month after corporate advisory group ISS backed its nomination for chairman.

The baked goods company has nominated Andreas Schmid as chairman, with Gary McGann due to step down from the role and from the board.

ISS has also recommended against the removal of Kevin Toland and Annette Flynn as members of the board of directors.

It comes as the demands of the activist shareholders in Aryzta, led by Swiss firm Veraison and Spain's Cobas, have dominated the agenda at Aryzta for much of this summer.

Between them they own more than 20pc of the company and have sought major change, notably the exit of four directors including Arytza chairman Gary McGann in a bid, they say, to lift the battered share price.

ISS said the dissidents made a "compelling" case, given that the board "seems to be tackling the companys challenges with too little urgency and additional board changes appear warranted."

ISS, which provides corporate governance advice to shareholders, also recommended that two of the activist shareholder nominees - Urs Jordi and Heiner Kamps - join the board.

Aryzta has said it will support two of the shareholder groups candidates provided they observe "either an established or a modified nominations process."
DALLAS, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dallas-based intellectual property and business litigation firm Caldwell Cassady & Curry is home to four seasoned attorneys who have been named in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Firm principals Brad Caldwell, Jason Cassady, Austin Curry, and Kevin Burgess all earned selection to Best Lawyers based on nominations from other attorneys who praised their work for clients in intellectual property litigation and patent litigation.

Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Cassady, and Mr. Curry were named in the annual guide to the nation's top attorneys for the fourth year in a row. Mr. Burgess has been selected to Best Lawyers for seven consecutive years.

Since last year's guide, all four attorneys earned repeat selections to the annual Texas Super Lawyers list among the state's best intellectual property litigators. Mr. Curry additionally was named as one of only six intellectual property lawyers in the country on Law360's annual Rising Stars list of the nation's top young attorneys.

Caldwell Cassady & Curry also was named to the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame by the publishers of Texas Lawyer newspaper based on the firm's victories in five of the top intellectual property verdicts in the state. One of those was a 2016 jury award of $302 million the firm won on behalf of VirnetX Inc. in a patent infringement lawsuit against technology giant Apple Inc.

The verdict in favor of VirnetX was later entered as a $439.8 million judgment in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. After unsuccessfully appealing to the U.S. District Court for the Federal Circuit, Apple responded with an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court. The nation's highest appellate court denied Apple's motion earlier this year.

Caldwell Cassady & Curry represents companies and individuals in high-stakes civil litigation, including patent infringement cases, trade secrets claims, fiduciary duty cases, class actions, and disputes involving company founders. The firm has tried and won some of the nation's top verdicts against the largest companies in the world. Learn more about the firm at www.caldwellcc.com.

For more information, contact Bruce Vincent at 214-763-6226 or [email protected].

SOURCE Caldwell Cassady & Curry

Related Links

https://caldwellcc.com


Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Joori Roh and Hyun Young Yi (Reuters) Seoul  Tue, August 25, 2020 12:49 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4045736 2 News South-Korea,travel,staycation,Bali-tourism Free

This time last year Yoon Seok-min, his wife Kim Hyo-jung and their two children were holidaying in the Philippines, Vietnam and Guam. A trip to Hawaii was on the cards for this summer.

Instead, as the global coronavirus pandemic has stymied overseas travel, the family, like other South Koreans, has turned to a new and extreme form of staycation: transforming their home into their favorite vacation spots.

Now, Kim and Yoon's five-bedroom apartment in Yongin city, south of Seoul, is decked out with potted palms and rattan furniture, bringing the breezy feel of the tropics indoors.

There are even different locales - the couple's bedroom is meant to resemble a Bali resort, while the living room has been designed on the lines of Hawaii.

"Since we can't travel abroad for some time because of the coronavirus, we tried to bring those vacation spots to our home," Kim said.

Yoon and Kim's elaborate home makeover cost them at least 80 million won ($67,464). The couple runs a furniture business, but they are not alone in investing in their home, as social distancing forces people indoors.

Hanssem Co Ltd, South Korea's largest home furnishing company, said that the number of houses they have refurbished in the second quarter of 2020 tripled from a year earlier, leading to a 172 percent jump in its consolidated operating profit.

Read also: Bali postpones plans to welcome international travelers in September

Home-camping with virtual campfire

Other couples considering extreme staycation ideas need not look so far afield for inspiration.

"Home-camping", where people set up camping gear and barbecue at home just as they would in the woods or on the beach, has also become popular in South Korea.

A recent spike in coronavirus cases and a monsoon that has lasted nearly two months, the country's longest on record, have spurred Che Min-hee and her husband Lee Seung-yoon to convert their Seoul flat into an indoor campsite.

They're now on their second weekend home-camping trip. With folding chairs, picnicware and at least 15 different types of twinkling lanterns, the couple settled in on a rainy Saturday evening to enjoy cooking gambas al ajillo, a Spanish garlic shrimp dish, and pasta on a portable stove.

A crackling campfire video streaming behind them on the television gave the scene an atmosphere of authenticity.

"We were supposed to go on a week-long trip to New York this summer, which we cancelled due to the prolonged coronavirus outbreak," said Che. "Instead we spent that money on camping gear, which cost us around 10 million won ($8,405)."

Che and Lee had to wait two to three months to purchase their tents, folding table and stove, as South Koreans, normally among the top ten spenders on tourism globally according to the World Bank, splurged on equipment to make up for missed overseas trips.

Sales of camping equipment from April to mid-July jumped 51.6 percent year-on-year, according to South Korea's retail giant E-Mart Inc.

South Korea called on people on Monday to avoid leaving home and to cancel any unnecessary trips, as it considers further tightening social distancing rules.

Lee says he fears these moves mean home-camping is the safest summer getaway this year.

The couple's 7-year-old son Lee Ji-sung is not complaining.

"My friends seem to be just playing games, but it's really nice that our family is doing something special," Ji-sung said.

"I think it would also be good if we can draw trees on the wall."
A cold night in May 2008 just before 2.30am. Not so cold that the three men in a tinnie off Bradleys Head hadn't had some luck. "Bread and butter fish", Nasser Farache describes the catch  bream, trevally and flatties taken on prawn and pilchard. Then came the bang.

Arguably it was one of the worst peacetime maritime tragedies on Sydney Harbour and now the bravery of the men who tried to save lives that night is to be officially recognised.

Ahmad Awik, Nasser Farache and Sam Oweck, went to the scene of a fatal boat accident at Bradleys Head. Credit:Janie Barrett

Sam Oweck from Guildford, also in the tinnie, called triple-zero at 2.37am. 'There's been a boat accident on the harbour," he said. "You need to get someone out here. Mate, there's heaps of people injured in the boat. They're badly injured."

The recording of his call was played at a court hearing two years later. He told the operator: "We picked this guy up from the water and there's people on the boat  I think that some of them are dead, mate."
I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write. -- Voltaire quoted by Noam Chomsky in his essay,

A few days ago, a virtual launch of a book titled Delhi Riots 2020 was vehemently protested by Indias left liberals, including by several prominent academics and writers. The book was authored by people sympathetic to right-wing views, especially with regard to the riots having been planned by the left.



This brought to mind the book-banning hysteria created some years ago by someone who was a known right-wing member. Between 2010 and 2014, Dina Nath Batra, a member of the RSS, sent various legal notices to book publishers raising objections to different publications of theirs. Of course, it was his action against US academic Wendy Donigers book, The Hindus, that caught everyones attention, and for which he became chiefly known.

In the case of The Hindus, and other actions initiated by Batra against various publications, the publishers often succumbed to the pressure and took the books off the shelves.

Batras arguments and objections seemed puerile, uninformed, half-baked and sensationalist to most people, especially people on the left. He could even rightly be seen as a crackpot. Reams were written on this form of right-wing censorship and suppression of the freedom of expression.

It was not hard to see that Batra was up to some form of theatrics and his objections seemed archaic, though in respect of The Hindus he had

Yet, it appeared to be a shock for most liberal Indians that such right-wing narrow-mindedness and brow-beating could attempt to muffle the voice of a respected academic.

Never mind the fact that Doniger had already been in the eye of controversy for a long while even back in 2014 and her writings were always considered a little scurrilous and discomfiting to her own colleagues in the western world.

A few years ago (2017), the US itself was rocked by -- and divided over -- the issue of speeches and presentations by right-wing representatives on college campuses. Several well-known colleges and universities, including University of California, Berkeley saw violent demonstrations and protests against the events. Interestingly, in 1964 Berkeley was

At another institution, the genteel liberal-arts bastion in the state of Vermont, Middlebury College, there were ugly scenes by students at the invitation of a right-wing speaker by a student group. This after the student group had invited a left-leaning Middlebury professor, Allison Stanger, to engage Murray [the right-wing speaker] in a public conversation following his talk -- Voltaire quoted by Noam Chomsky in his essay, His Right to Say It A few days ago, a virtual launch of a book titled Delhi Riots 2020 was vehemently protested by Indias left liberals, including by several prominent academics and writers. The book was authored by people sympathetic to right-wing views, especially with regard to the riots having been planned by the left.Among the panelists on the launch event was a person who is believed to have been the agent provocateur during the riots, which was unacceptable to those who opposed the launch. The protests forced the publisher, Bloomsbury, to discontinue the plan of the books publication.This brought to mind the book-banning hysteria created some years ago by someone who was a known right-wing member. Between 2010 and 2014, Dina Nath Batra, a member of the RSS, sent various legal notices to book publishers raising objections to different publications of theirs. Of course, it was his action against US academic Wendy Donigers book, The Hindus, that caught everyones attention, and for which he became chiefly known.In the case of The Hindus, and other actions initiated by Batra against various publications, the publishers often succumbed to the pressure and took the books off the shelves.Batras arguments and objections seemed puerile, uninformed, half-baked and sensationalist to most people, especially people on the left. He could even rightly be seen as a crackpot. Reams were written on this form of right-wing censorship and suppression of the freedom of expression.It was not hard to see that Batra was up to some form of theatrics and his objections seemed archaic, though in respect of The Hindus he had made a case of the book being a distorted and non serious presentation of Hinduism.Yet, it appeared to be a shock for most liberal Indians that such right-wing narrow-mindedness and brow-beating could attempt to muffle the voice of a respected academic.Never mind the fact that Doniger had already been in the eye of controversy for a long while even back in 2014 and her writings were always considered a little scurrilous and discomfiting to her own colleagues in the western world.A few years ago (2017), the US itself was rocked by -- and divided over -- the issue of speeches and presentations by right-wing representatives on college campuses. Several well-known colleges and universities, including University of California, Berkeley saw violent demonstrations and protests against the events. Interestingly, in 1964 Berkeley was home to the Free Speech Movement, with left-leaning students demanding the right to distribute anti-war literature.At another institution, the genteel liberal-arts bastion in the state of Vermont, Middlebury College, there were ugly scenes by students at the invitation of a right-wing speaker by a student group. This after the student group had invited a left-leaning Middlebury professor, Allison Stanger, to engage Murray [the right-wing speaker] in a public conversation following his talk



The last thing we who are on the left need to be doing is, behaving in exactly the intolerant and knee-jerk manner that the right behaves. Of course, it is reprehensible that one of the prime instigators of the Delhi riots was an invitee to the recent book event. But that same person is on a number of platforms on social media rather openly -- he finds great approval and admiration from right-wingers on videos and posts on Youtube, Facebook and Twitter. Should he be hounded out from all those platforms as well? That left-leaning professor, Stranger, was also physically assaulted in the student protests and she ended up writing a piece in the "New York Times" titled, Understanding the Angry Mob at Middlebury That Gave Me a Concussion.The last thing we who are on the left need to be doing is, behaving in exactly the intolerant and knee-jerk manner that the right behaves. Of course, it is reprehensible that one of the prime instigators of the Delhi riots was an invitee to the recent book event. But that same person is on a number of platforms on social media rather openly -- he finds great approval and admiration from right-wingers on videos and posts on Youtube, Facebook and Twitter. Should he be hounded out from all those platforms as well?

The last thing we who are on the left need to be doing is, behaving in exactly the intolerant and knee-jerk manner that the right behaves

The issue is that many on the left wing take so-called morally uncompromising positions, and if one may add, also emotionally-charged positions, the latter which they will not admit to. Just as all left-wingers are Marxists and Urban Naxals for the right wingers, so also those on the right are uniformly incorrigible bigots for the leftists.



But I do want to tell them two things: firstly that I propose, no matter what happens, to follow the determination of Dr Johnson in the pursuit of historical truth by the exposure of the Sacred Books so that the Hindus may know that it is the doctrines contained in their Sacred Books which are responsible for the decline and fall of their country and their society; secondly, if the Hindus of this generation do not take notice of what I have to say I am sure the future generation will. I do not despair of success.

For an individual who faced boycotts all his life, Dr Ambedkar chose to use his scholarship, his erudition and his penetrating intellect to provide counter-arguments. It needs a certain degree of magnanimity of spirit to be able to transcend bitterness and animosity to respond with such pragmatism and hope. This was Dr Ambedkars way of communication with those who considered him as their foe; even his Annihilation of Caste was a way of keeping the dialog going despite the Hindu organization, the Jat-Pat-Todak Mandal, shutting him off.

One need not pander to the ways and pretensions of the utterly condemnable behaviour indulged in by the right-wing elements. But, somehow, a big-hammer strategy of boycott and outrage does not help if there are not larger, more coherent visions to make the other side see reason. Movements like the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and the BDS effort out of Palestine do employ boycott as a powerful tool. Boycotting of English goods was a strategy used in the Indian freedom process. Yet, those battles were conceived with some idea of a plan and wider understanding of the struggle and end goals.

The Delhi Minorities Commission has put out a comprehensive

It is also the grave matter of assertion of an ideology that is inegalitarian, an ideology that is rooted in social hierarchy, the diminution and devaluation of some human beings as opposed to others - and, consequently, committed to the perpetuation of the caste system.

Ad hoc, churlish actions such as a call for a boycott here or a petition there will not take on what the country is facing in the form of an assertive, social-media driven new Hindutva, which is also hydra-headed. The challenge has to be met head on at a minimum of two levels -- on the ground and in the intellectual sphere, in terms of countering disinformation campaigns and promoting some form of social harmony assertions.

-- But, for a lot of leaders in this country, the path of undiluted condemnation and censure was not the way forward when faced with two mutually antagonistic communities. Despite the injustice that Dr Ambedkar saw in the Hindu system, despite the hatred he faced from many in the Hindu community, he still held out hope that at least the future generation of Hindus would understand him. As he wrote in the Preface to his book, Who Were the Shudras?, while addressing his Hindu critics:For an individual who faced boycotts all his life, Dr Ambedkar chose to use his scholarship, his erudition and his penetrating intellect to provide counter-arguments. It needs a certain degree of magnanimity of spirit to be able to transcend bitterness and animosity to respond with such pragmatism and hope. This was Dr Ambedkars way of communication with those who considered him as their foe; even his Annihilation of Caste was a way of keeping the dialog going despite the Hindu organization, the Jat-Pat-Todak Mandal, shutting him off.One need not pander to the ways and pretensions of the utterly condemnable behaviour indulged in by the right-wing elements. But, somehow, a big-hammer strategy of boycott and outrage does not help if there are not larger, more coherent visions to make the other side see reason. Movements like the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and the BDS effort out of Palestine do employ boycott as a powerful tool. Boycotting of English goods was a strategy used in the Indian freedom process. Yet, those battles were conceived with some idea of a plan and wider understanding of the struggle and end goals.The Delhi Minorities Commission has put out a comprehensive report on the Delhi riots. For starters, that can be utilized to build a case and a narrative against the right-wing propaganda. A concerted plan to resist, oppose and counter Hindutva-inspired bigotry certainly makes sense. It is high time the left got its act together. It is not just an issue of communalism, that is, the pitting of two religious communities and the triumphalism of one.It is also the grave matter of assertion of an ideology that is inegalitarian, an ideology that is rooted in social hierarchy, the diminution and devaluation of some human beings as opposed to others - and, consequently, committed to the perpetuation of the caste system.Ad hoc, churlish actions such as a call for a boycott here or a petition there will not take on what the country is facing in the form of an assertive, social-media driven new Hindutva, which is also hydra-headed. The challenge has to be met head on at a minimum of two levels -- on the ground and in the intellectual sphere, in terms of countering disinformation campaigns and promoting some form of social harmony assertions.--

*Writer based in Delhi NCR
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Against a backdrop of racial justice protests nationwide, a group of borough organizations have teamed up to host a weekly screening of Black-empowerment films in Stapleton and provide various services to edu-tain Staten Island, says the events sponsor, Roc-A-Natural CEO Dorcas Meyers.

The recent protests, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, inspired Meyers to create an event of her own, and Sheldon Lewis -- another event partner -- suggested the idea of hosting free movie viewings that will enlighten Staten Islanders about African-American history and the Black experience in America.

I feel like were doing something, Meyers said. Diversity is key.

They dubbed the event Taking it to the Streets Friday Night Movies. The films include Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise, The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, and Whose Streets, which aired at the event series opening night Friday.

More than 50 people attended the Friday night kick-off. Social-distancing was key, and attendees were required to bring their own chairs, which were safely spaced from others. Masks were also required.

Building on the idea of the film-showing, Meyers also added civic engagement opportunities, including resource tables with information about the US Census, voter registration and doula certification, which allows women to become trained childbirth professionals.

Taking it to the Streets is a result of the efforts of many sponsors and donors such as the Central Family Life Center, Together Brothers Inc., National Council of Negro Women, Richmond County Black Minority Chamber of Commerce, Empowerment Zone, SI Black Heritage, Harriet Tubman Purple Hats Society Inc., SI Alliance for North Shore Children and Families, Stapleton U.A.M.E. Church and radio hosts, Carol Hooper and Kitty the DJ from Maker Park Radio, who provided technical support for the event.

Rev. Demetrius Carolina, the executive director of the Central Family Life Center and pastor of the First Central Baptist Church, said he immediately jumped onboard after hearing about the event because of his goal of bringing various groups together.

All of the best ideas come to fruition when communities come together, Rev. Carolina said. He said that he hopes this event and many others will inspire our community to continue to work together and understand that we are stronger together.

A meet-the-candidates segment is also part of the event series, to introduce the community to those who are running for the North Shore City Council seat in 2021, when Councilwoman Debi Rose is term-limited out.

Candidates Kelvin Richards and Selina Grey both spoke at Fridays kick-off event. Upcoming events will feature candidates Morounranti Ogunleye, Amoy Barnes and Troy McGhie.

Richards, an attorney and public defender, explained his aim to focus on education, transportation and economic growth if elected to office. He said that events like these promote unity.

I know the pandemic has been very stressful, Richards began. But at least it shows that were coming back together gradually and I want us to work together as a community.

Grey, who has previously worked alongside Rose, discussed her plan to focus on housing, healthcare and education, as well as her interest in promoting women. She said events like these show that theres a sense of community and that it is a great opportunity for attendees to learn about the candidates.

Coming out and meeting your neighbors and having these conversations - catching up in a safe environment, I think is very important, Grey said.

The event was described as an excellent way to educate the community, by both Minnie Graham and Jennifer Watkins, partners with Staten Island Black Heritage.

What we want now and hope is that this Friday night show of movies will be about empowering members of our community to become civically engaged, Graham said.

Watkins, who also works as a social worker with Project Hospitality, invited homeless youth to the event to empower them and steer them in the right direction.

Another member of the audience, Celeste Cox, said the event provides a space to engage safely with different people, different organizations, all with one common goal.

Im hoping for more collaboration between the North Shore and South Shore in order to work as an island, she said. We are more alike than different.

The Taking it to the Street movies are shown at the First Central Baptist Church parking lot at 117 Wright St. in Stapleton every Friday until Sept. 4 from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

The first 20 minutes are dedicated to candidates running for the North Shore City Council seat, to explain their plans if elected.

Attendees must reserve their spots in advance, as the lot can only seat 75 people. Bathrooms are available across from the lot in the church and free snacks and popcorn will be provided.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SparkMeter, a provider of grid management services, equipment, and software solutions that increase access to reliable electricity in underserved communities across Africa, Asia and the Americas, announced today the closing of an $12 million Series A financing. The round was led by Clean Energy Ventures and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, alongside Goodwell Investments, in partnership with Alitheia Capital, Total Energy Ventures, and other notable investors. The latest funding will allow SparkMeter to launch its new Digital Solutions offering, connecting smart grid data insights to business operations for large electricity distribution utilities in emerging markets.

"The team at SparkMeter has developed a disruptive, low-cost and highly impactful grid management solution, enabling utilities in developing countries to simultaneously improve electricity access and mitigate carbon emissions," said Daniel Goldman, co-founder and Managing Director of Clean Energy Ventures and SparkMeter Board Member. "Close to one billion people globally live without access to electricity while another billion have unreliable access, and we have an obligation to address this inequity sustainably and cost-effectively. Our team at Clean Energy Ventures believes that SparkMeter's solution has the potential to mitigate over 2.5 gigatons of CO 2 e between now and 2050 if widely deployed."

In emerging markets, microgrid and distribution utilities often struggle with electricity and revenue loss due to non-payment, load management challenges, and sub-optimal customer service. SparkMeter's low-cost combination of patented two-way meter communication and smart grid software designed specifically for hard-to-reach and low-consumption end-users improves load management, customer services, and billing. The company is currently operating in over 25 countries with over 100,000 meters sold, with more locations added every day.

"The lack of access to reliable electricity is a major barrier to economic advancement and empowerment across the globe, and SparkMeter is enabling the deployment of smart grids in these markets to allow utilities to provide better service and thus operate more sustainably," said Dan Schnitzer, co-founder and CEO of SparkMeter. "With SparkMeter's new Digital Solutions offering backed by the company's proprietary technology, utilities can now go even further towards improving their operations with the market-leading data collection, advanced analytics and grid management tools we provide."

Along with the latest round of financing, SparkMeter is launching Digital Solutions to help large incumbent distribution utilities digitalize their operations, assess areas for improvement, and deploy customized algorithms and solutions to improve business performance. Many distribution utilities around the world have poor visibility into their distribution systems because they do not combine grid edge data with digital models to measure their performance. SparkMeter's Digital Solutions not only provides this visibility, the service goes even further - enabling utilities to avoid system capital upgrades through customized solutions including non-wires alternatives like distributed energy resources and load management. As SparkMeter expands its market presence across Africa and Asia, its Digital Solutions offering opens up opportunities for distribution utilities globally to improve their financial and environmental sustainability through the data analytics provided by SparkMeter.

"With utility companies in developing countries struggling to provide power to their communities in a sustainable and profitable way, SparkMeter can assist them in responding to demand, providing greater power reliability and serving as a gateway to clean energy," said Carmichael Roberts of Breakthrough Energy Ventures. "We're excited about SparkMeter's specialized grid management solution, which is well on its way to driving a step-change improvement in emerging markets over the next decade."

"In Africa, equitable energy access is top of mind for many local communities, and therefore a growing focus for our uMunthu Fund. SparkMeter's technology has the potential to revolutionize how we address electricity access in markets like Nigeria and Kenya," said Mobola da-Silva, Investment Principal at Alitheia Capital, Goodwell Investments West Africa partner. "We are extremely pleased to be SparkMeter's first major investor in Africa and look forward to supporting the company to expand and reach its business and social impact goals across the continent."

SparkMeter has also received funding from Lateral Capital, Schmidt Family Foundation, Incite Capital, Powerhouse Fund, Shell Foundation, Factor[e], The E8 Fund, and other investors.

About SparkMeter

SparkMeter, founded in 2013, provides grid-management solutions tailored to emerging markets, where 2.1 billion people live without reliable electricity access. Our simple plug-and-play solution enables microgrids and distribution utilities operating in remote locations to access a range of features  flexible billing, customer communications, and remote monitoring and control  that improve their operations and help them achieve financial sustainability.

SOURCE SparkMeter

Related Links

http://www.sparkmeter.io


You Are Guaranteed Full Privacy Germany VPS Hosting servers to be more stable and reliable in comparison to other servers. It has both Linux VPS and Windows-based Cheap VPS Hosting. Both are Operating System Can Load Within One-Click. Our Cheap VPS Server hosting services also concern your web interface privacy issues. You would do all you can to manage your privacy in the most comfortable way possible.

Intensive Commitment and Resources

Germany based Cheap VPS Hosting is both flexible and resource-consuming. They can also prove to be excellent Option to choose the multiple Operating Systems such as Windows 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, CentOs, Debian, Ubuntu, and Custom OS. Indeed, a broad selection of commercial and personal campaigns can be conducted on your website. It would help if you to get the best suitable server hosting plans for Online Tally, Vici dialer Application, Android Apps Server, iSO Application, Gaming Software, E-Commerce Website, and CMS.

Managed and Unmanaged Hosting Solutions

You must realize that Germany VPS Server provides two different types if you make every effort to understand the hosting strategies as they are. One hosting system is much managed, and the other hosting solutions are unmanaged Cheap VPS Hosting.

Onlive Server provides the Hypervisor KVM and cloud computing services that is eventually like the entire website development and the website-related digital marketing part.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.



SOURCE Onlive Server

Related Links

https://www.germanyserverhost.com


The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Latin America

Nationwide strike by Education workers in Haiti

Teachers unions in Haiti announced last Wednesday that they would carry out a national protest strike beginning August 24 to demand better working conditions and in opposition to the victimization of militant teachers.

Since classes began on August 10 teachers and students at both public and private schools have engaged in a series of demonstrations and rallies over wages, back pay and promised health measures in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday, August 17, hundreds of high school students from the Lycee Pinchinnat, in the southern city of Jacmel, marched alongside their teachers.

Uruguay: Education workers protest

Education workers launched a week of protests against budget cuts. On Thursday, the National Federation of Secondary School Teachers carried out a protest demanding that the Uruguayan government assign six percent of the gross national product to education. The week-long mobilization was called by the Education Union Federation.

In addition to demanding that the education budget be increased to six percent of GDP, the teacher unions are demanding an end to austerity measures that are cutting public services across Uruguay.

Uruguays government, under President Luis Lacalle Pou, is proposing budget cuts of 15 percent relative to 2019 to erase the fiscal deficit, currently 5.5 percent of GDP, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazils Homeless Movement (Movimiento Sin Tierra, MST) protests government evictions

Homeless workers are pushing back with the creation of a resistance camp, to provide refuge and push back against the policies of the government of President Bolsonaro to terrorize homeless families. We are learning how to become stronger, declared MST leader Tuira Tule; this land is ours and we will not give up one centimeter.

Last Wednesday hundreds of police invaded the city of Campo do Meio, in Minas Gerais State, to expel 450 homeless families from the Quilombo Campo Grande camp. Many of these families had been expelled from another homeless camp in July.

MST leader Tuira Tule pointed out that the expulsions have become the new normal for landless workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paraguay workers stage protest over government corruption and COVID response

On August 14 hundreds of workers marched and rallied in Asuncion, Paraguays capital, in opposition to government corruption and against the way that the government of President Mario Abdo Benitez is handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

The demonstrators marched from Democracy Square to the Ministry of Commerce, demanding the resignation of Benigno Lopez, who heads that ministry. They also demanded that the government make use of 1.6 billion dollars to fight the pandemic, specifically to provide hospitals and clinics with much needed medical supplies and equipment.

One of the main demands of the march was a call for levying heavy taxes on the Paraguayan plutocracy and large landowners.

United States

Portland, Oregon grocery workers demand restoration of pandemic bonus pay

Workers at the New Season Market Concordia store in Portland, Oregon, held a demonstration August 20 demanding the reinstatement of their Thank You bonus pay, which was terminated back on June 30. The pay amounted to $150 for full-time employees and $100 for part-time workers per bi-weekly pay check.

New Seasons marketing director Julie Teune, in denying a restoration of the bonus, told Street Roots, While we dont share our financials, we can confirm that expenses related to COVID-19, including Thank You bonuses, have had a significant impact on the financial state of the company.

Workers at the store set up a meeting with the grocery chains CEO, Forrest Hoffmaster, to present him with a petition containing 7,000 signatures backing their demands, but were stood up. Workers are also seeking a further limitation on the number of customers currently allowed in the store at one time.

According to company statistics, nine workers at six separate New Seasons stores have contracted COVID-19. Grocery workers in Portland have also staged protests at Whole Foods and Green Zebra Grocery, where workers walked off the job on July 31.

Canada

Dominion grocery workers in Newfoundland strike

Thirteen hundred low-wage workers at 11 Dominion food retail stores across Newfoundland and Labrador began a strike on August 22 after overwhelmingly rejecting a tentative agreement recommended by the Unifor union. Workers have been without a contract for the past 11 months. Designated as essential workers, they have continued working through the entirety of the pandemic that began in March.

In June, Loblaw Companies Limited, the parent group of the Dominion chain, ended their short-lived $2 per hour pandemic pay increase for the portion of front-line staff eligible for the payment. The rejected contract offer only provided for a miserable $1 per hour raise spread over the next three years.

Workers have not received a contractual pay increase since early 2018. In 2019, management cut more than 60 full-time positions. Today, over 80 percent of the Dominion workforce are low-wage part-time employees with virtually no benefits. The Loblaw conglomerate is the largest retail food distributor in Canada, employing 200,000 workers. It is owned by the Weston family, the third-wealthiest family in the country, with an estimated net worth of $7 billion.
Before the pandemic, many essential workers were already struggling to afford Tahoe, motoring long distances  often through heavy snow  to keep the tourism powerhouse humming.

Now, the regions housing crisis has only gotten worse, with Bay Area transplants driving up home prices and rents amid the coronavirus pandemic. But in downtown Truckee one developer hopes that an urban-style neighborhood built in an old railyard can help house workers scrambling for shelter.

After 15 years of planning, the Truckee Railyard project, which will eventually include as many as 600 homes  a mix of affordable and market rate units  is under construction on a 38-acre property just east of downtown. The first piece of the development is 77 affordable units targeting low-income artists. The units will target a range of incomes, with the cheapest studio going for about $400 a month and the largest three-bedroom for about $1,500.

In addition to the $28 million loft complex, the developer has invested $30 million in new infrastructure.

The project, expected to open in April, is being built with modular units from Factory OS on Mare Island in Vallejo and trucked over the Donner Pass.

The hope is that the Railyard project will relieve some of the pressure on the Tahoe housing market and reduce traffic, while making downtown Truckee more vibrant, according to master developer Rick Holliday.

The Railyard plan also calls for a theater, office space and 50,000 square feet of retail, including New Moon Natural Foods, which will relocate from a few miles away.

Most of the housing developed over the past 20 years in and around Truckee has been for vacation or retirement homes. Those projects have gobbled up much of the available open space and prompted town officials to look to downtown Truckee where vast railyards and a lumberyard presented an opportunity to build a new sort of housing  denser multifamily condos and apartments serving full-time residents.

Railyard project manager Jason Hansford said that the transition into denser downtown housing was inevitable.

We have reached the boundaries of suburbia and now everything is closing in, he said. Its a mind-set change. If I cant have my three-bedroom house, where can I live?

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.

Next to the railyards is a lumberyard where fourth-generation owner Andrew Cross is repurposing a pair of 1940s-era sheds for retail, office space and possible housing in a subsequent phase. Cross has built a new lumberyard out by the airport.

Moving a 100-year-old business is a monumental feat, but it feels like the right thing to do, said Cross, president of Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Co. Downtown should be for housing, restaurants, apartments, office buildings, coffee shops.

Siobhan Smart, who owns the historic Wagon Train Cafe in downtown Truckee, originally filed a lawsuit to block the Railyard project. But after some compromises on traffic and drainage issues, she made peace with the development and now is a supporter of the project and Holliday.

This is what we wanted  housing in the downtown core, she said. The fact that (Holliday) stayed after all the crap I put him through is the testament to the content of his character.

J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen
Investigators are asking the public for help in identifying suspects in the case of an 11-year-old girl killed by a stray bullet on the Northeast Side earlier this month.

On Aug. 15, Donita Elizabeth Henry-Phillips was fatally struck while she and her family  including six other children and an adult  were driving at about 6 p.m. in the 5500 block of Walzem Road, San Antonio police said.
Advertisement

Louisiana and Texas are bracing for Tropical Storm Laura to hit as a potential category three hurricane, just 48 hours after being battered by storm Marco.

On Monday Tropical Storm Marco made landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana around 6pm CDT, and it'll bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

Following right behind is Tropical Storm Laura, which could grow into a supercharged Category 3 hurricane with winds topping 105mph and a vicious surge that could swamp entire towns.

Laura is forecast to make landfall on Wednesday.

Texas and Louisiana have issued states of emergency and residents are evacuating or moving to higher ground to avoid the wrath of the storm that has spiraled past Hispaniola, where it killed at least 12 people according to AFP - three in the Dominican Republic and nine in Haiti.

Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas declared a state of emergency for 23 counties and more than 300,000 people in East Texas are being told to evacuate.

In Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency on Friday and President Donald Trump approved a federal request for help.

This NOAA satellite image shows Tropical Storm Laura moving south of Cuba (right) and Tropical Storm Marco in the US Gulf Coast (above)

This map shows how Tropical Storm Laura is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and slam Louisiana and Texas on Wednesday evening before weakening and spiraling back out to the East Coast

In Morgan City, Louisiana locals filled sandbags to prepare for the arrival of rains and floods from Tropical Storm Marco and the potential wrath of Tropical Storm Laura, which is forecast to become a hurricane

People stand in long lines before entering Costo to pick up supplies as they prepare for Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday

Paul Humphrey, of New Orleans, loads plywood into his truck, to board a friend's home in preparation for the storms Sunday

Tropical Storm Laura damaged this street in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Sunday and killed at least 12 people in Hispaniola

People move their belongings through the floods caused by the passage of Storm Laura in Azua, Dominican Republic Sunday

Mandatory evacuations were issued Sunday for several communities along the coastline. The Louisiana National Guard is preparing for the blow by mobilizing 98 high water vehicles and 55 boats for response efforts.

Shelters opened with socially distanced cots designed to curb the spread of COVID-19. Edwards urged evacuees to stay with relatives or in hotels.

'Our sights are on Laura now,' Edwards said in a news briefing. 'It has the potential to be a major hurricane.'

Laura developed in the Atlantic a couple hundred miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands on Friday, breaking a record for the earliest L-named storm on record in the basic. The previous L storm record was held by Luis which formed on August 29, 1995, according to Accuweather.

One of Lauras fatal victims was a 10-year-old girl whose home was hit by a tree and a mother and young son who were crushed by a collapsing wall.

By early Monday the storm strengthened near Cuba with wind speeds of 60 mph moving west-northwest at 20ph, after drenching Hispaniola and leaving hundreds of thousands without power.

Tropical storm force winds from Laura will hit 130mph, according to this forecast, hitting Louisiana and Texas on Wednesday

Laura will bring extreme risks to lives and property in Southern Louisiana and through Sunday is anticipated to bring downpours, flash flooding, rip currents and gusty winds affecting Louisiana, East Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi

The storm will bring heavy rainfall through Sunday affecting a slew of states reaching up towards Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania

The cone of the probable path of the storm sees Laura making landfall late Wednesday and bringing heavy rain up north

Now the South is bunkering down and bracing for the blow.

'This is unlike anything we have seen, with two [storms] expected to impact our state nearly back to back,' Gov. Edwards said referring to Marco and Laura Sunday. 'This may mean that people will have to shelter in place for more than 72 hours and that there may not be time to do things like restore lost power between the two storms.'

Shrimp trawlers and fishing boats were tied up in a Louisiana harbor and red flags warned swimmers to stay away from the pounding surf.

In Louisianas Cameron Parish mandatory evacuation orders were issued for much of the area as officials warned seawater pushed inland by the storm would submerge small coastal communities.

In coastal areas residents have moved their possessions to higher ground and filled andbags.

'Right now were right in the bullseye but that could change,' Jeff Benoit, the owner of B&O Kitchen and Grocery, a restaurant and Cajun food store in Lake Charles, said.

Curious residents of Key West, Florida flock to the Edward B. Knight Pier Monday to witness the wind and wave action of Laura as the storm passes well to the west of the Florida Keys

Storm surges go over a seawall in Key West, Florida as Tropical Storm Laura quickly approaches the region

Locals and tourists alike gather to watch storm surges go over the seawall at the United States Southern Most Point in Key West on Monday

Flooded waters in Key West, Florida pictured above from storm surges as Tropical Storm Laura approaches the region

A Home Depot in Key West, Florida is seen nearly empty and with plenty of lumber available as locals bunker down to brace for the storm

The iconic Sloppy Joe's restaurant and bar is seen with sand backs blocking its doors from storm surges in Key West Monday

The Louisiana National Guard is preparing for the blow by mobilizing 98 high water vehicles and 55 boats for response efforts

A view of Louisiana National Guard high water vehicles and boats pictured above bracing for the storms

'Its just a matter of putting up some meats, making sure thats secure, best I can, anyway, and get the heck out of here,' he added.

In some districts in-person classes and virtual school sessions were cancelled.

In Port Arthur Texas, Mayor Thurman Bartie said hell ask the citys more than 54,000 residents to evacuate starting at 6am on Tuesday unless the forecast changes.

'If you decide to stay, youre staying on your own,' Bartie said.

In Houston officials asked residents to stock up on supplies in case they lose power for a few days or need to evacuate homes along the coast.

Forecasters posted a hurricane watch from Port Bolivar, Texas, to Morgan City, Louisiana, a tropical storm watch from Port Bolivar to San Luis Pass, Texas, and from Morgan City to the mouth of the Mississippi, where a collapsing Marco made landfall around 6pm local time.

Much of the region was also put under a storm surge watch. Forecasters warned of storm surge as high as 11 feet in western Louisiana. Add to that four to 10 inches of rain expected when Laura arrives starting late Wednesday.

Energy companies moved to cut production at US Gulf Coast oil refineries on Monday after shutting half the area's offshore crude oil output and evacuating employees as back-to-back storms Marco and Laura take aim at the coast.

The Interior Department said Monday that 281 platforms had been evacuated by around midday. Thats nearly half of those normally with workers on site.

The department estimated that 82 percent of oil production and 57 percent of natural gas production in the Gulf has been shut down.

Producers have shut more than 1 million barrels per day of Gulf Coast offshore oil production, 9 per cent of the nation's total output.

Energy companies moved to cut production at US Gulf Coast oil refineries on Monday after shutting half the area's offshore crude oil output and evacuating employees as back-to-back storms Marco and Laura take aim at the coast. The Interior Department said Monday that 281 platforms had been evacuated by around midday. Thats nearly half of those normally with workers on site. The Valero Refinery pictured in Port Arthur, Texas above

Waves splash at the seafront Malecon during the passage of Tropical Storm Laura in Havana, Cuba on Monday

A man walks with two goats through a flooded street after the passage of Storm Laura, in Azua, Dominican Republic Sunday

Motiva Enterprises on Monday started preparations to idle its large Port Arthur, Texas, crude oil refinery, said people familiar with plant operations. Total SA also reduced production at its refinery in the same city, according to people familiar with its operation.

Gulf Coast refiners and offshore producers account for 45 per cent of all US oil processing and 17 per cent of oil output.

Vessel traffic was closed at the Ports of New Orleans, Baton Rouge and from the lower Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, the largest Gulf Coast oil-export facility, also halted operations at its marine terminal on Sunday.

Other refineries, including Exxon Mobil, Valero Energy and Royal Dutch Shell, are planning to maintain operations at Louisiana plants as the first cyclone arrives on Monday, people familiar with those refineries said. Storm Marco is expected to drop up to five inches of rain along the Louisiana coast.
With assembly elections slated to be held in October  November this year, political rumblings have started in Bihar.

Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi who recently created a flutter in Bihar politics by announcing his departure from the Mahagathbandhan, on Tuesday, termed RJD Chief Lalu Yadav anti- Dalit.

"It is a fact that he (Lalu Yadav) is a real villain as he cannot see any Dalit leader growing. He played a key role in my removal as Chief Minister in 2015. He is anti- Dalit," Manjhi said.

Manjhi, considered a strong Mahadalit leader in Bihar, is the only MLA from his party. He had floated Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) in 2015 and joined the NDA after he was ousted from the JD(U) for rebelling against Nitish Kumar, who had installed him as the Chief Minister of Bihar. In March 2018, he joined the grand alliance led by RJD.

However, after his differences with RJD on the issue of coordination committee last week he walked out of the opposition coalition in Bihar. The grand alliance comprises RJD, Congress, Upendra Kushwahas RLSP and Mukesh Sahanis Vikasheel Insan Party.

When asked about partys plans, HAM leaders in Patna said that Manjhi has been authorized to decisions on the issue.

"His decision will be acceptable to everyone in the party. All these issues will be finalized by the end of this month," HAM spokesperson Danish Rizwan told this newspaper.

Reports suggest that after quitting the grand alliance, he is in touch with other political parties and also exploring the possibility to become a part of the NDA in Bihar. Sources said that he has also discussed the issue with Jan Adhikar Party leader Pappu Yadav.

"Being a strong Dalit leader, he has always been an important factor in Bihar politics. He has been in touch with several political parties which include Asaduddin Owaisis AIMIM and JAP led by Pappu Yadav. Veteran political leader Yashwant Sinha who is trying to form a third front ahead of Bihar polls has also approached him. But in my view, he may return to NDA fold after joining hands with JD(U). He is expected to make a formal announcement on August 30," a HAM insider told this newspaper.
Principals have reported significant problems hiring substitute teachers to plug staffing gaps as some schools prepare to reopen this week.

A survey of 124 secondary schools highlights how 98pc of respondents said they faced difficulties hiring substitute teachers in the past 12 months.

"This will undoubtedly pose problems in the coming months should the need [to hire substitute teachers] arise due to absences, and there will be a need for funding from the Department of Education," Adrian Power, president of the Principals and Deputy Principals Association (PDA), said.

The survey, carried out by the PDA and Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI), cited pay discrimination as a significant barrier to recruiting staff.

It also found that nearly half of schools had issues finding builders and contractors to carry out the necessary works to enable social distancing.

The Irish Independent previously reported how some schools faced delays in reopening, as they were obliged to engage in a tender process for any building work. Schools had to obtain three quotes for any minor works needed and retain documentary evidence, whether received in writing or over the phone.

"By their very nature, schools are innovative places, but the recalibration of classrooms and buildings has proved massively challenging, so it is likely that some schools will require flexibility in terms of opening dates," Mr Power said.

"The preference of teachers has always been a return to face-to-face teaching... but this must, of course, be done in a safe manner."

The online survey was carried out last week. Along with concerns about hiring new teachers due to absence levels caused by Covid-19, many principals said they were worried about the health of some staff.

More than 70pc of principals who took part in the survey said they were aware of staff who lived with family members with underlying health issues, and 66pc said they have teachers in the high-risk category.

TUI general secretary Michael Gillespie said: "The survey findings highlight most schools will have teachers with underlying health issues that put them in the high-risk category and also teachers who live with family who have underlying health issues making them vulnerable in terms of Covid-19.

"Our members have a range of justified concerns in this regard and we will continue to raise them on an ongoing basis with the department."
Public health officials in Nantucket have sounded the alarm after a beach party attended by many young people last week led to at least two people contracting the coronavirus.

The COVID-19 cases were connected to the Aug. 17 party, the town of Nantucket Health Department and Nantucket Cottage Hospital announced in a joint statement Monday.

Contact tracing is underway, and authorities are encouraging anyone who attended the party to get tested for the virus at Nantucket Cottage Hospital as soon as possible.

In its statement about the beach party, the health department noted that recent events highlight the need for renewed vigilance in the island community. Efforts to stave off transmission of the coronavirus on Nantucket must continue, officials said.

Residents on the island have been urged for months to take proper public health precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including wearing masks, practicing social distancing and refraining from gathering in large groups, which pose a significant risk of transmission, according to authorities.

This type of irresponsible behavior during the pandemic threatens the relative safety our island community has enjoyed over the past six months during this public health crisis, the Nantucket Health Department and Nantucket Cottage Hospital said in their statement.

As of Aug. 19, Nantucket had 34 confirmed COVID-19 patients, and fewer than five of the cases had been reported in the previous two weeks.

Statewide, 116,421 coronavirus patients and 8,717 COVID-19-linked deaths have been identified in the commonwealth as of Monday, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Related Content:
Three weeks from the supposed end of Stage Four lockdown and Melburnians still have no idea when they can get back to their lives.

Australia's worst-hit state had easily its best day since the second wave of coronavirus with just 116 new cases detected on Monday, then 140 on Tuesday.

But Premier Daniel Andrews still refuses to say whether the punishing restrictions will be extended - and how long Stage Three will continue after that.

Instead, he announced he would push for the State of Emergency to be extended for for another year, giving his government the power to impose health orders on a whim.

Melburnians are only allowed grocery shopping trips and one hour of exercise a day, both within 5km of their homes

One police officer is the only person wandering around Collins Street in the CBD with everyone else banned from being outside

This is no comfort at all for small businesses desperately clinging to life, staff indefinitely stood down, and families longing to be reunited.

The premier's rhetoric indicated that even if Melbourne gets out of Stage Four on time, it will be stuck in lockdown for weeks or months longer.

'A day is like a month with this thing. I think the strategy is working, we're going to defeat this second wave. And then we'll be able to begin the process of opening up,' he said on Sunday.

'Exactly when that is, we can't give people a definitive date. The exact case number, we can't really provide that either because, you know, we've just got to keep pushing as much as we can.

'But I think that we can aim to round out the year with something  a Covid normal.'

Other states like Queensland have shown willingness to impose sudden lockdowns of their own after just a handful of cases.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last week slashed gathering limits in Southeast Queensland from 30 to 10 after just nine new cases on Saturday.

She ruled out more restrictions on Monday, for now, but like Mr Andrews has not said when they will be relaxed again - or how many would prompt lockdowns.

The once popular Royal Arcade mall in Melbourne CBD is quiet and deserted with Stage Four lockdown closing almost all non-food retail

Western Australia, which has not had a local case in months, used the situation in Victoria to indefinitely delay moving to the next phase of reopening, despite its controversial hard border stubbornly staying up.

NSW instead left its restrictions exactly where they were as it fought off an outbreak caused by a truckie form Victoria. Only two new cases were recorded on Tuesday.

Melbourne University professor Professor Paul Blakely said how long the lockdown goes for depends on whether Victoria is going for suppression or elimination.

Australia has preached suppression for the whole pandemic, but its recent position of zero community transmission is merely elimination by another name.

Experts believe even with daily new cases falling to less than 300 this week, this may not be possible by September 13 and would take at least another two weeks.

Professor Blakely said another few weeks of the still draconian Stage Three lockdown would be needed afterwards to make sure it didn't flare up again.

However, he said it was possible Victoria's outbreak was too big and the government had given up on this goal, instead opting for suppression.

Mandatory masks and a raft of other restrictions not seen elsewhere in Australia will likely be kept in place until Christmas even after lockdown ends

The goal would then be to get new daily cases below 40, which would allow contact tracers a chance to force it down over a longer period.

University of NSW professor Mary-Louise McLaws said the state would at minimum need 10 days of double-digit figures before leaving Stage Four, and to keep the curfew until it was less than 10.

Mandatory masks and a raft of other restrictions not seen elsewhere in Australia would be necessary until Christmas.

Mr Andrews has made noises in that direction even as he refuses to make any kind of commitment to something resembling a plan.

On Sunday he again signalled restrictions would remain until there is a vaccine, and the goal was few cases not elimination.

'We have got to beat this thing and get these numbers down to such a low level that we can keep a lid on them,' he said.

'Not just for a week or two, but indeed have them suppressed, have it extinguished to the greatest extent possible, but have it suppressed with every likelihood that we can maintain those low numbers until of course the ultimate vaccine arrives.'

Iconic Hosier Lane within Melbourne CBD is also empty as no one is allowed to wander around

Bourke St Mall is a ghost town as all the businesses in it were forced to shut down

However, Professor Blakely said Mr Andrews would have to consider Queensland's zero community transmission ultimatum before it would open its border, which may add incentive to try to eliminate the virus.

'All but two of Australia's states and territories have eliminated the virus so there's a danger of the country being fractured for the foreseeable future,' he said.

Extending the State of Emergency, which grants the government and police special powers during a disaster, shows Mr Andrews has no intention of getting Victoria back to normal until everyone is vaccinated, if that ever happens.

He said if there is no vaccine within 12 months, the state's restrictions may have to be extended again.

'We would be in a similar position to now where we would have to go back to the Parliament. No-one is asking for an unlimited five years, 10 years, run forever. 12 months we think is appropriate. That is to say it is foreseeable,' he said.

'I hope we are wrong in predicting this will still need rules in 12 months. Hopefully we have got a vaccine by then.

'But even then, the vaccine will take time to develop, manufacture, administer, and the efficacy of the vaccine, what is the life-cycle of that, does it protect you for three months, six months, here, forever, the whole notion of boosters, those sorts of things.
25.08.2020 LISTEN

Representatives of air operators and health officials met earlier today in Accra.

Sources say the meeting was held with the Minister of Aviation, Joseph Kofi Adda, and that it has to do with the reopening of Ghana's international airports on September 1.

The outcome of the meeting is yet unknown but sources say it centred on the modalities to be taken in reopening the airports.

President Nana Akufo-Addo announced during his 15th update to the nation that Ghana's airports are to reopen on September 1, 2020.

Airports in Ghana have been shut since March 2020 due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Story to be updated

---Daily Guide
Pastor, wife flee Iran to escape 15 years' imprisonment for house church evangelism

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

An Iranian pastor and his wife have fled the country after their appeals of yearslong prison sentences related to their involvement in a house church and evangelism were denied.

The Iranian human rights monitoring watchdog organization Article 18 reported Wednesday that Pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz and his wife, Shamiram Isavi, fled the Islamic Republic instead of turning themselves in to face a combined 15 years in prison.

The couples daughter, Dabrina, who met with President Donald Trump last year to advocate for her family members, confirmed that her parents have departed Iran. While she could not disclose their location, she assured Article 18 that they are safe and well.

Dabrina Bet Tamraz, who left Iran in the early 2010s, said her parents, who are in their mid-60s, plan to continue fighting their legal battle against Iranian authorities. The couple is determined to return to their home country should the Iranian court overturn their sentences.

We continue to pray and hope for their sentences to be dropped, the daughter said. We pray for justice both for my parents and for all the believers suffering in prisons.

Last month, Pastor Tamraz was informed that the appeal of his 10-year sentence for acting against national security by conducting house church meetings was denied and that he could no longer appeal the sentence he was given in 2017.

It is believed that Isavi also lost her appeal as she was ordered earlier this month to report to Irans notorious Evin Prison, where the regime is known to detain prisoners of conscience and political prisoners.

Isavi was sentenced to five years in prison in 2018 on charges of membership of a group with the purpose of disrupting national security and gathering and colluding to commit crimes against national security.

The charges brought against the couple have been condemned by human rights activists, as well as Vice President Mike Pence.

The couples son, Ramiel, was released from prison earlier this year after being sentenced to four months for participating in house churches.

In 2009, Iranian authorities shut down Pastor Victor Bet-Tamrazs church. But instead of fleeing the country, he continued to share the Good News, Pence said during a speech at the U.S. State Departments 2019 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom. Pastor Bet Tamraz and his family are an inspiration to freedom-loving people the world over.

Tamraz is the pastor of a Pentecostal congregation in Tehran. In 2009, authorities forced him to shut down the church because he refused to only allow Assyrian-speaking people to be members of the congregation.

In Iran, it is illegal to operate a church in the countrys most common language of Farsi.

In 2014, Tamraz was arrested during a Christmas celebration along with two Christian converts  Amin Afshar-Naderi and Kavian Fallah-Mohammadi  all of whom spent 65 days in solitary confinement and were eventually released on bail.

The two converts were sentenced along with the pastor and a third convert named Hadi Asgari. Afshar-Naderi received a 15-year sentence while Asgari and Fallah-Mohammadi were sentenced to 10 years.

Article 18, a London-based nonprofit that raises awareness of religious freedom issues in Iran, confirmed that lawyers have notified all three converts that their appeals have been rejected.

In Iran, it is illegal for Christians to share the Gospel with Muslims. Open Doors USA, a global persecution watchdog organization, ranks Iran as the ninth-worst county when it comes to Christian persecution on its annual World Watch List.

That ranking comes as several house-churches were raided in the World Watch List 2020 reporting period  Nov. 1, 2018, to Oct. 31, 2019. During that period, Open Doors reports that at least 169 Christians were arrested in Iran.
Built in Britain: Labour Reportedly Rolls Out Test for Defence Projects Amid Row Over Supply Ships

Sputnik News

09:20 GMT 24.08.2020

A partisan row has emerged over the Ministry of Defence's lucrative contract to build three new auxiliary ships for the Royal Navy, with foreign shipbuilders involved in the bidding. Labour insists the contract should go to a domestic manufacturer.

The Labour Party has renewed its calls on Boris Johnson's government to award the $1.9 billion contract for new support ships to British shipyards.

"For five years, defence ministers have dithered over this decision when it's a no-brainer to build these vital new ships in Britain," Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey has said, as quoted by The Mirror.

He added that "no other major military nation has ordered naval support ships from foreign yards" and that the Tories are "selling Britain short by not putting the work into UK shipyards".

The Mirror reports, without providing details, that Labour has unveiled a "Built in Britain" test for defence projects to make sure they go to domestic manufacturers.

The Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions has supported the idea, saying it should be applied to every major taxpayer-funded industry project.

In May 2018, the Ministry of Defence announced a contract tender for up to three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships to supply the Royal Navy with dry stores like ammunition, food, and spares.

The 40,000-tonne vessels were required to have 250,000 cubic feet of cargo space, a cruising speed of 19 knots (33 km/h), and ship-to-ship transfer capacity of five tonnes per load. They do not qualify as warships and as such can be built using foreign shipyards.

The FSS project is expected to support over 2,500 jobs, apart from the broader effect of sustaining the country's industrial base.

The contract was abruptly suspended in November 2019. The MoD said at the time it was "clear that the current approach will not deliver the requirement", raising hopes among British shipbuilders that it would stay within the UK.

The move came the day after the ministry released a sweeping review of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, in which prominent businessman Sir John Parker recommended considering UK-only competition for "future defence-funded vessels".

Last month, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said that the government "should support [British shipyards] as best we can and make sure our Navy get some great British-made kit."

However, the MoD in August left the door open to foreign bidders, which include the Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia and Japan Marine United Corporation.

A consortium of British companies vying for the contract consists of Babcock, BAE Systems, Cammell Laird and Rolls-Royce.

An update on progress in review is expected this autumn.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Ewing police are searching for an armed robber who used a silver handgun at the Family Dollar Store this past weekend.

The robber held up the store on Princeton Avenue at about 9 p.m. Friday by ordering an assistant manager to hand over cash from a cash register and the stores safe, Ewing police said.

The bandit was last seen on foot on Princeton Avenue headed toward Heil Avenue. He fled the store carrying the cash in a bright orange store bag.

Police described him as being in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5-feet 9-inches tall with a medium build and small, dark eyes. The semi-automatic-style gun had a black frame with a silver slide.

Ewing police posted a picture of the robber on their facebook page Monday asking for help from the public.

Anyone with information about the crime or who can provide home security video footage of the area at the time can contact Ewing Detective Julia Caldwell at 609-882-1313 ext. 5682, or jecaldwell@ewingnj.org.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com.
Channel 5 controller Ben Frow has said he never regrets axing Big Brother and has no plans for a similar reality show on the channel.

The TV chief called time on the long-running reality show in 2018 amid a ratings slump.

The programme  which saw housemates live together in a custom-built home for weeks without access to the outside world in a bid to win a cash prize  started in 2000 on Channel 4 and Channel 5 took over in 2011.

Starting in 5 minutes is our sit down with Ben Frow, Channel 5's director of programmes in our first of today's Meet the Controller sessions! Sponsored by @freeviewtv #EdTVFest pic.twitter.com/bYMUbM4zqV  Edinburgh TV Festival (@EdinburghTVFest) August 25, 2020

Asked if he ever regrets giving the show the boot, Mr Frow told the virtual Edinburgh TV Festival: Never.

When asked if he would introduce another similar show, he said: No, right now I couldnt afford it, the world is very crowded with reality shows, I think there are supreme reality shows out there.

Dont go where you cant be the best, turn left and go in a different direction and provide an alternative.

Here's thirty seconds of Michael Barrymore repeatedly smashing eggs against his head for you.  #BBUK pic.twitter.com/qDk6y5jDP3  Big Brother UK (@bbuk) June 21, 2020

Mr Frow also addressed the claim that the channel is very Yorkshire-heavy and white, saying: Yorkshire is very white. We have to make much more effort, sometimes when Im talking to producers they say, its very white, and I say find them, youve got to make the extra effort, that is something that is always in the back of our minds though.

Yorkshire is part of Channel 5s DNA.
Creditors will vote at a closed hearing at the High Court on whether to approve the restructuring package secured by the airline in July.

The carrier warned earlier this month it could run out of money by the end of September if the bailout does not go ahead.





It has been hit hard by the collapse in demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The rescue deal involves only private funds and includes a cash injection of 200 million from founder Sir Richard Bransons Virgin Group.

Virgin Atlantic is seeking approval for the plan from creditors, who are being asked to accept 20% less than they are owed and for repayments to be rescheduled.

The airline insists that without a solvent recapitalisation its directors would have no choice but to place it into administration, which would result in a poor outcome for the companys creditors.

Advertisement

Virgin Atlantic has said it does not expect demand for air travel to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023.

In May it announced it would shrink its operations, including closing its Gatwick base and cutting 3,550 jobs.
The Democrats and their fellow travelers in the NeverTrump Lincoln Project are terrified that if Americans hear Trump without mediation, Americans will (a) like what they hear and (b) know that neither he nor his supporters are racist. (And defamatory racism accusations are the biggest sticks with which they can beat conservatives.)

So it was that when Trump appeared in North Carolina to give his acceptance speech upon receiving the Democrat nomination, CNN cut away from the speech because of alleged "outright lies." Then the hate-filled carpetbaggers in the Lincoln Project, a coalition made up of failed Republican campaign advisers, accused an audience member of calling Obama a "monkey" to Trump's laughing agreement. These are the actions of ugly and desperate people.

Breitbart reported that CNN cut away from Trump's speech. When you read the reasoning, you can see that CNN, accidentally or intentionally, confused "objective" facts with "subjective" opinions to justify saying that Trump stated "outright lies."

Monday, the GOP formally nominated President Donald Trump for reelection. As Trump delivered remarks following his nomination, "CNN Newsroom" cut away from the speech and criticized him for his "misleading" statements and "outright lies." After cutting the interview, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper noted Trump went "negative" at the convention after promising to be "positive." He added the president "falsely" attacked mail-in voting and "falsely" accused Democrats of wanting to shut down the country to hurt the economy and thus hurt him at the ballot box. "After vowing to have a positive convention, the president goes negative in its first moments. He started off falsely attacking mail-in voting. He's continuing attack mail-in voting and, as the postmaster general testifies that the attacks are 'unhelpful.' That's his own postmaster general," Cooper emphasized. "He also criticized the media for airing the postmaster's hearing instead of his roll call. He falsely accused Democrats of wanting to shut down the country to hurt the economy and somehow help them at the ballot box. Unclear how angering the entire country by shutting down would help them in the ballot box. He attacked North Carolina's governor for putting limits on crowds during a convention."

Regarding the claim that Trump "'falsely' attacked mail-in voting," there's good evidence from all over America (e.g., New York, Virginia, and New Jersey) that mail-in voting is a disaster and a gateway to fraud. Someone can make an opposing argument by pointing to instances in which mail-in voting worked reasonably well, but that does not make Trump's position "false."

Likewise, the data supporting Democrats' enthusiastic embrace of lockdowns  with Biden promising a possible nationwide lockdown  are contradicted by an increasing amount of evidence showing that lockdowns do not change the virus's ultimate effect. (See, e.g., this article.) Given the growing body of evidence, one has to wonder why the Democrats remain so committed to lockdowns. Then one realizes that the biggest arrow in their campaign quiver is their claim that Trump has no economic record on which to run. Lockdowns make sense then.

In other words, Trump did not offer outright lies. He offered differing opinions. The only lie is CNN's when it explicitly accused Trump of falsehoods.

To the credit of other networks, and to CNN's continued shame, only CNN behaved so badly:

Of course CNN is the only network NOT carrying President @realDonaldTrump's remarks. pic.twitter.com/XNxc49ylzL  Francis Brennan (@FrancisBrennan) August 24, 2020

What the despicable Lincoln Project did, though, was even worse than CNNs behavior:

In fact, if you listened to the speech, as I did, when Trump said (accurately) that Obama knew about the spying, one of the audience members shouted out "spygate!" Trump laughed and said, "Let's be nice" before adding, "We can't attack a president!" No one mentioned a monkey because Trump and his supporters are not that kind of people.

No matter how one slices it, it takes an evil mind to think what the Lincoln Project people did. Either they're racists because they came up with a word that no decent person would. That is, theirs are the minds like sewers. Or they're just awful, dishonest people who would work to come up with a racist slur to tack onto Trump and his supporters.

Trump's speech was vintage Trump: funny, boastful, a little disorganized, powerful, and filled with love for his country. No wonder the haters were willing to do anything possible to keep people from hearing it.

Image: Twitter screen grab.
Portland police are investigating a man who drew a gun at the weekend eruption of violent skirmishes downtown while county justice officials have upped the criminal ante for prominent right-wing brawler Tusitala Tiny Toese, who attended the demonstrations while wanted on a probation violation.

Police said theyre following various leads from the Saturday protest that again drew national attention to the city not only for the images of demonstrators duking it out with fists, bear mace and paintball guns but because officers didnt intervene in the rolling clashes.

Under a call from Mayor Ted Wheeler to explain their tactics and criticism from civil rights advocates, police repeated their response that they held back because they didnt want to escalate the confrontations.

Sometimes the more prudent course is to not get involved, Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Tuesday. You run the risk of making a bad situation remarkably worse.

Chief Chuck Lovell echoed that assessment several hours later during a news conference with reporters outside the bureaus North Precinct.

When you interject yourself as the police into this volatile mix sometimes it has a worse intention or worse outcome than what was happening initially, he said.

About 300 people attended the right-wing rally in support of law enforcement and a counterprotest near the Multnomah County Justice Center, including members of the Proud Boys and Black Lives Matter activists.

Brawls broke out intermittently over the next two hours, reminiscent of prior violent encounters between left- and right-wing activists during downtown rallies in recent years.

Davis said the bureau had only 30 officers available to manage the dueling demonstrators because of staff shortages due, in part, to a heavy police presence required the night before during a protest outside a Northeast Portland police precinct that grew to a riot.

That number, a fraction of the officers typically deployed during a downtown protest, was insufficient for police to safely step into the crowd, Davis said.

We want to make sure we prevent violence and prevent people from getting hurt, he said. It was not an easy decision to make.

That decision, however, set off a wave of criticism from some people who said officers have used excessive force and made sweeping arrests during nightly demonstrations against police brutality and anti-Black racism, which often includes acts of violence and vandalism by some of the demonstrators.

It also rekindled long-held suspicions among some activists that Portland police protect or favor right-wing groups that hold rallies in the city while targeting left-wing counterprotesters.

Wheeler, who also serves as the citys police commissioner, said Monday that hes asking police why officers didnt intervene Saturday.

The mayor is perfectly reasonable in asking for review for something that has caused concern the community, Davis said.

These events, and the decision making that goes into them, will always involve limitations, trade-offs and incomplete information in a rapidly evolving situation, he said. Finding out exactly what officers knew and at what times decisions were made in those circumstances is absolutely necessary.

For example, Davis said it remained unclear as to whether officers downtown at the time were aware when one right-wing activist, later identified as Alan Swinney, drew a gun and pointed it at Black Lives Matter demonstrators. The episode was captured on video and shared widely across social media.

The incident is now under investigation and police are seeking witnesses to come forward, Davis said.

Were certainly interested in speaking with anyone who was put into danger by that guys actions, he said.

Davis also said he didnt know if police were notified about an arrest warrant issued earlier this month for Tusitala Tiny Toese, who attended the demonstration despite being wanted for a probation violation.

A Multnomah County judge in January barred the 23-year-old from attending protests in Portland for two years as a condition for his probation following a fourth-degree assault conviction.

Toese has since violated his probation multiple times, leading to his arrest once already this summer, court records show. A judge issued a new warrant for his arrest Aug. 11.

Even if police did know of the warrant, Davis said hes not sure whether detaining Toese at the time would have been wise.

Do you go into a hostile group and arrest somebody who has a misdemeanor warrant out for their arrest? he said. Or do you once again run the risk of creating a flashpoint?

Jessica Morkert-Shibley, a spokeswoman for the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice, said the department is looking into the latest alleged violations and that it continues to recommend that Toeses probation be revoked and he serve one year in jail.

The department has also asked the courts to upgrade Toeses warrant to allow him to be extradited from Washington state, where he lives, Morkert-Shibley said.

Meanwhile, demonstrations continued for their 89th consecutive night in Portland on Monday with several hundred protesters marching to the police union headquarters on North Lombard Street.

Officers arrived at the Portland Police Association building minutes after protesters and declared the gathering an unlawful assembly as some in the crowd spray-painted the building and someone climbed on the roof to unfurl a banner.

About 60 seconds later, police declared a riot as a fire set outside the building became visible. Police ultimately arrested 25 people.

Police facilities are pieces of critical infrastructure in our city and we have a responsibility to protect them, Davis said. Once an attack gets made on one we kind of dont have any other option.

Juan Chavez, an attorney and the project director of the Civil Rights Project at the Oregon Justice Resource Center, said the unwillingness of police to intervene in Saturdays downtown demonstrations served as the latest example showing why political unrest continues nightly.

Its clear whose side theyre on and thats a grave threat, I think, to the general public order, said Chavez, who has represented multiple protesters in lawsuits against the Portland police.

An outsider would think that one side of Saturdays conflict is government sanctioned, he said. That sends a message to the folks who go out to protest police buildings and union halls every night.

Davis said police expect criticism for just about anything we do but that the pushback is healthy for us. It will ultimately make us a better organization.

He repeated an oft-stated police position that protesters, city leaders and the public at large have a role to play in mitigating the ongoing turmoil.

We tend to want to look at this as a police problem and were supposed to have all the solutions, he said. This is bigger than the Portland Police Bureau. Its a community issue.

As a community, now would be a good time to send a clear and consistent message to the relatively small number of people engaged in violent activity on our streets that its not OK, Davis said. Its not what we do here.

During the press conference, Lovell said Portland police would continue to work on monitoring future demonstrations that could lead to clashes between political rivals and make more resources available.

Theres an expectation that well do what we can to keep people safe but we cant be everywhere and intervene in every situation, the chief said. We have to make some determination with what is safe to do.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; skavanaugh@oregonian.com; 503-294-7632; @shanedkavanaugh

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Sudan is redrawing its foreign policy, and Egypt is keeping a beady eye on the changes

On Tuesday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo became the first high ranking US official to visit Khartoum in three decades. The visit comes against the backdrop of what Sudanese and American officials have recently qualified as serious progress towards removing Sudan from the US list of countries harbouring terrorism, a major foreign policy goal of the transitional government that last year took over from the military-Islamist regime of Omar Al-Bashir.

Great to be in Khartoum for meetings with the civilian-led transitional government, Pompeo tweeted after arriving in Sudan. The democratic transition underway is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the people of Sudan. Looking forward to discussing how to deepen the US-Sudan relationship.

In Khartoum Pompeo met with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and the Chair of the Sudan Transitional Council Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan.

In the words of one Sudanese diplomat, Pompeos visit is the clearest indication yet that Sudan is being welcomed back into the international fold. He added that the US is pressing

Khartoum to move towards normalising relations with Israel as part of a package that would see it taken off the terrorism list.

In a press statement issued following the talks between Pompeo and Hamdok, an official government spokesman said Hamdok had told the US top diplomat that such a decision could not be taken by a transitional government. According to a Khartoum-based political source, it is also likely that Hamdok told the US secretary of state that any decision to normalise relations with Israel would place him in a difficult position with a number of political forces, not least the Freedom and Change Movement.

It will happen sooner or later. The entire Arab world is, after all, inching towards normalisation with Israel. But the situation in Sudan is complex, and the decision has to be taken at the right moment if it is to serve our interests, says the Sudanese diplomat.

Two weeks ago the US administration hailed the announcement of normalising relations between Israel and the UAE. Top US officials, including President Donald Trump and his son-in-law and aide Jared Kushner, insisted at the time that other Arab states were poised to do the same within a matter of weeks.

The Sudanese diplomat said Khartoum is aware that Trump wants to score as many political victories for Israel as possible to secure maximum support from the Jewish lobby in the US ahead of the presidential elections in November.

According to a Washington-based diplomatic source, Khartoum, like a number of other Arab capitals that remain hesitant about going public with their normalisation plans, has agreed in principle to attend the meeting US and Bahrain are working on holding next month, possibly in Manama, so Israeli and Arab officials can explore different avenues towards normalisation.

This meeting, if it finally happens, will be attended by at least 10 Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan and the UAE, the three Arab countries that currently have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Attendance may well be the most Khartoum can offer at the moment, according to the Sudanese diplomat.

Earlier this week the spokesman for the Sudanese Foreign Ministry lost his job after saying normalisation with Israel was around the corner. He added that Sudan was the most important country in the Arab world for Israel to have diplomatic relations with, even more important than Egypt, despite Egypts obvious significance.

Egypt, according to officials, is all for encouraging Sudan to move towards normalising ties with Israel. They say that over the last 12 months several senior Egyptian officials have raised the matter with their Sudanese counterparts. Cairo, according to the same sources, likes to take credit, along with Israel and the US, for having helped persuade Sudan to allow Israeli flights to use its airspace.

Egypt is actually hoping to create a strategic partnership with Sudan that has a bilateral element but also allows for wider avenues for cooperation with other countries, including Nile Basin states, one Egyptian official said. He added that Sudan had shown interest but has still to commit.

Cairo has worked hard to secure closer coordination with Sudan on managing negotiations with Ethiopia over the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) Addis Ababa is building on the Blue Nile. It is still working to consolidate the coordination, with varied degrees of success.

According to a Cairo-based European diplomat, Egypt is not always notified by Khartoum about its communications with Addis Ababa. Speaking on Tuesday, the diplomat said Cairo was still waiting to hear from Hamdok about the outcome of his talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who visited the Sudanese capital earlier the same day to discuss the stalled three-way negotiations on GERD that are being sponsored by South Africa, the current chair of the African Union.

According to another Egyptian official, Cairo understands that Sudan is unwilling to close the door on any potential regional or international partner that can help it make progress after the economic devastation wreaked over the decades by Al-Bashir.

Earlier this month, Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli visited Khartoum with a large ministerial delegation in a bid to explore avenues for bilateral cooperation, and the Egyptian ministries of health, higher education and transport are engaged in talks with their Sudanese counterparts to cement agreements mooted in the Madbouli-Hamdok talks.

Some are proving elusive. It is taking longer than expected to finalise details of the planned reopening of the Khartoum branch of Cairo University. Established in the mid-1950s, the branch closed 25 years ago following political tensions between Cairo and Khartoum.

Egyptian officials say they understand the reasons behind the hesitation of the Sudanese, and it is only to be expected that the different components of Sudans transitional government should differ over the details of foreign policy.

Meanwhile, Egypt has been working on consolidating its relations with South Sudan. Cairo, officials say, is exploring the possibility of establishing a strategic partnership with Juba as well as Khartoum. This, they insist, is not an attempt to pressure Khartoum to keep on the same page as Cairo when it comes to key Egyptian interests, but an effort to manage those interests in the incredibly sensitive south.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


?? Estado sigue firme en lucha contra la mineria ilegal en Madre de Dios y en el plan de reactivacion economica en la region.

?? Nota completa: https://t.co/epmgRQ6BLK#ElPeruPrimero#PrimeroMiSalud pic.twitter.com/vSvXhCtvhE
Enhances the carrier-grade NewEdge security private cloud network to deliver even higher performance web, cloud and SaaS security across the region

SANTA CLARA, California, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Netskope, the leading security cloud , today announced the expansion of the Netskope NewEdge network with a new data center in Tel Aviv. Serving millions of enterprise users around the world, Netskope NewEdge is a carrier-grade private cloud network that is reserved exclusively for Netskope customers. The expansion of the Tel Aviv data center enhances the NewEdge infrastructure, making an increased investment in the region. This means offering improved performance for Netskope services, single-digit millisecond latency, and improved uptake for Israeli-headquartered companies and multinational customers in Tel Aviv.

As organizations continue to balance the remote or hybrid-office workforce, they are relying on cloud-based solutions to seamlessly bridge the gap from office to home for their employees. With 20% of users moving sensitive data among multiple cloud apps and services, businesses must continue to prioritize security during this era of rapid digital transformation.

The decades-long efforts to digitally transform enterprises have pushed the capabilities of the public internet to its maximum. Inherently unpredictable and unsecure, the public internet is strained by users who demand great web, cloud, and private application performance and enterprises that demand more security. Compounding this challenge, legacy security tools often introduce delays to accessing these critical services. As a result, industry analysts have scrutinized the reliance on the public internet for security of these services, giving rise to new architectural frameworks like Gartner's "secure access service edge" (SASE) that enterprise security leaders are moving to adopt.

Netskope NewEdge is built by industry veterans representing the largest and most performant networks ever built. Like no other network, NewEdge delivers inline security services through a carrier-grade, next-generation global infrastructure based on advanced application and network optimization technologies and processes. As a private cloud network, NewEdge optimizes connectivity with its resilient global architecture, which is directly peered with major providers, mitigating the challenge of the public internet. This enhances the overall user experience, resulting in a better web, cloud, and private application performance for most Netskope customers.

The Netskope Security Cloud , delivered on NewEdge, provides unrivaled visibility and real-time data and threat protection for cloud services, websites, and private apps accessed from anywhere, on any device. No other company in the market has addressed shifting demands by combining next-generation SWG capabilities, the world's leading CASB , Cloud Security Posture Management, zero trust network access, and advanced machine learning to detect unauthorized data exfiltration and advanced threat protection. Only Netskope understands the cloud and takes a data-centric approach that empowers security teams with the right balance of protection and speed they need to secure their digital transformation journey.

Supporting Quotes

"Since the Tel Aviv data center went live, average latency from in-region users to NewEdge has been reduced to less than 5ms. This translates into faster downloads, quicker page load times, plus overall improved cloud and SaaS application performance," said Jason Hofmann, VP of Platform Architecture and Services at Netskope. "NewEdge is by far the world's highest-performing security private cloud network and this roll-out exemplifies how Netskope is bringing its data protection and security services to every corner of the globe."

To learn more about the Netskope Security Cloud, with its breadth and depth of offerings, please visit https://www.netskope.com/products .

About Netskope

The Netskope security cloud provides unrivaled visibility and real-time data and threat protection when accessing cloud services, websites, and private apps from anywhere, on any device. Only Netskope understands the cloud and delivers data-centric security from one of the world's largest and fastest security networks, empowering the largest organizations in the world with the right balance of protection and speed they need to enable business velocity and secure their digital transformation journey. Reimagine your perimeter with Netskope.
BRIDGEPORT  There were no injuries reported at a two-alarm fire on Park Avenue Tuesday afternoon, according to fire officials.

Firefighters were dispatched to the 2300 block of Park Avenue around 3:30 p.m. for a reported structure fire. The first arriving fire unit got there minutes later, reporting heavy fire at the scene.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Dzulfiqar Fathur Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 07:26 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4029fa0 1 Business cash-aid,grant-funds,COVID-19,micro-and-small-businesses,Cooperative-SME-ministry,Jokowi Free

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has launched the productive social assistance program for micro businesses to help them survive the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government started the program by disbursing Rp 2.4 trillion (US$162.9 million) directly to 1 million small businesses across the country, each receiving Rp 2.4 million. Businesses that have received other forms of government assistance, like an interest-rate subsidy or debt restructuring, cannot avail themselves of the new benefit.

Once again, I need to remind you that this productive social assistance is a grant, not a loan. I hope you will use it as additional capital to add more goods to sell, Jokowi said during a virtual press conference on Monday, addressing the recipients.

Indonesias economy relies heavily on small businesses, which account for more than 60 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and employ a majority of the labor force.

The assistance is meant to soften the economic blow of the pandemic, which shrank Indonesias economy by 5.32 percent year-on-year (yoy) in the April-June period.

With a budget reaching Rp 22 trillion for the first phase, the government seeks to aid 4.5 million micro businesses by the end of this month, and the number of recipients is expected to increase to 9.16 million by the end of September. It plans to cover 12 million enterprises in total eventually.

According to the Finance Ministry, state-owned pawnshop chain PT Pegadaian will disburse the funds to more than 59 percent of the 9.16 million recipients, followed by state-owned banks (32.09 percent), cooperatives and small and medium enterprise agencies nationwide (5.87 percent), the Cooperatives Movement (1.77 percent), regional development banks (0.88 percent) and rural micro lenders (0.03 percent).

Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Minister Teten Masduki said the government had compiled data of around 17 million small businesses from regional cooperatives and SMEs agencies, government ministries and agencies, state-owned banks, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), state-owned financing firms and cooperatives.

Teten said the assistance was especially aimed at micro businesses that had trouble getting loans from banks or did not have bank accounts at all.

With this productive social assistance, we hope unbankable micro businesses can improve and resume their businesses, said Teten. Moreover, it can increase financial inclusion with the new bank accounts being registered by micro enterprises that have not been connected to the banks so far.

The assistance comes as many small businesses struggle to survive the pandemic. According to a survey of 1,165 businesses conducted between April and May by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), 91.8 percent of small businesses said they needed loans without interest or collateral, and 89.5 percent demanded cash assistance or grants.

The government has allocated Rp 123.47 trillion in the state budget for small businesses as part of its COVID-19 rescue package amounting to Rp 695.2 trillion. Of the budget for SME assistance, the government has spent 36 percent so far.
The iconic bearskin hats worn by the Queen's guards for more than 200 years are facing a threat from from Brexit deals as activists push to ban fur sales.

Discussions have been held between animal welfare minister Zac Goldsmith and Humane Society International UK (HSI) as the Government aims to 'raise standards', two decades after fur farming was made illegal.

New plans could see the elimination of bearskins worn by the British Foot Guards - made with fur from the Canadian black bear - along with the House of Lords ermine, The Express reports.

Environmentalist Lord Goldsmith, who entered the House of Lords after losing his seat in the previous general election, is said to be eager to bring in new legislation in 2021 when Britain is no longer bound by EU single market rules.

Currently, European Union law prohibits Britain from importing seal products from commercial hunts, along with cat and dog fur.

These rules will stay in place until the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31, but when Britain fully leaves the bloc next year, the possibility of a unilateral ban on trading in fur could arise.

The iconic bearskin hats worn by the Queen's guards for more than 200 years are facing a threat from activists who want to ban fur sales

Seven Army regiments, including the Coldstream Guards and Welsh Guards, are authorised to wear the 18-inch black headwear following the defeat of French Emperor Napoleon in 1815 (pictured: The Queen inspects the guards in 2012)

New plans could see the elimination of bearskins worn by the British Foot Guards, made with fur from the Canadian black bear

Future laws concerning the industry would require justification on protecting animal welfare ground in order to comply with World Trade Organisation rules, it is understood.

Seven Army regiments, including the Coldstream Guards and Welsh Guards, are authorised to wear the 18-inch black headwear following the defeat of French Emperor Napoleon in 1815.

The British Army is believed to buy between 50 and 100 of the hats each year, costing roughly 650 each.

At least 81 MPs and 750,000 Britons support a ban on the sale of fur, HSI claims.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: 'We have some of the highest welfare standards in the world and that is both a source of pride and a clear reflection of British attitudes towards animals.

'Fur farming has rightly been banned in this country for nearly 20 years and at the end of the transition period we will be able to properly consider steps to raise our standards still further.

'That is something the Government is very keen to do.'

The traditional shtreimel fur hat, which is often worn by married Haredi Jewish men, could also face changes.

It is not yet clear which specific items could be banned, but HSI said 'pragmatic exemptions' would be in place.

Lord Goldsmith is set to speak at an event called No Business in Fur next month.

It is not yet clear which specific items could be banned, but Humane Society International said 'pragmatic exemptions' would be in place (pictured: Queen Elizabeth II, Colonel-in-Chief, Grenadier Guards, has her photo taken with Guards)

The hats are made with the skin of black bears taken each year from Canada's Black Bear Cull

The Army takes 100 skins, thought to be a small fraction of the thousands of bears that are killed to keep numbers under control (pictured: A Sentry on duty at Buckingham Palace)

If any new plans are announced, a consultation will give an opportunity for businesses to make their case, it is understood.

HSI said that the fur industry was 'desperate to shake off its reputation for animal suffering' but there was no escaping the 'grim truth' of battery cages.

It added that a ban on fur sales was not the same as a ban on wearing fur, and there would be no 'wardrobe police', claiming that Britain could emulate the recent California fur ban which allows exceptions for religious or cultural attire.

A spokesman for the British Fur Trade Association said that fur was a 'natural, sustainable product' which comes from 'regulated and humane sources', and the Government should reject pressure from animal rights groups and 'focus on the issues that actually matter to people''.
Leasing land for solar development is a topic landowners in the McCool Junction and Lushton area are facing. This is a guest column by my colleague John Hay, Nebraska Extension Energy Educator.

Renewable energy has increased significantly in recent years and the number of wind farms and size of wind turbines are a visual reminder of renewable development. Due to higher development cost, solar electric systems, also called solar photovoltaic (PV), have lagged in commercial electric development. In recent years, the dramatic price decline of solar PV has led to greater interest in utility scale solar development. For instance, consider a 5-Megawatt system similar to the one constructed West of Lincoln North of I-80. Based on solar cost benchmarks published by the National Renewable Energy Lab, a 5-Megawatt system constructed in 2010 would have cost $27.6 million dollars, compared to $5.65 million dollars to construct the same size project in 2018. Combine this with the 26% federal tax credit and the economics of utility scale solar are sufficient for major development interest across the nation. The federal tax credit is currently 26% and set to decline to 22% in 2021, then 10% for future years.
India hit out at for its litany of lies at the after Islamabad's UN envoy claimed to have given a statement in a Security Council meeting not open to non-Council members and said that the biggest sponsor of cross-border terrorism against it now tries to masquerade" itself as a victim of terror.

Calling out Pakistan's lie that it has been a target of cross-border terrorism for decades, India said a lie repeated a hundred times will not become truth. The biggest sponsor of cross-border terrorism against India now tries to masquerade itself as a victim of terrorism by India, India's Permanent Mission to the UN said on Monday.

The Mission falsely claimed that its UN envoy Munir Akram gave a statement at a Security Council debate on Report of the Secretary General on Threats to International Peace and Security posed by Terrorism Actions.

However, the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security was not open to non-members of the Council. A photograph of the meeting tweeted by the German Mission to the UN showed only envoys of the 15 Security Council members participating in the meeting. is not a member of the Council.

We fail to comprehend where exactly did the Permanent Representative of Pakistan make his statement since the Security Council session today was not open to non-members of the Security Council. Be that as it may, the five big lies of Pakistan lies exposed, India's Mission to the UN said in a post on Twitter.

On Akram's claim that Pakistan has decimated Al-Qaeda from the region, India said perhaps the Permanent Representative of Pakistan is not aware that Osama bin Laden was hiding in their own country in plain sight, and it is the US forces which got him inside Pakistan. Nor have they heard their Prime Minister refer to Osama bin Laden as a martyr.

Giving a strong rebuttal to Pakistan's lies, New Delhi termed Pakistan's claim that India has hired terrorists as mercenaries to hit them as laughable.

Coming from a country which is a known sponsor of cross-border terrorism which has made the world suffer due to its actions, this claim is nothing short of being preposterous!, India said.

India also said that Pakistan is home to the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN and many of the sanctioned terrorists and entities continue to operate with impunity inside Pakistan. Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan himself had admitted at the General Assembly last year about the presence of 40,000-50,000 terrorists inside Pakistan.

Laying bare another lie by Pakistan about Indian nationals in the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions List of the UN Security Council, India said the Sanctions List is public and the world can see none of these individuals are in it.

The 1267 Committee works on the basis of evidence and not random accusations thrown in to divert their time and attention, India said in response to a lie made by Pakistan that it has submitted names of some Indians to be proscribed under the Sanctions List.

In a strong response to Islamabad raking up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in the remarks it falsely said Akram gave to the Council, India said Pakistan makes ridiculous assertions about internal affairs of India.

This is a country whose minority population has dropped drastically from 1947 to what it is today, which is just about 3 per cent, which is nothing short of systemic cleansing. This is in addition to false allegations about India's sovereign actions in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which are for the welfare of the people.

Pakistan consistently rakes up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and other internal matters of India at various UN fora in its bid to internationalise the issue but has repeatedly failed to get any support from the broader UN membership for its agenda.

Pakistani nationals remain at leadership levels in terror groups such as Al Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - Khorasan (ISIL-K) as well as Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, the 26th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities has shown.

The report had also said that an estimated 6000-6500 Pakistani foreign terrorist fighters are in Afghanistan, most of them with Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, posing a threat to both countries.

(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.)
Wisconsins Democratic Gov. Tony Evers called in the National Guard on Monday as protests over the shooting of a 29-year-old Black man, Jacob Blake, spilled into a second night. Hundreds of demonstrators were on the streets in the lakeside city of Kenosha, which sits in between Milwaukee and Chicago, after police fired seven times from close range on Blake as he tried to get into the drivers seat of his car. A video of the incident taken by a neighbor shows the shooting in broad daylight on a residential block where Blake, a security guard, appears to be a resident.

Advertisement

The officers had responded to a domestic disturbance that Blake reportedly helped diffuse, breaking up an altercation between two women. Neighbors expressed shock when Blake was then shot while walking away from police while his three young children, all under the age of 8, sat inside the car. Blake was taken to the hospital, and family members say he is paralyzed from the waist down but expected to survive. The officers were placed on administrative leave.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to the Slatest newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

The shooting, which took place on Sunday afternoon, lead to unrest that evening, which intensified Monday. Protesters gathered around the city courthouse around 6:30 p.m. on Monday and were met by police in riot gear as a citywide 8 p.m. curfew grew near. Kenosha police on Monday used tear gas and fired small beanbags at a crowd that threw firecrackers, tore down street signs, smashed storefronts and set fires around the city, the Washington Post reports. By early Tuesday morning, the National Guard rolled through the streets as multiple buildings burned to the ground and looters ransacked stores. The fires not only destroyed local businessesa cellphone store, a tattoo parlor, a furniture store, a Mexican grocerythey also forced out residents who lived on the second floors of the nearly century-old brick buildings.
DETROIT  Special police patrols in student-heavy neighborhoods. Smartphone apps monitoring location inside a bubble. Daily check-in forms.

As hundreds of thousands of students arrive back on campuses across the country, college and university administrators are greeting them with a variety of methods to monitor behavior and discourage large gatherings, all in an effort to keep the students healthy and on campus.

Notre Dame and the University of North Carolina recently shut down face-to-face instruction after large gatherings led to COVID clusters. Syracuse Universitys leaders said last week that large gatherings left the school on the verge of shutting down and going online only.

Even as administrators are coming up with new plans, students are pushing back, saying they are invasions of privacy.

Theyve seen some success. At Oakland University in suburban Detroit, a plan to mandate all students wear BioButtons was changed to "strongly recommend" after student complaints.

The BioButton is worn by the user and connected to an app on a smartphone. It constantly measures heart rate and temperature, among other things. Students at Oakland University are being encouraged to wear BioButtons, which track vital signs, in an effort to keep students healthy and stop COVID outbreaks.

Many students are already hesitant, at best, to be tracked as they stay on campus (and as they leave for the weekend to visit home, go to class, grocery shop, etc.), a petition from Oakland students that garnered more than 2,400 signatures this summer said. Masks and socially distancing are understandable ... but this seems like a large overreach in terms of student and staff privacy.

The BioButton is worn by the user and connected to an app on a smartphone. It constantly measures heart rate and temperature, among other things.

We are strongly encouraging a BioButton to be worn because it enhances our broader strategy to monitor the safety of OU's campus, Oaklands website said. We believe it is among the many ways we are keeping you and others safe. However, even if you dont want to wear the BioButton, there is value in carrying it with you when you are on campus because it can assist with contact tracing.

Colleges and coronavirus: Colleges need COVID-19 tests to reopen, scientists say. Some don't have much of a plan.

Story continues

The BioButton is designed to work as a screening tool for Oakland, said David Stone, Oaklands chief research officer and a professor of health sciences and philosophy.

It will monitor the wearer's breathing rate, heart rate and temperature when the person is at rest. Using artificial intelligence, it will see when theres a pattern of changes that could indicate an infection. People on campus will also have to answer a series of screening questions each day.

Once a day, the system will send Oakland a screen noting the person is green  OK to be on campus  or red, meaning follow-up from the schools health services is needed. It will send similar updates every six hours to the user through an app on their phone.

Coronavirus and schools: New cases are emerging. How much you know depends on where you live.

All the university will see is the cleared/not cleared status, Stone said. The school will not see the actual data from a user.

The button wont track location, but will know when it is around another user wearing a button. Thats useful in contact tracing. The school hopes the button will help them not have big outbreaks that some other schools are seeing.

Ohio State University students, who began moving back to campus Aug. 13, and employees will be required to report their body temperature and health status through a mobile app before coming on campus each day.

A smartphone tracker

Some universities are going with less intrusive monitoring apps.

At the University of Tennessee, students on campus will be required to "self screen" for COVID-19 symptoms each day before leaving their dorms using an app that asks questions about their temperature, any symptoms and if they have been exposed to anyone who is known to have COVID-19. Faculty and staff are also required to do this when they are on campus.

At Ohio State University, students and employees will be required to report their body temperature and health status through a mobile app before coming on campus each day.

When students at Michigan's Albion College first heard about being required to download an app before coming onto campus, they thought it was just an easy way to schedule COVID-19 tests and then get the results.

It wasnt long before they learned that they had to also turn on a location tracker, which monitors when they leave a several-mile bubble.

The BioButton is worn by the user and connected to an app on a smartphone. It constantly measures heart rate and temperature, among other things. Students at Oakland University are being encouraged to wear BioButtons, which track vital signs, in an effort to keep students healthy and stop COVID outbreaks.

I felt betrayed by Albion, said junior Alexis De La Cruz, an economic major in quarantine at Albion, waiting for her COVID test to come back. Its like Albion doesnt trust us to practice social distancing.

About 97% of the schools students live on campus.

The app is part of the small liberal arts colleges multi-prong approach to the semester, which includes education for students, said Mathew Johnson, the schools new president. The app allows the school to push out educational material to students, but also includes a geotracking feature, built to help with contact tracing.

It also notifies the school when a student leaves a predefined boundary, which is about a 4.5-mile circle around the campus, about 95 miles west of Detroit.

The boundary includes the entire city, meaning students can leave campus. It also includes a nature area and other nearby spots.

COVID-19, visas, Trump: International students turning away from US colleges for lots of reasons

If a student wants to leave the bubble boundary, they can apply for a waiver.

De La Cruz says she has seen friends be denied to work outside of the bubble. She also says it will be tough to see her family during the school year.

If a student leaves without permission, their student ID is deactivated, which means they cant get back into college buildings. In order to get it reactivated, the student would have to speak with a staff member. That conversation would be educational and also to make sure the student practiced safe social distancing and mask wearing, Johnson said.

If there were repeated violations, the student could go through the normal student justice system, which includes due process. It could lead to a suspension or more.

The BioButton is worn by the user and connected to an app on a smartphone. It constantly measures heart rate and temperature, among other things. Students at Oakland University are being encouraged to wear BioButtons, which track vital signs, in an effort to keep students healthy and stop COVID outbreaks.

Several schools in Michigan are using some sort of app to monitor students' health. For example, at Eastern Michigan University, student workers were set up at the entrance of buildings during summer school and will be again during fall classes. Anyone coming in will have to show on their smartphone how they completed the form; paper forms will also be available.

Parent Michael Coleman, 53, of Ypsilanti, has a son at Eastern and a daughter at Albion. He wonders what will happen with all the data being collected.

Is there some database somewhere that someone can hack and get all the data? he asked. I understand they want to keep everyone safe, but it seems like they are starting to go overboard.

Police patrols

In Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan isnt relying just on technology. The school is also sending police officers  both from the university and the city  into student-heavy neighborhoods.

Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Friday, April 3, 2020.

The Ann Arbor Police Department said it was teaming with UM students, staff, faculty and volunteers to patrol campus and neighborhoods around the university to "serve as a visible presence and reminder to students and other community members of the need to follow public health guidance," the department said in a tweet.

It comes as the Washtenaw County Health Department tightens restrictions on the number of people who are allowed to gather outdoors in the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, home to UM and Eastern, respectively.

"COVID-19, large gatherings and harmful alcoholic behavior are all concerns this year," the police department tweeted.

Its not really an extension of the police or something, UM President Mark Schlissel told the student newspaper, The Michigan Daily, in a recent interview. So, youll undoubtedly forget on some occasions to pull your mask over your face as you walk from some part thats off campus onto campus, or as you rush out of your apartment or a student rushes out of their dorm room. So, these are people that are just going to remind you, and were hoping that a lot of enforcement really comes from changing norms.

Students who fail to come into compliance when theyre partying in town after multiple admonitions and many different tiered levels of reminders ultimately will be brought into the student code pathway or receive a citation that will be very expensive to them, Schlissel said. But thats the last resort.

Detroit Free Press staff writer Kristen Jordan Shamus contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: COVID cases: Colleges using apps, sensors, police to track students
Bolivia's justice ministry on Monday accused former president Evo Morales of a second alleged sexual relationship with a minor, authorities said.

The 60-year-old, who led the South American nation from 2006-19, allegedly fathered a child with the girl when she was just 16.

The latest accusation comes after the justice ministry filed a complaint with the public prosecutor last week against Morales for "statutory rape and human trafficking."

The ministry revealed on Monday "a possible new case of rape" following an anonymous complaint, Deputy Minister Guido Melgar said.

It has filed a report with the La Paz ombudsman for children and adolescents, which can investigate the allegations.

Authorities established that the girl "had a sentimental relationship with Juan Evo Morales Ayma and fell pregnant when she was 15 years and five months old," Melgar said.

He added that she gave birth to a girl in February 2016 when she was 16.

"The minor exists. The mother exists and the minor's registered father is Juan Evo Morales Ayma," said Melgar.

The birth document was passed to the ombudsman to investigate and then decide whether to file a criminal complaint with the public prosecutor.

Rape is punishable under Bolivian law by between two and six years in prison.

Last week's complaint came after Bolivian newspapers published photographs showing Morales with a young woman, identified by the initials N.M.

Now 19, she was reported to have been a minor when their relationship began.

Morales's Movement for Socialism (MAS) party claims the accusations are politically motivated and blames the conservative interim government.

Bolivia is gearing up for presidential elections on October 18 and although Morales is barred from standing, even as a legislator, his party's candidate Luis Arce has consistently led polls since he was nominated in January.

MAS say the government is using the accusations to try to influence the election.

Morales has lived in exile in Argentina since fleeing weeks of post-election violence after his controversial re-election last October.

His country's first indigenous president, he had stood for an unconstitutional fourth term but an Organization of American States audit found evidence of electoral fraud.
At least 150 people have become permanently disabled as a result of the devastating August 4 port explosion.

Beirut, Lebanon  Hassan Nabha, 27, is among 6,000 people injured during the blast at Beiruts port. Many are expected to fully recover from their wounds, but Nabha is among those who may not.

When the young engineer left his home on the morning of August 4, he thought it would be a normal workday at the internet service provider company he worked at.

But with his workplace located near the site of a deadly blast caused by the detonation of nearly 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate at Beiruts port, that day changed his life forever.

The moment I saw the smoke rise, I believed it was the end and I was dead, said Nabha.

I regained some balance, but I couldnt feel my eye or my hands. My face was like dough, full of glass and drenched in blood, he recalled.

But my legs were working so I ran for my life, said Nabha. He saw bodies and dozens of injured people on the streets of Gemmayze, before he found an ambulance that took him to a hospital.





Although Nabha lived to tell the tale, the force of the explosion left him half-blind and scarred for life, he said, as he sat on the balcony of his family home in Khaldeh, just south of Beirut.

I cant see with my left eye, my face  which took 400 stitches to sew up  looks deformed, and I dont know if my finger will be useable again, said the young man.

Sitting across from him, Nabhas father, Ali, recalled how his son was unreachable for hours before someone contacted the family telling them where to look.

I rushed through the hospital like a crazy man, uncovering sheets pulled over dead bodies, said Ali.

He choked on his words, stopping for a moment before he could continue. I didnt want to find him.

Filled with grief, the father pulled out his phone and flicked through photos of his son from before the incident.

Look how beautiful he was, he said as he proudly showed an image of a handsome blue-eyed man with slick dark hair combed neatly back. To a stranger, there was little resemblance between the two.

I have seen dark days, death and destruction during the civil war, but nothing broke me like seeing my son this way, said Ali, tears rolling down his face.

He appeared to blame himself for what had happened.

When he told me a few years ago that he wanted to move to Canada, I insisted that he stay, said Ali, shaking his head regrettably before lowering his gaze to the floor.

Disabled

Hassan Nabha is among at least 150 people who have been disabled  in one way or another  as a result of the blast, according to a health ministry tally.





The number might be even higher, but we are still in the process of combing through cases at various hospitals before reaching an exact tally, said Joseph al-Hilw, director of medical care at the ministry.

Most of the long-term disabilities are blindness or loss of limbs, said al-Hilw.

He added the ministry was fully responsible for the lifelong treatment of all Lebanese victims of the blast  including the cost of prosthetic limbs and reconstructive eye surgeries  whereas UN agencies would have to fund the treatment of Syrian and Palestinian refugees.

Ibrahim Omeis, a neurosurgeon at the American University of Beirut Hospital  one of the busiest the night of the blast  said the bodies of many victims were severely scarred and will require extensive reconstructive surgery.

He added: And even if many victims physical injuries can be treated, many more suffer post-traumatic stress symptoms which will take much longer to overcome.

Half a man

Even more devasted by his injures was Mohamed Dadouey, a 40-year-old who worked as a driver at a security company that was also located along the port.

Dadouey was in his car, ready to go home after a long day at work, when the explosion hit at 6:08pm local time. His car was parked just 50 metres away from the infamous Hangar 12 at Beiruts port where the ammonium nitrate was stored.

Speaking from his hospital bed in Ajaltoun, north of Beirut, Dadouey explained the blast left him blind in his left eye, with only 20 percent vision in his right one, an amputated leg, and an arm that he may never be able to use again.

Mohamed Dadoey, 40, lost his left eye, a leg, and potentially his arm because of the blast [Courtesy: Mohamed Dadoey]

He said although three weeks after the explosion his condition was stable, the injuries he sustained had altered his life forever and left him permanently disabled.

The worst thing is being blind, said Dadouey. Without an eye I am nothing. Im half a man, said the father of three.

Dadouey and his family said they would demand a prosthetic limb and eye surgery, as well as compensation from the state for his vehicle that was destroyed in the blast.

My car was the only thing I had to get around and take my children out over the weekend, he said. But now I dont know if Ill be able to see or walk again.

Adamant to survive

Like most Lebanese  many who have been taking part in mass anti-government protests since October last year  both men held a corrupt government and neglect responsible for what happened that day.





If this was a war, I could overcome it, said Dadouey. But it wasnt a war and there wasnt an enemy.

Despite their severe and life-altering wounds, the resilient men are adamant to recover and lead as much of a normal life as possible.

I have a family that depends on me, said Dadouey. I need to get up and provide for them.

Likewise, Nabha said he had not given up on his dream of going to Canada, but this time he wants to go with his fiancee Taj.

It didnt happen a few years ago, but Im adamant to pursue my dreams, said Nabha. Theres no future here anyway.

But even for victims who did not lose an eye or a limb, the effects of the incident will never leave them.

Hussein Haydar, a 27-year-old who worked at the same company as Nabha, is able to see but still has glass stuck in his right eye and scars all over his face.

These scars, he said pointing at his cheek as he sat in his family home in the Dahiyeh suburbs of Beirut. They will remain with me  a memory forever.

Follow Arwa Ibrahim on Twitter: @arwaib
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
IAEA chief arrives in Iran for talks on first visit since taking office

Iran Press TV

Monday, 24 August 2020 5:45 PM

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has arrived in Tehran on his first visit to the country since taking office in December to hold talks with senior Iranian officials.

Grossi was welcomed by the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Behrouz Kamalvandi, upon his arrival on Monday.

The visit takes place over two months after the IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution on June 19, put forward by Britain, France and Germany  the three European signatories to the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The resolution, the first of its kind since 2012, urges Iran to provide the IAEA inspectors with access to two sites that the trio claims may have been used for undeclared nuclear activities in the early 2000s.

The Islamic Republic rejects any allegations of non-cooperation with the IAEA, insisting that it is prepared to resolve potentially outstanding differences with the nuclear agency.

Iran's permanent representative to Vienna-based international organizations Kazem Gharibabadi said on Sunday that the IAEA chief visit to Tehran has nothing to do with the United States' latest effort to use the snapback mechanism.

"This visit is not related to the so-called snapback mechanism and does not come at the US' request. Grossi's trip [to Iran] takes place on the basis of Iran's invitation," Gharibabadi said in a post on his Instagram account.

The United States has been trying to invoke a "snapback" mechanism in the multilateral nuclear agreement despite its withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018 in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorses the deal.

The United States' most prominent Western allies have refused to fall into step with its push to snap back the United Nations sanctions against Iran.

The United Kingdom, France, and Germany, all signatories to the JCPOA, say the US does not have the legal right to trigger "snapback" sanctions because it pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.

In an exclusive interview with Al-Alam news network on Sunday, Kamalvandi said the IAEA has requested access to two Iranian sites, one of which is located near the central city of Shahreza in Isfahan Province and the other is situated near Tehran.

The AEOI spokesman added that Iran has never been opposed to the agency's access to its nuclear sites, but "believes that the IAEA's inquires must be based on serious evidence and documents."

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






A doctor who crashed into a coffee shop while drink driving has been banned from the roads for more than two years.

David Henderson, 60, smashed his silver Mitsubishi Shogun Sport 4x4 in Shanklin, Isle of Wight, on July 22.

The shamed GP had earlier been seen urinating against one of his car's rear wheels.

A witness tried to take his car keys but he drove off and subsequently crashed the 37,000 vehicle into the Old Thatch Teashop.

Police arrived and he was found to have 116mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - more than three times the legal limit.

David Henderson, 60, smashed his silver Mitsubishi Shogun Sport 4x4 in Shanklin, Isle of Wight, on July 22

A passer-by suffered a minor injury to her hand from a piece of debris (pictured: The scene of the crash)

The shamed GP had earlier been seen urinating against his car wheel. A witness tried to take his car keys but he drove off and subsequently crashed the 37,000 vehicle

Henderson, of Shanklin, admitted drink driving at Isle of Wight Magistrates Court and was sentenced last Friday (pictured: Police officers at the scene of the crash)

A passer-by suffered a minor injury to her hand from a piece of debris.

Henderson, of Shanklin, admitted drink driving at Isle of Wight Magistrates Court and was sentenced last Friday.

He got a driving ban of two years and two months, plus an 18-month community order of 120 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay 180.

His defence lawyer, James Cameron, had said Henderson was a hardworking GP who was ashamed by what happened.

The doctor also apologised to the injured woman.
For 14 years, former Iranian journalist Sara Omatali kept quiet about the time she says a prominent painter sexually assaulted her.

Last week, the U.S.-based educator broke her silence on Twitter, detailing the alleged abuse that took place in the summer of 2006.

Omatali is one of many Iranian women who have in recent days taken to social media to tell their stories of sexual harassment and rape, breaking years of silence about an issue that remains taboo and is often swept under the rug in Iran.

Omatali said she had decided to interview the painter about an exhibition at the National Museum in Tehran. He insisted that she came to his office first, saying they would go to the exhibition together. After hesitating, she went to his office to find him naked under a brown cloak.

He then assaulted her, she said.

He held me tightly, squeezing my body and trying to kiss my lips; I struggled as hard as I could to get rid of him, she wrote on Twitter.

Omatali managed to escape into the street. The painter later came out and acted as if nothing had happened.

He came toward me and said: 'Shall we?'

It was as if I had no will of my own. I went, Omatali said, adding that she still becomes full of hatred, fear, and helplessness when she recalls that day.

Spotlight On Abuse

The outpouring of accounts about alleged sexual abuse, rape, and unwanted sexual advances and the number of women who have joined the movement, some anonymously, appears to be unprecedented in Iran, leading to comparisons with the global #metoo movement that has occurred around the world in recent years and putting a spotlight on such abuse.

One woman said she was raped by a friend after she visited him at his apartment. She had a glass of wine and woke up the next morning in his bed, naked, she said.

Others came forward claiming they had been raped by the same man, accusing him of drugging them beforehand.

Tehran police chief Hossein Rahimi said on August 25 that the man identified by the initials "KE" had been arrested after several women said they were raped by him.

Several others accused a known visual artist, as well as a popular writer, while at least one spoke of past sexual misconduct by a prominent filmmaker.

Some named their abusers publicly, others alluded to their identities. Several men also joined the campaign, tweeting about their experience with sexual abuse.

Fashion photographer Reihaneh Taravati said she had been sexually harassed by one of the pioneers of Iranian photography when she was 19, while artist Leva Zand wrote how her friend had been raped by a man whom she described as a well-known, New York-based, Iranian human rights activist.

At least one woman recounted how she sought legal action against her perpetrator that resulted in the punishment of her offender.

Several lawyers offered tips and legal advice to Iranian women who face discriminatory Islamic laws enforced following the 1979 Islamic Revolution that often favor men.

The global #metoo movement led to the downfall of a number of prominent figures, including the famous Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein, who is now in prison in New York.

The Iranian #metoo movement, which has resulted at this time in the arrest of one alleged rapist, appears to have empowered abuse survivors who had remained silent for years and, in some cases, blamed themselves for the predatory behavior of their abusers.

Omatali told RFE/RL she decided to publicize her alleged sexual harassment after reading some of the anonymous accounts of abuse that have been posted on social media in the past two weeks.

"I thought to myself, 'youre in the United States and have more freedom and protection than those in Iran to raise the issue publicly, why are you silent?'"

I didnt find an answer that would satisfy me, and so despite the pressure and anxiety I knew I would face, I decided to write about my experience, hoping that it would be a starting point for the publicizing of similar incidents, Omatali said.

Absence Of Education

She expressed hope that the ongoing campaign will lead to increased awareness among people about the problems of sexual abuse and harassment.

In the absence of systematic education about sexual issues in Iran, this group movement improves the atmosphere for a public discussion and creates a precious opportunity for education, Omatali said.

Sexual abuse is believed to be widespread in Iranian society, where women often complain about being sexually harassed on the streets in the form of catcalling and groping.

Many women have also recounted in past days about being sexually assaulted at work while having no choice than to stay in contact with the offender, who is quite often the boss or a colleague.

Tehran-based sociologist Saeed Madani told RFE/RLs Radio Farda that in Iran, like other countries, many victims of sexual abuse and rape are reluctant to speak out.

"They arent usually inclined to seek legal action, therefore the number of cases that are referred to the [authorities] is very limited and those very limited cases are not publicized," he said.

Madani referred to rape figures reported by the media as the tip of the iceberg, saying the majority of the cases are not being reported.

One report said that the highest incidents of rape are in Tehran, with about 1,600 sexual crimes being registered annually, but it is estimated that some 80 percent of rape cases are not being reported, he said.

One reason is the taboo surrounding the issue while victim blaming is also preventing women from coming forward.

In a patriarchal society, it is assumed primarily that the woman has done something wrong, Madani said.

Veteran womens rights advocate Susan Tahmasebi told RFE/RL that the current movement against sexual abuse and rape is likely to encourage more survivors of abuse to seek legal action.

"Already we see that the recounting of these stories has brought about change," Tahmasebi said. "Besides raising awareness among women survivors of rape and sexual assault, sending them the message that they are not to blame and that they will be safe in coming forward."

"It tells men that they can no longer continue their violent behavior against women with full impunity," she added. "At least in the eyes of the community they will lose face and this has already happened in the case of some high-profile men."

Radio Farda broadcaster Mohammad Zarghami contributed to this report
A strategy meeting of a Massachusetts-based drug company played a much greater role in spreading the novel coronavirus than previously believed, a new study finds.

The international Biogen Inc conference, held at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf hotel in late February, led to roughly 20,000 cases of COVID-19 across the US in two months.

That figure is 625-fold greater than the more than 90 cases previously attributed to the meeting back in early March.

Researchers from several state institutions, including the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, found that the virus responsible for the outbreak was a strain with a specific genetic mutation.

This mutation was detected in two elderly French patients around the same time it appeared at the Biogen conference, implying the strain likely came from western Europe.

A strategy meeting of 175 senior managers at Biogen Inc was held at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf Hotel (pictured) in late February

Originally, health experts linked the conference to more than 90 coronavirus cases across the state and around the US. Pictured: Biogen headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts

The study, which was published on the pre-peer review site medRxiv.org, never mentions Biogen by name and only refers to 'an international business conference held in Boston from February 26-27.'

The conference was attended by 175 of the company's senior mangers during the same time period.

For the paper, the team isolated viral genomes - the complete RNA makeup - from 772 patients in Massachusetts.

Nearly all of them tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, within the first week of the outbreak.

Researchers looked at mutations in the virus's genetic code and found more than 80 distinct genomes that was 'introduced' into the state on separate occasions from late January to early May.

In a recent study of 772 patients, researchers found one distinct strain (in blue) in more than one-third of patients linked back to the conference and believe it caused more than 20,000 infections over two months

Most came from other US states and western Europe, but did not lead to widespread illness.

However, one of the genomes had a unique mutation that infected 289 - more than one-third - of the patients examined.

What's more, this mutation traced back to the Biogen meeting, including 28 people known to have attended, worked at the hotel or were close contacts.

In April, this sub-strain would hit at least two Boston homeless shelters, infecting 122 residents and staffers

The study highlights the far-reaching effects of indoor super-spreader events, how little the public knew about the virus at the time and how it transmitted from wealthy pharmaceutical executives to the city's most vulnerable residents.

'We're not trying to point fingers,' co-author Dr Bronwyn MacInnis, director of pathogen surveillance at the Broad Institute, told The Boston Globe.

'Some [viral] introductions fizzle out, others light fires. The circumstances of this event - the fact that it happened so early in the epidemic and the timing of where we were with COVID in the public consciousness - meant it had a disproportionate effect.'

The researchers say the strategy meeting - an annual event for Biogen, which has an estimated 7,500 employees around the world and earns about $12 billion in revenue - created the ideal effects for a super-spreader event.

Attendees came from all over the country, including Michigan, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia, and the world, such as Australia, Slovakia and Sweden.

They shook hands, packed into elevators and meeting rooms and sat together while eating dinner.

A spokesman told The Wall Street Journal in March that about one week after the meeting, some people complained of symptoms resembling the flu.

Biogen reportedly reached out to public health authorities, who asked that meeting attendees self-quarantine for 14 days to monitor their conditions.

The conference was held before US health experts recommended social distancing and wearing face masks.

The company told The Boston Globe in a statement that, at the time, it followed US regulations and did not dispute that the gathering led to 20,000 cases.

'We never would have knowingly put anyone at risk,' the statement read.

'When we learned a number of our colleagues were ill, we did not know the cause was COVID-19, but we immediately notified public health authorities and took steps to limit the spread.'
Claudia Jordan does not mince words. Shes famous for speaking her truth and viewers of RHOA remember Jordan never backing down from an argument with her co-stars. Jordan is now speaking out regarding domestic abuse she says she experienced in her relationship with actor Medina Islam. Ironically, Islam is currently dating her former co-star, Phaedra Parks.

Medina Islam and Claudia Jordan via Twitter

Phaedra Parks is dating Claudia Jordans ex, Medina Islam

Jordan and Islam dated in 2016. The two walked arm and arm on red carpets together and Jordan promoted Islams music on her social media pages.

Medina Islam and Claudia Jordan 2016 | Maury Phillips/BET/Getty Images for BET

Islam and Parks went public with their relationship in 2019, with Parks telling the Daily Mail at the time, Hes very smart, very intelligent. Hes kind, we are both socially active. Hes really sober and smart and a great father. So Im excited about it.

The couple is currently sorting through their relationship issues on Marriage Bootcamp, with Islam complaining that Parks lacks affection and is fearful of commitment. Parks admits that her previous marriage left her with scars.

Claudia Jordan Medina Islam beat her while they were dating

According to Jordans new revelation about an incident in her relationship with Islam, Parks may have legitimate concerns in being hesitant in taking her relationship with Islam to the next level.

While discussing Megan Thee Stallion naming rapper Tory Lanez as her shooter, Jordan felt implied to share her own story of abuse at the hands of a man. She says her relationship with Islam was full of deception and lies.

RELATED: Claudia Jordan Responds To Tami Romans Criticism Of Her Speaking On Mike Tysons Rape Case and Why Shell Never Forgive Tyson

He lived with me at the time, she says. He lied about everything, said he had a car, he didnt have a car  said he had property in Atlanta, he didnt have property in Atlanta  said his teeth were real, his teeth werent real  said he was seven years younger than he really was.

Once Jordan discovered the truth, she says things turned violent.

We got into an argument, she says. I grabbed his phone and he was wrestling it out of my hand. And this is the first time Ive ever said this because you know what, I got inspired by Meg Thee Stallion. Ive been holding this for four years now. And he body-slammed me into a toilet. Broke it in half. It cracked the porcelain and water went everywhere. I kept that to myself  never called the police on him  [I] stayed in bed for four days with back spasms.

Jordan says Stallions courage in speaking out helped her to also share her story.

Medina Islam says Claudia Jordan is lying

Islam paints a different picture of his relationship with Jordan. He says their relationship lasted only six months and that in that time, he ended things four times because of Jordans mouth and messy ways.

In a lengthy Instagram post, he insinuates that Jordan is desperate for fame and that during their brief courtship, she pitched the two of them for Marriage Bootcamp. He also alleges Jordan would call paparazzi to take photos of the two of them for the press.

According to Medina, Jordan lies on men to get ahead. He says Jordan was the abuser in their relationship, which is why he walked away.
This fall, Michigan parents are sending their children back to school and into a situation they may not have been in for months: an indoor space with more than 10 people.

Large gatherings, once commonplace for everything from classrooms to family reunions, have been limited by executive orders from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer since March 13. At that time, gatherings of more than 250 people were banned. The limits have differed in size and by geography since then, but currently, indoor gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited statewide.
A former model has claimed her friend slept with Prince Andrew on the orders of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, according to a new documentary airing tonight.

Lisa Phillips, 42, who now lives in Los Angeles, alleged that she then confronted the billionaire paedophile who told her: 'It's nice to have things on people.'

But there is no suggestion that the Duke of York had non-consensual sex or knew of Epstein's demands - and sources close to him dismissed the 'baseless' allegation.

Ms Phillips's claims about her unnamed friend, who was in her early 20s at the time, are set be broadcast in a new four-part documentary Surviving Jeffrey Epstein on the digital channel Crime+Investigation, which begins tonight.

Andrew is photographed with the disgraced Epstein in New York's Central Park in 2010

She claimed she first met Epstein after a photoshoot in the Caribbean 20 years ago, where he invited her and another friend to his island, Little St James.

She told The Sun: 'I found Jeffrey very charming and he seemed really nice. I had mentioned I had lived in England and he said, 'Oh, would you like to meet a prince?'.'

Ms Phillips, who now runs a modelling agency, added: 'This man walked up and I recognised him as Prince Andrew. He was very nice. It was very brief.'

She said she witnessed no wrongdoing on the island and met with Epstein in the years that followed at the likes of charity events, parties and theatre shows.

Former model Lisa Philips is pictured on her way to Jeffrey Epstein's Caribbean island in 2000

But she alleged that her friend told in her in 2004 that Epstein had told her to go into a bedroom to have sex with Andrew at the billionaire's home in New York City.

Ms Philips told the Sun: 'I had one last conversation with Jeffrey. I said, 'My friend told me about you instructing her to have sex with Prince Andrew'.

'He said something like it wasn't a big deal, that she was OK with it. I said. 'Nobody's OK with that  why would you do that?'. He grinned and said, 'Oh it's nice to have things on people'.'

But a source close to Andrew said the allegations were 'unsourced, unverified, unsubstantiated claims, regurgitated on third-hand hearsay with no evidence'.

The documentary also hears from Andrew's accuser Virginia Roberts, now known as Virginia Giuffre, who claimed Andrew played a guessing game about her age when they first met and compared her to his daughters.

Ms Giuffre said she was 17 when she was introduced to the Queen's second son in London, and described him as an 'abuser' and 'not the prince from the fairy tale stories you read'.

Ms Giuffre, who says she was trafficked by Epstein, alleges the Duke had sex with her on three separate occasions, including when she was 17, still a minor under US law.

Andrew has categorically denied he has had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Giuffre.

Ghislaine Maxwell is awaiting trial in the US after being charged with procuring teenage girls for Epstein (pictured together in New York in 2005) to abuse. She denies the charges

The duke's friend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, is awaiting trial in the US after being charged with procuring teenage girls for Epstein to abuse. She denies the charges.

In a clip released ahead of the programme, Ms Giuffre said of Andrew, who is the father of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie: 'Before he abused me, when we just met, Ghislaine does this guessing game and he guessed right, I was 17 and he compared me to his daughters, saying, 'Oh, my daughters are a few years younger than you'.'

She added: 'Prince Andrew is not the prince from the fairy tale stories you read. Andrew deserves to be outed. He deserves to be held accountable. He's an abuser.'

Lady Victoria Hervey, formerly friends with Andrew and Maxwell, told the programme that friendship with Epstein offered the duke a form of escapism.

Andrew spoke to the BBC's Emily Maitlis for a Newsnight interview in November last year

She said: 'Jeffrey definitely enjoyed the idea of being friends with the Queen's son and Prince Andrew had just gone through a divorce.

'There's this American billionaire that wants to fly him around the world and introduce him to people, and it was probably an escapism, really, for him.'

Christopher Mason, a journalist and also a former friend of Maxwell, said he once bumped into Andrew and Maxwell while walking in Madison Avenue in New York.

Mr Mason said: 'He told me that he was staying at Jeffrey's townhouse. That kind of fascinated me. It just seemed like a kind of perfect instance of the kind of people that Jeffrey was hanging out with.'

Andrew stepped down from royal public life in November following his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview, which had led to criticism of a lack of empathy for Epstein's victims and a lack of remorse over his friendship with the convicted sex offender.

Epstein killed himself in August last year while in a New York prison awaiting trial.

Surviving Jeffrey Epstein will be on Crime+Investigation with a double episode tonight at 9pm, followed by parts three and four tomorrow at 9pm. The channel is available on Sky 156, 256 and 835; Virgin Media 209 and BT 328 and 380
<! Ibrahim Khaleel Bello: killed in Northern Cyprus >

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Over 100 Nigerians, most of them students have been killed in mysterious circumstances in Northern Cyprus, a country not recognised by the United Nations.

Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIODCOM) made this known on Monday and warned Nigerian parents against sending their children to universities in the country.

Dabiri-Erewa said it was too risky to send children to Northern Cyprus schools, a killing field for Nigerian students, killed mysteriously without any conclusive investigations carried out.

She gave the warning when she received in her office, a delegation led by Justice Amina Bello, mother of a Nigerian student, Ibrahim Khaleel Bello, who was allegedly killed in inexplicable circumstances in that country.

She stressed that the death of Khaleel, a third-year engineering student had brought to a tipping point the incessant killing of Nigerian students in the country under baffling circumstances.

The NIDCOM boss, who read out 15 names of Nigerians from a list of more than 100 who were killed in the country, said it was difficult to employ international diplomacy in investigation as the country was only recognised by Turkey.

The death of Ibrahim Khaleel should be the tipping point to a stop in the killing of our children anywhere in the World, particularly Northern Cyprus.

It is not only Ibrahim. Kennedy Dede 28, Augustine Ngok, Gabriel Sorewei, Osabanjo Owoyale, Augustine Wallace, Stanley Eteno, Hassan Babatunde, Temitayo Adigun, and Kubat Abraham are just a few of the ones that we even know.

The problem is that most Nigerian parents do not know that Northern Cyprus is not recognised by any country in the world.

It is not a UN-recognised country. It is only recognised by Turkey.

That is why we have not been able to do much. Who do you report to? Thousands of Nigerian students are schooling there and I tell you that hundreds have been killed. Who do you take these cases to?

And they are killed in similar circumstances. The school just tells you well, they committed suicide and nothing happens.

We are going to list all these names of Nigerians that have been killed and we demand justice. There has been no prosecution and no compensation.

No Nigerian parent should send their children to any university in Northern Cyprus  there is a collaboration which we do not understand that makes them kill blacks, particularly our Nigerian students, she said.

She assured the mother of the deceased student that the commission would work with her to demand justice, not only for her son but also for other Nigerians, who have been killed while studying in that country.

She said that the case had already been transferred to INTERPOL through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The NIDCOM chairman recalled that when she was a serving lawmaker and Soreweis killing was on the front burner in Nigeria, the school which seemed unapologetic about the killing had already sent its agents to lure more Nigerians with juicy scholarships.

While acknowledging that Nigerian schools needed improvements, she gave an assurance of President Muhammadu Buharis dedication to improving the education sector and insisted that many Nigerian schools were better than some of the acclaimed foreign universities in spite of the odds.

She said that there were already reports that many of the courses being offered by the shoddy universities in Northern Cyprus were not accredited, pledging that NIDCOM would work with the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) for a possible blacklist of certificates from the country.

Yes our universities have challenges. There are strikes and you dont (always) know when you are going to finish but there are some of these universities that you will regret you even went to, including some in Africa.

It is better to go to a private university here than to go to some of these places that we go to in the name of our children are in Europe.

We have written the NUC. The key thing is to blacklist Northern Cyprus and to stop our children from going to that country to study.

We will be working with the NUC to list all the universities in Northern Cyprus and blacklist them. We cannot be letting them kill our children.

She said that NIDCOM had met with the Ambassador of Turkey to Nigeria, who being new, said he was unaware of the killing but promised to look into the matter.

She added there were plans by NIDCOM to visit Northern Cyprus after the COVID-19 Pandemic to see thing as clearly as they were.

She admonished Nigerians schooling abroad to make it a point of duty to always report to the Nigerian mission in that country upon arrival.

Speaking earlier, the mother of the late student said that she was yet to come to terms with the death of her son whom was reported to have committed suicide but circumstances showed otherwise.

She said that autopsy reports and investigations which she had requested in the past seven months were yet to come, adding that the school authorities were being evasive.

She said that while she was told by authorities that her son jumped from the 7th floor of a building, there was no visible injury on his body or head to suggest that.

Related
Saudi Arabia has inaugurated the National Grain Company, a strategic partnership between the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (Salic) and the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri).

With an estimated total cost of SR412 million in Phase One, the project aims at meeting the future demand for major grains in Saudi Arabia.

The new companys inauguration and name announcement ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, under the patronage of Eng Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Chairman of Salic, and in the presence of Eng Ahmed Al-Faris, Governor of the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO); Mohammed Al-Sarhan, Chairman of Bahri; Eng. Sulaiman Al-Rumaih, CEO of Salic; and Abdullah Aldubaikhi, CEO of Bahri.

This partnership aims to oversee the trade, handling, and storage of grains between its sources in all regions of the Black Sea, Europe, South America, and the Red Sea region, contributing to the process of import, transportation, distribution, and storage. The project, at Yanbu Commercial Port, will start with a capacity of about 3 million tons per year by the year 2022, to gradually increase to 5 million tons per year. The new terminal, which will be built according to the highest international standards, will enable the rapid handling of grains and fodder

The new terminal, which will be constructed to the highest international standards, will allow for the rapid handling of grains and fodder, by making the logistics services of the terminal available to all importers for the benefit of both the private and public sectors.

Eng Al-Fadhli said: We are delighted with this partnership, which aligns with SALICs strategy to contribute to achieving food security in the Kingdom, as part of the Vision 2030 objectives. The project will also aid with the provision of basic food products and price stability in the Kingdom, which is tied to global production and consumption rates, the movement of commercial shipping, and global stocks of basic food commodities.

Al-Fadhli added: We are confident that this company will play a major role in strengthening supply chains in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it will lead to the building of the largest regional center for grains. The new terminal will enhance food distribution solutions in the region by importing, processing, exporting, and storing grains to the Kingdom, thanks in part to the strategic location of Yanbu Commercial Port, a key maritime gateway to receive the Kingdoms imports of strategic goods. This project also reflects Salics strategic objectives to achieve more than 50% of the import coverage rate for all commodities identified as strategic goods, in line with the Kingdoms food security strategy.

Mohammed Al-Sarhan, Chairman of Bahri, said: Our work at Bahri balances demand and supply, harnessing big data to efficiently manage and streamline our fleet operations. Today, we are seizing new expansion opportunities in cooperation with economic entities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to diversify our offerings and provide value-added services, in addition to the development of our main business sectors. Over the years, we have made great efforts to contribute to national food security by transporting nearly 1.5 million tons of grains annually to the Kingdom through our fleet of five dry-bulk carriers. With the addition of four new carriers before the end of this year, Bahri will be able to transport 5 million tons of dry food and various grains, including barley, corn, wheat, soy, and others, annually, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Sarhan added: We are pleased to achieve one of our largest regional-level strategic initiatives. Our joint venture with Salic will link the Kingdom to global grain sources, further contributing to the goals of Vision 2030 to make our nation an international logistics hub, connecting three continents. The Yanbu Commercial Port, overlooking the Red Sea, was chosen as the strategic location following a lease agreement between Salic and the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), reflecting the Kingdoms objectives to maintain water security and limit the cultivation of fodder that consumes water in large quantities.

The Yanbu Commercial Port is the perfect maritime gateway for a grain handling terminal of this size and capacity, as most imported grains come from countries along the Black Sea, South America, and parts of North America. New shipments coming from Australia to the Red Sea will also find the terminal beneficial, thanks to its modern offloading, handling, and storage technologies, said the statement.  TradeArabia News Service
Former Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore received a series of setbacks Monday in rulings by the judge presiding over the lawsuit brought by one of his accusers.

In the lawsuit filed in 2018 by Leigh Corfman, who has alleged she was a victim of sexual misconduct by Moore when she was 14 years old and he was 32 in Etowah County, Judge John Rochester denied Moores requests that he withdraw from the case.

Moore has repeatedly denied Corfmans allegations.

The judge also denied Moores motion for summary judgment and granted Corfmans motions to expand and take Moore deposition as well as take the deposition of Moores wife, Kayla.

No trial date has been set in the case and its unclear how soon a date might be set, given that Alabama suspended jury trials in March because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Jury trials are scheduled to resume next month.

Moore filed a motion in February asking Rochester to recuse himself from the case, arguing that he contributed to the campaign of Sen. Doug Jones  who defeated Moore in the 2017 special election  and, according to a press release at the time, the judges criticism and mocking of Christianity on his Facebook page with full knowledge of Judge Moores belief in God.

In his order Monday, Rochester wrote that, Defendants have provided no evidence or even a rational argument that the judge presiding over this case is in any way impartial or maintains a bias in favor of the plaintiff and against the defendants.

The judge also wrote in his order that his and his wifes financial support of Jones campaign and Moores allegations that the judge was mocking Christianity  among other charges in the motion  are wholly unrelated to this case.

Most of these claims are simply absurd fictions, and even those which have some factual basis provide no evidence or proof that this judge is now or ever has been biased in any way in favor of the plaintiff or against the defendants, the order said.

In the same motion, attorneys for Moore raised concerns that Rochester had not ruled on a motion filed in July 2019 in which Moore requested a ruling for summary judgment  which would have ended the lawsuit with a ruling in Moores favor. Moores attorney argued that while Moore stipulated to the quotes attributed to him cited in Corfmans lawsuit, they did not rise to the level of defamation.

Rochester denied the motion for summary judgment in a one-sentence order.

In other orders Monday, the judge ruled that the motion for summary judgement by Roy Moore for U.S. Senate  named as a defendant in the lawsuit, though Moores attorneys have said it no longer exists  remains under consideration. And the judge agreed to quash the deposition by campaign aide Rich Hobson, pending a summary judgement ruling on Roy Moore for U.S. Senate.
Advertisement

The world's oldest-serving aircraft carrier which once sailed as Britain's flagship during the Falklands War is set to be turned into motorcycles after it was finally sold for scrap in India.

The HMS Hermes entered active service in the Royal Navy in 1959, was due to be decommissioned in 1981, but was saved from the scrapheap to lead British forces to victory in the Falklands in 1982.

She was then sold to India in 1986, renamed the INS Viraat, and remained in service until 2017, when she was officially decommissioned in Mumbai - 36 years after she was initially due to be scrapped.

Now, having sat idle in Mumbai for three years, she has be sold for 5.1million as scrap to the Shree Ram Group at Asia's largest ship scrapyard in Alang, Gujarat state, who say she will likely be turned into motorcycles.

The HMS Hermes, Britain's flagship during the Falklands War (pictured sailing to the south Atlantic in 1982), will likely be turned into motorcycles after being sold off for scrap by the Indian navy - which bought her after the conflict

The Hermes (pictured left during the Queen's silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977) had long been considered surplus by the Royal Navy and was very nearly scrapped in 1981, but was saved from the heap after Argentina attacked the Falkland Islands in 1982 - with the Hermes named flagship of the Royal Navy force sent to recapture the territory

The Hermes, known as the Grand Old Lady of the Royal Navy, was considered too valuable to risk in close-quarters operations against the Argentines, and so was used as a support vessel - including taking on wounded from the frontlines (pictured)

After the war was won, the Hermes was welcomed back to Portsmouth as a hero, with Margaret Thatcher taking a tour of her alongside Captain Linley Middleton (pictured)

After the war the Hermes was retrofitted several times before falling into disuse, and was at last sold to the Indian navy in 1987 - where she was renamed the INS Viraat (pictured)

HMS Hermes: By the numbers Laid down (construction begun): 1944 Launched: 1953 Construction finished: 1957 Entered service: 1959 Crew: 2,100 Weapons: Initially ten Bofors anti-aircraft guns, then two Sea Cat anti-aircraft missile systems Air wing: Initially, up to 12 Sea Vixen defence fighters, seven Buccaneer attack fighters, five Gannet bombers, and six Wessex helicopters After 1970, the air wing consisted of up to 28 Sea Harriers, and nine Westland Sea King helicopters Advertisement

Other plans for the Viraat - which means 'Giant' in Sanskrit - would have seen her turned into floating museum or a hotel, but both schemes fell through.

'Once the ship docks at Alang, it will take us around 9-12 months to dismantle it and then we shall sell it as scrap to recover the cost,' Shree Ram Group chairman Mukesh Patel told AFP.

'We have been approached by two motorcycle makers for using the steel from the warship to build bikes... But nothing has been finalised yet,' he said.

At the time of her decommissioning, the vessel had sailed more than 700,000 miles, roughly equivalent to 28 times around the globe.

During the Falklands, the Hermes - known as the 'Grand Old Lady' of the Royal Navy - was considered too valuable to risk getting close to the fighting, and instead stayed at range, using her complement of Harrier jump jets to keep Argentine fighters and bombers which were attacking British ships and troops at bay.

While the ship never saw combat operations during her years in India, she still wrote her name into the history books - after Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi allegedly used her to go on holiday alongside other prominent politicians. The claim was officially denied.

The Viraat completed her last voyage under her own steam in 2016, when she sailed from Mumbai to Kochi, where her engines were stripped out.

She was then returned to Mumbai for an official decommissioning ceremony before her weapons and combat systems were stripped out. She has sat idle at the port since then.

Armourers are pictured moving torpedoes around on the Hermes' flight deck as the re-arm Sea King helicopters to use against the Argentine Navy during the Falklands War

British Royal Marines are pictured exercising on the Hermes' flight deck in 1982, as the ship sailed towards the Falkland Islands at the head of Royal Navy forces that were tasked with recapturing them

Crewmen stand alongside their Sea Harrier aircraft on board the Hermes as she cruises close to the Falklands, in 1982

The Hermes is given a hero's welcome as she arrives back in Portsmouth following victory over Argentina, accompanied by a flotilla of smaller boats and watched by hundreds of people from the dock

Indian sailors remove the flag from the Hermes - then known as INS Viraat - in 2017, as she was officially decommissioned in Mumbai before being sold for scrap
The Atlantic City police officer who was found dead in his car this past weekend died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death was a suicide, authorities said.

The results of the autopsy performed on Richard Link, 29, of Brigantine, were released Tuesday by the Southern Regional Medical Examiner Office.

Link was found in a non-department-issued vehicle in Galloway, according to a statement from the Atlantic City Police Department.

Blue H.E.L.P., an organization that compiles a list of law enforcement officers lost to suicide, reported a significant increase in suicides by officers from 2018 to 2019, the department said in the statement. Accordingly, more is being done in New Jersey to connect those officers or their families that need assistance with the appropriate resources.

The department said it has appointed three officers to fill the role of Resiliency Program Officer after the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office issued a directive promoting law enforcement resiliency in 2019.

Link was as on the force since December 2016 when he was hired as a Class II Special Law Enforcement Officer. He was promoted to full police officer in April 2019, where he was assigned to the Operations Division.

Link served on the Riot Investigation Team as a temporary assignment in recent months, following riots and looting after Mays peaceful protests, police said.

A memorial service celebrating Links life is scheduled at the Fusion Church, 6300 E. Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, on Sat., Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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.
Many Texans have returned to work. Others, those deemed essential, never left.

Some workplaces may have fallen short of safety standards amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to complaints made to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

One report made to OSHA's hotline in August claimed that at least 60 employees tested positive for COVID-19 at the Walmart Distribution Center in New Braunfels.

The company had not disinfected the facility and was not enforcing the use of face masks, according to the report.

READ ALSO: Avoid haunted houses: Metro Health releases guidelines for a safe Halloween in San Antonio

Workers at San Antonio International Airport charged with emptying aircraft lavatories - potentially exposing them to human waste and "blue juice" - did not have access to hot water for handwashing.

Those allegations were found in complaints made to OSHA and assembled in a nationwide map by Strikewave. The data was last updated on Oct. 18.

The following complaints have since been closed by the agency.

Keep scrolling to see the COVID-19 complaints made to OSHA in the San Antonio area.
UK red meat exports have enjoyed a good start to the year with shipments already worth 733m in the first six months  up nearly 3% on the same period last year.

The strong results come during one of the most challenging years on record for red meat exports due to the ongoing difficulties caused by Covid-19.

According to data from HMRC, pork exports led the way with a 15 percent increase in value to 311 million.

While challenges on some EU markets resulted in a 10% decline in EU shipments, non-EU pork and pig meat offal exports were up 17% on the year to end June, accounting for 59% of UK exports.

AHDB International Market Development Director, Dr Phil Hadley said figures showed that despite Covid-19, the UK meat sectors continued to export around the world.

There are a number of positive factors for the first half of 2020, including our exports to non-EU countries," he said.

"While Europe remains our most significant market for red meat exports, it is imperative with Brexit on the horizon, that we continue to take advantage of the opportunities third countries offer.

While both volume and value for beef exports were down on last year, shipments to non-EU countries were up 21% and 46% respectively.

The overall decline in beef shipments was due to Covid-related challenges on the global foodservice market and strong domestic demand.

Among the key third country destinations for UK beef is Japan, which has seen 1,369 tonnes of beef shipped so far this year after the UK gained market access in early 2019  bringing a 4.7m boost to the sector.

Other regions which have seen a rise in exports include the Philippines with volumes up 51% to 1,958 tonnes and Canada where shipments have grown to 968 tonnes from a modest 26 tonnes last year.

Sheep meat exports have increased in value by almost 2 percent, worth 195 million over the first six months.

The sector saw a 129% rise in volumes to non-EU countries both for commodity cuts to markets such as Ghana or, at the higher end of the market, to Canada which both recorded sharp rises in shipments this year.

Dr Hadley added: We can see that we are in a strong position in regards to our red meat exports and we hope to build on these impressive figures for the remainder of 2020.
Donald Trump Jr speaks during the first day of the Republican National Convention on August 24, 2020 in Washington, DC

The 2020 US election race is rife with concerns about disinformation, and the first session of the Republican National Convention on Monday did nothing to dispel them.

Several speakers made false or misleading claims on topics ranging from the US economy, President Donald Trump's first term promises, and the potential for fraud if there is heavy reliance on voting by mail.

The Trump administration's handling of the coronavirus pandemic -- considered its biggest weakness going into the election -- was at the forefront of questionable claims being made in an attempt to persuade American voters that the incumbent deserves a second term.

AFP breaks down key claims below.

- Coronavirus response -

Critics of the president say his delayed response to the pandemic -- reflecting a consistent preference for the economy to remain open despite the public health risks -- has actually damaged US prospects.

The country has more infections than would have been the case had he acted sooner to curb the virus, they say. But the Republican convention sought to portray steps taken as saving lives, rather than losing them.

Natalie Harp, who sits on the Trump campaign advisory board, said had it not been for the president's "China travel ban, millions would have died." Donald Trump Jr said his father "quickly took action and shut down travel from China" in January.

But rather than a ban the president imposed restrictions, effective February 2, accompanied by multiple exemptions. Only foreign nationals who had been in China within the past 14 days were banned. US citizens present in Hubei province within the same time period were subject to a mandatory quarantine upon returning home.

Some 40,000 Americans and other authorized travelers came into the US from China in the first two months after Trump imposed the restrictions, according to an analysis by The New York Times.

No statistics show that millions of lives were saved. The president, for months, talked down the risk to Americans. The US accounts for the most deaths by country -- 177,284 from a global toll of 813,733 -- according to figures from official sources compiled by AFP.

Story continues

The number of US victims was not mentioned by any speaker on the convention's opening night.

- Voter fraud -

The president formally accepted the Republican Party nomination by repeating unsubstantiated claims that mail-in ballots would lead to voter fraud. He has previously gone as far as saying that the only way he could lose to Democrat Joe Biden is if the vote is "rigged."

Voting experts say this is false. A 2017 study by the Brennan Center found that impersonation rarely happens in US elections. Incident rates are between 0.0003 percent and 0.0025 percent, according to the study. Critics of the president say he is using scare tactics to create apathy that could stop would-be Democrats from voting.

Mail-in voting is traditionally used by members of the US military and elderly voters. But Trump -- an official resident of Florida -- and members of his family and administration rely on it. The coronavirus means Americans are far more likely to try to avoid in-person voting this year.

"There's simply no basis for the conspiracy theory that voting by mail causes fraud. None," Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub said in a 66-message thread on Twitter on May 27.

- 'Promises made, promises kept' -

A video played on the opening night of the convention featured Trump saying he had kept his promises to voters. While the president has done some of the things he said in 2016 that he would do -- lowering taxes and quitting the Iran nuclear deal, for example -- numerous pledges have foundered.

He has neither completed nor gotten Mexico to pay for a wall on the US southern border. Nor has he repealed or replaced the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, as he said he would. An attempt to scrap the law, the signature domestic achievement of his predecessor Barack Obama, failed in the Senate in 2017.

- 'Greatest economy' -

Several speakers, including Donald Trump Jr, touted the low unemployment rate in the US. This is misleading. The figure quoted -- 3.5 percent -- was reached last September, but the economic destruction caused by the coronavirus means it is outdated. Tens of millions of Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since.

The latest US Department of Labor statistics show many citizens remain reliant on government assistance. For the week ending August 15, more than 1.1 million new claims were made for jobless benefits, a rise of 135,000 on the week prior.

For the week that ended August 8 the insured unemployment rate, indicating people approved for benefits, was at 10.2 percent, according to the data. And under all programs, more than 28 million people were receiving unemployment benefits as of the week that ended August 1.

Donald Trump Jr also said his father "built the greatest economy our country has ever seen." This is false.

Growth measured by gross domestic product (GDP) has not broken records. The best year of Trump's presidency saw a three-percent rise in 2018, compared to 3.1 percent in 2015 under Obama. In 2004 and 2005, under president George W. Bush, the economy grew 3.8 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively.

adm/wd/ft
GREENSBORO, N.C., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynamic Quest, a managed service provider offering IT and cloud services to enterprises and businesses, completed the acquisition of Southern Data Solutions ("SDS"), an Atlanta, Georgia-based managed services provider.

Dynamic Quest, led by CEO & Founder Javier Gomez, continued with its strategic vision to expand in the Southeastern United States with the acquisition of SDS. This marks the fifth acquisition for Dynamic Quest since the formation of its partnership with Spire Capital in Q2 2018.

Javier Gomez, CEO of Dynamic Quest conveyed, "Dynamic Quest continues to grow organically and is strategically acquiring businesses to add greater breadth to our services portfolio and geographic reach to better serve our clients and partners. The team at SDS has done a fantastic job building up a great company that provides its customers with dependable, critical IT services. This marks our second acquisition in Georgia in Q3 2020 and we are very excited to welcome the SDS team to the Dynamic Quest family."

Founded in 2005, SDS offers managed IT, disaster recovery and hosting services to businesses and enterprises across a wide variety of verticals. Approximately 75% of SDS's revenue is recurring with a strong, loyal customer base. The SDS team members will join Dynamic Quest and continue to serve the Georgia market.

Jeff Davis, President of SDS relayed, "We are thrilled to be joining Dynamic Quest and positioning ourselves to better serve our current customers by leveraging Dynamic Quest's infrastructure, broader solution set and scale. Our team and customers look forward to the significant benefits we'll soon be delivering."

The transaction will enhance Dynamic Quest's market share in Georgia and provide the ability to cross-sell some services to SDS's customer base that are not currently offered. Dynamic Quest will look to leverage its infrastructure including its data center, centralized remote delivery team and sales and marketing initiatives to enhance service solutions for end clients and accelerate growth.

About Spire Capital

Spire Capital (https://spirecapital.com/) is an active and experienced private equity firm with an investment focus in small market companies within the technology enabled business services, media, communications and education sectors. Spire Capital was founded on the principle of partnering with management teams and founders to help effectuate the next stage of growth for their companies. Spire professionals have a broad array of past operating, investing and advisory experiences they leverage to help portfolio companies accelerate growth, guide strategic direction and execute their business plan. Spire Capital is a New York-based investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

About Dynamic Quest

Founded in 2000, Dynamic Quest is a managed service provider for IT services to enterprises and mid-sized businesses. Dynamic Quest offers a broad set of services including hosted cloud services, disaster recovery, managed IT, service plans, application support, virtual CIO and security services. The Company's headquarters is in Greensboro, North Carolina. Dynamic Quest currently has satellite offices in Winston-Salem and Raleigh, North Carolina; Atlanta and Valdosta, Georgia; and Clark, Philippines. For more information, visit https://dynamicquest.com/ or follow Dynamic Quest on LinkedIn.

About Southern Data Solutions

Founded in 2005 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, Southern Data Solutions is a managed service provider for IT services to small to medium sized businesses. For more information about Southern Data Solutions, visit the company website https://www.therightmsp.com/.

SOURCE Spire Capital Partners
Cuban medical workers are risking their health to break the chain of the COVID-19 infection. Cuban scientists developed drugssuch as interferon alpha-2bto help fight the disease.





by Vijay Prashad





Five years ago, I read the story of Dr. Felix Baez, a Cuban doctor who had worked in West Africa to stop the spread of Ebola. Dr. Baez was one of 165 Cuban doctors of the Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade who went to Sierra Leone to fight a terrible outbreak in 2014 of a disease first detected in 1976. During his time there, Dr. Baez contracted Ebola.





The World Health Organization and the Cuban government rushed Dr. Baez to Geneva, where he was treated at the Hopitaux Universitaires de Geneve. He struggled with the disease, but thanks to the superb care he received, his Ebola receded. He was flown to Cuba. At the airport in Havana, he was received by his wife Vania Ferrer and his sons Alejandro and Felix Luis as well as Health Minister Roberto Morales.





At the website Cubasi, Alejandroa medical studenthad written, Cuba is waiting for you. In Liberia, the other Cuban doctors also fighting Ebola cheered for Dr. Baez. A Facebook page was started called Cuba Is With Felix Baez, while on other social media forums the hashtag #FelixContigo and #FuerzaFelix went viral.





Dr. Baez recovered slowly, and then, miraculously, decided to return to West Africa to continue to fight against Ebola.





No wonder that there is an international campaign to have the Cuban doctors be honored with the Nobel Peace Prize. This aspect of Cubas work is essential to its socialist project of international solidarity through care work.





U.S. Campaign Against the Doctors





When Dr. Baez returned to West Africa, his colleague Dr. Ronald Hernandez Torres, based in Liberia, wrote on Facebook, We are here by our decision and we will only withdraw when Ebola is not a health problem for Africa and the world. This is an important statement, a reaction to the offensive campaign led by the United States government against Cuban internationalism.





The U.S. Congressional Research Service reported that In June 2019, the [U.S.] State Department downgraded Cuba to Tier 3 in its 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report, for, among other reasons, not taking action to address forced labor in the foreign medical mission program. This policy came alongside pressure by the U.S. government on its allies to expel the Cuban missions from their countries.





Strikingly, the UN Human Rights Councilunder pressure from Washingtonsaid it would investigate Cuban doctors. Urmila Bhoola (UN special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery) and Maria Grazia Giammarinaro (UN special rapporteur on trafficking in persons) wrote a letter to the Cuban government in November 2019. The letter made grand statementssuch as alleging that the Cuban doctors suffered from forced labor; but there was no evidence in the letter. Even their statement of concern seemed plainly ideological rather than forensic.





In early 2020, the U.S. government intensified its attempt to delegitimize the Cuban medical mission program. On January 12, 2020, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted, We urge host countries to end contractual agreements with the Castro regime that facilitate the #humanrights abuses occurring in these programs.





U.S. allies in Latin America, such as Brazil, Bolivia, and Ecuador, expelled the Cuban medical missions. This would become a catastrophic decision for these countries as the COVID-19 pandemic developed across Latin America.





Human Rights Watch Channels the U.S. State Department





In July 2020, the New York-based Human Rights Watch published a document accusing the Cuban government of formulating repressive rules for doctors working abroad. It focuses on Resolution 168, adopted in 2010, that provides a code of conduct for Cuban doctors, including ensuring that the medical workers honor the laws of their hosts and do not exceed the remit of their mission, which is to take care of the medical needs of the population.





Human Rights Watch merely offers this resolutionand other regulationsas evidence; it accepts that it cannot prove that these regulations have ever been implemented: Human Rights Watch has not been able to determine the extent to which Cuban health workers have broken the rules and law, or whether the Cuban government has enforced criminal or disciplinary sanctions against them. It is stunning that a human rights organization would spend so much time with so little evidence assaulting a program that is widely recognized for bringing an improvement of living standards for people.





The organizing committee for the group Nobel Peace Prize for Cuban Doctors responded to Human Rights Watch with a stinging rebuttal. It pointed out that the HRW report said nothing about the attacks on the Cuban medical program, including the official U.S. government attempt to bribe Cuban doctors to defect to the United States and the expenditure by USAID of millions of dollars to create disinformation against the program.





Even more egregious, the HRW document misreads the evidence it does offer, including the transcript of a dialogue between the Cuban ministry of health and medical workers. The HRW report uses as factual a text by Prisoners Defenders, a Spain-based NGO led by an anti-Cuban activist; HRW does not declare the political opinions of this highly controversial source.





The HRW report reads less like a credible account by a human rights organization and more like a press release from the three Republican senatorsTed Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rick Scottwho recently introduced a bill to scuttle Cubas medical mission program.





But Nevertheless, They Persist





In a study published in April 2020, the Instituto de Comunicacao e Informacao Cientifica e Tecnologica em Saude found that Mais Medicos (More Doctors) program of the Cuban doctors in Brazil improved health indicators of the population; this program brought medical care to remote areas, often for the first time.





Alexandre Padilha of the Workers Party (PT) was a minister of health under President Dilma Rousseff and a member of the team that created the Mais Medicos program. He said that after the Cuban doctors had been ejected, there was an increase in infant mortality and increased pneumonia among the Indigenous communities where they worked; all this was catastrophic during the COVID-19 pandemic.





In June 2020, President Jair Bolsonaro, who had expelled the Cuban doctors in December 2019, asked for them to start work again in Brazil; they were needed to compensate for Brazils catastrophic reaction to the COVID-19 virus. Even USAID money to compensate for the loss of the Cuban doctors was not sufficient; Bolsonaro wanted the Cuban doctors to stay.





Cuban Doctors to the Rescue





Cuban medical workers are risking their health to break the chain of the COVID-19 infection. Cuban scientists developed drugssuch as interferon alpha-2bto help fight the disease. Now Cuban scientists have announced that their vaccine is in trials; this vaccine will not be treated as private property but will be shared with the peoples of the world. This is the fidelity of Cuban medical internationalism.





On August 21, Raul Castrothe first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cubaspoke at an event for the 60th anniversary of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC). At the meeting, Castro mentioned that 61 percent of the medical workers in the Henry Reeve Brigade were women; since the start of Cuban medical internationalism in 1960, over 400,000 medical workers have worked in more than 40 countries. These medical workers believe in the twin missions of medical care and internationalism; it is a lesson that they learned from the teachings of Che Guevara, a doctor and an internationalist.





It is a lesson that should be learned in Oslo, Norway, as they adjudicate the Nobel Peace Prize.





This article was produced by Globetrotter, a project of the Independent Media Institute.





Vijay Prashad is an Indian historian, editor and journalist. He is a writing fellow and chief correspondent at Globetrotter, a project of the Independent Media Institute. He is the chief editor of LeftWord Books and the director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. He is a senior non-resident fellow at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China. He has written more than 20 books, including The Darker Nations and The Poorer Nations. His latest book is Washington Bullets, with an introduction by Evo Morales Ayma.
Teen Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has come out in support of students and asked for postponement of the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) as well as the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET) in India. Thunberg extended her support to all those students who will appear for these exams in September in the middle of COVID-19 crisis as well as floods in several states.

Thunberg tweeted, "It's deeply unfair that students of India are asked to sit national exams during the COVID-19 pandemic and while millions have also been impacted by the extreme floods. I stand with their call to #PostponeJEE_NEETinCOVID"



Its deeply unfair that students of India are asked to sit national exams during the Covid-19 pandemic and while millions have also been impacted by the extreme floods. I stand with their call to #PostponeJEE_NEETinCOVID Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) August 25, 2020

With the internationally acclaimed climate activist in the league, the demand for postponement of JEE Mains 2020 as well as NEET entrance exam 2020 is growing. Back home, politicians across party lines like BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Maharashtra tourism minister Aditya Thackeray and DMK chief MK Stalin have demanded that the Centre postpones these exams.

The JEE (Mains) 2020 will be held from September 1 to September 6 whereas NEET 2020 will be held on September 13. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has already released the admit cards for JEE Mains 2020 exam on its jeemain.nta.nic.in and is expected to release the admit cards for NEET exam this week.

Also read: JEE, NEET 2020 exam dates announced; Centre releases schedule after admit cards

Also read: After IITs, NITs to select students based on JEE Mains 2020: HRD minister

Also read: JEE Mains Exam 2020, NEET Exams: SC quashes plea seeking delay, says 'life has to go on'
The coronavirus pandemic became a pandemic because up to 80% of the people infected dont get sick, so they dont know theyre infected, and they go about life as usual, merrily spreading COVID-19 to others, some whom will get very sick and die.

Thats why public health officials say its essential that we all wear our masks when were in public, and stay at least 6 feet away from other people.

Its also why South Carolina and other states are investing so much money in contact tracing, whereby public health officials try to track down every person who tests positive, convince those who are infected to quarantine for 14 days, even if they feel fine, get the names of their close contacts, and persuade those contacts to quarantine for 14 days, even if they feel fine.

It turns out that buried in the fine print, theres a giant asterisk next to quarantine for 14 days": unless youre an essential worker. If youre an essential worker who doesnt have any symptoms, public health guidelines say, you may go back to work; just be careful.

Many businesses and governments have ignored this asterisk and sent employees home after an exposure, no matter how essential their jobs. Businesses that make the news are the ones that dont even bother telling employees they might have been exposed, so theres reason to believe that most ignore the asterisk.

But with schools struggling to reopen in-person classes, some districts, and governors, are telling teachers that they still have to go to work if theyre exposed to COVID-19  so long as they havent developed any symptoms. Theyve been urged on by the White House, which issued new guidance last week classifying teachers as critical infrastructure workers.

We dont know of any school districts in South Carolina that have told teachers to come back to work after being exposed to COVID-19. But DHECs latest guidance to schools, which predates the White House update, says that teachers who have been exposed but are asymptomatic may continue to work if it is necessary to maintain school operations and staff limitations exist.

At the risk of sounding alarmist, this is insane.

We understand that when hundreds of thousands of students and teachers return to S.C. classrooms, some teachers and students will bring COVID-19 to school with them, and some teachers will find themselves within 6 feet of carriers for more than 15 minutes (DHECs definition of a close contact who should quarantine).

We understand that if those teachers have to quarantine, some schools will have a hard time finding substitutes.

We even understand that, as one epidemiologist told Education Week, it can be safe for teachers who have been exposed to return to the classroom if they wear their masks all the time and maintain their social distance all the time, and if the school has the proper ventilation system, and if everything goes, as she put it, perfectly. Which, however unlikely, is not technically impossible.

But even allowing teachers to ignore the advice of a contact tracer and go back to work, much less ordering them to do that, isnt just dangerous to everyone they might come in contact with. Its also the best way we can think of to undermine public confidence in the safety of in-person classroom instruction.

And given how important it is to get kids back into the classroom  not just for their education, but also their mental health and physical safety and for their parents to be able to go to work and earn a living  thats simply not a risk that any school district in South Carolina should even consider taking. Frankly, its not a risk they should even have the option of taking.
The grieving mother of a transgender teenager is launching a legal bid to stop fertility doctors destroying her child's frozen sperm.

Louise Anderson, 45, plans to go to the highest court in Scotland after learning that samples saved by her 16-year-old daughter Ellie, who died suddenly in July, could be thrown out in days.

Ellie Anderson, of Stirling, was born a boy but identified as a girl from a young age and planned to have gender reassignment surgery after turning 18.

The teenager had delayed taking hormone blockers to allow her sperm to be collected and retained - and had always planned to eventually have a baby.

After falling ill, Ellie was taken to the Forth Valley Royal Hospital where she later died aged 16. The cause of her death is described as 'unascertained'.

Now Louise wants to honour Ellie's wishes posthumously, using an egg donor and a surrogate to produce a grandchild using Ellie's sperm.

Ellie Anderson, of Stirling, was born a boy but identified as a girl from a young age and planned to have gender reassignment surgery after turning 18

Louise Anderson, 45, plans to go to the highest court in Scotland after learning that samples saved by her 16-year-old daughter Ellie, who died suddenly in July, could be thrown out in days

Solicitors acting on Louise's behalf applied for advice and assistance under the legal aid scheme to get QC advice on how to proceed.

The planned action would be in the Court of Session, Edinburgh, where judges would initially be asked for an interim interdict preventing the clinic involved, the Glasgow Royal Infirmary Fertility Clinic, from destroying Ellie's sample.

Then they would be asked to use a special power called the nobile officium.

The procedure of petitioning the nobile officium - Latin for 'noble office' - is unique to Scots law and allows judges to provide a legal remedy where statute or the common law are silent - in other words to plug any gap in the law or offer mitigation if the actual law, if applied to the letter, would be oppressive.

Under present UK human fertilization rules, if Ellie had been in a relationship and had a partner at the time of her death, that partner would have had the right to ask for the sperm to be retained.

But without a test case ruling, or 'declarator', from the Court of Session, that right cannot be transferred to her mother.

The planned action would be in the Court of Session, Edinburgh, where judges would initially be asked for an interim interdict preventing the clinic involved, the Glasgow Royal Infirmary Fertility Clinic, from destroying Ellie's sample

Ellie had delayed taking hormone blockers to allow her sperm to be collected and retained - and had always planned to eventually have a baby

Louise said: 'Despite being born male, Ellie knew from the age of three that she was destined to be female. Her opinion never changed as some people thought it was a phase. She had her future completely planned out.

'As a teenager she delayed hormone blockers to save her sperm to enable her to have her own biological children.

'She had made me promise that if anything were to happen to her, her children would be brought into the world.

'She wanted two, and she even had names picked out for them.

'Now I've been told that can't happen because Ellie's dead and under UK Human Fertilisation and Embyology Authorityn rules her frozen sperm has to be destroyed.

'Ellie was the bravest person I have ever known.

'I am going to do every I can to honour her wishes - not just for her but for anyone else who is caught in this position.'

Leading Scottish solicitor Virgil Crawford, who is acting for Louise, said on Monday: 'Miss Anderson has sought my advice on this unusual, interesting, important and complex legal issue. It is regrettable that it arises against a tragic background of family grief following the unexpected death of a young adult.

Her family describe Ellie as 'an amazing, vibrant young girl who had her whole life ahead of her'

Ellie had recently secured a place at City of Glasgow College to study hairdressing

'Ellie began her gender reassignment journey in her early teens. She always intended having a child and, to that end, took steps to have her sperm preserved for use in the future.

'Now that she has passed away, it is understandable that Miss Anderson would wish to honour her daughter's wishes and is extremely concerned at the suggestion that the clinic will destroy the sperm.

'I am seeking an assurance that the sample will not be destroyed until this issue is resolved. If that assurance is not forthcoming it is likely that an interim interdict will be sought to prevent it.

'I intend to do all I can to assist Miss Anderson.'

Her family describe Ellie as 'an amazing, vibrant young girl who had her whole life ahead of her'.

She proudly wore a skirt as her St Modan's RC High School, Stirling, uniform and she was the first transgender child to do so.

Louise said: 'Her happiest times were going on several holidays with myself, my partner and her brothers, where she wore dresses and was accepted without question for being herself.

'Back home, she was so brave wearing her girls' outfits around town and her philosophy was 'if you don't accept me as Ellie that's your problem, not mine'.'

She had recently secured a place at City of Glasgow College to study hairdressing.

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde told MailOnline: 'We are sorry to hear about this young womans death and our sympathies are with her family.

'Glasgow Royal Infirmary Assisted Conception Services is licensed and regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

'The storage of gametes (sperm) is managed in line with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (1990) and complies with the consents provided by the donors.'
KK Venugopal, Attorney-General (AG) of India, urged the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday to let off lawyer Prashant Bhushan with a warning in the contempt of court case initiated against the activist- lawyer for his tweets criticising the apex court and Chief Justice of India (CJI), SA Bobde.

Venugopal said that Bhushan has expressed regret in the 2009 contempt case initiated against him for his remarks that past CJIs were corrupt.

Perhaps if he expresses regret in this case as well, then Your Lordships should forgive him. I dont think the court should go to the extent of punishing him. He should withdraw the allegations and the court should drop the proceedings after warning him not to repeat this, Venugopal said.

The SC bench, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, pointed out that Bhushan has declined to apologise and has also filed statements before the apex court sticking to his stance.

He says he is not ready to apologise. We have him time to think over and express regret. So what should we do now? asked Justice Mishra, who is heading the three-judge SC bench.

I think this is one case where Your Lordships should take a compassionate view and forgive him. It will be greatly appreciated at the Bar. He has done a lot of good for the public and the institution, the A-G said.

The bench pointed out that the A-G himself had filed a contempt of court case against Bhushan for a remark that he had misled the court in a case.

I withdrew that case, said A-G.

Yes, but only after he expressed regret, said Justice BR Gavai, who is part of the bench.

A-G maintained that Bhushan should express regret and the court should close the case.

That will be a fitting end to this case, he said.

The bench took a break for lunch at 1:15 pm and will reassemble at 2 pm, when Bhushans counsel is expected to make submissions.
CEDAR FALLS  Joe Hellman was excited about seeing friends Monday as he stood outside of Cedar Heights Elementary School, ready to start fourth grade.

He even admitted to missing school a little.

But the anticipation and nervousness of Joe, his sister, Emma, and the other students for the first day of classes seemed a little bit masked as they climbed off the bus or arrived at the door with their parents.

Any upturned  or downturned  mouths were obscured by face coverings, required when students cant socially distance. And parents who might normally walk their children into the building were saying goodbye outside to limit the potential spread of COVID-19.

Its certainly unique, said Nick Hellman, Joe and Emmas dad. Its a special first day of school, I think.

Hellman and his wife, Sarah, are among the vast majority of Cedar Valley parents who decided to send their children to school in person rather than having them learn online from home.

Cedar Falls Community Schools said 955 students out of its estimated enrollment of 5,600 were learning from home during at least the first term. All district elementary school students started classes Monday while junior high and high school students are starting during the first part of the week, depending on grade.

The exact number of online learners is still in flux for Waterloo Community Schools, but officials believe between 2,200 and 2,500 of their approximately 10,400 students will be taught remotely as the year begins. District elementary and middle school students have a staggered start where kindergarten, first- and sixth-grade students began Monday. Most high school students are on a hybrid schedule, with half starting Monday and half starting Tuesday.

The Hellmans are not very concerned about being exposed to the coronavirus because it doesnt seem to be greatly impacting people their age, they noted.

Id say were mostly excited, were not really worried, said Hellman. Its more important to get back to normal. I know, being home with these guys, its important for them to get back to school and see friends.

Blake Burton, at Cedar Heights to see off his 7-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son, agreed that its a relief for school to be starting.

It will be nice to have them out of the house for awhile, he said. Home schooling is not for us.

Still, Burton was pretty apprehensive about the first day. He is nervous that students will get exposed and bring COVID-19 into their families homes, voicing concern that the protective equipment used by children and staff will be inadequate. His parents, in their 70s, will be bringing the two children home after school each day.

Theyre pretty nervous, I think everybody is. Im glad I dont have to go in there, he said, in reference to the school building. Judging by how exposure is occurring through school settings across the country, Burton added, I dont think well be here long.

In the classroom

At Waterloos Lincoln Elementary School, some of its youngest students were settling into their classrooms Monday morning. Children were all wearing masks while many staff members wore transparent face shields. A tri-fold plastic shield on top of each desk provided a see-through barrier for students.

With only kindergarten and first-grade students in the building Monday, classrooms had more staff in them than normal. Even though other students are coming back Thursday and next Monday, all staff have reported to work.

Right now, getting to know the routines, its nice to have those extra adults, said Principal Adam Ahrendsen.

In a first grade classroom, students were writing the date and their name in morning math booklets, where they will do some work each day after eating breakfast at desks.

Much of the first day was devoted to learning routines, doing activities designed so students can get to know each other and practicing different safety procedures, said teacher Katie Stewart. In addition, well be doing some of the curriculum.

Phaedra Roby, a third-grade teacher, said setting up her classroom for students has been about really focusing on keeping the kids socially distant. As a teacher, I think Im going to try to be more stationary. Im trying to find a spot where students will be able to see me without moving around too much.

With about 20% of students learning remotely district-wide this fall, those who are physically in school have fewer classmates.

Right now I have on my roster 13 (students that are) face-to-face, which is a big difference, said Roby. Im used to 26. That made her feel a lot better about social distancing efforts.

Students will largely spend the day in a single classroom aside from lunch, recess and physical education. Art and music teachers will come to individual rooms and students wont move between classes for subjects, like reading. Lunch and outdoor recess will be socially distanced between classes and students while physical education teachers will spread out students during indoor and outdoor activities.

I think this is our new normal, said Roby.

Back in Cedar Falls, Katie and Jordan Vernoys son and daughter, in fourth- and first-grade respectively, were ready to return to school at Cedar Heights Elementary School.

But the familys embrace of the new normal is somewhat tentative. Their daughter had already expressed anxiety that she could catch COVID-19 and spread it to others. The parents said they struggled with some of the same worries when considering if they should send their children to school in-person or have them learn remotely.

Kind of one of those things where we had to make a choice, said Jordan Vernoy. Were sticking with it, but were on pins and needles a little bit.







PHOTOS: First day of school in Waterloo, Cedar Falls

PHOTOS: First day of school in Waterloo, Cedar Falls 082420bp-first-day-school-cf-3 Jamie Burton helps her daughter put on her mask for the first day of school in August 2020 at Cedar Heights Elementary in Cedar Falls. 122720-yir-photos-first-day-school-cf-1 Students get off the bus for the first day of school Monday, Aug. 24, at Cedar Heights Elementary in Cedar Falls. 082420bp-first-day-school-cf-4 Students wait to enter the building for the first day of school at Cedar Heights Elementary in Cedar Falls on Aug. 24, 2020. 082420bp-first-day-school-wloo-2 Kindergartner Quentin Williams works on an assignment during the first day of school at Lincoln Elementary in Waterloo on Aug. 24. topical 082420bp-first-day-school-wloo-1 Kindergartener Kendall Petroske works on an assignment during the first day of school Aug. 24 at Lincoln Elementary in Waterloo. 082420bp-first-day-school-cf-2 Kindergartener Brooklyn Bass poses for a photo for her parents Charlie and Monica Bass-Benz before the first day of school at Cedar Heights El Lincoln Elementary Waterloo Lincoln Elementary School

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1

Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Washington Post photo by John McDonnell

RICHMOND, Va. - A judge has scheduled a trial for Oct. 19 to consider whether Gov. Ralph Northam can remove the enormous statue of Robert E. Lee from state property on Monument Avenue.

Circuit Judge Reilly Marchant ruled Tuesday against efforts by Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat, to dismiss the case. Marchant stripped some plaintiffs from parts of the suit for lack of standing, and he threw out a portion of the case that questioned whether a particular section of state law prohibited Northam, a Democrat, from removing the statue.
The government and the need to share the cost with banks associated with maintaining infrastructure as it reduces the demand for cash and helps in curtailing expenditure on printing and managing currency notes, according to a report prepared by IIT-Bombay.

Observing that about Rs 5,000 crore is spent annually on printing cash alone and even more on managing it, the report said, "The expenditure towards maintaining Unified Payment Interface (UPI) may be much lower and could even curtail the expenditure on cash."



The report further said as a digital payments platform increases efficiency towards tax compliance, and provides overall convenience for public good.

"With the government's vision of no direct or indirect charge on payments using UPI, an appropriate sharing of cost burden by the government and the RBI is called for (with being the simplest alternative to cash in this era of mobile phones)," the report added.

Currently, banks are bearing the cost of UPI transactions.



BHIM-UPI is powered by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) that engineered to make it a giant payment infrastructure of the country. has not put any business restrictions onto the banks for P2P (peer-to-peer) payments using BHIM-UPI other than years of moral suasion to keep the charges zero, it said.

In this context, it may be noted that in the approved minutes of a meeting of banks with dated February 14, 2020, the UPI Steering Committee of concurred to limit free P2P fund transfer transactions to 20 per month, it said.

"However, we observe that NPCI does not explicitly indicate in the said minutes that the banks charge beyond 20 P2P transactions in a month. Therefore, the decision to charge for UPI transactions is that of banks and not of NPCI," it said.

While UPI is still in its infancy towards replacing cash, given its rapid progress and future potential, it deserves full support from the RBI, it said.

The report also added that just like RBI provisions for the cost of cash in their books of account, it should also provision for bearing the cost associated with managing the UPI infrastructure.

It further said while banks have to contribute their bit for the payment system, it does not mean that the government and the RBI do not have to share the cost burden in endeavour towards furthering the digital payment system of the country.

"With the new law prohibiting banks and system providers to charge users of the prescribed electronic modes of payment, we find a persistent debate on MDR (merchant discount rate), a fee that merchants pay for accepting payments through digital means," it said.

Though it is a fact that card-based merchant payments has worked well internationally on the principle of MDR, there is a need to be a bit careful to apply the same principle for the asset-lite UPI, which has the potential to substitute our day-to-day cash requirements, it said.

For the present, without advocating anything on the MDR front for UPI, it may at most have a relook at the MDR issue surrounding debit cards.
Commissioner of U.S. Food and Drug Administration Dr. Stephen M. Hahn speaks during a news conference about the latest coronavirus disease (COVID-19) developments, in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, U.S. August 23, 2020.

The study found that patients younger than 80 years old who were not on a respirator and received plasma with a high level of antibodies within three days of diagnosis were about 35% more likely to survive another 30 days compared with patients who received plasma with a low level of antibodies. A weakness of the Mayo study was that it did not include a controlled group of patients receiving a placebo.

Hahn came under intense criticism from scientists after he said at a White House press briefing Sunday that a Mayo Clinic study found the treatment resulted in a 35% improvement in survival. However, in its authorization, the agency cited more complicated findings from Mayo Clinic researchers on the use of plasma.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn is walking back comments on the benefits of convalescent plasma, saying he could have done a better job of explaining the data on its effectiveness against the coronavirus after authorizing it for emergency use over the weekend.

"I have been criticized for remarks I made Sunday night about the benefits of convalescent plasma. The criticism is entirely justified," Hahn said. "What I should have said better is that the data show a relative risk reduction not an absolute risk reduction."

The authorization will allow U.S. health-care providers to use the plasma to treat suspected or confirmed infections in hospitalized patients. The FDA's decision to authorize emergency use came a day after President Donald Trump accused the agency of delaying enrollment in clinical trials for Covid-19 vaccines or therapeutics. The criticism from Trump and action from the FDA led some scientists to believe the emergency use was politically motivated, especially since it was announced on the eve of the republican National Convention.

Last week, Trump touted the benefits of the treatment, saying he heard "great things about it" and then he questioned whether its emergency use approval was being slow-walked by bureaucratic opponents until after the Nov. 3 elections.

Hahn said he wasn't bowing to pressure from Trump. "The decision was made by FDA career scientists based on data submitted a few weeks ago," Hahn tweeted Monday night.

During an interview Tuesday morning with "CBS This Morning," Hahn again denied the change was made to appease the president, saying he can assure Americans the decision "was made based upon sound science and data."

"We looked at the Mayo Clinic data," he said. "The Mayo Clinic identified a group of patients, certain patients that it looked like this benefited the most, that the antibodies benefited them the most. We asked for additional validation data that came in, which supported that, meaning that comparing those patients who got high concentrations of antibodies versus those that got low concentrations of antibodies."

He added he has a "very good relationship" with Trump and that he spoke with him "several times this weekend."

"He wants us to be focused on the urgency of this situation and moving things forward, and I have great faith in the 17,000 FDA employees, who are terrific scientists, doctors and nurses, that we're going to do that moving forward for the American people. That's our promise to them," Hahn told CBS.

The FDA didn't have any additional comment.

There are no formally approved drugs or vaccines for the coronavirus. Convalescent plasma is one of several therapies being tested as a potential treatment.The plasma, taken from patients who have recovered from Covid-19 and developed antibodies against the virus, is infused in sick patients. Scientists hope it helps kick-start the immune system to fight the virus.

But scientists and public health officials have doubts, saying more data from randomized controlled trials, which are considered the "gold standard" in science, is still needed to know whether it is safe and effective. Results from trials have not been conclusive, were relatively small and have provided "very low-quality evidence," according to the World Health Organization.

"We've been tracking this," Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the WHO's chief scientist, said Monday in Geneva. "We do ongoing meta-analyses and systematic reviews to see where the evidence is shifting or pointing, and at the moment it's still very low-quality evidence. So we recommend that convalescent plasma is still an experimental therapy. It should be evaluated in well-designed, randomized, clinical trials."

She said countries can use it on an emergency basis "if they feel the benefits outweigh the risks, but that's usually done while awaiting the more definitive evidence, which is yet to come."

Dr. Scott Wright, a cardiologist and one of the leaders of Mayo Clinic's national plasma program, defended the FDA's decision, saying he didn't think it was "rushed."

"We're frankly delighted that they've come to this conclusion because it now makes plasma available to every hospital and every patient in the United States and its territories," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday.

The FDA has issued emergency use authorization for several coronavirus tests and some drugs. In May, the agency granted antiviral remdesivir the authorization, allowing hospitals and doctors to use the drug on hospitalized Covid-19 patients. Hydroxychloroquine was also granted emergency authorization, but the FDA later removed the designation once the agency found the malaria drug was unlikely to be effective.
Former Westlake Village, Calif., insurance agent has been arraigned on multiple felony counts of grand theft, burglary, and financial elder abuse for allegedly stealing over $55,000 in clients insurance premiums, state insurance regulators said.

According to the California Department of Insurance, Joseph Schimmel, while doing business as Schimmel Insurance Services Inc., from December 2018 through December 2019 victimized six clients by collecting $55,564.66 in insurance premiums and failing to place the appropriate coverage. Four of the clients were seniors.

The CDI alleged Schimmel funneled their money to his own personal account and failed to purchase their insurance coverage. The alleged embezzlement left Schimmels clients uninsured.

The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office.

Schimmel self-surrendered Aug. 21, 2020, to the Los Angeles County Superior Court in San Fernando. Bail was set at $180,000 and he was released on his own recognizance.

The Department of Insurance filed an accusation against Schimmel on May 8, 2020. Schimmels license expired on June 30, 2020. He was the principal owner of Schimmel Insurance Services Inc. with license #0I67483 which expired on Dec. 31, 2019.

Source: California Department of Insurance

Topics California Agencies Fraud Abuse Molestation
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Tuesday that its representatives in Baku are trying to visit an Armenian army officer who was captured by Azerbaijani troops over the weekend.

The Azerbaijani military claims that the junior officer, Gurgen Alaverdian, was taken prisoner during a failed Armenian commando raid on one of its frontline positions north of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Armenian Defense Ministry strongly denies this, saying that Alaverdian simply lost his way due to poor weather. Its spokeswoman, Shushan Stepanian, said the ministry has launched an internal inquiry to ascertain all circumstances of his disappearance.

Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross are now engaged in a dialogue on this issue with relevant authorities in Armenia and Azerbaijan, Zara Amatuni, the spokeswoman for the ICRC office in Yerevan, told RFE/RLs Armenian service.

Usually, the Red Crosss role in such situations is to receive permission to immediately visit [detained] individuals in order to be able to verify, through periodical visits, their treatment and detention conditions and to help them keep in touch with their families, she said.

The ICRC hopes to be allowed to visit Alaverdian in custody as soon possible, added Amatuni.

Azerbaijans government-controlled online media released, meanwhile, a video of Azerbaijani servicemen insulting and humiliating the captured Armenian officer. Armenias human rights ombudsman, Arman Tatoyan, condemned it as a manifestation of ethnically motivated hatred and violation of international conventions.

We have taken note of these troubling facts, said Tatoyan. With appropriate analyses I have appealed to  relevant international bodies, human rights commissioners, the Red Cross and others to bring the matter to their attention and to show the blatant violation of human rights.
Chairman of RPG Enterprises, Harsh Goenka took to Twitter to share the conglomerate's roadmap to reduce dependence on Chinese goods. Goenka said that Make in India must be given a boost in order to make India 'China mukt'.

"In one of our businesses, 65% of turnover came from Chinese imports. In the last 2 months we have already brought it down to 35%. Onward march to take it as close to zero as possible. Let's all give Make in India a special thrust and make our country a 'China mukt Bharat'," said Goenka.

In one of our businesses, 65% of turnover came from Chinese imports. In the last 2 months we have already brought it down to 35%. Onward march to take it as close to zero as possible.

Lets all give #MakeInIndia a special thrust and make our country a China mukt Bharat.  Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) August 25, 2020

Twitterati applauded Goenka and reiterated that the dependency on Chinese goods must be minimised in order to become self-reliant. Some also pointed out that while such initiatives are needed, one must also keep in mind that the road is a long one.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation in early May advocated economic self-reliance. He called the mission Atma Nirbhar Bharat and emphasised on the importance of promoting local products. The government then announced an economic stimulus of Rs 20 lakh crore to help struggling sectors and to boost self-reliance amid the pandemic.

While announcing the contours of the Rs 20 lakh crore package, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had emphasised that the package would spur growth. "Essentially, this is to spur growth and build a self-reliant India. That is why it is called Atma Nirbhar India. This package is focussed on five pillars - economy, infrastructure, technology driven systems, demography and demand. Accordingly, the focus will be what can be identified as factors of production - land, labour, liquidity and law," she added.

Thereafter, the border clash with China gave rise to anti-China sentiments. As the call to boycott Chinese products and promote local products grew louder, the government focussed its attention on Chinese FDI and imports. The government also banned a host of Chinese social media apps over security concerns.

Also read: Anand Mahindra shares picture of room for mother-in-law; Twitter cracks up
Barron Trump, US President Donald Trump and First lady Melania Trump walk on the South Lawn of the White House on August 16, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Melania Trump Would Be Against QAnon If Its Harmful to Children, Spokeswoman Says

First Lady Melania Trumps chief of staff Stephanie Grisham on Tuesday said she hadnt discussed the QAnon movement with the first lady, but she said that Trump opposes anything that would be harmful to children.

I havent talked to her about that specifically, but I think theres constantly this misperception that its about online bullying, which of course gets tied to the president, Grisham said in a televised interview. Its about online safety, and its about teaching children that there are predators out there online and that they need to really watch out who theyre talking to online and what theyre doing, Grisham added, saying that Internet safety is a critical component for children now.

Grisham asked if the first lady disavowed the QAnon theory.

I would never say what I think she should or shouldnt do, Grisham said. But I think it would be safe to say if theres anything that would be harmful to children online, shes going to be against that.

In recent days, President Donald Trump and other GOP officials have been pressed by media outlets to speak about QAnon, a theory that alleges Trump is working to expose and arrest a cabal of elites who run governments and institutions who are engaging in child trafficking.

Twitter and Facebook, in recent months, have moved to ban accounts and groups associated with the movement.

On Tuesday, Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) introduced a resolution in the House condemning QAnon.

People hold up smartphones with QAnon-related messages on display, at a rally in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 21, 2020. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Our aim is a fully bipartisan Congressional repudiation of this dangerous, anti-Semitic, conspiracy-mongering cult that the FBI says is radicalizing Americans to violence, he stated. Malinowski said the resolution has bipartisan support.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last week denounced the movement after Vice President Mike Pence dismissed it earlier that day.

Let me be very clear, McCarthy told Fox News. There is no place for QAnon in the Republican Party. I do not support it and the candidate you talked about has denounced it.

He was referring to Marjorie Taylor Greene, who won the Republican primary for Georgias 14th District. In YouTube videos, Greene embraced the QAnon theory but has since distanced herself from the movement, according to the GOP leader.

Trump, meanwhile, told reporters he wasnt familiar with the theory and said those who subscribed to it love our country.
Ciarran Stott's womanising behaviour landed him in hot water on Bachelor in Paradise.

And it seems the reality TV bad boy is now romantically pursuing a woman from a different franchise: Big Brother Australia star Sophie Budack.

As spotted by fan account Bachie Funny on Monday, Ciarran, 26, posted a flirty comment on Sophie's Instagram Live video, which was being broadcast from her home in the Netherlands.

What would Chad say? Bachelor in Paradise bad boy Ciarran Stott (left) has been busted sending a flirty message to Big Brother's Sophie Budack (right)

Despite being located in Melbourne, Ciarran commented on the 25-year-old brunette's video: 'Babe hurry up I'm downstairs with coffee.'

Bachie Funny captioned the post: 'After going through every female contestant from all eight seasons of The Bachelor, Ciarran now appears to be moving onto the Big Brother 2020 cast.'

Indeed, Ciarran has enjoyed a slew of romantic conquests since appearing on Angie Kent's season of The Bachelorette last year.

'Babe hurry up I'm downstairs with coffee': As spotted by fan account Bachie Funny on Monday, Ciarran posted a flirty comment on Sophie's Instagram Live video, which was being broadcast from her home in the Netherlands

After splitting from his long-term girlfriend Renee Barrett last year, Ciarran signed up to Bachelor in Paradise, where he romanced Abbie Chatfield, Jessica Brody and Kiki Morris.

It comes after it was revealed that Ciarran and Sophie's have been close friends for many years.

In early July, fans were shocked when Ciarran posted what appeared to be a throwback photo of himself and Sophie to celebrate her birthday.

Reality TV flame: Ciarran previously dated fellow Bachelor In Paradise star Renee Barrett (pictured)

Three's a crowd! After splitting from his long-term girlfriend Renee last year, Ciarran signed up to Bachelor in Paradise, where he romanced Abbie Chatfield (left) Jessica Brody (centre) and Kiki Morris (right)

'Happy Birthday chick @sophiebudack,' he captioned the photo.

The Big Brother star reposted Ciarran's sweet birthday message to her on her own Instagram stories.

When asked by Daily Mail Australia about their relationship Sophie said: 'We've been besties for years and years. We're both from Darwin.'

Who knew! Sophie and Ciarran who are both from Darwin, have been close friends for many years

Sophie's most recent relationship was with model Chad Hurst, 27, whom she met in the Big Brother house.

However, the status of their romance became unclear last month when Sophie announced she was moving to the Netherlands - leaving Chad behind in Sydney.

Last month, Sophie refused to comment on whether she and Chad will continue their relationship long-distance.

'A lot of people will be asking about myself and Chad but there are some elements of my life I want to keep private,' she told fans on Instagram Stories.

Meanwhile, Ciarran was most recently linked to Melbourne woman Kasey Bransgrove.
The far right isnt going anywhere after November, activists and researchers say. It will likely become more deadly.

As United States President Donald Trump prepares to accept the Republican presidential nomination this week, researchers and activists fear his legacy could impact the countrys political landscape for decades by both legitimising and disenfranchising the far right.

Trumps 2016 election ushered in a new era of white nationalist movement mobilisation, according to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Movement members had a renewed belief they could enact political change, thanks to Trumps popularity, but the reality of Trumps era left them jaded, and the issues they champion are not going away. The movement could potentially become more dangerous.

White nationalists looking to blame issues like downward social and economic mobility on immigration  women or people of colour are now taking an even more violent turn, Cassie Miller, a co-author of the report, entitled When the Alt-Right Hit the Streets: Far-Right Political Rallies in the Trump Era, told Al Jazeera.

Racism gets a new look

Newer groups such as the National Policy Institute, headed by Richard Spencer, became the face of the new Alt-Right during the 2016 campaign. These groups joined veteran racist organisations like the Ku Klux Klan in voicing support for Trump. Online forums facilitated organising and helped indoctrinate new followers.

After the election, Trumps rhetoric made many on the far right believe they actually had some connection to mainstream politics and that they had a shot at achieving to actual political power, Miller said.

White Nationalist leader Richard Spencer chants back at counter-protesters as self-proclaimed White Nationalists and Alt-Right supporters gather for what they called a Freedom of Speech rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on June 25, 2017 [File: Jim Bourg/Reuters]

To ease their normalisation, far-right supporters had adopted a new strategy: optics. They were featured prominently in media after Trumps victory and white nationalists, many of whom had long kept their identities secret, demonstrated openly.

Spencer, along with members of the Proud Boys, an all-male group founded in 2016 by Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes, donned a new uniform of khakis and polos. McInnes denied the Proud Boys was a racist group but instead promoted Western chauvinism  the idea that The West and its ideals are best.

On August 12, 2017, white nationalism with its new, clean-cut look would clash with its opponents. The Unite The Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia saw thousands of white nationalists  including those from Spencers and McInness groups  march on the upscale Virginia city, where antifascist and anti-racist counterdemonstrators met them in equal force.

People of colour were attacked by groups of white nationalists, leading to various trials, and 32-year-old counterprotester Heather Heyer was killed in a car-ramming attack. It was political violence in the US not seen for decades.

White nationalist demonstrators clash with counterdemonstrators at the entrance to Unite the Right protest [Steve Helber/AP Photo]

Trump said there were fine people on both sides of the protest, which drew resounding condemnation.

While his statement was interpreted as a presidential endorsement of the far right, shakeups in the Trump administration followed.

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, architect of some of Trumps most controversial policies such as the border wall and the Muslim ban  both of which many white nationalists supported  left the White House that month.

The following year saw shrinking media exposure  an important recruiting tool  for the increasingly violent far right as the US soured on its ideology and as news outlets turned their attention towards the probe by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian meddling in the 2016 US election.

Many in the white nationalist movement were frustrated by the fact that they didnt feel like they were getting the kind of recognition that they deserved, that they believed they would get from the Trump administration, said the SPLCs Miller.

Hardening violence

As their movement continued to suffer losses without institutional support or recognition, white nationalists broad disillusionment with Trump resulted in an indictment of the system as a whole  that the system itself needs to be taken down, Miller explained.

A shooting allegedly inspired by white nationalism at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania killed 11 and injured seven in 2018. Twenty-three people, mostly of Latino heritage, were killed in a mass shooting committed inside a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas in 2019.

First responders surround the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where a shooter opened fire on Saturday, October 27, 2018 [Gene J Puskar/AP]

Prosecutors say the alleged shooter in the latter attack, Patrick Crusius, published a far-right manifesto on an online forum before the shooting.

McInnes left the Proud Boys in November 2018, as the group was tied to increasingly violent and racist protests. Other groups splintered through 2019. As of 2020, far-right groups have returned to the underground, Miller said.

The political rallies of 2017 have been replaced with provocation  and murder  to push the US into a second civil war, as with the Boogaloo Boys, a far-right militia that goes to already-planned demonstrations, such as Black Lives Matter events, and allegedly stokes tensions while attempting to blend with protesters.

They have allegedly killed at least two security and law enforcement personnel.

Others, such as a group called The Base, have expressed plans to construct accelerationist training camps, according to leaked encrypted messaging conversations detailed in an SPLC report.

I had a dream about a international training camp, a member of The Base told others in a chat conversation in February 2019. I dont think anyone cared much about keeping a low profile because we were making bombs, ammo, and deadly gasses. Everyone looked a bit more seasoned than Id expect as well. It totally felt real though.

The future

While many have crawled back into their holes  on the internet, some white nationalists are still operating in the open, Jalane Schmidt told Al Jazeera.

Schmidt, a professor at Charlottesvilles University of Virginia, is also a community activist and local public historian who leads tours of the citys historic areas and its monuments, including those erected to honour Confederates like General Robert E Lee.

A group called the Virginia Flaggers, which works to fly Confederate flags in public, has dispatched guards to Charlottesvilles parks to protect the statues, and has hassled Schmidt during her tours.

Some of these guards are reportedly linked to the far-right groups present at the Unite the Right rally.





Grace Aheron, an organiser with Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), a group that organises white people to fight racism, acknowledged the threat of accelerationist groups, but said there has also been progress in slowing the movement.

Activists have made strides in deplatforming white nationalists online, with forums and social media companies like Facebook and Twitter banning far-right accounts and removing posts that praise racist ideology.

As the white nationalist movement retreats from the mainstream, politically unaffiliated white people are up for grabs, Aheron said.

SURJ is working on several initiatives to reach out to these people, including calling every white voter in Georgia who has never voted, Aheron said, noting, These are almost all poor and working-class people who would benefit substantially from economic and racial justice reforms.

But Aheron, Miller and Schmidt all agreed that whether or not Trump wins another term, his legacy will affect the US for years.

Schmidt noted the number of federal appointments the president has made, including almost a quarter of active federal judges.

Some Congressional candidates are also running on pro-Trump, far-right platforms, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, a fervent Trump supporter who won a primary against an establishment Republican in Georgia  and who also lent credence to QAnon, the conspiracy theory that the president is battling satanic paedophiles in the US government.

Whether in the courtroom, Congress or Charlottesville parks, the far right is not going away no matter who wins in November, Schmidt concluded.
A Delhi court on August 24 dismissed a bail application of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Malvinder Mohan Singh in a money laundering case related to alleged misappropriation of funds at Religare Finvest Ltd (RFL).

Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav did not grant the relief to Malvinder considering the severity of the offence, magnitude of the amount involved and the possibility of witnesses being influenced by him.

The investigation conducted in this case concluded that various companies whose directors or office bearers were persons related to or associated with applicant/accused were granted loans by RFL on the instructions of accused Malvinder Mohan Singh. It is therefore, obvious that allegations against accused Malvinder Mohan Singh have been substantiated by cogent evidence collected during investigation.

It has been found during investigation that entities either owned or associated with accused Malvinder Mohan Singh were involved in systematic placement/layering acquisition and projection of proceeds of crime as untainted over a long period, the court said in its order.

Malvinder sought bail on the ground of parity that Shivinder Mohan Singh, his brother and co-accused in the case, had been granted bail by the Delhi High Court on July 23.

During the hearing held through video conferencing, advocate Manu Sharma, appearing for Malvinder, told the court none of the investigating agencies, Serious Fraud Investigation office, Security and Exchange Board of India, RBI, police or Enforcement Directorate (ED) have ever raised any complaint that the accused may flee from justice or can tamper with evidence.

The lawyer further argued that the amount advanced as loan by RFL was returned by RHC Holdings to 14 companies which were not owned by Malvinder.

He said that the complaint was filed in January 2020 and till date further investigation was not complete and that cannot be used to oppose the bail application.

Central Government Standing Counsel Amit Mahajan, appearing for ED, opposed the bail application saying Malvinder cannot claim any parity with co-accused Shivinder on the strength of July 23's bail order as the Supreme Court had said that the impugned judgment will not be treated as precedent for any other case.

Public shareholding in REL is almost 49 percent while REL was holding 99.9 percent shares of RFL and hence public shareholders were cheated because of the wrongful loss caused to RFL, claimed Mahajan assisted by ED's Special Public Prosecutor Nitesh Rana.

He further said that further investigation regarding the rest of money, which was Rs 1500 crores, and other companies was still pending.

The charge sheet filed in the case stated that investigation has revealed the role of Malvinder, Shivinder and former CMD of REL Sunil Godhwani in sanctioning and disbursements of Corporate Loan Book (CLB) loans which were given without adequate documentation, risk assessment and due diligence.

Investigation further concluded that co-accused Godhwani being Chairman and Managing Director of REL in connivance with promoters Malvinder and Shivinder entered into conspiracy for acquisition and utilization of proceeds of crime generated out of criminal activities and its projection as untainted property, the charge sheet stated.

RFL is a group firm of REL, Religare Enterprises Ltd, which was earlier promoted by Malvinder Singh and his brother Shivinder Singh.

The EOW registered an FIR in March last year after it received a complaint from RFL's Manpreet Suri against Shivinder, Godhwani and others, alleging that loans were taken by them while managing the firm but the money was invested in other companies. ED lodged a money laundering case based on this.
The major problem is that we look to the president for too much. We basically run all of our national questions through the presidency. Weve turned the president into the largest political celebrity, and maybe the largest celebrity, in the country. And weve stopped looking to the Congress for the work that it should be doing instead of, or at least in concert with, the president. Part of the tension of the job should be that we expect more than it can deliver. Because thats what calls presidents to up their game. When Lyndon Johnson responds to Bloody Sunday, he sees a disconnect between the country he sees on TV and its greatest and highest ideals  ideals that it fell short of in the minute it was creating its founding document in the Constitution. These demands have gotten disconnected from whats possible in the office. And this gets exacerbated every time we have an election because we get our hopes up. And then theyre dashed again. Part of it is, theyre dashed by the weakness of the people we elected, but part is also we misunderstand and hamstring the office in so many different ways that makes it impossible to meet our expectations. We sort of embed future cynicism in the way we run our campaigns because we expect ever more from the next president.
Advertisement

Arsonists set buildings ablaze and torched much of the black business district Monday in a second night of unrest in the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin, triggered by the wounding of a black man shot in the back by officers there.

Smoke billowed over central Kenosha after police in riot gear clashed with protesters who defied a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Monday night and into Tuesday morning, blocks away from where police gunned down Jacob Blake on Sunday. Police again fired tear gas at hundreds of protesters who defied a curfew, threw bottles and shot fireworks at law enforcement guarding the courthouse.

Jacob Blake, 29, is listed in serious condition in a Milwaukee hospital after a Kenosha police officer fired seven shots into his back while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The shooting occurred three months after the death of George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis who was pinned to the street under the knee of a white police officer, sparking nationwide protests against police brutality and racism in the United States.

There is no police body-cam footage of the Blake shooting as it was previously decided by city and law enforcement leaders that the devices cost too much to provide them to officers. But a mobile phone clip of the incident went viral on social media on Sunday, igniting widespread outrage three months after the death of George Floyd.

The shooting drew condemnation from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who also called out 125 members of the National Guard on Monday after protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear the previous night.

Police first fired tear gas Monday about 30 minutes after the 8 p.m. curfew took effect to disperse protesters who chanted, 'No justice, no peace' as they confronted a line of officers who wore protective gear and stood shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the courthouse entrance. But hundreds of people stuck around, screaming at police and lighting fires, including to a garbage truck near the courthouse.

A city garbage truck burns during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officers, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

An American flag flies over a department of correction building that was lit on fire in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Protesters took turns posing in front of a burning garbage truck during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officers

Police stand near a department of corrections building that was on fire in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Law enforcement officers face angry crowds during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake

Protesters come face to face with police clad in riot gear in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

A protester attempts to continue standing through a cloud of tear gas fired by police outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday

The images above show the moments leading up to the shooting. Blake (seen in the white shirt) walks away from a police officer who has his gun drawn and is ordering him to stop

Meanwhile, details have emerged about Blake's criminal past, including a recent arrest for sexual assault.

According to online records, Kenosha County prosecutors charged Blake with third-degree sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse. It was unclear whether that case had anything to do with the shooting.

In 2015, Blake was also charged with resisting arrest and carrying a concealed weapon after he pulled a gun at a local bar in Racine.

Police in the former auto manufacturing center of 100,000 people midway between Milwaukee and Chicago said they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute when they encountered Blake on Sunday.

They did not say whether Blake was armed or why police opened fire, they released no details on the dispute, and they did not immediately disclose the race of the three officers at the scene.

The man who said he made the cellphone video, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, 'Drop the knife! Drop the knife!' before the gunfire erupted. He said he didn't see a knife in Blake's hands.

The governor said he has seen no information to suggest Blake had a knife or other weapon, but that the case is still being investigated by the state Justice Department. The officers were placed on administrative leave, standard practice in a shooting by police. Authorities released no details about the officers and did not immediately respond to requests for their service records.

Tensions had flared anew earlier Monday after a news conference with Kenosha Mayor John Antarmian, originally to be held in a park, was moved inside the city's public safety building.

Hundreds of protesters rushed to the building and a door was snapped off its hinges before police in riot gear pepper-sprayed the crowd, which included a photographer from The Associated Press.

Demonstrators throw tear gas back at law enforcement on August 24. Hours into the curfew, the mostly peaceful demonstration turned violent. Commercial and government buildings were set ablaze, along with vehicles in car dealership lots

Security forces stand guard in front of the courthouse Monday following the shooting of a black man by police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, stand near an office furniture building that was set on fire by rioters on Monday

A protester lights a cigarette on a garbage truck that was set on fire during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Buildings were engulfed in flames as protestors continued to run riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, for a second night of defiance

The silhouettes of the demonstrators outline against the glowing flames of cars they set on fire a few block from the county courthouse

Flames engulf several vehicles that were set on fire by rioters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Flames roar from a row of cars torched by protesters a few blocks from the county courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Several protesters walk past police with their arms up in the air as a building burns nearby in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

A second night of civil unrest occurred after the shooting of Jacob Blake, 29, on August 23; Arsonists set buildings ablaze and torched much of the Black business district in a second night of unrest in the city

Police first fired the tear gas about 30 minutes after the 8pm curfew took effect and protesters refused to disperse. But hundreds of people stuck around, lighting fires and screaming at police.

It is thought that the city, which is home to around 100,000 people, has so far lost a mattress store, church, Mexican restaurant and a cellphone shop in the raging fires, according to witnesses.

Dozens of cars, traffic lights and windows have also been smashed by looters who continue to run riot.

At least one sheriff's deputy has suffered a neck injury by a firework that was set off by protestors, according to the New York Times. It is uncertain whether there have been any arrests.

Sheriff officers stand guard protecting the Kenosha County Courthouse; Smoke billowed over central Kenosha after police in riot gear clashed with protesters who defied a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Monday night and into Tuesday morning, blocks away from where police gunned down Jacob Blake on Sunday

Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, deploy tear gas to disperse protesters near the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday

Protesters take cover as police use tear gas during riots and demonstrations in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

An armored police vehicle is seen on the left while officers with riot shields are seen on the right near Kenosha County Court House on Monday

Two protesters stand with raised fists as a garbage truck burns behind them during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Vehicles at a used car lot had their windscreens smashed by protesters before being set on fire during the ongoing disruption in Kenosha, Wisconsin

A Black Lives Matter supporter holds a sign that reads 'Stop murdering people of color' in front of a row of police officers in Kenosha on Monday

Protesters carry an injured man during a march to demonstrate against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Kenosha County police officers clad in riot gear stand in front of the county courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Crowds of protesters gathered around a car as it attempted to drive through on Monday in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Protesters clash with Kenosha County Sheriff's officers in front of the county courthouse on Monday

Several protesters reported being hit with projectiles, including rubber bullets and bean bags fired by law enforcement

Several protesters are seen with umbrellas as they stand face to face with police officers near the courthouse in Kenosha on Monday

Evers was quick to condemn the bloodshed, saying that while not all details were known, 'what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.'

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said the officers 'must be held accountable.'

'This morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force,' he said, just over two months before Election Day in a country already roiled by the recent deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. 'Those shots pierce the soul of our nation.'

Republicans and the police union accused the politicians of rushing to judgment, reflecting the deep partisan divide in Wisconsin, a key presidential battleground state. Wisconsin GOP members also decried the violent protests, echoing the law-and-order theme that President Donald Trump has been using in his reelection campaign.

'As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident,' Pete Deates, president of the Kenosha police union, said in a statement. He called the governor's statement 'wholly irresponsible.'

A protester stands off with police in riot gear outside the Kenosha County Courthouse late Monday in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Several buildings, including a Wisconsin Department of Corrections building, were set on fire in Kenosha

National Guard troops fire tear gas on the crowd to disperse them after a warning was ignored during protests on Monday in Wisconsin

Police and members of the Sheriff's department hold a perimeter around the courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Scores of police officers took up positions while clad in riot gear and holding shields as they protected the courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

The unrest in Kenosha comes in response to Sunday's shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old black man. Witnesses reported that at least three police officers had their guns drawn as Blake (seen above in the white t-shirt) was walking away from them on Sunday

Jacob Blake's mug shot from 2015 is seen left. Online records (right) indicate that an arrest warrant was issued for Blake last month. He was charged with sexual assault

Blake, 29, was listed in stable condition following surgery, his father told news media on Monday. His three young sons witnessed the shooting from just a few feet away while sitting in their car, according to the family attorney, Ben Crump.

Video of the encounter taken by an onlooker showed Blake walking toward the driver's side of a gray SUV followed by two officers with their guns drawn at his back.

Seven gunshots are then heard as Blake, who appears unarmed, opens the car door and a woman nearby jumps up and down in disbelief.

It was unknown whether the officers saw something inside the vehicle that prompted them to shoot Blake. It was also not clear whether one or both officers opened fire.

A man speaks to police lined up during a protest outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday during the second night of rioting

Police form a barrier as they stand near a garbage truck ablaze during the protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

A protester uses a tennis racket to hit back a can of tear gas toward police as he shields himself with an umbrella outside the Kenosha County Courthouse on Monday

A protester walks past a building with broken windows as others burn during the protests in Kenosha in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake

Sheriff officers wearing gas masks stand guard outside the Kenosha County Courthouse in Wisconsin as rioters continue for a second night

City and law enforcement leaders in Kenosha had unanimously endorsed the use of body cameras in 2017 as a way to increase police accountability and collect evidence at scenes of domestic violence, among other benefits.

But they later balked at the price tag, raised policy concerns and put off implementation.

Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian confirmed on Monday that current plans call for the city to buy them in 2022  more than five years after he endorsed their adoption.

Officers do have cameras in their squad cars, but it's unclear whether any captured the shooting.

Nicholas Gonzalez calls for medical attention after getting shot in the wrist with a projectile in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Law enforcement officials form a human barricade near the courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

People yell at a line of police officers during a protest outside the Kenosha County courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

A woman taunts members of the sheriff's department as they hold a perimeter outside the Kenosha County courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Protesters set fire to an office on Monday night as looters ran riot for a second night in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Blake's partner, Laquisha Booker, told NBC's Milwaukee affiliate, WTMJ-TV, that the couple's three children were in the back seat of the SUV when police shot him.

'That man just literally grabbed him by his shirt and looked the other way and was just shooting him. With the kids in the back screaming. Screaming,' Booker said.

Blake's grandfather, Jacob Blake Sr., was a prominent minister and civil rights leader in the Chicago area who helped organize a march and spoke in support of a comprehensive housing law in Evanston, Illinois, days after the 1968 slaying of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Rachel Noerdlinger, publicist for the National Action Network, told The Associated Press that the Rev. Al Sharpton spoke Monday to Blake's father, who called the civil rights leader for his support. Blake's father will speak at Sharpton's March on Washington commemoration on Friday, Noerdlinger said.

A protester holding a pro-Black Lives Matter sign stands near a burning garbage truck outside the courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

A protester raises her fist while standing in a cloud of tear gas as a garbage truck burns in the background near the county courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

A protester uses an umbrella to shield himself from tear gas fired by police during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Police take up positions next to an armored vehicle as protests raged in Kenosha, Wisconsin, for a second straight night on Monday

A protester wearing a face mask taunted police on Monday during a confrontation in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer a day earlier

Luna, 23, came with a group from Milwaukee who call themselves The Peoples Revolution. She is seen above holding up the beanbag that hit her backpack in Kenosha

Police attempt to push back protesters outside the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

The shooting occurred three months after the May 25 death of a Black man in Minneapolis, George Floyd, who was pinned to the street under the knee of a white police officer, sparking nationwide protests against police brutality and racism within the US criminal justice system.

Sunday's shooting occurred as officers were responding to what they termed a 'domestic incident.'

Police immediately took the victim to a hospital, according to a police statement. Authorities gave no further explanation of what led to the shooting.

Attorney Crump, who also has represented Floyd's family, said in a statement that Blake had been trying to de-escalate a domestic incident when the officers first shot him with a stun gun.

'As he was walking away to check on his children, police fired their weapons several times into his back at point-blank range,' Crump said.

The officers involved were placed on administrative leave while the investigation is underway, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said on Monday.
A traffic stop early Tuesday morning in Roxbury that began due to a broken headlight resulted in the arrest of a 31-year-old man from Brockton who was wanted in Virginia on charges of second-degree murder, police said.

Police in Boston arrested Hakeem Thomas at around 1:45 Tuesday morning after they learned he had several warrants for his arrest. During a traffic stop on Southampton Street in Roxbury, police said, they asked for identification for both the driver and passenger. Thomas was the passenger, police said.

Officers then learned Thomas had a warrant out of Chesterfield County, Virginia for second degree murder, along with two other warrants in Massachusetts. Out of Lynn District Court, Thomas had a warrant for threats to commit a crime and out of Fall River District Court for assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon. Thomas is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court for an additional charge of fugitive from justice, police said.

Officers pulled over a car with Thomas in it at 1:45 a.m. for a broken headlight at 112 Southampton St., police said. The driver told police she noticed the headlight may not have been functioning properly. Police issued her a citation and released her from the scene following the arrest of Thomas.
JERUSALEM: Israeli attack helicopters struck observation posts of the militant Hezbollah group along the Lebanon border overnight after shots were fired at Israeli troops operating in the area, the military said Wednesday.

It said no Israeli forces were wounded, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage in Lebanon. Earlier, Israeli troops fired flares and smoke shells along the heavily guarded border.

The military also ordered civilians in nearby communities to shelter in place and blocked roads near the border. Those restrictions were lifted early Wednesday. The incident took place near the northern town of Manara.

Israel has been bracing for a possible attack by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah since an Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah fighter in neighboring Syria last month.

On July 27, the Israeli military said it had thwarted an infiltration attempt by Hezbollah militants in a battle that raged for more than an hour. Neither side reported any casualties and the Iran-backed Hezbollah denied involvement.

Israel considers Hezbollah to be its toughest and most immediate threat. After battling Israel to a stalemate during a monthlong war in 2006, Hezbollah is believed to be far stronger today.

Israeli officials estimate that Hezbollah possesses some 130,000 rockets and missiles capable of striking virtually anywhere in Israel. The group also has gained valuable battlefield experience by fighting alongside Iranian troops backing the forces of President Bashar Assad in the Syrian civil war.

Israel, which considers Iran to be its greatest enemy, has acknowledged carrying out scores of airstrikes in Syria it says were meant to stop Iran from transferring sophisticated weapons to Hezbollah.

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
South Africa: Brick making co-op empowers women in N West

The North West MEC of the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Kenetswe Mosenogi, has encouraged women behind a brick manufacturing cooperative to grow their business from strength to strength.

The MEC made the remarks during an oversight visit to the Meja le Mamohla Primary Cooperative in Kosmos, Haartebeespoort.

The department in a statement said the pilot project was intended to empower and introduce women to quality, environmentally friendly brick manufacturing value chains.

The project was initiated by the department to empower a women owned co-operative through skills development in quality building panels manufacturing and business management interventions to produce good quality, environmentally friendly panels that are used in a variety of construction projects, including human settlements, schools and libraries - just to mention a few, the department said.

The visit formed part of the MEC's Women's Month programme aimed at engaging with women in business, and getting a first-hand understanding of their operations and responsibilities in the sector.

Mosenogi engaged women on challenges they face in operating in a male dominated industry.

She encouraged the co-operative's members to focus on growing their business.

[The] MEC also committed her department to support the co-operative by empowering them through targeted interventions such as training on running of the business, business plans development, and participating in local community empowerment initiatives for the benefit the local community, the department said.

The cooperative is 100% operated and owned by women around the Haartebeespoort area.

During the visit, members of the cooperative shared with the MEC the history of the project, achievements to date and also how the project has changed their lives by creating jobs and skills development.

The MEC applauded the members for their passion and dedication, and encouraged them to continue with the same spirit by making it one of the best manufactures of alternative building materials in the province and even the country at large.

To date, the cooperative has managed to produce building panels used for the construction of a clinic and school around the area. The members of the cooperative hope to expand their business and supply building materials to construction companies operating within the province and throughout the country.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
ROME (Reuters) - Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne met his Chinese counterpart, state councillor Wang Yi, in Rome on Tuesday and urged Beijing to release two citizens of Canada it has detained, Ottawa said.

Champagne also raised Canada's opposition to China over its treatment of Hong Kong, said a government official who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation.

Champagne, in Europe on an official trip, met Wang in a hotel for 90 minutes. The two men previously held face-to-face talks in Japan in November 2019.

Ties between the two countries deteriorated in December 2018 after Canadian police detained Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd [HWT.UL], on a U.S. extradition warrant.

Soon after, China arrested Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig and charged them with spying. It also blocked imports of some canola seed.

"Minister Champagne again reiterated that the cases of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor remain a top priority ... and that Canada continues to call on China to immediately release both men," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Chinese foreign ministry said Wang told Champagne that Canada's unprovoked detention of Chinese citizens led to "serious difficulties" in the bilateral relationship. It added in a statement that Wang urged Ottawa to take action as soon as possible to remove impediments to the further development of China-Canada ties.

Beijing's account of the meeting did not mention Huawei's Meng or Champagne's call for China to release Kovrig and Spavor.

The Canadian foreign ministry said Wang and Champagne also "discussed the importance of global collaboration in the face of COVID-19, including the search for a vaccine", it said.

Last month, Canada suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong following new Chinese national security legislation and said it could boost immigration from the former British colony.

(Reporting by Yara Nardi in Rome; Writing by David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Peter Cooney and Jane Wardell)
"Social distancing has proven to be an effective tactic in helping fight the pandemic, and the Unacast's Social Distancing Scoreboard has been embraced around the world by leaders, media and citizens alike as a way to convey its impact," said Unacast CEO, Thomas Walle. "The scoreboard is designed to provide actionable data that is easy for the public to grasp. We are honored to work with MTN to make this available to the citizens of Nigeria."

The measure comes at a time when Nigeria's healthcare system is strained with managing rising cases and protective equipment shortages. Human mobility insights from Unacast's Social Distancing Scoreboard will enable African public officials and the population to make informed and proactive decisions when navigating COVID-19 across regions. And, as the Nigerian economy continues to grow, Unacast's human mobility platform will also allow African decision makers to access data-driven insights for urban planning and development including real estate, retail, transportation, research and more.

"To fight this pandemic, we must work as a community, with government, business, the healthcare providers and citizens joining forces to practice social distancing and other safety measures," said Chief Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria, Tobechukwu Okigbo. "MTN is pleased to collaborate with Unacast by bringing this Social Distancing Scoreboard to the public as an important tool we can all use to flatten the curve."

The Social Distancing Scoreboard will leverage Unacast's Turbine platform for aggregated and anonymized telecommunication data via MTN. Specifically designed for telecommunications companies, Turbine turns raw location data from mobile networks to privacy-safe, anonymized, and aggregated human mobility insights. The technology allows end users to distill vast datasets that accurately understand human mobility across a large area like Nigeria.

Unacast and MTN have developed the COVID-19 Social Distancing Scoreboard using anonymous aggregate mobility and device data from tens of millions of devices. Unacast's proprietary technology then extrapolates the results to show trends by region. As with all Unacast technology, the Social Distancing Scoreboard follows local privacy guidelines, like the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation.

The MTN Unacast Social Distancing Scoreboard for Nigeria is the latest in a range of COVID-19 toolkit options Unacast has developed to help public and private enterprise, public health, NGOs and governments inform decision-making during the pandemic.

About Unacast

Unacast is an award-winning human mobility data company that uses device location data, map data, and strategic intelligence to tackle business challenges for the retail, real estate, tourism, transportation, and marketing industries. With its flagship product "The Real World Graph", it provides innovative solutions and insights to operational challenges for companies of any size or shape. Unacast was founded in 2014 with offices in New York and Oslo, Norway. In 2019, Unacast was awarded the #1 small company to work in NYC for by Built In NYC and received Street Fights' Most Innovative Use of Geospatial Technology award for its Turbine platform.

About MTN Nigeria

MTN Nigeria is one of Africa's largest providers of communications services, connecting over 70 million people in communities across the country with each other and the world. Guided by a vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world, MTN Nigeria's leadership position in coverage, capacity and innovation has remained constant, since its launch in 2001. MTN Nigeria is part of the MTN Group  a leading emerging market operator, connecting more than 250 million subscribers in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East. To learn more about MTN Nigeria and its various initiatives, visit www.mtnonline.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1233023/Unacast__Social_Distancing_Scoreboard.jpg

Related Links

http://www.unacast.com



SOURCE Unacast
DANVERS, MA  Nearly 80 teachers gathered outside the Danvers school committee meeting Monday night, calling on the board to reverse its school reopening decision and go with a fully remote start to the school year.

At the same time, a group of parents and students gathered nearby, holding signs supporting the board's approval of a hybrid model earlier this month. While Monday's meeting was in-person for school committee members and administrators, public participation remote to adhere to the state's social distancing rules.

Boston 25 News, which first reported this story, said teachers raised several concerns, including the adequacy of building ventilation systems and plans to move students through school buildings. "My fear is that people in the town will die, teachers will die, maybe kids will bring it home, maybe family members will die," fourth-grade teacher Katy Buller told Boston 25 News.



Parents in the counterprotest, however, said they were concerned about the ability for emotional and social development. Parents are also trying to juggle work with kids at home and remote learning, which often requires the help of a parent. Parents are also concerned about the remote curriculum for special needs students.



"When I see teachers here, I cant help but think about other workers whove been doing it since weve opened back up: hair dressers, Market Basket employees," parent Laura Pelletier said. "I think you have to be COVID-capable, COVID-wise. You have to clean, you have to do due diligence."



Danvers students return to school Sept. 16. Under the plan approved by the school committee Aug. 6, most Danvers students will go to school two days per week and attend classes remotely three per week. Students will be divided into two cohorts, and all students would learn remotely on Wednesdays. High needs students would report to school for in-person learning four days per week.



Dave Copeland covers Danvers and other North Shore communities for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).

This article originally appeared on the Danvers Patch
Sen. Revilla: Maximizing borderless international community will benefit PH tremendously

Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. on Tuesday stated that maximizing the potentials brought about by a borderless international community will be very rewarding for the country.

He filed S. No. 1778, "Enhancing the Regulation on Employment of Foreign Nationals and Transfer of Technology," under Committee Report No. 105 as a viable means to boost the labor and employment industry in achieving such goal for local workers, industries, and the economy as a whole especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the author of Senate Bill No. 458 which was incorporated in the said Committee Report, Revilla expressed his full support for the noble intent of the proposed legislation

Presidential Decree No. 442 otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines allows the employment of non-resident aliens or foreign nationals under certain conditions.

"To be able to take full advantage of this provision, this proposed measure seeks, among others, to include a new section in the Labor Code which will require foreign nationals who were issued with employment permits to implement an understudy or skills development program," Revilla said.

Revilla added that through such program, Filipinos will be recipients of transfer of technology and skills which will allow them to eventually perform the job done by the said foreign national.

A measure of similar nature was approved on Third Reading by the House of Representatives in the previous Congress and was transmitted to the Senate but did not prosper into becoming a law.

"Ngayon na naihain na po ang panukalang batas na ito sa plenaryo, naniniwala po ako na sa maipapasa na natin ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Pinapahalagahan at sinusulong natin ang proteksiyon para sa ating mga manggagawa at ang pagpapaunlad ng kanilang kaalaman at kakayahan. Lalo na sa panahong ito na kailangan nating tugunan ang mga hamon na dala ng COVID-19 sa ating ekonomiya, ito ang pagkakataon na dapat nating paigtingin ang mga polisiya at programa na tutulong sa atin upang bumangon at manatiling matatag sa kabila ng mga pagsubok," Revilla said.
More tech news includes Fitbit launching a new series of fitness wearables and Oppo launching the Oppo A53 in India.

It was an eventful day in the world of technology today. On one hand, Apple confirmed that it had started assembling the iPhone SE 2020 in India. On the other hand, Microsofts neural text-to-speech service began supporting Hindi and English (India).

So, heres everything that created a buzz in the world of tech today:

Apple iPhone SE 2020 assembled in India

Apple today confirmed that the iPhone SE 2020 was being assembled in India. It joins iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, iPhone XR and the iPhone 11 that are assembled in India.

Microsoft introduces Hindi and English (India) to Neural TTS

Microsoft today announced the addition of English (India) and Hindi to its Neural Text to Speech (Neural TTS) service language set. Neural TTS is part of Microsofts Azure Cognitive Services.

Oppo A53 launched in India

Oppo launched the Oppo A53 smartphone in India. It comes at a starting price of 12,990 and it is available in Electric Black, Fairy White, and Fancy Blue colour variants.

Nokia launches four new phones in India

Nokia launched the Nokia 5.3, Nokia C3, Nokia 125 and Nokia 150 smartphones in India. Nokia C3 costs 7,499, Nokia 5.3 comes at a starting price of 13,999, and Nokia 150 and 125 are priced at 2,299 and 1,999 respectively.

Fitbit Sense, Versa 3, Inspire 2 launched

Fitbit launched three new variables -- Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 3 and Inspire 2 -- globally. Fitbit Sense costs 34,999, Versa 3 costs 26,499 and Inspire 2 costs 10,999 in India.
New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Tuesday (August 25) arrested JNU student Sharjeel Imam under the UAPA for his involvement in the conspiracy of Delhi violence. Sharjil Imam, lodged in Guwahati jail of Assam, was brought to the national capital by the special cell of Delhi Police to interrogate him for his role in Delhi riots.

The police has imposed a section of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged involvement in the Delhi riots. The Delhi Police reached Assam on Friday to bring Sharjeel Imam back to the national capital.

On July 21, the Delhi police was scheduled to bring him to the national capital but just ahead of his departure for Delhi, he was tested COVID-19 positive. Imam is an accused in a case related to alleged inflammatory speeches during the protests against CAA and NRC.

On July 25, Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against Imam in connection with a case related to his alleged inflammatory speeches during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at several places.

The 600-page charge sheet was filed, under section 124A (Sedition), 153(A) (Promoting enmity), 153 (Assertion prejudicial to national integration) (promoting enmity, Hatred between different communities, 505 (spreading rumours) IPC and Section 13 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, in Delhi`s Patiala House court.

Imam is accused of delivering seditious speeches and inciting the Muslim community to indulge in unlawful activities. In the garb of protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, he exhorted them to block the highways leading to the major cities and resort to "Chakka Jam", thereby disrupting normal life.

The Delhi Police charge sheet claimed that Imam had defied the Constitution and called it a "fascist" document, besides asking people to block the 'chicken neck' connecting mainland India with the North-East.

On January 28, Imam was arrested from Bihar's Jehanabad district in the case related to violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) near the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University in December 2019.
New Orleans will be distributing sandbags in four locations throughout the city on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Laura heads toward the Gulf Coast.

Update: Laura strengthens into hurricane, expected to make landfall near Louisiana/Texas line

Laura is expected to make landfall in southwestern Louisiana as a strong Category 2 hurricane after midnight on Thursday. While its current track and intensity are unlikely to bring significant winds to the New Orleans area, forecasters say the storms track could bring significant rain to the region. Depending on the exact amount and intensity of the rainfall, that could cause problems for the city's drainage system, which has long struggled to keep pace with more common storms.

All four sandbag locations will be open from 8 a.m. to noon. No documentation is required but there is a limit of four sandbags per person.

The sandbags will be available in the following neighborhoods:
NEWS FLASH

Skopje Airport welcomed 57.419 passengers through its doors in July, representing a decrease of 76.3% compared to the same month in 2019. The number of commercial aircraft movements decreased 55.6% to 833. During the first seven months of the year, Skopje Airport handled 443.679 travellers, down 57% on the same period in 2019. In addition to European Union entry restrictions, which are affecting loads on flights, July also saw Austria, Italy and Poland introduce flights bans on traffic to and from Macedonia. Skopje Airport reopened on July 1 following its three-and-a-half-month closure for commercial traffic as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 18:08 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c406604d 1 National djoko-tjandra,bank-bali-case,Attorney-General,Attorney-General-Office,Prosecutors-Office,antasari-azhar Free

Deputy Attorney General Setia Untung Arimuladi insisted on Tuesday that the Rp 546 billion (US$36.5 million) seized as evidence in the high-profile Bank Bali graft case had long ago been wired to the state treasury.

Setia said that he was in charge of executing a court ruling on the case that ordered the funds to be returned to the state, during his term as head of the South Jakarta Prosecutor's Office on June 29, 2009.

The funds were transferred using the real-time gross settlement (RTGS) transfer system, which allowed instantaneous wiring, to the Finance Ministrys Directorate General of the Treasury, Setia said, following what he described as long and difficult administrative procedures.

Setia also showed the proofs of the transfer and the court order in the case.

Read also: Where has Rp 540 billion in Bank Bali evidence gone?: Ex-KPK chairman

You can check with the Finance Ministry whether I, the [then] head of the South Jakarta Prosecutors Office, lied about having executed [the order]. Please check with the director general of the state treasury, he told the press on Tuesday as quoted by tempo.co.

Previously, former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Antasari Azhar -- who handled the 1998 Bank Bali case during his time at the AGO -- questioned the whereabouts of the evidence as he called for authorities to ensure the security of the state funds.

Antasari was recently questioned by the National Polices Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) in relation to the Bank Bali graft case, particularly concerning the escape of graft convict Djoko Soegiarto Tjandra, who was sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in the scandal. (mfp)
The growing popular opposition in Mali to the French occupation of the country is exposing the petty bourgeois charlatanry of the New Anticapitalist Party (NPA). On August 18, amid mounting protests, a junta of Malian army colonels toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and declared its loyalty to the French occupation force. The NPAs Revolution permanente web site, linked to the Socialist Workers Party (PTS) of Argentina, reacted by hailing this pro-imperialist putsch.

In its article, Philippe Alcoy writes: The coup was greeted with mass rejoicing in the streets of Bamako. For now, in any case. Indeed, this group of officers says they want a civil political transition leading to credible general elections within a reasonable delay. The putschists declare that they took the decision to act because Mali is sinking day by day into chaos, anarchy and insecurity by the fault of those men charged with its destiny.

While Alcoy briefly disapproves of the juntas repressive measures like the installation of a curfew and the closing of the borders, he nonetheless presents the coup as the beginning of a revolution. He claims that coup is led without doubt by factions of the ruling classes and of the army who acted without the consent of the French government. He even refers to the well-known reaction of the social-democrat Marceau Pivert to the 1936 French general strike: Everything is possible!

He states, But one thing is certain, France and its allies fear that the coup in Mali could open the way to similar situations in countries across the region who are torn by the same political, social and economic problems.  For Ivorian analyst Franck Hermann Ekra, whose comments were reported by Liberation, its as if a Malian model had just been born. And so, including in the neighboring countries, everyone now feels they are allowed to think that Everything is possible and to compare what happened in Mali to similar opposition to established governments in their country.

This is politically absurd. French imperialism does not fear the Malian putsch, of whose preparation it was doubtless well informed. Moreover, a wave of such coups across Africa would constitute not a revolution, but a neo-colonial counter-revolution.

A historic wave of strikes and protests is undoubtedly spreading across Africa. Strikes of teachers and railway workers in Mali; the 2019 mass protests against the Algerian military regime; protests in Ivory Coast against President Alassane Ouattara, who was installed by a 2011 French military intervention; and protests against Keita all reflect a growing eruption of anger among workers and the oppressed masses in Africa against imperialism.

In Mali, there have been months of protests against the French occupation, launched in 2013, and the ethnic massacres between rival militias that Paris tolerates and uses to divide and rule Mali.

Paris supports the Malian coup, however, because it is aimed against the anti-war protests of youth and workers in Mali. Like the 2012 coup that paved the way for the 2013 French invasion, the 2020 coup started in the Kita army base; and General Ibrahim Dahirou Dembele, who has been decorated for his services to French national security, was again one of its leaders. When they took power, the putsch leaders made an unambiguous statement.

They called on the Malian army to continue working with French troops (Operation Barkhane), their European allies (Takuba), their UN auxiliaries (Minusma), and their auxiliaries from the Sahel countries (G5 Sahel). They declared, The Minusma, the Barkhane force, the G5 Sahel, the Takuba force are still our partners for stability and the restoration of security. We call on you, our brothers in arms, to continue discharging your law-and-order and operational missions.

President Emmanuel Macron for his part briefly criticized the putsch before indicating that the French army was happy to work with the new junta: We do not need to substitute ourselves for Malian sovereignty.  Nothing should divert us from the struggle against the jihadists.

Significantly, Revolution permanente is silent on the role of Oumar Moriko, head of the African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence (SADI), with which the NPA has long collaborated, calling it a party historically inspired by Marxism-Leninism.

Around noon the day of the putsch, Moriko launched an appeal to youth in the capital, Bamako, to back the putschists, who were on the defensive against troops loyal to Keita. These appeals were echoed by the entire June 5 movement-Rally of Patriotic Forces (M5-RFP) led by Imam Mahmoud Dicko, to which SADI belongs. Now, with their support, the Malian junta is doubtless discussing how to strangle mounting opposition to the French occupation.

As ever broader layers of workers and youth in Africa enter into struggle, Revolution permanente is doing everything it can to push them behind imperialism and counter-revolution. This is a warning for workers in Africa, in France and around the world. Fighting imperialist oppression of former colonial countries and police-state austerity in Europe, requires building a Marxist internationalist, that is, Trotskyist movement in the working class to fight the populist lies and illusions promoted by affluent petty bourgeois parties like the NPA.

Middle class student leaders of the 1968 generation founded the NPA in 2009 to break whatever residual symbolic attachment these former Trotsko-Guevarists retained with the image of Trotsky, the co-leader of the October Revolution and founder of the Fourth International. Integrated into the operations of the big-business Socialist Party (PS), which has long launched coups and wars for decades in Africa, they are unconditional supporters of imperialism against the working class.

In the NATO wars in Libya and Syria launched in 2011, NPA candidate Olivier Besancenot repeatedly demanded that the French army arm Islamist rebels against the existing regimes. Thus, the NPA is implicated in wars that have claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and turned over 10 million people into refugees. Now Revolution permanentewhich has at times tried to give itself a thin left veneer by dishonestly criticizing what it called the imperialist war in devastated Libya, without saying what the NPAs role had beenis again backing French operations in Mali.

After France invaded Mali, the WSWS explained the material class interests that underlay the support of both SADI and the NPA for the war, which the NPA weakly criticized at first. There is not much to add to this analysis of the NPAs role:

Frances wars are indeed filthy acts of imperialist plunder, for which workers in France also pay through rising taxes and new social cuts. They aim to boost Pariss strategic position and the profits of its oil corporations and banks. But this is also the source of the cash flow that the bourgeoisie directsthrough its funding of the union bureaucracy, media programs, and grants for left academicsto pseudo-left forces like the NPA.

This also explains the class interests underlying Revolution permanentes promotion of the Malian putschists in Bamako. The putsch and the intervention of SADI are preparing repression and violence against opposition to the French war among workers and youth. Alcoy therefore adds a few empty phrases trying to distance himself from the junta he has promoted throughout his article:

And so for the workers and the lower classes of Mali, it would be a fatal error to place their hopes for emancipation and a dignified life in this military junta. It would be equally catastrophic to place confidence in the M5-RFP coalition, which is full of reactionary figures, or the Islamist organizations. And it goes without saying that their worst enemy remains imperialism, notably in its most openly militarist form. All these forces are enemies of the exploited and the oppressed in Mali and the entire African continent.

There are only a few forces to add to this list of shame: one must say that inside the M5-RFP coalition the most cynical element is the SADI party and its French ally, the NPA, inside which the most shameless charlatans are the supporters of Revolution permanente. To build an international anti-war movement against imperialism, workers in Mali and Africa as in France and Europe need to build Trotskyist parties, sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International, in struggle against the petty-bourgeois pseudo-left.

The author also recommends:

Tens of thousands rally in French-occupied Mali for resignation of president

[22 June 2020]

Malians protest to demand departure of French occupation troops

[16 January 2020]

The NPAs support for Frances wars in Africa

[13 January 2014]

Hands off Mali!

[15 January 2013]

France: What is the LCRs New Anti-Capitalist Party?

[5 February 2009]
By Express News Service

NELLORE: The famous 'rottela pandaga' or the exchange of 'wish rotis', which is a decades-old practice held on the banks of the Swarnala tank in the premises of the Barashaheed Dargah, will not be held this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Nellore district administration decided to cancel the exchanging of rotis in the premises of the dargah as part of preventive measures against COVID-19.

"Due to the COVID-19 protocol, there will be no exchanging of rotis this year. We have decided to conduct Gandamahotsavam, the main fete of the festival, only with 20 Muslim elders and committee members of the fest," said District Revenue Officer M V Ramana.

The festival was to have been celebrated from August 30 to September 3 this year. It is considered a festival of wishes where people exchange various kinds of rotis.

Every year, around 10 lakh devotees from across the country and abroad visit the dargah, take a holy bath in the tank close to it, offer prayers at the tombs and then exchange rotis according to tradition.

Considering its importance, the Andhra Pradesh government had declared it a state festival in 2015 and has been providing necessary funds for organizing the event.

Poleramma Jathara also cancelled

Meanwhile, the popular Poleramma Jathara of Venkatagiri which attracts thousands of devotees across the state has also been cancelled this year, as part of COVID-19 protocol. The sacred Jathara was held by the Venkatagiri Rajahs in 1919 for the first time and has continued for the last 100 years.

Poleramma is a village goddess to whom people offer prayers during auspicious days expecting safety from diseases, effect of any evil forces and spread of epidemics. It is a very popular event in the district.
Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical says it will sell its over-the-counter medicine unit to US investment fund the Blackstone Group for about 2.3 billion dollars.

The pharmaceutical giant does not expect its subsidiary Takeda Consumer Healthcare to grow due to Japan's declining population. The unit makes vitamin drinks and cold medicines.

Takeda aims to reduce its debt, which ballooned to about 38 billion dollars after it acquired Irish biotech company Shire last year.

The 60-billion dollar deal holds the record for the largest acquisition of a foreign firm by a Japanese company.

Takeda now plans to focus its resources on developing more profitable prescription drugs, such as those for patients with cancer or digestive system diseases.
Tracy Henson just wanted her husbands ashes.

By the time she spoke with a cremation company in May, the newly widowed woman from Portola (Plumas County) was an emotional wreck. For more than six years, she had been married to Melford Henson, a 65-year-old carpenter with white hair and a fondness for Chihuahuas. Deemed a low-risk prisoner by the state, he was serving a short sentence for DUI at the California Institution for Men in Chino. Until late April, he and Tracy spoke on the phone every day, planning their reunion; Melford was scheduled to be released by the end of 2020.

But the coronavirus was sweeping through the prisons overcrowded dormitories, and Melford suddenly stopped calling, sending Tracy into a panic. On April 29, a Chino hospital informed her that Melford was there, battling COVID-19; soon he was placed on a ventilator, unable to speak. She never had a chance to say goodbye to her husband before he died on May 6.

Then, grieving and still in shock, she was handed a $900 cremation bill.

During a call with a mortuary service that contracts with the prison, Tracy learned that according to state policy, family members of those who die in prisons  of COVID-19 or any other cause  must pay out of their own pockets if they want to receive the remains of their children, spouses and parents. Melfords cremation and the shipping of his ashes would cost nearly a grand. If Tracy didnt want the remains, the state would cover the expense, she was told, but then her husband would be considered unclaimed, his ashes scattered at sea by strangers.

Hearing that, I cried my eyes out, recalled Henson, who is disabled and relies on Social Security disability benefits. I dont have that kind of money sitting around.

Since the start of the pandemic, 54 incarcerated people have died of COVID-19 in Californias 35 prisons, and even though the deceased were in state custody until they drew their last breaths, the state expects their loved ones to pay burial costs, which can run into the thousands of dollars.

Families and advocates for incarcerated people say the policy is not only cruel, it discriminates against those without means to pay the sudden expenses. And with death numbers rising in the state prisons, the issue isnt likely to go away.

Its a pretty disgusting policy, said attorney Michael Bien, who represents tens of thousands of California prisoners and knows families struggling to scrape up money to bury incarcerated loved ones felled by the virus. He said the state has a moral duty to pay for a basic burial or cremation of people who die in their custody.

This is basic human decency here, Bien said, emphasizing that the financial burden is falling not on those convicted of crimes but on their children and wives and moms.

Prison officials say they are only following procedures set by California law.

Dana Simas, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said that according to state rules, if a family wishes to claim the body of a relative who died in state custody, all burial services  and costs  become the familys responsibility, without any reimbursement from the state. California pays only if the body is considered unclaimed. In that instance, the state contracts with a mortuary to cremate the body  and the corrections department may seize any personal funds or property left over in the dead persons prison account and apply those to cost of burial, according to the state penal code.

The ashes, at that point, are no longer state property and the state does not know what happens to them, Simas said.

It is our highest priority to respect the traditional and religious beliefs of the loved ones of incarcerated persons who have passed away while in CDCR custody, Simas told The Chronicle in a statement. We offer families the ability to provide the burial and funeral arrangements according to their own values and traditions.

There are no federal laws that tell state prisons how to handle burial costs for those in their custody. California is not the only state that requires families to pay if the bodies are claimed; some states dont even pay for the burial or cremation of unclaimed bodies, leaving it for local counties and medical examiners to decide. But at least one state, Arkansas, offers assistance to families who want the remains of their loved ones but cant afford to pay: The Arkansas Department of Corrections provides a service that cremates the body and ships the cremains to the family free of charge, said Cindy Murphy, a department spokeswoman.

Bien has asked the corrections department to reimburse one family for burial costs. He said he will push the state to change its rules, through litigation and by working with advocacy groups to raise the issue with the Legislature and the governors office.

Relatives of prisoners who died of COVID-19 told The Chronicle that by the time they got the burial bills, they were so depleted by the ordeal  and so horrified by the way the corrections department treats families  that they dont have the energy to fight anymore.

I just want to be at peace, said a woman on the East Coast whose brother died of COVID-19 while incarcerated at the California Institution for Men. He was a client of Bien. She asked not to be named because she is grieving and wants privacy.

The womans brother was transferred to a hospital on June 3, she said. The prison never informed her, even though she is listed on his prison paperwork as next of kin, Bien said. It wasnt until June 18 when she received a call from a lieutenant, telling her that her brother was dead.

The next day, June 19, she was sent a telegram from the prison warden, saying that her brothers remains had been released to All Caring Cremations, a firm in Van Nuys. The telegram said to contact the firm and make burial arrangements without expense to the state of California, according to a copy of the telegram provided to The Chronicle.

Deciding that she wanted to keep his ashes, the sister ultimately received an itemized bill for $1,807.57 from a funeral home in San Diego. The bill, also shared with The Chronicle, listed $140 in charges for Direct Cremation, $295 for Refrigeration, $695 for Transfer of Remains to Funeral Home, another $195 Cremation Fee, $195 for Mailing of Cremated Remains and hundreds in additional costs.

The chief operations officer of All Caring Cremations, Alex Matthews, confirmed that All Caring has a contract with the California Institution for Men. He said the contract is just to pick up human remains from the prison and store them temporarily, not to perform burial services.

For some families, the corrections departments policy is especially frustrating because the agency provides almost no information about the COVID-19 status of their incarcerated loved ones while the loved ones are still alive. The first detailed communication is often the bill from the mortuary service.

Beverly Vargas, 63, of Redondo Beach (Los Angeles County), described a month-long nightmare that began in June, when she learned that her brother, Steve Garcia, had caught the virus while serving a 22-year sentence at Avenal State Prison. Vargas learned over the phone from a prison counselor that Garcia was being treated for COVID-19 in a Bakersfield hospital. But the prison gave no details about his condition or information about how to visit him, and over the next days and weeks, Vargas and several of her relatives dialed the hospital and prison repeatedly, their calls going to voice mail.

Youre fighting tooth and nail to get anybody to answer you, Vargas told The Chronicle.

Desperate to visit Garcia and comfort him, Yolanda Meeden, another of his sisters, drove hundreds of miles from her home in Arizona to the Bakersfield hospital in mid-July. The hospital staff didnt allow her to see Garcia, she said, even though she was listed on his paperwork as next of kin. Meeden left a get-well card and a balloon with a security guard in the parking lot.

They say he didnt exist because he was an inmate, Meeden said.

Garcia died a short time later, on July 24.

The family decided to bury him in the family plot at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery, which will cost upward of $16,000.

Nobody has money in our family, Beverly Vargas said. Everybodys been up all night, trying to figure out where to get money to bury him.  I mean, well do whatever it takes  a car wash or whatever we have to do to get the money. They ended up relying on a GoFundMe page to raise the cash.

Tracy Henson, Melfords widow, said the experience with the cremation bill left her feeling even more vulnerable during one of the toughest moments of her life. Ultimately, after receiving a small government stimulus check, she was able to pay a third of the $900 charge. Melfords sister, she said, agreed to pay the rest.

I wanted the ashes at my home, Henson said. And I have them now. Theyre right next to my bed.

Jason Fagone is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jfagone@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfagone
Trumps nomination of Wolf might be little more than symbolic, with the November presidential election just over two months away and Wolfs chances of a confirmation vote unclear. A former transportation lobbyist who has never served in law enforcement or held elected office, Wolf was confirmed as the DHS undersecretary for strategy, policy and plans in a 54-to-41 vote on Nov. 13, 2019. The White House installed him as acting DHS secretary that day.
Videos

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
The government may consider bringing down Goods and Services Tax (GST) on two-wheelers from the highest slab of 28% as finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday told the industry that two-wheelers are neither a luxury nor a sin good, hence merit a rate revision.

Responding to an industry suggestion on the need for lowering the GST rate on two-wheelers at a close-door meeting of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) through video conference, she said this was indeed a good suggestion as this category is neither a luxury nor a sin good and hence merits a rate revision, a CII statement quoted her as saying.

Sitharaman told the industry body that this matter will be taken up with the GST Council, which is the apex federal body on matters related to the indirect tax. The GST Council is chaired by the Union finance minister and finance ministers of states are its members. The councils decisions are often unanimous.

A government official aware about the development said on condition of anonymity that the matter is under consideration to boost sagging demand of automobiles, but the Union finance ministry has only recommendatory role. Any decision in this regard will be taken by the GST Council, the official said. While sale of passenger vehicles has plummeted by about 4% in July 2020 compared to the corresponding period last year, two-wheelers sales plunged by 15.24% in the same period.

It is not yet clear whether matters related to tax rationalisation would be taken up in the 41st meeting of the GST Council or in the 42nd meeting, the official said. The 41st meeting of the GST Council is scheduled on August 27 and the 42nd meeting is expected next month on September 19.

A finance ministry official said requesting anonymity that the first meeting on August 27 is expected to consider only one matter  how to pay compensation to states for their revenue shortfalls? It is likely that tax rate rationalisation matters would be taken up on September 19 along with various other reforms, he said.

As told by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman after the 40th meeting of the council on June 12, the August 27 meeting will be special as it will discuss only one matter - how to pay compensation to states at a time when the compensation cess collection has plunged because of weak economic activities due to Covid-19 pandemic, he said.

While briefing reporters after the 40th meeting, Sitharaman had said on request of members the Council would meet again in July to discuss only one-agenda item -- compensation to states.

Compensation, which has to be given to states, and, if at all, it results in some kind of borrowing, how and who is going to pay for it, she had said. The meeting was, however, deferred to August, due to some technical reasons, the official said.

At the time of introducing the new indirect tax regime in July 2017, the GST law assured states a 14% increase in their annual revenue for five years (up to 2022) and their revenue shortfall should be made good through the compensation cess levied on luxury goods and sin products such as liquor, cigarettes, aerated water, automobiles, coal and other tobacco products.

The official said, the 42nd meeting of the Council on September 19 is generic in nature and may consider revising tax on several items that suffer from inverted duty such as fertilisers, footwear, renewable energy devices, tractors and man-made yarns and fabrics. Inverted duty structure is a situation in which inputs are taxed at a higher rate than finished goods.

Jigar Doshi, founding partner of a tax technology firm TTMS LLP, said, The applicable GST rate on two wheelers is 28%, which is usually for the sin or luxury goods. Since two wheelers do not form part of either category, the same has been under consideration and recommendations for rate reduction.

It is relevant to note that the input tax credit on two wheelers is restricted under the Act (unless for furtherance of business). Given that two wheelers might be essential, especially for the non registrants [those not registered under GST] or small organizations, a rate cut will be a major sigh of relief, he said.
Former opposition leader Bill Shorten insists Daniel Andrews' extended State of Emergency in Victoria is simply misunderstood as he defends the embattled premier.

Mr Andrews extended the state's emergency warning on Monday, despite COVID-19 numbers steeply declining in recent weeks.

The premier argued that more needed to be done to ensure the trend continued downwards, and warned the State of Emergency could be in place for a further 12 months.

While the controversial policy received widespread criticism, with some going so far as to describe the downtrodden premier as a 'megalomaniac', Mr Shorten defended the decision.

Speaking to Nine's Today show on Tuesday morning, Mr Shorten said Mr Andrews needed to better explain the conditions of the State of Emergency and what it would mean for Victorians.

Pictured: A healthcare worker prepares to conduct a coronavirus test on a patient at a COVID-19 testing facility in Melbourne

Mr Shorten (front) and Mr Andrews (centre) pictured at a press conference together in 2018, when Mr Shorten was still the leader of the Opposition

'I think the explanation is a lot more benign, but it's probably time for Dan the man to put his explaining skills on display today and just calm the farm,' he said.

'As I understand it, Daniel Andrews announced a State of Emergency. That's a lower level than a State of Disaster.'

Mr Shorten said the premier likely wanted to retain 'some powers' to get people to wear masks and ensure businesses maintain their COVID-safe plans while the virus is still a threat.

'But I think it would be handy if he cleared it up today. I think that figure of the 12 months had everyone freaking out last night,' he said.

The announcement was savaged by former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett on Monday, who accused Mr Andrews of attempting to seize 'dictatorial powers' during the crisis.

Mr Andrews extended the state's emergency warning on Monday despite COVID-19 numbers gradually declining. Pictured: Police are seen patrolling Flinders Street Station during COVID-19 in Melbourne

Premier Andrews said on Monday: 'It is not an unlimited extension, it is nothing more than a recognition that this virus won't be over on September 30' (pictured, testing in Melbourne)

'The premier said today he may keep the state of emergency until we have a vaccine - we may never have a vaccine,' Mr Kennett told Sky News.

'Are we all going to be locked up at the whim of the premier? Without any checks and balances?

'This is an act of a megalomaniac.'

Premier Andrews said on Monday: 'It is not an unlimited extension, it is nothing more than a recognition that this virus won't be over on September 30.

'I would love nothing more for there to be no need for any rules on September 14, but I don't think that is the reality.'

While the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 only allows a state of emergency to operate for six months, the premier said amendments are being made to change it.

'That is the legal instrument that allows rules about face masks, about COVID safe work plans in workplaces large and small, that is the legal instrument that sits behind density limits in pubs and cafes and restaurants,' Premier Andrews said.

Victoria's new infection numbers have been steadily dropping since the introduction of new lockdown restrictions. Pictured: Medical professionals perform COVID testing at a drive through clinic in Ballarat

Bourke St Mall within Melbourne CBD is quiet and deserted during the pandemic lockdown

'Things like a positive person, someone who has got this virus, and required to isolate at home.

'We will extend the state of emergency provisions within the public health and well-being act for a maximum of a further 12 months.'

Mr Andrews said the decision to ask parliament to extend the restrictions was about 'protecting everyone' in Victoria.

Victoria's new infection numbers have been steadily dropping since the introduction of new lockdown restrictions.

On Monday Victoria recorded 116 new cases of coronavirus, and the state now has 3731 active cases, the Department of Health and Human Services said.

The number is well below the 723 new cases the state suffered on July 30.

On Tuesday, another 148 cases were recorded.

Mr Andrews said the decision to ask parliament to extend the restrictions was about 'protecting everyone' in Victoria. Pictured during Monday's press conference

Victoria Police, Airforce and ADF personnel are seen outside of the Melbourne Museum amid the pandemic and lockdown

Medical experts have warned that pursuing a suppression strategy in Victoria and NSW while the rest of Australia eliminates the virus would split the nation.

'The rest of Australia are hoping to retain their elimination status. That means we will essentially be living in a country that's split in two,' said University of Melbourne epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely earlier this month.

State and Territory leaders have said their borders would remain closed to New South Wales and Victoria until their community transmission is wiped out completely.

Professor Blakely told Nine News that if Victoria wanted to eliminate the virus it had locked down a month too late - and would now have to keep up its tough restrictions for several more weeks.

Medical experts have warned that pursuing a suppression strategy in Victoria and NSW while the rest of Australia eliminates the virus would split the nation. Pictured: Women wearing face masks
France 24

As talks in Vienna to revive the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal proceed in fits and starts, China is trying to position itself as a key player in the region, and for good cause: It is in Beijing's interest to push for the lifting of US sanctions on Iran, with which it has signed a historic bilateral partnership. Talks to revive the 2005 Iranian nuclear deal are entering the tough stage of discussing substance. The Iranians set the scene before a weekend of consultations in Vienna, when Irna, the offi
The agreement between Israel and the UAE which promises to normalise relations between the two countries includes ways to enhance partnership in the form of tourism, direct flights, scientific cooperation and, in time, establish full embassy-level diplomatic ties.

Although the Emirates are unlikely to locate their embassies in Jerusalem any time soon or even in the distant future, it is a remarkable step in the direction towards establishing more cordial relations with the two countries.

According to the Accord, although not spelt out specifically, it suggests that both countries will cooperate to protect, assist each other and fight against security threats, especially from Iran and its proxies in the region.

Significance of Abraham Accord

On August 13, an Israel and UAE agreed to sign the Abraham Accord. While news celebrating the historic moment largely unnoticed, here's a little bit of trivia about the peace agreement.

The agreement is expected to be signed in the US in September, just before the North American country goes for presidential polls. If and when the deal is signed, UAE will only be the third Arab country to sign the Abraham Accord after Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994). However, it will be the first Persian Gulf country to sign a deal of this nature with Israel.

Read | US State Secretary arrives in Jerusalem to close historic UAE-Israel Peace Accord

Origins and historical impact

Abraham Accord was named as such to honour the patriarch of three major Abrahamic religions  Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Since the creation of the State of Israel in 1948 and the exodus of more than 7.5 lakh Palestinians from the area there have only been two peace agreements brokered between Israel and other Arab countries. However, after the explosive news of UAE agreeing to sign the accord to normalise relations, rumours have swelled up over Bahrain and Oman soon following suit. Here's a look at some of the previous attempts to broker normalisation deals between Israel and the rest of West Asia and North Africa.

Egypt, 1979

Signed at Camp David in the US in 1979, this remains to date the most famous and well-publicised peace deals struck between Israel and an Arab State. The deal was signed between Israeli PM Menachim Begin and Egypt President Anwar Sadat, an extremely controversial figure in the Arab world but a popular leader in the West.

The deal was necessitated after the 1973 war between the two countries which brought both countries nearly down to their knees after depleting enormous amount of military and financial resources. Though the deal itself remains intact, Sadat was assassinated for trying to normalise relations by a military agent in 1981.

Egyptian president Anwar Al Sadat (left), US president Jimmy Carter (centre) and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin (right) meet at Camp David in 1978. Photo credits: AP

Read | Mike Pompeo "hopeful" more Arab states will normalise ties with Israel after UAE

Jordan, 1994

Jordan was forced to accept waves of Palestinians who fled Israel as refugees after its formation. The population demographic changed so much that roughly half of Jordan's population now is of Palestinian origin. Following the 1967 war when Israel officially captured East Jerusalem from Jordan which also controlled the Al-Aqsa mosque in the city, a formal body was constituted by Jordan's King Hussein, which was allowed to remain in place, This body eventually was a key player in brokering the deal between both nations in 1994.

Other notable mentions:

Lebanon, 1982; Arab Peace Initiative, 2002; Libya, 2004; and Syria in 1990 and 2010. These pacts have been problematic for the reason that peace was not maintained and border skirmishes or war broke out after the treaty was signed.

Read | Pompeo arrives in Israel to press Trump's Mideast peace push

Read | Mike Pompeo garners criticism for expected RNC speech from Jerusalem

Graphic credit: (Bob Daugherty/AP Images)
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

The laundry detergents market is expected to witness high growth in future, due to increasing e-commerce platforms across the globe. Moreover, growing usage of laundry services in the emerging economies is expected to aid the growth of laundry detergents market.

Based on product type, the global Laundry Detergents Industry has been segmented into bars, powder, liquid, pods, and others. The liquid segment accounted for the maximum market share in 2017 and is expected to grow at a higher rate during the forecast period due its increasing usage in residential and commercial sectors such as hospitality industry, laundry services, textile industry, and others. Residential sector includes its usage in household cleaning.

Also Read: http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/05/29/1856251/0/en/Laundry-Detergent-Pods-Market-Size-to-Reach-USD-3-567-7-Million-by-2023-at-5-04-CAGR-Predicts-Market-Research-Future.html

Key Players:

Some of the key players in the global laundry detergents market are Unilever (UK), The Procter & Gamble Company (US), RSPL Group (India), Henkel AG & Company, KGaA (Germany), Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (US), Nirma Limited (India), Lion Corporation (Japan), Kao Corporation (Japan), and Method Products, pbc.(US).

Segment:

The global Laundry Detergents Market Share has been segregated, by distribution channel, into store-based and non-store based. The store-based segment has been further segregated into supermarkets and hypermarkets, convenience store, and others. The store-based segment is expected to generate higher revenue, with the supermarkets and hypermarkets sub-segment being the largest due to the strong and widespread network of stores. The non-store-based segment is expected to register the higher CAGR during the assessment period owing to technological advancements in the e-commerce industry and growing consumer preference for online retailing.

Regional Analysis:

The global laundry detergents market has been segmented based on region, into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Rest of the World.

North America is expected to dominate the global laundry detergents market owing to the rising number of e-commerce platforms is expected to be the major driving factor for product growth, particularly among the working-class owing to the convenience and easy accessibility. The e-commerce platform, in the US and Canada is largely acquired by companies such as Target, Amazon, and Walgreen. These companies offer wide range of products, which in turn attracts more consumers. Hence, it is expected to drive the laundry detergents market in coming years

Access Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/laundry-detergents-market-6949

Asia-Pacific laundry detergents market are expected to grow at a rapid pace due to the increasing population in the countries and consumption of laundry detergents in the regions. Europe is also expected to project a significant market share owing to the increasing disposable income of consumers in the countries, have led consumers opt for different products. Furthermore, hectic schedule of consumers in the countries have led to adoption of products which are easy and continent to use. Hence, this is expected to drive the growth of laundry detergents market.

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.

MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.

In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.

Contact:

Market Research Future

+1 646 845 9312

Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Delhi Metro Resume Date News: Anuj Dayal, Executive Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a statement on Sunday that the Delhi Metro is now ready to resume operations as soon as the central government gives nod.

Delhi Metro Resume Date News: After several months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delhi Metro is now ready to resume operations as soon as the central government gives nod, said Anuj Dayal, Executive Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a statement on Sunday.

Dayal said that the DMRC was prepared to commence operations whenever directed by the government, all necessary guidelines to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus should be implemented and all efforts should be made to make travel safe for their valued commuters.

This statement comes after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the Centre to consider re-opening on a trial basis the Delhi Metro in a phased manner, as the COVID-19 situation in Delhi was now under control.

Also read: Prashant Bhushan refuses to say sorry to SC, says apology would be contempt of my conscience

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput case LIVE news updates: CBI summons Pithani for third consecutive day

Kejriwal said during a press brief on Sunday that they had requested Centre to allow the re-opening of Delhi Metro in a phased manner, on a trial basis, as COVID-19 situation in Delhi was under control then. He said that he hoped the Centre would make a decision soon.

The metro train services have been under suspension since March 22, the day of the COVID-19 Janata curfew, and the resumption of services is subject to the approval by the Delhi government and a subsequent nod from the Central government.

Also read: High voltage drama at CWC meet over Rahuls colluding with BJP charge
In May, Texas-based company Olea Edge Analytics unveiled a new version of EdgeWorks, a system of hardware and software for detecting faulty commercial water meters intended to help cities to generate revenue at a time when theyre expecting a budget crunch in the wake of COVID-19. In the intervening three months, it became clearer to the company that merely selling technology to government isnt enough if successful implementation requires an uncommon level of expertise. As with so much new technology, the user is a defining variable in whether or not it works. In light of this, Olea Edge Analytics has incorporated EdgeWorks into a new platform that comes with training, a blog, education credits and other resources aimed at creating a professional community around the job of replacing water meters.The company has branded its new product CityEdge, according to a news release last week, and like its predecessor it requires putting sensors on water meters that feed back into a platform. It then uses AI and machine learning algorithms to determine if and how a meter is inaccurate, and how it might be fixed. But the companys CEO Dave Mackie said the other side of making the product work is building personal relationships with city customers, which means people, training and evangelism to make customers better at completing repairs.Weve become de facto experts on the whole installation process surrounding meters, and the whole repair process  so well get calls from cities all the time wanting to talk to our meter experts about how they make certain repairs, how they go about managing things effectively, and well help them with that, he said. It turns out that most of the repairs being made on these meters, even if youre very specific about what needs to be repaired, usually arent done correctly. It requires a second or third trip, and it creates a lot of (getting) inside the utilities themselves, so we really are working hard on the evangelism, the education and socialization of what were doing within the city ecosystem, to help them be better at what they do, and as they get better at what they do, they drag us along with them.Specifically, the company is offering continuing education credits for repair workers to advance their careers, centered around familiarizing them with the ecosystem of water meter technology, tips for making repairs and how to use the platform. Olea Edge Analytics is also incorporating route-mapping software and maintenance tips into its user interface, and its building a community forum for city workers, with features such as meter of the week, installer of the month and writeups about different local crews. The company plans to unveil a full website in a matter of weeks with information about meters, repairs and safety.Mackie said safety is a major part of messaging around the new product, including COVID-related and other training about equipment and procedures.Sometimes its not just about the repair youre making. You might be changing out a turbine on a meter, but you forget to clean the strainer, which is sitting upstream of the meter, and it traps all the dirt and particulates coming down the pipe. If you dont clean the strainer, that can get clogged, it can force dirt to go around it. So a generalized education of how they can work with their assets is a lot of what were doing now, he said. The prime motivator is that we discovered that we have to do, and have been doing, a better job working with the operational people  any time you can get them excited about working with something new that makes their job better, thats a real win-win.
A technical paper published in an International Physics Journal, has presented the results of a ground-breaking research in the extremely challenging relation between Gravity and Electrical force. The results are derived from the study of space-time fabric, and are in harmony with General Theory of Relativity.

In the peer-reviewed paper, "Unification of Fundamental Forces under Normal Atmospheric Conditions", the author Devinder Dhiman, an independent researcher has described the connection of Gravitational force with Electrical Force, Strong Nuclear Force and Weak Interaction, consequently unifying them all, that too under normal atmospheric conditions.

Abdus Salam, the noble laureate in Physics stated, "From time immemorial, man has desired to comprehend the complexity of nature in terms of as few elementary concepts as possible. This desire had led the most famous scientist of 20th century Albert Einstein to spend the last 30 years of his life on a fruitless search for a unified field theory. Same desire has been motivating countless physicists to find a theory unifying the fundamental forces.

The pioneer research organization in this field, European Council for Nuclear research (CERN), has documented on its website that at incredibly high energies, the Electrical force, Strong Nuclear force and Weak Interaction are probably the same, and there is a possibility of including Gravity at still higher energies. However, the energies involved are at least a billion times greater than particle accelerators can reach. This statement reveals the limitation to research in Unification of Fundamental forces by particle collisions, necessitating a different approach.

Following a distinct technique, for the first time in Physics, the objective of Unification of Fundamental forces has been achieved. "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better", said Einstein. "Following this mantra, consistent effort for ten years and searching deep into nature, made it possible", says Dhiman, who found the missing yoke of Gravity and Electrical force. This is his third technical paper; earlier two papers addressing the fundamental questions of physics related to Black-body Radiation and Time dilation were published in an Indian science journal.

He further informs, "This paper describes a novel concept in which the relation of space-time fabric with mass and charge of matter particles is reviewed from elementary level. The concept is developed through mathematical techniques and substantiated by comparing and equating with the standard values of mass and charge of matter particles. Relation of space-time fabric with mass and charge of matter particles provided the link between Gravity and Electrical Force. The paper is structured in an extensive mode so as to present this unique and innovative concept in a straightforward manner, for the comprehension of any person having undergraduate level of science knowledge."
University of Colorado Denver associate professor Heather Johnson, PhD, received a $1,599,774 grant from the National Science Foundation last week. Johnson is an associate professor in CU Denvers School of Education & Human Development where she focuses her work on STEM education. The grant-winning project, Promoting Mathematical Reasoning and Transforming Instruction in College Algebra (ITsCRITiCAL), is a collaboration with Metropolitan State University of Denver, Santa Fe Community College, and Texas State University.

We want math classes to be places where students can engage in reasoning, not just find answers, Johnson said. We collaborate with faculty across institutions to create spaces where that can happen.

This project aims to serve students in the United States by transforming education practices in college-level algebra to promote students reasoning. As society sees an increase in the need for STEM professions, its important for students to be prepared for the new changes. With this grant, Johnson and her colleagues look to reach three research goals to better STEM education.

Develop new and transformative approaches

ITsCRITiCAL will develop innovative digital tasks, known as Techtivities, that will investigate mathematical reasoning, rather than answer-finding. Researchers also hope to embed developed tasks into existing courses which will connect them to high-leverage content. For instructors, ITsCRITiCAL will provide support and extend opportunities for them to promote student reasoning and ensure they can examine which student voices are being heard.

Create Communities of Transformation

Innovative tasks are only one part of transformation. How instructors implement those tasks impacts students opportunities to learn.

To promote lasting change, ITsCRITiCAL will create Communities of Transformation to ensure that evidence-based practices continue across its institution partners. These collaborative spaces foster faculty interaction to promote innovative practices. Instructors across institutions can connect via video conference and social media to network, support, and sustain innovations.

Draw connections

Lastly, ITsCRITiCAL will draw connections between instructional practices, instructor beliefs, and students covariational reasoning, math attitudes, and course success. Covariational reasoning involves forming and interpreting relationships between changing quantities, such as distance and height. It is a competency important for students success in key areas of college mathematics (e.g., functions, rates, and graphs) as well as for critical thinking as an educated citizen.

ITsCRITiCAL will include graduate research assistants in all aspects of the project to contribute to the societal need of developing STEM researchers.

All ITsCRITiCAL institution partners serve large populations of students of color and first-generation graduate students. This project creates enrollment in STEM programs cross institutions of high education and disciplinary communities.

Building on Earlier Success

ITsCRITiCAL builds from Johnsons 2017 National Science Foundation funded project, Implementing Techtivities to Promote Students Covariational Reasoning in College Algebra (ITSCoRe). ITSCoRes findings revealed that students interaction with the Techtivities could promote their mathematical reasoning and foster their positive attitudes toward mathematics.

Math isnt just for everyone. Math belongs to everyone, said Johnson. With this grant, Johnson and her team want to create a lasting partnership that transforms instructional practices in introductory college math courses.

###
TULSA, Okla. - The message on Monday night that not all Republicans look the same could not have had a more enthusiastic recipient than Isaac Jacobson.

He doesn't "check the boxes" for virtually any conservative stereotype.

"I am this adopted kid from Palestinian territories who speaks Hebrew and fell in love with Israel, who is a Republican, who has become pro-Palestine, who grew up in an interracial family," said Jacobson, 21. "And yes, I'm openly gay."

On Monday night, Jacobson watched a presidential nominating convention for the first time, with a couple of friends in a dormitory lounge at Oral Roberts University, where he is a senior.

Jacobson was not quite 18 when Donald Trump was elected president. Back then, he had no interest in politics. The only issue that stood out to him in 2016 was third-trimester abortions, which came up in a television debate between Trump and Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee that year, that he remembers seeing.

"Being adopted and knowing adoption is the full solution to the need for abortion - with abortion, this generation loves to use very strategic language to downplay what is going on - but it's a life-or-death issue," Jacobson said.

Jacobson's adoptive White parents raised him in a devout Christian home with their three biological children and three other adopted children who are Black.

His gateway to American politics was to tutor other college students in Hebrew, in which he became fluent through his high school studies at a small, private Christian school in Tulsa. Those peers introduced him to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group, and he traveled to Israel. This interest in foreign policy led him to watch American politics.

He registered to vote for now-Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, in the 2018 gubernatorial election. Jacobson has since interned in the office of Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., and is vice president of Oral Roberts University's College Republicans. He hopes to work in politics someday.

As he watched the convention on a laptop with his friends, Jacobson applauded the sentiments of Republican Kim Klacik, a Black woman who is running for Congress in a Democratic district in Maryland. "The Democrats still assume that Black people will vote for them," she said.

She was followed by Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, who said: "Unlike Joe Biden, President Trump didn't choose me because I'm a woman, he chose me because I was the best person for the job."

Their back-to-back comments about race and gender lit Jacobson's fuse. "One of my hot topics is identity politics," he said. "How you vote and your political ideology should never be determined by the color of your skin, your gender, your sexuality."

When Vernon Jones, a Democrat who serves in the Georgia House, said, "The Democratic Party does not want Black people to leave their mental plantation. . . . We are free thinkers with free minds," Jacobson clutched his upper arms and told his friends, "I got chills!"

"The deeper issue they are getting at is being a free thinker and not simply subscribing to stereotypical norms, which I think is something the left pushes daily," Jacobson said. "It is something I have felt pressure to subscribe to because of my sexuality and my ethnicity, as well, but I know from personal experience that being an independent thinker is what is truly important."

"I see more intolerance from the LGBTQ community for being a Republican than I feel from the Republican community for being gay," he added.

Jacobson said he was most heartened to hear how nurses and law enforcement officers and other average Americans have experienced the president's policies.

Especially because he had expected to be faced with an endless parade of politicians.

"I support Trump because of his patriotism, his love for America," Jacobson said. "It is so sad to hear other candidates talk about running to beat Donald Trump. That is just the biggest red flag to me - your entire desire to run is not so America can win, it's so Donald Trump can lose."

Jacobson acknowledged that he disapproves of Trump's new Israeli-Palestinian peace plan because he thinks corruption in Palestinian territories has left it in a distinctly unfair position. And he said he is occasionally "appalled" by Trump's Twitter takes.

"His Twitter composure, his Twitter diplomacy could be better. For example, he'll tweet something about Nancy Pelosi, and it will just be like 'Ugh! You don't need to be talking about women that way.' But at the end of the day, I believe it is hypocritical to blame people for their worst mistakes," Jacobson said. "I also think this area we are tiptoeing into is not appreciating the United States, and I think that is fuel to the fire that is going to divide us further."
Handout

MIAMIEver since she got fired from her job with the Florida Department of Health, Rebekah Jones refuses to stop gathering data on coronavirus cases and sharing it with the public. In the past four months, the 31-year-old architect of the state governments COVID-19 dashboard built her own version of that product as a counterweight for data dissemination, emerging as a consistent and vociferous critic of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis handling of the pandemic.

Now Jones is taking on the arduous task of tracking coronavirus cases inside schools and colleges across the country. The plan is to compile that data into a new dashboard she hopes will help everyone from parents to students to school board members to health officials wrap their heads around tough choices that have already shown signs of disaster.

I started building it more than two weeks ago, Jones told The Daily Beast. Its called the COVID Monitor. I want to make the data available to epidemiologists, researchers, school districts, and even governments. Its always been my mission to give people the information they need to make informed decisions.

That sense of mission put Jones on a collision course with the governor and her health department bosses as Florida officials moved to relax COVID-19 restrictions in late spring. For his part, in May, shortly after her dismissal as a geographic information systems analyst, DeSantis said Jones ouster was the result of her repeated insubordinationas opposed to her being some kind of whistleblower.

What she was doing is she was putting data on the portal which the scientists didnt believe was valid data, DeSantis said during a press briefing featuring Vice President Mike Pence. So she didnt listen to the people who were her superiors.

But last month, Jones filed a whistleblower complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations that alleges the health department fired her as retaliation for her refusal to manipulate data to support the governors push to reopen the state. Along the way, Jones has become an unofficial COVID-19 watchdog by investigating tips from school employees fearful of returning to work and sharing her findings with her growing legion of 60,000-plus followers on Twitter.

Story continues

Floridas Coronavirus Dashboard Architect: I Was Fired for Not Manipulating Data

If past is prologue, DeSantis is in for a rough ride: Jones accused the governor of destroying the peoples trust in the state health department when he tried to attack her credibility. Spokespersons for DeSantis and Florida Health did not respond to email messages seeking comment.

But the COVID Monitor is about making sure people get reliable information nationwide and less about her rift with her ex-employer, Jones said. Currently, there is no official national dashboard tracking COVID-19 cases in schools, though some individual state health departments and county school districts are compiling daily and weekly reports on the number of students and staff that are either presumed positive or have been placed in quarantine for coming into contact with a person who is.

People have a right to this data so they can make informed decisions about their lives, Jones said. This is a pandemic, not a political dog and pony show. I have the skills and capacity to provide that critical information, so that's what I'm going to do.

For instance, on Aug. 1, Jones fired off a tweet about a student and a pregnant teacher at Northwood Elementary School in the Panhandle city of Crestview who had tested positive. Jones also alleged that the teachers colleagues believed they were not allowed to speak up. In a follow-up tweet, Jones wrote, teachers told me they worry about the lack of protections in place and a school seeking to hide cases.

During her phone interview with The Daily Beast, Jones doubled down on her claims. A teacher there tested positive and the other teachers were told not to tell anybody, Jones said. I contacted the principal directly, who said all protocols were followed. So I had this story about a school that wasnt publicly disclosing coronavirus cases.

Donna Goode, Northwoods principal, referred The Daily Beast to Steve Horton, assistant superintendent for public schools in Okaloosa County, where the elementary school is located. Horton did not respond to phone and email messages seeking comment.

Jones initial tweet garnered more than 4,600 retweets, more than 9,000 likes and 189 comments, including tips about other school systems not disclosing coronavirus cases. Once that tweet was published, I was flooded with calls and messages from teachers, parents and administrators from all over the country, Jones said. I started an online secure form for people to report anonymously with as much information as they could provide.

Jones was not willing to connect The Daily Beast with any of her tipsters, but she showed this reporter excerpts from a few of the tips she received about schools in Florida, Georgia, and Nevada.

For instance, a middle school in Georgia was allegedly closed for two days during a pre-planning week so the building could be disinfected because an employee tested positive. But the tipster claimed no one told the parents what happened and everyone who came in contact with the infected person had to return to work. Another tipster alleged that a teacher at a Florida elementary school had tested positive and was still on the job.

To build the website, Jones said she partnered with a financial literacy nonprofit company called Finmango, which was providing her with a team of coders and researchers to compile the schools data.

As of Sunday evening, Jones had gathered and uploaded raw data to the COVID Monitor showing at least one coronavirus case in 1,348 schools and colleges, a majority of which were in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas. The website claimed to have verified that across the U.S., a total of 982 students and 313 staffers at 152 schools had tested positive, while another 5,193 were in quarantine.

Jones said the tallies were compiled from school districts that self-report cases, press releases and public statements from school and health officials about new cases, and breaking news stories, in addition to the anonymous tips. Verifying the cases requires contacting local school districts and state health department offices in each state to run the numbers by them, Jones added.

5-Year-Olds COVID Saga Has Florida Mom Saying Hell No to In-Person School

It should be noted that some of the data on the website doesnt line up with publicly available information. For instance, the COVID Monitors Mississippi stats showed 60 schools having cases, 167 positive students, 39 positive staffers and 1,856 people in quarantine. At a press conference last week, Mississippi Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said 199 students and 245 teachers had tested positive, while another 2,624 people had been placed in quarantine.

Jones said the COVID Monitors Mississippi statistics were based on information gleaned from the states health department website. Every week, they produce an image of a table that has every single school, how many positive students and staff, and how many are in quarantine, she said. That kind of information is incredibly useful.

Jones said the link to the health departments table has been temporarily taken down due to technical issues. But data was available by each district, and she provided a link to a page on the Jackson County School Districts website as an example. The page shows a table breaking down the number of weekly coronavirus cases at 14 schools since Aug.7. An operator for the Mississippi Health Department said a spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

Mississippi has a pretty robust system for case reporting in schools, she said. Each school has to report each week how many positive cases they are aware of. I think theyre still sorting out how to best show that information.

The COVID Monitor also features a map pinpointing schools and colleges that have positive cases and the ability to scroll through individual schools to see how many positive cases each one has. This is something that is sorely needed, Jones said. Each state has different rules about how much information is released to the public. There is no uniformity.

As part of the endeavor, Jones said her organization, Florida COVID Action, and Finmango were also collaborating with the Google COVID-19 Open Data Project in developing the school dashboard. Its data mining for all kinds of things that are very much buried by schools and counties, she said. We will go through every school resource, every single day, and make sure its accurate.

Google spokeswoman Kathryn Watson disputed Jones characterization of the companys role, indicating that Google was only providing Florida COVID Action and Finmango free access and free queries to a hosted repository of datasets that aid researchers, data scientists, and analysts in the effort to combat COVID-19.

So while they have access to some of the tools, there is no partnership in place in building a dashboard, Watson told The Daily Beast. By no means does Google Cloud have any access to this data. We are merely the cloud platform helping to host their research.

At least one school system has also challenged Jones assertions that it is not being transparent. On Aug. 19, she tweeted that the COVID Monitor had documented coronavirus cases that the schools, in Martin County, Floridawhere DeSantis famously joined a superintendent in comparing reopening to a Navy SEAL missionwere allegedly not disclosing.

The districts official Twitter account responded that Martin County Public Schools doesnt generate or maintain public health records, but that it informs the public in real time about the number of students and employees in quarantine. The district also suggested Jones seek coronavirus case data directly from the Martin County office of the state health department.

Jones said she spoke to a district official, who told her they were trying to be as transparent as possible, but that Martin County Public Schools cannot release information on individual cases because of privacy laws.

Martin County Public Schools spokeswoman Jennifer DeShazo did not comment specifically about Jones assertions, but told The Daily Beast in a statement that the district had released and continues to disclose every instance of students and employees being placed in quarantine, which is based on an individual testing positive or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

The states health department is the agency responsible for collecting, maintaining, and distributing information about specific cases, DeShazo added. A spokesperson for the Martin County office of Floridas Health Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jones said she was not looking to have an adversarial relationship with school districts, even if she does have a history of beefing with DeSantis. I want to know if any of the data is incorrect, she said. I am sure schools are so overwhelmed that cataloguing is difficult. Getting them to participate in this process is so paramount to what we are doing.

As Jones works on tightening up her data collecting, some parents in her own state welcomed the project. Among them was Damaris Allen, a 42-year-old mom from Hillsborough County, which has been locked in a battle with the DeSantis administration over just how quickly it should reopen schools.

There is a lot of suppression of data that is very concerning to me as a parent, Allen told The Daily Beast. I think it would be incredibly helpful to have a resource that lets me compare what is happening in schools in other counties. I like to make my decisions based on data and facts.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here

Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!

Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
Police arrested a fake Indian currency note (FICN) smuggler with notes in denominations of 2,000 and 500 in Bengals Murshidabad district on Monday night. The face value of the seized notes is 1.34 lakh.

Officers from the Shamserganj police station arrested 38-year-old Kabirul Sheikh from the Dhulian Ghat area.

Though the counterfeit notes have a face value of only 1.35 lakh, the arrest is being seen as a proof that FICN smugglers are active during the pandemic.

The district is located along the Indo-Bangladesh border and the smuggling of illegal firearms and narcotics is reported intermittently from several areas. Cows are also smuggled into Bangladesh.

Police said Sheikh is a resident of the Baishnabnagar area in adjoining Malda district.

An officer from the raiding team said on condition of anonymity that Sheikh had plans to sell the consignment and an officer posed as buyer.

Officer-in-charge of Shamserganj police station Amit Bhakat said, Sheikh has been produced before Jangipur court on Tuesday afternoon with prayer for police remand.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday recommended the immediate firing of all regional directors in the embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, alleging that some were behind the "mafia" conducting fraudulent schemes in the agency.

Committee Chair Senator Richard Gordon, in an online briefing, pointed out that regional vice presidents Paolo Perez, Valerie Hollero, Datu Masiding Alonto, Khaliquzmman Macabato, Dennis Adre, William Chavez, Jelbert Galicto, and former RVP Miriam Pamonag  also known as the Mindanao Group  have suspiciously been in their position for 20 years, while PhilHealth presidents keep getting replaced despite having good credentials.

"Nakapag-ipon sila ng napakalaking impluwensya na pagtatanggalin mo 'yung mga bagong presidente," said Gordon. "Talagang lalabanan ka nila at sisiraan ka nila, 'yan ang nangyari kay Ferrer."

[Translation: They were able to gather a lot of influence to remove the new presidents. They will really challenge you and ruin your name. Thats what happened to Ferrer.]

PhilHealth chief Roy Ferrer earlier tagged the Mindanao Group as the mafia which had targeted him when the WellMed dialysis scandal broke out last year. He was later asked to resign over the controversy after the group turned the tables on him and fired their own accusations against their former boss.

"Pero ang record ni Ferrer, napalaki niya 'yung income ng 132 million ang premiums at kumita sila ng 11.62 billion," Gordon pointed out.

[Translation: But Ferrer's record shows that he was able to increase income of premiums by 132 million and they were able to earn 11.62 billion]

The committee also recommended the reshuffling of regional vice presidents "often" in the agency to avoid familiarity with owners of hospitals under their wing.

'Office nightclub'

The committee report stated that the regional officers were involved in "overcharges, overpayments, upscaling and other nefarious schemes."

Perez, for example, was seen being entertained by a "scantily dressed" woman in his office, Gordon said. In one of the recent Senate hearings, Perez explained that it was his staff who invited her as part of a birthday surprise. He denied that the woman had little clothing on but Gordon's video evidence showed otherwise.

The committee also recommended anti-trafficking charges against Perez, as well as corruption and administrative raps against the rest of the Mindanao Group.

The panel's findings differ from recent Senate hearings which were largely focused on the agency's executive committee as the alleged mafia. The allegation was raised by former PhilHealth anti-fraud legal officer and so-called whistleblower Thorrsson Keith, who had also maintained that the Mindanao Group was not involved in fraud.

Six of the accused officials  namely Perez, Hollero, Alonto, Macabato, Adre and Chavez  earlier filed their leave of absence amid the ongoing corruption probe.

Gordon said he submitted the committee's findings to the Senate Committee of the Whole to include in its report. Meanwhile, PhilHealth said it will ask for a copy of the Blue Ribbon panel's recommendations.

Barangay health centers

The panel also brought up findings on ex-Health Secretary Janette Garins alleged misuse of public funds for the 2016 elections.

The committee recommended criminal charges against Garin, former Budget chief Butch Abad and ex-PhilHealth President Alex Padilla for allegedly diverting 10.6 billion funds in 2015 that were for the premiums of senior citizens.

The amount was instead spent on the construction of Department of Health projects such as barangay health stations which were eventually left uncompleted.

"There are practically no health centers, as promised, to show," the panel report said.

Abad responded, saying the recommended charges were "baseless," arguing that the 10.6 billion was not in the 2015 budget in the first place.

Garin had earlier denied the allegations but was later slapped with a graft complaint in 2018, along with Padilla.
Virgin Atlantic is facing an uncertain future but a key vote on a survival deal could ensure the airline carries on beyond September, when it is understood to be in danger of running out of cash.

Creditors will vote on a 1.2billion ($1.6billion) rescue plan on Tuesday which could prove a vital lifeline to the company and an industry devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Like other airlines Virgin Atlantic, which is 51 per cent owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group and 49 per cent by U.S. airline Delta, has been severely impacted by the collapse of air travel due to the pandemic as well as lockdown, travel and quarantine restrictions.

A Virgin Atlantic plane is ready for take-off in Manchester. However, the airline has had to cut jobs and pull out of its base in Gatwick

However, Virgin said it remains confident in the restructuring plan and is on track to finalise its solvent recapitalisation in the first week of September.

Tuesday's vote of affected trade creditors includes nearly 200 suppliers that the airline owes more than 50,000 to.

To get the rescue deal approved, it needs 75 per cent support of the overall outstanding value of money owed at a hearing at London's High Court.

If successful, another UK court hearing will be held on 2 Sept to approve the plan, and a procedural hearing is scheduled for 3 Sept in the United States.

Should the creditors fail to support the plan, the judge can still rule that it is in their interests for it to go ahead.

Cost cutting measures

Virgin Atlantic has resorted to several measures to ensure the survival of the business.

It has had to close its base at London's Gatwick Airport and cut more than 3,500 jobs scale back its business and deal with the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, which has grounded planes and hammered demand for air travel.

Airlines are set for a long journey to recovery. Global airline body IATA has said that the industry will not return to pre-crisis levels until 2024.

As a last resort, the airline could be bailed out by the British taxpayer to save jobs. Countries like Germany and the United States have given bailouts to major carriers such as Lufthansa, Delta and Southwest.

However, Virgin Atlantic agreed a private-only restructuring deal after Britain said state support would only be considered after all other avenues had been exhausted.

Virgin Atlantic is 51% owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group and 49% by U.S. airline Delta

Airline struggle has a wider impact

Companies facilitating airlines have also been adversely affected. Last week hundreds of jobs were deemed to be at risk at Stobart Group as the company announced it will enter consultation with staff affected by the closure of Easyjet's London bases.

The company, which provides check in and baggage handling services to Easyjet at London Southend and Stansted airports, said this was part of a wider cost management programme within the aviation division.

A source close to the organisation said that 10 per cent of 300 staff at the London Southend Airport (LSA) could lose their jobs while the jobs impacted at Stobart Aviation Services would be in the 'low hundreds'.
Hurricane Laura is expected to intensify before striking the upper part of Texas Wednesday night, and it's causing mandatory evacuations and closures for the state's oil industry.

The Golden Pass LNG project being jointly developed in Port Arthur by ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum told Upstream Online that as of Monday evening, only a limited amount of crew members remained onsite to complete storm prep. By Monday night, the city had issued a mandatory evacuation order.

Upstream Online reported that to prepare for the storm, Golden Pass LNG has cleared barges from the off-loading facility, lowered piling rigs, closed all openings in the levee to ensure full enclosure around the site, and preparing the shoreline protection by adding rock armouring.

HURRICANE HACKS: The 10 most essential hurricane hacks to prepare your family

Reuters reported that Laura poses the biggest threat to the oil industry since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and as of Tuesday morning, Motiva Enterprises, Total and Valero Energy had all started cutting operations at their Port Arthur refineries. The three refineries together process more than 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil.

ExxonMobil reduced production at its 369,000 bpd refinery in Beaumont. If it ends up closing, it would bring down total shutdowns to more than 1.5 million bpd.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement estimates that about 84.3 percent of the current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut down.

There will be a significant storm surge from Galveston to the Sabine River, DTN meteorologist Chris Kerr told Reuters. There are ideal conditions in central and west Gulf for rapid intensification.

Find preparation tips, alerts to follow, and more storm news in Chron.com's Hurricane Guide.
The BJP-ruled civic bodies on Tuesday launched a mega campaign in the city against dengue, chikungunya and in view of the monsoon season and mosquito breeding.

North mayor Jai Prakash accompanied by former Union minister Vijay Goel and BJP vice president Shyam Jaju started the campaign with fogging on Flagstaff Road where Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal resides.

BJP chief Adesh Gupta also launched the campaign by flagging off a fleet of power spray tankers, fogging machines and a three wheeler mounted with public announcement system in Patel Nagar.

Gupta also launched the campaign of South Delhi Municipal Corporation from its headquarters in Civic Centre.

"The municipal corporations work round the clock to maintain civic amenities in the city. Under the campaign of the public health department of civic bodies, the domestic breeding checkers will keep watch of mosquito larvae and fogging and anti-larval sprays will be used to check dengue, chikungunya and malaria," Gupta said.

The municipal councilors and RWA representatives will spread awareness asking people to prevent mosquito larvae breeding in residential areas and neighbourhoods, he said.

He said people should cooperate with the municipal corporation staff and ensure that there is no stagnant water in their houses or neighbourhood.

BJP MPs Meenakshi Lekhi, Manoj Tiwari and Hans Raj Hans also participated in the campaign along with municipal corporation leaders in different parts of the city.

In Delhi, prevention of dengue, and chikungunya is the primary work of the corporations and they are doing it properly, said Shyam Jaju.

Goel said that the field work of prevention of dengue, and chikungunya pertains to municipal corporations, for which the Delhi government should support them.

The North Delhi mayor said constant rainfall in the monsoon season is favourable for and malaria mosquitoes breeding. He said the campaign will continue in all its wards till September 30.

(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.)
 Close Boris Johnson hints at U-turn on masks in schools

Boris Johnson has blamed a "mutant algorithm" for this summer's exams chaos in an attempt to dodge responsibility for the downgrading of thousands of students grades.

Meanwhile, the guidance on face masks in schools has changed following the latest government U-turn on coronavirus, with secondary school pupils now told to wear masks in parts of England.

Face coverings will be required in communal areas of schools in parts of the country where local lockdowns are in place, while headteachers elsewhere will have the option to ask pupils to wear them.

It came as the government announced that the Department for Educations top civil servant, Jonathan Slater, would step down next week following the controversy around exam results this month.

Please allow the live blog a moment to load...
Pant Nagar police booked a 45-year-old man for sexually assaulting his teen daughter since 2018. The incident came to light on Monday after the 17-year-old survivor delivered a baby at Rajawadi Hospital and told the police about her ordeal.

The survivor said that her father sexually assaulted her between March 2018 and June this year. He used to threaten her with dire consequence if she revealed the crime to anyone, a police officer said.

According to the police, the girl developed labour pain on Monday and rushed to Rajawadi Hospital. As the survivor is a minor, the hospital informed about her to the police and they visited the hospital to record her statement.

Following her statement, the police registered an offence under section 376 (punishment for rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 4 (punishment for penetrative sexual assault), 6 (punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault), 8 (punishment for sexual assault), 10 (punishment for aggravated sexual assault) and 12 (punishment for sexual harassment) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The police are probing further and are yet to arrest the accused.
Kenosha, Wisconsin: A black man shot multiple times, apparently in the back, by police in Wisconsin is paralysed from the waist down and has "eight holes" in his body, the father of victim Jacob Blake said.

The shooting in broad daylight on Sunday by police in Kenosha, captured on mobile phone video that quickly spread on social media, ignited new protests over racial injustice across the country. It comes three months after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police set off demonstrations around the US and touched off a wider reckoning on race.

Blake's father, also named Jacob Blake, told the Chicago Sun-Times in a story published on Tuesday that he didn't know if his 29-year-old son's paralysis would be permanent. The older man was travelling from North Carolina to be with his son who was being treated in a Milwaukee hospital.

"I want to put my hand on my son's cheek and kiss him on his forehead, and then I'll be OK," his father told the newspaper. "I'll kiss him with my mask. The first thing I want to do is touch my son."
Julian Assange's partner has said he is in 'a lot of pain' after she visited him in Belmarsh Prison for the first time in almost six months.

Stella Moris took the couple's two children Gabriel, three, and Max, one, to meet their 'much thinner' father at the south-east London prison today.

The WikiLeaks founder, 49, is awaiting an extradition hearing on behalf of the US government, which is due to start at the Old Bailey on September 7.

Ms Moris said the visit was 'incredibly stressful' but expressed relief at being able to visit her partner for the first time since March 22.

She added the family had to wear face masks and visors during the 20-minute meeting, and Assange was not able to touch his children.

Stella Moris (middle) took the couple's two children Gabriel (right), three, and Max (left), one, to meet their father Julian Assange at Belmarsh Prison in south-east London

'We had to keep social distancing and Julian was told he would have to self-isolate for two weeks if he touched the children,' Ms Moris said.

'Julian said it was the first time he had been given a mask because things are very different behind the doors.

'I could not see him very clearly because of the visors, but he looked a lot thinner.

'He was wearing a yellow armband to indicate his level of prisoner status, and you could see how thin his arms were.

'At least he got to see the children, even though he couldn't touch them. The children were both calm - we all remained seated the whole time.'

The couple's eldest son Gabriel showed Assange how he could recite the alphabet and count, his mother added.

The WikiLeaks founder (pictured), 49, is awaiting an extradition hearing on behalf of the US government, which is due to start at the Old Bailey on September 7

Pictured: Stella Morris (right) and her two sons Max and Gabriel as they arrive at Belmarsh Prison today

Ms Moris said her partner is still suffering from a frozen shoulder, and had recently sprained his ankle.

'He is in a lot of pain,' she added.

The couple met when Assange was living inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London as he fought being extradited to the US over the activities of WikiLeaks.

The extradition hearing is due to start at the Old Bailey on September 7 and could last three or four weeks.

It was initially set for May but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Assange is accused of working with former US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to leak hundreds of thousands of classified documents.

He faces 18 charges under the US espionage act and conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.

The couple's eldest son Gabriel showed Assange (pictured in January) how he could recite the alphabet and count, his mother added

The US stepped up its case at the '11th hour' earlier this month after submitting further allegations against the 49-year-old which would see him spending even longer behind bars.

Florence Iveson, representing Assange, said the 33-page submission was 'astonishing' and 'potentially abusive', claiming the US was 'seeking to add a considerable amount of conduct and seeking to extend the case significantly'.

Ms Moris has launched a crowdfunding appeal to try to raise 600,000 towards the cost of fighting extradition, with Assange's legal costs already surpassing 500,000.

Around 47,000 has been raised so far.

Ms Moris expressed concern about Covid-related health measures as Assange is transported to and from the court every day.

She added that he has not had a face-to-face meeting with his legal team since lockdown began in March and only has limited access to the huge amount of paperwork generated by the case.
You are here: World

 Flash

A special needs school in Dundee, a coastal city in eastern Scotland, has been closed after 17 teachers contracted COVID-19, British media reported Monday.

Kingspark School shut last Wednesday after 17 teachers, two pupils, and three contacts tested positive for coronavirus.

Teachers and pupils are now self-isolating for 14 days. Contact tracers had identified links to two other schools.

Local medical officials confirmed positive cases among three "community contacts" linked to the cluster at the school, which has about 185 pupils aged between 5 and 18, according to the reports.

Ellie Hothersall, a consultant in public health medicine with the National Health Service in the region, told The Guardian newspaper that a detailed contact tracing programme is tackling the spread of coronavirus.

The cases were reported as a total of 66 people in Scotland tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, according to the first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon.

Sturgeon told the Scottish government's regular coronavirus briefing that the total number of people who have tested positive is now 19,877.
Amid the resurgence of coronavirus infections, domestic airlines saw passenger traffic decline more than 18 percent last weekend compared to a week earlier.

Airlines face another huge hit after a slight recovery in passenger numbers on their domestic routes, amid curtailed international flights.

According to the Korea Civil Aviation Association, some 195,410 passengers took flights last weekend, down 18.7 percent from the previous weekend. Among them, 180,235 were domestic passengers.


Almost one in 20 US workers tested positive for drugs in 2019, marking the highest proportion of drug use among the nation's workforce in 16 years, according to research.

Stark new data from drug testing lab Quest Diagnostics reveals a worrying trend in the drug habits of the American workforce, with 4.5 percent of workers found to have drugs in their system last year.

The spike in positive results was driven by a surge in marijuana use, while there are some signs of progress in America's battle against opioids with positive tests down for another year.

Fears are mounting that the worst is yet to come as experts warn the coronavirus pandemic has piled on the stress for the nation's workers and left recovering addicts isolated without their much-needed support networks.

Stark new data from drug testing lab Quest Diagnostics reveals a worrying trend in the drug habits of the American workforce, recording that 4.5 percent of all workers were found to have drugs in their system

Quest analyzed the results of nine million drug tests taken on behalf of employers in 2019 and found overall positivity rates increased in urine drug tests to the highest level since 2003.

The high rate of 4.5 percent was a staggering 28 percent higher than the 30-year low of 3.5 percent recorded between 2010 and 2012.

Marijuana use appeared to be driving this surge, with the proportion of US workers testing positive for the drug increasing 11 percent in the last year alone to 3.1 percent of all workers tested.

Much of the growth in workers testing positive for marijuana coincides with the legalization of the drug across America, rising by a staggering 29 percent between 2015 and 2019 from when it was legal in just four states to being legal in 11 states and the District of Columbia.

Its legalization across several states has led a growing number of employers to scrap marijuana from its tests altogether, with the number of urine drug tests that include marijuana declining by 3 percent over the past five years.

In states where recreational use of the drug is now legal, this declined by 6 percent.

The spike in drug use was driven by a surge in marijuana use, while there was some signs of progress in America's battle with opioids with positive tests down for another year

A map showing the drug positivity rate among workers across the US by zip code in 2019

However, Barry Sample, senior director of science and technology at Quest Diagnostics, warned increased social acceptance of the drug doesn't mean its use couldn't pose a danger to users in the workplace.

'Marijuana continues to be an enduring presence in the US workforce,' said Dr. Sample.

'Changing attitudes toward its use could pose heightened risks especially in safety-sensitive positions and those states exploring legalization.'

The data shows methamphetamine and cocaine use were also behind the surge in positive test results, with a growing proportion of US workers turning to the drugs over the last five years, particularly in the Midwest.

There was some positive news however with the presence of opiates in worker urine tests falling by 19 percent in the last year and 49 percent since 2015.

Heroin use also dropped by 33 percent from 2018 and halved since its peak in 2015 and 2016.

Fears are mounting that the worse is yet to come as experts warn the coronavirus pandemic has piled on the stress for workers and left addicts without much-needed support networks

These figures point to marked progress in the nation's war on opoiods.

However, researchers warned that drug use could be ramping up even further in 2020 as Americans have been faced with the untimely deaths of loved ones, national unrest and widespread job insecurity amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Recovering addicts have also been hard-hit by a loss of access to support networks, after state lockdowns meant meetings were forced online or halted altogether and vulnerable people were left isolated for months.

Concerning data reveals drug-related deaths have already skyrocketed around 13 percent in the first few months of 2020 compared to the same time last year.

'There is no question that before COVID-19, rates of workplace drug positivity were trending in the wrong direction, based on our Quest Diagnostics data. The enormous strain caused by COVID-19 may prove to be an accelerant on this disturbing trend,' said Dr. Sample.

'Organizations will need to consider the impact of COVID-19 not only on workplace safety but also as a health concern for their employees for some time to come.'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 17:33:00|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A biotechnology group built a camel farm to help locals fight poverty in Altay, in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The camel farm is located in a semi-desertified area, which is surrounded on three sides by deserts. At present, there are nearly 2,000 camels on the camel farm. 1,026 households live on the farm, making a living by raising camels, renting out grasslands and receiving dividends.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  New Mexico fell out of compliance with one of its reopening standards Tuesday, reporting that it now takes 47 hours to quarantine people who may have been exposed to the coronavirus.

The states target is to reach people within 36 hours of a positive test to alert them that they have had contact with a person who tested positive for the virus and should isolate until its clear they arent infected.

But the state remains in compliance with its seven other gating criteria  a set of targets on how quickly the disease is spreading, the supply of medical equipment and beds, and testing capacity.

In fact, New Mexico reported just 69 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, the smallest number in a day since June. The state has averaged 137 new cases a day over the past week  well below the target of 168 or fewer daily cases.

Health officials also announced three more virus deaths, pushing the statewide total to 750 fatalities since March.

Statistical modeling by the Department of Health estimates that the disease has spread a little more quickly recently. The disease spread rate reached 1.01 over the past 10 days, a slight increase from last week, but still below the target of 1.05 or less.

The state is, however, no longer reaching one of its contact tracing goals.

About two weeks ago, the Department of Health reported that it took just 29 hours to isolate a persons contacts after a positive test. But the figure ballooned to 47 hours in an update released Tuesday.

Its critical that we are able to communicate with those that have tested positive, and also to communicate with their contacts, Jodi McGinnis Porter of the Human Services Department told the Journal in a written statement. Its really important that people provide accurate information for contact tracers to communicate with them.

The weakness in contact tracing comes as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state health officials weigh whether to allow in-person classes for elementary school students after Labor Day.

A public health order that bans indoor dining at restaurants, among other restrictions, is scheduled to expire Friday, although the governors administration may extend or revise it.
A 33 year-old Hong Kong man who was infected with the Wuhan coronavirus in April, and made a full recovery, was reinfected more than four months later after a trip to Spain via the UK, according to researchers. A research team from the University of Hong Kong calls this the worlds first documentation of a patient who recovered from the Wuhan virus becoming reinfected. There have been anecdotal reports of reinfection, but they were not confirmed.

On its face, this news seems discouraging for a number of obvious reasons. It suggests that a vaccine, if and when developed, might be much less effective than many people are assuming. It also suggests that herd immunity might not realistically be achievable.

However, there are reasons not to be discouraged. Apparently, the Hong Kong man had no symptoms the second time around. So maybe his immune system protected him from real disease, although not reinfection.

Indeed, Akiko Iwasaki, an immunology expert at Yale University, called this a textbook example of how immunity should work. She also said that vaccines can provoke a much higher level of immunity [than infection] that can potentially block reinfection, or at least shut it down to a noncontagious level.

Of course, just because the Hong Kong man had no symptoms the second time around doesnt mean the next reinfected person wont have serious symptoms. As with so much else about this virus, we just dont know much about the likelihood and likely severity of reinfections.
Since Von Klitzing discovered the quantum Hall effect in a two-dimensional electron gas system in 1980, there has been theoretical work discussing how to quantize the Hall conductance in a three-dimensional system. In a three-dimensional system, electrons form Landau levels in the directions perpendicular to the magnetic field, whereas own continuous dispersion along the direction of the magnetic field. Therefore, no matter where the Fermi energy is located, there will always be bulk electrons participating in the transport, resulting in the failure to make the Hall conductance quantized. However, the types of topological materials are gradually enriched in recent years, providing new ideas to realize the three-dimensional quantum Hall effect.

In recent years, the three-dimensional quantum Hall effect in topological semimetals has attracted extensive attention. In 2017, Professor Lu Haizhou's group from Southern University of Science and Technology and Professor Xie Xincheng's group from Peking University proposed a new mechanism to realize the three-dimensional effect in topological semimetals with the combination of the Fermi arcs at opposite surfaces. However, for this new three-dimensional quantum Hall effect, the physical picture of the edge states, how the edge states evolve and form a closed trajectory, and how it is affected by a tilted magnetic field is still missing. Recently, Professor Xie and his collaborators investigate the three-dimensional quantum Hall effect in Weyl semimetals and elucidate a global picture of the edge states. This work has been published in Physical Review Letters [Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 036602. https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.036602].

Weyl semimetals are three-dimensional topological quantum materials of which bulk energy bands are gapped except for an even number of points in the momentum space, named Weyl nodes. At some surfaces of a Weyl semimetal, there exist topologically protected surface states, so-called Fermi arcs. The Fermi arcs on the top and the bottom surfaces of the Weyl semimetal form a complete two-dimensional electron gas via Weyl nodes. In the presence of a magnetic field, bulk electrons form chiral Landau bands with linear dispersion along the direction of the magnetic field. Through the analysis of the semi-classical equations of motion of electrons and numerical simulations of the transport, they stated that in the bulk or topologically trivial side surfaces, electrons connect the top and the bottom surfaces via chiral Landau states; on the topologically non-trivial side surfaces, electrons connect the top and the bottom surfaces via Fermi-arc surface states, thereby forming a closed trajectory (see Figure.(a)). When the Fermi level is located at the Weyl node, the Hall conductance shows quantized plateaus.

In addition, under a tilted magnetic field, chiral Landau bands will affect the spatial distribution of the edge states, and the resulting edge states will lead to distinctive Hall transport phenomena. A tilted magnetic field contributes to an intrinsic Hall conductance, and such an intrinsic value only depends on the tilting angle of the magnetic field and the properties of the Weyl semimetal. In particular, they also predicted that there is a critical angle of tilted magnetic fields. When the tilting angle of the magnetic field exceeds the critical angle, the Hall conductance will change its sign with an abrupt spatial shift of the edge states. This study uncovers the physical picture of the three-dimensional quantum Hall effect in Weyl semimetals and relates it to the topological properties of Weyl semimetals.

###

Li Hailong, a Ph.D. candidate in Professor Xie's group, is the first author, and both Professor Xie and Professor Jiang Hua from Soochow University are the corresponding authors of this paper. Other collaborators include Professor Liu Haiwen from Beijing Normal University. This work is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
When coverage first began on what would soon be identified as COVID-19, I thought back to my ministerial briefings related Ebola and Zika, and returned to scanning media reports and the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 25/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

When coverage first began on what would soon be identified as COVID-19, I thought back to my ministerial briefings related Ebola and Zika, and returned to scanning media reports and the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

I was Manitobas health minister from 2014 to 2016 under former NDP premier Greg Selinger. I no longer have daily access to this inside information, but I still wanted to see what others were doing and learning, in terms of health-care management, financial policy and political agility.

Here are some of my observations:

Early learnings came from Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea, as contact tracing and large-scale random testing drew from the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) experiences. Theyve been agile in their responses and adaptive to changing circumstances, especially when flaws emerged.

Despite the rapid creation of bed spaces for COVID-19 patients that kept the casualty rate below 0.1 per cent of confirmed cases, secondary outbreaks in Singapores migrant-worker communities revealed the connections between poverty and housing and the speed and degree of transmission.

Taiwan and South Koreas contact tracing, temperature testing and extensive sanitization measures, along with regular pre-pandemic use of masks, created opportunity to keep their economies moving without the degree of shutdown experienced elsewhere. Notable is that both had strong centralized responses in their strategies, with clear, comprehensive communication and enforcement.

New Zealand and Australia have taught us about the power and impact of compassionate financial supports, alongside strong public-health and safety measures. While some may argue its easier to lock down a few islands, that is not where the real lesson lies.

New Zealanders were promised that no one would lose their home if they lost work; tax reforms were implemented; and cabinet took a 20 per cent pay cut. New Zealand established a new fund to reduce the unemployment rate over the next two years and focused on income supports and employment security.

While these measures will take government from surplus to deficit, money only works when it flows, so by placing money in the hands of citizens, New Zealand will stabilize its economy and taxes will eventually replenish government coffers. Similarly, Australia implemented a stimulus package aimed at wage subsidies, doubling unemployment benefits, and free child care for all.

European countries that took similar approaches to health and social investment are faring well, as Germany, Denmark and Finland have managed school reopenings, but not without limited social interaction and policies that can include prohibiting parents on school property.

Some lessons were also learned from failed responses. As Canadians entered lockdown, Italy entered one of Dantes hellish rings, with hospitals bursting at the seams, coffins stacked in churches and media showing clips of mayors yelling at people to get back in their homes. Italians were less inclined to lockdown and isolation initially, so governments got strict and health authorities reminded citizens that decreasing contagion rates could allow things to open, but they would rapidly be locked down again if cases increased.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

France, Spain and the U.K. also struggled with consistency in response and communication, especially related to reopenings and mask use. Sweden failed in its efforts keep its economy open, at a high price to citizen health and, ironically, the economy.

As Manitobans, we havent experienced the extreme suffering seen elsewhere, but were not in the clear. Riding these unpredictable waves, its imperative that our desire for increased openness is focused on the willingness to learn from the collective global experience, and to change course to match demonstrated successes.

In the midst of a global pandemic, we have seen repeatedly that sustained and long-term investment in income and housing security, child care, education and health care offer the best return on investment and the safest path to economic recovery.

Watching our own case numbers surge in both number and geographic range, I wonder if we will invest strategically, as others have, to maintain our relative safety while riding on ever-changing waves, or if we will be lured by the siren songs of "open" and "normal," hoping the economy will save us from COVID-19s undertow.

The former has already proven a haven, and the latter a fools errand.

Sharon Blady is the CEO of Sharon Blady & Associates and Speak Up: Mental Health Advocates and a former minister of health for Manitoba. She was the NDP MLA for Kirkfield Park from 2007 to 2016. Prior to her time in office, she taught in nursing, social work and Native studies at the University of Manitoba.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 18:55:14|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- When China established the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone 40 years ago, overseas critics had cast doubt on its future.

Forty years later, the once small coastal village has developed into a metropolis housing 13 million with its GDP hitting 2.69 trillion yuan (about 388.89 billion U.S. dollars).

The valuable development experience the southern city of Shenzhen has gained since 1980 is critical for other areas' reform to draw lessons from. Moreover, its development has offered the world a glimpse of the vitality of China's progress and its commitment to reform and opening-up.

Today, Shenzhen houses eight Fortune 500 companies, including Huawei, Tencent and China Merchants Bank, ranking the third on the Chinese mainland in terms of the number of such enterprises. Meanwhile, the city is regarded as an "engine" for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's development into a vibrant world-class city cluster.

The city's success is not accidental. It is an epitome of China's 40-plus years of reform and opening-up, a fundamental national policy that has created a miracle of rapid development and long-term social stability. China will not stop or reverse the process. The process can rather only be accelerated, providing certainty to the world in a period of change unseen in a century.

China's reform and opening-up has come to a new stage. The challenges it now faces are no less complex or difficult than they were 40 years ago. Reform has entered a "deep water" zone with deep institutional and mechanism barriers to be done away with. China will also face more and more headwinds in the external environment as globalization has encountered resistance from protectionism and unilateralism.

In this case, Shenzhen harbors great hopes to break new ground for reform as "a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics." The market-oriented allocation of factors, optimization of business environment, overall utilization of urban space, to name a few, are Shenzhen's leading attempts amid China's efforts to promote overall reform.

Like the opening-up spirit Shenzhen embraces in its development, China is ready to create a comprehensive, multi-level and diversified open cooperation pattern. The country will cooperate with all countries, regions and enterprises willing to cooperate with China, including states, local governments and enterprises of the United States.

Deepening reform will tap the potential of domestic demand. Raising the level of opening-up will facilitate better connectivity between domestic and foreign markets. China will see its status continue to rise in the world economy with closer ties, and the country will provide more extensive market opportunities for other countries, becoming a huge magnet attracting international commodities and resources.

At a new start after the 40-year miracle, China will pool greater wisdom and courage to grasp the trend of the times. Reform and opening-up has no "perfect tense" but only a "progressive tense." Skepticism of this commitment will only lead to a missed opportunity of sharing its fruits. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 09:21:37|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Video: Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, on Aug. 24, 2020 dismisses the accusation by U.S. and UK representatives over China's northwestern region of Xinjiang as "baseless and absurd." (Xinhua)

"Terrorism is our common enemy. There is no such thing as good or bad terrorists. China is firmly opposed to politicization and double standards in counter-terrorism," says Geng Shuang.

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese UN envoy on Monday dismissed the accusation by U.S. and UK representatives over China's northwestern region of Xinjiang as "baseless and absurd."

"China firmly rejects the accusation against China by certain members of the (Security) Council. It is baseless and absurd as usual," said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

The situation in Xinjiang is totally China's internal affairs. It is not a religion issue or a human rights issue. Rather, it is about counter-terrorism and anti-extremism, he said. "Terrorism is our common enemy. There is no such thing as good or bad terrorists. China is firmly opposed to politicization and double standards in counter-terrorism."

Xinjiang has suffered deeply from terrorism and violent extremism in the past. To address the threat, Xinjiang has taken a series of preventive counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures. This is consistent with Security Council resolutions, the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and the UN Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, he told a virtual meeting of the Security Council on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

Tourists enjoy leisure time at an outdoor camp in Tekes County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 30, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

These measures are widely supported by the people in Xinjiang and have yielded good results. Xinjiang has not seen a single terror incident in the past three years. Facts speak louder than words. Anyone that is fair-minded can tell right from wrong, he said.

Since late 2018, more than 70 foreign delegations have visited Xinjiang. They saw first-hand a stable, thriving and developing Xinjiang, and agreed that counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts have made this possible, he said.

However, it is regrettable that the United States chooses to ignore basic facts, and repeats its rhetoric and keeps smearing and discrediting the counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts in Xinjiang, he said.

Customers select hot spicy snacks at the grand bazaar in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge)

"We urge the United States to listen to the international community, admit facts, give up bigotry and double standards, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs by using human rights as an excuse," said Geng. "If the United States truly cares about human rights, it should do its own job first. Please protect the human rights of the American people. Please step up effort to combat COVID-19 to safeguard the lives and health of the American people."

The United Kingdom followed the United States again in putting up unfounded charges against China in the Security Council, he said. "China is strongly opposed to it. The baseless remarks of the UK are sheer hypocrisy and double standards. We urge the UK to fix its own problems and stop interfering in China's internal affairs."

China is determined to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. No interference against China will succeed, and no one can stop China's progress, Geng said. 
The Institute of Leadership and Development (INSLA), has asked the government to boldly place a temporary ban on all tobacco-related products in Ghana.

The government must place this ban until a vaccine or remedy is gotten for the COVID - 19 Pandemic in Ghana.

Briefing members of the press in Accra on Tuesday, the INSLA Programme Officer, Mr Benjamin Anabila further asked the government to emulate the examples of South Africa and other countries that had placed a ban on the sales of tobacco-related products.

He however, indicated that their call on government was not meant to push the tobacco industries out of business.

" We only want these industries to be also concerned with the health of the people who they deal with before they think about their profits.

Mr. Anabila believes any credible and business sensitive industry must engage healthy people and ensure their safety.

He therefore called on the government to continue to protect Ghana's public health populace against the profit motive of the tobacco industry.

Mr Anabila also called on the government to reject any kind of help to be offered by the tobacco industries as part of measures to curb the spread of the COVID - 19 Pandemic in Ghana.

The tobacco industry is fully aware of the devastating consequences of its products, yet it invests heavily around the world to create a favorable environment for its business to thrive.

To sway the attention of the public and those in authority from the negative image its products and actions bear, the tobacco industry, engages in humanitarian gestures, Mr Anabila pointed out.

The INSLA Programmes Officer mentioned the offering of financial donations and life-saving equipment including ventilators, hand sanitizers, face masks amongst others as some of the help been offered to governments by the tobacco industry to fight COVID - 19.

However, Mr. Anabila explained that even though per their checks, no tobacco industry in Ghana has offered any help to the Ghana government in the fight against the virus.

"None of the tobacco industries in Ghana has offered any financial or technical help to the Ghana government but it has happened in other African countries like the Ivory Coast South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.

We therefore have the feeling that they might attempt or try to do same in Ghana hence our call on the government Mr Anabila clarifies.

The press briefing which also brought together members from the Civil Society Organisations (CSO) was under the theme; Reject any support from the tobacco industry and its affiliates and allies.

INSLA is a non-for-profit CSO that aims at strengthening leadership capacity and promoting development with the aim of stimulating discussions and actions to make humanity and the environment productive, safe and healthier.
Sian Williams, who has been quietly training as a trauma counsellor, has told how she doesn't want her patients to see her as a 'TV presenter.'

The Channel 5 newsreader, 55, whose career has spanned over 30 years and seen her report on everything from Hillsborough to the Asian tsunami, has been quietly training as a trauma counsellor - and will start a new job as a psychological therapist with the NHS in September,

'I dont look like a television person when Im delivering therapy.' said Sian, speaking to The Telegraph. 'My hairs scraped back, Im wearing no make-up.

'It has only happened twice, and both times I said, "Im not the only therapist here, if youre seeing me as a TV presenter and not a psychologist then we need to change.

Sian Williams, 55, has told how she has been training as a trauma counsellor - but doesn't want her patients to see her as a 'TV presenter.' Pictured, presenting 'Secrets of your supermarket food'

Sian Williams (pictured) attends The Costa Book Awards 2019 at Quaglino's on January 28, 2020 in London

Sian, whose late mother and grandmother were nurses, brother is in hospital management and son is an A&E doctor, went on to explain that part of the motivation behind her next career move stemmed from her family.

'I look at my family and think. "Theyre doing it, time for you to step up, she said. 'I owe an enormous debt to the NHS for helping me, for helping my family. Im just so profoundly grateful for it.'

In February, following her 2014 breast cancer diagnosis just a week after celebrating her 50th birthday, the mother-of-four underwent a final reconstructive surgery.

Sian had a double mastectomy then, and this year had a complex 10-hour operation - but when she came round, her oxygen levels were extremely low.

Sian's presenting career has spanned over 30 years. Pictured, BBC Breakfast with Sian Williams and Bill Turnbull

She then went on to reveal that her heart stopped on the operating table during earlier reconstructive surgery.

Sian added: 'It was just quite weird when I woke up and said, Did everything go ok? and they said, Yeah, your heart stopped for a while but we got it back so it all went well.'

Sian, who lives in Kent, has children Al and Joss, both in their 20s, from her first marriage to Neale Hunt, and Seth, 13, and Evie, 11, from her second marriage to TV producer Paul Woolwich.

She will continue presenting for Channel 5, but will also help patients with a variety of illnesses in her new role, while additionally offering counselling to students at a London university.

The presenter, who is studying for a doctorate, has been carrying out appointments via video call amid the coronavirus lockdown.
Confidential Settlement Reached In Case Over Kansas City Lawyer's Killing A Jackson County judge has approved a confidential settlement of a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the wife and parents of slain lawyer Thomas Pickert against a trust established by his alleged killer. Judge Kevin Harrell approved the settlement with the Jungerman Family Irrevocable Trust, which was set up by David Jungerman, who is charged with first-degree murder in Pickert's October 2017 killing.

Progressives call him aand whilst his money takes a major hit . . . The criminal case against him hasn't materialized as this old school dude's health continues to fade inside the can according to his lawyers.Read more:
No casualties were reported as a result of the provocation.

Ukraine has reported one violation of the latest ceasefire agreements by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Monday, August 24.

"Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian military recorded one ceasefire violation by the Russian Federation's armed formations," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Command said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on August 25, 2020.

Read alsoKey to Donbas peace lies in Moscow  KulebaIn particular, enemy forces dropped a VOG-17 grenade from their UAV near the village of Mayorsk.

No casualties were reported as a result of that provocation.

Since Tuesday midnight, no attacks by Russian Federation's armed formations have been recorded, the JFO HQ said.

The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.

The Ukrainian military continue adhering to the ceasefire and are ready to respond to any attack by the enemy, it said.

Truce in force
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 23:44:04|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KUNMING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Police from the provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou in southwest China have jointly busted a major drug trafficking ring, arresting 32 suspects and seizing 68.6 kg of drugs, local authorities said on Tuesday.

After receiving a tip-off in early July that drug dealers had smuggled a batch of drugs from abroad to Ruili City, Yunnan, and planned to traffic drugs to Guizhou for sale via Kunming City, police in both provinces formed a task force to jointly investigate the case.

On July 24, police seized 29.6 kg of heroin in Kunming, with 30 suspects from Yunnan and Guizhou apprehended. They then caught two suspects from Myanmar who were transporting drugs in Ruili on Sunday, seizing 115 pieces of heroin weighing 39 kg from the electric vehicle driven by the suspects.

With the bust, a cross-border drug supply chain has been successfully severed, according to local police.

Further investigation is underway.

Yunnan, bordering the Golden Triangle, is a major front in China's battle against drug crime. Enditem
Teachers across the United States are preparing to welcome students back to the classroom. However, as the cases of the CCP virus rise, many worry that young childrens excitement will quickly turn into fear.

Thats why two first-grade teachers in DeLand, Florida, decided to transform their students desks into little Jeeps.

Patricia Dovi, 35, and Kim Martin, 51, of St. Barnabas Episcopal School spent a week redesigning the desks, which feature construction paper tires, headlights, and license plates. (Courtesy of Patricia Dovi)

Patricia Dovi, 35, and Kim Martin, 51, of St. Barnabas Episcopal School spent a week redesigning the desks, which feature construction paper tires, headlights, and license plates. The desks have three-sided plastic dividers that serve as windshields and side windows as well as sneeze guards.

The desks, which are spaced far apart, are the only place where students are permitted to remove their face masks.

Martin said their goal was to create a space for students to feel comfortable while following health and safety guidelines amid the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, outbreak.

Patricia Dovi, 35, and Kim Martin, 51, of St. Barnabas Episcopal School spent a week redesigning the desks, which feature construction paper tires, headlights, and license plates. (Courtesy of Kim Martin)

Our school gave us plexiglass tri-folds, which we felt would overwhelm our little ones. So we took the design and turned them into little Jeeps, Martin told CNN.

We had a little meet-the-teacher session and we gave them keys to their car and told them just like in a motor vehicle, you have to stay in your car at all times and wear a mask when you get out in case you come across hazardous conditions. So were playing on this vehicle concept to turn social distancing fun and more kid-friendly, she added.

The idea was inspired by a kindergarten teacher in Texas, who posted a photo on Instagram showing her classroom desks transformed into Jeeps. Many students said they could hardly wait to take their desks for a test drive, the teachers said.

Dovi and Martins collaboration came naturally. Not only are their classrooms connected by an adjoining door, but they often share lesson plans and supplies.

St. Barnabas Episcopal School is blessed to have such collaborative teachers and forward-thinking teachers, Paul Garcia, head of the school, told CNN. I was truly pleased to hear when the idea to decorate the first graders desks as Jeeps was presented to me. This is one example of many examples in which this team of teachers and all of our team search and find ways to make our students learning environment fun and engaging, especially, during this difficult time.

The school paid for the desk shields but will reimburse the teachers for the US$200 spent on other materials to transform the desks into vehicles.

Although the pandemic has made teaching and learning differentno more group projects, floor circles, or close playthe teachers said they are ready for whatever comes.

All of us have some sort of anxiety about going back to school. Its going to look 100 percent different than its looked in my 20 years of teaching, Martin said. But our goal is making our kids happy. The playfulness will help them cope.

St. Barnabas Episcopal School will welcome students back to the classroom on Aug.26.

The CNN Wire and Epoch Times staff contributed to this report.
Mental health and social interaction are among the reasons why some parents are choosing to send their children back to school in September despite the ongoing pandemic.

Returning to school is optional, as the Ontario plan is to have elementary grades return full time, five days a week. Designated school boards, including both the public and Catholic boards in Niagara, will have students in grades 9 to 12 attend on alternate schedules, with classes of up to 15 people.

David Waddington has a child entering senior kindergarten and another in Grade 3 at Prince Philip Public School in St. Catharines. Mental well-being is the primary reason to have their kids return to school.

They really miss their friends and interacting with their peers, he said. As much as we love them and they love us, theres a lot to be said about not hanging out with your parents for a little while.

Having a relationship with the parents of their childrens peers also eases the anxiety.

We know most of the parents of our kids peers and know that theyve been doing their part as much as they can during the whole pandemic, Waddington said.

Sara Villeneuve is of like mind.

My sister has two children close in age and all this time theyve had each other to play with, to socialize with, to work off each other, she said. I have an only child who at this point is so desperate for same-age interaction.

What sold Villeneuve on sending her daughter, entering Grade 4, back to class is she is in the age group that requires a mask to be worn.

Our child is very good with making sure she washes her hands between tasks and keeping her personal distance from others, she said.

I would like to put my faith honestly in the capability of the school and the teachers on behalf of my child, that if there is a child that is unco-operative in wearing a mask on a constant basis ... that they will be responsible enough to send those kids home until they are ready to attend school under the parameters set, she said.

Her daughter will be attending Jeanne Sauve French Immersion Public School.

The school she attends has reached out to us personally, she said.

That gives us a little bit more peace of mind knowing that they are a little bit more on the ball.

Having a child attending a French immersion school also presented concerns about home-schooling, said Villeneuve.

I know personally not being fully bilingual poses a big challenge to home school because she gets the full French experience going to her school as opposed to staying home.

Haley Bateman and her partner are not sending their oldest of three to school, as he would be entering senior kindergarten at Oakridge Public School.

The thing with (COVID-19), you have to look at this in a community way, Bateman said. I know theres people who are a lot more vulnerable than I am and theres single parents out there who feel tons of pressure.

Theyre the people I think that need those spaces in the classroom and if we can lighten the load on the teachers and the other students, then were going to do that.

The decision was made easier for Bateman because she operates a home daycare, so her son can interact with his two younger siblings and other children from home. But keeping her son at home wasnt just about the health of our child, Bateman said.

Villeneuve said her daughter does have some fear about going back to class as she is well aware of the pandemic, but believes once she is back a comfort level will set in.

Waddington said he has allowed his children to ask questions, but doesnt want to overwhelm them with facts and statistics.

The parents have also taken into consideration the role and responsibilities of teachers.

I feel that a lot of pressure, and this is coming from someone who has never in her life had to teach 30 children, a lot of pressure is being put on the teachers to walk a tightrope between what is right and what they are expected to do, Villeneuve said.

Bateman said if keeping her son at home lessens the stress on teachers, then she is proud of her decision.

They have a really important role to play in our childrens lives and I think their health is what Im concerned about as well, Bateman said.

Waddington encouraged parents not to project fear onto their children, as this is a very uncertain period for everyone.

Its a tricky time for everybody and, hopefully, other parents will be supportive of other parents decisions, whether they decided to send (their children) back or not.
A man who was shot and wounded in the New Zealand mosque attacks had a simple message for the mass-murderer responsible: You are the loser, and we are the winners.

Mirwais Waziri was among the survivors and family members who spoke on the second day of a four-day sentencing hearing for white supremacist Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who killed 51 worshippers at two mosques during the March 2019 attacks.

Mr Waziri said Tarrant had not shown any remorse during the hearing and so instead of giving a victims impact statement, he wanted to deliver the gunman a message.

Expand Close Brenton Harrison Tarrant (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Brenton Harrison Tarrant (AP)

Coming from Afghanistan, Mr Waziri said, he was sometimes associated with terrorism  but now he has been freed.

You took that name from me, Mr Waziri said. Today, you are the terrorist.

His comments elicited spontaneous applause from other victims in the courtroom.

Others told Tarrant during their statements that he was a coward, a monster, and a rat.

Tarrant broke his impassive facade a couple of times to smirk at survivors when they made fun of him  one told him he should read the Quran during his plentiful free time, while another said he was still alive because Tarrant did not know how to shoot, except from point-blank range.

Expand Close Noraini Abbas Milne, right, mother of 14-year-old mosque shooting victim, Sayyad, makes her victim impact statement (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Noraini Abbas Milne, right, mother of 14-year-old mosque shooting victim, Sayyad, makes her victim impact statement (AP)

In March, the 29-year-old Australian gunman pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, and terrorism, reversing an earlier not guilty plea.

He could become the first person in New Zealand to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, the toughest sentence available.

Tarrant is noticeably thinner than when he was first arrested. At the current hearing, he has not shown the brazenness he did at his first court appearance the day after the attacks, when he made a hand gesture sometimes adopted by white supremacists.

During Tuesdays hearing, relatives and survivors described how more than a year after the attacks, they were still having trouble sleeping, enjoying life and providing for their families.

Expand Close Ibrahim Abdelhalim speaks during the hearing (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Ibrahim Abdelhalim speaks during the hearing (AP)

Rashid Omar, whose 24-year-old son Tariq was killed at the Al Noor mosque, said he had desperately held out hope his son had survived until police and Muslim leaders read out a list of those who had died.

My body felt completely weak and everything went silent, Mr Omar said.

He started crying with his family, even though he had intended to remain strong.

As a parent, no matter how old your children are, theyll always be your baby, he said.

Each day has become a burden to endure and he finds even simple tasks hard to complete, Mr Omar said.

He wakes up tired and with no energy. He once loved photography, he said, but now cannot bear to pick up a camera.

Expand Close Rosemary Christine Omar was among more than 60 survivors and family members who will confront the New Zealand mosque gunman (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Rosemary Christine Omar was among more than 60 survivors and family members who will confront the New Zealand mosque gunman (AP)

Mr Omars wife Rosemary said she functions from moment to moment, often in a fog. The loss and grief is debilitating, she said, and has cast a shadow over everything in their lives.

Its like Im broken, and I see my family as broken, she said.

Many of those who spoke described ongoing financial strain.

Motasim Uddin, who was shot in the leg and spent more than three months in hospital, said he had been unable to return to his job as a welder and was worried about his future, especially as he was trying to support his parents in Bangladesh.

Expand Close Mosque shooting survivor Motasim Hafiz Uddin (right) (AP) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Mosque shooting survivor Motasim Hafiz Uddin (right) (AP)

I cannot forget what happened, what I saw, Mr Uddin said. I try to forget, but I wake up thinking about it.

Noraini Milne, whose 14-year-old son Sayyad was killed, said her own survival came as a blessing as she planned to spend her life helping others.

You chose to perform a despicable and cowardly act, she said to Tarrant.

Tarrant has dismissed his lawyers and is representing himself during the sentencing.

The attacks targeting people praying at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques shocked New Zealand and prompted new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons.

They also prompted global changes to social media protocols after the gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook, where it was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.
Napoleon Bonaparte inspired Kyla Kirkpatrick. Images: Getty, Supplied

Napoleon Bonaparte and his armies always marched with one decadent and fizzy lucky charm: champagne.

He would collect the wine from the Moet estate, famously declaring: Champagne! In victory one deserves it, in defeat one needs it! Unfortunately for him, the one battle where he didnt have his favourite sparkling on hand was his most famous and final defeat: the Battle of Waterloo.

But Bonapartes relationship with champagne continued even beyond that brutal defeat. Imprisoned for life in 1815, Bonaparte was allegedly rationed just one bottle of champagne a day.

More than one hundred years later, Australian banking and finance worker Kyla Kirkpatrick picked up an article on Bonaparte, war, theology and wine.

When she put it down, she too decided to embark on a quest for world domination.

Meet the Champagne Dame

Kyla Kirkpatrick has plans to take Emperor Champagne global. Image: Getty.

After reading that first article, Kirkpatrick read everything she could on champagne, entranced by the stories of the region.

Eventually, she ran out of books, but her voracious appetite for knowledge wasnt sated. She found the address of the man who wrote her favourite book and in 2005 wrote him a letter.

He wrote back and said, Listen, you sound passionate - Im passionate. If you come to France, Ill teach you everything I know, Kirkpatrick told Yahoo Finance.

It was one of those incredible sliding doors moments where I thought, Bugger it. Im not going for a week, or a month. Im going forever.

She ended her life as she knew it and bought a one-way ticket to Paris.

Ive never looked back.

Story continues

Today, Kirkpatricks business Emperor Champagne is considered the leading champagne e-commerce retailer in Australia. And her events and presenting business The Champagne Dame has seen her travel the world and present at major events.

But Kirkpatricks goal is bigger than Australia. With sales up 235 per cent year on year during the Covid-19 period, Kirkpatrick is currently in the middle of a $1.5 million capital raise to grow internationally.

Its really ambitious. I want a global business and my true mission is that you say Emperor anywhere in the world and someone thinks champagne, she said.

How did she do it?

After spending time in France learning about champagne and then working with Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, Kirkpatricks itchy feet led her to launch The Champagne Dame - her champagne education and presenting business. Its seen her host events at the Melbourne Cup and the Caulfield Cup, along with her own international tours.

But not too long after launching this business, Kirkpatrick was receiving daily calls from people who had attended her events and educational seminars who wanted to purchase those boutique wines.

I thought, Hang on a minute - theres a need here. Theres a gap in the market for sourcing rare, beautiful, boutique champagne houses.

At the time, Dan Murphys was mainly stocking the major champagne brands. Kirkpatrick hatched the idea for Emperor Champagne five years ago and launched it in 2017. Within two month of launching, she saw $200,000 in sales, with Kirkpatrick finalling a successful $1 million seed funding raise.

Before the global pandemic, Kirkpatrick was regularly pulling 80 hour weeks as she ran her businesses during the day and then carried out champagne presentations up to six nights a week.

So when Covid-19 struck, her international tours and events were cancelled, leaving Kirkpatrick with significantly more time on her hands.

She decided to put everything into Emperor Champagne and its delivery offering.

Currently, it has the fastest delivery time in Australia with the products arriving within 24 hours. Just over half of the sales are to first-time customers, with many also first-time online shoppers thirsting for their favourite champagne.

I had a huge Aha moment in the depths of Covid where we were doing really well and some of our champagne partners who really rely on restaurants were in a lot of trouble, and they were saying, This is genius - you should be selling the licence to your business in other countries.

Kirkpatrick had always thought she would roll it out herself personally, but has now taken the time to develop a program allowing people to purchase the licence to the business.

Keys to success

Kyla Kirkpatrick said Emperor Champagne is built around the 'double delight' concept. Image: Getty

Kirkpatrick says there are two main elements to her success. The first is good, old fashioned customer care. She works in her Victorian fulfilment centre packing boxes, hand-writing notes and taking calls.

She describes Emperor Champagnes delivery proposition as a double delight. First, the recipient will have the delight of receiving the champagne, beautifully packaged with a note. Then, they enjoy the delight of drinking it.

We luxury wrap every bottle - its a perfect gift, she said.

Were not just talking to the champagne market [anymore] - were talking to the greater gifting market. People are still celebrating birthdays, births and major events and we were very quick to pivot to that.

She said they regularly get calls from people celebrating major milestones in isolation who are choosing to add champagne to their celebration. And Kirkpatrick will do what she can to make the champagne even more meaningful, for instance throwing in a pair of champagne flutes for a woman marking her 40th by herself.

The other critical element is multi-channel revenue streams.

Prior to Covid-19, European summer would see Kirkpatrick flitting around the Champagne region on her Insiders Champagne Tour. And outside of that, her events business also kept her busy.

But as the pandemic nullified those revenue streams, her online champagne sales boomed.

There were no tastings, there was no wholesale part of our business. It was very much left to our online business, Kirkpatrick said.

Shes reticent to use the word luck when describing her business survival, instead describing herself as fortunate to have had the foresight to build a multi-channel revenue stream.

I always say this to other entrepreneurs, where possible, have diversification within your business so that if something goes down, something changes or the market goes down, you have something else to fall back on, she said.

Weve been doing Christmas volumes every month, now.

What next?

Global domination aside, Australians could soon be seeing Kirkpatrick on their screens as she has been cast in The Real Housewives of Melbourne.

But with filming on hold, Kirkpatricks thoughts remain wholly focused on champagne - her eye firmly on the prize.

Eventually, I want a huge exit [from the champagne retail industry] that will say, Job well done Kyla, she said.

I dont often pull zoom I just take it day by day. Being successful is all about tenacity and being consistent. Youve got to get out every day and youve got to push and youve got to focus.

Want to take control of your finances and your future? Join the Womens Money Movement on LinkedIn and follow Yahoo Finance Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
A state Superior Court panel Tuesday rejected an appeal by a central Pennsylvania man who is serving a double-life prison sentence for hacking two disabled brothers to death with a sword and knives.

Joshua Proper, now 21, received that punishment after pleading guilty to killing Richard Walton and Leroy Kinsey during a home invasion robbery at their Lancaster City residence in February 2017.

On appeal to the state court, Proper claimed his lawyer failed him by advising him to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty without first making an attempt to have the homicide charges dismissed on timeliness grounds. He insisted his lawyer should have argued that the charges should have been voided because prosecutors took too long to bring him to trial.

In the state courts opinion, President Judge Jack A. Panella determined Propers argument to be groundless.

Proper entered his guilty pleas in exchange for prosecutors agreeing not to seek the death penalty.

Propers crime was gruesome. Investigators said Kinsey, 61, who was confined to a wheelchair, was stabbed and cut 10 times and his nose was broken. Walton, 62, an amputee, was stabbed 54 times. Investigators said Cristo-Munoz and Prosper were covered in blood when officers responding to a call for help from a third resident of the Poplar Street home found them hiding in the basement.

Cristo-Munoz also is serving two life prison terms. The Superior Court denied an appeal he filed last year.
Baton Rouge police issued an arrest warrant Tuesday for the man who shot and killed a panhandler Saturday in the Trader Joe's parking lot on Perkins Road, an incident that sparked public outcry after detectives questioned the shooter immediately afterward and then released him without filing charges.

Jace Boyd, 24, is wanted on a count of second-degree murder, Baton Rouge police said in a press release three days after Danny Buckley, 61, was killed. A police report obtained by The Advocate reveals that detectives interviewed Boyd at the scene but chose not to arrest him, pending further investigation.

According to the police report, Buckley was "aggressively harassing customers in the parking lot" in the minutes leading up to the shooting. The report does not elaborate on what that means or how exactly Buckley was behaving. It also does not say whether Buckley was armed.

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome in a statement Tuesday morning said she was very concerned about the incident. Broome said she spoke with Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul and "asked him to conduct a fair and transparent review of what happened." She asked residents with information about the shooting to come forward to police.

Police announced the arrest warrant several hours after Broome issued her statement.

+2 Sharon Weston Broome promises 'fair and transparent review' of Trader Joe's shooting Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has promised a "fair and transparent review" of the recent deadly shooting outside Trader Joe

Attorneys for Buckley's family said they've interviewed three witnesses and spent almost an hour meeting with BRPD detectives Tuesday afternoon to discuss the investigation.

"It's the position of the family that Mr. Buckley was the victim of a hate crime," said Baton Rouge attorney Ryan Thompson.

Buckley was Black and Boyd is White. The attorneys questioned whether police would have handled the case differently if a young Black man shot an older White man in the same Perkins Road shopping center, which contains several other upscale retail stores and restaurants in addition to the Trader Joe's market.

Baton Rouge police have released few details about the circumstances of the shooting, saying it stemmed from an altercation but not saying whether investigators thought the shooting may have been justified. Detectives then spent the next three days interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence, a BRPD spokesman said.

Trader Joe's parking lot shooter questioned by police, released amid investigation No arrests have been made in the shooting that left a man dead in the parking lot of Trader Joe's over the weekend, though Baton Rouge police 

Thompson said now that an arrest warrant has been issued, the question becomes: "Did you do this because there was political pressure or because this was the right thing to do?"

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

Thompson questioned whether Buckley could have genuinely posed an aggressive or threatening presence in the parking lot. He was an older man in poor health, with medical problems that interfered with his mobility and made it difficult for him to get anywhere fast, Thompson said.

The family attorneys said one of the three witnesses they interviewed was a young woman who identified herself as the last person Buckley asked for money before the shooting.

The woman posted details of the exchange on Twitter and spoke to WAFB-TV using only the name Kaylee. She said Buckley followed her and her roommate to their car and she heard someone shout at him to leave them alone as she was getting into the vehicle. Seconds later, she heard a gunshot.

"I never felt threatened by Mr. Buckley in any way," she wrote on Twitter, noting she could only speak to her own perceptions. Panhandling, she wrote, "should not be a death sentence."

She didn't respond to attempts by The Advocate to reach her through her Twitter account.

Buckley was a somewhat familiar face in the area. Neighbors and store employees reported having seen him before in that same parking lot, where he would sometimes ask people for money.

The strip mall routinely has a private security guard stationed outside Trader Joe's, and the evening of the shooting was no exception. A security officer was seen dressed in uniform and patrolling the area.

"Is this an issue of devaluing a Black life or a poor life or what?" said attorney Ron Haley, who's also representing the family. "Why is BRPD treating this man like his life wasn't valuable?"

The attorneys also pointed to a Facebook profile under the Boyd's name that showed several images he posted containing the Confederate flag and other Southern symbolism. Boyd didn't respond to a request for comment Monday evening, and his Facebook profile disappeared soon after an Advocate reporter contacted him.

He has no criminal record in East Baton Rouge but now faces one count each of second-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the BRPD Violent Crimes Unit at (225) 389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.
When COVID-19 shut schoolhouse doors in March, it illuminated how vital our nation's schools are in providing not just academic learning but also services for our children's growth and well-being. Yet, as schools work to reopen and the pandemic wreaks havoc on state revenues , K-12 education is at risk of facing some of the largest budget constraints in recent history.Given this impending challenge, now is the time for the federal government to step in with funding support to safely reopen schools and address the educational gaps resulting from COVID-19. As Jay Nichols, the executive director of the Vermont Principals Association, put it to the state Senate Finance Committee , "How can we contemplate cutting staff when we know students will be coming back to school with educational gaps? Most alarming will most assuredly be increases in social, emotional and trauma-related concerns."Federal support, however, is not sustainable in the long term, so states and school districts must work to re-evaluate education spending, making creative but hard decisions to become more financially efficient.Although today's challenges are severe, school funding has been a concern across the nation for years. As the pandemic struck, in many states K-12 funding levels had not yet returned to pre-Great Recession levels . Additionally, school-funding court battles have been ongoing in states across the country, seeking to address the equitable use of education funds. Rising teacher pension costs have also continued to consume larger shares of school spending, and the uncertainty in the financial market has exacerbated this problem.Yet in this time of fiscal strain, our K-12 schools will likely have to provide more educational and social services to students because of COVID-19. Schools will have to find ways to catch students up from the loss of learning that occurred over the extended summer, while also being required to spend more to acquire items like personal protective equipment (PPE) and to allow for safe and appropriate distancing on buses and in school buildings. At the same time, schools that are opening their doors are being forced to prepare for a potential return to remote learning; items like Wi-Fi hot spots, laptops, online tools and platforms, and other resources are required to ensure that quality learning can happen remotely.In the Great Recession, we were reminded once again that high-poverty districts are disproportionately impacted by economic downturns and associated cuts in funding. The same is surely true now as COVID-19 impacts our neediest communities the hardest. As costs to safely operate rise and revenues fall, we cannot shortchange our schools or students, especially those most vulnerable.That's why Congress must fund a new stimulus package for K-12 schools. Funding from the original pandemic relief package, the CARES Act, helped get schools through the spring and start planning for the fall, and more stimulus dollars are needed right now to reopen schools, whether for in-person instruction, virtually or some hybrid of the two.At the same time, we must recognize the finite resources the federal government has to expend, with many competing sectors lobbying for relief funds. States and districts need to be critical of their own spending, ensuring that funds are used efficiently and effectively. Hard but necessary changes must be made. In Vermont, we successfully worked to overcome significant political challenges to consolidating school districts  a start to addressing the cost pressures of the state's declining student population amid rising education spending In March, we saw states and schools quickly adapt and reimagine education so that our children could continue to get the education and services they deserve. The type of problem-solving and ingenuity that took place then must continue as we rethink school finance and spending in the age of COVID-19 and beyond. States and districts must consider how to economize for the future so they will be ready to weather the unpredictable storms that are sure to come.GoverningGoverning
ABC NewsBy QUINN SCANLAN, ABC News



(WASHINGTON) -- Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley acknowledged Tuesday that America is not perfect, but said President Donald Trump has worked to bridge the racial divide.



"President Trump has passed criminal justice reform which Obama and Biden didn't do. We saw the lowest unemployment of African Americans and Hispanics, which wasn't under President Obama or Biden. We have seen more funding go to the historically black colleges that never have happened under Obama and Biden," Haley said in an interview on Good Morning America.



Haley continued, "I'm looking at results at what the president has done. We've seen real change. Do we have more to do? Absolutely. Are we perfect? No, but we have to continue improving, and that means getting rid of dirty cops, making sure we continue to add to criminal justice reform and making sure that every person, regardless of color and gender, has opportunities to lift them and their families up."



The daughter of two Indian immigrants, Haley was the first woman and first woman of color elected to be governor of South Carolina. While serving as the state's chief executive, Haley gained national attention after she called for the Confederate Flag to be removed from the Statehouse following a mass shooting where a white man opened fired at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, killing nine African American parishioners.



Haley has said she was "deeply disturbed" by the president's comments about there being "very fine people on both sides" after clashes between white supremacists and counter-protesters resulted in one woman dying in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017.



She told ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos that she stands by those words, but while she and the president don't always agree "on the style," whenever she had an issue with something she saw him say or do, she would address it with him, and "he would always listen."



"He would always work towards improving and I think that's what we have to understand, is that at the end of the day, the man that I knew in the White House was someone who genuinely cared about the American people," Haley said. "He cared about the status of all people. He cared about making sure that he left his mark on improving America for when he was done."



Haley was also asked about Democratic nominee Joe Biden selecting California Sen. Kamala Harris to be his running mate, the first time a woman of color was chosen to join a major party ticket.



"I'm not going to take away the fact that this was a huge step for her but it was also a huge step for women, a huge step for minorities," Haley said, adding that she and the senator "disagree terribly on policies" and that she thinks the policies of a Biden-Harris administration "don't help minorities."



Haley went on to say that the Republican Party needs to continue reaching out to people, including minorities.



"We have to go to places that Republicans have been uncomfortable to go. We have to start talking to Indian Americans. We have to start talking to African Americans. We have to start talking to Hispanics," she said. "We have to talk to women in a way that we tell them what we're about and what we're for, and not let others define what our party is."

Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
After the United Arab Emirates normalized their relations with Israel, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shared that he hopes to see other Arab states following the move.

He also mentioned that aside from the stability that it will bring to the Middle East, it will also improve the lives of the people. He added that the US will ensure that Israel will retain its military advantage.

The five-day trip of Pompeo started his meeting with Israel's prime minister in Jerusalem. Trips to Bahrain, Sudan, and UAE are also included in his trip to the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump assisted and acted as one of the negotiators to the historic agreement between UAE and Israel earlier this month. The agreement is just the third peace treaty that was agreed by Israel to an Arab country, Yahoo! reported.

Based on the agreement, The UAE and Israel will establish full diplomatic ties which include starting direct flights, open the trading, and exchanging the ambassadors.

Read also: Kim Jong Un in Comatose? Kim Yo Jong to Take Over Regime, South Korean Diplomat Says

Aside from the positive developments, Israel also stated that they will suspend their plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank which is a move that believed by many that would have killed off chances of peace especially with the Palestinians.

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo greeted the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warmly on Monday as he bumped him twice on the elbow while wearing a face mask with a design of stars and stripes in it.

In Pompeo's brief remarks, he praised the agreement between Israel and UAE and emphasized that he was very hopeful that other Arab nations will join also in the said agreement.

According to BBC, Pompeo also added that the opportunity of recognizing the state of Israel, working alongside them will not only add up to the stability in the Middle East but also greatly improve the lives of the people of their respective countries as well.

On the other hand, the Israeli Prime Minister also responded that the agreement heralded a new era not only for both countries but also for other Arab countries in the future.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that in the near future there will be good news, lots of it.

According to the officials coming from the US and Israel, the next countries that will be joining the agreement will probably be Bahrain, Sudan, and Oman.

The US Secretary of State said that they are planning to sell advanced F-35 fighter planes to the UAE after Israel previously purchased it.

Pompeo added that the United States has a legal requirement and respect for Israel's military edge and they will continue to honor it.

He stressed that they are now having a 20-plus year security relationship with the United Arab Emirates, wherein they have provided the UAE the military and technical assistance that they needed. He also mentioned that they will continue to review the ongoing process and continue making sure that they are delivering them the proper equipment that they needed.



Related article: Japanese Subs Will Blunt Chinese Excursions in Japanese Waters

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
AUSTIN, Minn., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods announced today that it is making a commitment to provide the opportunity of a college education to the dependent children of its inspired team members. The program comes at a time when paying for college has become a hardship for many people, and as community colleges, the foundation of so many communities in the United States, struggle with enrollment.

"We believe equality in education can be a game-changer, and we have decided to take on that challenge. Through a new program called Inspired Pathways, we are going to make the dream of a college education a reality for the children of our team members. When you think about how a college education can change lives and start a ripple effect that will be felt for generations, that's the change-maker Hormel Foods wants to be," said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer, Hormel Foods.

"Our inspired team consists of some of the most incredibly hardworking and dedicated people you will ever encounter. We have people from all backgrounds and cultures, and it is this diversity that fuels us and makes us the global leader we are in our industry. In some cases, we have team members who never had the opportunity to attend college. This program allows them to give their children that opportunity, creating a new generation of college students. They do so much for us, it's truly a gift that we are excited to give to them."

The Inspired Pathways program is open to all currently employed Hormel Foods team members in the United States and will begin later this year with the first class beginning college in the 2021-2022 academic year. The company will be partnering with community colleges in cities where it has operations. Additionally, the company will be creating community mentorship committees to provide resources to the students, including assistance with applications. The program will also work with students on internships and other career development opportunities.

The program follows the highly successful Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship which benefits all high school students who live in Austin, Minnesota.

While the company does have a four-year college scholarship program through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the Inspired Pathways program is designed to be inclusive of all dependent children of Hormel Foods team members and is not based on achievement of a certain test score or GPA. The only academic requirements are that the student graduates from high school and meets the community college's entry requirements. Additionally, the company offers tuition reimbursement for current team members who go back to school while working at Hormel Foods.

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS  Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $9 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include SKIPPY, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, Happy Little Plants and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three straight years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "The 100 Best Corporate Citizens" list for 12 years in a row, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement  Inspired People. Inspired Food.  to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/.

Contact:

Media Relations

507-434-6352

[email protected]

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation

Related Links

http://www.hormel.com


A web of properties worth around 17million has been seized after an eight-year investigation into a drug trafficking gang.

Industrial premises, terraced houses and even a public gym were among the 59 addresses targeted by the National Crime Agency in an inquiry that began in 2011.

Linked to a group of heroin dealers operating in Birmingham, the properties were purchased with what investigators described as 'dirty money'.

The vast majority of the properties were lets, with another 34 separate addresses in the Selly Oak area of Birmingham - popular with students studying at the nearby University of Birmingham.

The seizures also included two addresses housing multiple apartments.

In some cases, the gang seems to have set its sights on 'buying up roads, almost', an NCA official said, owning five or six houses in three different Birmingham streets in Selly Oak.

There were also three properties in the seaside town of Bangor, Northern Ireland.

Industrial premises, terraced houses and even a public gym were among the 59 addresses targeted by the National Crime Agency in an inquiry that began in 2011. Pictured: One of the seized properties

The gang shipped drugs from Pakistan to London with police finding them hidden among machinery in a shipping container

The criminal gang, from left to right. Top row: Ameran Zeb Khan, 38, Mohammed Ali, 36, Sajid Hussain, 32 and Omar Isa, 36. Bottom row: Imran Arif, 35, Mohammed Ashaf Khan, 49, Rajesh Patel, 52, Zulfgar Munsaf, 38

None of the addresses were purchased in the names of the criminals, but were each proven beyond reasonable doubt before a High Court judge to be purchases linked to the proceeds of drug importation and supply, fraud and money laundering.

There is no evidence any of the owners of the seized properties themselves were involved in any criminal activity, the NCA said.

All the addresses seized have now been sold or are being sold, with the proceeds split between the Treasury and the NCA, where it is used to help the continuing fight against serious organised crime.

An NCA official said his team was focused on 'taking action against the properties, not the people' in a bid to stop criminality at its source.

Pictured: Ringleader Ameran Zeb Khan

Andy Lewis, the NCA's head of asset denial, said: 'What they don't want to do is have a property portfolio in their own names so if they do get caught they stand to lose that immediately.

'We started looking at what assets the wider family members had, and we found more and more assets.

'Then we looked at whether what they had was commensurate with their actual income.

'So if they had income of 20,000 per year, but owned five properties worth over 1 million in total, it starts the hares running.

'Had we not taken all these properties away, the main people sentenced would have come out of prison and had 17million to invest.

'Taking away the money stops them reinvesting in other criminality, or their retirement.

Linked to a group of heroin dealers operating in Birmingham , the properties were purchased with what investigators described as 'dirty money'

More than half were in the student area of Selly Oak, with others as far afield as Bangor in Northern Ireland

'Instead, we used the criminals' money to reinvest from a bad situation to a good one, deploying our resources against other criminals.'

The NCA said the gang had set its sights on 'buying up roads, almost' with two of the properties housing multiple apartments.

The NCA was first alerted to the gang's dealings after a referral from the Police Service of Northern Ireland in December 2011.

The organisation carried out four connected civil recovery investigations into the properties.

In July 2014, a separate criminal investigation was sparked after Border Force officials intercepted a shipping container with 165kg of 58 per cent pure heroin.

The huge haul had an estimated street value of up to 19million.

In July 2014, a criminal investigation was sparked after Border Force officials intercepted a shipping container with 165kg of 58 per cent pure heroin

The drugs were shipped to London from Pakistan by the gang and hidden among machinery

After a court case, eight men including Ameran Zeb Khan and his fellow ringleaders, Mohammed Ali and Sajid Hussain, all from Birmingham, were jailed in July 2017 for a total of 139 years.

The gang had organised two shipments of drugs from Pakistan to London, hiding them among industrial equipment.

All of the seized addresses have now been sold or are being sold, with the proceeds split between the Treasury and the NCA.

Graeme Biggar, the National Economic Crime Centre's director general, said: 'We are determined to stop criminals profiting from their crime.

'Where criminals have bought properties with illicit funds, in Birmingham, Bangor or anywhere in the UK, we will use all the powers at our disposal to identify them and to seize them.'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 02:49:25|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BAKU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said his country was not interested in the escalation of tension in Transcaucasia during a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Zakir Hasanov here on Tuesday.

"Russia's actions are not directed against third parties in this region," said Shoigu who is in Baku to attend the opening of the international Sea Cup competition, the state-run news agency AZERTAC reported.

"We are aware of and were following the events that were taking place on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in dismay ... I want to say that our actions have never been directed against Azerbaijan, our neighbor and our partner."

Shoigu said Russia was engaged in the construction of social facilities for servicemen at its base in Armenia, adding that certain intensity of activity was also caused by the necessity of rotating its servicemen.

He also touched upon Russia-Azerbaijan military and technical cooperation, expressing hope the two countries will reach the previous rates of collaboration that they had before the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Minister Hasanov hailed Russia's role in finding a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In the latest clashes that occurred on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border outside Nagorno-Karabakh in July, both sides reportedly used heavy weaponry, suffering losses.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads over the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh since 1988. Peace talks have been held since 1994 when a ceasefire was reached, but there have been occasional minor clashes along the borders. Enditem
Hong Kong: Virus testing scheme vital: CE

(To watch the whole media briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Universal Community Testing Programme will help the Government consider measures to return Hong Kongs economy to normal as soon as possible, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today.

Mrs Lam made the remarks ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning.

She said: The purpose of launching the Universal Community Testing Programme is to identify as early as possible any silent transmitters in society so that we will feel safer to consider the next stage of social distancing measures with a view that Hong Kongs economy and peoples livelihood could resume normal as soon as possible.

Mrs Lam pointed out the Government is allowing up to two weeks to invite people to come forward for testing.

The programme, which starts on September 1, will run for seven days. Subject to the actual progress, it may be extended for no more than seven days.

Those who plan to take part in the testing programme can make online appointments, she said.

We are going to do an online booking system. Preferably we will not be seeing crowds or long queues in front of the swabbing stations to have the tests done.

I really think its inappropriate or just unreasonable to try to compare the Legislative Council election to the universal community testing.

The Chief Executive also called on health experts who are critical of the testing scheme to express their views in a more responsible manner, noting that the Governments initiative is for the sake of public health.

The testing is globally accepted as a good means to identify early confirmed cases so that they can be isolated for treatment.

And this testing capacity is not taking away from the testing capacity for the other higher priority areas - one is the clinical testing and medical surveillance testing undertaken by the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health, and second is the target group testing conducted by various departments.

So, I will make a strong plea that well-known people, especially in the relevant professional areas, should really express their views in a more responsible way. Since this is about public health, lets focus on public health.

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Ahmad Khan

I condemn the Bangalore violence. Almost every law-abiding citizen of the country did. But when I say violence, I just do not mean the civil unrest that leads to damage to public property and left several police officers injured. I also mean Bangalore police indiscriminately shooting at the crowd to disperse it, which left 3 dead. According to Section 129 of Indias criminal procedure code (CPC), the police is supposed to first command the assembly to disseminate from a site. It is when the crowd is undetermined to disperse, the police can use force but only to disperse. If the crowd is uncontrollable even with force, the police can arrest the gatherers so that they may be punished according to law. When the Bangalore police shot live ammunition, it underscored how the police did not seem to have an intention to disperse the crowd. Instead, the intention was to punish, which was for the court to decide. I condemn the police brutality which continued for several days after the episode.

Support TwoCircles



On 12 August, the police arrested 24-year-old Syed Nadeem in the Bangalore violence, who was later sent to Parappana Agrahara jail in judicial custody. On the night of 14 August, Syed tested positive for COVID-19 after he complained of chest pain in the jail. Based on a report by Maktoob Media, Bengaluru police commissioner Kamal Pant informed PTI that when Nadeem first came to hospital from the jail, there was an impression that he was being hit by a hard object in his abdomen. Nadeem breathed his last on the night of 14 August. The locals also alleged that police jostled in their homes in odd hours and arbitrarily picked over 60 men. It is unsettling to know that 2 of the arrested men were in home isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. We do not know why they barged into our house. They pushed aside my older son, entered our home and broke the bathroom doors. I had to explain that my son is just a child. In our entire building, they arrested all those who are 18-years of age and above, a female resident of Shampur Main Road from where several men were picked told The New Indian Express.

There have been a total of 290 arrestsand many of them are alleged to be arbitraryand 42 FIRs filed, and the accused will be booked under UAPA and Goonda act. The punishment does not end here. The Bangalore government will follow the Uttar Pradesh model and confiscate the property of the accused to compensate for the damaged public property. Therefore, I condemn this institutional violence.

On social media, several leaders of the ruling party made instigating tweets where they demonized the entire Muslim community. Many started to demand nationwide implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) so that India may be free of rioters. Beside unnumbered hate messages, I also happened to receive several messages where peopleout of the blueasked my opinion on Bangalore violence. Many of them expected me to apologize for it. I also condemn this psychological violence that I and many of the Indian Muslims faced.

As Milan Kundera wrote, The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting, my condemnation is the struggle against the fading memory of people who lost their lives in Bangalore violence. During the countrywide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 30 people died, and scores were injured. The police were also accused of being partisan with those who were supporting CAA. However, there was again more condemnation of the protests where there was a clash between police and protestors than the fact that 30 people, including an 8-year-old boy in Uttar Pradesh, died in police firing and stampede. It is paramount to include that almost all the deceased were Muslims.

During the police brutality in Jamia Millia Islamia on the night of 14 December last year where Delhi police barged into the library and ruthlessly hit students with batons and tear gas, Mohammad Minhajuddin, an LLM student of Jamia Millia Islamia, lost his one eye after being hit by a baton. However, there was more condemnation for the buses that were burnt by miscreants than for his lost vision. During times like these, people forget that no matter what, the public property still does not value more than human lives do. Public property can be recovered. Human lives cannot be. They forget that the responsibility of the police is to maintain law and order; not to punish people. Punishment is decided in court. They also forget the well-documented anti-Muslim prejudices in police forces. There is an entire riot mechanism that is based on punishing the Muslims and safeguarding the perpetrators and it is orchestrated by none other than the Indian police, political scientist Paul Brass wrote in his book titled, Riots and Pogroms.

Despite the potential repercussions, Bangalore police were given complete impunity to disperse the crowd involved in Bangalore violence. What kind of people attack the police? The media? The local police have been given a free hand to deal with the situation, Karnataka minister R Ashoka told Aljazeera. Underscoring the consequence of the freehand given to Police, Sharjeel Usmani, a freelance journalist, wrote in his article titled Charting history of Indian Muslims and the police: From British era to AMU violence, a story of injustice, The free hand and unchecked power given to the police officers, put minorities, especially Muslims, and people of a lower social status in a very vulnerable position. The situation is so grim that of the total complaints received by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), over 60 per cent are related to police abuse of power and human rights violations.

There is an unsettling phenomenon behind the nations priority of overlooking human lives over public property. The reason most of the people did not condemn the lives lost in the Bangalore violence was that the number of causalities was in a single digit. It was not 40 or 400. Emboldened by the 70 years of cumulative injustice, people have grown so accustomed to seeing Muslims dying like this, now and then, that they have immuned themselves against lesser deaths. There seems to a pathogen of apathy for Muslim lives which is mutating at a senseless rate and quite soon, we all will be affected.

Ahmad Khan is a freelance writer and IT consultant from New Delhi.
A man stands with a "Black Lives Matter" sign near a burning garbage truck in Kenosha, Wis., on Aug. 24, 2020. (Morry Gash/AP Photo)

Wisconsin Governor to Increase Presence of National Guard After Nights of Riots

The National Guard was deployed Monday to Kenosha County, Wisconsin, following rioting, looting, and arson incidents in the wake of an officer-involved shooting. But now, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said that more troops will be deployed on Tuesday.

The ability to exercise First Amendment rights is a critically important part of our democracy and the pursuit of justice. But there remains a line between peaceful assembly and what we saw last night that put individuals, families, and businesses in danger, Evers, a Democrat, said in a news release.

We are assessing the damage to state property and will be increasing the presence of the Wisconsin National Guard to ensure individuals can exercise their right safely, protect state buildings and critical infrastructure, and support first responders and firefighters, he added.

Evers called on protesters to be peaceful and safe.

A state of emergency was declared again on Tuesday and a curfew will be implemented starting at 8 p.m. east of Interstate 94. The curfew will last until 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Protesters link arms in front of a police line outside the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wis., on Aug. 24, 2020. (Morry Gash/AP Photo)

Police clash with demonstrators near the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wis., on Aug. 24, 2020. (Morry Gash/AP Photo)

Please do not allow the actions of a few distract us from the work we must do together to demand justice, equity, and accountability, he stressed.

Kenosha County Emergency Management Director Lt. Horace Staples told the Kenosha News that the guardsmen have been deployed, confirming the development.

He said the declaration of a state of emergency at 11 p.m. Sunday started the process of the National Guard being gathered and sent to the city.

But after the deployment announcement, some Kenosha County officials told the paper that the process should not have taken so long.

Myself and other supervisors were knocking on the doors of other supervisors at 2 a.m. because the National Guard hadnt been sent to Kenosha, County Supervisor Zach Rodriguez said Monday, according to the Kenosha News.

National Guard members were initially expected to arrive in Kenosha County around 8 p.m. Monday evening.

The unrest was triggered after a viral video appeared to show a 29-year-old black man, identified as Jacob Blake, being shot by an officer at close range. Blake fought with police officers on the side of a residential street in Kenosha over the weekend before walking away from officers who had their guns drawn.

When he opened the drivers side door of a van and reached inside, two officers fired multiple times.

Wisconsin officials said an investigation into the shooting is underway.

A criminal complaint obtained by The Epoch Times showed Blake was charged last month for trespassing, third-degree sexual assault, and disorderly conduct.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
TikTok and one of its employees on Monday separately sued U.S. President Donald Trump's administration over his executive order banning transactions in the United States with the popular short-form video-sharing app, calling it a pretext to fuel anti-China rhetoric as he seeks re-election.

Culver City, California-based TikTok and its Chinese parent ByteDance Ltd rejected what they called the White House's position that it was a national security threat, saying they had taken "extraordinary measures to protect the privacy and security of TikTok's U.S. user data."

They also described Trump's call in his Aug. 6 executive order for a TikTok ban as a means to further his alleged "broader campaign of anti-China rhetoric" ahead of the Nov. 3 U.S. presidential election, where Trump is seeking a second term.

"We do not take suing the government lightly," TikTok said in a blog post. "But with the Executive Order threatening to bring a ban on our U.S. operations ... we simply have no choice."

Patrick Ryan, a technical program manager at TikTok, sued the Trump administration over concerns that he and his 1,500 colleagues, including many on employment visas, will lose their jobs next month if Trumps order is enforced.

"These are not decisions that belong to the government," Ryan said in an interview. "It's not okay to even consider."

Alex Urbelis, a lawyer representing Ryan in the lawsuit in San Francisco federal court, said the order suffered from "unconstitutional vagueness" and deprived TikTok employees of due process.

The White House referred a request for comment to the U.S. Department of Justice, which declined to comment on the company's lawsuit and did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Ryan's case.

TikTok and ByteDance are seeking a permanent injunction to block Trump from enforcing his Aug. 6 order. They allege the Trump administration violated their constitutional right to due process by banning the company without opportunity to respond to accusations.

They also allege Trump lacked proper legal authority to issue the order, saying he misused the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which lets the president regulate international commerce during a national emergency.

Trump had in May 2019 invoked that law to stop alleged efforts by foreign telecommunications companies to conduct economic and industrial espionage against the United States.

The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles federal court names Trump, the U.S. Department of Commerce and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross as defendants.

Amid growing distrust between Washington and Beijing, Trump had for weeks complained that TikTok was a national security threat that might share information about users with the Chinese government.

His Aug. 6 executive order called for banning transactions with the app after 45 days.

Trump issued a separate executive order on Aug. 14 giving ByteDance 90 days to divest TikTok's U.S. operations and any data TikTok had gathered in the United States.

Reuters reported last week that TikTok had been preparing a legal challenge.

ByteDance had acquired Shanghai-based video app Musical.ly in a $1 billion transaction in 2017, and relaunched it as TikTok the following year.

TikTok, best known for short videos of people dancing that are popular among teenagers, had 92 million monthly users in U.S. as of June and 689 monthly users globally as of July, according to the lawsuit.

The Trump administration has said Americans should be cautious in using TikTok. Under a law introduced in 2017 under President Xi Jinping, Chinese companies have an obligation to support and cooperate in China's national intelligence work.

But TikTok said Trump's Aug. 6 was not rooted in genuine national security concerns or supported by the emergency he had declared a year earlier.

It called the order "a gross misappropriation of IEEPA authority and a pretext for furthering the President's broader campaign of anti-China rhetoric in the run-up to the U.S. election."

ByteDance has been in talks to sell TikTok's North American, Australian and New Zealand operations to companies including Microsoft Corp and Oracle Corp.

Those assets could be worth $25 billion to $30 billion, people familiar with the matter have said.

Before buying TikTok, ByteDance had not sought advance approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which reviews acquisitions for potential national security risks.

CFIUS later opened an investigation and on July 30 issued a letter stating it found national security risks associated with the purchase. But it "repeatedly refused" to engage with ByteDance's proposals to address concerns, including a nonbinding letter of intent to sell to Microsoft presented earlier July 30, according to the lawsuit.
Kochi: In a setback to the LDF government, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed its plea challenging a single bench order directing a CBI probe into the killing of two Youth Congress workers in Kasaragod last year.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar and C T Ravikumar, however, accepted an interim probe report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the state crime branch, which investigated the case initially, and directed the CBI to conduct further inquiry.

The court took note of the "serious slackness and incompleteness" that occurred in the matter of investigation.

Noting that after the passing of the judgment, the CBI has already re-registered the crime, the court said, "Hence, we will have to permit CBI to conduct further investigation based on re-registration of the aforesaid case already done by them pursuant to the impugned judgment."

Upholding the transfer of the investigation to CBI, the bench directed the agency to conduct 'further investigation' based on the re-registration of the case and file supplementary report in terms of the provisions under Section 173(8), CrPC.

"This shall be done as expeditiously as possible, taking note of the fact that already a report under Section 173(2), CrPC has been filed by SIT of Crime Branch, Kasaragod.

Though we brought back life to the said report and held that cognizance has to be taken thereon we are of the view that, in view of the nature of the case, the court must wait till the receipt of the 'supplementary report' of the CBI to be submitted after 'further investigation'," the court said.

Observing serious lapses in the police investigation, the High Court last September handed over the case to the Central agency after dismissing the charge sheet filed by the crime branch.

The single bench ordered the CBI probe into the case while allowing a petition filed by the parents of the slain Youth Congress workers.

Sarath Lal and Kripesh were hacked to death on February 17, 2019 in Kasaragod allegedly by CPI(M) workers.

In its appeal against the single bench order, the government had alleged that the entire findings of the bench were based on surmises and conjectures, and not supported by any material and it had not considered the material on record including the case diary.

The CBI, which re-registered the case on October 23, 2019 following the court order, had accused the state police of not handing over the necessary documents needed for the investigation.

The CBI had mentioned the alleged non-cooperation by the crime branch wing of the Kerala police in the status report of the probe submitted by its investigation officer before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court here. The Congress and its ally, the IUML, have welcomed the judgment.
The Haunting Of Hill House was a hit for streaming service Netflix in 2018.

And now fans can expect another helping of scares with a follow-up titled The Haunting Of Bly Manor.

Developed by Mike Flanagan who was the Hill House showrunner, Bly Manor is not directly linked to the first series although some castmembers are returning in new roles.

Scary story: Netflix released the first images from its upcoming ghostly series The Haunting Of Bly Manor on Monday, made by the team behind 2018's The Haunting of Hill House

Netflix released a first look at The Haunting of Bly Manor on Monday, releasing a series of images from the upcoming anthology drama.

The show is based on the classic Henry James novella The Turn of The Screw, published in 1898.

It tells the story of a governess hired to care for two orphaned children in a remote country house and starts to notice a couple who hang around the estate unseen by anyone else.

Flanagan is promising that the new season will be even scarier than the first.

Literary roots: The show is based on the classic Henry James novella The Turn of The Screw, published in 1898, and showrunner Mike Flanagan is promising plenty of scares

Spooky: Victoria Pedretti stars as an American governess hired to care for two orphaned children in a remote country house. She starts to notice a couple hanging around the estate who are unseen by anyone else

Supernatural tale: Amelia Bea Smith plays one of the children who knows more than she's telling

Orphaned: Benjamin Evan Ainsworth plays the brother

Famous face: Henry Thomas stars as the children's uncle who sends them to live in the remote manor so he doesn't have to deal with them

Returning actors include Victoria Pedretti, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Henry Thomas and Kate Siegel and the series is slated to debut on Netflix by the end of the year.

Pedretti stars as an American hired as governess for the brother and sister living at Bly Manor.

Events take place in 1987 and the two children are played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Amelia Bea Smith.

Henry Thomas plays the children's uncle.

'At its foundation, the Haunting series is very much about haunted spaces and haunted people,' Flanagan told Vanity Fair.

'The way we make those things dance together is really going to be whats uniform about Hill House and Bly. Outside of that though, it was really important for all of us not to play the same notes we played for the first season,' he explained.

Atmospheric: 'At its foundation, the Haunting series is very much about haunted spaces and haunted people,' showrunner Mike Flanagan told Vanity Fair
Millions of Mexican school children returned to classes, but not schools, on Monday as the government attempted to start a new school year despite the challenges of the pandemic.

A system cobbling together online classes, instruction broadcast on television channels, and radio programming in Indigenous languages is meant to keep students from missing out in a country already defined by deep inequalities.

As other countries around the world have already discovered, there is no perfect replacement for in-person classes.

Education Secretary Esteban Moctezuma noted Monday that other countries have opened their schools and seen outbreaks, while others have outright cancelled the school year.

Maybe other countries dont have the commitment of Mexican teachers, he said Monday, speaking at President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obradors daily news conference. Maybe other countries dont have a heart like our mothers and fathers. Maybe our boys, girls and young people want to learn more than anyone in the world.

The Mexican government enlisted the countrys largest private television companies to dedicate channels to school programming around the clock. Education officials developed schedules giving students at each level multiple opportunities to watch their classes.

Moctezuma said officials decided to rely on television because it has far greater penetration than the internet. Still, questions abound about how families, especially those with multiple children, will juggle the classes along with jobs that could force both parents out of the home often taking their children along with them.

More than half of Mexicans work in the informal economy, jobs that often dont allow them to work from home.

There is a strong fear that the pandemic will spell the end of education for many students who will stop their studies. Many private schools have closed as cash-strapped parents stopped making tuition payments.

Manuel Lpez Pereyra, a researcher in the education department of Mexico Citys Iberoamerican University, said the pandemic has revealed the shortcomings of the Mexicos education system, as it has in other countries.

Theres an absence of effective education policies that can connect the needs of the teachers with those of the families, as well as the girls and boys, he said. The interaction of a classroom environment isnt replaced by online courses, much less passive viewing of television instruction.

These educational programs must be accompanied by a teacher, said Lpez, who is studying the impact of a pandemic on childrens learning. They cant be alone; they need a person, a pedagogy that allows the girls and boys to use the elements they learn on television. He noted that many of the childrens parents or caregivers are not equipped to provide that support. So we leave them there alone.

Moctezuma said Monday that the education ministry had set up 160 phone lines for students seeking that support or extra tutoring. However, with some 30 million students, those resources would be stretched thin. He advised parents to maintain contact with their childrens teachers.
Scott Morrison will spend $1billion on boosting the defence industry to create 4,000 jobs across the nation over the next two years.

The Prime Minister will on Wednesday announce a plan to upgrade crucial equipment, maintain defence bases and hire an extra 500 reserve troops.

Half the money will be spent on seven building works at bases in the Northern Territory and maintenance projects at others across the country.

Under the plan to spend $1billion in the defence industry, Australia's bushmaster trucks (pictured in Afghanistan) will be upgraded

$490million will be spent on seven building works at bases in the Northern Territory and maintenance projects at others across the country. Pictured: RAAF Base Amberley, west of Brisbane

Another $200million will be used to upgrade and maintain key equipment, including the Bushmaster infantry vehicle and the C-27J transport aircraft.

A new Navy uniform will be designed with modern features such as working boots without steel caps - and the purchase of two remote weapon stations will be brought forward.

The government will also spend about $200million on developing new kit, including the Loyal Wingman fighter drone which was unveiled in May, and a large-hull Navy ship.

Meanwhile, about $80million will be spent on workforce initiatives including hiring 500 more reserve troops, giving more work to existing reserves and helping the wives and husbands of defence personnel find work if they have lost their jobs.

Mr Morrison hopes the cash splash will stimulate the economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis which is expected to leave almost a million Aussies out of work for the next two years.

The ADF will hire an extra 500 reserve troops. Pictured: Australian Army soldiers Private Samantha Dickins (left) and Private Maddison Hamilton, Female Guardian Angels at Camp Qargha, Afghanistan

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the flight deck as a EA-18G Growler lands on the USS Ronald Reagan, off the coast of Queensland on 12 July, 2019

The Prime Minister said: 'Like much of the economy, our local defence industry is doing it tough because of COVID-19.

'This is especially so for small and medium sized businesses, that are critical to jobs.

'Supporting our defence industry is all part of our JobMaker plan  especially high-paying, high-skilled jobs that ensure we are supporting a robust, resilient and internationally competitive defence industry.

'We want to build our sovereign industrial capabilities and Australian workforce to keep our people safe.

'We will also support our ADF members and families, particularly any Reservists who are doing it tough because of COVID-19.'

In June Mr Morrison announced the government will spend $270billion over the next ten years on beefing up the Australian Defence Force with state-of-the-art equipment including long-range missiles and new artillery systems.

The main aim of the beef-up, which will include hiring 800 extra soldiers, is to deter aggression against Australia and its allies - but the Prime Minister also wants to prepare the defence force for war in case tensions with China escalate.

Beijing and Canberra have been at loggerheads since Mr Morrison called for an inquiry into the origins of coronavirus in March.

Where is the $1billion being spent? 1. National Estate Works Program and Infrastructure Investment: $490million Defence facilities across the nation will be maintained and upgraded, including RAAF Bases East Sale, Pearce, Wagga and Amberley, as well as bases in Jervis Bay & Eden, the Albury Wodonga Military Area, and Blamey Barracks. This is forecast to support up to 2,200 Australian jobs. Seven infrastructure projects in the NT will be brought forward across Robertson Barracks, RAAF Base Darwin, Larrakeyah Defence Precinct, and the Delamere Air Weapons Range. This is forecast to support up to 390 Australian jobs. 2. Sustaining Existing Capabilities and Platforms (around $200 million) Vehicle modifications and upgrades - including to the Bushmaster infantry vehicle - will be brought forward, supporting 40 jobs. A new Navy Uniform will be designed, supporting 110 jobs An extra 38 people will be employed to maintain C-27J transport aircraft A training centre for Maritime Security Operations will be brought forward, providing 10 Australian jobs. The purchase of two remote weapons stations will be brought forward, supporting 217 jobs 3. Accelerated Capability Project Development and Delivery (around $200 million) Further investment in the Boeing Loyal Wingman Program, providing up to 145 Australian jobs. This will enable further development of payloads, artificial intelligence and aircraft behaviours; and certification activities. A new Sovereign Tactical Communication Network will be planned, providing 50 jobs The construction of a South West Pacific Large Hull Vessel in Western Australia will be brought forward to support the Pacific Step-Up, proving 165 jobs. The procurement of four Deployable Containerised Data Centres from an Australian-owned business will be brought forward, providing 85 jobs. 4. Defence Innovation Hub and Defence Industry Grant Programs (around $110 million) The Defence Innovation Hub will make additional targeted investments in defence industry for the development of innovative technology, supporting up to 150 jobs. An extra $24 million will be provided for the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants program Funding will be given for people to train at the Naval Shipbuilding College in South Australia Cyber Training for Defence Industry will be increased 5. Workforce Initiatives: $80 million Reserves will be able to work an extra 210,000 days in total in FY2020-21. 500 new reserves will be recruited ADF personnel due to be discharged for medical reasons will be kept on for longer ADF partners will be helped to find work under the existing Defence Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) Advertisement

More than half of the $270billion announced in June will be spent on improving Australia's air and maritime forces, including buying new AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles from the US.

The missiles, which were designed in America in 2014, cost around $5million each and can hit a target 370km away, giving Australia significant new range.

They will be attached to F/A-18F Super Hornet planes and can also be paired with other defence aircraft. Troops will be trained how to use the weapon next year.

The government is also considering buying a range of other weapons and defence systems including the surface-to-air Missile, the High Mobility Rocket Artillery System and the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System.

In addition, between $5billion and $7billion will be spent on undersea surveillance systems, and up to $17billion will go towards buying more fighter aircraft.

Up to $11billion will be spent on remotely-piloted and autonomous combat aircraft, including air teaming vehicles.

And between $8 and $11.5 billion will buy long range rocket fires and artillery systems including two regiments of self-propelled howitzers.

More than half of $270billion will be spent on improving Australia's air and maritime forces, including buying new AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (pictured) from the US

In May Australia unveiled The Loyal Wingman unmanned drone, its first military aircraft to be built on home soil in 50 years.

The drone will fly alongside fighter jets including Strike Fighters, Super Hornets and Growlers to provide support and intelligence and can hold several systems including a radar, an infrared search and track system and a defensive laser system.

Billions will also be spent on space capabilities and cyber security as Australia faces ongoing attacks on institutions and companies from a 'state actor' which intelligence sources believe is China.

Mr Morrison also announced a shift in focus on the Indo-Pacific after Australia pulled out of the Middle East with the training mission at the Taji Military Complex in Iraq concluded earlier this year.
On this day in history, August 25, 2009, South Korea launched its first-ever space rocket Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) known as NARO in accomplishment against rival North Korea under its nascent space program. The rocket launched from its launch pad at the Naro Space Centre in Goheung, however, was unsuccessful to enter its target orbit as the payload separated from second-stage booster 8 minutes into the airlift, according to reports.

[The first attempt to launch Naro-1 was conducted on 19 August 2009, but the launch was canceled seven minutes 56 seconds before launch. The second attempt on 25 August 2009 succeeded in taking off from the Naro Space Center. Credit: Dan Beaumont Space Museum]

In a press conference at the space center located in South Koreas southern coast, 350 km (220 miles) from Seoul, the scientists said that while the first stage engine and the second-stage motor engine operated well, in an unforeseen event the satellite separated and did not make it to the target orbit. The 33 metres (108 feet) tall and 3.9 metres (12.8 feet) Science and Technology Satellite-2A (STSAT-2A), whose first stage was developed by the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Russia, and second stage by Korea Aerospace Research Institute, failed to separate accurately and had fuel shortage to overcome additional weight. However, as per the reports, South Korea made a second launch attempt of KSLV-1carrying STSAT-2B on June 10, 2010. That time, only 2 minutes into the airlift, the vehicle unfortunately exploded. South Korea could successfully launch STSAT-2C, on January 30, 2013, in the third attempt.

Science Minister Ahn Byong-man called the project 'partial success' and could not find the cause of the launch missions failure. Officials blamed the insufficient booster mechanism that hampered the rockets trajectory.

At 4:00 p.m. on January 30, 2013, the KSLV-I space launch vehicle, carrying the Naro scientific satellite (STSAT-2C), finally flew into space with a brilliant flame, after three consecutive attempts, Korea Aerospace Research Institute said in a press release.

Read: NASA Scientist Reveals Sun's Early Behaviour Impacted Development Of Life On Earth

Read: NASA Reveals An Asteroid Will Be Nearing Earth Right Before The US Elections

Beacon signal for 10 minutes

At 231 seconds, the rockets 1st and 2nd stage separated as planned, and the satellite was inserted into its target orbit (300km perigee, 1,500km apogee) at 5:26 pm. The ground station received the beacon signal from the satellite for over 10 minutes indicating its success. The first contact was made with the ground station of the Satellite Technology Research Center at KAIST in Daejeon during a 14-minute satellite pass over the Korean peninsula at 3:28 a.m. confirming that the satellite was operating normally, Korea Aerospace Research Institute confirmed in the release.

[Testing Stage 1 of KSLV -1 launcher at Khrunichev. Credit: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center]

[Rollout to launch pad of KSLV -1 launcher at Khrunichev. Credit: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center]

[The KSLV's first launch in August 2009 fell short of orbit. Credit: KARI]

[The South Korean KSLV-1 rocket sits on the launch pad during ground tests before its first launch in 2009. Credit: KARI]

Read: NASA's Prediction For Eve Of US Election Has Netizens Cheering For Asteroid 2018VP1

Read: Self-collected Saliva As Good As Deep Nasal Swabs For Diagnosing COVID-19: Study
The owner of Westfield shopping centres across Australia has recorded a $3.6billion loss, as malls struggle with rent freezes and a steep drop in footfall throughout the pandemic.

Scentre Group last week boarded up 129 stores following disputes with businesses, including the embattled Mosaic group, about the price of rent.

When releasing the half-year results on Tuesday, the shopping centre giant also placed the blame on the plummeting value of property assets throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

For the six months ending June 30, a total statutory loss of $3.6billion was recorded - slumping by $4.4billion compared to the mid-2019 figures.

Scentre Group also reported a $281million fall in operations earnings, a direct result of the rent reductions for struggling businesses throughout the pandemic.

The owner of all Westfield shopping centres in Australia has recorded a $3.6billion loss (pictured, a flagship centre in Sydney's CBD)

Stores have spent entire months closed as a result of the pandemic and lockdown

Chief Executive Peter Allen said the business had provided relief to 2,438 of 3,600 retailers nationwide.

'We acknowledge that this has been a difficult time for our customers and our retail partners,' he said.

'We have supported our retail partners throughout this period on a case-by-case basis.

'We have done this without receiving financial assistance from government.'

In total, the company has provided approximately $1.6billion in support throughout the pandemic.

The devastating losses were announced just hours after Mosaic Brands announced it would close up to 500 stores across Australia after being 'utterly derailed' by the pandemic.

Westfield posted signs to encourage social distancing at the height of the pandemic as footfall fell significantly during the crisis

Mosaic Brands chief executive Scott Evans said it had reported a statutory loss before tax of $212.1 million, a 1,900 per cent decline on the prior year's profit (pictured, one of its stores)

Mosaic, which owns Noni B (pictured), Rivers, Millers and Katies, made the announcement to shareholders while delivering its full-year results on Tuesday

The company, which owns Noni B, Rivers, Millers and Katies, confirmed the decision to shareholders while delivering its full-year results on Tuesday.

Mosaic has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic as it has an older customer base.

While all retailers have felt the brunt of the pandemic, those with a younger demographic saw their online sales increase.

Mosaic's online sales grew by just 14.7 per cent for the past 12 months while others more than doubled.

Chief executive Scott Evans said the company had reported a statutory loss before tax of $212.1million, a 1,900 per cent decline on the prior year's statutory profit of $11 million.

The company, which has 1,333 stores across the country, will close between 300 and 500 stores over the next two years, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

About 400 Mosaic employees will be impacted by the closures and have been redeployed to other stores

Mr Evans said almost half of their leases were on holdover, and 81 per cent would expire in the next two years.

'There is no road map to navigate these circumstances, but our operational priorities have been ensuring team and customer safety, reducing inventory and maintaining a strong cash position,' Mr Evans said.

'This has allowed us to reshape Mosaic to take advantage of the fundamental changes happening in retail.'

All Mosaic owned stores within Westfield centres are already temporarily closed after the shopping centre boarded up 129 stores due to a rental dispute.

Retailers either refused to pay rent during coronavirus lockdown or negotiated to pay a lower amount, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Mosaic had reportedly been paying the shopping centre empire a lower percentage of rent during the COVID period and were trying to come to an agreement moving forward.

EFFECTIVE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE PER STATE 2020 State April May June July NSW 15.8 13.5 10.4 8.5 VIC 14.6 13.1 11.7 10.5 QLD 15.1 15.2 12.1 11.4 SA 15.3 13.7 11.2 9.8 WA 14.4 14.4 10.7 9.8 TAS 14.1 14.5 10.8 7.9 NT 11.2 11.3 12.3 12.1 ACT 9.8 8.3 6.2 5.2 AUSTRALIA 14.9 13.9 11.2 9.9 Source: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg

Scentre Group reportedly did not approve of the offer which was tabled and instead demanded payment for outstanding rent.

Mosaic said all team members had been redeployed and are receiving the company's support amid the store closures.

Luggage retailer Strandbags has also been locked out of 38 stores by Scentre Group.

A Scentre Group spokesperson would not comment on the rental disputes.

'We work with each of our retail partners on a case-by-case basis,' the spokesperson said.

'We don't comment on commercial arrangements with our retail partners.'

During the nationwide lockdown in March almost 500 million jobs were destroyed, most were in the hospitality and retail sectors.

Australia's official unemployment rate stood at a 22-year high of 7.5 per cent in July.

A Treasury analysis, however, showed the 'effective unemployment rate' - which also includes workers receiving $1,500 a fortnight JobKeeper wage subsidies to stay home - was 9.9 per cent.

Across most of Australia this real level of unemployment, taking into account those who have a job but are working zero hours, has fallen since April, during the first full month of lockdowns.
'One Way or Another': Moscow Vows Reciprocal Response to Expulsion of Russian Diplomat From Austria

Sputnik News

07:51 GMT 24.08.2020(updated 13:05 GMT 24.08.2020)

MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier in the day, Austria declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata over espionage suspicions.

Russia will respond in kind to Austria's expulsion of a Russian diplomat, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

"This is [a question] for the Foreign Ministry. The Foreign Ministry is usually the one to handle the response. You know that our ambassador has already mentioned the traditional principle of the in-kind response, in one way or another, there will be a response," Peskov told reporters.

Austrian Ambassador to Moscow Johannes Aigner has been summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, and an official letter of protest has been handed to him amid Vienna's unjustified decision to expel a Russian diplomat from the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Russian Embassy in Austria said on Monday that it was outraged by Vienna's groundless decision to expel Russian diplomat over alleged espionage.

"We are outraged by the unfounded decision of the Austrian authorities, which is detrimental to constructive Russian-Austrian relations. We are certain that Moscow's response in kind will be coming soon," the embassy said.

In turn, the Austrian Foreign Ministry confirmed the expulsion of the Russian diplomat.

"We can confirm that the Russian diplomat will be expelled. His behavior contravenes the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations," the ministry said and refused to comment on any other details.

The Krone Zeitung reported earlier in the day that the diplomat had until 1 September to leave the country and was being expelled over espionage suspicions.

The newspaper suggested that the diplomat was involved in industrial espionage with the help of an Austrian citizen.

In June, an Austrian court sentenced a retired colonel of the Austrian Armed Forces to three years in prison on charges of espionage for Russia.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






A veteran and Congressional Candidate vying for a seat in the swing state of Pennsylvania made the case to support the Republican ticket of US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

US Army Combat Veteran Sean Parnell started with a war story from Afghanistan in 2006 when as a platoon leader he fought the Taliban with 24 diverse American soldiers.

When Parnell arrived home after 485 days of combat overseas, he believed the Democratic party which his grandfather used to support started attacking the freedoms he fought to uphold.

"I watched as Joe Biden spit venom at an auto worker who dared to question Joe's intent to dismantle the Second Amendment and take your guns," Parnell said.

"Were Democrats once stood for hard working, law abiding Americans who displayed our flag with pride. This New Democrat Party considers these people uneducated racists, clinging to guns and Bibles. The party of Harry Truman became the party of hedge fund managers, Hollywood celebrities, tech moguls and university professors, all bloated with contempt for Middle America."

During his speech at the Republican National Convention, Parnell also made a plea to undecided liberal voters to support the current president of the United States.

"I believe in our president's vision for the future," Parnell said.

"I stand here tonight calling on all Americans to join us. It doesn't matter what you look like, who you love, how you worship your gender or your job. If you're a traditional Democrat who's become disillusioned with how radical your party has become, then stand with us. You are most welcome. America needs all her patriots to rush to her defense."
Future Retail share price gained over 9% in early trade after the Kishore Biyani-led firm made interest payment of $14 million (or about Rs 103.77 crore) to investors. The payment was made on the last date of the 30-day grace period granted on the $500 million senior secured notes listed in Singapore. Failure to make the payment may have prompted rating agencies to place the firm in default category.

The debt-laden company is in talks with Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries for a buyout. Reliance Industries might acquire Kishore Biyani-controlled Future Group's retail business for Rs 24,000-27,000 crore.

Reacting to the development, share price of Future Retail rose up to 9.23% to Rs 124.80 against previous close of Rs 114.25 on BSE.

The stock has gained after two days of consecutive fall. The stock opened with a gain of 8.53% at Rs 124 today. The share trades higher than 5 day, 20 day, 50 day and 100 day moving averages but lower than 200 day moving averages.

The midcap share has fallen 69.28% in one year and lost 64.97% since the beginning of this year. However, in one month, the share has risen 25.31%. Total 10.30 lakh shares changed hands amounting to turnover of Rs 12.48 crore on BSE.

Why Future Retail share price slipped 9% today

Market cap of Future Retail rose to Rs 6503 crore.

The retail firm was originally scheduled to make the interest payment on its 5.60 per cent 2025 dollar notes on July 22, but it missed the deadline. The company was given 30-days grace period to honour interest payment.

"In furtherance to our letter dated July 22, 2020, wherein we had informed about the grace period of 30 days for making payment of interest on above USD Notes. Today, we are pleased to inform that the Company has made the payment of said interest for the half year ended for an amount of $14 million on above USD Notes," Future Retail said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange on Monday.

"We thank you all the investors and USD Notes holders for their continued confidence in us," it added.

Kishore Biyani's Future Retail averts default; inches closer to deal with Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Retail

Share Market News Live: Sensex rises 150 points, Nifty at 11,513; Kotak Bank, HDFC Bank top gainers

Future Retail averts default, pays $14 million interest on bonds
The Coalition of Christian Leaders in Edo on Monday endorsed the APC candidate Osagie Ize Iyamu ahead of the Sept 19 election in the state.

The coalition comprises church leaders cutting across various Christian denominations in the state took the decision during a one-day conference in Benin City.

The church leaders, In a communique made available to newsmen the end of the conference, the church leaders encouraged Christians in Edo State, notwithstanding the denominations, to vote massively for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and his running mate, Mallam Gani Audu at the polls, while also calling for non-violent elections.

Both Ize Iyamu and his major rival Gov. Godwin Obaseki of the PDP are Christian, though the APC candidate is a pastor.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, however, maintains neutrality, asking INEC to ensure a violence-free election.
An aerial view shows the port of Beirut on Aug. 7, three days after a massive explosion that killed about 180 people. (AFP via Getty Images)

It was a missile strike, one story goes, no doubt carried out by an American drone. No, it was the work of Israeli fighter jets, according to another tale, a strike in the shadow conflict between Israel and Iran. Others swear it was part of a nefarious plot to plunge Lebanon into yet another civil war.

Since a stockpile of more than 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate blew up on the edge of Beirut this month, infuriated residents have been struggling to understand how the blast happened, and just what  or who  is to blame for the colossal explosion that leveled entire neighborhoods, killed at least 178 people and left thousands injured and homeless.

Many find the prevailing theory  that the blast was the accidental result of chronic mismanagement of Beirut's port  unconvincing. Lebanese residents made cynical by years of government incompetence and corruption have no trouble believing in those as contributing factors. There are those in the country and beyond, however, who refuse to accept such an explanation, given Lebanon's long history of intrigue, dirty dealings and manipulation by external forces.

Lebanese civil defense workers search for the bodies of those killed in the explosion at Beirut's port. (Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles Times)

It is a matter of profound, and often justified, conviction that hardly anything happens here  whether it's uncollected garbage, electricity blackouts, floods, food shortages or currency nosedives  that isn't guided by a malevolent outside hand, often working through handsomely paid local proxies. Its a vision of multiple, sinister puppet masters controlling events from behind a screen none can penetrate. The latest confirmation of that outlook came just last week when a United Nations-backed tribunal found a militant with Hezbollah, a group sponsored by Iran, guilty of conspiring in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri outside a Beirut hotel in 2005.

Because of the history of Lebanon and the geopolitical situation, the first place people go to is obviously the worst: the theory of third-state intervention, terrorism, along with all the parties involved in Lebanons politics, said Fabien Tabarly, head of NIGMA Conseil, a Beirut-based security consulting and intelligence firm.

Story continues

The Aug. 4 blast ranks as a particularly opaque event, one that wouldnt be out of place in a John Le Carre novel.

The story begins in late 2013 with a Russian-owned, Moldovan-flagged ship, the Rhosus, making an unscheduled stop in Beiruts port. Its cargo included thousands of tons of high-density ammonium nitrate, a common fertilizer and explosive, to be delivered to an explosives company in Mozambique.

The ship was deemed unseaworthy and held by Lebanese authorities until it paid its berthing fees. But the ships owner abandoned it, and the cargo was transferred to a warehouse, parked near a cache of confiscated fireworks and left to languish for more than six years in a bureaucratic tangle, officials say.

Three weeks ago, a fire started at the port after what officials said was maintenance activity, though the exact cause has yet to be determined. The blaze spread to the ammonium nitrate stockpile and detonated it.

A security officer keeps watch in Beirut's port. The capsized Orient Queen cruise ship is seen in the background. (Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles Times)

But conspiracy theorists such as those belonging to the so-called 9/11 truth movement soon contended there was more to this explosion than met the eye.

Gordon Duff, editor of Veterans Today, a website that bills itself as serving the clandestine community but which many dismiss as peddling fake news, claimed that the ammonium nitrate cache was part of a multi-year setup orchestrated by Israel to obscure its bombing of the port with a tactical nuclear weapon. A bevy of self-proclaimed experts pored over the color of the smoke, the mushroom cloud and the destruction wrought by the explosion and declared that it couldnt have been caused by ammonium nitrate.

Videos  later shown to be doctored  emerged on social media depicting a missile striking the warehouse; one even claimed that an episode of "The Simpsons" had predicted the cataclysm.

Meanwhile, many Lebanese insisted that the blast was accompanied by sounds of fighter jets. They attributed their familiarity with the sound of jet engines to the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, during which south Beirut was pounded by Israeli warplanes.

"No way this material can blow up in this way on its own. I believe it was a missile," Jimmy Geagea, a coordinator at a Beirut-based seminary, said in an interview. "Look, no doubt there was government negligence. But at the same time, theres something strange."

Geagea acknowledged, however, that "these are all thoughts that come out of anger, because were so frustrated at what happened."

A helicopter dumps water at the site of the explosion on Aug. 4. (Getty Images)

With 18 different religious communities vying for power in Lebanons notoriously fractious state, the assignment of blame for the tragedy is inevitably refracted through sectarian or party loyalties.

The port, one side insists, is under the thumb of Hezbollah, which Washington designates as a terrorist organization. According to this theory, the blast was triggered by a Hezbollah arms depot containing materiel to be used in neighboring Syria, where the group is bolstering the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad against his rebel adversaries. In this telling, the blast was meant to discredit Hezbollah.

Others say the ammonium nitrate was destined for the rebels in Syria and was brought into Lebanon by Hezbollahs enemies.

Still another theory sees the blast as a tool of demographic change, pointing to the fact that Christian-dominated neighborhoods in east Beirut were the hardest hit while other parts of the city were largely spared.

An excavator sifts through the rubble in Beirut's ravaged port. (Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles Times)

Lebanons leaders havent helped clarify matters. President Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally, told an Italian newspaper it was impossible that the port had a Hezbollah weapons cache  but promised all avenues would be explored. Immediately after the blast, Prime Minister Hassan Diab vowed there would be a swift investigation; weeks later, the inquiry is ongoing amid bickering over the involvement of international authorities.

Based on past experience, theres little hope among the Lebanese for either a quick or transparent investigation. The inquiry into former premier Hariri's assassination took 15 years, concluding last week with a judgment many saw as hopelessly watered down: Although one Hezbollah militant was convicted, three others were acquitted, and no blame was pinned on Hezbollah itself. The assassinations of figures involved in investigating Hariri's killing havent even merited a thorough examination.

In many ways, stalled justice is the norm here, fostered in the aftermath of Lebanons 1975-90 civil war, which saw warlords become political leaders  they rule to this day  rather than be held accountable. The mantra among Lebanon's myriad factions is la ghaleb wa la maghloub: No victor and no vanquished.

Meanwhile, legitimate questions around the Beirut blast linger, such as why the cargo remained in the port for six years despite warnings by various state officials of its danger.

By 2015, almost two-thirds of the stockpile was compromised, according to government communications reported by local media, with much of the ammonium nitrate strewn on the warehouse floor from ripped bags. A video shot in 2019 shows signs that the bags had been tampered with.

Two weeks before the explosion, the State Security apparatus warned the government that the ammonium nitrate was badly stored and poorly guarded. The warehouse had a hole in its wall, and one of its doors had been damaged. Were some of the contents stolen?

Some answers have come from local media, led by figures such as Riad Kobaissi, an investigative journalist who has worked on uncovering malfeasance in the port for almost a decade. A picture has emerged of gross negligence, with various officials playing bureaucratic tricks as they tried to find some way to benefit from the stockpile.

The explosion in Beirut's port destroyed the Amadeo, an edible-oil tanker. (Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles Times)

Kobaissi's reporting has not uncovered evidence to support any of the more exotic theories about the explosion and its origins. Nor does he view it as the work of any one Lebanese faction; he notes that Hezbollah is only one of several groups with influence over the port. Instead, it appears to be the tragic result of a culture of corner-cutting by apparatchiks loyal to their party leaders rather than the country.

It's a metaphor, that corruption blew up in the face of the Lebanese, Kobaissi said in an interview. This is literally what happened, because this is the natural result when you have vital infrastructure being run by mafiosi.

Times staff writer Patrick J. McDonnell in Mexico City contributed to this report.
The Delhi Police Railway Unit has arrested a man, posing as a Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable, for smuggling cannabis. The man, identified as Rohit, was arrested on August 24 by the police at the New Delhi railway station with 72 kg of cannabis.

At around 11.30 am, the Railway Police noticed that a man had a large trunk and when he was asked about it, he could not give an answer to the police. When the trunk was searched, 35 packets of cannabis were found. On asking, he said he was an RPF. Two fake identity cards of RPF have also been found from him.

An initial investigation revealed that Rohit is a member of an interstate gang who smuggles marijuana in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi NCR. It was brought from Visakhapatnam and was to be supplied to Delhi.

The accused used to work as a train attendant in 2018. During this time he came in contact with the drug smugglers and since then he has been involved in the drug smuggling business. After interrogating Rohit, the police have started looking for his accomplices.
Hillary Clinton makes a concession speech after being defeated by Republican president-elect Donald Trump in New York on Nov. 9, 2016. (Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)

Hillary Clinton: Biden Should Not Concede Election

Former first lady and 2016 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton said Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden shouldnt concede the election, because the final results of the election will likely drag out due to mail-in ballots.

Joe Biden should not concede under any circumstances, because I think this is going to drag out, and eventually, I do believe he will win if we dont give an inch and if we are as focused and relentless as the other side is, Clinton said in an interview on Aug. 25.

I think that [Republicans] have a couple of scenarios that they are looking toward. One is messing up absentee balloting. They believe that helps them so that they then get maybe a narrow advantage in the Electoral College on Election Day, she claimed. So weve got to have a massive legal operation, and I know the Biden campaign is working on that.

President Donald Trump said on Aug. 24 that increased mail-in voting access is a politically motivated plan hatched by Democrats.

What theyre doing is using COVID to steal an election, Trump said at the Republican National Convention. Theyre using COVID to defraud the American people, all of our people, of a fair and free election. We cant do that.

Eighty million mail-in ballots theyre working on, sending them out to people that didnt ask for them, he said. And its not fair and its not right, and its not going to be possible to tabulate, in my opinion.

Former Vice President Joe Biden accepts the Democratic presidential nomination during a speech delivered for the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del., on Aug. 20, 2020. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Some political observers have said that a winner of the presidential contest might not be declared on Election Day due to mail-in voting delays. Proponents say the mail-in voting push is designed to curb the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) earlier this week said in an interview that Trump is trying to scare people from voting, to intimidate them by saying hes going to have law enforcement people at the polls.

But ignore him, she said, because his purpose is to diminish the vote, to suppress the vote.

Meanwhile, congressional lawmakers questioned Postmaster General Louis DeJoy about whether recent reforms at the U.S. Postal Service were political in nature.

I am not engaged in sabotaging the election, DeJoy told lawmakers. Last week, he announced that he would suspend some operational and organizational changes that he made, saying that he doesnt want to create the appearance of a conflict of interest.
AUSTIN, TX  People living in some of the largest U.S. cities and their surrounding areas face the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 in the near future, according to a new set of online dashboards created by University of Texas at Austin researchers.

The research from the university's Cockrell School of Engineering yielded a risk analysis model examining more than 3,000 U.S. counties and features three dashboards that focus on aspects of community resilience: risk, exposure and vulnerability. Counties are scored on 13 different variables across the three dashboards, accounting for socioeconomic circumstances, population density, transportation infrastructure and other important metrics for measuring the pandemic, such as available intensive care unit beds and the average number of new cases.

The upshot: Two Texas counties, Harris and Dallas, were among the four assigned an "extreme risk" designation.

According to researchers, the new model presents the most comprehensive look yet at the viruss current and future spread across the U.S. Other models have mostly focused on the number of cases and deaths observed in an area to make predictions about trends, rather than look at a wider variety of risk factors to understand where increased spread could occur, researchers noted.

List provided by University of Texas at Austin.

This information allows the public and decision-makers to have a better sense of the risk level of each county in terms of infection, fatality, vulnerability and exposure, Zhanmin Zhang, a professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering who led the development of the dashboards, said in a prepared statment. Knowing the risks allows people to develop better insights and make more informed day-to-day decisions.

The model is updated weekly, and it currently rates four counties as extreme for both risk of contracting the virus and dying from it: Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade County, Harris County (Houston) and Dallas County. Cook County, Ill. (Chicago) is the only other county to receive an extreme rating, and it is for infection risk, but not death risk.

Story continues

Moreover, seven of the 10 most populous counties/metro areas in the U.S. rank in the top 10 for infection risk, and six of them are in the top 10 for death risk.



Graphic provided by University of Texas at Austin.

The chances of being exposed to the virus in these populous counties are higher because of the massive number of daily trips created by businesses and other major points of interest  such as supermarkets, parks and restaurants  from other regions, as well as the presence of major airport hubs and highway systems, Zhang said. In such high-density areas, enforcing social distancing measures is a challenge, further increasing the risk of contracting the virus.

The site provides snapshots of each countys metrics, researchers noted, as well as changes over time. Local governments can use these tools to find counties with similar levels of risk and examine how effective their COVID containment measures have been.

These indicators of impending risks can help officials make decisions on enforcement of COVID-19-related restrictions, such as social distancing norms, stay-at-home orders, use of masks and sanitizers, or closing down of public spaces and institutions, Zhang said. The infection and fatality risk numbers are based on the combination of vulnerability and exposure factors.

Among the model's components are:

Infection vulnerability factors include the number of residents per square kilometer, the percentage of workers who use public transit, the share of the population that works in industries where remote working isnt possible and the number of apartments and condos as a function of the overall housing stock.

Fatality vulnerability metrics include the percentage of the population over age 65, the number of ICU beds per 10,000 people, the share of adults with health problems, the number of people lacking health insurance coverage and the percentage of adults with limited English fluency  an indicator that people might have trouble accessing services.

Exposure variables include the presence of busy roads and highways that bring in travelers, 14-day averages of COVID cases, proximity to major airports, and a social distancing indicator using the number of point of interest visitors  people going to gathering places such as restaurants and bars, based on anonymized mobile data.

Visit the website and review the dashboards at https://covid19.caee.utexas.edu.

This article originally appeared on the Austin Patch
Sudan PM tells Pompeo he's not authorised to normalise ties with Israel Sudan's new Prime Minister in the transitional government Abdalla Hamdok, speaks during a Reuters interview in Khartoum

By Khalid Abdelaziz

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday that he was not mandated to normalise ties with Israel, and the issue should not be linked to Sudan's removal from a U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list.

Pompeo arrived from Israel on what he said was the first official non-stop flight between the two countries, as the United States looks to strengthen Sudan-Israel ties.

He met Hamdok and ruling council head Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, tweeting that Sudan's democratic transition was a "once in a generation opportunity". He discussed the Sudan-Israel relationship with both Hamdok and Burhan, according to State Department statements.

The United States has been restoring relations with Sudan following the ousting of former Islamist leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019 after mass protests. The country is one year into a 39-month political transition in which the military and civilians are sharing power.

Its economy is in crisis and authorities have been pushing to end the U.S. terrorism listing, which prevents Sudan from accessing financing from international lenders.

Sudan's removal from the list "remains a critical bilateral priority for both countries", the State Department said.

Pompeo's visit follows an accord between Israel and the UAE this month to forge full relations, and comes as Israel and the United States push more Arab countries to follow.

In February, Burhan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Uganda, a meeting condemned by Sudanese protesters. He afterwards cast doubt on any rapid normalisation of relations, though Israeli aircraft soon began overflying Sudan.

Ties with Israel are a sensitive issue in Sudan, which was among the hardline Muslim foes of Israel under Bashir. The government sacked its foreign ministry spokesman last week after he called the UAE decision to normalise relations with Israel "a brave and bold step".

Story continues

Hamdok's transitional government "does not have a mandate ... to decide on normalisation with Israel", he told Pompeo, and the matter would be decided after all Sudan's interim bodies had been established, according to government spokesman Faisal Saleh.

"The Prime Minister called on the U.S. administration to separate the process of removing Sudan from the list of states sponsoring terrorism and the issue of normalisation with Israel," Saleh said.

A legislative body to serve alongside the ruling council and the government is yet to be formed, a step that Pompeo noted was "crucial".

Washington imposed sanctions on Sudan over its alleged support for militant groups and the civil war in Darfur. Trade sanctions were lifted in 2017.

Pompeo and Hamdok also agreed that reaching a deal over the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was "crucial to regional stability", according to the State Department.

Sudan discussed the issue on Tuesday with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was on a separate visit to Khartoum.

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz, Dan Williams, Nadine Awadalla and Omar Fahmy; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Giles Elgood and John Stonestreet)
PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- A 31-year-old man has been charged in an attack at a Painesville Township homeless camp.

Brandon Robert Hodgson, 31, who is listed as homeless, is being held on a $400,000 bond in Lake County Jail and is charged with four counts of felonious assault, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriffs Office.

The attack happened about 12:15 a.m. Monday at the camp in a wooded area on North Ridge Road between Bacon and Fairport Nursery roads, according to a news release.

Hodgson attacked four people with a saw. Authorities have not provided a motive in the incident.

Two of the people have been released after treatment and the two other victims are in serious condition at MetroHealth, the release says.

Court records do not say when Hodgson is expected to appear in Painesville Municipal Court.

Read more crime stories on cleveland.com:

Man attacks four people with saw at Painesveille Township homeless camp, sheriff says

Teen carjacked elderly man before leading Maple Heights officers on chase, police say

North Royalton man shot to death in Clevelands Cudell neighborhood

Man charged with murder in shooting death of 14-year-old boy at Lorain park

FBI says 2 Cleveland bank robberies might be by same suspect
Cars filled the westbound lane of Broadway, Galvestons main thoroughfare, after the city issued a mandatory evacuation early Tuesday morning in anticipation of Hurricane Laura.

By 10 a.m., dozens of people had gathered outside the island community center on Broadway waiting to be evacuated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The agencys STEAR program coordinates evacuations for those who need assistance.

This is gonna be our point of everyone coming and getting off the bus, and evacuate to Austin, said Barbara Sanderson, Galvestons executive director for community outreach. We have a station set up here by the fire department, theyre gonna give them supplies, screen them, theyll fill out a form and start getting them on the buses.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Laura, which strengthened into a hurricane early Tuesday, is expected to make landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border late Wednesday or early Thursday as a Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Galveston Mayor Pro Tem Craig Brown signed an order Tuesday instructing residents to begin leaving the island. The Brazoria County judge, Matt Sebesta, issued a voluntary evacuation order for low-lying coastal communities outside the protection levee.

In a Tuesday afternoon briefing, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said the most recent forecast from the National Weather Service got his attention  namely that Laura might now be headed toward the Houston-Galveston region. He added, however, that forecasters expect the storm to curve to the northeast closer to its expected landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border.

If things would deteriorate rapidly and (the storms path) change didnt occur, we would have very little time to do anything differently, Henry said. The preparation window is closing quickly. We have until (Wednesday) at this time and then thats it.

Now Playing: Galveston Island Humane Society needed to evacuate their pets with the threat of a hurricane hitting the Texas Coast. They asked for help from the Houston SPCA who aided in the evacuation and load pets onto a Wings of Rescue plane to the Dallas / Forth Worth region Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Houston. The flight carried 57-cats, 20 dogs, 3-rabbits and a 3-legged tripawd mouse. Video: Steve Gonzales / Houston Chronicle

Henrys primary concern was Bolivar Peninsula, which could see a storm surge of 4 to 8 feet. The Texas Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that ferry service to the peninsula would end at 11:30 p.m., earlier than expected, meaning peninsula residents only option for evacuating would be to the east, potentially in Lauras path.

Thats not an ideal escape route, thats why we really encourage residents on Bolivar to seek safety now somewhere else, Henry said.

The state positioned 50 buses in Galveston County to help evacuate up to 1,000 people, with 25 ambulances on standby. Henry said he was in direct communication with the White House and that a representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be arriving in Galveston County on Thursday. Centerpoint Energy, which delivers power to much of Galveston County, had deployed a lot of vehicles on county property in Santa Fe, so that they will be able to respond to service disruptions within minutes.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Henry delivered one bit of good news: the storm was not expected to bring significant amounts of rain to the county, so flooding should be minor, though county residents need to prepare for possible wind damage. For those thinking about not evacuating and riding out the storm, Henry urged them to reconsider.

Ill be honest we dont have the resources to go door to door and pull people out of their homes and have no intention of doing that, Henry said. Were giving you the best information that we have, telling you this is not going to be a safe condition, you are most likely going to be cut off, you are most likely going to lose power, you are most likely going to be very uncomfortable for a period of time and hopefully thats as bad as it gets but we cant guarantee that.

Tuesday morning, Galveston city residents waited in the community center parking lot for the buses to ride, many with visions of recent storms etched in their memory, most notably Ike in 2008.

When they say leave, Im leaving, I aint playing with this, said Ethel Henderson. I dont want to go through what I went through with Ike. I dont want to go through staying with anybody. We had like 25 people in one house. Im not doing it no more.

Katherine Chachere stood next to her car with her three sons and neighbors. In normal circumstances, they would be driving themselves off the island to shelter somewhere, but last-minute car trouble led them to wait for the bus to Austin.

We used to have our own transportation and stuff to move around but our car broke so this is last-minute it broke down like 2 days ago, Chachere said. I aint never had to experience this, the bus thing, shelter and all that.

Along Broadway, which often floods even during less-severe storms, businesses had already begun boarding up windows and putting sandbags out. At Broadway Discount Furniture, Gabriel Medellin and two friends worked up a sweat filling bags with sand and stacking them at the foot of the stores entrance. Medellin, an island native, delivers furniture for the stores owner, J.D. Smith, and wanted to make sure they were well-prepared.

Were in a low level in Galveston, anything can just come over the seawall and just knock us out of place, Medellin said. Its all about just being prepared and everyone working together, being civilized about it and working together to get us out of here.

Smith walked inside the store and pointed to a faded water line on one of the interior walls, a memory from Ike, which left dozens dead and caused an estimated $20 billion in damage along coastal and Houston-area counties. The store is better equipped to handle a flood, Smith said, pointing to wooden platforms  built by Medellin  that were raised off the floor, which he hopes will keep his furniture dry.

But Smith said he would hold off on evacuating until he knows more about the storms path.

We havent decided yet, he said. Were gonna kind of wait until the last minute.

nick.powell@chron.com
President Donald Trump's disgraced personal lawyer Michael Cohen is starring in an ad financed by a Democratic group that dropped just hours before the first night of the Republican National Convention.

'I'm here to tell you he can't be trusted and you shouldn't believe a word he utters,' Cohen says of his former boss, in an ad from the Democratic super PAC, American Bridge 21st Century.

Cohen, now out of jail thanks to the coronavirus crisis, says he knows the 'real Donald Trump' and that he was 'part of creating an illusion.'

President Donald Trump's ex-fixer Michael Cohen starred in a new Trump-bashing ad that was released in the hours before the first night of the Republican National Convention

American Bridge 21st Century, a Democratic super PAC, released an ad featuring Michael Cohen Monday night

Cohen points out that while Trump talks about law aand order 'everyone who worked for his campaign has been convicted of a crime or is under indictment,' including Roger Stone

'Later this week, he's going to stand up and blatantly lie to you,' Cohen says.

Trump will actually make appearances throughout four nights of the RNC.

On Monday, after addressing Republican delegates in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the convention was originally supposed to be held, Trump returned to Washington, D.C. and is expected to appear Monday night in a pre-taped segment greeting hostages he's helped to free during his administration.

'So when you watch the president this week remember this, if he says something is huge, it's probably small, if he something will work, it probably won't. And if he says he cares about you and your family, he certainly does not,' Cohen says in the ad.

Cohen called it doubtful that Trump has the ability to fix the economy.

'Maybe for those like him,' he suggested. 'But if you think he cares about working class Americans, you're dead wrong.'

He also called Trump's 'law and order' talk 'laughable.'

'Virtually everyone who worked for his campaign has been convicted of a crime or is under indictment, myself included,' Cohen said.

Last week, Trump's campaign CEO and key White House adviser Steve Bannon was arrested and indicted for a scheme to privately finance part of the president's long-proposed southern border wall.

'So when the president gets in front of the cameras this week, remember that he thinks we're all gullible. A bunch of fools,' Cohen continued.

'I was a part of it and I fell for it,' he added. 'You don't have to like me, but please listen to me.'
I am hopeful that we will see other Arab nations join in this, Pompeo said. The opportunity for them to work alongside, to recognize the state of Israel and to work alongside them will not only increase Middle East stability, but it will improve the lives for the people of their own countries as well.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 22:59:00|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BAGHDAD, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry on Tuesday reported 3,962 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total nationwide infections to 211,947.

It also reported 77 fatalities during the day, raising the death toll to 6,596, while 3,372 more patients recovered in the day, bringing the total number of recoveries to 153,761.

The new cases were recorded after 24,522 testing kits were used across the country during the day, and a total of 1,482,187 tests have been carried out since the outbreak of the disease, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, Falih al-Ziyadi, a member of the parliamentary health committee, said in a press release that currently there is no specific time for the end of the coronavirus pandemic.

Al-Ziyadi also said that "compliance with the health preventive measures is the best way to curb the spread of the disease in the country," calling on the citizens to adhere to the health instructions to avoid further spread of the disease among the people.

Iraq has been taking a series of measures to contain the pandemic since February when the first coronavirus case appeared in the country.

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
New Delhi: An Interpol global arrest warrant has been issued against Ami Modi, wife of Nirav Modi, prime accused in the over USD 2 billion PNB bank fraud case, on charges of money laundering, officials said on Tuesday.

They said the 'red notice' has been issued by the global police body on the request of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Once such a notice issued against a fugitive, the Interpol asks its 192-member countries to arrest or detain the person if spotted in their countries after which extradition or deportation proceedings can begin.

Ami Modi is stated to have left country soon after the alleged bank fraud case came into light in 2018.

The ED has charged Ami Modi for conspiring and money laundering with her husband and jeweller Nirav Modi apart from his uncle Mehul Choksi and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Nirav Modi (49), is currently lodged in a UK jail after being arrested in London in March, 2019 and is currently fighting extradition to India.

He has been declared a fugitive economic offender by a Mumbai court early this year and the court had also ordered confiscation of his assets.

The ED has already confiscated about Rs 329 crore of his linked properties.

The businessman, Choksi and others are being probed by the ED on money laundering charges in connection with an over USD 2 billion alleged bank fraud at a PNB branch in Mumbai.

Similar Interpol notices have been earlier been issued against Nirav Modi's younger brother Nehal Modi and sister Purvi Modi.
SANTA ANA, CA  Yokohama Tire-sponsored Blake Bilko Williams and David Donohue are taking on the mountain again. Both drivers will be competing in the 98th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, August 30 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Team Yokohama member and FMX rider/X Games medalist, Williams will race again in the Yokohama-sponsored Porsche GT4 Division. Yokohama is partnering with Porsche Motorsport North America and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Organization as the sponsor and exclusive tire supplier for The Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama for the third straight year.

It will be redemption time for Williams, who finished fifth last year as he missed his shot in qualifying, cutting his run up the hill short because of weather  despite being one of the quickest in practice. All drivers in the division will compete on Yokohamas ADVAN A052 tires, which are ideal in both wet and dry conditions.

Donohue is also back in the Race to the Clouds in the number 911 Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport. The 700-horsepower car, fitted with ADVAN A005 slicks, is slated to run in the Time Attack 1 class. This will be Donohues 4th time competing at Pikes Peak. He won the class in 2018 and finished second last year.

It will be great to see Bilko again, this year representing Yokohama in the iconic ADVAN livery GT4, said Drew Dayton, Yokohamas motorsports manager, Hes eager to atone for last year, and David just keeps on pushing, looking to regain his title on ADVAN A005s.

For more details on the Pikes Peak race, visit https://ppihc.org/fans/.

Along with the Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama, Yokohamas extensive list of 2020 North American-based motorsports activities  both on- and off-road  also includes, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, Porsche Sprint Trophy USA West, Global Time Attack and Super Lap Battle USA, SCORE, 24 Hours of Lemons, Crandon International Raceway partnership, Subaru Motorsports USA partnership, TrophyLite, Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000 and Yokohama Sonora Rally.

About Yokohama Tire Corporation: Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing an extensive sales network throughout the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The companys complete product line includes tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohamas broad product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com, www.yokohamatruck.com or www.yokohamaotr.com. Details can be found at the Tire Care & Safety section at www.yokohamatire.com.
Dean Hooke can hardly hide his delight. A tall man dressed in a striped shirt, chinos and straw hat enters his tailor's shop in Bank, central London, at noon.

It's his first customer of the day. 'Some days, we don't get anyone coming in,' Dean says. 'At the moment, it's normally one or two. Four is the maximum we've had since reopening.'

There has been a tailor's shop at 13 St Swithin's Lane since 1915. It has survived two world wars and 20 prime ministers. But Boris Johnson, the 21st, could be its last. The reason is simple: the City's offices remain empty.

Empty: Dean Hooke (pictured) from John W. Hooke & Son in central London says some days he doesn't get a single customer

Dean, whose family took over in 1977, says office workers account for at least 80 per cent of the customers at his firm John W. Hooke & Son. It's no coincidence that his takings are down by the same margin on their pre-pandemic levels.

'We've been through at least three recessions,' he says. 'My dad borrowed around 6,000 from a customer to take over the business because, in '77, banks weren't lending much.

'He brought old customers from where he used to work, and now I'm doing their grandkids. We battled through, but there were people around, unlike now.'

A report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that 48 per cent of people commuted to work the week before last, up from 29 per cent towards the end of May.

But the UK still lags behind the rest of Europe, where an average of 68 per cent of workers have returned to their offices, according to U.S. bank Morgan Stanley. It has left family businesses struggling for survival in city centres across Britain.

One in ten firms say they are at risk of going under, according to the ONS, while research by the Centre for Cities think tank published last week showed the recovery in footfall since non-essential shops reopened had been weakest in big cities where offices were concentrated.

It warned that shops, restaurants and pubs are at risk if office workers continue to stay away.

Smaller firms are not being helped by their corporate cousins. City giants PwC and Schroders have already said they will allow staff to work from home beyond the pandemic, while banks NatWest and Virgin Money don't expect staff to return until next year.

Dean, 51, says the Government must do more. 'We need them to tell people,' he says. 'They've been too wishy washy. People wanted them to say 'do this, do that', not 'oh, it's up to you'.

'If trade remains at this level, I've got to decide whether it's profitable to keep the shop running.'

IF WORKERS DON'T RETURN, WE'RE DONE

Whitehall staff have been sluggish, too. Earlier this month, a Mail investigation revealed only a fraction of workers were turning up at ministerial offices. Just 94 employees were seen arriving at the vast Home Office headquarters on August 3.

Anna Alam, 28, who has worked at nearby Whistles Dry Cleaners for nine years, says the lack of urgency could be terminal. 'All of these are from before lockdown,' she says, pointing to the suits hanging behind her.

'My customers, mostly from the Home Office, have been telling me they don't have to come back into the office until December and have been asking me not to throw their suits out. For me, that means no new business until next year.

'Around 70 per cent of our customers work for the Government. But its offices are empty. I like my job very much and I want to keep it but, if this carries on, everything my boss has worked hard to establish over 20 years will be lost.'

Only one family is in for lunch at Pickles Sandwich Bar, which itself is sandwiched between the National Crime Agency opposite and HM Treasury behind it on Horse Guards Parade.

Owner Hegazy Saada, 63, says there is normally a queue halfway out the door. 'We are doing about 20 to 30 per cent of our usual business,' he says. 'If people don't go back to their offices, small businesses are finished.'

Empty: Colin Gregory normally has lunch-time queues snaking out of the building

'ONE MONDAY WE TOOK JUST 70' Colin Gregory, co-owner of the food outlet Feast, which has two branches  one not far from Sheffield Crown Court and another around the corner from the Crucible Theatre  says: 'If people don't come back to work, there's no place for us. These customers are our livelihood.' Mr Gregory, 58, who looks after the branch near the law courts, normally has lunch-time queues snaking out of the building. But trade has been so slow that the Monday before last he took only 70, down from an average of between 500 to 600. He and his business partner both used their houses as collateral for leases on their cafes and face a grim future unless business recovers. Colin says: 'We can't even pay the rent. If we can't pay, they are going to get the money from our homes. 'We've been in business for 13 years and had this unit for about five years. Until the virus, it's never been anything other than a great success. But if the office workers don't come back to work, we're off.'

Many of them are still in hibernation. Papa Bruno, a cafe opposite the Home Office, remains closed until September 7.

Cafe Fresco, across the road from the Department for Work and Pensions  where only 33 employees were seen arriving for work on August 3  is still boarded up.

So, too, is Cafe Ravioli, opposite the Department for Transport.

A Government spokesman says: 'We are consulting closely with employees on ending the default that civil servants should work from home and have ensured workplaces are Covid-secure, so civil servants can return safely.'

FEARS CITY CENTRES WILL STAY DESERTED

It's not just the capital that is suffering. In Sheffield, South Yorkshire, the city centre is normally teeming with tens of thousands of office workers employed by government departments, major banks including HSBC and RBS, accountants, law firms and technology companies.

But when the Mail visited earlier this month, streets remained deserted as few have returned to work  and some businesses say trade has fallen by 90 per cent.

The Fig Tree, one of Sheffield's oldest cafes dating back to 1975, is struggling as its normal clientele of lawyers and accountants stay away.

The situation is compounded by the Eat Out to Help Out offer  giving customers up to 50 per cent off food and non-alcoholic drinks, up to a maximum of 10 per person, Monday to Wednesday this month  which it cannot join because social distancing means it can only operate as a takeaway.

Owner Mark Hindmarsh, 37, says: 'People returning to work in the offices is massively important. When we reopened in the last week of June it was particularly horrendous. We were down to just a quarter of what we were doing pre-lockdown. It's recovered to about half of normal trade now.

'The return to school is a week or so away. A lot hinges on that.'

In Manchester, local businesses that normally cater for hordes of workers are trying new ideas rather than waiting forlornly for their return. But others have postponed reopening, closed completely or laid off staff.

In the Barton Arcade, an ornate Victorian iron and glass shopping arcade off Deansgate, the coffee shop Pot Kettle Black is bouncing back better than expected due to its mix of shoppers, tourists and workers.

But owner Jon Wilkin, 36, says he has had to close another branch, at Spinningfields, a prestige office development near Manchester's main law courts, because office workers are staying away.

Shutting down: Jon Wilkin of Pot Kettle Black in Manchester has had to close one of his branches

Mr Wilkin, who has played Rugby League for England, adds: 'We were in a building that went from 2,500 people working there each day to 200. We catered for those people. We put 100,000 into it  that's gone.'

Others fear many workers will never return. George Constantino, 43, owns Katsouris Greek cafe and takeaway on the corner of main thoroughfares Deansgate and John Dalton Street.

He believes firms will downsize and do away with big offices. 'Nearby, three or four shops haven't reopened after lockdown,' he adds. 'If you have three or four empty units in a row, the whole area becomes unattractive. This is obviously a huge concern.'

Mr Constantino, whose business opened 15 years ago, said trade is currently 50 to 60 per cent of pre-lockdown levels, but he has not had to lay off any staff.

He adds: 'At the start of each week, we keep hoping there will be more people. We're trying different things to attract customers. 'I'm working on a new menu and we're going to start opening Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, too. We're hoping to get more residential customers.'

WE ONLY HAVE MONTHS LEFT

The Government says it is up to individual companies to decide when and how to bring back staff.

But senior Tories have urged the Prime Minister to highlight the need for white collar workers to get back to their desks.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith believes the Government 'must stop equivocating'.

'The messaging has to change and it has to be clear,' he adds. 'We should be encouraging people to go to work. It's vital that we get the economy moving now.'

'The offices that are open provide the cash for small businesses and they employ the vast majority of British workers. For goodness' sake, let's get back to work.'

Views are split among businesses, too. Alex Astbury, 26, has worked at Sixteen Kitchen near Birmingham New Street train station for two-and-a-half years.

Drop: Alex Astbury from Sixteen Kitchen in Birmingham says business is down by around 75 per cent

He says business is down by around 75 per cent due to the lack of commuters and he fears small businesses won't last 'if this is the new normal'.

But he believes workers shouldn't be cajoled back against their will. 'It's difficult to say whether the Government should enforce people coming into work more,' he adds. 'It's what people feel comfortable doing that is important. Do I like having people coming in? Sure, but I wouldn't want them to feel unsafe.'

But time is running out, even for those who cater to the great and the good. Sayed Hashemi has run Top Tailor in Birmingham for seven years and counts mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street as a customer. Sayed says turnover is down by 90 per cent as 'nearly all' his customers are office workers.

Sayed, 37, says Mr Street is one of the few visitors he still receives. 'He comes in all the time,' Sayed adds. 'He talks to us and offers his help quite a lot. One of his jackets is in the shop for dry cleaning.

'He tells us he thinks things will be back to normal by October/ November time, but we are sitting here waiting for that to happen.

'If people stay working at home, we will have to close the shop permanently. I would say we have two to three months left.'

Additional reporting: ALEX WARD
Mr. Trump did find a few African-Americans willing to safely sing his praises from an isolated lectern in an empty hall. They included the former N.F.L. player Herschel Walker, who claimed that our divider in chief is not a racist, but a believer in social justice. Yes, and neo-Nazis marching in Charlottesville included very fine people.

Joshua Fuld Nessen

Weston, Conn.

To the Editor:

Why would the Republicans skip the process of writing an election platform? Was the G.O.P. too disorganized to pull it off? That is certainly possible.

More likely, though, the party has no need for a platform. The only thing it stands for is whatever President Trump decides he wants to do on any given day. Heading into an election without a platform means that Republicans openly acknowledge they operate in a policy-free zone. This is no longer the G.O.P.; it is now the P.O.T. (Party of Trump).

Todd R. Clear

Whitefish, Mont.

To the Editor:

Whenever an incumbent president seeks a second term, it is always appropriate to ask two key questions: Am I better off than I was four years ago? Is our country better off than it was four years ago?

In his campaign four years ago, Donald Trump gave us a green light to ask these questions now by promising that he would make America great again. We now can grade his performance by using that slogan. During four years in the White House, has he made America great again? Has he made a significant start on it?
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Empress Royalty Corp. ("Empress" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has entered into a strategic alliance agreement (the "Alliance Agreement") with Accendo Banco, S.A. ("Accendo") to collaborate in respect to the acquisitionby Empress of royalties and streams and potentially otherinvestments in the Mexican mining sector. Empress currently has an existing portfolio with 13 North American gold royalties and the Alliance is part of the Company's diversification into Latin America utilizing the strong and well-connected relationship of Accendo. In addition, Empress has strengthened its management team throughthe appointment of David Rhodes as Executive Chairman and Richard Vigil as Vice President - Americas, and the engagement of Endeavour Financial as its investment manager, as well as, retained the services of Peak Investor Marketing Corp ("Peak").

"We are excited to announce our strategic alliance with Accendo. Our relationship with Accendo is expected to accelerate Empress' acquisition of precious metal royalties on developing and cash producing projects in Mexico," stated Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, CEO and President of Empress. "The addition of Endeavour Financial and Richard Vigil to the Empress team adds valuable expertise in global deal flow and deal structuring that will further support our ability to create shareholder value and expand our precious metals royalty and stream portfolio. Additionally, we look forward to working with Peak and believe they will be able to create effective market awareness and allow us to connect with our shareholders."

" On behalf of Accendo Banco we are very excited to become involved with Empress as an important shareholder and strategic alliance partner and intend to move rapidly to complement their team with our technical team and large network in Latin America to support deal flow, " stated Javier Reyes, Chairman and CEO of Accendo Banco.

"We are delighted to see the support from strong partners for the execution of Empress' aggressive growth plans ," stated David Rhodes, Managing Director of Endeavour Financial.

Strategic Alliance Agreement

Accendo is an active investor and lender in the mining industry in Mexico and provides the Company with a strong partner in a country which is one of the top ten gold producers in the world. During the course of its business and through its extensive connections, Accendo becomes aware of opportunities to acquire royalties or streams in Mexican mining projects. Pursuant to the Alliance Agreement, Accendo will notify Empress of any Mexican royalty and stream opportunities of which it becomes aware, and if requested by Empress, assist in investigating and potentially acquiring such royalties or streams by making introductions, assisting Empress in undertaking due diligence and negotiating agreements to acquire such royalties or streams. Accendo's obligations under the Alliance Agreement are exclusive to Empress in respect of precious metal projects and mines.

Strengthening & Building Management Team

David Rhodes has been appointed Executive Chairman of Empress. Mr. Rhodes is the Managing Director of Endeavour Financial, one of the top mining financial advisory firms, with an award-winning track record of success in the mining industry, specialising in arranging multi-sourced funding solutions for development companies. Mr. Rhodes' career in the finance industry has spanned more than 25 years and he has arranged over US$18 billion of funding for mining companies.

Richard Vigil, based in New York City, has been appointed as Vice President - Americas. Mr. Vigil is a mining engineer who has worked in the industry and finance sector for more than 12 years, recently as a consultant to Accendo. He will work with Empress and Endeavour Financial to develop royalty and streaming investment opportunities in the Americas. Mr. Vigil will provide the Company with technical, financial, commercial, and structuring services.

Endeavour Financial has been appointed to act as the investment manager of the Company, and will develop, review, analyse, recommend and execute global precious metals investment opportunities for Empress.

The Company has also signed a twelve-month marketing services agreement with Peak Investor Marketing Corp. to develop and implement a marketing program to create market awareness.

Initial Private Placement

Empress has closed its initial round of financing on a private placement basis for CAD$1.5 million by the issue of 30,000,000 common shares (the "Offering"). Concurrent with the execution of the Alliance Agreement, Accendo and its affiliates subscribed for 26.3% of the Offering, Endeavour Financial subscribed for 24.09% of the Offering and Terra Capital has subscribed for 23.5% of the Offering, with the result that each of them holds 19.9% of Empress' common shares post-closing Insiders and key investors subscribed for the balance of the Offering. Post-closing the Company has 39,615,384 common shares outstanding.

About Accendo Banco

Accendo Banco's mission is to accelerate the growth of medium-sized companies with potential through foreign exchange services, fiduciary and credit services, and advisory services to the Mexican mining industry. Accendo offers customized and innovative financial solutions, backed by a reliable and transparent team and management. With extensive experience in the mining industry in Latin America and a team of experts in the different areas of mining including geologists, engineers and financial analysts, Accendo is the perfect partner for mining companies. High standards are the cornerstone of all project analysis. Accendo promotes the strengthening and integration of the mining sector and its production chains, providing support to the mining industry, as well as its suppliers, whether national or international.

About Endeavour Financial

Endeavour Financial , with offices in London, UK and George Town, Cayman Islands, is one of the top mining financial advisory firms, with a record of success in the mining industry, specialising in arranging multi-sourced funding solutions for development-stage companies. Endeavour Financial , founded in 1988, has a well-established reputation of achieving success with over US$500 million in royalty and stream finance, US$4 billion in debt finance and US$28 billion in mergers and acquisitions. The Endeavour Financial team has diverse experience in both natural resources and finance, including investment bankers, geologists, mining engineers, cash flow modellers and financiers.

About Terra Capital

Terra Capital is a specialist investment manager with a proven track record of performance and with a management team that is strongly aligned with investors. Founded in 2010, Terra Capital is an Australian based specialist investment manager for sophisticated, wholesale and retail clients. Based in Sydney, the firm has established itself as one of the best performing boutique fund managers in Australia.

About Peak Investor Marketing Corp.

Peak Investor Marketing Corp. provides full-service marketing and consulting services focused on the junior mining sector. Peak is an independent arms-length entity and will assist Empress Royalty with marketing strategy and planning, corporate communications and public relations, with the goal of increasing market awareness of the company.

About Empress Royalty Corp.

Empress is currently a private royalty & streaming company focused on building a strong portfolio of global investment opportunities in precious metals mining companies. Empress has an existing portfolio of 13 gold royalties on projects in North America and is actively focused on finding industry partners with development and production stage projects who require additional non-dilutive capital. Empress is looking forward to continuously creating value for its shareholders through the proven royalty and streaming models.

On behalf of Empress Royalty Corp.

Per: Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, CEO and President

For further information, please contact Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, CEO and President, by phone at +1.604.331.2080 or email at info@empressroyalty.com

This news release contains statements about Empress' expectations regarding the Alliance Agreement which are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "believes", "anticipates", "aims to", "plans to" or "intends to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Although Empress believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include Empress Royalty not being successful in or deciding not to pursue opportunities in the royalties business. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and Empress undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

SOURCE: Empress Royalty Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603151/Empress-Royalty-Announces-Strategic-Alliance-with-Mexicos-Accendo-Banco-and-Private-Placement
American Airlines notified 19,000 of its U.S. employees on Tuesday that they will be furloughed this fall as the federal relief under the CARES Act is set to expire.

In order to receive aid through the Payroll Support Program (PSP), airlines are prohibited from laying off any employees until Oct. 1. As that deadline looms, other airlines are also announcing job cuts as air travel remains down around 70% compared with last year and experts predict it will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024.

"Today is the hardest message we have had to share so far," American CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom said in a letter to employees.

The company announced Tuesday it will furlough approximately 17,500 U.S. based employees -- including 1,600 pilots and 8,100 flight attendants.

MORE: More than 70,000 airline jobs in jeopardy as coronavirus relief expires

"I'm sobbing on the plane," one American Airlines flight attendant who wished to remain anonymous out of fear of being fired told ABC News.

He was notified he would be furloughed on Tuesday and that Oct. 2 would be his last day in "active status."

"Every crew member in the terminal is visually upset," he said.

The flight attendant told ABC News last week he was applying to other jobs and that many of his colleagues were making ends meet by working for Uber and Instacart.

"While the furlough is temporary, there is no way to predict how long it will last," Jill Surdek, senior vice president of flight service at American Airlines, said in a letter reviewed by ABC News to affected flight attendants.

PHOTO: In this file photo taken on Feb. 21, 2013, a Delta Airlines jet takes off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. (Karen Bleier/AFP via Getty Images)

Delta Air Lines announced Monday it plans to furlough almost 2,000 pilots this fall. That's on top of the over 1,500 pilots that agreed to voluntarily leave the company.

While United Airlines has not disclosed how many employees it will furlough, it warned approximately 36,000 employees -- almost 45% of its front-line U.S.-based workforce -- they may face job cuts in the fall.

Story continues

Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways are still hoping to avoid any layoffs, at least in the short term.

Executives have warned they will need to emerge from the pandemic as smaller airlines, but they are still pushing lawmakers for an extension of the PSP to mitigate layoffs.

PHOTO: Doug Parker, chairman and chief executive officer of American Airlines Group Inc., speaks with employees in Chicago, Illinois, on Friday, May 11, 2018. (Joshua Lott/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"The one possibility of avoiding these involuntary reductions on Oct. 1 is a clean extension of the PSP," Parker and Isom said. "Led by your labor unions, with the support of the industry, we have generated enormous bipartisan support for such an extension."

MORE: GOP senators back additional airline aid as air travel goes down 75% due to coronavirus pandemic

A group of 16 Senate Republicans and over 200 House members have expressed their support for an extension of the payroll support program, but they have yet to reach an agreement.

ABC News' Sam Sweeney contributed to this report

American Airlines to cut 19,000 jobs this fall amid industry upheaval originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Slate's Who Counts? series is made possible by the support of Slate Plus members and readers like you.

A sign at the foot of San Juan County, Utah, welcomes visitors to the worlds greatest outdoor museum. In the south are the rugged walls and totems of Monument Valley, the image of the West for Americans raised on John Wayne, Looney Tunes, and Marlboro ads. In the east is Lake Powell, the countrys second-largest human-made lake, which draws more than 4 million visitors every year to swim, fish, and water-ski. In the north is Canyonlands, Utahs largest national park, where hiking trails wind beneath sandstone arches. Three towns dot the countys more settled eastern edge, tracing the Mormon journey south from Salt Lake City 140 years ago.

Advertisement

Between these landmarks is harsh, arid terrain where each generation of white settlers has tried to make a fickle living: from farming, from livestock, from minerals. Most dramatic was the 1950s uranium rush, when prospectors laid claim to 40 percent of San Juan County and mine profits spurred a building boom. The bust left thousands of abandoned shafts and radioactive waste sites across the plateau and a sprawling road network that connects places no longer worth connecting. But the hope has endured that because San Juan County once made money from the land, it could do so again.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

I dont want to call it a race war, one local reflected recently. But thats what it was.

That is the white map of the territory, but theres another way of seeing things. South of the San Juan River is the Navajo Nation, the largest and most populous Indian reservation in the United States. The median household income in Utahs section of the Nation is $25,000about half what it is on the other side of the river. (In recent months, the Nation has also been ravaged by the coronavirus, though I visited San Juan County and talked to everyone here long before the pandemic hit.) Nearby is a reservation of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the people who gave the state its name. The county is home to tens of thousands of ancient Anasazi archaeological sites, spread across a territory the size of Connecticut. Right at the center of San Juan County are the cedar-covered twin buttes known as the Bears Ears, a sacred site to Indigenous people from various tribes who venture onto the land to gather medicine and firewood or to pray. It is the birthplace of Chief Manuelito, the headman who resisted the U.S. government and signed the treaty establishing a sovereign Navajo state in 1868.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Since Utah gained statehood 124 years ago, power in San Juan County has largely rested with a small, resilient band of Mormon families who settled the region in the late 19th century. An equal-sized contingent of Native Americans, mostly Navajos and Utes, have lived on reservations near the Arizona border and had virtually no say in affairs outside their boundaries.

Advertisement

But this is changing. In the 1980s, Navajos sued for fair representation on the county board. In 2012, they sued again. And just two years ago, the three-person County Commission became majority Native American for the first time in history. A wave of vitriol followed the Navajo commissioners into office. I dont want to call it a race war, one local reflected recently. But thats what it was.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

A rural Utah county commission is generally a sleepy little operation, but only San Juan County has a backyard that became ground zero for a national debate on American wilderness. Obama declared Bears Ears a national monument in 2016; one year later, Trump contracted its area by 85 percent. Outerwear brands like Patagonia have crusaded to protect the monument. Oil companies have pushed for more drilling. And in the midst of all this are the people of San Juan County, fightingwith outsiders and with one anotherover what to do with the land.

Commissioner Willie Grayeyes is a soft-spoken man from Navajo Mountain, more than four hours drive from the county seat in Monticello. He has a handlebar mustache, bushy eyebrows, and a gray ponytail. In December, I met Grayeyes at a Thai restaurant in Monticello, along with the second Navajo commissioner, Kenneth Maryboy, who was on the phone with the Navajo Nation government when I arrived. This was a familiar act of diplomacy: Maryboy had served 14 years as a Navajo Nation Council delegate and two previous terms on the County Commission. He had once criticized the Nations pattern of malfeasance and neglect for ignoring the sliver of the reservation that sits on Utah land. He had also slammed commissioners in Monticello for ignoring the Native American portion of the county.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

That morning, the two Dine (Navajo for the people) men had been berated at a county meeting by a tribe member fed up with the state of the roads south of the river. In one of the least densely populated parts of the United States, roads are destiny: Are they open or closed? Rutted or smoothly paved? Ensuring access for locals, tourists, or industry?

Advertisement

Kenneth Maryboy told the Navajo Times that he was subjected to harassment by white people who cant stand to see Native Americans in the drivers seat.

As we ate, Grayeyes told me a story about trying to drive back home one night in 1968. He hit a snowbank so thick he had to spend the night under a cheap blanket in the Flagstaff, Arizona, jail. As a veteran of local politics, Grayeyes spends much of his time behind the wheel, praying for the land or for his own safety. After he was elected in 2018, one of the first things he and Maryboy did was bring a county meeting onto the reservation for the first time. It was a symbolic gesture, but also one that meant there were immediately more Navajos in the room.

Advertisement

The state of the roads is a common complaint down there, and Maryboy was trying to sort out a complicated road maintenance agreement between the county and the tribal authorities. Doing, in other words, the boring work of local government. Since Grayeyes and Maryboy took over, the stakes of such mundane work have felt particularly high.

Advertisement

The lone Republican commissioner is a fifth-generation rancher named Bruce Adams who has served on the county board for 16 years. All things considered, Adams and the two Navajo commissioners have a friendly relationship, Adams and Grayeyes both said. But their main ideological conflict has been over Bears Ears: Adams and his previous two co-commissioners had done everything they could to shrink Obamas monument and restore local control over the countys sagebrush steppe. The two Navajo commissioners were Bears Ears activists: Maryboy and Grayeyes were both closely involved with Utah Dine Bikeyah, the main advocacy group behind the monument push.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Utahs Republican leadership wants the land reopened for oil and gas leasing. Grayeyes wants a federally run reserve, one that will care for the land and draw tourists to pump money into the economy. Thats what weve been attempting to do, those money-generating pursuits, he says. Thats the only thing that could increase the economic status of the county.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Many of the speakers at the county meetingsand they came by the dozens after the Navajo men took power, like never beforewere less polite than they used to be. Maryboy told the Navajo Times he and Grayeyes were subjected to harassment by white people who cant stand to see Native Americans in the drivers seat.

One example was the furor over Grayeyes personal attorney, Steven Boos, whose involvement had become a bitter fixation for San Juan County Republicans. It appears the county is being governed by an attorney from Durango, Colorado, Adams said at a commission meeting last spring. A local right-wing blog portrayed Boos as a puppet-master. Boos, who worked with both men as a legislative counsel in Navajo Nation, responded, I helped them put their resolutions into proper form for the San Juan County Commission. That doesnt make me a puppet master; that just makes me a lawyer.

Advertisement

Boos had been the lead attorney for Navajo Nation when the tribe, plus six individual plaintiffs, filed suit against San Juan County in 2012. The suit alleged that the county was packing Navajos into a gerrymandered third district that, by 2010, was 92 percent Indigenous. After years of back-and-forth, the Navajo plaintiffs prevailed: A district court appointed a special master to redraw the map, which was finalized in 2018. That November, San Juan County got its first majorityNative American council in history.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Grayeyes tenure was acrimonious before it even began. During the campaign, the county clerk kicked him off the ballot, asserting that he really lived in Arizonanot at his ancestral home in Navajo Mountain. A federal judge put Grayeyes back on. After he won, the losing candidate sued him over his residency, saying that he kept his horse in Arizona and had an Arizona drivers license.

Advertisement

At the trial, recounted by the writer Terry Tempest Williams in her book Erosion, Grayeyes daughter defended her father: You want to know where my father lives? He lives in his car. He sometimes lives with me in my cabin at Navajo Mountain. He sometimes lives with his sister Rose and sleeps under a shade hut on Paiute Mesa. But you ask where my father really sleeps? He has a horse, he puts out his bedroll, and he sleeps on the land where his umbilical cord is buried. My fathers home is the land. Grayeyes won the case, but his opponent has appealed. The Utah Supreme Court will hear the case later this year or next.

San Juan County conservatives were also livid about the redistricting. They believed the new districts were racially gerrymandered to put them permanently out of power. So they organized a do-over. Currently, we have government by court order, dominated by outside parties, hardly democratic, Joe Lyman, mayor of Blanding, the countys biggest town, wrote in an op-ed for the San Juan Record. Lyman started collecting signatures for a ballot referendum to redesign the county government all over again, moving from three to five commissioners and throwing out the court-ordered redistricting map. The countys Republican middle saw an opportunity to reclaim control, or at least representation; Navajos in the south saw a racist power grab. Mark Maryboy, brother of commissioner Kenneth, called San Juan County whites redneck Mormons. Organizers with the nonprofit Rural Utah Project swarmed the county, registering Indigenous people to vote. In November 2019, San Juan County saw record 75 percent Indigenous turnout. The referendum to expand the County Commission failed by just 153 votes.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The first Indigenous person to serve as a county official in Utah was Mark Maryboy. He was sworn in as a San Juan County commissioner on Jan. 5, 1987. He served for 16 years. I never enjoyed a day, he told me recently.

Both on and off the commission, the elder Maryboy brother tried to empower Utahs section of Navajo Nation. He helped start Utah Navajo Health System, a nonprofit that provides health care to more than 10,000 people. In 1990, he led Niha whol zhiizh (Its Our Turn), a movement to get more Navajos into San Juan County government.

For four terms, Maryboy made the long drive to Monticello: Out of Navajo Nation and across the San Juan River, an ancient boundary that some older tribe members still feel uncomfortable crossing. (Maryboys custom: keeping a close eye on his speedometer.) Up through the cottonwoods in Cow Canyon, onto the plateau where snow clings to the sagebrush, past the smokestacks of the uranium mill, around the Abajo Mountains to the square brick building that serves as the county seat.

Advertisement

Advertisement

There, he did battle with the commission chair, San Juan legend Calvin Black. You could hardly invent two men less likely to get along. Black was a mogul who got in on the Utah uranium rush, which made some men rich and gave other men cancer. Black got rich; then he got lung cancer, which killed him in 1990. In better times, he is said to have worn a uranium disk in his bolo tie and sipped a uranium cocktail at a public meeting. See, its fine. All wealth comes from the land, and whoever controls the land, controls the people, Black told the Los Angeles Times in 1987.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Maryboy was an anti-nuclear activist; his father, whose tales of railroad work in Omaha, Nebraska, and San Francisco sparked his sons curiosity about the world, wound up toiling in the radon dust of a local mineshaft and died of lung cancer at 50. His sister died of lung cancer at 34.

Black was famous as a leader of the Sagebrush Rebellion, a white movement to end federal meddling in Western affairs, whose contemporary adherents include Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and Washington state Rep. Matt Shea. With his pudgy face, dark hair, and aviator-frame glasses, Black didnt look like much of a threat, but his rage was legendary. Im not a violent man, Black roared at officials at a 1979 public meeting of the Bureau of Land Management, which controls nearly half the state, but Im getting to the point where Ill blow up bridges, ruins, and vehicles. Were going to start a revolution. Were going to get back our lands. (Black was immortalized as Bishop J. Dudley Love in The Monkey Wrench Gang, Edward Abbeys novel of environmental warfare in the Southwest: rag[ing] like a strictured bull over half of Utah.)

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Maryboy, meanwhile, owed his post to a 1984 Department of Justice intervention that attempted to force San Juan County into compliance with the Voting Rights Act, resulting in the creation of the heavily Navajo county commission district along the Arizona border. It was neither the first nor the last time that pressure from Washington would help Navajos assert their rights in San Juan County. Utah was the last state in the nation to permit Native Americans living on reservations to vote, and only in 1957, when the threat of a trip to the U.S. Supreme Court forced the state Legislature into action.

Advertisement

Black was particularly livid with the feds when Maryboy arrived in Monticello in 1987. Seven months prior, federal police had launched the largest archaeological raid in U.S. history on Anglo families in San Juan County, busting down their doors to confiscate hundreds of Indigenous artifacts that had been harvested from Anasazi sites. Blacks house was searched. His Anasazi bowls, delicate clay vessels with black-and-white markings, were confiscated (later returned); his son was indicted (the case was dropped). Black called the raid an act of terrorism, federal officials Nazis, and again suggested armed resistance might be called for. Like many white people in San Juan County, he viewed pot hunting as a harmless family traditionrescuing art from dirt. Always, he said, on private land.

Advertisement

Advertisement

To which Maryboy would say: How would you feel if we went into Mormon cemeteries and started digging up your graves? Black had particular disdain for Navajos, Maryboy recalled in December over biscuits and gravy at the Twin Rocks Cafe in Bluff, Utah. His favorite excuse was Navajos dont pay taxes. They dont deserve to be served. Theyre not entitled to goods and services provided by the county. A Navajo would come ask for better roads, public safety, and he would blast them with numbers and statistics, make them look stupid. Hed call them stupid, and he didnt care if I heard him. Navajos came before us and hed say, I cant stand those sons of bitches. Theyre a bunch of rag-ass Injuns. I turned around and I said, Calvin, Ive been hearing your bullshit for over a year. I dont know how youve been raised, what kind of a person you are, but you have no respect for the people. Let me tell you something: I think youre a damn stupid fucking son of a bitch. 

Advertisement

Advertisement

Commissioner Maryboy said he was taught to hate white men, Black once told the Salt Lake Tribune. I wasnt taught to hate anybody. Black retired in 1990. Though tradition was to hand the commission chairmanship to the longest-serving commissioner, Black voted to skip over Maryboy and seat recently elected Republican Ty Lewis instead. But Maryboy thinks he is winning the war. Niha whol zhiizh came to pass; our turn arrived. And so did a bigger dream: setting one quarter of Utahs largest county aside in the name of Native American heritage.

Advertisement

Advertisement

On Dec. 28, 2016, Barack Obama signed a long, lyric proclamation that turned 1.35 million acres of federal land in San Juan County into a national monument. He invoked the Antiquities Act, a 1906 law signed by Theodore Roosevelt that was intended to stop the looting of Native American artifacts on public land. Obamas designation also banned mining and drilling, and the president touted its potential to encourage tourism.

Advertisement

Utah Republicans were apoplectic. They felt the president had stretched the Antiquities Act beyond its limits, overriding negotiations between Utah politicians and tribal groups that had been underway for almost a decade. Sen. Orrin Hatch called it an astonishing and egregious abuse of executive power and an attack on an entire way of life. Some locals also questioned the wisdom of the designation: If the president wanted to keep Bears Ears nahodishgish, a Navajo word for a place to be left alone, then why was he touting its recreation opportunities in the same breath? When Obama announced the establishment of Bears Ears National Monument, he mistakenly showed a photo of Arches National Park, across the Colorado River to the north.

Advertisement

The San Juan County good ol boys dont want to see this happen, Kenneth Maryboy told NPR back in 2017. They adamantly, openly said, This is our land. The damn Navajos need to go back to the reservation.  Later that year, Trump shrank the designated monument by 85 percent, part of a suite of moves to eliminate environmental protections for air, water, and protected species. Tribal and environmental groups sued. But the Republican-led County Commission defended the presidents move in a federal court filing. This monument designation was not about protection and preservation, the people of San Juan County have done that as stewards of the land, the commission wrote in a statement. The county is enjoying the economic and cultural benefits of increased access to federally controlled land for productive uses such as mining, logging, and livestock grazing.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The biggest catch in the antiquities raid was beloved town doctor James Redd, whose house was so full of Native American artifacts it took authorities 10 hours to catalog them.

Federal power had made the West: Washington subjugated Native American tribes, dammed rivers, and bought the radioactive metal that miners chipped from the ground. But over the past few decades, the federal government has embraced a new position as environmental protector, civil rights guardian, and police force.

Consider, for example, Washingtons growing role as custodian of tribal antiquitiesthe power Obama invoked to create the Bears Ears monument. Just after sunrise on June 10, 2009, more than 100 armed federal agents stormed into homes in Blanding in another artifact raid. An informant had spent years inserting himself among the towns 3,000 residentsand more than $300,000 buying, and some argued inflating, the prices of black-market antiquities. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar flew to Salt Lake City to boast that the operation was the largest-ever bust of artifact looters. Twenty-four people were arrested; 16 were from Blanding. The biggest catch was the town doctor James Redd, a beloved figure whose house was so full of Native American artifacts it took the authorities 10 hours to catalog them all. The next day, Redd committed suicide. The informant also killed himself. So did another suspect.

Advertisement

The narratives in San Juan County quickly diverged: Conservationists and tribal leaders viewed the artifact hauland a subsequent series of defacementsas evidence that the wilderness around the twin buttes needed more serious protection. In Roosevelts day, amateur archaeologists ventured onto the mesa here at the behest of historians and museums; these days, the practice is sometimes for profit, but mostly a hobby. One local told me she had seen the bones of an Indigenous babys arm with a turquoise bracelet on a mantlepiece in Blanding. It is estimated that 90 percent of Native American sites in San Juan County have been tampered with or damaged beyond recognition.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

But the Blanding raid made the pot hunters into victims. White families saw an abuse of police power far out of proportion to the offenses that precipitated it. For Phil Lyman, a San Juan commissioner turned Utah state representative, you could draw a direct line from the Blanding raid to Bears Ears: It was one big story about Washington bigfooting San Juan County.

Advertisement

Were taking San Juan County away from you, Republican Phil Lyman said in imitation of his enemies, and the reason were going to say is Youre all racists. 

In May 2014, Lyman led a protest against a Bureau of Land Management road closure in an archaeologically rich wash near Blanding. Fellow travelers arrived en masse, riding all-terrain vehicles and carrying assault rifles. Ryan Bundy showed up, fresh off the familys Bunkerville standoff in Nevada the month before. Lyman led this crew up to the bureaus barrier and made a speech about the virtue of liberty, citing Thomas Paine. The crowd wanted to go further. I believe itll cause more harm than good to cross that line today, Lyman admonished them.

At the top of the road, the militia crowd won out over the guy on the borrowed ATV with the Emerson quote on his business card. If were not opening a trail, Im going to get in my truck and go home, Bundy countered. Over Lymans opposition, the men roared up the shuttered canyon path, crushing Anasazi ruins beneath their tires. Lyman never crossed the gate, but he was charged with inciting a riot, was convicted by a jury, and spent 10 days in jail. Native American leaders condemned the ride.

Advertisement

Advertisement

When I visited Lyman at his day job as a Blanding accountant in December, he pulled out a huge map of San Juan Countythe kind of wall-hanging chart you might see in a high school classroom. One by one, Lyman pulled down transparent sheets that each added a layer of color to the county: the reservation, the federal land, the state land, the monument, the sage-grouse protection area. By the time he was done, San Juan had been whittled down to a few small fingers of private land. Were taking San Juan County away from you, he said in imitation of his enemies, and the reason were going to say is Youre all racists. 

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Underneath this simmering sense of grievance is the conviction that San Juans white population cares as deeply for the land as the Navajos do. After all, theyve never known anyplace else either: One of Phil Lymans ancestors founded the town of Blanding at the start of the 20th century, after he had a vision of a Mormon temple and a town that would educate Native Americans. As one white shop owner put it to me, Whos going to protect the land here more than the people who live here and love it?

Advertisement

In 2017, Lyman and his fellow commissioners traveled to Washington to lobby Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to reduce the size of Bears Ears. Later that year, San Juan commissioners donned MAGA hats for a photo-op with President Donald Trump when he cut the monument down. The case will not be resolved for years.

What was lost through the monument designation? A little bit more of what was lost through everything else leading up to this, Lyman said. These people are dogmatic, and zero economy in San Juan County would be OK with them. Its fun to visit a museumbut try living in one. And so Lyman has come to the conclusion that after more than a century, it is time for San Juan County to be split into pieces.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Willie Grayeyes and Kenneth Maryboy inherited a mess. Utahs poorest county is running out of money. The commercial property tax base has fallen by half in the past six years, largely due to a decline in drilling and mining. (This is mostly the market talking, but conservatives will tell you environmentalists arent helping). Its become a bit of a joke around the office that the county is a magnet for lawsuits, but the prior commissioners chose the most litigious, expensive path at nearly every turn.

That council blew through a nearly $7 million general fund reserve appealing the redistricting (they lost in July of 2019), fighting an ACLU suit over Navajo polling places (they settled), and hiring $500-an-hour lawyers to lobby the Trump administration on Bears Ears. That left the Navajo commissioners in the uncomfortable position of raising what is already Utahs highest property tax rate to balance the budget. Weve been shortchanged, and we lost a lot of money, Maryboy said in April.

Advertisement

The new commissioners also reversed the countys stance on Bears Ears, at a commission meeting in February 2019. Opponents claimed Maryboy was a plant. Your proposed resolution is in no way a reflection of the majority of your constituents, both Anglo and Native, in San Juan County, said Kim Henderson, a Monticello resident who went on to organize a town hall on the subject and now serves on the City Council. That has been made very clear over the last year and a half. It seems more like its a reflection of nonlocal special interest groups and their agenda. It seems more like payback. Who authored these resolutions? asked a Blanding resident. Is it someone inside the county, or is it someone outside pulling strings on the puppets here in San Juan County?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The idea that Bears Ears is an imposition that San Juan Countys Indigenous people never asked for and dont want is a popular one. It was a line that Ryan Zinke himself used in a 2018 interview with the right-wing site Breitbart to defend the Trump administration. The Navajo tribes that actually live close to Bears Ears  were all in support of the presidents action, he said. Bears Ears supporters countered that votes in the Nations Utah Chapters had been overwhelmingly in favor of the monument designation.

It is true that creating a Bears Ears National Monument was not a long-standing local ambition; the area was known to most locals as Cedar Mesa, and the Maryboy brothers had begun the Bears Ears mission just a decade before Obama completed it. Navajo views on environmentalism are much more varied than the liberal view of Native American priorities represented by Iron Eyes Codys Crying Indian; historically, Navajos have been as angry with the distribution of the spoils as with oil drilling itself. But since 2016, local and national events had swept the Bears Ears issue into the culture war, and few people who live in the area still have no opinion about it.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Later that spring, at a meeting where one land rights activist suggested the Navajo commissioners didnt even understand what their own resolutions meant, the Republican Commissioner Bruce Adams tried to play mediator. He suggested the county hold a plebiscite on the issuean up-and-down vote to once and for all ascertain how San Juan County residents felt about Bears Ears. Im uncomfortable with the three of us trying to make a decision on Bears Ears, the commissioner said. Im willing to accept whatever the citizens of this county vote to do. In a letter to the San Juan Record, the head of the county Democratic Party, James Adakai, called that stance laughably ironic coming from a fifth-term commissioner. The Republican-led commission had never previously asked for citizen input, Adakai noted, before spending half a million dollars on lawyers to lobby the Trump administration.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Sometimes it seems that the anger at the San Juan County Commissions work is not because of its power, but the lack thereof. The real battle over Bears Ears is happening over the commissioners heads. In protest of the Trump administrations move to shrink the monument, the retailer Patagonia, which has dedicated itself to environmental causes, pushed to have the huge Outdoor Retailer trade show moved from Utah to Colorado. The New York Times uncovered documents showing that the Bears Ears monuments new Trump-era boundaries aligned with a map drawn by Sen. Orrin Hatchs office to resolve conflicts with extraction sites. The company that runs the White Mesa uranium mill, the countrys last functioning uranium-refining facility, lobbied the Trump administration to reduce the size of Bears Ears. It has also asked the Trump administration to require nuclear plants to buy American uranium, boosting the domestic mining business, which has worried environmentalists.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

In his book Confluence, Salt Lake Tribune reporter Zak Podmore writes about the damage that uranium inflicted on the county and its people. Children once played in mine tailings like sandboxes. They wrote their names in the yellowcake that gathered on cars. And they died of leukemia and lung cancer before they were old enough to vote. An enormous mound of radioactive waste sits on Navajo land just south of Mexican Hat, Utah.

But times may be changing. In January, the White Mesa mill laid off a third of its workforce. Oil and gas hasnt taken off in the monuments diminished boundaries. Some locals feel the emphasis on extraction is outdated, a worn and familiar debate that no longer applies to a territory whose more likely economic valueand environmental wearwill come from tourism. Leisure and hospitality now account for more than one in four private sector jobs in San Juan County, and employment in the sector grew by 44 percent between 2014 and 2018the fastest rate in the state.

Grayeyes is not against the use of the land. Im in favor of extraction as long as you take this grain of sandhe ripped a spitball-sized piece off a paper napkin, then moved it backyou put it right back here in its proper position. Thats still my position. But when they disturb the natural makeup, they will not put it back. How long does it take to heal the natural landscape? It will be years until these trees are replanted, these natural rocks are suntanned to the color of the surrounding. He thought of trophy hunters, decapitating animals and leaving the meat to rot for scavengers. All this was looked at as a church, he said, gesturing west toward the Bears Ears. The Mormons have a sacred place, the temple. The difference [here] is not everyone is invited into the temple.
An array of greeting choices is available for workers to choose from as they arrive each day - -/-

Employers worldwide face many difficult conversations with employees on how to successfully reintegrate them back into office life, but one media company in Dubai has devised a simple solution to get around the issue of greeting your co-workers - colour-coded bracelets.

As almost 100 staff return to Create Media Group, they can choose between three different colours in a traffic light system which alert their colleagues on their comfort level with being greeted.

Green signifies they are comfortable with a fist bump, yellow indicates they are up for a chat, but no touching while red alerts others to keep their distance.

Tom Otton, managing director of Create, told Reuters the purpose of the scheme was to give individuals autonomy in how they react to the pandemic.

"In terms of personal choice... there is no easy way for people to understand where someone is coming from," Otton said.

Cases of the novel coronavirus have risen sharply in the United Arab Emirates in recent days, topping 67,000. This has left some residents hesitant about returning to work.

"We work in the field of photography and we meet many people, and members of my family at home are very old. I have to take all precautions," Mohammed Abu Youssef told Reuters, the company's social media manager. He has chosen to wear a yellow band, erring on the side of caution.
Liberty University accepts Jerry Falwell Jr.s resignation effective immediately

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The Board of Trustees of Liberty University, one of the largest evangelical Christian universities in the world, announced Tuesday that they had accepted the resignation of their president and chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., effective immediately after he and his wife, Rebecca, were implicated in a sex scandal Monday.

The Liberty University Board of Trustees acted today to accept the resignation of Jerry Falwell, Jr. as its President and Chancellor and also accepted his resignation from its Board of Directors. All were effective immediately, the board said in a statement.

The resignation comes after a tumultuous weekend for Falwell, during which it was first revealed on Sunday that his wife had an affair with Giancarlo Granda, 29, that began eight years ago. Granada later attempted to blackmail the couple. Falwell said he was shocked to learn about his wifes affair, but Granda contradicted that claim Monday when he said he had engaged in the intimate liaisons with Falwells knowledge.

Becki and I developed an intimate relationship and Jerry enjoyed watching from the corner of the room, Granda, told Reuters.

Granda claimed his liaisons with Rebecca Falwell were frequent  happening multiple times per year  noting that they would meet at hotels in Miami, New York, and the Falwells home in Virginia.

It was reported soon after Grandas revelations were published that Falwell had stepped down. The Liberty University president, who had already been on an indefinite leave of absence from the Christian college after a series of embarrassing public acts, quickly denied the report.

In their statement Tuesday, Libertys board said Falwell flip-flopped on an agreement to resign until finally submitting his resignation letter through his lawyer late Tuesday night.

After agreeing yesterday to immediately resign then reversing course, Falwell, through an attorney, sent the resignation letter late last night to members of the Boards Executive Committee pursuant to the terms of his contract of employment. The Executive Committee met this morning and voted to accept all the resignations immediately and recommend ratification to the full Board. Later this morning, the full Board gathered via conference call and unanimously voted to affirm the decision of the Executive Committee, the board of the college based in Lynchburg, Virginia, said. Falwells severance compensation was dictated by the terms of his pre-existing employment agreement without any adjustment by the University or its Board.

It's unclear what the terms of his severance were. Falwell, a lawyer whose late father, Southern Baptist preacher Jerry Falwell Sr., who founded Liberty University in the 1970s, confirmed his resignation in a statement to ABC News, stating, I was never called to be a pastor.

I was never called to be a pastor, my calling was to use my legal and business expertise to make Liberty University the evangelical version of Notre Dame," Falwell said. "Some of us are called to be preachers, that wasnt mine. I was called to make Liberty University the greatest Christian university in the world and I couldnt have done that as a preacher.

Libertys board, which includes active and retired alumni, pastors and business executives, spent much of their meeting Tuesday discussing the future of the university, including finding a new president, and how to remain true to its mission to develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact the world.

I am so encouraged by the unity of Christ that I saw exemplified by our Board today. Liberty Universitys future is very bright and in capable hands of leaders who are committed to being good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted! Acting Board Chairman Allen McFarland said in a statement.

Our students are ready to be world changers as Champions for Christ. Their spirit is strong as they look to the future. I intend to do all I can to nurture their spiritual side as they grow academically and enjoy all our campus has to offer, added Jerry Prevo, who will stay on as acting president.

In a statement to The Christian Post on Tuesday, the Rev. Johnnie Moore, founder of the KAIROS Company and noted religious freedom advocate, said: "Liberty would not exist without the Falwells but the brilliance of its original mission and vision is that long ago it transcended the influence of even them. Liberty is an institution designed to thrive for the cause of Christ today and for generations. I am sure members of the community  past and present  will pray and will work together to ensure that Liberty's best days are ahead."
I think its about time that they rectify a problem which has been ongoing for decades, really, said Petrosino, who filed a wrongful-death suit against Metra and Norfolk Southern Railway, the rail lines owner, in late February. Its something they should have done a long time ago, and it would have saved lives. It would have saved people from being injured.
OTTAWAErin OToole and his campaign team are facing some big decisions with the spectre of a federal election campaign looming.

OToole pitched himself to Conservative voters as someone who would be ready to take on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on day one.

But with the Liberals having prorogued Parliament just before the Conservatives leadership vote, day one for the new leadership team was less flashy than a House of Commons dust-up.

It was spent in back-to-back briefings and meetings with outgoing leader Andrew Scheers Opposition Leaders Office (OLO), as OTooles team considers key staffing decisions and strategy. Scheers office confirmed the outgoing and incoming leaders held a working lunch while senior members of their respective teams worked on the handover.

Unlike Scheer, who was thrust into question period one day after securing the leadership in May 2017, OToole will have weeks to set up his team, reach out to caucus, and begin the work of introducing himself to the broader electorate.

OToole secured the partys leadership on the third ballot early Monday morning, after hours of the party sorting out issues with ballots damaged by their envelope opening machines.

We must continue to point out Liberal failings and corruption but we also must show Canadians our vision for a stronger, prosperous and more united Canada, OToole told supporters after he finally took the stage around 1:30 a.m. Monday.

Now the real work begins. We could be into an election campaign as soon as this fall. But as more than 260,000 passionate Conservatives have already shown in this record-breaking leadership amidst a pandemic, the Conservative party will be ready for the next election.

OToole was born in Montreal, but spent most of his youth in Ontario. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces, where he flew search-and-rescue missions out of Halifax. After the military, OToole studied law at Dalhousie University, later working as a lawyer in Toronto before running in a 2012 byelection in Durham. He won and joined Stephen Harpers cabinet, where he served as veterans affairs minister until the government fell in 2015.

In 2017, he made his first run for the party leadership, finishing a strong third behind Scheer and Maxime Bernier.

In the 2020 race, the affable MP from a riding just east of Toronto surprised many on Parliament Hill with a much more aggressive stance. In an interview earlier this summer, he claimed nothing had changed.

Everything Im running on in this campaign I ran on three years ago, he said. Am I more animated? Am I more frustrated? Am I more concerned about the future of the country? Absolutely.

Heading into Sundays leadership reveal, his team knew that if he held front-runner Peter MacKay to under 40 per cent support on the first ballot, OToole would have a good chance at snapping up down-ballot support from the two other leadership contestants, Derek Sloan and Leslyn Lewis. MacKay finished the first round in first place  but with just 33.5 per cent.

Lewis made an impressive jump in support to 30 per cent on the second ballot  very nearly eclipsing MacKay, who advanced a mere 1.3 points, but not enough to overtake him. When her support then flowed to OToole on the third ballot, it delivered him a convincing victory.

OToole enjoyed broad support across the country  particularly in Quebec  to push him to victory. He also won with a significant margin over MacKay  57 per cent to just under 43 per cent  which will allow him to avoid some of the questions that Scheer faced about his mandate after winning a razor-thin victory in 2017.

But OToole still faces questions, chief among them being who he will select to lead his team in the OLO and at the Conservative partys headquarters where election readiness will be the overriding concern. OTooles leadership team was filled with experienced players who may not want to head back to the gruelling, largely thankless life of political staffing.

OToole will also have to reach out to the Conservative caucus  including many MPs and senators who supported MacKay  to smooth things over after a particularly divisive leadership campaign. Hes expected to reach out to his former leadership rivals and their teams to try and heal those wounds.

I think (Leslyn Lewis) will have a discussion with Erin and see what he envisions, but yeah, shes interested for sure in continuing on. Shes developed the appetite for this, said Steve Outhouse, Lewiss campaign manager, in an interview with the Star Monday.

Shes ready to do some work to grow the party and keep the coalition together.

Lewis, who ran as a social conservative candidate, could be a boon for OToole in his big-tent approach to the Conservative coalition.

But he also faces other challenges on his right. While the Wexit movement has been dismissed by many political observers, Conservative strategists are starting to see it as a real threat. While OToole enjoyed the endorsement of Jason Kenney, he remains a Montreal-born Ontario MP, and will need to work to convince the partys Western caucus and grassroots that hell fight for their interests.

In a phone call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, OToole said Trudeaus upcoming throne speech  which the prime minister said will be used to reset the governments priorities in the COVID-19 context  needs to address Western alienation.

OToole called on Mr. Trudeau to outline a plan to address real and serious national unity concerns in the speech from the throne, said a statement released by his campaign after the call.

OToole will also have to decide very quickly what course hell chart for the party, with Trudeau releasing what is expected to be a left-leaning mission statement in next months throne speech.

Theres the logistical side of the (OLO), the campaign team, the caucus, but theres the more strategic side. The throne speech, to me is the real test (for OToole), because that could well set the tone for what his approach to the leadership will be, said Kate Harrison, a Conservative commentator and vice-president at Summa Strategies.

We could just rail against the throne speech for the sake of it  or adopt a tone like we saw last night, which was a little more forward thinking, recognizing that its not good enough to just not like Justin Trudeau.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Haig Partners LLC was the exclusive financial advisor to Holman Automotive ("Holman") in the sale of Audi Palo Alto to Swickard Auto Group ("Swickard").

"The Holman Automotive team would like to congratulate Jeff Swickard on the purchase of Audi Palo Alto. After much consideration, we decided the sale of the dealership to the Swickard Auto Group would be best for both Holman and the Audi Palo Alto employees," said Brian Bates, President and CEO of Holman Consumer Services. Holman is one of the largest privately held auto groups in the US with 32 dealerships that generated approximately $3.3B in annual revenue in 2019. "We are grateful to have had the opportunity to serve Audi customers in the Bay Area and to have worked with so many special associates at Audi Palo Alto. I'd like to thank Alan Haig at Haig Partners for his professionalism and assistance throughout the sale process."

"We're very excited to expand our group into Palo Alto," said Jeff Swickard, the CEO at Swickard Auto Group. "This dealership will allow us to serve Audi customers and is an excellent fit with the other dealerships we recently purchased in the area." Swickard recently purchased Lexus of Fremont, Jaguar  Land Rover San Francisco, and Land Rover of Redwood City. Swickard owns 16 dealerships in California, Georgia, Oregon and Washington.

Alan Haig, President of Haig Partners, stated, "It was a pleasure to advise the Holman team on the sale of Audi Palo Alto. They wanted to find a buyer that had an excellent reputation who would be well received by Audi and the Palo Alto community. We knew Jeff Swickard would be the right partner for them in this capital-intensive transaction that required absolute confidentiality and certainty of approval. We wish him well as he continues to build one of the leading dealership groups in the country."

Haig Partners LLC is a boutique investment banking firm that focuses on auto/heavy truck/RV dealers and the companies that serve them. It is the leading buy-sell advisory firm to owners of higher value dealerships and dealership groups. Since 1996, the principals at Haig Partners have completed 187 dealership transactions totaling over $5.4 billion, more than any other team in the industry. They also publish the widely followed Haig Report that tracks trends in the auto industry and how they impact dealership valuations. The latest Haig Report is available here. Alan Haig is a frequent speaker at leading industry events. For more information, visit www.haig partners.com .

Contact:

Alan Haig

(954) 646-8921

[email protected]

SOURCE Haig Partners

Related Links

http://www.haigpartners.com


DGAP-News: ADM Energy PLC / Key word(s): Funds

ADM Energy PLC: Fundraise and Update on Interest in OML 113



25.08.2020 / 19:00

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.



25 August 2020



ADM Energy PLC

("ADM" or the "Company")



Fundraise and Issue of Equity to Raise 672,500

Update on Acquisition of Further Interest in OML 113



ADM Energy PLC (AIM: ADME; BER and FSE: P4JC), a natural resources investing company, is pleased to announce that it has raised a total of 672,500 by way of a placing and subscription for new ordinary shares in the Company with current and new investors as well as Directors, and an issue of debt (together the "Fundraise"). The funds will be used primarily to complete the cash element of the agreement with EER (Colobos) Nigeria Limited ("EER"), as announced on 24 February 2020, to acquire a further participating interest of 2.25% in OML 113 and increase the Company's stake to 5.0% with a profit interest increase from 5% to 9.2%. The Fundraise has been undertaken by Hybridan LLP, the Company's lead broker.



Highlights Placing and subscription to raise gross proceeds of 472,500 through the issue of 8,590,907 new ordinary shares of 1.0 pence each at a placing price of 5.5 pence per share

Subscriptions by five Directors amounting to 50,000 on the same terms as the placing price

Further executed Loan Facilities Agreement to raise 200,000

Additional conversion by debt holders and service providers equating to 395,798 on the same terms as the placing and subscription

Use of Proceeds Funds will be used to complete the cash element of the sale and purchase agreement with EER of US$500,000 (380,825) following renegotiation of the terms (of which US$250,000 deposit has already been paid, as announced on 14 May 2020), and general working capital

Osamede Okhomina, CEO of ADM Energy plc, said: "This funding brings us a step closer to completing our first deal under the Company's new leadership, increasing ADM's position in the highly strategic asset of OML 113. The Aje Field gives us access to reliable oil production, which is estimated to be able to triple next year with further successful drilling, and contains significant wet and dry gas reserves, which command a premium in the local markets. The deal nearly doubles our interests and with it our attributable net 2P reserves and net daily production. I am excited that we are now in a position to close the deal and use it as a springboard for further highly accretive investments in the future."



EER Update

The Company announced on 24 February 2020 that it had entered into an agreement with EER to acquire, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, a participating interest of 2.25% from EER in oil mining lease no. 113, which includes the Aje field ("the Agreement"). The total consideration for the acquisition is US$3,000,000, to be satisfied by a payment of US$1,000,000 in cash and US$2,000,000 by way of an issue of new ordinary shares. ADM has already paid a refundable deposit of US$250,000 to EER which was announced on 14 May 2020. Following the Fundraise, ADM and EER have agreed that of the remainder of the cash component of US$750,000, US$250,000 will be settled in shares, at a price of 5.5 pence per share, and US$500,000 will be settled in cash. Furthermore, the Company has agreed that the share consideration will be settled in new ordinary shares at a price of 7 pence each. All payments due, in cash or shares, will be paid on completion of the Agreement.



ADM already holds a participating interest in OML 113 of 2.7% with corresponding profit interest and cost bearing interest of 5.0% and 6.7% respectively. Subject to Completion, ADM will acquire 25% of the interests, rights and obligations held by EER in the Block such that, on Completion, ADM's participating interest will increase to 5.0% with corresponding profit and cost bearing interests increasing to 9.2% and 12.3% respectively.



Details of the Fundraise

The Company has raised 672,500 before expenses at a price of 5.5 pence per share ("Placing Price"). The Placing Price equates to a 4 per cent. discount to the mid-market closing price of the Company's ordinary shares ("Ordinary Shares") on 24 August 2020 of 5.75p, being the last practicable date prior to the date of this announcement. The Fundraise comprises a placing of 4,045,453 new Ordinary Share ("Placing Shares"), a subscription for 4,545,454 new Ordinary Shares ("Subscription Shares") and an issue of debt of 200,000 ("Debt").



In connection with the Fundraise, the Company has issued 909,091 warrants to subscribe for Ordinary Shares at an exercise price of 5.5 pence per share as part of a consultancy agreement. In addition, the Company has issued 120,000 warrants to its lead broker Hybridan LLP ("Broker Warrants") to subscribe for Ordinary Shares at an exercise price of 5.5 pence per share.



Loan Facilities Agreement



The Company has entered into a definitive agreement with a consortium of investors (the "Lenders") to raise, in aggregate, 200,000 through unsecured loan facilities ("Loan Facilites"). The Loan, together with any interest which accrues at 10 per cent. per annum, is repayable in full on maturity on 15 August 2021 (the "Repayment Date") (except where the Lenders request part or all of the Loan and applicable costs and interest to be utilised in paying for the warrants granted to them at the time entering into the loan agreement).



Pursuant to the terms of the Loan Facilities, the Company has agreed to grant 3,636,364 warrants to subscribe for ordinary shares in the Company at an exercise price of 5.5 pence per share or the placing price of any subsequent fundraise during the term of the warrants to the Lenders, pro rata to the value of each loan (the "Warrants"). The Warrants may be exercised (subject to the requisite shareholder authorities being in place) and have a life of two years from the date of this announcement.



Directors' Subscriptions

As part of the Fundraise, ADM announces that certain Directors have agreed to subscribe for an aggregate 909,091 new Ordinary Shares at the Placing Price, comprising part of the Subscription Shares, raising approximately 50,000.



Following the Directors' subscriptions, their respective shareholdings will be as follows: Name Title Number of Ordinary Shares purchased Resulting shareholding on Admission Percentage of issued share capital on Admission Peter Francis Non-executive Chairman 454,545 1,496,212 1.62% Osa Okhomina CEO 90,909 715,909 0.77% Richard Carter COO 90,909 627,575 0.68% Sir Henry Bellingham Non-executive Director 136,364 186,364 0.20% Dr Stefan Liebing Non-executive Director 136,364 136,364 0.15%

Debt Conversion

In addition, certain service providers have agreed to convert amounts due totalling 395,798 into 7,196,321 new Ordinary Shares ("Conversion Shares") at the Placing Price of 5.5 pence per share. The Conversion Shares will be subject to lock-in provisions of up to six months.



Related Party Transactions

The subscriptions by Peter Francis, Osa Okhomina, Richard Carter, Sir Henry Bellingham and Dr Stefan Liebing, and the amendment of the agreement with EER, are related party transactions pursuant to Rule 13 of the AIM Rules for Companies. With the exception of Peter Francis, Osa Okhomina, Richard Carter, Sir Henry Bellingham and Dr Stefan Liebing in respect of the subscriptions, and Osa Okhomina in respect of the amendement of the EER agreement, the directors of the Company consider, having consulted with the Company's nominated adviser, Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, that the terms of the transactions are fair and reasonable insofar as the Company's shareholders are concerned.



Admission to AIM, Total Voting Rights

Application will be made for the new ordinary shares, which total 15,787,228 and will rank pari passu with the Company's existing ordinary shares, to be admitted to trading on AIM ("Admission"). It is expected that Admission of the Shares will become effective and that dealings will commence at 8.00 a.m. on or around 2 September 2020.



Following Admission, the Company's enlarged issued share capital will comprise 92,404,133 Ordinary Shares of 1 pence each with voting rights in the Company. This figure may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change in the interest in, the share capital of the Company under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.



Enquiries: ADM Energy plc +44 20 7786 3555 Osamede Okhomina, CEO www.admenergyplc.com Cairn Financial Advisers LLP +44 20 7213 0880 (Nominated Adviser) Jo Turner, James Caithie Hybridan LLP +44 20 3764 2341 (Lead Broker) Claire Louise Noyce Pello Capital Limited +44 20 3700 2500 (Joint Broker) Dan Gee Oddo Seydler Bank AG +49 69 920540 (Designated Sponsor) Michael B. Thiriot Luther Pendragon +44 20 7618 9100 (Financial PR) Harry Chathli, Alexis Gore, Joe Quinlan

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure



The notification below, made in accordance with the requirements of the EU Market Abuse Regulation, provides further detail.



Notification and public disclosure of transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated with them.

1. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated a) Name Company directors/officers:



1. Peter Francis

2. Osa Okhomina

3. Richard Carter

4. Sir Henry Bellingham

5. Dr Stefan Liebing

Non-Executive Chairman

CEO

COO

Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director 2. Reason for the notification a) Position/status See 1(a) above for all positions b) Initial notification/Amendment Initial Notification 3. Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer, or auction monitor a) Name ADM Energy plc b) LEI 213800DY7G8EEJCCOL47 4. Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted a) Description of the financial instrument Ordinary Shares of 1 pence each b) Identification code GB00BJFDXW97 c) Nature of the transactions Purchase of Ordinary Shares d) Price(s) and volume(s) Price

Volume



1. 5.5p

2. 5.5p

3. 5.5p

4. 5.5p

5. 5.5p

1. 454,545

2. 90,909

3. 90,909

4. 136,364

5. 136,364 e) Aggregated information

- Aggregated volume

- Price Price

Volume(s)



5.5p



909,091 f) Date of the transactions 25 August 2020 f) Place of the transactions London Stock Exchange, AIM Market



About ADM Energy PLC



ADM Energy PLC (AIM: ADME; BER and FSE: P4JC) is a natural resources investment company with an existing asset base in Nigeria. ADM Energy holds a 5% profit interest in the Aje Field, part of OML 113, which covers an area of 835km offshore Nigeria, and in February 2020 entered into an agreement with EER (Colobos) Nigeria Limited to acquire a further 4.2% profit interest. Aje has multiple oil, gas, and gas condensate reservoirs in the Turonian, Cenomanian, and Albian sandstones with five wells drilled to date.



ADM Energy is seeking to build on its existing asset base in Nigeria and target other investment opportunities across the West African region in the oil and gas sector with attractive risk reward profiles such as proven nature of reserves, level of historic investment, established infrastructure, route to early cash flow and exploration upside.



Forward Looking Statements



Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identi?ed by their use of terms and phrases such as "believe", "could", "should", "envisage', "estimate", "intend", "may", "plan", "potentially", "expect", "will" or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements re?ect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

25.08.2020 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


Whole Foods may go cashierless next year, according to new reports about Amazon's high-end supermarket chain.

The tech giant first ditched cashiers in 2018, when it introduced its Amazon Go convenience stores.

The stores use cameras and sensors to track customers as they shop, then walk out without ever stopping at a register.

Now rumors are circulating that Jeff Wilke, Amazon's retiring Chief of Consumer, wants to bring the technology to the upscale supermarket chain before he leaves in early 2021.

Critics say getting rid of checkout clerks is a 'ruthless strategy' that will cost thousands of jobs.

Scroll down for video

Amazon wants to bring its cashierless technology to Whole Foods next year, according to reports. The system, currently used in Amazon Go convenience stores, uses cameras and sensors to track customers as they pick items from the shelves. They can then leave without stopping at a register to check out

The New York Post reported that before getting his gold watch, the 53-year-old wants to launch more Amazon Go supermarkets nationwide.

Wilke also wants to institute the self-serve system at Whole Foods, which Amazon for $13.7 billion in 2017.

'Amazon Go proved out the tech, but they can't figure out how to make those stores profitable,' an unnamed source said, according to The Post. 'But Whole Foods prints cash, and with healthy margins, too.'

The technology reportedly would be introduced in Whole Foods locations in the second quarter of 2021, just after Wilke steps down.

The New York Post reports Jeff Wilke, Amazon's Chief of Consumer, wants to bring the technology to Whole Foods before he retires in early 2021. Wilke has been with the company for more than two decades and helped transform Amazon from an online bookstore into a global colossus

The new Amazon Go Grocery concept store opened in Seattle this past February.

Like the Go convenience stores, customers scan an app before entering and bag their own groceries. There is no cash register - staff are only on hand to stock shelves and manage a coffee station.

The new rumor contradicts reports from February, when Amazon Go VP Dilip Kumar told Recode there were 'no plans to put this in a Whole Foods for now.'

Going cashierless adds convenience, but it's not without its detractors.

The technology would also mean significant layoffs at Whole Foods, as shoppers would no longer need cashiers to ring them up.

When Amazon announced it was making its cashless technology available to retailers, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union said it was 'part of a ruthless strategy to eliminate as many good jobs as possible,' The Verge reported.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union has called Amazon's cashierless technology 'part of a ruthless strategy to eliminate as many good jobs as possible.' In addition, some cities and states have banned retailers from not accepting cash

In January, New York City banned restaurants and other businesses from not accepting cash, claiming it discriminated against less affluent consumers who didn't have credit, debit or digital payment systems.

'Whatever your reasons, consumers should have the power to choose their preferred method of payment,' city councilman Ritchie Torres said at the time.

Several other cities and states, including New Jersey, Massachusetts and San Francisco, have similar bans.

It's not clear how Amazon would circumvent these laws.

At Amazon Go stores, customers scan an app before entering and shopping. Shoppers bag their own groceries and there is no cash register. Staff are on hand only to stock shelves and manage a coffee station

Wilke helped transform Amazon from an online bookstore into a global colossus. He's been with the company for more than two decades and was regarded as a potential successor to founder and CEO Jeff Bezos before announcing his retirement.

As his responsibilities grew Wilke became responsible running not just Amazon.com, but the Whole Foods chain and the physical Amazon bookstores.

Within the company Wilke is often referred to as 'the other Jeff' to differentiate him from Bezos.
Trump Authorizing Another $1 Billion for Food Box Program

President Donald Trump announced on Aug. 24 that his administration is authorizing an additional $1 billion to a food distribution program that pairs struggling producers and American families strongly impacted by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program, Farmers to Families Food Box, which first kicked off in May, ensures the delivery of billions of dollars worth of fruit, vegetables, and other farm products that might have gone to waste because of the pandemic, to food banks and nonprofits that serve the needy.

Today I am proud to announce that we will provide an additional one billion dollars to fund the Farmers to Families Food Box program, Trump said in North Carolina Monday during a visit to a food packing plant. Its worked out so well.

Through this program, the Department of Agriculture is purchasing food from farmers, then local distributors pack and deliver the boxes. And families in need get it, and they get to eat very well, the president continued.

President Donald Trump speaks at Flavor 1st Growers & Packers in Mills River, North Carolina, on Aug. 24, 2020. (Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

Were tremendously grateful for the 185 employees here at this facility who have packed roughly 7,000 boxes a week, he said. With your help, in just 3 months, weve delivered over 1 billion pounds of food, providing more than 100 million meals to Americans most in need.

The program was formally kicked off on May 15 by White House adviser Ivanka Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. At the time, Perdue said that prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP virus, Americas food supply chains operated smoothly and were taken for granted.

The program aims to quickly rescue food from struggling farmers and deliver it to those in need as fallout from the pandemic has put millions of Americans out of work and under greater strain.

Its part of the $3 billion Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program announced on April 17, under which the USDA buys from producers and distributes to communities.

According to the USDA website, the department aims to complete the purchase of up to $2.7 billion of food under the aid program by the end of August.

President Donald Trump takes a stage to speak at Flavor 1st Growers & Packers in Mills River, North Carolina, on Aug. 24, 2020. (Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

The White House said in a statement Monday that under the program, more than 70 million boxes had been delivered to over 10,000 food banks and nonprofit organizations so far.

Thousands of jobs have been saved or createdincluding more than 5,000 in the food distribution industry, it said. Distributors are now prioritizing resources to send boxes to Opportunity Zones and areas most in need by providing relief to Americas most underserved communities.

From day one, my administration has been determined to protect our nations incredible farmers, Trump said in a statement issued by the White House.

Tom Ozimek and Reuters contributed to this report.
Berlin Charite hospital said that its data indicated Alexei Navalny was probably intoxicated by a substance in the cholinesterase inhibitors group of chemicals, but that it had not yet identified a precise substance.



The effects of such a chemical on Navalny had been "shown several times and in separate laboratories," the hospital said. Cholinesterase inhibitors are found in several drugs, but also pesticides and nerve agents.



Navalny was flown to Berlin on Saturday via a German-operated flight to receive treatment and has been in a coma for several days.



''The patient is in an intensive care unit and is still in an induced coma. His health is serious but there is currently no acute danger to his life,'' Charite hospital said. Doctors are currently treating Navalny with the antidote atropine.



But doubts remain about the 44-year-old's health in the future. "The outcome of the disease remains uncertain and after effects, especially in the area of the nervous system, cannot be excluded at this time," the hospital statement read.



Berlin police and federal agents are both providing security for the Russian opposition figure at Charite hospital, which is located in downtown Berlin, Deutsche Welle reported.
Oscar Wong | Moment | Getty Images

E-commerce sales were boosted massively during stay-at-home orders in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but whether they can be sustained in a profitable way remains to be seen. Global revenue from online sales in the second quarter of 2020 skyrocketed 71% year-over-year, according to data from Salesforce's Shopping Index. "In the first two quarters of this pandemic, many retailers weren't as concerned about profitability: They were more concerned about product availability and getting it to the consumers' doorstep," Rob Garf, vice-president of industry strategy and insights at Salesforce, told CNBC by phone. "One of the most common questions I get from our retail customers is: How do we sustain this new shopping behavior in a profitable manner?" he added. While the increase in online sales is remarkable, the cost of e-commerce shouldn't be underestimated. Aside from picking, packing and delivery costs, return rates can also be high, with one expert suggesting that people return 15% to 40% of what they buy online, compared to 5% to 10% for in-store shopping. Curbside pickup is one option, Garf said, because it means the retailer doesn't have to cover the last-mile delivery cost, and it's something stores such as Target benefited from during lockdowns (Target reported profits up 80% during the quarter ending August 1).

Online inspiration

But beyond that, there is much retailers and brands can do to improve the online shopping experience and become more efficient with sales. While in-store environments are often designed to provide a sense of discoverability, many e-commerce stores are simply lists of products and prices, searchable via filters  and therefore not always inspiring. "To succeed in e-commerce, you need to have the right assortment, then make things easy to find, purchase and get delivered. This is the genius of Amazon. But there are definitely opportunities to make online shopping more 'fun'. Livestreaming is one. AR (augmented reality) and other means of enhancing utility is another," Michelle Whelan, CEO of commerce agency Geometry U.K., told CNBC via email. Whelan cited Kanye West's new Yeezy Supply website, which lets shoppers choose products for 3D models to put on in an attempt to make the internet more "humane," according to an interview with West's creative partner Nick Knight. Providing better service is another way to enhance online shopping, Salesforce's Garf said. "We're seeing retailers embrace  the idea of bringing the physical store to digital. And specifically,  unleashing your store associates and more readily enable them to engage consumers while they're shopping online," he continued. "The challenge with store associates (is), they've been so hard wired for the (physical) store."
(Photo : REUTERS/Aly Song) Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk speaks at an opening ceremony for Tesla China-made Model Y program in Shanghai, China January 7, 2020. (Photo : REUTERS/Yuya Shino) A Panasonic Corp's lithium-ion battery is pictured with the Tesla Motors logo during a photo opportunity at the Panasonic Center in Tokyo, Japan, November 19, 2013.

Tesla's 'Battery Day' or battery presentation is scheduled few weeks from now. This grandest event of the car manufacturing company, led by Elon Musk, is an annual meeting of all stockholders. Of course, since its still pandemic, the capacity of the attendees are still on a mark. To know which person to invite, Elon proposed an idea.

Elon Musk conducts lottery event!

On Monday, Aug. 24, Business Insider reported that tech billionaire Elon Musk will be conducting a lottery event amid its upcoming 'Battery Day,' and annual shareholder presentation.

These event will both take place on Sept. 22 somewhere in California. Since the pandemic is still here, Tesla is prohibited to conduct a huge gathering for its stockholders. The solution? Lottery event!

Both events will be live-streamed to the public. Tesla, however, "believes that the best stockholder experience is a fully in-person annual meeting open to all stockholders," but it does assures "Continuing public health and travel-related requirements and advisories have necessitated a unique format for the 2020 Annual Meeting."

The random drawing was not explained by Elon through his announcement. At the same time, he did not detail how many of their stockholders would be there in the event.

All the invited guests will be conducting "robust health control measures," in order to make sure the safety of all attendees.

Though there may be a number of attendees, as the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not have specific number for accepted large gatherings.

What is this 'Battery day'?

The battery presentation is one of the much-awaited annual events of the company. This event highlights the future developments of Tesla cars.

"The real limitation on Tesla growth is cell production at an affordable price," Musk told investors on a July call. "That's the real limit. We expect to expand our business with Panasonic, with CATL, with LG, possibly with others. And there's a lot more to say on that front on Battery Day," said Elon in July.

Teslarati mentioned on Aug. 12, that Elon had its cryptic tweets from the past, kindly referring to the new Plaid Model S or Model X being first introduced in the said event. But no one really knows an update on this one.

I was trying to channel Herb Tarlek from WKRP https://t.co/0RC72S0ZAY  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2020

Meanwhile, on another report from Teslarati, they mentioned that the company's pilot battery production line is now already near its completion, based on a leaked video of its Tesla's Kato Road facilities.

ALSO READ: Neuralink Brain Chip Update: Elon Musk Says Neurons Will Fire Up in Real-Time on August 28

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Jamie Pancho

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Newser)  Breonna Taylor posthumously covers Vanity Fair's September issue, the magazine tweeted Monday. The issue, titled "The Great Fire" and guest edited by Ta-Nehisi Coates, will feature Taylor's story as told by her mom Tamika Palmer; the Louisville EMT was fatally shot by police officers who entered her home on a no-knock warrant as she slept. None of the officers have been charged. The issue will also feature an oral history of the days following George Floyd's death at the hands of police in Minneapolis and much more; USA Today describes it as being all about "art, activism, and power in 21st-century America." See the cover, which features an artist's rendering of Taylor, here.

story continues below

"On the one hand, Im ecstatic that these people are standing up and demanding justice and saying her name, Palmer tells Vanity Fair. On the other hand, I dont want people to be hurt. I dont want yall to tear up the city. We still got to live here. And still I understand the anger. Breonna was everybodys sister and daughter. As easily as this happened to Breonna, it couldve been anybody elses child." The Los Angeles Times calls the cover "a stunning portrait," and notes that the September issue of Oprah Winfrey's magazine also features Taylor on the cover. There's disagreement on Twitter over whether it's a good idea to use Taylor's image at all (one commentator wonders whether her family was compensated for it), let alone such an "aestheticized" version, but others were fully behind the cover. See USA Today for more on both sides. (Read more Breonna Taylor stories.)
The NSW Bushfire Inquiry report is a sobering read and the 76 recommendations cover a wide range of issues. It debunks a lot of myths, deals with some difficult issues such as hazard reduction, and recommends operational changes such as more finessed use of a different range of firefighting aircraft. Former deputy police commissioner Dave Owens and former NSW chief scientist Mary OKane have done a commendable job and should be congratulated.

The report explains in detail how climate change has forced us into a new, far more dangerous era of bushfire risk. Scientists have been warning about this for decades, and former fire and emergency chiefs tried to warn the federal government back in early 2019 that we were facing a bushfire catastrophe, fuelled by climate change.

Neither were listened to, however, the Prime Minister conceded upon his return from an overseas holiday in December last year that climate change was "a factor" in the seriousness of the bushfires.

He further stated, when setting up the Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Arrangements, that the impacts of climate change were "a given". Unfortunately, such statements have yet to be matched with a credible national plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are driving increasingly extreme weather.
Tracing the cosmic origin of complex organic molecules with their radiofrequency footprint

The origin of life on Earth is a topic that has piqued human curiosity since probably before recorded history began. But how did the organic matter that constitutes lifeforms even arrive at our planet? Though this is still a subject of debate among scholars and practitioners in related fields, one approach to answering this question involves finding and studying complex organic molecules (COMs) in outer space.

Many scientists have reported finding all sorts of COMs in molecular clouds--gigantic regions of interstellar space that contain various types of gases. This is generally done using radio telescopes, which measure and record radiofrequency waves to provide a frequency profile of the incoming radiation called spectrum. Molecules in space are usually rotating in various directions, and they emit or absorb radio waves at very specific frequencies when their rotational speed changes. Current physics and chemistry models allow us to approximate the composition of what a radio telescope is pointed at, via analysis of the intensity of the incoming radiation at these frequencies.

In a recent study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Dr Mitsunori Araki from Tokyo University of Science, along with other scientists from across Japan, tackled a difficult question in the search for interstellar COMs: how can we assert the presence of COMs in the less dense regions of molecular clouds? Because molecules in space are mostly energized by collisions with hydrogen molecules, COMs in the low-density regions of molecular clouds emit less radio waves, making it difficult for us to detect them. However, Dr Araki and his team took a different approach based on a special organic molecule called acetonitrile (CH3CN).

Acetonitrile is an elongated molecule that has two independent ways of rotating: around its long axis, like a spinning top, or as if it were a pencil spinning around your thumb. The latter type of rotation tends to spontaneously slow down due to the emission of radio waves and, in the low-density regions of molecular clouds, it naturally becomes less energetic or "cold."

In contrast, the other type of rotation does not emit radiation and therefore remains active without slowing down. This particular behavior of the acetonitrile molecule was the basis on which Dr Araki and his team managed to detect it. He explains: "In low-density regions of molecular clouds, the proportion of acetonitrile molecules rotating like a spinning top should be higher. Thus, it can be inferred that an extreme state in which a lot of them would be rotating in this way should exist. Our research team was, however, the first to predict its existence, select astronomical bodies that could be observed, and actually begin exploration."

Instead of going for radio wave emissions, they focused on radio wave absorption. The "cold" state of the low-density region, if populated by acetonitrile molecules, should have a predictable effect on the radiation that originates in celestial bodies like stars and goes through it. In other words, the spectrum of a radiating body that we perceive on Earth as being "behind" a low-density region would be filtered by acetonitrile molecules spinning like a top in a calculable way, before it reaches our telescope on earth. Therefore, Dr Araki and his team had to carefully select radiating bodies that could be used as an appropriate "background light" to see if the shadow of "cold" acetonitrile appeared in the measured spectrum. To this end, they used the 45 m radio telescope of the Nobeyama Radio Observatory, Japan, to explore this effect in a low-density region around the "Sagittarius molecular cloud Sgr B2(M)," one of the largest molecular clouds in the vicinity of the center of our galaxy.

After careful analysis of the spectra measured, the scientists concluded that the region analyzed was rich in acetonitrile molecules rotating like a spinning top; the proportion of molecules rotating this way was actually the highest ever recorded. Excited about the results, Dr Araki remarks: "By considering the special behavior of acetonitrile, its amount in the low-density region around Sgr B2(M) can be accurately determined. Because acetonitrile is a representative COM in space, knowing its amount and distribution though space can help us probe further into the overall distribution of organic matter."

Ultimately, this study may not only give us some clues about where the molecules that conform us came from, but also serve as data for the time when humans manage to venture outside the solar system.

###

About Tokyo University of Science

Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is a well-known and respected university, and the largest science-specialized private research university in Japan, with four campuses in central Tokyo and its suburbs and in Hokkaido. Established in 1881, the university has continually contributed to Japan's development in science through inculcating the love for science in researchers, technicians, and educators.

With a mission of "Creating science and technology for the harmonious development of nature, human beings, and society", TUS has undertaken a wide range of research from basic to applied science. TUS has embraced a multidisciplinary approach to research and undertaken intensive study in some of today's most vital fields. TUS is a meritocracy where the best in science is recognized and nurtured. It is the only private university in Japan that has produced a Nobel Prize winner and the only private university in Asia to produce Nobel Prize winners within the natural sciences field.

Website: https:/ / www. tus. ac. jp/ en/ mediarelations/

About Dr Mitsunori Araki from Tokyo University of Science

Dr Mitsunori Araki earned a PhD in Chemistry from The Graduate University of Advanced Studies, Japan, in 1999. After being a Research Fellow and an Assistant Professor in various universities in Japan, he joined the Tokyo University of Science in 2009 and, since 2014, he has been a Principal Investigator on astrochemistry research projects. His research interests mainly revolve around complex organic molecules in space and his goal is to find new such molecules and clarify their cosmic origin, both through experiments with synthetized molecules in the lab and via direct observations with radio telescopes.

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Cash-strapped Pakistan has shown a surplus of USD 424 million in July after posting a deficit of USD 100 million in June, the country''s central bank has said.

The State Bank of Pakistan said "this is the fourth monthly surplus since last October."

The SBP said that the strong turnaround in the remittances and exports is achieved "with support from several policy and administrative initiatives taken by the bank and the federal government, the Express Tribune reported.

"Pakistans current account balance swung into a surplus of USD 424 mn in July 2020 after posting a deficit of USD 100 mn in June," it said.

The export of goods increased to USD 1.89 billion in July compared to USD 1.58 billion in June. It was, however, 14 per cent lower than USD 2.22 billion export in July 2019, according to the central bank.

The remittances hit a record high of USD 2.77 billion in the single month of July compared to USD 2.47 billion in June and USD 2.03 billion in July 2019.

The import of goods enhanced by 2 per cent to USD 3.63 billion in the month compared to USD 3.56 billion in the previous month. It was, however, 13 per cent lower than USD 4.18 billion import of July 2019.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that the change from deficit into surplus was due to recovery in exports and increase in the remittances.

Next Capital Managing Director Muzammil Aslam said the balance of the current account in surplus is in line with the market expectations.

"The growth in workers'' remittances was, however, surprising (in the month of July 2020)," Aslam said.

He said the balance in surplus would at least help the economy to absorb shocks if it encounters any unexpected higher import payments in the remaining months of the fiscal year.

The government has targeted to record the current account balance in deficit in the range of 1-1.25 per cent (USD 3-3.5 billion) in the year 2020-21 compared to 1.1 per cent (around USD 3 billion) in the previous fiscal year 2019-2020.

"The surplus in July has made it easier to achieve the set target of the current account deficit," he said.
Transaction Adds Scale in Key USA-African Payments Corridors To Support Growing Demand For Fast, Secure, Low-Cost, Digital Mobile Money Transfer

Today digital, global cross-border payments company WorldRemit announced it has agreed to acquire Sendwave, a rapidly growing app-based remittance company in a cash and stock transaction that is expected to close, subject to licensing and regulatory approvals, in Q4 2020.

Founded in 2014, Sendwave has built a leading and rapidly growing digital remittance service to East and West Africa, and this summer added Bangladesh, its first receiving market in Asia. Sendwave will continue to operate independently and retain its mobile applications, brand, management, employees and key partners.

"Both WorldRemit and Sendwave share a common purpose: allowing customers to easily and cost effectively send financial support to families, friends and businesses in other countries," said WorldRemit CEO, Breon Corcoran. "WorldRemit has one of the broadest and most accessible networks for money transfers globally. Combining it with Sendwave, which offers instant, no/low-fee and fully digital payments from North America and Europe to Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and East Africa, addresses customer needs for fast and secure digital payments especially given today's travel restrictions and economic turmoil."

"Our users send money so their loved ones can pay for necessities like utilities, healthcare and school fees. 'Sendwave'-ing money is as easy as sending a text one less worry for the hard-working and generous diaspora communities that we serve," said Will Fogel, CEO Sendwave. "We're eager to combine WorldRemit's wide reach with our recipe for success in areas like Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria. Together, we can achieve a better service for current and future users."

In the last 12 months, ending 30 June 2020, WorldRemit and Sendwave have sent approximately US $7.5 billion in transfers, generating approximately US $280 million in revenue. This represents a YoY growth of over 50% for the year ended June 2020 relative to historic combined revenues. On a pro forma basis, the combined company will have over 100 send licences including for every US state, across a network that includes 50+/150+ send/receive countries and almost 8,000 payments corridors, a broad footprint that serves a large, but fragmented $715 billion remittances market that the World Bank estimates is growing at a 10% annual CAGR.

About WorldRemit

WorldRemit was founded in 2010, and serves over 4 million customers. Through our digital services customers can send 90 currencies to 150 countries, across almost 8 thousand corridors. Recipients benefit from one of the widest ranges of money-out options including bank deposit, mobile money, and cash pickup. Our investors include Accel, TCV and Leapfrog. Accel and TCV are long-term investors in well-known brands including AirBnB, Facebook, Spotify and Expedia.

About Sendwave

Sendwave was founded by Drew Durbin and Lincoln Quirk with the mission of making sending money cross-borders as easy as sending a text. Upon consummation of the transaction, Sendwave's founders will continue working on projects that bring access to financial services in Africa, on an independent basis.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005820/en/

Contacts:

Dave Donohue

WorldRemit

Corpcomms@worldremit.com
Australians are being urged to buy properties in regional areas that aren't dependent on tourism to make money during a recession.

The coronavirus downturn is having a particularly bad effect on Melbourne real estate with median house prices falling for four straight months, while Sydney's equivalent values have dropped for three consecutive months.

Aus Property Professionals, a buyers' agent, is recommending investors chasing capital growth instead consider established regional areas within a two-hour drive of a major capital city to avoid the boom-bust real estate cycle.

'Australia has a lot of emerging regions, but even established regional towns don't really have growth cycles as such,' the group's managing director Lloyd Edge said.

Aus Property Professionals, a buyers' agent, is recommending investors chasing capital growth instead consider established regional areas within a two-hour drive of a major capital city. The Newcastle suburbs of Hamilton and Waratah (house in the market pictured) made the list

Digital Finance Analytics principal Martin North, an economist, is so downbeat about the COVID-19 recession he is forecasting a 35 per cent dive in Melbourne house prices during the next three years and as Sydney falls by up to 18 per cent.

Recommended regional markets Ballina, on the New South Wales far south coast is a two-hour drive south of Brisbane Median house price there are $709,339 while mid-point apartment values stand at $546,892 - an increase of 16.5 per cent in a year That is still much cheaper than nearby Byron Bay's $1,042,587 Newcastle, a two-hour drive north of Sydney, is a former steel-making city The median house price is $622,387 - a 10.4 per cent increase in the 12 months to July 2020 The Sunshine Coast, a two-hour drive north of Brisbane, has a median house price of $653,664 - a nine per cent annual increase That is also much less than Noosa's $833,091 The New South Wales South Coast has the expensive property market of Kiama - where median the median house price is $924,896 after rising by 12.8 per cent during the year Bega, further south, has a median house price of $504,255 - a 1.1 per cent increase Advertisement

With capital city markets struggling in 2020, as metropolitan COVID-19 cases climb, Mr Edge recommended a town close to prominent regional centre with an established population of at least 10,000 people.

'They're more likely to have several strong industries in the vicinity,' he said.

He also advised against investing in areas that were too heavily reliant on overseas tourism, with the national border closure decimating the sector.

'Steer clear of "tourist" hotspots as they can be unstable, seasonal and easily fall out of favour,' Mr Edge said.

Investors are also be advised to consider good value towns that were cheaper than a more well-known and upmarket area a short drive away.

Lennox Head, on the far north coast of New South Wales, made the list.

The beach town is also a short drive from Ballina, where unit prices grew by 16.5 per cent in the year to July 2020 to $546,892, CoreLogic data showed.

Ballina is close to Byron Bay, a popular holiday area for celebrities, and is a two-hour drive from Brisbane.

The town, however, has a sizeable construction and healthcare workforce.

Prices at Lennox Head and Ballina are both well below Byron Bay's $1,042,587.

Newcastle, a two-hour drive north of Sydney, also made the shortlist.

The former steel making city has turned into a university town since BHP closed its 84-year-old operations in 1999.

Being considerably cheaper than Sydney, median house prices there have risen by 10.4 per cent during the past year to $622,387.

Mr Edge recommended the inner-city suburbs of Hamilton or Waratah.

The Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, was also recommended with Mr Edge keen on the beachside town of Caloundra and the hinterland town of Bli Bli.

Lennox Head, on the far north coast of New South Wales made the list. The beach town is also a short drive from Ballina, where unit prices during the past year have grown by 16.5 per cent to $546,892, CoreLogic data showed

The Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, was also recommended with Mr Edge keen on the beachside town of Caloundra (house pictured) and the hinterland town of Bli Bli

This region of Queensland has seen median house prices grow by nine per cent to $653,664 during the past year.

More upmarket Noosa has a median house price of $833,091 - a 16.6 per cent annual increase.

Mirador, on the far south coast of NSW, was another market on the list with health care its biggest employer.

The town is near the cheese-making town of Bega, which has a median house price of $504,255 following a 1.1 per cent increase during the past year.

Mirador, on the far south coast of NSW, was another market on the list with health care its biggest employer

Still, the level is almost half that of pricey Kiama, where the mid-point house price is $924,896, a level only marginally below Sydney's million-dollar mark.

Mr Edge suggested investors who still had to work in a big city consider 'rentvesting' where they rent in a major metropolitan centre and rent out an investment property in a regional area.

'Although people often believe the traditional principle that 'rent money is dead money', this strategy allows for investors to enter the property market sooner, whilst also living their desired lifestyle,' he said.

'However, in order to make this work, you must invest the difference to build your wealth.'
The 20-year-old Michigan woman who was mistakenly declared dead after suffering a seizure at home had spent more than two hours zipped into a body bag before a mortuary embalmer found her breathing and looking at him, the family's lawyer revealed today.

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger held a news conference via video on Tuesday afternoon, telling reporters that Timesha Beauchamp remains in critical condition at Sinai-Grace Hospital, where she is on a respirator and her heart is beating on its own, more than 48 hours after she woke up inside a Detroit funeral home.

'The doctors are unable to give a prognosis right now, and have indicated that its touch and go,' Fieger said of Beauchamp's current state.

Beauchamp was pronounced dead after fire department paramedics and police were summoned to her family's home in Southfield on a medical emergency call. More than two hours later, the 20-year-old woman was brought in a body bag to James H Cole Home for Funerals.

The mother of Timesha Beauchamp, 20 (left), said that she is 'devastated' about the ordeal her daughter went through after being declared dead, only for the funeral home to find her alive

According to Fieger, a staffer was getting ready to embalm Beauchamp when he opened the bag and discovered that the woman was far from dead.

'Timesha was alive,' the lawyer said. 'Her eyes were open and she was breathing. My recollection is that the embalmer was actually there and was the person who opened the body bag.'

Fieger, who has been retained by Erica Lattimore, Beauchamp's mother, to investigate what he called the 'negligence' that led to Timesha being declared dead, explained that the woman was born with cerebral palsy and requires constant care and breathing treatments three times a day.

On Sunday morning, Beauchamp's mother and brother, who are in charge of changing, dressing and feeding her, noticed that she had difficulty breathing, and that her lips were pale and surrounded by secretions. The lawyer said she had apparently suffered a seizure.

The family called 911 and within 15 minutes four Southfield Fire Department paramedics arrived, along with police officers.

According to a statement from Southfield Fire Chief Johnny Menifee, the first responders performed CPR and other 'life reviving methods' for 30 minutes.

Fieger said the medical responders were told of Timeshas medical history, the medications she receives and about her daily breathing treatments.

He said what happened next is unclear but Timesha was declared to be dead, even though he said her godmother, who he said is a registered nurse, told the paramedics she had seen Timesha breathing and she felt that she had a pulse.

Fieger said the paramedics dismissed the godmothers concerns, telling her drugs they had given Timesha were causing those movements.

Family attorney Geoffrey Fieger said during a press conference on Tuesday Beauchamp is in critical condition and her prognosis is 'touch and go'

'The godmother felt that she saw chest movements and felt that she had a pulse. She told the paramedics and the paramedics told her that the movements were involuntary and were the result of the medication. And they went, according to the family, a total of three times to Timeshas room to look at her,' he said.

Oakland County spokesperson William Mullan told DailyMail.com over the phone that after determining that the woman has died, the EMTs followed standard operating procedure and contacted an emergency room physician at an area hospital, who reviewed the patient's medical data and declared her deceased.

The Southfield Police Department then called the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office, saying that an official death declaration has been made for the patient and there was no suspicion of foul play that would have called for an autopsy.

Based on the information from the police and the ER doctor, a forensic pathologist released Beauchamp, which was still at home, directly to her family to make funeral arrangements.

'The Southfield Fire and Police Departments followed all appropriate city, county and state protocols and procedures in this case,' an updated statement from the fire department read. 'The City of Southfield is currently conducting a thorough internal investigation in addition to the Oakland County Medical Control Authority (OCMCA) which will be reporting their findings to the State of Michigan Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness (BETP).'

Fiegler said Beauchamp was zipped into a body bag that was provided by the first responders and was left at home for two-and-a-half hours, until a vehicle from the funeral home arrived to pick her up at around 11.25am.

Funeral home employees 'were about to embalm her which is most frightening had she not had her eyes open. They would have begun draining her blood, to be very, very frank about it,' Fieger told WXYZ on Monday.

When asked during Tuesday's conference whether Beauchamp's disability played a role in the erroneous declaration of death, Fieger said it was very likely.

'She's been disabled since birth. She requires constant care,' the attorney said. 'I believe her relatively fragile condition probably contributed to the false belief by the authorities she had deceased. My guess is it certainly played some role.'

Lattimore, Beauchamp's mother, said she's 'devastated' by the ordeal her daughter went through.

'Im devastated that my daughter is going through what shes going through,' she told Click on Detroit Monday morning. 'My family, her twin brother, her older brother - its just, I dont even have words. I havent slept all night. I just dont know what to do. My heart is so heavy.'

Beauchamp's mother told the news station that when the paramedics were at her home Sunday morning, 'They said, "Maam, shes gone." I told them, "Are you absolutely, 100 per cent sure that shes gone?" They said, "Yes, maam, shes gone."'

A few hours later, however, she said that someone from the funeral home called her with news that 'devastated' her life.

Lattimore said the funeral home staffer told her: 'Maam, your daughter is on her way to Sinai Grace Hospital. She is breathing. She is alive.'

Beauchamp (right) had been found non-responsive at her home on Sunday morning. After paramedics worked on her for half an hour, they declared her dead

Beauchamp's body was released to the family who arranged for her to be picked up by James H Cole Home for Funerals that afternoon. Staffer there discovered she was still breathing

[The statement] 'devastated my life,' Beauchamp's mother said, adding she responded, 'What do you mean? What do you mean shes breathing?'

The funeral home staffer said, 'Maam, shes in the hospital,' Lattimore recalled.

Beauchamp's mother said Monday that she isn't sure if her daughter will be able to recover and survive from the ordeal she suffered. She wants answers about what happened, as well.

The management of the mortuary confirmed the facts of the case in a statement to DailyMail.com, saying that staff summoned Detroit Fire Department paramedics, who arrived and transported Beauchamp to a hospital.

'We couldnt believe it,' said Dave Fornell, deputy commissioner of the Detroit Fire Department, who added that her heart rate was 80.
Officials agreed that the entry rules for Belarusians would not be toughened due to the ongoing tensions in the neighboring country.

The Ukrainian Government intends to ban entry for citizens of countries put on the "red zone" list of states posing a COVID-19 threat.

The plan was voiced at the interdepartmental meeting chaired by President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the President's Service.

The Government is already drafting regulations to this end.

Read alsoTeam Zelensky discuss "second wave" of COVID-19: 2,000 cases, up to 50 fatalities dailyThe President's Office explains the move with the rapidly growing rate of new COVID-19 cases reported worldwide.

At the same time, drivers of transit transport and representatives of humanitarian missions will be exempt from the ban.

Also, the officials agreed at the meeting that the entry rules for Belarusian citizens would not be toughened due to the ongoing tensions in the neighboring country. Moreover, Zelensky proposed that the crossing rules be facilitated for Belarusians.

The meeting also saw an agreement reached to prolong the adaptive quarantine until November 1.

Red and green zones: what are they?

From August 1, Ukraine adopted the European standards of zoning foreign countries according to the following indicators: the increase in new COVID-19 cases and the COVID-19 incidence.

In accordance with these indicators, the government forms red and green lists for travel. A country shall be assigned to the red zone if the COVID-19 spread rate over the past 14 days exceeds that in Ukraine and if the incidence over the past 14 days will exceed 30% against the previous such period.

Citizens of red zone countries upon their arrival in Ukraine are required to have medical insurance that will cover the cost of COVID-19 treatment, as well as a negative PCR test. If unavailable, travelers crossing into Ukraine shall go for self-isolation or observation.

Tourists from the green zone countries are only required to obtain medical insurance.

Upon arrival from red zone countries, travelers are required to undergo observation or take COVID-19 tests.

The latest zoning update was released on August 22, with Albania and Montenegro now included in the red zone list that totals 65 countries. Among them are the USA, Israel, Romania, Spain, Malta, Luxembourg, Monaco, etc.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Two wildfires are now burning in the Santa Fe National Forest after a second fire, suspected to have been caused by lightning, ignited Sunday.

The Caja Fire, burning atop Colorado Peak west of the city of Santa Fe, had grown to 600 acres by 5 p.m. Monday and was 0% contained.

Firefighting personnel with the Santa Fe National Forests Espanola Ranger District and Santa Fe County are working the fire and a 12-person hand crew is expected to arrive Tuesday.

According to a news release, the blaze was exhibiting low to moderate fire behavior and no structures are at risk, although natural and cultural resources and a powerline are in proximity.

Meanwhile, the Medio Fire, burning about 5 miles north of the Santa Fe ski basin, had increased to 2,702 acres and was 18% contained. Fire officials said during an online community meeting Monday night that 232 firefighters are working the blaze, the cause of which is still undetermined.

No homes were at risk, though some cultural and tribal properties were in danger. The fire is burning near the boundaries of Pojoaque, Nambe and Tesuque pueblos.

Fire officials warned that increased smoke can be expected up and down the Rio Grande Valley in the coming days as firefighters step up burnout operations in an effort to combat the blaze. Crews were implementing burnouts along the southern, western and northern edges of the fire.

This strategy is intended to moderate fire intensity as the main fire approached containment lines. These complex burnouts may require several days to complete, according to a news release from the Southwest Area Incident Management Team.

Fire officials say smoke in the area isnt just from the Medio Fire, but from fires in Colorado, as well.

People sensitive to smoke and those who have respiratory problems or heart disease are advised to take precautions.

Firefighters were also employing protection measures along the western portion of Forest Road 102 in an effort to protect residences.

The Medio Fire is burning about 1 miles from the community of Rio en Medio.
A 19-year-old Bergen County woman who hid her pregnancy from her family and secretly gave birth over the weekend has been charged with aggravated manslaughter in the babys death, authorities said Tuesday.

Kimberly Aponte, of Hackensack, gave birth late Friday or early Saturday in the apartment where she lived in the 400 block of Hackensack Avenue, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.

Hackensack police received a 911 call from Apontes father shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday saying his daughter had given birth, Musella said in a statement.

When officers arrived at the apartment, the resident directed them inside where they observed a lifeless child, Musella said.

Officers found Aponte in her bedroom. She was taken by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center, the prosecutor said.

Hackensack police then called members of the Bergen County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit to investigate the circumstances surrounding the babys death.

A subsequent investigation revealed that Aponte had given birth to a full-term baby after hiding the pregnancy from her family, wrapped the child in a towel, and left it hidden in a clothes hamper, Musella said.

Aponte was arrested Monday and charged with second-degree aggravated manslaughter. She was taken to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in court on Wednesday, Musella said.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
T he UK's first Pride train staffed by an all LGBT+ crew is making its first journey today.

Launched by Avanti West Coast, who run routes from London to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Wales and Scotland, the train has been unveiled just two months after the end of Pride Month.

The 11-carriage train is travelling from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly on Tuesday and is emblazoned with "the biggest Pride flag the UK has seen".

It is being run by an all-LGBT+ crew and is filled with educational resources, the company said.

The paintwork incorporates all the colours of the progress Pride flag, including pink, blue and white for the transgender community, and black and brown to represent the Asian and ethnic minority population. 

The new Pride train en route / CPG Photos

The 265 metre-long train is filled with literature, stories and colourful posters and will feature Pride related information and fun facts during the onboard announcements.

Train manager, Paul Austin, said: This is about being accepted for who I am and representing the LGBT+ community we serve across our network.

Being a part of the UKs first all LGBT+ crew is a sign of the steps were taking towards a more inclusive, diverse and equal society and I am so proud to be involved today.

The train company said yesterday that while future crews will not be exclusively LGBT+, the multi-colour Pride flag will remain for the "forseeable future".

Sarah Copley, Avanti West Coast executive director, said: "I'm delighted to be launching our new Avanti West Coast Pride Train, which represents everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.

"It is a symbol of our commitment to diversity and inclusion as it travels up and down the West Coast Main Line. We live proud 365 days a year, not just today.

"I am so proud to be a part of a business where our people represent the communities we serve."

Now, the company are running a competition asking members of the public to suggest a name for the new train.

Loading....

The person with the winning entry will be given star treatment at the train's official naming event and will fly the flag at Pride next year.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) London  Tue, August 25, 2020 11:04 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c403fcba 2 Entertainment United-Kingdom,Racism,Proms,Rule-Britannia Free

It's a quintessentially British event: thousands of classical music lovers bobbing up and down at the Last Night of the Proms, waving the Union Flag, singing "Rule Britannia!" and "Land of Hope and Glory".

But the event will now feature only orchestral reworkings of the patriotic anthems for fear of a public backlash because of their associations with colonialism and slavery in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests, said the BBC, which sets the program.

The broadcaster had faced earlier calls to scrap them altogether, but said they would instead "reinvent the Last Night in this extraordinary year so that it respects the traditions and spirit of the event whilst adapting to very different circumstances at this moment in time."

The government earlier waded into the storm about the two anthems celebrating the country's seafaring past.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman told reporters on Monday the program for the series of concerts was a matter for the BBC.

"The PM previously set out his position on like issues and has been clear that while he understands the strong emotions involved in these discussions, we need to tackle the substance of problems, not the symbols," he said.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden called the two songs "highlights" of the Proms, an annual series of daily classical music concerts which begin on Friday.

"Confident forward-looking nations don't erase their history, they add to it," he wrote on Twitter, adding that he had contacted the BBC to voice his concerns.

Read also: Stop denying and listen to us: Papuans hopeful for talk, action to end everyday racism

This year's Proms -- formally known as the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in west London -- will be a virtual event because of coronavirus restrictions.

The Sunday Times quoted an unnamed BBC insider as saying the lack of audience was an opportunity to diversify the program, calling it the "Black Lives Matter Proms".

Classical music has long been accused of being overwhelmingly white and male, with the Last Night of the Proms the starkest example.

"Rule Britannia!" is based on a poem of the same name and includes the lyrics "Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves/Britons never, never, never shall be slaves".

"Land of Hope and Glory", with music by the composer Edward Elgar, is a similar hymn to British exceptionalism and viewed by some as a defense and celebration of colonialism.

But organizers feared they could sit uneasily with moves to reassess Britain's historical legacy overseas, sparked by anti-racism protests sparked after the death of George Floyd in the United States.

Protesters toppled a statue to a slave trader in Bristol, and there have been calls for streets honoring figures who profited from the practice to be renamed.

Johnson though rejected what he said was an attempt to "edit or censor our past" after monuments across the country, including to wartime hero Winston Churchill, were defaced.
As Lukashenka Turns To Geopolitics, The West Faces Learning Curve In Belarus

By Reid Standish August 24, 2020

With hundreds of thousands of protesters flooding the streets of Minsk in recent days as Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka put the military on high-alert warning of a foreign-backed plan to oust him, the standoff in Belarus shows no signs of subsiding.

The embattled strongman has been back-footed by the massive, unprecedented demonstrations demanding he resign in the wake of the August 9 presidential election the protesters view as fixed.

And with nowhere else to turn to, he has gone looking to the Kremlin for support.

Lukashenka -- in power for more than a quarter-century -- has in recent days even accused European Union countries of plotting a "color revolution" to topple him and warned that NATO is massing troops on Belarus's western border.

The military alliance flatly rejects the charges in what appears an attempt by Lukashenka to elevate his full-blown domestic crisis into a geopolitical one reminiscent of standoffs between Russia and the West across the former Soviet Union.

Despite Lukashenka's rhetoric, the events in Belarus remain domestically driven.

EU flags and ambitions of Western integration have not been a factor in the demonstrations that have spread across the country, with protesters and opposition figures such as exiled presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya repeating that the protests are motivated by the desire to freely choose a leader and are not part of an anti-Russian or pro-Western movement.

But with poor relations and high suspicions between Moscow and the West, the EU and Russian responses to ongoing developments in Belarus are being shaped -- for better or worse -- by past experiences in Georgia, Ukraine, and Armenia.

"Everybody knows the Russian playbook after 2014 and is concerned about it, but the West and Russia are being far more careful now than before," Paul Stronski, a former director for Russia and Central Asia on the U.S. National Security Council who is now a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told RFE/RL. "The protests in Belarus are not geopolitical and the West isn't looking to change that."

Walking A Tightrope

European leaders have been quick to express solidarity with the protesters, but the EU has offered a calibrated response to the crisis that suggests the bloc's leaders are wary of antagonizing the Kremlin to avoid military intervention by Russia on Lukashenka's behalf.

While eager to defend democratic values, fair elections, and the rule of law, European leaders have hedged their response. EU foreign ministers have called the election results fraudulent, agreed on sanctions, and demanded the release of protesters unlawfully detained, but have not backed the opposition's call for new elections.

Instead, the bloc has urged dialogue between the government and the opposition to foster a "peaceful transition of power."

"The tone from the EU suggests a clear acknowledgement of a Russian role in the outcome and that there is still some hope that it's possible to engage with Russia constructively," Joerg Forbrig, the director for Central and Eastern Europe at the German Marshall Fund in Berlin, told RFE/RL.

Finding a constructive solution with Russia on the stalemate in Belarus would involve the EU overcoming the lack of trust that cratered relations with Moscow following its 2014 annexation of Crimea and the ensuing war in eastern Ukraine.

But the events in Belarus vary markedly from those in neighboring Ukraine in 2014, which were a direct response to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's decision to abandon European integration and reforms in favor of the Moscow-led Eurasian Union. This led to the EU and Ukraine's future political orientation becoming a central factor of the protest movement that led to Yanukovych's departure and Russia's intervention.

In Belarus, the situation remains different, with the focus on the erosion of rights and opportunities during Lukashenka's 26-year reign as president.

This has led some commentators, such as former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, to argue that the 2018 revolution in Armenia -- where mass demonstrations led to the resignation of longtime President Serzh Sarkisian -- is a more instructive example for Belarus.

In an August 18 op-ed, Bildt said Armenia offered the best template for current developments in Belarus, where fresh elections could pave the way for a new government. While Armenian protests pushed out Sarkisian, the new administration led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has retained the country's pro-Russian policies.

"To ensure a smooth process, Belarus's external orientation should be kept off the table," Bildt wrote. "The election and broader struggle must be solely about democracy within the country, and nothing else."

"Russia doesn't always intervene if a previous partner loses an election. They can live with power transfers and Armenia is the best recent example of that," said Forbrig. "Russia is still shaping its approach in Belarus and has shown in the past it can be adaptable."

Looking For A Toolbox

But unlike Sarkisian in Armenia, Lukashenka shows no signs of leaving office on his own accord and shouted at protesters during a visit to a factory that "there will be no new election until you kill me."

Despite the nationwide protests against his rule, Lukashenka still appears to enjoy overwhelming support among the military and security services and, unlike in Armenia, the Belarusian authorities had no qualms about using force against their citizens, violently breaking up demonstrations, detaining people in mass, and reportedly torturing protesters.

With Lukashenka making it clear he intends to hang on to power and no clear path towards a political transition on the horizon, the EU has few other policy options than the sanctions and support that it has already offered.

Maryya Sadouskaya-Komlach, a Belarusian journalist and program coordinator at Free Press Unlimited, told RFE/RL that she believes the EU was not making enough use of the preexisting mechanism it already possesses, in particular the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), an organization founded by the bloc to support civil society and political activists. The EED has been notably quiet during the weeks of protest in Belarus, which Sadouskaya-Komlach thinks sends a signal of indifference to the protesters.

Meanwhile, sanctions appear to be the main option in the EU's toolbox, but with Belarus being sanctioned in some form or another by Europe since 1997 and not having changed course by now, the utility of the sanctions seems limited. "The EU wants to use targeted sanctions as a symbol of its tough actions against Lukashenka, but it is instead a symbol of its policy failure," Sadouskaya-Komlach said.

A Confused Kremlin

The current situation is also a policy conundrum for the Kremlin.

Regardless of how the current situation ends, Moscow will retain significant influence in Belarus.

The economy relies heavily on Russia, which effectively subsidizes Minsk with low-cost oil and gas shipments and the two countries are well-integrated -- a union that the Kremlin is keen to deepen.

Furthermore, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lukashenka have a famously tense relationship, with the Belarusian president eroding his own standing with the Kremlin by resisting Putin's push for deeper economic union.

But Lukashenka's dominance of Belarusian politics creates a quandary for Russia.

Unlike in Ukraine, where the Kremlin has spent decades cultivating pro-Russian politicians, parties, and oligarchs, Belarus has few alternatives for Moscow to support. Similarly, Tsikhanouskaya, who is in exile in Lithuania, and her campaign, which allowed members of Belarus's traditional Western-funded opposition to dominate the postelection Coordination Council, are viewed with suspicion by Moscow.

"This can't be a situation like Armenia because Lukashenka won't give up," Angela Stent, a former U.S. national intelligence officer on Russia and a professor at Georgetown University, told RFE/RL. "I can't see him giving up peacefully, let alone negotiating him leaving the country or holding new elections."

For the time being, Moscow appears to be backing its problematic partner in Minsk as he tries to cling to power.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently warned that the situation in Belarus was a "continuation" of the tug-of-war between Russia and the EU over Ukraine in 2014 and claimed that the thus far very peacefully protesting opposition wants "bloodshed."

"No one wants a repeat of Ukraine in 2014 and no one wants to do anything that will provoke Russia," Stentsaid. "There is a very limited toolbox for the West here."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/as-lukashenka -turns-to-geopolitics-the-west-faces- learning-curve-in-belarus/30800512.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Alibaba opens first business center in east China The Alibaba Group on Tuesday opened its first business operation center in the city of Jinhua in east China's Zhejiang Province.

JD.com's net revenue up 33.8 pct in Q2 Chinese online retail giant JD.com saw a soaring net revenue of 201.1 billion yuan (about 28.73 billion U.S. dollars) in the second quarter, up 33.8 percent year on year.
BRIDGEPORT  A city man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to allegedly shooting at his sister because she was dating a rival gang member.

Clinton Clint Taylor, 22, who is on probation for a 2016 gang-related shooting, pleaded not guilty via video conferencing to attempted first-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, illegal discharge of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and criminal possession of a firearm. He requested a jury trial.

Superior Court Judge Kevin Russo continued the case to Sept. 15. Taylor is being held in lieu of $500,000 bond.

Taylors grandmother, Bridgeport Councilwoman Denese Taylor-Moye, sat in the courtroom during the brief hearing.

He is innocent until proven guilty, she said later. Just as I am here to fight for everyone, I will fight for my grandson.

Police said Taylor, a member of the West Side gang 150 Boys, shot at his sister because she had been dating Asante Gaines, who was recently indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly being a high-ranking member of the Greene Homes Boys gang that allegedly shot at rival gang members outside the Golden Hill Street courthouse on Jan. 27.

On July 1, the state Department of Corrections notified Bridgeport police that they had intercepted a call from the sister to Gaines, who is being held in a state prison. According to Taylors arrest warrant affidavit, the sister told Gaines that Taylor had shot at her but that she was reluctant to go to police because, At the end of the day, hes still my brother.

Based on information in the call, Police Sgt. Jason Amato, head of the gang task force, went to an apartment building on West Avenue where Taylor-Moye and her granddaughter live and found a spent 9mm bullet casing in the parking lot under the building, police said.

Police said they reviewed surveillance video footage from the apartment building and saw a man they identified as Taylor drive up, get out of the car, pull a handgun from his pants pocket and fire at his sister who was standing a short distance away. He then got back into the car and drove off, police said.

Police said the sister was not injured.

Police said Taylor had been previously arrested in 2016, after a high-speed chase through the city following an alleged gang-related shooting in the Greene Homes housing project. Taylor later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree assault with a firearm and was sentenced to 10 years, suspended after he served 47 months and followed by five years of probation.
A gentleman saved his home from the Northern California wildfires by spraying them with Bud Light.

The Mercury News:

Last Wednesday morning was a very harrowing time for Chad Little and his family, but he was thankfully able to find a bit of light in the situation.

Light beer, that is.

As the LNU Lightning Complex Fires raged around him, Little was able to keep the flames at bay by spraying cans of Bud Light, defending his house in the process.

Little said he and his family had anticipated the fire reaching their property off Pleasants Valley Road and had already begun packing their things. When the fire arrived, Little told his family he wasn't leaving.

Party isn't over til you are out of Bud Light.
For many Black people, all of this is further compounded by the lack of access to mental health services in our communities. According to a 2018 report from the American Psychological Associations Center for Workforce Studies, only 4 percent of therapists are African-American, while Black people account for about 14 percent of the population.

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, an African-American clinical psychologist based in Atlanta, said racism is an underlying factor. In 2014 she started a blog called Therapy for Black Girls as a place for Black women to talk about their mental health, which she has since expanded into a podcast. Other communities, she told me in a phone interview, have a lot longer of history of getting help. For us, it is still a foreign concept.

Being transparent about ones own struggles may help to ease the stigma. In a recent interview in Self magazine, the actress Taraji P. Henson discussed her struggles with depression and the challenges of sharing mental health problems with the public. I hope that one day we can all be free to talk about mental health and be OK with seeking help, she said. In an effort to help, she founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named after her father, who dealt with mental health challenges after the Vietnam War.

And the hip-hop artist Jay-Z talked about therapy in an interview with the editor of The New York Times in 2017, as well as on CNN in 2018. As you grow, you realize the ridiculousness of the stigma attached to it, he said, suggesting that therapy should be offered in schools.

Despite such efforts to open the dialogue about Black peoples mental health, it can still be a struggle. When the R&B artist Summer Walker revealed to fans last fall that she suffered from social anxiety, she faced criticism. The comments reminded me of the many times I have tried to open up to those around me about my anxiety and was met with dismissiveness or coldness.

The only way to truly end the stigma around mental illness is through empathy and offering comfort to those around you who may need help. It is important that we dont merely start the conversation but continue it by taking action, which is seeking out treatment. The myth of the strong Black man and Black woman has convinced many of us that we are unbreakable even when we are suffering. That affects both how we process our trauma and how we communicate about it with others.

The biggest barrier is culture, Dr. Fletcher told me. Culture is the most resistant aspect to change.
Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City are closely monitoring the Chikungunya epidemic in Cambodia after approximately 1,700 Cambodian citizens have come down with the disease.

As of early August, Chikungunya had spread to 15 provinces in Cambodia, including Tbong Khnum, Ta Kheo, and Kampot, which share the border with Vietnam, according to Dr. Le Hong Nga, an official from the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC).

In Vietnam, the disease was discovered in 1975, Nga said, adding that there has been no specific treatment method or vaccine to prevent Chikungunya to date.

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, according to the World Health Organization.

It causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and a rash.

Chikungunya has similar clinical manifestations to dengue fever infection, which can easily lead to misdiagnosis, said Dr. Nga.

The disease is usually not fatal, but can last long and reduce the quality of patients lives.

Two special units in charge of monitoring the Chikungunya epidemic have been established at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases and Hung Vuong Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

Both units have not recorded any case of Chikungunya so far.

Dr. Nga believed that the risk of a Chikungunya outbreak is not high in the southern Vietnamese metropolis.

To prevent the disease, residents are advised to follow dengue fever prevention measures, including regularly cleaning up their house and workplaces to stop mosquitoes from reproducing.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Recovery in global aviation still seems to be a long way off as coronavirus cases rise in many countries.

The coronavirus pandemic and its crushing blow to the travel industry is leading to mounting pressure on airlines to reduce jobs, with United States-based Delta Air Lines and Australias Qantas becoming the latest to announce plans to either sideline or cut workers.

Delta is set to furlough 1,941 pilots in October, the carrier said in a memo to employees that noted the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and plunging air travel demand.

US airlines warned they will need to furlough tens of thousands of workers once $25bn in US government stimulus funds run out in September. The aid, which covered employees pay, was meant to help them weather the pandemic and preserve jobs until a recovery, but travel remains depressed.

We are six months into this pandemic and only 25 percent of our revenues have been recovered. Unfortunately, we see few catalysts over the next six months to meaningfully change this trajectory, Deltas head of flight operations John Laughter said in the memo.

He said the airline is simply overstaffed.

Atlanta-based Delta originally estimated a surplus of 2,558 pilots but reduced the number of involuntary furloughs following early retirement and voluntary departure programmes, a spokeswoman said.

But there were still roughly 11,200 active pilots on Deltas roster, Laughter said, with only about 9,450 needed for the summer 2021 schedule, which the carrier expects will be the peak flying period for the next 12-18 months.

The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents Deltas pilots, said it was extremely disappointed in the decision.

Pilots are the only unionised workgroup at Delta, which last month said furloughs could be avoided if pilots agreed to a 15 percent cut to minimum pay.

US airline unions, however, have been reluctant to negotiate pay cuts, having only recently recouped wages lost after the September 11, 2001, attacks and a string of bankruptcies and mergers that followed.

Peers such as American Airlines said they are trying to keep as many pilots as possible on board due to the costly and lengthy training required to bring them back in a recovery.

Airlines and unions have been lobbying Washington to extend another $25bn in aid to protect jobs through March, but talks are at a standstill.

Delta was among the carriers that agreed in July to federal loans under a $25bn programme, in addition to the $25bn in payroll aid they received under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. As part of the agreement, carriers that received state aid are barred from furloughing or laying off workers until September 30.

More misery at Qantas

Meanwhile, Qantas has announced a further round of redundancies.

Qantas plans to outsource its Australian ground-handling operations as part of a cost-cutting move [File: David Gray/Reuters]

The Australian carrier said it plans to cut up to 2,500 more jobs by outsourcing its ground-handling operations in Australia to lower costs as it braces for a 10 billion Australian dollar ($7.17bn) drop in revenue due to the pandemic this financial year.

The job cuts flagged on Tuesday are on top of 6,000 across its workforce announced in June, which would take its total job losses to nearly 30 percent of its pre-pandemic staffing.

Qantass head of domestic operations Andrew David said outsourcing ground handling jobs at the countrys biggest airports would save an estimated 100 million Australian dollars ($71.7m) each year in operating costs.

It would match our ground-handling services with fluctuating levels of demand, David told reporters at a briefing. We know an external party can turn our aircraft at 40 percent lower cost than we can using our resources.

It would also allow the airline to avoid investing 100 million Australian dollars ($71.7m) in equipment like tugs and bag loaders over the next five years by outsourcing the work to a specialist ground handler, Gareth Evans, Chief Executive of Jetstar, Qantass budget arm, said.

The executives did not name the firms that could be involved in the outsourcing, but major ground handlers in Australia include dnata, Swissport and Menzies Aviation.

Qantas shares were up 1.7 percent on Tuesday afternoon, compared with a 0.2 percent rise in the broader market.

As part of a union agreement, Qantas said it would also have to offer the opportunity for the 2,000 ground handlers at its main brand to bid for the work, though it will not have to do so at Jetstar.

The airline said it would complete its review over the next few months. Most of its ground-handling employees have been stood down from work for months and are receiving government aid due to the decline in travel demand.

Transport Workers Union National Secretary Michael Kaine, whose union represents the ground handlers, said in a statement the announcement of job losses was utterly devastating.
The story comes to me from Oklahoma. I do not know who wrote it, nor its origin, but I hope you will read it and imagine my first reading, just now, as you do 

- - -

My friend Kevin and I are volunteers at a National Cemetery in Oklahoma and put in a few days a month in a 'slightly larger' uniform. Today had been a long, long day and I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's and have a cold one. Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 16:55. Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day.

Full dress was hot in the August sun: Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever--the heat and humidity at the same level--both too high.

I saw the car pull into the drive, '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory new.

It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace. An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed; she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers--about 4 or 5 bunches as best I could tell.

I couldn't help myself. The thought came unwanted and left a slightly bitter taste: 'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right now!'

But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.

Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old lady along, we might make it to Smokey's in time for a cold one. Or two.

I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in Marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.

I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman's squint.

'Ma'am, may I assist you in any way?'

She took long enough to answer.

'Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days'

'My pleasure, ma'am.' (Well, it wasn't too much of a lie.)

She looked again. 'Marine, where were you stationed?'

' Vietnam, ma'am. Ground-pounder. '69 to '71.'

She looked at me closer. 'Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine. I'll be as quick as I can.'

I lied a little bigger: 'No hurry, ma'am.'

She smiled and winked at me. 'Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off. Let's get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name's Joanne Wieserman, and I've a few Marines I'd like to see one more time.'

'Yes, ma 'am. At your service.'

She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flower bunches out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone.

She murmured something I couldn't quite make out. The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France 1918.

She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek.

She put a bunch on a stone; the name was Stephen X. Davidson, USMC, 1943.

She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944.

She paused for a second and more tears flowed.

'Two more, son, and we'll be done'

I almost didn't say anything, but 'Yes, ma'am. Take your time.'

She looked confused. 'Where's the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way.'

I pointed with my chin. 'That way, ma'am.'

'Oh!' she chuckled quietly. 'Son, me and old age ain't too friendly.'

She headed down the walk I'd pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968, and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970.

She stood there and murmured a few words I couldn't make out and more tears flowed.

'OK, son, I'm finished. Get me back to my car and you can go home.'

Yes, ma'am. If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?'

She paused. Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband, Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action. All Marines.'

She stopped. Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know.

She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.

I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.

'Get to the 'Out' gate quick! I have something I've got to do.'

Kevin started to say something but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get us down the service road fast. We beat her.

She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet.

'Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my lead.'

I humped it across the drive to the other post.

When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice: 'Tehen Hut!

Present arms!'

I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye -- full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud.

She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor, and sacrifice far beyond the realm of most.

I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.

Instead of 'The End,' just think of 'Taps.'

As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer: 'Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas. Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.'

Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy.

In God We Trust.'

Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too!

If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.

* * *

AND SO, I HAVE A NAGGING QUESTION 

* -- On Sunday, in the placid Wisconsin town of Kenosha., Wisc. (about half the size of Chattanooga, on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan), a black man was shot about 5 p.m. when he, during a heated confrontation with police, reached inside his car for an unknown reason. Jacob Blake, age 29, had a violent history with the police. Within only hours, a mob gathered and rioted, shut down the streets in Kenosha, Wisc., setting trucks on fire, patrolling the streets with semi-automatic rifles, and ransacking nearby businesses.

An automobile dealership was heavily vandalized, its vehicles set on fire, and even the public library was ransacked. Stores were systematically broken into and pillaged, and the whole town was described as a scene out of hell.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D-Wisc.) had few, if any details on the carnage, and he did not wait for more details before condemning the shooting:

Tonight, Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kathy and I join his family, friends, and neighbors in hoping earnestly that he will not succumb to his injuries, Evers tweeted. While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.

We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equity, and accountability for Black lives in our countrylives like those of George Floyd, of Breonna Taylor, Tony Robinson, Dontre Hamilton, Ernest Lacy, and Sylville Smith, the governor added. And we stand against excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with Black Wisconsinites.

He said he believed the shooting was racially motivated. In the coming days, we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long.

Due to a total lack-of-control, the National Guard has now been deployed.

* * *

In Chicago, for the week beginning on Sunday, August 16, and ending at Saturday midnight, 08/22, there were 144 shootings and 10 homicides, that is in one week! For the year Chicago has seen 2,677 shootings and 481 homicides. Who do we see about that?

* * *

Portland, Oregon? A Blue Lives Matter rally on Saturday was infiltrated by Antifa thugs and rioting broke out for the 86th straight night. Twenty three were arrested this weekend by the Portland police but the citys DA has said he will not pursue legal retribution. President Trump has renewed his intention of a National Guard call.

* * *

So, my nagging question is simply this: At what point does the 85-year-old Joanne Wieserman get to see the result of a lifetime of human investment into the good of the United States? Show me her return and dividend? From all I can see in her decades of hope, sorrow, anguish, and promise, she deserves to see gain but because of our riffraff and its shallow noise, her lone recourse is to lay flowers. She deserves far better  far, far much better  and the true American should settle the bill.

* * *

A CLEVER CARD TRICK  Somehow one of the cleverest cards tricks ever may fit right now. To see it CLICK HERE.
MEXICO CITY: Mexico is due to take part in clinical trials of an Italian vaccine being developed against the coronavirus, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Tuesday.

Ebrard did not say when Mexico would begin the trials of the GRAd-COV2 vaccine being carried out by the National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani in Rome.

Yesterday they told us," Ebrard told a news conference. We are very grateful to Italy."

The Lazzaro Spallanzani institute this week announced it would conduct trials on 90 volunteers over the coming weeks, with the hope a vaccine may be available by spring of next year.

It is not clear if Mexico will take part in phase 2 or the later, and bigger, phase 3 trials of the Italian vaccine being developed by ReiThera, a company based in Rome.

Ebrard said Mexico has signed an agreement for 2,000 volunteers to take place part in trials of Russias Sputnik V" vaccine.

Latin America has become a key location for global vaccine trials, with the wide spread of the virus in the community allowing developers to test the efficiency of their vaccines.

Mexico is also preparing to carry out late-stage trials for Frances Sanofi, U.S. pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson and two Chinese companies.

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
Hazleton, PA (18201)

Today

Snow this morning will give way to partly cloudy conditions this afternoon. Morning high of 31F with temps falling to near 15. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 6F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON: In a notable change, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, will now be regularly tested for the coronavirus as the race heats up, a campaign aide confirmed Monday.

"This announcement is another step demonstrating Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' commitment to turn the page on Trump's catastrophic mismanagement during the worst public health crisis in 100 years," said Biden spokesperson Andrew Bates.

Bates declined to comment Monday when asked if Biden had been tested yet, though deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said Sunday that he hadn't been.

A campaign aide said the decision to move forward with regular testing was based on the recommendations of the campaign's medical advisers.

ALSO WATCH | Indian-American couple releases campaign video for Biden, Harris

It comes as the candidate and his running mate are expected to ramp up in-person campaigning in the final 10 weeks of the election.

The news was first reported by Bloomberg.

Staffers who interact with the candidates will also be tested regularly.

And the campaign has pledged to make public if either Biden or Harris tests positive for the virus.

Biden had said multiple times over the past few months that he hasn't been tested for the virus, noting he's experienced no symptoms.

Still, the former vice president is 77 and remains at higher risk for severe illness if infected than the greater population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Democratic presidential nominee has avoided large public campaign events in favor of virtual campaigning from his Wilmington, Delaware home, and when he does hold in-person events, they are small, socially distanced gatherings where Biden and all attendees are required to wear a mask.

But the lack of testing last week came as Biden delivered remarks for the Democratic National Convention in front of a small pool of reporters, all of whom were tested daily for the coronavirus and were required to have a negative result to attend the remarks.

The Biden campaign has pummeled President Donald Trump on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

"For the entirety of this outbreak, Joe Biden has lived his values, modelling and strongly encouraging responsible behavior to keep Americans safe while proposing the kind of desperately-needed national strategy for defeating this pandemic that Donald Trump still has not provided," Bates said.

Donald Trump has been the opposite.

In the early weeks of the pandemic, Trump also went without a coronavirus test, first taking one in March.

But he shifted to daily tests in May, after one of his personal aides tested positive for the virus.
Last year, Taylor Swift graced the cover of Vogue's September issue. In 2018, it was Beyonce, and in 2017, it was Jennifer Lawrence.

But this year Vogue's two September issue covers don't feature famous faces at all, but paintings by black contemporary artists Kerry James Marshall, 64, and Jordan Casteel, 31.

Cover paintings over photography are a rare but not unheard of occurrence in the fashion bible's 128-year history, and Marshall and Casteel join the ranks of Salvador Dali, Giorgio de Chirico, Marie Laurencin, and John Currin.

Something different: Vogue's two September issue covers feature paintings this year. This one, of fashion designer Aurora James, was created by Jordan Casteel

Attention-grabbing: Artist Kerry James Marshall painted a fictional character with skin so dark that it's 'at the edge of visibility'

Writer Dodie Kazanjian explains that Vogue's covers 'talk to us about who we are and about the world we live in'  and this year, 'our world [is] turned upside down, by the plagues of COVID-19 and presidential incompetence.'

So the magazine is taking a break from its go-to mega-famous cover stars, and gave two artists 'complete freedom to decide who would be on their cover, a real or imaginary person, and how that person would be portrayed'.

Marshall, who had a 201617 retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, created a fictional character for his cover, dressing her in a gown by the label Off-White.

'Im trying to build into her expression that shes not dependent on the gaze of the spectator,' he said. '"Im here and you can see me, but Im not here for you." Thats a critical element. The great word, ultimately, is going to be "self-possessed." Thats what Im aiming for.'

He painted his character's skin so dark that it's 'at the edge of visibility,' using three shades of black: carbon black, iron oxide black, and ivory black.

'The point is to show that blackness is rich and complex, within the blackness alone,' he said. 'If youre going to be painting a face as black as Im painting them, they cant just be a cipher, like a black hole. They have to be mysterious but available.

'If you say, "Black is beautiful," you have to show it. And what Im doing is showing it at the extreme. Yes, it is black  very black  and it is very beautiful.

Casteel, whose work was on display at New York City's New Museum before the pandemic, painted fashion designer Aurora James in a dress by Pyer Moss.

The artist said she believes that James' 15 Percent Pledge, which supports black-owned businesses, is 'hugely important in creating the long-term change that Black people deserve and this country owes us.

Unique: The artists, including 31-year-old Casteel (pictured) join the ranks of Salvador Dali, Giorgio de Chirico, Marie Laurencin, and John Currin

Who we are: Writer Dodie Kazanjian explains that Vogue's covers 'talk to us about who we are and about the world we live in' (pictured: artist Marshall)

'I see her as a light in a lot of darkness, and a potential for hope, a representative of change across all creative industries,' she said.

The cover reveal for this year's September issue, which is widely regarded as the most important and influential annual issue of any fashion magazine, comes amid mounting criticism of American Vogue over its lack of diversity and inclusion.

Earlier this month, Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles called out the publication for not hiring enough black photographers for its cover shoots - while praising the magazine's British version for its own September cover, which features 40 activists described as 'The Faces of Hope'.

British Vogue's September issue features Marcus Rashford and Adwoa Aboah on the cover and spotlights activism, with editor Edward Enninful calling the issue a 'rallying cry for the future'.

The issue, which is a collaboration between all 26 editions of the magazine around the world for the September and October issues, also marked the first time in British Vogue's history that the cover was shot by a black man.

But while Knowles applauded Enninful's work, she also took the opportunity to call out American Vogue, accusing the magazine of not doing enough to spotlight black talent.

'Kudos to this wonderful Man Mr. Edward Enningful!! [sic] Editor of British Vogue for boldly putting our beautiful Activists on the cover!!!' she wrote, captioning a photo of Enninful.

'When will American Vogue step up and hire more Black Photographers for cover shoots? We're waiting.......'

In June, Wintour addressed the criticism aimed both at herself and the magazine, admitting that she allowed 'hurtful and intolerant behavior' go unchecked during her 32-year reign at the fashion magazine, while also noting that she has not done enough to champion black staffers and designers.

Every mag: British Vogue's September 2020 issue features Marcus Rashford and Adwoa Aboah on the cover and spotlights activism.

Gorgeous: Kerry Washington covers the September issue of Town & Country and was interviewed alongside several ACLU lawyers who appear in a documentary she made

'I want to start by acknowledging your feelings and expressing my empathy towards what so many of you are going through: sadness, hurt, and anger too,' Wintour wrote in a company-wide memo that was sent out to staff amid the Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd.

'I want to say this especially to the Black members of our team  I can only imagine what these days have been like. But I also know that the hurt, and violence, and injustice we're seeing and talking about have been around for a long time. Recognizing it and doing something about it is overdue.'

Vogue's new covers follow in the footsteps of several other major magazines, which have also used their September issues to spotlight activism, social justice, and black stars and photographers.

Kerry Washington covers the September issue of Town & Country, posing in a slinky lilac Cushnie dress with gold jewelry, natural makeup, and natural hair.

But while the images are the standard glamorous shots one would expect in a glossy monthly magazine, Kerry, 43, isn't talking movies or fashion in the accompanying interview.

She was interviewed by Sarah Elizabeth Lewis, an Associate Professor at Harvard University, and was joined by five American Civil Liberties Union lawyers.

The group discussed the new documentary, The Fight, which is about the ACLU lawyers and was produced by Kerry herself.

Front and center: Breonna Taylor covers the September issue of O, The Oprah Magazine in an image by 24-year-old digital artist Alexis Franklin

This month: Breonna also covers Vanity Fair's September issue, in a stunning blue portrait by Amy Sherald

Meanwhile, for the first time ever, Oprah Winfrey does not appear on the cover of O, The Oprah Magazine.

Instead, the 66-year-old mogul has stepped aside to give the spot to Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old woman who was killed by plainclothes police officers who stormed into her Louisville home in the middle of the night with a no-knock warrant on March 13.

In her editor's letter, Oprah said that she and her magazine staff gave Breonna the September cover in an effort to 'use whatever megaphone we have to cry for justice.'

The cover image was created by 24-year-old digital artist Alexis Franklin.

'What I know for sure: We cant be silent. We have to use whatever megaphone we have to cry for justice. And that is why Breonna Taylor is on the cover of O magazine,' Oprah wrote in her What I Know For Sure column.

And Vanity Fair's September issue features a stunning blue portrait of Breonna by the artist who painted Michelle Obama for the National Portrait Gallery.

Artist Amy Sherald's 2018 portrait of the former First Lady became instantly iconic, but the 46-year-old painter says that her Vanity Fair cover is a contribution to the 'moment and to activism  producing this image keeps Breonna alive forever.'

The magazine was guest edited this month by author Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Coates also interviewed Breonna's mother, Tamika Palmer.
Andrew Forrest is set to earn a single dividend payment of $1.11billion, marking a bumper payday for the Australian mining magnate.

The 59-year-old chairman of Fortescue Metals will receive the incredible sum after the company announced its final year dividend.

The business achieved record results this year on the back of a surging iron ore price, reduced competition and unrelenting demand from Chinese buyers.

CEO Elizabeth Gaines announced Fortescue Metals $1 per share dividend on Monday, which leaves Forrest earning $2billion from dividends in the past 12 months.

A dividend is an amount of money paid regularly, usually once a year, to a company's shareholders from its profits.

Andrew Forrest (pictured) will earn $1.11billion from Fortescue Metals final year dividend

Forrest's company posted record results from reduced competition and unrelenting Chinese iron ore demand (pictured, Forrest and Alannah MacTiernan at Fortescue's site in Port Headland in February 2006)

Forrest and his wife Nicola pledged to continue to donate to humanitarian causes.

'This year, Nicola and I announced an additional personal donation of $520million to Minderoo Foundation, bringing our total donations to the Foundations causes, both here and abroad, to over $2billion,' Forrest said in his chairmans message, as reported by Business Insider.

The couple increased their ownership of the company to more than 36 per cent this year.

Fortescue Metals exported 178 million tonnes of iron ore over the financial year, with the price of a tonne peaking at more than $US120 ($AUD167) per tonne.

The price grew after Brazilian exporters were unable to operate due to dam collapses and complications from coronavirus, while Chinese demand through the year was unwavering.

Ms Gaines said the company posted great annual results through their policies in managing coronavirus.

'We began dealing with the impact of COVID-19 long before the first case was identified in Australia given the impact on our China-based colleagues,' she said.

'As the pandemic hit our shores, we introduced measures such as extended operational rosters, working from home, additional charter flights, changes to our village facilities, and temperature and health screening to keep our people and the broader community safe.'
Against a backdrop of a struggling economy and more than 170,000 lives lost to the coronavirus, Republicans on Monday painted an ominous picture of what losing the White House would mean for the country.

It may not have been the traditional, crowd-filled production the president and his party originally wanted to celebrate, but the first night of the Republican National Convention featured a slew of speakers, videos, and even appearances from the president himself. Through it all, the president's party offered haunting interpretations of the current political and cultural landscape.

PHOTO: People listen as President Donald Trump speaks on stage as he visits the Republican National Committee convention site, Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Event organizers said the first night of the convention would serve as a table setter for the next three days, and the following three takeaways from the first night of the RNC could continue to play out over the rest of the week.

GOP unites behind Trump while offering a dark assessment of America

The first night of the 2020 Republican National Convention cemented how far the party has come in terms of unity over the course of the last four years. In 2016, delegates audibly booed against the nomination of Donald Trump on the floor of Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, and rumblings of a contested convention loomed over the lead-up to the typically celebratory event.

Monday night's largely virtual choreography offered no room for visible disagreement even if it existed, and the evening presented a sharp shift from any past political uncertainty as Republicans united in their vehement praise of Trump, while offering apocalyptic depictions of what the nation would look like without the incumbent remaining in the Oval Office.

Charlie Kirk, the 26-year-old president and founder of the conservative student group Turning Point USA, kicked off the night with a dark warning.

"I am here tonight to tell you -- to warn you -- that this election is a decision between preserving America as we know it, and eliminating everything that we love," Kirk said before praising Trump as "the bodyguard of western civilization."

Story continues

"Trump was elected to protect our families" from a "vengeful mob that wishes to destroy our way of life, our neighborhoods, schools, church, and values," he said, adding that the nation is "under attack by a group of bitter, deceitful, vengeful, arrogant activists."

Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz called Trump "a builder" and "a visionary" while offering similar broadly dystopian warnings about the possibility of Democrats rising to power.

"They'll disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home, and invite MS-13 to live next door. And the defunded police aren't on their way," Gaetz said.

Kim Klacik, a Maryland congressional candidate hoping to take over the seat held for years by the late Rep. Elijah Cummings, brought her long-shot campaign platform to the national stage in claiming that Democrat control of Baltimore has detrimentally affected African Americans.

Klacik described Baltimore as a city filled with "abandoned buildings, liquor stores on every corner, drug addicts and guns on the street," while praising President Trump for delivering on his promises to the nation and "bringing this country back roaring."

PHOTO: Patricia and Mark McCloskey speak during the first night of the 2020 Republican National Convention, Aug. 24, 2020. (Republican National Convention)

Trump was also praised by supporters of the president who were featured throughout the evening in videos and remarks. Among them were Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who described how they defended their home in St. Louis from a "mob of protesters" when they waved their guns at demonstrators in a now-viral video.

The McCloskeys were charged last month with felony unlawful use of a weapon for brandishing guns during a peaceful demonstration outside their mansion.

Speakers paint Biden-Harris and Democratic Party as far-left

Monday's lineup of speakers fell in lockstep with President Trump's frequent attacks on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the 2020 Democratic ticket.

Those attacks included claims that Biden supports raising taxes for certain groups of Americans, that he supports defunding the police and that he'll abolish ICE -- and also included frequent mispronunciations of Kamala Harris' name.

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley called Biden and Harris "socialist" while calling out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

"A Biden-Harris administration would be much, much worse. Last time, Joe's boss was Obama," Haley said. "This time, it would be Pelosi, Sanders, and the Squad. Their vision for America is socialism. And we know that socialism has failed everywhere."

Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan, who became an ally of the president during impeachment proceedings in late 2019, attacked local Democratic leaders across the country in his remarks.

"Look what is happening in American cities, cities run by Democrats. Crime, violence and mob rule," he said. "Democrats refuse to denounce the mob and the response to the chaos is to defund the police, the border patrol and our military."

Viewers also heard from Maximo Alvare, a Cuban immigrant, who said of Biden and Harris, "I've seen people like this before."

"I've seen movements like this before," Alvare said. "I've seen ideas like this before and I'm here to tell you, we cannot let them take over our country."

"When I watch the news in Seattle and Chicago and Portland, when I see history being rewritten, when I hear the promises -- I hear echoes of a former life I never wanted to hear again. I see shadows I thought I had outrun," he said.

Attacks on China continue

Throughout his time in office, Trump has repeatedly attacked China, blaming the country for the coronavirus pandemic, trade wars and taking American jobs.

In a pre-recorded conversation with voters, Trump again referred to COVID-19 as the "China virus," before appearing to recognize the offensive nature of the phrase.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks as delegates gather during the first day of the Republican National Convention on Aug. 24, 2020, in Charlotte. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

"We can call it many different things from China virus," he told supporters. "I don't want to go through all the names because some people may get insulted, but that's the way it is."

Trump has repeatedly called COVID-19 the "China virus" or "Chinese flu," insisting the Chinese government is "fully responsible for concealing the virus and unleashing it upon the world," as he put it last month, and other speakers followed suit.

"Before communist China gave us the coronavirus, we were breaking economic records left and right," Nikki Haley said. "The pandemic has set us back, but not for long. President Trump brought our economy back before, and he will bring it back again."

Though the country has plummeted into the largest economic downturn since the Great Depression, Trump's marks on the economy remain high. He consistently outpaces Biden in public opinion polling on the subject, reflecting what has come to be his strongest talking point.

This report was featured in the Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, episode of Start Here, ABC News daily news podcast.

"Start Here" offers a straightforward look at the day's top stories in 20 minutes. Listen for free every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, the ABC News app or wherever you get your podcasts.

3 key takeaways from night 1 of the Republican National Convention originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The second night of the Republican National Convention will feature some big names, like Melania Trump, the first lady, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky.

It will also include Nicholas Sandmann, the teenager involved in a confrontation with a Native American man at a protest last year, and Mary Ann Mendoza, a consultant to the We Build the Wall organization, which was recently accused of fraud.

Heres how to watch the convention and who else you can expect to see.

How to watch

Convention proceedings will begin at 9 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday through Thursday but, as with the Democratic convention, the big speeches will happen at night.

The Times will stream the convention every evening, accompanied by chat-based live analysis from our reporters and real-time highlights from the speeches.

The official livestream will be available on Facebook , Twitter , YouTube , Twitch and Amazon Prime .

ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News will cover the convention from 10 to 11 p.m. every night; CNN from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.; MSNBC from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.; PBS from 8 to 11 p.m.; and C-SPAN at 9 a.m. and then at 8:30 p.m.

Whos speaking

Mr. Trumps campaign released a partial list of speakers for Tuesday:
NAGPUR: BJP MP and former Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday (August 25) refused to comment on the current leadership churn in the grand old party.

"It is the internal matter of the Congress and I would not like to comment on it. I am a BJP worker and commenting on internal affairs of any other political party would not be appropriate," the Guna royal told reporters after visiting the residence of RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) founder K B Hedgewarin Mahal area here in Maharashtra.

Scindia, who arrived in Nagpur this morning, said Hedgewar's residence is a place of inspiration for people.

"Dr Hedgewar formed the organisation (RSS) which is dedicated to the nation. This residence is a place of inspiration for people who visit it. This place emits energy towards the cause of the nation," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

Scindia's exit from the Congress in March this year with over 20 MLAs, led to the collapse of Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh and enabled the BJP's return to power.

The Congress is currently in turmoil over a letter written by some veterans demanding a "visible and full-time leadership".

As the letter triggered speculations, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Monday decided that Sonia Gandhi will continue as the party's interim president and effect necessary organisational changes while an AICC session will be called at the earliest to start the process of electing a new chief.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 06:49:38|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Mei Xiang has found a new position for holding her newborn cub and in that position she is able to get "much more rest," Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas with the Smithsonian's National Zoo here, said on Monday.

Mei Xiang, 22, continues to be "a devoted mother," Thompson wrote in an update. "Our newborn cub has little fur and cannot regulate its own body temperature, so Mei Xiang cradles the cub to keep it warm."

The curator pointed out the female giant panda has been laying "on her side with the cub between her forearms," which allows for "quick access when mom needs to calm it with a lick." Previously, Mei Xiang kept her cubs tucked under her arm.

"Mei Xiang is able to get much more rest in this position," she said, adding that the giant panda team is keeping an eye out for the cub's black markings, which become visible after it turns one week old.

Mei Xiang gave birth to the cub on Aug. 21, the seventh since she and male giant panda Tian Tian began living in the zoo in 2000. Three of her cubs have survived to adulthood.

She was artificially inseminated in March this year with frozen semen collected from Tian Tian. Veterinarians confirmed evidence of a fetus on an ultrasound earlier this month, which was a surprise even for professionals, considering a very low fertility rate for giant pandas and, particularly, Mei Xiang's age.

The zoo, located in Northwest Washington, D.C., has a cooperative breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association on giant pandas. Enditem
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned Tuesday of the continued danger of COVID-19 as Hurricane Laura bears down on the state.

"Remember, just because a hurricane is coming to Texas, does not mean that COVID-19 either has or is going to leave Texas," Abbott said at a news conference in Austin. "COVID-19 is going to be in Texas throughout the course of the hurricane."
Dr Stephen Hahn, the commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, apologized Monday after misrepresenting a key statistic on how effective blood plasma is for treating COVID-19 when announcing an emergency approval measure.

The US on Sunday issued emergency approval for plasma taken from recovered coronavirus patients, so that more people can get access to the experimental treatment.

But Hahn and other senior health officials came under fire from experts after repeating a claim made by President Donald Trump that blood plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients reduced mortality rates by 35 percent.

"What that means is -- and if the data continue to pan out -- 100 people who are sick with COVID-19, 35 would have been saved because of the administration of plasma," Hahn said Sunday, after Trump had called it "a tremendous number."

Health secretary Alex Azar added: "I just want to emphasize this point, because I don't want you to gloss over this number. We dream in drug development of something like a 35 percent mortality reduction. This is a major advance in the treatment of patients. This is a major advance."

Such a reduction would indeed be a game changer in the fight against the pandemic -- but the statistic is false.

The officials said these results came from a study of 35,000 patients conducted by Mayo Clinic, but Dr Scott Wright, the study's leader, told AFP it did not come from his institution's research. He said he believed it might be an "integrated analysis" the FDA had arrived at by looking at both Mayo's work and other studies.

FDA spokeswoman Emily Miller later tweeted that 35 percent referred to the relative difference in mortality risk between those patients in Mayo's study who received a high level of antibodies against those who received a low level of antibodies.

"I have been criticized for remarks I made Sunday night about the benefits of convalescent plasma," said Hahn in a tweet thread on Monday night. "The criticism is entirely justified. What I should have said better is that the data show a relative risk reduction not an absolute risk reduction."

Story continues

But it was not immediately clear which figures the FDA had used from the Mayo study to arrive even at this far more modest claim. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed and is available in "preprint" form on a medical research server, so it remains possible that more data will eventually be forthcoming.

The scientific community is divided on whether plasma should have received an emergency use approval.

Early research suggests it may be helpful and safe but no clinical trials -- considered the gold standard of medical research -- have yet found conclusively in its favor.

Political commentators have questioned the timing of the FDA's latest move as Trump lags in polls before the November election.

ia/st
San Franciscos crumbling, seismically unsafe County Jail No. 4 will close its doors for good Sept. 5.

COVID-19 policies to keep inmates out of the jail have helped clear the path to shutter the facility months ahead of schedule.

The accelerated move was widely celebrated by city and county officials, who for years faced criticism for the jails decaying infrastructure and frequent sewage overflows.

Mayor London Breed said the jails closure was one part of a wider set of initiatives to shift resources toward alternatives to incarceration. She also recalled her own painful experiences of visiting friends and family members at the decrepit jail at a news conference Tuesday.

That hallway, the concrete, the payphones, the few benches where we had to sit on the floors to wait ... that experience still haunts me, she said. I wouldnt want to see my worst enemy in that place. Were closing the door on the past and mass incarceration at its absolute worst.

Last year, Breed set a July 2021 deadline for the jails closure. But the Board of Supervisors in May voted to move that date up to Nov. 1, after concerns about the coronavirus threat to people in tight quarters added a new urgency to the matter.

Sheriff Paul Miyamoto said he had vowed to close the jail, located on the seventh floor of the Bryant Street Hall of Justice, after taking office this year.

Miyamoto also offered a personal vignette about the jail, saying it was the last place he saw a nephew who was incarcerated there. At the time, Miyamoto was a captain at the Sheriffs Department, working in the jail, he said.

When I became sheriff, I committed to closing that facility. Its outlived its usefulness, and being seismically unsafe, it was not just putting incarcerated people in danger, but our staff, deputies, contractors and all community members who came to visit, he said.

The 78 people currently housed at County Jail No. 4 will be transferred to either County Jail No. 5 in San Bruno or County Jail No. 2 at 425 7th Street in San Francisco. County Jail No. 4 is designed to hold a maximum of 402 people.

Miyamoto and other officials said the citys criminal justice system would work collaboratively to ensure San Franciscos jail population remains low after the pandemic finally recedes.

Officials have been trying to wind down operations at the crumbling Hall of Justice for years. The city envisions tearing down much of the building starting in 2025 and constructing a new justice center in its place, starting in 2028 that will eventually house the Sheriffs Department, the public defender, Adult Probation Department, the district attorney and the Superior Courts. Those plans may be delayed by the crushing economic blow dealt by the pandemic.

City staffers have been gradually moving to other facilities. Courts, overseen by the states Judicial Council, will continue operating at the Hall of Justice for the foreseeable future.

The jails disintegrating infrastructure and frequent sewage overflows have prompted flurries of lawsuits from inmates. In January, the city paid 217 inmates $2.1 million settle a lawsuit with more than 200 inmates who were swamped with raw sewage for months.

Former Sheriff Vicki Hennessy has called County Jail No. 4 depressing and an embarrassment to the city.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

San Franciscos jail population dipped to historic lows after the areas shelter-in-place order took effect in March.

Fearing jails could be breeding grounds for the coronavirus, local officials and others around the state introduced new policies to reduce jail populations, including early releases and zero-dollar bail. Meanwhile, police began favoring citations over bookings for low-level offenses.

In January, the average jail count across San Francisco facilities was nearly 1,200. This month, the average count is 760.

The closure of County Jail 4 has been a long time coming, said San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju, who linked the jails closure to broader criminal justice reform efforts.

The COVID-19 crisis, coupled with the national Black Lives Matter movement, has shined a light on just how important it is for us to be looking at all of our systems, including our law enforcement institutions, through a public health lens as well as a racial justice lens.

District Attorney Chesa Boudin also cheered the move, stressing that it fulfilled one of his campaign promises within his first year in office.

We were able to reduce the jail population by approximately 40% by relying on incarceration as a last resort and working closely with our reentry partners to expedite safe release, he said in a statement.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
Plot to kill BJP leader: ATS arrests four from Maharashtra, Karnataka

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 25: The Gujarat Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) has picked up four suspects from Karnataka and Maharashtra after a plot to kill a BJP leader was unearthed. The four were picked up after the arrest of a Chhota Shakeel gang member in Ahmedabad.

The sharpshooter was picked up after the ATS learnt that he had been hired to kill Gordhan Zadafia, who was the home minister of the state in 2002, when the Gujarat riots took place.

Officials said that the suspects were in touch with Irfan alias Kalia, a resident of Chembur in Mumbai. The 24 year old Irfan is a sharpshooter in the Chhota Shakeel gang and was held from Hotel Vinus in Ahmedabad on August 19.

1993 serial blasts accused nabbed by Gujarat ATS in drug case

Usain Bolt tests Covid-19 positive, Chris Gayle was at his party | Oneindia News

The Gujarat ATS said that Irfan has been charged under the UAPA and he was trying to assassinate the former home minister at the behest of the ISI. It is alleged that Irfan had visited the BJP office in Gandhinagar and carried out a reconnaissance. He was also in touch with his handler. Irfan who has now tested positive for COVID-19 has been shifted to an isolation ward at the Sola Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Tuesday, August 25, 2020, 8:31 [IST]
Here are the share-worthy stories from Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia Patches to talk about tonight:

Jerry Falwell Jr., the embattled president of Liberty University, has resigned from the evangelical Christian university founded by his father.



A Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees member is facing criticism for comments about the diverse titles featured on the library's online catalog. The Virginia Library Association expressed opposition to Phillip Rosenthal's comments in a letter, while the NOVA Equity Agenda Coalition took it a step further and called for his resignation or removal.



Lidl plans to open 50 new grocery stores by the end of 2021, with new locations in Virginia, Maryland and other states along the East Coast. Among the new locations will be a store on Route 7 in Sterling.



D.C. Fire and EMS personnel extinguished a burning van and transported five victims to area hospitals following Tuesday morning crash on Suitland Parkway.

The Prince William County Police Department reported another bomb threat was made in Woodbridge. This time, the bomb threat was delivered in an email to a school principal.



The pandemic is slated to change some voters' habits as we head toward the November election. But according to our Virginia Patch survey, voting by mail isn't the overwhelming choice for readers.



On Tuesday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 23 deaths of coronavirus patients and 1,005 additional coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 114,635 cases. There have been 2,494 total deaths and 9,259 hospitalizations.



Story continues

Also Worth a Look Today

Across America

This article originally appeared on the Oakton Patch
STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ReneSola Ltd ("ReneSola Power" or the "Company") (www.renesolapower.com) (NYSE: SOL), a leading fully integrated solar project developer, today announced the signing of an agreement to acquire certain assets, including solar projects and accounts receivable, from an undisclosed U.S.-based developer in an all-stock transaction that values the assets at approximately $8 million. The acquisition will also add an experienced solar project development team to solidify ReneSola's position as a leading global solar energy developer and operator. The deal is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions.

The market focus of the solar project assets being acquired is highly complementary with the Company's existing business. In particular, the new team brings expertise in the development of U.S. distributed generation and small-scale utility projects with battery storage, which is expected to augment Renesola Power's historical strength in U.S. community solar and European DG. Once completed, the transaction should immediately increase Renesola Power's development pipeline by approximately 200 MW.

The acquisition provides ReneSola Power with access to utility projects and development activities in a number of states, including Pennsylvania, California, New York, Maine, Illinois and Arizona. In addition, this transaction strengthens the Company's capabilities and scale, and enhances its position for creating value in the quarters ahead.

Mr. Yumin Liu, Chief Executive Officer of ReneSola Power, commented, "This marks an important milestone for us, and we are very excited to incorporate these new projects into our pipeline. The acquisition strengthens our position in the U.S. market and expands our presence into small-scale utility market. By leveraging ReneSola Power's global reach and experience with the new team's solid track record in the U.S., we are expanding the scale of our solar energy development platform. We look forward to capturing potential market opportunities while driving value for all stakeholders."

About ReneSola Power

ReneSola Power (NYSE: SOL) is a leading global solar project developer and operator. The Company focuses on solar power project development, construction management and project financing services. With local professional teams in more than 10 countries around the world, the business is spread across a number of regions where the solar power project markets are growing rapidly, and can sustain that growth due to improved clarity around government policies. The Company's strategy is to pursue high-margin project development opportunities in these profitable and growing markets; specifically, in the U.S. and Europe, where the Company has a market-leading position in several geographies, including Poland, Hungary, Minnesota and New York.

SOURCE ReneSola Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.renesolapower.com


Panaji, Aug 25 : The Congress in Goa on Tuesday demanded a regular medical bulletin with health updates on Union Minister of State for AYUSH and Defence Shripad Naik who is down with COVID-19.

Addressing a press conference in Panaji, state Congress president Girish Chodankar also said that the state government had procured hundreds of ventilators, many of which were handed over to private hospitals free of cost to handle Covid-19 patients, which were in turn charging exorbitant fees from patients for ventilator services during treatment for coronavirus.

"For the last several days Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik is taking treatment in a private hospital. The Goa government and central government has not issued a health bulletin. Shripad Naik is a public servant and a Union minister. Information about his health should be released to the people. We demand the state and central governments issue a health bulletin with details of Naik's health immediately," Chodankar said, adding that the central and state governments were creating an air of secrecy about Naik's health.

Chodankar also questioned why private hospitals in the state were charging exorbitant fees from Covid-19 patients for ventilator services, especially when many ventilators were donated to these hospitals by the state Health Ministry for treatment of Covid patients.

"Many ventilators which have been bought by the government, were given to private hospitals recently for treatment of Covid patients. Why are patients being charged for ventilator services then? The government should come clear on this," he said, adding that even blood plasma units had been provided by the Goa Health Ministry to private hospitals, while at the same time there was shortage of blood plasma in designated government facilities for Covid treatment.

"Plasma which is used to cure Covid patients is not available in government hospitals, but it is available in private hospitals. The government should ensure that plasma is available in government hospitals," Chodankar also said.

The Congress also demanded fixing a ceiling on prices levied on Covid-19 patients by private hospitals.

On Monday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had hinted at controlling prices for treatment of Covid-19 patients, saying a meeting will be held soon to decide on this.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chef packs a take-away meal in the kitchen of French restaurant France-Soir in Melbourne on May 8, 2020. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

Left Very Good at Spending Other Peoples Money: Senators Debate Pandemic Wage Subsidies

As the Australian Labor Party pushes to maintain the governments pandemic wage subsidy scheme, JobKeeper, with crossbench support, New South Wales Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi has introduced a bill to Parliament to guarantee 14 days of paid COVID-19 leave to all permanent, part-time, casual, and gig economy workers.

Faruqi argued that JobKeeperwhich provides $1500 per employee per fortnight to businessesleaves many people in precarious work, casual employment, or on a temporary working visa in the lurch without paid leave to rely on should they contract COVID-19.

Faruqi told Parliament: We are on a cliff, and we need the government to make sure that no-one falls off.

The bill proposes to provide paid pandemic leave to employees under the following conditions:

The employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19;

The employee is unable to attend their workplace because it has been shut down because of COVID-19;

The employee is subject to self-isolation or quarantine, or the employee is caring for another person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is subject to self-isolation or quarantine measures

Faruqi will also be moving an amendment to the bill so that paid COVID-19 leave is funded by the government by amending the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Act 2020. Employers would then be able to receive payments from the federal government for COVID-19 leave payments to their employees.

The Liberal government does not support the one-size-fits-all bill amending the Fair Work Act, with Queensland Liberal Party Senator James McGrath telling parliament it wont be effective, scalable, or quick.

McGrath said: We should not forget that the money that is being spent at the moment to save the Australian economy is not money that is sitting in a vault of the Reserve Bank. Its not sitting hidden in the Treasurers office. It is money that we are borrowing.

Further, he said Australians will be paying back this debt for decades.

It is sometimes concerning when you really listen to what the Left says, he said. Theyre very, very good at spending other peoples money.

McGrath said he travelled his state speaking to business owners who expressed relief in Prime Minister Scott Morrisons JobKeeper program.

The positive impact that JobKeeper has had on protecting businesses and saving livelihoods in Queensland should not be underestimated, he added.

Labor does not support the proposed amendments, believing the bill will be shot down in the lower housebut does support a paid leave scheme.

Labor wants the government to introduce universal paid pandemic leave now, said South Australian Senator Don Farrell, adding: Unless we get a universal scheme, we will have more community transmission, leading to more outbreaks and an economy-smashing lockdown. We cannot afford not to do this.

Farrell said his party and the unions have been calling for paid pandemic leave since the start of the pandemic.

Labor wants the Commonwealth to contribute to the scheme and for the payments to be wage-likethat is, paid by the employer as they normally would pay any other kind of leave.

Western Australian Liberal Party Senator Matt OSullivan told Parliament a targeted approach was needed because the impacts vary widely across borders, regions, sectors, businesses, and individuals.

Additionally, disaster payments are already available to all Victorian workers, including casuals who are required to self-isolate and cannot take personal leave.

These $1,500 payments could not be any easier to access. Theyre available through Services Australia by simply picking up the phone and dialling 1802266, said OSullivan.

The Disaster Recovery Payment program provides a one-off, non-means-tested payment for eligible adults and children who have been adversely affected by a major disaster.

Payments can be claimed on multiple occasions as needed, he said.

OSullivan recently completed a 6,500-kilometre (4038 miles) car tour of Western Australia and reported that JobKeeper continued to be a game-changer for people, including those who work in the gig economy.

[JobKeeper] makes sure employees are able to maintain that connection with their employer, something that is an incredibly important factor for those in regional and remote WA, where, if you lose someone, it really is a challenge to rehire for that position, he said.

Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie (TAS) told parliament that while shes generally supportive of paid COVID-19 leave, the Greens bill scares her because it hasnt been costed.

Theyre asking me to sign a blank cheque, said Lambie. I cant do that in good conscience. I will never, ever do that.

We have no idea how much more its going to cost our grandchildren to repay in the future, she added. There are better ways to stop people from going to work sick.

Lambie also called for JobKeeper and JobSeeker to remain at the current payment rates until after Christmas because some states are in a worse off position than theyve ever been in.

Why would we cut JobKeeper when small businesses are on their knees? Things have changed since the government announced those cuts, she said.

There is not a soul in this parliament that thinks were all going to be hunky-dory four weeks from now. If you do, you are delusional and you probably shouldnt be sitting in parliament, she added.
Panaji:

The entry of former Congress legislator Pandurang Madkaikar into Goa BJP, has led to a war of words between two union ministers Manohar Parrikar and Sripad Naik, with the latter claiming that he was not consulted on the latest induction.



I was not consulted before taking decision to allow Madkaikar enter the party. I was just told at the last minute. I was not in favour of the decision, Naik told PTI on Monday.



Naik is apparently upset as his son Siddhesh was hopeful for a ticket from Cumbharjua constituency which was represented by Madkaikar before joining the BJP.



Madkaikar joined the party last week after which Parrikar had addressed the Vijay Sankalp rally in Cumbharjua constituency during which he amply made it clear that the three-time MLA (Madkaikar) would be contesting on the BJP ticket from that constituency.



However, Parrikar claimed, talking to mediamen yesterday that as far as Sripad Naik is concerned he was totally taken into confidence before the decision (of Madkaikars entry) was taken.



Naik, who is union AYUSH minister, however, claimed that he was consulted just as a formality.



He said he was informed after the decision was taken.



Such induction is against the principles of the party. I will take up the matter before party leaders in Delhi, Naik said.



Madkaikar, a former BJP minister had left the party to join the Congress. He left the Congress last week claiming that the party had no future in Goa.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
This weeks four-day Republican national convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, might be better billed Meet the Trumps. As in a first episode of some new Trump-based TV reality show, no less than six Trumps  a solid half of the entire keynote speaker line-up  will be related to one another; hardly a showcase for diversity, as many on social media have already noted. Apart from President Donald, who will be speaking on each of the four days, there will be Donald Jr, Melania, Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany. It would be quite a surprise if they said or did anything other than stroke The Donalds famously fragile, if supersized, ego. It will be a Trump rather than Republican event; most of the partys other leaders have found better things to do. Some might secretly prefer to endorse Joe Biden.

Apart from that, what may we expect? A speech from Mike Pence, secretary of state Mike Pompeo live from Jerusalem, and a gang of deplorables, proud defenders and symbols of the Trump base, including a couple who confronted with firearms some Black Lives Matter protesters. Itll be provocative.

In terms of messages, it will be negative and name-calling all the way: Sleepy Joe and Nasty Kamala. Hes supposed to be mentally incapable, and shes alleged to not even be American at all. The election will, it will be predicted, be stolen by Democrats through the abuse of the mail-in vote (though presumably not if he wins). Trump will pledge to drag everyone through the courts to get the result annulled as a fraud and force a constitutional crisis by making it impossible for the formal electoral college to meet by Monday 14 December (the threat of which is supposed to make his enemies cave). The economy, according to Trump, will end up like Venezuela (hes already said that). There will be mob rule too under the Democrats. Theyll sell America out to China, and bankrupt the country. It is a predictable litany. For some, with accompanying undertones on race, it will work. Others may be confused by the Trump attack on Biden; is Sleepy Joe some sort of Eisenhower-esque option for a quiet, conventional gradualist presidency  or a dangerous Chavez-style revolutionary?
Iran's Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli has expressed concern over possible low turnout in the country's next presidential election.

After Iranian officials announced the date on Sunday for the 2021 election, to be held on June 18, 2021, Fazli appeared on live TV Monday to cite the low turnout in Februarys parliamentary election as cause for concern, with that election seeing the lowest turnout in 41 years.

The average national turnout figure was 42.5 percent, but the situation was even worse in Tehran and small towns near the capital, where the figure was between 21 to 25 percent.

After that election, Fazli attributed the low turnout to factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, the protests in November 2019 and the downing of a Ukrainian airliner in January by Revolutionary Guard missiles.

Fazlis explanations surrounding the February election may not be accurate, as the government tried hard to conceal the outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran ahead of the elections. Meanwhile, critics have said that it was the violent crackdown on protesters in November that led to a reduction in voters' motivation to go to the polls. Up to 1500 protesters are said to have been killed in some 100 cities by security forces during the protests, although the government insists that less than 250 have been killed.

Another main factor leading to the embarrassingly low turnout in the parliamentary election may be a political reason. The hardliner Guardian Council that vets candidates for the election disqualified nearly all the prominent reformist figures who sought to run, reducing the eligible candidates to unknown figures backed by conservative parties.

Many Iranian analysts from across the political spectrum have said that they expect a similar situation in the 2021 presidential election. In the meantime, repeated statements by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has called for the electing of a young militant conservative figure as Iran's next president, will almost certainly discourage reform-minded candidates from coming forward.

Iranian voters' disillusionment may also stem from the failure of President Rouhani's financial policies and his unfulfilled promises to introduce economic, political, and cultural reforms, as well as the disappointing performance of reformist MPs in the previous round of the parliament, all of which could dissuade potential voters from making their voices heard in June.

Meanwhile, the performance of conservatives, neo-cons, hardliners, and ultraconservatives in the Iranian parliament may make the parties candidates less electable next year. Only a day before the Interior Minister expressed concern over possible low turnout, members of the Parliament proposed a motion to ban all social media platforms and suggested harsh punishments for those who use filter-breakers to circumvent the state censorship. Ironically enough, the measure was announced on banned platforms such as Twitter and Telegram.

Measures like this can result in a discouraged electorate, with this proposed legislation capable of affecting 40 million Telegram users and around 11 million Twitter users.

With roughly nine months before the presidential elections, Iranian media is mostly discussing conservative candidates for the position. Conservative figures such as State Auditing Organization Chief Mehrdad Bazrpash, former state TV chief Ezzatollah Zarghami, Mostazafan Foundation Chief Parviz Fattah, Vice-President Surena Sattari and Majles Research Center Chief Alireza Zakani are some of the aspiring candidates.

Well-known conservative politicians including Majles Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi are also said to be still eying the position of president of the country, despite their powerful current positions as heads of the other two of the three branches of the Iranian government. Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is pondering a presidential run as well.

Although there is little hope at the time for pro-reform figures to get through the Guardian Council's net, some seem willing to attempt a presidential run, including former MP and vice-president Mohammad Reza Aref, current vice-president Es'haq Jahangiri and Tehran City Council Chief Mohsen Hashemi.

Regardless of who will be running, the traditional barriers on their journey will remain the same, with the Guardian Council saying that the vetting for the next election will be more vigilant, since it falls on the year 2021 [Iranian year 1400], which is believed to be a landmark date.
PRESCOTT, Ariz.  A man wanted in Minnesota and Florida on fraud charges has been arrested in Arizona.

Yavapai County Sheriffs officials said 71-year-old Benito Yanez of Phoenix also had a warrant out of Mohave County in a probation violation on charges of fraud schemes and forgery.

A sheriffs deputy stopped the car Yanez was driving Saturday night outside of Wickenburg on suspicion of speeding and having an expired registration.

Authorities said Yanez had a Louisiana drivers license that appeared fraudulent and a records check showed Yanez had several active warrants.

During a search of Yanezs vehicle, deputies reported finding a handgun, a fake Arizona identification card and bogus out-of-state ID cards plus credit cards and Medicare cards under a false name.

Sheriffs officials said Yanez is a prohibited possessor of firearms based on a prior felony conviction.

Yanez was booked into the Camp Verde jail on multiple charges with his bond set at $75,000.

It was unclear Monday if Yanez had a lawyer yet who could speak on his behalf.
A Sydney schoolgirl was allegedly pinned down by a police officer while his colleague tried to anally rape her in a hotel room, a court has heard.

James Delinicolis, 29, and Angelo Dellosa, 30, appeared in Central Local Court on Tuesday over the alleged incident involving a 17-year-old girl in March.

The officers were arrested following raids on August 5 and later charged with a string of offences including attempted aggravated sexual assault in company and possession of child abuse material, as they allegedly filmed the incident.

James Delinicolis, 29, (pictured left) and Angelo Dellosa, 30, (pictured right) are accused of participating in a lewd sex act with a 17-year-old in a Sydney hotel room

The court heard Delincolis met the girl while she was waiting for a bus in western Sydney in her school uniform.

After arranging to meet the girl at the Ramada Hotel in Cabramatta on March 13, Delincolis allegedly attempted to have non-consensual anal sex with the girl while co-accused Dellosa pinned her down, the court heard, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Crown Prosecutor Sally Stuart told the court it was a 'clear' the teenager did not consent.

'She made it extremely clear and said no several times and was held down against her will by the co-accused (Dellosa),' Ms Stuart said.

Police allege the pair filmed the encounter so they could watch it at a later date.

Delinicolis' lawyer Phillip Strickland SC argued the encounter was consensual.

'At the hotel when the intercourse occurred there were sexual acts done consensually before the alleged offence and after the alleged offence,' he said.

Dellosa's legal team argued his alleged involvement was significantly less serious, and he had not invited the girl back to the hotel.

He said Dellosa was only accused of being involved towards the end of the alleged encounter.

The pair were granted bail at Tuesday's court appearance because of their lack of criminal history and strong community ties.

However Dellincolis will need to put up $500,000 in surety, and Dellosa $20,000 to be freed from Silverwater jail.

NSW Police Senior Constable Angelo Dellosa (pictured) is one of two officers behind bars. Dellosa's legal team argued his alleged involvement was significantly less serious

Magistrate Margaret Quinn warned the officers a guilty verdict would bring a significant penalty.

'I can't say that's a weak case at all, it may well come under challenge to consent issues, but I can't say it's a weak case,' Magistrate Quinn said.

The two police officers had been working out of the Bankstown Police Transport Command.

Police set up Strike Force Bensbach after receiving an anonymous complaint about the officers in June, prompting an investigation by the Professional Standards Unit.
WILLIAMS BAY  Shortly after building a home in the Prairie View neighborhood two years ago, Tina Hamberg began experiencing flooding issues behind her home.

While the flooding never quite reaches her home, water routinely gathers after heavy rain and does not recede for days from a reservoir basin.

Every time it rains basically, all my landscaping is ruined, she said.

Williams Bay village officials have determined that the village is not responsible for storm-water management issues in Prairie View, leaving the homeowners association to correct flooding issues.

Hoping to one day sell her home after her daughter goes on to college, Hamberg said she has worked with both the village and homeowners association, but that the flooding issue has been at a standstill because of indecision about who is responsible.

Its been a battle, she said. This has been going on for a long time.

Located near Theater Road and State Highway 67, the Prairie View neighborhood includes about 100 single-family lots that have been planned since about 2004.

Homeowners say the flooding is a village responsibility because village officials approved plans for a storm-water management system that was allegedly never installed correctly. The village contends flooding in the homeowners associations responsibility because of a 2018 agreement between the developer and the association.

The Prairie View neighborhood was initially developed by Fairwyn Ltd., a real estate company operating in Lake Geneva.

The village reviewed and approved the developers plans for storm-water management, and accepted construction of the facilities when they were completed.

After completing the development, Fairwyn formed an agreement with the Prairie View Homeowners Association on May 9, 2018, which officials say transferred the responsibilities of operating and maintaining storm-water retention facilities from the real estate group to the homeowners association.

As part of the development, Fairwyn constructed a drainage system throughout the subdivision that was approved by the village in a site plan submitted by the company.

After the homeowners association took responsibility later, neighbors began complaining about standing water in reservoir basins in the northwest area of the subdivision.

According to a village attorney, the homeowners association hired an engineer to investigate the drainage issues and discovered that the storm-water management system was never installed at all.

Village engineer Doug Snyder examined the situation, too, and was able to locate a water retention area largely covered with dirt and material unearthed during construction of a nearby home.

Snyder at the time gave the homeowners association a list of six improvements that could be made to improve drainage, one of which being the installation of a beehive grate where a concrete cover had been installed.

In a July 28 email, the Prairie View Homeowners Association told the village it had installed the beehive grate, but did not address the other recommendations, the group said, because it is not the associations responsibility to correct.

During an Aug. 12 meeting of the villages building, zoning and ordinance committee, village officials discussed an opinion from village attorney Mark Schroeder that the homeowners association is responsible for correcting the neighborhoods drainage issue.

Schroeders letter referenced language from the original agreement between the developer and the homeowners association.

According to Schroeder, a bylaw in the agreement states that the homeowners association board has a duty to own, maintain and otherwise manage the common area and all improvements thereon and all other property acquired by the association.

The village committee forwarded the attorneys finding to the full village board, which was to consider sending it to the Prairie View homeowners association.

Schroeder told village trustees that they can give the association 60 days to correct the drainage issue before the village contracts to correct the issues itself.

If the village resolves the flooding issue, the village can issue an invoice for the project costs that must be paid within 30 days, or liens could be placed on every lot in the subdivision, Schroeder said.

Village trustee Don Parker said he hopes the homeowners association will take steps to improve storm-water management without the matter advancing to village intervention.

I prefer to send a message back to the homeowners association that we dont really want to send you a 30-day letter, Parker said. But if we have to, we will.

Hamberg, who at one point thought she might have to fix her flooding problem herself, said she wishes the village would take more ownership of the problem, after village officials approved of the original development plans.

This really is a newly formed HOA, she said. And they have the burden of trying to figure it all out.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
New York, Aug 25 : During the first night of the Republican National Convention (RNC), former US Ambassador to the UN and breakout Indian-American politician Nikki Haley urged citizens to re-elect President Donald Trump for four more years in the November polls and slammed the Democratic Party for making it "fashionable" to call America a "racist" country.

Haley's prime time speech on Monday night comes a week after California Senator Kamala Harris made history becoming the first Black and Indian-American woman to be chosen for a major party's presidential ticket.

Harris is the Democratic nominee for Vice President in the 2020 US election.

In a her speech, Haley, the former South Carolina Governor, said that "in much of the Democratic Party, it's now fashionable to say that America is racist".

She recounted how states like her native South Carolina have risen up from racist violence, saying: "America is not a racist country".

Rebutting the idea that Trump is racist is among the core messages the President's campaign is pushing on the RNC platform all week.

"America is not a racist country. This is personal for me. I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants. My parents never gave in to grievance and hate. My father wore a turban. I was a brown girl in a black and white world," Haley said, seeking to weave an upbeat immigration theme into the Trump re-election pitch.

"America is a story that is a work in progress." Haley took the audience back to the 2015 shooting of nine Bible study attendees by a white man at a historic Black church in Charleston.

Haley explained how South Carolina did not erupt into the kind of violence seen after recent brutality against African-Americans, notably George Floyd's murder and most recently the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday.

As Haley spoke, protesters spilled into the streets in Kenosha, the nation's latest flashpoint in a summer of constant racial unrest.

Republicans are framing these protests as the kind of "chaos" that a Democratic win will unleash across America's cities.

Haley is seen as one of the rising stars in the Republican Party, with a recent move back to South Carolina and a book that has sparked speculation about a 2024 run.

She said on Monday night that Trump and Vice President Mike Pence "have my support".

In her address, she also tore into Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's campaign plans, describing in detail what she called a "radical left" future fuelled by "anarchy", "riots" and "cancel culture".

Republicans opened the convention with grim warnings about America's future if Trump doesn't win a second term, casting him as a protector of religious freedom, the right to bear arms, independent thinking, freedom of speech and much more.

Taken together, both Harris and Haley's presence at their parties' convention speaks to the steady rise of Indian-Americans in US politics.

Already, talk of a Harris versus Haley match-up in 2024 has begun swirling.

Haley was the first Indian-American to serve in the US cabinet when Trump appointed her as the Permanent Representative to the UN.

A star of the Republican Party, she left the post at the end of 2018 and has been active in politics. There has been speculation about her running for president in 2024.

A poll by Leger earlier this month found that she ranked third as the choice of Republicans to be the party's candidate in 2024 with 11 per cent support, behind Pence with 31 per cent and the President's son, Donald Trump Jr, with 17 per cent.

Haley became the first woman and non-White to be elected Governor of South Carolina in 2010 and the second Indian-American to be elected to the office after fellow Republican Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.

Republicans will spend the week trying to convince the American people that Trump deserves four more years.

His supporters are casting the 2020 election as a choice between the American values of freedom and what they cast as the "radical left" world of the Biden- Harris ticket.

The Republican convention runs through Thursday and includes a presidential speech from the White House South Lawn and a vice presidential address from Fort McHenry in Baltimore.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 16:57:48|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ISTANBUL, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The suspected member of the Islamic State (IS) detained by the Turkish police in Istanbul has plans to carry out a "sensational" terror attack, Demiroren news agency reported Tuesday.

Intelligence units determined that the suspect made discoveries in some of the densely populated areas on the European side of the biggest Turkish city to organize the attack, Demiroren said.

In a video aired by the news agency, the suspect was seen patrolling the Istiklal Avenue and the nearby iconic Taksim Square, two main tourist destinations in Istanbul.

The suspect was later caught in an operation at a hotel in the Kucukcekmece district, Demiroren noted.

During the raid, police also seized a long-barrelled Kalashnikov gun, five pistol magazines, and 150 cartridges in the hotel room, it said.

According to the state-run Anadolu agency, the suspect arrived in Istanbul from the southeastern province of Gaziantep to conduct the attack on behalf of the IS after illegally crossing into the country from Syria.

Counter-terrorism teams have recently intensified their operations against the IS members in Turkey.

Earlier in August, a suspected member of the terror group was arrested in the northwestern province of Bursa for planning a suicide bombing, while six Iraqi nationals were detained in the northern province of Samsun over their suspected links to the IS.

The IS was blamed for a spate of deadly attacks over the years in Turkey, in which more than 300 people were killed. Enditem
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- For a second year in a row, Lovebug Nutrition, Inc. d/b/a LoveBug Probiotics is honored to be included in the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in America. In 2019 LoveBug ranked #140 and in 2020 #827 (top 25% of list) with growth of 577% over the last three years.

LoveBug Probiotics

The INC 5000 list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within America's most dynamic segment  its independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armor, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

CEO, Ashley Harris stated, "I am so honored that LoveBug has been recognized for a second time on the Inc. 5000 List."

Harris went on to say "LoveBug is a certified women-owned company and women-run, with 80% of the leadership team being moms. There has been a lot of publicity about women-led companies receiving less than 5% of VC-invested capital and access to both equity and debt capital continues to be a challenge for many small businesses. It is a testament to our mission-driven, talented, and hard-working team that we are ranked in the top 25% of Inc. 5000 honorees for a second year in a row."

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 .

CONTACT: Julia Esch, Senior Brand Manager | 929-260-2893, [email protected]

About Inc. Media

The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com .

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/ .

About LoveBug Probiotics

LoveBug is a line of award-winning probiotics for the whole family that were created by a mom, for moms. Our company is firmly rooted in science, and our intense research has led us to develop a line of probiotics for the whole family, with a patented delivery system designed to offer the greatest benefit to your body. We take everyone into account, which is why all of our products are Non-GMO, allergen free and include NO artificial colors or flavors. With LoveBug Probiotics, you can feel good from the inside out.

For more information about LoveBug Probiotics, visit: www.lovebugprobiotics.com

SOURCE LoveBug Probiotics

Related Links

https://www.lovebugprobiotics.com


Fewer TV viewers tuned into the first night of the Republican National Convention than watched the opening night of the Democratic National Convention last week.

Nielsen found, according to The Los Angeles Times, that night No. 1 of the RNC averaged 15.9 million viewers, while last Monday's DNC averaged 18.7 million.

The audience for both political conventions, which are being held 'virtually' due to the coronavirus pandemic, was down 28 per cent from the 2016 coronations of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Former first lady Michelle Obama (left) and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (right) were the final speeches of the night for the Democrats and the Republicans, respectively, during the first night of the conventions

The first night of the Republican National Convention, which like the Democrats' is mostly 'virtual,' also featured former United Nations Amb. Nikki Haley

Kimberly Guilfoyle (left) and her boyfriend Donald Trump Jr. (right) also appeared during the first night of the Republican National Convention

Sen. Bernie Sanders, nominee Joe Biden's final primary rival, also spoke during the first night of the DNC

Republican former Ohio Gov. John Kasich spoke at the first night of the DNC, telling viewers he was crossing the aisle to vote for Democrat Joe Biden

The final audience count for Monday night's DNC was 19.7 million when additional channels were averaged in.

That figure isn't yet available for Monday night's RNC.

Four years ago, the first three nights of the DNC did better in the television ratings than the first three nights of the RNC, but then Trump's acceptance speech beat out Clinton's Thursday night television appearance.

Then, Trump won by a margin of 2.4 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

When PBS was factored in that margin shrank to 900,000 viewers - with Trump getting 34.9 million and Clinton receiving 33.8 million.

'We beat her by millions,' Trump boasted at a Friday rally he held after both conventions wrapped up, reported CNN.

Monday night's DNC featured appearance by disaffected Republicans including former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who endorsed Democratic nominee Joe Biden, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, Biden's final rival in this year's Democratic primary fight and concluded with an address by former first lady Michelle Obama.

DNC organizers expected Obama's Monday night speech to be the second biggest draw after Biden.

Monday night's RNC featured two short appearances by Trump - as he talked with first responders and then American hostages his administration helped free - at the White House.

Donald Trump Jr., his girlfriend and former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle, former United Nations Amb. Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott also spoke.

Fox News Channel reaped the most benefits of viewership for the Republicans' first night, bringing in an average of 7.1 million viewers between 10 and 11 p.m. The second highest cable network was CNN with an average of 2 million viewers.

The Fox News Channel show 'Hannity' saw an average of 6.8 million viewers in the 9 p.m. hour, which was the second largest audience ever for the show.

Last week the DNC's top cable network was MSNBC, which is the most politically in line with the Democratic Party.
WASHINGTON - Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told lawmakers on Monday that the U.S. Postal Service would not undo the cost-cutting maneuvers he instituted this summer to restore mail processing capacity before the November election, sparring with Democrats in a heated hearing before the House Oversight Committee.

DeJoy in July mandated that trucks that transport mail from processing facilities to distribution centers adhere to stricter schedules, leaving mail behind if they are running late or if parcels had yet to be sorted. He also ordered that mail handlers depart for their routes sooner even if mail had not arrived.

Internal Postal Service documents circulated to midlevel managers and obtained by The Washington Post also show that DeJoy cracked down on overtime and additional delivery trips to ensure on-time mail service. DeJoy denied in sworn testimony that he issued any such guidance.

Those moves, according to agency employees and postal experts, caused multiday delays in localities across the country, ensnaring ballots in midsummer primary elections, causing food to rot inside packages in Los Angeles and depriving residents in parts of Philadelphia of mail delivery for weeks at a time, among other slowdowns.

DeJoy, a former supply chain logistics executive and ally of President Donald Trump, last week suspended some of the USPS's cost-cutting agenda until after the election, but told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday that many other policies would remain in place, including the ban on extra mail trips and the early transportation schedule. He also said the nearly 700 high-speed mail sorting machines that had been removed across the country in recent months would not be reinstalled; neither would dozens of blue collection boxes.

That drew pointed - and at times personal - criticism from Democrats, many of whom have called for DeJoy's resignation.

"What the heck are you doing?" asked Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., after a five-minute lecture on the history on the Postal Service.

"Is your backup plan to be pardoned, like Roger Stone?" Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., asked.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., asked DeJoy whether he could recite the Postal Service's unofficial motto. DeJoy stumbled through part of it. "Nor rain, nor snow, that sleet nor hail will make our delivery," he said.

Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., asked DeJoy whether he knew the price of multiple routine postage items. The only two he could name were the cost of a first-class stamp (55 cents) and the weight limit for priority mail (70 pounds).

"Mr. DeJoy, I'm concerned," she said. "I'm glad you know the price of a stamp, but I'm concerned about your understanding of this agency."

Republicans rushed to DeJoy's defense. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the committee's top Republican, called the debate over the Postal Service a "hysterical frenzy."

"Why are they out to get you?" asked Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

"I have no idea," DeJoy replied.

The postmaster general reciprocated criticism at times.

"It's my time now," he chided Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., as he pushed for more time to answer a question. "Is it my time?"

"No, no," Wasserman Schultz replied. "It's always my time."

In response to Khanna's question about turning sorting machines back on, DeJoy dismissively said, "In Washington, it makes plenty of sense. To me it makes none."

Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., scheduled the emergency hearing - and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called the chamber back to order - after Trump on Aug. 12, said he'd withhold funding from the Postal Service to hobble its ability to distribute and collect mailed ballots. Days later, The Washington Post reported that USPS warned 46 states that their vote-by-mail requirements were "incongruous" with mail service, and that millions of Americans risked not having their votes counted. Images also began to spread online of postal workers removing collection mailboxes.

DeJoy told Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., that he contacted people close to Trump or his reelection campaign to ask that he stop discussing the USPS because the president's remarks harmed the agency.

"I have put word around to different people that this is not helpful to the Postal Service," DeJoy said.

Democrats over the weekend pushed Maloney's Delivering For America Act through the House, which would provide the Postal Service with $25 billion in emergency funding, fulfilling a request from the agency's bipartisan governing board, and bar DeJoy from making any service or operational changes until the end of the pandemic.

The GOP-controlled Senate is unlikely to take up the bill.

House Democrats repeatedly pressed DeJoy to roll back the changes himself. In a five-minute monologue, Lynch told DeJoy, "You have ended a once proud tradition" of reliable mail delivery. As DeJoy began to respond, Lynch cut in, "Will you put the machines back?"

"The rest of your accusations are actually outrageous," DeJoy said.

"Will you put the machines back?" Lynch asked again.

"I will not," DeJoy said.

He told Rep. Harley Rouda, D-Calif., that the Postal Service's operations department, the leaders of which DeJoy removed Aug. 7, was responsible for the decision to reduce processing capacity.

"There must be a reason. I didn't do it," DeJoy said.

Khanna asked DeJoy whether he would restore the machines if Congress approved $1 billion in funding.

"Get me the billion and I'll put the machines in," DeJoy said.

Wasserman Schultz cited machines from postal processing plants in her district that postal workers told her they want restored. During the hearing, she projected a photograph of one machine with its power cord dangling from the ceiling. Would DeJoy authorize plant managers to turn machines back on, if local authorities feel they are needed?

"We have a management team that is responsible for making decisions as to what machines are used and not used," DeJoy said.

"But those things are decided locally," Wasserman Schultz responded, as Republican members of the committee argued that she had exceeded her time. "Will you let them decide that locally?"

"No," DeJoy said.

He and the USPS also face lawsuits from 21 state attorneys general who say DeJoy did not have legal authority to change policies as he did without first consulting the Postal Regulatory Commission.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who is leading the suit, said DeJoy's appearances before the House and Senate committees did not provide clarity about the operational changes.

"His words cause confusion, not clarity, and are simply not enough," Shapiro said in an interview Monday afternoon after the hearing. "We need guarantees from him that he's going to follow the law, and so far, he's failed to meet that bar."

Shapiro said he is seeking written assurances that DeJoy will halt operational changes such as limiting the amount of time workers can spend sorting and picking up mail, and others that have led to nationwide delays in mail delivery.

"What I wanted him to do was agree to a binding agreement that says no future changes, as well as a binding agreement that rolls back the illegal changes he's already made, and issue a binding statement that treats election mail with the proper priority - and he failed to do all of those things," Shapiro said.

Shapiro on Friday said DeJoy's assertions that the Postal Service will continue to prioritize election mail as it had in the past are not binding: "What I've learned - and I have sued the president two dozen times - is you cannot trust the president or his enablers."

"The concerns are the mail changes he's made, slowing down prescriptions for veterans, slowing down billings and payments for small businesses, and slowing down election mail," he said.

"I want him to roll back his illegal changes, allow the mail to flow as expeditiously as it was before, and assure us in a legally binding agreement that election mail will be prioritized as it has been historically," Shapiro added. "And until he does those concrete things, I don't pay a whole lot of attention to his rhetoric."

Democrats pressed DeJoy and Postal Service Board of Governors Chairman Robert Duncan about the selection process through which DeJoy was appointed, and the USPS's independence from the White House.

Under questioning from Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., DeJoy said he did not solicit the position of postmaster general and did not consult Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin until after he received the offer. DeJoy said he was contacted by the executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates about the role. Duncan said DeJoy entered the selection process after the chairman submitted his name to Russell Reynolds.

"I talked to [Mnuchin] about the job after I received the offer," DeJoy said. "I did not accept the offer immediately, OK."

"I had a perfectly good life prior to this," he added. "But I was interested in helping, and I was called by Russell Reynolds out of the blue."
(TNS)  Volunteer Energy Cooperative received $6.9 million in grants from the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund, allowing the energy cooperative to extend broadband access in areas of Cumberland Cove in Cumberland County, Ten Mile in Meigs and Roane counties and Ooltewah Georgetown Rd. in Hamilton County.The grants are part of $61 million in emergency grants funded through Tennessees Coronavirus Relief Fund and distributed through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.The COVID-19 pandemic has only further elevated the importance of access to reliable, affordable broadband Internet to facilitate telemedicine, distance learning and telecommuting, said Gov. Bill Lee last week.The state received 84 applications for projects totaling $89.1 million in funding. Friday, 62 projects representing $61.1 million in funding were approved. The remaining $28 million in projects were denied due to a number of factors, including project feasibility, applicant experience and public comments received from existing broadband providers.The state was looking for shovel-ready projects, Lee said, and VEC said their three projects fit that description. Each of the three projects had previously been submitted for other grant opportunities, so pre-engineering was already complete. The cooperative was also able to acquire the materials for each project and can bring on additional contract crews to expedite the installation of fiber.Work will begin in the next few weeks. All projects funded through the emergency grant program must be completed by Dec. 15, 2020.The emergence of COVID-19 greatly accelerated the need for widespread access to broadband. As all of us adjust to the new normal of social distance, technology becomes even more critical to study, work and socialize, said Lt. Gov. Randy McNally. These dollars will allow for implementation of greatly needed projects crucial to bringing us together virtually as we strive to stay apart physically.Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said, This $61 million investment in additional broadband grants, in conjunction with the $60 million the General Assembly has already appropriated, will continue to increase access to high speed Internet services across Tennessee. Our families, schools, businesses, and health care communities will benefit from this enhanced broadband infrastructure. I appreciate Gov. Lee, Lt. Gov. McNally, our Accountability Group members and the General Assembly for their ongoing efforts to help strengthen Tennessees infrastructure; we will continue working together to identify and create solutions that address both our immediate and our emerging, long-term needs.Tennessee also offers the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Grant Program funded at $15 million this year, where applicants can submit projects requiring more time to complete.Per federal guidelines, the CARES Act-funded projects were limited to those that would enhance broadband access for individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant applications were taken from entities authorized to provide broadband service in Tennessee. Eligible areas were limited to those unserved or underserved with little to no broadband connection capable of supporting telemedicine, distance learning and telecommuting.Earlier this year, VolFirst was awarded a $2.24 million grant to expand broadband Internet access to about 100 square miles and 222 homes in remote sections of Cumberland County.Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster said in February, They will have to go down all these roads to areas like Smith Mountain and Clear Creek, Foster told the Chronicle. Theyll be passing a lot of people who they can serve later.VolFirst was also awarded a $2 million grant through the Tennessee broadband accessibility grant program to expand service to as many as 1,600 households north of Interstate 40 in Cumberland County.
Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2020) - Rockcliff Metals Corporation (CSE: RCLF) (FSE: RO0) (WKN: A2H60G) ("Rockcliff" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay") has exercised its Buy-Back Right to acquire an additional 2% ownership interest in the Talbot Project (the "Project"), from the Company, pursuant to the Company's option agreement with Hudbay dated April 14, 2014. Hudbay now owns 51% of the Project and Rockcliff owns 49%. Hudbay will now become the Operator of the Project.

On August 18, 2020, Rockcliff was notified of Hudbay's intention to exercise its Buy-Back Right to acquire an additional 2% ownership interest in the Project by making a one-time cash payment of $725,892 to Rockcliff. If Hudbay takes the Project into production, Rockcliff will retain a 35% carried interest in the Project through life-of-mine, provided that Rockcliff contributes its pro-rata share of pre-construction capital.

Alistair Ross, President and CEO, commented, "The work performed by Rockcliff over the past 6 years to advance our understanding of the Talbot Deposit has demonstrated the significant potential of the Talbot Deposit to become a producing mine. Hudbay's early decision to exercise of its buy-back right on the Talbot Property further validates Talbot's potential value. Rockcliff's shareholders will benefit from Hudbay's experience in mine development and operation, combined with its balance sheet strength, as they lead the Talbot Project forward."

Visit Rockcliff's YouTube channel with a message from the President and CEO, Alistair Ross. To access the video, please visit:





Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW3BW2A5URQ

About the Talbot Project

On April 14, 2020 the Company filed on Sedar an updated National Instrument 43-101-Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") Technical Report on the Project. The Talbot Deposit hosts an NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate prepared by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. with an effective date of February 28, 2020 is summarized below.

Talbot Project Updated Mineral Resource Estimate at 1.5% CuEq Cut-Off (1-10)

Classification Tonnes

(k) Cu

(%) Zn

(%) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) CuEq

(%) Cu

(Mlbs) Zn

(Mlbs) Au

(koz) Ag

(koz) CuEq

(Mlbs) Indicated 2,194 2.33 1.79 2.06 36.0 4.40 112.6 86.7 145.4 2,541 212.7 Inferred 2,445 1.13 1.74 1.87 25.8 2.98 60.7 93.6 147.1 2,030 160.4

1) Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, marketing, or other relevant issues.

2) Mineral Resources were estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council.

(3) The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence that that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration.

(4) Approximate Jan 31/20 two year trailing average US$ metal prices used were $3/lb Cu, $1.10/lb Zn, $1,350/oz Au and $16.50/oz Ag. The US$: CDN$ exchange rate used was 0.77.

(5) Respective process recoveries for Cu, Zn, Au, Ag were 95%, 80%, 80%, 80%

(6) Respective smelter payables for Cu, Zn, Au, Ag were 96.5%, 85%, 90%, 90%.

(7)Respective USD Cu and Zn smelter treatment charges used were $80 and $250/tonne with concentrate freight of CDN$65/tonne.

(8) CuEq% was calculated as follows: Cu% + (Zn % x 0.220) + (Au g/t x 0.673) + (Ag g/t x 0.008).

(9) The 1.5% CuEq cut-off is approximately equivalent to a C$100/tonne project operating cost.

(10) Contained metal totals may differ due to rounding.

Quality Control and Quality Assurance

The Mineral Resource for the Talbot Property disclosed in this press release has been estimated by Mr. Yungang Wu, P.Geo. an associate geologist of P&E and Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., president of P&E, both independent of Rockcliff. By virtue of their education and relevant experience Messrs. Wu and Puritch are "Qualified Persons" for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Puritch has read and approved the technical contents of this press release as it pertains to the disclosed Mineral Resource Estimate.

Ken Lapierre P.Geo., VP Exploration of Rockcliff, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this press release.

Warrants Outstanding

Additionally, Rockcliff discloses that on August 16, 2020, 18.6 million warrants expired, leaving 0.4 million warrants outstanding expiring May 2, 2021 with an average exercise price of $0.19.

About Rockcliff Metals Corporation

Rockcliff is a well-funded Canadian resource development and exploration company, with a fully functional +1,000 tonne per day leased processing and tailings facility as well as several advance-stage, high-grade copper and zinc dominant VMS deposits in the Snow Lake area of central Manitoba. The Company is a major landholder in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake Greenstone Belt which is home to the largest Paleoproterozoic VMS district in the world, hosting mines and deposits containing copper, zinc, gold and silver. The Company's extensive portfolio of properties totals over 4,500 square kilometres and includes eight of the highest-grade, undeveloped VMS deposits in the Belt.

For more information, please visit http://rockcliffmetals.com

Youtube: Rockcliff Metals Corporation

Twitter: @RockcliffMetals

Linkedin: Rockcliff Metals Corp

Instagram: Rockcliff_Metals

For further information, please contact:

Rockcliff Metals Corporation

Alistair Ross

President & CEO

Phone: (249) 805-9020

contact@rockcliffmetals.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although Rockcliff believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62486
The state must prepare for similar or worse years following the extreme 2019-20 bushfire season the NSW Bushfire Inquiry has found, with increased hazard-reduction burning offering only limited help as the climate continues to warm.

The inquiry's report, released on Tuesday, noted last season was "extreme, and extremely unusual". "It showed us bushfires through forested regions on a scale that we have not seen in Australia in recorded history," the report stated.

The NSW Bushfire Inquiry has made 76 recommendations that the Berejiklian government says it will implement to reduce the risk to communities. Credit:Nick Moir

The authors  former chief scientist Mary O'Kane and former deputy police commissioner Dave Owens  made 76 recommendations that the Berejiklian government said it would accept. The first of these is to set up "a central accountability mechanism to track implementation of recommendations" of such inquiries.

"The season showed us what damage megafires can do and how dangerous they can be for communities and firefighters," the report found. "And it is clear that we should expect fire seasons like 2019-20, or potentially worse, to happen again.
India on Tuesday poked holes into the claims of Pakistans envoy to the United Nations Munir Akram that his country had accused India of sponsoring terrorism before the UN Security Council.

New Delhi not only exposed Akram's allegations about terrorism, but also dismissed the claims Pakistan had made against India in the statement he claimed to have made at a meeting of the UNSC.

The UNSC had a virtual meeting on Monday, but Pakistan, which is not a member of the council at present, was not invited to take part in it. The permanent mission of Pakistan at the UN headquarters in New York, however, posted on its website a statement, claiming it was represented by Akram at the meeting. It accused New Delhi of sponsoring terror strikes in Pakistan, including the August 11, 2018 attack on a bus at Dalbadin in Balochistan that killed three workers from China and the one on the Consulate General of China in Karachi on November 23, 2018. It claimed that New Delhi had also orchestrated the terror attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on June 29 this year.

Islamabad also alleged that a terror syndicate run by New Delhi had of late brought terror organisations Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its breakaway faction Jamat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) together.

Indias permanent mission at the UN in New York issued a statement to counter the allegations. It dismissed Pakistans claim that the country too was a victim of terrorism sponsored by India. They claimed that Pakistan has decimated al-Qaeda from the region. Perhaps, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan is not aware that Osama bin Laden was hiding in their own country in plain sight, and it was the US forces which got him inside Pakistan, it said.

New Delhi pointed out that Pakistan was home to the maximum number of terror groups proscribed by the UN and many of the terrorists and entities under UN sanctions continued to operate with impunity inside the country.

New Delhi also denounced Pakistans criticism against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the alleged Hindutva terrorism. Pakistan makes ridiculous assertions about the internal affairs of India. This is a country whose minority population has dropped drastically from 1947 to what it is today which is just about 3%, which is nothing short of systemic cleansing, India's permanent mission at the UN stated.
The cost of internet use is so expensive in Nigeria that the country ranks at the very top in a survey of 85 countries of the world.

An analysis by Surfshark Press, a United States-based solution provider released Monday, said Nigeria ranks below Columbia and Honduras in terms of internet affordability.

Nigeria has the least affordable internet globally. It ranks below Columbia and Honduras in terms of internet affordability, it said.

In its methodology, the company said the overall affordability is measured by combining the affordability of the cheapest mobile and broadband plans available in a country.

On the overall analysis of digital quality of life index 2020, Nigeria ranked 81st.

The analysis was based on five pillars: Internet affordability, internet quality, electronic infrastructure, electronic government, and electronic security.

The examined countries have a combined population of 6.3 billion people.

In Africa, the report said while Nigeria surpassed Algeria, it lagged behind South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Algeria ranked 84th while South Africa took the 59th position. Kenya is in the 77th place, Morocco at 70th and Tunisia at 64th.

According to the report, Nigeria ranked 70th in terms of e-security, 53rd in terms of cybersecurity, 81st in electronic infrastructure and 82nd in electronic government.

It has data protection laws available in the country, the report said.

The report revealed that Nigeria has better internet quality than Peru, Algeria, Philippines, and Sri Lanka.

Overall, Denmark came first, followed by Sweden, Canada, France, Norway, Netherlands, and the UK.

The U.S. ranks 22nd; China, 38th and Russia, 42nd.

ALSO READ:

Internet is most affordable in Israel, Canada and Azerbaijan, the report found.

Top 10 countries with the highest e-security levels are the European Union member states. Globally, they lead in implementing effective cybersecurity policies and ensuring personal data protection, the report says.

The report said countries in Central America and Africa lag behind in terms of ICT adoption and internet usage.

The governments readiness to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the artificial intelligence technology and the assortment of its services provided online strongly correlate with the countrys e-security, except for Eastern European, South Asian, and African countries, it added.

Methodology

The report said information used to index the digital quality of life around the world were gathered from open data sources provided by the United Nations, World Bank, and the International Telecommunications Union.

Also, data were sourced from the U.S. Department of State, World Economic Forum, Commission Nationale de lInformatique et des Libertes, Speedtest, Cable, United Nations University, and the International Development Research Centre.
Michigan Woman Found Alive at Funeral Home After Paramedics Declared Her Dead

A 20-year-old Michigan woman who was pronounced dead by paramedics on Sunday was discovered breathing after she was transported to a Detroit funeral home.

The woman was first discovered unresponsive at her home in Southfield, Michigan, on Sunday morning. Local fire department paramedics responded to a 911 call of a cardiac arrest, and attempted to revive her for around 30 minutes.

Based on medical readings and the womans condition, paramedics declared that she was dead.

At 7:34 a.m. on August 23, 2020, Southfield Fire Department paramedics arrived at a home in Southfield on a call for an unresponsive female. When paramedics arrived, they found a 20-year-old who was not breathing, Southfield Fire said in a statement at the time, reported Click on Detroit.

The paramedics performed CPR and other life reviving methods for 30 minutes. Given medical readings and the condition of the patient, it was determined at that time that she did not have signs of life.

The woman was transported to a funeral home in Detroit, James H. Cole Home for Funerals, where she was discovered breathing after 90 minutes by staff, who called EMS.

The 20-year-old was taken to a local hospital after examination by emergency crews.

Southfield Fire on Monday afternoon issued a clarification regarding the woman who was declared deceased and transported to a funeral home where it was determined she was still alive.

A local emergency department physician pronounced the patient deceased based upon medical information provided by the Southfield Fire Department at the scene. After which, the Southfield Police Department contacted the Oakland County Medical Examiners Office to notify them of the findings and the on-duty forensic pathologist released the body to the family, the department said on Facebook.

The Southfield Fire and Police Departments followed all appropriate city, county, and state protocols and procedures in this case.

The department said the city is currently conducting an internal investigation into the matter. The Oakland County Medical Control Authority (OCMCA) will also be reporting their findings to the State of Michigan Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness (BETP), the statement said.

In an effort to provide as much transparency as possible, more information will be provided as it is available.

They were about to embalm her which is most frightening had she not had her eyes open. They would have begun draining her blood to be very, very frank about it, Geoffrey Fieger, attorney for the womans family, told WXYZ.

Its one of peoples worst nightmares to imagine having an ambulance called and instead, sending you off to a funeral home in a body bag.
Aligos Therapeutics Submits Clinical Trial Application for Chronic Hepatitis B Capsid Assembly Modulator Candidate ALG-000184

Details Category: Small Molecules Published on Tuesday, 25 August 2020 11:34 Hits: 1440

Second drug candidate from Aligos CHB portfolio advances towards clinical trial

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA I August 24, 2020 I Aligos Therapeutics, Inc. (Aligos), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in viral and liver diseases, today announced that it has submitted a clinical trial application (CTA) to the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority for a first-in-human Phase 1a/b proof-of-concept trial (ALG-000184-201). The trial is evaluating ALG-000184, a small molecule class II capsid assembly modulator (CAM) that targets hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly as well as the regulation and transcription of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA).

This is a significant achievement for Aligos Therapeutics, said Lawrence Blatt, Ph.D., MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Aligos. Starting with novel CAM compounds discovered in Dr. Raymond Schinazis laboratory at Emory University, our teams have collaborated over the last 2 years to further improve upon the CAM technology. This work culminated in the discovery of ALG-000184, which has optimized pharmacokinetic properties and sub-nanomolar potency. ALG-000184 appears to be the most potent class II CAM drug candidate known to have entered clinical development to date and we are excited to see how its enhanced properties translate in clinical trials.

ALG-000184-201 is a multipart Phase 1a/1b umbrella trial that will evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity of up to 28 days of once-daily doses of orally administered ALG-000184 in healthy volunteers and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aim to follow our Phase 1 STOPSTM candidate into the clinic with ALG-000184 and conduct concurrent Phase 1 trials with each of these drug candidates before moving them into combination trials, noted Matthew McClure, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Aligos. We believe that by advancing a purpose-built combination of therapeutics with additive or synergistic antiviral activity, we may be able to significantly improve upon the low rates of functional cure seen with current standard of care medications.

Aligos CAM program is one of four classes of compounds in its CHB development portfolio, which also includes STOPS (S-antigen Transport-inhibiting Oligonucleotide Polymers), antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), and small interfering RNA (siRNA) drug candidates.

About Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB)

CHB is a major cause of chronic liver disease that the World Health Organization estimates affects ~257 million people worldwide, more people than hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV infection combined. Serious complications of CHB include cirrhosis and liver cancer, which are associated with significant mortality. Approximately 900,000 people died from CHB-related causes in 2015 alone and the mortality rate has been rising for decades. Although current standard of care for patients with CHB is effective in suppressing HBV, it is associated with very low rates of functional cure, which is the main goal of CHB treatment.

About Aligos

Aligos Therapeutics, Inc., is a privately held, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that was founded in 2018 with the mission to become a world leader in the treatment of viral infections and liver diseases. Aligos is focused on the development of targeted antiviral therapies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and coronaviruses as well as leveraging its expertise in liver diseases to create targeted therapeutics for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Aligos strategy is to harness the deep expertise and decades of drug development experience its workforce has in liver disease, particularly viral hepatitis, to rapidly advance its pipeline of potentially best-in-class molecules.

Please visit www.aligos.com for more information.

SOURCE: Aligos Therapeutics
STANTON -- A former U.S. Army surplus store along Interstate 20 in Stanton is being remodeled into the second location of Tarzan and Jane Gas and Grill.

The owners are brothers Seth and Zach Covington, who moved to Midland from Mississippi to work in the oilfield. Seth moved here first; Zach bought a food truck to get into the food industry. Seven years ago, Zach remodeled an old building in Tarzan that became Tarzan Grill. Two years later, Seth became a co-owner and they added on a gas station that they named Janes Gas. Tarzan and Jane Gas and Grill was officially created.

We thought about changing the name if were trying to branch out or if were trying to expand along I-20, Zach said. In this small area, a lot of people already know about us and know that we have good food, good service and clean bathrooms.

The project has been delayed because of the pandemic and construction crews had to work in smaller numbers, but the Stanton Tarzan and Jane Gas and Grill is expected to open at the beginning of September. The restaurant is currently hiring for about 30 positions.

The restaurant is known for burgers with fresh smash patties and burritos with fresh homemade tortillas. They want to be known as the gas station with the best food and the cleanest restrooms.

More Information Tarzan and Jane Gas and Grill is located at 3399 Interstate-20 Stanton

Visit https://www.facebook.com/Tarzan-Grill-231388040276832/ See More Collapse

We want people to stop for the food but grab snacks and drinks as well as fill up with gas while theyre here, Zach said.

The Covingtons had looked at expanding into Midland or Andrews but decided on Stanton because they thought the town could use another truck stop.

Especially with it being a small town and also being in Martin County, a lot of the people here have either eaten in the restaurant in Tarzan or have had our food working in the field, Seth said. Theyre really excited about having a new clean truck stop in town.
Albertans could be among the first Canadians to travel by high-speed pods between cities, after the government of Alberta signed an agreement with Canadian transportation tech company TransPod to develop and test a high-speed hyperloop between Edmonton and Calgary.

Though no financial commitments have been made by the government, Alberta will support Toronto-based TransPod by sharing data, identifying land and participating in discussions with potential investors, according to the news release.

The project involves a short-term feasibility study ending in 2022; research and development ending in 2024; test track construction and use between 2024 and 2027; and the construction of a line between downtown Edmonton and downtown Calgary, to begin in 2025.

There are a handful of companies developing this technology  which allows pods to travel at high speeds in a low-pressure tube  with various projects in the early stages around the world. This would be the first such project in Canada.

The TransPod vehicles would travel up to 1,000 kilometres per hour, said the companys co-founder and CEO, Sebastien Gendron, with an average speed of between 400 and 600 kilometres per hour.

Albertas hyperloop line would stop at the Edmonton and Calgary airports as well as Red Deer, he said, and the total moving time of the full line would be a half-hour (its currently almost a 300-kilometre drive between the two cities, according to Google Maps).

The autonomous pods would have a lot of flexibility in terms of size, explained Gendron. He compared them to an aircraft without wings, and said they would likely be able to link with each other to form a convoy, while being able to detach in order to stop at various points.

The advantage of it is that theres lots of flexibility, he said.

The system would be powered by a mix of solar panels and electricity, and would mainly transport passengers and time-sensitive goods like mail or e-commerce products.

Gendron said TransPod considered two possible corridors for the project: Calgary to Edmonton, and Toronto to Montreal. Due to the challenges of working with multiple provinces and the level of transportation competition in Ontario and Quebec, he said Alberta emerged as the ideal candidate (though its flat landscape helped, too).

The test track will serve as the first phase of the corridor, said Gendron.

Gendron said the main advantages of the hyperloop for Alberta, in addition to the revenue from passengers, are the significantly faster travel time of goods; the extra revenue potential of solar energy created by the panels; and the economic value of public infrastructure.

Its making the business case for that overall infrastructure much more appealing than the conventional high-speed rail project(s) weve seen in the past, he said.

The $6-billion to $10-billion-dollar project would create jobs in a province where many oil and gas workers have lost their jobs in recent years, and position Alberta as a potential hub for technology, said Gendron, contributing to the diversification of the provinces economy.

Our interest is not to replace (the oil and gas industry), he said, but at least to bring something else, and to use some of the expertise theyve developed over the years.

Its estimated the project could create up to 38,000 jobs over 10 years and reduce the provinces carbon emissions by up to 300,000 tonnes per year, according to the TransPod news release.

Alberta transportation minister Ric McIver said he is thrilled with the project, and believes it could make Alberta more competitive. He said he wants to show the province is business-friendly, especially to tech companies.

He said there are a lot of people in Alberta who, with a little training, could be perfect for the jobs TransPods project could create.

I think its a natural evolution and growth and expansion, he said, adding that while he doesnt believe demand for oil and gas will go away anytime soon, theres no excuse for us not to try to diversify our economy.

McIver believes the hyperloop would improve not just the economy, but the quality of life for many Albertans.

This could change a lot of things for a lot of people, he said.

Read more about:
The Border Security Force (BSF), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has called for applications in a prescribed format from eligible candidates belonging to various Ministries/Departments of Government of India/State Govt./Public Sector Undertakings for filling Fifty Three (53) 'Group A' Combatised Posts in BSF Air Wing in various capacities such as Pilots, Engineers and Logistic Officers through direct recruitment on deputation/re-employment basis to be posted anywhere in India on a fulltime basis. The offline application process towards the same closes on December 31, 2020.

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Group A Combatised Posts Organisation Border Security Force (BSF) Educational Qualification Required academic qualifications as detailed in the advertisement Experience Refer to the advertisement Job Responsibilities null Skills Required Physical and Medical Fitness Job Location India Salary Scale In the range of Rs. 67,700 to Rs. 2,16,600 per month as per the designation Industry Defence Application Start Date July 8, 2020 Application End Date December 31, 2020

BSF Notification 2020: Age Criteria And Fees

Candidates interested in applying for 'Group A' Combatised posts through BSF Recruitment 2020 must not have exceeded 56 years of experienced as on December 31, 2020 with relaxation (upper age limit) for reserved categories as per the BSF and Govt. of India guidelines as mentioned in the BSF Notification 2020 PDF.

For details regarding fee for 'Group A' Combatised posts through BSF Recruitment 2020, candidates must refer to the BSF Notification 2020 PDF given at the end of the article.

BSF Recruitment 2020 For 213 Head Constable, Sub-Inspector, Inspector And Constable Posts

BSF Notification 2020: BSF Vacancy Details

BSF Notification 2020: Education And Experience

Desirous candidates applying for 'Group A' Combatised posts through BSF Recruitment 2020 must possess the required academic qualifications, and relevant years of work experience in the concerned area and holding analogous posts on regular basis. as detailed in the advertisement.

BSF Notification 2020: Selection And Pay Scale

The selection of candidates to 'Group A' Combatised posts through BSF Recruitment 2020 will be done based on the candidates' performance in the Written Test/Practical Test, Medical Examination and Document Verification.

Candidates selected to 'Group A' Combatised posts through BSF Recruitment 2020 will be paid emolument in the pay ranging from Rs. 67,700 to Rs. 2,16,600 per month as per the designation as specified in the BSF Notification 2020 PDF.

ECIL Recruitment 2020 For 285 ITI Trade Apprenticeship Posts, Apply Online From August 24 Onwards

BSF Notification 2020: How To Apply

Candidates applying for 'Group A' Combatised posts through BSF Recruitment 2020 must fill the application in a prescribed format attached with the advertisement, and send/submit the same along with relevant supporting documents to the "DIG (Pers), FHQ BSF, Pers Dte, CGO Complex, Block 10, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003" on or before December 31, 2020.

Download BSF Notification 2020 PDF for Group A' Combatised Posts
Fashion retailer Mosaic Brands will close up to 500 stores across Australia after being 'utterly derailed' by the coronavirus pandemic.

The company, which owns brands such as Noni B, Rivers, Millers and Katies, made the announcement to shareholders while delivering its full-year results on Tuesday.

Mosaic has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic as it has an older customer base.

While all retailers have felt the brunt of the pandemic, those with a younger demographic saw their online sales increase.

Mosaic's online sales grew by just 14.7 per cent for the past 12 months while others more than doubled.

The company, which owns brands such as Noni B, Rivers, Millers and Katies, made the announcement to shareholders while delivering its full-year results on Tuesday

Mosaic, which owns fashion brand Rivers (pictured) has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic as it has an older customer base

Chief executive Scott Evans said the company had reported a statutory loss before tax of $212.1 million, a 1,900 per cent decline on the prior year's statutory profit of $11 million.

The company, which has 1,333 stores across the country, will close between 300 and 500 stores over the next two years, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Mr Evans said almost half of their leases were on holdover, and 81 per cent would expire in the next two years.

'There is no road map to navigate these circumstances, but our operational priorities have been ensuring team and customer safety, reducing inventory and maintaining a strong cash position,' Mr Evans said.

'This has allowed us to reshape Mosaic to take advantage of the fundamental changes happening in retail.'

The pandemic has caused widespread devastation to businesses across the country.

Just last week Mosaic was involved with a rental dispute with Scentre Group.

Westfield boarded up more than 129 shops following the fracas.

Retailers either refused to pay rent during coronavirus lockdown or negotiated to pay a lower amount, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Chief executive Scott Evans said the company had reported a statutory loss before tax of $212.1 million, a 1,900 per cent decline on the prior year's statutory profit of $11 million

The pandemic has caused widespread devastation to businesses across the country

Mosaic had reportedly been paying the shopping centre empire a lower percentage of rent during and were trying to come to an agreement moving forward but Scentre Group did not approve of the changes.

The dispute reportedly came to a head when Scentre demanded payment from the brands for outstanding rent.

Luggage retailer Strandbags has also been locked out of 38 stores by Scentre Group.

A Scentre Group spokesperson would not comment on the rental disputes.

'We work with each of our retail partners on a case-by-case basis,' the spokesperson said.

'We don't comment on commercial arrangements with our retail partners.'

During the nationwide lockdown in March almost 500 million jobs were destroyed, most were in the hospitality and retail sectors.

Large queues were seen outside Centrelink offices across Australia with many now relying on government handouts to survive.

A surge in online shopping wasn't enough to pull Australia's retail sector out of its worst slump on record for this time of year

Melbourne's retail sector has been hit by the second lockdown (Pictured: Bourke St Mall within Melbourne CBD is quiet and deserted during the coronavirus pandemic)

The move hit the Australian economy, impacting consumer demand on almost all levels.

Retail giant Kmart suffered tumbling year-on-year profits sparking fears for the hugely popular discount store.

Annual earnings are the lowest they have been in five years, despite shelves being stripped throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Profits have dropped $130million for the year - moving from $550million in 2019 to $414million for 2020.

And while there are signs of an economic bounce-back, government officials have warned the impact of pandemic will be felt for years to come.

Treasurer Frydenberg said the government's recently announced JobMaker plan was designed to rebuild the economy.

'We know the road to recovery will be bumpy as we have seen with the setback in Victoria,' Mr Frydenberg said.

'However, the jobs recovery across the rest of the country gives cause for optimism that through containing the spread of the virus and reopening the economy we will get through this.'

A person wearing a face mask walks past Victoria Police, Airforce and ADF personnel outside of the Melbourne Museum as the city operates under lockdown in response to an outbreak of the coronavirus

The pandemic has caused widespread devastation to businesses across the country (Pictured: Two people wearing protective face masks ride an escalator in Sydney's QVB)

JobMaker includes a $1 billion JobTrainer fund to help create 340,700 new training places and a further $1.5 billion in support for small and medium businesses to retain their apprentices.

The coronavirus effective employment rate is a Treasury estimate based on the number of unemployed people looking for work, plus those employed and working zero hours, plus those who gave up and left the labour market since March.

The new effective rate is being used because the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the pandemic means the official unemployment rate conveys even less useful information about spare capacity in the labour market than usual.

The participation rate, which measures the number of working aged people actually in full-time work is regarded as a better indicator as it captures those who are not registered as unemployed or who are hidden by unemployment programs such as the Community Development Program or Transition to Work.
Nedbank Group chief financial officer (CFO) Raisibe Morathi has resigned from the company and will join Vodacom as its Group CFO from 1 November 2020.

Morathis resignation will take effect from 30 September, and she will also be appointed to the Vodacom Group Board.

As one of the most experienced and one of very few African black female CFOs of a listed company in South Africa, Raisibes appointment underscores Vodacoms commitment to driving diversity across the workplace, Vodacom said.

Morathi served as CFO of Nedbank Group since 2009, where she led a team of over 900 people involved in finance and operations. She was also the patron of Nedbanks Womens Forum.

Morathi is a chartered accountant and has also completed an Advanced Management Programme (AMP) with INSEAD in France.

Her other qualifications include a Higher Diploma in Taxation (Wits University) and she is a few months away from completing her Masters in Philosophy (Corporate Strategy) at GIBS, Vodacom said.

I am delighted to welcome Raisibe to the Vodacom Group, where she will drive and continue to modernise our finance operations as we position ourselves as a leading pan-African technology company, Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub said.

Raisibe has a proven track record in dealing competently with complex leadership challenges and driving strategic transformational change.

Given Vodacom Groups leadership position as a mobile money provider in Africa and our accelerated growth ambitions beyond traditional telco services, Raisibes extensive financial services experience makes her an excellent addition to the Vodacom Group Board and Executive Committee (Exco), Joosub said.

Sitho Mdlalose moves to Vodacom South Africa

Morathi succeeds ex-Vodacom CFO Till Streichert following his departure in June 2020 and the interim appointment of Sitho Mdlalose as Group CFO.

Im excited to be joining the Vodacom Group Board and Exco at a time when it has simplified its structure to drive increased focus across all of its international territories, Morathi said.

I look forward to leading a high-performing Finance team, driving the functions strategic digital transformation and contributing to the future success of the Group.

Joosub thanked interim CFO for his contribution to the company during the difficult circumstances of the pandemic, stating that he would now serve as CFO of Vodacom South Africa (VSA).

In his new role as CFO of Vodacom South Africa (VSA), Sitho will have dual reporting lines into Raisibe and Balesh Sharma, designate CEO of VSA, Shameel said.

Now read: Cell C to close 128 retail stores and cut 546 jobs
A Delhi court Tuesday dismissed a bail application of an accused, arrested in two cases related to communal violence in north east Delhi in February, saying he should have been more vigilant towards his conduct being a law student. Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Yadav dismissed the bail pleas of Tanveer Malik in cases related to two persons receiving gunshot injuries during the riots in Dayalpur area on February 25.

Ajay (aged about 30 years) and Prince (19) received gunshot injuries during the communal violence. The court said Malik has been clearly identified to be part of riotous mob by prosecution witnesses Prashant, Harish Chander, Kuldeep Bansal, Constable Pawan, Constable Saudan in both the cases. It is apparent on record that the injured and public witnesses are persons from the same locality. The applicant (Malik), if released on bail at this stage, then the possibility of him threatening or intimidating the public witnesses cannot be ruled out.

It makes no difference at this stage that the applicant is entitled to bail just because he is a law student or that his father is a practicing lawyer. In that case, he should have been more vigilant towards his conduct. He is clearly seen involved in at least three cases of rioting, the court said in its order. During the hearing held through video conferencing, advocate Javed Akhtar, appearing for Malik, told the court that no recovery of any sort has been effected from him and was not visible in any of the CCTV footage.

The advocate further argued that the call detail record location relied upon by the police clearly showed that at or around the place of incident, he was busy talking to his friends and family members. Malik was initially arrested in another case wherein one Ajay Goswami had suffered gunshot injuries during the riots, his lawyer said.

Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad, appearing for the state, opposed the bail application saying the case was sensitive in nature, which involved the riots around the house of main accused Tahir Hussain. The public prosecutor further claimed that the accused persons in furtherance of criminal conspiracy committed the act of riots in the area of Khajuri Khas and Dayalpur and a sense of terror was created in the minds of general public. They not only mobilized the mob into a group of rioters by way of provoking their religious feelings, but also provided logistic support like lathis, dandas, stones, acids, knives, swords, fire arms, pistols, for committing riots in the area and to eliminate the members of other Community, Prasad claimed.

He further said that the CDR of the accused duly showed his presence at the spot on the day of incident and he has been clearly and categorically identified by the injured persons to be a part of the riotous mob, who was allegedly present near the house of Hussain, having a gun in his hand and firing indiscriminately. The alleged role attributed to Malik in the matter by the witnesses was of indiscriminately firing at the persons belonging to other community and inciting the religious feelings of a particular community so as to cause maximum damage to the persons of other community, the public prosecutor said.

Communal clashes had broken out in northeast Delhi on February 24 after violence between citizenship law supporters and protesters spiralled out of control leaving at least 53 people dead and around 200 injured.
DENVER, Aug. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE: AR) ("Antero" or the "Company") today announced that as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 24, 2020 (the "Dutch Auction Early Tender Deadline"), $88,389,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "2022 Notes") and $95,661,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 5.625% Senior Notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes" and, together with the 2022 Notes, the "Dutch Auction Notes") had been tendered and not withdrawn prior to the Dutch Auction Early Tender Deadline, in accordance with the previously announced cash tender offers for the Dutch Auction Notes (the "Dutch Auction Offers") on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated as of August 11, 2020 (as it may be amended and supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"). The Company intends to accept for purchase all such notes (the "Accepted Notes") and to make payment for Accepted Notes on August 25, 2020.

Select terms of the early tender results and pricing of the Dutch Auction Offers are described in the table below:

Dutch Auction

Notes: CUSIP

Numbers / ISIN(1) Outstanding

Principal Amount

Prior to the

Commencement of

the Dutch Auction

Offers(2) Principal Amount

Tendered on or

Prior to the Dutch

Auction Early

Tender Deadline and

Accepted Base Price(3) Clearing

Premium(4) Dutch Auction

Total

Consideration(5) 5.125% Senior Notes

due 2022 03674X AC0 /

US03674XAC02 $ 756,030,000 $ 88,389,000 $ 800.00 $ 60.00 $ 860.00 5.625% Senior Notes

due 2023 03674X AF3 /

US03674XAF33 $ 705,641,000 $ 95,661,000 $ 720.00 $ 60.00 $ 780.00





(1) No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP numbers or ISIN listed in this release or printed on the Dutch Auction Notes. They are provided solely for the convenience of holders. (2) As of the date of this release. (3) Per $1,000 principal amount of Dutch Auction Notes accepted for purchase. Includes the Dutch Auction Early Tender Payment of $30.00. (4) As defined in the Offer to Purchase. (5) Per $1,000 principal amount of Dutch Auction Notes accepted for purchase. Includes the Dutch Auction Early Tender Payment of $30.00. Holders whose Dutch Auction Notes are validly tendered in the Dutch Auction Offers after the Dutch Auction Early Tender Deadline but by the Dutch Auction Expiration Date (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase in the Dutch Auction Offers will be entitled to receive the Dutch Auction Offer Consideration, which is equal to the Dutch Auction Total Consideration, less the $30.00 Dutch Auction Early Tender Payment. Holders whose Dutch Auction Notes are accepted for purchase will also receive accrued and unpaid interest from the applicable last interest payment date to, but not including, the applicable settlement date with respect to the Dutch Auction Notes accepted for purchase.

The deadline for holders to validly withdraw tenders of Dutch Auction Notes (unless otherwise required by applicable law) was 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 24, 2020, and was not extended. The Dutch Auction Offers will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on September 8, 2020, unless extended by Antero in its sole discretion (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Dutch Auction Expiration Date"). Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, holders of Dutch Auction Notes may still tender their Dutch Auction Notes by the Dutch Auction Expiration Date, but will be entitled to receive only the Dutch Auction Offer Consideration, which is equal to the Dutch Auction Total Consideration set forth in the table above, less the $30.00 Dutch Auction Early Tender Payment.

As previously announced, $191,566,000 principal amount of the Company's outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (the "2021 Notes") were tendered pursuant to the Company's cash tender offer for any and all of its outstanding 2021 Notes (the "Any and All Offer" and, together with the Dutch Auction Offers, the "Offers" and, the Dutch Auction Notes, collectively with the 2021 Notes, the "Notes"), which amount included $18,480,000 principal amount of 2021 Notes tendered pursuant to guaranteed delivery procedures (the "Guaranteed Delivery Notes"). Because holders owning approximately $9 million aggregate principal amount of Guaranteed Delivery Notes did not perform the delivery requirements under the guaranteed delivery procedures, Antero accepted for purchase $182,725,000 aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes.

Between the Dutch Auction Notes tendered by the Dutch Auction Early Tender Deadline and 2021 Notes repurchased by the Company in the Any and All Offer, the Company will have repurchased an aggregate $366,775,000 notional amount of senior notes in the Offers at a 10% weighted average discount, reducing total debt by $37 million.

Additional Information

The dealer manager for the Offers is J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and the co-dealer managers for the Offers are BMO Capital Markets Corp. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Any questions regarding the terms of the Offers should be directed to J.P. Morgan at (toll-free) (866) 834-2045 or (collect) (866) 834-2045. The depositary and information agent is IPREO LLC. Any questions regarding procedures for tendering Notes or requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery should be directed to the information agent for the Offers, IPREO LLC, at (888) 593-9546 (toll-free), (212) 849-3880 (all others) or [email protected]. Copies of such documents are also available at the following web address: https://www.debtdomain.com/public/antero/index.html.

This press release is for informational purposes only. This press release is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase with respect to any Notes or any other securities. The Offers are being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and a related Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, each dated August 11, 2020, which set forth the complete terms and conditions of the Offers. The Offers are not being made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the securities laws or blue sky laws require the Offers to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offers will be deemed to be made on behalf of the Company by the Dealer Managers, or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. None of the Company, the Dealer Managers, the Depositary or the Information Agent makes any recommendation as to whether holders should tender or refrain from tendering their Notes. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender or refrain from tendering any or all of such holder's Notes, and how much they should tender.

Antero is an independent natural gas and oil company engaged in the acquisition, development and production of unconventional liquids-rich natural gas properties located in the Appalachian Basin.

This release includes "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are not under Antero's control. All statements, except for statements of historical fact, made in this release regarding activities, events or developments Antero expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, such as Antero's ability to successfully consummate the Offers and the terms thereof, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although Antero believes that the plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there is no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecast in such statements. Except as required by law, Antero expressly disclaims any obligation to and does not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Antero cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties incident to the exploration for and development, production, gathering and sale of natural gas, NGLs and oil, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Antero's control. These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, inflation, lack of availability of drilling and production equipment and services, environmental risks, drilling and other operating risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in estimating natural gas and oil reserves and in projecting future rates of production, cash flow and access to capital, the timing of development expenditures, impacts of world health events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, potential shut-ins of production due to lack of downstream demand or storage capacity, and the other risks described under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Antero's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

SOURCE Antero Resources Corporation

Related Links

http://www.anteroresources.com


Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 12:31:16|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on Aug. 21, 2020 shows a logo of the video-sharing social networking company TikTok's Los Angeles Office in Culver City, Los Angeles County, the United States. Video-sharing social networking company TikTok on Aug. 24 filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order banning any U.S. transactions with its parent company ByteDance. (Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Video-sharing social networking company TikTok on Monday filed a lawsuit against U.S. President Donald Trump's administration over Trump's Aug. 6 executive order banning any U.S. transactions with Tiktok's Chinese parent company ByteDance, starting in 45 days.

In the 39-page indictment acquired by Xinhua, Trump, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and the Department of Commerce (DOC) were listed as defendants.

ULTRA VIRES

According to the document, TikTok accused the U.S. authorities of stripping the rights of the company without presenting any evidence to justify the extreme action, and issuing the order without any due process as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution while banning the company with no notice or opportunity to be heard.

Meanwhile, the document cited Trump's remarks on this issue, such as those proclaiming in a campaign-style news conference that TikTok had "no rights" and that he would ban the popular software if the company did not pay money to the government to secure its approval for any sale, saying that those words are unconstitutional.

"By demanding that Plaintiffs make a payment to the U.S. Treasury as a condition for the sale of TikTok, the President has taken Plaintiffs' property without compensation in violation of the Fifth Amendment," the document said.

Moreover, the indictment said, by preventing TikTok from operating in the United States, the executive order violates the company's First Amendment rights in its code, an expressive means of communication.

The Los Angeles-based tech firm argued that the executive order is a misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), authorizing the prohibition of activities that have not been found to be "an unusual and extraordinary threat" in this case.

TikTok argued that former presidents used the power authorized by the IEEPA to protect the country from threats from abroad, including terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, but the recent executive order seeks to use the IEEPA against a U.S. company with hundreds of employees across the country and to destroy an online community sharing video content by millions of Americans.

According to the company, as of June, the total number of TikTok's monthly active users in the country soared to 91,937,040, and based on quarterly usage, 100 million Americans use the application to express themselves and connect with each other.

The plaintiffs, TikTok Inc. and ByteDance Ltd., seek a declaratory judgment and order invalidating and enjoining the executive order and any implementing regulations issued by the DOC later.

"The President's executive order is unconstitutional and ultra vires, and must be enjoined," the document read.

POLITICAL MOTIVE

The company said it strongly disagreed with the Trump administration's position that TikTok is a threat to national security and had voiced these objections previously.

In the last two years, U.S. officials have repeatedly spread their rumors, saying that since TikTok was owned by Beijing-based tech firm ByteDance, it could pass on data it collects from Americans' streaming videos to the Chinese government.

TikTok has said it has not been asked to share data with the Chinese government.

"There is no connection between TikTok and the Chinese government. Nor does the Chinese government exert any control over TikTok through ByteDance," the company said. "The key personnel responsible for TikTok, including its CEO, Global Chief Security Officer, and General Counsel, are all Americans based in the United States."

TikTok's U.S. content moderation is likewise led by a U.S.-based team and operates independently from China, and the popular application stores U.S. user data on servers located in the United States and Singapore, the company reiterated.

The company complained that it had provided these proofs to the U.S. authorities many times. However, all of the efforts were dismissed crudely by the latter, thus it had to file the lawsuit.

"Now is the time for us to act. We do not take suing the government lightly; however we feel we have no choice but to take action to protect our rights, and the rights of our community and employees," the company said in a blog posted on its official website Monday morning.

It also suggested that the Trump administration imposed the extreme tough restrictions on the company based on a political motive.

The executive order was issued "for political reasons rather than because of an 'unusual and extraordinary threat' to the United States, which is a condition for the President to exercise his authority" under the IEEPA, TikTok noted.

The order ignored the express limitations in the IEEPA barring executive actions from restricting personal communications or the transmission of informational materials, the document said, adding that the order also swept broadly to ban any transactions with ByteDance, even though the purported target is the TikTok mobile application, which is just one of ByteDance's several businesses.

"The order is thus a gross misappropriation of IEEPA authority and a pretext for furthering the President's broader campaign of anti-China rhetoric in the run-up to the U.S. election," the document read.

Trump's suggestion of ByteDance paying a fee to the U.S. government for facilitating a deal to sell TikTok to a U.S. company also showed that the regulatory move is a politicized one, lawyers said in the lawsuit, adding that the fee is unnecessary.

"The President's demands for payments have no relationship to any conceivable national security concern," the lawsuit added. Enditem
Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

Hilda Ramirez says shes never missed paying rent. Even when the pandemic started and she couldnt work for two months in the kitchen of a Houston restaurant, she managed to cobble together enough money from her siblings to pay for her two-bedroom apartment in Gulfton.

But two months ago, as Texas steered into a recession and the pandemic continued raging, Ramirezs siblings also started having financial problems and couldnt help her out. Thats when she started falling behind.

Last week, Ramirez got a letter from the management company telling her that she owed more than $2,000, including late fees, and that she had to leave. On Thursday, staff from the building came to her apartment.

The manager came saying that I needed to get my stuff out because I havent paid rent, the mother of four girls said. To be honest, I dont have anywhere to go.

And Ramirez is far from alone.

Since Gov. Greg Abbott declared a public health disaster in March, landlords have filed more than 2,600 evictions in the Harris County justice of the peace precinct that takes cases from Gulfton and the southwestern portion of the county, according to data from the consulting firm January Advisors. Thats almost one-third of all evictions filed in the county since the pandemic began.

The two justices of the peace for Harris Precinct 5, unlike some of their counterparts elsewhere in the county, resumed eviction proceedings as soon as they were allowed, in mid-May.

Housing advocates point out that other justices of peace have stopped or slowed down eviction hearings, prioritizing only the ones that involve violent crime or a risk to the community. This has happened in Travis County, where no eviction hearings are being scheduled, and with some justices of peace in Dallas and Harris counties.

Stopping evictions is a public health necessity, as a prevention measure, while we are dealing with this very contagious disease, said Rodrigo Hernandez, who protested at a Precinct 5 eviction court last week.

With more than 1.2 million residents, Precinct 5 spreads all the way from Katy in the west to the border of the affluent city of Bellaire and includes large swaths of Houston in between. It includes areas where many rental apartment complexes were built in the 1970s, during an oil boom. Today, those properties have become the homes for thousands of low-income immigrant families who have been disproportionately affected by unemployment, according to housing and community advocates working in the neighborhood.

Mitzi Ordonez is a resident of the area and a community organizer with the Texas Organizing Project, a nonprofit that advocates for working-class Texans of color in some of the states biggest counties. She said many people in Gulfton work construction jobs or in restaurants.

They work in jobs with no benefits, like health care or paid sick leave, Ordonez said.

According to a survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, 39% of renters in Texas werent certain they could pay their rent in August, but most eviction moratoriums enacted during the pandemics initial blow to the economy have expired. That includes moratoriums at national, state, county and city levels. The Texas Supreme Court lifted its statewide moratorium in mid-May. A provision included in the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which delayed evictions for tenants of federally backed housing, expired in late July.

The number of Texans without jobs skyrocketed in April, when the unemployment rate hit a record high of 13.5%. In July, that rate fell considerably to 8%. But it still remains much higher than the 3.5% rate of unemployment in July 2019.

More than 3.2 million people have applied for unemployment benefits since March. Meanwhile, help for the vast number of struggling Texans has been stretched precariously thin. In Houston, the first round of a rental assistance program ran out in 90 minutes, according to the Houston Chronicle. The city is now in a second round, but landlords  and not renters  have to apply.

Ive also tried with several churches, where I heard people could help me, Ramirez said. But they tell me that there are no more funds available, and I havent been able to get the help Ive heard exists.

A protester holds up a "stop evictions" sign outside the Harris County Courthouse in Houston. Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune

A renters precinct

In Harris Countys Precinct 5, about 100 people last week protested the evictions in the court of Justice of the Peace Russ Ridgway, who is one of two judges for the judicial district. Although both judges are hearing eviction cases, protesters said that Ridgways court has more evictions scheduled and handles cases for immigrant neighborhoods like Gulfton.

Eviction numbers are really high in this neighborhood. Most people living here are low income.  They are experiencing a lot of uncertainty. Ordonez said.

Ridgways docket last week had 109 eviction hearings scheduled, more than any other justice of peace in Harris County, according to records from the advocacy organization Texas Housers. Ridgway did not respond to requests for comment.

The Houston Apartment Association said that landlords in the city have also been deferring million of dollars in rent and canceling late fees to avoid filing for evictions. Andy Teas, the associations vice president of public affairs, said its not surprising that Harris Countys Precinct 5 has the most eviction activity. According to January Advisors, the precinct also had the most evictions compared with other parts of the county before the pandemic.

Teas said the precinct isnt just large but covers an area with a tremendous amount of apartments.

Theres probably more rental apartments than in any other court in Texas.

Justices of the peace throughout Texas have said that once eviction proceedings take place, state law leaves little room for mercy on tenants who havent paid rent  even those affected by a recession brought on by a pandemic.

Ridgway, a Republican, is up for reelection in November. The Houston Apartment Association has endorsed him, though Teas said thats because the group typically backs incumbents. Ridgways Democratic challenger, attorney Israel Garcia, thinks the pandemic and its subsequent recession should have prompted a rethinking of how evictions are approached.

We need to stress from the top down, all the way to the local level, that we need a national moratorium on eviction, he said.

Where are we going to sleep?

Ordonez thinks there are even more people affected than eviction dockets indicate. For one thing, she fears landlords are taking advantage of vulnerable tenants and bullying or threatening them into leaving before filing for evictions and going through the courts.

Meanwhile, some tenants leave once theyre so far behind they cant catch up and before their landlords file cases with justices of the peace. Theres no record of how many people take that so-called self eviction route.

In his apartment complex 15 minutes away from Ridgways court, Rolando Pulido has already seen several of his neighbors kicked out. The father of five is worried he will be next.

Before the pandemic, he worked almost every night as a salsa DJ. His wife helped register students at a local school. Between their incomes, they were able to afford rent, their car, and food for their kids and his wifes mother, who also lives with them in a two-bedroom apartment.

Then Pulido and his wife both lost their jobs during this springs statewide shutdown, and they havent gotten them back. Through friends, Pulido found jobs landscaping, installing floors and painting houses, among other things. Many times, he had to learn a job from scratch.

But that wasnt enough, and he also had to borrow money from his friends.

Im super indebted. If I have to ask for more money, I wouldnt be able to show my face again, Pulido said. For this upcoming months rent, Im trying to find more days of work, because I dont think I can make it.

Ramirez has the same worries for herself and her daughters. The restaurant where she works reopened, but shes only getting 10 hours a week. Its not enough to cover rent, and on Monday she got a letter from court, telling her that her eviction hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10. Her landlord did not respond to a request for comment.

But Ramirez said her family was already feeling the impact of not being sure of what tomorrow will bring, even before getting the notification.

My youngest one asks, Mom, where are we going to sleep? Where are we going to eat? Ramirez said. I just say to her, Dont worry, God will provide.

Pu Ying Huang contributed to this report.
Republicans began their nominating convention Monday with dark denunciations of Democrats and warnings about a future controlled by radical liberals, while praising President Trumps stewardship of the country, including his handling of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 173,000 Americans.

The nights program also served as a response to attacks on Trumps character and accusations of racism by featuring testimonials from Black supporters, the grieving parent of a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victim and a cancer survivor.

The evenings remarks, coupled with the presidents rambling and conspiratorial address earlier Monday to delegates convened in North Carolina, stood as a stark reminder of Trumps domination of the party and its message  and largely overshadowed the GOPs official and cheerier theme for the day, Land of Promise. (Washington Post)

Featured stories

The crowd mingles Monday at the conclusion of President Donald Trump's speech during the first day of the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. (Travis Dove, The New York Times via AP)AP

Trumps convention sells optimism  based on grievance and fear: Analysis (ABC News)

4 takeaways from RNC, Night 1: No platform but reverence for Trump (NBC News)

House Democrats grill postmaster general over delays in mail delivery (CBS News)

Jerry Falwell Jr. resigns from Liberty University following daylong confusion over his future (The Hill)

National news

Protesters chant outside the Kenosha County courthouse Monday in Kenosha, Wis. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has summoned the National Guard to head off another round of violent protests after the police shooting of a Black man turned Kenosha into the nation's latest flashpoint city in a summer of racial unrest. (Morry Gash, Associated Press)AP

Fires in Kenosha reflect anger after police shooting of Jacob Blake (New York Times)

While nationwide surge may be slowing, officials warn of troubling COVID-19 signs across U.S. heartland (CNN)

Florida judge blocks order requiring in-person learning during coronavirus pandemic (Washington Post)

University of Alabama reports more than 500 confirmed COVID-19 cases (al.com)

Eliminating payroll tax could deplete Social Security by 2023, chief actuary warns (CNN)

Living in a mega-fire era: Dry lightning could bring new threat as 14,000 firefighters battle more than 625 wildfires in California (USA Today)

Scott Petersons death sentence overturned by California Supreme Court (CNN)

Alaska mine cannot be permitted, Trump administration rules in major reversal (Politico)

A Michigan woman was declared dead by paramedics. The funeral home found she was alive (NBC News)

World news

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was poisoned, Berlin hospital says (CNN)

Erin OToole elected new opposition Conservative leader in Canada (BBC)

Belarus Lukashenko carries assault rifle as protesters demand his resignation at mass rally (CNBC)

China says it began public use of COVID-19 vaccine a month ago, bypassing clinical trials (Washington Post)

Hong Kong man was reinfected by the coronavirus, researchers say (NBC News)

He made us stronger: Christchurch shooting victims strike defiant note at sentencing (The Guardian)

Pompeo urges more Arab states to make peace with Israel (BBC)

At least 100 feared trapped as five-storey building collapses in India (The Guardian)
CAIRO: Yemens southern separatists have suspended their participation in consultations on a power-sharing deal for the south, known as the Riyadh agreement", a Southern Transitional Council (STC) statement said on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia has been trying to implement the deal, first proposed in November, to end a conflict in the south between the separatists and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

The government and the separatist STC, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates, are the main Yemeni forces in a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi movement which drove the government from Sanaa, the capital, five years ago.

The Yemeni allies have been in a standoff since last August when the STC took over Aden, the temporary headquarters of the government.

The Riyadh agreement" suffered many setbacks and was never implemented, but Saudi made a new push in July to invigorate the process.

The STC gave seven reasons for withdrawing, including the collapse of public services in the south and military escalation by government forces in Abyan province.

Yemens war has driven millions of people to the verge of starvation, requiring the worlds biggest humanitarian response.

The dispute within the anti-Houthi camp has been holding up U.N. efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the wider conflict.

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 Republican National Convention will feature a message from Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis couple who pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters on June 28. (Laurie Skrivan / St. Louis Post-Dispatch )

President Trump is fond of binge-watching Fox News from the White House and Air Force One, so perhaps it's not surprising that the speaking lineup at the Republican National Convention resembles his favorite prime-time programming.

The convention's first night included remarks from two of Trump's most ardent congressional loyalists, Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). There was also Charlie Kirk, a conservative provocateur who targets college campuses as the leader of Turning Point USA.

And of course the event was a family affair, featuring the president's eldest son, Donald Jr., and his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox personality who's now a campaign fundraiser.

But perhaps no one symbolizes the convention's hard-right turn under Trump more than Mark and Patricia McCloskey.

At a time when the Black Lives Matter movement has gained widespread political support, Trump chose to spotlight a white couple who pointed firearms at protesters marching past their mansion in St. Louis. They recorded a message that was shown during the convention's first night.

The McCloskeys face felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon. They've claimed they felt threatened and were only protecting their home when protesters started marching down their private street on June 28 on their way to the mayor's home.

"Not a single person in the out-of-control mob you saw at our house was charged with a crime," Mark McCloskey said. "But you know who was? We were. Theyve actually charged us with felonies for daring to defend our home."

Trump has defended the McCloskeys as part of his effort to spread racist fears about supposed threats to the suburbs.

"They are not satisfied with spreading the chaos and violence into our communities. They want to abolish the suburbs altogether by ending single-family home zoning," Patricia McCloskey said. "This forced rezoning would bring crime, lawlessness and low-quality apartments into thriving suburban neighborhoods."

Story continues

Amanda Carpenter, a conservative writer who previously worked for Republicans on Capitol Hill, described the McCloskeys as "people who wouldn't be on the stage in a normal political environment." She added, "They're famous for theatrics and provoking liberals in wild and reckless ways."

Other speakers used apocalyptic rhetoric to describe the threat of Democrats winning the White House. Kirk said Trump is "the bodyguard of western civilization." Gaetz said Democrats will "disarm you, empty the prisons, lock you in your home, and invite MS-13 to live next door."

Provoking liberals  "triggering" them, in the parlance of the right  appears to be a central goal of the convention rather than broadening Trump's appeal beyond his base.

In a year where Democrats are pushing to retake the U.S. Senate, there is only one vulnerable Republican senator shown on the convention schedule: Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa. Sens. Martha McSally of Arizona, Cory Gardner of Colorado and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who all face tough races in November, are all absent.

But the convention featured Kim Klacik, a long-shot Republican candidate for a congressional seat in Baltimore. A young Black woman, Kacik released a video of herself wearing a red dress and heels while walking the city's streets to complain that "the Democrat Party has betrayed the Black people of Baltimore."

"The days of blindly supporting Democrats are coming to an end," Klacik said in her convention video.

The lineup is also about settling scores with the media. Tuesday night's schedule includes Nicholas Sandmann, a young student who was accused of mocking a Native American man near the Lincoln Memorial last year.

The confrontation became a viral story  in part because Sandmann was wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat  and Sandmann said media coverage was defamatory. He recently settled lawsuits with the Washington Post and CNN.

Trump cheered on the lawsuits, tweeting, "Go get them Nick. Fake News!
By Nicholas Goldberg



In December 2016, President Barack Obama restricted the sale of American arms to Saudi Arabia, citing concerns about the widespread killings of civilians in the brutal war in Yemen.



He should have done it much earlier, and the restrictions didn't go far enough, but it was a step forward. Or it seemed to be until Donald Trump took office just a month later and reversed course, starting the sales up again.



Since then, a wedding party and even a school bus have been bombed with U.S.-made weapons supplied to the Saudi coalition forces.



Disturbed by the continuing civilian deaths, Congress has tried to end U.S. support for the war in Yemen, where the Saudis and their allies are trying to drive Iranian-backed Houthi insurgents out of power. But Trump vetoed its bipartisan resolution. And when lawmakers put a hold on an $8.1-billion arms sale to the Saudi coalition last year, it was undone by Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo's declaration of an "emergency" that he attributed to Iran's "malign" activities in the region.



So the sales have continued.



Now even the State Department has acknowledged that our arming of the Saudi coalition is problematic _ or at least the agency's independent inspector general has. In a report out this month, the inspector general concluded that the U.S. government failed to "fully assess risks and implement mitigation measures to reduce civilian casualties" from American-made precision-guided bombs in Yemen.



The calamitous war in Yemen has created the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Millions of Yemenis are facing cholera, famine, displacement and economic collapse.



And our country's fingerprints are all over the mess, raising serious questions about our advocacy of global human rights and our commitment to the rules of war.



"Look, we should not be involved in war crimes or human rights abuses, period," Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) says. "If we know they're being committed with our weapons, and if the country we're selling to is refusing our advice to change its behavior, from that point on we are complicit. And the Saudis have consistently refused our advice even as they have taken our weapons."



How does it happen that U.S.-made weapons are routinely being used to kill civilians on the other side of the world? Simple. American arms manufacturers make and sell the military equipment _ including planes, helicopters, bombs, missiles and spare parts of all sorts. The U.S. government approves the sales. The Saudis and their allies fly the planes, pull the triggers and detonate the bombs.



In April 2018, Saudi-led coalition forces dropped an American-made GBU-12 bomb on a wedding celebration in Al-Rafa village in Yemen, killing 21 people, including 11 children. In September 2016, 23 people were killed in the bombing of a residential neighborhood in western Yemen near the Red Sea, a remnant of a U.S.-made GBU-16 laser-guided bomb was found at the site. And in August 2018, a laser-guided MK 82 bomb manufactured in the United States destroyed a school bus in Northern Yemen, killing 40 children.



Those are just a few examples from a long list.



Today, the United States is the world's biggest arms seller, and Saudi Arabia is its biggest client. American companies selling to Saudi Arabia include General Dynamics, Raytheon and Boeing.



It has long been the U.S. position that arms sales can work to our advantage. By arming our allies, we can help them meet their "sovereign self-defense needs," as the State Department puts it. In theory, it protects them, keeps us from being drawn into their conflicts and creates jobs and profits here at home.



But how can we as a country possibly deny all moral responsibility when the deadly weapons we sell are misused _ especially if that misuse is persistent and predictable? Surely it's possible to bar weapons sales to repeat offenders. Surely when survivors are posting cellphone photos of bomb shards that say "Made in the USA," something needs to change.



A U.N. report last September went so far as to suggest that the role of the U.S. in arming and backing the Saudi coalition might make it legally complicit.



Human Rights Watch, which does not routinely call for bans on arms sales, has called for one in this case.



"We see the attacks by the Saudi-led coalition as so egregious and so nonresponsive to international or domestic pressure that we have come to believe the countries actively selling them weapons are participants," says Andrea Prasow, acting Washington director of Human Rights Watch.



Trump insists that he shares concerns about civilian casualties and says the U.S. is training coalition forces to improve their targeting.



And indeed, American advisers have worked with the Saudis at their operations headquarters in Riyadh _ assessing collateral damage risks, making sure proposed targets aren't on the no-strike list, and ensuring the underlying intelligence is accurate.



But the work has been ineffective, in part because casualties rarely occur in such pre-planned, "deliberate" strikes. They occur in "dynamic strikes," where a coalition airplane flies over Yemen, gets in touch with an ally on the ground and asks for real-time targeting advice.



The truth is that the Saudis have shown little willingness to change their behavior _ not because they don't know how or lack training or advice, but because they lack the political will to do so. The United States, for its part, lacks the will to disentangle itself from this humanitarian catastrophe.



Nicholas Goldberg is an associate editor and op-ed columnist for the Los Angeles Times. His article was distributed by Tribune Content Agency.


Jaipur, Aug 25 : If sources in the BJP are to be believed, the Rajasthan unit of the party could be preparing to accommodate former party heavyweights including 6-time MLA Ghanshyam Tiwari and Manvendra Singh, son of veteran leader Jaswant Singh, who left the party before the assembly polls in 2018 due to their differences with former Rajasthan Chief Minister and BJP national Vice President Vasundhara Raje.

Tiwari revolted against the former CM and raised the issue of Bungalow number 13, which according to him, was illegally occupied by her. Tiwari was left neglected post the 2013 Assembly polls when the party won with a huge margin but surprisingly he was not given any role either in the ministry or in the organisation.

A few months before the Assembly elections in 2018, Tiwari floated his own party 'Bharat Vahini' but after losing the elections, merged with the Congress.

Tiwari is a 6-time MLA who has been a cabinet minister thrice in the BJP government. He is the man who strengthened the BJP in the once Congress-dominated state and is also known to be an RSS man.

It's not only Tiwari, but another senior leader, Manvendra Singh who might also be called in the party. Singh is the son of senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh who was once considered close to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He left the BJP as he and his father were ignored when Raje was in power.

Singh later on contested the Assembly polls on Congress' ticket against Raje from her home constituency Jhalrapatan and lost. Since then, he maintained a low profile and kept distance from Congress party activities.

BJP state President Satish Poonia told IANS that leaders from parties have been leaving and joining the organisation. This was not unusual. "Parties discuss the facts internally and then take a decision about the re-induction of a leader in the party. These are just the media reports as of now," he added.

On Tuesday, Raje visited the state party headquarters and had a meeting with Poonia, national Joint General Secretary (Organisation), V. Satish and state General Secretary - Organisation Chandrashekhar.
Pro-life groups laud Trump ethics board for rejecting fetal tissue research proposals Ethics board rejects 13 fetal research proposals, but approves 1

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Pro-life groups praised the Trump administration this week after a federal ethics advisory board recommended against federal funding of fetal tissue research, saying tiny humans should not be aborted for exploitation.

We applaud the Trump administration for convening the independent advisory board as established by statute, Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said in a statement, referring to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Fetal Tissue Research Advisory Board.

In its report on fetal tissue research, released this week, the board recommended that all but one of the grant proposals for federally-funded medical research using human fetal tissue donated after elective abortions be rejected.

The board was set up by the Trump administration last year to review applications for funding of such research conducted outside of NIH facilities. It recommended withholding federal funding from 13 out of 14 research proposals  through grants or contracts  involving the use of fetal tissue.

It is appropriate that tax-funded research be reviewed in regard to the ethical nature of the research, Tobias said. These tiny humans are aborted and exploited when they are farmed for their organs and tissue for use in research projects. Ethical alternatives are available.

Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, who heads the U.S. bishops pro-life committee, also applauded the recommendation.

We applaud the Administration for moving NIH in a direction that shows greater consideration for medical ethics in research, and greater respect for innocent human life, Naumann said in a statement. It is neither ethical nor necessary to further violate the bodies of aborted babies by commodifying them for use in medical research.

The archbishop said the victims of abortion deserve the same respect as every other human person.

We are grateful that the Administration is following through on its commitment to end federal funding of research using aborted fetal tissue, he added.

The board said it "assessed considerations as to whether the nature of the research involved is such that it is unethical to conduct or support the research."

The board's recommendations have been submitted to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Congress. Azar will make the final decision.

The details of the proposal that was not recommended to be withheld are not known.

Last June, HHS put a moratorium on new fetal tissue research at NIH facilities, and said that funding of extramural research conducted outside NIH would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, The Christian Post reported.

Promoting the dignity of human life from conception to natural death is one of the very top priorities of President Trumps administration, HHS said at the time.

The HHS also said its continuing to look at alternatives to using fetal tissue from aborted babies in government-funded research. In December 2018, the NIH announced a $20 million funding opportunity for research to develop experimental models that do not rely on human fetal tissue from aborted babies.
The Conference Board of Canada is sounding the alarm about an uneven economic recovery among the countrys provinces and territories.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Conference Board of Canada is sounding the alarm about an "uneven" economic recovery among the countrys provinces and territories.

Forecasts released Monday suggest provinces dependent on certain industries and sectors, like oil and gas, will face slower post-pandemic recoveries.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Chief economist Pedro Antunes worries that despite early gains made to normalize the economy, recovery will likely be more prolonged than originally anticipated.

And the boards chief economist Pedro Antunes worries that despite early gains made to normalize the economy, recovery will likely be more prolonged than originally anticipated.

Data from the Board shows energy-producing provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan have been hit particularly hard not only by the coronavirus, but also by the collapse in global oil prices from $60 per barrel to current prices in the $40 per barrel range.

Meantime, provinces that depend on trade with the U.S. and international tourism  like Ontario and Quebec  are predicted to take major hits in economic recovery.

Antunes calls those concerns a "double whammy" of economic shutdowns, which he says will be hard to fix for provincial governments until demand for oil increases predictably late next year.

Pushed by key advantages, including a better fiscal position heading into the pandemic, the Board predicts British Columbia will lead the pack in experiencing the least amount of economic damage.

In Manitoba and the Maritimes, Antunes cited relatively low cases of COVID-19 as the reason behind a less severe decline in economic activity. Because of this, he says provinces like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were able reopen factories and outlets sooner than other areas.

"Its the benchmark of a diverse economy in Manitoba," he said. "Certainly we can see why the province did better than others when we look at the way it contained the virus and how it has an economy that doesnt necessarily depend only on one type of industry or sector."

A joint-statement to the Free Press by Manitobas minister of finance and minister of economic development and training attributed the provinces prominent recovery to "effective fiscal management and targeted investments in emergency preparedness and the rainy day fund."

"Growing our way out of this pandemic financial hole is the only way forward," said Ministers Scott Fielding and Ralph Eichler. "The impacts of COVID-19 will take several years to address, and the province is considering several possible scenarios for recovery."

"Our government is focused on safely getting Manitobans back to work and restarting our economy."

While Manitobas GDP forecast is set to fall only by 5.8 per cent compared to a national 8.2 per cent, research from the Board predicts the provinces aerospace industry will face a significant hit due to the pandemic.

But the province says theres various provincial programs created for exactly that reason, pointing particularly to the Manitoba Gap Protection Program.

"Throughout the pandemic, the province has been in frequent contact with key industry stakeholders, including those from the aerospace industry," says a government statement. "Their input continues to help shape Manitobas economic response and the recovery programs offered."

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Antunes warns that provinces like Manitoba must remain especially vigilant as a looming second wave of COVID-19 emerges.

"As governments continue loosening restrictions and taking us out of lockdowns, its easy to assume that were back on track to a regular economy," said Antunes. "But that would be a severe mistake."

"Were definitely nowhere near to having the economy we once did and governments must be prepared that we likely wont ever be."

temur.durrani@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @temurdur
When schools closed in March, parents could pick up meals on behalf of their children at a single site, even if their children attend different schools. They could get them from a school system or charter network in which their children were not enrolled. And even if they did not qualify for free and reduced-price lunches and breakfasts  which families are eligible for if their annual earnings are no more than 185 percent of the federal poverty level  they could still pick up meals, no questions asked.
A new interdisciplinary course about abortion care is being offered to Dalhousie University health students this year for the first time.

Martha Paynter, who's leading the course, said abortion care has changed a great deal in the Maritimes in recent years and the new course is meant to prepare future nurses, doctors and social workers.

Nurse practitioners can now prescribe medical abortions through Mifegymiso, the brand name for the combination of two pills used to terminate early pregnancies.

"With the opening up of access, it creates opportunities for opening up our learning," Paynter, a PhD candidate in nursing and the founder of Women's Wellness Within, told CBC's Information Morning this week.

The course is offered through Dalhousie's interprofessional health education program and is open to all health profession students.

It's a mini-course, which means it lasts between six and nine hours, and allows students from different professions to work together.

Students will learn about the history of abortion care in Canada, from the opening of Dr. Henry Morgentaler's first clinic in Montreal in 1969 to the introduction of surgical and medical abortions on P.E.I. in 2017.

Paul Palmeter/CBC

Students will also learn the process of performing surgical abortions, be trained in follow-up care and explore what their role is in educating patients about contraceptive options.

Paynter said the course is vital given abortion education is still lacking in many health programs, especially nursing, due to stigma around the procedure.

"Despite abortion having been decriminalized in Canada since 1988, the remaining barriers to access are of course geography  but also the willingness of providers to step up and provide this care," she said.

"If we're going to address that barrier we have to train the providers, and when you realize how normal something is, how safe, how common, that helps you adopt it into your practice and feel comfortable with this care provision."

Story continues

Paynter said it's also a requirement in health-care providers' code of ethics and standards of practice to never abandon their patients. If they can't offer abortion care, they make a referral to someone who can, she said.

She was involved in introducing training for nursing students on abortion that was part of a larger undergraduate course a couple years ago.

"This is a great expansion of that attention that Dalhousie Health has made to the importance of educating our future health-care practitioners about abortion care," she said.

MORE TOP STORIES
A ground-mount solar array "Agilitas has a win-win opportunity to help Massachusetts meet its renewable energy goals while helping local businesses reduce their energy costs. And these projects fit perfectly with Agilitas core competencies and mission," says Barrett Bilotta, President of Agilitas Energy.

Agilitas Energy, a leading energy developer headquartered in Wakefield MA with a robust portfolio across Massachusetts, New York and New Hampshire, recently commenced construction of its latest utility-scale solar photovoltaic project under the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program in the Town of Auburn, Massachusetts.

Agilitas acquired this construction-ready solar PV project in March this year, which is situated on a 124.7-acre site in Auburn MA and will generate enough electricity to power more than 1,200 Massachusetts homes per year. Agilitas has a win-win opportunity to help Massachusetts meet its renewable energy goals while helping local businesses reduce their energy costs. And these projects fit perfectly with Agilitas core competencies and mission, says Barrett Bilotta, President of Agilitas Energy.

The SMART Program is the latest long-term sustainable solar incentive program that promotes cost-effective solar development in Massachusetts, sponsored by the three investor-owned utility companies in the Commonwealth: Eversource, National Grid and Unitil. With SMART, the Massachusetts energy portfolio will add 3,200 MW in solar capacity, bringing the total solar capacity to meet 13% of the states annual electricity needs.

The Agilitas Auburn project will be classed as Community Solar, giving local energy consumers the benefit of lower-cost electricity. A local community hospital is the largest among several hundred organizations to sign up long-term Power Purchase agreements which will guarantee them energy savings for the next two decades. Ampion Energy will be supporting the subscribers of this Community Solar program, ensuring that they enjoy the benefits of renewable energy and guaranteed savings over the contract period. Community Solar is one the easiest ways to save money on electricity and comes with the added benefit of supporting the transition to clean energy. said Nate Owen, CEO of Ampion. Customers like Sturdy Memorial Hospital recognize that this is a choice that can impact their bottom line and we're thrilled to support access to the many regional businesses and local residents who qualify for this Massachusetts state program.

After closing the acquisition transaction, Agilitas quickly secured its financing with 1st Source Bank who will provide construction loan, tax equity and permanent financing for the Project. Agilitas experienced in-house EPC team will oversee the full engineering, procurement and construction phases of the project, to optimize the design and to build with the highest institutional standards.

The project is expected to be mechanically complete in Q4 2020 and to start commercial operations in Q2 next year. Were pleased to partner with Agilitas Energy on this project, and to finance another solar energy facility for the communities of Massachusetts, states Russell Cramer, VP, Solar Financing. At 1st Source Bank, we believe in helping our clients realize their dreams. If that dream is a sustainable energy source to better their communities, then we are proud to provide the financing to make it a reality.

In addition to this Auburn project, Agilitas is actively developing new SMART projects, some of which will also include battery energy storage systems to provide peak shaving capabilities for the power grid, and potentially deploy community solar arrangements as well, to bring additional cost benefits to the local township, businesses, and residents.

About Agilitas Energy LLC

Agilitas Energy is a leading commercial solar and energy storage developer and owner / operator in the Northeast. The Company is expert in the full cycle of development, construction, and distribution of utility-scale energy projects. The Agilitas team has developed and/or built over 100 MW of solar PV systems since 2014 and is actively developing multiple solar PV and energy storage projects in the Northeast. Agilitas invests in energy projects at various stages, from inception to full entitlement to commercial operation.

More information can be found at: http://www.agilitasenergy.com


Authorities have released the name of a man killed in an apparent exchange of gunfire Monday afternoon.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim as Eddie Tillman Jackson Jr. He was 43 and lived in Homewood.

The gunfire erupted shortly before 1:30 p.m. in the 4100 block of Airport Highway in the Tom Brown Village public housing community. Police said it appeared two men were shooting at each other, but that is still under investigation.

Jackson was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:58 p.m. The second man  described by police as a person of interest  was taken by private vehicle to St. Vincents East. His condition wasnt available.

Jackson is Birminghams 78th homicide so far in 2020. Of those, 10 have been ruled justifiable and one accidental and therefore are not deemed criminal. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 112 slayings, including the 78 in Birmingham.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Birmingham police homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
By Akbar Mammadov

The Azerbaijani Naval Forces headquarters headed by Rear Admiral Subhan Bekirov hosted a meeting with the Russian delegation led by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Vice-Admiral Vladimir Kasatonov, the Defense Ministry said on August 24.

During the meeting, the sides discussed military cooperation in the Caspian Sea, the organization of mutual visits of warships of the two countries, and other aspects.

Following the meeting, a press conference was held with the participation of the heads of delegations of the participating countries and members of the Board of Referees, as well as local and foreign journalists.

In the end, the questions of the representatives of the press were replied.

During the press conference, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Vice-Admiral Vladimir Kasatonov said that the "Sea Cup" is a symbol of our friendship and sea brotherhood.

---

Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY  As a branch of the CZU Lightning Complex fires closed in on Bonny Doons lush homesteader ranches and families fled south to Santa Cruz on Thursday night, John Lingemann planted himself atop a knoll and watched.

Lingemann, a neighbor would later say, had been waiting for this fire for 77 years.

Propane tanks about a mile and a half away started exploding around 11 p.m., sending 50-foot daggers of flames into the sky. By the time the CZU Lightning Complex crested the ridge toward Bonny Doon in the Santa Cruz mountains, the heat was devouring trees at an alarming rate.

But then something peculiar happened. While the flames were voracious up higher, the fires pathway down the hillside slowed to a trudge.

I couldnt believe what I was seeing, Lingemann said, and he began to formulate a plan.

In the following days, Lingemann has served as the patriarch and Godfather for a group of residents in the rural area who whipped up their own fire brigade within hours. They pooled together their own bulldozers, tractors, hand crews and water lines, creating firebreak lines that halted the blaze, sometimes within feet of homes.

Theyre now credited with saving dozens of homes after doing what fire officials and their own families begged them not to: fight the flames themselves.

I kept trying to say, If I leave, and I cant keep the pumps going and the water going, were going to lose these houses, Lingemann said. If Im here and its meandering like Im seeing it is, we can save this.

Major fires often create tension between fire crews and a few hard-headed locals who insist on standing their ground. It creates a danger for fire crews who may have to race in and save someone. And now, in a time when dozens of lightning-sparked fires are raging throughout California, critically thin fire crews have no resources to spare.

Most concerning for fire officials is when crews make major water drops or light back fires, both of which could catch the holdouts off-guard, said Jonathan Cox, deputy chief for Cal Fire San Mateo, Santa Cruz unit, who has been working at the CZU in mountainous and coastal areas of Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties.

Both of those are highly dangerous and if theyre not coordinated with the people that may be in the area, theres a high potential for the fire to spread sporadically and people could get seriously hurt, he said.

So for us, he continued, were always, always worried when theres people in the area who havent evacuated or are taking independent action.

That Cal Fire teams are understaffed helped persuade many in the Bonny Doon area to take matters into their own hands. For the first several days, there were no air units and sparse crews in this wooded outpost of chicken coops, fruit trees and vineyards. The official teams were consumed by areas where the fire was a more immediate threat.

Justin Robinson, 45, was one of the core, unofficial Bonny Doon crew members to return the following day after evacuating. He and others soon adopted Lingemanns ethos.

Now Playing: Chronicle photojournalist Gabrielle Lurie captures the smoke from California State Route 1 on Thursday, August 20. The CZU August Lightning Complex fires have burned about 50,000 acres, 0% containment as of Friday afternoon, Aug. 21, 2020. Video: San Francisco Chronicle

Once we were here like seeing it and fighting it, it was like, Oh this is really manageable, Robinson said. It didnt feel threatening.

The group, some of them fifth-generation residents, mapped out an exit route down a back road if conditions took a turn for the worse.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

We thought, as long as its coming from these two sides, we were like, Were not giving up on our homes, and our land, and our community and all these people, Robinson said.

Soon, the crew evolved into a rotating cast of about 50 people. The Lingemann familys bulldozer carved out a line, deep into the forest of redwoods, oaks and pines, for their team to defend.

Stephen Resetar, 35, taxied his ATV back and forth with a water line. Scouts kept their eyes trained on the forecast and even some out-of-town volunteers pitched in with rakes and hand tools.

Their staging area is at Lingemanns daughters house  the only place theres a spot of cell phone service here and there. Otherwise, they communicated on radios, or sent men on motorcycles like carrier pigeons.

For the first time on Sunday evening, Cal Fire sent air teams to douse the Bonny Doon area. Aaron Lingemann, Johns adult son who was also part of the crew, stressed that their team shouldnt be an example for other communities.

Their cohort was made up of blue-collar workers who work in water wells and in construction. They had the materials, they knew the area and most importantly, they said, they were aided by the weather.

Most people should not do this, the younger Lingemann said. Its not for everybody, it just happened to work for us here.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
About Us

Dynamic Business has been helping business owners and managers for 27 years
HATBORO, Pa. (AP)  Two Philadelphia-area members of Congress are asking the Pennsylvania National Guards commander to address allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation at the Horsham Air Guard Station near Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a former Air Force officer, and U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, whose district includes the air base, wrote Friday that they were troubled by allegations reported by the newspaper last month.

Twenty-year Navy veteran Marianne Bustin says she was harassed and retaliated against for trying to change the sexist culture at the Pennsylvania Air National Guard station in Horsham. (Monica Herndon/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)TNS

The Inquirer's investigation included allegations of rampant sexual harassment and discrimination within the base's 111th Attack Wing and a pattern of reprisal against those speaking out about misconduct.

The letter to Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli from the freshmen Democrats says the National Guard "is not immune from the cultural challenges facing our military, especially when it comes to sexual harassment, misconduct, and retaliation."

As adjutant general, Carrelli is responsible for supervision of the state's Army and Air National Guard units.

Department of Military and Veterans Affairs communications director Joan Nissley declined comment on claims in the article but said Guard senior leaders recently visited the unit to outline behavioral standards and inform members about how to report problems.

More:

Dickinson College graduate sues, saying school failed to properly investigate, punish reported sexual assault

Pa. senator accused of sexual misconduct ousted in Democratic primary

Los Angles Kings suspends mascot after sexual harassment lawsuit
Doctors treat a patient in Surrey as hopes grow of a vaccine. Photo: Steve Parsons/Pool via Reuters

AstraZeneca (AZN.L) has launched a new trial of an antibody therapy it hopes could prevent and treat the coronavirus.

It comes as the UK biopharmaceutical giant also said its separate potential vaccine, created in partnership with the University of Oxford, could be sent to regulators for approval this year if clinical trials progress as hoped.

The new first-phase trial is for AZD7442, a combination of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) which mimic natural antibodies and neutralise the virus.

The first of up to 48 healthy adults in the UK trial have now received doses. The project is funded by the US government, according to a statement released by AstraZeneca on Monday.

The Cambridge-based company hopes the antibodies will provide at least six months of protection from COVID-19. It has previously said it hopes antibody-based treatment could be complementary to vaccines, including for those unable to be vaccinated and people at high-risk, who would receive added protection.

READ MORE: Stocks rally as US approves COVID-19 treatment

The antibodies also have the potential to provide immediate effect in the patient, with scientists evaluating whether they will work as a potential treatment as well as preventative measure.

Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of biopharmaceuticals research and development at AstraZeneca, said: This trial is an important milestone in the development of our monoclonal antibody combination to prevent or treat COVID-19.

This combination of antibodies, coupled to our proprietary half-life extension technology, has the potential to improve both the effectiveness and durability of use in addition to reducing the likelihood of viral resistance."

AstraZeneca stocks since the start of 2020. Chart: Yahoo Finance UK

AstraZenecas separate vaccine trial with Oxford University researchers has been one of the most promising globally since the pandemic hit. The companys stocks are trading 16.5% higher than a year ago.

Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, also told the BBC on Tuesday: "It is just possible that if the cases accrue rapidly in the clinical trials, that we could have that data before regulators this year, and then there would be a process that they go through in order to make a full assessment of the data.
Observers: Taiwan Positioned for Role in Wealth Management and Corporate Financing

By Joyce Huang August 24, 2020

Taiwan is well-positioned to seize potential capital outflows triggered by the enactment of a new security law in Hong Kong and the intensifying trade frictions between the United States and China, three analysts told VOA.

This will pave the way for the island to create a niche as a regional corporate financing or high net worth asset management center, although mounting challenges lie ahead for it to deregulate its financial industry in achieving the goal, the analysts added.

The goal is in line with President Tsai Ing-wen's, who told local business tycoons last week that her administration plans to liberalize the local economy soon by becoming an Asian financial hub.

Hong Kong's capital flight

"Under its new security law, Hong Kong's role as a regional financial hub has been greatly weakened when it comes to its function in both wealth management and corporate financing," said Hwang Dar-yeh, dean of the privately run Academy of Promoting Economic Legislation. "(Any capital flight), especially by Chinese-speaking investors, is likely to next go to Singapore or Taipei. So, now presents a great opportunity for Taipei to pursue that goal."

Taiwan is unlikely to immediately compete with Singapore or Hong Kong  two major financial hubs in Asia that respectively ranked fifth and sixth in the latest Global Financial Centers Index.

Lagging behind most of the world's 108 financial centers, Taipei ranked 75th in the index, released in March by London-based consultancy Z/Yen Group and the China Development Institute, based in Shenzhen.

Taipei's geostrategic importance

Hwang said Taipei enjoys a higher geostrategic importance than Singapore now that Taiwan and the United States seek to diversify and move away from their traditional reliance on trade with China.

Under these circumstances, Taiwanese companies based in China may consider going public in Taiwan, or individuals with a high net worth may opt to exit Hong Kong and park their assets elsewhere, including Taipei, according to Hwang.

Since 2019, Taiwan's financial regulator has launched several relaxation policies, including deregulating offshore banking units and allowing more new products in financial institutions' wealth management portfolios, for clients with a net worth of more than $34 million.

It is also seeking to accommodate China-based Taiwanese companies, which have been impacted by the U.S.-China trade war and repatriated more than $340 billion to Taiwan as of the end of June, official statistics showed.

More needs to be done

Schive Chi, former chairman of Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation, said Taiwan needs to do more to catch up.

"Insufficient product lines or capital flows, which aren't totally free, will limit Taiwan's scale (and scope) of developing (its financial market). There's plenty of opportunity up for grabs, but whether you can seize (it) is another story," Schive told VOA in a phone interview.

Both Hwang and Schive said Taiwan should improve its financial infrastructure by attracting financial talent from overseas, introducing innovative policies and allowing the island's currency exchange rate to free-float with no interference from the central bank  overall, an open, transparent and free market in which foreign investors will take an interest.

Preferential tax rates

Taiwan also needs to impose preferential tax rates, which are competitive enough to attract foreign investors, said William Lin, a professor of banking and finance at Tamkang University in Taipei.

Lin said the size of assets under management in Singapore has greatly outgrown that of Taiwan in the past two decades after Singapore introduced a preferential tax regime, including having its withholding tax waived in 2000.

Compared to Singapore, Taiwan has a number of upper-handed advantages should it try to boost wealth management businesses, he said.

"We have many advantages. First of all, Taiwan's size of local capital is bigger than that in Singapore. We've totaled an idle capital of NT$6 trillion ($340 billion), including NT$2.4 trillion ($81.6 trillion of excess savings) in the banking sector. With a small population of 23 million people, the local insurance sector's annual premium income is the seventh largest in the world," Lin said.

Other than capital, Taiwan's tech prowess, hardworking labor, and talent pool in innovation-oriented and biotech industries will prepare it to tap emerging opportunities from the region's wealth management and corporate finance landscape, he said.

Tsai's administration has targeted seven innovative industries, including smart machinery, green energy and biomedicine, to help upgrade the local economy from contract manufacturing to a high value-added model.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Through the end of the month of August, customers are able to visit Baierl Toyota to take advantage of the August Parts Specials that the dealership has available. These specials allow customers to save money on the order, purchase and installation of select parts and accessories that the dealership has available. Baierl Toyota currently has eight parts specials available this month.

The August Parts Specials available at Baierl Toyota offer savings on select parts and accessories that come in the form of percentage off discounts and discounted listed costs as well. The percentage off discounts that the dealership currently has as available include 10% off All-Weather Floor Mats, 15% off Toyota Accessories, 15% off Toyota Sightline Wiper Blades and 20% off Toyota All-Weather Floor Liners.

In addition to the percentage off discounts, there are also three specials available that offer discounted costs on the purchase of select parts at Baierl Toyota this August. Customers are able to purchase a new Engine Air Filter for $44.00, a new Cabin Air Filter for $43.00 and AC Refresh Service for only $44.95. The final parts special available at Baierl Toyota this month is an 84 Month Warranty on the purchase of Toyota TrueStart Batteries. The dealership encourages customers to contact their service center

Customers can learn more about the Baierl Toyota August Parts Specials by contacting the dealership staff directly. More information about the dealerships parts and accessories can be found by visiting the dealership website at http://www.baierltoyota.com. Customers can also reach the dealership by phone at 878-332-7116 or by visiting the dealership in person at 19045 Perry Highway in Mars, Pennsylvania.
Trapia 1

Figure 3: Trapia 1 Target Area with Location of 2020 Drill Holes, Resource, and 3D Mag Inversion Target

Figure 3: Trapia 1 Target Area with Location of 2020 Drill Holes, Resource, and 3D Mag Inversion Target

Trapia 1

Figure 4: Cross-section A-A of Trapia 1 along DD20TU10, DD04TU06 (historical) and DD20TU12

Figure 4: Cross-section A-A of Trapia 1 along DD20TU10, DD04TU06 (historical) and DD20TU12

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ValOre Metals Corp. ("ValOre"; the Company; TSXV: VO; OTC: KVLQF; FRANKFURT: KEQ0) today announced initial assay results from the ongoing Phase 1 core drill program at ValOres 100%-owned Pedra Branca Platinum Group Element Project (PGE, 2PGE+Au) in northeastern Brazil. Assay results for two of the five holes drilled at the Trapia 1 target are reported herein. Results for the remaining three drill holes will be released once they are received and reviewed.



Highlights from Initial Drilling at Trapia 1:

Drill hole DD20TU10

 1.0 g/t 2PGE+Au over 52.8 metres from surface, including 2.14 g/t 2PGE+Au over 9.0 metres*;

 Successfully extends the up-dip mineralized body to surface in the southern portion of the Trapia 1 resource area;

Drill hole DD20TU12

 0.69 g/t 2PGE+Au over 100.4 metres from to 93.2 metres depth, including 2.33 g/t 2PGE+Au over 11.0 metres*;

 Extends the down-dip mineralization at Trapia 1, and shows a thickening of the mineralized body at depth;

Trapia 1 mineralization remains open down-dip to the east.

* Reported assay intervals are estimated to be 90-100% true width

We are extremely pleased with initial results from the Phase 1 drill program at Pedra Branca, including the assays received from these first two holes at the Trapia 1 target area. It is just the beginning of a very exciting period of exploration and discovery at the Pedra Branca project, stated Jim Paterson, Chairman & CEO. We are also sincerely thankful for the continued safety and health of our employees, contractors, and members of the communities of Capitao Mor and area surrounding Pedra Branca.

Trapia Target Area and the 2019 NI 43-101 Resource

A NI 43-101 inferred resource estimate for Pedra Branca was reported by ValOre in August, 2019, totaling 1,067,000 ounces 2PGE+Gold (Palladium, Platinum and Gold; Pd, Pt+Au) contained in 27.2 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1.22 grams 2PGE+Gold per tonne (g/t 2PGE+Au). PGE mineralization for all five deposit areas outcrops at surface, making the inferred resources prospective for open pit mining. Trapia represents one of the five deposit areas which host the NI 43-101 resource at Pedra Branca. CLICK HERE for Figure 1, showing the location of the five NI 43-101 deposit areas and proposed 2020 drill holes.

Story continues

The Trapia resource is comprised of three separate deposit areas within a 2-kilometre radius: Trapia 1, Trapia 2 and Trapia West. Specifically, Trapia 1 represents 92,000 ounces of the aggregate Trapia resource of 219,000 ounces at 1.1 g/t 2PGE+Au (6.2 Mt). CLICK HERE for Figure 2, showing location of Trapia target areas (Trapia 1, Trapia 2 and Trapia West), proposed and drilled 2020 drill holes, and prospective 3D magnetic inversion targets.

Trapia 1 was selected for Phase 1 of the 2020 drill program on the merits of its strong resource expansion potential and high prospectivity along strike to the south, which correlates with a prospective, 3D magnetic inversion target extending approximately 1 kilometre from the defined resource. A total of 899.6 metres were drilled in five drill holes, testing both the PGE mineralization open at depth to the east and the 3D magnetic inversion target. CLICK HERE for Table 1 showing a summary of 2020 Phase 1 drilling at Trapia 1, and see Figure 3 below.

Figure 3: Trapia 1 Target Area with Location of 2020 Drill Holes, Resource, and 3D Mag Inversion Target is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/833d02e8-778a-4273-9195-88953cdb02e9

Initial Trapia 1 2020 Drilling Results

Target ultramafic rocks were intercepted in all five drill holes at Trapia 1 (DD20TU10 DD20TU14), and assay results for DD20TU10 and DD20TU12 extend the mineralization up-dip to surface in the south of the resource area, and extend the mineralization at depth to the east, respectively. Table 2 below summarizes the most significant core assay results for these first two drill holes. Figure 4 shows a cross section of Trapia 1 with DD20TU10, DD04TU06 (historical) and DD20TU12.

DD20TU10 aimed to target a historical drill intercept (BR-18) which was found in the geological database but not included in ValOres 2019 NI 43-101 resource estimate due to the lack of existing drill core. PGE-bearing ultramafic rocks were intercepted from surface to 52.8 metres and again from 63.7 to 64.6 metres (total of 53.1 metres).

DD20TU12 targeted the down-dip easterly extension of Trapia 1 mineralization and intercepted mineralized ultramafic rocks from 93.1 to 193.6 metres (total of 100.4 metres). PGE Mineralization remains open at depth and is thickening with depth.

Initial results and interpretations from 2020 Trapia 1 drilling have enabled ValOre geologists to develop, corroborate and fine-tune a robust geological and structural model to facilitate immediate, highly prospective follow-up drilling within the Phase 1 drill campaign.

Table 2: Summary of Significant Core Assay Results from DD20TU10 and DD20TU12

Drill Hole Depth From (m) Depth To (m) Interval (m) 2PGE+Au (g/t) DD20TU10 0.0 52.8 52.8 1.01 Including 6.0 15.0 9.0 2.14 DD20TU12 93.2 193.6 100.4 0.69 Including 171.8 182.7 11.0 2.33

Figure 4: Cross-section A-A of Trapia 1 along DD20TU10, DD04TU06 (historical) and DD20TU12 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b39c1943-30c9-4ae7-9281-da0821e11306

Pedra Branca 2020 Drill Program

The 2020 drill program at Pedra Branca is comprised of two fully-permitted phases totaling 6,000 metres, 2,875 metres (Phase 1) and 3,035 metres (Phase 2), respectively, with an estimated completion of Phase 1 by the end of September, 2020. Both Phases are designed to test three target classes: resource expansion to grow the NI 43-101 resource estimate, target advancement to follow-up positive historical drill intercepts at pre-resource targets, and new discovery to test undrilled ValOre-generated targets.

ValOre has engaged Servitec Foraco Sondagem SA for the Phase 1 drill program at Pedra Branca, which will test seven distinct target areas with 23 diamond drill core drill holes. The Phase 2 drill program will test 4 distinct target areas with 24 diamond drill core drill holes.

Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QA/QC) and Grade Interval Reporting

As part of ValOres QA/QC protocol, a total of seven quality control samples are inserted in each batch of 50 samples. These include the insertion of blanks, standards, and duplicates according to a logical sequence that follows strict industry standards. The seven quality control samples comprise: (i) two coarse blanks sampled from barren quartz vein outcrops in the area (4% of the batch); (ii) three certified reference materials (CRMs, 4% of the batch) with pre-determined PGE and Au grades produced by CDN Resource Laboratories; (iii) and three duplicate samples (2% of the batch each), including one coarse reject duplicate and one pulp duplicate (both prepared at SGS laboratory following ValOres instructions) and one  core duplicate, prepared at ValOres core logging facility in Capitao Mor. Assay results are systematically checked upon receipt and a specific batch is accepted if results are in accordance with a QA/QC failure chart. All samples are sent with an ensured chain of custody to SGS Geosol Laboratorios Ltda. (SGS Geosol, an accredited mineral analysis laboratory) in Vespasiano, Minas Gerais, Brazil for analysis.

Grading intervals are reported from continuous drill intersections of favorable ultramafic intrusion that return anomalous 2PGE+Au values throughout, with sample widths averaging 1.0 metres in length throughout the mineralized zone.

Analytical Procedures, SGS Geosol

Once a core sample consignment is received and verified by SGS Geosol, all core samples undergo density calculation by water immersion method on the raw samples wrapped in PVC film. The samples are subsequently prepared for analyses by means of drying, crushing (with 75% passing 3 mm), homogenization, quartering and pulverizing 250  300 g of sample in a 95% steel mill at 150 mesh. Multielement analyses is then performed by Sodium Peroxide Fusion followed by a multielement combined ICP-OES and ICP-MS scan for base metals, trace, and lithological elements. Chromium values that exceeded 5% are redirected to ore-grade pyrosulfate fusion and XRF techniques to determine %Cr 2 O 3 . Samples are then analyzed for 2PGE+Gold (Pd, Pt, Au) content using standard Fire Assay techniques.

Certified PGE ore reference standards, blanks and field duplicates were inserted as a part of ValOres QA/QC protocol. No QA/QC issues were noted with the results reported herein.

SGS Geosol is an accredited mineral analysis laboratory founded in Brazil from a joint venture between SGS do Brasil and Geosol Geologia e Sondagens. It concentrates its activities on geochemical analysis of soils, rocks, ores, concentrates and metallurgical tests, as well as environmental analyzes of water, effluents, and industrial waste.

SGS Geosol is internationally recognized by its extensive experience throughout industry, with technical teams formed by highly qualified professionals. SGS Geosols Integrated Management System ensures an excellent level of quality, safety, occupational health, respect for the environment and social responsibility.

The lab is Certified ISO 9001, which provides quality services in analytical chemistry, in compliance with all applicable environmental requirements, and so it is also certified ISO 14001. SGS Geosol has advanced laboratories and the latest technological equipment, which enables its supply of analytical services with security and excellent quality control.

About Servitec Foraco Sondagem SA

Servitec Foraco is a Brazilian company based in the State of Goias that started operating as Servitec in 2000, and through innovation, investment, and continuous improvement, emerged as one of the pioneers of drilling in Brazil. With a prominent position on the national scene, Servitec was acquired in 2012 by one of the global drilling leaders, Foraco International, forming Servitec Foraco.

Servitec Foraco has more than 700 employees and 90 drill rigs, and operates throughout Brazil with clients such as Nexa, Anglo American, Yamana Gold, Vale and AngloGold Ashanti. Servitec Foraco is committed to conducting drill programs with high levels of productivity, safety and respect for the environment and legislation.

ValOre and Servitec Foraco COVID-19 Protocols

ValOre and Servitec Foraco are closely monitoring impacts on the companies operations and business preparedness plans, as the health and safety of employees, contractors and associated communities is a top priority.

As part of the safety protocol, the companies have implemented daily screening procedures, temperature monitoring, self-assessment checklists and issued directives regarding social distancing to ensure a safe environment for operations. Servitec Foraco has an extensive procedural guide on hygiene and conduct to be adopted daily during and after work hours.

These decisions reinforce the companies objective of preventing the transmission of COVID-19 among its employees, contractors, and the communities proximal to drilling activities.

About ValOre Metals Corp.

ValOre Metals Corp. (TSXV: VO) is a Canadian company with a portfolio of highquality exploration projects. ValOres team aims to deploy capital and knowledge on projects which benefit from substantial prior investment by previous owners, existence of high-value mineralization on a large scale, and the possibility of adding tangible value through exploration, process improvement, and innovation.

In May 2019, ValOre announced the acquisition of the Pedra Branca Platinum Group Elements (PGE) property, in Brazil, to bolster its existing Angilak uranium, Genesis/Hatchet uranium and Baffin gold projects in Canada.

The Pedra Branca PGE Project comprises 38 exploration licenses covering a total area of 38,940 hectares (96,223 acres) in northeastern Brazil. At Pedra Branca, 5 distinct PGE+Au deposit areas host, in aggregate, a NI 43-101 Inferred Resource of 1,067,000 ounces 2PGE+Gold (Palladium, Platinum and Gold; Pd, Pt+Au) contained in 27.2 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1.22 grams 2PGE+Gold per tonne (g/t 2PGE+Au) (see ValOres July 23, 2019 news release). PGE mineralization outcrops at surface and all of the inferred resources are potentially open pittable.

Comprehensive exploration programs have demonstrated the "District Scale" potential of ValOres 105,280-hectare Angilak Property in Nunavut Territory, Canada that hosts the Lac 50 Trend having a NI 43101 Inferred Resource of 2,831,000 tonnes grading 0.69% U 3 O 8 , totaling 43.3 million pounds U 3 O 8 . For disclosure related to the inferred resource for the Lac 50 Trend uranium deposits, please refer to ValOre's news release of March 1, 2013.

ValOres team has forged strong relationships with sophisticated resource sector investors and partner Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) on both the Angilak and Baffin Gold Properties. ValOre was the first company to sign a comprehensive agreement to explore for uranium on Inuit Owned Lands in Nunavut Territory and is committed to building shareholder value while adhering to high levels of environmental and safety standards and proactive local community engagement.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Jim Paterson"

James R. Paterson, Chairman and CEO

ValOre Metals Corp.

For further information about, ValOre Metals Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at valoremetals.com or contact Investor Relations toll free at 1.888.331.2269, at 604.646.4527, or by email at contact@valoremetals.com .

ValOre Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Although ValOre believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements have been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events that may prove to be inaccurate. These factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information to ValOre. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. A number of important factors including those set forth in other public filings could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the future operations of the Company and economic factors. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release and, except as required by applicable law, ValOre does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ValOre undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of ValOre, or its financial or operating results or (as applicable), their securities.




Lucknow chief medical officer (CMO), Dr RP Singh, tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday. I was feeling feverish and rhinorrhea (running nose) resembling Covid-19 symptoms. So, I got myself tested and my report came positive, said Dr Singh, who is in home quarantine for now.

Singh has appealed all those people who had come in his contact in the last seven days to get tested and remain quarantined.

Meanwhile, the CMO office was sanitised and other staff of the office were asked not to panic. While the staff wanted the CMO office to be sealed, the district administration was yet to decide on it.

Also read: Karnataka Congress state president DK Shivakumar tests positive for Covid-19

Before Dr Singh, ACMO Dr Ajay Raja had tested positive for coronavirus disease on Saturday. Besides, a number of top health officials have tested positive this month, including director-general, family welfare, Dr Mithilesh; vice-chancellor, King Georges Medical University (KGMU); Lt Gen (retd) Dr Bipin Puri, among others.

Dr PK Gupta of Indian Medical Association expressed his concern and said, This is the time when everyone should take maximum care while walking out of their house. The IMA appreciates doctors for their contribution in fight against Covid-19. The IMA wants the government to recognise the contribution of these doctors and give special treatment and promotions to them who got infected while serving corona positive patients.
A woman who snuck into Western Australia on the back of a truck from coronavirus-plagued Victoria has been jailed for six months - the harshest penalty yet for a COVID-19 breach.

Asher Faye Vander Sanden travelled back to the state by road between July 30 and August 11 in an effort to avoid the mandatory hotel quarantine fee of $2,500.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of failing to comply with a direction of the Emergency Management Act on Tuesday.

She was sentenced to six months behind bars and will be eligible for parole after three months.

Asher Faye Vander Sanden travelled back to the state by road between July 30 and August 11

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of failing to comply with a direction of the Emergency Management Act and was on Tuesday sentenced to six months behind bars

Magistrate Andrew Matthews told Vander Sanden her actions had the potential to undo 'what this government has done to prevent community spread', The West Australian reported.

Vander Sanden was in Victoria for a month while she was visiting her sister and applied for an exemption to get back into WA.

She was granted an exemption to enter WA on a flight from Melbourne but instead met a truck driver in Mildura on July 31 who agreed to smuggle her into the state.

Perth Magistrates Court heard she hid in a car that was being transported by the truck and did not declare herself at Eucla near the border of South and Western Australia.

When she failed to arrive at Perth Airport as expected on August 11, police immediately commenced an investigation.

Police were aware of her arrival into the state but Vander Sanden refused to quarantine as she did not want to pay the hefty $2,500 fee.

Instead she contacted her boyfriend who picked her up from a petrol station in Midland.

They went back to his Scarborough home where the 28-year-old claims to have self-quarantined.

Police prosecutors told the court they were searching for Vander Sanden but she was deliberately hiding from them.

A woman who snuck through Western Australia's hard border from coronavirus-plagued Victoria has been jailed for six months - the harshest penalty for breaching COVID-19 border laws (pictured: WA border stop in April)

She was eventually arrested at her boyfriend's home on August 11 and has been in custody at Bandyup Prison ever since.

Her lawyer John Hammond told the court the sentence should be decreased as she had pleaded guilty immediately and cooperated with police.

Mr Hammond said Vander Sanden understood she did the wrong thing but she had self-quarantined at her boyfriend's house so there was 'no contact with the outside community'.

However, police prosecutors insist a prison sentence was appropriate for the woman's 'complete disregard' for border restrictions.

Mr Matthews agreed and told her she put the community at a greater risk as she travelled from Victoria, a known hotspot.

Vander Sanden is believed to have tested negative to coronavirus.
WASHINGTON  Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sent a cable to all U.S. diplomatic missions last month warning American diplomats that under federal law they should not take overt sides in the presidential campaign. On Tuesday, he plans to ignore his own warning by speaking to the Republican National Convention endorsing President Donald Trump for a second term.

Pompeos message to State Department employees reminding them of restrictions on political activity under the Hatch Act was not unusual. Similar, if not identical, cables have been sent by successive secretaries of state every presidential election year. None of his predecessors, however, has disregarded those instructions so obviously.

Despite State Department assurances that Pompeo will be speaking to the convention in his personal capacity and wont violate the Hatch Act, Democrats and other critics have cried foul. They accuse the countrys top diplomat of inappropriate political behavior that has been anathema to his predecessors and of trashing his own admonition to State Department staffers.

A senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee announced Tuesday that he had opened an investigation into whether Pompeo is violating the Hatch Act and demanded that the State Department produce its legal justification for the speech. Rep. Joaquin Castro, who chairs the committees panel on government oversight, called Pompeos actions unacceptable.

The Trump administration and Secretary Pompeo have shown a gross disregard not only of basic ethics, but also a blatant willingness to violate federal law for political gain. Congress has a responsibility to stand up for the rule of law and hold them accountable for this corrupt behavior, said Castro, D-Texas.

Its absolutely unacceptable that a sitting U.S. secretary of state, Americas top diplomat, would use official taxpayer-funded business to participate in a political party convention, particularly after the State Department published guidance that explicitly prohibits such activity, he said.

In a July 24 cable sent over his signature, Pompeo told employees it is important to remember that in order to avoid any confusion or misperception in this regard, the departments longstanding policy is that U.S. citizen employees and family members may not engage in partisan political activity while posted or on (temporary duty) abroad, even on personal time.

Similarly, presidential and political appointees and career (senior executives) are subject to significant restrictions on their political activity; they may not engage in any partisan political activity in concert with a partisan campaign, political party, or partisan political group, even on personal time and outside of the federal workplace, it said.

The cable was released late Monday by Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a fierce Pompeo critic who is engaged in multiple battles with the secretary over what he believes to be inappropriate and possibly illegal partisan behavior. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the cable independently and verified its authenticity.

Once again, the rules go out the window for Secretary Pompeo when they get in the way of serving his political interests and Donald Trump, Engel said in a statement.

The State Department has defended Pompeos decision to appear at the convention. Secretary Pompeo will address the convention in his personal capacity, it said. No State Department resources will be used. Staff are not involved in preparing the remarks or in the arrangements for Secretary Pompeos appearance. The State Department will not bear any costs in conjunction with this appearance.

Meanwhile, a person close to Pompeo said four teams of lawyers, including the State Department legal counsel, have reviewed the speech that will be recorded in Jerusalem and broadcast in prime-time at the Republican convention on Tuesday to ensure that it does not cross ethical lines. The person was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

That person and the State Department said no taxpayer money was used in the production of the video, which was filmed in Jerusalem on Monday on the first stop of a multi-nation trip to the Middle East that is dominated by official government business.

Critics, though, say Pompeo is violating the spirit, if not the letter, of the Hatch Act by using government resources to travel to the venue and jeopardizing long-standing tradition that domestic politics ends at the waters edge when it comes to diplomacy.

At the same time, they complained using Jerusalem as the venue, Pompeo would further politicize the U.S.-Israel relationship with a pitch for Trumps reelection.

Trump has proudly claimed the mantle of being Americas most pro-Israel president ever and as proof pointed to his decisions to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state, move the U.S. Embassy to the holy city from Tel Aviv, recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and sideline the Palestinians.

Such actions have won him high praise from conservative Israelis and American Jews and also appealed strongly to evangelical Christians in the United State whose support Trump is counting on in November.

While previous secretaries of state have naturally supported the policies of the presidents they served, they have steered clear of public political endorsements, sometimes going to great lengths to avoid their parties conventions.
High drama was witnessed at the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday after a minor fire broke out at the protocol department, with Opposition Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party alleging that important files relating to the gold smuggling case, among others, were destroyed, while the Kerala government suspected a 'conspiracy' by both parties.

IMAGE: Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala and party workers sit in front of the Secretariat during a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in Thiruvananthapuram, on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo

The Congress demanded a National Investigation Agency probe into the matter while BJP state chief K Surendran courted arrest for forcefully entering the complex soon after the fire broke out.

Fire department sources told PTI that their personnel at nearby Chenkalchoola were informed about the incident at 4.45 pm and by the time they reached the spot, the room was filled with smoke.

"We first opened the windows and doors to let the smoke out. As per our initial assessment, the source of the fire was a switch on the wall, from where the blaze spread to the floor. Some files were partially burnt," a senior fire force official said.

Government sources, however, said no important files were destroyed.

Soon after the fire broke out, BJP state president K Surendran reached the secretariat along with other workers and demanded that they be allowed inside.

However, police refused to do so, removed them from the spot and later took the BJP leader into custody for forcefully entering the complex.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Ramesh Chennithala arrived at the spot on learning about the fire and squatted in front of the Cantonment gate of the secretariat, demanding entry into the complex.

Chennithala, who later went inside, told the media that 'three sections caught fire'.

"Many important files were destroyed. Many files related to the gold smuggling case have been destroyed, as also those related to VVIP designation. We have decided to observe a black day on Wednesday and demand an NIA probe into the matter," Chennithala said.

Youth Congress activists and Yuva Morcha workers organised protest marches to the secretariat, which turned violent with police using water cannons to disperse them.

The activists burnt tyres and an effigy of the chief minister in front of the secretariat.

The LoP and other party MLAs later met Governor Arif Mohamed Khan and raised their concerns over the matter.

Meanwhile, Minister E P Jayarajan, in a video message, alleged that the BJP and the Congress tried to create violence inside the secretariat complex.

"The security officials and police reached the spot and contained the fire. But BJP and Congress leaders came together and tried to create violence inside the secretariat. It seems like a conspiracy was hatched to create a violent atmosphere there.

"Their presence inside the secretariat and their action forces us to think whether they are involved in the incident. The government will conduct a comprehensive probe," Jayarajan said.

The Opposition Congress and the BJP alleged that many important files have been destroyed in the fire.

However, government sources dismissed the charge and told PTI that all departments in the secretariat have the e-filing system and no file would ever go missing.

P Honey, Additional secretary, Housekeeping Cell at the Secretariat, told reporters that 'none of the important files have been destroyed and theyare all safe'.

There were only two people in the office at the time of the incident as the remaining staff had gone on quarantine after one of the staff was confirmed with COVID-19.
For students in need of shots, Spring ISD will be offering free immunizations to students Sept. 14 with the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Care Van.

The immunizations will be offered from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Spring ISD Community Engagement Center, 17125 Ella Blvd.

Students launch into online learning: Spring ISD kicks off new school year virtually

We are excited to again be partnering with Blue Cross Blue Shield to bring this important event to our Spring ISD families, Tranita Carroll, director of parent engagement, said in a press release. Its a great opportunity to make sure our students have all the immunizations they need, and were happy to help make them available at no cost.

Further health and safety measures will be in place during the event to protect families and staff due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone over the age of 2 must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose, and staff may screen students and check their temperature to ensure they can receive their shots.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Aldine, Fort Bend, other school districts closing ahead of Hurricane Laura

The event will have a limited number of doses, so parents must register their child for an appointment ahead of time by contacting the Family Engagement Department at 281-891-6685.

Families attending are asked to bring their childrens immunization shot records. Participating students will also receive a free backpack provided by Community Health Choice.

Texas immunization requirements state all immunizations must be complete by the first day of attendance. To read more about immunization requirements, visit www.springisd.org/immunization.

paul.wedding@hcnonline.com
DUBLIN, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Preventive Vaccines Market, 2020-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Vaccines are versatile preventive formulations that have, so far, enabled the global eradication of smallpox (1980) and polio (2015), which are both debilitating viral diseases. According to the WHO, currently, global vaccination coverage is nearly 85%. This is believed to be responsible for preventing close to three million deaths, which would have otherwise been caused by infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, diphtheria, measles, pneumonia, tetanus, and tuberculosis. In fact, recent immunization records indicate that more than 115 million children are immunized against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis annually. However, vaccine development, especially against newly identified pathogens, is a challenging and time-consuming process. For instance, authorities claim that although there are many initiatives investigating vaccines against the recently identified SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strain, a viable vaccine is still a year away. Other barriers to vaccine development include lack of pathogen specific information, inadequate immunity, existence of multiple pathogenic strains, and reversion potential.



Despite the success achieved, so far, through vaccination, it is estimated that over 1.5 million children, under the age of five, die of vaccine-preventable diseases, every year. This is largely attributed to storage and logistics-related complexities, which impact adequate distribution and transportation of such medications to remote areas. Given the rate at which the global population is growing, the demand for vaccines is anticipated to increase significantly. In this regard, significant strides have been made in improving existing vaccine formulations, mostly focused on enhancing stability. Recent technical advances, especially in the field of biotechnology, have heralded a new era in immunogen design for vaccine development. Moreover, many developers claim to be working on next generation preventive vaccine candidates, such as recombinant vaccines, viral vector-based vaccines and DNA vaccines, which have been demonstrated to elicit powerful immune responses, resulting in the development of immunologic memory. Further, a variety of adjuvants have been discovered and are now available for the development of more versatile vaccine formulations. Several regional government bodies and private investors are actively financing stakeholders in this industry. Given that in the recent past there has been a marked rise in new entrants in this field, we anticipate this market to witness substantial growth in the coming years.



The "Global Preventive Vaccines Market, 2020-2030" report features an extensive study of the current market landscape and future opportunities associated with the preventive vaccine domain. The study also features a detailed analysis of the key drivers and trends related to this evolving segment of the pharmaceutical industry.



The report includes:

A detailed assessment of the current market landscape, including information on type of developer, phase of development of lead candidates, route of administration, type of vaccine API, dosage form, dosage, target disease indication and target patient population.

A competitiveness analysis of preventive vaccine developers, taking into consideration supplier strength and pipeline strength.

Elaborate profiles of the key preventive vaccine developers across North America , Europe and Asia Pacific .

, and . A detailed analysis of more than 1,400 completed, ongoing and planned clinical studies of preventive vaccines, highlighting prevalent trends across various relevant parameters, such as trial registration year, phase of development, trial recruitment status, study design, trial focus area, type of preventive vaccine, target disease indication(s), type of sponsor/collaborator, leading industry sponsors/collaborators, enrolled patients population and regional distribution.

An overview of the ongoing vaccine development initiatives for complex conditions, such as COVID-19, ebola virus disease, HIV/AIDS, malaria and zika virus infection, including information on disease, its global burden, current treatment landscape and preventive vaccine research landscape. Further, we have provided information on investments made and recent developments in the domain.

An analysis of the investments made in this domain, during the period between 2015 and 2020, including seed financing, venture capital financing, debt financing, grants, capital raised from IPOs and subsequent offerings, at various stages of development in companies that are engaged in developing preventive vaccines.

A case study on contract manufacturing landscape for vaccines, featuring a comprehensive list of active CMOs and analyses based on a number of parameters, such as year of establishment, company size, scale of operation, geographical location, number of vaccine manufacturing facilities, types of services offered, type of expression systems used for vaccine production and type of vaccine manufactured.

Key Topics Covered:



1. PREFACE



2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



3. INTRODUCTION



4. MARKET LANDSCAPE



5. COMPANY COMPETITIVENESS ANALYSIS



6. COMPANY PROFILES

6.1. Chapter Overview

6.2. Bio Farma

6.3. Emergent BioSolutions

6.4. GC Pharma

6.5. GlaxoSmithKline

6.6. Janssen

6.7. Merck

6.8. Novavax

6.9. Pfizer

6.10. Sanofi Pasteur

6.11. Valneva



7. CLINICAL TRIAL ANALYSIS



8. ONGOING VACCINE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES FOR COMPLEX CONDITIONS

8.1. Chapter Overview

8.2. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

8.3. Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

8.4. HIV/AIDS

8.5. Malaria

8.6. Zika Virus Infection



9. FUNDING AND INVESTMENT ANALYSIS



10. MARKET SIZING AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS



11. CASE-IN-POINT: CONTRACT MANUFACTURING OF VACCINES



12. CONCLUDING REMARKS

13. EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1qriej

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Apple Inc. plans to start reopening U.S. retail stores that had been closed over the past several weeks due to local Covid-19 spikes, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is slated to open a small number of stores as soon as the end of August, said the people, who asked to remain anonymous discussing plans that havent been made public. In most cases, the stores will operate on an appointment-only basis for the immediate future, the people said.
Interpol issues red notice against Nirav Modis wife

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 25: The Interpol has issued a red notice agains the wife of Nirav Modi, a prime accused in the Punjab National Bank fraud case amounting to Rs 13,500 crore.

Interpol issues red corner notice against Nirav Modi's wife on ED's request | Oneindia News

The notice was issued at the request of the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the money laundering case registered against Ami Modi. A red corner notice acts an International arrest warrant.

It may be recalled that Ami had left India with Nirav Modi and other family members in the first week of January 2018. It is alleged that she had gone to the US. She was a director in a few companies which were allegedly used by Nirav Modi for money laundering.

Cannot set timeline for Vijay Mallya's extradition to India: UK envoy

Ami was named as an accused in the PNB money laundering case in March last year. Nirav Modi was arrested in London by the Scotland Yard authorities in March 2019. He was declared an economic fugitive offender under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act in December 2019.

A special court that was set up under the PMLA ordered confiscation of movable and immovable properties belonging to Nirav Modi. The fugitive businessman is currently fighting an extradition battle against India in London. On the last date of hearing he was remanded in further custody until August 27.
Trump blasts Democratic Convention as being 4 straight days of attacks on America

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

President Donald Trump on Friday responded to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, saying it was the darkest and angriest and gloomiest convention in Americas history and warned that if former Vice President Joe Biden gets elected, China will own our country.

 Over the last week, the Democrats held the darkest and angriest and gloomiest convention in American history, Trump said Friday at the 2020 Council for National Policy meeting, commenting on the DNC convention, which concluded Thursday.

They spent four straight days attacking America as racist and a horrible country that must be redeemed, Trump continued.

He said Democrats want to punish American citizens instead of holding them high.

Where Joe Biden sees American darkness, I see American greatness, the president added. Weve seen heroic doctors and nurses racing into action to save lives. Weve seen first responders helping strangers in need. Weve seen the passage of historic legislation to save 50 million American jobs. Weve mobilized American industry like never before.

Trump told the crowd it was time to reject the anger and the hate of the Democrat Party. He said the presidential election thats coming up is the biggest election  of our lifetime.

During daytime sessions of the DNC convention, speakers omitted the phrase under God from the Pledge of Allegiance during at least two public meetings.

The moderator of the DNCs Muslim Delegates & Allies Assembly web meeting on Tuesday afternoon left out the words under God as he recited the pledge to kick off the meeting. Also on Tuesday afternoon during the LGBTQ Caucus Meeting, the speaker who recited the pledge paused silently instead of saying the words under God as written in the pledge.

Trump called it an attack on God.

Its an attack on religion. Did you see the man that got up and sang a very, very special phrase from a very, very special thing? the president asked. And he left the word God out and I was watching, and I said, Oh, he must have made a mistake. I didnt think that he left it out. I thought maybe he  you know, that can happen. Maybe he made a mistake. He didnt make a mistake. Thats where theyre coming from. He left the word God out. And thats where theyre coming from.

The omissions of under God came after the Biden campaign's faith director, Josh Dickson, told The Christian Post they'd be making an effort to attract more faith-based voters after Hillary Clinton's campaign failed to garner more than 16% support from white evangelical and born-again voters.

Some speakers did positively reference Christianity, however. In her acceptance speech for the Democratic Party's Vice-Presidential nomination, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., referenced 2 Corinthians 5:7 when she professed her commitment to the Word that teaches me to walk by faith, and not by sight. Other primetime speakers, such as Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., also talked about Biden's Catholic faith in their pre-recorded messages.

One of the pastors the DNC selected to speak during the black caucus faith event Monday was Pastor Frederick Haynes III of the Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, who stirred controversy for asserting that America "may well go to Hell" and be condemned by Jesus for its immigration policies.

Trump said no party can lead America that spends so much time tearing down America.

He said the biggest part of Thursday nights speech was what Joe Biden didnt talk about.

He didnt talk about law enforcement. He didnt talk about bringing safety to Democrat-run cities that are totally out of control and they have no clue. China was never mentioned in any way, shape or form.

The president warned that China will own our country if he gets elected. They will own our country. And were not going to let that happen.

Referring to intelligence reports, Trump added, China very much wants Joe Biden to win. That would be very insulting if they wanted me to win. I dont think so.

Joe Biden grimly declared a season of American darkness, but look at what weve accomplished, until the plague came in, and look, were doing it again.

During a meeting of the Youth Council, one of the official DNC consistency councils, on Monday, panelist Ashley McCray, an Oklahoma Democrat, expressed a desire to use the Green New Deal to further the destruction of capitalism. This future that we all want, that we want to build really is about the destruction of colonization, white supremacy and capitalism, she said.

Trump responded by saying: We ended the Obama-Biden administrations war on American energy. And the United States is now the leading producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world. Its a big thing. And remember this: If you look at what theyre doing  Biden  he wants to end fracking, end petroleum products  end petroleum. No natural gas, no nothing. End everything. And thats it. How does that work in Texas? How does that work in Pennsylvania?
The event was jointly held by Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations on the occasion of Vietnams 75th National Day (September 2).

The book consists of 75 works and seven creative science-technology solutions selected from 157 works proposed by ministries, organisations and localities, said VFF President Tran Thanh Man.

The book aims to encourage individuals, agencies, organisations and enterprises to strongly engage in creative activities, scientific research and technology development in all fields, he added.

Speaking at the ceremony, Politburo member and Permanent member of the Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong spoke highly of applicable creative scientific and technological works.

He proposed that relevant agencies should continue encouraging sectors at all levels, as well as Vietnamese people at home and abroad, to join efforts in creative works and the research and application of scientific and technological advances, thus contributing to national growth.
The interior of a tree burned in the Big Basin park on Friday.Credit...Max Whittaker for The New York Times
Come fall, the rise of influenza and other seasonal respiratory infections could exacerbate already staggering delays in coronavirus testing, making it easier for the virus to spread unnoticed, experts said.

In typical years, doctors often dont test for flu, simply assuming that patients with coughs, fevers and fatigue during the winter months are probably carrying the highly infectious virus. But this year, with the coronavirus bringing similar symptoms, doctors will need to test for both viruses to diagnose their patients  further straining supply shortages in an already overwhelmed testing system.

A handful of manufacturers have begun making tests that can screen for several pathogens at once. But these combo tests are expensive and will likely make up only a fraction of the market. Some researchers are trying to make their own multi-virus tests as well, but they almost certainly wont fill in the gaps.

The flu season is a bit of a ticking time bomb, said Amanda Harrington, medical director of microbiology at Loyola University Medical Center. We are all waiting and trying to prepare as best we can.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prashant Bhushan told the Supreme Court that he was pained at being held guilty of contempt but would not apologise for the tweets which were his small attempt to discharge his highest duty. I am pained that I have been held guilty of committing contempt of the court whose majesty I have tried to uphold  not as a courtier or cheerleader but as a humble guard  for over three decades, at some personal and professional cost, the statement by Prashant Bhushan read.

I can only reiterate that these two tweets represented my bonafide beliefs, the expression of which must be permissible in any democracy... I believe that open criticism of any institution is necessary in a democracy to safeguard the constitutional order.

My tweets were nothing but a small attempt to discharge what I considered to be my highest duty at this juncture in the history of our republicIt would be insincere and contemptuous on my part to offer an apology for the tweets that expressed what was and continues to be my bonafide belief, the statement added.

I can only humbly paraphrase what Mahatma Gandhi had said in his trial: I do not ask for mercy. I do not appeal to magnanimity. I am here, therefore, to cheerfully submit to any penalty that can lawfully be inflicted upon me for what the court has determined to be an offence and what appears to me to be the highest duty of a citizen.
PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ruby, the premier provider of live virtual receptionist and chat services for small businesses, has partnered with the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) to streamline member communication, free up staff time, as well as provide new avenues for engagement as networking moves online.

With most in-person events moving online or being postponed to 2021, membership-based organizations like TAO have had to rethink their member outreach and engagement strategies. Members value the community TAO provides as well as the access to resourceswith the pandemic leading to an increased need for both. Re-aligning resources, both human and capital, while also continuing to support current and prospective members placed additional burden on the TAO team, and Ruby reached out to help.

"Personal connections are so critical to the work TAO does," said Cara Snow, TAO's chief community engagement officer. "It was important for our organization to continuing creating those connections in the virtual space and, with their focus on building meaningful relationships and delivering great first impressions, Ruby is a natural partner."

Through the partnership, Ruby will answer TAO's website visitors' inquiries 24/7, 365 days a year. Ruby's team of friendly, professional chat specialists will triage conversations, connecting critical conversations and new members to the team while addressing basic questions in order to free up staff time.

"We're thrilled to be able to give back to an organization that has given us so much over the years," said Michelle Winnett, vice president of partners and strategic marketing. "Our TAO membership has been so valuable because of the relationships we've built over the years and we're happy to facilitate those connections via chat."

About Ruby Receptionists:

Ruby cultivates great relationships  from first impressions to lasting loyalty  for more than 10,000 businesses and their customers. Our proprietary, leading-edge technology empowers our live virtual receptionists and chat specialists to deliver personalized experiences while allowing business owners to spend more time serving customers and growing their business. Headquartered in Portland, Ore., Ruby has helped companies grow since 2003, and has gained national recognition as a Fortune Magazine Best Small Company to Work For in the U.S., Inc. Best Workplaces; PEOPLE Companies that Care, and repeat Great Places to Work rankings year after year. To learn more, visit ruby.com or experience Ruby's virtual receptionist and chat services for yourself by calling 866-611-7829.

About the Technology Association of Oregon

The Technology Association of Oregon seeks to create a world-class and inclusive innovation economy in Oregon and SW Washington. TAO does this by helping the region's technology and tech-enabled industries grow through programs and initiatives that focus on advocacy, community, visibility, and resources. With an expanding network that extends beyond Oregon and SW Washington, TAO connects its members to thought leaders, executives, public officials, entrepreneurs, service providers and investors in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. In addition to economic development programs that accelerate business growth and advocacy efforts that seek to improve the region's competitiveness in areas such as STEM education and the investment environment, TAO organizes over 130 professional development opportunities annually for employees of its member companies.

Media Contact

Katie Hurst, Director

Strategic Communications & PR

[email protected]

866-611-7829

SOURCE Ruby

Related Links

https://www.ruby.com/


The murder, which prosecutors at the time described as heinous and not provoked in any manner, took place on May 30, 2017, after Nelson, 34, had picked up Wasni a few blocks from a Walmart in Skokie. Minutes into the ride, near the corner of Touhy and Lincoln avenues in Lincolnwood, she began stabbing him.
Charles Rabin and David Ovalle Miami Herald (TNS)

The wife of a veteran Miami police officer died after she was trapped for much of a sweltering afternoon in the back seat of his patrol SUV at the familys Miami Shores home, authorities confirmed on Monday.

Investigators are treating the death of Clara Paulino, 56, on Friday as a horrific accident. Detectives suspect that Paulino  as her husband slept inside the home after finishing a midnight shift  climbed into the backseat of his marked Ford Explorer SUV in search of something, then could not escape when the doors somehow closed and a self-locking mechanism kicked in.

As the temperature outside soared well over 90 degrees on Friday, Paulino spent several hours stuck inside the SUV until her family discovered her body after 5 p.m., according to one law-enforcement source. Miami-Dade detectives found her fingerprints all over the inside of the SUV.

Clearly, she was panicked and trying to get out, the source told the Miami Herald.

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiners Office is still investigating, and has not ruled on a cause or manner of death. Paulino, according to a law enforcement source, had a history of medical problems that may have contributed to her death inside the SUV.

Her husband, Aristides Paulino, 58, is a 25-year veteran who has worked the midnight shift in the Wynwood neighborhood for most of the past two decades. The couple married 38 years ago.

Their son, also named Aristides Paulino, said Monday that the family wasnt ready to talk about his mother.

We havent even buried her yet and its a lot of pain, he said.

Sources told the Herald that it appeared officer Paulino had finished his overnight shift and returned home in the late morning, going straight to sleep. He apparently left the SUV unlocked in the driveway of the family home, sources said.

Clara Paulino, it appeared, climbed inside her husbands patrol vehicle sometime after 1 p.m., sources said. A partition between the back seat and the front seat prevented her from getting to the horn and she did not have her cellphone with her to call for help, sources said.

Its literally a cage, said one Miami police officer familiar with the vehicle.

Her husband and one of their sons found her body inside the police SUV around 5:30 p.m. What prompted her to go into the back seat  and what she may have been looking for  remained a mystery on Monday.

The case is being handled by Miami-Dades homicide bureau, which investigates all unnatural deaths in Miami Shores.

Its very preliminary, said Miami-Dade Police Lt. Carlos Rosario, a spokesman. Theres still a lot of work to be done. But right now, its an unclassified death.

Hot-car deaths are not unusual, but almost always involve young children left inside a vehicle by a caretaker. It is, however, extremely rare for anyone to die after being in the back of a sweltering law-enforcement patrol car.

Because the back seat is generally where suspects are kept, police cars have long featured mechanisms that prevent someone from opening doors and windows from the inside.

Thats standard option with most law enforcement vehicles so that a detainee cant get out of the back of the vehicle, said Stephen Mitchell, the general services bureau director for the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, who handles the departments fleet of police cars. You have to lift the handle from the outside.

Mitchell, who is on the Fleet Advisory Committee of the Florida Sheriffs Association, said its also standard for partitions to be placed over back-seat windows. To keep folks from kicking them out, he said.

Similar cases are rare.

In July 2007, accused murderer Christopher Walls was accidentally left inside a corrections van next to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center for nearly three hours. He survived, however, when a passing corrections officer noticed him in the parked van, which was off and did not have the air-conditioning running.

Last year, a former Mississippi police officer was sentenced to 20 years in prison for manslaughter after she left her baby strapped into the back of her patrol car while she had sex with her supervisor at his house. The baby died after being left in the heat for four hours. The car was running, but the A.C. was not blowing cold air, authorities said.
The flight also would indicate Saudi support for the deal. Saudi Arabia has voiced lukewarm support and until now has not said whether they would allow the two countries to use its airspace for direct flights. Without Saudi acquiescence, flights would likely have to take a roundabout and potentially risky route around Yemen and through the Persian Gulf.
Appointment

25 August 2020

A Greenville native with more than 25 years of hotel management and operations experience, Brashier is an award-winning hotelier recognized for his invaluable expertise, leadership and ingenuity. In his role as general manager, Brashier will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the hotel and the development of guest experiences. Hotel Hartness, set to debut in early 2022, will be managed by Hay Creek Hotels and located within Hartness, a new urban village in the vibrant destination of Greenville, South Carolina.

Brashier's vast hospitality experience includes positions in Tallahassee, Florida and Greenville with renowned brands such as Aloft Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott. He comes to Hartness from Auro Hotels where he served as general manager of Greenville's first dual branded Marriott hotel and its Oak & Honey restaurant. Spearheading numerous hotel openings and displaying results-driven leadership, his managerial roles with Marriott resulted in Brashier winning the Opening General Manager of the Year Award by Marriott International, Marriott Diamond General Manager Award and a national Marriott Sales Excellence Award.
TROY  Drug Enforcement Administration agents and local police seized 2,050 packets stamped CORONAVIRUS that contained heroin suspected of being laced with fentanyl at a South Troy residence Friday and charged a local man, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Albany.

Jean Luis Colon, 23, of Erie Street, faces federal criminal charges of drug possession with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm, according to the criminal information reviewed Monday.

Federal agents and Troy police seized the 2,050 bags containing 700 grams or 1.5 pounds of heroin along with a .38-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver, according to court documents. The estimated street value of the drugs ranges form $30,000 to $50,000, according to the DEA.

The 2,050 bags were each stamped with the brand name CORONAVIRUS, according to the criminal filing.

We were doing a joint investigation with the Troy Police Department, DEA Special Agent Erin Mulvey said Monday.

Investigators found a small black bag containing the heroin in a bedroom, according to the criminal complaint. The document states that there is probable cause to conclude that all 2,050 bags contain heroin and/or fentanyl, and that they were packaged for sale.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

The Capital Region has seen scores of fatal drug overdoses this year during the coronavirus pandemic tied to fentanyl-laced heroin and cocaine that was sold across the region. Rensselaer County has seen 54 fatal overdoses this year compared to 34 in 2019. Days before the arrest of Colon, county sources said a cell phone used by an overdose victim in the county was given to the DEA. Its not known if the cell phone had any ties to the investigation, the sources said.

Authorities could not say if the seizure of the heroin Friday was linked to any investigation of the local overdose deaths.

The State Police, Rensselaer County District Attorneys Office and the U.S. Attorneys Office also assisted with the investigation. The U.S. Attorneys Office declined to comment Monday on the ongoing case.
Noted Malayalam filmmaker AB Raj, also known as A Bhaskar Raj, who had been active in the world of movies since 1951, passed away at his residence in Chennai on Sunday (August 23), film industry sources said. The 95-year-old director died of cardiac arrest, according to his son-in-law Ponvannan. Raj is survived by three children, including noted actress Saranya Ponvannan.

Born in Madurai in 1925, Raj started his film career in the late 1940s under the guidance of TR Sundaram. The filmmaker went to Sri Lanka in 1951 and during his 10-year-long stay there, he had directed 11 Sinhalese movies, Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) Directors' Union said in a statement in Kochi. Condoling the death, the union said that the veteran filmmaker, whose parents belonged to Alappuzha in Kerala, had directed around 50 Malayalam films between 1968 and 1985.

Kaliyalla Kalyanam was his first Malayalam movie. Sasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu, Pachanottukal, Kazhukan, Irumbazhikal, Light House and Thaalam Thettiya Tharattu are the other popular Malayalam movies directed by Raj. Ormikkan Omanikkan, directed in 1985, was his last Malayalam movie. Raj has directed Tamil films too. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also condoled the director's death, and said that Raj had made notable contributions to the Malayalam film industry.

Anwar Rasheed To Make Tamil Debut Soon: Midhun Manuel Thomas To Script The Project!

Mohanlal's Drishyam 2 Is A Family Drama, Not A Thriller: Director Jeethu Joseph
Soweto-born Tinyiko Mageza has spent the last 14 years feeding her passion for insights-led and purpose-driven marketing across industries including FMCG, financial services and property development. Currently, Mageza is the executive manager of marketing for the V&A Waterfront, one of South Africa's most dynamic neighbourhoods and popular tourist attractions.

Tinyiko Mageza

Artist's impression of Makers Landing

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career background.

As executive manager: marketing at one of SAs biggest attractions, what does a day in your work life look like?

It is not only the buildings but the spaces between the buildings that carry the hopes and dreams of everyone who lives, works, shops or simply chills here. Thats my role, to market a neighbourhood and look for opportunities and stories of how it is a platform of opportunity. I personally see opportunity everywhere.

How has the marketing strategy for the V&A Waterfront had to change due to the Covid-19 pandemic?

Despite the pandemic, the V&A recently announced that its pushing ahead with its Makers Landing development. Why does the company see this project as being particularly important?

We want to celebrate our diverse food heritage and culture, and we want to showcase good food created by real people with real stories to tell.

What are your feelings towards Womens Day/Month this year? Is this something we should be recognising and celebrating?

Are there any female figures who have had a particularly positive influence on your life?

How does the V&A Waterfront support and empower women in the workplace?

What is your hope for future generations of women in your field?

Always speak truth to power.

What have been your most important lessons learned on your career journey?

While a world-class shopping mall sits within the boundaries of the V&A Waterfront, the area's offerings extend far beyond the centre. The harbour, urban park, food and craft markets, and bevy of tourism operators make up just some of the amenities that attract 24 million visitors per year to the area.Its multiple districts are home to a diverse array of businesses - from large corporates to local traders and talented buskers. To add to this, the Makers Landing development set for launch at the end of this year will serve as an incubator for the local food industry, championing small business development and facilitating skills sharing to drive innovation in the country's food ecosystem.The V&A Waterfront's purpose is to create an authentic, inclusive waterfront neighbourhood that inspires and sparks discovery, growth and joy - an ideal working environment for Mageza then, who relishes the opportunity to solve problems through commercially- and socially-impactful marketing solutions and to create platforms for people and businesses to connect.In this interview, Mageza talks us through her serendipitous career journey, the women who have shaped her professional and personal growth, and how the V&A aims to drive meaningful impact while adapting to the pandemic.When I reflect on my career journey, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. What might have, at the time seemed like decisions made because of circumstances beyond my control, in hindsight I realise now that each decision was unconsciously made as the universe conspired to guide me closer and closer to work that aligns to my personal values and purpose.It was in high school that I chose marketing as the profession that I would inevitably pursue. It seemed like a nice balance between creativity and commercial. I was always an artistic child and had my personal financial circumstances been different, I probably would have pursued a more artistically inclined vocation. Be that as it may, marketing is where I focused my attention and I liked the fact that I could play with ideas, words and pictures to influence people and behaviour and potentially bring joy (or at the least escapism).I am grateful that my first career stint was at a company that is arguably one of the greatest on-the-job universities of marketing, the South African Breweries Ltd. where I was placed in the consumer insights and research department as a trainee. Yet another seemingly fortuitous situation that has stood me in good stead throughout my career as I learnt about foundation of consumer-led insights-driven marketing from an early stage in my career development.Fourteen years down the line, my time at SAB remains the most impactful and significant milestone in my career. As a baby brand manager I was thrown into the deep-end and given the opportunity to launch new brands, reposition old ones, own and manage big budget national campaigns and really sink into what it means to be build a brand.The misconception people have is that my role is primarily about Marketing the V&A Waterfront mall. What people dont know is that the V&A Waterfront is a neighbourhood at the edge of the city of Cape Town. While it is privately-owned, it is managed and run like a public space. It is a place of work for 23,000 people - from office workers to dock workers. It is a place of opportunity for entrepreneurs big and small to pursue their dreams and have access to millions of people from across the world.In a marginalised city like Cape Town, it is intended to be a safe inclusive space that fosters creativity (through the art in public spaces and buskers programme). It is a neighbourhood that looks for ways to responsibly and sustainably do business with a shared values lens. It contributes nearly 2% of the Western Cape's GDP, an indication that it truly is a neighbourhood that has economic impact while honouring local culture.I believe in the power of purpose and purpose-led marketing. The V&As purpose is the creation of an authentic, inclusive waterfront neighbourhood that inspires and sparks discovery, growth and joy. This statement has given us the ability to try and weather the storm but also the permission to stay true to who we are without the need for gimmicks or knee-jerk reactions.Our marketing strategy remains relatively unchanged although we have had to tweak and adapt to ensure that there is meaningful impact created by our interventions. For example, pre-pandemic, one of our objectives was to focus on local love. At this stage, we have elevated this objective to focus on championing local, especially local small businesses.The dramatic spread of Covid-19 has disrupted lives, livelihoods, communities and businesses worldwide. Though its impact will be widespread, it has been felt most keenly by those who are already vulnerable. Small business has borne the brunt of the economic fallout from Covid-19, and the V&A Waterfront has put several measures in place to ensure that our SMMEs will receive the support they need to survive this crisis.To date we have provided rental relief to all SMMEs. We have launched a webpage dedicated to providing updated information on available financial tools, learning opportunities and events to aid small business. A SMMEs helpdesk has also been established, where every tenant or supplier can get dedicated assistance with Covid-19 relief funding applications and advice on tax, human resources or basic business support tools.In addition, our focus was always about delivering a world-class experience. This also remains unchanged, however, our focus has been on looking for new ways for the people of Cape Town, South Africa and the world to rediscover the joy of the V&A while keeping safe. So, our safety protocols have been heightened, we are leveraging placemaking in order to allow people to enjoy the outdoors while still physically distancing.We have a click and collect service , and a virtual reality and WhatsApp helper that allows visitors and workers to navigate the V&A (e.g. finding out about store trading times) without actually having to speak to anyone.The conceptualisation, planning and funding for Makers Landing was approved long before the Covid-19 pandemic. Our commitment to the project is a sign of our confidence in the future. We know that the pandemic will pass, visitors will return to our city, and we will all embrace the activities we previously enjoyed.This will be a place where people can meet, eat, drink, shop and work, as well as a platform where foodpreneurs can innovate, learn and grow their businesses within a local food community. Our table will extend to anyone who has a food story to tell or who simply delights in the South African food journey.There is no straightforward answer to this question as it is a nuance. In many ways, a focus on womens issues is required, given how we remain an economically and socially marginalised group.I am blessed to have been, at an early point in my career, surrounded by and worked with talented, passionate, highly strategic female marketing powerhouses like Mosidi Seretlo, Andrea Quaye, Nontokozo Madonsela, Pride Maunatlala, Heidi Brauer, Anne Stephens and the now late Lauren Stevens that remains a career highlight. They taught me that brand marketing is a labour of love. It is the method and the madness. It is a balance of science and intuition. It is brave and bold yet humble and uncertain.As my career journey pushed me out of FMCG into insurance, banking and now destination, property tourism marketing, those learnings have kept me anchored and honest. I am now in the fortunate position where I can take on roles that enable me to lean into my strengths, to be creative, to create, to rebuild and more importantly to be purpose-led.My best friends Grace (who just happens to be my mother) and my two older sisters remain my soul-anchors. They embody integrity, resilience and compassion. If I reflect on our life journey as a unit of four, we faced so much adversity. Life was tough but it is through the combined strength of these three women that we rose above it all and have lived to tell the tale.We foster a business culture that centres around diversity and representation. This is evidenced within our employment policies and is reflective in our hiring practices as well as our tenant mix. Sixty-two percent of our investment from a training and development perspective is women focused.We have a commitment to partner with non-profit organisations like The Justice Desk and Imbokodo Programme to support their efforts and initiatives while leaning on them to bring knowledge, learning and insights for our staff members. For example, offering self-defence workshops or offering targeted learning interventions for both men and women in the organisations. These specifically focused on identifying perpetrators of GBV and how to ensure that we are neither victims, complicit or (for the men) perpetrators themselves.Ive learnt to lean into my authenticity and the things that made me unique.
Kimberly Guilfoyle  the former Fox News host and girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr  denounced Democrat-run California as a drug-riddled nightmare of blackouts and riots.

In an impassioned recorded speech on the first night of the Republican National Convention, which saw her shouting by the end, Ms Guilfoyle said Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would "destroy" the country and "enslave" Americans with a "victim ideology" if elected.

Kimberly Guilfoyle speaks at the Republican National Convention on 24 August, 2020 (REUTERS)

Ms Guilfoyle, who serves as chair of the Trump Victory Finance Committee, was previously married to Gavin Newsom, the current Democratic governor of California, making her attack on America's most populous state all the more striking.

In her address to the RNC the 51-year-old said: "If you want to see the socialist Biden-Harris future for our country, just take a look at California.

"It is a place of immense wealth, immeasurable innovation and immaculate environment. And the Democrats turned it into a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes."

She added: "In President Trump's America we light things up, we don't dim them down. We build things up, we don't burn them down. We kneel in prayer and we stand for our flag."

Referring to her Latina heritage, she warned that if the Democrats are elected in November, the US will follow in the socialist footsteps of Cuba and Venezuela.

She added: "President Trump believes in you. He emancipates and lifts you up to live your American Dream. You are capable, you are qualified, you are powerful, and you have the ability to choose your life, and determine your destiny.

"Don't let the Democrats take you for granted. Don't let them step on you. Don't let them destroy your families, your lives and your future. Don't let them kill future generations because they told you and brainwashed you and fed you lies that you weren't good enough."
WASHINGTON  The only Native American man on federal death row is asking a judge to halt his execution until he receives a determination to his clemency petition from the Justice Department and President Donald Trump.

Lezmond Mitchells lawyers filed papers in federal court in Washington seeking to delay his execution, which is currently scheduled for Wednesday at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana.

The Navajo government has been asking officials to spare his life on the basis of cultural beliefs and sovereignty. Tribal leaders have appealed to Trump and Attorney General William Barr, asking them to call off the execution.

Mitchell submitted a clemency petition to the Justice Department after his execution was scheduled earlier this summer. Two prior petitions had been denied in 2017 and 2019.

In the court filing, Mitchells attorneys wrote that a Justice Department attorney, Kira Gillespie, told them she could not say whether it would be possible to ensure a clemency decision one way or the other before Mitchells execution date.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
WASHINGTON - First lady Melania Trump portrayed her husband as an authentic, uncompromising leader in a Rose Garden address Tuesday night as President Donald Trump turned to family, farmers and the trappings of the presidency to boost his reelection chances on the second night of the scaled-down Republican National Convention.

Mrs. Trumps remarks, like much of the nights prime-time program, offered a polished portrait of Trumps presidency  at odds at times with the crises, division and unforgiving actions of his tenure in the White House.

Showing a more forgiving side with millions of voters watching, the president pardoned a reformed felon and oversaw a naturalization ceremony for several immigrants in the midst of the program, though he frequently states his vigorous opposition to more immigration, legal as well as illegal.

In my husband, you have a president who will not stop fighting for you and your families, said Mrs. Trump, an immigrant herself. he will not give up.

Mrs. Trump and two of his five children led a diverse collection of supporters, including a convicted bank robber, calling for Trumps reelection on a night that featured a distinctly more positive tone than the night before.

The first-term president is labouring to improve his standing in a 2020 presidential race he is currently losing under the weight of the coronavirus and its related economic devastation. Most polls report that Democratic rival Joe Biden has a significant advantage in terms of raw support; the former vice-president also leads on character issues such as trustworthiness and likability.

In one of the few emotional moments of the night, Trump showed a video of himself signing a pardon for Jon Ponder, a man from Nevada who has founded an organization that helps prisoners reintegrate into society.

We live in a nation of second chances, Ponder said, standing alongside Trump.

Jons life is a beautiful testament to the power of redemption, Trump said before he signed the pardon.

Tuesdays two-and-a-half-hour lineup also featured a Maine lobsterman, a Wisconsin farmer and a Native American leader. Social conservatives were represented by an anti-abortion activist and Billy Grahams granddaughter. The convention also featured a Kentucky high school student whose interaction last year with Native Americans became a flashpoint in the nations culture wars.

With Election Day just 10 weeks off and early voting beginning much sooner, Trump is under increasing pressure to reshape the contours of the campaign. But as he struggles to contain the pandemic and the related economic devastation, Republicans have yet to identify a consistent political message arguing for his reelection.

There was little mention of the pandemic throughout the night, although it remains a dominant issue for voters this fall.

The COVID-19 death toll surged past 178,000 on Tuesday, by far the highest in the world, and there is no sign of slowing. The nations unemployment rate still exceeds 10%, which is higher than it ever was during the Great Recession. And more than 100,000 businesses are feared closed forever.

At the same time, the White House seems to have abandoned efforts to negotiate another federal rescue package with Congress.

Convention organizers had promised an uplifting and hopeful message the night before as the convention began, but that was undermined by dark and ominous warnings from the president and his allies about the countrys future if he should lose in November.

Tuesday night, there were fierce attacks on Biden throughout, although the lineup generally maintained a more positive tone -- in part due to some last-minute changes.

Mary Ann Mendoza, an Arizona woman whose son, a police officer, was killed in 2014 in a car accident involving an immigrant in the country illegally, was pulled from the program minutes before the event began. She had directed her Twitter followers to a series of anti-Semitic, conspiratorial messages.

There were also barrier breakers featured like Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the first African American to hold statewide office in Kentucky, and Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, first Latina to hold that office in her state.

And the convention lineup featured a Democrat for the second night: Robert Vlaisavljevich, the mayor of Eveleth, Minnesota, praised Trumps support for his states mining industry in particular.

President Trump is fighting for all of us. He delivered the best economy in our history and he will do it again, Vlaisavljevich said.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was addressing the convention and nation during an official overseas trip in Israel.

President Trump has put his America First vision into action, Pompeo said. It may not have made him popular in every foreign capital, but its worked.

Pompeos taped appearance breaks with decades of tradition of secretaries of state avoiding the appearance of involving themselves in domestic politics. That his video was filmed in Jerusalem, where he was on an official foreign trip, has raised additional questions of propriety.

Mrs. Trump was the intended star of the night.

Out of the public view for much of the year, Mrs. Trump was stepping into the spotlight to argue for a second term for her husband  while trying to avoid the missteps that marred her introduction to the nation four years ago.

At her 2016 convention speech, she included passages similar to what former first lady Michelle Obama had said in her first convention speech. A speechwriter for the Trump Organization later took the blame.

Only the second foreign-born first lady in U.S. history, Mrs. Trump, 50, is a native of Slovenia, a former communist country in eastern Europe. She became Trumps third wife in 2005 and gave birth to their now 14-year-old son, Barron, in 2006  the year she became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

The first lady spoke from the renovated Rose Garden, despite questions about using the White House for a political convention. She addressed an in-person group of around 50 people, including her husband.

___

Peoples reported from New York. Price reported from Las Vegas. AP writers Kevin Freking and Zeke Miller in Washington and Dave Bauder in New York contributed.
NEWTOWN  Police announced Monday that they have charged 62-year-old Iqbal Singh with two counts of criminal homicide and related crimes for a double murder in the first block of Rockwood Road Sunday morning.

The names of the two victims have not yet been released pending notification of all next of kin, according to a release issued by Police Lt. Michael Savitski Monday afternoon.

Officers were dispatched about 9:46 a.m. Sunday to the residence by the Delaware County 911 center for a subject who claimed to have killed his wife and mother, according to the release. Upon arrival, officers knocked on the door and were greeted by Singh, whose clothes were covered in blood, the release states.

Police asked Singh if there was anyone inside the residence hurt, the release says. Singh advised officers that he had killed his wife and mother and that they were inside the residence.

Upon entering the home, police found an obviously deceased elderly woman lying on the floor of a first-floor bedroom suffering from what appeared to be multiple stab wounds, according to the release.

The second victim was discovered on the floor of a second-floor bedroom, also suffering from multiple apparent stab wounds, according to police. She was also obviously deceased, the release states, and both victims were pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel.

An affidavit of probable cause written by Newtown Detective Sgt. John Newell indicates both victims had their throats slit. Police recovered a knife covered in blood from the kitchen counter, which was swabbed for DNA and placed into evidence. Blood was also found in sinks upstairs and downstairs, according to the affidavit.

Delaware County detectives spoke with Singhs children, who had been in the Poconos Sunday morning. Singhs son indicated he tried to call his mothers cell phone about 9 a.m. but got no response. There was no answer on his fathers cell phone either, but Singh did answer when the son called the landline at the residence, according to the affidavit.

During the conversation with his father  his father told him I killed both of them,' according to the affidavit. Upon further conversation with Singh and (the son), Singh told (the son) I killed your mother and grandmother, call the police to come and get me.'

The son was with his sister at the time of the call and she reported that their father repeated the same information to her. He allegedly told both of his children that he had choked the victims. Upon getting off the phone, the daughter used the phone to call the police, according to the affidavit.

Singh was taken into custody and transported to a local trauma center for treatment of self-inflicted wounds. He remained in police custody at the hospital Monday, according to the release.

Singh has been charged with two counts each of criminal homicide, first and third degree murder, and possessing an instrument of crime, according to online court documents. No court dates or attorneys were listed on those documents by Monday afternoon.

Numerous police detectives were standing by on the street just after noon Sunday waiting for a search warrant to enter the home, which sits in a quiet residential neighborhood of Newtown just off of West Chester Pike near St. Anastasia Church.

A taxi, from the Philadelphia Taxi Cab Co. sat backed into the driveway of the two-story home, which is situated just off the road in a slight valley. Solar panels cover the roof of the home and a small inflatable childrens pool could be seen in the backyard.

Family members of the victims gathered across the street from the home but declined comment.

I dont know what happened, said Dory Southscot, a neighbor who lives up the street. They are quiet and they dont come out that much  an occasional birthday party or to say hi when they are walking, but other than that they are really quiet people. 

Southcott said she saw a number of ambulances at the home from Newtown and Marple, as well as police at the scene. The release Monday indicated Marple Police and the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division assisted Newtown with the investigation.
President Trumps delay-the-election trial balloon on Twitter was resoundingly denounced, and rightly so.

Indeed, so thorough was the repudiation, including from top Republicans, that the president backtracked a little. I dont want to delay, Trump explained in a news conference to discuss the pandemic. I want to have the election. But I also dont want to have to wait for three months and then find out that the ballots are all missing, and the election doesnt mean anything. Thats whats going to happen.

Although delaying the election is an abhorrent idea, contrary to what this country stands for, Trump does have a point about mail-in-voting. It could well be a disaster. Whats astounding (though not actually surprising) is that the president doesnt want to do anything about it.

First, let me explain why Trump has a point. Although his claims of massive and systemic fraud are ill-founded and irresponsible, his point about the vote counting has merit.

New York Citys June 23 primary was  or rather, still is  something of a train wreck. About 10 times the normal number of voters cast their ballots by mail. The system was overwhelmed. As of this writing, theres still an undecided congressional race 42 days after the voting was supposed to end.

Im generally opposed to widespread voting by mail because I think Election Day is an important civic ritual, and early voting, particularly in primaries, can end up thwarting popular will. That opposition melts away during a pandemic, of course, but the fact is that mail-in balloting has never been tried on the scale that might be required come November.

The five states that are already vote by mail only  Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Utah  should be fine. But in other states it might be a hot mess. Not only could ballot-counting efforts be overwhelmed, but the post office could be as well, causing ballots to be lost or excessively delayed.

Many argue that Trump is making a tactical mistake in attacking mail-in balloting. Republicans have spent years building up their vote-by-mail operations, leaving Democrats far behind. Launching a campaign to discredit a system well suited to harvest votes from the disproportionately older and rural voters making up Trumps base seems like madness.

On the other hand, as my colleague Sarah Isgur at The Dispatch notes, a hot mess could actually be in Trumps interest. Absentee ballots are rejected  purely for technical reasons, such as failing to fill out a line on the form  at a higher rate than those cast in person. And if Democrats trust mail-in balloting and Republicans dont, more Democrats are likely to vote by mail  and have more of their ballots rejected as a result. In Wisconsins April primary, some 23,000 absentee ballots were thrown out. In 2016, Trump carried Wisconsin by 22,748 votes.

Whats remarkable, though, is that most of the conversation is about Trumps political or psychological needs and not his obligations as president. Its been made clear to him that moving the election is a non-starter. Whats his response? To preemptively discredit the election results. Even his complaints about the problems with mail-in voting are couched not in his obligations as chief executive to see that the integrity of our elections be preserved, but in partisan grievance. Hes tweeted about a Corrupt Election that will Lead to the end of our great Republican Party.

If Trump is so concerned about the legitimacy of the election, why not, you know, do something to assure the election is conducted properly?

Theres nothing stopping Trump from pushing a massive effort to, say, gear up the U.S. Postal Service to handle an increased volume of mail during the election period. Instead, the donor he appointed to run the USPS has eliminated overtime for postal workers, virtually ensuring delivery delays. Trump could also use the same emergency powers hes used to acquire ventilators to buy secure ballot drop boxes for the states.

Instead, he raised the possibility of issuing an executive order to force states not to use vote-by-mail. As with moving Election Day, he has no such power.

Putting aside plausible theories that Trump is laying a foundation to claim he was robbed of re-election, his response is of a piece with his pandemic denial. Just as you cant get the schools reopened or the economy revived without dealing with the pandemic, you cant have a normal election by just pretending theres no pandemic. Predicting it will just disappear isnt a strategy.

But rather than face that reality and take appropriate action, Trump prefers to carp as if his hands are tied  but his fingers are free to tweet.

Jonah Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch. His Twitter handle is @JonahDispatch.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Nandish Shah

Nifty gained 95 points on the first day of the week to close at six months high at 11,466.45, the highest close since February 27, 2020.

Last week, Nifty took support at 20-day EMA which is placed at 11,230 currently. This support also coincides with the upward sloping trendline, adjoining the bottoms of July 14 and August 3, 2020.

This trendline is currently placed around 11,250 levels. In the Nifty options segment, we have seen Put writing at 11,200 -11,300 levels.

There are multiple pieces of evidence that suggest that Nifty is likely to find strong support in the range of 11,200-11,300 and unless the index closes below 11,200, the uptrend is still intact.

On the higher side, immediate resistance is seen around 11,550 while far resistance is seen around 11,780.

Nifty mid and small-cap indices have outperformed the benchmark indices in August so far where Nifty Midcap and Smallcap indices are up 11 percent and 15 percent, respectively, against a 3.5 percent rise in Nifty.

The advance-decline ratio has been positive for the sixteen out of seventeen trading sessions in the month of August till now.

We believe that mid and small-caps will continue their outperformance for the coming weeks and months also.

We believe that rather than anticipating the resistance or top, it is advisable to remain bullish with trailing stop loss strategy in the index as well in the stocks.

The global market technical setup is bullish and Indian markets, too, are in continuation of an uptrend.

Therefore, our advice is to remain long in Nifty with the trailing stop loss of 11,200. The focus of the traders should be on mid and small-caps that are likely to continue their outperformance in the coming weeks and months.

Here are three buy recommendations for the next 3-4 weeks:

Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) | Buy | LTP: Rs 190.50 | Target price: Rs 210 | Stop loss: Rs 180 | Upside: 10%

The stock is on the verge of giving breakout above the downward sloping trendline resistance at Rs 193.

The primary trend of the stock is positive wherein the stock is trading above its 200-day EMA.

Volumes have been higher during up days while lower during down days in August so far, indicating accumulation is going in the stocks.

+DI is placed above the -DI while the ADX line is placed above 25 levels, indicating momentum in the uptrend.

Deccan Cements | Buy | LTP: Rs 309.20 | Target price: Rs 340 | Stop loss: Rs 290 | Upside: 10%

The stock has broken out on the daily chart to close at six-month high. The trend of the stock is positive as it is trading above its short and long-term moving averages.

The stock is forming a bullish higher tops higher bottom on the daily chart. Daily RSI is placed near 70 levels, indicating a bullish setup for the stocks.

+DI is placed above -DI while the ADX line is placed above 25 levels, indicating momentum in the uptrend.

Gujarat Gas | Buy | LTP: Rs 319.70 | Target price: Rs 365 | Stop loss: Rs 295 | Upside: 14%

The primary trend of the stock is positive as the stock is trading above its 200-day EMA.

Volumes have been higher during up days while lower during down days in August so far, indicating accumulation is going on in the stock.

The short-term trend of the stock is also positive as it is trading above its 5 and 20-day SMA.

Oscillators and momentum indicators like RSI, MFI and MACD are showing strength in the stock. +DI is placed above -DI, indicating strength in the uptrend.

(The author is Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities)

The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
A lot of these (people who are not abiding by the rules) are younger, said Brandy, who stressed the county has been trying to get the word out about the importance of following safety guidelines. People in their 20s is the number one category of cases in Will County.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 07:08:20|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

HAVANA, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Tropical storm Laura grazed Cuba's southern coast Monday morning as it moved westward after hitting the island's five eastern provinces with heavy rains and hurricane-force winds, local authorities reported.

At dawn, Laura was advancing through the Jardines de la Reina archipelago, near the central coast, at a speed of 33 kilometers per hour and with maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour.

Experts from Cuba's Institute of Meteorology (Insmet) forecast the storm will gain intensity as it moves over the region's warm waters.

The National Civil Defense put the central provinces on alert in the face of the danger posed by the storm.

The center of the storm made landfall Sunday night in Baconao, in the province of Santiago de Cuba, 860 kilometers southeast of Havana, dumping heavy rainfall in several locations.

In Santiago de Cuba and the neighboring provinces of Granma and Guantanamo, the storm uprooted trees and damaged electrical and telephone lines.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel previously met with members of the National Defense Council to assess the situation and adopt the corresponding measures, and called on the population not to underestimate the magnitude of the meteorological event.

Authorities in the capital announced they were preparing for "the worst case scenario" should the storm strengthen into a cyclone.

Laura is expected to move on from Cuba Monday night or Tuesday morning, to enter the Gulf of Mexico as it heads towards the United States. According to local media, Laura has led to the deaths of nine people in Haiti and at least four died in the Dominican Republic.

This year's hurricane season in the Atlantic and the Caribbean, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, is the first to record the formation of nine tropical storms before Aug. 1. Enditem
Kim Kardashian's daughters North, seven, and Chicago, two, are not quite ready to follow in the footsteps of their mom's illustrious modeling career.

The 39-year-old megastar shared an adorable new Instagram post of how a mini photo shoot for her daughters went literally off the rails on Tuesday.

'It didn't end well,' the mother of four joked on social media.

Funny moment: Kim Kardashian shared an adorable new Instagram post of how a mini photo shoot for her daughters North and Chicago went literally off the rails on Tuesday

'My girls wanted to do a photo shoot together sitting up on this rail,' Kim captioned her Instagram. 'Swipe to the right to see how it ended'

The first photo sees North and Chicago smiling sweetly at the camera perched on the rail of a wooden fence in front of leafy green trees.

North looks ready for the outdoors in a pair of pink and tan cowboy boots, fuzzy brown pants that look to be a fabric Kim uses in her SKIMS collections and a black leotard.

Ever the big sister, she has her arm around little Chi's shoulder as the toddler leans close wearing a cute pair of oatmeal colored overalls, a sky blue T-shirt and some Yeezy slides designed by her dad.

'My girls wanted to do a photo shoot together sitting up on this rail,' Kim captioned her Instagram. 'Swipe to the right to see how it ended'

She's in charge: As the photos progress, it's clear North is art directing this impromptu photo shoot and is seen giving direction to her little sibling

As the photos progress, it's clear North is art directing this impromptu photo shoot and is seen giving direction to her little sibling.

In one funny snap, North is trying to get Chicago to pull a kissy face like she is making but all her sister does is smile and stick her tongue out.

Success seems on the horizon in the next shot with Chi almost able to mimic her sister's facial expression. But, North's vision is fleeting as the final image is a blurred moment of both girls falling off the rail into the grass.

'It didn't end well,' the mother of four joked on Twitter as she shared a blurry picture of the girls in the grass

Kim seemed to get a kick out of her little ones' failed attempt and added lots of laughing emojis to the posts on Instagram and Twitter.

The reality TV mogul's post of her girls marked a break in her recent wall-to-wall social media ad campaigns.

Kardashian is launching her latest SKIMS collection, a classic cotton line with her signature logo weaved into the fabric, which drops on Thursday.

Kim's advertising blitz has reached a new level with this latest line and included a massive building-sized billboard of the stunner modeling her items.

'How crazy is this:' Kim, meanwhile, is set to drop her latest SKIMS collection and she is advertising the new cotton line on a massive billboard in Los Angeles

'How crazy is this,' she mused over the giant image which was emblazoned on the side of the Andaz hotel.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star is also dropping her newest KKW Beauty collection with her longtime best friend Allison Statter.

Her highly anticipated collaboration is scheduled to drop on August 28 and Kim treated fans to a 'walk through' of the KKW x Allison press box on social media.

The box is drenched in a plethora of personal touches, including photos of the pair from their youth.

Busy! Kim's highly anticipated collaboration with longtime BFF Allison Statter is scheduled to drop on August 28 and Kim treated fans to a 'walk through' of the KKW x Allison press box on social media

The KKW x Allison's sentimental PR package comes in a box shaped like an envelope that features the address of the friend duo's favorite clothing store, Camp Beverly Hills.

'Allison and I have been best friends our whole lives, if you don't know our story, we have literally been best friends since before we were born because our parents are best friends,' Kim explained.

The KKW x Allison collection will include an eyeshadow palette and a lip crayon in addition to two 3-in-1 face palettes and a clear lip gloss.
The new app feature enables users to report social distancing rule violations

Turkey's coronavirus tracking app is facing fire from privacy advocates for adding a feature allowing users to report social distancing rule violations, with the option to send photos.

Critics say the function breaches civil liberties and promotes a "culture of denunciation".

Turkish officials counter that the measure is needed to save lives and does not violate laws protecting individual rights.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's communications director, Fahrettin Altun, said the health ministry's entire pandemic tracking system -- which includes the app -- made "us even stronger against the virus".

In April, the health ministry launched a phone app called "Hayat Eve Sigar" (Life Fits Into Home) that helps people monitor confirmed virus cases, showing the risk levels and infection rates in specific neighbourhoods.

It also offers information about nearby hospitals, pharmacies, supermarkets and public transport stops.

One of its latest features, added this week, allows users to report rule violations in places such as restaurants and cafes, with an ultimate goal of helping control the spread of the virus, which has claimed over 6,000 lives in Turkey.

"Help control the virus by reporting rule violations that you encounter," a message on the app says above an "add photo" function and a line for the corresponding street address.

- 'Culture of denunciation' -

Critics see the new feature as a threat that exposes Turks to government agencies without their consent and makes people feel unsafe.

"This system lacks credibility," said Faruk Cayir, a lawyer and president of Turkey's Alternative Informatics Association on cyber rights and online censorship.

He said the information stored in the app was being shared with other government agencies, including the interior ministry and even private travel companies.

"The health ministry has not clearly said how long it will be storing data. It only said it was limited to the pandemic period. It has not provided a precise deadline," he told AFP.

Story continues

Cayir argued that reporting violations with photos "would encourage a culture of denunciation, the examples of which have already been seen in Turkey".

Turkey has officially registered almost 260,000 virus infections and 6,139 deaths.

The number of daily new cases went up above 1,000 in early August and has yet to go back down.

The health ministry developed the app in cooperation with the Turkey's mobile phone operators and the government's Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK).

Turks are advised to download the app so that security forces are informed when infected people leave their homes in defiance of warnings, with the possibility of criminal prosecution.

Andrew Gardner, Amnesty International's Turkey researcher, said the pandemic was confronting governments with difficult choices.

"Governments have an obligation to protect people's health. This is a human rights issue," Gardner told AFP.

"It has also been used as an excuse by governments around the world to take away people's rights or increase their own powers."

He said maintaining social distancing rules was important to prevent the spread and protect people's health.

"It's much better that the authorities address these issues instead of people taking the law into their own hands," he said..

"There should be a way to ensure that people's health is protected and protect people's privacy and security at the same time."

fo-bg/zak/bp
Welsh farmers are being encouraged to have their say in a new survey aiming to develop a vision for the future of upland farming.

With numerous challenges facing Welsh agriculture ahead, NFU Cymru has urged farmers to contribute to the 'important' new research.

NFU Cymru's survey is open for five weeks and closes on Friday 25 September.

The union's LFA Board Chair, Kath Whitrow said Welsh uplands were of 'strategic importance' to Wales.

Some 78% of land in Wales is designated as Less Favoured Area (LFA), proving the country a rich contribution to the environment and economy.

"These areas also play a vital role in producing food to feed the nation," Ms Whitrow said.

"With concerns around incoming changes to future agricultural policy in Wales, it is a time of significant change."

She highlighted the UKs departure from the EU and the impact of the Covid-19 crisis as having big impacts on Welsh farming.

It has never been more important for the Welsh farming industry to write its own narrative and shape the conversation about the future of Wales uplands.

NFU Cymru President John Davies said it was important for the people who have worked the uplands for generations to lead the conversation.

"There are people and polices that seek to earmark these areas we all hold so dear and change their purpose for large scale afforestation or rewilding, for example.

"While of course farmers want to play an active role in helping to address the environmental challenges, this should not be done at the expense of all of the unique goods the Welsh uplands currently provide."

He added: "Every farmer who submits a response to this important research makes our voice louder and stronger."

The Vision for Welsh Upland Farming survey can be accessed on the NFU Cymru website.

Farmers are also encouraged to use the #Vision4WelshUplands or #GweledigaethIUcheldirCymru hashtags on social media.
NEW DELHI : An Interpol global arrest warrant has been issued against Ami Modi, wife of prime accused in the over $2 billion PNB bank fraud case Nirav Modi, on charges of money laundering, officials said on Tuesday.

They said the 'red notice' has been issued by the global police body on the request of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Once such a notice issued against a fugitive, the Interpol asks its 192-member countries to arrest or detain the person if spotted in their countries after which extradition or deportation proceedings can begin.

Ami Modi is stated to have left country soon after the alleged bank fraud case came into light in 2018.

The ED has charged Ami Modi for conspiring and money laundering with her husband and jeweller Nirav Modi apart from his uncle Mehul Choksi and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Nirav Modi (49), is currently lodged in a UK jail after being arrested in London in March, 2019 and is currently fighting extradition to India.

He has been declared a fugitive economic offender by a Mumbai court early this year and the court had also ordered confiscation of his assets.

The ED has already confiscated about 329 crore of his linked properties.

The businessman, Choksi and others are being probed by the ED on money laundering charges in connection with an over USD 2 billion alleged bank fraud at a PNB branch in Mumbai.

Similar Interpol notices have been earlier been issued against Nirav Modi's younger brother Nehal Modi and sister Purvi Modi.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 00:53:10|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

LAGOS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) on Tuesday called for a need to intensify ongoing efforts to reduce the rate of COVID-19 pandemic infection as the country is battling with the virus.

Laraba Shoda, President of NCWS, told Xinhua that the current situation in Nigeria is worrisome following the large increase in the number of infected people in the country.

She said obeying the safety guidelines by both federal and state governments would go a long way to curb the spread and help to trace people that are already infected with COVID-19.

According to her, while obeying the safety guidelines, people must be conscious of proper hygiene such as regular and proper washing of hands, keeping of the mandatory distance.

Shoda said the pandemic had affected the economy badly and all hands must be on deck to revive it. She called on the government to make the price of masks, hand sanitizer affordable so that indigent Nigerians could afford it.

Nigeria's health authorities have expressed its commitment to strengthening the capacity of health workers to limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Enditem
Tropical storms Marco and Laura, expected to batter the Gulf Coast early this week, are expected to lose their punch long before they reach the vicinity of central Pennsylvania.

It looks like any impact would sort of be from the periphery of whats left, National Weather Service meteorologist Craig Evanego said early Monday afternoon. Hes based in State College.

Laura trails Marco, which was dumping heavy, tropical rain on the Gulf Coast on Monday afternoon, according to AccuWeather.

By the time they reach the vicinity of Pennsylvania, Evanego said, each storm will have been over land for a long time, making it unlikely they will bring heavy winds this far. He said the potential for heavy rain is not out of the question, with the greatest potential on Friday and Saturday.

Evanego said he expects the strongest impacts of the storm will fall along the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle west into Texas. But by the time the storms move into the mid-Atlantic region they will consist mostly of rain, multiple forecasts said as of early Monday afternoon.

As of early Monday afternoon, Evanego also was expecting no serious impacts beyond possible downpours at shore locations from New Jersey south through the Outer Banks.

As of about 1:30 p.m. on Monday, the National Weather Service forecast for the Harrisburg region calls for possible thunderstorms on hot, mostly sunny days through Friday. Extreme heat including a high of 95 is forecast for Thursday. Cooler, less humid air is expected to appear late-week, with a high of only 82 forecast for Sunday, which is expected to be a sunny day.
BENDINGER: And we made it for everybody! I think that theres some internalized surprise or shame for guys like they cant believe they like this movie that so clearly seems like it made for young women. But, and this is a little saltier, I feel like saying oh really, I was writing young teenage girls in cheerleading outfits and you really thought that wouldnt be for you?
On August 20th, President Trumps former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon was arrested on fraud charges relating to the We Build the Wall construction project on the U.S.-Mexico border.

The news made for splashy headlines, but story behind the charges was more mundane. Brian Kolfage, a triple amputee veteran and Purple Heart recipient, used a crowdfunding website as part of a political gag aimed at raising $1 billion dollars to construct a U.S.-Mexico border wall. After unexpectedly raising $17 million dollars within the first week, Kolfage decided to hand off the suddenly real and ambitious initiative to someone with more experience, connections, and resources. Steve Bannon stepped up to help the fledgling project navigate the labyrinth of red tape and regulations designed to stop the project.

The crowdfunding website relinquished the funds to a nonprofit set up by Bannon as Kolfage continued to promote the project, raising additional funds while promising to spend 100% of funds on the walls construction and not to pay a salary to the organizers. Indeed, the bylaws of the new 501(c)(4) We Build the Wall nonprofit reflect these statements. Under Bannon, We Build the Wall began paying various construction, marketing, and legal vendors for work relating to the project. One of these vendors owned by Bannon associate Timothy Shea began paying Kolfage for marketing work on the project. Kolfage could not get paid as an organizer but could as an employee of a vendor, receiving a total of $350,000 since 2018 for his work on the project.

Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York disagreed, conducting a pre-dawn raid to arrest yet another Trump ally (though this time, without the CNN camera crew). Bannon was yanked off a yacht belonging to a wealthy Chinese dissident and charged along with Kolfage, Shea, and another associate.

The sealed indictment against Brian Kolfage, Stephen Bannon, et al. centers around the various attempts to keep the payments to Kolfage a secret for public relations reasons, listing the various pathways and obfuscation maneuvers allegedly used by Bannon and associates to hide the fact that Kolfage was paid by affiliate organizations. Although the maneuvers themselves were legal, two fraud charges were filed on the premise that the payments made to Kolfage by various legal, construction, and marketing vendors broke the promise that organizers would be unpaid. The indictment also mentions the reimbursements that Bannon and codefendants received for travel and miscellaneous expenses, though does not mention their amount.

Whether or not nonprofits can use vendors which employ the nonprofits organizers is a contextual question, likely answered in the bylaws of each 501(c)(4) nonprofit. Bannon and his associates are not charged with violating the bylaws of their nonprofit, any laws governing 501(c)(4) organizations, or with making false statements on tax forms or other financial paperwork. If the nonprofits bylaws were never violated, the basis of the charges become unclear. Charities almost always take a haircut for operating expenditures, the haircut in this case amounting to less than 2%, far less than the typical 40% incurred by American charities.

Fraud charges require the existence of at least one donor who contributed on the basis that there would be no administrative haircut and would not have contributed otherwise, but the indictment issued by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) fails to mention such a victim. In fact, no specific victims in the case are listed in the indictment, a mainstay of conventional fraud charges, raising questions of jurisdictional venue regarding the SDNYs right to bring charges in the first place. There have been no allegations of donors complaining that Kolfage received pay, a fact publicly disclosed since January 2020 (even the indictment mentions this), and various offers to refund unhappy donors have been made since the projects conception.

The issue of Kolfages salary aside, why the SDNY would allege that Bannon and his two wealthy associates ran a two-year scam to expense some hotel bills makes more sense than you think. The charges were filed by acting United States Attorney Audrey Strauss, a registered Democrat filling the shoes of her former boss Geoffrey Berman after he was fired from the position by President Trump. Berman was terminated after it came out that he had been using his position as a federal prosecutor to wage war against Trumps attorney Rudy Giuliani in retaliation for Giulianis investigation into Joe and Hunter Bidens Burisma scandal. Under the pretext of investigating a foreign lobbying disclosure violation, Berman had attempted to pressure Giuliani out of investigating how Joe Biden forced the Ukranian government to fire a prosecutor who was investigating his son. After initially refusing to vacate his post, Berman left the SDNY to his deputy Audrey Strauss.

Audrey Strauss s case history reads like a partisan hitman. Under Berman, Strauss worked on cases against Michael Cohen, Rudy Giuliani, and Republican House Representative Chris Collins. Not long after her boss was pushed out, she rolled out the charges against Steve Bannon, making any future firing look like obstruction of justice. Strausss maneuver should sound familiar to anyone who remembers former FBI Director James Comeys termination. Immediately after Comey was fired, FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe became acting FBI Director and immediately launched a retaliatory investigation into Trump to protect his position.

Using the McCabe maneuver, Strauss has caught President Trump in a double bind. If the Department of Justice is contemplating firing Audrey Strauss for conducting deeply political investigations under Geoffrey Berman, theyd better think twice. Although the charges against Bannon affirm her politicization of prosecutorial power, firing her now would look like obstruction of justice. If they leave her alone, she will likely find excuses to charge additional Trump associates, throwing red meat to her party in the final months of an important election year and distracting the public from important indictments relating to the illegally conceived anti-Trump FISA spy warrants.

In pursuing this case, Strauss will gain access to the list of donors who contributed to We Build the Wall, opening the door to political persecution of noteworthy individuals on the list and causing a chilling effect on grassroots political activism. Strausss indictment also includes a forfeiture request regarding the remaining We Build the Wall funds, which the court will claim an estimated 10% administrative handling fee even if an acquittal occurs later down the road and ending the project in the meantime.

It may be awhile before the political headwinds shaping the charges against Steve Bannon are recognized by the media, but if the unravelling of the Russian investigation serves as any indicator, the answer is most likely never. Even General Flynn, despite the uncovering of exonerating evidence, material misstatements by prosecutors, and an illegal frame-up plot originating in Obamas Oval Office, has yet to get a fair shake in the media or the courts. Unlike Flynn, Sloppy Steve is not widely loved by the Trump fans he is charged with defrauding, and the prosecutors are taking advantage.

Image credit: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0
Italy's defence minister on Monday began an official visit to Beirut, meeting Lebanese President Michel Aoun and other officials.

Speaking at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lorenzo Guerini said Italy would continue to offer support to the Middle Eastern country in the aftermath of the deadly explosion that rocked Beirut three weeks ago.

"We will continue our efforts to help the Lebanese people and the Lebanese state, and will help the Lebanese government by providing necessary needs, as requested," said Guerini.

He added that Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte would visit Lebanon in the coming days, evidence of "the eagerness of Italy in the reconstruction process."

Guerini also met Lebanon's Caretaker Defence Minister Zeina Akar and Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Joseph Aoun.

He visited the site of the Italian field hopsital at the Lebanese University's Hadath campus, as well as Italian navy ship San Giusto, anchored at Beirut's port.

The Lebanese capital was rocked by a massive explosion on Aug. 4 that claimed more than 170 lives and wounded more than 6,000 people.
Officials: 500,000 People Told to Evacuate Ahead of Hurricane Laura

Officials in east Texas and western Louisiana ordered around 500,000 people to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Lauras landfall later this week.

Today is the day. The weather is still nice here in Galveston. This is the day for everybody to get their belongs together and, for the safety of themselves and their family, to go ahead and evacuate today. Do not wait, Galveston, Texas, Mayor Craig Brown told The Weather Channel. Galveston issued a mandatory evacuation order on Tuesday.

The Texas cities of Port Arthur and Beaumont were also evacuated, encompassing around 385,000 people, reported The Associated Press.

Officials in Louisiana also evacuated about 125,000 people in western Louisiana, according to the Weather Channel.

Frankly theres not that many places for people to go to, Dick Gremillion, director of homeland security and emergency preparedness in Louisianas Calcasieu Parish, told the news outlet. In our traditional shelters, weve lost two-thirds of capacity. It has been a difficult time rolling COVID into hurricane preparations.

The National Hurricane Center said that Laura is currently a Category 1 storm with 75 mph winds, but it warned that the storm could quickly strengthen. It is expected to make landfall early on Thursday morning.

A storm surge warning is in effect from San Luis Pass, Texas to the mouth of the Mississippi River, including areas inside the Port Arthur Hurricane Flood Protection system, the agency said. A hurricane warning is in effect from San Luis Pass, Texas, to Intracoastal City, Louisiana. A tropical storm warning is in effect from Sargent, Texas, to San Luis Pass and from east of Intracoastal City to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
High stakes: President Donald Trump addresses the first day of the Republican National Convention. Photo: Leah Millis/Reuters

President Donald Trump adopted a grim tone in remarks to Republicans who formally backed his bid for a second term yesterday, warning without evidence that he could face a "rigged election" in November.

Mr Trump repeated his claim that voting by mail - a longstanding feature of American elections that is expected to be far more common during the coronavirus pandemic - could lead to an increase in fraud.

Independent election security experts say voter fraud is quite rare in the United States.

Mr Trump spoke in an unscheduled appearance on the first day of the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, after he received enough votes to formally win the nomination for the November 3 election.

"The only way they can take this election away from us is if this is a rigged election," Mr Trump said. "We're going to win this election."

Party members are meeting amid a pandemic that has killed more than 176,000 Americans, erased millions of jobs and eroded the president's standing among voters.

As he has done repeatedly, Mr Trump described states' responses to infections of Covid-19 in starkly partisan terms, casting lockdowns and other steps recommended by public health officials as attempts to influence voting in November.

"What they're doing is using Covid to steal an election," he said. "They're using Covid to defraud the American people - all of our people - of a fair and free election."

The in-person proceedings, though far smaller than originally planned, were in contrast with Democrats, who opted for an almost entirely virtual format instead of gathering in the battleground state of Wisconsin. That change was intended to reduce the risk of the virus being spread at the political event.

"We did this out of respect for your state," said Mr Trump, targeting his message at North Carolina, where voting is expected to be close.

Earlier this year he moved the convention to Florida, his newly adopted home state, to avoid restrictions on gatherings in North Carolina due to the coronavirus - but then abandoned that plan when infections soared in Florida.

Democratic Party candidate and former vice-president Joe Biden (77) is leading Mr Trump (74) in opinion polls.

Democrats portrayed Mr Trump as a force for darkness, chaos and incompetence during their convention, while stressing the Democrats' diversity and values like "empathy" and "unity."

Republicans claimed their convention would offer a more hopeful message, with an emphasis on "law and order," gun rights, tax cuts and the "forgotten" men and women of America.

The party opted not to vote on a traditional platform document detailing policy goals, instead saying that it supports what Donald Trump is doing.

Mr Trump's campaign released a series of bullet-point goals, including a promise to "create 10 million new jobs in 10 months".

In another contrast with the Democratic event, which featured all three living former Democratic presidents and prior nominees, the Republican event will not include speeches from that party's past president or candidates.

Neither former President George W Bush nor 2012 Republican presidential nominee Senator Mitt Romney, who voted to convict Trump at the president's impeachment trial, plan to speak.

Also absent from the schedule are several Republicans facing close elections in November, including Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

The president, a former reality television star, plans to hold several live events with audiences during the Republican convention - in contrast to Democrats, who showed pre-taped segments or delivered speeches in mostly empty venues.

Mr Trump's planned daily speeches are a break with the tradition of the nominee keeping a low profile before an acceptance speech on the convention's final night.

Overnight, demonstrators and law enforcement clashed for a third straight night near the Charlotte Convention Centre with police using pepper spray on the crowd.

Tonight, Mr Trump's wife, Melania, will give a speech from the White House, while Vice-President Mike Pence speaks tomorrow.

Mr Trump will accept his party's nomination on Thursday night before a crowd on the White House South Lawn. Democrats have criticised the move as a partisan use of public property.
MEXICO CITY - Mexicos president said Monday the United Nations would be welcome to come to Mexico to investigate any rights violation like the Aug. 24, 2010 massacre of 72 migrants in the northern town of San Fernando.

Speaking on the 10th anniversary of the slaughter of mostly Central American migrants, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he has proposed legal changes to make international investigations possible from the start, especially in cases of forced disappearances.

Mexican law currently gives sole power to Mexican prosecutors in such cases. Forced disappearance is when police, military or other public employees kidnap and disappear someone.

We are about to send a bill approved by the executive branch to the Senate ... so that in cases of forced disappearance, in every case that represents a violation of human rights, the U.N. could intervene with no limitations, Lopez Obrador said.

In the 2010 massacre, members of the old Zetas cartel stopped two tractor-trailers carrying dozens of mostly Central American migrants and took them to a ranch in San Fernando, in the Gulf coast border state of Tamaulipas.

After the migrants refused to work for the cartel, they were blindfolded, tied up on the floor and shot dead. One migrant played dead, escaped and alerted authorities, who found 72 corpses at the ranch.

The motive in the massacre may have been the Zetas desire to recruit the migrants, but the killers also apparently wanted to discourage migrant traffickers allied with rival gangs from sending migrants through what they considered their turf.

Both Zetas and local police were implicated in the massacre. Activists and relatives have criticized both the handling of the investigation and the bodies of the victims.

So badly handled were the bodies  and so badly decomposed when they were finally handed over to relatives after a long delay  that some still wonder whether the right corpses were given to the right families.

On Monday, Assistant Interior Secretary Alejandro Encinas that Mexico was now offering to help relatives in the victims home countries exhume those bodies for testing to positively identify them.

In many aspects, Mexico has seen a rebound of bloody events like those that marked the bloodiest period of the countrys drug war from 2006 to 2012, including the dumping of bodies on highways, arson attacks, mass killings at parties and beheadings. But since then there has been no other major migrant massacre, and a possible recurrence of that is one of Lopez Obradors worst fears.

Pope Francis spoke of the anniversary Sunday.

There were people from various countries who were seeking a better life, Francis said remarks to the public in St. Peters Square. I express my solidarity to the families of the victims, who still today are calling for justice and truth about what happened, the pontiff said. The Lord will ask for a reckoning for all the migrants who perish in journeys of hope. They were victims of a throw-away culture, Francis concluded.

Read more about:
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 12:18:40|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Sanzhar Saberbekov delivers a meal to a customer in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Aug. 19, 2020. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

NUR-SULTAN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Sanzhar Saberbekov has been bustling across the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan, getting on and off his bike to drop off groceries and food from backpack for those sheltering from COVID-19 at home.

A 24-year-old college student, Saberbekov joined a growing legion of delivery riders six months ago, hoping to get some pocket money and be financially independent from his parents.

After the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in Kazakhstan in March, Saberbekov chose to continue to be a freelance rider for Glovo, a global on-demand delivery service platform.

"Of course, everyone is afraid of going out amid the pandemic. I am not a reckless person but I believe my work is important in such a difficult situation," he said.

Kazakhstan recorded over 104,718 COVID-19 cases and 1,523 deaths as of Tuesday. It has been hit hardest by the virus among the five Central Asian countries and imposed two nationwide lockdowns to curb the raging virus.

"We deliver food, medicines and other groceries within hours to our customers. Takeaway food accounts for most of deliveries," Saberbekov told Xinhua, adding that Glovo has intensified disinfection measures by providing riders with face masks, gloves and antiseptics every two weeks.

Saberbekov works from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day to meet different demands of clients. "During the second lockdown, there was a shortage of medicines in pharmacies. After customers ordered medicines via the Glovo app, we were looking for drugs in various pharmacies," he said.

"It feels so nice to bring medicines to the needy and get their appreciation," he said.

"Some of our customers were infected with COVID-19. They called to warn us that they were ill. Usually they asked us to leave their stuff at the door of their homes," said the courier.

According to Glovo, the number of orders from the Glovo app has increased by 34 percent across Kazakhstan amid the pandemic. About 60 percent of orders were done through online payments. Now over 1,500 couriers work for Glovo in the country.

Saberbekov said during the lockdown, he could earn an average of 10,000 tenge (about 24 U.S. dollars) per day.

"Deliverymen are needed when people couldn't go out for daily necessities. Our work can not only bring in much-needed cash for us but also help the country weather this crisis," he said.

Kazakhstan is a relatively latecomer of online shopping but the epidemic has been a catalyst for its e-commerce development. The trade and integration ministry said that in the first half of 2020, the e-commerce retail volume in the country grew by more than 150 percent from a year ago.

The ministry estimated that the e-commerce market would be expanded to 900 billion tenge (2.17 billion dollars) by the end of 2020, and to 1.9 trillion tenge (4.58 billion dollars) by 2022, accounting for about 13 percent of the country's retail business, compared with 2.9 percent for 2019.
By Toby Sterling

THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic returned to a United Nations court on Tuesday to appeal his 2017 conviction for genocide and crimes against humanity during the Yugoslav Wars.

Mladic is serving a life sentence after being found guilty of overseeing the slaughter of 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in 1995 and attacking and murdering civilians during the 43-month siege of the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.

Trial judges ruled he was responsible for massacres of Bosnian Muslims and "ethnic cleansing" campaigns as part of a plan to forge a Greater Serbia out of parts of the former Yugoslavia, together with Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and former Serb politician Slobodan Milosvic. He was the commander of Bosnian Serb forces during the 1992-95 war that was part of Yugoslavia's breakup.

At the start of two days of hearings, Presiding Judge Prisca Nyambe said Mladic has put forward nine grounds of appeal, asking for acquittal or a retrial.

"The prosecution responds that Mr. Mladic's appeal should be rejected in its totality," she said in opening remarks.

Mladic, 77, appeared wearing a facemask which he removed after a few minutes. The proceedings are being broadcast by video due to the coronavirus pandemic. Mladic's lawyers have sought to delay the appeal, arguing that the former general is in poor health.

Mladic was convicted of 10 out of 11 charges at trial and prosecutors are seeking an additional genocide conviction.

Prosecutors say Mladic's sentence should be upheld and he should also have been convicted of the 11th charge, genocide against Bosniaks and Croats in five municipalities of Bosnia in 1992.

Mladic's appeal is being held at a U.N. court in The Hague set up to hear appeals and remaining cases from the former Yugoslav Tribunal, which closed in 2017.

Mladic will be allowed to address the court for 10 minutes on Wednesday. Judges have yet to set a date for a decision, likely to be sometime in 2021.

(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
With the privilege of being the regions largest economy by far comes the power to make a difference. Covid-19 has presented India with an unprecedented opportunity to help restructure its economy and reshape regional cooperation and integration towards a more sustainable path. In a just-released report from the Centre for Policy Research, India as the Engine of Recovery for South Asia: A Multi-Sectoral Plan for Indias COVID-19 Diplomacy in the Region that we have co-authored with our colleagues, Shyam Saran and Sandeep Bhardwaj, we look at Indias agenda-setting role more closely to map the road ahead as India prepares to assume the G20 presidency in 2022.

There are three fundamental reasons why Indias Neighbourhood First policy needs reorientation. To begin with, there are dire warnings of a pandemic depression with growth projections worldwide revised heavily downward, and an estimated 42 million people within South Asia out of 100 million worldwide already driven back to extreme poverty.

Second, the ongoing global slowdown is projected to hit South Asias major export earnings  business services, textiles, transport equipment, labour and tourism, severely. This is compounded by a 22% decline in remittances to South Asia mainly from the Gulf, serious problems of finance and capital, as well as what the World Health Organization has termed supply nationalism severely disrupting global supply chains.

Third, China is using Covid-19 diplomacy to take several strategic initiatives vis-a-vis Indias neighbours in South Asia that require a commensurate response.

In what meaningful ways can Indias Covid-19 diplomacy re-purpose South Asian regionalism in the post-Covid-19 era? There are five critical steps that India can take to invest in a robust regional action plan.

To begin with, India could leverage regional trade, connectivity and investment, and strengthen the South Asian Free Trade Agreement as a game-changer for the region. One step that could dramatically galvanise economic energies would be to lower barriers to intra-regional food trade and encourage regional supply chains. Given that over 70% of South Asias population is dependent on subsistence agriculture and allied services, its impact could be the equivalent of a rising tide.

This single trade policy measure should be supplemented by a series of trade facilitation measures that could uplift Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modis call for atmanirbharta (self-reliance) from the national to a regional level as an extension of Indias Neighbourhood First policy. These range from offers of freer transit trade through the region, the development of supply and logistic chains, digital data interchange, single-window and digitised clearance systems, risk assessment and minimisation measures, wider use of trade lines of credit (presently abysmally low), denser connectivity, smoother cross-border inspections, and reduced transaction costs, using technology as a force multiplier.

Another area that India could take the lead is in the sectors of health and food security. PM Modi has already taken a laudable initiative in convening a virtual summit of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) leaders on March 15 to deal with the pandemic. However, its medium-term impact has fallen short of the kind of impact India made in response to the 2004 tsunami in the region. It has also been overtaken by the more aggressive Covid-19 diplomacy of China that has included a meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and Nepal with offers of sharing its Covid-19 vaccine under development as early as September, duty-free access to its market, and barely-concealed strategic overtones.

Although Covid-19 has not led to a visible food crisis, regional food security is another area that India could take a major initiative in with an eye to the future. Measures in this area could include using its ample food reserves of 83 million MT to put in place a South Asian food safety net to deal with crises augmenting access to the Saarc Food Bank that currently stands at less than 500,000 MT.

A fourth initiative India could take is to provide an ecological blueprint for South Asia with a focus on the protection of biodiversity and dealing with the climate crisis. The linkage between pandemics and ecology also needs to be acknowledged. The growing risk of the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as HIV, Ebola, Sars, H5N1 and Nipah virus underline the risks posed by habitat fragmentation, degradation and wet markets.

Last but not least, India can increase the convening capacity of sub-regional initiatives such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. The border regions can be effective partners in shaping Indias regional engagement by steering sectoral regional dialogues on cross-border trade, transport and health.

PM Modis call for a regional response to the pandemic is an intuitive one. But at the end of the day, the cliched refrain of turning a crisis into an opportunity will hinge on New Delhis willingness to co-design a collective road map for South Asia. India will do well to remember that it can fuel its own national recovery by being the economic engine of the neighbourhood.

Gautam Mukhopadhaya is former Indian ambassador to Myanmar, Afghanistan and Syria,

and senior visiting fellow, Centre for Policy Research. Nimmi Kurian is professor, CPR

The views expressed are personal
Regardless of the industry in which an organization plays, professionalism, quality, service and performance, are some of the factors they exude and this enables them to garner goodwill, positive recognition from loyal customers and the general public.

One form of such recognition is by way of honours presented by either the industrys body or a reputable business management organization, charged with rating growth and performance within the sector. In nominating brands that deserve such recognitions, they are expected to meet certain criteria for selected categories in which they fall. These criteria are usually stringent and rigorous and this is what the conveners of the Ghana Information Technology and Telecoms Awards (GITTA), Instinct Wave has continuously advanced since its debut a decade ago.

In the last decade, InstinctWave, Africas premium B2B Event specialist and media solutions company, has rated the performances of companies in the IT and telecoms sector and have rewarded them with various accolades. The Ghana Technology and Telecoms Awards, (GITTA), has been an authentic platform for showcasing and rewarding excellent performances by businesses in the provision of IT and telecom services, as well as the personalities behind the business success.

Like many other African countries, the impact of the telecoms industry on Ghanas economy cannot be overemphasized. According to information obtained from World Banks website, the information, communication and technology sector contributes 73% to the countrys economy, while public administration and other sectors make for the balance of 27%. Such a powerful statistics show how powerful the technology sector is within the economy and how its become absolutely necessary to recognize and honor these companies that have played such roles in the economy, contributing in no small measures to the countrys gross domestic product (GDP).

Traditionally held in the month of June, this years event had to be suspended due to the global pandemic (COVID-19) with all the associated uncertainties. Thankfully, activities have revved up and preparations are in top gear for the 10th edition, which is expected to take place at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel on the Friday, 23rd of October 2020.

GITTA 2020 will attract once again Industry giants and key stakeholders from the Ministry of Communications, National Communications Authority, Bank of Ghana and many others.

Speaking with excitement on the epoch-making event, CEO/Founder of InstinctWave, the proud organizer of GITTA, Akin Naphtal, said the awards, which has grown over the years has become a benchmark for outstanding performances in the ICT industry for honoring organizations in Ghana. GITTA is a symbol of excellence and marks leadership, quality and innovation and we are indeed very proud of our heritage and that name we have made for ourselves.

According to Mr. Naphtal, the early days were not easy and were fraught with challenges but because we refused to compromise on quality despite all challenges, we can proudly say we have set our landmark and have attained excellence expediently.

With the intent of marking the 10th anniversary in grand style, GITTA 2020 in collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications will feature new award categories, recognize disruptive technologies borne out of Covid-19, and celebrate organizations and individuals who have stood out over the last 12 months of the past 10 years.

Speaking during the launch of GITTA 2020, Dr Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, the CEO of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications expressed his joy on the awards milestone. According to him, it is imperative that the mobile and technology industry sits together annually to recount growth and the impact that it continuously makes within Ghana. GITTA continues to provide that relevant banner that supports our quest to bring the industry together and we are elated to be part of the GITTA 2020 event. said Kenneth. He was confident that the 2020 winners will undergo an intense audit process to strengthen the credibility and reputation of the GITTA brand.

Patrons are informed that Organizers will leverage a number of digital procedures this year such as nomination letters sent digitally to all nominees as well as marketing collaterals will be downloaded from the event website and many more innovative procedures.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing a money laundering angle into the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput and has questioned his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty. It has now referred some evidence to the CBI and the Narcotics Control Bureau about her alleged links to banned drugs, a charge vehemently denied by her lawyer.

The officials said the central probe agency stumbled upon certain data and these prima facie inputs have been shared with the two federal agencies but did not give any details of the nature of evidence referred to the agencies.

Rhea has never consumed drugs in her life ever. She is ready for a blood test, her lawyer Satish Maneshinde said in reply to the allegations.

While the CBI is probing the death case of the 34-year-old actor, who was found dead at his duplex flat in Mumbais Bandra area on June 14, the NCB is the federal anti-narcotics agency.

Rhea, 28, has been grilled twice in this case by the ED and her statement recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

She is the prime accused in this case and has stated in her petition before the Supreme Court that she was in a live-in relationship with the actor.

The ED money laundering case stems from an FIR filed by Rajputs father K K Singh on July 25 with the Bihar Police in Patna against Rhea, her father Indrajit Chakraborty, mother Sandhya Chakraborty, brother Showik, Rajputs manager Samuel Miranda and Shruti Modi and unknown persons accusing them of cheating and abetting his sons suicide.

The agency has questioned a number of people till now in the case including Showik, Indrajit Chakraborty, Miranda, Shruti Modi, the chartered accountants of Rajput and Rhea, Rajputs flat-mate and creative content manager Siddharth Pithani and three other house helps who were present in the house on the day the actor died by suicide.

Also read: Ankita Lokhande performs Gauri Ganpati puja with mother: God is with us. See pics, videos

It has also questioned Rajputs father and two elder sisters.

In his complaint to the police, Rajputs father had alleged that an amount of Rs 15 crore was siphoned off from his sons bank account in one year to accounts of persons not known or connected to the late actor.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Newly elected Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole kicked off his first day as leader of the Official Opposition today by speaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about some of the issues the two leaders are expected to battle over in the coming months.

The pair spoke about national unity and the dissatisfaction with the Liberals in Alberta and Saskatchewan that saw them shut out of both provinces in the last federal election, said both a PMO spokesperson and a statement issued by O'Toole's office.

"Mr. O'Toole made a point to raise Western alienation and called on Mr. Trudeau to outline a plan to address real and serious national unity concerns in the Speech from the Throne," said a statement issued by O'Toole's office.

The PMO spokesperson also said O'Toole and Trudeau, who spoke by phone, discussed pandemic funding and Trudeau's decision to prorogue Parliament until September 23  when the Liberals plan to return to the House of Commons with a new speech from the throne that will trigger a confidence vote by MPs.

WATCH | Erin O'Toole looks to build support ahead of possible election:

Until the House returns, the parliamentary committees looking into whether the prime minister had any role in awarding of a contract to WE Charity to administer a $900 million student grant program have been shut down.

The statement from O'Toole's office says he raised with Trudeau the matter of having parliamentary committees resume their investigations into the WE Charity controversy as soon as possible. The PMO spokesperson said the committees are not directed by the prime minister and would resume work after Parliament returns, on their own timetables.

O'Toole spent today working from his office in the West Block of the parliamentary precinct, where officials from his team met with officials from ex-Conservative leader Andrew Scheer's team.

A Conservative Party spokesperson said Scheer and O'Toole continued their discussions over lunch.

Story continues

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also congratulated O'Toole and urged the federal party to rally around its new leader. He also said that he would not be campaigning on behalf of the federal Conservatives in the next election.

"I won't be campaigning for anyone, like I didn't last time either. I am so swamped right here, I'm going literally around the clock every single day and I can't take my eye off the ball for an election or anything else," he said. "My main focus is Ontario and always will be Ontario."

Ford also said he's willing to work with federal politicians of any stripe.

"We have a phenomenal relationship," Ford said of his experience working with the Trudeau government and, specifically, newly appointed Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

"I think the world of [Freeland]. We were able to get a lot accomplished just by communicating, collaborating along with the prime minister as well."

Watch: Ford congratulates O'Toole:

Former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper also tweeted his congratulations to O'Toole, calling the Ontario MP his "friend" and "long-time colleague" and calling for party unity.

It remains to be seen just how unified the party is after a heated leadership campaign  one that saw O'Toole's campaign ask the police to investigate the alleged hacking of private campaign information on the part of Peter MacKay's team.

People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier  who ran a close second to Scheer in the 2017 Conservative leadership race  today accused O'Toole of putting on a "true blue mask" to win the leadership.

"On every major issue, the Conservative party under Erin O'Toole will be just like the Liberals," Bernier said in a statement.

The PPC leader issued an appeal to supporters of the two socially conservative candidates in the leadership contest  Leslyn Lewis and Derek Sloan.

"I want to tell them today: There is a place where you can fight openly for your values. Where they won't be disparaged or shut down, but will be proudly championed," Bernier said in a statement. "You have a home. It's the People's Party of Canada."

Sloan later told CBC that, despite his loss, he's pleased with the outcome of the leadership contest because it left the party with a clear winner. He also dismissed Bernier's criticism of the race.

"He does have to maintain his brand being a separate party but I'm not concerned," Sloan said.

Watch: Bernier opens his arms to Sloan:

O'Toole will hold a press conference on Parliament Hill Tuesday morning. He's expected to announce some key positions in the opposition.

In a statement congratulating O'Toole, Suzanne Cowan, the president of the Liberal Party of Canada, said the Liberals are the only party that will "invest in the middle class and the most vulnerable, keep Canadians safe and supported, and protect a clean environment."

"On behalf of Liberals across Canada, I want to congratulate Erin O'Toole on becoming the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition. I have great respect for those who put their name on a ballot and step forward to contribute to our democracy," Cowan said in the statement.
The Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, bishop of Worcester, will serve as the apostolic administrator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield until a new leader is selected by the Vatican.

His appointment by Pope Francis is effective immediately in addition to McManus continuing as the bishop of Worcester.

I am humbled by the confidence which the Holy Father has placed in me, McManus said in a statement on Tuesday. I look forward to working with the current administration in the Diocese of Springfield as well as meeting the faithful in the diocese from which the Diocese of Worcester was established 70 years ago.

He added, As apostolic administrator, it is my canonical responsibility to assure stability in the continuing operation of the Diocese of Springfield until the Holy Father appoints a new diocesan bishop.

An apostolic administrator oversees the continuing operation of a diocese in the absence of an ordinary or local diocesan bishop. The See or Diocese of Springfield became vacant with the naming of Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, 62, as the Archbishop of St. Louis.

Rozanski served as the ninth bishop of the Springfield Diocese from June 2014 until his installation today in St. Louis.

The Diocese of Worcester was established in 1950 by Pope Pius XII with territories taken from the neighboring Springfield Diocese.

McManus was named the fifth bishop of Worcester in May 2004 by Pope John Paul II.

A Rhode Island native, McManus, 69, studied for the priesthood at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick, The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and the Toronto School of Theology. He has also earned licentiate and doctoral degrees in sacred theology from The Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

In 2008, he completed his term as the chairman of the Committee on Education for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

McManus has made headlines in recent years, most notably in June 2012 after the Worcester diocese declined to sell a historic mansion it owned in Northbridge to a married gay couple because of the potentiality of gay marriages there.

That same year, at the behest of McManus, Anna Maria College in Paxton rescinded its invitation to Victoria Reggie Kennedy, widow of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, to receive an honorary degree and be its commencement speaker. A diocesan spokesman told reporters McManus was acting in accord with the U.S. bishops 2004 statement that Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. Kennedy has espoused views favoring legal abortions.

In May 2013, McManus was arrested for drunken driving, leaving the scene of an accident and refusing a chemical test. He apologized for his actions and the charges were dismissed in a Rhode Island court.

McManus underwent surgery at St. Vincent Hospital for prostate cancer in June 2014

Last year, College of the Holy Cross officials rebuked remarks made McManus as disparaging to transgender people and deeply hurtful and offensive. At a May 2019 health care conference there, the bishop had likened transgenderism to a man who identified as a pirate since childhood having his hand amputated and a hook put in its place.

Related content:
Peru, battling one of the world's worst coronavirus outbreaks and a five-month lockdown, was reeling on Monday after the deaths of 13 people, most of them young women, in a stampede at an illegal nightclub triggered by a police raid.

The tragedy at the club, which authorities called "a breeding ground" for Covid-19, has exposed tensions in the Andean nation of 33 million people that has one of the world's worst per capita fatality rates with almost 28,000 deaths.

Infections are rising again in a dangerous second wave and total almost 600,000, the sixth highest in the world.

With Latin America an epicenter of the global Covid-19 pandemic, countries are grappling with how to slow the spread of infections while easing quarantines in the face of rising public anger at the tough economic and social impact.

The police raid that started late on Saturday evening, which prompted a rush for the club's exit, was to enforce a ban in effect since March on bars and nightclubs. This month the government has re-tightened rules on social gatherings.

Follow live updates on the coronavirus here

Geraldine Sanchez, who visited the club with her sister hours before the incident, told Reuters TV they had only planned to stay a short time at the venue before going home. Her 24-year-old sister died in the stampede.

"Thank God I was saved. Otherwise I could have suffocated and died there like my sister," she told Reuters at the door of the morgue in search of information about the body of her sister. "Tear gas bombs were fired and women were scared."

The government has denied that the police used tear gas or weapons in the raid, while President Martin Vizcarra has called for strong punishment of the nightclub's owners. Police say a preliminary examination indicated no use of tear gas.

The club's owners and many of the partygoers have been arrested or detained, and many have tested positive for Covid-19, the government has said.

Reuters was unable to reach the owners for comment.

'BREEDING GROUND' FOR INFECTION

Authorities said the party at the club had risked spreading the virus. Eleven of the 13 victims tested positive for Covid-19 and 15 of the 23 detained also, police said.

"The nightclub was a breeding ground for the transmission of this disease: there was a viral load because it was a closed environment," Claudio Ramirez, a health ministry official, told reporters after rapid tests on attendees.

Images on social media and TV footage showed police officers hammering at a door to rescue victims. On the stairs were shoes, broken bottles and masks.

"The nightclub had not had an operating permit since 2016. We don't know how it operated," councilman Javier Sulca, from the Los Olivos municipality of Lima, told reporters.

Peru was one of the first in the region to impose a strict lockdown, which failed to slow the rise in infections, while hammering the mining-driven economy, which contracted 30% in the second quarter of the year, one of the deepest in the world.

The tragedy could open another flank of criticism of the government's handling of the pandemic. Vizcarra's popularity remains high, but has fallen in recent months. On Monday, the opposition-dominated Congress summoned Interior Minister Jorge Perez to explain what happened at the club.

On social media, many were critical of those who went to the club, though others called for an investigation into the actions of the police over the deaths.

"Attributing the blame to the young people who attended the disco is to have lost social empathy," Marcel Velazquez, a Peruvian professor of history and literature, wrote on Twitter.

"Several of the deceased are my daughter's age, I feel the pain of the parents."
Photo: Glacier Media

The Flavelle sawmill in Port Moody is closing permanently.

The sawmills owner, AP Group, made the announcement Monday evening.

Surinder Ghog, the CEO of AP Group, blamed disproportionately high property taxes for the closure, which affects 70 employees. In 2019, the mills tax bill went up by half a million dollars  from $1.6 million in 2018 to $2.4 million.

That prompted a warning from the company's vice president of real estate, Bruce Gibson, who told Port Moody council last year an 11% increase in the tax burden borne by the city's three major industrial properties  Flavelle, Petro-Canada/Suncor, and Reichold Chemicals, could be "problematic." He said it could cost jobs.

The citys general manager of finance and technology, Paul Rockwood, said at the time the increase was implemented to cover any potential shortfall because of an appeal that had been filed by Petro-Canada over a nearly 87% increase in the assessed value of its 359.8-acre property on Glenayre Drive.

It is now evident that there is no constructive path forward for this mill, Ghog said Monday of the facility that has operated on Port Moodys waterfront for 115 years. AP Group purchased the mill in 2000 after it was closed in 1998 by Interfor, which had owned the mill since 1995.

AP Group is also in the early stages of a redevelopment plan that would transform the 34-acre industrial property into a high-density mixed-use neighbourhood that could include homes for up to 7,000 residents and jobs for more 1,100 people.

In 2018, Port Moody council adopted an amendment to the citys official community plan for the property to pave the way for its redevelopment.

The company said it will shift Flavelles current production of about 40 million board feet annually to its other operations, which includes mills in Surrey, Merritt and Kamloops, once the permanent shutdown is completed by the end of October.

The sawmill shares a special bond with the community, Ghog said. "We are grateful to all those that made Flavelle a special place."
Shocking footage has captured the moment an Uber passenger demanded to be let out of the car because his driver was Jewish.

The passenger on Tuesday filmed himself ordering the driver to pull over at the side of the road after finding out his religion mid-way through a ride in Melbourne.

'So you're Jewish?' the passenger asked the driver from the backseat before waiting a few seconds to unleash the racist rant.

'Just stop here - please just stop here on the left,' he said. 'I don't like Jews. I'm not going to ride with a Jew.'

The driver seemed remarkably unfazed by the comments, agreeing to stop the car and telling the man to 'enjoy himself'.

'F***ing scumbag,' the man responded. 'See you later you scumbag. F***ing Jewish dog. Get out of here man.'

As the driver pulled away, the passenger continue to abuse him further.

'I'd rather walk - f***ing dog,' he said.

The driver has since reported the incident to the Anti-Defamation Commission - which said in a statement he would file a complaint with Victoria Police on Wednesday.

'The incident was reported to Uber headquarters immediately after the passenger left,' ADC chairman Dvir Abramovich said in a statement.

An Uber passenger has demanded to be let out of the car because his driver was Jewish

'An explosive outburst such as this one not only traumatises the victim but deeply scars the entire community and leave them scared and vulnerable.

'Australians of all faiths should feel secure, without the fear of being targeted for vilification and abuse because of their appearance or religion.'

Social media users jumped to the driver's defence and praised him for dealing with the abuse so calmly after footage of the abuse was uploaded to social media.

'That Uber driver handled it amazingly. Respect,' one person wrote.

Social media users jumped to the driver's defence and praised him for dealing with the abuse so calmly

'That wasn't nice. Doesn't matter what skin colour, religion or country you're from,' another added.

'At the end of the day we all bleed the same.'

Uber said in a statement 'there was no place for racism' on its platform.

'Discriminatory or abusive behaviour is a clear breach of Ubers Community Guidelines,' a spokeswoman for the ride-sharing service said.

'We would encourage any driver, or rider, who experiences this kind of appalling behaviour to report it to us so we look into the matter and take appropriate action.'
New Delhi, Aug 25 : The global sales of smartphones to end users totaled 295 million units, a decline of 20.4 per cent in the second quarter this year owing to the pandemic as Samsung retained the top spot with selling nearly 55 million units, a new Gartner report said on Tuesday.

Samsung and Huawei moved into a virtual tie for the top spot as Huawei ended up selling 54 million units in the June quarter.

Among the top five smartphone vendors, Samsung experienced the largest decline in sales while Apple's smartphone sales with 38 million units were nearly flat (year-over-year).

Although Huawei also declined in smartphone sales year-over-year, it experienced 27.4 per cent growth, quarter-over-quarter.

"The improved situation in China saw demand recovering quarter-over-quarter. Travel restrictions, retail closures and more prudent spending on nonessential products during the pandemic led to the second consecutive quarterly decline in smartphone sales this year," said Anshul Gupta, senior research director at Gartner.

Samsung saw a decline of 27.1 per cent year on year.

"Demand for its flagship S Series smartphones did little to revive its smartphone sales globally," Gupta said.

Huawei's smartphone sales dropped 6.8 per cent (year on year) and its performance in China helped it avoid a worse quarterly performance.

"Huawei extended its lead in China where it captured 42.6 per cent of China's smartphone market in the second quarter. Huawei put in place an aggressive product introduction and sales promotion in China in particular and benefited from the strong support of communications services providers for its 5G smartphones," Gupta added.

Even with increased demand, smartphone sales in China declined 7 per cent, with nearly 94 million smartphones sold.

India which adopted rigorous lockdowns (even restricting e-commerce) recorded the worst smartphone sales decline (-46 per cent) among the top five countries in the world.

Apple's iPhone sales fared better in the quarter than most smartphone vendors in the market and also grew sales quarter-over-quarter.

"The improved business environment in China helped Apple achieve growth in the country. In addition, the introduction of the new iPhone SE encouraged users of older phones to upgrade their smartphones," said Annette Zimmermann, research vice president at Gartner.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Advertisement

Jerry Falwell Jr. quoted civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr. on Tuesday to say he was relieved after stepping down as president from Liberty University over a six-year sex scandal involving a Miami pool boy who claims he liked to watch him having sex with his wife.

The 58-year-old evangelist has been dubbed a hypocrite for allegedly engaging in his wife Becki's sexual relationship with Giancarlo Granda, who claims Becki picked him up by a hotel pool when he was 20 and she was 44 in 2012.

Granda said Jerry not only knew about their affair but enjoyed watching them having sex. He claimed he was 'not involved' and that he was devastated when he found out about it.

On Monday night, after first claiming he'd only taken a leave of absence from his $1million-a-year job, Jerry confirmed that he'd resigned. On Tuesday, he went further, telling a local newspaper in Lynchburg, Virginia, where Liberty is based: 'Its a relief.

'The quote that keeps going through my mind this morning is Martin Luther Ling Jr: "free at last, free at last, thank God almighty Im free at last."'

MLK Jr. uttered the same words during his iconic, I Have a Dream speech in 1963. They in fact predate the speech, and come from a 1940 song written by J.W. Work. It is among one of the best known songs in the genre of Spirituals, a historic, African American music genre.

Liberty accepted his resignation on Tuesday, saying in a statement: 'The universitys heartfelt prayers are with him and his family as he steps away from his lifes work.'

He received an unknown cash sum in severance pay. Later, he said he'd 'accomplished' all he could at Liberty and 'was getting bored.'

Jerry Falwell Jr. quoted civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr. on Tuesday to say he was relieved after stepping down as president from Liberty University over a six-year sex scandal involving Miami pool boy Giancarlo Granda (right with him)

Falwell Jr.'s comments , which are likely to spark outrage, are the latest in a string of unsavory developments in the saga.

Its a relief. 'The quote that keeps going through my mind this morning is Martin Luther Ling Jr: "free at last, free at last, thank God almighty Im free at last.

The controversy erupted after Giancarlo Granda, 29, spoke out on Monday in an interview with Reuters where he contradicted Falwell's claims that he was trying to extort the pair and had an affair with his wife, and gave more details about his alleged sexual relationship with them.

He said he was 20 when he met the pair in Miami and that starting in March 2012, he had sex with Falwell's wife Becki several times a year in hotel rooms, sometimes while Falwell Jr. watched, until 2018.

'Becki and I developed an intimate relationship and Jerry enjoyed watching from the corner of the room,' Granda said.

During that time, the trio went into business together with an LGBTQ-friendly hostel in Miami that Granda runs.

'FREE AT LAST': SPIRITUALS THAT MLK JR QUOTED IN I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH The quote Falwell Jr. gave was part of Martin Luther King Jr's iconic, 1963 I Have A Dream Speech. The civil rights hero said at the time: 'When we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!' The words originally come from a 1940 song by J.W. Work. Martin Luther King Jr. in August 1963, giving his historic speech Advertisement

He said that he was used as a 'target' for the couple's 'sexual escapades' and that he was not trying to extort the pair, even though he threatened to go 'the kamikaze route' if they didn't give him what he wanted.

He sat down with Reuters earlier this month. They went to Falwell Jr. with Granda's claims, which is what prompted his statement on Sunday night.

Now 29, Granda described the liaisons as frequent - 'multiple times per year' - and said the encounters took place at hotels in Miami and New York, and at the Falwells' home in Virginia.

On Sunday night, Falwell Jr. - a prominent Trump endorser and one of the most influential right-wing Christians in America - told The Washington Examiner that he and his family were being extorted.

He said Becki had an affair with Granda that he had 'no involvement in', and that he'd chosen to forgive his wife.

Granda claims the opposite.

He showed Reuters texts from Becki where she said she was 'missing him like crazy' and also gave an audio recording of her complaining about hearing about the other women Granda had been intimate with.

Falwell Jr. was also on the call and told him that he was going to make his wife 'jealous'.

'He's like telling me every time he hooks up with people. Like I don't have feelings or something,' Becki said.

Falwell then chimed in: 'You're going to make her jealous.'

Granda replied: 'I'm not trying to do that.'

He insists he was trying to negotiate a buyout from the hostel business and that he was not extorting the pair.

In one text to them, he said: 'Since you're okay with ruining my life, I am going to take the kamikaze route.

'It really is a shame because I wanted to reach a peaceful resolution and just move on with our lives but if conflict is what you want, then so be it.'

In his statement on Sunday night, Falwell Jr. said, in part: 'Becki had an inappropriate personal relationship with this person, something in which I was not involved...it was nonetheless very upsetting to learn about.'

His friendship with the Falwells eventually soured, he said, in part because he wanted to dissolve his ties with the couple and fell into a business dispute with them.

Granda first emerged as a figure in the Falwells' circle two years ago, when BuzzFeed News reported that the couple had befriended Granda and gone into business with him, buying a Miami Beach youth hostel in 2013.

Granda, circled left, with the family in an undated photo. They met in 2012 in Miami. He runs a hostel they invested in

Granda with the family on a trip to Washington DC in September 2018, before, both sides say, their relationship soured

Jesus Fernandez Sr and Jesus Fernandez Jr sued, alleging that Falwell and Granda cut them out of the deal involving a hostel in Miami, Florida. The deal was settled in 2019

Falwell, picture above with his wife and Trump, flew Granda in 2012 to Liberty University to meet the president

At the time of the BuzzFeed article, a representative of the Falwell family said Granda was 'offered a share' in Alton Hostel LLC because he lived in Miami and would act as a manager of the youth hostel.

LIBERTY ACCEPTS FALWELL JR'S RESIGNATION On Tuesday, Liberty announced it had accepted Falwell Jr's resignation, saying in a statement: 'The Liberty University Board of Trustees acted today to accept the resignation of Jerry Falwell, Jr. as its President and Chancellor and also accepted his resignation from its Board of Directors. All were effective immediately. 'After agreeing yesterday to immediately resign then reversing course, Falwell, through an attorney, sent the resignation letter late last night to members of the Boards Executive Committee pursuant to the terms of his contract of employment. The Executive Committee met this morning and voted to accept all the resignations immediately and recommend ratification to the full Board. Later this morning, the full Board gathered via conference call and unanimously voted to affirm the decision of the Executive Committee. Falwells severance compensation was dictated by the terms of his pre-existing employment agreement without any adjustment by the University or its Board. 'The Board, composed of a mix of alumni, pastors and business executives, active and retired, used most of its meeting to focus forward on the universitys future and steps that could be taken to ensure it remained true to its mission. The Board set its next meeting in Lynchburg to select a search committee for its new President. 'Acting Board Chairman Dr. Allen McFarland, said, I am so encouraged by the unity of Christ that I saw exemplified by our Board today. Liberty Universitys future is very bright and in capable hands of leaders who are committed to being good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted! 'Jerry Prevo, who will stay on as Acting President, said, Our students are ready to be world changers as Champions for Christ. Their spirit is strong as they look to the future. I intend to do all I can to nurture their spiritual side as they grow academically and enjoy all our campus has to offer. Falwell was the fourth president of Liberty University, assuming the role after his father, Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr., passed away in 2007. He previously served as the universitys general counsel. During his time as president, Falwell Jr. oversaw more than $1 billion of ongoing or planned construction as the campus was almost entirely transformed with new world-class academic buildings and athletics facilities. He worked with university leadership to achieve record enrollment in residential and online programs, which now stands at over 100,000 students. 'The universitys heartfelt prayers are with him and his family as he steps away from his lifes work.' Advertisement

Corporate records show that he currently has a stake in that venture.

After Reuters presented its initial reporting early last week to the Falwells, a lawyer for Jerry Falwell, Michael Bowe, said the evangelical leader 'categorically denies everything you indicated you intend to publish about him.'

On Sunday night, however, as Reuters was preparing to publish this article, Jerry Falwell issued a statement to the Washington Examiner in which he said that his wife had had an affair with Granda and that Granda had been trying to extort money from the couple over the matter.

Granda denies any such intent, saying he was seeking to negotiate a buyout from a business arrangement he says he had with the couple.

Falwell's statement Sunday to the Examiner said nothing about Granda's account alleging that the evangelical leader had his own role in the affair, and Falwell didn't address questions from Reuters about it.

In the statement quoted by the Examiner, Falwell said that 'Becki had an inappropriate personal relationship with this person, something in which I was not involved.'

News of the entanglement would seem to end the influence of Falwell, a towering figure in the U.S. evangelical political movement.

His 2016 endorsement of Donald Trump helped the twice-divorced New Yorker win the Republican nomination for president.

Falwell, 58, took an indefinite leave of absence earlier this month from Liberty University, the Christian school he has run since 2007.

The leave, announced in a terse statement from the school's board of trustees, came days after Falwell posted, then deleted, an Instagram photo of himself with his pants unzipped, standing with his arm around a young woman whose pants were also partly undone.

Falwell later told a local radio station that the picture was meant as a good-natured joke.

Becki Falwell, 53, is a political figure in her own right.

She served on the advisory board of the group Women for Trump, which advocates for the president's reelection campaign.

She also spoke as part of a panel with her husband and Donald Trump Jr at last year's Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, the signature annual gathering of conservatives.

Falwell and others refer to her as 'the first lady of Liberty University.'

The university, based in Lynchburg, Virginia, was founded in 1971 by Falwells televangelist father, the Rev. Jerry Falwell. The younger Falwell took over in 2007. Today, the university boasts an online and on-campus enrollment that exceeds 100,000 students and holds those who attend to an exacting honor code.

'Sexual relations outside of a biblically ordained marriage between a natural-born man and a natural-born woman are not permissible at Liberty University,' the code reads.

In a statement released Friday, before news of the relationship with Granda became public, Liberty University said its 'decision whether or not to retain Falwell as president has not yet been made.'

Its board of trustees, the statement read, 'requested prayer and patience as they seek the Lord's will and also seek additional information for assessment.'

The Falwell saga came amid growing calls for an overhaul of leadership at the school, where alumni recently launched a campaign urging him to step aside.

'I really think the board of directors should have done this a long time ago, and if there's anybody who needs to go next, it needs to be them,' said Maina Mwaura, a Liberty graduate who helped organize a June letter from black alumni criticizing Falwell.

'This school has become the laughingstock of the country,' Mwaura added, noting that the board could have prevented the current furor had it acted more quickly to rein in Falwell.

The founder's son was given a long leash for poor behavior, Mwaura said, 'because he was the rainmaker' who brought in significant financial resources.

Jerry Falwell Jr.'s full statement on his wife's affair

My family has been blessed with the opportunity to serve Christ and our community over the past 50 years - from when my father founded Liberty in the early 1970's through today. When my father suddenly passed away in 2007, I quickly and unexpectedly went from being the lawyer working in the background on the business aspects of the school to becoming a very public person, having to overcome my fears of speaking in front of audiences of tens of thousands, with many more responsibilities to the Liberty community and to my own family.

My priority was to build on my father's vision and to work hard. Thanks to the help of the Board and the extraordinary Liberty faculty, executives, staff and community, we have ensured the University's sustained growth and financial health while providing the best and most modern on-campus and online educational and spiritual resources to a wider range of students both in person and through digital platforms.

Becki had an inappropriate personal relationship with this person, something in which I was not involved  it was nonetheless very upsetting to learn about. After I learned this, I lost 80 pounds and people who saw me regularly thought that I was physically unwell, when in reality I was just balancing how to be most supportive of Becki, who I love, while also reflecting and praying about whether there were ways I could have been more supportive of her and given her proper attention

My commitment to Liberty became and has remained my primary focus - and while I am so grateful and thankful for our collective successes, I also realize in hindsight that there was a toll that this took on me, which extended to my family too. During this time of reflection for us and this especially challenging year, and even more so following the events of the past few weeks, my wife Becki and I agreed that this was the right time for me to share more of our story, because the Liberty community deserves to hear it directly from me and from us.

During a vacation over eight years ago, Becki and I met an ambitious young man who was working at our hotel and was saving up his money to go to school. We encouraged him to pursue an education and a career and we were impressed by his initiative in suggesting a local real estate opportunity. My family members eventually made an investment in a local property, included him in the deal because he could play an active role in managing it, and became close with him and his family.

Shortly thereafter, Becki had an inappropriate personal relationship with this person, something in which I was not involved  it was nonetheless very upsetting to learn about.

After I learned this, I lost 80 pounds and people who saw me regularly thought that I was physically unwell, when in reality I was just balancing how to be most supportive of Becki, who I love, while also reflecting and praying about whether there were ways I could have been more supportive of her and given her proper attention.

I came to realize that while it may be easy to judge others on their behavior, the King James Bible reminds us - 'Thou shalt not commit adultery, but I sayeth unto you, that whoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her in his heart.' In fact, there are ways we may all be sinning, but the Lord believes in this self-reflection.

I was and have always remained fully devoted to Becki and we have shared many private conversations to better understand and support each other and to strengthen our marriage. Thankfully, our love has never been stronger.

Becki and I forgave each other, because while her indiscretion may have been more obvious and apparent, I realized that there were important smaller things I needed to do better too.

In Ephesians 4:32 we learn - 'Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving as God in Christ forgave you.'

We extended the spirit of forgiveness to this man with respect and kindness, both for spiritual and religious reasons, and in the hope that we could help him find his way and allow us to put this behind us, without any harm or embarrassment to our family or to the LU community to which we have dedicated our lives.

Becki and I forgave each other, because while her indiscretion may have been more obvious and apparent, I realized that there were important smaller things I needed to do better too.

During the years that followed, we got to know his family and other loved ones, good people who also really care about him. They shared and confirmed to us that he has periodically demonstrated emotionally unstable behaviors with some destructive tendencies, seemingly in response to his inability to achieve his professional goals. Based on information from other sources, we believe that he may have targeted other successful women in similar ways.

While we tried to distance ourselves from him over time, he unfortunately became increasingly angry and aggressive. Eventually, he began threatening to publicly reveal this secret relationship with Becki and to deliberately embarrass my wife, family, and Liberty University unless we agreed to pay him substantial monies.

While this was very upsetting, we had been advised by trusted legal counsel that it was best to maintain contact with this person, as we tried to manage his increasingly erratic behavior and unreasonable demands while extricating ourselves from him both on a personal level and from that real estate transaction.

It was like living on a roller coaster.

While completely dedicating ourselves to Liberty, we were also suffering in silence during our personal time together, while simultaneously trying to manage and deal with this increasingly threatening behavior, which only worsened over time. We were doing our best to respectfully unravel this 'fatal attraction' type situation to protect our family and the University.

It was like living on a roller coaster...Over the course of the last few months this person's behavior has reached a level that we have decided the only way to stop this predatory behavior is to go public.

Even years after the improper relationship had ended, this person continued to be aggressive with Becki and me in a variety of ways. We finally decided that we had to further withdraw completely from him, which resulted in him stepping up his threats to share more outrageous and fabricate claims about us (under the guise of that business entity).

He clearly moved forward with this plan through a specific member of the media who has continued to badger us, as well as other members of the media, regarding the false claims about the nature of the relationship based on the individual's misrepresentations. Over the course of the last few months this person's behavior has reached a level that we have decided the only way to stop this predatory behavior is to go public.

We have categorically rejected this person's demands while dealing with him and this particular member of the media who seemed just as obsessed with the prurient, untrue aspects of this story, however fantastic.

Even though I continued successfully working with our entire Liberty team to achieve so many of our goals, I am now dealing with things in a way that I should have done before - including seeking to address the emotional toll this has taken. I shouldn't have been afraid to admit my vulnerabilities and to reach out for assistance from the mental health professionals who could have alleviated this pain and stress.

I am committed to speaking out and sharing with others at Liberty the importance of seeking counseling instead of thinking you need to be tough and try to bear these burdens on your own. I am in the early stages of addressing these issues.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says 'trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on thine own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he will guide straight thy path.'

The trauma of this experience has brought us to a very challenging point in our lives, but we are strong, our faith in Christ is greater than ever, and with His help and with those in the community who we love and who appreciate the impact of forgiveness, we will get through this. We ask for your prayers and support.

'Bus, meet Becki Falwell....Becki, this is the bus (you're being thrown under)': Disgust at Liberty University's Jerry Falwell for publicly denouncing wife's 'affair' with pool boy when HE 'was complicit and watching in corner'

Jerry Falwell Jr. has been admonished for blaming his family's involvement with a pool boy entirely on his wife and claiming she cheated on him with the younger man when he allegedly watched them having sex.

Falwell Jr., the head of Liberty University, released a statement on Sunday night claiming that only his wife Becki was involved Giancarlo Ganda, a pool boy who the pair met when he was 20 in 2012.

He said Becki and Ganda had an affair and that he'd chosen to forgive her for it, describing it as an 'indiscretion' that caused him to lose 80lbs when he discovered it because he was so upset.

However, Ganda spoke out on Monday to claim that not only did Jerry know about the affair, but that he watched them having sex.

He says he and Becki had sex multiple times a year in hotel rooms around the country for six years.

Now, Falwell - who was put on a leave of absence from the Christian college earlier this year - is being slammed for trying to pin the entire scandal on his wife.

Twitter users erupted in criticism of his 'holier than thou' statement.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 22:19:25|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, attends the opening ceremony of the 13th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2020. The National Committee of CPPCC, China's top political advisory body, on Tuesday opened its 13th Standing Committee session on economic and social planning for the next five years. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, on Tuesday opened its 13th Standing Committee session on economic and social planning for the next five years.

Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the opening meeting.

State Councilor Wang Yong pointed out while delivering a report at the meeting that goals and tasks should be meticulously set for the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national economic and social development.

A holistic and coordinated approach should be adopted, with a focus on key areas, weak links and major challenges, he said.

Zhang Qingli, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, who presided over the meeting, asked political advisors to pool their wisdom and offer constructive proposals for the plan.

During the session, political advisors will hold discussions on a range of topics including high-quality economic growth, rural vitalization, ecological conservation, innovation-driven development, and people's livelihood. Enditem
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:

Home Regional News East
25.08.2020 LISTEN

The melting Zuabuliga primary school is gradually sinking to the ground, taking away the pride of education from children in the community who appear to see no hope in going to school. The school, aside from its gradual demise, lacks almost everything including desks, textbooks, teachers and even chalk.

The Zuabuliga primary school, is the only school located in the Pusiga District of the Upper East Region. It was built in 1995 by community members with mud. After 25 years, it has seen no significant renovation and is currently in a deplorable state begging to collapse. Schools are about to resume from the covid-19 break and already school kids in this particular community are discouraged and do not find it pleasant and exciting to return to the death trap as the school has become a habitat for goats, weeds, lizards, snakes and other dangerous reptiles.

For them, education is a war and deadly struggle as they cannot predict when the entire building will finally yield to the ground.

The Zuabuliga Young Eagles Movement group is appealing to government and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to as a matter of urgency help construct a six-unit classroom block to serve the Zuabuliga community.

Speaking to Modernghana News on the state of the school, Daniel Abugri who is a member of the Zuabuliga Young Eagles Movement group revealed how the situation is hampering education in the community.

Sometimes when it threatens to rain [before Covid-19 forced the closure of schools], teachers have no option than to close down the school for the fear that it might collapse on the innocent school children. The mud is weak and the roof is ripped off. Windows at all ends removed and moulds are seen springing up in the classrooms, Mr Abugri noted.

According to him, there have been several letters written to the Assemblyman of the area Mamudu Awande, the District Chief Executive (DCE) Zubeiru Abdullai, and the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Pusiga Constituency Hon. Hajia Laadi Ayamba but to no avail.

We have written several letters and made appeals to the DCE, our MP but nothing is really happening, Daniel Abugri noted with grief.

The Zuabuliga Young Eagles movement group is, therefore, appealing to those in authority through the media to come to their aid. They want the government and GES to build a new school to save education in the community. .my plea to Government is that they should help fix the problem by constructing a six-unit classroom block, Daniel Abugri shared.

He added, The community is also making a passionate appeal to the government to continue with the abandoned rural electrification project which was started in 2016.
Kerala High Count rejects govt plea against CBI probe into murder of Congress workers

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

Kochi, Aug 25: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a state government plea challenging a single bench order directing a CBI probe into the killing of two Youth Congress workers in Kasaragod last year.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S Manikumar, however, accepted an interim probe report of the state crime branch, which investigated the case initially and directed the CBI to conduct further inquiry. Observing serious lapses in the police investigation, the High Court last September handed over the case to the Central agency after dismissing the chargesheet filed by the crime branch.

Zakir Naik wants Indian Muslims to migrate to Kerala, a state he mastered in radicalising

The single bench ordered the CBI probe into the case while allowing a petition filed by the parents of the slain Youth Congress workers. Sarath Lal and Kripesh were hacked to death on February 17, 2019 in Kasaragod allegedly by CPI(M) workers.

Usain Bolt tests Covid-19 positive, Chris Gayle was at his party | Oneindia News

In its appeal against the single bench order, the government had alleged that the entire findings of the bench were based on surmises and conjunctures, and not supported by any material and it had not considered the material on record including the case diary. The CBI, which re-registered the case on October 23, 2019 following the court order, had accused the state police of not handing over the necessary documents needed for the investigation.

The CBI had mentioned the alleged non-cooperation by the crime branch wing of the Kerala police in the status report of the probe submitted by its investigation officer before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court here.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Tuesday, August 25, 2020, 13:13 [IST]
In the report, Gartner VP Analyst, Dwight Klappich states: 'The new generation of more scalable and integrated anti-counterfeiting technologies are beginning to meet increasing demands for greater levels of innovation and digitalization.'

Incopro, leading enterprise brand protection supplier, has been named as a Sample Vendor in Gartners recent report, Hype Cycle for Supply Chain Execution Technologies, 2020(Gartner Subscription Required), published in July 2020 by Gartner Inc.

In the report, Gartner VP Analyst, Dwight Klappich states: The new generation of more scalable and integrated anti-counterfeiting technologies are beginning to meet increasing demands for greater levels of innovation and digitalization. They also are starting to evolve to meet and exceed expectations demanded by end users as part of market and brand protection strategies. Solution innovation is also continually being shaped by ever-increasing levels of sophistication and diversification in the quality and production and the delivery mechanism of counterfeit, fake, falsified or substandard products, data and information.

Incopro provides solutions to monitor for and remediate threats to brands online, from counterfeits to social media impersonation, phishing scams, fake domains and other forms of brand abuse. It combines legal and criminal intelligence expertise to drive innovation in its Talisman platform and ensure that increasingly sophisticated counterfeiters cannot avoid detection.

Gartner advises: Anti-counterfeiting deployments should be managed through collaboration across impacted stakeholders in the supply chain. In our opinion, this recommendation is in line with Incopros focus on the importance of cross-functional collaboration to gain maximum value from brand protection investments.

We are pleased to be recognized by Gartner, we believe this recognition is validation for the value that our solutions can offer to Supply Chain leaders in the fight against counterfeits, commented Piers Barclay, Chief Strategy Officer of Incopro. By using our services, businesses are able to gain visibility and control of their brand online and help protect consumers from the dangers of counterfeits.

*Gartner, Inc., Hype Cycle for Supply Chain Execution Technologies 2020, Dwight Klappich, July 7, 2020.

Gartner Disclaimer

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research

publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the

highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of

Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner

disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any

warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Incopro

Incopro uses data driven intelligence to remove brand misuse online. Over 700 brands use Incopro to protect their consumers and revenues. Customers include Mondelez, Dr. Martens, Reckitt Benckiser, Superdry, New Era, Brother, Adobe, ghd and Ted Baker. Incopro employs over 200 people, who use multiple language skills, data science and machine learning to gather and act upon scalable intelligence data online. Incopro was founded in London in 2012 by CEO and IP lawyer Simon Baggs, and current CTO and system architect Bret Boivin. In May 2018, Highland Europe invested $21m to push Incopros expansion into mainland Europe, China and America.
The controversy over wearing a mask on your flight may be dying down, but temperature checks before you enter the terminal  that ones heating up.

Airlines adopted mandatory mask policies in the early days of the COVID-19 epidemic. But it wasnt until early August that they started strictly enforcing those policies by putting travelers who refuse to wear masks on no-fly lists for future flights.

Now, temperature checks have taken center stage.

Airlines want the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, to add the checks to their security clearance procedure.

More from Wary Traveler: Car rental nightmares

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly first pressed the issue in media interviews in May, saying, Were urging TSA to begin temperature scans as part of the screening process at the checkpoints.

Southwest, however, isnt waiting for TSA. The airlines pilot temperature screening program began in early August at Love Field in Dallas. Passengers walk past a thermal temperature-checking camera at the beginning of the line for the TSA checkpoint.

But if someone has a high temperature, they wont be stopped because Southwest isnt tracking individual passengers  for now, anyway. I observed the camera in action last week, and there is no public display of a persons temperature.

Southwest said it plans to use the information gathered in the 30- to 90-day pilot project to decide whether to implement temperature checks. Still, the airline would rather see TSA conduct the checks at every airport.

Airline executives, including Kelly, have maintained that temperature screenings are imperative for making travelers feel safe enough to fly again.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian went so far as to suggest the creation of a new public health agency that could issue immunity passports. His plan is short on details, but the idea is that if all passengers on a flight are confirmed to be healthy, the current reluctance to fly would decrease.

More from Wary Traveler: Joy in the seat pocket

Good luck convincing TSA on temperature checks! The agency is still studying the issue six months after most air travel in the U.S. ground to a halt.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske told reporters at the end of June that passengers who passed temperature checks could still have COVID-19.

The reverse may also be true, where travelers could have temperatures but not coronavirus, he said.

I guess Pekoske never considered that no matter what a persons ailment, it might not be wise to allow them to fly with a fever.

Its apparent that TSA wants nothing to do with temperature checks. Pekoske noted that officials would have to determine which government agency would oversee the screenings. He didnt even mention TSA as a candidate.

This reminds me of the Trump administrations reluctance to impose a mandatory national face mask policy.

TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein emailed me a July report that she said reflects TSAs latest thinking on the issue. The report  by the departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, the latter of which oversees TSA  said temperature screening has limited reliability in identifying individuals with COVID-19.

You cant blame Pekoske entirely for running away from what could be a political minefield. Members of Congress also have expressed differing views, even among legislators in the same party.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, questions how TSA agents would be trained to conduct temperature checks, a duty he says is outside their general scope of responsibility.

At the same time, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling for temperature checks.

On ExpressNews.com: Get the latest update on coronavirus and a tracking map of U.S. cases

It doesnt have to be this complicated. In Canada, its been the law since the end of July that all air passengers receive temperature checks. Air Canada beat the government to the punch; it started doing its own mandatory checks on May 15.

U.S. airlines can likewise do their own temperature checks on passengers. Southwest might jump in at some point if it gets tired of waiting for the TSA. But right now, only one small carrier, Frontier Airlines, is conducting checks.

Maybe airlines dont want to deploy additional staff or give gate agents additional work or deal with passengers angry about an additional step in the boarding process. And then there is the super-awkward issue of telling someone they cant fly.

Frontier Airlines said it is conducting the screenings at the gate before passengers board the plane.

If a persons temperature reading is 100.4 degrees or higher, they are given an opportunity to rest before receiving a second check, Frontier spokeswoman Jennifer De La Cruz said. If the second screening is still 100.4 degrees or higher, they are not allowed to board the aircraft and are given the option to rebook for a later time or cancel their trip.

De La Cruz said only one person has failed the screening so far.

The spokeswoman said Frontier would prefer that the federal government conduct temperature screenings, but will continue to do the checks until federal policy changes.

At least one airport also has agreed to check temperatures: Paine Field in Everett, Wash., near Seattle, which placed a thermal camera in front of TSA security checkpoints.

However, the camera, set up in late April, hasnt gotten a lot of use. United Airlines and Alaska Airlines ended up canceling all 24 of their flights at Paine as part of pandemic-driven flight reductions.

The airport reopened at the end of July, with only three daily departures.

In a reflection of the pass-the-buck attitude about temperature checks, airport officials say they wont bar passengers if their temperatures are elevated. Instead, they will report the passengers to the airlines, which can decide whether they will be allowed to fly.

Randy Diamond covers tourism, aviation and the travel industry. He also writes the weekly Wary Traveler Column. To read more from Randy, become a subscriber. randy.diamond@express-news.net
The European Union first slapped sanctions against Russia on June 14, 2014.

Six countries have joined the European Union Council's decision to extend sanctions against Russia over the occupation of Crimea for another year.

Read alsoMFA Ukraine asks EU to expand Russia sanctions"On June 18, 2020, the Council adopted Decision 2020/850 amending Decision 2014/386/CFSP. The Council Decision extends the existing restrictive measures until June 23, 2021. The Candidate Countries Montenegro and Albania, the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and Georgia align themselves with this Council Decision," the Council said in a statement on August 24.

The countries will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision, it said.

"The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it," reads the statement.

EU sanctions against Russia: background
Rescuers in India pulled a four-year-old boy from the rubble of a collapsed building to loud cheers on Tuesday, hours after the five-storey apartment block came down "like a house of cards", killing 13 and burying up to 60 others.

The accident late Monday in the western town of Mahad prompted a police probe and led three disaster-response teams and sniffer dogs to work through the night, combing tin sheets, twisted metal and broken bricks.

Officials said many residents of the 47 flats inside the building were spared because they had already fled the town to escape the coronavirus pandemic.

The cause of the accident was not immediately clear but building collapses are common during India's June-September monsoon, with old and rickety structures buckling after days of non-stop rain.

National Disaster Response Force spokesman Sachidanand Gawde told reporters that locals and emergency workers had retrieved the bodies of 13 victims in addition to the little boy who survived the collapse.

Video of the rescue effort showed onlookers applauding and cheering as the child was plucked out of the wreckage and hauled up on a stretcher.

Estimates of the number trapped ranged from 20 to 70 on Tuesday morning after dozens managed to flee when the building began to shake.

"No one knows how many people are actually stuck inside," a Mahad police official told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that authorities had initially feared much worse, with early estimates as high as 200.

Shell-shocked residents said they had previously complained to the builder about the condition of the complex, with police launch

ing an investigation against him and four other people in connection with the tragedy.

"We hope to arrest them by tomorrow," a police official told AFP late Tuesday.

Local politician Manik Motiram Jagtap told TV9 Marathi that the building was 10 years old and built on "weak" foundations.

"It fell like a house of cards," Jagtap said.

Story continues

- Desperate search -

Mahad legislator Bharat Gogawale told AFP that many of the building's occupants appeared to have been out shopping when the accident occurred at about 7:00 pm.

Others had left the town altogether, preferring to wait out the pandemic in their home villages.

As emergency workers made their way through the wreckage, looking for survivors, distressed relatives watched, desperate for news of their loved ones.

"Three people from my family are stuck under the rubble -- my mother, my sister and my nephew," said Gazala, a doctor who preferred to give only her first name to AFP.

Mustafa Chafekar, a resident who had been in home quarantine after testing positive for the virus, told the Mumbai Mirror that he and his family of five initially thought they were experiencing an earthquake.

"We ran down immediately... The whole (building) collapsed right in front of us," the 39-year-old said.

In another incident highlighting the precarious state of India's infrastructure, a three-storey residential building collapsed in central Madhya Pradesh state on Tuesday following heavy rains.

Emergency workers rescued half a dozen people, using shovels and in some cases their bare hands to remove the debris, but local authorities said at least six others were feared trapped, with recovery operations stretching late into the evening.

The monsoon plays a vital role in boosting agricultural harvests across South Asia. But it also causes widespread death and destruction, unleashing floods, triggering building collapses and inundating low-lying villages.

The death toll from monsoon-related disasters this year has topped 1,200, including more than 800 in India.

The Mahad accident is a further blow to the state of Maharashtra, already hit hard by the coronavirus, and accounting for over a fifth of India's more than three million infections.

The pandemic has also cast a shadow over the ongoing Ganesha Chaturthi festival, with Hindu devotees ordered to sharply scale down celebrations and rituals honouring the much loved elephant god.

vm-ja-amu/leg
Every so often, the world of tennis is thrown into the spotlight for reasons that have littl
What The Study Did: The rate of positive test results for SARS-CoV-2 in children without symptoms who were treated in U.S. hospitals for other conditions was examined in this study.

Authors: Dylan K. Chan, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of California, San Francisco, is the corresponding author.

To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/

(doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.4095)

Editor's Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

###

The full study is linked to this news release.

Embed this link to provide your readers free access to the full-text article This link will be live at the embargo time https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.4095?guestAccessKey=f3113b64-f013-4214-8d0a-1c3de000f6f8&utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=082520
The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has written to Micheal Martin with concerns regarding high risk teachers and a necessity for schools and staff to get fast access to Covid-19 tests.

INTO said it has reminded An Taoiseach, that as 100 children have tested positive in the last fortnight, it is vital that priority access to testing and tracing be made available to everyone in the education sector.

INTO has joined FORSA to also add concerns for school staff who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.

INTO is aware of a number of members whose health is at high risk and who have multiple underlying conditions, the union said.

In a grossly unfair move, the teachers occupational health service Medmark has advised that members with such conditions should return to school.

Read More

INTO is now calling on the Government to intervene so that these members can appeal their Medmark decisions in a timely manner and have the opinion of their treating doctors fully taken into account rather than the Department simply adopting the view, often delivered remotely and facelessly, of the Department of Educations health advisor.

As our members return to the front lines this week, urgent and swift action from the Government is now required to review existing public health guidance and ensure it remains fit for purpose.

INTO said it had sought urgent clarification three weeks ago from Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.

INTO said priority testing must be made available for asymptomatic teachers who request it.

This would help build confidence in the safety of schools as workplaces, the union said.

It also called for priority contact tracing and said any waits for tests would benefit no one.

Employer flexibility is also an essential priority for parents the union stated.

In a statement INTO said: Parents too are owed a duty of care by the Government.

In early July, the INTO demanded that the Government communicate with employers to secure much needed flexibility by parents, in their workplace, as they may need to take swift action to remove their child from the school or keep their child home where they are exhibiting symptoms of the virus.

The union is also seeking clarity on face coverings and the approach to be taken by the HSE in a school in the event that a pupil or staff member tests positive for Covid-19.

It said the World Health Organisation is now recommending that children aged six and older wear face masks.

In that context, the union added, it calls on the Government to urgently review the HPSC guidance in relation to children wearing face coverings in certain circumstances.

The union was promised in June that this guidance would be updated to reflect the changing situation.


South Korean pupils in Seoul and its surrounding areas will return to full remote learning, starting Wednesday, as the country has lately experienced a resurgence of the novel coronavirus and concerns are growing over school safety.



The Ministry of Education announced Tuesday that all school kids, including those in kindergartens, in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province will stay at home and take online classes until Sept. 11, as a preemptive measure to slow the spread of the highly infectious virus.



The emergency policy, announced in a joint briefing by the ministry and the education offices of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, does not apply to high school seniors, who are scheduled to take the national university entrance exam in early December.



Small-size schools of less than 60 students and special education schools are given autonomy in whether to follow the ministry's instruction.





The sharp policy reversal is a response to what health authorities described as the biggest crisis yet since the pandemic began early this year.



Over the past two weeks, 150 students and 43 teachers and faculty members have tested positive for the virus in the greater Seoul area.













The country, once seen as having successfully tamed the virus, has reported infection cases in the triple digits since mid-August, a rate that has alarmed the ministry, which believed in-person learning at school was possible even during the pandemic if thorough anti-virus measures were enforced.



Amid a spike in new infections, a record number of 1,845 schools halted in-person classes Monday, more than double the previous record of 849 from Friday. Some schools shut down as a preemptive measure.



Of the total, 40 percent were located in the greater Seoul area, with 148 in Seoul, 422 in Gyeonggi Province and 167 in Incheon.



The country carefully instituted a phased reopening of schools, starting May 20, amid a slowdown in new cases. Since then, 283 students and 70 faculty members and teachers have tested positive for the virus.



The government on Saturday expanded the Level Two guidelines of the three-tier system around the country, as COVID-19 cases were confirmed in all of the country's 17 major cities and provinces, a grim sign that the country might have entered a national epidemic. Previously, it had been imposed in the greater Seoul area.



When Level Three is enforced, all schools nationwide are required to switch to remote learning.



The ministry said it will decide whether to further extend the measure after closely monitoring the spread of the virus until Sept. 11.



The policy for the rest of the region remains the same, with attendance capped at one-third in elementary and middle schools and two-thirds in high schools, and with schools offering a mix of in-person and remote instruction. (Yonhap)
RAPID CITY, S.D. -- A Dearborn man will pay a fine of $1,500 after he pleaded guilty to illegally climbing Mount Rushmore last week. According to the Associated Press, Ayman Doppke of Dearborn was also facing charges of disorderly conduct and violating an area closure, but those were dropped during his court appearance last week.

Doppke was arrested on Aug. 19 after dispatchers reported a climber being seen on Mt. Rushmore on the top of George Washingtons head. While trying to make his down the mountain, Doppke was accused of creating a hazardous condition because he climbed down an unsafe slope before falling and causing law enforcement to track him down.

Doppke fell approximately 25 feet while descending down the mountain and fell down a gravel slope before he was arrested. He was treated for minor injuries but did not go to the hospital. Doppke said he tried to escape down the dangerous path because he assumed rangers would try to arrest him and he figured he could escape going that way, the AP reports.

READ MORE

Pontoon boat on Torch Lake flips with 15 people on board

Future U.S. Navy warship completes trials on Lake Michigan

Moose skeleton on Michigans Isle Royale gives researchers unusual discovery

Girl, 16, dies after jumping off moving pontoon boat on Michigan lake
The Jamesville-DeWitt school district has decided to delay the start of in-person instruction for most of its students until Sept. 14.

New students will attend school Sept. 10 and Sept. 11, including kindergarten students, fifth-graders and ninth-graders. In-person learning will begin Sept. 14 for the groups of students scheduled to attend on those days, district officials announced.

J-D was originally going to open Sept. 8.

The move gives teachers more time for training and preparation, and allows students new to the buildings to receive orientation, officials said.

Most public schools in New York state typically start right after Labor Day, Sept. 7.

Other districts also have announced delayed starts, or phased-in reopenings including Liverpool, Fayetteville-Manlius, East Syracuse Minoa.

The Syracuse City School District changed its opening plans this week and wont start in-person instruction until at least Oct. 2. The board made the decision Monday.

Liverpool will start in-person instruction Sept. 14.

At ESM, remote instruction will start Sept. 10, with a gradual approach to in-classroom learning starting Sept. 17. By Sept. 24, all the students will be taking classes, either in school or online.

F-M will start in-person instruction Sept. 11 with half the students.

Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 22:19:15|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KATHMANDU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- After conducting the first ever transfusion of plasma to treat a COVID-19 patient in late July, a Nepali hospital has treated five critically ill patients of COVID-19 with the plasma therapy so far.

"The result of the treatment on all five patients has been good with all either recovered or are recovering," Dr. Santa Kumar Das, coordinator of COVID-19 Management Committee at Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, told Xinhua on Tuesday.

The first patient to be treated with this method was a 60-year-old man. He has already returned home after recovery, according to the hospital. "A critical ill doctor from Kathmandu-based Bir Hospital also returned home on Monday after recovery following the treatment with plasma therapy," said Dr. Das.

According to him, the third patient is also in the process of being discharged as they are waiting the result of second test whether the patient has coronavirus. "Two other patients have also been recovering well after being treated with this method," said Dr. Das.

Plasma therapy is the method of treatment under which plasma, found in the blood of a person who had recovered earlier from the same disease, is transfused into the blood of the new patient. It is not a universally accepted method of treating COVID-19 patients and is being used as a test case in many countries.

As the number of critical patients in Nepal has been growing along with resurgence in COVID-19 cases, the Nepali government has allowed 17 hospitals of the country to treat patients with the plasma therapy.

"Over two dozen COVID-19 patients have been treated with plasma therapy so far in different hospitals," Dr. Meghnath Dhimal, chief research officer at Nepal Health Research Council, a government body, responsible for setting standards on health research, told Xinhua on Tuesday. "Many of the patients who were treated this method have either recovered or are recovering. Only a few patients died despite transfusion of plasma."

The council is a government body, allowing the 17 hospitals to start treatment with plasma therapy. Dr. Dhimal said the overall result of plasma therapy used to treat COVID-19 patients has been encouraging even though the success rate is not 100 percent. "We have been able to save many lives with this method," he said.

The council said it has been assessing results of plasma therapy based on treatment of the patients. "We will produce a report once the number of patients treated with this therapy reaches 100," said Dr. Dhimal.

In recent days, the number of critically ill patients from COVID-19 is on the rise as the disease is spreading in clusters of communities.

As of Monday, there are 153 COVID-19 patients who are in intensive care units with some of them being kept with the support of ventilators, according to Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population.

The pandemic has killed over 160 people in Nepal while over 33,000 people have already been infected as of Tuesday, the ministry said. Enditem
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has issued a $606,942 civil penalty to the Tennessee Valley Authority, an order prohibiting a senior TVA executive from NRC-licensed activities for five years, and a Notice of Violation to another TVA manager.

The enforcement actions stem from NRC investigations finding that two former TVA employees were subjected to adverse actions after raising concerns about a chilled work environment in which employees are less likely to report safety issues for fear of reprisal.

The NRC found that TVAs former vice president of regulatory affairs and former director of corporate nuclear licensing violated the NRCs employee protection rule and engaged in deliberate misconduct.

The NRC is prohibiting the former vice president of regulatory affairs from any involvement in NRC-licensed activities for five years, since he was a decision-maker for the adverse employee actions.

The NRC is issuing a Notice of Violation to the former director of corporate nuclear licensing.

The NRC staff continues to review and inspect work environment issues and TVAs corrective actions at the utilitys corporate office and its three nuclear power plants (Browns Ferry, Sequoyah and Watts Bar). As stated in the most recent annual assessment of Watts Bar, the NRC staff has determined that TVA has made progress in addressing these issues.

TVA and the two individuals have 30 days to respond to the NRCs enforcement actions.
This is an opinion column.

I dont know all that happened in Kenosha on Sunday. Not yet.

I just know what I saw. And wished I hadnt seen.

I know how my stomach clenched as I watched. How my heart paused.

I know how I hurt. Again. How I got angry. Again.

I saw a man walking away, purposefully but calmly really, from at least two police officers in this Milwaukee suburb. I saw him walking around a gray SUV while two officers aimed guns at him. I saw a man opening the vehicles drivers side door and begin to climb in as one of the officers grabbed his tank-top undershirt.

Then I saw (in the tweet below from attorney Ben Crump) and heard shots. Seven of them. Seven. Fired by the officer holding the mans shirt in his left hand. Fired in 3.1 seconds. From about as close as I am to my keyboard.

Wow. This Black man was shot several times in the back by @KenoshaPolice today. He was getting into his car after apparently breaking up a fight between two women. Hes in critical condition now. We demand JUSTICE! #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/I1reDEp4nw  Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) August 24, 2020

I soon learned the man was Jacob Blake, 29 years old, with three sons, who witnessed the shooting of their father. Sunday was reportedly one sons birthday.

I dont know everything Jacob Blake has done in his life. I just know in those awful moments late Sunday afternoon, it didnt matter. Shouldnt matter.

Blake is a Black man, of course. An unarmed Black man. A Black man shot seven times in the back by a police officer. (Blakes father, also named Jacob Blake, told the Chicago Sun-Times he was informed his son was shot eight times.) In Wisconsin.

A Black man who, also according to his father, is paralyzed from below the waist.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers responded swiftly and forthrightly. [Blake] was shot in the back, multiple times, in broad daylight, he said in a statement Sunday evening.

We stand, he added, with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equity, and accountability for Black lives in our countrylives like those of George Floyd, of Breonna Taylor, Tony Robinson, Dontre Hamilton, Ernest Lacy, and Sylville Smith. And we stand against excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with Black Wisconsinites.

On Monday, Lt. Gov Mandela Barnes, a Black man, called the shooting familiar violence to too many of us.

Way too familiar. To way too many of us.

I dont know why Blake didnt stop walking, why he didnt stop and put his hands in the air as officers trailed him, guns cocked for bad trouble. I dont know why he didnt do as I taught my children to do if ever in a confrontational encounter with a police officer. As I would do.

I dont know if Blake said or did something that caused a police officer to shoot him in the back seven times. In 3.1 seconds.

I just know it hurts, and Im angry. Again.

I dont yet know what transpired in the moments before Blake began to walk. It happened on the other side of the vehicle, out of view of the lens capturing the video that pierced my Sunday night. Something certainly happened that made the officers reach for their guns and follow him as he walked, and walked, around the car. Something was presumably said, too, by the officers as Jacob walked, though it couldnt be heard on the video.

Then something happened that made the officer shoot. Then shoot again. And again. Again. Again. And again. Then again. In 3.1 seconds.

A woman standing nearby walked towards the car, screamed, and jumped up and down. Three times. In disbelief, no doubt. In pain.

I felt her hurt. With each jump.

At the risk of repeating myself, this is why.

Why we still hurt. Why were still angry.

Why we must gut arcane police training, strategies, and practices that are still killing Black people.

Black people walking. Black people in front of their kids. Black people in the back.

Sunday was almost three months to the day since Milwaukee police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd, another Black man. Chauvin crushed Floyds neck beneath his knee as the man, thought to have passed a counterfeit $20 bill, called out to his dead mother and cried, I cant breathe.

I dont know if were numb or already complacent.

I just know we cant be.

Since Floyds murder, several well-meaning white friends here  and a few not-so-well-meaning folks  have asked me about the poorly titled national movement to defund the police.

Who am I supposed to call if someone is breaking into my house? a woman asked me one morning after a workout.

Nine-one-one, I said. Just as you would if you and your husband are arguing and you feel threatened, or if your child was having an episode related to a mental health issue. In those two instances, though, maybe the dispatcher sends, along with an officer, someone trained to de-escalate domestic disputes or to recognize and de-escalate someone who may be in mental distress.

Oh, she responded.

Change  revolutionary overdue change  may take time but calls for re-booting policing and its relationship with citizens must not cease. Not in Wisconsin. Not anywhere.

On Monday, Gov. Evers called for a special legislative session to address previously announced police reform legislation. We must begin the long but important path towards ensuring our state and our country start to live up to our promises of equity and justice.

Promises, I do know, too long unfulfilled.

UPDATED with comments from Blakes father to the Chicago-Sun Times.

Police in riot gear stand outside the Kenosha County Court House Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. Protests broke out late Sunday night after a police shooting. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)AP

A voice for whats right and wrong in Birmingham, Alabama (and beyond), Roys column appears in The Birmingham News and AL.com, as well as in the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Register. Reach him at rjohnson@al.com and follow him at twitter.com/roysj
Sean Jackson, head of Business Cash Solutions at Investec Bank

There is no doubt that Covid-19 and the national lockdown has impacted many businesses. What are the shifts that you are seeing happening now?

In fact, one of the biggest shifts seen with SME business is a focus on cashflow. Those that still have access to some sort of cash reserves are now examining ways in which to ensure these reserves are more available to them.

Another shift taking place is more focus on innovation.

What is the biggest challenge for SMEs? How can they overcome this?

The reality is that in partial lockdown not all business-to-business organisations can operate at full capacity, which is a substantial challenge to their sustainability and supply chain. Additionally, we must remember that not all businesses can operate remotely  and this has placed an even larger burden on those who are unable to do so.

How hopeful are you that SMEs can once again be a strong contributor to GDP and employment?

People need to eat and survive, and to do so many of these historical salaried employees may turn to opening and running their own business to do just this.

What trends are we seeing in this space?

People will now likely be paid for their outputs as opposed to being paid for time spent fulfilling a specific role within the organisation.

Whats more, the work from anywhere concept, enabled by technology, has now become preferred in many cases and post Covid, I believe we will see the acceptance of this gig workforce concept far more, but it will be balanced.

In terms of finance and cash investments  what viable options are available to small businesses?

For those looking to capitalise on growth opportunities  what should they be considering?

If you examine any truly successful entrepreneur, they have been successful as they have built a business that solves a customer need.

Do you think now is a good time to start a business?

Lastly, any words of advice and encouragement for SMES?

But things have shifted. Debt, low confidence and stifled economic growth, further compounded by Covid-19 - has seen enormous pressure being placed on small businesses, one of the hardest hit by the pandemic.Sean Jackson, head of Business Cash Solutions at Investec Bank, provides some insight...Of course, we know that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on business in SA, and specifically small businesses. The SME sector really struggled in the initial stages of hard lockdown.Debt, low confidence and stifled economic growth previously experienced were further compounded seeing enormous pressure being placed on small businesses. Even as the country has progressed and lockdown has eased, this sector is still facing some serious challenges  most notably around cashflow.This has meant examining shorter-term products as opposed to longer-term investments, as they not only want, but need, access to cash, and quickly.Unfortunately, for those that are not as fortunate and that dont have access to cash reserves, their challenge is access to finance. While some banks and corporates have offered payment holidays to help ease current cashflow pressure - an attractive option for any SME that is struggling to pay salaries  it is important to understand that payment holidays are not interest free, and therefore the debt obligations for the business owner may become larger. Unfortunately, this is their only option, outside of government relief programmes.Businesses are evolving and shifting to examine new strategies, for sales, cash and sustainability to adapt their business models to weather the storm  everything from technology adoption internally, to e-commerce offerings externally, is now driving innovation for SMEs far more.Given that South Africa is still on partial lockdown, means that SMEs and all business are still experiencing the impact from a resource and economic perspective.Take for example the alcohol sector, which has not been able to operate at full capacity. Not only has it impacted immediate businesses but has had a negative impact on the supply chain. The wine industry alone employs approximately 500,000 people and the inability to support this sector will influence a host of different industries. We are seeing a shift, where overseas countries and companies are prioritising and ordering SA wines, in order to support this sector is some way.Our business environment operates as an eco-system and therefore a change for one, is a change for many. Unfortunately, this means there is no one solution that will help with this burden, but rather the sum of all parts must work together to help and given that we are likely to see slow recovery in some sectors and knock on effects in others for many months to come  the challenge around cashflow and access to funding remains a high priority.Even with the impact of the pandemic at the moment, we remain optimistic. If we take for example that many large companies are themselves struggling and we are seeing hundreds of salaried workforces being retrenched, I believe this may open the country up to far more entrepreneurs.Even, if just a handful of entrepreneurs start a new busines and they employ one or 2 people - think of what that can do. The ripple effect down the line is the growth of a stronger and more active sector for the GDP.If SMEs and business owners get access to far more support and funding, and real focus is placed here, their GDP contribution could become much stronger, within the next 18 months, even to the pre-Covid figures, which in 2019 Q1, accounted for 66% of economy-wide employment.As mentioned previously, the biggest trend is access to cash flow. However, innovation is this sector is a very prevalent. SMEs and business owners who did not embrace technology and e-commerce in the past have now shifted their focus and adapted their business models more swiftly. Furthermore, the emergence and acceptance of remote workforces is massive.We have read about the global economy moving towards what is called a gig economy or workforce for a while now and organisations locally are adjusting for this. Going forward, it is unlikely that employees will become full time salaried employees for a company. Rather, they will be contracted to perform a set task or job and when completed, paid for this and then they may either move onto another task within the company or to a different organisation altogether.Investec itself recently introduced a flexible work policy, where we no longer have any set leave days within a year and our hours are not contracted. We are paid to do a job, and if this takes 6 hours, as opposed to 8, then we can use the 2 saved hours for something else. Covid is likely to push this type of thinking within many companies, where productivity and output becomes your determining factors for success.Employees require the flexibility of time to be able to construct their week in the most efficient manner, however, they also want a sense of community and culture - company touch points to brainstorm and grow. As a result, locally we may see a hybrid of the two emerge.From a cash investments perspective, any small business owner that does have surplus cash must make sure that their cash is working for them, now, more than ever before. This means that business owners and SMEs are examining products that protect their capital and delivers the best possible return on that cash, while still allowing flexibility for the business.As a result, most small businesses are shortening their cash investments and there are a wide range of products available to them for this.However, any investment made today must ensure the capital is protected from market risk, especially given the volatility of the exchange rate and equity sectors  so they need to examine something safer. Certainty now is key.Of course, from a cash finance perspective, we are seeing that the banks are doing quite a lot around their finance packaging and of course there is also government relief funds available. However, as with any finance option, do not get yourself caught in a debt trap.The most important thing when relooking/changing or buying into a business is to examine whether the existing (or new business) solves a customer need.And building this business has not resulted in short term cashflow, so do not be swayed by this prospect. If a business understands their market and can solve a business need for the long term, then the profits will come. Never chase quick profits.It is a difficult balance, but as I mentioned previously, given that the corporate landscape is retrenching much of its salaried workforce, people have now been forced into finding new revenues. And it is this type of environment that fosters small business growth opportunities.Alternatively, we will see businesses examining ways to adapt existing business or revenue streams to get through the pandemic, and this may create new business opportunities and markets.My hope is that entrepreneurs continue to show resilience. South Africa has weathered this Covid storm over the last few months, but its going to be a long journey to recovery, so do not expect quick returns. Continue to show grit and that uniquely South African spirit.
The origin of life on Earth is a topic that has piqued human curiosity since probably before recorded history began. But how did the organic matter that constitutes lifeforms even arrive at our planet? Though this is still a subject of debate among scholars and practitioners in related fields, one approach to answering this question involves finding and studying complex organic molecules (COMs) in outer space.

Many scientists have reported finding all sorts of COMs in molecular clouds--gigantic regions of interstellar space that contain various types of gases. This is generally done using radio telescopes, which measure and record radiofrequency waves to provide a frequency profile of the incoming radiation called spectrum. Molecules in space are usually rotating in various directions, and they emit or absorb radio waves at very specific frequencies when their rotational speed changes. Current physics and chemistry models allow us to approximate the composition of what a radio telescope is pointed at, via analysis of the intensity of the incoming radiation at these frequencies.

In a recent study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Dr Mitsunori Araki from Tokyo University of Science, along with other scientists from across Japan, tackled a difficult question in the search for interstellar COMs: how can we assert the presence of COMs in the less dense regions of molecular clouds? Because molecules in space are mostly energized by collisions with hydrogen molecules, COMs in the low-density regions of molecular clouds emit less radio waves, making it difficult for us to detect them. However, Dr Araki and his team took a different approach based on a special organic molecule called acetonitrile (CH3CN).

Acetonitrile is an elongated molecule that has two independent ways of rotating: around its long axis, like a spinning top, or as if it were a pencil spinning around your thumb. The latter type of rotation tends to spontaneously slow down due to the emission of radio waves and, in the low-density regions of molecular clouds, it naturally becomes less energetic or "cold."

In contrast, the other type of rotation does not emit radiation and therefore remains active without slowing down. This particular behavior of the acetonitrile molecule was the basis on which Dr Araki and his team managed to detect it. He explains: "In low-density regions of molecular clouds, the proportion of acetonitrile molecules rotating like a spinning top should be higher. Thus, it can be inferred that an extreme state in which a lot of them would be rotating in this way should exist. Our research team was, however, the first to predict its existence, select astronomical bodies that could be observed, and actually begin exploration."

Instead of going for radio wave emissions, they focused on radio wave absorption. The "cold" state of the low-density region, if populated by acetonitrile molecules, should have a predictable effect on the radiation that originates in celestial bodies like stars and goes through it. In other words, the spectrum of a radiating body that we perceive on Earth as being "behind" a low-density region would be filtered by acetonitrile molecules spinning like a top in a calculable way, before it reaches our telescope on earth. Therefore, Dr Araki and his team had to carefully select radiating bodies that could be used as an appropriate "background light" to see if the shadow of "cold" acetonitrile appeared in the measured spectrum. To this end, they used the 45 m radio telescope of the Nobeyama Radio Observatory, Japan, to explore this effect in a low-density region around the "Sagittarius molecular cloud Sgr B2(M)," one of the largest molecular clouds in the vicinity of the center of our galaxy.

After careful analysis of the spectra measured, the scientists concluded that the region analyzed was rich in acetonitrile molecules rotating like a spinning top; the proportion of molecules rotating this way was actually the highest ever recorded. Excited about the results, Dr Araki remarks: "By considering the special behavior of acetonitrile, its amount in the low-density region around Sgr B2(M) can be accurately determined. Because acetonitrile is a representative COM in space, knowing its amount and distribution though space can help us probe further into the overall distribution of organic matter."

Ultimately, this study may not only give us some clues about where the molecules that conform us came from, but also serve as data for the time when humans manage to venture outside the solar system.

###

About Tokyo University of Science

Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is a well-known and respected university, and the largest science-specialized private research university in Japan, with four campuses in central Tokyo and its suburbs and in Hokkaido. Established in 1881, the university has continually contributed to Japan's development in science through inculcating the love for science in researchers, technicians, and educators.

With a mission of "Creating science and technology for the harmonious development of nature, human beings, and society", TUS has undertaken a wide range of research from basic to applied science. TUS has embraced a multidisciplinary approach to research and undertaken intensive study in some of today's most vital fields. TUS is a meritocracy where the best in science is recognized and nurtured. It is the only private university in Japan that has produced a Nobel Prize winner and the only private university in Asia to produce Nobel Prize winners within the natural sciences field.

Website: https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/mediarelations/

About Dr Mitsunori Araki from Tokyo University of Science

Dr Mitsunori Araki earned a PhD in Chemistry from The Graduate University of Advanced Studies, Japan, in 1999. After being a Research Fellow and an Assistant Professor in various universities in Japan, he joined the Tokyo University of Science in 2009 and, since 2014, he has been a Principal Investigator on astrochemistry research projects. His research interests mainly revolve around complex organic molecules in space and his goal is to find new such molecules and clarify their cosmic origin, both through experiments with synthetized molecules in the lab and via direct observations with radio telescopes.
Protesters march near the Minneapolis 1st Police precinct during a demonstration over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin, in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 24, 2020. (Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images)

Man Shot by Police in Wisconsin Paralyzed From Waist Down: Father

The 29-year-old man shot by police officers in Wisconsin on Sunday is paralyzed from the waist down, his father said Tuesday.

Jacob Blake, who shares a name with his son, told the Chicago Sun-Times that his son was struck by eight bullets and is paralyzed from the waist down.

Doctors dont know if the paralysis is permanent.

A spokesman for Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, where Blake is being treated, told The Epoch Times via email that the hospital has no update.

The elder Blake said in a Facebook video Monday that his son was in stable condition following surgery.

The younger Blake fought with police officers on the side of a residential street in Kenosha over the weekend before walking away from officers who had their guns drawn.

When he opened the drivers side door of a van and reached inside, two officers fired multiple times.

Videos of the police shooting were captured by bystanders, who released them online.

Protesters link arms in front of a police line outside the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wis., on Aug. 24, 2020. (Morry Gash/AP Photo)

Jacob Blake, center, in an undated photograph with his children. (Justice for Jacob Blake/GoFundMe(=)

Jacob Blakes father said his son was not armed and blamed the rioting that exploded in the city following the shooting on the officers.

Those police officers that shot my son like a dog in the street are responsible for everything that has happened in the city of Kenosha, his father said. My son is not responsible for it. My son didnt have a weapon. He didnt have a gun.

A witness told the paper that officers and Blake wrestled on the pavement before he got up.

They said he has a knife. All of the officers pull out their guns.  (One of the officers) tells him, Get out of the car! and he starts shooting, the witness said.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul told reporters Monday that he couldnt say whether Blake was armed. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said at a separate briefing that there was no reason to believe Blake was armed.

Police officers, who responded to a domestic incident, were not wearing body cameras.

Cars burn during rioting in Kenosha, Wis., on Aug. 24, 2020. (Stephen Maturen/Reuters)

Demonstrators stop a car on a street in Kenosha, Wis, Aug. 24, 2020. (Brendon Bell/Getty Images)

The officers involved were place on leave and the state Department of Justice is probing the shooting.

We are going to vigorously investigate the facts of this case and in this case, as in any other case that we investigate, our pursuit of justice is going to be unwavering, Kaul said.

A criminal complaint obtained by The Epoch Times showed Blake was charged last month for trespassing, third-degree sexual assault, and disorderly conduct.

Blakes family hired Benjamin Crump, a civil rights attorney who is also representing the family of George Floyd.

Crumps law firm said in a statement that Blake was helping to deescalate a domestic incident when police drew their weapons and tasered him.

Officers actions nearly cost the life of a man who was simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident, Crump added.
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Compare-autoinsurance.org (http://compare-autoinsurance.org/) has released a new blog post that explains how drivers with limited financial possibilities can still get affordable car insurance.

For more info and free quotes, visit http://compare-autoinsurance.org/why-use-car-insurance-quotes-if-you-have-a-tight-budget

Auto insurance is a necessary, but expensive service. On average, it can cost more than $800 per year. Luckily, there are ways to keep costs under control and even lower them. Comparison shopping is recommended by all insurance experts. Drivers can get free car insurance quotes from http://compare-autoinsurance.org/ and look for offers at reasonable prices.

First, determine the available budget . Before getting any price estimate, a client must know how much they can spend on coverage. That will tell him what policies to buy and maximum coverage limits. Purchasing the minimum requirements is mandatory by law. After the requirements are met, anything extra is up to the policyholder. It is always recommended to buy a little extra more coverage than the minimum.

Communicate the insurer the maximum budget. A competent insurer will know how to customize a policy based on the client's available money. After all, every insurance company wants more clients. Some extra services may be skipped in order to achieve the desired insurance premiums.

Buy only the most needed or useful extra riders . Adding many extra services may be really tempting. But it will also be very costly. Limit to only 2-3 riders and select the most important ones, like roadside assistance or accident forgiveness.

Ask for high deductibles . Having high deductibles will make premiums cheaper. However, the money should be given immediately after filing a claim. It is recommended to ask for higher deductibles and after getting cheaper premiums, create an emergency fund. Slowly adding more money in that fund will help the driver pay for the deductible, should this ever be needed.

Use online quotes to find cheap car insurance . Online questionnaires allow drivers to select coverage amounts. In this way, the client will be presented with policies that are within his financial possibilities. Customizing several aspects of the questionnaire will help drivers achieve their goals.

Ask for discounts after completing the quote online form . Online forms do not cover all aspects. This is why drivers should also check for all available discounts and their requirements. Getting discounts should become a priority for those with a tight insurance budget.

Story continues

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

For more information, please visit http://compare-autoinsurance.org/

"If you have a limited budget, then getting online quotes is the best thing to do. This will help you get prices better than the ones offered by the current insurer upon renewal", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

CONTACT:

Company Name: Internet Marketing Company

Person for contact Name: Gurgu C

Phone Number: (818) 359-3898

Email: cgurgu@internetmarketingcompany.biz

Website: http://compare-autoinsurance.org/

SOURCE: Internet Marketing Company





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/603225/Online-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Will-Help-Drivers-With-Limited-Budget-Find-Affordable-Coverage




Feyisayo Arowolo wins inaugural SIU George Floyd Equity and Justice Scholarship

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Feyisayo Arowolo, of Chicago, is the inaugural winner of the George Floyd Equity and Justice Scholarship at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Arowolo, 18, is a freshman business major and is undecided on her specialization. She was selected as the winner of the $1,000 scholarship from dozens of applicants on the basis of her essay about what she learned from the issues or national response associated with the death of George Floyd. Floyd died in May 2020 at the age of 46 while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers, sparking national protests against racial inequity and injustice.

Funded by donations to the SIU Foundation, the new scholarship will be awarded annually to an SIU freshman.

In addition, SIU will each year present the George Floyd Equity and Justice Award. The $500 award will go to a student or faculty or staff member who promotes diversity on campus.

Office of Associate Chancellor for Diversity coordinates presentation of both honors. For more information about the office and its work to promote inclusive excellence, visit the website, email diversity@siu.edu or call 618/453-1186.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla's recent visit to was part of ongoing bilateral engagement between two close and friendly neighbours, High Commission of India in said on Monday.

The High Commission said some media outlets have published ill-intentioned, factually incorrect and speculative reports with little understanding of India- relations and such attempts were highly mischievous and misleading.

"On Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Dhaka, some media outlets have published ill intentioned, factually incorrect and speculative reports with little understanding of India-Bangladesh relations. Such mala fide attempts are highly mischievous and misleading," the High Commission said.

"This visit of Foreign Secretary to Bangladesh on Aug 18-19 was part of ongoing bilateral engagement between two close and friendly neighbours," it added.

During his visit to Bangladesh, Shringla held talks with his counterpart Masud Bin Momen. He also called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

External Affairs Ministery Anurag Srivastava said during a press briefing last week that there were discussions relating to the cooperation in the areas of security, including fencing and joint efforts to prevent trans-border crimes.

The issue of safe repatriation of internally displaced persons from the Rakhine state also came up for discussion.

Cooperation in the area of security, including fencing and joint efforts to prevent trans-border crimes as well as a proposal to set up a high-level mechanism to regularly review the progress of developmental projects were also discussed during the visit.

(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.)
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is likely to file an appeal with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Thursday against the suspension of its flight operations to and from EU member countries for six months, according to a media report on Monday. The EUs decision to suspend PIA flight operations was enforced on July 1 in the wake of a major pilot licences scandal in Pakistan.

The scandal over pilot licences emerged from an investigation into the crash of a PIA plane on May 22 in Karachi that killed 97 people. The inquiry determined that nearly one-third of Pakistans pilots cheated on exams but still received licences from the countrys Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA was tasked by the Supreme Court on July 21 to immediately complete an inquiry against pilots of the national carrier, following the revelation by Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan about fake documents of scores of pilots. Following the probe, 262 pilots were grounded after their flying licences were found to be dubious".

According to the Dawn newspaper, the appeal has been prepared by the PIA and the authorities concerned and it will be presented to the Aviation Division before lodging it with the EASA. After the pilot licences scandal came to light and the EASA suspended authorisation of PIA flights to and from the EU member countries, the agency asked the Pakistani authorities to clarify 11 points  safety management system (SMS) being the most important one, the report said quoting sources.

The EASA also asked as to how Pakistans CAA had been functioning, how it issued commercial pilot licences to applicants and how the candidates solved their examination papers. The EASA also asked about the number of aircraft being operated by the national flag carrier and how the airline maintained safety measures. The appeal to be lodged with the EASA also contained details of major airplane crashes that occurred in Pakistan over the past five years and the safety measures taken by the authorities to prevent such incidents in future, the report said.

The EASA has demanded implementation of the safety management system in the PIA which is acquiring the best system in the world. The PIA is also planning to add eight to 10 aircraft to its fleet or replace old planes with better and new ones. The PIA has also been preparing a comprehensive business plan in consultation with international consultants, but it has been temporarily stopped due to the ongoing crisis in the aviation industry which has been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also Watch:

Before the EASA suspended the PIA flights on July 1, the airline was given an opportunity to voice its opinion on the agencys intentions to suspend the authorisation. The PIA provided its opinion, but it was declared insufficient by the EASA, the report said. Following the Karachi plane crash and the initial findings laid down in the preliminary inquiry report showing successive breaches of multiple layers of safety defences in the safety management system, the EASA had expressed concern over the PIAs safety management system which, it said, was not achieving its primary objective.

The scandal had also prompted the US to downgrade the safety rating of Pakistans aviation system and block the countrys airlines from launching air services to America. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in July put Pakistan in category-2 rating, which means airlines from Pakistan cant start new flights to the US. Also, US airlines cant sell seats on Pakistani flights, a practice called code-sharing that is common among other international airlines. Currently, there are no regular scheduled flights between the US and Pakistan.
New Delhi/Jammu, Aug 25 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) in its chargesheet in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack case has named Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, his brothers Abdul Rauf Asghar and Ammar Alvi, slain JeM terrorist Mohammad Umar Farooq, suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar and other terrorist commanders operating from Pakistan.

These are apart from the six arrested accused in the case.

The NIA has filed a 13,500-page chargesheet in the special NIA court in Jammu along with the pictures and digital evidence of the Pulwama terror attack. An NIA official told IANS: "The agency filed a chargesheet (on Tuesday) against Azhar, Asghar, Alvi, their slain nephew Farooq, six arrested accused, and absconding accused Sameer Dar in the Pulwama terror attack case at a Jammu special NIA court." The NIA said that it has also named two Pakistani nationals - Mohammad Kamran and Mohammad Ismail alias Saifuddin, both IED experts. The official said that the agency has prepared a watertight case against the people named in the chargesheet along with all the irrefutable evidence, including their chats and call details to highlight the role of Pakistan in the February 14, 2019 attack in which 40 CRPF troopers were killed.

The official said that this attack was a plot hatched by the Pakistan-based terror group to project the attack as part of the home-grown militancy in Kashmir. The NIA has also accused several top commanders of the terrorist group in its chargesheet.

The agency arrested Mohammad Iqbal Rather, 25, a resident of Budgam, Jammu & Kashmir in July this year. He is accused of facilitating the movement of Farooq, the JeM terrorist and a key conspirator in this case, after he infiltrated into Indian territory in Jammu region in April 2018.

Farooq, along with others, had assembled the IED used in the terror attack. The NIA in its chargesheet accused that Farooq, who infiltrated in India was an IED expert. Farooq along with suicide bomber Adil and absconding terrorist Sameer Dar prepared the IED that was placed in the Maruti car that was used in the terror attack.

Sameer had come out of the car 500 meters away from the attack site. Earlier, the NIA found that Rather was in constant touch with the Pakistan-based leadership of the JeM and was in communication with them over secure messaging applications and was also part of the transportation module of the terrorist organisation.

The other five arrested accused named in the chargesheet are - Shakir Bashir, Mohammad Abbas Rather, Waiz-ul-Islam, and the father-daughter duo of Tariq Ahmad Shah and Insha Jan - all alleged over ground workers of the JeM.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)
Press Release

August 25, 2020 Privilege Speech of Senator Ronald Bato Dela Rosa

on the recent Jolo bombings Mr. President, dear colleagues, good afternoon. I rise before you today not only as a member of this August Chamber, but as a former soldier and a former police officer who has, in my lifetime, seen and experienced the abysmal horrors of war and terrorism. The grim scenario of massive destruction and desolation, bloodied and mangled bodies of innocent civilians and military or police personnel splattered everywhere, just keeps entering my mind whenever I hear news of terror attacks in any part of our country, especially in my beloved Mindanao. Yesterday, this scenario became so real again, as two explosions wreaked havoc in Jolo, Province of Sulu. According to initial reports, the first explosion happened near Paradise Food Plaza along Serantes Street, Barangay Walled City in downtown Jolo. An improvised explosive device (IED) went off, and killed six soldiers. The second explosion took place an hour after, in front of a branch of the Development Bank of the Philippines, in the same barangay. This time, the blast killed one more soldier, and wounded at least three soldiers and six policemen. News reports say that the second explosion was allegedly caused by a female suicide bomber with alleged suspected links to Abu Sayyaf bomber Mundi Sawadjaan, nephew of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader and Islamic State (ISIS) head in the country, Hajan Sawadjaan. Reports of death toll has risen to 14, with 7 soldiers, 6 civilians, and one policeman killed in the two blasts. At least 75 people were wounded - 48 civilians, 21 soldiers, 3 local policemen and 3 PNP Special Action Force personnel. A while ago, I just talked to Gen. Gilbert Gapay, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and he declared that based on Army survivors' accounts, the first explosion did not come from the parked motorcycle at the side of the M35 truck as earlier reported but in between the parked M35 truck and KM450 truck. Their intelligence, both signal intel and human intel, claimed that the two explosions were each perpetrated by a female suicide bomber. Hindi malayo, Mr. President, na itong posibleng grim scenario na itong mga suicide bombers ay pwedeng makakarating dito sa Metro Manila dahil sa ngayon we have an intelligence indicating that yung mga anak ng mga namamatay na mga Abu Sayyaf members ay kinukupkop ng Abu Sayyaf at nira-radicalize para magiging suicide bomber. So we expect Mr. President, sana hindi sila dadami. In relation to this, Mr. President, your Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chaired by this representation conducted a hearing on the Jolo incident that happened last June 29, 2020 that resulted to the killing of 4 Army intelligence operatives by the members of Jolo Municipal Police and PDEU operatives of Sulu Provincial Police. During that hearing, it was revealed by the AFP that the military intelligence were then conducting monitoring and surveillance based on their gathered intelligence on the presence of alleged two female suicide bombers in Jolo, Sulu. Ito na po yun Mr. President ang kanilang hinahanap at kung hindi sana napatay sila Major Indammog and company baka ang suicide bombings na ito ay napigilan, Mr. President. Nakalulungkot isipin na sa kabila ng paghihirap at pasakit na nararanasan ng ating bansa at mamamayan dulot ng Covid19 pandemic, nakuha pang isagawa ang karumaldumal na krimen na ito sa Jolo na nagdulot ng karagdagang hinagpis sa ating bansa, lalo na sa mga pamilya ng mga nasawi at nasaktan. Tunay nga na ang mga terorista ay hindi pipili ng panahon at lugar kung saan maghasik ng lagim. Ito na po yung kasagutan sa mga bumabatikos sa timing ng pagsabatas ng Anti-Terrorism Law. Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, has just been enacted last month. This is the piece of legislation that seeks to prevent, prohibit and penalize terrorism in the country. Despite its noble intention, many individuals and groups have raised their frantic concerns on their conceived and imagined abuses that may possibly be committed by the Government in implementing this measure. But to the critics, I dare ask this question: with the recent Jolo bombing, have you not realized that terrorism is indeed in our midst, with its clear, imminent and present danger, ready to devour anyone in its path? Ano ba talaga ang mas matimbang sa inyo, yung inyong imagined threat na pwedeng gagawin ng gobyerno laban sa mga kritiko, or itong real, clear and present danger na makikita natin na nagkalasog-lasog na katawan ng ating mga sundalo, policemen at mga sibilyan. Have you not outgrown your pre-conceived and imagined threats contained in RA 11479? This is also a challenge to all human rights advocates to condemn this terroristic attack, and focus, not just on the ill actions done by a few members of the military and the police, but also the sufferings and sacrifices of the majority of these men for their countrymen. The members of the military and the police force are also victims of human rights abuses in the face of terrorism. They too deserve your attention and assistance. To the Commission on Human Rights, we have had enough of your excuses that your mandate is focused more on the human rights of the non-state actors such as the terrorist Abu Sayyaf and CPP-NPA and not the state actors - AFP and PNP. How about the human rights of their grieving families? They are non-state actors, I suppose, Mr. President. No amount of bravery and gallantry will ease the excruciating pain of the grieving families of these officers who sacrificed their lives to protect the communities and people that they have served. Bilang dating sundalo at pulis, batid ko po ang hinagpis ng bawat pamilya ng sundalo o pulis na pumanaw dahil sa karahasan ng digmaan o kaguluhan. Kahit kailan, hindi matutumbasan ng medalya o pera ang sakit ng mawalan ng kaanak na nagbuwis ng buhay para sa bayan. The lesson of the recent Jolo bombing rings loud and clear: terrorism is real and it is in our midst. Let us all join forces in fighting this evil with strong determination and courage to curb its roots and throw it into the dungeons of hell. I offer my deepest sympathies to the grieving families of the members of the military and the police, and the civilians who have died. The sacrifices of their loved ones will never be forgotten. To them we offer our firm commitment to fight terrorism 'til the end, in order to give justice and meaning to their death. We also offer our sincere help and prayers for the recovery of those who were injured physically, emotionally and psychologically with this Jolo bombing. May the God of Peace and Healing be with us in these trying times, as we join our hands in restoring peace and order in the country and people. Maraming Salamat po.
Karnataka President D K



Shivakumar has tested positive for and has been hospitalised, party sources said on Tuesday.

"Yes he has tested positive for COVID-19, and is admitted to a private hospital in the city's Rajajinagar," sources told PTI.

They said the 58-year-old leader got admitted to the hospital last night.

"....he had symptoms since Monday morning like cough and fever, and had back pain for two days. On getting tested the reports came out positive," sources added.

On Saturday, Shivakumar had tweeted that he was postponing his tour to flood ravaged parts of the state on health grounds.

"On health grounds, postponing my visit by three days to the flood affected regions of Belagavi and Bagalkote districts which was scheduled on August 24 and 25. New itinerary will be released soon," he had said.

Former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has tweeted wishing Shivakumar speedy recovery from the COVID-19 infection.

(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 $1.7-billion toy market in India is likely to get a boost, once indigenous toy-making is made part of the education framework.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 places special emphasis on local crafts like toy-making to be made part of the academic curriculum.



I urge start-ups and youngsters to focus on innovations in the toys sector. Educational institutions can organise Hackathons on this as well. Another area that we want to focus on is creating toys that are environment friendly.

 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 22, 2020

Sources told Moneycontrol that, as part of the school curriculum, toy- making will be introduced to students from the sixth standard onwards. This will be done through workshops, visits to manufacturing factories as well as through local craftsmen.

Moneycontrol gives you a sneak peek into how the toy-making industry will help develop new skills among students.

The toy industry in India

Though Indias toy market is worth $1.7 billion, almost 85-90 percent toys sold in India is made in China. This is primarily because Chinese toys are sold for a cheap price.

The 145th report of the Parliamentary standing committee on commerce had said in 2018 that the influx of Chinese toys into India has hampered local toy businesses.

The committee also said that these low-priced Chinese toys are either mass-produced or rejects from other countries, diverted to the Indian sub-continent. Concerns were raised about the quality of these Chinese toys and the high-toxicity content.

Support to toy hubs

Sources said that the ultimate aim is to ban the import of finished toys from China and be reliant on locally made toys.

Toy hubs like Channapatana in Karnataka and Rajasthan for puppets, and stuffed toys and unique dolls from Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu will be supported.

PM Modi said that through proper technology and innovation, India should manufacture quality products that meet global standards.

Toy clusters will be given a structured policy push.

How toys will be made part of education

As part of the PMs Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) mission, the Prime Minister convened a meeting on August 22 to boost toy manufacturing in India.

During the meeting, Modi said that the Indian toy market has a huge potential and can bring a transformative change in the industry by promoting Vocal for Local under Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign.

As part of NEP 2020, local crafts like toy-making will be made part of vocational education in schools. Here, the impact of toys on the cognitive and psychomotor skills of children will be looked at. It is likely that expert help will be sought to have structured programmes with academicians and industry experts to introduce toys to students.

Students will also be taken to nearby toy manufacturing factories, units where they will learn about the history of toys, skills required to manufacture them and other aspects of the process like raw materials, manpower and price.

Apart from site visits, students will also be taught in schools about toys of all shapes and sizes. This will be used in both regular schools and rural child-care centres called Anganwadis.

Research report on toys for education

A 2019 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics had showed that toys are important in early child development in relation to their facilitation of cognitive development, language interactions, symbolic and pretend play, problem-solving, social interactions, and physical activity, with increasing importance as children move from infancy into the next stage.

This research report had also showed that pretending through toy characters (dolls, animals, and figures) and associated toy objects (food, utensils, cars, planes, and buildings) can promote the use of words and narratives to imitate, describe, and cope with actual circumstances and feelings.

Such imaginative play ultimately facilitates language development, self-regulation, symbolic thinking, and social-emotional development. Problem-solving through play with the traditional favorites, such as blocks and puzzles, can support fine motor skills and language and cognitive development and predicts both spatial and early mathematics skills, the report further stated.

Emphasis on building new forms of toys

Under NEP 2020, students will be encouraged to come up with innovative designs and ideas for toys that can instil a sense of pride in national goals.

Hackathons could be organised across schools and colleges, so students will compete against one another and develop new designs.

It is likely that the winners will be encouraged to work with industry experts to commercially develop these designs. A special emphasis would be given to develop and revive local handicraft toys.

An allied field to toy-making would be gaming. The government is looking to promote this idea at the higher education level, wherein students would develop games (physical and digital) that will be inspired from local folk tales.

These would include regional tales from each state and indigenous tribes as well as Jataka and fables like Panchatantra.
Patients being discharged from NHS hospitals are still not all being tested for coronavirus  despite scientists warning ministers that the practice should be routine.

Experts working on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE)  which advises Number 10  raised concerns months ago that infected hospital patients were 'seeding' outbreaks.

They advised ministers in mid-June to make sure that the Covid-19 infection status of individuals is 'known at discharge' but there is still no routine testing going on.

NHS England guidance says that all patients who are admitted to hospital should be tested to make sure they don't bring the virus in. But they don't always get swabbed again before they leave.

Scientists fear that this has in the past led to outbreaks in extremely vulnerable care homes and may still be contributing to outbreaks in the community.

Currently only patients being discharged into care homes or other medical facilities must be tested  a rule that came in place in April after uproar that patients were taking Covid-19 in care homes during March.

People who are leaving to private homes do not have to be swab-tested again before they are discharged.

Who is responsible for setting up this testing is unclear, with NHS England saying it follows Government policy, but the Department of Health passing the buck to the Senior Clinicians Group, which is made up of chief medical officers and PHE.

This is despite the fact that Covid-19 is known to spread in hospitals, both between patients and between staff.

Ministers were warned to test all patients leaving hospital for Covid-19 since May  but still aren't. Scientists that feed into SAGE raised concerns that infected patients would be 'reseeding' infections into the community, documents reveal. Pictured: Clinical staff cleaning a ward at Royal Papworth Hospital on May 5

Only those who are going to a care home must be tested  a rule that came in place in April after uproar that patients were taking Covid-19 in care homes during March

Warnings of hospital patients spreading Covid-19 in the community came as early as May 28, from NERVTAG  a group that advises the government on the threat posed by new and emerging respiratory viruses.

Papers published on June 26, said: 'Since there continues to be ongoing acquisition of SARS CoV2 infections in hospitals, patients admitted for other reasons may be presymptomatic or asymptomatic for Covid on discharge and might reseed infections into the community.

COVID-19 CAN SPREAD THROUGH A HOSPITAL WARD IN TEN HOURS Hospital wards could become riddled with the coronavirus within the space of just ten hours, research published in June revealed. University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital scientists tracked the spread of a virus that doesn't infected humans for five days. It was placed on a hand rail of a hospital bed in an isolation room, where vulnerable high-risk Covid-19 patients are kept separated. The scientists then sampled 44 different sites across the same ward, including door handles, arm rests and bed rails. Four in ten of the surfaces - which included toys and books for children in a waiting area - were contaminated with the virus within ten hours. It was most detectable three days later, when 60 per cent of samples were positive. The virus began to fizzle out after five days. Experts emphasised the importance of cleaning and workers sticking to good hand-washing and hygiene practises to curb the spread of the virus. Advertisement

'Consideration should be given to screening all patients before discharge.'

Similar warnings were made on June 17 by SPI-M  a group that reports to SAGE on scientific matters relating to the response of a pandemic.

They said: 'SPI-M is concerned about the discharge of infected patients from hospital, both into the community and into high-risk environments such as care homes.

'The considerable numbers of likely nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections detected in hospital implies that comparable numbers of patients may also become infected in hospital, but then be discharged before they become symptomatic.

'It is the collective view that the infection and infectious status of all individuals should be known at discharge, and consideration given to quarantine outside the home for potentially infectious persons.'

Minutes from a meeting on June 18 reveal SAGE was concerned about the findings brought to it by the two panels.

They said: 'Sage reiterated its concerns about the risk of discharging patients from hospital while still infectious. Advice from SPI-M and from NERVTAG about pre-discharge testing of patients is being considered by the Senior Clinicians Group, which contains those who have accountability for determining actions be taken.'

Hospital acquisition of the coronavirus has been a common occurrence during the pandemic despite infection control.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned hospital acquired Covid-19 has caused an 'epidemic' of deaths during the pandemic.

NHS bosses say up to a fifth of Covid-19 patients in several hospitals have contracted the disease while already being treated there for another illness.

And papers published by Sage show that, at the peak of the crisis, transmission within hospitals was believed to account for up to 22 per cent of hospitalised patients and up to 11 per cent of deaths.

Despite concerns raised by leading scientists, health chiefs failed to act and set up screening of all discharged hospital patients, The Telegraph reports.

The matter was put before the UK Senior Clinicians Group, which includes the four Chief Medical Officers, Public Health England (PHE) and the NHS.

The recommendation was not enacted by NHS England, and it is not clear what the response was from PHE or the country's top doctors.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said initially that pre-discharge testing was the responsibility of NHS England, adding that the Senior Clinicians Group was not a decision-making body  as suggested by SAGE.

However, NHS England said the decision did lay in the hands of the Senior Clinicians Group.

Asked whether allowing untested patients to be discharged may have played a role in keeping cases higher in the community, Professor John Edmunds, a member of both SPI-M and NERVTAG, said: 'That was our fear at the time.'

But Professor Robert Dingwall, a participant of SPI-M, said there would have been other factors to consider when deciding if testing all patients was suitable.

For example, there are dangers of keeping some patients in hospital for too long if they were to show positive for Covid-19.

TIMELINE: HOW NO TESTING OF HOSPITAL PATIENTS LED TO CARE HOME DEVASTATION March: Official guidance issued by NHS England and the Department of Health said: 'Negative tests are not required prior to transfers/admissions into the care home.' This was in place until April 15. April 16: New NHS England guidance that came into effect required hospitals to test patients being discharged into care homes. But the 'peak' of the virus had already passed  infections were at their highest in the last week of March, and deaths in the second week of April, official figures show. May 15: During the daily Downing Street briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said: 'We will test every resident and every member of staff in our elderly care homes in England between now and early June.' June 4: Government data revealed the number of people dying in care homes soared by 61 per cent during March and April as the Covid-19 outbreak gripped England and Wales. June 6: Almost half (43 per cent) of the 264 homes which responded to a survey by the National Care Forum (NCF) said they'd been given void and inconclusive results, despite the Government pledge for all residents to be tested by early June. July 29: A damning Commons report said care homes were thrown to the wolves during the pandemic and the Governments actions were at times negligent. The social care crisis was exacerbated further by a series of reckless and appalling policy errors - and advising hospitals to discharge thousands of patients into care homes without knowing if they had coronavirus was an example of this, the Commons public accounts committee report said. Advertisement

Professor Dingwall said: 'The problem is that the PCR tests are so sensitive that they can detect RNA when the virus itself is inactive and no longer infective. It is only being cleared from the body.

'This can go on for several weeks so you would be keeping people in hospital unnecessarily, tying up beds and exposing them to risks of other infections like MRSA.'

'Nervtag was expressing a view on a potential risk at the time, but NHS England and DHSC were entitled to take a broader view of the likely benefits and harms and come to a different conclusion.'

He added that it has become clear silent carriers of the coronavirus are rife in the community, and so the addition of discharged patients with the infection would have made 'little difference'.

However, the discharge of elderly patients into care homes has been blamed for the huge impact Covid-19 had on the care sector.

In March the NHS was keen to free up hospital beds for incoming Covid-19 patients, and the Government said testing was not necessary on discharge.

It is unclear how many patients with coronavirus were moved into care homes during the coronavirus crisis due to a lack of testing. The full scale of the problem will likely never be uncovered.

It could be as many as 16,000, according to analysis by The Times in July.

NHS England data shows at least 25,000 patients were moved from hospitals to care homes between March 17 and April 15, and a Freedom of Information request suggests two-thirds were not tested

But the figure could be lower or higher because there is no official national data to show the scale of the problem.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has previously said it was 'important to remember' hospital was also a dangerous place to pick up the virus. Therefore it is appropriate in many cases for patients to go to a care home.

Commenting on the claims made about hospital screening today, a DHSC Spokesperson said: 'The current clinical advice is that testing of individuals without symptoms should be used where clinically appropriate, predominantly for outbreak investigation and infection control. We continue to use the latest science and clinical advice to inform our approach.

'Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus can get a test and we are continuing to ensure that testing is as easy and accessible as possible.'

An NHS spokesperson said: 'Government is responsible for setting policy on testing, which hospitals continue to carry out.'
Conocimiento: La Llave del Exito de Todo Inmigrante, is a guide of practical advice found in 100 tips and shares real life cases to avoid mistakes that can cost immigrants their legal status. I wrote this book because there is a really great need for knowledge. Sometimes you yourself can be an enemy especially when laziness arrives and what I mean by this is laziness to learn, be informed and seek knowledge. Knowledge is key.

As an experienced immigration attorney and owner of Hispanic American Legal Services, Ltd in the Chicagoland suburbs, Colombian-born Liliana P. Jones-Munoz of Hispanic American says that knowledge is power, especially for clients who need information to help them achieve legal status in the United States.

With the recent launch of her new book, Conocimiento: La Llave del Exito de Todo Inmigrante, translating to Knowledge: The Key of Success for Every immigrant she is providing important information at her audiences fingertips. The book, available on Amazon in paperback and eBook editions in Spanish, is a guide of practical advice found in 100 tips and shares real life cases to avoid mistakes that can cost immigrants their legal status.

I wrote this book because there is a really great need for knowledge, said Jones-Munoz, who also hosts a podcast called Immigracion Sin Fronteras (Immigration Without Borders). Sometimes you yourself can be an enemy especially when laziness arrives and what I mean by this is laziness to learn, be informed and seek knowledge. Knowledge is key. That knowledge opens opportunities to immigrants to have a work permit, and be able to gain their status among other things. For me, thats the reason why this book is important.

Readers will find informative or illustrative explanations of specific examples and situations that, due to lack of knowledge, can negatively or positively impact a persons immigration future in the U.S. One of the books tips presents the situation of how an immigrant parent applies for residency on the belief that if he or she has a sick or disabled child who is a United State citizen it will be granted.

Jones-Munoz shares the story of Ana, who unfortunately was the victim of a notary posing as a lawyer. She was led to believe that because of her sons health she could obtain residency by filling a petition for him with immigration authorities. Jones-Munoz explained that this idea is not true at all.

There is no direct path to becoming a resident through the petition of a sick child, she explained. Ana's petition was denied and she may now have to defend her case before an immigration judge, since, with the current changes in immigration law, if a person is denied their residency application, it is very possible that they will be put before a judge to begin removal or deportation proceedings, she said.

Jones-Munoz hopes that people will consider her book as a resource, especially for those who are planning to work and live in the United States, residing as legal residents and living in this country who cannot currently fix their legal status.

I would like to emphasize to readers that while my book can be a resource, it should not be taken as legal instruction and to always seek the advice of a professional attorney, she said.

Those who purchase Conocimiento: La Llave del Exito de Todo Inmigrante, can participate in a VIP Facebook group where readers can ask general legal questions to Jones-Munoz.

The recent book launch, which is in Spanish, can be viewed on this link.

For more information about Liliana P. Jones-Munoz, visit her website at http://www.lilianajones.com/.

About Liliana P. Jones-Munoz:

Liliana P. Jones-Munoz, author of Conocimiento: La Llave del Exito de Todo Inmigrante, is an attorney at law and founder of Hispanic American Legal Services, Ltd with locations in Aurora and Bolingbrook, Illinois. Jones-Munoz has more than 25 years of professional experience as a lawyer and eight years specializing in immigration law. Liliana, obtained in Colombia her title of lawyer where she was one of the most outstanding students during her career, being deserving of academic honors. Liliana also holds a Specialization in Senior Management and Commercial Law in Colombia. Her valuable professional experience and her knowledge of Colombian and American Law allowed her to make a transition in her career, focusing on the Hispanic community domiciled in the US and the Latin American population. Through her business, she offers legal advice on the areas of immigration based on family and business ties. She is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, member of Colombian-Bar Association and member of AILA.

For more information about Liliana P. Jones-Munoz, visit her website at http://www.lilianajones.com/. ###
A Hing Kong man, who had once earlier tested positive for the COVID-19 Virus in March, and made a full recovery, has been infected again, on a trip overseas, according to researchers.

Hong Kong, August 25 (ANI): A Hong Kong man, who had first tested positive for COVID-19 in March and made a full recovery was re-infected months later after making a trip overseas, according to researchers.



A pre-print study, by a team at the University of Hong Kong, purports to be the worlds first documentation of a patient who recovered from coronavirus contracting the infection again. Researchers sequenced the genome of his first and second infections to show that virus strains were different, suggesting that he was re-infected, The Washington Post reported. Although there have been unconfirmed reports of people contracting COVID-19 again after recovering from the virus, the study, which has not been peer-reviewed, has potential implications for vaccine use and policies pertaining to the concept of herd immunity which presumes those who recover from the disease will not be re-infected.



The Hong Kong man, a 33-year-old IT worker with a reported history of good health, had first tested positive for COVID-19 in late March. He had symptoms of fever and cough and was rushed to the hospital. The patient recovered and was discharged in mid-April after testing negative for the infection.



Also read: Despite global boycott calls, Thailand intensifies trade relations with China, buys 22.5 billion baht submarines

Also read: Malis military junta proposes three-year transitional period

However, in August, after visiting Spain via the UK, he again tested positive when he returned to Hong Kong, despite being asymptomatic.

In the research paper, study author Kwok-Yung Yuen and his colleagues suggested that herd immunity is unlikely to eliminate coronavirus and a potential vaccine might not provide lifelong immunity to the infection.



However, some immunologists asserted that the case was not a surprise and suggested a more positive interpretation of the findings. This is a textbook example of how immunity should work, Akiko Iwasaki, an immunology expert at Yale University, said in a tweet on Monday, while referring to the Hong Kong mans asymptomatic case.



Iwasaki said the research had no bearing on the success of a potential COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines can provoke a much higher level of immunity in a person that can potentially block re-infection, or at least shut it down to a noncontagious level, she added.



The study was accepted in the Clinical Infectious Diseases journal on Monday and it is likely to be published online the next day, according to Lili Kadets, a journal spokeswoman. It was reviewed and accepted by Robert T Schooley, an infectious-diseases expert at the University of California at San Diego.



The Hong Kong mans re-infection may suggest the level of immunity after contracting infection may be lower than many had hoped, or can reduce over time, or may occur on a spectrum, thereby offering partial immune protection, according to The Washington Post.



The paper suggested that while the man had no detectable antibodies after contracting the infection for the second time, he developed them afterward  a development Iwasaki termed as encouraging.



What we are learning from this new case report is that SARS-CoV-2 may persist in the global population, similar to other common cold-associated human coronaviruses, even if patients have some degree of acquired immunity, Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City said in an interview.



The only safe and practical approach to achieve herd immunity is through vaccination, he said, although immunisations may not provide lifelong protection.



Glatter added that extensive studies are needed to evaluate the spectrum of illness and degree of immunity achieved due to the re-infection by the virus.



The take-home is that a vaccine, no matter how novel or sophisticated, may not be able to provide lifelong immunity against COVID-19. This is in keeping with other seasonal coronaviruses, he was quoted as saying.He said it may be possible that vaccines should be administered twice a year to supplement natural immunity, The Washington Post reported.



Authors of the University of Hong Kong study have recommended that patients who recover from COVID-19 should continue to follow social distancing and other norms, such as wearing a mask. (ANI)

Also read:Trump announces emergency authorization of convalescent plasma to treat Covid-19 patients

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWTM-hbwUso
A man was struck and killed Monday by a truck that rolled backward into him at a Teaneck park, authorities said.

The man, identified as in his early 70s, was preparing to off-load the contents of the truck when the vehicle hit him shortly before 10 a.m. at Clarence W Brett Park, according to township police.

The investigation is in its infancy but no foul play is suspected and his death appears to be the result of a tragic accident, Deputy Police Chief John Faggello said in a statement.

Police withheld the mans name before his family could be informed. A neighbor told NorthJersey.com that trucks in the park were being used to clear branches downed in Tropical Storm Isaias.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed Sudans relations with Israel in a visit to Khartoum on Tuesday, but normalization between the two countries may not happen so fast.

Pompeo spoke to Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in a meeting Hamdok described as direct and transparent. The two discussed the possibility of the United States removing Sudan from the state sponsors of terror list and Sudans transition to democracy after the deposition of long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir last year, according to the state-run Sudan News Agency.

The top US diplomat also met with Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is the head of state in Sudans transitional government. The State Department said in a press release the two discussed the continued deepening of the Israel-Sudan bilateral relationship."

Sudan and Israel lack formal relations, which is the case with Israel and most Muslim states. This month, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to normalize relations with Israel with US support, prompting speculation that more countries in the Arab world could follow suit.

There have been indications Sudan may be next to establish ties with Israel. The countrys Foreign Ministry spokesman, Haidar Badawi, voiced support for normalization this month but was then fired. Burhan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in February.

On Tuesday, Hamdok said his transitional government does not have the authority to establish relations with Israel and that Sudans removal from the terror list should remain unrelated to this, Reuters reported. Sudans inclusion on the list dates back to the Bashir era when Sudan was isolated internationally over its actions in Darfur and the south.

Pompeo and Hamdok also spoke about negotiations on Ethiopias Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, according to the State Department. Ethiopia and Sudan pledged on Tuesday to reach an agreement on the mega dam.

Pompeo is currently on a tour of Middle Eastern states. He met Netanyahu in Israel on Monday. He will next go to Bahrain and the UAE.
The thing is, the Nokia 5.3 has its work cut out. As a consumer, you have so many affordable smartphone options to choose from at this time. That can be equal quantities of good news as well as tricky. With so many choices, what do you choose. Affordable Android phones consistently keep getting better, particularly when it comes to delivering a user experience that doesnt leave a sour taste later. In fact, now there are full-fledged spec sheet wars, with each trying to go one better on the rivals. In the end, there are compromises that everyone forgetsyou get phones with heavy customizations around Android that you may or may not like and you also get a whole platter of preloaded apps that you may or may not want. Xiaomi and Realme have been battling each other for a while now. Samsung is making a renewed pitch for this space. Motorola is on the fringes too, looking in. there are others as well. At this time, when it is all about flexing the muscles, Nokia returns with the Nokia 5.3 and takes a very different approach. Simplicity, charm and consistency. Will it be enough? There is a secret ingredient too. The Nokia 5.3 is Made in India. That should get a few people onside immediately.

Nokias Android phones have always been about the ingredients that are in place. First up, the newest and the most important one of them all in the current climate. The Nokia 5.3 is made in India, which immediately will bring it closer to the hearts of many potential buyers. Then there is the clean Android avatar, also known as Android One. It is never a war on specs for Nokia, but more about the experience. But can you really ignore the spec sheet? Let me explain. There are two variants of the Nokia 5.3 that go on sale. The storage, 64GB with the memory card slot up to 512GB more remains standard, but you can choose between the 4GB RAM variant and the 6GB RAM variant. The 4GB RAM variant of the Nokia 5.3 is priced at Rs 13,999 while the 6GB RAM option, which we would recommend earnestly, is priced at Rs 15,499. The thing is, a glance though the competition landscape does bring us to to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro, which is also priced Rs 13,999 onwards and is powered by the faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor, a larger 6.67-inch display, also has a quad camera setup led by a 48-megapixel camera (more megapixels from the outset) and has a 5020mAh battery. But in the current climate, many would discount that purely because of the companys country of origin. Which then brings us to the doorstep of the Samsung Galaxy M21. The 4GB RAM variant is priced at Rs 14,499 while the 6GB RAM option will cost you Rs 16,499. This is powered by the Exynos 9611 processor and brings to you a 6.4-inch sAMOLED display, a triple camera setup led by a 48-megapixel camera and a large 6000mAh battery.

Design: Full Marks For Sophistication And Functionality

The Nokia 5.3 looks typically Nokia, from a mile away. And that can only be a good thing. It is all about the clean design lines, good build quality, no shouty look-at-me visual elements and everything is exactly where you would expect it to be. If you want a no-complication smartphone, that experience must build from the design itself. That is what the Nokia 5.3 does. The large display has fairly thin bezels around it and the teardrop notch that pretty well stays out of your way. There is the reassurance of the Nokia branding that sits beneath the displayif that is the sort of thing you appreciate.

The unexpected easter egg for many who may be switching from phones made by other brands would be the key on the left side spine, as you hold the phone. This is to quickly invoke the powers of the Google Assistant. To be honest, one could have done without this physical key, because my fear is a lot of people will mistake this for the power or unlock key, and that may lead to some slightly uncomfortable moments. You can turn this off, but it is surprising that there is no way to reconfigure this key for one of the apps that you may regularly use. A bit like the convenience key that BlackBerry phones had all those years agookay, enough of a teary-eyed sojourn into the past.

Flip the Nokia 5.3 over, and the quad camera setup in its circular design does genuinely add excitement. Beneath it sits the fingerprint sensor which, well, gets the job done as desired of it. This comes in three colour options as well, which Nokia calls as Cyan, Sand and Charcoal. What we have here is the Charcoal option. I love charcoal with most things in life but let us not get distracted by that.

As you hold it, the Nokia 5.3 and while it is a plastic shell, it is a very good quality plastic shell. Snuggles well in the hand, and at around 180 grams, isnt going to be at all bothersome to hold and use. The good thing is, Nokia has retained the 3.5mm headphone jack. The USB-C charging port is right up to date with the times too.

All said and done, the Nokia 5.3 looks cool, is well made and when you keep this on a table at a coffee shop or in office, no one can say youve bought a phone that cuts corners to keep the price low somehow.

Display: Totally Depends On What You Are Expecting

Unfortunately, the display is where some corners were cut, depending on what your expectation are. Surely not in terms of the size, because this is a 6.5-inch IPS display. You get the sort of real estate that should work well for messages, emails, reading and media consumption. The experiential limitation comes with the resolution, which is just 1600 x 720 pixels. This means, for instance, a YouTube video that you play will limit itself to the 720p resolution. This, in the face of competition from the likes of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro (around Rs 9,999 onwards) which offer a 6.67-inch display rocking 2,400 x 1,080 resolution. Yet, the Nokia 5.3 isnt exactly doing a bad job of it to be honest, but then add the likes of the Samsung Galaxy M21 (around Rs 12,500 onwards) which also gets a 6.4-inch screen with the 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution lighting up the display real estate to that list, and this certainly feels like a step back.

The thing is, you will need to keep your expectations in terms of being able to watch Netflix content well in check on this one. At the same time, the Nokia 5.3 does well with the brightness levels indoors as well as fairly well distinguished colours. You will however not take long to notice that this isnt the brightest display when you step outdoors, and the sun is shining bright. For me, the colour tone was certainly a tad on the cooler side at their default setting. Perhaps it is a hangover having been reviewing one mighty Android phone after the other, but I do feel that slightly more display settings to tweak things a bit more, are perhaps in order.

Nevertheless, it is hard to deny that its immediate rivals do offer richer displays, particularly the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro, which should be the real estate to be looking at if you really like your Netflix binge watching when tucked in bed.

Performance: Exactly How Much Phone Many Folks Genuinely Need

The Nokia 5.3 will be available in two avatars. Both will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chip, and your choice will be between 4GB and 6GB RAM. Our test mule is the 4GB RAM variant, and the performance, is on the ball for most simpler smartphone usage scenarioscalls, messages, social media apps, video calls, web browsing and reading too. But add in some multi-tasking or more resource hungry apps, and there is a very visible slowdown in the speed at which system menus open, the transitions take place and also while switching from one app to the other. Yet, it is quite a testament to the hidden strength of the Nokia 5.3 that you can even play the F1 Racing game on this, even though common sense would probably urge you otherwise. Admittedly, it doesnt load very fast and it isnt the most visually beautiful experience, but the Nokia 5.3 doesnt fall short when it comes to ticking off the gaming aspect too.

This is with the 4GB version. We would earnestly recommend the 6GB RAM option if you have made up your mind for the Nokia 5.3 over the rivals. One can only expect that extra memory will further stretch the headroom for apps and multitasking and that extra bandwidth which will allow apps to load much faster too.

As you would probably have imagined, the Nokia 5.3 runs the Android One iteration of Android 10. That means, a clean and uncluttered smartphone usage experience. As Google would have wanted it with Android, at least outside of their own Pixel phone line-up. There are some neat additions too, such as the Wi-Fi icon on the notification bar shows you whether you are on the 2.4GHz or the 5GHz band. Weirdly enough, there is no option for automatically unlocking the phone when you punch in the PINyou have to tap enter also for the phone to unlock. An unnecessary additional step. Face ID isnt the fastest in detecting, at least my face, even in bright light. But then again, the positive side is that I didnt notice it struggle or stumble even in low light environments.

Software: Android One And Updates Remain Nokias Strongest Point

Nokia also says that the Nokia 5.3 will continue to get Android updates for the next two years, which means Android 11 when it arrives later this year, and the iteration after that. Honestly, not many phones at this price can claim that sort of efficiency or attention.

And the Nokia 5.3 will continue to get the monthly Android security updates for the next three years, which is great for patching up bugs that may be detected from time to time. It is quite unlikely that any of its rivals will continue to get updates for that long, which makes this a unique proposition from Nokia.

Battery life: Lasts Long. Really Long

The other big advantage of the clean and uncluttered Android 10 experience is that there is no bloatware running in the background and draining the battery life. Plus, the Nokia 5.3 gets a large 4,000mAh battery too. For most users, this will last close to 2 days on a single charge. Maybe even more, if you are careful.

There is no fast charging though.

Cameras: Could Have Done Without Some Trade-Offs

The more cameras a phone has, the better it looks on the spec sheet. And the more serious persona a phone can command. Yet, it is a significant requirement to balance the spec sheet with the performance. What the Nokia 5.3 brings to the table is the quad camera setup at the back that has a 13-megapixel main camera, a 5-megapixel ultrawide camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. What you will not get is category defining smartphone photography, but youll certainly appreciate the Nokia 5.3 putting together a very consistent experience. The daytime and good light photos are colourful, sharp and reproduces details quite accurately. However, if there are those fine details that you want to highlight in an edit, that may not exactly happen as you plan. It is hard to zoom in on photos and not feel a sense that something is missing. This is despite Nokia focusing extensively on AI enhancements to push the performance envelope of this camera setup.

Low light photos use the night mode to give it that little extra boost with detailing and accurately distinguishing between the brighter and the darker images in a frame. Edges look fairly well done but zoom in and the aggressive noise reduction becomes quite apparent. Youll also have to factor in the slower image processing for low light photos, so stay still for an extra second after you tap the shutter key.

The 8-megapixel selfie camera works well for selfies and video calls as long as your face is well lit up, either with natural light or a nice lamp for your home workstation table. Anything lesser, and youll come across as a bit washed out to your friends or family or colleagues.

Does this beat the Redmi Note 9 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy M21 as far as the cameras are concerned? Actually, it doesnt. The more megapixels they play with across the camera setup (It is a 48-megapixel, 8-megapixel, 5-megapixel and 2-megapixel for the Redmi Note 9 Pro and a 48-megapixel, 8-megapixel and 5-megapixel for the Galaxy M21) makes them more adept at pulling in that extra amount of finer details and end up with photos that are that much more vivid as well. That, is great if you wish to crop, edit or share on your social media accounts.

The Last Word: Old Ingredients. New Dish. Your Priorities

The thing is, the Nokia 5.3 is a typical Nokia phone. It is understated yet classy as far as the looks go. It isnt fighting any wars on the spec sheet but instead brings everything together for a consistent Android smartphone usage experience. It has no complications with customizations on Android and there no learning curve that comes with that. There is no data privacy scare either because there arent any dodgy preloaded apps. The reality is, youll most certainly find phones that do certain things a bit betterbut the Nokia 5.3 is the phone that should simply just work for most. If a clean Android, a Made in India tag and robust battery life are your thing.
Any attempt by Kim Foxx and her campaign to say that I took any action that was wrong, inappropriate or even questionable at the time is only being used as a distraction from her record of failure. Forensic evidence and DNA testing have obviously progressed significantly since that time, but it is incumbent on the States Attorney to have a process that is open and proactive in investigating all claims of wrongful convictions and following the evidence wherever it leads. I support and would continue the work of the States Attorneys Conviction Integrity Unit, making it a priority to re-investigate any and all cases that involve wrongful or questionable convictions.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 20:23:06|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's remarks on China and the Communist Party of China (CPC) were just absurd lies driven by Cold-War mentality and zero-sum game mindset, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Tuesday.

During his trip to Israel, Pompeo mentioned the so-called "challenge that the Chinese Communist Party presents to the entire world." In response, Zhao said that for some time, the U.S. politician had slandered and smeared China out of ideological prejudice and self-interest.

"But China will never allow him to confuse the public," Zhao said at a news briefing.

He said Chinese media outlets had released a fact-check article in which abundant facts proved Pompeo's remarks on China are lies that misrepresent history and the reality.

Just because China adheres to the path of independence and peaceful development and does not follow the path "designed by the United States," certain U.S. politicians regard the CPC and the Chinese government as "infidels" and attempt to launch ideological crusades, Zhao said.

"These people must be reminded by the fact that the leadership of the CPC is the choice of history and the people. No one can turn a blind eye to the fact that the CPC is supported by the Chinese people, and any attempt to change or contain China is doomed to failure," the spokesperson said.

He said the "China threat" had become the mantras of certain U.S. politicians. However, the Constitution of the CPC and the Constitution of the People's Republic of China have made it clear that China follows a path of peaceful development and opposes hegemony.

In contrast, the United States has never made such a policy announcement, he said, adding that none of today's regional and global hot-button issues were caused by China.

"These people must recognize and accept the reality that for the international community, including the United States, China is a positive force and an opportunity for global peace and prosperity, rather than a negative factor or a threat," he said. Enditem
Editor's note: This article originally stated that areas of Inverness were under orders to evacuate. Parts of Inverness Park are under orders to evacuate.

As the Woodward Fire continues to spread, the Marin County Sheriff's Office ordered some Inverness Park residents living in the hills closest to the expanding inferno to evacuate their homes.
Amazon Studios recent release, Seberg, is a fictional retelling of the tragic story of iconoclastic actress Jean Seberg by director Benedict Andrews, writers Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse.

The film, originally titled Against All Enemies, was premiered in Venice in August 2019 and shown at the Toronto International Film Festival a month later. It was intended for release in theaters in January 2020, by Universal Pictures. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted screenings, and Amazon purchased distribution rights in February, retitling it Seberg.

Jean Seberg was a significant and courageous figure whose story deserves telling accurately. As an artist, her performance, alongside Jean-Paul Belmondo, in Breathless, Jean-Luc Godards seminal 1960 film, helped launch the French New Wave movement in cinema. In addition, she featured in Otto Premingers Saint Joan (1957) and Bonjour Tristesse (1958), Robert Rossens Lilith (1964), Irvin Kershners A Fine Madness (1966) and Claude Chabrols The Road to Corinth (1967), among others.

Kreisten Stewart in Seberg

Seberg had her life tragically and deliberately destroyed by the FBI because of her sympathy for and association with radical causes, including the Black Panther Party. Seberg became a target by the time, in 1969, Director J. Edgar Hoover identified the Black Panthers as the greatest threat to the internal security of the country and ordered round-the-clock surveillance under his secret and illegal COINTELPRO operation.

The actress first became collateral and was then put directly in the crosshairs by Hoover. Seberg had long been sympathetic to the cause of equality. She was only one of many celebrities targeted by the FBI, including Jane Fonda, Marlon Brando, Vanessa Redgrave and, a bit later, former Beatle John Lennon. Largely as a result of the political and psychological pressure, Seberg committed suicide in 1979, at the age of 40.

The problem with Andrews Seberg is that history is used here primarily as a stylized backdrop to pull the viewer, in the directors words, into an emotional experience that burrows its way into your dreams. The underlying assumption is a common one of contemporary filmmakers: that audience members dont want to concern themselves with historical nuances. They just want a good, i.e., a palatable story. Seberg reveals the creators embarrassing lack of interest in the social and historical context of Sebergs time.

Artistic license is reasonable in cinema when used in the service of a greater truth. On the other hand, however, our age is characterized by vast official falsification and deception intended to keep the population unaware and suppressed.

Unhappily, Andrews and the writers made the decision to craft their narrative in a way that ties the antagoniststhe FBI, the black militant movement and the actressinto a neat, interactive package that largely excludes the overall character of the period in question and distorts the real nature of all three phenomena.

Seberg

From the outset, the filmmakers play fast and loose with history. The significance of the May-June events in 1968 in France is played down, while the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in April of the same year doesnt merit a mention. This was a time of rebellions and confrontations with the authorities in every major US city, the assassination of presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, widespread opposition to the war in Vietnam, police riots against demonstrators at the Democratic convention in Chicago, where Hubert Humphrey, the vice president under the hated Lyndon Johnson, was selected to run against Richard Tricky Dick Nixon. The Vietnam war continued to rage under Nixon with secret bombings in Laos and Cambodia.

In conformity with the racialism so widespread in liberal and left political circles today, all social ills are reduced in Seberg to racism. There is no doubt that Hoover was a racist. But Hoover, above all, was an anticommunist and a ferocious opponent of social revolution. The FBI under his direction had spied on King since the early 1960s and used intimidation and blackmail to try to neutralize him and the civil rights movement as a whole, considering it Communist-inspired. Though the Red Scare ostensibly ended with the exposure of Senator Joe McCarthy in the mid-1950s, combating leftist influence remained the central preoccupation of the FBI. The secret and illegal COINTELPRO operation of surveilling, infiltrating, discrediting, and disrupting all oppositional organizations, was launched in 1956, officially ended in 1979, but its practices continue to this day.

The Black Panthers founding in Oakland, California in October 1966 quickly attracted African Americans across the country, particularly after the assassination of King, a proponent of nonviolence, 17 months later. By 1969, the organization tried to orient itself to other oppositional forces in the US, not just blacks, and to left-wing ideology. That made them more dangerous in the view of the FBI. Every means was used to destroy or neutralize the Panthers, up to and including murder, as committed in Chicago in a predawn raid against 21-year-old leader Fred Hampton in December 1969 while he was in his bed.

Kristen Stewart, with the reputation as a nonconformist, performs the title role. Her acting is impressive, but it cant compensate for the glaring problems lodged in the artistic decisions that were made well before shooting began.

The pre-credit fades from black as heavy, labored breathing gets louder. An innocent and fearful Jean Seberg appears. Wrapped in heavy chains, her angelic face grows more anxious. A camera crew zooms in on her and suddenly, intense flames surround her while her anxiety turns to terror as the fiery inferno engulfs her.

The scene symbolically establishes Seberg as a victim by evoking her first film role as the title character in Premingers Saint Joan (adapted by Graham Greene from George Bernard Shaws play about Joan of Arc). There is more to be said on this later.

The film opens in May 1968 with a fictionalized scene in Sebergs Paris apartment. Her husband, Romain Gary, played by Yvan Attal, is an established French novelist and diplomat. He fought with Charles de Gaulles Free French forces during World War II and was secretary of the French delegation to the United Nations and later Frances Consul General in Los Angeles, where he became involved in the film industry.

Gary is watching the television news, which, the viewer is led to assume, is reporting on the unfolding of the revolutionary May-June general strike. He tells Jean, rushing to catch a flight to Hollywood, that he cant accompany her because striking students have put up barricades at the Sorbonne. Jean is clearly uninterested and retorts that if she needs to find him, she will only have to look for the prettiest students.

Kristen Stewart in Seberg

In fact, Jean was in the US during the French May-June events. Gary was with her until very late in May when he returned to Paris while she began filming the musical Paint Your Wagon (1969).The films Paris scene establishes once more that Jean is a victim, in this case, of infidelity.

The French popular uprising was so thoroughgoing that it challenged the capitalist de Gaulle regime, forcing the leader to flee the country at one point. Those events were very much a part of the radicalization of masses all over the world, including in the US. Garys interest in those events was not just a passing one. He was sufficiently in sympathy with the strikes to resign his position as adviser to the French government as a result.

Why include such a sequence only to pass it over with indifference or inattention? It is needed so Jean can be placed in a subsequent scene where, on the flight to Los Angeles, black nationalist Hakim Jamal (Anthony Mackie) creates a disturbance, demanding seats in the upper level of the Boeing 747, and meets Seberg for the first time. (Interestingly, the 747 wasnt introduced into commercial service until 1970, over a year and a half after that scene was to have taken place.) The relationship between the two becomes the basis for the FBIs lie planted in the press about Seberg being pregnant with the baby of a Black Panther.

More significantly, in the screenplays most absurd veering from the truth, the first few minutes of the film introduce Jack Solomon (Jack OConnell), a fictional and improbable good guy FBI agent. Jack is the agent who first requests permission from his superiors for full round-the-clock surveillance on Seberg, but then quickly (too quickly, unrealistically) becomes the conscience of the story as he develops a peculiar, bordering on perverse, empathy with his target.

Much of the drama in Seberg revolves around this rather silly invention. Jacks foil is his brutish and racist fellow agent Carl (Vince Vaughn). In a scene at Carls home, Jack and his wife Linette (Margaret Qually) have been invited to dinner. Before dinner, Carl shows Jack a pornographic flyer, a cartoon of a black man and a white woman, drawn as a pig, having sex, under a racial expletive in large bold letters. Later, sitting down around the dining table, Carl proceeds to emotionally abuse each of his family members. He is a stereotypical monster.

It is Carl, after listening to a surveillance tape of Seberg saying she is pregnant, who proposes she be neutralized by leaking the story to local gossip columnists that she is having a Black Panthers child. When Jack gets wind of the scheme, he barges into a meeting of local FBI chief Frank Scully, played by the wonderful character actor Colm Meaney, and Carl, to voice his opposition to it.

The film presents moments of Sebergs explosive rise to fame through the eyes of the FBI. Stewart flawlessly recreates critical sequences in Sebergs early life in front of the camera, including the clip of her 1956 interview by director Otto Preminger. She prevails over almost 20,000 hopefuls in a globally publicized star search for the lead role in Premingers upcoming Saint Joan. She shows herself to be a talented and determinedand young, not quite 18actress who has what the renowned director calls a captivating personality.

The film refers to Jeans sympathy for the cause of equality, displayed when she insisted on joining the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) at the age of 14, defying her fathers warning that people would think she was a Communist. This was 1951 or 1952, at the height of the Red Scare.

The film journeys into fantasy when Seberg declares (during a contrived press conference after a miscarriage caused by the emotional anxiety resulting from the FBIs dirty tricks and attacks on her): We are all responsible. We are all culpable. I dont pretend to have all the answers, but if we refuse to accept the lies, I believe one day the truth will be revealed. The speech is meant to be moving, but it is largely brainless.

Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg in Breathless

At any rate, being deeply affected by the press conference (which never occurred) in the FBIs offices, Solomon (the agent who never existed) listens to a surveillance tape where Hakim advises winning one mind at a time. If you can change one mind you can change the world. In response, Solomon carries out a subversive scheme against the FBI that sets up a stupidly improbable denouement in which Solomon and Seberg meet.

The overlaid text in the epilogue implies that COINTELPRO was discovered and ended by Congress. In fact, US government spying on opposition forces has reached new and unprecedented heights in our day. Another implication is that Sebergs death in 1979 was somehow suspect. The truth is, she was driven into paranoia and mental instability by continuing FBI and media attacks on her and her son. If the reader is interested in a more truthful account of Sebergs life, Garry McGees Jean SebergBreathless, is one of the several biographies out there.
Younger generations are more confident about getting a pay rise in the next year. Photo: Getty

Four in 10 UK employees expect a pay rise within the next year despite the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the economy, according to a new study by job board CV-Library.

Some 41% of Brits are still optimistic about their pay-check growing over the next 12 months even though the UK economy suffered its largest-ever contraction and officially entered a recession in the second quarter, as the coronavirus lockdown took a heavy toll on economic activity. Economic output declined by a record 20.4% between April and June, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Women are slightly more likely than men to expect a pay rise this year with 42% of women reporting this compared with 41% of men, in the survey of 1,100 UK professionals.

The younger generations are also more confident about getting a pay rise with 60% of those aged between 25 and 34 expecting a raise in the coming year, followed by 45% of 18- to 24-year-olds.

READ MORE: Tesco to create 16,000 new permanent jobs

Employees in Liverpool are most likely to expect an increase in pay, with 71% expecting a raise. This is followed by Aberdeen (60%), Edinburgh (55%), Exeter (55%), Sheffield (53%), and Manchester (52%).

Some 44% of Londoners expect to see their pay packets grow within the next 12 months.

However, only 19% of workers believe theyll be offered a promotion during the next year.

Again, younger people are more optimistic when it comes to the prospect of a promotion, with those aged 18 or under the most confident (60%), followed by 18-24-year-olds (39%), and 25-30-year-olds (29%).

Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library said: Its understandable that professionals are looking to regain some of their lost income in the coming months, particularly if theyve been placed on furlough. However, the governments Job Retention Scheme will come to an end in October and a second wave of the virus could make the job market even more competitive in 2021.

Story continues

READ MORE: Fifth of businesses failing to offer drug and alcohol support to employees

Over 9.5 million people have been furloughed by their employer under the governments job retention scheme during the coronavirus pandemic, which sees the state pay 80% of furloughed staffs wages up to a maximum 2,500 per month.

The scheme is set to run until the end of October but is already winding down, with employers having to contribute to the cost of the scheme from August. Experts fear the end of the scheme could herald a surge in redundancies as many find they dont have a job to return to.

Of professionals that are currently unemployed, half (51%) are confident that theyll find a new job in the next three months, CV-Library found.

The younger generation continues to be the most confident, with 64% of under 18s expecting to find a role in three months, followed by 61% of 25-34-year-olds and 60% of 18-24-year-olds.

READ MORE: 90,000 travel jobs axed or at risk as firms cry for help

The data clearly shows that young professionals have a great deal of confidence in the job market; which is refreshing given that we know theyve been hit hard by the pandemic. While we are seeing an increase in the number of job opportunities available, job seekers may find that there is more competition for top roles, said Biggins.

If youre expecting a pay rise or promotion in the next year, its important that you remain realistic with your expectations. Many businesses have struggled during this difficult time and may not be able to offer you exactly what you want. That said, its still possible to secure a great offer. Just be sure to go to your manager with clear justifications and evidence for why you deserve that pay rise or promotion, he said
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: In a bid to promote tourism destinations in the State and encourage film shoots at these locations, Tourism Minister V Srinivas Goud on Monday announced that the State government would introduce a single-window system for filmmakers to obtain permissions to shoot at tourist spots.

Stating that several picturesque and quaint locations in Telangana such as hillocks, forts, reservoirs, forests, waterfalls, eco-parks, and temples will be good for film shoots, the Minister said that many of these spots that are being neglected can be used for the film and TV industry.

Listing a few tourist spots including Laknavaram, Kaleswaram, Sammakka Sarakka, Somashila, Farhabad, Mallela Theerdham, and Akka Mahadevi caves, Srinivas Goud said that the Tourism Department and the Telangana Film Development Corporation (FDC) will support the film industry to get permissions for the shoots easily. He said that the government will form a committee of cinematographers and tourism officials to visit all potential locations to design a roadmap for the same.

Will prove cost-effective for filmmakers, says min

Filmmakers usually have to go to foreign locations like Dubai, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore for their shoots. However, now there is no need to do so as they can shoot for the films in the State itself since we have all the facilities. This will also be cost-effective for them, added the Minister
Hong Kong: 19-month-old initially tests positive

(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Hospital Authority today said a 19-month-old patient of Hong Kong Children's Hospital has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19 while antibodies were found in his blood specimen.

The 19-month-old boy was admitted to the hospital yesterday for an essential elective surgery.

A health declaration was made upon admission and he did not present with fever or respiratory symptoms.

A nasopharyngeal swab test was performed as a screening measure. The result released last night was preliminarily positive to the virus.

The boy and his accompanying mother were immediately put in an isolation room and then transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for isolation.

Subsequent blood tests of the boy and his mother showed the presence of antibodies. They met the discharge criteria and have been discharged directly from the hospital.

The authority said with the presence of antibodies in their blood specimens, the pair should have acquired infection from the community earlier and have recovered.

Upon discussion with the Centre for Health Protection, it was agreed that there is no risk of transmission to others.

No patients in the same cubicle with the boy nor visitors and staff in the ward are classified as close contacts.

In addition, Princess Margaret Hospital reported two supporting staff members preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19.

One of them involves a patient care assistant who works in the Non-Emergency Ambulance Transfer Service section.

She has not come into contact with any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases. Her last working day was on August 21.

Three colleagues who had meals with her are classified as close contacts and need to be quarantined for 14 days.

Another case involves an operation assistant who works in the Accident & Emergency Department.

She had transported a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days but was not involved in any clinical care or high-risk medical procedures.

While no patients are classified as close contacts, two colleagues, who had meals with the operation assistant, are classified as close contacts and need to be quarantined.

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Islamabad, Aug 25 : As ways are being paved towards peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghanistan government; China is calling on Pakistan to open its five key border crossings with Afghanistan to allow bilateral and transit trade of Afghan exports to India.

This is going to be one of the top agendas of the talks between the Taliban delegation, which will be meeting with Pakistani leadership to discuss the progress and way forward of peace dialogue during its stay in Islamabad.

Afghanistan relies on Pakistani land routes and seaports to carry out its international trade. The two countries share at least 18 crossing points while most commonly used are the Torkham and Chaman border in northwest and southwest of Pakistan, respectively.

Analyst believe that Islamabad's recent steps to open five key crossing points are the result of China's ongoing efforts to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), to Afghanistan.

Recently, Pakistan has reopened Torkham, Chaman, Ghulam Khan, Angoor Adda and Kharlachi border crossing points, which are now operating for at least six days a week, working round the clock.

Pakistan government sources confirmed that the opening of the three crossings, other than the Torkham and Chaman border, were decided in the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Vice Foreign Minister Strategic Dialgoue, which was set up to normalize tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

Pakistan, despite its ongoing escalation and confrontational tensions with India, announced in July that it would resume Afghan exports to India through eastern Wagah border crossing, aimed at "facilitating Afghanistan's transit trade".

"With this step, Pakistan has fulfilled its commitments under Pakistan-Afghanistan Transit Trade Agreement," maintained Pakistan foreign office.

Opening of the new trade routes by Pakistan is being appreciated by global powers as World Bank has come with a financial support of $460.6 million for Islamabad to approve the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor, a 48km expressway between Peshawar and the Torkham border.

"China supports the CPEC extension to Afghanistan so that the Afghan people can benefit from the BRI," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.

On the other hand, India opposes any project under the name of Belt and Road, as part of the route passes through Pakistan administered Kashmir.

The BRI project of China initially did not include Afghanistan. But with NATO troops withdrew, Beijing reviewed and revised its policy and considered Afghanistan as the primary link between Central Asian republics and CPEC.
How many people have died from Covid-19 in South Africa? The truth is that we don't really know. A simple change to government policy can go a long way towards changing that.

Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi can make a simple policy change that can allow South Africa to implement a health programme that will be a model for the world. Photo: Tariro Washinyira

Protecting confidentiality

The Medical Research Council (MRC) publishes a weekly report of the number of excess deaths in South Africa due to the Covid-19 epidemic. But because the researchers dont have access to death certificates, they have to make two guesses: How complete is the data? And what are people dying of?Excess deaths are estimated by comparing observed deaths to historical trends. The data the MRC uses comes from Home Affairs but there are two shortcomings: (1) Home Affairs only processes deaths of people with South African identity numbers, and (2) the certificates with cause of death are not available to the MRC.This means: first, that the MRC researchers have to estimate the number of deaths (because people who died without ID numbers arent included), and second, that they do not have the information on causes of death that would help them better estimate how many deaths are due to HIV, TB, Covid, diabetes and other illnesses.StatsSAs report Mortality and causes of death in South Africa, 2017: Findings from death notification , published this year, says: Reliable mortality statistics are the cornerstone of national health information systems, and are necessary for population health assessment, health policy and service planning; and programme evaluation.For example, between 2008 and 2014, in the Western Cape, cause-of-death data were used collaboratively by universities, the MRC and the provincial government to guide public health policy. Their analysis, unique in South Africa, relied on mortality data being processed quickly with geographic specificity by the MRCs mortality surveillance project under terms agreed by Home Affairs.This project contributed to the drop in deaths from diarrhoea in children under five between 2008 and 2013. MRC researchers hoped it could be rolled out countrywide.But a new regulation in 2014, albeit well intended, put an end to this.The Births and Deaths Registration Act requires that each death in South Africa is accounted for. This is usually done by a doctor filling in a death form known as DHA-1663. In terms of the 2014 regulations under the Act, the cause of death is considered confidential and only an official from StatsSA is allowed to break the seal.Protecting peoples confidentiality, even after death, is important; they leave behind families and loved ones after all. Government has therefore interpreted the regulations strictly to mean that only StatsSA can see the death certificates (even though, ironically, the Department of Health owns the data).But if this data is shared with the Department of Health and MRC team that brings out the weekly mortality report, it will allow them to identify almost in real time where people are dying of what diseases (of course, the health department and MRC researchers must keep the certificates confidential).This will mean the health department can take immediate action to address Covid hotspots or sudden increases in child mortality due to malnutrition. The Western Cape programme can be resurrected, as well as replicated in other provinces. It has the potential to be an aspect of our health system that is a world-class model.This will not be a panacea. There are often problems with the way death forms are filled in by doctors, but perhaps this too can be addressed as the usefulness of the weekly MRC reports becomes more apparent.The decision to allow the health department (and MRC researchers) rapid access to the death certificates can be taken by the Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi. Making this small change in policy will be a big win for the health of the country.
Four years ago, President Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination in Cleveland over persistent opposition within his own party. There was a hopeless, last-minute effort to battle his nomination on the convention floor. There was Senator Ted Cruzs admonition to voters to vote your conscience, in lieu of a call for party unity. There was Gov. John Kasich  the chief executive of the host state  declining to attend.

Today, Mr. Trump will be renominated for a second term as president with no meaningful opposition within his party. His advisers have promised the Republican convention will make a variety of appeals to voters about the economy, national security and law enforcement. But one message is clear from the start: This is Mr. Trumps party now.

There is much that remains uncertain about the Republican National Convention, including how exactly organizers intend to focus its message. Mr. Trump and his team have criticized the Democratic convention last week as too downbeat and promised a more optimistic set of speeches this week, even as Mr. Trump has delivered some of his bleakest, most caustic and divisive stump speeches in recent days.

But what is certain is that Mr. Trump, his family and his loyalists will dominate the week. The president himself is expected to make an appearance all four nights of the convention, and given his thirst for media attention, it may not be in the same understated manner as Joseph R. Biden Jr.s cameo appearances last week. The rest of the announced speakers are all reliable Trump lieutenants, from Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, who recently hosted the president at Mount Rushmore, to Nikki Haley, the former United Nations ambassador who has been a reliable pro-Trump surrogate on television and social media.
The Federal Government has lauded the historic certification of Nigeria and Africa as a polio-free country and continent, respectively.

In a statement on Tuesday, the government welcomed the development as a glorious day for Nigeria and fulfilment of President Muhammadu Buharis promise.

It noted that the President had given the assurance that his administration would provide the necessary resources to strengthen the health system, routine immunisation, and ensure the country was certified polio-free.

Reacting to the feat recorded, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, described it as the fulfilment of President Buharis promise and the resilient spirit of Nigerians, especially frontline health workers who gave Nigeria the pride of place in the comity of nations.

It is indeed one of the greatest dividends of the present administration, he was quoted as saying in a statement by Mohammad Ohitoto who is the Head of Public Relations Unit at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
It seems the two films announced after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput are facing their own share of troubles. Producer Sanoj Mishras film, titled Sushant, was supposed to feature TikTok star Sachin Tiwari in the lead. However, the TikTok star, with a close resemblance to the late actor, has now jumped ship and is playing the lead in a film on the same subject, Suicide or Murder. The TikTok star, however, says he did not sign any contract with Sanoj.

Sanoj told The Asian Age, Sachin was told the story and his character. We conducted workshops with him in July; but after some time, he stopped attending the workshops and responding to our calls. He first signed the film with us and we paid him an advance too. We spent approximately Rs 1 crore on pre-production. In the circumstances, we are compelled to petition the Mumbai court for an injunction restraining him from working in any other film and to stop the release of any film if shot with him for violating the agreement with us.

When contacted, producer of Suicide or Murder, Vijay Shekhar Gupta told Hindustan Times that he has signed a proper contract with Sachin while Sanoj did not. Vijay also claimed that the papers Sanoj gave to Sachin were fraudulent and did not mention the films name or the amount payable to Sachin. Sachin is an innocent kid who does not know the city well. This guy (Sanoj), I have never met him. He cheated this kid.

Sachin also said,  I stayed with him for 3-4 days and it was as if I was in captivity. I used to get just khichdi - a single meal in the entire day and would manage to get some snacks and I would pay for those! He could not give me proper food, how would he make a film? I ran for my life. I literally ran from the flat to my sisters place (Mumbai). I have not been paid any amount. If he is claiming he made payments, please ask him to prove.

Earlier, Sanoj had claimed his was not a biopic but a story of strugglers in Mumbai. This film will be the story of all those who are forced to take harsh steps in Bollywood due to harassment. This film will be produced under the banner of Road Production and Sanoj Mishra Films and will be shot in Mumbai and Bihar, he had said in a statement while announcing his film.

Also read: Sands are shifting: Sanjay Dutts wife Maanayata shares pic of their twins with heartfelt note, Trishala Dutt sends her prayers

Sanoj has earlier made films like Gandhigiri, Rams birthplace, Lafange Nawab and Srinagar.

Sushant was found dead on June 14 at his Mumbai residence and no film can officially be made on his life, as of now as the case of his death is under investigation.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Chinese smartphone maker Realme is all set to unveil the Realme X7 series in China on September 1. The new smartphone series will reportedly see two smartphones by the name Realme X7 and the higher-end Realme X7 Pro. Now, ahead of the release, we have the first photos of the phones, thanks to two executives of the company, who revealed the phones rather unusual display. Both the Realme X7 and Realme X7 Pro will reportedly feature a neat tri-colour gradient and will have the companys motto Dare to Leap embossed on the back as well.

While one of the executives, Xu Qi Chase, revealed the photos of the online, Realme Design Director Xianghai Sire, on the other hand, informed the colour was accomplished after 8 months of development and 400 hours of colour proofing, as well as other industrial processes. Sire also added that such a design is a gamble and hopes it would be well received by the Realme users, especially the youth. Furthermore, Sire that the new colour is not only a trend but is also a way to embrace multiculturalism.

Coming to the other aspects of the phones, especially the specifications, both the Realme X7 and Realme X7 Pro are tipped to feature a 120Hz AMOLED displays. While there are no words on the chipsets, both the Realme X7 and Realme X7 Pro are expected to be backed by 4,300mAh and 4,500mAh batteries respectively with 65W SuperDart Flash Charge support. In the camera department, both the phones will sport multiple rear cameras, with the Realme X7 Pro packing a 64-megapixel primary sensor, according to a leak. Furthermore, both the Realme X7 and Realme X7 Pro will be carrying 5G connectivity support as well.
Raj Barathur -- Indian American entrepreneur, geneticist, professor and biopharmaceutical industry leader -- stayed the course even when diagnosed with lung cancer.

IMAGE: Dr Rajendra Barathur. All Photographs: Kind courtesy raj-barathur/@RajBarathur/medium.com

When Rajendra Barathur was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017, he followed the advice he'd given his daughters, brother, friends, colleagues, and mentees for years: Stay the course.

The phrase had gotten Raj far in life, but it never meant staying put.

Born on January 7, 1949, in Hyderabad, Raj was the second and most mischievous of four brothers.

At a young age, he learned the importance of helping others from his late father, who lost his life while saving someone else from a fire.

IMAGE: Rajendra Barathur and his siblings with their mother.

From his mother, Raj learned lessons of passion and compassion.

The result of years of watching his mother and grandmother cook, Raj developed a life-long love of cooking.

IMAGE: Dr Rajendra Barathur and Uma Barathur.

In 1973, Raj met his wife, Uma.

On the day of their introduction, Raj was running a fever, something they would remember as a good omen in a story that would be told again and again.

The couple married in 1974 and quickly formulated a plan.

Having received his bachelor's in agriculture and master's in genetics and plant breeding, Raj decided he would pursue higher studies in the United States.

He left for the United States in December of that year.

IMAGE: Dr Rajendra Barathur relaxes in a hammock.

In 1975, Raj and Uma were blessed with the birth of their first daughter, Archana.

After a time of transition that required the family to spend staggering years apart, they reunited in Manhattan, Kansas, where Raj was working on his PhD in plant genetics at Kansas State University.

Though the distance and separation were difficult, they stayed the course.

Their second daughter, Angana, was born just as Raj's professional career began to take off.

The family relocated to New Jersey, where Raj was a rising star at a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company, Roche.

As a result of his hard work and dedication, Raj ascended from manager to senior vice president of the company in just over ten years.

IMAGE: Dr Rajendra Barathur.

A born leader, Raj co-founded the Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology for Hoffmann-La Roche, before going on to co-found two international, diagnostic genetic organisations with the company in California, where the family moved in the early 1990s.

The first of the companies was Specialty Laboratories, where Raj led a group of 100+ sales representatives, and generated revenues of over $140 million in just 52 short months.

Former President of Roche Biomedical & LabCorp, Jim Powell remembers the time noting, "Dr Raj Barathur was a pioneer in the clinical laboratory industry in the US. He was the founder of the genetics program at Roche Biomedical Laboratories, establishing the laboratory in the research triangle of North Carolina. This laboratory later formed the basis of the genetics testing and research programs at LabCorp."

Raj still wasn't done founding and building successful companies, instead, he stayed the course.

IMAGE: Dr Rajendra Barathur at work.

In 1998, he founded ClinCyte, a company that helped diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies accelerate and reduce the costs of clinical trials.

As a member of the executive team, he helped establish licensing ties with international conglomerates, including Panasonic, Menarini, and Sumitomo.

With the knowledge he incurred over years in the industry, Raj founded Cymbiotics in 2002.

The multinational biopharmaceutical company uses a low-cost business model to develop new and original drugs using alternate dosage forms and novel delivery mechanisms.

Raj published over 30 scientific articles, co-authored the Black Book on Genetics, and patented four inventions.

In addition to holding several other patents pending and intellectual property disclosures, he additionally developed over 200 specialised assays and held professorships at Rutgers and Duke University.

IMAGE: Dr Rajendra Barathur celebrates another achievement.

To say that Raj Barathur was accomplished is an understatement.

Despite his professional success, his greatest accomplishments came in his personal life, in which he was known for acts of kindness, large and small, to friends and family in times of need, regardless of his own situation.

Raj -- affectionately known as Bujji -- could light up a room with his smile.

He was an advisor and mentor to friends and family around the world.

Throughout his life, he helped countless people in myriad ways.

Sonny Ramaswamy, president and CEO of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and former administrator of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, recounts, "My brother, Raj -- Bujji, as we called him -- was one of the most brilliant and compassionate people I have known. The success I have had is, in many ways, attributable to Bujji, my role model as a person and as a scientist."

IMAGE: Dr Rajendra Barathur with family.

Even when diagnosed with lung cancer, Raj stayed the course.

With the aid of new genomic treatments, the lifetime geneticist would fight cancer while continuing to act as CEO of Cymbiotics and making the most of life by moving to Sonoma to be near his family.

For three-and-a-half years, he fought valiantly and lost the battle to lung cancer on August 20, 2020.

He is survived by his wife Uma Barathur of Sonoma, daughter Archana Chattha (Vijay Chattha) and grandchildren Amrik, Taj, and Jaia of Novato, daughter Angana Barathur Patterson (Douglas Patterson) of Los Angeles, mother Srimathi Ramaswamy and brothers Dr Saiprasad and Captain Vijayendra of Bangalore, India, and Sonny Ramaswamy of Redmond.

In lieu of flowers, Raj's family asks that you please make a donation to St Jude Children's Research Hospital (external link).

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
How is it that Attorney General William P. Barr was able to determine that Portland protesters were attacking U.S. government property, such that he claimed he had to send government agents to suppress their actions? But he is unable to perceive that U.S. postmaster Louis DeJoy is vandalizing the United States Postal Service?

An attorney general who recognizes only certain types of crimes is relatively worthless, if not harmful, since he allows other crimes to fester by overlooking them.
As many as 178 migrant Rajasthanis arrived on Monday in a Vande Bharat flight from Muscat, officials said. Additional Chief Secretary Subodh Agarwal said that four flights are proposed to land at Jaipur - two from Kuwait, one each from Dubai and Abu Dhabi under the Centres Vande Bharat Mission from August 24 to 29.

He said that about 24,700 migrant Rajasthanis have arrived to Jaipur in around 156 flights so far. The first Vande Bharat flight to Jaipur came from London on May 22, he said. Rajasthanis living outside India have been arriving to Jaipur in chartered flights as well as those operated under the Vande Bharat Mission as scheduled commercial international flights remain suspended due to the coronavirus lockdown. So far, about 156 flights of both types have landed at Jaipur airport, Agarwal added.
Tasmanians can now apply for a $1,500 pandemic leave payment if they are sick or have to self-isolate due to coronavirus.

Scott Morrison announced he has made an agreement with the state government to include Tasmania in the scheme which already covers Victoria.

Under the federal-state agreement, the Commonwealth pays for Australian residents and citizens while state governments pick up the bill for short-term visa holders.

Tasmanians can now apply for a $1,500 pandemic leave payment if they are sick or have to self-isolate due to coronavirus. Pictured: Hobart

A worker can only apply for the payment if they have no sick leave.

Federal Labor has said the government was too slow to bring in the pandemic leave.

'The point of paid pandemic leave, and why we've been calling for it for some time, was to prevent community transmission,' Labor leader Anthony Albanese said.

'No one should be in a circumstance whereby they feel compelled to go to work because they don't have other options of financial support.'

Tasmania last recorded a case of coronavirus on August 11.

In Victoria more than $8.8 million has been paid for almost 6,000 granted claims since 6 August.

Scott Morrison (right) announced he has made an agreement with the state government to include Tasmania in the scheme which already covers Victoria
SPRINGFIELD  Federal prosecutors said Monday they still expect to file additional charges against former state Rep. Luis Arroyo, and a judge scheduled a hearing in 60 days so that Arroyos defense attorney has time to review voluminous information in the case.

During a brief status hearing that was conducted by telephone Monday, U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger scheduled the next hearing for 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Arroyo did not take part in Mondays hearing. He was represented by his defense attorney, Michael Gillespie.

We do still have that expectation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Stetler said during the hearing. That's (been) communicated with Mr. Gillespie on other issues as well. My understanding is that he's still working his way through some voluminous discovery. The government has also agreed to provide some supplemental discovery to the defense.

Prosecutors first indicated in June that additional, related charges could be forthcoming.

Arroyo, a Chicago Democrat, was charged in October 2019 with one felony count of bribery for allegedly attempting to pay $2,500 to an unnamed state senator, with promises of more to come, in exchange for the senators support of gambling legislation that would have benefitted one of Arroyos lobbying clients. The senator was wearing a wire at the time for federal investigators.

Chicago-area media outlets, citing unnamed sources, have reported that the unnamed state senator was Terry Link, a Democrat from Indian Creek in Lake County, although Link has strongly denied any involvement. Link was recently charged in an unrelated case with tax evasion for filing a false 2016 federal tax return.

Arroyo has pleaded not guilty to his charges, but he resigned his office Nov. 1, just ahead of a special House investigative hearing to determine whether he should be expelled from the General Assembly.

In addition to serving in the Illinois House, Arroyo operated a lobbying business that lobbied the city of Chicago on various matters. According to court documents, Arroyo was pushing for legislation to authorize the use of sweepstakes machines  video gaming devices that are similar to slot machines but which have not specifically been legalized in Illinois.

The criminal charge against Arroyo flowed out of a sprawling federal investigation into alleged political corruption that has focused on Chicago-area Democrats. That probe has also renewed calls in the General Assembly for sweeping ethics reform in the General Assembly, but lawmakers so far have not enacted any substantive legislation.

During their fall veto session last year, lawmakers passed a bill establishing a Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform, which was supposed to issue a report with recommendations for reform in March, but its work was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, House Republicans demanded meetings of that commission resume immediately.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Jhesset O. Enano (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network) Manila  Tue, August 25, 2020 07:05 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4029112 2 Environment Philippines,cockatoo,wildlife Free

Four years after she was rescued and released back to the wild in Palawan province, Gold, a Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), has successfully hatched an egg, marking a success story amid the persistent threats to her species dwindling numbers.

The critically endangered bird was among the five hatchlings that were rescued in the Dumaran Island Critical Habitat in May 2016.

Wildlife wardens working under the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program of Katala Foundation Inc. (KFI) found the young birds starving due to the lack of food during the extremely dry months.

When she was rescued, Gold, which was named after the color of her leg band, weighed less than 60 gramshalf of the normal weight for a cockatoo hatchling.

To rescue hatchlings is a tough [decision] to make, said Peter Widmann, KFI species conservation program director. The great challenge is releasing them back to the wild and monitoring whether they are accepted by the wild flock.

Pet trade, habitat destruction

Locally known as katala, Philippine cockatoos or red-vented cockatoos used to be found all over the countrys lowland forests and mangroves. But habitat destruction and poaching for pet trade pushed their population to near-extinction.

This endemic bird was also widely hunted, even for leisure, since some people consider them agricultural pests.

To date, there are only roughly 1,000 Philippine cockatoos left in the wild, with 90 percent of the global population found in Palawan province. Close to 75 percent are in the four project sites of KFI in the province, the biggest of which is in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, home to close to 500 cockatoos.

When Gold and the other hatchlings were rescued, they were brought to KFIs center in Narra town, where they were nursed back to health, said Indira Lacerna-Widmann, KFI chief operations officer.

Monitoring and rescuing hatchlings are no walk in the park: wildlife wardens need to climb up trees 10 to 80 meters to reach their nests.

When the birds began to gain weight, they underwent a soft release back in Dumaran, where they were taught how to survive in their natural habitat by relearning how to get their natural food and avoid predators.

In partnership with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, KFI fully released the birds in January 2017.

Lacerna-Widmann said Golds successful breeding four years after her rescue and rehabilitation showed that she was able to fully reintegrate with the wild population.

The natural population of the Philippine cockatoo in Dumaran is very low, she said in an interview last week. This breeding supplements their population with new ones and increases the genetic diversity of the species.

Read also: Feline good: French cat survives coronavirus infection

In protecting this critically endangered species, KFI and its partners engage with communities in its project sites, including indigenous peoples, particularly since the cockatoos live in lowland forests and in close proximity to humans.

Under the conservation program, former poachers are employed and trained to monitor and protect the cockatoos and their habitats, using the traditional knowledge and skills that they used to employ in their hunting days.

But one persisting threat to its survival, Lacerna-Widmann said, is the changing climate, which makes it harder for the birds to find food and to breed.

Feeding on seeds, fruits, flowers and buds, the cockatoo is dependent on good weather for its subsistence. Unfortunately, the longer and more extreme dry seasons have been taking a toll on its food source.

KFI monitoring has shown that there is a significant correlation between rainfall from November to January and the breeding season of the cockatoos from January to March.

El Nino effect

The foundation has observed that the El Nino phenomenon, which happens every five years since 2005, has affected the cockatoos mating activities, according to Lacerna-Widmann.

It has disrupted the normal breeding season, she said. Maybe the cockatoos are very resilient also, but climate change has a huge impact on their breeding success.

If the dry season beginning November is so extensive, for example, it is likely that there will be no hatchlings during that breeding season.

For their survival, she said, it is important that climate change does not worsen.

Despite these challenges, KFI and its partners continue to double their efforts to ensure the survival of the critically endangered cockatoo.

Even amid the COVID-19 crisis, their work has not stopped, thanks to the support of local government units in project areas and funders, such as Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Chester Zoo, Beauval Nature, Fondation Segre, Zoologischen Gesellschaft fur Arten und Populationsschutz in Germany and Loro Parque Fundacion in Spain.

Every single individual counts, Lacerna-Widmann said, and every breeding season counts as well.

Topics : Philippines cockatoo wildlife

Topics :

This article appeared on the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
Photo: GoFundMe Eva Batista

Mamas for Mamas and Charitables.com have teamed up to raise the money needed for a baby to receive life-saving treatment.

Ricardo and Jessica Batista have launched a GoFundMe page explaining their daughter's condition. Eva, who was born on Aug. 11, 2019 was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type one on Oct. 2, 2019.

"SMA is a nightmare, it is a disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat or breathe," the couple wrote on their GoFundMe page.

"SMA Type I specifically is the most severe, diagnosed prior to one year of age. Eva is among the youngest known cases, diagnosed at just 7 weeks old."

The treatment needed costs $2.1 million USD, which is why their fundraising goal is set at $2,800,000 and as of Aug. 24 they've raised over $1 million.

"Knowing that there is something that can transform a life, but is out of reach because of financial reasons is what Mamas For Mamas works so hard to combat and why they are such a loved organization," Shannon Christensen, executive director for Mamas for Mamas.

Beginning Aug. 14, Mamas for Mamas will be launching a campaign to support funding for baby Evas treatment.

Both Charitables and Mamas for Mamas are asking Canadians to have a look through their homes for items they no longer need.

"Charitables.com is a brand new marketplace where Canadians can buy and sell their goods while choosing a registered Canadian Charity to receive the proceeds of the sale," writes John Perlinger, founder of Charitables.com in a release.

"Sellers are issued a tax receipt in the amount of the sale while buyers know that the money they spent on an item is going to a worthy cause"

For those looking for ideas of what to sell on Charitables, the most common items are:
The wrapper, filler and binder leaves carefully selected for the production of Allones No. 2, made "Totalmente a Mano con Tripa Larga"- Totally Handmade with Long Filler-, come from the renowned Vuelta Abajo* area, in the region of Pinar del Rio*, Cuba*. These have undergone a minimum two-year ageing process.

Ramon Allones has been one of the most famous Habanos brands since its foundation in 1837 and is one of the oldest in the Habanos, S.A. portfolio. The brand is celebrated for being the first to present its Habanos in decorated boxes. These Habanos are characterised by their intense and complex flavour.

Ramon Allones Allones No. 2 ("Vitola de Galera"-Factory Name- Campanas, 52 ring gauge x 140 mm long) is marketed in a unique, elegant, dark-green box designed especially for the brand, holding 10 Habanos.

Thanks to this event organised by Hunters & Frankau a total of 600 guests were offered the opportunity to participate simultaneously in the first exclusive online tasting of this Limited Edition. Each participant was given a launch pack containing a Ramon Allones Allones No.2 Limited Edition Habano; a 50-ml measure of Hine Cigar Reserve cognac together with a branded glass; custom-made chocolates produced specially to pair with the Ramon Allones Allones No.2; a Participation Certificate; a Tasting Sheet along with a brief description; and other accessories.

Hunters & Frankau has been the exclusive Habanos, S.A. distributor in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar and the Channel Islands since 1990. Founded in 1790, this is the most important premium cigar trading company in the United Kingdom with an extensive distribution network that comprises specialised stores, wine merchants, hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

*(P.A.O.) Protected Appellations of Origin

Contact: Carla Llado, Tel: +34-93 201 10 28, [email protected]

SOURCE HABANOS SA

Related Links

http://www.habanos.com/en/


Unconditional Counsel: a powerful read across a life journey filled with endless adversities where the only answer is found in the Lord. Unconditional Counsel is the creation of published author Arnita R. L. Lewis, a twenty-three-year veteran of Social Service Administration and Management and a four-year Police Performance Auditor II with the LAPD. She serves on the Board of Trustees as treasurer, praise team and choir member at Greater Deliverance church.

Lewis shares, BrokenI hadnt been myself for a long time. The enemy had me stuck with blinders, and I denied that there was the sin and shame from my past I never dealt with. How much could I refute it before my lifes miserable existence bested me? I was in that drowning thought of nothingness, forever trapped as my course of life was not worth enduring.

When Erica realizes theres been the constant turmoil within her marriage, and her relationship with God was in the most trouble, getting back into a right relationship with Him is her aim. Amid all, she identifies something has to give. Erica sees her life and the lives around her shift forever. As she contends with lust and emotions, an old boyfriend shows up at an espresso shop she frequents, and hes what shes yearned for in a believing spouse. The battle is on when her husband divorces her after winning the lotto. She leaves California and heads to Georgia to get a fresh start with a new career, but murder and mystery interrupts her new beginning, when a missing teenager is dead in a drain at Carters Lake.

Erica finds that following wise counsel, Gods counsel, is the best thing she can do to make it through whats happening to her.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Arnita R. L. Lewiss new book brings to the readers a captivating tale that reflects real-life situations in which everyone can find inspiration. Here, we see how one woman allowed God to work in her life when she had seen how much it drastically needed changing.

View a synopsis of Unconditional Counsel on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Unconditional Counsel at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Unconditional Counsel, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
CHICAGO, Aug. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oil-Dri Corporation of America (NYSE: ODC), a leading manufacturer of sorbent minerals, parent company to Amlan International, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent 10,568,903 entitled Clay Product and Uses Thereof. The patent covers two existing commercial products, Varium for poultry and NeoPrime for swine, that are helping global animal protein producers thrive in an era of antibiotic-free production.



This patent provides a methodology for using a natural, mineral-based formula to mitigate the effects of exposure to pathogenic bacteria and the disease-causing toxins they produce, which damage gut health and function. Advancements in natural feed additives are helping to transform animal protein production by providing proven and reliable alternatives to in-feed antibiotics used to promote growth and productivity.


SAN DIEGO, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Coastal Health USA and 3M unite to provide businesses with Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) monitoring system for high-touch surfaces. Utilizing 3M's best of breed technology, Coastal Health USA will be able to provide accurate testing measurements on the level of bacterial contamination on surfaces such as countertops, tabletops, doorknobs, restroom sinks, check-in areas, and more.

"After installing our SurfaceHealthTM solutions in various businesses, our customers requested validation that their janitorial services were properly cleaning and disinfecting. Our incorporation of 3M's cloud-enabled monitoring services provides this analytical data on surfaces as a building block for the development of our Infectious Control Plan (ICP) for customers." Jack Corrao, Managing Partner

SurfaceHealth'sTM onsite high-touch audits walk customers through a multi-step environmental process that includes:

Audit and observation of your current janitorial plan

Onsite environmental hygiene testing

Analytical review of ATP testing

Development of ICP (Infection Control Plan) documentation

Recommendations based on infection control best practices

Ongoing compliance audits

About 3M

3M is a national organization, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and is the leading provider in worker safety, US health care, and consumer goods. 3M touches virtually every part of your life. With medical dressings that help wounds heal faster, reflective materials that make our roadways safer, and even stethoscopes that listen to astronauts' heartbeats in space, 3M and their technology make the impossible, possible. Their goal is to apply their science to make our lives better.

About Coastal Health USA

Coastal Health USA was established in 2018 with the mission of bringing Healthcare Infection Control solutions to the masses. With over 15 years of Infection Control experience, our team has successfully implemented washable, antimicrobial, and UVC technology in Healthcare facilities all over the world. Our team specializes in developing infection control plans with EPA & FDA regulated solutions for clinical, commercial, and public environments. We also work with companies and educational facilities to set up foundations that provide cleaner surfaces, easier access to sanitary devices, and green disinfectants on multi-use applications. To schedule your facilities' free assessment, visit our page: https://www.coastalhealth.us/assessment.php

Contact information:

Jack Corrao

Managing Partner, Coastal Health USA

858 210 8188

[email protected]

11230 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 100

San Diego, CA 92121

SOURCE Coastal Health USA

Related Links

https://www.coastalhealth.us


Gov. Gavin Newsom appeared to deliver welcome news on Monday to counties that have slowed the spread of coronavirus and been removed from the states watchlist only to find themselves in limbo as they await his long-promised reopening rules.

The governor said counties must wait two weeks to reopen businesses after they come off the states list, a timeline that would allow Santa Cruz to open later this week and Placer and San Diego to follow the week after.

There has to be a 14-day period between the application [and] implementation of not only schools but reopening any sector of the economy, Newsom said Monday. So, theres no delay in that respect for these counties moving forward.

But later an aide sought to recast Newsom's comment and it became clear that he misspoke. The fumble only added to the confusion county officials across California are feeling about the directives  or lack thereof  coming from Sacramento since the pandemic began. While Newsom has preached the importance of local control, the state has taken the lead on California's response and announced public health guidelines with little notice and less explanation for how counties should interpret the rules.

I know these are unprecedented times, said Placer County Supervisor Bonnie Gore. I know they are busy, but we have residents who are very concerned and I dont have answers. We dont have the freedom to make our own decisions so we have to ask the state for direction. I want to be sympathetic to the state, but we have residents asking us and we feel like our hands are tied.

Under a system developed by the state, counties are added to the monitoring list and must shutter additional businesses if they experience three days of elevated disease transmission, increased hospitalizations or limited hospital capacity. Counties drop off the list if those trends reverse and they meet the state standards for another three days.

Eight counties in California have been removed from the list and are waiting for state guidelines to instruct them on how and when they can begin reopening some of the businesses and sectors they had been forced to close, such as indoor church services, gyms and malls.

Story continues

Though the governor said Monday that the process would begin two weeks after a county falls off the list, he meant that no counties had been off the list for more than two weeks, the length of time they must wait before opening schools, said Kate Folmar, a spokeswoman for California Health and Human Services.

"Our revised framework to be released later this week will give more clarity on how long of a pause is required between tightening and loosening restrictions on sectors," Folmar said.

By most measures, California's first reopening didn't go as well as Newsom had hoped.

The state ultimately allowed counties to reopen before they met state thresholds for contact-tracing staff and daily targets for testing. Newsom also loosened rules that had barred counties with COVID-19 deaths in the previous two weeks from reopening, one of several changes he said in mid-May would have allowed 53 of 58 counties to begin that process.

The virus surged and by July, the state began implementing business restrictions again.

This time around, the governor has said the state will keep tighter controls on county reopenings. As the state develops a new process, the Newsom administration has also been grappling with record-setting wildfires, a historic heat wave, power outages and lightning strikes.

Santa Cruz became the first county removed from the watchlist following data issues that forced the state to freeze the list, much to the dismay of local officials. The county dropped off the list days before major wildfires ignited in the region.

Unfortunately, us coming off the watchlist coincides with the fires, Santa Cruz County Supervisor Ryan Coonerty said. There hasnt been a lot of time to work through the implications of coming off the watchlist. This crisis has surpassed our previous crisis. But as things stabilize, we will try to figure these things out going forward."

Since Santa Cruz County was removed, Coonerty and fellow Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend said there has been no communication from the state about what that means.

The county has not received a timeline or metrics, and neither has any other county Ive talked to, Friend said.

The lack of clarity from the governor's office predates the most recent round of disasters.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the governor's announcements and orders have lacked detail and been difficult to implement. She also said that counties have not been given enough notice before the state announces major decisions.

Barger cited a recent example of contradictory messaging from the state public health department and the state Board of Barbering & Cosmetology over the ability of hair salons to operate outdoors. The board and the department disagreed about whether outdoor salon services were allowed and Newsom was forced to publicly clarify that they were allowed days after he shut down businesses.

"It causes confusion," Barger said. "When you've got industries that are already frustrated, that becomes even more exacerbated."

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and County Supervisor Greg Cox joined the chorus of county officials seeking more information earlier this month. In a letter to Newsom on Aug. 14, they requested clear and consistent reopening guidance for counties that are now in compliance with the states metrics.

The lack of a consistent process for these businesses, with logical, data-driven triggers, exacerbates an increasingly difficult economic situation, and undermines the credibility of and compliance with the states public health order, they wrote.

As county officials await more information, Gore said that every day the state does not release the rules is another day cash-strapped businesses are unable to plan for their future.

Our businesses want to hear this now, she said. Businesses need time to adjust. They are just waiting.
The HPC storage solution ensures secure data access coupled with high performance. Since installing WekaFS, SIB supports a growing number of biomedical research projects.

WekaIO (Weka), the innovation leader in high-performance, scalable, and parallel file storage, announced today that the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics has selected the Weka File System (WekaFS) to ensure data security with zero application performance degradation. SIB chose WekaFS because it provides a secure high-performance compute (HPC) and storage platform that prevents unauthorized users from accessing sensitive personal biodata while ensuring immediate access to the same data for authorized researchers who use it to accelerate research for critical public health issues, such as cancer or diabetes. Since installing WekaFS, SIB supports a growing number of projects on the cluster, in particular, because the researchers can trust the security of the sensitive data.

SIB is a Swiss-based, internationally recognized center of expertise in data science that is dedicated to biological data. It provides life scientists and clinicians with essential databases and custom-made tools, computational biology expertise, secure services for sensitive data, as well as bioinformatics training. A non-profit foundation, the Institute also represents the Swiss bioinformatics community by federating about 800 data scientists in the country and fostering collaboration among them. As part of its infrastructure activities, SIB develops a nationwide project called BioMedIT, aiming to implement a secure and cutting-edge IT network to support biomedical research and clinical bioinformatics. One of the three nodes of this network, the Romandie infrastructure at SIB, operates a platform that offers biomedical researchers a full service for the processing of sensitive data. In this context, cybersecurity and trust are of utmost importance.

DALCO, a Weka Innovation Network (WIN) Accelerator partner headquartered in Volketswil, Switzerland, lent its expertise to architect a clustered file system for SIB that would encrypt data for security without compromising on the high-performance required for research. The challenge was to find a parallel file system that provided the combination of encryption for security, shared data accessibility for authorized users only, and high performance for applications. SIB had evaluated other high-performance file systems but none met the data shareability and encryption-in-flight requirements. WekaFS was installed on an 8-node, on-premises storage cluster to serve data to a GPU-enabled, multi-tenant OpenStack cluster. OpenStack pools the virtual resources into a private cloud and WekaFS is used to mount it for different tenants. Data is tiered from the NVMe layer to 500TB of Red Hat Ceph object storage.

"We were looking for an HPC storage system that would be easy to manage and fully protect data with encryption at rest and in-flight, all while maintaining the highest performance," says Dr. Heinz Stockinger, Head of the Core-IT department at SIB. "With Weka, we can provide a storage solution for Swiss hospitals and other data providers. It offers secure access to patient data as well as the performance required by research groups. The trust that we have gained to provide a secure environment for sensitive health data has enabled us to increase the number of research projects on the platform."

"The challenge for SIB was to find a solution that would protect the data from unauthorized access and simultaneously accelerate GPU performance and application performance for the researchers," said Pascal Suter, CTO at DALCO. "The Weka parallel file system was architected from the ground up to empower the modern datacenter, with flash optimization and seamless tiering to object storage on- premises or in the public cloud. As it delivers unsurpassed bandwidth to GPU servers, Weka was the best HPC storage solution for SIB."

The complete solution has allowed SIB to support the varied workloads of its healthcare and research community and embed data encryption in-flight for security without compromising performance. In addition to ease of management with its simple, intuitive GUI, WekaFS provides advanced authentication services that securely restrict data access to authorized users only, including shared access using Weka's private cloud multi-tenancy capability. Weka reduces management with automated tiering to object storage via an S3 gateway and delivers high performance and high bandwidth to accelerate research and discovery. SIB has not only enhanced the security of its infrastructure but realized several benefits, including an increase in trust from partners and more data on the platform.

"We couldn't be happier to be a core component of SIB's infrastructure and to help accelerate life science research to improve the lives of people," added Ken Grohe, president and CRO at WekaIO. "Weka is the defacto storage solution that solves big problems for the most active research companies in healthcare, pharma, biotech, and genomics. WekaFS uses a shared storage architecture that eliminates any GPU performance bottlenecks and scales without limits. With integrated tiering to object storage and a simple, intuitive management interface, Weka is as easy to use as it is powerful."

Weka is helping accelerate research to cure life threatening illnesses and disease, like COVID-19, to find out more go to https://bit.ly/34uwwmP.

Additional resources:

SIB Case Study

Weka Solutions for Life Sciences

For more information or to locate a partner in the Weka Innovation Network, go to: https://www.weka.io/partners

For more information about the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, go to: https://www.sib.swiss/

For more information about DALCO, go to: http://www.dalco.ch/

About WekaIO

Weka offers WekaFS, the modern parallel file system that uniquely empowers organizations to solve the newest, biggest HPC storage problems holding back innovation. Optimized for NVMe and hybrid cloud storage, Weka handles the most demanding HPC storage challenges in the most data-intensive technical computing environments, delivering truly epic performance at any scale. Its modern architecture unlocks the full capabilities of today's datacenter, allowing businesses to maximize the value of their high-powered IT investments. Weka helps industry leaders reach breakthrough innovations and solve previously unsolvable problems. For more information about WekaFS, go to: https://www.weka.io/products.

Follow WekaIO: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook

WekaIO, WekaFS, Weka AI, Weka Innovation Network, Weka Within, the Weka AI logo, WIN logo, the Weka Within logo, and the WekaIO logo are trademarks of WekaIO, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005326/en/

Contacts:

Carol Platz

carol@weka.io

+1 844.392.0665
The comptroller said New York has gotten about $9 billion in federal aid this year to help with Covid-19 responses, Medicaid and education. We appreciate the help thus far and that is helping us in terms of managing cash flow," he said. But far more is needed if debilitating cuts are to be avoided.

State lawmakers are gearing up for a potential session in September to maybe address the state's finances. That's heightened talk for new revenue-raisers. Large spending cuts are not a route lawmakers want to take so deep into the fiscal year and so close to election day.

I get the feeling from my colleagues that they support revenue raising, which is usually tax increases. The general sense from Senate Democrats is that there is an appetite (for raising revenues) because were in an emergency situation and we need to do something.  We are not supportive of giant cuts to the budget. We didnt think we had enough money in this budget," Krueger said of the fiscal plan approved in early April.
File image

The Centre, Maharashtra government, Mumbai Railway Vikas Corp (MRVC) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on August 24 signed a $500 million loan agreement to improve network capacity and safety of the Mumbai suburban railway system.

The estimated total cost of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project - 3 (MUTP-3) is $997 million, out of which AIIB will pay $500 million, the Maharashtra government will fund $310 million and the Ministry of Railways will finance $187 million.

"The project is expected to increase network capacity in the region with the reduction in journey time and fatal accidents of commuters. It is estimated that among primary beneficiaries of the project, 22 percent are female passengers who will benefit from improved safety and quality of service," the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

The loan from multilateral finance institution AIIB has a 5-year grace period and a maturity of 30 years, the statement said.

"The process of land acquisition for Virar-Dahanu third and fourth lines and new suburban corridor between Panvel and Karjat has already started. Apart from that work of new station buildings at Digha of Airoli-Kalwa line is also on but after loan agreement with AIIB these works will get a new speed," an MRVC official said, as quoted by Mumbai Mirror.
The mother of a 20-year-old Michigan woman with special needs says she's 'devastated' by the ordeal her daughter went through after she was declared dead Sunday, only for funeral home staffers to find the woman with her eyes open and breathing later that day.

'Im devastated that my daughter is going through what shes going through,' 20-year-old Timesha Beauchamp's mother told Click on Detroit Monday morning.

'My family, her twin brother, her older brother - its just, I dont even have words. I havent slept all night. I just dont know what to do. My heart is so heavy.'

The mother of Timesha Beauchamp, 20 (left), said that she is 'devastated' about the ordeal her daughter went through after being declared dead, only for the funeral home to find her alive

Beauchamp, of Southfield, Michigan, is now on a ventilator at a Detroit hospital, clinging to life, after a horror movie-like incident that began at about 7.30am Sunday, according to her family's lawyer.

Her family called 911 after finding Beauchamp - who suffered from unspecified medical issues - unresponsive at her home. Southfield Fire Department paramedics performed CPR on her, before she was declared dead.

Because there were no signs of foul play, her body was released to her family so they could make funeral preparations. Beauchamp was picked up and taken to James H Cole Home for Funerals in Detroit at about noon.

That was when funeral home staffers discovered she was still alive and breathing.

Beauchamp's mother, who has not been named, told the news station that when the paramedics were at her home Sunday morning, 'They said, "Maam, shes gone." I told them, "Are you absolutely, 100 per cent sure that shes gone?" They said, "Yes, maam, shes gone."'

A few hours later, however, she said that someone from the funeral home called her with news that 'devastated' her life.

Beauchamp's mother said the funeral home staffer told her: 'Maam, your daughter is on her way to Sinai Grace Hospital. She is breathing. She is alive.'

Beauchamp (right) had been found non-responsive at her home on Sunday morning. After paramedics worked on her for half an hour, they declared her dead

Beauchamp's body was released to the family who arranged for her to be picked up by James H Cole Home for Funerals that afternoon. Staffer there discovered she was still breathing

[The statement] 'devastated my life,' Beauchamp's mother said, adding she responded, 'What do you mean? What do you mean shes breathing?'

The funeral home staffer said, 'Maam, shes in the hospital,' Beauchamp's mother recalled.

Beauchamp's mother said Monday that she isn't sure if her daughter will be able to recover and survive from the ordeal she suffered. She wants answers about what happened, as well.

According to a statement from Southfield Fire Chief Johnny Menifee, the first responders performed CPR and other 'life reviving methods' for 30 minutes.

'Given medical readings and the condition of the patient, it was determined at that time that she did not have signs of life,' the statement read.

ClickOnDetroit reported that unnamed sources with knowledge of the case claimed that Southfield police officers observed the patient move and breathe, and summoned the EMTs back, but the paramedics allegedly claimed those were just side effects of the medication given to her.

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger told WXYZ that Beauchamp's godmother, who is a registered nurse, told the medics that she detected a pulse in her.

Oakland County spokesperson William Mullan told DailyMail.com over the phone that after determining that the woman has died, the EMTs followed standard operating procedure and contacted an emergency room physician at an area hospital, who reviewed the patient's medical data and declared her deceased.

The Southfield Police Department then called the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office, saying that an official death declaration has been made for the patient and there was no suspicion of foul play.

Based on the information from the police and the ER doctor, a forensic pathologist released the body, which was still at home, directly to her family to make funeral arrangements.

'The Southfield Fire and Police Departments followed all appropriate city, county and state protocols and procedures in this case,' an updated statement from the fire department read. 'The City of Southfield is currently conducting a thorough internal investigation in addition to the Oakland County Medical Control Authority (OCMCA) which will be reporting their findings to the State of Michigan Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness (BETP).'

Funeral home employees 'were about to embalm her which is most frightening had she not had her eyes open. They would have begun draining her blood, to be very, very frank about it,' Fieger told WXYZ.

The management of the mortuary confirmed the facts of the case in a statement to DailyMail.com, saying that staff summoned Detroit Fire Department paramedics, who arrived and transported Beauchamp to a hospital.

'We couldnt believe it,' said Dave Fornell, deputy commissioner of the Detroit Fire Department, who added that her heart rate was 80.

'Its one of people's worst nightmares to imagine having an ambulance called and instead, sending you off to a funeral home in a body bag,' Fieger said, adding that when mortuary workers unzipped the body bag, they saw Beauchamp alive and with her eyes open.

The attorney, who previously defended the notorious Dr Jack Kevorkian during his euthanasia trial, speculated that the hour-and-a-half delay in Beauchamp's care caused by her trip to the funeral home could prove critical to her chances for a recovery.

DailyMail.com on Monday afternoon reached out to Fieger seeking additional comment on the case.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is actively spreading worldwide, affecting 188 countries and territories. At the beginning of the health crisis, Italy was one of the hardest-hit countries. Now the country sits 18th on the country list for confirmed cases with a case toll of 260,298 infections and over 35,000 deaths.

Though the infection rate has slowed in the country, scientists have started human trials of a potential vaccine against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19 disease.

Rome's Lazzaro Spallanzani Institute, a hospital specializing in infectious diseases will conduct trials on 90 volunteers in the coming weeks, joining a global effort to develop an immune response to the virus.

The scientists hope the vaccine will trigger an immune response to fight the infection. Europe, one of the hardest-hit regions of the pandemic has seen resurging cases. If the vaccine is safe and effective, the scientists hope the vaccine will become available for the public by mid-2021.

Image credit: Nicola Zingaretti

The vaccine

The vaccine, called GRAd-COV2, was developed by ReiThera, an Italy-biotech company. The vaccine encodes the full-length spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 and is based on a novel replication-defective gorilla adenoviral (GRAd).

The vaccine technology generated a strong humoral and cellular immune response in pre-clinical studies and has been proven effective. Now, the vaccine is ready to be tested in humans, which is expected to induce strong immune responses based on low pre-existing immunity to the vector in humans.

The other vaccines based on the simian adenoviral vectors, such as the Chimpanzee adenoviral vectors (ChAd), have been observed and evaluated in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials.

Simian adenoviral (Sad) vectors have been widely used as delivery agents for genetic vaccine candidates against a multitude of infectious diseases, such as the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the Ebola virus, which has ravaged through West Africa in 2014.

"Reithera's novel simian adenovirus (GRAd) belongs to species C adenovirus that is considered the most potent vaccine carriers. It has low seroprevalence in humans, compared to other simian Ads (adenoviruses) and human Ads, and an immunological potency comparable if not higher than the most potent other Ads," said in the vaccine's website.

The trial

The clinical trial, which has stared on August 24, will enroll 90 healthy volunteers in two age cohorts  the 18 to 55 years old group, and the 65 to 85 years old group. Each of the groups will be divided into three study arms of 15 volunteers, who will receive one of three increasing doses of the vaccine. All the participants will be monitored and assessed for over 24 weeks.

The vaccine's phase 1 trial is now being performed by the Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases under the sponsorship of ReiThera. The main goal of the trial is to see if the potential vaccine is safe and well-tolerated in humans and if the vaccine can induce immune responses, including both antibodies and T cells, against the SARS-CoV-2.

If the first leg of the trial will be promising, a more extensive international phase 2 and phase 3 will commence by the end of 2020 in countries where the pandemic is active and spreading.

"This study is the first important step in the clinical development of our novel GRAd-COV2 vaccine against COVID-19. We are proud to undertake this trial in Italy where the impact of COVID-19 has been felt particularly hard," Stefano Colloca, ReiThera's Chief Technology Officer, said "The cutting-edge science behind our approach is backed by many years of pioneering research on adenoviral vector technologies with pre-clinical and clinical data generated with a single-dose vaccine in other serious infectious diseases demonstrating potent humoral and cellular immune responses. This feature makes our technology platform suitable for an outbreak situation such as COVID-19 and has clear advantages in terms of manufacturing and compliance," he added.

The vaccine race

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 139 vaccines are currently in the pre-clinical stage of vaccine development. The health agency reports that a total of 30 vaccines are now undergoing human trials, and of these, six candidate vaccines are in the final stage before being approved for public use.

The coronavirus pandemic has now infected more than 23.65 million people and has now killed more than 813,000 people.
White Rivers Media, an independent, full-service digital creative agency established in 2012, has been announced as the social media, creative and digital marketing partner for the digital campaign of Mid-days online tabloid. With the vision of bringing global digital marketing trends to India, White Rivers Media creates innovative digital solutions for Indian brands and international brands in the country.

Mid-Day has been a sturdy and reliable news source for 41 years. Staying one step ahead, Mumbais favourite newspaper has now added yet another string to its bow by launching its interactive digital tabloid on mobile. #MadeInMumbai captures the citys pulse and paves way for a new wave of digital reporting.

Rachna Kanwar, COO Digital Media, Radio City and Mid-day said, We are extremely proud to launch Mid-day digital tabloid, an industry first initiative. Over the last 41 years, Mid-day has been a strong resonance of Mumbai City, with its engaging, reliable and credible content about the city at large. In the past 4 months of lockdown, we are proud to expand our reach to an audience of 10 crore readers consuming Mid-day and Gujarati Mid-day on their smartphones. The interactive digital tabloid, is a perfect mix of technology and content layered with innovation to give the readers an engaging experience at an unbeatable price of 1 per day. We are happy to associate with White Rivers Media, who have helped us curate the campaign and create the right buzz on social media.

Shrenik Gandhi, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of White Rivers Media says, It gives us immense pleasure to be associated with a leading Mumbai Daily and promote progressive change. Mid-days campaign is an important step towards the evolution of print. So, to have the opportunity of being associated with the industrys best and promote nationwide change keeps us thrilled.
Sorry, Eric  it looks like Donald Trump Jr. is the son Republicans believe will follow in their father's political footsteps.

HuffPost reports that while many senators are thought to be eyeing the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, including Ted Cruz of Texas, Josh Hawley of Missouri, and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Trump Jr. appears to be the favorite, despite having zero experience in the political realm prior to his dad's presidency or even saying that he wants to run.

Trump Jr. gets the loudest cheers at events, like at a February rally where the crowd chanted "46!" when he took the stage. "I'd vote for him in a second," Lou Woodward, a New Hampshire resident and supporter of President Trump, told HuffPost. "If he's anything like his father, he'll be fantastic." Trump Jr. has also managed to bring in a lot of money for the Republican Party amid the pandemic, headlining several virtual fundraisers.

The idea of a President Donald Trump Jr. is "bad," John Ryder, a former high-level Republican National Committee member, told HuffPost. "The American public is not attracted to dynasties. I think that would be very, very difficult to make that case to the American people." Rick Wilson, a GOP consultant and Trump critic, told HuffPost that is wishful thinking. "This is the dawn of the age of the imperial Trumps," Wilson said. "He is going to say, 'Donald J. Trump Jr., my son and heir, is the only one who can continue in my footsteps.' They are a dynastic political force now. It's douchebag dynasty of the Trump family."

If Trump is re-elected in November, the GOP will truly become the party of Trump, Republican consultant Stuart Stevens told HuffPost, and he believes that in 2024 "Don Jr. would be the favorite for the nomination." Wilson agreed, and said even Republicans who have fallen lockstep behind Trump won't be able to compete against his eldest child. "It's a hideous landscape of wannabes who will be posting up against the son of God," he said. "Just see what happens. It's a family-centric cult."

More stories from theweek.com

Biden campaign tries to dunk on the Republican National Convention by parodying Simon & Garfunkel

Black Monday for the religious right

Donald Trump Jr. reportedly thinks his dad is going to lose in November


(Newser)  Tear gas was deployed on protesters who defied a curfew in Kenosha, Wis., on Monday, taking to the streets for a second night following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, now in serious but stable condition. Hundreds of protesters lingered near the courthouse beyond the 8pm curfew, shouting at police officers in tactical gear. Some threw water bottles and fireworks, prompting authorities to respond with smoke bombs and flash bang grenades, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. A video appeared to show tear gas deployed around 9pm. Several parked cars were seen in flames around 11pm, per NBC News. Fires later consumed several stores and a restaurant in a residential neighborhood, not far from where a probation and parole office was seen in flames, per the New York Times. A sheriff's deputy was reportedly injured in the neck by a firework.

story continues below

A police officer had reportedly been hit with a brick on Sunday before Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers authorized National Guard troops to assist local law enforcement in Kenosha on Monday. The Milwaukee Police Association urged calm while acknowledging that a cellphone video showing an officer shooting Blake seven times in the back "may show some troubling things." Blake's uncle, Justin Blake, called for peace and asked people to contact their elected representatives in an effort to spur change. "We want these young people to vent and voice their opinion  we just want them to do it safely," he said, per NBC. Protests also erupted in New York City; Los Angeles; San Diego; Portland, Ore.; and Madison, Wis., where dumpsters were set on fire, storefronts were smashed, and a liquor store was looted. It's still unclear if there were arrests in Kenosha, a city of 100,000. (Read more protests stories.)
Lifeguards in Panama City Beach, Florida, got a close-up view of a lightning strike on August 24, as Tropical Storm Marco moved across the Gulf of Mexico.

Storms are no joke. Make sure to seek shelter and stay safe, the lifeguard service wrote on Instagram alongside footage of the lightning strike on the shoreline.

Panama City Beach Fire Rescue, under whose direction the lifeguard service operates, said the strike was a close call after clearing the beach.

The National Weather Service for Tallahassee issued a flood warning for Panama City Beach, advising that people were not to walk or drive through floodwater. Credit: PCB Beach Safety via Storyful
A man wearing a face mask walks before the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, NSW, Australia on July 22, 2020. (Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images)

Employment Bouncing Back in Australia Says Treasurer

Latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have given the Morrison government some good news with new data showing that the economy is slowly recovering from the effects of the CCP virus with the employment rate increasing in July.

According to the ABS 114,700 people returned to work between June and July, with full-time employment increasing by 43,500 people and part-time employment increasing by 71,200 people.

ABS told The Epoch Times on Aug. 24: Overall, the percentage of people employed in Australia increased by 0.5 percentage points to 59.8 percent, up from a low of 58.2 percent in May.

According to the ABS, there was particularly strong growth in New South Wales with the figures noting that 56,800 gained employment in the June-July period.

Rises in employment were also seen in Tasmania and South Australia with ABS observing that in Western Australia, 19,100 new jobs were created. At the same time, Victoria also saw a rise with 22,900 people obtaining work.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told Sky News on Aug. 24 that jobs are starting to come back.

We know that from the 1.3 million people who either lost their job or had their hours reduced down to zero from the start of the crisis, around 700,000 are now back at work, said the treasurer.

But Frydenberg explained on Triple M on Aug.24 that Australia was in for a long and bumpy economic recovery.

The will be significant job losses in Victoria, said Frydenberg, explaining that Treasury had forecast up to 400,000 Victorians will either lose their jobs or have their hours reduced to zero as a result of the Stage Four COVID-19 lockdowns.

At present ABS has the national unemployment rate officially at 7.5 percent. However, Frydenberg said on Aug.24 that Treasury estimated the effective unemployment rate is at 9.9 percent after those who have either lost their job, left the workforce, or seen their hours down to zero were taken into account.

JobKeeper Keeping Unemployment Down

It could have been worse though, according to the Governor of the Reserve Bank Philip Lowe.

In an address to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics on Aug. 14, Lowe said the unemployment rate would be considerably higher if it were not for JobKeeper and other income support programs established by the Morrison government.

The JobKeeper program is really about keeping people in jobs, isnt it? Its done a remarkably good job at that, Lowe explained.

Currently, the treasurer estimates that nearly 4 million Australian workers will be on JobKeeper for the September quarter.

Frydenberg noted that a recent analysis by Treasury of JobKeeper and other economic support measures showed that the government had managed to save 700,000 jobs.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Industry Brendan OConnor said in an interview with Sky News on Aug. 14 that he believed JobKeeper alone would not ensure economic recovery and warned the government to listen to economists and those in the business sector.

Everyone is expecting the government to outline a jobs plan in October. I would prefer that they brought that forward and started to instill confidence in businesses and the community generally that they have a plan beyond just wage subsidies, said OConnor.

Its not enough just to rely upon a descending level of support in the form of a wage subsidy until March, and then were off a cliff, said OConnor.
Scranton, PA (18503)

Today

Snow this morning will give way to partly cloudy conditions this afternoon. Morning high of 32F with temps falling to near 15. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low 7F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Photos: Mystery Helicopter UAV Spotted as China's New Type 075 Carrier Returns From Maiden Voyage

Sputnik News

20:05 GMT 24.08.2020

Photos posted on social media of the Type 075 amphibious assault ship's return to Shanghai at the end of its maiden voyage revealed some of the first clear images of a new model of unmanned helicopter sitting on the dock, which may become part of the ship's air wing.

On Sunday, the Type 075 landing helicopter dock (LHD), a Chinese helicopter carrier capable of disembarking amphibious landing craft and troops, returned to Shanghai from its maiden voyage. However, amid the photos and videos of its arrival are a rare and clear image of an unmanned helicopter not previously glimpsed in such detail.

A vertical lift UAV, left, is spotted on the docks at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai next to mockups of two helicopters used for fitting out the Type 075 amphibious assault ship

The photo was posted on the Chinese social media site Sina Weibo, and seems to show three different unmanned helicopters. The two on the left have previously been spotted at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard docks near the Type 075, but never in such clarity.

At left is the mystery vertical lift unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). At middle and right in the image are mockups of a Z-8 heavy-lift chopper, a license-built version of the French Aerospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon, and a Z-20 multi-role helicopter, which would be used as stand-ins on the ship to test all the functions that will one day concern real helicopters, such as elevators, hangars and the like.

What's interesting is how nobody seems to know anything about this mystery drone. It isn't an unmanned version of any known Chinese helicopter, and the vertical lift UAVs seen thus far are smaller and do not match the profile of that spotted in Shanghai. According to French outlet East Pendulum, the dimensions of the drone can be extrapolated from its size compared to the Z-8: it is roughly between 8.23 and 9.55 meters long and about 2.5 meters high.

Meanwhile, the Type 075, which will one day likely deploy the mystery drone alongside its manned helicopters, finished its first sea trials, which lasted some four weeks. The military analysis account Detresfa on Twitter posted a map on Monday showing the zigzag path the Type 075 cut across the East China Sea during its 19-day voyage.

Because the warship is the first of its class and the first amphibious assault ship Beijing has ever built, extra time will undoubtedly be needed to figure out all of its quirks and problems. However, that hasn't slowed the pace of construction of subsequent ships: the second Type 075 was recently launched from the dry dock and sits beside the first LHD in Shanghai, while the third ship in the class is under construction nearby.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 04:41:22|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The president of the Security Council said Tuesday that he will not take any action on a purported U.S. notification for a "snapback" mechanism on sanctions against Iran.

Indonesia's UN ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, whose country holds the Security Council presidency for the month of August, said he "is not in the position" to take further action as there is no consensus among council members over the issue.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday submitted Washington's demand for the return of all pre-2015 UN sanctions against Iran. But the overwhelming majority of Security Council members hold that the U.S. move does not constitute a "notification" as envisaged in Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Iran nuclear deal.

They argued that the United States has no right to invoke the "snapback" mechanism as it is no longer a participant since it withdrew from the deal in May 2018.

Asked on Tuesday by Russia and China on how he would proceed with the U.S. demand, Djani said: "It is clear for me that there is one (council) member which has a particular position on the issue while there are a significant number of members who have contesting views. In my view, there is no consensus in the council. Thus, the president is not in the position to take further action."

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.

Under the resolution, if no member of the Security Council has submitted a draft resolution to prevent a snapback within 10 days of a notification by a participant state, the president of the Security Council shall submit such a draft resolution and put it to a vote within 30 days of the notification.

All remaining participant states of the deal except Iran -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia -- were on the Security Council. The E3 -- Britain, France and Germany -- on Tuesday reiterated their common position that the United States is not eligible to invoke the "snapback" mechanism as it has withdrawn from the deal.

Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia asked the United States to stop pursuing its path, which, he said, "is not only illegal but simply will not lead to achieving the result that was envisaged by the United States."

He also commended Indonesia's conclusion that no further action shall be taken in the Security Council.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said participants of the Iran nuclear deal and the overwhelming majority of Security Council members believe that the U.S. demand for restoring UN sanctions on Iran has no legal ground and goes against common views, and the "snapback" mechanism shall not be deemed as invoked.

China resolutely opposes the U.S. demand and holds the view that the U.S. letter submitted on Thursday should not be identified as "notification" specified in Security Council Resolution 2231, he said.

"The council should fully respect views of the international community and the overwhelming majority of council members, uphold its credibility and authority, and fulfill its responsibility of maintaining international peace and security," he said.

The U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, remained adamant on Tuesday despite the isolation.

"Let me just make it really, really clear: the Trump administration has no fear in standing in limited company on this matter, in light of the unmistakable truth guiding our actions," she told the Security Council.

She said other members of the Security Council "have lost their way."

The U.S. move on Thursday came after its draft resolution that sought to extend the current arms embargo against Iran failed in the Security Council. In a voting on Aug. 14, only the United States itself and the Dominican Republic voted in favor.

Under Resolution 2231, the arms embargo against Iran expires on Oct. 18, 2020.

The U.S. move to invoke the "snapback" mechanism seeks to automatically bring back all pre-2015 sanctions, including the arms embargo.

Once a "snapback" is initiated, the United States could use its veto power in the Security Council to shoot down any draft resolution that seeks to prevent the restoration of the sanctions against Iran. Enditem
For the first time in 700 years, the carrying of 'tazias' at Muharram in Delhi will not take place.

"Even during the Partition in 1947, there was no ban on 'tazia' processions in the dargah, but this time due to the corona pandemic, Delhi and the Central government have not allowed processions to be held in a mass religious programme," Syed Kashif Nizami, the custodian of the revered Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya shrine, told news agency IANS.

For more than 700 years, the largest 'tazia', decorated with flowers, is kept in the Imambara, which is at a small distance from the dargah. More than four 'tazias' decorated with flowers are kept here," he added.

On the 10th day of Muharram, which marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet at Iraq's Karbala in 681 A.D, a procession with mourners carrying daggers and knives is carried out from the dargah and the blood oozing out of their self-inflicted wounds is reminiscent of the tragedy.

File Photo

However, this time around, all such activities have been banned due to the pandemic. So this time only 'tazias' decorated with flowers will be sent to Karbala in the capital.

Gauhar Asghar Kasmi, a member of Shah-e-Mardan Dargah and Anjuman Karbala Committee at Aliganj Jorbagh in Delhi, told IANS: "Every year, the 'majlis' starts from the first day of Muharram. Tazias are also kept at many places. On the 10th day of Muharram, processions reach here with nearly 70 large tazias. Tazias are buried here. A procession of mourners beating their chests take to the streets on Teej, the 12th day of mourning. 'Majlis' are being organised this year only in the Imambaras. People are allowed to participate in the Majlis with observance of social distancing norms."

File Photo

Hindu-Muslim unity is also at display every year on Muharram.

Mohammad Zuhaib Nizami, who is associated with Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah, said: "Many Hindu families in the vicinity have been part of the 'tazia' processions for many years owing to their faith. A Hindu family in Mehrauli has been doing so for many decades."

The coronavirus has also affected the life of people involved in the business of 'tazia'. 'Tazias' are made in thousands in Delhi, but this time due to corona, people are not buying 'tazias' for 'aqidat' (goodbye prayers).
For the third consecutive day, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reported no coronavirus deaths in Georgetown and Horry counties.

DHEC announced four new confirmed cases in Georgetown County, bringing its total to 1,638 since mid-March. The county's death total remains at 35.

Meanwhile, in Horry County, DHEC announced 29 new confirmed cases in the county, bringing its total to 9,087. Health officials are investigating one possible death classified as "elderly" in the county. The county's death total remains at 168.

Both Georgetown and Horry counties' hospital bed occupancy remains stable at 94.9 percent and 78.8 percent, respectively, according to DHEC.

South Carolina announced 909 new confirmed cases and 18 confirmed deaths, increasing the state total to 112,088 and 2,408 deaths. The 18 confirmed deaths came from Aiken, Anderson, Barnwell, Charleston, Chesterfield, Edgefield, Florence, Greenville, Hampton, Lexington, Richland and Sumter counties.

Rate per 100K

Georgetown: 2,613.27

Horry: 2,566.36

Percent of deaths versus state total

Georgetown: 1.4 percent

Horry: 7.1 percent

Probable cases

Georgetown: 39

Horry: 70

Probable deaths

Georgetown:0

Horry: 10
They confirmed their romance over the weekend on social media.

And Bachelor in Paradise star Matt Whyatt and Love Island's Kim Hartnett were spotted packing on the PDA on Monday as they jetted into Brisbane.

The couple kissed and cuddled at the airport after returning from a trip to Magnetic Island in North Queensland.

Seal it with a kiss! Bachelor in Paradise star Matt Whyatt and Love Island 's Kim Hartnett were spotted packing on the PDA on Monday as they jetted into Brisbane after confirming their romance

Kim showed off her incredible figure in a pair of black high-waisted shorts and a one-shoulder crop top.

The blonde bombshell, 25, had her long locks out and over her shoulders, neatly straightened and wore a coat of natural-looking makeup.

Meanwhile, BMX rider Matt, 28, revealed his extensive tattoo collection in a white T-shirt teamed with black shorts.

Blonde bombshell: Kim showed off her incredible figure in a pair of black high-waisted shorts and a one-shoulder crop top

On Saturday, Kim shared a vlog titled 'New Boyfriend' to YouTube, which captured the couple's romantic trip to Magnetic Island.

The blonde beauty also told Daily Mail Australia that her relationship with the hunky BMX rider, 28, is 'stronger than ever now'.

Kim continued: 'We make each other laugh from the minute we wake up to when we go to bed. Everything just works.'

It's on! On Saturday, Kim shared a vlog titled 'New Boyfriend' to YouTube , which captured the couple's romantic trip to Magnetic Island

She admitted things were a little tense after Matt's season of Bachelor In Paradise aired as he was accused of dating multiple women in a short space of time since ending his relationship with co-star Renee Barrett.

'Things were a little more tense, but there was nothing said that Matt hadn't already told me prior to the show. He's been super honest, so I was never in the dark about anything,' Kim said, adding: 'We're definitely stronger than ever now.'

'It's so easy, we hardly have any fights. We're super supportive of each other's goals,' she boasted of their relationship.

In the video, Kim and Matt appeared absolutely smitten with one another.

They enjoyed a holiday paddle boarding session and soaked up the winter sun at the beach.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 25

By Ilkin Seyfaddini  Trend:

Kazakhstan increased the import of cars from Uzbekistan by 7.5 times in the first half of 2020, Trend reports with reference to the data of Kazakh LS News Agency.

The total imports from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan in the first half of 2020 reached $384.8 million, having increased by 4.8 percent compared to the first half of 2019.

In addition to cars, the neighboring country also supplies vegetables, fruits, natural gas, clothing, zinc, fertilizers, glassware, etc.

Uzbek enterprises produced 168,710 passenger cars in the period from January through July 2020.

General Motors Uzbekistan JSC, with a production capacity of 250,000 cars per year, was established in 2008 based on Uzbek-Korean joint venture UzDaewoAuto, which came under the control of American General Motors, after the bankruptcy of Daewoo Corporation.

In May 2019, the board of Uzavtosanoat JSC, which owns the majority of car manufacturing enterprises in Uzbekistan, renamed General Motors Uzbekistan JSC into Uzavtomotors JSC.

---

Follow author on Twitter: @seyfaddini
Officials in The Woodlands are preparing for Hurricane Laura, which is slated to hit the Texas coastal region sometime Wednesday.

Related: Hurricane Laura: The latest on storms impact on Houston

Nick Wolda, communications director for the township, said all 140-plus members of The Woodlands Fire Department as well as the townships Parks and Recreation Department are, on full alert.

Wolda said fire department leaders have been working to ensure each of the townships eight fire stations as well as all vehicles are fully fueled with necessary gasoline or diesel fuel.

Our new flood evacuation vehicles are ready. Were prepared to double our fire department staffing, Wolda said. With our extra personnel we will be able to staff an extra two engines, a ladder and the rescue as well as our four flood evacuation vehicles or squad trucks depending on the mission.

Emergency operators with the Fire Dispatch Office are slated to beef up their staffing levels beginning Wednesday night and will be on duty through the end of the event, Wolda added.

The looming storm has led to a cancellation of all Conroe ISD classes and events on Wednesday and Thursday.

All Conroe ISD campuses and offices will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 26, and Thursday, Aug. 27. There will be no Remote Online or In-Person Instruction during this time, and all extracurricular activities have been canceled. The district will communicate instructional plans for Friday, Aug. 28, after assessing the storms impact on Thursday, said Sarah Blakelock, district communications director.

Residents who live in the many apartment complexes around The Woodlands have also received warnings from complex management to remove items from patios and balconies and prepare for lengthy response time to possible maintenance needs. Officials from Entergy have also issued warnings to township residents, the vast majority of whom receive electrical power from the company.

In a series of text messages sent to customers, company officials warned of extended outages being possible with the storm and that their repair crews are already organized to respond to outages as needed. Customers are advised to check the companys website for information and updates at www.entergy.com/stormcenter.

The township Board of Directors has devoted funds in several budget cycles the past few years to address water rescue equipment and other storm-related needs. Several inflatable rafts were purchased as well as gigantic military-style trucks that can drive through high waters normal vehicles cannot navigate.

On HoustonChronicle.com: One year after Harvey, flood mitigation remains a focus for The Woodlands

As for the Parks and Recreation crews, Wolda said those staff are ready for assistance with debris removal in the event the high-speed winds predicted to come with the storm wreak havoc on area structures, homes and trees.

We plan to staff the Emergency Operations Center starting at (4 p.m). tomorrow. Township personnel will be on hand to assist with messaging and IT needs, Wolda added. The Houston/Galveston NWS has daily scheduled briefings at 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Staff is on these calls and we will update (or) adjust our readiness posture based on the latest weather information.

jeff.forward@chron.com
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Editorial board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 26 2020

It is admirable how the government has gone the extra mile to secure a COVID-19 vaccine amid a tight race among nations in their efforts to protect their citizens from the pandemic.

The overseas trip of State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir and Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi to China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently gave Indonesia a supply of 300 million doses of a potential COVID-19 vaccine along with other economic and research partnerships until the end of next year.

Retno said 20 million to 30 million doses of the potential vaccine would be sent by the end of this year, with 80 million to 130 million doses coming in the first quarter of next year and 210 million doses for the remainder of 2021.

to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content

e-Post daily digital newspaper

No advertisements, no interruptions

Privileged access to our events and programs

Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login
The governing council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, on Tuesday confirmed Folasade Ogunsola as the acting vice-chancellor of the institution.

The decision was taken during an emergency virtual governing council meeting held on Tuesday and chaired by the new acting council chairman and head of ChannelsTV, John Momoh.

Mrs Ogunsola, a professor of medical microbiology and former deputy vice-chancellor in charge of development service, was appointed by the universitys Senate on Monday following an election conducted by the body.

She saw off competition from her counterpart, the deputy vice-chancellor management services, Ben Oghojafor.

Protests

However, in protest, only about nine members of the council attended the meeting as others, and particularly the external members who are appointees of the federal government, stayed away.

Also, a retired professor and former member of the incumbent governing council, Boniface Oye-Adeniran, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the substantive vice-chancellor, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, among others, of fraudulent practices.

Those in attendance at the meeting include Mr Momoh, Mrs Ogunsola, Mr Oghojafor; representatives of the universitys Senate in the council, Bola Oboh, Kemi Odukoya, Eddy Omoleyinwa and Afolabi Lesi, who is also Ogunsolas successor as provost of the institutions medical college, Idi-Araba.

Also in attendance was the representatives of the federal ministry of education in the council, Adetokunbo Adebanjo.

Debunking the allegation that the registrar, Oladejo Azeez, did not attend the meeting, one of his close aides, who does not want to be quoted, said his boss took part in the council meeting and that he also sent out the notice of the meeting.

He was part of the meeting. He sent out the notice as mandated by the rules guiding the council meeting. So why would people say he did not participate, the aide said.

Efforts to reach the registrar were unsuccessful as he did not respond to call and text message sent to him.

But this newspaper confirmed that the minute of the council meeting was taken on behalf of the registrar by the deputy registrar in charge of academic affairs, Esther Makinde.

It would be recalled that the registrar had also opposed the convocation of the Senate meeting that held on Monday, and Mrs Makinde had also taken the minute in his stead.

However, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively confirm that all external members and a representative of the congregation did not make the meeting.

They include Bayo Adaralegbe, Yomi Kasali, Saminu Dagari, Alli Hussein, and the congregation representative, Oluwarotimu Shodimu.

Why we boycotted meeting  Council member

An external member of the governing council who also does not want to be named, gave reasons for their action.

According to the source, the federal government was committing similar infractions it accused the council members of committing in the removal of Mr Ogundipe.

He said the members would not fold their arms and be turned to rubberstamp, saying the process leading to the appointment of the acting vice-chancellor and the convocation of the council meeting negated the rules guiding such processes.

The source said; It should be noted that we did not get the notice on time as required by the law. I put on my phone around 9:30am today and got the notice around I0a.m that there will be council meeting by 11 this morning. That is against the standing rule that says notice should be served 48 hours before the meeting.

Though I spoke to the newly appointed council chairman last night, and I told him, if there is no notice, I cant attend a meeting. I also asked if there was any letter appointing him as the acting council chairman but he only said yes without showing the letter.

You cannot condemn somebody of illegality and then use another illegality to replace illegality. I dont understand this country. It doesnt make sense. You say we are not following due process, but you are also breaking due process to correct our own not following due process. If I get a notice, well come. I also felt that if the agenda of the board was to ratify the nomination of the acting VC, it is not proper.

In the standing rule of the university, only a VC or Acting VC or registrar can call the senate. This meeting was called by the woman that emerged, who has been indicted in our report, not only our report but the previous reports by EFCC. You know, this is like making mockery of the entire process.

The source also said what played out at the senate meeting on Monday was to deny an Igbo man the opportunity to become the acting vice-chancellor on the campus, saying; the rules state that the next in ranking should simply take over, but Oghojafor who is the next in ranking was barred.

Advertisements



Meanwhile, the medical college provost, Mr. Lesi, who took part in the meeting said the quorum was formed and the acting vice-chancellors appointment was duly confirmed and appropriate steps were taken to communicate to the appropriate authorities.

I took part in the meeting and we were eight in number. We responded to the directive of the President, who is the universitys visitor, and appropriate decisions were reached, Lesi told our reporter on the phone.

Don writes EFCC

On Monday, Mr Oye-Adeniran petitioned the EFCC, accusing both Mr Ogundipe, Mrs Ogunshola and two other officials of alleged financial crimes.

Mr Oye-Adeniran, in a letter dated August 24 and stamped as received August 25, accused the quartet of abetting each other in violating the procurement law of the university.

The professor of obstetrics and gynecology who retired from the University in 2019, detailed his allegations in a 22-page petition attached to his letter and addressed to the head of EFCC, Lagos office.

The former member of the council said his allegations sprung from the 2018 council committee constituted to investigate the universitys expenditure under Mr Ogundipe.

Among others, the committee found against Professor Ogundipes management that, without Tender Board, Finance and General Purpose Committee and Governing Council knowledge, approval, and far in excess of his approval limits of N2,500,000.00 Professor Ogundipe in his capacity as Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, in direct violation of extant Regulations of the University and the country, he wrote.

I am by this petition, respectfully requesting for an urgent investigation into the award of these various contracts, and spendings by, and under Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipes management when he was Vice Chancellor of the University, the document read.

He was aided in these spendings and illegal acts by Professor Folashade Ogunshola, former Deputy Vice Chancellor, the University Bursar Mr Lekan Lawal, the University Procurement Officer Dr. James Akanmu and a number of his Management Staff, he further alleged.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY  There were five coronavirus deaths reported in Contra Costa County over the weekend, although no new deaths were recorded on Monday, according to health officials.

The death toll for Contra Costa County is now 169 since the start of the pandemic.

Another 204 cases were confirmed on Monday, bringing the county's cases to 12,869.

Especially troubling is that the number of hospitalizations is climbing again. The county reported 99 people are receiving treatment for COVID-19 complications, while across the Bay Area 647 people are hospitalized.

At the state capitol, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that he plans to release concrete reopening guidelines later this week for counties that are removed from the state's coronavirus monitoring list. Contra Costa County has been on the Watch List for more than a month.

Most of the greater Bay Area's counties are on the Watch List for elevated coronavirus case and hospitalization levels. Napa and Santa Cruz counties fell off the list over the last 10 days, allowing them to reopen indoor operations for businesses like hair salons and gyms as well as places of worship.

However, the state has given little instruction to the eight counties that have fallen off the list in recent weeks about how quickly they can resume indoor operations for certain businesses.

Newsom said he discussed reopening guidelines over the weekend both with state and local public health officials and business leaders to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Falling off the monitoring list will also have consequences for schools, as counties that have been off the monitoring list for at least 14 days will be allowed to resume in-person classes. "We look forward to advancing the opportunity for those districts that are determined on the basis of local conditions, what they believe is in the best interest for their kids and moving back to in-person learning," Newsom said of counties not on the monitoring list. "They have that option."

Story continues

Counties on the monitoring list, however, must continue with fully online classes indefinitely. A total of 35 counties in the state have been on the Watch List for at least three consecutive days.

State public health officials have now confirmed 668,615 coronavirus cases and 12,152 deaths across California.

The state's 14-day test positivity rate sits at 6.5 percent while the seven-day rate is down to 5.6 percent, Newsom said. The state continues to average over 100,000 tests per day.



 Patch editor Bea Karnes and Bay City News contributed to this story

This article originally appeared on the Walnut Creek Patch
A black father-of-six has spoken out about the moment he was surrounded by three armed cops in Texas who questioned him over having 'too many' credit cards, labeling the incident as racist, he exclusively told DailyMail.com.

Brian Friar, 39, had popped into a gas station in Burleson, Texas, to withdraw cash from an ATM when he was approached by a police officer on August 12.

The white officer demanded to see Friar's ID and asked him to prove that the credit cards in his wallet belonged to him.

The cop said to Friar, who is from nearby Fort Worth: 'Prove to me that the rest of those cards are yours. You've got like ten there.'

Friar said he filmed the exchange on his phone because he was frightened, saying: 'I hadn't done anything wrong. They ran my name as though I was a criminal.'

He added: 'It was very racist to just come to me and ask me whose credit cards I had.'

Brian Friar, 39, was stopped at a gas station in Burleson, Texas by three police officers on August 12. The father-of-six was withdrawing cash from an ATM when a white cop asked to see his ID in order to prove the credit cards in his wallet belonged to him

The cop said to Friar, who is from nearby Fort Worth: 'Prove to me that the rest of those cards are yours. You've got like ten there'

Friar said: I hadn't done anything wrong. They ran my name as though I was a criminal. It was very racist to just come to me and ask me whose credit cards I had'

He said he began to film the encounter because he 'didn't feel comfortable', adding: 'I didn't know what else to do. I was protecting myself'

Friar, a forklift operator, said: 'I was at the ATM machine at the store, minding my own business, looking through my cards to see which one I would use.

'The next thing I know a policeman came up to me saying that I have a lot of credit cards.

'Then two other officers pop up. I started filming because I was frightened. He had a gun on him, and the other ones had guns too.'

The policeman even asked Friar: 'How did you end up in Burleson?'

Friar explained he was in a hurry because his wife had gotten a flat tire and he needed to get to her.

He accused the policemen of racism and said if he was a white man, he would not have been asked to prove that his credit cards were his own.

Friar said: 'I showed him three cards to show him it was my name on there. He was telling me to slow down.

'They were harassing me. I was a black man in a dominant white town.

'I wasn't dressed like a bum - I hadn't done anything wrong.'

Friar said although people were in the gas station, no one intervened or took interest in what was happening, only receiving a few glancing looks, saying: 'I was a nobody in the store.'

He said he began to film the encounter because he 'didn't feel comfortable', adding: 'I didn't know what else to do. I was protecting myself.'

Friar (pictured with his wife and two of his children) explained he was in a hurry because his wife had gotten a flat tire and he needed to get to her. He accused the policemen of racism and said if he was a white man, he would not have been asked to prove that his credit cards were his own

The policeman continued to interrogate Brian, even asking him: 'How did you end up in Burleson?

Friar was eventually allowed to leave the store with the cash he had withdrawn from the machine, but was too shaken up to get gas as he had planned

Referring to the death of George Floyd, Friar pointed out that he too was in a convenience store before he died and said if it wasn't for citizens filming his arrest, the officers involved might not have been held accountable.

Friar also referenced the recent shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, saying along with his experience, it shows there still needs to be progress made and is the reason why the Black Lives Matter movement is still ongoing.

Friar was eventually allowed to leave the store with the cash he had withdrawn from the machine, but said he was shaken up.

Chief Cordell at Burleson Police Department confirmed the incident to DailyMail.com.

He said: 'Our three officers had stopped in the QT to take a break and I am told were approached by a male (witness) who told them the gentleman was at an ATM machine attempting to get money while using multiple cards and that the transaction kept being denied.

'He said the man was acting suspicious. The officers approached the man, activated their body worn cameras and explained why they were contacting him.

'Officers observed multiple receipts and cards as described by the witness. Officers asked him if he minded sharing identification to match the name on the cards and he eventually provided identification and cards.'

Referring to the death of George Floyd, Friar (pictured with his wife) pointed out that he too was in a convenience store before he died and said if it wasn't for citizens filming his arrest, the officers involved might not have been held accountable

He added: 'The male said he had so many cards that he had forgotten the pin and that is why the transactions were declined. The cards matched the ID so the officers ended the encounter.

'I am told the entire contact lasted approximately six minutes.'

Friar said it was only when he began recording the incident that the officers appeared to turn on their body cameras, as one jokingly waved to his camera and another said 'I've got a camera too'.

He added: 'This stuff is scary. I was scared.'
Chairman, CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa has appealed to Nigerian parents to stop sending their children to schools in Northern Cyprus after a 25 year old undergraduate was killed in on of the universities.

According to her Northern Cyprus is not recognised by the United Nations and any country which makes it difficult for them to do much when they get such reports.

In a statement by Gabriel Odu, of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of NIDCOM, he disclosed that Dabiri-Erewa made the plea while receiving a petition that was brought to the commision by a judge of the Kaduna State High Court, Justice Aminat Ahmad Bello, whose 25 years old son Ibrahim Khaleel Bello, was killed in the country.

Justice Bello was quoted to have said, I dont believe it was an accident or a suicide as I went to Cyprus barely 24 hours it happened and got to the mortuary where there was no scratch or wound on his body.

I suspected foul play that my son was killed as the school was not bothered in breaking the news to me on my arrival there.

According to her she had earlier received a WhatsApp message from her son which read thus, Mama, Please I want to come back home. Wallahi if I stay here, I will just die here without anybody batting an eyelash. I just need to come back home Mama please try to understand that this isnt a place for me.

In her response Dabiri-Erewa said The death of Khaleel, a third-year engineering student, had brought to a tipping point the incessant killing of Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus under baffling circumstances.

It was difficult to employ international diplomacy in investigation as the country is only recognised by Turkey.

The death of Ibrahim Khaleel should be the tipping point to a stop in the killing of our children anywhere in the world, particularly Northern Cyprus.

It is not only Ibrahim. Kennedy Dede, 28; Augustine Ngok, Gabriel Sorewei, Osabanjo Owoyale, Augustine Wallace, Stanley Eteno, Hassan Babatunde, Temitayo Adigun, and Kubat Abraham are just a few of the ones that we even know.

The problem is that most Nigerian parents do not know that Northern Cyprus is not recognised by any country in the world.

It is not a UN-recognised country. It is only recognised by Turkey. That is why we have not been able to do much.

Who do you report to? Thousands of Nigerian students are schooling there and I tell you that hundreds have been killed. Who do you take these cases to?

And they are killed in similar circumstances. The school just tells you, Well, they committed suicide, and nothing happens.

We are going to list all these names of Nigerians that have been killed and we demand justice. There has been no prosecution and no compensation.

No Nigerian parent should send their children to any university in Northern Cyprus  there is a collaboration which we do not understand that makes them kill blacks, particularly our Nigerian students.

She assured Justice Bello that the commission will do everything possible and work with relevant agencies to ensure that Justices is served for all who have been killed in similar way.
New Delhi: The 14th death anniversary of Balochistan's famous leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, who was killed in 2006, will be marked on August 26 (Wednesday). His death spurred a major crisis in Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by size.

Balochistan has been in a simmer for a while now even as local accuse Islamabad of draining the province of its resources. Balochistan is also key to China's mega infrastructure project China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The journey of Nawab Akbar Bugti, as a legislator being elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan and later becoming the Chief Minister and Governor of Balochistan, highlights how things are on the ground in the province. He led a struggle against the Pakistani establishment.

Nawab Akbar Bugti was the Tumandar, the head of the Bugti tribe, someone who yields not only political support but moral too.

While the Pakistani Army claimed that Bugti died after a cave collapsed on him, this remains disputed. In 2012, a Pakistani court had issued arrest warrants against Pervez Musharraf, under whose tenure Bugti was killed.

Bugti was known as someone who reached out to minorities in the province. He once said, "Hindu and Sikhs have been living with us for many decades and they have become an integral part of our Bugti tribe. We have and will always have religious freedom for Hindus and Sikhs. If people of any other religion or community come to us, they'll have their freedom to practice their beliefs as well, just like we do in our Mosques, Mandir and Gurudawara.

In fact, he gave shelter to a number of Hindu families when a military operation was underway in the province in 2005.
A man with schizophrenia who killed a stranger by slashing his throat has gone missing while on day release from a jail hospital.

Michael Sorrell, who changed his name to Michael Striker, was locked up in a psychiatric hospital after killing Michael Furlong, 45, outside a western Sydney electronics store in 2002.

Striker was found in a car with a large hunting knife and Mr Furlong's wallet the following day.

He was under the delusion that Mr Furlong was a police officer, and the AFP were conspiring to kill him.

Michael Sorrell, who changed his name to Michael Striker, was locked up in a prison psychiatric hospital before disappearing on day release on Monday in Orange

The 48-year-old was housed at the NSW Health-managed Bloomfield Hospital in Orange, where he vanished on Monday.

But because Striker dodged a murder conviction on the grounds of mental illness, police can't treat him as an escapee and have limited options to apprehend him.

Authorities are treating Striker as a missing person, but sources have told The Daily Telegraph police have 'significant concerns' for his welfare due to his serious mental health condition that requires treatment.

He was last seen leaving a shop on Peisley Street in Orange about 10.30am on Monday, before heading to Bathurst about an hour later.

In 2009, Striker changed his last name by deed poll, and because he was never convicted of murder, his case was even harder for police to keep track of.

Killers, unlike serious sex offenders, don't need the permission of the police commissioner to change their names.

During his trial, where Striker plead not guilty to murder on the grounds of mental illness, the court heard he had spent time in psychiatric facilities in the UK, Western Australia and Queensland.

Striker thought federal police had drugged his toothpaste to read his thoughts through vibrations in his larynx, one psychiatric evaluation revealed.

'He wanted to send the federal police a message that he wanted them to leave him alone,' the report said.

Police have told the public not to approach Striker and to call triple-0 immediately if they see him.

Striker slashed the throat of Michael Furlong (pictured), 45, outside a western Sydney electronics store in 2002

Authorities believe he may have travelled to Sydney, where he is known to frequent the Maroubra and Randwick areas.

Striker is caucasian, about 178cm tall, of thin build, with short brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a grey jumper, a black leather jacked, blue jeans and black shoes.

'Police are urging anyone who sees Mr Striker not to approach him, instead call triple-0 (000) immediately,' NSW Police said in a statement.
Highlights Mark Zuckerberg in his visits to Washington last year warned lawmakers and officials about the rise of TikTok.

He also addressed the matter with US President Donald Trump at his private dinner, as per WSJ sources.

TikTok has sued the Trump administration challenging the August 6 executive order.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly warned US President Donald Trump, lawmakers and other officials about the rise of TikTok and other Chinese apps months before Trump's executive order. As per a report by Wall Street Journal, Zuckerberg raised concerns about the video sharing platform TikTok and other Chinese apps with officials and lawmakers during his visit to Washington, DC last year.

He also addressed the matter about the rising Chinese internet companies when the US President hosted a private dinner at the White House in late October, sources familiar with the matter told the publication. Zuckerberg said that the Chinese internet companies threaten American businesses, and should be a bigger concern than reining in Facebook.

In a speech addressed to Georgetown students, Zuckerberg said that TikTok does not share Facebook's commitment to freedom of expression, and represents a risk to American values and technological supremacy, as per WSJ.

A Facebook spokesperson told CNet, "Zuckerberg has repeatedly said publicly that the biggest competitors to US tech companies are Chinese companies, with values that don't align with democratic ideals like free speech. It's ludicrous to suggest that long-standing national security concerns -- raised by policymakers on both sides of the aisle -- have been shaped by Mark's statements alone."

Earlier this month, at Facebook's all-hand meeting, Zuckerberg told his employees that he was worried about the TikTok's potential ban in the US. "I just think it's a really bad long-term precedent, and that it needs to be handled with the utmost care and gravity whatever the solution is. I am really worriedit could very well have long-term consequences in other countries around the world," Zuckerberg said.

TikTok on Monday sued the Trump administration over the executive order that the US President signed on August 6 essentially banning the app if it fails to sell its operations to a US firm. "We do not take suing the government lightly. But with the Executive Order threatening to bring a ban on our U.S. operations ... we simply have no choice," TikTok said in a blog post.

TikTok said it strongly disagreed with the White House's position that the company was a national security threat, saying it had taken extraordinary measures to protect the privacy and security of TikTok's US user data. It also said the administration has ignored its extensive efforts to address its concerns, and accused Trump of politicizing the dispute.
A University Challenge contestant with a 'thousand-yard stare' is being tipped to be the star of the latest series of the show after he impressed viewers with his 'merciless' intellect.

Seoan Webb, who's studying Ancient and Modern History at Oxford's Corpus Christi College, wowed those watching Monday's episode of the BBC2 academic quiz as he gained most of his team's points after they conquered Bristol University 175 to 135.

Taking to Twitter, fans of the show hailed the 19-year-old as the 'stand-out' superbrain of the series - despite it only being the second round of the student quiz.

After some commented on his awkward body language and deeply intense stare, one of his former teachers, from Elthorne High School in Ealing, West London, asked viewers to 'be kind', saying her former student was a 'phenomenon'.

Webb gained 10 A* at GCSE at the state school comprehensive in 2017.

Scroll down for video

Don't mess! Oxford student Seoan Webb blew the competition out of the water in the latest episode of University Challenge, which saw his team defeat Bristol 175 to 135

The history student sparked a storm on social media as he glared at host Jeremy Paxman - and proceeded to get many questions right

'The brightest student I ever taught' One of Webb's former teachers, from Elthorne High School in Ealing, asked viewers to 'be kind' saying her former student was a 'phenomenon'

The 19-year-old began studying Ancient and Modern History at Oxford in 2019

COULD YOU GET THEM RIGHT? THE QUESTIONS WEBB ANSWERED CORRECTLY...(find the answers below) What domestic animal links the meaning in old Norse of the Faroe Islands, a well-known aria in J S Bach's Hunt Cantata, the novel on which the film Bladerunner was based and a pioneer of cloning science that lived from 1996 to 2003? The Yarra River meets the sea at Port Phillip Bay near which major city? Name the Italian artist who painted Bacchus and Ariadne, which was commissioned by the Duke of Ferrara and completed in 1523? Name the Italian artist who painted a panel of the Battle of San Romano dating back to 1440, which was noted for its linear perspective? According to Byron, what human quality is 'nothing but the paint on the face of existence, the least touch of truth rubs it off', Frances Bacon describes it as a 'good breakfast but a bad supper', Shakespeare says it 'flies with swallows' wings. Pope says, in his Essay on Man, it 'springs eternal in the human breast' Widely used as a PH indicator and as a laxative, what organic compound has the molecular formula c20h14o4? 'The White Revolution had been designed to pre-empt a Red Revolution, instead it paved the way for an Islamic Revolution,' Those words refer to reforms of the 1960s in which country? Children's literature: Carcharoth bites off and swallows the hand of the hero Beren in which work published posthumously in 1977? Which moon of the outer Solar System has approximately three times the surface area of the terrestrial continent that is its near namesake? It was discovered by Galileo in 1610. Gloucester Cathedral contains the tomb of which Plantagenet king after his body was moved there in the 14th century from Berkeley Castle, the place of his death? Advertisement

Despite his steely demeanour on the show, she added that he was 'the loveliest kid'.

London teacher @NikkiCDaniel wrote: 'Seoan Webb is a phenomenon. The brightest person both Mark and I have ever taught and the loveliest kid. He is the real deal. Please twitter, be nice. Good luck #CorpusChristi'

The school's library also tweeted, saying they were 'proud' of their former student.

Many were left in awe at Webb's dominance of the episode, with his team-mates frequently heard saying 'nominate Webb'.

@therussellmoore wrote: 'Absolutely never tweeted about #UniversityChallenge before but Webb is the new Monkman but with advanced character flaws/backstory. Corpus Christi is powered by Webb's thousand-yard stare.'

@CianDaAddick190 responded, saying: 'He's the kind of guy to defeat his haters with no mercy. His intelligence and speed is incredible. Very impressive.'

Webb pictured at his state school comprehensive in West London in 2017, after gaining 10 A* grades at GSCE

THE ANSWERS... Sheep Melbourne Titian Uccello Hope Phenolphthalein Iran The Silmarillion Europa Edward II Advertisement

@Lolisa46 penned: 'Just when we thought this years #UniversityChallenge was going to be character free along comes Webb and blows it out of the water. A twitter legend already!'

@LauraWright1000 noted: 'Webb might as well be playing on his own'

Tricky questions correctly answered by Webb included: 'Gloucester Cathedral contains the tomb of which Plantagenet king after his body was moved there in the 14th century from Berkeley Castle, the place of his death?'

Pouncing on the buzzer, historian Webb answered 'Edward II', earning more points towards his team's victory.

The Oxford Corpus Christi team also comprised team members Libby Cherry (studying English), Michael Zaayman (studying Biochemistry) and Tyron Surmon (studying History and Politics).

In March this year, Webb was part of an Oxford team that came fourth out of 27 teams in the British Student Quiz Championships.

It's already been an eventful series of the quiz. During last week's episode, long time viewers of University Challenge did a double take when tuning in, after one of the contestants appeared to bear an uncanny resemblance to the show's former host Bamber Gascoigne.

After Belgian contestant Van Soest introduced himself on Cambridge University's Clare College team, Twitter quickly sparked up with comments suggesting he was a dead ringer for Paxman's predecessor.

Bamber Gascoigne, who's now 85, hosted the BBC quiz show for 25 years, and became famous for his famous blonde curls, spectacles and sensible attire - something that Van Soest also seemed to favour.

@SpeirL wrote: 'Bamber Gascoigne has aged well!'

@iankm888 joked: 'Great to see Bamber Gascoigne back on #UniversityChallenge'

@thebrianjenkins wrote: 'I see a clone of Bamber Gascoigne is on #UniversityChallenge tonight.'

Jeremy Paxman's predecessor, Bamber Gascoigne, presented the programme for 25 years until 1987. He was known for his smart attire, fluffy blonde hair and spectacles
Chelsea are on the brink of wrapping up another marquee signing after reportedly agreeing a 50million deal with Leicester for left-back Ben Chilwell.

The Blues have made a statement of intent this summer, signing Timo Werner for 53m and Hakim Ziyech for 38m, while they are also close to agreeing deals for Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr.

And according to the Telegraph, Chelsea are now expected to complete the signing of England international Chilwell within the next three days after agreeing a 50m fee with Leicester.

Ben Chilwell is on the brink of moving to Chelsea from Leicester in a 50million deal

Frank Lampard's side have acted ruthlessly in the summer transfer window so far

Chilwell will sign a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge as Frank Lampard's side get ready to make inroads on England's elite - Liverpool and Manchester City.

The 23-year-old missed Leicester's final five games of last season with a heel problem, which was one of the factors that cost the Foxes a top-four spot.

However, the Blues reportedly have no long-term concerns over his injury with the move on the brink of going through.

Chelsea have been ruthless in the transfer window so far and it is showing no signs of stopping with Havertz, Silva and Sarr also set to move to west London in a 231m shopping splurge.

The Premier League side are also on the verge of signing Kai Havertz in a mega 90m deal

Thiago Silva is expected to make the move to Stamford Bridge after his PSG contract expired

Chelsea are closing in on an eye-watering 90m move for German wonderkid Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen.

Negotiations between Chelsea and Leverkusen have been ongoing for several weeks but took a significant step forward over the past 48 hours with officials verbally agreeing a 90m total fee.

Chelsea will pay a guaranteed 71.8m to Leverkusen, with the rest made up of performance-related bonuses.

The Blues are also expected to snap up Malang Sarr on a four-year deal after he left Nice

Lampard's side are also poised to sign former Nice defender Sarr on a four-year deal - with the 21-year-old set to undergo a medical this week ahead of a free transfer, according to Telefoot.

And finally, Chelsea will also bolster their defence by wrapping up a one-year deal with Brazilian veteran Silva from Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain.

Silvas contract expired following Sunday nights gut-wrenching defeat by Bayern Munich, with Chelsea set to sign him on a free transfer.
Advertisement

They've been hard at work filming for the long-awaited 10th Anniversary series.

And TOWIE star Georgia Kousoulou was proudly displayed her ample cleavage as she joined Amy Childs and a host of other co-stars to film Bobby Norris' birthday bash on Friday.

The reality star, 29, flaunted her ample cleavage in a sexy pink bustier and flowing skirt while Amy, 30, opted for a loose-fitting shirt dress as they arrived for filming.

Dressed to impress: TOWIE star Georgia Kousoulou, 29, proudly displayed her ample cleavage as she joined Amy Childs, 30, and a host of other co-stars to film Bobby Norris' birthday bash on Friday

Georgia displayed her incredible physique in a fitted pink bustier that accentuated her ample cleavage, along with a colourful skirt in a bold floral print.

The reality star teamed the look with pale pink strapped heels and her long blonde tresses styled into loose curls as she arrived for filming for the ITVBe series.

Georgia's gorgeous frilled skirt perfectly accentuated her endless pins as joined her glamorous co-stars for filming.

Sensational: Georgia shared a glimpse of her ample cleavage in a pale pink bustier, which she teamed with a floral wrap skirt

Exciting: As she arrives at the party to celebrate TOWIE's 10th Anniversary, she accessorised her look with a pale pink heels

Here she is! Georgia made a stylish arrive for the party which saw many of TOWIE's stars in attendance to celebrate its 10th Anniversary

Meanwhile Amy opted for an effortlessly chic ensemble as she posed in a loose-fitting black shirt dress with strapped heels.

The mother-of-two swept her brunette tresses into a low bun and finished her look with a cute red flower and matching lipstick.

She was joined by the ever-stylish sisters Demi and Frankie Sims, who opted for matching skirt suits as they strutted into the party.

Demi's boasted an androgynous pinstripe style, which she teamed with a grey bra top, while Frankie opted for a simple black top and skirt combo with a matching blazer.

Party girl: Meanwhile Amy opted for an effortlessly chic ensemble as she posed in a loose-fitting black shirt dress with strapped heels

Flawless: The mother-of-two swept her brunette tresses into a low bun and finished her look with a cute red flower and matching lipstick

Sisters doing it for themselves: She was joined by the ever-stylish sisters Demi (left) and Frankie Sims, who opted for matching skirt suits as they strutted into the party

Standing out: Demi and Frankie were hard to miss as they arrived in co-ordinated looks, with Frankie (right) adding a pop of colour with neon yellow accessories

Girls about town: Courtney Green (left) was ethereal in a pretty white frilled skirt and matching crop top while Chloe Meadows (far right) opted for a gorgeous orange printed dress with frilled detailing

Bobby Norris appeared in great spirits as he attended his surprise birthday party with his boyfriend Matt during filming.

The reality star, who turned 34 on Saturday, was blindfolded on arrival to the bash before he shared a kiss with his beau to thank him for throwing the lively event.

The mental health campaigner beamed as he was joined by Flamenco dancers and shirtless butlers who served cocktails on plates.

Highlighting her toned physique, the birthday boy sported a form-fitting shirt with navy trousers and a brown belt.

Sensational: Chloe Meadows opted for a gorgeous orange printed dress with frilled detailing and clear perspex heels

Happy: Frankie made her arrival for another day of filming with her hunky beau Harry Lee as TOWIE prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary this autumn

Vixen: Clelia Theodorou was channelling her inner Flamenco dancer as she arrived in a dramatic red and black frilled dress complete with a matching fan and a rose in her hair

Jovial: Clelia was in high spirits thanks to her bold outfit as she joined her co-stars for a day of filming

Fun: Perfectly dressed for Bobby's flamenco-themed party, Clelia put on a fun and flirty display in her fitted frilled dress

Pals: The cast all ensured they were adhering to social distancing measures as they arrived for filming

Sultry: Chloe Brockett showcased her incredible physique in a form-fitting black strapless dress with matching heels, along with a red flower in her hair

Earlier this month, TOWIE released a trailer ahead of its special reunion episodes that air in September.

The hit ITVBe show posted a video to Twitter of key moments from the show's history including when Lauren Goodger pushed ex Mark Wright into a swimming pool.

Other hilarious parts include Sam Faiers asking for a vajazzle and Gemma Collins telling people to 'Google her'.

Birthday boy! Bobby Norris also cut a casual figure as he arrived for his birthday celebration after unveiling his hunky new makeover

Cute: The reality star was joined by his happy partner Matt, after stunning fans by showcasing his ripped new look, and was clearly thrilled with his surprise birthday celebration

Sweet: Once Matt removed the red ribbon, the TV star appeared shocked at the great lengths he went to to ensure he celebrated in style

Wahay! The mental health campaigner beamed as he was joined by Flamenco dancers and shirtless butlers who served cocktails on plates

Suave: Highlighting her toned physique, the birthday boy sported a form-fitting shirt with navy trousers and a brown belt

Letting their hair down: Matt, meanwhile, stood out in a patterned shirt, shorts and loafers as the duo let loose at the get-together (Georgia Kousoulou pictured right)

Sweet: Matt was rewarded with a sweet kiss from his boyfriend Bobby for organising the surprise birthday party

Chirpy: The pair, who have been living together in lockdown, looked cheery as they posed for snaps

TOWIE tweeted: 'SHUT UP! 10 years of #TOWIE!? BRAND NEW episodes coming this September, starting with an anniversary special. Things are about to get REEM, You ain't ready for this candy! #TOWIE10 on @ITVBe.'

The video starts off by zooming in on a satellite view of the world as it pans in on a 'welcome to Essex' sign.

It then sees Sam, 29, asking Amy for a vajazzle with Harry Derbidge, she says: 'Have you heard of the vajazzle, can you do me one?'

However although several familiar faces have been lined up to appear on the special, main man Mark Wright is said to have 'moved on' and is not planning a comeback reports The Sun.

Beaming: Saffron Lempriere highlighted her incredible curves in a stunning flamenco-inspired dress with red spotted detailing as she dressed for the occasion

In the spirit: Saffron displayed every inch of her incredible physique in the flirty frilled dress with a matching red flower in her hair

Excited: The star was in hiigh spirits as she grabbed from one of the shirtless butlers hired for the birthday celebration

A source told the publication: 'It's a shame as Mark has clearly forgotten his roots. The show made him who he is and he wouldn't have had all of his work gigs, like his radio show, without TOWIE putting him on the map.

'He's said he's in a different part of his life now and doesn't want to go back to Towie again.'

The source added that ITV 'aren't losing any sleep' however as they've managed to secure 'the real king of Essex, Joey, for the upcoming special.

Glam: Meanwhile Kelsey Stratford highlighted her amazing physique in a tight ruched black mini dress with a sweetheart neckline as she arrived to film Bobby's birthday bash

Classic: Nicole Bass opted for a simple and sophisticated black and white spotted dress also with quilted-style heels

Boys are back in town: Liam Gatsby (left) and James 'Diags' Bennewith (right) were also spotted making their way into filming

Suave: Georgia's boyfriend Tommy Mallet stood out in a sporty ensemble as he headed into filming

Along with giving fans to catch up on what stars such as Amber, Chloe Sims and Olivia Attwood have been up to during the lockdown, there will also be surprise appearances from some of the show's biggest stars from the past decade.

Speaking at the time, Paul Mortimer, Head of Digital Channels and Acquisitions for ITV, added: 'After 10 years, TOWIE is still going strong and remains the number one show on ITVBe.

'We're thrilled to be welcoming back new and old faces for the upcoming mega-series as the show celebrates this special anniversary.'
Hurricane Laura is the last thing any hospital needs in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic that has sickened more than 144,000 people in the Houston region.

With Laura threatening to make landfall as soon as Wednesday night in southeast Texas, staff are scrambling to stockpile personal protective equipment and revisiting disaster preparedness plans in advance of what could become a powerful and destructive storm. They also are preparing for another jump in COVID-19 cases if the hurricane forces large numbers of people into shelters.

The pandemic already has hampered normal operations at most medical centers. Staff have increasingly relied on telemedicine technology to see patients whose symptoms or checkups dont require in-person visits. Hospital beds have been allocated to COVID-19 patients, especially during peaks of virus cases.

Now, with fewer than 900 hospitalizations in the Houston area, compared to almost 2,700 at the peak in July, hospital leaders and emergency staff say they can scale back the number of beds allotted to treat COVID-19 patients and begin setting them aside for people who may be hurt in the storm.

Keep in mind COVID was not part of the equation during Hurricane Harvey, said Darrell Pile, CEO of the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council, or SETRAC.

STORM INTENSIFIES: Hurricane Laura poses threat to Houston and Galveston, expected to make landfall as Cat 3

Coronavirus patients make up about 21 percent of patients in Harris Countys intensive care units now and occupy about 10 percent of overall hospital beds, according to SETRAC. Across the region, Pile said, hospitals have the capacity to care for additional patients and have plans in place in case they need to be transferred to other health care providers due to flooding or lack of capacity.

Making room

At United Memorial Medical Center in Acres Homes, where doctors and nurses have spent months caring for the sickest of coronavirus patients, hospital leaders plan to apportion beds from their COVID-19 unit to possible storm victims, and do the same in a ward where U.S. Army medics have set up a separate operation to treat COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Joseph Varon, chief medical officer of United Memorial Medical Center, said the plan is to allocate half the beds to COVID-19 and the other half to anyone who comes in with storm-related injuries. Hes prepared his staff to take in overflow from other Texas hospitals if they become overwhelmed by both storm-related injuries and COVID-19 patients.

People are going to go into shelters and close confined spaces because of the storm, Varon said. People are going to get sick, no question about it.

Nurses have been asked to bring several changes of clothes to the medical center in case they must stay. Backup generators are in place, and oxygen tanks have been topped off, he said.

Throughout Houston, hospital maintenance staff are checking backup systems and buying more personal protective equipment to ensure that they dont run out during the hurricane, much like some did in the early weeks of the pandemic.

At Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center in the Texas Medical Center, and eight other CHI St. Lukes locations in the Houston region, there are enough face masks, disposable gloves and other personal protective equipment to last the staff and its patients for weeks, said Liz Youngblood, chief operating officer of CHI St. Lukes Texas division.

The system has stationed ride out teams, staff who have volunteered to come in and stay the duration of the storm if the hospital needs more doctors, nurses and other practitioners, and they cant drive into the hospital due to flooded streets.

Weve been preparing for well over a week now to make sure everything in place, Youngblood said.

Triple whammy

Multiple times a day, a monitoring system for CHI St. Lukes 17 Texas hospitals will check on capacity and available beds. The hospitals are prepared to send patients to other locations if theres a need to evacuate.

The hope is that it doesnt come to that, with flood gates installed throughout the Texas Medical Center in the wake of Tropical Storm Allison. The gates can close and prevent water from submerging the lower floors of medical institutions.

NEED TO KNOW: Get the latest on Hurricane Laura with these sites and apps

Theres another threat, though. If people arent careful to maintain social distancing and mask-wearing if the hurricane veers into Houston, large outbreaks of COVID-19 cases could follow, driving up hospitalization rates again.

We have a hurricane coming in, we just opened schools and we have Labor Day weekend coming up, said Varon of the United Memorial Medical Center. Its like a triple whammy.

gwendolyn.wu@chron.com

twitter.com/gwendolynawu
Seoul schools go back online over virus fears

South Korea on Tuesday ordered all schools and kindergartens in the greater Seoul region to switch to online classes as authorities battle multiple coronavirus clusters.









Virus curbs were tightened in the Seoul region last week and were further expanded to the rest of the country on Sunday





The country's "trace, test and treat" approach to curbing the virus has been held up as a global model, but it is now trying to contain several outbreaks, mostly linked to Protestant churches.



South Korea reported 280 new infections on Tuesday, taking the country's total to 17,945.



The numbers are low in global terms but represent the South's 12th consecutive day of triple-digit increases after several weeks with numbers generally in the 30s and 40s.



Most of the new cases have been centred in the greater Seoul region, home to half the country's 52 million people.



Authorities are now scrambling to tighten social distancing rules and said that schools and kindergartens in Seoul, Incheon and neighbouring Gyeonggi province will switch to online classes from Wednesday until September 11.



"The alarming emergence of mass infections since August is turning up as infections of our students and staff members," education minister Yoo Eun-hae told reporters.



Nearly 200 students and school staff had been infected with the virus in the past two weeks, she said.



The only exception is for senior students in their final year of high school, who are due to take crucial university entrance exams in early December.



The South Korean military also bolstered its guidelines, requiring all service members to wear facemasks at all times in public, both indoors and outside.



Training or gatherings of more than two people are also banned unless masks are worn, the defence ministry said in a statement.



Virus curbs were tightened in the Seoul region last week and were further expanded to the rest of the country on Sunday.



The measures include restrictions on large gatherings such as religious services and the closing of nightclubs, karaoke bars and cybercafes.



Authorities have warned of tougher social distancing rules -- which would include closing businesses -- if the number of new cases continues to grow rapidly.
TikTok may have been banned in India, but the short video app still has a strong user base in other countries, and like every trend that emerges from the app, the latest one is truly the most - to put it politely - incomprehensible, insensitive and completely ignorant. TikTokers who can do absolutely anything for views, be it licking a toilet seat or the pee your pants challenge, where you literally wet yourself. But the new TikTok trend, which shows young people pretending to be Holocaust victims in heaven, has wreaked havoc on every other trend when it comes to being disturbing and daft. The TikTokers dress up and wear make-up so as to look like someone from the 1940s, with burns and bruises drawn over their bodies, while they share how they died in the Nazis death camps.

Some people shared entire stories, some played dress up donning on stripes to represent the uniform of the concentration camps, or the yellow Star of David that Jewish people were forced to wear by the Nazis. Some others used the background of the Auschwitz concentration camp, and the choice of songs playing the background, guiding the narrative, included bizarre choices like Locked out of Heaven by Bruno Mars, Heathens by 21 Pilots and Homages Mild High Club.

the outfit choice was not over looked either  @tiktokcreators pic.twitter.com/jHz5Bz2hlj  Patricia (@Mowgli_Lincoln) August 18, 2020

The videos were hashtagged with #Holocaust and #heaven and are a part of TikToks widely popular POV or Point of View style of videos. These videos are shot from the viewers point of view as though they are watching the TikToker address them directly, making the viewer the main character and have been reported to be one of TikToks hottest video shooting styles. TikToker Adam (@porrinate), told Motherboard that he thinks the style makes it very personal to the viewer, because the video is through their eyes.

And although the videos got millions of views, a lot of social media users, rightfully, couldnt help but express their outrage over people talking about such serious issues in such a fickle manner. Several people from the Jewish community also expressed their disdain over the trend, with one teenager even dubbing it trauma porn saying that people use the shock value of such content to get likes and views. An Ashkenazi Jewish teenager from Los Angeles, Brianna, told Wired, Our obsession with trauma porn has only motivated a desire to dramatise these narratives. Most creators are doing [these videos] to hop onto a trend so they can get likes and exposure [but they are] ill-informed and woefully ignorant. These kind of trends are so normalised these days, theres also a level of shock value content which I think is outdated and in bad taste. This shock value further desensitises viewers to this type of behaviour and normalises this type of harmful content.

Social media users also expressed their outrage, one tweeted, Right. Now can we please STOP making Holocaust trends on tiktok? Its straight up antisemitism and you all let it slide.

Another social media user tweeted, Did these girls really cosplay a holocaust victim and narrative for a tik tok.. such a callous mockery of the genocide of millions of jews and other marginalized groups, i feel sick (sic).

@tiktok_us did these girls really cosplay a holocaust victim and narrative for a tik tok.. such a callous mockery of the genocide of millions of jews and other marginalized groups, i feel sick #Holocaust #tiktok #holocaustchallenge (more to follow) pic.twitter.com/ZeDeddkRQ8  Patricia (@Mowgli_Lincoln) August 18, 2020

the holocaust and its stories are not a fucking trend!!  pic.twitter.com/KnU8Ga5TSV  Patricia (@Mowgli_Lincoln) August 18, 2020

Another 15-year-old content creator from Florida told Wired that she made the video to share what her ancestors went through during the genocide, she told Wired, Im very motivated and captivated by the Holocaust and the history of World War II. I have ancestors who were in concentration camps, and have actually met a few survivors from Auschwitz camp. I wanted to spread awareness and share out to everyone the reality behind the camps by sharing my Jewish grandmothers story.

TikToks roleplaying short clips will always fail to give a good view to the complexity, educate properly, or correctly honor the victims @tiktok_us @tiktokcreators  pic.twitter.com/84NolVf5O3  Patricia (@Mowgli_Lincoln) August 25, 2020

Jewish TikToker, 21-year-old Taylor Hillman, who had also made the video said that she felt a lot of people were using the trend to get fame, and that if one was not of Jewish faith, they wouldnt understand the complexities of it and the resulting video just ends up seeming like they are mocking Jews.

Is Auschwitz, Anne Frank, and striped pajamas the only fucking things people know?? im sick and tired of our suffering turned into a #pov social media trend @tiktokcreators  pic.twitter.com/o8ML3veUYG  Patricia (@Mowgli_Lincoln) August 25, 2020

Another 17-year-old creator told Insider that she made the video to educate people and because she thought it was important to share such stories. In her video, which she has now taken down, she and her family are deported to Auschwitz and killed in the gas chambers. She said, Ive always been interested in the history of the Holocaust and just wanted to make a creative video informing people about it on TikTok, It was never intended to be offensive.

However, the complexities of the Holocaust cant be explained in a couple of minutes, or seconds in this case, especially not in a make believe scenario with a pop song guiding the story, no matter how well meaning one may think it is.

Diane Saltzman, the director of survivor affairs at the US Holocaust Museum, told Insider, Imitating Holocaust experiences dishonours the memory of the victims, is offensive to survivors, and trivializes the history. The Museum encourages everyone, especially young people, to learn about the Holocaust and understand the lessons it holds for us today.

TikTok declined to comment to Insider as well as Wired about this story, however the videos can only be up on the application if the content doesnt violate any of their guidelines on hate speech. And this clearly doesnt.

While many were heartbroken when TikTok was banned in India, trends like these make one realise how the desire for views and likes on such apps completely desensitize people to harsh realities, promote stereotypes, are completely inaccurate and dumb down extremely serious issues, making everything seem fickle. One can only hope this bizarre trend made people read up more about Hitlers Third Reich and the actual ongoings, than just trust a bunch of viewership-hungry teens who think they can share such painful and inhuman times in the worlds history in less than ten seconds as Billie Eilish sings Lovely in the background.

Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Alfea Jamal 'Ask no questions, hear no lies.' Alfea Jamal is a fashion, culture, travel and food writer. She also dabbles in video journalism, multimedia production, the culinary arts, design and is modestly decent with canvas. ...view detail
Doctors hold pickets in a protest against the government's medical workforce reform plans on Tuesday at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Yonhap



By Lee Hyo-jin



Public criticism is mounting over the ongoing doctors' strike, which has begun disrupting medical services at some hospitals amid the COVID-19 pandemic.



As of Tuesday, thousands of trainee doctors have been staging an indefinite strike for five days since Friday, to protest the government's medical workforce reform plan. The strike was joined by hundreds of doctors Monday.



The number is expected to increase as the Korean Medical Association (KMA), which represents more than 130,000 doctors, will begin a three-day nationwide walkout starting Wednesday.



But it seems that their collective action amid the pandemic crisis is failing to gain public support.



The hashtag #disqualifythem was trending on Twitter, Monday, as many users called for the disqualification of doctors who "are using public safety as a negotiating tool."



A twitter user with the ID @ddang*** wrote, "Nowhere in the world do physicians go on a national strike threatening the lives of citizens. The government must take away their doctor's license."






A woman living in Bridgeport, Alabama, is charged with TennCare fraud and theft of services for allegedly falsely reporting a Tennessee residence in order to obtain TennCare benefits for herself and her two children.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) along with the South Pittsburg Police Department on Tuesday announced the arrest of Aaliyah Evett, 24, also known as Aaliyah Mitchell. She is accused of fraudulently enrolling in TennCare by claiming to have a Tennessee address but living in Bridgeport, Al., which is just across the state line from South Pittsburg. As a result of fraudulently enrolling in the program, TennCare paid nearly $4,600 in fees and claims for the family.

The TennCare program is designed to help those who rightfully qualify who live in Tennessee, Inspector General Kim Harmon said. We continue to pursue those who misrepresent and deceive our system for services theyre not entitled to receive.

If convicted, Ms. Evett could face up to 24 years in prison for the charges, which are class D felonies. The case is being prosecuted by District Attorney General Mike Taylor of Marion County.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated over 5,760 criminal cases leading to more than $10.8 million ordered in restitution to TennCare. This has helped lead to a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to the latest figures. To date, 3,076 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982, toll-free or by logging on to www.tn.gov/oig/ and following the prompts that read Report TennCare fraud.
The Black Sea Fleet forces will hold live firings and practice the coasts anti-amphibious defense in large-scale drills that kicked off in Crimea, the Fleets press office reported.



"Force-on-force brigade-level tactical drills began with units of the Black Sea Fleets army corps and marine infantry at the Opuk multi-service force training ground in Crimea," the press office said in a statement.



"At the first stage of the drills, the personnel of the coastal defense separate brigade went on high alert and made a march to the designated area to take up their positions, prepare and hold anti-amphibious defense of the coast," TASS cited the statement as saying.



The personnel of the Fleets separate marine infantry brigade are simulating the enemy in the drills. The troops advanced to the amassment areas and formed attacking groups. They will prepare and land amphibious and airborne assault forces, which have been assigned the task of seizing and holding an advantageous frontier, the press office said.



Coastal defense artillery forces and ships will hold artillery and missile firings during the drills while the troops will fire small arms, grenade launchers and the guns of combat vehicles, the statement says.



The maneuvers are part of preparations for the Kavkaz-2020 (Caucasus-2020) strategic command and staff drills. The exercise that will end on August 30 involves about 100 items of military and special hardware, including T-72B3 tanks, BTR-80 and BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, large amphibious assault ships and helicopters of the Black Sea Fleets naval aviation.
In a video address, Zelensky presents modern, young, peaceful and hospitable Ukraine to the world.

On Ukraine's Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky launched a large-scale information campaign to restart the Ukraine NOW brand.

The president recorded an English-language video address to the world community, in which he talks about the new Ukrainian reality, according to the president's press service.

Read alsoUkraine Independence Day: Zelensky vows to hold parade upon regaining all Ukrainian territories (Photo, video)In particular, Ukraine is no longer a country of poverty and corruption, as it was called earlier. According to the president, now Ukraine is a new technological center of the world, a breadbasket of Europe with the most fertile lands, with a huge tourist and investment potential.

"Ukraine is where you can still make real discoveries. Ukraine is a frontier where new things are happening," he said.

In the video address, Zelensky presents modern, young, peaceful and hospitable Ukraine to the world.

"Hurry up. The biggest country in Europe is the next big thing. Ukraine now is something we can do and benefit together. The whole world can prosper with Ukraine now," the president said.

As part of the campaign to restart the Ukraine NOW brand, world-class stars will also record their video appeals to the international community. Film director David Lynch, Kadebostany and many others will share their impressions of Ukraine.

The Ukraine NOW brand campaign will show the world new Ukraine with a dynamic economy and progressive business, which is able to offer many interesting opportunities.
Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size

Article body

Auburn University joined the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama in Huntsville for a virtual celebration of OLLI Day Alabama on Thursday, Aug. 20, and announced OLLI Alabama Shares, a program for sharing virtual classes among the three campuses.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, or OLLIs, offers member-centered courses, volunteer opportunities and social interaction for people over age 50. OLLI is founded on the belief that lifelong learning enhances ones quality of life.

There are more than 120 OLLIs in the U.S., with at least one in every state. There are three OLLI campuses in Alabama, each with satellite campuses in their area.

To highlight all that OLLI has to offer Alabamians, Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed Aug. 20 OLLI Day in the state. A virtual information session was held to highlight OLLI programs across the state and outline the new OLLI Alabama Shares program that will continue even after the pandemic has ended and classes begin to meet in person.

When COVID-19 arrived in Alabama three weeks before the beginning of OLLIs spring term, we marshalled our technology committee, dedicated staff and stalwart membership to Zoom ahead into this brave new world of online classes, said Scott Bishop, director of OLLI at Auburn University. There has been something of a learning curve for everyone, but the outcome has been that many OLLI members have become much more technologically savvy in order to maintain their connections to family, community and to their lifelong learning classes.

In this trying time of home confinement, I am grateful to OLLI for providing online sources of intellectual stimulation, as well as a continuing sense of community and contact with people I could not see by any other means, said Larry Gerber, co-chair of OLLI at Auburns Curriculum Committee.

Auburn Universitys OLLI is not unique in pivoting to take classes online, and since all three OLLIs in AlabamaAuburn University, the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama in Huntsvillehave online classes this fall, the three campuses are each sharing three classes with the others.

The six classes offered to us from our sister OLLIs across the state have strengthened and diversified our already robust fall class offerings, said Barbara Daron, program coordinator for OLLI at Auburn. We look forward to future collaborations. We have learned that OLLI members are indeed lifelong learners, and now that we have embraced Zoom classes, the possibilities are endless.

Registration for OLLI at Auburn plus the collaborative classes from UA, UAH and Auburn University at Montgomery is open now through Sept. 9. Anyone interested may register online at www.auburn.edu/olli or by calling the registration line at 334-844-3135. Fall 2020 classes will be held Sept. 14 to Nov. 6, all via ZOOM.

OLLI at Auburn is a program of the Office of the Vice President for University Outreach. For more information regarding this event or to learn about becoming a volunteer faculty member, volunteer service assistant, member or sponsor, please contact Shawnee McKee, OLLI Administrative Support, at 334-844-3146 or olli@auburn.edu, or visit the website at www.olliatauburn.org.
Mumbai, Aug 25 : Actor Jisshu Sengupta has described working with Sanjay Dutt as a learning experience, adding that he was very comfortable in his company.

Jisshu worked with Dutt on the upcoming film, "Sadak 2".

"We shot nine days of climax, and every single day was about so much learning. The ease, the pain, the childlike innocence -- I was so, so comfortable in his company. We spoke about music, about so many random things and laughed so much. He has a golden heart," Jisshu said.

With "Sadak 2", Sanjay is revisiting the world of his 1991 hit, "Sadak". The second part marks the return of Mahesh Bhatt as director after two decades. The film stars his daughters Alia and Pooja Bhatt along with Sanjay Dutt and Aditya Roy Kapur. The film will release on August 28 on Disney+ Hotstar VIP.

Jisshu was last seen in "Shakuntala Devi", which is based on the life of the late Shakuntala Devi, who is widely revered as the human computer for her innate ability to make complex calculations within seconds.
The FBI is assisting Mexican authorities in the disappearance of Los Angeles firefighter Francisco Aguilar

A 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department is missing after going to check on his condo in Mexico, his family said.

Francisco Aguilar normally checks in with his family but suddenly stopped communicating with them on Friday, KCAL reports.

The firefighter's brother and cousin described the condo as having been ransacked, with tables overturned and vehicles missing from the property.

Mexican authorities are leading the investigation into his disappearance with help from the FBI.

The man's family is distraught by his disappearance.

'We were on FaceTime the other day and he was on the beach and just talking to about how it was so much fun and this was a little taste of what retirement would be like for him,' his daughter Amaris said.

Family members said that the firefighter had gone to Mexico to visit his condo, which he routinely did, but added that he stopped responding to them on Friday

'I just pray with every fiber in my being that my father returns to us.'

The family hosted a vigil at their home in Montebello and are seeking support during the trying times.

'I don't know if I can take it, he's my first child,' said Aguilar's mother Martha Carmona Aguilar.

On Monday, Aguilar's daughters asked Governor Gavin Newsom to get involved in the search.

Aguilar is currently assigned to Station 44 in Cypress Park.
Meeting of Normandy Four leaders' advisers is postponed due to business trip of adviser to French President  Zelensky's Office

The meeting of advisers to the leaders of the member states of the Normandy Format, which was supposed to take place on August 28 in Paris, has been postponed due to the business trip of adviser to the French President Emmanuel Bonn, the President's Office of Ukraine said.

"The new date of the meeting will be announced," the President's Office said in the statement released on its website on Tuesday.

The Normandy Four for resolving the situation in Donbas includes Ukraine, Germany, France and the Russian Federation.
Jurisdictions across the world are dealing with the challenge of making decisions about children returning to school in the times of a changing and dangerous pandemic. As a pediatric psychiatrist and suicidologist specializing in emergencies, I would like to remind parents, media, and politicians that school, too, can be a source of significant distress for children.

Heres the clinical truth: any pediatric psychiatrist will tell you that school days are when we see most kids in suicidal distress. The highest rate of youth suicide is on weekdays during school months. Why is that? Because schools benefits also come with downsides.

Imagine my frustration when I see political and media talking points urging that kids must go back to school for their mental health. Each time, I want to transport that person into the room with me to see the crying, suicidal child, who is distressed over their piling homework. The child distressed over perfectionistic anxiety and their marks. The child with the eating disorder being teased about their weight. Or, the child being bullied at school because of their race or sexual orientation. Schools are not a mental health panacea.

Education is undeniably good. Education opens doorways to places unreachable alone, and enables the pursuit of higher success. But consider that there are many creative ways to develop education in young people: camps, schools, peer support, tutoring, music, sports, creative projects, video games and books. Pause for a moment and reflect on a moment when the younger you learned something important outside of school.

The benefits of in-person classes would be highlighted by the presence of well-educated teachers, who are experts at classroom teaching. Being with other children is a plus for most kids (not all), and schools provide needed child care for when parents typically work (again, not all). Most schools can enrich a childs sporting and artistic endeavors. However, there are often exceptions.

There are downsides to in-person classes as well. Most schools operate during hours poorly matching adolescent sleep cycles and many parents work schedules. School is not safe for everyone; bullying, teasing, not fitting the mold, disability, and abuse can make schools decidedly unsafe for some. As well, many sources of conflict in the home come from parental expectations of school work and performance. School can be very stressful for children and families.

Very frequently, my job entails relieving the stress caused by school. I call schools to relieve class burdens and deadlines. I talk to parents about the need for balance and play. There are many times I write absent notes so children can address therapeutic needs first. I always use the same phrase: School isnt as important right now. We need to focus on safety, security, and the things that will make you healthy. For emphasis, I frequently add, there are lots of ways to learn; your brain will catch up once youre healthy again!

In the health care world, there is no truth to the notion that returning to in-person school is the number one priority. Instead, the priority is returning to health. Whether it is a car crash, a depression, a cancer, or an infection, health is the foundation on which all must be built.

It is frustrating that an expert in pediatric psychiatry has to point this out, but the more than 800,000 global deaths from COVID-19 are incredibly bad for our childrens mental health as well. Preventing further deaths from the virus may be the most trauma-informed mental health maneuver we perform, ranking far above the need to return to pre-pandemic schooling methodologies.

Teachers must be creative, and learn how to deliver online content in an engaging way. Schools must open when the community metrics support it and there are health policies in place to respond to new outbreaks. Communities must take care of underprivileged people who are always going to bear the worst of this pandemic. Institutions of government must break down the systemic barriers of racism that have led to the disproportionate deaths of non-white people. But please do not place special priority on in-person schooling.

So, I give the same advice I always give when safety and school are in tension. School isnt as important right now as stopping this pandemic. We need to focus on safety, security, and health. There are lots of ways to learn, and our childrens brains will catch up once we can live healthy lives again.
MINNEAPOLIS  Three months after George Floyd died at the hands of police and sparked a wave of protests around the country and the world, the site of his death has become a universal gathering point where people come to remember him and acknowledge the struggle for racial equality.

On a dry, hot Tuesday afternoon, locals and tourists ebbed and flowed through the memorial site at the intersection where Floyd took his final breaths May 25. Now three months later, new shootings of Black people by police continue to generate further outcry and more protests.

Its still like yesterday, and theres things that open up the wound, Clifford Dodd, a Black vendor who was born and raised in nearby St. Paul, told NBC News.

Dodd, 64, said the memorial site was a sacred place where people gathered to meditate on Americas past, as well as its current struggles in the fight against inequality.

Theres a spirit thats here, he said.

A local Christian group prays at the site of his memorial in Minneapolis on Aug. 25, 2020. (Ed Ou / NBC News)

Throughout the memorial there are several tribute spaces, including colorful murals and paintings. At the center is the sculpture of a raised fist surrounded by a bed of colorful flowers and a photo of Floyd. Around it are teddy bears and other tributes, such as signs reading Create the George Floyd Forest and George Lives Here.

Close to the central memorial, flowers hang upside down from a clothesline with signs reading Creatively Imagine A World Without Police'' and another reading We Stand Together. Nearby, a symbolic cemetery features dozens of tombstones marking people who lost their lives at the hands of police.

Every day area residents hold town hall meetings mornings and evenings under the boarded up Speedway gas station to discuss their concerns, updating each other on what happens in the square and in their neighborhood in an effort to build up their community.

At night, however, the square can take on a different tone, with previously existing tensions and violence leading to sporadic shootings before day breaks and locals and tourists filter back in.

Story continues

Just after Floyds death, hundreds or thousands of people routinely gathered at the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue. While those numbers have diminished, Dodd said he has met people from around the world, including Puerto Rico, Australia and the Netherlands.

Local residents hold a town hall in Minneapolis on Aug. 25, 2020. Residents and activists meet at the Speedway gas station to discuss building up their community, racial justice and ongoing concerns. (Ed Ou / NBC News)

They want to see it for themselves, and theyre bringing their families. Theyre coming thousands of miles, he said. There might be a real change this time because change is within the next generation, and that is whats coming here.

With his company Sweet Inspirations, he helps sell merchandise such as "Black Lives Matter" hoodies, T-shirts that say We Still Can't Breathe, and masks with the words "Black Lives Matter" and a raised fist in the middle.

Dodd said he saw himself in Floyd many times.

Everybody has their own war stories of being caught by the cops, being degraded, and everyone came here and they were laying their pain down somewhere, he said. Sometimes the way you learn how to live with something is to act like it didnt happen. But you never really forget.

Dodd said he was hopeful Floyd's death could result in meaningful social change in this country, unlike what he had seen after previous killings, such as in the fatal shooting of the Black Minnesota motorist Philando Castile.

Three months after George Floyd was killed by the police, people visit the memorial set up in his memory in Minneapolis on Aug. 25, 2020 (Ed Ou / NBC News)

Philando Castile had momentum there for a minute and then, poof, its gone. This one here has been lingering, he said. I conditioned myself to live to see a change, and thats what I think Im witnessing right now.

Krystal Smith, 26, said that while she loves that people still come to pay their respects at the memorial months later, the site weighs heavy on her emotionally. Why did this have to happen? Why did it take this specific person to die for everybody to come out and come together? she asked.

I just get sad and emotional, and I get to thinking about everything like, damn, this could have been my brother, this could have been my dad, this could have been my boyfriend, said Smith, who is Black and was wearing a We Still Cant Breathe T-shirt. He couldve been anybody.

Smith said she tends to the flowers at the memorial and, when the sun goes down, she lights candles near the tombstones and alongside more names of the dead painted onto the street. Its her way of honoring their lives.

I really support this. Ive been here since it happened, she said. People are taking time out of their day to come and show love, that means a lot to me."

Elaine Davis and her mother Mildred stand over his memorial site in Minneapolis on Aug. 25, 2020. Elaine came from Atlanta to visit her mother and to pay her respects to George Floyd. (Ed Ou / NBC News)

Also making her way through the memorial Tuesday afternoon was Elaine Davis, a Minneapolis native, who had just come from Atlanta to see the site for the first time.

This is shocking. Minneapolis set off a new revolution, and I still cannot believe that, said Davis, a Black woman in her 50s, wearing a black mask and a black and gray shirt with the names of people killed by police scrawled into a fist. I had to see this.

She said Floyds death has set off us being heard, and when I say us, I mean Black people, and I mean the youth.

The youth are really speaking, Im proud of what I'm seeing out here," she said. "Im very proud of what Im seeing."
The Republican Party kicked off its national convention with no visible Native presence, opening a week of events that stand in marked contrast to the Democrats trying to unseat Donald Trump from office.

roll-call of state delegations on Monday morning was touted by the Republicans as a showcase of the true face of America. But there weren't any actual representatives from tribal or urban Indian communities amid attempts by some states to highlight the contributions of Native people.

Arizona Delegation Chairman Michael Ward spoke of the Navajo Code Talkers whose Dine language helped the United States secure victory in World War II. But it won't be until Tuesday evening that the party sees someone from the Navajo Nation , when Myron Lizer , the tribe's vice president, is scheduled to address the convention.

And instead of highlighting the 21 other Indian nations with homelands in the state or the Native Americans who account for 5.3 percent of the population , Ward boasted of the "miles and miles and miles of big beautiful wall" being built through the Tohono O'odham Nation over the tribe's objections.

Way to go South Dakota! Thank you for casting your votes! #RNC2020 @SDGOP pic.twitter.com/SlIIl6XvXT  #RNC2020 GOP Convention (@GOPconvention) August 24, 2020

Representing South Dakota, Gov. Kristi Noem did not fare all that better when it comes to tribes and their sovereignty. After receiving a huge round of applause when she introduced herself, she pointed out that her state is the home of the sacred Black Hills and of Sitting Bull , a revered leader from the Sioux Nation.

But in thanking President Trump for "bringing fireworks back to Mount Rushmore," she didn't mention how Sitting Bull's people continue to fight the ongoing desecration of their treaty territory by the U.S. government. One of them, Nick Tilsen , the president of NDN Collective, is facing 17 years after being arrested on his own homelands by state authorities over the July 4 holiday.

"He's brought jobs to our town and he puts America first each and every day," Noem said of Trump, who is being sued by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe after she threatened to get the president to shut down coronavirus checkpoints on the reservation. She made similar threats against the Oglala Sioux Tribe

Immediately following Noem's roll call, Trump made his first appearance at the convention, where in-person activities are taking place in Charlotte, North Carolina. He didn't highlight tribal nations either, instead promoting actions and policies that have gone against their interests.

"Weve done things that nobody thought were possible," Trump told Republican Party delegates as they renominated him as their candidate for president. "Like example, the Keystone Pipeline. We got that approved. The Dakota Access Pipeline. They were all bogged down, right? Right?"

Tribes and activists are suing the Trump administration for approving the Keystone XL Pipeline, whose path crosses treaty territory in Nebraska, Montana and South Dakota. Decisions about the project have been made without consulting Indian nations or addressing their concerns, according to cases in federal court.

Similar litigation is ongoing against the Dakota Access Pipeline, as a federal judge has invalidated a permit which enabled a wealthy donor to the president to start transporting oil through Sioux Nation treaty territory without tribal consent. The final portion of the project is located on the homelands of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe , where Sitting Bull was killed by a federal agent in 1890.

"Weve got things that they said you couldnt get done. Were energy independent," added Trump, whose administration just cleared the way for oil and gas drilling on lands owned by Alaska Native corporations, whose Inupiat shareholders support development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

The Gwichin people, on the other hand, are suing the federal government for opening the door to resource exploitation. Their entire way of life revolves around a caribou herd in ANWR whose movements they fear will be disrupted by energy activities.

The messages from the GOP this week dramatically contrast those from the Democrats. Presidential candidate Joe Biden , who was nominated at his party's convention last week, has vowed to rescind approval for Keystone XL, which is not yet operational, and to stop oil from flowing through Dakota Access, which went online six months after Trump took office in January 2017.

The Democratic National Convention featured four Native leaders presenting delegate totals for the states of Arizona, New Mexico, North Dakota and South Dakota. Jonathan Nez , the president of the Navajo Nation, also took part in a unique keynote address that highlighted voices not often seen at major political party events.

The DNC's Native American Caucus held two meetings last week, attracting not just Native voters but some of the party's most prominent members, like Dr. Jill Biden and House Speaker and California Rep. Nancy Pelosi as well as former presidential hopefuls Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The Republicans have no similar counterpart.

The final night of the DNC included a prime-time speech from Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico , who is one of the first two Native women to win election to the U.S. Congress . Besides Lizer, the RNC has not announced any prominent Native presenters.

Yaateeh,

Please tune in tonight to the #RNC2020, as Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer will be speaking from the Navajo Nation. Ahehee!@GOP @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/rLMbifv5MW  Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer (@NNVP_Lizer) August 25, 2020

Lizer, who has met with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, isn't being treated by his own party as a star at the convention on Tuesday evening. The reverence is instead being directed toward Nick Sandmann, a recent Catholic high school graduate who sued a handful of mainstream media outlets for covering his confrontation with Nathan Phillips , an elder from the Omaha Tribe, during the Indigenous People's March in Washington, D.C., in January 2019.

"The left is mad I decided to speak because itll be the first time I testify about the media," Sandmann, who is 18, wrote on social media last week.

The RNC runs through Thursday, with Trump broadcasting some activities from the White House throughout the event.

Join the Conversation

Related Stories
Trip comes after US pressed the UNSC to reimpose sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal.

Irans nuclear body says it held constructive talks with the visiting head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) amid tensions over a US bid to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran.

Rafael Grossis trip comes after Washington last week pressed the UN Security Council to reimpose sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers (the JCPOA), from which the US has withdrawn.

But Iranian authorities said Grossis visit was not related to US moves to reimpose sanctions.

Our conversation today was very constructive. It was agreed that the Agency will carry out its independent and professional responsibilities and Iran will fulfil its legal commitments, said Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Irans Atomic Energy Organisation, according to the ISNA news agency.

A new chapter of cooperation between Iran and the IAEA will start.

The visit came as the president of the United Nations Security Council, Indonesia, said it was not in the position to take further action on the US bid to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran because there is no consensus in the 15-member body.

Indonesias US Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, council president for August, was responding to a question from Russia and China on the issue during the council meeting on the Middle East.

Thirteen council members expressed their opposition on Friday, arguing that Washingtons move is void given it is using a process agreed under a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers that it quit two years ago.





Despite the talks cordial tone, Al Jazeeras Assed Baig said a contentious issue over access to two nuclear facilities in Iran remains unresolved.

In June, the IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution putting pressure on Iran to let inspectors into its sites because they could still host undeclared nuclear material, or traces of it.

Grossi said on Saturday that he would address the outstanding questions, in particular, the issue of the access, which Iran has so far denied.

Over the last few days, it looked like Iran was changing its position, and its nuclear agency said that they were ready to grant access, but under the condition that it would end questions once and for all, said Baig, reporting from Tehran.

That is a very vague precondition, but what we are hearing today from Iran is again asking the IAEA to act impartially and professionally, Baig added, refering to the fact that some of the intelligence gathered on those sites has come from Israel, something that has upset Tehran.

Following his meeting with Salehi, Grossi said there is no political approach towards Iran.

There are issues that need to be addressed  this does not mean a political approach towards Iran.

On Monday, Tehran said Grossis visit would strengthen ties and build trust between Iran and the IAEA, as long as the IAEA moves based on impartiality, independence, and distances itself from political pressure of other countries.

The IAEA will not let third countries impact its relations with any other country, Grossi said, according to Iranian media.

Grossi will meet President Hassan Rouhani, the foreign minister and other senior officials during his visit.

The visit also takes place shortly before a September 1 meeting of the joint commission on the JCPOA.

The US is at loggerheads with the European signatories since Washington attempted on Thursday to invoke a punitive measure included in the JCPOA by declaring that Iran was, in fact, in violation of the agreement.

France, Germany and the UK rejected the move, stating that the US had withdrawn from the JCPOA in 2018 and as such had no standing to claim any of its measures.

Washington controversially maintains it has the right to force the reimposition of sanctions through the agreements snapback mechanism, despite its withdrawal.
Chicago: The top US infectious diseases expert is warning that distributing a COVID-19 vaccine under special emergency use guidelines before it has been proved safe and effective in large trials is a bad idea that could have a detrimental effect on the testing of other vaccines.

Scientists and health experts have expressed concern that President Donald Trump will apply pressure on the US Food and Drug Administration to approve a vaccine before November to boost his chances of re-election.

Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says a vaccine must be proven to be safe and effective before it's released. Credit:Bloomberg

Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, declined to comment on the President, but said there are risks in rushing out a vaccine despite the urgent need.

"The one thing that you would not want to see with a vaccine is getting an EUA (emergency use authorisation) before you have a signal of efficacy," Fauci said.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has deputed five teams to investigate the death of an actor who killed himself. I do not know why the CBI is investigating this case nor do I understand why there is such great public interest in this issue.

I have been told that this is because of some political reason linked to the election in Bihar. If there is, I am not able to understand what it is. Bihar is the one of the oldest political entities in India, going back to the time of Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya.

Are Biharis so naive as to vote based on this sort of material? Perhaps they are, and I will be disappointed to know if this is the case. Bihar is one of the poorest parts of the world. The state has been governed by two parties that have been in charge for a decade.

Will the voter determine whether or not to vote for them based on a Bollywood event? If so, it is amazing. Two other reasons have been put forward as possible reasons for the pushing of this story. First, that it is targeted at the son of the Maharashtra chief minister.

Second, that it is aimed in some fashion at the Muslim actors of Bollywood. That seems to me to be more reasonable given our times. This government is hostile to Muslims and will use any lie to attack them, including this one.

But to return to the question of voter interest, it was written last week by my friend Shekhar Gupta that the Prime Minister would return to power in 2024 unless he inflicted damage on himself.

Guptas argument so far as I have understood it is that the damage inflicted on the voter is not relevant because the voter doesnt care about such things as the collapse in the economy, the record unemployment, the occupation of our land by the Chinese and the inability of this government to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gupta did not explain in detail how he had come to this conclusion, but he said that a survey that had a previously good track record showed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at the peak of his popularity.

Again, I do not know if this is the case, but it would be quite interesting if this were to be so. Our GDP has been declining since January 2018 for nine successive quarters, based on the Modi governments own data.

Unemployment has been the highest that it has ever been recorded in India, again according to the governments own data. It is unclear who believes Modi when he says that there has been no Chinese intrusion, I hope it is not the prime minister himself because that would be a sign of delusion.

We are currently engaged with the Chinese in trying to get them to withdraw from our land, and our generals have had over half a dozen meetings with them already.

Presumably, these meetings are being held because what Modi says (or believes) is untrue. There is no reason to negotiate with them if they are not on our property.

On Covid-19, the data is clear. We are number three in the world in terms of the number of cases, we are number one in terms of the number of daily cases and we will likely end up with the most infected people in the world sometime soon.

This is not the record of a government and a prime minister who is popular. In another nation, this would be signal disaster politically. Is it the case that for all or most Indian voters, their political affiliation is unrelated to their actual life?

Could it be that we vote as we do a Facebook like or Twitter forward? Is our political action through voting and support of a party based not on its performance but on its image?

Surely this is not true, and even if it is true for many, it cannot be true for all. Certainly, it is not true for me.

But how many people think normally in this way? If there were many, then we would not have the circus that we do on a Bollywood actors death at a time which is the worst that I can remember, and I am not a young man.

I cannot remember a time in my life when we had such economic strife, such levels of unemployment, a national epidemic and the enemy inside our house, and such little interest in these and a focus on Bollywood and temples and such things.

Is this who we really are as citizens, individuals and voters? I should hope not. I do not think that our young generation of this time certainly or the next will be so unconcerned about their politics.

The question is whether the current generations of our time do not care about the nations security, their health, their employment and their future and whether they are more interested in Bollywood.

I do not have the answer to this, but it is an answer that we will know for certain fairly soon.
BLOOMINGTON  John Y. Butler will pay $430,000 to the city of Bloomington as part of an agreement in which he pleaded guilty Tuesday to a single misdemeanor theft charge related to management of the city-owned arena.

BMI Concessions, LLC, the company Butler led from 2013 to 2016, also pleaded guilty to a Class 1 felony of theft in excess of $10,000.

Butler, the 60-year-old president of Central Illinois Arena Management, initially faced more than 40 criminal charges, including fraud and theft of government money during his operation of the arena, then known as the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Ten charges were dropped prior to the plea deal, which included the dismissal of 34 felony charges Tuesday.

In addition to $430,230 to be paid to the city immediately Tuesday, Butler was also to pay $19,770 to the Illinois Department of Revenue.

McLean County First Assistant States Attorney Brad Rigdon said he believes this result gives justice to Bloomington taxpayers. Investigations in the case began nearly four years ago.

We have the individual John Butler who has accepted, who has come forward and said that he stole from the city of Bloomington, has been convicted of that, (and) that the company that he was president of has also agreed that they stole from the city of Bloomington," Rigdon said, "and that were in a situation where the money  the $450,000  is going to be able to come directly back to the taxpayers in addition to the electronic GPS monitoring thats going (ensure) the home confinement.

After the hearing, Butler said he pleaded guilty not because he personally took money from the Coliseum, but because he should have known his employees were doing so.

These employees took advantage of me, my company, the Coliseum and the taxpayers, he said. It was my responsibility to supervise these employees; I hired and trusted these employees. But what I did was not adequately supervise these employees.

The buck stops with me and ultimately I owe a duty to the taxpayers, and I dropped the ball.

As part of the plea agreement with the state's attorney's office, Butler also was sentenced to 91 days in jail, which will be served as home confinement that begins Wednesday. He received credit for one day served when he was taken into custody Sept. 25, 2017.

Amount negotiated

Rigdon presented a statement in court, agreed to by Butler's attorney Steven Beckett, outlining what the state's case would have been if the trial had continued. Rigdon said evidence would show that Butler told BMI Concessions employees, finance director Jay Laesch and general manager Paul Grazer, "to remove varying amounts of cash from the vault prior to the bank deposit occurring."

The scheme resulted in the underreporting of commissions owed to the city of Bloomington in the amount of $14,005, the statement said.

The sum of $450,000 was arrived at through negotiations related to the plea agreement. Beckett described it as a compromise.

"The plea of guilty related to the one portion of what was, as you know from the many other counts, a much larger investigation with additional allegations of theft beyond the $14,000 from the city of Bloomington," Rigdon said. "So getting to $450,000 as a number that gets paid today was the subject of negotiations by both parties."

Jury selection had been underway in a trial for Butler earlier this month when proceedings were abruptly halted and the trial was continued until September. At the time, attorneys declined to disclose the reason for the delay.

Its not entirely rare that as the trial is getting started the parties still continue to negotiate and we ended up in the spot for the first time, at that point in time, where the defendant John Butler was willing to accept personal liability for the theft that he committed against the city of Bloomington, Rigdon said Tuesday.

Beckett said Butler learned his employees were embezzling in June 2017. After 47 years practicing law, Beckett said he was unsurprised by the employees telling investigators that Butler was aware of what they were doing.

Ive represented several people who have embezzled, and I can tell you the first thing that an embezzler says is, My boss knew. Thats exactly what these guys said, Beckett said after the hearing.

The defense attorney said it was incredible that this case started out with 44 felony counts.

They say actions speak louder than words. When you go from 44 felony counts to a misdemeanor, that tells you a lot about what the states case was, he said. The states case was threats  thats what it was. It was the threat of prosecution and the worry that Johns family had about imprisonment, because many of those counts had mandatory imprisonment.

Butler said this dispute should have been treated as a civil dispute or a contract dispute.

Most of the charges are nothing more than disagreements regarding confusing terms in a poorly-written contract, he said. I believe that if we had mediated this issue back in 2016, as dictated under the terms of the contract, we would've resolved this dispute a long time ago and everyone could have moved on much sooner."

City Manager Tim Gleason said city leaders were grateful for the hard work of those involved in the investigation from the Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Revenue, as well as the states attorneys office.

These prosecutors spent years pursuing the charges, all in an effort to help protect the taxpayers of the city of Bloomington, he said. "I am very appreciative to the McLean County State's Attorney's Office for the theft conviction and recovery of the substantial amount of restitution for the taxpayers."

Others charged

Butler's plea comes about four years after the investigation in the arena by the Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Revenue began and nearly three years after Butlers indictment.

The arena management company entered into a 10-year contract with the city of Bloomington to manage the arena starting in 2006. BMI Concessions operated during the last three years of that contract.

Five management officials were indicted in September 2017 on charges accusing them of stealing money the city was entitled to under the contract.

Multiple theft charges are pending against Bart Rogers, CIAM general manager. He is due back in court in October.

Charges against Kelly Klein, former assistant manager of finance for the arena, were dismissed in May 2019.

States Attorney Don Knapp said his attorneys were limited in what they could say about Butlers case because Rogers is still ongoing and there is still a possibility that Klein could be re-indicted.

Laesch, former finance director of BMI Concessions, pleaded guilty in November 2018 to money laundering and filing a fraudulent sales tax return. As part of his plea agreement, Laesch was expected to testify in Butlers trial.

Grazer, the former food and beverage director of the Coliseum, pleaded guilty in August 2019 to conspiracy to commit tax evasion. He was also expected to testify in accordance to his plea agreement.

Since Butlers management of the arena ended, the city has put into place new oversight practices and procedures, Gleason said. This includes hiring a contract administrator whose duties specifically include overseeing arena management and conducting monthly reviews of the arenas finances.

Read the statement from McLean County State's Attorney Don Knapp:

See photos: John Y. Butler plea hearing

Can you help? The latest Crime Stoppers of McLean County cases

Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer.

Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1

Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny (file photo) - KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

Vladimir Putins spokesman on Tuesday said German doctors had rushed to conclusions over the suspected poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and rejected claims the Russian president had any hand in the incident.

The Charite Hospital in Berlin, where Mr Navalny remains unconscious after suddenly falling ill last week, on Monday said multiple tests showed the activist had been poisoned.

Doctors noted the effects of cholinesterase inhibitors, a group of chemical compounds that includes Novichok, the nerve agent used against ex-Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.

But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters: A decrease in the level of cholinesterase is possible for a variety of reasons, for example when taking and using various medications.

We do not understand why our German colleagues are in such a hurry to use the word poisoning.

Mr Peskov dismissed as empty noise the idea that the Kremlin might have ordered any poisoning. Russia did not see any reason to open a criminal investigation into the incident, he added.

The Charite Hospital said it was working to establish the exact toxin that had poisoned Mr Navalny but was treating him with atropine, the same medication British doctors gave Mr Skripal and his daughter following the 2018 Salisbury attack.

Cholinesterase inhibitors are found in nerve agents, pesticides and some medicines, including those that relieve symptoms of dementia.

Mr Navalny, Russias most outspoken critic of Putin, was suddenly taken ill and began crying out in pain on Thursday during a flight to Moscow from Siberia.

The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in the Siberian city of Omsk, where the 44-year old was treated by local doctors. They said they found no evidence of poisoning and instead gave a diagnosis of a metabolic disorder.

Mr Navalnys supporters insisted he travel abroad for treatment, accusing Russian authorities of directing doctors to cover up the cause of his illness.

Story continues

The Omsk hospital initially said Mr Navalny was not fit to travel, before relenting. His wife accused doctors of delaying for a day so that traces of any toxin might be flushed out of his system before he reached foreign specialists.

German doctors said on Monday he would likely survive but there could be long-term effects including damage to the nervous system.

Mr Navalny is already partially blind in one eye after an assailant threw green dye in his face on a Moscow street in 2017.

Several prominent critics of Mr Putin have been poisoned, including ex-FSB officer Alexander Litvenenko, who died after being exposed to a radioactive substance in London in 2006.

Opposition activist Pyotr Verzilov was treated at the same German hospital as Mr Navalny in 2018, after what he said was an attack by the Russian security services.

The Kremlin has long denied any involvement in the incidents.
Actor Pooja Batra, who is now in Los Angeles, has shared a picture with a red bearded dragon in her arms, leaving her fans surprised.

Sharing the picture, Pooja wrote: Mornings With My #Dragon #redbeardeddragon. While many fans wrote to shower their love on the star, calling her beautiful, others expressed their appreciation at her fearlessness. Some were also petrified at the idea. One such a fan wrote: O my God.... this so scary. Another fan, appreciating her for being reptile-friendly, wrote: Omg..! You are a reptile lover ....Me tooo...shooo cute dear they are very few people who love them so dam Proud of you.

Pooja, who had been staying home with her parents for much of the lockdown period, has been sharing throwbacks, her yoga session pictures and videos as well as photos with husband, actor Nawab Shah, and her parents.

Also Watch | Sara Ali Khan, Karishma Tanna, Sushmita Sen spotted in Mumbai

Sharing throwback pictures from he 11-day trek to Mount Everest basecamp, she wrote: #besthikeofmylife to the #Basecamp of #Mt.Everest #11Dayshike #tbt #hiker With The #Everest in the back #Nimchibazar #Nepal.

She recently posted a video, perhaps an old one, where she is doing a sirsasana (headstand) like a pro. Sharing it, she wrote: You dont have to be a serious Yogi to master a tripod headstand. When you are UpsideDown you get to see the whole from a different angle. #yogawithpoojabatra Catch the whole video on my you tube Chanel- iampoojabatra.

Also read: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah gets new Anjali and Sodhi, meet the new cast members

Sharing a classic throwback from the Swiss Alps at a place called Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, she wrote: Heaven is a place on Earth. With the #montblanc behind, #FrenchAlps #Alps #charmonix #tbt.

In July this year, Pooja and Nawab celebrated their first wedding anniversary and shared unseen pictures from their July wedding in Delhi last year.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Emergency Q founder Morris Pita has a dual vision: to help solve the problem of emergency departments being overwhelmed with patients, and to build a genuine Maori tech company.

His ambition is being realised, with the company winning two Hi Tech Awards in 2020: Callaghan Innovation Hi Tech Maori company of the year and Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi Tech Services. It is the third time the company has won, having taken out the public good category in 2018, when it was still in its infancy.

[ Keep up on the latest thought leadership, insights, how-to, and analysis on IT through Computerworlds newsletters. ]

What is Emergency Q?

Emergency Q is designed to ease congestion at hospital emergency departments by showing patients, via a screen in the waiting room or on a mobile app, how long they can expect to wait to be seen. It also helps patients decide if they should seek help from a primary care provider if their complaint isnt a major emergency.

Pita, who has no medical or technical background, came up with the idea when his son fell ill during a weekend and he took him to local hospital. He says while the service he received was fantastic, the wait to be seen was long and he realised that there were other care providers who could have dealt with his sons complaints. The next day he went online to find an app that would help people find appropriate healthcare, and after not finding any, he set about creating the solution himself.

Emergency Q employs around 12 people, with six full-time staff including Pita, an emergency department nurse and four developers, plus the others as contractors. It is funded by healthcare providers and is currently present in six emergency departments and 12 urgent care clinics in the North Island. District health boards that offer Emergency Q include Northland, Waitemata, Counties Manukau, Waikato and the Hawkes Bay. Results to date show up to 14 per cent reduction of total emergency department volumes per year.

Its a bootstrapped business but Pita says that he may consider venture capital in future. He had been working with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise on exporting the platform to Germany and Singapore, when COVID-19 struck. The team quickly pivoted to provide advice about the pandemic via the app, which includes everything from what COVID-19 testing stations are open, to how to cope if you lose your job. There are also links to mental health services, which enable people to talk to a counsellor via the app.

The technology in the front end is Angular, and the back end is Node.js; the cloud-based platform lives in Amazon Web Services. The software is designed to service different stakeholdersemergency department nurses, urgent care clinics, patientswhich each have distinct needs. A lot of people think Emergency Q is just a mobile app, but that is just a small portion of what we do, Pita says.

The digital displays in the waiting rooms support seven languages, including te reo Maori. While the experience of working with multiple languages will be useful when the company activates its plans to move into Germany and Singapore after the COVID-19 pandemic, Pita says it will be more important to understand their environment.

The thing we expect to do when we move into those markets is listen to their needs and what makes them unique. It wont be a cookie cutter approach. Every health system has similarities but also special characteristics. Something we will look to do is to make sure that we reflect the culture, the processes and the systems on the ground within those countries, both in terms of their health sector and their wider society, he says.

On being a Maori tech company

Were a Maori tech company. Maori-owned and -operated. Half our technical team are Maori, one is from Ngati Raukawa and one from Te Whanau a Apanui. And myself, as founder, is from Ngatiwai, Pita says.

My vision was to build not only a company that could solve this particular problem within our emergency departments, or help contribute to solving it, my vision was also to build a company that would be a genuine Maori tech business, in that our values and the way that we delivered and created that solution would also be Maori.

[ Related: Maori participation in IT: diversity insights for CIOs everywhere. ]

Something we put a huge amount of emphasis on is our relationships.  Its not necessarily uniquely a Maori thing, but it is certainly significantly important in our culture to really look after the people who are trusting us. We put a huge amount of time and thought into the needs of our stakeholders and our customers. We try and approach their needs and problems and turn them into our own and really take a genuinely long-term term view on how we can stand alongside them to help them and the people they are serving.

At Emergency Q, they start every team meeting with a karakia, and they welcome manuhiri, or visitors, with a mihi. For instance, when we had our Australian auditor come in to do the ISO 27001 audit, which is the information management global standard, we welcomed him with a mihi and he thought it was fantastic, Pita says, adding that it is rare for people to find this approach in the tech sector.

Emergency Q The Emergency Q staff as of May 2020. From left to right: Jayson Jury, Tyson Eruera, Hannah Furse, John Zhao, and Morris Pita. Absent: Callum Morris.

Pita is proactive about finding opportunities for Maori to get into the technology side of the technology business, noting that software can be a very hard industry to get your first job in.

I think you get better products when you have a wider range of views. Your products ultimately are being used by real people and if the team that is designing and building these products reflects the real people that youre are designing them for, I think youve got a better chance of coming up with solutions that are going to stand the test of time, Pita says.

Pita notes the role that entrepreneurs such as Ian Taylor (at Animation Research) and Grant and Merrin Straker (at Straker Translations) have played in creating a path for Maori in the tech sector. Theyve really forged the way and provide massive inspiration, and importantly evidence, for smaller companies like ours that are beginning to emerge, that this is not only a space where Maori can participate, but actually lead and succeed.

Emergency Q is Pitas first experience of working in technology and he has noticed a genuine collegiality throughout the sector. Its actually the generosity and the sense of whanaungatanga or relatedness between one another. If you ring up another tech CEO and ask them for some thoughts or for coffee, the normal answer is Of course, lets find some time. Not all industries work like that.




LOBAMBA  Government has started repaying part of the E420 million which it borrowed from the local Strategic Oil Reserve Fund.

The money had been borrowed by the Ministry of Finance two years ago for the payment of civil servants salaries.

The fund is under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy.

This was revealed yesterday by the ministrys Principal Secretary, Winnie Stewart, when she appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Stewart revealed that the money was being paid bi-annually in instalments of E80 million.

Evidence

PAC Chairperson MP Phila Buthelezi, however, wanted evidence that the money was indeed being repaid by government. MP Buthelezi wondered why the instalments were in the amount of E80 million when the PAC was last year told that it would be paid back in instalments of E100 million.

He wondered where the money had come from, because the countrys financial cash flow was known to be in a bad state.

The PS said the Ministry of Finance had invested the money in bonds, and with the interest, they repaid the Strategic Oil Reserve Fund.

However, the chairperson was not convinced that the money was indeed being repaid by government because there was no evidence of the payment.

The agreement was made by the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenburg and the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Peter Bhembe.

According to the agreement, the money was supposed to be paid on June 25 and December 25 of every year until it was fully paid in 2024.

MP Buthelezi wondered how government was earning any interest if it was money used to pay salaries.

He informed the PS that the ministry should ensure that regulations or guidelines were in place with the terms and conditions of the loan.

As far as I am concerned, they just tell you that they are taking the money and you really do not have a say in the whole matter, said MP Buthelezi.

However, the PS said she had a say on how the money was allocated from the fund and had in the past denied giving permission to government to take more money from the fund.

The PAC was informed that the fund was meant to cushion emaSwati so that fuel did not become too expensive per litre.

Price

The director of the Energy Department told the PAC that even though crude oil prices went up, government was able to keep the price of fuel low.

She further added that they did not owe any oil companies.

The ministry informed the PAC that the Strategic Oil Reserve Fund was a separate entity from the Strategic Oil Reserve Facility.

She said the facility was one that would be built at Phuzamoya and that once started, the construction of the project would take about 30 months.

It was, however, reported that they were still looking for funding for the project.

They further stated that once the Petroleum Bill was in place, it would be easier to manage the facility even though there were politics involved around the whole project.

The ministry further revealed that government had further borrowed another E35 million from the fund, but it was not specified what the money was for.

On another note, Stewart said the ministry had ironed out their issues with employees from the Rural Water Department. She said a bulk of the work was now carried out by Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC).

To this, the PAC said it was clear that most government services were delivered by parastatals and this was a chance to that of cut down the number of the civil service and reduce the wage bill.

MP Buthelezi said this was a similar case to that of Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Buildings Department, whose work was now being conducted under the Micro Projects Unit. He said this was the reason why some of the workers spent their days just playing cards.
TwentyFour Income Fund - Notice of AGM

TwentyFour Income Fund Limited

(a closed-ended investment company incorporated in Guernsey with registration number 56128)

LEI Number: 549300CCEV00IH2SU369

(The "Company")

25 August 2020

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the 2020 Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the offices of Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St Peter Port, Guernsey on 23 September 2020 at 9.15am.

The Notice of AGM has been posted to shareholders.

In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.3, the Notice of Annual General Meeting, proxy form and accounts have been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism



Enquiries:

Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited

The Company Secretary

Trafalgar Court

Les Banques

St Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 3QL



Tel: 01481 745001



END


Paris Hilton expressed her support for Britney Spears in her 12-year-long conservatorship battle.

In her recent interview with The Sunday Times, the hotel heiress addressed her concern as she felt heartbroken with the unfair treatment of her dear friend.

"It breaks my heart that people have so much control over her. It's not fair to be an adult and be treated like a child. I can't imagine having to live my life like that," Paris shared.

Paris Hilton Shows Support for #FreeBritney Movement

This is not the first time that the 39-year-old blonde beauty showed her support towards the pop princess.

During the onset of the resurfaced #FreeBritney movement, "The Simple Life" star took to Instagram to join the campaign as she recalled the good times she had with the "Womanizer" hitmaker.

"Loving all the Britney content this week and reminiscing on the good times #FreeBritney #Flashback #Queens #IconicAF #LegendsOnly #FBF," she captioned her post alongside a clip of Spears during her 2003 MTV Video Music Awards performance with Madonna.

The music icon's die-hard fans flocked to her comments section to thank the reality star for raising awareness over Britney's issue.

"I feel like your the only celeb I've seen mentioning #freebritney! You're amazing! Thank you for speaking up, not being afraid to stand up and make a difference!" one fan wrote.

During the mid-2000s, Paris Hilton and the "Baby One More Time" songstress were inseparable, as they were often photographed dining and partying around L.A.

Rise and Fall Of Britney Spears

Unfortunately, Britney Spears' reputation and career went downward spiral after a series of public meltdowns in 2007, which include the infamous head-shaving incident.

This also raised concerns over her well-being and mental health issues due to her excessive drug and alcohol abuse.

In 2008, she was placed under the sole conservatorship of her father, Jamie Spears, who was given legal power to control her personal estate and financial affairs.

Britney Spears Wants to Remove Her Father From Conservatorship

Now, Britney reportedly filed documents to the court requesting to remove her dad from her conservatorship.

Following this, Spears pointed out that she "strongly prefers" her manager, Jodi Montgomery, to "continue in that role as [she] has done for nearly a year."

To recall, Montgomery is her current temporary guardian after Jamie stepped down due to his health complications.

Days after her fillings, the court decided to extend her conservatorship until February 202 after being set to expire this August, as cited by The Blast.

Following the updates regarding her legal arrangement, Britney Spears took to Instagram to acknowledge her fans as they showed continued support towards her.

"I feel like we will look back at this time in quarantine as a huge transitional stage in our lives ..... we don't know when things will go back to normal but we are staying positive and learning so much about ourselves !!!!" she wrote. "For me, I want to thank all my dear ... sweet ... real fans for being so damn wonderful!!"

READ MORE: Kanye West Kids: Surprising Meanings Behind the Names of Kanye and Kim Kardashian's Children
Those who did address the pandemic largely extolled Mr. Trumps work combating the coronavirus, ignoring the presidents promise that the country would be open by Easter, his frequent predictions that the virus would just disappear and the fact that theres still no cohesive federal strategy for combating the pandemic.

Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador, praised Mr. Trumps foreign policy, singling out his toughest sanctions on North Korea, even as U.S. intelligence assesses the North Koreans as having a far larger nuclear stockpile than when he took office in 2017. The younger Mr. Trump accused Democratic mayors of ordering the police to stand down as anarchists flood city streets, even as images of officers clashing with protesters fill television screens.

And the socialist left Democrats were accused of everything from defunding the police to promoting open borders to destroying the suburbs to encouraging all-out anarchy in American cities. Republicans have struggled to make that attack stick to Mr. Biden, who defeated a series of more liberal candidates, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, during the primary campaign.

People dont always see those failures, because they think were having a policy debate on two sides of an issue, said Senator Tim Scott, Republican of South Carolina. Our side is working on policy, while Joe Bidens radical Democrats are trying to permanently transform what it means to be an American.

Mr. Trump has always been skilled at projecting his reality onto America. His star turn in The Apprentice created the mythology of a Midas-touch businessman. His 2016 convention decree of I alone can fix it has been appropriated onto every success in the country under his watch, regardless of the origins.

Trump is the bodyguard of Western civilization, said Charlie Kirk, the 26-year-old provocateur who has built a huge online following by echoing many far-right narratives in support of the president.

The convention is providing the biggest stage for the Trump show in years, if not ever. But the Republicans decidedly lo-fi program Monday night struck a sharp contrast with the slickly produced Democratic spectacle.
#PlenoVirtual I Se sustenta los PL 4977, 5030, y otros, que establece un regimen especial facultativo de devolucion de aportes para los aportantes y exaportantes al decreto Ley 19990 administrado por la ONP.

?? https://t.co/4BgLc5At1M pic.twitter.com/E1Bb0j2VqX
A north Alabama school district told families there the districts four schools will shift to all-remote learning the week of Labor Day to curb the spread of coronavirus after the holiday weekend.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported large spikes in COVID cases after the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays, a post on Russellville City school districts Facebook page read. There is an expectation of a similar spike after Labor Day, so this decision is being made PROACTIVELY out of an abundance of caution following the long weekend.

I do want to stress that this is more innovation and proactivity than having to do with the current virus numbers in our district, Russellville City Superintendent Heath Grimes said in an email to AL.com.

Currently we have one student who has tested positive for COVID, Grimes wrote. Approximately 10 faculty and students from opening of sports in July until now (have tested positive). Weve had to quarantine about that many as well. Currently, we have no quarantined students.

This move is actually an attempt at proactivity and innovation, Grimes said. Were hoping to decrease the spread of the virus after Labor Day but we also want to test our ability at a quality remote learning program as well as force our district including teachers, students, and parents to well prepare themselves for remote learning.

This test run will show us our gaps and what we need to work on to be fully prepared for remote learning.

About 90% of the districts 2,500 students chose in-person learning, Grimes said, and some of those choosing remote learning have already made the switch to in-person school.

 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT  Russellville City Schools will be CLOSED for in-person instruction Sept. 8-11, 2020. All... Posted by Russellville City Schools on Tuesday, August 25, 2020

The news comes as nearby East Franklin Junior High in Franklin County Schools announced it will close its doors and do remote learning for all students until Sept. 8 due to COVID-19 concerns.

Even though all students in Russellville City schools will be learning remotely that week, breakfast and lunch will be available for students to pick up at each school, the post stated.

For all of AL.coms back to school coverage, click here.

For live updates on how school reopenings are going, check out our live update page.

Updated at 4:25 p.m. to add Superintendent Heath Grimes comments.
A police division in Enugu has charged a woman and a man she accused of physically assaulting her, in a case of gender-based violence, despite evidence of violence against the victim, Chizoba Mgbatogu.

Police charged both individuals for affray at the Enugu North Magistrate court. Affray is an offense under common law in which two or more persons are charged for fighting in public.

The incident occurred on June 21 at No. 5, Marcus Garvey Street, New Haven, Enugu, when the suspect, Okechukwu Nnaji, allegedly pounced on Mrs Mgbatogu, used his fist on her and squeezed her neck, for calling him to order after bashing her car.

According to the victims report, Mr Nnaji hit Mrs Mgbatogus car parked in front of her house while he was trying to reverse his car and damaged her front bumper, headlamp, and right fender.

When I saw that he was entering his car as if nothing happened, I approached him and told him that he cannot leave that. He said he was leaving and nothing would happen. When I saw that he was not ready to do anything, I blocked him from entering his and told him to wait for my husband.

The next thing I saw was that he started beating me. He held my neck and his grip was too tight that I could not rescue myself. The ladies around tried to stop him but could not until one man rescued me from his hands, she narrated.

Mrs Mbatogu said they went to the New Haven police station with both cars and while they were at the station, she started feeling pains all over her body, and her neck became stiff. She thereafter collapsed and was rushed to the hospital by her husband who was at the police station at this time.

I didnt know when all of this was happening. The last thing I remembered was feeling pains and I applied a balm offered by one of the police officers. It was later my husband and children told me that I became unconscious and started foaming in the mouth. The hospitals they took me to didnt accept me.

It was the next day we received a police report and I was treated at the Force clinic at State CID before I was transferred to Park Lane Hospital.

Mrs Mgbatogu spent two days at Park Lane Hospital before she was discharged.

Unprofessional Conduct by police officers

Olu Omotayo, a human rights lawyer, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on how the police handled the matter, said despite the evidence, the police decided to take sides.

While the suspect, Mr Nnaji, had his car released, the car of the victim was detained and she was asked to pay some amount of money to bail the car.

Mr Nnaji bragged that nothing will be done to him because he has money and influence, Mrs Mgbatogu told PREMIUM TIMES.

She added that the police officers and the DPO, Hope Okereke, did not bother investigating her complaints of damage to her car and the violence on her by Mr Nnaji.

It was later that the DPO, on behalf of the man, offered N50,000 for the treatment and another N50, 000 for repairing the damage done to the car.

READ ALSO:

We told the DPO we could not accept such because even the money paid for the x-tray was more than N50, 000. That amount cannot also repair the damaged car, my husband told them they can repair the car themselves to see as he wont collect N50, 000 for the damaged car, she said.

The victim explained that her husband borrowed over N300,000 for the treatment, X-ray and scan conducted on her at the hospitals.

Mr Omotayo said that seeing that the family refused to collect the money, the DPO tagged them troublemakers and decided to charge them to court for affray.

When PREMIUM TIMES contacted Mr Nnaji about what transpired, he said he had no comments to make.

You dont need to call me, the case is already in court, he said before ending the call abruptly.

Human Rights Groups Call for Justice

In a petition written to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State and the Inspector General of Police, a human rights organisation has called for justice for the victim.

Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), in the petition, said that the delay by the Commissioner of Police, Enugu to respond to their petition has left them at the mercy of the DPO New Haven, whom they believe has compromised and is taking sides with the accused, Mr Nnaji.

Mgbatogus damaged car

Owing to the insistence by the couple on proper investigation being carried out to ensure that truth and justice are upheld in the case; and because of their rejection of the DPOs order to accept the paltry sum of N50,000 from Mr Nnaji, which is far too below the cost they already incurred on medical treatment, the DPO now decided that the matter is two fighting and that both the complainant (Mrs. Mgbatogu) and the accused (Mr. Okechukwu Nnaji) would be charged for Affray,  the group wrote.

Advertisements



Another human rights group, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, (RULAAC) said the case is one of gender-based violence where manifest injustice has been done to the victim by the DPO New Haven, Mrs Okereke.

Okechukwu Nwanguma, the Executive Director of RULAAC, urged the IGP to order a proper investigation of the matter and the release of the victims car.

The accused/assailant, due to his self acclaimed influence, and money power is now the one dictating to the Police and the DPO then decides that the case is a case of two fighting and then decides to charge the innocent woman for Affray alongside the assailant.

We urge the IGP to immediately intervene and order a prompt impartial and thorough investigation into this case with a view to ensuring truth and justice.

Nobody is above the law. We believe that Mr. Okechukwu Nnaji should be made to account for the offence of damage to Mrs Mgbagogus car and for the violent assault against her. We also demand that Mrs. Mgbatogus car be released to her unconditionally, the group said.

The spokesperson of the Enugu Police command, Daniel Ndukwe, said the case is already in court and no comments could be made.
25.08.2020 LISTEN

With all due respect with no attached condescension whatsoever, I am taking the NDCs 2020 flagbearer, former President Mahamas recent promise of free primary health care if voted into power in 2020 with a pinch of salt, given the previous experiences.

There is no doubt whatsoever that governance is dynamic, and therefore it is impossible for political parties to honour all their Manifesto promises while in government.

However, it is extremely nauseating to keep hearing unrealistic Manifesto promises from the same people every four years with the view to hoodwinking the voting public.

Ironically, the NDC loyalists have been accusing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of lying their way to power by giving unrealistic Manifesto promises during the 2016 electioneering campaign.

It would, however, appear that the 2016 humiliating election defeat has unsettled the nerves of the NDC loyalists, judging from their bizarre posturing.

If you would recall, prior to the 2008 and 2012 general elections, Ex-President Mahama and NDC gave a slew of Manifesto promises to Ghanaians, but as to whether they honoured those promises, is a million dollar question.

During the 2008 and 2012 electioneering campaigns, Mahama and NDC gave a myriad of Manifesto promises, inter alia, one-time NHIS premium, free SHS, making dumsor a thing of the past, putting money in Ghanaians pocket, creating more jobs for the jobless, stabilising the economy, protecting Ghanaians from the menaces of galamsey and Fulani herdsmen, bringing an end to dubious judgement debt payments, fighting the rampant bribery and corruption, amongst others.

Nevertheless, after giving all those richly interesting, albeit unrealistic promises with a view to deceiving Ghanaians for their mandate, the NDC government, led by former President Mahama, as expected, wilfully failed to honour the promises, and, consequently, a total of 55.6% (44.4% for Mahama) of the electorates rightly voted them out of power in 2016.

Mind you, there have been numerous NDCs broken Manifesto promises, but the one that will long be stencilled on discerning Ghanaians mental sheets, is the one-time NHIS premium.

The NDCs Manifesto promise of one-time NHIS premium, so to speak, was destitute of honesty and integrity.

The overarching question then is: what will make the unhappy 56% of electorates change their mind and repose their absolute trusts in Mahama in 2020, given the encouraging signs of auspicious economic growth under the Akufo-Addos leadership?

Gone are the days when society anecdotally attributed leadership to a trait from birth. And more so leadership was only ascribed to tall, handsome and well-connected individuals.

Frankly stating, it was wholly illogical. The fact of the matter is that leadership skills can be acquired through remedial tutorials or routine training.

What is the difference between a leader and leadership?

In theory, a leader is a person who is appointed, elected or informally chosen to direct and co-ordinate the work of others in a group (Fiedler, 1995).

The preceding extant definition underscores the fact that the formally appointed leader cannot always be a real leader, but it is also confines the notion of leader to a group context.

If we take the word group literally, this definition precludes leaders of nations, large corporations and so on, except in so far as they lead a small group of senior colleagues.

On the other hand, leadership can be considered to be the personal qualities, behaviours, styles and decisions adopted by the leader. In other words, it concerns how the leader carries out his/her role. Hence while the role of leader can be described in a job description, leadership is not so easily pinned down.

The crucial question every well-meaning Ghanaian should be asking then is: with so many people purporting to be leaders these days, how do we distinguish between a true leader and a demagogue?

Well, to be able to do justice to the preceding question, we must pause, reflect summarily and ask: what is it that a leader is trying to achieve?

In fact, a true leader wants nothing more than to make people independent, as leaders in their own rights. Instead of trying to deceive us with his or her superlative oratory, a true leader reflects our own light back to us.

A true leadership, in practice, must give people a long-term vision that absorbs their lives with meaning; it must point them in a new direction and show how their every action is an indispensable part of a positive change.

More importantly, a true leader always comes up with pragmatic ideas with the view to transforming the lives of his/her subordinates.

Somehow, we tend to believe that a leader is a person who is well-connected, who is powerful or charismatic or wealthy.

We normally judge our leaders by what they have. But a true leader should be judged by his/her extraordinary qualities, not -- ego, impertinent boldness, and self-interest.

A true leader, in theory, sees his/her work as altruistic service toward accomplishing a goal. That is by putting the acquired skills, experience, knowledge and empathetic qualities at the disposal of the needs of his/her subordinates. As the sages say, Leadership is not just power and dominance; it is service to mankind.

Candidly, after observing Nana Akufo-Addo over a long period of time, I do not need the likes of Ex-President Mahama and his supporters to tell me that Akufo-Addo has the attributes of a visionary leader.

Experts observe that Visionary leaders are noted for their positivism, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individual consideration (Nemanich and Keller, 2007).

Some experts, however, explain that idealised influence depicts visionary leaders as most respectful, reliable and meritorious. And more so idealised influence explains leaders unparalleled ability in setting vision and implementing it to impact on their subordinates (Bass et al., 2003).

On the other hand, inspirational motivation explains how visionary leaders consistently raise team spirit and encourage their subordinates to be creative (Bass et al., 2003).

If you may recall, during the 2016 electioneering campaign, the then presidential candidate of NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo, insisted passionately: I am promising you that within 18 months of a new government of the NPP, under my leadership, the face of our country, Ghana, is going to change.

As a matter of fact, the preceding statement underscores Nana Addos positivism, commitment and enthusiasm.

If you would recollect, prior to the 2008, 2012 and 2016 general elections, the then presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, made the Free SHS his principal campaign message. As it was expected, the opposition NDC communicators scoffed and labelled him an inveterate liar.

Astonishingly, however, some unsuspecting Ghanaians, including my maternal uncle, Oliver bought into the NDCs manipulating gimmicks and rejected the handsome offer of the Free SHS on two previous elections (2008 and 2012 respectively).

But lo and behold, discerning Ghanaians saw the light and gave the Free SHS provider, Akufo-Addo the mandate on 7th December 2016.

And, true to his word, President Akufo-Addo has honoured his promise of the free SHS to the delight of the vast majority of Ghanaians.

It is, therefore, worth stressing that the implementation of the Free SHS is the judicious way of distributing the national resources. It really epitomises a true leadership.

Leadership and management scholars observe that visionary leaders act as role models, motivate, provide meaning, optimism, enthusiasm , strategic thinking and stimulate the intelligence of their subordinates(Bass, 1985).

Interestingly, Akufo-Addo insisted during the 2016 electioneering campaign: We are going to get out of stagnation and backwardness, and move our country onto the path of progress and prosperity. We can do it. We, the Ghanaian people, have the capacity to change the circumstances of our lives.

The preceding statement really emphasises Nana Addos intellectual stimulation and positivism. Apparently, intellectual stimulation explains how true leaders promote their subordinates innovative and creative skills by encouraging them to solve problems entirely in new ways (Bass et al., 2003).

More importantly, the Akuffo-Addos government is tackling the erstwhile Mahamas government economic mess head-on.

Ghana's economic growth, which had slowed from 4.0% in 2014 to 3.7% in 2015, was predicted to recover to 8.7% in 2017, following consolidation of macroeconomic stability and implementation of measures to resolve the crippling power crisis (Dumsor).

Despite the extent of the economic mess left by the Mahamas government, the Akufo-Addos government is prudently taking steps to stabilising the economy.

If you may remember, during the 2016 electioneering campaign, Nana Akufo-Addo asserted: This new Ghana will be a Ghana with opportunities for all, and where everybody is taken care off. We will have a society that is caring and compassionate and expresses solidarity. Nobody is going to be left behind. We are all going to march together, hands linked together, to that great future that beckons us, here in Ghana.

In fact, back then, I had no qualms about Nana Akufo-Addos claim of bringing everyone on board to build the nation.

To his credit though, Nana Akufo-Addo brought all the people who contested him in the NPPs flagbearership race together. Yes, he resolved all pre-election issues and worked collaboratively towards the 2016 election victory.

And, following his election victory, President Akufo-Addo graciously assembled a working team consisting of people from all walks of life, including a 2016 presidential candidate from an opposition party.

This is indeed a leadership by example. In fact, Nana Akufo-Addo is the Moses of our time.

Biblically, Moses was a visionary leader. We read in Exodus that he was a shepherd  he had a modest, humble and patient upbringing. Moses employed his humility, patience and tolerance when he had the opportunity to speak to God. He kept watching as thousands of sheep grazed the fields. Moses noticed that one sheep was missing and went off to look for it, finding it at a distance apart.

When the sheep had finished drinking, Moses lifted it onto his shoulders and carried it back to the flock. When Jehovah God saw this, he became aware that Moses was a man of reason, empathy and selfless devotion, a man truly worthy to lead His people; a man who would put his empathetic qualities at the disposal of the needs of his subordinates. After all, no one was keeping an eye on Moses; Moses could easily have thought to himself, why be concerned with one sheep when there are thousands?

Fellow Ghanaians, I think it is about time we distinguished between a demagogue and a true leader. In this way, we would avert the apocalypse of our dear nation sinking deeper and deeper into the mire.

But the crucial question is: how do we stop backing the semi-circle of economic managers?

To be quite honest, some of us, as a matter of principle, could not end our fury in condemnation when former President Mahama bizarrely doled out large portions of our scarce resources to inveterate apologists like the founder of Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Madam Akua Donkor, who in all honesty, contributed nothing meaningful towards Ghanas wellbeing.

Let us also remind ourselves that, but for Akuffo-Addos timely intervention, Mahama would have given away not less than 58% of Ghanas Bauxite to his sibling, Ibrahim Mahama, just about a week before exiting power.

Ghana, to be quite honest, does not need a Father Christmas who would carelessly give away our hard earned resources to apologists. But Ghana rather needs a serious, a committed and a forward-thinking leader who can utilise our scarce resources judiciously to the benefit of all Ghanaians.

A judicious distribution of national resources is the implementation of poverty alleviation policies such as the Free SHS.

And, considering the enormous benefits therein education, it is, indeed, prudent and somewhat forward-thinking for any serious and committed leader to seek to bridge the ever widening social inequalities gap through rational distribution of national resources in the form of free SHS and other social interventions.

To me, Ill always choose a forward-thinking leader over a reckless Father Christmas who cannot take good care of our scarce resources.

Yes, we, (Ghanaians), took the right decision on 7th December 2016 by electing the Moses of our time (Akufo-Addo) to rescue us from the economic bondage of the Pharaoh of our time (Mahama).

K. Badu, UK.

[email protected]
A helicopter pilot died Monday in a crash while fighting a wildfire in the Mt. Hood National Forest, authorities said.

The U.S. Forest Service said the pilot had been operating a helicopter dousing the White River fire burning southeast of Oregons tallest peak.

Officials didnt release information about the circumstances of the crash. The U.S. Forest Service said the helicopter was a Type 1 Kmax, which was dropping buckets of water onto the fire.

During a Tuesday afternoon media briefing, a Forest Service spokesperson said the pilots name was being withheld because family members were still being notified. But later Tuesday afternoon, GleanerNow, a Seventh-day Adventist website serving the Northwest, identified the pilot as Tom Duffy, a 40-year-old from Bozeman, Montana.

Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill said the pilot was a man who worked with a private company out of Bozeman, Montana, that contracted with the Forest Service.

Duffys death marks Oregons first known wildfire-related fatality of the year.

The firefighting community is heartbroken to learn of this tragic loss and our condolences go out to the pilots family, friends, and co-workers, the Forest Service said in a statement.

The crash will be investigated, and the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have been notified.

GleanerNow said Duffy attended Mount Ellis Adventist Academy and Montana State University, where he played basketball.

The Adventist community in Bozeman is heartbroken by this tragic loss, says Elden Ramirez, the Adventist Church president for Montana. Our love and prayers are with Toms family and loved ones. Tom has a long history of dedicated service as an Adventist leader here in Montana and the Northwest and will be deeply missed.

The lightning-caused fire was discovered Aug. 17 and has since grown to nearly 1,300 acres, said White River Fire incident commander Brian Goff during the press briefing. Its located 13 miles southeast of Government Camp and is 15% contained, Goff said. Trail, recreation site and road closures are in effect.

The fire is one of several large blazes burning throughout the state.

This story has been updated.

-- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

Jayati Ramakrishnan of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this story.

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
TipRanks

Lets talk about quality stocks. Of course, this is the direction that every investor wants to go; but the question is, how to recognize them? Do we go all-in on the big-value, big-name giants? Or do we dig a little deeper, and find the high-end nuggets that are hiding in the sandheap? Weighing in from investment bank Morgan Stanley, chief investment officer Lisa Shalett recommends the latter. She recommends investors to look for beaten-down stocks, equities that have lost value recently  but t
tech2 News Staff

Oppo is scheduled to launch the Oppo A53 in India today via a virtual event.

Oppo has already teased a bunch of features that the A53 smartphone will sport. We already know that the Oppo A53 will feature a triple rear camera setup, a 90Hz refresh rate punch-hole display, and a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging.

Follow our Oppo A53 liveblog here.

Oppo A53 launch: How to watch the livestream

The virtual launch event will kick off at 12.30 pm IST. Oppo will be hosting the livestream on its official YouTube channel. The webcast link is embedded below.

(Also read: Oppo A53 launch in India today: All we know about the smartphone)

Oppo A53 expected specifications and features

From what we know so far, the Oppo A53 is expected to come with the same specifications as the one launched in Indonesia. The Oppo A53 will offer 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. The smartphone is likely to be powered by Snapdragon 640 chipset.

In terms of camera, Oppo A53 will come with a triple rear camera setup that includes 13 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP sensors. The smartphone is likely to feature a 16 MP punch hole selfie camera.
Marico Limiteds hair nourishment brand, Parachute Advansed Gold, has launched a heartening digital campaign, this Onam, honouring the unparalleled spirit of nurses across the country. The #ThankYouNurses campaign, led by a digital film, salutes the brave warriors and provides a platform for all Indians celebrating Onam to come forward and express their gratitude for the nurses through their Pookalams, a popular floor decoration with flowers which is an integral part of Onam celebrations.

As we continue to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, our nurses have selflessly devoted their time to serve the nation. It is due their commitment that countless COVID-19 patients have returned home to their families for Onam. Thus, Parachute Advansed Gold has introduced its #ThankYouNurses campaign with an aim to bring the joy and happiness of Onam to these nurturers. It calls upon every individual to proudly dedicate their Pookalam to these heroes and their valiant efforts by designing it with thank you motif.

Conceptualised by VMLY&R, the #ThankYouNurses campaign kick starts with an endearing digital film, which shows a juxtaposition between the COVID-19 survivors getting ready in their finest attire ahead of the Onam celebrations as well as nurses in their PPEs (Personal Protective Equipments) preparing for another day of serving and saving lives. It goes on to show various bright and colourful Pookalams, all designed in a motif of two hands joined which symbolizes thank you  an expression of gratitude to the nurses for their dedication towards helping India fight against the coronavirus  thereby urging the audiences to do the same and join the brand in this salutation.

Talking about this distinctive campaign, Koshy George, Chief Marketing Officer, Marico Limited said, As India continues its fight against the pandemic, we wanted to honour the nurturing spirit and tireless efforts of the nurses who have ensured millions of COVID survivors are with their families this festive season. Parachute Advansed Gold stands for care and nurturance and has a deeper connect with the consumer larger than just hair. With this heartwarming ode, Parachute Advansed Gold aims to not only salute them, but also encourages every individual to remember them and dedicate their pookalams to the unparalleled spirit of these warriors

Venkatagiri Rao, CCO VMLY&R India, said, As the festive season kicks off, we had to remind everyone that while were getting busy returning to our new normal, for nurses on the frontline, nothing has changed. They continue to fight the grim fight, every single day. So, it was important to make this festival about gratitude and remembrance. And who better to channel that gratitude for us than COVID survivors. We made real survivors the voices of Parachute Advansed Golds #ThankYouNurses film. Hopefully, the world will follow their lead. And most importantly, never forget what they owe the brave nurses.

Credits:

Agency: VMLY&R India

CEO: Anil Nair

CCO: Venkatagiri Rao

ECD: Kevin Lobo

Creative Team: Mahesh Ambaliya, Sunil Shinde, Harish Jadhav, Shivali Sharma, Ashwini Bhavsar, Vaidehi Mewawalla, Maryann Rodrigues

Business Director: Alpa Dedhia

Group Head Client Solutions: Khadija Attarwala

Client Solutions Executive: Sejal Choudhary

Agency Producer: Saurabh Pal

Production House: thisisthat

Director: Shihab Karim

Executive Producer: Thomas Koshy

Director of Photography 1: Aslam K Purayil

Director of Photography 2: Georgy Joseph

Offline: Kiran Thomas

Online: Ink&Water

Music Company: The Escape Medium Band
Aboriginal protesters have blocked the main road to the controversial Adani Carmichael coal mine in a bid to stop construction.

More than 20 people, including Traditional Owners of Wangan and Jagalingou country, stood outside the central Queensland facility on Monday.

Adrian Burragubba, a Wangan and Jagalingou man, was among the protesters and has been a key figure in the decade-long opposition of the coal mine.

'We're taking back control of our land, that's what we're doing here,' he said.

'We're doing it because we've been ignored, as the original Wangan and Jagalingou people, we've been ignored through this whole process.'

More than 20 people, including Traditional Owners of Wangan and Jagalingou country, stood outside the central Queensland facility on Monday

Indigenous protesters stand in front of an 'evict Adani' sign as a blockade was formed

Mr Burragubba has repeatedly taken his case to the courts in a bid to stop the mining facility being built over the last decade.

'We do not acknowledge the Queensland government's illegal land grab,' he said.

'We do not acknowledge any sham Adani agreements that were created without free, prior and informed consent of the Wangan and Jagalingou people.'

An Adani spokeswoman said in a statement that work continued despite the blockade.

'Queensland Police are on site and project works are continuing despite this attempted interruption,' the spokesperson said.

'People at the camp site do not represent the W&J native title claimants.

'In 2016 the W&J People voted 294 to 1 in favour of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement which endorsed the Carmichael Project.

An Adani spokeswoman said that work on the mine has continued despite the blockade

Adrian Burragubba (pictured), a Wangan and Jagalingou man, was among the protesters and has been a key figure in the decade-long opposition of the coal mine

'We are dedicated to working in partnership with all our Traditional Owners, including the Wangan and Jagalingou People, guided by the Indigenous Land Use Agreements.'

An eviction noticed served to Adani on August 20 by Mr Burragubba claimed the company, as well as state and federal governments, approved the mine in opposition to the wants of Traditional Owners.

The group also claimed the bodies established a sham Indigenous Land Use Agreement and barred traditional owners from entering their lands.

The Carmichael mine began construction in June 2019 after Adani's Australian branch was given approval.

Clermont, halfway between Rockhampton and Mackay, is the closest populated area to the planned mine.

An eviction noticed served to Adani on August 20 by Mr Burragubba claimed the company, as well as state and federal governments, approved the mine in opposition to the wants of Traditional Owners

Some people in the town claimed the mine would be beneficial to them.

In April 2019, 400 Adani protesters swarmed the small town much to the ire of locals.

Residents, who are mainly pleased about employment opportunities the mine will produce, refused to serve the activists at cafes and restaurants.

The mine is set to begin producing in 2021 with an output of ten million tonnes of coal every year.

The business would generate $223,312,000 every year with this output.

A Queensland Police spokesman said officers are still on the scene and negotiations are ongoing. No arrests have been made.
An inquest into the death of a 15-year-old girl whose body was found in a jungle has found no foul play was involved.

The naked body of Nora Anne Quoirin, who suffered from learning difficulties, was discovered in a ravine near the Dusun resort in Seremban, about 70 km south of the Malaysian capital, in August last year.

A Malaysian court opened an inquest on Monday into Noras death. Her body was found near a jungle stream 10 days after she went missing during a family holiday at a rainforest resort.

Police ruled out abduction as a motive, saying they had found no sign of foul play, but her family questioned the findings and said she had never before left them voluntarily.

Nora Anne Quoirin, 15, died after going missing on a family holiday in Malaysia. Source: AAP

The inquest aimed to answer questions including when and where did the deceased die, how and in what manner the deceased came by her death, and... whether there is any person who was criminally concerned in the cause of death, coroner Maimoonah Aid told the court.

Senior police official Mohamad Mat Yusop added investigators found nothing suspicious while looking through the familys bungalow, The Guardian reported.

There was no indication the victim was kidnapped, he said.

We did not receive any telephone calls  usually in this kind of case we will get a call to say the victim has been kidnapped and is in the hands of certain people, and they would demand a ransom.

A rescue team looks for the teen in Mount Berembun, Seremban. Source: Getty Images

Mr Yusop said he believed Nora climbed out of a window.

The resorts owner Haanim Bamadhaj told the inquest one of the bungalows windows was broken.

Government lawyer Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad said 64 witnesses were expected to be called during the two-week inquest at the Seremban Coroners Court.

Nora was from London, and had an Irish mother and French father.

A police officer uses a dog during the search for Nora. Source: Reuters

The family will not attend the inquest, but the hearing is being streamed online.

Authorities had previously said an autopsy established Nora had died from internal bleeding, probably caused by prolonged hunger and stress.

She had suffered intestinal damage and died two or three days before her body was found, officials said.

Story continues

The forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy found some small scratches on Noras legs, but ruled they would not have contributed to her death, police said.

Despite being found without shoes, Nora had no cuts on her feet, Mr Yusop said, according to the Mirror.

Her parents lawyer asked the senior police official: She was found unclothed, without footwear yet there were no serious scars or injuries to her soles?

Mr Yusop said that was the case and added: No, only some minor bruises.

The family feared a criminal connection to the disappearance, saying she had special needs and had never before left them voluntarily, a British victims' group, the Lucie Blackman Trust, said last year.

with Reuters

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.
WASHINGTON - Casting aside his own advice to American diplomats and bulldozing a long tradition of secretary of state non-partisanship, Mike Pompeo plunged into the heart of the 2020 presidential race Tuesday with a speech supporting Donald Trumps reelection.

The address was roundly condemned by Democrats and others as an inappropriate breach of decades of diplomatic precedent and a possible violation of federal law prohibiting executive branch employees from overt political activism while on duty. Indeed, Pompeo himself had reminded State Department staffers of those restrictions only last month. Yet he went ahead with the speech, which was recorded in Jerusalem during an official visit to the Middle East, over strident objections, complaints of hypocrisy and the threat of a congressional investigation.

Although the State Department maintained Pompeo was speaking in his personal capacity without any U.S. government support or staffing  therefore, legally  the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee identified him a secretary of state in previews of his convention remarks.

But while the venue and audience were extraordinary and perhaps problematic, the content of Pompeos roughly four-minute speech would not have been out of place in any number of his previous public appearances either at home or abroad.

Pompeo delivered standard recitations of GOP claims about the successes of Trumps America First foreign policy against Russia, China and Iran. He said they made his family  wife Susan and son Nick  and all Americans safer. He spoke of the defeat of the Islamic States physical caliphate, Trumps pro-Israel agenda and the presidents determined vigilance to guard against the predatory aggression of the Chinese Communist Party.

It was material Pompeo has repeated countless times before audiences foreign and domestic at think-tank events, media interviews and press conferences that have seldom been met with raised eyebrows. In fact, Pompeos convention speech was relatively mild in comparison with previous comments he has made taking Democrats to task for failed policies.

In an apparent nod to concerns about the appearance, which congressional Democrats allege is in violation of the Hatch Act prohibiting executive branch employees from partisan activity, Pompeo did not attack Trumps opponent, former Vice-President Joe Biden, by name or even mention the Democratic party. He limited his remarks to a defence of Trump and the policies of the administration  something all secretaries of state do, albeit not at their party conventions.

Widely considered to be interested in seeking the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, Pompeo did not expressly urge voters to cast their ballots for Trump. Instead he limited his exhortation to the observation that the way each of us can best ensure our freedoms is by electing leaders who dont just talk, but deliver.

Hi. Im Mike Pompeo, he began in the pre-taped speech that was recorded in Israel Monday near twilight on the roof of the King David Hotel. Im speaking to you from beautiful Jerusalem, looking out over the Old City.

I have a big job  as Susans husband and Nicks Dad, he said, pausing for effect and knowing full well his audience was aware of the controversy. They are more safe, and their freedoms more secure, because President Trump has put his America First vision into action. It may not have made him popular in every foreign capital, but it has worked.

Even before the speech aired, a senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee announced he had opened an investigation into whether Pompeo is violating the Hatch Act and demanded that the State Department produce its legal justification for the speech. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, who chairs the committees panel on government oversight, called Pompeos actions unacceptable.

One fierce Pompeo critic, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, said he was mystified by the speech as it covered very familiar ground. It seemed totally unnecessary, Murphy told The Associated Press afterward. Im not sure why he violated the law to give a speech that seemed pretty unnecessary.

After his brief introduction, Pompeo then launched into a brief synopsis of Trump foreign policy highlights, which for Republicans have been all successes and no failures.

Because of Trump, he said, NATO is stronger, Ukraine has been provided with lethal defensive weapons and the U.S. has withdrawn from an arms control treaty to deter Russian aggression with new missiles. He did not mention that Trumps strong-arm tactics with NATO allies have left many of them resentful and concerned about Americas commitment to their defence; that Trump was impeached for trying to withhold vital military aid to Ukraine in return for political dirt on Biden; or that many national security experts fear the president has set the stage for a new arms race with Russia.

Trump is counting on the support of conservative American Jews and the evangelical Christian community in November, and the choice of Jerusalem  along with the backdrop of the religiously siginificant Old City  for Pompeos speech was clearly aimed at them. As if they needed reminding, Pompeo pointed out that Trump had recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv, something long desired by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The president moved the U.S. Embassy to this very city of God, Jerusalem, the rightful capital of the Jewish homeland, Pompeo said. And the President brokered an historic peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, that our grandchildren will read about in their history books.

Pompeo spoke of pushing back against China on trade and intellectual property theft and of calling out the Chinese for covering up the outbreak of the coronavirus that has gripped the world. He did not mention Trumps initial personal affinity for Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was ruptured earlier this year by the virus pandemic amid widespread criticism of the presidents handling of the crisis.

On North Korea, Pompeo said Trump had lowered the temperature and, against all odds, got North Korean leadership to the table. Left unsaid was the fact that Trump was partly to blame for raising the temperature with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the first place by threatening the country with fire and fury. Nevertheless, Pompeo noted that since the first of Trumps three meetings with Kim, North Korea has not conducted any new nuclear or long-range missile tests.

On Iran, Pompeo talked about Trumps withdrawal from the disastrous 2015 nuclear deal, which has nonetheless left the U.S. isolated at the United Nations with even its strongest allies opposed. He spoke of the defeat of the Islamic State without mentioning that Trump had unexpectedly ordered the withdrawal of American forces from Syria that could jeopardize the victory.
Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, has rendered an unqualified apology to the President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV.



This comes after Togbe Afede stated that the Volta Regional Minister, together with the Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu, insulted the chiefs in the region during a confidential meeting with the President on August 14, 2020.



The duo was reported to have described all chiefs in the region as members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) after they condemned the deployment of military men in the region during the voters registration exercise.



The apology, the minister said, was due to the respect he has for the chiefs, therefore, he deems it right not to exchange words with Togbe Afede.



I am sorry. With the reverence that I have for our chiefs, I cant and wont engage in a public argument with Togbe Afede, a report by the Daily Guide quotes the minister.



The report further mentioned that Dr Letsa declined to give further comments on the issue pointing out that Ive sworn an oath of secrecy and meetings held with the President are not to be discussed in public.



He further charged his colleagues and Ghanaians to continuously respect traditional rulers as well as support them towards the growth of the nation.

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
WASHINGTON (AP)  Melania Trump is expressing sympathy for families affected by COVID-19, an invisible enemy she said has challenged America but brought its citizens together.

In her prime-time Republican National Convention address on Tuesday night, the first lady said she has been moved in the way Americans have come together in such an unfamiliar and frightening situation.

She says her husband will not rest until he has done all he can to stem the invisible enemy of the coronavirus outbreak.

Mrs. Trump also talked about the beautiful side of humanity she has observed in the wake of natural disasters around the country, noting that a common thread is the unwavering resolve to help one another.

The first lady spoke from the newly renovated Rose Garden, where her husband was front and center in the audience gathered to hear her remarks.

The seats in the audience were about 2 feet apart, not the minimum of 6 feet apart that doctors had recommended to avoid spread of the coronavirus. Most of those in the family and friends section were not wearing masks.

___

HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TUESDAY'S REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION:

 Melania Trump's night: GOP convention stars first lady

 Pompeo warned diplomats to avoid politics; he'll talk at RNC

 Trump's audience doesn't match Biden's; president hails CNN

 Teen from video of 2019 Washington protest to address RNC

___

Follow APs election coverage at https://apnews.com/Election2020

___

HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has plunged into the heart of the 2020 presidential race with a speech supporting President Donald Trumps reelection at the Republican National Convention.

The speech was recorded in Jerusalem during an official visit to the Middle East and aired Tuesday at the RNC.

The address was roundly condemned by Democrats and others as an inappropriate breach of decades of diplomatic precedent and a possible violation of federal law prohibiting executive branch employees from overt political activism while on duty. Indeed, Pompeo himself had reminded State Department staffers of those restrictions only last month.

Story continues

But while the venue and audience were extraordinary and perhaps problematic, the content of Pompeos roughly four-minute speech would not have been out of place in any number of his previous public appearances either at home or abroad.

Pompeo delivered standard recitations of GOP claims about the successes of Trumps America First foreign policy against Russia, China and Iran. He said they made his family and all Americans safer. He spoke of the defeat of the Islamic States physical caliphate, Trumps pro-Israel agenda and the presidents determined vigilance to guard against the predatory aggression of the Chinese Communist Party.

___

Kentucky Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron says Black voters are not monolithic, as Joe Biden once implied, and is urging others to join him in supporting President Donald Trump.

Cameron, Kentuckys first Black attorney general, says directly to camera: Mr. Vice President, look at me. I am Black. We are not all the same, sir. I am not in chains. My mind is my own. And you cant tell me how to vote because of the color of my skin.

National polls show Biden with support from the vast majority of Black voters, though Cameron chided the Democratic presidential nominee for saying during a May interview that if a Black voter is undecided, then you aint Black.

Cameron has come under public scrutiny for his handling of the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman, who was fatally shot in her home by Louisville police in March. Activists have been urging Cameron to file charges against the officers involved in her slaying.

Cameron mentioned Taylor briefly, but not in terms of the national outcry over Black deaths at the hands of police that has fueled months of demonstrations, marches and some violence.

It was General Dwight Eisenhower, a future Republican president, who said, Democracy is a system that recognizes the equality of humans before the law, Cameron says. Whether you are the family of Breonna Taylor or David Dorn, these are the ideals that will heal our nations wounds.

Cameron was referring to Dorn, a 77-year-old Black, retired St. Louis police captain who was shot and killed by a looter during protests that followed the May killing by Minneapolis police of George Floyd.

___

President Donald Trump hosted a naturalization ceremony at the White House in a video that aired Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf administered the oath to five people as Trump looked on.

Afterward, Trump welcomed the five into the great American family and congratulated them, saying, Great going.

He told them: You followed the rules, you obeyed the laws, you learned your history, embraced our values and proved yourselves to be men and women of the highest integrity.

He says there is no higher honor and no greater privilege than being a U.S. citizen.

The five new U.S. citizens hailed from Bolivia, Lebanon, India, Sudan and Ghana.

___

A granddaughter of the late evangelist Billy Graham says President Donald Trump is the only choice for voters of faith, adding that the Democratic ticket leaves no room for them.

Cissie Graham Lynch portrayed the Obama administration as one in which religious freedoms were under attack. But with Trumps election, Lynch said people of faith suddenly had a fierce advocate in the White House, citing the appointment of judges who respect the First Amendment.

Lynch spoke Tuesday night during the Republican National Convention. She says the Biden-Harris vision for America leaves no room for people of faith.

Later, Trumps daughter Tiffany attributed a litany of characteristics to her fathers supporters, saying We believe in freedom of religion for all faiths.

Trump has courted religious voters, seeking to portray Democrats as a threat to religious freedom. Evangelicals for Trump hosts weekly prayer calls. Vice President Mike Pence  a born-again Christian with a long track record in allying with fellow conservative evangelicals  has participated in a faith-centered tour in several battleground states.

The campaign also courts Roman Catholic voters and practitioners in a variety of other faiths.

___

Vice President Mike Pence is the star of a video airing during the Republican National Convention featuring the stories of six Americans whose lives have been helped by the Trump administration.

The nine-minute video, titled Lincoln, was filmed last week at President Abraham Lincolns boyhood home in Lincoln City, Indiana. Pence delivers a tribute to Lincoln, the first Republican president, before holding casual conversations with everyday Americans.

Pastor Aaron Johnson praised President Donald Trumps support of opportunity zones, and Judge Cheryl Allen, the first Black woman to be elected to the Pennsylvania Superior Court, outlined her belief that Trump is committed to improving minority communities.

Jordan McLinn, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, thanked Trump for signing the federal version of the Right to Try law in 2018.

Jack Hughes and his mother, Sarah, discuss how they used school vouchers to enroll Jack in a parochial school that better suited his learning needs.

And Lidia Brodine, a naturalized American originally from Honduras, talk about how the Paycheck Protection Program helped save her familys new security business from folding once the pandemic hit.

___

A Kentucky teenager known for video of his interaction with a Native American man during dueling demonstrations at the Lincoln Memorial says the country must unite around a president who calls the media out.

Nicholas Sandmann assailed the media on Tuesday during the second night of the Republican National Convention, and contended that no one has been a victim of unfair media coverage more than President Donald Trump.

Sandmann asserted that the simple act of wearing a Make America Great Again cap made him the target of network and cable news networks.

Sandmann was among the students from Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, participating in an anti-abortion march in Washington in January 2019. Footage of his interaction with Nathan Phillips, who was participating in a separate demonstration supporting Native American rights, spread widely online.

Both Sandmann and Phillips later said they were trying to defuse tensions among three separate groups participating in both demonstrations. Video of the encounter showed Sandmann and Phillips standing very close to each other, with Sandmann staring, and at times smiling, at Phillips as Phillips sang and played a drum.

Sandmann later settled lawsuits against CNN and other media outlets.

___

A Wisconsin dairy farmer is thanking President Donald Trump for his support and claiming dairy farming is roaring back, though thats not the case for hundreds of other farmers in the pivotal November swing state.

Cris Peterson said Tuesday at the Republican National Convention that Trump helped struggling dairy farmers, socked by low milk prices in 2016, in part by negotiating new trade deals.

However, in 2018 alone, roughly 700 Wisconsin dairy farms went out of business, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, a trend accompanied by a spate of farmer suicides.

Among the factors was the renegotiated trade pact with Mexico and Canada, which blocked the export of a specific type of milk to Canada integral to cheesemaking. The provision hurt farmers notably in southwest Wisconsin, a region Trump won but where Democrats have posted victories since.

___

A speaker who had been scheduled to address the second night of the Republican National Convention has been pulled from the lineup after directing her Twitter followers to a series of anti-Semitic, conspiratorial messages.

Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh says, We have removed the scheduled video from the convention lineup and it will no longer run this week.

Mary Ann Mendoza had been scheduled to deliver remarks Tuesday night to highlight the presidents fight against illegal immigration. Mendozas son was killed in 2014 in a head-on collision by a man who was under the influence and living in the U.S. illegally.

She and and other parents whose children have been killed by people in the country illegally have labeled themselves Angel Moms and have made frequent appearances at the White House and Trump campaign events.

Mendoza had apologized for the tweet, writing that she retweeted a very long thread earlier without reading every post within the thread and said it does not reflect my feelings or personal thoughts whatsoever.

A Republican familiar with the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity cited controversy as the reason for pulling Mendoza. The Republican wasnt authorized to speak about the matter publicly.

 AP writers Zeke Miller and Jill Colvin

___

An anti-abortion activist scheduled to speak during the Republican National Convention previously advocated for something called household voting, saying wives should defer to their husbands on making decisions related to politics.

Abby Johnson is slated to address the RNC on Tuesday, the virtual gatherings second night.

In May, Johnson wrote on Twitter that she would support bringing back household voting, later explaining that, if spouses were to disagree, Then they would have to decide on one vote. In a Godly household, the husband would get the final say.

Johnson previously worked for Planned Parenthood, becoming a vocal abortion opponent after saying she quit years ago following an abortion of a woman who was 13 weeks pregnant.

She founded a ministry that lobbies abortion clinics employees to leave their jobs, and a movie based around her life story was released last year.

___

President Donald Trump is highlighting the pardon of a Nevada man convicted of bank robbery as part of the second day of programming at the Republican National Convention.

In a video expected to air Tuesday night, Trump says that the story of Jon Ponder is a beautiful testament to the power of redemption. Ponder now leads a program in Las Vegas that helps former prisoners reenter society, called Hope for Prisoners.

Trump has trumpeted criminal justice reform as part of his outreach to Black and evangelical voters.

The White House released a video of the pardon earlier Tuesday, which shows the president signing the document as Ponder and his wife look on.

The retired FBI agent who had arrested Ponder and went on to become one of his best friends also appears with Trump and Ponder.

___

A Republican congressional nominee from Georgia who supports the QAnon conspiracy theory and was congratulated by President Donald Trump on her primary victory has been invited to the Republican National Convention.

Marjorie Taylor Greene posted a photo of the invitation to her Twitter account on Tuesday. She wrote that she was honored and thrilled to be invited to attend President Trumps acceptance speech Thursday evening at the White House.

A person familiar with Greenes invitation says it is legitimate. The person was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Trump praised Greene as a future Republican Star after she won her primary earlier this month. He has courted the support of QAnon believers, saying, I heard that these are people that love our country.

Other Republicans, including Vice President Mike Pence and Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy, have rejected the conspiracy theory, which centers on an alleged anonymous, high-ranking government official known as Q who shares information about an anti-Trump deep state often tied to satanism and child sex trafficking.

 AP writer Zeke Miller

___

Democrats are unloading on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ahead of his planned address to the Republican National Convention from Jerusalem.

An aide to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden who has worked for the State Department calls Pompeos Tuesday speech flat out disgraceful. Aide Bill Russo says it's an abuse of taxpayer money.

Another top Biden deputy, Kate Bedingfield, blasts Pompeo as President Donald Trumps errand boy and says he has a record of repeated and blatant use of his office for overtly political purposes.

Secretaries of state regularly travel abroad on behalf of a U.S. administrations agenda, but Pompeos speech to a party convention from foreign soil is an outlier.

Russo mocks Pompeos explanation that he will address the GOP convention on personal time. Russo notes that the speech is still part of official travel and that taxpayer money got him there and is paying for his protection and for the the staff on the ground with him.

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and says Pompeos move violates his own policy. Booker referred to Pompeos memos and instructions sent recently to his departments employees.
They were met by 60 guards not in uniform who dragged the women to a facility across the street where they were thrown into punishment cells, beaten and tortured. They were given nothing to eat or drink for 36 hours. One woman thrown into a cell hit her head and was rendered unconscious.

Her cellmate, thinking her dead, suffered a heart attack. No medical treatment was rendered. Word quickly leaked to the national media about this unconscionable treatment. The Lorton prisoners were transferred to the jail in Washington, and by the end of November, all suffragists were released.

The Night of Terror became a turning point in the suffrage movement. Wilson addressed Congress on Jan. 10, 1918, pleading for a suffrage amendment. It finally passed on June 4, 1919, and the amendment became law on Aug. 26, 1920. A video about this story can be found here: https://youtu.be/o0SeTxh4Jxg

More than a decade ago, a grassroots movement began to commemorate the suffragist heroes with a national monument. It will serve as a visual symbol and educational tool to elevate them to their proper place in history through artistic elements that tell the complete story of the tumultuous movement. These brave women engineered the greatest expansion of democracy in a single day the world had ever seen.

The Turning Point Suffragist Memorial is being constructed in Occoquan Regional Park in Lorton, located in Fairfax County, on part of the historic prison grounds where scores of suffragists known as the Silent Sentinels were illegally jailed for picketing Wilsons White House in 1917. A garden-style memorial, it will cover an acre and provide a contemplative atmosphere to learn this important history. For additional information, visit: www.suffragistmemorial.org
Thunderstorms sparked flash flooding in Floridas panhandle as Tropical Storm Marco lashed parts of the Gulf Coast on Monday, August 24, according to weather reports.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning on Monday for several cities along Floridas panhandle, including Panama City, Panama City Beach, and Laguna Beach.

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Marco brought gusty winds and rain to parts of the northern Gulf Coast on Monday.

This video, posted on Monday, shows flooding outside of the the Shores of Panama hotel in Panama City Beach.

Storm Marco has downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone and was located near southern Louisiana as of Tuesday morning, the NHC said. Credit: Shannon Meadows via Storyful
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Monday witnessed many heated moments as party veterans who sent a joint letter to interim chief Sonia Gandhi came under attack.

Former party president Rahul Gandhi led the charge while a majority of members loyal to the Nehru-Gandhi family followed up with verbal assault, questioning the motive of the dissenters.

In its resolution, the CWC also warned them not to raise inner-party issues through media.

This, according to many senior Congress leaders, only shows that there is no space in the party for raising serious internal matters. Senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad sought to explain that the purpose of the letter was not to question the leadership of the Gandhis but only to flag some issues in the functioning of the party. This, along with organisational restructuring of the party, merits immediate attention, he added.

It is not for the first time that senior party leaders are raising their voice against the leadership.

However, the partys history shows dissenters have never been able to win back the trust of the Gandhi family. According to insiders, this is the most important thing to survive in the party and to get important posts.

ALSO READ | Congress meet: Seniors defused crisis, but talks wouldve helped, feels party insiders

Ample examples in the past show that any dissent in the party challenging Gandhis supremacy has been unwelcoming and dissenters have been sidelined. The treatment meted out to two non-Gandhi Congress presidents  PV Narasimha Rao and Sitaram Kesri  before Sonia took over the reins of the party in 1998 is well known, said a party leader.

Kesri was unceremoniously de-throned and locked in a room at the AICC headquarters as Sonia took over as party chief. Rao was sidelined completely.

The Congress top leadership did not allow even his dead body to be kept at the party headquarters in Delhi for people to pay their last respects.

Similarly, many others like Rajesh Pilot, Jitendra Prasada, Sharad Pawar and P A Sangma were either sidelined or left the party.

Brief history on Congress Presidents outside Nehru-Gandhi family

The party's history shows that it has had at least 13 presidents from outside the Nehru-Gandhi clan since independence as against five from its first family.

However, the family members have been at the helm for a much longer period of time as against the others.

Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have headed the party for the majority of the period since independence.

Sonia Gandhi, who has been its longest-serving president, offered to quit at a stormy CWC meeting on Monday after a letter from more than 20 party leaders sought organisational reforms and a collective leadership, but she was urged to stay on as the interim chief till a full-time president is appointed.

Among the leaders outside the Nehru-Gandhi family, J B Kripalani, B.

Pattabhi Sitaramayya, Purushottam Das Tandon, U N Dhebar, N Sanjiva Reddy, K Kamaraj, S.Nijalingappa, Jagjivan Ram, Shankar Dayal Sharma, D.K. Barooah, K B Reddy, P V Narasimha Rao and Sitaram Kesri have headed the party.

The debate over whether a person from outside the Gandhi family was re-ignited last week when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in a year-old but recently published interview, endorsed her brother Rahul Gandhi's stand on a non-Gandhi president for the Congress, saying there are plenty of people capable of leading the party.

Rasheed Kidwai, senior journalist and writer of the book "24 Akbar Road", said the key issue before the party today is about the political leadership which has always been with the Nehru-Gandhi family.

"In the first general election, the slogan was 'A vote for Nehru is a vote for the Congress'. Even 2004 onwards, Sonia Gandhi wielded the political leadership that now resides with Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka. So the political leadership of the Congress has by and large always been with the Gandhis and even non-Gandhi presidents have owed allegiance to them," he told PTI.

ALSO READ | Not in race for Congress president, Gandhis must lead party: Mallikarjun Kharge

Asked if a non-Gandhi can run the party with the Gandhi family retaining the overall leadership, he said, "Theoretically yes, practically no."

Sanjay Kumar, Director at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, said the tenure of Gandhi family presidents cannot be compared with non-Gandhi family presidents as there would be stark difference in the quantum of tenures.

"A person from the Gandhi family is both an asset and a liability for the party. The person would be an asset as he/she acts as a glue for the party which keeps the party together. They are also a liability and that liability is coming to the fore more prominently now as the Gandhi family has not been able to inspire voters and leaders of the party," Kumar told PTI.

He opined that it is going to be very difficult for a non-Gandhi president to function in the prevailing situation as various factions could emerge and the pulls and pressures would be very high.

Sanjay K Pandey, a political commentator and a professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), echoed similar views, saying it will be very difficult for a non-Gandhi president to work with the family having a dominant imprint on the party.

"Unless the Congress devises a mechanism to deal with such a scenario, the future of the party is not very bright," he said.

(With PTI Inputs)
Following deadly attacks by the Islamic State, Russian and Syria have sent reinforcements to tackle the insurgency, while in Hassakeh, the US attempted to block Russian movements writes Al-Masdar.

The Russian and Syrian armies sent a convoy of reinforcements to the Raqqa-Hama administrative border this week, following a string of attacks by the Islamic State (ISIS) near the historical al-Rusafa area.

According to a field source with the Syrian army, the reinforcements came shortly after ISIS launched two attacks in the al-Rusafa area and the al-Salamiyah District of Hama.

While the al-Rusafa attack was repelled by the Syrian army, the ISIS ambush near al-Salamiyah resulted in a number of soldiers killed.

Since late July, ISIS has attempted to expand its attack base from the Badiya al-Sham region between Suweida, Homs, and Deir ez-Zor to Raqqa and Hama governorates.

This has prompted both the Syrian Arab Army and National Defense Forces (NDF) to increase their presence in al-Salamiyah and al-Rusafa.

Meanwhile, the US forces have attempted to block a Russian military convoy in northeastern Syria for the first time this month.

According to reports from Hassakeh Governorate, a US contingent attempted to obstruct a Russian convoys movements by setting up a roadblock east of Qamishli city.

The incident lasted for a short while and did not result in anyone getting hurt.

In the past, the US and Russian forces have attempted to intercept one anothers patrols in Hassakeh Governorate, often resulting in their vehicles going off road.

However, a recent confrontation between the Syrian Arab Army and US military ended with one Syrian soldier being killed and two others wounded after gunfire was exchanged near the town of Tel al-Dahab.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The Paramount Chief of Eastern Nzema and Chief of Atuabo, Awulae Amihere Panyile has called on the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to fulfil his promise to make the construction of the Atuabo Freeport a reality.

While speaking to the Nzema Chiefs at a Kundum festival on Sunday, October 28, 2018, Dr. Bawumia assured that the current administration would construct the Atuabo Freeport.

But nothing has been heard about the Atuabo Freeport since the promise was made.

Awulae Panyile speaking to Citi News at Atuabo said the Nzema people are still waiting for the Freeport whose investors were scared away with a Court suit initiated by some five New Patriotic Party MPs in 2014.

What the Vice President came to say is something that we look forward to. This was started a long time ago before this current administration and the hopes have been up and down. We are still hoping because our resilience for the project is not ending. Of course, we don't have the money to do it ourselves so we still depend on promises and sometimes it is difficult to hear some of the promises. However, we hope that whatever the Vice President said he is working towards it. I believe that our leaders when they make promises, they keep them.

Awulae Amihere Panyile, however, justified the importance of the project and those who tried to pitch the Atuabo Freeport against the Takoradi Port in 2014.

I think we should look at the special benefits of this Port. We are looking at having a Port where we can repair Oil Rigs and do maintenance for oil vessels which we wouldn't do at Takoradi or Tema Ports. In fact, the Atuabo Freeport will have a special place in Ghana and so it saddens me when people try to compare it with Takoradi. What the experts say is that a faulty oil rig from say Senegal would have to travel all the way to South Africa to be repaired. When we have one in Ghana, that is a cost that any company would be happy to cut off. In fact, it something that we don't know who will construct it now but I believe that whoever wins this election should make it a priority and make sure that this happens within a short term. Our people are always happy when we have politicians come to say that they would do the harbour. We don't want it to be just a saying, but we want it done and we have reserved the land for it.

The MP for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah reacting to calls by the chiefs said a Mahama administration is committed to putting up such project.

He said the NDC government completed soil testing for its construction before leaving power.

It is so painful that we are still talking about this Atuabo Freeport which could have easily create 5,000 jobs for the youth. But what happened is that we had Members of Parliament from the NPP side including the Western Regional Minister who is supposed to lead development in the Region going to court to oppose the project. However, the excitement that I have is that I have spoken with former President John Mahama who is committed to this Atuabo Freeport. What he is saying is that, if we don't do it, Ivory Coast would do it. We want to be the gateway for West Africa's Oil and Gas sector.

The about 700 million dollar Lonrho Atuabo Oil and Gas Services Freeport project came into being after Parliament passed an agreement which gave Ghana a 45 percent ownership.

The two-year first Freeport for Ghana was expected to be completed in 2017 to provide a one-stop oil and gas services for petroleum exploration and production activities across the Gulf of Guinea, reduce the high cost and end the difficulties of oil companies seeking services from far distances.

The Atuabo oil and Gas Freeport project which was going to have a sub-sea fabrication base, logistics supply base, oil rig and vessel repair base, as well as a helipad, was however resisted by five NPP Members of Parliament including the MP for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, Effia MP, Joseph Cudjoe and Kweku Kwarteng now with the Ministry of Finance.

The five MPs who raised concerns with exclusivity clauses of the agreement, however, promised to see to the project completion but have not been able to keep such promise.

 citinewsroom
A group of protesters seeking racial justice by walking from Milwaukee to Washington D.C. ended up at a Johnstown, Pa., hospital after they say someone shot at them, injuring one of the group.

UPDATE:

WJAC-TV in Johnstown is reporting a group of the protesters were at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown after one of their group was shot and injured.

WJAC cites state police in Bedford as confirming an encounter between the group and residents on Rt. 30 led to gunfire late Monday night. Police said two people are being questioned about the shooting. State police are no longer saying that an argument preceded the gunfire, WJAC added.

Frank Nitty, the leader of the group, told WJAC they were walking on Lincoln Highway in Bedford County, en route to Washington D.C., in response to the death of George Floyd. Nitty said the group had nearly 50 marchers and that the gunshot injuries to the wounded marcher appear minor.

#BREAKING: Protestors marching from Wisconsin to D.C. say they were shot at in Bedford county, with one protester being struck. @haleigh_dib just spoke with the man seen here in the hat. He was a part of the march. Hear his side of what happened coming up at 6:30 on @WJACTV pic.twitter.com/vkI6SQH5iC  Sean Eiler (@SeanEiler) August 25, 2020

Here is some WJAC-TV video of the scene outside the hospital early this morning:

#BREAKING A group of protesters traveling from Milwaukee to Washington D.C. say someone fired shots at them in Bedford County, PA overnight. A protester is being treated at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, PA. We are following this story on @WJACTV this morning. https://t.co/I8Hcht6K0u  Jessica Guay (@JessicaGuayTV) August 25, 2020

This is a breaking news story, and this post has been updated with additional details.

READ MORE:

Black Lives Matter rally draws counter-protest in bitterly divided Pa. town

Man with autism badly beaten after using racial slur; 3 attackers face federal charges

Pa. woman filmed herself brutally beating girl with wooden spoon, then sent video to friends, now faces felony charge: cops

Steelers Terrible Towel logo ripped off for face masks, federal lawsuit says

Penn State freshmen face backlash for party that might be the reason everyone goes home

13 sick, emaciated dogs rescued from home after 911 call

Autopsy in on decomposing body found by fisherman in Pa. river

Pa. DA says shes investigating multiple reports of adults on video seeking sex with kids

400-pound black bear found illegally shot and abandoned in Pa.: a complete waste

2 Pa. wrestling coaches pressured teammates to share naked photos of high school girls for team bonding: AG

Pa. mayors home picketed, calls for him to resign over protesters kidnapping by plainclothes cops in unmarked van

Fisherman finds decomposing body in Pa. river; foul play not ruled out

Up to 240 layoffs loom at Pa. casino hurt by COVID-19 impacts: report

Pa. protester, 28, loses eye after being shot with beanbag by police: a baseball bat to the face

Pa. teen who admits role in killing her grandfather for $30K learns her fate
QINGDAO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua on Monday called for solid efforts to stabilize foreign trade and foreign investment.

Hu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a symposium in east China's coastal city of Qingdao, which focuses on stabilizing foreign trade and investment in key provinces and cities in northern China.

Hu stressed that local authorities should work hard to keep foreign trade and investment stable amid a grave and complicated international environment.

He urged the provinces and cities to open further to the outside world, and enhance services for businesses to add impetus to the stable development of foreign trade and investment.

Before the symposium, Hu visited foreign trade firms and the Qingdao part of China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone to learn about production and operations of companies.
A Republican Convention speaker last night invoked the death of British baby Charlie Gard to attack Joe Biden's plan for 'socialised medicine.'

Natalie Harp, a bone cancer survivor, claimed that Britain's National Health Service decided it was 'too expensive and too cruel to keep him alive.'

Harp, a member of Trump's campaign advisory board, said she wouldn't be alive today were it not for the president's legislation on experimental treatments, the so-called 'right to try.'

Charlie was born with an extremely rare condition called mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDDS), which causes progressive brain damage and muscle failure. There is no treatment for the condition and it usually results in death during infancy.

In 2017, Charlie's parents lost a high-profile legal battle - which attracted attention from the White House - for the 11-month-old to be allowed to travel to the US for experimental treatment.

Natalie Harp, who has battled bone cancer, claimed that Britain's National Health Service decided it was 'too expensive and too cruel to keep him (Charlie Gard) alive.'

Chris Gard and Connie Yates with their son Charlie Gard who was born with an extremely rare condition called mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDDS), which causes progressive brain damage and muscle failure

Courts in the UK and the EU ruled in favour of London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, agreeing that the child had no chance of recovery and travel to the US would only prolong his suffering.

At the time, President Donald Trump had intervened to say that he would be 'delighted to help' and Republicans seized on the case as an example of the dangers of Obamacare.

Conservatives in America have claimed erroneously that the decision over what was in the best interests of the child had financial considerations.

The High Court judge who dealt with the case in London dismissed such notions as 'nonsensical.'

The judge continued: 'It was one of the pitfalls of social media that the watching world felt it right to have opinions without knowing the facts of the case.'

Harp last night claimed from the pulpit in Washington that were it not for the 'right to try' legislation signed by Trump she wouldn't be alive today.

Harp says she failed two rounds of chemotherapy and was rejected from clinical trials before being allowed to look at experimental options.

She claimed that in Joe Biden's America 'some of us would be denied care, for in socialised medicine, you don't beat the odds.'

'You become the odds,' she added. 'And I would lose my right to try, just like Charlie Gard, that terminally ill British baby whose government-run health care system decided it was too expensive and too cruel to keep him alive.'

Natalie Harp speaks from Washington, during the first night of the Republican National Convention Monday, Aug. 24, 2020

Genetics expert Robert Winston has previously described the interference by the Trump administration in baby Charlie's case as 'extremely unhelpful and very cruel.'

Winston, who sits in the House of Lords, said at the time: 'This child has been dealt with at a hospital which has huge expertise in mitochondrial disease and is being offered a break in a hospital that has never published anything on this disease, as far as I'm aware.'

Biden has discussed plans to build on Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), so that 97 percent will be covered by health insurance.
The Spanish government has taken a political decision when it comes to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, and will not change course unless the situation gets completely out of control: the countrys regional governments have all the powers to deal with the epidemic and will be taking the main decisions. That was what opposition parties in charge of these administrations were calling for in June, after more than three months under a state of alarm that saw the Socialist Party-Unidas Podemos government centralize control. Now, however, there are calls from Popular Party (PP)-run regional governments  such as that in Madrid  that the administration of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez should take over once more. But the government is holding fast.

The Spanish government is responsible for the pandemic, independently of the powers set out by the state of regions Ana Pastor, Popular Partys vice-secretary for social policy

Spanish politics has had an enormous influence over the management of the Covid-19 crisis in Spain. For weeks, the debate was focused on the ongoing state of alarm. The coalition administration is governing with a minority in the Congress of Deputies, and as such needs the support of other groups to pass legislation. At the outset of the epidemic, the state of alarm was supported by other parties, but political tensions grew as the crisis deepened and groups such as the PP and far-right Vox became increasingly critical of the governments handling of the situation.

The conservative PP rejected the last extension of the emergency situation in a vote in Congress, while Madrid regional premier Isabel Diaz Ayuso insisted at the end of May that the state of alarm was no longer necessary and that normality needed to return as soon as possible. Coronavirus infections in the region have continued to rise, however, and Madrid is once again the epicenter of the epidemic in Spain.

Madrid regional premier Isabel Diaz Ayuso in a file photo from July. OSCAR DEL POZO (Europa Press)

In contrast to its initial plans, and aware that it risked defeat in parliament should the PP and other groups in Congress withdraw their support altogether for the ongoing state of alarm, the government brought the emergency situation to an end earlier than planned and transferred the responsibility for the management of the pandemic to the regions.

But the regions are now in a worse situation than at the end of the state of alarm, in particular in areas such as Madrid, and groups such as the PP are calling on the government to take control once more.

The governments response is that the decree for the so-called new normality  which was agreed by all the regions and supported by the PP  was that the regional administrations take control and that the government has no way to oblige them to do anything. Cabinet sources argue that they are limited to simply coordinating decisions at meetings of regional chiefs, as was done 10 days ago when measures to close nightclubs and restrict smoking in public were agreed on.

Now the debate has moved on to the reopening of schools. The PP is insisting that the central government should determine policy, while the executive is responding that it can only give guidelines, but that the regions must make the final decisions. Government sources point out that the regions have received 2 billion to shore up their education systems ahead of the new school year, and cite the example of the Valencia region, which has hired 4,000 teachers and 3,000 monitors.

The government has said that the opposition cannot demand for weeks on end that control be returned to the regions, only to now start clamoring for it to take all the decisions

The Spanish government is responsible for the pandemic, independently of the powers set out by the state of regions, said the PPs vice-secretary for social policy Ana Pastor on Friday, accusing Health Minister Salvador Illa of signing the new normality decree before the summer so that from that moment on the regions could be blamed for anything that happens. The government has responded by saying that the opposition cannot demand for weeks on end that control be returned to the regions, only to now start clamoring for it to take all the decisions.

In other countries with similar situations, such as Italy, these issues have been dealt with differently: at the end of July, parliament approved the extension of the state of alarm until October 15  albeit with the opposition of the right and the far right. The prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, promised that the new limitations would only be applied if they were strictly necessary and that the objective is to be prepared for new outbreaks.

The Spanish government has also put on hold legal reforms that it promised weeks ago for a new legal mechanism that would allow for it to implement measures aimed at controlling the coronavirus without having to impose another state of alarm. Sources from the government have indicated that these reforms have no support in Congress, and that the most efficient approach is to agree such decisions with regional chiefs, as was done regarding the nightlife restrictions and as is likely to be done with the reopening of schools.

But the government is not budging for the moment: unless the situation gets completely out of control, all of the important decisions will remain in the hands of the regions.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Internship - Counsel Support Section, The Hague

Organization: International Criminal Court (ICC)

Country: Netherlands

City: The Hague, Netherlands

Office: ICC The Hague

Closing date: Thursday, 31 December 2020

19398 | Registry

Organisational Unit:

Counsel Support Section, Registry

Duty Station:

The Hague - NL

Contract Duration:

3 to 6 months

Deadline for Applications:

31/12/2020

Required Documents for This Application

Please note that you will need to have the following information ready in order to complete your application:

A completed Duties and Responsibilities Form (refer to step 1 on your eRecruitment Profile page).

Motivation letter (maximum of 400 words).

Two reference letters (one academic).

Scanned copies of university degrees and/or diplomas.

Scanned copies of official academic transcripts that state your courses, results and completion date.

One short essay on a subject relevant to the work of the Court (maximum of 750 words, single spaced, type written).

Contract Duration

Interns are required to work full time for a period between three and six months (to be agreed to prior to commencement). Internship placements shall not be extended beyond six months.

Organisational Context

The Counsel Support Section (CSS) is in charge of centralizing and coordinating all assistance provided to counsel by the Court. It serves as the Registrys focal point for the Offices of Public Counsel, which depend on the Registry solely for administrative purposes, and also provides logistical and administrative assistance. The Section also manages the Courts programme of legal aid for indigent defendants and victims and handles all provisions relating to the activities of the Courts disciplinary organs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Section Chief, interns will perform one or several of the following tasks:

Tags burkina faso central africa hag human resources icc icc_hag internship legal aid netherlands tajik

Research and preparation of background reports;

Drafting memoranda, reports, letters, briefing notes, speeches and other correspondence;

Support for the preparation of internal and external meetings and ensure an accurate recording of meetings;

Assisting in the preparation of presentations for internal and external audiences;

Other tasks as may be required by the Section Chief.

Required Qualifications

Education:

All candidates must have a relevant degree or be in the final stages of their studies at a recognised university. Candidates are expected to have a very good record of academic performance.

Experience:

Internship placements focus on candidates in the early stages of their professional careers. Practical experience is not an essential prerequisite for selection. Should there be a practical experience that is relevant to the work of the Court, it may be considered an asset. However, such working experience should not exceed 3 (three) years.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Able to adapt to multicultural and multilingual working environments.

Possesses strong teamwork skills (listens, consults and communicates proactively).

Has acquired a good standard of computer skills (including Microsoft Office applications).

Knowledge of Languages:

Proficiency in one of the working languages of the Court, French or English, is required. Working knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official language of the Court (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Other criteria:

In line with the ICCs efforts to improve geographical representation among staff, nationals of the countries listed below are strongly encouraged to apply.

Non-represented or under-represented countries at the ICC as of 30 November 2019: Afghanistan, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Gabon, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Namibia, Nauru, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Slovakia, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia.

Remuneration

Please note that the ICC is not able to provide all participants in the Internship and Visiting Professional Programme with remuneration, nor is it possible to provide reimbursement for expenses incurred during the internship or visiting professional placement.

Applicants should therefore be able to support themselves for the duration of their internship or placement.

Limited funding may, however, be available through the ICCs Trust Fund for the Development of Interns and Visiting Professionals, which receives donations from States Parties and other donors to fund nationals of States Parties from developing regions. These donations are equally divided between the four Organs of the Court.

If funding is available, the Human Resources Section shall assess a candidates eligibility in accordance with the terms of reference of the Trust Fund as agreed by the donors.

In order to be eligible, the applicant must, among other criteria, be a national from a country that is a State Party to the Rome Statue and appears on the United Nations Statistics Divisions list of developing regions.

Candidates eligible for funding shall receive detailed information and further instructions after the selection process is finalized. Stipends will always be agreed at the time of offering the internship. No funding will be provided at a later stage.
RARITAN, N.J., Aug. 24, 2020 /CNW/ -- In its August 23 Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 convalescent plasma for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all units of donor blood to be tested on Ortho Clinical Diagnostics' VITROS Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG test for anti SARS-CoV-2 antibodies as a manufacturing step before release to hospitals and patients.*

The EUA was based in part on data from the FDA's Expanded Access Program (EAP), run by the Mayo Clinic.

"COVID-19 convalescent plasma is a promising therapy that the FDA has reason to believe demonstrates clinical benefit in hospitalized patients treated early and with higher antibody levels," said Mike Iskra, executive vice president, Commercial Excellence and Strategy, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics. "Ortho is pleased to offer a broadly available, high-throughput, low-cost test that can help health care teams identify convalescent plasma to aid the most critically ill patients. At Ortho, we believe that every test is a life, and continue to work to deliver large-scale solutions to help identify, control, and treat this devastating virus."

Ortho's COVID-19 IgG antibody test runs on Ortho's VITROS systems, already installed in more than 1,000 hospitals and reference labs throughout the United States. When running infectious disease tests such as our COVID-19 tests, Ortho's instruments can process up to 150 tests per hour.

The new COVID-19 convalescent plasma EUA is a groundbreaking announcement and Ortho is proud to have product offerings that are key in the major advancements being made by the scientific and medical communities to assure patients are able to access critical therapies in the continued fight against this unprecedented virus.

Ortho manufactures its COVID-19 IgG antibody test in Rochester, New York and Pencoed, UK and produces millions of tests per week.

Questions from laboratories, healthcare providers, or government officials regarding the COVID-19 antibody test can be directed to: [email protected].

The VITROS Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG test has not been FDA cleared or approved. It has been authorized by the FDA under an emergency use authorization and testing is limited to laboratories certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA), 42 U.S.C. 263a, to perform moderate and high complexity tests. The test has been authorized only for the detection of IgG antibodies from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens, and results should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosis. This test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostic tests for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C.  360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

*If a blood establishment is considering using an alternative test in manufacturing for convalescent plasma release, they should contact the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) to determine acceptability of the proposed test, which if accepted, would require an amendment to the newly issued EU.

About Ortho Clinical Diagnostics

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics is a global leader of in vitro diagnostics dedicated to improving and saving lives through innovative laboratory testing and blood-typing solutions.

Because Every Test is a Life we never stop innovating to offer streamlined, sustainable laboratory solutions that deliver fast, accurate, reliable test results that support exceptional patient care.

For more information about Ortho's solutions and services, visit Ortho's website or social media channels: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

SOURCE Ortho Clinical Diagnostics

For further information: Ortho Media Relations, M: +1 908 295 1579, [email protected], http://www.orthoclinicaldiagnostics.com

Related Links

http://www.orthoclinicaldiagnostics.com


At oh nine hundred hours Monday morning, while most of us were either at work or still on our daily commute, an army convoy was snaking its way through the outskirts of Cork city towards Cobh.

Waiting for it was a large ship with a crew readying to set sail.

Unfortunately for the 38 soldiers cracking jokes in the back of the Collins Barracks trucks heading towards Deepwater Quay, the ship was no cruise liner.

And its destination could not have been further from the paradise hotspots people usually get transported to.

Waiting for them instead was the LE Niamh to ferry them to the windswept ruins of Fort Davis, a military base near Whitegate that dates back to the 1600s but rebuilt by the British in the 1860s.

Overlooking the entrance to Cork Harbour, the 74-acre site has been home for the Defence Forces since 1938.

It would be more hell than holiday there for the next five days for the surviving members of the Defence Forces 20th All Arms Potential Non Commissioned Officers (PNCO) course.

Candidates on the 20th Defence Forces Potential NCO course. Picture: Neil Michael/Irish Examiner

A six-month course, this week is the final week of a five-week-long tactical course designed to test their leadership abilities while under pressure.

It is one of the toughest mental, physical and emotional tests of their army careers - and the course - to date.

By the end of the first day, Monday, for example, three of them suffered injuries and needed medical care.

Just under 60 started the course when it began in February before it was postponed due to Covid-19 in March.

It is now the first training course of its kind to be operational during the pandemic, having re-started in June, and is a growing sign of the Defence Forces returning to some kind of normality.

All those taking part have had to isolate themselves away from their families and their home units in Cork, Galway, Kilkenny and the Curragh, Co Kildare.

Read More Covid-19 outbreak confirmed in Direct Provision centre in Limerick

Waiting for them on the beach in the distance were a team of elite instructors.

All of them have served abroad, including Company Sergeant (CS) Gordon Fitzgerald, the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in 1 Brigade Training Centre (1 BTC).

As well as the PNCO Course, the unit - whose motto is Feabhas san Oiliuint (excellence in training) - is also a centre for excellence for the armys three-month light support weapons training.

Candidates on the 20th Defence Forces Potential NCO course. Picture: Neil Michael/Irish Examiner

It is also the Defence Forces' Urban Warfare Centre of Excellence.

DS Fitzgerald has served multiple tours to places including Liberia, Lebanon, Mali and Kosovo over more than 30 years service.

He has also served in Afghanistan and, like his colleagues, experienced first hand the dangers he is training younger soldiers to deal with.

Commandant Robert Moriarty, who joined in 2002, was another instructor waiting for them.

He has one tour of Congo and two of Lebanon behind him.

He was also chosen to be part of an elite quick reaction overseas EU Battle Group force that was based at Collins Barracks and was on three-day notice to deploy wherever there was a UN mandate for a six-month period in 2014.

Because of the armys reluctance to talk about its exploits abroad, its impossible to say what experiences these men hide behind their dead-eye stares and - at times - emotional detachment.

Candidates on the 20th Defence Forces Potential NCO course. Picture: Neil Michael/Irish Examiner

Polite and self-assured with a quick wit and as relaxed in their own company as they are with others, something about the way they carry themselves suggests they are not to be crossed.

Commandant Moriarty said: The course is a physically and mentally challenging course.

The purpose of the tactical block is to develop leadership or their ability to influence people by providing purpose, motivation and direction.

They learn and develop our core values  respect, loyalty, selflessness, integrity, and both moral and physical courage.

He added: NCOs occupy a unique position in the Defence Forces as they are the glue that holds the organisation together and the oil that keeps the cogs moving.

Without them our ability to meet operational tasks will likely diminish.

Noticeable among the troops earlier as they were ferried over to the island aboard the Le Niamh, however, was the jokey banter and relaxed bonhomie.

But then it started to trail off as the Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) were lowered into the water for them to board before their beach landing.

Candidates on the 20th Defence Forces Potential NCO course. Picture: Neil Michael/Irish Examiner

There was a brief lull as everyone sat quietly in their RIBs as they bobbed up and down with the waves under the shadow of LE Niamh's bow before they suddenly set off at speed.

Ice-cold waves crashed into the soldiers as the RIBs sped along.

A few metres from the beach, the RIBs slowed and stopped and the soldiers quickly took off their life jackets, grabbed their guns and plunged into the water up to their waist and waded ashore.

Read More Covid-19: 92 new cases confirmed and no deaths reported

That probably seems easy enough, if all you have on is a wetsuit.

But when you add up the extra 30kg weight of their weapons, their backpacks, their body armour and their spare ammunition, they were also carrying just over a third of their own body weight.

Candidates on the 20th Defence Forces Potential NCO course. Picture: Neil Michael/Irish Examiner

After arriving soaked through on the beach, they had little time to check their equipment and rest before they then had to march up the steep slopes up to the fort ahead.

On the way, they had to work their way through a small and dark network of tunnels before reaching the outskirts of the main fort.

Once there, they have to fight their way from room to room in what is Irelands main urban warfare centre.

And it was at this point that many of the candidates had more than their share of rude awakenings.

Watched at all times by their instructors and safety officers, they face barrage after barrage of shouted commands and admonishments.

One candidate might lead a number of soldiers into a potentially deadly situation and have to endure having their foolhardiness shouted about at length in front of the rest of the candidates.

Time and time again the exercise had to stop due to one persons ill-thought-out actions.

One of the worst incidents was when a candidate was spotted where they shouldnt have been minutes before a controlled explosion.

The volume of the telling off they got may well have reached as far back to Deepwater Quay and that time earlier in the day when everything was altogether more relaxed.
As the world watches the spread of COVID-19, physicians at Houston Methodist Hospitals are urging the public not to forget other potential health risks. Cases of diabetes, one of the more prevalent life-threatening conditions among Americans, still remain on the rise during the pandemic. And of the 30.3 million people with diabetes in the US, only about 7.2 million know they have it.

Further complicating the problem- people with diabetes are at a much higher risk of severe complications from the COVID-19 infection.

Tracking coronavirus: Interactive maps, charts show spread of COVID-19 across Houston, rest of Texas

Houston Methodist Hospital in Sugar Land will be hosting a free webinar Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. to discuss identifying risks, methods of diagnosis, type 1 versus type 2 diabetes and living with diabetes.

Undiagnosed diabetes is prevalent due to its often asymptomatic early stages, said Kaelyn Bujnoch, community relations manager at Houston Methodist Hospital in Sugar Land.

You may have no symptoms at first. When they do appear, they may come on gradually, Bujnoch noted. Thats the danger of diabetes. While the disease may not alert you to its presence early on, its doing damage all the same.

Early diabetes symptoms include blurry vision, itchy skin, fatigue, frequent urination, increased hunger and thirst and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. Anyone with unusual or multiple symptoms should see a healthcare provider, Bujnoch said.

Doctors advise the people with diagnosed diabetes to take extra care to make sure they follow their treatment regimen.

"It's always important to be sure that your diabetes is being well-managed, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, it's even more important than usual," says Dr. Shivani Toma, endocrinologist at Houston Methodist. "The more uncontrolled your diabetes is, the higher the risk of developing more severe disease or complications from COVID-19."

Related: 'It's not a joke': El Paso mom warned others about COVID-19 before dying from virus weeks later

Put simply, said Katie McCallum of Houston Methodist Hospital, This means that not only should you follow all of the universal precautions needed prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you're diabetic, but you'll also need to be sure to focus on carefully monitoring your blood sugar, as well as maintaining the healthy habits that help keep it under control.

The live diabetes education webinar is free to attend, but registration is required. For more information or to register, visit events.houstonmethodist.org/diabetes-sl or call(281) 274-7500.

claire.goodman@chron.com
The Duchess of Sussex could use the support of her husbands mum right now.

Diana was the tragic example of an imprisoned princess, bound by arcane rules enforced by those who changed their minds about what was expected of the princess every five minutes.

Now ratbags are trying to do the same to Meghan. Fortunately, shes happily partnered, gets good support at home and has the good luck to be born at a time when princesses can be smart and tough, not just pretty. This time Meghan's under attack because she dared to ask American women to vote in the forthcoming US elections. She didnt  specifically  tell them how to vote. Instead she participated in a virtual voting registration event for nonpartisan organisation When We All Vote.

"When I think about voting and why this is so exceptionally important for all of us, I would frame it as: We vote to honour those who came before us and to protect those who come after us," Meghan said during the live-streamed event. "Thats what community is about and that is specifically what this election is all about."
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th August, 2020) The United Nations is concerned by reports about a diplomat from the Burkina Faso permanent mission to the world body in New York attacked his female employee and expects the mission and the US authorities to address the issue bilaterally, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing on Monday.

"We have seen the reports in the press. These reports of what happened are very concerning, indeed. We expect the mission of Burkina Faso and the host-country authorities to address the matter bilaterally," Dujarric said.

On August 15, Sylvestre Compaore from Burkina Faso allegedly beat his employee with a broom and then bound her wrists, New York Post reported.

The 22-year-old woman was taken to a hospital, where she was treated for cuts and bruises and then released. The authorities did not arrest Compaore because he enjoys diplomatic immunity.

Dujarric said this is a bilateral matter between the United States, a host-country for the UN headquarters in New York City, and Burkina Faso.

"We will, of course, continue to engage with the mission and the host country as appropriate," Dijarric added.
HAYWARD, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Restoration Management Company (RMC) has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by Bay Area News Group. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage , LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

Teamwork is 1 of the 4 core values at RMC.

RMC employees' commitment to teamwork and quality of service in restoring homes and businesses is what has kept RMC at the forefront of the restoration industry. The work that RMC performs is difficult, not very glamorous, and many times dangerous, but it is with pride that every employee will pitch in to help.

"We are fortunate enough to be surrounded by incredibly hardworking and dedicated individuals  who share and embrace the core values that define the culture that makes RMC special" --Jon Takata, President & Founder

RMC's growth has gone far beyond the Bay Area over the last few years - spanning all of California, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Texas and across the country with their Catastrophe Response teams. As an essential business RMC hasn't lost a beat during the COVID crisis; but has made thoughtful adjustments to service clients while maintaining a safe environment for employees.

"In times of great change, it is more important than ever to maintain a connection among employees," said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. "When you give your employees a voice, you come together to navigate challenges and shape your path forward based on real-time insights into what works best for your organization. The Top Workplaces program can be that positive outcome your company can rally around in the coming months to celebrate leadership and the importance of maintaining an employee-focused culture, even during challenging times."

ABOUT RESTORATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Since 1985, Restoration Management Company has provided 24-hour restoration service for customers when they experience a catastrophe in their home or workplace. With their headquarters in Hayward, California, RMC has 10 regional locations in Northern and Southern California, as well as locations in Seattle, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix and the Denver-metro areas. When emergency services are required RMC delivers high-quality and rapid property restoration. We stand ready with our highly trained, experienced, and customer-focused restoration technicians. For more information visit www.RMC.com or call 1.800.400.5058.

About Energage

Energage offers a fully unified SaaS platform, plus support and professional services, to help organizations recruit and retain the right talent. As a B-Corporation founding member, Energage has committed itself to the purpose of making the world a better place to work together. Based on 14 years of culture research, the engine behind 51 Top Workplaces programs across the country, and data gathered from over 20 million employees at 60,000 organizations, Energage has isolated the 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any business, and developed the tools and expertise to help organizations measure, shape and showcase their unique culture to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. For more information, please visit energage.com. Follow us on Twitter @teamenergage and Facebook and LinkedIn @energage.

Contact:

Megan Takata, Communications Manager

510-695-2970

[email protected]

www.RMC.com

SOURCE Restoration Management Company

Related Links

https://rmc.com/


York Region parents say they are frustrated about the public school boards high school schedule that only puts their teens in class, in person, about 25 per cent of the time  among the lowest rates in the province.

They also say they feel theyve been left in the dark around school reopening plans with poor communication from the board.

I think 50 per cent for most parents means 50 per cent in a live class  it doesnt mean 50 per cent with a teacher that might be a live teacher or not, said parent Janet Tapping, who is worried about her Grade 12 son being shortchanged on in-person hours because of Yorks high school schedule.

All one can think is: How are we disadvantaging kids?

York Region parent Shameela Shakeel said we are not getting the information we need, consistently enough, and it reflects poorly on the board.

If we didnt know how other boards were functioning, I think we could say, OK, leave it to them, they know what they are doing, she said. But we do know what other boards are doing, and I think thats what has parents upset.

Shakeel started a Facebook page called Families for Safe Schools in York Region to help answer questions around schools reopening amid the pandemic after she realized how many people had no idea what was going on. So far, the group has about 1,300 members.

When unveiling its back to school plans, the province divided the 72 school boards into two groups, saying those in 24 designated regions had to offer a combination of in-school and online learning, with class sizes of 15. Non-designated boards were to open as usual.

Despite Education Minister Stephen Lecce saying he wants high school students to be in class, in person at least 50 per cent of the time, most so-called designated boards are nowhere near that.

Both the Toronto and Ottawa public boards scrambled to redo their timetables to increase in-person minutes, getting close to 40 per cent of in-school class time. But York is among a handful of larger, urban designated boards where those minutes remain low.

Students in York are to attend in person for a half-day, every other day  which will also happen in Toronto, though there students will learn two courses at a time, and the morning in-person portion will be almost four hours long, with a shorter, live online session in the afternoon.

In Yorks public board  in Lecces own riding  most students will take the usual four courses at a time and be in class a half-day, every other day, with three shorter, 50-minute periods in the afternoon. Over the 600 possible instructional minutes in two days, students are in person for 150 of them, or 25 per cent of the time. Live, online learning accounts for 300 minutes. The rest is self-directed time for teens.

However, parents and students prefer in-person learning, believing online learning to be inferior. They also dont think its fair that many students across the province will get a lot more in-class time.

On Monday, Lecce said our request of school boards across the province is to make sure we maximize in-class instruction, meaning that a child is in their classroom, in their seat, led by a teacher. In the case of York public and York Catholic, they have worked with the ministry, we have spent many hours with them over the past week ... to ensure that that percentage of in-class, face-time with educators is moved up.

He said that as a consequence of the provinces intervention, were able to ensure a child could be learning in class in York, for example, for roughly 50 per cent of the time, 150 minutes of the 300 minutes in a day, (will be) in-class instruction, and the remainder will be done through synchronous online learning  Zoom-style learning, so the children are able to learn live from their teacher. That is a material improvement from the plans that were sent to us some days and weeks ago.

(The 50 per cent refers to the amount of time teens spend in school on the days they are scheduled to be at school.)

Licinio Miguelo, spokesperson for the York Region District School Board, said models include 15-student classes and direct and indirect contacts of 100 to ensure student safety, but also allow for a smoother transition to a conventional learning model if public health determines it is safe to do so.

He noted that over two days, students have 450 minutes of either in-class or live, online learning, which represents 75 per cent of the time. He also noted that on the days students are in school, they have the option of voluntarily staying at school in a study hall for their afternoon periods.

NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles said at the end of the day, it leaves you wondering if the government had from Day One done what we had all been saying  collaborate in a meaningful way with those front-line folks, the boards ... we would be in a very different position today.

The government downloading this to all school boards is leaving us with a real patchwork across the province, with some real gaps.

York parents say there has been a big gap in communication. However, the board is still finalizing plans for a webinar next week, and Miguelo said a survey found that 87 per cent of families were satisfied with how schools were keeping them informed. He also said the board has been sending out daily information to teachers.

Miguelo said Yorks high school plan is an approved model and strongly supports student safety and learning. Unlike other boards, it did not opt for the two-course-at-a-time quadmester, and says its model minimizes contact between cohorts of students.

Miguelo also said the York board is attempting to minimize class sizes at the elementary level as much as possible using staffing efficiencies and considering space limitations.

Shakeel is concerned how many York teachers in the Facebook group have joined because they say they also dont have sufficient information.

We have had very poor communication from the board overall, said kindergarten teacher Karen Dunn. We get daily emails, but we have to search for any new or relevant information.

Tapping said there are so many questions that havent yet been answered: What happens when technology fails? How will the kids in the study hall be cohorted? How will live teaching work for classes that require hands-on learning?

There are just so many questions and no place for us to ask them, she said, adding even the board meeting scheduled for Tuesday night requires parents to register to listen in. Why do we have to register? Why cant it just be livestreamed on YouTube? If the board has technology issues and cant broadcast on YouTube, how do they expect everyone else to have it figured out by (September)?

Noor Javed is a Toronto-based reporter covering current affairs in the York region for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @njaved
Kim Kardashian has had plenty to deal with lately, as she and husband Kanye West work on their marital issues.

But the SKIMS mogul is remaining hard at work on multiple ventures, when not enjoying time with family.

She put her signature curves on display Monday over Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, as she modeled a sizzling new SKIMS collection on a massive billboard.

Billboard babe: Kim Kardashian put her signature curves on display Monday over Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, as she modeled a sizzling new SKIMS collection on a massive billboard

The 39-year-old showed off her taut midriff in a grey crop top, paired with a matching grey g-string.

She posed in front of a large modern reproduction of a classic white Greek statue, also featuring ample curves.

Kim captioned the photo shoot on Instagram: 'Coming Soon: SKIMS SKIMS SKIMS  This is one of my favorite collections!

'If you look closely, the pattern is SKIMS pointelle detail. OMG swipe to look at the billboard how crazy is this.'

Serving body: The 39-year-old showed off her taut midriff in a grey crop top, paired with a matching grey g-string

Statuesque display: She posed in front of a large modern reproduction of a classic white Greek statue, also featuring ample curves

Coming soon: Kim captioned the photo shoot on Instagram: 'Coming Soon: SKIMS SKIMS SKIMS  This is one of my favorite collections!'

She also shared a snap of one of the photos blown up to a massive scale on the side of the Andaz hotel on Sunset Boulevard.

The KKW Beauty founder recently spent the weekend outdoors with Kanye, 43, and family, while attempting to deal with their marital issues.

It comes after the power couple got away with daughters North, seven, Chicago, two, sons Saint, four, and Psalm, one, amid his bizarre last-minute presidential bid.

A source told HollywoodLife: 'Kim and Kanye are getting along just fine right now. Its all for the kids so theyre not getting into anything about their relationship. Most of their conversations are about the kids. Nothing has changed between them.'

Kim flew to Wyoming last month with the intention of divorcing Kanye, following some concerning tweets and statements, including that they considered aborting their pregnancy with North.

Family outing: The KKW Beauty founder recently spent the weekend outdoors with Kanye, 43, and family, while attempting to deal with their marital issues

Mending their relationship: The power couple recently enjoyed a family vacation to Colorado, following their trip to the Dominican Republic, as they worked on their marriage

Getting along: A source told HollywoodLife: 'Kim and Kanye are getting along just fine right now. Its all for the kids so theyre not getting into anything about their relationship' (pictured in May, 2019)

Marital issues: Kim flew to Wyoming last month with the intention of divorcing Kanye, following some concerning tweets and statements, including that they considered aborting their pregnancy with North (pictured in November, 2019)

A source told People: 'Kim is very torn. The last thing she wants is to be divorced with four kids.

'She knows that she will be fine financially, but her concerns are the kids and the partnership. She is moving towards a divorce, but who knows if she will actually sign papers.'

Kanye wrote on Twitter at the time: 'I would like to apologize to my wife Kim for going public with something that was a private matter.

'I did not cover her like she has covered me. To Kim I want to say I know I hurt you. Please forgive me. Thank you for always being there for me.'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 23:28:08|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

PRETORIA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- COVID-19 will lead to major setbacks in addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality and make many South Africans fall off the middle-class to below the poverty datum line, said the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in a study on the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in South Africa.

The study showed that 34 percent of households are likely to exit the middle-class into vulnerability.

"While government social protection grants tend to target the poorest, this study posits that care and support needs to be provided to those at the borderline of the poverty line, such as the vulnerable middle-class, to reduce their likelihood of slipping into poverty," said UN resident coordinator Nardos Bekele-Thomas.

UNDP said 54 percent of households that have been pushed out of permanent jobs to informal or temporary contracts are likely to fall into poverty after the six-month stimulus package is over.

Khumbulile Thabethe, a single parent with three children said the COVID-19 have hit her hard and she is struggling to survive.

"I have had to prioritize food over winter clothing for my three kids. Lockdown started in the warmer months and as we moved to the colder months, I could not cope," she said.

Populations, especially hard-hit, are already-impoverished female-headed households, persons with only primary education, persons without social assistance, black populations, and heads of households who have been pushed from permanent to informal employment, the UNDP's report said.

The UNDP predicted South Africa's economy to contract by at least 5.1 and up to 7.9 percent in 2020 and recover slowly through 2024. Enditem
PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Jonathan Corr, president and CEO of Ellie Mae, the leading cloud-based loan origination platform provider for the mortgage industry, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 Northern California Award finalist. Now in its 34th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program honors entrepreneurial business leaders whose ambitions deliver innovation, growth and prosperity as they build and sustain successful businesses that transform our world. Corr was selected as one of 19 finalists by a panel of independent judges.

Award winners will be announced through a special virtual event on October 7 and will join a lifelong community of esteemed Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. This year, unstoppable entrepreneurs who have provided extraordinary support for their communities, employees and others during the COVID-19 crisis will also be recognized for their courage, resilience and ingenuity.

Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent competitive award programs for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. The nominees are evaluated based on six criteria, including overcoming adversity; financial performance; societal impact and commitment to building a values-based company; innovation; and talent management. Since its launch, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries around the world.

"It is an honor to be recognized as an EY finalist for a second time among such extraordinary talent whose contributions are driving impressive results and innovation across industries," said Jonathan Corr. "I am proud to work alongside the passionate and dedicated employees of Ellie Mae to continue to strive towards our company's mission of automating everything that is automatable in the mortgage industry, provide the most innovative digital mortgage technology solutions, and help people achieve the American dream of home ownership."

Ellie Mae's innovative technology solutions enable lenders to originate more loans, reduce origination costs, and reduce time to close, all while ensuring the highest levels of compliance, quality and efficiency. Since its founding in 1997, Ellie Mae has become the central nervous system of the multi-trillion-dollar home mortgage ecosystem, serving more than 3,000 customers and thousands of partners conducting hundreds of millions of transactions.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, to be announced in November during a virtual awards gala. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2021.

Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries  all supported by vast EY resources.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP America and the Kauffman Foundation.

In Northern California, sponsors also include Woodruff Sawyer and Chatham Financial.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. Winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. ey.com/us/eoy

About EY Private

As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/private

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, strategy, transaction and consulting services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

About Ellie Mae

Ellie Mae is the leading cloud-based loan origination platform provider for the mortgage industry. Ellie Mae's technology solutions enable lenders to originate more loans, lower origination costs, and reduce the time to close, all while ensuring the highest levels of compliance, quality, and efficiency. Visit EllieMae.com or call (877) 355-4362 to learn more.

 2020 Ellie Mae, Inc. Ellie Mae, Encompass, AllRegs, Mavent, Velocify, Capsilon, the Ellie Mae logo and other trademarks or service marks of Ellie Mae, Inc. appearing herein are the property of Ellie Mae, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Other company and product names may be trademarks or copyrights of their respective owners.

SOURCE Ellie Mae

Related Links

http://www.elliemae.com


The exploding number of new COVID-19 cases on campuses across the country has left many colleges and universities grappling with the same vexing question: How do you get students to cooperate with new safety measures?

While many students appear to be following social distancing guidelines, all too many are breaking the rules and putting their classmates at greater risk.

The University of Alabama reported more than 550 people  the majority of them students  tested positive for the coronavirus since classes began one week ago.

Montclair State University in New Jersey, this week barred 11 students from student housing for two weeks after they were caught partying in the residence halls and at an off-campus bash.

The vast majority of students are following the rules, said Andrew Mees, a spokesman for the university. We are disappointed that a small number chose to disregard these rules and by so doing, to create risk for our campus community.

Other major universities like Notre Dame, the University of Connecticut, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill have all faced outbreaks.

Fraternities and sororities have been identified as the hottest of hot spots, with dozens of students catching the bug and school officials scrambling to shut down their houses and quarantine those infected to keep it from spreading further.

Brian Higgins, an expert on crowd management security at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, said the problem for universities is two-fold: The students dont take the COVID-19 threat seriously and the enforcement measures universities are taking dont have much bite.

Image: Colorado University Students Return To Campus For Fall Semester (Mark Makela / Getty Images)

What theyre doing now is clearly not working, said Higgins, who previously was chief of police in Bergen County, New Jersey. In addition to stricter guidelines, I think they need tougher penalties to get the students attention. Like, give them a ticket for violating the rules and if they dont pay they dont get their grades or they cant matriculate.

Story continues

College students, like the rest of the country, have been feeding on conflicting reports about the severity of the pandemic, Higgins added.

The problem is college kids dont take it seriously, they dont think theyll get it and if they do it wont be so bad, Higgins said.

The pandemic has added to the incredible amount of complexity that college students have to manage, especially undergraduates living on their own, away from family for the first time, said Northwestern University psychologist and family therapist Alexandra Solomon.

In many young people, the impulse-control part of the brain isnt fully developed until around age 25, making students far more susceptible to risky behavior and peer pressure, Solomon said.

Additionally, Solomon said, many of the students enter college with no first-hand experience with people being sick and dying."

So to them all of this is very abstract, she said.

To get students to cooperate and follow the safety protocols, universities need to come up with a blend of carrots and sticks, Solomon said.

Yes, there need to be consequences, Solomon said, but colleges also need to get students to understand that their behavior can affect the health of their friends.

To stem the coronavirus tide, many of the 5,000 or so colleges and universities in the U.S. are limiting the number of students allowed in dorms and classrooms, requiring testing or proof of a recent test for all arriving students, insisting on mask-wearing in all public areas, and canceling social activities where the virus is more likely to spread.

Two-year colleges, for instance, are much more likely than four-year colleges to be planning an online fall, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported.

Some schools are also insisting the students sign codes of conduct. But those are just words on a page to many students who have been getting around the restrictions by partying off-campus and at local watering holes, according to numerous published reports.

The situation is so dire in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, home of the University of Alabama, that the citys mayor shut down bars and bar service in restaurants for two weeks.

The truth is, fall in Tuscaloosa is in serious jeopardy, Mayor Walt Maddox said this week.

Texas A&M University on Tuesday reported on its dashboard that 407 students have tested positive for COVID-19 since August 2.

Then there is the problem of who enforces the rules. Campus police can only do so much, so as The New York Times reported, day-to-day policing is often falling to teaching assistants and residential advisers who have mixed feelings about confronting scofflaw undergraduates.

The newspaper highlighted the plight of Jason Chang, a 24-year-old doctoral student at Cornell University, who oversees the undergrads in the dorm where he lives and caught a student who was supposed to be in quarantine sneaking out of her room three times.

Constant insanity and madness, Chang told the newspaper.

There was no focus on the spreading COVID-19 campus crisis when the virtual Republican National Convention kicked off Monday, but there was plenty of praise for President Donald Trumps handling of a pandemic that has, as of Tuesday morning, killed more than 178,000 people in the U.S., the most in the world, according to the latest NBC News tally.

Since the pandemic started, the U.S. has recorded more than 5.7 million COVID-19 cases, also the most in the world.

U.S. deaths and cases account for a little over a fifth of the worlds more than 814,000 fatalities and about a quarter of the 23.6 million confirmed cases across the globe.
The High Court on Tuesday asked the state government to chalk out a plan for the disposal of quintals of seized Ammonium Nitrate lying in various police stations and posing the danger of a Beirut-like explosion.

A Jodhpur bench of the High Court gave the direction observing that Ammonium Nitrate is a valuable resource and this explosive material should be utilised constructively.

A bench of justices Sandeep Mehta and Prabha Sharma intervened into the matter, taking suo moto cognisance of news reports which said the occasional seizures of Ammonium Nitrate has resulted in quintals of the explosive substance lying in various police stations in the state without any precautionary measures.

One such report had claimed that 15,300 kg of the chemical had been lying in a police station in Udaipur alone following a seizure.

The court took a serious note of the report in the wake of a massive explosion in Beirut last month, caused by the same explosive chemical and the trail of devastation left behind it.

Taking cognizance of the reports, the bench had earlier issued notices to the Explosive Controller, state police chief, additional chief secretary (Home) and Udaipur superintendent of police, asking them to apprise it of the quantity of seized Ammonium Nitrate and other explosive substances lying in various police stations across the state.

The bench had also asked officials to suggest measures to dispose of the explosive materials expeditiously.

But during the hearing on the day, the authorities asked the bench to grant them more time to collect the data, following which the judges granted them one more week and also asked them to chalk out a plan for disposal of the explosive materials by e-auction.

During the day's hearing, the court's amicus curies apprised it of various orders of the NGT and Custom authorities for disposal of Ammonium Nitrate seized in Tamil Nadu and kept at various places in Chennai in a similar situation.

The bench took the amicus' submission on record and listed the matter for next hearing on September 9.

(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.)
Most European heads of government were slow to recognize the threat from covid; Trump was even slower, and only acted when the plummeting stock market left him no choice. Many countries struggled to ramp up testing regimens; Trump placidly ignored bureaucratic infighting that left America functionally without testing capacity well into March, while the virus spread undetected and unhindered. Most of those countries struggled to get their citizens to comply with social distancing measures; Trump actively encouraged Americans to defy them. Most countries waited too long to tell citizens to mask up outside their homes; as late as Memorial Day, Trump ridiculed reporters for wearing masks.
The Lancaster County man who police believe kidnapped Linda Stoltzfoos on Fathers Day pleaded not guilty earlier this month to the charges against him, court records show.

Paradise resident Justo Smoker, 32, was arrested not long after authorities were made aware of the 18-year-olds June 21 disappearance as she walked from a Sunday church service to her familys Bird-in-Hand farm.

According to court documents, Smoker waived his formal arraignment hearing on Aug. 13, thereby pleading not guilty to kidnapping and false imprisonment charges.

Smoker hasnt revealed where Stoltzfoos might be despite what authorities believe is a line of evidence linking him to the 18-year-old. He remains in Lancaster County Prison.

Police said surveillance cameras caught Smokers red Kia Rio traveling through the area where Stoltzfoos was last seen, around the time she went missing.

Witnesses told police they saw an Amish woman in church clothes with pleading eyes sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle around the time the 18-year-old went missing. The witnesses told police a man resembling Smoker was behind the wheel.

Police reached a breakthrough in the case when they found Stoltzfoos bra, stockings and a cut zip tie buried behind a nearby business.

The red vehicle described by witnesses and caught on cameras was soon linked to Smoker. Police said they interviewed Smoker two times, during which he at first denied being in the area or recognizing Stoltzfoos photo.

During an Aug. 5 preliminary hearing, defense attorney Christopher Tallarico argued some of Smokers vehicles features cant be seen in the surveillance footage. The parts that police said show Stoltzfoos walking along the side of the road are no more than pixels, according to Tallarico.

Siding with prosecutors, Magisterial District Judge Denise Commins ruled there is enough evidence to move the case to trial. Its unclear when Smokers next court appearance will be, since his Friday arraignment is now canceled.

Stoltzfoos is still missing. Search and rescue teams searched for her Saturday for nearly 12 hours in the Welsh Mountain area, with no results. ATVs, dogs, horses and drones have been used to look for

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police at 717-299-7650, or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Linda Stoltzfus, 18, has been missing since June. (East Lampeter Township Police/file)

READ MORE:

Pa. police identify suspect in assault on church lector but havent filed charges

Central Pa. district attorney censured by Republicans for supporting Black Lives Matter

1-year-old boy killed in Pittsburgh shooting
PCI Pharma Services (PCI or the Company), a leading pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical global supply chain solutions provider, and portfolio company of Partners Group, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of a majority stake in the company by Kohlberg & Company, LLC (Kohlberg).

Kohlberg is a leading private equity firm headquartered in Mount Kisco, N.Y. with over 30 years of successful experience partnering with management and companies like PCI Pharma Services. Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), an Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor, will also become a significant investor in PCI.

Partners Group, the global private markets investment manager, has agreed to the sale of its majority equity stake in PCI Pharma Services on behalf of its clients and alongside its investment partners Thomas H. Lee Partners and Frazier Healthcare Partners. Following the sale to private equity firm Kohlberg and Mubadala, Partners Group will retain a meaningful minority equity stake in the Company. The terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., PCI Pharma Services is a recognized industry leader and trusted partner providing a broad range of integrated pharmaceutical supply chain solutions from the earliest stages of drug development through to commercial launch, and delivering ongoing supply with global capabilities for drug development and manufacturing, clinical trials services and commercial packaging services. PCI spans a global footprint of 25 GMP facilities across six countries and employs ~3,900 people worldwide.

Our teams at PCI have embarked on a purposeful journey over recent years to transform the company by executing a successful growth strategy, providing customers with innovative and integrated supply chain solutions and delivering the industry-leading customer experience by differentiating through investment in global capabilities, operational excellence, technology and our biggest asset, our talented people, said Salim Haffar, PCIs CEO. I am grateful for the support of our board and the director representatives from Partners Group, THL and Frazier.

Haffar continues, Kohlberg brings considerable successful experience in the biopharmaceuticals and medical device areas, and I am thrilled to be continuing with them to accelerate the growth of our commercial, clinical trial services, and development manufacturing businesses under this new alliance. Both Kohlberg and Mubadalas experience and track record in supporting successful management teams will make a great impact on PCIs continued journey of transformation as we focus on building capabilities to support the future demands of our biopharmaceutical customers in our shared goal of bringing life changing therapies to patients worldwide.

"We identified PCI through our Outsourced Pharmaceutical Services White Paper, and our larger industry practice in Pharmaceutical and Medical Products & Services, as a best-in-class company led by a premier management team, commented Chris Anderson, Partner of Kohlberg. We are honored to have the opportunity to work with Salim and his team on their next phase of transformational growth and value creation."

Kohlberg and Mubadala plan to partner with PCI's management team, led by CEO Salim Haffar, to continue the Company's transformation journey by adding specific capabilities and geographies organically and inorganically to improve its customer service experience and enable its customers to bring life-changing biopharmaceutical therapies to market. Leveraging the global growth trends in biologics and specialized drug therapies, future capabilities include sterile fill finish of injectables, expanding high potent and specialized manufacturing and further geographic expansion into Asia and greater Europe.

We are thrilled to be partnering with PCI's world class management team, and we believe the partnership of Kohlberg, Mubadala and Partners Group is an optimal combination to support management's acceleration of its growth and value creation pathways," said Matt Jennings, Operating Partner of Kohlberg and future Chairman of PCI. "Salim's inspirational leadership, clear vision for the future and focus on expanding customer experience gave us confidence in him, his management team and the long-term future potential for the PCI business.

Camilla Macapili Languille, Head of Pharma & Medtech, Mubadala, said, Outsourced pharmaceutical services has been a key investment theme for us over the past few years, and we are excited to be partnering with one of the global leaders in this industry. We have been particularly impressed by the quality and depth of PCIs management team, as well as the companys strong execution track record, impeccable values, and distinct vision for the long-term development of their business. We have strong conviction in the companys growth trajectory and are committed to working with Kohlberg and Partners Group to ensure their long-term success.

Remy Hauser, Managing Director and Head of Healthcare, Industry Value Creation, Partners Group, states, "We are extremely proud of our work with PCI Pharma Services. Though the last few months have been immensely challenging ones, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the essential nature of the services that PCI provides to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. On more than one occasion, PCI was the critical link in the supply chain responsible for ensuring life changing therapy reached those in need."

Sujit John, Member of Management, Private Equity Directs Americas, Partners Group, adds, "We initially identified PCI as a prospective investment via our Thematic Sourcing strategy, based on the strong fundamentals supporting outsourced pharmaceutical services. During our ownership, we were able to add significant value to the business through a combination of operational improvements and bolt-on acquisitions. PCI has a strong growth trajectory ahead and we are excited to contribute to that through our continued investment in the Company."

Todd Abbrecht, Managing Director and Head of Private Equity at Thomas H. Lee Partners said, Supporting Salim and his teams efforts to drive efficiencies while pursuing organic and acquisitive growth initiatives has fulfilled a key part of our value creation strategy. PCI is well positioned to continue its history of outstanding customer service and profitable growth.

About PCI Pharma Services

The global healthcare industry trusts PCI for the drug development solutions that increase their products speed to market and opportunities for commercial success. Only PCI brings the proven experience that comes with more than 50 successful product launches each year and over five decades in the healthcare services business. Leading technology and continued investment enable us to address global development needs throughout the product life cycle  from Phase I Clinical trials through commercialization and ongoing supply. Our clients view us as an extension of their business and a collaborative partner, with the shared goal of improving patients lives. For more information, please visit www.pciservices.com.

About Kohlberg & Company, LLC

Kohlberg & Company, LLC (Kohlberg) is a leading private equity firm headquartered in Mount Kisco, New York. Since its inception in 1987, Kohlberg has organized nine private equity funds, through which it has raised over $10 billion of committed equity capital. Over its 33-year history, Kohlberg has completed 81 platform investments and approximately 200 add-on acquisitions, with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $25 billion. For more information, please visit www.kohlberg.com.

About Mubadala Investment Company

Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for its shareholder, the Government of Abu Dhabi.

Mubadalas US $232 billion portfolio spans five continents with interests in multiple sectors including aerospace, ICT, semiconductors, metals and mining, renewable energy, oil and gas, petrochemicals, utilities, healthcare, real estate, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, agribusiness and a global portfolio of financial holdings across all asset classes. Mubadala has offices in Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, New York, San Francisco and London.

Mubadala is a trusted partner, an engaged shareholder and a responsible global company that is committed to world-class standards of governance.

About Partners Group

Partners Group is a leading global private markets investment manager. Since 1996, the firm has invested over USD 135 billion in private equity, private real estate, private debt and private infrastructure on behalf of its clients globally. Partners Group is a committed, responsible investor and aims to create broad stakeholder impact through its active ownership and development of growing businesses, attractive real estate and essential infrastructure. With over USD 96 billion in assets under management as of 30 June 2020, Partners Group serves a broad range of institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and private individuals globally. The firm employs more than 1,500 diverse professionals across 20 offices worldwide and has regional headquarters in Baar-Zug, Switzerland; Denver, USA; and Singapore. It has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 2006 (symbol: PGHN). For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com

About Frazier Healthcare Partners

Founded in 1991, Frazier Healthcare Partners is a leading provider of private equity capital to healthcare companies. With more than $4.2 billion total capital raised, Frazier has invested in more than 170 healthcare companies ranging from company creation and venture capital to buyouts of profitable lower-middle market companies. Frazier has offices in Seattle, WA, and Menlo Park, CA, and invests broadly across the U.S., Canada and Europe. For more information about Frazier Healthcare Partners, please visit www.frazierhealthcare.com

About Thomas H. Lee Partners

THL invests in middle market growth companies, headquartered primarily in North America, exclusively in four sectors: Consumer, Financial Services, Healthcare and Technology & Business Solutions. We couple our deep sector expertise with dedicated internal operating resources to transform and build great companies of lasting value in partnership with management. Since 1974, we have raised more than $25 billion of equity capital, invested in over 150 companies and completed more than 400 add-on acquisitions representing an aggregate enterprise value at acquisition of over $200 billion. For more information on THL, please visit www.THL.com.

Jefferies LLC served as lead financial advisor to PCI and Morgan Stanley & Co LLC served as co-advisor.

Centerview Partners LLC served as financial advisor to the Kohlberg-Mubadala consortium.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005398/en/
When it comes to finding the final frontier for big oil discoveries, you need to look beyond the Guyana-Suriname basin where everyones already staked their claims. And beyond the American shale patch, where growth is already slowing.

Africa is the next great oil frontier, where small-cap companies are staking large-cap claims of the kind that generously reward investors with a bigger risk appetite.

This could be the final, underexplored frontier for oil; is there anywhere else to go?

There is nowhere on earth with as much potential as Africa, Jay Park, CEO of Reconnaissance Energy Africa told Oilprice.com in an interview.

While many would have disagreed two decades ago, times have changed, and the fact that the African continent already holds 7.5% of the worlds known oil reserves, and as much of its gas reserves, yet still remains woefully underexplored, is exactly what might make this the last big land based venue on Earth for oil.

Weve got the legacy players, such as Nigeria, Angola, Congo-Brazzaville and Equatorial New Guinea, but the real final frontier is only just emerging in places such as Ghana, Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania and - even further off the radar, Namibia.

Park, who previously worked as a lawyer specializing in upstream oil and gas and petroleum regimes, says the African continent is wildly undervalued. The value of subsoil resources in OECD countries is at about $300,000 per square mile. In Africa, theyre valued at only about $60,000 per square mile, he said. This is either because Africa doesnt have its fair share of the worlds resources, or because it hasnt found those resources yet. Id put money on the latter because Africa is vastly underexplored compared to the rest of the world.

New Legacies

Ghana, according to Deloitte, boasts the highest oil production among its peers, launching its first offshore licensing round in late 2018 and attracting majors from all over the place. Theyre all hoping to top the massive Jubilee field - a massive discovery made in 2007 and operated by Tullow Oil.

Story continues

Mozambique, another newcomer on the final frontier scene, enjoys the largest gas resources in the region and the biggest untapped gas potential, according to Deloitte. And now its planning a massive LNG development in the Rovuma Basin, with production expected somewhere around 2022.

Tanzania - the fastest-growing economy among these oil players - is second only to Mozambique in terms of natural gas resources, while major oil discoveries in Uganda in 2006 have catapulted the country into fifth place in terms of resources, with first production scheduled for next year.

Namibia is the newest venue of the lot, but its also the one that has the potential to be bigger in territory than Eagle Ford--the shale basin that put the U.S. on the oil exporter map to rival the best of OPEC.

The prize here is about as pure as it gets: The country has never produced a barrel of oil, but its potential is pinging the radar of even giant Exxon (NYSE:XOM), which recently acquired an additional 7 million net acres from the government for a block extending from the shoreline to about 135 miles offshore in water depths up to 13,000 feet, with exploration activities to begin by the end of this year.

Onshore, the potential is also striking. And nothing is more striking than the 6.3-million-acre Kavango Basin, which rivals the Eagle Ford in size. Its also believed to be an extension of South Africas 600,000-square-kilometer Karoo sedimentary basin, home to Shells massive Whitehill Permian shale play.

ReconAfrica bought up the entire basin, with a 90% interest (the government owns the other 10%) and a four-year exploration license and a 25-year production license once a commercial discovery is made.

Thats a major feat for a small company with a market cap of ~$50-million. Still, theyve done what is usually reserved for the majors: Theyve secured the oil and gas rights to an entire sedimentary basin in Namibia and Botswana--both very friendly to oil exploration, with very low royalty fees (5%) and an estimated 18.2 billion barrels of oil in place.

It is the quintessential setup for the rare savvy junior. It has plans to go big on exploration, and even has the potential to be scooped up by a supermajor thats already operating in the region.

And just as exciting - one of the worlds leading Geochemists, Dan Jarvie of Worldwide Geochemistry has just put out a report on Recon Africas oil potential and he is saying there is potential for 120 billion barrels of petroleum potential on just 12% of Recon Africas holdings.

It certainly seems that promising things are going down in Namibia.

How Risky Is Oils Next Frontier?

Whether its legacies like Nigeria and Angola, or newcomers with massive potential such as Ghana, Uganda, Mozambique or Namibia, whats always kept investors away is the regulatory risk associated with these venues.

Thats exactly why Africa is, today, the next frontier for oil.

Park, who has spent years identifying and creating investor-friendly petroleum regimes around the world - from Africa to South America - says this is exactly what makes or breaks a countrys oil industry.

Overall, Park says hes disappointed that Africa has fallen so far behind.

Thats a result of states creating regimes that are complex and heavily taxed, he says. They also fail to give investors the assurances they need. Investors want to be confident that when they make a discovery, it will turn into money.

So, while Africa is definitely the place to go for resources, its not always attractive to investors.

According to Deloitte, the risks are high, and companies need to plan for everything from regulatory and policy hurdles, to problems with third-party partners and suppliers, environmental and labor issues, and overriding questions of infrastructure.

In addition to that, macro risks, such as political, security, governance, economic structural, country liquidity and currency risks also loom large.

For Park, Namibia ticked all the right boxes: good geology, good fiscal terms and a good regime. That includes a 5% royalty and a 35% corporate income tax on oil reserve profits--and, of course, the country is offering up good deals because it hasnt made any discoveries yet.

For companies who can properly navigate the risk, that risk gets smaller every day, particularly thanks to technological advancements.

Major developments over the past decade and a half open up enormous possibilities in this underexplored region.

And if parts of Africa werent on investor radar yet, they will be soon.

You probably hadnt heard of Suriname on the oil map until a couple of months ago, says Park. By the time its on everyones radar, its much less of an opportunity. Namibia, for instance, is just emerging as one of the worlds exploration hot-spots with some big wells going down this year. But for now, its a virgin opportunity.

Success with ReconAfrica's three-well programme could radically alter the value of the Company because it has all rights to the entire sedimentary basin. In all, the basin is optimally conducive to a functioning petroleum system that must be drilled, Park said.



Other companies set to win big as oil prices bounce back:

Total (NYSE:TOT)

Total is a diversified French energy company which holds to a big picture outlook across all of its endeavors. Not only has the company taken a progressive approach towards loomin climate risks, its taking into account how its operations are set to impact the worlds growing population. Thats why its receive great praise for its commitment to contributing to each of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. From diversity and societal progression and workplace safety to its commitment to reducing its own carbon footprint, the near-100 year old energy giant is checking all the right boxes for investors.

While Totals share price slipped in March along with the wider market, Totals pivot towards sustainability has helped it outperform some of its peers. Though it still maintains a major presence in the global oil and gas industry, it has made significant strides in the renewable realm, as well.

BP (NYSE:BP)

British Petroleum is another European energy giant slowly pivoting towards greener energy alternatives. BP, which has been criticized in the past as being slow and late to the environmental cause, could now leapfrog its peers. We are still a long way from Beyond Petroleum. But chief executive Bernard Looney believes that we are only 30 years from a net zero BP. He has promised that in September the company will lay out a more detailed plan that shows the path to that destination. But he has shown already that there is more to his commitment to net-zero than there was to Beyond Petroleum 20 years ago.

Renewables and natural gas together account for the great majority of the growth in primary energy. In our evolving transition scenario, 85% of new energy is lower carbon, Spencer Dale, BP group chief economist, said, commenting on the outlook to 2040.

ExxonMobile (NYSE:XOM)

Exxon is an outlier in the recent downturn in oil prices. Unlike its peers, Exxon hasnt booked major writedowns since oil prices crashed earlier this year. It also has deviated from its European peers in its lack of committing to a solid carbon target, though it is making headwinds in the fight to reduce its own emissions, especially in the race for carbon capture tech.

ExxonMobil claims to have about one-fifth of the worlds total carbon capture capacity. The company captures about 7 million tons per year of carbon. This has been in place since 1970, and the company claims to have captured more CO2 than any other company  more than 40 percent of cumulative CO2 captured.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU; TSX:SU)

Suncor Energy has adopted a number of high-tech solutions for finding, pumping, storing, and delivering its resources. Not only is it big in the oil sector, however, it is a leader in renewable energy. Recently, the company invested $300 million in a wind farm located in Alberta.

When the rebound in crude prices finally materializes, giants like Suncor are sure to do well out of it. While many of the oil majors have given up on oil sands production  those who focus on technological advancements in the area have a great long-term outlook. And that upside is further amplified by the fact that it is currently looking particularly under-valued compared to its peers.



Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ; TSX:CNQ)

Though Canadian oil has had a particularly rough go at it this year, Canadian Natural Resources, kept its dividend intact after swinging to a loss for the first half of the year, while Canada's producers are scaling back production by around 1 million bpd amid low oil prices and demand. Though Canadian Natural Resources kept its dividend, it withdrew its production guidance for 2020, however. It also said it would curtail some production at high-cost conventional projects in North America and oil sands operations and carry out planned turnaround activities at oil sands projects in the second half of 2020.

While the Canadian energy giant has seen its stock price slump this year, it could provide a potentially opportunity for investors as oil prices rebound. It is already up over 170% from its March lows, and it could still have some more room to run.

By. Sam Kennedy

**IMPORTANT! BY READING OUR CONTENT YOU EXPLICITLY AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY**

Forward-Looking Statements. Statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of Recon. All estimates and statements with respect to Recons operations, its plans and projections, oil prices, recoverable oil, production targets, production and other operating costs and likelihood of oil recoverability are forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws and necessarily involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation: risks associated with oil and gas exploration, development, exploitation and production, geological risks, marketing and transportation, availability of adequate funding, volatility of commodity prices, imprecision of reserve and resource estimates, environmental risks, competition from other producers, government regulation, dates of commencement of production and changes in the regulatory and taxation environment. Actual results may vary materially from the information provided in this document, and there is no representation that the actual results realized in the future will be the same in whole or in part as those presented herein. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements are also set forth in filings that Recon and its technical analysts have made, We undertake no obligation, except as otherwise required by law, to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Exploration for hydrocarbons is a speculative venture necessarily involving substantial risk. Recon's future success will depend on its ability to develop its current properties and on its ability to discover resources that are capable of commercial production. However, there is no assurance that Recon's future exploration and development efforts will result in the discovery or development of commercial accumulations of oil and natural gas. In addition, even if hydrocarbons are discovered, the costs of extracting and delivering the hydrocarbons to market and variations in the market price may render uneconomic any discovered deposit. Geological conditions are variable and unpredictable. Even if production is commenced from a well, the quantity of hydrocarbons produced inevitably will decline over time, and production may be adversely affected or may have to be terminated altogether if Recon encounters unforeseen geological conditions. Adverse climatic conditions at such properties may also hinder Recon's ability to carry on exploration or production activities continuously throughout any given year.

DISCLAIMERS

ADVERTISEMENT. This communication is not a recommendation to buy or sell securities. Oilprice.com, Advanced Media Solutions Ltd, and their owners, managers, employees, and assigns (collectively the Company) may in the future be paid by Recon to disseminate future communications if this communication proves effective. In this case the Company has not been paid for this article. But the potential for future compensation is a major conflict with our ability to be unbiased, more specifically:

This communication is for entertainment purposes only. Never invest purely based on our communication. We have not been compensated but may in the future be compensated to conduct investor awareness advertising and marketing for TSXV:RECO. Therefore, this communication should be viewed as a commercial advertisement only. We have not investigated the background of the company. Frequently companies profiled in our alerts experience a large increase in volume and share price during the course of investor awareness marketing, which often end as soon as the investor awareness marketing ceases. The information in our communications and on our website has not been independently verified and is not guaranteed to be correct.

SHARE OWNERSHIP. The owner of Oilprice.com owns shares of this featured company and therefore has an additional incentive to see the featured companys stock perform well. The owner of Oilprice.com will not notify the market when it decides to buy more or sell shares of this issuer in the market. The owner of Oilprice.com will be buying and selling shares of this issuer for its own profit. This is why we stress that you conduct extensive due diligence as well as seek the advice of your financial advisor or a registered broker-dealer before investing in any securities.

NOT AN INVESTMENT ADVISOR. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. ALWAYS DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH and consult with a licensed investment professional before making an investment. This communication should not be used as a basis for making any investment.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. Investing is inherently risky. Don't trade with money you can't afford to lose. This is neither a solicitation nor an offer to Buy/Sell securities. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits similar to those discussed.

Read this article on OilPrice.com
A construction tycoon and his family are soaking up the Queensland sunshine after they were granted an exemption to flee lockdown Victoria.

While the lives of other Melburnians are restricted by stage four lockdown, group executive director Mark Simonds managed to escaped the city's cold winter.

He and his entourage embarked on a 15 day sailing trip up Australia's east coast on his 30-metre long super yacht Lady Pamela.

The vessel docked at six stops along the coast before it arrived at its final destination at Gold Coast Marina on Monday morning.

The multimillionaire and six others on board were not allowed to disembark until they were tested for coronavirus by Queensland Health medical staff, who didn't arrive until late afternoon.

Simonds Group executive Mark Simonds looked very relaxed with wife Cheryl (pictured together) during their 15 day voyage along Australia's east coast on board Lady Pamela

Mr Simonds' wife Cheryl, their son, and Hannah Fox, daughter of Linfox executive chairman Peter Fox were among the six other passengers and crew.

It was initially unclear if those on board were whisked away to government-approved hotels to serve the mandatory 14-day quarantine at their own expense or whether they were granted a special exemption to self-isolate at a private property, the Age and Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The Simonds family has a Gold Coast property, while Ms Fox's family is currently renting a home in nearby Palm Beach.

It's understood an exemption to enter Queensland waters had been granted by the state's health department on Sunday night.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young told reporters on Tuesday that anyone who had been on a vessel at sea for 14 days without entering a declared hotspot was exempt from hotel quarantine.

However, she has since backflipped on the decision.

'Following further information submitted to Queensland Health, the Chief Health Officer has revoked her exemption for seven people aboard the Lady Pamela vessel,' a statement on Tuesday night read.

'All seven people are now required to quarantine in a government approved hotel for 14 days at their own expense. Attempting to bypass or manipulate Queensland's border direction is unacceptable.

It remains unclear whether members on board (several pictured) are in mandatory hotel quarantine or were granted a special exemption to isolate at a private property

A joint investigation was taken out by the Herald and A Current Affair, which is due to broadcast on Tuesday night.

A sneak preview of the show promises to reveal the 'extraordinary' reason why they were able to escape Melbourne in the middle of a second wave of new infections.

The footage shows a relaxed and carefree Mr Simonds cosying up to his wife as younger members on board lived it up.

Victorian and NSW residents are currently banned from entering Queensland as both states have been declared virus hotspots.

Lady Pamela left Melbourne on August 9 and stopped at Refuge Cove near the southernmost point of mainland Australia the next day.

Later stops included Eden and Jervis Bay on the NSW south coast, Corlette in the Hunter region north of Sydney, followed by Coffs Harbour and Yamba on the state's north coast.

Lady Pamela spent five days docked in a Yamba inlet where the Simonds family were reportedly spotted swimming in the river and drinking on board as they waited for approval to enter Queensland waters.

It's understood Queensland Police has been tracking the progress of the yacht since it departed Victoria and are now investigating any potential border restriction breaches.

'As this matter is under investigation, we would not in a position to comment,' a police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.

Lady Pamela made six stops along the east coast before arriving at their final destination

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services reiterated the public health advice for Melburnians.

'You should not be travelling interstate unless it is for a permitted reason and you must comply with the rules that your destination state or territory has in place,' the spokeswoman told The Age.

'Regardless of the mode of transport, metropolitan Melbourne stage four restrictions apply to all metropolitan Melbourne residents.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Simonds Group, Queensland Health and Victorian Health for comment.

Queensland Health medical officers (pictured third right) boarded Lady Pamela on Monday afternoon to test those on board after the vessel docked at Gold Coast Marina

Mr Simonds has worked in the construction industry for almost five decades since 1973.

He worked alongside his father Gary who founded Simonds Homes in 1949 and was engaged in the management of the business until Simonds Group Limited was listed in 2014, according to the company website.

Mr Simonds is also the deputy chairman of Simonds Consolidated, which focuses venture capital and private equity building and construction, real estate and the vocational education sector.

He and his family live in Toorak, regarded as one of Melbourne's most exclusive suburbs.
After restricting access to a popular group with posts critical of Thailands monarchy, Facebook is planning legal action against the Thai government, which the social media giant says forced it to restrict content deemed to be illegal.

On Monday, Reuters reported access to Royalist Marketplace had been blocked within Thailand. Users there who try to visit the group, which has more than a million members, now see a message that says access to it has "been restricted within Thailand pursuant to a legal request from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society."

In a media statement emailed to TechCrunch, a Facebook spokesperson said, "After careful review, Facebook has determined that we are compelled to restrict access to content which the Thai government has deemed to be illegal. Requests like this are severe, contravene international human rights law, and have a chilling effect on peoples ability to express themselves. We work to protect and defend the rights of all internet users and are preparing to legally challenge this request."

The spokesperson added, "excessive government actions like this also undermine our ability to reliably invest in Thailand, including maintaining an office, safeguarding our employees, and directly supporting businesses that rely on Facebook."

The group was started in April by Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a dissident living in self-exile in Japan, where he is an associate professor of political science at Kyoto Universitys Center for Southeast Asian Studies.

Pavin told Reuters that Royalist Marketplace "is part of the democratization process, it is a space for freedom of expression. By doing this, Facebook is cooperating with the authoritarian regime to obstruct democracy and cultivating authoritarianism in Thailand."

The geo-restriction of Royalist Marketplace comes as thousands of pro-democracy protestors in Bangkok demand reform of the monarchy, including abolition of a strict lese-majeste law that mandates prison sentences of up to 15 years for people who defame members of the monarchy.

Story continues

Pavin has been openly critical of Thailand's monarchy. In a piece published on the Council of Foreign Relations website earlier this month, Pavin wrote that "for several decades now, the supposedly constitutional monarchy of Thailand has often proven to extend its powers beyond constitutional norms and rules," intervening in politics as the current king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, established closer ties with the military.

In a 2014 New York Times opinion piece, Pavin described having a warrant issued for his arrest by the military junta that overthrew the democratically elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014. He was also attacked by a intruder in his Kyoto apparent, which Pavin believes "was a warning for my continuing to hold, and express, my positions."

The restriction of Thai users' access to Royalist Marketplace took place three weeks after Thailands Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Puttipong Punnakanta, threatened to take action against Facebook because he said it did not comply quickly enough with the governments requests to restrict content.

In 2016, Thailand enacted the Computer-Related Crime Act, which the Human Rights Watch warned "gives overly broad powers to the government to restrict free speech, enforce surveillance and censorship, and retaliate against activists."

Facebook is also under scrutiny in India, its biggest market by number of users, after The Wall Street Journal reported that Ankhi Das, the companys top public policy executive in India, had opposed applying the platforms hate-speech rules to a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modis party.
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at a party briefing (File image: Reuters)

Like most of us, I too have been scratching my head trying to make sense of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Monday. So I lost no time in buttonholing two of my most dubious so-called sources, shady characters who loudly claimed to be alleged Congress insiders and loyalists.

Me: What did you folks think of the CWC meeting?

Alleged Congressman 1: It was a masterstroke, sheer genius. It will go down in history as a turning point in the history of the party. As I said at the meeting, There is a tide in the affairs of the Congress, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.

Me: Good one. Your own?

AC1: Brutus, adapted a bit.

Me: Im not a big fan of Romans.

AC1: Sorry. We are.

Me: Your party has been losing election after election. You partymen are crossing over to the BJP in droves. You lost Madhya Pradesh and have barely held on to Rajasthan by the skin of your teeth. You havent managed to elect a full-time party president for over a year. And yet you heckle and shout down anyone who wants change. What on earth are you smoking?

Alleged Congressman 2: Malana cream, I believe.

AC1: Have you read Sun Tzus Art of War?

Me: I take strong objection to Chinese products. Except Gobi Manchurian.

AC1: Sun Tzu said, The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent. Who would have thought that we would pass up such an opportunity to set our house in order, to signal that we will emerge as a stronger, smarter party? See how we managed to take everybody by surprise, how we fooled them all.

Me: But you did nothing.

AC1: Precisely. We call it masterly drift. Weve caught our rivals completely off guard. They have no idea whats coming next. You have no objection to Japanese stuff?

AC1: Theres a Zen proverb that goes, Sitting quietly, Doing nothing/Spring comes and the grass grows/By Itself.AC2: Take the Congress Working Committee. The very name is calculated to sow confusion in the minds of its opponents.

AC1: Because while it is Congress, it is neither a committee, nor can it be accused of working.

AC2: You have no objection to America?AC2: This is actually Woody Allen. Altering what he said a bit, More than any other time in history, the Congress party faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly.AC1: Its all part of the grand strategy of spreading confusion.AC2: Should they have done it now, at a time when our leaders are in ill health and suffering?AC1: The technical term is electile dysfunction, I believe.

AC2: Also inflammation of the ego.

AC1: At a time when we are fighting against autocracy in the country, everybody needs to rally around the family.

AC1: Youre right. Rahuls men will follow him everywhere, but only out of morbid curiosity.AC2: We must cast the net wider for our leaders.AC1: Of course, were running out of junior flunkeys to blame for all our misfortunes. But we must keep it within the family.AC2: See, Sonia doesnt want to lead and Rahul cant lead.

AC1: Priyanka too has been dithering.

AC2: In the circumstances, we have to look deeper.

AC1: One place where nobody has thought to look is the next generation---Priyanka Gandhis kids. They must be in their teens by now.

AC2: They could be our secret weapons, our connection with the millennials, with Gen Z.

AC1: At the next AICC meeting, Im planning to introduce their names.

AC2: I will second the motion.

AC2: We have other options too. Rahul could have a radio show called Son ki Baat.AC1: If even that doesnt work out, he can always feed peacocks.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 08:48:24|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said that strengthening the business-to-business (B2B) ties with China is a foremost priority of his country, according to a statement from the Prime Minister Office.

Khan made the remarks on Monday while welcoming representatives of leading Chinese companies in his office, saying that Pakistan and China have shared destiny and his country attaches great importance to strengthening its relations with China.

During the meeting, Khan assured the Chinese investors that the Pakistani government is committed to providing every possible facilitation to the Chinese investors doing business in Pakistan.

The prime minister also asked the Chinese business houses to establish their regional offices in Pakistan, said the statement.

A delegation of leading Chinese companies undertaking business ventures in sectors including energy, communication, agriculture, science and technology and finance called on the prime minister.

According to the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing said on the occasion that the Pakistani government had introduced a series of policies to improve the business environment and attract investment, which greatly enhanced the interest of Chinese companies doing business in Pakistan.

China supports the enrichment of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and will encourage more Chinese companies to seek business opportunities in Pakistan to deepen the bilateral cooperation, Yao added. Enditem
Telling the uncomfortable truth about racial reconciliation and the Church's struggle to achieve it

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

In the wake of global protests over inequality and police brutality sparked by the killing of George Floyd, many American Christians and churches are now struggling to strike the right note on racial reconciliation. Some religion scholars and pastors also warn that healing cant happen without first telling the truth about the Churchs record on race.

And in a field of varied experiences, competing narratives about what racial reconciliation means, warnings against political exploitation in the search for it, claims of apathy from white congregations and fearful leaders during an election year in the middle of a pandemic, telling the truth and engaging in constructive dialogue on the issue can be difficult to do.

The Church across the United States probably reflects the rest of society  polarized, Doug Weaver, professor of Baptist Studies and director of the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University, told The Christian Post in a recent interview when asked to gauge how the Church has progressed on the issue of racial reconciliation.

I have a Ph.D. student that works with me that says we really shouldnt talk about racial reconciliation; we should talk about conciliation because the hard work of conciliation never has happened. What he says is you cant really reconcile what you never had together to begin with. And I think thats a really good insight. The Church has struggled with issues of race from the very beginning of the story of the Church in the United States.

While the concept of racial reconciliation is expressed in different ways in specific communities in the U.S., Racial Equity Tools explains that it includes public acknowledgement of racist events and crimes such as apartheid or violence against groups of color.

The process may also examine and make public the current impact of such events, as well as their historical occurrence. Individual victims can also be allowed to tell their stories for the record as one part of a healing process while individual perpetrators may also acknowledge their complicity. Formal and serious apologies are also often part of this work where victims can choose to accept or reject that apology.

The William Winters Institute for Racial Reconciliation at the University of Mississippi defines it this way: "Reconciliation involves three ideas. First, it recognizes that racism in America is both systemic and institutionalized, with far-reaching effects on both political engagement and economic opportunities for minorities. Second, reconciliation is engendered by empowering local communities through relationship-building and truth-telling. Lastly, justice is the essential component of the conciliatory process  justice that is best termed as restorative rather than retributive, while still maintaining its vital punitive character."

Weaver said he is aware of many Christian churches and groups that have been taking steps toward reconciliation through initiatives such as the New Baptist Covenant launched by former President Jimmy Carter in 2007, but believes these efforts have been limited in achieving effective reconciliation.

Theyve developed programs with white and African American churches that may be close by and in communities but have really never done much work, Weaver said.

I grew up back in the 60s and the civil rights movement  Occasionally you would have churches on a Sunday, the white church and a black church would get together. And there might be a worship service and that was certainly progress but it was limited progress, he said.

Looking at attempts at reconciliation in churches over the last 60 years, he said, much of it hasnt been good.

If we really started integrating in the 60s, you could say over the last 60 years there hasnt been a lot of good work done. Im encouraged by some of the work thats being done by people but I also am disappointed especially when you look at certain churches today that have seemed to be so polarized politically and that bleeds over into the work of the church, especially in terms of race, Weaver said.

Racial reconciliation as an issue in the church

Many churches, particularly white congregations, Weaver explained, dont see racial reconciliation as an actionable priority even though they may acknowledge that it is important.

This observation is supported by recent research from Barna, which shows that less than 30% of American churches are actively engaged in addressing racism or racial inequality even though most pastors agree that churches should oppose the social ills.

Its not that different racial groups dont think these issues [of race] arent important. Its that theres this question of how important they think it is. If you have a hierarchy of values, which ones are most important to you, I do think thats where the Church at large can be indicted, and that race has not been at the top of the list even though it should be. Churches tolerate racial discrimination, it should never be tolerated, but  history shows that, he said.

Robert P. Jones, founder and CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, argued in a recent analysis how decades of research shows that white Christians are more racist than their secular counterparts and that white Christian churches, as cultural institutions have legitimized the dominance of white supremacy. His analysis is also presented in his latest book, White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity.

A close read of history reveals that we white Christians have not just been complacent or complicit; rather, as the nation's dominant cultural power, we have constructed and sustained a project of perpetuating white supremacy that has framed the entire American story, he wrote in a recent op-ed on the book published by NBC News. The legacy of this unholy union still lives in the DNA of white Christianity today  and not just among white evangelical Protestants in the South, but also among white mainline Protestants in the Midwest and white Catholics in the Northeast.

He added: Consider the cultural context in which American Christianity, both Protestant and Catholic, was born. In the 18th and 19th centuries, as Protestant churches were springing up in newly settled territories after Native American populations were forcibly removed, it was common practice  observed, for example, at the Baptist church that was the progenitor of my parents' church in Macon, Georgia  for slaveholding whites to take enslaved people to church with them. And as late as the 1940s, urban Catholic parishes in major cities such as New York still required Black members to sit in the back pews and approach the altar last to receive the bread and wine of the Eucharist.

The George Floyd effect

In the wake of George Floyds tragic killing, Christian leaders of all stripes expressed outrage and it sparked a flurry of repentant acts of charitable giving and, activism and prayer meetings seeking forgiveness for racism.

Floyds killing also prompted President of the Southern Baptist Convention, J.D. Greear, to endorse the black lives matter movement as a Gospel issue while denouncing the organization behind it. Greears declaration attracted much criticism from many in the ranks of the SBC who conflated his support for the issue with support for the organization that also promotes a far-left agenda along with their advocacy for racial justice.

Weeks later, Pastor John Onwuchekwa, a black lead pastor of the diverse but predominantly black Cornerstone Church Atlanta, would announce that his congregation voted to leave the SBC even as the denomination highlighted data on how it was working on issues of diversity.

Onwuchekwa, who declined a request for an interview from CP, publicly raised concern on social media how differently white and black church leaders see the concept of racial reconciliation.

Id say the best way to enter into conversations is do your homework beforehand. One part is understanding that even the concept of racial reconciliation is often a majority culture concept aimed at reconciling the races. While reconciliation is the ultimate goal, so many people treat reconciliation as the pathway as if the solution is as simple as reconciling two people that have an argument, Onwuchekwa said.

While the majority culture is often concerned with racial reconciliation, minorities (who already have a ton of reconciled majority culture relationships) are concerned with something different  namely racial equality and justice. The gospel in action is needed to address these issues. And in order to understand how the gospel needs to be applied, there needs to be understanding as to what exactly is the problem. A proper diagnosis is needed, he insisted. In other words, (as stated above) before any conversation is helpful its important that both parties that come to the table are able to define the problem the same way.

Reconciling perspectives on race

Studies show significant gaps in the way people from different ethnic groups view racism. A 2016 Barna study showed, for example, that while 59% of black U.S. adults strongly disagreed that racism is a problem of the past, only 39% of white adults strongly disagreed. There was also confusion on whether the Church specifically contributed to that problem. While six in 10 U.S. adults somewhat or strongly disagreed, black Americans were nearly twice as likely as white Americans to view Christian churches as complicit.

For scholars like the Rev. Brenda Salter McNeil, associate professor of reconciliation studies in the School of Theology at Seattle Pacific University, who says she agrees with Onwuchekwas point about engagement on the issue, Christians listening to concerns about issues of racial justice in America is long overdue and she hopes the current dialogue will result in positive change.

I do think that were at a tipping point. I do think that were in the middle of what I call a catalytic event or some people call a Kairos moment. One of those kind of undeniable, life-changing moments in history where everybody regardless of how we feel about it we wont be able to not say that had an impact on us in some way shape or form, McNeil told CP.

There are certain times where whether we agree or disagree, its undeniable that this is a historic, strategic time that we are living in right now. If I had to say what I make of it, I think were living in a strategic moment in history that will become a defining moment. People will ask us, where were you? What were you writing about? Theyll be saying to me, what were you preaching about, theyll be asking the church, what did you do?

Why listening is important

It was a mild day on Oct. 29, 2015, when McNeil publicly warned more than 1,000 Christian leaders in New York City that the Black Lives Matter movements message on racial justice should not be ignored by the church after she, along with other clergy, met with some of the organizations leaders in Washington, D.C., and they complained about the churchs hypocrisy on race.

The ways we have not shown up for these young people who see us as inactive and lacking innovation. You see in every generation, there are seismic cultural shifts that wake us up to the reality that what's going on in the world around us must be paid attention to. Such is the case with the Black Lives Matter movement," McNeil said at the time during the Movement Day 2015 conference, hosted by the New York City Leadership Center at the Hilton Midtown Hotel in Manhattan.

A year earlier in 2014, protests had erupted across the United States over the police killings of Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, 43, who died tragically after he was placed in a chokehold by now former NYPD police officer Daniel Pantaleo.

The public response to their deaths catapulted the Black Lives Matter movement to national prominence. While the lack of connection to the church among those behind the movement was troubling for many conservative Christians, McNeil suggested after meeting with the groups leaders that God was using them to speak to the issue of racial reconciliation.

God's talking to these young people. And these young folks have something to say and we might not like how it's packaged, but I believe God is breaking in and saying something," she said at the time.

A biblical reconciliation

While McNeil agrees with Weaver that conciliation is a logical prerequisite for racial reconciliation, if the issue is being examined from a biblical perspective, she argues a higher level of reconciliation, at least conceptually, can be arrived at.

If conciliation has to do with what weve done historically in this country, there has not been any conciliation, therefore you cant reconcile that. But God, I think, has called us to an ideal that is not rooted in history. Its an ideal that is rooted in the Imago Dei. Its rooted in the Kingdom of God and God at the beginning said when creation was made, declared this is good, McNeil said.

We are reconciling that. We are reconciling ourselves to what weve been called to be by God and how far weve fallen from it. Thats the calling for the Church, I think, to reconcile ourselves to the call of God that all people would reach their full God-given potential. We dont do it but thats what were trying to reconcile. That for which God came, that for which God created the Church  this multiethnic, multinational, multilingual group of people who represent the Kingdom. Thats the call of reconciliation.

As many churches seek out practical ways to express racial reconciliation, McNeil explained that facilitating multiethnic churches managed the right way are a step in the right direction.

You do need to have people from diverse backgrounds together who know each other in order to have some sense of empathy for what each other experiences. So to that degree, diversity and multiethnic churches have helped to create more senses of people having connections to one another, she said.
The head of Russia's Tyva region in southern Siberia says he has been infected with coronavirus for a second time -- three months after he was first hospitalized with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Sholban Kara-Ool announced what he described as a COVID-19 reinfection in a video statement that he posted to social media on August 24.

"Yes, my compatriots, it turns out this infection may strike even twice," Kara-Ool said. "I'm back here at the hospital for infectious diseases. It's COVID-19 again. I have been infected for a second time."

Kara-Ool said the disease was different for him the second time. He said it was not affecting his lungs as it had in May, but rather, the blood vessels in his head.

"Very strong headaches. But it's no problem. I must survive," he said.

His announcement comes after scientists in Hong Kong this week reported the first confirmed case of a coronavirus reinfection -- saying a man there became ill with COVID-19 for a second time more than four months after doctors had declared he'd recovered from the disease.

Meanwhile, European virologists said on August 25 that two cases of coronavirus reinfections had also been confirmed in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Virologist Marion Koopmans, an adviser to the Dutch government, said there had been previous cases in which COVID-19 has flared up for a second time in people who've been sick with the virus a long time.

But Koopmans said a true reinfection -- as in the Dutch, Belgian, and Hong Kong cases -- requires genetic testing of the virus in both the first and second infection to determine whether the two cases differ slightly.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, NOS.nl, Interfax, and TASS
Bhubaneswar, Aug 25 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday urged the Centre to postpone the NEET and JEE exams scheduled to be held in the first fortnight of September.

In a letter to Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, the Chief Minister urged the cancellation of the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Exam (NEET) in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and also direct the National Testing Agency (NTA) to open exam centres in all 30 districts of the state.

"In view of the prevailing pandemic conditions in the country, it will be highly unsafe and perilous for the students to physically visit the test centres to appear in these tests," Patnaik said.

"Besides, as frequent lockdowns/shutdowns are enforced by district administrations concerned due to sudden spike in corona case in certain areas, transportation too gets disrupted," he added.

More than 50,000 students from Odisha are appearing in NEET and around 40,000 in JEE (Main) this year. However, the NTA has opened examination centres in only seven townships of the state.

The Chief Minister also said that Odisha has got vast tribal pockets which are in virtually inaccessible areas, far away from the urban centres in the state.

Students of such areas may be deprived of the opportunity to sit for these exams, as they will have to travel long distances to the exam centres, he added.

The NTA is scheduled to conduct the JEE (Main) and NEET 2020 for admissions to technical and medical courses from September 1-6 and on September 13 respectively.
America landed Neil Armstrong and "Buzz" Aldrin on the moon in 1969, but solving biology's mysteries is harder. (Associated Press)

President Trump's approach to the coronavirus pandemic has been rooted from the start in grand goals and grander ambitions, all to be achieved with record speed.

His administration's funding of COVID-19 vaccines is dubbed "Operation Warp Speed." As recently as Sunday, he promoted research into convalescent plasma  blood fluid taken from patients who have recovered from the virus  as "years ahead of approvals."

He added, "If we went by the speed levels of past administration, (sic) wed be two years, three years behind where we are today, and that includes in vaccines that youll be hearing about very soon, very shortly."

In human biology often as you proceed with your research, as you think you're getting closer and closer to the finish line, you begin to discover it's more and more distant. You become increasingly aware of the complexity you're dealing with."

Leigh Turner, University of Minnesota

Remarks like that "sends chills down everybody's spines," says Gregg Gonsalves, an expert on epidemiology at Yale medical school and Yale law school.

That's because Trump's rolling out a vaccine without adequate testing as an October surprise to aid his reelection would "set off a lot of confusion about whether it works," generating more vaccine skepticism among the public.

Trump's "magic bullet" approach to medicine reflects a common strain in the public's attitude toward the scientific method  the search for uncomplicated answers for what may be complex and intractable problems, and a demand for speed when safe and effective results take time.

Trump is not alone in seeing these problems that can be quickly solved if only money and willpower are brought to bear. Before Trump's Operation Warp Speed, there was the Obama administration's "Cancer Moonshot," and before that the Nixon administration's "War on Cancer."

Story continues

Both programs did augment research funding  the Moonshot was provided with $1.8 billion over seven years and the War on Cancer (specifically, the National Cancer Act of 1971) was initially funded with $1.6 billion over three years  but obviously cancer hasn't been cured. The main reason may be that the task was far more complicated and the target more elusive than enthusiasts anticipated.

The first element of these programs that misleads laypersons about the prospects of success is the terminology.

"Warp speed" and "moonshot" evoke programs like the Manhattan Project, which produced the atomic bomb in a mere three years, and the space race, which in 1969 fulfilled John F. Kennedy's 1961 objective of placing a man on the moon and returning him to Earth by the end of that decade.

Both were essentially engineering challenges; there were few doubts that the challenges could be vanquished in time, given suitable infusions of funding and manpower.

The space race occurred "in an extraordinary time with an extraordinary amount of resources put into it to achieve a finite, physical goal," says Timothy Caulfield, an expert in health law and policy at the University of Alberta and a veteran debunker of scientific hokum. "That's an exception to the reality of how science normally plays out."

Biology is more complicated  perhaps infinitely so.

"In human biology often as you proceed with your research, as you think you're getting closer and closer to the finish line, you begin to discover it's more and more distant," says Leigh Turner, a bioethicist at the University of Minnesota. "You become increasingly aware of the complexity you're dealing with."

The thirst for quick and easy solutions to difficult tasks isn't limited to science. It's the part of human nature that makes us susceptible to the lure of programs that promise to teach us a foreign language via software, or train us to win friends and influence people by pumping the secrets of success at us through our pillow while we sleep.

Never mind that learning a new language can take years of painstaking study and that if you don't have charm by the time you reach adulthood, well, you'll probably never have it.

It's also what makes us vulnerable for anecdotal or even fraudulent claims for untested nostrums such as homeopathic remedies or stem cell treatments, especially when the curative claims are directed at desperate victims of intractable diseases.

Why wait for a treatment to undergo years of tests and trials, when an alternative is available today by mail order, bearing an endorsement from Dr. Oz or Gwyneth Paltrow?

The news media and social media are often defenseless against science hype, in part because it tends to be generated by the publicity offices of respected universities.

Caulfield in 2018 reported "an upswing in the use of hyperbolic discourse and spin in research publications," with "terms such as 'breakthrough,' 'game changer,' 'miracle,' 'cure,' 'home run' and 'revolutionary' common."

That's often enough to prompt journalists to park their inherent skepticism to the side of the road when reporting researchers' claims.

Indeed, several of those terms have been sprinkled through Trump's claims for the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine, which has been discredited as a treatment for COVID-19 despite his assiduous promotion.

Just this weekend, Trump touted convalescent plasma as a "very historic breakthrough" in the battle against COVID-19. That captured the public's attention, even though experts in the field tried to warn against the hyperbole.

Pressure on regulatory agencies to approve untested disease treatments or to short-circuit customary clinical trial process can be intense, especially when the need for treatment is desperate, as in the fight against COVID-19.

New drugs normally go through three rounds of trials. In Phase 1, a group of fewer than 100 healthy volunteers receives the drug to identify possible side effects. In Phase 2, a few hundred patients with the target condition are recruited for further assessment of side effects and efficacy, including possible dosing protocols.

Then comes Phase 3, in which as many as tens of thousands of subjects receive the drug to validate its effectiveness and risk in comparison with its effect on an equivalent group given a placebo, with the two groups administered the drug or placebo randomly. That's the gold standard of clinical testing.

The problem with cutting corners in clinical trials is that the results of each phase can be deceptive.

The FDA, in a report dated January 2017 and obviously prepared before Trump's inauguration, listed 22 cases in which new drugs were deemed promising in Phase 2 trials but failed in Phase 3.

They included 15 cases in which the drug turned out to be ineffective in treating the target disease, one in which the drug was deemed unsafe and six in which it was deemed both unsafe and ineffective. In the latter cases, the drug turned out to have side effects that hadn't been caught in the smaller Phase 2 trials.

The report was written to caution against what the FDA termed a "growing interest in exploring alternatives to requiring Phase 3 testing before product approval." It covered drugs that had been developed to treat heart conditions, diabetes, depression and the effects of HIV, among other ailments.

Hype has become an inextricable part of science because it can generate millions of dollars of support. Consider the 2004 campaign to pass Proposition 71, which created the $3-billion California stem cell program (known formally as the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, or CIRM).

As I've reported before, the measure was sold to a gullible public via candy-coated images of Christopher Reeve walking again and Michael J. Fox cured of Parkinsons.

The hype got the proposition passed, but CIRM has struggled ever since to live up to promises that it has been unable to deliver. That could be a burden this election season, when CIRM is seeking an additional $5.5 billion from voters and will have to explain why all the cures it predicted haven't materialized.

"That still might be a worthwhile public investment," Turner observes, adding that the research actually funded by CIRM has been conducted along responsible scientific lines. "But you have this disconnect between what's used to float the entire enterprise, and what the actual results are."

Biomedical "moonshots" and "wars" "are characterized as so important and promising that they should be treated differently by regulators and are sometimes tested in patients prematurely," says Paul Knoepfler, a stem cell biologist at UC Davis who keeps a careful eye on unwarranted claims for stem cell "cures" and signs of political pressure on regulators. "In fact, such experimental therapies are often not ready for prime time."

The siren call of easy medical fixes is both the product and the cause of our resistance to giving long-term resources to more effective programs, such as "investments in public health and preventive care," says Gonsalves.

"We know that 55,000 jobs in public health have been lost over the past decade," Gonsalves adds. "We've made long-term disinvestments in local and state public health which are coming back to bite us now. Social safety net programs have seen a slow death by a thousand cuts since the Eighties."

Because we're not even willing to invest in things we could afford to undertake  expanded testing, contract tracing of infected individuals, providing protective gear for healthcare personnel  "we're grasping for magic bullets like hydroxychloroquine and convalescent plasma."

The critical need for a remedy for COVID-19 demands more care, not more haste. What's most troubling about the variety of hype in science today is that in this time of crisis, it's being generated not by self-interested scientists, but self-interested politicians like Trump. Never has the need for good scientific research been more urgent, and never has it been under greater attack.
Notice has been issued to nearly two dozen private schools across Noida and Greater Noida for alleged non-compliance of the Right to Education (RTE) Act and denying admission to economically weaker students, officials said Monday.

As many as 6,261 children had applied for benefits under RTE Act, a central law that mandates free and compulsory education to every child aged 6-14, in this session in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, the officials said.

Of the total applicants, 3,717 of them were allotted schools through an online lottery system but only 952 of these children have got admission so far, Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Dhirendra Kumar said, citing complaint from parents over non-implementation of the law.

The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration has also appointed a six-member committee to follow up the matter in their areas, according to an order issued by the BSA. This is the second time the Gautam Buddh Nagar districts education department has issued notice to private schools over non-implementation of the RTE. Earlier 58 private schools were issued notice, Kumar stated.

On Monday, notices were issued to 22 schools for the second time. Action as per rules will be taken against the schools which do not allow admission to children allotted to them under the RTA quota, he stated in the order.

A team of education department also visited two private schools to inspect the implementation of the RTE Act there, he added.
(TNS)  A state program that has provided free wireless hot spots to 26 rural Western Massachusetts communities that lack high-speed Internet has been extended to the end of the year.The program designed to help people who are working and going to school remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic began in April and was slated to end in September. The program has now been extended through the end of the year, according to officials from Gov. Charlie Bakers office.The program is run by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech and KCST USA, operator of the state-owned MassBroadband 123 fiber optic network. The hot spots offer 250 megabit per second wireless connections free to towns and residents. The sites were connected with the support of the regional service providers AccessPlus, Crocker Communications, and Westfield Gas and Electric , officials said.Each site will provide residents with instructions on how to access the hot spots. People using them are urged to follow social distancing guidelines by staying at least six feet from anyone else. More information about the program is available on the MassTech website at https://broadband.masstech.org/wifi Officials meanwhile continue to extend permanent high-speed broadband to rural communities. Services have been added to 21 of the 53 communities identified and 11 additional communities should have service by the end of 2020.
The student had perfect scores on the first two tests in Michele Kerrs math class, offered virtually this summer because of the coronavirus. But, in just a few minutes of one-on-one conversation during her online office hours, Kerr noticed he struggled to grasp the material.

Kerr quickly figured out what was going on. You cheated on those tests, she told the student. He admitted she was right.

Kerr, who teaches math and engineering in Californias Fremont Unified School District, is always on the lookout for academic dishonesty. But she and her colleagues across the country are on heightened alert now that the coronavirus has forced thousands of schools to offer more virtual learning experiences than ever before.

I expect cheating to go up in this new environment and I expect that it will have negative effects long term on how much students learn in their classes, said Arnold Glass, a professor of psychology at Rutgers University who has done research on the impact cheating has on learning.

Already, some teachers have reported that grades were higher this spring, when many schools went online only, and wondered if cheating could be at least partly the reason.

Here are 4 tips for discouraging and preventing student cheating:

Tip #1: Emphasize Critical Thinking and Inquiry

A big part of the solution, educators and experts say: Give assessments and assignments that require students to analyze information, craft creative presentations, or explain their thinking.

If you are developing critical thinking and inquiry-based activities that frankly require kids to think and apply their learning, youre not going to have cheating, because you cant cheat on that, you really cant, said Michelle Pearson, who teaches social studies at Century Middle School in the Adams 12 school district in Thornton, Colo.

On the other hand, answers that can be easily found on a cellphone, for assignments like multiple choice and fill in the blank stuff, [thats] not necessarily higher-level thinking that should be in a final assessment, she said.

Its possible to offer creative, cheating-proof lessons even in a remote learning environment, Pearson said. For instance, last spring, when her district shifted to all-virtual schooling, she asked students to research one of nearly 300 historical sites and create a presentation explaining its significance to westward expansion.

Tip #2: Create a Classroom Culture That Discourages Cheating

Some educators are trying to create a classroom culture that discourages cheating and dishonesty, even if its in an online environment.

Teachers at Oriole Park Elementary School in Chicago have been trying to help students understand that assignments and tests are about figuring how best to help them learn. That means starting the school year talking less about grades, and more about: we want to know how you can get the most out of your education here, said Emily Hogan, who teaches 1st grade.

Hogans colleagues have also brainstormed creating an honor code for their classes that focuses on academic honesty.

We are talking about character and what character is comprised of and how they can be a good person when nobody is watching, she said. Such conversations are necessary because it would be impossible to cut off all avenues to cheating. Theres no way we can micro-manage them, Hogan said.

That approach can work for older students, too.

Kristin Record, who teaches physics at Bunnell High School in Stratford, Conn., plans to address the cheating issue more directly than in the past.

My plan is to be a little more overt than usual, she said, given how easy it is to cheat in a virtual environment. Shell tell students, Lets be real with each other now, obviously you can take a picture of your work and text it to your friend. What do you gain by doing this? What do you lose by doing this? Whats your motivation for doing it?

Students in Records class can receive college credit for their work, either through Advanced Placement or a dual enrollment agreement with the University of Connecticut. Shell remind them that the consequences for cheating in high schoolsay, getting a zero on an assignmentpale in comparison to the consequences of cheating in college, where students can be suspended or expelled from school.

Tip #3: Use Peer Feedback, Daily Assignments

Allowing students to assess each others work is another good way to cut down on cheating, said Pearson, the Colorado teacher. Thats something thats a hallmark of her classroom, both in person and now online.

I work diligently to really create a community network of peer feedback, where kids are giving direct feedback to each other, they are critically thinking about what their partners are writing, she said. When you have peers evaluate peers, it reduces [cheating] tremendously because they are held accountable to their buddies.

Kerr also recommends getting a good sense of what students know by asking them to turn in their classwork daily. That wasnt as necessary when her district went all-remote in the spring. I knew my kids and could tell who was cheating, she said. But it will help when she has a new crop of students.

Tip #4: Have Students Turn on Their Computer Cameras

Technology tools can also help cut down on the temptation to cheat.

For instance, Kerr requires her students to turn their computer cameras on during tests and quizzes. And she disables the chat function in Zoom so that the class can only communicate with her, not each other.

Jacob Ryckman, who teaches English and English as a Second Language in the Plano Independent School District in northwest Texas, says some of his colleagues use software, available on Googles Chromebook, that allows teachers to get a glimpse of their students computer monitors.

Google classroom lets teachers create a quiz or assignment that must be completed in a certain time frame. And it permits teachers to change settings so that students cant open any other windows, making it tougher for kids to pull off a quick search.

But, of course, students could still look things up on their phones or other devices.

Especially when kids are working remotely, theres no 100 percent fail-safe [strategy], Ryckman said.
Advertisement

Authorities in Kenosha, Wisconsin, were on Tuesday readying for a third night of violence after arsonists torched much of the city's black business district following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Smoke billowed over central Kenosha after police in riot gear clashed with protesters who defied a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Monday night and into Tuesday morning. Officials announced Tuesday afternoon they would be enforcing another curfew from 8pm on Tuesday until 7am Wednesday for the area east of I-94.

The Wisconsin city became the nation's latest flashpoint in a summer of racial unrest after the police shooting black man Jacob Blake, 29, in the back Sunday. The shooting occurred three months after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and racism.

Gov. Tony Evers signed an order declaring a state of emergency Tuesday, calling on increased help from the Wisconsin National Guard. The Democrat warned: 'We cannot forget the reason why these protests began, and what we have seen play out over the last two nights and many nights this year is the pain, anguish, and exhaustion of being Black in our state and country.

'But as I said yesterday, and as I'll reiterate today, everyone should be able to exercise their fundamental rightwhether a protester or member of the presspeacefully and safely. We cannot allow the cycle of systemic racism and injustice to continue. We also cannot continue going down this path of damage and destruction.'

A city block was cordoned off Tuesday, so officials could survey damage. Several storefronts were badly damaged. Smoke filled the air and visibility was low as firefighters used water cannons on still smoldering buildings.

Kenosha County Board of Supervisors member Zach Rodriguez said the board would hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday on seeking federal help, such as U.S. Marshals Service officers, to quell the unrest after some 300 rioters looted businesses and set fire to buildings overnight.

Essentially, our city was burned to the ground, building by building,' Rodriguez told Reuters. 'Enough is enough.'

It is thought that the city, which is home to around 100,000 people, has so far lost a mattress store, church, Mexican restaurant and a cellphone shop in the raging fires, according to witnesses. Dozens of cars, traffic lights and windows have also been smashed by looters.

One of the buildings destroyed was the Wisconsin Department of Corrections' probation and parole office. Most staff had already transitioned to working remotely, and all essential operations are continuing, said department spokeswoman Anna Neal.

A drone photo shows an aerial view of the State of Wisconsin Department of Correction and its surroundings

Volunteers clean up department of corrections building Tuesday. The building was burned during protests sparked by the shooting of Jacob Blake by a Kenosha Police

Firefighters battle blazes into the mid morning Tuesday; Smoke billowed over central Kenosha after police in riot gear clashed with protesters who defied a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Monday night and into Tuesday morning

Volunteers clean up a department of corrections building Tuesday; The Wisconsin city became the nation's latest flashpoint in a summer of racial unrest after the police shooting black man Jacob Blake, 29, in the back Sunday

Authorities in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday were readying for a third night of violence after arsonists torched much of the city's black business district following the police shooting of Jacob Blake

A worker tries to remove spray paint from a wall after protests the night before on Tuesday; Officials announced Tuesday afternoon they would be enforcing another curfew from 8pm on Tuesday until 7am Wednesday for the area east of I-94

Angela Martin helps to clean up a department of corrections building Tuesday; Gov. Tony Evers signed an order declaring a state of emergency Tuesday, calling on the continued help of the Wisconsin National Guard

A city block was cordoned off Tuesday, so officials could survey damage. Several storefronts were badly damaged. Smoke filled the air and visibility was low as firefighters used water cannons on still smoldering buildings

In this September 2019 selfie photo taken in Evanston, Ill., Adria-Joi Watkins poses with her second cousin Jacob Blake. He is recovering from being shot multiple times by Kenosha police

Blake, 29, remained in intensive care following surgery and would require more operations, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Blake family, told ABC News on Tuesday.

Blake's father told the Chicago Sun-Times his son was paralyzed from the waist down.

Firefighters from about 30 fire departments around the region came to Kenosha to help put out the blazes across swaths of the city.

'Nobody deserves this,' said Pat Oertle, owner of Computer Adventure. Computers were stolen, and the store was 'destroyed,' she said.

'This accomplishes nothing,' Oertle said.

'This is not justice that they're looking for.'

Black Lives Matter activists are demanding the immediate firing or arrest of the Kenosha officers, who have been placed on administrative leave.

Hours into Monday night's curfew, the mostly peaceful demonstration turned violent, with some protesters setting off fireworks.

Local police, who had support from National Guard troops, fired tear gas, rubber bullets and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd, which grew to several hundred, according to protester Porche Bennett, 31, of Kenosha.

Protesters set fire to buildings, cars and dumpsters, threw bottles and shot fireworks and then clashed with officers in riot gear, including 125 members of the Wisconsin National Guard, who deployed tear gas as they guarded the courthouse.

A drone photo shows an aerial view of the auto dealership and its surroundings following the protests held for shooting of a black man by police officer in Kenosha

drone photo shows an aerial view of the furniture store. 'Nobody deserves this,' said Pat Oertle, owner of Computer Adventure. Computers were stolen, and the store was 'destroyed,' she said

It is thought that the city, which is home to around 100,000 people, has so far lost a mattress store, church, Mexican restaurant and a cellphone shop in the raging fires, according to witnesses

Protesters set fire to buildings, cars and dumpsters, threw bottles and shot fireworks and then clashed with officers in riot gear, including 125 members of the Wisconsin National Guard, who deployed tear gas as they guarded the courthouse

Dozens of cars, traffic lights and windows have also been smashed by looters. Protesters converged on the county courthouse during a second night of clashes after the police shooting of Jacob Blake

The shooting occurred three months after the death of George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis who was pinned to the street under the knee of a white police officer, sparking nationwide protests against police brutality and racism in the US

A pedestrian walks past some burned out cars after earlier protests Tuesday. Firefighters from about 30 fire departments around the region came to Kenosha to help put out the blazes across swaths of the city

Hours into Monday night's curfew, the mostly peaceful demonstration turned violent, with some protesters setting off fireworks. Local police, who had support from National Guard troops, fired tear gas, rubber bullets and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd, which grew to several hundred, according to protester Porche Bennett, 31, of Kenosha

A citizen delivers water as firefighters battle blazes into the mid morning Tuesday. Video shows the officer grabbing Blake by his t-shirt from behind as he tried to get in his car, and then shooting him seven times in the back at pointblank range

People watch as a burnt building is being torn down, following the unrest between police and demonstrators

There is no police body-cam footage of the Blake shooting as it was previously decided by city and law enforcement leaders that the devices cost too much to provide them to officers.

But a mobile phone clip of the incident went viral on social media on Sunday, igniting widespread outrage three months after the death of George Floyd.

The shooting drew condemnation from Gov. Evers, who on Monday called out 125 members of the National Guard after protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear the previous night.

Police first fired tear gas Monday about 30 minutes after the 8pm curfew took effect to disperse protesters who chanted, 'No justice, no peace' as they confronted a line of officers who wore protective gear and stood shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the courthouse entrance.

But hundreds of people stuck around, screaming at police and lighting fires, including to a garbage truck near the courthouse.

A city garbage truck burns during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officers, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Buildings were engulfed in flames as protestors continued to run riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, for a second night of defiance

An American flag flies over a department of correction building that was lit on fire in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Protesters took turns posing in front of a burning garbage truck during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake by police officers

Law enforcement officers face angry crowds during a second night of unrest in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake

Protesters come face to face with police clad in riot gear in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

The images above show the moments leading up to the shooting. Blake (seen in the white shirt) walks away from a police officer who has his gun drawn and is ordering him to stop

Meanwhile, details have emerged about Blake's criminal past, including a recent arrest for sexual assault.

According to online records, Kenosha County prosecutors charged Blake with third-degree sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse. It was unclear whether that case had anything to do with the shooting.

In 2015, Blake was also charged with resisting arrest and carrying a concealed weapon after he pulled a gun at a local bar in Racine.

Police in the former auto manufacturing center of 100,000 people midway between Milwaukee and Chicago said they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute when they encountered Blake on Sunday.

They did not say whether Blake was armed or why police opened fire, they released no details on the dispute, and they did not immediately disclose the race of the three officers at the scene.

The man who said he made the cellphone video, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, 'Drop the knife! Drop the knife!' before the gunfire erupted. He said he didn't see a knife in Blake's hands.

The governor said he has seen no information to suggest Blake had a knife or other weapon, but that the case is still being investigated by the state Justice Department. The officers were placed on administrative leave, standard practice in a shooting by police. Authorities released no details about the officers and did not immediately respond to requests for their service records.

Tensions had flared anew earlier Monday after a news conference with Kenosha Mayor John Antarmian, originally to be held in a park, was moved inside the city's public safety building.

Hundreds of protesters rushed to the building and a door was snapped off its hinges before police in riot gear pepper-sprayed the crowd, which included a photographer from The Associated Press.

Demonstrators throw tear gas back at law enforcement on August 24. Hours into the curfew, the mostly peaceful demonstration turned violent. Commercial and government buildings were set ablaze, along with vehicles in car dealership lots

Security forces stand guard in front of the courthouse Monday following the shooting of a black man by police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Blake, 29, was listed in stable condition following surgery, his father told news media on Monday. His three young sons witnessed the shooting from just a few feet away while sitting in their car, according to the family attorney, Ben Crump.

Video of the encounter taken by an onlooker showed Blake walking toward the driver's side of a gray SUV followed by two officers with their guns drawn at his back.

Seven gunshots are then heard as Blake, who appears unarmed, opens the car door and a woman nearby jumps up and down in disbelief.

It was unknown whether the officers saw something inside the vehicle that prompted them to shoot Blake. It was also not clear whether one or both officers opened fire.

Attorney Crump, who also has represented Floyd's family, said in a statement that Blake had been trying to de-escalate a domestic incident when the officers first shot him with a stun gun.

'As he was walking away to check on his children, police fired their weapons several times into his back at point-blank range,' Crump said.

The officers involved were placed on administrative leave while the investigation is underway, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said on Monday.

REVEALED: Jacob Blake, 29, is paralyzed from waist down and has 'eight holes in his body', claims his father, after being shot in back by Wisconsin cops in front of his three sons - as new footage shows him brawling with police before shooting

Jacob Blake, the black man shot in the back by Wisonsin police as his three young sons watched on, is now paralyzed from the waist down after his body was riddled with bullets, his father says.

Blake's father, who is also named Jacob Blake, told the Chicago Sun-Times that his 29-year-old son now has 'eight holes' in his body after being gunned down by police in Kenosha on Sunday evening.

The elder Blake said his son is paralyzed from the waist down but doctors do not yet know if the paralysis will be permanent.

Blake is now in a stable condition in hospital after undergoing surgery.

It comes after the emergence of a second video, which was taken from a different angle to the initial cellphone footage, that appears to show Blake wrestling with officers in the lead up to the shooting.

Both videos capture Blake walking to the driver's side of his SUV and opening the door when the officer started shooting.

Jacob Blake, the black man shot in the back by Wisonsin police on Sunday as his three young sons watched on, is now paralyzed from the waist down after his body was riddled with bullets, his father says. Blake is pictured above being treated just moments after the shooting

The police shooting of Blake in front of his three young sons has led to two nights of violent unrest in the city that is located between Milwaukee and Chicago

Blake's father said he learned Sunday night that officers had shot his son and that he saw the now-viral cellphone video of the incident online just a few minutes later. Blake's father is driving from Charlotte, North Carolina to Wisconsin to be by his son's side in hospital.

'What justified all those shots?' his father said. 'What justified doing that in front of my grandsons? What are we doing?

'I want to put my hand on my son's cheek and kiss him on his forehead, and then I'll be OK. I'll kiss him with my mask. The first thing I want to do is touch my son.'

After the first video went viral on social media, a second cellphone video emerged that appeared to show Blake wrestling with at least two officers beside the SUV prior to the shooting.

Blake managed to break free and was shown in the video walking to the driver's side of his SUV.

Both videos show the moment Blake walked from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door while officers followed him with their guns pointed as they shouted at him.

As Blake opened the door and leaned into the SUV where his three children - aged 8, 5 and 3 - were, an officer grabbed his shirt from behind and opened fire while Blake had his back turned. At least seven shots could be heard.

The officers involved have since been placed on administrative leave, which is standard practice in a shooting by police. Authorities released no details about the officers.

Kenosha police do not have body cameras but do have body microphones.

A second cellphone video that emerged later appeared to show Blake wrestling with two officers beside the SUV prior to the shooting

Blake and at least two officers were filmed wrestling with each other on the pavement near his SUV, according to this second video

The man who said he made the initial cellphone video, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell: 'Drop the knife! Drop the knife!' before the gunfire erupted. He said he didn't see a knife in Blake's hands.

White said that before the gunfire, he looked out his window and saw six or seven women shouting at each other on the sidewalk.

A few moments later, Blake drove up in his SUV and told his son, who was standing nearby, to get in the vehicle, according to White. White said Blake did not say anything to the women.

White said he left the window for a few minutes, and when he came back, saw three officers wrestling with Blake. One punched Blake in the ribs, and another used a stun gun on him, White said. He said Blake got free and started walking away as officers yelled about a knife.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Blake's family, said Blake was 'simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident.'

Police did not immediately confirm either man's account. They did say, however, confirm they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute when they encountered Blake.
The Biogen conference in Boston that became a major site of coronavirus transmission in February is likely the source of roughly 20,000 infections in the Greater Boston Area, researchers involved in a new study told the Boston Globe.

The study, which has yet to be published, analyzed the genetic makeup of 772 COVID viruses from around region, including all confirmed cases during the first week of the outbreak, in an effort to tell a story of how infections spread earlier in the pandemic. Researchers from numerous organizations, including the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, among others, took part in the study.

Our results highlight the failure of measures to prevent importation into MA early in the outbreak, underscore the role of superspreading in amplifying an outbreak in a major urban area, and lay a foundation for contact tracing informed by genetic data, researchers said.

The scientists used viral samples collected by the Department of Public Health between Jan. 29 and April 18, and samples from by the Massachusetts General Hospital between March 4 and May 9. They found that there were more than 80 unique genomes of virus that had been imported from other parts of the world infecting Massachusetts residents.

But one virus, which accounted for roughly 35% of the cases the scientists studied, was traced back to the Biogen conference at the Marriott Long Wharf. Of the 175 people who attended the Cambridge-based biotech companys meeting from Feb. 26 to Feb. 27, more than 100 later tested positive for the viral infection.

Based on the results of the study, researchers now believe the meeting had an even larger impact on the spread of the virus.

Im confident that the scale for measuring this event is in the tens of thousands, Dr. Jacob Lemieux, an infectious disease doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital, told the Globe.

Related Content:
EAST MEADOW, N.Y., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- John Zaso, DO, FAAP, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Pediatrician for his outstanding contributions in the field of Medicine and acknowledgment of his devotion to patient-centered care at his Private Practice.

Situated at 611 Merrick Avenue, board-certified pediatrician Dr. Zaso is dedicated to offering top pediatric services in Nassau County. Throughout his acclaimed career, he has garnered 30 years of professional experience as a physician and gained extensive experience in private practice for 28 years. Highly regarded by his patients and peers, he was selected for the Patients' Choice Award in 2011 and Physician of Excellence.



Among his professional experiences, Dr. Zaso also serves as a clinical assistant professor at Hofstra University Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine. Highly in demand, he maintains hospital appointments with NYU Winthrop, North Shore University Hospital, and Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Med Center.



To prepare for his career, Dr. Zaso attended the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine for a Doctorate of Medicine. Then, he went on to complete a residency and a fellowship at SUNY at Stonybrook. Following training, he gained board certification from the American Board of Pediatrics. With a commitment to excellence, Dr. Zaso is also board-certified in Emergency Medical Services.



To stay up-to-date with the latest developments in pediatrics, Dr. Zaso is a Medical Consultant for News 12 Networks and serves as a member of the Nassau County Department of Health, Medical Society of the State of New York, and National Association of EMS Physicians. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.



Dr. Zaso dedicates this recognition to Dr. Paul Twist.



Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Alaska Psychiatric Institute is addressing challenges including the onset of the coronavirus after ending a partnership with a private company that was meant to stabilize Alaskas sole psychiatric hospital.

The state severed ties with Wellpath Recovery Solutions in June after hiring the company in 2019 to help overcome hospital dysfunction including a threat to its major federal funding sources, The Anchorage Daily News reported Sunday.

The Department of Health and Social Services ended the contract with Tennessee-based Wellpath when the need for its services decreased, spokesman Clint Bennett said in an email.

The institute has made progress but is functioning with fewer patients than the 80 for which it is designed, while contending with operating during the pandemic, officials said.

The hospital currently has about 260 filled staff positions and 50 patients, officials said.

Alaskas initial contract with Wellpath in February 2019 included $1 million per month to stabilize the institute on an emergency basis, and then paying $43 million per year to operate the hospital at its 80-bed capacity.

The plan met backlash from critics of Wellpaths roots in the private prison industry and scrutiny over the no-bid contract. The state cancelled the long-term contract and progressively decreased the amount, ultimately paying $12.25 million over 18 months.

The health and social services department credits Wellpath with assisting the hospital in keeping its accreditation.

Officials also note achievements including a new nurse training internship, a modest decrease in staff turnover, improvements in patient care quality and filling key vacant positions.

Randall Burns, a former institute CEO and director of the state Division of Behavioral Health, said knowing how policymakers prioritize mental health care now is difficult.

I understand that the pandemic requires real focus on COVID-19, Burns said. But it does not change the need for behavioural health treatment. And those with chronic mental illness have not gone away.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some  especially older adults and people with existing health problems  it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
Ghislaine Maxwell attends day 1 of the 4th Annual WIE Symposium at Center 548 on September 20, 2013 in New York City.

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell on Tuesday lost her bid to be transferred from solitary confinement into the general inmate population of the Brooklyn jail where she is being held on charges of abetting Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse of underage girls.

Manhattan federal court Judge Alison Nathan also denied a request by Maxwell's lawyers to order that the U.S. Bureau of Prisons monitor her in the same manner that the agency monitors other detainees in that jail.

Maxwell's lawyers have argued that her ability to prepare for trial is being hampered by the fact that she is being held under strict restrictions, which include being closely watched by, among other people, BOP psychologists.

Nathan, in her denial Tuesday, wrote that Maxwell "has provided the Court with no evidence, and no reason to believe, that the surveillance measures are motivated by improper purposes."

Nathan also rejected a request by defense lawyers that prosecutors be forced to disclose the identities of three women whose claims of being abused by Epstein after Maxwell recruited them as underage girls form the basis of the pending criminal charges against her.

The judge said that that request for disclosure was "premature" in the case, which is scheduled to go to trial next year.

Maxwell, 58, is being held without bail on charges related to her alleged recruitment and grooming of girls to be sexually abused by the wealthy money manager Epstein, sometimes with her participation, at multiple locations in the mid-1990s.

One of the alleged victims was just 14 years old at the time she was recruited.

Maxwell also is charged with perjury for allegedly falsely denying while under oath for depositions in a civil lawsuit her alleged conduct as his procurer.

She was arrested in early July at a million-dollar hideaway in New Hampshire on the charges, which were filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.

Maxwell has pleaded not guilty in the case, which has drawn worldwide attention for, among other things, Maxwell's and Epstein's past friendships with Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, as well as with Prince Andrew and other celebrities.
Health authorities have declared Africa free of the wild polio virus after decades of efforts, a major step in the campaign to eradicate the crippling viral disease worldwide.

Tuesdays historic announcement by the African Regional Certification Commission for Polio Eradication during a World Health Organization (WHO) event came four years after the continents last case was reported in northern Nigeria.

The commission, an independent body, confirmed that all 47 countries in the WHOs Africa region have eradicated the disease that attacks the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within hours.

The news was hailed by health experts, who also urged continued vigilance over the still-existing threat posed by polio vaccine-derived outbreaks in more than a dozen countries.

200824140003697

This is one of the greatest achievements in public health history, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus co-wrote in an opinion piece published in Al Jazeera.

Delivering polio vaccines to every child in the African region and wiping out the wild virus is no small feat, and the human resources, skills and experience gained in the process leave behind a legacy in how to tackle diseases and reach the poorest and most marginalised communities with lifesaving services, Tedros and Holger Knaack, president of Rotary International, wrote.

Take lessons learned

Matshidiso Moeti, the WHOs Africa director, called for a continuation in the efforts to protect children across the continent against all forms of polio and other childhood diseases.

She added: We must take the lessons learned and best practices from eradicating wild polio virus to achieve Africas other public health goals and improve healthcare for all Africans.

Big day for my African brothers & sisters  our continent will be declared #polio-free. This is one of the greatest public health achievements, demonstrating that with science & solidarity we can beat viruses & save lives. https://t.co/JhijcErtwM  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) August 25, 2020

However, the declaration does not mean Africa is polio free. Cases remain of the so-called vaccine-derived polio virus, which is a rare mutated form of the weakened but live virus contained in the oral polio vaccine.

That mutated virus can spark crippling polio outbreaks, and 16 African countries are currently experiencing one.

Todays celebration must be tempered by the expanding scope of outbreaks of vaccine-derived polio and the broader impact related to coronavirus, said Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance as reported by WHO Africa on Twitter.

Dr Seth Berkley, CEO @gavi: "Todays celebration must be tempered by the expanding scope of outbreaks of vaccine-derived polio & the broader impact related to #COVID19." #PolioFree #africakicksoutwildpolio #RC70AFRO pic.twitter.com/kci0UnRblV  WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) August 25, 2020

Globally, wild polio case numbers have been cut drastically due to national and regional immunisation for babies and children. The disease remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, however.

Until wild polio virus is eradicated everywhere, its still a risk everywhere, Michael Galway, a polio expert at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, told Reuters news agency, urging continued vigilance.

Theres nothing that prevents the virus from making the route from Pakistan and Afghanistan to Africa, he said.

Despite the existing threats, the news brought a glimpse of hope as Africa is still struggling with the coronavirus pandemic, an Ebola outbreak in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the persistent deadly challenges of malaria, HIV and tuberculosis.

The WHO says this is just the second time a virus has been eradicated in Africa, after the elimination of smallpox 40 years ago.

The final push to combat the wild polio virus focused largely on northern Nigeria. To achieve Tuesdays milestone, health experts had to overcome many challenges including convincing communities about vaccination.

In 2003-2004 in Nigeria there were rumours and disinformation that this vaccine would cause HIV or infertility, Pascal Mkanda, Polio Eradication programme coordinator for the WHOs African Region, explained to Al Jazeera.

And just when we thought we had dispersed the rumours, the insecurity issue came up, he said, referring to an armed campaign launched by the Boko Haram group in 2009.

We had to come up with ways to try to vaccinate very quickly in those areas before the vaccinators could be attacked, said Mkanda, adding that in certain cases, the military would have to escort healthcare workers or learn how to administer the vaccine themselves.

The challenge was inaccessibility; how you deliver vaccines in hard-to-reach areas; how you gain the trust of those who need the vaccine, Anis Siddique of the United Nations Childrens Fund told Al Jazeera.

Health workers at times carried out vaccinations on the margins of the insecurity, putting their lives at risk.

Tunji Funsho, chairman of Rotary Internationals Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, underlined the great efforts and sacrifices made by health workers.

We did not accomplish this alone. Tens of 1000s of health workers have dedicated their lives to fighting polio throughout Africa, Funsho said on Twitter.

Dr Tunji Funsho, Chairman, @dr_funsho @PolioPlusNG Committee @Rotary: "We did not accomplish this alone. Tens of 1000s of health workers have dedicated their lives to fighting polio throughout Africa." #poliofree #africakicksoutwildpolio #RC70AFRO pic.twitter.com/k8SNMi3jER  WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) August 25, 2020

In 2015, Nigeria had been removed from the global list of polio-endemic nations, a step towards being declared polio free, but new cases were reported a year later in children in the north  a stark example of the difficulties in combating the disease.

Health authorities have warned that the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted vaccination work in many countries across Africa, leaving more children vulnerable to infection.

In April, WHO and its partners reluctantly recommended a temporary halt to mass polio immunisation campaigns, recognising the move could lead to a resurgence of the disease. In May, they reported that 46 campaigns to vaccinate children against polio had been suspended in 38 countries, mostly in Africa, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Eradicating polio requires more than 90 percent of children being immunised, typically in mass campaigns involving millions of health workers  campaigns that would break physical distancing guidelines needed to stop the spread of COVID-19.
British industrial software provider Aveva Group is buying SoftBank-backed peer OSIsoft for an enterprise value of $5 billion, it said on Tuesday, as it seeks to expand its services with the California-based firms PI system.

Industrial companies have been incorporating more software into their manufacturing to cut costs and improve their supply chains, benefiting providers such as Cambridge-based Aveva, a member of Britains FTSE 100 index of leading shares.

Aveva said it plans a rights issue amounting to about $3.5 billion to help fund the purchase of OSIsoft, which makes software that captures data from ships, chemical boilers, power plants and other facilities in industries including oil and gas, mining, pulp and paper and water.

The acquisition of OSIsoft  will accelerate the Enlarged Groups role in the digitisation of the industrial world, which is being driven by a need for sustainability, the industrial internet of things, Cloud, data visualisation and artificial intelligence," Avevas Chief Executive Craig Hayman said.

Avevas last major deal was three years ago when Frances Schneider Electric took a 60% stake in the company.

Shares in Aveva were up 3% in early trade and Aveva said Schneider Electric has committed to vote in favour of the deal and take part in the rights issue.

The British company said it would fund the deal using a combination of rights issues, cash on balance sheet and new debt, as well as issue shares to one of OSIsofts shareholders, Estudillo.

OSIsofts PI system, which collects, analyses and shares data from multiple sources, will be established as a business unit of the enlarged company, Aveva said.

The deal is expected to close at the end of the year.

Avevas pretax profit rose 22% on an adjusted basis in the financial year that ended in March but its share price fell 5.5% this year by Mondays close after it warned in April that its performance in the first half of this financial year would be hit by the global economic downturn.

OSIsofts founder and CEO J. Patrick Kennedy will remain involved in the business after the takeover, Aveva said, through his appointment to a newly established role of chairman emeritus.

Kennedys Estudillo has a 50.3% stake in OSIsoft, while SB/OSI, a SoftBank owned firm, holds a 44.7% stake and the remaining is held by MDT Holding, which is owned by Mitsui & Co.

Lazard was the sole financial adviser to Aveva.

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
They say that life is about the journey, rather than the destination  and one pandemic-friendly travel trend is taking that message to the extreme.

Leading Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) has re-purposed one of its flagship Flying Honu planes  a double-decker A380 painted to look like a sea turtle  into a so-called sightseeing flight above Tokyo.

Covid-related regulations saw the plane take off at only 64% capacity, and passengers were chosen by lottery, with those that did make the cut enjoying an hour and half in the air on the airlines first full flight since June.

The plane normally runs between Narita Airport and Hawaii, so flyers sipped mojitos and pineapple juice served by cabin crew in vibrant Hawaiian shirts, enjoyed video screenings and a raffle, and took home turtle toys plus other souvenirs.

It may sound unorthodox, but its far from the first initiative to feature destination-less planes.

Earlier this year, Taiwanese airline EVA Air marked Fathers Day with a luxury Hello Kitty-themed flight  which took off from Taipei Taoyuan Airport and then landed there again three hours later.

An EVA plane in flight (iStock/PA)

A bit like an airborne cruise, the plane was laden with Hello Kitty memorabilia, Hello Kitty-branded seats, and staff wearing Hello-Kitty printed aprons. Above and beyond most business classes, guests were also served a seafood feast designed by three-Michelin-starred chef Motokazu Nakamura.

Viewed on a flight map, the plane traced out a love heart just below Taiwans southern tip  a trick the airline later repeated, tracing out a thumbs up to thank carers.

The Hello Kitty plane went one better than a previous Taiwanese initiative in Songshan Airport, just across Taipei, in which passengers didnt even make it off the runway.

EVAair planned a special #HelloKitty flight this past Saturday, August 8, 2020 as a fun way for passengers to celebrate Taiwans Fathers Day. Take a look at the photo of the flight map. The Captain created a heart shape around Parpa, to bless all the fathers in the world.  pic.twitter.com/yoFAc8mycC  EVA Air (@EVAAirUS) August 12, 2020

The half-day fake flight experience saw punters arrive at the airport, print off boarding passes, go through security, board a waiting plane and chat to the crew  before getting off and going home.

It might not sound a suitable substitute, but the first flight saw some 7,000 applications for 60 spots.

So far, flying for the sake of flying remains a niche phenomenon. Airlines are no doubt hoping that regular service resumes before the trend has a chance to fully catch on!
The Delhi Metro was shut down in late March when the nationwide lockdown was announced.

Metro train services in Delhi may be allowed when the 'Unlock 4' phase of the graded reopening from the coronavirus-induced lockdown begins on September 1, sources said.

Metro services were suspended in late March to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 31 lakh people in the country so far.

The Unlock 4 guidelines are expected to be issued later this week.

Strict enforcement of the lockdown in containment zones will continue across India.

Massive revenue loss

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

Shut for more than four months following the coronavirus outbreak, Delhi Metro, the lifeline of the National Capital Region, has lost approximately Rs 1,500 crore in revenue, sources have told Moneycontrol.

The DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) normally earns Rs 300 crore every month, a source said.

Normally, the DMRC has 300 trains running on eight lines, making 5,000 trips a day and carrying around 1.8 million passengers. But with the trains halted in their tracks, it hasnt earned a penny in the past four months.

Other income also affected

The transporters Income from other sources, such as commercial and retail leases, has also dried up during the pandemic.

DMRCs tenants businesses, including retail and commercial properties, have been affected badly. They have written to us asking us to defer rental payments. We are looking at government guidelines on this. If we take coercive action against these tenants, some of them might be forced to go away. We need to support them at this hour. The pandemic has still not settled down. So, we are yet to take a call on these things, Anuj Dayal, Executive Director, Corporate Communications, DMRC, told Moneycontrol.

Currently, there are about 400 shops in the Metro stations, apart from the stations with property development such as Nehru Place, HUDA City Centre etc. In 2018-19, DMRCs earnings from non-passenger revenue stood at 594 crore, including income from rental, lease as well as consultancy-related sources.

Government call awaited

The government has been easing restrictions since late May and opening the economy in a staggered manner.

The decision to reopen the network lies with the government, said Dayal. As and when they decide, we are on standby. We should be in a position to open the metro within two to three days when the government takes the decision, he said.

Protocols are in place for physical distancing and sanitisation procedures, Dayal added.

In its Unlock 3.0 roadmap, industry body Ficci had suggested, among other things, that the government reopen multiplexes, cinemas and metro rail, and allow international flights while adhering to safety precautions.

Trains should not stop at stations that fall in containment zones and security personnel should ensure adherence to safety guidelines, the industry body had said.

Unlock 3.0 began relaxing restrictions on August 1.

Cautious opening expected

Metro services may start with less than 50 percent capacity initially and this may be increased gradually, along with contactless ticketing as far as possible.

In Mumbai, suburban train services resumed on June 15 but only for workers providing essential services.

Infrastructure experts said it would be difficult to maintain physical distancing in the metro. Though metro networks had reopened in several countries, there were few takers for public transport.

Most global metro systems have reopened with 60 to 100 percent of running capacity but passenger patronage has been a dismal 20 to 25 percent. The reason is that people are still wary of using public transport, said Ajay Sharma, Managing Director, Valuation Services, Colliers International India.

Recovery plan needed

It will be some time before services can resume and DMRC will have to come up with a plan to recover losses.

Any metro project has two major sources of revenue  the farebox, which accounts for almost 80 to 90 percent (it comprises ticketing, passes, sales) and non-fare box revenue, which accounts for 10 to 20 percent, and is earned through commercial and retail leases on DMRC land.

Though trains have not been running, there are fixed costs such as maintaining the network and paying salaries, said Sharma.

Operational losses cannot be made up by non-fare revenue. Also, metro systems cannot recover losses completely.

They can at best offset a certain percentage of the loss by increasing ridership, enhancing frequency and speeding up construction work on new corridors, Sharma said.

Long-term revenue recovery options

Other options to recover losses include the Value Capture Finance mechanism, wherein additional taxes can be levied on properties located around new lines, and through Transit-Oriented Development, wherein additional floor space index can be provided for land parcels close to the station.

But both these methods are for the long term and new lines. In the short term, the metro can shore up revenue by improving density, increasing the frequency of trains and getting higher ridership, Sharma added.

It has been reported that DMRC may not be able to pay this years instalment of the Rs 35,198-crore soft loan it has taken from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for construction.
Pinar Gultekin, a 27-year-old university student, was strangled before her body was crammed into a barrel and set ablaze.

It was a barrel that we use to burn garbage, the accused killer, Cemal Metin Avci, a 32-year-old nightclub owner, would later tell prosecutors, according to local media reports. He said he had filled the barrel with cement before dumping it in the woods.

He told the police that he had flown into a jealous frenzy because Ms. Gultekin did not want to be with him.

In Turkey, where at least 400 women were murdered in cases of domestic violence last year, the crime this July stirred renewed outrage over failure to combat the abuse of women. Four out of 10 women in Turkey are subjected to sexual or physical violence at least once in their lives, according to government data analyzed by an Istanbul-based advocacy group, Women for Womens Human Rights  New Ways.
For five days now, Russian anti-corruption activist Aleksei Navalny has been comatose, medically induced into unconsciousness in an effort to keep his body from shutting down.

Russian doctors at the Siberian hospital where he was first rushed on August 20 said they didn't know why he fell ill so suddenly. German doctors who treated him after he was airlifted to one of Berlin's best hospitals, however, determined that he suffered poisoning by a toxin in a class of chemicals that includes a deadly Soviet military-grade nerve agent.

The main questions now are what, precisely, the toxic substance is; how it got into Navalny's body; and -- if it was administered deliberately as alleged by the Kremlin critic's colleagues and the German government -- by whom.

On August 24, the Berlin-based Charite hospital where Navalny is receiving treatment confirmed what Navalnys supporters had been saying for days: that his symptoms, and condition, were consistent with poisoning by an external substance.

"The clinical findings indicate intoxication by a substance from the group of active substances called cholinesterase inhibitors," the hospital said in an August 24 statement.

While the hospital added that "the specific substance involved remains unknown," the finding fueled allegations that Navalny was deliberately poisoned as he traveled to the Russian capital from the Siberian city of Tomsk, where he was investigating corruption.

Accidental Poisoning 'Unlikely'

Asked if it was possible Navalny could have ingested something accidentally, Dan Kaszeta, a veteran chemical and biological weapons expert who now runs a London-based consultancy, said that given the substance identified by the Germans, it was highly unlikely.

Accidental poisoning involving this category of chemicals tend to be in agricultural settings, he said, and very infrequent.

Navalnys case is just too damn suspicious, he told RFE/RL.

Colleagues of the 44-year old activist, who led boycotts against Russia's 2018 presidential election after his registration as a candidate was rejected by authorities, have said they suspect tea that he drank at the Tomsk airport was laced with a foreign substance.

After the plane he was traveling in was forced to make an emergency landing in Omsk, Navalny was rushed to a hospital for treatment and placed into an induced coma.

Doctors for two days refused pleas by his relatives and his wife to release Navalny for treatment elsewhere, calling it "an attempt on his life" and a ploy intended to stall until traces of poison could no longer be found in his body.

It was only after Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, demanded that President Vladimir Putin allow her husband and staunch Kremlin critic be allowed treatment in Germany that he was rushed by air ambulance to Berlin on August 22. For its part, the Kremlin denied that Putin had gotten involved at all.

The Charite hospital's discovery of cholinesterase inhibitors -- toxins that can be used as chemical weapons and have been known to be used in assassinations -- led to increased calls for an investigation into Navalny's suspected poisoning.

Russian Skepticism

Russian health officials were quick to challenge the idea that the substance -- part of a broad range of chemicals that are also found in several drugs and in some pesticides -- was responsible.

Aleksandr Sabayev, the chief toxicologist of the Omsk region and the Siberian Federal District, said on August 24 that Navalny's symptoms were not consistent with those caused by cholinesterase inhibitors.

"Upon admission to the hospital, Aleksei Navalny underwent testing for a wide range of narcotic, synthetic substances, psychedelics, and medicinal substances, including cholinesterase inhibitors," Sabayev was quoted as saying by the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. "The result was negative."

But Vil Mirzayanov, a scientist involved in developing the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, told Current Time on August 24 that cholinesterase inhibitors are "organophosphate toxic substances" that can include nerve agents such as Novichok as well as sarin and soman.

Novichok came to wide public awareness after it was used in the 2018 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England. British prosecutors have charged that two men believed to be Russian military intelligence agents were behind the attack, which ended up killing a British woman, apparently by accident.

The attack prompted an outraged response that included Britain and other Western allies expelling dozens of Russian diplomats.

Cholinesterase inhibitors can "suppress receptors, and in the event of poisoning muscle control is lost, Mirzayanov explained to Current Time, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for Russia to investigate the apparent attack on Navalny.

In light of the prominent role played by Mr. Navalny in the political opposition in Russia, the authorities there are now urgently called upon to investigate this crime to the last detail -- and do so in full transparency, she said in a joint statement with Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on August 24. "Those responsible must be identified and held accountable.

In an indication of how serious Germany considered the threat against Navalny, guards were assigned to protect the hospital unit and room where he was, because "one can say with near certainty that it was a poisoning attack, a Merkel spokesman announced.

The Kremlin responded on August 25 by saying there was no immediate need to open an investigation, and suggested that the German doctors treating the Russian opposition leader were "rushing" to use the word poisoning.

"If the substance is identified and if it is determined that it is poisoning, then, of course, this will be a reason for investigation," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Kaszeta, the chemical weapons expert, said, that if the Germans were rushing, it was because they needed to identify the foreign substance and treat it immediately: both to ensure that Navalny lived, but also to identify the substance before his body metabolizes it and it becomes impossible to detect.

Mirzayanov said it was difficult for him to say what Navalny's poisoning was caused by until there was testing using something called a gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis, which could then be compared to a database of all known toxic substances.

In its August 24 statement, the Charite hospital did not specify how it had determined that cholinesterase inhibitors were present in Navalny's body. The hospital said only that "multiple tests" in independent laboratories had been used, and that a "further series of comprehensive testing has been initiated."

The hospital also said Navalny could face long-term consequences.

"As a result of this diagnosis, the patient is now being treated with the antidote atropine," the statement said. "Navalny's prognosis remains unclear; the possibility of long-term effects, particularly those affecting the nervous system, cannot be excluded."

The hospital did not immediately respond to further questions from RFE/RL.

Mirzayanov painted a similarly dire picture, saying it was a "very long, painful process to remove these substances from the body."

"The consequences are very bad. Poisoning is almost irrevocable, unfortunately," he said. "Years of rehabilitation are needed."

Written by Michael Scollon based on reporting by Current Time correspondent Yevgenia Kotlyar
Moscow: The Kremlin has brushed off allegations that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was the victim of an intentional poisoning orchestrated by authorities and said there were no grounds for a criminal investigation so far since it hasn't been fully established what caused the politician to fall into a coma.

The insistence by the Russian government that Navalny wasn't necessarily poisoned  comments amplified by Russian doctors and pro-Kremlin media  came a day after doctors at a German hospital where the 44-year-old is being treated said tests indicated he was poisoned.

Moscow's dismissals elicited outrage from Navalny's allies, who say the Kremlin was behind the illness of its most prominent critic.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the accusations against the government "absolutely cannot be true and are rather an empty noise".
Health officials in Gaza have imposed a full lockdown after four new cases of the novel coronavirus were detected in what appears to be the first evidence of community transmission in the impoverished enclave.

The Islamist militant group Hamas, which rules the territory of two million Palestinians, ordered the 48-hour lockdown that began Tuesday. In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, businesses, schools, grocery stores and mosques must shut their doors and most citizens are unable to leave their homes.

The four new COVID-19 cases  three men and one woman  are members of the same family who live in the al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Before Monday, health authorities in Gaza had registered just 109 cases and one death from the virus, all detected at the mandated 21-day quarantine centers set up to isolate people entering Gaza through Israel or Egypt.

We managed to keep the virus out for this whole time, even as the virus spread across the region and the world. But we always warned that the scenario of the virus entering the Strip was possible, a spokesperson for the ministry told the Times of Israel on Monday. This scenario today became reality.

Experts have warned that a wider outbreak would have devastating consequences for Gaza's already frail health infrastructure. Military conflict with Israel, internal political instability and the 13-year Israeli-Egyptian blockade have left hospitals overburdened and understaffed.

Since Hamas seized control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority in 2007, Egypt and Israel have heavily restricted movement to prevent the group from bringing weapons across their borders. The crippling blockades, widely viewed as collective punishment by rights groups, appear to have contributed to Gazas extremely low rate of coronavirus infections.

The new lockdown in Gaza comes amid a flare-up in tensions between Hamas and neighboring Israel. In recent weeks, the militants have launched incendiary balloons and rockets across the border that have set fire to large stretches of farmland.

In response, Israel has carried out airstrikes on Hamas-run military facilities and underground infrastructure. The Iraeli government has also suspended fuel imports into the besieged territory, closed the main commercial crossing into Gaza and banned commercial fishing off the enclaves coast.
With many students around the country going back to school remotely, the supply list is proving to be very different this back-to-school season. Sales of school supplies related categories within the office supplies industry, from pencils to spiral notebooks, are down as U.S. consumers delay these purchases. Instead they are investing in other categories such as technology and books to set up school environments at home, according to The NPD Group.

In the consumer technology sector, the surge in sales across many product categories that began in the spring has continued into the back-to-school season, as students gear up for distance learning. Notebook computer sales have been at near historic levels, and in the seven weeks ending August 8 dollar sales grew 51%. Sales have also grown for monitors (+79%), keyboards (+62%), mice (+43%), and docking stations (+12%). Virtual learning platforms have also created a need for communication devices, including USB cameras/webcams (+116%) and non-gaming PC headsets (+81%). Router sales also grew significantly during this period, with mesh routers in particular up 73%, to create a stronger home Wi-Fi connection and enable the home network to handle more traffic.

Virtual learning has expanded the technology needs of back-to-school consumers in a way we have not seen before. Beyond PCs and peripherals, distance learners will need home internet, connectivity, and dedicated spaces in the home for installation, said Ben Arnold, NPDs consumer technology industry analyst.

Also with more learning from home, sales of educational books have grown in the seven weeks ending August 8. Unit sales grew for activity books (+458%) and non-fiction subjects pertaining to school & education (+125%), language arts (+117%), and math (+20%), as well as home schooling books (+144%). On the other hand, but also in line with educational and testing shifts due to COVID-19, sales of adult reference and study aids declined by double-digits  categories which typically spool up for college and adult education classes.

Educational books are going to be very strong, as families tackle the prospect of more learning-from-home. Workbooks, flashcards, and reference for preschool and early elementary will be especially hot, as parents prioritize that their kids stay on course with critical math and reading skills, said Kristen McLean, NPDs books industry analyst.

This years back-to-school shifts have altered the course for school supplies sales within the office supplies industry. Items including paper pads and crayons, among many others, saw a springtime sales lift as parents stocked up on products to keep their kids entertained at home. Heading into the peak weeks of the traditional back-to-school season, sales of these school supplies declined by 32% in the seven weeks ending August 8, 2020 compared to the same weeks last year  accumulating to half of the revenue these items typically bring in during this period.

The uncertainties around this back-to-school season are getting traditional school supplies sales off to a very late and slow start. The decline in sales as a result of consumers putting off purchases will create opportunities for purchase occasions in September and through holiday, said Leen Nsouli, NPDs office supplies industry analyst. There will be a long tail of afterthought purchases as consumers acclimate to their new schooling environment, and atypical sales bumps as different geographies phase in physical classroom attendance at various times, blurring the beginning, ending and peak lines of this back-to-school season.

Source: The NPD Group/ U.S. Weekly Retail Tracking Service

Source: The NPD Group/ Bookscan
Republican congressional candidate and QAnon conspiracy theory supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene has received a campaign finance boost from several key Republicans, including White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, a review of her donation receipts shows.

Others who supported Ms Greenes campaign through various PACs include Barb Van Andel-Gaby, the chairwoman of the board of the Heritage Foundation, the powerhouse conservative think tank in Washington; Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney mega-donor John W Childs; and several Republican members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.

Georgias 14th District is rated Solid Republican by Inside Elections with Nathan L Gonzales and several other elections handicappers, meaning Ms Greene is likely to become the first QAnon supporter to enter the halls of Congress after this years elections.

Ms Greene  who won her GOP primary run-off in Georgias 14th District earlier this month against fellow conservative, pro-Trump candidate John Cowan  has been rebuked by several establishment figures within her own party over her support of QAnon and the emergence of old Facebook videos in which she makes bigoted comments about Muslims and people of colour.

Koch Industries Koch PAC, the pro-oil GOP money machine, has requested a refund from Ms Greenes campaign due to the unearthed Facebook videos.

The QAnon theory, which originated on the far-right internet chat board 4chan in 2018, maintains that Donald Trump is waging a covert war against deep state bureaucrats, Democratic politicians, and celebrities who worship Satan, have sex with children, and eat humans.

The FBI has identified the movement surrounding the QAnon conspiracy theory as a domestic terrorism threat.

Future GOP star?

Nevertheless, Donald Trump heralded her victory on Twitter as the making of a "future Republican Star."

When asked earlier this month about Ms Greenes embrace of the QAnon conspiracy, the president declined to answer, instead gushing over her election night victory over Mr Cowan.

She did very well in the election. She won by a lot. She was very popular. She comes from a great state and she had a tremendous victory, so, absolutely, I did congratulate her," Mr Trump said.

Mr Meadows, the presidents chief of staff, was instrumental in helping Ms Greene secure a victory in the GOP primary, Federal Election Commission documents show.

His leadership PAC, Your Voice Counts, contributed $2,000 to Ms Greene campaign committee on 10 April, according to her FEC filings.

Mr Meadows told Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace this past weekend that he did not know what QAnon was until he Googled it recently.

"It's not a central part of what the president is talking about," Mr Meadows said of the movement Ms Greene has supported. "I don't even know anything about it. I don't even know if it's credible, he said.

He added: If it's a hate group, I can tell you that this president is not for hate.

Right Women PAC, a group run by Mr Meadows wife, Debbie, spent thousands of dollars against Mr Cowan during the GOP primary run-off in Georgias 14th District.

Ms Meadows touted Ms Greene as a strong ally for President Trump in advancing the Make America Great Again agenda and commended her record on gun rights and the rule of law.

Meadows' past 'birther' remarks

Mr Meadows, a former North Carolina congressman who rose to prominence as a media-savvy thorn in the side of the GOP establishment in the 2010s, is no stranger to stoking conspiracy theories.

At a Tea Party campaign event in 2012, he told a crowd of supporters: 2012 is the time we are going to send Mr Obama home to Kenya or wherever it is, a reference to the racist conspiracy theory, fuelled by Mr Trump, that the 44th president was a Muslim born outside the US.

Mr Meadows later disavowed his past remarks on the so-called Obama birther theory.

A spokesman for the White House chief of staff could not immediately be reached for comment for this story.

The House Freedom Caucus (HFC) leadership PAC, the House Freedom Fund, also significantly boosted Ms Greenes campaign via an independent expenditure fund that spent tens of thousands of dollars to help her defeat Mr Cowan. Mr Meadows maintains close ties to the HFC, which he chaired from 2017 to 2019, and its campaign arm.

Backtracking on Q?

Ms Greene has recently hedged against her past avowal of the QAnon theory, saying her past support of the movement doesnt represent her.

Yeah, there was a time there for a while that I had read about Q, posted about it, talked about it, which is some of these videos you've seen come out. But once I started finding misinformation, I decided that I would choose another path," she said.

But she also added that she believes she is under attack from the left-leaning media because she is unapologetically conservative.

"I won't back down on my beliefs and my values," Ms Greene said in an interview with Fox News.

When asked about the theory and its supporters last week, Mr Trump embraced them as political assets.

I dont know much about the movement other than I understand they like me very much, which I appreciate, he said.
Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday.
Visit NJ.com/education for the latest list of schools that have announced plans to start the year with all-remote instruction.

Every public school district in Cumberland County is starting the school year remote, after Gov. Phil Murphy announced Aug. 12 that public schools in the state will have the option of starting the academic year with no in-person classes if they meet certain criteria.
Luxury cruise line Cunard has extended the suspension of sailings for its three ships until next year.

Sailings are cancelled until March 25 for the Queen Elizabeth, until April 18 for the Queen Mary 2 and until May 16 for the Queen Victoria.

The firm had previously cancelled sailings until November 2020.

We are extending our pause in operations and making some itinerary changes for 2021 and 2022.Here's Simon Palethorpe, President of Cunard, with an update https://t.co/BEloxtRwnR pic.twitter.com/WAtbEHlrvg  cunardline (@cunardline) August 25, 2020

It said the decision to extended the suspension is due to the complexity of operating world voyages and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continuing to advise against cruise travel due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said: We are so sorry to all those guests who were due to sail on any of the cancelled voyages and for the disappointment this news will cause.

After very careful consideration and reviewing the latest guidance, we simply do not feel it would be sensible to start sailing again with our current schedule so we have reviewed future itineraries.

Customers with affected bookings will automatically receive credit for a future sailing worth 125% of the cost of their original trip.

They can also request a cash refund.

Mr Palethorpe said Queen Elizabeths planned sailings between March and December 2021 in and around Australia, Japan and Alaska are also sadly not practical and have been replaced by shorter European trips departing from Southampton.

The ship will sail around the coast of Cornwall, the west coast of Ireland and Scottish islands, as well as visiting some destinations on the continent such as Amsterdam and Barcelona.

Last week Cunard owner Carnival warned that hackers may have accessed personal details of its customers and staff after discovering an attack.

The Anglo-American company told regulators about the ransomware attack, which got into encrypted parts of its IT systems.
Concerned voters are being pulled in two opposite directions this year when it comes to how they choose to cast their ballots.

The novel coronavirus is expected to fuel a surge in mail-in voting this election as voters seek to avoid crowds, long lines and germs. But doubts about whether the U.S. Postal Service can deliver those mail-in ballots also means a number of voters will head to the polls, braving those very crowds, long lines and germs; and, of course, bringing their germs with them.

To make in-person voting as safe as possible, Gov. Greg Abbott should mandate masks at polling sites. One objection to a mask mandate is it would qualify as a new voting requirement, and therefore serve as an obstacle to participating in democracy. This is some pretty weak tea. An obvious workaround is to have counties provide masks at all polling sites.

Dont have a mask? No problem. Wear this one, free of charge, while you wait in line and vote.

As far as legality, we would rather see Abbott assert himself in defense of public health than stay on the sidelines on this one. Some conservatives have already challenged his order extending early voting to help limit crowds during this pandemic. Mandating masks at polling sites fits with the rationale behind extending early voting.

Public health and medical experts have been clear that most kinds of masks, worn correctly, reduce the spread of COVID-19. But there is also growing evidence that wearing a mask protects the wearer. As Dr. Monica Gandhi of the University of California, San Francisco, recently told National Public Radio, masks help limit the amount of virus that gets into a wearers system, which plays a role in how severe COVID-19 might be.

But they really are protective of you as an individual, she said. And sort of putting it all together, it really is that the less virus that you get in, the less sick youre likely to be.

This will be an election like no other with record turnout during a pandemic, and we are encouraged and supportive of the ideas under consideration in Bexar County to make voting as accessible and safe as possible.

We dont see wearing a mask any different than providing voters with plastic gloves and pencils, whose erasers can be used on touch screens. A mask mandate may also make it easier for county officials to recruit and hire workers this election. These are people risking their lives to keep our democracy humming.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently told National Geographic that voting in person can be done safely, but this statement included some very clear caveats.

I think if carefully done, according to the guidelines, theres no reason that I can see why that not be the case, Fauci said.

And those guidelines included physical distancing of six feet and ... wearing a mask.

Or in his own words, if you go and wear a mask, if you observe the physical distancing, and dont have a crowded situation, theres no reason why you shouldnt be able to do that.

Weve seen some unfortunate and unnecessary politicization of masks. Its not a partisan issue, even if partisanship has defined the mask discussion. The only thing masks symbolize is prioritizing public health to keep people safe and slow the spread of COVID-19. Mandating masks at the polls, and providing masks to those who lack them, will help ensure safe and accessible voting.
A map from Down Detector shows where people reported Canvas outages Monday morning. Down Detector

School districts across the US reported that Canvas, Instructure's remote-learning app, was taken offline by outages Monday morning.

People first started reporting problems with the app shortly after 8 a.m., according to Down Detector.

It's the first day of class for thousands of schools across the US, many of which rely on tools like Canvas for remote learning. Zoom, another tool used by schools, was also down Monday morning.

An Instructure spokesperson said that its apps are seeing higher usage than normal as schools reopen, and that the issue was resolved as of 1:30 p.m. EDT.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

It's the 2020 equivalent of a snow day: school districts across the US have reported outages that locked them out of Canvas, a remote-learning app.

Canvas users first started reporting outages shortly after 8 a.m. EDT, according to Down Detector. The outages appear to span the US. Zoom, a videoconferencing tool that many schools rely on for remote learning, was also down Monday morning.

An Instructure spokesperson told Business Insider that it was aware of reported slowness and outages and is working to address the problems, which may stem from an increase in traffic as classes begin.

"We are seeing a 70% increase in concurrent users since spring. We are actively working to scale up to meet the demands of school systems around the country, and we are aware that a few of our customers in Florida and Nevada, specifically, are experiencing slowness or outages," the spokesperson said.

After investigating, Instructure said the issue was resolved as of 1:30 p.m., but that users may continue to experience "some ongoing slowness."

It's not clear what caused the outages with Canvas and Zoom, but Monday is the first day of classes for hundreds of schools and colleges across the US. The technical glitches are one of many challenges educators, students, and parents have faced amid the abrupt transition to remote learning.

Story continues

Some schools initially said that Canvas was fully down for students, while others reported slow service on the app.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Azerbaijans First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva is a brilliant example of woman's leadership, Valdis Zatlers, former president of Latvia, Member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, told Trend.

Due to its balanced foreign policy and active intercultural dialogue, Azerbaijan has become a trustful partner to many international actors. Baku has become an important place for various humanitarian, intercultural and interreligious summits. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva has always played an active and important role in these processes. I clearly remember the international forum on women's role in intercultural dialogue organized by Heydar Aliyev Foundation led by Mehriban Aliyeva. This forum was held in June 2008. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva has really great experience in intercultural relations and she is a brilliant example of woman's leadership inspiring women not only in Azerbaijan but also worldwide. As an appreciation for First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyevas contributions to global projects and advancement of education, science and culture Nizami Ganjavi International Center presented her the Gold Medal of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, said Zatlers.

He pointed out that Azerbaijan can be proud of several moments in its history regarding women rights. Today evidently Mehriban Aliyeva is a well-known personality showing the rising role of women in Azerbaijan's public and political life. I am hundred percent sure that everybody knows and admires her. You will not find a better person for this role. She is the woman who encourages other women to play an active role in society.

Talking about the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Zatlers emphasized the efforts of Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev towards promoting multilateral cooperating in fighting the pandemic.

The efforts of Azerbaijan's President were a great move. We need more people who show global responsibility. Any effort of bringing international actors together for global action is of great value. It's not an easy task to bring the world together for fruitful cooperation. You need to make more and more efforts and never give up your goals. That is exactly what President Ilham Aliyev does. He is not only a national leader. He is a respected international leader. I will always support his new initiatives, he said.

Further, Zatlers noted that COVID-19 pandemic was and still is a hard time for any international NGO and think-tank.

Nizami Ganjavi International Center focused not only on challenging problems of humanity but it is also designed for permanent nonstop discussions between bright minds of global society. It is also designed to show governments and international institutions the upcoming serious challenges for humanity. Face to face round table discussions often bring us closer to possible solutions. Now it is time to adapt to a new real COVID-19 situation while not forgetting about our goals. NGIC was very quick and effective in response to this challenge. If you look at NGICs home page you can see a number of activities bringing together a vast number of former heads of states and international leaders. The active voice of these people was clearly heard in many headquarters of important international organizations. NGIC showed its viability and high level global networking, said the former president.

He went on to add that COVID-19 pandemic is a great challenge to every nation around the world.

Governments are trying to do their best to fight the virus. At the same time the situation emphasises how different the societies in different countries are. There is not a single solution that will fit everyone. At the same time we need a global approach to a global problem. We have to learn from the countries who have performed best. We need to understand the reasons for success and reasons for failures. And here we need global cooperation. It is not a race for who will develop the vaccine first. It's the question of how to make an effective, safe vaccine for every person's sake globally. It's the time for honest, trustful cooperation both regionally and globally.

In conclusion, touching upon the bilateral ties between Latvia and Azerbaijan, Zatlers said the

relations between the two countries are very good and based on mutual trust and friendship.

They show permanent political stability. Due to various reasons we have to focus more on regional problems and cooperation. Therefore the economic relations are not fully developed at the moment. But I am sure that in the near future the cooperation between our countries will expand. We have a good political basis for that, he added.
SKOKIE, Ill. - A young woman who pleaded guilty to stabbing an Uber driver to death in a Chicago suburb has been sentenced to 27 years in prison, authorities said Tuesday.

Eliza Wasni, 19, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced Monday by Cook County Judge Timothy Chambers, according to the states attorneys office.

Grant Nelson, 34, picked up the then-16-year-old Wasni a few blocks from a Walmart in the Chicago suburb of Skokie. She attacked Nelson, of Wilmette, without provocation using a knife and a machete that she had just stolen from the store, prosecutors said.

After the attack, Nelson was able to flee his vehicle and sought help at a nearby condominium building.

Police followed a trail of blood and found him on the grass on the side of the building. Nelson described his attacker before he died at a hospital.

Prosecutors said Wasni fled in Nelsons car after the attack, struck a median and took off on foot. When police caught up with her, her clothes were spattered with blood. Investigators used the Uber app on Nelsons phone to identify his most recent customer as Eliza, prosecutors said.
The Parliamentary Business Resources Act and the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act require MPs to hire, fire and manage their own staff and ensure they do not do factional work while employed as electorate officers. Electorate officers are meant to conduct work relating to an MP's constituents such as answering letters and organising local events.

Mr Sukkar's office also set tasks and employment goals known as key performance indicators for Mr Andrews' electorate officers including arranging a gala fundraising dinner called "A Night for the Right" at the RACV Club with News Corp columnist Andrew Bolt as the guest speaker.

The messages reveal Mr Sukkar personally sought the removal and replacement of Mr Andrews' electorate officer, who was resisting the employment of the new factional staff in Mr Andrews' taxpayer funded office. Mr Sukkar also ordered a meeting with Mr Andrews where the scheme to place operatives into his office was arranged.

Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar and his office directed and endorsed the employment of political staff funded by the taxpayer in the office of senior Liberal MP Kevin Andrews, according to freshly leaked private messages between the two offices.

On Tuesday night Mr Sukkar issued a statement blaming one of his former staff members, Josh Bonney, for "coercing" an electorate officer in Mr Andrews' office to "undertake party political duties". Mr Sukkar said he had been unaware of this until it was reported to him in May 2018, when he told Mr Andrews' staff member, Cameron Manassa, to ignore all direction from Mr Bonney and to perform electorate officer work only. Mr Sukkar claims he sacked Mr Bonney three months later for making others in Mr Andrews' office do non-electorate work. Mr Sukkar said his electorate office staff had always been expected to obey the law and parliamentary policies.

Informed of Mr Sukkar's claims, Mr Bonney said they were inaccurate and this could be shown by viewing the emails and messages Mr Sukkar had personally sent. The Age and Sydney Morning Herald previously revealed a February 2018 email from Mr Sukkar's parliamentary account showing he backed the scheme to place factional operatives in Mr Andrews' office. Mr Bonney claims Mr Sukkar asked him to renew his contract in 2018 but he chose not to do so. Mr Bonney declined to comment further but said the matter should be fully investigated by the appropriate authorities and that he would assist any formal inquiry.

One email sighted by The Age and Herald shows that Mr Sukkar was personally briefed via his parliamentary email account about how staff in Mr Andrews' office were involved in recruiting members. "Great stuff, well done," Mr Sukkar responded to an email which directed Mr Andrews' electoral officer, Thilaga Jayakumaran, to enter into a database 20 new members aligned with the faction of political operative Marcus Bastiaan.

According to the messages, Mr Andrews' staff were repeatedly told their KPIs included factional work and helping with the recruiting of new Liberal members for the right-wing faction of Mr Bastiaan, a powerbroker and former party vice-president who resigned from the party on Monday.

"Sukkar has signed off on these [KPIs]," said a message to Mr Bastiaan from Mr Sukkar's office in November 2017. The message also seeks "comments" from Mr Bastiaan on the KPIs before they are "sent to Kevin [Andrews]".
BERKELEY (BCN)

A man was charged with murder Monday after having been arrested Thursday on suspicion of fatally shooting a 19-year-old University of California at Berkeley student in June, Berkeley police said.

Seth Smith was found by officers on the ground bleeding in the area of Dwight Way and Valley Street shortly after 11:30 p.m. on June 15.

Since Smith's death, detectives continued to investigate and were led to the identification of 60-year-old Berkeley resident Tony Walker as a suspect.

Walker was arrested Thursday at 1:20 p.m. at his residence on suspicion of murder.

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office charged Walker on Monday with murder, in addition to a number of criminal enhancements.

The Berkeley Police Department is continuing the investigation into Smith's death and asks anyone with information to contact its Homicide Unit at (510) 981-5741.

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.
Arguing that the Legislature failed to address systemic racial concerns and pandemic-related issues during its regular session, which adjourned two weeks ago, 11 urban senators Tuesday launched a largely symbolic effort to summon lawmakers back into special session.

It would require the support of at least 33 senators to call the Legislature back to Lincoln, and Secretary of State Bob Evnen will now canvass all members to determine the level of support.

Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha triggered the effort, arguing that the Legislature needs to take action on police and criminal reform, COVID-19 issues pertaining to employment and housing, and ongoing racial challenges.

Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said dealing with racial injustice and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic are challenges that "cannot wait."

Meanwhile, Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha counseled supporters of the legislative effort who showed up at an announcement on the north steps of the Capitol to be mindful that to "demonstrate and protest without political involvement is futile."

"Register and then vote," he urged them.

Six senators who participated in Tuesday's event were joined by supporters carrying "Black Lives Matter" and "Fight Racism" signs.

In addition to the three Omaha senators who spoke, Sens. Adam Morfeld and Matt Hansen, both of Lincoln, and Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha stood together with them.

Hunt said "the Legislature has failed Nebraskans time and time again" when faced with urgent issues of housing, unemployment, working conditions and "systemic racism."

Chambers warned that "interests outside of America are watching" and poised to interfere in the November election, with "Russia given a free pass from your president."

The 11 senators have initiated "a formal call for a special session dedicated to racial justice," acting in response to a coalition of local racial and social justice organizations that urged lawmakers to return to Lincoln.

Other legislators supporting the effort are Sens. Sara Howard, Rick Kolowski, John McCollister and Justin Wayne, all of Omaha, and Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln.

Photos: Nebraska Legislature ends 2020 session

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon
Ahead of the return to school, let's take a look at some of the questions parents still might have.

Q: If my child has a cold, do they need to stay home from school?

A: If your child has a runny nose or a sneeze, but no cough or temperature and has not been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19, or who may have Covid-19, the HSE says it is ok for them to go to school.

However, if your child has a temperature higher than 38 degrees, or any of the symptoms of coronavirus, such a cough, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, or has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus or who was with someone who may have coronavirus, they must isolate for 48 hours.

Q: What do I do if my child has these symptoms?

A: Your child should isolate, only leaving your home to have a test or to see your GP. You should phone your GP, and restrict your own movements, as should everyone your child lives with.

This should continue until you get a diagnosis from your GP or Covid-19 test result. This means not going to school, childcare, or work.

Q: Will my child be allowed to attend school if we went on holidays in August?

A: Anyone coming into Ireland at the moment from a location outside of the green list countries is required to restrict their movements for 14 days.

According to the Department of Education, a school can refuse access to a pupil or staff member if it has reasonable grounds for believing that this mandatory requirement has not been observed.

Q: What is the advice on uniforms?

A: There are no recommendations in the public health advice on uniforms, according to the Department of Education.

Normal washing and hygiene arrangements should apply to uniforms, however, the policy on school uniforms remains a matter for each school.

Q: What will happen if there is a confirmed case of the virus in my childs school?

A: If your child is deemed to be a 'close contact' of a confirmed case linked to a school then you will be contacted directly by public health authorities. All schools will have a Covid-19 Response Plan in place.

Each situation will be assessed to determine who is a close contact, according to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 15:39:06|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ISTANBUL, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish police detained in Istanbul a suspected Islamic State (IS) member who plans to carry out a terror attack, the NTV broadcaster reported Tuesday.

During the operation at the address of the suspect, police also seized a long-barrelled Kalashnikov gun, five pistol magazines and 150 cartridges, the NTV said on its website.

The suspect arrived in Istanbul, the biggest city in Turkey, from the southeastern province of Gaziantep to conduct an attack on behalf of the IS, NTV added, without further details.

Counter-terrorism units have recently intensified their operations against IS members in Turkey.

Earlier in August, a suspected member of the terror group was arrested in the northwestern province of Bursa for planning a suicide bombing, while six Iraqi nationals were detained in the northern province of Samsun over their suspected links to the IS.

The IS was blamed for a spate of deadly attacks over the years in Turkey, in which more than 300 people were killed. Enditem
The Kaneshie District Court has adjourned to September 7, the case of three traditional priests who allegedly caused the death of Edward Quartey Papafio, a 64-year-old retired Bio-Chemist at Adeiso in the Eastern Region.



The traditional priests are Christian Awoe Gamelie aka Power One, 40, Famous Adukonu aka Scorpion, 37, and Yaw Azamate, 27, are being held on the charges of conspiracy to commit a crime to wit murder.



The three accused had their pleas preserved when they appeared before the court presided over by Ms Rosemond Dodua Agyiri.



An informant told the Ghana News Agency during Mondays sitting that the Police were conducting further communication analysis of the interaction between the deceased and the accused.



The accused were remanded them into prison custody pending further investigations.



Meanwhile, a bench warrant issued for the arrest of one Michael Ahiavinye and one Buzanga who are at large is still in force.



The case of the prosecution led by Detective Inspector Lawrence Anani, was that the complainant is the Reverend Comfort Ruth Quartey-Papafio, who resides at Takoradi in the Western Region.



Gamelie, Adukonu and Azamete operate their business at Adu-Kojo and Kwasi-Nyarko, all suburbs of Mame Dede in the Eastern Region.



He said on January 17, this year, the complainant reported of the disappearance of her husband, Mr Quartey Papafio, from his residence at Kasoa on January 15, this year at about 0733 hours.



Prosecution said on receipt of the complainant, the Police gathered intelligence that the deceased was last spotted at Gamelis shrine located at the outskirts of Adu Kojo, which led to the arrest of Gameli and Adukonu on April 21, this year.



According to prosecution, a search conducted at Gamelis shrine uncovered two pump action guns, one single barrel gun, eleven packets of cartridges and seven other pieces of the cartridges from his room whiles two shovels were also found hidden at the back of his house.



The Prosecution said during interrogation, Gameli and Adukonu admitted shooting the deceased with a pump-action gun on January 15, this year and buried the corpse at the Shrine.



He said on April 29, the two led the Police to Power One herbal/ Spiritual Centre where the Police identified the deceaseds grave in a make-shift cemetery behind Gamelis house.



Prosecution said the crime scene was secured and an exhumation order was obtained from the court for that purpose.



The prosecution said on April 30, this year, a Pathologist in the company of Senior Officers from the CID Headquarters, Personnel from the Crime Scene Management Team, Forensic Science Laboratory, Drone Operation and CID/ Headquarters Operational Team together with the two accused, exhumed the deceaseds body.



He said when the grave was dug, the decomposed body of Mr Quartey-Papafio was removed and Police also discovered that the deceaseds grave was among others in the accuseds cemetery, which has been well fenced.



Prosecution said investigations disclosed that on December 29, Gameli, Adukonu and Azamete conspired to kill Mr Papafio, hence lured him with the assistance of one Buzanga, also a traditional priest at Kasoa.



The prosecution said before the murder of the deceased, the accused intentionally, made a false statement to the deceased and succeeded in collecting 10,650 from him through mobile money under the pretext of conjuring 400,000.00 for him to boost his company.



He said Papafio was invited to the shrine on January 15, this year for purification and in the process Adukonu shot him with Gamelis gun.



The Prosecution said the accused then drained quantity of Mr Papafios blood into a plastic gallon and hide same at the shrine while Gameli took possession of the deceased mobile phones and later buried the deceased with the assistance of Azamate and Michael who is also on the run.



The Prosecution said Gameli and Adukonu allegedly confessed to the Police that the blood in the gallon was a mixture of Papafios and another victim who was also buried among other bodies at the cemetery.



He said the gallon of blood and the body were later deposited at the Police morgue for examination.



Mr Anani said the complainant later identified the two mobile phones of the deceased.



The prosecution said the Pathologist gave the cause of death of Mr Papafio as hemorrhagic shock, traumatic amputation and unnatural severe chest pain.

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
NEW DELHI: Unidentified miscreants opened fire outside a restaurant in Shalimar area of the national capital on Monday (August 24) evening. The incident was captured on the CCTV.

The CCTV footage shows two miscreants firing in the air outside a restaurant that led to chaos in the area. According to the police, the criminals wanted to threaten the owner of the restaurant for extortion, and for that purpose, opened firing was done that day. Police are now searching for this gang.
The body of a 25-year-old coronavirus patient, which went missing from the Covid-19 ward of Sir Sundar Lal Hospitals super-speciality block at Banaras Hindu University two days ago, was recovered from the hospital premises on Monday night, a university official said.

Professor SK Mathur, medical superintendent of the hospital, said it appeared that the patient had tried to come down from the second floor of the hospital building with the help of a pipe and as the pipe broke, the patient fell. The body was found below, after which the hospital staff and security personnel immediately took it to the mortuary. The hospital administration has informed the police.

Earlier, an FIR was registered in connection with the patients disappearance following a complaint by his family members, inspector Mahesh Pandey, station officer at Varanasis Lanka police station, said on Monday.

According to the family, the patient had suffered injuries in a road accident on August 11 and was admitted to the BHU trauma centre the same day, said the police. Two days later, he tested positive for Covid-19. Thereafter, he was moved to a Covid-19 ward at the super-speciality block of Sir Sundar Lal Hospital. He spoke to his mother on August 22 through the window of the building, the family told the police. At that time, he had pleaded his mother to take him home, the family added.

Also read: Lucknow DM orders probe after Covid patients complaint against public health centre

On Sunday, when the family members went to the hospital, they were informed by the guard that the patient had gone elsewhere, the family members said in their complaint to the police.

BHUs public relations officer Professor Rajesh Singh said after the patient tested positive for coronavirus, he was admitted to the super-speciality block where he was treated for his head injury and Covid-19. The patients condition improved significantly. The doctors had planned to discharge the patient once his condition improved and he tested negative for Covid-19, Singh said.

Around 2 pm on August 22, the patient suddenly disappeared from the ward. After this, the hospital staff and security personnel launched a search op. The police were also immediately informed. The CCTV footage was also scanned.
The cast of acclaimed political TV drama "The West Wing" will reunite for a special episode in aid of Michelle Obama's voter turnout drive, HBO Max announced Tuesday.

Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe and Allison Janney will reprise their roles as members of a fictional Democratic administration, in support of the "When We All Vote" campaign ahead of November's election.

The special -- to air this fall -- will be filmed on a Los Angeles theater stage, and will re-enact the "Hartsfield's Landing" episode from season three of the multiple Emmy-winning NBC drama.

It will be the first time the original, surviving cast and creator Aaron Sorkin have reunited in 17 years, a statement from streaming platform HBO Max said.

"We had such a unique and wonderful experience that we don't want to go back and have a lesser version of it," Bradley Whitford, who played razor-sharp White House deputy chief of staff Josh Lyman, told NBC's Today Show.

"This was a way to use us getting back together... to make a statement about getting people out to vote."

The show ran from 1999-2006, collecting 26 Emmys including four consecutive best drama prizes.

It depicted the inner workings of the White House, focusing on the relationships between staffers against a backdrop of Washington intrigue, domestic elections and geopolitics.

"The West Wing" developed an almost cult following and gripped audiences around the world, but ended after its seventh season amid declining audiences and the death of co-star John Spencer.

The show's portrayal of a fiercely intellectual and morally virtuous Democratic president (Sheen) was criticized by some on the political right who dubbed it "The Left Wing."

The "Hartsfield's Landing" episode saw Whitford's character scheme to win over voters in a remote, fictional New Hampshire town of the same name where ballots are counted immediately and always predict the winner of that state's primary.

When We All Vote is an outreach group co-chaired by Obama, who was first lady from 2009-17, actor Tom Hanks and others to increase participation at the polls.

amz/ft
The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has recommended that the Monsoon Session of Parliament be held from September 14 to October 1 and with 18 sittings, sources told CNN-News18 on Tuesday.

The official announcement is expected to be made by Tuesday evening.

Aggressive preparation has been going on in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for the session. Rehearsals will take place in Parliament on Monday, with an eye on physical and social distancing norms to accommodate members.

Several meetings of both Secretariats were held by Rajya Sabha Speaker M Venkaiah Naidu and his Lok Sabha counterpart OP Birla.

Naidu has directed to ensure additions like four-large display screens in the chamber of the House, six small screens and audio consoles in the four galleries, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, special cables connecting the two Houses for transmission of audio-visual signals, polycarbonate sheet separating the official gallery from the chamber of the House.

Using the chambers and the galleries of both Houses to hold the session will be the first of its kind in the history of Indian Parliament since 1952.

The Rajya Sabha chamber and galleries and the Lok Sabha chamber will be used to seat members of the House. Sixty of them will be accommodated in the chamber and 51 in galleries of Rajya Sabha; the remaining 132 will be seated in the chamber of the Lok Sabha.

Political parties will be given seating instructions depending on their strength. Designated seats will be earmarked in the Upper House chamber for the Prime Minister, Leader of the House, Leader of the Opposition, and leaders of other parties. There will also be designated seats in the chamber for ministers.

Two former Prime Ministers  Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda  who are also Rajya Sabha members will also have earmarked seats. Ministers who are not Rajya Sabha MPs will be seated in areas meant for the ruling party. Placards will indicate the parties accommodated in each gallery of the Rajya Sabha.

Seating in the Officials Gallery and Press Gallery will also follow strict norms of social distancing.

Officials have been directed to minimise the usage of paper to be physically distributed. For instance, in Standing Committee meetings, circulation of digital copies and reports would be encouraged.
Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man from Maryland last week in Newark.

Milan Madison, 28, of Hyattsville, was shot Thursday night on Highland Avenue, authorities said.

Madison was pronounced dead at the scene about 11:40 p.m., according to acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Essex County Prosecutors Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877 TIPS- 4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
The fresh cast of Married At First Sight strangers are set to say 'I do' at their filmed weddings in the coming weeks.

But it's been reported that the show's relationship experts will be forced to meet the loved-up hopefuls via Zoom due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, Channel Nine personality Mel Schilling fueled the rumours by teasing 'an exciting day full of video meetings with fabulous people'.

Scroll down for video

Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling (pictured) teased some exciting virtual meetings on Tuesday... after it was revealed she would likely greet 2021 contestants via Zoom this year

Sources recently told Daily Mail Australia that for the first time ever, the cast won't meet the relationship experts face to face while filming their backstories.

Instead, they will consult with Mel, John Aiken and Dr Trisha Stratford via Zoom to comply with social distancing rules.

Sharing a selfie from her home office, Mel cryptically wrote 'lets do this!' with the hashtags 'video meetings', 'getting it done' and 'boss lady'.

Social distancing: The cast members won't meet the relationship experts face to face. Pictured: season six star Mike Gunner (centre) with John Aiken (left) and Mel Schilling (right)

Behind schedule: The weddings had originally been scheduled for late August, but were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pictured: grooms from MAFS' sixth season

Filming of the participants' backstories was due to commence this week, while the weddings aren't due to be filmed until mid-September.

The weddings had originally been scheduled for late August, but were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Unfortunately for unlucky-in-love Melburnians, they were apparently blocked from appearing on the upcoming eighth season.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal that MAFS producers have decided not to cast any Victorians this season after the state recorded a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Sorry! 'They've replaced all the Melbourne participants with second-option contestants from Adelaide and Queensland,' a production insider told Daily Mail Australia. Pictured: season seven bride Hayley Vernon

The (reality) show must go on! Pre-production of MAFS season eight began in March. At the time, executive producer Tara McWilliams shared a short video of herself in her office at Endemol Shine's Sydney headquarters wearing blue surgical gloves

Pre-production of MAFS season eight began in March.

At the time, executive producer Tara McWilliams shared a short video to Instagram of herself in her office at Endemol Shine's Sydney headquarters.

As a safety precaution, she was wearing blue surgical gloves.

Nine and Endemol Shine put out the first casting call for the new season in February, when the seventh series was still airing.

Production is expected to continue through to December, with the cast reunion slated for January.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said at the Republican National Convention on Monday night that "Democrats refuse to denounce the mob."

What he's saying: Jordan targeted his statements at the Democratic Party and what President Trump has done to improve the country. "I love the presidents intensity and his willingness to fight," he said. "But what I also appreciate is something most Americans never see  how much he truly cares about people.

"Look at whats happening in Americas cities  all run by Democrats," he continued.

"Crime, violence, mob rule. Democrats refuse to denounce the mob. And their response to the chaos? Defund the police, defund border patrol, defund the military. And while theyre doing all of this, theyre also trying to take away your guns.

"Democrats wont let you go to church, but theyll let you protest. Democrats wont let you go to work, but theyll let you riot. Democrats wont let you go to school, but theyll let you loot. President Trump has fought against their crazy ideas."

Reality check: Biden supports the Second Amendment. He released a plan in October that calls for banning the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, mandating universal background checks for all gun sales, except for gifts between close family members.
ATLANTA, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- North Highland, a leading change and transformation consultancy, is strengthening the firm's ongoing efforts to bring inclusion and diversity (I&D) to the forefront of the firm's strategic focus. To support this intent, Dianne Bernez has been promoted to Associate Vice President to lead the deployment of a comprehensive strategy spanning multiple internal and external touchpoints. In that capacity, she will report to Alex Bombeck, Managing Director and Group President, who additionally serves as the executive sponsor for the firm's I&D efforts, and will partner with Jennifer Mancuso, Vice President of Human Resources, and with the firm's I&D Committee.

Bernez's new role, which is global in scope, will have primary responsibility for ensuring the firm achieves its inclusion and diversity goals. As well, she will provide guidance for how North Highland approaches problem-solving for clients through an inclusion and diversity lens, define a formal approach to supplier diversity, and launch a new initiative related to procurement and vendor spend. In addition, she will lead North Highland's I&D Committee and provide guidance to its employee resource groups: Black Employee Network; Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) network in the UK; Women in North Highland; Pride Alliance; and Veterans at North Highland.

"As a people-centered firm, we believe in creating a sense of belonging and an environment where everyone is welcomed and appreciated for their personal capabilities, characteristics, contributions and diversity of background, thought and expertise," said Bombeck. "Dianne brings a unique global perspective and strategic approach, including direct work on complex race relations matters, that is integral in accelerating our ongoing inclusion and diversity efforts to create lasting change."

Bernez will continue to manage the firm's philanthropic mission around economic empowerment to disrupt the root causes of poverty, which was launched in 2016. This includes overseeing teams providing pro-bono consulting to non-profits focused on driving self-sufficiency for marginalized communities  a key social justice pillar.

Prior to joining North Highland in August 2016, Bernez's career highlights include supporting numerous projects in support of racial equity initiatives including co-leading a multi-year, race relations issue for a publicly traded firm, and was a core team member of a race relations and policing unit in Ontario, Canada. She has lived and worked in multiple countries, has held a number of senior-level roles in corporate communications, and has served on a variety of non-profit boards and community organizations focused on education, the arts, women's rights, and the needs of low-income communities.

About North Highland

North Highland is a leading change and transformation consulting firm, recognized for its deep expertise and collaborative, action-oriented approach. Invested in our client's success and powered by the belief that everything begins and ends with people, we bring together the brightest minds to create positive change and transform businesses through customer, workforce and operational lenses.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and regularly named a best place to work, North Highland is an employee-owned firm with more than 5,000 consultants worldwide and 65+ offices around the globe. The firm is a member of Cordence Worldwide (www.cordenceworldwide.com), a global management consulting alliance. For more information, visit northhighland.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Jaclyn Proctor, [email protected]

SOURCE North Highland

Related Links

http://www.northhighland.com


Although Huang Yanping, a visually impaired young Chinese man, can only feel light in his eyes, he is full of optimism thanks to music, which he began to learn since childhood.

(Photo/Chinanews.com)

If Huang had not studied music in Beijing, he would have followed an easier path for the blind and become a masseur. However, he has chosen a different path in life, using music to convey optimism and reach out to "those of us who are physically handicapped and want to be free."

"I got basically all the eye diseases I can get: vitreous opacity, optic nerve dysplasia, retinitis pigmentosa," Huang described his childhood eye conditions.

(Photo/Chinanews.com)

At the age of nine, Huang entered a school for the blind. Besides compulsory courses such as massage, acupuncture and moxibustion, he also learned piano from his teacher. Puzzled, his parents thought, "there are so many keys on the piano, can you press them?" Undaunted, Huang managed to learn how to play Liszt and Chopin before leaving the school for the blind.

When Huang decided to study music in college, his parents were very supportive. The reality of the problem facing Huang was by the time he was 18 years old he had just graduated from junior high school, when almost all of his peers had graduated from high school. To prepare for the college entrance examinations, Huang decided to study the high school curriculum at home for one year.

(Photo/Chinanews.com)

"It was bitter," recalling the days when he studied for the exam, Huang said he had to make up three years worth of classes in one year. Every day he got up at 5 a.m. and went to bed at 1 or 2 a.m.

He said, "Fortunately, my professional scores were good, although I was slightly worse in my academic courses, joking that he was lucky.

After graduating from university, Huang joined a disabled people's art troupe in southeast China's Fujian province and repeatedly polished his excellent interpersonal skills.

(Photo/Chinanews.com)

"None of my friends see me as a blind person now," exactly what Huang wants, he added, "I believe it is also what all visually impaired people want."

Huang once joked about his first half of life on his social media: success or not, I have stumbled into establishing a career. Today, Huang is a father to his three-year-old son. Although his son is also visually impaired, Huang has not relaxed his expectations for his son's future. "I want him to be useful to the country and society when he grows up," he shared.

(Photo/Chinanews.com)

(Photo/Chinanews.com)
Less than a day after watching the video of Kenosha, Wis., police shooting 29-year-old Jacob Blake in front of his family, Michael Bell walked through the streets of downtown holding a two-foot photograph of his son and reliving his own tragedy from more than a decade earlier.

Kenosha police fatally shot his 21-year-old son, Michael Bell, Jr., in front of Bell's wife and daughter in 2004. The officers were investigated by their own department and quickly cleared of wrongdoing; Bell has been fighting for greater police accountability and independence into fatal police encounters ever since.

"When I saw the shooting, it turned my stomach," Bell said. He referenced a woman in the video of Blake's shooting, screaming and jumping after watching the Kenosha officers fire their weapons. "I knew what it was. That's what they did to my son."

But unlike the younger Bell, Blake has so far survived the gunshots, seven fired at his back, and is hospitalized in serious condition. And instead of being investigated by the police department itself, Blake's case is being reviewed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the result of a state law passed after Bell's death.

Thanks to a 2014 law that the elder Bell helped to champion, Wisconsin became the first state in the U.S. to require an independent investigation any time a police officer kills someone in the line of duty. The law was heralded by police reform activists nationwide as a way to hold police accountable, but six years on, Bell and other police reform advocates say the law still doesn't go far enough.

Few investigations since 2015 have led to charges against police officers who kill members of the public. One exception was a former Milwaukee police officer Dominique Heaggan-Brown, who was charged with the first-degree reckless homicide for Sylville Smith in 2016; he was later acquitted.

Wisconsin's law only requires independence in investigations, not in prosecutions. That means prosecutors are tasked with determining charges against officers they work with, said David Sklanksy, a faculty co-director of the Stanford Criminal Justice Center.

Under the current law, the state Justice Department's Division of Criminal Investigation or another independent agency will spend between one and four months investigating a case before handing the findings to the district attorney who decides whether to bring charges.

"No matter how carefully and conscientiously the investigation and prosecutors are made, it's difficult for outsiders to have confidence in the results when the agencies have a conflict of interest," Sklanksy said.

While independent prosecution could increase the public's confidence in the fairness of how an officer's case is handled, it won't necessarily stop near-fatal or deadly encounters with police from happening.

That, Bell said, can only come from a comprehensive review of investigations and prosecutions to figure out what went wrong in the first place. He advocates a review like the kind the National Transportation Safety Board has following plane crashes what the military has with so-called "after-action" reviews. Sklanksy, the law professor, agreed.

"They do this not only with air crashes, but near-misses and ask, 'how did we get that close?'" Sklansky said. "The justice system in general does not conduct this sort of review."

Bell has been advocating for new legislation that Republican Wisconsin State Sen. Van Wanggaard, a former police officer, is expected to unveil Wednesday that would add such a review to Wisconsin's investigations.

"The 2014 law is critically important. But it attempts to eliminate the appearance of bias," Scott Kelly, Waangaard's chief of staff, told The Washington Post Monday. "But tell that to a person who has been shot, and they're not going to believe it."

The proposed legislation, which stems from a summit Bell organized in 2017 with the S.C. Johnson Foundation and the UW-Madison Law School, would create an independent use of force advisory board that includes members of law enforcement organizations, legal scholars, mental health professionals and criminal defense attorneys.

For Bell, any new laws will likely come too late for his 16-year-old case, but he hopes to honor his son's memory and offer hope to families like those of Jacob Blake.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  The Asian Development Bank said it is extending a fresh $125 million (about 6 billion) loan to further boost the Philippines' healthcare and testing capacities as the COVID-19 crisis lingers on.

In a statement, the regional lender said its Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit (HEAL) COVID-19 Project will provide fresh funds for the Department of Health to improve medical services in the country through new equipment and additional training for health workers.

The loan should improve the country's capacity to "prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus disease pandemic," it said.

Sakiko Tanaka, ADB principal social sector specialist for Southeast Asia, said the new loan willo assist the Philippines in scaling up COVID-19 tests, surveillance, critical care equipment, and infection prevention and control.

The development agency said the money is also expected to support the country's goal of doubling daily coronavirus tests from 31,000 as of August to 75,000 per day by December.

READ: Govt aims to test 10 million Filipinos for COVID-19 within 8 to 10 months

Local coronavirus cases are nearing 200,000, while deaths have topped 3,000.

Once the loan accord is signed, the DOH is authorized to spend the money to buy electrocardiography machines and defibrillators, as well as to upgrade laboratories and isolation wards of 17 major hospitals in the country.

Additional ventilators and CT scan machines should also be provided for urban and far-flung health facilities, on top of more test kits and personal protective equipment for frontliners.

The fresh loan is on top of the $3 million (about 145 million) debt approved in March for the purchase of emergency medical supplies, given just weeks after the country confirmed local COVID-19 transmissions.

The ADB earlier said it is ready to lend $4.2 billion (about 207 billion) to the Philippines this year, an all-time high to support coronavirus response measures.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 20:33:23|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

HONG KONG, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Tuesday completed the 23rd rotation since it began garrisoning Hong Kong in 1997.

Approved by the Central Military Commission, the move is a normal routine annual rotation in line with the Law of the People's Republic of China on Garrisoning the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The officers and soldiers leaving Hong Kong on rotation had successfully completed all tasks during their garrison in Hong Kong. On their departure, through the garrison's information office, they thanked all sectors of the Hong Kong society and the general public for their support during their stay in Hong Kong.

The new personnel have been trained and carried out studies in bases in the mainland to master military skills to fulfill the defence duty of Hong Kong's defense before arriving at the garrison barracks.

They pledged to resolutely obey the command of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, strictly abide by the Basic Law of the HKSAR, the Law of the People's Republic of China on Garrisoning the HKSAR and other HKSAR laws and effectively perform the defense duty of Hong Kong so as to make new and greater contributions to safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests and maintaining Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability. Enditem
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Elly Burhaini Faizal (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 08:14 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c402ea33 1 Opinion COVID-19,pandemic,family-planning,BKKBN,contraception,commentary,#commentary Free

Apart from its threat to the health system and the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a baby boom that would slow the countrys bid for recovery. The number of pregnancies has risen during the pandemic, prompting the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) to double efforts to promote family planning and contraceptive use.

Contraceptive services have been severely disrupted as human movement restrictions  one of the measures to contain the virus  prevents health officials from offering routine family planning counseling and contraceptive services. Physical distancing has reduced patient services and operating hours of health facilities, clinics and midwife services, while fertile couples are somewhat reluctant to go out and seek family planning services for fear of virus transmission.

BKKBN data show the number of active users of contraception declined to 26 million in April from 36 million in March. One-fourth or 2.5 million of those who have stopped using contraception were fertile couples aged between 20 and 35 years.

The possibility for contraceptive users to get pregnant within the first month after quitting injections, intrauterine devices (IUDs) and pills stands at 10 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent, respectively. In the end, about 370,000 to 500,000 women may have become pregnant as of May.

The use of contraceptives also declined by 35 to 47 percent from February to March, which could contribute to a 15 percent increase in unintended pregnancies in 2021, BKKBN data also reveals. Nationwide, the percentage of unintended pregnancies stands at 17.5 percent, which means 17 in every 100 pregnancies are unintended. This is quite alarming.

One of the leading causes of the unintended pregnancies is fertile couples lack of access to contraceptive supplies and services, BKKBN head Hasto Wardoyo said during the launch of an online-based family planning application, KlikKB, in Jakarta on Aug. 17. The app launch is for World Contraception Day, which will be commemorated on Sept. 26.

According to Hasto, concerns about coronavirus transmission in health facilities, the closure of contraceptive providers and transportation disruptions due to large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) have kept users of contraception from seeking the care they need.

World Contraception Day is a global campaign to raise public awareness that every pregnancy should be a planned one. Launched in 2017, it aims to improve public knowledge about contraception and share adequate information so that women can understand and make proper decisions on their reproductive health.

If coronavirus-related lockdowns and restrictions continue, more than 47 million women worldwide could lose access to contraception over months, the United Nations Population Fund warned in June.

As the pandemic may last for years, it is now a critical time for Indonesia, the worlds fourth-most populous country, to push forward contraceptive services for fertile couples. The government should help them practice family planning, namely through the temporary delay of pregnancy, the spacing of births and permanent contraception methods.

In the 1970s, Indonesia won global praise for its successful family planning program under a popular tagline Dua Anak Cukup (Two Children Are Enough). Nowadays, a surge in pregnancies is expected as an unintended consequence of the curbs to contain the pandemic.

To prevent a further decline in contraceptive use, the BKKBN has taken initiatives, such as deploying family planning facilitators and counsellors to directly distribute free pills and condoms to the public. In some regions, BKKBN offices, using various media, have encouraged people to delay pregnancy and avoid unintended pregnancy during the pandemic. In fact, the human immune system tends to weaken during pregnancy, making pregnant women more prone to COVID-19.

The BKKBN also provided free family planning services across Indonesia as part of the One Million Acceptors campaign and National Family Day (Harganas) celebration, which fell on June 29. On that day, the contraceptive service reached 1.37 million people.

To boost family planning services during the crisis, the BKKBN partnered with local governments in about 500 regencies and cities and midwife associations to ensure the safe delivery of contraceptive tools, family planning services and information on family planning programs.

The online platform KlikKB is an innovative approach to bring family planning and reproductive health services closer to society. Jointly developed by telemedicine app KlikDokter and the BKKBN, KlikKB provides live chat services with providers, information on family planning service centers, as well as contraceptive alarms for both providers and users. The alarm reminds people when to take their contraceptive pills.

The alarm also aims to prevent contraceptive dropouts, which remain high especially in short-term contraception cases. In the last three months, 10 percent of 36 million fertile couples have abandoned their contraceptives, according to BKKBN data.

With KlikKB, the supply of contraceptive tools can be monitored to prevent stock-outs in health facilities. Currently, 2,000 midwives in areas across Indonesia are involved as service providers. Midwives as counsellors will be assigned to provide consultations via KlikKB.

With its primary goal to help families produce healthy children, the BKKBN has now turned to teenagers, young adults and people under 40 as its target market. As reproductive health is not a subject in school curriculum, Hasto said the BKKBN had to develop new strategies and more creative ways to disseminate information on reproductive health to teenagers.

Despite the pandemic, family planning services must continue under strict health protocols. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the governments decision to ease restrictions could lead to a revival of family planning services.

-------

Staff writer at The Jakarta Post
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 19:15 512 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4069566 1 National KPK,Corruption-Eradication-Comission,Nawawi-Pomolango,harun-masiku,graft-convict,fugitive,graft,PDI-P Free

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is set to assign more personnel to track down graft fugitive Harun Masiku who remains at large to this day.

KPK deputy chairman Nawawi Pomolango said he had instructed the commissions investigation and law enforcement departments to immediately take Harun into custody.

I have requested that the acting investigation director and the enforcement deputy [] add more personnel to the task force, Nawawi said on Monday evening as quoted by kompas.com.

He went on to say that the KPK had also explored other options, such as forming a new task force in addition to the existing team to ensure Haruns immediate arrest.

Nawawi further reasserted the antigraft body's commitment to hunt down the fugitive, who has eluded authorities for over six months. [The KPK] shall continue looking for him, Nawawi said.

Harun, alongside his fellow PDI-P politician Saeful Bahri, was accused of bribing then-General Elections Commission (KPU) commissioner Wahyu Setiawan in exchange for securing a seat in the House of Representatives that was left vacant by a deceased member from the ruling party.

Last month, the KPK filed a request with the Law and Human Rights Ministry to extend an overseas travel ban for Harun as it continued its search for the graft fugitive.

KPK investigators failed to capture Harun during an operation in January, but they managed to arrest Wahyu, Saeful and six other suspects in the case.

It was later discovered that Harun had departed for Singapore on Jan. 6 and returned to Indonesia on Jan. 7 before the KPK named him a suspect the following day. He is believed to have fled the country shortly afterward and currently remains at large.

The Jakarta Corruption Court has sentenced Saeful to one year and eight months behind bars for his involvement in the bribery case in May, while handing down a six-year prison sentence for Wahyu in a verdict read out separately on Monday. (rfa)
Lawyers for Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic tell a UN court he is at risk of a miscarriage of justice.

Lawyers for Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic have told a UN court he is at risk of a miscarriage of justice because he is mentally unfit to take part in an appeal hearing against his genocide conviction.

Dubbed the Butcher of Bosnia, the 78-year-old Mladic has challenged his 2017 conviction and life sentence for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, including the 1995 Srebrenica massacre.

But Mladics lawyers said they were taking part under protest as the two-day hearing got under way in The Hague, after judges earlier this week rejected a bid to postpone it pending a fresh medical assessment.

A frail-looking Mladic appeared in court wearing a mask because of coronavirus regulations, which he later removed.

Wearing a suit with his red tie askew, he initially said he could not follow the hearing through headphones.

This hearing today is inappropriate and threatens  a miscarriage of justice, defence lawyer Dragan Ivetic told the court.

I am unable to meaningfully gain instruction from Mr Mladic, or be assured that he is able to meaningfully follow proceedings.

The hearing has already been delayed several times since March after Mladic needed an operation to remove a benign polyp on his colon, and then because of the pandemic.

Srebrenica

Mladic was captured in 2011 after years on the run and sentenced to life behind bars three years ago for his role in the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia.

This included genocide committed by his forces in the small eastern Bosnian town of Srebrenica, Europes worst bloodshed since World War II, where about 8,000 Muslim men and boys were slaughtered.

About 100,000 people were killed and 2.2 million others displaced in the Bosnian war, which erupted as communal rivalries tore Yugoslavia apart after the fall of communism.

Mladic, who has been serving his sentence at a detention centre in the seaside suburb of Scheveningen, has appealed against both the conviction and sentence. The prosecution has appealed against his acquittal on wider genocide charges.

Ivetic said the original judgement was replete with errors, including linking Mladic to crimes committed in 1991 before he was in the chain of command.

The trial judges erred by admitting some actions allegedly carried out by Mladics subordinates, said Peta-Louise Baggott, another defence lawyer.

The case is being heard at the UNs International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in The Hague, which deals with cases left over from now-defunct tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

Mladic will himself be allowed to speak for 10 minutes on Wednesday. He had to be dragged out of the court in 2017 after an outburst in which he accused the judges of lying.
A forklift has damaged a brick walkway at the iconic national monument Fort McHenry, where Republicans were building a stage for Vice-President Mike Pences appearance for the partys national convention, a National Park Service spokeswoman said Monday.

A national parks advocacy group expressed outrage at the damage, saying stewardship of national monuments should be nonpartisan and professional.

National Park Service spokeswoman Stephanie Roulett confirmed the damage in an email Monday. She said the damaged bricks dated from a 1930s restoration at the fort but gave no details.

Built in 1798, Fort McHenry and the Americans in it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from the British Navy in the War of 1812. The scene inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner. The U.S. designates the fort as a national monument and historic shrine.

This month, the Maryland Republican Party asked for and got a special-use permit from the National Park Service to use the fort as a backdrop for Pences political address Wednesday during the Republican National Convention. The park service provided The Associated Press a copy of the permit, which calls the event a political rally and said crews would be building a stage inside the fort, among other work.

The NPS carried out an initial assessment of the damage and will conduct a full evaluation following the conclusion of the permitted event, Roulett said.

The National Park Services website says the fort is closed to the public for the coronavirus pandemic. Its grounds are open, however.

The Coalition to Protect Americas National Parks disclosed reports of damage at the fort from the event in a letter it sent acting park service head Margaret Everson and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Monday.

The coalitions chairman, Philip A. Francis Jr., asked the officials to investigate the damage and change agency policy to prevent future such damage.

We are questioning the National Park Services ability to properly monitor this permit for the protection of the publics resources due to the nature of the political event, Francis wrote.

As a designated free-speech use of the federal property, the rally did not require the usual posting of financial bond and insurance. Roulett said the permit-holders would still be responsible for the cost, however.

The park service also did not immediately respond to a request on the review process it used in considering the permit request.

President Donald Trump has frequently used iconic public sites, including the National Mall and Mount Rushmore, as settings for fireworks displays and speeches to his supporters. The National Park Service, whose acting chief Bernhardt recently replaced, also authorized Republicans to set off fireworks at the Washington Monument on Thursday for Trumps speech accepting the partys nomination.
The decision to hold the two-day session was taken at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Legislature on Tuesday.

Mumbai: The monsoon session of Maharashtra state Legislature would be held for two days between September 7 and 8, owing to COVID-19 pandemic. All members of the Assembly and Council will undergo RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test on September 6 for detection of coronavirus and only legislators who test negative will be allowed to attend the session.

The decision to hold the two-day session was taken at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Legislature on Tuesday.

A senior Congress legislator, who attended the meeting, said, A total of seven bills along with the supplementary demands would be tabled in the two-day session of the state legislature. The meeting was attended by Assembly speaker Nana Patole, legislative council chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, his deputy Ajit Pawar and leader of Opposition in the Assembly Devendra Fadnavis among others.

The senior official said that there will be strict implementation of physical distancing norms in the house as well as in the gallery. Every member will get a safety kit consisting of face shield, mask, hand gloves and sanitisers, among other items.

Eight bills are likely to be tabled during the session which will see discussion on supplementary demands. The monsoon session was originally scheduled to be held in June which was later deferred to August.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Outside an engineering building here, Lauren Johnson offered pandemic-safety gear to students hustling to the first classes of the fall term. But no one who had passed her so far on this blue-sky morning needed a "Protect Purdue" face mask.

"I would say a majority of students are abiding by the regulations right now," Johnson said Monday. "It's not a perfect world, and we're going to have some people not follow the rules."

The 22-year-old senior from West Lafayette belongs to a squadron of Purdue University safety "ambassadors" paid $9.50 an hour to promote measures the public institution is taking to protect its campus from the novel coronavirus.

Purdue has become a national poster school for the push to bring students to campus and teach in person despite the public health crisis - a push that in many other places has failed or is in deep jeopardy. The wave of fall reopenings, now accelerating, has exposed the fragility of plans once seemed solid.

The University of Notre Dame put in-person teaching on a two-week hiatus after virus cases surged. Butler University, in Indianapolis, flipped to remote instruction for two weeks as it opened Monday after noticing what it called "a lack of compliance" of health guidelines among "a relatively small proportion of our students."

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scrapped face-to-face classes entirely for undergraduates on Aug. 17, a week after classes began. Coronavirus cases connected to UNC-Chapel Hill rose sharply in the past week as more than 30% those tested were found to have the virus.

Ohio State University officials recently disclosed they have issued more than 200 "interim suspensions" of students for potential violations of health and safety rules related to the pandemic. On Tuesday, the University of Virginia is starting online with hopes of switching to in-person classes after Labor Day.

Much is riding on whether Purdue's plans to teach in person remain on track or succumb to the virus.

If Purdue is forced to pivot to an online-only semester, other public universities could face pressure to follow suit, said Christopher Marsicano, an assistant professor of the practice of higher education at Davidson College who is tracking pandemic responses.

Marsicano's analysis of 100 major public universities shows 47 are opening primarily or fully online. Others have hybrid-teaching plans or are still deciding what to do. Purdue is one of just 27 opening primarily in person.

"The question now is, 'Will Purdue last?' " Marsicano said.

Soon after the virus upended the spring semester nationwide, Purdue President Mitchell Daniels Jr. declared the university had a duty to provide its 45,000 students the chance to come here in the fall to learn.

"To tell them, 'Sorry, we are too incompetent or too fearful to figure out how to protect your elders, so you have to disrupt your education,' would be a gross disservice to them and a default of our responsibility," Daniels, a former Republican governor of Indiana, wrote in May.

In June, he boasted to a Senate committee that the university was acquiring more than a mile of plexiglass to protect faculty and staff from airborne transmission of the virus. But this month, Daniels warned students opening the university "wasn't an easy call" and he cautioned the university could shift course if conditions become untenable.

On Monday, Purdue declined to make Daniels available for an interview. "We don't feel we are in the spotlight as we are one of many schools returning to campus," a Purdue spokesman wrote in an email.

The university has required extensive viral testing of students and, like others, it is cracking down on risky behavior. Last week, 36 students were suspended for failing to wear masks and keep adequate distance from others at an off-campus party. A dashboard showed 35 students and six employees tested positive for the coronavirus, out of 1,661 tests given from Aug. 16 through Aug. 22. The positivity rate was about 2.5%.

Faculty are divided. "To be clear, I have colleagues who are looking forward to face to face teaching. But I would say they're in a minority," said Alice Pawley, an associate professor of engineering education, who leads the campus chapter of the American Association of University Professors. The university said it has sought to accommodate medically vulnerable employees, allowing them to work remotely if needed. But Pawley said she has heard of faculty who feel pressured to teach in person even though they didn't want to. Lecturing behind plexiglass, she said, is not the solution.

"It should be about student learning," she said, "and not about the optics of 'teaching face to face no matter what.' "

On opening day, students ambled around a campus that felt sparsely populated. They tried to keep distant from one another, and none could be seen without a mask. Some sat at tables outside a Starbucks with headphones on and laptops open, Zooming into courses rather than walking into lecture halls. Others lounged on the grass and balanced computers on their chests or stomachs.

As the Purdue Bell Tower chimed, a class of about 20 students met on the lawn of the Engineering Mall. Associate professor Mireille "Mimi" Boutin struggled with an iPad to get a handful of virtual students dialed into the electrical and computer engineering course via Zoom. "It was a disaster," she said. Some students couldn't connect, so she'll have to find time this week to give the same introductory lecture again. "I'll have to teach on Sunday. I'll have to teach at night."

Boutin said she cannot meet in her classroom because of space restrictions. That morning, she found out a lab for the course will be online. "We're told, 'This is the situation, deal with it,'" Boutin said. "But when it comes down to making things work?" Her voice trailed off.

Toward the back of the group, Eric Lutz, 21, a junior from Ravenna, Mich., strained to hear. "I'd much prefer to be in the classroom, but if there's not enough space in the classroom, I guess you can't be in there anyway," he said.

Between classes, Megan Balog, 22, a senior from Loudoun County, Va., sat in the shade of a white tent not far from the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering. Balog said the classrooms she has seen appear to be "super clean inside" and "way less condensed." There were lots of hand sanitizer stations and buckets of cleaning wipes.

Balog said classmates are taking extra care with safety. "To us, labs are super important, so we need to be allowed to go to labs, so we're going to follow the rules," she said.

Off campus, David Sanders, an associate professor of biological sciences, was preparing to teach a course on the coronavirus to 50 students via Zoom. He summed up the faculty's mood: "Frustration. Confusion."

Sanders said he has noticed a change in tone from leadership as the university sought to curb large-scale parties that could jeopardize the reopening.

"We'll see whether the coercion is effective or not," he said. "It is certainly inconsistent with what Daniels has been saying all summer, which is, 'Everything is going to go fine because we're not going to need to use coercion because the students are going come here and be uniquely saintly.' "

- - -

Anderson reported from Washington.
KALAMAZOO, MI  In the wake of the latest police-involved shooting, this one involving Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, young Black leaders and other activists in Kalamazoo took to Bronson Park Monday night.

Blake, 29, was shot in the back by a Kenosha police officer at about 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23, sparking a new wave of protests across the country and throughout Wisconsin.

Seven shots could be heard in video footage of the shooting, but it is not clear how many struck Blake. The Wisconsin man was hospitalized and is currently in stable condition, according to multiple reports.

Let us not make the mistake of once again being surprised by the police shooting of a Black man, said Luzon Amaru of the Revolutionary Peoples League of Kalamazoo.

Lets not make the mistake of identifying this as an incident that does not represent the United States of America. The attempted murder of Jacob Blake is absolutely representative of the United States.

Amaru was one of more than a half dozen speakers who spoke to issues of racism in America at Mondays event, which was hosted by Uplift Kalamazoo and billed as the first live podcast for Khadijah Browns podcast series Truth Speaks.

Nothing, not peaceful protests to full on riots have led to change, Amaru said. You cannot reform what has happened in the United States because this system is working exactly as it was intended. So its up the people to abolish that system.

King Ryan, executive director of Uplift Kalamazoo spoke to those who gathered about the systemic issues felt by many in the country. He stated that if you have never been Black in America, you dont know what that feels like.

Today was another one of them days, right? We woke up, we got on our social media, we stared at our TV and we see our trauma splashed everywhere, he said. I cant watch them videos no more. I dont want to and I shouldnt have to.

Black parents are having conversations that white parents never have to have. Its not right. Im tired of turning on the news and seeing our speeches. You get 10 seconds. That aint enough, OK? Were calling on our city to step up and listen.

Mayor David Anderson was in the crowd for part of the evening, but left before the hour-long rally was over.

Most of the discussion involved police violence, however.

We know there is something wrong with the police, King Ryan said. It is ingrained in what they are. That is tough behavior and it is by design. You cant tell us anything else and we refuse to hear anything else.

It is the system and it is oppressing us. Police keep their foot on our necks. Weve been screaming we cant breathe and were tired. I dont want to think that could be me. Every time we think that could easily be me and then we are expected to walk out of our houses and feel safe and feel protected. We are not protected as Black People. Ever.

So we are stepping up to protect ourselves. We didnt ask to be in this place, but now that we are here, we are not going to be silent.

Kalamazoo resident Corianna McDowell also took to the stage. While addressing the issue of gun violence in the community, she said that is not the only reason her children are afraid to go to the park.

The people who are there to protect them, they are afraid of, McDowell said. They not only had to watch one time, George Floyd murdered... They have no had to watch for the second time with their own eyes, another black man, who by the grace of God is still living. That to me is (attempted) premeditated murder.

Also on MLive:

Charges filed a second time against Kalamazoo woman accused in fatal hit-and-run

Michigan Trump campaign teases positive vision for Republican National Convention

Kalamazoo police chief responds to criticism of handling of Proud Boys rally

Citizens call for new leadership in Kalamazoo after failure during Proud Boys rally
New Zealand mosque shooter given life in prison for 'wicked' crimes The sentencing for mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant takes place in Christchurch

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A New Zealand court on Thursday sentenced Brenton Tarrant, a 29-year-old Australian who killed 51 Muslim worshippers in Christchurch, to life in prison without parole, the first time such a sentence has been handed down in the Pacific nation.

Below are quotes from the sentencing hearing and public reaction on Thursday:

HIGH COURT JUDGE CAMERON MANDER

"Your crimes...are so wicked that even if you are detained until you die it will not exhaust the requirements of punishment and denunciation. As far as I can discern, you are empty of any empathy for your victims."

"The hatred that lies at the heart of your hostility to particular members of the community that you came to this country to murder has no place here - it has no place anywhere."

NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER JACINDA ARDERN

"I want to acknowledge the strength of our Muslim community who shared their words in court over the past few days. You relived the horrific events of March 15 to chronicle what happened that day and the pain it has left behind.

"Nothing will take the pain away but I hope you felt the arms of New Zealand around you through this whole process, and I hope you continue to feel that through all the days that follow.

"The trauma of March 15 is not easily healed but today I hope is the last where we have any cause to hear or utter the name of the terrorist behind it. His deserves to be a lifetime of complete and utter silence."

NEW ZEALAND POLICE COMMISSIONER ANDREW COSTER

"While this will be recorded as an historic sentence, it is the impact on victims and their stories of survival, strength, humility and forgiveness that we must remember.

"New Zealand and the world, has felt the pain of the Muslim community and the horror of such a hateful and senseless act committed in our own backyard, against our own people.

"We responded to this event with unity and our communities came closer together, which is ultimately what will ensure that all people can be safe and feel safe in this country."

Story continues

"I would like to acknowledge the hundreds of Police staff who worked for many months to ensure justice was ultimately served today.

"The investigation was one of the largest and most complex in New Zealand history, and Im extremely proud of the teams exceptional policing through meticulous attention to detail and commitment to putting victims first."

(Reporting by Sam Holmes)
Tropical storm Laura swept the southern coast of Cuba on Monday and is headed for the U.S., leaving 13 dead in the Caribbean and will likely develop into a hurricane. Marco, on the other hand, weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm but brings heavy rains and a possibility of tornados.

READ: California Fire: More Wildfires Burning as 10,800 Lighting Strikes Sparks New Fire

Tropical storm Laura

U.S. National Center predicts that Laura would make landfall in Louisiana later this week, and it could become a hurricane by Tuesday.

On Monday, Laura moved westward along the southern coast of Cuba, bringing with it torrential downpour and causing coastal flooding.

The wind gust was at 90 miles per hour in the early hours, with waves of more than three meters hit the Maisi area in the province of Guantanamo.

Roofs of homes were ripped by the high winds and fell numerous trees, but local authorities announced that there are no casualties.

In the provinces of Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Camaguey in Cuba, at least 160,000 residents were evacuated.

Before finally heading out of Cuba on Tuesday dawn, Laura will track near the capital Havana on Monday afternoon and is expected to landfall in the U.S. mainland late Wednesday or early Thursday.

The scary thing about Laura is that it could toughen to Category 3 hurricane with expected gusting winds of at least 111 mph before its landfall on Louisiana or Texas coast.

Aside from the strong winds, Laura will also bring with her heavy rains from eastern Texas to Mississippi.

READ ALSO: Five Reasons Why the US Gets More Power Outages Than Any Other Developed Countries

Damage of Laura in the Caribbean

The Hurricane Center predicted that the U.S. would have 25 named storms this year, making 2020 one of the busiest Atlantic storm seasons.

Torrential rains and flash flooding hit the Cayman Islands and Jamaica. In Haiti, nine people lost their lives over the weekend due to Laura.

Four people died in the Dominican Republic's capital Santo Domingo, the Center of Emergency Operations in the country.

Dominican Republic President reported that an army corporal died while making rescue efforts in Pedernales province.

In Haiti, storms pose deadly risks to the country's poorest residents as many of their houses are located in at-risk-zones, near canals, ravines that are quickly swept by flooding and landslides.

Massive flooding from mountains in Petionville, near the capital Port-au-Prince, caused enormous damage.

Marco downgraded from hurricane to tropical storm

Marco, which was downgraded from a hurricane overnight, made landfall near the mouth of Mississippi River about 6 P.M. with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, according to the National Hurricane.

Despite the downgrade, residents are still urged to stay vigilant as heavy rains will continue in several areas of the north-central Gulf Coast tonight. At least7 inches of rain are expected in some areas of the Gulf coast.

CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar said areas that will be affected by rains from Marco would also get storms from Laura.

Preparing for the storms

On Monday night, a mandatory evacuation was ordered for Jefferson County, Texas, including Beaumont and Port Arthur. In Louisiana, a mandatory evacuation was issued for Plaquemines Parish and Grand Isle.

Relief supplies from Red Cross and 400 disaster workers are on standby to provide emergency shelters.

READ NEXT: Puerto Rico's Arecibo Observatory Takes Unprecedented and Unexplained Damage

Check out for more news and information on Hurricanes and Floods on Nature World News.
He built a Z-shaped wooden contraption to set his phone on, which he placed next to him while he taught remote classes last spring. He would train his laptop camera on his face, join the classwide Zoom call with his phone and ask students to pin the image of his phone to one side of their screens. His phone, in turn, would be pointed down at a piece of paper, recording and transmitting whatever equations and lessons he wanted students to be seeing.
Trump and his supporters often speak as if he took office in the middle of the Great Recession when, in fact, he inherited a pretty good economy. The United States added an average of more than 250,000 jobs each month in 2014 and 227,000 a month in 2015. It added 193,000 a month in 2016, as Trump barnstormed the country saying the economy was in crisis. In 2017, Trump's first year in office, monthly job growth slowed to 179,000 per month. It jumped to 223,000 a month in 2018 - lower than under President Barack Obama in 2014 and 2015 - and fell back to 175,000 a month in 2019. When Trump in 2018 proclaimed, twice in the same day, "an economic turnaround of historic proportions," the United States had been adding jobs for 94 straight months, of which 18 were under Trump's leadership. Donald Trump jnr: "It's almost like this election is shaping up to be church, work and school versus rioting, looting and vandalism." Credit:Bloomberg "The failed Obama-Biden administration never could do and build the greatest economy our country has ever seen." - Trump jnr

Before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered businesses and sent unemployment soaring, Trump's supporters could certainly brag about the state of the economy in his first three years as President. But they run into trouble when they made a play to say it was the best economy in US history. As we already noted, Trump inherited a thriving economy. By just about any important measure, the economy under Trump did not do as well as it did under presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson or Bill Clinton. The gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 2.3 per cent in 2019, slipping from 2.9 per cent in 2018 and 2.4 per cent in 2017. But in 1997, 1998 and 1999, GDP grew 4.5 per cent, 4.5 per cent and 4.7 per cent, respectively. Yet even that period paled in comparison against the 1950s and 1960s. Growth between 1962 and 1966 ranged from 4.4 per cent to 6.6 per cent. In 1950 and 1951, it was 8.7 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate reached a low of 3.5 per cent under Trump, but it dipped as low as 2.5 per cent in 1953. "Obama and Biden let North Korea threaten America. President Trump rejected that weakness, and we passed the toughest sanctions on North Korea in history." - Haley Haley conveniently leaves out the rest of the story.

On November 7, 2017, speaking in South Korea, the President denounced leader Kim Jong-un's regime, saying: "Citizens spy on fellow citizens, their homes are subject to search at any time, and their every action is subject to surveillance. In place of a vibrant society, the people of North Korea are bombarded by state propaganda practically every waking hour of the day. North Korea is a country ruled as a cult." That's the period of the sanctions cited by Haley. Seven months later, Trump met with Kim in Singapore, the first time a US president sat down with a North Korean leader. "His country does love him. His people, you see the fervour. They have a great fervour," Trump said after the meeting. Complex diplomatic initiatives usually work the opposite way: Lower level officials reach a series of agreements over months or years of talks, resulting in a summit meeting to finalise the deal. Trump, eager for a made-for-television event, opted to go straight to the summit without substantial agreements in place. The problem with that approach is demonstrated by the document Trump and Kim signed in June 2018. It was remarkably vague, leaving much to interpretation and debate, especially compared with previous documents signed by North Korea. Pyongyang has a long history of making agreements and then not living up to their obligations, but apparently Trump was not aware that the language in earlier agreements was tougher.

Trump and Kim met twice more, in February and June 2019, when Trump stepped over the demilitarised zone to become the first US president to set foot on North Korean soil. No further agreements were reached, but Trump continued to depict the relationship as a success even as experts said Pyongyang continued to improve its nuclear and missile programs. Trump even made excuses for Kim, dismissing the missile tests as "short-range," not "ballistic missiles tests" and claiming that Kim was "not happy with the testing." "North Korea has been building new missiles, new capabilities, new weapons as fast as anybody on the planet with the 115th-most powerful economy in the world," Air Force Gen. John Hyten said in January 2020. "Obama and Biden let Iran get away with murder and literally sent them a plane full of cash. President Trump did the right thing and ripped up the Iran nuclear deal." - Haley That "plane full of cash" was related to the settlement of a decades-old claim between the two countries, not the Iran nuclear deal. An initial payment of $US400 million ($558 million) was handed over on January 17, 2016, the day after Iran released four American detainees, including The Washington Post's Jason Rezaian. The timing - which US officials insisted was a coincidence - suggested the cash could be viewed as a ransom payment. But the initial cash payment was Iran's money.

In the 1970s, the then-pro-Western Iranian government under the shah paid $US400 million for US military equipment. But the equipment was never delivered because the two countries broke off relations after the seizure of American hostages at the US embassy in Tehran. Two other payments totaling $US1.3 billion - a negotiated agreement on the interest owed on the $400 million - came weeks later. State Department officials said the negotiations over the claims and detainees were not connected but came together at the same time, with the cash payment used as "leverage" to ensure the release of detainees. Obama administration officials claimed that without a deal with Iran, the Hague tribunal might have imposed a higher interest penalty on the United States. (Experts agreed that that was likely.) US officials said the transfer was made in cash, rather than by wire, as previous claims reached through the Hague tribunal were paid, to ease the impact of increasingly tough sanctions imposed on Iran. "The intelligence community recently assessed that the Chinese Communist Party favours Biden. They know he'll weaken both economically and on a world stage." - Trump jnr This is missing context. US intelligence officials have said China prefers Biden over Trump, but they have not linked China's preference to Biden's economic policies.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a statement August 7 saying: "We assess that China prefers that President Trump - whom Beijing sees as unpredictable - does not win reelection. China has been expanding its influence efforts ahead of November 2020 to shape the policy environment in the United States, pressure political figures it views as opposed to China's interests, and deflect and counter criticism of China. Although China will continue to weigh the risks and benefits of aggressive action, its public rhetoric over the past few months has grown increasingly critical of the current administration's COVID-19 response, closure of China's Houston Consulate, and actions on other issues." The same statement says Russia is working to assist Trump, as it did in 2016. Trump jnr left that out of his remarks. "We assess that Russia is using a range of measures to primarily denigrate former vice-president Biden and what it sees as an anti-Russia 'establishment,'" the ODNI statement says. "This is consistent with Moscow's public criticism of him when he was Vice President for his role in the Obama Administration's policies on Ukraine and its support for the anti-Putin opposition inside Russia. For example, pro-Russia Ukrainian parliamentarian Andriy Derkach is spreading claims about corruption - including through publicising leaked phone calls - to undermine former Vice President Biden's candidacy and the Democratic Party. Some Kremlin-linked actors are also seeking to boost President Trump's candidacy on social media and Russian television." "Job gains are outpacing what the so-called experts expected." - Trump jnr Trump and his allies would sometimes note, before the coronavirus pandemic began, that job creation was exceeding some projections from analysts at the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. But those projections are outdated and it's misleading to leave that out in a prime-time address.

The coronavirus pandemic disrupted the economy and made old economic projections obsolete. Employers have been adding jobs quickly in recent months, not because economic growth is beating old projections, but because the coronavirus caused millions of job losses and the economy has begun to bounce back from its pandemic slowdown. "Democrats claim to be for workers, but they've spent the entire pandemic trying to sneak a tax break for millionaires in Democrat states into the COVID relief bill. Then they attacked my father for suspending the payroll tax for middle-class workers." - Trump jnr Democrats have been trying to restore the state and local tax deduction since Trump and Republicans capped it at $US10,000 as part of a tax law, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, that took effect in 2018. Overall, the Republican tax cuts mostly benefited wealthy individuals and corporations. Most of the impact of capping the SALT deduction, but not all, was felt by states with relatively high taxes and residents with high incomes and high home values. Many of them are governed by Democrats, but the effect is also felt in Republican-run states such as Indiana, according to the Tax Foundation. "While the new SALT cap increases federal taxable income for high-income taxpayers, these taxpayers benefited from other tax changes," the Tax Foundation said. "The new lower tax rates, expanded child tax credit, and limiting of the AMT, among others, all benefited taxpayers now impacted by the SALT cap. On net, even many taxpayers limited by the new SALT deduction had their taxes lowered in 2018." Biden "supported the worst trade deals in the history of the planet. He voted for the NAFTA nightmare. Down the tubes went our auto industry. He pushed TPP. Goodbye manufacturing jobs." - Trump jnr

Millions of manufacturing jobs and thousands of US manufacturing establishments have disappeared since NAFTA took effect in 1994, but it's difficult to isolate how much of that was because of NAFTA and not other factors such as automation. The studies we reviewed indicate that NAFTA had a modest effect on the US economy. Auto industry representatives and independent analysts seem to agree the NAFTA dynamics have helped rather than hindered automakers with US operations. Trump and his allies often claim that he significantly overhauled the NAFTA with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). It's not a total trade revolution, as Trump promised, but USMCA does make changes to modernise trade rules in effect from 1994 to 2020, and it gives some wins to US farmers and blue-collar workers in the auto sector. Economists and auto experts think USMCA is going to cause car prices in the United States to rise and the selection to go down. Some elements of the deal were borrowed from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the trade deal Trump scrapped at the start of his term, and that his son is now deriding in this speech. Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel speaks during the first night of the Republican National Convention. Credit:AP "Raising taxes on 82 per cent of Americans is not nice." - Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel McDaniel has a basis to make this statement, but as framed the impact is overstated. Biden says he plans to roll back Trump's tax cuts on households making above the $US400,000 threshold and on corporations. Trump's tax law reduced the income tax on the richest Americans from 39.6 per cent to 37 per cent, and the corporate tax rate from 35 per cent to 21 per cent in 2017; Biden has vowed to raise the corporate tax rate to 28 per cent.

Loading The Tax Policy Centre estimates that three-quarters of the tax increases would be paid by the top 1 per cent of households. But there would be some impact on households in even the lowest-income households for a largely technical reason, the nonpartisan group said: "Nearly all of the increase in tax burden for the bottom four income quintiles would be because of the indirect effects of increased corporate income taxes." Still, it would be enough to offset the impact of tax credits for low- and middle-income taxpayers proposed by Biden. So that's how McDaniel can claim more than 80 per cent of Americans would face higher taxes, even though the richest 1 percent would bear much of the burden. "Policies that . . . allow abortion up until the point of birth are not nice." - McDaniel This is misleading. Most abortions are performed in the earlier stages of pregnancy. About 1 per cent happen after the fetus reaches the point of viability. In short, McDaniel and the President are describing something that rarely happens and that no Democrat is calling for anyway.

Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and some others who competed in the Democratic presidential primary, said they favoured having no restrictions on abortion. Biden does not take such a sweeping position; he supports abortion rights and says he would codify in statute the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade and related precedents. Experts told us that support for abortion rights doesn't mean Democrats support "extreme late-term abortions." "That's like saying everyone who 'supports' the Second Amendment 'supports' school shootings," Katie Watson, a professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, has said. "'Abortion until the moment of birth' does not exist - it's a bogyman abortion opponents have created to frighten voters and derail rational conversation about constitutional rights. Nobody 'supports' it, and nobody does it. No patient ever asks a physician to end her pregnancy 'the moment before birth,' and no physician would agree to do it."

Mark and Patricia McCloskey speak during the Republican National Convention. The couple is infamous for pointing guns at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their mansion. Credit:Bloomberg "[Democrats] want to abolish the suburbs altogether by ending single-family home zoning. This forced rezoning would bring crime, lawlessness and low quality apartments and a now thriving suburban neighbourhoods." - Patricia McCloskey The Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule (AFFH) does not aim to bulldoze the suburbs, as Trump often claims. Rather, the rule is the latest attempt to push the Department of Housing and Urban Development to do more to enforce and implement a section of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 requiring the government to "affirmatively further fair housing." The rule, which was finalised in July 2015 and has been in limbo since Obama left office, is designed to push "meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics." It was designed to help state and local officials provide better access to opportunity, following the original 1968 guideline. For evidence of the bleak future, Trump points to his own experience "watching this for years." But he goes on to bungle the facts, suggesting that following the AFFH would lead to "housing values [dropping] like a rock." Most research suggests that the proximity of affordable housing does not depress property values.

Loading The President ought to be familiar with fair-housing rules. The government charged Trump, along with his father and their company, with violating the Fair Housing Act in 1973 for not renting to Black people. The Trumps eventually signed a consent decree in 1975, which they were accused of violating just three years later. "He delivered historic criminal justice reform. He ended - once and for all - the policy of mass incarceration of black people, which has decimated our communities, caused by no other than Joe Biden. Democrats couldn't do it. Obama didn't want to do it. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris definitely wouldn't do it." - Georgia Representative Vernon Jones, a Democrat "While Joe Biden made hollow promises when he chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, Donald Trump took action, and delivered criminal justice reform." - House Minority Whip Steve Scalise Trump signed the First Step Act in 2018, and it was described as historic criminal justice reform. But one of the biggest pieces of the First Step Act - a provision that reduced sentences for crack cocaine offences - was an extension of Obama's efforts in 2010.

A Washington Post investigation found that Trump's Justice Department is working to limit the number of inmates who might benefit from the First Step Act. Federal prosecutors are arguing in hundreds of cases that inmates who have applied for this type of relief are ineligible, according to a review of court records and interviews with defence attorneys. In at least half a dozen cases, prosecutors are seeking to reincarcerate offenders who have been released under the First Step Act. Biden's campaign has said that one part of Trump's First Step Act, a "safety valve" provision, which allows judges more discretion on sentencing, first appeared in a 1994 crime law Biden sponsored. Trump expanded the safety valve to cover more types of offenders, the Biden campaign said. Biden also sponsored the Second Chance Act in 2007 with Democrat Senator Pat Leahy and takes some credit for the Obama administration's reduction in sentences for crack offences. Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, speaks during the Republican National Convention. Credit:Bloomberg "President Trump built the most inclusive economy ever, 7 million jobs created, pre-COVID-19. And two-thirds of them went to women, African Americans, and Hispanics." - Republican Senator Tim Scott As of March, nearly 6.7 million jobs had been added to the economy since Trump took office. Job growth under Trump in his first three years was no better than Obama's last three years. But the country saw historic job loss after states implemented stay-home orders to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

A September 2019 analysis found that according to data collected by the government since the 1970s, most new hires of prime working age (25 to 54) were minorities, and minority women were predominantly driving the trend. That is not the same as saying minorities and women (of all races and ethnicities) account for most of the new hires of prime working age. One big reason for this trend has nothing to do with Trump; it's because United States is becoming less White and because prime-age Americans of colour, in particular women, are a growing share of the prime-age overall and non-employed populations. Matt Gaetz during the first night of the 2020 Republican National Convention. Credit:AP Biden "believes in war without winning, war without end. President Trump doesn't want us in distant deserts. He wants to fight to save America here and now." - Florida Republican Matt Gaetz Despite Gaetz's claim, the proof is in the troop numbers. Trump has not made much of a dent in the status quo despite a 2016 campaign promise to withdraw the United States from foreign conflicts. Nearly 200,000 American military personnel were overseas when Trump took office in 2017  already the smallest number in many decades. In countries such as Afghanistan, US troops are merely serving as "police," Trump has argued, while Germany, South Korea and others that could afford to defend themselves are getting US protection on the cheap at taxpayer expense.

But Trump has been stymied at virtually every turn. While there have been some relatively minor shifts in distribution - and since 2017, the Defence Department no longer includes troops in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq in its unclassified, published tallies - the overall total of those serving abroad is believed to have slightly increased since Obama left office. Amy Ford speaks from Washington during the first night of the Republican National Convention. Credit:AP "President Trump recognised the threat this virus presented for all Americans early on, and made rapid policy changes. And as a result, telehealth services are now accessible to more than 71 million Americans, including 35 million children." - Nurse Amy Johnson Ford Blink and you'll miss it. In this carefully written line, the key word is "accessible". But it doesn't mean Trump extended telehealth services to more than 71 million people with "rapid policy changes". The 71 million figure (including 35 million children) is a theoretical maximum. It depends on all states taking up a series of recommendations from the Trump administration. The numbers simply reflect total enrolment in Medicaid and CHIP programs jointly run by states and the federal government.

"Under President Trump's leadership, CMS has taken numerous steps to ensure that Americans can access the healthcare services they need through electronic and virtual means," according to the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). "Swift actions in Medicare have ensured that the nation's health coverage program for seniors is able to pay for telehealth services delivered nationwide and in any setting, with recent steps expanding Medicare payment for 80 additional telehealth services. Building on those actions, CMS is providing this toolkit for states to take similar steps. Medicaid and CHIP programs are jointly administered by the state and federal governments, and together provide health coverage for over 71 million Americans, including 35 million children." Former NFL player Herschel Walker. Credit:AP "I watched him as the owner of a professional football team. Right after he bought the team, he set out to learn. He learnt about the history of the team, the players, the coaches. Every detail. Then he used what he learned to make the team better." - Former NFL player Herschel Walker Trump's foray into the world of sports began and ended in the 1980s. He bought the New Jersey Generals, a US Football League team, and pushed his fellow owners to move the league games to the fall instead of spring, so they could compete on television with the NFL. The league tried it in 1986. "Trump is widely blamed for the demise of the USFL," ESPN reported.
Panaji, Aug 25 : Union Minister of State for Defence and AYUSH Shripad Naik is currently stable, but his recovery could take a "long time", a Manipal Hospital official said on Tuesday.

Consultant oncologist at Goa's Manipal Hospital and Naik's personal friend Shekhar Salkar also said, that Naik had tested negative for Covid-19 late on Monday and as per norm another test has been conducted to re-confirm his Covid status, results of which would be available late on Tuesday.

"He is good now. He is stable... He will need a long time to recover. It will not be a fast recovery," Salkar told reporters, after a team of doctors appointed by the Union Health Ministry examined Naik at the private hospital located near Panaji, where the Union Minister of State has been admitted.

Salkar also said that the central team of doctors had advised against shifting Naik to the national capital, saying relocation of a patient is a difficult procedure.

"They (central team of doctors) feel that he is quite okay as compared to yesterday. But he needs more time to recover. He has been told, he does not need to be shifted to Delhi as it is a difficult procedure," Naik said, adding that the central team of doctors would be examining Naik once again later on Tuesday.

Naik, a Lok Sabha MP from the North Goa parliamentary constituency tested positive for Covid on August 12 and was initially advised home isolation. He was shifted to Manipal Hospital near Panaji after his health condition worsened a few days later.

He has already been administered plasma as well as high flow nasal oxygen treatment.

On Monday, Naik's oxygen levels had dropped, after which Chief Minister Pramod Sawant requested the Union Health Ministry to dispatch a team of doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for examining the Union Minister.

Salkar said that Naik's oxygen levels had stabilised at around 95. "If he tests negative for Covid again after the second test, he would be shifted to the general ICU," Salkar said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
At the event (Source: www.qdnd.vn)

Hanoi - The Vietnam Renewable Energy Week 2020 was launched in Hanoi on August 25 by the Vietnam Sustainable Energy Alliance, the Vietnam Climate Action Alliance, and the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations.

This fifth holding, Breakthrough to Recovery and Green Development for a Peaceful Life, aims to put forward measures promoting sustainable energy development, ensuring energy security, removing barriers, and bolstering green economy recovery and growth.

The four-day event will also offer the chance for stakeholders to contribute to the countrys energy transition in an effective and sustainable manner.

Cecile Leroy from the Delegation to the European Union in Vietnam said the EU has signed numerous cooperation agreements with Vietnamese ministries and sectors in sustainable energy transition.

It has also provided its Vietnamese partners with assistance in energy development policies and in raising capacity, awareness, and energy access among the public.

The EU stands ready to share knowledge in projects, finance, and the legal framework for green recovery and development, she said.

Symposiums are to be held, including those on rooftop solar energy development and energy transition via solar power solutions and agriculture, among others.

The combined power capacity generated by operational renewable energy projects nationwide has to date reached nearly 6,000 MW, of which 31,000 rooftop solar projects generate about 700 MWp.

Renewable energy currently accounts for 10 percent of the national grids total capacity and Vietnam has emerged as a leader in the development of renewable energy resources in Southeast Asia.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2020) - Palladium One Mining Inc. (TSXV: PDM) (FSE: 7N11) (OTC Pink: NKORF) (the "Company" or "Palladium One") is pleased to report the first diamond drill hole results to test the Murtolampi zone, located 2.5 kilometers ("km") north of the Kaukua Deposit, at the open pit Lantinen Koillismaa ("LK") PGE-Cu-Ni Project (Figure 1). Starting at 5.8 meters downhole, Hole LK20-012 intersected 87.2m @ 1.43 g/t Pd_Eq* including 20.2 @ 2.26g/t Pd_Eq (Figure 2). Surface sampling by the Company, previously returned 4.9 g/t Pd_Eq (1.86 g/t Pd, 1.12 g/t Pt, 0.14 g/t Au, 0.78% Cu, & 0.13% Ni), see news release August 12th, 2019.

President and CEO Derrick Weyrauch commented, "Murtolampi is a short distance north of the Kaukua Open Pit Deposit. We have now shown that both Murtolampi and Kaukua South have the potential to significantly add to the existing NI 43-101 open pit resource at Kaukua. Similar to Kaukua South, Murtolampi is associated with a strong Induced Polarization ("IP") chargeability anomaly that is not fully tested. IP has proven to be an invaluable tool for outlining palladium-rich sulphide mineralization on the LK project, as evidenced by the success of Hole LK20-006 at Kaukua South. The current drill program will continue to test both the Murtolampi and the Kaukua South IP chargeability anomalies discovered earlier this year. We look forward to sharing further drill results with our shareholders in the near term."

Highlights:

87.2m @ 1.43 g/t Pd_Eq , from 5.8m down hole in hole LK20-012, collared on the same drill pad as LK20-011. Total platinum-group elements ("PGE"), (Pd + Pt + Au), 0.53 g/t Including 20.2m @ 2.26 g/t Pd_Eq Total PGE 1.05 g/t ,

, from 5.8m down hole in hole LK20-012, collared on the same drill pad as LK20-011. 35.8m @ 1.66 g/t Pd_Eq, from 7.2m down hole in LK20-011, which was abandoned at 43m due to hole deviation. Total PGE 0.63 g/t Including 10.0m @ 2.94 g/t Pd_Eq , from 33.0 m to end of hole. Total PGE 1.41 g/t

from 7.2m down hole in LK20-011, which was abandoned at 43m due to hole deviation. Hole LK20-012 intersected a zone more than twice as thick as historical drilling at Murtolampi, by the Geologic Survey of Finland ("GTK") in the 1990's, demonstrating the potential for significantly more tonnage than previously thought.

The Murtolampi zone hosts a 750 long IP chargeability anomaly (see news release March 10, 2020). Six shallow GTK drill holes, conducted in the 1990s, all intersected mineralization and frequently ended in mineralization, but only tested the very outer edge of the newly discovered chargeability anomaly.







Figure 1. Greater Kaukua Area showing IP chargeability anomalies. Phase 1 drill hole locations showing in (black) and planned drill holes in (red).

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6502/62438_d1b8e384544fe80c_001full.jpg







Figure 2. Cross section showing hole LK20-012. Holes R368-371 are GTK holes drilled in the 1990's

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6502/62438_d1b8e384544fe80c_002full.jpg

Table 1. Phase 1 Drill Results

Zone Hole From (m) To (m) Width (m) Pd_Eq g/t* PGE g/t

(Pd+Pt+Au) Pd g/t Pt g/t Au g/t Cu % Ni % Kaukua LK20-001 33.4 66.0 32.6 2.86 1.82 1.22 0.46 0.14 0.23 0.16

Inc. 45.0 61.0 16.0 3.64 2.43 1.67 0.59 0.18 0.27 0.18

Inc. 48.6 49.9 1.3 5.70 3.96 2.78 0.93 0.25 0.41 0.25 Kaukua LK20-002 38.4 71.0 32.7 2.00 1.06 0.70 0.29 0.07 0.15 0.16

Inc. 43.0 53.1 10.1 3.08 1.65 1.07 0.47 0.11 0.26 0.24

Inc. 45.8 47.3 1.5 5.23 2.85 1.82 0.82 0.21 0.49 0.37 Kaukua LK20-003 37.0 75.0 38.0 1.49 0.77 0.52 0.19 0.06 0.10 0.13

Inc. 37.0 57.3 20.3 2.03 1.13 0.77 0.28 0.09 0.14 0.16

Inc. 48.0 49.2 1.2 4.07 2.53 1.75 0.60 0.19 0.29 0.25 Kaukua LK20-004 40.3 68.5 28.2 2.04 1.11 0.73 0.29 0.09 0.19 0.14

Inc. 40.3 53.4 13.1 2.73 1.58 1.05 0.41 0.12 0.24 0.17

Inc. 52.1 53.4 1.4 4.43 2.69 1.83 0.71 0.15 0.38 0.26 Kaukua LK20-005 32.8 69.5 36.8 1.95 1.13 0.74 0.31 0.08 0.16 0.13

Inc. 32.8 41.0 8.3 3.40 2.00 1.38 0.52 0.11 0.29 0.21

Inc. 36.2 37.7 1.5 4.83 2.87 2.01 0.70 0.16 0.39 0.31 Kaukua South LK20-006

Zone** 43.8 210.5 166.7 1.16 0.58 0.39 0.14 0.05 0.09 0.10

Upper Subzone 43.8 62.0 18.3 1.27 0.33 0.21 0.05 0.07 0.13 0.16

Middle Subzone 95.0 158.4 63.4 1.88 1.06 0.72 0.26 0.08 0.13 0.14

Inc. 95.0 116.5 21.6 2.36 1.25 0.83 0.31 0.11 0.18 0.19

And 138.4 146.1 7.8 2.61 1.59 1.12 0.38 0.09 0.13 0.19

Inc. 138.4 139.9 1.6 4.88 3.13 2.09 0.72 0.32 0.40 0.25

Lower Subzone 188.5 210.5 22.0 1.50 0.87 0.60 0.20 0.07 0.11 0.10

Inc. 188.5 198.8 10.4 2.22 1.26 0.85 0.29 0.11 0.18 0.15

And 256.7 257.9 1.2 3.50 1.39 1.10 0.26 0.03 0.11 0.45 Kaukua LK20-007 200.1 241.7 41.6 2.16 1.18 0.83 0.28 0.07 0.16 0.17

Inc. 205.9 213.8 7.8 3.26 2.18 1.53 0.53 0.13 0.21 0.17

Inc. 207.4 208.9 1.5 4.47 2.70 1.72 0.61 0.38 0.42 0.24 Murtolampi LK20-011*** 7.15 43.00 35.85 1.66 0.63 0.38 0.20 0.05 0.11 0.20

Upper Zone 33.00 43.00 10.00 2.94 1.41 0.82 0.47 0.12 0.24 0.26 Inc. 36.00 38.00 2.00 4.66 2.64 1.58 0.88 0.18 0.36 0.34 Murtolampi LK20-012 5.75 92.90 87.15 1.43 0.53 0.32 0.17 0.04 0.08 0.18

Upper Zone 28.50 48.70 20.20 2.26 1.05 0.63 0.35 0.07 0.13 0.24

Lower Zone 61.45 80.55 19.10 1.84 0.72 0.43 0.22 0.08 0.13 0.21

* Palladium Equivalent "Pd_Eq" is calculated using metal prices (in USD) of $1,100/oz for palladium, $950/oz for platinum, $1,300/oz for gold, $6,614/t for copper and $15,432/t for nickel as used in the Company's 2019, 43-101 mineral resource estimate on the Kaukua Deposit (see press release September 9, 2019).

** Includes 16.25m of unsampled core given a zero grade.

*** Hole LK20-011 was abandoned at 43m depth due to excessive azimuth deviation and recollared on the same pad as hole LK20-012.

**** Reported widths are "drilled widths" true widths. Estimated to be approximately 90% of drilled width for holes LK20-001-005 & 007, true widths for hole LK20-006, 011 & 012 are unknown at this time.

***** Grey Italicised values are previously released (see press release July 22, 28, August 11, 2020)

QA/QC

The Phase I drilling program was carried out under the supervision of Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P. Geo., Vice President of Exploration and a director of the Company.

Drill core samples were split using a rock saw by Company staff, with half retained in the core box and stored indoors in a secure facility, in Taivalkoski, Finland. The drill core samples were transported by courier from the Company's core handling facility in Taivalkoski, Finland, to ALS Global ("ALS") laboratory in Outokumpu, Finland. ALS, is an accredited lab and are ISO compliant (ISO 9001:2008, ISO/IEC 17025:2005). PGE analysis was performed using a 30 grams fire assay with an ICP-MS or ICP-AES finish. Multi-element analyses, including copper and nickel were analysed by four acid digestion using 0.25 grams with an ICP-AES finish.

Certified standards, blanks and crushed duplicates are placed in the sample stream at a rate of one QA/QC sample per 10 core samples. Results are analyzed for acceptance at the time of import. All standards associated with the results in this press release were determined to be acceptable within the defined limits of the standard used

Qualified Person

The technical information in this release has been reviewed and verified by Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P. Geo., Vice President of Exploration and a director of the Company and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Palladium One

Palladium One Mining Inc. is a palladium dominant, platinum-group-elements ("PGE"), copper, nickel exploration and development company. Its assets consist of the Lantinen Koillismaa ("LK") and Kostonjarvi ("KS") PGE-Cu-Ni projects, located in north-central Finland and the Tyko Ni-Cu-PGE and Disraeli PGE-Ni-Cu properties in Ontario, Canada. All projects are 100% owned and are of a district scale. LK is an advanced project targeting disseminated sulphide along 38 kilometers of favorable basal contact. The KS project is targeting massive sulphide within a 20,000-hectare land package covering a regional scale gravity and magnetic geophysical anomaly. Tyko is a 13,000-hectare project targeting disseminated and massive sulphide in a highly metamorphosed Archean terrain. Disraeli is a 3,100-hectare project targeting PGE-rich disseminated and massive sulphide in a highly productive Proterozoic mid-continent rift.

The Kaukua deposit of the LK project hosts a pit-constrained resource of 635,600 Pd_Eq ounces of Indicated Resources grading 1.80 g/t Pd_Eq* ("palladium equivalent") contained in 11 million tonnes (@ 0.81g/t Pd, 0.27g/t Pt, 0.09g/t Au, (1.17g/t PGE), 0.15% Cu & 0.09% Ni), and 525,800 Pd_Eq ounces of Inferred Resources grading 1.50 g/t Pd_Eq contained in 11 million tonnes (@ 0.64g/t Pd, 0.20g/t Pt, 0.08g/t Au (0.92g/t PGE), 0.13% Cu, & 0.08% Ni), (see press release September 9, 2019).

*Pd_Eq is calculated using the following metal prices (in USD) of $1,100/oz for Pd, $950/oz for Pt, $1,300/oz for Au, $6,614/t for Cu and $15,432/t for Ni.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Derrick Weyrauch"

President & CEO, Director

For further information contact:

Derrick Weyrauch, President & CEO

Email: info@palladiumoneinc.com



Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States of America. The common shares of Palladium One Mining Inc. have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration.

Information set forth in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company's expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in palladium and other commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume; and tax consequences to Canadian and U.S. Shareholders. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62438
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  The Philippines recorded 2,965 more individuals infected with COVID-19, which pushed its case tally to 197,164 on Tuesday.

Of the total number, 61,730 are active cases or currently ill patients, the Department of Health reported.

The DOH said 82 percent or 2,434 of the newly-announced infections were detected within the last 14 days.

Its latest report also showed that most, or 1,575, of the new patients are from Metro Manila.

This is followed by the province of Negros Occidental, which saw a rise in cases, logging 237 more infected residents. Laguna came next with 151, while Cavite had 129 and Batangas had 95.

Health officials also listed 368 more survivors of COVID-19, along with 34 new fatalities. These pushed the tally of recoveries to 132,396 and the death count to 3,038.

Among the 34 new deaths, 26 passed away in August, seven in July, and one in June, the DOH said.

It added that 53 duplicates were removed from the total case count as part of its cleaning and validation process. The outcomes of seven cases were also changed, including six previously reported deaths which were updated as recovered, and one earlier reported recovery that turned out to be a death.

In a public address on Monday, Vice President Leni Robredo said the country must augment its budget for coronavirus response measures, as she noted that the Filipino people are losing their confidence in the government during the pandemic.

She said that the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which will provide an additional 165.5 billion for COVID-19 response, is not enough to meet the needs of the country.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the national COVID-19 task force and all other departments to disclose how funds are spent, including the intended purpose of all other remaining funds every month.

Among Filipinos abroad, the Department of Foreign Affairs listed 25 new infections, with the tally of cases now at 10,029. Of this number, 6,029 have gotten well, while 742 have lost their lives to the disease.

Worldwide, COVID-19 has infected more than 23 million people and resulted in the death of over 813,000, based on data from the Johns Hopkins University.
Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan should be pardoned with warning for his tweets against judiciary and Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde, the government's lawyer KS Venugopal argued before top court judges today.

Venugopal urged the SC to "show statesmanship" by avoiding the use of the power of contempt . He told the judges that Bhushan should be given a warning to not repeat this in future. "Let him go with a warning to tell him 'please don't repeat this in future'," the Attorney General told the Supreme Court, reported NDTV.

During the hearing, the SC took a 30-minute break and permitted Bhushan more time to withdraw his recent statement submitted to the Supreme Court. The senior lawyer, in his 100-page supplementary statement in response to the SC bench asking him to apologise for the comments made against judiciary, refused to offer an apology. He said what he expressed represented his bona fide belief which he continues to hold.

He even said "insincere apology" would amount to the contempt of my conscience and of an institution, the statement said. "Therefore I expressed myself in good faith, not to malign the Supreme Court or any particular Chief Justice, but to offer constructive criticism so that the court can arrest any drift away from its long-standing role as a guardian of the Constitution and custodian of peoples' rights," he said, the channel reported.

Also read: Prashant Bhushan refuses to apologise to Supreme Court

He said his tweets represented this bonafide belief that he continued to hold. "Public expression of these beliefs was I believe, in line with my higher obligations as a citizen and a loyal officer of this court. Therefore, an apology for expression of these beliefs, conditional or unconditional, would be insincere."

Meanwhile, the top court today asked the government's lawyer to suggest what should be done as they "expected a different statement" from Bhushan. Venugopal reasoned that many sitting and retired judges had also commented on corruption in judiciary in the past and that such statements only meant to tell the court that it should reform itself.

On this, Justice Arun Mishra said "he doesn't think whatever he did was wrong. He did not submit an apology... people make mistakes, sometimes even in bona fide mistakes are made. But he does not think he did anything wrong. What to do when someone does not think they did something wrong?" Urging the top court to take compassionate view, Venugopal said the court should let the "democracy follow in this case when he has exercised his free speech".

Justice Mishra said Bhushan's response to the court was even "more derogatory". Venugopal asked the judges not to consider his response. "How can we not? Everyone is criticising us that we haven't considered his response which according to us is even more derogatory. Now if we remove it, we will be blamed we deleted this on our own," Justice Mishra said.

Also read: Lawyer Prashant Bhushan found guilty of contempt for tweets on CJI, judiciary; sentencing on Aug 20

Justice Mishra said his remarks like "Supreme Court has collapsed" and "Supreme Court has become executive-minded" were highly objectionable. The SC also observed that it was not a matter of punishment but faith in the institution, and that the matter required appropriate hearing and should be referred to an appropriate bench. Prashant Bhushan, who's also a well-known public interest litigation activist, in his August 2 affidavit said he only regretted a part of his tweets. Defending his two tweets, Bhushan said his tweets were against the judges regarding their conduct in their "personal capacity" and they did not obstruct the administration of justice.

He had tweeted a photo of CJI Bobde sitting on a bike. However, his August 2 affidavit statement said he regretted asking why justice Bobde was not wearing a helmet since it was on a stand. He said nonetheless, he was exercising his freedom of speech and that it did not amount to "obstruction of justice". "At the outset, I admit that I did not notice that the bike was on a stand and therefore wearing a helmet was not required. I, therefore, regret that part of my tweet. However, I stand by the remaining part of what I have stated in my tweet..." the affidavit added.

His lawyer, Dushyant Dave also said Bhushan's tweets were not against the institution.

Also read: Prashant Bhushan contempt of court case: Supreme Court rejects plea to defer hearing
Farmer Sam Reitano from Channel Seven's Farmer Wants A Wife reboot is engaged.

However, the 28-year-old tropical fruit farmer didn't propose to the girlfriend, a fan named Kirsten, he introduced to viewers during the finale on Tuesday night.

In a shocking chain of events, Daily Mail Australia can reveal Sam actually popped the question to a former ex-girlfriend in recent weeks.

Scroll down for video

Farmer Wants A Wife EXCLUSIVE: Sam Reitano, 28, (pictured) announces shock ENGAGEMENT - and it's not to the girlfriend he introduced at the finale

Congratulations: In a shocking chain of events, Daily Mail Australia can reveal Sam popped the question to a former ex-girlfriend in recent weeks

An inside source told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that Sam dated Katelen Cunningham, 28, before joining the series and reunited with her shortly after filming the reunion in March.

On August 1, three weeks before the show's finale aired, Sam and Katelen announced their engagement on Facebook. The posts have since been deleted and hidden.

While most of the loved-up announcements have disappeared, one of Katelen's friends on Facebook thanked Sam for making the blonde beauty so happy.

He responded: 'She is very special and amazing. So proud to have her!'

She said YES: On August 1, three weeks before the show's finale aired, Sam and Katelen announced their engagement via Facebook. The announcement has since been deleted

'She is very special and amazing. So proud to have her!' While the couples' engagement announcement has been deleted or hidden from social media, Sam did respond to a friend of Katelen's on Facebook who congratulated the pair

It's official! Katelen, who is a dental nurse and remedial therapist, still has an engagement ring emoji and Sam's initials 'SLR' in her private Instagram bio

'The girls were so shocked when they saw the announcement': The inside source claimed the engagement came as a surprise to many of the FWAW cast. Pictured: Emily Rath, Kirsten Lyndon, Sam, Riley Parkinson and Sophie Pereira

Katelen, who is a dental nurse and remedial therapist, still has an engagement ring emoji and Sam's initials 'SLR' in her private Instagram bio.

'The girls were so shocked when they saw the announcement on Facebook. I assume he was told to delete a few things because they had posted photos and videos on Facebook dating back to late May/early June,' the source claimed.

They also claimed that some of the FWAW cast were encouraged to 'unfollow' Sam's new fiancee by producers in attempt to keep the spoiler under wraps.

New (now old) love: Sam may not have seen the show out to the end, but he revealed he still managed to find love a new girlfriend Kirsten (right) during the finale. They have since broken up.

'I can't go a day without talking to her. She's been the best thing that's come into my life': Sam confessed his love for Kirsten during the finale, claiming she had already met his family and visited the farm in North Queensland

It's unclear when Sam parted ways from FWAW fan girlfriend Kirsten, whom he introduced on Tuesday's finale episode.

'Her name's Kirsten. She liked one of my videos that was posted for the show, and we got in contact with each other,' he explained.

Sam said his family already 'love her to bits', and Kirsten admitted she would happily move to the farm to be with him.

'Honestly, I can't go a day without talking to her. She's been the best thing that's come into my life,' Sam confessed.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Sam Reitano for comment.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The New York City Department of Education (DOE) is hosting three additional information sessions for students and families citywide before the start of the new school year amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The next virtual information session will be held on Thursday to answer any questions or concerns families may have.

A Spanish language family information session is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 31.

On Wednesday, Sept. 2, the DOE will host a third session called Returning to School: The Latest Guidance from our Health Experts.

You can register here for the information sessions, select your preferred language (English, Spanish, or Chinese), and submit a question. All three sessions are all scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Schools are also hosting parent meetings to ensure families receive critical information and updates throughout the summer. The DOE will be convening community and advocate round-table meetings, briefings with elected officials and Community Education Council (CEC) leaders, and more.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK ***

Schools are set to reopen in September after Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave the green light to districts around the state if they produced comprehensive safety plans.

The first day of school in New York City is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 10.

For the start of the 2020-2021 school year, New York City parents will have the option to allow their children to attend school remotely full-time, but if they choose to send their kids back to the classroom, students will only be allowed to return for in-person learning two or three days of the week -- working remotely the rest of the week.

Under the current plan, classes will be held in cafeterias, auditoriums, gymnasiums and in enclosed outdoor spaces -- and students and teachers will be required to wear face coverings while following strict social distancing rules.

The DOE will supply schools with cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment, like face coverings, and schools will be deep-cleaned every evening using an electrostatic disinfectant.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced a Department of Education COVID-safety pledge last week. The pledge commits the Department of Education to certain safety standards, frequent cleaning, and five-day-a-week class scheduling no matter what.

Related stories:

What will reopening look like in largest U.S. school districts?

NYC opened schools during 1918 pandemic. Heres how it worked.

With few details on free NYC child-care program come fall, parents are scrambling

2020-2021 school year: 26% of NYC families choose full-time remote learning

Coronavirus: Reopening plans for Staten Island charter schools

2020-2021 school year in NYC: Guidelines on gym, music and more

Coronavirus: How NYC plans to safely reopen schools in fall

2020-2021 academic year: Reopening plans for schools across Staten Island

NYC schools reopening: State guidelines for special education

The Catholic elementary school reopening plan: Face masks, temperature checks and more

NYC schools reopening: Transportation plan for students remains unclear

FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
A 34-year-old woman Vanita Gaikwad was arrested for the 50th time by the Mumbai police for stealing gold and diamond jewellery worth 8.90 lakh from a makeup artist in Andheri (West) on Sunday.

Amboli police also arrested three of her accomplices - Anita Shinde, 34, a Wadala resident; Amit Waghmare, 32, and Arif Shaikh, 30, both residents of RCF colony.

Atul Sanap, assistant police inspector at Amboli police station said, Vanita Gaikwad is a habitual criminal with 50 cases of theft registered against her. I had arrested her for a similar crime in 2019, and later she has been arrested by various police stations. She manages to get bail easily, and again commits the same offence.

Someshwar Kamthe, a senior inspector said, At around 12pm on August 17, Gaikwad walked into a plush society in Andheri and said that she was looking to be employed as a house-help. The makeup artists who was looking for a house-help checked her Aadhar card and hired her.

On August 18, at around 10am, she went to the house of the makeup artist with Shinde and introduced her as her cousin, who too was looking for a job. Gaikwad told the make-up artist that a flat owner from another society had called Shinde at noon and that if she could stay with her for the day and help her clean.

The make-up artist then asked Gaikwad to clean another flat of theirs. The complainant accompanied Gaikwad and Shinde. But the complainant got a phone call and she went to the living room, said Sanap.

While the complainant was on the call, Gaikwad came out and told her that Shinde had got a job at a society in Lokhandwala and that she would drop her to the location and come back, said Sanap.

Gaikwad did not return. The next morning, the make-up artist opened her cupboard to find her jewellery was missing. She then approached Amboli police station and filed a complaint against the accused. Following her complaint police registered FIR under sections 381 (theft by a servant of property in possession of master), 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property), 414 (assisting in the concealment of stolen property), and 34 (common intention) Indian Penal Code, said Sanap.

We showed her a list of habitual woman thieves and she identified Gaikwad. We then arrested both the accused, said Kamthe.
Children dwelling in a slum in Sarna Toli area of Ranchi in the state of Jharkhand are facing multiple hardships amid COVID-19 lockdown as most of their families cant afford to buy smartphones for them. Cash-strapped and barely able to meet ends, availing online classes with smartphones is impossible for many. TwoCircles.net correspondent Nazish Hussain documents the story of these children.

By Nazish Hussain, TwoCircles.net

Support TwoCircles



Ranchi: In a single room house in the slum of Sarna Toli, Ranchi lives Muzammil Hawari, a 10th standard student, with his family. He studies at a private school. It has been almost six months since his school has been shut after the countrywide lockdown enforced due to COVID-19 started in March. Muzammil was left completely out of touch with his studies, with no classes or tuitions. Though the school started online classes, he couldnt attend due to the unavailability of the required infrastructure for online classes at his home. It was only two months ago that his father bought him a new smartphone.

The schools across the country have remained closed since the first phase of countrywide COVID-19 lockdown, which came into effect on 25 March 2020.

According to a report published by UNICEF, the closure of schools in India has impacted 247 million children enrolled in elementary and secondary education. In the second week of April, the Central Government passed an order for all education institutions to continue their academic schedule through online classes. However, highlighting the digital divide in India, the UNICEF report indicates that only a quarter of households have internet access in the country. Jharkhand governments Education Official is reported to have said that as many as 42 lakh students are enrolled in classes 1 to 12 in government schools but only about 14 lakh of them attend online classes. Most of the government school students do not have smartphones at home.

Now that I have started online classes on my smartphone, I am trying to cover all that I missed, says Muzammil. However, he is facing a challenge. When I have any doubts during these online classes, I am not able to clear those. Though we get time after classes for five minutes to clear our doubts but that is not enough, he says. He continues, I also face other problems like connectivity issues or slow internet. At times if I miss any class I am not able to recover it or understand it fully.

His online classes start from 10 in the morning which continues till 1 in the noon. He gets links to the online classes one after another in his class 10 WhatsApp group.

He says he could not connect to his live chemistry class due to the slow internet. Internet doesnt always work properly, live classes consume more data, he says. His 1 GB daily data limit is not sufficient to attend all live classes. Muzammil says he could not increase his data limit due to expensive data packs. He has previously missed many of his classes due to unavailability of a smartphone and other internet related problems. Muzammil worries about those missed lessons as he says there is no provision for any extra online classes. Though nervous about his 10th board examination, he says he is hoping for the best and trying to cover his syllabus.

Sayma Akhtar, an eighth standard student, goes to a private school. For over a month now, Sayma is not able to attend her online classes due to the unavailability of a smartphone. A month ago, my father lost his smartphone and I am not able to do my classes. I missed all my tests as well, says Sayma. Now she studies on her own with the help of textbooks alone.

It is my eighth standard board examination and I am scared, she says. Without connectivity, she is not able to get any information about her classes, exam dates or reopening of her school. Although this is causing her stress, she would not open up to her father about her problems. The situation at home is bad. We are facing financial problems. Father could not open his shop which is the sole income of the family. Even my school fee is not paid which is already stressing him. By bringing this up, I dont want to cause him more stress, she says.

In June, Jharkhand state Human Resource Department (HRD) allowed private schools who gave online classes during lockdown to charge a tuition fee for April and May. However, the decision was protested by the All School Parents Association, a parent body in the state.

Riza Nazish, an eighth standard student, who goes to Kendra Vidyalaya, is not able to resume her online classes for the last 15 days, as she could not recharge her phone. She explains that her fathers business is hit by the pandemic, causing financial strain. Cash strapped, recharging the phone with an internet pack is not a priority. Without the internet, she studies with the help of her textbooks alone. At times her friends call to update her on notices and tests. To appear for tests or to attend some important class, Riza has to borrow the phone of her neighbour. At home, she manages time for her studies amidst household chores and responsibility of looking after a younger sibling. Riza says she is not able to grasp the lessons by herself. She hopes for school to start soon.

I have my board exams, if we start school soon that would give me more confidence for the exams. During online classes, teachers are only completing the lessons. I hope in a classroom they would tell us more than just lessons, says Fiza Afreen, an intermediate student. She is her 12th standard board exams this year. After lockdown, her online classes started on 16 May. Apart from doing household chores, Fiza attends her online classes on a daily basis using her fathers smartphone. She completes all the assignments on time which would mark her attendance every day. Though she is getting all the lessons online, she misses the classroom environment at home.

Abdul Wahid Ansari is a 9th standard student at a private school. As the school remains closed amid the ongoing lockdown, he spends his day running a small kiosk attached to his home. Although his school started online classes from April, Wahid could join only at the end of July. On asking the reason for the delay, he said he did not have any information about the online classes before July.

He attends his online classes on the smartphone used by all family members. He got a recharge done for three months with the data limit of 1.5 GB per day. Wahid says he spends the data by watching YouTube videos he receives in the online class WhatsApp group. The YouTube links start coming in from 8 in the morning. He says does not like online classes. I cant clear my doubts online. Also, I could not meet my friends. Earlier we would do things together. Now that is not possible, he says. Wahid struggles with subjects like Science, Mathematics and Social Studies during the online classes. In school, I could clear all my doubts in front of teachers, but not during online classes, he said.

Sitting in his small kiosk he attends to frequent customers while he also watches the videos for his online classes. This is routine. Wahid says he finds it a struggle to understand the concepts. He exits the video in between. I would open and try to listen to the class but when I dont understand I exit, he says.

Wahid has recently joined a study centre in his neighbourhood, which is set up by individuals to help poor slum children with their studies.


By Jun Ji-hye



Kim Yoon-jae, a Seoul resident and freelance lecturer on money management topics, downloaded a Norwegian weather forecast app earlier this month, after he heard from his friends that the information offered by the Scandinavian country was more accurate than that provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).



Since then, the 34-year-old has frequently checked the Yr app, the joint online weather service from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corp., for weather forecasts for his city as well as for other regions he is planning to visit.



"I often go camping with my wife on weekends. Whenever we plan to go camping, we check the Yr app in advance, because I cannot trust the weather reports issued by the KMA," Kim said.



An increasing number of people here, like Kim, are seeking to obtain weather information from the overseas websites or mobile applications run by the weather agencies or broadcasting centers in Finland, the United Kingdom and Norway, among others, amid deepening public distrust of the state-run weather agency.



The distrust has arisen as the KMA's weather reports have appeared to be consistently inaccurate.



For example, in May, the KMA forecast the country would receive similar precipitation as last year and suffer a record heat wave between the end of July and the beginning of August.



Contrary to the KMA's prediction, the nation was hit by massive downpours that caused deadly floods, landslides and casualties during that period.



The forecast for the rainfall amount appeared to be inaccurate as well, with some regions, in which heavy rain warnings were issued, experiencing just light drizzle.



This year's rainy season began June 24 and continued for 54 days in the nation's central region, marking the longest monsoon season since 2013 when it lasted for 49 days.



The incorrect weather predictions led the KMA to be ridiculed by many online commentators who asked why the agency kept issuing inaccurate forecasts despite the fact that tens of billions of won have been spent on improving its prediction system.



The agency implemented the Korean Integrated Model (KIM) weather forecasting system in April, after years of development and at a cost of about 80 billion won ($67 million).



At the time, the agency stressed that the KIM, which reflects Korea's topographic and weather characteristics, would increase the precision of weather forecasts.



The agency also possesses two supercomputers that cost 17 billion won and 52 billion won, respectively.



Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun raised the need for the state-run weather agency to improve its shortcomings, Aug. 9, during a visit to Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, which had been hit particularly hard by the torrential rain.



"The KMA, together with the Ministry of Environment, will need to consider ways of raising the accuracy level of the country's weather forecasting system," Chung said.



Regarding the criticism, a KMA official said it has become more difficult to forecast the weather precisely due to global climate change, which is making weather systems increasingly unpredictable.



"The speed of technology development has not been able to catch up with the speed of climate change," a KMA official said. "There are too many variables in nature, and modern science cannot figure them all out. Errors can occur because of those variables."



Some weather and environment experts agreed with the KMA.



Kim Seung-bae, the director of the Korea Meteorological Industry Association, explained that this year's unusually long rainy season came as abnormally high temperatures continued at the North Pole.



"Nobody could precisely forecast this kind of abnormality," Kim said, noting that the limitations of atmospheric science study so far should be recognized.



Kim Hae-dong, a global environment professor at Keimyung University, also wrote in a column that the various types of climate change cannot be fully understood with today's climatological knowledge.



"Weather agencies in Japan and China have faced similar situations," he wrote.



However, Oh Jae-ho, a professor of the department of environmental atmospheric sciences at Pukyong National University, said, "The most important thing is that consumers are not happy with the weather information offered by the KMA. Thus, the agency will need to come up with measures to resolve that dissatisfaction, rather than talking about science."


Evangelical leaders denounce QAnon as political cult,' satanic movement

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Some Christian leaders, including a couple of prominent conservative evangelicals, have denounced the conspiracy theory movement gaining traction in conservative circles known as QAnon.

Created by an anonymous online figure in 2017, QAnon claims that President Donald Trump is in a war with a Deep State government, battling entities like elitist pedophile rings and satanism.

The conspiracy alleges that a Satan-worshipping "deep state" faction that includes A-list celebrities is working to defeat Trump and engage in child sex abuse.

Since its launching, the QAnon conspiracy theories have reportedly garnered growing support among some evangelical churchgoers and other mostly conservative communities. It has also gained notable supporters such as a Georgia congressional candidate and a U.S. Senate candidate in Oregon.

QAnon has gotten enough traction to be addressed by Vice President Mike Pence in an interview on CBS' CBS This Morning.

In the interview last Friday, Pence said he does not know anything about QAnon.

And I dismiss it out of hand, Pence added, decrying the fact that he had to spend time on a major network to talk about some conspiracy online theory.

The theory has garnered criticism from multiple Christian leaders, including Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler Jr.

On an episode of his podcast, The Briefing, posted online on Monday, Mohler compared QAnon and conspiracy theories in general to the early church heresy of Gnosticism.

Gnosticism is the belief that only a few, an elite, a privileged few are able to see, have inside information, explained Mohler. The ancient Gnostics believed in one way or another that this particular secret knowledge was the key to salvation or illumination, or whatever would be the promise of this particular information.

Christianity has nothing to do with the secret truth. It has everything to do with a public Gospel, the theologian added. Christians don't have secret beliefs we hide from the world. We're not saved because we have come to some secret knowledge.

Tyler Huckabee, senior editor at Relevant Magazine, a Christian lifestyle bimonthly, wrote in a piece published earlier this month that QAnons claims are farfetched and fueled by confirmation bias.

Huckabee also considered QAnon a logical extension of the culture war, providing real plot and vocabulary to the us vs. them model that became popular with the rise of the Moral Majority.

There are no easy answers about what can be done about QAnon, he wrote. But the fact that Christians seem extra open to conspiracies does reveal that something is deeply broken in how people of faith are spreading their worldview.

When Christianity is set up as a cultural battle instead of an opportunity to serve, others are seen not as people in need of love but enemies who need to be feared and mistrusted, Huckabee continued.

Author and pastor Joe Carter denounced QAnon in a column published by The Gospel Coalition in May.

Carter, the executive pastor at the McLean Bible Church Arlington campus in Virginia, labeled QAnon a political cult and satanic movement that poses [a threat] to the global church.

The QAnon movement frequently engages in slander, which James calls demonic behavior (James 3:1516). The QAnon movement often traffics in lies, which Jesus says are associated with Satan. The QAnon movement repeatedly sides with demonically inspired falsehoods that divide professed Christians from faithful believers, wrote Carter.

And the QAnon movement has a tendency to call evil that which is good, and good that which is evil, and to put darkness for light, and light for darkness (Isa. 5:20). As movement of Satan, QAnon is incompatible with Christianity.

Carter called on Christians to work to guard those who would fall for such deceptions and to plead with QAnon supporters within the church to return to the faith.

It is neither too early nor too late for Christians to launch a counterattack on the demonic influence of QAnon, he concluded.



Last week, President Trump said that he does not know much about the QAnon conspiracy theory but understands that its supporters like him and "love America."



While the FBI labeled QAnon a domestic terror threat last year, the Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said in an interview this week that QAnon is not a "significant threat." But he stressed that he doesn't have any reason to disagree with the FBI's assessment.
Canada will assist Ukraine in every way in achieving success and establishing peace throughout the country, according to a joint statement made by Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan on the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day.

"Canada's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity remains steadfast, and we will always remain a tireless advocate for a free and democratic Ukraine on its path toward a prosperous and secure future," the ministers said in a statement on August 24.

They added that common values and mutual cooperation had been the bedrock of the two countries' enduring relationship, from supporting Ukraine's reform efforts to engaging more women in peace and security. "These common values have served us well in the past and continue to do so, most recently as our nations have come together to jointly advocate for accountability, transparency, justice and reparations for the families and loved ones of victims of Flight PS752," Champagne and Sajjan said.

The ministers recalled that Canada remains a close friend of Ukraine. "Through Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces are assisting the Security Forces of Ukraine (SFU) to improve and build their capability and capacity. Since the start of the mission in September 2015, we have trained more than 18,000 members of the National Guard of Ukraine and the SFU," the statement reads.

Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, in turn, said that her country would continue to unswervingly support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

She wrote this on Twitter.

"My family and I proudly join the Ukrainian Canadians in celebrating Ukraine's Independence Day. Canada is a steadfast partner of Ukraine that will always stand up for its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Glory to Ukraine!" Freeland said.

Freeland is an ethnic Ukrainian, Canadian writer, journalist and politician.

op
(Natural News) The ultra rich liberals of Hollywood and Los Angeles are reaping what they have sown, as they deal with the inevitable endgame of the policies they have supported for years.

(Article by Shane Trejo republished from BigLeaguePolitics.com)

Venice Beach, which was once considered among the most beautiful places in the world, is now filled with tents for the homeless. Mentally ill drug addicts are regularly leaving syringes littered around the area, and the millionaires with beachfront property are escaping as a result.

There is a mass exodus from Hollywood, Danny OBrien, owner of Watford Moving & Storage, told the Daily Mail. And a lot of it is to do with politics.

August has already set records and we are only halfway through the month, he added. People are getting out in droves. Last week I moved a prominent person in the music industry from a $6.5 million mansion above Sunset Boulevard to Nashville.

OBrien, 58, has been a resident of Los Angeles for over three decades since moving to the U.S. from London. However, he is planning a move to Tennessee because of what is happening to the city due to liberal public policy.

Liberal politics has destroyed this city, he said. The homeless encampments are legal and theres nothing the police can do. White, affluent middle-class folk are getting out. People dont feel safe any more.

White flight is a predictable result of liberal insanity, and the riots that occurred following the death of serial felon drug addict George Floyd have only worsened the dire situation. Affluent individuals risk getting robbed or accosted by the dregs of society every time they leave the house. Criminals and deadbeats have been empowered, and law-abiding folks are suffering as a result.

Even Lou Ferrigno, who became famous training at the famous Golds Gym on Venice Beach in the 1970s alongside fellow bodybuilder and iconic movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger, has vacated the city. The Incredible Hulk star has sold his LA mansion and moved a couple hours north to get away from the dramatic decline that the city is undergoing.

One morning around 7am I opened the curtains in our beautiful Santa Monica home and looking up at me from our driveway were three gang members with tattoos on their faces sitting on our retaining wall. They were cat-calling me and being vulgar. I motioned I was going to call the police and they just laughed, flicking their tongues at me and showing me their guns, said Lous wife, Carla.

We put the house up for sale after 40 wonderful years and moved north. We feel lucky to have made it out. Now we are in a wonderful place and very happy, Lou said.

Renee Taylor, an actress and an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, has also ditched Beverly Hills for the east coast to get away from all of the mayhem.

I feel so sad for my friends left in Beverly Hills who had to suffer through looting and rioting, Taylor said. I got out just in time.

Veteran publicist Ed Lozzi believes that COVID-19 was the final death blow that sent the already ailing city of Hollywood to its knees.

The city was changing before coronavirus brought us to our knees. The homeless problem has been escalating for years, exacerbated by weak politicians making bad decisions, he said.

Hollywood has always been the wokest of the woke, so politicians have done nothing to stop people sleeping on the streets. Its not illegal and the weathers nice, so they keep coming, Lozzi continued. There is insufficient housing, inadequate mental health care. Add in Covid and its a perfect storm.

When I first arrived in LA 40 years ago, the town smelled of orange blossoms. Now the streets stink of urine. There is a beautiful park in Westwood but you cant go there because there are people slumped on the ground and you step on a carpet of needles, he added.

Graffiti and twerking are now the only acceptable symbols of national pride in a diverse and multicultural America. If the Left is successful with their cultural transformation, every city will look like LA and Hollywood before long.

Read more at: BigLeaguePolitics.com
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 19:06:42|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TASHKENT, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan will abolish dozens of licenses and permits required to run business starting next year, in an effort to eliminate bureaucratic barriers that are hampering the development of entrepreneurship, said a presidential decree issued on Tuesday.

From January next year the government will abolish 70 types of licenses and 35 permits by introducing a notification procedure, according to the document signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Dozens of other licenses and permits that entrepreneurs have to obtain to open a business will be merged and simplified, the document said.

The Uzbek government will also introduce a license system where licensing, permitting and notification procedures are carried out digitally.

According to Uzbek State Statistic Committee's website, the number of foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan surged by 20 percent year-on-year, reaching more than 11,000 as of Aug. 1.

Statistics show that enterprises operating with foreign capital in Uzbekistan are mostly from Russia, China, Turkey, Kazakhstan and South Korea. Their investments are concentrated in industries, foreign trade, construction and agriculture.

Since Mirziyoyev took office in 2016, Uzbekistan has taken a series of measures to promote economic reforms, including liberalizing its foreign exchange market, reducing taxes and offering preferential treatment to foreign investment. Enditem
The Royal British Legion has announced it will scale back its Poppy Appeal street collectors and focus on contactless donations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The charity is hoping to introduce 'point of sale donations' which would allow shoppers to donate online or at supermarket tills.

They will also be asked if they would like to round up their total, as the charity aims to raise money for veterans and serving military personnel while following coronavirus restricitons.

Many of the poppy sellers for the Royal British Legion, which raises more than 50 million a year, are elderly, with the charity keen to ensure they are protected from the virus.

The Royal British Legion will scale back its poppy collectors this year to protect them amid the coronavirus pandemic (stock)

The collectors are a regular site on British high streets, gathering money up to November 11 every year.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the charity is looking at proposals to avoid the exchange of cash between hands.

A spokesman for the Royal British Legion said: 'While the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the ways in which we can deliver the appeal this year, the Poppy Appeal 2020 is very much still going ahead and plans are well under way.

'The safety and wellbeing of our volunteers, staff and members is paramount.

'We have taken the decision to advise collectors who fall into the vulnerable category not to take part in activity on behalf of the Poppy Appeal that would expose them to any additional risks while coronavirus is still present.

'Members of the Armed Forces Community are suffering significant hardship as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and we at the Royal British Legion will do everything we possibly can to support them during these difficult times.'

Many of the poppy sellers for the Royal British Legion are elderly and the charity is keen to protect them and the rest of its workforce (stock)

They added that all Poppy Appeal organisers had been 'made fully aware' of the changes.

They could also be asked 'to help with wreaths and school packs' - though this has yet to be confirmed, 'as schools may not want the packs'.

The organisation stressed that the Poppy Appeal was not cancelled or postponed. 'We just have to conduct the appeal in a different format.'

'The safety and wellbeing of our volunteers, staff and members is paramount'

'The Poppy Appeal 2020 is very much still going ahead and plans are well under way'
Pompeo, Netanyahu Praise Israel-UAE Deal

By VOA News August 24, 2020

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday he is hopeful other Arab nations will follow the United Arab Emirates in establishing diplomatic relations with Israel.

Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Pompeo said if more nations take that step, it will both increase stability in the Middle East and improve the lives of people in those countries.

The United States helped broker the Israel-UAE deal earlier this month, a pact that Netanyahu said Thursday heralds a new era for the region.

Pompeo Heads to Mideast as Part of Trump's Arab-Israeli Push

Pompeo departed Sunday for Israel, Gulf Arab states and Sudan

He spoke of the prospect for making peace with other nations, citing what he called "the alliance of the moderates against the radicals."

Netanyahu also praised the Trump administration for its effort to initiate a return of the international sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the 2015 agreement restricting the country's nuclear program.

The United States withdrew from the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and other signatories, including Britain, France and Germany, said because the U.S. walked away they could not support its sanctions action.

Pompeo was also due to meet Monday with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.

After his meetings in Israel, Pompeo is scheduled to travel on to Sudan, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Bengaluru, Aug 25 : Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D.K. Shivakumar tested positive for the coronavirus, an official said on Tuesday.

"Shivakumar has been admitted in a private hospital in the city's northwest suburb after he tested Covid positive earlier in the day," a party official told IANS here.

Though Shivakumar, 58, is asymptomatic, he has advised all who came in contact with him recently to test for the virus and isolate themselves at home for the safety of their health.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, opposition leader Siddaramaiah, Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy and scores of other leaders wished Shivakumar a speedy recovery and early return to home from the hospital.

Scores of politicians, including Yediyurappa, Siddaramaiah, state cabinet ministers B.R. Sriramulu, S.T. Somashekar, Anand Singh and C.T. Ravi, Lok Sabha members, MLAs and MLCs tested positive and recovered from the infection during the last 2 months.
The Republican Party formally nominates President Donald Trump for a second term in the White House.

Earlier on Monday the Republican Party formally nominated US President Donald Trump to run for a second term in the White House before the first night of the Republican National Convention (RNC). They also nominated Vice President Mike Pence to run again.

Just 336 delegates gathered in a convention centre for a roll call to nominate Trump as the partys candidate to take on Democratic candidate Joe Biden.

Minutes after the votes passed the threshold that confirmed Trump as the candidate, the president made a surprise appearance, walking on stage to chants of Four more years, four more years.

Trump hailed Novembers vote as the most important election in our history while touting the countrys economic strength before the coronavirus pandemic, which he referred to as the plague that came from China.

These are the latest updates:

03:00 GMT  Closing speaker: not where we used to be

Tim Scott, the only Black Republican Senator was the closing speaker at the Republican National Convention on Monday night. He recounted growing up in a single-parent household and failing out of ninth grade before finding a mentor and becoming a small-business owner.

He said any insinuation that the US has gone backwards is false, saying the country is not fully where we want to be but, I thank God almighty we are not where we used to be.

02:45 GMT  Donald Trump Jr defends his father

Donald Trump Jr, the presidents eldest son, credited his father for the greatest prolonged recovery in American history and the lowest unemployment rate in a half-century.

He then argued that the coronavirus pandemic struck, courtesy of the Chinese Communist Party.

The coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 5.7 million Americans and killed 177,248 leading the world in both.

Donald Trump Jr delivering a pre-recorded speech during the 2020 Republican Convention [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]

02:20 GMT  Nikki Haley: America is not a racist country

Nikki Haley, former US ambassador to the United Nations, addressed racism in the US in a lengthy speech, saying: In much of the Democratic Party, its now fashionable to say that America is racist  America is not a racist country.

She said her parents, immigrants from India who settled in the US South faced discrimination and hardship, but never gave in to grievance and hate.

Reflecting on her experience with the UN, Haley said Biden was good for Iran and ISIS, great for Communist China  a godsend to everyone who wants America to apologise, abstain and abandon our values. Donald Trump takes a different approach. Hes tough on China, and he took on ISIS and won.

She also brought up North Korea, saying the Obama administration let North Korea threaten America, but President Trump rejected that weakness, and we passed the toughest sanctions on North Korea in history.

US President Donald Trump, flanked by people who were held hostage, speaking by video feed during the 2020 Republican National Convention broadcast from Washington, DC [2020 Republican National Convention/Handout via Reuters]

02:00 GMT  Father of shooting victim speaks in favour of Trump

Andrew Pollack, whose daughter, Meadow, was killed in the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, spoke, crediting Trump for forming a school safety commission that issued dozens of recommendations designed to make schools safer.

Gun control laws didnt fail my daughter. People did, Pollack said, blaming Obama-era policies on school discipline and Parkland officials failure to respond to warnings that the gunman was dangerous before the shooting, which killed 17 people.

Pollack blamed the school for ignoring warning signs and far-left Democrats for a policy designed to reduce school suspensions that he said blames teachers for student failures. I was just fine with the old approach to discipline and safety  it was called discipline and safety, he said, but the Obama-Biden administration took Parklands bad policies and forced them into schools across America.

Read more here.

01:45 GMT  Gun-brandishing couple speaks

Mark and Patricia McCloskey  the St Louis couple who were charged for waving guns at Black Lives Matter protesters in the summer spoke in a pre-recorded message.

A couple pointed guns at protesters in St. Louis as a group marched toward the mayor's home to demand her resignation. https://t.co/5EqDd43QCd pic.twitter.com/KWNaif77ch  ABC News (@ABC) June 29, 2020

Prosecutors last month charged the couple with felony unlawful use of a weapon for displaying guns during a Black Lives Matter protest outside their mansion.

It seems as if Democrats no longer view the governments job as protecting honest citizens from criminals, but rather protecting criminals from honest citizens, Mark McCloskey said.

01:40 GMT  Democratic state legislator crosses party line

Vernon Jones, a Black Democratic state representative from Georgia, appeared at the Republican National Convention and accused his party of taking Black voters for granted.

The Democratic Party does not want Black people to leave their mental plantation, Mr Jones said, according to prepared remarks. Weve been forced to be there for decades and generations.

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is scheduled to speak on the opening night [AP Photo]

01:35 GMT  Nikki Haley and Trumps son scheduled to speak

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is scheduled to speak on the opening night. The presidents eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, and his partner, Kimberly Guilfoyle are also expected to speak.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey  the St Louis couple who were charged for waving guns at Black Lives Matter protesters in the summer will also make an appearance.

Read more here and here.

01:30 GMT  Trending on Twitter

The Republican National Convention hashtag #RNC2020 was trending on Twitter, Trumps preferred social media outlet.

01:00 GMT  Trump to appear at RNC with 6 former hostages

Trump will appear at the opening night of the Republican National Convention in a taped video with six former hostages freed during his administration.

Michael White, Sam Goodwin, Pastor Andrew Brunson, Joshua and Tamara Holt, and Pastor Bryan Nerren are among more than a dozen religious or other people whose release the Trump administration helped broker. The convention is also set to feature a speech from the parents of Kayla Mueller, who died while a prisoner of the ISIL (ISIS) group.

US President Donald Trump standing with essential workers and speaking by video feed during the Republican National Convention broadcast from Washington, DC [2020 Republican National Convention/Handout via Reuters]

01:00 GMT  T he bodyguard of Western civilization

Charlie Kirk, president of the pro-Trump organisation Turning Point USA called the president the bodyguard of Western civilisation.

We may not have realized it at the time, but this fact is now clear: Trump is the bodyguard of Western civilisation, and added that Trump was elected to defend and strengthen the American way of life.

00:10 GMT  Republican party chairwoman doubles down on Trump tweet

Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, embraced Trumps suburban housewife tweet, describing herself as a proud housewife and mom who had risen to the top of the Republican Party on merit.

The suburban housewife will be voting for me. They want safety & are thrilled that I ended the long running program where low income housing would invade their neighborhood. Biden would reinstall it, in a bigger form, with Corey Booker in charge! @foxandfriends @MariaBartiromo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2020

She then took a swipe at Kamala Harris, the first woman of colour to appear on a major partys ticket.

Unlike Joe Biden, President Trump didnt choose me because Im a woman  he chose me because I was the best person for the job, she said.

00:30 GMT  Day 1 kicks off

The first day of the Republican National convention begins.

WATCH: Republican National Convention  Night 1: Land of Promise #RNC2020 https://t.co/wPqCV6wfb6  Team Trump (Text VOTE to 88022) (@TeamTrump) August 25, 2020

23:30 GMT  Fireworks to mark Trump acceptance of nomination

Republicans will have about 8,000 Roman candles, shells, comets and other fireworks ready to shoot into the sky around the Washington Monument on Thursday to celebrate Trumps acceptance of the presidential nomination.

The National Park Service said it has approved the fireworks permit to mark the renomination of the president.

23:00 GMT  Latest batch of Republicans disavow Trump on first day of RNC

Twenty-seven former Republican members of Congress have endorsed Democrat Joe Biden for president on the first day of the Republican National Convention as part of a Republicans for Biden initiative  in the latest rebuke of Trump by members of his own party.

They cited Trumps corruption, destruction of democracy, blatant disregard for moral decency, and urgent need to get the country back on course as reasons for their decision, according to a Biden campaign statement. Last week, 73 former Republican national security officials, including former chiefs of the FBI and CIA, endorsed Biden while calling Trump corrupt and unfit to serve.

Read more on that story here.
As India marked its 74th year of Independence, Cuckoo India in collaboration with Eunoia celebrated the freedom from viruses and bacteria with a digital campaign for the newly launched Disinfectant Solution Generator.

The nationwide campaign aims at educating consumers on the importance of using 100% natural disinfectant instead of chemical-based sanitizers. Tapping onto the consumers demands around effectiveness, sustainability, and cost, the campaign highlights the features of the product, its multiple uses and showcases DSG as a onetime investment.

The month-long campaign kicked off across print, television, and digital platforms with a simple message, Tap water will now protect India.

Commenting on the campaign, Satyajeet Kumar Arun, Managing Director Cuckoo India, said, "When the world was slowly starting to adjust to the new normal, we realized it was important to see the bigger picture, especially when it came to health and safety. While the popular alcohol-based sanitizers were being lapped up by the customers, we decided to bring in something that was safe, yet 100% effective. That's how DSG was born! It's one-of-a-kind product that uses regular tap water to create a totally natural sanitizer cum disinfectant solution. And there was no better day to launch the campaign than 15th August, when we Indians take a pledge to protect our country and fellow citizens."

Abhay Godbole, Vice President, Eunoia, said, Cuckoo is a progressive brand with an amazing range of products. Covid has reshaped the entire ecosystem bringing protection at the forefront of everything we do. Therefore, Independence Day was an opportune time for Cuckoos Disinfectant Solution Generator to communicate its unique benefit. The intent of this communication was to inform the consumer that protection need not be so complicated, all you need is tap water and the revolutionary product  Cuckoos DSG.
Manchester United have revealed that the guilty verdict handed to club captain Harry Maguire by a Greek court will be appealed as they call for a 'full and fair hearing' into the defender's case.

Maguire, 27, was found guilty of assaulting police, verbal abuse, and attempted bribery after an alleged fight last Friday while he was on holiday in Mykonos. He has denied all the charges against him.

The verdict arrived just hours after Maguire received the backing of England manager Gareth Southgate, who this afternoon named him in his next international squad.

Manchester United will stand by captain Harry Maguire following his guilty verdict in Greece

The 80m defender was given a 21-month suspended sentence was found guilty of assaulting police, verbal abuse, and attempted bribery while on holiday in Mykonos last week

The United centre back was handed a 21-month and 10 day suspended sentence and the club noted his legal team will now lodge an appeal due to the amount of evidence they have.

A club statement following the verdict read: 'Manchester United notes the verdict of the Greek court today.

'Harry Maguire pleaded not guilty to all of the misdemeanour charges made against him and he continues to strongly assert his innocence.

The defender took the opportunity to go abroad after United exited the Europa League

'It should be noted that the prosecution confirmed the charges and provided their evidence late on the day before the trial, giving the defence team minimal time to digest them and prepare.

'A request for the case to be adjourned was subsequently denied.

'On this basis, along with the substantial body of evidence refuting the charges, Harry Maguires legal team will now appeal the verdict, to allow a full and fair hearing at a later date.'

Maguire's brother Joe who plays for non-league team Ilkeston Town, was also found guilty of assault, attacking police and attempted bribery while a third man, 29-year-old Christopher Sharman, was guilty of two assault charges and another of verbal abuse.

All three denied the charges based on the evidence of four policemen.

United have detailed how Maguire will appeal and they have called for a 'full and fair hearing'

Maguire joined Manchester United last summer for a record 80million figure from Leicester City.

He quickly made an impression on the side and was appointed captain in January when Ashley Young left for Inter Milan. His place as captain now appears to be in jeopardy.

Maguire played 55 games for United and another six for England last season  a total of 5,502 minutes, more than any other player in Europe, and so he chose an off-season trip to Mykonos, Greece, with fiancee Fern Hawkins, sister Daisy and a number of close friends.
TOKYO, Aug 25, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu Limited today announced that it was selected as a "Digital Transformation Stock Selection (DX Stock) 2020" in an initiative by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). The initiative is designed to select leading Japanese companies engaged in digital transformation (DX)(1), which fundamentally change business models and strengthen competitiveness based on digital technology.Fujitsu's efforts to transform itself into a DX company, including the start of Ridgelinez Limited, a DX consulting company within the Group, and the establishment of a revenue sharing model through co-creation with customers, were highly evaluated by METI and TSE. The company has been recognized in this way for the fourth consecutive year, as it also earned the preceding title of an "Competitive IT Strategy Company"(2) three years in a row.In recent years, industrial structures and business models are changing at an unprecedented speed, while disruptors with digital technology enter every industry. Based on its Purpose "to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation"(3), Fujitsu will reflect the results and know-how of in-house implementation of DX to the company's solutions and services, contributing to resolve social issues with digital technologies as the best partner of customers in their DX endeavors.About the "DX Company" initiativeThe "DX Company" initiative was launched in 2020 as a successor to the "Competitive IT Strategy Company" initiative, which selected companies making strategic use of IT to enhance corporate value over the medium to long term. This is the first time that companies have been selected for the "DX Company" initiative. With greater focus on DX, this new endeavor evaluates companies in relation to 1) stakeholder dialogue, 2) changes in business models, and 3) initiatives in management strategies with commitment of top management.DX as part of Fujitsu's corporate visionBy revamping internal processes and information infrastructure, strengthening data-driven management, and transforming the culture of both organization and human resources, Fujitsu will advance its own digital transformation. Setting the DX Promotion Indices promoted by METI as one of the non-financial indicators, the company will regularly measure the progress of reforms and accelerate improvement, proactively disclosing the details of its activities. Based on technologies such as computing, AI, 5G, cyber security, cloud, data management, and IoT, Fujitsu will transform customers in three steps: "become ready for digital," "transformation of existing business," and "evolution into an ecosystem business model." By leading the DX of its customers, the company aims to transform itself into a DX Company that contributes to solving social issues.Efforts to drive digital transformationDevelopment of the DX business In addition to the establishment of a new Design Center to make design management a reality, Fujitsu will position the new company, Ridgelinez Limited, as a pioneer in the DX business within the Fujitsu Group, accelerating the DX business with more flexible and agile schemes and systems. By thoroughly implementing data-driven management internally, the company will combine its knowledge and technologies to support customers in data utilization. Moreover, it will aim to expand new business models, including the development of DX solutions for data platform businesses and co-creation with customers through revenue sharing models.Creation of a new-normal lifestyle centered on "Data" and "People" using technology Fujitsu will further promote initiatives such as the "Work-Life Shift"(4) announced on July 6, 2020, which leverage digital technology to reassess talent management, the office environment and footprint in Japan, as well as business practices to make them suitable for the new normal era. In response to COVID-19, the company will continue to assist local governments and medical institutions, offer free services to support working styles education, and support research using technology. Going forward, Fujitsu will put the highest priority on the safety of the lives of customers, suppliers, employees and their families, as well as those of stakeholders in local communities. Striving to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the company will engage in business continuity activities and fulfill social responsibilities.(1) Digital Transformation (DX) the use of data and advanced technologies such as AI, IT, cloud, and 5G to transform innovative services and business processes.(2) Competitive IT Strategy Company an initiative by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) to select and announce, by industry category, companies listed on the TSE that are making strategic use of IT to enhance their corporate value over the medium to long term.(3) Purpose a statement describing why Fujitsu exists in society - "Our purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation."(4) Work Life Shift a new concept in which the preexisting notions of "work" and "life" are shifted to ensure the well-being of employees. Fujitsu is promoting various measures in Japan from talent management to office maintenance to raise employee productivity and accelerate its transformation into a DX company.About Fujitsu LtdFujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 132,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (Code: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.0 trillion yen (US $36 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019. For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com.Source: Fujitsu LtdCopyright 2020 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Midland City Council did not vote whether to adopt proposed site plan review changes Monday night, but rather sent the proposal back to staff to be amended before moving forward.

Known formally as Zoning Text Amendment No. 161, the proposed change would give final authority on site plans to the planning commission, rather than council, as well as increase the threshold of which site plans administrative staff could approve independently. It would reduce the number of site plans that come before a board in a public hearing.

Notices of public hearings for the site plans would still be sent to neighboring properties  within 300 feet of the site as defined by the state.

However, the change was met with opposition from multiple residents at the public hearing, which was held on Aug. 10. Largely, the concern from residents was the lack of transparency and reduced opportunity for public input. They wanted the councilmembers  elected officials  to hear their input and have the final say.

On the other side of the argument, Director of Planning and Community Development Grant Murschel said this change would better align the City of Midland to the Michigan Economic Development Corporations Redevelopment Ready Communities program, benefiting developers by making the site plan review process more efficient. He argued the change would allow council more time to focus on policy discussions, such as changing the ordinance standards that site plans adhere to.

In addition, Murschel said it would limit subjective or political interference in what is an objective review process  state law requires cities to approve site plans that meet all their ordinance standards. He also mentioned that neighboring communities such as Bay City, Saginaw and Mount Pleasant all give final authority on site plans to their planning boards.

Monday night at its regular meeting, council discussed the proposal in length, but ultimately withdrew the motion on the table and sent it back to staff to make changes before any decision is made. They wanted to scrap the part of the amendment that would increase what administrative staff could approve and explore better ways to notify people about site plan hearings.

They also asked about exploring an appeal process that would include an opportunity to appeal decisions on site plans to council.

City Manager Brad Kaye said based on these requests, the amendment change might go back to planning commission before it comes back to council.

It certainly opens up a breadth of discussion thats going to need to take place before it can come back, he said.

During discussion, Councilmembers Marty Wazbinski, Steve Arnosky and Diane Brown Wilhelm all favored the idea that if this change passes, to ensure that planning commission always holds two meetings on site plans. The current process allows the commissioners to waive the rules and procedures and vote on site plans during the same meeting as the public hearing. So, the council talked about eliminating that option.

Councilwoman Pam Hall advocated for the residents who wanted their input on site plans heard by council. She read notes she had received from residents.

The community is not comfortable only speaking to the planning commission, she said. The citizens care here in Midland  they want and need the involvement. They dont want to just receive notices after its too late for them to respond.

Hall and Arnosky both felt there was subjectivity involved in the review process  that it wasnt completely objective  and said council review often leads to compromises between developers and the community that otherwise wouldnt come about.

Whats apparent from the number of objections here that we should be considering, is that the public likes our current process, Arnosky said. Its worked for these years. For the most part, things get approved fairly quickly.

He said if this change was made, the city would need to do a better job notifying residents and create an appeal to city council.

Brown Wilhelm said, based on her experience on planning commission, reviewing and approving site plans is an objective process, while zoning changes and conditional use permits are better opportunities for public input than site plan reviews.

Conditional use permits, zoning  those are the things that really really can change the structure of a neighborhood; a specific location, she said. Those are the big things that really introduce change into the community.

She said she supported the amendment change and suggested trying it out for a year before finalizing it. Arnosky was not in favor of doing a test run, though Mayor Maureen Donker liked the idea of trying it out.

Donker also said she wanted to set aside the portion of the amendment that would increase the threshold of what administrative staff could approve, and focus just on changing the site plan authority. She was satisfied with the diversity and representation on the planning commission and giving them the final approval.

Other actions Monday

A couple board and commission appointments were unanimously approved after a typo was corrected in the councils agenda. The original agenda stated Thomas Meyer was to be appointed to planning commission; however, it was an appointment to the Library Board for a three-year term. Linda Langrill was also appointed as a pilot representative of the Aviation Advisory Commission for a three-year term.

Council also unanimously approved a zoning petition by Matt Rapanos to change a 2.49-acre property at 400 S. Sandow Road from township zoning to regional commercial, which will allow for developments such as banks, hotels, restaurants, retail, gas stations and more. The property was annexed into the city from Homer Township last year.

During new business announcements, Kaye said City Engineer Josh Fredricksons last day working for the city was last Friday. The city is working to fill that position and Kaye gave council an update on the various projects underway in that department, such as the Rockwell water main that was added for Costco and is now completed.

Josh had all of those (projects) on his plate. Luckily, he worked hard  frankly, he worked very hard  to put those in place in order to move forward given his absence, Kaye said.

Midland City Councils next meeting will take place Monday, Sept. 14.
A UBC Okanagan researcher has developed a way to predict the future health of the planet's coral reefs.

Working with scientists from Australia's Flinders' University and privately-owned research firm Nova Blue Environment, biology doctoral student Bruno Carturan has been studying the ecosystems of the world's endangered reefs.

"Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth and they support the livelihoods of more than 500 million people," says Carturan. "But coral reefs are also in peril. About 75 per cent of the world's coral reefs are threatened by habitat loss, climate change and other human-caused disturbances."

Carturan, who studies resilience, biodiversity and complex systems under UBCO Professors Lael Parrott and Jason Pither, says nearly all the world's reefs will be dangerously affected by 2050 if no effective measures are taken.

There is hope, however, as he has determined a way to examine the reefs and explore why some reef ecosystems appear to be more resilient than others. Uncovering why, he says, could help stem the losses.

"In other ecosystems, including forests and wetlands, experiments have shown that diversity is key to resilience," says Carturan. "With more species, comes a greater variety of form and function--what ecologists call traits. And with this, there is a greater likelihood that some particular traits, or combination of traits, help the ecosystem better withstand and bounce back from disturbances."

The importance of diversity for the health and stability of ecosystems has been extensively investigated by ecologists, he explains. While the consensus is that ecosystems with more diversity are more resilient and function better, the hypothesis has rarely been tested experimentally with corals.

Using an experiment to recreate the conditions found in real coral reefs is challenging for several reasons--one being that the required size, timeframe and number of different samples and replicates are just unmanageable.

That's where computer simulation modelling comes in.

"Technically called an 'agent-based model', it can be thought of as a virtual experimental arena that enables us to manipulate species and different types of disturbances, and then examine their different influences on resilience in ways that are just not feasible in real reefs," explains Carturan.

In his simulation arena, individual coral colonies and algae grow, compete with one another, reproduce and die. And they do all this in realistic ways. By using agent-based models--with data collected by many researchers over decades--scientists can manipulate the initial diversity of corals, including their number and identity, and see how the virtual reef communities respond to threats.

"This is crucial because these traits are the building blocks that give rise to ecosystem structure and function. For instance, corals come in a variety of forms--from simple spheres to complex branching--and this influences the variety of fish species these reefs host, and their susceptibility to disturbances such as cyclones and coral bleaching."

By running simulations over and over again, the model can identify combinations that can provide the greatest resilience. This will help ecologists design reef management and restoration strategies using predictions from the model, says collaborating Flinders researcher Professor Corey Bradshaw.

"Sophisticated models like ours will be useful for coral-reef management around the world," Bradshaw adds. "For example, Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef is in deep trouble from invasive species, climate change-driven mass bleaching and overfishing."

"This high-resolution coral 'video game' allows us to peek into the future to make the best possible decisions and avoid catastrophes."

###

The research, supported by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, was published recently in eLife.
As millions of young people graduate around the nation, it is natural that they consider their next steps, especially in these times of extraordinary economic hardship and uncertainty. Generations of high school graduates have been wrongly led to believe that in order to obtain high wage employment, the only options is a four-year degree at a traditional college or university.

However, this pathway is not for everyone and it is certainly not the only way to financial prosperity. This type of thinking represents a one-size fits all solution that wont actually provide more economic opportunity for Americans or boost our economy. What America needs is a renewed focus on skilled labor and the nuclear energy industry is well equipped to bring skilled technical labor back to our communities. Many technical colleges around the country already have the types of programs needed to train qualified technicians who serve as the backbone of one of our nations most critical industries.

Nuclear power accounts for 20 percent of our nations energy production and 55 percent of all carbon-free energy in the United States and as long as we remain committed to boosting our nuclear energy industry those numbers should only continue to grow.

In 2010, The New York Times profiled a nuclear power technician from Miami. Esperanza Lapaix, whose family emigrated from Cuba when she was a young child was able to buy a home with a husband and is,[T]he first member of her family to own a house and have a reliable, great-paying job, A story like Esperanzas is the classic tale of the American Dream that was possible through the nuclear energy industry.

The average nuclear power plant employs between 500 and 1,000 workers, creating about $40 million in labor income each year. In addition to engineers and reactor operators, a plants workforce includes welders, pipefitters, masons, carpenters, and electricians  all positions that do not require four-year college degrees. Moreover, the construction of a nuclear plant can create several thousands of jobs during peak construction, primarily for craft laborers. These types of laborers are in demand all over the country and the nuclear industry is willing to pay for them; nuclear plant worker salaries are on average 20 percent higher than those of other electricity sources.

Unfortunately, in recent years America has not prioritized the development of our nuclear industry. America currently has 98 nuclear reactors operating in the U.S., with the average reactor being about 38 years old, and there are only two new reactors under construction. Compare this to China, which has recently begun to place an increased focus on its own nuclear energy industry. China has 12 nuclear reactors currently under construction and the Chinese Communist Partys five-year energy plan outlines ambitious targets for its nuclear sector. According to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, China added the most nuclear power capacity in the world during the last decade, strongly aided by government promotion of nuclear power.

The high paying blue collar positions associated with the nuclear energy industry are more than just jobs. Before companies began to outsource more and more American manufacturing jobs, high wage skilled work was abundant and its impact was felt. According to a 2018 study, the proportion of less-educated workers who are able to secure high-paying jobs has declined dramatically over the past 50 years. The same study also found that the, socioeconomic outcomes in terms of marriage, employment, crime, and health have deteriorated. Nuclear energy can not only provide our nation with clean and reliable energy, but may provide a new path forward for Americans to obtain the economic opportunities enjoyed by previous generations that are so critical to our nations success in the 21st century.

As China continues to rise as the U.S.s top economic rival in the 21st century, nuclear energy, and nuclear power will be a large part of this rivalry. It is critical that the United States continues to support our own nuclear energy industry to ensure that the backbone of our economy, the American worker, is able to soar once again.

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's (R-TN 3rd District) district is based in Chattanooga and includes a large swath of East Tennessee, including Oak Ridge.
MUMBAI: In a trailer released by Warner Bros - Morgan Freeman narrates the story of the 3D IMAX documentaryIsland of Lemurs: Madagascar, which follows the endangered title creatures around the remote title republic.

It features scientist Patricia Wright discussing her lifelong mission to help lemurs - of which there are hundreds of species - survive in the modern world. The docu was written and produced by Drew Fellman, and David Douglas is the director of Island of Lemurs that hits the really big screens on 4 April.
New Delhi: Former IPS officer Annamalai Kuppusamy, also known as the 'Singham' of Karnataka Police, joined the Bhartiya Janata Party at party headquarters in Delhi on Tuesday (August 25, 2020).

He was inducted into the saffron party in the presence of BJP National General Secretary P Muralidhar Rao and Tamil Nadu BJP President L Murugan.

I thank the party for giving me the opportunity to join this organisation. It is a great honour and a privilege for me. I have come to this party as a loyal soldier, the former IPS officer told reporters here.

Even in Tamil Nadu, BJP is attracting many people from many sectors and many sections. We have Annamalai Kuppusamy joining the party. He will be an asset and addition into the BJP in Tamil Nadu, L Murugan told reporters here.

Quoting Thikkural, a classic Tamil language text, the former super cop-turned-politician highlighted the significance of adding `nationalist` spirit.

BJP`s General Secretary (Organization) BL Santosh is believed to have ensured this induction, behind the scene. Santosh is the same man who is also believed to have brought Pawan Kalyan to the NDA fold a few months back.

Just before joining, the BJP`s new face in Tamil Nadu met the party`s Mysuru MP and a young turk Pratap Simha in the national capital.

Annamalai, the 36-year-old former IPS officer called the BJP a ''nationalist party'' and added that he can contribute to that steam of belief as well.

After resigning from service, he had launched an organisation with an aim to work with farmers in Karur and Coimbatore.
The Shiv Sena and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Uttar Pradesh have demanded an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the death of state Minister Chetan Chauhan, who succumbed to Covid-19 on August 16.

Sanjay Singh, the AAP MP has sent a letter to the Lucknow Police Commissioner to register an FIR against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Medical Education Minister Suresh Khanna and SGPGI director Dr RK Dhiman for negligence in treatment that led to the ministers death.

Chauhan was being treated for Covid-19 at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) Lucknow before being shifted to the Medanta hospital in Gurugram where he breathed his last.

The state unit of the Shiv Sena, on the other hand, has demanded a CBI probe into the death of Chetan Chauhan, questioning the circumstances under which he was shifted from a government hospital in Lucknow to a private facility in Gurugram.

A delegation of the Shiv Sena met Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday and handed over a memorandum to her in this regard.

In a statement issued later on Monday night, the Shiv Sena asked, Under what circumstances was late minister Chetan Chauhan shifted from SGPGI in Lucknow to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram? Did the government have no faith in SGPGI, a prestigious institution?"

The statement further said, The minister was hurt by the attitude of the doctors and staff of SGPGI. Till now, no action has been taken against the guilty doctors and staff of the SGPGI. In the entire episode, the government continued to sleep, and two ministers succumbed to Covid-19."

Earlier, on Saturday, Samajwadi Party MLC Sunil Singh Sajan had alleged in the Vidhan Parishad that Chauhan died, not because of Covid-19, but due to carelessness in his treatment at the SGPGI. Sajan, who was admitted in the same ward as the late minister, said that the medical staff had misbehaved with Chauhan.

Once during a round, a doctor and a nurse asked who is Chetan, to which the minister raised his hand since he was a simple person. He was asked as to when he got infected with the virus, to which he explained the entire matter to the hospital staff."

At that time, another personnel asked Chauhan what do you do, to which he said he is a minister in the Yogi Adityanath government," Sajan had said. He had said he was angered by the hospital staffs behaviour with Chauhan.
BOULDER CREEK, Calif.  When a massive wildfire swept through Californias oldest state park last week it was feared many trees in a grove of old-growth redwoods, some of them 2,000 years old and among the tallest living things on Earth, may finally have succumbed.

But an Associated Press reporter and photographer hiked the renowned Redwood Trail at Big Basin Redwoods State Park on Monday and confirmed most of the ancient redwoods had withstood the blaze. Among the survivors is one dubbed Mother of the Forest.

That is such good news, I cant tell you how much that gives me peace of mind, said Laura McLendon, conservation director for the Sempervirens Fund, an environmental group dedicated to the protection of redwoods and their habitats.

Redwood forests are meant to burn, she said, so reports earlier this week that the state park was gone were misleading.

The historic park headquarters is gone, as are many small buildings and campground infrastructure that went up in flames as fire swept through the park about 45 miles south of San Francisco.

But the forest is not gone, McLendon said. It will regrow. Every old growth redwood Ive ever seen, in Big Basin and other parks, has fire scars on them. Theyve been through multiple fires, possibly worse than this.

Image: Big Basin Redwoods (Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP)

When forest fires, windstorms and lightning hit redwood trees, those that dont topple can resprout. Mother of the Forest, for example, used to be 329 feet tall, the tallest tree in the park. After the top broke off in a storm, a new trunk sprouted where the old growth had been.

Trees that fall feed the forest floor and become nurse trees from which new redwoods grow. Forest critters, from banana slugs to insects, thrive under logs.

Related: We have no power. We dont have much water left: All the reservoirs were tapped into to try to save the property. We arent sure how we are going to have a harvest," one winemaker said.

On Monday, Stellers jays searched for insects around the parks partially burned outdoor amphitheater and woodpeckers could be heard hammering on trees. Occasionally a thundering crash echoed through the valley as large branches or burning trees fell.

Story continues

When Big Basin opened in 1902 it marked the genesis of redwood conservation. The park now receives about 250,000 visitors a year from around the world, and millions have walked the Redwood Trail.

The park only recently reopened after COVID-19-related closures and now is closed because of the fire. The road in is blocked by several large trees that fell across it, some waist-high, some still on fire.

While there is a great deal of work to be done rebuilding campgrounds, clearing trails and managing damaged madrones, oaks and firs, Big Basin will recover, McLendon said.

The forest, in some ways, is resetting, she said.

State Parks District Superintendent Chris Spohrer said he was pleased to know the redwoods had survived. He said an assessment team had only been able to check buildings so far, and that he hopes they can inspect the trees in the coming days.

The reason those trees are so old is because they are really resilient, he said.
The coronavirus pandemic has derailed efforts to get New York City residents counted in this years census. The citys census response rate has lagged 8 percentage points behind the national average and several neighborhoods have seen fewer than half of residents respond.

But Washington Heights and Inwood, which have historically performed well in responding to the census, have outpaced the city as a whole. Certain parts of the area have reached response rates as high as 75%  far surpassing the national rate  and in most census tracts more than 60% of residents have filled out their census forms.

Much of the areas success can be attributed to its history of effective census outreach. Relying on a network of religious institutions, schools, local nonprofits, elected officials and doctors to spread the word, the largely Dominican community in the area has consistently been able to make the decennial count a priority. The Upper Manhattan neighborhoods had higher average response rates than the city in both 2000 and 2010 censuses, earning it the honor of having one of the highest participation rates nationally during the 2010 census.

The neighborhood has developed a strategy and culture for responding to the census, said Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who was also actively engaged in census outreach during 2010 as a state legislator.

Success in Washington Heights and Inwood has also defied conventional wisdom that Latino communities, particularly Latino immigrants, are considered hard to count in the census. Strong mobilization has capitalized on the civic nature of the regions Dominican community, according to census outreach workers in the area. And previous outreach efforts made it easier to convince residents to fill out the census in 2020, although most in-person initiatives were suspended due to the pandemic.

That push really led people to understand what the census is, said Juan Rosa, Northeast director at the NALEO Educational Fund, which promotes civic engagement among Latinos. And when we went out now, its a lot about doing outreach and equipping people with the how to and the when, rather than educating on the why and what it is.

New York City officials have tried to replicate this strategy citywide by funneling $19 million into local nonprofits targeting hard-to-count communities, which includes immigrants, renters and low-income people. They may be difficult to reach for myriad reasons, such as linguistic barriers or mistrust in government. By using community organizations, city officials hoped that residents may be more amenable to calls to fill out their census forms.

Juan Tapia-Mendoza, a pediatrician with the Somos Community Care network of physicians, said that because community providers like Somos promote social connection with patients, it can be easier to encourage them to fill out the census. A conversation about how the pandemic has affected them and their families can help doctors explain why the census will determine how much federal funding goes to their community.

But much of the citys efforts to do outreach at block parties and other in-person locations have been stymied since March. Washington Heights and Inwood have also seen overall declines in their response rates compared with 2010 likely for similar reasons. But the region was still well-positioned to keep up a comparatively higher response rate because of their history in census outreach and strong partnerships among nonprofits.

A lot of the community organizations have consistently worked together, said Maria Guzman-Colon, who has led census initiatives for the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corp., a nonprofit that offers legal and social services. So throwing the census into things, it wasnt like reinventing the wheel.

But Aldrin Rafael Bonilla, Manhattan deputy borough president, cautioned that the response rate in Upper Manhattan may give a misleading impression of how successful the count has been there. He said in highly populated communities like Washington Heights and Inwood, approximately 40% of people still havent been counted, which represents a larger swath of New Yorks population than certain other neighborhoods that may have lower response rates, such as the Financial District.

We cannot celebrate, he said. We cannot think this is great because that percentage number is misleading.

Boosting participation in the census count has only been further complicated by the Trump administration. The U.S. Census Bureaus outreach phase, in which workers knock on peoples doors to follow-up with nonrespondents, will end a month earlier than initially planned, which has inflamed fears of an undercount. And what legal experts believe to be an unconstitutional effort to exclude undocumented immigrants from the population count has reignited concerns that undocumented immigrants may be fearful of filling out their census forms.
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Monday (local time) praised President Donald Trump, saying he has put "America first" and took tough steps against China, Iran and North Korea.

In her Republican National Convention speech, Haley said that a Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration "would be much worse", CNN reported.

"Joe Biden and the Democrats are still blaming America first. Donald Trump has always put America first. A Biden-Harris administration would be much, much worse," she said, adding that the Democrats raised taxes and "piled on more mandates."

Lauding Trump, Haley said that the President "ripped up the Iran nuclear deal."

Recalling her tenure as the UN Ambassador from 2017-18, Haley said it was an honour of a lifetime to serve the post.

"Now, the UN is not for the faint of heart. It is a place where dictators, murderers and thieves denounce America... and then put their hands out and demand that we pay their bills. Well, President Trump put an end to all that. With his leadership, we did what Barack Obama and Joe Biden refused to do. We stood up for America... and we stood against our enemies," she stated.

Haley said that former President Barack Obama and Biden, who was the Vice President from 2009 to 2017, let North Korea "threaten" the US. She asserted that Trump "rejected that weakness" and the current administration imposed the toughest sanctions on North Korea in history.

"Obama and Biden let Iran get away with murder and literally sent them a plane full of cash. President Trump did the right thing and ripped up the Iran nuclear deal. Obama and Biden led the UN to denounce our friend and ally, Israel. President Trump moved our embassy to Jerusalem. When the UN tried to condemn us, I was proud to cast the American veto," she added.

Haley said that Biden "has a record of weakness and failure" and said he "held America back".

"This President (Trump) has a record of strength and success. The former Vice President has a record of weakness and failure. Joe Biden is good for Iran and ISIS... great for Communist China... He is a godsend to everyone who wants America to apologise, abstain and abandon our values," she said.

"Donald Trump takes a different approach. He is tough on China, and he took on ISIS and won. He tells the world what it needs to hear. At home, the President is the clear choice for jobs and the economy. He has moved America forward, while Joe Biden held America back," the former UN envoy remarked.

Haley said that the US was breaking "economic records left and right" before the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Before Communist China gave us the coronavirus, we were breaking economic records left and right. The pandemic has set us back, but not for long. President Trump brought our economy back before, and he will bring it back again," she stated.

Earlier, Trump and Mike Pence were officially renominated by the Republicans to be party's presidential and vice-presidential nominee.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel tweeted, "I am pleased to announce the official renomination of @realDonaldTrump and @Mike_Pence for President and Vice President!"

-ANI

Also Read: Mike Pompeo meets UK Foreign Secretary, discusses coordination on countering Iran's destabilizing influence in the region
The Bombay high court (HC) on Tuesday refused the request to transfer Housing Development and Infrastructure Limited (HDIL) promoter Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan to a private hospital. Instead, the superintendent of Arthur Road Jail has been directed to send Wadhawan to KEM Hospital within 48 hours. Wadhawan is an accused in the case of fraud at Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank and suffering from cancer.

Last week, a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had directed jail authorities to transfer Wadhawan to a civic-run hospital after Wadhawan submitted a plea to be admitted to a private medical facility to undergo a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Wadhawan then moved HC with his plea.

A division bench of justices RD Dhanuka and VG Bisht said on Tuesday that Wadhawan should be taken to KEM Hospital for tests and treatment within 48 hours. The bench has directed the civic-run hospital to carry out the necessary medical tests within a week.

Wadhawans counsel, senior advocate Amit Desai, said Wadhawans health is deteriorating and as a patient of colon cancer, he has been in and out of hospital for the past six months. Desai urged the court to allow Wadhawan be admitted to a private hospital as KEM Hospital has not been able to conduct an endoscopy and colonoscopy on him so far, despite court orders.

HC, however, refused to accede to the request. The same bench also gave the Enforcement Directorate (ED) three days to provide a copy to Wadhawan of its complaint and other documents against him and the other accused in the case filed by the ED.

Wadhawan is among the accused in the case of fraud at PMC Bank, registered by Mumbai Polices economic offences wing (EOW) on September 30, 2019. An audit conducted by the Reserve Bank of India uncovered 44 loan accounts at PMC Bank that were used to carry out a fraud of Rs. 7,457.49 crore, most of which went to HDIL. The bank had created 21,049 fictitious accounts to ensure its master data tallied with loan disbursal of Rs. 7,457.49 crore.
Chinas military is holding three separate naval exercises and live-fire drills simultaneously this week, with one of them covering parts of the South China Sea disputed between China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

The Maritime Safety Administration of Hainan, Chinas southernmost province, released a notice late Friday stating a military exercise would be held in an area of the Paracel Islands from Aug. 24 through Aug. 29. It warned outside ships to steer five nautical miles (nine km) clear of the drill area but otherwise gave no details.

The Paracel Islands are a string of disputed rocks and islets in the north of the South China Sea. The boundaries of the exercise include Woody Island, Chinas largest military base in the area, and the waters to the northeast of the Paracels near Pratas atoll, which is occupied by Taiwan.

Satellite imagery viewed by BenarNews reveals some of Chinas aircraft and warships that may have been positioned in the South China Sea ahead of time, either to participate in the exercise or to provide supplies to Chinas disparate outposts.

Four fighter jets and multiple military transport aircraft were stationed at Woody Island, a prime staging area for Chinas military operations in the South China Sea, on Aug. 17, and one fighter jet and what appears to be a military transport aircraft remained there on Aug. 22.

What appears to be a Y-8 military transport aircraft is at Fiery Cross Reef, another Chinese base in the Spratly Islands south of the Paracels, as of Monday, after what looked to be a Type 904 supply ship stopped by last Friday.

There has been a near-continuous sequence of Chinese military drills recently, and the tempo is rising this week, with three exercises around the same time. Live-fire drills began off the coast of Qingdao on Saturday and are set to end on Wednesday, and China is also currently in the middle of an exercise in Bohai Bay that began last Friday and runs until this Friday.

Ian Easton, a senior director at the Virginia-based Project 2049 Institute, said these exercises were likely not a reaction to any external event and may be meant to see how Chinas neighbors and regional stakeholders like the United States react.

There are many ways to interpret exercises like these, he said.

It could be the case they represent nothing other than routine training drills planned many months ago, and they are being played up by the CCP Propaganda Department for strategic psychological warfare purposes, he said, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. But Easton added another possibility: The PLA could be getting its forces ready for a future war.

There has been speculation that China would hold an island seizure exercise in August aimed at simulating a takeover of Pratas Island. Japans Kyodo news agency reported in May that China planned on doing so, and a professor from one of Chinas military universities appeared to verify it in an interview with a Hong Kong news outlet in late July. That professor, Li Daguang, recanted his comments a few days later, but it was enough to prompt Taiwan into sending a detachment of Marines to Pratas in early August.

A delegation of legislators from Taiwans Kuomintang party applied to visit Pratas on Aug. 18 to assess the military readiness of the garrison there, but their request was rejected by the Ministry of National Defense, which stated the current regional situation is becoming more and more complex.

Pratas lies roughly 275 miles (442 km) from the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, and only 210 miles (337 km) southeast of Hong Kong. Despite its remoteness, Easton believes an actual Chinese invasion of the island wouldnt be so simple.

In the event of a traditional invasion, Pratas would likely be a bloody battle. Taiwans marines are tough warriors, some of Taiwans finest, and Pratas is reportedly well fortified, he said. But what if the PLA uses hybrid warfare tactics and sends special forces in civilian dress mixed with fishermen and other maritime militia? The CCP can be expected to do things that will surprise outsiders.

PLA stands for Chinas Peoples Liberation Army.

China already held large-scale drills in the Taiwan Strait on Aug. 13, and a submarine exercise near the northern tip of Taiwan last week, according to Chinese state media. Taiwan, for its part, released a video on its Ministry of National Defenses Facebook page portraying a simulated Taiwanese resistance to any invasion of the island by China.

The latest exercises around the Paracels began just a day after Taiwan and the U.S. marked the anniversary of the 1958 Second Taiwan Strait crisis, which saw the Peoples Republic of China attack the Taiwanese-occupied Kinmen and Matsu islands. While Kinmen is administered by the Taiwan-based Republic of China, it sits on the other side of the Taiwan Strait that separates the island of Taiwan from mainland China, and is less than two miles from the Chinese city of Xiamen.

This year, the director of the American Institute of Taiwan, the de facto American embassy on the self-governed island, traveled to Kinmen island to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the event with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. This prompted stern remarks from China, which views Taiwan as a rogue province that should unify with the mainland. China has threatened military force if Taiwan were to declare itself an independent country.

We urge the U.S. to observe the one-China principle and the Three Sino-U.S. Joint Communiques, and to stop sending the wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press conference Monday.

Ma was referring to diplomatic principles that have guided U.S.-Chinese relations on the issue of Taiwan since Washington shifted official recognition from Taipei to Beijing four decades ago. The U.S. maintains a close, unofficial relationship with Taiwan, including defense ties, but does not advocate for independence for the self-governing island.

Meanwhile, Vietnam and China commemorated the 20th anniversary of an agreement settling the land border between the two countries on Sunday. At that ceremony, Chinas top diplomat, Wang Yi, apparently called on Vietnam to return to negotiations with China over the South China Sea dispute.

Vietnam and China frequently butt heads over the South China Sea, and Chinas last exercise in the Paracels on July 1 to 5 prompted outcry from Vietnam, as well as the U.S. and the Philippines.
ALBANY  The people who perished in the Schoharie limousine crash should have known the risks they faced when they climbed into the doomed vehicle, lawyers who represent the limo company's operator are arguing in response to a wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of the passenger who rented the limo.

Lawyers for Nauman Hussain, whose limousine service supplied the 34-foot stretch Ford Excursion that killed 20 people when it crashed on Oct. 6, 2018, claim their client is not responsible for the disaster because the victims should have known the limo was dangerous.

"Any and all risks, hazards, defects and dangers alleged are of an open, obvious and apparent nature and were known or should have been known to the plaintiffs herein, and the plaintiffs willingly and voluntarily assumed all such risks, hazards, defects and dangers," Marc Kaim, an attorney for Nauman Hussain and his father, Shahed Hussain, wrote, in a legal response to a lawsuit filed by the family of Axel Steenburg.

The defense strategy is just one of many that lawyers hired by Hussain's insurance company have outlined in response to at least one of the lawsuits filed against the Hussains. The elder Hussain was the official owner of the lim0 operation run out of a warehouse parking lot in Saratoga Springs. Shahed Hussain was out of the country and his son was running the company when the crash happened next to the Apple Barrel Country Store on Route 30A.

Although Hussain's court filing in the Steenburg civil case was made back in February, it was included in a trove of documents filed last month by families of the crash victims in state Supreme Court in Albany. All the civil cases filed against Hussain and his father  about a dozen so far  have been consolidated to make evidence sharing easier.

Sal Ferlazzo, an Albany attorney who is representing another one of the victims in the civil suits, says that Nauman Hussain's defense that Steenburg and his friends should have known that the Excursion was dangerous is dubious given passengers assume such rental vehicles are safe when they get into them.

"The owner should have warned them as the owner has more knowledge of its dangerousness," Ferlazzo said.

Kaim, who declined comment on this story, is also focusing on the discovery that Steenburg and the other passengers were not wearing seatbelts when the limo crashed.

"The plaintiffs' injuries, if any, were increased or caused by plaintiffs' failure to use and wear seat belts at the time of the occurrence and, under the applicable laws, plaintiffs may not recover for those injuries which they would not otherwise have sustained if they had been properly using and wearing a seat belt," Kaim asserted in the filing.

A preliminary report by National Transportation Safety Board said while none of Steenburg and his friends were wearing seatbelts, the seatbelts were not properly installed and couldn't be accessed because they were hidden behind the seats. A final report that will include what the NTSB believes caused the crash will be issued late next month.

As his lawyers defend him in the civil cases, Nauman Hussain faces felony charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in Schoharie County Court.

His lawyers in the criminal case and District Attorney Susan Mallery are scheduled to meeti with county Judge George Bartlett III privately on Wednesday via Skype. It is the third such meeting in the last two months. Lawyers for the victims have said the sides are working toward a plea bargain that could spare Hussain from prison time.

If no plea deal is reached, Bartlett could set a trial date. The trial had originally been scheduled to take place in May but was put on hold after the cornavirus pandemic forced the temporary shutdown of most of the state's court system.

The conference on Wednesday is not unusual for a criminal case of this complexity," Lee Kindlon, one of Hussain's attorneys in the criminal case, told the Times Union. "We seek to resolve a few outstanding discovery issues, continue the discussions about a possible just result, and look for potential future trial dates.

The public is not allowed to listen in on the discussions with Bartlett. But if a plea deal is reached, the details are expected to be made public.

Many of the families of the victims have been looking forward to a trial in the hope it would help them understand what caused the crash and who is to blame. Police and prosecutors say Hussain neglected needed repair work on the limo which they say crashed after its brakes failed.

But many questions remain unanswered, including what role if any was played by employees who worked at the Mavis Discount Tire shop in Saratoga Springs where Hussain had the Excursion's brakes serviced in the months before the crash. Hussain's defense team says he believed brake work was done at Mavis.

Steenburg, 29, had rented the Excursion with his older brother on the day of the crash to take them and 14 of their friends and family from Amsterdam, where many of them lived, to Cooperstown for a 30th birthday party for Steenburg's wife Amy. Steenburg had booked the limo with Hussain's company, Prestige Limousine, at the last minute after plans to rent a party bus from another company fell through.

After leaving Amsterdam and making his way down to Route 7 going east, the limo driver, 53-year-old Scott Lisinicchia of Lake George, turned onto Route 30 toward the village of Schoharie. It's unclear why Lisinicchia took that route since it was out of the way, although Steenburg had told Hussain that he and his friends might want to make stops on the way to their ultimate destination, the Ommegang brewery in Cooperstown.

As the limo rolled uncontrollably down Route 30, Lisinicchia swerved out of the way of another car. But he couldn't keep the limo from crossing Route 30A where it slammed into an SUV in the parking lot, killing a Cayuga County man and his father-in-law. Lisinicchia and the 17 passengers died after the limo continued into a ditch.

Prestige purchased the Excursion in 2016 after an Albany limousine company decided it was too old to maintain.

Hussain had also allegedly convinced employees at Mavis to place a Department of Motor Vehicle inspection sticker on the Excursion in May of 2018 without actually doing a safety inspection. Although the DMV sticker may have assured customers the Excursion had passed an inspection, limos that large can only be inspected by the state Department of Transportation, which does a more rigorous safety check than DMV-regulated inspection stations like Mavis.

Mavis has also been named a defendant in some of the civil cases. The auto-repair chain has told the court it plans to file a motion to have the cases against the company dismissed.

The Excursion, which was nearly 20 years old at the time of the crash, failed a March 2018 inspection by DOT that found the limo's brakes to be defective. Inspectors noted a host of other safety issues. The DOT ordered Hussain to take the limo, which was not registered with the agency, off the road.

The limo failed another DOT inspection just a month before the crash.
On Aug. 23, the Hickory Daily Record quoted Randy Isenhower, chairman of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners, responding to a petition for the removal of the Confederate soldier monument in Newton. Isenhower stated that the Confederacy is a part of our history, good or bad, that the statue is in a good place, and that the issue doesnt warrant further discussion.

It is true that we must preserve our history, and the way to do this is by reading and listening to historians. It is not by erecting statues intended to honor those who fought to continue slavery. The size and placement of this soldier, along with the inscription stating that he fought for a cause so grand, are meant to glorify the Confederacy, not to understand it.
China in Focus (Aug. 24): Xinjiang Under Lockdown, Doors Sealed, Locals Handcuffed

Xinjiangs capital, Urumqi city, has been locked down for 40 days, with even stricter measures than Wuhan. Doors have been sealed with iron nails or tape. People are locked in handcuffs. Citizens have been seen venting their frustrations by shouting into the night.

In one village alone, 14 families were washed away in their sleep, while local media made no mention of any death toll or missing cases.

In China, kindergarten has been turned into propaganda class. Young children are being made to watch Chinese leader Xi Jinpings political speeches.

The world is becoming even more dependent on Chinas medical protective gear. In May, China supplied over 80 percent of the major types of PPE that medical staff wear. Thats a 24 percent rise from January.

And the United States is looking to overtake China with 6G technologies. And news is circulating that the Trump administrations WeChat ban isnt as broad as previously thought.

Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter.
To the Times:

I find myself agreeing essentially with Christine Flowers column about the killing of the young boy in North Carolina.

It is reminding me of when I vehemently disagreed with columnist Chris Freind concerning the pick-up truck murder in Georgia.

I didnt comment publicly on that murder although I had my suspicions based on available facts. I did however take Freind to task for his assertion that it was very unlikely that it was racially motivated. That was cleared up based on later comments by one of the killers.

Similarly I didnt comment publicly on this North Carolina murder of a white child by a black adult neighbor. I did have my suspicions. I revealed them when someone pretty much forced me to comment.

It is looking like there is reason to doubt my suspicions about racial motivation primarily because the boys mother is firmly convinced it was not racially motivated. Of course, there doesnt appear to be any evidence of motive that I have seen reported anywhere so it is still to be determined (or maybe it will never be known).

The larger point goes to how various political interest groups, if you will, immediately seize upon incidents to further their interests irrespective of facts. This is the poison we are facing on just about every issue and certainly racial issues top the list.

I would like to see every individual seriously examine their own reactions to race in their daily lives. That is where it happens. If there is any hope of fixing this problem in the long run it needs to start there.

Joe Selfridge, Philadelphia
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said he emphasized during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on Tuesday that Italy would be monitoring closely the implications of new Chinese security measures in Hong Kong.

I reiterated that, together with all our European partners, we have emphasized that Hong Kongs stability and prosperity, based on the one country, two systems principle, are essential, Di Maio told reporters in a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

It is equally essential to preserve the high degree of autonomy and the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to Hong Kong citizens, he said.

Rome is the first stop of Wangs five-nation European tour, which includes France, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway. It is Wangs first foreign trip since the coronavirus outbreak in China that turned into a global pandemic.

Wang emphasized Chinas support for close ties with Italy, with which it formed diplomatic relations 50 years ago.

The ministers were scheduled for a private lunch after their press statements.

The visiting diplomats top agenda item in Europe was expected to be pushing Europeans to guarantee market access to telecom giant Huawei, and broader efforts to keep European countries quiet on Hong Kong and to take Beijings side in its tariff war with Washington.

Before the meeting, prominent Hong Kong democracy activist Nathan Law delivered a letter to the foreign ministry asking Di Maio to address the Hong Kong problems and human rights violations during the meeting.

Chinas contentious national security law for Hong Kong is seen by many as Beijings boldest move yet to remove the legal firewall between the semi-autonomous territory of Hong Kong and the mainlands authoritarian Communist Party system.

We need to work together to form a strong alliance to go against the authoritarian nature of China Law said.

Italy last year was the first major democracy to sign an agreement to join Chinas Belt and Road initiative. The program includes major infrastructure investments to create a conduit for trade and Chinas construction industry. Both the United States and Italys European partners see it as a threat as China seeks to project its power.
Old Street roundabout, in the area known as London's Tech City

London's reputation as one of the world's major tech hubs is in jeopardy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

At the start of the last decade, a cluster of start-ups began to form around East London's Old Street roundabout (technically a gyratory system), leading the area to be nicknamed "Silicon Roundabout."

Then-British Prime Minister David Cameron latched onto their success and branded the area in and around the hipster Shoreditch neighbourhood "Tech City."

Since then, London's tech ecosystem has expanded to other corners of the capital including King's Cross and the West End. Today, tech companies and their employees span the entire city.

Homegrown start-ups like DeepMind, Shazam, Revolut, and TransferWise have become well-known names in their respective industries, while U.S. tech giants including Amazon, Facebook, Google and Apple have also set up huge new offices for thousands of staff.

But the coronavirus pandemic is threatening to change the landscape.

Given the very nature of their work, tech firms can often embrace remote working far more easily than companies in other industries.

"The downside for London might be the dwindling of serendipity," said Harry Briggs, a venture capitalist with Omers Ventures.

"Whilst Shoreditch never had it to Silicon Valley levels, the square mile between Shoreditch, Clerkenwell and Kings Cross has become Europe's most serendipitous place for founders," Briggs said. "You can't go into Ozone (coffee shop), Granger & Co (restaurant) or Google Campus without bumping into several VCs or fellow founders."

Meanwhile, events held by the likes of tech network Founders Forum, VC firm Seedcamp and start-up factory EF (Entrepreneur First) have all gone virtual.

"Now, the meetings and events are happening on Zoom, many founders have temporarily migrated to places like Lisbon, and the VCs are working from their country 'cottages,'" Briggs said.

Many of the city's start-ups have been based in flexible coworking spaces, but future of these hubs also hang in the balance.

This month, TechHub, an office space provider that has housed hundreds of start-ups over the last decade, filed for administration. Founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Varley and TechCrunch Editor-at-Large Mike Butcher, TechHub said it lost three-quarters of its revenues as a result of the lockdown.

"Elements of Tech City are being hit hard, like co-working spaces," said Eze Vidra, managing partner at Remagine Ventures and a former tech investor at Google Ventures. "But from a start-up and VC perspective, I am being regularly reminded that some of the best companies were created in times of crisis. I am seeing great companies, effectively raising rounds and gaining traction."

The lack of tech workers in and around Shoreditch isn't going unnoticed. Entrepreneur Rich Pleeth told CNBC that The Griffin pub in Shoreditch was practically empty when he visited last Thursday. "That used to be the beating heart," he said.

"We've seen Covid make more decisions than a CEO ever could on working remotely," Pleeth said, adding, "Why go back to the office if you have to sit on your own with no colleagues anywhere near you?"

These problems are in no way confined to London's tech ecosystem. On the other side of the Atlantic, San Francisco is experiencing a similar thing, while there are now over 13,000 empty apartments in Manhattan. Major cities are turning into ghost towns as people opt to work remotely from less densely populated parts of the world.

"London will survive  it always does  and people will find new ways to connect  we always do. But Tech City's role as a hub of serendipity may have had its peak," said Briggs.
Performers in establishments that arent licensed for adult uses would need to make the case that they arent baring their flesh for prurient interests, and would only be allowed to do so once every 30 days, she said during the meeting.
Jared Leto treated his Instagram following to a sizzling selfie on Monday.

The 48-year-old Oscar winner posed in front of the mirror with his shirt half-open to show off his muscular chest.

Gathering his signature long, dark locks into a messy updo, the Suicide Squad star pulled his best smoldering supermodel stare for the camera.

'Sending good thoughts': Jared Leto treated his Instagram following to a sizzling selfie Monday

'Sending good thoughts and [heart] your way xoxo,' he wrote to his over 10 million followers, asking: 'Hows everyone holding up?'

A couple of months ago People reported he is dating 26-year-old Russian model Valery Kaufman whom he is said to have met in 2015.

'They initially seemed to be friends. They would meet up with groups of people and all hangout. They didn't go on solo dates,' an insider dished.

'Over the years, things seem to have turned romantic. They have been off and on now for a few years, but seem to spend more time together lately.'

There she is: A couple of months ago People reported he is dating 26-year-old Russian model Valery Kaufman whom he is said to have met in 2015

Jared has been in the band 30 Seconds To Mars with his brother Shannon since 1998 and the group was meant to throw a festival on a private Croatian island this month.

Entitled Mars Island, the event has been delayed to August of next year on account of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Shannon was spotted earlier this month sharing a kiss with Cara Santana in the wake of her split from Jesse Metcalfe who is rumored to have been unfaithful to her.

Family business: Jared has been in the band 30 Seconds To Mars with his brother Shannon since 1998; the brothers are pictured performing with the band in Inglewood in 2018

The act have been selling themed merchandise on their website throughout the COVID-19 lockdowns including masks.

One of the face coverings helpfully reads: 'WEAR A DAMN MASK' while another one says: 'I'M ACTUALLY SMILING.'

Jared's band is also selling tops that read: 'SEE YOU IN '21!' including a $40 tank top, a $70 hoodie and a $40 T-shirt.
VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria has arrested a 31-year-old Syrian refugee suspected of carrying out attacks last week on a Jewish community leader and a synagogue in Austria's second city Graz, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said on Monday.

The leader of Graz's Jewish community association, Elie Rosen, was assaulted by a man with a wooden object resembling a baseball bat as he tried to drive into the grounds on Saturday evening. He was able to get back in his car and avoid injury.

The incident followed two attacks on the synagogue last week in which windows were broken with chunks of concrete, and prompted condemnation by political leaders including Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and President Alexander Van der Bellen.

"Yesterday evening the police in Graz ... were able to arrest the culprit," Nehammer told a news conference, adding that the man had been in Austria since 2013 and had "fully confessed" his guilt during questioning.

Nehammer said police secured what he called the weapon used in the attack, a wooden chair leg, as well as stones in a backpack, during the arrest. He said the suspect may also have targeted a Catholic church and an LGBTQ association.

"The investigators believe that the motive is Islamist," Nehammer said, adding that security measures at synagogues were being reinforced to prevent copycat attacks.

(Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Three Birds With One Jet: Russian Su-27 Intercepts Two NATO Aircraft, Swedish Plane Over Baltic Sea

Sputnik News

Ilya Tsukanov. Sputnik International

14:13 GMT 24.08.2020(updated 19:22 GMT 24.08.2020)

Russia's Aerospace Forces have pointed to a major spike in NATO reconnaissance activity along the country's maritime borders, from the west to the Far East, in recent months.

A Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept military aircraft from the US, Germany and Sweden over the Baltic Sea on Monday, the Defence Ministry has announced.

"On August 24, Russian airspace control systems over neutral waters in the Baltic Sea detected three aerial targets approaching the Russian state border," the ministry said in a statement.

"The crew of the Russian jet identified the aerial targets as a US Air Force RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft, a Gulf Stream reconnaissance aircraft operated by the Swedish Air Force, and an Orion patrol aircraft belonging to the German Navy," the ministry added.

According to the military, the German plane was flying toward the Russian border at an altitude of just 500 meters and at a speed of 250 kilometers per hour, in a likely effort to avoid detection.

Lockheed P-3 Orion No. 60+01 of the German Navy

After being detected, the foreign aircraft altered course away from the Russian border, and the Su-27 returned to its home airfield.

The Defence Ministry emphasized that the Su-27 carried out its mission in "strict accordance" with international rules on the use of airspace.

Russian aircraft have been scrambled dozens of times in recent months to intercept NATO spy planes, bombers and reconnaissance drones. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such flights, combined with NATO exercises and troop deployments near Russia's borders, threaten to escalate tensions or accidentally spark an international incident. NATO has said that its flights are in full compliance with international law, and has occasionally accused Russian fighter pilots of engaging in "unsafe" and "unprofessional" maneuvers during the intercepts near Russian airspace.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






We hear so much about how it is not just the policies of governments but the choices of individuals that will make a big difference in the mitigation of the effects of climate change, yet there is a lack choice when it comes to "ethical" banking products.

The Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA) provides a search tool on its website that lists ethical financial products that have received its certification.

Why are there so few ethical banking products? Illustration: Rocco Fazzari Credit:

However, a search for banking products that screens for "renewable energy and energy efficiency" and for "fossil fuels" comes up with a list of just a few providers.

For example, customer-owned Bank Australia offers a range of savings accounts and term deposits where savers' money is invested "in responsible ways" for the benefit of the community and the environment.
The head of the leading political force says Leonid Kravchuk, Ukraine's chief delegate to the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas settlement, is not a member of parliament.

There is no chance for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the country's parliament, to decide on the resumption of freshwater supplies to the Russian-occupied Crimea, says David Arakhamia, chair of the Servant of the People party.

The comment came in response to the recent suggestion by Leonid Kravchuk, the country's chief delegate to the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas settlement and former president of Ukraine, that water supplies could be resumed to Crimea in case of a humanitarian disaster.

Read alsoRussia weary of Donbas war, Kravchuk "feels""We are not planning to launch [water supplies] to Crimea. So, with all due respect to Mr Kravchuk, he is not part of parliament now, and I believe there's no chance that the parliament could pass such decisions or even consider them," Arakhamia told journalists on Tuesday.

With all due respect to Mr Kravchuk, he is not part of parliament now

Water supplies to Crimea: statements
President Donald Trump (left) listens as Dr. Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, speaks during a media briefing at the White House on Sunday. Read more

WASHINGTON  Responding to an outcry from medical experts, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn on Tuesday apologized for overstating the life-saving benefits of treating COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma.

Scientists and medical experts have been pushing back against the claims about the treatment since President Donald Trumps announcement on Sunday that the FDA had decided to issue emergency authorization for convalescent plasma, taken from patients who have recovered from the coronavirus and rich in disease-fighting antibodies.

Trump hailed the decision as a historic breakthrough even though the treatments value has not been established. The announcement on the eve of Trumps Republican National Convention raised suspicions that it was politically motivated to offset critics of the president's handling of the pandemic.

Hahn had echoed Trump in saying that 35 more people out of 100 would survive the coronavirus if they were treated with the plasma. That claim vastly overstated preliminary findings of Mayo Clinic observations.

Hahns mea culpa comes at a critical moment for the FDA which, under intense pressure from the White House, is responsible for deciding whether coming vaccines are safe and effective in preventing COVID-19.

The 35% figure drew condemnation from other scientists and some former FDA officials, who called on Hahn to correct the record.

I have been criticized for remarks I made Sunday night about the benefits of convalescent plasma. The criticism is entirely justified. What I should have said better is that the data show a relative risk reduction not an absolute risk reduction, Hahn tweeted.

The FDA made the decision based on data the Mayo Clinic collected from hospitals around the country that were using plasma on patients in wildly varying ways -- and there was no comparison group of untreated patients, meaning no conclusions can be drawn about overall survival. People who received plasma with the highest levels of antibodies fared better than those given plasma with fewer antibodies, and those treated sooner after diagnosis fared better than those treated later.

Hahn and other Trump administration officials presented the difference as an absolute survival benefit, rather than a relative difference between two treatment groups. Former FDA officials said the misstatement was inexcusable, particularly for a cancer specialist like Hahn.

Its extraordinary to me that a person involved in clinical trials could make that mistake, said Dr. Peter Lurie, a former FDA official under the Obama administration who now leads the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest. Its mind-boggling.

The 35% benefit was repeated by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar at Sunday's briefing and promoted on Twitter by the FDA's communication staff. The number did not appear in FDA's official letter justifying the emergency authorization.

Hahn has been working to bolster confidence in the agencys scientific process, stating in interviews and articles that the FDA will only approve a vaccine that meets preset standards for safety and efficacy.

Lawrence Gostin of Georgetown University said Hahn's performance Sunday undermined those efforts.

I think the integrity of the FDA took a hit, if I were Stephen Hahn I would not have appeared at such a political show, said Gostin, a public health attorney.

Hahn pushed back Tuesday morning against suggestions that the plasma announcement was timed to boost Trump ahead of the Republican convention.

The professionals and the scientists at FDA independently made this decision, and I completely support them," Hahn said, appearing on CBS This Morning.

Trump has recently accused some FDA staff, without evidence, of deliberately holding up new treatments for political reasons. And Trumps chief of staff, Mark Meadows, said over the weekend that FDA scientists need to feel the heat."

The administration has sunk vast resources into the race for a vaccine, and Trump aides have been hoping that swift progress could help the president ahead of Novembers election.

At Sundays briefing Hahn did not correct Trumps description of the regulatory move as a breakthrough. He also did not contradict Trumps unsupported claim of a deep state effort at the agency working to slow down approvals.

Former FDA officials said the political pressure and attacks against the FDA carry enormous risk of undermining trust in the agency just when its needed most. A vaccine will only be effective against the virus if it is widely taken by the U.S. population.

I think the constant pressure, the name-calling, the perception that decisions are made under pressure is damaging, said Dr. Jesse Goodman of Georgetown University, who previously served as FDAs chief scientist. We need the American people to have full confidence that medicines and vaccines are safe.

Convalescent plasma is a century-old approach to treating the flu, measles and other viruses. But the evidence so far has not been conclusive about whether it works, when to administer it and what dose is needed.

The FDA emergency authorization is expected to increase its availability to additional hospitals. But more than 70,000 Americans have already received the therapy under FDAs expanded access program. That program tracks patients' response, but cannot prove whether the plasma played a role in their recovery.

Some scientists worry the broadened FDA access to the treatment will make it harder to complete studies of whether the treatment actually works. Those studies require randomizing patients to either receive plasma or a dummy infusion.

_____

Associated Press writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  The Philippine National Police and the Army want Sulu province placed under martial law following the deadly twin blasts that rocked Jolo.

But lawmakers are quick to reject the idea, saying it should no longer be necessary with the recent passage of a strong anti-terrorism measure.

In a statement on Tuesday, PNP Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said he supports Army Chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejanas recommendation for a Sulu-wide martial law.

"This will allow the military and police more operational flexibility to carry out law enforcement operations against domestic threat groups in the area, Gamboa said in a statement.

Sobejana in an earlier radio interview recommended military rule for Sulu following Mondays twin explosions that left at least 14 people dead, including seven soldiers, one policeman, and six civilians. The 11th Infantry Division in a Facebook post on Tuesday said the number of slain soldiers has risen to eight, but authorities have yet to release a new tally.

The Constitution states that the President as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces may place the entire country or any part of it under martial law "in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it." The declaration lasts for 60 days, but Congress can grant the Presidents request for extension.

Senate President Vicente Tito Sotto III told reporters there is no need to declare martial law in any part of the country since the Anti-Terrorism Act is already in place.

That was one of the reasons we passed it, we are hoping it will solve the terrorism in Mindanao, Sotto said.

Senator Panfilo Ping Lacson echoed the sentiment, as he pointed out that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 signed in early July will let security forces better address the terrorism situation in Mindanao as well as the whole country.

Lacson, however, noted that the agencies tasked to craft the measures implementing rules and regulations have yet to issue the guidelines.

Meanwhile, Malacanang has yet to issue a statement on the calls for martial law.

The whole of Mindanao was first placed under martial law in May 2017, following the Marawi siege in Lanao del Sur. Congress had then granted President Rodrigo Duterte's subsequent requests to extend martial law in the area to quell insurgent forces, with the rule finally expiring on December 31, 2019.

Months after, lawmakers pushed for the passage of the controversial anti-terrorism measure, which imposes stricter penalties and longer detention periods for suspected terrorists.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 06:30:27|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Video: Once Upon A TikTok - TikTok said it will sue the US government. Watch to find out why... (Xinhua)

The executive order was issued "for political reasons rather than because of an 'unusual and extraordinary threat' to the United States, which is a condition for the President to exercise his authority" under the IEEPA, TikTok noted.



LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Video-sharing social networking company TikTok on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over an executive order banning any U.S. transactions with its parent company ByteDance.

Photo taken on Aug. 21, 2020 shows a logo of the video-sharing social networking company TikTok's Los Angeles Office in Culver City, Los Angeles County, the United States. (Xinhua)

In the 39-page indictment acquired by Xinhua, U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and U.S. Department of Commerce were listed as defendants.

According to the document, TikTok accused the U.S. authorities of stripping the rights of the company without any evidence to justify the extreme action, and issuing the order without any due process as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment.

Photo taken on Aug. 21, 2020 shows the video-sharing social networking company TikTok's Los Angeles Office in Culver City, Los Angeles County, the United States. (Xinhua)

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles-based tech firm argued that the executive order is a misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), authorizing the prohibition of activities that have not been found to be "an unusual and extraordinary threat" in this case.

The executive order was issued "for political reasons rather than because of an 'unusual and extraordinary threat' to the United States, which is a condition for the President to exercise his authority" under the IEEPA, TikTok noted.

Photo taken on Aug. 21, 2020 shows the video-sharing social networking company TikTok's Los Angeles Office in Culver City, Los Angeles County, the United States. (Xinhua)

The plaintiffs, TikTok Inc. and ByteDance Ltd., seek a declaratory judgment and order invalidating and enjoining the executive order and any implementing regulations issued by the Department of Commerce later.

"The President's executive order is unconstitutional and ultra vires, and must be enjoined," the document read. 
Todays Headlines

The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning.

Email address

By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
As the world battles a pandemic, Africa has become polio free. Lessons learned can help its fight against COVID-19.

Could you patent the sun? This is how American virologist Jonas Salk responded when asked whether he would be patenting his breakthrough polio vaccine.

The polio virus, which once killed or maimed hundreds of thousands of children every year and led to summertime lockdowns, is a step closer to being consigned to the history books.

With no recorded cases since 2016, the African region has received certification as wild polio virus free by the World Health Organization (WHO)  and this is one of the greatest achievements in public health history.

Delivering polio vaccines to every child in the African region and wiping out the wild virus is no small feat, and the human resources, skills and experience gained in the process leave behind a legacy in how to tackle diseases and reach the poorest and most marginalised communities with lifesaving services.

Leadership from all levels of government across party lines, a historic public-private partnership which raised billions, millions of health workers reaching children across the region  from conflict zones to remote areas only accessible by motorbike or helicopter  and a culture of continual improvement were all critical to overcoming challenges and bottlenecks.

As countries work to suppress COVID-19, many of the same basic traditional public health methods used in polio eradication, including contact tracing and surveillance, are key to breaking the chains of transmission and saving lives and livelihoods from the first coronavirus pandemic in human history.

As recently as 2012, half of all globally recorded cases of wild polio virus were in Nigeria  the last country in the region to rid itself of the virus. However, as with the COVID-19 pandemic, the lesson is that it is never too late to turn a disease outbreak around. Through hard work, new innovations and ensuring that no child was missed, Nigeria and the entire African region have now defeated polio.

Across the region, health workers go village to village and door to door vaccinating children multiple times and offering health advice and support to the community. It is a remarkable effort started by Rotary International, which in the 1980s  when there were hundreds of thousands of cases every year  made a global call for eradication.

The unique public-private partnership was spearheaded by governments from across the world that politically and financially backed the effort, as well as a host of partners including Rotary International, WHO, the United Nations Childrens Fund, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

There is a very good reason why the worlds best scientists are racing to find a vaccine for COVID-19. Bringing polio to the brink of eradication was only possible because of safe and effective vaccines that were developed jointly by the United States and the USSR at the height of the Cold War.

Putting the common interest of humanity before nationalistic endeavours was a worthy act that paid off not only for the US and the USSR, but for the whole world.

Using the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, which aims to fast track diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, WHO is currently working with the public and private sectors to hasten the scientific process and ensure that when new tools are available, they reach those who need them.

Learning from past cooperation and sharing finite supplies strategically and globally is actually in the national interest of every country.

With the African region hitting the golden number of zero cases of wild polio, the worlds attention will now shift to the remaining places where the virus hides. And the good news is that the two remaining countries that still register cases of wild polio, Pakistan and Afghanistan, have resumed polio vaccination after a brief suspension due to COVID-19.

A surge of resources and effort is needed to ensure that the world uses this critical window of opportunity to protect all children in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the upcoming low season, during which there is a natural decline in cases of the polio virus.

Now is the moment to work with all partners and put child vaccination first so that we can end polio and the global health community can go on to tackle other childhood diseases like measles, pneumonia and rotavirus diarrhoea which can be prevented with a vaccine.

While thanking and congratulating governments, health workers, civil society and all groups that have been part of this titanic struggle, it is important to use the momentum to invest further in health systems, as well as the health worker force, to protect people from this pandemic, and prepare them for future disease outbreaks.

Polio and COVID-19 both demonstrate that the best ways to break the chains of disease transmission are working together in solidarity, accelerating the science and continually cooperating to solve problems on the ground and improve service delivery.

Salks vision of a polio-free world is within our grasp. Let us grab it with both hands and use it as our inspiration for a safer, healthier world.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
The May 25 killing of George Floyd, a Black man, by a Minneapolis cop has prompted calls for an end to qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that in recent years has increasingly helped cops beat back lawsuits that accuse them of excessive force.

Now, a Reuters investigation reveals a new aspect to the problem: Across the United States, judges apply the doctrine unevenly. A plaintiffs chances of overcoming a cops immunity defense depend largely on where the lawsuit is filed.

That finding, lawyers told Reuters, adds to the evidence that the doctrine is unfair. Its essential to our system of government that access to justice should be the same in Dallas and Houston as in Phoenix and Las Vegas, said Paul Hughes, a prominent civil rights attorney who frequently argues before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Reuters examined 529 federal appeals court decisions and another 435 federal district court rulings.

Read the full report

Among the takeaways:

On appeal, plaintiffs fared worst in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which encompasses Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. There, where judges habitually follow precedents that favor police, the appellate court granted 64% of police requests for immunity in excessive force cases from 2005 to 2019.

By contrast, the 9th Circuit  covering 11 Western states and territories, including California  has set a higher bar for police. Appellate judges there granted just 42% of police requests for immunity in excessive force cases over the same years.

The regional disparities also exist in federal district courts, where excessive force lawsuits are heard and which must follow precedents set by their respective appellate courts. In an analysis of 435 federal district court rulings in excessive force cases from 2014 to 2018 in California and Texas, Americas two most populous states, Reuters found that judges in Texas granted immunity to police at nearly twice the rate of California judges  59% of cases, compared to 34%.

A plaintiffs chances of success are far higher in California. A plaintiff in California who was armed in an encounter with police is more likely to overcome a qualified immunity defense than is an unarmed plaintiff in Texas.

A 50-year-old creation of the Supreme Court, qualified immunity is meant to protect government employees from frivolous litigation. But as Reuters reported in May, just two weeks before Floyds deadly police encounter, courts have been granting cops immunity at increasing rates  even when judges found the police behavior so egregious that it violated a plaintiffs civil rights.

Police won 57% of cases in which they claimed immunity from 2017 through 2019, a Reuters review of appeals court cases showed. Thats up sharply from the three years ending in 2007, when they won 44% of the time. The increase is thanks largely to Supreme Court guidance that favored police.

Amid protests in the wake of Floyds death, expectations ran high that the Supreme Court would move to restrict or end qualified immunity by taking up at least one of several petitions to hear cases backed by opponents of the doctrine. But in early June, it rejected those petitions.

Congress moved swiftly to draft police reform measures, but legislative proposals have stalled, including some that would have ended qualified immunity. President Donald Trumps White House and some Republicans in Congress called eliminating qualified immunity for police a non-starter on the grounds that it would deter police officers from doing their jobs properly.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in Fort Worth, Texas; Lawrence Hurley in Washington, D.C.; Andrea Januta in New York; and Jackie Botts and Jaimi Dowdell in Los Angeles. Edited by John Blanton and Janet Roberts.)

Topics California Texas Legislation USA Law Enforcement
Brentwood, TN, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Associa Tennessee announces the Get Up & Move charity competition, which helps support Associa Cares, Associas national non-profit organization. The event starts September 9, 2020 and continues through October 21, 2020.

The virtual 5K-style charity event will be Associa Tennessees first-annual Associa Cares fundraiser, with the money raised going to support charitable disaster relief and community assistance provided by the non-profit organization. In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this entirely virtual charity event protects the health and safety of participants while ensuring that Associa Cares raises the funds necessary to help those in need.

The Get Up & Move competition is hosted through Charity Footprints, a mission driven organization that combines fitness and charitable giving. During a six-week period beginning September 9, 2020, participants will complete the physical activity of their choice wherever and however they prefer. Using their preferred activity device, they will watch their miles build until the competition ends on October 21, 2020. Associa encourages individuals or companies wanting to help raise awareness and crucial funds for Associa Cares disaster relief to participate. Participants will be energized by the spirit of competition and the opportunity to compete for great prizes.

Despite the circumstances and challenges of this year, the assistance Associa Cares has given to Associa Tennessees communities, both client and non-client, have made a huge impact, stated Jeremey Williams,CCAM, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, LSM, Associa Tennessee president. Now, more than ever, is the time to pay it forward. We know our community partners will share in our excitement by joining us for some fun competition in support of disaster relief.

For questions about the Get Up & Move event and to learn how to participate, contact Julian White at Julian.White@associa.us.

Associa Cares has provided assistance to nearly 3,000 families and over $4 million has been distributed since 2007. Over $70,000 has been distributed to Tennessee residents and organizations in 2020 to date. To view Associa Cares fundraising disclosure statement, please visit http://www.associacares.org/fundraising-disclosure-statement/.

Associa Cares funds are distributed to organizations and families of Associa-managed and non-Associa managed communities. To donate to Associa Cares or apply for assistance, please visit our website at http://www.associacares.org.

Associa Cares is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created to assist families and communities in crisis as a result of natural and man-made disasters. Through donations raised from Associa employees and at fundraising events across the country, Associa Cares is able to provide direct financial relief to those affected by these types of tragedies.

With more than 200 branch offices across North America, Associa delivers unsurpassed management and lifestyle services to nearly five million residents worldwide. Our 10,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise and trailblazing innovation. For more than 40 years, Associa has provided solutions designed to help communities achieve their vision. To learn more, visit www.associaonline.com.

Stay Connected:

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associa

Subscribe to the Blog: https://hub.associaonline.com/

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/associa

Join us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/associa

Attachment
The Ministry of Home Affairs recently constituted a five-member committee to look into the three important criminal law codes in the country the Indian Penal Code, Evidence Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure  and suggest changes to them. All of these laws are colonial-era legislations drafted by the British in the late 19th century. These laws need to be reformed to keep up with modern social norms. The recent rulings against Section 377 and Section 497 of the IPC bear testament to this need. So, why does everybody seem to have a problem with the present reform committee? Why have many former judges, administrators and lawyers written against it? Why are students protesting against this committee?

Lack of representation

According to the 2011 Census, barely 10% of the Indian population speaks English. Most Indians live not in metropolitan cities but in villages and small towns. A majority of them dont come from privileged backgrounds. The pandemic has upended their lives, decimated their livelihoods and made them more vulnerable than ever to unemployment, homelessness, and destitution. The huge migrant crisis that we saw at the start of the lockdown is but one example. In these circumstances, it is next to impossible to hold any sort of consultative process by October 10, the stated deadline for public consultation.

To make matters worse, the consultation is happening exclusively online, with questionnaires being made available only in English. We need representation from lawyers and judges practicing in the trial courts, social welfare organisations working at the grassroots level, and other experts familiar with the workings of the law in rural areas, not just a few academics from Delhi. Unless this exercise is postponed, all these voices will go unheard and the views of only the most privileged, English-speaking, urban elite will be represented.

The poor and vulnerable are most often the victims of violent crimes and face the full brunt of our legal system, too. Police brutality, torture, harassment, and discrimination are experienced more frequently by the most disadvantaged sections of society. The Evidence Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure are the sources of many civil liberties that protect and safeguard their rights. It would be a matter of grave injustice to change them without holding adequate consultations to properly understand and account for their lived experiences. The situation in New Delhi is completely different from that in Darbhanga, Mathura, or Udupi. Expecting a committee sitting and staffed with people from New Delhi to be able to effectively consider the requirements and demands of those across the entire nation, that too in just six months, is patently absurd.

Another issue with the committee is that it has absolutely no diversity. It is 2020. How is it that there is not a single woman in a committee with such an important mandate? The committee will be considering issues such as the criminalisation of marital rape, the suitability of gender-neutral provisions, and several other provisions in the Evidence Act and the CrPC, and it is absolutely necessary that womens perspectives be involved in the deliberations of the committee. The crime of adultery was recently struck down by the Supreme Court because it treated women as the property of their husbands and fathers. In the past, when women were completely excluded from the law-making process, regressive notions like this and others regarding the chastity of a woman and her personal autonomy were codified into the law. One might think that an expert panel would take into account the needs of all sections of society, but it is clear from our past experience that we cannot rely on these so-called experts. The Mathura rape case in 1972, for instance, is one example of the many times in recent history that women have been let down by institutions dominated by men.

Its not just women that have been excluded from this process, but also those from the scheduled castes and tribes, transgender persons, and those from religious minorities. The law affects every community differently. For instance, the weight of S.377, before it was struck down, was borne exclusively by those from the LGBTQIA community. Similarly, laws against caste harassment, police brutality, and religious sentiments are all experienced differently depending upon the socio-economic background of a person. Excluding these voices from the deliberations and discussions involved in the overhauling of our criminal system will result in the perpetuation of harmful societal attitudes and biases.

Transparency

The other major issue with the committee is that nobody knows why it has been constituted or what its goals are. In a substantial deviation from standard practice, the Ministry of Home Affairs has not published the terms of reference of this committee. Its also quite surprising that the need to reforming our criminal law codes was felt only now, deep in the middle of a pandemic that has locked down most of the country. Should reform of our laws happen in such circumstances and in such an abrupt manner?

The last time the government attempted an exercise of this sort was in 2000, with the Justice Malimath Committee, and that committee took three years to submit its report. In these circumstances, how can a five-member committee that cannot move out of their offices in Delhi be expected to hold effective consultations in six months? It becomes, therefore, all the more important for the citizens of the country to be informed of every step in the process, including the reasons behind the constitution of the committee, the manner in which its members were selected, and its objectives. Many academics, lawyers and former judges have already written to the committee pointing out similar issues, but there has been no response.

The path forward is clear: First, this exercise must be postponed to a later time when more people can effectively participate in the consultation process; second, the committee must be reconstituted, with a more diverse set of members who represent a wide variety of interests; third, the terms of reference, the goals and objectives, and the reason for constituting the committee right now must be made public by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The members presently on the committee also have a moral duty towards their fellow citizens to recuse themselves from this process until the Ministry of Home Affairs fixes these glaring issues.

As law students, we are taught about the power of the law to effect broad social changes. Our Constitution, for instance, guarantees equality, liberty, and freedom to live a life of dignity to every citizen. Unless the issues afflicting the committee are rectified, the constitutional mandate of substantive equality and justice will remain unfulfilled. It has been over 100 years since our criminal laws were enacted, and we are still fighting the prejudices and biases that were written into the law then. It would be a matter of grave injustice to both our fellow citizens and to posterity if we were to incorporate further inequities into the law.

(The writer is a student at NLSIU, Bengaluru)
LINCOLN  A group of 11 state senators launched a long-shot bid Tuesday to convene a special session on racial justice issues, with one lawmaker admitting it probably wont happen.

Still, the senator who made that prediction, State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, applauded the conviction of the group of senators for seeking something that is right, but may not happen.

That is the definition of integrity, said Chambers, who will end 46 years of service in the one-house Legislature because of term limits.

The Legislature can call for a special session with the support of 33 senators. Gov. Pete Ricketts also can call for a special session.

Ricketts, through a spokesman, has said he wont do so.
Prof Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said it is just possible that there may be enough clinical trial data on Oxford Universitys Covid-19 vaccine to put before regulators this year.

His comments came after Englands chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, said a vaccine for coronavirus may not be ready until next winter.

Prof Pollard told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I think that Chris Whitty is quite rightly being cautious, that it could take as long as that to first of all demonstrate a vaccine works and is safe and then to go through the processes of regulators looking at that very carefully to make sure everythings been done correctly.

But it is also just possible that, if the cases accrue rapidly in the clinical trials, that we could have that data to put before regulators this year, and then there would be a process that they go through in order to make a full assessment of the data.



Having 20,000 people in our trials already means that that period of time will be shorter, but unfortunately I can't quite predict the future about how many cases are going to occur

Advertisement

Asked about the timing of a possible vaccine, he said: That depends very much on the number of cases that occur in the weeks and months ahead.

Even with 1,000 people eventually youll have enough information to know whether or not a vaccine works, but that could take years. So, having 20,000 people in our trials already means that that period of time will be shorter, but unfortunately I cant quite predict the future about how many cases are going to occur.

Prof Pollard said he hoped that 50,000 people would be involved in the clinical trial for the Oxford University Covid-19 vaccine candidate.

But he stressed that the size of the trial isnt really the issue, adding: What you need is to have enough cases accruing during the time of observation in the trials.

The size of the trial is critical, first of all for safety  so you want to have good evidence that, after a large number of people have been vaccinated, youve got good evidence or safety around the vaccine.

And, secondly, you want to be able to show whether the vaccine works, and the size of the trial actually is determined largely by what the attack rate of the disease is in the study population.

Advertisement

And so, if youve got a very, very rare disease, you need an enormous trial size, in order to be able to show whether the vaccine works. But in a situation like that at the moment coronavirus, depending on which region or country you are in, the size of the trial could be smaller or bigger just depending on how many cases are happening in that community at the time.

He added: There are a number of trials that were running from Oxford here in the UK, in Brazil, and also in South Africa, and the combined size of those three trials together is around about 20,000 people, and AstraZeneca are moving forwards in their trials in the US, hoping to start enrolling 30,000 people.

So within the trials of the vaccine that was developed here at Oxford University, wed expect to have perhaps 50,000 or more people in the trials in total.

On reports that the US is planning emergency authorisation for the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine, he said: Emergency use authorisations are well established by regulators both in the United States and in Europe; in fact, you may be aware just this week, the FDA (the US Food and Drug Administration) has granted emergency use authorisation for plasma therapy.

So the process of going through emergency use authorisation in an emergency is well established but it still involves having carefully conducted data, just as we are collecting information about the vaccines in clinical trials that are conducted rigorously and evidence that it actually works.

And so, for our suite of trials that were running from Oxford, we would expect to first of all have safety data and then evidence that the vaccine actually works.

And before anything were to progress from there and of course itd be AstraZeneca who would then take that forward to regulators.

According to a report in the Business Post, the Irish Government is attempting to secure two million early doses of the Oxford vaccine.
Rumble

Several of my viewers and subscribers have asked for this video tutorial. If you want to hide wires behind the wall for TV wall mounts, Sound Bars or Gaming Consoles then watch this video to get rid of those ugly wires and cords. If you have any questions about this video please leave them in the comments down below. Thank you for being a part of The Ultimate Tech Hub Team and if you haven't Subscribed yet please do its free. And if you like this video give a thumbs up and share it. Thanks again for watching the Ultimate Tech Hub Channel! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases. https://www.instagram.com/utlimatetechhub/ Supplies & Tools: Zircon MultiScanner A250c Electronic Wall Stud Finder https://amzn.to/325Q6H8 The StudBuddy Magnetic Stud Finder https://amzn.to/3qzxetw IRWIN Tools ProTouch Drywall/Jab Saw https://amzn.to/3ruhvew Jonard Tools SDP-2 Screwdriver, 2 x 4" Phillips Tip with Comfort Grip https://amzn.to/3tClwAm Construct Pro Slim Single Gang Open Back Low Voltage Bracket https://amzn.to/3qzNBGp BestMounts Brush Wall Plate https://amzn.to/3AaloZX Electronics Split Style TV Plate Flexible AV/HDMI Cable Pass-Through https://amzn.to/3ry00u6 Recessed Cable Wall Plate https://amzn.to/33CUkqd Makita FD09R1 12V max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 3/8" Driver-Drill Kit https://amzn.to/34ZeuLQ PowerBear 4K HDMI Cable 10 ft https://amzn.to/3GGBOMq TV Wall Mount Bracket Full Motion Swivel Articulating for 37 - 90 inch https://amzn.to/3rkJ89K LG OLED C1 Series 65 Alexa Built-in 4k https://amzn.to/3qzP2EP Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChCs6TB5FoGFOYUfhtR0nRA/join My Gear: Sony A7iii and Accessory Bundle https://amzn.to/3qC10hk Samsung Galaxy S10, 128GB https://amzn.to/3fzrud6 Canon EOS R6 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera with 4K Video https://amzn.to/3rrkp3J Elgato Ring Light - Premium 2500 lumens https://amzn.to/3nBFWWu Blue Yeti X USB Microphone https://amzn.to/3nyAMuk DJI Mavic Mini Combo https://amzn.to/33EVEca | Great Deals the Ultimate Tech Hub Recommends! | https://www.amazon.com/shop/ultimatetechhub?isVisitor=true Ultimate Tech Hub Merchandise: Shop Our New UTHmerch store! https://shop.spreadshirt.com/uthmerch/ Channel Support: Please visit our Patreon page to help support our channel. Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/UltimateTechHub Ultimate Tech Hub on Rumble: Please Subscribe! https://rumble.com/c/UltimateTechHub If you want the Ultimate Tech Hub to promote your product(s) or service(s) or you want to send us something for review or testing please email us below to request a media kit. Ultimatetechhub.lv@gmail.com 0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:22 Wire Hiding Location 0:00:36 Parts & Tools 0:01:26 Hiding Wires Behind The Wall 0:03:22 My Top Tool For Wire Hiding Wires 0:04:32 Installing Wall Plates Music Provided By: www.epidemicsound.com https://ultimatetechhub.com/
Then, in May 2015, came a breakthrough. Before a game of pool at Amsterdam Billiards, they stopped for dinner at Porteno in Chelsea. Dr. Fisher pulled a cocktail napkin out from under her glass at the restaurant and said, Why dont we write down what wed secretly like if we win at pool? She wrote a real kiss. He wrote sex and clarity. He won.

As he walked her home that night, she said, I do study love. When you start to make love with someone, you contribute to the brain circuitry for attachment. Are you willing to take that chance? Mr. Tierney said he was. By November, though, he was worried their relationship was getting too serious. He broke up with her in Grand Central Terminal.

I was just numb, she said. I cried.

But then, on New Years Eve, came an email from Mr. Tierney. He told Dr. Fisher she was the best thing that had happened to him that year. Two weeks later they were dating again, without a commitment, until his son, Luke, left for college in the fall of 2017. Then they worked out an arrangement that still holds.

I said, Ill marry you, but Im not moving in, she said. She maintains her apartment near Central Park, and he lives in the Spuyten Duyvil neighborhood of the Bronx, where he proposed on July 2. Two nights a week, they say good night over the phone. I miss him terribly, but its a great way to have a really long-term romance.

On July 21, at the ranch near Red Lodge, Mont., where both first experienced the mutual dopamine rush, they eloped. Mr. Ohrstrom, a New York investor and philanthropist, officiated wearing a king of hearts costume.

Dr. Fisher said her relationship with Mr. Tierney is one she has enjoyed living, not dissecting. And Mr. Tierney knows hes in good hands, relationship-wise. At first I did wonder about the wisdom of dating the worlds most-quoted authority on love, but I quickly discovered it was a blessing, he said. Helen doesnt play games. She knows what shes doing.
Over the past few weeks, the government has gradually eased national lockdown measures. As the economy reopens, and people return to workplaces and spend more time in shops, pubs and restaurants, the number of contacts an individual has with other people will inevitably increase.

Since then, there has been an increase in Covid-19 cases following the lowest recorded estimate in June, as well as spikes in transmission in certain areas. In response, rather than locking down the whole country again, the government has brought in local lockdowns in affected areas.

National lockdown has a significant indirect effect on peoples health: fewer people go to hospital emergency departments when needed, and vaccination and cancer screening programmes are delayed. Local lockdowns, therefore, aim to control the spread of the virus in a specific area in response to a local spike of infections. They may be the best option we have for managing the pandemic before a vaccine becomes available.

Recommended Pubs may have to close to keep schools open in local lockdowns

A local lockdown has recently been imposed in Aberdeen following an increase in Covid-19 cases. Bars and restaurants there have closed and residents have been advised to remain home and limit travel. Greater Manchester, Preston and Leicester have also seen restrictions reinstated as case numbers have risen.

Internationally, local lockdowns have been used to control increasing case numbers  with further restrictions imposed in Australia, Germany, Italy and China.

Local lockdowns are not a perfect solution. They still create a disproportionate economic and social burden for the people living in those areas. Local businesses suffer, people are unable to go to work, and children may not be able to attend school. This type of lockdown is also difficult to enforce  the UK is a densely populated country and ensuring minimal movement inside or outside of a lockdown area is almost impossible.

Rochdale introduced tougher Covid-19 measures in July (EPA)

And they can only work if data on coronavirus cases lies in the hands of those who need it. Issues brought to light in the recent lockdown of Leicester demonstrated that local authorities did not have access to testing results, making it difficult to identify clusters in the community rapidly. Without this important data being shared between local health authorities and national health bodies, it is difficult to ascertain how far a lockdown should be extended for it to be effective.

Local lockdowns also have the potential to increase inequalities, especially in disadvantaged areas. Demographic and socioeconomic factors may play a role in localised increases in cases, and we already know that certain ethnicities are at higher risk of Covid-19 infection and transmission. Local hot spots will probably be in areas of increased disadvantage, particularly among black, Asian and minority ethnic groups who are more likely to live in densely populated urban areas and are also disproportionately represented in high-risk essential jobs.

The focus now should be on coordination and data-sharing between local authorities and national government, and clear criteria for implementation and relaxation of measures

This was reflected in a statement from Sage, which provides independent advice on how the government should deal with the coronavirus epidemic, on the predictable and avoidable situation in Leicester  a city rich in multiple cultures and traditions, [which] also has high levels of disadvantage and poverty.

To prevent local lockdowns making inequalities worse, they should be implemented for the shortest time possible to minimise disruption to peoples lives. Certain requirements need to be met for this to happen.

There must be clear communication and data-sharing between all levels of government, including local authorities, the NHS, Public Health England and the government. Data must be made readily available to all parties, including up-to-date case numbers to help identify hotspots. In doing so, early action can be undertaken and the necessity for wider restrictive measures reduced.

Leicester was the first city to have to go into a local lockdown in June (EPA)

A robust testing and tracing strategy must also be in place. Tests should be easy for people to access, with results rapidly provided. Cases and their contacts who are required to self-isolate should be supported by central government to assist with accommodation and cover loss of income.

Finally, local authorities must be involved at every step with clear community messaging that gives people ample opportunity to prepare for increased restrictions.

Local lockdowns do work  as recent evidence from a study of these measures in the Italian city of Vo has demonstrated  and they remain our best option if there is continued viral transmission in the community.

The focus now should be on coordination and data-sharing between local authorities and national government, and clear criteria for implementation and relaxation of measures to reduce the impact of lockdowns on communities.

Lakshmi Manoharan is a medical epidemiologist at the University of Oxford. This article first appeared on The Conversation
New Delhi, Aug 25 : The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Tuesday took over the security of the Statue of Unity at Kevadia, the census town in Gujarat's Narmada district.

With the initial strength of 272 personnel against the total sanctioned strength of 352 personnel, the CISF unit will provide round-the-clock armed security cover to the statue under the supervision of a Deputy Commandant rank officer.

The total units under CISF, one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), providing security cover has now risen to 350 as on date with the deployment at the Statue of Unity which is a testimony to the life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Home Minister and a role model of unity and statesmanship.

Mirroring the political stature of Sardar Patel, it is the tallest statue in the world with a height of 182 metres (597 feet) located in front of the scenic Sardar Sarovar Dam.

The colossal statue stands on the isle of Sadhu-Bet in River Narmada at Kevadia with the majestic Vindhyachal and Satpura mountain ranges in the backdrop. The campus of the Statue of Unity is spread over 23 acres with 7 operational gates and one emergency exit.

Due to the importance and prominence of the Statue of Unity, it is under constant threat from anti-social elements as it is susceptible to damage and terrorist activities.
As part of efforts to maintain and sustain good sanitation, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), in partnership with Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL), has presented five double-cabin pick-up vehicles to the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Armed Forces in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

The move is to enable personnel of the two security agencies monitor and ensure compliance with environmental bye-laws in the city of Kumasi, and other parts of Ashanti Region

Making the presentation at the forecourt of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, stated that, we are by this gesture appreciating efforts of the police and the military in the fight to ensure clean environs of our towns

He pointed out that it was important that Ghanaians strive to practice good personal hygiene and also observe good sanitation practices.

This, he stressed, will help prevent the outbreak of diseases and keep a healthy population to support the countrys development agenda.

In our pursuit of general cleanliness, we should behave like animals who always keep their environs clean, the regional minister appealed.

He lauded the effort of the police and military for supporting the government in its quest to make Ghana clean.

I must place on record that every time we have appealed to them, they have shown readiness to assist the government. And not only in the area of cleaning and cleansing; also personnel of the two security agencies have participated in desilting and dredging drains throughout the region, he said.

While praising Zoomlion Ghana Limited for the presentation, Mr Osei Mensah said the gesture will contribute to achieving the presidents vision of making the country clean.

We cannot agree with the president more in this era of Covid-19 pandemic, as such, this donation is timely and essential, he stated.

He assured that the vehicles will be used by the two-state security agencies for their purposemonitoring environmental sanitation programmes.

The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police (COP) Kwasi Mensah Duku, was grateful to the ministry and the ZGL.

He described the donation as a noble gesture.

He said such collaborations were essential to the countrys battle against COVID-19.

He particularly commended Zoomlion Ghana Limited for its support over the past few years to the security agencies.
China just sold its most advanced warship to Pakistan. On Sunday, Aug. 23, the Asian country launched an advanced warship for Pakistan, China's largest it has built for any country.

Also Read: WATCH! Tesla Model S Raven vs Porsche Taycan Turbo S Drag Race for Luxury EV Superiorty- You Wouldn't Believe Which Won!

It is also the first sophisticated naval platform, among the other four, that it is readying for the Pakistan navy strategic ties and deepening military with Islamabad.

The local Chinese media reported that the deal between China and Pakistan is an important milestone for the country's military export sector. The deal sold the Type 054A/P, the largest guided-missile frigate warship.

Also Read: This Man Beats Elon Musk by $27 Million on Space Force Contract and its Not Jeff Bezos

It will help the Pakistani Navy's surface fleet to double its combat power. The Chinese state media stated that the Pakistan navy might have three more similar warships by 2021.

Top officials and naval officers attended the ceremony for the advanced warship, held in the Chinese state-owned Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard. The ship dock is the China State Shipbuilding Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiary.

The ship launch came two days after Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi discussed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir's Indian union territory. The coordination was held during the second round of the China-Pakistan foreign ministers' dialogue in Hainan, located off the south China coast.

The relationship of China and Pakistan

In a recorded message, President Xi Jinping told his counterpart, President Arif Alvi, after the meeting, that Pakistan is a "good partner" and "good brother."





Observers say the commissioning of Chinas first ++ The Japanese times reported that #China s navy commissioned its biggest and most advanced surface warship yet, the Nanchang guided-missile destroyer, on Sunday morning in the port city of Qingdao, state media reported.Observers say the commissioning of Chinas first ++ pic.twitter.com/2LBd8tOS7s  International Affairs (@TheWorld_2020) January 12, 2020

On the other hand, New Delhi is currently closed because of the conflict with China and Pakistan over disputed boundaries and the abrogation of Article in Kashmir and Jammu. India will carefully observe the partnership between the two hostile neighboring countries.



The People's Liberation Army Navy's Type 054A is the best frigate in service. The enormous combat ship is equipped with advanced missiles and radars and has a fully loaded displacement of about 4,000 metric tons. It is considered the backbone of the PLAN's fleet of surface combatants with 30 vessels in commission.

For more news updates about China, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Also Read: China vs. World: Taiwan May Ban Tencent and Baidu Streaming Apps, Just Like What the US Did

This article is owned by TechTimes,

Written by: Giuliano de Leon.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

The Plastic Packaging market size is anticipated to reach USD 416.2 billion by 2026. In 2017, the bottles segment dominated the global market, in terms of revenue. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the leading contributor to the global market revenue during the forecast period. A significant increase in disposable income, changing lifestyles, and improving living standards have increased the demand for food products, consumer electronics, and retail products among others, which supports the market growth.

Initiatives by market players to offer innovative products in the market, communicate brand values, and create brand differentiation also drive the market growth. Other driving factors include growing middle class population, and increasing penetration of e-commerce platforms. The significant growth in e-commerce and rising consumer demand for consumer goods has resulted in growth in packaging segments such as protective packaging, flexible pouches and innovative bottles. Increasing demand from developing nations, and technological advancements are factors expected to provide numerous growth opportunities to the market players during the forecast period.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/plastic-packaging-market/request-for-sample

Large brands are focusing on personalized and customized plastic packaging to create an impact on consumers and enhance brand awareness. Packaging enables companies to differentiate brands and offer personalization. Packaging can provide links to information about the product, both enhancing the product and providing details about its provenance. Plastic packaging enables enhancing of brand power for global brands and offers an effective method to compete with private label and emerging local players. Growth in digitalization offers consumers access to vast and detailed information. Communicating brand values effectively and enabling product differentiation is a major factor driving the growth of the plastic packaging industry.

Asia-Pacific generated the highest revenue in the plastic packaging market in 2018, and is expected to lead the global market throughout the forecast period. The increasing population in the region coupled with growing disposable income has increased the sale of food and beverages, apparel, and consumer goods, driving the market growth. Consumers in the region are increasingly opting for packaging that is easy to use and convenient to transport. Smaller, lighter and easily disposable packaging is being used to make consumption-on-the-go easier. The growing healthcare, retail, and pharmaceutical industries in countries such as China, Japan, and India support the market growth.

Browse for full research summary: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/plastic-packaging-market

The well-known companies profiled in the report include Mondi Group, Berry Plastics Corporation, Sonoco Products Company, Amcor Limited, DS Smith plc, Bemis Company, Inc., NatureWorks LLC, Consolidated Container Company, Reynolds Group Holdings Limited, and Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co. KG. These companies launch new products and collaborate with other players in the global plastic packaging industry to innovate and launch new products to meet the increasing needs and requirements of consumers.

Plastic Packaging Market Size and Forecast, 2018-2026 by Type Rigid Plastic Packaging Flexible Plastic Packaging

Plastic Packaging Market Size and Forecast, 2018-2026 by Product Bags Cans Bottles Pouches Others

Plastic Packaging Market Size and Forecast, 2018-2026 by End-User Food and Beverage Healthcare Pharmaceutical Retail Personal and Home Care Others

Plastic Packaging Market Size and Forecast, 2018-2026 by Region North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany UK France Italy Spain Belgium Russia Netherlands Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China India Japan Korea Singapore Malaysia Indonesia Thailand Philippines Rest of Asia-Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Rest of LATAM Middle East & Africa UAE Saudi Arabia South Africa Rest of MEA



Make Inquiry about this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/plastic-packaging-market/inquire-before-buying

About Polaris Market Research

Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world.

Contact us-

Polaris Market Research

Phone: 1-646-568-9980

Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com

Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com
WATERLOO REGION  The Catholic school board has joined the public board in requiring all students to wear masks when they head back to the classroom in September.

The decision was made on Monday evening at a Waterloo Catholic District School Board meeting of trustees.

The province has mandated that all students in grades 4 to 12 wear masks, while kindergarten to Grade 3 students be encouraged but not required.

After the trustee decision on Monday, students from kindergarten to Grade 3 will also be asked to wear a mask. These students will not have to make a formal request to be exempt from wearing a mask, but older students will have to.

Waterloo Region District School Board trustees voted in favour of a similar motion last week.
Cambodian Navy mum over alleged Vietnam boat entries

by Ben Sokhean

August 25,2020 | Source: Khmer Times

The Ream Naval Base of the Royal Cambodian Navy yesterday neither refuted nor confirmed a report made by a Beijing-based think tank that over a hundred Vietnamese fishing vessels intruded into the Kingdoms maritime territory last month.



Admiral Khun Vuthy, spokesman for RCA, yesterday refused to comment and referred the question to Rear Admiral Mey Dina, spokesman for the Ream Naval Base in Preah Sihanouk province.



Rear Adm Dina, who is also deputy commander of the naval base, said he was not aware about the Chinese think tank report. He said he also did not know about any cases of illegal Vietnamese fishing boats encroaching in the Kingdom territory.



We only know the number of Vietnamese fishing boats which are still fishing in the historical waters, he said, referring to a bilateral treaty on historical waters first signed in 1982 by the then Peoples Republic of Kampuchea and Vietnam.



According to the treaty, a rectangular-shaped area outside Cambodias eastern coast stretching approximately 120 kilometres out to sea with Vietnams Tho Chu Island and Cambodias Poulu Wai Island at its outer corners is jointly administered by the two nations.



Rear Adm Dina said between 90 to 100 Vietnamese fishing boats are found fishing in the historical waters block when the navies of both nations conduct joint patrols there every three months.



Asked if the Ream Naval Base has any mechanisms to stop or crack down on illegal fishing from neighbouring countries, Rear Adm Dina said the base is not tasked with cracking down on illegal fishing at sea, but has the right to receive reports from other relevant institutions.



As for the mechanisms of the naval base, we have a clear plan, but we cannot intervene in this task, he said.



Eng Chea San, director of the Fisheries Administration, could not be reached for comment yesterday, but he previously told Khmer Times that some Vietnamese fishermen are fishing in Cambodias maritime territories.



Its difficult to stop them [Vietnamese fishermen] because the maritime territories are big, he said. The fishermen come to our sea and return to their territory.



We lack equipment to use during crackdowns, such as speed boats. Our boats are old, Chea San added.



The Beijing-based think tank, the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI), which is affiliated with the Peking Universitys Institute of Ocean Research, recently published a report titled Vietnamese Fishing Vessels Illegal Activities Remained High in July.



It claimed there was a high number of Vietnamese fishing vessels conducting illegal activities in the waters of China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia, reporting that in July, a total of 136,198 tracking points of 9,766 Vietnamese fishing vessels were recorded by the automated identification system (AIS).



In July, a total of 100 Vietnamese fishing boats intruded into the waters of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand, which was down by 30 percent from 157 in June, the report said.



The report also attached the supplied list of the vessel names, time, codes and even locations where the encroachments were made within the Kingdoms sea territory.



The Chinese think tank also claimed some Vietnamese fishing vessels might come to Chinas waters for special missions rather than fishing.



As is pointed out in previous reports, Vietnamese fishing vessels were, for one thing, conducting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which is banned by international laws and certainly violates Chinas sovereignty and jurisdiction, the report noted.



In an interview with Khmer Times, Vietnamese ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh said he had no idea about the statistics mentioned in the report nor ever heard about SCSPI.



I have no idea how trustworthy their information is so I cannot have any comment on this article, he said.



However, Ambassador Vu said in general that the fishermen from Vietnam and Cambodia might unintentionally cross into each others territory.



I think in general we are neighbours sharing not only land borders but also sea borders, he said. It is understandable that fishermen from both countries from time to time might unintentionally, by mistake, go into each other sea territories.



He said the two nations have not yet officially solved the overlapping sea areas.



The key points are that both sides have committed to making every effort to inform and educate each countrys fishermen to respect international laws and the territories of each other and deal with the possible accidental, unintentional violation with humanitarian principles, in a peaceful and friendly way, as we, Cambodia and Vietnam, have always tried our best, Ambassador Vu said.



We should not allow any third party to divide us or provoke conflicts, hate or confrontation thus to harm our friendship and cooperation, he added.



In its report, the SCSPI also questioned the Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Vietnam which was signed on July 22 in Hanoi to strengthen the fishery law enforcement capacity.



The US is expected to help Vietnam fight against IUU [Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing] fishing as well as support Vietnamese fishermen against illegal threats at sea, the report said. The question is, the US has no law enforcement power in the South China Sea. Does Vietnam want to transfer its power? Or for other purposes? the report said.



According to a VietnamPlus report, the new MoU is expected to further promote cooperation between Vietnam and the US as well as the international law enforcement agencies to ensure the sustainable maintenance of marine resources and the fight against IUU fishing.

 2020 Virtus Media Pte., Ltd. (Khmer Times)

Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods.
The author of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's explosive new biography has slammed critics of the Duchess as 'morons' and said he would 'love' to see them focus on 'Prince Andrew's horrendous mess'.

Omid Scobie, who is the co-author of the bombshell biography Finding Freedom, which offers a window into the Sussexes' life during their time as senior royals, tweeted criticism of the Duke of York, 61, earlier this week.

In a tweet which quickly went viral, he wrote: 'Would love to occasionally see the tears and energy these morons spend on a non-working royal used on Prince Andrew's horrendous mess. Or is there nothing worse than a woman of colour with a voice?'

Prince Andrew withdrew from public service after he was widely criticised for failing to show remorse for his friendship with Epstein, and little empathy with the sex offender's alleged victims.

The author of Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle's, 39, explosive new biography has slammed critics of the Duchess of Sussex in a scathing tweet

Omid's controversial book Finding Freedom was released earlier this month and raised eyebrows for its gushing praise and intimate knowledge of the Duke, and Duchess.

The book lays bare the rift between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the rest of the royal family.

It addresses the alleged rift between brothers Harry and William, 38 as well as the relationship between their wives.

The Duke and Duchess claim they were not interviewed for the book, which provides a high level of personal detail and a dramatic account of the events leading up to the Sussexes' departure from royal life.

Omid Scobie called critics of the Duches 'morons' and said he would 'love' to see focus on 'Prince Andrew's horrendous mess'

Mr Scobie has given several high-profile interviews to publicise the book in the week since its release.

And writing in Vanity Fair, royal expert Katie Nicholl said the authors may be the 'only winners' from the publication of Finding Freedom.

The book had reached number one on Amazon's Top 10 New York bestseller in 24 hours list on the day of its release for pre-order.

The biographer's latest comments come after the Duchess made a bold plea to women across the US to take part in the upcoming presidential election.

Prince Andrew has stayed largely out of public after stepping back from royal duties last year following his disastrous Newsnight interview about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

The 39-year-old made her stance on the 2020 presidential race incredibly clear last week when she addressed viewers at the When All Women Vote Couch Party - an online event organized by non-profit organization When We All Vote, which was founded by 'her friend' Michelle Obama.

Meghan's appearance at the summit is the latest in a series of interviews and speeches that the Duchess has made in an attempt to become more politically active - having reportedly grown 'frustrated' at her inability to get involved in politics while she was working as a senior royal.

Earlier this month, she confirmed her plans to vote in the 2020 election, while speaking to Marie Claire about the importance of voting.

The former Suits star's decision to speak out about her political plans marks yet another major break from royal tradition for Meghan; traditionally members of the monarchy are expected to remain politically neutral, and therefore do not speak out about their opinions in public.

Omid controversial book Finding Freedom was released earlier this month and raised eyebrows for its gushing praise and intimate knowledge of the Duke, and Duchess

Meanwhile Prince Andrew has remained out of the public spotlight since withdrawing from royal duty at the end of last year.

The royal stepped down in November following his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview, which had led to criticism of a lack of empathy for Epstein's victims and a lack of remorse over his friendship with the convicted sex offender.

The Duke of York even remained out of photographs released for Princess Beatrice's wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

Images released from the intimate ceremony last month showed the Queen's granddaughter and new husband with the Queen and grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh but, notably, Prince Andrew did not appear in the snaps.

His comments come days after Meghan made a bold plea to women across the US to take part in the upcoming presidential election

In recent days, his sex accuser Virginia Roberts hit the headlines as she claimed the Duke played a 'guessing game,' with Ghislaine Maxwell about her age when she was 17-years-old before comparing her to his daughters.

Virginia Giuffre, the accuser has spoken out in a documentary series, Surviving Jeffrey Epstein, claiming she met the Queen's second son in London, describing him as an 'abuser,' and 'not the prince from the fairy tale stories you read'.

Ms Giuffre, who says she was trafficked by paedophile financier Epstein, alleges the duke had sex with her on three separate occasions, including when she was 17, still a minor under some US states' law, although not in the UK where the age of consent is 16

Andrew has categorically denied he has had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Giuffre.
The intellectual property law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is proud to announce that attorney Dennis J. Butler was selected for inclusion in the Irish Legal 100.

An attorney practicing in Delaware and Pennsylvania, Butler helps clients protect their inventions and intellectual property. His practice focuses on intellectual property and technology law, as well as patent litigation on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. Butler also represents clients in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware and additional U.S. district courts, as well as before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and foreign patent offices.

Butler has deep experience in preparation, filing and prosecution of patent applications and inter partes reviews before the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board. In addition, he is proficient in conducting in-person and remote interviews with U.S. patent examiners to expedite allowance of U.S. patents. He has worked on cases involving a wide variety of technologies, including medical devices, composite materials, cellular telephones, electronic monitoring systems, sporting goods, construction equipment, firearm accessories, software, business methods, promotional products and banking processes.

Founded in 2008 by the Irish Voice newspaper in New York, the Irish Legal 100 is an annual list of the most distinguished U.S. legal professionals who share an Irish background. The list includes attorneys from some of the countrys top legal firms, legal scholars, and members of the judiciary who are well recognized in their legal fields. Each fall, the Ambassador of Ireland to the United States hosts a reception to celebrate its members.

About Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP  Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is a boutique intellectual property law firm with offices in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The firms IP law practitioners provide strategic litigation, licensing, and counseling service relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, domain names, and internet issues domestically and internationally. The firms long-standing relationships with a network of associates worldwide enable its attorneys and advisors to provide clients with global intellectual property advice and protection.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said the state needs to plan to face a three-pronged assault of Covid-19, flood and vector-borne diseases such as dengue in the coming days.

While the India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain in the districts of south Bengal, some districts have seen a surge in Covid-19 cases with very high positivity rate and mounting casualties. Cases of vector borne diseases have also been reported from several districts.

There is a warning of heavy rains. Some places have already got inundated and rivers are flowing above the danger level. We must plan for the flood keeping in mind the Covid-19 situation, Baneerjee said at an administrative review with officials of four districts in south Bengal on Monday.

While North 24 Parganas, the second most populous district in India after Thane in Maharashtra, has registered a high positivity rate of 20.6% which is double the national average, the death rate in North 24 Parganas and Howrah is 2.7% and 2.2% respectively compared to the national average of less than 2%.

Dengue is another major worry and every year many cases are reported from densely populated areas of North 24 Parganas. This year such incidents have been low so far.

The two coastal districts of North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas have already been affected by heavy rains. There have been breaches in river embankments and water has gushed into the villages inundating some villages. There are fears that Howrah and Hooghly will get affected when the Damodar Valley Corporation releases water.

Even if there is heavy rain in Jharkhand and the Damodar Valley Corporation releases water, large areas in Howrah and Hooghly may get inundated. In some areas water may also enter hospitals, Banerjee said, asking district officials to plan accordingly keeping in mind the Covid-19 pandemic situation.

Some districts in north Bengal including Malda, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar have also been asked to stay on alert as they may be affected due to heavy rain in Bihar and Nepal.

The districts have been asked to set up 24X7 control rooms to monitor the flood situation during the Covid pandemic. The control rooms would be set up in the offices of district magistrate and superintendents of police, said a senior official who was present in the meeting.
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is now injecting volunteers with its new antibody treatment for Covid-19 in a bid to see if it will protect people and also help patients who are already ill.

The British company, which is also manufacturing an experimental jab developed by experts at Oxford University, hope the monoclonal antibody therapy will prove to be a coronavirus breakthrough.

The treatment works by pumping antibodies  natural virus-fighting molecules  into people who don't have their own.

These antibodies are harvested from patients who have already had the disease and produced the right substances to fend it off.

If AstraZeneca's therapy works it could be a way to equip people's immune systems to fight the coronavirus, even if they have never had it.

The firm, worth 114billion, today confirmed the treatment has now started human trials in a group of 48 adult volunteers in the UK.

The pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is trialling a treatment based on cloned immune system antibodies from people who have already recovered from Covid-19

AstraZeneca's treatment  known currently as AZD7442  is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies.

Antibodies are substances produced and stored by the immune system to tackle an invader, such as the coronavirus.

The presence of a specific type of antibody in someone's blood  for Covid-19, for example  usually indicates someone has already had a disease.

Sometimes it means the patients are unlikely to get it again, but it is not clear if this is the case for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Monoclonal antibody therapy works by harvesting these antibodies from people who have already had coronavirus, and cloning them in a lab.

The cloned antibodies are then put into a solution and injected into a patient who has not had Covid-19, to boost their immune system.

It boosts the immune system because the therapy means that if someone is exposed to the virus or has already caught it, their body effectively receives a batch of extra soldiers to fight it off.

The coronavirus-specific antibodies were discovered by Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and then shared with AstraZeneca in June.

The firm then genetically engineered the combination so that they 'afford at least six months of protection from Covid-19'.

AstraZeneca's trial, involving healthy volunteers aged 18 to 55, will look at the safety of the treatment, as well as the body's reaction to the drug and how it processes it.

It hailed the move an 'important milestone' and claimed the drug has the potential to both protect uninfected people and to help people who are already sick.

The treatment is different to a vaccine because it does not train the body to develop immunity against the illness.

Vaccines usually inject someone with a part of the virus so their body can learn how to fight it in a safe environment by being exposed to it for real. The antibody therapy would be limited and would not lead to the body making more of its own antibodies.

Monoclonal antibody therapy works by injecting a person with antibodies which bind onto the coronavirus and stop it being able to latch onto cells in the body

Mene Pangalos, vice-president of research and development at the firm, said: 'This trial is an important milestone in the development of our monoclonal antibody combination to prevent or treat Covid-19.

'This combination of antibodies, coupled to our proprietary half-life extension technology, has the potential to improve both the effectiveness and durability of use, in addition to reducing the likelihood of viral resistance.'

COVID-19 TREATMENT TRIAL FOR DIABETES PATIENTS TO BEGIN THIS WEEK A possible treatment for Covid-19 patients with diabetes will begin human trials in the UK this week. The company Excalibur Healthcare Services will begin tests of an AstraZeneca-made drug called AZD1656 to see if it can reduce the risk of serious illness or death for people with diabetes who catch coronavirus. Diabetics face a considerably higher risk of dying if they catch Covid-19 and, by May, a third of all coronavirus deaths had been in people living with the illness. Studies suggest that people with type 1 diabetes have a more than three times higher risk of death with Covid-19 than a healthy person, and those with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to die, according to the NHS. Excalibur's trial, of a type of drug called a glucokinase activator, which helps to regulate blood sugar, will try to prevent people's immune systems from over-reacting to coronavirus, which can be deadly. The drug will be trialled on coronavirus patients in UK hospitals who have 'mild to moderate' symptoms. If it works the company suggested the drug could be prescribed by a GP to diabetic people who have early symptoms of Covid-19. The ARCADIA trial has received approval from the governmental Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Advertisement

If the initial trial is successful  that is, the drug appears to be safe and effective  the company plans to move on to larger phase two and three human trials.

The trial is being funded by the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

AstraZeneca is not the first company to develop a monoclonal antibody treatment and pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly & Co is already trialling its own therapy in the US.

Eli Lilly, based in Indiana, is currently trialling two types of antibody therapy, which work by sticking onto and blocking the 'spike proteins' on the surface of the coronavirus, which are what it uses to latch onto human cells.

This effectively neuters the SARS-CoV-2 virus  which causes Covid-19  stopping it from attaching to the insides of the airways and infecting people.

Dr Daniel Skovronsky, chief scientific officer at the $144billion company, said if trials go well the treatments could be ready to go by the autumn.

'For the treatment indication, particularly, this could go pretty fast,' he told Reuters.

'If in August or September we're seeing the people who got treated are not progressing to hospitalization, that would be powerful data and could lead to emergency use authorization.'

'So that puts you in the fall time: September, October, November is not unreasonable,' he said.

AstraZeneca's announcement comes after the company yesterday fended off claims that the US was trying to strike a deal to get access to its Covid-19 vaccine before clinical trials had finished.

The company issued a denial amid reports Donald Trump wants to get the jab approved before the presidential election this autumn.

White House insiders claimed the US President is considering speeding up regulatory approval for the jab, originally developed by Oxford University scientists.

Getting a vaccine into use and slowing down the US's devastating coronavirus crisis  the worst in the world  could boost Trump's chances of becoming re-elected in November, when he runs against Democratic candidate Joe Biden, who accused him of having 'failed to protect us'.

But AstraZeneca, which oversees manufacturing and distribution of the jab, said it has not entered any talks about getting it an emergency use authorisation in the US. It added that it would be 'premature to speculate on that possibility'.

A spokesperson for the firm said: 'AstraZeneca has not discussed emergency use authorization with the US government and it would be premature to speculate on that possibility.

'Late stage Phase II/III trials for AZD1222 are ongoing in the UK and other markets globally, and we do not anticipate efficacy results until later this year.'

Number 10 yesterday insisted Britain will be the first to get the Covid-19 vaccine, if it is proven to work.

The UK has already bought 100million doses of the jab, while the US has ordered 300million.

Early trials have shown promising results, with tests showing the vaccine is safe to use in humans and appears to provoke an immune response.

But data that proves it protects people is not expected until later this year.
A new video review has revealed the specifications of Samsungs upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 2 foldable smartphone.

After numerous reports, Samsung officially announced the Z Fold 2 earlier this month but provided limited details on specifications and pricing.

The company said it would reveal more details about the smartphone on 1 September.

However, Chinese YouTube channel Inspiration Institute has managed to get their hands on one of the smartphones and provided a full review of it.

The video offers details and impressions of the new Z Fold 2s design, displays, camera, and other specifications.

According to a translation of the review, the durability and practicality of the device are greatly improved.

We would like to call it the best folding-screen phone, the flagship of the year 2020, the description stated.

Bigger display and improved design

Some of the biggest improvements on the new model have been made in the display department, with both the internal and external screen now supporting HDR10+.

The front display size has been improved from 4.6-inches to 6.2-inches, sporting a resolution of 2,326 x 840. Its notch has also been replaced with a hole-punch for the front camera.

Inspiration Institute said this makes the Z Fold suitable for gaming even when closed, and included a short video of PUBG Mobile running on this display to show this.

When opened, users are greeted with a 7.6-inch screen comprising two dynamic AMOLED displays with a combined 2,208 x 1,768 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.

The folding display is now made of thin glass, rather than the polymer of the first-generation Fold.

The overall design of the smartphone is described as being boxier, with sharper corners and flat sides.

The back of the phone is also made of glass, which is shiny on the black model and frosted on the rose gold version.

The new hinge allows users to position the display in a variety of angles, which provides several use-cases when combined with Samsungs Flex UI software.

Specifications and camera

The smartphone pairs a Snapdragon 865+ processor with 12GB RAM, and packs 256GB of storage and a 4,500mAh battery pack supporting 25W fast wired charging and 11W fast wireless charging.

For wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.

Photography and video shooting can be performed with a rear triple-camera system comprising three 12MP sensors contained in a large rectangular bump.

No details were available on the front cameras specifications.

According to the reviewer, the Fold 2s pair of stereo speakers were probably the loudest he had come across on a smartphone.

To substantiate this, he performed a volume test comparing it with several other prominent dual-speaker phones.

Price and availability

Samsung South Africa told MyBroadband that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will be available locally towards the end of September.

Below is Inspiration Institutes review of the Z Fold 2, as well as screenshots from the video.



Galaxy Z Fold 2 screenshots
Sinn Feins Martina Anderson has said a compensation scheme for injured Troubles victims in Northern Ireland would discriminate, criminalise and exclude (Liam McBurney/PA)

Sinn Feins Martina Anderson has said a compensation scheme for injured Troubles victims in Northern Ireland is mainly for those who fought Britains dirty war.

She has faced a furious backlash from unionists and the SDLP after posting on social media.

She also said the pension would discriminate, criminalise and exclude those with paramilitary convictions.

The Foyle Assembly member and former MEP said: All victims should qualify for the pension.

It reflects the Brit Gov policy & only its narrative of the conflict.

Its given legal protection to Brit armed forces who killed or injured or tortured Irish citizens during the conflict.

NO to Discrimination Criminalisation Exclusion.

She claimed it would mostly go to those involved in collusion and British troops, for instance paratroopers involved in shootings in Ballymurphy in west Belfast in 1971 and on Bloody Sunday in 1972.

The senior Sinn Fein member said the pensions were mainly for those who fought Britains dirty war in Ireland.

As Joint Head of Government I remain committed to delivering a Victims Payment scheme, which is needs based and open to all who were seriously physically and psychologically injured during the conflict.  Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) August 25, 2020

There has been political disagreement over whether anyone convicted of inflicting serious harm during the Troubles should qualify for payments, and over who should fund the scheme.

Justice Minister Naomi Long has said the payments to the most badly hurt could cost 800 million.

Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill said: As joint head of Government I remain committed to delivering a Victims Payment scheme, which is needs based and open to all who were seriously physically and psychologically injured during the conflict.

Last week, Sinn Feins vice-president was highly criticised by the High Court for refusing to comply with a legislative requirement to set up the scheme to gain political leverage over the UK Government.

The joint legal challenge against the delay was brought by Jennifer McNern, who lost both legs in a Troubles bombing in 1972, and Brian Turley, one of the Hooded Men who were arrested and interrogated by the British Army in 1971.

The scheme was due to open for applications at the end of May but little progress has been made due to a failure by the Executive Office (TEO) which is shared by Ms ONeill and First Minister Arlene Foster, to nominate a Stormont department to take responsibility for it.

Expand Close Colum Eastwood said the comments made by Martina Anderson were unacceptable (Brian Lawless/PA) PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Colum Eastwood said the comments made by Martina Anderson were unacceptable (Brian Lawless/PA)

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: The comments made by Martina Anderson this evening are unacceptable, disgusting and grossly insulting to hundreds of victims who sustained life-changing physical and psychological injuries related to Troubles incidents.

DUP Foyle Assembly member Gary Middleton said the comments were deeply offensive.

People who have lived most of their lives with shrapnel from an explosion in their body or who are haunted with the smell, taste and noise of a bombing should not be labelled by Martina Anderson.

UUP justice spokesman Doug Beattie said it was deluded nonsense.

Sinn Fein is clearly so committed to justifying the murderous criminality of the IRA which murdered and injured so many innocent people, that it is prepared to continue to slur its victims, he said.

They are without shame and demonstrate an appalling lack of humanity.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough issued a disaster declaration Tuesday and urged residents to perpare for Hurricane Laura, which is forecast to make landfall between San Luis Pass, Texas, and Intracoastal City, La. as a potential Category 4 storm Wednesday evening bringing damaging winds.

Because of the forecast, the county will close Wednesday at noon for all non-essential personnel. A special commissioners court meeting for Thursday has been canceled and will be rescheduled.

During a press conference Tuesday Keough said while the county will see some rain, the biggest threat is wind in contrast to Hurricane Harvey, which dumped around 50 inches of rain on the region as it pushed across Texas in August 2017.

We are within the forecast cone and because of that and because the wind shear with the hurricane it continues to move a little more west, he said. Please understand, because of the hot water and hot air coming across the gulf, it is picking up speed and getting larger.

Its like jet fuel with this particular storm.

Keough said residents should make sure they have items needed to be able to sustain them, their families and pets for at least week. He added it would be beneficial to fill your vehicles with fuel.

Do this today, dont wait, he said.

Keough also warned motorists to stay away from high water areas.

I urge all residents to follow the weather closely, he said.

Keough said there will be no evacuations for Montgomery County.

The city of Conroe is also preparing for the effects of the storm. Mayor Toby Powell said in a statement that a shift of just 20 or 30 miles to the east or west could make all the difference for us here in Montgomery County.

What I can say with certainty is that the incredible staff at the city is preparing for whatever may come, he stated. All of our departments are coordinating with one another to ensure we are prepared for the coming days. Please take steps to prepare your homes and families. Make sure you have adequate food, water, and any medications you may need as well as flashlights and other emergency supplies.

Residents can register for AlertMCTX, the countys official emergency alert system, to receive real-time weather alerts and post-storm recovery information.

In The Woodlands, officials were preparing for Hurricane Laura Tuesday.

Nick Wolda, communications director for the township, said all 140-plus members of The Woodlands Fire Department as well as the townships Parks and Recreation Department are on full alert.

Wolda said fire department leaders have been working to ensure each of the townships eight fire stations as well as all vehicles are fully fueled with necessary gasoline or diesel fuel.

Emergency operators with the fire dispatch office are slated to beef up their staffing levels beginning Wednesday night and will be on duty through the end of the event, Wolda added.

The county office of emergency management reminded residents that Montgomery County is a pass-through county for coastal residents evacuating the storm.

Preparations underway

The county began preparing for the potential impact from tropical weather last week, said Jason Millsaps, head of Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

We have equipment staged to respond to any street flooding or road closures due to debris, Millsaps said. Our first responding agencies have made similar preparations and are ready to answer any calls for service should the forecast track move closer to our area and present a higher danger to Montgomery County.

He urges resident to plan for the possibility of tropical storm force winds and possible power outages for several days. Preparation for storm events should include removing any possible projectiles from outdoor areas, stocking up on food, water, and medications for family and pets. Since authorities are still unsure of Lauras path, residents are encouraged to follow weather updates for the next 24 to 36 hours.

Monitoring Lake Conroe

Jace Houston, general manager of the San Jacinto River Authority, said forecasts do not anticipate so much rainfall in Montgomery County that Lake Conroe will have to be lowered. The lake is roughly 15 inches below its full pool level of 201 feet.

So we have a lot of space to catch rainfall before we would even have to have a release of the reservoir, Houston said Monday. So were in a good position going into this storm.

Houston encouraged residents to monitor the weather. Residents can monitor rainfall levels around the lake at sanjacinto.onerain.com.

The greatest concern for the county at this time is a large wind event, Millsaps said,

Unlike other storms we are not forecast to receive heavy rainfall and the likelihood of flooding is very minimal, he said. However, a large hurricane on the Texas Gulf Coast could bring with it strong tropical storm force winds and the time of this is still uncertain but likely to occur late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.

Nonprofits prepare

While the county has been urging residents to prepare for the storm, some local nonprofits have been planning much further in advance. Montgomery County Meals on Wheels started preparing for storm season weeks ago.

As you can imagine, we are watching the storm closely, said Executive Director Summer Day. All of our clients received a weeks worth of shelf stable food last month to prepare for a possible closure during hurricane season.

Day will decide on Tuesday if the organization will close on Thursday and Friday because of the storm.

The Montgomery County Food Bank maintains a general readiness for events like a big storm with extra food and supplies, and as inclement weather approaches the food bank stays in constant communication with its distribution partners to prepare for whatever needs arise. So far, the food bank has not had to reschedule any mobile food pantries because of the storm, but has canceled its Thursday Senior food distribution.

The next scheduled mobile markets post-Hurricane Laura are for Saturday and they are not expected to be rescheduled. More information can be found at mcfoodbank.org.

While preparing for the storm, the office of emergency management is still cognizant of the COVID-19 pandemic. Storm kits and go bags should include face masks and hand sanitizer, and if possible residents should plan for alternative housing if they are flooded to avoid crowded shelters.

Currently, the county does not have any of its own COVID-19 testing sites running. All other testing sites are privately run and will decide on their own whether or not to remain open during the storm.

As Hurricane Laura nears landfall I would suspect most if not all of these facilities to temporarily close, Millsaps said. But remember at this time we do not have a surge in testing demand and demand is at an all-time low.
LIZ FELL: 1940  2020

Liz Fell was an Australian feminist, journalist, public intellectual, teacher and activist. She campaigned and protested on behalf of women, Indigenous rights and the rights of those in custody.

Elizabeth Deneley Fell was born in 1940, the second child of John and Margaret Fell (Grant). Her childhood on Sydneys upper north shore was a privileged one: she attended Abbotsleigh and later, Frensham boarding school.

In 1955, she enrolled in arts at Sydney University where she majored in psychology and won the prize for best student in her final year. For the next five years, she tutored in psychology on courses taught by John Maze, whose work was influenced by realist philosophy and Freudian psychoanalysis. He was a Sydney Libertarian and  through Maze and others  she became a member of the Sydney Push, an intellectual movement caricatured by writer Frank Moorhouse as a club for "talking, drinking and fornicating".

The Sydney Libertarian notions of critical inquiry, independence and a rejection of patriotism, conformity and other social conventions including marriage, struck a chord with Fell and were powerful influences for the rest of her life.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Three lawyers, including PIL litigant AP Suryaprakasam of Royapettah, were detained, for registering their protest against the contempt proceedings initiated by the Supreme Court against Delhi-based advocate Prashant Bhushan, on Monday.

When the advocates proceeded to place a wreath at the pedestal of Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Marina around noon with placards criticising the SC judgment, they were arrested. However, they were released on station bail in the evening.
DENVER, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Real Estate, a full-service real estate company specializing in investment brokerage, property management and institutional acquisition, today recognizes its Colorado and Arizona teams with two new hires, the return of two team members and four promotions.

The Atlas team happily welcomes two new Real Estate Advisor hires, Kristina Harding and Jose Martinez. Harding will be joining the Fort Collins office and Martinez will be joining the Colorado Springs team. Atlas will also be welcoming back two employees returning from pre-COVID, Hezekiah Agbo, Lead Portfolio Evaluation Analyst, and Cody Burton, Real Estate Advisor.

"Being part of the Atlas team has been rewarding on so many levels," said Burton. "Atlas's culture of empowerment, support, inclusion and 'good for you, good for me, good for everything' inspires me to reach higher every day."

In addition to recent hires, Atlas has promoted four standout employees. Rebecca Slaughter, Regional Manager, will now be overseeing the property management team in both Colorado Springs and Phoenix. Michael Bennett, Regional Manager, has transitioned to Atlas's Phoenix location to lead and expand the brokerage team. Jacob Mueller, Regional Manager, will lead the Colorado Springs brokerage team, continuing its growth trajectory. Additionally, Erika Ojeda-Louvier has transitioned from the team's Resident Resource Manager to the brokerage team where she will focus on helping tenants become first-time home buyers.

"Our team members are vital to Atlas's fast-paced growth, allowing us to expand in current and new markets," said Tony Julianelle, CEO. "I'm deeply grateful for everyone's contributions and confident that our recently promoted team members and new additions will excel in their new roles and generate value for all of our clients."

For media inquiries please contact Andrea Mazzola at 866-225-0920 ext. 103 or [email protected].

About Atlas Real Estate: Atlas is a distinctly different real estate company specializing in: Investment; Property Management; Institutional Acquisition; a full-service Buy/Sell Brokerage; and a Zillow Offers Partner Agent. Serving Colorado, Arizona and Nevada, the group transacts more than $1 billion in real estate annually and manages more than 3,200 residential units. Atlas has been recognized as Best Place to Work, Best Property Management and Top Company in Real Estate. To learn more about Atlas, visit www.realatlas.com.

Andrea Mazzola

Flackable

866-225-0920 ext. 103

[email protected]

SOURCE Atlas Real Estate

Related Links

http://www.realatlas.com


Technavio has been monitoring the anti-plagiarism software market for the education sector and it is poised to grow by 798.28 mn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 15% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005468/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Anti-plagiarism Software Market for Education Sector 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Latest Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Academicplagiarism Inc., BibMe, Blackboard Inc., Grammarly Inc., Plagiarism Checker X LLC, Plagiarismanalyzer.com, PlagScan GmbH, PrePost SEO, Turnitin LLC, and Urkund are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

The proliferation of online assignment project submission platforms has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, the limitations of anti-plagiarism detection software might hamper market growth.

Anti-plagiarism Software Market for Education Sector 2020-2024: Segmentation

Anti-plagiarism Software Market for Education Sector is segmented as below:

End-user Research Institutions Academic Institutions

Geography North America Europe APAC South America MEA



To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR43989

Anti-plagiarism Software Market for Education Sector 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our anti-plagiarism software market for education sector report covers the following areas:

Anti-plagiarism Software Market for Education Sector: size

Anti-plagiarism Software Market for Education Sector: trends

Anti-plagiarism Software Market for Education Sector: industry analysis

This study identifies the rising demand for legal and authentic data as one of the prime reasons driving the growth of the anti-plagiarism software market for the education sector during the next few years.

Anti-plagiarism Software Market for Education Sector 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the anti-plagiarism software market for the education sector, including some of the vendors such as Academicplagiarism Inc., BibMe, Blackboard Inc., Grammarly Inc., Plagiarism Checker X LLC, Plagiarismanalyzer.com, PlagScan GmbH, PrePost SEO, Turnitin LLC, and Urkund. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the anti-plagiarism software market for the education sector are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Anti-plagiarism Software Market for Education Sector 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist the growth of the anti-plagiarism software market for the education sector during the next five years

Estimation of the size of the anti-plagiarism software market for the education sector and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the anti-plagiarism software market for the education sector

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of the vendors in the anti-plagiarism software market for the education sector

Table Of Contents :

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2019

Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 2024

Five Forces Analysis

Five forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by End-user

Market segments

Comparison by End-user

Research institutions Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Academic institutions Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by End-user

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers Demand led growth

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Academicplagiarism Inc.

BibMe

Blackboard Inc.

Grammarly Inc.

Plagiarism Checker X LLC

Plagiarismanalyzer.com

PlagScan GmbH

PrePost SEO

Turnitin LLC

Urkund

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005468/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/
By Laman Ismayilova

France is home to many charming places. Here you can get lost in wonderful medieval streets and enjoy countless historical sights.

Azerbaijani photographer Maya Baghirova has captured the beauty of the French capital.

Her series of photographs "Streets of Paris during quarantine" brilliantly reflect the city's atmosphere.

Maya Baghirova moved to Paris in 2016. She trained at one of the leading photography schools in Europe - Speos International photography school. In 2015, she took part in an exhibition at "Carrousel du Louvre" in Paris.

In addition, the photographer won the prize of famous "Paris Match" magazine in 2018.

Her personal exhibition titled "Paris" was held at Art Tower Gallery last year in Baku. The exhibition featured Paris's black and white photographs.

The photographer's new works are available on social networks of Association Dialogue France-Azerbaijan.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Editors note: This story has been updated to remove a sentence on Richard Friske Sr. political affiliation.

You need to actually receive punishment to seek injunctive relief, argued Michigan Assistant Attorney General William Selesky in the response Monday to a Northern Michigan orchards lawsuit against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The Attorney Generals Office filed its response to Friske Orchards Farm Markets petition against the Governor the evening of Aug. 24 in the Court of Claims.

It said that the Antrim County business has no legal standing since Whitmer nor any state agency has taken action against it, such as suspending its business license or shutting it down.

Courts may not decide hypothetical issues, the response states, and although they may reach issues before actual injuries occur, declaratory relief is unwarranted if there is no threat that would subject the plaintiff to any disadvantage in ultimately setting forth and maintaining its legal rights.

Friske Orchards, owned by Richard Friske and his family, does not require customers to wear masks. This led to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan to declare the business an imminent danger to public health and to order it to comply with health standards and Whitmers executive orders, according to the response.

The local health department is not a state agency run by Whitmer, so it does not fall under the executive order that empowers state agencies to impose summary suspensions of licenses, the AG response states.

The lawsuit claimed that Whitmer and state agencies are attempting to revoke business and health licenses for not adhering to executive orders. The Court of Claims ruled in June that the penalty for violating the orders is can be no more than a misdemeanor, up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine.

Read more: Northern Michigan orchard sues Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to prevent shutdown of business

In addition to Whitmer, the defendants in the lawsuit are the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Attorney Generals office.

The Governors and Attorney Generals offices do not comment on pending litigation, spokespeople for both offices said.

The local health department is negotiating an out-of-court agreement, said David Kallman, attorney for Friske Orchards. The department does not appear as a defendant in the Attorney Generals response.

If conversations continue as they have been, I would expect that the health department is dismissed from the lawsuit, Kallman told MLive. There would have to be a stipulation and an agreement that would be advantageous to both parties.

MIOSHA sent letters to Friske Orchards on July 20 and 21 that allegations of no mask-wearing requirements represented potential violations of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act, the response stated. However, there is no evidence that MIOSHA inspected its premises, penalized it, or took any other enforcement action relating to this case.

Plaintiff lacks standing to bring this claim because no injury has yet occurred, and any future injury is merely hypothetical, the response stated.

Kallman stated the crux of the lawsuits issues is whether or not state agencies can use Whitmers executive orders as justification to shut down businesses or suspend licenses.

Can the Governor use her administrative agencies to enforce her executive orders? The Court of Claims already ruled that she cant, Kallman said. She tried to do that with the Associated Builders (Contractors of America), and they tried to enforce MIOSHA standards, and the judged ruled no.

The Court of Claims ruled in June regarding Associated Builders that Whitmer cant bootstrap penalties from her executive orders into MIOSHA standards.

The Friske family has operated their orchard business near Charlevoix since Richard W. and Olga Friske came to the U.S. from Germany after World War II, the business website states.

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 nosewhile 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 from MLive:

Tuesday, Aug. 25, coronavirus data by Michigan county: Isabella County cases climb as university returns students

Leslie schools reopen after threat canceled first day of classes

Citing concerns about UM student gatherings, Ann Arbor enacts emergency ordinance
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ROOM , the startup reshaping the modern workspace, today announces the expansion of its product portfolio with a suite of new modular architectural solutions designed to meet the crucial demand for adaptability and flexibility in the office. The Meeting Room, Open Meeting Room, and Focus Room are purpose-built for focused work or collaboration, both in-person and virtual, offering a smarter, sustainable, and flexible alternative to fixed construction and traditional office design.

ROOM's Innovative Meeting Room

In the wake of the COVID crisis, companies are searching for ways to bring workers back to the office safely while ensuring that their investments last beyond the pandemic. ROOM is pioneering a future where expensive and wasteful construction is replaced by modular architecture with simple, functional design that fits into any space. Designed for adaptability, the Meeting Room and Open Meeting Room can facilitate private one-on-ones, as well as larger connects, collaborative discussions, and video-conferencing, while the Focus Room offers a comfortable, private space to concentrate on the task at hand. Though similar in design to the new Meeting Room, the Open Meeting Room opens up the traditional conference space to a new world of possibilities with an open, airy environment ideal for impromptu brainstorms and discussions. Both the Meeting Room and Open Meeting Room are available for purchase now, while the Focus Room will round out the expanded product suite coming this fall, offering a thoughtfully designed private office to maximize focus and productivity. Each solution is more affordable than traditional construction and can be positioned in various places throughout the office, or to an entirely new location as company and employee needs change alongside the global health crisis.

With the rise of virtual and remote work, efficient video-conferencing is a necessity and more prominent than ever before. To accommodate this new hybrid way of work and extend collaboration beyond the four walls of the office, the Meeting Room and Open Meeting Room feature an integrated Jabra PanaCast 180-degree video conferencing camera, offering a full view of the space without distortion or delay. The PanaCast better replicates the natural dynamics of face-to-face conversation allowing companies to bridge the gap between in-person and remote workers. ROOM's prefabricated solutions allow any company to add a space-efficient, ready-to-use, video-conference room to their workplace in a single day, featuring breakthrough design elements to deliver a seamless experience without expensive, distracting office build-outs. The company is also announcing Room Sense, its proprietary client portal that provides companies with real-time data about space utilization and density, empowering employers to make their workspaces as efficient as possible, and informing office re-entry phases in a safe and strategic way.

The Meeting Room and Open Meeting Room are available in a Pro model  which comes equipped with the Jabra PanaCast  as well as a Standard model, featuring a fully equipped whiteboard.

Additional features and enhancements include:

Acoustically insulated walls made from recycled PET and engineered to reduce noise by 28dB.

Silent fans in the roof and air inlets behind the sofas to keep the air inside fresh at all times. All air inside is replenished every 60 seconds, 5x that of a traditional conference room.

Responsive lighting settings for focused work, presentations, or meetings.

Motion sensors automatically turn on and off the LED lights and ventilation fans.

Custom rail for accessories like coat hooks and shelves.

Built-in powerbox to hold cables in place for a clutter-free workspace, and wireless charging ensuring devices stay charged.

"In light of the pressures that the global pandemic has placed on offices, ROOM's vision of adaptive architecture is now more relevant than ever," says ROOM co-founder, Morten Meisner-Jensen. "We're building a future where data-driven, modular build-out replaces fixed construction to adapt to rapid change easily. Our inaugural product, the soundproof Phone Booth, introduced thousands of customers to the idea of flexible workspace environments, and we're excited to launch the Meeting Room and the Open Meeting Room to further our mission of creating the purpose-built workspaces of tomorrow. Our hope is that we can help businesses safely return to their offices and inspire a better way to work through affordable, sustainable, and flexible solutions."

The Meeting Room and Open Meeting Room are available for purchase on August 25 and will begin shipping in November. ROOM ships all products flat-packed directly to businesses for seamless delivery and assembly on-site, allowing companies to shape and reshape their work environment with ease. The Meeting Room is priced at $15,995 for the Standard model and $17,995 for the Pro model, while the Open Meeting Room costs $13,995 for the Standard model and $15,995 for the Pro model. The Focus Room will be available for purchase this November, with deliveries beginning Winter 2020. To learn more about ROOM, visit www.room.com .

About ROOM

ROOM is reshaping the modern workplace to create the offices of the future around the world. Transitioning from a stagnant floor plan to one that is adaptive, ROOM offers modular and creative architectural office solutions that foster team collaboration, individual work, and everything in between. ROOM helps companies of all sizes create a better work environment.

Launched in May 2018 by serial entrepreneurs Morten Meisner-Jensen and Brian Chen, ROOM is backed by Slow Ventures, alongside notable VC firms and angel investors from Silicon Valley. Recognized by Fast Company in its 2020 Most Innovative awards and honored by TIME Magazine as one of the Best Inventions of 2018, ROOM is already building the workplace of tomorrow for over 3,000 clients ranging from budding startups to Fortune 500 companies, including Nike, J.P. Morgan, Google, and Salesforce.

To learn more about ROOM, visit www.room.com

SOURCE ROOM

Related Links

http://www.room.com


Belarus today jailed two prominent activists for ten days as the country's exiled opposition leader declared a 'peaceful revolution' is underway.

Olga Kovalkova and Siarhei Dyleuski were brought before separate courts and jailed as protests continued against the 26-year rule of President Alexander Lukashenko.

Kolvakova is the main representative still in Belarus of opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Dyleuski has led strikes at the Minsk Tractor Factory, one of the country's biggest plants.

The two are leaders of the opposition Coordination Council, set up last week with the stated aim of opening negotiations with the government.

Lukashenko called the council an illegal attempt to seize power and prosecutors launched a criminal case against it.

Belarusian opposition supporters light their smartphones as they gather at Independence Square with the government building in the background in Minsk, Belarus today

Olga Kovalkova (left) and Siarhei Dyleuski (right) were brought before separate courts and jailed as protests continued against the 26-year rule of President Alexander Lukashenko

The council includes dozens of figures representing broad swathes of society, among them author Svetlana Alexievich, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, who has been summoned for questioning on Wednesday.

Belarusian media released photos of Kolvakova seated in court in a metal cage. Photos of Dyleuski in court were not available.

Another opposition council member, Pavel Latushko, a former culture minister and head of the main state drama theatre, was questioned by investigators but not arrested.

He emerged saying he would go back to work and the council's activities were not illegal.

Despite most major opposition figures being in jail or in exile, Lukashenko has so far failed to put down popular protests against his 26-year rule.

Despite most major opposition figures being in jail or in exile, Lukashenko (pictured) has so far failed to put down popular protests against his 26-year rule

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets over the weekend in what is thought to be one of the largest protests in Belarus's history. Pictured: Protesters in Independence Square

People attend a peaceful protest rally against the results of the presidential elections, in Minsk, Belarus

Belarusian opposition supporters dance during a protest rally at the Independent Square

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets over the weekend in what is thought to be one of the largest protests in Belarus's history.

Lukashenko has denied election rigging, called the protesters 'rats', and claimed they are being funded from abroad.

Exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya today declared that a 'peaceful revolution' is underway in Belarus.

In a speech to the EU from Lithuania, where she is in hiding, Tikhanovskaya called on world leaders to back calls for free and fair elections to be held as soon as possible.

The 37-year-old insisted that protesters are neither pro-Russian or pro-EU, saying that they are simply pro-democracy, and want the right to decide for themselves.

Tikhanovskaya ran against Lukashenko in Belarus's election earlier this month, sparking mass protests when he claimed victory with 80 per cent of the vote - a result that is widely thought to be fraudulent.

A sign reads 'Proud of the people, ashamed of the government' during a rally in Minsk

Belarus's exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has declared that a 'peaceful revolution' is underway following her defeat in an election widely viewed as fraudulent

Tikhanovskaya, 37, a teacher before deciding to step in for her jailed husband at the election, fled to Lithuania after the vote amid fears she would be arrested

Speaking via video-link to the EU Committee on Foreign Affairs, Tikhanovskaya declared: 'Belarus has woken up.

'We are not the opposition anymore, we are the majority now. The peaceful revolution is taking place.

'The revolution in Belarus is not a geopolitical revolution. It is neither a pro-Russian, nor anti-Russian revolution, it is neither and anti-EU nor pro-EU revolution.

'It is a democratic revolution. It is the striving of the nation to decide for itself, it is the striving of the people to freely and fairly elect their leaders and decide their destiny.

'The revolution in Belarus is not a violent revolution, it is a peaceful striving of the people for liberty and freedom, for self-determination and basic dignity.

'I call on all the countries of the world to respect the fundamental right of the country for self-determination.

'I call on all the countries of the world to respect the territorial integrity of Belarus,' she added, in seeming reference to Russia's threat to send troops to the country.

Olga Kovalkova (left), a member of the opposition who stayed in Belarus after the vote, appeared in court today after she was arrested at a protest on Monday

A man holds a sign reading "Lukashenko Is Our President" during a rally in support of Belarus' president Alexander Lukashenko near the Komarovsky Market

People take part in a rally in support of Belarus' president Alexander Lukashenko near the Komarovsky Market on Tuesday

Belarus has been gripped by weeks of ongoing protests across the country, that have seen saw hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets of capital Minks (pictured on Monday)

In a protest today, thousands gathered at the Ministry of Education to demonstrate against a threat by Lukashenko to fire schoolteachers who do not support his government.

Rallies have typically attracted thousands during the week, swelling to tens of thousands on weekends.

'I have come so that teachers are not afraid, so that their voice can be heard, so that they can work even if they have a different view from the authorities,' said a literature teacher who gave her name as Svetlana.

Lukashenko has threatened to fire any teachers who do not support the government.

Tsikhanouskaya fled to Lithuania after the election amid fears that she was about to be arrested.

Tikhanovskaya spoke to EU committee member from exile on Tuesday, urging world leaders to back her call for free and fair elections to take place as soon as possible

Demonstrators have continued to take to the streets despite violent backlash from authorities which has seen at least six people killed

An elderly man waves a Belarusian flag during a protest against President Lukashenko in Minsk on Monday

Belarus is the closest ally to Russia of all former Soviet republics, and Lukashenko's fate is widely seen as in the hands of the Kremlin.

While the Kremlin wants to keep the country within its sphere of influence, the fate of Lukashenko does not appear to be its primary concern.

Putin has been in contact with Lukashenko, a personal friend of his, since the vote - and in a phone call on Sunday offered to send doses of Russia's controversial coronavirus vaccine to the country.

The deal means that Belarus will effectively be participating in Phase 3 trials of the vaccine, which has been approved for use but has not undergone mass testing.

Lukashenko said the two leaders also discussed the situation both inside and on its outer periphery, 'especially in the western direction'.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 03:21:21|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Video: U.S. President Donald Trump is nominated for a second term on Aug. 24, 2020 at the 2020 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Charlotte, North Carolina, the United States. (Xinhua)

U.S. President Donald Trump touched upon a series of policy priorities for the next four years if he is re-elected, including creating jobs, cutting taxes, lowering drug prices, and continuing the military buildup.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump was nominated for a second term on Monday at the 2020 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Charlotte, North Carolina, which has been scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump arrived at the Charlotte Convention Center on Monday afternoon, where over 300 delegates met in person for a roll call vote to formally nominate him and Vice President Mike Pence for the 2020 Republican presidential ticket.

"I felt an obligation to come to North Carolina," Trump told the delegates inside a ballroom during the unannounced trip. "It's a place that has been very good to me."

In rally-style remarks, the president touted achievements of his first term, focused on his administration's response to the pandemic, again attacked mail-in voting, and lashed out at Democrats who held their national convention virtually last week and some media outlets' coverage of the RNC.

He also touched upon a series of policy priorities for the next four years if he is re-elected, including creating jobs, cutting taxes, lowering drug prices, and continuing the military buildup.

U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a campaign rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the United States, on Sept. 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

The nomination was part of the four-day RNC themed "Honoring the Great American Story," with each night having a sub-theme. On Monday, it is "Land of Promise," which a Trump campaign official said honors "the promises President Donald J. Trump has kept since his first presidential campaign."

Speakers for the RNC's opening night will include former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, and the president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.

Trump, who is expected to make an appearance on each of the four nights at the RNC, will deliver an acceptance speech on Thursday night from the White House South Lawn.

On Monday, a group of Republicans opposing Trump is holding "Convention on Founding Principles" in Charlotte, a gathering that organizers claimed would be an alternative to the RNC.

More than two dozen former Republican members of Congress, including former Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, endorsed former U.S. Vice President and 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for president on Monday.

"Today, given what we have experienced over the past four years, it's not enough just to register our disapproval of the president," Flake said in a live video on several social media platforms explaining his decision. "We need to elect someone else in his place - someone who will stop the chaos and reverse the damage."

Biden, who formally accepted the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential nomination on the final night of its convention last week, leads Trump by 7.6 percentage points nationally, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average. Trump, however, has repeatedly dismissed polls showing him falling behind. 
Lugano, Switzerland, 25 August 2020 - The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the leading organisation for medical oncology, has announced the winners of the ESMO awards 2020. This year's recipients of the four coveted distinctions are leaders in their respective fields who have also helped many of their fellow oncologists to advance in their professional careers. The award lectures will be delivered during the week between 12-15 October on the occasion of the Education weekend of the ESMO Virtual Congress 2020. (1)

ESMO Award 2020 honours Hans-Joachim Schmoll

The ESMO Award 2020 (2) is to be presented to Prof. Hans-Joachim Schmoll, Head of the Clinical Oncology Research division at the University Clinic of Martin Luther University in Halle, Germany, for his outstanding contribution to developing medical oncology as a speciality in Germany and internationally. As editor of the German standard reference book for medical and multidisciplinary oncology, the architect of many practice-changing clinical trials in the field of colorectal and germ cell cancer, as well as the founder and chair of several international consensus conferences and guidelines committees, Schmoll has been instrumental to defining treatment standards and education in medical oncology over the course of several decades. He authored the very first ESMO consensus recommendations for germ cell tumours in 2008 and the ESMO Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. (3) He established the AIO ("Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie") clinical trial groups and network, an active, internationally recognised initiative to further clinical and translational research and oncology training in all cancer types. Through advocacy to change his country's voting on the subject, Schmoll also played a key role in obtaining EU recognition of medical oncology as a speciality.

"As a young fellow in the early 70s, I got the opportunity to investigate the potential of the new drug 'ifosfamide'. This eventually led me to develop combination chemotherapy for patients with refractory germ cell cancer for first and further lines of treatment, together with secondary surgery and radiation: the model of a multimodal approach," Schmoll reported. "Hoping to reproduce this success in other tumour types, my team later turned to GI cancer: that journey is still ongoing. As doctors and scientists, it's important that we remain enthusiastic and work hard to give our patients the best available care. That's why I am deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award, and why I want to dedicate it to all the highly committed fellows, scientists and research teams who have accompanied me over the years. Their contributions made these achievements possible."

Nadia Harbeck earns the ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award 2020

Prof. Nadia Harbeck, Head of the Breast Centre and Chair of Conservative Oncology at the LMU University Hospital's department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Germany, has won this year's ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award (4) in recognition of her career-long commitment to global cancer research and education. Harbeck has for many years served on international expert panels to issue evidence-based guidelines for breast cancer care, alongside her ground-breaking research in individualising breast cancer therapy. Over the last few decades, she has led several phase III trials that established biomarkers as stratification criteria for therapy decision-making and demonstrated that careful analysis of the breast tumour and its early changes under therapy can replace "one-size-fits-all" treatment approaches to the benefit of patients.

"To receive this award as a gynaecologist who has spent her career individualising treatment for early breast cancer shows that ESMO is a truly interdisciplinary society: The impact you make on cancer patients' lives - independent of your training or speciality - is the most meaningful legacy you can leave in the oncology community," Harbeck commented. ?"I see this award as a tremendous motivation and milestone in our quest to convert scientific insights into patient benefit in early breast cancer by de-escalating therapy whenever feasible and escalating only when needed.?I am deeply grateful to my family who has always supported me in my efforts, and to my colleagues at the West German Study Group (WSG) for their scientific creativity and persistence in turning truly visionary trial ideas into potentially practice-changing results."

Antoni Ribas wins the ESMO Award for Translational Research 2020

The 2020 winner of the ESMO Award for Translational Research (5) is Prof. Antoni Ribas, Director of the Tumour Immunology Programme at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Centre (JCCC) and Director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), USA. The award recognises Ribas' impressive body of translational research work in malignant melanoma, focusing on gene-engineered T cells, PD-1 blockade and BRAF targeted therapies. Among other things, he studied the mechanistic basis of how patients respond to or develop resistance to these therapies through specific genetic events. His studies have led to new combination therapies that are being successfully advanced in the clinic.

"I want to share the honour of receiving the ESMO Award for Translational Research with the members of my laboratory, with my research colleagues and trainees," Ribas stated. "Our goal has been to conduct research that improves the treatment of patients with cancer, and this award is a recognition of the translational impact of our work."

ESMO Women for Oncology Award 2020 goes to Caroline Robert

Prof. Caroline Robert, Head of Dermatology at the Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus and Co-Director of the Melanoma Research Unit at the INSERM 981 Paris-Sud University, was chosen to receive the ESMO Women for Oncology Award 2020. (6) The distinction comes in tribute to Robert's long-standing commitment to supporting and mentoring her female colleagues, helping more women to rise through the ranks in medical oncology. As a woman holding leadership positions at world-class cancer care and research institutions, Robert is a strong role model for the next generation of female oncologists.

"It is a great time to be working in our field: a lot is happening and we feel that we can be the agents of change that will improve the future of patients with cancer. Winning this award gives me even more energy and strength to pursue the goal of seeing more patients saved from melanoma, and that's why I would like to tell my female colleagues, in particular, that they should not compromise on their passion and ambition to work in this speciality for any reason," Robert said.

###

Notes to Editors

References

1 ESMO Virtual Congress 2020 https://www.esmo.org/meetings/esmo-virtual-congress-2020

The awardees will give their Award lectures on the occasion of the ESMO Virtual Congress 2020:

ESMO Award on Monday, 12 October, 15:00-15:30

ESMO Award for Translational Research, Tuesday, 13 October, 15:00-15:30

ESMO Women for Oncology Award, Wednesday, 14 October, 15:00-15:30

ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award, Thursday, 15 October, 15:00-15:30

2 ESMO Award 2020 https://www.esmo.org/about-esmo/awards/esmo-award

3 ESMO Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer https://www.esmo.org/guidelines/gastrointestinal-cancers/metastatic-colorectal-cancer/management-of-patients-with-metastatic-colorectal-cancer

4 ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award 2020 https://www.esmo.org/about-esmo/awards/esmo-lifetime-achievement-award

5 ESMO Award for Translational Research 2020 https://www.esmo.org/about-esmo/awards/esmo-award-for-translational-research

6 ESMO Women for Oncology Award 2020 https://www.esmo.org/about-esmo/awards/esmo-women-for-oncology-award

About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)

ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. With more than 25,000 members representing oncology professionals from over 160 countries worldwide, ESMO is the society of reference for oncology education and information. ESMO is committed to offer the best care to people with cancer, through fostering integrated cancer care, supporting oncologists in their professional development, and advocating for sustainable cancer care worldwide. http://www.esmo.org
Last chance: Wendys family has started a fundraiser to pay for private treatment

There have been many moments of anguish for Wendy Peake since she was diagnosed with ocular melanoma, a type of eye cancer.

From the removal of her right eye, to the shocking news that  after nearly two years of remission  the cancer had returned, and spread to her liver.

But of all the distress suffered by Wendy and her family, the most shattering moment came in a call from a specialist nurse.

Fighting tears, the nurse explained that a potentially life-saving NHS drug trial Wendy had been due to be enrolled in had been cancelled due to Covid-19.

Doctors had said it was her only chance.

That was the moment when I just went into meltdown, says Wendy, 58, an educational and child psychologist from Bowdon in Cheshire.

Her husband Alan, 65 and their daughters India, 26 and Bella, 23, were in the room.

When they saw my reaction they crumbled: this was my chance to live and it had gone  in a moment and without warning, says Wendy.

I had to comfort my girls. They were distraught so I had to hold it together for them. Wed pinned everything on this drug trial  but that hope had vanished.

In the UK, almost 2,700 research projects and clinical trials developing treatments for cancer, diabetes and other diseases were halted by coronavirus because it was too risky for patients to attend hospitals or staff were diverted elsewhere.

For many patients, experimental treatments are the last resort. And during the pandemic, fewer than half (47.9 per cent) of those diagnosed with cancer managed to get treatment within the target time of two months.

Meanwhile in England alone family GPs made 250,000 fewer urgent cancer referrals between April and June than during the same period last year, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research.

And though the NHS, Government, charities and experts are now urging people who think they have cancer symptoms to get checked as soon as possible, those like Wendy, who were embarking on trials, have been left with nowhere to go after their ground-breaking treatments were cancelled indefinitely.

Yet leading cancer experts argue that snatching away potentially life-saving treatment poses a far greater risk than Covid.

Her husband Alan, 65 and their daughters India, 26 and Bella, 23, were in the room. When they saw my reaction they crumbled: this was my chance to live and it had gone  in a moment and without warning, says Wendy. I had to comfort my girls. They were distraught so I had to hold it together for them. Wed pinned everything on this drug trial  but that hope had vanished'

Cancelling trials was a complete overreaction, says Professor Karol Sikora, a consultant oncologist and former advisor to the World Health Organisation. Cancer doesnt stop during a pandemic.

Whats more, he says, the absence of trials will set back drugs becoming widely available.

Wendy was first diagnosed with cancer following a routine eye test in January 2017.

Her optometrist thought she could see signs of a detached retina  when the lining at the back of the eye pulls away from blood vessels that supply it. Wendy was referred to hospital for tests where  to her horror  she was told she had ocular melanoma, which affects between 500 and 600 people in the UK every year, and can remain symptomless for years.

In Wendys case, the 2 cm growth had developed inside her right eye  its significant size limited her scope for treatment.

She recalls: It didnt make any sense. I was fit and healthy and did not have any symptoms at all. Yet I knew, as soon as the consultant put his hand on my shoulder, the news was going to be awful.

Ocular cancer develops in cells that produce the pigment melanin, responsible for the colouring of skin and eyes. Risk factors include light-coloured eyes and fair skin that sun burns easily.

The gold standard treatment is proton therapy  powerful doses of radiation which target the tumour while sparing surrounding tissue. But because of the size of Wendys tumour, it was unlikely to be successful. The only option was to have her eye removed.

It sounded like something from a horror story, she says. But it was a choice between my eye and my life and I wanted to live.

During the two-hour operation in February 2017, Wendys eyeball was replaced with a prosthetic.

The main adaptation, she says, was learning to live with monocular vision  having one eye meant she struggled to perceive depth.

I went out with girlfriends and spilt red wine everywhere, she recalls. After radiotherapy to the socket, which took place five days a week for 20 days, Wendys life returned to normal and she went back to work.

Once her eye socket had healed, Wendy had an artificial eye  shaped like a large contact lens  fitted over her implanted eyeball.

That was a bit difficult  I struggled to look at the eye when the lens was out, but I had to look at it to clean it. My daughters were amazing, showing me videos of children doing so well adapting after ocular melanoma. It gave me the boost I needed.

But then in November 2019, a follow-up scan revealed tumours on Wendys liver  the melanoma had spread. It was a huge shock, says Wendy.

The inference from the doctors had been when that happens its the end of the road (because it had spread and was incurable). I had always prayed Id be one of the lucky ones.

Do I really need? Headphones to help you sleep This week: Sleep-aiding headphones, 314.99, kokoon.io Claim: These silicone headphones mould to the head  the ear cups enclose the entire ear which cuts out all outside noise. Sleep-aiding headphones, 314.99, kokoon.io They come with an app that features a choice of relaxing music, repetitive sounds (such as the ocean), white noise (an unobtrusive sound that masks others) and talking therapy  cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)  to help you fall asleep. They use technology including motion sensing and EEG brainwave sensors (to record brainwaves), to monitor and customise sounds sending the user to sleep. Expert verdict: Dr Neil Stanley, an independent sleep expert and author of How To Sleep Well, says: They seem incredibly over-engineered: they might be comfy, but who wants to wear headphones to bed? Although the technology looks impressive, I cant see how it actually works. It has electrodes in the ear cups which it says record your sleep. But in my experience the only way to do this properly is if electrodes record in the forehead area. There is a lot of evidence that CBT can make sleeping easier, so this might help. But I think youre better off saving your money. Advertisement

But then her specialist offered a glimmer of hope  a clinical trial of chemosaturation therapy, isolating the liver by injecting it with a powerful drug called melphalan. Wendy was told it had shown success in shrinking tumours in 60 per cent of cases.

When I listened to all this I felt like Id got the golden ticket, that Id been saved from the jaws of death. The family were elated. I thought its life and Im going to grab it, she says.

A first session was planned for March 27 this year.

But a few days before, she received a call from an administrator to say her final scan in preparatory tests was cancelled.

Confused, the family called Wendys specialist nurse who confirmed that the trial was cancelled indefinitely.

After the initial shock, we just went into overdrive, writing to the local MP, the CEO of the health trust, even Matt Hancock. I thought, yes I could go to hospital and pick up Covid and it could kill me. But if I do nothing this tumour is going to kill me. Surely that was my choice to make?

In light of the NHS decision to suspend services, Wendys oncologist  who was deeply upset by what had happened  explained that the only option was private treatment at 40,000 per session.

Based on my scans it was likely that Id need three to four sessions  even up to six. We needed to find money  either through re-mortgaging the house or draining our pensions.

Determined not to lose the family home, her daughters set up a fundraising appeal on social media to bridge the 160,000 gap between their resources and the cost of treatment.

Wendy is now investigating whether the withdrawal of her care was illegal  since so many hospitals were empty and doctors were still willing to treat patients when her trial was cancelled.

Mary Smith, an expert in medical law and patient safety at Novum Law, explains: For patients to be removed from trials and asked to self-fund potentially life-saving treatment when hospitals are empty or running far below normal capacity, and so many doctors and other healthcare workers are able and willing to treat them, is unacceptable.

She adds its not only a potential breach of contract, but also a likely breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

In the meantime, Wendy is pinning her hopes on raising the money to buy her chance to live.

So far, 89,000 has been raised  enough to begin treatment. Her first session will start imminently.

She says: The NHS has let me down. It will only be thanks to the generosity of so many others that I may have a fighting chance.

If you would like to help, go to gofundme: https://gf.me/u/yjsa64
ATHENS/ANKARA: Germany warned on Tuesday that Greece and Turkey risked a military clash unless they turn to dialogue to solve a row over energy resources in the Mediterranean Sea, where the NATO allies geared for rival naval drills in disputed waters.

Ankara and Athens have traded rhetorical barbs over offshore hydrocarbon rights, drawing the European Union and nearby countries into the dispute, which earlier this month involved a light collision between Turkish and Greek frigates.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who visited Athens ahead of a trip to Ankara, sought to de-escalate tensions but said Germany and the EU stood with member Greece.

The current situation in the eastern Mediterranean is equivalent to playing with fire," Maas said after meeting his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias. Every little spark can lead to catastrophe."

Greece and Turkey vehemently disagree over the extent of their continental shelves. Tensions escalated after Turkey deployed its Oruc Reis survey vessel to disputed waters this month, in a move Athens called illegal.

Greece on Monday issued an advisory, known as a Navtex, that it will hold naval exercises in an area off the Greek island of Crete, after Turkey had said on Sunday that Oruc Reis will operate in the same area until Aug. 27. Greeces advisory then prompted a rival Navtex from Turkey that it would also hold drills there on Tuesday.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Greece was sowing chaos" in the Mediterranean, and warned Athens that it would find itself having to face the Turkish navy on its own.

After meeting Maas, Dendias said Greece wanted to talk with Turkey but it would not do so under threats" and Athens stood ready to defend its rights, adding the dispute was an issue for the entire EU and its security.

A senior Turkish official said Turkey expected Maas to come with a concrete proposal after talks in Greece, and that Athens did not reciprocate Ankaras willingness to start dialogue.

The German visit will surely have positive contributions and results, but it is not realistic to just expect Turkey alone to make concessions," the official, who requested anonymity, said.

Germany also intervened last month, prompting Ankara to pause operations for talks with Athens. After Greece and Egypt agreed a maritime demarcation deal, however, Turkey resumed operations.

EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Berlin on Aug. 27-28 and will discuss the issue.

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
Elizabeth Potthast Castravets husband, Andrei Castravet, has never gotten along with his in-lawsespecially Elizabeths dad, Chuck Potthast, and her brother, Charlie Potthast. On a recent episode of 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After, Andrei almost physically fought Charlie after he asked one too many questions about Andreis past.

And when Elizabeths mom, Pamela Putnam, and one of her sisters, Jenn Davis, showed up in Andreis home country for the couples second wedding in Moldova, things got even more awkward. Jenn, Chuck, and Charlie complained at length about the countrys cuisineand 90 Day Fiance fans didnt waste any time in calling them out for their behavior.

Elizabeth Potthast Castravet, baby Eleanor, and Andrei Castravet | Elizabeth Potthast Castravet via Instagram

Elizabeths family complained about the food in Moldova

On 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After, Elizabeths family began to complain about Eastern Europe as soon as they landed in Chisinau. Chuck and Charlie asked if Amazon delivered in Andreis home country and even suggested that Andrei might have tried to use Elizabeth to leave Moldova and come to the U.S.

Meanwhile, Jenn, Elizabeths most outspoken sister, immediately declared that she wished she was in France when she greeted Andrei and Elizabeth before their wedding. Andrei was visibly disgruntled when his sister-in-law asked him how he didnt become depressed in Moldova and called the atmosphere gloomy.

Later, Elizabeths relatives really let loose when they sat down for breakfast in their AirBnB. Charlie called the food in Moldova trash, despite praising it when Andreis mother had prepared a large spread to welcome the family.

Meanwhile, Jenn wondered aloud if people ate pig fat in Andreis home country because it was less expensive.

Its peasant food, Chuck declared, as the others looked on in agreement.

Lets go get some real food, Charlie exclaimed.

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Fans Accuse Andrei Castravet of Not Translating Elizabeth Potthast Castravets Words Correctly to His Family

Fans called Elizabeths family pretentious

Almost immediately, social media exploded with criticism of Elizabeths family for their comments, with many 90 Day Fiance fans calling them rude, thoughtless, and ignorant.

On Reddit, one poster wrote of the familys complaints, This entire familys pretentiousness is absolutely disgusting and deplorable.

Many other fans thought the family was being needlessly cruel and embodying the stereotype of ugly Americans who look down on other cultures.

Making fun of a culture/countrys food is despicable, one 90 Day Fiance viewer wrote on the same Reddit post. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Others pointed out that the foodwhich appeared to consist of croissants and fresh fruit, at least at breakfastlooked perfectly fine. Some thought Elizabeths father and siblings were just looking for something to complain about in a new environment.

They are really confirming all American stereotypes, one Redditor argued. Self-centered, arrogant, close-minded, pretentious, condescending, thinks that America is best at everything and everyone else is a dirty caveman.

Another commenter agreed, writing, They talk as if America doesnt have its own fair share of questionable culinary delights.

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

Many viewers argued that they should have been grateful for the hospitality

In addition to suggesting that Elizabeths familys comments were inappropriate, other 90 Day Fiance fans pointed out how rude it was to speak poorly of Andreis familys welcoming gestures and hospitality. Andreis mom greeted the family with a well-plated banquet of food and wine when they arrived, and many 90 Day Fiance viewers thought they were downright ungrateful.

Mother Andrrrrei not only set up that whole feast, but she did it at the AirB&B  she had to pack and transport all that food, one Redditor pointed out.

Another poster agreed, arguing passionately, Andreis family has been nothing but nice to them and went above and beyond to prepare a nice meal to welcome them, and these ignorant trash bags just sh*t all over it, insulting their country. Theyre seriously the poster children for sh*tty American tourists.

Yet another viewer pointed out that Elizabeth and Andreis young daughter also shared Moldovan cultureso they were essentially insulting their niece and grandchild as well.

They do know that its Eleanors culture also, right? the fan mused.

Still other fans thought that Elizabeths family might simply be playing up their characters for the sake of the cameras. Since viewers have long speculated that the family might be trying to get their own spinoff (like Chantel Everetts and Pedro Jimenos families on The Family Chantel or Darcey Silva and Stacey Silva on Darcey and Stacey), some thought they might be playing an exaggerated role for reality TV.
Early identification of babies before symptoms appear essential to support appropriate disease management

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 25, 2020 /CNW/ - As pioneers in neuroscience, with a deep commitment to furthering research for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and the SMA community we proudly serve, Biogen Canada Inc. has invested in a newborn screening study at CHEO, a pediatric health and research centre in Ottawa, to evaluate the impact of adding testing for SMA to Ontario's newborn screening protocol.

Newborn screening would help with early detection of the potentially fatal genetic condition and allow for intervention in the first few weeks of life when it can be most impactful. Over a year, it is projected that approximately 15 babies in Ontario could be identified through the SMA screening program and referred to specialized centres for follow-up.i

Babies with the most severe form of SMA experience gradual decrease in the mass and strength of muscles that affects activities such as sitting up and controlling head movement, and it can also impact breathing and swallowing.ii SMA is the leading genetic cause of deaths in infants.iii It is estimated that one in every 50 people may be genetic carriers of the abnormal gene that causes SMA.iv If both parents are genetic carriers, there is a one in four chance that SMA could be passed onto a child.v

"Biogen Canada is proud to be part of this valuable study to support the addition of SMA to provincial newborn screening programs and of early detection of SMA in babies that may not have otherwise been discovered until after symptoms present," said Marina Vasiliou, Managing Director of Biogen Canada Inc. "Newborn screening for SMA could make a significant difference for those babies who are diagnosed early. So many parents spend months wondering why their child is not meeting certain milestones. Knowing what they are dealing with before symptoms appear gives them a head start towards the best possible outcome."

The pilot study with CHEO was undertaken between January and July this year to assess the addition of SMA to the Ontario newborn screening program which collects blood from the heel prick performed on all Ontario newborns that tests for a panel of serious but treatable diseases. More than 75,000 newborns were tested for SMA between January and July this year as part of the pilot and four screen positive patients were identified and were immediately referred for further evaluation. Conducting this important pilot study to prospectively screen Ontario newborns is an essential step towards identifying babies at birth. Early intervention before SMA symptoms arise has the potential to improve the lives of many families.vi

"With the arrival of effective disease-modifying SMA therapy, we are now looking at early pre-symptomatic diagnosis of newborns for whom such treatment can truly make a profound difference," Dr. Alex MacKenzie, a pediatrician at CHEO, a principal investigator at the CHEO Research Institute and a professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. "We are grateful to Biogen for seeing this reality so clearly, supporting our research, and catalyzing the possibility of population-wide SMA screening for all Canadian newborns."

The latest results from the ongoing NURTURE study demonstrate the benefits of treating infants who tested positively for the genetic markers of SMA before symptoms were apparent. At the time of evaluation, all 25 participants treated in the study were alive, without the need for permanent ventilation and experienced continuous improvements, with the majority achieving motor milestones in timelines consistent with normal development. The results also demonstrated durability of effect, with children making progress throughout the study. In infants genetically diagnosed with SMA, the NURTURE study demonstrates that early and sustained treatment with SPINRAZA (nusinersen) for up to 4.8 years enabled unprecedented survival in comparison to the natural history of this disease.vii In Canada, SPINRAZA is indicated for the treatment of 5q Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

About Newborn Screening

Newborn screening is a test done shortly after a baby is born to look for a variety of treatable diseases that generally show no symptoms in the newborn period. It is done by provincially mandated organizations across Canada. Health-care providers in the provinces work to make sure that every baby born is offered newborn screening and that every baby who has one of the diseases screened for receives appropriate treatment.

About Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

SMA is a rare, debilitating neurodegenerative condition that is characterized by loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and lower brain stem, resulting in severe and progressive muscular atrophy and weakness.

SMA is the leading genetic cause of death among infants. It is estimated that 1 in 10,000 live births are affected by SMA. Untreated, children with the most severe form of SMA (Type 1 or infantile-onset SMA) rarely live to see their second birthday.

Due to a deletion of, or mutation in, the SMN1 gene, people with SMA do not produce enough survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, which is critical for the maintenance of motor neurons.viii The severity of SMA correlates with the amount of SMN protein an individual has. Ultimately, individuals with SMA can become paralyzed and have difficulty performing the basic functions of life, like breathing and swallowing.

People with Type I SMA, the form that requires the most intensive and supportive care, produce very little SMN protein and do not achieve the ability to sit without support or typically live beyond two years without respiratory support. People with Type II and Type III SMA produce greater amounts of SMN protein and have less severe, but still life-altering forms of SMA.

About Biogen

At Biogen, our mission is clear: we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases as well as related therapeutic adjacencies. One of the world's first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray, and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp. Today, Biogen has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, commercializes bioimilars of advanced biologics and is focused on advancing neuroscience research programs in multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, neuromuscular disorders, movement disorders, ophthalmology, immunology, neurocognitive disorders, acute neurology and pain. To learn more, please visit www.biogen.ca and follow us on social media: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.

i Newborn Screening Ontario, SMA Screening Results. Available at: https://www.newbornscreening.on.ca/en/page/sma-screening-results ii National Institutes of Health (NIH) Genetics Home Reference. Spinal muscular atrophy. Available at: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/spinal-muscular-atrophy#inheritance iii Boston Children's Hospital, Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Available at: http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/s/spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma iv Sugarman EA, et al. Eur J Hum Genet. 2012;20:27-32. and Prior TW, et al. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2010;37:23-36 v Together in SMA Canada. How is spinal muscular atrophy inherited?Available at: https://care.togetherinsma.ca/en_CA/home/introduction-to-sma/smn1-gene.html vi De Vivo, DC. et al. Nusinersen initiated in infants during the presymptomatic stage of spinal muscular atrophy: Interim efficacy and safety results from the Phase 2 NURTURE study. Neuromuscular Disorders. 2019;29(11): 819-912. vii Data on file. Biogen, Cambridge, MA. Reported publicly: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/06/10/2046158/0/en/New-Results-From-Landmark-NURTURE-Study-Show-That-Pre-Symptomatic-SMA-Patients-Treated-With-SPINRAZA-nusinersen-Continue-to-Demonstrate-Sustained-Benefit-From-Treatment.html viii Lefebvre et al., Identification and Characterization of a Spinal Muscular Atrophy-Determining Gene. Cell, 1995 Jan 13;80(1):155-65.

SOURCE Biogen Canada

For further information: Media Contact: Marija Mandic, +1-905-897-3226, [email protected]

Related Links

https://www.biogen.ca/


Ken Albers slowly shuffled through his torched showroom Monday, passing three of his 16 classic Chevrolets, paint melted and charred, destroyed like the rest of his Vacaville home.

The 72-year-old retired land surveyor had lived on the five-acre property for 30 years with his 70-year-old wife Marci. They were both lifelong collectors. His wife lost her 500 Ginny dolls, stamp collection, antiques, and Albers lost his 500-piece train set, 200 plastic car models. And all the classic restored Chevys melted and roasted  including eight Corvettes and some 1930s-era vehicles.

Its pretty devastating, Ken Albers said. Theres nothing left of the house but the chimney.

Living in Northern California, the Albers had seen the glow of wildfires in the distance in prior years. It happened again on Tuesday night, as they got ready for bed. Out the window, there was an orange glow in the hills over Lake Berryessa.

By Wednesday at 2 a.m. everything changed  fast. He got a call from PG&E warning him of a power shut off. He looked out his window again, this time flames were coming up the hill.

Soon, there was a firefighter over a loudspeaker ordering evacuations in the small subdivision of homes on 5- to 10-acre lots at the end of English Hills Road.

He told us theres no fire suppression, you gotta get out, Ken Albers said.

As they packed their two dogs Zooey and Reggie into their two cars, they got a call from Solano County announcing the evacuations.

We left with the clothes on our back, he said. Fire was everywhere ... I was dodging downed poles and burning poles.

Now, everything they poured into their hobbies  their cherished collections  is gone.

There was a 1936 Chevy standard coach, restored to stock. There was a 1938 two-door Chevy sedan. A 1954 Chevy Bel Air convertible. The eight Corvettes  ranging from 1957 to 2016. And the 1970 Chevy Camaro his wife bought brand new.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

I guess it always crossed your mind, Ken Albers said Monday from a hotel in Vacaville where he and his wife are staying for now. The last 4 or 5 years theres always been a fire that came in our general direction, and so, we were always aware but it had never gotten this close.

They dont know if they will rebuild.

As far as collecting, its taken all the winds out of our sails, Ken Albers said.

The couple has been staying in a hotel room and returning back to their former home to pick through the rubble as they wrap their head around what to do next. It was too soon, he said, to say if they'll return back to Vacaville.

Were just trying to find a place to live, he said.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist the couple.

Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni
MILFORD  Two state representatives whose districts include Milford are calling for masks and personal protective equipment to be made exempt from state sales tax, particularly in light of the governor calling on all state residents to wear face masks in public places to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

State Reps. Kathy Kennedy and Charles Ferraro, both Republicans, said in a release Tuesday that some safety equipment, including face masks, face shields and gloves, previously had been sales tax-exempt, but was made subject to the tax under the most recent biennial state budget.

Both noted in the release that they had voted against the budget.

Taxing safety apparel, like face masks, is offensive to me and my constituents, Kennedy said in the release. Milford and Orange residents have been strongly encouraged and, in some instances, mandated to wear masks to combat COVID and they should not be taxed to buy a mask that literally saves lives.

During this COVID 19 epidemic my constituents have been exposed to many challenging forms of adversity. Many are not working, are on furlough and are struggling to pay essential bills, Ferraro said in the release. Repealing the added burden of having to pay tax on safety apparel that has been mandated is a small gesture of support to our residents who are trying to get through this very difficult time.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
Flagbearer of the All Peoples Congress(APC) Hassan Ayariga says hell leave his comfortable home and sleep in the police cell on the first night hes elected as President.



According to him, this will indicate to his appointees how ruthless hell be should any of them be involved in corruption while in office.



Under Hassan Ayariga the first thing I want to assure that when I become President the first day Im going to sleep in the prison. The first day I become President that day I will not sleep in my house. Im going to go to the police station and ask them to open the door I want to sleep in there because that is going to be the signal that if the President himself can sleep in the cell whoever is corrupt no favour no fear will sleep there, he told Joy FM in an interview.



Hassan Ayariga was acclaimed as the flagbearer for the party on Monday, August 24, 2020,



Mr. Ayariga who left the Peoples National Congress (PNC), which he represented at the polls in 2012 to form the APC ahead of the 2016 election, has been the partys only flagbearer contestant.



This year, he was the only aspirant who picked up presidential nomination forms in the APC.<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CERw13npixW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CERw13npixW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CERw13npixW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">#UTVGhana #UTVNews #DespiteGroup</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/utvghana/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> UTV Ghana</a> (@utvghana) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-08-24T15:45:41+00:00">Aug 24, 2020 at 8:45am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>







Source: kasapafmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 19:22:57|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

GAZA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on Tuesday called for securing unimpeded entry of vital goods into the Gaza Strip.

In an emailed press release, the UN humanitarian agency expressed deep concerns about the closure of Gaza's only power plant since Aug. 18.

Israel banned the shipment of fuel, construction materials, and other goods into Gaza as a punitive response to the attack of incendiary balloons and makeshift projectiles from the besieged enclave.

However, banning the shipment of fuel into Gaza caused a severe electricity crisis all over the Gaza Strip, home to more than 2 million Palestinians including 1.4 million registered refugees.

"The power plant's closure has caused the power feed to decline to two to three hours per day, followed by 20 hours of interruption," said UNRWA.

"It will also have devastating effects on Gaza's vital services including hospitals," it added.

Matthias Schmale, director of UNRWA operations in Gaza, said under International Humanitarian Law, the passage of all relief consignments, such as fuel for electricity, should not be prevented.

UNRWA is also concerned about other punitive measures against the Gazan civilians, such as closing down the fishing zone and the escalating tensions and military activities, he added.

"Gaza has now been hit by air raids for more than 10 nights in a row. All parties must show utmost restraint and protect the civilian population with full respect for their dignity and human rights," Schmale noted. Enditem
French Polish director Roman Polanski is persona non grata in Hollywood, and cannot return to the US for fear of arrest

Director Roman Polanski's legal battle against his expulsion from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was thrown out by a Los Angeles judge Tuesday.

The "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby" filmmaker fled the United States in 1978 after admitting to the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl.

He was expelled from the Los Angeles-based Academy, which awards the Oscars, four decades later amid the #MeToo movement, and filed a legal petition to force the prestigious organization to reverse its decision.

But Los Angeles superior court judge Mary Strobel found the Academy board "had cause to expel" Polanski, and that its decision "is supported by the evidence" and "was not arbitrary or capricious."

Polanski "was given the opportunity to present any evidence" on the matter of whether he "'should or should not remain a member of the Academy' in light of his criminal conviction and fugitive status."

Polanski is persona non grata in Hollywood, and cannot return to the US for fear of arrest.

The French-Polish director admitted the statutory rape of Samantha Geimer in a plea bargain in 1977 to avoid a trial on more serious charges.

But he fled to France the following year after serving 42 days in jail when it appeared a judge was reconsidering his release.

"The problem Roman has obtaining justice in Los Angeles is that all the judges cover for each other's misconduct," Polanski's lawyer Harland Braun told AFP following Tuesday's ruling.

"All Roman asked for is a fair process."

Polanski, now 87, was awarded the Academy's best director Oscar while still living in self-imposed exile in 2003 for "The Pianist."

But he was expelled from the Academy along with Bill Cosby in 2018, at a time when Hollywood was facing a reckoning over historic sexual harassment and abuse.

The Academy board voted to expel Polanski under a procedure for enforcing Standards of Conduct that it had newly adopted in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

Story continues

Polanski claimed the Academy had failed to follow its own procedures, or California law, in its decision.

"We are pleased the court confirmed that the Academy's procedures regarding Mr Polanski were fair and reasonable," an Academy spokesperson told AFP Tuesday.

amz/st
Early Tuesday afternoon, Hurricane Laura was heading toward Beaumont. That meant Matt Marchetti was too.

Marchetti, one of the founders of Crowdsource Rescue, was packing his truck to set up a central command. CrowdSource Rescue kicks into high gear during hurricanes, earthquakes and such  any apocalypse-vibe crisis, as Marchettis co-founder Nate Larson puts it. Its ragtag volunteer army shines brightest at Zero Hour, that moment in a disaster when 911 becomes overwhelmed.

The rescuers were already signing up at crowdsourcerescue.com/hurricanes. The ones wholl bring trucks, chainsaws and boats will work wherever Laura makes landfall. Others, armed with phones or computers, could be anywhere in the country, working from home as dispatchers or calling to see whether people are okay.

Hurricane Laura, Marchetti noted, appeared to be more a wind storm than a rain storm. Wind storms move fast, wreaking utter havoc in a relatively tight band; rain storms hang around, with floodwaters creeping up inch by inch. A flood will kill you over time, Marchetti explained. Wind damage will kill you quick.

A wind storm would mean fewer boat rescues, but more roads that need to be cleared of debris, more telephone and electric outages, more families desperate to make contact with people they cant reach.

COVID-19, of course, would complicate everything about this hurricane. Marchetti knew all about COVID: Crowdsource Rescue usually handled get-in-get-out disasters, doing sexy, adrenaline-junkie rescues. But in mid-March, Marchetti and Larson retooled it. Since then, their COVID activation has been delivering Houston Food Bank groceries to people at high risk of COVID. Unlike their other work, its not driven by adrenaline; theres no end in sight. But the need remains high.

Compared to that slow-moving, never-ending crisis, rescuing people after a hurricane  especially a fast-moving wind hurricane  seemed almost a relief.

In fact, Marchetti sounded downright cheerful. Its strange, he admitted. The truth is, a lot of us come alive at these moments. This is what we prepare for. This is what we live for. This is exactly where God wants me to be.

Born in Harvey

CrowdSource Rescue was born during Hurricane Harvey when Marchetti headed out in a boat, helping members of his church, Chapelwood UMC, to ferry members to dry land. They could help even more people, he thought, if only they knew who needed rescuing.

He and his best friend, Larson, write real-estate software. Theyre good at map applications. So that night, in about six hours, they wrote a simple platform: one form for people who needed help; one for rescuers; and a map showing where help was needed. They added information for about 20 people and went to bed.

The floodwaters were still rising. 911 was overwhelmed.

The next morning, Larson woke to 1,300 people on the little site hed built for church members. He watched as the number rose to 3,000. Then 7,000.

By Harveys end, the platform had helped coordinate the rescues of roughly 25,000 people. And CrowdSource Rescue was a thing.

The familiar rush

When Hurricane Irma roared into Florida a couple of weeks later, CrowdSource Rescue was there. And then for floods and hurricanes in Louisiana, Florida, Puerto Rico and North Carolina. They handled the big earthquake in Mexico City.

Marchetti and Larson had found their calling. Now they watch for disasters. In the countdown to Lauras Zero Hour, packing his truck for Beaumont, Marchetti felt the familiar rush.

Ideally there wouldnt be a hurricane, he said. There wouldnt be a pandemic. But at least if those things have to exist, a lot of people come out to help.

In a weird, twisted way, theres nothing quite as beautiful as a disaster. You see people helping from all walks of life, from all demographics. This is when you see humanity its best. Its when you see all the bravery, all the courage that were capable of.

Parts of this story appeared previously in We are the response. How a Harvey rescuer retooled his app to feed Houston during coronavirus.

lisa.gray@chron.com, twitter.com/LisaGray_HouTX
MOSCOW - The Kremlin on Tuesday dismissed clinical results from Berlin's Charite hospital that indicated prominent Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was poisoned, likely with a nerve agent.

Navalny has been comatose since Thursday, when he became suddenly ill during a flight from Siberia to Moscow. Western governments have called for a probe into the incident and Navalny's allies have claimed that President Vladimir Putin's government deliberately targeted Navalny.

Poisoning was used in other recent attacks linked to Russian agents by Western intelligence officials, including use of a nerve agent Novichok in 2018 in London against a former Russian spy and his daughter.

British authorities opened a full-scale probe into the London attacks and Russian diplomats were expelled from Britain and elsewhere in retaliation. With Navalny, Russia is in control of any possible investigation and the Kremlin has already signaled that it rejects assertions that the government had a hand.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there are currently no grounds to launch a criminal investigation. He called allegations that Putin bears responsibility for Navalny's fate "empty noise."

"We don't understand why our German colleagues have jumped to conclusions and are using the word 'poisoning.' That was one of the first theories considered by our doctors, but a substance has yet to be identified," Peskov said.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that if Navalny was poisoned, "the United States supports the [European Union's] call for a comprehensive investigation and stands ready to assist in that effort."

- - -

Navalny's associates said they formally petitioned for a criminal investigation to be opened Thursday through Russia's Investigative Committee and authorities in the Siberian city of Tomsk, where Navalny's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, suspected the poisoning occurred before the 44-year-old Navalny boarded a flight bound for Moscow.

Just hours before Berlin's Charite hospital announced Monday that Navalny had been poisoned, Yarmysh said neither law enforcement agency had followed through.

"A decision to open a criminal case is made within three days in line with the law. The deadline ended at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. A criminal inquiry has not yet been launched," Yarmysh said on Twitter on Monday.

The medical staff in Omsk, where Navalny was hospitalized for two days, has repeatedly said that there was no evidence Navalny was poisoned - a diagnosis Russia might use to justify its decision not to investigate the incident further.

The Berlin hospital did not specify the substance that struck Navalny. It said, however, that he was affected by a cholinesterase inhibitor, a chemical that blocks the transmission of impulses through the nervous system. One such cholinesterase inhibitor, the deadly Soviet-era nerve agent known as Novichok, was used in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian spy, and his adult daughter, Yulia, in Britain two years ago - an attack British authorities linked to Russian military intelligence.

The Omsk medical findings, however, present a starkly different picture.

"When Navalny was admitted for treatment, tests for an extensive range of narcotic and synthetic substances, psychedelics and medicinal substances, including cholinesterase inhibitors, were conducted, and the result was negative," Alexander Sabayev, the chief of the toxicology department of the Omsk Emergency Care Hospital No. 1, told the Interfax news agency on Monday.

Navalny did not display "a clinical pattern characteristic of a poisoning by cholinesterase inhibitors," he added.

- - -

Charite said in a statement that it ordered a second round of testing to determine the exact substance that afflicted Navalny, which could provide more forensic evidence as to who might have been behind the poisoning.

Navalny's poisoning comes at a delicate time for German-Russian relations, with multiple hot-button issues, such as political unrest in Belarus, putting the countries at odds.

But on economic issues, such as the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Europe, the countries strike a more collaborative tone, often to the consternation of Germany's Western allies.

"Germany tries to not link different issues," said Marcel Dirsus, a nonresident fellow at the Institute for Security Policy in Kiel. "But it is impossible to see each in isolation. Everything is part of a bigger picture."

On matters regarding Russia, it is "unusual for the German government to have a unified position on Russia and make concrete demands, he noted.

"There are significant domestic German political constraints when it comes to Russia. Some people believe the only way to change Russia is by engaging it," Dirsus said.

The conflicting approach to Russia was on display during German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas's one-day visit to Moscow, a little more than a week before Navalny's poisoning.

In statements there, Maas criticized the threat by Republican senators to sanction the German port helping finish the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which, if completed, could as much as double Russia's natural gas shipments directly to Germany.

He also, however, denounced another suspected Russia-sponsored attack - a Georgian man with Chechen ties who was shot to death in public last year in the German capital.

The shooting, "which prosecutors believe was commissioned by a Russian state organ, has seriously weighed on our relationship, so I made clear that we will defend the security of our people, both online and off," Maas said.

- - -

Similar past incidents of suspected Russian-linked poisonings have only been thoroughly investigated when they've occurred abroad.

In 2006, Alexander Litvinenko, a former spy and prominent dissident, died of polonium-210 poisoning in London. The Brits investigated and concluded that Russian agents were behind his death - a hit likely approved by Putin.

The Kremlin denied involvement and later refused Britain's extradition request for Andrey Lugovoy to face criminal charges for Litivinenko's murder. The incident strained relations between the two countries, but no punitive measures resulted.

Then in 2018, when the Skripals were also poisoned on British soil, another British investigation ensued that deemed Russian military intelligence responsible, followed by another denial from Moscow. But this time, Britain responded by expelling Russian diplomats, a measure other countries then followed.

In two other cases that happened within Russia's borders - the 2015 and 2017 poisonings of opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza and the 2018 suspected poisoning of Pyotr Verzilov, a member of the Pussy Riot protest group - requests to Russian authorities to open criminal investigations were denied.

After Kara-Murza's second poisoning, he provided blood, hair and tissue samples to the FBI as part of an effort to lobby for U.S. sanctions on Russia. But the FBI later refused to release the laboratory results.

There is, however, a precedent for Russia facing major international sanctions after the death of a dissident.

Countries, including the United States, have banned or seized assets of individuals guilty of human rights abuses with sanctions named after Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who died in a Moscow prison in 2009 after exposing a tax fraud scheme involving Russian officials.

- - -

Glucroft reported from Berlin.
Completed Deal Provides Pure Harvest with Six Colorado Cannabis Licenses

DENVER, CO, Aug. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE  Pure Harvest Corporate Group, Inc. (OTC: PHCG), an emerging cannabis and hemp-CBD holding company, is pleased to announce it has completed its acquisition of Sofa King Medical Wellness Products, LLC (SKM) in an all-stock transaction. The acquisition was approved on August 11, 2020 by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division, allowing for the change of ownership of SKMs six licenses to Pure Harvest. The transaction is one of the earliest permitted under Colorados recently passed HB19-1090 bill which allows public companies to invest in and operate cannabis businesses in the State.

SKM is a vertically integrated cannabis company operating a dispensary, cultivation, and processing facility in Dumont-Downieville, CO, located on the busy I-70 corridor between Denver and Colorados world-class ski and tourist destinations. The six SKM licenses acquired by Pure Harvest include Recreational and Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility, Recreational and Medical Infused Product Manufacturer, and a Recreational and Medical Retail Marijuana Store. SKM entered the Colorado cannabis industry in 2014 and is an established and well-respected brand within the State. Just two months after opening at its new location in June of 2020, the dispensary is already reporting monthly sales in the six figures with limited marketing to date. The new dispensary is also one of the only solar powered dispensaries in the world.

We are very pleased to add SKM to our expanding portfolio of growth companies, stated Matthew Gregarek, CEO, Pure Harvest Corporate Group. We believe that SKM is in a tremendous location and that it will provide an exceptional distribution point for our house brands and consumer products. Our early revenue numbers are more than encouraging and we are eager to expand its successes.

Story continues

The team at SKM has impressed us since day one and we could not be more excited to add this dedicated and award winning team to our roster. We believe that SKMs proven management and staff have the expertise to help us achieve our vision for the future of Pure Harvest, said Gregarek.

We at the SKM family are pleased that the months of planning have come to fruition, said Neale Gibbons, primary founder of SKM. "This is a milestone for both entities and it provides a solid foundation from which we will look to scale both nationally and internationally. My twenty plus years as a cannabis and hemp operator on several continents have given us a well-defined playbook which we will look to execute at once.

The products and formulations that we have already co-produced have demonstrated great creativity and an exemplary attention to detail. Moving forward, we look forward to expanding our existing, premium product lines while developing new, unique products to bring to market. Pure Harvest is already a multi-state operator (MSO) looking to expand its reach, so naturally, we at SKM see the benefit of this synergistic relationship. I personally have been enamored with Pure Harvests vision for growth, environmental stewardship, and sustainability, added Gibbons.

Mr. Gibbons will be taking a lead role in the company's future as the CEO of Pure Harvest Colorado, in addition to utilizing his wide skill set to aid the Pure Harvest Corporate Group's larger ambitions.

About Pure Harvest Corporate Group

The Pure Harvest Corporate Group, Inc. (OTCQB: PHCG) is a publicly traded holding company operating in various segments of the cannabis and hemp-CBD industries. The PHCG team is committed to formulating, manufacturing, and distributing high-quality cannabis and hemp-CBD consumer products in markets where it is legal to do so. The Company has developed numerous retail brands and product lines that are currently available for purchase in select markets. Pure Harvest intends to grow its cannabis and hemp-CBD operations and expand globally as the laws regarding cannabis and hemp-CBD are reviewed and rewritten to repeal their prohibition.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933, are subject to Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbors created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Future events and results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations & Financial Media

Integrity Media Inc.

team@integritymedia.com

Toll Free: (888) 216-3595

www.IntegrityMedia.com




MILWAUKEE  Jacob Blake, the 29-year-old Black man shot multiple times in the back by a Kenosha police officer, underwent surgery Sunday night and was in stable condition Monday, his family and attorney said.

A bystander's video of the incident appears to show the officer grab Blake by the back of his shirt as he tried to get into a small SUV, then shoot him seven times at point-blank range. The shooting led to unrest in Kenosha on Sunday night and Monday night.

"We all watched the horrific video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back several times by Kenosha police," nationally known civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump said in a news release.

"Even worse, his three sons witnessed their father collapse after being riddled with bullets," said Crump, who is representing Blake. "It's a miracle he's still alive."

In an interview later Monday, Crump said Blake remained in stable condition.

The family of Jacob Blake, pictured here, is raising money online for his medical and legal expenses.

Second night of protests: Wisconsin protesters rally for second night against 'shocking and outrageous' police shooting of Jacob Blake

At this point, were still waiting for the facts to be confirmed, Crump told the Journal Sentinel. But we know what we saw in that video, and it was clearly an excessive use of force that was shocking and outrageous and devastating and nobodys more devastated than his three sons.

Blake's sons, who were inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting, are ages 8, 5 and 3, Crump said.

You can only imagine the psychological problems these babies are going to have for the rest of their lives," he said.

Blake's family launched an online fundraising effort Monday, quickly raising more than $150,000 in donations by late afternoon. A regional representative with GoFundMe confirmed the account was authentic.

"As we fight for justice and understanding, our family has and will face many trials during this time," the family wrote on the GoFundMe website. "Jacob Blake is a loving father of six that deserves proper medical attention and legal representation."

Story continues

Black Lives Matter reforms: Activists see progress after George Floyd's death but say more must be done

Jacob Blake is pictured with his children.

Blake's father, also named Jacob Blake, shared gratitude for the outpouring of support in a video shared widely on social media.

"I want to thank everybody for their prayers and their concerns," he said. "No matter what the (expletive) they say, doesn't justify shooting my son in the back eight times. ...After surgery, (he) is stable. Stable. Still here."

Neighbors who live near the shooting scene described Blake as a friendly, fun-loving person who often was seen with his children.

Its just awful, said Stella London, 82, who heard the gunfire Sunday night.

Blake often greeted her as he passed by her home, she said.

When you have never seen nothing like this before, its hard," she said.

Day 1 of protests: Businesses damaged, vehicles burned in Wisconsin after Kenosha police officer shoots Black man

Two neighbors who did not want to share their names for fear of retaliation said they often spent time with Blake in the mornings. He had helped one of them with some car trouble just a few weeks ago.

Hed be out here with us right now," said one of them Monday morning. "Its a bad dream. Im just waiting for him to come outside.

One of the neighbors said Blake had been barbecuing with his kids Sunday evening. That neighbor went to the store and returned 15 minutes later to see Blake trying to break up a fight.

Police arrived and wanted to talk with Blake, but he wasn't interested and started putting his kids in the car to leave, the neighbor said.

A female neighbor who also declined to give her name said she saw two women arguing Sunday evening, but not physically fighting. One of them called the police, she said.

Other neighbors told the Kenosha News that Blake appeared to be trying to break up an altercation between two women.

Kenosha police and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which is leading the investigation, did not provide more information Monday about the shooting. Kenosha police issued a news release Sunday evening saying officers had been sent to the apartment for a domestic incident."

Contributing: Sophie Carson, Elliot Hughes and Talis Shelbourne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Follow Ashley Luthern on Twitter at @aluthern.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jacob Blake in stable condition after Kenosha police shooting
BLOOMINGTON  Several Bloomington city council members say they want to hear from the McLean County Health Department before having a discussion about a possible mask ordinance in the city.

We have seen some communities taking action on a mask ordinance and I am not suggesting that is where we are headed, said City Manager Tim Gleason during a Monday night meeting of the council. But the conversation is occurring in this community.

"This is not something that corporate counsel Jeff Jurgens and I feel that is something that can be done at my level or the mayors level with an emergency order. This is something that would have to come back before the council.

The council isnt scheduled to meet for three weeks, but several council members said they would be willing to meet beforehand in a special meeting to discuss a mask ordinance.

If we need to come back for a special meeting on masks, I have no issue with that, said Ward 1 Alderman Jamie Mathy.

Mask ordinances have been a hot topic and it is something that means something different to everybody who hears that term, said Ward 7 Alderman Scott Black. My opinion has been unchanged since the beginning of COVID and that is that we should do whatever the health department recommends. Any specific policies that the health department feels we need to do, we definitely want to get those under consideration quickly, so I would also sign on to a special meeting, should we need one.

Gleason said that a meeting is scheduled for noon Tuesday for leaders of Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, the Town of Normal, the City of Bloomington and McLean County with the McLean County Health Department to discuss the rise in COVID-19 cases.

I would as well sign on to a special meeting if we needed one, said Ward 4 Alderwoman Julie Emig. I am glad all of the parties are meeting so we can try and go with a consistent approach across the community.

Gleason said local leaders are trying to get the word out.

The uptick in numbers prompted the video that was produced with public safety and the mayor late last week, Gleason said, referring to a video in which city officials urged businesses to adhere to public health measures mandated by Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration. It was a request that we needed to do more as a community to be responsible and take the appropriate steps so that we dont reverse course in the community.

I asked Chief (Dan) Donath what the numbers were for Friday and Saturday, he said. They reported no additional incidents and in fact, during the routine patrols, the establishments were doing a better job of policing themselves so that is a positive.

There will be no rent charged, but the arena will be available for use as a universal polling place for all McLean County residents.

This election is one a big one to begin with because it is a Presidential election and with COVID-19, it is a lot more complicated and difficult, said Tim Mitchell, the executive director of the Bloomington Election Commission. We are grateful that the City of Bloomington was willing to come in and offer us to use the arena.

Mitchell said he has received positive feedback from voters, already.

The questions we get ask about the polls being safe and how are we going to do this and one of the reasons why we gravitated toward the Grossinger Motors Arena, was the space involved, he said. There is a lot of space to keep people apart and it was really an ideal solution.

The council also approved a $600,000 contract with Tarlton Corporation for repairs to the Grossinger Motors Arena parking garage and Market Street parking garage.

Remember these? 20 Bloomington-Normal places of the past

Contact Kevin Barlow at (309) 820-3238. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_barlow

Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Pundits considered Joe Biden a difficult opponent for Donald Trump. They see him as a moderate and more calming figure. Yet his extreme positions will be his undoing.

Biden is a gift that keeps giving. On Sunday, he was interviewed by ABC's David Muir and Robin Roberts. Joe admitted to several policies that, when understood by the citizenry, will cost him the election.

Biden acknowledged in the interview that he would push for a complete national shutdown should the public health doctors recommend that. He stated that he might run for a second term should he be elected in 2020. He admitted that his selection of Kamala Harris was based upon the recommendation of his deceased son, Beau, while Beau was Delaware attorney general. He credited the Black Lives Matter organization for changing the race conversation in this country. Biden said he will campaign from home due to the COVID science.

Even in a friendly conversation, Biden gave ammunition to the Trump campaign. Over 5 million viewers witnessed the interview, in which he claimed that the police need more support, which challenges the BLM movement.

Biden reiterated his commitment to raising taxes on the wealthy, those earning over $400,000 per year. He also plans to raise taxes on corporations. Previously, he told donors he would eliminate most of the Trump tax cuts. This would take corporate taxes to 28% from the present 21%. Before the Trump cuts, the rate was 35%, among the highest in the world, making American businesses less competitive with foreign firms. Corporate taxes are passed to customers, which would raise the cost of goods; lower sales would cost American jobs. Yet these tax increases would not provide the necessary funds to cover the added spending Biden has promised. Don't wonder, but worry, since they will come after your income to cover the difference.

Biden has said he would increase coronavirus testing. This, he believes, would help solve the coronavirus crisis. Yet yesterday we learned that Joe has not been tested himself, while having the press following him get tested.

The progressive wing of the Democratic Party supported Sens. Sanders and Warren. They were denied the nomination by the establishment. To gain the progressives' support, former president Obama pointed to the similarities between Sanders's position and Biden's policies. Only during the televised portions of the Democratic Convention were these differences made more prominent. The lack of policy details at the DNC demonstrates the radical nature of their platform. The personal attacks upon Trump demonstrate their fear that the populace will reject their program. The negativity gives few hurting people hope, which is needed during this pandemic.

Monday, the Republicans opened their convention. The theme was the "country of promise." The narrative provided promises kept. The many speakers provided a human side of Donald Trump. Regular people spoke of the goodness of America and its people, including Trump.

The contrast between Biden and Trump is stark. Their visions for our country are distinctly different. While Biden talked of the light, his convention focused on the dark. As a result, he received no polling bounce. Trump will not make that mistake. His convention will be optimistic and uplifting. This is what we need.

Joe Biden has spent so many years in Washington that he has missed the aspirations of normal Americans. Most want a better life for their families. Joe Biden already has this life through his years in politics. Though he has suffered personal tragedy, he seeks public power to effect changes. At an age when most would retire to their families, Joe Biden still seeks the presidency. Even Obama told him he did not have to do this. Fortunately, his years in Washington have made him tone-deaf to normal people. This is his gift to Donald Trump and his campaign for re-election.
The wife of a Florida police officer died after she got trapped in his work SUV for hours in sweltering 90-degree temperatures, officials say.

Clara Paulino, 56, died inside her husbands police Ford Explorer on Friday outside her home in Miami Shores, according to the Miami Herald.

She is the wife of Aristides Paulino, who has been a cop in Miami for 25 years.

He was asleep in their home after his midnight shift when his wife climbed into the back seat of the vehicle looking for something around 1pm and got trapped inside by the doors latching mechanism, which prevents it from being opened from the inside.

Her fingerprints were found all over the interior of the Ford Explorer in the horrific incident.

Clara Paulino, 56, died inside her husbands police Ford Explorer on Friday outside her home in Miami Shores. Her husband is Aristides Paulino, a 25-year police officer based in Miami. The scene and the SUV (circled) is pictured

Paulino didnt have her cellphone and the safety partition in the vehicle prevented her from reaching over the front seat to honk the horn for help.

'Its literally a cage,' one Miami cop said of the vehicles rear seat.

The Miami police cars have a cage that separates the back seat from the front seat and has bars on the windows and can only be opened from the outside, according to NBC Miami.

Aristides, 58, and the couples son found her body around 5.30pm  about four and a half-hours after she got trapped.

Its not clear what she went into the SUV for. Her husband left it unlocked in their driveway after he returned from work and went straight to bed Friday morning.

Investigators are treating Claras death as an accident, but an investigation is underway by the Miami-Dade Police Departments Homicide Bureau.

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiners Office is still investigating and has not ruled on a cause of death.

Investigators are treating Claras death as an accident, but an investigation is underway by the Miami-Dade Police Departments Homicide Bureau. Police on the scene above

A police source told the Herald she had a history of medical problems that may have contributed to her death inside the vehicle.

'Its very preliminary,' police spokesman Lt. Carlos Rosario said. 'Theres still a lot of work to be done. But right now, its an unclassified death.'

Aristides and Clara had been married for 28 years.

Their son Aristides Jr said to the Herald the family didnt want to talk about her death.

'We havent even buried her yet and its a lot [of] pain,' he said.

'Horrible, horrible, horrible, imagine someone, that happening to someone,' neighbor Daphne Steward said to NBC. 'She loved her family and her children and I believe it's just an unfortunate situation.'

While hot-car deaths are not unusual, theyre more common among young children left in vehicles by a caretaker. Its rare for a person to die by getting trapped in a law-enforcement patrol car.

Inside the back of a Miami PD Ford Interceptor SUV similar to the one Clara Paulino became trapped inside
DUBLIN, Aug. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Operating Room Integration Market By Component, By Application, By End Use, By Devices, By Region, Industry Analysis and Forecast, 2020 - 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Operating Room Integration Market size is expected to reach $2.5 billion by 2026, rising at a market growth of 10.6% CAGR during the forecast period.



The market is dominated by a wide number of companies operating in this sector. Key players are focused on introducing new strategies, such as regional expansion, mergers, and acquisitions, expanding their product portfolio by technology developments, alliances and distribution deals to increase their sales share and to mark their position in the operating room integration industry.



The major strategies followed by the market participants are Partnerships and Product Launches. Based on the Analysis presented in the Cardinal matrix, Canon, Inc., Stryker Corporation, and Steris PLC are the forerunners in the Operating Room Integration Market. Companies such as Olympus Corporation, Barco NV, Getinge AB, Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Skytron, LLC, Brainlab AG, Karl Storz SE & Co. KG are some of the key innovators in the market.



The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Stryker Corporation, Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Steris PLC, Olympus Corporation, Canon, Inc., Barco NV, Getinge AB, Brainlab AG, Skytron, LLC, and Karl Storz SE & Co. KG.



Recent Strategies Deployed



Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements



Apr-2019: Barco collaborated with Caresyntax, the leader in vendor-neutral software solutions for surgical automation, analytics, and AI. The collaboration strengthened the value proposition of both parties and accelerated the next level developments for the Nexxis digital platform.



Apr-2019: Steris signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. Under this agreement, Steris aimed to supply the agency with integrated operating room components, accessories, and services.



Apr-2019: Karl Storz came into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. Following this agreement, the former company has been supplying the agency with integrated operating room components, accessories, and services.



Acquisitions and Mergers



Sep-2019: Stryker signed an agreement to acquire point-of-care imaging company Mobius Imaging and sister firm GYS Tech, doing business as Cardan Robotics. The acquisition is expected to add expertise in advanced imaging and robotics, as well as a robust product pipeline and is expected to allow the spine division to provide more complete procedural solutions, including sales, service, and support.



Product Launches and Product Expansions



Feb-2020: Barco introduced Barco Insights, a new cloud-based internet of things solution for enhanced projector management. The connectivity platform enabled and streamlined remote monitoring and serviceability. Barco Insights includes live dashboards where operators can monitor real-time information on the projector's operating and environmental conditions, enabling them to discover and troubleshoot issues more easily.



Jan-2020: Barco India released its next-generation wireless conferencing solution, the ClickShare Conference. This solution is based on the concept of BYOM (Bring Your Own Meeting). Whether used in huddles spaces, meeting rooms or boardrooms, ClickShare Conference works seamlessly with the videoconferencing software, the camera brand, the laptop, and makes remote meetings.



Apr-2019: Getinge unveiled the new mobile operating room (OR) table, the Maquet Lyra. The table offers the stability and functionality needed for almost all surgical disciplines. This table has improved functionality and increased cost-effectiveness in the OR.



Mar-2019: Stryker launched four visualization tools for surgical arthroscopy to improve efficiency and patient outcomes. These tools are HipCheck, HipMap, the 1688 Advanced Imaging Modalities (AIM) 4K Visualization Platform, and the Connected OR Hub.



Jan-2019: Olympus introduced nCare, an easy-to-use, reliable, and secure networked medical recorder; and VaultStream, a cutting-edge medical content management solution within the hospital network. The nCare medical recorder and the VaultStream medical content management system support efficient clinical workflows and safeguard recorded images and videos while providing flexibility in various healthcare environments.



Key Topics Covered



Chapter 1. Market Scope & Methodology

1.1 Market Definition

1.2 Objectives

1.3 Market Scope

1.4 Segmentation

1.4.1 Global Operating Room Integration Market, by Component

1.4.2 Global Operating Room Integration Market, by Application

1.4.1 Global Operating Room Integration Market, by End Use

1.4.2 Global Operating Room Integration Market, by Devices

1.4.3 Global Operating Room Integration Market, by Geography

1.5 Methodology for the Research



Chapter 2. Market Overview

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 Overview

2.1.2 Market Composition and Scenario

2.2 Key Factors Impacting the Market

2.2.1 Market Drivers

2.2.2 Market Restraints



Chapter 3. Competition Analysis - Global

3.1 Cardinal Matrix

3.2 Recent Industry Wide Strategic Developments

3.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations and Agreements

3.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions

3.2.3 Geographical Expansions

3.2.4 Business Unit Expansions

3.2.5 Mergers & Acquisitions

3.3 Top Winning Strategies

3.3.1 Key Leading Strategies: Percentage Distribution (2016-2020)

3.3.2 Key Strategic Move: (Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements: 2016, Dec - 2019, Apr) Leading Players



Chapter 4. Global Operating Room Integration Market by Component

4.1 Global Software Market by Region

4.2 Global Services Market by Region



Chapter 5. Global Operating Room Integration Market by Application

5.1 Global General Surgery Market by Region

5.2 Global Orthopedic Surgery Market by Region

5.3 Global Neurosurgery Market by Region

5.4 Global Other Application Market by Region



Chapter 6. Global Operating Room Integration Market by End Use

6.1 Global Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) Operating Room Integration Market by Region

6.2 Global Hospitals Operating Room Integration Market by Region



Chapter 7. Global Operating Room Integration Market by Devices

7.1 Global Display Systems Operating Room Integration Market by Region

7.2 Global Documentation Management Systems Market by Region

7.3 Global Other Devices Market by Region



Chapter 8. Global Operating Room Integration Market by Region

8.1 North America Operating Room Integration Market

8.2 Europe Operating Room Integration Market

8.3 Asia-Pacific Operating Room Integration Market

8.4 LAMEA Operating Room Integration Market



Chapter 9. Company Profiles

9.1 Stryker Corporation

9.2 Draegerwerk AG & Co. KGaA

9.3 Steris PLC

9.4 Olympus Corporation

9.5 Canon, Inc.

9.6 Barco N.V.

9.7 Getinge AB

9.8 Brainlab AG

9.9 Skytron, LLC

9.10 Karl Storz SE & Co. KG



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jakunt

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


Emad Hassan, a web developer in Cairo, has seen his salary and those of his colleagues cut in half since March when the need to halt the spread of the Covid-19 forced a shutdown of many activities in Egypt.



However, he is not complaining, as he was glad to keep his job and continue working online at a time when the coronavirus crisis and associated lockdowns have slowed activity and caused many to lose their jobs.



Not everyone has been as lucky as Hassan. Mahmoud, a waiter at a coffee shop in 6 October City on the outskirts of Cairo, was unemployed for more than two months because all coffee shops were closed as part of preventive measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus.



Mahmoud only went back to work at the end of May, but even then a good part of his income, coming from tips and so on, was not back to usual until recently. Until late July, operating hours for such businesses were limited in order to limit public gatherings and curb the spread of the coronavirus.



Many stories similar to those of Hassan and Mahmoud could be heard over the past few months, and recently released unemployment data has quantified the extent to which the coronavirus has hit Egypts labour market.



The unemployment rate rose to a near two-year high in the second quarter of 2020 to reach 9.6 per cent, 2.1 per cent higher than its level in the same period last year, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS).



The increase is due to the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic and the governments taking precautionary measures against it, including the partial closure of shops as well as the night-time curfew, CAPMAS said, adding that the labour force had fallen to 26.7 million compared to 28.1 million during the first quarter of the year.



A study by the Egyptian Centre for Economic Studies (ECES), a think tank, further analysed how the labour market reacted during the crisis. The ECES study showed that women were the most affected by the crisis among vulnerable categories, given their high representation in the services sector such as education and healthcare and in informal sector activities. They were also hard hit by the precautionary measures, such as the suspension of schools.



The crisis has also made itself felt on youth unemployment rates, especially in the sectors of food services and leisure activities such as cinemas and theatres and related transportation services such as cab-hailing applications, because young people are concentrated in these sectors.



The ECES noted that the peak of the crisis was from mid-March to mid-April, which saw the beginning of the suspension of work and paralysis in many sectors. This period saw the tightening of precautionary measures, such as the closure of restaurants, cafes, and commercial malls and stores, which meant major disruption for workers in these sectors.



During this period, the ECES showed that there were also signs of workers returning from abroad, especially from the Gulf countries. There was the beginning of a wave of layoffs as a result of paralysis in the tourism sector. The period saw temporary and permanent layoffs in the wholesale and retail trade sector following the closure of shops and commercial malls.



According to the ECES, an optimistic scenario for unemployment rates in the months to come in Egypt is that they will reach 14 per cent, a calculation made taking into account the number of those unemployed before the crisis hit, or around 2.3 million.



To these are added an estimated one million returnees from the Gulf and other countries, with the ECES estimating that more than 700,000 people could find themselves unemployed due to the crisis, a similar figure to that following the aftermath of the 25 January Revolution in 2011.



A more pessimistic forecast places unemployment at 20 per cent, according to the ECES. This takes into account a larger number of returnees and a greater number of unemployed as a result of the crisis.



The number of returnees from the Gulf has been increasing, though no exact numbers have been announced. One source working in Kuwait who preferred to remain anonymous spoke of how foreign workers were increasingly at risk of losing their jobs in the country.



Some 750,000 Egyptians live in Kuwait, with the bulk of them working in blue-collar jobs. According to the source, the Kuwaiti government has issued decrees affecting foreign workers, including Egyptians. As a result of some of these, some Egyptians who returned to Egypt for the summer holidays were not able to return.



Further decrees are likely to prompt others to leave, the source said, and many may have difficulty re-entering the job market in Egypt. With most such workers coming from the Delta and Upper Egypt, they will probably go back to working on land bought with their savings or living off the rent of homes built or bought with such savings.



The government said in late July that expatriates and workers returning from abroad could input their details in a database that could help them find jobs in Egypt. Returnees will also be assisted in setting up their own projects, and they can also work on the various national projects.



According to Mohamed Abed, a professor at the Faculty of Commerce at Alexandria University, such returnee workers are an asset for Egypt. They may have skills needed in the Egyptian labour market if they are white-collar workers, he said, and in ordinary times it may be difficult for Egyptian companies to pay salaries competitive with those in the Gulf.



Blue-collar workers were likely to be resilient and would find ways to survive, he said.



However, the problem is not just about finding jobs, but also about lower remittances from workers abroad reaching Egypt. Such remittances were a top source of hard currency in 2019, coming in at $26.8 billion. The source said that hundreds of thousands of Egyptian workers could return from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia whose economies have been affected not only by the coronavirus, but also by the drop in international oil prices.



Although the ECES said the situation would improve with the easing of the precautionary measures, it warned that in September, with the start of graduate entry into the labour market in addition to returnees from abroad, unemployment would persist.



Furthermore, it believes that the problem of finding employment will increase because of more reliance on the digital economy as a response to the Covid-19 crisis.



In addition to the negative effects of the coronavirus on employment, the ECES study also showed that Egypts unemployment market was already suffering from other problems. The education system was contributing a huge number of new graduates to the labour force on an annual basis that exceeded its ability to generate new job opportunities.



Young people in the 20 to 24 age group represent only about 11 per cent of the total number of employed compared to more than twice this percentage for the 30 to 39 age group.



The ECES study showed that unemployment rates were higher among the more highly educated, reflecting the failure of the education system to meet labour-market requirements, especially in the private sector. The number of unemployed university graduates is significant, and it even approaches the rate of the illiterate and those who can only read and write, the study said.



Another major problem, according to Abed, is the quality of the jobs available. He said that when unemployment falls in Egypt, it is often because of an increase in temporary jobs, but there was a need to create more good-quality permanent jobs.



In order to do so, there was a need to level the playing field for the private sector and prevent it from being crowded out by the public sector in order to allow it to grow. When the private sector encounters such difficulties, it may turn to the informal sector to survive, he said.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The Sassy Taco Food Truck, a fixture at local brewery tap rooms and other locations around Central New York since 2017, is shutting down permanently.

The operators announced the news on Facebook today, but did not give a specific reason.

After significant consideration, we have decided to put a fork in Sassy Taco and will close our window for good at the conclusion of our remaining catered events, the Facebook post said. All public appearances have been cancelled effective immediately."

The food truck specialized in Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos and quesadillas.

Owner Kyle Madden could not be reached for comment.

Although the closing comes amid the cornonavirus pandemic that has disrupted the dining industry and forced some places to cIose, its not clear from the post whether that was a factor in the Sassy Taco decision.

We would like to thank you most especially for three and a half great years, the post said. Seeing your smiles and hearing your compliments were what drove our mobile kitchen. We appreciate each and every one of you and we will miss you. While its hard to write this and even more difficult to decide to close your business, we are looking forward to spending more time with family and seeing what new adventures await."

The exact number of restaurants permanently shut down in the wake of the coronavirus remains unclear. It can be difficult to determine whether a restaurant has permanently closed, or is just keeping its doors shut until the pandemic eases or it can operate under the restrictions.

The permanent closings have included everything from high-end steakhouses to diners and pizza shops. Some were old, some were fairly new.

Do you know of a Central New York restaurant that has decided to permanently close amid the coronavirus? Send an email to Don Cazentre at dcazentre@nyup.com.

Below is a sampling of the permanent closings we have confirmed so far:

Jail Hoss Rock Cafe, 300 S. State St., Syracuse This downtown breakfast and lunch place, which started as the Regional Donut Authority, closed in the past few weeks after temporarily reopening for restricted indoor dining. It grieves us to inform you that due to the Covid-19 Virius, the Jail House Rock Cafe is being forced to close our doors permanently, a note on the door says. The cafe was popular with downtown workers, especially those at government offices like the nearby Onondaga County Sheriffs Department.

Ironwood Pizza, 145 E. Seneca St., Manlius. Owner John Freightenburgh announced the permanent closing of the wood-fired pizza place in late July. It had been shut since April. We closed because I dont know how to make money safely during a pandemic! he said. Update: The Manlius craft beer bar All Who Wander has announced it plans to relocate to the Ironwood location this fall under the new name A.W. Wander. All Who Wanders original location in a plaza at 315 E. Fayette St. in Manlius is closed.

John Thomas Steakhouse, located at La Tourelle Hotel & Spa, 1152 Danby Road, Ithaca. Owner Michael Kelly told Ithaca.com that the coronavirus outbreak had made the business unsustainable and too dangerous to operate for staff and customers. Kelly, 72, said he expects a restaurant of some kind to take the space. John Thomas Steakhouse, named in a Bloomberg article in 2017 as one of the 30 best steakhouses in the world, opened in 1994.

Kelleys Bar & Restaurant, 5076 Velasko Road, Onondaga. Although owner Jon Kelley initially thought he would reopen after the pandemic, he decided, at age 65, to retire instead. Kelleys had been a popular hangout for 37 years. Kelley said hes willing to help another owner start up in the space. Update: Marty Richardson, owner of Nesticos ... Too in Camillus has bought Kelleys, rehired most of the staff and plans to reopen it as Chelseas Restaurant this fall.

Mesa Grande, 190 Township Blvd. (Township 5) Camillus. This Mexican eatery announced it was closing due to the coronavirus in June. (Its sister location in Auburn remains open). Update: Toss & Fire Wood-Fired Pizza announced Aug. 7 that it plans to open in the Mesa Grande location later this year. Toss & Fire has a food truck and a brick-and-mortar location in North Syracuse.

Brewerton Diner, 5771 Miller Road, Brewerton. This diner announced via Facebook it is closing for good after failing to receive a federal PPP loan. Owner Michael Piraino has added brekafast items to his other restaurant nearby, Bear Creek at 5480 Bartel Road. Bear Creek remains open.

The Chef & The Cook, 7 Syracuse St., Baldwinsville. It closed in late March, becoming the first publicly acknowledged restaurant shutdown related to the coronavirus. The restaurant, operated by DeAnna and Mark Germano, had only been open since March 2018. (In early May, however, Brick-n-Barrel, billing itself as a village gastropub, opened in that location).

Circa Ce Soir, 8240 Cazenovia Road (Route 92), Manlius. This restaurant, a new version of the pioneering farm-to-table Circa in Cazenovia, closed in early May after just a few months in business. Co-owners Alicyn Hart and Marco Locicero say they are looking for new opportunities.

Nikis Quick Cup Diner, 1513 W Genesee St., Syracuse. This 47-year-old diner on the citys West Side closed in mid-May. Owner Nichole Shue cited the social distancing guidelines that would likely be in place on reopening, saying they would not work in her small diner.

Patsys Pizza, 1205 Erie Blvd. W., Syracuse. This pizza/Italian specialties place on the West Side closed May 21 after 38 years in business. It had been founded near Le Moyne College in 1982 and moved to the West Side later. It was operated by Mike and Rose Insalaco.

NY Giannis Bronx Style Pizza, 1428 Burnet Ave., Syracuse. Fans of this pizza place had been seeing indications it wouldnt reopen for some time before its Facebook post made it official on May 24.

North Street Diner, 3 North St., Marcellus. This popular local hangout announced its closing on Facebook on May 23.

Ten Forward Cafe, 115 E. State St., Ithaca. This vegan eatery in downtown Ithaca announced on Facebook it is closing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Note: The IBU Brewery in North Syracuse and Greenwood Winery in DeWitt have also closed.

MORE ON RESTAURANTS

After 30 years, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que refreshes its branding and logo

After 40 years, Dominicks Restaurant is up for sale

Cafe Kubal opens new shop in Hawley-Green neighborhood

Parklet-style outdoor dining debuts in Armory Square

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 08:56:54|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani military gained area domination of some inaccessible pockets of land in the country's northwest North Waziristan area along Pakistan-Afghanistan border, in recent consolidation operations, an army statement said.

The recently controlled areas were being sporadically used by terrorists as hideouts to target local populace and security apparatus, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday, adding that more than 90 improvised explosive devices were recovered during the operations.

"Fencing of this arduous stretch of border terrain will commence shortly. Security forces have active control of the last remaining stretch of international border now in North Waziristan. This will further enhance security of public in both North and South Waziristan and strengthen checks over illegal crossing of Pak-Afghan border," the ISPR said in the statement.

The statement came after the visit of Pakistani army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to North Waziristan to meet the troops taking part in consolidation operations in the area.

During the visit, Bajwa said that his country is committed to peace and stability, and is playing its part by solidifying border security and capacity enhancement of paramilitary troops, frontier corps and other law enforcement agencies. Enditem
In this screenshot from the RNC's livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, Patricia and Mark McCloskey, a couple from St. Louis who pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters, address the virtual convention in a pre-recorded video on Aug. 24, 2020. (Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

St. Louis Couple Who Waved Guns at BLM Protesters Call for Trumps Reelection

A couple from St. Louis, Missouri, who made nationwide headlines in late June for pointing their guns in self defense at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their home, spoke on the first night at the Republican National Convention calling for President Donald Trumps reelection.

At this moment in history, if you stand up for yourself and for the values our country was founded on, the mobspurred on by their allies in the mediawill try to destroy you, Mark McCloskey said.

Youve seen us on your TV screens and Twitter feeds. You know were not the kind of people who back down. Thankfully, neither is Donald Trump, he added. President Trump will defend the God-given right of every American to protect their homes and their families.

When we dont have basic safety and security in our communities, we will never be free to build a brighter future for ourselves, for our children, and for our country, Patricia McCloskey said. Thats whats at stake in this election. And thats why we must reelect Donald Trump.

A couple brandished guns as a group of activists moved into their gated neighborhood in St. Louis, Mo., on June 28, 2020. (Daniel Shular via Reuters)

The McCloskeys were charged in July for unlawful use of a weapon after they brandished guns at BLM protesters in self defense outside their home in late June, saying that they were in fear for their lives. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson called the charges outrageous and said he would without a doubt pardon the couple if they are convicted.

In remarks to the RNC late Monday, the couple spoke in support of the Second Amendmentto keep and bear armswhile warning of the potential threat to that freedom posed by Democrats.

America is such a great country that you not only have the right to own a gun and use it to defend yourself, but thousands of Americans will offer you free advice on how to use it. At least thats what we experienced, Patricia McCloskey said. But in all seriousness, what you saw happen to us could just as easily happen to any of you who are watching from quiet neighborhoods around our country.

Mark McCloskey said that it seems as if Democrats no longer view the governments job as protecting honest citizens from criminals, but rather protecting criminals from honest citizens. He said that Democrats have called for defunding the police, ending cash bail so criminals can be released back out on the streets the same day to riot again, and encouraging anarchy on the streets.

Not a single person in the out-of-control mob you saw at our house was charged with a crime. But you know who was? We were. Theyve actually charged us with a felony for daring to defend our home, he said.

Mark and Patricia McCloskeys full remarks at the @GOPconvention#RNC2020 pic.twitter.com/8M9UlMYpTe  Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) August 25, 2020

He added, without mentioning any names, that on the day when the couple used guns to defend themselves, that the Marxist liberal activist leading a mob to our neighborhood stood outside of our home with a bullhorn screaming, You cant stop the revolution!'

Just weeks later, that same activist won the Democrat nomination to hold a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Mark said. The radicals are not content just marching in the streets. They want to walk the halls of Congress. They want power. This is Joe Bidens party. These are the people who will be in charge.

Black Lives Matter activist Cori Bush, who won the Democratic congressional primary in Missouri on Aug. 4, wrote on Twitter late Monday that the McCloskeys tried to villianize her with their remarks at the RNC.

Radical Democrats America

Patricia McCloskey said that Democrats are not satisfied with spreading chaos and violence in communities, but also want to abolish the suburbs altogether by ending single-family home zoning.

This forced rezoning would bring crime, lawlessness, and low-quality apartments into thriving suburban neighborhoods, she asserted. President Trump smartly ended this government overreach, but Joe Biden wants to bring it back.

Read More Trump Administration Replaces Obama-Era Rule on Fair Housing With New Rule

These are the policies that are coming to a neighborhood near you. So make no mistake: No matter where you live, your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats America, she warned.

Mark McCloskey said that Trump will help Americans protect more than just the Second Amendment.

Trumps vision for America is a country where you have an opportunity to work hard and build the life you dream of. With a job you love. With your children being educated in great schools. In a community where your family can play in the backyard without fear, worship in a church without shame, and express your beliefs without retribution, he said.

Trump brought us the greatest economy our country had ever seen. The Democrats have brought us nothing but destruction.

The Republican convention is being held virtually due to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic but included speeches live-streamed from a number of locations, including Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington.
Routine coronavirus testing could be introduced in offices and factories as part of a new Government drive to get more people back to work.

Ministers are talking to businesses about the widescale use of testing in the workplace in order to boost confidence among returning staff.

The scheme could also help the Government's test and trace regime identify potential virus outbreaks more quickly, making it easier to nip them in the bud.

Firms have been told they could be exempt from future local lockdowns if routine testing shows their workplaces remain virus-free.

Ministers are talking to businesses about the widescale use of testing in the workplace in order to boost confidence among returning staff (file image)

The plans come amid mounting evidence that the working-from-home culture is causing devastation on the High Street.

A survey by the Confederation of British Industry yesterday found retail employment fell at the fastest rate for more than a decade in the year to August  down by 45 per cent.

Big names announcing major redundancies have included Marks and Spencer, Boots, Debenhams and WH Smith.

Many town and city centre retailers fear their businesses will not recover if widespread working from home continues for months.

International law firm Linklaters yesterday became the latest big business to tell staff they will not be expected to rush back to their desks. The firm, which employs 5,000, said staff would be allowed to work from home for up to 50 per cent of the time indefinitely.

Firms have been told they could be exempt from future local lockdowns if routine testing shows their workplaces remain virus-free (file image)

Partner Andrea Arosio told the Financial Times that lockdown had shown that 'remote working has worked remarkably well'.

US banking giant JP Morgan last night said staff in its corporate and investment banking arm  including thousands in London  will alternate between home and the office.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma yesterday stressed the Government wanted to see more people back in the workplace, but it was up to firms to figure out how best to do it. He urged companies to be 'flexible' by allowing staff to come back part-time if a full-time return was not possible.

He said: 'Different organisations are coming to different arrangements and showing some flexibility. Some businesses are saying that employees should spend part of the time in the office, part of the time at home.

'So I think that's what we want to see  that flexibility, that co-operation between employers and employees going forward.'

The scheme could also help the Government's test and trace regime identify potential virus outbreaks more quickly, making it easier to nip them in the bud (file image)

The introduction of workplace testing is being pioneered by the Department of Health, which is working on increasing testing capacity to up to four million a day.

A Whitehall source said: 'There is lots of engagement with business at the moment. We want to get as many people tested as possible and workplace testing could be part of that. It works for business because it gives them and their staff extra confidence. And if it feeds into the test and trace system then it works for everyone.'

Ministers are also drawing up plans to test the population of an entire city as capacity increases.

Adam Marshall, of the British Chambers of Commerce, said that companies could embrace the idea  but only if the Government ensures the cost of tests are not too expensive. He insisted: 'We are supportive of the ramp-up of testing if that helps businesses avoid blanket future lockdowns.'

A standard swab test currently costs around 100, but there are hopes this will fall.

Edwin Morgan, of the Institute of Directors, said: 'The big question is  who pays for it? If larger companies want to do it voluntarily then great. If you're a small company...then it's a lot harder.'
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Jeff Mason (Reuters) Washington, United States  Tue, August 25, 2020 07:45 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c402b157 2 World White-House,kellyanne-conway,Donald-Trump,adviser Free

Kellyanne Conway's departure from the White House comes at an inopportune time for President Donald Trump, who will be losing one of his most vocal advocates and loyal aides just months before an election expected to be close.

Conway, a counselor to the president and former campaign manager, said late Sunday that she would step down from her White House position to focus on her family life, which has been thrust into the public sphere because of sharp disagreements with her husband, George, over Trump's fitness for office.

George Conway also said he was taking a break from his Twitter account and stepping back from his role in the Lincoln Project, a group that is working to defeat the Republican president in his Nov. 3 election contest against Democrat Joe Biden.

The announcements by the couple came after their 15-year-old daughter, Claudia, said on Twitter that she was seeking "emancipation." Claudia has been an outspoken critic on social media about her parents' views.

Kellyanne Conway has been one of Trump's longest-serving aides in a White House that has experienced multiple waves of turnover and personnel drama during the former New York businessman's time in office.

"It will be a big hole, a big blow to us," White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told CBS News in an interview on Monday. He said the decision "was all about making a priority for family. That's what this president is all about. That's what Kellyanne Conway's about."

Trump trails Biden in public opinion polls ahead of the election. The president's campaign is hoping to regain momentum during the four-day Republican National Convention, starting on Monday, at which Conway has said she was slated to speak.

Conway acknowledged differences with her husband but said the two agreed about caring for their children.

"We disagree about plenty but we are united on what matters most: the kids. Our four children are teens and 'tweens starting a new academic year, in middle school and high school, remotely from home for at least a few months," she said in a statement.

Conway, who has been involved in leading the administration's efforts to address opioid addiction, has recently been a part of the president's coronavirus task force and an advocate for reopening schools.

George Conway, a conservative lawyer who co-founded the Lincoln Project, said he remained passionate about its mission.

In a public feud with Kellyanne Conway's spouse last year, Trump called him a "wack job" and a "husband from hell", prompting George Conway to say Trump was mentally unfit for his office.
Bingham Farms, MI The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 39,000 general dentists who are dedicated to professional excellence through the pursuit of continuing education, is pleased to announce that Timothy Kosinski, DDS of Bingham Farms, Michigan has earned the 2020 Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition for his commitment to lifelong learning, volunteering his services to communities in need, mentoring associates and new dentists, and participating in organized dentistry.

The Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition (LLSR) is presented only to AGD members who have gone above and beyond earning the association's highest honor of Mastership. To accomplish this recognition, Dr. {last name} completed at least 1,600 hours of continuing dental education in 16 different dental disciplines. In addition, recipients must complete at least 100 hours of dental-related community/volunteer service.

"Recipients of AGD's Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition truly exemplify leadership, perseverance and embrace the AGD's core principles and ideals," says AGD President Connie L. White, DDS, FAGD. "Dr. Kosinski is to be commended for his commitment to dentistry. This award symbolizes lifelong learning, leadership, mentorship and the drive for excellence in dentistry."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics there are an estimated 144,000 general dentists who are employed directly in the field of dentistry. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patients' oral health needs.

Dr. Kosinski graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and currently practices dentistry in Bingham Farms, Michigan Dr. Kosinski is married to Barbara and has three children (TJ, Jessica and Brandon). In addition to the AGD, Dr. Kosinski is a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, The American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of Dentistry International, the ADA, and the American and International College of Dentists. Since its inception in 2005, only 368 of the AGD's 39,000 members have received the prestigious Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition.

About the Academy of General Dentistry

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is a professional association of more than 39,000 general dentists, dedicated to providing quality dental care and oral health education to the public. Founded in 1952, AGD is the largest association for general dentists in the world and serves the needs and represents the interests of general dentists. For more information about the AGD, visit, www.agd.org.

About Dr. Timothy F. Kosinski, DDS, MAGD:

Dr. Timothy Kosinski is an Affiliate Adjunct Clinical Professor at the University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Dentistry and serves on the editorial review board of Reality, the information source for esthetic dentistry and is the Associate Editor of the Academy of General Dentistry journals. Most recently he was named the Editor of Dentistry Today Implants. He is a Past President of the Michigan Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Kosinski received his DDS from the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School and his Mastership in Biochemistry from Wayne State University School of Medicine. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and the American Society of Osseointegration.

He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and received his Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Kosinski has received many honors including Fellowship in the American and International Colleges of Dentists and the Academy of Dentistry International. He received the "Humanitarian Award" from the Academy of Dentistry International in recognition of significant contributions to the enhancement of quality of life and the human condition. He is a member of OKU and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Dr. Kosinski was the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry Alumni Association's "Alumnus of the Year." In 2009 and 2014 he received the Academy of General Dentistry's "Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition." Dr. Kosinski has placed more than 14,000 dental implants, published over 210 articles on the surgical and prosthetic phases of implant dentistry and was a contributor to the textbooks, Principles and Practices of Implant Dentistry, and 2010's Dental Implantation and Technology. He was featured on Nobelbiocare's Nobelvision and lectures extensively.

Media Contact: Scott Lorenz, President of Westwind Medical Marketing 734-667-2090, mailto: scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or www.WestWindCos.com.
DURANGO, Colo., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the most experienced USDA compliant cannabis testing lab in the country, Aurum Labs : https://aurum-labs.com/ , are setting themselves apart as industry innovators. Since its inception in 2014, Aurum has been working exclusively in cannabis science and is passionate about creating solutions for its clients and the industry as a whole.

Owners (Liz and Luke) of Aurum Labs and Aurum Services.

Located in Colorado, America's epicenter of cannabis and hemp industries, Aurum Labs is dedicated to supporting hemp farmers and processors across the country. Aurum Services , Aurum Labs' Hemp Division, was founded as a direct response to the growing need for reliable, state-certified, and ISO accredited laboratory hemp and CBD testing services. Aurum Labs operates out of the rural community of Durango, and therefore they have the benefit of understanding the challenges that many farmers face within a rural economy.

Women-owned and operated, Aurum Services was founded by Liz Mason , a biochemist and the Director of Operations at Aurum Labs. Aurum Labs was founded by her husband and current Lab Director, Luke Mason in 2014. Together they worked to make Aurum Labs one of Colorado's first fully state-certified marijuana testing laboratories. With over a decade of cannabis industry experience, Aurum soon realized that they could offer much more than just testing. Their hemp division now offers a full-service compliance package that will include services such as 3rd party sampling by USDA approved sampling agents and free shipping. The service package is meant to help cultivators and producers get their products to the market in a quick and cost-effective manner.

One of their main concerns is the number of new hemp testing labs that are popping up. Many of these labs have never tested hemp and have not yet begun to address the many challenges that the plant presents. Liz Mason states that, "Cannabis is a chemically unique plant and is not easily analyzed by traditional food or synthetic pharmaceutical methods. You can be a great scientist but without experience testing this particular matrix, you will be challenged."

Mason elaborates that this is because cannabis can contain hundreds of cannabinoids, large intricate alkaloids with many different isomers. Often their molecular weight is similar to the molecular weight of pesticides which makes pesticide testing incredibly difficult.

Analyzing and accurately quantifying 9 THC levels is critical for the success of the hemp industry. Without a validated procedure for measuring cannabinoids, less experienced labs may report higher amounts of 9 THC than are present. Equally challenging is that for some hemp products, limits of quantification for cannabinoids must be both high and very low to accurately quantify. Aurum Labs has perfected the ability to do this with a Trace Analysis method.

"It has taken us years to develop our robust and precise methods. This kind of scientific analysis does not happen overnight." states, Liz Mason. Aurum Labs has been serving the cannabis industry for years, facilitating a range of cannabis lab services in accordance with scientific best practices. Because of their trailblazing history in Colorado cannabis, Aurum Labs stands out as an industry expert, having already solved many of the challenges that emerging labs will face. Aurum has years of experience testing a wide variety of cannabis products including transdermal patches, softgels, distillates, beverages, candy, ice cream, chocolate, tinctures, bath bombs, salves, flower, and so much more.

They undergo third-party audits conducted by two separate entities, as well as annual proficiency tests to demonstrate Aurum's ongoing commitment to accuracy, distinguishing them from many other Colorado and nationwide cannabis labs. Aurum has been invited to participate in nationwide hemp proficiency testing to help address and encourage a higher standard in hemp/CBD testing.

Aurum plans to continue to lead the industry on a national level. Liz Mason was recently appointed to the Hemp Committee of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), where she will support the industry and its journey towards a bright future. Luke Mason, the owner of Aurum Labs, currently resides on the NCIA Scientific Advisory Committee and the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division Science and Policy Work group.

Aurum Labs is invested in the future of the Hemp/CBD industry and looks forward to supporting farmers and processors across the nation.

For more information about Aurum Services and Aurum Labs, https://aurum-labs.com/ .

Media Contact:

Liz Mason

Aurum Services and Aurum Labs

[email protected]

970-259-1043

SOURCE Aurum Services -Aurum Labs

Related Links

https://aurum-labs.com/


An Osun State Magistrate court sitting in Osogbo today ordered the remand of a 44-year-old woman, Olawuni Adetoro in Ilesa Correctional Center for pouring substance suspected to be acid on the body of Olawuni Olapoju.

The Police Prosecutor, ASP Fagboyinbo Abiodun told the court that the accused person committed the offence on 12th of September, 2017 at about 1:00am at Prime area, Osogbo and ran away since then.

ASP Fagboyinbo Abiodun said that the accused person did unlawfully cause grievous harm to the skin of her man friend, one Olawuni Olapoju to the extent he sustained injuries all over his body.

He added that the accused person poured substance suspected to be acid on his body.

ASP Fagboyinbo told the court that the victim is in Edo State undergoing surgery, he has not recovered .

The accused person has ran away since she was given administrative bail in the station.

The prosecutor stated that the offence committed by the accused person was contrary to and punishable under Section 516, 335 and 338 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol.II Laws of Osun State Nigeria, 2002.

The accused person pleaded not guilty of the offence leveled again her.

The Defence Counsel, Okobe Najite applied for the bail of the accused in the most liberal terms.

The prosecutor opposed the bail application saying that the body of the victim has damaged and his health is at stake. He added that if accused person is granted bail, she will surely jump bail.

The Magistrate, Abayomi Ajala ordered the remand of the accused person in Ilesa correctional center till Tuesday, 8th of September, 2020 for ruling on bail.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 01:40:20|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

AMMAN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- King Abdullah II of Jordan on Tuesday held separate bilateral meetings with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, ahead of the third trilateral summit.

During their meeting, the Jordanian king and Sisi discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, especially the Palestinian cause, said a statement by the Royal Court.

The discussions also addressed bilateral cooperation to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and alleviate its humanitarian and economic implications, the statement said.

The two leaders reaffirmed the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and Egypt, and keenness to advance them, especially in the economic, investment, energy and trade sectors.

They also highlighted the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation on issues of mutual concern, in the best interest of the two peoples and in service of Arab causes.

On the Palestinian issue, the Jordanian leader emphasized the need to reach just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In a separate meeting, the Jordanian king and Kadhimi underscored the importance of bolstering the strong Jordan-Iraq ties, while maintaining their coordination on various issues.

The king stressed the importance of activating bilateral agreements in all sectors to advance their economic relations, especially in energy, electricity interconnection and trade exchange.

The king also voiced Jordan's support to Iraq's efforts to bolster its security and stability, and maintain its territorial integrity and political independence while countering all foreign attempts to meddle in its internal affairs.

For his part, Kadhimi expressed appreciation of Jordan's support for Iraq in countering the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem
Sarath Lal and Kripesh were hacked to death in February 2019 in Kasaragod, allegedly by CPM workers. The court had ordered a CBI probe, allowing a petition filed by their parents.

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a state government plea challenging a single bench order directing a CBI probe into the killing of two Youth Congress workers in Kasaragod last year.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S Manikumar, however, accepted an interim probe report of the state crime branch, which investigated the case initially and directed the CBI to conduct further inquiry.

Observing serious lapses in the police investigation, the High Court last September handed over the case to the Central agency after dismissing the chargesheet filed by the crime branch.

The single bench ordered the CBI probe into the case while allowing a petition filed by the parents of the slain Youth Congress workers. Sarath Lal and Kripesh were hacked to death on 17 February, 2019 in Kasaragod allegedly by CPM workers.

In its appeal against the single bench order, the government had alleged that the entire findings of the bench were based on surmises and conjunctures, and not supported by any material and it had not considered the material on record including the case diary.

The CBI, which re-registered the case on 23 October, 2019 following the court order, had accused the state police of not handing over the necessary documents needed for the investigation.

The CBI had mentioned the alleged non-cooperation by the crime branch wing of the Kerala police in the status report of the probe submitted by its investigation officer before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi branded Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress "enemies of the state" for antagonising  and, in the Democrats' view, actively sabotaging  the US Postal Service ahead of sweeping mail-in voting initiatives for the 2020 elections.

We take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. And sadly, the domestic enemies to our voting system and honouring our Constitution are right at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with their allies in the Congress of the United States, Ms Pelosi said in an interview with MSNBC, when asked to explain why just 45 per cent of respondents to a recent poll said they are confident in the integrity of the upcoming election results.

"They're doing everything they can [to] suppress the vote with [their] actions: scare people, intimidate by saying law enforcement will be there, diminish the role of the postal system in all of this. It's really, actually shameful. Enemies of the state," Ms Pelosi said.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a longtime ally of Mr Trump, faced hours of an intense grilling by Democratic lawmakers on Monday who sought answers on why the USPS underwent operational changes in recent weeks that have led to significant delays in delivery.

Individual post offices have removed blue collection boxes from various locations as well as mail processing machines, operational changes Mr DeJoy has said predate his leadership of the USPS. But the embattled postmaster general, who took over the agency in June, has cut back hours and overtime pay that postal workers say has become essential to delivering backlogs of mail on time.

Democrats in Washington have suggested Mr DeJoy, a former Republican National Committee deputy finance chairman and Trump campaign backer, was installed to undermine the initiatives of several states to expand mail-in voting this fall to prevent undue Covid-19 exposure at in-person ballot boxes.

Mr DeJoy has panned such suggestions as a "false narrative" propagated by Democrats and the media. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, the second-most powerful Republican in the chamber, has dismissed it as a Democratic "conspiracy theory" and "fabricated crisis."

But the president has openly admitted that he is hesitant to provide more funding to the USPS because he fears mail-in voting will be rife with voter fraud, a claim that has very little evidence backing it up.

Americans all across the country have reported widespread delays in the delivery of their mail in recent weeks, something Mr DeJoy said he was trying to address.

Transitions dont always go smoothly, he said before the Oversight panel on Monday.

We are very concerned with the deterioration in service, he said, but were seeing a big recovery this week.

Ms Pelosi said on Monday that voters who are concerned about the integrity of the 2020 election results ought not to pay attention to Mr Trump's statements because they are only meant to "intimidate" voters.

"One thing I will say to the American people: Do not pay attention to Donald Trump. It is his goal to scare people from voting, to intimidate them by saying he's going to have law enforcement people at the polls. To welcome, in fact, Russian intervention, letting [Russian President Vladimir] Putin decide who will be President instead of the American people," Ms Pelosi said.

"But ignore him, because his purpose is to diminish the vote, to suppress the vote. And shame on the Republicans for enabling that to happen," she said.

On Saturday, the Democratic-controlled House passed a bill that would send $25bn to the USPS ahead of the election and prevent Mr DeJoy from instituting operational rollbacks.

Roughly two dozen Republicans voted with the Democratic majority in favour of the bill.
The last decade has seen rapid development in the archaeology of Saudi Arabia. Recent discoveries range from early hominin sites hundreds of thousands of years old to sites just a few hundred years old. One enigmatic aspect of the archaeological record of western Arabia is the presence of millions of stone structures, where people have piled rocks to make different kinds of structures, ranging from burial tombs to hunting traps. One enigmatic form consists of vast rectangular shapes. Archaeologists working with the AlUla Royal Commission gave these the name 'mustatils,' which is Arabic for rectangle.

Mustatils only occur in northwest Saudi Arabia. They had been previously recognized from satellite imagery and as they were often covered by younger structures, it had been speculated that they might be ancient, perhaps extending back to the Neolithic.

In this new article led by Dr Huw Groucutt (group leader of the Extreme Events Research Group which is a Max Planck group spanning the Max Planck Institutes for Chemical Ecology, the Science of Human History, and Biogeochemistry) an international team of researchers under the auspices of the Green Arabia Project (a large project headed by Prof. Michael Petraglia from the Department of Archaeology at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History and the Saudi Ministry for Tourism as well as collaborators from multiple Saudi and international institutions) conducted the first every detailed study of mustatils. Through a mixture of field survey and analyzing satellite imagery, the team have considerably extended knowledge on these enigmatic stone structures.

More than one hundred new mustatils have been identified around the southern margins of the Nefud Desert, between the cities of Ha'il and Tayma, joining the hundreds previously identified from studies of Google Earth imagery, particularly in the Khaybar area. The team found that these structures typically consist of two large platforms, connected by parallel long walls, sometimes extending over 600 meters in length. The long walls are very low, had no obvious openings and are located in diverse landscape settings. It is also interesting that little in the way of other archaeology - such as stone tools - was found around the mustatils. Together these factors suggest that the structures were not simply utilitarian entities for something like water or animal storage.

At one locality the team were able to date the construction of a mustatil to 7000 thousand years ago, by radiocarbon dating charcoal from inside one of the platforms. An assemblage of animal bones was also recovered, which included both wild animals and possibly domestic cattle, although it is possible that the latter are wild auroch. At another mustatil the team found a rock with a geometric pattern painted onto it.

"Our interpretation of mustatils is that they are ritual sites, where groups of people met to perform some kind of currently unknown social activities," says Groucutt. "Perhaps they were sites of animal sacrifices, or feasts."

The fact that sometimes several of the structures were built right next to each other may suggest that the very act of their construction was a kind of social bonding exercise. Northern Arabia 7,000 years ago was very different to today. Rainfall was higher, so much of the area was covered by grassland and there were scattered lakes. Pastoralist groups thrived in this environment, yet it would have been a challenging place to live, with droughts a constant risk.

The team's hypothesis is that mustatils were built as a social mechanism to live in this challenging landscape. They may not be the oldest buildings in the world, but they are on a uniquely large scale for this early period, more than two thousand years before pyramids began to be constructed in Egypt. Mustatils offer fascinating insights into how humans have lived in challenging environments and future studies promise to be extremely useful at understanding these ancient societies.

###
346 Shares Share

I never gave much thought to racism until the Black Lives Matter movement, let alone dwell on my role as a physician with the power to contribute to the marginalization of Black Americans. I didnt think that I needed to do so; I considered myself an ally by default. I am a South Asian female, a minority on two counts. I, too, have felt the sting of microaggressions in the white boys club of our medical fraternity. I have training in public health; the data on racial bias in medicine is not novel to me. Ive chosen to practice medicine in a community of primarily Black patients. I have Black friends. I voted for Barack Obama, have taken the Harvard implicit bias test twice, listened to Childish Gambinos, This is America on repeat when it was released. I consider myself an imperfect, but ultimately good person. There is no way that my actions could contribute to the systemic oppression of Black Americans in our health care system. Right?

While in residency, I vividly remember taking care of a white woman in her 60s who was admitted for ambulatory dysfunction. Her PCP had been prescribing decades of opioids for chronic back pain, and she subsequently required even higher doses while hospitalized. Our intern voiced concern about the increasing doses, and the attending chuckled at her innocence. Give the patient pain meds, he said. Addiction will not be a problem. Shes a nice lady. We received sign-out the next morning that she required two doses of naloxone, and I saw her later in clinic after another admission for opiate overdose. To be fair, she was a very nice lady, but addiction does not choose based on race, age, or who seems nice. The same attending declined IV pain medications earlier that week for a Black patient with severe pain from osteomyelitis and a Hispanic patient with nephrolithiasis, which resulted in the patients leaving AMA. They had no history of substance abuse (although this, too, does not imply that their pain should have been undertreated). Though I noticed a distinct pattern of bias, I didnt speak up. Research has consistently demonstrated that a Black patients pain is undertreated when compared to their white counterparts. The unsaid but palpable undercurrent is that Black patients are more likely to be pain medication seeking and that their medical conditions are somehow borne of their own poor choices and noncompliance. In hindsight, I have been a participant to other scenarios in which, as an eager learner, I mirrored the implicit biases of my teachers and ultimately contributed to unfair treatment.

I have also been complicit in acts of racism towards my fellow physicians. I remember hearing my favorite attending poke fun at a Black co-resident for ceremoniously, formally introducing himself as doctor with colleagues and ancillary staff. I had watched this co-resident get mistaken for custodial staff, medical transport, and food delivery services, and guessed this to be the motivation behind his desire to be called by his earned and deserved title. I smiled at the joke, wanting to appear good-humored and never spoke up. Last winter, I watched a Black male attending physician get stopped in the lobby of our hospital because he could not locate his badge in his large down coat. The security guard did not stop me and the other white workers who walked in together; none of us had shown our badges. I walked away without speaking up. It was easier to move along than to stand up for the injustices I saw happening before me.

As physicians, it comforts our scientific sensibilities to quantify the inequality into something tangible. It is easy to hide behind the evidence and cite the things we know to be true. We know that Black patients are disproportionately affected by HIV; Black men who have sex with men (MSM) comprise 20 to 25 percent of those with HIV despite making up only 1 percent of the population. We know that Black women are 2 to 6 times more likely to die from complications of pregnancy than white women, depending on where they live. A recent New York Times piece summarized the chilling data surrounding racial disparities in COVID-19 infections; Black people are three times more likely than white people to contract the coronavirus, six more times likely to be hospitalized as a result and twice as likely to die of COVID-19. Still, the research leaves unanswered questions. The differences in life expectancy for Black Americans cannot be attributed to socioeconomic status and education alone; at every level of education and economic status, whites live longer than their Black counterparts. What if the unaccounted difference in the health and mortality is iatrogenic? What if, after gathering the evidence that systemic inequality exists in health care, we have been congratulating ourselves on this revelation in the comfort of our ivory tower, avoiding the more difficult question- how are we contributing to these unequal outcomes?

As a profession, we have come a long way from our blatantly racist treatment of Black Americans. Todays racism in medicine, though subtler, is still pervasive; despite growing evidence that race is a social construct rather than a biological one, our patients are affected by our underlying racial biases. It prevents them from receiving equal outcomes in the cardiac standard of care or utilizes an outdated modality of measuring kidney function, which can result in inequitable transplant outcomes, simply because of the color of ones skin.

I have come to realize that gathering the data on inequalities in health care and raising awareness is insufficient. I am convinced that silence is complicity when it comes to acts of racism. It is a good start to show solidarity with White Coats for Black Lives, but the symbolism is lost if we cannot commit to the work of introspection and the responsibility of restructuring a broken system. So, if I desire systemic change, I must first change myself. I must pledge to speak up, be vulnerable, be comfortable in my discomfort, and advocate for those who are oppressed. If you have had the benefit of the white privilege that comes with the white coat, I invite you to do the same. Lets get started. We have so much work to do.

Niharika Sathe is an internal medicine physician.
Presidential son Donald Trump Jr. called former Vice President Joe Biden the "Loch Ness monster of the swamp" in a speech at the Republican convention on August 24.

Donald Trump Jr. warned the public about the Democratic nominee's fiscal policies that would "crush the working man and woman."

The monster in the swamp

President Trump's eldest son and one of the top surrogates for Trump's reelection campaign, Trump Jr., stated that Joe Biden had embraced radical left-wing policies that would stop America's economic recovery.

Trump Jr. cast Joe Biden as the previous occupant of the White House whose past support for trade deals and his pledge to roll back the tax cuts of the Trump Administration would harm Americans, as reported by USA Today.

Also Read: What is QAnon? Facts About The Conspiracy Theory Affecting Voters in Presidential Elections

The president's son also said that Biden had a lot of opportunities as a senator and vice president to be tough on China or back trade deals that are more favorable for the American working class, but he failed to do so.

Trump Jr. said that what Biden did make sense because he is the "Loch Ness monster of the swamp" and that for the past half-century, Biden has been lurking around in the swap. He added that Biden sticks his head up "every now and then to run for president then disappears and does not do much in between."

The first night of the GOP convention was held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Trump Jr. railed against what he called as a Democratic Party that had embraced the most radical elements of the left, as reported by NBC News.

Trump Jr. also said that instead of learning lessons from the past, the Democrats are trying to cancel the Founders of the country by tearing down statues and monuments as part of the party's effort to forget those who built the United States.

The presidential son also accused the Democrats of trying to silence conservative speech. He said that the silencing has to stop and that the freedom of expression used to be a liberal value before the "radial left took over." He added that the Republican party is now the home of free speech, as reported by The Guardian.

Trump Jr. also called out the elected officials in cities that are run by Democrats and said that they had failed to maintain order when the protests started. He added that Christians couldn't worship in church during the pandemic while vandalism, rioting and looting are happening in the streets.

Republican dream

Despite criticizing how the protest went, he called the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in the hands of the police, a disgrace. However, he defended law enforcement and said that most police are American heroes that deserve appreciation.

Republicans have stated that they will try to push for an optimistic future for the United States during the GOP convention. Trump Jr. closed out his speech by stating that the United States will thrive if President Donald Trump is given four more years as president.

Trump Jr. said that his father's worldview revolved around the idea that American can always do even better. He said that the Republican party, especially Trump, would want to revive the American dream of having a great job, a beautiful home and a perfect family.

Related Article: President Trump's Senior White House Adviser Kellyanne Conway Announces Resignation

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
1. Yes. Too many kids are staying home. They need a virtual learning option to keep up.

2. Yes. Teachers are out sick and subs cant handle the load. Online learning is needed.

3. No. Its too late in the school year to make a wholesale switch in teaching platforms.

4.No. Many parents arent in a position to stay home while their kids learn virtually.

5. Unsure. It may seem like a good idea from a health standpoint, but it has shortcomings.

Vote

View Results
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Proponents of Senate Bill 793 (SB 793) held a press conference today denouncing civil rights leaders who have spoken out against the racist law that would single out and criminalize Black smokers who use menthol cigarettes. Just this past weekend, the evidence of 'unintended consequences' was shown yet again as another American city explodes with protests over the killing of an unarmed Black man.

SB 793 inexplicably provides exemptions for wealthy cigar and pipe smokers and other ethnic communities who smoke tobacco-flavored hookah pipes  but not for Black smokers, nearly nine out of 10 of who prefer menthol.

"Tone deaf liberal white lawmakers are trying to push through a tobacco flavor ban that discriminates against Black people. It's shameful," said Reverend K.W. Tulloss, president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and co-founder of Neighborhood FORWARD.

Hundreds of Black leaders have expressed deep concern over SB 793. In the course of the debate over this bill, many pressing and critical issues have been raised concerning both the public health and the criminal justice implications of a ban on cigarettes that are preferred by people of color.

Gwendolyn Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, who was killed by New York police officers for selling single cigarettes, lent her voice to oppose SB 793."It gives police another excuse to harass and harm any Black man, woman or child they choose," said Carr. "Our leaders should know better. A bad law has consequences for mothers like me."

"Our collective primary interest is protecting the public, specifically communities of color, from abuse at the hands of both corporate influences and law enforcement," said Tulloss. "It is unjust to expect communities of color to choose between greater public health protections and basic civil rights. We do not accept the premise that we must choose between the two, that these interests are mutually exclusive, or that this debate is zero-sum."

Neighborhood FORWARD continues to push for a meeting with both Governor Newsom and Speaker Anthony Rendon to voice concerns over the profound impact SB 793 will have on the Black community's small business owners, who have already been devastated by the COVID-19 global pandemic and lack of funding received from the Paycheck Protection Program under the CARES Act.

Rev. Tulloss will be joined by other opponents of SB 793 today at 4 p.m. PDT at the City of Refuge  South Parking Lot. All media is invited to attend.

CONTACT: Mariah Kerns, [email protected], 314-440-3605

SOURCE Neighborhood FORWARD
A 27-year-old man from Rivers led his local law enforcement and members of Brandon Police Service on a chase Saturday night that eventually resulted in his arrest near Assiniboine Community College.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/8/2020 (514 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

A 27-year-old man from Rivers led his local law enforcement and members of Brandon Police Service on a chase Saturday night that eventually resulted in his arrest near Assiniboine Community College.

The incident began around 8:37 p.m. when Rivers Police Service advised that they were in pursuit of a 2004 Hyundai Tiburon along Highway 25.

However, the RPS terminated their pursuit as the suspects approached the intersection of Highway 10.

When the Brandon Police Service located the vehicle at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 10, the suspect turned westbound on the Trans-Canada and drove south onto 18th Street in Brandon, eventually eluding his pursuers.

A short time later, BPS located the Hyundai on the grounds of the Assiniboine College North Hill Campus in a pile of dirt.

While the suspect had fled the scene on foot, a police service dog was deployed and tracked the driver to a nearby creek, where he was finally apprehended.

The Rivers resident was released from custody over the weekend, but is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 22. He is being charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, prohibited driving and flight from police.

 The Brandon Sun
South Africa: Two police officers, civilian arrested for alleged UIF fraud

Three suspects, among them two police officers, are this morning expected to appear before the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for allegedly defrauding and laundering proceeds from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) COVID-19 relief funds.

This comes after the trio, aged between 25 and 39, were arrested in Durban on Monday afternoon by the Germiston Serious Corruption Investigation unit assisted by their Durban counterparts.

The suspects are alleged to have fraudulently pocketed over R692 000 which was meant for a company called National Adhesive.

In a statement, Gauteng Hawks spokesperson, Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, said National Adhesive applied for COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) relief funds for their employees and their application was duly processed.

It however emerged that the companys banking details were fraudulently changed and an amount of R692 185.55 was deposited into a different bank account, she said.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the account belonged to a police official from the Durban Central Tactical Response Team.

He allegedly transferred the money into different bank accounts belonging to another police official and two civilians.

Warrants of arrest were issued against the two police Sergeants and a civilian.

Mulamu said the fourth suspect was not arrested but was warned to appear in court with the other three as he was cooperating with the investigations.

Almost R240 000 of the proceeds has already been frozen while efforts to recover the stolen money are already underway.

Mulamu said the investigation team has also seized a NP200 bakkie as well as a stand that was purchased through the proceeds of crime. Both will be forfeited to the state.

In the statement, national Hawks head, Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, welcomed the arrests and commended the Hawks Priority Crimes Specialised Investigation, Financial Intelligence Centre, National Prosecution Authority, and Asset Forfeiture Unit for the speedy investigations.

The arrests come a month after law enforcement pounced on five suspects in a similar scheme in Gauteng that fleeced the UIF of R6 million.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Truck drivers from Victoria have been subject to abuse by angry South Australians who fear they could infect locals with coronavirus.

Essential workers traveling from the coronavirus capital revealed they are being spat on, their vehicles damaged and even having dog poo wiped on their windows when they cross the border.

An increase of abuse has been reported to Business SA, who said drivers are targeted simply because they have Victorian plate numbers.

Police on duty at the South Australia and Victoria border due to surge in COVID-19 cases in Melbourne (pictured, in August)

'This behaviour is despicable and disgusting,' Business SA's chief executive Martin Haese said.

'A strong message needs to be sent to the community that this type of abuse will not be tolerated and if caught in the act, there will be punishment.'

He also revealed some drivers are refused access to toilets at service stations.

Geoff Redfern owns Belgrave Nursery in Silvan, Victoria and delivers plants to South Australia, which is where 60 per cent of his customers are.

He explained he has been spat on, refused service and sprayed with disinfectant, despite being tested for coronavirus four times and always wearing a mask.

'You go to a roadhouse and you're straight up refused a table to sit down,' he told The Advertiser.

'You can't have a shower because ''sorry we'd have to sterilise the shower because you're a Victorian''.

'I had one customer in particular who took his boss's COVID protocol to the next level and sprayed not only the invoice with Pine O Cleen but he continued to spray me.'

Police checking a truck at the New South Wales border with Victoria on July 9 due to COVID-19 restrictions (pictured)

Police stop and question drivers at a checkpoint on July 8, 2020 in Albury

Mr Haese described the behaviour as unacceptable, saying truck drivers are needed for essential services.

'Many South Australian businesses are relying on these essential workers to deliver vital supplies,' he said.

'These are the people that are helping to keep the wheels of our economy turning and our businesses open, yet some are being unfairly targeted.'

Under current arrangements, workers in commercial transport and freight services, emergency services, defence and agricultural and primary industries are classified as essential and granted special permits to enter South Australia from Victoria.

New South Wales closed its borders to Victoria on July 8, while South Australia closed its borders on July 28 due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.

The temporary closures were made to ensure the deadly virus did not spread out of control, like it did in Victoria.

Victoria was declared to be in a State of Disaster on August 2 by Premier Daniel Andrews as they battled to contain the virus.

Victoria recorded 148 cases and a further eight deaths on Tuesday.

Motorists are stopped at a checkpoint at Coolangatta on the Queensland-NSW border on August 7. Queenslanders travelling to South Australia who transit through Sydney or Canberra airports will no longer need to self-isolate for two weeks

On Tuesday, South Australia Premier Steven Marshall announced that he will allow residents to go to school across a 40km buffer zone on either side of the state's border with Victoria from Friday.

He also said he will re-open the border with New South Wales all together if the number of infections remain low - meaning travellers from NSW would not have to self-quarantine on arrival.

The 'bubble' between NSW and Victoria is meanwhile set to be loosened from 2.5km to 50km in a bid to get life back to normal for border communities.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the move would happen over the next 10 days, with further adjustments planned including extending the travel radius to 100km for the cross-border agriculture workforce.

Local council leaders have welcomed the decision, saying the decision to close the border between NSW and Victoria because of the latter's second wave of infections had thrown communities straddling the two states into chaos.

'The local community was crying out for a solution to strict border closures that are causing chaos and confusion and making it impossible to go about daily life,' Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke said.
A grieving mother whose innocent son was shot dead 16 years ago has said the fact his killers have not been brought to justice brings her endless frustration - and she has called on anyone who knows anything about the murder to come forward.

Keith Fitzsimons was just 23 when he was walking past a house on Millbrook Road in Coolock on June 2, 2006. He had grown up on the road and recognised a childhood pal.

Read More

He walked up the driveway to catch up on old times, standing and chatting with a group of young men at the door. Within two minutes, shots rang out as somebody on the path outside fired indiscriminately at the group.

Keith was hit five times and killed instantly. He wasn't to know that earlier that night some of the people he was talking to had been involved in a row outside a local pub. The shooting was seen as a way of settling the score.

Nobody was ever arrested. While it is believed the gunman has since been murdered in a separate and unrelated incident, the man believed to have made the call for the shooting on Millbrook Road when Keith was killed is still a free man.

"It kills me every day that this man is free. It's so unfair. I'm looking at a photograph of Keith here now and it's all just so unfair," said Keith's mother, Esther Fitzsimons.

"The unsolved aspect of his death frustrates me. How does the person who called for this sleep at night?

"I can't sleep thinking about Keith, my only child. How does the person that organised the attack sleep?" she said.

"I'm not 100pc that I'll ever see justice for Keith. But there is always hope. You can't lose hope. You have to hang on to it."

Today, she appeals for anyone with information that they haven't yet told gardai to come forward.

"The gardai have a lot of statements, but if there is anyone who can help, they should come forward," she said.

The loss of her son has made other bereavements in her life even harder, she said.

"I've suffered losses since Keith, and maybe if he hadn't been killed it wouldn't be so hard. But every time our family has another loss, I just get hit so hard," she said.

"My mother Margaret died six years ago on Christmas Eve, and it's nearly two years since my niece Bernadette died. She was only 29 and had cystic fibrosis.

"She was top of the transplant list, but it did not come in time for her. We were all devastated.

"I still remember the last time I spoke to Keith. It was only half an hour before he was killed," she told the Irish Independent from her home near Clarehall.

"He was having a few drinks with his pals and I was on the phone to him. I told him to take a taxi home, but he didn't in the end."

Keith's inquest heard how he was shot five times. His heart and lung were punctured by one of the bullets.

He died instantaneously, coroner Dr Farrell said.

Ms Fitzsimons was dozing off at home when her two nieces came and banged on the door.

"They told me Keith had been shot and I ran up to Beaumont. One of the two nurses said: 'Your son wasn't breathing when he came in but there is a great team of surgeons working on him', and I hoped that he would be saved.

"But as I walked away to go outside for air, I was called back. A doctor came out and held my hand and told me Keith had died."

As a murder investigation was launched immediately, she didn't get to see her son's body for more than a week.

And because of Covid-19, Ms Fitzsimons said she couldn't go to visit his grave on his anniversary in June because she has health problems.

"I struggle every day with Keith's loss.

"But I was broken-hearted when I couldn't visit his grave on his anniversary. I had to make the decision not to go, because I would be meeting people and they would probably want to talk, and it just wasn't safe - so I had to make the decision not to go that day," she said.

Ms Fitzsimons has said while she prays for her son's killers and their families, she can't go as far as forgiving them.

"Justice was taken from me when Keith was taken from me. I pray for those that took him, and their families, because if I get bitter, I will get sick.

"But I can't forgive them. Even if they don't ever appear in front of a judge in a court they will face God one day, and he will be their judge."

Ms Fitzsimons said she has watched Keith's friends grow up and move on with their lives.

"I remember Keith as being 23, but sometimes I wonder what he would be doing now if he was still with us. Would he have a family, would I be a grandmother?

"I'll never be a grandmother now because Keith was my only child," she said.

"He had a bright future ahead of him and the next thing - he was dead," Ms Fitzsimons added.
CHEYENNE, Wyo., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Assembl Inc., a startup working to streamline research collaboration, has launched the Torch of Knowledge podcast in an effort to evolve the research process by cross-pollinating scientific ideas and research. The announcement follows the launch of Assembl Chronos, a timestamping service which aims to reduce collaboration anxiety among researchers. Chronos ensures easy collaboration by establishing a certified trail of discovery, and the guarantee of proper credit for original research.

The Torch of Knowledge podcast cover. Sebastian Mellen, host of the Torch of Knowledge Podcast, being interviewed by CV Labs in Zug, Switzerland, last July. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzzH6uK5e4Q

Assembl's goal of fostering an inclusive global research community has inspired the podcast. The name "Torch of Knowledge" comes from a quote by Louis Pasteur, who discovered the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation, and pasteurization. The quote reads as follows: "Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world." This quote, according to Assembl CEO Sebastian Mellen, states an important truth: the sharing of knowledge is fundamental to humanity's progress.

Mellen elaborates: "Nature thrives on sharing genetic material, resources, information, and more; we participate in this process by sharing scientific knowledge. Cross-pollination of ideas is important, and I hope this podcast will serve as a forum to move science forward. My goal is to interview scientists and researchers from different disciplines, with broad expertise, and help them share their knowledge with the world."

The Torch of Knowledge website states that the podcast is:

A channel to present new and/or interesting ideas in science. A medium for scientists to discuss their work. A place to evolve the research process, foster divergent thinking in science, and discuss the philosophy of science.

To be a guest, visit TorchofKnowledge.org/guest or send an email to [email protected] .

The podcast is available at TorchofKnowledge.org . Readers can find a list of episodes at TorchofKnowledge.org/episodes , and can listen to the podcast at TorchofKnowledge.org, YouTube, and in their favorite podcast app.

Past press releases available at https://blog.assembl.net/.

Media contact:

Sebastian Mellen

[email protected]

+1 (307) 459 4590

SOURCE Assembl Inc.
A Customary Court sitting at Mapo in Ibadan on Tuesday dissolved the 14-year-old marriage between Dauda Saliman and his estranged wife, Amina, over her alleged attempt to poison her husband.

The President of the Court, Ademola Odunade and two other arbitrators; Suleiman Apanpa and Rafiu Raji, said the union was dissolved in the interest of peace and tranquillity.

He granted custody of the three children produced by the marriage to the respondent and directed the petitioner to pay N15,000 as their monthly feeding allowance in addition to being responsible for their education and other welfare.

Mr Odunade frowned at Aminas attitude of allowing her husband to stay in a hotel for three years without crying out about it, describing her as the architect of her own misfortune.

Mr Saliman, who lived at Ayegun area in Ibadan, approached the court to dissolve the marriage as his wife, Amina, was bent on killing him.

He told the court that he had to abandon his home for three years in order to avert his wifes alleged evil plot to cut short his life.

Times without number, Amina had embarked on her evil plot to kill me by poisoning my food without my knowledge, but God had been protecting me.

This is due to no other reason than to illegitimately take over my hard-earned property.

I realise that Amina doesnt love me, she is only after what she can get from me.

She even took my name to a marabout in Ibadan who also sleeps with her.

I got this piece of evidence because that Marabout has been threatening, calling me day and night to bring an end to my life.

What else does Amina want from me? Aside from establishing a big stall for her at Gbagi market, I also gave her two cars.

She is quite aware that she is not my only wife, but she wants to acquire my entire property, Mr Saliman said.

In her submission, Amina urged the court not to dissolve the marriage and denied ever poisoning her husband.

Amina said that her husband only wanted to dump her for a new wife.

READ ALSO:

It is true that he abandoned the three children and I at home for three years, sleeping in the hotel.

Dauda had always sounded it in my ears that he wanted to marry another wife and that I should vacate his house, but I dont know how I offended him.

He has been dating and sleeping with my salesgirl and I think he has married her.

I have no plot to harm Dauda, I love him, especially for the sake of our children, Amina pleaded.

(NAN)
Resolute Mining Ltd - Operator of the Syama gold mine in Mali and Mako gold mine in Senegal and owner of the Bibiani gold mine in Ghana - Still monitoring political situation in Mali and notes reopening of Bamako International Airport. Supply lines to Syama in south Mali open and secure. Confirms operations at Syama continuing as normal with no damage to production or safety and security. This following detaining of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and other officials as rebels seized power.

Current stock price: 62.00 pence

Year-to-date change: down 10%

By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Analysis of Black Boxes Reveals Downed Ukraine Jet Struck by Iranian Missiles 25 Seconds Apart

Sputnik News

21:44 GMT 24.08.2020

Analysis of the black boxes of the Ukrainian passenger plane downed on January 8 by Iranian forces shows that it was hit by two missiles 25 seconds apart and that passengers were alive for some time following the first blast, Iran's Civil Aviation Organization revealed on Sunday.

According to Touraj Dehghani-Zanganeh, the head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, the second missile hit Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 just 25 seconds after the first, but only 19 seconds of that gap were recorded by the black boxes due to damage from the first missile, Reuters reported, citing Iranian state television.

"Nineteen seconds after the first missile hit the plane, the voices of pilots inside the cockpit indicated that the passengers were alive ... 25 seconds later the second missile hit the plane," he said. "Therefore, no analysis of the performance and effects of the second missile was obtained from the aircraft's black box."

The aircraft's flight crew, consisting of two pilots and an instructor in the cockpit, also tried to prevent the plane from crashing until the very last second, Zanganeh noted.

"The data analysis from the black boxes should not be politicized," he added.

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeni Yenin has stated that black box analyses verify that Iran is responsible for the plane's downing.

"The data from flight recorders that Iran has finally decided to reveal - eight months after the incident and a month after being decoded in France - proves what we thought from the beginning," Yenin recently told Radio Farda. "The plane had no technical problems, the pilots acted according to guidelines and two missiles by [Iran's] air defense caused its crash although it had permission to fly from military and non-military bodies."

On July 30, Iranian and Ukrainian officials held talks in Kiev to discuss the downing of the passenger plane and discuss compensation to families of the victims. Another round of talks is scheduled for October. Iran has also been in talks with other nations which had citizens aboard the plane.

The victims included people from Iran, Canada, Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany and the United Kingdom. Officials from multiple countries have demanded a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

In mid-June, Iranian investigators requested that France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) read the black boxes belonging to the Ukrainian jetliner after Tehran claimed that Kiev had been slow in responding to its offer to provide Kiev with the cockpit voice and flight data recorders.

The Kiev-bound Boeing 737-800 aircraft was shot down by Iranian surface-to-air missiles and crashed near Tehran shortly after departing from Iran's Imam Khomeini Airport on January 8. All 176 passengers and crew onboard died.

The incident took places hours after Iranian missiles struck two Iraqi bases that host American troops in response to the January 3 US-orchestrated assassination of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. The Iranian military has admitted that it unintentionally shot down the jetliner after confusing it with a hostile US cruise missile.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Srivastava New Delhi: India and Bangladesh will hold important" Director General-level border talks in Dhaka next month to discuss a host of issues related to crimes on the front and other security challenges, officials said on Tuesday. The biannual talks will be held between the Border Security Force (BSF) and their counterpart Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) from September 13-18 at Pilkhana, the headquarters of the Bangladeshi force in Dhaka.

Newly appointed BSF DG Rakesh Asthana will lead a dozen officers strong Indian delegation that will have representatives from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the external affairs ministry and other government agencies. The Bangladeshi side will be led by BGB DG Maj Gen Md Shafeenul Islam.

The last time the two sides met was in December in Delhi. The next round of meeting in September is going to be important as a number of bilateral issues along the 4,096 km long front will be discussed and new protocols will be firmed up," a senior officer told PTI. The relations between the two sides are very good and at an all-time high and both the sides are expected to take it forward, he said.

While the Indian side is expected to take up the issue of joint border security management, fencing of unfenced areas and undertaking effective steps to curb cross-border crimes, the Bangladeshi border force is expected to take up issues related to killing of its people along the front. New methods of enhancing cooperation and sharing of information while countering issues related to border criminals and illegal crossers are expected to be framed, the officer said.

This is going to be the 50th round of DG-level talks between the two border guarding forces and a host of confidence building measures (CBM) to enhance cooperation between the two sides will be discussed and formalised after the signing of a joint record of discussion at the end of the talks, the officer said. The new paradigm of border management in the time of COVID-19 pandemic spread will also be charted during the talks where it is also expected that the Indian side will call on the top leadership of the Bangladesh government, he added.

Issues like preparing better mechanisms to stop attacks and assault on BSF troops and Indian civilians by criminals of both the countries are also expected to be taken up, another officer in the security establishment said. Some other regular issues like cattle smuggling, smuggling of fake Indian currency notes, illegal migration and human trafficking, breaching or damage of the international border fence, action against Indian insurgent groups operating from the other side and illegal crossing by nationals of countries other than Bangladesh will also be taken up, the second officer said.

The border guards DG-level talks between the two countries began in 1975 and they are held bianually, once in Delhi and once in Dhaka, post 1993. Early this month, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had visited Bangladesh and held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Masud Bin Momen, a day after meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
A road safety expert and transport consultant has said a proposal to legalise the use of motorbikes for use as commercial means of transport (Okada) in the country is a bad one.



Cecil Gabrah believes the promise to legalise and regularise the activity is a political gimmick.



His comments come on the back of a promise by the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, to regulate and legalise Okada if elected as President on December 7, 2020.



Speaking to Joy News, Mr Gabrah said politicians must not take advantage of their inability to create jobs for the youth and use Okada as bait for votes. That is so wrong in politics and they must stop it.



According to him, the risk involved in regularising Okada in Ghana is too high.



In Accra alone we have a lot of very fatal cases. Speak to Korle Bu Teaching and 37 Military Hospital and they will give you the daily statistics of fatalities, he said.



Proponents of the regularisation and legalisation of Okada say it will create jobs, however, Cecil Gabrah disagrees.



If you create jobs and people are going to die what are you talking about? he said.



Meanwhile, the Bureau of Public Safety has said a sure way to prevent the associated road accidents with the use of motorbikes as commercial means of transport (Okada) is to move it away from sprawling city centres.



Executive Director of the public safety advocate, Nana Yaw Akwada, told GhanaWeb on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 that reports on Okada-related accidents show that majority of them happen in the busy urban areas.



According to Nana Yaw Akwada, Mr Mahama must tell us when you say regulating are you going to move them from the city centres? Which is what we at the Bureau prefer; because more than 80% of the deaths associated with the okada cOme from the city centres. And from the commercial spaces, not on our highways or the fringes.



Ghanas laws make it illegal for a motorbike or a tricycle (aboboya) to be used as a commercial means of transport, however, for about eight years, their use and popularity have seen sharp rise.

Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the second consecutive day urging that the Centre should go in appeal against the Supreme Court order for holding the JEE and NEET examinations during the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure the aspirants are free from 'mental agony'.

She wrote to Modi after the state government received a letter from the National Testing Agency on Tuesday to conduct the JEE/NEET examinations starting from September 1, 2020.

"I am aware that the Hon'ble Supreme Court has given a verdict on holding JEE/NEET examinations and the central government has been issuing instructions to go ahead with it accordingly. However, I would like to request for your kind intervention and to consider the central government making an appeal to the Hon'ble apex court to review its decision in the interest of the student community, so that they are free from mental agony and mental disaster.

Such intervention is very much essential in the larger interest of the students to facilitate creating a situation whereby the students will neither be subjected to grave health risk nor they will be facing a career risk. We are really worried and concerned," the letter read.

Mamata, in a series of tweets on Monday morning, said she was vocal about the issue during the last video conference of chief ministers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She had said that lives of students should not be put at risk by taking such 'unilateral and bureaucratic decisions'.

In her letter on Tuesday, she said "I would request you to kindly appreciate the sensitivity of the matter and consider taking necessary action for posting these examinations until the public health situation becomes conducive again."

Aspirants sit for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for admission to premier engineering colleges and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical courses.

The JEE (Main) this year is scheduled to be held between September 1 and 6, while the JEE (Advanced) on September 27.

The Supreme Court had dismissed a plea seeking the postponement of JEE (Main) April, 2020 and NEET examinations despite the pandemic showing no signs of ebbing away, saying precious year of students 'cannot be wasted' and 'life has to go on'.
Issued on July 24, 2020 and updated August 17, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) listed Lupron Depot PED, 3 Months, 30 mg as on backorder in its database of Current and Resolved Drug Shortages and Discontinuations Reported to FDA . The listing indicates the estimated duration of this shortage is currently unknown. 2

"Arbor Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to ensuring product availability so healthcare providers can prescribe Triptodur with confidence," said Ed Schutter, CEO of Arbor Pharmaceuticals. "We understand the availability of Triptodur is of the utmost importance during this time, which is why we have requested additional product from our manufacturing partner, Debiopharm, and will be increasing kit production in the U.S."

Triptodur is the first FDA-approved twice-yearly, injectable GnRHa for the treatment CPP.1 Indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients two years of age and older with CPP, Triptodur has been on the market for more than two years, with thousands of prescriptions filled.1,3

Triptodur is manufactured in Martigny, Switzerland in a regularly FDA-inspected site. "We have already implemented new measures to assist with the additional supply of Triptodur treatments," said Cedric Sager, CEO, Debiopharm Research and Manufacturing SA. "We can assure healthcare professionals and patients in the U.S. that we have a stable supply of Triptodur and do not anticipate any delays or shortages."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted life as we know it, including daily routines," said Ed Schutter. "But no matter the challenges, compliance to therapy remains a top priority for children living with CPP  which is why we are doing our part to make sure caregivers of CPP patients have the information they need to make informed decisions about their treatment options."

Arbor Pharmaceuticals is committed to helping patients with CPP maintain their prescribed injection schedule. The Triptodur Care Program is available to help healthcare professionals and families of CPP patients receive the access and guidance they need. For more information, contact our live support team at 833-401-CARE (2273) between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET.

Please see Important Safety Information for Triptodur below.

For more information about Triptodur, visit https://triptodur.com/.

Triptodur is manufactured in Switzerland by Debiopharm Research & Manufacturing SA. Arbor acquired exclusive U.S. commercial rights to triptorelin 6-month for CPP in November 2015 and it was approved by the U.S. FDA in June 2017.

About Central Precocious Puberty (CPP)

GnRH-dependent CPP is defined by pubertal development occurring before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys.4-5 It is characterized by early pubertal changes such as breast development and start of menses in girls and increased testicular and penile growth in boys, appearance of pubic hair, as well as acceleration of growth velocity and bone maturation and tall stature during childhood, which often results in reduced adult height due to premature fusion of the growth plates.6

Reliable epidemiological data on CPP worldwide is not available. The condition is a rare disease occurring in about 1 out of every 5,000 to 10,000 children.7 CPP is more common in girls than in boys, with a female: male ratio estimated to be between 3:1 and 23:1.8

About Triptorelin

Triptorelin is an agonist of the natural GnRH. Debiopharm has developed sustained-release formulations of triptorelin pamoate. The sustained-release formulations have been registered in numerous countries for several indications.

Triptorelin was first registered in France in 1986 and is currently marketed in more than 80 countries for various indications including CPP.

About Debiopharm

Debiopharm, a Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company, aims to manufacture and develop innovative therapies that target high unmet medical needs in oncology and infectious disease. Bridging the gap between disruptive discovery products and real-world patient reach, we identify high-potential compounds for in-licensing, clinically demonstrate their safety and efficacy and then select large pharmaceutical commercialization partners to maximize patient access globally.

For more information, please visit www.debiopharm.com.

We are on Twitter. Follow us @DebiopharmNews at http://twitter.com/DebiopharmNews.

About Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC

Arbor Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a specialty pharmaceutical company currently marketing FDA-approved prescription products in the neuroscience, cardiovascular and hospital markets. In addition to an extensive pipeline, the company continues to actively pursue growth through acquisition or licensing of late-stage development products. For more information regarding Arbor Pharmaceuticals or any of its products, visit www.arborpharma.com or send email inquiries to [email protected].

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR TRIPTODUR

INDICATIONS

TRIPTODUR is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with central precocious puberty (CPP).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindications

TRIPTODUR is contraindicated in:

Individuals with a known hypersensitivity to triptorelin or any other component of the product, or other GnRH agonists or GnRH.

Women who are or may become pregnant. Expected hormonal changes that occur with TRIPTODUR treatment increase the risk for pregnancy loss and fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be advised of the potential risk to the fetus.

Warnings and Precautions

Initial Rise of Gonadotropins and Sex Steroid Levels - During the early phase of therapy, gonadotropins and sex steroids rise above baseline because of the initial stimulatory effect of the drug. Therefore, a transient increase in clinical signs and symptoms of puberty, including vaginal bleeding, may be observed during the first weeks of therapy or after subsequent doses.

Psychiatric Events - Psychiatric events have been reported in patients taking GnRH agonists. Postmarketing reports with this class of drugs include symptoms of emotional lability, such as crying, irritability, impatience, anger, and aggression. Monitor for development or worsening of psychiatric symptoms during treatment with TRIPTODUR.

Convulsions - Postmarketing reports of convulsions have been observed in patients receiving GnRH agonists, including triptorelin. These included patients with a history of seizures, epilepsy, cerebrovascular disorders, central nervous system anomalies or tumors, and patients on concomitant medications that have been associated with convulsions such as bupropion and SSRIs. Convulsions have also been reported in patients in the absence of any of the conditions mentioned above.

Adverse Reactions

In clinical trials for TRIPTODUR, the most common adverse reactions (4.5%) are injection site reactions, menstrual (vaginal) bleeding, hot flush, headache, cough, and infections (bronchitis, gastroenteritis, influenza, nasopharyngitis, otitis externa, pharyngitis, sinusitis, and upper respiratory tract infection).

You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC Medical Information at 1-866-516-4950 or to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For safety information, consult the TRIPTODUR full Prescribing Information here.

References:

Triptodur [package insert]. Atlanta, GA : Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Current and Resolved Drug Shortages and Discontinuations Reported to FDA [Website]. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/dsp_ActiveIngredientDetails.cfm?AI=Leuprolide%20Acetate%20Injection&st=c&tab=tabs-1. Accessed August 18 , 2020. Data on File, Arbor Pharmaceuticals. Partsch CJ, Sippell WG. Treatment of central precocious puberty. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab.2002;16:165-189. Muir A. Precocious puberty. Pediatr Rev. 2006;27:373-381. Antoniazzi F, Zamboni G. Central precocious puberty: current treatment options. Paediatr Drugs. 2004;6:211-231. Carel JC, Leger J. Clinical practice. Precocious puberty. N Engl J Med. 2008;358(22):2366-2377. Klein K, et al. Efficacy and safety of triptorelin 6-month formulation in patients with central precocious puberty. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2016;29(11):1241-1248.

PP-TRIP-US-0338

SOURCE Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC

Related Links

http://www.arborpharma.com


CONNECTICUT  The governors of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey this week dropped five states from their coronavirus travel advisory list and added a territory.

Guam was added to the list Tuesday. Travelers from that U.S. territory must now self-quarantine for 14 days when entering Connecticut, New York or Jersey.

Two travelers were fined earlier this month after they refused to fill out Connecticut's travel quarantine form. One was fined twice; once for not filling out the travel form and another for not following the 14-day quarantine rule.



Four Stamford residents were also fined $1,000 each for violating the state's coronavirus travel restrictions. Max Reiss, Lamont's director of communications, said the governor is taking the travel restrictions seriously and will continue to enforce them.

"Governor Ned Lamont is taking the [coronavirus] pandemic seriously, and will continue to take actions he feels are necessary to protect as many Connecticut residents as possible," Reiss said in a statement issued earlier this month. "The travel advisory is for real, and it will be enforced."

According to NBC Connecticut, the four Stamford residents, whose names were not released, were fined after returning from North Carolina and failing to complete a travel quarantine form. An Old Lyme resident who returned from Texas was also fined.

States are put on the advisory list if they have a daily positive coronavirus test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a 10 percent or higher positive rate over a seven-day rolling average.

As of August 25, the following 31 locations meet these criteria and are included in Connecticut's travel advisory:

Alabama

Arkansas

California

Florida

Georgia

Guam

Hawaii

Iowa

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Minnesota

Missouri

Mississippi

North Carolina

North Dakota

Nebraska

Nevada

Oklahoma

Puerto Rico

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virgin Islands

Virginia

Wisconsin

This article originally appeared on the Across Connecticut Patch
Kenosha became the US' latest flashpoint city in a summer of racial unrest after police shot and wounded a Black man, apparently in the back, as he leaned into his SUV while his three children sat in the vehicle.

Protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear Sunday night, while Democratic Governor Tony Evers and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden immediately condemned the shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake, who was hospitalised in serious condition.

Police in the former auto manufacturing centre of 100,000 people midway between Milwaukee and Chicago said Blake was shot while they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute.

They did not immediately disclose the race of the three officers at the scene or say whether Blake was armed or why police opened fire, and they released no details on the domestic dispute.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Blake's family, said Blake was simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident.

The officers were placed on administrative leave, standard practice in a shooting by police, while the state Justice Department investigates. And Kenosha County imposed an 8 pm curfew to try to head off another round of violence Monday night.

The shooting happened around 5 pm Sunday and was captured from across the street on cellphone video that was posted online. Kenosha police do not have body cameras.

In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns pointed and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while Blake has his back turned.

Seven shots can be heard, though it isn't clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired. During the shooting, a Black woman can be seen screaming in the street and jumping up and down.

While we do not have all of the details yet," the governor said in a statement, "what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.

Biden called for an immediate, full and transparent investigation and said the officers must be held accountable.

This morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force," he said, just over two months before Election Day in a country already roiled by the recent deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. "Those shots pierce the soul of our nation."



Republicans and the police union accused the politicians of rushing to judgment, reflecting the deep partisan divide in Wisconsin, a key presidential battleground state. Wisconsin GOP members also decried the violent protests, echoing the law-and-order theme that President Donald Trump has been using in his reelection campaign.

As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident, Pete Deates president of the Kenosha police union, said in a statement. He called the governor's statement wholly irresponsible.

Online court records indicate Kenosha County prosecutors charged Blake on July 6 with sexual assault, trespassing and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse. An arrest warrant was issued the following day. The records contain no further details and do not list an attorney for Blake.

It was unclear whether that case had anything to do with the shooting. Laquisha Booker, who is Blake's partner, told NBC's Milwaukee affiliate, WTMJ-TV, that the couple's three children were in the back seat of the SUV when police shot him.

That man just literally grabbed him by his shirt and looked the other way and was just shooting him. With the kids in the back screaming. Screaming, Booker said.

Crump, the attorney who has also represented the Floyd and Taylor families, called the police officers' actions irresponsible, reckless and inhumane" and added: It's a miracle he's still alive.

In the unrest that followed, social media posts showed neighbours gathering in the surrounding streets and shouting at police. Some chanted, No justice, no peace! appeared to throw objects at officers and damage police vehicles. Officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.

In a scene that mirrored the widespread protests in recent months over police brutality and racial inequality, marchers headed to the Kenosha County Public Safety Building, which houses the police and sheriff's departments. Authorities mostly blocked off the building, which officials said was closed on Monday because of damage.

Wisconsin's Republican Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke cautioned the public and elected officials against racing towards judgment," given how few details were known.

(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.)
Helios Towers plc (LON:HTWS) is possibly approaching a major achievement in its business, so we would like to shine some light on the company. Helios Towers plc, an independent tower company, builds, acquires, and operates telecommunications towers and related passive infrastructure. The UK1.5b market-cap company posted a loss in its most recent financial year of US$135.9m and a latest trailing-twelve-month loss of US$204.7m leading to an even wider gap between loss and breakeven. Many investors are wondering about the rate at which Helios Towers will turn a profit, with the big question being when will the company breakeven? Below we will provide a high-level summary of the industry analysts expectations for the company.

View our latest analysis for Helios Towers

Consensus from 5 of the British Telecom analysts is that Helios Towers is on the verge of breakeven. They anticipate the company to incur a final loss in 2020, before generating positive profits of US$13m in 2021. The company is therefore projected to breakeven just over a year from today. What rate will the company have to grow year-on-year in order to breakeven on this date? Using a line of best fit, we calculated an average annual growth rate of 101%, which signals high confidence from analysts. Should the business grow at a slower rate, it will become profitable at a later date than expected.

Given this is a high-level overview, we wont go into details of Helios Towers' upcoming projects, however, bear in mind that by and large a high growth rate is not out of the ordinary, particularly when a company is in a period of investment.

One thing we would like to bring into light with Helios Towers is its debt-to-equity ratio of over 2x. Typically, debt shouldnt exceed 40% of your equity, which in this case, the company has significantly overshot. Note that a higher debt obligation increases the risk around investing in the loss-making company.

Next Steps:

Story continues

This article is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis on Helios Towers, so if you are interested in understanding the company at a deeper level, take a look at Helios Towers' company page on Simply Wall St. We've also compiled a list of relevant aspects you should further examine:

Valuation: What is Helios Towers worth today? Has the future growth potential already been factored into the price? The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether Helios Towers is currently mispriced by the market. Management Team: An experienced management team on the helm increases our confidence in the business  take a look at who sits on Helios Towerss board and the CEOs background. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore our free list of these great stocks here.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
VICTORIAThe air was thick with sweat, forming condensation on the windows. A rotating crowd of 40 to 60 people crammed into a one-bedroom suite in downtown Victoria danced  inasmuch as they had room to move  to music played by a DJ. The door to the six-floor condo building was propped open to let guests flow freely inside.

It was sweaty, gross, said Bowen Osoko, spokesperson for the Victoria police department, which broke up the event Friday night and levied British Columbias first fine for private parties under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act.

Everything you would not want to see at a COVID party was happening there.

Police went back to the same unit in downtown Victoria on Saturday night, where they arrested one 18-year-old guest and issued more tickets.

The weekend gathering  and its shutdown by police  marks a hard shift in B.C.s pandemic rules approach, from the carrot to the stick.

Since February, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has been steadfast that the best way to reduce risk of spreading COVID-19 was not by setting up rigid rules and enforcing them through fines, but by explaining the need for everyone to change their behaviours and getting them on board.

Be kind, be calm, be safe, was, and still is, her most-used catchphrase to summarize the strategy.

But, while it seemed to be enough to keep COVID-19 transmission at a minimum in B.C. through most of the summer, an alarming trend of rising cases has been enough to convince provincial officials to change tack.

The province reported 269 new cases of the virus over the weekend, and now has more active cases than it has at any point throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth on Friday gave B.C. law enforcement the power to issue fines of $2,000 to organizers of parties, and smaller fines of $200 to attendees of such events who dont follow officer orders.

Other provinces, especially Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia, have been issuing fines since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in millions of dollars worth of fines.

The uptick in B.C. cases has largely been attributed to private parties and social gatherings involving alcohol  indoor scenarios in which people are likely to come into close contact with one another.

While Farnworth put it bluntly: A party is not worth someones life, and enough is enough; Henry said Monday the enforcement measures were unfortunate but necessary.

I think its being used the right way: very judiciously, she said, adding its a small minority of people intentionally flouting the rules who may need to learn their lesson through fines.

At least some residents at the condo building where the party took place approved of police stepping in.

Claire Beauvoir, a resident of the building, saw party guests pouring in Friday, and was immediately concerned about the possibility of COVID-19 spreading.

The units here are not huge, she said. Four would be the maximum in my place to socially distance.

Read more about:
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Alya Nurbaiti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 15:15 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c40580b1 1 World tempeh,tempe,soybean,import,imports,kedelai-import,US,USA,Indonesia-US-relations,indiana Free

Indonesia is seeking to work with the US state of Indiana by importing more soybeans and in turn expanding the market for tempeh, a traditional Indonesian soybean-based culinary product, in the state.

At a luncheon held with city officials and business owners on Monday at Mayasari Grill Restaurant in Greensburg City, Indonesia consul general in Chicago Meri Binsar Simorangkir said Indonesia and Indiana had conducted soybean trade since 2007.

Meri said Indonesia needed at least 2.5 million tons of soybeans a year for its domestic consumption, while it can only produce about 320,000 tons per year. The high demand means that Indonesia continues to be one of the strategic partners for US soybean farmers.

Read also: Banyumas administration recommends tempe mendoan for intangible cultural heritage status

Among other regions in the US, Indonesia imported high numbers of soybean from the Midwest. Indiana, famous for its high-quality soybeans, could have a larger share of the pie, Meri said in a written statement on Tuesday.

He added that Indonesia and Indiana could develop cooperation beyond trade, such as knowledge-transfer through a pilot project of producing premium soybean seed in Indonesia. The Indonesian government is also committed to financing an internship program for Indonesian farmers in Greensburg farms.

Meri also extolled the uniqueness of tempeh during the luncheon. Tempeh is extremely nutritious and a tasty, good protein source for vegans. It is a fermented food that characterizes Indonesia, just as kimchi does for Korea or miso and natto do for Japan, he said.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Steelcase announced it has achieved carbon neutrality for its own operations. The company also announced new 2030 goals that have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Building upon this momentum, Steelcase has established a goal to become carbon negative by 2030.



In 2020, Steelcase reported the achievement of a greater than 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the previous ten years. The urgency of climate change inspired the company to expand upon its existing renewable energy commitments with the purchase of carbon offsets. While Steelcase was able to reach carbon neutral (net zero) for its own operations by removing as much carbon as it emits, the company recognizes true climate action means reducing emissions in line with science. Consistent with its legacy of sustainability, Steelcase is now taking its commitment further with a goal to become carbon negative by 2030 by markedly reducing emissions across its own operations with targets in line with climate science.

What does Steelcase plan to do to achieve its carbon goals by 2030?



Over the next decade, the company will focus on ambitiously reducing emissions at a rate needed to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. By 2030, becoming carbon negative, also referred to as climate positive, means Steelcase would remove more carbon than it emits, through a combination of absolute reductions and investing in renewable energy. Additional actions are expected to include financing carbon offset initiatives and support for external emission reductions with social benefits.

To advance a low carbon economy, Steelcase has set science-based targets aligned with a 1.5C climate scenario. This means the company expects to reduce absolute emissions from its own operations by 50% by 2030 and cut indirect emissions from business travel and waste generated in operations. Since most of its emissions are considered indirect or scope 3 emissions, Steelcase plans to engage with suppliers to set their own science-based targets by 2025. By aggressively cutting greenhouse gas emissions at this rate, the company is aligned with the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement.

Steelcase is proud to lead our industry in addressing this critical global issue, said Jim Keane, President and CEO, Steelcase. We continue to see the destructive effects of climate change that touch the lives of people in communities around the world and are pleased to be taking immediate steps in the right direction.

Over the next decade, Steelcase plans to apply the following principles to execute its strategy:

Prioritize the absolute reduction of emissions with a range of approaches, including: invest in energy efficiency opportunities identified through a series of audits performed at its top emitting facilities supplement energy efficiency projects via direct renewable energy supply in key markets where available explore onsite renewable energy and reduce emissions associated with business travel, its supply chain, logistics and waste generated in operations

Advocate for climate and energy policy

Empower its employees and suppliers to champion the effort of transitioning to a low carbon economy

The company plans to publish its progress in future Steelcase Impact Reports. Reported emissions are expected to be verified by a third-party starting this year.

Building on a foundation to advance lasting change



This announcement underscores the companys ongoing commitment to sustainability by bringing lasting value to its customers, employees, shareholders, partners, communities, and the environment. Through innovative products and solutions, Steelcase is committed to unlocking human promise and promoting the advancement of strong and resilient communities.

Steelcase expects to continue to build on its strong foundation by working to use less, conserve more, source more responsible materials and grow more sustainably, in order to leave a positive legacy and support a regenerative economy.

For more information about this initiative or sustainability at Steelcase, please visit the sustainability page on Steelcase.com.

Forward-looking Statements

From time to time, in written and oral statements, the company discusses its expectations regarding future events and its plans and objectives for future operations. These forward-looking statements discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations or financial condition, or state other information relating to us, based on current beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the company. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "targets," or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Although we believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions, any or all of which may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary from the company's expectations because of factors such as, but not limited to, competitive and general economic conditions domestically and internationally; acts of terrorism, war, governmental action, natural disasters, pandemics and other Force Majeure events; the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions taken by various governments and third parties to combat the pandemic; changes in the legal and regulatory environment; changes in raw material, commodity and other input costs; currency fluctuations; changes in customer demand; and the other risks and contingencies detailed in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Steelcase undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Steelcase Inc.

For over 108 years, Steelcase Inc. has helped create great experiences for the worlds leading organizations, across industries. We demonstrate this through our family of brands  including Steelcase, Coalesse, Designtex, Turnstone, Smith System, Orangebox and AMQ. Together, they offer a comprehensive portfolio of architecture, furniture and technology products and services designed to unlock human promise and support social, economic, and environmental sustainability. We are globally accessible through a network of channels, including over 800 Steelcase dealer locations. Steelcase is a global, industry-leading, and publicly traded company with fiscal 2020 revenue of $3.7 billion.

Contact:

Katie Woodruff

Katie.woodruf@steelcase.com

616.915.8505




Some Peterborough County council members are on the fence about returning to in-person meetings.

Asphodel-Norwood Mayor Rodger Bonneau said that while he believes council would have room to adequately social distance from one another if in-person meetings resumed, but if too many members of the public attend, it could be an issue.

Because its an open meeting, you cant stop people from coming in, so I have to think of the safety of everyone, and a lot of the councillors are seniors, so I want to think of them as well, but Im also thinking of my own family, too, Bonneau said.

Four of the 16 county council members prefer electronic meetings, due to safety reasons, in addition to it being a more relaxed environment and no added mileage or lunch expenses, according to a survey being discussed at Wednesdays online county council meeting.

Seven council members prefer in-person meetings, the survey found.

My preference is to return to in-person meetings, as soon as its deemed safe to do so and provided that other council members are comfortable. I dont want to put anybody in a position that they dont want to be in, Otonabee-South Monaghan Mayor Joe Taylor said.

Otonabee-South Monaghan Township council plans to return to in-person meetings in the middle of September.

And we may be the first township in the county to do so, Im not sure. But somebodys got to go first. If were the first, then well lead the way, Taylor said.

Conversations  council meeting conversations included  are better in person, Taylor said.

I think that the ability to discuss something is better in person. You can see body language, you can see facial expressions, you can tell when someone is finished or when someone wants to start, he said.

Selwyn Township Deputy Mayor Sherry Senis said although she doesnt have a preference on how council meetings are held, lately shes been having some technical issues with the virtual meetings.

Ive been having some trouble with technology and getting booted out of the meeting, unceremoniously. And then you have to try to get your way back into it. You can just lose your internet connection, so that is the big problem with Zoom meetings; theyre not dependable, Senis said.

During in-person meetings, you can have dialogue with colleagues, she said.

When youre on Zoom, you cant have a sidebar conversation with anybody. So thats the thing I miss about the in-person meetings, Senis said.
In the valley is where the smoke gets stuck when the wind blows it in from the north and south.

Still, hundreds of thousands of men and women like Ms. Flores continue to pluck, weed, and pack produce for the nation here, as temperatures soar into the triple digits for days at a time and the air turns to a soup of dust and smoke, stirred with pollution from truck tailpipes and chemicals sprayed on the fields, not to mention pollution from the old oil wells that dot parts of the valley.

I drove through the valley last week, from Lodi, just below Sacramento, to Arvin, nearly 300 miles to the south, during a calamitous wave of heat, fire and surging coronavirus infections. I wanted to see it through the eyes of those worst affected: agricultural workers. Most of them are immigrants from Mexico. Mostly, they earn minimum wage ($13 an hour in California). Mostly, they lack health insurance and they live amid chronic pollution, making them susceptible to a host of respiratory ailments.

Climate change exacerbates these horrors.

By noon one day last week, temperatures had soared to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Lodi, in the valleys northern stretch. Still, Leonor Hernandez, 38, mother of three, was at work. Dressed as usual in an oversized full-sleeved shirt and hat, bandanna covering all but her eyes, water bottle stuffed into her pocket, she walked up and down the cherry orchard, scooping up stray branches hacked off after the harvest, hoisting them into a bin. The ground had to be cleared for the next spraying of pesticides, smoke or no smoke.

As the week progressed and more acres burned, the air grew increasingly toxic. Her head and chest hurt. She was coughing. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District urged residents to stay indoors.

Good advice, in theory, Ms. Hernandez said. But we need to work, and if we stay indoors we dont get paid, she said. We have bills for food and rent to pay.

California is one of two states, along with Washington, with heat standards for outdoor workers. Employers must provide shade, usually a bench with a canopy, and drinking water. Many labor contractors stop work when it gets too hot, but the law doesnt require a halt at any given temperature threshold.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government of Japan have said they will expand an existing partnership supporting Egypts crisis management in order to address the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in the country with funding of around $2.73 million.

In a meeting held on Tuesday, the two sides discussed the future steps for a development project titled Supporting an Inclusive and Multi-Sectoral Response to COVID-19 and Addressing its Socio-Economic Impact in Egypt, which will focus on supporting national and sub-national capacities for planning, coordination and crisis management, in addition to addressing the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 particularly on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and vulnerable groups.

The project is expected to benefit 3.7 million MSMEs, especially in the retail and handcraft sectors, via support for digitalisation and improved market access through e-commerce, according to UNDP.

The meeting was attended by Japanese Ambassador Masaki Noke, Egypts deputy planning and economic development minister Ahmed Kamaly, and UNDP officials.

Thanks to the generosity of Japan, we are delighted to work closely with the Embassy of Japan to support Egypts efforts to respond and recover from COVID-19. Millions of people and vulnerable households are affected by the socio-economic shocks resulting from the COVID-19, said UNDP Egypt Resident Representative Randa Aboul-Hosn in a statement.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Kentucky Fried Chicken announced Monday they're pausing all use of the fried chicken chain's "finger lickin' good" slogan, because with coronavirus, it's just not a great idea. We've been told that touching your face is bad, and licking your fingers or the fingers of others while eating in a fast-food restaurant can't be great, either.

KFC said Monday the 64-year-old slogan "doesn't feel quite right."

From CNN:
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ankura, a global business advisory and expert services company, is pleased to announce the appointment of retired Lieutenant General Vincent R. Stewart, USMC to Chief Innovation and Business Intelligence Officer. Lt. Gen. Stewart joins as Ankura optimizes its business to help companies and executives deal with the unprecedented changes and challenges in today's rapidly evolving business environment. In addition to bringing his considerable global experience and insights to advising corporate decision makers, Lt. Gen. Stewart will further build on the Ankura's commitment to providing innovative and actionable technology and multi-disciplinary solutions for clients navigating the complexities of the new operating paradigm. Lt. Gen. Stewart will be a member of the company's senior leadership based in Washington, D.C.

"We welcome Vince as an expert advisor and member of our leadership team. His experience in navigating incredibly complex issues and existential moments  with effective and charismatic leadership honed over decades of distinguished military service  will be incredibly beneficial as we seek to implement strategies and process improvements that business desperately need while supporting Ankura's advisory offerings and growth," said Kevin Lavin, Chief Executive Officer of Ankura. "Vince has operated at the forefront of helping our country face some its most significant challenges. We look forward to his leadership, perspective and collaboration with Ankura's professionals to create truly innovative and needed solutions addressing the needs of our firm and our global clientele."

Previously, Lt. Gen Stewart served as Deputy Commander of United States Cyber Command. In this capacity, he provided strategic leadership for more than 10,000 personnel and had direct responsibility for securing the Department of Defense's Information Network which consisted of 3 million users in 140 countries across 15,000 networks, and 6,000 physical locations. During his almost four-decade military career Lt. Gen. Stewart served as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, where he was responsible for delivering intelligence on the military capabilities of potential adversaries and providing threat and intelligence briefings to the President of the United States and Congress. He also served as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on military intelligence-related matters. Earlier in his career, Lt. Gen. Stewart held the position of Commanding General, Marine Forces Cyberspace Command, and Director of Intelligence for the United States Marine Corps. Following his military service, Lt. Gen. Stewart founded and served as Chief Executive of Stewart Global Solutions, an international consulting company focused on cybersecurity, geopolitical intelligence, strategic planning and crisis management services.

"Corporate leaders are facing unprecedented challenges and threats to their businesses as well as a rapidly changing landscape. Understanding these issues, developing informed strategies and executing efficiently is what is needed to minimize disruption, maximize opportunities and create value. One area we have really focused on is the ever-expanding accessibility of technology and the resulting increased cybersecurity risks for countries, companies and individuals in this volatile geopolitical landscape. In this dynamic environment, a sophisticated approach to risk and a fast response to cyberspace and intelligence breaches are imperative and we deliver this for clients," Lt. Gen. Stewart remarked. "The talented professionals at Ankura have a proven history of delivering outstanding client results across a variety of disciplines. I look forward to supporting the company, its clients and the development of new ideas and our people for years to come."

About Ankura

Ankura is a global business advisory and expert services firm defined by HOW we solve challenges. Whether a client is facing an immediate business challenge, trying to increase the value of their company or protect against future risks, Ankura designs, develops, and executes tailored solutions by assembling the right combination of expertise, strategy and execution. We help clients navigate a wide range of corporate performance and risk management challenges, including those pertaining to compliance, investigations, forensics, technology, turnaround and restructuring, and corporate strategy. We build on this experience with every case, client, and situation, collaborating to create innovative, customized solutions, and strategies designed for today's ever-changing business environment. This gives our clients unparalleled insight and experience across a wide range of economic, governance, and regulatory challenges. At Ankura, we know that collaboration drives results. For more information, please visit: www.ankura.com.

SOURCE Ankura

Related Links

http://www.ankura.com


- Company Announcement No. 19/2020 Copenhagen 25 August 2020 Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S Q2 2020 Conference Call Scandinavian Tobacco Group expects to release the second quarter 2020 results in the afternoon of 28 August 2020. A webcast and conference call will be held 31 August at CET 10.00. At the call, CEO Niels Frederiksen and CFO Marianne Rrslev Bock will present the Interim Financial Report. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Date: 31 August 2020 Time: CET 10:00 In order to attend the conference call, you may do one of the following: Webcast Go to the financial calendar http://investor.st-group.com/upcoming-events at st-group.com or https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/umvr89xu Conference call In the 10 minutes prior to call start time, please call the appropriate participant dial-in number and enter the Event Plus Passcode stated below. Please leave any information requested after the tone. Dial in details Passcode: 7487937 Standard International: +44 (0) 2071 928338 Denmark (local): +45 32 72 04 17 UK (local): +44 (0) 844 481 9752 US (local): +1646 741 3167 No prior registration is required to attend the teleconference. For further information, please contact: Investors : Torben Sand, Head of Investor Relations, phone: +45 5084 7222 or torben.sand@st-group.com Media : Simon Mehl Augustesen, Director of Group Communications, phone: +1 484-379-8725 or simon.augustesen@st-group.com

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Speaking for the first time since his summer break, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez held a press conference on Tuesday during which he said that the progress of the curve of the coronavirus pandemic is worrying in Spain, adding that it needed to be tackled.

The Socialist Party (PSOE) leader, who heads a minority coalition government with junior partner Unidas Podemos, has been under pressure from the opposition to take control of the situation, after the government opted to allow the countrys regions to make their own decisions when it comes to controlling the spread of the virus when the state of alarm came to an end in June.

The prime minister responded to this pressure on Tuesday, offering regional premiers the option of requesting a state of alarm in their territory if they deem it to be necessary. He guaranteed that such a request would count on the majority of votes needed in the Congress of Deputies in order to approve it.

Let us stop the battles between parties during the fight against the pandemia. The enemy is the virus Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez

This strategy once again puts the ball back in the courts of the regions who have been particularly critical of the government, such as the administration in Madrid, which is led by the conservative Popular Party (PP). During the state of alarm, Madrid premier Isabel Diaz Ayuso argued that the central government should reinstate regional powers, and that the emergency situation was not necessary to control the situation. Recently, however, she has been calling for the central government to take control over matters such as the return to school in September.

In June, the coalition government brought about an early end to the state of alarm due to the pressure from parties such as the PP and nationalist groups, a decision that protected Madrid from criticism and focused attention on the regions and their handling of the situation. If the regions now opt to request a state of alarm in their territory, they will have to do so taking into account the political cost of such a move.

The prime minister also offered a solution for one of the major problems that has been detected in Catalonia and Madrid: the lack of contact tracers. Sanchez has offered 2,000 members of the military to the regions for such tasks.

As he did during the state of alarm  which started out with the support of other groups such as the PP and far-right Vox, before they turned on the government and its handling of the situation  Sanchez appealed for political unity, and announced a round of talks with the different parties in a bid to join forces. Let us stop the battles between parties during the fight against the pandemic, he said. The enemy is the virus.

On three occasions, Sanchez avoided answering the most obvious question: why Spain is the European country that currently has the highest rate of new infections. The prime minister avoided directly blaming the regions, but did do so indirectly when he said that the situation is different across Spain and that some regional governments have been more effective at controlling the virus.

Sanchez showed himself to be much more optimistic than the education sector and parents groups on the start of the school year

The PSOE leader also called on the regions to incorporate the digital tracing system that has been created by the government, Radar Covid, and also called on citizens to download it onto their cellphones, on the basis that such a system could reduce the impact of the pandemic by up to 30%.

The other delicate matter right now is the start of the school year, an issue where the executive has also stood back to let the regions take their own decisions. On this subject, Sanchez showed himself to be much more optimistic than the sector itself and parents groups. The government and the education sector have, he said, been working for months on the design of the new year and parents should remain calm and have the guarantee that there will be a return to school in safe centers, much safer than many places where you have been on vacation or in parks, he said. We must bring about a return to the classroom that guarantees the maximum safety for everyone, and that takes advantage of the school year.

The prime minister pointed out that 2 billion has been given to the regions for their education sectors in the wake of the pandemic, and that 30,000 teachers have been hired for this year. He did, however, add that there are differences between the regions, and that while the Valencia region has hired 4,000 new staff members for schools, others have done less  another veiled criticism of the Madrid government.

The prime minister also avoided responding to criticism voiced by his coalition partner Unidas Podemos, which has decried the lack of leadership from Education Minister Isabel Celaa. I have a very positive opinion of the way that the coalition government is working, was all that Sanchez would say on the matter.

English version by Simon Hunter.
The Enforcement Directorate on Monday sent notices to five Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and summoned a suspended Indian Police Service officer in connection with the 2016 Narada sting operation case.

An ED official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the leaders  Lok Sabha members Saugata Roy and Kakali Ghosh Dastidar, former Lok Sabha member Aparupa Poddar, minister Suvendu Adhikari and TMC leader Ratna Chatterjee -- have been asked to furnish details of property owned by their families. Chatterjees husband, the former Kolkata mayor Sovon Chatterjee, is also an accused in this case.

The case is also being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

While Saugata Roy and Suvendu Adhikari said they would reply after receiving ED notices, the other three leaders were not immediately available for comments.

The case pertains to a controversy that erupted in March 2016 after Narada News portal uploaded a series of videos purportedly showing a number of high-profile TMC leaders receiving money in exchange for favours to a fictitious company.

The CBI filed an FIR in the case on March 16, 2017, acting on a Calcutta high court order, which was upheld by the Supreme Court. The CBI and ED probed bank transactions and wire transfers.

The CBI also registered FIR against then TMC Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Roy, who later joined the BJP and became the opposition partys election strategist in Bengal.The suspended officer is Saiyaad Mustafa Hussain Mirza, who was posted as superintendent of police in Burdwan district during the sting operation.
The alarming increase in the number of coronavirus cases worldwide have not only made countries tighten lockdown restrictions but also stabbed Bali travel plans. Bali bucket list to remain unfulfilled for travel enthusiasts as the Indonesian island cancels plan to welcome back foreign visitors until the end of 2020.

The plans to visit the tourist hotspot came to a halt after Governor Wayan Koster said in a statement, The Indonesian government couldnt reopen its doors to foreign travelers until the end of 2020 as we remain a red zone. The situation is not conducive to allowing foreign tourists to come to Indonesia, including to Bali.

As of Monday, Indonesia has reported the highest number of fatalities in Southeast Asia with more than 155,000 coronavirus infections and 6,759 deaths. On the same day, Bali has reported 4,576 coronavirus infections and 52 deaths.

Bali cannot fail because it could adversely impact the image of Indonesia including Bali in the eyes of the world, which could prove counter-productive to the recovery of travel, Koster said. Indonesias biggest tourism hub was earlier planning to reopen to international tourists on Sept. 11

While the authorities had halted international tourism as the outbreak picked up pace in early April, locally it had opened up travel on July 31. From then until August 14, approximately 2,300-2,500 local tourists came onto the island each day as per Kosters estimation.

Amid the peak of coronavirus, a forecast was made by the government that more than $10 billion of Indonesias tourism revenue this year could be wiped out as travel restrictions due to the pandemic have hammered the local economy of Bali. Since the islands main source of income is tourism, the revenue is likely to worsen in the second half given the postponed plans to welcome back foreign travellers.

Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Gov. Tom Wolf introduced a broad legislative agenda for the fall, including expanded access to child care, paid family leave for Pennsylvanians, recreational marijuana sales and a host of other items.

The governor is asking lawmakers to change the law to allow sales of marijuana for recreational purposes, going beyond sales of medical marijuana. Hes also seeking more than $300 million in grants and loans for small businesses and tax breaks for the hospitality industry.

Wolf announced a lengthy list of proposals to help the state recover from the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic damage to families and the commonwealth. More than 129,000 people have been infected and more than 7,500 people have died, according to the state Health Department. Many businesses have shuttered or had to cut staff, with the states unemployment rate rising to 13.7 percent last month.

The Democratic governors list of proposals is hardly guaranteed passage. Republicans control both chambers of the General Assembly and will likely weigh the costs of some of the proposals with scrutiny. Wolf urged lawmakers to get behind his plans, saying they will help families and the states business community.

House and Senate Democrats have been fighting for progress to protect families and businesses in these spaces since the beginning of the pandemic, but they have been stopped at every turn by the Republican majority focused on ignoring the public health crisis, Wolf said in a statement. That must stop now.

The governor released his proposals just before a press conference in Middletown Tuesday morning.

House Majority Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, didnt embrace the governors proposal.

Gov. Wolf has spent the last six months turning his back on the peoples representatives in the General Assembly despite our numerous attempts to work with him to fight this pandemic, Benninghoff said in a statement. It is disingenuous for this governor to put forward an unaffordable legislative agenda and require taxpayers to bail him out of his unilateral mandates that have devastated their lives and livelihoods.

Here are some highlights of the governors proposals for the fall, according to the Wolf administration.

Hazard pay: Wolf is seeking $225 million to increase hazard pay to Pennsylvania workers. The Wolf administration said this funding would cover a $3-per-hour increase for 208,000 frontline workers across the commonwealth

More access to child care: The governor wants more money to help families pay for child care. Hes seeking $250 million for families seeking child care due to remote instruction or hybrid models, with kids only attending in-person classes on some days. Wolf wants another $27 million to expand child care options in places where there are few providers currently. The governor also is looking for $50 million in grants to part-day programs serving kids in low-income communities to help provide remote learning for school districts not returning to in-person instruction.

Paid parental leave: Wolf plans to offer six weeks of paid leave to all state employees who have been working for the commonwealth for a year or more. Wolf is also asking lawmakers to approve paid family leave for all workers.

Legalize marijuana: Wolf is asking the legislature to allow the sales of recreational marijuana. The governor proposes using the proceeds to support existing small business grant funding. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman has been an ardent supporter of legalizing marijuana to generate revenue for the state. Wolf signed the bill allowing sales of medical marijuana in 2016. Wolf said he hopes lawmakers will get behind allowing sales of pot, given the economic damage from the pandemic.

Personal protection equipment: The governor is proposing $10 million for a PPE Reimbursement Program for employers to cover the cost of masks, face shields, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizers, among other items.

Nix alcohol tax: Wolf is asking lawmakers to pass legislation to aid restaurants and hotels. Wolf wants to cancel or reduce the alcohol tax for the hospitality industry, allowing businesses to buy boze at or near cost for six months.

Grants and loans for businesses: The governor is proposing $225 million in forgivable loans and grants to small businesses through the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance Program. Wolf is also seeking an additional $100 million in loans and grants for the hospitality, leisure, and service industries, including restaurants and bars, salons, and barber shops.

Housing help: Wolf is seeking $100 million to offer financial assistance to renters of low-to-moderate incomes who are having trouble paying their rent. Wolf wants to expand the PA Housing Finance Agency CARES Rent Relief Program. The assistance would continue to be paid in grants directly to property owners and landlords.

Utilities aid: Wolf wants $100 million in grants to help residents pay for electric, water and gas service. The Pennsylvania Utility Commission has issued a moratorium on the suspension of service during the pandemic; Wolf is seeking grants to help low-income residents pay their utility bills when the moratorium is listed.

Gift ban: The governor has barred members of his administration from accepting gifts. Wolf is pushing for a ban for all public officials. The Wolf administration said only 10 states lack a gift ban for all public officials.

Election: Wolf wants lawmakers to allow counties to count election ballots up to three days after the election, as long as the ballot is postmarked by Election Day. He also is seeking to allow the pre-canvassing of ballots 21 days before the election. Republican lawmakers have said they support allowing counties to have more places to return ballots but want an earlier cut-off date to request a mail-in ballot.

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.

More from PennLive

Pa.s Senate GOP leaders propose an earlier cut-off date for voters to request a mail-in ballot

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, heres what schools will do and what parents should know

Hundreds of well-paying, high-demand jobs need to be filled yearly in central Pa., state says
No respect for constitutional rights

Hamilton mayor dismisses privacy concerns ... (Aug. 21)

Katrina Clarke wrote a fascinating and well-balanced article on the over 10,000 unconstitutional accesses by the Hamilton police to our provinces COVID-19 database of citizens personal health information. It is hard not to concur with the privacy and ethics experts quoted, that this is unconscionable. It is a shame that Mayor Eisenberger and Councillor Collins have so little respect for the basic constitutional rights of Hamiltonians that they would seek to defend this type of surveillance, rather than the best practice of assuming all members of the public are COVID-exposed.

Craig Burley, Hamilton

Mind-boggling sense of entitlement

Caledonia a pawn in a cruel chess game (Aug. 15)

I am deeply offended by Dr. David Fauxs opinion piece. This resident of Caledonia calling the actions of a small number of Indigenous protesters cruel, is starkly ironic. It speaks to a sense of entitlement that is mind boggling. The protesters and their ancestors have experienced hundreds of years of real cruelty. Having to detour around barricades hardly compares. Dr. Fauxs calling the OPPs inaction agony is laughable in the context of the true agony perpetrated on our native people with their lands stolen, treaties ignored, cultures destroyed, and horrible living conditions endured. Of course that was all legal. What happened to justice? When Dr. Faux has no clean water to drink, or indoor heat, when his children have no opportunities for equal education, when he is ignored or vilified for standing up for his people against lingering colonial racism, then he might have something to complain about.

Monica Hess, Troy

Thanks for the concise history lesson

Thanks to Dr. Faux for the concise history lesson on the land dispute in Caledonia. The background knowledge he gives shows the depth that he has gone to, in order to explain to the rest of us how the governments at both levels (Ontario and Ottawa) have abandoned the people of that area. Trudeau is going to need all the votes he can get for the next election, that might turn out to be a snap election if his support erodes more than it already has. Someone needs to wake up the MP for that area and get this solved sooner than later.

Another issue he also brought up is the status of the elected band council and the status of the hereditary chiefs. Since the band council is elected and governs the Six Nations on the behalf of its people, just because many in the band do not support them according to the leader of these protesters you cant throw up barriers and take up protests. In a democracy, you deal with discord by throwing your representatives out of office at the next election. That is democracy.

There is something fundamentally wrong here. The fight isnt with the locals but with the federal government that oversees Indigenous affairs. Get marching on Ottawa and let Caledonia get on with its life free of chaos every few years.

Suzanne Bacik, Stoney Creek

Illegal activities dont attract support

Does anyone care? And I suspect that many people simply feel a huge weight and sense of fatigue envelope them.

The hereditary chiefs are defying the elected council. Historically, divisions within the Indigenous communities and among tribes and divisions in loyalties toward warring Europeans and Americans, undermined a cohesive and coherent strategy toward negotiations for land and compensation. The Indigenous population in North America was decimated by disease and by the exploitation by the white man. Therefore they were overwhelmed and forever inherited a sense of futility. Six tracts of land around the Grand River so-called surrendered by the Six Nations were sold by the Crown to landowners who paid the Crown, but the proceeds never went to the Six Nations. The lands were originally part of a treaty which ceded the land to the Indigenous people in 1795.

Two things need to happen. The hereditary chiefs need to work in tandem with the elected chiefs, and a negotiated non-violent, legal strategy adopted to move forward.

Many, many, non-Indigenous people are prepared to support Indigenous causes, but violence and illegal activity detracts from the current reality.

Nancy Elizabeth Haalboom, Dundas

Revisit 14-day quarantine

Early on in this pandemic, the decision was made that travellers returning to Canada would need to self-isolate for 14 days. At the time, this was the right decision as testing capacity was limited, and tests were only available to people fitting certain criteria.

For almost three months, however, testing has been available to anyone who wants it. So the question should be asked: why not test returning travellers, taking multiple samples to ensure no false negatives, and simply have them self-isolate until their (presumably negative) test results are returned?

Wesley Schlarb, Hamilton

Appeal decision endangers women

Three Ontario Court of Appeal justices recently chose to strike down Section 33.1 of the Criminal Code, a section which enables the conviction of individuals for acts they do not wilfully commit. These three justices, who are men, say a person must act voluntarily to commit a crime, and that certain examples of extreme intoxication do not constitute voluntary action.

So someone who voluntarily drinks to excess, rapes and beats someone and now is able to claim extreme intoxication does not constitute voluntary action? So they get away with it?

To Justices David Paciocco, David Watt and Peter Lauwers: Do females and others who cant defend themselves against drunks know that it was you guys who struck this down? I hope they do now.
Secondary school children who refuse to wear a mask at school for reasons other than medical will be sent home, according to Education Minister Norma Foley.

Speaking on Prime Time tonight, she said that all children in secondary schools are expected to wear the masks and each school operates by its own rules.

Each school operates by its own rules but the schools are aware that it is mandatory to wear the masks. And unless the child has a particular ailment or a particular issue from a medical point of view that would mean that theyre not in a position to wear the mask, she said.

Read More

When asked if children will be sent home if they decline to wear a mask, she answered: Yes absolutely, everybody is expected to wear the mask unless there is a medical dispensation if you like.

Reacting to the news of an assembly of 150 children in a school earlier today, she said that it would be preferable if students were instead in smaller cohorts.

Schools are doing all that they can, its an evolving situation and we are learning as we go, Minister Foley said.

Obviously, there has to be social distancing but equally so, it would be preferable, it would be best practise if students were in small cohorts and thats really, were following the advice that is laid out very clearly in our road map, if students would be contained in a bubble in their school.

I dont think its fair to be very critical of a very good job that has been done on the ground, she added.

The Minister said that she could not determine what could close down a school in terms of infections and outbreaks.

That would be very presumptuous for me to even determine what public health would decide because every case would be individual, as it is in every workplace.

Public health will make that decision on the basis of the contact tracing that they will do, on the basis of, for example, is the school contacted to say that the child is not in school today and has taken ill? Does it happen, has the child taken ill within the school confines or whatever - theres a whole variety of variations, she explained.
The Covington Catholic High School teen's settlement amount with CNN was nearly disclosed due to a quirk in court rules, but will now remain confidential after the pandemic delayed scheduled hearings until after his 18th birthday.

Nick Sandmann, who is scheduled to address the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, reached the confidential settlement with CNN in January, after suing the network for $275 million and saying it defamed him in coverage of a viral video last year.

The settlement amount was nearly disclosed through a Kenton County, Kentucky probate case because, at the time, Sandmann was a minor and couldn't claim the money directly, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Due to court delays in the coronavirus pandemic, Sandmann recently turned 18 and, no longer a minor, was able to claim the money himself, according to court documents.

Nick Sandmann reached the confidential settlement with CNN in January, after suing the network for $275 million and saying it defamed him in coverage of a viral video last year

Sandmann was among the students from Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, Kentucky who were participating in the March For Life anti-abortion rally in Washington DC in January 2019.

Footage of his face-off with Nathan Phillips, who was participating in a separate demonstration supporting Native American rights, spread widely online.

Both Sandmann, who was wearing a red 'Make America Great Again' cap, and Phillips later said they were trying to defuse tensions among three separate groups participating in various demonstrations, including Black Hebrew Israelites who had arrived apparently to counter-protest the Native Americans.

Video of the encounter showed Phillips walking up to Sandmann and standing very close to him, with Sandmann staring, and at times smiling, as Phillips sang and banged a drum in his face.

Sandmann later settled lawsuits against CNN and other media outlets, saying that they had taken the video clip out of context to falsely accuse him and other Covington students of taunting and intimidating Phillips.

The Kentucky teen is among Tuesday's scheduled speakers at the virtual Republican National Convention.

Attorney Lin Wood and Nicholas Sandmann are seen together in an undated photo

Sandmann will urge voters to reelect President Donald Trump in his speech during the gathering's second night, when the theme is 'Land of Opportunity.'

Sandmann, who now identifies himself on Twitter as a spokesman for the Transylvania University College Republicans, tweeted that he couldn't express 'enough about how excited I am to be apart of this years RNC!'

He will be featured along with first lady Melania Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as the convention focuses on many hot-button issues, including abortion and Middle East policy, and portrays Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as too extreme to win November's election.

"We need to keep talking about Joe Bidens radical policies," Trump reelection campaign manager Bill Stepien said during an online interview with Politico on Tuesday.

"The more we talk about the Democrat policies being pushed by Joe Biden and the radical fringe of his party, the better we are. The more our standing improves in this race."

Last month, a lawyer for Sandmann vowed to take additional legal action against CNN and the Washington Post for allegedly breaching confidentiality agreements under the settlements they made in the initial lawsuits.

Attorney Lin Wood put the outlets back in his crosshairs as he accused CNN anchor Brian Stetler and a Post reporter of breaking confidentiality by tweeting speculation about the settlements.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 12:13:53|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KATHMANDU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nepal reported the record high foreign exchange reserves in the last fiscal year 2019-20 that ended in mid-July as the country's import slumped amid COVID-19 and less-than-estimated decrease in remittance inflow, Nepal's central bank said.

According to Nepal's central bank's statistics, the foreign exchange reserves of the Himalayan country stood at 11.65 billion U.S. dollar as of mid-July, which is record high.

"The available foreign exchange is enough for importing goods and services for 12.7 months," the Nepal Rastra Bank said in a report released on Monday.

"Reduced imports and inflow of remittance close to amount received in the previous fiscal year 2018-19 are major reasons behind the comfortable level of foreign exchange reserves," Gunakar Bhatta, spokesperson at the Nepali central bank, told Xinhua.

According to the Nepal Rastra Bank's statistics, Nepal's merchandise imports in the last fiscal year 2019-20 decreased 15.6 percent to 9.96 billion U.S. dollar.

The central bank had estimated remittance, the biggest source of foreign exchange earnings for Nepal, will decrease over 15 percent in the last fiscal. But, according to the central bank's report, Nepal witnessed a decrease in remittance by just 3.3 percent despite the impact of COVID-19 on countries that host most of the Nepali migrant workers.

India, Gulf countries and Malaysia are major destinations for Nepali migrant workers.

However, Bhatta said whether the Himalayan country would receive remittance in the current fiscal year 2020-21 would depend on how the economic recovery takes place in the countries from where Nepal receives the large volume of remittances.

Bhatta said increased borrowing of external loans by the Nepali government and growing inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the last fiscal year also helped to maintain comfortable foreign exchange reserves.

According to the Nepali central bank, the Himalayan country received 1.35 billion U.S. dollar in external loans in the last fiscal year compared to 675 million U.S. dollar in the previous fiscal. Likewise, the inflow of FDI also jumped to 171 million U.S. dollar in the last fiscal from 147 million U.S. dollar in the previous fiscal.

"These factors helped to offset the losses in tourism and export incomes due o pandemic," Bhatta said.

Due to reduced outflow of money from the country during the pandemic, Nepal's balance of payment also remained positive by 2.34 billion U.S. dollar in the 2019-20 fiscal year, according to the central bank.

"At the moment, Nepal's external sector of the economy is strong enough to withstand any external shock," said Bhatta. Enditem
MONTREALWhen eight college buddies decide to hit the road together in search of adventure, they find more than they ever dreamed possible at Motel Slutsville, Masqulin studio's newest DVD, available now in the retail and wholesale markets.

The new 100 percent bareback title features Andy Star, Igor Romani, JJ Knight, Ken Summers, Luka Daken, Matthew Parker, Pierce Paris and Rico Vega as college buddies on a road trip through the oddly named towns of Dildo and Cocks Lake.

Their adventure lands them in the aptly named town of Slutsville where orgies, hooking up with strangers and sex auditions are all part of normal daily life.

Motel Slutsville, according to a rep, gives fans "all the bareback action they have come to expect from Masqulin, with a cast filled with some of their favorite and most requested performers."

On the boards is The Masqulin Project, starring Drew Dixon, Jeremy London, Markus Kage, Max Adonis, Ryan Bones and Vitaliy Sens, which goes live September 1.

For more, visit Masqulin.com and follow the studio on Twitter and Instagram.
A hoon allegedly led police on a wild chase for 200km after trying to escape coronavirus-riddled Victoria into New South Wales.

The 51-year-old was stopped at the Hume Highway, South Albury checkpoint about 11.40am on Monday and told admitted to police he did not have a permit but wanted to drive to Canberra.

Officers soon discovered the driver had previously tried to cross the border several times without a permit.

The man was ordered back to Victoria with a police escort, but allegedly sped away from police in his Mazda MX5 - prompting a 200km chase.

The 51-year-old was stopped at the Hume Highway, South Albury checkpoint about 11.40am on Monday (Pictured, police at the checkpoint on July 8)

The man led police on a wild chase for 200km in his Mazda MX5 (stock) on Monday as he tried to leave Victoria

Police immediately pursued the man, claiming he was driving at 172km/h in a 110km/h zone to evade capture.

Road spikes successfully deflated one of the car's tyres, but the driver continued to speed away.

After almost 200km the car finally ran out of fuel and stopped near Jugiong in the Hilltops Region of New South Wales where he was arrested, police said.

The man was charged with reckless driving, not stopping for police, speeding and not comply with COVID-19 dirctives.

He was refused bail and is due to appear at Gundagai Local Court on Tuesday.
When Jack Moss was growing up in Jefferson County, his father refused to run from hurricanes. There could be howling winds, torrential rains and tornadoes, and his dad would insist they all stay put.

One hurricane blew holes in the roof of our home when I was about 10, and we had water coming in. I made up my mind then that if I had a chance to leave during a hurricane, I would, said Moss, who is 73 and retired from the Falcon Group, a real estate development company.

True to his pledge, Moss evacuated from his home along Galveston Bay to San Antonio before Hurricane Ike pounded the region in 2008, watching the news from Central Texas.

Moss returned home to find that his San Leon house and rental property next door had floated off of their foundations.

Now he lives in a home on stilts in League City  farther inland and in less danger  and on Monday was just backing up computers and pulling in anything that could blow away as Hurricane Laura powered toward the region.

For many Houston-area residents, Lauras approach may bring flashbacks of Hurricane Harvey, a dayslong storm in 2017 that inundated the area with rain and led to catastrophic flooding. But for longtime Bay-area residents such as Moss, the memories remain vivid of Hurricane Ike, a 2008 storm that unleashed a 22-foot storm surge and 110 mph winds, causing so much damage in Galveston that it left the island nearly uninhabitable.

Hotels, restaurants and homes were all badly damaged, and places like the historic Balinese Room on a 600-foot pier were wiped out. In Seabrook, 76 percent of residential properties were damaged, with some homes on the water along Todville Road ripped apart or completely washed away.

Like Ike, Laura is expected to bring fierce winds and a life-threatening storm surge. Forecasters expect it to make landfall somewhere between San Luis Pass, about 25 miles south of the Galveston Seawall, and Intracoastal, La.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued Tuesday for the city of Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula. The latter could get 4 to 8 feet of storm surge as winds push water away from inland areas.

Taking precautions

Moss and others in Clear Lake living on or near Galveston Bay have been watching the weather closely this week, relieved that Hurricane Marco weakened before making landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River, but still worried about the growing strength of Laura.

Robert Donley, who works as a boat captain in the Port of Houston and has a side business conducting weddings at sea  MyWeddingOnTheWater.com  said Monday he minimizes damage to his boat during storms by taking every precaution.

Before Ike, he tied his Bayliner 4588 Pilot House down, added 4-foot fender bumpers and removed plastic windows and the Bimini top so there would be nothing that could fly away. Monday, anticipating Lauras arrival, he did that and more at his boat, docked at Waterford Harbor Marinas floating piers in Kemah.

You learn to look for the unknown. What if  what if your neighbor  what if something floats down the fairway? he asked rhetorically. Theres nothing you can do about things floating in water or flying through the air. I bring out 1-inch lines and 4-foot fender bumpers  I go the extra effort.

Every community east of Texas 146 was devastated by Ike, and many just west of the four-lane road were, too. In all, Ike caused $38 billion in damage.

The Seabrook United Methodist Church flooded badly and relocated to another site. Nearly next door, the Tookies burger joint didnt reopen for three years.

Pastor Terry Creekmores New Life Praise Center in Old Seabrook flooded, but the worst part was that Creekmore and others werent allowed to return to the city for safety reasons. By the time they could get in to clean out the church, it was covered in mold.

He spent 19 months haggling with the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to get a settlement. Creekmore lost all of his pews, and another church donated the chairs that still sit in the Pentecostal apostolic churchs sanctuary.

As bad as Harvey was, water-wise, it didnt affect the church at all. In fact, we stayed at the church because we lost electricity at our house, Creekmore said, noting that he cannot afford the $13,000 it costs to insure the church annually. Our congregation is so small. Im 66 years old and two weeks ago my wife and I started delivering for Uber Eats; were trying to keep the doors open. Were watching the news closely now, and I pray to God that nothing happens.

Coming together after Ike

Not far away in the fish market district, Samantha Tran and others at Roses Seafood on Tuesday were preparing for yet another storm. Trans Vietnamese family founded the market 40 years ago and has had to rebuild three times.

In 2008 they were a month away from moving into a new building that was elevated 16 feet when Ike hit. Their existing business was ruined and even the new building was damaged  pushing back its opening about a year.

The new building has a generator thats ready for use and hurricane shutters that are being pulled down.

Weve cleared beneath the building and were not taking any deliveries but were open now, Tran said Tuesday. Everyone is rushing in to get seafood. If youre going to be stuck in a storm you can at least have good food, you know? I cooked a big old pot of seafood gumbo and told my husband, If were going to be stuck at home, it will be better than canned soup.

Kemah suffered a devastating storm surge in 2008, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

Greg Collins knows this all too well. He was mayor of Kemah during Ike and managed city staff and first responders while living in a home without electricity and not missing a day of work at his job as a manufacturers rep at Sanmar, a company that sells sporting goods such as Nike and North Face.

He lives in an apartment in League City now, and has been helping friends and family get their homes ready to face whatever Laura brings.

Collins, who was mayor or mayor pro-tem in the small coastal town for 17 years, remembered seeing boats in the streets and in peoples yards, appliances and all kinds of household furnishings scattered everywhere. He lived in a home on the bay back then and recalled waves crashing over his boathouse and a debris line that went 200 yards past his house.

More than anything, though, Collins remembered that Mother Natures worst brought out everyones best.

In 2005, (Hurricane) Katrina hit and then Rita hit, so we were very organized in Kemah because we had some history to go off of, Collins, 63, said. We had a good plan going in and everybody involved  every council member, staff, police and fire departments  executed extremely well. Talk about people who were completely selfless  most of the police officers were sleeping at City Hall. It was an incredible effort. Everybody wanted to be involved.

diane.cowen@chron.com
A reward of $1 million has been announced for information which could help solve the 1980 murder of a teenager who was shot several times while in a parked car with his girlfriend.

Thomas Cooper, 18, was with his 16-year-old girlfriend in his HQ Holden sedan on August 18 at a car park at Ricketts Point, which was well-known at the time as a "lovers lane" in Beaumaris. The couple would visit the spot overlooking Port Phillip Bay several times a week.

Thomas Cooper. Credit:Victoria Police

A man wearing a hat approached the vehicle and smashed the drivers side window about 7.15pm. Mr Cooper tried to drive away but he was shot several times.

His girlfriend was able to lean over and steer the car forward and away from the area, before people in the vicinity came to their aid. The young woman was not physically injured.
In an exclusive conversation with NewsX for its special segment 'NewsX A-list, Dr Subodh Varshney, MD of Siddhanta Red Cross Hospital in Bhopal, gave us an insight into the issues faced by the medical fraternity during Covid-19 and what were the key takeaways.

Recently, Dr Subodh Varshney, MD of Siddhanta Red Cross Hospital in Bhopal, gave NewsX exclusive insight into how the medical fraternity fought against COVID-19 and the challenges it brought. He highlighted the issues faced by the healthcare community during the lockdown and the key takeaways for future disasters.

Dr Varshney pointed out the issue of lack of public transportation, closure of shops, and its effect on the staffs mental well-being during the lockdown threatened the continuation of services. His team immediately understood the necessity of boosting the morale of the staff and so they ensured that sanitation and hygiene were maintained, all responders were provided entire PPE kits, no salary was deducted from the staff, and all the patients and staff were constantly screened for COVID-19.

Moreover, transportation for the staff and the onus of organising emergency passes was also undertaken by the hospital itself. We did not shut down any service, on any day during the entire lockdown, he said victoriously.

He also brought to the forefront the issue of the hospitals in the country not being adequately equipped to deal with massive disasters and epidemics. He emphasised the need for regularly organized stock-taking of emergency equipment and self-sufficiency. The dependent nature of manufacturing units, especially for active pharmaceutical ingredients, PPE kits, N-95 masks, ventilators, etc.

He believes in the power of Digital India and mentions the importance of Telemedicine, Tele-Consulting, video-conferencing and E-education in the tangible future. He hopes for a self-sufficient India and is a proponent of Make In India. He believes in providing investors with incentives to boost production and manufacturing in the country.

He envisions Ayushman and other forms of affordable medical insurance as the foundation of a healthy India and deterrent to lack of proper healthcare facilities. He advises investing in agro-based ventures, pharmaceuticals, insurances, and presents his vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 22:19:26|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

WINDHOEK, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Namibia planned to open its flagship international Airport, Hosea Kutako International Airport, to leisure travelers and tourists from September 1, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta said Tuesday.

The move is meant to breathe life into the country's tourism industry battered financially by the COVID-19 pandemic which has stopped inbound travels from March.

According to Shifeta the implementation of the international traveling into Namibia will be accompanied by very strict COVID-19 health guidelines.

Among some of the new regulations for entry is that entry to the country will only be allowed via Hosea Kutako International Airport.

"All travelers must present a negative PCR test result, not older than 72 hours before boarding the plane and to be allowed to enter Namibia," he said.

"All travelers will be required to stay for 7 days at their first tourist facility of booking, which must be duly registered with the Namibia Tourism Board and certified by the Ministry of Health and Social Services."

The Namibian minister also added that tourists must proceed directly to their first accommodation from the airport and no overnight or stopovers are permitted.

All tourism establishments must observe the general health and safety protocols as stipulated by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and detailed COVID-19 protocols for all operations in the tourism sector have been put in place by the Namibia Tourism Board.

"All tourism and hospitality establishments, facilities and enterprises must prior to receiving guests obtain a health certification license/permit in compliance with the provision of the protocols for the international tourism revival initiative," he said. Enditem
WASHINGTON/BEIJING: Top U.S. and Chinese trade officials have reaffirmed their commitment to a Phase 1 trade deal, which has seen China lagging on its obligations to buy American goods, giving a boost to financial markets on Tuesday.

The pledge was made in a telephone call between U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He - their first formal dialogue since early May - amid concern the deal could be on shaky ground because of worsening U.S.-China ties.

Both sides see progress and are committed to taking the steps necessary to ensure the success of the agreement," the U.S. Trade Representatives office (USTR) said in a statement after what it described as a regularly scheduled call.

The call was originally expected on Aug. 15, six months after the trade deal was launched.

But President Donald Trump, who has frequently expressed anger at China over the novel coronavirus pandemic, said last week he had postponed talks with China because I dont want to deal with them now."

Washington and Beijing have traded sanctions and barbs over a growing list of issues including a new national security law imposed on Hong Kong, Chinas disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea, the coronavirus and U.S. accusations of national security threats posed by Chinese tech firms.

Chinas commerce ministry confirmed that the two sides had a constructive dialogue" and agreed to continue pushing forward the implementation of the Phase 1 trade deal.

The USTR said they addressed steps that China has taken to effectuate structural changes" on issues including protecting intellectual property rights, removing impediments for U.S. firms in the financial services and agriculture sectors and eliminate forced technology transfers. The parties also discussed the significant increases in purchases of U.S. products by China as well as future actions needed to implement the agreement," it said.

News of the call helped lift global stocks and Asian currencies.

U.S.-China talks are bullish for most commodities as Trump is desperate for good news to help in the election," said Ole Houe, director of advisory services at agriculture brokerage IKON Commodities in Sydney

It could lead to higher demand for U.S. products."

KEEP BUYING

Chinese purchases of U.S. goods are running well behind the pace needed to meet a first year increase of $77 billion specified in the deal, according to official data.

While China has recently ramped up buying of farm goods including soybeans, it is far from meeting its commitment to buy $36.5 billion worth of U.S. agricultural goods under the deal - purchases that Trump has counted on to bolster his support in farm states that backed him in the 2016 election.

The United States exported just $7.274 billion in agricultural goods to China in the first half of the year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The U.S. comments showed that they think we are going to keep buying from the U.S., at least before the election takes place. And we will," an agricultural goods trader with a Chinese state-owned firm told Reuters, declining to be identified as he is not authorized to speak to media.

We are definitely going to maintain the stance to buy as much as possible, but it is really hard to say whether the targets can be reached."

Sushant Gupta, research director at the Wood Mackenzie consultancy, said it expects China to import more American LPG, propane and ethane in the second half of this year to meet petrochemical feedstock shortages, but does not expect China to be able to increase U.S. crude imports enough to meet the Phase 1 targets.

China bought only 5% of the targeted $25.3 billion in energy products from the United States in the first half of 2020. Chinese state-owned oil firms have booked tankers to carry at least 20 million barrels of U.S. crude for August and September.

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
Earths magnetic change is undergoing a rather significant change, and it is not simply the natural shift in magnetic flux that occurs all around the planet. Last week, NASA revealed that the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), the name given to a weak spot of magnetic field activity that hovers somewhere around South America and the South Atlantic Ocean, is undergoing a degree of behavioural change. This is causing the weak spot of Earths magnetic field to split into two parts, marking the first time this has ever happened. The spot is also said to be shifting westward, leading to geophysicists and other satellite engineers around the world to scurry for making changes to satellites, network and power equipment operating on Earth.

As part of a statement released last week, NASA said, Earths magnetic field acts like a protective shield around the planet, repelling and trapping charged particles from the Sun. But over South America and the southern Atlantic Ocean, an unusually weak spot in the field  called the South Atlantic Anomaly, or SAA  allows these particles to dip closer to the surface than normal. Currently, the SAA creates no visible impacts on daily life on the surface. However, recent observations and forecasts show that the region is expanding westward and continuing to weaken in intensity. The South Atlantic Anomaly is also of interest to NASAs Earth scientists who monitor the changes in magnetic strength there, both for how such changes affect Earths atmosphere and as an indicator of whats happening to Earths magnetic fields, deep inside the globe.

So, does this mean that we might face the impact of increased exposure to solar flares with massive power cuts, as well as failure of communications systems and satellite downtime? The answer is two-fold.

Theoretically, we can face cataclysmic blackouts

if we did not know as much as we know today. The Earths magnetic field, as said before, is responsible for creating magnetic flux that keeps solar particles at bay. Every now and then, our Sun gives out an angry burst of charged particles, which are flung across the solar system. If, say, we did not have the protection of our magnetic field, we would have faced the full impact of the solar winds. This, in turn, would have meant complete exposure to charged solar particles, which cause electronic circuits to reset or malfunction, and at the worst, may even cause permanent damage to electrical setups  such as power circuits of exploratory devices onboard the International Space Station.

In case Earths magnetic field weakens heavily, or splits into two (like it is doing right now), the biggest problem to factor in would be for the satellites that help us operate telephonic communications, internet services and even navigation for aircrafts and marine vessels. Without the magnetic flux of Earths natural magnetic field, satellites would stand the chance of falling into this blind spot at the wrong time, in which case they may even face permanent damage. Given how expensive and time consuming the procedure is to create an information beaming satellite, this can create serious damage to telecom operators around the world. It may also hamper air and marine traffic, should the navigation satellites suffer an outage.

However, we may know how to save ourselves

from such an event where solar flares take out power grids and satellites  leaving the entire world stranded. NASA reports that teams of geophysics, geomagnetic and heliophysics (the study of the Sun) researchers have been actively studying the magnetic field anomaly that has existed for a while. These researchers have constantly monitored the growing SAA, in a bid to predict what may happen to it next and how this would impact our satellite communications. Given how critical satellite-based communications and navigation services are to us, it is this research that will help us learnt how to make satellites falling in the magnetic field route.

The solution to all this will be in making sure that all communication satellites are diverted away from such weak spots in Earths magnetic field. If the spot splits into two lobes, engineers will have a more difficult time in diverting the satellites away from two weak field spots instead of one. However, the chances of a complete, worldwide blackout as a result of the combined effect of the weak spot and a powerful solar flare is, safe to say, limited as of now.
A protest against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The man who filmed the police shooting of Jacob Blake, an unarmed Wisconsin man now fighting for his life in hospital, has said he is deeply disturbed by having seen the incident unfold just yards from his own house.

Speaking to CNN, Raysean White said that he did not know Mr Blake, but felt intense pain over what he witnessed during the events he filmed.

Its disturbing to actually look out the window where I live and see this man get shot by the police seven times, he said. Its highly disturbing to me, but Im pretty sure Jacobs kids were more traumatised than anybody during the whole situation.

Mr White gave his account as Mr Blakes city of Kenosha faced another night of furious demonstrations over the shooting, with police firing tear gas at protesters who defied an 8pm curfew to protest at the citys courthouse. Wisconsin governor Tony Evers has mobilised 125 members of the National Guard to help protect infrastructure and first responders.

In his remarks, Mr White had a message for the police.

The police want everybody to know theyre out here to protect and serve, but you guys are constantly giving us  Black people, in particular  reasons not to let you guys protect and serve.

We dont want you guys around because we are scared for our lives. You come to an incident to disarm an argument, and this Black man gets shot. It wasnt supposed to go down that.

Many of the numerous police shootings of Black Americans that have been documented on video in recent years have come with stories of trauma among those holding the camera.

The widely seen video of George Floyds death at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer was shot by 17-year-old Darnella Frazier, who posted the 10-minute clip on Facebook. She has since faced harassment for filming the killing, including from people furious that she did not intervene herself.

In response, she has pointed out that had she done so, she too might have faced police violence or worse  and that if it wasnt for me, four cops wouldve still had their jobs, causing other problems.

Story continues

Among the other cases caught on video was the 2016 killing of Philando Castile, who was  like Mr Blake  shot in his car by a police officer in front of a child, the four-year-old daughter of his girlfriend Diamond Reynolds.

Ms Reynolds live-streamed the aftermath of the incident on Facebook. Her footage shows her calm and composed even as her boyfriend dies next to her and her child cries in the back seat  a reaction later explained by psychologists in the media as the brain on horror.

However, later in the video, she can be heard breaking down in a police car.
A file photo shows a teacher instructing a student on a laptop as they prepare for a special project in Hagerstown, Md., on Nov. 12, 2015. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)

OC Launches New Program to Encourage Young Entrepreneurs

Orange County, California, officials announced a new Earn and Learn program on Aug. 24 designed to provide business and life skills to aspiring youth amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earn and Learn will offer youth ages 14-21 the opportunity to earn wages for taking part in financial literacy, leadership development, and occupational skills training activities that will prepare them for a successful adjustment to adulthood, according to an Aug. 24 press release.

The activities will provide young adults with valuable insight and tools for making the transition to unsubsidized employment, military life, post-secondary education, trade placement, and apprenticeship programs. The goal is to increase long-term opportunities for employment and self-sufficiency.

Orange County Public Information Officer Mechelle Haines told The Epoch Times in an email that the program was launched to provide youth the opportunity to earn wages while learning workforce skills for the future.

The skills learned will lead participants toward financial stability, she said.

Young adults signed on to the free program will have access to a 10-week online Entrepreneurship Academy. The courses will be conducted by live instructors with expertise in professional business, who will mentor students and help them transform a skill or idea into a successful venture.

By the time they graduate from the program, students will have a business plan, prototype, and venture pitch.

Students will be paid for participating in occupational skills training and study time. Students will be paid three hours per week for a 10-week period, Haines said.

Enrolled students will be able to earn up to $13 an hour for their class and study time. Students hours will be logged for class via a virtual platform that will keep track of their training hours on a time card.

The program was supported by the entire Orange County Board of Supervisors.

This program allows the County to help the next generation of entrepreneurs anticipate and learn the skills needed to succeed in the years to come, said Supervisor Donald Wagner.

Chairwoman Michelle Steel said that COVID-19 had presented a special struggle for Orange Countys youth trying to find relevant work experience and navigating their future career paths. The Earn and Learn program will provide youth the opportunity to earn wages while learning modern-day workforce skills to prepare them for the future.

Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said the program will provide significant opportunities to youth in underserved communities. Minorities and youth with disabilities were encouraged to sign up.

The youth is our future, and this program is an example of how the County is investing in it, Bartlett said.

Vice Chairman Andrew Do said the program is designed to equip youth participants with the proper workforce development training to successfully transition into adulthood.

Enrollment will be based on a quarterly first-come, first-served basis. In order to sign up, eligible students must be registered in the Ready S.E.T. OC Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program.

The Earn and Learn academy begins on Aug. 31.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin (Reuters) Paris  Tue, August 25, 2020 09:32 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c40367ef 2 News France,United-Kingdom,travel,quarantine Free

French authorities will in coming days reciprocate Britain's decision to impose a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from France, the junior minister for European affairs said on Monday.

Britain said on Friday travelers from the United Kingdom to France are required to self-certify that they are not suffering coronavirus symptoms or have been in contact with a confirmed case within 14 days preceding travel.

Since Aug. 15 British authorities have also required travelers returning from France to self-isolate upon their return due to high COVID-19 infection rates in France.

"We will have a measure called reciprocity so that our British friends do not close the border in one single way," French Junior European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune told French TV France 2.

"For travelers returning from the United Kingdom, there will probably be restrictive measures decided in the next few days by the Prime Minister and by the Defence Council."

Britain's imposition of quarantine conditions have hit Briton's favorite holiday destinations in mid-summer and have been called unnecessary by authorities in some of those countries.
A girl wades towards her flooded home the day after the passing of Tropical Storm Laura in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Aug. 24, 2020. (Dieu Nalio Chery via AP Photo)

Laura Strengthens to a Hurricane Over Gulf of Mexico, Could Become Major Storm

Hurricane Laura formed on Tuesday morning and is expected to become a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, said the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in its latest update.

U.S. hurricane hunter aircraft data suggests that Laura has become a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h), with higher gusts, the NHC said. The agency further warned that the system could become a major Category 3 storm when it hits the United States.

Currently, the system is about 145 miles northwest of the western tip of Cuba, and its about 625 miles southeast from Lake Charles, Louisiana, the NHC said. The storm, which has a minimum central pressure of 991 millibars, is currently moving 17 mph west-northwest, it added.

A hurricane watch is in effect now for San Luis Pass, Texas, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Watches were also issued for Lake Borgne, Lake Maurepas, and Lake Pontchartrain, the NHC said in another advisory.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards answers questions while holding a media briefing about the states activity related to Hurricanes Marco and Laura in Baton Rouge, La. on August 24, 2020. (Bill Feig./The Advocate via AP)

A tropical storm watch is in effect from Freeport, Texas, to San Luis Pass, Texas. A watch was also issued for the area from Morgan City, Louisiana, to the mouth of the Mississippi River, the agency said.

The NHCs cone of uncertainty for Laura suggests that the storm might make landfall near the Texas-Louisana border at 1 a.m. on Thursday.

Trump announced a state of emergency on Aug. 23 during a press conference about the COVID-19 pandemic. The White House said that disaster relief efforts will be coordinated by the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The White House said that those agencies will coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.

Trump, in a news conference, said he approved the emergency declaration after a request from Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards.

Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas declared a state of disaster in his state as the two storms approached.

28-year old Lafaille Katia removes salvage items from her flooded house the day after the passing of Tropical Storm Laura in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Aug. 24, 2020. (Dieu Nalio Chery via AP Photo)

Over the weekend, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves similarly declared a state of emergency over the two storms.

The hurricane center warned people not to focus on the details of the official forecast, since storm surge, wind, and rainfall hazards will extend well away from Lauras center along the Gulf Coast.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
False: NIA official part of Pulwama attack probe had not submitted dubious bills

Top Lashkar commander gunned down with two more terrorists in Pulwama

A hit at Balakot ensured JeM set aside plan for another Pulwama attack

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 25: The Jaish-e-Mohammad were in the process of carrying out another major strike in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack.

Pulwama Terror Attack: NIA names Masood Azhar and his brother as plotters in the chargesheet

The National Investigation Agency said that after the Pulwama attack, plans were on to carry out a major strike in Jammu and Kashmir. However, India decided to retaliate in a strong manner and carried out the Balakot air strikes in which a facility of the JeM was severely hit.

In the chargesheet the NIA said that JeM had planned another big attack after Pulwama, but the Balakot strike on the JeM facility made them cancel their plans.

India shared enough evidence on Pulwama attack but Pakistan continues to evade responsibility: MEA

India made a strong statement in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, when it entered into Pakistan and destroyed a Jaish-e-Mohammad facility. Popularly known as the Balakot air strike, this operation was code named "Operation Bandar." The name Bandar which means monkey was taken to maintain utmost secrecy.

During the strike, the IAF used Spice 200 precision guided munitions to hit the target.

Five of the six designated targets were hit at the Jaish-e-Mohammad training facility in Balakot.

In its chargesheet filed today, the NIA 19 terrorists including Jaish-e-Mohammad chief, Maulana Masood Azhar have been named.

The NIA has also charged Rauf Asghar, brother of Azhar and the launchpad commander of the JeM, Ammar Alvi. Seven persons have been arrested in the case while 5 are still absconding.

The 13,000 page chargesheet was filed at the special court in Jammu. It names Mohammad Umer Farooq as the key conspirator of the attack. He is the nephew of Azhar and son of IC-814 hijacker Ibrahim Azhar.
When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament, he didnt just shut down politically sensitive hearings into the WE Charity contract and Canada-China relations.

Side-swiped in that political play was also a House of Commons committee looking into the fate of women in the pandemic  hearings examining domestic abuse, employment and the very urgent problem of safe and accessible child care.

Two cabinet ministers, a range of experts and many parliamentarians were part of the way through hashing out a plan to better support women dealing with the brutal fallout of isolation and working from home  a spike in violence and a disturbing drop in womens participation in the workplace.

Its easy to see the cynicism that may have led the federal decision-makers to shut down the WE Charity inquiries, since they were seriously damaging the Liberals. And the Conservatives were the instigators of the Canada-China committee, which the Liberals only agreed to reluctantly.

But motherhood and women in the workplace? Its right on brand, not to mention crucial for the business community, a prerequisite for a smooth and sustained economic recovery and essential for the healthy development of children.

Theres a crying need for government action at all levels, and the time for that action is right now  as the recovery begins to take hold and as taking care of children is in a huge upheaval, with uncertain and ever-changing back-to-school conditions.

Just a few months ago, an amazing thing happened. As a country, we set aside political differences and agreed at a moments notice that we would do whatever it takes to get through the pandemic. At that time, whatever it takes meant shutting down the economy, pulling health-care workers out of retirement and providing them equipment and resources, making allowances for foreign workers to quickly move into our health-care system, and spending all the money needed to make sure the health-care system was not overwhelmed.

It wasnt perfect, but it mainly worked.

Now, whatever it takes is different. By necessity, we are learning to live and work alongside COVID-19, and that requires a different type of government support.

Imagine if we collectively decided to treat child care the same way we treated health care last spring. Whatever it takes would be putting billions of dollars into keeping child-care spaces open, giving schools and daycare operators all the space and teachers and extra resources they need to keep kids safe and educated, and even pulling in people from retirement to make it happen.

It would be done in the name of easing children back to school and daycare safely, expanding before- and after-school care, allowing parents to fully return to work with confidence  even as we are still dealing with the pandemic.

In the midst of the parliamentary hearings in July, it looked like we were heading in that direction.

We also know that the child-care system in Canada is not yet fully a system, said Maryam Monsef, the minister for women and gender equality. We can't get back to a strong economy if we don't address the labour force attachments that women need. There is a link between gender-based violence, economic security, child care and pay equity. These things are all related.

Monsef told the committee that her government was committed to that work.

In the House of Commons this month, the NDP won unanimous consent for a motion committing Ottawa to send $2 billion to the provinces for affordable daycare, and funding for a safe return to school.

The federal government proceeded to negotiate a $19-billion safe restart agreement with the provinces, which included $625 million for child care support.

But that money has yet to be spent.

Justin Trudeau told the premiers on Tuesday that Ottawa would transfer another $2 billion for the safe reopening of schools, but its not yet clear how much if any of that will be used for child care support.

And now, hope for a holistic all-party plan has been lost to prorogation.

Money without a plan is just money. Its not helping anything right now, says independent economist Armine Yalnizyan, who has become a go-to resource for the federal government as it attempts to deal with the effects of the pandemic recession on women.

There is no plan.

The committee heard from experts that the country needed about $2.5 billion just to maintain the existing daycare spaces, says NDP MP Lindsay Mathyssen, who sits on the committee. The MPs also heard from both business interests and child care advocates that maintaining child care is essential for a recovery strategy.

For sure, child care and education are provincial responsibilities. But health care is a provincial responsibility too, and that hasnt stopped the federal government from acting during the pandemic.

The NDP would go further and have Ottawa adopt a national child care act that would ensure equal standards and accessibility across the country, getting rid of the mishmash that is our system right now, Mathyssen says.

Its hard to imagine that kind of intricate negotiation happening during a pandemic. But adequate funding for safe conditions in daycares and schools that are gearing up to reopen in two weeks? Thats a lot more straightforward. Its also urgently needed, and not something that should be unnecessarily delayed by prorogation.
Insurance Office of America (IOA) has promoted Robert J. Peters to the role of chief operating officer (COO). Peters formerly held the role of COO as part of his over 25 years experience in the insurance industry.

Peters joined IOA in 2019 as senior vice president of insurance operations. Since then, he has played a role in enhancing the companys performance as well as transitioning operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his new role, Peters will lead the companys ongoing operational transformation and oversee the delivery of new products and services for clients as well as improved technology capabilities. In addition to his new position, Peters has been appointed to the board of directors as its newest member.

Insurance Office of America (IOA) is a full-service insurance agency founded in 1988 by John Ritenour and Valli Ritenour. Today, IOA is led by Chairman and CEO Heath Ritenours. IOA was ranked 13th on Insurance Journals 2019 Top 100 Independent Property/Casualty Agencies. Headquartered in Longwood, Florida, part of the greater Orlando community, IOA has more than 1,200 associates located in over 60 offices in the U.S. and London.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : 2020 has indeed witnessed drastic changes due to the precedence of alterations that have occurred in societal functioning, triggered by the coronavirus. While many adults continue to work at home or remotely, one group of individuals is significantly affected-- youngsters, many of whom are still in school or college.

While Covid-19 did prompt distance learning through online classes, several students are finding it tough to cope with the onset of isolation - away from face to face interactions with teachers and peers. The otherwise tech-savvy-social media generation has found the transition to online academics daunting, leading to many experiencing anxiety, stress as well as depression.

As virtual learning has become the new norm, anxiety and confusion about online academics may be seen in many students. Dr. Parul Tank, consultant psychiatrist and therapist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund lists down some of the common problems faced by students studying online and to how to reduce anxiety as well as the stress of being socially isolated during the ongoing lockdown.

Common problems faced by students studying online REMAINING MOTIVATED

When home becomes a classroom students struggle to find a balance and a rhythm, or a way to stay motivated.

EASILY DISTRACTED AND MANAGEMENT OF TIME Being at home, one is conditioned to think of the surroundings to be a relaxed setting; with family and other siblings around the attention span of students' decreases. Time management is a challenge as well; students develop erratic sleep habits with the pressure to complete a project in time. Then there is also confusion and added screen timings.

TECHNICAL ISSUES There is a sudden irritability during the online class sessions due to poor internet connections amongst attendees; often at times systems shut down and need to be restarted; this leads to disinterest in rejoining the lecture instantaneously.

ENVIRONMENTAL TRAUMA With the current situation, many students have had to overcome the plight of dealing with either personal loss of a family member while in isolation, have found it hard to acknowledge the global situation, unable to grasp economic adversity, or witness interruption in their regular lifestyle.

Ways to reduce anxiety and Stress To enhance one's academics online, and to reduce anxiety as well as the stress of being socially isolated during the ongoing lockdown, here are some ways, suggests the expert:

PLAN YOUR ROUTINE

On a weekly basis, list down the important activities. Work on a daily planner to accomplish goals and priorities, set a timeline for each; share these activities with your family at home, intimate them about what you're going to be doing and when, so that they are aware of your timetable and do not cause distractions.

However, even though life is challenging right now, it is okay to leave your work aside for a while to prioritize not only on your physical fatigue, but your mental health as well. Screen time should also be limited; make time out to catch up on one of your favorite shows or to play a fun game with the family.

CREATING A STUDY SPACE Find a productive study space in your home, preferably at the table, and away from your bed. Make it comfortable; keep it tidy and customize it with colorful stationery.

ACCESSIBILITY TO ONLINE CLASSES If you are facing a technical issue or internet concern, do not fret! Inform your professor about what's happening. Stay relaxed and wait till the matter is fixed. Teachers are flexible and will understand your hardships; ask a fellow student to record the session for you to come up to speed with the rest of the class.

STAYING MOTIVATED It is definitely easy to stress out when things are not moving in the right direction, or perhaps in the way you thought things will progress. Apart from academics, this is the time to rekindle a favourite hobby. Read novels, sketch or doodle, play board games, or simply stay motivated by indulging in light exercises.

The role parents and teachers play during this period is crucial. However challenging it may seem, adults should monitor their kids carefully, watch out for distress signs, keep an open channel of communication to let them know that you are there for them, while giving them their space. Combating social and emotional isolation may be simplified by allowing kids to talk about their feelings and share their daily learnings. It is also important to watch out for online bullying or signs of trauma owing to the vulnerability of the online experience.

(Puja Gupta can be contacted at puja.g@ians.in)
A San Francisco civic soap opera roared back into the national spotlight on Monday, with the prime-time return of the citys former First Lady Kimberly Guilfoyle delivering a full-throated slam to California and her hometown during her fiery address at the virtual Republican National Convention.

By the end she was screaming. It was like she was channeling a Disney villain, said Nate Ballard, who served as press secretary to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Guilfoyles former husband, when he was mayor.

Flanked by American flags, Guilfoyle slammed the state Newson governs as a a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes.

The harsh words came as Newsom continues to struggle with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting tanking economy and epic unemployment, and the worst wildfires the Bay Area has ever seen.

It was hard to tell if it was personal or part of President Trumps re-election strategy, Ballard said.

Guilfoyle also took aim at her onetime professional rival, Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris, telling the TV audience, If you want to see the socialist (Joe) Biden-Harris future for our country, just take a look at California.

Kat Wade / The Chronicle 2004

Guilfoyles California carpet bombing is the latest chapter in the ongoing public and private relationships among Guilfoyle, Newsom and, to a lesser extent, Harris.

Those relationships date to the early 2000s, when they all were seen as young up-and-comers in the political and social circles that revolved around City Hall and the Getty mansion on the so-called Gold Coast atop Pacific Heights.

At the time Guilfoyle was an assistant district attorney and part of the prosecution team in the infamous Pacific Heights dog-mauling trial.

The case involved two giant Presa Canarios whose owner was a high-ranking member of the Aryan Brotherhood at Pelican Bay State Prison and is serving three life sentences. The dogs were being cared for by Paul Cornfed Schneiders attorneys, Robert Noel and Marjorie Knoller, who were also Schneiders adoptive parents.

The dogs had mauled their apartment house neighbor Diane Whipple to death as she was returning from grocery shopping. Noel served two years for involuntary manslaughter and died in 2018. Knoller remains in prison on a second-degree murder conviction.

The trial was an international sensation, and Guilfoyle caught the eye of cable executives in New York who began using her as an on-air legal analyst.

At the same time Guilfoyle, a born-and-raised San Franciscan, was also making news with her new husband, then-Supervisor Newsom, who with the backing of then-Mayor Willie Brown was eyeing a run for mayor.

And Harris, Browns former girlfriend, was using her considerable glamour, brains and connections to make her mark on the city and a run for district attorney. While it was all smiles in public, the competition between Guilfoyle and Harris, who had worked together as prosecutors in the DAs office, was intense.

Guilfoyle claimed that Harris had tried to block her from being rehired at the DAs office after moving to Los Angeles for a spell. Guilfoyle did get her job back and went on to dog-maul fame. Harris moved over to the City Attorneys Office.

The bottom line is she didnt want me there, Guilfoyle said at the time.

In separate, hard-fought campaigns in 2003, Newsom was elected mayor and Harris was elected district attorney.

Kimberly was very involved in Newsoms first mayoral campaign, but after that she was spending more and more time in New York pursuing her TV career, said P.J. Johnston, who served as Browns press secretary.

After a few years of living increasingly separate, bicoastal lives, Newsom and Guilfoyle divorced in 2006.

But according to friends, the two have have remained in touch, something they occasionally joke about.

According to the Washington Post, when Newsom was running for governor in 2018, Guilfoyle called and had him give her then-new boyfriend, Donald Trump Jr., tips on how to manage his hair.

More recently Guilfoyle and Trump Jr. have emerged as two of the biggest fundraisers for the presidents re-election campaign.

Guilfoyles presence in the Trump camp may also help explain Newsoms two-sided relationship with the president.

That relationship appears to have transcended the public slap Newsom gave the president during last weeks Democratic National Convention for threatening to cut off federal assistance to fight Californias wildfires because he says we havent raked enough leaves.

You cant make that up, Newsom said in his convention video.

The next day at a news conference, he made nice, telling reporters of his strong personal relationship with Trump.

Theres not one phone call that I have made to the president where he hasnt quickly responded, and almost in every instance, he has responded favorably in addressing the emergency needs of this state, Newsom said.

Closer to home, Newsom has also remained close to Harris, despite their apparent sibling rivalry.

As one former consultant who worked with both of them explained, given that Newsom and Harris share the same political and fundraising base, a race between the two would end in mutual career suicide.

So now Harris is running for vice president, Newsom is running California, and Guilfoyle is taking not-so-veiled shots at both of them.

With the next chapter yet to be written.

Say what you will, but it all makes for one hell of a story, said longtime Newsom and Harris friend Stanlee Gatti, event producer to the social and tech set.

We are not going to see stars like this coming out of San Francisco again for a long time, Gatti said.

Cue the fireworks.

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
Monday, August 24, 2020 at 11:02PM

Google is rumoured to be launching a new Android TV dongle to be the Chromecast Ultra's successor. Codenamed Sabrina, it appeared at the FCC, which suggests the official launch could happen soon. The FCC filings show two new Google devices with model numbers GZRNL and G9N9N. The former is an "Interactive Media Streaming Device, while the latter is described as a "Wireless Device" on the FCC website. Based on the descriptions, GZRNL could be "Sabrina," while G9N9N could be its remote control. As expected, the filings don't share critical details about the device, except for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The leak back in June revealed that the TV dongle will run on an Amlogic S905X2 processor, which uses four ARM Cortex-A53 cores and an ARM Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. It will supposedly support up to 4K videos, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision standards. It is also expected to support Auto Low-Latency Mode and Stadia gaming. Google is set to launch the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 on September 30. So, there's a possibility we'll see Sabrina then.

Source: Android Central
Hollywood events are being totally reworked in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Comedienne Heather McDonald, 50, strutted her stuff in front of the cameras for the first time in 2020 as she took to the red carpet at the socially distanced premiere of Hard Kill on Monday.

The event, powered by Reign Total Body Fuel, was held at the Hollywood Palladium and marked a first-of-its kind drive-in debut during COVID-19.

Hollywood comes back: Comedienne Heather McDonald, 50, strutted her stuff in front of the cameras for the first time in 2020 as she took to the red carpet at the socially distanced premiere of Hard Kill on Monday

'First movie premiere Ive gone to in 2020,' McDonald quipped on social media. ' It was a drive in movie premiere in our cars, but I got to take a few photos on the red carpet before watching #hardkill'

Heather looked stunning in a leopard printed slinking silk dress with thin straps and a plunging neckline.

The gown featured a high slit that exposed on of the Chelsea Lately star's tanned and toned legs.

For her beauty look, the funny girl kept things summery with long beachy waves and luminous makeup.

'First movie premiere Ive gone to in 2020,' McDonald quipped on social media. ' It was a drive in movie premiere in our cars, but I got to take a few photos on the red carpet before watching #hardkill'

Making it happen: The event, powered by Reign Total Body Fuel, was held at the Hollywood Palladium and marked a first-of-its kind drive-in debut during COVID-19 (Pictured with GloZell)

Safety: She and the rest of the attendees all wore masks at the drive-in extravaganza but were able to pull them off to snap a few photos on the red carpet

She and the rest of the attendees all wore masks at the drive-in extravaganza but were able to pull them off to snap a few photos on the red carpet.

On her way to the event, Heather took to her Instagram story to declare her excitement about attending the 'cool' premiere.

Movie premieres were shut down earlier this year, along with the rest of Hollywood due to the coronavirus.

Many films like Disney's Mulan and Hamilton have opted to skip traditional big screen openings and were released digitally instead.

A new world: On her way to the event, Heather took to her Instagram story to declare her excitement about attending the 'cool' premiere

Grinding to a halt: Movie premieres were shut down earlier this year, along with the rest of Hollywood due to the coronavirus

Social distancing: The team behind Hard Kill got creative with how to juggle showing the film in a theater setting, albeit a non-traditional one, by making it a drive-in format

The team behind Hard Kill got creative with how to juggle showing the film in a theater setting, albeit a non-traditional one, by making it a drive-in format.

The thriller is produced by Randall Emmett, the fiance of former Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent.

The blonde reality star was recently booted from her hit Bravo show and did not appear to attend the movie premiere.

However, Emmett was seen, microphone in hand, welcoming guests to the unique event.

Behind the scenes: The thriller is produced by Randall Emmett, the fiance of former Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent (Pictured Emmett and director Matt Eskandari)

Surprise! Hard Kill star Jesse Metcalfe echoed their gratitude when he made his appearance digitally via zoom from Canada where he has been quarantining

Together apart: Metcalfe expressed his gratitude for those who were able to make it work and attend the in person event

Amazing: Standing six feet apart, star Natalie Eva Marie was joined on stage along with director Matt Eskandari, and Randall Emmett to thank guests for attending the coronavirus-era soiree

The action thriller about a billionaire tycoon who hires mercenaries to protect a piece of technology stars Bruce Willis, Jesse Metcalfe and Natalie Eva Marie.

Natalie attended the drive-in premiere dressed down in all black with her shock of pink hair.

Standing six feet apart, she was joined on stage along with director Matt Eskandari, and Randall Emmett to thank guests for attending the coronavirus-era soiree.

High octane: The action thriller about a billionaire tycoon who hires mercenaries to protect a piece of technology stars Bruce Willis, Jesse Metcalfe and Natalie Eva Marie

Keeping it cool: Natalie attended the drive-in premiere dressed down in all black with her shock of pink hair

Star power! Cedric the Entertainer was all smiles as he walked the red carpet

Her co-star Jesse Metcalfe echoed their gratitude when he made his appearance digitally via zoom from Canada where he has been quarantining.

Other celebrities who walked the socially distant red carpet included Cedric the Entertainer, Corey Calliet and GloZell.

Hard Kill is out now and will stream digitally On Demand beginning on August 25.
As COVID-19 cases rise in the U.K., Queen Elizabeth II reportedly will not be living in Buckingham Palace any time soon.

The 94-year-old monarch, who is currently at her Balmoral Castle in Scotland for summer vacation together with Prince Philip, is set to return to Windsor Castle instead of her full-time residence in London for the "foreseeable future." It is because the global pandemic continues to disrupt the royal's working arrangements.

According to the Sunday Times, the Queen will remain at her royal residence -- which is one hour outside of London -- "until the threat from coronavirus has lifted."

"There is a desire to get Buckingham Palace up and running again as a working palace, but only if all the relevant advice suggests that it is appropriate to do so," a source told the outlet.

Furthermore, this is also Her Majesty's longest absence from the Palace in her 68 years of reign.

Earlier this month, the Queen and Prince Philip embarked on their annual summer vacation in Scotland after spending months at their Berkshire residence.

The Queen and the 99-year-old duke left Balmoral on August 4 and are expected to be in Aberdeenshire until early October.

Lockdown Bubble

Prior to this, Queen Elizabeth II left London last March and was transferred to Windsor Castle as a precautionary measure to the pandemic.

At the same time, the Duke of Edinburgh departed from his Sandringham Estate in Norfolk to be with the Queen, as they were taken care of and surrounded by 22 trusted royal staff in what was known as the "HMS Bubble."

In a leaked memo, Master of the household Tony Johnstone-Burt pointed out that the lockdown bubble was aimed to minimize the risk of the Queen and Prince Philip being exposed to the deadly virus.

"Indeed, the challenges that we are facing whether self-isolating alone at home, or with our close household and families, have parallels with being at sea away from home for many months, and having to deal with a sense of dislocation, anxiety, and uncertainty."

Although numerous royal events were previously canceled on her diary, Her Majesty participated in virtual conferences such as her fourth nation address, wherein she called for unity amid the global crisis.

"I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge," Queen Elizabeth II said.

An estimated 24 million people watched the rare televised speech, during which the Queen also thanked key workers and the NHS for their dedication and hard work.

Her Majesty emerged for her first public engagement since the lockdown when she awarded a knighthood to 100-year-old charity hero, Captain Tom Moore.

Meanwhile, other members of the royal family started doing face-to-face engagements amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla are the first royals to leave lockdown as they welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to London to commemorate the 80th anniversary of his predecessor Charles de Gaulle's "Appel."

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall were followed by Prince William and Kate Middleton, who visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.

READ MORE: WAP Video Causing Injuries? Cardi B Sends Massive Warning to Fans
China's self-service vending industry featuring "Internet + Retail" has entered a period of rapid development in recent years, thanks to big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other technologies.

(Photo/pixabay.com)

Several intelligent fresh food vending cabinets recently made their debut in a residential compound in Tianxin district, Changsha city, central China's Hunan province, selling fresh frozen food, fresh vegetables and fruit, grain, oil, eggs and milk, among other things.

"Now we can buy fresh vegetables and fruit directly downstairs, and the goods are high quality! said a resident named Huang Jue while scanning the QR code on the cabinet. "The sensor system weighs the goods automatically. After closing the cabinet door, the cost will be deducted directly from the APP wallet, which is very convenient."

In recent years, with the rapid development of big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other technologies, the overall digital level of the retail industry has greatly improved, bringing in a period of rapid development for the self-service vending industry featuring "Internet + Retail".

Self-service vending machines have been widely introduced around the country. Machines for beverages and electronic products are very popular in schools, and machines that sell boxed meals are popular in some office districts.

A survey of China's self-service vending industry conducted by the China Commerce Association for General Merchandise showed that China's self-service vending industry has developed rapidly in the past five years, with an average annual growth rate of more than 50 percent.

In 2019, there were over 655,000 self-service vending equipment units in China, an increase of 26.6 percent over the previous year. As the number of enterprises in the industry continued to increase, the production scale and equipment ownership has continued to grow.

Furthermore, from the perspective of the existing number of self-service vending units in China, compared with the average of 60 people per unit in developed countries, the number in China was only about 2,200 people per unit in 2019, leaving a great deal of room for growth.
The Russian government has reached out to India seeking a collaboration for manufacturing its COVID-19 vaccine 'Sputnik V' and conducting its phase 3 clinical trial in New Delhi, sources said.

According to government sources, the matter was discussed by the national expert group on vaccine administration for COVID-19 in its last meeting held on August 22.

Sputnik V has been developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology along with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). The vaccine has not been tested in phase 3 or larger clinical trials.

There has been scepticism in some quarters about limited data related to the efficacy of the vaccine.

"The Russian government has reached out to the Indian government seeking a collaboration for manufacturing their COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, and conducting its phase 3 trial here," a source in the government said.

"The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) along with the Department of Health Research has been asked to lead and look into the matter.

"They (Russian government officials) have shared some information and data on Sputnik V, while more data related to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine is awaited," the source said.

When asked if the Russian government has placed any formal request for the manufacture of its COVID-19 vaccine in India, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said at a press conference, "As far as Sputnik V vaccine is concerned, both India and Russia are in communication. Some initial information has been shared while some detailed information is awaited."

According to sources, Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev has approached the office of Principal Scientific Advisor K Vijay Raghavan as well as secretaries of the departments of biotechnology and health research in this regard.

Talking about COVID-19 vaccine development in India, Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Balram Bhargava said, at a press briefing, on Tuesday that currently two vaccine candidates, indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and Zydus Cadila Ltd, have completed phase 1 of the human clinical trials and they will start phase 2 trials.

Pune-based Serum Institute of India, which has partnered with AstraZeneca for manufacturing the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate, has also started the process of conducting phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials of the candidate in India.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India had shared photos and addresses of voters from North-East Delhi with the Delhi police after the February riots, RTI activist Saket Gokhale said on Monday.

Citing a letter from the Election Commission of India to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi dated March 12, Gokhale said the full voters list, along with photos, was handed over illegally to the Delhi Police to help identify suspects.

According to Gokhale, the ECIs letter to the Delhi CEO clearly states that the electoral database of entire AC/District should not be shared with the Police Authorities.

Gokhale also shared the letter on Twitter, which gives the context in which the Delhi police sought the sensitive data.

The police wanted the address and photographs of residents, as available in the electoral roll of the North-East Shahdara and East Delhi districts, for the purpose of matching with the photographs of culprits captured through CCTV. ECI broke these rules & made these full voter lists available to police, he tweeted.

However, the poll panel rejected the charges. It is hereby clarified that the Commission has not in any way deviated from the original guidelines of 2008 and clarificatory orders of 2020 in any manner, it said.

The Election Commission also noted that in case of criminal investigations by enforcement agencies, it is under their own extant rules and guidelines, which can be challenged in courts of law.

It is only when the Model Code of Conduct is enforced that the Election Commission takes note of any such event(s)/incident(s), which have the potential of disturbing and/or disrupting the smooth conduct of electoral process, it said.
They're Australian radio's resident shock jocks, but Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson took advantage of the opportunity to do some good on Tuesday.

The Kyle & Jackie O Show hosts donated $10,000 in conjunction with Italian restaurant Enzo's Cucina to a young boy who had been hit by a car in February.

Speaking to 13-year-old Ethan and his family, the radio hosts heard how he'd been walking to school with his twin brother Hayden when a car struck him on a pedestrian crossing.

Feeling charitable: They're Australian radio's resident shock jocks, but Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson took advantage of the opportunity to do some good on Tuesday

Ethan has been in hospital since his accident, but is due to return home on Friday, with his mother taking unpaid leave from her job, while his father was given carer's leave.

'You'd do anything to sit with your child, but then bills pile up, and life is expensive. Things cost money,' Kyle, 49, told them.

Revealing they'd had to make some modifications to their house to make it accessible for Ethan once he returns home from the hospital, Jackie, 45, told the family they 'wanted to take a bit of the stress off when it comes to bills'.

Generous: The Kyle & Jackie O Show hosts donated $10,000 in conjunction with Italian restaurant Enzo's Cucina to a young boy who had been hit by a car in February

'The $10,000, hopefully that will just ease a bit of the pressure off you guys or you can give him something that he wants,' added Kyle.

Ethan's cousin, Shannon, got emotional at this news, after being the one to contact the radio hosts asking for help.

Shannon joked that now they'd be able to enjoy a 'shopping spree', confessing Ethan's a fan of brand names like Tommy Hilfiger.

Helping hand: Jackie told the boy's family they 'wanted to take a bit of the stress off when it comes to bills'

'This is exciting, Ethan. You can buy up,' laughed Jackie.

Following his shocking accident, Ethan spent nine weeks in a coma, and is still recovering from his horrific injuries.

Immediately after the accident, he needed to have a piece of his skull removed to relieve pressure on his brain, with his mother explaining how she arrived on the scene to find paramedics working to revive him.
He has demanded revised guidelines on protective gear, arguing the current infection control measures were clearly not working in Victoria. Loading "We know this works and it should be immediately rolled out to all front-line healthcare workers across the country," he said. "Will it take the deaths of healthcare workers to convince them?" More than 100 healthcare workers have been hospitalised during the pandemic, 12 of whom were admitted to intensive care. A disability nurse died after contracting the virus. Victoria recorded 148 new coronavirus cases and another eight deaths on Tuesday.

The fatalities include two men in their 70s, four women and one man in their 80s and one woman in her 90s. Of the deaths, seven were linked to aged care outbreaks. The AMA's Victorian president Julian Rait said fit testing should be mandatory for any workers wearing N95 face masks, noting it was already routine practice in some hospitals in South Australia and NSW. The higher-grade masks are recommended for any workers caring for coronavirus patients. "Experts advising the AMA believe that fit testing is justified for all healthcare workers required to wear N95 masks," he said, adding that the AMA had requested the governments raw data to do their own analysis and examine infection control and safety protocols in health institutions where there had been outbreaks. Victorian Chief Medical Officer Andrew Wilson said there had been 2692 cases of COVID-19 among Victorian healthcare workers as of August 23, most occurring in July and August.

He said about 70 to 80 per cent of the healthcare workers who had caught the virus contracted it at work. In the first wave, only 22 per cent of infected healthcare workers were believed to have caught coronavirus on the job. The analysis found aged care workers in Victoria accounted for more than 60 per cent of all COVID-19 infections during the state's second surge in cases. Poor infection practice was deemed the main driver of infection within aged care homes. "We increased our recommendation for N95 respirators so that staff could use those in those environments, and that was above the level of recommendation that the national guidance gives us," Professor Wilson said. In hospitals, 70 per cent of infections were among nurses, while about 11 per cent were doctors, the data showed.

Leading causes of infection in hospitals included substandard personal protective equipment  including misuse of face masks  and transmission through shared spaces, such as contact in break rooms, the analysis found. Dr Khorshid said the analysis showed health authorities had failed to adequately protect Victorian healthcare workers, which should be a "warning and wake-up call for the rest of Australia". Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid says current infection control measures are not working in Victoria. Credit:Tony McDonough Dr Khorshid said he had asked the federal government to revise current guidelines that do not require higher-grade P2 or N95 respirator masks for use with all COVID-19 patients. "We need to ensure this diaster is not replicated," he said.

Melbourne doctor Benjamin Veness is one of a group of front-line healthcare workers who have called on federal Health Minister Greg Hunt to reform the national advisory panel on infectious disease, arguing its advice on masks in hospitals is outdated. "To tell us now they are only going to do a trial for some staff in a single site when you've got nearly 3000 workers infected with COVID-19 is not only insulting, but it also completely underlines this lack of emphasis on occupational health and safety," Dr Veness said. "This is an absolutely appalling denial of responsibility." Yet a healthcare worker who was infected with the virus at a Melbourne hospital said she caught the virus despite adhering to strict infection control protocols. Loading The worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of losing her job, said she always wore an N95 mask while treating patients suspected to have COVID-19.



She said she had "no idea" whether she had contracted the virus from a patient or a co-worker, as "there's positive people everywhere".

She said hospitals were notorious for the cramped quarters in which healthcare workers had their breaks and got changed before and after shifts, due to funding being prioritised for "patient-centred" initiatives. "They buy a new MRI machine, they build more inpatient beds ... They don't redo the change rooms. They don't build more bathrooms for the staff," she said. "PPE is important but so is having enough space to have your break and not remove people." Health Workers Union Victorian president Diana Asmar said the vast majority of infections in the aged care sector were among workers at facilities run by private providers. Why werent Victorian aged care workers given adequate PPE when they were screaming for it back in April. Why werent providers training their staff on how to use PPE correctly," she said. "Its all about cutting costs and maximising profits."

Victorian Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said she was alarmed by the high number of nurses and personal care assistants who had contracted the virus, particularly in aged-care settings and private hospitals. She said more detail data was critical in determining whether staff infected had caught the virus from patients or whether the disease was being transmitted among staff members. While Ms Fitzpatrick supported formalising guidelines around fit-testing, she said a well-fitting N95 mask was not foolproof. "You can't just be stringent in one area," she said. "You have to be vigilant in every single area of infection control." Last week the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists wrote to Mr Hunt as well as Victorian and NSW health ministers to raise serious concerns that fit testing was not being conducted at all hospitals. Ms Mikakos said the virus had often spread among colleagues when they had taken off their masks while on a meal break, or were having a cup of coffee together in a tea room. She said the government's healthcare worker infection prevention and wellbeing taskforce would examine the adequacy of lunch and break rooms at aged care facilities and hospitals.

Ms Mikakos said the efficiency of fit-testing was still being debated and the findings of the Northern Health trial would help guide any changes to clinical pratice. Ms Mikakos also vowed the government would ensure there were regular, asymptomatic testing of healthcare workers in COVID wards, as well as fit testing of N95 masks. The government has also announced a range of measures to reduce healthcare worker infections, with staff to have greater access to N95 masks in emergency departments, intensive care units, aged care facilities and COVID-19 wards. Designated spotters will also help monitor the proper use of protective gear in all health services.
Dr. Alejandro Badia Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, is more likely due to hormonal changes, underlying inflammatory diseases, simple wrist anatomy  even genetics.

August 2020 - A common nerve compression disorder causing pain, tingling and numbness in the wrist, hand and fingers is an occupational disease, right? Wrong, says Alejandro Badia MD, noted hand and upper limb specialist and author of the new book Healthcare from the Trenches. He brands claims that carpal tunnel syndrome develops because of overuse of the wrist a myth, much like saying cracking your knuckles lead to arthritis or eating chicken soup will cure the common cold.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, is more likely due to hormonal changes, underlying inflammatory diseases, simple wrist anatomy  even genetics, says Dr. Badia, whose statement conflicts with that of some professionals who still believe a link exists between the disorder and computer-keyboard typing, painting, piano playing, and other activities involving excessive wrist movements.

The syndrome occurs when the median nerve, extending from the forearm to the hand through the narrow tunnel of bone and ligaments on the wrists palm side, becomes pinched and inflamed from irritated tendons or other conditions that cause swelling and thickening of the connective tissue surrounding the nerve in the wrist canal. Symptoms, which begin gradually and worsen over time, include wrist or forearm pain; persistent burning, tingling or numbness in the fingers; and decreased hand and wrist strength, explains Dr. Badia, founder and chief medical officer of the Badia Hand to Shoulder Center and OrthoNOW.

CTS is an extremely common, readily diagnosable medical condition. However, it is often misunderstood, even by the scientific community, Dr. Badia says. Recent studies bear him out.

For example, the latest research, published in a July 2020 issue of Nature Communications, indicates that genetics may play a much greater role in CTS than once thought. In analyzing nearly 100 cases of CTS in two families, scientists report finding mutations of a gene highly expressed in the tissue around the median nerve. The mutated gene is believed responsible for promoting an accumulation of cells that cause the connective tissue to thicken and press on the nerve. Study results could eventually lead to new treatments and preventive measures.

But genetics is only one culprit in a disorder considered multifactorial. The National Institutes of Health reports women are three times more likely than men to experience carpal tunnel syndrome. The higher risk among females is likely due to their anatomically narrower wrist channels and the disorders suspected relationship to metabolic and hormonal-level changes during pregnancy and menopause, Dr. Badia says.

Hormones are chemical substances that impact every organ and structure in the body. Variations in the levels of these substances  such as what occurs in menopause and pregnancy -- can lead to fluid retention and thicken the extracellular matrix in the wrist, resulting in pressure on the median nerve, Dr. Badia says.

Other conditions increasing risk among both sexes, researchers say, are injuries to the wrist, obesity, inflammatory and nerve-related diseases like arthritis and diabetes, and a dysfunctional thyroid. The thyroid controls metabolism  how the body utilizes energy from food.

Repetitive wrist activities -- like typing on a computer keyboard or handling a cash register -- may further aggravate CTS symptoms but are not linked to actual development of the disorder. Clinical research has failed to demonstrate conclusively any defined relationship between CTS and constant use of the wrist, Dr. Badia indicates. The myth that workplace responsibilities somehow cause CTS has resulted in the misdirection of billions of dollars into workers compensation to treat a condition that commonly occurs in the general population.

Also debunked by Dr. Badia are false beliefs that the only recourse for CTS is surgery, and, when performed, frequently proves unsuccessful.

In fact, initial, recommended therapies tend to be conservative. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatments can involve wrist splints at night, anti-inflammatory medications, injection of corticosteroids and physical therapy. Only if the problem persists, the nerve compression proves severe enough, or a physician determines the syndrome is causing deterioration of hand muscles will surgery be recommended, Dr. Badia says.

The current, most advanced surgical approach is endoscopic release, which can be performed in as little as 10 minutes in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. It involves dividing the ligament at the roof of the carpal tunnel in order to increase space in the canal and take pressure off the nerve, Dr. Badia says. Postoperative complications are minimal and long-term results excellent. Dr. Badia adds that recovery from this simple procedure is so easy that a cardiothoracic surgeon had Dr. Badia perform the release on the morning he was attending a conference near Miami. Three days later, this same cardiothoracic surgeon flew to the South West city where he practices and performed a major thoracic surgery using the dominant affected hand. Numbness was gone. Dr. Badias own international patient coordinator had the procedure also and went back to her computer within 90 minutes to rattle off some critical email responses to patients before Dr Badia urged her to go home and relax.

Carpal tunnel syndrome cannot always be prevented, but risks  and symptoms -- may be reduced. Dr. Badia offers these tips to protect hands and wrists:



Be cautious of hand position during sleep. Sleeping on flexed hands allows fluid to pool in the wrist canal. If so directed by an orthopedic specialist, wear a wrist splint at night to relieve pressure on the wrist canal.

Because hormonal changes can cause fluid retention at night, women particularly should talk to their physicians about taking prescribed doses of vitamin B6, which some scientists believe decreases fluid in the carpal canal.

Be aware of posture while walking or sitting. Hunching places strain on arms, wrists, and hands. Avoid bending the wrist too high or too low.

Take breaks when doing any prolonged activities involving hands or wrists.

Keep hands warm in a cold environment. Cold hands are a risk factor for CTS.

Most importantly, patients who are experiencing the classic symptoms of CTS should contact an orthopedic specialist as quickly as possible. If left untreated, the syndrome can eventually make it difficult to form a fist, coordinate fingers and do simple, manual tasks like buttoning a shirt or blouse. The disorder may even lead to a wasting of muscle at the base of the thumb and permanent nerve damage, Dr. Badia advises.

Bio: Alejandro Badia, MD, FACS, is an internationally renowned hand and upper-limb surgeon and founder of Badia Hand to Shoulder Center and OrthoNOW, a network of walk-in orthopedic centers. Dr. Badia is the author of Healthcare from the Trenches. http://www.drbadia.com http://www.orthonowcare.com
The enrollment of candidates for the National-Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (UG) from Tamil Nadu this year has seen a significant drop. The state-wise distribution of candidates and centres shared by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday shows there were 1,34,714 candidates in 188 centres last year whereas there are 1,17,990 candidates in 238 centres this year.

The state has shown a drop in enrolment in JEE (Mains) as well  from 45,440 in 2019 to 53,765 in 2020.

The NTA on Tuesday announced that the number of examination centres has increased from 570 to 660 in case of JEE Main and 2,546 to 3,843 for NEET. Around 15.97 lakh candidates have registered for the latter.

The local politics in Tamil Nadu factors in the mandatory NEET quite prominently. The regional parties have protested as they believe students from the CBSE board have an advantage over those from regional boards in various states, especially Tamil Nadu. The students have also expressed apprehension over losing out to aspirants from other regions.

The state assembly under the Edappadi K Palaniswami government had passed bills in 2017 to scrap NEET. The Presidents approval is still awaited.

On the other hand, the enrolment of candidates from Bihar has shown an increase from 56,907 across 84 centres in 2019 to 78,960 across 192 centres this year. There is a marked increase in Uttar Pradesh as well, with 1,39,497 candidates in 188 centres last year and 1,66,582 in 320 centres this year.

The rise in enrolment in Bihar and UP comes amid a chorus to cancel the exams scheduled to be held next month amid the coronavirus pandemic.
STOCKHOLM, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Not even six months after launching the antiviral treatment ViralOff, it is getting what is best described as global coverage in media. Last week culminated in an appearance on, Good Morning America - How major fashion has joined the fight against COVID-19.

That, however, is only the tip of the iceberg of attention we have received. We have been in Vogue, Vanity Fair, The Telegraph, The Financial Times, Forbes China, Vogue Business, British GQ, ADWEEK, Fashion Network, and numerous trade magazines. We include some links to online articles below.

While many articles have been wholeheartedly positive, other media have opted to do what they should - report and also investigate. Is this really necessary, this "Antiviral" thing?

We do not claim ViralOff to be the sole solution to the current or future pandemic. But it is a piece to the puzzle. First of all, viruses live naturally in textiles longer than on hard surfaces. A study from the University of Hong Kong reported that viruses were still detectable after 7 days (!) on face masks. Of course, reducing this to fractions of one percent in two hours changes things dramatically. Effectively, it works like sanitizing gel for your clothes - and it gives you one less thing to worry about. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention are quoted on TV saying, "If possible, do not shake dirty laundry. This will minimize the possibility of dispersing viruses through the air." Well, with ViralOff treated textile, you need not worry about that, and actually washing might not even be needed.

And what about having ViralOff on jeans? Well, three good reasons follow. First, viruses can live for a long time without treatment. Jeans are in touch with all kinds of surfaces in public spaces. Have you ever wiped your hands on your jeans before touching your face? Second, you will not need to wash them, note, need. There will be very few viruses, bacteria and other microbes so it will not be "contaminated", nor will it smell. You can in essence not wash them at all unless you want to get physical dirt off them. And finally, some markets already demand that any garment tried by one person should be disinfected before being sold to a second person. Check that box, too.

Here at Polygiene, we started ViralOff as our contribution in the healthcare sector - on scrubs and facemasks - but have seen this spread like wildfire into the consumer realm. And we see how it all adds up. Skipping half, or why not eight out of ten washes is a huge sustainability gain. Even more if clothes then last longer, are sold more on the second-hand market, and finally, facemasks are not made to be disposed after one use.

These numbers are simple facts. If we actually save lives and prevent spread in the process, then that is the ultimate benefit of course. But we will never "sell" anyone that.

Subscribe here to get reports, press releases and News: http://ir.polygiene.com/en/press/subscribe/

For press images and more information, visit ir.polygiene.com or contact:

Mats Georgson, CMO,

mats@polygiene.com

070-656 48 90

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/polygiene-ab/r/polygiene-is-hot-in-media---keeps-cool-and-comments,c3180870

The following files are available for download:
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  A former official under Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero received a tongue-lashing from President Rodrigo Duterte during his speech taped on Monday.

The President called Guerrero's Chief of Staff Teodoro Jumamil as "balasubas" or a swindler.

Duterte said the official has long been corrupt and using their ties so he will be absolved of his crimes. He added the official held two government posts at the same time: A position at Customs and a member of the Board of Directors at the Development Bank of the Philippines.

"Itong si Jumamil matagal na iyan sa airport. Napaka-corrupt iyang p*****i** na 'yan," he said. "Ang mahirap sa iyo, sa panahon ko, you took advantage because you helped me. [You want me] to repay by just closing my eyes. I cannot understand why you are holding DBP at the same time he was an employee of the Customs."

[Translation: Jumamil has long been assigned at the airport, he is extremely corrupt. The problem with you, you took advantage of my term because you helped me.]

He said he has long told Guerrero to sack Jumamil, but said it "took him seasons to do it."

Despite his corruption claims against Jumamil, he vouched for the Custom Chief's honesty.

"I can vouch na malinis ka [I can vouch that you are not corrupt]. Problem is, do not entertain loyalties especially in government," he added.

Last year, Guerrero faced complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman for what was said to be the illegal appointments of Jumamil and three others at the Bureau of Customs. The complainant claimed the appointees were not qualified for their posts and that they began working in November 2018, when their appointment papers only came out only in May 2019.
President Trump was trying to rewrite history and enlist frontline health workers to the cause. The strain showed.

Flanked in the East Room of the White House by Americans involved in the fight against the coronavirus  a nurse, a trucker, a postal worker, another nurse  Mr. Trump set off on Monday for more than four rose-colored minutes recasting the recent past before his Night 1 convention audience.

Tell me a little about your stories, he asked his guests at first. But he had a few of his own: about dastardly Democrats and governors who disappointed him, about his preferred nicknames for the virus and the insufficient gratitude for his governments efforts.

We have delivered billions of dollars of equipment that governors were supposed to give, and in many cases they didnt get, he complained. So the federal government had to help them, and all of the people that did this incredible work, they never got credit for it. But you understand where it came from.
With opioid deaths so far this year in Peterborough outpacing last years rate, a show of support is being made for people at risk of overdose deaths in the community.

Ceremonies were held over the noon hour Tuesday at Peterborough City Hall on George Street and at the Peterborough Police headquarters at Water and McDonnel streets to declare Aug. 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day in Peterborough.

The purple International Overdose Awareness Day flag is now flying outside Peterborough City Hall and outside the Peterborough Police headquarters leading up to the day.

This is the first time that this has happened in our community, and it will send a strong message of support on behalf of some of the most vulnerable people in our community, said Dylan DeMarsh, community resource co-ordinator of PARN  Your Community AIDS Resource Network.

Peterborough city and county had 29 opioid-related deaths last year, according to Peterborough Public Health, and there have been 27 already between Jan. 1 and Aug. 8 this year.

Peterborough city and county had a rate of 19.4 opioid-related deaths per 100,000 people compared to the provincial average of 8.5 opioid-related deaths per 100,000 people in 2019, the health unit reported.

Of last years deaths, 82.1 per cent involved people aged 25 to 64, according to the health unit.

Last year, Peterborough city and county had a confirmed opioid-related emergency room visit rate of 133.6 per 100,000 people, nearly double the provincial average of 71.5 per 100,000 people.

Unconfirmed opioid-related emergency room visits for the first half of this year have run at a rate of 75.5 per 100,000 in Peterborough city and county compared to the provincial rate of 33.4 per 100,000 people, the health unit also reported.

There were 54 suspected opioid-related overdose calls alone received by Peterborough Paramedics between April 1 and June 30, the health unit reported.

Of those calls, 70 per cent involved men and 63 per cent were people aged 24 to 45, with 52 per cent of the calls taking place between 4 p.m. and midnight.

Gail Parry of Moms Stop the Harm Peterborough was joined by representatives from the city and Peterborough Police to raise the two flags in memory of those who have lost their lives to drug poisoning in Peterborough, throughout Ontario, across Canada and around the world.

Parry lost her daugher Jodi Smith on Aug. 11, 2018.

As parents and moms we listen to so much stigma all the time, like our children were worthless because they used drugs, Parry said.

Joining Parry and DeMarsh for the ceremony were Deputy Chief Tim Farquharson, Insp. John Lyons, Insp. Neil Collins and Coun. Stephen Wright.

Farquharson said losing just one life is tragic and the opioid crisis is the largest crisis hes seen in his 34 years of policing in Peterborough.

We still have the stigma in regards to people feeling that people made this decision, Farquharson said, adding the litmus test of a caring and compassionate community is how we treat our most vulnerable and understanding we are all equal.

This in not a moral failure. It is a medical disorder.

Moms Stop the Harm is a network of Canadian families impacted by substance use-related harms and deaths.

It is all about honouring loved ones, Parry said.

We advocate for changed and anything to reduce stigma.

Moms Stop the Harm is seeking changes to drug policies and provides peer support to grieving families and those with loved ones who use or have used substances.

An International Overdose Awareness Day event will be held Aug. 31 at the Silver Bean Cafe in Millennium Park in Peterborough.

There will be a monitor displaying photos of those that have lost their life to addictions as well as crosses in the park to honour the people that have lost their life this year, Parry said.

PARN will also be on hand for naloxone training demonstration.

 with files from Todd Vandonk, Peterborough This Week
Police

In reply please quote

Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.3/7

Date: 25th August, 2020

The Director of News

.

PRESS RELEASE

ONGOING POLICE RECRUITMENT SCREENING: STATUTORY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS REMAIN SACROSANCT  SAYS IGP

-Urges Citizens to Ignore the Trending Fake News

The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM,mni has reassured Nigerians that the statutory entry requirements into the Nigeria Police Force remain sacrosanct and would be thoroughly followed in the ongoing Police recruitment screening exercise. The IGPs reassurance became necessary following news report making the rounds in some sections of the media that the IGP has suspended the entry requirement for candidates who applied to join the Nigeria Police Force as Police constables in the ongoing recruitment screening exercise.

The IGP, while noting that that no one has the powers to alter the conditions for recruitment into the Force  these, having been clearly provided for in Sections 71  75 and other relevant sections of the Police Act and Regulations  stated that all candidates who successfully completed the online recruitment registration exercise were invited for physical and credential screening from 24th August, 2020 to 6th September, 2020 at various venues in States across the Federation and the FCT. The screening Officers have been directed to allow all the applicants to participate in the exercise and to recommend their suitability or otherwise in the spirit of transparency, accountability and fair hearing using the already established benchmarks as contained in the Act.

The IGP has commended the Screening Officers for the hitch-free take-off of the screening exercise at various locations nationwide. He calls on them to uphold high level of professionalism and observe necessary caution in line with the COVID-19 prevention regulations throughout the period of the exercise.

Meanwhile, as part of conscious efforts to deepen the integrity of the recruitment process, observers and monitors from the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Police Service Commission and the Federal Character Commission have been invited to provide oversights toward ensuring a credible exercise.

DCP FRANK MBA

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FORCE HEADQUARTERS

ABUJA
DETROIT  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, has awarded a $7 million contract to replace World War II-era valves at the Soo Locks.

J.F Ryba Marine Construction Co. of Cheboygan will replace the tainter valves for the MacArthur Lock for $7,276,650. Tainter valves are used to control the flow of water used for raising and lowering the water level in the lock during a lockage. The MacArthur Lock has two sets of tainter valves, one upstream set and one downstream set.

The Corps takes pride in performing maintenance to keep its existing facilities operational for long durations, while simultaneously planning for replacement and renewal as required to ensure the locks remain a resilient link in the Great Lakes Navigation System, said Kevin Sprague, area engineer, Soo Area Office.

Currently, two of the four locks at the Soo Locks complex are operational. The MacArthur Lock is 800 feet long and was opened in 1943. The Poe Lock, opened in 1969, is 1,200 feet long.

Construction began earlier this year on a new lock at the Soo, which will be built in the footprint of the Sabin and Davis Locks. More than 4,500 vessels, carrying up to 80 million tons of cargo, maneuver through the locks annually.

Iron ore, coal, wheat and limestone are among the most frequently carried commodities, according to a news release.

The MacArthur lock will continue to be an important asset for many decades, even as we continue to build our new lock, and after that when we complete much needed repairs to our Poe Lock, said Joanne Gray, chief of construction and technical support, Soo Area Office. The Corps will continue to invest in maintenance of major components of the Soo Locks.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, maintains a navigation system of 84 harbors, including the Great Lakes connecting channels that join Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie.

READ MORE:

Nevada contractor to begin $53M project to deepen channel for new Soo Lock in spring

New $922M lock under construction at the Soo

600,000 pounds of debris found at bottom of empty Soo Locks

Soo Locks empties its largest lock, see inside
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

Defense attorneys and legal advocates are once again going to court in an attempt to reduce the states prison population to protect inmates from COVID-19.

But unlike a similar lawsuit that was rejected by the state Supreme Court in May, the new lawsuit comes after outbreaks in two state prisons.

On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, international law firm Faegre Drinker and local lawyer Ryan Villa filed a lawsuit in 1st Judicial District Court in Santa Fe against Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Department of Corrections Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero, and Probation and Parole Director Melanie Martinez.

The lawsuit seeks to immediately reduce the states prison population and to require the state to take measures to protect inmates and prevent the spread of COVID-19. It also wants a judge to deem it a class action so that all of New Mexicos 6,222 inmates can be represented.

Also listed as plaintiffs are several inmates who have medical vulnerabilities to coronavirus or have shown symptoms of the disease but have not been tested.

In April, the state Law Offices of the Public Defender and the ACLU filed a similar lawsuit against the state, arguing that not greatly reducing prison populations would violate inmates constitutional right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court rejected the petition after finding that state officials werent being deliberately indifferent to the health and safety of inmates.

Under an emergency health order, Lujan Grisham instituted a policy to release inmates who are within 30 days of release, as long as they are not serving time for felony drunken driving, domestic abuse or assault on a peace officer and are not sex offenders. The state has released 143 inmates under the executive order, according to Corrections Department spokesman Eric Harrison.

But since the Supreme Court rejected the petition, 472 state inmates and 280 federal inmates have been infected at the Otero County Prison Facility, according to Department of Health data. The lawsuit says just over 86% of the prisons population has been infected with COVID-19, and three people at the facility have died.

Twenty-six inmates at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility in Los Lunas have also tested positive, according to state data.

Unfortunately, our fear of what would happen in New Mexico prisons was confirmed, ACLU staff attorney Lalita Moskowitz said at a Wednesday news conference.

The lawsuit alleges that social distancing is not being enforced in prisons, inmates who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 arent being tested and hygiene products are scarce.

Across institutions, plaintiffs receive insufficient hand-washing supplies, the lawsuit states. Often, people who are incarcerated must buy hand soap from the commissary out of their own bank accounts.

Harrison said the Corrections Department is conducting satellite testing of new inmates and inmates who are considered medically vulnerable. He also said hygiene products are provided for free.

Inmates weekly hygienic supply has been doubled at every facility for every inmate. This pack includes a roll of toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and a bar of soap. (Both weekly packs come at no cost to every inmate), Harrison said in an email.
MSNBC and CNN cut away from live coverage of the Republican National Convention several times on Monday night in order to fact-check claims made by speakers. Fox News also cut away from several speeches, but didn't fact-check claims as aggressively.

Why it matters: There's been an ongoing debate amongst media insiders  and an advocacy campaign from progressive groups  about whether news networks should feel compelled to cut away from the RNC.

Earlier on Monday, a coalition of nearly a dozen progressive groups wrote a letter addressed to the heads of CNN, MSNBC, ABC News, NBCUniversal, and CBS, urging them to air the RNC on a one-minute time delay, in order to buy time to fact-check the speeches being made in real-time.

a coalition of nearly a dozen progressive groups wrote a letter addressed to the heads of CNN, MSNBC, ABC News, NBCUniversal, and CBS, urging them to air the RNC on a one-minute time delay, in order to buy time to fact-check the speeches being made in real-time. The groups include UltraViolet Action, ACRONYM, BlackPAC, Color of Change PAC, EMILYs List WOMEN VOTE, Higher Heights Political Fund, MomsRising, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and #ShePersisted.

Driving the news: MSNBC cut away from at least 6 speakers on Monday and skipped some speeches entirely, including Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr.

MSNBC, CNN and Fox News all cut away from Vernon Jones, a Democrat from the Georgia State House of Representatives and someone who Republicans were particularly excited about tonight, during his speech in the first hour of the RNC.

a Democrat from the Georgia State House of Representatives and someone who Republicans were particularly excited about tonight, during his speech in the first hour of the RNC. MSNBC spoke with Dr. Vin Gupta for a fact-check on the use of hydroxychloroquine.

CNN and MSNBC broke away from live coverage of Republican Rep. Jim Jordan when he was speaking in the 9:00 p.m. hour. MSNBC also pulled away from Rep Matt Gaetz.

MSNBC cut away from Rep. Jim Jordans remarks to fact-check Trump's record on the U.S. Postal Service. It broke away from Natalie Harp, a bone cancer survivor who spoke to the right to try, for a commercial break.

Both networks later cut away from a joint speech by Patricia and Mark McCloskey, the couple that went viral after pointing guns at Black Lives Matters protestors outside their house in St. Louis.

MSNBC fact-checked the McCloskey's claim that Democrats want to abolish the suburbs by ending single-family home zoning, writing that Biden supports fair housing initiatives.

In addition to TV fact-checks, CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale also issued live fact-checks on Twitter and CNN updated its "Facts First" fact-checking blog in real-time.

Fox News cut away from several speeches, including Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk's speech in the beginning of the night, Gaetz and Guilfoyle.

The move drew ire from Trump supporters, including former Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale, who is now a senior advisor to the campaign.

"Cant believe I have to watch the convention on @CNN . Unbelievable. @FoxNews," Parscale tweeted.

Yes, but: There's a concern that networks could appear biased against conservatives if they cut away from live convention programming to fact-check the RNC, but not the DNC.

But fact-checkers say they have no choice, given the imbalance of truth-telling between the two conventions.

"I think it's important for objective journalists to note how wildly imbalanced the dishonesty is between the current parties. This one half-night of Republican programming so far has been exponentially more dishonest than the entire four nights of the Democratic convention," Dale tweeted.

The bottom line: Media organizations have faced sustained criticism for airing Trump speeches and press conferences live, instead of layering on more fact-checking.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) has announced plans to cut about 19,000 employees in October when the US federal aid expires, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the travel and tourism industry.



American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom announced the layoff news to employees on Tuesday. 'Today is the hardest message we have had to share so far - the announcement of involuntary staffing reductions effective Oct. 1,' the executives said in a memo.



'As you all know, the Payroll Support Program (PSP) of the CARES Act protected our team against involuntary separations through Sept. 30. It also ensured that we and other airlines continued to serve each of the markets we flew prior to the crisis. It was an incredibly effective piece of legislation. By providing airlines the funds to pay much of our team member salaries and benefits, it ensured the commercial airline industry kept flying in the face of very low demand for air travel and kept our country moving, with all markets continuing to receive safe and efficient commercial air service.'



American Airlines' workforce will shrink by at least 40,000, including 19,000 involuntary cuts, in October than the company entered this pandemic, unless the government extends aid for airline employee payrolls.



The company said that more than 12,500 of employees voluntary decided to leave the company permanently through early out programs or retirement. Another 11,000 team members have offered to be on a leave of absence in October.



In June, American Airlines had warned around 25,000 employees, which is about 20% of its total workforce, about possibility of furloughs.



The job cuts include 1,600 pilots, 8,100 flight attendants, 2,225 fleet service and 1,275 passenger service.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
File image

In recent years, Indian banks have learned some hard lessons in corporate loan business from wily promoters. These promoters, after defaulting thousands of crores worth loans from these banks, have fled the country to never return. In most of these cases, some or other fraudulent transactions are involved. Investigators are examining the dirty deals involving these businessmen. Attempts for extradition are on.

But at the end of the day, banks have little hope in getting their money back.

A major chunk of the bad loans or written off loans in the Indian banking sector is money lent to wilful defaulters or promoters who have the ability to pay back to banks but wouldnt do so willingly. They have deep pockets and an army of lawyers to wage a battle with lenders in court rooms that goes on for years.

Some of these businessman are powerful enough even to buy citizenship in tax havens.

Time and again, powerful promoters have dragged Indian banks to court rooms. Banks have also suffered huge losses on account of frauds committed by corporate-banker nexus.

Heres a look at the five top cases of bank loan default or bank frauds. What is common in all these cases is that promoters have long left the country:

- Vijay Mallya-Kingfisher case

Its been more than four years since liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who defaulted over Rs 9,000 crore loans to a clutch of Indian banks led by State Bank of India (SBI) left the country.

On Mach 2 2016, Mallya took a flight to London to be closer with his family. The timing of his trip raised suspicion as it was just hours ahead the bank consortium moved to the Supreme Court seeking his detention and seeking repayment.

How did Mallya get to know just at the right time that banks will soon move to SC? Mallya has, since then, promised to pay back the principal amount to banks several times on Twitter. But, banks have not taken up this offer seriously. They argue that the actual amount is much higher taking into account the accrued interest component. Mallya doesnt seem to agree.

Current status: Banks have, till date, not made any meaningful recovery in this case. True, banks have auctioned some personal assets of Mallya including the Kingfisher Vila in Goa. But, lenders have recovered only a pittance so far (banks got just Rs 73 crore from the Kingfisher Villa sale). The legal battle to get Mallya back to India is still on. There is no certainty on when Mallya will be back. On July 23, UK said it cannot set a timeline for Mallyas extradition.

All that is left for banks now in Vjay Mallya case is hope.

- Nirav Modi-PNB fraud

On February 14, 2018, the Indian banking sector was rocked by an enormous bank fraud, the modus operandi of which was unheard until then. That day, Punjab National Bank (PNB) disclosed a Rs 11,400 crore fraud at one of its Mumbai branches.

The bank filed a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) saying billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi connived with some of its officials to defraud the bank using fake bank guarantees. Fake letters of undertakings (LoUs) were created to draw money from foreign branches of Indian banks on behalf of Indian banks linked to Modi and the Gitanjali Group.

LoUs are basically bank guarantees that assure banks that issuing bank will pay up if the company, for whom the LoU is issued, defaults.

Current status:

Like Mallya, Modi too left the country just before bank disclosed the scam. He is believed to have left India in January 2018 while PNB announced the scam a month later, in February. In March 2019, Modi was arrested in London and is in custody since then.

In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol in April, PNB Managing Director and CEO Mallikarjuna Rao said the bank has not recovered anything significant from the Nirav Modi scam.

So far, nothing. Only thing is that assets worth Rs 1,000 crore has been confiscated by the CBI recently. They have given permission to us to apply to the courts for the sale of these properties. We have already done that. But there are some legal hurdles before we go for the auction, Rao said. However, impact in the balance sheet has been addressed fully because we have provided (for the losses) fully, Rao said.

- Mehul Choksi, Gitanjali Gems

Along with Modi, Mehul Choksi is also a key accused in the PNB scam. Like his nephew, Choksi too left India around the same time in February 2018. Choksi later became a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda under a programme in which a certain quantum of investment entitles an individual to citizenship. A recent charge sheet by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) named Choksi as a person who ran an organised racket to cheat customers and lenders across India, Dubai and US. Choksi claims he flew out of the country for medical reasons while investigators claim he left to avoid arrest.

Current status: Here too, banks havent made any significant recoveries from the PNB fraud yet. Attempts to extradite Choksi and his nephew is still on.

- Jatin Mehta, Winsome Diamonds

Jatin Mehta-promoted Winsome Diamonds is another big corporate loan defaulter to Indian banks. The company and its subsidiaries owe around Rs 10,000 crore to a consortium of Indian banks, including PNB. According to investigators, Mehta left India in 2013 to become a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean nation. Winsome Diamonds name is tagged as wilful defaulter by leading Indian banks.

Current status: There is no major recovery yet from Winsome account for banks.

- The Sandesaras of Sterling Biotech

Ntin Sandesara, Chetan Sndesara and Deepti Sandesara are the promoters of Sterling Biotech, which is a major corporate loan defaulters to banks, including Indian Overseas Bank. The amount involved, over Rs 15,000 crore, in the alleged loan scam is much bigger than the Nirav Modi-PNB scam.

Investigations have revealed that the promoters not only diverted funds thorough layered transactions, but also allegedly used funds for personal purposes. On June 27, the ED had attached properties worth Rs 9,778 crore of SBL/Sandesara Group in the aforesaid bank fraud case.

Current status: The investigations are on. Promoters are believed to be abroad. Banks still are awaiting their money back. No major recovery yet.

What do bankers say?

Naresh Malhotra, a senior banking consultant and a former banker with SBI, said banks can do nothing much in these cases except to continue with the legal process. There are very little chances of any recovery from these accounts, he said.

What should banks do in future cases?

At the time of giving a big corporate loan, banks should insist for an affidavit from the promoter about all the passports he holds. Typically, banks only insist for Indian passports, but as we have seen in all these cases, fraudsters carry multiple passports and later use it to hide from Indian laws, said Malhotra.

Another senior banker, who didnt want to be named, said the political-corporate nexus too come into the help of promoters to escape prompt legal action. Banks should be given a free hand to deal with recovery in such cases, said the banker.

Rating agencies are often caught by surprise when a major loan default or a fraud happens. What can a rating agency do? These are matters of law and order, said a senior official of a rating agency.

According to a list compiled by All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), the largest body of bank employees in India, 17 public sector banks, as on September 30, 2019, have a total of 2,426 wilful defaulter loan accounts aggregating to Rs 1.5 lakh crore. These are accounts where borrowers are not willing to pay despite having the repayment capacity. Hence, an element of criminality cannot be ruled out. After all, banks are dealing with public money.

Wilful defaulters include Kingfisher Airlines, ABG Shipyard, Rotomac, Nakshatra Brands, Amtek Auto, Gupta Coal India Pvt, Diamond Power Infrastructure, Siddhi Vinayak Logistics, Deccan Chronicle Holdings, Ashapura Garments, Electrotherm India, Nakoda, VMC Systems, Varun Industries, Zoom Developers, among others.
She's enjoying a sun-soaked getaway with her children Nelly and Arthur and husband Greg Shepherd.

And Billie Faiers looked sensational on Tuesday as she took to Instagram to share a sizzling swimwear snap.

The Mummy Diaries star, 30, displayed her toned figure in a tiny white plunging swimsuit which had a matching belt to highlight her svelte waist.

Wow: Billie Faiers looked sensational on Tuesday as she took to Instagram to share a sizzling swimwear snap

Billie teamed the item of swimwear with a pair of stylish tortoise shell sunglasses, diamond earrings and a gold watch.

The mother-of-two styled her blonde locks into a sleek sweptback bun, she added a slick of sun-kissed make-up.

Billie knew how to work her best angles as she posed up a storm in the crystal clear sea for the holiday snap.

Feeling reflective, she captioned the photo with: 'Paradise [seashell emoji] feeling very grateful for the wonderful memories I am making with my family .'

Quality time: It comes after Billie posed for a sweet family snap in Greece , which she shared to Instagram on Sunday

It comes after Billie posed for a sweet family snap in Greece, which she shared to Instagram on Sunday.

The Mummy Diaries star looked radiant and relaxed in a colourful checked bikini for the family picture.

The blonde beauty showed off her lithe legs and holiday tan as she posed with her cheeky kids Nelly, six and Arthur, three, who looked sweet in their swimwear.

Billie completed her summery beach outfit with huge gold sunglasses and wore her light tresses in a stylish top knot.

Sweet: Billie also shared an adorable selfie with daughter Nelly as they all made the most of a day on the beach

Cute: Clearly enjoying the holiday Billie simply captioned the post: 'My beach babies' along with a series of heart emojis

Clearly enjoying the holiday Billie simply captioned the post: 'My beach babies,' along with a series of heart emojis.

The reality star also took to her Instagram Stories to show the family enjoying a lunch together and Arthur posing in his sunglasses.

She also shared an adorable selfie with daughter Nelly as they all made the most of a day on the beach.

The family were no doubt celebrating on their trip away after Billie and Greg, 33, won their battle to build a 1.4million dream home in Essex last week.

Adorable: The reality star also took to her Instagram Stories to show the family enjoying a lunch together and Arthur posing in his sunglasses

Golden hour: Earlier in the week the family shared another snap from their holiday as they headed to dinner

The pair bought a run down 1920s property in Brentwood and submitted plans to turn it into a five-bedroom luxury home, but faced a war with their neighbours as the project was branded 'too grand'.

However The Sun has reported that nearby residents have written to the council accepting amended plans, giving the reality stars the green light to begin work.

According to the publication, The Highway Authority are now happy with the proposal if the couple ensure a number of conditions are met.

Earlier this month, it was reported that after a number of changes and compromises by the TV personalities, neighbours had finally deemed their plans 'acceptable'.

A neighbour told the council: 'I give my response to the amended drawings for the above property which, whilst I would have liked to have had similar window treatment to bedroom 4 as that of bedroom 2, I find to be acceptable in principle.'

Further comments went on to say that if the couple's house 'fits the character of the area'  'it would have my support'.

Renovations: The Greek holiday comes just after Billie and husband Greg won their battle to build a 1.4million dream home in Essex

In the paperwork, the regulatory body stated that 'from a highway and transportation perspective the impact of the proposal is acceptable.'

Among the changes that were in the revised plan were to make the height of the planned extension 50 centimetres lower and to ensure their home is further from their neighbours.

Billie and Greg married in a lavish Maldives ceremony last year in front of their family and friends.
The Scottsbluff Police Department is operating a little thin, but covering the city, after two officers tested positive for the coronavirus.

The two officers are in isolation, which is a period of 10 days, Scottsbluff Police Chief Kevin Spencer told the Star-Herald. Spencer said the department received word of the positive tests over the weekend.

Six officers who were identified as close contacts have also been quarantined. Those officers will be quarantined for a period of 14 days, meaning the department wont be back to full force until Sept. 5.

Spencer said that Panhandle Public Health District officials conducted contact tracing, the process of determining where a person may have been exposed and others who may have had contact with the positive case. He described it as an extensive process comprising of interviews and those persons identified were isolated or quarantined.

Spencer said that the initiating case was determined to be travel-related. Another officer on the same shift is believed to have acquired the virus from that officer.

This has nothing to do with an officer being exposed during a call for service, Spencer said.
- In a memo to the ward representatives, Kamau Aindi, the clerk of the county assembly, explained the chambers would be closed until September 14

- The closure came after mass coronavirus testing was conducted at the assembly on Wednesday, August 19, where a few MCAs and staff were tested

- The clerk did not reveal the number of MCAs or staff who tested positive for the respiratory illness but he urged members to strictly observe the COVID-19 guidelines

The Kirinyaga County Assembly has been closed for 21 days over COVID-19 spread fears.

The closure came after mass coronavirus testing was conducted at the assembly on Wednesday, August 19, where a few MCAs and staff were tested.

READ ALSO: Mombasa: At least two confirmed dead in accident involving Governor Joho's brother's family

Kirinyaga County Assembly in session. Photo: County Assembly of Kirinyaga.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Analysis: Revenue debate is a banana skin for Raila, Ruto

In a memo to the ward representatives, Kamau Aindi, the clerk of the county assembly, explained the assembly would be closed until September 14 to allow members self-isolate to prevent the spread of the disease.

In the memo, the clerk did not reveal the number of MCAs or staff who tested positive for the respiratory illness but he urged members to strictly observe the COVID-19 guidelines released by the Ministry of Health.

The novel coronavirus has infected over 32,000 people in Kenya. Photo: CDC.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Msichana aliyethibitishwa kuaga dunia afufuka wakati wa maandalizi ya mazishi

We assure you of our support during this time and will keep all of us updated with any relevant information, the clerk said.

Mischief

An MCA who sought anonymity, however, read mischief in the whole move saying the closure could have been made due to politics surrounding Governor Anne Waiguru.

I can read politics here, it is pure politics, the ward rep said.

Waiguru who was saved by the Senate in June after she was impeached by the county assembly is far from seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after 25 MCAs renewed their push to have her ousted for the second time.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru at her office. Photo: Anne Waiguru.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Ronaldinho released from house arrest after several months by Paraguayan authorities

The ward reps had overwhelmingly kicked out Waiguru in June with 23 out of 33 MCAs voting to have her sent home over accusations of corruption, abuse of office and violation of the Constitution but the Upper House said the claims were not substantiated.

In the new quest to impeach the beleaguered county boss, the MCAs issued a seven-day ultimatum for the governor to withdraw a case she filed challenging allocation of the amendment of the executive budget.

"The governor is undermining and frustrating efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the county by challenging the budget amendment in the High Court," said David Mathenge , the Baragwi MCA.

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.

Jowie's wife on how they met and why she will love him forever | Tuko Talks | TukoTV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Brazzaville, 24 August 2020  Health Ministers and representatives from African countries will meet virtually for the Seventieth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa.

The Regional Committee is the WHO decision-making body in the region, convening once a year to discuss and endorse policies, activities, and financial plans to improve peoples health.

Due to COVID-19, this annual meeting is being held online for the first time with an abridged agenda. Among the key issues to be discussed are the COVID-19 pandemic and the certification of Africa as free of wild poliovirus.

WHAT: Virtual Seventieth session of WHO Regional Committee for Africa

WHEN: 25 August 2020 starting at 08:30 GMT

WHERE: www.facebook.com/WHOAFRO & www.youtube.com/WHOAfricanRegion

WHO: The more than 500 participants include WHO Director-General Tedros Gebreyesus; WHO Regional Director for Africa: Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Ministers of Health and officials from 47 Member States, as well as representatives from United Nations agencies, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, academia and other development partners.

HIGHLIGHTS:

25 August 11:30 -14:30 GMT: Special event on the COVID-19 response in the WHO African Region

A little more than six months since the first COVID-19 cases in Africa, the continent has recorded more than 1.1 million cases. Early action by countries helped to slow down the spread of the virus. Although the contintent has not experienced the exponential rise in cases seen in other parts of the world, the pandemic has highlighted weaknesses in health systems in the region, including infrastructure, inadequate staffing and access to medical supplies and equipment. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the African Region and discuss ways of building resilient health systems.

Speakers:

H.E Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of Ethiopia

H.E Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius Dr Pierre Somse, Hon Minister of Health, Central African Republic

Ms Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo, Hon Minister of Health & Population, Republic of the Congo

Mr Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, Hon. Minister of Health, Senegal

Dr Zweli Mkhize, Hon Minister of Health, South Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa

Professor Helen Rees, Executive Director, Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute

Dr Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Deputy Director, Africa CDC

Professor Faustina Oware-Gyekye, President, West African College of Nursing

Moderator: Ms Julie Gichuru.

25 August 15:0017:00 GMT: Celebrating the certification of wild poliovirus eradication in the African Region.

The independent Africa Regional Certification Commission (ARCC) for Polio Eradication will officially certify the WHO African Region as free of wild poliovirus. The WHO African Region recorded its last case of wild poliovirus in August 2016. Two decades earlier, African leaders committed to eradicating polio from the continent. Thanks to the relentless efforts by governments, donors, frontline health workers and communities up to 1.8 million children have been saved from the crippling life-long paralysis.

Speakers in speaking order:

Professor Rose Leke, Chairperson, Africa Regional Certification Commission

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa

Dr Tedros Gebreyesus, WHO Director-General

H.E Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria

Mr Holger Knaack, President, Rotary International

Dr Tunji Funsho, Chairman, Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee

Ms Henrietta Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF

Hon Alex Azar, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services

Dr Robert Redfield, Director, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dr Christopher Elias, President of the Global Development Division, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Dr Seth Berkley, CEO, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance

Mr Aliko Dangote, Dangote Foundation

Mr Bill Gates, Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Senator Harold K Kipchumba, Polio Survivor

Chair: Hon Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo, Minister of Health, Republic of the Congo

This event with be streamed live on: https://www.africakicksoutwildpolio.com/ & www.facebook.com/WHOAFRO/

For further information contact: www.afro.who.int

Collins Boakye-Agyemang Tel: +4724139420, +242 06 614 2401 Email: [email protected]

Oka Sakuya Tel: + 472 4139692, +242 06 508 1009, Email: [email protected]
After the meeting of Congress' top decision-making body, the CWC urged Sonia Gandhi to continue as its interim chief till an AICC session is convened

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who is among the 23 party leaders to have written to Sonia Gandhi seeking an organisational overhaul, said on Tuesday that "it is not about a post" but about the country that matters most".

A day after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Sibal made the remarks in a cryptic tweet. "It's not about a post. It's about my country which matters most," he tweeted, without elaborating.

After the seven-hour meeting of the party's top decision-making body, the CWC urged Sonia Gandhi to continue as its interim chief till an AICC session can be convened and authorised her to effect necessary organisational changes to deal with the challenges facing the party.

It made it clear no one will be permitted to undermine or weaken the party and its leadership.

The CWC also resolved that inner-party issues cannot be deliberated through the media or in public fora and all such issues must be raised within the party "in the interest of propriety and discipline".

Some senior Congress leaders, including Sibal and Shashi Tharoor, met at their senior colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad's house in New Delhi on Monday evening after the CWC debated their letter to Sonia Gandhi seeking urgent organisational reforms.

The meeting was also attended by Mukul Wasnik and Manish Tewari, along with some other signatories to the letter who were present in the National Capital, sources said.

The leaders discussed the resolution passed at the CWC meeting.

Having a "full time" leadership that is active in the field and "visible" in party offices, devolution of powers to state units and revamping the CWC in line with the party constitution are some of the far-reaching suggestions made by 23 senior Congress leaders in a letter to party chief Sonia Gandhi to revive the organisation.

Sibal had hit out at Rahul Gandhi on Twitter on Monday for a purported remark slamming the letter writers.

Sibal, who is not a part of the CWC, withdrew his tweet a little later after being "informed by Rahul Gandhi personally that he never said what was attributed to him"

The Congress also officially denied that Rahul Gandhi had accused any party leader of "colluding with the BJP".

Former president Rahul, it is learnt, launched a sharp attack against the signatories of the letter, questioning their timing as well as the fact they went public with their grievances.
By PTI

PUNE: Doses of the potential coronavirus vaccine developed by researchers at Oxford University arrived at the Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College here for phase-2 human trials on Tuesday, an official said.

The trial may begin from Wednesday, said a top official of the institute, one of the 17 sites selected for the phase 2 human trials in the country by Serum Institute of India (SII).

"To start with we have identified five volunteers who will undergo COVID-19 and antibodies test.

Those whosereports are negative will be shortlisted for vaccination on Wednesday," said Dr Sanjay Lalwani, Medical Director, Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre.

He said the hospital has been given a target of enlisting 300 to 350 volunteers.

CLICK HERE FOR COVID-19 LIVE UDPATES

Those chosen for receiving a dose of vaccine will be in the age group of 18 to 99 years, he said.

Dr Jeetendra Oswal, deputy medical director of the hospital, said after they are administered the vaccine, the volunteers will be monitored as per the standard trial protocol.

The other hospitals where trials are to be conducted include B J Medical College Hospital in Pune, AIIMS Delhi, Rajendra MemorialResearch Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh,Nehru Hospital in Gorakhpur and Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam.

SII, the world's largest vaccine maker, has signed an agreement to manufacture the potential vaccine developed by the Jenner Institute of Oxford University in collaboration with British-Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca.

ALSO WATCH:
Mummy blogger Constance Hall has revealed details about her husband Denim Cooke's recovery after a horror motorcycle crash last week.

Denim Cooke was riding with a friend in Perth on August 16 when he came off his bike and was airlifted to hospital.

Hall, from Margaret River, on Tuesday night told her 1.3million followers that Cooke will walk again after being spared spinal chord damage.

'Denim has broken all the rules by breaking his back in four places yet still by the grace of (maybe his Guru?) his spinal chord has remained untouched,' she said.

Mummy blogger Constance Hall has revealed her husband Denim Cooke is recovering well in hospital after a horror motorcycle crash last week

Hall, 36, took to social media on Tuesday night to tell her 1.3million followers that Cooke will walk again after being spared spinal chord damage

The mother-of-seven said Cook's accident was a wake up call on what matters most in their lives

'This is just the beginning of a long journey and there are so many other things to consider before he's completely out of the woods.

'I wanted to share the good news with you, it was my huge concern, he has had back surgery and he is a f**king anomaly.'

The mother-of-seven said answers from doctors about her husband's recovery haven't been simple to get as they 'always seem to be in the movies'.

'Trauma can happen in the blink of an eye yet healing seems to take forever,' she said.

Hall said her husband's accident was a wake up call on what matters most in their lives.

'The thought of losing him has made me realise how much needs to change in our home lives so we can start putting each other first again,' she said.

Hall and Cooke tied the knot in a bohemian forest ceremony at Karriview Lodge near Margaret River, Western Australia, in January 2018 following a whirlwind romance

Their brood consists of Hall's four children Billie-Violet, Arlo Love, twins Rumi and Snow from her previous marriage, and Cooke's two sons Zeyke and Sunny

'It just sucks that I needed something this horrible to make me realise I had stopped appreciating everything he does for us all.'

The 36-year-old praised their children and Cooke's parents, who have visited him everyday in hospital.

'I honestly believe that (aside from the highly trained, skilled, professional and empathetic team that are caring for him around the clock) that love may have been the motivation he needed for this incredible result,' she said.

Hall said her husband of two years has been working with energy healers while recovering in hospital.

'I'm not going to share all of ups and downs, but I promise to keep sharing the milestones of recovery with you all because good news sends good vibes that lead to good lives and Denz and I are certainly blessed with good lives,' she said.

It comes after Hall initially asked to be 'left alone' immediately following the motorcycle crash.



'On Sunday afternoon Denz went for a motorbike ride with his mate. He had a serious accident and was flown to a hospital in Perth,' she said last week.

'For the children, his parents and Denz's sake the media just needs to leave us alone.

Mother-of-seven Constance Hall's husband Denim (both pictured) has been airlifted to hospital after a 'serious motorcycle accident'

Hall split from her former husband of six years Bill Mahon in April 2017 and was engaged to Cooke two months later

'At this point nobody knows anything. There is absolutely no way of telling what is going to happen. He is stable now and the most loved man in the world.'

Hall split from her former husband of six years Bill Mahon in April 2017 and was engaged to Cooke two months later.

In October 2017 the couple announced they they were expecting their first child together.

Hall and Cooke tied the knot in a bohemian forest ceremony at Karriview Lodge near Margaret River, Western Australia, in January 2018 following a whirlwind romance.

Their brood consists of Hall's four children Billie-Violet, Arlo Love, twins Rumi and Snow from her previous marriage, and Cooke's two sons Zeyke and Sunny.

The couple also share toddler son Raja.
Pope Names Administrator for Springfield Diocese

Bishop Robert J. McManus

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.  The bishop of Worcester has been appointed apostolic administrator of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield.

Pope Francis on Monday named the Most Rev. Robert J. McManus administrator effective immediately, in addition to continuing as the bishop of Worcester.

An apostolic administrator oversees the continuing operation of the diocese in the absence of an ordinary or local diocesan bishop. The See or Diocese of Springfield became "vacant" with the naming of Bishop Mitchell Rozanski as the archbishop of St. Louis.

"I am humbled by the confidence which the Holy Father has placed in me," said Bishop McManus in a statement. "I look forward to working with the current administration in the Diocese of Springfield as well as meeting the faithful in the diocese from which the Diocese of Worcester was established 70 years ago.

"As apostolic administrator, it is my canonical responsibility to assure stability in the continuing operation of the Diocese of Springfield until the Holy Father appoints a new diocesan bishop."

McManus, 69, is a native of Rhode Island and attended parochial schools in Providence. He studied for the priesthood at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick and attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he earned bachelor and master of arts degrees. He received his master of divinity from the Toronto School of Theology. He has also earned licentiate and doctoral degrees in sacred theology from The Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

He was ordained in 1978 and served in a number of parishes in Rhode Island before continuing his studies in Rome. He returned to St. Luke's Parish in Barrington in 1987, taking on the positions as diocesan vicar for education, director of the Office of Ministerial Formation and theological consultant and editorial writer for The Providence Visitor newspaper. He was appointed a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness with the title of monsignor in 1997 and named rector of Our Lady of Providence Seminary a year later. In 1999, he was ordained as titular bishop of Allegheny and auxiliary bishop of Providence and he continued to serve as secretary for Ministerial Formation and rector of the seminary.

Saint Pope John Paul II named McManus as the fifth bishop of Worcester and he was installed on May 14, 2004. He currently serves on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Doctrine Committee and on the Subcommittee for Healthcare Issues.
The global legal cannabis market size is expected to grow by USD 27.89 billion as per Technavio. This marks a significant market growth compared to the 2019 growth estimates due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. Moreover, steady growth is expected to continue throughout the forecast period, and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21%. Request Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impacts

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005562/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Legal Cannabis Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Legal Cannabis Market Analysis Report by Product (Medical and Recreational) and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA), and the Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024".

https://www.technavio.com/report/legal-cannabis-market-industry-analysis

The market is driven by the rapid legalization of cannabis worldwide. In addition, the use of advanced techniques in cannabis cultivation is anticipated to boost the growth of the Legal Cannabis Market.

Many nations have been decriminalizing cannabis and legalizing the use of marijuana both for recreational and medicinal purposes. At present, in the US, 34 states (including Washington DC) have legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes, while 10 states among them have granted permission for the use of cannabis both for recreational and medicinal uses. The rapid legalization of cannabis worldwide is hence, one of the key factors driving the legal cannabis market growth.

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

View market snapshot before purchasing

Major Five Legal Cannabis Companies:

Aphria Inc.

Aphria Inc. has business operations under various segments such as cannabis operations, distribution operations, and businesses under development. The company product Cannabis oils such as CHAMPLAIN, RIDEAU, and CAPILANO produced through Co2 extraction process.

Aurora Cannabis Inc.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. operates its business through two segments: cannabis and horizontally integrated businesses. The company offers a line of products such as THC Drops, 1:1 Drops, and CBD Drops among others.

Bhang Corp.

Bhang Corp. offers chocolate, tincture, CBD chocolate, lip balm, gum, capsules, and CBD gummies. The company offers a line of products such as CBD Crystalline Isolate.

Canopy Growth Corp.

Canopy Growth Corp. has business operations under two segments: Canadian recreational channel, and medical. The company offers a line of product such as edibles such as cannabis-infused chocolates and beverages.

Cronos Group Inc.

Cronos Group Inc. operates its business through two geographic divisions: the US, and the Rest of World. The company offers a line of medicinal cannabis through its brands PEACE NATURALS, COVE, Spinach, and Lord Jones among others.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Legal Cannabis Product Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2020-2024)

Medical

Recreational

Legal Cannabis Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD bn, 2020-2024)

North America

Europe

APAC

South America

MEA

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005562/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/
In a move to corner Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on the issue of unequal distribution of development funds, the Shiv Sena, in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, said that the state finance minister must respond to the allegations of Congress legislators.

In the past, Shiv Sena legislators have also voiced their disappointment to chief minister and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray over the unavailability of funds for their constituencies. They have alleged that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislators get priority over legislators of the two other parties (Shiv Sena and the Congress) that are part of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Sena MP and Saamana editor Sanjay Raut told reporters that though Pawar is the finance minister, the three parties of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi can sit together to resolve the issue. Raut said that earlier, Thorat and senior Congress minister Ashok Chavan spoke to the chief minister about the distribution of funds.

Maharashtra Congress chief and revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat called me and said that Congress MLAs are unhappy with the unequal distribution of funds. He said that it is important that funds are distributed equally, as this is a three-party government. I think the stand he has taken is appropriate. At the end of the day, when a legislator develops his constituency, it leads to the development of the State at the end the three parties will meet and find a solution, Raut told reporters.

In an editorial in Saamana, the party had said, Congress [leaders] say that NCP gets more importance in the government and that NCP has taken more of the development funds. What do we say on this? Finance minister Ajit Pawar alone can respond to these allegations.

Congress Jalna MLA Kailash Gorantyal has threatened to go on a hunger strike over constituency development funds. He has claimed that he has the support of 10 other Congress legislators, who he has not named. He added that Congress constituencies are given a step-motherly treatment in the distribution of funds. However, Pawar reportedly spoke to Gorantyal on Tuesday and the legislator has decided to call off his protest.

The Sena, however, took a dim view of the 11 Congress legislators from Maharashtra protesting against the government and said that it is akin to raising questions against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, who supported the formation of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government. The Sena, in the editorial, said there is instability and unease within the Congress, but it needs to play the role of an active opposition party. The editorial in the Marathi daily said that the MVA government will complete its full five-year term, and the opposition party in Maharashtra need not rejoice over the display of resentment.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Capt Amarinder Singh

Chandigarh: To further improve the standard of Higher Education in the State, the Council of Ministers on Tuesday approved the release of total Rs 75.75 crore recurring Grant for 11 more constituent colleges at Rs 1.5 crore per college per annum from the year 2016-17 to 2020-21.

The Cabinet, led by the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, also okay regular budgetary provision of Rs 1.5 crore per annum per college for the subsequent year. With this, the total number of colleges to which the state government is paying recurring grant has gone up to 30.

Advertisement

Capt Amarinder Singh

Of these colleges, three, namely University College, Dhuri (Sangrur); University College, Bahadurpur (Mansa) and University College, Barnala, are part of Punjabi University, Patiala.

Six others  University College, Pathankot; University College, Sujanpur (Pathankot): Baba Namdev University Degree College, Kishankot (Gurdaspur): University College, Phillaur (Jalandhar); Uiniversity College (Nakodar) and Uiniversity College, Kalanaur (Gurdaspur) are part of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar while the remaining two, University College, Ferozpur and University College, Dharamkot (Moga), come under Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Advertisement

The grant would help in timely release of salary to the teachers, thus motivating them to continue imparting better quality education to the students.

Punjab government

Meanwhile, in another decision, the Cabinet approved the Annual Administrative Report of the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department for the year 2018-19.

Advertisement

Financial Assistance to the Aged Widows and Destitute Women, Dependent children and Persons with Disabilities, Financial Assistance Acid Attack Victims, Schemes for the Empowerment of Women, Implementation of Acts relating to prevention of violence and crime against Women, Integrated Child Development Scheme, Integrated Child Protection Scheme, Schemes related to Empowerment of Persons with disabilities and Implementation of the related Acts and Schemes related to Welfare of Senior Citizens were successfully completed by the department during the period.

It may be pointed out that budget allocation on the capital side during the year 2018-19 was Rs 261.50 lacs. The total expenditure on the Capital side was Rs 58.50 lacs respectively.
A mystery surrounding the space around our solar system is unfolding thanks to evidence of supernovae found in deep-sea sediments.

Professor Anton Wallner, a nuclear physicist at ANU, led the study which shows the Earth has been travelling for the last 33,000 years through a cloud of faintly radioactive dust.

"These clouds could be remnants of previous supernova explosions, a powerful and super bright explosion of a star," Professor Wallner said.

Professor Wallner conducted the research at the ANU Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF). He also holds joint positions at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) and Technical University Dresden (TUD) in Germany.

The researchers searched through several deep-sea sediments from two different locations that date back 33,000 years using the extreme sensitivity of HIAF's mass spectrometer. They found clear traces of the isotope iron-60, which is formed when stars die in supernova explosions.

Iron-60 is radioactive and completely decays away within 15 million years, which means any iron-60 found on the earth must have been formed much later than the rest of the 4.6-billion-year old earth and arrived here from nearby supernovae before settling on the ocean floor.

Professor Wallner previously found traces of iron-60 at about 2.6 million years ago, and possibly another at around 6 million years ago, suggesting earth had travelled through fallout clouds from nearby supernovae.

For the last few thousand years the solar system has been moving through a denser cloud of gas and dust, known as the local interstellar cloud, (LIC), whose origins are unclear. If this cloud had originated during the past few million years from a supernova, it would contain iron-60, and so the team decided to search more recent sediment to find out.

Sure enough, there was iron-60 in the sediment at extremely low levels - equating to radioactivity levels in space far below the Earth's natural background levels - and the distribution of the iron-60 matched earth's recent travel through the local interstellar cloud. But the iron-60 extended further back and was spread throughout the entire 33,000 year measurement period.

The lack of correlation with the solar system's time in the current local interstellar cloud seems to pose more questions than it answers. Firstly, if the cloud was not formed by a supernova, where did it come from? And secondly, why is there iron-60 so evenly spread throughout space?

"There are recent papers that suggest iron-60 trapped in dust particles might bounce around in the interstellar medium," Professor Wallner said.

"So the iron-60 could originate from even older supernovae explosions, and what we measure is some kind of echo.

"More data is required to resolve these details."

###

Scientists from ANU, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, HZDR, the University of Vienna and the TU Berlin were involved in the study.

The findings have been published in the journal PNAS.
25.08.2020 LISTEN

The Personality and Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ is contentious among Muslims. Even among pseudo-Christians who do not know the True Lord God Almighty they serve and worship, the Being of our Lord Jesus Christ is not understandable to them. But who Our Lord Jesus Christ is should not be mired in any controversy. Our Lord Jesus Christ said emphatically who He was (is) during His thirty-three years sojourn on this earth. He also reveals Himself to those who are serious, faithful and willing to know Him today. Through the enablement of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Bible, the revealed Word of God Almighty is unambiguous clear on this matter. However, the Personality of our Lord Jesus Christ did not just become controversial today. While the Lord was physically present here on earth, many tags were ascribed to Him: "Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them "Who do the crowds say I am?" They replied: "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah and still others that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life. But what about you. He asked: Who do you say I am?" (Luke 9:18-10).

As previously noted, the Personality of our Lord Jesus Christ didnt become contentious in our days only. But how did Peter know our Lord Jesus Christ is the Christ (Savior, Messiah and Deliverer)? Again the Holy Bible recounted the event that led to the answer to Peters' revelation beautifully: "Simon Peter answered: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God". Jesus replied: "Blessed are you Simon, Son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven, (Matthew 16: 16-17). Consequently, to know who our Lord Jesus Christ was (and is) does not require mental exertion, intellectual thinking, research and earthly knowledge. Only the Lord God Almighty Himself can reveal Himself to man. And Jesus Christ is God Himself. This is the spiritual truth Muslims loathe to hear. They considered it highly blasphemous that the True Lord God Almighty was born by a woman. And they ask; if Jesus Christ is God, why do some Christians call Him Son of God? This too Muslims do not want to hear. Does it mean Mary is God's wife they demanded?

But really; who is this Jesus Christ? The Lord God Almighty Himself? The Son of God, a Great Prophet of God or what? With the Guardian and Guidance of the Holy Spirit Who has called us to embark on this work, the Spiritual answers to all these puzzling mysteries of spiritual truths to the Muslims (and I dare say some nominal "Christians ) shall be thoroughly and exhaustively thrashed out in this column article this week. However, before we do this, it is germane at this juncture to know what the Quran says about our Lord Jesus Christ, because the demon-god known as Allah revealed our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ to Mr. Mohammad Abdallah.

Every Muslim professes belief in Jesus Christ. That was what I-Moshood- was taught in Quranic School in my teens, But if you ask a Muslim which Jesus Christ does he or she believe in, you are likely to hear the Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary, who performed many miracles and "died, that is all. How about Jesus Christ who was crucified on the cross, died and resurrected on the third day and now sitting at the Right Hand Side of God Almighty in heaven and will soon come back to judge the world? No, Muslims do not believe in this Jesus Christ but curiously though Muslims believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again to this earth physically in the Rapture to judge the world, The Quran gives three names to our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ. "Issa" is the Arabic translation of Jesus, "Ibn Maryam" meaning, the Son of Mary and "AI-Masih, which means; the Deliverer, Messiah or Savior: "And remember when the angels said: O Mary! Lo Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from Him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus Son of Mary; illustrious in the world and the hereafter, and one of those brought near unto Allah" (Surah 3:35). The Surah quoted above used the word: Messiah to describe the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ just as John 1: 41 and John 4:25 described Jesus Christ. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah (that is, the Christ). (John 1:41) and The woman said, "I know that Messiah (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us, (John 4: 25). But the Quran deliberately twisted the real meaning of the word "Messiah" which is a Greek word "Messias" meaning: "an anointed one, usually a consecrated person as a King, priest, Saint or the great deliverer of Israel according to The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, The Quran translated the word "Messiah" to mean  a prophet and since Muhammad told Muslims to believe all prophets, Jesus Christ is simply just one of them.

In Surah 19:22, it was repeated for emphasis that our Lord Jesus Christ is merely a prophet of God like Muhammad: "He (Jesus Christ) was but a servant on whom we bestowed our favor and we made him an example for the children of Israel As for the Son ship of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Quran screamed in Surah 5: 73-75: "The Messiah, Son of Mary was only a messenger, messengers before him had indeed passed away. His mother was a truthful woman. They both used to eat food. See how we have made the message clear, and yet they have turned away. In Surah 5:75, the Quran flatly rejected the idea of a Triune God and pooh-poohed the idea of a Christian's Trinity and in Surah 4: 157, it considered it a heresy to affirm the crucifixion and sacrificial Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. "And for their saying, "we have killed the Messiah, Jesus Son of Mary, the messenger of God, they killed him not nor did they crucify him, but it was made to appear to them as such. But the Quran however upheld the miraculous powers of the Son of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Lamb of God and the Redeemer, Hallelujah! And paradoxically, this Quran, a book said to have been inspired by Allah alluded, in Surah 19: 17-27, to the Virgin Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ but chose to call Him the Son of Mary: "And had chosen seclusion from them. Then he sent unto Mary Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man." Do you read what the Quran confessed in this Surah? The Quran referred to our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ as a Perfect Man but if you have been reading our series in this column so far, you would remember that Mr. Mohammad Abdallah said he wasnt a perfect man and that all Muslims following his teachings should look for the truth, because he Mohammad didnt know the truth but still searching. More so, Mr. Mohammad warned all his followers that he didnt know where he would end up after his death and so also his billions of followers as well. This Surah 19:17-27 in the Quran should be sobering to all Muslims and make them enquire more about their eternal destination. Who would a rational person follow; a Perfect Man or the man who said he wasnt perfect and had no clue what would be done to him after death? Muslims should not be emotional about this. I am not conjuring or making up things, but quoting exactly as written in the Quran that so-called practicing Muslims revere and read every day. The Quran never referred to Mr. Mohammad Abdallah as a perfect man, but referred to our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ as a Perfect Man. A Perfect Man is someone who never sinned and so why will Muslims continue to follow Muhammad who is not perfect, but refused to follow Jesus Christ, the Perfect Man? No wonder, the Holy Bible rendered this verdict: This is the verdict; Light has come into the world-referring to our Lord Jesus Christ-but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his (or her) deeds will be exposed (John 3:19-20). The Muslims are in darkness. Please pray for your family members, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, etc steeped in this religion of darkness called Islam that their spiritual eyes be opened and will be delivered!

So what do the Muslims believe then in our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ? A Muslim friend once told me-Moshood- how he went on "hajj" to Mecca and saw the beautiful tomb of Muhammad. I congratulated him but asked him if he knew where the tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ could be found in Jerusalem. "But Jesus Christ did not die; he was taken up to heaven by God although God made him to look as if he was killed to the Israelites. Then I asked him, "If Jesus Christ is already in heaven and your Muhammad is in the grave, why would you choose to put your faith in a man already in the grave, dead and unreliable than Christ Jesus who is in heaven?" He kept quiet. Then I proceeded further: "The Quran says Jesus Christ will be coming back to this earth very soon to judge the world. Will Muhammad be coming back since you saw his beautiful grave in Mecca?" He became annoyed and furiously walked away. Friend, it is time we probe the identity of this Allah. Hear what the Book of Life says: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God. Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the anti-Christ, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world, (John 4: 1-3).

See, isn't it funny and contradictory for Muslims to say our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ is not the Son of God but at the same breath call Him Messiah of God? Read these disclosures in the Quran in Surahs 3:48-49 and 19: 17-27. From what the Quran has recorded so far, it is glaring that Allah, the inspirer of the wording of the Quran cannot be the True Lord God Almighty. Allah is not the same as our Creator the True Lord God Almighty Who said of our Lord Jesus Christ: "This is my Son, who I love, with him I am well pleased, (Matthew 3:17). "Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: 'This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him, (Mark 9:7). The same True Lord God Almighty would not contradict Himself in the Quran by denying the Son ship of our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ. Why are the pronouncements of Allah in the Quran clearly antithetical and contradictory to the pronouncements of the True Lord God Almighty in the Holy Bible? If Allah is not the True Lord God Almighty, Who created the heavens and earth, who is totally in control of all situations and circumstances, who then is Allah? Certainly, Allah is a spirit, but not of the True Lord God Almighty. He must be an anti-Christ, and anti-God. As I disclosed in this column last week and in earlier articles, Allah is a demon-god? Do not say we should not jump into conclusion yet, because going by the pronouncements of Allah in the Quran which we have pointed out in legionary instances in this column in earlier articles, Allah is markedly different from the True Lord God Almighty that we read about and His pronouncements in the Holy Bible. Any perceptive reader, even at the platonic level reading the Quran, and compared with the Holy Bible would definitely see the Quran as a rejoinder to the Holy Bible. One can deduce that there is a silent spirit answering the True Lord God Almighty of the Holy Bible. It is as if Allah is saying, Look, you guys have read the Holy Bible, now let me reply the True Lord God Almighty of the Holy Bible.

If Muslims say they believe Jesus Christ, the question one needs to ask is; which Jesus Christ? The Jesus who is an "impostor, who was not crucified, dead or resurrected? But the Quran, upon close scrutiny seems to have confused its readers and succeeded in twisting the truth and contradicting itself on the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Holy Bible we read that God is Spirit (John 4:22). The Quran agrees with this and corroborated the wordings of the Holy Bible: "The Virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call him Immanuel which means, God with us,(Matthew 1:23). "And she who was chaste therefore; We breathed into her something of our Spirit and made her and her Son a token for all peoples, (Surah 21:91). In John I: 1-4, we read: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made: without Him nothing was made that has been made. The Quran affirmed this Biblical account in "Al-Baqara" a popular scripture in the Quran in Surah 2: 253 "Of those messengers; some of whom we have caused to excel others, and of whom there are some unto whom Allah spoke, while some of them He exalted above others in degree, and we have Jesus, Son of Mary, clear proofs of Allah's sovereignty and we supported him with the holy spirit. But this book of Allah says the Holy Spirit is Archangel Gabriel. What a monumental fraud! Please, everyone reading this article, wherever you may be, even if you are not a Christian and religious, but for epistemological reason, try to look for the English Version of the Quran and read it. You will be appalled at the level of contradictions in this supposed book of salvation to over one billion Muslims on earth today. And we are talking of eternity, folks!

When the Quran says our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ did not die on the Cross, was neither crucified nor did His resurrection take place but it only appeared to be so according to Surah 4: 157, but when asked where now is the body of our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ, Muslims say and the Quran recorded it that our Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven. Yet Muslims deny the Resurrection of our Savior. What a contradiction! This is sheer fraud! Someone is definitely playing on the intelligence and the eternal destination of over one billion human souls on earth. We join Apostle Paul in praying for these ignorant human souls: "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lords servant must not quarrel instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will, ( 2 Timothy 2: 23-26). "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age-referring to Satan and Allah- has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, (2 Corinthians 4: 3-4). TO BE CONTINUED

Dr Moshood Ademola Fayemiwo is the Spiritual Head & Founder, The Jesus Christ Solution Center, based in Cameron, TX USA. Call him at this number: 254-605-4035. You can send him email at [email protected] . You can also visit our websites at: - https://tocu.education/ and https://tocu.online/
The ceasefire declaration statements issued by the Tripoli based Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Tobruk based House of Representatives have once again raised hopes for a negotiated political settlement to the longstanding Libyan conflict. But the way forward is far from easy. It requires painful concessions that conflict with the interests of obstructive forces  the network of domestic and foreign parties vested in the perpetuation of the crisis.

Although the ceasefire has staved off a clash between Turkey, which intervened on behalf GNA militias, and Egypt, which warned against a Turkish-backed offensive beyond the Sirte-Jufra line, this does not mean that conditions are ripe for a settlement. Not only is trust lacking between the Libyan players after 14 months of civil war centred on Tripoli, but there also remains a long legacy of division over all proposed political solutions from the Skhirat Agreement of 2015 through the modified UN plan, the Paris and Rome initiatives of 2017 and 2018, the outputs of the Berlin Conference in 2020 and the Cairo Declaration of June this year.

FRAMES OF REFERENCE

This legacy is mirrored in the texts of the ceasefire statements issued by House of Representatives Speaker Aguila Saleh and GNA leader Fayez Al-Sarraj. Whereas both reaffirmed their commitment to the Berlin process, the former affirmed his support for the Cairo Declaration while the latter ignored it.

The troubled Libyan Political Agreement, signed in Skhirat, Morocco, in December 2015, produced political entities whose composition and jurisdictions triggered bitter discord between the rival parties. The fusion between the Presidency Council and the GNA and articles that gave the GNA the power to make security and military appointments are only some examples of bitter bones of contention.

The Cairo Declaration, by contrast, proposes an elected three-member presidential council separate from the government. This council, which would be representative of Libyas three main regions (Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan), would choose a prime minister charged with forming a government that would then obtain the confidence of the House of Representatives. While most of the councils decisions would be taken by a majority vote, others, such as decisions concerning the armed forces, would require a unanimous vote that would include that of the armed forces general commander. Under the Cairo Declaration, cabinet seats are apportioned between the three regions based on population density (nine seats for Tripolitania, seven for Cyrenaica and five for Fezzan) while the sovereign portfolios would be divided between them equally. These formulas help ensure a minimum degree of unanimity between the three regions.

ELECTIONS DILEMMA

Both Saleh and Al-Sarraj, in their statements, agreed on the need to hold elections in order to resolve the problem of rival legitimacy claims. However, while the former did not specify a date, the latter set March 2021 as a deadline for holding presidential and parliamentary elections on a constitutional basis. Yet, the draft constitution approved by the elected constituent assembly in July 2017 encountered stiff opposition from both eastern and southern Libya (Cyrenaica and Fezzan) and especially on the part of the federalist camp and the Amazigh, Toubou and Touareg ethnic minorities. In the opinion of these groups, the draft constitution privileged Western political forces via a heavily centralised form of government that favoured the more populous Tripolitania region and its predominant political forces.

The Cairo Declaration proposes the creation of a committee, composed of members of the House of Representatives and the High Council of State, to amend the constitutional declaration and for the election of a new national committee, representative of the three regions, to draft a new constitution that would be put to a national referendum within 90 days. The Cairo Declaration also calls for an 18-month interim period during which government institutions would be reunified and reorganised and at the end of which presidential and parliamentary elections would be held. This explains why Saleh, in his statement, did not stipulate a date for elections. Unlike Al-Sarraj, he appreciates the difficulties involved in drafting and agreeing on a new constitution in a short period of time while a constitutional framework is a key to holding elections whose legitimacy will not be questioned.

DISTRIBUTION OF OIL WEALTH

Al-Sarrajs statement agreed with Salehs on the need to resume the production and export of oil and to deposit revenues abroad where they will remain until after an agreement is reached. It also agreed on the need for transparency in the management of revenues. However, it did not refer to the Cairo Declarations provisions in this regard and, above all, to the need for the just distribution of oil wealth.

The general convergence between the two sides, here, may have been the product of American pressure, motivated by a desire to wrest the oil card from Russian hands, especially in light of reports that Russian Wagner Group fighters have taken up positions in Libyan oil fields. At the same time, the US probably wants to wield the oil card as a means to keep the two sides at the negotiating table and to encourage them to forge alliances conducive to supporting the compromises needed for peace.

This said, there may be limitations on how far the oil card can be used as leverage. Much of the problem would reside in coming to terms over the criteria for the just distribution of oil. Should it be based on demographics, such as population density, which would favour Tripolitania? Or should it be based on geographical realities such as the fact that most of Libyas oil reserves are located in the east and that the Libyan National Army (LNA) currently controls the majority of fields in the east and south?

LNA SUSPICIONS

The LNA harbours serious concerns over the nature and trustworthiness of the dialogue process at a time when Turkey continues to pour military support and mercenaries into western Libya. The LNA has rejected US Ambassador Richard Nolands proposal to transform Sirte-Jufra into a demilitarised zone. It suspects that the proposal is merely a ruse in order to hand the area to Turkey without a fight. The LNA deeply mistrusts the GNA and fears its intentions once oil production resumes. LNA Spokesman General Ahmed Al-Mismari last week called Tripolis ceasefire initiative a PR initiative.

The LNAs stance conflicts with both Al-Sarrajs and Salehs positions on a ceasefire, although the two men disagree over the status of Sirte and Jufra. Saleh would like to make Sirte a temporary headquarters for the new Presidency Council that would be protected not by the LNA but by a police force drawn from all regions, whereas Al-Sarraj supports the creation of a demilitarised zone protected by a security force drawn from eastern and western Libya.

Although Russia, which backs the LNA, supports the ceasefire, it is probably just as uncomfortable with the US-European proposal to turn Sirte-Jufra into a demilitarised zone. Certainly, the proposal would limit Russian influence in Libya and, above all, Moscows ability to pressure Turkey and bargain with the US/NATO presence in the southern Mediterranean. According to various reports, there are Russian warplanes and other arms in the Jufra military base.

THE MILITIA DILEMMA

There have been indications of mounting inter-militia tensions in western Libya since the freeze in the Tripoli war. Some observers fear another outbreak of inter-militia violence similar to that which erupted in the summer of 2018 between rival militias battling for control over Tripoli. This, too, could jeopardise talks and prospects for a settlement.

Among the signs of mounting tensions are accusations of corruption levelled by the Tripoli Protection Force (a consortium of the four most prominent militias in Tripoli) against the Libyan chapter of the Muslim Brotherhood. The accusations appear a response to the Muslim Brotherhoods attempts to dominate the National Guard Force that the GNA intends to revive as a means to gain control over the Tripoli militias. The GNA is backed in this by the Turkish-Qatari axis which, while backing the recent ceasefire call, is rapidly working to consolidate its influence in western Libya. The Tripoli based militias fear that any political settlement will undermine their influence by means of plans to disarm them and/or assimilate them into official security forces.

Perhaps the most complex and intractable factors are the tribal and regional tensions that have grown even more intense since the battle for Tripoli began over a year ago. Until the causes of these tensions are addressed and remedied by means of a national reconciliation process, a lasting ceasefire and peace-making efforts promoted by outside powers will remain on shaky grounds.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 27 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Days after a woman with the coronavirus visited a Starbucks cafe north of Seoul in August, it resulted in over two dozen patrons catching the virus and testing positive. However, the four employees that wore face masks, shielded themselves from the transmission, news agency Bloomberg reported .

As health authorities around the world continue to debate the evidence around face masks, the 27-person cluster in the air-conditioned coffee outlet supports the discussion around mandatory use of face mask to help limit the spread of the infection.

This speaks volumes about the role masks can play, said Ma Sang Hyuk, a paediatric infectious diseases physician at Changwon Fatima Hospital in South Korea. Masks may not provide 100 percent protection, but theres nothing out there thats as effective, Hyuk told the news agency.

The news report cites the example of August 8 outbreak in the South Korean city of Paju to explain how rapidly the SARS-CoV-2 virus can spread in confined, indoor spaces  as well as ways to minimise transmission. The virus may spread where people cant wear masks while eating or drinking tea, as witnessed at the Starbucks in Paju, Jung Eun-kyeong, head of the Korea Centres for Disease Control & Prevention, told reporters in Seoul on August 23.

According to the report, the Starbucks infections later resulted in nearly three dozen more cases outside the coffee shop as of August 24.

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

As the incident added to the caseload of 3,000 infections this month, South Korean government has considered imposing the highest level of physical distancing rules. It has also prompted local government authorities to make wearing face-masks compulsory for all citizens.
Alphabet Inc.s Google appointed Halimah DeLaine Prado, a company veteran and one of the technology giants most senior Black executives, as general counsel.

DeLaine Prados promotion will likely be welcomed by Black employees at the company who have been pushing for more diversity. Earlier this year, Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai committed to increase leadership representation of underrepresented groups by 30% by 2025. Googles 2019 diversity report said 2.6% of Googles leaders were Black.

Google hasnt had a general counsel since 2018, when Kent Walker was promoted to senior vice president of global affairs, a position responsible for responding to the swell of regulatory and privacy-related issues the company has faced in recent years. DeLaine Prado will report to Walker.

Google has been my home for nearly 14 years, allowing me to work on some of the most complex and important legal issues of the digital age with a world-class legal team, she said in a statement. I am excited for this new opportunity and I cannot wait to get started.

DeLaine Prado was most recently a vice president in the legal department, where she ran a global legal team that advised on Google products including Ads, Search, Cloud, Hardware, Platforms & Ecosystems, and YouTube.

Halimah has been a trusted counselor and exceptional leader, Walker said in a statement. She is uniquely qualified to lead the Legal Department at this critical moment.
From the beginning, Bianka Alloyn Brunson and Sabreen Naimah Wilkes, co-owners of West Oaklandbased Cute Coffee, have stood strong against the tyranny of the bean.

In the cold steel-and-marble aesthetic dominating coffee shops around California and the sober self-importance that has crept its way into every third wave cup, the two knew something was missing.

"We did a lot of market research without realizing we were doing market research. What do we like? What don't we like?" explains Brunson.

"We weren't seeing a lot of fun being had," Wilkes chimes in.

"Yeah," seconds Brunson. "What happened to the fun?!"

Even over the phone, their energy is infectious.

Brunson performs a coffee cupping (cup tasting). (Courtesy of Cute Coffee)

Brunson and Wilkes met five years before launching Cute Coffee at Menotti's in Venice, CA. For a decade, Brunson had been honing her barista skills behind counters in Baltimore, Chicago, and San Francisco, pulling cappuccinos and shots of espresso for a clientele of creative, dynamic coffee lovers. Wilkes, a designer specializing in head pieces for companies like Urban Outfitters, was among them. Brunson, an artist and musician herself, was on the cusp of launching a DIY interview talk show, "Coffee & Conversations," from her 300-square-foot apartment.

The two got to talking and eventually established their own coffee company and a co-roasting space in Long Beach called Sunny Side Up. It wasn't long after, however, that that they were forced to abandon their operation after discovering their landlord had illegally rented them the coffee roasting space. The two moved north and, in 2019, re-launched in West Oakland under the name Cute Coffee, the C.C. initials an homage to Brunson's old talk show.

"We want people to experience joy and happiness. We don't want people to feel low when they see our bag of coffee, we want you to feel this passion, and feel the love and just kind of light up your spirit, even if it's just for a moment," explains Brunson.



Not everyone was immediately onboard with their new name and look. "Our advisor at the time was kinda like, are you guys sure? Cute Coffee? We were like, yes!" recalls Wilkes. "I said, who doesn't love cute things," laughs Brunson. With their artistic and design backgrounds, the two incorporated their sense of fun and vitality into the company's Instagram-friendly branding, opting for a playful logo of a striped heart-shaped sun emerging from a cup of Cute Coffee; bags of beans are sealed with rainbow glitter and hologram stickers.

Not your standard bag of beans, Cute Coffee bags comes with rainbows and stickers. (Courtesy of Cute Coffee)

But while their approach to coffee is light-hearted, Brunson and Wilkes are intensely knowledgeable about their beloved beans and the entire process of making of coffee, from farm to cup. They take seriously their responsibility not just to promote fair wages for farmers and pickers, but to specifically seek out and collaborate directly with coffee operations that are run primarily by women and their families instead of going through established "fair trade" channels.



With fair trade, explain Brunson and Wilkes, the price of coffee is set by a middleman importer based on what the market can bear. While the profit made by coffee farmers and pickers in fair trade relationships is higher than operations that do not support fair trade, often those on the growing and gathering side of the processparticularly womenare not paid what they deserve.

"Knowing what's really happening on the farms [that participate in fair trade operations], I said to myself, I don't want to be a part of that," Brunson says. "We know a lot of farms are being run by women but they're not getting the credit. A lot of times, they're not even getting the money."

By cutting out the middleman, the duo has established personal relationships with women-led farms from diverse microclimates around Central America. They purchase arabica bourbonhoneyed, sun-shade dried beans that produce aromas of blueberry, tamarind, and pomegranatefrom the Urrutia family's fourth-generation Monte Sion farm in El Salvador's Apaneca Mountains. In the Santa Elena region of Honduras, Cute Coffee partners with graduates of the Catracha Quality Project, a community of small-scale farmers who have learned elevated organic farming and sustainability techniques, including the Perez family, whose two-acre La Violin farm produces a dark chocolatey, caramel-y catuai. Cute Coffee's current roast, This Is Marigold, made from caturra beans with a fruity sweetness, hails from the third-generation Zamari Coffee Estate in the Cachi Valley of Costa Rica.

Wilkes roasts a batch of Cute Coffee. (Courtesy of Cute Coffee)

Brunson and Wilkes roast small batches of their beans frequently for optimal freshness at a West Oakland co-roasting space they share with the Mission's Grand Coffee and two other small roasters. They sell them through the Cute Coffee website and onsite at Oakland's The Cat House. Cute Coffee is also one of the first products to be included in the ethical pantry at Mill Valley's Poet and the Bench, a sustainable champion of local artistry and craftsmanship.

Cute Coffee was "a great fit for us," says Bonnie Powers, co-owner and shop curator at Poet and the Bench. "We get to tell their story and also amplify the fact that they are two Black women in the LGBTQ space, and also this bigger story of their mission to work almost exclusively with women-led farms."

From Marin to the East Bay, the region is now Brunson and Wilkes' medium-roast oyster. And with coffee shipments back on track after a temporary pandemic-related glitch in the system, they hope to expand the coming year's operations to include family-farmed beans from Africa. The pair are also contemplating a post-pandemic mobile coffee truck to not just serve Cute Coffee's carefully selected and roasted brews, but to coax curiosity and joy out of each sustainably grown and equitably purchased cup.

"There are more aromatic compounds in coffee than there are in wine," explains Brunson, and because each farm they partner with has different processes for washing and fermenting the beans, "they are really bringing out some flavors that people don't even know exist in coffee. It's really amazing what can happen when people do things differently."

// Purchase Cute Coffee at Poet and the Bench (11 Throckmorton, Mill Valley, poetandthebench.com) and at ilovecutecoffee.com.


PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The major European stock markets opened higher on Tuesday but couldn't keep up the momentum as investors locked in gains from the previous day in a mixed session.



Traders may also be looking ahead to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's highly anticipated speech at the Jackson Hole symposium on Thursday.



Early momentum was provided when it was reported that U.S. biotechnology company Moderna, Inc. said it concluded advanced talks to provide 80 million doses of its experimental coronavirus shot to the European Union.



Germany's DAX eased 4.92 points or 0.04 percent to 13,061.62, while London's FTSE tumbled 67.72 points or 1.11 percent to 6,037.01 and the CAC 40 in France rose 0.38 points or 0.01 percent to 5,008.27.



In Germany, Wirecard plummeted 8.00 percent, while Covestro plunged 1.36 percent, Volkswagen tanked1.16 percent, Heidelberg Cement tumbled 1.14 percent, thyssenkrupp skidded 1.09 percent, Deutsche Postjumped 1.08 percent, Daimler sank 1.08 percent, Deutsche Lufthansa climbed 0.64 percent, Deutsche Bank collected 0.26 percent and Deutsche Telekom was unchanged.



In London, GVC Holdings surged 3.81 percent, while Royal Dutch Shell plummeted 2.99 percent, British American Tobacco plunged 1.91 percent, Rolls-Royce Holdings and Standard Life Aberdeen both tumbled 1.64 percent, Vodafone dropped 1.32 percent, Tesco sank 1.19 percent, Whitbread climbed 1.1 percent, Rightmove rose 0.52 percent and Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust gained 0.21 percent.



In France, Accor spiked 3.83 percent, while ENGIE plunged 1.29 percent, Veolia Environment tumbled 1.00 percent, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain shed 0.88 percent, Peugeot surrendered 0.67 percent, Vivendi lost 0.54 percent, Societe Generale fell 0.30 percent, Credit Agricole rose 0.26 percent and BNP Paribas collected 0.21 percent.



In economic news, German GDP fell 9.7 percent sequentially in the second quarter after shrinking 2 percent in the first quarter, data from Destatits showed today. The rate was revised up from -10.1 percent estimated last month. Still, the quarterly decline was much larger than during the financial and economic crisis of 2008-09 and the sharpest since quarterly GDP calculations started in 1970.



Meanwhile, German business confidence improved in August, data from ifo Institute showed. The business confidence index rose to 92.6 in August from 90.4 in July for the fourth straight increase and beating forecasts for 92.2.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
How does Trumps 2nd-term agenda compare with the 2020 Democratic platform?

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The Trump campaign released on Sunday its second-term agenda, a set of policy priorities that will stand in place of a traditional Republican platform and offer a distinctly different vision than the 2020 Democratic platform released last week.

The Republican National Committee unanimously voted to forgo a party platform, according to a resolution released by the committee Sunday night. Instead, the Republican Party will back President Donald Trumps conservative America-first agenda and will go without adopting a new party platform until the 2024 convention.

The decision comes as the Republican National Committee significantly scaled back the size of this years convention for safety reasons during the pandemic.

While the 2020 Democratic Party Platform, released last Tuesday, was over 90 pages long and the Republican 2016 platform was 58 pages long, Trumps second-term agenda released yesterday consists of policy proposals outlined in 50 short bullet point sentences that represent core priorities for a second term.

The entire agenda document is under 4,000 words and claims to offer a stark contrast to the gloomy vision of America projected by Joe Biden and Democrats.

Trump plans to expand on his second-term agenda during his nomination acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night and also in the coming weeks through policy-focused speeches on the campaign trail.

Trumps second-term agenda is broken down into 10 sections: jobs, eradicate COVID-19, end our reliance on China, health care, education, drain the swamp, defend our police, end illegal immigration and protect American workers, innovate for the future, and America first foreign policy.

Meanwhile, sections of the Democratic platform call for the building of a stronger, fairer economy, achieving universal, affordable, quality health care, and healing the soul of America by protecting LGBTQ+ rights and rights of other groups. It also seeks to repeal many of the Trump administrations pro-life policies and narrow the view of religious freedom to eliminate discrimination.

Police

Amid calls from Black Lives Matter activists to defund police departments, Trump is calling for the full funding of and the hiring of more police and law enforcement officers.

As riots and violence have taken place in some cities nationwide, Trump also wants to bring violent extremist groups like Antifa to justice, up the penalties for assaults on police officers and end cashless bail.

Trumps agenda also calls for the prosecution of drive-by shootings as acts of domestic terrorism.

While there have been calls for the defunding of police by protesters nationwide since the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day as they want to transfer that money to fund organizations that help marginalized communities, the Democrat platform does not call for the defunding of police departments.

However, the platform stresses that we need to overhaul the criminal justice system from top to bottom and called police brutality a stain on the soul of our nation.

As Biden has been criticized for his support of the 1994 tough-on-crime bill, Democrats seek to end the era of mass incarceration and dramatically reduce the number of Americans held in jails and prisons while continuing to reduce crime rates.

Biden's campaign website vows to invest $300 million into a program created by the 1994 crime bill that would fund the hiring of additional police officers and training on "how to undertake a community policing approach."

Democrats also support eliminating the use of cash bail and believe no one should be imprisoned merely for failing to pay fines or fees.

This is the moment to root out structural and systemic racism in our criminal justice system and our society, and reimagine public safety for the benefit of our people and the character of our country, the platform reads.

The Democrats also seek to reinvigorate community policing approaches and improve accountability and transparency by ensuring compliance with the use of body cameras. Democrats will also seek to limit the sale and transfer of surplus military weapons to domestic law enforcement agencies, a policy President Trump reversed immediately upon taking office.

We cannot create trust without holding those in power accountable for their actions. Democrats will reinvigorate pattern-or-practice investigations into police misconduct at the Department of Justice, and strengthen them through new subpoena powers and expanded oversight to address systemic misconduct by prosecutors, the platform states. Far too often, the law has shielded police officers who stand accused of heinous violations of civil and human rights.

COVID-19

One of Trumps second-term goals is to develop a coronavirus vaccine by the end of 2020 and foster a return to normal in 2021.

Trump also wants to make all critical medicines and supplies for healthcare workers in the U.S. and refill stockpiles and prepare for future pandemics.

The coronavirus was also a major focus of the Democratic platform and convention last week as the party cast blame on Trumps abject failure to respond forcefully and capably to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The party also cast blame on the president for the economic impact the pandemic has had by using the term Trumps recession on several occasions in the platform.

The platform goes as far as to say that Trumps failure to lead makes him responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans. However, the platform doesnt acknowledge some of the missteps of Democratic officeholders.

The Democratic platform calls to make COVID-19 testing widely available, convenient and free for everyone. Democrats seek to increase funding to states that are conducting contact tracing.

The platform also supports making an eventual COVID-19 vaccine free to everyone regardless of their wealth, insurance coverage or immigration status.

Democrats also want to make grants and loans available to small businesses. Democrats believe that the federal government should pick up 100 percent of the tab for COBRA insurance to keep people in their employer-sponsored plans if they have lost their job during the pandemic.

Immigration

Trump is seeking to build on his staunchly conservative immigration policies in a second term. He famously promised during his 2016 campaign to build a wall on the U.S. southern border.

With construction in progress, the president and his administration seek to end sanctuary cities and block illegal immigrants from becoming eligible for taxpayer-funded welfare, healthcare, and free college tuition.

Trumps document states that the administration would seek to require new immigrants to be able to support themselves financially. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court backed a Trump administration rule that makes it harder for immigrants to apply for visas and green cards if they use government assistance such as food stamps, housing benefits or Medicare.

Trump also wants mandatory deportation for non-citizen gang members and vows to dismantle human trafficking networks that are smuggling people in through the U.S. border. He vows to bar U.S. companies from replacing U.S. citizen employees with lower-cost immigrant workers.

The Democratic platform criticizes exclusionary immigration policies and calls for creating a 21st-century immigration system. It calls to rescind Trumps national emergency and stop funding for the ineffective wall on the southern border.

Additionally, Democrats will terminate the Trump Administrations discriminatory travel and immigration bans and support legislation to ensure that no president can enact discriminatory bans ever again.

The Democrats will also reinstate and expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program that the Trump administration has tried to end that provides deportation protections for immigrants who came to the country illegally as children.

Democrats also oppose a Trump administration policy, which was struck down by a court earlier this summer, that would require asylum seekers to first seek asylum in countries they passed along the way before seeking asylum in the U.S.

We will reverse Trump Administration policies that prevent victims of gang and domestic violence, as well as LGBTQ+ people who are unsafe in their home countries, from being eligible to apply for asylum, the platform reads.

Religious freedom

Trumps second-term agenda document doesnt specifically address the topic of religious freedom even though the president and administration have touted themselves as champions of religious freedom at home and abroad.

In the 2016 campaign, Trump promised Christian conservatives that he would protect the religious freedom rights of individuals and organizations to uphold traditional stances on marriage and sexuality that oppose homosexuality.

Over the last four years, the Trump administration has enacted guidance instructing federal agencies to promote religious freedom as much as reasonably possible under the law. The Trump administration has upheld a broader view of religious freedom rights as highlighted under the First Amendment and Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

In the Democratic platform, Democrats seek a more narrow view of religious freedom as several cases have been fought in recent years against Christian business owners and organizations accused of discriminating against LGBT individuals as they tried to uphold policies that reflect their religious convictions.

Democrats believe that freedom of religion and the right to believe  or not to believe  are fundamental human rights. We will never use the protection of that right as a cover for discrimination, the platform reads.

The Trump administration has been supportive of exemptions for religious organizations that partner with governments to provide crucial services that would allow those businesses to operate following their religious convictions.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration enacted policies making it harder for faith groups to be federal contractors if they enforced employment policies that discriminate against LGBT individuals.

The Obama administration also enacted policies that mandated organizations to provide birth control in their healthcare plans and required faith-based hospitals, doctors and insurance providers to accommodate patients seeking transgender surgeries.

We condemn the Trump Administrations discriminatory actions against the LGBTQ+ community, including the dangerous and unethical regulations allowing doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies to discriminate against patients based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, the platform reads. Democrats will reverse this rulemaking and restore nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV/AIDS in health insurance, including coverage of all medically necessary care for gender transition.

We will also take action to guarantee that LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV/AIDS have full access to needed health care and resources, including by requiring that federal health plans provide coverage for HIV/AIDS testing and treatment and HIV prevention medications like PrEP and PEP, gender confirmation surgery, and hormone therapy, the platform adds.



Abortion

While the Trump second-term agenda does not specifically mention the issue of abortion, the Democratic Platform has a section titled Securing Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice.

Democrats are committed to protecting and advancing reproductive health, rights, and justice, the platform reads. We believe unequivocally, like the majority of Americans, that every woman should be able to access high-quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion.

Trump has been touted by pro-life movement leaders as the most pro-life president in U.S. history and became the first president to attend and give a speech at the March for Life rally in Washington, D.C., in January.

His administration has passed several pro-life friendly policies that have restricted the promotion of abortion overseas and domestically.

Among many things, the Democratic platform calls for the repeal of the Title X rule enacted by the Trump administration that bans Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinics that receive Title X family planning funding from referring patients for or providing abortions.

As a result of the rule, the nations largest abortion provider announced last August that it would leave the Title X program rather than alter its policies.

The Democratic Party Platform also seeks the repeal of Trumps expanded Mexico City Policy, which prohibits federal funding to nonprofit organizations that perform and promote abortions overseas as a form of family planning.

It also calls for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment, a decades-old rule that prohibits tax dollars from being used to fund abortions. Presidential nominee Joe Biden reversed his longstanding support for the rule last year.

The platform also opposes Food and Drug Administration restrictions to medical abortion pills that the party claims are inconsistent with the most recent medical and scientific evidence and that do not protect public health.
Some Wells Fargo customers were caught off guard earlier this month when the bank abruptly closed its Sellwood-Moreland branch.

David Kennedy, a spokesman for Wells Fargo, said Monday that the company decided to temporarily close the branch on Aug. 10. Kennedy did not provide a specific reason for the closure coming at this time.

Wells Fargo temporarily closed 1,400 branches, about a quarter of its retail network, and limited hours at other locations in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A third of Well Fargos 99 Oregon branches remain closed, Kennedy said. Seven branches are temporarily closed in Portland.

Customers can find a list of open Wells Fargo branches and ATMs through the companys branch locator. The company said it has implemented enhanced safety measures at its open branches.

Customers with safe deposit boxes at temporarily closed branches can access their possession by making an appointment by phone or emailing SafeDepositServices@wellsfargo.com, according to Kennedy.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com | @jamiebgoldberg

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
TV chef Mary Berry has recalled sleeping with pigs during her childhood on the familys smallholding (BBC/PA)

TV presenter Mary Berry has recalled sleeping with pigs during her childhood on the familys smallholding.

The former Great British Bake Off judge, 85, said there is nothing dirty about the animals and she would often take the runt to bed.

Expand Close TV presenter Mary Berry has recalled rearing livestock during her childhood (Jeff Spicer/PA) / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp TV presenter Mary Berry has recalled rearing livestock during her childhood (Jeff Spicer/PA)

She told the Radio Times: I was known to swaddle one and take it to bed with me. Only the runt, the little one that we had to feed from a bottle.

Theres nothing dirty about a pig, dont believe otherwise.

And despite sleeping with the pigs, Berry said she never forgot the realities of livestock farming and the family would end up eating the animals.

She said: Dad was very hands-on, wed have the carcass back and hed cut it up. We even made sausages, and of course nothing was wasted. It was just what we accepted.

Berry will return to her roots when guest editing Countryfile on Sunday. The episode will see her trying her hand at a traditional method of cheese-making and corralling an amorous Longhorn bull and its herd.

Berry welcomed the break enforced by the coronavirus lockdown.

Lockdown gave us all so much time, peace, no urgency to do anything, she said. I love that. Im looking at the sloes in the hedge, the willowherb. So lucky not to be in a town or a high-rise flat. Its the first thing I do if I have to go to London for the day  come home, and say Ill do the dogs this afternoon. I feel so much better for it.

Video of the Day

Read the full interview in the Radio Times.
ISLAMABAD: Fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim has been reportedly rattled after Zee News World Exclusive reports and non-stop coverage about him taking shelter in Pakistan, and went on to dial a number of people to ensure his safety.

Reports stated that Dawood, who is the main accused in the1993 Mumbai bomb blasts, called a few military officers in Pakistan for his safety. He reportedly also spoke to some ISI officials and sought their help. He also called his brother Anees Ibrahim, aide Shakeel Babu Miya Shaikh, alias Chhota Shakeel several times.

India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim lives in Karachi's posh area where Pakistan's top officials along with top army personnel reside, according to DNA's exclusive report. All documents related to this expose is in the possession of Zee News.

The DNA got the exclusive details about Dawood and his family from interrogation reports of close acquaintances of the don. He is not only in Pakistan but has also received the support of the Imran Khan government and its intelligence agencies. According to available information, Dawood Ibrahim lives in Karachi, and his house address is D-13 Block 4, KDA Scheme 5, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan.

Reports stated that barricades are placed in front of Dawood's house in Karachi and a security checkpoint is also present on the roof of the house. The underworld don has been living in complete security with his family and for this, he has chosen an area where Pakistani army officers live.

Located in the area of Defense Housing Authority of Karachi, it is one of the most expensive and safe areas of Pakistan as top army officers live there. Dawood's brothers Anees and Noora Ibrahim live close to his house in the same area, which also houses Consulate of Russia.

The disclosure about underworld don and mastermind of 1993 Mumbai attacks has been made by Pakistan for the first time on August 18, when it issued a notification that Dawood Ibrahim was in Karachi. It also imposed a ban on him on the basis of this notification. Under these restrictions, all the bank accounts of Dawood Ibrahim were to be frozen along with putting a ban on his movements. This notification also included Dawood's address in Karachi, other fake names and details of his passport.

Dawood Ibrahim's presence is also known to America that is why it had declared him an international terrorist. The United Nations is also aware of this fact, the reason, his name is included in the list of banned terrorists. Surprisingly, Dawood's name does not find mention in Pakistan's list of terrorists. Pakistan's National Counter Terrorism Authority that works under the supervision of Prime Minister Imran Khan seems to have deliberately avoided including Dawood's name the list terrorists.
Dale Hansen (pictured), CEO of Austbrokers Coast 2 Coast, said the significance of this case makes it the industrys watershed moment. Hansen said: There are so many different aspects to this  very few wordings are the same. The insurers all have their badge wordings, and there are multiple versions of them out there in multiple spaces. Were literally talking about hundreds and hundreds of policy wordings, and were trying to hand down a decision that is overarching across all of them.

I think thats going to be very, very complicated. I know the industry is looking for its silver bullet and overreaching answer and I will wait to see if thats going to be provided. Its a really tricky issue - this is a watershed moment for us.

Read more: The Star to take insurer to court over business interruption coverage

While America and the UK are also currently facing court cases trying to establish similar rulings, this unprecedented and enormous moment for Australia carries drastic ramifications for insurers, regardless of the outcome.

Hansen, who works as a broker and has lodged a few business interruption claims on behalf of his clients in recent days, believes that if there is ambiguity in policy wordings, the courts should rule in favour of the claimants.

I think where there is ambiguity around policy coverage, operative clauses and exclusions, they should be found on behalf of the claimant, he said. But where the intention of the policy is clear [in terms of exclusions and operative clauses], then I think those policies should be upheld. If insurers have not updated their policies or their provisions as weve changed regulation and regulatory vehicles, then I think they need to take responsibility for that.

Hansen believes that where insurers havent kept their policy wordings up to date then that is their issue and something that they need to reconcile. However, he also conceded that the case is complex and that there is no clear winner.

Regardless of the cases outcome, insurers are either left to pay for claims they havent factored into their premiums and are therefore out of pocket, or alternatively, if the insurers win, businesses are left without vital support.

Whatever way you look at it, theres a loser here. Im struggling to see a circumstance where we have a win-win situation  I cant see it, Hansen admitted. Most of the insurers that Im speaking to and the literature that Im reading from Australia and overseas reveal that insurers have not rated for this. They have not underwritten for this and so they havent priced for it. Its not in their premium matrixes.

The Supreme Courts findings and final judgement will, however, establish clarity around policy wordings which will force insurers to revisit their own and reconsider tightening them up.

Were dealing with multiple policy wordings, with multiple provisions, with multiple operative clauses and multiple exclusions  some insurers are referring to the old disease provisions, where the Act is 50 or 70-years-old. Their provisions havent been updated according to new legislation, Hansen continued.

Now, that is potentially a policy construction error  I think theres some greyness around that and, of course, whenever theres some greyness or ambiguity, the [court generally rules in] favour of the claimant, he concluded.

Vouching on behalf of the insurers, however, sits Robert Cooper (pictured below), director of Coopers Professional Risks, who believes that the case should acknowledge the intent of the cover.

I can understand that everyone wants to be sure whether they would be able to make a claim or not and this is probably the best way to sort it out... But Im firmly of the position that we need to go with the intent of the cover, and the intent of the cover was not to cover pandemics at all in the business interruption section of the policy, Cooper said.

Even though there might be a little bit of a glitch with closing the superseded Act, its only referring to the Act in regard to the definition of what is a quarantinable disease we dont even know if theres been a definition of quarantinable disease in the Biosecurity Act.

Additionally, Cooper argues that contracts are based on the principal of utmost good faith and that was a precedent set 300-years ago that all insurance company contracts abide by.

Its even enshrined in the Insurance Contracts Act where the utmost good faith has to be from both parties, he continued. There was never any intention from the insured to expect pandemics to be covered by business interruption policy, and there was never any expectation from the insurer that people would try to claim on the policy for a pandemic because if they did so, they would have been provisioning a premium in that area for future claims.

Pandemics are difficult for insurers to factor into their risks and premiums because of their high severity and low frequency, making the risk uninsurable, Cooper argued. When it comes to honouring the utmost good faith element of an insurance contract, he said neither party intended nor anticipated a global pandemic to be included under the infectious diseases clause.

For Cooper, the confusion lies in what defines an infectious disease, which he said does not include global pandemics that occur every 100-years.

It comes down to the intent of the cover, he explained. If theres a fire at a clients location or an event that causes damage to something local, and then someone becomes ill by breathing in the air, so the local area is closed, thus affecting other businesses in that same area  thats the intention of the infectious diseases cover  to cover those more localised risks. It wasnt set up for pandemics, he explained.

Read next: Business interruption test case filed in NSW Supreme Court

But Cooper does agree with Hansen on the need for insurers to shore up their policy wordings and remove ambiguity. While Cooper remains adamant that insurers will never factor pandemics into their risk pools and policies, they will reconsider their infectious diseases policies.

I do think they will have a look at their wordings and tighten them up to make sure they are being very clear in what they are intending to cover with the infectious diseases section. That would definitely include not quoting the 1908 Quarantine Act thats causing such grief for everyone, he added.

Plus, you might see governments bring in measures to mitigate risks in the future. That will all be political, but it may mean that an organisation like the World Health Organisation may be given a lot more authority when an epidemic breaks out in a country to try and contain it there.

Cooper also agrees that there is no good outcome from this case, but with the financial help from the federal government in the form of JobKeeper, businesses are not being left to financially perish.

I dont know if theres any real good outcome I dont see anything really positive apart from the fact that there are some government offsets for businesses. I think the main thing will be that well have insurers clearly tightening up on their wordings to make it very clear what theyre intending to cover and what theyre intended not to cover, he concluded.
Kim Jong Uns sister Kim Yo Jong could rule North Korea with an iron fist, experts have said amid reports that the countrys leader is in coma.

Since the reports on Kims deteriorating health started emerging, global experts have been discussing North Koreas future and what could the regime change there mean for the world. The reports from South Korean intelligence agencies that Kim has handed over power to his sister have many of them worried.

Given the reputation and history of the family, she would rule with an iron fist, retired US Army Colonel David Maxwell told New York Post.

Sung-Yoon Lee, a professor at Tufts Universitys Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, told The Post though Kim Jo Yong appears to be feminine, the nature of the regime demands she be ruthless, especially in the first few years.

Also read: What happens if Kim Jong Un is dead? Explaining North Koreas succession plan

The Hermit Kingdom is already known for implementing tough measures, and the violators are dealt with harshly.

A former BBC journalist, however, has suggested that Kim Jong Un may already be dead.

I honestly believe hes dead but you just cant tell with that country. I could be in Pyongyang now and be none the wiser, Roy Calley said in an interview to Express.co.uk.

Calleys comments came after The Korean Herald quoted a former aide of South Koreas late president Kim Dae-jung as saying, I assess him (Kim Jong-un) to be in a coma, but his life has not ended.

Seouls spy agency told lawmakers in a closed-door meeting about a ruling system that Kim seemed to have set up following which he shall share authority and responsibility with his most trusted aides, the South Korean daily reported. The National Intelligence Agency, however, said that the new system is not associated with any serious health issue, according to The Korean Herald.

Meanwhile, a Korean website Shinmoongo rubbished the reports as absurd and reminded of the time when Chang was greatly embarrassed after he raised the rumour of Kims death on April 23.

Following the reports, Calley said North Koreas vague statements on Kim Jong-un point towards some major changes being brought in. The fact that there is so much information/misinformation being released suggests there is something happening, Express.co.uk quoted him as saying.

The last official reports from North Korea stated that Kim Jong Un has issued a dire warning for the countrys economy amid reports that he delegated some power to his sister, including responsibility for relations with the US.
Strictly Come Dancing pro Katya Jones was reunited with her estranged husband Neil on Monday, as they joined the pros arriving at their hotel to reportedly self-isolate ahead of the new series.

The Russian dancer, 31, displayed her iconic physique in a tight leopard print top and skimpy black skirt as she unloaded her things from the car, just days after Neil confirmed he was in a relationship with Luisa Eusse.

Earlier this month Neil, 38, went public with his new romance after admitting it's 'the best it's felt in years,' though Katya appeared to give their relationship her seal of approval by liking one of her sweet snaps.

Back together: Strictly Come Dancing pro Katya Jones, 31, (pictured) was reunited with her estranged husband Neil on Monday as they arrived at a hotel to isolate for the new series

Katya arrived in a bold leopard print top as she prepared to isolate with her co-stars to rehearse and film group routines ahead of the new series.

Neil was all smiles as he pulled up at the hotel on his motorbike, clad in head-to-toe black, using a bandana hung around his neck as a makeshift face mask.

As the professional dancers arrived at their secret hotel, BBC director of content Charlotte Moore confirmed that Strictly was 'absolutely coming back' and the celebrity line-up will be confirmed at the end of the month.

Cool: British dancer Neil, 38, arrived at the hotel in Buckinghamshire on a motorbike as the pros prepare to isolate for a fortnight to film group performances

On Saturday Katya appeared to give Neil's new relationship her stamp of approval as she liked a loved-up Instagram picture of the pair.

The couple's six-year marriage ended in August 2019, months after pictures emerged of Katya kissing her dance partner Seann Walsh, 34, on a night out.

However they remained amicable and both continued to work together on the hit BBC show.

Supportive: It comes after Katya gave her seal of approval to Neil's new relationship with Luisa Eusse by liking a loved-up Instagram picture of the pair

Mature: Neil shared a steamy black and white snap kissing dancer Luisa on Wednesday, with Katya then liking the picture on Friday

Neil went public with his relationship with Luisa, as he shared a romantic snap of them together for the first time on Wednesday.

Luisa is a dancer and a model from Medellin, Colombia who reportedly met Neil when he was travelling around South America eight months ago.

A source told The Sun: 'Neil is smitten with Luisa and they're a very sweet couple. After they were introduced they stayed in touch but it's been hard with the lockdown restrictions.

'Since they lifted Luisa flew to London last month and has been staying at Neil's flat. They're taking it slowly but both are serious about this relationship and it's clear Neil is head-over-heels.'

Romance: Neil went public with his new girlfriend on Wednesday as he shared a romantic snap of them together for the first time

It was also reported on Friday that Luisa left her partner DJ Hannah Wants for the Strictly star only three weeks ago.

Neil made the revelation that he was in a new relationship during an Instagram Q&A session when a fan asked him if he was still single.

When the follower quizzed him on whether he was single following their separation, Neil simply answered saying 'nope'.

Neil also mentioned that he was feeling the 'best he had in years', when another fan asked him how he was doing.
A fire at the home of fashion designer Stella McCartney had to be swiftly put out by the emergency services after it started in her rubbish chute.

Three fire engines were called to tackle the blaze in Notting Hill late last month. A source told The Londoner: Someone put a fag in a shared rubbish chute which is underneath three houses on that street. It was really dramatic.

The large five-storey townhouse, which McCartney owns with her husband, former Hunter creative director Alasdhair Willis, is a Grade II listed building and is worth about 5 million.

McCartney is said to have been away from London on holiday at the time. The daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul is the owner of her eponymous fashion line for women, men and children, which was founded in 2001 and has more than 50 stores worldwide.

Stella McCartney is personally said to be worth more than 60 million. Her fashion line made an 11 million loss in the most recent accounts filed, down from being in profit in years previous as it goes through a period of restructuring.

The London Fire Brigade confirmed that they had attended a fire at the house. Stella McCartney declined to comment.

--

Amid the furore over Rule Britannia at the BBC Proms, writer Sathnam Sanghera tells The Londoner the debate is entirely manufactured by culture warriors.

I dont know a single BLM activist who is campaigning for the removal of the song, Sanghera, whose book EmpireLand comes out early next year, tells us. Its simply a way of making protesters with legitimate concerns look ridiculous.

--

Joe Wicks / Getty Images for Disney

Joe Wicks kept the nations spirits up with exercise during lockdown, but he is feeling flat since ending his daily workouts last month.

I had so much purpose and people all around the world taking part so I feel a bit lost, he told fellow trainer Richie Norton on Instagram.

Now I feel like Im not getting a lot done and Im demotivated. Drop and give us 20.

SW1A

SW1A hacks are rejoicing as The Red Lion pub has removed lockdown window boards.

Who needs conference season? says a regular. I can drink overpriced London Pride on a drizzly pavement next to some bins.

--

Caroline Flint / Getty Images

Ex-Labour MP Caroline Flint has mixed memories of nightclubs. She fell for her first husband when winning a dancing competition in a nightclub in Tunisia, but it ended in disaster and divorce.

Theres a warning about holiday romances, she tells the For The Many podcast.

PMs dad is up to speed thanks to ninja techies

Boris Johnsons father Stanley posed with internet technicians, celebrating that his Exmoor home, where the PM spent some of his childhood, finally has good wifi.

The Government is fulfilling its pledge of bringing broadband to remote rural areas, he told us of the wonderful ninja team.

Asked if Huawei was involved, he said he wouldnt know.

Elsewhere, musician Anoushka Shankar played the sitar and model Bella Hadid posted a selfie in the car.
Are politicians who lie more likely to be re-elected? (Getty)

A new Spanish study has discovered something that many of us wont find surprising  many politicians are liars.

The research also found that politicians who are members of major parties are more likely to be liars  and that liars are more likely to be re-elected.

The study (which relied on asking 816 Spanish mayors to self-report the result of a game similar to a coin toss) found that not only are many mayors prone to fibbing, those who lie seem to be more likely to be re-elected.

Read more: Why people vote for politicians they know are liars

Researchers from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra asked mayors to complete a survey, and told that they could get a personalised report if they got heads in a coin toss.

The researchers write, At the end of the survey, the mayors were told that they would receive the report only if they obtained heads in a self-reported coin flip.

Read more: Coronavirus shows us how the planets health is linked to our own

The researchers found that 68% of the mayors said they got heads (whereas in reality, 50% of them would have done so).

The researchers were then able to analyse the characteristics of mayors who had reported a heads results to find out more about lying politicians.

The researchers found that male and female politicians were equally likely to lie, according to the research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Politicians who had been re-elected were also more likely to lie, the researchers found.

The researchers wrote: We find that a large and statistically significant proportion of mayors lied.

Read more: Just how worried should we be about the effect of blue light on skin?

Mayors that are members of the two major political parties lied significantly more. Finally, we find a negative relationship between truth-telling and re-election in the next municipal elections, which suggests that dishonesty might help politicians survive in office.

The researchers said that too little work has been done on understanding lying in politics, and that voters want to know which politicians are averse to lying.

Story continues

Voters who would like to accurately evaluate the performance of politicians in office often rely on incomplete information and are uncertain whether politicians words can be trusted, they added.

Honesty is highly valued in politics because politicians who are averse to lying should in principle provide more trustworthy information.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 22:38:46|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TOKYO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Japan on Tuesday confirmed 716 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the nation's cumulative total to 64,000 cases.

The Tokyo metropolitan government reported 182 new daily cases, remaining below the 200-mark for the second straight day, although still comparatively high.

The metropolitan government said the capital's cumulative total now stands at 19,610, the highest among Japan's 47 prefectures.

Tokyo residents have been asked to refrain from traveling outside the prefecture, as well as avoid dining out in groups, even those including small gatherings held in close proximity with others, in a bid to curb the virus' spread.

Establishments serving alcohol such as restaurants, bars and karaoke parlors have been requested to shorten their opening hours until the end of August.

They have been asked to shut their doors at 10:00 p.m. to limit the number of patrons drinking into the night as another means to try and limit the virus' spread as people's inhibitions tend to lower once intoxicated, including mask wearing and maintaining appropriate social distancing measures.

The metropolitan government has described the situation in the capital of 14 million as "extremely severe" and has said that the "utmost caution is still required" while maintaining its alert level at the highest on its four-tier scale meaning "infections are spreading."

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has said that a Tokyo-specific state of emergency could still be declared if the virus' resurgence worsens.

Osaka Prefecture in western Japan, meanwhile, reported 119 new daily COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing its total tally to 8,020, as the large urban area continues to be hard-hit by the virus' outbreak.

Tokyo's neighboring prefecture of Kanagawa reported 57 new cases bringing the total count to 4,515 infections.

According to the latest official figures released Tuesday evening, the total death toll in Japan from the virus now stand at 1,230 people. Enditem


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Reflecting a significant deterioration in consumers' assessment of current conditions, the Conference Board released a report on Tuesday showing U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly declined for the second straight month in August.



The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index slumped to 84.8 in August after tumbling to a downwardly revised 91.7 in July.



The continued decrease came as a surprise to economists, who had expected the index to inch up to 93.0 from the 92.6 originally reported for the previous month.



The unexpected decrease by the headline index came as the present situation index plunged to 84.2 in August from 95.9 in July.



The percentage of consumers claiming current business conditions are 'good' dipped to 16.4 percent from 17.5 percent, while those claiming conditions are 'bad' jumped to 43.6 percent from 38.9 percent.



Consumers' appraisal of the job market was also less favorable, with consumers saying jobs are 'plentiful' edging down to 21.5 percent from 22.3 percent and those claiming jobs are 'hard to get' rising to 25.2 percent from 20.1 percent.



The Conference Board said its expectations index also fell to 85.2 in August from 88.9 in July, as consumers were more pessimistic about the short-term outlook.



Consumers expecting business conditions will improve over the next six months slipped to 29.9 percent from 31.6 percent, while those expecting business conditions will worsen inched up to 20.5 percent from 20.2 percent.



The outlook for the labor market was also less positive, as consumers expecting more jobs in the months ahead edged down to 29.1 percent from 29.6 percent and those anticipating fewer jobs ticked up to 21.9 percent from 21.3 percent.



The report also said the percentage of consumers expecting an increase in income dropped to 12.7 percent from 14.8 percent, while those expecting a decrease rose to 16.6 percent from 15.8 percent.



'Consumer spending has rebounded in recent months but increasing concerns amongst consumers about the economic outlook and their financial well-being will likely cause spending to cool in the months ahead,' said Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board.



On Friday, the University of Michigan is scheduled to release its revised reading on consumer sentiment in the month of August.



The consumer sentiment index for August is currently expected to be unrevised from the preliminary reading of 72.8, which was up slightly from 72.5 in July.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
The last time voices of dissent emerged in Congress, three of its leaders broke away to form the Nationalist Congress Party

Sonia Gandhi will continue to serve as the interim chief of the Indian National Congress for the next six months, in which time her successor will be chosen, the party decided at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on Monday. However, a letter signed by 23 senior leaders, seeking sweeping changes in the organisation, and the party leadership's reaction to it has raised concerns about how dissenting voices are treated in the party, and more importantly, the place accorded to non-Gandhi leaders in its top ranks.

Even as most people urged either Sonia to continue as the interim chief or Rahul Gandhi to take the reins of the party, the fact that leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Bhupinder Hooda, Kapil Sibal and Shashi Tharoor, who have spent decades in the party, were allegedly said to be "in collusion with the BJP" for being signatories in the letter, has brought to light how the party treated dissent in the past.

After independence, Congress has been headed by five people from the Nehru-Gandhi family, and 13 who were not. Congress president B Pattabhi Sitaramayya (1948) was followed by Purushottam Das Tandon (1949) and UN Dhebar (1955-59). The others were N Sanjiva Reddy (1960-62), K Kamaraj (1964-66), S Nijalingappa (1968-69), Jagjivan Ram (1969), Shankar Dayal Sharma (1972), DK Barooah (1975), PV Narasimha Rao (1992-96), and Sitaram Kesri (1997-98).

Jawaharlal Nehru was the president of the party in 1929, 1936 and 1951-53. Indira Gandhi held the post in 1959 and then between 1978 and 1984, her son Rajiv Gandhi was Congress president between 1984 to 91, daughter-in-law Sonia from 1998 till 2017 and Rahul Gandhi from 2017 till 2019.

After independence, differences in opinion came to the fore for the first time during the election of a Congress president in 1949. While Vallabbhai Patel backed Purushottam Tandon for the role of Congress president, Nehru was against his nomination. This was the time when Nehru was the Prime Minister of India while Patel was the home minister.

In 1969, S Nijalingappa expelled Indira Gandhi from the party's primary membership for violating party discipline. Indira, who was also the Prime Minister of India, had supported VV Giri (an independent candidate) during the election for the President of India as opposed to party's candidate Nilam Sanjiva Reddy.

"When Indira was prime minister, she was sacked as a primary member of the Congress by then party president Nijalingappa," political commentator Kumar Ketkar told PTI. The party then split into two branches  one with Indira and her supporters, and the other led by K Kamaraj and Morarji Desai.

In the next decade (and through Emergency), Indira consolidated power and the Congress led by her became the present day Indian National Congress.

"It was only after Indira came that dynasty took root in the Congress and the mantle was passed on to Rajiv," Suhas Palshikar, political analyst and co-director of the Lokniti programme of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, told PTI.

Raos clout plummeted as Sonia fortified presence in AICC

A change in status quo was attempted in 1992 when then Congress chief Rao decided to hold organisational elections for the first time since 1973, a period in which leadership was dominated by Indira, Rajiv and Sanjay Gandhi.

Arjun Singh, Rajesh Pilot and Sharad Pawar rose up to contest. Raos move was called an important step to ensure Congress was a national party and not one identified with any one individual or family, Sanjaya Baru wrote in his book 1991: How PV Narasimha Rao Made History.

However, when Rao's critics were elected to the CWC, he nullified the elections on the pretext that no Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe and women candidates were elected. He went on to reconstitute a CWC with members of his choice onboard.

Rao, who was also the prime minister, was criticised for the state of affairs in the country, especially the scams, resignations by ministers and the Babri Masjid demolition. The bitterness in the relationship between Rao and Sonia festered in 1995 when the latter openly accused Rao's government of allowing the investigation into Rajiv Gandhis death to continue at a slow pace.

Sonia's biographer Rani Singh, in her book Sonia Gandhi: An extraordinary life, an India destiny, mentions her attending AICC meets as a special invitee', when she was not a primary member.

"Each time Sonia Gandhi arrived, a crowd of enthusiasts and sycophants would start shouting and interrupt proceedings, sometimes for more than 10 minutes, and once right in the middle of one of Rao's speeches. He was forced to stand and wait on the stage while delegates chanted for Sonia and pleaded with her to come to the aid of the party," she writes.

Congress defeat in the 1996 Lok Sabha elections sounded the death knell for Raos leadership in the party. The Congress was wiped out in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, winning just 140 seats in the elections, its lowest tally ever till then. Rao was replaced by Kesri as the Congress president, who announced that the former prime minister will not be given a ticket for the 1998 general elections to Lok Sabha.

Rao then did not find his place in the AICC and CWC meetings either, and remained sidelined till his death in December 2004.

A day after his death, his body was brought to the gates of the Congress headquarters but was not allowed to be kept inside for people to pay their last respects. The reason given was that the body was so heavy that it was difficult to lift it off the gun carriage and place it inside the Congress headquarters.

Rao continues to be the only prime minister who does not have a memorial in Delhi.

Sitaram Kesri: A bloodless coup

After expressing reluctance to enter politics after Rajiv Gandhis death, Sonia in 1997 announced that she would campaign for the Congress for the 1998 Lok Sabha polls. Kesri was the party chief at that time. Sonia began addressing rallies and leading the campaign, prompting Kesri to call her a saviour, India Today reported.

Soon, demands surfaced to make Sonia the party chief, a post Kesri wanted to hold on to even as support for him dwindled within the party. The CWC passed a resolution on 14 March, 1998, asking Kesri to step down as the party president.

Kesris removal is often called a bloodless coup, as reports claim that he was locked in a room in the Congress Akbar Road headquarters as Sonia entered with her supporters and assumed the party presidents office.

Sonia then served at the top party post till 2017 and led the party to two Lok Sabha victories in 2004 and 2009. She overtook as an interim chief after her son Rahul Gandhi resigned from the top post in the party following a poor show in the 2019 General Elections to Lok Sabha.

The letter, which was discussed at the 24 August CWC meet, is among the rare instances of dissent put forth by Congress leaders, similar to the rebellion in 1999 by Sharad Pawar, PA Sangma and Tariq Anwar, who refused to accept the leadership of a person not born in India.

In response, Sonia had stepped down from the Congress chief's post, writing in a letter to the CWC, Although born in a foreign land, I chose India as my country and would remain an Indian till my last breath. India is my motherland, dearer to me than my own life.

However, her letter was followed by protests by Congress workers and a spate of resignations from then chief ministers Digvijaya Singh, Sheila Dikshit, Ashok Gehlot and Giridhar Gamang, after which she withdrew her resignation. Pawar, Sangma and Anwar then broke away from the Congress to form the Nationalist Congress Party.

In the last challenge to the post of Congress chief, Rajesh Pilot and Jitendra Prasada entered the race for the position in 2000. They ultimately lost, but lent credibility to the process of electing and not nominating a leader.

In 2017, even though elections for positions of office bearers were held from the block level to the national level, Rahul was elected unopposed amid demands by party leaders.

Though, he resigned from the post after the party received a major drubbing in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the passage of time seems to have subdued voices within the party, with most accepting lying down the Nehru-Gandhi leadership.

Leaders like Sanjay Jha, Jyotiraditya Scindia (now a member of the BJP) and Sachin Pilot, who recently spoke up about the partys functioning, were also silenced or met with punitive action.

The problem is not the electoral process but the hindrances to democratic practices within the party. The problem would effectively reduce the letters recommendations, including internal elections according to the Congress constitution and establishing an institutional leadership mechanism, to token procedures.

Sanjay K Pandey, a political commentator and a professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), said the problem lies not just with the family, but with the rest of the leaders who can't see beyond the family.

"They (Congress leaders) don't have the confidence and are accustomed to piggy riding with the family," he told PTI.
WASHINGTON - The assertion was breathtaking: Out of 100 people who suffered from the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, 35 were saved by the injection of antibody-rich plasma from people who had survived the disease.

That's how Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn described the blood product's effectiveness on Sunday at a news conference at the White House, when President Donald Trump announced that the agency was authorizing use of the plasma on an emergency basis to treat covid-19, the condition caused by the coronavirus.

The FDA, in an analysis of subgroups from an observational study, had concluded that one of those subsets of patients had a substantial reduction in mortality as a result of being treated with plasma.

"Many of you know I was a cancer doctor before I became FDA commissioner," Hahn said at the White House. "And a 35% improvement in survival is a pretty substantial clinical benefit. What that means is - and if the data continue to pan out - 100 people who are sick with covid-19, 35 would have been saved because of the administration of plasma."

But the 35-out-of-100 claim was not accurate, scientists said Monday. The FDA commissioner appeared to have mixed up absolute risk and relative risk, which are basic concepts in economics and in the presentation of data from clinical trials.

"I'm absolutely incredulous," said Peter Lurie, a former top FDA official and now the president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

On Monday night, Hahn in a tweet acknowledged that he had misspoken during the news briefing about the findings of the convalescent plasma study.

"I have been criticized for remarks I made Sunday night about the benefits of convalescent plasma. The criticism is entirely justified," Hahn wrote. "What I should have said better is that the data show a relative risk reduction not an absolute risk reduction."

David Steensma, an oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and a faculty member at Harvard University's medical school, tweeted that "The head of the United States Food and Drug Administration (!) @SteveFDA does not understand the difference between relative and absolute risk reduction - a basic, fundamental concept in medicine, statistics and clinical trial interpretation. It just gets worse and worse."

Essentially, the Trump administration figures were comparing one group of patients who got a certain kind of plasma with a group who got a different concentration at a different point in the disease, thus showing the relative difference between those groups. It was not a measure of what happens when some patients get plasma and some do not - the kind of research necessary to send a signal of whether a treatment is truly helping. The FDA also considered data from other studies.

Robert Califf, who was an FDA commissioner during the Obama administration, called on Hahn on Twitter to correct his statement. "It would be good for Steve to publish a correction," he said. "I'm sure he meant to correctly state the translation from relative effect to absolute effect."

Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, said on Twitter that data gathered on the use of plasma in covid-19 patients indicates that three people out of 100 would be saved at seven days of treatment and five at 30 days - not 35.

The FDA declined to answer questions Monday about Hahn's statement. But the controversy comes at a particularly fraught moment. In recent weeks, Hahn has been trying to convince the public that the FDA will make upcoming coronavirus vaccine decisions based only on data and science. Scientists say it is a dangerous time for the FDA to take a hit to its credibility.

Remarks by Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on Sunday also raised eyebrows among scientists - or drew ire.

Trump called the plasma treatment a "historic breakthrough"; scientists insist it is not. And he and Azar repeatedly highlighted the 35% reduction in mortality. Even FDA scientists said more studies need to be conducted to get definitive evidence about plasma's efficacy.

But scientists said the study was not the kind that could draw that type of conclusion. It was not a trial typically used to make decisions about whether a drug is safe and effective. In those studies - known as randomized controlled trials - certain patients get the real medication that is being analyzed while others receive a placebo. That way, scientists can establish with greater certainty that a medication works and that it is not causing dangerous side effects.

The data on plasma came from a nationwide program run by the Mayo Clinic that gave hospitalized patients early access to convalescent plasma, which is obtained from people who have survived covid-19 and who have marshaleddisease-fighting antibodies. The FDA oversaw the program, which has treated more than 70,000 patients. It was an observational study, which is used to generate a hypothesis. FDA officials acknowledged that randomized clinical trials were needed to provide definitive answers about plasma.

"We saw about a 35% better survival in the patients who benefited most from the treatment, which were patients under 80 who were not on artificial respiration," Azar said. "I just want to emphasize this point, because I don't want you to gloss over this number. We dream in drug development of something like a 35% mortality reduction. This is a major advance in the treatment of patients. This is a major advance."

To people not familiar with the underlying data, that might have made it seem like people receiving plasma from covid-19 survivors were 35% more likely to survive than those who did not receive plasma. But the studies are not designed to show that. And the data appeared to apply to a subset of patients: those under age 80 who were not tethered to breathing machines.

Outside scientists said the administration officials who touted a 35% reduction in death risk were overstating the conclusions that could be drawn from suggestive studies without comparison groups. They said that because plasma has not been studied in randomized, controlled clinical trials, it is too early to draw conclusions about its efficacy or even when, how and in what quantities doctors should administer it.

"Right now, we don't have any randomized controlled data to suggest that convalescent plasma is useful for covid-19," said Gregg Gonsalves, an assistant professor at the Yale University school of public health. "They took the Mayo Clinic data last night and were talking about a 35% reduction in mortality. There's a big difference in absolute and relative risk in describing clinical trial results. It's very hard to believe the head of the FDA and the head of Health and Human Services does not know that distinction."

The FDA, in a statement issued Monday, said the agency had reviewed data from "multiple sources, including over a dozen published studies, as well as the prepublication data from the Mayo Clinic." The agency noted that "there appears to be roughly a 35 percent relative improvement in the survival rates of patients who were treated with higher-titer plasma when compared to those treated with lower titer plasma." A higher-titer plasma has a greater concentration of antibodies.

But that appeared to refer to the subset of patients. In an FDA memo justifying the use of plasma, one bullet point concludes, "There was no difference in 7-day survival in the overall population between subjects transfused with high versus low titer" convalescent plasma.

The White House issued a statement defending the decision to issue an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma.

"Convalescent plasma is a proven therapeutic method, and if it saves one life then it is worth having it on the market and available," the White House statement said. "President Trump believes all Americans should have access to proven, safe, and affordable treatment options."
New Delhi: Indian Railways has generated more than 6,40,000 mandays of work under Gareeb Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan in six states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh while executing around 165 Railway infrastructure projects in these states, according to Ministry of Railways statement.

Till August 21, 12,276 workers have been engaged in this Abhiyaan and the payment of Rs 1,410.35 crores was released to the contractors for the projects being implemented.

Railway has appointed nodal officers in each district as well as in the states so that close coordination is established with the state government.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal is stated to have been closely monitoring the progress made in these projects and the generation of work opportunities for the migrant labours of these states under this scheme.

Railway has also identified a number of railway works that are being executed under this Gareeb Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan scheme. The works are related to (i) construction and maintenance of approach roads for level crossings, (ii) development and cleaning of silted waterways, trenches and drains along the track, (iii) construction and maintenance of approach road to railway stations, (iv) repair and widening of existing railway embankments/cuttings, (v) plantation of trees at extreme boundary of railway land and (vi) protection works of existing embankments/ cuttings/bridges.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan to empower and provide livelihood opportunities in areas/ villages witnessing a large number of returnee migrant workers affected by the COVID-19 on 20th June 2020. The Prime Minister announced that an amount of Rs 50,000 crores would be spent for building durable rural infrastructure under the scheme.

This Abhiyaan of 125 days, is being undertaken in mission mode and involves focused implementation of 25 categories of works/ activities in 116 districts, each with a large concentration of returnee migrant workers in 6 states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Public works are being undertaken during this campaign will have a resource envelope of Rs 50,000 crores.

The Abhiyaan is a convergent effort between 12 different ministries/departments, namely; Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Road Transport and Highways, Mines, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Environment, Railways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, New and Renewable Energy, Border Roads, Telecom and Agriculture, to expedite implementation of 25 public infrastructure works and works relating to augmentation of livelihood opportunities.
Two European Covid-19 survivors have reportedly been re-infected after recovering from the disease, raising more concerns about the strength of immunity against the coronavirus.

A Dutch patient who was old and had a weakened immune system and a Belgian woman who only had mild symptoms tested positive twice, local broadcasters claim.

Virologists warned the reports were 'not good news' and cautioned that thousands of people who have already fought off the disease earlier this year may have become sick again.

It follows yesterday's landmark report of a Hong Kong man who was re-infected four and a half months after he was originally struck down. Genetic analysis revealed the 33-year-old's second bout of the disease, which he caught on a trip to Europe, was caused by a different strain of the virus.

The cases are feared to prove that immunity to Covid-19 is only short-lived, which would make stamping the life-threatening virus out even more challenging because patients could be re-infected this winter.

But if the second bout of illness is less severe than the first, it may suggest there is a layer of immunity protecting Covid-19 survivors from becoming severely ill.

Patients reported to be reinfected are from Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Belgium

Dutch national broadcaster NOS reported the two re-infection cases this morning, citing the claims of leading virologists.

Professor Marion Koopmans, a World Health Organization adviser, reportedly said the Dutch patient was an older person with a weakened immune system.

The patient's gender or exact age was not revealed. It is currently unclear whether they had any symptoms of Covid-19 the second time or how long they had been clear of the virus for before testing positive again.

No details about the first time the patient became ill were reported either, leaving scientists in the dark about the exact details of the case.

WHERE HAVE REINFECTIONS BEEN REPORTED? Hong Kong August 24: The 33-year-old man  who had no known underlying conditions  tested positive four months after he recovered from his first bout of the life-threatening disease. He was first diagnosed on March 26 after having a cough, sore throat, fever and headache, according to parts of the paper revealed by a journalist at the South China Morning Post. In his second episode, the man was tested on August 15 when he returned to Hong Kong from Spain via the UK. He did not have any symptoms. Genetic analysis revealed his second infection, which he caught on a trip to Europe, was caused by a different strain of the virus. The Netherlands August 25: The Dutch national broadcaster NOS cited virologist Marion Koopmans saying the Dutch patient was an older person with a weakened immune system. It is not clear how he was discovered the second time or if he had symptoms. Ms Koopmans, also an adviser to the Dutch government, said it is known there are cases where people have been sick with the virus a long time and it then flares up again later. But a true re-infection requires genetic testing to see whether the two instances of the virus differ slightly. She did not clarify if this had been the case for the Dutch patient. Belgium August 25: A Belgian patient tested twice for Covid-19, the NOS cited virologist Marc Van Ranst as saying. He had 'mild symptoms', according to Mr Van Ranst, but it is not clear which episode of illness he was referring to. But 'it's not good news,' he added. It's not clear if the Belgian patient's viruses were put through genetic sequencing to confirm they were different. Japan March: It was revealed a Japanese man in his 70s tested positive for Covid-19 a second time. He was first infected while on board the coronavirus-ridden Diamond Princess cruise ship in February. He tested positive two weeks after he recovered and tested negative. It is not clear how many times he had a negative result. It may be possible someone can test positive for longer than two weeks as their body tries to clear the virus, and the negative result was false. A Japanese woman was also diagnosed again two weeks after her recovery. The woman, working as a tour bus guide in Wuhan, where the disease first emerged in December 2019, tested positive on February 26 after a negative result on February 6. Academics said it was a 'concern', but there was too little information to draw conclusions. Both cases are not known to have had confirmation of second infection with genetic sequencing. South Korea April: South Korean officials feared a group of almost 300 people had been reinfected after the country saw the virus fizzle out. But later, a senior South Korean official said the flurry of cases were due to a testing fault  and not down to short-lived immunity. Infectious disease experts revealed that dead virus fragments can remain within the body, possibly for months. These lingering fragments may cause a positive result, even though the person is not sick or infectious anymore. Advertisement

Professor Koopmans, of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, said re-infections had been expected but that it left her unnerved.

'That someone would pop up with a re-infection, it doesn't make me nervous,' she said, NOS reports. 'We have to see whether it happens often.'

Ms Koopmans, also an adviser to the Dutch government, said it is known there are cases where people have been sick with the virus a long time and it then flares up again later.

It has also been noted by scientists that dead virus fragments can remain within the body, possibly for months, and cause a positive test result, even though the person is not sick or infectious anymore.

A true re-infection requires genetic testing to see whether the two instances of the virus differ slightly. It has not been clarified if is the case in either of the European patients  but it was the case for the man in Hong Kong.

The Belgian patient  whose ago also wasn't revealed  had mild symptoms, according to Belgian broadcaster VRT.

Media cited virologist Professor Marc Van Ranst as the source. According to the broadcaster, he said: 'It's not good news.'

She caught Covid-19 for the first time in the second week of March and for a second time in June. No other details about her were released.

Professor Van Ranst, of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, said the case shows antibodies the patient developed during the first bout of the disease were not enough to prevent a second case.

However, other scientists have suggested that there is another form of immunity that can prevent severe disease, in the form of disease-fighting T cells.

Professor Van Ranst said it is not clear whether such cases are rare, or whether there are 'many more people who could have a re-infection after six or seven months'.

It comes after doctors in Hong Kong yesterday claimed to be the first in the world to prove a patient was struck down twice.

A 33-year-old man  who had no known underlying conditions  tested positive for the coronavirus four months after he recovered from his first bout of the life-threatening disease.

Genetic analysis revealed his second infection, which he caught on a trip to Europe, was caused by a different strain of the virus.

The researchers, from the University of Hong Kong, said: 'This case illustrates that re-infection can occur after just a few months of recovery from the first infection.

'Our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may persist in the global human population as it is the case for other common-cold associated human coronaviruses.'

Doctors said it was likely immunity is short-lived and that antibodies against Covid-19 fade quickly.

But the unidentified man did not have symptoms of Covid-19 the second time  he was only discovered through screening at an airport. This may suggest he had some level of immunity that protected him from severe disease, experts say.

Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at The Norwich School of Medicine, University of East Anglia, said: 'Commentators have been saying for some time that immunity is unlikely to be permanent and may only last a few months.

'Given the different intensity of the antibody response in people with mild or severe illness and the subsequent decay in levels, it is likely that those with a mild illness will have a shorter duration of immunity than those with severe illness.

'It is quite likely that subsequent infections do not cause as severe an illness as the first episode because of some degree of residual immunity which may not be sufficient to stop the infection but be enough to reduce the risk of severe illness.'

The overwhelming response to the first report of reinfection in Hong Kong, was that it was a 'rare event' and 'unsurprising'.

All viruses  including SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind the pandemic  mutate over time.

Professor Marion Koopmans, a World Health Organization adviser, reportedly said the Dutch patient was an older person with a weakened immune system. Pictured: People wearing masks in Amsterdam

When scientists analyse the DNA of pathogens, they can spot any changes, which can make them weaker or deadlier.

Brendan Wren, professor of microbial pathogenesis, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: 'With over three million cases of COVID-19 worldwide, the first reported case of a potential re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 needs to be taken into context.

'It appears that the young and healthy adult has been re-infected with a slight SARS-CoV-2 variant from the initial infection three months previously.

'It is to be expected that the virus will naturally mutate over time. This is a very rare example of re-infection and it should not negate the global drive to develop COVID-19 vaccines.'

But one scientists said the report from Hong Kong was 'worrying for several reasons'.

Dr David Strain, a clinical senior lecturer at the University of Exeter and chair of the British Medical Associations Medical Academic Staff Committee, said: 'The first, as is laid out in this manuscript, is that it suggests that previous infection is not protective.

'The second is that it raises the possibility that vaccinations may not provide the hope that we have been waiting for.

'Vaccinations work by simulating infection to the body, thereby allowing the body to develop antibodies. If antibodies don't provide lasting protection, we will need to revert to a strategy of viral near-elimination in order to return to a more normal life.'

Professor Andrew Pollard said if reinfections were a problem, it would mean vaccines needed to be adjusted accordingly.

He is director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, which with Oxford Universitys Jenner Institute has stormed ahead in the race to find a Covid-19 vaccine, currently trialling their candidate in the last stage of human testing.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, he said: 'I think its very important in all vaccine development to look at the changes in the virus over time to make sure that if the virus does change, the vaccine is still effective against it.

'There is a lot of experience doing that with influenza where we have to change the vaccine every year because that virus changes every year.

'There isnt so far an issue with the virus changing so the vaccine doesnt make an immune response against the virus but over time thats something that has to be monitored very quickly and the international community is aware of that issue.'

Hong Kong researchers insisted their finding does not mean taking vaccines will be useless.

Dr Kai-Wang To, study co-author, said: 'Immunity induced by vaccination can be different from those induced by natural infection.

'[We] will need to wait for the results of the vaccine trials to see if how effective vaccines are.'
Now more than ever, online marketplaces are a vital means for Californians to access and sell goods and services. They come in all types and sizes  some focusing on crafts, others produce, and still others travel. And at a time when many businesses have been forced to a standstill to slow the spread of COVID-19, online commerce is helping to keep jobs and our state economy afloat.

Unfortunately, AB3262, a bill sponsored by the plaintiffs attorney lobby and currently pending in the California Legislature, will jeopardize online commerce during this critical time. If passed, AB3262 will make online marketplaces strictly liable for products sold by retailers on their platforms.

AB3262s proposal is unprecedented  no other state has passed such a law.

The proponents of AB3262 claim it will level the playing field between online and physical retailers, like your corner store. This is false. Under current law, both online and physical retailers are held accountable for defective products they sell  both are already strictly liable.

Marketplaces, however, whether on a street corner or on the internet, function differently, and existing law rightly does not impose blanket strict liability on either type.

Online marketplaces are the virtual equivalent of a physical shopping mall. Instead of a parking lot and large building filled with a variety of storefronts selling products, online marketplaces provide a website hosting a variety of storefronts.

Consider the example of visiting a shopping mall to purchase new shoes from a shoe store, and those shoes later cause you to slip and fall. It would not be fair for the mall automatically to be held responsible. The same goes for an online shoe store and the online marketplace  an online shoe store should be held responsible for selling slippery and unsafe shoes, not the marketplace.

AB3262 unfairly singles out online marketplaces for strict liability. Brick and mortar shopping malls are not all deemed strictly liable; online shopping malls should not be, either. If online marketplaces can be arbitrarily targeted in this way, which industry sector is next?

Importantly, by holding online marketplaces strictly liable, AB3262 opens them up to frivolous lawsuits. This will make some shut down entirely and, for others, drive up their expenses immensely. These costs must inevitably be passed down to the small businesses and consumers who use them. Every little bit burdens families whose budgets are already stretched tight.

AB3262 proponents overlook the fact that online marketplaces level the playing field for an overwhelming majority of retailers to sell their products, such as entrepreneurs, startups and other small, diverse businesses. They cannot afford the rent and overhead of a physical location and rely on online channels exclusively to sell a wide variety of products  from unique artwork to handcrafted clothing and housewares.

These small businesses, especially now, cannot sustain the increased costs that will surely come with the new litigation that AB3262 will unleash. Rather than creating harmful barriers to entry and chilling e-commerce, lawmakers should reject AB3262.

Kyla Christoffersen Powell is president and CEO of the Civil Justice Association of California. The Civil Justice Association of California confronts legislation and laws that create unfair litigation burdens on California businesses, employees and communities.
Hundreds of Australian university staffers are planning to walk off the job, throwing an academic year already disrupted by travel bans, lockdowns, and job cuts into further chaos.

A group of activist academics, known as the National Higher Education Action Network, voted to endorse a protest plan which will likely result in strike action.

The Monday meeting, attended by 460 members at its peak, voted with an overwhelming majority to endorse the plan 'with the goal of making democratically planned unprotected industrial action possible'.

Hundreds of Australian university staff members are planning to walk off the job, throwing an academic year already disrupted by travel bans, lockdowns, and job cuts into further chaos (pictured, UNSW before travel bans)

The organisation held previous protests in March 2020 (pictured)

The group also voted they would 'mount a vigorous campaign of coordinated actions' in response to funding cuts and to protect university jobs.

One such large scale public protest involving the National Tertiary Education Union, the National Union of Students, and 'secondary school student groups' is set to be held before the government's October budget.

The group claims Monday's unprecedented meeting and the call to plan towards strike action is in response to the governments 'refusal' to support universities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unprotected industrial action is strikes or suspension of work by staff outside of the the negotiations of an enterprise bargaining agreement.

Such action can result in large fines for both individuals and unions taking part in the strikes.

'Striking is recognised at a very basic right of working people and it is unacceptable that it is restricted as it in this country,' Dr Nick Riemer told the Guardian.

'It is very clear that we need to withdraw our labour in order to bring about the political reset that is needed'.

Australian universities have been decimated by coronavirus travel bans.

In 2018, international students provided 26 per cent of all higher education revenues across the country, according to leading industry agency the International Consultants for Education and Fairs.

Sydney University (pictured) is deserted after travel bans and COVID-19 lockdowns left foreign students stranded overseas

The agency estimates the tertiary education sector could see up to $5billion in lost revenue in 2020 alone.

Public universities are also not eligible for JobKeeper payments leading to the possibility of large-scale layoffs.

Deakin University in Melbourne has announced 419 jobs will be slashed while UNSW staffers have agreed to across the board pay cuts in an effort to save jobs.

UNSW has already cut 500 jobs, with 300 gone at Monash and 500 feared to be on the line at UTS.

University of Sydney staff members have been reportedly sent an email asking for suggestions on how to cut up to 30 per cent of jobs in some faculties.

Sweeping changes to university fees by Education Minister Dan Tehan announced in June have added further upheaval.

The changes include increasing fees for arts, commerce and law subjects while reducing fees for teaching, science, maths, and engineering courses.

'People are so outraged at the job cuts, at the changes to universities, that they are ready to stop working. There is a lot of anger in universities at the moment,' Dr Reimer said.

Opposition education spokesperson Tanya Plibersek has previously said the government needs to act to ensure Australia's university sector remain healthy.

'For weeks now, Labor has been urging the federal government to act to help universities and save jobs,' she said.
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - "Loser." "Monster." "Terrorist."

Brenton Tarrant, the white supremacist who massacred 51 people at two mosques in New Zealand last year, sat largely unmoved in a court here Tuesday as his surviving victims and relatives of those he slaughtered told him how his actions had shattered their lives.

A judge is hearing testimony this week from those affected by the rampage on March 15, 2019, when Tarrant gunned down worshipers at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Center in Christchurch. It was the worst act of violence in New Zealand's modern history.

The 29-year-old Australian, who live-streamed the massacre on Facebook, pleaded guilty earlier this year to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. In a recorded statement played to the High Court on Tuesday, Farisha Razak, whose father Ashraf Ali was killed at Al Noor Mosque, said Tarrant was a "monster" who had accomplished nothing except to unite people against him.

"Nobody wants you, buddy. You're rejected by your country, your parents and your friends. You're a loser and don't deserve to see the light of day," she said.

Mirwais Waziri, who survived the attacks, said that as an Afghan living in New Zealand during the war-on-terror era, people had sometimes called him a terrorist - "for fun or a joke." But today, he said, facing Tarrant, "you are called a terrorist." The remark prompted spontaneous applause from visitors to the court, some of whom had traveled from overseas.

This week's sentencing hearing, where Tarrant is representing himself, is unfolding under tight security and capacity restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic. The scenes in the courtroom on Tuesday were sometimes tense, victims' voices cracking with emotion as they faced Tarrant and described how he began shooting during Friday prayers.

Nathan Smith, 46, recounted how "people were dying all around me" at the Al Noor Mosque, where 44 of Tarrant's victims were killed. "I held a 3-year-old boy in my arms, praying that he was still alive - he was not. You took him away," he told Tarrant. "You have changed my life forever, and I will never forgive you."

Then followed one of the rare occasions when Tarrant showed emotion. The gunman appeared to smile briefly after Smith suggested that Tarrant should read the Koran "when you get a free minute, which you'll have plenty of."

Tarrant's atrocities shocked New Zealand, a country with little experience of gun massacres or domestic terrorism. In response, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tightened gun laws, outlawing most semiautomatic firearms and initiating a government buyback of existing weapons.

Judge Cameron Mander is expected to hand down a sentence by Thursday. In most cases in New Zealand, the penalty for murder is life imprisonment, with a non-parole period of at least 17 years for particularly serious murders.

But Tarrant could become the first person in the country to face a life sentence without parole, said Graeme Edgeler, a Wellington-based lawyer and legal commentator. "Given the seriousness of the charges, and the number of victims, life without parole is a serious possibility in Tarrant's case," he said in an email.

Earlier on Tuesday, Tarrant, who was wearing gray clothing and was flanked by four police officers, repeatedly covered his mouth with his hands or rested his chin on his knuckles as he listed to harrowing personal impact statements. Rosemary Omar told the gunman he had effectively given her a life sentence when he attacked Muslim worshipers, including her 24-year-old son Tariq Omar, less than two miles from where the hearing was taking place. "This monster had no right to take my son from me," she said. "I feel there is a permanent shadow cast over everything now."

Kyron Gosse, the nephew of shooting victim Linda Armstrong, told how he tried frantically to contact his aunt on the day of the attacks, with "call after call going to voice mail."

"I want to share with you what it means to me to be just an ordinary guy caught up in the horror inflicted by this man," Gosse said, recounting how his aunt was "shot in the chest and left to bleed out on the floor as her life slipped away." "I want you to understand the utter gut-wrenching horror to learn that this event happened on New Zealand soil. I want you to understand my utter rage at learning this man was a guest to New Zealand." Tarrant, he said, "stole our nation's innocence."
You flip the switch and the light comes on.

Most of the time, you dont think about it  much less about the planning that goes into providing safe and reliable electric service. Thats why its so disruptive for everyone when its suddenly not there.

At United Illuminating, we understand the frustration an extended power outage creates for our customers, the elected officials who want to help their constituents, and the agencies who regulate utilities.

Our mission is to provide safe, reliable electricity to our customers and to restore power safely and quickly when service is lost. In fact, our reliability performance is among the best in the nation. But with a storm like Tropical Storm Isaias, thats no simple task.

In a perfect world, there would be one big switch we could flip to make all the lights come on. But the reality is, getting the power back on after a major storm is a massive undertaking that involves thousands of people collaborating across many disciplines. Its demanding, meticulous and tireless work. And to do it safely for our employees and our customers, it takes time.

We saw Tropical Storm Isaias coming the week before it struck and got to work: reviewing our plans, informing regulators of our planning criteria, putting customers and employees on alert, securing contractors, requesting mutual assistance, and calling in other resources from far and wide. In short, we planned for the worst given the best information we had.

Mother Nature brought destructive conditions that were consistent with our planning. Within hours of the storms arrival on the afternoon of Aug. 4, more than 123,000 UI customers had lost service. Connecticut is a heavily forested state and despite our comprehensive vegetation programs, tree-related damages and outages are extensive after a storm such as Isaias.

Because of this, one of our first jobs is to send out make-safe crews to work with municipal authorities to clear roadways, remove hazards and restore critical facilities. Working together, we quickly and safely began to open the towns and cities we serve.

Meanwhile, damage assessors fan out to build a picture of the damage. While some of this work is now automated, this still requires visiting hundreds or even thousands of locations to record what needs to be fixed. Only after we conduct this assessment can we develop a comprehensive restoration plan and begin providing estimated restoration times (ERTs)  first a global ERT for when we think virtually all customers will get their power back, and then ERTs for individual customers.

As the big picture develops, we focus first on fixing the backbone of our system so we can restore the most customers at once. From there, we work our way to outages affecting smaller numbers of customers and, finally, our focus turns to single-customer outages.

Our crews and contractors toil around the clock, working 16-hour shifts, to get this done. Its physically demanding and hazardous work  clearing damaged trees, setting poles, replacing wires and transformers  that must be performed deliberately and safely. During the Isaias restoration, crews visited approximately 2,000 locations to make repairs and replaced or restrung more than 35 miles of primary line. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced additional challenges by limiting the number of people per vehicle and how we housed and fed our crews and contractors who came from out of state. We were prepared for these challenges and met them without any delay to our operations.

We are incredibly proud of the work our crews and contractors did, and by most metrics their efforts were a success. We correctly anticipated the magnitude of the storm and planned appropriately. But we know that is little comfort to customers who spent long days waiting in hot, dark homes for the power to come back.

Thats why UI welcomes the state investigation that is already underway. We believe in accountability, and although we believe the proceedings will confirm that our performance followed our Emergency Restoration Plan as approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, we always strive to do better. If this process helps us identify ways to get the power back on safely and faster, and mitigate the impact on customers, we will embrace them.

Tony Marone is President and CEO of United Illuminating, which services about 335,000 customers in 17 municipalities within the Bridgeport-New Haven area.
More than 10,000 IS fighters are coalescing into smaller cells across Africa and the Middle East, the UN counter-terror chief has warned - STRINGER /Reuters

The Islamic State (IS) terror group is reorganising and ramping up its guerrilla-style attacks in Syria and Iraq, the United Nations counter-terrorism chief has warned, adding that the crisis unleashed by coronavirus could make it easier to recruit a new generation of jihadists.

More than 10,000 IS fighters remain at large in Iraq and Syria, more than two years after the militant group's claimed defeat, Vladamir Voronokov, the head of the UNs Counter-Terrorism Office said.

"Small cells" of jihadists continue to move freely between the two countries to carry out ambushes, arson, and gun and bomb attacks, while the group and its affiliates have also claimed to be behind recent terrorism in Egypt, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen and West Africa, he added.

In a briefing to the UN Security Council last night Mr Voronokov said that travel restrictions and national lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic appeared to have temporarily reduced the risk of terrorist attacks in Europe.

But the former Russian diplomat added that IS and other terror groups would try "to exploit the far-reaching disruption and negative socioeconomic and political impacts of the pandemic."

President Trump claimed in 2017 that IS were 'totally defeated', but tens of thousands of fighters remain at large - Uncredited /Militant Website

"There is a continued trend of attacks by individuals inspired online and acting alone or in small groups, which could be fuelled by [IS's] opportunistic propaganda efforts during the Covid-19 crisis", he said.

President Trump and others proclaimed that IS was 100 per cent defeated with the loss of its former territory in 2017 and the killing of its founder, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in October last year.

But the group has since boasted of carrying out or inspiring hundreds of terror attacks in recent months, despite ongoing operations against them by a US-led military coalition in Iraq and Syria and local security forces.

Claimed attacks include 136 separate incidents across the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia in a two week raid of attrition campaign which begun on July 22, which resulted in 565 civilian and military casualties, according to IS propaganda.

Story continues

At least 96 of these attacks can be independently verified, with 43 in Iraq and 35 in Syria, including deadly sniper and suicide bomb attacks against local police, military and civilian targets.

US Syria envoy James Jeffrey said an attack on a gas pipeline in a suburb of Damascus yesterday which caused widespread power cuts, was "almost certainly a strike" by IS.

Vladamir Voronokov warned that keeping jihadist fighters in 'dire' conditions in refugee camps, such as the Roj Camp in northern Syria, is unsustainable - Sam Tarling /Sam Tarling

On Sunday Iraqs Army was mourning the loss of its own counter-terrorism chief, Staff Colonel Hisham Mohamed, who was killed in an operation against jihadists in Salahuddin Province, north of Baghdad.

Despite these setbacks, the US-led military Coalition has continued to claim success in its campaign against IS, as it withdraws troops from military bases near the Iraq-Syria border.

But Mr Voronkov bemoaned the dire and unsustainable situation of holding foreign jihadists and their families in controversial Syrian camps, and urged countries such as Britain to repatriate their own nationals to stand trial.

His comments come after the Telegraph revealed that twin sisters Salma and Zahra Halane from Manchester, who fled the UK to join IS as teenagers, are alive and held in a camp run by Syrian Kurdish forces in the north-east of the country. Like Shamima Begum, another IS bride from Bethnal Green, East London, their UK nationality has been revoked.

"The global threat from IS is likely to increase if the international community fails to meet this challenge," Mr Voronokov added.
 Flash

Trump nominated for second term at 2020 Republican National Convention - Xinhua | English.news.cn

U.S. President Donald Trump was nominated for a second term on Monday at the 2020 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Charlotte, North Carolina, which has been scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump arrived at the Charlotte Convention Center on Monday afternoon, where over 300 delegates met in person for a roll call vote to formally nominate him and Vice President Mike Pence for the 2020 Republican presidential ticket.

"I felt an obligation to come to North Carolina," Trump told the delegates inside a ballroom during the unannounced trip. "It's a place that has been very good to me."

In rally-style remarks, the president touted achievements of his first term, focused on his administration's response to the pandemic, again attacked mail-in voting, and lashed out at Democrats who held their national convention virtually last week and some media outlets' coverage of the RNC.

He also touched upon a series of policy priorities for the next four years if he is re-elected, including creating jobs, cutting taxes, lowering drug prices, and continuing the military buildup.

Trump nominated for second term at 2020 Republican National Convention - Xinhua | English.news.cn

The nomination was part of the four-day RNC themed "Honoring the Great American Story," with each night having a sub-theme. On Monday, it is "Land of Promise," which a Trump campaign official said honors "the promises President Donald J. Trump has kept since his first presidential campaign."

Speakers for the RNC's opening night will include former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, and the president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.

Trump, who is expected to make an appearance on each of the four nights at the RNC, will deliver an acceptance speech on Thursday night from the White House South Lawn.

On Monday, a group of Republicans opposing Trump is holding "Convention on Founding Principles" in Charlotte, a gathering that organizers claimed would be an alternative to the RNC.

More than two dozen former Republican members of Congress, including former Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, endorsed former U.S. Vice President and 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for president on Monday.

"Today, given what we have experienced over the past four years, it's not enough just to register our disapproval of the president," Flake said in a live video on several social media platforms explaining his decision. "We need to elect someone else in his place - someone who will stop the chaos and reverse the damage."

Biden, who formally accepted the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential nomination on the final night of its convention last week, leads Trump by 7.6 percentage points nationally, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average. Trump, however, has repeatedly dismissed polls showing him falling behind.
Seats in junior colleges, reserved for students belonging to minority categories that remain vacant, have to be offered to students from any other minority category before they can be surrendered for open category students, a circular by the directorate of state secondary and higher education stated on Tuesday.

The circular said directed minority junior colleges across the Mumbai Metropolitan region, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Amaravati and Nagpur zones to adhere to this rule, first introduced in 2014 by the department of minority affairs. While the rule has been in place in degree colleges, it is being implemented in junior colleges only now, said an official from the education department.

As per this rule, if any seats reserved for religious minority students are vacant after the third and the final round of admissions, they should be allotted to students belonging to any other religious minorities on merit. If the college is still unable to fill the minority seats, they need to be allotted to students belonging to linguistic minorities. The same process needs to be followed for linguistic minority seats. Such colleges need not reserve seats for backward classes

Minority junior colleges can reserve up to 50% of their seats for a religious or linguistic minority. For instance, HR and Jai Hind Colleges are Sindhi linguistic minority colleges. If seats reserved for the Sindhi-speaking community remain unfilled, they will be allotted to students from another linguistic minority such as Tamil or Gujarati. If seats still remain vacant after that, those will be allotted to a religious minority candidate.

In Mumbai, there are 3.2 lakh total seats, of which 86,905 are reserved under minority quota, 2,071 under in-house quota and 16,037 under management quota. The zero round for quota admissions was held up to August 22 and so far only 9,811 minority quota seats have been filled. A total of 7,027 candidates have been admitted to in-house quota and 751 in management quota. Quota admissions are currently underway and will end on Wednesday.
Anbang Insurance Group building in Beijing / Captured from the Anbang website



By Park Jae-hyuk



The recent ruling by the International Court of Arbitration has indicated that the damage suit worth 698 billion won ($588 million) Anbang Insurance filed in June 2017 against VIG Partners and other former Tong Yang Life Insurance shareholders was "exaggerated."



According to a regulatory filing by Yuanta Securities, Tuesday, the Hong Kong-based arbitral institution ruled in favor of the Chinese insurer, demanding the defendants give the plaintiff a combined 166.6 billion won, far lower than the amount claimed initially.



After acquiring a 63.1 percent stake in Tong Yang in 2015 from VIG, Yuanta and Atinum Partners Chairman Lee Min-joo, Anbang sued the sellers, alleging they did not fully inform it that Tong Yang's meat-secured loans could cause a massive loss.



This litigation came a month after VIG and Yuanta filed complaints with the international court for Anbang's refusal to send the last installment worth 50 billion won. Back then, market watchers regarded the Chinese company's litigation as an act of revenge.



Anbang counterattacked when Korea's financial authorities launched an investigation into Tong Yang after the insurer and other financial firms were embroiled in a 500 billion won fraud case. Those firms extended loans worth 500 billion won secured by imported meats, but the loans were later found to have been extended on multiple consignments. Of those companies, loans provided by Tong Yang were the largest, amounting to 380.4 billion won.



In response to the Anbang's lawsuit, VIG and Yuanta claimed the amount sought was exaggerated. While the private equity firm said the meat loan case was impossible to predict in 2015, the brokerage noted an independent legal opinion showed some of the claimant's assertions were untrue.



Given that VIG sold its 57.6 percent stake in Tong Yang, the buyout firm might have paid over 350 billion won to Anbang, if the arbitration tribunal had accepted Anbang's claim. According to the judgment, VIG will pay around 150 billion won, Yuanta 7.7 billion won and Lee 4.1 billion won.



Industry insiders considered the recent judgment to be "an attempt at conciliation."



The sellers are planning to take countermeasures against this judgment after reviewing the ruling when they receive the original copies.



Anbang is also embroiled in a separate legal battle with Mirae Asset Global Investments over a disrupted $5.8 billion deal for 15 luxury hotels in the United States.



The first hearing for the lawsuit began Tuesday at the Delaware Chancery Court.



Although the hearing was initially planned to be held for three days, it will be conducted online over five days as the court accepted Mirae Asset's request.



According to industry sources, the result of the trial will likely come out between October and November.


Bazaar Corporate Radar | Feb 22, 2021, 12:00 AM IST

Bazaar Corporate Radar

Bazaar Corporate Radar is your window into the minds of top CEOs, Boardrooms, global economists, fund managers and sector analysts. If it?s making news, you?ll find it on Bazaar Corporate Radar.
Prince Andrew's accuser has claimed he played a guessing game about her age when they first met - and compared her to his daughters.

Virginia Giuffre, in new documentary series Surviving Jeffrey Epstein, says she was 17 when she was introduced to the British duke, and described him as an "abuser" and "not the prince from the fairy tale stories you read".

Ms Giuffre, who says she was trafficked by paedophile financier Epstein, alleges the duke had sex with her on three occasions, including when she was 17 - still a minor under US law.

Prince Andrew, who is the father of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, has categorically denied he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Giuffre.

Andrew's friend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, is awaiting trial in the US after being charged with procuring teenage girls for Epstein to abuse. She denies the charges.

In a clip released ahead of the programme, Ms Giuffre said of Andrew: "Before he abused me, when we just met, Ghislaine does this guessing game and he guessed right, I was 17 and he compared me to his daughters, saying, 'Oh, my daughters are a few years younger than you'."

She added: "Prince Andrew is not the prince from the fairy tale stories you read.

"Andrew deserves to be outed. He deserves to be held accountable. He's an abuser."

Victoria Hervey, formerly friends with Andrew and Ms Maxwell, told the programme that friendship with Epstein offered the duke a form of escapism.

She said: "Jeffrey definitely enjoyed the idea of being friends with the queen's son, and Prince Andrew had just gone through a divorce.

"There's this American billionaire that wants to fly him around the world and introduce him to people, and it was probably an escapism, really, for him."

Christopher Mason, a journalist and also a former friend of Ms Maxwell, said he once bumped into Andrew and Ms Maxwell on Madison Avenue in New York.

Mr Mason said: "He told me that he was staying at Jeffrey's townhouse. That kind of fascinated me. It just seemed like a kind of perfect instance of the kind of people that Jeffrey was hanging out with."

Andrew stepped down from royal public life in November after his BBC Newsnight interview, which led to criticism of a lack of empathy for Epstein's victims and a lack of remorse over his friendship with Epstein.

Epstein killed himself in August last year while in a New York prison awaiting trial.

Surviving Jeffrey Epstein will be screened on the Crime+Investigation channel with a double episode on August 25 at 9pm, followed by parts three and four the following evening on August 26, at 9pm.
(Bloomberg) -- TikTok asked a federal judge to block the Trump administration from enacting a ban on the fast-growing social media network, bringing a geopolitical fight over technology and trade into a U.S. courtroom.

TikTok and its Chinese parent, ByteDance Ltd., sued on Monday in federal court in Los Angeles to challenge an Aug. 6 order from President Donald Trump prohibiting U.S. residents from doing business with TikTok. Trump says TikTok is a security risk for user data. The company said the presidents decision was made for political reasons, is unconstitutional and violates rights to due process.

While the order doesnt take effect for weeks, it has escalated tensions between the U.S. and China. On Aug. 14, Trump ordered ByteDance to sell its U.S. assets and said the U.S. should receive a cut of the proceeds. Microsoft Corp. and Oracle Corp. have already shown interest in buying TikTok, which argues it poses no security threat.

Trumps actions would destroy an online community where millions of Americans have come together to express themselves, share video content, and make connections with each other, TikTok said. The president has taken plaintiffs property without compensation.

The White House did not comment on the lawsuit.

TikTok, a platform for creating and sharing short videos, has grown rapidly in the U.S. from about 11 million monthly active users in January 2018 to 100 million today, according to the filing. Global usage has risen to almost 2 billion from 55 million in January 2018, it said.

TikTok has sought to distance itself from China and pushed back on the argument that it presents a threat to user data. In the lawsuit, the company said it has taken extraordinary measures to protect the privacy and security of TikToks U.S. user data.

Those moves included storing data in the U.S. and Singapore, segregating TikTok data from other ByteDance offerings and appointing a U.S. leadership and content moderation team that is not subject to Chinese law.

Story continues

Read More: Why Tencent and WeChat Are Such a Big Deal in China

Trumps decision to force the sale of ByteDances U.S. assets was based on an investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. Decisions by the interagency panel, which is led by the Treasury Department, are all but impossible to overturn in court.

TikTok and ByteDance said in the lawsuit that they provided the committee with voluminous documentation, including about security measures. Yet the administration ignored the information, and the committee repeatedly refused to engage with ByteDance and its counsel about CFIUSs concerns, TikTok said.

The suit comes as Trump steps up his campaign against China, betting it will help him win Novembers election despite upsetting millions of younger TikTok users. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has urged American companies to bar Chinese applications from their app stores, part of his Clean Network guidance designed to prevent authorities in China from accessing the personal data of U.S. citizens.

TikTok suggested that Trumps actions amounted to payback against the network for providing a platform for those who oppose him. It cited an incident in June, when TikTok users claimed they coordinated mass ticket reservations and inflated projected attendance for a Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, so that many of the seats ended up empty. Trumps re-election campaign has recently run online advertisements targeting the network, asking supporters to sign the petition now to ban TikTok.

Trump made his move under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a 1977 law that allows the president to declare a national emergency in response to an unusual and extraordinary threat, which authorizes him to block transactions and seize assets.

Uphill Fight

The legal challenge faces an uphill fight, according to James Dempsey, executive director of the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology at the University of California, Berkeley. Courts dont generally review the presidents determinations on questions of national security, Dempsey said.

But the company may be successful with a due process argument, Dempsey said.

If there were ever a case to challenge the president on using national security powers without an adequate basis, this may be the one, he said. A First Amendment challenge is also possible, but TikTok will have to establish that it has a First Amendment right to be on the phones of Americans or that TikTok is a publisher, separate from the First Amendment rights of its users.

Read More: Why Trump Is Threatening Your Teens Favorite App

Trump has threatened penalties on any U.S. resident or company that conducts transactions with TikTok or WeChat, a popular Chinese messaging app, saying that having Americans personal data exposed to China creates a national security risk. The apps could get bumped off Apple Inc.s and Googles app stores.

This executive order risks undermining global businesses trust in the United States commitment to the rule of law, which has served as a magnet for investment and spurred decades of American economic growth, TikTok said in a statement hours after Trumps order was issued. And it sets a dangerous precedent for the concept of free expression and open markets.

A TikTok employee joined the fight on Monday, saying the government action would unconstitutionally deprive him of a job. Patrick Ryan filed a lawsuit in federal court in San Francisco, hours after the company filed its own constitutional challenge in federal court in Los Angeles.

On Friday, a group of WeChat users sued in San Francisco federal court saying Trumps ban on the messaging app violated their right of free speech and due process rights because it doesnt provide notice of the specific conduct thats prohibited.

The case is TikTok v. Donald Trump, 20-cv-7672, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles).

(Updates with separate lawsuit by TikTok employees, growth of TikTok user base.)

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
This post will be very useful for those who are experiencing green tint display issue on their Galaxy Note 20 Ultra smartphones.

Notably, yesterday we have highlighted in our report that the green tint issue, which surfaced earlier on the Galaxy S20 series, has surfaced on the Note 20 Ultra as well.

Besides, this issue seems to be widespread as multiple users have reported the same issue. When sliding the brightness to a lower setting, the greenish tint on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra display pops up.

Advertisement

Well, no one expected from Samsung to go on the same path which it had faced earlier. Moreover, users were pretty much excited to get their hands on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

But now, after the report of the green tint display issue, many might have second thoughts of buying the device. That too until Samsung fixes this issue.

Notably, the Galaxy S20 series display issue was speculated to be occurring due to faulty Super AMOLED drivers. And by the looks of it, it seems like the same has hit the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra as well.

Advertisement

The pandemic has gotten down to the throat of many major industries, even major economies of the world are not spared. Apparently, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra seems to have fallen prey to the negativity of the current situation.

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra green tint issue is expected to be fixed via a software update

The Galaxy S20 series green tint issue was resolved by Samsung via a software update. And users of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are also hopeful that this is not a major hardware issue. And it can be fixed via an update.

However, Samsung is yet to acknowledge this issue and release a statement regarding this matter. Good thing is that we have a potential workaround to fix this.

Advertisement

The point to note is that this is not a permanent fix for this issue. And we expect Samsung to address this display issue as soon as possible.

Now coming to the most important part, how you can fix this display issue on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Thanks to our friend Justin Diaz, you can avoid the issue on your Note 20 Ultra until a permanent fix arrives.

All you need to do is head over to Settings>>Display>>Screen Mode>>Select Vivid>>Advanced Settings. Once you are in the Advanced Settings option, drop the Green Balance all the way down.

Advertisement

We would like to mention this once again, that this is not a complete fix for the issue. Nor it is an official remedy. It is more of a workaround for the time being. Let us know in the comments below if this fix helped you out with the green tint issue on Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
The national capitals coronavirus positivity rate has again shot up as 7.4% of the total tests undertaken in the last week came back positive. Notably, this is the highest the figure has been in more than a month, indicating that Delhi may be witnessing another bout of the outbreak, which it had reined to a significant extent. The positivity rate is the fragment of samples collected that tested positive and it is a key indicator of the extent of the spread of the virus.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, taking into consideration the single-day positivity rate, 8.9% of samples tested on Sunday turned out to be positive. This is the maximum number in over a month. Close to 10.3% of the total tests returned positive on July 13, when infections in the city were starting to taper.

The development assumes significance as the number of daily tests in the capital city continued to witness a fall from the peak levels  11,910 samples were tested on Sunday, with 8,084 (67.9%) of these being antigen tests, the report added. Meanwhile, on on August 8, Delhi undertook 24,592 tests. The seven-day average for these tests is at 17,985 - less than the peak of 21,660 for the week concluding on July 10.

With daily tests have reached a stage of little change, the average positivity rate has begun rising in the recent weeks, causing concern to health authorities. The figure, which had previously fallen from a peak of 31.4% in mid-June to 5.7% at the end of July, stood at 7.4% in the last week  the highest since July 19, the HT report added.

But to put things in perspective, the national capital has one of the highest testing rates in India. Delhi has undertaken more than 75,947 tests per million residents as opposed to the national average of 26,935.

Meanwhile, Delhi on Monday, reported 1,061 new coronavirus cases, pushing the tally in the city to more than 1.62 lakh, while the death toll from the disease mounted to 4,313, authorities said. Thirteen fatalities were recorded in the last 24 hours, according to the Delhi governments health bulletin.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the infection rate in the capital is below 10 per cent, when he was questioned by reporters over the surge in coronavirus cases over the last week.
CEO of Palantir Alex Karp speaks to the press as he leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris, on May 23, 2018, after the "Tech for Good" summit.

Data analytics company Palantir Technologies has released its prospectus to debut on public markets. The company aims to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PLTR. Rather than sell shares through an initial public offering, the company intends to debut with a direct listing, the same unconventional route taken by Slack in 2019 and Spotify in 2018.

Given its long history and its size  last September Reuters said the company was targeting a valuation of $26 billion or more  Palantir had been in a position to go public for years, and investors have long waited to buy shares, as they did for Pinterest, Snap and Uber. Home-renting company Airbnb could be next.

Palantir lost $588 million, or $580 million on a pro-forma basis, in 2019, according to the filing. Revenue grew almost 25% from the year earlier while the loss stayed about the same. In the first half of 2020, it lost $165 million, or $175 million on a pro-forma basis.

Named after a magical orb in "The Lord of the Rings" that lets you see across vast distances, Palantir was co-founded in 2003 by Peter Thiel. Thiel became wealthy as a founder of PayPal and an early investor in Facebook, and was a vocal supporter of President Trump's 2016 election campaign  a rarity among tech luminaries.

Palantir has two classes of stock, Class A and Class B, and while each share of Class A stock receives the rights to one vote, each Class B share gets 10 votes. This structure is similar to Facebook. Thiel is the largest holder of Class B shares, owning about 30% of them. Palantir plans to introduce Class F shares as well, and those will have a variable number of votes. The Class F shares are meant to give founders Thiel, Stephen Cohen and CEO Alex Karp just below 50% of total voting power for the stock, essentially giving the founders control over major decisions. This echoes steps taken by other tech giants through the years, including Snap, which sold non-voting shares to investors, as well as Facebook and Google (now called Alphabet), which have introduced multiple classes of shares to maintain founder control.

Karp sought to distance Palantir from the Silicon Valley technology universe in a letter included in the filing, saying that the company's projects are meant to keep people safe, rather than sell advertising.

With Palantir's software, clients can clean up a wide variety of data and then display it in various styles to enable many people to explore and take action on it. Recent enhancements enable users to create text documents, analyze data in spreadsheets and view information on maps. The software can run on Amazon or Microsoft's cloud infrastructure or in customers' on-premises data centers, and Palantir also offers professional services to help customers use its tools.

Palantir has two segments: government, specifically U.S. and non-U.S. government agencies, and commercial customers. But Palantir won't do business with just anyone. "We generally do not enter into business with customers or governments whose positions or actions we consider inconsistent with our mission to support Western liberal democracy and its strategic allies," the company said in Tuesday's filing. For example, Palantir said it does not work with the Chinese Communist Party and does not host its service in China.
Scentres funds from operations for the half year to June - a key industry measure of profitability - were $362 million, down 45 per cent on the previous period.

More than 93 per cent of retail stores are open across Westfield's portfolio excluding its Victorian centres. Credit:Brook Mitchell

The pandemic, at its peak, has gutted foot traffic in major shopping centres around the country, forcing many stores to close and putting significant pressure on landlords rental income from tenants.

Scentre last week locked out retailer Mosaic, which operates brands such as Noni B, Rivers, Millers and Katies, from 129 stores after the two were unable to resolve rental terms.

Westfield mall owner Scentre Group, Australias biggest shopping centre landlord, has defended itself against bullying accusations from retailers after reporting a $3.6 billion interim loss.

It reported collecting only 48 per cent of rent due in the second quarter, the critical period of the pandemic between April and June.

Rather than fading as social distancing restrictions ease, the clash between landlords and tenants over rental payments appears to be escalating. Retailer Peter Sheppard, who runs an upmarket eponymous shoe store at the entrance to Westfields Pitt Street mall in Sydney, has accused Scentre of being bully boy rent collectors.

Im really so annoyed with them. Theyre bully boy rent collectors. They treat retailers as numbers, Mr Sheppard said. If these landlords squeeze the lemon too hard, theyre going to end up with only a pip, and theyre going to have empty shops, he said.

Mr Sheppard owns several commercial properties and said he was not charging his tenants rent during this period, but he joined other prominent retailers, including billionaire Solomon Lews Premier Investments, in saying he will only pay rent as a percentage of sales turnover.

But Scentres chief executive Peter Allen said retailers had an obligation to pay rent and the entire industry had provided $1.6 billion of support for retailers during the pandemic.
Vietnam condemns terrorism in any form, and calls on all countries to strengthen cooperation, share information on border management and control all risks of terrorist attacks and financing,

said Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese permanent mission to the UN.

Addressing the UN Security Councils online meeting on August 24 to discuss the 11th report of the UN Secretary General on the threat posed by the self-claimed Islamic State (IS) to international peace and security, the ambassador committed Vietnams anti-terrorism policy on the basis of abiding by the UN Charter and international law.

The diplomat stressed the need for comprehensive settlement of terrorism risk and the elimination of favourable conditions for terrorists, thus promoting economic development, dealing with conflicts and building an equal and united society capable of fighting extreme violence and terrorism.

According to UN Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov, over the past six months, the threat from IS terrorism temporary decreased in non-conflict areas. However, in many conflict zones such as Iraq and Syria, IS tended to regroup and increase activities.

Voronkov said COVID-19 pandemics impact on recruitment and fundraising activities remains unclear, as its socioeconomic fallout could exacerbate conditions conducive to terrorism and increase the medium- to long-term threat, both within the outside and inside conflict zones.

He said that the UN Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT)s priorities included supporting member countries to protect, repatriate, prosecute, educate and rehabilitate terrorists from Iraq and Syria, as well as support victims, fight terrorism financing and cyber criminals, and strengthen law enforcement and management of border.

Meanwhile, Michele Coninsx, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate called on all countries to renovate anti-terrorism methods, strengthen partnership and build a comprehensive strategy on the repatriation, prosecution, education and rehabilitation of terrorists.

At the meeting, many countries also showed concerns over ISs activities in conflict zones as well as humanitarian matters in Syrias detention camps. They stressed the need to enhance international cooperation in anti-terrorism./.VNA
The eldest son of assassinated Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri has insisted there are strong indications that Hezbollah and Syria were involved in the killing, despite a court clearing the militia and the Damascus government of culpability.

A UN-mandated tribunal found a member of Hezbollah, Salim Jamil Ayyash, guilty of five charges linked to the truck bombing which killed Hariri and 21 other people in Beirut in 2005. The judges cleared three other defendants who were alleged accomplices.

But the tribunal concluded that there was no evidence that the leadership of Hezbollah or the Syrian government were responsible for the murder.

The late prime ministers supporters had maintained that Ayyash was acting under the orders of Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, in collusion with the groups backer Syria.

Bahaa Hariri said he accepted the court verdict. However, he also told The Independent that the crime did not take place in a political or historical vacuum. The UN-mandated special tribunal confirmed that the killing of my father was a political assassination undertaken by those whose activities my father was threatening, after he had decided that Syria must leave our country, he said.

The judgment provided clear and detailed indirect evidence of the part played by Syria, following Rafiq Hariris position shortly before his death that Syria needed to withdraw completely from Lebanon and dismantle its security apparatus in the country and the disarmament of the militias.

All the defendants were tried in absentia at the tribunal which was held, for security reasons, outside Lebanon but before judges from Lebanon, Australia and Jamaica. Another suspect, Mustafa Badreddinne, was killed in Syria in 2016.

Ayman, Saad, and Bahaa Hariri gather with other mourners at the site of the massive explosion that killed their father in Beirut in 2005 (AFP/Getty) (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Hariri, whose brother Saad was also a prime minister of Lebanon before being forced to resign last year amid widespread anti-corruption protests, continued: The court was clear about the political background of those involved and other players with the motive, local operational capability and experience of this kind of action. Salim Ayyash, a Hezbollah member and relative of Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh, was found guilty on all counts.

I respect the courts judgment and applaud US secretary of state Mike Pompeos denunciation of Hezbollahs role in the action. Pompeos words  that Hezbollah operatives do not freelance  were a clear indication of the groups involvement... The malign influence of Hezbollah hangs over our country like a dark cloud. We must blow that dark cloud away if we are to shine as a country.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: India's armed forces are prepared to look at any military option if the extensive talks to restore status quo ante along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) did not yield any positive result, Chief of Defence Staff(CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat has said on the prolonged border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.

Gen Rawat, who has been part of the top military brass strategising on the Sino-India border issue, said a "whole of government" approach is being followed to peacefully resolve the row.

The armed forces are always prepared for military actions if all efforts to restore status quo ante along the LAC don't "fructify," the CDS said when asked about the over three-month-long border row.

Gen Rawat, who was the Chief of Army Staff from December 2016 to December 2019, said the transgressions take place along the LAC because of varying perceptions about it by the two countries.

India and China have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks in the last two-and-half months but no significant headway has been made for a resolution to the border standoff.

On Thursday, the two sides held another round of diplomatic parleys following which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said they had agreed to resolve outstanding issues in an "expeditious manner" and in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Gen Rawat and the three service chiefs are regularly meeting to review India's military preparedness in eastern Ladakh as well as to take measures in sync with the evolving situation in the region.

At the military talks, the Indian Army has been strongly insisting that restoration of the status quo ante of April this year by China is the only way to resolve the row, according to government sources.

ALSO READ | India rejects reference to Jammu and Kashmir in China-Pakistan joint statement

There is a growing view in the Army that the Chinese military is not serious about the resolution of the border conflict as it is resorting to "back and forth" negotiations while the Indian side has very clearly conveyed about its position on the matter.

Sources said notwithstanding the border row, India has been carrying on with the work on laying new roads in the Ladakh region besides developing other key infrastructure.

"Our road construction is not in response to PLA infrastructure development but based on our requirements and those of our people," said a source.

The formal process of disengagement of troops began on July 6, a day after a nearly two-hour telephonic conversation between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on ways to bring down tensions in the area.

However, the process has not moved forward since mid-July.

The PLA has pulled back from Galwan Valley and certain other friction points but the withdrawal of troops has not moved forward in Pangong Tso, Depsang and a couple of other areas, sources said.

In the five rounds of Corps commander-level talks, the Indian side has been insisting on complete disengagement of Chinese troops at the earliest, and immediate restoration of status quo ante in all areas of eastern Ladakh prior to April.

Even as both sides are engaged in diplomatic and military talks, the Indian army is making elaborate preparations to maintain its current strength of troops in all key areas in eastern Ladakh in the harsh winter months.

Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane has already conveyed to all the senior commanders of the Army, overseeing operation of the frontline formations along the LAC, to maintain a significantly high state of alertness to deal with any Chinese "misadventure", the sources said.

The Army is also in the process of procuring a number of weapons, ammunition and winter gears for the frontline troops, they added.

The temperature in some of the high-altitude areas along the LAC drops to minus 25 degree celsius in the winter months.

The tension between the two sides escalated manifold after the violent clashes in Galwan Valley on June 15 in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed.

The Chinese side also suffered casualties but it is yet to give out the details.

According to an American intelligence report, the number of casualties on the Chinese side was 35.
Having watched the entire first night of the Republican National Convention, I am happy to report that I was not bored, embarrassed, frustrated, or irritated. It was a superb production, featuring a wide variety of ordinary Americans, along with Republican politicians, giving polished, engaging, and uplifting presentations. Also  and this completely delighted me  the Trump campaign made a bold and long-past-due play for the minority voters that the Democrats have used and abused for so long.

One of the best things about the evening was its grandeur. The Democrats' convention played out on an exceedingly small canvas, with almost all the speakers crammed in front of their computer monitors.

The DNC didn't get any brighter for the main events. When Harris gave her acceptance speech, she stood before what looked like a grim underground tunnel with poles holding signs for the various states, a sparse six flags, and nothing else. Biden, for his acceptance speech, stood in front of an even sparser background of faded blue-on-blue stars, plus those six lonely flags.

Ultimately, the DNC offered a Zoom convention. Visually, it promised that America's future would be one of continued isolation and flatness. Even our leaders will stand shrunken and alone.

The RNC, by contrast, opted to have as many of its speakers as possible stand before an almost shimmering wall of American flags in the magnificent and soaring Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, a building that is a triumph of early 20th-century neoclassical design. Even though each speaker stood alone in the room, there was a sense of grandeur and endless possibility, rather than the cramped feel of just another lockdown Zoom meeting:

Although there were politicians on the roster (e.g., Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Jim Jordan), and family and near-family (Donald Trump, Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle), most of the speakers were everyday Americans. People were picked based upon their life experiences, their values, and their ability to stand in for broad swathes of the American experience. Unlike the Democrats, Republicans did not offer a collection of politicians, celebrities, and people divvied up by victim status or sex or race identity. Jennifer Rubin, a NeverTrump whose views align perfectly with the Biden platform, gave voice to how the left views America's normal people:

other than Tim Scott and Nikki Haley the lineup tonight is a bunch of nobodies - and a Trump relative. I think of Dorothy Parker's witticism - it runs the gamut from A to B  Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) August 24, 2020

If Rubin had been less prejudiced, she might have learned something from these "nobodies." They spoke of their love for America, the opportunities they've had in America, and the huge benefits Trump has bestowed on them, not in the form of bribes and favoritism, but because of policies that benefit everyone.

Of course, the Republicans who spoke had a significant advantage over the Democrats: speakers were repeatedly able to point to promises that Trump made and that he kept. They contrasted this with the fact that Biden, despite 47 years in D.C., has no accomplishments. His biggest triumph  the 1994 Crime Bill  served only to decimate black communities. The best that Democrat conventioneers could say is that Joe's a nice guy, and even that's highly debatable.

The Republicans also, at long last, got smart: they pushed hard to bring minorities into the fold. Blacks, Hispanics, and an East Asian Indian (that would be Nikki Haley) spoke about Trump's love for all Americans, the benefits his pre-COVID economic boom bestowed on minorities, and the fact that minorities are a part of the American dream. In Trump's America, minorities are not victims. They are a vibrant part of the American tapestry, even as the Democrats treat them like props and take them for granted.

While every short presentation was good, whether about school choice, health care, the American military, or a variety of other subjects, some were great. For example, there was Maximo Alvarez, a refugee from Cuba who became a successful businessman in Miami. He likened what the Democrats are saying now to what Fidel Castro promised in the 1950s  and warned Americans that Castro's promises destroyed people and a country. Alvarez's reverence for America is complete:

For many, these words from Mr. Alvarez were the takeaway of the evening:

I may be a Cuban born, but I am 100% American. This is the greatest country in the world. And I said this before: If I gave away everything that I have today, it would not equal 1% of what I was given when I came to this great country of ours. The gift of freedom.

Herschel Walker, who's known Trump for 37 years, spoke movingly about Trump as a true friend who sees people, not skin color:

Natalie Harp, a cancer patient who survived because of Trump's "Right to Try" initiative, said Trump, by authorizing innovations that made medicines and treatments available to Americans, is a real-life George Bailey (from It's A Wonderful Life) because he's made a difference:

Vernon Jones, the Georgia Democrat who supports Trump, gave a rollicking speech explaining why he stood against his party and why other blacks should follow his lead:

Donald Trump, Jr. gave a polished and rousing oration that managed to touch upon the economy, cancel culture, crime, and everything in between. He neatly highlighted the benefits that have flowed from his father's accomplishments and the inevitable disasters that Biden's presidency would create. He also called Biden the Loch Ness monster of the D.C. swamp, which is a great line:

If the convention continues in this vein for the next few nights, the Republican Party will have hit a grand slam. It was a polished, interesting, and often deeply moving evening that contrasted beautifully with the demoralizing, self-indulgent dystopian world that the Democrats presented on their little Zoom screens.

Image: Screen grab of the RNC Convention's first night.
RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka (Image: LinkedIn)

The latest business bigwig to champion the Centre's Make in India bid is RPG Enterprises' Chairman Harsh Goenka. On August 25, Goenka tweeted that the company had, in one of its businesses, brought down the share of Chinese imports in its turnover to 35 percent in the last two months from 65 percent.

Batting for a "China mukt Bharat," Goenka said the company would work towards bringing it as close to zero as possible.



In one of our businesses, 65% of turnover came from Chinese imports. In the last 2 months we have already brought it down to 35%. Onward march to take it as close to zero as possible.

Lets all give #MakeInIndia a special thrust and make our country a China mukt Bharat.

 Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) August 25, 2020

He tweeted:

His comments come at a time when the country has been looking to reduce its import dependence on China, more so following the Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops in June, where nearly 20 soldiers were killed in action. Amid calls for a boycott of Chinese goods in light of the rising anti-China sentiments following the border dispute, the government had also announced a ban on 59 Chinese apps.

However, Goenka is not the only businessperson to back this clarion call for reduced dependence on China. Earlier in July, Managing Director of JSW Cement Parth Jindal had said the JSW Group , which includes the flagship steel business, will pare down its annual net import from China to zero from the present $400 million over the next two years, as a response to the violent stand-off between the two countries.
A growing number of schools and colleges are defying Boris Johnson by asking older pupils to wear face masks in corridors and communal areas.

The Governments official advice against masks at school was dealt a blow today when the founder of a major group of 52 schools announced that it is ordering masks which will be colour coded for different year groups.

The Evening Standard understands that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who led calls to make masks compulsory on public transport, is examining the issue and moving in the direction of backing masks for older pupils in corridors where they cannot socially distance properly.

Conservative former education secretary Justine Greening said masks should be considered to see if they could help the safe return of all pupils next week.

Pressure was building on the Prime Minister to order a U-turn at Westminster as Nicola Sturgeons Scottish education secretary confirmed that from Monday there will be obligatory guidance to schools north of the border for pupils to wear a face covering when moving around corridors and confined shared spaces.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said there were no current plans to change the guidance to English schools, which states that masks are not appropriate in school.

Gavin Williamson on a visit to a south London primary school on Tuesday / Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures Ltd

A No 10 spokesman yesterday said there were no plans to review the guidance on face coverings in schools.

The rebellion was given a boost when Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis group of academies, revealed that it has started purchasing masks for its teachers and secondary school pupils to wear next week in certain shared spaces.

Oasis has booked face visors & masks for all our school staff & masks (colour coded for year groups) for our secondary students for transition in corridors etc, he tweeted. Were also booking extra space (offices, church halls etc.) for a number of our schools.

But Mr Sharma told Sky News: Public Health England has been very clear that they do not recommend the wearing of face masks in schools. And the reason for this is because pupils are obviously mixing in the same cohorts.

Englands deputy chief medical officer, Jenny Harries, has said evidence on whether children over 12 should wear masks in schools was not strong.

But the World Health Organisation has said that over-12s should wear them in some circumstances. Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said parents were asking why should [children] wear one in Scotland but not in England?

He told Talk Radio: It seems to me to be a reasonable question to ask.

He added: If we are going to have a screeching U-turn from the Government, could we have that now so that at least we can plan for the start of term?

Loading....

The Mayor has been consulting health experts and is said to be influenced by other countries where masks are worn in confined areas by older pupils who are more likely to transmit the virus.
One of the biggest celebrity weddings in recent years is that of George Clooney. A famous bachelor, the Oscar winner had little to no desire to get married. That is until he met his current wife, Amal Clooney (nee Alamuddin). Sparing no expense, the couple spent millions on their wedding.

George Clooney and Amal Clooney had a star-studded wedding in 2014

George Clooney and Amal Clooney attend a civil ceremony ahead of their Italian wedding | PIERRE TEYSSOT/AFP via Getty Images

RELATED: Why George Clooney Gave up the Lead Role in an Oscar-Winning Movie To Ben Affleck

When the Clooneys tied the knot in Italy, the guest list didnt disappoint. The festivities lasted for days with all manner of celebrities in attendance. Bill Murray, Matt Damon, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, John Krasinski, and Emily Blunt are just a few of the names to make an appearance.

Cindy Crawfords husband, Randy Gerber, served as Clooneys best man. Together, theyre the co-founders of Casamigos, the tequila thats earned Clooney millions.

Much of George Clooney and Amal Clooneys wedding cost went to hotel rooms

Its not surprising Clooneys wedding cost millions of dollars. Celebrity nuptials are typically lavish and glamorous affairs. But what is surprising is that the majority of Clooneys wedding budget went toward hotel rooms.

According to E! News, the Italian wedding and festivities cost an estimated $4.6 million. Unlike the Duke and Duchess of Cambridges wedding where the budget went to security, this celebrity wedding went all out on lodging.

A stay at Cipriana varies depending on the room. But not just any room. Suites costing thousands of dollars a night with stunning views of Venice. The hotels Palladio Suite costs upwards of $9,000 a night whereas a stay in the Dogaressa Suite goes for nearly $8,000 a night.

George Clooney and Amal Clooney in Venice, Italy | Ernesto Ruscio/GC Images

RELATED: George Clooney Was Really Depressed Gaining Weight for Syriana, Matt Damon Says

Taking into account the fact that Clooneys wedding festivities lasted three days, guests, as well as the bride and groom, would rack up a bill of anywhere from $26,000 to $31,000 per room.

Seeing as guests for the wedding took up around 95 rooms at Cipriani, the total comes to approximately $3 million.

George Clooney spent thousands on alcohol and flowers

Hotel rooms arent the only thing that cost thousands upon thousands of dollars. The Oceans 11 star stocked the wedding reception with a variety of alcohol. Giving the guests options between tequila (Casamigos, of course), vodka, and champagne cost the couple nearly $160,000.

Then theres the flowers at the reception. The couple went with Italian floral arrangements by Munaretto Flowers that came to nearly $250,000.

How did George Clooney and Amal Clooney meet?

RELATED: Does George Clooney Have Any Kids?

Clooney met his wife at his Italian villa on Lake Como. The Up in the Air actor recalled their first meeting on David Lettermans Netflix series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.

Clooney met his future wife at a dinner hed been hosting. Leading up to it, Clooney received a call from his agent who told him hed end up marrying her.

Sure enough, Clooney and his future wife hit it off at dinner. As he told Letterman, they stayed up all night talking.

Today, the Clooneys are parents to twins and they split their time between the U.S. and Italy.

RELATED: From Tom Hanks to George Clooney, 7 A-List Movie Stars You Forgot Were on TV Sitcoms
STORY LINK Pound to Norwegian Krone (GBP/NOK) Exchange Rate Edges Higher as Norways Growth Falters in Second Quarter

GBP/NOK Exchange Rate Rises as Norway Suffers Deepest Decline in GDP Ever Recorded

Pound (GBP) Edges Higher Despite Grim Outlook for British Retail Sector

GBP/NOK Outlook: Could a Bullish Bank of England Boost the Pound Tomorrow?

Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues:

The Pound to Norwegian Krone (GBP/NOK) exchange rate rose today, with the pairing currently trading around 11.788kr.The Norwegian Krone (NOK) suffered today following the release of Norways gross domestic product figure for the second quarter, which fell below forecasts from -17% to 5.1%.As a result, NOK investors have become increasingly worried about Norways economic performance.The SSB said in its statement:The decline in the Norwegian economy in the second quarter was the deepest ever recorded. Quarterly national accounts are available back to 1978.Meanwhile, Handelsbanken Capital Markets said to their clients:We continue to believe that it will take time for the economy to reach back up to pre-crisis levels; at least, it will take time to restore full capacity utilisation.Norwegian Krone (NOK) investors are keeping a close eye on Norways coronavirus developments. With lockdowns gradually being lifted, hopes are beginning to grow for a rebound in the nations economy. As a result, we could see the NOK/GBP exchange rate begin to creep higher.The Pound (GBP) edged higher despite the release of the UK CBI distributive trades survey for August revealing an unexpected slump. The figure fell below forecasts from 4% to -6%, leaving GBP investors concerned for the UKs economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.Alpesh Paleja, CBI Lead Economist, commented on the data:[T]he latest survey shows that trading conditions for the retail sector remain tough, even against the backdrop of business slowly returning. Firms will be wary of deteriorating household incomes and the risk of further local lockdowns potentially hitting them in the pocket for a second time.Meanwhile, concerns over escalating tensions between the UK and the EU have left GBP investors cautious as a no-deal appears more likely to be a realty post-December 31st.Michel Barnier, the EUs Chief Negotiator, has criticised Downing Streets approach to trade negotiations, calling for the Eu to be more cold-blooded in its approach.Consequently, the Pound (GBP) has come under increasing pressure as the UK looks increasingly set for a disorderly exit at the end of the year.Norwegian Krone (NOK) investors will be awaiting tomorrows release of Junes Norwegian labour force survey. Any improvement in Norways employment levels could provide a boost for the Norwegian currency.NOK traders will also be awaiting Thursdays publication of the latest Norwegian retail sales for July. If these confirm consensus and fall by -1.5%, then we could see the NOK/GBP exchange rate continue to struggle.The GBP/NOK exchange rate could edge higher tomorrow if the Bank of Englands (BoE) chief economist, Andrew Haldane, is notably bullish in his speech.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

TAGS: Norwegian Krone Forecasts Pound Norwegian Krone Forecasts
A small Georgia citys police department wrote more than 130 speeding tickets on a road where it had no jurisdiction, a state agencys investigation found.

Citations issued on Kildare Road over a two year period by police in the city of Oliver brought in more than $40,000 in fines to its municipal court, WTOC-TV reported.

The television station determined the average ticket was around $342. One driver paid as much as $875 and another agreed to serve 30 hours of community service. That stopped this year when one driver who got pulled over wrote a complaint to the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

The agencys investigating found that Oliver police didnt have the required state permission to use speed-detection devices on that road. The police department in Screven County in southeast Georgia had speed-detection permits for just two other roads within the city limits.

Col. Gary Vowell, who heads the Department of Public Safety, notified Oliver Police Chief Pat Kile in an April 17 letter that these 132 citations never should have been issued, since the City of Oliver Police Department is not authorized to operate speed detection devices on Kildare Road.

The citys use of speed detectors is now subject to periodic review by the state agency. Vowell also ordered Oliver to quash the 132 citations. Its unclear if that ever happened.

Oliver Police Chief Pat Kile declined the TV stations request for comment and referred a reporter to his attorney, who did not return a phone message.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Claims Georgia Law Enforcement
Assam minister and convenor of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) Himanta Biswa Sarma conveyed on Tuesday that he is not interested in contesting next years assembly polls.

In a series of tweets, Sarma, the most influential BJP leader in the northeast by virtue of heading NEDA, the BJP-led alliance of anti-Congress parties in the region, said his ambition was to ensure the party retaining power in Assam in 2021.

Few people feel I am after some post and position. My only ambition is to see a BJP government with 100 plus seats. In my last few months, I want to work for my state as much as possible to have eternal satisfaction. Janani Janmabhumischa Swargadapi Gariyai (Mother and Motherland are superior even to Heaven) he tweeted.

As I have indicated on several public platforms that I am not interested in contesting the next assembly election, my role will be limited to contributing whatever I can for my party and for my state. For Assam(s) future we need to have a strong nationalist government, Sarma said in another tweet.

In the past few days, Sarma, who handles the finance, health, education and PWD portfolios in the Sarbananda Sonowal-led government, had been in headlines over news reports on his eligibility for the chief ministers post.

The issue attracted attention after Pijush Hazarika, minister of state for health, said earlier this month that Sarma has all the merits of becoming CM. With the statement creating ripples in state BJP, Sarma said everyone has eligibility to be the CM.

Following veteran Congress leader and former CM Tarun Gogois statement on Saturday that BJP could field ex-Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi as CM in 2021, Sarma had told journalists that the party is still undecided on its candidate for the top post in the next polls.

Sarmas tweets on Tuesday come six days after he told journalists in Guwahati that he was undecided on contesting the 2021 polls and the decision on that will be taken by the BJP and his family.

There are several speculations on my contesting the 2021 polls. Right now I havent thought of it. My present aim is to complete all our governments pending tasks by March next year, Sarma said.

I dont know if I will contest the next election or not. The decision on that will be taken by my party and family. I am not seeking any post, but am more interested in working for my people and state, he added.

In recent weeks there have been speculations that the BJP leadership might shift Sarma to New Delhi and accommodate him as a minister in the Narendra Modi cabinet.

In February last year, Sarma had indicated that he would contest the Lok Sabha polls if he gets a ticket. But the BJP high command entrusted him with the responsibility of steering the partys poll strategy and campaign in all the seven northeastern states.

As a party we cant comment on what made Sarma say he is not interested in contesting the next assembly polls. Any decision on whether he will contest the polls or what role he will be given will be taken by the partys core committee, said Rupam Goswami, BJP chief spokesperson for Assam.

The BJP has 60 members in the 126-member assembly while its coalition partners Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland Peoples Front have 14 and 12 seats, respectively. The BJP has declared that the party along with allies aims to win 100 seats in April 2021, when the assembly polls are held.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Press Release

August 25, 2020 Villar asks SUCs, DOH to build one medical school per region Sen. Cynthia Villar pushed for the establishment of at least one medical school in each and every region in the country as a way to increase the number of doctors and improve the healthcare workforce. During the Senate deliberation on Senate Bill 1520 or the Medical Scholarship Bill, Villar said state universities and colleges (SUC) should be required to establish at least one medical school in all 17 regions of the country. "Dapat magtayo ang malalaking SUC ng isang medical school sa bawat region. Kapag tinayuan mo all 17 regions, makukuha mo na ang target na number of doctors at nasa buong Pilipinas pa sila. Hindi mangyayari na may region na walang duktor," Villar said. About 79,800 doctors are needed in order to achieve the ideal ratio of 10 physicians for every 10,000 individuals. Villar said SUCs should work together with Department of Health-operated hospitals and start operating medical schools. "The lack of public medical schools and the prohibitive cost of studying medicine discourage the youth to even consider a career as a doctor. We should start building medical schools in the provinces and providing scholarships to make the study of medicine affordable. If we do this, we will soon have more doctors," Villar said. Villar, who served as chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education when she was Las Pinas Representative, said she will propose a provision in the bill that will list and identify the SUCs and the DOH-operated hospitals which will be mandated to work together to establish medical schools all over the country. Sen. Joel Villanueva, principal sponsor of the bill, agreed to include the proposal of Villar in the final version of the bill. Villar also said she was surprised to learn that out of the 114 SUCs, only nine SUCs have a medical school. She said the absence of these institutions in highly developed areas such as Cebu and Regions 3 Central Luzon, 4A Southern Tagalog and Region 11 Davao Region should also be addressed. The Nacionalista Party senator also proposed to amend the law giving free college education to include scholarships in medicine. "Unfair na walang scholarship for medicine. Dapat baguhin natin ang scholarships offered in SUCs. Bakit walang medicine, napakaimportante ng mga duktor? Doctors should be the exception because unlike other professions, they cannot practice unless they complete premed and medicine-proper courses, " Villar said.
Tata Motors Ltd  the parent company of Jaguar Land Rover  will not look for any funding from the British government to sustain the Covid-19 induced economic downturn, said Natarajan Chadrasekaran, chairman, Tata Sons, at the 75th annual general meeting of the company.

Tata Sons  the salt-to-software conglomerate  has been in talks with the British government to engineer a bailout package for it automotive and steel manufacturing business in the United Kingdom. According to the Financial Times, the UK government has refused any emergency fund to both the companies, under project Birch, due to the stable financial condition of parent company, Tata Sons.

Jaguar Land Rover is not looking for any funding from the UK government," said Chandrasekaran.

JLR has seen growth in China in the last few months. It is a very important market for JLR globally. However, we are closely watching the geopolitical challenges and it would be difficult to comment its impact for now. Our immediate priority includes focus on sales and service across JLR and PVs and CV businesses," he added.

Jaguar Land Rover has been facing challenges in its main markets, China, US and Europe over the last three years as vehicle sales declined substantially due to increased competition, slowdown in global economies and falling sales of diesel vehicles. At the same time, the company also had to investment significantly in developing electric cars to keep competing with the German competitors and new comers like Tesla.

Tata Sons has also been actively looking for partners to collaborate in the areas of developing electric and autonomous cars. The Mumbai based conglomerate had briefly considered selling its stake in the luxury vehicle manufacturer, according to news reports from Bloomberg.

Recently, the company announced that Thierry Bolore, Groupe Renaults former chief executive will take over the reins from its current chief, Ralf Speth.

In the June quarter, JLR reported a 46.38% year-on-year increase in net losses to 3500 crore from 2391 crore from a year ago period. The company, as part of its cost reduction efforts, aims to save 6 billion pounds by the end of the current fiscal year. During the quarter the, JLRs China based joint venture with Cherry Automobiles also broke even, indicating a possible recovery in demand in its biggest market.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.

Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

Topics
The British Museum has removed a bust of its founding father, who was a slave owner, and said it wanted to confront its links to colonialism (Tim Ireland/PA)

The British Museum has removed a bust of its founding father, who was a slave owner, and said it wanted to confront its links to colonialism.

Hartwig Fischer, the institutions director, revealed the likeness of Sir Hans Sloane has been placed in a secure cabinet alongside artefacts explaining his work in the context of the British Empire.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Fischer said: We have pushed him off the pedestal. We must not hide anything. Healing is knowledge.

The decision had been taken partly as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement, the museums curators said. Protests against racial inequality broke out around the world following the death of George Floyd in the US in May.

Sir Hans, an Irish-born physician born in 1660, partly funded his collection from enslaved labour on Jamaican sugar plantations. His artefacts provided the starting point for what became the British Museum.

Mr Fischer added: Dedication to truthfulness when it comes to history is absolutely crucial, with the aim to rewrite our shared, complicated and, at times, very painful history.

The case dedicated to Hans Sloane and his relationship to slavery is a very important step in this. We have pushed him off the pedestal where nobody looked at him, and placed him in the limelight.

The British Museum has done a lot of work  accelerated and enlarged its work on its own history, the history of empire, the history of colonialism, and also of slavery. These are subjects which need to be addressed, and to be addressed properly. We need to understand our own history.

Sir Hans married a wealthy sugar plantation heiress. He was honoured by numerous place names, including Londons Sloane Square.

The British Museums demotion of its founding father is part of a wider race reckoning triggered by Mr Floyds death.

In June, protesters in Bristol toppled the statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston while campaigners have reignited their calls to remove the Cecil Rhodes statue from outside an Oxford college.
Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel says viewers of this weeks party convention should expect an aspirational and uplifting tone from the greatest messenger for our party and the star of this convention: the president himself.

There was one big factor getting in the way of that uplifting tone Monday: the president himself.

President Trump was anything but aspirational and uplifting during a 52-minute grievance-laden speech he delivered shortly after delegates in Charlotte, N.C., nominated him for re-election.

Trump baselessly accused Democrats of plotting to steal the election via mail voting, a system Trump denounces as being rife with fraud although its not. He said ballot harvesting, where party groups and other organizations collect signed and sealed mail ballots from voters and transport them to county registrars, is vulnerable to bribery and would be one of the greatest scams. California legalized it in 2016 and has had no such problems.

And Trump revived the accusation that former President Barack Obama spied on his 2016 campaign. Congressional and Justice Department investigations found no evidence of interference from Obama.

The more than 300 Republicans delegates from around the country, a fraction of the number who would have gathered without a coronavirus pandemic, cheered throughout the speech. While Trump thrives on the energy he receives from a supportive live audience, his tone Monday wont help him with his larger challenge: He trails Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the polls and needs to branch out beyond his base with a more uplifting message, like the one promised by GOP leaders.

Most of the speakers who followed the president during the televised part of the convention Monday evening were no sunnier. Patty McCloskey of St. Louis, who was charged with a felony along with her husband when they pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their home, said Democrats want to abolish the suburbs altogether.

Maximo Alvarez, a Cuban American from Florida, compared Biden to Fidel Castro. Charlie Kirk, head of the student group Turning Point USA, said America was under attack from the vengeful mob that wishes to destroy our way of life, our neighborhoods, schools, church, and values.

The GOP message of the night may have been best distilled by top Trump fundraiser Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former San Francisco prosecutor and ex-wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said Democrats want to steal your liberty, your freedom. They want to control what you see and think, and believe, so they can control how you live. They want to enslave you to the weak, dependent, liberal, victim ideology, to the point that you will not recognize this country or yourself.

If Republicans feared Trump and the convention speakers hadnt gotten the memo about positive thinking, they didnt show it publicly. Jonathan Madison, the Bay Area vice chair of the California Republican Party, said of Trumps remarks, Its too early to say whether these comments will help or hurt him.

Hes been saying similar things for a while and said far more controversial things before the 2016 election, Madison said. Many predicted that Trump would lose then, he noted, and everybody was wrong.

Doug Mills / New York Times

One of those who predicted Trump would win in 2016 doesnt see him suddenly becoming a purveyor of optimism.

Hes not capable of being uplifting and positive, said Allan Lichtman, a professor emeritus of history at American University who has correctly predicted the winner of every presidential election since 1984. He has predicted a Biden victory in November.

Trumps way of communicating is through grievances, insults, complaints and attacks. When has he ever been uplifting? said Lichtman, author of The Case for Impeachment, a 2018 book about Trump. Thats who he is. You cant suddenly turn on a dime and change your basic makeup.

Trump will have several more chances to be aspirational this week, as convention organizers say he will be onscreen every session of the four-night convention.

He appeared in a segment Monday evening speaking cheerfully at the White House with people who had overcome health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. But in his earlier speech, the president made little effort to broaden his appeal.

He complained that Democrats who are urging more widespread mail voting because of the pandemic are using COVID to steal an election. Theyre using COVID to defraud the American people, all of our people, of a fair and free election.

Trump added: The only way they can take this election away from us is if this is a rigged election.

There is no evidence of Democrats rigging the election. It would be hard to do, given that the nations election system is decentralized, with counties and cities administering most of the nations polls. The nonpartisan fact checkers at Politifact rated Trumps similar claims last week as a pants on fire falsehood.

And there is little evidence of fraud in the states that have conducted mail-in voting for years, including Utah, which is run almost exclusively by Republicans.

Trumps comments werent all apocalyptic. But some required his audience to do a bit of time travel back to when the economy was in better shape.

Think of your life just prior to the plague coming in, Trump said. It was the best its ever been. Your state had the best (economic) numbers theyve ever had, ever had by far.

Madison, the Bay Area Republican vice chair, said Trump could make more remarks that could help him branch out to independent voters, but that he wasnt surprised that he didnt.

It is the Republican convention, after all, he said.

McDaniel said earlier that the evening portions of the convention, which the major broadcast and cable news networks carry, would focus on real people instead of Hollywood elites and the privileged politicians whom Democrats featured at their convention last week. There were some of those Monday evening, including Tamara Weinreis, who owns an espresso shop in Billings, Mont. She said she had been able to survive economically because she received a Paycheck Protection Program loan for small businesses after the pandemic started, something Congress passed and Trump signed.

Expect to hear from front-line workers, moms, veterans, factory workers, small business owners, law enforcement and diverse up-and-coming leaders of the party, McDaniel said. She also wrote Monday on FoxNews.com that speakers would include up-and-coming leaders of the party ... all sharing their stories about how President Trumps policies have improved their lives and opened the door for a better future.

But the speakers list also shows how much Trump and his family dominate the party. Seven members of Trumps family, including the president, will address the convention. Donald Trump Jr. was among them  on Monday evening, he said Biden and the radical left are also now coming for our freedom of speech and want to bully us into submission. If they get their way, it will no longer be the silent majority, it will be the silenced majority.

There are few potential 2024 presidential candidates scheduled to get convention face time  the list is limited to former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who spoke Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton and Vice President Mike Pence. Democrats featured several of their next-generation candidates, including some who lost to Biden in the primaries.

There are also relatively few House and Senate candidates scheduled to speak this week. Lichtman, the American University historian, said the Republicans are missing a chance to showcase some of the people of color who are running as Republicans in California, including Rep. Mike Garcia of Santa Clarita (Los Angeles County) and Young Kim and Michelle Steel, who are trying to flip Democratic-held seats in Orange County.

Republicans should be very concerned, because Trump has built no base for the Republican Party of the future, Lichtman said. We are becoming a multiracial society, but Trump is depending on old white guys like me.

Madison, however, doesnt see promoting down-ballot Republicans as Trumps job. Candidates in local races, especially in districts where Trump isnt popular, need to be mindful of their districts, he said.

The White House, Madison said,  is not going to fix your house.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
China 'Will End' Mongolian-Language Education Starting This Semester: Reports

2020-08-24 -- China's ruling Communist Party is to end Mongolian-medium education in the northern region of Inner Mongolia, which borders the independent country of Mongolia, according to an overseas-based rights group.

Hundreds of teachers in Tongliao and Ulaanhad cities have been called to urgent, secret meetings at primary and secondary schools in recent days, where they were told that the Chinese government has ordered them to switch to Chinese-medium education from Sept. 1, the New York-based Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center (SMHRIC) said in a report on its website.

"The fate of Mongolian language education seems to be sealed," an ethnic Mongolian teacher said in an audio statement quoted by SMHRIC. "This not only is unconstitutional but also is a flagrant violation of the basic human rights of the Mongolian people from a universal human rights perspective," the teacher said, adding that they had been forced to sign non-disclosure agreements before leaving.

"All teachers were warned not to raise any questions or opinions of opposition," it quoted a second teacher as saying via WeChat.

Government censors have also shut down a popular Mongolian-language social media platform and censored comments on the policy on WeChat, the report said.

"Southern [Inner] Mongolia has quickly become a police state again in the past few days as the tension has risen between the government and the Mongolians who are about to be deprived of their last symbol of national identitythe Mongolian language," ethnic Mongolian blogger Nasandelger posted to the social media platform WeChat.

SMHRIC said ethnic Mongolians have been protesting in recent days after a government document detailing the plan was leaked.

The authorities responded by targeting the Mongolian-language social media app Bainuu, the group cited activists as saying.

"The systematic crackdown really started [with] the total shutdown of all Bainuu chat groups last Wednesday around 4:00 p.m. local time," the group quoted Bainuu user Dugar Zaisan as saying.

"Then almost 72 hours later, around 4:00 p.m. Saturday local time, the timelines and walls of all Bainuu users became unavailable," the message said.

WeChat discussions and posts on the changes, which are euphemistically referred to in official documents as "bilingual education," are being deleted in large numbers, while hundreds of WeChat users have received visits and warnings from state security police, SMHRIC said.

"At least 28 people in our WeChat groups, mostly consisting of concerned parents and students, were either summoned or visited by state security personnel in a single day," the group cited an ethnic Mongolian user Oyuungerel as saying via WeChat.

Users warned

The group said some 450 Southern Mongolian WeChat users have been warned by local State Security and Public Security authorities either over the phone or in-person not to spread information about the "bilingual education" program online.

Writer Sechenbaatar told SMHRIC he had received a visit from government officials and state security police officers two days ago, during which they warned him not to speak out on the language policy on social media.

"Seventy years of killing and political oppression do not seem to be enough," Sechenbaatar said in an audio message posted online.

"Now the Chinese are about to cut our tongues off, too! Feet shackled and tongues cut off, our nation and our people are soon to be pushed into a dark and bottomless grave," he said.

SMHRIC quoted a third ethnic Mongolian teacher from Tongliao as saying that there is an official directive from Beijing with its characteristic red letterhead circulating among schools in the area, although teachers weren't allowed to read it directly.

"Yes, there is a secret official document from the central government," the teacher told SMHRIC. "The school authorities and the personnel from the Bureau of Education showed us the red letterhead of the official document but declined to show us the contents."

An official who answered the phone to SMHRIC in the Heshigten Banner education bureau near Ulaanhad city confirmed the reports.

"[Ethnic] Mongolian students in elementary schools must start learning Chinese from first grade as opposed to second grade starting this September," he said in an audio interview posted to WeChat.

Political studies will be taught in Chinese from Sept. 1 in Mongolian-medium schools with further subjects to follow in the next two years.

"[This comes] directly from the central government," he said.

The news comes after a visit by Ge Weiwei, a high-ranking Communist Party official in charge of ethnic minority education policy, to Tongliao on June 3.

Strong opposition

This change has met with strong opposition among ethnic Mongolians, the SMHRIC said.

"Mongolians from ordinary herders to prominent intellectuals, from students to professors, have all expressed their opposition to the new policy through China's only available social media outlet, WeChat," it said.

"If our language is wiped out, we as a distinct people will also cease to exist," it quoted Chimeddorj, a professor at Inner Mongolia University, as saying in a video statement.

Parent Nasanbayar commented via WeChat that he would take his children out of school rather than allow them to lose their Mongolian identity.

"The Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government decided to implement a policy to ban Mongolian language education completely starting September 2020," Chogt Oghonos, ethnic Mongolian professor at Shizuoka University in Japan, said in a video statement referring to the changes as "cultural genocide."

SMHRIC director Enghebatu Togochog said the policy is the culmination of three decades of discriminatory policies in the region.

"Rural Mongolian schools have already been wiped out and the number of students taught in Mongolian has declined by 80 percent since the early 1980s," he said. "Our traditional way of life has been completely destroyed and our identity obliterated. Now, if we lose our language, then we have nothing else to lose."

"[This is] the finishing touch on China's cultural genocide in Southern Mongolia."

Call for independence

The new policy sparked immediate calls for independence for Inner Mongolia from China, including by ethnic Mongolian rights activist and former political prisoner Hada.

"Even if this round of our resistance moment ends up with failure in the face of China's brutal crackdown, the moment itself will help lay the firm foundation of our future movement for independence," Hada said in a statement posted online.

One parent from Left Ujumchin Banner, a county-like administrative division of Inner Mongolia, recorded his conversation with state security police, who warned him off commenting on the language policy.

"Let me make myself clear to you. If I were afraid of speaking, I would have not spoken," Suhee is heard telling police on the recording posted online.

"If you want to arrest me, go ahead and have [the police] arrest me, and throw me into your jail as political prisoner," he tells them. "I am not afraid of dying now."

Mongolian wrestlers said they would be going on strike in protest at the policy, SMHRIC said.

Reported by RFA's Mandarin and Cantonese Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.

Copyright  1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content August not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






B Anbuselvan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: After facing the huge backlash from both AIADMK and DMK over the three-languages policy proposed in National Education Policy, the BJP on Monday alleged that Tamil Nadu has become a shelter for anti-national elements.

Earlier, the State BJP leaders had repeatedly said on similar lines referring to the pro-Jallikattu and anti-Sterlite protests which happened between 2017 and 2019. But the BJP leaders refrained from making such comments on Tamil Nadu just ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, which it faced in alliance with the ruling AIADMK. BJP president J P Nadda's statements on Monday during the partys state executive committee meeting indicate that the BJP appears to have gone back to its earlier narrative on Tamil Nadu yet again.

While addressing the party cadre through video conferencing, Nadda said the State has become a shelter for anti-national elements and urged the administration and political parties to look into it. He also called up the parties to work together on the issues of national interest, while claiming that DMK is inciting feelings against the national spirit.

The statement coming from the BJP's top brass is not received well even by its ally AIADMK, although the BJP has primarily targeted the opposition DMK.

AIADMK spokesperson Vaigai Chelvan said Naddas remarks that Tamil Nadu has become a shelter for anti-national elements was not acceptable for the party. The law and order has been maintained well.

The government never sheltered anyone who engages in anti-national activities, said Chelvan, while maintaining that Nadda was right when he called the DMK anti-development party.

Earlier, DMK president M K Stalin hit out at Nadda saying that it had become a habit of a few BJP leaders to paint anyone who questions BJP's narrative as 'anti-national' and Nadda was no exception. Stalin charged that the BJP was engaging in divisive politics through communalism and linguistic hegemony.

The CPM rubbished the charges as baseless and claimed that statement was a result of BJPs frustration over the resistance it has been facing on NEET, NEP, and three-language policy.

ALSO READ | Those working against national interest being sheltered in Tamil Nadu: JP Nadda

Professor Arunan Kathiresan of CPM said the BJP has made the phrase anti-national redundant, tagging it to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who opposed the BJP. Its become evident that not only the State-level leaders, even the national leader, can stoop to any low calling people anti-national without any rhyme or reason."

Noting that BJP high command was unhappy over the State since parties together have prevented the imposition of Hindi through NEP and standing steadfastly against NEET, Kathiresan said the recent Hindi row at Chennai airport and AYUSH Ministrys meeting may have disturbed it since it had been pushing for one language across the Country. BJP trying to discredit the State to cover-up its failure and inability."

The BJP State general secretary Karu Nagarajan said Nadda was referring to the protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Act and abrogation of Article 370 which gave special powers to Jammu and Kashmir.

Its wrong to say that Jadda was making random allegations. A few parties including DMK protested against CAA and article 370, which had been implemented in the interest of the country. About 32 persons who have links with terrorist organisations have been arrested in the State and Kerala."
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) will require all students to wear masks in school come September.

In a board meeting on Monday, HWDSB trustees unanimously passed a motion that expands a rule introduced by Ontarios Ministry of Education that required students in Grade 4 and up to wear masks to now also include students in kindergarten to Grade 3.

These are little ones and their lives are just as precious as everyone else, said Carole Paikin Miller, trustee for Ward 5, who moved the motion.

I think we should make sure theyre safe.

The motion follows a decision made last week by the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) to require all students to wear masks in schools, as well as on buses.

Board trustees also voted to stagger the reopening dates of elementary and secondary schools to allow students to get acquainted with COVID-19 protocols on alternating days.

Mandatory mask-wearing has been a point of contention for many parents and teachers who see the requirement as a potential solution to situations where students cannot maintain physical distance.

Elementary schools, notably, have been required to return to full-sized classes on a regular, five-day schedule, prompting concerns that students between kindergarten and Grade 8 will study in overcrowded classrooms.

On Monday, the board agreed to spend $10.4 million to marginally reduce class sizes for students in kindergarten and between Grades 4 and 8.
Massive protests and a torch rally was held in Muzaffarabad city of occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Monday night to oppose the mega-dams to be constructed by Chinese firms on Neelum-Jhelum River.

The protesters hailing from ''Darya Bachao, Muzaffarabad Bachao" (Save River, Save Muzaffarabad) Committee'' chanted slogans like "Neelum-Jhelum behne do, humein zinda rehne do" (let the Neelum and Jhelum rivers flow, let us live).

The rally was attended by over a thousand people from the city and other parts of

Recently, and signed agreements to construct Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydropower Projects in Occupied Kashmir.

Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project of 700.7 megawatts of electricity as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was signed on July 6, 2020.

The $1.54 billion projects will be sponsored by the Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC).

The Kohala Hydroelectric Power Project which will be built on Jhelum River is roughly 7 km upstream of Azad Pattan Bridge in the Sudhanoti District of and 90 km from Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan.

The project expected to be completed by the year 2026 will be sponsored by Three Gorges Corporation, Finance Corporation (IFC) and Silk Road Fund.

What really irks locals is high Chinese presence in the area, massive construction of dams, and river diversions threatening their very existence.

Pakistan and China are jointly plundering the natural resources of and Gilgit Baltistan in the wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The resentment in the occupied territories are high against Pakistan and China.
The Los Alamos Monitor will print its last edition on Aug. 30, ending a 57-year history of covering the goings-on of Los Alamos County.

Landmark Community Newspapers, the Kentucky-based owners of the Monitor, informed the papers four staff members about the closure three days before announcing the decision publicly on Monday.

The Monitor, the only paid circulation newspaper in Los Alamos County, had been operating as a daily newspaper until 2015 when it went to three editions per week. It started publishing just twice a week in March.

Two other news organizations, the Los Alamos Daily Post and Los Alamos Reporter, will remain in the area.

The Monitor was founded in 1963 and soon became a daily newspaper in the region with its own printing press.

In an article published in the Monitor, the paper stated the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated money problems the Monitor had faced for years.

We are proud of the hard work our staff has put into producing a quality newspaper over the years, even in the most difficult of times, Landmark President Mike Abernathy said. Unfortunately, their efforts were not enough to overcome the economic challenges we faced.

Jan Montoya, who runs advertising for the Monitor, said none of the staff members could speak about the closure Monday.

The press will remain operational to print the Monitors sister paper, the Las Vegas Optic, until the building is purchased.

The pandemic has stressed the finances of many local news organizations. At least 50 local newsrooms have shut down since the pandemic started, according to Poynter Institute.

The newspapers announcement comes on the heels of news that Los Alamos community radio station KRSN would close Aug. 30. It had been in operation since 1945.
US President has appreciated for listening to his request to release an American pastor who was arrested last October on charges of carrying USD 40,000 of undeclared currency.

Tennessee pastor Bryan Nerren, who was released by after intervention from Trump this May, attended a round table with the President in the Oval Office of the White House along with several other American citizens who were released from overseas abductions and detentions.

responded very well to my request. Appreciate that, Trump said as he appeared in a taped meeting with a group of US citizens who were abducted or detained overseas and the Trump Administration helped them to return home.

The taped roundtable was broadcast during the first night of the four-day Republican Convention on Monday.

In his brief remarks, Nerren explained that he had been arrested by the Indian officials while travelling in the country.

Nerren from the International House of Prayer Ministries was arrested in Bagdogra, West Bengal last October on charges of travelling with USD 40,000 of undeclared currency.

Among others who appeared along with Trump were Michael White, a US Navy veteran who was arrested in July 2018 while visiting his girlfriend in Iran and Sam Goodwin, a world traveller who entered northern Syria from Iraq on May 25, 2019 and was taken into custody for failure to have a visa.

Others who appeared on the video were Andrew Brunson, a pastor, accused of being part of a terrorist group, the Gulen movement, and was arrested on October 7, 2016, by Turkey and Joshua and Tamara Holt, arrested in Venezuela shortly after their wedding and accused of stockpiling weapons.

Each of them briefly recounted their stories and thanked President Trump for his efforts to secure their freedom.

Trump's intervention to release Pastor Nerren came after Christian leaders from Tennessee and US lawmakers mounted a campaign for his release with both India and his administration.

In February, Rhonda J Nerren wrote a letter to Trump seeking the release of her husband Pastor Nerren. The president is believed to have taken up the issue during his visit to India in February.

Nerren was arrested in October 2019 and charged with violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act for travelling with USD 40,000 of undeclared currency. On October 11, he was released on bail.

On December 31, 2019, Indian Customs issued a show cause order confiscating the USD 40,000 and imposing a penalty of Rs 3 lakh (roughly USD 4,000).

In January, Nerren surrendered the entire amount and paid the fine.

On May 15, 2020, after months of diplomatic efforts, Nerren was released and allowed to return home.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Moderator of the Global Evangelical Church (GEC), the Right Rev. Dr. Setorwu Ofori, has entreated pastors to desist from imposing their political beliefs on church members.



Rather, he said, they should present genuine election-related messages to their members, educate and encourage them to participate in electoral processes.



Encourage people to go and vote, but dont be biased in your messages because you have all manner of people from different political parties in your congregations, Rt Rev. Dr. Ofori, said.



The Moderator, who made the appeal at the ordination of 21 reverend ministers of the GEC in Accra last Sunday, also called on the leadership of political parties to be faithful to themselves and the people in their utterances and actions in this years electioneering.



Do not promise Ghanaians what you cannot do and do not say what you have not done, he told politicians, adding that Ghana had always been a peaceful country and so he expected events leading to the December 7 elections to be smooth to promote the peace God has given us.



Ordination



The ordination of the reverend ministers follows two years of practical work in the field of ministry after they had completed their courses in theology and ministry at the Global Theological Seminary.



The new pastors will support the church by effectively serving and discharging their duties in their various capacities as ministers of God.

Rt Rev. Dr. Ofori advised the pastors to portray the character of Christ and be servants of the people as they demonstrated love and care towards everybody in society, regardless of a persons social status or educational level.



Do not associate yourselves with supposedly rich people who you think will enrich you but be pastors to all, he added.



Commendation



The Moderator commended the pastors for heeding Gods call to serve as ministers to shepherd the body of Christ.



He described the work of ministers as noble and charged them to keep their faith and work towards the high calling of salvation.



Preaching the word of salvation is very important because when people receive the Gospel, their hearts change and their attitudes and lives also change positively, he 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.

Featured Video
While the Parliament is often the cynosure of all eyes, state legislatures, unfortunately, seem to gain attention only when a particular state governments survival is in question

The Constitution mandates legislatures to meet, at least, once every six months. Over the next month, most legislatures, including the Parliament, will be convening their sessions, as the six-month interval comes to an end. However, the continuing threat of the pandemic presents a problem of going about business as usual, particularly with regards to physical access to legislatures. While the legislators and legislative staff will still manage to overcome this problem, physical access to legislatures will be restricted, more than usual, for citizens. Technology, particularly, TV broadcasting presents a viable solution.

Legislatures, being elected bodies, are the most representative of institutions in a democracy. They are constitutionally entrusted with the responsibilities to enact legislation, scrutinise executive action, and reflect and represent citizen interests. To effectively essay their representative role, legislatures are therefore required to inform and educate the citizens about their roles, functions, and work, and constantly engage in discussions with them on policies and laws.

The first Global Parliamentary Report, jointly published by the Inter Parliamentary Union and United Nations Development Programme in 2012, examined the evolving relationship between citizens and parliament. The report identified two broad ways in which legislatures could improve their engagement with the public. First, to provide more information and improve public understanding of legislatures, and second, to consult and involve the public more in the work of legislatures.

Since 2006, the Lok Sabha (LS) and later in 2011, Rajya Sabha (RS), have been broadcasting live proceedings through dedicated TV channels. This has contributed to a discernible increase in public interest in parliamentary proceedings, further aided by the parallel rise in the use of smartphones and social media. Very often, we come across video snippets, on YouTube, or through WhatsApp, of a passionate speech made by an MP or an important policy announcement made in the Parliament. The same then sparks an animated debate among people and garners significant attention on social media as well. These channels also air discussions and shows on wide-ranging topics such aspParliamentary affairs, foreign relations, legal issues, history, literature, the environment and culture, among others.

However, despite the successful precedent of LSTV and RSTV, state legislatures have not followed suit. An exception comes in the form of the Kerala Assembly, which launched a dedicated TV channel called Sabha TV on 17 August. The channel aims to telecast the Assembly proceedings and other programmes on the history of the legislature. Sabha TV will initially air through other existing TV channels and will later progress to a full-fledged channel.

Elsewhere, the legislatures of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh broadcast their proceedings through different TV channels, while a few others such as Bihar, and Delhi (Kerala too) webcast their proceedings over the internet. There have also been instances where state legislatures have either introduced limitations (like Karnataka) on or have completely stopped the broadcast of proceedings (like Gujarat).

People's access to legislatures (and information on legislatures) can also take place through media reportage and digital means (through the use of dedicated websites). Most legislatures provide gallery access to journalists when the House is in session. This enables them to report on and inform the public about (i) the proceedings of the House, (ii) the performance of legislators, and (iii) documents, such as, government budgets, questions asked, other reports etc.

However, this gallery access is currently limited to only print and TV journalists. New media (digital/internet news entities) journalists do not enjoy similar levels of access, except in the Lok Sabha. Considering the increasing consumption of news and information via the internet, this lack of physical access to journalists from news portals/websites is a significant barrier to publicising information on the work of legislatures. However, notwithstanding this gap, the current COVID-19 threat limits the viability of this option.

Proactive publication of legislative information and records, particularly through dedicated websites, is yet another way to access legislatures.

While the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha websites are incredible repositories of information, the websites of state Assemblies like Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan among others, are also very well maintained and updated. They publish a wide range of information, such as texts of debates, bills introduced and passed, questions and answers, legislative agenda, and session resume, etc. Many of them, as mentioned before, also offer the option to view proceedings via webcast. On the other hand, websites of assemblies, such as Gujarat or Tamil Nadu, provide only limited information and are often not updated, while those of most North East states are poorly maintained or dont even exist. This is now being addressed through a national programme  National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) Project  that aims to bridge the gap between legislatures across the country and bring all the legislatures together on one web-based platform.

However, as the National Sample Survey of 2018 reports, only 4.4 percent rural households have a computer, as against 14.4 percent in urban areas, while only 14.9 percent rural households have access to the internet as against 42 percent in urban areas. With such a digital divide, in addition to the literacy divide, access to legislative information via websites will be limited to only a small, educated population. Further, with the general rise in India's TV viewership and smartphone usage, and in particular, a 40 percent rise in TV viewership over pre-COVID-19 times, there is no time like the present for state legislatures to open up their proceedings for viewing to the public.

While the Parliament is often the cynosure of all eyes, state legislatures, unfortunately, seem to gain attention only when a particular state governments survival is in question. A case in point being the disproportionate publicity around the floor tests in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh this year, and in Karnataka (in 2019). This public "apathy" towards state legislatures is in part, due to the transparency of information available on the Parliament and the lack thereof on state legislatures.

It is therefore time for state legislatures to embrace openness and further engage with the people. The current COVID-19 crisis, in particular, presents an opportunity for state Assemblies to consider broadcasting its proceedings. While setting up a dedicated TV channel may not be feasible at short notice, legislatures can explore partnerships with other TV networks or proceed with webcasting.

Accessible, accountable and open legislatures allow citizens to meaningfully participate in the legislative process. It can reinforce public confidence in their representative institutions and thus, ensure a robust decision-making process.

The authors are programme officers at PRS Legislative Research, a New Delhi-based research organisation. Views expressed are personal
The first trailer for Francis Lee's lesbian drama Ammonite was released on Tuesday.

Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan transformed into would-be lovers Mary Anning and Charlotte Murchison in the film, and they shared a steamy kiss after their characters' relationship took an unexpected turn.

The plot centres around the famous paleontologist, who becomes involved in a forbidden romance with Saoirse's character after she they are sent to convalesce by the sea together.

Romance: Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan shared a steamy kiss as they played lovers Mary Anning and Charlotte Murchison in the trailer for Ammonite which was released on Tuesday

The trailer opens with Kate's Mary detailing how she came across her first fossil when she was eleven-years-old, seemingly speaking to Saoirse's Charlotte about her life.

Showing Mary hard at work in her shop, she is interrupted by Charlotte's husband Roderick (James McArdle) who wants her to take his partner with her during her trip to the sea to find fossils.

He explains: 'My wife, she hasn't been at all well of late, she suffers from melancholia, I want her to walk the shoreline with you, learn from you.'

Not initially keen to share her work with others, Mary tells him that she's 'not looking for an apprentice' but relents when he pushes for her to do so.

Drama: The plot centres around the famous paleontologist, played by Kate, who becomes involved with Saoirse's character after she is sent to convalesce by the sea

First meeting: While Mary is hard at work in her shop, she is interrupted by Charlotte's husband Roderick (James McArdle) who wants her to take his partner with her during her trip to the sea

Support: Roderick explains that Charlotte 'hasn't been at all well of late, she suffers from melancholia' as he asks: 'I want her to walk the shoreline with you, learn from you'

The pair are seen walking along the shore together, with Charlotte strolling slowly behind Mary as she searches for potential fossils that have been washed up.

Though they initially seem to be tentative around each other, a warm friendship begins to bloom the longer they spend time together.

In electrifying scenes, the chemistry between the pair seems to bloom as Charlotte asks Mary about her drawings of fossils which the latter calls 'cheap tourist fodder'.

Sitting close to her to watch as she draws, Charlotte declares the artwork 'beautiful' as Mary tentatively looks at her.

Together: Not initially keen to share her work with others, Mary tells him that she's 'not looking for an apprentice' but relents when he pushes for her to do so

Growing closer: In electrifying scenes, the chemistry between the pair seems to bloom as Charlotte asks Mary about her drawings of fossils which the latter calls 'cheap tourist fodder'

Small touches: Sitting close to her to watch as she draws, Charlotte declares the artwork 'beautiful' as Mary tentatively looks at her, and in another scene they hold hands

Seemingly coming to terms with her growing feelings for Charlotte, Mary is seen watching her closely as they work together and looks awkward as she catches the other getting dressed.

In another scene, Mary is seen speaking with friend Elizabeth Philpot (Fiona Shaw) who declares that she's happy the pair had 'struck up a friendship together.'

Juxtaposing their romance Charlotte asks Mary what she sees while they work, as the former claims it's 'something' before dismissing it as 'nothing'.

It is then, during a quiet moment together, that the pair share a kiss, with Charlotte reaching out to Mary and cradling her face before things appear to take an even steamier turn.

Romance: It is then, during a quiet moment together, that the pair share a kiss, with Charlotte reaching out to Mary and cradling her face

Steamy: In another scene things appear to take an even steamier turn as Kate is seen wrapping her arms around Saoirse while kneeling before her

Struggle: But things are far from perfect, as Mary later rejects Charlotte after she declares: 'I don't want to go back to the life I had before you'

But things are far from perfect, as Mary later rejects Charlotte after she declares: 'I don't want to go back to the life I had before you.'

To which Mary asks: 'What about my life?'

The trailer then ends on a quiet note as it shows Mary and Charlotte look at each other and smile as they watch the waves crash over the pebbled beach.

During the early stages of development, Ammonite has already faced criticism for a central storyline focusing on a lesbian affair involving Anning and Murchison.

Personal: After Charlotte's declaration, Mary asks: 'What about my life?'

Backlash: During the early stages of development, Ammonite has already faced criticism for a central storyline focusing on a lesbian affair involving Anning and Murchison

Hitting back: Barbara Anning, a distant niece who still lives near the Jurassic Coast where Mary made many discoveries, insisted there was no proof she was ever in a same-sex relationship

Barbara Anning, a distant niece who still lives near the Jurassic Coast where the fossil hunter made many discoveries, insisted there was no proof she was ever in a same-sex relationship.

At the time, she said: 'The lesbian storyline is pure Hollywood as far as I know and there was no suggestion that she was a lesbian at all. That's just what they do I suppose.'

Anning's niece had previously written on an online forum: 'I do not believe there is any evidence to back up portraying her as a gay woman... I believe Mary Anning was abused because she was poor, uneducated and a woman. Is that not enough?'

Experts and fans of her work are also upset, claiming the paleontologist, who never married or had children, was 'interesting enough' without needing her life spiced up for the sake of a film.

Thoughts: Anning's niece had previously written on an online forum: 'I do not believe there is any evidence to back up portraying her as a gay woman'

Unhappy: A fan society dedicated to the fossil finder called Mary Anning Rocks also objected to the plotline, saying 'they didn't have to throw in same-sex affair with her'

Palaeontologist: Anning is known for making major discoveries in Jurassic marine fossil beds in the cliffs at Lyme Regis and Charmouth

A fan society dedicated to the fossil finder called Mary Anning Rocks also objected to the plotline, including Harvard University geologist Bretton Carter, who said: 'I have mixed feelings about this movie.

'Being gay, I'm all about the inclusion of LGBTQ characters, but I feel like Mary Anning is an interesting enough person as she is, they didn't have to throw in same-sex affair with her (as it has no known historical basis).'

In February, Variety reported on the film and said of the backlash: 'Some members of Annings family have publicly protested because they insist her sexuality was never confirmed.

'Director Francis Lee shot back, saying its not hard to imagine she was gay because theres no evidence whatsoever that she was ever in a heterosexual relationship.'

Important discoveries: Anning's work contributed to important changes in scientific thinking about prehistoric life

Sexism: However, due to being a woman, she was prevented form joining the Geological Society of London and did not receive full credit for her findings

Worth the wait: Ammonite is set to be released in the USA on November 13, 2020, it has yet to be given a release date in the UK

Anning is known for making major discoveries in Jurassic marine fossil beds in the cliffs at Lyme Regis and Charmouth.

Her work contributed to important changes in scientific thinking about prehistoric life.

However, due to being a woman, she was prevented form joining the Geological Society of London and did not receive full credit for her findings.

It is also thought she was the inspiration for the 1908 tongue-twister 'She sells seashells on the seashore' by Terry Sullivan.

Ammonite is set to be released in the USA on November 13, 2020, it has yet to be given a release date in the UK.
Boris Johnson is today under mounting pressure to scrap the Government's blanket travel quarantine policy as a group of 80 MPs urged the Prime Minister to back airport testing.

The Future of Aviation Group, which includes 40 Tory MPs, has written to the PM urging him to end the current 14-day self-isolation requirement for people entering the UK from high risk countries.

They believe testing on arrival at airports would enable the quarantine period to be slashed to less than a week as they warned the current approach is harming businesses.

The group said: 'Without testing, we risk not only limiting leisure travel but also damaging our aspirations for a truly global Britain.'

The MPs also argued the 14-day requirement is sending the 'wrong message at the wrong time' to the UK's 'future trading partners', according to The Telegraph.

It came amid reports that Switzerland could be added to the UK's quarantine travel list as soon as this weekend after a surge in coronavirus cases.

Case numbers in Switzerland now stand at 20.7 per 100,000 people - above the Government's threshold of 20 per 100,000 at which countries are added to the 'red list'.

As a result, it is viewed as almost a certainty that all non-essential travel to the country from the UK will be banned in the coming days.

The prospect of ministers adding yet another nation to the 'red list' has prompted renewed demands from furious Tory MPs for the Government to change its 'chaotic' approach to border control.

More than 30 countries across the world already conduct testing at airports and senior Conservative backbenchers want to know why the UK cannot follow suit.

A group of 80 MPs has written to Boris Johnson, pictured today at Appledore Shipyard in Devon, recently saved in a 7m deal, to urge him to end the current quarantine arrangements

There is growing speculation Switzerland will be added to the UK's quarantine list this weekend. Geneva is pictured on August 22

In full: The countries which are not on the UK's quarantine list The Government has imposed quarantine restrictions on numerous countries in recent weeks. Below is the latest list of nations which are still viewed by the UK as safe to travel: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cayman Islands, the ChannelIslands, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, French Polynesia, Gibraltar, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macao, Malaysia, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, St Barthelemy, St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Pierre and Miquelon, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Vatican City State, Vietnam. Advertisement

Decisions on adding counties to the UK's quarantine list have tended to be announced by ministers at the end of the week.

For example, the move to ban travel to Croatia, Austria and Trinidad & Tobago was made public on a Thursday afternoon before coming into effect at 4am on Saturday.

The Times reported that Switzerland is likely to be added to the list this weekend with Scotland having already imposed self-isolation rules on travellers returning from the country.

There are also fears that the Czech Republic and Greece could be banned after they have also recorded a spike in cases.

More than 30 countries - including Germany, Iceland and France - have already introduced airport testing for people arriving from high risk countries.

Tory MPs want the UK to adopt a similar approach so that the blanket quarantine restrictions can be ditched.

They believe the current approach is causing unnecessary damage to the aviation and travel industries.

David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, told The Times: 'The chaos of quarantine has shown that the Government's short-term solution no longer works for the long-term problem of Covid.'

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, echoed a similar sentiment as he said quarantine had 'caused untold chaos and confusion for passengers, whilst dealing a hammer blow to the travel industry'.

Andrew Griffith, Tory MP for Arundel and South Downs, said the current approach risks putting the UK at a 'competitive disadvantage'.

A testing on arrival system, currently being piloted at Heathrow, would see people tested when they go through border control and then tested against three to five days later.

Minister for European Affairs Clement Beaune said yesterday that France will impose reciprocal quarantine restrictions on travel from the UK in the coming days

How do other countries do airport testing and how could the UK's system work? More than 30 countries around the world already have airport testing regimes up and running. The schemes work on the basis of testing people on arrival and then asking them to quarantine for a short period of time until a second test is administered. If both tests are negative then the person is able to leave self-isolation. For example, in Iceland travellers can choose between a 14 day quarantine or a double testing procedure. The testing procedure sees them tested on arrival and then tested again on day five of quarantine. The plan being pushed for the UK would be slightly different to Iceland's in that it would only apply to people coming to Britain from high risk countries - in Iceland the policy applies to all arriving passengers. But the proposed timeframes are similar: A test on arrival followed by a follow up test three to five days later. That would mean reducing quarantine from 14 days to less than a week. Advertisement

Two negative tests would mean people could return to life as normal in under a week.

Ministers have been reluctant to back the move because of fears that the system could miss people who may have only just been infected when they are tested.

The row over airport testing comes after the French government said it will this week impose reciprocal quarantine restrictions on travel from the UK.

Britain added France to its 'red list' of banned countries on August 15 after a spike in coronavirus cases.

All travellers returning from the country to the UK must stay at home for a fortnight and Paris is now poised to impose its own similar restrictions on people heading in the opposite direction.

Minister for European Affairs Clement Beaune yesterday signalled the tit-for-tat action will be set out in the coming days.

'We will have a measure called reciprocity so that our British friends do not close the border in one single way,' he told French TV station France 2, according to comments reported by Reuters.

'For travellers returning from the United Kingdom, there will probably be restrictive measures decided in the next few days by the Prime Minister and by the Defence Council.'
New Delhi, Aug 25 : Bharatiya Janata Party National President JP Nadda is holding a meeting with party General Secretaries here, where the upcoming Bihar elections are likely to be on top of the agenda among other issues, party sources said on Tuesday.

The sources said that macro strategies are likely to be discussed in the meeting at the BJP headquarters here on how to win the Bihar elections, ahead of which the BJP has held virtual addresses as an initial warm-up exercise.

The sources told IANS that two issues the BJP is attaching extreme importance to this time are booth management and caste calculations in India's most caste-sensitive state.

Though it is unclear whether Sushant Singh Rajput's June 14 death will come up for discussion in the meeting or not, the case certainly has a bearing on electoral prospects due to caste implications.

In fact, it were BJP lawmakers like Rupa Ganguly, Nishikant Dubey, Manoj Tewari and Subramanian Swamy who first demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the case, giving the party a headstart.

This weekend, Nadda virtually addressed the state 'karyakarini' on its concluding day, which met to strategise the Bihar elections.

Putting speculation over the Lok Janshakti Party-Janata Dal-United tussle at rest, he said that the National Democratic Alliance will fight the elections together and put up a united front.

Interestingly, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who too was part of that weekend meeting of the Bihar BJP, has been actively engaged by the party for the state polls.

The BJP hopes that since Fadnavis hails from Maharashtra and fought for Sushant's 'cause', it may send the right signal to the voters in Bihar.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh attend the events commemorating the 20th anniversary of the demarcation of the land boundary and the 10th anniversary of the erection of boundary markers on the China-Vietnam border on August 23, 2020.

BEIJING, Aug. 25 -- On August 23, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh attended the events marking the 20th anniversary of the demarcation of the land boundary and the 10th anniversary of the erection of boundary markers between the two countries in Dongxing, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The two foreign ministers jointly inspected the boundary monuments and red-inked the first monument of each side. This activity marked the re-start of offline diplomacy between Chinese and Vietnamese foreign ministers and injected new momentum into bilateral cooperation in the post-COVID era.

In the past twenty years, China and Vietnam have enjoyed close cross-border personnel exchanges and brisk border trade thanks to the joint efforts of both sides. The two countries have built 9 cross-border bridges, 15 cross-border roads and opened 13 pairs of land border ports, registering 8.5 million tons of cargo through the border ports and 23 million entry-exit personnel every year. Vietnam has been Chinas largest border trade partner for many years consecutively with the total trade volume exceeding RMB110 billion. Furthermore, the border guards of both sides have carried out regular joint patrols and jointly cracked down on drug dealing and smuggling, not only effectively curbing various cross-border crimes, but also protecting safety and stability in the border region.

Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the demarcation of the land boundary between China and Vietnam not only pays homage to history, but also manifests the way to the future of bilateral ties. Facts have proven that good-neighborliness is the political guarantee for properly handling sensitive issues, and dialogue and consultation are the right way to resolve bilateral divergences.

China and Vietnam have insisted on settling their land border issue through dialogue and consultation since the normalization of bilateral ties, and have succeeded in peacefully settling the most sensitive issue though there were plenty of bumps during the nine-year-long negotiation. According to Feng Chao, director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian Studies, Shanghai International Studies University, China and Vietnam are staunch neighbors, whose peaceful settlement of border issue has set a good example and demonstrated that there is always a way out as long as the two parties walk toward the same goal in a sincere and practical spirit.

China and Vietnams peaceful settlement of border issue has demonstrated significance in a broader sense. It is by respecting history, facing up to reality and looking to the future that the two countries, through unremitting and concerted efforts, have successfully resolved their land border issue and brought the border region to stability and prosperity.

At the moment, Beijing and Hanoi still have some disagreements on the South China Sea issue, but given their successful resolution of the land border issue, they are believed to have the capability and wisdom to dissolve divergences through consultation and negotiation and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. Feng Chao held that the peaceful settlement of China-Vietnam border issue has reflected Chinas consistent diplomatic principle of good-neighborliness. Such a successful case will help promote Chinas relations with other neighbors.

The successful settlement of China-Vietnam land border issue and the deepening of bilateral relations fully manifest Chinas commitment to dealing with the disputes with relevant countries over territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in peaceful ways, and to pushing for a resolution through dialogue and negotiation with utmost good faith and patience. As a country with the most complicated border issues in the world, China has thoroughly resolved the land border issue with 12 of its 14 land neighbors, making great contributions to regional and world peace, stability and development. Particularly in todays world when international situation is going through continuous and profound changes, reviewing our historical experience in peaceful settlement of disputes and seeking the wisdom to build a new type of international relations characterized by mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation is of special significance.
(Natural News) Vaccines are a highly controversial topic. In one corner, youll find doctors and pharmaceutical companies insisting that they are the only way to prevent certain diseases and that parents who dont vaccinate must not care about their childrens health. On the opposite side of the fence are those who have educated themselves on the many dangers of vaccines and choose to avoid them at all costs. But for all the talk about the connection between vaccines and autism, autoimmune disease and sterility, the more immediate problem of allergic reactions to vaccines is often overlooked.

This is something a British family experienced firsthand when Vikki Simpson of Newbury took her three-year-old daughter Leah to get her MMR booster. She was pleased that Leah didnt cry when the shot was administered, but 15 minutes later, the girl stopped breathing and went limp.

Simpson said: I went to put her down on the floor when she looked up at me with such fear in her eyes and said Mummy in this desperate voice that chilled me to the bone.

She added: I tried to pick her up again, but her body was like a dead weight, her head dropped to the floor and she wasnt responding at all. It was terrifying.

Thankfully, they were still at the doctors office when this happened, and she was able to get help immediately. Her panicked mother watched as the color drained from Leahs face and her eyes rolled to the back of her head; her lips turned blue and her blood pressure and oxygen dropped. A shot of adrenaline turned the situation around, and then the doctor informed her that Leah had a negative reaction to her vaccine.

She was brought by ambulance to the hospital, and paramedics told her that this story could have ended far differently if her mom hadnt still been at the pediatricians office chatting with the receptionist when the reaction set in.

Now, Simpson wants other parents to know that this can happen and wait at the office after getting a shot to make sure theres not a reaction. The shot was actually Leahs second MMR shot; she didnt react to the first one, but the manufacturer had changed since then.

Surprisingly, Simpson still plans to move forward with future routine jabs, although she will have them done in a hospital environment in case something goes wrong.

Bad reactions to vaccines are more common than you think

Bad reactions to vaccines and prescription drugs are one of the top reasons parents bring their kids to the emergency room, according to researchers from the CDC. In a peer-reviewed investigation that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that adverse vaccine reactions made up 17 percent of all adverse drug reactions bringing children aged 5 and under to the ER. Bad reactions to vaccines were the second most common negative drug reaction for kids in this age bracket behind antibiotics. For kids aged 6 to 19, adverse reactions to vaccines made up 3.4 percent of adverse drug reactions that resulted in ER visits, and they were the sixth most common adverse drug reaction in this age group.

Unfortunately, a lot of these cases never come to light because physicians and emergency departments often overlook the passive reporting system set up to track these events, the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System.

Dr. Cammy Benton, a North Carolina family physician, said: Doctors are trained that common reactions are normal rather than potentially pathological. But its important to realize that some children cannot be safely vaccinated.

Although vaccines are dangerous for many reasons, some parents choose to move forward and get the recommended jabs anyway. More doctors need to warn these parents about the possibility of a negative reaction and encourage them to stay at the doctors office afterward to monitor for reactions.

Sources for this article include:

GreenMedInfo.com

GetReading.co.uk
[What to watch for tonight at the Republican National Convention.]

WASHINGTON  In addressing the Republican Party faithful on Tuesday night from one of the worlds holiest cities, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is betting that he has more to gain politically than he would lose by challenging decades of diplomatic decorum.

Mr. Pompeo spoke to the Republican National Convention in a pretaped speech from Jerusalem, with the lights of the Old City and its Jewish, Muslim and Christian shrines visible over his shoulder. It provided him with a vantage point to punch at American adversaries, including Iran and the Islamic State, and to praise one of President Trumps few foreign policy achievements that has received wide and bipartisan support: the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

It also gave him a national platform with Mr. Trumps core supporters  a political base that Mr. Pompeo is courting as he weighs a future presidential campaign.

I have a big job  as Susans husband and Nicks dad, he said by way of introducing himself and his family to viewers.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, on Tuesday, ordered the formation of a new government, the state news agency, SANA reported.

According to a presidential decree, Mr Assad ordered Hussein Arnous, Prime Minister of the previous government, to form a new government.

On June 11, Mr Assad sacked former Prime Minister Emad Khamis and named Arnous, also minister of water resources, as the acting prime minister

Tuesdays decree kept Mr Arnous as the prime minister, tasked with forming a new government.

According to Syrian law, the formation of a new government follows the parliamentary elections, which took place in July.

The decision to form a body of 150 Syrians with equal representation for government, opposition and civil society and tasked with amending and rewriting the nations constitution was made back in January 2018, during the Syrian National Dialogue Congress organised by Russia in Sochi.

However, it was not until October 30, 2019, that the committee could hold its first session.

The committee managed to have two sessions before the end of 2019.

The first was deemed successful, as participants managed to agree on the rules of conduct and hear each others views during initial statements.

The second one, held in late November in a narrower format of 45 members, exposed long-standing differences between the sides.

The government delegation insisted on discussing terrorism issues, as it did during the Geneva talks in previous years.

Meanwhile, the opposition asserted the committee was created, specifically for constitutional matters and proposed to discuss terrorism outside of the body.

As a result, no meaningful sessions took place.

(Xinhua/NAN)
Haftar rejects Sarraj's call for Libya truce as 'media marketing'

Iran Press TV

Monday, 24 August 2020 6:45 AM

Libyan rebels led by renegade general Khalifa Haftar have rejected a ceasefire announcement by the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli.

Ahmed Mismari, a spokesman for Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), told media on Sunday that the ceasefire announced by the government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj "is for media marketing."

Sarraj had on Friday "issued instructions to all military forces to immediately cease fire and all combat operations in all Libyan territories."

"If al-Sarraj wanted a ceasefire, he would have drawn his forces back, not advanced towards our units in the coastal city of Sirte," said Hatar's spokesman.

"There is a military build-up and the transfer of equipment to target our forces in Sirte," said Mismari, pledging a response to any raid on positions of the eastern-based rebels around Sirte and the central district of Jufra.

He did not elaborate on a parallel call for truce issued by the rival Tobruk-based parliament on the same day.

Haftar  who is primarily supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Jordan  launched a military offensive in April 2019 to seize Tripoli and unseat the Government of National Accord (GNA).

The Libyan army, however, prevented the collapse of the Sarraj government with the help of Turkey, reversing many of Haftar's gains near the capital at a later point in the counter-operation and pushing them back as far as Sirte.

Libya was plunged into chaos when a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 toppled longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

The country has since split between rival administrations based in Tobruk and Tripoli, each backed by armed groups and foreign governments.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Indias only Copyright Society representing the authors, composers, and publishers of music, The Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS), announces the implementation of the worlds most advanced operating system for Copyright Societies. With this considerable investment, using cutting edge technology developed by Canadas Dataclef, IPRS will provide the highest level of transparency for its members and licensees. With an authoritative database of millions of musical works and unlimited scalable processing capacity, this robust system will provide the best-in-class monetization capacity for the Society's members.

To provide greater control and transparency to its members, IPRS is launching a portal where every member can edit personal information, access the list of his works, request modifications, submit new registrations, view a detailed royalty tracking and history of royalty payments.

IPRS 2.0 also includes state-of-the-art license administration. Strategic deals with leading brands, digital music services, and OTT players have already opened new revenue for its members: YouTube, Facebook, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, ALTBalaji, or Ola, to name a few. With its scalable system, the Society can accurately process quadrillion lines of data and claim royalties across all broadcast and digital platforms.

While IPRS is collecting royalties for Indian and international repertoire in the Indian market, it also collects royalties for Indian musical works used in overseas markets. This process involves managing various data formats, varied and fluctuating currencies, and intense coordination with Societies across the globe.

IPRS distributed royalties of sixty crores (USD 8M) to its members since the commencement of the lockdown starting from April and set up an emergency relief fund of nearly four crores (USD 535,000) for its members impacted by the pandemic.

Speaking on this milestone, Mr. Javed Akhtar, Chairman of IPRS added: The world as we know it is evolving at a furious pace and our music industry is no different. IPRS 2.0 is a momentous step forward in keeping pace with the changing times and bringing about positive change in our members lives. Our focus is clear and two-fold; on the one hand we want to bring in greater transparency. On the other hand, we want to leave no stone unturned and leverage every opportunity to ensure our members can reap all benefits possible of their hard work and creative acumen. Our aim is to create a more engaged eco-system where we continue to grow and flourish as a community-driven by our shared passion and drive.

Mr. Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS said: Our five-decade journey has been phenomenal, and we feel privileged and honored to offer a new chapter in our collective growth journey to our esteemed members. The new portal will bring in a high level of transparency into our operations where our members can view and check their repertoire at their own convenience. This will help eradicate obvious errors that occur due to bad data, wrong IPs, duplicate submissions, etc. We are confident that with the new technology deployment, we can overcome these challenges and offer better value to our members. Further, IPRS 2.0 also witnesses numerous strategic alliances as we have recently signed up licensing deals with social media channels and OTT platforms like YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Facebook, ALTBalaji and Ola opening new revenue channels for our members. With IPRS 2.0, the journey that began three years back is adding to its list of achievements, the Will to set new benchmarks in the music industry, creating more opportunities for the authors, composers and publishers of music.

Mr. Jeff King, CEO of Dataclef added: As an organization which is dedicated to advancing the efficiencies of rights organizations globally, Dataclef is pleased to have the opportunity to partner with The Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS). India is an expanding market with great potential for the music industry, it is essential that this growth continues to be supported by a strong Collective Society. We are collaboratively working with IPRS to design a more robust platform from which members can transparently and easily access data, align to the vision defined by IPRS. It is great to see a society actively investing in its staff and infrastructure to ultimately empower its members.

After the new Board, elected in March 2017, it made significant changes to its constitution and professional rules, IPRS was granted registration as a Copyright Society in November, 2017 by the Government of India. One year later, IPRS was readmitted as full member by the Paris-based International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies (CISAC), the apex body of 232 Authors' Societies in 121 countries representing more than four million creators. While addressing its General Assembly held at Tokyo the following May 2019, CISACs Chairman called IPRS the fastest-growing Copyright Society in the world". IPRS is currently completing a Development Review by CISAC to certify global best practices in corporate governance, transparency, licensing, collections, and distribution of royalties.

Adding to the above, CISAC Director General Gadi Oron said, I would like to congratulate IPRS on serving the Indian and global music creators community for over half of a century. IPRS has undergone major changes in recent years and its return to the CISAC network in 2019 signaled its successful reform. We are pleased to note the great effort and dedication of IPRS and the societys commitment to meeting international best practices. Although the society suffers from the COVID-19 crisis, like all other societies around the world, its work continues and its efforts to continuously improve its operations are evident. I have no doubt that we will see IPRS reaching new highs in the coming years, and that, turning into its 51st year of operation, it will continue to uphold the highest international standards of governance while working hand in hand with sister societies around the world, for the benefit of creators.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 20:39:43|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, a landmark in the country's reform and opening up drive, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the special economic zone.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited the city twice after assuming the post of the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in 2012.

The following are some highlights of Xi's quotes on reform and opening up during his two Shenzhen trips -- in December 2012 and October 2018 respectively.

-- Reform and opening up is the source of vitality in the development of modern China, "a magic tool" for the Party and the Chinese people to use to keep pace with the times and the only route that must be taken to adhere to and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics.

-- There are no bounds to practice and development, to the emancipation of people's minds, or to reform and opening up.

-- We should adhere to the right direction of reform and opening up, and have the courage to crack the "hard nuts," navigate the uncharted waters, and break through barriers to reform presented by ideological differences and vested interests.

-- The first stop of my investigation trip following the 18th CPC National Congress was Shenzhen. I visit Shenzhen again at the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up to tell the world that China will not stop its pursuit of reform and opening up - not for one moment. China will certainly deliver a bigger miracle that draws worldwide attention.

-- We should stay true to our founding mission of reform and opening up, draw on successful experiences in the past 40 years and raise the quality and level of reform and opening up.

-- People's happiness should be the criteria for evaluating the result of reform. The fruits of reform and opening up should benefit the general public.

-- Reform and opening up has been proved by practice the right path which we must consistently, unswervingly and unremittingly follow. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 00:54:11|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KHARTOUM, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan on Tuesday urged the United States to remove Sudan from its list of states sponsoring terrorism.

Al-Burhan issued the call while receiving U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who is on an one-day visit to Sudan, the sovereign council said in a statement.

The Sudanese leader expressed delight over the progress in the Sudan-U.S. relations after more than 23 years, while Pompeo reiterated that the U.S. supports Sudan's integration into the regional and international surrounding, according to the statement.

Pompeo arrived in Khartoum from Jerusalem on Tuesday as part of a regional tour starting with his visit to Israel, which recently reached a deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to normalize their ties. The UAE has become the third Arab country to establish full diplomatic ties with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan.

Amid reports that Pompeo's visit to Sudan aims to push the country to follow suit by normalizing ties with Israel, Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said on Tuesday that the current Sudanese government has no mandate to normalize ties with Israel.

Hamdok made the remarks during his meeting with Pompeo. He explained that the transitional period in Sudan is led by a broad alliance with a specific agenda to complete the transition process and achieve peace and stability in the country prior to holding fair elections.

The prime minister also urged the U.S. to separate between the process of removing Sudan from the terror list and the issue of normalization with Israel.

Pompeo is the first U.S. secretary of state to visit the African country since the 2005 visit by Condoleezza Rice.

Since the ouster of former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019, the pace of rapprochement between Khartoum and Washington has been accelerating despite many outstanding issues.

The U.S. listed Sudan as one of the countries sponsoring terrorism in 1993 and started imposing economic sanctions on Sudan in 1997.

The U.S. decided in 2017 to lift its economic sanctions on Sudan, but it has refused to remove Sudan from the terror list so far. Enditem
Virus curbs were tightened in the Seoul region last week and were further expanded to the rest of the country on Sunday

South Korea on Tuesday ordered all schools and kindergartens in the greater Seoul region to switch to online classes as authorities battle multiple coronavirus clusters.

The country's "trace, test and treat" approach to curbing the virus has been held up as a global model, but it is now trying to contain several outbreaks, mostly linked to Protestant churches.

South Korea reported 280 new infections on Tuesday, taking the country's total to 17,945.

The numbers are low in global terms but represent the South's 12th consecutive day of triple-digit increases after several weeks with numbers generally in the 30s and 40s.

Most of the new cases have been centred in the greater Seoul region, home to half the country's 52 million people.

Authorities are now scrambling to tighten social distancing rules and said that schools and kindergartens in Seoul, Incheon and neighbouring Gyeonggi province will switch to online classes from Wednesday until September 11.

"The alarming emergence of mass infections since August is turning up as infections of our students and staff members," education minister Yoo Eun-hae told reporters.

Nearly 200 students and school staff had been infected with the virus in the past two weeks, she said.

The only exception is for senior students in their final year of high school, who are due to take crucial university entrance exams in early December.

The South Korean military also bolstered its guidelines, requiring all service members to wear facemasks at all times in public, both indoors and outside.

Training or gatherings of more than two people are also banned unless masks are worn, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Virus curbs were tightened in the Seoul region last week and were further expanded to the rest of the country on Sunday.

The measures include restrictions on large gatherings such as religious services and the closing of nightclubs, karaoke bars and cybercafes.

Authorities have warned of tougher social distancing rules -- which would include closing businesses -- if the number of new cases continues to grow rapidly.

sh/slb/gle
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testifies before Congress in Washington on July 31, 2020. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool/Getty Images)

Fauci Warns Against Rushing Approval of a CCP Virus Vaccine

A top infectious disease expert is warning against approving a CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus vaccine before its ready.

The one thing that you would not want to see with a vaccine is getting an EUA [emergency use authorization] before you have a signal of efficacy, Dr. Anthony Fauci told Reuters.

One of the potential dangers if you prematurely let a vaccine out is that it would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the other vaccines to enroll people in their trial, he added.

Fauci heads the he National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

A number of phase three trials for vaccine candidates are underway or scheduled to start soon.

Johnson & Johnson is planning to enroll 60,000 participants in a trial slated to begin on Sept. 5, according to a clinical trial database updated last week. Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca are also conducting trials on candidates against the virus, which causes a disease known as COVID-19.

AstraZeneca challenged a report on a possible EUA from the Trump administration this week, issuing a statement saying company officials have not discussed such authorization with the U.S. government.

It would be premature to speculate on that possibility, the company said.

Developing a vaccine by the end of the year is among President Donald Trumps second-term priorities, his campaign said this week.

The president hinted at an upcoming announcement on a vaccine, telling reporters at the White House on Sunday: If we went by the speed levels of past administration, wed be two years, three years behind where we are today, and that includes in vaccines that youll be hearing about very soon, very shortly.

Over the weekend, Trump accused the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency tasked with approving vaccines and treatments, of making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics.

Workers at the administration are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd, the day of the presidential election, Trump said.

President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Alex Azar look on as FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn addresses the media during a press conference in James S. Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington on Aug. 23, 2020. (Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

A few days later, Trump announced in a press briefing alongside FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn, the emergency use authorization of convalescent plasma to treat the CCP virus.

I want to thank the FDAall of the people that have been working very hard on this, Trump told reporters.

Were removing unnecessary barriers and delays not by cutting corners, but by marshaling the full power of the federal government, he added.

FDA scientists who reviewed data on the treatment concluded that its is safe and shows promising efficacy, thereby meeting the criteria for an emergency use authorization, Hahn said.

Critics said Hahn played up the potential benefits of the treatment, prompting him to issue a statement Monday calling the criticism entirely justified.

What I should have said better is that the data show a relative risk reduction not an absolute risk reduction, he said.

Hahn said last month that his agency would only greenlight a vaccine that is safe and at least 50 percent effective.

Operation Warp Speed, a federal effort, is aimed at delivering 300 million vaccine doses to Americans by January 2021.

Fauci is among the administration officials who said it may be possible to deliver a vaccine by early next year.

To me, its absolutely paramount that you definitively show that a vaccine is safe and effective, both, Fauci told Reuters. We would hope that nothing interferes with the full demonstration that a vaccine is safe and effective.
The analysis, done in three colon cancer cell lines, is believed to be the first to profile transcriptome-level changes in response to DNA damage across individual cells

Chemotherapy works by attacking rapidly dividing cells within the body. But small pockets of cancer cells can withstand its assault, allowing the cancer eventually to return.

Gaining a better understanding of why some cancer cells survive while others die is critical for making chemotherapy more effective, says Jun Hee Lee, Ph.D., a cancer researcher at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center.

Using a technique called single-cell RNA sequencing, a research team from U-M was able to show for the first time how individual cells within a single population of cancer cells respond differently to the DNA damage caused by chemotherapy. The responses, they found, fall into three groups: activating genes that control cell death, cell division, or stress response, according to findings published in Cell Reports.

"Collectively, we observed that cells with different fates actually had completely distinct sets of activated genes and that these different 'transcriptomic landscapes' dictate the fates of cells after DNA damage from chemotherapy," says Lee, co-senior author of the study and an associate professor of molecular and integrative physiology at Michigan Medicine.

While DNA contains the complete instruction manual for the cell, sequences that are transcribed into RNA tell the story of which genes are switched on or off at a given time -- that is, which sets of individual instructions are being acted upon. The transcriptome is the complete set of these RNA sequences within a given cell.

Applying single-cell techniques

Among scientists, single-cell analysis is frequently compared to a fruit smoothie, Lee notes. Many types of studies measure characteristics or responses across a group of cells -- a mixture of individual players that contribute to a greater whole, like fruit in a smoothie. This can provide useful information, but can also obscure differences between and among the individual contributors -- the cell-level equivalent of the strawberries and blueberries and bananas in the smoothie. Single-cell techniques allow those individual differences to be teased out.

The study analyzed more than 10,000 cells from three colon cancer cell lines. The cells were exposed to the chemotherapy agent fluorouracil, which is commonly used against colon cancer and other types of cancer. Some of the observations were replicated with additional techniques and different chemotherapy drugs.

"Previously, the scientific consensus was that DNA damage leads to a fairly uniform transcriptional response, which leads to different cell fates in a passive way, based on the given levels of gene expression in the cell," Lee says. "In contrast, we found that different DNA damage response genes were often upregulated only in the subset of cells that all share a particular cell fate."

The group is conducting ongoing research to understand what factors that cause some cells have one fate and others to have a different fate.

"If we learn that there's a certain sub-population of cells with specific characteristics that allow them to survive chemotherapy when other cells die, then scientists might look for ways to target those cells specifically," Lee says

Making data available to other researchers

The research team, which was co-led by Hyun Min Kang, Ph.D., an associate professor of biostatistics at the School of Public Health, is also making their data available online for other researchers.

"For instance, other scientists can examine how individual genes are expressed across single cells before and after chemotherapy treatments. and how the specific gene expression is correlated with the chemotherapy dose, or with the expression of other genes," Kang says. "The online tool can also be used by researchers to test new hypotheses and generate new data -- and therefore has the potential to accelerate future research on DNA damage responses."

###

This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01DK102850, R01DK114131, U01HL137182, P30AG024824, P30DK034933, P30DK089503, P30CA046592), the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, U-M's MCubed Initiative, an Organogenesis

Fellowship and an American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Pilot Research Award.

Additional authors on the study include: Sung Rye Park, Leon Friesen, Chun-Seok Cho, Zac Zezhi Zhang, Yu-Chih Chen and Chang H. Kim of U-M; Sim Namkoong of U-M and Kangwon National University, Korea; Euisik Yoon of U-M and Yonsei University, Korea; and Hojoong Kwak of Cornell University.

Paper cited: "Single cell transcriptome analysis of colon cancer cell response to 5-fluorouracil-induced DNA damage," Cell Reports. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108077
There was a mixture of nerves and excitement among parents and pupils at the school gates on Monday morning.

While some parents expressed concern about the safety of their children returning to education, others felt the time was right to get them back in the classrooms.

Among those glad to see schools opening their doors for the first time since March was Angeline Kelly whose daughter Eliza (9) was starting in P6 at Moyle Primary School in Larne.

"I couldn't wait for this day to come and Eliza is equally glad to be back," Angeline said.

"I'm confident that her school has taken all the necessary precautions and I fully trust them.

"The benefits outweigh everything else because if children had stayed at home any longer they would have become even less motivated.

"I could see my own children's motivation slipping further away during lockdown and in terms of home schooling, they were doing less and less as time went on."

But Angeline says she is more concerned for her son Christopher (11) who returns to Larne Grammar School next week.

"He has been out of school since January due to illness and then the lockdown happened.

"He had a viral infection so he's extremely anxious about it all but again I feel sure that he'll be alright," Angeline added.

Expand Close Brendan Gallagher drops his daughter Abigail off at St Clares Primary School PA / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Brendan Gallagher drops his daughter Abigail off at St Clares Primary School

Elsewhere, Brendan Gallagher said he also felt confident about the schools returning as he brought his 11-year-old daughter Abigail to St Clare's Primary School in west Belfast.

"It's been great, the roads are quieter," Brendan said.

"We're excited to get back and feel confident enough (about safety measures).

"We had good communication from the school over the last few weeks so we've known pretty much what has been happening."

Stacey Graham, whose 10-year-old son John was beginning P7 at Forth River Primary School in north Belfast, said no amount of home schooling could replace the learning that takes place in the classroom.

"My daughter Lily, who is going into P4, was actually crying this morning because John got to go to school first," Stacey said.

"She loves the social aspect of it, seeing her friends and meeting people."
KENOSHA, Wis. - Jacob Blake, the Black man shot multiple times by police in Wisconsin, is paralyzed, and it would take a miracle for him to walk again, his familys attorney said Tuesday, while calling for the officer who opened fire to be arrested and others involved to lose their jobs.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 25/8/2020 (512 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Police attempt to push back protesters outside the Kenosha County Courthouse, late Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. Protesters converged on the county courthouse during a second night of clashes after the police shooting of Jacob Blake a day earlier turned Kenosha into the nation's latest flashpoint city in a summer of racial unrest. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

KENOSHA, Wis. - Jacob Blake, the Black man shot multiple times by police in Wisconsin, is paralyzed, and it would "take a miracle" for him to walk again, his familys attorney said Tuesday, while calling for the officer who opened fire to be arrested and others involved to lose their jobs.

The shooting of Blake on Sunday in Kenosha  apparently in the back while three of his children looked on  was captured on cellphone video and ignited new protests over racial injustice in several cities, coming just three months after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police touched off a wider reckoning on race.

Some demonstrations devolved into unrest, including for a third night in Kenosha, where multiple gunshots could be heard in social media posts from at least one neighbourhood where residents and people carrying long guns and other weapons remained in the streets hours after they city's 8 p.m. curfew. Kenosha Police were investigating after videos appeared to show at least two people with gunshot wounds, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Earlier Tuesday, Blake's father spoke alongside other family members and lawyers, telling reporters that police shot his son "seven times, seven times, like he didn't matter."

"But my son matters. Hes a human being and he matters," said Blakes father, who is also named Jacob Blake.

An American flag falls from its pole as police attempt to secure the area after protesters set fire to the department of corrections building, late Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. Protests have erupted following the police shooting of Jacob Blake a day earlier. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The 29-year-old was in surgery Tuesday, said attorney Ben Crump, adding that the bullets severed Blakes spinal cord and shattered his vertebrae. Another attorney said there was also severe damage to organs.

"Its going to take a miracle for Jacob Blake Jr. to ever walk again," Crump said.

The legal team plans to file a civil lawsuit against the police department over the shooting. Police have said little about what happened, other than that they were responding to a domestic dispute. The officers involved have not been named. The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating.

Protesters set fire to an office late Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. Protesters converged on the county courthouse during a second night of clashes after the police shooting of Jacob Blake a day earlier turned Kenosha into the nation's latest flashpoint city in a summer of racial unrest. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Police fired tear gas for a third night Tuesday to disperse protesters who had gathered outside Kenosha's courthouse, where some shook a protective fence and threw water bottles and fireworks at officers lined up behind it. Police then used armoured vehicles and officers with shields pushed back the crowd when protesters ignored warnings to leave a nearby park.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers had called for calm Tuesday, while also declaring a state of emergency under which he doubled the National Guard deployment in Kenosha from 125 to 250. The night before crowds destroyed dozens of buildings and set more than 30 fires in the city's downtown.

"We cannot allow the cycle of systemic racism and injustice to continue," said Evers, who is facing mounting pressure from Republicans over his handling of the unrest. "We also cannot continue going down this path of damage and destruction."

A pedestrian walks past some burned out cars after earlier protests Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. Anger over the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police spilled into the streets of Kenosha for a second night Monday. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Blakes mother, Julia Jackson, said the damage in Kenosha does not reflect what her family wants and that, if her son could see it, he would be "very unpleased."

She said the first thing her son said to her when she saw him was he was sorry.

"He said, I dont want to be a burden on you guys," Jackson said. "'I want to be with my children, and I dont think Ill walk again."

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, firefighters put out flames at a business that was burned during protests overnight, in Kenosha, Wis. The unrest was in reaction to the shooting of Jacob Blake by a Kenosha Police. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Three of the younger Blake's sons  aged 3, 5 and 8  were in the car at the time of the shooting, Crump said. It was the 8-year-old's birthday, he added.

The man who said he made the cellphone video of the shooting, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, "Drop the knife! Drop the knife!" before the gunfire erupted. He said he didnt see a knife in Blakes hands.

In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns drawn and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire. Seven shots can be heard, though it isnt clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired.

In this September 2019 selfie photo taken in Evanston, Ill., Adria-Joi Watkins poses with her second cousin Jacob Blake. He is recovering from being shot multiple times by Kenosha police on Aug. 23. (Courtesy Adria-Joi Watkins via AP)

Blake's father told the Chicago Sun-Times that his son had eight holes in his body.

Anger over the shooting has spilled into the streets of Kenosha and other cities, including Los Angeles, Wisconsin's capital of Madison and in Minneapolis, the epicenter of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer following Floyd's death.

Hundreds of people again defied curfew Tuesday in Kenosha, where destruction marred protests the previous night as fires were set and businesses vandalized. There were 34 fires associated with that unrest, with 30 businesses destroyed or damaged along with an unknown number of residences, Kenosha Fire Chief Charles Leipzig told the Kenosha News.

Charred vehicles sit in a lot following a night of unrest, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis. Anger over the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police spilled into the streets of Kenosha for a second night Monday. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

"Nobody deserves this," said Pat Oertle, owner of Computer Adventure, surveying the damage on Tuesday. Computers were stolen, and the store was "destroyed," she said.

"This accomplishes nothing," Oertle said. "This is not justice that theyre looking for."

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, both Republicans, called on the governor to do more to quell the unrest. Steil said he would request federal assistance if necessary.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

People gather Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020 to protest in Kenosha, Wis. Anger over the Sunday shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police spilled into the streets for a third night. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Evers continued to call for protesters to be peaceful.

"Please do not allow the actions of a few distract us from the work we must do together to demand justice, equity, and accountability," he said.

Blake's family also called for calm.

"I really ask you and encourage everyone in Wisconsin and abroad to take a moment and examine your hearts," Blake's mother said. "Do Jacob justice on this level and examine your hearts. ... As I pray for my sons healing physically, emotionally and spiritually, I also have been praying even before this for the healing of our country."

___

Bauer reported from Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press reporters Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin, Jeff Baenen in Minneapolis, Aaron Morrison in New York, and Tammy Webber in Fenton, Michigan, contributed.
With no shortage of questions and opinions about police spending coming to the Winston-Salem City Council this spring and summer, people will get to ask more questions on Monday and get some answers, too.

At least that's what North Ward Council Member D.D. Adams is hoping as she plans for a virtual committee meeting on Monday about police spending.

"During the municipal government process, when we do the budget, we never really go through the budget line item by line item with the citizens," Adams said. "During this meeting, people can go through the police budget and ask questions."

Adams chairs a city council committee called Community Development/Housing/General Government, a mouthful that sometimes gets shortened to just general government. That's the committee that will host Monday's special meeting.

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. on the Zoom platform and last for about two hours, Adams said. People will be limited to questions or comments lasting about a minute each, in order to maximize the amount of information the city can pass on.

The meeting will include a presentation on the police budget that outlines the various areas of spending.
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Tata Motors share price rose nearly 6 percent intraday on August 25 after the company said it proposed to reduce its debt to near-zero levels.

At the annual general meeting of the Tata Motors on August 25, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the Tata Group, said the company had a net automotive debt of Rs 48,000 crore and was targetting to reduce it to near-zero levels in three years, CNBC-TV18 reported.

The investments in the company had reduced to 50 percent this fiscal, he added.

JLR would be cash-positive this year, while India PV business was being subsidiarised to a new legal entity, Tata Motors CFO

said at the AGM.

The focus of the passenger vehicle business would be entirely on the front-end. It generated highest ever profitability in FY19, which got impacted by COVID-19, he added.

Tata Motors share price was quoting at Rs 127.10, up Rs 5.90, or 4.87 percent on the BSE.

The share touched its 52-week high Rs 201.80 and 52-week low Rs 63.60 on 15 January, 2020 and 24 March, 2020, respectively.

It is trading 37.02 percent below its 52-week high and 99.84 percent above its 52-week low.
STOCKHOLM (AP)  After a year off school to campaign on pressing for tougher action on curbing climate change, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg says she's returning to class.

My gap year from school is over, and it feels so great to finally be back in school again! the 17-year-old said Monday on Instagram next to a photo of herself with a schoolbag on her back and her hands resting on bicycle handles.

In Sweden, high school-level classes are returning to classes this week. It wasn't clear which school Thunberg was attending.

Theteenager shot to fame after starting her solo protests outside Sweden's parliament in Stockholm two years ago on Aug. 20, 2018. Students around the world soon began following her lead, staging regular large protests, and Thunberg was invited to speak to political and business leaders at U.N. conferences and the annual World Economic Forum in Davos.

Last week, she and other young activists held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel regarding the climate.

But the coronavirus outbreak has prevented the Fridays for Future movement that Thunberg inspired from holding its mass rallies in recent months, dampening its public profile. Thunberg was named Time magazine's youngest Person of the Year, and was also nominated for teh Nobel Peace Prize which she did get.

___

Follow APs climate coverage at https://www.apnews.com/Climate
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Willow.ai, an industry-leading next generation artificial intelligence firm with a proprietary AI called Willow, announces that it is strategically partnering with Qube, the leader in all-in-one IT as a System infrastructure solutions, to deliver an optimized enterprise ready end-to-end hardware plus artificial intelligence solution that arrives ready to use immediately.

According to a recent Appen report, nearly 75% of businesses now consider AI critical to their success yet over half of the respondents feel that their company is behind on their AI journey, suggesting a critical gap exists between the strategic need and the ability to execute. "This partnership addresses this gap by combining WillowAI's powerful proprietary artificial intelligence solutions with Qube's single integrated hardware component that enables enterprises to utilize AI right out-of-the-box", explains Brian K. Kennedy, CEO, WillowAI. "We are especially pleased to partner with Qube, our new combined offering will provide rapid organizational transformation through the power of AI at an affordable price."



Qube delivers a complete pre-configured enterprise technology infrastructure," adds Robert Mueller, CEO, Qube, "This partnership will help companies recognize the benefits of AI right away. Businesses will now be able to seamlessly roll out enterprise AI on a highly scalable infrastructure and be one step closer to transforming into their organizations into fully functional intelligent enterprises."

About Willow.ai

Willow.ai provides the next generation of artificial intelligence solutions by creating private customized business neural networks that sync people with AI. Its proprietary pre-trained artificial intelligence solution called Willow fuses advanced intelligence with subject matter experts to develop end-to-end business solutions that empower organizations to rapidly scale revenues, cut costs, automate operations, and optimized results. To learn more, visit www.Willow.ai

About Qube

Qube architects cloud ready industry-specific infrastructures that provide long-term sustained value and ensure optimal synergy of an organization. The company's pre-configured scalable environments adapt to changing requirements and automatically update with new capabilities to ensure secure centralized management. The purpose-built architecture arrives plug and play, dramatically reducing integration costs and implementation time. For more information, please visit www.Qube.tech

Media Contact

WillowAI

855.934.3824

[email protected]

SOURCE Willow.ai

Related Links

http://www.Willow.ai


The governor of Texas has called for the firing of a junior high teacher after an assignment was set based on a cartoon likening police to slave masters and the KKK.

The unnamed teacher tasked eighth grade students at Raymond Cooper Junior High, in Wylie, 30 miles out of Dallas, to write about the offensive cartoon.

An email from the school principal to parents said 'teachers wanted to provide the students with current events to analyze the Bill of Rights.'

Some parents did not have a problem with the lesson, saying it was taken out of context.

One parent told CBS 11 News that the lesson was necessary, because it sparked a 'difficult conversation.'

Students at a junior high school in Wylie, Texas, were set an assignment based on this cartoon

Raymond Cooper Junior High, in Wylie, 30 miles out of Dallas, set the assignment

The row escalated when Joe Gamaldi, vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police, tweeted the cartoon on Thursday.

'This is abhorrent and disgusting, and only further widens the gap between police officers and the youth in our community,' said Gamaldi.

Abbott then tweeted his call for the teacher to be fired.

'A teacher in a Texas public school comparing police officers to the KKK is beyond unacceptable,' he said on Saturday.

'It's the opposite of what must be taught.

'The teacher should be fired. I'm asking the Texas Education Agency to investigate and take action.'

Gamaldi, vice president of the FOP, tweeted that the assignment was 'abhorrent'

Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas, then demanded that the teacher be fired

Wylie school district has apologized.

'Wylie ISD is aware that a junior high social studies lesson taught at one of our schools included political cartoons that have been divisive in our community,' they said in a statement.

'These political cartoons portrayed in this lesson are not part of the district's curriculum resources or documents. The assignment has been removed, and students will not be expected to complete it.

'We will continue to work with our staff to ensure content follows the state curriculum.'

They also tweeted an apology, saying: 'We are sorry for any hurt that may have been caused by a lesson that included political cartoons that reflected negatively on LEOs. We value them and will do better.'
Gionee made the K3 Pro official in China today, and we can't decide what's weirder about it: the fact that it runs Android 9 Pie or the location of its fingerprint sensor.

Let's elaborate. It's 2020, and Google is going to release Android 11 in a few weeks. And yet this phone ships not with last year's Android 10, but Android 9 Pie from 2018, for some reason.

Next - the fingerprint scanner. Look at the image above and try and guess where it's at. If you were thinking it's the bottom right circle in the camera island, you were right. We've seen scanners sort of integrated with camera islands before, but of the elongated variety, and crucially - islands that were centered on the rear. This one is neither.

So that's probably not going to be a very smooth sailing unlocking experience every single time. The design is 'smart', as in yeah, sure, it is cleaner than with a centered sensor outside of the island, but usability-wise, this seems like a huge downside.

Anyway, the phone is powered by MediaTek's Helio P60 chipset (none of that Dimensity 5G action here), paired with 6 or 8GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage.

The screen is a 6.53-inch HD+ 720x1600 IPS panel, with a 13 MP selfie snapper housed inside the teardrop notch. On the rear you get a 16 MP main cam, alongside two other unknown shooters - although we're assuming one is a depth sensor.

The Gionee K3 Pro has a 4,000 mAh battery with 10W charging. Its dimensions are 164.3 x 77.6 x 9.7 mm, and it weighs 205g. Pricing starts at CNY 699 ($101 or 85) for the version with 6GB of RAM, and goes up to CNY 899 ($129 or 110) if you want 8GB. Colors on offer will be Jade Green and Pearl White.

Via
Edison advocated DC (direct current) and Tesla AC (alternating current), two ways of transmitting electricity. You've said this corresponds to their clashing personalities: Edison direct, thrusting, an unstoppable bull; Tesla more elegant and cerebral, dancing back and forth, not moving in a straight line. Was it fun to play this opposition with your old acting partner Hawke? You played his step-father Claudius to Hawke's Hamlet in Almereyda's Hamlet 20 years ago.



It was kind of shocking to realize the calendar rushed by that quickly. I was reminded of how much I loved working with Ethan because he's so available as an actor, so incredibly inventive. He's a creative dynamo. Also up for a laugh if something goes wrong. It's always a good-natured back and forth.

Though Tesla is partly about the inventors heartaches and sorrows  when he met and hired Tesla, Edison's wife had just died  it's also surprisingly funny at times. What was it like to play the scene where Edison and Tesla fight a (fantasy) duel with ice-cream cones?

There were many takes where we started laughing and throwing and misbehaving and acting like children, but we recognized for it to be its most funny and effective, we had to play it absolutely straight. And, you know, let the audience have the fun.

What scene was the most fun for you?

The scene that never happened, at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair [which was electrified by Tesla's AC, not Edison's DC], when Edison acknowledges Tesla's contribution, and that he was on the right track all along, and sort of admits his mistake. He makes him human. Didn't happen in real life, of course, but I liked playing him [in that moment] a lot.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is likely to file an appeal with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Thursday against the suspension of its flight operations to and from EU member countries for six months, according to a media report on Monday.

The EU's decision to suspend PIA flight operations was enforced on July 1 in the wake of a major pilot licences scandal in Pakistan.

The scandal over pilot licences emerged from an investigation into the crash of a PIA plane on May 22 in Karachi that killed 97 people.

The inquiry determined that nearly one-third of Pakistan's pilots cheated on exams but still received licences from the country's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The CAA was tasked by the Supreme Court on July 21 to immediately complete an inquiry against pilots of the national carrier, following revelation by Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan about fake documents of scores of pilots.

Following the probe, 262 pilots were grounded after their flying licences were found to be "dubious".

According to the Dawn newspaper, the appeal has been prepared by the PIA and the authorities concerned and it will be presented to the Aviation Division before lodging it with the EASA.

After the pilot licences scandal came to light and the EASA suspended authorisation of PIA flights to and from the EU member countries, the agency asked the Pakistani authorities to clarify 11 points, safety management system (SMS) being the most important one, the report said quoting sources.

The EASA also asked as to how the Pakistan's CAA had been functioning, how it issued commercial pilot licences to applicants and how the candidates solved their examination papers.

The EASA also asked about the number of aircraft being operated by the national flag carrier and how the airline maintained safety measures.

The appeal to be lodged with the EASA also contained details of major airplane crashes that occurred in Pakistan over the past five years and the safety measures taken by the authorities to prevent such incidents in future, the report said.

The EASA has demanded implementation of the safety management system in the PIA which is acquiring the best system in the world.

The PIA is also planning to add eight to 10 aircraft to its fleet or replace old planes with better and new ones.

The PIA has also been preparing a comprehensive business plan in consultation with international consultants, but it has been temporarily stopped due to the ongoing crisis in the aviation industry which has been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the EASA suspended the PIA flights on July 1, the airline was given an opportunity to voice its opinion on the agency's intentions to suspend the authorisation.

The PIA provided its opinion, but it was declared insufficient by the EASA, the report said.

Following the Karachi plane crash and the initial findings laid down in the preliminary inquiry report showing successive breaches of multiple layers of safety defences in the safety management system, the EASA had expressed concern over the PIA's safety management system which, it said, was not achieving its primary objective.

The scandal had also prompted the US to downgrade the safety rating of Pakistan's aviation system and block the country's airlines from launching air services to America.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in July put Pakistan in category-2 rating, which means airlines from Pakistan can't start new flights to the US.

Also, US airlines can't sell seats on Pakistani flights, a practice called code-sharing that is common among other international airlines.

Currently there are no regular scheduled flights between the US and Pakistan.
President Trump sat down with Andrew Brunson, an American pastor who was arrested while living in Turkey in 2016 as part of a purge carried out by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's regime, during the Republican National Convention on Monday night.

Brunson thanked Trump and his administration for fighting to secure his release. "I think if you hadn't done that, I may still be in Turkey," Brunson said.

Trump appeared proud of the accomplishment and called a Brunson a "very innocent person," but he also made sure not to criticize Erdogan and, in fact, gave his Turkish counterpart some props for helping orchestrate Brunson's return. "To me, President Erdogan was very good," Trump said, adding that he "ultimately, after we had a few conversations, he agreed, so we appreciate that," which puzzled more than a few observers.

"To me, President Erdogan was very good" -- Trump to Pastor Brunson, who was imprisoned by Erdogan's regime pic.twitter.com/1NmyU1tGOo  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 25, 2020

Trumps claim that to me, President Erdogan was very good in reference to Erdogan unjustly holding Pastor Andrew Brunson hostage for two years was, of course, deeply bizarre & baseless, because Erdogan was not very good, at all, to Brunson, because Erdogan sucks.  JERRY DUNLEAVY (@JerryDunleavy) August 25, 2020

More stories from theweek.com

Black Monday for the religious right

Alaska attorney general resigns after sending inappropriate texts to state employee

House Democrat launches investigation into Pompeo's RNC speech


gettyimagesbank



By Kim Bo-eun



Fears are mounting that the Korean economy will slip into a double-dip recession, as its recovery momentum is losing steam fast with the latest resurgence of COVID-19 dampening economic activities here and abroad.



To make matters worse, the country is experiencing an unprecedentedly long monsoon season, which has damaged the agricultural and construction industries.



Experts warn that Korea, which has suffered an economic contraction in the first two quarters, may only see a slight recovery in the third quarter and suffer another dip, resulting in a W-shaped economic recession.



Korea saw its economy contract by 1.3 percent in the first quarter and by 3.3 percent in the second on a quarter-on-quarter basis amid the spread of the coronavirus pandemic both here and abroad. Major indices began improving in July as infection rates came under control.



"If we see a slight rebound in the third quarter, we may see a W-shape recession, and if we are unable to see any rebound in the third quarter this may result in an L-shaped recession," said Standard Chartered Bank Korea Chief Economist Park Chong-hoon.



"Indices for July were not bad, and we have started to see a resurgence in mid-August. August and September will prove to be crucial months," he said.



The resurgence attributed to mass protests Aug. 15 and church gatherings, has dampened the prospects of a V-shaped recovery. Daily cases of new infections have averaged 290 over the past 10 days.





S. Korea reports 280 new coronavirus cases Infections coming from unknown routes spike in Seoul First 'proven' case of COVID-19 reinfection reported in Hong Kong While the impact of the resurgence has yet to be fully seen, the authorities have signaled the economy may be derailed from its forecast growth trajectory.



The Bank of Korea (BOK) earlier predicted Korea's GDP would contract by 0.2 percent this year, based on the premise that the number of COVID-19 patients here reached its highest point in May.



However, at the National Assembly, Monday, BOK Governor Lee Ju-yeol said "We forecast that the recovery of the domestic economy will be weakened," reflecting the resurgence.



"We are seeing signs of COVID-19 spreading here again and as social distancing measures are strengthened accordingly, consumption will be negatively affected."



He said the central bank is not ruling out the possibility that Korea's economy may shrink by more than 1 percent this year.



The BOK earlier estimated Korea's economy to shrink 1.8 percent if the number of COVID-19 infections continued to rise through the third quarter of the year. It is set to present its latest GDP growth forecast Thursday.



The OECD predicted that Korea's economy would contract by 2 percent if a second shock hit the economy due to a resurgence of the coronavirus.



Korea is also set to be affected by the resurgence of COVID-19 in other parts of the world.



"Exports, in particular, are set to be affected as a resurgence of the coronavirus is being seen in other parts of the world," Hyundai Research Institute Deputy Director Joo Won said.



The research institute forecast that exports would drop by 9.2 percent this year, hit by the global economic recession and shrinking external demand. This is a worse contraction than the 5.9 percent predicted in April, year-on-year.



"The possibilities of a resurgence of COVID-19 both here and globally in the upcoming fall and winter months, when the virus is increasingly able to spread, poses an additional burden when the timing of the development of a vaccine is unclear," Joo said.




Swiss bank Credit Suisse said Tuesday that it plans to close 37 branches in its home country as part of an effort to streamline its business, and said that some job cuts are inevitable. Credit Suisse said it expects to implement the changes by the end of this year, reducing the number of branches in Switzerland to 109 from 146.

Some of the reduction will result from merging its Neue Aaargauer Bank subsidiary in northern Aargau canton (state) with the main Credit Suisse business. The bank said that, in just the last two years, there has been a 40 per cent increase in the use of online banking at Credit Suisse, while use of its mobile banking option has more than doubled.

It added that "the COVID-19 crisis has further accelerated these trends" and the number of visits to branches has been falling for years. The company said that "a headcount reduction ... is inevitable" at Neue Aargauer Bank and Credit Suisse itself, but didn't give any figures.

It said that it is in consultation with employee representatives, with the aim of finding jobs inside the bank or elsewhere for as many as possible. Credit Suisse forecast annual cost savings of about 100 million francs ($110 million) starting in 2022.

Also read: Japan's next concern -- running out of credit card numbers amid online shopping boom

Also read: RBI announces special OMO of Rs 20,000 cr on Aug 27, Sept 3
Bernalillo County Clerk Linda Stover should be commended for her efforts to make voting more convenient during this time of pandemic. In stark contrast to the noise emanating from Washington, she is acting decisively to protect the integrity of our elections by providing several safe and secure ways to vote without endangering your health.

Stover will be sending applications for absentee ballots to all registered voters in the county starting on Sept. 14, and the online portal to process requests for absentee ballots will be opening on Aug. 31 at www.NMVote.org.

Absentee voting is a safe way to make your voice heard in our election process, but recently fears of late mail deliveries driven by political interference in the operations of our post office may be giving some voters pause. However, there are several good options to ensure your ballot is counted.

Stover announced that her office will place secure drop boxes at every early voting station and polling place on Election Day, so that voters fearful their ballots may not reach the clerk by end of day on Nov. 3 dont have to use the mail or wait in lines to vote in-person. The drop boxes will be constantly monitored by poll workers. This is the same system used in Colorado and one that was enabled by a new law passed during the recent special session of the Legislature in June.

Citizens must do their part during this election by mailing in their absentee ballots as early as possible, just as the members of our military do when they vote by mail every election, or by voting in-person  socially distant  at one of the 20 early voting centers opening on Oct. 17. Absentee ballots may also be delivered to the county Clerks Office or any of the drop boxes during early voting.

New Mexicans should never have to choose between their health and their right to vote. Thank you to the Bernalillo County Clerks Office for increasing voting access for voters in the county and for protecting our right to safely vote in the election.
Owners of Rincon Catracho Siara Zuniga and Alexis Cano pose for a portrait in front of their restaurant in Atlantic City, N.J., on Thursday, Aug., 20, 2020. The two owners are among the 10 restaurants in Atlantic City competing in the month long empanada challenge. Read more

ATLANTIC CITY  It was always in Alberto Robalinos mind to start his own restaurant. And Atlantic City was the place the former casino chef made it happen.

Robalino named his restaurant, at 2641 Arctic Ave., El Gran Chalan, taking over the space from another Peruvian restaurant called, more simply, El Chalan. Robalino dreams big.

I had to work hard, said Robalino, who spent three years in the Netherlands cooking for the ambassador from Peru before settling in New Jersey, eventually working at the former Revel casino until the day it closed.

Revels loss was Chelseas gain.

In Chelsea, an interior Atlantic City neighborhood sandwiched between the more famous Ducktown (home of the White House Sub Shop) and the spacious beach homes of Lower Chelsea, Robalino has a lot of company in the restaurant business, especially those specializing in Latin American cuisines.

This month, 10 of those restaurants, and the Chelsea neighborhood itself, are getting a burst of attention and business as part of a Best Empanada Challenge, sponsored by the newly formed Chelsea Economic Development Corp. Diners are voting online or via their phones, with QR codes supplied by the restaurants. The winner gets a coveted spot on a billboard high above the Knife and Fork Inn, the granddaddy of Chelsea restaurants.

The idea is shining a light on this great asset in the neighborhood that already exists, said Elizabeth Terenik, executive director of the EDC. Its something simple we can do. We dont have to create it, we just have to call attention to it. All these restaurants are seeing new customers and increased sales.

A list of those restaurants reveals the variety of cuisines being cooked in this .75-square-mile area of Atlantic City, from Annapolis to Texas Avenues, beach to the bay, home to 10,000 residents, 42% of whom identify as Latinx or Hispanic.

The empanadas being cooked for the monthlong challenge are by Mexican, Dominican, Honduran, Colombian, Salvadoran, Puerto Rican, and Peruvian chefs.

Not as well known as the Knife and Fork, located where Atlantic Avenue meets Pacific, these restaurants anchor lesser-traveled corners, transforming pizza places, coffee shops, and a former Vietnamese favorite.

One by one, they have created a restaurant scene independent of the casinos, in a neighborhood also home to many Asian restaurants, not to mention the Irish bar Kellys (now with outside seating), and Atlantic Citys original pizza joint, Tonys Baltimore Grill.

Arctic Avenue in the lead

For the record, the empanadas at El Gran Chalan stand out for one reason: They are baked, not fried, with chicken, olives, raisins, and hard boiled egg inside.

But recently, it was Robalinos Honduran neighbors, Siara Zuniga and Alexis Cano at Rincon Catracho, at 2801 Arctic, in the lead with 25% of an impressive 1,579 votes cast.

Rincon Catrachos empanadas are corn with beef and flour with chicken, served with pickled onions, coleslaw, salsa, and a spicy mayo.

There is also Sabor Salvadoreno, at 3213 Atlantic, now with lush sidewalk seating, where owner Ana Salazar serves four kinds of empanadas, including a dessert plantain empanada with rice pudding filling, and a corn empanada with carrots, potatoes, and string beans. Shes drawing on Mexican and Puerto Rican influences, in addition to her Salvadoran pastelitos.

Theres the long-standing restaurant and bar Mexico, at 3810 Ventnor Ave.; the Boom Food Market, 3601 Ventnor, a midsize grocery store whose bakery makes Colombian empanadas; and Celebrity Corner, a Boardwalk cafe and bar whose Mexican cooks are making empanadas for the challenge. (They are calling it Chismosas Kitchen at Celebrity Corner.)

Theres Queens, a former pizza parlor at 3205 Atlantic Ave. that still has pizza and calzones on the menu but, with owner Oscar Carrizosa in the kitchen, now specializes in Mexican, Dominican, and Peruvian cuisine, and El Patron, 3019 Atlantic Ave., a newer Mexican restaurant and bar known for its lively night scene.

Rounding out the list: Mr. Taco at 3101 Atlantic Ave., another spot with a liquor license, whose chef also cooks at the Boardwalk Loteria; and the Lenox Cafe, another old-time coffee shop where the new owners also offer Dominican food (and empanadas).

Sidewalk ambience

The pandemic has prompted these restaurants to set up outside seating, adding greatly to the neighborhoods ambience, and tempting passersby from other parts of the seaside city and nearby towns of Ventnor, Margate, and Longport.

The empanada kickoff was held in a tent at the Knife & Fork Inn, and area chefs have stopped in for empanadas, including Cookie Till of Steve & Cookies, who sampled the plate of four at Sabor Salvadoreno.

The Chelsea EDC is an arm of the Atlantic City Development Corporation, which built the citys new Stockton University Campus and South Jersey Gas headquarters, both located in Chelsea, at the edge of ODonnell Park, an underutilized neighborhood asset ripe for improvement.

Just because you open a university doesnt mean people start shopping in the stores and eating in the restaurants, Terenik said. I was hired to break down walls.

Terenik said the Chelsea EDC hired local restaurants for a student party last fall, to make sure students realize restaurants were a few blocks from campus.

The empanada challenge was a natural outgrowth. She turned to Mike Lopez, a social media specialist who has transformed his hybrid journalist/public relations brand of A.C. Mike into needed business for many an overlooked place in Atlantic City, and for the city itself, whose neighborhood charms are always ready for more attention.

Lopez has been posting videos since the empanada challenge began, and also helping owners with permits for outside seating and with other logistical barriers.

After a month of escorting firefighters, politicians, restaurateurs, and journalists on Chelsea empanada tours, Lopez says his own experience of empanadas, and of the vibrancy of these neighborhood spots, has only widened. Im Puerto Rican, says Lopez, who also hosts a show on local talk radio station WOND. I grew up with my mom making empanadas.

At Rincon Catracho, Siara Zuniga says the restaurant, which took over the space of longtime Chelsea destination Little Saigon, is selling twice as many empanadas per week as before.

And they are seeing increased business overall, serving platters of meat, soups, and whole red snapper out on sidewalk tables under straw umbrellas, across from the longtime anchor of Arctic and Iowa Avenues: the multicolored Chesters Plants and Flowers.

Zuniga and her husband needed eight months to get all the permits to open a restaurant. She had been cooking out of her home while Cano worked nights as a D.J. I was making lunch for a lot of people, she said. My neighbors know about my food.

When she saw the building for rent, she saw a better life: working together with her husband. I have a lot of customers coming from New York, Virginia, Philadelphia. A lot of them, they call me, I am here.

Terenik says the EDC has sat with owners and helped them with the permitting process to allow outside seating, and with applications for grant money. She has connected them with the Casino Redevelopment Development Authority, which offers various free promotional services, like placing menus on Atlantic City tourism websites, but only if you know to ask.

She is hoping to start a mentor system for these restaurant owners, with owners like Till, and, armed with a 10-year neighborhood plan focusing on housing, health and safety, recreation and economic development, is also eager to find quick solutions.

The other day, she made a note to bring in a local artist to paint a mural (of a Peruvian chalan) on the walls of the courtyard where Robalino is serving his signature whole fish, Lomo Saltado steak dish, roasted chicken, ceviche, and baked empanadas on yellow-table-clothed tables.
FLINT, MI  The Treasure Race app is an updated approach to the typical treasure hunt. The app features the camaraderie of a road rally combined with the ingenuity of a scavenger hunt, some Indiana Jones-esk clues and the chance to win a cash prize, according to its creators.

The newly launched interactive app-based experience, Treasure Race, was designed to engage your team in a multi-day adventure throughout your selected state. Each race will vary in size, duration, and in total number of miles traveled. Bbe prepared for unpredictable circumstances, according to the Treasure Race website.

The first public Treasure Race will be held in Genesee County at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. The Treasure Race team is offering a $5,000 prize for the first-place team and waive the registration fee for this hometown race, according to a Treasure Race press release.

This is where we live, this is where we work. We love Flint and cant wait for our community to be the first to experience a Treasure Race, said the teams COO, Jennifer Wenzlick.

All are welcome to register, and pre-registration is required.

Wenzlick and two other Genesee County natives created the app.

According to the website, each state is divided into five regions with each region containing five clues of differing point value. Teams will independently select the region in which they prefer to start the race; there is no official starting line. Once a region is selected your team will be restricted to that region until all five clues have been answered. A region is considered complete once 20,000 points have been earned.

For detailed information including race rules and registration information, visit here

Related news:

New app allows tipsters to report crimes from mobile devices, online

Flint incubator thats started 29 new businesses gets $325K to continue
Rebecca Schner opened her fair trade gift shop New Lotus Moon in 2018 with the hopes the small store would add a vibrant presence to the Grogans Mill Village shopping center.

Related: Shop small movement aims to boost local businesses in Woodlands area

But, two years later, Schner is now selling what is left of her stock online from her garage after closing the physical location of the shop permanently in April. Now, the storefront sits empty with a new lock on the door and a letter from property management firm The J. Beard Real Estate Company that Schner has not paid rent per the lease agreement and has been locked out of the space.

She said on Friday she was not aware a note was on the door of the business but admitted she left the space months earlier because she was unable to pay rent.

The latest sad twist in her quest to own a thriving small business in The Woodlands, Schner said, is a result of several factors: the abrupt Feb. 15 closure of the Randalls grocery story in the shopping center, which has led to a dramatic decline in customer traffic, as well as the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic which began in early March.

Both were gut punches to Schners business  as well as several others in the center  that were too much to overcome. Then, after not being able to pay rent, she moved out of the space only to learn officials from J. Beard had changed the locks for non-payment of rent.

I have not gotten any kind of communication whatsoever from J. Beard. The last interaction I had was an email from Jennifer Kelley asking to talk about rent arrangements. I replied that I would rather conduct the discussions in writing and that was the last I heard from them. I (moved out) because I knew they were going (force me out), Schner added. I was in communication with them in April when I knew I couldnt pay rent.

Kelley, who works at the J. Beard Real Estate Company as a property manager, said Schner was not evicted and still considered a tenant with a lease.

Fortunes declined

In November of 2019, Schner was preparing like dozens of other businesses for the annual days-after Thanksgiving shopping event, Small Business Saturday. She had high hopes that the Christmas shopping season would be fruitful and plans for a new pub nearby  The Blue Lion Pub would draw more customers to the oldest village shopping center in The Woodlands.

Related: Woodlands business owners in Grogans Mill Shopping Center join forces to save their stores from demise

It started in the beginning of January, I find out Randalls was leaving. Randalls then pulled out and from there, it was COVID and it has been a ghost town over there, Schner said of the Grogans Mill shopping center. I put a sign on the door in March (saying she closed) because I felt it wasnt responsible to be open (with COVID). In April, I communicated with the landlords saying there was no way I could pay rent. I got a form letter (from J. Beard) and it was saying that (tenants) needed to reach out to our insurance companies to try to make loss of small business claims. Every insurance company on the planet said, we didnt plan for this, we dont cover loss of business.

Schner said the whole scenario of events was disappointing and also difficult to fathom.

What was really un-nerving and uncomfortable was they (insurance officials) said I was fully responsible. It was pretty heartless, she added. I sent one more letter (to J. Beard) that I was leaving and that I had fully vacated the premises. I listed off several bullet points why, saying basically that the village center was no longer an adequate for me to conduct business with the removal of the lights, the closing of the conference center and it was not a place that was viable. I felt the longer I hung in, it was only prologing the inevitiable.

Businesses struggling

New Lotus Moon is the first business to close in the Grogans Mill shopping center, however others are also struggling including Body & Brain yoga studio, Brothers Pizza and Chef Chans Chinese Restaurant No. 1.

Once Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered bars closed and prohibited in-person dining, several businesses in the center began to struggle with few to now customers. The Blue Lion Pub opened on Monday, March 9, only to close a week and a half later. Other eateries such as Maine-ly Sandwiches, Chef Chans and Brothers Pizza began to serve onlu to-go orders and do deliveries as possible.

At Body and Brain, owner Maureen Godfrey was forced to radically alter her business model for the popular yoga studio. With no ability to host classes as usual, she began to teach yoga on online. She said her income is at an all-time low and only 10 percent of what it was before the pandemic began.

Ive been teaching online classes since March, Godfrey said. Im doing one on one classes with folks, mostly people I know as regular customers that Ive known a long time. There is little fresh income.

Godfrey admitted she is at least 50 percent behind on her rent from the beginning of the pandemic in March, however she said the officials at the J. Beard propety management team  who run the two wings of the shopping center on behalf of the property owner who lives in Marin County, Calif.  have been very nice and worked with her on her rent payments.

Once I got my small business loan, I paid them some back rent  about 50 percent  (Kelley) said, pay what you can, we want you to stay in business, Godfrey recalls of her positive interactions with the J. Beard staff.

Now, Godfrey said, small business owners like herself and Schner have to adjust to the new realities of COVID-19 and the changes the pandemic have wrought on businesses of all sizes. She also said in hindsight, the closure of the Randalls seems minor compared to how much the coronavirus has affected the shopping center.

(January) was when we thought the only thing bad was the closure of the grocery store, she said. We are in a whole new world now. Ive been changing the business model with new offerings, but it is a slow process but were still working.

Schner, who was the unofficial leader of a business owner coalition formed in late January to try to become more vibrant after Randalls closed, said shes been continuing business online at www.newlotusmoon.com, selling the gifts and other items she had in the store to online shoppers. She also thanked her customers and others who have offered to help pay her rent.

I have such an amazing clientel base. I had people offering to pay my rent, I was like, youre cant do that. but I said no, you cant do that, it would be like putting a Band-aid on a bleeding artery, Schner said. As painful and difficult as it was, I packed things and moved it over to my garage. Im trying to find studio space, but beyond that, Im struggling.

jeff.forward@chron.com
Cyril Bennis with the Tramway Bridge lights

Stratford problematic Tramway Bridge Lights are to be turned off permanently after a series of costly breakdowns finally forced the district council to admit defeat last week.

The lights, which have been beset by problems since their installation in 2010, have cost at least 228,000 in that time, though the council have refused to clarify exactly how much has been spent, with some speculating that the real figure is closer to 300,000.

last Tuesday the district council confirmed that it will no longer continue to throw cash at the lighting scheme and while the lighting strips will remain in the bridge, they will no longer be turned on.

The original system was installed at a cost of 138,000 in 2010 as part of the World Class Stratford initiative, mostly through funding from the regional development agency, Advance West Midlands.

However in 2017 the council spent a further 90,000 to reinstate them after they stopped working.

Due to financial difficulties experienced by the company that originally installed the lights, the council was told it was unlikely they would be able to recoup any of the original 138,000 cost.

There have been further breakdowns since then, and earlier this month the Herald was contacted by a reader to say the lights on the Grade II listed bridge, were once again not working as they should be.

Former Stratford mayor Cyril Bennis, who has long criticised the council for wasting money on the Tramway Bridge lights, is demanding an apology from the authority.

The breakdowns have become a regular occurrence over the years, its clear that these lights were never going to work and now theyve lost the will to light. he said.

I think this all shows the sheer arrogance of the authority, the fact that they have kept shovelling money at this project is beyond belief, we need an apology from Stratford District Council for the way this has been handled, we need a better explanation.

The length is only seventy steps or so, this must be the most expensive piece of lighting in the country.

A spokesperson for Stratford District Council said: Over the years great consideration has been given to the problems that have been experienced with the Tramway Bridge lights. It was always an interesting concept that unfortunately has been unable to be implemented properly due to the lack of sufficiently robust hardware and technology available to cope with the British wet weather.

The time is now right to admit defeat, we tried, but it hasnt worked and we can no longer justify spending further public funds on this. The hardware will stay in the ground for the foreseeable future, representing the old tramway tracks and the electrics will be disconnected.

The Tramway Bridge lighting system was originally intended to enhance the structures appearance at night and create a more secure environment without daylight clutter or visually obtrusive equipment.

Its design was meant to remind people of the Bridges original use and was given the go-ahead by conservation planners at the district council, the Secretary of State and the Environment Agency.
Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2020) - Sona Nanotech Inc. (CSE: SONA), (OTCQB: SNANF) (the "Company"), a developer of rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests, is pleased to announce that its rapid detection COVID-19 antigen test achieved a sensitivity of 84.6% and a specificity of 90.0% in a study across 99 collected clinical patient samples, which included 39 positive samples and 60 negative samples, as determined by RT-PCR testing. The Company is now continuing its submission of data to both the FDA and Health Canada to support their requirements for emergency use authorization approvals.

Darren Rowles, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Sona Nanotech comments, "Rapid, point-of-care, antigen tests can make a significant contribution to reducing the spread of COVID-19 by detecting the presence of the virus, potentially before the onset of symptoms. This achievement is the result of the extraordinary work and dedication by the entire Sona team and our partners."

The Company partnered with the King Fahd Research Center lab at King Abdulaziz University within SaudiVax, a life sciences joint venture between PnuVax Inc. of the United States and UYC Inc. of Saudi Arabia, to deliver the results of the study, which is complemented by previously released in-laboratory, analytical results from both the Company and MRIGlobal in Kansas City. Those latter evaluations determined test sensitivity of 96%, test specificity of 96% and a Limit of Detection ("LOD") of 2.1 x 102 TCID50.Clinical testing protocols are paramount as the CDC advises that proper collection of specimens is the most important step in the laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases, whether the collection be for RT-PCR or rapid antigen tests, as swab application technique can strongly influence results.

Dr. Anwar Hashem, SaudiVax Chief Scientific Officer and the Deputy Director of King Fahd Medical Research Center at King Abdulaziz University commented, "As a leading medical research center, we have conducted clinical evaluation studies on several point-of-care antigen tests and found Sona Nanotech's rapid antigen test to perform by far the best, and we believe it could be a valuable addition to the existing diagnostic solutions needed to combat this pandemic."

The Company's rapid, antigen COVID-19 test utilizes a nasopharyngeal swab and provides a result in 15 minutes without the use of either laboratory equipment or a reader.

The Company cautions that its COVID-19 rapid antigen test is not yet approved by the FDA or other regulatory bodies and will update the market as appropriate. The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 virus (or SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time.

Investor Relations Contact:

Arlen Hansen

604 684 6730 | 1 866 684 6730

arlen@kincommunications.com

About Sona Nanotech Inc.

Sona Nanotech is a nanotechnology life sciences firm that has developed multiple proprietary methods for the manufacture of various types of gold nanoparticles. The principal business carried out and intended to be continued by Sona is the development and application of its proprietary technologies for use in multiplex diagnostic testing platforms that will improve performance over existing tests in the market. Sona Nanotech's gold nanorod particles are CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium) free, eliminating the toxicity risks associated with the use of other gold nanorod technologies in medical applications. It is expected that Sona Nanotech's gold nanotechnologies may be adapted for use in applications, as a safe and effective delivery system for multiple medical treatments, pending the approval of various regulatory boards including Health Canada and the FDA.

About SaudiVax Ltd.

SaudiVax is a leading biotechnology company in the Kingdom and a joint venture of "UYC Inc." of Saudi Arabia and "PnuVax Inc." of the USA. The objective of SaudiVax is to localize biotechnology in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), & the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC). SaudiVax is particularly keen to ensure national health security by supporting the region's pandemic preparedness plans against infectious diseases. In alignment with the SaudiVision 2030, SaudiVax is promoting women employment in the biotechnology sector, and supporting the creation of high-income jobs for highly educated and talented Saudi graduates. SaudiVax is striving to be the 1st local manufacturer for "high demand" biotechnology products, creating a label in Saudi Arabia, and for exporting to the OIC members, to build needed ecosystems covering research, development, education, and training to secure technology and knowledge transfer. SaudiVax is led by Dr. Donald Gerson, Prof. Mazen Hassanain, Eng. Jonas Gerson with a group of elite Saudi scientists' collaborators.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Sona disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62510
In a big blow to local and small businesses, Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to allow Chinese companies to set up their regional offices in Pakistan.

Islamabad [Pakistan], August 25 (ANI): In a big blow to local and small businesses, Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to allow Chinese companies to set up their regional offices in cash-strapped Pakistan, The Dawn reported.



Chinese business houses should establish their regional offices in Pakistan, Khan said on Monday during a meeting with a delegation of 10 leading Chinese firms having business interests in sectors including energy, agriculture, financial sector and communication. The Prime Minister assured the Chinese investors that his government would give highest priority to provision of every possible facilitation to Chinese investors.



The decision comes even as Pakistan continues to battle with a crippling economy, which has been impacted further due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has a large amount of debt piled as a result of taking loans from other nations and international organisations for bailing itself out, but is struggling to pay them off.



Also read: Finance Ministry exempts businesses up to Rs 40 lakh annual turnover from GS

Also read: GST registration through Aadhar authentication: Heres complete guide

Instead of focussing on steps to revive its economy and create more jobs for the locals, the Pakistan government continues to rely on its close ally China for monetary and military support.



The delegation, which participated in the meeting, comprised representatives of Power Construction Corporation of China (Power China), China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), China Gezhouba (Group) Pakistan, China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Company Ltd, China Railway Group Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Machinery Engineering Corporation and China Mobile Pakistan Limited, according to The Dawn.



Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing and Haier CEO Javed Afridi were also present. Minister for Communication Murad Saeed, Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood, chairman of the Board of Investment Atif R. Bokhari, Chairman of the CPEC Authority retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa also attended the meeting.



Recently, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi paid a visit to China, where he discussed bilateral relations and issues of regional and international interests.



The visit was seen as a desperate attempt by Islamabad to secure Beijings support in a bid to prevent itself from being blacklisted in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary meet, which is scheduled to be held in October. The meeting would review the steps taken by Pakistan, currently in grey list, in curbing terror funding. (ANI)

Also read: Bharti Axa general insurance wing to merge with ICICI Lombard
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks to the Republican National Convention. (Associated Press)

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, a potential 2024 GOP presidential candidate, defended President Trump's stewardship of the economy and foreign policy on the opening night of the Republican National Convention.

She slashed at Democratic nominee Joe Biden, a moderate, as beholden to the most liberal wing of his party.

"Their vision for America is socialism. And we know that socialism has failed everywhere," Haley said. "They want to tell Americans how to live, and what to think. They want a government takeover of healthcare. They want to ban fracking and kill millions of jobs.... But President Trump is leading a new era of opportunity."

Since she first won election in 2010 to become South Carolina's governor, Haley has been seen as a rising star in the GOP  one of its most prominent women and a rare person of color in a heavily white party. In June 2015, the mass shooting at a historic African American church in Charleston pushed her into the national spotlight. She joined lawmakers of both parties to call for the removal of the Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds and signed the legislation to do so.

Haley, 48, wove her biography into her speech as she touched upon her family's immigrant background and her experience navigating the aftermath of the shooting.

"Our state came face to face with evil. A white supremacist walked into Mother Emanuel Church during Bible study. Twelve African Americans pulled up a chair and prayed with him for an hour. Then he began to shoot," Haley said. "After that horrific tragedy, we didnt turn against each other. We came together  black and white, Democrat and Republican. Together, we made the hard choices needed to heal  and removed a divisive symbol, peacefully and respectfully."

Haley said the moment should give Americans hope. Unstated was that Trump has spoken out in favor of keeping Confederate flags and monuments in public venues. It's not the first time Haley has contradicted the president.

Story continues

At a convention dominated by speakers who have shown unswerving loyalty to Trump, Haley stands out for having occasionally voiced some mild criticism.

Like many prominent Republicans, Haley tangled with Trump before he became the party's nominee. In the lead-up to the 2016 South Carolina primary, she called on Trump to release his tax returns. In response, Trump tweeted, "The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley!" and Haley responded with the Southern dagger, Bless your heart."

Once Trump became the nominee, however, Haley joined the parade of Republican figures who fell into line behind him. In return, Trump nominated Haley to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

As a member of Trump's Cabinet, Haley largely agreed with Trump on policy, but at times distanced herself.

Most notably after Trump said there were "very fine people on both sides" at the white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017, Haley publicly said she had "had a personal conversation" with Trump about it. In her 2019 memoir she was more explicit, saying she had been "deeply disturbed" by Trump's remarks.

In the memoir, With All Due Respect, Haley also wrote that former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and former White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly tried to recruit her to undermine the president, but that she had refused to do so because he was elected by the American people.

When Haley resigned at the end of 2018, Trump was effusive about her performance.

After she left office, Haley joined the board of Boeing. She resigned this year because she said she opposed the companys request for a $60-billion government bailout. The resignation allowed her to distance herself from a bailout that could prove unpopular with Republican voters in future years.

"I cannot support a move to lean on the federal government for a stimulus or bailout that prioritizes our company over others and relies on taxpayers to guarantee our financial position," she wrote in her resignation letter. "I have long held strong convictions that this is not the role of government."
China's use of technology for religious oppression a 'threat to all of us,' warns Brownback

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Chinas use of high-tech surveillance to oppress and monitor Uighur Muslims is the future of religious oppression that could spread across the world if not stopped by the U.S. and other international players, Sam Brownback, U.S. ambassador at large for International Religious Freedom, has warned.

During a webinar on Chinas Rising Threat to Human Rights hosted by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission on Aug. 21, panelists discussed the religious persecution of Uighur Muslims, a community that resides mostly in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in China, and its implications for the wider religious community.

Brownback said that the tactics used against Uighur Muslims represent the cutting edge of religious persecution." Estimates suggest that as many as 1 million Uighur Muslims have been subject to internment camps in Xinjiang, where they are taught to be secular citizens who will never come against the ruling Communist Party.

Though they live in a remote region, China is employing its most aggressive technology to oppress Uighurs, including sophisticated cameras, facial-recognition technology, and collecting DNA samples, Brownback said.

They've got technology deployed now where they've got surveillance cameras virtually everywhere in the public, he noted. They've collected genetic data on most of the people in the region to where you can be tracked on the internet, they have facial recognition systems. They could now theoretically close all the concentration camps and you would still live in a virtual police state if you were a Uighur in Xinjiang.

China has also given Chen Quanguo, party chairman of the Communist Party in Xinjiang, a vast amount of resources to persecute Uighurs, allowing him to implement a comprehensive surveillance, detention, and indoctrination program in the region, Brownback said.

My great concern is what it does to the Uighur people, but also that these systems will be replicated in other authoritarian regimes around the world, he stressed. And we've got this huge global battle going on between democracy and dictatorships, and dictatorships have been doing pretty well lately, unfortunately. China deploys its money resources very effectively and shrewdly and craftily to get a number of countries, particularly Muslim countries, not to speak up under threat. They will threaten aggressively.

Brownback predicted that China's methods represent the future of religious oppression, adding that eventually, religious minorities are going to be oppressed by a system where they can't live and work in the society if they choose to practice their faith.

They get a low social credit score and then they can't get a ticket to get on the bus or the train, or they can't take their kids to school, or they can't get an apartment because they are identified on the internet, in these technology systems as a religious adherent, he said. And that's what's happening today in Xinjiang to the Uighur Muslims. And that is a threat to all of us. We really need to aggressively push back."

Its the future of the world if we dont stop this. You can look at this [and] say, That's a long way away, it's not my religion, and it's going to be fine. But this stuff is coming if we don't get on and stop it early.

Panelists also touched on the issue of forced labor among the Uighur community, as new research and reports indicate that the party is forcing Uighurs to work in textile factories and other manufacturing roles, tainting supply chains in the U.S.

Nury Turkel, a Uighur American attorney born in Xinjiang and member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, revealed that forced labor has been part of Uighur life for as long as he can remember.

Its one of the methods, one of the vehicles the Chinese used to repress the Uighur religion and Uighur culture, he said. "When you buy anything made in China, if it's a textile cotton product, I think it should be something that gives you pause. As a consumer, please do your due diligence. Please stop at least buying any cotton or textile products coming from China ... this should be something easy to tackle.

He urged the U.S. government to pass the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which was recently supported by the ERLC. The legislation would prohibit goods made with forced labor in Xinjiang or by entities using Uighur labor forcibly transferred from Xinjiang from entering the U.S. market. It also instructs the U.S. government to impose sanctions on foreign individuals who knowingly employ or utilize forced labor of Uighurs or other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang.

Turkel said the conduct by the Chinese government may rise to the level of crimes against humanity.

He identified key elements that define such crimes, according to international law: the act must be part of a widespread systematic attack; the attack must be against a civilian population; and the attack must be launched on discriminatory grounds, including religion and ethnicity.

Brownback said the U.S. should urge its allies to join them in placing sanctions on China, restricting Chinese companies' access to U.S. technology.

These things matter more in concert, he said. I think we need to continue to call it out for what it is taking place ... I hope we continue to sanction more of those companies.
A 36-year-old woman allegedly killed her 19-year-old son with disability and then took her life after her husband, who had tested positive for Covid-19, died in Howrah, West Bengal on Monday.

The police said that the 45-year-old man, a resident of Rajapur, around 40 kilometres west of Kolkata, was suffering from fever over the past one week. On Saturday, he was rushed to Uluberia sub-divisional hospital when his condition deteriorated and he complained of severe breathing trouble.

He died a few hours later. As he was suffering from breathing trouble and had fever his samples were sent for Covid-19 tests. On Monday the reports came and he tested positive for Covid-19. The civic body performed the last rites and we were present at the spot, said the mans father-in-law.

Also read: In Bengal, tribal woman gang-raped over relationship

The woman and his son were also allowed to have a look at the mans body from a distance. After the family returned home, the woman and her son locked themselves in their house. A few hours later when her father, who stays in the same locality, sent a relative to the womans house with some food, there was no response from the house.

The neighbours were informed who broke the window and found that the woman had hanged herself. The son was lying on the floor. The police were soon informed. She had probably strangulated her son before killed herself. We are waiting for the autopsy report, said Soumya Roy, Superintendent of Police, Howrah (rural).

While the man was an employee at a private company, the woman was a housewife.

They could not take the shock and that is why the woman took her life after killing her son, said Milan Halder, a resident.
Police have arrested a man, his wife and an auto-rickshaw driver for snatching a gold chain of a woman (61) at Lokhandwala in Mumbais Andheri (West) on Sunday.

At around 5 pm on Sunday, Jayshree Jain (61) had gone to buy vegetables near Maheshwari Bhavan at Lokhandwala in Andheri (West), when a man came from behind and snatched her gold chain worth Rs 65,500 and then fled in an auto-rickshaw, said Oshiwara police officials, who have registered a first information report (FIR) in the case.

The passersby, who had tried to chase the auto-rickshaw, had taken down the four digits of the vehicles registration number, said the police.

We scanned CCTV (closed circuit TV) camera footage of that area and managed to get the missing digits of the vehicles registration number with the help of the traffic police personnel. Later, we tracked down and arrested the auto-rickshaw driver, Laxman Pujari (35), said Kiran Pawar, assistant police inspector (API), Oshiwara police station.

Pujari gave details about the chain snatchers, Raju Das (31) and Lata Kale (40) , who are husband and wife, respectively. The couple was arrested on Monday evening, Pawar said.

Pujari told the police that he and Kale were waiting in the vehicle, while Das snatched the chain.

All the three accused are residents of Gazdhar Bandh area in Santacruz (West).

Dayanand Bangar, senior police inspector, Oshiwara police station, said, Pujari has seven cases of theft, burglary and chain snatching registered against him at various police stations in Mumbai. However, we have not found any criminal record against Das and Kale until now.

The accused will be produced before a local court later in the day.
With office buildings only able to handle certain capacities, and logistical challenges with elevators and common areas, theres an expectation that new trends will begin to form.

We anticipate an outflow to surrounding suburban markets as a result of the home office trend, said Paul Stewart, practice leader, principal at Avison Young. In downtown high-density, theres a fear factor that is driving people out of the city, which will translate into increased vacancy rates.

One exception is Edmonton, as the city does not rely as heavily on public transit compared to other major Canadian cities. In Vancouver, Avison Young noted an uptick in office leasing activity with tenants, but negotiations are taking longer. McWatters says most Vancouver deals getting done do not yet have a COVID-19 discount.

Across Canada, demand for suburban office space remains low so far and there is a sense that tenants are willing to wait before committing to leases. Flexible leases will become more attractive because people dont want to be stuck in long term commitments, especially as there is lots of rent being paid for in the market for space that isnt being used.

Multi-residential

With the help of government financial aid, rental payment rates have remained high in multi-residential assets, but as those supports end, higher-end rental properties may suffer from increased vacancy. Despite overall strength in the rental market, tenants in urban areas were more likely to request information on abatements or rent relief, says Stewart.
Wisconsin Dells High School Principal Hugh Gaston said staff might be reallocated to teach required core classes, like biology and algebra, to teach a virtual class. In addition, other students would be rescheduled to eliminate double duty depending on the amount of students who signed up for the classes.

This is a balancing act that will be very difficult, Gaston said.

Hands-on classes at the high school level, like ceramics, are also in question if it will happen this year, Gaston said. Middle School Principal Casey Whitehurst said virtual classes at the middle school level are built in to the schedule by the section of the lesson and in-person learning will have teachers rotate to the students to limit contact, except for classes like band.

Spring Hill Elementary School Principal Julie Ennis said students will enter the building by grade level through three different doors close to the classrooms, with a color coded system marked in the parking lot for parents to drop off and pick up their children. Ennis said students will stay in cohorts as a group with teachers for music, band and art coming to the students. Lunch and recess times will be staggered with one grade level eating lunch at a time.

Other business

The board approved to delay its dedication ceremony for the new high school scheduled for Sept. 13 due to COVID-19 concerns. A new date will be determined at a later meeting.

Follow Erica Dynes on Twitter @EDynes_CapNews or contact her at 608-393-5346.
Lloyds of London has named Carey Bond as U.S. head of Claims, a newly created role that stems from the Future at Lloyds strategy.

Based in Greenville, South Carolina, hell be responsible for overseeing U.S. claims processing across the Lloyds market with a goal of improving outcomes and customer experience. His immediate priority will be to provide support for Lloyds customers through the hurricane season. He will also collaborate with London brokers and underwriters on claim services for policyholders in the U.S., Lloyds largest market

Bond brings two decades of claims management experience at several insurance companies. He joins Lloyds from Canal Insurance Co., where he has served as Claims team leader since 2017. Prior to that, he was the director of Claims at Access Corporate Services and served as Corporate Auto Property Damage Manager at American Independent Companies. He also previously served as a regional director at Nationwide Insurance, and a vice president of claims at Travelers.

Bond served in the U.S. Army as a senior military advisor in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. He left the reserves with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2011.

In his new role, Bond will report to Hank Watkins, regional director and president of Lloyds, Americas, and Phil Godwin, Lloyds head of Claims in London.

Topics Claims USA Excess Surplus Lloyd's London
WASHINGTON - A civil rights rally timed to the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s seminal "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered in 1963 from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, is expected to bring thousands of people to the same spot Friday.

Headlined by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who will be joined by King's eldest son, Martin Luther King III, and family members of several men and women who were killed by law enforcement officers, the demonstration will conclude a week of large-scale events in the nation's capital, including days of protests and a fireworks display over the Washington Monument to mark the end of the Republican National Convention.

The Friday march - dubbed the "Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" March on Washington - will take place in the District of Columbia as the region continues to navigate a still-raging coronavirus pandemic.

- - -

What is the purpose of the march, and who will speak?

In June, as large, turbulent protests continued to rock the nation after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, Sharpton announced his intention to lead a march on the nation's capital, calling for criminal justice policy changes and racial equality.

Standing before a crowd at Floyd's funeral, Sharpton said the march would be led by the families that "know the pain" of losing a loved one at the hands of law enforcement officers.

Billed as a commitment to underscore participants' dedication to criminal justice policy changes, the event will also seek to underscore the ideals listed by King more than half a century ago and connect those issues to voter participation in the November election, organizers have said.

The event is being led by Sharpton's National Action Network (NAN) in partnership with the NAACP, the National Urban League, the Hispanic Federation, unions, clergy members and civil rights groups.

Speakers will include relatives of Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner and others killed by police. Anthony Benjamin Crump, a lawyer who represents many of them, will also address the crowd.

- - -

When and where is the march?

Speakers will begin to address the audience at 11 a.m. Friday, but the crowd is expected to begin gathering at the Lincoln Memorial and around the Reflecting Pool about 7 a.m.

After three hours of addresses from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the crowd will begin its march to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in West Potomac Park.

The event will conclude about 3 p.m.

- - -

What do I need to know if I want to attend?

Registration is required for everyone who plans to attend.

Organizers have asked that people arrive early to a marked entrance where stations will be set up to take each attendee's temperature to rule out fever. Each person will receive a neon green wristband and a ticket.

To enter the rally, organizers said, everyone must wear a mask and the wristband. Those who arrive without a mask will be offered one.

Participants cannot leave and reenter the site during the event. Organizers have recommended that attendees bring water and prepare to stand for the duration of the event.

Areas will be cordoned off into sections that run the length of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in an effort to space people out and maintain social distancing. At the time of the march, the groups will be spaced apart to prevent overcrowding.

Limited seating is available for those who cannot stand for the duration of the rally. Anyone in need of wheelchair assistance can contact the NAN's Americans With Disabilities Act coordinator. NAN also has chartered shuttles to take people with disabilities to and from the Foggy Bottom Metro station to the entrance of the Lincoln Memorial.

- - -

Can I watch from home?

The event will be broadcast online in its entirety by the NAACP, which is providing three days of digital programming for those who cannot or do not want to attend in person.

By allowing people from across the country to tune in digitally, NAACP officials have said they hope to reach those who cannot make the trip to D.C. or safely be part of a large crowd.

- - -

What coronavirus safety measures will be in place?

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, has mandated that masks be worn outdoors. No one without a mask will be permitted to enter the rally.

Every attendee will have their temperature taken upon arrival and hand-sanitizing stations and signage reminding participants to maintain a physical distance of about six feet from others will be displayed throughout the event.

This month, the NAN canceled charter buses that were scheduled to bring hundreds of rallygoers from states that have seen elevated caseloads of the novel coronavirus, including Florida, Georgia and Texas.

- - -

Do people from out of town have to quarantine?

On Monday, Bowser updated the list of states from which visitors and residents are required to quarantine for two weeks upon their arrival in D.C.

Those traveling from neighboring Maryland or Virginia are exempt from the order, as are those coming into D.C. for less than 24 hours.

Several rallygoers who were still planning to attend the march despite their home states appearing on the mayor's quarantine list said they intend to stay overnight in Maryland or Virginia and travel into D.C. only for the day - effectively sidestepping the order.

Charter buses from states such as New Jersey and New York, which are not on the mayor's list of states whose residents would trigger a mandatory quarantine, are still scheduled to arrive carrying hundreds of protest participants Friday morning.

- - -

What other protests are happening Friday?

Nearly a dozen other protests are scheduled to take place Friday, although many are complementary or in support of the larger NAN rally. Here are a few to watch:

About 100 people with Vote Common Good, a group of people of faith who object to President Trump's reelection, will gather at 7 a.m. for an eight-mile march for racial justice along the Mount Vernon Trail, beginning at Rivergate City Park in Alexandria, Va. They will walk to Lafayette Square, where the march will conclude and participants will join the NAN rally. Some members of this group have been marching from Charlottesville, Va., for days.

Dozens of Black female motorcyclists will roar into D.C. on Friday under the banner Black Girls Ride, a community and publication led by Porsche Taylor, a longtime motorcycle enthusiast and social justice activist. The women will arrive about 8 a.m. on their bikes, which some have ridden across the country from as far away as California.

Every Case Matters, a group with family members killed by law enforcement officers, will begin the day at the Lincoln Memorial before breaking off on an afternoon march to the Justice Department, where the crowd will rally for a reopening of police shooting cases that may have been closed or thrown out before being heard by a grand jury. Organizers say they expect hundreds of people and hope they can entice others from the NAN march to join them.
After months of protests organized around the refrain defund the police, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden offered up a different slogan.

Most cops are good, the former vice president proclaimed at the Democratic National Convention last week, but the fact is the bad ones have to be identified and prosecuted and out, period.

Just a few days later, a thousand miles apart from each other, police officers shot two Black men in the back, apparently for walking away. Trayford Pellerin, whom police tased before shooting 10 times, died in Lafayette, Louisiana; Jacob Blake, who was shot seven times by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as his children watched, is reportedly paralyzed. The fallout took a familiar shape: Videos emerged, people took to the streets, and protests erupted (sometimes literallyseveral businesses and the Department of Corrections building were set on fire in Kenosha). Police met their critics with tear gas, smoke grenades, and violence. The officers caught on video were placed on leave; investigations are ongoing into both cases.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to the Slatest newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

This calls for an immediate, full and transparent investigation and the officers must be held accountable, Biden said in a statement on Blakes shooting Monday.

It was a reasonable enough reaction, as a reaction. But it underscored Bidensand his partysutter lack of a plan for fixing the American system of policing so these shootings wouldnt happen in the first place.

Bidens approach to policing, as he articulated at the convention, is built on an old and reassuring political clichethat there are good cops and bad ones, and abusive policing can be solved by separating out the bad from the good. The assumption behind this is that the tools and policies that will end police misconduct already exist, and its just a matter of properly applying what we know will work. Body cameras will capture the actions of bad officers who can then, in theory, be investigated and punished. Training programs are designed to make individual officers aware of their own biases so they stop doing racially discriminatory things. Stricter use-of-force policies make it clearer when someone crosses a line, and encourage police to find alternatives to escalating violence. Federal consent decrees can focus on finding what individual police departments are doing wrong and fixing them.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Central to Bidens plan is the concept of community policingthe idea that putting more officers on foot patrol in heavily policed communities will help build trust on both sides. As he wrote in a USA Today op-ed in June:

Ive long been a firm believer in the power of community policinggetting cops out of their cruisers and building relationships with the people and the communities they are there to serve and protect. Thats why Im proposing an additional $300 million to reinvigorate community policing in our country. Every single police department should have the money it needs to institute real reforms like adopting a national use of force standard, buying body cameras and recruiting more diverse police officers.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Community policing is the opposite philosophy of defunding the police; it floods Black and brown neighborhoods with police officers. In its best iteration, which focuses on building relationships, it expands the role of police officers to encompass social work, mental health treatment, and other jobs that defund advocates argue should be handled by specially trained, unarmed professionals.

It wouldnt necessarily hurt to make the police forces that shot Blake and Pellerin sit through more hours of training to help officers learn that unleashing a hail of bullets on people walking away from them is inappropriate. But even if you believe training and policy reforms can fix abuse, adding more police in the name of community policing would just mean even more officers would need to be retrained and reformed.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

As it happens, both Kenosha and Lafayette have already embraced community policing and been paid well for it. Kenosha received a $100,000 grant from the Justice Department to institute community policing in 2018 and, after George Floyd was killed, pledged to increase de-escalation training and build stronger relationships with the community. In 2017, Lafayette received $1.2 million from the DOJ to spend on community policing after creating a new community relations committee.

Its possible a Biden administration would be more discerning with federal funds or would condition the money on certain reforms. But Biden has not yet articulated any standards or benchmarks for what success would look like. And at this point, even Biden could not say with a straight face that police violence is a problem isolated to Kenosha or Lafayette.

Advertisement

The shootings over the weekend were no anomaly. They were embedded in routine policework. Only one out of 100 of the largest city police forces in the United States did not kill someone between January 2013 and December 2019, according to data analysis by Mapping Police Violence, a research collaborative founded by Black Lives Matter organizers. There have only been 12 days this year when police did not kill someone.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The departments that shot Jacob Blake and Trayford Pellerin should be thoroughly scrutinized.* But its also important to recognize that these shootings are not just discrete events by discrete wrongdoers who can easily be isolated and punished. Piecemeal reforms like requiring body cameras or bias trainings simply cant address the enormity of the epidemic were facing. In the years since the Obama administration lavished funding on police departments for community policing, body cameras, and other reforms, the rate of police shootings nationwide has remained steady.

Advertisement

The argument over whether individual cops are good or bad people, whether most cops are good or all cops are bastards, obscures the nature of policing. Its likely that manyeven most!cops are decent people who got into the job to make a difference and support their families. Because defunding police departments has long been a politically toxic proposal even as other public services are cut to the bone, policing has become one of the few remaining middle-class jobs programs.

But the profession of policing is, by definition, violent. Police exist to enforce a social order. Officially, that order is called the lawcatching and separating criminals from law-abiding citizens. But in America, that order has always been organized around keeping Black people and poor people in check, while ignoring other kinds of lawbreakers in corporate boardrooms and white enclaves. As many others have pointed out, modern policing was born out of slave patrols in the South and controlling immigrant workers in the North. Now, the lengths to which law enforcement groups will go to maintain that order are becoming clearer as opposition grows.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Since the resurgence of Black Lives Matter protests began in June, police and their supporters in government all over the country have brazenly manipulated the law against their critics. New York officers ambushed and surrounded the home of a Black Lives Matter activist and disappeared a protester into an unmarked van. Texas police officers have devoted the summer to hunting down protesters, charging them with crimes, and announcing their arrests to the public. Local police in Virginia brought felony charges against the first Black leader of the state Senate shortly before she planned to vote on criminal justice reform legislation, because she attended a protest where a Confederate monument was defaced. When her daughter, a city vice mayor, called for the police chiefs resignation, they brought criminal charges against her, too. Last week, Tennessees governor signed a law turning certain types of protest into felonies that strip people of their voting rights. And all the while, police continually threaten to abandon their jobs if they face further criticism.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

In isolation, each of these actions could be viewed as a symptom of a few rogue officers or a few corrupt departments. Taken together, they start to look a lot like a project to consolidate power and quash dissent.

Advertisement

The increasing boldness of this project will require equally bold antidotes. Patchwork proposals and yet more funding will do nothingeven modest reforms like banning chokeholds are being met with open defiance by police organizations. As long as political leaders insist that problems in policing are exceptional, distinct instances of bad apples, it will be impossible to meaningfully assess how far the rot goes. Calls for investigations dont convince anyone anymore. This is why hundreds of people in the streets want to defund the police. This is why they keep showing up, even as they are tear-gassed and beaten. This is why theyre burning it all down.

After Biden proclaimed that most cops are good, he paused and turned to speak with Gwen Carr, whose son, Eric Garner, was choked to death by police and ignited a movement, to ask her what she thought should be done.

When my son was murdered, there was a big uprising, but then it settled down, she said. We cant let things settle down.
DUBLIN, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Europe Automated Compounding Systems Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Regional Analysis By Product Type; End User, and Country" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Europe automated compounding systems market is expected to reach US$ 182.88 million by 2027 from US$ 111.28 million in 2019. The market is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 6.6% from 2020 to 2027.



The automated compounding systems market is growing primarily due to the growing adoption of chemotherapy and personalized medication and a rising need to minimize medication errors in the European region. Restraining factors, such as high cost and reluctance to adopt automated compounding systems and the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to damage the growth of the market in the coming years. Additionally, the introduction of novel robotic technology automation in compounding systems is likely to increase the growth ofthe market during the forecast period.



Automated compounding system is a device that combines one or more drug solutions to final container for patient administration. This helps avoid medication errors that occur due to a variety of factors such as poor management communication between the physician and pharmacist, critical storage practices in pharmacies, and confusion arising out of the use of similar labels. However, with automated compounding systems, the accuracy as well as efficiency of dispensing compounded products have improved, and it has further reduced the exposure of healthcare professionals to toxic agents.



Medication and dispensing errors are major issues for hospital readmissions across the world. Medication errors can happen by both medical and paramedical personnel at numerous levels of patient care. Hence, multilevel monitoring is compulsory. Automated compounding systems are deliberated to be one of the most qualified solutions to diminish these errors. There are several data on errors in medication committed by nurses. Even in intensive care units (ICUs), where the medical and paramedical personnel are much more expert, the frequency of medication errors is reported to be more than 52.5%.



Various government organizations are working on measures to avoid medication errors and developing methods and systems to overcome these errors in order to provide proper medication to the patients. The successful implementation of automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) and automated dispensing machines (ADMs) in hospitals in the past has led to a significant reduction in the number of dispensing and medication errors in hospitals. Thus, governments in several countries encourage the use of ADMs and ADCs in pharmacies and hospitals to eliminate prescription and distribution errors. This leads to greater acceptance of automation systems for pharmacies.



Thus, to minimize medication and compounding errors, governments in several nations are encouraging the use of automated compounding and medication tools in pharmacies and hospitals. This is considered to be a major factor propelling the growth of automated compounding systems market.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction

1.1 Scope of the Study

1.2 Report Guidance

1.3 Market Segmentation

1.3.1 Europe Automated Compounding Systems Market - By Product Type

1.3.2 Europe Automated Compounding Systems Market- By End User

1.3.3 Europe Automated Compounding Systems Market - By Country



2. Europe Automated Compounding Systems Market - Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology

3.1 Coverage

3.2 Secondary Research

3.3 Primary Research



4. Europe Automated Compounding Systems Market - Market Landscape

4.1 Overview

4.2 PEST Analysis

4.2.1 Automated Compounding Systems Market - Europe PEST Analysis

4.3 Expert Opinion



5. Europe Automated Compounding Systems Market - Key Market Dynamics

5.1 Key Market Drivers

5.1.1 Growing Adoption of Chemotherapy and Personalized Medication

5.1.2 Rising Need to Minimize Medication Errors

5.2 Key Market Restraints

5.2.1 High Cost and Reluctance to Adopt Pharmacy Automation Systems

5.3 Key Market Opportunities

5.3.1 Increasing Awareness in Pharmacists

5.4 Future Trends

5.4.1 Introduction of Novel Robotic Technology Automation in Compounding Systems

5.5 Impact Analysis



6. Automated Compounding Systems Market - Europe Analysis



7. Europe Automated Compounding Systems Market Analysis and Forecasts To 2027 - By Product Type



8. Europe Automated Compounding Systems Market Analysis - By End-User



9. Automated Compounding Systems Market Revenue and Forecasts To 2027 - Geographical Analysis



10. Impact Of COVID-19 Pandemic on Europe Automated Compounding Systems Market



11. COMPANY PROFILES

11.1 Braun Melsungen AG

11.2 Comecer

11.3 Grifols, S.A.

11.4 NewIcon

11.5 Baxter International Inc.



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8451zb

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


KARACHI (PAKISTAN), March 15, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Passengers wearing face masks are seen at a railway station in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi, on March 15, 2020. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 52 on Sunday, w Image Source: IANS News

Islamabad, Aug 25 : The Pakistan government was considering a special financial package for low fee private schools affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a federal minister.

The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister for Federal Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture Shafqat Mahmood in the National Assembly, reports The Express Tribune He said the issue of providing special financial package to schools having low free structure will be discussed with Prime Minister Imran Khan and the schools affected by the coronavirus would hopefully be given financial compensation if approved.

Responding to a calling attention notice moved by legislator Uzma Riaz regarding non-opening of schools in some areas from August, the Minister said the schools could also take benefit from the loan package announced by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for businesses on three per cent to 5 per cent.

He said the SBP would be asked to consider further relaxation for schools.

Mahmood said schools operating in the federal capital have already reduced 20 per cent fee as per the federal government's advice.

He added that the government has also advised provincial governments to follow it and reduce schools fee by 20 per cent adding that schools would hopefully open from September 15.

However, a final decision would be taken after Inter-Provincial Ministers Conference regarding the reopening of educational institutions on September 7, after analysing the present Covid-19 situation of Covid-19 pandemic, Mahmood further said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A team of Ludhiana municipal corporation (MC) was allegedly attacked by locals during an anti-encroachment drive here, an official said on Tuesday.

The team went to demolish an encroachment by a shrine in a public park situated in the Ghoda colony at around 10 pm on Monday late night. Some residents pelted stones at the MC teams and damaged their cars. No one was injured in the incident.

The MC teams managed to demolish most portion of the encroachment, however, the drive was stopped when the team was allegedly attacked by around 70 to 80 residents of the area. The MC officials have submitted a complaint with the office of Commissioner of Police (CP) seeking registration of an FIR against the unidentified accused.

The MC officials had received a complaint against the encroachment by a shrine in the park.

Assistant Town Planner (ATP), Zone B, Sunil Kumar said, The drive was planned during late-night hours to avoid any ruckus. We had also removed most of the illegal structure, but the area residents reached the spot and started pelting stones at us. The team members managed to escape the spot unhurt, but a JCB machine and some cars were badly damaged. A police complaint has been given against unidentified persons.
Police are hunting for a man who wore a coronavirus face mask when he held up a shop in south Belfast

Police are hunting for a man who wore a coronavirus face mask when he held up a shop in south Belfast.

At around 1pm yesterday, it was reported to police that a man had entered an Ormeau Road shop armed with a knife.

He threatened a male member of staff and demanded the contents of the till.

The robber then made off from the shop with cash in the direction of Baroda Street.

The staff member was not injured but left badly shaken.

The man is described as being aged in his 30s, of medium build and 6ft in height. He was wearing a light blue hooded top with a white pattern on it, grey tracksuit bottoms and blue, black and white coloured trainers.

The man was also wearing a blue, disposable face mask during the incident, the PSNI said.

Enquiries are continuing and police would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 960 24/08/20.
CANBERRA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A majority of Australians support banning all international flights to the country and compulsory tracking for COVID-19 patients to prevent the spread of virus, according to a poll.

The Guardian Australia on Tuesday published a survey of more than 1,000 Australians on the country's ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic.

It found that 65 percent of respondents were in favor of closing Australia's borders to all international travelers and returning Australian citizens.

The borders have been closed to international travelers since March but 4,000 citizens and residents are still able to return to the country per week.

The poll also found that 60 percent of respondents would support compulsory tracking bracelets for Australians diagnosed with COVID-19 to ensure they self-isolate.

More than 50 percent said patients should quarantine in dedicated facilities after testing positive rather than their own homes.

As of Tuesday afternoon there had been 25,053 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, and the number of new cases in last 24 hours is 151.

Of the new cases, Victoria confirmed 148 and New South Wales confirmed three new cases.

Another eight people died in Victoria between Monday and Tuesday -- seven of which were linked to aged care facilities, taking the national death toll to 525.

The Guardian poll found that more than 70 percent of respondents agreed that authorities failed to prepare an adequate strategy to deal with COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care facilities.

Seventy-one percent agreed with the statement: "Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which have contributed to the spread of COVID-19."

Despite the rising death toll, 61 percent were positive about Prime Minister Scott Morrison's handling of the crisis.
Burma Japanese FM Discusses Travel Restrictions, Rakhine With Myanmar State Counselor, Army Chief

Myanmar State Counselor and Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi pose for a photo after their meeting in Naypyitaw on Monday. / Myanmar State Counselors Office / Facebook

YANGONJapans Foreign Minister on Monday told his Myanmar counterpart that Japan would fully support Myanmars democratic nation-building efforts by bringing together both the public and private sectors, while in a separate meeting urging the countrys military chief to disclose the procedures and the nature of the punishments imposed on a group of his troops convicted of human rights abuses in Rakhine State.

During Mondays meetings between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyiwho is also foreign ministerand armed forces commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the two sides discussed issues ranging from the need for a free and fair election later this year, reopening the countrys borders to long-term residents and businesspeople, and financial support to help improve conditions in Rakhine State.

In his discussion with the Myanmar State Counselor, Motegi said Japan had decided to provide an additional 30 billion yen (385.25 billion kyats) in emergency budget support and 15 billion yen in ODA (overseas development assistance) loans to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Myanmar in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a recent statement that it had dispatched to Myanmar medical supplies and equipment worth over US$30 million (40.83 billion kyats).

The statement also said both sides agreed to continue discussions on commencing the Residence Track in early September. This will enable long-term residents to travel between the two countries while maintaining the requirement of a 14-day quarantine at home or in another designated place upon arrival.

The two countries also agreed to relax restrictions on the entry of Myanmar technicians and businessmen to Japan under the Business Track program, which will enable business travelers to conduct business activities in limited areas during their 14-day quarantine.

Motegi said Japan would fully support Myanmars own efforts to improve the situation in Rakhine.

He expected the investigation and prosecution of human rights abuses to proceed in a transparent manner based on the recommendations of the Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE).

Motegi stressed the importance of steadily implementing the order on provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), promptly repatriating displaced persons and creating an environment conducive to the repatriation of displaced persons.

More than 700,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar to neighboring Bangladesh since August 2017 to escape military operations that the UN has called a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. The Myanmar military denies these allegations, insisting the crackdown was a response to coordinated attacks on security outposts in Rakhine State by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).

In response to the allegations, the Myanmar government formed the ICOE in 2018 to investigate allegations of human rights violations and related issues following terrorist attacks by ARSA in Rakhine State. In January, the ICOE released a report that includes findings of mass killings and other atrocities against Rohingya Muslims during military clearance operations in Rakhine.

One month after that, the military announced that it would investigate and open court-martial proceedings against soldiers accused of mass killings in northern Rakhine State in 2017, as recommended by the ICOE.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that what the Myanmar government most needed was assistance in strengthening its own capacity to resolve its challenges. She said she appreciated Japans support with capacity building in the security and administrative sectors in Rakhine State.

During his meeting with Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the Japanese foreign minister said he hoped to see progress in military investigations and prosecutions in relation to the incidents in Rakhine State under the Amendment Bill of Defense Services Act submitted to the Assembly of the Union.

He said it was important to disclose the procedures and nature of the punishment to the greatest extent possible.

In July, the Myanmar military received criticism from human rights organizations and legal experts for declining to reveal any details of its recent prosecution of three army personnel for the killing of 19 Rohingya in Gutar Pyin Village during clearance operations by the Myanmar military against ARSA in northern Rakhine State in August 2017.

Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing explained the militarys efforts to solve the Rakhine issue and expressed his intention to continue to work as [head of] the Myanmar Defense Services to solve the problem, according to the statement.

Motegi expressed his strong expectation that a free and fair election would be held with the cooperation of the Defense Services.

Myanmar is scheduled to hold a general election in November.

The senior general said the Defense Services would cooperate in the holding of a free and fair election, according to the statement.

Japan is planning to dispatch an election observer mission led by Yohei Sasakawa, special envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar, which will provide special ink to prevent double voting.

During the meetings between the Myanmar leaders and the Japanese foreign minister, the two sides also exchanged views on the South China Sea and North Korea, and concurred on the need for deeper cooperation between the countries.

Myanmar is the final stop on Motegis tour of four Asia-Pacific countries, which took him to Papua New Guinea and three countries in the Mekong region (Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar) from Thursday to Tuesday. The trip was aimed at exchanging views on concerns and interests such as cooperation on the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific; the situation in the South China Sea, which is an urgent challenge for the international community and the region; and North Korea.

During the trip he also exchanged views on cooperation with Mekong countries to resume cross-border travel, and promoting cooperation on a range of other issues including response measures to COVID-19

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Govt-Imposed Internet Restrictions in Rakhine Could Worsen States COVID-19 Outbreak, Critics Say

NGO Activities Restricted in Myanmars Rakhine State Amid COVID-19 Spike

Suu Kyi Tells Her MPs They Depend on Partys Image
Squaw Valley, a destination and a brand that put the entire Lake Tahoe snow skiing region on the international map when it hosted the 1960 Olympic Winter Games, is Squaw Valley no more.

The owner of the ever expanding, year-round resort now known as Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows said Tuesday it plans to drop the word squaw from its name, calling the term racist and sexist.

We see that our name is something that our neighbors think is offensive to them, Squaw Valley President and COO Ron Cohen said in an interview. In a country that is undergoing a significant reckoning over racial injustice, it is important for us to think deeply about those issues and act on it.

An internal renaming committee will select a new name by next year. The Squaw Valley name will remain until then, owing to the difficulty of overhauling the thousands of places where that name appears, Cohen said. He said the name change had been under discussion on and off for the past 25 years.

The name change was prompted by pushback from local Native American tribes, who have called for the change for years. Particular pressure came from the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, said Victoria Christensen, executive assistant to the tribes chairman.

The connotations associated with the word squaw are particularly troubling for Washoe women, she said, because Squaw Valley was known as the site of rapes and kidnappings.

When white immigrants came, they used to buy and sell Native American women there, Christensen said. That is why they called it Squaw Valley  because thats where men went to get women.

The tribes historical preservation office has been lobbying Placer County officials and business owners to instead use Olympic Valley, which is the name of the post office and unincorporated community at the base of the mountain, Christensen said.

But changing the name on the United States Geological Survey map will require federal action, said Dave Antonucci, a retired Tahoe City civil engineer. Thats one reason the name change on the resort has been such a long time coming.

In an online post, the ski resort acknowledged that the efforts of local tribes helped it decide to finally remove the derogatory term from its property and branding. The name has been in use since 1949.

Having our name be associated with pain and dehumanization is contrary to our goal of making the outdoors a welcoming space for all people, Cohen wrote on the resorts website.

The ski resorts name change is seen as a step forward, but the use of the word squaw remains common throughout the valley, something the Washoe Tribe hopes will change, Christensen said.

Squaw Valley is the latest in a string of high-profile name changes in recent months, including the Washington Football Teams July announcement that it would no longer use the nickname Redskins.

Mounting public pressure has led to a re-evaluation of the way that Indigenous tribes are represented in place names and marketing, said Debra Merskin, a professor at the University of Oregons School of Journalism and Communication who studies media portrayals of marginalized people.

The use of slurs is so commonplace that unless you are in the group that it is used against, you might say, Its no big deal, Merskin said.

However long the name change has been rumored, only lately have members of the skiing community started to acknowledge and accept it.

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.

My initial response was, Oh, cmon, but Ive been convinced that it does have a derogatory and demeaning aspect to it that has to be observed and rectified, said Dale Chamblin, a ski instructor who serves on the board of the Squaw Valley Ski Museum Foundation, another name that will have to be changed. The working title is the Sierra Nevada Olympic and Winter Sports Museum  SNOW for short.

Also expected to follow are the private businesses such as Squaw Valley Electric, Squaw Valley Glass and Squaw Valley Snow Removal, then all the names on the mountain, including the Squaw Peak chairlift.

Even the road name has to change, said Jim Lewis, who splits his time between homes in Orinda and Olympic Valley, and has been a Squaw season-ticket holder since 1969. He is among the old-timers who agree that the term squaw is derogatory and offensive but the name Squaw Valley is not.

Squaw Valley is referring to a place that was honored by having the 1960 Olympics and one of the best ski mountains in the world, KT-22, Lewis said. Squaw is a derogatory reference to female Indians.

According to Antonucci, author of two books on the 1960 Winter Olympics, the name Squaw Valley Ski Area was attached to the resort by its co-founders, Alex Cushing and Wayne Poulsen. They took it from a topographical map where it was first listed in the 19th century. Cushing later added to the lore by branding the resort Squaw Valley USA, as if no other geographic locator were needed.

Antonucci, who also serves on the ski museum board, is comfortable with the name change, and not just because he wont have to retitle either of his books, Snowballs Chance: The Story of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games or The 1960 Winter Olympics.

Having the Olympics there kick-started the whole Western ski industry, Antonucci said. For current generations it will probably always be known as Squaw Valley, but over time the new name will prevail.

Nora Mishanec and Sam Whiting are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: nora.mishanec@hearst.com, swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @nmishanec, @swhitingsf
"I want to put my hand on my son's cheek and kiss him on his forehead, and then I'll be OK. I'll kiss him with my mask. The first thing I want to do is touch my son."  Jacob Blake, Sr.

Jacob Blake, a Black man who was shot multiple times by police in Wisconsin  apparently in the back as he tried to enter a vehicle  was left paralyzed from the waist down and has "eight holes" in his body, says the victim's father (whose name is also Jacob Blake).

From the Associated Press:

The shooting in broad daylight on Sunday by police in Kenosha, captured on cellphone video that quickly spread on social media, ignited new protests over racial injustice in several cities. It comes three months after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police set off demonstrations around the United States and touched off a wider reckoning on race. Blake's father, also named Jacob Blake, told the Chicago Sun-Times in a story published Tuesday that he didn't know if his 29-year-old son's paralysis would be permanent. The older man was traveling from North Carolina to be with his son, who is being treated in a Milwaukee hospital. "I want to put my hand on my son's cheek and kiss him on his forehead, and then I'll be OK," the father told the newspaper. "I'll kiss him with my mask. The first thing I want to do is touch my son." Blake's father said that he learned Sunday night that officers had shot his son eight times and shortly thereafter he watched the video, which appears to show his son being shot in the back.

Read more at AP: Jacob Blake's dad says son left paralyzed by police shooting [By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER and SCOTT BAUER]
Midland County recorded its 11th death from coronavirus, according to Tuesday's state report. The county also added three new cases and one probable case, bringing the pandemic total to 304 confirmed cases, 85 probable cases and 11 deaths.

Also, Central Michigan District Health Department has identified 87 cases (80 confirmed and 7 probable), as of Tuesday morning, related to Central Michigan University students returning to the Mount Pleasant area. Case counts include current students, former students and those living in the community who were identified as being associated with other cases related to return to school.

Health department officials said many of those who tested positive live with several roommates or attended large social gatherings. Mount Pleasant and Union Township are under a health department emergency order that prohibits outside gatherings or events of over 25 people.

CMDHD officials said they aren't aware of anyone living outside of Isabella County attending one of the social gatherings and taking the infection back to their home counties.

The first case associated with the CMU outbreak was on Sunday, Aug. 16, according to the health department. On-campus classes at CMU began Monday, Aug. 17.

Tuesday, Aug. 25 daily numbers

Bay County: 6 cases and one death were added; pandemic total stands at 703 cases, 83 probable, 40 deaths.

Gladwin County: One case was added; pandemic total stands at 68 cases, seven probable, two deaths.

Isabella County: 15 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 312 cases, 42 probable, nine deaths.

Saginaw County: 15 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 2,260 cases, 147 probable, 127 deaths and three probable deaths.

The state on Tuesday added 779 new cases and 20 deaths, six from vital records reviews.

Overall, Michigan is at 98,439 cases and 6,417 deaths.

Testing

The state report shows as of Aug. 25, Midland County has performed 10,263 diagnostic tests and 745 serology (antibodies) tests, totaling 11,008 tests. Gladwin County is listed as having administered 4,011 diagnostic tests and 127 serology (antibodies) tests, totaling 4,138 tests.

Midland County's seven-day rolling positivity rate on Aug. 22 was listed at 1.6%, and low risk of spread. Gladwin County was listed at 0.7% and low risk. The Saginaw region, which includes 12-counties including Midland, Gladwin, Bay and Saginaw counties, was listed at 3.6% and medium risk and Michigan at 3.3%, a medium risk. A positivity rate of less than 3% indicates a lack of community spread, according to Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Department of Health and Human Services chief medical executive.

As of Aug. 24, MidMichigan Health  which covers a 23-county region and has medical centers at seven sites, including Midland  has completed 18,715 tests. Of those, 17,629 were negative, 220 positive and 866 are pending.

Nursing Homes

Brittany Manor in Midland is listed in the state report as having four cumulative cases and one death among residents as of Aug. 24, and five cumulative cases and no deaths among staff. Midland King's Daughters is reporting one cumulative case among staff and Medilodge of Midland is reporting two cumulative cases among staff. The other reporting facility, Stratford Pines, is reporting no cases.

Gladwin Pines Nursing Home is listed as having two cumulative confirmed cases and no deaths among residents as of Aug. 24, and one confirmed case and no deaths among staff. Gladwin Nursing & Rehabilitation Community, the other long-term health facility reporting to the state, is reporting one cumulative confirmed case among residents and three cumulative cases among staff.

Recovered

As of Aug. 20, the Midland County health department website lists 259 recovered cases and 28 hospitalizations since the pandemic start.

The state lists the total recovered at 72,580 cases, as of Aug. 21, which represents COVID-19 confirmed individuals with an onset date on or prior to July 22, according to the state website, mich.gov.

Midland County Health Department data

People younger than 40 make up 57.2% of Midland County cases, confirmed and probable, as of Aug. 20.

Of Midland County's 369 confirmed and probable cases, 79 cases are in 0-19 age range; 74 in 20-29 age range; 58 in 30-39 age range; 53 in 40-49 age range; 50 in 50-59 age range; 22 in 60-69 age range; 19 in 70-79 age range, and 14 in 80+ age range, as of Aug. 20.

Of Midland's 10 deaths, five have been female and five male. One was between the ages of 50-50; three were between ages of 70-79, and six were 80 years and older.

As of Aug. 20, 81.9% of cases have fallen within the 48640 and 48642 (mostly Midland) zip codes. Next highest were 48657 (Sanford) with 7.% of cases and 48618 (Coleman) with 6.2% of cases.

Cases by race, as of Aug. 20: 87.9% were listed as caucasian; 2.3% as Black; 4% as Asian; 1.1% listed as two or more races; and 6% were unknown.

MidMichigan Health statistics

Patient census: MidMichigan Health system is listed as having eight COVID-19 patients, including one COVID-19 patient in ICU, and 68% bed occupancy, as of Aug. 24.

PPE days on hand as of Aug. 24: The health system reported 15-21 days for N95 masks; 0-6 days for surgical masks; 7-14 days for surgical gowns; 21+ days for shields and 7-14 days for gloves.

Recommendations for public

 Socially distance at least 6 feet from non-household members.

 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

 Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

 If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

 Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

 Wear face coverings in public.

 Stay home when sick.

 Covering coughs and sneezes.

 Throw used tissues in the trash right after use.

 Routinely clean frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning wipe or spray.

Where to get help

If you think you've been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your health care provider for medical advice. If he/she isn't available, call MidMichigan Urgent Care in Midland at 989-633-1350 or MidMichigan Medical Center's Emergency Department in Midland at 989-839-3100.

MidMichigan Health has a COVID-19 informational hotline with a reminder of CDC guidelines and recommendations. The hotline can be reached toll-free at 800-445-7356 or 989-794-7600. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also has a hotline number for Michigan residents for questions about COVID-19. The number is 1-888-535-6136 and is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also e-mail COVID19@michigan.gov. E-mails will be answered seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

If you are feeling anxious, stressed, depressed and feel you need to talk to someone, reach out to Community Mental Health for Central Michigan by calling 800-317-0708.
With so many people still working from home, I often receive phone calls from numbers I don't recognise.

So when what looked like a mobile phone number flashed up on my iPhone at around 10am on a Tuesday, I assumed it was a work-related call.

But there was a man with an American accent on the line, claiming to work for PayPal.

Hiding in the shadows: It is difficult to report attempted fraud to PayPal

He said three payments had been marked as fraud on my account, listing a $99.99 Gameshop purchase, $27.99 Target shop and $750 friends and family transfer.

All were supposedly made that morning. 'Did you authorise any of these transactions?' 'No,' I replied, in surprise.

'OK, I understand. We can refund the money to the card that initiated the transactions,' he reassured me. 'We just need to take some personal details.'

Just as I was about to ask what he needed, my brain finally kicked into gear and I told him I wasn't comfortable giving out my details to someone who had called out of the blue.

'One second please,' he said. This was followed by a suspicious silence. 'Miss Bischoff, I understand your opinion but we will have to put a hold on your account to get these cleared, if you understand?'

'That's fine as I don't really use it,' I said. 'And surely you would need to freeze the account while you dealt with this anyway?'

'One second,' he said again. Another silence. 'OK, we will send you an email with the centre's contact details. Have a good day.'

Now I was confused. Was this a tactic to make me more trusting if he called again? When I logged into my PayPal account everything seemed normal, and I didn't receive an email. I called the mobile number back but there was no answer.

Now sure my instinct was correct, it was a good reminder of just how easy it is to get caught out by scammers when your mind is on something else.

What was more worrying was how difficult it was to report the attempted fraud to PayPal.

There didn't appear to be a fraud helpline, so I tried to explain what happened in an online chat box.

A 'PayPal Assistant' responded: 'It looks like you want to report an unauthorised transaction, is that correct?' No, that's not what I said. But before I could try again, another message popped up.

'I found some articles in our Help Centre that might help you. Check them out! If you need more help, please type 'Need more help'.'

None of the suggested articles were close to being relevant, so I typed 'Need more help'.

'All our agents are currently offline. Please try again during business hours,' was the response. It was 6.30pm and PayPal's ' messaging support' was supposedly available until 8pm on weekdays. Why was no one there?

'Our customer service staffing is limited due to coronavirus safety precautions,' the message added.

Ah, of course. The new go-to excuse for why businesses can't possibly provide consumers with basic customer service.

PayPal is a digital payment provider. Surely it has had enough time to work out how to staff a simple online help-centre by now? Firms need to stop treating the pandemic as if it's some sort of Get Out Of Jail Free card.

Cash shame

While we're on the topic of customers being fobbed off, Money Mail reader Samantha Wright, of Wirral, shared a tale of shameful service.

She recently took her 14-year-old niece shopping to buy her mother a birthday card and present. But after saving up her pocket money, her niece was left close to tears after being refused service in Lindt, Clintons and The Perfume Shop because she wanted to pay with cash.

As I have said repeatedly in this column, the World Health Organisation has never advised against using cash. So why are businesses using the virus as an excuse to refuse it?

I would have thought that High Street stores need every customer they can get right now.

If you've been turned away when trying to pay with cash, write to me at the email address below or Money Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London, W8 5TT. v.bischoff@dailymail.co.uk
and held their first meeting of the Coordination Committee for monitoring implementation of mutually agreed projects between and on Monday.

According to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, both countries reviewed the ongoing and planned activities of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

"Both sides comprehensively reviewed the ongoing and planned activities of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, including the status of negotiations for concluding a Bilateral Investment Treaty, Preferential Trade Agreement, mutual market access for agricultural produce of both countries, implementation of identified projects under India's Lines of Credit, cooperation between the state of Gujarat and the Andijan region of Uzbekistan, and the India- Entrepreneurship Development Centre at Tashkent," read the statement.

The Committee was constituted under the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It was held under the co-chairmanship of Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan, Sardor Umurzakov.

Post the meeting, Muraleedharan tweeted, "Co-chaired 1st India-Uzbekistan Coordination Committees meeting with HE Sardor Umurzakov. A fruitful discussion on LoC projects, bilateral trade and investment. Confident that committees' work will further deepen India-Uzbekistan strategic relations."

The MEA further stated that the co-chairs expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in various projects and expressed hope that the expeditious completion of the projects will further strengthen bilateral trade and investment.

After the discussion, Muraleedharan extended an invitation to Umurzakov to visit as per mutual convenience.

(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.)
Bamako, Mali (PAegional NA) - The National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), a military junta that took power last Tuesday in Mali, and the delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have made significant progress after three days of discussions in Bamako, PANA learned from official sources
PM Hichem Mechichi must now win a confidence vote in Parliament or face another election  and more instability.

Tunisias prime minister-designate on Tuesday unveiled the countrys second government in six months, which must now seek approval from legislators incensed by how the administration was formed.

Hichem Mechichi previously declared his intention to form a cabinet dominated by independent technocrats able to present urgent solutions for a country where a sluggish economy has been further battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

The former interior ministers decision to bypass consultations with political factions angered, among others, the powerful Ennahdha party, which has demanded a political government reflecting the balance of forces in Parliament.





But Ennahdha and other parties have also spoken of the need to approve the government to avoid dragging the already crisis-hit country into disruptive early elections.

Mechichi told reporters he had decided to form a new cabinet composed of independent expertise, with only a few outgoing ministers included in the lineup.

Mechichi is an independent who was interior minister in the government of Elyes Fakhfakh. Tunisian President Kais Saied last month appointed Mechichi the new prime minister after Fakhfakh resigned over allegations of a conflict of interest.

Under plans to revamp the government and revive the economy, Mechichi gathered the ministries of finance, investment and economy into a single department led by liberal economist Ali Kooli, CEO of Arab Banking Corporation (ABC Bank) in Tunisia.

Mechichi needs to win a confidence vote in Parliament in the next few days or face the dissolution of Parliament by the president and another election, deepening instability.

200803042230463

Decaying services

Authorities have been struggling to defuse constant protests over widespread unemployment, lack of investment for development, as well as poor healthcare, electricity and water services.

Many Tunisians have grown frustrated since then over economic stagnation, a decline in living standards and decay in public services while political parties often seem more focused on staying in office instead of tackling problems.

Mechichi said earlier this month his government would focus on rescuing public finances and easing social hardships, saying while political turmoil had dragged out, some Tunisians have not found drinking water.

The 46-year-old Mechichi is the third head of government to be appointed since polls last October, which resulted in a parliament divided among deeply antagonistic blocs.

The impasse further hampered a fledgeling democracy  ushered in by a revolution 10 years ago  that has since struggled with regional inequalities and the coronavirus pandemic that has wiped out thousands of jobs.

Parliament is set to vote on Mechichis lineup in the next 10 days.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Adrian Wail Akhlas (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 14:29 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c404c95b 1 Business state-budget,budget-deficit,tax-revenue,state-revenue,state-expenditure,COVID-19,pandemic Free

Indonesia recorded a budget deficit of Rp 330.2 trillion (US$22.4 billion), or 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), as of July as tax revenue fell further despite a slight increase in state expenditure, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on Tuesday.

The country collected Rp 922.2 trillion in state revenue, marking a decrease of 12.4 percent year-on-year (yoy) following a drop in both tax revenue and nontax income. The sum is about 54 percent of the target for revenue to be collected this year.

Read also: Indonesia raises $1.5b from government bonds to fund fiscal deficit

Meanwhile, state expenditure rose 1.3 percent yoy to Rp 1.25 quadrillion as of July, which is 45.7 percent of the governments full-year target.

This shows that revenue was facing intense pressure while spending increased because of the coronavirus pandemic. That has a significant impact on a ballooning budget deficit, Sri Mulyani told reporters in a press briefing.

Tax revenue, the main source of income for the government, fell by 14.7 percent yoy to 601.9 trillion due to a sharp fall in tax income from both the oil and gas sector and other sectors.

Read also: Indonesias 2021 state budget draft: What we know so far

Revenue had improved in June after the government eased social restrictions imposed earlier this year to curb the virus spread, but state revenue from some sectors, including trade and mining, deteriorated in July, the finance minister went on to say.

Government expenditure increased by 4.2 percent in July as the government spent Rp 793.6 trillion following a 55 percent increase in social aid spending. Other components of government spending fell.

The government had spent 25 percent of the Rp 695.2 trillion COVID-19 response budget as of August 19, Sri Mulyani said.

The government will continue to monitor and increase economic recovery-related spending to make the recovery more stable and resilient going forward, she added.
QUEBEC CITY, Aug. 25, 2020, an industry leader in environmental sensing solutions for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems, is proud to be a sponsor of Mobility Re-imagined MOVE 2020 Americafrom September 1-3, 2020, as the conference goes all virtual for the first time.



"LeddarTech is excited to be involved in this tremendous event that brings together industry leaders in mobility and automotive innovations," stated Daniel Aitken, Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications. "The transition from a physical to a virtual event has enabled MOVE 2020 to reach a greater audience, and the level of participation and interaction promises to make this event one not to miss in September. MOVE 2020 is especially timely for LeddarTech due to the recent acquisition of the sensor-fusion and perception software company VayaVisionin July," concluded Mr. Aitken.

LeddarTech will lead two key sessions at MOVE 2020

September 1 (3:40 PM EST), LeddarTech will host a virtual roundtable exploring how an optimal sensor-fusion stack can accelerate ADAS features and AD capabilities to accelerate the adoption of Level 3 to 5 technology. Joining Pierre Olivier, CTO of LeddarTech for this session will be Pierre Lefevre, CTO of COAST Autonomous (https://coastautonomous.com/) and others.



September 1 (4:50 PM EST), LeddarTech will host an interactive panel discussion along with key industry experts entitled "Multiple sensing modalities case study: The key to Level 3 to 5 autonomy." This session will examine the challenges facing mass adoption of vehicle automation technology and show how sensor fusion can help overcome these technical obstacles by fully exploiting the strength of each sensing modality - camera, radar, and LiDAR.

The industry consensus is that Level 3 to 5 autonomous driving applications require multiple sensors and sensor combinations. Sensor-fusion and perception development significantly accelerates the customers' time-to-market while decreasing cost and reducing risk. By adding this technology to LeddarTech's portfolio that also includes the LeddarEngine for Tier 1 LiDAR development and LiDAR sensors for the mobility industry, the company is well-positioned to serve their customers at all levels of development from level 2-5.

See MOVE 2020for details and to register

About LeddarTech

LeddarTech is a leader in environmental sensing solutions for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems. Founded in 2007, LeddarTech has evolved to become a comprehensive end-to-end environmental sensing company by enabling customers to solve critical sensing and perception challenges across the entire value chain of the automotive and mobility market segments with its LeddarVision sensor-fusion and perception platform. LeddarTech delivers a cost-effective, scalable, and versatile LiDAR development solution to Tier 1-2 automotive system integrators that enables them to develop automotive-grade solid-state LiDARs based on the foundation of the LeddarEngine. LeddarTech has 14 generations of solid-state LiDARs based on the LeddarEngine platform operating 24/7 in harsh environments. This platform is actively deployed in autonomous shuttles, trucks, buses, delivery vehicles, smart cities/factories, and robotaxi applications. The company is responsible for several innovations in cutting-edge automotive and mobility remote-sensing applications, with over 80 patented technologies (granted or pending) enhancing ADAS and autonomous driving capabilities.

Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , and YouTube.

Contact:

Daniel Aitken, Vice-President, Global Corporate Marketing and Communications, LeddarTech Inc.

Tel.: + 1-418-653-9000 ext. 232

daniel.aitken@leddartech.com

Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarEngine, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, LeddarCore, VAYADrive, VayaVision, and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Inc. All other brands, product names, and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.
MORRISTOWN, NJSuperintendent Mackey Pendergrast said on Monday that Morris schools will begin the academic year as planned, and vented frustration after a summer that saw reopening requirements in a constant state of uncertainty.

In New Jersey, every district was left to fend for themselves, Pendergrast said at Mondays school board meeting. There wasnt a regional plan, there wasnt a state plan.

The Morris School District's reopening blueprint involves 5 days of 4-hour instruction for elementary students and a 50/50 hybrid model for middle and high school students. About 20 percent of the districts 5,000 students elected to attend all-remote school.

Pendergrast noted that the latest guidelines were issued with less than one month before classes began. The superintendent added that district employees worked hard to get the buildings in compliance with the state rules, including erecting shields, installing sanitizer stations, and improving air flow and quality.

Governor Murphy's initial directive to school districts was that some form of in-person instruction was required, and districts planned accordingly. But on Aug. 12, the governor reversed course, issuing guidelines that must be followed before in-person school can begin, upending many return-to-school plans.

After members of The Education Association of Morris expressed their frustration and anxiety over the safety of the union's members in the classroom, Pendergrast said he shared their concern. But, he noted, only Murphy could act.

I cant make the decision to go all-remote, he said, thats the governors decision.

This article originally appeared on the Morristown Patch
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

As the healthcare industry is growing tremendously and in-sync with the advancements in technologies, the adoption of innovative ways to treat various health conditions is also increasing to a new high. Wound irrigation devices are witnessing immense demand in various surgical operations, sometimes in post-surgical procedures, to effectively treat infections triggered by surgeries. A mounting number of healthcare companies are introducing wound irrigation solutions that can accelerate the wound healing process by cleaning, decontaminating, and moistening intraoperative and postoperative wounds. With hospitals and other healthcare organizations considering postoperative care as an important service, the demand for wound irrigation devices is expected to surge, ultimately fostering growth of the Wound Irrigation market in the coming future.

Sample of Research Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3775

Weighted analysis to achieve strategic proficiency

The market research study on Wound Irrigation market drafted by Future Market Insights is an extensive research publication that covers the global scenario of Wound Irrigation market. It includes various macroeconomic factors, opportunity assessment, key growth drivers, restraints and vital segmental analysis. The quantification of data pertaining to these aspects with the help of statistical representations and analysis giving a holistic and an unbiased view of the entire market. The research publication assists the reader in judging the future prospects in wound irrigation across key regions in the globe. Every market segment is assessed in different regions giving a heads up to the reader and assisting in determining revenue pockets for the growth of his/her business. The statistical analysis and forecasting helps in getting a clear market understanding and its scenario in the future based on market acumen of current market standing and historical data. Data mining and number crunching is done with extreme precision to cover analysis of the entire ecosystem of the Wound Irrigation market. All these insights and qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market is presented in a systematic format in the research report titled Wound Irrigation Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017-2027).

Market Segmentation

The global Wound Irrigation market is segmented in detail so as to cover every aspect of the market and present a complete market intelligence approach in front of the reader.

By Product Type

Manually Operated

Battery Operated

By Wound Type

Acute Wounds

Chronic Wounds

By End User

Hospitals

Ambulatory Surgical Centres

Clinics

Long Term Care Centres

Homecare Settings

Sample of Research Methodology Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-3775

By Region

North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Asia Pacific excluding Japan

Japan

Middle East and Africa

ABOUT US:

Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.

FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.

CONTACT US:

Future Market Insights

U.S. Office

616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,

Valley Cottage, NY 10989,

United States

T: +1-347-918-3531

F: +1-845-579-5705

Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com
Defense lawyers of actor Efremov run to investigators and prosecutors over threats

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

13:04 25/08/2020

MOSCOW, August 25 (RAPSI)  Defense team of actor Efremov involved in a fatal road traffic accident complained of threats and pressure from unidentified persons to Russias Investigative Committee and Prosecutor Generals Office, attorney Elman Pashayev told RAPSI on Tuesday.

The lawyer said that he received threats and demands to go out of the case.

Last week, Efremov waived the lawyer during the trial but later signed a new agreement with Pashayev.

The victims lawyer Alexander Dobrovinsky believes that the defendant and his defense play a delaying tactics game.

The next hearing is scheduled for August 31.

Efremov stands charged with committing a traffic offense in a drunken state that led to a victims death. He could face from 5 to 12 years behind bars if convicted. The actor pleads not guilty; he insists his memory is blank on the subject.

On the evening of June 8, Efremov driving his car crossed into the oncoming lane in central Moscow and collided with a delivery service vehicle. He was arrested on the scene. Alcohol and drugs were reportedly found in his blood. Victim Sergey Zakharov was taken to hospital where he died early in the morning of June 9.

On June 9, Moscows Tagansky District Court ordered Efremov to be put under house arrest; the measure is still in force. In particular, he was banned from communicating with other case parties, using mobile phone and Internet.




Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  The chairman of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) had ordered her colleagues to suppress information on the cases of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) officials, a commissioner bared Tuesday.

CSC commissioner Aileen Lizada told a House joint committee that chairman Alicia Rosa Bala had previously told members and directors of the agency to keep mum, especially to those who will ask for information on the issue hounding the state health insurer.

"'This information should not be made public nor should be given out to anyone who would be asking either in aid of legislation or investigation,' yun po ang natandaan ko [na sinabi] (that's what I remember her saying)," Lizada told the panel, citing what she claimed was the directive of Bala during one of their CSC meetings.

"That is the truth. That was disclosed and the meeting was recorded. [The minutes] was supposed to be approved," Lizada added, but noted that the particular directive was omitted in the minutes of the meeting.

In a statement released, Bala vehemently denied Lizadas allegations, saying she would never ask any CSC official or employee to suppress the sharing of information especially before lawmakers.

It said the CSC chairperson was simply observing the sub judice rule which restricts comments and disclosures pertaining to judicial proceedings and prohibiting their public discussion.

CSC Assistant Commissioner Ariel Ronquillo also refuted Lizada's allegation, saying categorically that he did not hear such guidance from Bala to suppress information.

Ronquillo said he was present during the meeting, and eventually clarified that such directive was indeed mentioned.

"We just wanted to make sure that the matter would not be out of hand," he said.

Lizada said from 2010 to 2020, the CSC has received a total of 74 cases, 19 of which are still pending resolution.

At least five of these cases involved five regional vice presidents of the agency, she added.

The House will subpoena the audio recording of the CSC meeting and its transcript, as well as all documents pertaining to cases of PhilHealth officials for Thursday's hearing.

The PhilHealth is currently in hot water due to numerous corruption-related controversies within the agency.

In his address to the nation aired on Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to go after erring PhilHealth officials even in the remainder of his term.

"Yung PhilHealth, dapat imbestigahan and dapat i-prosecute lahat, at dapat ikulong," he said. "Kung iyon na lang ang trabaho ko na maiwan ko sa dalawang taon, yan ang gagawin ko."

[Translation: Those who are involved in the PhilHealth controversy should be investigated, prosecuted and jailed. If that is the job that I have left to do for the remainder of my term, I'll do that.]
Marco Capital Holdings Limited ("Marco") Europe's newest P&C Run-off group today announced that it has agreed to purchase British Reserve Insurance Company Ltd ("BRIC"), a UK non-life insurance company, from Allianz. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

The transaction provides the basis of Marco's regulated platform for future run-off transactions in the UK/London Market. The acquisition of BRIC will provide Marco with an authorised UK non-life insurance carrier suitable for acquiring portfolios of non-life insurance loss reserves through reinsurance or Part VII Transfer, thereby building its UK run-off business.

Established in 1935, BRIC became part of Allianz shortly after the acquisition of Cornhill Insurance in 1986. BRIC ceased writing new business in 2015 and carries a low level of operational and financial risk.

Simon Minshall, CEO of Marco, said "I am delighted to announce the acquisition of BRIC as Marco's first transaction, subject to regulatory approval, as this provides Marco with an excellent underwriting platform for P&C Run-Off transactions in the UK companies market".

Marco's Europe focused P&C strategy includes Run-Off business opportunities located in or sourced from the UK, Lloyd's of London and Continental Europe.

Marco

Marco is a European P&C Run-Off solutions provider headquartered in Malta. The group offers finality solutions to carriers for discontinued business, balance sheet optimisation and other purposes by acquiring loss reserve portfolios, through reinsurance and acquisitions of entities. Supported by 500m initial committed equity capital, to be augmented with ancillary own funds, with 750m 'dry powder equity' Marco offers a leading proposition to carriers seeking finality solutions in the European P&C arena.Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. "Oaktree" are Marco's Founding Investors.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005682/en/

Contacts:

Press Contact

Jonathan Walker

+44 777 184 4367

jwalker@marcocapital.net
The prime minister hit out at the BBC on Tuesday. (Getty)

Boris Johnson has been accused of attempting to deflect from the governments relentless incompetence by wading into a row over the Last Night of the Proms.

In an interview on Tuesday, the prime minister slammed the BBC over its decision to play the songs Land Of Hope And Glory and Rule Britannia! without the words because of references to the slave trade.

But Labour MP David Lammy said the PM was trying to distract the public and branded his opposition to the move pathetic.

Boris Johnson will take any opportunity he gets to start a culture war in this pandemic because he wants to distract from his government's relentless incompetence, Lammy tweeted.

Labour MP David Lammy criticised the PM. (Getty)

Boris Johnson will take any opportunity he gets to start a culture war in this pandemic because he wants to distract from his government's relentless incompetence. The UK has suffered the highest covid-19 death toll and the worst economic impact in Europe. This is pathetic. https://t.co/pirw4bnD6w  David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 25, 2020

The UK has suffered the highest covid-19 death toll and the worst economic impact in Europe. This is pathetic.

It comes after Johnson said the UK needs to stop being embarrassed about its history following reports the BBC would axe the words of the two songs.

He told reporters: "I was gonna tweet about this, but I just want to say... if it is correct, which I cannot believe that it really is, but if it is correct, that the BBC is saying that they will not sing the words of Land Of Hope And Glory or Rule Britannia! as they traditionally do at the end of The Last Night of The Proms.

"I think it's time we stopped our cringing embarrassment about our history, about our traditions, and about our culture, and we stopped this general bout of self-recrimination and wetness, I wanted to get that off my chest."

Story continues

The BBC's director-general Lord Hall said the decision to perform new, orchestral versions of Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory was a "creative" one.

But he confirmed that the issue of dropping songs because of their association with Britain's imperial history had been discussed.

There will be no live audience to sing along and wave flags at the September 12 concert because of coronavirus restrictions.

Rule, Britannia! - strongly associated with the Royal Navy - is deemed problematic by some because of Britain's role in the slave trade.

It has lyrics such as Britons "never shall be slaves" and that "while thou shalt flourish great and free, the dread and envy of them all".

Land Of Hope And Glory features the music of Edward Elgar and the lyrics of Arthur Benson, including "Thine Empire shall be strong" and "God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet."

Lord Hall said it was a "miracle" that Proms boss David Pickard had put together a fortnight of live performances amid the pandemic.

Asked whether there had been a discussion about dropping songs because of their association with Britain's imperial history, he replied: "The whole thing has been discussed by David and his colleagues, of course it has.

"The point is they've come to the right conclusion, which is it's very, very hard in an Albert Hall that takes over 5,000 people to have the atmosphere of the Last Night of the Proms, where a whole audience normally sing along," he told the BBC's media editor Amol Rajan.

"It's quite hard creatively and artistically to make that work. I think they've come to the right conclusion.

"Who knows what will happen next year. I suspect it will be back."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 05:34:00|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

JERUSALEM, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The health ministers of Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed on Monday for immediate cooperation between the two countries regarding health, the ministers said in a joint announcement.

The ministers, Yuli Edelstein of Israel and Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais of the UAE, "held an excellent conversation for both countries, in good spirits with the goal of advancing cooperation," the statement said.

The ministers agreed to appoint a representative responsible for relations between the two countries, specifically regarding the fight against COVID-19.

In addition, the countries will set up delegations of businesspeople from the two countries in order to begin joint business ventures.

The ministers also agreed that with the decline of COVID-19, the countries will also work to create a student exchange program.

"Peace with the UAE gives an excellent opportunity to the citizens of Israel and the UAE for close relations that will be fruitful for both sides," said Edelstein.

Earlier on August, Israel and the UAE announced that they had agreed to normalize relations. Enditem
The family of a former Halifax resident who has been charged with sedition and terrorism in Bolivia fear he could be arrested at any time, and they're calling on the Canadian government to intervene in his case.

Juan Tellez, a Canadian citizen and former professor at Saint Mary's University, was charged with sedition, terrorism and crimes against public health on Aug. 19 and ordered to show up at the prosecutor's office on Monday.

Tellez is a member of the Movement for Socialism Party (MAS) in Bolivia and was charged along with seven other party members. His daughter says it's an act of political persecution carried out by an interim president that's targeted and detained hundreds of opposition members.

"I know people who have had their family members taken hostage, you know, people have had their houses burned, and we're especially concerned about the possibility of his detention because he is an insulin-dependent diabetic," Christina Tellez, who lives in Halifax, told CBC's Information Morning on Monday.

"Detention for him, especially in the times of the pandemic, could potentially be fatal."

Christina Tellez

Tellez said her father's cellphone was confiscated on Monday when he responded to the summons, and she's now trying to find a way to stay in contact with him from thousands of kilometres away.

While she's relieved her father wasn't detained when he appeared before prosecutors, she's worried he could be arrested at any time.

The details of the charges remain vague and the family is still trying to figure out what exactly Juan Tellez is up against, she said.

Bolivia has been in a state of political unrest since president Evo Morales resigned and fled the country in November after accusations of election fraud. In the months since, interim president Jeanine Anez has pushed back the election date, prompting protests and roadblocks.

"Since her government came into power in November 2019, it's been creating a climate of fear through massive human rights violations," said Christina Tellez.

Story continues

She pointed to a report by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, which found some 150 former government officials in Bolivia were charged in the first few months of Anez's government.

Immigrated to Halifax in 1990

Tellez began travelling to Nova Scotia in the mid-1980s and immigrated to Halifax from Bolivia in 1990. He raised his family in the city and worked as a university professor for decades.

His community development work began taking him back to Bolivia in 2006 and he returned to his home country permanently in 2014. In 2015, Tellez was elected mayor of the rural municipality of Betanzos, where he grew up.

"I'm hoping that the community members here in Halifax who know him, who know the important work he's done in Nova Scotia  will be able to support him if worst comes to worst and he is detained," Christina Tellez said.

Kathryn Ledebur, the director of Andean Information Network in Bolivia, said the charges against Juan Tellez are further proof that the interim government is trying to silence the opposition leading up to elections in October.

"This is a systematic persecution and Juan, who has been in no way involved in illegal activity, has been sucked into this whirlwind," she said Tuesday.

'High time' for Canada to intervene

Ledebur, who has known Tellez for over 20 years, said people in his position have been arrested in the past with no notice. She said people can face very serious charges for simply supporting the MAS party on social media.

"This is something that's crucial for Canadian authorities to take part in," Ledebur said. "It's their job at the Canadian Embassy to guarantee that the due process rights, and the human rights, of its citizens are taken care of."

When Anez took power in November, the Canadian government hesitated to support her interim administration at first, but eventually did on the condition that it hold free and fair elections.

The Canadians stopped short of formally recognizing Anez's presidency, unlike the U.S.

Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters

Ledebur said the fact the Bolivian government is willing to charge a Canadian citizen is deeply concerning and shows how confident the regime is in persecuting people who oppose them.

"Part of this crisis, I think, is on the shoulders of an international community, the Canadian government, the U.S. government, many other governments that didn't speak out on time, and didn't hold the Bolivian government accountable," she said. "It's high time for them to do that."

Jason Kung, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, said the department is aware of Tellez's case "and is closely monitoring the situation."

"Due to the provisions of the Privacy Act, no further information can be disclosed," Kung said.

MORE TOP STORIES
The rotating, Indonesian presidency of the UN Security Council has cited a lack of consensus and "significant numbers of...contesting views" to forestall further action on a U.S. push to trigger a return of all UN sanctions on Iran.

Indonesian UN Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani said in response to a question from Russia and China on August 25 that "the president is not in the position to take further action" on the U.S. request.

The United States responded that it is "on firm legal ground" and that a lack of unanimity does not preclude debate, adding that opponents on the council "find themselves standing with terrorists."

Thirteen of the Security Council's 15 members last week said they opposed Washington's bid to invoke a "snapback" clause of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers that the United States withdrew from more than two years ago.

Besides the United States and Iran, the deal was signed by Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia.

Washington argues that it still has the legal right to trigger the sanctions, which were dropped under the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA) reached in 2015, because a UN resolution at the time names the United States as a participant.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that by lodging a complaint with the council on August 20 he set in motion a 30-day process for reimposing the sanctions.

Having contacted the members and received letters from many member countries it is clear to me that there is one member which has a particular position on the issues, while there are significant numbers of members who have contesting views," Djani said.

In my view there is no consensus in the council."

Reuters quoted a spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the UN as saying that Washington "is on firm legal ground to initiate the restoration of sanctions" and "the fact that some council members expressed disagreement...does not have any legal effect."

"Let me just make it really, really clear: the Trump administration has no fear in standing in limited company on this matter," U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft told the council. "I only regret that other members of this council have lost their way and now find themselves standing in the company of terrorists."

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called the U.S. effort "not only illegal, but simply will not lead to achieving the result that was envisaged by the United States."

"It means, there is NO SNAPBACK," he tweeted.

U.S. President Donald Trump campaigned in part in 2016 on opposition to the JCPOA , saying it fails to sufficiently ensure Iran won't acquire a nuclear bomb-making capacity.

He withdrew the country from the deal in May 2018, citing Tehran's meddling and misbehavior in the region and around the world, and reimposed unilateral U.S. sanctions on Iran that crippled its economy.

But defenders of the deal have countered that the accord should be preserved, saying it provides the best available guarantee to keep an atomic weapon out of Iranian hands.

The Security Council rejected a U.S. attempt on August 14 to extend an arms embargo on Iran beyond its expiration in October, with only the Dominican Republic voting with Washington.

The ambassador of Niger, which takes over the rotating presidency in September, reportedly also submitted a letter in which Niamey rejects the U.S. "snapback" move as illegal.

With reporting by Reuters and AP
Life changed overnight for one Texas mom when people on the internet learned she was sleeping in her car with her four kids after being evicted. After a fundraising drive surpassed its goal by tens of thousands of dollars, the mother communicated her shock and gratitude to the local news media, saying she felt very blessed.

Kenia Madrigal, 29, and her four childrenMichael, 11; Benjamin, 8; Sarah, 3; and Sophia, 1had been sleeping in their SUV since the hardworking mom lost her job in June 2020. She fell into rent arrears, and the family was forced to vacate their mobile home in Harris County.

I take the car seats out, Madrigal explained to KTRK. I put the seats down, and these go all the way back. So, me and my oldest [sleep] here, she said, gesturing to the front of the SUV, while the youngest are in the back.

Its hard because my daughter keeps asking me when are we going to go home, she added, and we dont have a home  Its so hard to hold it together.

The mom was denied state assistance. She eventually found another job paying $11.50 an hour but could not afford an apartment.

Madrigals plight pulled at the nations heartstrings, and one person took it upon themselves to take direct action. A co-worker at the mom of fours new job, Chelsea Monroe, set up a GoFundMe account, hoping to raise $800 to help Madrigal and her family out of their financial rut.

Kenia is a hardworking, optimistic, brave mother of 4, Monroe wrote. In the beginning of the COVID lockdown, she was laid off  during this time, her childrens father became more and more distant.

These funds will go towards a safe home for Kenia and her children, Monroe continued. They will also fund her childrens education for this new virtual school year.

The funding drive took off, raising over $60,000 in just 24 hours, a life-changing sum of money for the young struggling family. To date, over 2,000 people have donated.

Im still in shock. I still dont believe it, Madrigal told KTRK in an update on the familys story on Aug. 20. I cant believe theres that many people willing to help me, of all people. I dont believe Im somebody for them to want to help.

My goal was to get enough to get into a place, she added, and now I can actually give [my children] a home.

It wasnt just monetary donations that came in for Madrigal and her four children.

Executive director of the nonprofit Kids Meals Inc., Beth Braniff Harp reached out to offer food supplies. During this pandemic, we dont want anyone going hungry, she said. Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) also came forward, wanting to connect Madrigal, and others like her, to invaluable resources.

NAMs chief advancement officer, Brian Carr, shared, We want to make sure that families  get the help they need as soon as possible. We dont want them living in their cars.

The Christian church-run international aid organization the Salvation Army also stressed that their nationwide pandemic relief effort comprising shelter, food boxes, and spiritual support is accessible to all vulnerable persons during this time.

Madrigal, still in shock, is overwhelmingly grateful for the outpouring of support that has changed her familys future for the better. Im so grateful, she exclaimed. Im very blessed.

We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc
Beginning 2022, the entry point for a teacher seeking employment with the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the country must be first degree, the GES has announced.

That is when the first cohort of graduates from the colleges of education pursuing the degree programme will pass out.



The Deputy Director-General in charge of Management Services, Mr Anthony Boateng, announced this when he briefed journalists on some major reforms being implemented by the management of education at a workshop for selected journalists at Larteh in the Akwapim North Municipality in the Eastern Region.



SEIP workshop



The workshop, which was on the Secondary Education Improvement Project [SEIP], brought together selected journalists from across the country to update them on the journey so far with the project.



Diploma holders



Mr Boateng, however, explained that those who were already in the system with the diploma certificates would remain at post and upgraded themselves.



Surely, there will be some who basically might not want to upgrade themselves to be first degree holders. They will not be sacked. The opportunity will be there for them to gradually phase out in the service.



What it means is that no new diploma holder will be employed and those already in with the diploma will be assisted to either upgrade or be phased out, he said.





He explained that even though the GES had stopped the automatic recruitment of newly trained teachers, all those trained from the public colleges of education would be eventually absorbed.



Mr Boateng further explained that the policy on recruitment currently was based on demand and so GES recruited to fill vacant spaces.



Without permission



Speaking on teachers who upgraded themselves without the approval of the service, he said the original position of the GES was that since they went to the school without approval, we will not upgrade them.



But upon some petitions, especially from the unions and other stakeholders, this position is being reviewed to look at what happens, since ultimately we want every entry point to be a first degree, Mr Boateng told the journalists.



He hinted that should we come to the point that we have to recognise them, we will consider the programme or course you have undertaken and its relevance to the work you do.



Professionalism



Speaking on the role of the National Teaching Council (NTC), the Deputy-Director-General explained that its role basically was to ensure that teaching was now a recognised profession.



He explained that it was the responsibility of the NTC to come out with ethics and standards of the profession and that was why it was now involved in the issuance of licences through the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination.



Additionally, the NTC was also tasked to ensure high standards for members of the teaching profession and, therefore, they should have the capacity and authority to award and withdraw licences to persons that they deem not fit to teach.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Germany said on August 24 it had placed Alexei Navalny under guard in hospital after determining that the long-time critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin had most likely been poisoned while campaigning in Siberia.

Navalny collapsed on a plane on Thursday last week after drinking tea that his allies said they believe was laced with poison. He was flown to Germany for treatment on Saturday.

"The suspicion is that Mr. Navalny was poisoned given that unfortunately recent Russian history has had several such suspected cases," German Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief spokesman, Steffen Seibert, told journalists.

"Because one can say with near certainty that it was a poisoning attack, protection is necessary," Seibert added.

Russia's government made no immediate comment on the German statement. The Kremlin said on Friday it was still unclear what caused Navalny to fall ill and that initial tests did not show he was poisoned.

The incident could further strain Russia's fraught relations with its European and NATO neighbours, who have accused it of mounting attacks on dissidents in Europe in the past - accusations that Russia has dismissed.

Doctors at the Siberian hospital that first treated Navalny said earlier on Monday they had saved his life but that they had not found traces of poison in his system.

"If we had found some kind of poison that was somehow confirmed then it would have been a lot easier for us. It would have been a clear diagnosis, a clear condition and a well-known course of treatment," senior doctor Anatoly Kalinichenko told reporters in the Siberian city of Omsk.

The Russian doctors did not say what they had treated him for. Last week they said they had diagnosed him with metabolic disease possibly brought on by low blood sugar.

The doctors said they had not come under pressure from authorities while treating Navalny.

Navalny's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, said on Monday supporters had reported what they described as a suspected poisoning to the Russian police and Investigative Committee as soon as Navalny fell ill.

The police and Investigative Committee were not immediately available for comment.

Navalny has been a thorn in the Kremlin's side for more than a decade, exposing what he says is high-level graft and mobilising crowds of young protesters.

He has been repeatedly detained for organising public meetings and rallies and sued over his investigations into corruption. He was barred from running in a presidential election in 2018.
Were unable to shake the terror of George Floyds final eight minutes and 46 seconds. We say the names of Breonna Taylor and Philando Castile to assert that Black Lives Matter in the face of unnecessary, overwhelming police force against people of color.

Yet it might come as a surprise that a horrifying example of police brutality occurred in Western Massachusetts. One we have largely ignored for too long.

Three Holyoke police officers beat a 12-year-old Latino boy in 2014 after he tried to stop a neighbor from committing suicide. The details, revealed in a lawsuit the city quietly settled several months ago, are chilling. So is the response by Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and police officials before, during, and after this case.

According to court documents, officers faced no discipline at all. Yet it is clear from their words, and the deposition of since-retired police chief James Neiswanger that police flouted regulations, failed to file mandated use-of-force reports, and spun a narrative debunked by medical records. Neiswanger, meanwhile, praised his officers actions, while providing wholly insufficient oversight. Then, in his own deposition, the chief said that he never delivered a report to Morse about officers use of force because the mayor never asked for one.

When I asked Hector Pineiro, an attorney for the boys family, about oversight by Morse and Holyoke police, he let out a sigh. There was none whatsoever, he said. They didnt care, he said, using a vulgar phrase.

Now Morse is running for Congress, touting progressive credentials in a challenge to longtime Representative Richard Neal. Like Morse, Ive been disappointed with Neal and briefly considered running against the incumbent this year.

I wanted to see how Morse led his city when a child of color was beaten by Holyoke police, so I examined the publicly available court records and medical reports in this case. What I discovered left me outraged.

Heres what happened around sunset on Feb. 8, 2014, according to court records and depositions from the civil suit filed by the boys mother in 2017: The boys mom asked him to bring his younger brother home from shooting hoops. Along the way, the 12-year-old encountered a suicidal neighbor with a gun. The boy followed him, hoping to help, as did a nearby adult. When they crossed a canal downtown, the armed, suicidal man took several shots at passing cars. The boy wanted no part of that. Holyoke police arrived and apprehended the shooter. The adult made clear that police arrested the only shooter. But police then spied the 12-year-old, approximately 100 yards away. One officer pulled his service weapon. They ordered him to his knees. He complied. Then he heard men charging him. He felt a kick and soon, lost consciousness. When he came to in the patrol car, he testified, he had no memory of what had ensued. He was taken to the police station, charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Photos, medical records, and depositions fill in the details. All three police officers beat the boy. After he was booked, he was taken by ambulance to Holyoke Medical Center, and vomited en route. At the hospital, doctors diagnosed a concussion. A day later, his mother took him to Bay State Medical Center, where doctors diagnosed a head injury, a left anterior scalp laceration, a deviated septum, and a small hematoma on the anterior left scalp. They documented contusions to his head, face, chest, and back.

Remember, the child was unarmed, he stood only 5 feet 2 inches, he was 12. He posed no threat to the officers  Thomas Leahy, James Dunn, and Jabet Lopez.

In Dunns deposition, he attests that he saw the boy crouched down, and said, I didnt see anything in his hands. Nevertheless, he charged. Dunn tackled the boy, 250 pounds crashing atop a pre-teen who weighed 110.

I remember hitting him as hard as I could, Dunn said. The child curled in defense. Three officers rained blow after blow. Knee strikes to the ribs. Punches to the head. One testified he used his baton.

Thats when you think you punched him as hard as you could in the head? Dunn is asked.

Yes.

Although youre not sure how many times all together, at least two?

At least two.

While Dunn punched the boy in the head and Leahy struck him on the side, Lopez delivered baton blows. Leahy testified that he saw Lopez deliver those strikes while the boy lay prone. Only Lopez filed a use of force report, as required under both state law for injured prisoners and city policy. Lopezs form, however, attested that the boy had been assaultive and did not mention his array of injuries. Dunn, meanwhile, claimed he didnt know if he had to fill out a use of force report for hitting a civilian in the head. When Dunn was asked in his deposition to explain the bruises and abrasions in photos, he suggested that the boy got them from fighting with the police.

Medical experts who examined the records and photographs cast doubt upon the veracity of the officers story. The charges the officers brought against the boy for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct were dismissed.

The boys mother says that she was promised an investigation. Holyoke police claim, ironically, that she did not fill out the necessary paperwork. (She says she was never informed about that step.) Use of force reports should have moved through the departments chain of command. The chiefs testimony makes clear that did not happen either. The mayor allowed the officers to remain on the street and the chief to keep his job.

Pineiro told me, I thought it was appalling. What this case showed, is that in Holyoke, tracking how officers used force was not a big deal.

How many times did police get away with excessive force while Morse and the police chief looked the other way? With the citys disregard for transparency and accountability, we have no way of knowing. Leahy was asked in the deposition whether anyone inside the Holyoke Police Department ever followed up on a use of force report. No. Hes asked, After you filed some of the reports you filed, did you have to have any additional training regarding your job? The answer, again, no. Lopez said that no one from internal affairs ever asked him about the case. Pineiro says it looks to him like no one read these depositions carefully enough to appropriately reset the departments training, chain of command, and internal affairs.

In January, Holyoke settled the police brutality suit against the city and officers for $65,000. The city attorney suggested that under the circumstances the city was getting off easy. As part of the settlement, the family signed a non-disclosure agreement. When I e-mailed Morses campaign this week to ask about this case, he avoided specific questions and cited that non-disclosure agreement. Morse insisted that police should be held accountable, but did not answer whether his officers had been. He said that his department had undergone a transformation, that he was actively involved in hiring new officers, and that 90 percent of Holyoke police had now undergone deescalation training. He sent a link to a new Holyoke policy that attempts to enforce the proper reporting of excessive police force.

Those reforms arrived in June 2020  more than six years after the beating  and amid national outrage over police brutality. Morse was in the middle of his fourth term and a candidate for Congress.

Morse averted his gaze. He didnt call for the officers to resign. He didnt launch an outside investigation or call for criminal charges. He didnt take any meaningful public actions to hold his police department accountable for the beating of a 12-year-old boy who heroically tried to prevent a man from killing himself.

Instead, this boy was left to struggle with the trauma of the arrest and his injuries. His mother testified that he spent the next several years being treated for anxiety and panic attacks, began to struggle in school, and often feared leaving the house, she said. He was terrified of open spaces and the police.

Morses campaign, meanwhile, according to Federal Election Commission reports, collected $1,900 from Officer Leahys brother, Patrick, also a Holyoke police officer, and $4,800 from Charles Emma, the Florida attorney who handled the case for the city.

We say the names of victims of excessive police force to express our outrage and shame. We cannot say the name of the boy beaten by Holyoke police under Alex Morses tenure.

We cannot say his name because it cannot be released. This boy was 12.

David Daley lives in Haydenville and is author of Unrigged: How Americans Are Battling Back to Save Democracy.
Colleges of Education in Ghana may soon run a double track system on their respective campuses as a result of inadequate facilities to host students.

Colleges have faced the challenge of infrastructural deficits for quite a good number of years hence their inability to admit many students as compared to other tertiary institutions.

The Mahama government, considering the lack of facilities, decided to invest heavily in putting up facilities in all forty-six (46) colleges in the country. These projects include; hostel facilities, assembly halls, tutors flats etc. and were fully funded by GETFUND. Every college benefited from at least one project funded by GETFUND including my college located at the Presidents hometown, Kibi Presbyterian College of Education-Eastern Region.

Its rather unfortunate the current government led by President Akufo-Addo had to halt these projects funded GETFund only to divert the money to the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) for the payment of Trainees allowances.

What the Akufo-Addo government, especially the Ministry of Education, failed to consider is the fact that they have implemented a four year degree program which will definitely keep more students on campus as compared to the three year Diploma program. Again, even with the three year program, only two year groups were allowed to stay on campus with the final year student teachers staying outside for their Teaching practice program. With the two year groups staying on campus, so many colleges couldnt even admit more students because they lacked facilities hence the institution of the quota system which admitted a less number of students yet the government failed to consider the need to build more hostel facilities and lecture blocks to aid in effective teaching and learning and overcrowding across all 46 colleges of education.

Admitting just a single student is a headache for every Principal now because theres no space. Where will they sleep? Where will they learn? Hostels are full! Lecture rooms are full.

One funny but interesting issue occurred in one of our meetings with the Minister of Education, Dr. Mathew Opoku-Prempeh where a sector coordinator of TTAG from the Northern region called Mohammed asked the Minister how they will deal with a situation where colleges wont be able to admit students should the degree program be implemented since they lack facilities. This was in 2017, at the time they hadnt begun the Degree program. As we all know our minister, he did everything humanly possible to rubbish Mohammeds position, and went ahead throw a question back at Mohammed saying  so because we havent built dormitories we shouldnt develop right? Well, Mohammed had no option than to shut up but today the reality has caught up with us all. Principals are struggling to admit to new trainee teachers.

Undoubtedly, this is what pettiness and lack of foresight can bring; stress and low quality of education.

Remember, these are people we are training to go and teach, as such, they must receive the best of education.

BY Ekow Djan

Former TTAG National Executive
Algiers, Aug 25 : Algeria will hold a referendum on the country's new constitution on November 1, the presidency announced in a statement.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune set the date of the referendum after consultations with concerned parties, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying on Monday.

Last May, the presidency presented a preliminary draft to amend the constitution to the political parties of the country.

The draft constitution is related to basic rights and public freedoms, strengthening the separation and balance of powers, transparency, preventing and combating corruption and the independent national authority for elections.

The most important proposals put forward by the draft amendment to the constitution include limiting the presidential term to two terms only and creating a vice president position appointed by the president.

Last January, Tebboune appointed a committee to prepare a draft of the new constitution.
Dear Roger,

Please help me build my relationship with God while Im isolated from my church and others.

Sincerely, Ronnie

Dear Ronnie,

I would love to help! Ive put together a checkup and Bible study that will help you analyze the state of your relationship with God and others while quarantined...and really anytime!

Lets start by reading 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. It says:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

The Greek word Paul uses here for love is agape. Writers throughout the New Testament use agape again and again to describe Gods love. Heres a more nuanced definition:

Agape loves the unlovable.

Agape never quits.

Agape gives expecting nothing in return.

Read this passage again and utilize the words I am with each characteristic to have a sense of how well youre doing. (For example, I am patient; I am kind; and so on.)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Take a moment to consider these questions: In which characteristics are you doing well? Which need some attention?

Next, note that all of these characteristics are verbal adjectives. Love is not something we just talk about. Love is something that we do. Read this one more time:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Lets take time now to go through each of the characteristics of love more deeply. Consider how you measure up!

Love Is Patient

This Greek word describes patience with people and not patience with circumstances.

Patience is not pushy. It gives people time to do what they need to do without being pressured or hurried.

Patience is the ability to be wronged and have the power to retaliatebut refuse to strike back.

Jesus never said that if we turn the other cheek we would not get hurt (Matthew 5:38). What He said was that when we turn the other cheek, we look more like Jesus than at any other time.

Any cat can scratch back. Agape love says, You wronged me. Nevertheless, I am going to do something really nice for you.

Love Is Kind

The Greek word means that love is sweet to all.

Kindness means to give generously to people while expecting nothing in return. Acts of kindness can be done to meet real needs or, at times, just to have fun!

Surprise acts of kindness bless the heart of others. I love the phrase, Man doesnt live by bread alone. He needs buttering up.

Love Does Not Envy

Jealousy says, "I want what you have!" Envy says, I wish you didnt have it.

The Greek root word for envy means "to boil." It refers to that inner boiling of the soul which can lead to that seething over somebody else's success, beauty, possessions or good fortune. You might not even wish you had those things. You just wish they didnt have it.

Love wishes the best for others, even to the point of helping them achieve or receive things that you would otherwise want for yourself.

Love Does Not Boast

The Greek root of boast might be paraphrased as "windbag." This is the hot air that comes out of a proud and conceited person. "Wind bag" is the verbalizing of pride.

Pride is a braggart. True love will always be far more impressed with its own unworthiness than with its own merit.

If anyone ever had something to brag about, Jesus didbut He was the most humble of men:

"For I have not spoken of myself" (John 12:49)

How many of us can say that?

Love Is Not Proud

Love is not inflated with its own importance, while pride is an over-concern with self.

The idea behind the Greek word pride is "puffed-up. Picture what it takes to puff up or inflate something. When we inflate ourselves, either with true pride in our own actions or to look good in front of others, we also become focused on staying that way!

Love recognizes the accomplishments of others, constantly looking out for opportunities to encourage and praise them.

Love Is Not Rude

Love does not behave gracelessly, pushing others aside or ignoring them in favor of selfish needs.

The Greek word translated as rude also means "to behave indecently or in a shameful manner." Agape love is tactful and will do nothing to raise a blush.

Love Is Not Self-Seeking

Love does not insist upon its own rights, instead focusing on the rights and needs of others.

What a better world we would have if people would stop thinking about what life owes them and start thinking about what they owe life! And how sweet it would be if people would think less of their rights and more of their duties.

Love Is Not Easily Angered

Love never flies into a temper.

Agape love never becomes exasperated with people. Instead, love takes time to consider actions after weve been wronged. Love resolves issues thoughtfully.

A lady once said: "I may lose my temper; but it's all over in a minute." So was the atom bomb.

Love Keeps No Record Of Wrongs

Love does not store up memory of any wrong it has received.

The Greek word used here describes "a mathematical calculation." It is an accountant's word used in keeping a ledger. The reason we write things in a ledger is so that we will not forget them. Just as God does not keep any books on believers' sins, so we are not to keep books on the evils of others.

Love Does Not Delight In Evil

Love does not rejoice in someone elses sin or wrongdoing.

Paul is addressing the malicious pleasure which comes to many of us when we hear something derogatory about someone else. It is one of the strange traits of human nature that we often prefer to hear of the misfortune of others rather than of their good fortunes.

Unfortunately, some people are closely waiting for us to fail. Love does the opposite, rooting for success!

Love Rejoices With The Truth

Love catches people doing right and makes a big deal out of it.

Love also picks out good things that are true about someones life and talks about them.

In another sense, there are times when we definitely do not want the truth to be known; there are times when the last thing that we wish to hear is the truth. Agape love has no wish to hide the truth; it is brave enough to face the truth.

Love Always Protects

The Greek word literally means to cover, shelter, or protect. In 1 Peter 4:8, Peter puts it so beautifully, "Love covers a multitude of sins."

Love will never drag into the light of day the faults and mistakes of others. It would rather set about quietly mending things than publicly displaying and rebuking them.

We hear folks say, "Well, it's the truth! But that doesn't mean that we have to say it!

Love Always Trusts

Love always believes the best about others. When love notices something questionable, it gives people the benefit of the doubt.

While Jesus saw people for what they were, He was always thinking about what they could be. Consider Jesus Christ and the disciples. They were nothing too hot, frankly. Peter denied him; Judas betrayed him; James and John were inordinately selfish.

Jesus could have scratched His head and said, "Father, I don't know how to tell you this, but our whole deal isn't going to work out. I have twelve losers. If you think I ought to leave and turn this whole thing over to them, I'll do it; but it looks a little shaky to me."

Instead, He said, "They can do it!" So he sent them out into the world, and they did it.

Love Always Hopes

As long as the grace of God is operativeand it will always be!then human failure is never final.

Love doesn't run out. It doesn't bail out and leave as soon as the first mistake is made. Love waits and believes, and when believing begins to waver, then it starts hoping.

It was the belief of Jesus that no man is hopeless. He never gives up on anyone!

In other words, when other people have given up hope for us, and when we have become absolutely hopeless about ourselves, the Lord is never discouraged.

Love Always Perseveres

Love can endure anything. Always.

Perseveres is a Greek military term to describe being in the middle of a fierce battle and hanging in there to the very end.

Love stands in there against incredible opposition and keeps on loving.

Love Never Fails

The word "fail" has two technical meanings.

Classic Greek presents the picture of a bad actor being hissed off the stage. Love is never hissed off the stage. Love lives on the stage of eternity.

The other picture is of a fading flower with falling petals. Love never withers, fades, nor falls away.

In reality, just about everything in life fails. Fame fails. The world passes away. Sometimes business fails. Governments fail. Friends often let us down. Health fails.

But Love never fails.

Lets Close with a Lovely Illustration of Agape Love

In the first-century Jerusalem church, Barnabas was nicknamed the Encourager. He fulfilled the essence of divine agape love.

Barnabas sold a piece of property and brought the proceeds for distribution among the poor and needy.

When Christian-killing Saul (Paul) became a Christian himself, Barnabas vouched for Paul with the early Christians who were terrified of him. Barnabas opened the door for Paul to come into the fold and one day set the world on fire with the gospel of Christ.

In their first attempt to share the gospel, Paul, Barnabas, and the young teenager John Mark, embarked on the first missionary journey. John Mark quit and went home at the first sign of persecution.

When it was time for their second missionary journey, Paul refused to take John Mark. The Bible tells us that the dissension between these two men concerning John Mark was so great that they decided to part company. Paul chose Silas and headed for Turkey. Barnabas took John Mark and sailed to Cyprus.

Many years later, Paul was imprisoned in Rome. As recorded in 2 Timothy, Paul asked Timothy to come quickly to be with him in Rome. He was lonely. Winter was coming soon. He asked Timothy to bring the coat that he left with Carpus, his scrolls and especially his parchments.

Then he wrote:

Get John Mark and bring him with you, because he is a profitable man in my ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11)

Thank you, Barnabas. You embodied agape love, and we are all the better for it.

Well, Ronnie, I hope you find this checkup helpful as you reflect on your love for God and others during the quarantine and in the future.

Love, Roger

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Emmanuel Phaeton

Dr. Roger Barrier retired as senior teaching pastor from Casas Church in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to being an author and sought-after conference speaker, Roger has mentored or taught thousands of pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders worldwide. Casas Church, where Roger served throughout his 35-year career, is a megachurch known for a well-integrated, multi-generational ministry. The value of including new generations is deeply ingrained throughout Casas to help the church move strongly right through the twenty-first century and beyond. Dr. Barrier holds degrees from Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Seminary in Greek, religion, theology, and pastoral care. His popular book, Listening to the Voice of God, published by Bethany House, is in its second printing and is available in Thai and Portuguese. His latest work is, Got Guts? Get Godly! Pray the Prayer God Guarantees to Answer, from Xulon Press. Roger can be found blogging at Preach It, Teach It, the pastoral teaching site founded with his wife, Dr. Julie Barrier.

Editor's Note : This Ask Roger article features insights from Roger's daughter, Brie Barrier Wetherbee, a sought-after Bible teacher and conference speaker, author, analyst, and Christian theologian.

Pastor Roger Barrier's "Ask Roger" column regularly appears at Preach It, Teach It. Every week at Crosswalk, Dr. Barrier puts nearly 40 years of experience in the pastorate to work answering questions of doctrine or practice for laypeople or giving advice on church leadership issues. Email him your questions at roger@preachitteachit.org.
Corrects to Becki not Becky - FILE -This Wednesday Nov. 28, 2018 file photo shows Rev. Jerry Falwell Jr., right, and his wife, Becki during after a town hall at a convocation at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Falwell Jr. says he is seeking help for the

Before Jerry Falwell Jr. became the first major evangelical leader to support Donald Trump, he tried to cut his financial ties with Giancarlo Granda, who was involved in a long-term sexual relationship with Falwells wife, Becki, in which Jerry Falwell sometimes participated by looking on, Granda told POLITICO.

The Liberty University president and his wife met Granda, then just 20 years old, in 2012 while the couple were staying at Miami Beachs legendary Fontainebleau Hotel, where Granda was a pool attendant. A year after beginning what would become a seven-year affair, Granda said, the Falwells put up money for a Miami Beach youth hostel co-owned by Granda and the Falwells son Trey, according to Granda and incorporation documents.

Then, at the meeting at Loews Miami Beach Hotel in May 2015, Falwell surprised Granda by offering to buy him out. He also mentioned something else that caught Granda's attention: Donald Trump, he said, was planning to run for president, a somewhat surprising move that would place the New York developer among roughly a dozen people contending for the GOP nomination.

To Granda, the two events appeared to be connected: Jerry Falwell was trying to remove evidence of his familys ties to Granda in anticipation of getting involved in politics, which could invite greater scrutiny of his activities.

Now, as Falwell fights to save his job, the meeting seems to mark a change in the evangelical leaders life, the moment when he decided to step into the political arena as Trumps leading backer in the religious right. The move dramatically raised Falwells profile, but also cast a harsh spotlight on his behavior.

Jerry Falwell Jr. admired Trumps strongman public persona, Granda told POLITICO in one of a series of phone conversations and emailed exchanges. Also, there was a noticeable personality change after Trump was elected. He was drunk on power and felt like he could get away with anything.

Nonetheless, Falwell failed in his mission: erasing his ties to Granda. The young property manager  who would go on to earn a masters degree in real estate from Georgetown University  agreed to a buyout, he said, but Falwell never paid. It was his determination to get the money, he said, that led him to continue to seek payment from the Falwells.

Story continues

Jerry Falwell, who was placed on leave by the university after a controversy over his posting a picture of himself with his pants unzipped and an arm around his wifes assistant, did not respond to requests for comment.

On Sunday night, he posted a statement acknowledging Beckis affair with Granda but denying any personal involvement. He also said Granda had been attempting to extort money from him.

During a vacation over eight years ago, Becki and I met an ambitious young man who was working at our hotel and was saving up his money to go to school, Falwell wrote. We encouraged him to pursue an education and a career and we were impressed by his initiative in suggesting a local real estate opportunity. My family members eventually made an investment in a local property, included him in the deal because he could play an active role in managing it, and became close with him and his family.

Shortly thereafter, Becki had an inappropriate personal relationship with this person, something in which I was not involved  it was nonetheless very upsetting to learn about. After I learned this, I lost 80 pounds and people who saw me regularly thought that I was physically unwell, when in reality I was just balancing how to be most supportive of Becki, who I love, while also reflecting and praying about whether there were ways I could have been more supportive of her and given her proper attention.

While we tried to distance ourselves from him over time, he unfortunately became increasingly angry and aggressive, Jerry Falwell added. Eventually, he began threatening to publicly reveal this secret relationship with Becki and to deliberately embarrass my wife, family, and Liberty University unless we agreed to pay him substantial monies.

Granda disputes many aspects of Jerry Falwells statement. By his account, which was first reported in Reuters, the relationship began at their very first meeting, before the Falwells investment in the Miami Beach hostel. He also said that Jerry Falwell not only was aware of the relationship, but sometimes watched him and Becki have sex.

In addition, Granda told POLITICO, while he had sometimes grown angry at the Falwells, the only money he attempted to obtain from them was payment for his share of the hostel deal, which the evangelical leader had promised him.

I was struggling with my mental health at the time and said some regrettable things, but I was hopeless and at times felt like the only way I could break away from their hold, was by lashing out at them or ending my life, Granda said in an email.

A month after Falwell offered to buy out Grandas share of the hostel, Trump launched his bid for office. Falwell  to the surprise of many evangelicals  started talking Trump up on the campaign trail. Falwell became the first major evangelical leader to endorse Trump, providing a crucial bridge to a constituency that was deeply skeptical of him. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who emerged as Trumps main rival for the nomination, had counted on the overwhelming backing of evangelical Christians as his base of support.

The meeting at Loews  disclosed here for the first time  wasnt the first time that Trump loomed large over Granda and his relationship with the Falwells. In 2014, when Granda and the Falwells were named defendants in a lawsuit relating to the Miami Beach hostel, Becki Falwell told Granda that Michael Cohen, Trumps longtime fixer, was going to take care of those guys that are suing us, Granda told POLITICO.

People involved in the lawsuit had obtained compromising photos of Becki Falwell, Granda said.

Michael is well-connected in Miami. He will get this buried and will make those photos go away, Becki Falwell said of Cohen, according to Granda.

Since Trump became president, Jerry Falwell has enjoyed unusual access to the administration, being invited along with top donors to visit the White House for a mid-term election night watch party in 2018 and, according to Falwell, even being offered the job of Education secretary.

Falwells close relationship with Trump also served to invite further scrutiny of his conduct. POLITICO reported on Falwells sometimes bawdy behavior and how Liberty did business with companies owned by Falwells friends and family, and sold property to family and friends without always making proper disclosures.

Last year, POLITICO published photos of Falwell and his family visiting a nightclub in Miami, where they were seen on the dance floor and holding beverages. Jerry Falwell said the photos were manipulated. Students at Liberty can be penalized for co-ed dancing, and drinking alcohol can lead to a suspension.

Cohens role in helping Falwell out of a jam with explicit photos also came to light. Cohen was secretly taped discussing helping Falwells when "private" photos got in someone else's hands by comedian Tom Arnold.

Granda, in detailing the extent of his relationship with the Falwells for the first time, said he met the couple in 2012, while working at the Fontainebleau, when Becki approached him while he was talking to a group of young women.

"During my work shift at the Fontainebleau Hotel in March 2012, I was chatting with some girls my age (20 at the time)," Granda told POLITICO. "Becki said, 'Those girls dont know what theyre doing, you need someone with more experience.'"

After chatting, Granda said, Becki suggested they go to a hotel room.

"And then she goes, 'But one thing.' And I'm like, "Okay.' And she's like, 'My husband likes to watch.' And just then he comes out and he's wearing a Speedo."

The exchange in Miami started an affair that lasted seven years. For much of its duration, the Falwells would fly to Miami multiple times a year and Granda would visit the Falwells farm in Virginia, Granda told POLITICO.

While he would have sex with Becki, Jerry Falwell would watch both in person and on tapes.

He enjoyed watching us in person and also remotely through video cameras. He also listened to our phone calls, Granda said. Granda declined to answer questions about how much of his relationship with the Falwells involved him and Becki exclusively, without Jerry present.

Granda said he decided to come forward and speak about the situation for a number of reasons, including his desire to break free from the Falwell family, his frustration over the amount of money paid to people to settle the dispute over the Miami hostel, and "yes, boiling frustration over the Falwells refusal to purchase my 24.9 percent equity stake" in the hostel.

Granda and the Falwells remained in touch through Trump's term as president, according to Granda's account.

But Falwells own behavior grew more bizarre, at least for the president of a Christian university.

There was the Instagram photo that he posted and deleted of himself vacationing on a yacht with his pants unzipped and his arm around his wifes assistant, which led to his indefinite leave of absence.

Earlier in the summer, Falwell had tweeted a photo that included an image of a man in a Ku Klux Klan hood and a man wearing blackface on a mask.

The photo and accompanying text were intended to be satire relating to Virginia Gov. Northams mask mandate, he explained.

On Monday, reports circulated that Falwell was resigning from Liberty. But Falwell told POLITICO on Monday he was not leaving his post.

"I have not resigned," Falwell said.

Later, the Wall Street Journal quoted him as saying he would indeed be stepping down.

Liberty's board of directors plans to meet on Tuesday.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/25/2020



ADVERTISEMENT

DEAVAN AND JIHOON

ADVERTISEMENT

ARIELA AND BINIYAM

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

KENNETH AND ARMANDO

ADVERTISEMENT

TIM AND MELYZA

ADVERTISEMENT

BRITTANY AND YAZAN

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

: The Other Way featured a stranger calling Kenneth Niedermeier and Armando Rubio an offensive homophobic slur, Brittany Banks and Yazan Abo Horira revealing an explosive fight over a sexy Instagram photo, and Ariela having a breakdown over not wanting to be alone with Biniyam after her mother left during Monday night's Season 2 episode on TLC.: The Other Way follows American citizens moving to foreign countries for the sake of love and their future spouses, and they must marry within 90 days in order to stay.: The Other Way's second season features a total of six couples, including Season 1 returnees Jenny Slatten and fiance Sumit as well as Deavan Clegg and husband Jihoon Lee Jenny, a 61-year-old from Palm Springs, CA, is moving back to India for Sumit, a 32-year-old from New Delhi, India, once and for all after previously uprooting her life only to discover Sumit was married to another woman.And Deavan, a 23-year-old from Salt Lake City, UT, is officially moving to South Korea along with her two children, Drascilla and Taeyang, to start a life with Jihoon, a 29-year-old from Seoul, South Korea.The four new couples starring on Season 2 of : The Other Way are Yazan, a 24-year-old from Amman, Jordan, and Brittany, a 26-year-old from Palm Beach, FL; Ariela, a 28-year-old from Princeton, NJ, and Biniyam, a 29-year-old from Ethiopia; Kenneth, a 57-year-old from St. Petersburg, FL, and Armando, a 31-year-old from Mexico; and Tim, a 34-year-old from Dallas, TX, and Melyza, a 29-year-old from Colombia.Below is what was shown on Episode 12 of : The Other Way's second season.Deavan had been in South Korea for a week, and she was looking forward to celebrating Taeyang's 100-day birthday party, which Jihoon said is a tradition in his country.Deavan said she was nervous to see and have to cook with Jihoon's mother, but Jihoon planned to tell her that everything was okay after his big fight with Deavan.Deavan wasn't sure Jihoon's mother liked her and only tolerated her since Deavan is the mother of her only grandson. Deavan didn't know what to expect at the family gathering, but she certainly dressed the part in the kitchen.Deavan told Jihoon to hold Drascilla's hand and watch out for cars while she cooked with Jihoon's mother. Jihoon's mother laughed at Deavan while she attempted to chop a carrot thinly, and Deavan didn't like being treated like "a dimwit."Jihoon's mother laughed about how Deavan was bad at chopping vegetables, but Jihoon's mother said she didn't expect a lot from her daughter-in-law.Jihoon's mother told Deavan to say hello and thank you to everyone for gifts that would be coming her way, but Deavan said she just wanted to relax and enjoy the party, without worrying about what people thought about her.When the party commenced, there was a lot of food, balloons and guests from Jihoon's family.Deavan was grateful Jihoon's parents had thrown this party, but Elicia still couldn't get the image of Jihoon letting go of Drascilla's hand and allowing the child to run out of her head.However, Elicia decided to put her "boiling anger" aside for one day, and then Deavan and Jihoon dressed in traditional Korean attire for the special occasion.Deavan said it felt good to be part of the 100-day tradition for a child, and then she met Jihoon's extended family."I'm really concerned Jihoon' family won't accept me and Drascilla, because in Korean culture, it's really looked down upon to be a single mother or have a child from a previous relationship," Deavan explained to the cameras.But Jihoon's relatives approved of Deavan and seemed to adore her son, Taeyang. Deavan even won over Jihoon's grandmother, whom Deavan figured would be the hardest person to please and impress.Jihoon's grandmother thought Deavan was pretty and Drascilla was cute, and she even gifted Deavan some cash for Taeyang. Jihoon's grandmother said she would consider Drascilla a great granddaughter, and Deavan was so relieved.Jihoon's aunts also said Deavan fit in nicely with their family and their preconceived idea of Deavan floated away after they met her and saw the beautiful baby."Experiencing this party has made me really feel I am more accepted by Jihoon's family and I could potentially be a family member to them," Deavan shared in a confessional."It's finally starting to feel like Jihoon is stepping up and he does take our relationship seriously and that he does love me and the kids."After two weeks in Ethiopia, Ariela's mother Janice was leaving and Ariela felt "very sad." Ariela knew she was going to miss her mom terribly.Janice planned to visit after the baby's birth with supplies and gifts, and Janice determined that Biniyam was "very good to" her daughter.Janice told Ariela, however, not to hesitate if she changed her mind and wanted to come home. Janice assured her daughter that she shouldn't be embarrassed in that case because Biniyam was going to be busy with work and Ariela didn't know many people in Ethiopia.Ariela acknowledged having Janice around had been a buffer for her and it was going to be "really hard" not to have her around. When Ariela drove her mom to the airport, she broke down into tears.Janice told her daughter to have "positive thoughts" only, but Ariela wished her mother -- and best friend -- could stay with her forever.Ariela and Janice had an emotional goodbye, with Ariela crying in her mother's arms at the train station. Janice asked Ariela not to make the baby sad, but Ariela didn't want to see her mom go."We love you!" Biniyam yelled out to Janice.Ariela said all of a sudden, everything felt "real" and her mother leaving had hit her "like a ton of bricks."This was going to be Ariela's first time alone with Biniyam in four months, and she worried she wasn't going to feel the same way about her boyfriend as she had in the past.After Janice left, Ariela suddenly felt overwhelmed with loneliness. She said having Janice in Ethiopia made the trip feel more like a vacation.Ariela said she and Biniyam had to make an effort to get to know each other again because they hadn't seen each other in a really long time. Ariela told Biniyam that she loved him, but she was definitely sad.The couple clearly had communication problems because Biniyam didn't know much English, but Biniyam said he would practice. Ariela admitted she felt lost when trying to talk to Biniyam, especially because he only knew three words for emotions -- "mad," "jealous" and "sad."Ariela was going to have her baby in 10 weeks, and she started to cry about feeling "stuck" in Ethiopia with no friends or family."I'm not looking forward to being alone with you. I am not happy about it," Ariela confessed to Biniyam in tears. "I am not happy about it... I don't want to hurt your feelings, but I feel like you don't know me at all or understand me."Ariela also said she was nervous around Biniyam because they hadn't seen each other in a while and the whole situation felt "weird.""It'll be okay. I love you. I want to make family with you. I want to be a good father, I promise. But don't leave me," Biniyam begged his girlfriend.Biniyam felt confused and worried Ariela was going to leave, so he promised that he would make her happy."I just feel like this is going to be really, really hard," Ariela admitted.Ariela had looked forward to building a new life in Ethiopia, but she said she felt very lonely and maybe this wasn't what she wanted after all.Biniyam told Ariela they could fix everything together and once again asked her to stay.Kenneth, Armando and two of Kenneth's daughters, Taylor and Cassidy, went out for some authentic local tacos.When Kenneth went to use the bathroom at the taco stand, he was totally disgusted because the toilet wouldn't flush without pouring water into it and it smelled. Armando taught Kenneth how to clear the pee, but Kenneth wasn't having it and was grossed out.Armando touched and tickled Kenneth once the guys returned to the table together, which seemingly marked Armando's first attempt at PDA since Kenneth's move to Mexico.Suddenly, a man walked by and said, "Bye," along with an expletive that TLC censored out. Armando seemingly revealed to the group the man had said in Spanish, "Adios f-gg-t."Armando was clearly upset and shaken by the derogatory, homophobic slur often used in Mexico.Kenneth said he wished he had heard the slur because he would've said something back to the man, but Armando said that could've caused a fight and so that's not the right way to go about it.Kenneth's daughters had never seen someone be nasty to their father before, and it even brought Cassidy to tears. Cassidy wanted to "punch that guy in the face" and cried about how people are "so blind."Armando said what just went down is why he's scared to be affectionate in public but he must learn not to care. However, Armando admitted the hate still bothered and affected him."We can't give him the power," Kenneth told his fiance. "If we give him the power, he gets exactly what he was looking to get out of us -- a rise."Kenneth said the sad part was Armando was just starting to feel more free with himself and open and flirtatious with Kenneth."One word from a guy can tear it all down," Kenneth told the cameras, before telling Armando to just live the way he wants.The incident, however, made Armando doubt how affectionate he'd like to be in the future.Tim set out to prove he was serious about rebuilding his relationship with Melyza after being unfaithful to her, so he headed to an employment agency in the hope of starting a life and career in Colombia.Tim was proud of himself for hailing a cab, but it ended up being a motorcycle, which made him feel really uncomfortable."Once I do find a job, that would boost my confidence immensely -- just knowing I can truly take care of us so we can focus on our issues," Tim said.When Tim was able to hop in a normal taxi cab, he arrived at the employment agency and shared he's a software support technician. Tim described himself as finances and teamwork, and admitted he didn't really know what he was talking about.Tim explained he'd like to have a life in Colombia, but he only had a visa to visit Colombia. Tim was therefore told he needed a worker's permit in order to get a job or a visa or a residency card.Tim was told a company can sponsor him but it's very difficult."This isn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. I was ignorant to it in thinking that, 'Oh this is Colombia and I'm an American; I won't have any problems finding a job,'" Tim admitted.Tim learned he must get married in Colombia first, before obtaining a work permit, and he could obtain all "the legal stuff" from his wife's side."Hearing her say getting married is the easier option is very unfortunate because I don't think that's on Melyza's radar or mine right now. It's one more hurdle to cross that I wasn't anticipating," Tim shared.Brittany and Yazan went to a cafe for a date night, and Brittany had been in Jordan for three weeks. She was finally starting to feel "at home," especially because Brittany and Yazan were granted more time to get to know each other before marriage.However, Brittany said someone in Yazan's family had caused some "crazy drama" the night prior and they needed to talk things out in order to make their relationship work.Brittany and Yazan apparently got into a huge fight because a member of Yazan's family looked through Brittany's Instagram account when the person noticed Brittany had tagged Yazan in one of her pictures."Someone in Yazan's extended family saw the post and decided to be nosey and go through my entire feed. They came across a picture I posted of when I was still in Florida and then they went and texted Yazan's whole family saying they have a picture of me naked," Brittany explained.The photo featured Brittany and a girlfriend showing off their backsides in skimpy bikinis while at a backyard pool in Florida."Someone said something that you don't respect Islam," Yazan said."Is gossiping a part of Islam?" Brittany asked.Brittany said Yazan's extended family was always trying to cause drama so they'd break up and an incident like this was "not new."But Yazan allegedly flipped out over Brittany's photo. Brittany claimed Yazan said he no longer wanted to be with her and didn't want to marry her. Brittany said she had "enough" and so she gave Yazan "a piece of my mind."Footage then flashed back to Yazan having a man read Brittany's "stupid" text messages aloud on-camera.Brittany apparently swore at Yazan and said, "Every day you want to marry me, then you don't because of what someone asks you. You are weak and insecure. I don't ever want to see your face ever again because you're weak as f-ck."Yazan said he was upset because his parents were upset and they thought Brittany was going to delete her social media profile."I'm not going to let them bully me into deleting my social media and even give them the thought that they have any kind of authority over me," Brittany said in a confessional."I leave my social media up on purpose just to show them that I don't care what they say and I'm going to lead my own life."Brittany admitted she had gotten really petty when mad, which is typical behavior, but Yazan said they needed to find a solution. Yazan ultimately felt he had to choose between love and his honor.Yazan, however, told the cameras he loved Brittany so much, and so it seemed he was ready to choose her over others' approval and support.Brittany then asked Yazan to stay at her hotel that night since they were in love, but Yazan said, "No," because they had to be married before spending the night together. Yazan told Brittany he didn't want to do anything that's wrong.Brittany said Yazan's parents would probably kill him if Yazan had sex, and so she decided to respect her boyfriend's body and choices."Despite everything, I still love you, Yazan," Brittany said. "But we still have a lot of obstacles to face in our relationship. We have his family, we have cultural differences, we have language barriers -- but I am willing to do some work."Brittany told Yazan that he's the sweetest person she knew even though he acted crazy sometimes."But what's a relationship without a little crazy?!" Brittany asked Yazan with a laugh.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
Related Russia medics deny outside pressure on Navalny treatment

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday said he was "deeply concerned" by initial findings that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned, and endorsed a European Union-led investigation into the circumstances of his illness.

It was the first formal statement issued by Pompeo since Navalny collapsed on a plane last week while returning to Moscow from Siberia.

Navalny, a leading critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Sunday was airlifted in a coma for treatment at a clinic in Berlin, where doctors found indications of a toxic substance in his body.

"The United States is deeply concerned by reported preliminary conclusions from German medical experts that ... Navalny was poisoned," Pompeo said. "If the reports prove accurate, the United States supports the EUs call for a comprehensive investigation and stands ready to assist in that effort."

"Navalnys family and the Russian people deserve to see a full and transparent investigation carried out, and for those involved to be held accountable," Pompeo said.

His statement came after the Kremlin said it saw no reason for now for an investigation and that the German clinic's findings were not yet conclusive.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday called for an investigation and said Russia should hold the perpetrators accountable. The top EU diplomat on Tuesday called for such a probe, a stance echoed on Tuesday by the U.S. ambassador to Moscow, John Sullivan.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Matthew and Kate Court are two entrepreneurs that were seeking a life above a 9-5 career path, where Matthew gathered the resources to begin his venture in business. In 2012, Matthew decided to go against the odds and create a business where Kate joined him in the year of 2014. Between the Courts, health is one of their passions among other things. The ability to help others drove the Courts to pursue a business of their own, within a health & wellness network marketing company in search of generating a higher income.

The feeling of unfulfillment flooded the Courts' daily lives as they worked jobs that would not work to their life goals. The two both knew they were meant for a path with a larger meaning. Possessing a confidence in their worth, the Courts were determined to never settle for less than they deserve. Matthew initially longed for a side hustle that would generate extra income alongside his position as a personal trainer to pay the gym rental. The ability to grow an online following to create a business grew in attraction as years went along as he wanted to travel more and start a family. Meeting Kate in 2014, she possessed the same passion for fitness and health as Matthew did. Kate worked for a degree in strength and conditioning, which left her at a dead end without careers in her desired field. Being stuck in a call center, the two joined forces within the business world and started their health & wellness network marketing business.

When entrepreneurs first set out in their business venture, they are faced with negativity and doubt amongst themselves and the people around them. Dealing with the discouragement shown from friends, colleagues, and family was one of the hardest challenges the Courts encountered in growing their brand. Although things never go as one can plan, they remained dedicated to their dreams. The two recognized it is difficult to keep moving forward in times of trial and error, but the gratification of looking back and realizing how worth the journey was contributes to lessons and growth for the future.

Story continues

Matthew and Kate Court have grown to become persistent in their growth in the social media world, where they have slowly been trying to discover a work and life balance. Working with a spouse while raising a newborn was a struggle to accustom their life to, but they would not have it any different. Though they have not mastered the balance among family and work, they are working at it every single day to accompany their dreams of success. Their main goal is to help others which brings joy and meaning into their lives.

When asked the meaning of success the Courts responded, "Success to us means waking up everyday excited and doing what we love." By growing their brand, success has overtime unfolded to accomplish the free lifestyle they lacked working a nine to five. The two advise anyone seeking to start their own business to never let anyone get in the way of their vision. One must remain true to their mission and work at perfecting their skillset everyday. The Courts believe in the theory that the people around you are a representation of who you are. The two claim, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, so find those successful people and spend as much time with them as possible." One must find people that hold the same morals, values, and drive to reach achievements of success. The world tends to gravitate towards negativity, and they believe in preserving a healthy mindset consistently. Developing their mind to focus on building their brand contributed to the success they have reached to this day.

In terms of future projects for the Courts, they are continuously moving goal posts and setting new targets to reach a larger impact through their health and wellness industry. They would love to travel more and potentially work with more brands among the influencer market to increase their presence in the world of social media. To follow along the Court's business and endeavours, click here.

CONTACT:

Kiley Almy

Kiley@nextwavemktg.com

Next Wave Marketing

SOURCE: Matt Court





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/603318/Matthew-and-Kate-Courts-Journey-to-Fulfillment-in-Health-and-Wellness




From next month, teenagers will receive a windfall worth as much as 50,000 when they turn 18.

They will be the first to get their hands on Child Trust Fund (CTF) cash given to them when they were born. The tax-free funds were launched in 2005 by then chancellor Gordon Brown to encourage families to save for their children's future.

Under the scheme, every child born between September 1, 2002, and January 2, 2011, received a 250 voucher, or 500 if they were from a low-income family. They received a second voucher at age seven.

Canny: Emily Fletcher (and dad Jason) plans to keep her money invested when her child trust fund matures

'I PLAN TO KEEP GROWING MY NEW NEST EGG' Emily Fletcher, 17, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, plans to keep her money invested when her child trust fund matures next month. Her father, publican Jason, 49, paid in 20 a month until 2012, when he transferred the 3,300 fund to a new provider. It has since grown to 4,750. The father-of-two says he told Emily about the money a few years ago. She was delighted and started thinking about everything she could spend the money on, such as a car and holidays. 'But since then her attitude has changed,' Jason says. 'She now wants to keep hold of the money and carry on saving.' Emily has a part-time waitressing job, which gives her spending money, so she would like to reinvest the child trust fund money into an adult Isa, and keep it there for as long as she can. 'Once she finishes college she wants to study nursing, so might need the money to pay for training, or it may be enough for a house deposit some day,' says Jason.

Parents could continue to top up the account by a limited amount annually, but children could not withdraw any of the cash until they were 18.

Over the next 12 months more than 700,000 teenagers will celebrate their 18th birthdays and get the keys to funds worth thousands.

Millions more will join them in the course of the next nine years, with about 55,000 gaining access to their cash each month.

Roughly half of the teenagers will receive more than 5,000 when their account matures, according to provider Unity Mutual.

Just over a quarter will have more than 20,000, while the luckiest could have almost 50,000 waiting for them.

How much they get depends on whether parents made additional contributions and if the money was kept in cash or invested in the stock market. The 2020-21 limit is 9,000.

For example, if parents contributed the maximum permitted each year, on top of the two 250 government vouchers, a teenager with a cash CTF paying 2 per cent would have 49,383 by the time they turned 18, according to calculations by investment firm AJ Bell.

On the other hand, parents who saved 100 every month and invested the money in the FTSE 100 through the CTF, would see their children receive a 24,624 nest egg.

Children who received only the two government vouchers would have 668 today if the money had stayed in the cash CTF or 1,198 if it had been invested in the FTSE 100.

The rules allow children to take control of their account at the age of 16. This means they can decide where the money is invested or switch provider  but they are not allowed to make withdrawals. Once they are 18 they are free to do as they like.

About four in ten teenagers say they want to continue investing their money, according to Unity Mutual. And almost a fifth say they don't plan to spend a penny of their fund.

Laura Suter, personal finance analyst at AJ Bell, says: 'For many 18-year-olds this will be the first decent chunk of money they've been in charge of, so it might seem daunting. But there are several options including saving it in cash and transferring it into an Isa and investing it.'

With the stock market taking a bashing this year, they might want to keep the money invested until it recovers.

Myron Jobson, personal finance campaigner at investment platform Interactive Investor, says: 'Those with maturing accounts may be itching to get their hands on the cash, but they should think twice before making withdrawals because the value of the pot could be worth considerably less than it was at the beginning of the year.'

CTF provider Onefamily, where the average fund is worth 2,079, is offering a new Isa linked to shares in environmentally responsible companies. You can invest as little as 25 a month.

It found eight in ten teens would choose to save in the light of the chaos caused by Covid-19.
Her split from Nick Onassis was announced shortly after the Farmer Wants a Wife finale on Monday night.

And on Tuesday, Liz put on a brave face as she stepped out in Brookfield, Queensland, to grab a cup of coffee.

The 34-year-old brought her beloved dachshund with her for the morning stroll.

Stepping out: Farmer Wants a Wife's Liz Jelley put on a brave face as she stepped out in Brookfield, Queensland, to grab a cup of coffee with her pet pooch

At one point, she protectively clutched the pet pooch in her arms.

Liz looked stylish in a pair of tight blue denim jeans, a black shirt and a matching black leather jacket.

Nick had the tough task of choosing between Naomi Carter and Liz on Sunday night's episode of Farmer Wants A Wife.

Doggy style: At one point, she protectively clutched her beloved dachshund in her arms

The 44-year-old larrikin appeared unsure whether to go with passion and lust in Naomi, 38, or friendship and like-mindedness in Liz.

After settling on a future with Liz, Naomi couldn't hide her feelings of rejection, lashing out at Nick for spending all of his time getting to know her rival.

'Dating more than one woman is difficult,' Nick told Naomi. 'I've been trying my best, I've been trying to be respectful. On paper you're perfect for me, but we've been missing something.'

Clearly hurt, Naomi accused Nick of failing to give their relationship a chance.

Tough task: Nick chose a friendship in Liz Jelley (pictured with Nick), over passion and lust in Naomi Carter

'Well, you haven't been telling me how you feel, and what you've been showing is that you are interested in Liz,' the management consultant said.

'You spent your whole time flirting with Liz, you gave the final date when you could have given it to me, you still gave it to Liz.'

After the finale, Nick announced his split from Liz in a legthy Instagram post.

'I dont think Im ready for Liz Jelley... What a fantastically nuanced, gorgeous, hilarious, spectacular specimen of woman she is,' he wrote.

'I hope she finds a man who deserves her and makes her as happy as she made me during this ordeal.'
In announcing the new decision, the president and his team have vastly overstated the promise of convalescent plasma, calling it a major therapeutic breakthrough and claiming that it has been proven to reduce mortality from Covid by as much as 30 to 50 percent, without explaining that any such findings come with heavy caveats.

Dr. Stephen Hahn, the F.D.A.s commissioner, went so far as to suggest that the plasma therapy could save the lives of 35 out of every 100 coronavirus patients who took it. As STAT News reports, the number is much closer to three to five out of every 100, and even that lower estimate is questionable: The data came from an observational study, not a rigorous clinical trial.

Dr. Hahn could have made a more honest case for authorizing plasma therapy by simply pointing to the urgency of the moment and the apparent safety of the treatment. The administration could have helped resolve the questions around convalescent plasma by arranging for more rigorous clinical trials. That it instead chose egregious overselling of its benefit is unconscionable, especially as an election nears.

This is hardly the first time the Trump administration has sacrificed scientific integrity for the sake of political theater. The president pressed the F.D.A. to grant a similar authorization to the malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, despite ample warning from scientists that the drugs were not only unproven for the coronavirus but potentially dangerous. That authorization was revoked in June, after the drugs were linked to serious heart complications in more than 100 patients, including at least 25 who died.

The administration also stripped the agency of its ability to regulate lab-developed diagnostic tests, a move that may improve the supply of coronavirus diagnostics but will also wreak havoc on countless patients suffering from other serious conditions. Nearly from the start of the pandemic, the president has sidelined, muzzled and disempowered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an agency with perhaps the highest concentration of infectious disease expertise in the world.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said on Tuesday that an overarching national mission should be there to identify the needs and compatibility of products with military applications as part of the armed forces modernisation strategy.

General Naravane attended a seminar on "Impact of Disruptive Technologies on Our Fighting Philosophy in Future Conflicts" and provided strategic guidance to the Indian Army. The seminar was part of the Defence and Strategy Seminar 2020 at Army War College, Mhow on August 24 and 25, 2020.

He highlighted the impact of disruptive technologies in warfare and emphasised that the current modernisation drive was focused on upgrading existing weapon systems and platforms, The Indian Armed Forces would have to lay adequate emphasis on the available disruptive technologies that have dual use and are being driven by commercial entities and innovations.

Lieutenant General Raj Shukla, Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command, discussed disruptive technologies like Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Robotics, Big Data Analytics, Cyber, Small Satellite, 5G/6G, Quantum Computing and cyber warfare during the event.

Warfare has undergone a sea change due to the emergence of new domains of warfare and disruptive technologies.

There is a technology tsunami which is underway and it will compel militaries to reorganise and re-structure to fight future wars.

The event was conducted as a webinar due to the COVID-19 restrictions, across 54 locations with 82 out stations spread across the length and breadth of the country.

The seminar was a sounding board for the Indian Army on doctrinal and strategic issues of vital national importance and resulted in obtaining an insight into complex themes.
The University of Alabama has regained its spot atop the list of the nations top party schools.

The Princeton Review recently released its annual listing of the top party schools in the country. The rankings are based on what students say about their college experiences, with the party school designation determined by student ratings on the use of alcohol and drugs, the number of hours they study each day outside of class and the popularity of fraternities and sororities.

This years survey included 143,000 students at 386 schools.

Last year, UA was ranked No. 2 behind Syracuse University, which dropped back to No. 3 this year. UA is the only Alabama school among the top 20 party schools for this year.

The party school designation comes just as Tuscaloosa officials announced they were closing bars in the college town for two weeks in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. The university announced Monday it had 531 confirmed cases between students, faculty and staff since classes resumed Aug. 19.

The university has more than 38,000 students.

Here is the complete list of party schools from Princeton Review:

1. University of Alabama

2. University of Delaware

3. Syracuse University

4. West Virginia University

5. Tulane University

6. University of Maine

7. Union College

8. Bucknell University

9. Colgate University

10. Wake Forest University

11. University of California-Santa Barbara

12. Elon University

13. University of Rhode Island

14. University of Wisconsin

15. The University of the South

16. St. Lawrence University

17. University of Dayton

18. University of Connecticut

19. Florida State University

20. Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Protesters set fire to cars, buildings as National Guard deploys to quell unrest over police shooting of a Black man.

Police in the US city of Kenosha fired tear gas and pepper balls to disperse protesters on Monday as the governor of Wisconsin called out the National Guard during a second night of unrest after a Black man was shot in the back multiple times by police as his three children looked on.

The clashes erupted shortly after nightfall, when many protesters defying a dusk-to-dawn curfew gathered outside the Kenosha court, shouting and tossing water bottles at a line of sheriffs deputies.

Some also launched fireworks at the police and set fire to vehicles and buildings in the city.

Kenosha, on the shore of Lake Michigan 65km (40 miles) south of Milwaukee, became the latest flashpoint in a summer of racial unrest after cellphone footage circulated showing police shooting Jacob Blake on Sunday at about 5pm local time.





The 29-year-old was airlifted to hospital in Milwaukee in serious condition, but local media reported on Monday afternoon that his family said he was out of surgery and improving.

Video of the encounter taken by an onlooker showed Blake walking towards the drivers side of a grey four-wheel drive followed by two officers with their guns drawn at his back. Seven gunshots are then heard as Blake, who appears to be unarmed, opens the car door and a woman nearby jumps up and down in disbelief.

His three young sons witnessed the shooting from just a few feet away while sitting in their car, according to the family lawyer.

Protesters link arms in front of a police line outside the Kenosha County court on August 24, 2020 [Morry Gash/ AP]

The shooting triggered protests in Kenosha late on Sunday, with demonstrators setting several vehicles on fire and damaging the county court building. The county sheriff declared a curfew from 8pm local time on Monday until 7am local time on Tuesday, saying the public needs to be off the streets for their safety.

Excessive use of force

On Monday afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the court, chanting, no justice, no peace and say his name  Jacob Blake, and demanding the arrest of the officers involved in the shooting.

Tensions flared after a news conference with Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian, originally to be held in a park, was moved inside the citys public safety building. Hundreds of protesters rushed to the building and a door was snapped off its hinges, but police in riot gear drove the demonstrators back by dousing some with pepper spray.

Later at night, police fired tear gas about 30 minutes after the curfew took effect and protesters refused to disperse. But hundreds of people hung around, lighting fires and screaming at police. A short time later, several truckloads of National Guard troops were seen rolling into the centre of town.

Local media reported exit ramps leading into the city from an Interstate-94 had been closed to traffic.

Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian speaks to protesters outside the Kenosha County Public Safety Building in Kenosha [Stephen Maturen/ Reuters]

A woman taunts members of the Sheriffs department during a protest over the shooting of Jacob Blake [Stephen Maturen/Reuters]

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said he ordered the National Guard troops to Kenosha at the request of local officials to help maintain order after activists said they were organising further demonstrations for Monday night.

He also said police had shown a pattern of excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with Black Wisconsinites.

We must rise to this movement and this moment and meet it with our empathy, our humanity and a fierce commitment to disrupt the cycle of systemic racism and bias that devastates Black families and communities, Evers said in a public address.

Pete Deates, president of the citys police union, accused the governor of rushing to judgement, calling Everss comments wholly irresponsible.

Pierce the soul of our nation

The shooting occurred three months after the May 25 death of George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis, who was pinned to the street under the knee of a white police officer, sparking nationwide protests against police brutality and racism within the US criminal justice system.

Former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democrat challenging Republican President Donald Trump in the November 3 election, called for the officers involved in Kenosha to be held accountable.

The nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force, Biden said in a statement. These shots pierce the soul of our nation.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin denounced the National Guard deployment as an unnecessary and militarised response to legitimate protests that only serves to exacerbate tensions.





Sundays shooting occurred as officers were responding to what they termed a domestic incident. Police immediately took the victim to hospital, according to a police statement. Authorities gave no further explanation of what led to the shooting.

Attorney Ben Crump, who also represented Floyds family, said in a statement Blake had been trying to de-escalate a domestic incident when the officers first shot him with a stun gun.

As he was walking away to check on his children, police fired their weapons several times into his back at point-blank range, Crump said.

We will seek justice for Jacob Blake and for his family as we demand answers from the Kenosha Police Department, he added.

The officers involved were placed on administrative leave while the investigation is under way, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said on Monday.
Low-cost carrier Jetstar has suspended flights in New Zealand for at least 11 more days, citing difficulties of operating while social distancing rules are in place.

Following a resurgence of Covid-19 in New Zealand the Qantas subsidiary suspended all flying in New Zealand until August 26.

That has now been extended to September 6 following Mondays announcement by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern that Auckland will remain in alert level 3 until midnight Sunday.

A Jetstar travel alert, published just before midnight Monday, said as a low-cost carrier it was unable to continue its operations in New Zealand while there was a requirement for airlines to keep the middle seat free.

The limitations on the number of customers that are allowed on board our aircraft make the operations of our flights unviable.

Auckland has been in alert level 3 since August 12 while the rest of the country has been in level 2.

Under alert level 3 people can travel on domestic air services for only a handful of specific reasons such as if they are travelling to do essential work, facilitating shared caregiving arrangements, relocating a home or business, travelling for medical reasons, because of an emergency or to give effect to a court order.

Under alert level 2 New Zealanders can travel, but they must do it in a safe way and remember to keep a record of their journey.

Physical distancing applies and people should not travel if they have been requested to self-isolate/quarantine, have symptoms of Covid-19, or are awaiting Covid-19 test results.

Jetstar says affected customers were being contacted and offered options, including the ability to change their travel date (to fly between September 7 and 24) at no additional cost or receive a credit voucher for the full amount of their booking.

Meanwhile, Air New Zealand is mandating the wearing of masks or face coverings on its flights from August 31, in line with a Government order that will mandate face coverings to be worn on public transport.

Air New Zealand chief executive officer Greg Foran says customers flying from Auckland had been required to wear masks while at level 3 and it had been recommended for customers travelling from other ports.

It was also reviewing its domestic network and would be contacting customers who may be affected by the extension of current alert levels, he says.

We understand the impacts these disruptions cause to our customers and well do our best to get our customers to where they need to be, Greg says.

Fare flexibility is still in place and the airline encourages those who no longer wish to fly to opt to hold their fare in credit through its online booking tool.

Air New Zealand chief commercial and customer officer Cam Wallace said in a tweet on Monday the airline was blocking for sale 120,000 seats on about 3000 flights between August 27 and September 6 to ensure social distancing requirements were in place.

It was also working on reinstating arrangements so people in the same bubble, such as families, could sit together.

-Stuff
"Post Reports" is the daily podcast from The Washington Post. Unparalleled reporting. Expert insight. Clear analysis. Everything you've come to expect from the newsroom of The Post - for your ears.

- - -

In this episode:

Mary Jordan discusses the first lady's reputation before Melania Trump's headlining speech at the second night of the Republican National Convention. Sarah Kaplan explains how genetic analysis of the coronavirus could help map and control its spread. And Isabelle Khurshudyan reports on the mass demonstrations that have erupted in Belarus after a presidential election.
Six times as many illegal migrants are arriving on the Canary Islands compared to last year as increased security in the Mediterranean is pushing them to try the more dangerous Atlantic crossing.

Illegal migration to the chain of volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Morocco, has risen over six-fold this year compared to the same time last year, to 3,448 people as of August 16, according to Spanish interior ministry data.

Last year just 556 had reached the islands by mid-August.

Meanwhile, arrivals on Spain 's southern Mediterranean shore dropped by 50 per cent during this period, the figures showed.





Use of the far longer and more perilous route 'exploded' after Morocco began moving migrants away from its northern shore in September 2019 to prevent them from setting off by boat to southern Spain, said Txema Santana, of the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR).





The move followed an agreement with the European Union, which has struck similar deals with other nations, such as Libya and Turkey, that have long served as launch pads for attempted crossings of the Mediterranean to Europe.

'If you move them away from the north, you push them south. And the Canaries are in the south,' Santana said.

In this file photo taken on June 30, 2014 members of the Red Cross tend to would-be immigrants upon their arrival in Tazacorte, on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma

'This (the Atlantic) is a much longer crossing, which increases the number of deaths,' said Maria Greco, of Entre Mares, a migrant rights group based in Fuerteventura, the Canary island closest to Morocco.

'The Atlantic is not the Mediterranean. It is a very complicated ocean. The distance, the disorientation, and the currents make it far more dangerous.'

A total of 239 migrants have died trying to reach the Canaries between January 1 and August 19, compared to 210 during all of last year, and 43 in 2018, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

But the actual number of deaths is much higher, Santana believes.

He estimates that one migrant dies for every 16 who reach the archipelago alive.

'People set off on packed, shaky boats which are driven by people without experience,' he said.

The archipelago has been a hotspot for migrants before - in 2006, some 30,000 migrants managed to reach the Canary Islands before stepped-up Spanish patrols then slowed the pace.

'Before, they came in more robust and stable boats. Everything has deteriorated. Boats are fragile, without captains, sometimes they don't even give them a compass,' Greco said.

The price charged by human traffickers for the crossing has also come down, from around 2,000 euros (1,800) to about 800 euros (720), she added.

Emergency services carry the dead body of a migrant rescued by the Spanish Maritime Rescue Service, at the Arguineguin port in Gran Canaria island, Spain last Friday. A total of 239 migrants have died trying to reach the Canaries between January 1 and August 19

The boats depart not only from Morocco and Mauritania, the two nations closest to the archipelago, but also from Senegal and Gambia, over 600 miles further south.

Most migrants attempting the crossing come from Africa's Sahel region and Western Africa, Greco said.

But some arrivals have originated from as far away as South Sudan and the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean, she added.

The pandemic is no deterrent.

'When people decide to get on a boat, risking their lives and those of their children, the pandemic is not something that weighs much on their decision,' said Jose Javier Sanchez, of the Spanish branch of the Red Cross.

Migrants who arrive are tested for COVID-19 and anyone found to be infected must quarantine.

Spain's migrant reception centres 'were not ready for quarantine... with rooms for six, eight people and a shared bathroom. Now we have smaller rooms with private bathrooms. It's a challenge,' Sanchez said.

Migrant rights groups complain that the government is not processing asylum requests fast enough and often does not inform migrants of their rights when they arrive.

The Spanish government argues that it is dealing with a surge in asylum requests but is doing all it can to process them efficiently.

Santana also urged the government to speed up the transfer of migrants from the archipelago to mainland Spain, to make room for an expected rise in arrivals in September, when winds are usually more favourable for the crossing and waters are calmer.
>>> Vietnam reports no new COVID-19 cases on August 24 morning

In the capital city of Hanoi, the Lang Son girl and five other patients were discharged from the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases following their full recovery.

Known as Patients no. 536, 537, 544, 673, 677 and 785, the group includes a trio repatriated from Equatorial Guinea last month, while the remainder are all related to the outbreak in Da Nang, the epicentre for new COVID-19 infection wave in Vietnam.

All the patients will be sent to their hometown for continued health isolation and medical monitor at home in the next 14 days.

Meanwhile, in the central coastal city of Da Nang, the Da Nang Lung Hospital released four other patients (no. 582, 807, 915 and 922), who all reside in the city.

Among them, Patient no. 582 was declared as recovered from the coronavirus on August 16, but continued undergoing treatment for other co-morbidities at the hospital. The 55-year-old-man was in critical condition as of his severe underlying diseases of hypertension and heart failure, combined with COVID-19.

Doctors had to use extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and plasma therapy to treat him and thanks to treatment at the hospital, he has recovered without sequelae.

Patient 582 on the day he was announced as free from COVID-19 at the Da Nang Lung Hospital on August 16, 2020. (Photo broadcast by VNA)

Doctor Tran Thanh Linh from the Ho Chi Minh City-based Cho Ray Hospital, who directly provided treatment for Patient 582, shared that the Da Nang man has recovered to over 90% and without any sequelae, providing encouragement for the whole medical staff at the hospital in treating other critically ill patients.

According to Linh, the COVID-19 outbreak in Da Nang has been basically put under control and there will be more coronavirus patients discharged from hospital compared to those hospitalised over the next few days, thereby reducing the pressure on the local health sector and frontline doctors.

To date, the lung hospital has announced 25 recoveries from COVID-19, while providing treatment for the remaining 78 patients, of which 18 have tested negative from 1-4 times.

According to the Da Nang Department of Health, the number of COVID-19 patients to have recovered in the city has reached over 100 cases so far. From July 24, 187,712 local people have been sampled for COVID-19 testing. Notably, out of 227 infections being treated in Da Nang medical facilities, there are 155 cases with no clinical manifestations, while 34 others have shown only mild symptoms.

Vietnams total COVID-19 cases remained at 1,016 as of 3 pm on August 24. Of the national tally, 674 cases were locally transmitted, with 534 recorded since July 25.

There have been 27 fatalities so far, while 574 patients have recovered.
Here are todays leading news stories:

Politics

 Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the virtual third Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Leaders Meeting on Monday, together with high-ranking leaders from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and China.

Society

 No case of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was recorded in Vietnam on Tuesday morning. The countrys tally remains at 1,022, with 588 having recovered and 27 deaths.

 Three teenage boys aged 13 to 15 drowned while swimming in a section of the Tra Khuc River near Cua Dai Bridge in the central province of Quang Ngai at around 6:00 pm on Monday.

 Authorities in the southern province of Long An on Tuesday quarantined two Vietnamese citizens for illegally entering Vietnam from Cambodia on a boat.

 A Hanoi man has tested positive for the novel coronavirus after undergoing a rapid-result test in Japan, Japanese authorities confirmed on Monday. Authorities in Hanoi are tracking those who had close contact with the man.

 The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Police announced on Monday it was preparing for the deportation of more than 100 people, most of whom are Chinese, who were previously caught entering Vietnam illicitly.

 A 32-year-old man in the southern province of Binh Phuoc attempted to end his own life by drinking suspected insecticide after the provincial court sentenced him to 2.5 years in prison for assault on Monday.

 A married couple in the northern province of Hai Duong was fined VND300,000 (US$12.9) each for failing to report they had been to a location exposed to a COVID-19 patient in the province.

 Authorities in the central city of Da Nang will continue issuing market access tickets to local residents for another 15-day period from August 27, in an effort to minimize the number of people gathering at local markets for COVID-19 prevention.

World news

 Nearly 23.8 million people have caught COVID-19 while more than 816,500 have died of the disease around the world, according to Vietnams Ministry of Health. Over 16.3 million have recovered from the disease

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Another 24 Victorians have lost their lives to coronavirus, a near-record in the daily death toll, and the state has 149 new cases of COVID-19.

More than 50 of the new cases have been categorised as cases of community transmission with no known source.

Of the people who died, 21 are linked to aged care. They include a woman in her 60s, three men in their 70s, three women and seven men in their 80s, and six women and four men in their 90s.

The number of people who have died in Victoria from coronavirus has increased to 462.
JACKSON, Miss.  Will it be the shield or the magnolia? A nine-member commission responsible for choosing a design for the new Mississippi state flag narrowed the field to two options on Tuesday after watching five finalist designs fly in front of the Old Capitol in Jackson.

One finalist bears a shield with red stripes and waves. The other features a magnolia flower surrounded by a circle of stars, bordered by red stripes. Both showcase the words "In God We Trust."

The final designs were selected out of about 3,000 proposals submitted to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for consideration. Earlier this summer, lawmakers voted to remove Mississippi's previous flag, which featured the Confederate battle emblem, a symbol associated with white supremacy.

What we know: Jacob Blake reportedly paralyzed, shot 8 times in Kenosha, Wisconsin

The Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag will meet again on Sept. 2 to choose a winner. The public will vote on whether to accept the final design as the new Mississippi state flag in November.

The commission has steadily narrowed the number of design options. On Aug. 18, they selected five finalists, which were raised on a flag pole and flown in front of the Old Capitol Tuesday.

Afterwards, commission members met to discuss the merits and drawbacks to each option.

Chairman Reuben Anderson said flying the flags was a "great idea."

"When you run a flag off a flag pole, it sure looks different than on paper," he said.

The Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag has narrowed down nearly 3,000 submissions for a new state flag to these final two. They will choose one winner to go before voters in November for approval.

Commissioners wanted to eliminate all but one of the magnolia flag designs, which they said they feared would split the vote in an online nonbinding poll used to gauge the public's preferences. Votes can be cast at mdah.ms.gov/flagpoll. The commission does not have to select whichever design gets the most online votes.

They voted to ax a design that featured a magnolia tree on a blue background and another that showed a magnolia flower and a portion of the border of Mississippi. A third option was voted out because it was almost identical to the magnolia flag chosen to be in the final two designs.

Story continues

The remaining magnolia flag design will be slightly amended following recommendations by Clay Moss, a flag expert. Moss suggested for the red stripes and yellow border to be made broader. The amended design will be printed full-size before the next meeting of the commission.

Jacob Blake: Kenosha officials delayed police body cameras for years before Blake shooting

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History provided the following descriptions for the flag designs.

Mississippi flag design 1 flies in front of the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson, Miss., so Mississippi Flag Commission members and other onlookers can see how the flag looks flying Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, before the final decision for the new Mississippi state flag is made. In a meeting after the flags were flown, the commission eliminated three of the five flags, keeping designs 1 and 4.

Great River flag

Designer: Micah Whitson

The design features a shield based on the 1798 seal of the Mississippi Territory below a five-point star on a blue banner. There are twenty marks on the shield: eighteen vertical lines in red representing the three nations that occupied the Mississippi Territory (Spain, France, and Great Britain), and two white river waves representing the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. In God We Trust is written in a typeface that would have been used when Mississippi became a state in 1817. Blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice; red presents hardiness and valor.

Each of the five flag designs incorporate a segmented star comprised of diamonds, a reference to the eastern diamondback rattlesnake which is revered in Native American cultures. The star was the added by the commission members. In The Great River Flag, the star also represents the five regions of the state.

Whitson wrote, The Great River Flag endeavors to capture as much of that into one unique image that supports Mississippis other meaningful symbolsthe mockingbird, magnolia and otherswhile standing on its own.

Mississippi flag design 4 flies in front of the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson, Miss., so Mississippi Flag Commission members and other onlookers can see how the flag looks flying Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, before the final decision for the new Mississippi state flag is made. In a meeting after the flags were flown, the commission eliminated three of the five flags, keeping designs 1 and 4.

Magnolia flag

Designers: Hunter Jones, Sue Anna Joe and Kara Giles

The flag features a magnolia flower on a blue banner with red bars on the hoist and fly side of the flag. A gold strip separates the outside bars from the rest of the banner. The magnolia is encircled by twenty five-point stars and the words In God We Trust. Mississippi is often referred to as The Magnolia State. In 1952, the state legislature designated the magnolia as the official state flower.

Sue Anna Joe wrote, The magnolia is the central element as it is our state flower and tree. Because its fossils date back 100 million years, it symbolizes longevity and perseverance.

Hunter Jones wrote, The original inspiration for my flag design came from the old Mississippi license plate. I recreated the Magnolia flower from the license plate flower in a way that I thought kept the same flower but made it more applicable across mediums with bolder lines.

Follow Alissa Zhu on Twitter: @AlissaZhu

USA TODAY vaccine panel: Experts see progress on a COVID vaccine, but worry about who gets it first and how it gets to them

Fifteen years and $15 billion since Katrina: New Orleans is more prepared for a major hurricane  for now

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi state flag commission narrows options: Shield, magnolia


You might notice something different here. As we continue our evolution,

our data and market news is now available through the Fastmarkets platform

and a trial of this website is no longer available.



Our new delivery solution allows you to access the prices

and news that matters most to you in a way that delivers

value, quality and a unique, fully customizable view for you.



We are working hard to develop an experience that allows you to test drive

building your view of our data and news on the new platform.

In the meantime, learn more about us through any of the options below.




NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Religions for Peace ( RfP ) , the world's largest multi-religious platform with 90 national and 6 regional affiliates, launched the "Multi-religious Humanitarian Fund" (MRHF) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The MRHF is currently financing 20 projects in 20 countries. RfP announced a new round of applications on World Humanitarian Day, as COVID-19 continues to take lives daily. Interreligious organisations, and diverse religious groups seeking to collaborate on a common project, are encouraged to apply for funding for an interreligious humanitarian project in response to COVID-19.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Gardai at the house in Clontarf, Dublin. Picture: Mark Condren

A man told gardai: "I've killed my mother", before leading them to the scene inside his Dublin home on Sunday night.

The victim, named locally as Neasa Murray (88), died following a violent assault in Clontarf shortly before 8pm that same evening.

Her son, Brendan Murray (61), was arrested at the scene a short time later and was last night being questioned by detectives.

Investigators are not looking for anyone else in relation to the murder inquiry at this time.

According to sources, Brendan Murray told gardai, "I've killed my mother", after ringing emergency operators on Sunday evening.

When officers arrived, it is understood he led them into a downstairs room of his home at Kincora Court, where his mother lay.

Paramedics rushed to the scene but, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Ms Murray was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives were yesterday conducting door-to-door inquiries in the area as part of the investigation.

The officers, wearing PPE masks, spoke to neighbours and also examined inside the property where Ms Murray was discovered.

It is understood Brendan Murray had lived at the detached red-brick property for some time.

His mother was living nearby at Kincora Drive and would visit her son's property daily to check up on him.

Her husband, Charles Murray, died in 2018 and it is understood she had been living in the house by herself.

The crime scene at Kincora Court remained sealed off yesterday as members of the Garda Technical Bureau carried out forensic examinations of the scene.

The grandmother's body was removed and a post-mortem examination was due to be completed last night.

Gardai were satisfied following preliminary inquiries that she died following a physical assault.

Locals said Ms Murray had lived in the area for some time and that her son was also a resident there for several years.

One man said: "I didn't realise anything had happened until this morning.

"It's a quiet area and you would see [the son] going in and out of the house from time to time, but he mostly kept to himself.

"It's tragic for something like this to happen, I don't know too much about the ins and outs of it but it just sounds tragic from what I've seen in the news."
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

San Francisco, 25 Aug 2020: The Report Gym Bag Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Duffle, Drawstring), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), By Region, Competitive Landscape, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2025

The global gym bag market size is expected to reach USD 1.8 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., registering a 7.9% CAGR over the forecast period. The growth in the market is driven by increasing consumer consciousness regarding fitness and the availability of various products and accessories to suit individual needs. Moreover, rapid growth of the fitness and wellness sector in Asia and South America, along with rise in sales of health and fitness equipment, accessories, and products used in the industry and increasing presence of health clubs and fitness centers in these regions are contributing to the growth of this market.

The market is also driven by increasing purchasing power of consumers in developing countries in recent years, which has propelled product demand. Growth of the middle-income population group in these countries has resulted in higher disposable income in recent years. This has enabled them to opt for on-trend, fashionable, and premium products in the health and fitness sector. Surge in new product launches and the impact of ecommerce are other key factors driving the global market. Leading manufacturers are looking to cater to varying consumer requirements when it comes to a gym bag. These are then being made available across a host of online and offline distribution channels.

Increasing number of people turning to healthier lifestyles has also inspired several multinational companies to encourage their employees to take up health and fitness club memberships, a trend that is likely to give the market a boost. Gym bags that are compatible with various smart and connected devices is a lucrative opportunity for players in the market.

Access Research Report of Gym Bag Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/gym-bag-market

Gym Bag Market Report Highlights

In terms of revenue, duffle bags are projected to register a CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period

The offline channel led the market with a share of 86.6% in 2018. Varied products sold at supermarkets, hypermarkets, specialty stores, and others play a critical role in driving this segment

North America dominated the global gym bag market in 2018, accounting for 38.3% of the revenue that year. This trend is projected to continue over the next few years

A growing health and fitness industry, fueled by increasing awareness regarding fitness and well-being among consumers, is expected to propel the market

With increasing disposable income in India, South Korea, China, and Japan, these markets offer lucrative opportunities for growth in Asia Pacific

The industry is highly competitive in nature with the main players being JensenLee; Everlast Worldwide, Inc.; Chateau Manufacturing; Harissons; Nike, Inc.; ToteBagFactory; Herschel Supply Co. USA; and Adidas AG

Various manufacturers are concentrating on new product launches, capacity expansion, and technological innovations to estimate existing and future demand patterns from upcoming product segments

Browse more reports of this category by Grand View Research at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry/clothing-footwear-and-accessories

Grand View Research has segmented the global gym bag market on the basis of product, distribution channel, and region:

Gym Bag Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2025)

Duffle

Drawstring

Others

Gym Bag Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2025)

Online

Offline

Gym Bag Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2015 - 2025)

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Central & South America

Middle East & Africa

Access Press Release of Gym Bag Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-gym-bag-market

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.

For More Information:www.grandviewresearch.com
If he asks us to leave the government, we will do it immediately"

While several Congress leaders from Maharashtra expressed their faith in Rahul Gandhis leadership, state minister Vijay Wadettiwar said that the Congress will even get out of the power in Maharashtra if Mr Gandhi doesnt want to continue alliance with Shiv Sena.

Mr Wadettiwar, who joined the Congress from Shiv Sena in 2005, said the Gandhi family has the capacity to lead the country and that Rahul Gandhi should be reinstated as the party president. The Congress party epitomises true democratic values, hence the letter written by some party leaders to Sonia Gandhi over demand for a full-time president should not be seen as opposition to current leadership, he said.

Asked if Rahul Gandhi asked the Maharashtra Congress to snap ties with the Shiv Sena, Mr Wadettiwar said, If he asks us to leave the government, we will do it immediately. We will not stay with the government one more day.

Another senior Congress leader confirmed that the Gandhis didnt agree for the post-poll alliance with Shiv Sena easily. All seniors from the state had jointly convinced the Gandhis that the alliance with Shiv Sena was necessary to keep the BJP out of power. But once the governments common minimum programme was decided, there hasnt been any major issue between the two parties, he said.

Congress minister Sunil Kedar also said he does not subscribe to the demand of some so called intellectual leaders from Maharashtra about the central party leadership. Those leaders should first tender an unconditional apology or they will not be able to roam freely in the state. The Gandhi familys leadership has helped the country and the party to progress for several decades, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25

By Elnur Baghishov  Trend:

As many as 2,213 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, 125 more people have died from the coronavirus over the past day.

Sadat Lari added that the condition of 3,839 people is critical.

The official said that Iran's Tehran, Mazandaran, Qom, East Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Isfahan, Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, Semnan, Markazi, Yazd, Gilan, Golestan, and Kerman provinces are considered 'red' zones.

So far, more than 3.08 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 363,300 people have been infected, and 20,901 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 313,000 have reportedly recovered from the disease.

The country continues to apply strict measures to contain the further spread. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease.

The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.

The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019.
A 24-year old Indian-origin man has pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business that provided essential services to a fraudulent technical-support company and forwarded proceeds received during the scam to India-based scheme operators.

Dapinderjeet Singh of Newark, California, pleaded guilty last week to a one-count felony information before United States District Judge Percy Anderson, the Justice Department announced. Singh is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2.

Singh admitted that he owned and operated Alpha Technologies, which claimed to offer technical-support services to the public. However, Alpha was simply a conduit for funds to be transmitted from victims of a technical-support fraud scam to its perpetrators.

According to court documents, an India-based call center lied to victims about virus and hacking attacks on their computers and induced victims to send money to Alpha Technologies to fix their computers. Singh, through Alpha Technologies, received victim proceeds and forwarded them to India-based scheme operators.

United States Attorney Nick Hanna said Singh provided a service to criminals behind an fraud by providing what appeared to be a legitimate business, but in reality was simply a funnel to direct stolen funds to con artists.

Singh admitted that he worked with India-based scheme operators from late 2016 until February 2018. In addition to opening Alpha Technologies as a corporate entity, Singh maintained post office boxes that were used to receive payments sent by victims, and he forwarded proceeds to scheme operators in India and elsewhere.

Through Alpha, Singh engaged in a money transmitting business that was neither licensed by the State of California, nor registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network or the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Three other individuals previously have been charged in this investigation. In 2019, Indian citizens Aman Mehndiratta and Aman Kheira were charged with wire fraud in connection with the scheme.

The criminal complaint alleges that Mehndiratta and Kheira recruited another California resident Parmjit Brar to serve as a payment gateway for the scheme.

According to the criminal complaint, many victims lost hundreds of dollars, while some elderly victims lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 2019, Brar pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and he is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Vanessa Veselka is in the prime of her life, but she remembers Old Portland.

There was a Dennys on the east side, now long gone, that sticks in her mind. The novelist, then a teenager, had coffee there late one night with an 18-year-old hooker who insisted there was good money in the sex trade and then showed her how to put a condom on without anyone knowing.
Vietnam wins four prizes at Intl Biology Olympiad 2020

All the four Vietnamese students competing at the International Biology Olympiad 2020 won prizes, according to the Ministry of Education and Training.









The four Vietnamese students at the International Biology Olympiad 2020 (Photo: VNA)

The ministry received official results from host Japan on August 24.



The students, comprising three 12th graders and one 11th grader, snatched one gold, one silver and one bronze medal, and one consolation prize.



The International Biology Olympiad 2020 was held online, instead of taking place in Japans Nagasaki city in mid-July as initially scheduled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



Earlier, all the six members of the Vietnamese team at the online 13th Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad 2020, hosted by Indonesia, also won medals, including one gold, four silver and one bronze medal.



Four others brought home gold medals at the virtual International Chemistry Olympiad 2020 hosted by Turkey.
Kia Canada Power To Give

Kia Canada donates 60,000 medical-grade face shields to the Public Health Agency of Canada

Kia Canada donates 60,000 medical-grade face shields to the Public Health Agency of Canada

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Aug. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to a national shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Kia Canada has pledged a donation of 60,000 medical-grade face shields to the Public Health Agency of Canada, to equip the countrys heroic frontline healthcare workers as they work tirelessly to heal their communities.



Produced in a re-tooled section of Kia Motors manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, the donation of face shields is an extension of Kia Canadas Power To Give COVID-19 relief efforts. The face shields will be allocated to Canadian healthcare workers and dispersed equitably to provinces and territories by the Public Health Agency.

This follows on the heels of Kia Canadas donation of a generous contribution to Food Banks Canada within the brands Power To Give initiative, which provided a $200,000 donation nationally, as well as loaned vehicles to regional food banks to fight hunger relief efforts amid the pandemic.

We are committed to giving back to the communities that were so proud to call home, and were grateful to the Kia family that were able to provide support with these protective face shields, says Elias El-Achhab, Chief Operating Officer at Kia Canada. We have proudly served Canadians for over 20 years, and we want to do our part to give back to our great nation. From the cobblestone streets of Gastown, BC, to the beautiful coast of St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada has our heart, and we will continue to seek ways to meaningfully make a difference, he says.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is pleased to see so many stepping up to lend support to those who need it most. On behalf of all Canadians, the Public Health Agency of Canada has expressed their sincere appreciation for Kia Canadas donation to aid Canadas response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 60,000 Face Shields Kia Canada donated have been essential for keeping Canadas frontline healthcare workers safe during a time of global shortages.

Story continues

Kia Canada invites Canadians to consider giving back by visiting kia.ca/powertogive

About Kia Canada

Kia Canada Inc. (KCI), founded in 1999 and celebrating 20 years in Canada, is a subsidiary of the Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) based in Seoul, South Korea. The full line of award-winning Kia vehicles offers world-class quality and customer satisfaction through a network of 195 dealers across the country. The company employs 170 people at its headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, as well as in locations across Canada and at its regional office in Montreal, Quebec. Kias slogan "The Power to Surprise," symbolizes the companys worldwide commitment to exceed customer expectations through sustained automotive innovation.

Whether it is a compact, crossover, or electric model which is among the best in the industry, each Kia vehicle offers a superior combination of precision engineering, exceptional performance, innovative features and advanced safety systems. Kia has sold a million vehicles, including popular models in Canada like the Soul, Forte, Sportage, Sorento, Stinger and has recently added the Seltos and the new K5 to its lineup. To learn more, visit kia.ca or Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Please contact Amanda Chouinard and Jennifer Szmilko for more information:

Amanda Chouinard

Strategic Objectives

amanda.chouinard@strategicobjectives.com

T 416-500-0351

Jennifer Szmilko

Manager, PR and Communications

Kia Canada

jszmilko@kia.ca

T 905-302-5452

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ec7b5cf7-97e4-4ced-ae3b-9e6d1d99c211




Gender Strategy Advancement International, a pro-women group, has kicked against the proposal of drug testing for intending brides in the country, as a way to stem the increasing rate of drug addiction among girls and married women.

This is coming after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reportedly proposed drug testing for intending brides as part of premarital screening for single ladies in the country.

Mohammed Mustapha Abdalla, Chairman of NDLEA, was quoted to have made the proposal while destroying seized illicit substances in Borno State recently.

According to reports, Abdalla had lamented the alarming rate of drug addiction among women in the north.

The NDLEA boss was quoted to have said, As an extension of the proposed Drug Integrity Test Policy for the public servants, the agency is considering partnering with religious leaders to make drug testing a prerequisite for marriages in churches and mosques as the case for HIV/AIDS.

Reacting to this development, through Ms. Adaora Onyechere, its West Africa Coordinator, yesterday, in Abuja, the group described the proposed policy as discriminatory.

Onyechere, in a statement said, We find the call by the NDLEA to carry out drug tests on single ladies before marriage as sexist, reckless and poorly thought out. Its such discriminatory policies that have continued to empower abusers of girls and women in this country.

According to her, the NDLEAs proposal is one of several policies that set Nigeria, back in its fight not just against gender based violence but also defeats the purpose of the orientation on the need to redefine our interpretations on gender identities.

The records show that hitherto illicit drug consumption used to be among the male youthful population though expanding to now include teenage girls, young women and old married women.

But to intentionally segregate the consideration for just single women even when the higher percentage of consumption is amongst men and boys shows a complete lack of appropriate gender mapping on this issue across the states in Nigeria.

She said instead of pointing out women for such policies, the NDLEA should come up with an inclusive reorientation intervention to reduce illicit drug consumption which she said was a national emergency.

Onyechere called on civil society, the ministry of women affairs, women groups to resist what she called an obnoxious proposal capable of exposing the girl-child to, gender apathy in NDLEAs experimentation of finding solutions to illicit drug abuse.
Shares of ICICI Bank extends its gains into fourth straight day, up 2.2 per cent to trade at Rs 388.85 on the BSE on Tuesday after Societe Generale on Monday offloaded shares of the bank worth nearly Rs 341 crore through an open market transaction. "As per the block deal data on the BSE, 9 million scrips of the private lender were sold by Societe Generale at a price of Rs 378.6 per scrip.

The total deal value stood at Rs 340.74 crore, said a PTI report. READ HERE With today's gains, the stock of the lender has gained 5.6 per cent in the last four days, as against 2 per ...
Scott Peterson does not yet know that he has won a reprieve from the death penalty, his lawyers said on Monday night, because coronavirus restrictions prevent them from entering the prison where he is housed.

The California Supreme Court on Monday overturned Peterson's planned death by lethal injection, owing to errors in the trial, but ruled that the conviction still stood.

Peterson, now 47, was found guilty in 2004 of killing his pregnant wife, Laci, in a notorious case that held the tabloids and cable news channels in thrall, and spawned at least one made-for-TV movie.

Scott Peterson and his wife Laci are pictured in 2002, before her Christmas Eve disappearance

Peterson was convicted of her murder in November 2004 and sentenced to death in 2005

Mark Geragos, his attorney, told Fox News on Monday night that he has not been able to tell Peterson the news 'because of the massive COVID issue' and is not sure when he will get a face-to-face meeting.

'I hope soon,' he said, without saying when.

Peterson's sister-in-law Janey Peterson also told Fox News that she hasn't been able to get in touch with Peterson directly.

Mark Geragos, Peterson's lawyer, said that he had not yet been able to give him the news

She said she did think, however, that he was aware of the decision.

'We have not spoken with Scott today but we do believe he has heard the news,' she said.

The last time she visited Peterson was on March 8, before the COVID-19 lockdown.

San Quentin is California's oldest prison and home to the only death row for men in the state.

The prison has experienced the largest outbreak of coronavirus among prisoners in the state and at one time had more than a third of its population testing positive for COVID-19.

She said her family is 'sincerely grateful that the California Supreme Court recognized the injustice of Scott's death penalty.'

'For a long and difficult 18 years, we have believed unwaveringly in Scott's innocence, so today's decision by the court is a big step toward justice for Laci, Conner and Scott,' she said.

Peterson continues to maintain his innocence.

Peterson is pictured with Geragos, to his right, during the trial in July 2004

He was found guilty in 2004 of killing his 27-year-old wife Laci Peterson and their unborn son Conner on Christmas Eve 2002.

Her husband led the search for her for months but was arrested after Laci's badly decomposed body and the fetus of their son washed up on a San Francisco shoreline in April 2003.

Peterson, who authorities say dumped the bodies off the side of his fishing boat, has been on death row since 2005.

In the ruling on Monday, the court said Peterson's death penalty conviction was being removed because the trial judge made 'clear and significant errors' in jury selection that meant Peterson did not receive an impartial trial.

The court agreed with Peterson's argument that potential jurors were improperly dismissed from the jury pool after saying they personally disagreed with the death penalty but would be willing to follow the law and impose it.

'While a court may dismiss a prospective juror as unqualified to sit on a capital case if the juror's views on capital punishment would substantially impair his or her ability to follow the law, a juror may not be dismissed merely because he or she has expressed opposition to the death penalty as a general matter,' the justices said in a unanimous decision.

Laci was reported missing on Christmas Eve in 2002 when she was eight months pregnant with their son Conner

Her husband led the search for her for months but was arrested after Laci's badly decomposed body washed up on a San Francisco shoreline in April 2003. The couple married in 1997

Peterson contended on appeal that he could not get a fair trial because of the massive publicity that followed, although the proceedings were moved nearly 90 miles away from his Central Valley home of Modesto to San Mateo County, south of San Francisco.

He also had contended on appeal that the trial court erred in deciding whether jurors and the defense were properly allowed to test whether Peterson's new boat would likely have capsized if he dumped the weighted bodies over the side.
KABUL, Afghanistan: A wave of attacks across Afghanistan on Tuesday left at least 17 people dead and scores more wounded, officials said, including a Taliban truck bombing in the countrys north that targeted a commando base for Afghan forces.

The violence comes as expectations had been rising that negotiations could soon get underway between the Afghan government and the insurgents as part of a February agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban.

The truck suicide bomber struck in northern Balkh province, killing three people, including two Afghan commandos and a civilian, according to Munir Ahmad Farhad, the spokesman for the provincial governor.

According to Hanif Rezaie, the spokesman for the Afghan army corps in the north, initial military report said at least six commandos and around 35 civilians were wounded in that explosion, which also destroyed or damaged dozens of nearby civilians houses.

Most of the wounded civilians are women and children, said Rezaie.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the Balkh attack in a tweet, claiming that tens" of military personnel were killed. The Taliban often exaggerate their battlefield claims.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani strongly condemned the attack in Balkh and said the Taliban have increased their attacks on major Afghan cities despite the February agreement. The Talibans insistence on continuing war and violence is challenging peace opportunities, he said in a statement.

Ghanis statement said the Taliban must stop fighting and killing Afghans, accept a cease-fire and start direct talks with the Afghan government. By committing crimes and violence, they can achieve nothing but hatred and disgust of the people, he said.

In a separate attack in Balkh, gunmen shot dead five people, including former warlord Abdul Raouf, two of his sons ages 10 and 11 and two other men in a vehicle in the Charkent district, said Adil Shah Adil, spokesman for the provincial police chief.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Adil said the target was Raouf and police are investigating.

Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of the war across the country, despite efforts to launch peace talks between the Kabul government and the Taliban, and find a road map for post-war Afghanistan. The talks were envisaged under a U.S.-Taliban peace agreement signed in February, but their start has been hampered by a series of delays that have frustrated Washington. Some had expected the negotiations to begin earlier this month.

According to a U.N. report released in July, 1,282 people were killed in violence in Afghanistan in the first six months of 2020.

Also on Tuesday, an attack on a checkpoint of pro-government forces in western Ghor province killed eight troops and wounded five, said Arif Aber, spokesman for the provincial governor. The attack in Shahrak district set off five hours of gun battle.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for that attack, but authorities blamed the Taliban, who have claimed numerous past attacks on security checkpoints in Ghor.

In the capital of Kabul, a roadside bombing killed a police officer while a policewoman and her driver were wounded when unknown attackers opened fire on them, said Ferdaws Faramarz, spokesman for the Kabul police chief.

The policewomen, Saba Saher, is also a well-known actress, and she was said to be in stable condition following the shooting.

No one claimed the attacks in Kabul, but both the Taliban and the Islamic State group are active in the capital, though IS has claimed the bulk of the attacks in the city in recent months.

Separately, the Ministry of Defense released a statement late on Monday, saying 91 Taliban fighters were killed during an air and ground operation by Afghan army troops trying to open the highway between northern Kunduz to Khanabad districts. The statement said 50 other Taliban were wounded in the fighting and that the highway was later reopened for traffic.

The Taliban are at their strongest since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion toppled their regime, which had harbored al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. The insurgents now control or hold sway over about half of Afghanistan.

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
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  The regional office of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. which recently had a roof leak has a record of multiple falsification cases, a congressman bared Tuesday.

During the joint hearing of the House Committee on Public Accounts and Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga said he has received reports that the PhilHealth Region 1 office located in Dagupan City, Pangasinan is facing a number of cases, including on fraudulent schemes filed by some hospitals.

PhilHealth SVP for legal sector Rodolfo del Rosario confirmed the information, but said he has no update on the progress of the cases.

"Meron pong mga naisampa sa DOJ (Department of Justice) pertaining to fraudulent claims at ito po ay hindi ko alam kung ano ang development whether this is with the regional trial court or still with DOJ," Del Rosario told the panel.

[Translation: Cases have been filed with the DOJ pertaining to fraudulent claims but I have no idea about the developments, whether this is still with the regional trial court or still with DOJ.]

Barzaga said the Nazareth General Hospital in Dagupan was among those which had filed a civil case against the PhilHealth office.

"Nag-file ito ng [civil case] sa PhilHealth on the ground na apat na tao, gumagamit ng apat na invoices kahit di nako-compile sa kanilang ospital," he said.

[Translation: It filed a [civil case] against PhilHealth on the ground that four individuals used four invoices even if they were not compiled in their hospital.]

"Para ma-convict ang falsifier, kinakailangan i-present sa husgado yung falsified document. Ang problema natin, kung 'yung document ay nabasa na at hindi na readable, the case will be dismissed," Barzaga added.

[Translation: In order to convict the falsifier, the falsified document must be presented to the court. Our problem is, if the document is not readable anymore, the case will be dismissed.]

Last week, PhilHealth said that it was open to a probe on the roof leak incident which the regional office said was brought about by "heavy rains" last August 19. The state insurer said no documents have been destroyed and are currently secured in the data center of the central office.

The NBI earlier said it suspected sabotage in the incident, echoing lawmakers' claims of possible attempts to destroy evidence related to ongoing congressional probes on the embattled agency.

At least two more hearings have been scheduled in the coming days to tackle fresh allegations on PhilHealth irregularities, Justice Undersecretary Markk Perrete said.

The House will resume its probe on other controversies hounding the agency on Thursday.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Contrary to previous reports that President Trump doesnt like dogs, his pet postmaster general Louis DeJoy has been delivering evidence that Trump may really like them as much as rigging election victories, with or without Vladimir Putins help.

During his Monday Congressional Hearing, DeJoy didnt know how much it cost to mail a postcard or greeting card when asked by Rep. Katie Porter of California. DeJoy also didnt know how many mail-in ballots were processed by the USPS in the 2016 Presidential election or 2020 primaries. He didnt even want to venture a guess. But you can bet he knows how many mail-in ballots President Trump doesnt want processed in November as sure as he knows how many millions of dollars he and his family have donated to Trump, the RNC as well as to competitors and contractors of the USPS hes now running into the ground.

DeJoy was appointed postmaster general in June by the six-member Postal Service Board of Governors, all of whom were appointed by Trump.

Current Board of Governors Chairman Robert Duncan has been accused of being involved in voter suppression-disenfranchisement efforts while serving as general counsel of the RNC, chairman of the Republican National Committee and a member of the Kentucky Republican Partys Executive Committee.

DeJoy had no experience at the USPS. He was a logistics executive in the private sector He and his familys investments in USPS competitors (including UPS) and contractors has been in the tens of millions, estimated up to $75 million.

Since DeJoy became postmaster general, delivery delays and letter/package backlogs have dramatically increased as he instituted the removal of sorting machines, mailboxes, restricted overtime and ordered trucks to leave even if empty, or without their full delivery.

DeJoys appointment and policy changes coincided with President Trumps constant disparaging of the USPS and unsubstantiated,disproven claims that mail-in voting is untrustworthy.

With Universal Mail-In Voting ( no Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT ELECTION in history. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote??? Trump tweeted July 30,2020

Trump also had admitted he opposed any increase in USPS funding that would facilitate mail-in voting.

His aspersions of mail-in voting have been as plentiful as polls that have shown him losing to Biden since the general election began. Trumps response to his poor showing is to try and dissuade people from casting mail-in ballots or cast enough doubt on it that he can legitimately challenge the election results if he loses, which he seems to fear he will.

Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 3 million. And hes now lost to the USPS in the popular vote in 2020.

The postal delays resulted in media attention and a public outcry which Trump appeared unprepared for and prompted DeLay to reverse course, partially. DeLay claimed in his Senate and House hearings that cutbacks that resulted in delays will be suspended until after the election and that election mail would be given top priority. But DeLay also said that removed sorting machines and mailboxes will not be reinstalled.

Trump, DeLay, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, and all those seeking to privatize the USPS greatly underestimated how much it is valued by the American public and businesses. Republicans and Democrats, elderly and veterans, seeking medications and benefits were and are among those hurt by the mail delays. Small businesses that count on it, have lost thousands of dollars, unable to promptly fill orders.

The USPS is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, not UPS, FedEX or Amazon. The first postmaster general was Benjamin Franklin. Its not a business. Its charter prohibits it from operating and profiting like one. Its a service, like the Defense Department and every other government service, department and agency.

Trump talks a lot about a Rigged Election to excuse his feared loss. But the one trying to rig the election again has been Trump himself.

The Party of Lincoln is holding their convention this week. Trump and RNC should remember and never forget again that honest Abe Lincoln was the only U.S. President who had served as a postmaster, which he did in 1833 in Salem, Illinois. Mail-in ballots are safe there and everywhere in the nation.
A webinar focusing on how Lehigh Valley high school students can better prepare for college amid the coronavirus pandemic is planned for Wednesday evening.

The free program, titled, College Readiness Roadmap, is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. and is hosted by Allentown-based ESQuisite Marketing. Its presenter is Stephen Ball, founder and CEO of Wisdem, a national company providing college admissions counseling services, as well as guidance in career planning, homeschooling and entrepreneurship.

The webinar specifically will address choosing a college, what colleges are looking for, how students can better prepare during each year of high school and how COVID-19 is affecting the process. There also will be time for questions and answers. Guests can register here. Space is limited.

Ed Miller, managing member of ESQuisite Marketing and father of two Easton Area High School students, said Balls knowledge, background and passion for helping students succeed would greatly benefit any parent with a student planning on attending college.

Were especially eager and proud to be able to offer this program, Miller said.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 12:24 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4043769 1 National death,South-Sumatera,Palembang,forest-fires,forest-fires-in-Indonesia,helicopter,water-bombing,Russia,Russian Free

A Russian national who had been hired as a water-bombing helicopter technician was found dead inside his hotel room in Bukit Kecil district, Palembang, South Sumatra, on Saturday, police have confirmed.

The Ilir Barat I Palembang Police have identified the man as Aleksi Kuzin, 55.

[Kuzin] had been staying at the hotel since June 14 and was working as a crew member for one of the water-bombing helicopters used to put out forest fires in South Sumatra, Ilir Barat I Palembang Police chief Comr. Yenni Diarty said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

According to Yenni, Kuzin was found lying unconscious on the floor with various medicines found next to his body at 11:20 p.m. on Saturday.

The police have yet to confirm the cause of death.

South Sumatra Disaster Mitigation Agency disaster countermeasure head Ansori said Kuzin was suspected to have died from heart problems.

We already asked the doctors to reconfirm that his death was not caused by COVID-19, Ansori said on Monday. (dpk)
A former student of the Gresham-Barlow School District in Oregon has filed a $3 million lawsuit against the district and former Deep Creek Elementary School principal Jeff Hays, saying he was sexually abused by Hays.

The former student is the fourth to report that Hays molested them, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Two of other students have settled claims against the district.

Portland attorneys Greg Kafoury and Jason Kafoury, who are representing the plaintiff in Tuesdays lawsuit filed in Multnomah County District Court, also represented a woman who said Hays molested her in his office of the Damascus school when she was in the second, third and fourth grades from 2005 to 2009. In January, a Multnomah County civil jury awarded that former student $3 million.

The adult plaintiff in the suit filed last week is identified only by the initials K.A. His lawsuit states that Hays sexually abused him in 2007 and 2008 in his office.

The school district didnt immediately respond to a request from the newspaper for comment. Hays couldnt be reached for comment, and has previously invoked the Fifth Amendment and declined to answer questions in the case of the woman who won the civil jury verdict.

Jurors determined by a preponderance of evidence that Hays had molested her. Thats a lower threshold than the standard required in a criminal case, guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Hays hasnt been criminally charged in any of the cases. The criminal statute of limitations hasnt run out and a Clackamas County District Attorneys Office representative said Tuesday an investigation is ongoing.

Hays most recently worked as a principal for City View Charter School in Hillsboro. In 2018, he mutually agreed to separate from the school, school board meeting minutes show.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Education Oregon
Rail Road Flat Post Office Photo by Michael Lance Miller View Photo

During the Democratic Weekly Address, House Oversight Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) stated that President Trump is blocking $25 billion in Post Office funding to hinder mail-in voting.

Maloney was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are her words:

Hello, Im Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. I have the privilege of representing parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens in New York City. I also serve as the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform in the House of Representatives.

Today, I would like to talk to you about one of our most enduring and beloved institutions  the United States Postal Service  one of the few entities specifically mentioned by our Founders in the Constitution.

The Postal Service delivers more than 470 million pieces of mail each day to every home and business across the United States. It provides a critical lifeline by providing universal access to medications, supplies and mail for every single American, no matter where you live.

Today, I will not mince words. The Postal Service is under attack. In newspapers from every corner of the country, we have seen the stories and pictures. Mail is being delayed by days and sometimes even weeks. Sorting equipment is being ripped out of postal facilities and thrown into dumpsters; and mailboxes are being removed from street corners; and overtime is being denied for our postal carriers, who are some of our most essential workers during the coronavirus crisis.

This didnt happen by accident. It was intentional. This happened because President Trump has been blocking critical funding for the Postal Services now for months and now his hand-picked Postmaster General is using this fact to justify sweeping and damaging changes that are degrading postal operations before our very eyes.

Last week, President Trump admitted on national television that he has been blocking $25 billion in critical assistance, assistance that was requested by the Postal Service, because he wants to hobble mail-in voting.

Now, think about that for a minute. That is about the most undemocratic action I can think of.

Whats worse, instead of supporting funding to strengthen an institution that is vital to every American, the Trump Administration is going in the opposite direction and dismantling long-standing policies and procedures, with disastrous consequences. We cannot and will not stand by and let that happen.

This past Tuesday, as part of our Day of Action to Save the Post Office, more than 100 House Democrats hosted events in our districts to support the Postal Service, its mission and postal workers.

We have requested a host of documents from the Postmaster General, which are due this week, and we have called him to testify before our Committee on Monday morning.

In addition, on this Saturday, the House will reconvene for a special session to vote on my bill, the Delivering for America Act. This legislation will do two important things. First, it will provide the $25 billion the Postal Service requested, which was supported unanimously by the Postal Service Board of Governors, all of whom were appointed by President Trump. And it will return delivery standards to the way they were before the Postmaster Generals sweeping changes.

We want the Postmaster General to undo the damage he has already done, put back the sorting machines and mailboxes he has already removed and prioritize official election mail as First-Class mail, as it previously was.

Every Member of Congress should support this bill. This is not a partisan issue. Republicans across the country have expressed their own serious concerns about these delays and the Presidents statements. It makes absolutely no sense to impose these kinds of dangerous cuts in the middle of a pandemic and just months before the elections in November.

What is happening right now is impacting everyonein rural and urban communities, among seniors, veterans, small businesses and families across the country. I believe the American people want their mail left alone. They want to go back to the way things were before all these changes began. And they certainly do not want the Postal Service to be politicized. Our legislation achieves all of the goals. I hope the American people will continue letting their Representatives know how they feel.

Thank you for listening. Thank you.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
The Pound Sterling Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate remained flat on Tuesday morning, leaving the pairing trading at around 1.1086.

The single currency remained flat on Tuesday after data revealed the German economy slumped by a record -9.7% in the second quarter.

The data from the statistics office showed that consumer spending, exports and company investments all collapsed at the height of the coronavirus crisis.

Although, the latest German data showed the economic fall was much stronger than during the 2008-2009 financial crisis. It was also the steepest decline since Germany began to record its quarterly growth in 1970.

The reading did offer some support as it represented an upwardly revision from an earlier estimate.

Further data from the blocs largest economy showed consumer spending contracted by -10.9%, exports by -20.3%, and capital investment -19.6%.

According VP Bank economist Thomas Gitzel:

The second quarter was a complete disaster. Regardless of whether it is about investments, private consumption, exports or even imports -everything was in free fall.

The Euro was also offered support after the latest German business climate index rose to a better-than-expected 92.6. This showed the blocs largest economy was on track for a recovery after the crisis.

Added to this, Ifos economist, Klaus Wohlrabe said they expected GDP to surge by around 7% during the third quarter. Although, Wohlrabe did warn that the economic rebound was still fragile.

However, Claus Vistesen, chief Eurozone economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics noted the indicator is slightly less upbeat than the headline data suggests. He stated:

The main lift to the headline increase came from the current assessment gauge, rising to 87.9 from 84.5 in July, while the rebound in the expectations index appears to be petering out.

As with the PMIs, however, the key test in the next few months will be whether it stabilises at its current level, having already rebounded significantly. If it does, it will indicate the recovery is ongoing.

Overall, these data only really confirm what we already know, namely that economic activity is now recovering after having collapsed during lockdown. We know from the hard data that the rebound was very strong in the latter part of the second quarter, but it is now almost surely easing, though survey data remain consistent with decent data through July and August.

Meanwhile, Sterling did not receive much support following the release of the latest CBI Distributive Trades data.

The Confederation of British Industrys monthly retail sales figures were expected to lead to a temporary boost for GBP according to ING analysts.

Data revealed that retail employment fell at the fastest rate since February 2009 in the year to August. Added to this, steeper declines are expected in the year to September as the coronavirus is expected to prompt a wave of redundancies.

Commenting on todays data, Alpesh Paleja, CBI lead economist said:

The furlough scheme has proved effective at insulating workers and businesses in some of the worst-hit sectors during the pandemic, but these findings reinforce fears that many job losses have been delayed rather that avoided.

Indeed, the latest survey shows that trading conditions for the retail sector remain tough, even against the backdrop of business slowly returning. Firms will be wary of deteriorating household incomes and the risk of further local lockdowns potentially hitting them in the pocket for a second time.

Pound Euro Outlook: French Consumer Confidence and Jobs Data in Focus

Looking ahead, the Euro (EUR) could make some gains against the Pound (GBP) following the release of Wednesdays French data.

If consumer confidence in France jumps higher than expected in August, it will offer EUR an upswing of support.

Meanwhile, the latest French unemployment benefit claims and jobseekers total data could offer further support if it impresses investors.

If the number of people registered as out of work in mainland France falls for the fourth month in a row, it will buoy the single currency. This will send the Pound Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate lower during Wednesdays session.
First of two parts

When Yvonne and Otis Royster moved to southern Chesterfield County in the mid-1980s, the internet was in its infancy. An online connection was not required to access essential services like grocery orders, emergency information on social media or virtual doctors appointments. The road that led them to their forever home was not even paved. We wanted to be off the grid, or we wouldnt have moved back here, Otis said.

Decades later, Rhodes Lane maintains its distinct rural charm  the smell of fresh-cut grass, the shade of towering trees and the absence of a yellow dividing line, or heavy car traffic, of any kind on this horseshoe-shaped stretch of road just west of Matoaca High School. But the surge in online traffic  the use of the internet for essentials during the COVID-19 pandemic  has made high-speed broadband a necessity that no longer can wait.

For almost a decade, the Roysters have been a leading voice in Rhodes Lanes fight for affordable broadband service at home. Theyve filed petitions, canvassing other neighbors who also are disconnected in the same dead zone. Theyve dealt with a patchwork of spotty satellite TV and internet, wireless hotspots, troubleshooting calls and hundreds of dollars in monthly bills. Theyve traveled to and from loved ones homes, dragging cellphones and computers to keep them updated and secure.

Theyve engaged with major internet service providers  Comcast and Verizon  about their options, only to learn their addresses fall below density requirements of 25 homes per square mile, their driveways are too long, or their homes require new permits. Theyve received price quotes as high as $23,000 per home for service.

Entering month six of COVID-19, health care without broadband during a pandemic has made the lack of affordable, reliable service even more urgent. Under the stiff edge of Yvonnes mask that wraps around her nose is an oxygen supply. She suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, a scarring of the lungs that makes it difficult to breathe.

Yvonnes condition requires regular telemedicine calls. For now, a hotspot and its casino of monthly data caps and costs is her best option. She is on a list for a double lung transplant, and amid the pandemic, she makes the hour-plus drive to Charlottesville to connect with UVA Health doctors in person, fighting to breathe steadily and access care securely in settings other than the safety of home.

As telehealth services surge during COVID-19 for patients who are unable to access or uncomfortable with in-person care, Yvonne is left out. Theres a group of people that do Zoom meetings, which would be very beneficial for me for the information they have and the experience, she said.

Otis also suffers from a chronic lung condition. As a disabled Vietnam veteran, he and Yvonne fortunately have affordable health insurance. But care and connectivity are the struggle.

Since the start of the pandemic, Otis has not been able to have in-person visits with his primary health care provider at the McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond. The facility still is prioritizing emergencies and working through a phased reopening toward full services.

In a recent press release, the Department of Veterans Affairs touted a 1000% increase in appointments with VA Video Connect, its telehealth platform, which now is 3 years old. Otis wants to be part of that alternative.

I would be able to get on a lot of their seminars, Otis said. I would be able to telemed with them instead of going to McGuire and trying to find a parking place, and walking 8 miles with a chronic lung condition. It would be quite helpful for me.

Otis uses a landline phone to call his doctor, who refills prescriptions over the phone. The face-to-face element is missing and, a few months back, care could not wait. In late June, shortly after the VA release, Otis was suffering shortness of breath. He made an appointment with a nearby doctor who had been his regular physician years ago. The diagnosis: clogged carotid arteries, requiring a lifesaving procedure. If I had not gone to that doctor  I would not be here today, Otis said.

This isnt a rural Virginia county without any internet. This is a road in Chesterfield, where suburban sprawl is a few miles away, but choice is elusive and costs are prohibitive for some families. Meanwhile, Yvonne and Otis look out their window and, a few houses down the road, they can see neighbors who have broadband service.

The Roysters still periodically receive offer letters in the mail from ISPs, including a recent one for disabled veterans like Otis. But when technicians did site surveys in the past, the expectation of success was shattered.

We know broadband infrastructure is expensive and time-consuming. But COVID-19 has made it clear: the Roysters and their neighbors cannot wait any longer. Its just really strange that on one end of the road, theyve got it, Otis said. On the other end of the road, theyve got it. But us in between dont have it.

We agree, and we know theyre not alone. Families across Virginia are disconnected and struggling to access health care during this pandemic. There is no more room for delay. There has to be a better, faster, more affordable solution.

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Thursday: Keeping a job without broadband
WEXFORD COUNTY, MI  A Michigan man suffering from a stroke traveled more than 100 miles down U.S. 131 on shredded tires before he was saved by a state police trooper.

The incident occurred shortly after 7 a.m. on Tuesday when trooper Tyler Baker from the Michigan State Police Cadillac Post was dispatched to the north-south highway in Wexford County to investigate a vehicle being driven on four flat tires.

The vehicle was eventually near mile marker 188 where Baker activated his emergency lights and siren, however the vehicle did not stop.

Baker made several attempts to pull the vehicle over, including pulling alongside the driver and verbally ordering him to pull over, but that was also unsuccessful, according to police.

Baker eventually pulled in front of the vehicle and slowed the patrol vehicle to stop it. The driver, an 84-year-old man from Petoskey, was suffering from a stroke. EMS was contacted and he was transported by ambulance to Cadillac Munson Hospital.

He had driven over 100 miles on shredded tires and by the time he was stopped his brakes were completely inoperable, police said. Only minor damage sustained to the patrol car.

Cadillac Trooper credited for saving a man's life who was suffering from a stroke while driving down US-131 in Wexford County. pic.twitter.com/qHPZEyx1QK  @MSPNorthernMI (@mspnorthernmi) August 25, 2020

READ MORE:

More than 1,000 pounds of marijuana disguised as steel wire seized in Detroit

Brothers found at scene of Alpena County house fire died in murder-suicide, police say

Deputy saves 77-year-old grandmother from Kalkaska County house fire

Pilot flew airplane under Mackinac Bridge packed with hundreds of cars, Coast Guard says
By Associated Press

SINGAPORE: Singapore on Tuesday recorded 31 COVID-19 cases, its lowest single-day figure since March.

There was one imported case - who was placed on stay-home notice upon arrival in Singapore - and no community cases, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Singapore has reported total 56,435 cases since the disease monitoring began here in January 2020.

The seven imported cases reported on Monday came from India, the Netherlands and Indonesia, said the MOH.

All the cases had been placed on 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) upon arrival here, and were serving their SHN at dedicated facilities.

They had been tested while serving their SHN.

ALSO READ: New COVID-19 cluster at Singapore's biggest dormitory for foreign worker

With 423 more COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals or community isolation facilities on Monday, 54,587 have fully recovered from the infection.

There are currently 84 confirmed cases who are still in hospital while 1,706 are isolated and cared for at community facilities for mild symptoms, or are clinically well but still test positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, visitors from New Zealand and Brunei who visit Singapore will be required to use the TraceTogether' app at all times while in the city-state.

They must also retain the app in their phone for 14 consecutive days after leaving Singapore, reported The Straits Times.

This is to facilitate contact tracing should they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay here and within two weeks of their departure.

Should they test positive during this period, they will be required to upload data stored on the app to the Ministry of Health.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Tuesday spelt out the conditions for travel here, following announcements last Friday of Singapore's decision to unilaterally open up its borders to Brunei and New Zealand.

Instead of having to serve a quarantine period, visitors from the two countries will only need a COVID-19 test upon arrival.
Reports are growing about people who thought they had shaken off Covid-19 but find they are struggling with debilitating side-effects months later .

They are being called "long-haulers", and while death rates from the illness have fallen there is now clear evidence a significant number of people who are no longer infected can go on to feel unwell.

Chronic tiredness

A common complaint is a serious lack of energy. It is easier to explain in those who have severe illness in the acute phase, ending up in intensive care. But it has also been reported in people who had a milder episode of Covid-19.

Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said: "It's extraordinary how many people have a post-viral syndrome that's very strikingly similar to ME or chronic fatigue syndrome.

"They just don't get back to normal energy or normal feeling of good health."

Range of symptoms

Doctors say it is not unusual that some people who experience respiratory illnesses, including viral pneumonia, in various forms can suffer after-effects. More research is needed but there seems to be a broad range of symptoms reported by a significant number of people after Covid-19.

They include breathlessness and heart problems with smaller numbers reporting delusions, strokes, insomnia, kidney disease and mobility difficulties.

Heart scans

One study looked at 1,216 patients in hospitals in 69 countries around the world who had heart scans.

Slightly more than half showed signs of damage to their hearts, affecting how they pumped blood. Most of them had healthy hearts before getting Covid-19. A further 13pc of the patients showed severe dysfunction in their heart.

Irish cardiologists have seen a number of people go on to suffer myocarditis which can affect the heart muscle, reducing its ability to pump and causing rapid or abnormal heart rhythms.

Brain fog

Some sufferers have described having a "brain fog" and problems trying to think clearly.

They can have a clear brain scan but still not feel right. It has been suggested it is similar to a post-viral fatigue related to inflammation in the body.

Medical puzzle

Because Covid-19 has been around for such a short time there is still a lot to learn about the lasting effects of the illness.

It will only become clear over time and when the findings of more studies emerge and are confirmed.

Global death rate

The good news is that the global death rate from Covid-19 has fallen and it remains low in this country.

Several reasons for this have been put forward, including the fact that it is now mostly younger people getting infected.

Hospital doctors have also become more experienced at treating patients with the virus and can access dexamethasone, a corticosteroid drug which can improve survival for people on ventilators.

Doctors are also better at identifying patients who do not need to be put on ventilators in case the invasive treatment causes them more difficulties.

Other scientists suggest the doses of infection people are getting may be lower because there is more physical distancing and hand washing.

Scientists differ on the theory that the reduced mortality may be due to the virus becoming less deadly because it has mutated.

There is more research needed before it can be concluded that the virus is weakening.
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mimeo, the global provider of online managed print and content distribution, announces a newly launched Marketplace storefront for A+ College Ready. Through the storefront, A+ College Ready's network of teachers can have printed course materials delivered straight to their homes, easing the transition to virtual training sessions.

A+ College Ready is a non-profit organization and regional partner for code.org that is dedicated to improving college preparedness for Alabama's middle and high school students through teachers' training. The non-profit has been conducting in-person learning lessons since 1991, but, when COVID-19 spread throughout the U.S., it transitioned to fully virtual training, starting with its summer 2020 sessions.

A+ College Ready provided teachers with early access to digital curricular modules; however, many missed having printed, in-hand copies of the materials. While searching for options, the non-profit also needed to solve the challenge of shipping modules to 1200 teachers, across 5 disciplines, to their homes. They turned to Mimeo, the web-based, on-demand printing company that code.org regularly relies on to deliver materials to training sessions.

Mimeo built a company-branded storefront within its Marketplace, where A+ College Ready can upload, store, and maintain all of its curricular modules, ensuring that teachers always have access to the most up-to-date versions of content. The self-service storefront allows teachers to easily order printed modules on-demand, when they need them rather than paying for bulk orders of materials, and ship them to their homes to accompany virtual training sessions. From the time that the storefront was launched, earlier this month, the feedback from A+ College Ready's staff and network of teachers has been completely positive. Also, A+ College Ready's transition from their previous vendor to Mimeo was seamless.

"When our account manager at Mimeo told us how easy this platform would be to institute, I just couldn't believe it," said Tammy Dunn, Vice President for Academic Affairs at A+ College Ready. "That hasn't been our experience when installing other platforms, but the onboarding process with Mimeo was amazing, and the customer care continues to be phenomenal. We're very happy with our decision to use Mimeo to distribute our curricular modules."

Mike Barker, General Manager of Mimeo, stated that, "We stand behind A+ College Ready's mission to raise academic standards in our schools. Being able to support them by delivering training content to teachers in the simplest, fastest, and most reliable way possible is a testament to how we make our customers' lives easier."

If your school district needs support providing students with print materials, visit mimeo.com/school-print to set up an account at reduced pricing and get started.

About Mimeo

Mimeo is a global online print provider with a mission to give customers back their time. By combining front and back-end technology with a lean production model, Mimeo is the only company in the industry to guarantee your late-night print order will be produced, shipped, and delivered by 8am the next morning. For more information, visit mimeo.com and see how Mimeo's solutions can help you save time today.

Media Contact:

Cecilia Panozzo

212-847-3660

[email protected]

SOURCE Mimeo

Related Links

http://mimeo.com


Antenna radome plus mining vessel The work we have undertaken has more than satisfied our customer, and the company is looking to implement further connectivity for its offices in the future. We look forward to our continued success together. - Colwyn van Rensburg, Chief Development Officer at Paratus

ST Engineering iDirect, a company of ST Engineering North America, today announced that its long-term customer Paratus, a pan-African telecommunications group which provides satellite connectivity across Africa, has deployed its iDirect modems with marine antenna from manufacturer and integrator KNS Inc., to provide reliable, high-speed connectivity to mining ships based in Guinea, West Africa.

The vessels and their crew require constant and reliable communications to keep in permanent contact with their headquarters on land, and with other shipping vessels during operations at the Boffa port in Guinea, where 3G/4G connectivity is poor and internet services are limited.

The ships were installed with the iDirect modem and KNS 1.2m Maritime Antenna Z12Mk2 in Shanghai, China, enabling bandwidth-intensive applications including video, email and WeChat to be run. Paratus remotely configured the modems and commissioned the antennas for the ships when they arrived in Boffa. Commissioning is completed with the ships being operational.

We are pleased to be working alongside our long-term partner ST Engineering iDirect as we continue to address poor connectivity issues that currently affect Africa, said Colwyn van Rensburg, Chief Development Officer at Paratus. The work we have undertaken has more than satisfied our customer, and the company is looking to implement further connectivity for its offices in the future. We look forward to our continued success together.

Our collaboration with ST Engineering iDirect stretches back for over a decade, commented EZ Gao, Manager of Asia and MENA at KNS. We already have plans in place to expand our collaboration to the market, building upon this very strong foundation to drive expansion towards more price-sensitive customers in certain market segments and regions to enable this kind of mission-critical connectivity at sea.

We are excited to extend our relationship with Paratus, whom we have worked with for many years to provide data rates and multi-service capabilities to their customers, said Pieter-Paul Mooijman, Regional Vice President for Africa at ST Engineering iDirect. Paratus is already utilizing ST Engineering iDirect hubs to power connectivity in Angola, Namibia and South Africa. This collaboration further demonstrates how satellite is an effective and reliable form of connectivity for traditionally hard-to-reach locations, with the versatility to serve diverse markets and applications.

Recognized as the gold-standard in the mobility sector, iDirect solutions are optimized for small to large-scale, multi-beam networks. The advanced quality of service maximizes the value of a shared TDMA bandwidth pool for traffic prioritization and bandwidth management, allowing for SLA configuration and prioritization. The iDirect system incorporates a number of integrated mobility management technologies that enable seamless connectivity when a vessel automatically switches between satellite beams as it moves from one geographic footprint to another. With the ease of installation and management of the iDirect system, service providers can reduce ship visits, installation and modem updates, and optimize their networks for higher efficiency, performance and scalability.

ST Engineering North America is the U.S. headquarters of ST Engineering, a global technology, defense and engineering group specializing in the aerospace, electronics, land systems, and marine sectors. Based in Alexandria, VA, it has major operations across 17 cities in 13 states and employs about 5,000 people providing innovative products and solutions to commercial and government customers across diverse market segments.

ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering North America, is a global leader in satellite communications (satcom) providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their satcom networks. Through the merger with Newtec, a recognized industry pioneer, the combined business unites over 35 years of innovation focused on solving satellites most critical economic and technology challenges, and expands a shared commitment to shaping the future of how the world connects. The product portfolio, branded under the names iDirect and Newtec, represents the highest standards in performance, efficiency and reliability, making it possible for its customers to deliver the best satcom connectivity experience anywhere in the world. ST Engineering iDirect is the worlds largest TDMA enterprise VSAT manufacturer and is the leader in key industries including broadcast, mobility and military/government. In 2007, iDirect Government was formed to better serve the U.S. government and defense communities. For more information please visit http://www.idirect.net.

Paratus is a multinational organisation and has established a prolific network across Africa. It has operational offices in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia and further provides connectivity services to more than 20 African countries through an extensive partner network. Paratus also established the first cross-continent fiber connection from Swakopmund, Namibia to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania under management of a single Autonomous System Number (ASN), carried across its Trans-Kalahari Fiber route.

Paratus  Always Prepared! http://www.paratus.africa

Media contacts:

Julie Bettinger

Vice President, Corporate Marketing

ST Engineering iDirect

Phone: (1) 703 648 8155

Email: jbettinger@idirect.net

Guy Shields

Director, Corporate Communications

ST Engineering North America

Phone: (1) 703 739 2610

Email: guy.shields@stengg.us

Shariva Zender

Public Relations Officer

Paratus

Phone: +264 (83) 300 1000

Email: shariva.zender@paratus.africa
Croatias president and top ministers on Tuesday attended for the first time a ceremony in memory of six Serb civilians murdered at the village of Grubori after the 1990s independence war, in a rare gesture of reconciliation.

The move is part of new joint efforts to improve relations between Croatias government and the countrys Serb minority, 25 years after the conflict that tore the communities apart.

Earlier this month, a Serb official for the first time joined Croatias annual commemoration of the military victory that crushed the Serb rebellion in 1995, ending the war sparked by Zagrebs declaration of independence from Yugoslavia.

The killings in Grubori, where six elderly civilians were murdered, took place weeks after that offensive on August 25, 1995.

This is an honour we owe for what happened 25 years ago, which caused moral horror for me personally, said Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, joined by two deputy ministers at the gathering where roses were laid in front of a large wooden cross.

Serbs and Croats are the most similar nations in Europe, he added.

Deputy prime minister Tomo Medved, a war veteran, said it was necessary to make efforts in building a stronger community for the sake of all Croatian citizens.

Croatia, as a victor mourns all those who were killed, especially civilians, and it is our duty to honour the victims, he added.

The war crime in Grubori was carried about by a special Croatian anti-terrorist unit, a court found, but no individual perpetrators have been convicted due to a lack of evidence.

Many Serbs still decry the trial in Croatia that acquitted two officers, while a third committed suicide.

Milorad Pupovac, president of a Serb political party in Croatia, lamented the courts failure to establish who committed the crime.

The victims were killed while taking care of their cattle, shelling peas or sitting in a wheelchair. Murdered with their arms up, he said at the ceremony.

More than 20,000 people were killed in the conflict, while some 200,000 Serbs also fled Croatia after the end of the war.

Around half have since returned and today ethnic Serbs make up some 4.5 percent of the countrys 4.2 million population.
Vietnamese are making more payments with QR Code thanks to its utility, security and promotion programs launched by service providers.

Uyen, an office worker in HCMCity, has the habit of making payment with QR Code when going to a cafe.

She is a loyal client of Guta Cafe, The Coffee House and Trung Nguyen. She uses her smartphone to scan QR codes at the counter to make payment.

Uyen has installed two e-wallets on her phone to use alternatives in case the systems at the cafes have errors, or the cafes dont accept some certain e-wallets.

Phi, 28, in district 1, only brings a smartphone when doing morning exercises. With the smartphone, he can go to convenience stores to buy goods or breakfast. 7-Eleven, Circle K, Family Mart, MiniStop and Bs Mart all allow payment with QR Code.

It would be less troublesome to buy one bottle of water or a banana in the morning with the app. Cashiers wont have to use small change, and you wont have to bring cash with yourself, he explained.

Accepting payment with QR Code was first seen at cafes and convenience stores. Later, it was accepted at supermarkets, restaurants, fast food shops, traditional eateries and e-commerce sites as well.

An officer of a Lotteria shop located at a shopping center in Tan Phu district said more and more clients are makeing payment with QR Code, especially young people. E-wallets run promotion programs, offering preferences to clients making payments with QR Code.

Accepting payment with QR Code was first seen at cafes and convenience stores. Later, it was accepted at supermarkets, restaurants, fast food shops, traditional eateries and e-commerce sites as well.

To make payment with QR Code, clients use e-wallets or bank apps to scan codes. All e-wallets and 18 bank apps available now have the QR Code payment function. The multi-service apps such as Shopee (in cooperation with AirPay) and Grab (in cooperation with Moca) also support this payment method.

A survey by Visa last May found that 84 percent of users feel secure when making payment via smartphones as their personal information is safe.

The increase in number of contactless payments via mobile phones, QR Code and e-commerce in 2019 compared with 2018 shows consumers high confidence level. At least 82 percent of surveyed consumers use contactless payment methods via smartphone at least once a week.

IDCs White Paper released in April 2020 showed that payment via smartphone has surpassed payment with credit and debit cards in terms of popularity in Asia.

In 2019, Asian people spent $25 trillion via cards, but spent $51 trillion via mobile payment, which is leading digital payment methods.

Vietnam has a low number of POS at traditional stores, which makes payments via cards low. However, the country is witnessing a high growth rate in digital payment as more people have the habit of buying goods from e-commerce sites and more POS card swipe devices have been installed.

Because of limitations in POS machines, making payment with QR Code is a growing tendency. Shop owners just need to open a bank account with connection with e-wallet, and then display the QR Code at counters for clients to make payment. There is no need to equip with POS. QR Code is particularly suitable to small and medium points of sale.

Hai Dang

Southeast Asia, fertile land for online payments, e-wallets The obvious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic include the rapid increase in online payment services and digital banking across Southeast Asia.
Four high-risk traffic intersections are set to be upgraded by Brisbane City Council as part of the federal government's black spot program.

The crash zones in the suburbs of Annerley, Belmont, Wacol and St Lucia will have $6.2 million spent across them for safety upgrades after a spate of accidents at each intersection.

The Ipswich Road and Ponsonby Road intersection in Annerley will have traffic lights installed. Credit:Google Maps

On Tuesday morning the council's infrastructure committee heard from council officers about the four intersections selected for the 2020-21 upgrades, with new pedestrian crossings, traffic lights or roundabouts to be installed.

Infrastructure committee chairman David McLachlan said the black spot program upgrades would be delivered in conjunction with the state and federal governments.
Zimbabwe notorious armed robber Musa Taj Abdul has been finally arrested.

Abdul who has been on the run for over two decades and masterminded a spate of criminal activities, was one of Zimbabwes most wanted armed robbers.

He was arrested while in the company of six other accomplices in the border town of Beitbridge on Monday night.

On Tuesday, police confirmed the high profile arrest and said a team of detectives from CID Homicide in Harare has since been dispatched to Beitbridge as part of investigations.

Abdul has been known for evading police arrests and escaping shootouts in which resulted in some of his accomplices being killed by police in several incidents in and around the city.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
Sophia Antipolis, France - 25 Aug 2020: Today scientists report that 58% of "sudden" cardiac arrest sufferers sought medical help during the two weeks before the event. The research is presented today at ESC Congress 2020.1

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiac arrest is lethal within minutes if left untreated and it is estimated that, on average, less than 10% of victims survive.

"The high mortality from cardiac arrest in the community emphasises the need to identify those at risk," said study author Dr. Nertila Zylyftari of Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark. "This is very challenging since these are considered sudden and unexpected events. But our study indicates that patients felt unwell in the days leading up to the cardiac arrest."

Previous studies have reported that some patients had symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest discomfort and palpitations in advance of a cardiac arrest and contacted the healthcare system. But there is little information on when and where these contacts occurred.

This study investigated contacts with GPs and hospitals in the year before a cardiac arrest. To get a picture of whether there was any variation throughout the year, the researchers examined each week separately. In other words, what proportion of patients contacted a GP or hospital 52 weeks before the arrest, 51 weeks before, and so on, up to one week before.

The researchers used the Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry to identify all residents who suffered a cardiac arrest outside of hospital in Denmark between 2001 and 2014. Using the unique civil registration number assigned to all Danish citizens, the researchers linked information from several national administrative registries, including dates of GP and hospital contacts.

A total of 28,955 people had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during the 14-year study period. The median age of victims was 72 years and 67% were men. To compare the results in cardiac arrest patients with the overall population in Denmark, each patient was matched by age and sex to nine people from the general public.

Each week during the year before the cardiac arrest, the percentage of patients in contact with their GP was relatively constant (26%), until two weeks before when it rose to 54%. Every week during that same year, just 14% of people in the matched population contacted their GP.

As for hospital contacts in the year before the arrest, these were relatively constant for the first six months. Each week during that six months, around 3% of patients contacted a hospital. Weekly contacts then gradually increased during the next six months, peaking at two weeks before the arrest, when 6.8% of patients contacted a hospital. Every week during that same year, just 2% of people in the matched population contacted a hospital.

Dr. Zylyftari said: "To our knowledge this was the first study to assess cardiac arrest victims' attempts to get help from both GPs and hospitals throughout the year before the event and compare them with the general population. We show that the proportion of patients who contacted GPs and hospitals were higher every week throughout the year before their event compared to the matched population in the same year."

"It was surprising to see that in the two weeks prior to the cardiac arrest there was an increase in contacts especially with their own doctor," she added.

In a separate analysis, the researchers examined all contacts made to the healthcare system (either GP, hospital or both) during the two-week period prior to the cardiac arrest. This showed that 58% of cardiac arrest patients had contacted the healthcare system compared to 26% of the matched population.

Information was not collected on the reasons why cardiac arrest patients sought medical advice. But the data show that of those who communicated with their GP during the two-week period before the event, 72% did so by phone or email and 43% had a face-to-face consultation. (Some did both, which is why the total exceeds 100%.) Meanwhile, 25% of the cardiac arrest patients who visited hospital during the two-week period before the event had cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Zylyftari said: "More data and research are needed on the reasons for these interactions - for example symptoms - to identify warning signs of those at imminent danger so that future cardiac arrests can be prevented."

###

Notes to editors

Authors: ESC Press Office

Mobile: +33 (0)7 85 31 20 36

Email: press@escardio.org

The hashtag for ESC Congress 2020 is #ESCCongress.

Follow us on Twitter @ESCardioNews

This press release accompanies an abstract at ESC Congress 2020 - The Digital Experience.

It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Society of Cardiology.

Funding: This project has received funding from the European Unions Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme ESCAPE-NET under grant agreement No. 733381.

Disclosures: No conflicts of interest to declare.

References and notes

1Abstract title: Contacts to the healthcare system prior to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

About the European Society of Cardiology

The European Society of Cardiology brings together health care professionals from more than 150 countries, working to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people lead longer, healthier lives.

About the ESC Congress 2020

ESC Congress is the world's largest gathering of cardiovascular professionals contributing to global awareness of the latest clinical trials and breakthrough discoveries. ESC Congress 2020 takes place online from 29 August to 1 September. More information is available from the ESC Press Office at press@escardio.org.
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik today joined Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu education minister MK Stalin in demanding the postponement of JEE (Main) and NEET over Covid-19 fears arguing that it will be unsafe for students to visit examination centres physically.

In a letter to union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Tuesday, Patnaik said that due to prevailing coronavirus situation in the country, it would be highly unsafe and perilous for 50000 students of the state to visit the examination centres physically to appear in these tests.

Besides, frequent lockdown/shutdown is being enforced by the concerned district administrations due to sudden escalation of the COVID positive case locally, the local transportation too gets disrupted, he wrote. The JEE(Main) and NEET exams are scheduled to be held in September.

On Tuesday, Odisha reported 2752 new Covid-19 cases from all its 30 districts taking the total to 84231.

Patnaik also said as Odisha has got vast tribal pockets having geographically inaccessible areas, that are far away from the urban centres in the state, students would have to travel long distances. The Odisha chief minister suggested that examination centres should be opened in all 30 districts of Odisha instead of just 7. In June, Patnaik had requested Modi to postpone JEE, NEET till the higher secondary science exams in the state were over.

Earlier, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu education minister M K Stalin had appealed to the centre to postpone the competitive exams until the spread of Covid-19 was brought under control. Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy too had demanded postponement of the exam.

On Sunday, over 4000 students had taken to Twitter to demand postponement of the examination. They also observed a day-long hunger strike to press for the demand.

The Supreme Court last week had rejected petitions against holding the exams amid the Covid pandemic.
Two parents in China have faced heavy backlash after being accused by web users of forcing their little daughter to perform eating shows online to earn money.

Footage and pictures have recently surfaced of the three-year-old girl, nicknamed Pei Qi, appearing to be heavily overweight as she devoured plates of food in front of the camera.

Pei Qis parents, who uploaded the content online, were criticised by millions of angered netizens who slammed them for abusing their daughter and using her as a cash cow.

Two parents in China have faced heavy backlash after being accused by web users of forcing their little daughter, named Pei Qi(pictured), to perform eating shows online to earn money

An screenshot of the girl's video channel suggested Pei Qis mother had been uploading videos of her daughter since 2018 on Xigua Video, a Chinese streaming platform

The incident has sparked heated discussions on Chinese social media this week after web users shared screenshots of Pei Qis eating videos.

The images suggested Pei Qis mother had been uploading videos of her daughter since 2018 on Xigua Video, a Chinese streaming platform.

Footage shows the little Chinese girl sitting in front of the camera while eating large portions of dumplings, noodles or cake.

The clips were reminiscent of Mukbang, a popular online phenomenon originated in South Korea and loosely translated as eating broadcast.

Many of Pei Qi's videos were said to be very popular, including one amassing 550,000 views.

The incident has sparked heated discussions on Chinese social media this week after web users shared screenshots of Pei Qis eating videos. The picture emerged online allegedly shows Pei Qi eating a bowl of food in one of her videos uploaded online by her parents

The screenshot above allegedly shows the little girl, Pei Qi, telling her parents to stop feeding her before her plate was immediately filled again, according to various media reports

Concerns were raised as people noticed the three-year-old child looking much heavier than her peers. The title of one recent video claimed that Pei Qi weighed 35 kilograms (77 pounds).

Media reports also claimed that in one video, Pei Qi told her parents to stop feeding her but her plate was immediately filled again.

The incident quickly became a trending topic on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter. Millions of web users accused the parents of forcing Pei Qi to make such eating videos in a bid to generate revenue.

One commenter wrote: The parents are using the child as a cash cow. They dont care about the childs health and wellbeing at all!

Another said: This is child abuse! Some people dont deserve to be parents. This is making me so angry!

A third user replied: 'The authorities need to investigate this and severely punish the parents. Are you sure they are the birth parents?'

The incident quickly became a trending topic on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter. Millions of web users accused the parents of forcing Pei Qi to make such eating videos

The little girl's video channel was removed from the site after the incident sparked an uproar online.

Pei Qis parents have denied the accusations, claiming that their daughter had been healthy and they had filmed the videos for fun.

Our videos not only included her eating food, as well her losing weight and dancing, the mother told reporters.

[Shes] my birth child, why would I intentionally feed her that much? She has always been a big child.

The girls father told Chinese media: We did make a little bit of profit, maybe a few hundred yuan, but that is just a number to us.

All-China Womens Federation, an official organisation that protects the rights and welfare of women and children, has launched an investigation into the incident, reports said.

The authorities confirmed to Chinese media that the family lived in Guangzhou of southern China as a local branch is looking into the matter.
(Alliance News) - Alien Metals Ltd on Tuesday said it has identified maiden exploration targets at its Hamersley province iron ore projects in Australia.

Shares in Alien, which has mining projects in Australia and Mexico, were up 17% at 0.39 pence in London in afternoon trading.

An extensive data review of projects in Hamersley province, including the Brockman iron and Hancock Ranges projects, has identified five priority prospects and proposed further studied and next stage exploration at all of these, the company said.

At Brockman, three targets focus on historic high-grade BHP prospects numbers 15, 19, and 20, the company said, adding that it intends to follow-up the targets with surface mapping and sampling to support a maiden drilling programme.

At Hancock ranges, the company has identified two key targets. These are the Sirius exploration prospects - previously drilled by Volta Mining - and Kalgan prospect, which Alien "believes has excellent potential".

Both tenements cover larger areas of Hamersley sediments, prospective for deposits of high-grade direct shipping oron ore.

Alien intends for its geological tram to be on the ground as soon as possible.

Technical Director Bill Brodie Good said: "The company is extremely pleased with the results and findings of the detailed data compilation, which helped identify maiden exploration targets for the Brockman iron and Hancock Ranges projects. The field work undertaken last year replicated the high-grade direct shipping iron ore results previously recorded at the projects; our next objectives are to carry-out further exploration work, including a maiden drilling programme, to convert the exploration targets into JORC resources.

"The company is excited about the potential to add significant value to the projects and looks forward to updating the market of progress in due course."

By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : Work from home is a big part of the new normal thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. As we get comfortable in our designated work-from-home style, usually pyjamas with a formal top, the feeling of lethargy and laziness can kick in. This can make us demotivated, especially with the lack of socializing.

It's important to lighten up the mood while working, believes Dharini Upadhyaya, CO Founder and CO CEO Furtados School of Music. The best way to do this is to create a playlist which will help you feel more motivated and alive, adding a fun element to your daily monotony. Although we know one's taste in can be quite personal, but there are certain genres that are better suited to the mood you want to create.

Upadhyaya offers some tips on choosing music based on the vibe you want create, emanate and feel.

For stressful situations We all know sometimes deadlines can put us in stressful situations. It's important to calm yourself down and play music which has more soothing tones. Acoustic covers, instrumental melodies and slow music can be a great way to get your mind settled. The lower beats and tempo of such music can help you focus better at your task and complete the work.

Work mode For the times when you want to get into the zone and churn out things faster and have more output, pick high tempo music. Genres like EDM, house, rock are great options for such situations. The higher beat count of such music can trick your body into working a little faster. It is also preferred for high intensity workouts as well for the same reason.

White noise While you're working from home, sometimes you can feel a little lonely. To avoid the feeling, switching on some music can actually be quite therapeutic. You might not want to sing along and be distracted by it, but just have it on as white noise in the background. Jazz, instrumental covers can be great options for those times.

Prep for the weekend Even though social distancing is keeping us away from unwinding with our friends, we can still prep for the weekend, starting Friday. Virtual parties and zoom get together are a part of the new normal and you want to get your upbeat self back for them. Listen to some great party music of your choice. Whether it's Bollywood, English or Spanish, jam your way into the weekend.

The next time you set your work from home station, prep it with your cup of your preferred beverage and turn the music on for a better working experience.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)
BT shares were on the up again today after the embattled business emerged as a target for private equity buyers.

Investors piled into the telecoms group on Monday after weekend reports that its flagging value had left it vulnerable to potential takeovers. After closing 7.1 per cent up yesterday, the shares continued their rally with a rise of 2.25p or 2 per cent to 111.25p as traders sensed an opportunity.

BT's value has fallen steadily in recent years and now sits at just 10.7billion  the lowest level in a decade  after a cut to its prized dividend sent shares sinking even further.

Analysts at investment bank Jefferies said that BT looked like a bargain because of the 'stark disconnect' between the value of its assets and its market capitalisation.

In safe hands?: Chairman Jan du Plessis, left, and chief executive Philip Jansen

WILL THESE MEN REALLY DEFEND TITAN? BT's two top bosses oversaw multi-billion pound sales of their last businesses. Chairman Jan du Plessis was previously chairman of South Africa-rooted brewing and beverage giant SABMiller, which was sold to rival AB Inbev, while chief executive Philip Jansen was boss of payments giant Worldpay before it was sold to competitor Vantiv. The pair have vowed to turn BT around and return it to its roots as a 'national champion' of infrastructure. But they may now have to fight off takeover bids for the telecoms giant after its market value crashed to just over 10billion  down from 49billion in 2016. Du Plessis  BT chairman since 2017  is a chartered accountant who was chairman of SABMiller when it was bought by AB Inbev for 79billion in 2016  one of the largest takeovers in history. The 66-year-old later confessed he found it hard to sell the company, which was from his home country and boasted a century-long history. Jansen, 53, is the multimillionaire former boss of Worldpay, who took over from Gavin Patterson in February 2019. The father-of-five led the payment processing firm, owned at the time by private equity, through its 2015 listing and sale to US-based Vantiv in 2017 for 9billion. He made about 30m from that deal and defended the large sum, insisting the money 'is not important to me' because he had already made a fortune from floating the company on the London Stock Exchange in 2015.

Openreach, the division of BT which owns and manages its broadband network, is thought to be worth around 20bn alone  double the value of its parent on the stock market.

Jefferies analysts told clients: 'It is likely that private equity firms are looking closely at BT.'

Potential buyers are thought to include top BT shareholder Deutsche Telekom, while Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund has been building a stake in BT this year and Australian investment bank Macquarie reportedly once held talks about buying a stake in Openreach.

Helal Miah, an analyst at The Share Centre, said: 'Any potential bidder may be attracted by the fact that individual businesses such as Openreach are valued far higher than the sum of the parts, with potential bidders coming from the private equity industry.

'The view among some is that if BT is to become a private company, it may be easier to restructure and unlock value than as listed business.'

However, analysts also cautioned that BT's status as a former state-owned monopoly would make it a difficult target. It was privatised under Margaret Thatcher in 1984 but its telephone and broadband network is still seen as critical national infrastructure, meaning any potential takeover will face scrutiny.

And although the Government does not hold a so-called 'golden share' that would allow it to veto such a proposal, the company's investment plans are based on deals reached with ministers and regulators which are predicated on BT's market position and ownership structure.

The company's huge pension scheme deficit could also be an obstacle, with buyers likely to face demands to show how they would plug the hole.

However, fears that BT could be stalked by rivals or buyout firms have still spooked its board, led by chairman Jan du Plessis.

The firm is so worried that it has drafted in investment bank Goldman Sachs to draw up an up-to-date defence strategy, in case it is approached. The company's shares crashed to lows not seen since 2009 this month. They have fallen lower since bosses said in May that they were axing the dividend for the first time since privatisation.

Philip Jansen, chief executive, said the 'exceptionally difficult' decision was necessary so that the firm could continue funding a major upgrade of broadband network while also taking a financial hit from the coronavirus pandemic.

Shareholders will not receive any more payouts until 2022.

BT is rolling out cutting-edge fibre broadband across the UK, a vast effort that will cost about 12billion along with its investment in 5G mobile infrastructure.

But Jansen is betting that the huge spending will lead to bigger profits in future.
National Dog Day Logo I cant truly celebrate this year, without at least acknowledging and thanking, all the front-line heroes, both for people and pets, bravely risking their lives with every breath they take and especially to honor the memory of those precious lives lost to Covid-19.

National Dog Day celebrates 16 years on Wednesday, August 26th and is marked by several fun events, which showcases dog loving celebrities, multiple contests, appearances by human and canine social media influencers, a livestream virtual feed of playful puppies for adoption, the National Dog Day Worlds Most Beautiful Dog Photo Contest and much more. Also exciting, is the introduction of the very first National Dog Day signature dog collar and tag, of which the sales will help to financially support the new Adoption Portal section of the website.

Founded in 2004 by Animal Welfare Advocate and Pet Lifestyle Expert, Colleen Paige, National Dog Day celebrates all breeds, mixed and pure and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, from public shelters and private rescues. National Dog Day honors family dogs and dogs that work selflessly to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day - protecting our families and our homes, for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for the disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and helping to locate and rescue victims of accidents and tragedy.

National Dog Day returns at a vital time in our history, as countless animal shelters and rescues around the nation, as well as the rest of the world, are forced to close their doors to the public, due to Coronavirus. Colleen Paige, the founder of National Dog Day, said, This year is more urgent for the animals than ever before, as this brutal virus is not only to blame for the displacement of so many pets, but it has dreadfully impacted shelters and rescues, preventing them from keeping their doors open and massively diluting the financial support of these crucial institutions. I cant truly celebrate this year, without at least acknowledging and thanking, all the front-line heroes, both for people and pets, bravely risking their lives with every breath they take and especially to honor the memory of those precious lives lost to Covid-19. Its a bittersweet day and what will bring the most joy, is to get every single featured dog adopted. National Dog Day sends out an urgent call to action, asking all dog lovers to donate at least $1 to their favorite shelter or rescue. If millions of dog lovers would step up to the call, it would be a true blessing for so many orphaned pets.

This year will be marked by two livestream virtual celebrations, starting with Amazon Pets and Treasure Trucks Pawsitive Impact. This virtual livestream event, hosted by actress Lucy Hale, and celebrity dog trainer Brandon McMillan, includes topics such as keeping your pup entertained at home, dog care tips, from treats to training, the important work being done by the Lucy Pet Foundation and the Argus Service Dog Foundation. They will also be announcing their Top Dog contest winners. For more information, go to http://www.amazon.com/pawsitiveimpact

To highlight the importance of puppy nutrition and celebrate National Dog Day, Purina is hosting a Pup-Up video livestream on Facebook.com/Purina, where they will feature adoptable puppies in collaboration with North Shore Animal League America from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, August 26. During the livestream, viewers will not only get to watch puppies at play, but also learn about puppy behavior and the importance of making sure puppies get the nutrition they need to make the healthy transition from puppy to adult dog from Purinas senior feeding behaviorist, Dr. Annie Valuska, Ph.D., and veterinarian, Dr. Callie Harris, DVM. Both experts will be available to chat with viewers and answer puppy owners questions around puppy nutrition, their eating habits and tips on raising a healthy puppy.

Returning partner Autotrader, highlights the best cars for dog lovers. Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader, said, With pet adoptions up but the idea of mass transit still an uncertainty for many, 2020 may end up as the year of the road trip simply by default. Not everyone thinks of their dog when getting a new or used car but there are features that can make living with your favorite good boy a little easier. Several brands go out of their way to create or accommodate your four-legged friend. Jeep, Subaru and Volvo all have very compelling pet-friendly accessories. Shoppers should also consider the type of car theyre getting  minivans like the Toyota Sienna work well because of the easy in and out sliding doors. We also like inexpensive cars like the Honda Fit because of its large rear hatch-style door. Whatever vehicle you decide on, be sure to properly secure your dog in the car whenever youre traveling together, even if its just a short trip. For more information about Autotrader's top dog friendly cars and traveling with dogs, visit https://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/best-cars-for-dogs

Other partners include:

Zany Zak, a Colorado-based company, producing exquisite, handmade dog collars and other artisanal gifts and pet apparel. ZanyZak.com

The Homies Dog Treats, a Los Angeles-based company, formed by a collective of dog lovers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and risk-takers, who have curated a collection of human-grade organic recipes. Every single treat is handcrafted in small batches with love, passion, and compassion. TheHomiesDogTreats.com

DOGITUDEness, a new, northern California-based, fun and sassy, pet related apparel and gift company, launches on National Dog Day, with its signature logo tee and other items, featuring its fun motto: DOGITUDEness: Attitude, with a bit of fur in your mouth. DOGITUDEness.com

For more information about other National Dog Day partners or becoming a partner, visit NationalDogDay.com
John Dickerson, 52, is a correspondent for "60 Minutes" and longtime political journalist who has covered six presidential campaigns. His book, "The Hardest Job in the World: The American Presidency," was published in late spring.

Q: You make the case in "The Hardest Job in the World" that the demands of the American presidency have grown impossible for any one person to fulfill. What problems does that pose? As people think about the presidency and how to approach their choice this fall, what qualities do you think whoever is elected must possess, the most important qualities for people to look for?

A: The major problem is that we look to the president for too much. We basically run all of our national questions through the presidency. We've turned the president into the largest political celebrity, and maybe the largest celebrity, in the country. And we've stopped looking to the Congress for the work that it should be doing instead of, or at least in concert with, the president. Part of the tension of the job should be that we expect more than it can deliver. Because that's what calls presidents to up their game. When Lyndon Johnson responds to Bloody Sunday, he sees a disconnect between the country he sees on TV and its greatest and highest ideals - ideals that it fell short of in the minute it was creating its founding document in the Constitution. These demands have gotten disconnected from what's possible in the office. And this gets exacerbated every time we have an election because we get our hopes up. And then they're dashed again. Part of it is, they're dashed by the weakness of the people we elected, but part is also we misunderstand and hamstring the office in so many different ways that makes it impossible to meet our expectations. We sort of embed future cynicism in the way we run our campaigns because we expect ever more from the next president.

The president is a job of seriously high stakes in which, by the time you get hit by a surprise, high-stakes event, it's too late to catch up. You need to have thought about the job, thought about your country, thought about the obligations of public service, seriously. And acted on those beliefs long before they hit. Because when they hit, if you're not ready, you're going to be in deep trouble. One of the strongest things I came away from this book with was thinking about (the presidency) more as an organization and less as a single human being. So maybe we want to think through what the next president is going to do: Who are they going to name to the head of the civil rights division of the Department of Justice, and what is that person's mandate going to be? That's different than the way we normally think of a presidency.

Q: Do you think this year's primaries might have produced different candidates had we gone through the pandemic and recent examples of police brutality sooner?

A: I don't think on the Republican side it would have changed anything because the president has so locked himself into the Republican Party, and vice versa. And, as we've seen, no significant politician, with basically one or two exceptions, wants to do anything to upset the Trump base. But on the Democratic side, there are two questions, really. On the one hand, covid presents a classic management and organizational challenge for anybody: Do you understand how government works? Can you prepare for it? And then focus and marshal your horses once the disaster hits. A kind of emergency response that requires somebody who knows how Washington works, how the bureaucracy works, to be able to manage that kind of a surprise. Same is true with foreign policy.

But on values and equality and hearing the agony of the protesters in the streets, and moving Washington to answer that agony, or at least hear it - that certainly would have overtaken the Democratic primary. Now, it doesn't necessarily mean that there needs to be an outsider. Lyndon Johnson did a great deal for race in America, and he was the most Washington-centered politician, who also had an awful record on race earlier in his career. But in our current world, it definitely would have changed the nature of the conversation and exacerbated some of the challenges that bedeviled Biden at the beginning of his race for the nomination.

Q: A number of scholars and analysts I've spoken with recently are talking about a slide toward fascism with this administration and seeing the upcoming election as a pivotal moment in determining the country's trajectory. Your view seems to be much more measured: tempering expectations around the presidency, finding the right person. What do you make of that claim?

A: Well, I think we've seen a long list of standards and norms of the office and of behavior that have been ignored by the president and the people that work for him. In the American system, there's really one penalty, which is that you get voted out of office. Impeachment is such a high bar in today's polarized world that that's not really even an effective check. We definitely have seen the system not checking the president in terms of congressional oversight.

And so we've seen in the press response really a highlighting of a lot of these challenges to the traditional role of the presidency, which is a check on authoritarianism, exposing a lot of the ways in which the president has exceeded the power of his office and also refused to embrace the power of his office. He has embraced, on the one hand, authoritarianism in the way he behaves, but on his response to covid-19, he has actually shrunk the presidential response. But people have to listen, and then vote accordingly if they think that's the way the president's going. So we'll have to see. With the firing of the inspectors general, the repeated behavior on behalf of the president's interests by the Justice Department - all of those things are warning signs. But we're not there yet.

And again, there's a way the system can respond. If Donald Trump loses the election by a huge amount, the country will have rendered a verdict on how much he's pushed the office - and therefore, the slide that some people see toward authoritarianism will have been checked by the system. And then you'd have to say, in the end, that the system worked.

If it's true that American presidencies tend to sort of go back and forth, which is to say that the deficiencies of one president are answered for by the attributes the succeeding president has, then you could imagine a president - whether it's Joe Biden or somebody else who comes along in four more years - would be the antithesis of the incumbent. And so, the norms all across the board - what it means to be presidential - you could see those norms coming back even more strongly because everybody's been reminded why they're important.

Q: What president do you most admire, and why?

A: It's such a tricky thing. It just is a cliche, because it's basically FDR or Lincoln. And I guess the reason I say it's so tricky is because most presidents don't get the chance to even be tested at that level. So they don't achieve greatness, but they can be admirable within the sphere of challenges that they've been presented with. I mean, Lincoln faced such carnage and suffering, but was able to change in the course of his life and thinking. For a person to name the Cabinet that he did was such a huge, high-risk move. To evolve as he did on slavery. Lincoln just overwhelms me in his operational skill - but then, also the empathy and the humanity of the things that he wrote and the way that he thought. I mean, his second inaugural address, while the Confederates are in town trying to kill him, to talk about bringing the country back together just takes an amazing kind of understanding, and expansive worldview.

Q: Do you think he's somebody that we would elect today?

A: It's a great question. Two things: Would we elect him? And then, if we elected him, would we allow him to change as much as he changed in office without hounding him out for being, you know, a person of unfixed views.

And the final thing that's tricky about Lincoln is my argument for (needing) some expertise, some experience: Lincoln didn't have much of it. My only out, which is not a satisfying one, is, well, there was only one Abe Lincoln. In other words, we got lucky with Lincoln. Let's not build a system that hopes (for) that from everybody who comes along without much of a resume. He ended up having the attributes necessary for the job. The ability to build a team and take the risks he did required an incredible temperament and sense of doing the right thing and not the self-preserving thing. Because those guys could have eaten him for lunch. And so he had to basically take a gamble. And, wow, that takes a lot of guts, tolerance for risk, tolerance for uncertainty. He had both this deep reservoir of human emotion and yet was able to deal with moments of uncertainty.

Q: If the two people vying for the presidency this fall can learn something from the book, what is the most important thing they take from it?

A: That the president is a job of high-stakes surprises that come out of nowhere. So you better spend a lot of time on the important, but not urgent. Which is to say, preparing your team, preparing for the crisis that you don't even know about yet. Because if you build a good team to handle a crisis, that team will work in non-crisis situations and then will make you a more effective president.
Indie-rock musician Ben Folds and his wife, Emma Sandall, a dancer, are downsizing.

Their home, a former three-story department store in Hudson, New York, is on the market for $2.8 million. Nicole Vidor of Nicole Vidor Real Estate Inc., is the listing broker.

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

Folds and Sandall made extensive renovations to the property while maintaining its architectural charms. They created a unique Soho loft with four bedrooms and six bathrooms. The 9,000 square-foot building also has a music room and dance room for their creative outlets. Located on Hudsons main drag, the property has 6,000 square-foot of living space and 3,000 square-foot of retail.

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

After living in their Hudson Valley home for four years, Vidor said the couple want a smaller space. Currently in Australia due to the pandemic, the couple plans to return and live in the area, according to Vidor. She said they love Hudson.

The buildings commercial space is currently rented by Fluff, a boutique that sells goods made from alpaca wool. Local businesses Baba Louies, a wood-fired pizza eatery, and Supernatural Coffee are neighbors of the boutique.

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

On the second floor, the music studio is on the south end while the dance studio is on the north end. In between the two studios, there is a open gathering space with a large galley kitchen. There is an office with computers and printers and another office/bedroom with en-suite bath and a guest room.

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

The third floor is all residential with a master bedroom with huge windows and panoramic views of rooftops and hills. The master also has two bathrooms. Theres another galley kitchen with expansive dining space and room for a grand piano.

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

Details

Address: 521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534

Size: 9,000 square feet

Acres: .07 acre

Built: 1880

Rooms: 4

Bathrooms: 6

Taxes: School tax $16,269.04 and town tax $15,391.86

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

Agent information

The property is listed by Nicole Vidor of Nicole Vidor Real Estate Inc.

Contact: nicole@nicolevidor.com or 518-929-6003

See the full listing

More photos of property below.

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

521 Warren St., Hudson, N.Y., 12534.James Autery

More from NYup.com

Bargain Mansion in Upstate NY: $75,000 Second Empire with 3,676 square feet

Must-See Home in Upstate NY: Former Catskills hotel for $89,000 with 40 rooms

Former Yankees manager Billy Martins lakeside retreat for sale

Ultimate Fixer-Upper: Historic Cazenovia farmhouse for $27,500
August 24, 2020





Social media can be the factor that makes your business a howling success or causes it to fail miserably. And believe me, we are not exaggerating!

It is essential for marketing!

But then again, setting up a social media account is just one piece of that puzzle. You must continue to build, update, and expand your digital presence. It is an ongoing process.

Someone who has been down that road before will tell you it's a considerable investment of time and money. And despite dedicated efforts, it may take months, sometimes years, before your account gains traction. The vast array of networking platforms, each with their unique style and formats, pose more challenges.







If you've been struggling, you could give social media accounts for sale a thought. They are a quick, affordable, and a proven strategy to boost your social media profile.

The article gives you everything you need to know about social media accounts for sale. We've also addressed a few myths surrounding the topic. Read on to know more.

What does it entail?

The marketplace for all social media accounts is vast. When you buy Facebook accounts, you acquire accounts belonging to someone else. They are mostly niche accounts and not personal accounts. A high follower count characterizes these highly popular social media profiles. After you buy a Facebook (News - Alert) account, you continue to manage it.

Buy Facebook Accounts - How do you stand to gain?

Here's a list of valid reasons to buy a Facebook account.

Reach out to your target audience

Boosting sales is about pitching your product to the right audience.

Finding a chart-topping social media account in your specific niche, with followers that match your desired customer profile, is advantageous. It is a golden opportunity to reach out to an ideal audience, one that projects a higher conversion potential.

Reduce Marketing Costs

You will still be spending on marketing, but it will reduce the costs. For instance, you can save money that would have otherwise been allotted for costly collaborations with social media influencers, or sponsorships in affiliate marketing.

Secure Complete Control

Buying a social media account also gives you full control over the account and the content for promotion. You can post and promote content or products on your own terms.

Where to get 'Social Media Accounts for Sale'

You can always contact an account owner personally. But the stakes are higher this way. It is hard to tell if the account is genuine or the followers are fake.

The safest way is to go to a third-party service specializing in buying and selling social media accounts. We vouch for them because they do the spadework for you. From filtering accounts with the highest engagement to verifying the authenticity of followers to negotiating with social media account owners, they handle everything. They also offer an added layer of security, in terms of payments and transfer of information.

Speaking of costs, you will pay more if you opt for Facebook accounts for sale from third party sites. But you can be assured of security and quick results.

If you've made up your mind to buy a Facebook account, you can get in touch with Accfarm. They are an established marketplace for Facebook accounts, Instagram, YouTube (News - Alert), Reddit, and TikTok accounts. The accounts are delivered instantly on payment. So, get the best social media marketing accounts along with unparalleled customer service right here.
Nineteen dogs boarded a plane from Alabama to New Jersey on Tuesday afternoon, bound for their forever homes.

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) sent those 19 dogs to the New Jersey shelter for adoption, where most of the animals already have homes waiting on their arrival.

By freeing up space in the GBHSs Snow Drive adoption facility, the organization can take in adoptable pets from shelters along the Gulf coast. Those shelters need kennel space for dogs who may be displaced by incoming Hurricane Laura, or future storms this hurricane season.

The chain reaction of shelters helping shelters means that lost, stray, or injured dogs affected by the storms can have a better chance at being reunited with their owners, because they are at a local animal shelter.

One dog, named William, was set to board the flight and make the group an even 20 dogs; but in the car ride to the airport, William damaged his kennel and therefore was unable to board the flight.

The plane transporting the 19 dogs to a city near New York was provided by Wings of Rescue.

One of the most important aspects of our mission is to rescue adoptable animals impacted by disasters, said GBHS Chief Executive Officer Allison Black Cornelius. When a storm hits, shelters in large rescues in the affected area need to make space for animals that will be lost or surrendered during the crisis. That is one of the reasons we stress microchipping your pet, having an ID collar on your pet, and making plans for your pet in the event of an emergency.

The nonprofit is asking for pet food and supplies, or monetary donations to help with disaster relief efforts. Those wanting to help can visit gbhs.org or call the GBHS for more information.

The dogs are loaded onto the plane for their trip. Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Dogs in their crates are unloaded from the vans. Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Joan and Joni wait to be loaded onto the plane. Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Dogs in their crates are unloaded from the vans. Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Waiting to take off. The dogs are loaded onto the plane for their trip. Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Joan and Joni wait to be loaded onto the plane. Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Dogs in their crates are unloaded from the vans. Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

The dogs are loaded onto the plane for their trip. Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

The dogs are loaded onto the plane for their trip. Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Pilot Stephen Horner loaded to dogs onto the plane for their trip. Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Joan and Joni got a front row seat on the plane. The dogs are loaded onto the plane for their trip. Nineteen rescued dogs took a flight on a Wings of Rescue plane from the Bessemer Airport to New Jersey for adoption. The dogs were at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and were transported to make room for dogs that are coming from hurricane affected areas. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com
Harshad Chopda Accused Of Chopping Sushants Lines

Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil's director Garry Bhinder's wife Roshan had apparently said on Republic TV that Harshad Chopda would cut down Sushant's lines on the show. This didn't go down well with fans and they had even trended the actor (Harshad Chopda) on Twitter.

Deepak Qazir Agrees With Garrys Statement

Deepak Qazir, who played the role of Harshad and Sushant's father in the show, agreed to the statement made by Roshan, and said that he had witnessed this himself twice!

Sushant Used To Share Vanity With 2-3 Other Actors

Deepak was quoted by Spotboye as saying, "I myself have witnessed this twice. Also, being the main lead hero, he used to get things accordingly like a single vanity van for him whereas Sushant used to share vanity with 2-3 other actors but he never complained. I am sure when Sushant must have started doing Pavitra Rishta he must have started getting his personal vanity and stuff."

Deepak Slams Actors Who Are Using Sushants Name For TRPs

The 70-year-old actor also slammed a few actors, who claimed to be Sushant's friends and were seen paying 'paid tribute' to the late actor. He wrote on Instagram, "Please ! Please don't Use him or his name for any Commercial or TRP gains , suddenly some friends are paying PAID TRIBUTE to his departed soul , my request is please detest from this HYPOCRISY , and request Fans of SUSHANT to register some protest."

Deepak Slams Harshad Chopda

He slammed Harshad for the same, as he paid tribute to the actor in Ganeshotsav event, where he performed to Sushant's songs. The actor told Spotboye, "I am angry only at the fact that you never treated Sushant that important and now when you are given some money you are doing drama in one of the Ganapati specials on a popular channel. And I personally found it in a very bad taste."

The Actor Questions Harshads Fans

He further said, "After which his fans are trolling me on social media. On my post only they are questioning me that why I am talking about Sushant now and didn't talk before. Also, they are asking why am I calling Harshad's performance a paid tribute? I really don't mind them saying all this. What I felt bad about is that a person died in such circumstances and you are dancing on his songs in a TV programme in front of his cut out. Not only him but the channel should have also understood what they are doing. You are paying tribute to someone by charging money. How correct is that?"

Deepak Will Apologise To Harshad If

He added that he is not targeting Harshad but is against the idea of commercialising the late actor for TRP. He feels that if it is a real tribute, then Harshad should donate the money that he earned from the event to the people who are struggling to survive in this lockdown, and he will even apologise to him if he does so!
live bse live

nse live Volume Todays L/H More 

Shares of Adani Enterprises closed with a gain of 23.69 percent at Rs 308.30 on BSE on August 25 after reports said that Adani Group may soon pick up a 74 percent stake in Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) for nearly Rs 15,000 crore.

Adani Group may acquire the 50.5 percent stake of GVK Group in MIAL and buy the remaining 23.5 percent from minority partners, Business Standard reported.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story.

Read more: Adani Group eyes 74% stake in Mumbai International Airport: Report

Other Adani Group stocks such as Adani Power (up 6.65 percent), Adani Green Energy (up 2.53 percent) and Adani Transmission (up 1.94 percent), too, logged healthy gains.

However, shares of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone ended 0.77 percent lower at Rs 346.15.

The Centre has granted Adani Enterprises the permission to operate the Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangaluru and Guwahati airports through the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 00:12:40|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

VIENNA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Finance ministers of German-speaking countries expressed their hope here on Tuesday that there will be an agreement on a digital tax at the the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) level in autumn.

German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said he was "very confident at the moment" that an international agreement would be reached at a press conference after a two-day meeting with his German-speaking counterparts in Vienna, the Austrian capital.

"That will prevent a global conflict over the digital tax from breaking out," he said.

Especially now in the crisis, everyone has learned that an international system can only come about with fairness, said the German minister, adding that taxes have to be paid where there are economic activities.

"A level-playing field at international level is needed," said Austrian Finance Minister Gernot Blumel, emphasizing that a multinational approach is preferable.

"A common solution is needed, especially on the digital level," said Luxembourg's Finance Minister Pierre Gramegna. "The OECD is of course the right place." Enditem
Government recruiters for ruling Chinese Communist Party-sponsored jobs are requiring ever higher levels of qualification for graduate positions in district-level government organizations, RFA has learned.



As China's economy continues to decline and unemployment continues to worsen, graduates with postgraduate qualifications from prestigious schools like Peking University and Tsinghua University are now being recruited by district-level government departments and neighborhood committees, according to recruitment advertisements seen by RFA.



Doctoral and master's graduates from Peking University and Tsinghua University have recently been found applying for positions in neighborhood committees in Hangzhou in the eastern province of Zhejiang, social media reports have indicated.



The Hangzhou Sub-district Office of the municipal government recently advertised for candidates holding PhDs in STEM subjects including biology, geophysics, materials science and engineering, according to one advertisement.



Jia Lingmin, a former high-school teacher in Zhengzhou, Henan province, said the graduate labor market is getting increasingly difficult in China.



"There is a saying that scientists are held in the highest esteem, especially those who majored in civil and biological engineering at Tsinghua," Jia said.



"But now, neighborhood committees are recruiting graduates with qualifications that have nothing to do with social management," he said.



Hangzhou's Yuhang district recently recruited someone with a masters degree in journalism and communication from Peking University, while Qiaosi sub-district office hired someone with a master's in software engineering from Peking University, according to social media.



Meanwhile, the Linping and Donghu subdistrict offices hired graduates in Chinese philosophy, someone with a masters in Law and a PhD in geophysics.



Some of the new hires were assigned to the general management office as stability maintenance personnel, an army of domestic security officials tasked with preventing social unrest by cracking down on peaceful critics of the government.



Politicization of universities



Shanxi-based scholar Lu Qiang said the new trend reflects the increasing politicization of universities under the ruling Chinese Communist Party's general secretary, Xi Jinping.



"The focus of professors is no longer on research, and the focus of students is no longer on learning," Lu said. "Universities seem from the outside to be prospering, but they are actually very materialistic."



"This process now starts in kindergarten, and education is simply a way to find a good job after college," he said. "Now the Chinese economy is in such a state that finding a job in a sub-district office is actually pretty good."



An official in charge of the Communist Party's organization department of the Yuhang District Committee said in response to netizens' questions that candidates of such caliber are needed to ensure Yuhang's economic and social development of Yuhang, according to the Qiangjiang Evening News.



Guo Baosheng, a current affairs commentator who graduated in philosophy from Beijing's Renmin University, said graduates are likely keen to land any job on the ruling party's payroll.



"Being an official is the only way to make your ancestors proud and ensure a stable income," Guo told RFA. "It also shows that Chinese universities educating people who are profit-oriented and have no ideals at all."



"Nothing in China beats being an official, because they have a stable income, and the opportunity for promotion and to get rich, have a bright future," he said. "You can embezzle a lot of money as an official."



Soviet similarities



Guo drew a parallel between China now and the former Soviet Union.



"This situation is very similar to the situation before the disintegration of the Soviet Union, he said.



"Back then ... Soviet university graduates and doctoral students were vying to be officials too," Guo said. "High-quality students would rather be local officials than do academic research."



Think tanks are predicting that unemployment will see a double-digit increase in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, while 8.74 million new graduates will enter the labor market.



Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The first face mask ATM in the capital officially opened to members of the public at 3 p.m. on August 24 as part of concerted efforts to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus epidemic nationwide.

browser not support iframe.

The capitals first face mask ATM can be found at No. 23 Lac Trung street in Hai Ba Trung district

The machine features a facial recognition system, meaning that when residents arrive to pick up their face masks, it will recognise their face

Once the device has detected their face, residents can then press buttons in order to receive their free face masks

The automatic device within the machine will deliver the masks through a slot upon receiving the relevant signal.

Due to having a large number of recipients, a notice is placed on the ATM stating that each person is only allowed to take between three to six medical masks

Ahead of receiving the masks, citizens are required to line up and maintain a minimum of distance of two metres apart from each other.

Face masks are to be delivered each morning from Monday through to Wednesday, with a total of 45,000 items set to be delivered

Additional face masks are being regularly added to the ATM in an effort to keep up with the needs of local people

VOV/Tin Tuc/VNA
But a richest-takes-all approach in the fight against the deadliest pandemic in living memory is bound to be counter productive, especially for the recovery of low and middle income countries. If governments cannot come together to agree a global strategy, then the global south may need to pin its hopes on the manufacturing might of India. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the ...

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
San Francisco International Airport will open the shuttered portion of its International Terminal next week, restoring more gates to operation to accommodate the return of some flights postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The airport will reopen Concourse A in the terminal, which houses 15 gates and has been closed since April 1. The gates, along with their security checkpoints and U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities for arriving flights, will reopen Sept. 1, according to SFO.

AeroMexico and Korean Air will fly five times a week to Mexico City and Seoul respectively, while British Airways will fly seven times each week to Londons Heathrow Airport. Two weekly routes will be operated by China Airlines to Taipei, JAL to Tokyo Narita, and by Philippine Airlines to Manila.

Air France will fly three times weekly to Paris, and Cathay Pacific will operate three weekly flights to Hong Kong. KLM will also have three flights per week to Amsterdam out of the concourse.

SFO has been operating all of its international flights out of Concourse G since the closures in April, when travel restrictions grounded thousands of flights and people stopped traveling for fear of contracting the virus.

Maintenance staff have upgraded the Concourse A area during the closures, putting in social distancing signage and markers as well as plastic barriers to encourage physical distancing.

Crews also performed maintenance on moving walkways and escalators in the concourse. Inspections and repairs of doors, ceiling and alarms have also been done.

Other international flights to Europe, Asia and elsewhere ramped up last month.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

SFO rolled out advanced cleaning protocols and social distancing barriers at the start of the summer in preparation for increased flight activity.

SFO also has become the nations first airport to provide rapid coronavirus testing for workers, with a testing facility in the International Terminal returning results in under an hour, according to a news release. The initiative is a partnership with Dignity Health-GoHealth Urgent Care.

Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice
Convalescent plasma from a recovered Covid-19 patient is seen at the Central Seattle Donor Center of Bloodworks Northwest during the outbreak in Seattle, Washington, U.S. April 17, 2020. Photo by Reuters/Lindsey Wasson.

The World Health Organization on Monday was cautious about endorsing the use of recovered Covid-19 patients plasma to treat those who are ill.

It said the evidence it works remains "low quality" even as the United States issued emergency authorization for such therapies.

So-called convalescent plasma, which has long been used to treat diseases, has emerged as the latest political flashpoint in the race to find therapies for Covid-19.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Sunday authorized its use after President Donald Trump blamed the agency for impeding the roll-out of vaccines and therapeutics for political reasons.

The technique involves taking antibody-rich plasma from patients who have recovered from Covid-19 and giving it to those who are suffering from severe active infections in hopes they will recover more quickly.

Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist, said only a few clinical trials of convalescent plasma have produced results, and the evidence, at least so far, has not been convincing enough to endorse it beyond use as an experimental therapy. While a few trials have showed some benefit, she said, they have been small and their data, so far, inconclusive.

"At the moment, its still very low-quality evidence," Swaminathan told a news conference. "So we recommend that convalescent plasma is still an experimental therapy, it should continue to be evaluated in well-designed randomized clinical trials."

Evidence is conflicting: One Chinese study showed plasma from people who have recovered from coronavirus failed to make a difference in hospitalized patients, while another, pooled analysis showed it can lower the risk of death.

One challenge, Swaminathan added, was plasma's variability, since it is drawn from many different people, producing a product that is less-standardized than monoclonal antibodies crafted in the lab.

World Health Organization senior adviser Bruce Aylward added that beyond plasmas efficacy, there were also potential safety risks that must be vetted.

"There are a number of side effects," Aylward said, ranging from mild fevers to severe lung injuries or circulatory overload. "For that reason, the clinical trial results are extremely important."

The U.S. National Institutes of Health this month announced it was giving several million dollars toward a mid-stage convalescent plasma trial.

Vietnam's Health Ministry has also approved research into using plasma from recovered Covid-19 patients to treat the rising number of new outbreak infectees. It started to recruit donors on August 3, having tested 16 volunteers and collected plasma from four of them.
Aid poured in to the family of a Black man, Jacob Blake, who was shot multiple times in the back, by police in Wisconsin.

A GoFundMe raised over $900,000 in a day and continued to quickly climb, surpassing $1 million Tuesday afternoon. Page organizer Julia Jackson said it was created by the family of the man who was shot by police in Kenosha in broad daylight.



The GoFundMe page says the money will go toward Jacobs medical bills, family expenses, legal representation, support for his six children and therapy costs.

Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney representing the Blake family, said three of Blake's his sons  aged 3, 5 and 8  were in the car at the time of the shooting.

The shooting, captured on cellphone video that quickly spread on social media, ignited new protests over racial injustice across the country. It comes three months after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police set off demonstrations around the United States and touched off a wider reckoning on race.

The officers were placed on administrative leave, which is standard practice in such cases. Authorities released no details about the officers and did not immediately respond to requests for their service records.

Since the shooting, anger has spilled into the streets of Kenosha and other cities, including Wisconsin's capital of Madison and in Minneapolis, the epicenter of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer following Floyd's death.

Video: Man who filmed police shooting speaks





Police in Kenosha, a city of about 100,000 in between Milwaukee and Chicago, said they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute when they encountered Blake on Sunday.

The man who said he made the cellphone video, 22-year-old Raysean White, said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell, Drop the knife! Drop the knife!" before the gunfire erupted. He said he didn't see a knife in Blake's hands.

In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns pointed and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while Blake has his back turned. Seven shots can be heard, though it isnt clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired.

Police did not say whether Blake was armed or why police opened fire, they released no details on the domestic dispute, and they did not immediately disclose the race of the three officers at the scene.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is leading the investigation into the shooting, which is expected to take several weeks.


Melania Trump, wife of Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, waves as she arrives to speak at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. July 18, 2016.

President Donald Trump's family will take center stage as Republicans aim to boost the president's reelection bid Tuesday at the 2020 Republican National Convention.

Events on the second of four convention days will take place in the original site of Charlotte, North Carolina, and around the world after the coronavirus forced the GOP to cancel a traditional convention. On Monday night, many of the party's chosen speakers showed a feverish devotion to Trump and his policies as he tries to beat Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in November.

Read more:

Republican National Convention kicks off with a near spiritual devotion to Trump

Here are the highlights from Night 1 of the Republican National Convention

The night's main speakers will start at about 8:30 p.m. ET. CNBC.com will livestream the convention.

C-SPAN, CNN, MSNBC and PBS will show the full 2 hours of the convention each night. Fox News, CBS, ABC and NBC will show the 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. hour.

First lady Melania Trump will headline the speakers Tuesday. Two of the president's children, Eric and Tiffany, will also deliver remarks earlier in the night.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also speak, breaking with a tradition of the nation's top diplomats not addressing political conventions. He will speak from Jerusalem while on a diplomatic trip to Israel.

The Trump administration has insisted he is speaking as a private citizen and said taxpayer dollars are not funding the remarks.

Here are the key speakers on Tuesday:

First lady Melania Trump

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

Anti-abortion advocate Abby Johnson

Maine lobsterman Jason Joyce

Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer

Mary Ann Mendoza, whose son died after getting hit by a drunken driver who was an undocumented immigrant

Nicholas Sandmann, the Kentucky high school student who received settlements with CNN and The Washington Post stemming from coverage of a 2019 confrontation with a Native American activist at the Lincoln Memorial.

Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 20:53:13|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

CANBERRA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) - The incumbent Labor Party has won re-election in Australia's Northern Territory (NT).

Chief Minister Michael Gunner claimed victory for Labor on Monday night, ending almost three days of waiting to learn the make-up of the next Parliament after polls closed on Saturday.

According to projections Labor will form a majority government for the second consecutive term, winning at least 13 out of 25 seats in the NT Parliament.

In a statement Gunner said that Labor would govern "for all Territorians."

"There are still votes to count in some close contests, but today I can tell you that Labor will form a majority government in the Northern Territory for a second term," he said.

"I do not see our victory as a reward, but as a renewal of our responsibilities to Territorians.

"I asked Territorians to stick with me and my team so we can stay the course and see this through.

"In backing Labor, you chose the future over the past. You chose stability and certainty. You chose strong and secure borders. You chose jobs, not cuts."

The NT Government had successful response to the coronavirus crisis. The NT has had only 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 - by far the fewest of any Australian state or territory.

The Opposition Country Liberal Party (CLP) conceded defeat on Monday.

"I called Michael Gunner a short time ago to congratulate him and the Labor Party on winning the election, and urged him to move immediately to take real action on the economy," CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro said. Enditem
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi did not mince words at his Aug. 25 meeting with his British counterpart, Dominic Raab. Speaking at a joint press conference right after the meeting, Ashkenazi called on European states to take concrete actions to curb Iranian aggression. Addressing France, Germany and the United Kingdom particularly, Ashkenazi said, We were disappointed to see our friends, the E3 countries, not voting to extend the arms embargo on Iran and thus prevent its adoption. The E3 must understand that genuine opposition to Iran aggression and concern for the security of the region cannot be only heard in statements but must be seen in action.

Ashkenazi then pointed out that Tehrans response to the announced normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was to threaten the UAE with an attack. For Iran, peace and stability is a bad thing, he stated.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  who also met with Raab  conveyed the same message, emphasizing he expects the UK to change its stance on Iran and join the American sanctions against it.

Ashkenazis statement on the E3 referred to the Aug. 14 vote at the UN Security Council on extending arms-related restrictions on Iran. At the vote, the United States received only the support of the Dominican Republic. Russia and China voted against, while the other 11 abstained. Thus, the American proposal failed. Israels new envoy to the UN, Gilad Erdan, held on Aug. 14 his first meeting as ambassador with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, using the opportunity to thank Washington for this long-shot bid to have the UN reinstate sanctions on Iran.

Jerusalem had supported the American Iran-sanction campaign from the outstart. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the Aug. 14 proposal by Washington to restore all UN sanctions on Iran and called on world powers to support the move. I commend the United States for its decision to trigger snapback sanctions against Iran. This is the right decision, stated Netanyahu.

As manifested in the statement of Ashkenazi, the failure of the American bid did not deter Jerusalem. In fact, already in his joint press conference with Pompeo on Aug. 24, Netanyahu referred to the Iran sanctions before addressing the Israel-UAE agreement. To see the Security Council not only not join the American snapback sanctions but resist it or stand on the sidelines and allow this embargo on Iranian arms shipments  shipments to Iran  to agree to it I think is outrageous, said Netanyahu.

The Israeli prime minister then pointed out that the United States and Israel are not standing alone against Iran. Some Arab countries side with the Israel-US camp, as reflected in the deal with the UAE. I think that I would suggest to our friends, especially our European friends, this point: that when Arabs and Israelis agree on something, it makes sense to pay attention.
A Uyghur couple walks through a restored section of the old city in Kashgar, June 4, 2019.

Authorities in Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) prefecture, in northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), are restricting Uyghurs from observing Islamic wedding rites, according to sources, amid a campaign that has labeled a broad spectrum of religious practices as extremist.

Last month, RFAs Uyghur Service received a tip from a listener claiming to be a Uyghur living in Shanghai who said he had inquired with an official from Kashgar about permission to include nikahconsidered an essential religious and cultural tradition in Muslim weddingsas part of his marriage back home in Kona Sheher (Shufu) countys Toqquzaq township.

Historically, Uyghur couples have performed nikah on the morning of their wedding, gathering with their immediate families, as well as their best man and maid of honor, in the presence of an akhun, or Muslim officiant. Multiple wedding receptionscomplete with food, dancing, and merriment, and attended by extended family and members of the couples social circletypically follows during the same afternoon and evening, or over the course of subsequent days.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, provided RFA with what he said was a recording of the phone conversation, in which he repeatedly asks whether he can hire an akhun to preside over a nikah ceremony because he had heard from his fiancevia local officialsthat it was no longer possible to do so.

In the recording, after learning that the caller is based in Shanghai, the Han Chinese staffer at the Kona Sheher County Government Office refuses to discuss the matter over the phone or provide him with contact information for officials who can provide an answer to his question.

As a citizen, I need you to tell me, the Uyghur caller says in Mandarin Chinese, to which the Han Chinese staffer angrily responds, I cantI dont know your identity.

RFA also spoke with a Uyghur businessman trading in neighboring Kazakhstan, who said that the ban on nikah has been in place for at least more than one year.

The businessman, who also declined to be named, claimed that authorities began punishing couples who had married through nikah but without a government-issued marriage license for illegal marriage prior to the start of a campaign of mass incarceration in the XUAR. Authorities are believed to have held up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in a vast network of internment camps in the region since April 2017.

After the internment campaign began, he said, authorities began pushing couples to wed solely by obtaining an official marriage license and without nikah, which they identified as a sign of religious extremism.

They started restricting nikah a long time ago, he said.

Not possible in Kashgar

RFA recently asked a Han Chinese government employee in the seat of Kashgar prefecture about restrictions on nikah who said he could not comment and referred questions to higher-level officials.

However, a Han Chinese employee of the Kashgar Prefecture Bureau of Civil Affairs, which provides marriage licenses in the region, confirmed that hiring an akhun to officiate a nikah wedding ceremony is not possible right now.

The employee said nikah is prohibited in Kashgar prefecture but was unable to speak for other prefectures or pinpoint when the policy began.

RFA also spoke with officials from smaller administrative divisions in Kashgar to seek further information about wedding restrictions, including a Uyghur cadre from Kona Shehers Pahtekli township, who confirmed that it had been at least a year since the a nikah ceremony had taken place anywhere at the village level under his jurisdiction.

There are no such things now, he said, adding that couples dont have to do anything other than get the stamp, referring to an official marriage license.

Its been something like a year, a year or two. Theyre just getting the stamp and taking [their brides] home.

The cadre said that local officials have been explaining the restrictions on nikah, as well as on traditional wedding receptions, by telling residents that they cant gather, that people cant come to their houses because its dangerous for stability.

The akhuns have it easy, he said, adding that there is essentially no use for religious specialists anymore.

Meanwhile, the cadre suggested, residents have grown accustomed to forgoing nikah for their weddings.

No, no, given that they understand the laweveryone understands, he claimed. Theyre all used to it, OK? Theyre used to it.

Assault on religious practices

Earlier investigations by RFA have shown that other religiously inflected practices, including wearing beards and various styles of dresssuch as long tunics for womenhave been heavily restricted by authorities in the XUAR over the past several years.

In 2015 and 2016, regional authorities even restricted the giving of zakat, or almsthe act of which constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam. Restrictions on almsgiving have effectively prevented Uyghurs from being able to provide financial and social support to one another.

Reports of restrictions on nikah provide the latest example of what observers say is a bid by authorities to separate Uyghurs from even the most mundane expressions of religious practice and belief.

In June, the U.S. State Department noted the scope and severity of reported religious freedom violations specific to the XUAR in its 2019 International Religious Freedom Report.

The report cited the use of detentions in furtherance of implementing a Xinjiang counterextremism regulation that identifies extremist behaviors (including growing beards, wearing headscarves, and abstaining from alcohol) and the National Counterterrorism Law, which addresses religious extremism.

Last month, the United States leveled sanctions against several top Chinese officials deemed responsible for rights violations in Xinjiang, including regional party secretary Chen Quanguo, in the first time Washington had sanctioned a member of Chinas powerful Politburo.

Washington also sanctioned the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corp and top XPCC officials for their connection to serious human rights abuse against ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

Chinas Foreign Ministry responded with retaliatory sanctions targeting several Republican lawmakers, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, and the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China advisory panel.

Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by Elise Anderson. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Michael Cohen, the former lawyer for U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives back at home after being released from prison during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City, New York, U.S., May 21, 2020.

Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer and fixer for President Donald Trump, slammed his former boss as a liar while appearing in a pro-Democrat group's attack ad that is set to air during this week's Republican National Convention.

"For more than a decade, I was President Trump's right-hand man, fixer and confidant. I was complicit in helping conceal the real Donald Trump. I was part of creating an illusion," Cohen said in a 99-second video that the group, American Bridge 21st Century, posted on social media just a few hours before the first night of the RNC was set to kick off.

"Later this week, he's going to stand up and blatantly lie to you," Cohen said. "I'm here to tell you he can't be trusted and you shouldn't believe a word he utters."

American Bridge TWEET

Cohen is set to appear in multiple ads for the progressive super PAC, which is focusing on key swing states as it works to help elect Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

The ads will air digitally starting Monday night and will appear on television starting Wednesday  in time for the final two nights of the GOP convention.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the new ad. But in a statement to CNN, which first reported on the video, Trump campaign spokesman Matt Wolking said, "If you believe anything Michael Cohen says, I have a basement in Delaware to sell you."

Cohen, 53, had spent years as one of Trump's closest, and most loyal, subordinates. But after the FBI raided Cohen's office and residence in April 2018, the relationship between the president and his fixer began to fray.

Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to multiple crimes, some of which related to Trump. Before he entered prison in 2019, Cohen testified before Congress that Trump was a "racist" and a "con man."

Cohen was released from prison to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under home confinement.

In the ad for American Bridge, Cohen delivers a warning directly to viewers of the Republican National Convention.

"When the president gets in front of the cameras this week, remember that he thinks we're all gullible, a bunch of fools. I was a part of it, and I fell for it," Cohen said.

"You don't have to like me, but please, listen to me," he said.

"When you watch the president this week, remember this: If he says something is huge, it's probably small. If he says something will work, it probably won't. And if he says he cares about you and your family, he certainly does not," Cohen said.

"He's going to tell you that if you reelect him, the economy will bounce back, that only he can get us out of this economic crisis. Maybe for those like him," Cohen added. "But if you think he cares about working-class Americans, you're dead wrong."

"The president is going to talk to you about law order. That's laughable," Cohen said. "Virtually everyone who worked for his campaign has been convicted of a crime or is under indictment  myself included."

American Bridge is not the only anti-Trump group trying to undercut the GOP's messaging during the week of the convention. The Lincoln Project, which has produced a series of stinging attack ads is set to launch a $4 million ad blitz this week, targeting voters in a series of key swing states.
Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has promised a "fair and transparent review" of the recent deadly shooting outside Trader Joe's in which the shooter was questioned by police but released without charges.

Broome said she's "very concerned about the incident" and is "still gathering information from the public and law enforcement." The mayor issued a statement Tuesday morning following media reports about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

No arrests have been made since Danny Buckley, 61, was shot and killed in the parking lot of Trader Joe's on Perkins Road around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. A police report obtained by the Advocate revealed that detectives made contact with the shooter on the scene and interviewed him, but chose not to make an arrest pending further investigation.

Buckley was "aggressively harassing customers in the parking lot" in the minutes leading up to the shooting, according to the police report. The report does not elaborate on what that means or how exactly Buckley was behaving. It also does not state whether Buckley was armed.

Broome said she spoke with Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul and "asked him to conduct a fair and transparent review of what happened." She asked citizens with information about the shooting to continue coming forward to police.

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

Trader Joe's parking lot shooter questioned by police, released amid investigation No arrests have been made in the shooting that left a man dead in the parking lot of Trader Joe's over the weekend, though Baton Rouge police 

Baton Rouge police have publicly released almost no information about what prompted the shooting, saying only that it appears to have stemmed from an altercation. Police declined to specify whether Buckley was panhandling or doing something else to harass customers in the parking lot.

Some people, including local activist Gary Chambers, have questioned whether race played a role in the police department's decision to release the shooter without charges. Buckley was Black and the shooter is White.

Louisiana's "stand your ground" law applies to vehicles and other places where people have a legal right to be, in addition to homes and private properties. Baton Rouge police have not said whether that specific statute factored into their initial decision. Ultimately the East Baton Rouge District Attorney's Office will decide whether to prosecute the case once police have finished their investigation.
Pastor John Gray accused of another inappropriate relationship; lawyers say hes being blackmailed

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Lawyers for megachurch pastor John Gray said Monday that he is being blackmailed and extorted after the leader of Relentless Church in South Carolina was accused of engaging in another inappropriate relationship.

"There are allegations that there were phone conversations between the two parties, and thats essentially the extent of the allegations," attorney Devon Puriefoy of the law firm Truluck Thomasontold Greenville News. "When you take her own words, she says there was no affair, no physical contact, they never met each other, they never saw each other."

Puriefoy was not immediately available to discuss the situation when contacted for comment by The Christian Post Tuesday.

The latest allegation against Gray came last Friday from a 48-year-old Houston woman who identified herself as Mary during an interview with online personality Tasha K, which was broadcast on YouTube. The Houston woman said during her interactions with Gray, she sent him partially nude photos at his requests and he video-chatted with her while revealing his underwear. She claimed that he also met with her in Houston and invited her to visit his home and she declined because she feels he may have wanted to sleep with her.

Mary explained in the interview that she connected with Gray after the death of her brothers wife in April as the coronavirus pandemic was in the early stages of sweeping the nation. Her brother, who is a pastor in New Jersey, and Gray, she said, are friends. Gray spoke at the memorial service for her sister-in-law.

Mary said after the service she told Gray thanks for his words of support on Instagram in the comments section of a photo of his wife  a photo she said he would go on to delete. Gray later requested her friendship on Instagram and began liking her posts. A month ago, she said, Gray asked her where she worked and she told him she was a hairstylist in Houston and told him the name of her business.

A couple days after that he called my job and I answered the phone. Im the manager of the hair salon and I answered the phone and he said Hey Mary, its John Gray, she said.

Mary said she was shocked and told him it wasnt a good time to talk but she gave him her personal number, which she described as a bad decision in hindsight. Due to the relationship between Gray and her brother, she said she felt comfortable sharing it at the time.

I just felt him and my brother were cool; theyve known each other for a long time, she said.

She explained that over time her conversations with Gray became sexual, noting that he asked for her measurements and requested explicit photos.

Tasha K shared a video on Instagram highlighting Gray complaining to Mary that his wife doesnt cook for his family and noted that Mary also shared evidence with her of Gray inviting her to fly with him to Cabo, Mexico, during the pandemic.

#PastorJohnGray Facetimed his sidechick Mary! He says his wife doesn't cook and feeds their son Pizza every night, He asks his sidechick to fly with him to Cabo privately during the pandemic! wrote Tasha K.

He was in Alabama where his wife is from. He told me he was getting a divorce  He facetimed me and he was laying in the bed. He was showing me his underwear  I was so shocked by it all, Mary said.

Despite Marys claims, however, Puriefoy told Greenville News that there is evidence of extortion in the case and it will be handed to the Greenville County Solicitor's Office and the Greenville office of the FBI to be investigated.

"A formal investigation will be conducted into extortion claims about the individual that's making the allegations. There's clear evidence of extortion from the release of this information," Puriefoy said. "I don't think there's a question under South Carolina law or Texas law or federal law."

Early this year, Gray publicly revealed he had wanted to end his life and received prayer from Bishop T.D. Jakes as allegations of infidelity clouded his marriage.

Gray had earlier told his congregation that his wife, Aventer, discovered that he had started listening to the wrong voices and let some people get too close  she set it off just like a good wife should.

Aventer Gray then revealed to their congregation that one of those wrong voices belonged to a strange woman, whom she fought off with prayer and Scripture.

"So you want me to leave my husband because you spoke to the 16-year-old that couldnt get a date? And he listened. So Im supposed to leave my husband because you spoke to a place of brokenness that had not yet been submitted back to the Father? But because I know the tricks of the enemy and Im learning them every day, I can stand here in boldness for everybody that tried to sneak in, thank you, because I got closer to God because of it. I got in that Word  come on, Aventer Gray said. I put Scripture on that strange woman. I put Scripture on that strange woman. She dont want it with me and she dont want it with yall, amen!

The pastor revealed last year on talk show "The Real" that the situation with the "strange woman" was "an emotional affair." He said he confided in someone when he was having marriage difficulty and admitted it was wrong.
'I'm absolutely fine': Wrestler Nisha Dahiya issues video after reports of her being shot dead

TV journalist shot dead in UP: 4 arrested

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Lucknow, Aug 25: A journalist working with a Hindi news channel was on Monday night shot dead in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, police said.

He has been identified as Ratan Singh (45).

"A journalist working with a Hindi news channel was shot dead on Monday night in Phephana. He has been identified as Ratan Singh (45), Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Yadav said.

BJP worker shot by terrorists succumbs to injuries

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said four people, Dinesh Singh, Arvind Singh, Suneel Singh and Moti Singh, have been arrested in this connection.

According to the police, the journalist was involved in a property dispute with his neighbour Dinesh Singh.

"Ratan had a dispute regarding property with his neighbour. On Monday evening, there was a fight between the two sides, and the neighbour shot at him. Accused Dinesh Singh is also Ratan Singh's partner, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said.

A senior officer said cross FIRs were registered against both the parties in 2019 in connection with the property dispute.

Usain Bolt tests Covid-19 positive, Chris Gayle was at his party | Oneindia News

A case was registered against Ratan Singh, but his name was later cleared, he said.

Talking about Monday's incident, Kumar asserted that the reason behind Ratan's murder was property dispute and not related to the journalist's work.

"Action under the National Security Act and Gangster Act will also be taken against the four accused, he added.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Tuesday, August 25, 2020, 9:05 [IST]
The ratification by the Verkhovna Rada of the memorandum of understanding between Ukraine and the European Union and the loan agreement on the provision of EUR 1.2 billion of macro-financial assistance to our country from the EU will allow the country to receive the first tranche worth EUR 600 million in the near future.

The Verkhovna Rada has ratified the Memorandum and the Loan Agreement on receiving an exclusive macro-financial assistance worth EUR 1.2 billion from the EU. We are grateful to the MPs for their support. This decision will allow Ukraine to receive the first tranche worth EUR 600 million, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel.

As reported, on Tuesday, August 25, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law on ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding between Ukraine and the European Union and the Loan Agreement between Ukraine and the EU on the provision of EUR 1.2 billion macro-financial assistance from the European Union. A total of 248 lawmakers supported the decision to adopt the corresponding bill No.0063.

This assistance will be available to Ukraine after the parties sign the Memorandum of Understanding and the Loan Agreement and ratify the documents.

ish
The Government has rolled out its Mobile Money Payment Interoperability to allow the transfer of funds from mobile money accounts to bank accounts and vice versa, as well as from mobile or bank accounts to biometirc payment card accounts (ezwich).



The initiative has led to about 15 million Ghanaians essentially having bank accounts, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia disclosed on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 while addressing the youth wing of the governing New Patriotic Party in Accra.



Many people did not and do not understand that we have moved away from the world of branch banking into branchless banking. You can have your bank account on your phone. You can do banking without visiting a bank branch or signing a cheque'', he expounded.



Speaking in an interview with host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, he stated categorically that Ghana is the first and only country in Africa to achieve mobile money interoperability.



The Vice President added that the country is also the fastest growing mobile money market in Africa.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
When doctors are the same race as their patients, it can sometimes forge a sense of comfort that helps to reduce anxiety and pain, particularly for Black patients, new research from the University of Miami suggests.

In a study recently published in the academic journal Pain Medicine, and led by Steven R. Anderson, recent psychology Ph.D. graduate, and Elizabeth Losin, assistant professor of psychology, groups of non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, and Black patients participated in a simulated doctor's appointment. Patients were given a mildly painful series of heat stimulations on their arm by a medical trainee playing the role of a doctor to simulate a painful medical procedure. Participants indicated how intense their pain was throughout the procedure and researchers also measured the patients' physiological responses to the painful experience using sensors on the patients' hands.

Some of the patients were paired with a doctor who identified as the same race and ethnicity as they did, which is called "racial/ethnic concordance," while others were not. After the experience, researchers compared the pain levels of the group paired with same race/ethnicity doctors with those paired with a doctor of a different race/ethnicity. The most intriguing results came from the Black patients who were paired with Black doctors.

"Black patients paired with Black doctors reported experiencing less pain across several types of measures than Black patients paired with Hispanic or non-Hispanic white doctors," said Losin, who leads the Social and Cultural Neuroscience lab.

Additionally, Losin said that data from the sensors showed the Black patients' physical responses to pain were also lower when they were paired with a doctor of their own race.

This provides some evidence that Black patients were showing a benefit of having a doctor of their own race at multiple levels--showing pain relief in both their communication and their physiology." Elizabeth Losin, Assistant Professor of Psychology

The idea to investigate the role of racial concordance in the doctor-patient relationship came from previous research that shows that there are major disparities between racial and ethnic groups in terms of the level of pain experienced from medical conditions and procedures, according to the researchers.

Typically, Black and Hispanic populations report more pain from medical conditions and in pain research studies, compared to non-Hispanic white populations. Also, previous research has suggested that when a patient has a doctor who shares their demographics in terms of gender, race, or language, it can influence peripheral health outcomes like the patient's satisfaction and their adherence to medication. That led Losin's team to investigate whether racial/ethnic concordance between doctor and patient would go deeper to affect the patient's pain level as well.

"There are fewer studies about doctor-patient concordance and its effect on direct health outcomes like pain," Losin said.

To understand why Black patients experienced reduced pain and pain-related bodily responses with a doctor of the same race, the researchers delved into some of the introductory surveys given to the patient participants, Anderson noted, and found a big clue.

"The factor that really differentiated the Black patients from the other groups was that Black patients were much more likely to say they had experienced racial or ethnic discrimination or were currently concerned about it," he said.

What's more, the Black patients who reported experiencing and worrying more about discrimination showed the greatest reductions in their bodily responses to pain when they had doctors of their own race, Anderson said.

"Together these findings suggest that perhaps one reason why Black patients may have had a reduced physiological response to pain when they had Black doctors was because they were less anxious about the possibility of being discriminated against," Losin said. "We know that anxiety is closely tied to pain."

Although non-Hispanic white and Hispanic patients were included in the study as well, whether or not they had a doctor of their own race didn't seem to make a difference for their pain. This was what the study authors expected for the white patients but found surprising for Hispanic patients, who also have been found to report more pain than non-Hispanic whites in previous research studies.

One possible reason Hispanic patients didn't show the same pain reduction benefit of having an own-race doctor as Black patients did, is that on average the Hispanic patients didn't actually perceive the Hispanic doctors to be more similar to them in terms of their race or ethnicity than the Black or non-Hispanic white doctors. This is likely due to the high cultural and national heterogeneity among Hispanic/Latino Americans and suggests more research is needed into what factors related to the doctor-patient relationship may help decrease pain for Hispanic patients.

Losin and Anderson said their study highlights a potential benefit of having more Black physicians in the medical profession: it could mean a reduction in pain disparities.

As of 2019, only around 5 percent of physicians identified as African American and Hispanic respectively, which means that most Black patients will rarely get to experience the benefits of seeing a physician that looks like them and understands their life experiences.

"Physician diversity initiatives are often seen as beneficial for improving patient comfort and satisfaction, but with our study we have evidence that there may be direct health consequences to not having a diverse work force as well," Anderson said. "Our study speaks to the importance of physician diversity in improving health outcomes."
OKLAHOMA CITY - State Sen. Stephanie Bice won the Republican nomination on Tuesday for the 5th District congressional seat in Oklahoma City, setting up a showdown with first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn for a seat Republicans desperately want to win back in November.

Bice, 46, defeated Oklahoma City businesswoman Terry Neese, 72, in the primary runoff to advance to the general election. Horn, 44, is the lone Democrat in the states congressional delegation, and Republicans have made winning back the seat a top priority.

Bice, who raised about $1.4 million, trailed Neese by more than 10 percentage points in a nine-candidate June primary, but managed to close the gap in the last two months.

But Horn also has proven to be an effective fundraiser, amassing more than $3.6 million, and she faced only token opposition in the June primary. While Bice and Neese spent much of the summer battling each other, Horn has run ads touting her ability to work with Republicans and occasionally break with party leadership.

Neese made her admiration for Trump the centre of her campaign, sporting a red Trump 2020 hat in her ads and vowing to protect the president.

Bice was the target of outside groups for voting on a package of tax increases to fund a teacher pay raise, while Neese, who is not Native American, faced criticism for claiming Cherokee heritage that helped her land a federal appointment. Neese also came under fire after the release of audiotapes in which she can be heard encouraging her employees to mislead clients.

It was the tapes, said Ron Deak, 58, explaining why he cast his ballot for Bice Tuesday at Life Church in the Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond. She didnt own up to it.

Bice, who earned a reputation as a hardworking moderate in the Senate, spent much of her first term trying to overhaul the states antiquated liquor laws, which hadnt been updated in decades.

I have a couple of friends I trust, who dont know each other, and they both said they can trust her, said Jerad Lovett, 39, of Edmond, who voted for Bice on Tuesday. They both said shes a hard worker.

Republicans have a slight edge in voter registration in the district, but an infusion of younger people in recent years could give Horn a boost in November.

Horn pulled one of the biggest congressional upsets in the country in 2018 when she toppled a Republican incumbent in a district President Trump won by 14 points in 2016. The district had been in Republican hands for four decades.

Among other hotly contested races on the ballot Tuesday was the mayoral race in Tulsa, where incumbent G.T. Bynum managed to win reelection despite facing seven challengers, including a young Black community organizer, Greg Robinson, whose last-minute campaign generated a buzz in the longtime Republican stronghold.

Three incumbent state senators were defeated Tuesday, including Sens. Larry Boggs in District 7, Ron Sharp in District 17 and Paul Scott in District 43.
Lili Reinhart has become more comfortable with her sexuality over the years.

The 24-year-old actress recently came out as bisexual, and has said that while she used to question whether she was attracted to other women, she now knows she 'clearly' does.

The Riverdale star also admitted to the Los Angeles Times this week that she decided to come out so that she can publicly date whoever she wants without people asking questions.

Her future: Lili Reinhart has become more comfortable with her sexuality over the years. The 24-year-old actress recently came out as bisexual, and has said that while she used to question whether she was attracted to other women, she now knows she 'clearly' does. Seen in 2019

'I thought: 'Do I like girls? I don't know.' As I've gotten older, the answer has become 'Yes. Clearly, I do.'  I think I just felt at this point in time: Why not? If suddenly I started dating a girl publicly, I didn't want people to be, like, what the ? Not that I would even owe anyone an explanation. Because I don't.'

The Riverdale star recently said she has known 'full well' that she is bisexual from a 'young age' and insists her sexuality has been 'no secret' for her close friends all her life, despite only announcing it publicly recently.

She said: 'I knew full well that I was attracted to women from a young age. I felt that since I've exclusively been in hetero-normative relationships, it would be too easy for any outsider, especially the media, to vilify me and accuse me of faking it to get attention. That's not something I wanted to deal with. But to my close friends, and those in my life, my bisexuality has been no secret.'

Sharing a lot: 'I thought: 'Do I like girls? I don't know.' As I've gotten older, the answer has become 'Yes. Clearly, I do.'  I think I just felt at this point in time: Why not? If suddenly I started dating a girl publicly, I didn't want people to be, like, what the ? Not that I would even owe anyone an explanation. Because I don't.' Seen on Riverdale

Lili came out in a post on her Instagram Story, in which she showed her support for a protest taking place in West Hollywood for members of the LGBTQ community who are in support of Black Lives Matter.

Promoting the event, she wrote: 'Although I've never announced it publicly before, I am a proud bisexual woman. And I will be joining this protest today.'

She also talked about the difficulty she had revealing her body in intimate scenes for her CW series Riverdale.

The actress said she felt 'insecure' filming scenes in just a bra and panties because she didn't think she had the typical 'CW girl body.'

Rough time: In March, she split from her Riverdale costar Cole Sprouse. Lili called out reports of her sadness and said it was because of her depression, not the breakup; shown in March 2019

But despite having trouble accepting her own body, she still filmed the scenes in hopes they would inspire her fans and viewers.

Lili said she had seen some of her costars going up to 12 hours without eating before filming scenes in their underwear, but she wanted fans of the series to see a more 'average' body, at least by her definition.

'I don't have the CW girl body  tiny waist, nice-shaped legs, skinny, small, tiny,' she said.

'I had to do a bra and underwear scene in this last season and I felt really insecure about it. I really, really didn't want to do it,' she continued

'I didn't tell anyone this. I wasn't pressured into doing it. I did it because it was my job. But I felt bad about myself doing it. I really did.

Different shape: 'I don't have the CW girl body  tiny waist, nice-shaped legs, skinny, small, tiny,' she said, adding that she felt insecure about appearing in a bra and panties; still from Riverdale

'And this is where it gets complicated. I can't preach body positivity if I don't practice it,' she continued.

'So even if I'm not feeling amazing about my body, I felt it was important for me to do the scene anyway in my bra and underwear so people could see my body as it was. I did it for the people who feel like they need to look a certain way,' she said.

Lili grew angry during the interview when the subject of trolls who 'hide behind a fake Twitter account and call [her] fat' came up, and she said she doesn't take anyone seriously who comments on someone else's body.

New role: Lili stars in the Amazon original Chemical Hearts as a high schooler who becomes depressed while starting a new relationship after her previous boyfriend was killed in a car accident

Love hurts: But as she begins to fall in love with a new boy (Austin Abrams), she's engulfed by waves of sadness and depression that threaten to derail their burgeoning relationship

Lili is starring in the Amazon original film Chemical Hearts, in which she plays a high schooler dealing with the aftermath of surviving a car crash that killed her boyfriend.

But as she begins to fall in love with a new boy (Austin Abrams), she's engulfed by waves of sadness and depression that threaten to derail their burgeoning relationship.

The actress has previously spoken about her history with depression, which aided her in the role.

'I've lived with depression for a long time now, so playing a girl who is clearly feeling somber and going through heartache and grief wasn't so foreign to me. It wasn't that hard for me to access,' she said.

In March, Lili split up with her boyfriend and co-star Cole Sprouse, who plays Jughead on Riverdale.

She brought up her depression on Twitter after the split to correct a report about her mental state after the break-up to clarify that she felt 'like she was going to die' because of her depression and not the separation.
S witzerland is set to become the next European country to be subject to quarantine measures by all four nations of the UK.

A seven-day rate of 20 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people is the threshold above which the UK Government considers triggering quarantine conditions.

Switzerland is currently recording a seven-day rate of 20.7 cases per 100,000.

It will 'almost certainly' be added to the red list this weekend, The Times reports.

Scotland already requires travellers from Switzerland to quarantine for two weeks.

Cases have soared in Switzerland / REUTERS

It would be the latest extension of the two-week quarantine rules for all UK arrivals to come into force in efforts to guard against a second wave of coronavirus.

All passengers  bar a handful of exemptions  are required to give contact details and the address where they will isolate.

It comes as France is looking to impose mandatory quarantine on Britons arriving in the country in the coming days.

People who arrived in the UK from France after August 15 are required to self-isolate for 14 days due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases in France.

Scotlad has already imposed quarantine measures on travellers from Switzerland / REUTERS

France's secretary of state for European Affairs Clement Beaune suggested those travelling from the UK to France could soon face similar requirements.

He told France 2: "There will be reciprocal measures so that Britons don't close the border in one direction.

"For travellers returning from the United Kingdom, there will probably be restrictive measures decided in the next few days by the Prime Minister and by the Defence Council."

Loading....

Croatia, Austria and Trinidad and Tobago were all added to the red lists on August 20, forcing British holidaymakers to pay hundreds of pounds on last minute fights home.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the Delhi government to pay within two months a sum of Rs 25 lakh each to three lawyers who have been assisting it as amicus curiae in hearing of a PIL filed by environmentalist MC Mehta relating to illegal constriction and consequential sealing of premises in the national capital.

A bench, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, had special praise for Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar, who has also been assisting the top court as an amicus curiae, as he refused to accept Rs 50 lakh as token amount directed to be paid by the Delhi government on behalf of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

We feel that Ranjit Kumar, Amicus Curiae, has rendered selfless services with total devotion to the public cause, he should be adequately honoured at least, so we appreciate the humane services and valuable guidance given by Ranjit Kumar to the Court by way of his thorough preparation in the matter and he is a valuable asset to this case, it noted in its order. The apex court said Kumar, who is a former Solicitor General, has contributed to the betterment of the environment and other aspects to the best of his ability and capacity.

The top court said that it has considered the services rendered by Ranjit Kumar, Aparajita Singh, Anitha Shenoy, senior counsel and amicus curiae and ADN Rao, counsel and Amicus Curiae. We deem it fit to direct the payment of Rs 50 Lakhs to Ranjit Kumar and Rs 25 Lakhs each to others. It will be without prejudice to their further adjusting this amount by way of raising the claim, as ordered by this Court, with the concerned Municipal Corporations, the order said.

Let the Govt.of NCT of Delhi make the payment as the financial constraint is being faced by the Municipal Corporations. Let the payment be made within a period of two months from today, the court said.

During the hearing, the bench took note of the submissions of senior advocate Aishwarya Bhati that there was a news published in a newspaper which indicated that an entire Aravali hillock has been flattened to build an approach road for farmhouses being constructed in Village Bandhwari, around 1.5 kms off the GurgaonFaridabad road.

Anil Grover, Additional Advocate General appearing on behalf of the State of Haryana, has assured us that needful will be done to stop further damage today itself in the light of the report that has been published . "Let appropriate action be taken and a report be submitted to this Court forthwith. We direct the District Magistrate and police authorities to take appropriate action forthwith, as assured by Anil Grover, AAG, it noted in the order.

Earlier, the top court, in its August 14 judgement, had said that encroachment is a matter of concern but the monitoring committee, set up in 2006 to identify unauthorised structures and check misuse of residential properties in Delhi, "cannot exceed its power" and take any action beyond its authorization. It had also directed that the properties, sealed as per the monitoring committee's April last year report, be de-sealed and possession be restored to the owners forthwith.
Editors note: This is part two of a three-part series analysing the effects of the NALSA judgment on the inclusion of the transgender community. It attempts to trace cases of note, decided by various High Courts in India, pursuant to the passing of exhaustive guidelines by the Apex Court in the NALSA judgment. The series focusses on aspects that affect the transgender community, i.e. (i) state policy, (ii) personal liberty and (iii) statutory rights. In todays installment, the author examines the effect of the NALSA judgment on state policy, in particular its non-implementation in state policy, on individuals and their livelihood. Of particular interest to readers will be the instances where courts have upheld the right to livelihood and liberty, despite and in spite, of State attempts to ignore NALSA norms before the transgender person law was enacted. You can read Part 1 here.

It is clear as a bell, that, at least the police authorities in our country had never really received any training or information about the NALSA judgment.

To set this right, several High Courts, stepped up. One such case presented before the Delhi High Court, pertained to an individual named Shivani (Shivy), who was illegally confined in his grandparents home in Agra, and was abused.

His passport and green card was confiscated by his family and he was forced to remain in Agra. When Shivy managed to escape, the parents went to the extent of filing a police complaint, which led to extensive harassment and surveillance of activists who were helping Shivy. The police supported and endorsed this harassment.

Eventually, lawyers and activists had to move the Delhi High Court, where Justice Siddharth Mridul took note of the continued trauma and abuse faced by transgender people despite the NALSA judgment. While the Court granted protection to Shivy, this case is painfully indicative of the fact that authorities remain reluctant to follow NALSA judgment norms.

In another case listed before the High Court of Uttarakhand which also involved a complaint by a transgender person seeking protection from respondents, who were threatening life and liberty. In its judgment, the court observed that despite many years of the NALSA judgment, no directions have been issued nor implemented via state authorities.

The court, in this case granted the protection sought, and issued further directions to the state government to implement the guidelines of the NALSA judgment. The question remains, need it have taken so long?

Only Some Courts Say Aye

Quite opposite to Delhi High Courts strong words in support of NALSA judgment, the High Court of Allahabad did not seem happy about enforcing the law.

When a matter of personal liberty being exercised by a couple (one person of whom was transitioning) came up before the High Court of Allahabad, (petitioners complained that family members were harassing them) the court refused to intervene or provide any protection, and stated that the issue raised is that of social nature between individuals, for which there is no cure in law.

The court went on to state that this was an in house problem, which was to be resolved by the family. Although the court advised an FIR, one cannot help but observe that the court ought to have understood the effect of harassment, and taken into consideration the vast evidence of police atrocities on transgender persons.

Discrimination At Home

In another case, a mother sought the issuance of a Habeus Corpus writ for her son, who, according to her was detained by transgender persons stating explictly, that he suffers from a mood disorder including exhibiting psychotic features.

As the matter unfolded before Court, the son presented himself and stated that he is a member of the transgender community, and is not suffering from any mental aberrations as suggested by the mother. The sons assertions were obviously confirmed in a psychiatric evaluation, after which the court stated that the man was free to decide the course of life.

However, this persons freedom came at a cost of being accused of mental aberration by his own mother.

A Long Way To Go

What follows from these cases is the idea, that the State must take affirmative action to grant and safeguard every transgender person the right to personal liberty, as law demands. A shining example of this process, is of course the abolition of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) took as far as consensual sexual intercourse is concerned, and the way it has changed the future of so many people for the better.

The author and Ungender Legal Advisory are joint owners of copyright of this article, and any reproduction of this article shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957 only. This article has been shared with NW18 as part of an Ungender-NW18 collaboration.
FGE reports Ronal D arrested for Cozumel homicide

Cozumel, Q.R.  The Quintana Roo State Attorney Generals Office reports the capture of Ronal D for the crime of qualified homicide. Police say Ronal D was involved in events that occurred on August 9 in the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood of Cozumel.

The FGE reports that after having an argument with an acquaintance, Ronal D inflicted knife injuries which lead to the death of the person of reserved identity. Police were successful in obtaining an arrest warrant for Ronal D, who was captured and placed at the disposal of authorities to face criminal proceedings.

A judge has ordered Ronal D to remain in preventative custody during his trial.
Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili.

Market Scenario

Global Automation Solutions Market in Mining Industry is expected to reach US$ 7.2 Bn by 2026 from 3.8 Bn in 2017 at CAGR of 8.32%.Global Automation Solutions Market in Mining Industry is .

Global Automation Solutions Market in Mining Industry is segmented by solution, application, technique and region. A solution is sub-segmented into software, service and equipment automation. Applications are classified into metal mining, mineral mining, coal mining. A technique is categorised into underground and surface mining. Region wise the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America.

Global Automation Solutions Market in Mining Industry

Automation solutions increase the productivity and efficiency of mining operations and ensure equipment and manpower safety. Major drivers for automation solutions market in the mining industry is the emergence of remote monitoring for enhancing employee safety. Growing the need for machine and process productivity.

Request for Report Sample: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/sample/11404

Automated solutions provide a communication platform for humans to monitor and operate machines and equipment without being exposed to dangerous mining environments where the probability of encountering uncertainties is high. The challenges of the market are unreliable connectivity among master system and on-site operations. The emergence of intelligence solutions for labour safety measures is the key trend of the automation solution market in the mining industry.

Based on the solution, equipment automation is booming the automation solution market in the mining industry. Equipment automation is further classified as autonomous trucks, remote control equipment, and teleported mining equipment. Autonomous truck for implementation in underground and opencast mines. Corresponding to a GPS and mapping tools present in autonomous drills and shovels, these vehicles also possess a GPS, perception technology, and on board intelligence that assist their autonomous operations.

On the basis of application, coal mining is most leading energy sources is compelling companies to look for prominent ways to reduce energy poverty and achieve substantial economic growth. Furthermore, the frequent changes in the climate and market dynamics are forcing companies to move towards clean technologies to supplementary tackle greenhouse emissions and promote energy efficiency. The prominence of coal in an extensive range of applications such as the production of steel, iron, power, and several others in the automation solution will drive the growth of the coal mining industry.

In terms of region, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share in the global market in 2017. This growth is attributed to growing exploration activities in Australia and the presence of leading mining companies, which includes Rio Tinto, Fortes cue Metals Group, and BHP Billiton. India and China, and the rise in the transition from manual cognitive work to automated cognitive work are anticipated to boost the growth of the automation solution market in the mining industry during the forecast period.

Key players operating on the market are, ABB, ANDRITZ, Emerson Electric, Honeywell, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Schneider Electric.

Scope of the Global Automation Solutions Market in Mining Industry are,

Global Automation Solutions Market in Mining Industry, by Solution

Request for Report Discount: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/discount/11404

 Software

 Service

 Equipment automation

Global Automation Solutions Market in Mining Industry, by Application

 Metal mining

 Mineral mining

 Coal mining

Global Automation Solutions Market in Mining Industry, by Technique

 Underground mining

 Surface mining

Global Automation Solutions Market in Mining Industry, by Region

 North America

 Europe

 Asia Pacific

 Middle East & Africa

 Latin America

Key players operating in Global Automation Solutions Market in Mining Industry

 ABB

 ANDRITZ

 Emerson Electric

 Honeywell

 Rockwell Automation

 Siemens

 Schneider Electric.

More Info of Impact Covid19@ https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/covid-19-analysis/11404
New Delhi, Aug 26 : The Special Cell of Delhi police arrested JNU PhD scholar Sharjeel Imam in connection with the February Northeast Delhi riots. He has been booked on the charges of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

On Sunday, he was brought back to Delhi from Assam on the production warrant.

On July 21, the Delhi police was scheduled to bring him to the national capital but just ahead of his departure for Delhi, Imam tested positive for COVID-19.

Imam is an accused in a case related to alleged inflammatory speeches during the protests against CAA and NRC and was currently lodged in Guwahati jail in a case related to UAPA registered by the Assam police.

Delhi Police on July 25 had filed a chargesheet against Imam in connection with a case related to his alleged inflammatory speeches during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at several places. The 600-page charge sheet was filed, under section 124A (Sedition), 153(A) (Promoting enmity), 153 (Assertion prejudicial to national integration) (promoting enmity, Hatred between different communities, 505 (spreading rumours) IPC and Section 13 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, in Delhi's Patiala House court.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
On 20 August, the senior advocate refused to apologise for his tweet about CJI SA Bobde astride a heavy bike and another on the role of the Supreme Court in the past six years

Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan, held guilty of contempt for his tweets against the judiciary, refused to offer an apology to the Supreme Court on Monday, saying what he expressed represented his bona fide belief.

An insincere apology would amount to the 'contempt of my conscience and of an institution', Bhushan said in his supplementary statement filed in the suo motu contempt case, which was initiated against him by the top court after taking note of advocate Anuj Saxena's complaint.

An apology for expression of beliefs, conditional or unconditional, would be insincere, Bhushan said.

On 20 August, the top court had granted time till 24 August to Bhushan to reconsider his defiant statement refusing to apologise and tender unconditional apology for contemptuous tweets against the judiciary and rejected his submission that quantum of punishment be decided by another bench.

The apex court will consider his supplementary statement on Tuesday, reported The Leaflet.

Supreme Court to consider tomorrow the effect of Prashant Bhushan's supplementary statement filed today refusing to apologise for his two tweets for which he has been convicted for criminal contempt. #PrashantBhushan #contemptofcourt pic.twitter.com/bbej6eOGdN  The Leaflet (@TheLeaflet_in) August 24, 2020

In his statement, Bhushan said as an officer of court he believes it a duty to speak up when there is a deviation from its sterling record.

Therefore I expressed myself in good faith, not to malign the Supreme Court or any particular Chief Justice, but to offer constructive criticism so that the court can arrest any drift away from its long-standing role as a guardian of the Constitution and custodian of peoples rights, he said.

He said, My tweets represented this bona fide belief that I continue to hold. Public expression of these beliefs was I believe, in line with my higher obligations as a citizen and a loyal officer of this court. Therefore, an apology for expression of these beliefs, conditional or unconditional, would be insincere.

Bhushan further said that an apology cannot be a mere incantation and an apology has to, as the court has itself put it, be sincerely made.

This is especially so when I have made the statements bona fide and pleaded truths with full details, which have not been dealt with by the Court. If I retract a statement before this court that I otherwise believe to be true or offer an insincere apology that in my eyes would amount to the contempt of my conscience and of an institution that I hold in the highest esteem, he said.

Bhushan said he believes the Supreme Court is the last bastion of hope for the protection of fundamental rights, the watchdog institutions, and indeed for constitutional democracy itself.

It has rightly been called the most powerful court in the democratic world, and often an exemplar for courts across the globe. Today in these troubling times, the hopes of the people of India vest in this Court to ensure the rule of law and the Constitution and not an untrammelled rule of the executive, he said.

The activist-lawyer said that he has never stood on ceremony when it comes to offering an apology for any mistake or wrongdoing on his part and it has been a privilege for him to have served this institution and bring several important public interest causes before it.

I live with the realization that I have received from this institution much more than I have had the opportunity to give it. I cannot but have the highest regard for the institution of the Supreme Court, he said.

Bhushan in his two-page supplementary statement said that it is with deep regret that he read the 20 August order of this court as at the hearing the court had asked him to take 2-3 days to reconsider the statement he made in the court.

However, the order subsequently states: We have given time to the contemnor to submit an unconditional apology, if he so desires, he said.

The apex court on 14 August had held Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt for his two derogatory tweets against the judiciary saying they cannot be said to be a fair criticism of the functioning of the judiciary made in the public interest.

He faces simple imprisonment of up to six months or with a fine of up to Rs 2,000 or with both as punishment.

On August 20, the top court, while reserving its verdict on the quantum of sentence to be awarded to Bhushan in the case, also rejected his submission seeking deferment of the hearing till his yet-to-be-filed review plea against its verdict, which held him guilty of contempt of the court, is decided.

The top court had said that it would hear the matter on 25 August for considering the unconditional apology if filed by Bhushan.

Reminding Bhushan of lakshman rekha, the top court had asked as to why it has been crossed and observed that it has been asked to commit an act of impropriety by sending the case to some other bench for hearing the arguments on quantum of sentence in the contempt case.

We can give you time and it is better if you (Bhushan) reconsider it. Think over it. We will give you two-three days time, the top court had told Bhushan, who held his ground by refusing to apologise for the tweets.

I did not tweet in a fit of absence mindedness. It would be insincere and contemptuous on my part to offer an apology for the tweets that expressed what was and continues to be my bona fide belief," Bhushan had said.

With inputs from PTI
A man whose dangerous driving caused the death of a firefighter during last summer's horror bushfire season has been jailed.

Novak John Selby, 47, will spend a maximum of two years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to dangerous driving that caused the death in January of Mathew Kavanagh, 43, on the Goulburn Valley Highway at Thornton, north-east of Melbourne.

Before he died, Mathew Kavanagh had put out seven out-of-control campfires.

Mr Kavanagh, a Forest Fire Management Victoria firefighter, was a passenger in a utility vehicle being driven by John Martyn, who survived.

On Tuesday County Court judge Gavan Meredith reminded Selby that he had initially denied responsibility for the crash.
Lucknow Awadh Bar Association of Lucknow bench of the high court is up in arms against the Allahabad High Court administration over allowing physical hearing of cases in Prayagraj and not permitting it for its Lucknow bench.

As per the resolution passed on the issue by the Awadh Bar Association, the top most body of high court lawyers in Lucknow, all lawyers of the high court are abstaining from judicial work from Tuesday in protest against the Allahabad High Courts decision.

This decision was taken at the governing council meeting of the Awadh Bar Association on Monday evening. Giving this information, president of Awadh Bar Association, HGS Parihar, said, while abstaining from work the lawyers would demand the restoration of physical hearing of cases in Lucknow too.

Also read: Uttar Pradeshs Covid-19 testing figures far ahead of WHO norms - Top official

At present, only virtual hearing of cases is going on at high court in Lucknow. This system has collapsed due to poor internet connectivity. But in Allahabad High Court, physical hearing of cases is being allowed, said Parihar.

When physical hearing of cases can be allowed at Allahabad High Court, why cant it be permitted in Lucknow? We have a sprawling campus where social distancing can be easily maintained, added Parihar.

High court lawyers in Lucknow have often complained about poor internet connectivity resulting in failure of virtual hearing and e-filing system. On Tuesday afternoon, an emergency meeting of the Awadh Bar Association was going to decide the future course of action on the issue.
(Alliance News) - France is looking to impose mandatory quarantine on Britons arriving in the country in the coming days.

People who arrived in the UK from France after August 15 are required to self-isolate for 14 days due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases in France.

And France's secretary of state for European Affairs Clement Beaune suggested those travelling from the UK to France could soon face similar requirements.

He told France 2: "There will be reciprocal measures so that Britons don't close the border in one direction.

"For travellers returning from the UK, there will probably be restrictive measures decided in the next few days by the prime minister and by the Defence Council."

Meanwhile, Switzerland could become the next European country to be subject to quarantine measures by all four nations of the UK, according to latest figures.

A seven-day rate of 20 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people is the threshold above which the UK Government considers triggering quarantine conditions.

Switzerland is currently recording a seven-day rate of 20.7 cases per 100,000.

By Alexander Britton, PA

source: PA

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
TORONTO - Flight Centre Travel Group Inc. has reached a $7-million settlement in a proposed class action lawsuit against it by its Canadian travel agents.

The case began in February 2019, when a plaintiff claimed the Australian companys Canadian wing failed to properly compensate its agents for overtime, breaching provincial employment standards.

Flight Centre Canada has denied these claims and no ruling was made on them.

Under the settlement, the $7-million payout will include legal fees, administrative expenses and an honorarium for each class member based on their province and length of employment.

Flight Centre will also implement a new timekeeping system for logging and tracking overtime hours.

The deal, reached after mediation, is subject to court approval.

As anyone who has worked in the travel industry knows, the work of travel consultants is hard, and often involves putting in long hours to meet the needs of their clients, plaintiff Stephen Aps said in a statement. I am proud of this settlement and what it achieves for Flight Centres travel consultants.

We are pleased to be able to put this litigation behind us as we respond to the challenges facing the travel industry caused by COVID-19 and prepare to welcome our clients back to travel, said Flight Centre Canada president John Beauvais.

Travel agents who were members of the class action number in the thousands, said Joshua Mandryk, the plaintiffs lawyer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 24, 2020
Saudi-based Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company has registered a 77 per cent drop in its net profit for the first six months which plunged to SR22.8 million ($6.07 million) from SR100.47 million ($26.7 million) last year.

This was mainly due to the lower real estate sales, lower rental revenue and higher financing charges, which were partially offset by lower operating cost and higher other revenue, said the company in its statement to Saudi stock exchange Tadawul.

The Saudi real estate group also witnessed a nearly 40 per cent decline in its revenue which fell to SR1.05 billion from the last year's figures of SR1.75 billion.

The decrease in net income was mainly due to the lower property sale, it stated.

Dar Al Arkan said the fall in lease revenue and the jump in finance costs were partially off-set with the decrease in operating expenses and hike in non-operating income received from deposits and the increase in income received from associates and impacted the net income.

On its second quarter results, the Saudi developer said its net profit for the period fell 86 per cent to SR10.4 million from SR74.9 million a year earlier on lower property sales.

The profit or loss per share stands at 0.02 and 0.09 for the current period and the similar period to the previous year respectively, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
With the threat of a storm in the Gulf of Mexico, Jefferson Parish public schools will delay the first day for students in 1st-12th grades until Monday, the school system said Monday evening.

Students were set to return to campus Wednesday, but the approach of Hurricane Laura forced school leaders to delay that until next week. Monday's announcement marked the third delay of the start of the school year for the state's largest public school system. Two earlier delays were due to concerns about preparing for in-person instruction during the pandemic.

Students in preK and kindergarten had already been scheduled to begin class next week.

"We were excited and ready to welcome students back to school this week, schools Superintendent James Gray said. Given the uncertainty of the weather, we wanted to give our families an opportunity to plan accordingly. Additionally, we wanted to give our teachers the chance to return before students so they could continue the work they were scheduled to do at the beginning of the week.

Not that all students plan to return to physical classrooms: More than 18,000 of the system's more than 50,000 students signed up for all-virtual school.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Nevertheless, approximately 33,000 students will now return to campus on Monday. Students in grades preK-5 will be in classrooms five days per week, while students in 6th-12th grades will attend school two days per week and have distance learning the other three days per week.

The area's other two large districts, Orleans and St. Tammany parishes, have both pushed the start of in-person school back until at least Labor Day. Orleans Parish schools are doing virtual learning until then. St. Charles and St. Bernard public schools have reopened, as have numerous private and Catholic schools across the metro area.

Wednesday was a highly anticipated start date for Jefferson Parish. Last week, school officials gave a tour of West Jefferson High School, where desks were marked with tape to indicate which ones could be used, signs in English and Spanish warned students to wear masks and maintain social distance, and a cafeteria that seats 300 was set up for approximately one-sixth of that number.

System officials said they had delivered thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer, thousands more masks and other supplies to the schools in order to be ready.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 23:42:11|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

- - - -

WASHINGTON -- An inactivated COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese biopharmaceutical producer Sinovac Biotech Co., Ltd. could be effective in stopping COVID-19, Bloomberg reported.

"In terms of timing, the company was ahead of most other potential vaccines, including the new models meant to facilitate strong protection and fast production," Bloomberg said in an article titled "China's Vaccine Front-Runner Aims to Beat COVID the Old-Fashioned Way" published Monday.

- - - -

BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi Health Ministry on Tuesday reported 3,962 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total nationwide infections to 211,947.

It also reported 77 fatalities during the day, raising the death toll to 6,596, while 3,372 more patients recovered in the day, bringing the total number of recoveries to 153,761.

- - - -

TOKYO -- Japan on Tuesday confirmed 716 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the nation's cumulative total to 64,000 cases.

The Tokyo metropolitan government reported 182 new daily cases, remaining below the 200-mark for the second straight day, although still comparatively high.

- - - -

KATHMANDU -- After conducting the first ever transfusion of plasma to treat a COVID-19 patient in late July, a Nepali hospital has treated five critically ill patients of COVID-19 with the plasma therapy so far.

"The result of the treatment on all five patients has been good with all either recovered or are recovering," Dr. Santa Kumar Das, coordinator of COVID-19 Management Committee at Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, told Xinhua on Tuesday.

- - - -

HONG KONG -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government announced on Tuesday to ease some social distancing restrictions.

Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported 19 new confirmed COVID-19 infections, including 16 local cases, on Tuesday afternoon, with the total tally at 4,710.

- - - -

KUWAIT CITY -- Kuwait on Tuesday reported 613 new COVID-19 cases and one more death, raising the tally of infections to 81,573 and the death toll to 519, the Health Ministry said in a statement.

Currently, 7,652 patients are receiving treatment, including 95 in ICU, according to the statement.

- - - -

YANGON -- Myanmar has reopened 6,526 high schools in the country's regions and states since July 21, excluding Rakhine state, where increasing number of infection cases of COVID-19 were reported, according to an announcement from the Education Ministry on Tuesday.

"Scrutiny processes are being carried out to reopen the rest high schools soon, but reopening of middle and primary schools cannot be set yet as it may depend on the situation of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country," Director General U Ko Lay Win of Basic Education Department under the ministry told Xinhua.

- - - -

BERLIN -- The German government deficit or net borrowing totaled 51.6 billion euros (61 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half (H1) of the year, according to provisional results published by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Tuesday.

Germany had recorded a surplus of 46.5 billion euros in H1 of previous year but the COVID-19 pandemic "significantly affected the budgets of central government, state government, local government and social security funds," Destatis noted. Enditem
Authorities conducted various drug searches in the Gare and City districts in order to combat drug criminality.

Searches were conducted on Avenue de la Gare, Avenue de la Liberte, and on Rue de Strasbourg between 3pm and midnight including the involvement of sniffer dogs.

Prosecuting authorities ordered the arrest of a drug dealer found with seven bags of cocaine, cash, and a mobile phone on him. Two further people were fined for drug consumption and possession, and another was reported for violating immigration laws.

The police emphasised the criminality factor of drug trafficking, therefore posing a pressing problem that must be dealt with. In the past two weeks, authorities were able to arrest six individuals at drug trafficking hotspots.

The arrest report unveiled further legal violations, such as violations against coronavirus measures and immigration laws. One of the arrested has been ordered to leave the country, as he had been residing here illegally.
Last Thursday, Alexei Navalny drank a cup of tea in a Russian airport, which is a risky thing to do when youre a prominent opponent of the countrys president, Vladimir Putin. Navalny, who had been in Siberia working with opposition candidates, fell ill shortly after boarding a flight back to Moscow, necessitating an emergency landing. The news quickly got out, and observers worldwide feared that Navalny had met the same fate as many other critics of Putin: poison. Forty-four hours later, Navalny was on a plane again, in a coma this time, and bound not for Moscow but for Germany, where he was to receive treatment. Navalnys Russian doctors had initially insisted that he wasnt well enough to make the tripa bid, many observers suspected, to buy enough time for the poison in his system to become undetectable. If it was a ploy, it didnt work. Yesterday, German physicians suggested that Navalny was poisoned, possibly by a nerve agent. His life is not currently thought to be at risk, but he may not make a full recovery, either.

The physicians conclusion flatly contradicted reports that have circulated in Russian state and pro-government media since Navalny was taken ill. (A sample narrative: Navalny had a hangover and poisoned himself trying to cure it.) We dont yet know, of course, the exact details of what did happenbut we do know that Russian dissidents and exiles have suffered similar attacks with a frequency that belies coincidence. Tea has been involved more than once: cups containing it poisoned the investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya, in 2004 (she recovered, only to be gunned down in 2006), and the former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko, who died in London in 2006. British officials concluded that Putin probably ordered Litvinenkos assassination himself, and they pointed the finger at the Russian state again in 2018, after another ex-agent, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter were poisoned in the UK. The Skripals survived, as did Vladimir Kara-Murza, an opposition activist who believes that he has been poisoned twice, in 2015 and 2017, and Pyotr Verzilov, a member of the dissident group Pussy Riot who believes that he was poisoned in 2018. Navalny himself may already have been poisoned last year, during a spell in prison. Russian officials pinned his condition then on allergies.

ICYMI: Journalisms Gates keepers

As the poisonings indicate, Russia is a harsh climate for speech that deviates from the official line, including independent journalism. (Russia ranks 149th out of 180 countries and territories on Reporters Without Borderss 2020 World Press Freedom Index.) In June 2019, Ivan Golunov, an investigative reporter with the news site Meduza, was arrested on drug charges that were widely decried as bogus, and eventually dropped. More recently, Russian authorities have variously fined, attacked, and arrested reporters covering the spread of COVID-19 in the country and a constitutional referendum that paved the way for Putin to remain in power until 2036. Last month, a court convicted the journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva on terror-related charges linked to remarks she made about an anarchist bombing on secret-police property. (She was spared jail time, but was fined and had electronics confiscated.) The next day, the secret police detained Ivan Safronov, a former military correspondent who recently took a job advising Russias space agency, on treason charges linked to his past reporting. Many journalists came out to protest his treatment. At least 18 of them were arrested for doing so.

On Friday, Ilya Lozovsky wrote, for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, that Navalnys most enduring legacy may not be as an electoral candidate, but rather as the producer of an unorthodox, but highly effective, brand of investigative journalism. Through his Anti-Corruption Foundation, Navalny has published slick, meticulous videos documenting the corruption and extravagant wealth of senior politiciansincluding Putinand their families. The videos dont follow journalistic standards and never try to listen to the other side, Roman Anin, editor of the investigative outlet IStories, told Lozovsky. Still, Anin said, Navalny has created probably the most effective investigative media outlet in the country. The number of stories they publish, the creative way they find the stories and deliver them to their audience, is something we should learn from.

Navalnys relationship with Russias independent media is complicated. A few weeks prior to his poisoning, Meduzas Svetlana Reyter reported that relations, arguably, have never been more strained. Reporters have accused Navalny of unbecoming conduct, and of inaccuracies in his investigative work. Navalny, in turn, has attacked multiple outlets for not being oppositional enough to Putin, and for what he perceives as insufficient coverage of his foundations findings. Sometimes, hes attacked reporters in highly personal termshe recently told Golunov, of Meduza, that reading his work is like watching a cat get chainsawed.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

In the eyes of the Russian state, though, Navalnys speech and that of reporters such as Golunov adds up to roughly the same thing: intolerable dissent. In recent months, the brutal state response to protests in the US has reminded American reporters and their readers that while protesters and the press serve different functions, they enjoy broadly the same category of speech rights, and suffer in similar ways when those get trampled. The same is true internationally, and is felt most painfully in countries, like Russia, where speech rights are highly precarious. Whether or not you class Navalny as a journalistand its an open questionhis poisoning looks, in a sense, like yet another assault on press freedom.

Below, more on Navalny, Russia, and international press freedom:



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: Telling stories about crime is hard. Thats no excuse for not doing better.

Update: This post has been updated to clarify that Ivan Golunov was arrested in June 2019, and to note that the Justice Department has denied Brian Stelters reporting about William Barr.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
With Wall Street preparing for more of its traders and bankers to return to offices next month, a shift underway at JPMorgan Chase may have lasting implications for the entire industry.

Workers in the firm's corporate and investment bank, an industry heavyweight with 60,950 employees, will cycle between days at the office and at home, keeping the ability to work remotely on a part-time basis, according to Daniel Pinto, head of the massive division and co-president of the banking giant.

"We are going to start implementing the model that I believe will be more or less permanent, which is this rotational model," Pinto told CNBC in a Zoom call from London, where he is based. "Depending on the type of business, you may be working one week a month from home, or two days a week from home, or two weeks a month."

The coronavirus pandemic forced Wall Street to send most of its employees home in March, and apart from skeleton crews that never left the trading floor, that is where most of them stayed. Now, banks are preparing for more people to return after Labor Day, according to executives at lenders and technology vendors. At Citigroup, some managers have begun sign-up sheets to gauge demand for a September return, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

One factor motivating the migration: The possibility of in-person learning at New York schools in the fall means that some parents are coming back to their primary homes after months away from the city. Another factor: Some people are simply weary of working from home, and some executives are seeing a strain on productivity after months of remote work.

The announcement by JPMorgan, the world's biggest Wall Street bank by revenue, could pressure other financial firms to offer similar arrangements. Banks are in constant warfare with each other over talent, and the industry often moves in lockstep when it comes to perks and pay. This means that, even in a post Covid-19 world, remote work isn't going anywhere.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee former Vice President Joe Biden delivers a speech at the William Hicks Anderson Community Center, in Wilmington, Del., on July 28, 2020. (Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Biden to Get Tested for COVID-19 for First Time: Campaign

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will be tested for COVID-19, his campaign announced Monday.

Biden, 77, has not been tested once for the new disease, which is caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. That virus began circulating late last year.

For the entirety of this outbreak, Joe Biden has lived his values, modeling and strongly encouraging responsible behavior to keep Americans safe while proposing the kind of desperately needed national strategy for defeating this pandemic that Donald Trump still has not provided, campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement to news outlets.

This announcement is another step demonstrating Joe Biden and Kamala Harriss commitment to turn the page on Trumps catastrophic mismanagement during the worst public health crisis in 100 years, he added later.

Bidens campaign has argued he didnt need to get tested because he rarely interacts with the public. Biden has primarily stayed at home in Delaware since March.

The announcement came one day after a campaign official said Biden hasnt had the virus, something thats impossible to know without being tested.

He has not been tested; however, we have put the strictest protocols in place and, moving forward, should he need to be tested, he certainly would be, deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said during an appearance on ABCs This Week.

He has not had the virus, she claimed.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks to vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) on stage outside the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del., on Aug. 20, 2020. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A significant percentage of peopleas many as 40 percentwho become infected with the CCP virus dont show any symptoms.

Republican President Donald Trump, 74, has been tested regularly. He has not tested positive, according to the White House.

Strict protocols are in place for both men, including testing people expected to come into contact with them. Reporters who cover their events are tested and wear masks.

A Biden campaign aide told Reuters that the campaign will announce publicly if Biden or his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), ever has a confirmed, positive case of COVID-19.

Harris, 55, will also be regularly tested, the campaign said.

It wasnt clear when the new action plan would start and Bidens campaign didnt respond to an inquiry. Trumps campaign didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Biden told reporters in June that he hadnt been tested in part because he showed no symptoms.

He also said he didnt want to take anybody elses place in the process.

At the time, Biden claimed he would get tested relatively soon.
The claim: There have been 3,138 human trafficking arrests  including 38 members of Congress in the U.S.

A post on Instagram claims that since President Donald Trump issued his first executive order on human trafficking, there have been over 3,000 arrests in the United States alone.

"This includes 38 members of Congress. 23 Democrats & 15 Republicans," the post reads. It is a screenshot of a tweet from the account MAGACOUNTRYinc on Aug. 12.

In a reply, the account user credited the information to "the newest episode of Deplorable Nation," a podcast. On an episode on Aug. 11, the podcast host repeated the same statistics about total arrests and members of Congress, but offered no substantiation.

The users behind the post on Instagram and Twitter did not respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY. The podcast host could not be reached for commen

Fact check: Barack Obama did not spend $65K on prostitutes, code-named 'pizza' and 'hotdogs'

Over 8,000 arrests by FBI and ICE for human trafficking since 2017

Trump has issued multiple executive orders on human trafficking  the first in February 2017, just after he took office, and the most recent in January 2020.

Though it's difficult to account for the totality human trafficking arrests across law enforcement agencies, some data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations is reported to Congress on an annual basis.

And the human trafficking arrests reported by the FBI and ICE-HSI in the years since Trump took office actually outstrip the number in the viral post.

Fact check: Mask-wearing not connected to child trafficking

President Donald Trump is pictured speaking to the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons annual meeting at the White House

In FY2017, the FBI initiated 782 human trafficking investigations and arrested 2,693 subjects. ICE-HSI initiated 833 human trafficking cases, which resulted in 1,602 criminal arrests.

In FY2018, the FBI initiated 667 human trafficking cases and arrested 479 subjects. ICE-HSI initiated 849 human trafficking cases and reported 1,588 criminal arrests.

Story continues

The report for FY2019 isn't out, but ICE-HSI has reported that it arrested 2,197 criminals associated with human trafficking.

That totals at least 8,559 arrests related to human trafficking, assuming no overlap.

Charts that inaccurately claim human trafficking arrest numbers dramatically increased under Trump compared to former President Barack Obama have also spread online, and been fact-checked by PolitiFact and FactCheck.org.

Fact check: Debunked conspiracy theories seek to tie Kamala Harris, human trafficking

No reports of members of Congress arrested for human trafficking

There have been no reports of members of Congress arrested for human trafficking.

A database from GovTrack records allegations of misconduct against members of Congress.

It reports just 16 allegations related to sexual harassment and abuse and 10 allegations of other crimes  none of which were related to trafficking  by members of Congress between 2010 and 2020, and none so far in 2020.

Fact check: Sex crimes by public officials not connected to Ghislaine Maxwell

Our rating: False

Based on our research, the claim that there have been 3,138 human trafficking arrests  including 38 members of Congress in the U.S. since President Trump issued his first executive order on on the subject is FALSE. In fact, the FBI and ICE have reported over 8,000 arrests in the last three fiscal years. But none has been a member of Congress; there are no reports of this.

Our fact-check sources:

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: 8,000 trafficking arrests have not included US lawmakers
By PTI

LUDHIANA: Anyone wanting an arms licence will have to plant 10 saplings, according to a scheme launched by the authorities in Ludhiana on Tuesday.

Patiala Divisional Commissioner Chander Gaind launched the 'Tree for Gun' scheme, aimed to check depleting groundwater by planting saplings.

He said those wanting an arms licence or the renewal of the existing one will have to plant 10 and five saplings, respectively.

People will have to submit a selfie with each sapling at the time of filing of the application, said Gaind.

After a period of one month, before moving the application for police clearance and a dope test, the applicant needs to furnish the fresh status of the saplings by submitting new selfies, he said.

Gaind said the scheme will improve the green cover.

Gaind, accompanied by Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma, said the aim was to encourage people to plant saplings.
New Delhi, Aug 25 (UNI) Former IPS officer Kuppusamy Annamalai, also known as the 'Singham of Karnataka Police', joined the BJP on Tuesday at party headquarters here.

Party General Secretary P Muralidhar Rao and Tamil Nadu BJP state president L Murugan were present on the occasion.

Mr Annamalai said he was entering politics as the country needed better governance, and there was a need to put the common man at the centre of the narrative.

'I will work to strengthen what the BJP stands for and to bring that nationalist spirit to the state of Tamil Nadu,' the 36-year-old former police officer said.

He said he will work for strengthening the movement for establishment of constitutional values. Mr Annamalai said he was impressed by the BJP and cited a saying which elaborated qualities an administration should possess -- fearlessness, courage, the giving spirit and knowledge, adding that the saffron party had all four of them.

After the joining ceremony, he met BJP president J P Nadda.

Mr Rao, who is his party's in-charge for the state, said the party has been attracting people from different segments into its fold in the state, which has been traditionally dominated by the two Dravidian parties, AIADMK and DMK. Mr Annamalai will be a very important asset, he said.

Popularly referred as Singham Annamalai, Mr Annamalai hails from Karur in Tamil Nadu.

The former Karnataka cadre IPS officer has served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Bengaluru South as well as Superintendent of Police in Udupi and Chikmagalur districts.

After serving as a police officer for many years, he quit his job following the death of a close friend in 2019. He then took to organic farming in his hometown, and also started the We the Leaders Foundation to help youth acquire better job opportunities.

Known for his 'no-nonsense' approach, Mr Annamalai had earlier said that even before entering civil service, he nurtured a dream of doing multiple works.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, present on the occasion, also welcomed him to the partyfold.

UNI RSA SB 1531
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas have agreed to hold a Normandy summit with the participation of the leaders of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia in order to address the settlement process in Donbas at the end of September 2020, Zelensky said on Monday, August 24.

"Heiko Maas. I am glad that on the Independence Day we have such a high level guest. Germany is consistent in supporting the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Agreed that the N4 [Normandy Four] Summit should take place in late September," Zelensky said on Twitter.

The Ukrainian presidential press service later issued a press release concerning Zelensky's meeting with Maas in Kyiv. "Ukraine supports Germany's position that the summit of the leaders should be held at the end of September," Zelensky said.

"In fact, there's a feeling that the teams are working quite well now. Anyway, there have been no combat deaths and injuries for 29 days. I believe this is our great joint victory," he said.

Maas said Germany would apply every effort to make the peace process successful. "He expressed the hope that a meeting between the foreign ministers of the countries involved in the Normandy Format planned for September 2020 should provide an extra impetus to the implementation of the decisions made at the Normandy-format summit in Paris," it said.

Maas also reaffirmed Germany's support for Ukraine's course toward European and Euro-Atlantic integration. "At the same time, he agreed with the need to preserve the EU's sanction policy toward Russia until the elimination of the reasons for its institution, namely the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the war in Donbas," it said.

The parties also mentioned their mutual determination to cooperate in the context of Ukraine's recognition as NATO's Enhanced Opportunities Partner.

A meeting between aides to the leaders of the Normandy Four countries is scheduled for August 28 and is expected to take place in Paris. The aides will be preparing a meeting in Berlin between French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Renovation

25 August 2020

The doors are now open at Hotel Indigo Detroit following a $10 million, two-year transformation to infuse the spirit of Motown and the Motor City into every step of the guest experience, from the first step into the upbeat lobby to a new-concept restaurant and the lyrical, harmonious guestrooms.

Located at 1020 Washington Street in the heart of downtown Detroit, Hotel Indigo is perfectly situated for business and leisure travelers, just minutes from Detroit's main attractions. The newly refreshed property includes 241 renovated guest rooms and over 1,700 square feet of meeting space featuring locally inspired decor paying tribute to Detroit's rich music history. The updated design also pays homage to the original mid-century modern design of the building when it was first opened as a Howard Johnson Motor Lodge in 1966. The new restaurant The Trolley Room will open within the hotel at a future date. Hotel Indigo Detroit is managed by Ray Balkey and the Pyramid Hotel Group.

"Reimagining this space to become a Hotel Indigo is more aligned with the visitors to Detroit today - savvy business travelers, curious adventurers, and people inspired by new experiences - and together with our team of associates, we are pleased and excited to serve these guests and the Detroit community," Balkey said. "Travel looks different than it has in the past, but our entire team has embraced new protocols and implemented cleaning and distancing standards to welcome guests to our updated property with care, comfort and hospitality befitting of the Detroit community."

Hotel Indigo Detroit has implemented the IHG Way of Clean protocol in response to COVID-19, including deep cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectants. Guests can expect to see enhanced procedures, including face covering requirements, installations and means to reduce contact throughout the hotel, measures for social distancing within public spaces, and other policies based on guidance from the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan.

The rebranding and design of the hotel weaves elements of the mid-century modern aesthetic with imagery of the celebrated era of 1960s Detroit music and soul. Warm rosewood inspired wood finishes, brass accents, bright fabrics and minimalistic designed furniture pieces all bring the modern design to life. Detroit-based Kraemer Design Group provided the architecture, interior design and furniture specification services for the project.

"Each building in Detroit tells a story and telling the Hotel Indigo story here in our hometown allowed us to bring the city's history to life in a new way," said Bob Kraemer, principal and co-founder of Kraemer Design Group. "Detroit's musical history spans generations and reaches people around the world, and we envisioned a design that would welcome world travelers back to the place where it all began, with fixtures and features that would make them feel truly immersed in Detroit sound, but in a visual way."

The guestroom headboards, wall sconces and area rugs are inspired by sound waves, equalizer forms, and musical instruments. The guestroom corridors include abstracted graphics derived from recording studio sound baffles. Behind the front desk, a lit wall panel with lines corresponding to major streets in Detroit maps out the majority of music venues that were open when the building was first built. The first and second floor elevator lobby ceilings have a unique light installation that uses a part of the music score from Aretha Franklin's "Respect."

"Collaborating with local artists in the renovation was very important to the ownership and design team on the project," said Jennifer Dwyer, director of design at Kraemer Design Group. The hotel commissioned permanent local art pieces in the main lobby and restaurant and collaborated with a local gallery, as well. "Sydney G. James created an energetic Motown inspired painting for the lobby and Chad Davis created an abstract mixed material collage/assemblage for the restaurant."

Hotel Indigo Detroit was previously branded as a Holiday Inn Express & Suites and was acquired in 2018 by Glenmont Capital Management, LLC. The renovations and rebranding of the property were completed through a phased approach that enabled the hotel to remain open as work was done.

Reservations for Hotel Indigo Detroit can be booked online and more information about the property is available at www.hotelindigo.com/detroit-dtwn.
Advertisement

The 29-year-old black man who was shot seven times by a Wisconsin police officer on Sunday was involved in a brawl with several Kenosha cops moments before the shooting.

Amateur video shows the events leading up to the shooting - though the footage is taken from the opposite angle of the initial viral cell phone clip in which Jacob Blake is seen walking toward his SUV before he is gunned down.

In the latest video, Blake is seen wrestling with at least two Kenosha police officers. During the scuffle, Blake had a knife that he dropped and picked up later. He later told Good Morning America that he regrets picking up the knife and that he planned to put it back in his car and surrender to police.

Amateur cell phone video shot from a different angle on Sunday shows Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old black man, entangled with police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Blake and at least two officers were filmed wrestling with each other on the pavement near his SUV (seen right)

The video shows Blake managing to extricate himself from the officers' grasp

Blake (seen above in the white shirt) then walks around the SUV to the driver's side while the police officers follow him with guns drawn

Within moments, after Blake opens the door, gunshots are heard and the video footage ends

Blake then manages to break free from the mayhem and begins to walk from the passengers side of his SUV to the drivers side.

As he opens the drivers side door, gunshots ring out. The video ends there.

The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave and are said to be cooperating with investigators, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

The state DOJ has launched an investigation into the shooting.

Blake, who is listed in serious condition at a Milwaukee hospital, was shot in the back seven times in front of his three children after police were called to his home to reports of a domestic dispute on Sunday.

Video of the shooting of Blake quickly went viral, with angered protesters setting cars on fire, smashing windows and clashing with officers dressed in riot gear across the city throughout Sunday evening and into the early hours of Monday.

Meanwhile, the police union representing officers on the Kenosha police force released a statement on Monday criticizing Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, who immediately condemned the 'excessive force' used by the cops.

'Anytime deadly force is used, our hearts go out to those affected by it,' Pete Deates, president of the Kenosha Professional Police Association, said in a statement.

'We assure you an independent investigation is being conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation.

Jacob Blake lies on the street after he got shot following a police shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday

Adam Andrew Salgado holds up a peace sign as police hold a perimeter during protests following the police shooting of Black man Jacob Blake outside the Kenosha County Public Safety Building in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

People gather in front of the Kenosha County Court House to protest against the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Monday

Protesters hold signs supporting Black Lives Matter during a demonstration in front of the Kenosha County Court House on Monday

A protester stands on a car as they stop traffic on Monday during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Law enforcement officials form a line near a large demonstration in front of the Kenosha County Court House on Monday

Sheriff's officers stand guard in front of the Kenosha County Court House as people protest against the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Monday

A Black Lives Matter protester confronts two sheriff's officers outside Kenosha County Court House on Monday

Protesters link arms in front of a police line outside the Kenosha County Court House on Monday

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has summoned the National Guard to head off another round of violent protests after the police shooting of a black man turned Kenosha into the nation's latest flash point city in a summer of racial unrest

Sheriff's officers in riot gear stand guard outside the Kenosha County Court House where protesters gathered on Monday

Protesters use a blow horn to chant slogans denouncing police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Protesters supporting Black Lives Matter gather outside Kenosha County Court House denouncing police brutality on Monday

A Kenosha Police officer gets in the middle of protesters shoving each other who were trying to enter the Safety Building when they were denied access for a news conference on Monday

'Until that investigation is completed, we ask that you withhold prejudgment about the incident and please the let process take place.

'Governor Evers statement on the incident was wholly irresponsible and not reflective of the hardworking members of the law enforcement community, not to mention the citizens of the City of Kenosha.

'As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident. We ask that you withhold from passing judgement until all the facts are known and released.

'We, along with the citizens of the great City of Kenosha, ask for peace and to let the process play out fairly and impartially.'

Meanwhile, photographs show the devastating aftermath of a night of violent protests spurred by the police shooting of an unarmed black man in Kenosha on Sunday that turned the city into the nations latest flashpoint in a summer of racial unrest.

Protesters gather in an alley between the courthouse and the city jail in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

A protester holds up a sign denouncing police as cops in riot gear protect the entrance to the Public Safety Building in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Diana Graves, longtime resident of Kenosha, holds a flag in protest of the unrest in her community

A march begins on Monday at the location where Jacob Blake was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a day earlier

People gather in front of the Kenosha County Court House to protest against the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Monday

Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian speaks outside the Public Safety Building in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Black Lives Matter protesters raise hands, hold signs, and chant slogans during a demonstration in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

The shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday of an unarmed 29-year-old black man touched off protests and demonstrations

An armed protester takes part in a demonstration near the Kenosha County Court House on Monday

Protesters hold signs in support of Black Lives Matter while standing on top of a car in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Monday

Protesters march in Kenosha denouncing the police shooting of a 29-year-old unarmed black man, Jacob Blake, on Sunday

Authorities in Wisconsin called up the National Guard and announced a curfew in anticipation of more unrest on Monday

In a bid to stave off another night of chaos, Evers, a Democrat, said 125 members of the National Guard would be in Kenosha on Monday night with responsibility for guarding infrastructure and making sure our firefighters and others involved are protected.

The Kenosha Police Department declared a state-of-emergency curfew for Monday night beginning at 8pm until 7am the following morning, according to a post on the police department's Twitter feed.

The moves come after rioting and looting erupted in the wake of the shooting on Sunday.

Shocking pictures from downtown Kenosha captured on Monday showed dozens of burned out cars lining the streets, several businesses decimated by vandalism and numerous others looted and marred with graffiti.

Family members have since posted that Blake is in a stable condition at the ICU in Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee. But police in the area remain on high alert with more violent protests expected later tonight.

Scroll down for video

Aftermath of last night's riots are laid bare at one autoshop, showing the business charred and burned with dozens of cars also burned out, out front

The interior of a burned out restaurant is seen on Monday after a night of unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Kenosha residents woke Monday morning to broken and charred storefronts, with dozens of cars and trucks in the street burnt out, such as this one above

One local business hit particularly hard by the unruly scenes was Car Source, a local automobile dealership

Shocking pictures from downtown Kenosha captured on Monday showed dozens of burned out cars lining the streets, several businesses decimated by vandalism and numerous others looted

Witnesses reported that at least three police officers had their guns drawn as Jacob Blake (seen above in the white t-shirt) was walking away from them in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday

Wisconsins governor summoned the National Guard to head off another round of violent protests Monday after the police shooting of an unarmed black man in Kenosha turned the city into the nations latest flashpoint in a summer of racial unrest

Kenosha residents woke Monday morning to broken and charred storefronts, with dozens of burnt out cars and trucks lining the street.

One local business hit particularly hard by the unruly scenes was Car Source, a local automobile dealership.

The front lot of the building, typically filled with rows of pre-owned four-wheel offerings, instead resembled a scrap heap Monday, with charred metal remains and other debris scattered out-front.

The dealership is located just blocks from the Kenosha County Courthouse, which was also badly damaged in the riots.

Prior to the overnight destruction, Car Source had more than 140 vehicles available for sale, according to its website.

The owners spoke to CBS about their devastation to have awoken this morning to find their business destroyed.

A reporter, Drew Hernandez, posted to Twitter a series of videos showing the gradual destruction of Car Source.

Around 2:20am., Hernandez posted footage of what appeared to be a flaming flare positioned under a seat in the back of an open vehicle.

BLM rioters are setting multiple dealership cars on fire in Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/PCZWrvU5Nj  Drew Hernandez (@DrewHLive) August 24, 2020

A dump truck that was parked at an intersection to prevent traffic from moving toward the police department was also set on fire

The letters 'BLM' are emblazoned in blood-red paint on the outside of a vandalized jewelry store in downtown Kenosha

The front lot of the building, typically filled with rows of pre-owned four-wheel offerings, instead resembled a scrap heap Monday, with charred metal remains and other debris scattered out-front

People walk past a lot with burned out used cars after a night of unrest spurred by the shooting of Blake earlier Sunday

Within 10 minutes, the truck appeared to have gone up in flames, with the fire extending to neighboring vehicles, the subsequent footage shows.

A different video appears to show multiple fires set throughout the car lot as car horns and loud bangs can be heard blaring in the background.

The fire continues to spread farther throughout the parking lot as smoke billows from the area and at least one small explosion can be seen.

The city's downtown area was closed Monday due to damage sustained during last night's civil unrest, according to a post on Kenosha County Government's Facebook.

The dealership is located just blocks from the Kenosha County Courthouse, which was also badly damaged in the riots

The owners spoke to CBS about their devastation to have awoken this morning to find their business decimated

A cell phone store which is between the shooting scene and downtown is shown Kenosha, Wisconsin Monday August 24, 2020 after it was broken into and looted overnight

A vandalized city police car is shown outside Kenosha County Public Safety Building in downtown Kenosha

A woman holds a US flag and a sign as she stands next to burned out cars that reads: 'God + Law + Order'

Workers board up windows and doors of a hotel and local academy in anticipation of more chaos on Monday night

Elsewhere overnight, one Kenosha police officer was filmed collapsing to the ground face-first close to where Blake was shot after being struck by a brick that was thrown towards cops during a stand-off.

He just got bricked! He just got bricked! someone close to the person recording screams, as others in the mob cheer, clap and shout anti-cop sentiments.

In a bid to stave off another night of chaos, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said 125 members of the National Guard would be in Kenosha on Monday night with responsibility for guarding infrastructure and making sure our firefighters and others involved are protected.

Several other protesters jumped on top of police squad cars and smashed windows in separate footage from the scene.

Another clip shows a row of protesters walking toward a line of police officers clad in riot gear as simmering tensions threaten to escalate the situation.

A dump truck that was parked at an intersection to prevent traffic from moving toward the police department was also set on fire.

The shooting of Blake occurred just after 5pm as officers were responding to a 'domestic incident,' the Kenosha Police Department said in a news release.

In the video, three officers could be seen shouting and pointing their weapons at Blake, who walked around the front of an SUV parked on the street.

As Blake opened the driver's side door and leaned inside, one officer grabbed his shirt from behind and then fired into the vehicle.

At least seven shots could be heard, though it was unclear if more than one officer fired.

Blake's three children were inside the SUV and watched as their father was gunned down, the family's attorney, Ben Crump, confirmed.

The images above show the moments leading up to the shooting. Blake (seen in the white shirt) walks away from a police officer who has his gun drawn and is ordering him to stop

The image above shows the moment a Kenosha, Wisconsin, police officer fired at least seven shots into the back of Jacob Blake as he was getting into an SUV in a residential neighborhood

'They kills us because they fear us, honor the dead', a scrawl of graffiti reads on the wall of the Kenosha County Court House

City vehicles which were used to block access to the Kenosha County Court House in downtown are charred as of Monday

Two men photograph burned vehicles after a night of unrest over the police shooting of a black man in Kenosha

Volunteers sweep up debris as police in riot gear stand outside the Kenosha County Court House, with the world 'Be Water, Spread Fire' written in black paint on the front of the building

A small group of demonstrators march in protest of last night's police shooting close to where Blake was shot

Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian uses a bull horn to talk to people gathered in front of the police station on Monday

The national guard have also been called in to attempt to defer any of the widespread vandalism and looting that occurred overnight

Several witnesses said that Blake tried to break up a fight between two women outside a nearby home, according to Kenosha News.

Before resorting to gunfire, the police attempted to subdue Blake with a Taser, to no avail, it was reported.

Benjamin Crump shared video of the incident on his Twitter feed, and confirmed today he is now representing Blake's family, and will 'demand answers' from police.

'We all watched the horrific video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back several times by Kenosha Police. Even worse, his three sons witnessed their father collapse after being riddled with bullets.

'Their irresponsible, reckless and inhumane actions nearly cost the life of a man who was simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident. It's a miracle he's alive.'

The officers were placed on administrative leave, standard practice in a shooting by police, while the state Justice Department investigates. And Kenosha County imposed an 8 p.m. curfew to try to head off another round of violence Monday night.

Crump is the attorney who represents the family of George Floyd, the 46-year-old black man who died in the custody of Minneapolis police in late May.

Floyd's death ignited massive nationwide protests and rioting as millions took to the streets over the course of several weeks to demand the police officers responsible be tried and convicted.

Blake is seen far left with his three children. Witnesses said all three of his kids were in the back seat of the SUV when their father was shot

A dump truck that was parked in an intersection so as to prevent protesters from reaching a police station was set on fire on Sunday

A man confronts police outside the Kenosha Police Department late on Sunday night

Video of the shooting quickly went viral, with angered protesters setting cars on fire, smashing windows and clashing with officers dressed in riot gear across the city throughout Sunday evening and into the early hours of Monday

A man on a bike rides past a city truck on fire outside the Kenosha County Courthouse

A line of officers in right gear face-off against a line of protesters stood unmoved in front of the an tensions boiled over late Sunday

Angry residents gathered near the scene of the shooting in Kenosha on Sunday night

Tensions ran high near the crime scene on Sunday as neighbors gathered to vent their anger at police over the shooting

In a statement denouncing the Kenosha shooting, Gov. Evers said: While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.

Democratic nominee Joe Biden also responded in outrage of yet another example of excessive force against the African America community, calling for an immediate, full and transparent investigation.

This morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force, he said, just over two months before Election Day in a country already roiled by the recent deaths of Floyd, Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. Those shots pierce the soul of our nation.

Biden added that the officers must be held accountable for the shooting.

Republicans and the police union accused the politicians of rushing to judgment, reflecting the deep partisan divide in Wisconsin, a key presidential battleground state. Wisconsin GOP members also decried the violent protests, echoing the law-and-order theme that President Donald Trump has been using in his reelection campaign.

As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident, Pete Deates president of the Kenosha police union, said in a statement. He called the governors statement wholly irresponsible.

Online court records indicate Kenosha County prosecutors charged Blake on July 6 with sexual assault, trespassing and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse. An arrest warrant was issued the following day. The records contain no further details and do not list an attorney for Blake.

It was unclear whether that case had anything to do with the shooting.

A man records cell phone video as tear gas is used on protesters outside the Kenosha Police Department

Protesters walking toward a line of police officers clad in riot gear as simmering tensions brew

A group of protesters convene on Kenosha's court house to resume demonstrations on Monday afternoon, ahead more turbulent scene anticipated to arrive this evening

Police try to secure the public safety building from protesters Monday, Aug. 24

A police officer is seen speaking to protesters amid a scramble outside of the public safety building

'Lets race out voices until every black life is valued', one demonstrator's placard reads

'The only thugs I see are cops' one demonstrator holds up on a sign in front of a line of heavily-armored officers

Jake Loewen is seen cleaning up through a broken window at the Harborside Academy Monday

Laquisha Booker, who is Blakes partner, told NBCs Milwaukee affiliate, WTMJ-TV, that the couple's three children were in the back seat of the SUV when police shot him.

That man just literally grabbed him by his shirt and looked the other way and was just shooting him. With the kids in the back screaming. Screaming, Booker said.

Crump, meanwhile, called the officers actions irresponsible, reckless and inhumane.

Wisconsins Republican Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke cautioned the public and elected officials against "racing towards judgment," given how few details were known.

The frustration & anger that many in our communities are feeling must be met with empathy, but cannot be further fueled by politicians statements or actions that can stoke flames of violence," tweeted Steineke, who is white.

A massive crowd is currently gathering in front of the Kenosha Police Station, hours after cops shot Jacob Blake https://t.co/7fdcnjNtD4  philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 24, 2020

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers released a statement saying he was 'hoping earnestly' that Blake 'would not succumb to his injuries'

He was airlifted to a hospital in Milwaukee, where he was listed in critical condition
Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is aiming to recover 27 million after allegedly being scammed by an investment manager in London.

The 51-year-old enjoyed a successful two-year stint at Stamford Bridge between 2016 and 2018  winning the Premier League and FA Cup along the way.

But The Times report that he had less success off the pitch, after investing 27m in Kidman Asset Management.

Now Conte, along with seven other investors, are taking action against the companys chief, Massimo Bochicchio, after failing to receive the returns they say theyd been promised.

Bochicchio, 54, has seen 47m worth of assets frozen, including the West London flat in which Conte lived during his Chelsea tenure.

The freezing injunction was granted by judge David Foxton on July 17 after Bochicchio was found to have breached the terms of eight settlement deeds that had been agreed with the investors back in May.

As well as Conte, Bochicchio is reported to owe 6.5m to Palesa Sarl, a company based in Luxembourg.

The claimants believed that their money would be guaranteed by HSBC, for whom Bochicchio worked between 2006 and 2012.

But in reality, the bank had nothing to do with the deals.

Conte showed the court a faked document that had appeared to come from HSBC.

Lawyers also claimed that Bochicchio agreed to hand over account statements, books and records from Kidman Asset Management  but in fact did not do so.

And he has also failed to provide documentation proving the nature of third parties within the agreements, as well as where money was being spent  according to the lawsuit.

Failure to comply with the injunction could even see Bochicchio imprisoned, if he is found to be in contempt of court.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates


Nimbus Silver - Zinc Project Update

Perth, Aug 25, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to provide an update on the Nimbus silver-zinc project, adjacent to the Boorara gold mine, 15km east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the goldfields of Western Australia.Commenting on the Nimbus silver-zinc project, Horizon Managing Director Mr Jon Price said:"With silver and zinc prices showing sustained increases in recent times, the Company is now assessing all options to create value from this historically successful mining operation at Nimbus. We see significant opportunity to develop the high grades lodes at Nimbus either on a stand-alone basis or in joint venture with an expert group. There remains potential for the project to grow in scale and quality with further exploration beyond the current mineralised envelopes. Any strategic option we elect to pursue for Nimbus will take into account this growth and future development potential."The Company has now commenced a Strategic Review of the project inclusive of a detailed assessment of all previous Feasibility Study work completed to 2017. Several expressions of interest have been received to acquire or earn-in to the project and these options will be reviewed in conjunction with an economic evaluation at current high silver and zinc prices.About the Nimbus silver-zinc projectThe Nimbus Silver-Zinc Project is located 15km east of the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia, covers approximately 170km2 and is situated on Mining Leases, Exploration Licences and Prospecting Licences and include the Boorara gold project area.Project highlights include:- High grade silver resource of 260kt @ 774g/t Ag and 12.8% Zn contained in JORC 2012 Resources of 12.1Mt @ 52g/t Ag, 0.9% Zn and 0.2g/t Au- Deposit remains open at depth and along strike with significant potential to increase existing silver-zinc resources with further drilling- Significant regional exploration potential to find additional silver and other base metal deposits- Close proximity to Kalgoorlie-Boulder and existing infrastructure- Historical production of 3.6Moz of high-grade silver (352g/t)To view tables and figures, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited

Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed.

Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline.

Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage.
In order to make the process more proactive, the Ethics Committee of Rajya Sabha has authorised two officers of the RS Secretariat to receive complaints of alleged misconduct and violation of code of conduct against the members, oficials said Tuesday.

A bulletin in this regard was issued to the members of Rajya Sabha Tuesday after the Committee took the decision under rules formulated in 2004 that empowered it to do so. In a meeting last week, the Committee decided to authorise a Director and an Additional Director attached with the panel to receive complaints against the Members of the House, the officials said. they said, the Committee expanded the zone of receipt of complaints since at present only those complaints that are addressed to the Committee are valid for examination.

Rule 295 (4) of the Rules of Procedure of the House provides that a complaint should be addressed in writing to the Committee or to an officer authorised by it, but this authorization was not done so far even though the rules were framed 16 years ago. But now, the authorisation has been done.

The two officers were authorised in the first meeting chaired by Shiv Pratap Shukla, who was nominated as the head of the Committee by Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu after the expiry of membership of former Chairman Prabhat Jha. Stating that Naidu was keen about the Ethics Committee being more proactive in the pursuit of its mandate, Shukla urged the members to address ambiguities in the present rules relating to taking up complaints based on media reports and received through mail, an official statement said.

The Ethics Committee of Rajya Sabha was constituted in March 1997 as an internal self-regulatory mechanism of the Council of States to oversee the moral and ethical conduct of the members and to examine the cases referred to it. Prior to July 2004, the rules applicable to the Committee of Privileges were applied to the Ethics Committee.

In 2004, however, the rules were incorporated in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States specifying the functions of the Ethics Committee, procedure for making complaints, the statement said. The Ethics Committee of Rajya Sabha, in its First Report in 1999, formulated a 14-point Code of Conduct for members that requires them not to do anything that brings disrepute to the Parliament and affects their credibility.

It asks them to ensure that their private financial interests do not come in conflict with the public interest, not to be disrespectful to any religion and work for the promotion of secular values, maintaining high standards of morality, dignity, decency and values in public life etc. Since coming into being, the Ethics Committee has taken up three complaints referred to it by the then chairpersons of the House relating to misuse of Question Hour in 2005, misuse of MPLADS funds in 2006 and default in repayment of bank loans in 2016.
That's it for the opening night of the Republican National Convention - thanks for joining us.

It was quite a slick production, with well produced video segments and a broad range of speeches railing against cancel culture, the "defunding" of police, and socialism.

Some didnt quite hit the uplifting and positive vibe Trump had promised, but theres always tomorrow.

Among the speakers are First Lady Melania Trump, more of the Presidents kids (Tiffany and Eric) and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Well also hear again from everyday Americans, including Nicholas Sandmann, the Covington Catholic High School student who shot to national attention last year after an apparent confrontation with a Native American activist at Washington's Lincoln Memorial.

No doubt Donald Trump will make a few cameos, too. Until then, take care.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Weyland Tech, Inc. (OTCQX:WEYL), a leading global provider of eCommerce, mCommerce, and fintech business enablement solutions, has been invited to present at The LD 500 virtual institutional investor conference being held on September 1-4, 2020.

Weyland Tech CEO, Brent Suen, is scheduled to present on Friday, September 4, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time, and he will participate in virtual one-on-one meetings with institutional analysts and investors throughout the day.

The presentation will be webcast live and available for replay here and via the investor relations section of the company's website at www.weyland-tech.com.

Management will discuss how Weyland's new AI-powered online marketing platform helped drive revenue up 55% to a record $24.3 million in the first half of 2020. They will also discuss the new partnership with ShopeePay, one of the world's largest integrated e-money services, to launch a new marketing campaign for Weyland's fast-growing AtozGo food delivery service.

They will also review the company's recent agreement to acquire Fixel AI, an award-winning audience engagement platform that provides startups to Fortune 500 companies the ability to dramatically enhance online marketing spend.

The LD 500 is one of the nation's largest independent conferences for micro-cap companies, with over 300 names presenting. The conference will also feature variety of speakers and panelists discussing topics of interest to investors and issuers.

To schedule a virtual one-on-one meeting with Weyland, you may submit your request to register for the conference here or contact David Scher at david@ldmicro.com or visit www.ldmicro.com/events.

View Weyland's LD Micro profile here: www.ldmicro.com/profile/WEYL

Profiles powered by LD Micro - News Compliments of Accesswire

About Weyland Tech

Weyland Tech, Inc. (OTCQX: WEYL) is a U.S.-based leading global provider of eCommerce, mCommerce, and fintech business enablement solutions. Its CreateApp platform-as-a-service enables small-and-medium sized businesses worldwide to easily create and deploy a native mobile app for their business without technical knowledge or background. CreateApp empowers businesses to reach more customers, increase sales, manage logistics, and promote their products and services in an easy, affordable, and highly efficient way. CreateApp is offered in 14 languages across 10 countries and three continents, including some of the fastest-growing emerging markets in Southeast Asia.



Weyland's subsidiary, Logiq Inc., provides a data-driven, end-to-end eCommerce marketing solution for enterprises and major U.S. brands, like Home Advisor, QuinStreet and Sunrun. The AI-powered LogiqX data engine delivers valuable consumer insights that enhance the ROI of online marketing spend. The company's AtozPay subsidiary offers mobile payments, e-wallet, and the AtozGo hyper-local food delivery services in Indonesia, which has the fastest-growing mobile economy in Southeast Asia. For more information about Weyland Tech, go to weyland-tech.com.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are "forward-looking statements" including statements regarding: the ability of the Company to successfully integrate acquisitions, the continued growth of the eCommerce segment and the ability of the Company to continue its expansion into that segment; the ability of the Company to attract customers and partners and generate revenues; the ability of the Company to successfully execute its business plan; the business strategy, plans, and objectives of the Company; and any other statements of non-historical information. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website (www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume any duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Company Contact

Brent Suen, CEO

Weyland Tech Inc.

Email contact

Media & Investor Contact

Ronald Both or Grant Stude

CMA Investor & Media Relations

Tel (949) 432-7566

WEYL@cma.team

SOURCE: Weyland Tech, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603177/Weyland-Tech-to-Present-at-LD-500-Virtual-Investor-Conference-on-Sept-4-2020
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 15:40:48|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

SYDNEY, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Australian share market lifted for a second day on Tuesday, with bank and tech stocks leading the pack.

At the market close the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index was up 31.80 points or 0.52 percent at 6,161.40, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 31.70 points or 0.50 percent at 6,332.00.

Gains of 2 to 4 percent from the big banks, Afterpay surging by 11.8 percent, together with some improvements from property stocks helped keep the market positive, according to CommSec.

The buy-now-pay-later company hit a new record high after it received broker upgrades on Tuesday on plans to expand into the European Union.

In the financial space, the big banks soared with Commonwealth Bank up (2.18 percent), ANZ up (3.24 percent), National Australia Bank up (4.22 percent), and Westpac Bank up (4.33 percent).

Mining stocks were mostly lower with Rio Tinto unchanged (0.00 percent), BHP down (0.67 percent), Fortescue Metals down (0.32 percent), and gold miner Newcrest down (2.18 percent).

The country's oil and gas producers varied with Oil Search up (0.67 percent), Santos down (0.18 percent), and Woodside Petroleum up (0.25 percent).

Australia's largest supermarkets were mixed with Coles unchanged (0.00 percent), and Woolworths down (0.88 percent).

Meanwhile, telecommunications giant Telstra was flat (0.00 percent), the national carrier Qantas surged (2.95 percent) and biomedical firm CSL slumped (1.77 percent). Enditem
PITTSBURGH and SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE: FHI), a global leader in active, responsible investing, and PICTON S.A., a leading third-party fund distributor in Latin America, today announced an agreement that allows PICTON to market certain Federated Hermes funds to institutional clients in Latin America. The agreement focuses PICTON's efforts on strategically positioning Federated Hermes' investment capabilities and services in the Latin American pension funds industry and with institutional participants across the region on a private-offering basis.

"With their experience and strong local knowledge of markets in Chile, Colombia and Peru, we are pleased to work with PICTON to market Federated Hermes' products in the region. As a global leader in responsible investing, it was important for us to be diligent in our search process and find a firm that is client-focused and has a track record of success. We found that in the PICTON team," said Bryan Burke, head of global accounts and Latin America at Federated Hermes.

"PICTON is proud to enter into this arrangement with Federated Hermes, a firm with outstanding history and a leader in responsible investing," said Matias Eguiguren, founding partner at PICTON. "We look forward to a strong relationship driven by Federated Hermes' investment capabilities and our broad and deep knowledge of institutional clients," said Patricio Mebus, head of mutual funds distribution at PICTON.

PICTON will provide due diligence, product information and analysis to institutional clients and serve as a liaison point between them and Federated Hermes' teams.

PICTON is an independent investment firm serving high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors throughout Latin America. PICTON distributes best-in-class investment products to Latin American institutional investors, while providing the highest service standard, being one of the leading third-party fund distributors in the region with local offices in Chile, Colombia and Peru and strategic alliances in Mexico and Brazil. For more information, visit picton.cl.

Federated Hermes, Inc. is a leading global investment manager with $628.8 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2020. Guided by our conviction that responsible investing is the best way to create wealth over the long term, our investment solutions span 162 equity, fixed-income, alternative/private markets, multi-asset and liquidity management strategies and a range of separately managed account strategies. Providing world-class active investment management and engagement services to more than 11,000 institutions and intermediaries, our clients include corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Federated Hermes' more than 1,900 employees include those in London, New York, Boston and several other offices worldwide. For more information, visit FederatedHermes.com.

###

Certain statements in this press release, such as those related to marketing efforts and distribution relationships, constitute or may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Other risks and uncertainties include the ability of the company to predict the level of fee waivers and expenses in future quarters, predict whether performance fees or carried interest will be earned and retained, sustain product demand, asset flows and mix, which could vary significantly depending on various factors, such as market conditions, investment performance and investor behavior. Other risks and uncertainties include the risk factors discussed in the company's annual and quarterly reports as filed with the SEC. As a result, no assurance can be given as to future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and neither the company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of such statements in the future.

SOURCE Federated Hermes, Inc.

Related Links

http://FederatedHermes.com


New iPhones on display in the Apple Marunouchi store in late 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. The most-bullish Apple stock price on Wall Street is predicated on an upcoming upgrade "supercycle" that will involve up to 350 million phones.

Apple's potential plans to release a line-up of 5G-supported phones as well as remote work and online learning trends globally are likely drive its stock price higher, according to an analyst.

The iPhone-maker recently became the first publicly traded U.S. company to reach a $2 trillion market cap, about two years after reaching the $1 trillion milestone. Apple shares rose 1.2% on Monday.

"The remarkable thing in my opinion is that Apple achieved the $2 trillion market cap without selling a single 5G iPhone," Tom Forte, managing director and senior research analyst at D.A. Davidson, said Tuesday morning on CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia."

"To the extent that the 5G iPhone results in multiple years of positive growth for smartphones, Apple shares can continue to do well," he added.

5G refers to the fifth generation of high-speed mobile internet that aims to provide faster data speeds and more bandwidth to carry growing levels of web traffic.

Apple is currently the third-largest smartphone maker by shipment behind Huawei and Samsung. A report from the Nikkei Asian Review said the U.S. tech giant is slated to release four models in its 5G lineup with three different screen sizes. The report also said Apple is facing delays of between four weeks and two months for mass production.
Free-floating, or rogue, exoplanets  free-floating planetary-mass objects that do not orbit a star and instead travel through space  could be surprisingly common in our Milky Way Galaxy; and NASAs upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (Roman) will detect at least 250 such free-floating planets with masses down to that of Mars, according to a new paper published in the Astronomical Journal.

Free-floating planets are isolated objects that have masses similar to that of planets. The origin of these objects is unknown.

They could form in the gaseous disks around young stars, similar to those planets still bound to their host stars. After formation, they could later be ejected through interactions with other planets in the system, or even fly-by events by other stars.

Or they could form when dust and gas swirl together, similar to the way stars form.

The Universe could be teeming with rogue planets and we wouldnt even know it, said co-author Professor Scott Gaudi, a researcher in the Department of Astronomy at the Ohio State University.

We would never find out without undertaking a thorough, space-based microlensing survey like Roman is going to do.

As our view of the Universe has expanded, weve realized that our Solar System may be unusual, said lead author Samson Johnson, a graduate student at Ohio State University.

Roman will help us learn more about how we fit in the cosmic scheme of things by studying rogue planets.

Identifying those planets will help scientists infer the total number of these rogue planets in our Galaxy.

Roman, named for NASAs first chief astronomer who was also known as the mother of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, will attempt to build the first census of free-floating planets.

Roman is designed not only to locate free-floating planets in the Milky Way, but to test the theories and models that predict how these planets formed, Johnson said.

The teams study found that Roman is likely to be 10 times more sensitive to free-floating planets than existing efforts, which for now are based on telescopes tethered to the Earths surface.

It will focus on planets in the Milky Way, between our Sun and the center of our Galaxy, covering some 24,000 light-years.

There have been several rogue planets discovered, but to actually get a complete picture, our best bet is something like Roman. This is a totally new frontier, Johnson said.

Roman, which is scheduled to launch in the next five years, will search for free-floating planets using a technique called gravitational microlensing.

That technique relies on the gravity of stars and planets to bend and magnify the light coming from stars that pass behind them from the telescopes viewpoint.

This microlensing effect is connected to Albert Einsteins theory of general relativity and allows a telescope to find planets thousands of light-years away from Earth  much farther than other planet-detecting techniques.

But because microlensing works only when the gravity of a planet or star bends and magnifies the light from another star, the effect from any given planet or star is only visible for a short time once every few million years.

And because rogue planets are situated in space on their own, without a nearby star, the telescope must be highly sensitive in order to detect that magnification.

The microlensing signal from a rogue planet only lasts between a few hours and a couple of days and then is gone forever, said co-author Dr. Matthew Penny, a researcher in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Louisiana State University.

This makes them difficult to observe from Earth, even with multiple telescopes. Roman is a game-changer for rogue planet searches.

The authors estimate that Roman will discover around 250 free-floating planets that are the mass of Mars or larger.

These planets are not likely to support life. They would probably be extremely cold, because they have no star, Johnson said.

If we find a lot of low-mass rogue planets, well know that as stars form planets, theyre probably ejecting a bunch of other stuff out into the Galaxy. This helps us get a handle on the formation pathway of planets in general.

_____

Samson A. Johnson et al. 2020. Predictions of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Galactic Exoplanet Survey. II. Free-floating Planet Detection Rates. AJ 160, 123; doi: 10.3847/1538-3881/aba75b
Paul Stevens (pictured), 62, left the 21,000-a-year Abberley Hall School in Worcestershire in 1999 after suspicions were raised against his behaviour towards pupils

A judge has blasted a prestigious boarding school after a paedophile housemaster was given a reference to find work abroad where he carried on abusing children.

Paul Stevens, 62, left the 21,000-a-year Abberley Hall School in Worcestershire in 1999 after suspicions were raised against his behaviour towards pupils.

He was last year jailed for 19 years for subjecting three boys to horrific abuse at the institution - which taught a string of Tory MPs.

But it has now emerged Stevens abused more youngsters after being handed a glowing reference by the school to find another job in Kenya.

Numerous allegations had already been made against the pervert at the time the boarding school helped him find work abroad.

Stevens was allowed to go on to commit two offences of voyeurism during his time working in Africa in 2012.

He has been jailed for a further three-and-a-half years to run concurrently with his existing sentence after he pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court.

Judge Andrew Lockhart QC expressed concerns Stevens was given a reference by the school and said the 'whole file needed reviewing' by authorities.

He was last year jailed for 19 years for subjecting three boys to horrific abuse at the institution (pictured) - which taught a string of Tory MPs

He said: 'He was given a reference to go to Kenya. I have said the whole file needs to be reviewed by the authorities in Worcester.

'It needs to be ensured that such things never happen again.'

The court was told how Stevens would follow [a] boy into the showers at the school in Kenya and would watch him undress.

He has also admitted indecently assaulting another eight-year-old boy at Abberley Hall during the 1990s.

Sentencing, the judge added: 'In November 2019 you pleaded guilty to 15 sexual offences against three boys while they were pupils under your care at Abberley Hall.

'The sentence I passed on you was a long one, 19 years extended to 24, because I found you to be dangerous.

'But that was not the extent of your offending, as illustrated by these offences today. You denied these matters, even after you had been convicted of the earlier matters.

'Most disturbingly, you left Abberley Hall in 1999 because suspicion had been raised against your name, but the school chose to give you a reference and you went to the school in Kenya.'

When he was originally jailed last year, the court heard how Stevens' actions were 'ignored' by the headteacher during the 1980s.

He has been jailed for a further three-and-a-half years to run concurrently with his existing sentence after he pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court (pictured)

The court heard how concerns had been raised at the time about Stevens' behaviour towards the boys but nothing was done by then-headteacher Michael Haggard.

He assaulted one victim using a shampoo bottle and inappropriately touched other students while employed to look after the pastoral care of pupils.

But he used his position to groom the students, including luring them into his quarters by promising to let them watch Match of the Day on TV.

Steven, of Gwynedd, Wales, pleaded guilty to ten charges of indecent assault and five of indecency with a child before two more victims then came forward.

Prosecutor Fiona Elder said the first had been a pupil at Abberley Hall School in the 1990s where he began as a boarder when he was just eight.

Stevens, who taught mathematics and sport, had accommodation at the school, and invited certain boys into his room as a 'treat' to watch films or TV programmes.

As housemaster, once the boys were in bed at night, he would make his rounds, 'creeping round the dormitories with a torch, tucking them in'.

He used that as an opportunity to fondle the boy over his pyjamas and when the boy flinched and turned away, he began giving him punishments for rejecting his advances.

Miss Elder said Stevens left Abberley Hall in 1999 as a result of suspicions over his behaviour towards some of the boys and complaints by parents.

But he remained in the teaching profession and in 2010 he took up a post at boarding school in Kenya.

Among the boys at the Kenyan school was an 11-year-old who was 'well-developed for his age' and found communal showering embarrassing, as Stevens would stand and watch them.

On one occasion the boy, who had taken to wearing swimming shorts in the shower, decided to wash after the other boys had finished, only for Stevens to follow him in.

Miss Elder said: 'The defendant made him remove his swimming shorts, and when he turned to the wall made him turn round and move his hands with which he had been covering himself.

'He then made him wash while the defendant stood and watched.

'On another occasion the boy stayed in his room at shower time, only for Stevens to go in and tell him to undress.

'The boy tried to cover himself with a towel and put swimming shorts on, but Stevens made him remove them and stand naked in front of him.'

The boy told his father but when the matter was raised with the headteacher, 'she seemed to dismiss them as trouble-makers' but it was taken further, and Stevens was dismissed.

Detective Inspector of West Mercia Police Mark Walters said previously: 'Paul Stevens held a position of trust as a teacher, a position he abused in the worst way possible by preying on vulnerable children.

'I would like to pay tribute to the victims who came forward and gave evidence against him.

'Thanks to their bravery, he has now been convicted of his appalling crimes and will face justice for his actions, and hopefully this will now give them some sense of closure.'
Roku

The rule of thumb is you only need one streaming device. But, that may seem unreasonable to owners who can't live without having an Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick connected to their smart TVs. Because, technically, that's already two streaming devices-no judgement here.

If you're a fan of streaming devices, you should definitely buy a Roku streaming stick. Why? Because its just much better. Our very own Corey Foster thinks so, and I'm inclined to agree, albeit for different reasons.
The ongoing merger between T-Mobile and Sprint now means that customers of the latter can access new benefits via T-Mobile MONEY.

The mobile-first checking solution is already available for pretty much anybody. All thats required is a sign-up for a T-Mobile account to link to the MONEY service. But, with this expansion, the company now offers the top benefits to Sprint customers to help ease the transition. And to help those customers keep even more of their hard-earned cash, the carrier says.

That includes, of course, an APY of 4.00-percent and the Got Your Back overdraft protection. The former figure applies to account balances up to $3,000. After that amount, a 1-percent APY applies. It also means that account holders can get faster direct deposits by up to two days. And they can make cash deposits as well.

Advertisement

What is T-Mobile MONEY and why do Sprint customers have access now?

T-Mobile MONEY is a no-fee checking account service that focuses primarily on being mobile-first. Launched back in 2018, it provides access to an array of 55,000 in-network Allpoint ATMs globally and is backed by a Mastercard-branded bank card. To gain access to the APY noted above, users will need to sign up and deposit $200 each month. But theres no monthly deposit requirement either.

As to why this is being expanded to include legacy Sprint customers, thats because Sprint is now T-Mobile. A merger between the two companies was approved back in mid-2019, with the deal valued at $26 billion.

That means that, technically, Sprint customers are already T-Mobile customers. And that includes not only access to the companys 4G LTE network but also its newer, nationwide 5G network.

Advertisement

Why now?

T-Mobile is positioning the latest move as a part of its bid to be the nations premier un-carrier. Although it would eventually have extended the deals to include Sprint customers anyway. Especially since Sprint is basically T-Mobile, as noted above. But it made the decision to launch this earlier not just to spite other carriers.

The provider notes that the move was brought to fruition now due to the ongoing global health pandemic. Thats financially impacted a lot of consumers and the company thinks its banking solution, backed by Member FDIC Customers Banks BankMobile division is going to be better. Particularly when it comes to offsetting the impacts of that.
Vietnam finished second in Group 2 of the Tank Biathlon, held at the Alabino military training ground in the suburbs of Russias Moscow, at the ongoing International Army Games 2020.

The tank of the Vietnamese crew at the International Army Games 2020 (Photo: VNA)

Tank Crew No. 1 of the Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA) shot down all the five targets and completed the race in 32 minutes and 20 seconds.

It followed South Ossetia (31 minutes and 49 seconds) and outpaced Tajikistan (34 minutes and 5 seconds), Abkhazia (34 minutes and 25 seconds), Myanmar (36 minutes and 27 seconds), Laos (38 minutes and 48 seconds), Qatar (56 minutes), and Congo (60 minutes).

Col. Nguyen Ngoc Thang said the racing result reflected the capacity and mettle of Tank Crew No. 1, expressing his hope that other crews will learn from the first ones experience to perform well in following competitions.

Two other tank crews of Vietnam will continue competing on August 28 and 29.

Apart from Tank Biathlon, Vietnam will take part in other categories, including Safe Route (Combat Engineering Units Competition), True Friend (Dog Handlers Competition), Emergency Area (Competition among Emergency Rescue Units), and Sniper Frontier.

The International Army Games 2020, lasting until September 5 and held in five countries  Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, attracts more than 5,000 personnel of 156 teams from over 30 countries and territories./.VNA
(Newser)  In the bio for her YouTube channel, which has nearly 700,000 subscribers, Myka Stauffer describes herself as "a Mommy of 4 from Ohio and Married to My best friend." Unspoken is that until earlier this year, Stauffer and husband James had five children. The missing child is Huxley, a severely autistic boy they adopted from China as a baby. In a feature at the Cut, Caitlin Moscatello revisits the couple's controversial move to give up Huxley, then nearly 5, because his special needs were too overwhelming. It was a wrenching decision, but because the Stauffers had been vlogging about Huxley since his adoptionand making money from thatthe backlash has been severe. The Stauffers "have been held up as examples of what is wrong with both influencer and adoption cultureand what can happen when a child is caught at the intersection," writes Moscatello.

story continues below

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office even conducted an investigation after the couple's critics raised worries about their other kids. That investigation sheds more light on just how bad things had gotten with Huxley. It reveals the Stauffers hired a full-time caregiver to prevent what they called his "severe aggression" toward the other kids. One example: He would remove registers from the floors and try to hit the other children. Several caregivers quit because Huxley's outbursts were so relentless. Myka's channel has been quiet for months since her Huxley announcement, and the question is whether she will return. Given her large base of subscribers, a fellow parent vlogger thinks she will. "Would her backlash be ridiculous? A million percent," the vlogger says. "She would have to decide for herself, 'Am I willing to face the criticism?' (Read the full story.)
The University of Alabama on Monday released the first numbers of on-campus COVID-19 test results that raised alarm bells internally.

A total of 531 confirmed cases between students, faculty and staff were reported on the Tuscaloosa campus since classes resumed Aug. 19, UA announced Monday evening. The dashboard did not include how many were tested Aug. 19 through Aug. 23 or the rate of positive tests.

The cumulative figure includes positive tests on UA System campuses identified through sentinel testing, point of care testing in campus health centers, and self-reported tests from private providers, the dashboard reads. Entry testing is not included in this calculation.

University of Alabama people: Tell us your coronavirus story if you have one. You can send them to mcasagrande@al.com Posted by al.com on Tuesday, August 25, 2020

The school previously announced re-entry testing for students yielded a less-than 1 percent positivity rate. The new dashboard put the positive test rate for reentry at 1.04 percent of the 29,938 tests. The new numbers do not include those 311 positive tests from reentry.

RELATED: Tuscaloosa bars shut down 2 weeks to slow COVID spread on Alabama campus

The news came six hours after the City of Tuscaloosa announced bars would be closed for the next two weeks and bar service at restaurants must cease. UA officials did not give specifics when asked about the situation at the 11 a.m. news conference announcing the new measures.

Our challenge is not the students, UA president Stuart Bell said Monday morning. Our challenge is the virus and theres a difference, folks. What we have to do is identify where does the virus thrive and where does the virus spread and how can we work together with our students, with our faculty and with our staff to make sure that we minimize those places, those incidents. Its not student behavior, OK. Its how do we have protocols so that we make it to where our students can be successful, and we can minimize the impact of the virus.

RELATED: How Alabama students, bar owners react to shutdown order from city

And theres multiple prongs to that from setting up isolation space to disciplining violations of COVID-19 mandates. Bell said he didnt know exactly how many students have been penalized under new rules implemented this month.

But I know a number of students are going through the student conduct process, he said.

Isolation and quarantine spaces are not at capacity, said Dr. Ricky Friend, dean of the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

But we are concerned that each day that goes by, he said, there might be more cases.

The dashboard released Monday evening stated 19.78 percent of the isolation space was currently occupied.

Friend said they were working on getting additional space on top of the 450 beds already in place to isolate and quarantine students either exposed to the virus or have tested positive.

RELATED: Auburn Universitys COVID-19 cases multiply by five

UA vice president for Student Life Myron Pope told student leaders last Friday they were on pace to fill those spaces within the next week and a half, according to audio of the meeting acquired by AL.com.

A question we all want to know is are we at the breaking point? Alabama president Stuart Bell said Monday. Whats the lever thats going to cause us to have to change it. Basically, I think it goes back to flattening this curve, so we are able to accommodate our current operations and make sure we are able to keep the students healthy. So, there really is no single answer. I dont want to point you all to look at this graph or look at this data and know we can draw a line and say this is what were going to do because its a very dynamic situation -- very dynamic over the weekend as we saw positive cases increasing to again, today, cause us to take more steps. Were going to continue to do that.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
Americans have to "make this China virus go away" and it is happening, President Donald Trump has said, as he thanked the frontline workers for their incredible efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Trump appeared in a taped Oval Office conversation with a group of frontline workers - doctors, nurses, firemen, policemen, postal workers.

This was not the first time when Trump called the novel coronavirus as China's virus. In March, he had said that China is responsible for the spread of the novel coronavirus and called the COVID-19 as the "Chinese Virus". He, later, insisted the term was accurate because the virus originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

Calling the group his "friends" and "the incredible workers" who helped the US fight the coronavirus, Trump said "we can call it many different things - from China virus - I don't want to go through all the names because some people may get insulted but that's the way it is. "These are great great people, doctors, nurses, firemen policemen. We want to thank you all, you have been incredible," he said.

Also read: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg tears into Trump administration; calls US response to coronavirus 'disappointing'

"And we want to thank you and all of the millions of people that you represent," Trump said during the conversation, aired on the first night of the Republican National Convention. "I'm for the nurses, I'm for the doctors, I'm for everybody. We just have to make this China virus go away and it's happening," Trump said.

As of August 24, more than 5 million cases have been confirmed in the US. There have been more than 170,000 deaths in the country. Speaking to a postal worker in the group, he said "we're taking good care of our postal workers, that I can tell you. Believe me, we're not getting rid of our postal workers. You know they'd like to sort of put that out. If anyone does it's the Democrats, not the Republicans," he said.

Also read: COVID-19 vaccine distribution under special emergency use a bad idea: Anthony Fauci

Trump has been targetting the US Postal Service, claiming that voting by mail will result in huge fraud during the November 3 presidential election. Among the group of people on the tape were two police officers who had recovered from the coronavirus.

"That means we don't have to be afraid of you, once you recover. We have the whole thing with plasma happening. That means your blood is very valuable," Trump said, amid laughs. The US Food and Drug Administration on Sunday approved using blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors to treat other patients.

To one of the police officers, Trump asked what had helped him recover from COVID-19 and then said, "I won't even ask you about the hydroxychloroquine. It's a shame what they've done to that one. But I took it," Trump said, amid laughter from the group of people. Speaking on the first night of the convention were Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who came into the spotlight after they aimed their guns at Black Lives Matters protesters in June outside their home in St Louis.

Also read: Trump administration mulls fast-tracking Oxford COVID-19 vaccine before elections

"Whether it's the defunding of police, ending cash bail so criminals can be released back out on the streets the same day to riot again, we're encouraging anarchy and chaos on our streets," Mark McCloskey said. "It seems as if the Democrats no longer view the government's job as protecting honest citizens from criminals, but rather protecting criminals from honest citizens," McCloskey said.

He said that not a single person in the "out-of-control mob" outside his house was charged with a crime. "But you know who was, we were. They've actually charged us with felonies for daring to defend our home," he said. Patricia McCloskey said the Democrats are not satisfied with spreading the chaos and violence into American communities but want to abolish the suburbs all together through rezoning that would bring "crime, lawlessness and low-quality apartments into thriving suburban neighbourhoods."

Also read: Hong Kong man got infected by COVID-19 for second time after returning from Spain trip

"These are the policies that are coming to a neighbourhood near you. So make no mistake. No matter where you live, your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats' America," she said. Mark McCloskey said Trump will defend the "God-given right of every American to protect their homes and their families."

Patricia McCloskey added that when there is no basic safety and security in American communities, "we will never be free to build a brighter future for ourselves, for our children, or for our country. That's what's at stake in this election. And that's why we must re-elect Donald Trump.
Nearly 8000 fed-up residents and businesses are calling on the state government to invest more in the Armadale region to help tackle stubbornly high crime and unemployment rates.

City of Armadale resident and property developer Elton Swarts became so frustrated with the lack of attention from successive governments he started a petition with a list of requests, including setting a jobs target and moving an entire government department to the city.

Nearly 8000 people are calling on the state government to do more for the Armadale region. Credit:Erin Jonasson

So far the petition has received more than 7800 signatures. When it is tabled in parliament, it will be one of the biggest received by the McGowan Labor government during its 3 years in power.

Armadales local unemployment rate has been significantly higher than the states average rate for more than a decade. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, 9.5 per cent of the working population was without a job  4 per cent above the states average, according to Department of Employment statistics for the March quarter.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Sharif on Tuesday exuded pride over the Hazara Motorway built during Sharif's tenure calling its quality 'world-class'. Hitting out at the Imran Khan-led PTI Government, Maryam compared the country's fall from 'high standards' during her father's tenure to the 'incompetence and destruction' under Khan's rule.

Hazara Motorway by Nawaz Sharif. Look at the quality- World class! From such high standards that were already impossible to match, to the historic incompetence & destruction that plagues  today.

Video shot by some MNS/PMLN fan. Thank you  pic.twitter.com/7HnQ8vV38B  Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 24, 2020

Netizens react

Netizens, however, were quick to remind Maryam of the corruption conviction that ended her father's tenure as Prime Minister and got him sent to jail, and how the true 'plaque' was the PMLN under whose rule the country was 'plundered' and corruption was spread across ranks, institutions and even the judiciary.

Ahhh beautiful... 

tell the truth that it should have been 3 lane motorway as an international standard but nawaz sharif ate one lane from each side to fill his pockets.   Dr Jimmy (@ukdon2020) August 25, 2020

By Nawaz Sharif ????? He spend his own hard money to build ??? He was a contractor ?? Or he was an engineer ?

He happens to be the prime minister.  Nasir Mir (@mnasirmir) August 24, 2020

The plague which is PMLN has destroyed Pakistan, its institutions, judiciary, Police to say the least! Sharif family's fortunes grew day n night while Pakistan was looted plundered every second of PMLN's unfortunate rule! Your ranting will get you know where anymore!  UI (@umarishaq) August 24, 2020

What's about this quality of work done by your government



Newly constructed building at Islamabad International Airport starts caving in the rain  Sohail Azam (@SohailA00724101) August 25, 2020

medam baqi sub tu Tek hy lekin ye bata do is project mei kickback kitna liya hoga mian sahab   Faisal Afridi (@Faisalafridikn) August 24, 2020

Read: Pak Court Gives Last Chance To Nawaz Sharif To Appear In Corruption Case

Read: Nawaz Sharif's Daughter Maryam Nawaz Admitted To Hospital In Lahore

Nawaz Sharif's corruption charges

Several corruption cases have been launched by the Imran Khan-led government against the 70-year-old supremo of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ever since his ouster from the office by the Supreme Court in July 2017 in the Panama Papers case.

Last year, as Nawaz Sharif was undergoing his 7-year sentence in a corruption case in Lahores Kot Lakhpat, he had to be rushed to a hospital as his platelet count dropped to a critically low level. The Lahore High Court allowed him to travel abroad in November to seek further treatment as his condition continued to deteriorate.

Sharif signed an undertaking whereby he promised to return to Pakistan within 4 weeks or whenever he was in a fit condition to travel. He has since then been going back and forth between Pakistan and London citing his 'treatment' and 'ailments'.

According to his reports, he has been diagnosed with complicated coronary artery/ischemic heart disease." His daughter Maryam Nawaz stated that since her father was a high-risk patient, his cardiac catheterisation/coronary intervention had been postponed owing to COVID-19. However, on several occasions, Nawaz Sharif has been seen sipping tea and enjoying feasts at restaurants even amid COVID, raising serious questions over his illness.

Read: Nawaz Sharif's Doctor A Gynaecologist; What Problem Does He Have?: Imran Khan's Minister

Read: Imran Khan Govt Under Fire After Police Attacks Opposition Leader Maryam Nawaz's Car
BROOKLYN, N.Y., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Eastern Equity Advisors -- an affiliate company of Eastern Union, one of the country's largest real estate finance companies -- has promoted Yehuda Schuck to the position of managing director. In this role, Mr. Schuck will manage and broaden the company's wide network of private equity funds, real estate funds, family offices, hedge funds and institutions.

Eastern Equity Advisors is responsible for directly handling Eastern Union's capital introductions.

Eastern Equity Advisors, an affiliate company of Eastern Union, has promoted Yehuda Schuck to the position of managing director. He had served as vice president since August 2017.

With his added responsibilities, Mr. Schuck builds upon his record of success as vice president of Eastern Equity Advisors, a position he had held since August 2017. He has been responsible for identifying and placing almost all of the equity that the company has placed since that time.

"At this moment of economic volatility, real estate finance companies must strengthen their relationships with the widest-possible spectrum of equity sources," said Ira Zlotowitz, Eastern Union's founder and president. "Yehuda Schuck understands the goals of equity players. He'll be nurturing our rapport with all of these funds."

"Eastern Union has an excellent reputation in the marketplace for meeting the financing needs of owners, developers and investors," said Mr. Schuck. "I look forward to helping our partners identify opportunities that stand to deliver maximum advantage from their stakes in Eastern Union transactions."

Eastern Union has recently experienced a surge in owner and investor demand for refinancings of multi-family properties holding mortgages with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The big increase began this spring, when the company's Multi-Family Group began charging a market-resetting quarter-point fee -- with no back-end fees -- for these transactions, known as "agency deals."

With his new title, Mr. Schuck -- a registered representative of Palladium Capital Group, LLC -- will play a critical role in managing Eastern Union's expanded deal volume by identifying equity sources.

Eastern Equity Advisors has provided capital introductions valued at $456.5 million since it was founded in 2015.

"Amid today's uncertainty, some funds are investing and others are holding back," said Abraham Bergman, managing partner with Eastern Union. "Yehuda Schuck will help them wisely target their resources. He'll work with fund managers to identify transactions that best align with the funds' objectives."

About Eastern Union and Eastern Equity Advisors

Founded in 2001, Eastern Union is a leading national commercial mortgage brokerage firm employing more than 125 brokers and real estate professionals and closing $5 billion in real estate transactions annually.

Boasting one of the industry's highest transaction volumes, the Eastern Union team leverages its relationships with banks and its marketplace knowledge to bring clients the best available rates.

The firm arranges financing for complex, multi-state, multi-site portfolios, as well as loans for smaller, single-property transactions. Eastern Union's Multi-Family Group has reset market pricing by introducing an unprecedented quarter-point fee -- with no back-end fees -- for refinancing multifamily properties backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, transactions known as "agency refinancings."

Eastern Union's groundbreaking app serves as an intelligent commercial real estate toolkit. Its eCALC feature enables investors to fully value and underwrite deals instantaneously and in the palm of their hand. It is available for download in the App Store and Google Play Store.

With nationwide operations, Eastern Union is headquartered in New York, with multiple branches along the East Coast.

Eastern Union's capital introductions are handled through its affiliate company, Eastern Equity Advisors.

For more information, visit www.easternunion.com.

Media contact:

Steve Vitoff

Eastern Union

516 652 0785

[email protected]

SOURCE Eastern Union

Related Links

http://www.easternunion.com


A San Francisco civic soap opera roared back into the national spotlight on Monday, with the prime-time return of the citys former First Lady Kimberly Guilfoyle delivering a full-throated slam to California and her hometown during her fiery address at the virtual Republican National Convention.

By the end she was screaming. It was like she was channeling a Disney villain, said Nate Ballard, who served as press secretary to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Guilfoyles former husband, when he was mayor.

Flanked by American flags, Guilfoyle slammed the state Newson governs as a a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes.

The harsh words came as Newsom continues to struggle with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting tanking economy and epic unemployment, and the worst wildfires the Bay Area has ever seen.

It was hard to tell if it was personal or part of President Trumps re-election strategy, Ballard said.

Guilfoyle also took aim at her onetime professional rival, Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris, telling the TV audience, If you want to see the socialist (Joe) Biden-Harris future for our country, just take a look at California.

Kat Wade / The Chronicle 2004

Guilfoyles California carpet bombing is the latest chapter in the ongoing public and private relationships among Guilfoyle, Newsom and, to a lesser extent, Harris.

Those relationships date to the early 2000s, when they all were seen as young up-and-comers in the political and social circles that revolved around City Hall and the Getty mansion on the so-called Gold Coast atop Pacific Heights.

At the time Guilfoyle was an assistant district attorney and part of the prosecution team in the infamous Pacific Heights dog-mauling trial.

The case involved two giant Presa Canarios whose owner was a high-ranking member of the Aryan Brotherhood at Pelican Bay State Prison and is serving three life sentences. The dogs were being cared for by Paul Cornfed Schneiders attorneys, Robert Noel and Marjorie Knoller, who were also Schneiders adoptive parents.

The dogs had mauled their apartment house neighbor Diane Whipple to death as she was returning from grocery shopping. Noel served two years for involuntary manslaughter and died in 2018. Knoller remains in prison on a second-degree murder conviction.

The trial was an international sensation, and Guilfoyle caught the eye of cable executives in New York who began using her as an on-air legal analyst.

At the same time Guilfoyle, a born-and-raised San Franciscan, was also making news with her new husband, then-Supervisor Newsom, who with the backing of then-Mayor Willie Brown was eyeing a run for mayor.

And Harris, Browns former girlfriend, was using her considerable glamour, brains and connections to make her mark on the city and a run for district attorney. While it was all smiles in public, the competition between Guilfoyle and Harris, who had worked together as prosecutors in the DAs office, was intense.

Guilfoyle claimed that Harris had tried to block her from being rehired at the DAs office after moving to Los Angeles for a spell. Guilfoyle did get her job back and went on to dog-maul fame. Harris moved over to the City Attorneys Office.

The bottom line is she didnt want me there, Guilfoyle said at the time.

In separate, hard-fought campaigns in 2003, Newsom was elected mayor and Harris was elected district attorney.

Kimberly was very involved in Newsoms first mayoral campaign, but after that she was spending more and more time in New York pursuing her TV career, said P.J. Johnston, who served as Browns press secretary.

After a few years of living increasingly separate, bicoastal lives, Newsom and Guilfoyle divorced in 2006.

But according to friends, the two have have remained in touch, something they occasionally joke about.

According to the Washington Post, when Newsom was running for governor in 2018, Guilfoyle called and had him give her then-new boyfriend, Donald Trump Jr., tips on how to manage his hair.

More recently Guilfoyle and Trump Jr. have emerged as two of the biggest fundraisers for the presidents re-election campaign.

Guilfoyles presence in the Trump camp may also help explain Newsoms two-sided relationship with the president.

That relationship appears to have transcended the public slap Newsom gave the president during last weeks Democratic National Convention for threatening to cut off federal assistance to fight Californias wildfires because he says we havent raked enough leaves.

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.

You cant make that up, Newsom said in his convention video.

The next day at a news conference, he made nice, telling reporters of his strong personal relationship with Trump.

Theres not one phone call that I have made to the president where he hasnt quickly responded, and almost in every instance, he has responded favorably in addressing the emergency needs of this state, Newsom said.

Closer to home, Newsom has also remained close to Harris, despite their apparent sibling rivalry.

As one former consultant who worked with both of them explained, given that Newsom and Harris share the same political and fundraising base, a race between the two would end in mutual career suicide.

So now Harris is running for vice president, Newsom is running California, and Guilfoyle is taking not-so-veiled shots at both of them.

With the next chapter yet to be written.

Say what you will, but it all makes for one hell of a story, said longtime Newsom and Harris friend Stanlee Gatti, event producer to the social and tech set.

We are not going to see stars like this coming out of San Francisco again for a long time, Gatti said.

Cue the fireworks.

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
New Delhi, Aug 25 : Blaming the "Communist-Islamist lobby" and the "Jihadi-Naxal camp", the RSS' English language mouthpiece 'Organiser' has hit out at the pressure groups behind Bloomsbury India's recent decision to withdraw the book 'Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story', whose pre-launch event caused an online stir.

The RSS' scathing article comes immediately after its Hindi mouthpiece 'Panchjanya' lashed out at Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, calling him the "Dragon's favorite Khan", for his visit to the Turkish first family and his apparent popularity in China.

Printed under the headline "Sham called 'responsible publishing'; Shameful suppression of FoE", the RSS magazine dedicated 4 pages to this issue. The article states that "Bloomsbury India breaches the contract with the authors and backs out from publishing the book titled 'Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story' under pressure from "Communist-Islamist lobbyists." Calling the Delhi riots "anti-Hindu", the article says the publication came under pressure from "the jihadis and naxals who are opposed to free speech".

'Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story', a book on the horrific violence in northeast Delhi earlier this year, was withdrawn by publisher Bloomsbury India after it stirred a row in the wake of an 'invitation' stating that BJP leader Kapil Mishra, seen by some as sparking the riots, would be among those attending its virtual launch on Saturday, which he did along with BJP General Secretary Bhupender Yadav and noted filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri.

The event was "organised without our knowledge by the authors, with participation by parties, of whom the publishers would not have approved", Bloomsbury said following online outrage, adding it "strongly supports freedom of speech but also has a deep sense of responsibility towards society".

The article in the RSS mouthpiece alleges that "the online book launch event caused consternation in Jihadi-Naxal camp". It claimed that the publishers "chickened out" in the face of pressure from the same group of people.

Describing those clamouring for the withdrawal, the article goes on to allege that "The mob was led by people such as controversial actress Swara Bhaskar, Congress supporter Saket Gokhale, Leftist author Meena Kandasamy, Hindu phobic journalists like Hartosh Singh Bal, anti-India author Rana Ayyub, among others. The South Asia solidarity initiative, which has links to Islamists, also jumped onto the bandwagon to bully Bloomsbury India into withdrawing the book".

The article also highlighted how the same publishers came out with a book on the Shaheen Bagh protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

The article articulated the retaliation the publication faced as a mark of protest for the withdrawal of the book that set social media on fire.

Sanjeev Sanyal, who is the Principal Economic Adviser to the Ministry of Finance, JNU professor Anand Ranganathan, Rajasthan cadre IAS officer Sanjay Dixit, and author and Consulting Editor of a business daily Monika Halan were among a host of authors who disassociated themselves from the publishers, following the row.

While making their decision, which the article claims was due to the "pressure" from a select set of individuals and groups, Bloomsbury India had said, "... in view of very recent events, including a virtual pre-publication launch organised without our knowledge by the authors, with participation by parties of whom the publishers would not have approved, we have decided to withdraw publication of the book." In the most recent edition of 'Panchjanya', the RSS also lashed out at Bollywood star Aamir Khan. The article "Dragon's favorite Khan" spread over 4 pages said, "Aamir Khan's movie 'Dangal' did a business of Rs 1400 crore in China while Salman Khan's 'Sultan' could only do business of Rs 40 crore. Aamir Khan is the brand ambassador of Chinese phone company Vivo which ignores security issues. According to Global Times, he has more than 10 lakh followers on Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo." (Anindya Banerjee can be contacted at anindya.b@ians.in)
A senior police official said cross FIRs were registered against both the accused and the journalist's family in 2019 with regard to the property dispute.

Ballia (Uttar Pradesh): A journalist working with a Hindi news channel was on Monday night shot dead in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, police said. He has been identified as Ratan Singh (45).

"A journalist working with a Hindi news channel was shot dead on Monday night in Phephana. He has been identified as Ratan Singh (45)," said Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Yadav.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said three people, Dinesh Singh, Arvind Singh and Suneel Singh, have been arrested in this connection.

According to the police, the journalist was involved in a property dispute with his neighbour Dinesh Singh.

"Ratan had a dispute regarding property with his neighbor. On Monday evening, there was a fight between the two sides, and the neighbour shot at him. Accused Dinesh Singh is also Ratan Singh's parcener," said Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar.

A senior officer said cross FIRs were registered against both the parties in 2019 in connection with the property dispute.

A case was registered against Ratan Singh, but his name was later cleared, he said.

Talking about Monday's incident, Kumar asserted that the reason behind Ratan's murder was property dispute and not related to the journalist's work.

"Action under the National Security Act and Gangster Act will also be taken against the three accused," he added.
The on Tuesday reserved its judgement on the sentence of senior lawyer in connection with a contempt of court case over his tweets accusing former Chief Justices of India of corruption.

A bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, reserved the order after hearing the arguments on the sentencing of Bhushan in the suo motu criminal contempt case.

Senior advocate Dr Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for Prashant Bhushan, sought permission to read out the supplementary statement by Bhushan during the hearing. To this, Justice Mishra pointed out what was the point of reading it when the court has already read it.

Attorney General KK Venugopal said that several sitting and retired judges of the and High Courts (former) have commented upon corruption in the higher judiciary.

AG Venugopal further said that these statements were perhaps only to tell the court about the facts and ask for reforms. "It may be a fit case to forgive him. The apex court may consider and may give him a warning and let him (Bhushan) go," Venugopal suggested.

Bhushan was earlier this month held guilty of contempt of court by the for two of his tweets, the first one posted on June 29, related to his comment/post on a picture of CJI Bobde on a high-end bike.

In his second tweet, Bhushan expressed his opinion on the role of last four CJIs amid the state of affairs in the country.

Earlier today, the Supreme court also deferred the hearing on another contempt of court case against and asked the Chief Justice of India to place before an "appropriate" bench questions arising out of the matter.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25)  The country's COVID-19 fight will receive another boost under the proposed 2021 national budget, alongside efforts to upgrade connectivity among industries.

The Budget Department handed over the 4.506-trillion proposed spending plan to the House of Representatives on Tuesday in a short ceremony inside Batasan Complex. The budget is nearly a tenth higher than the 4.1 trillion funds allocated this year.

The cash budget is dubbed "Reset, Rebound, and Recover," alluding to the country's continuing need to support programs for COVID-19 response and economic recovery.

Spending priorities

Social services dominated the allocations with 1.66 trillion, accounting for nearly 37 percent. A big chunk of the amount will go to universal healthcare at 203.1 billion, led by 71.4 billion to be managed by PhilHealth. The agency is currently in hot water over multiple corruption allegations.

The government has so far spent 376 billion for coronavirus prevention and cure. Meanwhile, the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which is set to be signed into law soon, will provide an additional 165.5 billion for response measures and economic stimulus programs.

Next year, the Budget Department wants to allot another 16.6 billion to pay and hire health workers, 4.8 billion to upgrade medical facilities, 2.7 billion for additional personal protective equipment, and 2.5 billion to buy COVID-19 vaccines. This is on top of a 10 billion standby fund under the Bayanihan 2 bill.

The government is also setting aside 1 billion to buy additional coronavirus test kits.

Meanwhile, infrastructure projects under the "Build, Build, Build" program will receive 1.107 trillion.

The Department of Public Works and Highways will receive the bulk of funds for network development, flood control, and asset preservation programs. On the other hand, the Department of Transportation will receive 106.3 billion to fund railway projects on the pipeline.

A special focus is also given to medium-term information technology upgrades, which will receive 21.4 billion. Of the amount, 7.6 billion is earmarked for adapting to the "post-COVID life," such as for telecommunication infrastructure and for education.

Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said proposed projects seek to usher the shift towards digital government services and support e-commerce with more efficient online infrastructure.

By agency, the education cluster still tops the list, getting 754.4 billion to include provisions for free college education in state universities. The Public Works Department follows with 667.3 billion, while the Interior Department came third with 246.1 billion.

Among the major programs funded under the spending plan are dole outs under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (113.8 billion), irrigation services (31.5 billion), and efforts to combat communist armed conflict (19.1 billion).

Fast deliberations eyed

For his part, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano vowed to scrutinize the budget as he targets to finish discussions in the chamber by September. The measure will have to go through Senate scrutiny as well.

"I must give fair warning to the departments: if we find out that you are offline, hindi kayo maabot ng constituents or delayed sa inyo [constituents cannot reach your or your services are delayed]... Don't expect a smooth budget hearing or a good budget for next year," Cayetano said, adding that they will go easy on agencies considered as "frontliners" in the health crisis.

The lawmaker said he wants the budget to be ready for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature by mid-November, adding that safeguards will be installed against corruption.

The 2019 and 2020 budgets were signed relatively late compared to previous years. In particular, last year's budget was signed four months late, which left new projects unfunded and stifled economic growth.

RELATED: 'Politicking' over 2019 budget left more Filipinos poor, unemployed  Dominguez
PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- After 5 years in North Portland, Crisp Salads has added a second location on SE Division to serve a growing need for healthy, safe takeout and delivery. The local, woman-owned restaurant specializes in chopped salads with unexpected flavors from fresh ingredients made daily.

Crisp opens new salad shop on SE Division in Portland, Oregon featuring chopped salads with unexpected flavors from fresh ingredients made daily. Emmas Detox Salad features pickled onions, beets, sunflower seeds, carrots, radish, avocado, and house-made garden ranch dressing.

Even prior to the shutdown there was an increasing demand for whole foods via takeout and delivery which was only amplified when dining rooms closed on March 17th. With the new location on SE Division, Crisp brings more access to whole, fresh food. In addition, they created 15 jobs during a time when many restaurants and small businesses have been forced to close their doors.

"We were fortunate that we already had strong systems in place for online ordering and existing relationships with all the delivery services," said owner, Emma Dye. "It was still incredibly slow and scary at first as it took time for customers to feel safe but our relationships with local non-profits, hospitals and city officials kept us going. We were able to donate a lot of food to those in need which in turn kept our team employed."

Crisp continues to be a trusted source of healthy meals for frontline workers at local hospitals.

Crisp salads are hearty meals, prepared-to-order by team members who are enthusiastic about providing food they can be proud to serve to their community. Unique chef-designed options like the Crispy Chicken with gluten-free oven baked chicken, feisty walnuts and house-made honey mustard dressing, or the NoPo featuring wild salmon, Oregon hazelnuts and Marionberry dressing are fan favorites. Diners can also design their own salads from over 50 different ingredients starting at 8.95. Salad ingredients, soups and dressings are made on-site daily.

About Crisp

Emma Dye experienced her first made-to-order salad while on a business trip to the East Coast in 2013. Putting her own spin on the salad concept she opened Crisp in 2015. Today, Crisp is Portland's only locally owned chopped salad restaurant. Second only to taste, freshness is critical to Crisp customers; the restaurant features preservative-free dressings and signature salad ingredients made in small batches on-site.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Emma Dye.

[email protected]

Mobile: (503) 380-5434

3901 N Williams / 2045 SE Division

crispsaladsnw.com

SOURCE Crisp Salad Restaurant
The military suspects that the twin attack is the work of the Abu Sayaf jihadist group, linked to the Islamic State. Last year a suicide bomber blew himself up in the city's cathedral. Southern Philippines wracked by clashes between the Security Forces and separatist rebels, some of which are jihadist. Msgr. Charlie Inzon: "End the violence".

Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A twin bomb attack yesterday shook the southern island of Jolo, killing 15 people (eight soldiers and seven civilians, including an attacker) and wounding 75. First, a homemade bomb mounted on a motorcycle exploded; an hour later, a woman blew herself up near the area of the first blast.

So far there has been no claim, but the military suspects that both bombings are the work of Abu Sayaf, the Islamic extremist group originally linked to al-Qaeda and then to the Islamic State. It is also responsible for the suicide bombing of the Jolo Cathedral in January 2019, causing 20 deaths and more than 100 injured.

The Southern Philippines is mostly inhabited by Muslims, a minority in a majority Catholic country. For decades it has been the scene of clashes between the Security Forces and separatist rebels, some of which are of jihadist origin. Abu Sayaf is known in the news for brutality and for kidnappings for ransom, often of Western tourists.

According to some analysts, the terrorist act could be a retaliation for the arrest at the beginning of the month of a leader from Abu Sayaf on the island of Mindanao.

Bishop of Jolo, Msgr Charlie Inzon, condemned the incident, asking for prayers for the victims. He also launched an appeal to put an end to the violence in the country, which is already struggling with the tragedy of the pandemic, and urged the population to remain calm and alert.
Phuket light rail running another two years late

PHUKET: Construction of the Phuket light-rail project is now expected to begin in 2023 and open to serve passengers in 2026, it was revealed at a public hearing held to garner opinions from local residents yesterday (Aug 24).

tourismtransportconstructioneconomics

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 25 August 2020, 05:45PM

Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) Assistant Governor Sarot Torsuwan at the meeting in Phuket Town yesterday (Aug 24). Photo: PR Phuket

The public meeting was held at the Phuket Royal City Hotel in Phuket Town, attended by Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) Assistant Governor Sarot Torsuwan and Phuket Vice Governor Wongsakorn Nunchukan.

Mr Sarot explained that the meeting aimed to explain the project to the public and to receive feedback from local officials and residents, which will be used to support the project in the future, said a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department of Thailand (PR Phuket).

We expect to present peoples opinions and our research about this project to the Cabinet in the middle of next year, and open bids for the private sector to join the project investment in 2022, in order that the project can be started in 2023 and be ready to use in 2026, Mr Sarot explained, said the PR Phuket report..

The project, which is now being described as LRT/Tram, remains divided into two phases, the meeting was told yesterday.

As repeated for years, Phase 1, from Phuket International Airport to Chalong Circle, will be around 42 kilometres long. Along the route will be 21 stations, including one underground station and one elevated station.

At the meeting yesterday, many people called for more stations to be added along Thepkrasattri Rd, and to provide discounted fares to local residents to encourage them to use the rail service. Fares are currently expected to start at B35 and range up to a maximum of B140.

People at the meeting yesterday also called for spaces to be made available for tourists luggage, and to publish periodic updates on the progress of the project.

Public feedback has already resulted in one change in the plans, the Bangkok Post reported.

As the LRT/Tram makes its way from Saphan Hin to Chao Fa West Rd, instead of travelling along Sakdidet Rd as previously planned, the now-revised route will cross the Thepsrisin Bridge instead.

Phase 1 will cost B35 billion, it was repeated yesterday. The MRTA website features a breakdown of the investment required as follows: Land Acquisition  B1.499bn; Civil Works  B24.774bn; M&E and System Works  B3,514bn; Rolling Stock  B2,921bn; Project Management and Construction; Supervision  B1,065bn; Provisional Sum  B1.428bn; Total  B35,201bn.

According to previous reports, the project will be developed under the PPP Net Cost scheme, whereby the private sector shoulders investment costs and risks in addition to the governments B27bn investment, and shares revenue with the government under a 28-year concession contract covering three years of construction and 25 years of operation.

From the study, the project will give an economic internal rate of return (EIRR) of around 13.11%, the meeting was told yesterday.

Phase 2 will be around 16.5km long, from Baan Tha Noon in Phang Nga to Baan Muang Mai in Thalang, the PR Phuket report noted. The route is to comprise three stations.

However, MRTAs Project Development Department Director, Gardphajon Udomdhammabhakdi confirmed to The Phuket News last year that the budget for only Phase 1 of the project at that time stood at B34.8bn.

Actually, we dont know how much Phase 2 will cost, Mr Gardphajon said.

Phase 2 is aimed at providing a rail link from Phuket to connect with a railway line being developed across Phang Nga from Surat Thani.

Meanwhile, the news that the MRTA is to present the revised plans to Cabinet later this year will see the project delayed at least another two years.

In 2015 the project was touted to be completed by next year, and as recently as December last year the MRTA announced that bids for the project were to open mid-2020, with the project expected to be completed by 2024.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 17:58:06|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

GAZA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- An overnight mysterious blast in eastern Gaza city killed four members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the PIJ said in an official statement sent to Xinhua on Tuesday.

The four men, all members of the PIJ's armed wing al-Quds Brigades, lost their lives in the explosion that wrecked their neighborhood, said the statement.

The four were aged 42, 29, 25, and 23 respectively and live in al-Shuja'eya neighborhood, according to the PIJ statement.

Eyewitnesses said the powerful explosion came when Israeli reconnaissance drones and warplanes hovered over the area.

However, an Israeli army spokesman denied Palestinian media reports that Israel was behind the deadly explosion in Gaza.

The explosion coincided with a growing tension that has continued for about two weeks between Israel and Gazan militants in the Palestinian enclave. Enditem
You Work Like Animals: Inside Chinas Vast Prison Labor System

For three years on and off, Li Dianqin worked for about 17 hours a day making cheap clothingfrom bras to trousersin a Chinese prison. She worked for no pay and faced punishment by prison guards if she failed to meet production quotas.

One time, a team of about 60 workers who couldnt reach their quota were forced to work for three days straight, not allowed to eat or go to the bathroom. The guards would shock the prisoners with electric batons whenever they dozed off.

Li described the prison, Liaoning Womens Prison, located in the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang, Liaoning Province, as not a place for humans to stay.

They arrest you and make you work. You eat food that is no better than pig feed and work like animals, Li said.

Li, now 69 and living in New York, was imprisoned at the facility from 2007 to 2010 for refusing to give up her belief in the spiritual practice Falun Gong. The Chinese regime has maintained an expansive persecution campaign against Falun Gong since 1999, after the practice surged in popularity to roughly 100 million adherents, according to official estimates.

In addition to clothes, the prison made a range of goods destined for export, from artificial flowers to cosmetics to Halloween toys.

Li was but a tiny cog in Chinas sprawling prison-labor machine, spitting out cheap products for distribution in the global supply chain.

The Chinese regimes forced labor practices have drawn fresh scrutiny as U.S. customs officials in recent months clamped down on imports made with Chinese prison labor. Since September 2019, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued four detention orders against Chinese companies, barring their goods from entering the country.

CBPs seizure in June of 13 tons of human hair products from the northwestern region of Xinjiang cast a spotlight on Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, who are subject to forced labor as part of the regimes campaign of suppression. Pressure has also been mounting on international clothing brands to cut ties with factories in Xinjiang, particularly after researchers in March found that tens of thousands of Uyghurs have been transferred to work at factories across China in conditions suggestive of forced labor. Those facilities manufactured goods for 83 global brands.

Prison and forced labor is something that has infected the supply chain in China, said Fred Rocafort, a former U.S. diplomat who now works for international law firm Harris Bricken. Rocafort spent more than a decade working as a commercial lawyer in China, where he conducted more than 100 audits of factories to inspect whether they were protecting the intellectual property of foreign brands he represented, and in some cases, to check whether they were using forced labor.

This is a problem that has been around for much longer than the current human rights crisis in Xinjiang, Rocafort said.

He said foreign companies would often outsource their manufacturing to suppliers in China, which would then contract with companies that used prison labor, or with prisons directly.

If youre a warden at a prison in China, you have access to labor, and you might be able to offer very competitive prices to  the China supplier, Rocafort said.

He said that foreign brands have historically not dedicated much energy to scrutinizing their Chinese supply chains for forced labor, but growing awareness over the years has led to some progress. Even so, international firms face considerable hurdles in getting access to accurate information about the labor practices of their suppliers and their suppliers suppliers. A lack of transparency runs across the supply chain, he said.

Criminal Enterprise

Li said Liaoning Womens Prison was divided into many work units, each composed of hundreds of inmates. Li was in prison unit No. 10, where inmates were forced to make clothes from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. After that, each prisoner had to make about 10 to 15 artificial flower stems. Li typically didnt finish until after midnight. Those who were slowerespecially the elderlysometimes stayed up all night to finish the work, Li said.

Chinese prisons are like hell, she said. Theres not a bit of personal freedom.

Li still remembers the acrid smell generated by another prison unit that made cosmetics meant for South Korea. The burnt smell and dust that permeated the production floor made the workers short of breath and were the source of constant complaintsthough they couldnt let the guards hear them, or else they would get beaten, Li said.

She once overheard a conversation between prison guards, during which she learned that the prison was renting each inmate from the provincial justice bureau at a price of about 10,000 yuan ($1,445) per head per year.

At one point, the superintendent during a prison-wide meeting urged everyone to work hard because the prison will grow and expand, Li said.

The prison also made ghost decorations for Halloween by the truckload for export. Li had to pin black cloth around the ghosts with an iron wire. She later saw the same kind of decoration adorning an apartment door while walking in a New York neighborhood around Halloween.

Over the years, notes hidden in products allegedly written by Chinese prison laborers have been discovered by Western customers, bringing public attention to Chinas labor abuses. In 2019, British supermarket giant Tesco suspended a Chinese supplier of Christmas cards after a customer found a message written inside a card saying it was packed by prisoners who were victims of forced labor.

In 2012, an Oregon woman found a handwritten letter inside a Halloween decoration kit she bought at Kmart. The letter was from a man detained at the notorious Masanjia Labor Camp in the northern Chinese city of Shenyang, who provided an account of torture and persecution at the facility. The man, Sun Yi, a Falun Gong practitioner, had been sentenced to 2 1/2 years of forced labor at the camp in 2008, and had hid many letters in the Halloween decorations he was forced to produce and package.

In 2000, Li, who is from Shenyang, was herself detained at Masanjia Labor Camp, where she worked from morning to night making plastic flowers.

While the flowers ended up looking just gorgeous, making them was torture, Li said. Inmates were not supplied with gloves or masks to protect against the toxic mist formed by the plastic particles that filled the air. All the guards wore masks.

The laborers werent allowed any breaks except to go to the bathroom, which required a signature from the guard. Hygiene standards were nonexistent.

Washing your hands is not a thing. You working more is all that matters, Li said.

Yu Ming, a Falun Gong practitioner now in the United States who was detained at Masanjia multiple times, last year released undercover footage he smuggled out of the camp, showing detainees in 2008 making diodes, small electronic components, for sale in international markets.

Vast Network

Wang Zhiyuan, director of U.S.-based nonprofit World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong, said the Chinese prison labor industry is a sprawling economic machine that falls under the supervision of the regimes judiciary system.

He described the regimes ability to tap into this unreported source of labor as a powerful strategic weapon to advance Beijings global economic ambitions.

Regardless of how much tariffs the United States imposes on China, the Chinese Communist Partys slave labor industry will not be significantly affected, Wang said.

The organization in 2019 released a report that uncovered 681 companies that use prison labor across 30 provinces and regions, which made an array of products from dolls to sweaters for sale overseas. Many of the companies were state-owned, while some were controlled by the Chinese military, the report said. The legal representatives of 432 prison enterprises, or about two-thirds of the total, are also the heads of their local provincial prison administration, it found.

Even though the regime formally abolished its labor camp system in 2013, findings from the report suggest that the forced labor industry is alive and well.

The labor camps simply changed their names and merged into the prison system, Wang said, like offering the same medicine with a different broth.

A previous version of the article misspelled the name of Li Dianqin. The Epoch Times regrets the error.

Eva Fu China Reporter Follow Eva Fu is a New York-based writer for The Epoch Times focusing on U.S.-China relations, religious freedom, and human rights. Contact Eva at eva.fu@epochtimes.com
Footage of the incident on North Queen Street

A man in his 30s was attacked by a gang of youths in north Belfast on Monday in what police are treating as a sectarian hate crime.

A woman in her 30s was also assaulted during the incident.

Police have appealed for information following the attacks in the North Queen Street area.

Shortly after 3pm, it was reported a group of young people were in the area when one of the males caused damage to a white Seat Leon car which was parked nearby.

The man was then attacked by "several people" from the group, with police saying the incident is being "treated as a sectarian hate crime".

Neither the man nor woman suffered serious injuries.

Expand Close Footage of the incident on North Queen Street / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Footage of the incident on North Queen Street

PSNI Chief Inspector Kelly Moore said police enquiries into the incident were continuing.

"We would appeal to anyone who was in the North Queen Street area at the time of the incident or who may have dash-cam footage available to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1256 24/08/20," she said.

"An online report can be submitted using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.

"Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.
David Arquette said that he would 'love' to see Hayden Panettiere return for the upcoming sequel Scream 5.

The 48-year-old actor and his ex-wife Courteney Cox, 56, already have confirmed that they will return for the fifth installment in the meta horror franchise to portray Dewey Riley and Gale Weathers.

David in an exclusive interview with Hollywood Life published Monday was asked about Hayden, 31, reprising her role as Kirby Reed from Scream 4.

Horror franchise: David Arquette shown in January in Utah, said that he would 'love' to see Hayden Panettiere return for the upcoming sequel Scream 5

'I love Hayden. I think she's a tremendous person and actress, and I'd love to see her back,' David said.

Hayden's character Kirby was last seen in the 2011 sequel Scream 4 bleeding profusely after being stabbed by Charlie and left for dead.

David and Courtney have starred in all four of the Scream films along with Neve Campbell, 46, who plays Sidney Prescott in the slasher franchise.

Neve reportedly has been in talks to join Scream 5.

Scream star: Hayden, shown in January 2019 in Los Angeles, played Kirby Reed in the 2011 sequel Scream 4

Fourth installment: Scream 4 starred Hayden and Emma Roberts

'We're all hoping that Neve does it. That's really where we are right now because it really wouldn't be the same without Neve,' David said.

Mexican actress Melissa Barrera, 30, and Disney Channel star Jenna Ortega, 17, were cast earlier this month in undisclosed roles

Selena Gomez, 28, also apparently has joined the cast as the Scream 5 directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett and the rest of the cast recently followed her on social media.

Franchise regulars: Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox are shown in a still from Scream 2

Reprsing roles: David and Courteney, shown in Scream 4, will be back for Scream 5

Scream 5 is scheduled to be released in 2021.

The first Scream film was released in 1996 and the first four films were directed by horror master Wes Craven, who died in 2015 at age 76 in Los Angeles.

David was promoting his new documentary project, You Cannot Kill David Arquette, that is now playing in drive-in theaters and coming to Digital and On Demand on August 28.
"Our customer is at the core of everything we do," says Kimberly Grabel, Senior Vice President, Marketing. "We are responding to her wardrobe needs by enabling her to look chic and unique, regardless of her personality or destination. We put great care and intention into every piece throughout our collection, crafting designs as versatile as the women we serve."

Inspired by its heritage of global artisan designs, Chico's continues to create carefully curated seasonal collections with quality, comfort and versatility as the focal point. From wardrobe essentials to unforgettable styles, every item is unique.

"As part of the brand refresh, we have enhanced our logo with an emphasis on the essence of the brand by highlighting the chic in Chico's," Grabel continued. "This new modern design is an introduction of an artful brushstroke that captures the artistic essence of our brand. It signifies our celebration of women who embrace the unique expressions of their individual style."

Chico's is known for its passionate and dedicated community of brand advocates. Despite COVID-19, the Chico's social media community has grown 15%, and the brand continues to see record-breaking engagement metrics.

"As a brand that seeks to spark joy for women, we have created narratives that engage the customer in a personal way and aim to put the spirit of chic in everything we do," states Brett Bolin, Creative Director. "We're working with talented artists and set designers to create custom works of art inspired by the design of our collections. You'll see this hand-painted artwork throughout the photography of our seasonal campaigns."

Chico's will be hosting a sweepstakes for customers next month for a chance to win a piece of the artwork showcased in the upcoming Fall campaign.

As part of the integrated marketing campaign, Chico's is also partnering with a diverse group of social media influencers over the age of 40, who have a unique sense of style and a joyous attitude, to amplify the initiative and drive new customer acquisition.

To view the latest collection featuring easy-fitting, effortlessly chic styles that suit the new, more casual way of living, visit www.chicos.com.

About Chico's

Chico's was founded in 1983 as a small gallery filled with artfully stylish pieces. Chico's continues to provide carefully curated collections with quality, comfort and versatility, and essentials punctuated by memorable pieces, pops of color & prints, and globally inspired finds.

Now, there are over 600 Chico's boutiques and outlets nationwide, international (franchise) partners, a monthly catalogue, and 24/7 shopping at chicos.com and chicosofftherack.com.

About Chico's FAS, Inc.

Chico's FAS is a Florida-based fashion company founded in 1983 on Sanibel Island, Fla. The Company reinvented the fashion retail experience by creating fashion communities anchored by service, which put the customer at the center of everything we do. As one of the leading fashion retailers in North America, Chico's FAS is a company of three unique brands  Chico's, White House Black Market and Soma  each thriving in their own white space, founded by women, led by women, providing solutions that millions of women say give them confidence and joy.

Our Company has a passion for fashion, and each day, we provide clothing, shoes and accessories, intimate apparel and expert styling in our brick-and-mortar boutiques, digital online boutiques and through Style Connect, the Company's proprietary digital styling tool that enables customers to conveniently shop wherever, whenever and however they prefer.

As of February 1, 2020, the Company operated 1,341 stores in the U.S. and Canada and sold merchandise through 70 international franchise locations in Mexico and 2 domestic franchise airport locations. The Company's merchandise also is available at www.chicos.com, www.chicosofftherack.com, www.whbm.com, www.soma.com and www.mytelltale.com.

To learn more about Chico's FAS, visit www.chicosfas.com.

SOURCE Chico's FAS, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.chicosfas.com


(ANSA) - ROME, 25 AGO - Hundreds of tourists were evacuated from the Sardinian resort of Budoni as a brushfire threatened the resort late Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

Some 250 tourist lodgings were evacuated.

The holiday camps of Matt' e Peru and Sa Raiga, both in the comune of Budoni, were cleared.

The fire broke out on the Tanaunella heights and then swept down along the state highway leading to Posada.

The comune opened the local amphitheatre to temporarily house over a hundred tourists.

The fire was put out at around 08:00 Tuesday.

Some of the tourists were allowed to return to their lodgings.

The 125 state highway was reopened.

In all, over 60 hectares of woodland and brush went up in smoke.

Farmers group Coldiretti said there had been some 50 large brushfires in Italy this summer.

It said they had been mainly the work of arsonists.

But the intense summer heat had worsened the situation, Coldiretti said. (ANSA).


The 14-day quarantine recommendation for returning travelers has been dropped by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Friday.

CDC said the lifting of the 14-day quarantine applies to both overseas and out-of-state returning travelers.

The updated CDC guidelines can be seen on the CDC website. While the 14-day quarantine recommendation was changed, the agency still cautioned travelers that they can still get COVID-19.

"You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to others," CDC warns. They still reminded people that, with or without quarantine, a person can still pass the virus on to their friends and family.

They told travelers to wear masks indoors, wash hands, keep on observing social distancing and keep an eye out for symptoms of COVID-19, Fox News reported.

If can be noted, though, that these guidelines have been around since the beginning of the pandemic. It applies to all Americans regardless of travel plans.

Before, the guidelines asked travelers to self-isolate for 14 days. The previous rules were most specific to those coming back from overseas or areas with high concentration of COVID-19 cases, said USA Today.

In an email to The Washington Post CDC spokesman Scott Pauley said the new guidelines are based on risk of exposure during travel. It makes travelers think about what they did, where they were or who they interacted with.

These factors will help find out how exposed they may be to the virus.

They told travelers to follow the strict advise regardless of what they did or where they went to during their trip.

Staying at Home Pays If You Travelled

CDC said being on trips can increase your risk of getting and spreading the virus. They stressed that staying at home amid the pandemic is the best way to stay healthy.

Being at home protects not just one person but also the others they may meet when they go out.

The agency recommends to check their guidelines if they must travel. All of the recommendations can be seen on government websites for their destinations.

They also said to check guidelines for places that they will be passing by in trips.

Travel requirements may vary between locations. Some places want those who recently travelled to stay at home for two weeks. Others have travelers get tested for COVID-19.

Plans for international travel can be better laid out by checking a country's Office of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Health for health requirements, said CDC.

The 14-Day Quarantine Helps Prevent Viral Spread

Doctors said that quarantines are most welcome, especially if a person went to an area that was heavily impacted by coronavirus. Quarantines are especially useful if testing is not absent.

"Broadly speaking, if someone travels to an area with an active outbreak, it's reasonable upon return for them to be required to either get tested or to quarantine," Boston University epidemiologist Sandro Galea said.

CDC did still note that being in crowds and not staying at home makes the chances of contracting the virus go up. There may be people who are asymptomatic and spread the disease, they warned.

Check these out!

More Latinos in California are Dying of COVID-19

These Small Everyday Activities Put You at COVID-19 Risk

COVID-19: Singing Not Riskier Than Talking, New Study Suggests
American fast food restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken, or KFC, logo seen at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Alex Tai/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

KFC is temporarily suspending its iconic "Finger Lickin' Good" motto amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The company said in a statement that the 64-year-old slogan "doesn't feel quite right" in 2020 as health experts urge people to wash their hands often and avoid touching their faces to avoid infection.

The motto will still be featured on products but the words "Finger Lickin'" blurred out on products in the UK, Canada, and parts of Asia. Packaging will not be altered in the US, FOX Business reported.

"We find ourselves in a unique situation  having an iconic slogan that doesn't quite fit in the current environment," Catherine Tan-Gillespie, global chief marketing officer at KFC, said in a statement.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

KFC will temporarily suspend its "Finger Lickin' Good" slogan citing hygienic concerns amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The slogan suspension is featured as part of an ad campaign in certain countries, with the brand blurring out the words "finger lickin'" from the company's iconic motto.

The campaign is set to appear in "the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, the Middle East, North Africa, South Africa and parts of Asia," a spokesperson for KFC told FOX Business, but will not be altered in the US.

The company said in a statement that the slogan "doesn't feel quite right" as health experts urge people to wash their hands and avoid touching their faces and mouths to prevent infection.

"We find ourselves in a unique situation  having an iconic slogan that doesn't quite fit in the current environment," Catherine Tan-Gillespie, global chief marketing officer at KFC, said in a statement.

She added that, while the company is pausing its famous motto, the fast-food chain's menu will not change, and the company will re-adopt the slogan "when the time is right."

KFC has used the "Finger Lickin' Good" slogan for more than 60 years.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 20:01 512 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c406b55a 1 National cyberattacks,press-freedom,Jakarta-police,press-law,ITE-Law,hacking,hackers Free

Representatives from news websites tempo.co and tirto.id visited the Jakarta Police headquarters on Tuesday to report recent cyberattacks they have encountered.

As the owner of tirto.id, I feel like my house has been ransacked by thieves. Therefore, Ive made the police report [today] in the hope of finding the perpetrators, tirto.id editor in chief Atmaji Sapto Anggoro said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

He explained that someone had broken into the media companys website and deleted at least seven articles, including some that scrutinized the coronavirus drug development involving the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) and the Indonesian Military (TNI). The attack occurred on Friday.

Tempo.co chief editor Setri Yasa, meanwhile, said the website was not accessible starting on Thursday midnight. The hacker took down the homepage replacing it with a statement that read Stop hoaxes. Dont lie to the Indonesian people, return to true journalistic ethics, obey the Press Council. Dont [bow to] people who pay. Defaced by @xdigeembok.

The problem was resolved by at around 2:26 a.m. the @xdigembook Twitter account claimed to be responsible for the hacks on the following morning. It also replied to one of the Tempo articles, saying Just wait. I will stick boogers onto your system again.

Read also: Civil groups condemn cyberattacks on Indonesian government critics

Tempo.co, which is a part of Tempo Media Group that also publishes Koran Tempo daily and Tempo weekly magazine, claimed to have suffered material and other losses because of the attack, hence it had filed the report to the police.

In their reports, they said the hackers had violated the 1999 Press Law by hindering the work of journalists, as well as the 2016 Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law by destroying or removing electronic information.

The Legal Aid Institute for the Press (LBH Pers), tempo.co and tirto.id's lawyer in the case, hoped that the police could soon proceed with their investigation and find the perpetrators to protect press freedom in the country.

We want the police to be serious in handling our clients reports to prove that the state is there to protect the rights of its citizens, LBH Pers director Ade Wahyudin said.

The social media account of a University of Indonesia (UI) epidemiologist, Pandu Riono, was also hacked previously. He is known to be critical of the governments COVID-19 related policies, such as tourism promotion amid the pandemic and the ineffectiveness of rapid antibody tests that have become a requirement for traveling.

Prior to the hacking, the scientist criticized Airlangga University in Surabaya, East Java, for not reporting its potential vaccine to the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) to undergo clinical trials, but handing it over to BIN and TNI instead.
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja assured Nigerians and the international community that his administration will use the remaining years in office to improve access to quality education, health care and enhance productivity, while listing nine priority areas.

The president, who received Letters of Credence from Ambassadors/High Commissioners of eight countries at the State House, said efforts were being made to sustain Nigerias position as profitable investment destination with unequalled incentives in all sectors, especially large market and flexible tax system which investors from various countries can take advantage of.

The Ambassadors/High Commissioners who presented their Letters of Credence are: Hocine Latil of Algeria; Luong Quoc Thinh of Vietnam; Dr Benson Alfred Bana of Tanzania; Traore Kalilou of Cote dIvoire; Abakar Saleh Chahaimi of Chad; Jamal Mohammed Barrow of Somalia; Brahim Salem El Mami Buseif of Sahrawi Arab Republic and Mohammed Alibak of Iran.

The president told the diplomats about Nigerias priority, and the need to streamline on people-focused policies.

In our efforts to achieve a realistic domestic and foreign policy, as well as national development, we have identified the following nine priority areas to guide our policy directions over the next few years.

Build a thriving and sustainable economy; Enhance social inclusion and reduce poverty; Enlarge agricultural output for food security and export; Attain energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products and expand transport and other infrastructural development.

Expand business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialization; Expand access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians; Build a system to fight corruption, improve governance and create social cohesion; and improve security for all.

Describing Nigerians as the nations most prized assets, President Buhari said the nine priority mandates were already reflected in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, a medium-term initiative pioneered by the government to restore economic growth and development while leveraging the resourcefulness and resilience of the citizens.

The president urged the diplomats to use the opportunity of working in the country to improve relations with their governments and people.

I have no doubt that you might have prior and in-depth knowledge of Nigerias huge potential which you will hopefully see for yourselves. I therefore, urge you to go around the country, see things for yourselves and report to your home governments. This is important as you all are representatives of both your sending and host states.

President Buhari said Nigeria will remain steadfast in pursuing deeper and valuable relations among nations, without discrimination.

Nigeria strongly supports joint action to ensure a democratic and fair world order based on strict respect for the norms of international law, the United Nations Charter, recognition of the unquestionable value of cultural diversity, national sovereignty, and the right of all countries to decide their future freely, without external pressure.

President Muhammadu Buhari, receives Letters of Credence from Ambassadors/High Commissioners of eight countries at the State House (PHOTO CREDIT: @BashirAhmaad)

Nigeria does not divide its partners into big and small; we value and respect every country, and with every country we are ready to pursue dialogue, as well as build cooperation on the basis of equality and constructive mutual respect.

These include our cooperation in strengthening regional, continental and global peace and security, resolving complex issues, settling conflicts, as well as addressing dangerous threats to mankind, among which include terrorism, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, human trafficking, cybercrimes, poverty, communicable diseases and epidemics.

President Muhammadu Buhari, receives Letters of Credence from Ambassadors/High Commissioners of eight countries at the State House (PHOTO CREDIT: @BashirAhmaad)

Speaking on behalf of the Ambassadors/High Commissioners, the Ambassador of Algeria to Nigeria said each of the diplomats brings greetings and agenda from their home governments, but the bottom line remains to enhance cooperation and seek advancement in mutual areas of interest.

On behalf of my colleagues, we thank you for receiving us. We know that your schedule is tight. As the giant of Africa, you are always focused on resolving conflicts in the continent, while taking care of your domestic issues as well.

President Muhammadu Buhari, receives Letters of Credence from Ambassadors/High Commissioners of eight countries at the State House (PHOTO CREDIT: @BashirAhmaad)

The Algerian ambassador said the African ambassadors will leverage the opportunity to further enhance implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and learn from each other.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)
NEW YORK  The number of Americans newly diagnosed with the coronavirus is falling  a development experts say most likely reflects more mask-wearing but also insufficient testing  even as the disease continues to claim nearly 1,000 lives in the U.S. each day.

About 43,000 new cases are being reported daily across the country, down 21% from early August, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. While the U.S., India and Brazil still have the highest numbers of new cases in the world, the downward trend is encouraging.

Its profoundly hopeful news, said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious-diseases expert at the University of California, San Francisco, who credits the American publics growing understanding of how the virus spreads, more mask-wearing and, possibly, an increasing level of immunity.

Hopefully all those factors are coming into play to get this virus under control in this country thats really been battered by the pandemic, she said.

But insufficient testing is probably concealing the full extent of the crisis, said Dr. Jonathan Quick, who leads the pandemic response for the Rockefeller Foundation, which has recommended the U.S. test 4 million people a day by fall.

Were grossly under-testing in some of the places that are still having high caseloads, Quick said, singling out Mississippi, Texas, Georgia and North Dakota as hot spots with high rates of positive test results.

Even at 43,000 new cases per day, the U.S. remains far above the numbers seen during the spring, when new daily cases peaked at about 34,000, he said.

Its a good trend, but nowhere near what we need to be, Quick said of the recent decline.

The virus is blamed for more than 5.7 million confirmed infections and about 178,000 deaths in the U.S. Worldwide, the death toll is put at more than 810,000, with about 23.7 million cases.

Jeffrey Shaman, a public health expert at Columbia University, said he is skeptical enough people are immune to significantly slow the spread. But he agreed that changes in Americans behavior could well be making a difference, recalling the impact that peoples actions had in containing Ebola in West Africa several years ago.

Ebola stopped for reasons we didnt anticipate at the time. It was so horrifying that people stopped touching each other, Shaman said. Something similar may be happening with the coronavirus, he said.

I know I dont have nearly the number of contacts that I used to, Shaman said. But if we relax that, if we get complacent, will we just see another outbreak?

The decline in newly reported cases in the U.S. comes even as deaths from the virus remain alarmingly high. Officials have reported an average of 965 deaths per day from COVID-19 recently, down from 1,051 deaths a day in early August.

Deaths from the coronavirus are a lagging indicator  they trail new infections because of the time it takes for people to get sick and succumb to the disease.

The percentage of tests coming back positive for the disease has also declined over the past two weeks, from 7.3% to 6.1%. But that comes as the total number of tests administered has fallen from its August peak of more than 820,000 a day, leveling off in recent weeks at about 690,000 a day.

The situation has improved dramatically in several states that struggled with high caseloads earlier this summer.

In Arizona, for example, officials reported 859 new cases Tuesday, down from a peak of 5,500 in late June. More than 2,000 people arrived at the states hospitals showing symptoms of the virus on a single day in early July. This week, that number has been less than 1,000.

In Florida, where more than 10,000 people have died, the state reported 2,600 new virus cases Tuesday. Earlier in the summer, it was regularly reporting more than 10,000 new cases.

Malinda Coler, 37, of San Francisco, said she has been diligent about mask wearing and other preventive measures, less to protect herself than a best friend who has a compromised immune system, with severe arthritis psoriasis.

So I wear a damned mask and get infuriated when others dont, she said.

Most states now have some type of mask requirement, either through statewide orders issued by governors or from city and county rules that cover most of their population.

Even some conservative governors have gone along with masks. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves mandated masks in all public places earlier this month, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp dropped a lawsuit against Atlanta in a dispute over a requirement by the states largest city.

In Leeds, Alabama, Will Heath said he has seen greater adherence to mask rules around town, whether in stores or at his 5-year-old daughters cheerleading practice.

He and his wife, a nurse, have worn masks all along but said the attitude among others has shifted from Even if I get it, Ill be OK, to Lets make sure we dont give it to somebody else.

We have all been sort of operating under the assumption that we all have it or were going to get it eventually. So we want to make sure we dont spread it, Heath said.

Many places around the U.S. are seeing pockets of contagion, especially in college towns where students are holding parties and crowding into bars.

Over the past week, 531 students, faculty and staff at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa have tested positive for the virus, according to the school. Alabama said it tested nearly 30,000 students before classes began. The mayor of Tuscaloosa shut down bars for two weeks because of the spike, which could derail plans to continue the semester on campus.

The university is still moving ahead with fall sports in the football-crazed state, with plans to allow only about 20,000 fans at its 101,000-capacity stadium and a ban on tailgating. Coach Nick Saban weighed in on the virus Monday, urging people to wear masks.

Its not just about football. So, for people to make the right choices and decisions to wear their masks, do the things when theyre out publicly, respect the rules, respect the virus, thats important, he said.

Its not clear what will happen to case numbers as more school districts bring students back to classrooms and colleges reopen their campuses. In recent weeks, schools including the University of North Carolina, Michigan State and Notre Dame have moved instruction online after outbreaks on their campuses.

Officials at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville said four students are facing disciplinary proceedings after three hosted off-campus parties with no mask or other distancing and another left isolation to meet with others despite testing positive for the virus.

If the facts reported to the university are accurate, these students will face at least suspension from the university, and potentially greater penalties, Chancellor Donde Plowman wrote.

___

Associated Press writers Mae Anderson, Nicky Forster and John Zenor contributed to this story.
The relief from smoky air felt early Tuesday in parts of the wildfire-besieged Bay Area didnt last long: By late morning, air quality had taken a turn for the worse, hitting unhealthy levels again in the East Bay and Peninsula.

In the early hours, the air quality index was moderate, even good, in many areas.

This morning we had a nice layer of fog  and the deep marine layer is good for fire suppression, and produces better air quality, said Aaron Richardson, Bay Area Air Quality Management District spokesperson.

But that quickly dissipated as winds began carrying smoke from the CZU Lightning Complex fires from the southwest up into San Mateo and Redwood City, where levels have been firmly in the 150s since this morning.

Things began heating up and the air quality is getting worse today, as expected, Richardson said. The worst pockets seem to be the east side of the Peninsula, in Redwood City and San Mateo, even east San Francisco. ... The East Bay is in the solid orange and red.

An AQI of 151-200 is considered unhealthy, in the middle of the scale and coded in red. The 101-150 range right below, coded orange, is unhealthy for sensitive groups. The highest range is 301-500, considered hazardous, while good air quality ranges from 0 to 50 and moderate is 51-100. The spike in readings is related to PM2.5, or fine particulate matter pollution, which is found in wildfire smoke.

AQI levels were worst in San Pablo, registering 191 late this morning, as well as 183 in Vallejo and 172 in Berkeley around the same time. Oaklands AQI levels reached the high 160s, while the east part of San Francisco was seeing readings in the low 160s. Concord saw readings as high as 176 overnight, and midday Tuesday was in the 150s.

A Spare the Air Alert was previously set to run through Wednesday for the Bay Area, but on Tuesday it was extended to Friday. Wood burning is banned during alert periods.

The sheer number of wildfires burning all over the Bay Area and in nearby areas, combined with shifting wind patterns, means any area can be susceptible to unhealthy air quality.

Theres the fires burning in Point Reyes and Sonoma County, and that smoke can be blown from the north down into the region, Richardson said. Its a fluctuating situation now. The winds may be shifting now, and its a little bit hard to tell who gets affected the strongest.

He said the districts meteorologist is forecasting that sometime Wednesday or Thursday, the winds will shift to the more normal northwesterly flow.

In the meantime, Richardson encourages everyone to regularly check the air quality levels to help gauge how much time  if any  to spend outside.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang
The symbols of policing are famous: the badge and the gun. The badge connotes authority, the gun puts the force in law enforcement. The 9-millimeter semiautomatic is attached at the hip to every officer in the New York Police Department from their first day in uniform to their last.

Since the police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd earlier this year, police reform advocates have pushed for defunding or abolishing the police. In New York City, they have made some headway, with the repeal of 50-a, the state law that shielded police disciplinary records, and the subsequent publication of complaints against NYPD officers. The citys new budget took hundreds of millions from the police department for summer youth programming, education, and social services. There are other steps that could still transform police behavior: expanded training and revised training, tightened shooting protocols, making it easier to remove officers guilty of misconduct; requirements that officers live within city limits; and, of course, demilitarization. Calls for demilitarization usually focus on military grade equipment such as armored vehicles and tactical rifles, which are used only sporadically.

The more radical move would be to separate the badge from the gun. The handgun has been standard police equipment since the 19th Century, but its time to reevaluate, said Hawk Newsome, president of Greater New York Black Lives Matter. We need to stop thinking about police as soldiers, as a military force, and start thinking about them as a social services organization, Newsome argued.

In the United Kingdom, most officers are unarmed  only special units have guns  but the notion of unarmed officers patrolling New York Citys streets might seem hopelessly naive. Its certainly not politically realistic at the moment, but many reform advocates think its still a conversation worth starting. Some reform advocates argue it would create a city in which its residents feel safer, while enduring less psychological and emotional abuse at the hands of police.

Truthfully, if New York did disarm the vast majority of its officers  allowing only a specially vetted, specially trained unit in each precinct - the number of lives saved would be relatively minimal. Improved training and protocols, and dropping crime rates, have already cut the number of shootings by the NYPD from 994 in 1972 to 345 in 1995 and even further downward since then. By 2018, when the police responded to more than 6.1 million calls, of which 61,769 involved weapons, they fired guns in only 35 incidents. Just 17 of those were adversarial shootings at suspects, with five people killed. The rest were accidents, shooting at dogs, or police suicides and attempts.

Some of the lives saved would be of cops themselves. In New York City, the only two officers to die in the line of duty in the last three years were killed by friendly fire and more than a dozen officers attempted or committed suicide using firearms during that span.

Officers do shoot their weapons less, and we should give some credit there, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said. Unfortunately, there are other ways of over-policing and abusing people. I want to reframe and redefine what public safety is. Right now, (police think) its about making sure those crime numbers go down and using as much force as possible at all times to do it. But communities should have a big say in how theyre policed and very often they do not.

Always carrying guns reinforces an us-versus-them perspective, dividing the police from civilians, said Greg Smithsimon, a Brooklyn College sociology professor who studies policing issues. Police training now ingrains the warrior mentality, Smithsimon said, which leads to bullying behavior. You can do it because youve got a gun at your side, not because you have the power of the justice system, he said. That gun speaks really loudly in the way cops are willing to escalate situations.

Smithsimon believes that eliminating guns would change the social compact, producing a different relationship with civilians and thereby even reducing killings by cops in which no guns were used, like those of Eric Garner and George Floyd. Stripping away guns would take away some of the aggression and bravado, said Newsome. The police might learn a more humanist or heart-centered approach.

Other experts warn that merely removing guns alone wont change the polices attitude. That warrior mentality is totally out of context in 99 percent of interactions said Justin Hansford, executive director of the Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center at Howard University. But its really difficult to dislodge that mentality, even though police behavior is not tracking with the facts. Crime has gone down, the police are not likely to be shot. Fear is way overblown. It really comes down to race and this idea that these people are going to kill us.

Some situations require armed police, but if each precinct has a unit of armed officers available theyd still respond in a timely fashion, according to disarming advocates. Cops rarely show up when a violent crime is being committed, Smithsimon noted, so there wouldnt be much sacrifice in terms of safety.

No one believes the NYPD would welcome such a suggestion. The NYPD did not comment for this story, neither would Mayor Bill DeBlasio or City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

The two largest New York City police unions, however, were more than willing to express their scorn for the idea of disarming most police officers. Ed Mullins, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, said in a statement, The world is made up of smart people and stupid people and anyone seriously proposing disarming the police has just told the world they are stupid people.

Meanwhile, Police Benevolent Association president Patrick J. Lynch said in a statement: The proposal is asinine and dangerous. The United Kingdom saw only 33 people killed by guns last year. New York City just saw 51 shootings in a single weekend. Imagine what our streets would look like if criminals knew they were the only ones with guns. (It was actually 39 shootings, with 51 victims.)

Williams acknowledges that Americas demonic obsession with guns complicates any comparison to European policing, as its far more likely in the United States that a criminal suspect may be armed. I dont think America is like anywhere else in the world, in terms of guns, Williams said. Guns kill more people here than wars.

Changing gun control laws would directly reduce police shootings: regions with stricter gun control laws see fewer police shootings against citizens of all races, while those states with lax laws and higher rates of gun ownership  where the police are more likely to fear a suspect has a gun-- have more shootings.

But Williams still believes the concept of disarming police is at least worth discussing, or would be if the police unions werent so intransigent. The Police Benevolent Association and the Sergeants Benevolent Association are terrible on (reform), theyre just horrible, Williams said. I always say the union leaders would make great police chiefs in the Jim Crow South. (Lynch and Mullins did not respond to comment in particular.)

However, Phillip Atiba Goff, co-founder of the Center for Policing Equity at John Jay College, thinks that a heavily armed citizenry makes the idea of disarming the police seem not just fantastical but dangerous. Disarming the police has irresistible logic, but reasonable positions dont always make for good politics, he said, arguing that the policy would be one just one shooting away from a political catastrophe. Lets say, nationally, we disarmed law enforcement unilaterally  when an (unarmed) officer gets shot, youll have law enforcement walking off the job and the unions and citizens saying the politics have gone too far, Goff said. The backlash, he added, could yield worse policies for the Black community than what we have now.

Ultimately, Goff argues that changing society matters more than changing police rules. What we saw on the streets was not just a response to bad policing or to a lynching, it was a reaction to 400-plus years of targeted abuse and neglect of Black communities, Goff said, arguing that investing in and empowering Black communities matters more than resolving policing issues. We need conversations about reparations and the debt owed to Black communities, more than unilateral disarming (of police).

But advocates of disarming the cops say that while it might not be nearly enough, it would still be transformative. The racial hierarchy is steeped into the very foundations of our legal system and its so deeply entrenched that theres a direct correlation to seeing a black or brown person and seeing someone who is criminal and dangerous, said Alexis Hoag, a criminal defense and civil rights lawyer and a professor at Columbia Law. But while institutional racism and implicit bias extend far beyond law enforcement and require broader cultural reprogramming, disarming the police in the meantime would result in real change in terms of law enforcement engagement with local communities.

If police were unarmed, not only might people like Walter Scott, Tamir Rice and Sean Bell be alive, but their families, friends and the larger Black community would not have been traumatized. Saving one life makes any initiative worthwhile, but when youre talking about 5,000 people dead in five years, then obviously this experiment in policing has failed and we must go back to the drawing board and re-think policing, said Newsome.

And what may seem politically impossible today could be mainstream tomorrow. The Rockefeller drug laws in New York seemed impervious to repeal until they werent. The gap between the conceivable and the achievable is not always what we think it is, Smithsimon noted.

Newsome says disarming the police can succeed if its presented properly. Any modification to the police is translated as a threat to white American security, he said. If we can convince people theyll be secure in a new system we can win.

Hoag observed that when she started law school 15 years ago, people were not talking about defunding and abolishing the police or abolishing prisons, even among social justice advocates. Now, my law students come in as self-identified abolitionists, she said. I try not to dismiss some of these ideas as being too radical, Hoag added. If we start a conversation now, it may move to the mainstream. My students are coming out of Columbia Law School and some will eventually be in positions of power. They are hoping to establish these policies.
Representative images

India has recorded more than 31.6 lakh cases of the novel coronavirus and 58,390 deaths, according to the Union health ministry's latest update.

Of these, over 7.04 are active cases while more than 24.04 lakh have recovered.

Maharashtra has reported the highest number of infections, followed by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The health ministry updates its numbers a day after states release their data.

Globally, more than 2.3 crore infections and over 8.1 lakh deaths have been reported due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

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 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it is difficult to accurately assess the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic as the dynamics are still evolving.

>> The government said that India and Russia are in communication on Sputnik V vaccine and that initial information has been shared by Russia with India on the vaccine.

>> Metro train services in Delhi may be allowed when the 'Unlock 4' phase of the graded reopening from the coronavirus-induced lockdown begins on September 1, sources said.

>> Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar and Haryana Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma test positive for COVID- 19.

>> To facilitate smooth running of public transport in Bihar, the state transport department has allowed resumption of bus services.

>> Minors aged between 5 and 17 are the most exposed to the novel coronavirus in Delhi, according to a serological survey conducted in the city this month.

>> Amid the coronavirus-enforced lockdown, more than 1,300 people battling mental stress and depression have approached the Maharashtra government with requests for medical help, a state health official said.

>> Greta Thunberg voices support to calls for postponement of NEET and JEE exams.

>> Americans have to "make this China virus go away" and it is happening, President Donald Trump said, as he thanked frontline workers for their incredible efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmonate announced today its selection by 4Pines Fund Services to provide data operations services for high-touch private equity fund administration.

"The unprecedented events of 2020 are driving an evolution in the secondaries market, new advances for funds of funds, and new ideas among emergent asset managers," said Harmonate CEO Kevin Walkup. "Michael Trinkaus and the team at 4Pines Fund Services are at the forefront of the corresponding evolution in fund administration. 4Pines is that perfect match of exceptionally gifted and experienced industry professionals, augmented by the kind of ground up technology infrastructure that allows them to do their best work at greater scale, and deliver greater value. 4Pines is emblematic of what the best of the fund services industry increasingly looks like, and we're committed to accelerating that."

"Harmonate aligns with our vision of providing asset managers with the benefits of unique expertise backed by innovative software architecture and data solutions," said 4Pines Fund Services CEO Michael Trinkaus. "Our industry experience and technology solutions transform data driven financial and reporting operations. This allows our clients to focus on their expertise and ideas that highlights their key market differentiators. As data fluent investors press for more transparency, 4Pines Fund Services allows funds to break through the limits of complex pre-digital approaches."

While legacy fund administrators are experiencing increasing pricing pressure, and struggle to provide value-add services that represent new sources of revenue, Harmonate is supporting the rise of new advanced fund administrators. These advanced fund administrators have developed a reputation for focusing on process efficiencies and margin enhancement, including data operations to drive business improvement.

The launch of Harmonate's Conductor data operations product for fund administration was marked by a demonstrated full-scale capability to provide 20 percent cost savings in year one of implementation, and 80 percent savings in ensuing years. Conductor has also shown capacity to reduce reporting delivery timelines by more than 80 percent, from two weeks to 24 hours.

Harmonate does this through proven automated data extraction from general ledger systems, statements and balances, providing data normalization, creating specialized data warehouses, and intelligently feeding client dashboards, reports and service level agreements. Outputs are also configured for internal general ledger administration, enterprise resource planning and reporting. Harmonate's data aggregation process encompasses configuration of schedules, data sources, reference data and master data. This provides reporting on expected and actual results to support management through straightforward dashboards.

About Harmonate

Harmonate is a data services platform for funds that frees operations from the limits of legacy systems, and closes the information gap between fund managers and investors, as well as between funds and the public sector. The company's purpose-built solutions streamline middle office processes  simplify complex, high velocity transactions, and help ensure security and regulatory compliance through each step of a fund's life cycle.

With its proprietary fundstech platform and leveraging more than 15 years of specialty financial administration leadership, Harmonate is helping define best practices in each of the markets it has supported. Today the Harmonate platform is used to service more than 800 funds, and administers more than $20B annually. For more information, please visit harmonate.com.

Contact: Christopher Gale, 2035704681, [email protected]

SOURCE Harmonate

Related Links

https://harmonate.com


Discovery

The Alaskan Bush People family is safe and sound after a "massive" wildfire broke out near their land in Washington.

In a video posted to the show's Instagram account on Monday, some of the Brown siblings recorded an update on the situation. They assured fans that the family is doing well after being evacuated due to the "raging" Palmer Fire in Okanogan County.

"On August 18, a wildfire broke out near the Brown familys land. The family is safe, but the fire is still raging," the caption of the post reads.

In the footage, Noah Brown explains, "There's been a massive wildfire on Palmer Mountain."

"Everybody made it out completely safe," Bear says. "We are all totally good."

The siblings go on to thank the first responders, who are actively fighting to put out the fire.

RELATED: Alaskan Bush People's Bear Brown Says 'Things Didn't Turn Out' as Expected After Split

Says Snowbird: "We'd also like to just thank all the first responders and the firefighters that are working hard to put out the fire and save everybody's home."

Adds Rain, "Our hearts and prayers are with everybody going through times like these with us. Make sure you reach out and do what you can where you can."

"Thank you firefighters," says Noah's wife, Rhain Alisha.

"Right now all we can do is supply aid where we can, so please reach out to your communities to find out exactly what everyone needs," Noah says.

"God bless and everybody stay safe," the siblings share in unison.

Story continues

Okanogan County Emergency Management Palmer Fire

The Palmer Fire started Aug. 18 and "quickly spread north with extreme fire behavior and was reported spotting  to  mile away. The fire quickly progressed north, then shifting winds in the afternoon transitioned the fire east. The fire is primarily moving north," according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

It is currently at 17,735 acres, and is estimated to be contained by Friday. As of Tuesday, at least 30 structures have been burned due to the fire, Yak Tri News reports.

Okanogan County Emergency Management Palmer Fire

The Browns are no strangers to battling the elements.

While they are currently dealing with a fiery situation, the new season sees them facing a brutal winter." PEOPLE's exclusive sneak peek teased the Browns racing to complete their cabin in subzero temperatures before spring arrives.

RELATED: Alaskan Bush People Family Is Forced to Shelter on Mountain as COVID-19 Hits in New Season

Alaskan Bush People

Its a race against time as the Browns attempt to build the centerpiece to their growing ranch during the worst winter conditions since leaving Alaska, according to the network. As the family struggles to protect themselves, their animals, and critical infrastructure from the extreme freeze, a new member enters the family as brother Gabe welcomes his first child to the wilderness.

Alaskan Bush People airs Wednesdays (8 p.m. ET) on Discovery.
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- WITHmyDOC, a healthcare technology company that recently entered the remote patient monitoring (RPM) market, has been awarded a Microsoft Global Social Entrepreneurship Grant to assist in its cloud technology utilization.

According to Microsoft, their Global Social Entrepreneurship Program supports social impact startups with technology, connections and grants so that the startup can focus on bringing their big vision to life and making the world a better place. The program brings together technical and business support with grant dollars to help entrepreneurs quickly bring their innovative solutions to those in need across Healthcare, Sustainability, and Accessibility. Companies awarded the grant receive access to free Microsoft cloud technologies, including up to $120,000 in Azure cloud computing credits.

WITHmyDOC recently launched [email protected]. Using a web-based intelligence platform to monitor patients and transmit real-time biometric data to healthcare providers, [email protected] supports chronic care management and telehealth visits by providing real-time data to facilitate proactive intervention. [email protected] allows healthcare providers to review patients' biometric data as frequently as needed between office visits, making it easier to detect, diagnose and treat symptoms.

"Microsoft offers the most secure and compliant cloud infrastructure available to the market. In addition, by partnering with Microsoft we have access to cutting edge AI and a top account team that assists in winning strategically important contracts. To receive this grant, we had to prove that we could meet the stringent criteria required for qualification, including having social impact," Richard Rodriguez, CEO, WITHmyDOC, said. "[email protected]'s ability to transmit vital signs in real time directly to the healthcare provider's dashboard allows for earlier intervention and can make a real difference in patient outcomes. WITHmyDOC's [email protected] is transforming healthcare by bringing proactive, value-based healthcare to market," he added.

About WITHmyDOC

Based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., WITHmyDOC is a digital health company founded in 2019 that uses a web-based intelligence platform for remote patient monitoring to transform healthcare. We connect patients to their care teams, providing the real-time data needed to control symptom and disease progression. WITHmyDOC partners with health systems, physician practices and healthcare organizations to provide remote patient monitoring that facilitates proactive intervention for chronic care management and to support telehealth visits. For more information visit www.withmydoc.com.

Media Contact:

Juliann Kaiser, 770.643-0615

[email protected]

SOURCE WITHmyDOC

Related Links

http://www.withmydoc.com


The Attorney General is considering the possibility of trying Harry Dunn's alleged killer virtually or in her absence, the Lord Chancellor has said.

The Dunn family's MP, Andrea Leadsom, wrote to Government ministers on August 10 asking for them to consider the possibility of Anne Sacoolas standing trial while she is still in the US.

Robert Buckland QC, the first minister to reply to the former business secretary's request, said the 'holding a trial virtually or in absentia are... being considered' by Suella Braverman QC.

The Attorney General is considering the possibility of trying Harry Dunn's alleged killer virtually or in her absence, the Lord Chancellor has said. Harry Dunn pictured above

Robert Buckland QC, the first minister to reply to the former business secretary's request, said the 'holding a trial virtually or in absentia are... being considered' by Suella Braverman QC, pictured above

Alleged killer Anne Sacoolas, pictured, is an American diplomat's wife who fled across the Atlantic and has not returned

In a letter to Mrs Leadsom, seen by the PA news agency, Mr Buckland said: 'I quite understand how important it must be to Harry's family, as the anniversary of his death approaches, to achieve some sort of closure.

'The suggestions you put forward for resolving the impasse by holding a trial virtually or in absentia are as you know being considered by the Attorney General, and she will respond as decisions about criminal proceedings in individual cases are a matter for her and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

'My officials stand ready, however, to assist in any way they can.'

Mr Dunn, 19, was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car outside a US military base in Northamptonshire on August 27 last year.

Sacoolas, 42, the wife of a US intelligence official, claimed diplomatic immunity following the crash and was able to return to her home country, sparking an international controversy.

The mother of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn, Charlotte Charles, pictured above

She was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in December but an extradition request submitted by the Home Office was rejected by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo the following month - a decision later described by the US State Department as 'final'.

Speaking to PA after Mr Buckland's letter, Mr Dunn's mother Charlotte Charles said: 'My family and I have not been able to grieve this year without justice and closure.

'It is doing us real harm and I can't believe how cruel the US government are being.

'We all know what their position would be if this had happened to any of their children.

'They should be in no doubt - my family and I are going nowhere until we fulfil that promise to Harry.

'I can see the authorities in London are doing everything they can to ensure that that is just what is going to happen but we will leave them to decide how it happens.'

After learning that a virtual trial was being considered, the family's spokesman Radd Seiger told PA: 'If the authorities decide that a British trial led by a British judge in a British Court should take place with Mrs Sacoolas attending virtually, then the parents will raise no objection.

The Dunn family's MP, Andrea Leadsom, wrote to Government ministers on August 10 asking for them to consider the possibility of Anne Sacoolas standing trial while she is still in the US. Above, Leadsom (second left), Harry Dunn's mother Charlotte Charles (centre) and family spokesperson Radd Seiger (right) outside South Northamptonshire Council offices in Towcester

'They have never been concerned with the outcome of any criminal case.

'Their measured, respectful call has simply been that Mrs Sacoolas must go through it.

'The outcome is not within the control of any victim of a crime but every victim is entitled to see that the life of their lost loved one did mean something, did matter, and that they had a fair crack of the whip at justice.'

A decision on whether Sacoolas could be tried virtually or in her absence would not be made by the Lord Chancellor.

A government spokesperson said: 'The Government's deepest sympathies remain with Harry's family. We are doing everything we can to achieve justice and the case continues to be raised at the highest levels.'
Manama:

Government Schools in Bahrain will soon be implementing media and communications technology courses. The Cabinet has approved a proposal to incorporate media and communications technology courses into government school curricula. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting, held remotely yesterday.
Queensland's powerful construction union has quit the Left faction of the state Labor party, citing a "leadership vacuum" and a focus on internal matters just two months out from the October state election.

CFMEU construction division secretary Michael Ravbar announced the move to distance the union from party factions, "effective immediately", in a statement on Wednesday morning.

CFMEU protesters outside Queensland Parliament House in 2019.

"While the CFMEU will remain affiliated with the ALP, the union will be a more potent force free of any formal factional links," he said. "Our only factional alignment is with the interests of our members."

Mr Ravbar said the "so-called" Left faction's leadership had devoted more time to internal matters than driving a policy platform for "both socially and economically progressive values".
Lufthansa Group has announced a change in their fare structure until the end of December, including no rebooking fares for Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines flights. The German airline company said that, with immediate effect, flights across fares category can be rebooked several times free of charge.

In May, the Lufthansa Group had announced an extension of free rebooking period, saying the trip can be rebooked free of charge to a new travel date up to and including December 2021. The global aviation group had said that the rule was applied to tickets booked up to and including 30 June 2020 and with a confirmed travel date up to and including 30 April 2021.

The company has now gone ahead with flexibility in the new travel bookings as well on short, medium and long-haul routes. Lufthansa said in a statement that the airlines are meeting their customers' needs for flexible travel arrangements to an even greater extent. However, it added that the customers may incur additional costs if the original booking class is no longer available when rebooking to a different date or destination.

Any difference will be compensated for by means of additional payment, the statement read.

Read: Lufthansa Announce Compulsory Lay-offs, Normal Air Travel Projected To Resume After 2024

Read: Ryanair Will Challenge German Govt's Decision To Provide State Aid To Lufthansa: CEO

'Responding to special needs'

It said that the company is also responding to the special needs of customers during the corona crisis and continue to offer a return flight promise on all European routes and a travel insurance policy. The on-site cover applies in the event of a travel warning or a significant spread of the pandemic and travellers will be flown back to Germany, Austria or Switzerland with Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines.

The Economy Classic, Business Saver, Economy Flex and Business Flex fares include an "all-inclusive carefree package" that covers the costs of quarantine, travel interruption, a telephone consultation before and during the trip or medical repatriation. In the "Bring me Home NOW" fare, customers are carried on the next bookable Lufthansa Group flight if desired.

Read: Lufthansa Agrees To $562 Mn Cost-cutting Deal With Flight Attendants For Job Security

Read: Lufthansa To Slash 22,000 Jobs, Predicts 'slow Recovery' From COVID-19 Crisis

(Image credit: Lufthansa)
The Muck: Players Upset After GGPoker Categorizes Pros

August 24, 2020

The professional poker community continues to butt heads with GGPoker brass.

A couple of weeks back, the rising poker site made headlines for a dispute with high-stakes pro Tobias Duthweiler. The German cash game reg accused the site of stealing $180,000 from him, with GGPoker maintaining it simply followed company policy in reaction to a player defying a ban from the network.

If that dispute highlighted how the site finds itself at odds with professional grinders, a Friday Twitter post fanned the sparks into a full on fire.

Attempt at Goodwill Backfires

Understanding that the banning of players was causing negative community reaction in many spots, GGPoker attempted to regain some goodwill in the community by offering the chance for those banned to apply for reinstatement. The site has taken much criticism for allegedly banning winning players, something it maintains is not the case at all.

For a limited time only, we will be extending an olive branch to previously banned players on GGNetwork. If you hav https://t.co/BqNRULBPt2  GGPoker - HOME OF WSOP 2020 ONLINE BRACELET SERIES (@GGPokerOfficial)

The thread went on to explain how players could apply for reinstatement and that their accounts would be restored as real name accounts if they were cleared.

Those who clicked on the link offered found a page that did not sit well with many.

@PizzaPokerPsych The link is not available in certain countries like the US. Here is a screenshot instead https://t.co/eIv4R1ct9L  GGPoker - HOME OF WSOP 2020 ONLINE BRACELET SERIES (@GGPokerOfficial)

Follow all the latest from the WSOP - LIVE! The cards are in the air in the GGPoker WSOP Online. The PokerNews live reporting team is on top of all things WSOP. Don't miss a beat! FOLLOW HERE

Well-Known Players Disgusted

Many top players were not fans of being categorized into being good, bad or regular pros in the eyes of a poker operator. Furthermore, there was also acrimony over GGPoker lumping ghosting and real-time assistance usage in with bum-hunting, which many players simply see as game selecting, something that's been a part of poker strategy since the first cards were dealt in a competitive game.

At this point I think theyre insulting the poker communitys intelligence. https://t.co/CGo10XJulN  Phil Galfond (@PhilGalfond) @Joeingram1 Their terms basically say that you aren't allowed to game select, or you're "bumhunting" and therefore https://t.co/ft0WtsWLna  Todd Witteles (@ToddWitteles) @GGPokerOfficial Nice of you to equate assisted live play with whatever lousy definition you have of bumhunting. Sh https://t.co/o08iyzMD4q  Joris Ruijs (@Ruysvogel) @GGPokerOfficial Is this a troll that people are accidently taking serious????  giraf ganger (@Girafganger7) @Joeingram1 Don't like the caption "bad pro". It should be named unacceptable behavior / reasons for termination. https://t.co/HlZy7SCujE  Maureen B. (@mjbloech)

Read about the insane high-stakes cash action on GGpoker!

More Mild Reactions

While many found themselves upset after the GGPoker post, the poker community wasn't universal in castigating the operator. Some players pointed out that it was a good step in rebuilding the relationship between GGPoker and the top pros who were jaded by the company's controversial policies.

@Joeingram1 i think it is a great move to open back up communication. i think they realized they made some mistakes https://t.co/mmHxAFZHgS  marty mathis (@martymath) @Joeingram1 @martymath Tbh, I'm usually a pretty big critic of poker sites (because they generally deserve it) and https://t.co/OK3hRlj65I  ApoisBack (@chriskruk4)

Others felt there was some truth to the post, or that GGPoker's policies overall represented a good step toward cleaning up an online poker world that has left many recreational players unhappy.

@Joeingram1 I don't like the wording here, but I think it is Great that GG are at least trying to stop Predatory Po https://t.co/PVLMAD3E8y  fairdinkum ( Mr Barnett ) (@fairdin04443704) @Joeingram1 I think theyre being more transparent than any site has ever been on what they are trying to accomplis https://t.co/lJB7uqfWQ3  Evan Parkes (@purplepils99) @Joeingram1 Its tough bc some of the things they mention here make sense to me, but the reality is we have zero vi https://t.co/o0DPv6PJKg  Matt Vaughan (@mEVpoker) @Joeingram1 Poker is a business that attracts bad actors. Operators have to deal with those bad actors. They will https://t.co/TrEncRLcfE  Joe Heinzmann (@JoeHeinzmann) @Joeingram1 Yeah its tough like we should all try to stop the things in the bad pro list but cant confiscate fund https://t.co/Fk2VJW7vZ4  Ryan Depaulo: Degenerate Gambler (@depaulo_ryan)
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Two thought leaders from Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S. will host a webinar with Corporate Counsel Business Journal (CCBJ) on Wednesday, August 26, focusing on the findings of the 2020 Wolters Kluwer Future Ready Lawyer Survey: Performance Drivers and their implications for the future of the legal industry.

Wolters Kluwer conducted the 2020 Wolters Kluwer Future Ready Lawyer Survey: Performance Drivers earlier this year to assess future readiness and resilience among organizations in the legal sector. The survey includes insights from 700 legal professionals across the U.S. and nine European countries and examines ongoing trends in the legal sector and how well-prepared organizations are to drive higher performance. In the upcoming webinar, Ken Crutchfield, Vice President and General Manager of Legal Markets at Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S., and Chantal Vermeire, Head of Strategy for Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory will lead a panel discussion of the survey's results. The panel will include thought leaders across the legal industry, including Kathryn DeBord, Chief Innovation Officer at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Mark Brennan, Partner at Hogan Lovells, and Evan Slavitt, Senior VP, General Counsel and Secretary at AVX Corporation.

"The disruption caused by the COVID-19 will have significant, long-term impacts on the legal industry," said Crutchfield. "We are looking forward to hosting this valuable discussion so that legal professionals can listen to and learn from the perspectives of this panel of legal industry thought leaders."

"The pandemic has accelerated the rate of disruption that the legal industry was already experiencing in recent years, and moving forward, it will be crucial for legal professionals to understand what they and their organizations need to do in order to properly prepare for the future," said Vermeire. "The survey results provide a great deal of insight for the legal community, and we are pleased to partner with CCBJ to discuss these findings with our panelists."

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, August 26 at 11 AM ET. To learn more and register for the webinar, click here.

About Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S. is a part of Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL), a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the healthcare, tax and accounting, governance, risk and compliance, and legal and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with advanced technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2019 annual revenues of 4.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

For more information about Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S., visit www.WoltersKluwerLR.com, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media

Linda Gharib

Director, Communications

Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Tel: +1 (646) 887-7962

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Related Links

http://www.WoltersKluwerLR.com


New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/24/2020 -- The research report provides a detailed insight into the Global Mycotoxin Testing Market for the forecast period of 2020 to 2027. The report considers 2017-2018 as historical years and 2019 as the base year. The market size and value has been studied and estimated on the basis of application and major regions. The report is a comprehensive document covering the impact analysis of the COVID-19 crisis on the growth and landscape of the Mycotoxin Testing industry. The pandemic has adversely affected the Mycotoxin Testing sector and has brought about a dynamic change in the international economic scenario and demand trends. The report provides a perspective on the current and emerging trends of the industry as well as provides a futuristic outlook about the growth of the Mycotoxin Testing market.



Get a Sample of the Report @ https://www.reportsanddata.com/sample-enquiry-form/2842



The Mycotoxin Testing research report is an investigative study containing important information such as value chain analysis, Porter's Five Forces analysis, and an exhaustive overview of the competitive landscape of the Mycotoxin Testing sector. The study covers market analysis, application segments, and provides a detailed analysis of the market size, growth rate, and trends.



The study provides a comprehensive view of the Mycotoxin Testing industry based on market segmentation into product types, applications, and regions. The analysis provides present and future trends patterns. Regional segmentation of the Mycotoxin Testing sector includes North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa.



Global Mycotoxin Testing Report Scope:



Key Manufacturers of the Mycotoxin Testing Industry:



SGS (Switzerland), Bureau Veritas (France), Eurofins (Luxembourg), Intertek (UK), Merieux NutriSciences (US), ALS Limited (Australia), Neogen (US), Romer Labs (US), Symbio Laboratories (Australia), OMIC USA (US), AsureQuality (New Zealand), and Microbac (US)



On the basis of Type, mycotoxin testing the market has been segmented as follows: (Revenue, USD Million; 2020-2027)



Aflatoxins

Ochratoxins

Fumonisin

Zearalenone

Deoxynivalenol

Trichothecenes

Patulin

Others (alkaloids, sterigmatocystin, cyclopiazonic acid, citrinin, and other plant toxins)



On the basis of sample, the mycotoxin testing market has been segmented as follows: (Revenue, USD Million; 2020-2027)



Food

Cereals, grains, and pulses

Milk & milk products

Meat, poultry, and seafood

Nuts, seeds, and spices

Fruits & vegetables

Others (processed food, food additives such as colors & flavors, preservatives, and thickening agents)

Feed

Cereals & cereal byproducts

Seeds & seed products

Forage & silage

Others (feed ingredients & concentrates)



On the basis of Technology, the mycotoxin testing market has been segmented as follows: (Revenue, USD Million; 2020-2027)



Chromatography- & spectroscopy based

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Others (GC, LC, coupled chromatography, and tandem spectrometry)

Immunoassay-based



Browse complete Report @ https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/mycotoxin-testing-market



Main Objectives of the Report:



Study and forecast of the market size of Mycotoxin Testing Industry

Analysis of global players along with SWOT analysis, market value, and global position of the players

Assessment of key regions of the world along with their market potential, advantage, opportunities, challenges, restraints, and risks

Identification of the significant trends and emerging trends of the Mycotoxin Testing industry

Analysis of the drivers and restraints and opportunities to identify growth segments

Strategic analysis of the growth trends of each market segment

Analysis of the competitive landscapes along with expansions, agreements, new product launches, acquisitions, mergers, and other strategic business plans

Comprehensive profiling of the key players of the industry to provide a competitive edge to the reader

SWOT analysis, feasibility study, investment return analysis, and Porter's Five Forces Analysis to provide a comprehensive study of the key players

Extensive study of key market segments including revenue, CAGR, import/export, supply and demand ratio, production and consumption ratio, industrial chain analysis, and market dynamics



Furthermore, the report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the industry to enable strategic decision making to accelerate the growth of the business. The report additionally presents a complete analysis of the current and future market scenario of the Mycotoxin Testing industry.



Fill all the details to get the Sample copy of the Report @ https://www.reportsanddata.com/sample-enquiry-form/2842



Thank you for reading our report. Please get in touch with us for further queries and our team will ensure you get the report according to your needs.



About Us:



Reports and Data is a market research and consulting company that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Our solutions purely focus on your purpose to locate, target and analyze consumer behavior shifts across demographics, across industries and help client's make a smarter business decision. We offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a multiple industries including Healthcare, Technology, Chemicals, Power and Energy. We consistently update our research offerings to ensure our clients are aware about the latest trends existent in the market.



Contact Us:



John Watson



Head of Business Development



40 Wall St. 28th floor New York City



NY 10005 United States



Direct Line: +1-212-710-1370



Browse more similar reports on Food Testing and Supply Chain category by Reports And Data



Food Diagnostics Market Share Analysis Report, 2020-2027



Meat Testing Market Share Analysis Report, 2020-2027



Food Authenticity Testing Market Share Analysis Report, 2020-2027
2020-08-25 14:02:00

China has been administering an experimental coronavirus vaccine since July to people engaged in "high risk" professions among whom include frontline medical professionals and border inspectors, a senior official from the National Health Commission stated over the weekend. Zheng Zhongwei, Director of the Science and Technology Development Center of the National Health Commission, in a statement during an interview on Saturday with a Chinese state media broadcaster said, the COVID-19 vaccine had been approved for use on July 22.

Speaking on the CCTV-2 program 'Dialogue', Zheng told that the people working in jobs that included a high risk of exposure to the virus such as frontline medical personnel, epidemic prevention personnel, medical staff at fever clinics, and customs and border personnel have been receiving the vaccine. Developed by Sinopharm's China National Biotec Group Company (CNBG), the vaccine's phase 3 clinical trials were conducted in the UAE, Peru, Morocco, and Argentina.

Zheng said, "There are clear provisions in Article 20 of our country's vaccine law. When a major public health incident occurs, the National Health Commission submits an application for emergency use of vaccines, and the State Food and Drug Administration organizes experts to evaluate and agree to the NHC for emergency use of vaccines within a certain scale and within a certain limited time,".

Leading the vaccine research and development team of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, Zheng stated that the next phase of the delivery of the vaccine could be implemented in order to put a stop to virus outbreaks in autumn and winter to "establish an immunity barrier."

Speaking further on the next phase of the vaccine, Zheng said, "Once we build up an immune barrier for medical staff, personnel involved in basic operation of the city, such as those in the farmers market, transportation, and in some service industries, then the entire city's operation has a stable guarantee."

This isn't the first occasion the Chinese government has approved an experimental vaccine as it gave the nod for the use of a different vaccine candidate for the country's military in June. Jointly developed by the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, which is a part of the Chinese government's Academy of Military Medical Sciences, and vaccine company CanSino Biologics, that vaccine was given a "military specially-needed drug approval" in June by the country's central military commission.

According to the China Human Vaccine Industry Report 2018-2022, the world's largest producer and consumer of vaccines, China can supply more than 1 billion doses of a vaccine annually from 40 manufacturers across the country. In comparison to any other nation in the world, China at present has more coronavirus vaccine candidates in human trials.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers who is overseeing the Apple vs Epic Games case in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. In the initial hearing itself, the judge made it clear that Fortnites removal from the App Store is Epics own doing and that the irreparable harm has been created by the company itself.

Epic can always undo the damage caused by simply removing the direct payment method in Fortnite which is something that Apple has stated as well. This is Judge Gonzalez Rogers opinion, though it could very well give an indication of the final outcome of the case.

The judge is not entirely in Apples favor though as the company cannot entirely terminate Epic Games developer account which would affect Unreal Engine and hundreds of apps and games that dont depend on it. Plus, the entire matter has been caused by a Fortnite update and has nothing to do with Unreal Engine. She expressed her concerns over Apple overreaching and threatening to terminate the secondary developer agreements with Epic Games and Epic International for Unreal Engine as the former should not affect the latter.

The contract with Epic International has not been breached. Apple reached beyond its one contract with Epic Games and is using its hard leverage. Its slammed Epic Games with this additional penalty. It does to me look retaliatory. I dont see any harm to Apple to restrain you from not impacting the Unreal Engine on that platform or the developers engine. It looks like overreach to me.

Apples counsel argued that since both accounts are handled by the same individuals, the developer fees are paid by the same credit card, the company always terminates contracts for affiliate accounts as well for non-compliance of guidelines when a breach like this occurs.

Interestingly, as Foss Patents Florian Mueller notes, Epic Games counsel did not even argue on why they could not put the older version of Fortnite back on the App Store and why a TRO against Apple was needed.

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will be issuing a temporary order soon which going by her inclination will restrain Apple from terminating the Epic International agreement which affects Unreal Engine, but wont do much for bringing Fortnite back on the store since that has been caused by Epic Games entirely. Another hearing will then be held on September 28 for a longer-term solution.

You can get an overview of the entire Apple vs Epic Games battle over Fortnite and the App Store rules here.
A vandal who punched a hole in Picasso's 20million Bust of a Woman painting for 'five minutes of fame' has been jailed for 18 months.

Shakeel Ryan Massey, 20, ripped the Picasso painting at the Tate Modern on December 28 last year after smashing through the protective glass barrier.

The oil painting was taken away to be assessed for damages by a conservation team after Massey ripped it.

Massey had admitted one charge of criminal damage and was today handed his 18-month sentence at Inner London Crown Court.

Shakeel Ryan Massey, 20, ripped the Picasso painting (pictured) at the Tate Modern on December 28 last year after smashing through the protective glass barrier

Massey's lawyer, Glen Harris said that his client had been an immature artist making a point of 'who knows what', the Evening Standard reports.

He also said that his client did what he did 'for five minutes of fame'.

Earlier Judge Silas Reid had said: On the face of it hes come to do what he did and hes done it entirely deliberately.'

The court was told Massey had spent several minutes looking at the Picasso before he dropped his coat to the floor and punched the painting, smashing the protective glass and ripping the middle of the painting.

Massey spent several minutes staring at the painting at the Tate Modern (pictured) before punching it, smashing the protective glass and ripping the middle of the canvas

The Tate Modern has said that the Picasso painting is currently undergoing 18-months of restoration work at a cost of up to 350,000.

According to the Tate's website, the oil painting, which was created in 1944 in Paris, depicts photographer Dora Maar in a semi-abstract style, wearing a hat and green clothing while sitting on a black metal chair.

Massey has given up his architecture degree in Spain since the attack on the painting.

Wlodzimierz Umaniec, a self-proclaimed artist vandalised a Mark Rothko painting at the Tate Modern gallery in 2012 and was later jailed for two years for the attack.

Massey had a hand written note in his hand during the attack detailing the potential prison time he was facing based on Umaniec's previous attack.
The US military over the past week has been sending convoys across the border from Iraq into Syria in what appears to be a significant escalation of the US military intervention in the war-ravaged country.

According to sources in Syria, the convoys have come across at the al-Tanf crossing, where the US military maintains a garrison near the triple frontier between Iraq, Syria and Jordan. They have then traveled to US bases in the northeastern Syrian governorates of Deir ez-Zor and Al-Hasakah. Witnesses said that the convoys included tanks, armored vehicles, oil tankers and trucks bearing weapons and logistical equipment.

The buildup of the US forces east of the Euphrates River follows the revelation that Washington has concocted a deal with a newly minted American oil company, Delta Crescent Energy LLC, which has been signed by the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces, the proxy ground troops employed by Washington in Syria, which consist mainly of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia.

Among the equipment being trucked in by the US military are believed to be components for two modular refineries to assist the company in exploiting and marketing Syrian oil.

This agreement constitutes a war crime under the Geneva Conventions, which bar the exploitation of the natural resources of an occupied country for the benefit of the occupier. In the case of the US occupation of Syria, this constitutes an even more blatant act of international piracy, as the US military presence in the country has been authorized neither by the Syrian government nor the United Nations.

The existence of the deal brokered by Washington between Delta Crescent Energy and the Pentagons Kurdish proxies was first revealed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham during a July 30 Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Graham told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that he had been informed by the commander of the Syrian Kurdish forces, known as Mazlum Kobani, of the deal to modernize the oil fields in northeastern Syria, and asked whether the Trump administration was supporting it.

We are, Pompeo replied. The deal took a little longer than we had hoped, and now we're in implementation; it could be very powerful.

It has since emerged that the principals in Delta Crescent Energy include James Cain, a North Carolina Republican Party official and former US ambassador to Denmark who gained brief notoriety by calling for the execution of Chelsea Manning, the courageous US soldier who was imprisoned for her role in exposing US war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq by leaking to WikiLeaks hundreds of thousands of military war logs and diplomatic cables. Also on the companys board is James Reese, a former Delta Force officer who became a private security consultant and Fox News contributor after retiring from the military.

There is every reason to suspect that the company was formed as an act of political cronyism. The deal was reportedly negotiated under the auspices of the chief of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, while US military is facilitating its implementation.

As for Pompeos claim that this agreement could prove powerful, it certainly is not a matter of its global economic significance, given that Syria accounts for just 0.1 percent of the world's oil reserves. Rather, the deal serves as a means of starving the Syrian government and people of resources that are desperately needed for reconstruction after nearly a decade of war, while simultaneously providing a pretext for the continued US military occupation and dismemberment of the country.

The deal is the outcome of the shift in US tactics initiated by Trump in October of last year, when he provided a green light for a Turkish invasion of northeast Syria for the purpose of driving Washingtons erstwhile Kurdish allies from the border. At the time, Trump spouted a great deal of demagogy about ending Washingtons forever wars and pulling all US troops out of Syria.

Facing a firestorm of criticism from within the US military and intelligence apparatus, Trump backed down, announcing that he would retain a US force in Syria to keep the oil.

At the time he stated, Well work something out with the Kurds so that they have some money, so that they have some cash flow. Maybe well get one of our big oil companies to go in and do it properly.

The announcement of the oil deal provoked bitter criticism from the Syrian government. Syrias Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari spoke before the Security Council last week, denouncing Washington for stealing Syrian oil and depriving the Syrian state and Syrian people of the basic revenues necessary to improve the humanitarian situation, provide for livelihood needs and reconstruction. He also charged both the US and the European Union with enforcing a sanctions regime that serves to prevent the Syrians from obtaining their basic needs of food, medicine and medical equipment, especially in light of the spread of the corona pandemic and its dire effects.

The principal allies of the Damascus government of President Bashar al-Assad, Iran and Russia, also denounced the US oil deal as a violation of Syrias national sovereignty. Also condemning the agreement was the government of Turkey, which is continuing its own occupation and de facto annexation of Syrian territory.

The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a statement hypocritically denouncing Washington for disregarding international law, violating territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of Syria, while going on to charge that the oil deal amounted to financing terrorism. Ankara regards the Syrian Kurdish YPG as a branch of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) Kurdish separatist movement inside Turkey, which is designated by both the US and Turkey as a terrorist organization. The Erdogan government regards the consolidation of any Kurdish-controlled entity near its border with Syria as a threat to Turkish national security.

The oil deal has ratcheted up dangerous tensions in northeastern Syria, where US, Russian, Turkish, Syrian government and Kurdish YPG forces, along with remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS) militia, are all operating in close proximity.

Last week, on the same day, August 18, a US base near Syrias Conoco oil field in Deir ez-Zornow under the control of the American military and its Kurdish proxiescame under rocket attack for the first time, and a Russian major general was killed by an improvised explosive device.

The Pentagon blamed the rocket attack on Iran and Iranian-aligned militias, while the killing of the senior Russian officer was initially blamed on ISIS. There is no proof that either is the case, and there is reportedly substantial speculation that the killing of the Russian general may have been the work of Washington and its Kurdish proxies.

A day earlier, on August 17, a US convoy engaged in a firefight with Syrian government forces at a checkpoint in al-Hasakah, leaving one Syrian soldier dead and two others wounded. US and Syrian accounts of the incident were at odds, with the Pentagon claiming that the convoy came under attack from unknown elements after passing through the checkpoint, and the Syrian government reporting that the shooting began when the Syrians tried to stop the convoy. Apache helicopters were escorting the US armored vehicles.

US military officials have reported that encounters between US and Russian soldiers are virtually a daily occurrence. For its part, Russia has built up its forces in the region, strengthening its base at the Qamishli airport on the Turkish border and bringing in attack helicopters. Meanwhile, Russia has deployed some two dozen tanks and armored vehicles to the village of Mazloum, little more than a mile from a US base.

US imperialism has been at war in Syria since launching a regime change operation in 2011, using CIA-backed Islamist militias as its proxies in a bid to topple the Assad government and impose a US puppet government in Damascus. It subsequently launched a direct military intervention in Syria as well as Iraq on the pretext of combating ISIS, an offshoot of the very Islamist militias that it had previously armed and funded. The toll of these interventions numbers in the hundreds of thousands of dead and millions of displaced.

Now the US remains in Syria for the purpose of controlling and exploiting the countrys oil, as part of a broader military campaign to impose a neo-colonial US hegemony in the Middle East at the expense of Iran, and the countries the Pentagon defines as great power rivals, China and Russia.

These aims, combined with the profound political instability driven by the economic and social crisis within the United States itself, pose a growing danger that the heightened military frictions in Syria can metastasize into a broader war, drawing in regional and major powers alike.
SPRINGFIELD  A recent survey by the Illinois Municipal League has found that 87 percent of responding municipalities have experienced revenue shortfalls of 20-30 percent when compared to last year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

With local business sales at record lows and a lack of state and federal action in providing direct aid to local governments, the impact on municipal budgets could be felt for several years. To make up for these shortfalls, elected officials are forced to make difficult decisions, which include possible layoffs of personnel, reductions in municipal programs and services, delaying infrastructure projects and spending down already-limited reserve funds.
RICHMOND  A Virginia House of Delegates committee has halted legislation that would create exceptions for people who dont want to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Democratic-controlled Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee defeated the proposals Tuesday after a lengthy discussion about vaccines.

The proposals from Dels. Mark Cole, R-Spotsylvania, and David LaRock, R-Loudoun, would have created exceptions, including for religious reasons, for people who dont want to receive a mandated vaccine during a public health emergency. One proposal also would have stripped the state health commissioner of the authority to require people to take vaccines during a public health epidemic.

The issue received heightened attention after Dr. Norman Oliver, the state health commissioner, caused a stir Friday when he told Richmond TV station WRIC that he would mandate that people receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Gov. Ralph Northams office followed up afterward to say that he did not plan for the state government to mandate that Virginians get vaccinated. No federally approved vaccine yet exists.

I will note that we are focused on accessibility, affordability and fair distribution of a vaccine, his spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky said in a statement. When a vaccine becomes available, were confident that Virginians will seek it out  thats why we dont have plans for a mandate.

Del. Dawn Adams, D-Richmond, said Oliver made a misstep that has created a lot of unnecessary controversy and politicized an issue.

Researchers have been working at an unprecedented pace to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, and theres a rigorous process to develop vaccines for safety and effectiveness. But researchers still have an incomplete understanding of the virus, and still dont know how long the antibodies in vaccinated people will last.

The Northam administration spoke against the proposals.

If the virus can spread easily from person to person and has the potential to cause severe illness and death like COVID-19 does, its critical to have an effective vaccine as quickly as possible and then to vaccinate a large enough portion of the population to make the spread of the disease from person to person unlikely, said Dr. Lilian Peake, Virginia state epidemiologist.

LaRock spoke to the committee about his belief there is a lack of safety measures in place when developing vaccines so corporations could turn a profit. His remarks were similar to those from people who are skeptical of vaccines.

Its irresponsible to be hijacking this important policy conversation about mandating and giving blanket power to the commissioner during an emergency or epidemic to undermine what we know is good science that has saved hundreds of millions of lives over many decades, said Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, who recently recovered from COVID-19. Its clear immunizations save lives, and we need to do everything we can to protect people.

Rasoul added that the health commissioners immense power to mandate a vaccine is one worthy of serious discussion.

Lawmakers have been debating a few other bills related to adding some limits to the health commissioners power. The same House panel shot down a comprehensive proposal from Del. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, that would have, among other things, set an expiration date for orders and regulations the health commissioner issues unless the Virginia Board of Health acts on it.

The full Senate will vote soon on a bill from Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, which has bipartisan support. His bill would limit emergency orders or regulations from the commissioner to 30 days. The board of health could vote to extend those decisions.

The bill also would limit emergency decisions made by the board to 30 days, although members can reconvene to extend them for another month.

Newman said it was important that the board be more involved in making decisions. The Northam administration is opposed to the proposal.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and rapidly evolving situation in our commonwealth, Oliver said last week.

Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
BOSTON, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- For 20 years medaptus has applied information technology to solve problems that are common and costly to healthcare organizations. To mark its twentieth anniversary, the company recently provided an update on its extensive technology capabilities grounded in interoperability.

medaptus was originally founded as a mobile computing company that was part of a robust wave of "Mobile Health 1.0" entrepreneurs and visionaries. For medaptus, it was two young doctors in the year 2000 that saw the opportunity to place information and utility directly into providers' hands, at the point-of-care, using newly developed personal digital assistants. As EHRs started to proliferate, the company evolved by placing focus on leading edge integration capabilities to improve provider productivity.

The company has been offering seamless integration with market-leading EHRs since first announcing interoperability between its Charge Pro revenue integrity software with Epic back in 2007. This combination was then described by a group practice CEO as a "powerful solution because physicians benefit from access to computerized patient records, which is tremendously helpful from a quality of care point of view and also remain confident that we are operating with an optimized revenue cycle."

Shortly after tackling EHR integration medaptus expanded its data input capabilities to include specialty information systems for cardiac, pathology, radiology, lab services and more. "Our revenue cycle integrity solutions give provider organizations, small and large, complete transparency. medaptus' ability to surface the real-time charge status of every reimbursable service rendered is a unique competency. For larger systems our value is in harmonizing disparate data systems to create charge opportunities for near-time reconciliation. It is not unusual for our platform to reclaim 3-6 percent of billable charges," said medaptus vice president of sales and customer success, Malachi Charbonneau.

Charge Infusion, medaptus' computer-assisted coding platform for cancer centers, ERs, and observation units, has also experienced notable enhancement in recent years. The technology can accept data related to infusions as ordered in the hospital EHR to generate an accurate, compliant charge and stem related revenue loss. This all happens with no nurse or coder review necessary. "In the past months we have worked to leverage APIs from Epic and Cerner for this specific application. We know how important it is that we enable customers to extend their EHR as part of a long-term IT investment plan and our objective is to make that as easy as possible," added Charbonneau.

In order to meet the needs of sophisticated data flows in the majority of hospital IT departments, medaptus has increasingly invested in the scalability and cybersecurity of its product suite. The company's cloud solutions are now entirely hosted on AWS, a migration that gave several "locally installed server" customers the confidence to adopt cloud-based hosting.

The medaptus focus on leveraging existing IT systems and solutions has accelerated the expansion of its Assign solution for optimized patient assignments. This newest innovation within the medaptus portfolio represents a broader impact on clinical workflow, initially with hospital medicine teams. Ryan Secan, MD MPH, medaptus chief medical officer and a practicing hospitalist, offered these words about Assign, "In my experience, aligning patients and doctors was rarely optimized by service teams, location, or continuity, let alone clinical factors. This always seemed like an overlooked opportunity to me. With Assign, a custom algorithm calculates provider patient loads that are safer and more balanced, while also taking into account multiple other factors including long term continuity. Our team has seen how that helps reduce length of stay and very importantly right now, increases patient safety and provider well-being and satisfaction."

Looking ahead, the company has seen how the current disruption in the healthcare delivery system caused by COVID has clarified the longer-term need for medaptus solutions. Charbonneau offered, "In these challenging times, the pandemic has forced a re-evaluation of nearly every aspect of medicine  schedules, flow, clinical research, emergency care, telehealth  the list is endless. However, our mission, to apply innovation to remove workflow barriers, remains pertinent in this radically changed landscape."

About medaptus

For 20 years medaptus has applied information technology to solve problems that are common and costly to healthcare organizations including single-specialty groups, acute care hospitals, inpatient care teams, and high-volume outpatient and ambulatory care settings including cancer centers. Revenue leakage, data silos, disparate systems, and redundant processes lead to diminished productivity and satisfaction. We address those challenges with innovation that extends IT investments, remedies sources of overlooked reimbursement and streamlines hospital medicine operations for optimized throughput. Visit us at www.medaptus.com to learn more about how we help those that heal.

Contact: Zach Tavano

p. 617.896.4000

[email protected]

SOURCE medaptus

Related Links

http://www.medaptus.com


Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 05:11:57|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TEHRAN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday said that Iran is willing to keep cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "according to international regulations."

Zarif made the remarks during meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in the Iranian capital Tehran.

"The Islamic Republic is willing to maintain cooperation with the Agency under normal circumstances and within the framework of international regulations," the top Iranian diplomat said, as quoted by official IRNA news agency.

Iran and the IAEA have always cooperated according to international commitments and in a "technical and professional framework," Zarif noted.

The IAEA, he added, has "many times" verified Iran's "highest level of cooperation in regards to the Safeguards Agreement", and the cooperation can be pursued in the same way.

Zarif voiced the hope that the existing differences will be solved "through mutual trust and cooperation, inside the framework of the Safeguards Agreement regulations and in good faith."

Also, the IAEA must observe the principles of impartiality and professionalism in the fulfillment of its duties, and act only within a technical framework, Zarif stressed.

Grossi arrived in Tehran on Monday, heading a delegation to confer with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other Iranian officials. Enditem
Announcement of Periodic Review: Moody's announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Amcor plc

Global Credit Research - 25 Aug 2020

Sydney, August 25, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has completed a periodic review of the ratings of Amcor plc and other ratings that are associated with the same analytical unit. The review was conducted through a portfolio review in which Moody's reassessed the appropriateness of the ratings in the context of the relevant principal methodology(ies), recent developments, and a comparison of the financial and operating profile to similarly rated peers. The review did not involve a rating committee. Since 1 January 2019, Moody's practice has been to issue a press release following each periodic review to announce its completion.

"IMPORTANT NOTICE: MOODY'S RATINGS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY RETAIL INVESTORS. SUCH USE WOULD BE RECKLESS AND INAPPROPRIATE. SEE FULL DISCLAIMERS BELOW."

This publication does not announce a credit rating action and is not an indication of whether or not a credit rating action is likely in the near future. Credit ratings and outlook/review status cannot be changed in a portfolio review and hence are not impacted by this announcement. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history.

Key rating considerations are summarized below.

Amcor's Baa2 rating primarily reflects its (1) globally diversified operations (2) strong market positions (3) strategic customer relationships and (4) geographically diversified operations and stable client base in fast-moving consumer goods market.

Supporting its credit profile is Amcor's contractual ability to pass on changes in raw material costs to its customers, and the fact that it sells over 90% of its products to customers in the food, beverage, healthcare, and tobacco packaging industries, which are all relatively stable.

Story continues

The defensive nature of the business has been evidenced throughout the coronavirus outbreak as Amcor has benefitted from greater in-home consumption.

This document summarizes Moody's view as of the publication date and will not be updated until the next periodic review announcement, which will incorporate material changes in credit circumstances (if any) during the intervening period.

The principal methodology used for this review was Packaging Manufacturers: Metal, Glass, and Plastic Containers published in May 2018. Please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.

This announcement applies only to EU rated and EU endorsed ratings. Non EU rated and non EU endorsed ratings may be referenced above to the extent necessary, if they are part of the same analytical unit.

This publication does not announce a credit rating action. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history.

Ian Chitterer VP - Senior Credit Officer Corporate Finance Group Moody's Investors Service Pty. Ltd. Level 10 1 O'Connell Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia JOURNALISTS: 61 2 9270 8141 Client Service: 852 3551 3077 Patrick Winsbury Associate Managing Director Corporate Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 61 2 9270 8141 Client Service: 852 3551 3077 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service Pty. Ltd. Level 10 1 O'Connell Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia JOURNALISTS: 61 2 9270 8141 Client Service: 852 3551 3077

 2020 Moody's Corporation, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Moody's Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved.

CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. AND/OR ITS CREDIT RATINGS AFFILIATES ARE MOODY'S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES, AND MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY MOODY'S (COLLECTIVELY, "PUBLICATIONS") MAY INCLUDE SUCH CURRENT OPINIONS. MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THE RISK THAT AN ENTITY MAY NOT MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE AND ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT OR IMPAIRMENT. SEE MOODY'S RATING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS PUBLICATION FOR INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF CONTRACTUAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS ADDRESSED BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE CREDIT RATINGS. CREDIT RATINGS DO NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LIQUIDITY RISK, MARKET VALUE RISK, OR PRICE VOLATILITY. CREDIT RATINGS, NON-CREDIT ASSESSMENTS ("ASSESSMENTS"), AND OTHER OPINIONS INCLUDED IN MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF CURRENT OR HISTORICAL FACT. MOODY'S PUBLICATIONS MAY ALSO INCLUDE QUANTITATIVE MODEL-BASED ESTIMATES OF CREDIT RISK AND RELATED OPINIONS OR COMMENTARY PUBLISHED BY MOODY'S ANALYTICS, INC. AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES. MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE OR PROVIDE INVESTMENT OR FINANCIAL ADVICE, AND MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AND DO NOT PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PURCHASE, SELL, OR HOLD PARTICULAR SECURITIES. MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS DO NOT COMMENT ON THE SUITABILITY OF AN INVESTMENT FOR ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. MOODY'S ISSUES ITS CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLISHES ITS PUBLICATIONS WITH THE EXPECTATION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT EACH INVESTOR WILL, WITH DUE CARE, MAKE ITS OWN STUDY AND EVALUATION OF EACH SECURITY THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR PURCHASE, HOLDING, OR SALE.

MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS,ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY RETAIL INVESTORS AND IT WOULD BE RECKLESS AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR RETAIL INVESTORS TO USE MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS, ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS OR PUBLICATIONS WHEN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION. IF IN DOUBT YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISER.

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROTECTED BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COPYRIGHT LAW, AND NONE OF SUCH INFORMATION MAY BE COPIED OR OTHERWISE REPRODUCED, REPACKAGED, FURTHER TRANSMITTED, TRANSFERRED, DISSEMINATED, REDISTRIBUTED OR RESOLD, OR STORED FOR SUBSEQUENT USE FOR ANY SUCH PURPOSE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ANY FORM OR MANNER OR BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER, BY ANY PERSON WITHOUT MOODY'S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT.

MOODY'S CREDIT RATINGS,ASSESSMENTS, OTHER OPINIONS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY ANY PERSON AS A BENCHMARK AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES AND MUST NOT BE USED IN ANY WAY THAT COULD RESULT IN THEM BEING CONSIDERED A BENCHMARK.

All information contained herein is obtained by MOODY'S from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error as well as other factors, however, all information contained herein is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind. MOODY'S adopts all necessary measures so that the information it uses in assigning a credit rating is of sufficient quality and from sources MOODY'S considers to be reliable including, when appropriate, independent third-party sources. However, MOODY'S is not an auditor and cannot in every instance independently verify or validate information received in the rating process or in preparing its Publications.

To the extent permitted by law, MOODY'S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability to any person or entity for any indirect, special, consequential, or incidental losses or damages whatsoever arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information, even if MOODY'S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers is advised in advance of the possibility of such losses or damages, including but not limited to: (a) any loss of present or prospective profits or (b) any loss or damage arising where the relevant financial instrument is not the subject of a particular credit rating assigned by MOODY'S.

To the extent permitted by law, MOODY'S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability for any direct or compensatory losses or damages caused to any person or entity, including but not limited to by any negligence (but excluding fraud, willful misconduct or any other type of liability that, for the avoidance of doubt, by law cannot be excluded) on the part of, or any contingency within or beyond the control of, MOODY'S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers, arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information.

NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY CREDIT RATING, ASSESSMENT, OTHER OPINION OR INFORMATION IS GIVEN OR MADE BY MOODY'S IN ANY FORM OR MANNER WHATSOEVER.

Moody's Investors Service, Inc., a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Corporation ("MCO"), hereby discloses that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to Moody's Investors Service, Inc. for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from $1,000 to approximately $2,700,000. MCO and Moody's investors Service also maintain policies and procedures to address the independence of Moody's Investors Service credit ratings and credit rating processes. Information regarding certain affiliations that may exist between directors of MCO and rated entities, and between entities who hold credit ratings from Moody's Investors Service and have also publicly reported to the SEC an ownership interest in MCO of more than 5%, is posted annually at www.moodys.com under the heading "Investor Relations  Corporate Governance  Director and Shareholder Affiliation Policy."

Additional terms for Australia only: Any publication into Australia of this document is pursuant to the Australian Financial Services License of MOODY'S affiliate, Moody's Investors Service Pty Limited ABN 61 003 399 657AFSL 336969 and/or Moody's Analytics Australia Pty Ltd ABN 94 105 136 972 AFSL 383569 (as applicable). This document is intended to be provided only to "wholesale clients" within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. By continuing to access this document from within Australia, you represent to MOODY'S that you are, or are accessing the document as a representative of, a "wholesale client" and that neither you nor the entity you represent will directly or indirectly disseminate this document or its contents to "retail clients" within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. MOODY'S credit rating is an opinion as to the creditworthiness of a debt obligation of the issuer, not on the equity securities of the issuer or any form of security that is available to retail investors.

Additional terms for Japan only: Moody's Japan K.K. ("MJKK") is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Group Japan G.K., which is wholly-owned by Moody's Overseas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCO. Moody's SF Japan K.K. ("MSFJ") is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of MJKK. MSFJ is not a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO"). Therefore, credit ratings assigned by MSFJ are Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings. Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings are assigned by an entity that is not a NRSRO and, consequently, the rated obligation will not qualify for certain types of treatment under U.S. laws. MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registered with the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration numbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively.

MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any credit rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for credit ratings opinions and services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY125,000 to approximately JPY250,000,000.

MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements.


A Delhi court on Tuesday refused to grant bail to Malvinder Mohan Singh, former promoter of Fortis Healthcare.

Malvinder had sought the bail on parity, as his brother Shivinder Mohan Singh was granted bail by the Delhi high court (HC) in July.

Malvinder had argued that he has been in jail since November, despite the fact the charge sheet has already been filed in the case.

However, Nitesh Rana, the counsel for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), opposed his argument. He argued that Malvinder cannot seek parity, as the Supreme Court (SC) had ordered a status quo on Shivinders bail.

Rana cited the SC order, which had stated that the Delhi HC judgement not to be treated as a precedent for any other case.

Shivinder is also lodged in Tihar Jail following his arrest last October.

In a charge sheet filed in January, the ED had alleged that the brothers used two sets of conduit companies to funnel funds from their finance company Religare Finvest Limited over eight years.

A large part of this money was used to buy properties and there was no intention of repaying the sum, the charge sheet said.

The Central agency has claimed that out of a total of Rs 47,968 crore of loans given to 115 companies by Religarem Finvest, Rs 2,036.69 crore was moved to 19 companies, which had defaulted in making payments.

Most of these funds were used for the personal gain of the Singhs, the charge sheet added.
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sena Industrial, the leader in advanced wireless communications for teamwork, announced the release of its new Tufftalk M headset, which is engineered with over two decades of Sena's industrial wireless Bluetooth expertise. The Tufftalk M features many updates since Sena's original Tufftalk headset launched. Tufftalk M features Mesh Intercom technology for expanded team coverage and simplified connection, as well as hearing protection, hands-free operation, and multi-channel functionality. Tufftalk M is available in an over-the-head version as well as a hard-hat version.

Communicate from headset to headset at nearly a mile range. Keep workers safe with noise protection and distanced communication. Tufftalk M operates free of local networks and headsets are paired to one another with the touch of a button.

"We first entered the industrial communications market with our flagship and industry-leading Tufftalk headset," said Tae Kim, CEO of Sena Technologies, Inc. "We've taken the original Tufftalk to the next level with Tufftalk M, which offers our proprietary Mesh Intercom technology allowing for simplified setup independent of local networks. We designed Tufftalk M to meet the needs of teams in industrial work environments."

New Mesh Intercom Communication for Greater Team Support

The Tufftalk M headset features Sena's proprietary Mesh Intercom technology, which is a self-optimizing and self-healing network, always looking for the best connection and seeking a new one when a device disconnects. Tufftalk M features two different Mesh modes -- Open Mesh and Group Mesh. With Open Mesh, a near-unlimited number of users can connect to each other within an effective range of 1.1 km (0.7mi). Within Open Mesh, users can use nine channels to efficiently stay in touch with the right team members. For private sessions, Group Mesh supports up to 24 participants. Tufftalk M also features four Bluetooth connections in order to pair with Sena's Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as the original Tufftalk.

Hearing Protection and Safer Operation in High Noise Environments

The Tufftalk M headset provides hearing protection while letting crews communicate in loud worksites. The headset comes in two styles, each with its respective noise reduction ratings, over-the-head earmuffs (26dB) and hard-hat-integrated (24dB).

Full-Duplex Technology Delivers Hands-Free Communication

Worksites need communication lines open for safety. Being able to respond without needing to press a button is essential, especially for people working with heavy equipment. Tufftalk M helps with these issues by utilizing full-duplex technology, a system that allows people to talk hands-free. Crews can easily communicate and keep their hands distraction-free while working.

Available Now

Both the over-the-head and hard-hat Tufftalk M versions are available for $499 USD. Tufftalk M comes with Sena's industry-leading two-year warranty and can be ordered on SenaIndustrial.com. For more information on Tufftalk M and how it works with other Sena devices, click here to download the latest Sena Industrial informational PDF.

Click here to learn more about Tufftalk M.

Media Contact

Kasey Clough

(949) 900-6311

[email protected]

Related Images

tufftalk-m-is-now-available.jpg

Tufftalk M is Now Available

Communicate from headset to headset at nearly a mile range. Keep workers safe with noise protection and distanced communication. Tufftalk M operates free of local networks and headsets are paired to one another with the touch of a button.

Related Links

Tufftalk M

SOURCE Sena Industrial
A complete account of the 2019 incident where a white Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter allegedly struck and tightened a towel around the head of a Black detainee who was handcuffed has not been made available. A police officer's body camera captured the incident. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

A white Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter allegedly struck and tightened a towel around the head of a Black detainee who was handcuffed on an ambulance gurney, causing the man to yell, I cant breathe, according to internal city records reviewed by The Times.

The incident occurred about 17 months ago and came to light after recent inquiries by The Times. The episode was described in a letter prepared by the Fire Department's top medical director, who said the firefighter might have violated a state law prohibiting abuse of a patient through the use of excessive force, the records show.

Dr. Marc Eckstein, commander of the Fire Departments emergency medical services, expressed his concerns about the March 20, 2019, actions of firefighter Derek Farrow in a letter to a county health director, Dr. Marianne Gausche-Hill. In a second document, he said that he reviewed Los Angeles Police Department video footage of the incident.

After an internal review, L.A. Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas sought a 12-day suspension for Farrow, who is now appealing that judgment and is awaiting a discipline hearing, a department spokesman confirmed Monday.

Eckstein wrote in the Oct. 7, 2019, letter that Farrow appears to strike the patient twice in the head while the patient was restrained to the gurney by handcuffs and hobble restraints," and could be seen holding "a towel over the patients head and forcefully tightening the towel to pin the patients head down to the gurney."

"During the audio portion of the video, the patient is yelling, 'I cant breathe,'" Eckstein wrote.

Eckstein's correspondence does not describe any actions that occurred before Farrow allegedly striking the patient.

Terrazas said Friday in a text message that the department handled Farrows case following all established protocols and procedures.

The incident was referred to the LAFD by law enforcement and no criminal complaint was filed, Terrazas said, referring to the LAPD.

Story continues

Farrow didn't respond to requests for comment. Freddy Escobar, president of the L.A. firefighters union, confirmed that Farrow asked for a Board of Rights hearing but declined to discuss the facts of the case.

Im sure theres a lot of stuff thats not being told, and thats not fair, he said.

A complete account of the 2019 incident has not been made available. A police officers body camera captured the incident, and The Times filed a public records request last week for the footage, which has not yet been provided. Police officials declined to provide other documents related to the case.

Fire Department officials declined to provide more details, calling Farrows case a personnel issue.

The incident occurred while the detained suspect, Earl Hatton, 24, was being moved on the gurney from the ambulance entrance to the jail ward at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, according to the records.

The ambulance had picked him up at the Los Angeles Police Departments 77th Street station, the records say. It could not be immediately determined why he needed medical treatment.

Hatton had been arrested that morning on suspicion of assaulting a woman with a brick and resisting arrest, according to LAPD officials and court records. He was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and resisting a police officer and is now serving a four-year term in state prison at San Luis Obispo.

Eckstein wrote that Farrow was already the subject of an internal investigation, but that he was notifying Gausche-Hill because his actions may constitute a violation of the state law.

Eckstein referred interview requests to a department spokesman.

Farrow has remained on duty since the incident, officials said.

News of the incident comes at a time of nationwide anger over policing and the in-custody treatment of Black people.

George Floyd repeatedly said "I can't breathe" as he was detained by Minneapolis police officers, one of whom knelt on his neck for nearly eight minutes. The phrase has become a rallying cry against police abuse and excessive force.

Floyd's May 25 death was followed by massive protests around the country, including in L.A., where officials proposed new limits on the types of force that police can use to detain people.

Farrow's hearing will be conducted by a Board of Rights, which is a panel of Fire Department supervisors that hear personnel cases and determine the appropriate discipline, if any.

Domingo Albarran Jr., Farrows representative in the union, declined to comment.

Hatton could not immediately be reached for comment. The public defenders office, which represented him in his criminal case, declined to comment.

Terrazas said they would not discuss the case in detail because it is a personnel matter. Open-government advocates, however, noted that California courts have lifted such privacy protections in cases in which significant wrongdoing is alleged.

"Public employees personnel files do not shield from the public complaints about their fitness for office if the complaints allege serious misconduct and appear to be 'well founded,' even if not conclusively established," said Terry Francke, a founder of Californians Aware.

In another internal document reviewed by The Times, Eckstein stated that he viewed videos of the incident and understood "that what can be seen on the video may constitute physical abuse of the patient.

He wrote that Farrow "appears to strike the patient twice in the head while the patient is restrained by all four limbs."

"The patient's head and face are wrapped in a towel at the time," Eckstein wrote.

He said in the document that Farrow takes no actions to facilitate the patients breathing or otherwise address his concerns.

It was not immediately clear from the records when the incident was first brought to the attention of Fire Department officials.

However, an LAPD source familiar with the incident said LAPD officers reported a use of force by Farrow in a police report about Hattons arrest and transfer the same day.

Josh Rubenstein, a police spokesman, said officers had arrested Hatton early that morning after Hatton had assaulted a woman with a brick the night before. They also charged him with resisting arrest, as he was very erratic and aggressive with officers, kicking and threatening to spit on them, Rubenstein said.

He said officers reported using non-categorical force on Hatton, which the LAPD reviewed. Such force can be minor, and does not by definition lead to a persons hospitalization or involve head strikes or neck restraints.

Rubenstein declined to describe the outcome of that review, or what led to Hatton requiring a medic that day.

Gausche-Hill, the county emergency medical services director who was alerted to the allegations against Farrow in October, did not respond to requests for comment on the case, including what actions she took, if any, in response to Eckstein's letter.

Asked about the case Monday, Mayor Eric Garcetti said he wasn't aware of it. A spokeswoman for Garcetti said the mayor's office expects a thorough review of the incident.

Representatives for L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey and City Atty. Mike Feuer said no case involving Farrow had been presented to their offices.

Times staff writers Matt Hamilton and Alene Tchekmedyian contributed to this report.
The state government has been sitting on a plan that could fix the gaping holes in mental health services for youth for five years, and must invest in a system where currently only one in five people who require community support receive it.

This is the message Western Australian Association for Mental Health chief executive Taryn Harvey has for Mental Health Minister Roger Cook ahead of the government's October budget.

Mr Cook initiated a review into the treatment of 13-year-old Kate Savage, whose mother Meron spoke out after her daughter's tragic death about the lack of a facility where suicidal teens under 16 could be kept safe and given treatment.

Kate Savage was 13 years old when she died.

There is nowhere to keep a suicidal child, Ms Savage said. There are no facilities in WA where they will take a child or young teen who is suicidal, keep them safe and treat them. And I think thats awful.
Quang Ninhs IZs and EZs have drawn in 250 non-state investment projects

The Quang Yen coastal economic zone (EZ) covers about 13,300 hectares built on two zones  an urban high-tech industrial complex in Quang Yen town and Uong Bi city covering 6,400ha; the Dam Nha Mac seaport and associated services, plus an industrial zone (IZ) on an area of 6,000ha. To step-by-step meet the requirements of a coastal EZ and diversify investment resources, Quang Ninh has spent more than VND1 trillion ($43.47 million) on transport infrastructure connecting IZs with each other and between the IZs and Halong-Haiphong Expressway.

Quang Ninh is also investing in a riverside route linking Quang Yen with Dong Trieu towns.

In a recent talk with VIR, Koen Soenens, general sales and marketing director at DEEP C Industrial Zones, hailed Quang Ninhs unique factors to become its next investment destination in the country. Along with this, DEEP C invested in two IZs in Quang Yen town  Bac Tien Phong and Nam Tien Phong IZs, also known as DEEP C Quang Ninh  on a total area of 1,680ha. In DEEP Cs investment plan, a 150,000-square-metre ready-built factory space at DEEP C Quang Ninh is scheduled to be built and put into operation next year. DEEP C leaders are expected to sign its first leasing contract in Quang Ninh by the end of the year, with the project to be implemented early in 2021.

Adjacent to an expressways heading to the border with China, near international airports and Lach Huyen International Gateway Port, DEEP C Quang Ninh, like DEEP C Haiphong, is well-positioned for us to build a seamless IZ ecosystem connected to a seaport, said Soenens.

Moreover, Quang Ninh has on offer all the factors that are of prime concern to investors in making funding decisions: political stability, policy, tax incentives, and a favourable geographic location.

Accordingly, as the prime minister has approved to add Quang Yen to Vietnams coastal EZ development planning, the zone will offer investors tax incentives on the same level as the Dinh Vu-Cat Hai coastal EZ in Haiphong.

Along with DEEP C, Quang Yen town is luring the attention of diverse investors such as Amata, Viglacera, NOSCO-VINALINES Ship Repair JSC, Xuan Truong Hai Transportation and Trading JSC, Haiphong Auto Repair Co., Ltd., and more.

For the 2020-2025 period, the province is looking to further develop existing IZs and EZs, improving their advantages and competitiveness to attract qualified investors such as DEEP C to build IZ infrastructure, as well as to entice qualified secondary investors with high-tech capabilities.

In recent times, Quang Ninh has attracted a number of sizable and experienced investors in several fields, including Rent-A-Port, TCL, Foxconn, Texhong, Amata, and Thanh Cong, among others.

These projects all use international consulting, modern equipment and production technology, and advanced management models for the production of eco-friendly products and services, minimising environmental impact.

Recently Vietnams conglomerate Vingroup also announced a plan to invest in an industrial production complex south of the Luc Lam River at the Mong Cai border gate EZ, with a capital scale of more than VND3.4 trillion ($147.8 million) in order to manufacture spare parts and accessories for cars and other motor vehicles. According to Quang Ninh Economic Zones Management Authoritys analytics, the province is currently home to 11 IZs which were included in the development plan to 2020, at a total area of over 11,740ha. The majority of those IZs have attracted secondary investors, with occupancy rate at over 60 per cent. Furthermore, Quang Ninh also accommodates four established EZs (Van Don with 217,000ha and three border gate EZs at Mong Cai, Hoanh Mo-Dong Van, and Bac Phong Sinh) as well as Quang Yen, which is processing establishment procedures. So far, Quang Ninhs IZs and EZs have drawn in 250 non-state investment projects, 178 domestic ventures, and 72 foreign-invested ones.

The efforts to tackle traffic infrastructure bottlenecks through many key projects like the expressway connecting Haiphong, Halong, Van Don, Tien Yen, and Mong Cai, or Van Don international airport, have made trade activities more convenient than ever. This has entailed more capital flow of domestic and overseas investors to Quang Ninh, and IZ infrastructure developers like DEEP C are eager and striving to become well-prepared to avail of this great opportunity.

An investment promotion seminar held by Quang Ninh Peoples Committee with the theme Quang Ninh  the next investment location will take place on August 28-29 in Halong city. The seminar seeks to promote investment links between Quang Ninh and South Korean investors, showcasing an overview to the province as well as open up opportunities for partnerships.
People shop at Chanel boutique at Lotte Department Store in Myeong-dong, central Seoul, on May 13. Korea times file



By Kim Jae-heun



In March, when the COVID-19 pandemic was in its early stages, U.S. consulting firm Bain & Company said in its report "Luxury Study 2020 Spring Update" that the industry will likely face a global sales decrease of 20 percent to 35 percent this year.



However, the results are showing just the opposite in China, the most important market for luxury firms, and in Korea, a test bed of the Asian market.



Despite COVID-19 concerns, people have been forming long lines in front of luxury stores even after high-end fashion brands announced price hikes for their products.



When a rumor surfaced that French fashion house Chanel was going to increase prices, people flocked to its boutiques, waiting in long lines before department stores opened to get a chance to buy Chanel handbags and shoes before the price hike.



In China, another French luxury brand, Hermes, set a sales record of $2.7 million in a single day on April 11.



The craze for luxury goods is ongoing here, and other premium fashion firms are also showing signs that indicate a likelihood of future price hikes.



Following Louis Vuitton's price increase  two times in the first half of this year  Chanel and Christian Dior quickly followed suit raising prices by big margins in May and July, respectively.



This month, Italian brand Salvatore Ferragamo and high-end U.S. jeweler Tiffany & Co increased their prices. Next month, Cartier and Omega are expected join the list.



There are several reasons behind the luxury firms' price hike. In regular times, the main factors in price hikes are headquarters policy, currency exchange fluctuations and rising labor and material costs.



But this year, luxury firms saw sales drop in other parts of the world and they want to make up for it in China and Korea.



The world's biggest luxury conglomerate Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) recorded an earnings shock to show a 27 percent decrease in sales and 71 percent nosedive in operating profit between January and June.



It put up a good defense in Asia but its performance in the U.S. and Europe was poor.



From March to June, in particular, LVMH's fashion business in the Chinese market saw sales soar by 65 percent. In the U.S. and Europe, its sales plunged by 39 percent and 54 percent, respectively.



But starting from June, when the world was starting to see a decrease in the number of COVID-19 patients, the luxury market quickly began to recover in most regions.



SK Securities Analyst Jeon Young-hyun said psychological factors have more influence than rational decision-making when it comes to luxury products.



"People have shown a tendency to purchase more luxury goods following life-threatening experiences," Jeon said.



In China, which is recovering fast, the demand for luxury items is at its highest.



SK Securities quoted from a thesis titled "Terror Marketing" published by the University of Pennsylvania saying people develop more self-attachment after brushes with death. This has led people to lose interest in saving money.






A bodybuilding Tinder lothario accused of luring young women through dating apps and Facebook before bashing and robbing them is facing 21 charges.

John Dennis Gurney, 31, is accused of swindling his dates or assaulting them and running away during an alleged crime spree across Queensland.

He then allegedly then used their credit and bank cards to make fraudulent purchases or large ATM withdrawals.

A police manhunt was launched for John Dennis Gurney, 31, after numerous reports of him allegedly swindling his dates or assaulting them and running away

He is wanted by police after numerous reports of him allegedly swindling his marks or assaulting them and running away

A police manhunt was launched last week and Gurney was finally tracked down on Sunday afternoon and arrested on an outstanding warrant by North Brisbane Police.

Police said he was linked to alleged crimes including assault, robbery, fraud, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and stealing.

Gurney faced court on Monday charged with 11 counts of fraud, two counts each of breaching bail, failure to appear in court, and stealing.

He was also hit with one count each of entering premises and committing an indictable offence, possessing tainted property, wilful damage, and using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

Gurney faced court on Monday charged with 11 counts of fraud, two counts each of breaching bail, failure to appear in court, and stealing along with various other charges

The gym junkie allegedly used his muscular frame to attract young women, then take them on dates where he would rob them

Gurney's alleged crime spree started in July and targeted women between Brisbane and Rockhampton, Central Queensland.

'Police have received a number of reports of the man allegedly targeting women through social media, where he stays with them a number of days before stealing property and leaving,' police said.

'He has been allegedly detected using the women's credit cards at various locations following his departure.'

He has a rose tattoo on his neck as well as tattoos on his shoulders, arms and hand. The tattoo on his left arm reads 'one life one chance'.
File image

The Supreme Court on August 25 decided to refer to an "appropriate" bench the 2009 contempt case against lawyer Prashant Bhushan for his remark that past Chief Justices of India (CJIs) were corrupt.

The apex court in November 2009 had issued a contempt notice to Bhushan and journalist Tarun Tejpal for allegedly casting aspersions on some sitting and former top court judges in an interview to a news magazine. Tejpal was the editor of the magazine.

A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra was told by senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for Prashant Bhushan, that there were as many as 10 questions of constitutional importance have been raised by him and they needed to be dealt by a Constitution bench. A constitutional bench of the Supreme Court consists of five or more judges.

"These are broader issues that need to be deliberated at length. We can have some amicus and it can be adjudicated by an appropriate bench," said the bench, which also comprised Justices BR Gavai and Krishna Murari.

The matter is pending for a long time and it will be listed before the appropriate bench on September 10, the bench said in a hearing conducted through video conferencing.

Justice Mishra, who is retiring on September 2, said the matter will need time and observed "let us leave this to an appropriate bench".

The court did not agree to the submissions of Dhavan that it should issue notice to the Attorney General K K Venugopal seeking his assistance and opinion to deal with the issues raised and said that 'it is best left to the appropriate Bench" which will be set up by the CJI.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday condemned the arrest of Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse by rebelling soldiers and demanded their immediate and unconditional release.

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General said, "The Secretary-General strongly condemns these actions and calls for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and rule of law in Mali. To this end, he demands the immediate and unconditional release of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and members of his cabinet."

READ | Mali Protesters Call For President To Resign

Dujarric further said that the Secretary-General is following the growing developments in Mali "with deep concern". He said Antonio Guterres reiterates his calls for a negotiated solution and peaceful resolution of differences.

The UN chief also extended his support to the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States in their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the current crisis in Mali, including through the offices of his Special Representative.

Guterres has urged all stakeholders, especially the defence and security forces, to act with maximum restraint while upholding human rights and individual freedoms of all Malians, he added.

READ | Mali Mutiny: Soldiers 'arrest' President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, PM Boubou Cisse

Mali President and PM arrested

In an apparent coup attempt, Mali soldiers have arrested President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and held them hostage at a military camp near the capital Bamako.

The mutiny is said to have begun on Tuesday, August 18 with the arrest of several ministers and high-ranking officers. It is believed that the revolt is related to the financial grievances of the servicemen. Four disgruntled military officials are reportedly responsible for the mutiny and the Mali government has issued a statement, calling for a dialogue with the rebels.

READ | UN Chief 'deeply Concerned' Over Environmental Threat Posed By Stricken Oil Tanker Off Yemen Coast

As per reports, mass demonstrations have erupted on the streets of Malis capital amid a lack of a security presence, with gunfire occasionally heard, and rebel soldiers have been firing shots in the direction of the president's residence.

Earlier in the day, crowds took to the streets in Bamako and surrounded the capital city's independence monument. A building owned by the Minister of Justice was set on fire and looted. The attempted mutiny by the Mali troops reportedly took place in Kati, at the same camp that a successful military rebellion was launched back in 2012. President Keita has been facing growing public discontent since May after Malis top constitutional court upheld the results from disputed parliamentary elections.

READ | UN Chief Welcomes Israel, UAE Agreement

(With inputs from agency)
New Delhi Chinas destabilising actions in the region figured at a meeting on Tuesday of the India-Vietnam joint commission on trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation, during which the two countries agreed to work more closely together in the Indo-Pacific.

During the virtual meeting, co-chaired by external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh, the two sides agreed to add new momentum to their economic and defence engagements and to explore closer cooperation in emerging areas such as civil nuclear energy, space, marine sciences and new technologies.

Chinas actions in the South China Sea and along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) figured in the discussions, with both sides briefing each other on the latest developments, people familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity.

The Vietnamese side underlined the importance of peace and security in the South China Sea, one of the people cited above said.

India and Vietnam agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in line with New Delhis Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and Aseans outlook on Indo-Pacific to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. India invited Vietnam to collaborate on one of the seven pillars of the IPOI, it added.

IPOI was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the East Asia Summit in November 2019 and its pillars include enhancing maritime security, promoting free, fair and mutually beneficial trade and maritime transport and enhancing science and technology cooperation.

In recent years, Vietnam has often turned to India for support over Chinas increasing activities within its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. India is one of only three countries with which Vietnam has a comprehensive strategic partnership and state-owned ONGC Videsh is engaged in energy production in Vietnamese waters that have witnessed intrusions by Chinese vessels over the past year.

On Friday, Vietnamese envoy Pham Sanh Chau met foreign secretary Harsh Shringla to brief him on the escalating tensions in the South China Sea after China ramped up its military presence in the region.

At Tuesdays meeting, the two sides also reviewed recent developments in their comprehensive strategic partnership and discussed the future trajectory of their engagement. The statement said Jaishankar and Minh exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, especially in the context of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

Jaishankar referred to the prime ministers vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat for enhancing resilience through self-reliance and human-centric globalisation and invited Vietnam to take advantage of the countrys new economic capacities and demands.

He also reaffirmed Indias development and capacity-building aid to Vietnam through initiatives such as quick impact projects (QIPs), PhD fellowships, water resource management projects in the Mekong Delta, digital connectivity and heritage conservation. India has approved 12 QIPs in Vietnam, including seven water resource management schemes in the Mekong Delta and five for building educational infrastructure.

MoU for cooperation between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and between the National Maritime Foundation and Scientific Research Institute of Sea and Islands were signed on the margins of the joint commission meeting.

India and Vietnam also agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral forums, including the UN Security Council, where both countries will concurrently serve as non-permanent members in 2021, and at regional forums under the Asean framework.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Maris F. Krasnegor, 84, of Philadelphia, a gerontologist and textile artist, died Friday, July 31, of an infection at Temple University Hospital.

Ms. Krasnegor was an administrator for senior citizen programs in Philadelphia. Her day job was enriched by her avocation  an interest in art, said Steve Bremner, her friend and caregiver with whom she lived in the Wissahickon section of the city.

Her real passions in life were creativity, as seen in her textile artwork, and caring, as demonstrated by her running the Roxborough senior center, and in forming and operating Communicare, the volunteer organization to benefit Center City elders, he said in a statement.

Born in Cleveland, Ms. Krasnegor grew up in Chadds Ford, the daughter of a chemist with the DuPont Co. The family moved often as he helped invent the nonstick coating Teflon.

She graduated from Wilmington Friends School in Delaware. She earned a bachelors degree in art history from Wellesley College in 1957 and a combined masters degree in gerontology and the psychology of education from Temple University in 1983.

Ms. Krasnegor did two years of postgraduate study in textiles at what is now the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and worked in designing and producing textiles from a studio at home. She had many exhibitions of her work, which included felt and wool garments, and hanging textiles.

She was a founding member of the Philadelphia Guild of Handweavers.

From 1975 to 1980, she worked for Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia, creating art programs for the elderly and training art therapists in how to run the sessions.

She spent 1980 and 1981 identifying and signing up local artists to work with the seniors at centers in West Philadelphia. The program was subsidized by a contract with the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, according to her resume.

From 1982 to 1987, she was a social and recreational activities director for the Interac Senior Center on Ridge Avenue in Roxborough and also supervised planning and operations.

She went out on her own in 1987, designing and running workshops in art therapy for seniors and professionals in the local elder-care industry.

In 1990, Ms. Krasnegors focus changed to helping isolated older adults at risk for loneliness and physical decline. She founded and became the director of Communicare, a project that matched volunteers with the frail elderly in Center City. The aim was to provide companionship and do small chores for the seniors in their homes.

She recruited and trained volunteers and stayed in touch with them as they sallied forth to carry out their missions of kindness.

Courteous and gentle, with excellent communication skills, Ms. Krasnegor was uniquely suited for the job because she could get along with anyone, said Bremner, who worked beside her as a Communicare volunteer.

She had an uncanny ability to read people and know exactly which volunteer would be the best match for a senior citizen in need of a sympathetic ear  or a small, personal favor.

She would tentatively ask things like, Next time youre visiting Fred/Freda, would you consider helping them to trim their nails? I know its not the pleasantest task, but it would mean a lot to them, Bremner recalled.

Somehow you found yourself saying yes because, well, Maris was Maris. Three days later, youd be feeling good about the whole thing, and quietly wondering how Maris knew youd say yes before you knew it yourself.

In 2014, Ms. Krasnegor retired from Communicare, which was absorbed by a wider outreach program, Episcopal Community Services, in Center City.

In retirement, she read widely, especially fiction, and kept in touch with old friends.

Ms. Krasnegor is survived her former husband, Harvey A. Krasnegor, and a nephew.

At her request, no services will be held.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102 or via www.afsc.org/give.
Sydney, Australia (CNN Philippines Life)  If you ever needed quail eggs, a NutriBullet, or a plumber, the last place youd think to look was a chat group. But with anxieties flying high during the first few weeks of the lockdown in Metro Manila, Filipinos found solace in one another through Viber communities. Here, all questions and topics are welcome  like where to get water, what new ordinances are imposed, or a 36-hour discussion on where to get the best pan de sal.

The community feature was launched by the tech company Rakuten Viber in late 2018, allowing users with similar interests to interact in one group while maintaining their privacy. The phone number of a community member is by default hidden, and the member can disable getting a private message from other community members, says Lana Macapagal, Rakuten Vibers PR Manager for the Asia Pacific. She says that Viber enjoys a 71% penetration rate in the country, mostly from millennial users within Metro Manila, its nearby provinces, and Cebu. Recently, we have seen a surge in community engagement, not just globally, but also in the Philippines. There has been a 2.5 times increase in community viewers and 2.7 times growth in messages sent to communities.

Amid the pandemic, users in the Philippines turned to Viber communities as a support system and information hub, usually demarcated by location: for cities from Quezon City to Paranaque. Some groups broke off and clustered according to barangay, zones, or subdivisions.

One of the earlier groups to pop up was the New Manila Community Updates group, currently with over 4,000 members. Its creator and administrator, Vladimir VJ Manuel, says that initially the community only had four members: himself, two cousins, and his dentist. Manuel, who works with the Asian Institute of Management, made the group a few days after the lockdown to keep up with what was happening within his neighborhood. "You want people to quickly exchange information in real-time, so you use the tools that you have," says Manuel. He chose Viber simply because it was natural to him  he was already a heavy user.

When Zarah Ruiz, a former brand and social media manager, saw other neighborhoods were conglomerating on Viber, she gathered her friends, mostly other parents like herself, to create the Pasig Residents Group. Ruiz says she preferred the Viber platform over Facebook to avoid trolls. The intention was just to share updates, like how long the lines in the groceries were, to friends and friends of friends who wanted the low-down. Then we started getting more members, mostly through word of mouth. We just woke up one day with over a thousand members. Now, the Pasig Residents Group has over 6,000 members, with a separate group dedicated to selling products called the Pasig City Marketplace, with more than 9,000 users.

These communities, if not bombarded with updates, have information that cant be found on the news. When checkpoints were deployed around Manila, people could get tips on which routes to pass. When the alcohol ban was imposed, some communities bartered liquor. It's so easy to get information about whats going on in the Philippines as a whole, but its hard when youre more concerned about whats impacting you in your neighborhood, says Manuel. "The interesting thing about it is while the world is really global, we still need certain elements for small communities to thrive, especially when you can only move around your geographical area that is so constricted, he says.

Ruiz adds that these communities worked because the information was tailor-fit to the user. Its more personalized because for example, in the Pasig community, you know that the information youre getting is really for Pasig residents, she says.

Kapwa in Viber communities

The administrators noticed unique aspects of social interaction arise in the groups. "I see them trying to look after each other, and there's an urge to help out, says Ruiz. Parang may feeling of belongingness since you know that they belong to the same community. Kasi, there was a time somebody passed by Ortigas and saw construction workers stranded there with placards asking for help, and they posted it in the group. I remember members of the community got together and did something to help those stranded workers, she shares with delight. Proving that the cultural characteristic of pakikipagkapwa comes to light especially during a crisis, a theorized core value of Filipino social psychology posited by Virgilio Enriquez. Pakikipagkapwa means that we carry a moral obligation to treat others as fellow human beings, connecting through a shared identity.

Manuel also observed this sudden reliance on the goodwill of strangers when users asked to share in bulk purchases or pabili. When one user wants to buy something online, but the item is only sold in bulk, they make a shoutout for whoever wants to go halves with the purchase, and someone would most likely raise their hand. It suddenly became normal for two complete strangers to share a cart, anything from bulk sweet white corn to bulk bibingka. "I felt na it became more neighborly," says Manuel.

Administrators as mediators

People like Manuel and Ruiz are community administrators, who acquire the responsibility of managing these groups voluntarily. Their mediating roles afford them substantial authority. For example, banter about politics is something they can choose to deal with, or not at all. This is a responsibility that, only until recently, tech companies like Facebook have tried to steer away from. We delete posts that do not follow community guidelines. We don't want 'fake news' as much as possible, we only want reliable and valid sources of information shared in the group," says Ruiz.

Ruiz, who also administers the Pasig City Marketplace, says that the monitoring work there is even more tedious. "We have to monitor not only the posts but also the pricing kasi we see overpriced products being sold. Since were the admins, we feel like we owe it to our members to protect them. Kinakabahan kami for the buyer, lalo na if they're from Pasig, so we also intervene," says Ruiz, exercising an intermediary role over the community. When the alcohol ban was imposed, Ruiz didnt want the marketplace group to be complicit in the selling of alcohol. We dont want to put the drivers at risk, reasons Ruiz. While she admits some of her decisions were contentious, she thinks it her role to impose regulations, and isnt afraid to call out a seller for jacking up the price of a pack of Yakult.

Support system

As weeks pass, and things normalize in Manila, Viber communities have also become more self-managed. Users come in and out of it when they need to, sharing news, an occasional meme or two, and for some groups (like the San Juan City Residents) lots of prayers. Information within these groups is not hard to find. One can easily search on Google to see which branches of BPI are open today. But it shows that in times of difficulty, having access to any kind of information is enough. These digital communities offer the comfort of sharing worries during a time of utter precariousness. And during a crisis, an answered query provides guidance when the world seems so lost. Its even better when information is vouched for by your kapitbahay.

It also doesn't hurt to have access to the lived experiences of other people, like knowing whether the internet is down for the whole area, or is it just me? Or knowing that the pack of U.S. seedless oranges bought from Unimart last week were all rotten. Most of all, it's a reminder that while we are more isolated than ever before, we're not struggling alone. There is comfort in knowing that at the end of the day, everyone enjoys an excellent pan de sal.
The Republican Party is holding its four-day convention where the ceremonial coronation of its presidential candidate takes place. Today is the second day of the convention in Charlotte which will end on Thursday.

On the first day, Donald Trump was formally nominated to be re-elected as the president of the United States. He will take on his Democratic rival Joe Biden.

The first day was marked by Trumps speech that included sharp criticism for Biden and a warning about how China will own the US if the Democratic presidential candidate wins the election in November. Similar comments followed in speeches of several speakers.

Nikki Haley, the former US ambassador to the UN, on the other hand invoked her Indian roots at the convention. I was a brown girl in a black and white world, she said adding that she and her family faced discrimination and hardship but at the same time she rejected the idea that America is a racist country.

As the Republican Party heads to day two of the GOP convention, heres what to watch to out for

Theme

All four days of the convention will be based on different themes. Like Mondays focussed on Land of Promise, Tuesday will centred around Land of Opportunity.

Donald Trumps address

Unlike the previous years when the candidate typically only spoke on the last night to accept his partys nomination, Republican Partys presidential candidate will deliver a speech on all four days. He will formally accept the partys nomination on the final day of the convention.

Who all will speak today?

First lady Melania Trump and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo are among key speakers on Tuesday night. Presidents children Eric and Tiffany Trump are also slated to address the convention.

Out of the public view for much of the year, Melania will step into the spotlight on Tuesday night to argue for a second term for President Trump.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, Pam Bondi, who co-chairs Women for Trump, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Nicholas Sandmann, who sued media outlets that inaccurately portrayed him seeming to confront a Native American protester, will also be speaking at the event.

Additional speakers include Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Myron Lizer, vice president of the Navajo Nation, Abby Johnson, an anti-abortion activist, Mary Ann Mendoza, whose son was killed in a car crash by an undocumented immigrant and Jason Joyce, a lobsterman from Maine.

How to watch?

All major broadcast networks will air an hour of convention coverage each night from 10 to 11 pm New York time and cable news channels will showcase the full two and a half-hour programs beginning at 8:30 pm each night.

Can I watch if I have no cable?

The event will also be streamed on Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, Peacock and Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Alexa users can even ask the device to play the Republican National Convention.

Here are the links to the channels where the convention will be streamed: Facebook.com/gopconvention, Twitter.com/gopconvention, Twitch.tv/gopconvention, YouTube.com/gopconvention
Russia Kicks Off Tests of Cutting-Edge S-500 Systems, Mass Production on the Way

Sputnik News

Henry Batyaev. Sputnik International

12:25 GMT 24.08.2020(updated 12:26 GMT 24.08.2020)

Deputy Defence Minister Aleksey Krivoruchko announced that Russia Armed Forces are looking to receive the first batch of the newest systems in 2021. The full-scale supply of the S-500s is scheduled for 2025.

Russia has begun tests of its advanced S-500 surface-to-air missile systems, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuriy Borisov told journalists at the Army-2020 forum.

The official added that a light configuration of the systems already exists and its parts are already being purchased for mass production.

The S-500 Prometey ("Prometheus"), also known as 55R6M "Triumfator-M", is a universal system for long-range and high-altitude interception with increased missile defence potential. The weapon's main tasks will include combating medium-range ballistic missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles if they are in close proximity.

The cutting-edge defence system was tested by the air defence troops in 2019, and 2021 is expected to be the year when the S-500 will be first deployed by the Russian armed forces, according to the Defence Ministry.

In July, the commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces said that the S-500 Prometey ("Prometheus") defence system will be capable of destroying hypersonic weapons in near-Earth space, adding that the S-500s have no analogue in the world.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Schools across Northern Ireland welcomed back thousands of pupils on Monday following five months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pupils in Primary 7, and Years 12 and 14 - whose preparation for exams was disrupted by the lockdown - and all vulnerable children returned to classes while all other pupils will begin the new school term from next Monday.

Three schools did not reopen following the detection of Covid-19 cases.

Ballyclare Secondary School will reopen on Tuesday following a deep clean and 72-hour incubation period while St Kevin's Primary School and St Louise's College, both on the Falls Road in west Belfast, also delayed their reopening following positive cases among the school community.

At Bloomfield Collegiate School in east Belfast, 240 students in Years 12 and 14 were back while the remainder of the 730 enrolment and 67 staff will follow in the coming days.

Principal Gary Greer said he was "reasonably anxious" ahead of reopening but delighted that the day had finally come.

"The girls are all very excited to be back and while there was a bit of nervousness around the new one-way system, but overall there's a very positive feel so far.

"I'm delighted with the way our staff have pulled together to ensure we're providing as safe an environment as we can," he said.

"I'm slightly more concerned about what happens in the family home as we have parents who are shielding and considered vulnerable so it's really about trying to reduce the risk for them."

Expand Close Principal Gary Greer with his pupils at Bloomfield Collegiate / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Principal Gary Greer with his pupils at Bloomfield Collegiate

However some teachers have expressed concern that schools have been 'rushed' into re-opening and without enough time to respond to new guidance, issued by Education Minister Peter Weir earlier this month.

Read More

It recommended the formation of protective bubbles for primary school children and pupils in years 8-10 in post-primary schools, while interactions between different year groups of older pupils should be limited.

While not mandatory for routine use by pupils, some schools have already said that they will be encouraging the wearing of face coverings when they return.

Jacquie White, General Secretary of the Ulster Teachers' Union, said the situation regarding protocols around Covid-19 in schools was still unclear.

"For a start, many of the measures schools undertook to get pupils back in the first place were based on plans to have 50% of children in schools at once.

"Now from next week all pupils should be back full time and we have only had limited time to assess exactly what that will mean," she said.

"Schools are finding that even some classrooms they had been going to use are no longer suitable given the numbers they're now expected to see.

"It's been an incredibly rushed and quick turn around, but it's not really until the children are back that we will see how it will work as that may well throw up other issues that we haven't even thought of yet."

Ms White added: "However, one of the most fundamental things we need clarity on is what should be done straight away if a child or staff member tests positive for Covid-19. We need a clear and robust plan, something like a flow chart, for instance, with step by step guidance on what to do, who needs to be isolated and how long they need to be out of school and so on."

Expand Close Education Minister, Peter Weir speaks to pupils at St Josephs Primary School in Carryduf / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Education Minister, Peter Weir speaks to pupils at St Josephs Primary School in Carryduf

Mr Weir, who visited St Joseph's Primary School in Carryduff, expressed confidence that appropriate safety measures have been put in place.

"The position that we've taken is in line with what is there from chief medical officers across the UK," he said.

"I appreciate that there are challenges and there will be problems out there bit it's trying to cope with those challenges and do the best that we can. I think all of us in the education system should be focused on the delivery of education for our young people."
55-year old Magdaly Arriola sits at a cooling station during a heatwave in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, Calif., on Aug. 20, 2020. (Lucy Nicholson via Reuters)

In California Heatwave, Pandemic Makes It Hard to Cool Off

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.Before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down air-conditioned shopping malls and movie theaters, Debera Diaz and her adult son Joshua could have ducked inside to escape the 109 degrees Fahrenheit heat that roasted their town near Sacramento last week.

So the pair, who have been living in Deberas Honda Civic since her divorce and eviction a few months ago, were grateful to find a cooling center in city hall, complete with masks and a showing of the Meryl Streep movie The Devil Wears Prada.

You cant even go to the library, said Diaz, 58. It was really bad.

The coronavirus pandemic presents vexing challenges for officials trying to protect residents from extreme weather conditions. Many places people usually go are closed, and public cooling centers like the one in Rancho Cordova can only accept half the normal number of people because of physical distancing requirements. Staying with relatives or friends is also difficult because of health concerns.

At the same time, however, officials worry that fears of catching the virus will keep some vulnerable people from seeking shelter from extreme heat, or even seeking out evacuation centers when wildfire threatens.

Scott Nundy, 52, sits at a cooling station during a heatwave, amid the global outbreak of the CCP virus, in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, Calif., Aug. 20, 2020. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

Protecting residents from extreme conditions is an issue that increasingly confronts cities and counties across the United States, as storms, heat, and wildfire force thousands to seek refuge. Many experts are even more concerned about how to shelter vulnerable residents from extreme cold should the pandemic still be raging in the winter.

Its changed how we approach this as a city, Rancho Cordova Mayor David Sander said of the pandemic. In previous years, churches and nonprofits opened their doors to people seeking shelter, but now many are either closed or unable to help, he said.

The citys cooling center, set up in a large meeting room, can only accommodate 10 people before workers have to open an adjoining room, Sander said. That is half or less than its usual capacity.

The city is not taking the temperatures of everyone who comes in but asks anyone with a self-reported fever to stay away.

Among those most likely to suffer from extreme weather are people without homes like the Diazes, and the elderly on fixed incomes who might not have air conditioning or, if they do, may feel that they cant afford to use it, said Mary Jo Flynn-Nevins, the emergency operations coordinator for Sacramento County.

Public agencies opened eight cooling centers in the county during last weeks heatwave, each able to accommodate between 10 and 40 people, she said.

With more than 5,500 people homeless in Sacramento County last year, and around 225,000 elderly, space for residents to shelter from harsh weather can quickly run short, Flynn-Nevins said.

Statewide, cooling centers were opened in 24 of Californias 58 counties, according to the California Department of Emergency Services.

A cooling station is seen during a heatwave in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, Calif., on Aug. 20, 2020. (Lucy Nicholson via Reuters)

The administration of Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, did not respond to requests for comment about the challenges of offering respite from the heat during the pandemic. But the state has encouraged residents to limit their use of electricity to avoid overtaxing the power grid and prompting blackouts.

When the temperature neared 100 Fahrenheit in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles, Magdalay Arriola went to the East Valley Adult Center, where she sat with a water bottle and portable lunch cooler, reading a book.

About 10 people, 6 feet apart and wearing masks, sat in the air-conditioned room. Employees in protective suits cleaned tables and chairs with disinfectant.

The AC is not working in my house, and I was getting really overheated, said Arriola, 55. Hopefully this is safe.

Her worry that the cooling center may not be safe from COVID-19 is common, said Chad Carter, a spokesman for the Red Cross. People also worry they may spread or contract the virus if they seek shelter with friends or family.

But they also must recognize the dangers of soaring temperatures, which include heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Extreme heat is a risk just like COVID-19, he said. Extreme heat can be deadly.

By Sharon Bernstein
Investment to Accelerate International Expansion and Product Innovation

Alfven Didrikson to Retain Minority Stake Alongside Founders

ProvidenceStrategic Growth ("PSG"), the growth equity affiliate of premier asset management firm Providence Equity Partners ("Providence"), today announced the completion of a majority investment in Sympa, a leading provider of cloud-based human capital management ("HCM") software in the Nordics. Alfven Didrikson, an active, long-term backer of Nordic businesses with international growth potential, invested in Sympa in 2016 and will retain a minority stake alongside the company's founding team. PSG team members Edward Hughes, Aldo Mareuse, and Tobias Richter have joined Sympa's board of directors. Financial terms were not disclosed.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005031/en/

Sympa founders Keijo Karjalainen (on the left) and Taina Sipila. Photo by Sympa. (Photo: Business Wire)

Sympa was founded in 2005 and is now one of the fastest-growing cloud HR suite vendors in the Nordics. Its signature solution, Sympa HR, is a comprehensive HR platform that gives businesses advanced tools for automating a wide range of HR tasks and amplifies the expertise of HCM professionals. PSG's investment will support Sympa's next phase of growth focused on product enhancement and strategic M&A to drive expansion across Europe. Co-Founder and CEO Keijo Karjalainen will continue leading day-to-day operations and Sympa's team of 140 employees in 8 offices in 5 countries.

"We chose to partner with Sympa because we believe it is an outstanding business that will spearhead consolidation in Europe's HCM software segment," said Edward Hughes, Managing Director at PSG. "The market is growing rapidly, and companies now demand sophisticated digital HR management tools, which presents a compelling growth opportunity for Sympa. We look forward to working with Keijo and his team to unlock the company's full potential and accelerate its international expansion."

Keijo Karjalainen, Co-Founder and CEO, commented, "Since founding Sympa, we have been convinced there's a pent-up demand for more robust HCM software to support the full range of HR processes and unlock data-driven HR. We also identified a critical lack of HR software for mid-market organisations managing international HR operations in all their complexity. Meeting both these needs while always putting the customer first has powered Sympa's outstanding growth, and with PSG on our side we believe we're perfectly placed to secure market leadership beyond our Nordic heartland. Right now, the future looks very exciting."

Sympa currently helps more than 700 organizations, including renowned brands in the Nordics such as Oatly, BMW, Dustin, and Byggmax to nurture the development of their employees, operate more efficiently, and make smarter strategic decisions through its fully digital HR solution. Sympa previously won Red Herring's list of 100 of the most exciting start-ups from Asia, Europe and the Americas.

-ENDS-

About Sympa

Sympa HR is a complete, fully customizable solution that lets you focus on people and smart decision-making. It provides companies with a clear, aggregated, view of all their people data, a trusted tool for automating a wide range of everyday HR tasks and unlimited connectors to other software. Sympa HR is now used an average of 650,000 times every month in 700 organizations in over 100 countries. Winner of the 2019 HR Solution Implementation Project of the year, Sympa has also one of the highest customer satisfaction rates in HR technology in Europe. Learn more about Sympa's HR solution and customers on the company's website, https://www.sympa.com.

About Providence Strategic Growth

PSG is an affiliate of Providence Equity Partners ("Providence"). Established in 2014, PSG focuses on growth equity investments in lower middle market software and technology-enabled service companies. Providence is a premier global asset management firm that pioneered a sector-focused approach to private equity investing with the vision that a dedicated team of industry experts could build exceptional companies of enduring value. Since the firm's inception in 1989, Providence has invested in more than 200 companies and is a leading equity investment firm focused on the media, communications, education, software and services industries. PSG is headquartered in Boston, MA, with offices in London and Kansas City. For more information on PSG, please visit https://www.provequity.com/private-equity/psg, and for more information on Providence, please visit https://www.provequity.com.

About Alfven Didrikson

Alfven Didrikson is an active and long-term backer of passionate entrepreneurs and teams with international growth ambitions. Since 2010, the Alfven Didrikson team has made investments in fast-growing Northern European companies such as Trustly, Quinyx, Mentimeter, Acast, Offerta, PE Accounting, Ftrack, Joint Academy, Transfer Galaxy, Airmee and Paligo. For more information see www.alfvendidrikson.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005031/en/

Contacts:

Media

Providence Strategic Growth

Sard Verbinnen Co.

Giles Bethule

+44 7761 385 365

Prov-SVC@sardverb.com

Sympa

Kati Tammisto

+358 40 775 57162

kati.tammisto@sympa.com

Alfven Didrikson

Maria Ahr/ Ken Liebkind

+46 708 284 799

maria@alfvendidrikson.com ken@alfvendidrikson.com
Former RNC chair Michael Steele appears on SiriusXM's Joe Madison show in Washington on May 3, 2017. (Larry French/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Former Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele Joins Anti-Trump Lincoln Project

The Lincoln Project brought former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele on board this week, just a few days after losing George Conway.

Steele, an MSNBC political analyst, will be a senior adviser to the political action committee, which is vociferously opposed to Republican President Donald Trump.

Steele said he has witnessed Trump devolve into preying upon our fears and resentments with a narcissism that nurtures only chaos and confusion.

Leadership is needed now more than ever and I am proudly committed to resetting the course of our nation, standing once again for the future of my Party; and working with The Lincoln Project to help restore the purpose for sitting in that chair, he added in a statement.

Rick Wilson, who co-founded the group, called Steele a singularly insightful and effective political leader.

Diverse voices are central to The Lincoln Project movement. There is no future for Conservatism if we do not elevate them. Michael Steele has been doing that his entire life and were excited to have him doing it with The Lincoln Project, said Mike Madrid, another co-founder.

Conway, a third-co-founder, announced this week he was leaving the group to spend more time with his family. Conways wife, White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, is also leaving her job.

Steele, 61, was the lieutenant governor of Maryland for four years until 2007 before becoming the Republican National Committee chair from 2009 to 2011. Steele lost an effort to stay in the position to Reince Priebus.

The Lincoln Project is billed as a group of Republicans who are united with a singular mission: To defeat Donald Trump and Trumpism.

Trump has called the group a disgrace to Honest Abe and full of LOSERS.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), responding to the group launching digital ads against his reelection efforts, referred to it last month as a cabal of political consultants is all in it for the money.

If they actually cared about the country, they wouldnt be working to advance the socialist, anarchist agenda of the radical left, he added.
(Natural News) Any adult who pays even the slightest attention to politics knows that political leaders embellish.

They just do. They often overstate their accomplishments, take credit for getting things done they dont deserve, and often flat-out lie about things.

But never before has a so-called news network cut away from a presidential speech to his partys nominating convention because a host determined that the nominee wasnt being honest.

So now, CNN can claim another first.

Breitbart News reported:

Monday, the GOP formally nominated President Donald Trump for reelection. As Trump delivered remarks following his nomination, CNN Newsroom cut away from the speech and criticized him for his misleading statements and outright lies.

After cutting the interview, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper noted Trump went negative at the convention after promising to be positive. He added the president falsely attacked mail-in voting and falsely accused Democrats of wanting to shut down the country to hurt the economy and thus hurt him at the ballot box.

After vowing to have a positive convention, the president goes negative in its first moments. He started off falsely attacking mail-in voting. Hes continuing attack mail-in voting and, as the postmaster general testifies that the attacks are unhelpful. [sic] Thats his own postmaster general, Cooper said. (Related: STUDY: 150 TIMES more negative news on Trump than Biden.)

He also criticized the media for airing the postmasters hearing instead of his roll call. He falsely accused Democrats of wanting to shut down the country to hurt the economy and somehow help them at the ballot box. Unclear how angering the entire country by shutting down would help them in the ballot box. He attacked North Carolinas governor for putting limits on crowds during a convention, he continued.

CNN correspondent John King joined in.

This is a sad thing to say, but a lot of what you just heard from the President of the United States is wrong, misleading, and outright lies, he said. Wrong, misleading and outright lies.

Oh, brother.

Ordinarily, if there is anyone in journalism who knows about spreading falsehoods, its just about anyone who works at CNN.

The network lied consistently when it pushed the Russian collusion hoax. In fact, CNNs own investigative team resigned after publishing a story about Trump and Russia that was so fake they had no other choice but to tuck tail and move on.

Indeed, CNN actually hires accused and known liars. National security analyst and former Obama Director of National Intelligence James Clapper lied under oath before the Senate Intelligence Committee, the Washington Examiner has noted. More recently, the network hired fired FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe who lied repeatedly to investigators, some of which were under oath, the outlet added.

So, if anyone has a problem being honest, its CNN.

But in fact, much of what the president said was true; CNNs perpetually Trump-deranged journos just didnt want to hear what he had to say.

And lets be clear about the difference: Barack Obama used to lie like it was job, and CNN not only did not ever cut away from him, they worshiped him like a god and still to this day consider him to be one of our greatest presidents.

Even though he weaponized the deep states intelligence apparatus as well as the Justice Department and FBI to spy on his chosen successors (Hillary Clinton) rival campaign (and wed still like to know how much of that Clinton knew about and was in on).

Remember all the lies Obama told just about his signature healthcare plan? And speaking of Obama and journalists, remember when Obama had his FBI spying on journalists (Obama sure liked to spy a lot, didnt he)?

CNN is the least-watched cable news outlet because it is also one of the most outrageous, irresponsible and least trustworthy.

And thats the truth.

Sources include:

WashingtonExaminer.com

TheHill.com

Breitbart.com

NewsFakes.com
Iran reveals details from crashed Ukrainian plane's black boxes analysis

Global Times

Source: Xinhua Published: 2020/8/24 10:57:22

Head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization revealed on Sunday details of Iran's final report on the crash of Ukrainian passenger plane PS752 that occurred near Tehran in January, official news agency IRNA reported.

According to the data extracted from the jetliner's flight recorders, all the plane's parameters were normal until the impact of a first missile at 6:14:56 a.m. (Tehran time), Touraj Dehghani Zangeneh said.

After the impact, the black box inside the flight cabin continued to record the voices of four people of the crew who noticed the situation was "abnormal" and tried to retake control of the aircraft.

The recording stopped 19 seconds later, before a second missile was shot and arrived near the aircraft, 25 seconds after the first strike.

Because the first missile explosion sent shrapnel into the plane, disrupting both the CVR and FBR aircraft's black boxes, it is not possible to analyze the activity and effects of the second missile, Dehghani added.

The data were extracted in France by French technicians between July 17 and 24, in presence of representatives of the United States, Ukraine, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, without technical difficulties.

Dehghani Zangeneh thanked the French Civil Aviation Bureau of Investigation and Analysis for its cooperation.

The Ukraine PS752 flight was hit by Iranian missiles after taking off in Tehran's airspace on Jan. 8, killing all 176 people onboard. Iran said that its forces "accidentally" shot down the plane.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






Saddened, says PM Modi on Raigad building collapse

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his condolences to the victims of the building collapse in Maharashtra's Raigad District.

Raigad building collapse: Rescue operations continue as dozens trapped | Oneindia News

"Saddened by the building collapse in Mahad, Raigad in Maharashtra. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their dear ones. I pray the injured recover soon. Local authorities and NDRF teams are at the site of the tragedy, providing all possible assistance," Prime Minister, Narendra Modi said in a tweet.

Saddened by the building collapse in Mahad, Raigad in Maharashtra. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their dear ones. I pray the injured recover soon. Local authorities and NDRF teams are at the site of the tragedy, providing all possible assistance: PM  PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2020

Maharashtra Raigad building collapse: Consultant held, remanded to 5-day police custody

Atleast five person was killed and several others injured after a five storey building collapsed in the Kajalpura area of Mahad town on Monday evening. Several persons who were trapped in the debris have been rescued. Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are present at the spot and carrying out rescue operations.
According to Politik.ams sources, yesterday morning there was a serious incident between Minister of Health of Armenia Arsen Torosyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Pashinyan told Torosyan he had led the battle against the coronavirus to failure and blamed him for being a bad minister, after which Torosyan said the Prime Minister should appoint another minister, if he can find a better one.

According to our source in government, the dispute became so heated that the two began to offend each other, after which Torosyan started hinting about the Prime Ministers health, and at the end, he addressed Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, told him to take care of their patient (referring to Pashinyan) and left.

Politik.am reports that, after the incident, Pashinyan convened an urgent session of the board of the Civil Contract Party to discuss Torosyans dismissal, and in this period, Torosyan was summoned to the National Security Service.

The news service of the National Security Service told Armenian News-NEWS.am that Torosyan hadnt been summoned to the National Security Service and that there werent even any grounds for that.
Exclusive: Hook Says United States Is Hopeful About Return Of All UN Sanction On Iran

Radio Farda Samira Gharaei August 24, 2020

In an exclusive interview with Radio Farda, Brian Hook, the United States Special Representative for Iran, said the U.S. is hoping that all U.N. sanctions against Iran will be re-imposed in 29 days.

"Many good things are going to happen," Hook said. "The arms embargo on Iran will be extended and Iran will not be allowed to enrich uranium."

Hook stressed that Iran's violation of its nuclear commitments authorizes the U.A. to activate the "trigger" mechanism of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement, and to start the re-imposition of all sanctions on Iran.

The trigger mechanism, part of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, gives participating countries the power to claim that Iran has not fulfilled its obligations and subsequently re-activate or "snapback" the previous U.N. sanctions against the nation.

The United States started the procedure for the activation of the snapback option on August 20.

Iran has argued over the past months that the U.S., which pulled out of the JCPOA in May 2018, is no longer a participating country, while the U.S.' counter-argument is that the country is entitled to activate the trigger mechanism as one of the original signatories to the agreement. The remaining members of the JCPOA have taken Iran's side on the matter.

Emphasizing that both Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress endorse the extension of the arms embargo on Iran that will be lifted in October, Hook explained, "We tried to do this using a simple mechanism but the U.N. Security Council did not support our proposed resolution so we had to invoke the trigger mechanism on Thursday to return all U.N. sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran".

Thirteen of the fifteen members of the U.N. Security Council abstained from the vote on the U.S. move to extend the embargo on August 14, with only the Dominican Republic joining the United States to vote in the affirmative.

"The United States has always done the right and courageous thing to ensure peace and security," Hook said, adding that the JCPOA is only a "political agreement that even lacks signatures."

Hook also told Radio Farda that the Trump administration wants the remaining parties in the nuclear agreement to join the U.S.' diplomatic efforts against Iran, claiming that U.S. diplomacy has been successful in weakening the Iranian regime and its proxies in the region.

Criticizing the European countries' approach to the issue of the Iran arms embargo and emphasizing that Iran is a threat to the security of Europe, Hook alleged that Iran has "carried out tens of terrorist plans and operations."

"I don't know who may think that giving weapons to this regime is the right decision," he said.

The Trump administration is seeking a comprehensive agreement in the place of the JCPOA that includes measures against threats posed by the Iranian regime, including its nuclear and missile programs and aggressive behavior in the Middle East.

Hook cited the $200 billion impact that the sanctions have cost Iran as proof of the effectiveness of the U.S. administration's maximum pressure policy on the country, calling the current situation a result of the "Iranian Supreme Leader's choice," despite having been warned that Iran could either start negotiations with the United States or prepare itself for an economic collapse.

Hook also pointed out that the recent U.S.-brokered deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates was a consequence of the United States' withdrawal from the JCPOA, with Israel and the UAE both considering the deal to be a betrayal of their security.

Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/exclusive-hook- says-united-states-is-hopeful-about-return-of- all-un-sanction-on-iran/30800524.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The Students' Union Monday held a protest, demanding the postponement of registration, better mess facilities and phased return of students who have left the campus in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

Wearing masks, a few students gathered outside the office of the Dean of Students after the JNUSU joint secretary and security convener had a discussion with the DoS.

"The main issues included the discrepancies in the mess bill, better mess facility, inability of students to clear mess dues due to pending scholarships, phased return of students with a priority for those with submission and those who are stranded, and the need to develop isolation facilities in JNU for COVID-19 protection," the JNUSU said.

Mess fees cannot be paid until the scholarships of students are disbursed properly, the JNUSU said, adding the Dean said that he would speak to the higher authorities about extension of registration dates.

On the demand for providing breakfasts in hostels, the DoS assured that it would be started from the beginning of September, the JNUSU said.

During the discussion, the issue of phased return of students, especially for research scholars who are supposed to submit their papers in December and are not being granted any extension, was also raised.

"The dean has informed that the demand is in process and the first batch of students shall be recalled to the campus in the upcoming month.

"In addition, the administration will write to the Delhi government for providing testing and screening facilities for returning students," the JNUSU said.

The JNUSU also demanded use of open free spaces for quarantining students as and when necessary.

The JNUSU also put forward students' demand to refund Rs 1800-3600 charged during registration for the Winter Semester 2020.

(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.)
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
Facebook has been accused of trying to influence Government policy before it is written by hiring former Whitehall policymakers.

The social media giant has reportedly used its financial clout to poach 10 former officials who worked on online regulation in recent months.

Facebook, owned by billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, is one of several large firms facing calls to take action over issues ranging from online hate to the amount of tax they pay in countries where they operate.

It has denied wrongdoing and last year hired former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg to a senior role.

Tory Damian Collins, the former chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, told the Times: 'Facebook is clearly hiring people who have both direct personal knowledge of the latest thinking on how this could be developed, and extensive networks amongst the officials who will be advising ministers on these issues.

'They are doing this to try and change the direction of policy before it is even launched.'

Facebook, owned by billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, is one of several large firms facing calls to take action over issues ranging from online hate to the amount of tax they pay in countries where they operate. Tory Damian Collins told the Times: 'They are doing this to try and change the direction of policy before it is even launched'

The Times reported that among those hired by Facebook were Shane Murphy, former head of policy on international data transfers at DCMS, Caroline Hurst, its former senior policy adviser on internet safety, and Annabel Brody, who was in charge of media regulation

And Julian Knight, the committee's current chairman, added: 'The truth is big tech has taken over from the likes of banking, oil and pharmaceuticals in terms of their lobbying power.'

Shadow digital, culture, media and sport secretary Jo Stevens said: 'It's no secret that Facebook and Google have been ferociously lobbying the government to water down its long overdue online harms bill.

'Labour has been clear from the start we need a robust and independent regulator with sufficient powers and sanctions to make the internet a safer, fairer and more inclusive place.

'The online harms bill is an opportunity for the UK to put in place ground breaking legislation that will safeguard against the continuing societal damage that unregulated global tech platforms like Facebook are facilitating.

'We must not let this opportunity to make a real difference pass us by because of the excessive influence and massive lobbying budgets of Facebook and other tech giants.'

The Times reported that among those hired by Facebook were Shane Murphy, former head of policy on international data transfers at DCMS, Caroline Hurst, its former senior policy adviser on internet safety, and Annabel Brody, who was in charge of media regulation.

Additionally other officials have joined Facebook from the Cabinet Office, the Home Office and UK Counter-terrorism Policing. There is no suggestion that any rules were broken.

A spokesman for campaigning organisation Transparency International said: 'When a group of civil servants from different departments go to work for the same employer relating to their previous policy brief, all within a relatively short period of time, it surely can't be a coincidence.'

Facebook told the paper: 'Our policy teams play a key role in developing and applying Facebook's policies such as our community standards which set out what is and isn't allowed on our platforms.

'Having people with a range of expertise helps ensure that those policies and rules are effective and up to date.

'Facebook has actively called for new regulations to set high standards across the internet and so that private companies aren't making so many of these important decisions alone.'
A U.S. flag is lit by the setting sun in front of the Church of the Redeemer next to the Mount Sinai Hospital in Queens, New York City, on April 15, 2020. The CCP virus pandemic is likely to have a "profound and pervasive impact" on global mental health as billions struggle to cope with isolated living and anxiety spikes, experts warned. (Johannes Eisele/AFP/AFP via Getty Images)

Shutdowns Spur Mental Health Crisis in US, Experts Say

A basket of worriesspurred by anxieties related to job security, financial instability, grief from death, or lonelinessare plaguing an increasing number of Americans living amid the COVID-19 pandemic and its shutdown measures.

Among 5,412 Americans surveyed at the end of June, 41 percent reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition, according to an Aug. 14 Morbidity and Mortality report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The number is higher among younger adults between the ages of 18 and 24, with 75 percent of respondents reporting experiencing at least one condition.

Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a clinical psychologist who specializes in stress and anxiety, has noticed a huge surge in depression, suicidality, and anxiety during the pandemic, she told The Epoch Times. Manly has participated in a number of programs to help those affected, including virtual group sessions, free mental health videos, and individual therapy work.

Just over 10 percent of adults reported seriously considering suicide in the previous 30 days before June, the CDC said, approximately twice the number reported in 2018.

The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 stands at 176,223, according to Aug. 24 data from the CDC, and at least 5.68 million cases.

A growing number of tragedies, coupled with the uncertainty of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, is spurring a similar mindset to a restless period that occurred after 9/11, according to Carole Lieberman, a doctor, psychiatrist, and author.

She also warned about the negative effects of a fearmongering media.

Weve heard about the horrible, lonely deaths that patients with COVID-19 suffer because theyre in quarantine, Lieberman told The Epoch Times. Forced isolation through stay-at-home mandates can cause many physical and psychological problems including anxiety, depression, and suicide.

Lockdown restrictions and the pandemic itself are taking a severe mental toll on many, something that needs to be addressed and prepared for, mental health experts say.

It should absolutely be treated as a national health crisis, according to Nicole Avena, assistant professor of neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and a visiting professor of health psychology at Princeton University.

While some are handling the pressures well and making the best of the time to be with their families, many have turned to unhealthy coping methods such as alcohol or overeating, she said. Other factors, such as children not being able to attend school, could also be affecting well-being.

People are worried about a possible second wave of the virus, but I can guarantee we will have a second wave of mental health crisis, which is already unfolding with increased suicides, drug overdoses, and alcohol use, Avena said.

According to the CDC report, more than 13 percent said they had begun or increased the use of substances to cope with stress related to COVID-19. Substance use was defined as the use of alcohol, legal or illegal drugs, or prescription drugs taken in a way not recommended by a persons doctor.

I think we need to be a little more realistic about the situation that has unfolded in terms of how it is impacting mental health, Avena said. Mental health is often an invisible condition, and we are treating it like it doesnt exist amid this pandemicand that isnt right.

Living Together

One couple based in Los Angeles said their lives were turned upside down due to the pandemic and almost tore their relationship apart.

Their families live on either side of the country. With no one else for company except each other, they began driving each other insane and things started falling apart, Mikayla Wilkens told The Epoch Times. Pre-pandemic, the pair often traveled for modeling work.

In June, we were engaged and on the verge of splitting completely, she said. The pandemic took a toll on both of us.

Mikayla Wilkens and her husband. (Courtesy Mikayla Wilkens)

With no set schedule, and stuck in the house, Wilkenss mental health declined to the point where she checked into a 45-day treatment program in mid-June, giving her and her husband some needed time apart. Her husband also started therapy.

After receiving help, they bounced back stronger than ever, Wilkens said.

After the programs, they were able to teach each other new things and help one another through our bad days, she said. They made their relationship more of a priority as well.

We run numerous businesses together, and I personally am a workaholic.  So every day, we put our phones away at a certain time and spend quality time together cooking, playing a game, going out in nature around our house, reading books together, et cetera, Wilkens said.

This has completely transformed our relationship.

Handling a Crisis

While there has been a rise in demand in recent years for different behavioral services, in part due to greater awareness surrounding the importance of mental health, the pandemic has highlighted the need to make mental health a national priority, experts said.

We work with 2-1-1 hotlines across the country and they have told us that the pandemic has doubled or even tripled the number of mental health support requests they are fielding, Ted Quinn, CEO and founder of Activate Care, told The Epoch Times.

This is now an epidemic within a pandemic, he added.

An accredited online pharmacy, meanwhile, has seen a rise in people ordering sleep prescriptions, a bump that is most likely due to an increase in cases of pandemic-induced insomnia, Jessica Nouhavandi, lead pharmacist, co-founder, and co-CEO of Honeybee Health, told The Epoch Times.

It is our understanding that sleep medications and sleep problems are closely linked to mental health.

New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Zlatin Ivanov has witnessed firsthand a recent spike in clients suffering from anxiety, noting that cases of depression went through the roof.

Ivanov says many are struggling from missing out on their daily routines and other small pleasures. While medical professionals agree that social distancing is crucial for mitigating the spread of COVID-19, the psychiatrists are well aware of the psychological impact this will have on a persons life, he told The Epoch Times.

A person is considered to be experiencing a mental health issue when they struggle with day-to-day life, according to Ivanov. People often come to him because they dont feel like themselves, get angry easily, lack energy, feel restless, cant sleep, or experience panic attacks out of the blue.

Treatments are always defined by the personality, background, and personal circumstances of each person, he added.

For couples facing problems brought on or worsened by the pandemic, Wilkens said they should try to remember they arent alone in experiencing difficulties and should set aside time to reconnect with each other.

Wilkens said that people shouldnt stay silent about their struggles and should reach out for professional help if needed. Everyone also needs healthy ways of releasing negative emotions, such as meditation or yoga.

Emotions are not facts, and they do not last forever, she said. I think, overall, this pandemic saved our relationship, and we are more happy together than ever before.

If you or someone you know in the United States is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text home to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday filed a charge sheet against Masood Azhar Alvi and 18 others in an NIA court in Jammu in connection with the Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

According to NIA sources, the 13,500 page chargesheet has named several Pakistani nationals as accused in the case.



Those named as accused include Pakistani nationals Masood Azhar Alvi, Rouf Asgar Alvi, Ammar Alvi, Mohd Ismail, Muhammad Umar Farooq, Mohd Kamran Ali, and Qari Yasir. Notably, the chargesheet named six accused who have already been killed.

Others named in the FIR include Shakir Bashir, Insha Jan, Peer Tariq Ahmed Shah, Mohd Abbas Rather, Bilal Ahmed Kuchhey, Mudasir Ahmad Khan, Sameer Ahmad Dar, Ashaq Ahmed Nengroo, and Adil Ahmed Dar, all residents of Pulwama district.

Srinagar resident Waiz-ul-Islam, Budgam resident Mohd Iqbal Rather and Sajjad Ahmed Bhat from Anantnag district were also named in the chargesheet.

In July, the NIA had informed that it has arrested the seventh accused named, Bilal Ahmed Kuchey, whom the agency has termed as "a terror associate" on July 5.

According to the agency, Kuchey a resident of Hajibal, Kakapora, Jammu and Kashmir, runs a sawmill at his place and harboured and extended logistic support to the Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM) terrorists involved in the Pulwama attack.

The main perpetrators in the case stayed in his house and Kuchey further introduced them to other over ground workers (OGWs) who provided safe houses during their stay and planning of the attack.

In February last year, 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a JeM-orchestrated terror attack in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. The incident took place when a CRPF convoy, consisting of around 2,500 personnel, was attacked by a suicide bomber who rammed a car laden with explosives into one of the buses on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
ST. LOUIS  Cori Bush, the Ferguson activist poised to become St. Louis next representative in Congress, says Mark and Patricia McCloskey were just trying to get attention when they named her during their appearance Monday in the Republican National Convention.

This is their way of just trying to get attention, trying to get some notoriety, Bush said Tuesday about the McCloskeys, the St. Louis couple facing felony charges for waving and pointing weapons  an AR-15 and a handgun  at Black Lives Matter protesters.

Really, what they should be doing is standing up and saying Black Lives Matter, because that was the point of the work that we were doing, period, Bush told reporters after a rally in downtown St. Louis supporting the U.S. Postal Service.

Bush, a nurse and pastor, was among the marchers who encountered the McCloskeys on June 28 when they entered Portland Place, a gated, private city street in the Central West End. The protesters were on their way to Mayor Lyda Krewsons residence, and the unexpected confrontation with the McCloskeys, which was recorded, went viral. President Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Parson both defended the McCloskeys; Parson vowed to pardon the couple if they are convicted of any gun-related charge.

During the RNC appearance, McCloskeys called the protesters an out-of-control mob, and named Bush as their leader in a speech that sought to paint Democrats as complicit in incidents of looting that have occurred amid the vast majority of peaceful protests for racial justice in recent months.

The Marxist liberal activist leading the mob through our neighborhood stood outside of our home with a bullhorn screaming you cant stop the revolution. Mark McCloskey said. That Marxist revolutionary is now going to be the congresswoman for the 1st District of Missouri.

The couple also accused Democrats of wanting to abolish the suburbs.

Bush on Tuesday pointed out that the couple live in a gated neighborhood of the city of St. Louis, not suburbs, and pushed back against the couple painting her as an angry radical.

I dont hate anyone, she said. I dont hate any occupation. I dont hate any group of people. But if you are pressing folks, Im coming for justice no matter who you are or what you look like.

Bush on Aug. 4 unseated longtime U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, ending his 20-year hold on Missouris 1st Congressional District and putting her on a path to become the first Black woman to represent Missouri in the nations capital.

Her campaign focused on universal health care, defunding and reforming police departments, free public education and raising the minimum wage, policies advocated by other left-wing Democrats like U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Bush also expressed concern Tuesday that by naming her a Marxist radical and showing her pictures to a national audience, the McCloskeys highlighted her as a target for racist or anti-Black sentiments.

They just put a target on my back that was bigger than the one that I had, Bush said. They just made it really difficult for me to navigate, move around, simply because there are people who are looking at me  especially people who are white supremacists  as if I am a danger.

On Tuesday, an attorney for the McCloskeys issued a statement, asserting the couple are the ones facing threats, and have been subjected to an onslaught of threats and acts of intimidation since their convention appearance.

But Albert S. Watkins said the couple have added security, and wont be intimidated.

My clients will not shake like small dogs passing razor blades, Watkins said in the statement. Instead their resolve to stand true to their core constitutionally protected beliefs are steeled.

Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
National Hurricane Center

Besides storms in the Gulf of Mexico, analysts are looking at trouble in Libya as an oil market factor this week. In the broader view, however, the price of oil looks to be stuck in a holding pattern.



The National Hurricane Center downgraded Marco to a tropical storm, though warned of life-threatening floods in southern Louisiana. Forecasters expect to issue hurricane warnings later in the day for now Tropical Storm Laura, which is expected to make landfall in Louisiana by early Thursday.



As of Sunday, the U.S Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement reported personnel were pulled from 114 production platforms, or about 18 percent of the regional offshore total. For production, a little more than half, or some 1.1 million barrels of oil per day, was idled by storm activity. Refineries may be a bigger concern as the region accounts for 54 percent of total US refining capacity, though softer demand due to the pandemic may provide a cushion.



Softer demand, meanwhile, may help explain why the price of oil has lingered around $45 for Brent for much of August. Vandana Hari, founder and CEO of Vanda Insights in Singapore, described oil as trading in a zombie zone.

FINALLY: Rig count rises for first time since March



This is a good time to remind ourselves that 2020 is a year bookended by an outbreak of a catastrophic pandemic and the US presidential election, she said in an email. Markets will now have to reckon with a zombie zone meshing the two occurrences.



Giovanni Staunovo, a commodities analyst at UBS in Switzerland, demand will outstrip supply in the second half of year and into 2021 because of output cuts by global producers, although prices wont move much. He expects Brent crude, the international benchmarek to hold at current levels through the second half of the year.



Elsewhere, Libya has moved from black swan to albatross. One of Africas largest oil producers, Libya has been unable to hold to its 1 million barrels per day achieved under Moammar Gadhafi because of its civil war. due to strains of civil war. Last week, the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli called for a cease-fire, leading to expectations that production and exports could recover. Given the spotty track record though, Anas Alhajji, an independent energy markets expert in Dallas and former chief economist at NGP Energy Capital Management, said he wasnt buying into that scenario.



There is no reason to believe that Libyan oil is flowing back to the market soon, he said.
During a week in which the FDA approved convalescent plasma as a therapeutic for coronavirus patients, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, warned against rushing a coronavirus vaccine. "The one thing that you would not want to see with a vaccine is getting an EUA"that's an emergency use authorization, which means the treatment is greenlit without full approval from health authorities"before you have a signal of efficacy," Fauci told Reuters. "One of the potential dangers if you prematurely let a vaccine out is that it would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the other vaccines to enroll people in their trial."

"To me, it's absolutely paramount that you definitively show that a vaccine is safe and effective, both," Fauci continued. "We would hope that nothing interferes with the full demonstration that a vaccine is safe and effective." (To keep yourself and others safe during this pandemic, don't miss this essential list of the Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus.)

More Studies Needed for Treatments

His warning comes at a time when some scientists are worried the vaccine will be rushed into production before election day in November.

"The Food and Drug Administration's decision to give emergency authorization for convalescent plasma as a treatment for novel coronavirus patients  touted as a historic breakthrough by President Trump on Sunday  is raising doubts among some experts who say certain claims of its effectiveness are dubious or wrong," reported the Washington Post. "Trump called plasma a 'historic breakthrough,' which scientists insist it is not. And he and Azar"the Human Services Secretary"repeatedly highlighted the 35 percent reduction in mortality"an incorrect figure. "Even FDA scientists said more studies need to be conducted to get definitive evidence about plasma's efficacy."

Story continues

Fauci Calls Himself 'Skunk at the Picnic'

Fauci, for his part, spoke only about the vaccine. In a separate interview, however, he addressed his role on the Coronavirus Task Force, which advises the White House, as well as his relationship with Vice President Mike Pence.

"I am sometimes referred to as 'the skunk at the picnic' but Pence never directly asks me, the skunk, to be quiet or leave," Fauci emailed the Washington Post, and said that Pence was "a truly decent person, and very smart, who is trying to do his best in a very difficult and fluid situation."

"Some may say that Pence and his team are 'too ideological' but they are after all political people. This is not unexpected."

As for yourself, do as Fauci does: Wear your face mask, and avoid crowds, social distance, only run essential errands, and to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 37 Places You're Most Likely to Catch Coronavirus.
VV Balakrishna By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: It may take several months for restoration of four of the six units of the hydro electric power station on Krishna river bank at Srisailam, which were damaged in the ravaging fire that broke out on the night of August 20, killing nine employees. If the turbines and generators are damaged, it will take time as they have to be imported from Japan, TS Transco and Genco Managing Director Devulapalli Prabhakar Rao told Express. Two units are in good condition as they have not suffered any damage and power generation could be resumed in the next 15 days.

According to our preliminary assessment, the first and second units are in good condition. We are planning to restart power generation in the next 15 days, he said. The officials are still assessing the condition of the four badly-damaged units. The delay in assessment is due to the heat in the plant. There is still heat in the underground plant and the employees are unable to go to some units even after four days. We will come to know about the condition of these four units by Tuesday.

Once the assessment is completed, we will come to know whether there is any need to import equipment or we can repair them locally. If the repairs are done with locally available materials, then the power generation may start in the four units within a month. If there is a need to import Hitachi equipment, it would take some months to restore the power generation, a Genco official said.

With the fire mishap resulting in loss of around 10 million units of hydel power in Srisailam, the hydel power generation in the State dropped to 21 million units on Sunday. The hydel power generation touched a maximum of 28.9 million units on August 20. At present, the hydel power is being generated at Nagarjuna Sagar and Jurala. The power generation at NSP on Tuesday was around 750 MW, sources said.


When are we going to stop killing fish on the upper Clark Fork?

Beau Downing, environmental science specialist with the Natural Resource Damage Program, recalled a frustrated fisheries specialist asking that question in a recent meeting.

Its a very good question, and Downing is working hard to make the answer Now.

Its a challenging task. A cataclysmic flood in 1908 inundated the Upper Clark Fork valley a quarter to a half mile wide as mining and smelting wastes were taken roaring downstream by floodwaters from Butte.

The resulting heavy metals runoff profoundly polluted the Clark Fork. Old-timers remember  not all that long ago  when the river ran red as radiator water, as one said.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality received $95 million in 2008 from Atlantic Richfield Company to remediate 44 miles of the river. Lots of progress has been made, but the mammoth cleanup has been slowed by money concerns; at one point the DEQ slowed work to let the cash-out from Atlantic Richfield accrue more interest.

Back in the 1980s, Atlantic Richfield built a system of berms along the Upper Clark Fork from Warm Springs to Deer Lodge to keep water from running through slickens  profoundly polluted areas of sediment loaded with toxic copper and other metals  and into the river. The berms were meant as a relatively short-term fix until the area could be thoroughly remediated.

For decades, the simple berms  basically just earth pushed into crude ridges along the banks of the river  did their job, keeping the majority of runoff from the slickens out of the river. But now, nearly four decades later, the berms are failing and the remediation has yet to be done.

In a key area between Warm Springs and Galen, the situation reached crisis proportion last September when a fish kill occurred after a storm pushed metals-laden water from the slickens into the river.

The kill affected whitefish, trout and suckers. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist Nathan Cook observed 32 dead fish between Galen Road and Perkins Lane, in an area next to a very large slicken.

NRDs Downing says the rule of thumb is that the dead fish you see are between one and 10 percent of the total, as most are washed downstream.

The area was already facing dramatically declining fish numbers. The previous spring, FWP conducted a fish survey for 1.6 miles along the Upper Clark Fork and found just 82 brown trout. Back in 1985, before the cleanup started, the same stretch held 2,615 brown trout.

The decaying berms may doubtless had much to do with that, as well as the fact that some of the remediation efforts on the river caused removal of vegetation and habitat, and that had short-term effects until the river healed.

When it became clear that the DEQ cleanup wouldnt reach the area where the fish kill occurred by this year, the NRDP decided to step in and help.

Downing said some 100 points along the river have been identified where the berms have given way to waters inexorable flow. They need to be dealt with before the fall rains come.

Last Wednesday, he and ecologist Tom Parker of Geum Environmental Consulting walked the ground and showed how its being done.

Large straw bales are being laid in the areas where the berms have failed. The bales are then covered with tough coconut matting, which holds them together and turns them into an effective barrier for much of the runoff.

At the big slicken next to the place on the river where the fish kill occurred, the bales were being installed and covered Wednesday. Downing pointed out several eroded gullies called pour points where water found its way to the river last year after ponding up on the slicken.

Once those metals are in the river, weve lost them, Downing said. Thats why this is so important.

Downing, project manager for the effort, said NRD and DEQ are working together to integrate remediation and restoration  making sure the entire cleanup is done and done well.

He welcomes the collaboration with DEQ project manager Joel Chavez, cost sharing and working on design elements.

Downing is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, and was educated as a geomorphologist at Humboldt State in California and West Virginia University. He began working on coal-mine restoration projects in Appalachia before moving to Montana a decade ago. He worked for FWP for four and a half years, and has been with NRD ever since  more than five years.

The bales are intended to be a stopgap on top of a stopgap  repairing the aging berm system until the DEQ's remediation gets to this reach of the river.

Much work also has been done by DEQ and NRD on tributaries of the Upper Clark Fork  Blacktail Creek, Browns Gulch, Warm Springs Creek  so its particularly frustrating for all concerned that the river is still so threatened.

Theres been a lot of second-guessing about the order of work in the DEQ cleanup. Right now, the agency is concentrating on an area downstream, on a reach that flows past the Grant-Kohrs Ranch.

Downing doesnt go there. Hes just concerned about getting this work done and done right.

He knows that eventually, if enough of the metals can be kept from the river, the Upper Clark Fork will be a world-class fishery.

Indeed, the little stream looks like perfect trout habitat, and Downing is bullish about its recovery.

While the pollution may have affected the diversity of macroinvertebrates that are food for the fish, the quantities of the species that are here can be great, he said. Ive seen astronomically large caddis hatches in this reach. Some of the trees hanging over the river will just be vibrating with them.

Meanwhile, NRD is collecting more and more data on water quantity and quality.

We want to close data gaps that can lead to trouble with restoration design, he said. Hydraulic models help inform design. We can calibrate those plans with real-world flow information. I hesitate to use the term adaptive management, but you do make better decisions when you learn what you didnt know.

The bales will last two or three years, Downing said. They should only need to withstand one, possibly two spring runoffs. In effect the NRDP is buying time for DEQ  and at a total cost of maybe $45,000 for the temporary measures, its a bargain.

We know money is tight, Downing said. But the real remediation is coming soon.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and ruling Nepal Communist Party's executive chairman Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda held talks on Tuesday, days after a six-member panel submitted its report suggesting ways to resolve the ongoing intra-party rift. Though the details of the meeting of the top leaders of the NCP, were not disclosed yet, the two leaders agreed to convene the meeting of the party's powerful Central Secretariat on Friday, said the party's Standing Committee member Ganesh Shah.

The nine-member body will discuss the report submitted by the task force formed by the two top leaders. The panel in its report on August 23 suggested that Prime Minister Oli should complete his five-year tenure, while executive chairman Prachanda be allowed to exercise full executive power over party affairs.

The task force, formed by Oli and Prachanda on August 15 and later endorsed by the Central Secretariat on August 17, was led by the party's General Secretary Bishnu Poudyal. When Oli became prime minister two-and-a-half years ago in 2018, he and Prachanda had reached a tacit understanding to share the prime minister's position turn-by-turn.

The panel suggested the top leaders of the party to adhere to one-man-one-post principle and to promote coordination and collaboration between the two top leaders. The report needs to be ratified in the Standing Committee meeting.

Oli and Prachanda have held about a dozen meetings to sort out the differences between them. But, as the Prime Minister did not accept the condition of a one-man-one-post, the talks failed. Oli has refused to give up his post as prime minister as well as a co-chairman of the NCP. A bitter internal feud has been brewing in the ruling NCP after top party leaders, including Prachanda, demanded Oli's resignation, saying his recent anti-India remarks were "neither politically correct nor diplomatically appropriate." The differences grew further after Oli said that some of the ruling party leaders are aligning with the southern neighbour to remove him from power after his government issued a new political map incorporating three Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.
NEW DELHI: So far, Pakistan has been consistently denying the accusations of sheltering the most wanted gangster and terrorist Dawood Ibrahim. But, the recent coverage of ZEE News telecasted in its Prime Time show DNA revealed some exclusive images, facts and proofs of Dawoods presence in Pakistan.

The show located the exact address of Dawood Ibrahims residence as D13-Block 4, KDA, Scheme-5, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan. Further, it also revealed some pictures of the residence from outside. Reportedly, the gangster is currently living in a high security DHA (Defence Housing Authority) area, where senior army officials of Pakistan reside. This information can prove really decisive and take the security agencies closer to catching the gangster than ever. Reportedly, this ground-breaking revelation has been extracted from the confessions of few of the closest gang members of Dawood, who were arrested in a money laundering case in UK in the year 2018-2019.

On 18th August this year, as a response to UNs letter, Pakistan issued a notification accepting Dawoods presence in the country and imposed strict financial restrictions on the gangster. But soon, after Pakistan backing off from its own notification, it is evident that even the Pakistan government is trying to safeguard the gangster. But for how long?

Apart from the pictures of the residence, which may be questioned as a proof, ZEE News put forward some facts and evidences which cannot be overlooked. Heres the list:

1. Dawoods CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card): 42301-2739090-9

2. Dawood Ibrahims Passport generated with a Pakistani address

3. Passport of Mahjabeen Shaikh (Dawoods wife) with a Pakistani address

4. Moeen Nawaz (Dawoods Son) CNIC: 42301-9731016-9

5. VISA of Mahrukh Junaid Miandad (Dawoods daughter) with a Pakistani address

6. Pakistan Bank Accounts of Dawoods family members

7. Property Details of Dawoods family members in Pakistan

And, not just the relatives, Dawoods love for Cinema and glamour led him to his new-found affection  Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat. An actress with mediocre acting skills, who witnesses a sudden success just after one popular item number, and further goes on to receive one of the most prestigious award Tamgha-e-Imtiaz. Sounds like a fairytale but probably not. Even the media and the people in Pakistan believe that it is due to someones extremely powerful influence which has led to the sky-rocketing success of this actress; and who other than Dawood Ibrahim can have such influence over Cinema, Government and the Administration.

So, under the light of the recent revelations made by ZEE News, Dawood Ibrahims presence in Pakistan is quite evident; and at the same time, it is difficult for the Pakistan Government to strike off the accusations. Now, after Pakistan and the most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim have been exposed in front of the whole world, how will Pakistan react to this? Now, will Pakistan confess about sheltering the Gangster?
Legal hassles continue to plague Credit Suisse Group CS. The bank is under probe by the Belgium regulators over doubts surrounding money laundering and illegal activities related to tax evasion. The regulators are scrutinizing the foreign activities of Switzerland's one of the top banks. Notably, Belgium has become the latest European country to investigate Credit Suisse's actions.



Belgian prosecutors have doubted the Credit Suisse unit of assisting more than 2,600 wealthy clients in hiding their money in Swiss accounts. Per Eric Van Duyse, a spokesman for Belgiums Federal Prosecutors office, the investigators are looking for facts which might not turn out into charges. Notably, bank details of Belgian clients with Credit Suisse accounts between 2003 and 2014 have been evidenced. Additionally, last year, French authorities had provided some account data.



Credit Suisse applies a strict zero-tolerance policy and wishes to conduct business with clients who have paid their taxes and fully declared their assets, the lender noted in an Aug 22 e-mailed statement. We strictly comply with all the applicable laws, rules and regulations in the markets in which we operate, the lender further added.



We believe that the ongoing investigations on banks will be a step forward toward reducing the huge losses incurred due to offshore tax evasions. Regulatory authorities are investigating scandals and are determined to put ahead a landmark judgment in a bid to terminate such shrewd practices in the future, bring justice to the sufferers and punish the wrongdoers.



Notably, the ongoing probes will undoubtedly dent Credit Suisses reputation in the global arena. With such allegations being imposed on the company, its bottom line would take a hit. Nevertheless, resolution of such issues will likely restore investors confidence in the stock.



Currently, Credit Suisse carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Shares of the company have gained 35% in the past three months compared with 15.2% growth recorded by the industry.

Story continues





Over the past few years, several global banks, including JPMorgan JPM, UBS Group AG UBS, Citigroup and Barclays, have been accused of rigging currencies, rates and prices of commodities, among others. The banks have been fined billions of dollars as part of probes and lawsuits.



Last August, HSBC Holdings HSBC Swiss banking division agreed to pay 300 million ($336 million) for resolving tax fraud and money-laundering case in Belgium. The lawsuit was filed in 2014. In February 2019, UBS and its French unit were found guilty by the French trial court of tax fraud and money laundering allegations. The court had imposed a penalty of 4.5 billion ($5.1 billion) on the bank.

The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All

Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.



See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>



Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



JPMorgan Chase Co. (JPM) : Free Stock Analysis Report



UBS Group AG (UBS) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Credit Suisse Group (CS) : Free Stock Analysis Report



HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Indias national security planners are pushing hard to complete an all-weather strategic route to Ladakh that will link Darcha in Himachal Pradesh to Nimu via Padum in Kargils Zanskar valley, people familiar with the matter said. Nimu is 35 kilometres from Leh town and headquarters of XIV Corps responsible for the defence of East Ladakh and Siachen Glacier.

This would be the first all-weather route to Ladakh that is already connected by two other routes; the first via Zoji La in Jammu and Kashmir and the second, via Himachals Manali-Upshi-Leh axis. The 9.02 kilometre Atal tunnel at Rohtang La, which will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km, is set to become operational next month.

Senior military commanders said the third route to feed Ladakh by road is urgently needed given how Pakistan and its all-weather friend, China were eyeing the Siachen Glacier and Daulat Beg Oldie.

The defence ministrys road project is being given its hardest push by road and highways minister Nitin Gadkari and his colleague Gen VK Singh after China provoked a standoff along the Line of Actual Control in East Ladakh and started mobilising troops in depth areas. New Delhi perceives Beijings reluctance to disengage despite reminders as an effort to set a new normal at the border.

Officials said the third route requires upgrading the Darcha-Padum-Nimu trekking route into a metalled road and building a 4.5 kilometre tunnel under Shingo La on the Darcha-Padum route. The project, which has been in the pipeline for a decade, is scheduled to be completed by the defence ministry within two years.

In an effort to ensure that the project meets its two-year deadline, Gadkaris ministry has proposed that the task to build the tunnel should be given to the company that constructed the 9.02 km tunnel at Rohtang La on the condition that it meets the timeline.

According to military commanders, the need to build the third axis was felt as tunnelling would be required under four more high mountain passes on the existing Manali-Leh route if the road has to be kept open throughout the year. The Atal tunnel at Rohtang La on this route has been built at a height of 10,171 feet and is already the worlds longest at this altitude.

The four passes that would require tunnels on the existing Manali-Leh route are at higher altitudes: Baralacha La (16,500 feet), Nakee La (15,547 feet), Lachung La (16,616 feet), and Tanglang La (17,480 feet). These passes are only open for traffic between mid-May to mid-November and covered with deep snow remaining part of the year.

However, the Darcha-Padum-Nimu route requires only a single 4.5 km tunnel through the 16,570 feet Shingo La between Darcha and Padum to ensure that the road is closed only for two months in winter. Darcha is 147 kilometres from Manali and lies on the highway to Leh after Jispa and Keylong across Rohtang La.

The distance between Darcha and Padum is about 148 kilometres with the Zanskar sub-divisional town connected to Kargil via a 230-km long single lane road. Work is already on to construct the Darcha-Padum road with another 260 km road work in progress between Padum and Nimu, the 14 Corps headquarters in Ladakh.

We are looking to build a road that bisects the Leh-Kargil highway around Lamayuru monastery and connects Darcha via Padum. This road will allow Indian military and the local population to get round-the-year supplies The route is not under the prying eyes of the Pakistan Army as in Kaksar in Kargil district or the DSDBO (Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie) route that is under observation of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), said a former army chief.

Apart from keeping the supply lines open for the military guarding Siachen, Kargil and DBO sectors, the Darcha-Nimu route will also develop the new union territory of Ladakh to match the aspirations of its people.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
At sentencing hearing for mosque shooter, survivors and relatives of victims recount their loss, grief and utter rage.

Survivors and relatives of victims from a mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques described in court on Tuesday how more than a year after the attack, they are still having trouble sleeping, enjoying life and providing for their families.

It was the second day of a four-day sentencing hearing for Brenton Tarrant, an Australian self-confessed white supremacist who murdered 51 Muslim worshippers and wounded dozens more during the March 2019 attacks.

The 29-year-old in March pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, and terrorism, reversing an earlier not guilty plea. He could become the first person in New Zealand to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, the toughest sentence available.

The hearings have given many a chance to confront Tarrant, who showed little emotion as he sat in the dock surrounded by five officers.

Rashid Omar, whose 24-year-old son Tariq was killed at the Al Noor mosque, said he had desperately held out hope his son had survived until police and Muslim leaders read out a list of those who died.

My body went completely weak and everything went silent, Omar said, breaking down into tears.

As a parent, no matter how old your children are, theyll always be your baby.

Each day has become a burden to endure and he finds even simple tasks hard to complete, Omar said. He wakes up tired and with no energy. He once loved photography, he said, but now cannot bear to pick up a camera.

Rosemary Christine Omar, the mother of a mosque shooting victim, Tariq Rashid Omar, makes her victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing for Brenton Tarrant at the Christchurch High Court [John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP]

Omars wife Rosemary said she functions from moment to moment, often in a fog. The loss and grief is debilitating, she said, and has cast a shadow over everything in their lives.

Its like Im broken, and I see my family as broken, she said.

Irreparable damage

Ambreen Naeem, who lost both her husband Naeem Rashid and son Talha in the killings, branded the gunman the biggest loser.

Since my husband and son passed away, Ive never had a proper, normal sleep. I dont think I ever will, she said. It is irreparable damage to me, that is why his punishment should continue forever.

Naeem Rashid was hailed as a hero and prosecutor Barnaby Hawes said he allowed a number of other worshippers to escape when he charged at Tarrant in the Al Noor mosque and partially knocked him down.

Mosque shooting survivor Motasim Uddin, right, was shot in the leg and spent more than three months in hospital [John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP]

Many of those who spoke described continuing financial strain.

Motasim Uddin, who was shot in the leg and spent more than three months in hospital, said he had not been able to return to his job as a welder and was worried about his future, especially as he was trying to support his parents in Bangladesh.

I cannot forget what happened, what I saw, Uddin said. I try to forget, but I wake up thinking about it.

Mohammad Siddiqui was shot in the arm when the devil arrived at the Al Noor mosque.

Yes, I call him a devil because you entered the house of God with evil intentions to kill innocent people. Youve killed the dreams of my friends and family with  your gutless action.

Noraini Milne, whose 14-year-old son Sayyad was killed, said her own survival came as a blessing as she planned to spend her life helping others.

You are already dead to me, she said to Tarrant. Whatever punishment you are going to receive in this world will never be enough.

Noraini Milne, right, mother of 14-year-old mosque shooting victim, Sayyad, said she planned to spend her life helping others [John Kirk-Anderson/Pool Photo via AP]

Tarrant has dismissed his lawyers and is representing himself during the sentencing, raising fears he could try to use the occasion as a platform to promote his racist views. He can choose to speak once the survivors have spoken, although the judge is expected to stop any attempt to grandstand.

No remorse

The attacks targeting people praying at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques shocked New Zealand and prompted new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons.

They also prompted global changes to social media protocols after the gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook, where it was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.

Tarrant, a former gym instructor, said he wanted to instil fear into those he described as invaders, including New Zealands Muslim population.

But Raesha Ismail, who lost her brother Junaid in the attack, said it only strengthened her beliefs and she was now more open with practising my faith in the workplace.

Angela Armstrong, whose mother Linda died in the attack, challenged Tarrant to use his life in prison to consider the beauty and diversity of the freedom he sought to destroy.

You robbed me of my mother, of her love and strength. Likely you will also never again feel the love and warmth of your mothers hug either. While I have pity for your mum, I have no emotion for you. You are nothing, she said.

While he will remain trapped in a cage my mum is free. I therefore challenge Tarrant to use his remaining lifetime to consider the beauty and life to be found in diversity and freedom that he sought to distort and destroy.





Linda Armstrongs nephew Kyron Gosse said he felt utter rage that Tarrant travelled to New Zealand from Australia and stole our nations innocence.

To this day, I have not received an apology nor have I seen any shred of remorse for his despicable actions, he said.
What if President Donald J. Trump loses the election but just says no? What if he just wont leave?

Preposterous in more normal times, the potential for this scenario is described by Amherst College professor Lawrence Douglas in a new book, Will He Go? Trump and the Looming Election Meltdown in 2020. Its an ominous, even chilling examination of what could result from the loopholes in the U.S. presidential election process, coupled with unprecedented modern circumstances and a president unlike any before him.

President Trump sees no daylight between his political fortunes and the good of the country, says Douglas, a professor of law, jurisprudence and social thought. Douglas premises are based not just on the presidents behavior, but on ambiguities in the Constitutions election process, which has changed very little since the first election in 1788.

He separates himself from the common fear by anti-Trump observers, which is that the president will react to an Electoral College defeat by simply barricading himself in the White House, declaring martial law or using his powers as commander-in-chief (which remain in place until Inauguration Day on Jan. 20) to essentially keep power by a coup.

Instead, he envisions Trump possibly blaming defeat on fraudulent or tampered voting, regardless of whether any such proof exists, and refusing to recognize the results.

Im not embracing what Joseph Biden said, which is that Trump could be frog-marched out of the White House (by the military), Douglas says. Rather, the professor points to an archaic method of using electoral votes (which produce 51 distinctively separate elections at once), a possibly very close vote, and the likelihood of massive mail-in by citizens fearing COVID-19 exposure at the polls.

Amherst College professor Lawrence Douglas says unprecedented circumstances and a president unwilling to accept unfavorable outcomes could create a 2020 election crisis.

American elections have not always gone smoothly. The popular vote winner (who received the most individual peoples votes) has lost five times, most recently in 2000 and 2016.

Twice in our early history, the election was settled in the House of Representatives, which becomes the arbiter if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the electoral vote. In 1876, a special panel had to cut a deal to break a deadlock over disputed votes in three states  an arrangement that ended post-Civil War reconstruction and robbed African-Americans in the South of many protections.

The 2000 election between George W. Bush and Albert Gore was decided by a deeply-divided U.S. Supreme Court, a decision Douglas still believes was driven more by politics than law. Alleged vote-counting shenanigans in Texas and Illinois still cast a shadow, in some Republican minds at least, over John F. Kennedys 1960 win over Richard M. Nixon.

None of these elections had the added variables of multiple faithless electors (who ignore their states popular vote by casting their own, personal Electoral College vote), a likely explosion of mail-in voting (which accounted for one quarter of the 2016 ballots and figures to soar in the COVID-19 age), and Trumps willingness to attach fraud to results that dont go his way.

To Douglas, this goulash of laws and emotions could produce an all-time test of the most fundamental tenet of a democracy  the ability to stage an election whose results are indisputable. His book was published this spring by Twelve, an imprint of the Hatchette Book Groups Grand Central Publishing.

Mail-in ballots come more commonly from people in densely populated districts. Those areas often vote Democratic. Its called the blue shift. Some of those votes arent tallied until days or weeks after the election, Douglas says.

This could create a scenario by which Trump would be leading on Election Night, only to see the numbers swing to Democratic nominee Biden in subsequent days or weeks.

If that were to happen, its easy to see Trump screaming foul  and just as easy to see his supporters in agreement.

Americans expect to know who won by 11 oclock on Election Night, Douglas said. That did not happen in 2000. He sees more reason to think it wont happen on Nov. 3.

Douglas is certainly no fan of Trump, but he does acknowledge that mail-in voting can be susceptible to confusion, especially if done in great numbers. Given Trumps propensity for blaming others, that could give the president an opening  justified in his mind, and with or without proof  to refuse to acknowledge the result of a defeat, Douglas reasons.

Mail-in ballots have historically been undercounted. They have to be signed, and the signatures are checked, the author says. Questionable signatures often cause ballots to be thrown out.

Douglas said faithless electors must be considered. Of the 538 electors (appointed within their individual states to formally cast electoral votes and certify the outcome), a total of 10 tried to vote contrary to the wishes of their states constituency in 2016.

Seven succeeded. That was the highest number in the countrys history, discounting the 1872 election, when candidate Horace Greeley died before the Electoral Vote was counted.

Of the 50 states, 18 do not constrain their electors to follow the (popular) vote. Some others fine or punish those who dont follow the peoples vote, but the vote still counts, Douglas says.

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently hearing a case to determine whether state governments have the power to nullify faithless electors votes. At issue is that when the Founding Fathers created the electoral system, Alexander Hamilton and many other leaders saw no problem in having individual electors rectify supposed mistakes by the uninformed voters, a practice that would cause fury today if it altered an election, but which some Constitutional experts insist is legal.

If enough faithless electors chose candidates other than Trump or Biden, leaving neither with the required majority of 270 for victory, the House of Representatives would elect the president (one vote per state delegation). That last happened in 1824. The Senate would pick the vice-president. Douglas says that in one deadlock-riddled scenario, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could wind up in the Oval Office.

Ridiculous? Not to Douglas, who points to an almost even split of Democratic and Republican House delegations, and the unknown factor of the Nov. 3 House election results.

Three crucial swing states (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan) have Democratic governors but GOP-controlled state houses. That could lead to in-state disputes over which election results would be certified or even which electors would be seated.

It adds up to a potentially frightening mess, a tangle of election loopholes, a nation almost evenly split into two polarized factions, and a president who, Douglas feels, has shown ample willingness to manipulate the Constitution to his own liking.

The best way to avoid this (controversy) would be if one candidate won decisively. That would certainly weaken any argument from the other, he says.

Related Content:
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Yunindita Prasidya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, August 25, 2020 15:02 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4054ed8 1 Business semen-baturaja,mortar,production-capacity,factory,cement,financial-performance,revenue Free

State-owned cement producer PT Semen Baturaja plans to continue developing its downstream products, including mortar and white clay, as part of its second half and long-term strategy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company has made an investment of up to Rp 3 billion and Rp 800 million, respectively, to install white clay and mortar production facilities at its factories, the companys president director, Jobi Triananda Hasjim, has said.

Our main targets within the next five years are the utilization of existing facilities, securing raw materials and making downstream products key, Jobi said during a press briefing hosted by the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) on Monday.

The pandemic has depressed spending on infrastructure as the state budget has been reallocated to finance the countrys COVID-19 containment measures, affecting sales of infrastructure materials, including cement.

Read also: Foreign companies go ahead with acquisition plans despite COVID-19 pandemic

During this year's first six months, Semen Baturaja saw its revenue fall 19 percent to Rp 671.83 billion from Rp 833.47 billion during the same period last year. It turned around its Rp 7.56 billion net profit booked in 2020 to a net loss of Rp 137.62 billion as of June 2020.

As many infrastructure projects are funded by the government, basic industry companies such as Semen Baturaja needed to rely on alternative products to increase sales.

Semen Baturaja plans to launch and sell its mortar product under the brand Baturaja Mortar during this years second half, following a market trial it conducted several months prior in Bandar Lampung.

It has set aside two production facilities with a capacity of 360 tons and 2,400 tons per year located in Lampung to produce its mortar supply.

At the same time, the company is ramping up its white clay production to achieve the 2020 target of 50,000 tons of white clay.

In a memorandum of understanding signed in January between the company and PT Pupuk Sriwidjaja (Pusri) Palembang, a subsidiary of state-owned fertilizer company PT Pupuk Indonesia, the company agreed to supply white clay to Pusri Palembang.

Read also: Japanese cement firm to spend $220 million for 15% of Semen Indonesia subsidiary

Throughout the first half of the year, the company has sold almost 16,000 tons of white clay, 7 percent higher than the target set for the period.

Aside from mortar and white clay, the company is undergoing research and development for a fiber cement board that can be installed as a wall partition, floor and ceiling. It is also developing a porous concrete product that can be used in parks to increase water absorption into the parks soil.

In the cement industry, the markets [we are expanding to] are dependent on the cost of distribution because the average price of cement across all regions is almost the same, Semen Baturajas finance director, M. Jamil, said during the briefing.

The company has been reliant on sales within the southern part of Sumatra, which includes the provinces of Jambi, South Sumatra, Bangka Belitung Islands, Bengkulu and Lampung.

To increase sales, Semen Baturaja recently expanded to Pontianak in West Kalimantan and has shipped 2,250 tons worth of cement as of July this year to the city, which will act as the companys entry point to greater Kalimantans market. The company plans to enter Riau province soon.

The total demand for cement from the southern Sumatra market fell 5.3 percent year-on-year to 2.41 million tons in the first half of this year from 2.54 million tons in last years first half.

Read also: Ministry to expand public employment scheme in Q3 infrastructure projects

The company reported a downturn in cement production by 17 percent to 744,275 tons, while its sales volume fell 16 percent to 746,612 tons during the same period.

Jamil noted that entering the second half of the year, the company had seen an uptick trend in demand for cement and hoped this could prop up the companys sales going forward.

The companys shares, traded on the IDX under the code SMBR, rallied at 2.91 percent by closing on Monday to Rp 530. Throughout the year, the companys stock price has risen by 20.45 percent.

The company did notably better than the basic industry and chemicals sector, as well as the benchmark Jakarta Composite Index, as the former fell 22.50 percent and the latter 16.23 percent year-to-date.
She's been an outspoken advocate of face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic, and Lisa Wilkinson led by example during an outing in Sydney on Tuesday.

The Project host, 60, was spotted running errands in the harbourside suburb of Mosman with a bright blue face covering.

After taking out the bins at home, a maskless Lisa then climbed into her car and drove away.

Covered up: She's been an outspoken advocate of face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic, and Lisa Wilkinson led by example during an outing in Sydney on Tuesday

She later emerged from her car wearing a surgical face mask, as she set about her errands in public.

The TV host was dressed casually for the outing, but still looked chic in a pair of cropped black tracksuit pants, which she paired with a matching jumper.

She wore a white T-shirt underneath, and kept warm with a camel-coloured trenchcoat.

Behind the mask: After taking out the bins at home, a maskless Lisa then climbed into her car and drove away

Stepping out in style: The TV host was dressed casually for the outing, but still looked chic in a pair of cropped black tracksuit pants, which she paired with a matching jumper

Lisa rounded out her stylish ensemble with a pair of white sneakers and a black handbag.

Her shoulder-length brunette hair was worn loose, and she accessorised with a pair of oversize sunglasses.

The veteran media personality has made her stance on wearing face masks well-known, urging people to cover up.

Staying safe: The 60-year-old Project host was spotted running errands in the harbourside suburb of Mosman with a bright blue face covering

Earlier this month, she branded people who refused to wear masks in public 'maskholes'.

Sharing a selfie of herself in a mask, Lisa wrote: 'So I headed to my local Woolies in NSW today, and I reckon there was maybe 10% (if that) of customers wearing masks.'

She added: 'And before you ask, yes I was wearing mine. Anyone else have this experience?'

Leading by example: She later emerged from her car wearing a surgical face mask, as she set about her errands in public

Days later, she delivered a scathing message to New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian, urging her to make face masks in the state compulsory rather than just recommended.

'Gladys, I don't think your message is getting through,' she wrote on Twitter, tagging the Premier in her post.

Last month, Lisa criticised a Bunnings customer in Victoria who boasted about flouting the store's policy by shopping without a mask.

Advocate: The veteran media personality has made her stance on wearing face masks well-known, urging people to cover up

'You can only shake your head,' she said on The Project, describing the situation as 'a waste of time and energy'.

In a post on Instagram last month, Lisa defined 'maskholes' as 'an a**hole who refuses to wear a mask as part of public health measures designed to prevent people from dying'.

She captioned the post: 'I post this out of complete respect for all those incredibly hardworking frontline healthcare workers, police, border security officers, Bunnings staff and the like who are just DOING THEIR JOBS... and far too polite, patient and professional to ever say this. But I'm not!'
Jonathan Homsey has spent his adult life rebelling against being told how to dance. Now he's a choreographer, he's going to keep breaking the rules.

In his latest show, he says, he is trying to break down the theatrical hierarchy.

Choreographer Jonathan Homsey. Credit:Shannon May Powell

"I want the volunteer stage assistant to have as much of an input as me or the lighting director or the dancers," he says. "The days of just telling artists what to do are over because that doesnt allow for creative freedom.

"Id like a flattening in the theatre, which is why its so ground-breaking for us to be at Arts Centre Melbourne."
TV historian David Olusoga said racism in broadcasting left him clinically depressed.

The Civilisations presenter said it is 'lonely' as a black person in the television industry and he has often been left feeling 'patronised and marginalised' throughout his career.

Speaking in the wake of the global Black Lives Matter movement, the historian said the industry is 'at risk of losing' a generation of young people who are 'leading this global shift in consciousness' against racism.

The BBC has been involved in a string of racism rows in recent weeks - including over whether it should play The Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia at the Last Night of the Proms despite their apparent links to colonialism and slavery.

Earlier this month, the coorporation was forced to apologise after a white presenter said 'n****r' in a news report about racist hit-and-run attack on a black NHS worker on July 29.

TV historian David Olusoga (pictured) said racism in the television industry left him clinically depressed

In the annual James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture (pictured), the keynote speech of the Edinburgh TV Festival, Olusoga said he had been labelled as 'difficult' during his career for raising incidents of racism

Olusoga said this 'genuinely damaged faith in the BBC among many black people,' The Times reports.

In the annual James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture, the keynote speech of the Edinburgh TV Festival, Olusoga said he had been labelled as 'difficult' during his career for raising incidents of racism.

He told how he was instructed to 'be more like another black person' by a colleague. It emerged that the person in question was the colleague's drug dealer.

The University of Manchester public history professor said that while he has received 'amazing opportunities', he has also been 'patronised and marginalised'.

'I've been in high demand, but I've also been on the scrap heap,' he said.

'I've felt inspired, and convinced that our job - making TV and telling stories - is the best job in the world.

'But at other times I've been so crushed by my experiences, so isolated and dis-empowered by the culture that exists within our industry, that I have had to seek medical treatment for clinical depression.

The Civilisations presenter (pictured with co-presenters Simon Schama and Mary Beard) said it is 'lonely' as a black person in the television industry and he has often been left feeling 'patronised and marginalised' throughout his career

The BBC has been involved in a string of racism rows in recent weeks - including over whether it should play The Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia at the Last Night of the Proms (pictured on September 8, 2012) despite their apparent links to colonialism and slavery

'I've come close to leaving this industry on several occasions. And I know many black and brown people who have similar stories to tell.'

Olusoga said that the lack of diversity is particularly noticeable in production roles and 'people who make and commission the UK's television programmes do not look like the population at large - our audience'.

He said the Black Lives Matter movement had 'forced our society to have conversations that for decades we have put off or avoided'.

He also said there is a 'lost generation' of black and brown people who did not stay in the business.

'I stand here today not as one of the TV industry success stories, but as a survivor,' he said.

'I am one of the last men standing of TV's lost generation.

Earlier this month, the coorporation was forced to apologise after white presenter Fiona Lamdin (pictured) said 'n****r' in a news report about racist hit-and-run attack on a black NHS worker on July 29.

'The generation of black and brown people who entered this industry 15, 20, 25 years ago with high hopes. I'm a survivor of a culture within TV that failed that generation.

'I'm here because a handful of people used their power and their privilege to help me.'

Olusoga said that during his early years in television 'there were parts of the industry in which diversity meant making sure that there was a fair balance of people from Oxford and Cambridge'.

He added: 'Being the only black person on a production means being the only person asking certain questions, the only person uncomfortable that an image or a sequence reinforces certain stereotypes.

'Like other black people I know in this industry I've spent my career complaining that scripts or rough cuts contain interviews with white experts, while all the black contributors are victims of the phenomena in question are speaking about their personal experiences - their feelings not their expertise.'

MP David Lammy (left) and actress Rebecca Front (right) rushed to praise Olusoga following his speech

MP David Lammy, actress Rebecca Front and BBC radio DJ MistaJam rushed to praise Olusoga following his speech.

Labour MP Mr Lammy thanked Olusoga for an 'exemplary, masterly and sobering' lecture.

'Your unique eloquence tonight demands attention,' he said on Twitter.

'It will without doubt be a catalyst to once and for all shift the dial on diversity on the television industry.'

The Thick Of It star Front shared a transcript to his speech, urging her followers to read it.

She labelled his remarks as 'profound, powerful and personal'.

'A call to arms for the TV industry,' she added.

BBC Radio 1xtra DJ Mistajam also praised Olusoga's lecture.

'As someone who has worked in television and also as someone who works in radio and has done for 15 years, every single word resonated,' he tweeted.
By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 45 times, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
WEST BABYLON, NY  A West Babylon man was indicted Tuesday in connection with a cocaine trafficking operation, according to the Suffolk County district attorney.

Encarnacion Reyes, 57, faces a host of charges, including operating as a major drug trafficker.

"This is a major win for the Babylon community, who were vigilant in reporting this defendants alleged criminal activity to law enforcement and were an integral part of this investigation," said District Attorney Timothy Sini in a statement. "Thanks to this joint effort, his operation has been effectively shut down and we have eliminated a major cocaine supplier in Suffolk County."

Sini said after numerous complaints from neighbors, law enforcement started conducting surveillance of Reyes house on Westchester Avenue and found that people would drive or walk up to the house at all hours to approach a window adjacent to the garage, which Reyes used as a "takeout window" to buy cocaine.

Police said Encarnacion Reyes sold cocaine through this window to the right of his garage.

The investigation revealed that Reyes would purchase large quantities of cocaine and would then use his West Babylon home to process the cocaine for resale by mixing it with a cutting agent to increase its volume then repackage it for distribution, according to the DA.



"[The Drug Enforcement Administration] is focused on working with our state and local counterparts to address drug trafficking and violence threatening our cities," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan in a statement. "Earlier this month, a search warrant was executed resulting in the arrest of a major cocaine trafficker who was using his house as an illegal 24-hour drug store."

During to the investigation, law enforcement agents from the District Attorneys Office, the DEA and Suffolk County Police Department executed a search warrant at Reyes home on Aug. 13, which resulted in the recovery of 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, more than $16,000 cash, and various paraphernalia consistent with drug packaging and sales, including scales, cutting agent, packaging materials, a money counter and six cell phones, according to Sini.

Story continues

Reyes was accused of selling the cocaine for $100 per gram, equating to a value of $130,000 for the cocaine seized during the search warrant, the DA said, adding the high price point at which Reyes sold cocaine was due in part to a shortage in supply caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Reyes also ran illegal dice and card games out of his West Babylon home, according to the DA. Surveillance revealed that these gatherings often included more than 20 individuals and occurred throughout the pandemic, resulting in further reports to law enforcement about suspected illegal activity at the house.

Police said officers seized these drugs from Reyes' home.

"Thanks to the outstanding work of law enforcement, and with support from the community, we have shut down a significant drug trafficking ring that was disrupting a Suffolk County neighborhood," said New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett. "We are committed to working together with our partners to ensure that those who profit from the sale of dangerous, illegal drugs will be held fully accountable for their actions."



In addition to operating as a major drug trafficker, Reyes was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and three counts of second degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, the DA said.

Reyes was arraigned by Suffolk County Court Judge Timothy Mazzei, who set his bail at $150,000 cash, $300,000 bond or $300,000 partially-secured bond. He is due back in court Oct. 6. If convicted of the top count, Reyes faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

"This major cocaine dealer was taken off the streets thanks to the combined efforts of the community and law enforcement," said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart. "We want the public to know we are listening, take every complaint seriously and appreciate their partnership in helping the department keep communities safe."

Cash that police said agents seized from Reyes' home.

All photos courtesy of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office

This article originally appeared on the Babylon Village Patch
US military tactics over Taiwan exposed as PLA stands ready

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/24 21:28:40

Frequent operations near China related to each other, reveal new threats: experts

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been holding consecutive, concentrated military drills in all four major Chinese sea regions since mid-August, which is seen as a direct and strong response to the recent negative moves by Taiwan secessionists and the US, but the US military has not restrained its provocations and even bolstered its military operations around the island of Taiwan.

These US operations should not be interpreted only as a pure strategic card aimed at provoking and pressuring the Chinese mainland, they also exposed some practical and tactical arrangements of how the US plans to intervene in a possible military conflict between the Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan, Chinese mainland experts said on Monday.

The recent US military activities, when put together, have revealed a series of interconnected missions that bring new threats to a potential reunification-by-force operation by the PLA, they pointed out, noting that the PLA can thwart any foreign intervention and stands ready against these challenges should they arise.

With the PLA acting as a deterrent, the possibility of a US military intervention remains low, analysts said.

On August 17, two US Air Force B-1B bombers took off from Guam and returned to South Dakota. But one of them, instead of flying the shortest return route, flew near the island of Taiwan and into the East China Sea first before leaving, media reported at that time.

Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times on Monday that the US bomber intentionally flew a longer route to practice its aerial assault and long-range precision attack capabilities. Equipped with cruise missiles, the B-1B can launch attacks from sea on targets deep in land or on warships.

Taking off from Guam, US bombers can play a leading assault role to intervene in the situation in Taiwan, analysts said.

The B-1B bombers were not acting alone. Days before their mission, from August 13 to 15, the US military conducted at least seven sorties with multiple types of reconnaissance aircraft, including P-8A and P-3C maritime patrol aircraft and RC-135 and EP-3E reconnaissance aircraft, according to the Beijing-based think tank South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) on August 15.

Additionally, the US also deployed B-2 bombers to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, which conducted joint tactical training on August 18, US military newspaper Stars and Stripes reported on Wednesday.

US reconnaissance aircraft sorties near the Chinese mainland and Taiwan island have become increasingly frequent since June, and experts said their mission is likely gathering intelligence on PLA movements, including those on warships, submarines, troop deployments and ballistic missiles.

Combining these activities together, Wei said that the US can use such intelligence gathered by its reconnaissance aircraft in guiding its bombers into attack. "The reconnaissance aircraft are its eyes, and the bombers are its punches," he said.

Chinese mainland military expert and TV commentator Song Zhongping told the Global Times on Monday that the US could use its bases in Guam in the West Pacific and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to host bombers for long-range strike missions on the PLA without entering the PLA's air defense zone.

Some of the PLA weapons that the US feared most are the DF-21D and DF-26 anti-ship ballistic missiles, which pose a significant threat to large and medium-sized vessels like aircraft carriers. By detecting their positions with specially designed RC-135 aircraft and destroying them with B-1B bombers, the US is hoping to minimize this huge threat, a Chinese mainland military expert told the Global Times on Monday under the condition of anonymity.

With US warships safer from PLA attacks, they can approach closer and become capable of attack, the expert said.

US warships have also been training near the Chinese mainland and Taiwan island. Since the deployment of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier in the West Pacific in June, it continuously held exercises in the Philippine Sea, South China Sea and East China Sea, occasionally with the USS Nimitz carrier, and sometimes with Japanese and Australian warships in joint drills, SCSPI said.

The USS Mustin destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Straits on August 18, a move analysts said could also be an attempt to gather the latest hydrologic information and PLA deployment intelligence.

Song also warned of US military activities not known to the general public. The US' nuclear-powered attack submarines can use cruise missiles to stealthily attack land bases, ports and airfields, and use torpedoes and anti-ship missiles to attack warships, Song said.

In the event that the Chinese mainland decides to reunify Taiwan by force, and if the US manages to put these tactics into practice, in a worst-case scenario for the PLA, the US could possibly slow down the PLA's landing and create strategic opportunities for more reinforcements, observers said.

PLA fully prepared

While the US military will unlikely engage the Chinese mainland in a military conflict around the time of its presidential election, the PLA needs to be fully prepared for such a scenario, because the US is indeed attempting to use a military approach to contain the Chinese mainland in resolving the Taiwan question, Song said.

If a war breaks out in the Taiwan Straits, the PLA is capable of acting fast and leaving no time for the US to come to the secessionists' aid and rescue, the anonymous expert said, noting that the mobilization of forces from the US mainland usually takes more than one week, and US bases in the Asia-Pacific region are all reachable by PLA missiles including the DF-17 and DF-26.

Two PLA aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, could be deployed east to the island of Taiwan to cut off easy access of US forces to the region, mainland military observers said.

The key roles in the exposed US tactics - the bombers that can knock out PLA warships, bases and missiles - will also not succeed in their missions, because they, together with missiles they could have launched, would be intercepted by PLA air defense forces, experts said.

"If the US has this kind of military intention, the PLA should take active defense strategies. This includes enhancing comprehensive defensive capabilities by boosting air defense installations around key military facilities in coastal regions and islands, and using DF series ballistic missiles as tactical and strategic counterattack measures to balance the US' aggressive forces, so the US will need to think twice before acting," Wei said.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






The husband of a New York architect who was killed by falling masonry in midtown Manhattan has filed a lawsuit against the city and the building's owners.

Erica Tishman, 60, was killed by the damaged brickwork at 729 Seventh Avenue on December 17.

On Monday Steven Tishman alleged in Manhattan Supreme Court that the owners of the building and the city knew of the risk eight months prior to the incident, but did nothing to fix it.

As a result of the negligence by the owners and the city, 'the defendants robbed Erica Tishman of her life, they robbed Steven Tishman of his wife, they robbed three children of their mother and a grandchild of his grandmother,' the court papers allege.

Tishman was declared dead at the scene.

Steven Tishman, pictured with wife Erica and daughter Julia, sued on Monday over her death

New York City architect Erica Tishman, 60, was killed by falling masonry on December 17

Construction workers are seen December 18 outside the building where Tishman was killed

The owners of the 17-story building, constructed in 1915, were cited in October 2018 for 'a failure to maintain exterior building facade and appurtenances'.

In their October inspection, city building inspectors wrote that there was 'damaged terra cotta at areas above the 15th floor in several locations which posed a falling hazard for pedestrians'.

Yet despite the warnings, no sidewalk sheds were erected to protect pedestrians, despite the recommendations.

In April, the property owners were fined $1,250.

On July 18, the owners, 729 Acquisition LLC, renewed a construction permit for 'masonry repair and parapet replacement at penthouse and main roof level,' according to records seen by the New York Post.

As recently as November the building's management told the city how it planned to install scaffolding up to 150 feet tall for the repairs.

Nothing appeared to have been done until immediately after Tishman's death, when scaffolding was finally being installed.

One of the workers described the building as 'ugly' and told the New York Post: 'It's pretty bad. They had to wait 'til someone died.'

The Department of Buildings ranked it a 'class 1' violation, which required that the infraction 'must be corrected immediately.'

Several missing pieces could be seen on the building's facade shortly after her death. The building had recently been cited by the city for damaged masonry that poses a falling hazard

City records show that the property was also fined in April for 'failure to maintain exterior building facade and appurtenances'

The area is popular with tourists and typically sees heavy foot traffic throughout the day

Tishman's lawyer Benedict Morelli said, 'There is a disturbing trend in our city where building owners are not held accountable for safety violations.

'Owners receive minuscule fines that they are able to pay off as a way to avoid making actual repairs. This practice is an open secret in the New York real estate community. We need a better system that puts safety first.'

Morelli said the building's owners must pay for their negligence.

'The building owners have done everything possible to avoid taking responsibility,' he said.

'I promise you, I'm going to make them pay. They can't hide from this.'

The building's owner, Himmel + Meringoff, own 12 commercial buildings in Manhattan, most of them in Midtown.

'Today's lawsuit is not unexpected. The loss of Erica Tishman is a profound tragedy,' a spokesman for the owners said, in a statement to the New York Post.

'We have been working diligently with the New York City Department of Buildings since the incident to obtain the necessary plans and approvals required to perform the facade repairs.'

The owners are about to begin work to remove the decorative terra cotta  a plan which has been approved by the city, the rep said.

The spokesman also said that at the September 2019 hearing with the city, the judge in that case decided that the building facade didn't require immediate repairs and downgraded the violation.

And the owners had been in protracted negotiations with a neighboring building, which they needed access to, to begin the work leading up to the accident, the rep claimed.

The building is in one of the busiest part of Manhattan located just feet away from Times Square.

The M&M store which is always bustling with tourists is just steps away, meaning that if and when any kind of brickwork were to fall to the ground, there was always a strong likelihood that someone would be hit.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said at the time that the city would conduct an investigation into the incident.

'It's a horrible incident,' he said. 'My heart goes out to the family. There's obviously a full investigation going on.

'We need to know how that happened and we need to make sure it doesn't happen again.'

The Department of Buildings said at the time that it must not be allowed to happen again.

'This is a tragedy, and the family and friends of the victim are in our thoughts,' they said, in a statement.

'No pedestrian should be at risk from dangerous facade conditions.'

Tishman had been a licensed architect since 1985, and was a member of the American Institute of Architects. She and her husband were both members of Central Synagogue in Manhattan, and she had served as a trustee at the temple

A view of the building from street level is seen. The 17-story building was constructed in 1915

The first floor of the building is a commercial space that includes a clothing store and a large souvenir shop catering to tourists.

In 2018 the building owners secured a $60 million refinancing of the mixed-use office property from Signature Bank.

Tishman's office was just a few blocks away from where she was struck and killed.

The mother-of-three received a bachelor's degree from Princeton University in 1981, and a master's degree in architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Her grandfather, the late Abraham M. Lindenbaum, was president of the Brooklyn Law School.

She had been a licensed architect since 1985, and was a member of the American Institute of Architects.

She married Steven Howard Tishman in 1982, in a ceremony at the Plaza Hotel, according to a wedding announcement in the New York Times.

Her husband was described as 'financial analyst with the Zayre Corporation, a self-service department-store chain with headquarters in Framingham'.

Senator Brad Hoylman made a statement and said a full investigation was urgently needed

First responders are seen on the scene after a woman was struck by falling debris in December

Officers are seen securing the sidewalk where the fatal incident occurred near Times Square

The couple had three children, now adults: Adam, Stuart, and Julia.

According to her profile on temple's site, Tishman is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Real Estate Committee for the Educational Alliance, a social service agency located in lower Manhattan that serves 50,000 New Yorkers annually.

Tishman also served as a board of trustees member, and chair of facilities for Riverdale Country School for 12 years. She was also chair for the Alumni Schools Committee for Princeton University.

After the tragedy, Senator Brad Hoylman wrote on Facebook: 'Eight months ago, a building in the heart of my district and near many Broadway theaters was issued a violation for 'failure to maintain building wall(s) or appurtenances.

'Today a woman walking past it lost her life when debris fell and hit her. I'm urging the city to look at this case very closely.

'If there was any wrongdoing involved, the full weight of the law must be directed at the responsible parties.'
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says government had no option than to shut down some banks and financial institutions in the country.



He said even though the situation is sad it didn't make sense to continue supporting these banks that are suffering.



"It was bad . . . when I saw the numbers at the time it was quite frightening," he said.



He said the banks were using the Central Bank's liquidity support for other purposes.



This follows claims that government could have used other means to save the banks and prevent the loss of jobs.



The Vice President who was speaking in a one-on-one interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's morning show 'kokrokoo' said the then NDC administration was aware of the situation but did nothing about it and rather kept offering liquidity support.



"The NDC was aware there was a problem . . . these were bad practices of government but we had to step in," he stated.



"By the time we got into office things were unraveling; we were on the brink of the collapse of the system so the BoG had to rescue the situation. This is one of the most important acts that have been done to save the economy."





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The audit, which was pre-planned, assumes significance as it comes in the aftermath of the Air India Express crash in which 20 people were killed, including the pilot and the co-pilot, and several others were injured when the flight from Dubai with 190 people onboard overshot the runway at Calicut airport and fell into a valley. An ICAO team was supposed to come for an audit in November, but due to the Covid-19 ...

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
60-Year-Old Man Arrested in Connection With Murder of UC Berkeley Student

Police in Berkeley, California, have arrested a 60-year-old man in connection with the horrific killing of 19-year-old Seth Smith, who was set to start his third year at University of California-Berkeley.

Tony Lorenzo Walker, who lives near where Smith was shot from behind on June 15, was arrested Aug. 20 on a first degree murder charge, according to Alameda County jail booking records. He is being held without bail and is scheduled for an arraignment hearing Tuesday.

There is no evidence that suggests Smith knew Walker before the fatal shooting, reported Berkeleyside, citing the police report.

Smith, who was just about to turn 20, was seen lying on a sidewalk by a passerby, who called the police. When emergency responders arrived, they discovered Smith had been shot in the head and pronounced him dead at the scene. The Berkeley Police Department at the time announced a $50,000 reward for information that would lead to the murderers arrest.

Nights are sometimes@the hardest. Its when I have time to slow my brain down and remember my beautiful son God I miss him #SethSmithdidntdeservetodieat19 #JusticeForSethSmith #Berkeley #CalBears pic.twitter.com/PDQym0Dmum  Michelle Rode-Smith (@mrodesmi) August 17, 2020

Alameda Countys criminal court record shows that Walker has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1982, when he was charged with assault with a semiautomatic weapon and battery. He had also been charged with felony vehicle theft in 1992 and convicted of felony assault with a deadly weapon in 2001, among other criminal charges and convictions.

Walker had last been arrested in June 2019, after a woman living near Walkers residence found him trying to break into her apartment and called the police, reported Berkeleyside.

How can anyone be shot in front of homes and no one saw or heard anything, Smiths mother, Michelle Rode-Smith, wrote on Twitter. I can not rest until I know why my son Seth was taken from us. He enjoyed walking. Hed always been a night owl kid. He should not have been shot in the back of the head for walking on his street.

The family recently launched a memorial scholarship fund in memory of Smith, stating that the young man was brilliant, kind and loved and hoping the scholarship fund could help students with those qualities.

An online petition entitled We Demand Justice for Seth Smith was also created, calling on UC Berkeley and the Berkeley Police Department to bring the murderer to justice. The petition, which has gained some 6,400 supporting signatures from the Berkeley community and general public, also criticized a message from UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ for inappropriately using the tragedy as an opportunity to advance social justice causes.

We realize this is a difficult time for those of you who knew Seth, the universitys statement reads. Many of you may have had a close relationship with Seth and are feeling a sense of loss and disbelief. Others, like many of us, are experiencing stress, grief and anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic and the recent murders of George Floyd, Riah Milton, and other Black Americans.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) president and Rajya Sabha member Shibu Soren, 76, who was found infected with Covid-19 last week, left for New Delhi for further treatment in Medanta Hospital, Gurugram on Tuesday.

The former Jharkhand chief minister tested positive for Covid-19 on August 21. He was shifted to Ranchis Medanta Hospital on August 24 after having breathing problems.

His son and Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday said, The JMM chief has old medical history. He is currently stable but for the last one year, he had not undergone a routine check-up. As a precautionary measure, he is being shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.

On Tuesday at 4 pm, Shibu Soren left the Ranchi hospital in an ambulance under full security cover to board the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express train at Jharkhands Bokaro railway station at 7 pm. Chief minister Hemant Soren accompanied his father to see him off at the Bokaro railway station.

A team of doctors and paramedics from Gurugrams Medanta is also travelling with him to take care of any medical exigencies.

Shibu Soren is a heart patient and he had undergone bypass surgery earlier.

On August 21, he and his wife Roopi Soren tested positive for Covid-19.

Earlier this month, 12 security guards posted at Sorens official residence in Ranchis Morabadi ground tested positive. Reportedly, none of these guards had come in contact with Soren as their deployment was in different parts of the campus to look after external security.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Tesla CEO Elon Musk appealed to mining companies in July, to produce more nickel, which is the most important metal in electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

While these are popularly called as lithium-ion batteries, Musk noted during the Tesla's 2016 shareholder meeting that it is a misnomer since they only contain 2% much lithium. "Technically, our cells should be called nickel-graphite, because the primary constituent in the cell as a whole is nickel," Musk clarified.

Musk's recent plea highlighted the importance of nickel, particularly for his electric vehicle company. "Please mine more nickel," he said adding that Tesla would award companies with a huge, long-time contract that can assure volume of nickel using environmentally-friendly mining processes.

Regent Advisors Managing Director Michael Beck told Kitco News that nickel trade may experience a perfect storm with the surge in demand, which is not easy to meet. For Tesla, a Model 3 vehicle carries about 30 kilograms of nickel, which he noted as "the single most important metal component" in making a battery. "It's where all of the energy is stored," said Beck. Also, battery manufacturers are refining their technologies to include as much nickel as possible, which means higher energy density of the battery.

Canada has environmentally-responsible nickel mining

Responding to Musk's appeal, Vancouver-based Giga Metals said that it is developing an environmentally-friendly nickel resource. Giga Metals CEO Mark Jarvis advised Musk to look at sulfide deposits in Canada and Australia if he wants "environmentally-responsible nickel."

While Canada has numerous nickel mines, Giga Metals' property in north-central British Columbia called Turnagain is said to be one of the world's largest undeveloped sulfide nickel and cobalt projects.

"Our goal is to be the world's first carbon-neutral mine," said Giga Metals President Martin Vydra adding that the company would use BC Hydro's clean energy grid to power the mining company. While it will cost more capital, Vydra stated that it "is the right thing to do."

Meanwhile, Vydra noted that since Canada has some of the toughest environmental laws, which would ensure that companies buying nickel from Canada are assured the metals are ethically sourced.

Nickel: Why is it so in-demand?

Nickel is a really expensive metal and is currently at a bargain at around $13,000 per ton, according to research firm Wood Mackenzie. With the recent development, the firm estimates that the demand will surge by 64% between 2019 and 2025, which is a huge leap after its price dropped in 2007.

Nickel is a natural mineral that humans have been consuming for ages. It was believed that over 2,000 years ago, artisans in Syria used the mineral to strengthen their pieces. It was first highlighted in 1751 by Swedish chemist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt who named the new mineral "Kupfernickel" or Devil's Copper. At the time when copper was among the most valuable minerals, the new metal was like a Fool's Gold.

The Nickel Institute estimated that around 300 million tons of nickel is being mined worldwide, making it the fifth-most common mineral, based on a nickel mining trade organization.

Nickel can easily strengthen materials considering its high melting point at over 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit, resistance to corrosion, and magnetic properties at room temperature, which makes it great for battery use. Cecilia Jamasmie Mining noted that using nickel in batteries makes them energy-dense, so they can be smaller and lighter while allowing cars to travel further on just a single charge.

Musk's recent appeal highlighted the urgency of the need as Tesla has been competing with other EV car manufacturers for the limited supply amid the surging demand. Those who will respond to the call will surely be greatly compensated.

Read also: Elon Musk Says Tesla Roadster Will Have Centerlock Wheels Like Those in Formula One Cars

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
By Trend

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) held a foreign exchange auction with the participation of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), during which Azerbaijani banks acquired $64.8 million, Trend reports citing CBA.

According to CBA, demand from the banks at the auction increased by four percent or by $3.4 million compared to the previous auction.

Considering the number of days remaining before the next scheduled auction, as well as to ensure uninterrupted currency trading by the banks during weekends, the demand of banks at the auction was provided for.

The first foreign exchange auction in a long time was held with the participation of SOFAZ on March 10, 2020, during which Azerbaijani banks acquired $323.2 million.

The CBA began to hold foreign exchange auctions through the unilateral sale of foreign currency in competitive conditions since mid-January 2017.

In March 2020, it was decided to hold extra foreign exchange auctions in connection with the increased demand for foreign currency amid the failed OPEC+ deal, which resulted in a sharp decline of oil prices.

(1 USD = 1.7 AZN on Aug.25)

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Commissioner says Israel at Expo helped facilitate deal Cohen says it's an honour to be next to Italy Pavilion

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 25 AGO - Elazar Cohen, commissioner of the Israel Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, said he "likes to think that the presence of the Israel Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai facilitated in some way the peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates", thus expressing his satisfaction for the "historic" deal between the two countries.



Due to Covid, Expo 2020 Dubai will now take place from October 2021 to the end of March 2022.



Cohen said he has no doubts about the fact that the official invitation to Israel from the Gulf authorities to participate in the event was a sign of what was to come.



"I can imagine that our presence there already for months positively facilitated the parallel political path," Cohen said in an interview with ANSA.



"In fact, it strengthened in local public opinion the observation that Israel is part of the world that Expo wants to represent. And above all, of the great opportunities for exchange between our two nations," he said. (ANSAmed).




The Vice President's Spokesperson, Dr Gideon Boako, is disputing claims by opposition the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the Akufo-Addo administration is deliberately parading non-existent infrastructural projects as part of its achievements.

Though the NDC outlined 26 of these purported ghost projects, Dr Boako suggested the flagged projects may be due to data input errors.

The Akufo-Addo administration said it had initiated 17,334 infrastructural projects in various parts of the country with 8,746 of them having been completed. It launched a website to enable Ghanaians to track these infrastructural projects.

NDCs claims

But the NDC's National Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi on Monday, August 24, 2020, accused government of deceiving Ghanaians as the website for tracking its project had captured a number of ghost projects.

The government's delivery tracker has it that, a rural electrification project has been undertaken at the Mpataban township in the Asante Akyem Constituency in the Ashanti Region. This is a lie. No such project has been undertaken by this government. No electricity has been extended to that township. There is no truth in that. The people sleep in darkness. So that claim by the government delivery tracker is a ghost project. It doesn't exist. Again, they claim on the government's delivery tracker of having constructed the Asuoso to Derma Tekyimantia road in the Bono East Region is yet another palpable falsehood as no such road exists.

There is no road by that name in the Bono East Region. So this is a clear ghost project which has been counted as part of the over 17,000 so-called projects they claim they have delivered. That should let you appreciate the fraudulent claims they [NPP] have made in this country. The claim by this government of the re-roofing a cluster of schools at Akantan in the Eastern Region is another lie. No such project has been undertaken, Sammy Gyamfi said.

Responding to the NDCs claims on Eyewitness News, Dr. Boako posited that when the data was uploaded on the tracker, there may have been some matters of error.

He noted as an example that there was a bridge project in Tano North that was inputted wrongly.

It had been put under a different district meanwhile that particular project is supposed to be in the Tano North municipality.

Dr. Boako also addressed the absence of an Astroturf project in the Adentan Constituency which the NDC cited.

I don't know of an Astroturf built-in Adenta but I know of an Astroturf that is being constructed at Madina so it is possible that whoever was inputting the data wanted to refer to the Astroturf at Madina.

As and when our attention is drawn to it in the displacement of a particular project for a different community, we just have to rectify it, he added.

Beyond this, he said the errors would be within a reasonable rate.

All in all, the government put out about 17,000 different data points so I think the margin of error, in this case, may not be something so substantial.

Dr. Boako further said the government will have to cross-check with the tracker to check the veracity of the claims they [NDC] are making because the tracker was built on rigorous data.

We collected data from Ministries, Departments and Agencies and district assemblies. We had sent NABCo people to go to the ground for most of the data There is so much extensive work that went into this.

---citinewsroom
Visitors at Singapore's Changi Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic. (PHOTO: Reuters/Edgar Su)

SINGAPORE  Visitors from Brunei and New Zealand will have to download the TraceTogether app and keep it activated throughout their stay in Singapore, once the border restrictions are lifted to allow them to enter the country next month.

This is one of several requirements for these visitors listed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in a media release on Tuesday (25 August), in order to safeguard public health in Singapore when the borders re-open from 1 September.

The announcement comes after Singapore said last Friday that it would allow visitors from Brunei and New Zealand to enter the country, subject to a COVID-19 test upon arrival in lieu of a Stay-Home Notice (SHN).

CAAS said in the media release that, from 1 September, these visitors can begin applying for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) for entry on or after 8 September. They can apply for the pass at no charge, and must do so between seven and 30 days prior to their intended date of entry into Singapore.

The ATP will allow these visitors to be contact if there are changes to Singapores health and border measures, and help manage the number of incoming visitors.

Conditions of travel for NZ/Brunei visitors

To protect public health in Singapore, ATP applicants must comply with the following conditions of travel:

Travel history: They must have spent the last 14 consecutive days in Brunei or New Zealand before departing for Singapore. All visitors must travel from these countries to Singapore on direct flights without transit.

Post-arrival COVID-19 testing: Upon arrival in Singapore, visitors must undergo a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at the airport, in lieu of a SHN. The test results will be out within 48 hours. After taking the test, visitors are to take private transportation, taxi, or private hire car from the airport to their declared place of accommodation. They must remain isolated at the accommodation until the test result is confirmed to be negative.

Contact tracing: Visitors must download the TraceTogether app on their mobile devices and keep it activated during their stay here. They are advised to download the app prior to departing for Singapore. In addition, they must not delete the TraceTogether app for 14 consecutive days after leaving Singapore. Should they subsequently test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days after leaving Singapore, they will be required to upload data in the app upon request by the Ministry of Health.

Medical costs: Visitors must be responsible for their medical bills should they require medical treatment for COVID-19 while in Singapore.

Story continues

Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, relevant authorities in Singapore may introduce new measures or requirements as and when necessary. This may result in changes to the conditions or cancellation of the ATP at short notice. Applicants will be notified of any such changes or cancellation of their ATP.

For further queries on the ATP, visitors can email to COVID_ATP_Enquiries@caas.gov.sg.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

More Singapore stories:

JEM, Jurong West 505 market among places visited by COVID-19 cases

Beware of polarisation, rhetoric must be responsible: President Halimah, Speaker Tan CJ

5th set of COVID-19 Budget measures still subject to parliamentary scrutiny: Indranee

No road racing for StanChart Singapore Marathon as organisers plan alternative format
Woolworths has revealed a simple trick to score bonus Ooshies collectables featuring iconic characters from Marvel, Star Wars, Disney and Pixar.

Australian shoppers can start collecting one of the 36 Disney+ fan favourites with every $30 spent in store or online from Wednesday, August 26.

However, customers can score more than one themed figurines in a single transaction if they buy selected products from participating brands such as Uncle Tobys, Tip Top, Oral B, Huggies, Sorbent, McCain and more.

Woolworths has revealed a secret trick to score bonus Ooshies collectables featuring iconic characters from Marvel, Star Wars, Disney and Pixar

Revealed: The participating brands for bonus Ooshies Pantene Huggies Gillette Energizer Oral B Devondale Tip Top Pauls Gold Power Finish Danone Moccona D'Orsogna Fancy Feast Uncle Tobys Sorbent McCain Vegemite Advertisement

Every week, the supermarket will nominate selected products from its catalogue that are eligible for a bonus Disney Plus Ooshie collectable.

'If a customer purchases six products across all participating brands in one transaction, they will receive six bonus Ooshies,' a Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'If a customer purchases six products from one participating brand, they will receive give bonus Ooshies. In both of these instances, we can confirm they will receive an Ooshies for every $30 spent.'

The spokesperson confirmed shoppers will be limited to five items per shop for any eligible bonus brand. For instance, if a customer spends $180 in one transaction, they will get five bonus Ooshies as well as six Ooshies for spending $180.

Last year, shoppers found a loophole to score more than 10 Lion King Ooshies for just $30 after their grocery bill included selected items such as $2 hand washes and $1.80 cat food.

The new Ooshies will feature iconic characters such as Darth Vader, Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, Thor, Ariel, Yoda, Black Panther, Moana and more.

Woolworths has revealed the full list of Disney Plus Ooshies collectables featuring iconic characters like Elsa and Anna from Frozen, and Darth Vader from Star Wars

Australian shoppers can start collecting the themed figurines from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars movies with every $30 spent in store or online from Wednesday, August 26

The collection includes silver, gold, colour changing, glow in the dark, and additional glitter edition Ooshies, which can all be kept in a limited-edition box.

'We know many Aussie families have had a challenging year, so we're partnering with Disney to give our customers something exciting to look forward to from their everyday shop,' Woolworths chief marketing officer Andrew Hicks said.

'Whether it's Woody, a hologram Princess Leia or a glow in the dark Yoda, we're confident the collection is something the entire family can enjoy and collect together.'

Woolworths has also teamed up with TerraCycle to offer customers a sustainable way to recycle their previous Ooshies.

Woolworths has also teamed up with TerraCycle to offer customers a sustainable way to recycle their previous Ooshies

Every Woolworths store will have dedicated recycle bins so customers can drop any pre-loved collectables and wrapper to be recycled until January 31, 2021.

The paper wrapper can also be recycled at home in the yellow bin.

Unfortunately there will be a delay on the launch for customers in Victoria until lockdown restrictions ease to focus on store operations and safety of team members and customers.

To keep Victorian fans entertained until then, Disney+ is offering eligible Everyday Rewards members in Victoria a 14 day free trial of Disney+, giving them access to thousands of hours of films and series.

Every Woolworths store will have dedicated recycle bins so customers can drop any pre-loved collectables and wrapper to be recycled until January 31, 2021

'We know some customers in Victoria will be disappointed by the delayed roll out, but the safety and wellbeing of our customers, team members, and community remains our number one priority,' Mr Hicks said.

'The delay will allow our team to focus on operations and supplying customers with their everyday essentials during this challenging period.

'Once restrictions ease and we can safely roll out the program, we look forward to sharing the Disney magic with our Victorian customers.'
Neurologists are to start treating Alzheimer's patients by sending electrical currents deep into their brain.

A team at Imperial College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute have been given a $1.5million (1.14million) grant by US philanthropists, including Bill Gates, to trial the technology.

Researchers have selected 24 patients with early-stage Alzheimer's to undergo the therapy, which will involve two weeks of daily hour-long sessions.

After dozens of failed trials for dementia drugs, experts have high hopes for this new method.

The technology  called temporal interference brain stimulation  involves applying electrodes to the scalp.

The electrodes then send two harmless high-frequency beams into the brain.

These beams are of slightly different frequencies  2,000 Hz and 2,005 Hz  and when they cross they create a third current, a low-frequency wave of 5 Hz.

And it is this new wave which researchers hope will make all the difference.

It will be triggered in the hippocampus  an area deep in the brain responsible for forming new memories. This will hopefully revive the area's mitochondria, the energy source in every cell, which become damaged by Alzheimer's.

The two original beams are at too high a frequency to interfere with the healthy brain tissue through which they pass.

But the new wave will have the same frequency at which brain cells fire  allowing it to spark diseased neurones back into action.

Tests on healthy volunteers shows the technique increases blood flow to the brain and results in improved results in facial-recognition tests. But the new trial, which will start in January, will be the first time patients with Alzheimer's undergo the treatment.

A team at Imperial College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute have been given a $1.5million (1.14million) grant by US philanthropists, including Bill Gates (pictured), to trial the technology

Researcher Dr Nir Grossman said: 'There is more and more evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease.

'This is an important milestone for us, concluding years of work on a breakthrough technological development.'

Some 850,000 people in the UK suffer with dementia, of whom 500,000 have the Alzheimer's form of the disease.

The trial is one of 16 given grants by the $60million (46million) Part the Cloud programme  a scheme funded by philanthropists Bill Gates and Mikey Hoag, and the US Alzheimer's Association.

Microsoft billionaire Mr Gates has spoken of witnessing the effects of the disease first-hand and said finding a treatment 'needs increased and continued research investments'.
/* custom css */

.tdi_75_d54.td-a-rec{ text-align: center; }.tdi_75_d54 .td-element-style{ z-index: -1; }.tdi_75_d54.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_75_d54.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; }@media (max-width: 767px) { .tdi_75_d54.td-a-rec-img { text-align: center; } }

Advertisement

A famous Nigerian politician once said (in spirited defense of the Yoruba) that before I became a Nigerian, I was Yoruba. And another one said: We will write this for all to read. Anyone, soldier or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes.

The Yoruba has, in moderation, said his own. The Fulani has, in extremism, said his own. Let me now, as an Igbo, say my own, and here it is: Whoever takes the life of an IPOB member is taking the life of an Igbo and therefore will ultimately account to Ndigbo. Its not a threat; its a fact.

When I read about the senseless and criminal massacre of unarmed innocents who gathered in Enugu on August 23, 2020 in peaceable exercise of their constitutional rights, I quickly began to search the news to learn more and I learnt plenty, including particularly the somewhat dismissive refrain that those killed are just IPOB members.

/* custom css */

.tdi_74_f30.td-a-rec{ text-align: center; }.tdi_74_f30 .td-element-style{ z-index: -1; }.tdi_74_f30.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_74_f30.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; }@media (max-width: 767px) { .tdi_74_f30.td-a-rec-img { text-align: center; } }

Advertisement

Yes, they might be IPOB members. But guess what? Everybody in the former Eastern Nigeria who disagrees with the fratricidal mess that has become Nigeria is an IPOB member, overtly or covertly.

They dont have to carry a registration card for you to be certain that they are IPOB members. All you need to do is to talk with them to convince yourself that they are IPOB members.

An IPOB member is simply any Eastern Nigerian (especially the Igbo) who will rather have Biafra than a Nigeria that eats her children, especially her Igbo children. And they are in the millions; they are legion; some are above ground; some are in sleeper cells. And they are not miscreants; they are the Igbo gentry, the elites, the masses, the warts and all.

So, in this latest case of those mass-murdered by Nigerias security forces in Enugu yesterday, it is safe to assume (in terms of the locale) that they are Igbos. And yes  they were borne as Igbos when there was no IPOB.

And to be sure, they were Igbos before they became Nigerians. And even as Nigeria notoriously disdains the Igbo but still wants to keep him in Nigeria, the Igbo remains an Igbo for now and forever, alive or dead. Nobody can change that. No subliminal narrative of just IPOB can change that.

Therefore, while its correct to say that those killed are members of IPOB, its wrong to slant it in a way that seeks to detach them from the whole. That whole is mainly Ndigbo, a people that are not terrorists but are branded as such; a people that do not bear arms but are treated as such and thus extrajudicially murdered at the slightest excuse. Why?

And then once such occurs, once they unjustifiably and gleefully spill the sacred Igbo blood, every attempt is made to deride and degrade the fallen as mere IPOB and therefore as less less sacred, all in a clumsy media spin to detach them from Ndigbo.

This has been the constant narrative since 30th August, 2015 when this current spate of mass murders of Ndigbo got underway. I say to you: It doesnt work; it never will; their blood is never less worthy than the blood of any Igbo. Its an Igbo thing that you may not understand. Its deep and medieval.

So, those that are in command and control in this latest crime against humanity, against Ndigbo should know this: when time comes, it is the entire Igbo that will hold you to account.

If you are not held to account within Nigeria (which is what you are counting on), you will be held to account in the appropriate forum outside of Nigeria and there shall be no statute of limitation stopping it. And sovereign immunity will not be a shield but a sword.

Again, its not a threat; its a statement of fact. And I say it advisedly, not as the Special Counsel to the IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu (which I am), but as an Igbo who is personally wounded and bereaved any time an innocent Igbo life is taken by rulers of a Nigerian State that will rather pardon a terrorist and kill the unarmed Igbo, while foolishly thinking that there will be no consequences.



Aloy Ejimakor, Esquire

Managing Partner

ADULBERT LEGAL SERVICES

11 Ukpo Close, Garki

Abuja FCT, Nigeria

+234 803 265 1660 aejimakor@gmail.com

/* custom css */

.tdi_76_2d4.td-a-rec{ text-align: center; }.tdi_76_2d4 .td-element-style{ z-index: -1; }.tdi_76_2d4.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_76_2d4.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; }@media (max-width: 767px) { .tdi_76_2d4.td-a-rec-img { text-align: center; } }
Thailand's Narcotics Suppression Bureau said Tuesday in a press briefing that border patrol police had intercepted two pickup trucks in Thailand's North-Eastern Province of Nakhon Phanom and seized 200 kilograms of dried marijuana, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

The two drivers were arrested.

The arrest came after a tip-off that marijuana would be smuggled by long-tail boats across the Mekong river from Laos and then to Nakhon Phanom.

Border patrol police also discovered 200 compressed slabs of dried marijuana, each weighing 1 kilogram, stuffed in five bags.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said he held "direct and transparent" talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Khartoum on Tuesday, including over removing Sudan from a U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list.

Pompeo landed in Sudan after flying non-stop from Israel on what he said was the first official non-stop flight between the two countries, as the United States promotes stronger Sudan-Israel ties.

His visit is part of a regional tour comes as Israel and the United States push more Arab countries to follow.

The United States sanctioned Sudan over its alleged support for militant groups and the civil war in Darfur, during the rule of Omar al-Bashir Bashir, the long-time ruler ousted by the military in April 2019.

Trade sanctions were lifted in 2017 but Sudan remains on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, which prevents it from accessing badly needed funding from international lenders.

Hamdok also said in a tweet he and Pompeo discussed support for Sudan's civilian-led transitional government, and that he was looking forward to "positive tangible steps" to support Sudan's revolution.

Pompeo said on Twitter after taking off from Tel Aviv: "Happy to announce that we are on the FIRST official NONSTOP flight from Israel to Sudan!"

The State Department said Pompeo's brief stopover in Khartoum was to discuss U.S. support for the civilian-led government and for "deepening the Sudan-Israel relationship".

Asked if Pompeo would announce a breakthrough in Sudan like normalization of ties with Israel or a removal of U.S. sanctions, a U.S. official on board Pompeo's flight said: "It's possible that more history will be made."

Ties with Israel are a sensitive issue in Sudan, which was among the hardline Muslim foes of Israel under Bashir.

In February, ruling council head Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Uganda, but cast doubt on any rapid normalisation of relations.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed August 31 to deliver judgment in the appeal brought before it by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Musa Wada and his party.

Mr Wada and the PDP are challenging the re-election of the governor, Yahaya Bello of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the November 16, 2019 governorship election.

The seven-man panel of justices of the apex court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, on Tuesday fixed the date after parties in the appeal adopted their various written briefs.

The Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal had, in concurrent judgments, affirmed Mr Bellos re-election on the grounds that Wada and his party failed to prove the allegations of electoral malpractices in their petition.

Dissatisfied with the two judgments of the lower courts, Mr Wada moved to the supreme court for the setting aside of the concurrent judgements of the tribunal and that of the court of appeal.

He wants the apex court to set aside the judgments of the appellate court on the grounds that the Court of Appeal discarded evidence of rigging and violence in seven local government areas of the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mr Bello, candidate of the APC as the winner of the governorship poll, having won a majority of votes cast and the spread threshold in the election.

However, four contestants and their parties, including Mr Wada and the PDP, had disagreed with INEC and subsequently approached the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge the victory of Bello.

The other petitioners are the Actions Peoples Party (APP); the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP).

However, their petitions were all dismissed by the tribunal for lacking in merit.

Similarly, the Court of Appeal agreed that the cases of the appellants lacked merit and even dismissed some with cost against some appellants.

The Court of Appeal had in its judgment held that the allegations of over-voting, multiple thumb-printing, and results falsification were not proved by the appellants.

In the split ruling delivered by Justice Haruna Tsamani, the appellate court held that the appellants merely dumped documents on the tribunal without calling relevant witnesses to link the documents to the allegation of over-voting.

According to him, a party who alleges over-voting must tender the voter registers for the affected polling units and the results of the polling units, show how, without over-voting, the results would be in his or her favour.

While the majority judgment delivered by Justice Kashim Kaigama favoured Bello, the minority judgment delivered by Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele held that there was evidence of electoral malpractices in seven LGAs of the state.

Mr Ovbiagele subsequently upturned Mr Bellos victory and ordered a rerun in the seven affected local government areas of the state.

(NAN)
Subscriber content preview

By MARK THIESSEN

Associated Press

ANCHORAGE  Environmental groups wasted no time challenging the Trump administration's attempt to allow oil and gas drilling in an Alaska refuge where polar bears and caribou roam.

Two lawsuits filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Anchorage sought to block the Interior Department's plan to allow oil and gas lease sales on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge  a 1.56 million-acre strip of land along Alaska's northern Beaufort Sea coast, or about 8% of the 19.3 million-acre refuge.





. . .
New Delhi, Aug 25 : The Working President of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Alok Kumar on Tuesday said that the demand by different political parties to restore status quo ante in J&K and also Article 370 is not only against the national public sentiment but also in contempt of the Constitution, the judiciary and the Parliament as well as opposing the country.

This assertion comes after six political parties, including the National Conference and PDP, passed a resolution pledging a combined effort for restoration of Article 370 saying its abrogation was "spitefully shortsighted".

The VHP also hit out at Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram for throwing his weight behind the pledge. Kumar alleged that it has once again "exposed the anti-national character of the Congress". Chidambaram had tweeted, "Salute the unity and courage of six mainstream Opposition parties who came together yesterday to fight the repeal of Article 370".

Kumar also criticised "a former Chief Minister" of J&K referring to a media statement of Farooq Abdullah where he said, "I wonder whether I would have been better off as a terrorist". The VHP called it a "reprehensible and provocative statement to push the people of the valley back to the path of terror".

The VHP Working President said that the whole of Jammu & Kashmir, including the territories illegally occupied by Pakistan and China is an integral part of India and the Parliament of India is free to take any decision about it.

"After the revocation of Article 370, as the situation in J&K and Ladakh - the crown of Maa Bhaarati is getting normal, with regular life coming on track, and the development of the region picking up pace, it seems that these opposition parties standing for separatists do not like these positive developments," Kumar said.

Kumar said that the people of India were fed up with separatism and terrorism for decades. "From August 5, 2019, the country was feeling some relief with curbs on the anti-national elements, but as suddenly this separatist thinking has once again shown its head, it has shocked and angered the people of the country," he added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said he had tested positive for coronavirus, days after he had tested negative for the infection after Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was found to be COVID-19 positive.

Auto refresh feeds

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved using blood plasma from recovered coronavirus patients as a treatment against the infection, reports AFP. This product may be effective in treating COVID-19 and... the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product, reads the FDAs statement.

The patient is suffering from some mental issues according to his family members, he said. Kasar demanded that state government install iron grills on the windows of the hospital.

The patient got down from the third floor window onto the open slab and was about to jump when some staff members rushed to him and held him back, said Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College and Hospital Dean Dr P K Kasar.

Staff members of a hospital in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday foiled the bid of a 40-year-old COVID-19 patient to commit suicide by jumping off the third floor of the facility, police said.

Odisha on Sunday registered its highest single-day spike of 2,993 COVID-19 cases and 10 more deaths due to the infection, reports PTI. With this, the state's COVID-19 death toll has mounted to 409 and the infection tally reached 78,530, a health official said.

On Sunday, 58 fresh coronavirus cases were confirmed in the dormitory, a day after a new COVID-19 cluster emerged there.

The Sungei Tengah Lodge dormitory was among the largest COVID-19 clusters in Singapore with over 2,200 confirmed cases before it was declared cleared of the disease by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) last month.

Around 4,800 workers have been issued a stay-home notice at Singapore's largest foreign workers' dormitory after fresh coronavirus emerged there, reports PTI.

Indias coronavirus tally rises to 31,06,348 cases after the country reports 61,408 new infections in 24 hours. The countrys toll climbs up by 836 to 57,542.

But the epidemic has left Asia's third-largest economy reeling, and tens of millions of people have lost their jobs and livelihoods.

"At the moment we are seeing a fairly sharp rise in cases overall for India," said K Srinath Reddy, of the non-governmental Public Health Foundation of India.

Previously the main hotspots have been the teeming megacities of New Delhi and Mumbai, home to some of the world's biggest slums.

India, the world's second-most-populous nation is currently leading in new infection cases as the virus marches through impoverished rural areas in the north and the wealthier but older populations of the south.

Katras police station officer in charge Ras Bihari Lal has identified the man as 30-year-old Shantu Gupta, who was arrested on extortion charges. After he tested positive, the police admitted him to the central hospital of Bharat Coking Coal Limited.

A total of 1,792 people, including 699 security personnel, have tested positive for the infection in the state since August 1, the official said.

Sixty-nine people were discharged from different hospitals on Sunday as they have recovered from COVID-19, taking the total number of recoveries to 2,297, he said. Of the total 3,263 COVID-19 cases in the state, 961 are active cases as 2,297 people have recovered from the disease and five have died.

Arunachal Pradesh's COVID-19 tally rose to 3,263, with 40 more people including 17 security personnel testing positive for Coronavirus, a senior Health department official said on Monday.

The COVID-19 case fatality rate has declined to 1.85 per cent, while the recovery rate has risen to 75.27 per cent.

India''s COVID-19 caseload mounted to 31,06,348, while the death toll climbed to 57,542 with 836 fatalities being reported in a span of 24-hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

A single-day spike of 61,408 COVID-19 cases took India''s virus caseload past the 31-lakh mark on Monday, a day after it crossed 30 lakh, while recoveries surged to 23,38,035 pushing the recovery rate to over 75 percent, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

"Health authorities have reported 496 new cases of coronavirus and now the total number of infections stand at 2,93,261," the ministry said in a statement.

Pakistan has resistered 496 new cases of coronavirus, taking the total number of infections in the nation to 2,93,261, the health ministry said on Monday, reports PTI. The Ministry of National Health Services said the new cases were detected as the number of diagnosis tests have been intensified across the nation.

So far, Kalyan town in the district has reported the highest number of 26,623 cases, followed by Thane city-24,459 and Navi Mumbai-23,321, an official release said.

The COVID-19 tally in Thane reached 1,14,765 on Monday after 881 new cases were found in the Maharashtra district, officials told PTI. The district also reported 28 more deaths due to COVID-19, taking the total number of fatalities to 3,268.

The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) issued show cause notices to these hospitals following which they refunded Rs 26.68 lakh to the patients.

The audit teams checked 4,106 bills from 10 July to 21 August and found an excess amount totalling Rs 1.82 crore in 1,362 bills, the civic body said in a statement.

Following several complaints from patients, Thane Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Sharma constituted audit teams to check the billings of 17 hospitals in the city, reports PTI.

As many as 17 private hospitals in Maharashtra's Thane city overcharged COVID-19 patients to the tune of Rs 1.82 crore and are yet to refund Rs 1.40 crore out of it, civic officials said on Monday.

The PMO has said that each bed will also have oxygen supply. The doctors and paramedical staff will be provided by the Armed Forces Medical Services.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the PM-CARES Fund Trust has decided to allocate funds to fight against COVID-19 by the way of establishment of 500-bed makeshift hospitals at Patna and Muzaffarpur in Bihar by DRDO. The hospitals, with 125 ICU beds with ventilators and 375 normal beds each, will be inaugurated soon.

Notably, the Speaker has tested positive two days before the monsoon session of the Assembly starts on 26 August. As a result, Deputy Speaker Ranbir Gangwa will be presiding over the House proceedings.

Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, Health Minister Anil Vij confirmed. "The Assembly Speaker and two other MLAs have tested positive for coronavirus," Vij, who is also the state''s Home Minister, told PTI.

Advocate Deepak Prakash, appearing for petitioner Hashik Thayikandy, said that all he is asking for is a national policy to be formulated that would provide for uniform compensation throughout the country.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and R S Reddy dismissed the plea saying that every state has a different policy and gives compensation as per its financial power.

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking formulation of a national policy for uniform compensation for families of those who have died due the coronavirus disease, reports PTI.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the Maharashtra police rises to 13,716. The police forces toll stands at 139.

Meghalaya currently has 1,141 active cases, while the number of recoveries stands at 780. Eight patients have succumbed to the infection so far.

Of the new cases, 10 were reported from East Khasi Hills district and two from Ri-Bhoi, Health Services Director Aman War said. "Nine armed forces personnel are among the new patients," he said.

At least 12 more people, including nine security personnel, tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya on Monday, taking the northeastern state''s tally to 1,929, a health department official told PTI.

The state also reported 585 new cases of the coronavirus. The total number of people infected by COVID-19 now stands at 71,194 in Rajasthan and out of these 14,790 people are under treatment. The official said that 54,805 people have been discharged after treatment till now.

Rajasthan recorded six more fatalities due to the novel coronavirus on Monday, taking the COVID-19 death toll in the state to 961, according to a health department official.

"The next stage of the vaccine rollout would be expanded based on an assessment of each countrys vulnerability to the virus. A number of vaccines are now in the final stage of clinical trials and we all hope well have multiple successful candidates that are both safe and effective," reports quoted the WHO as saying.

On Monday, the WHO said that the coronavirus vaccine, once developed, will be first provided to healthcare workers around the world. Then to people over 65 years, and those with comorbidities.

"The office block where he used to sit has been closed for sanitisation work. Other staff members who sat there have also undergone the coronavirus test," Goel said. The office block is separate from the main Delhi BJP office building where the party president and other senior office bearers have their chambers.

The 60-year-old man took the COVID-19 test on Sunday and his report came positive, Delhi BJP's media cell head Ashok Goel said.

A portion of the Delhi BJP's office on Pant Marg here was closed for sanitisation work on Monday after a senior staff member tested positive for COVID-19, a party leader said.

The New York Times on Monday reported that researchers have found "the first confirmed case of coronavirus reinfection, suggesting that immunity in some people might last only a few months."

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said he had tested positive for coronavirus, days after he had tested negative for the infection after Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was found to be COVID-19 positive.

Madhya Pradesh on Monday reported 1,292 new COVID-19 cases, with which the tally rose to 54,421. The number of active cases stands at 11,944. As many as 17 patients died of the illness on the day, taking the State-wide death toll to 1,246.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the Maharashtra police rises to 13,716. The police forces toll stands at 139.

Meghalaya currently has 1,141 active cases, while the number of recoveries stands at 780. Eight patients have succumbed to the infection so far.

Of the new cases, 10 were reported from East Khasi Hills district and two from Ri-Bhoi, Health Services Director Aman War said. "Nine armed forces personnel are among the new patients," he said.

At least 12 more people, including nine security personnel, tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya on Monday, taking the northeastern state''s tally to 1,929, a health department official told PTI.

The state also reported 585 new cases of the coronavirus. The total number of people infected by COVID-19 now stands at 71,194 in Rajasthan and out of these 14,790 people are under treatment. The official said that 54,805 people have been discharged after treatment till now.

Rajasthan recorded six more fatalities due to the novel coronavirus on Monday, taking the COVID-19 death toll in the state to 961, according to a health department official.

"The next stage of the vaccine rollout would be expanded based on an assessment of each countrys vulnerability to the virus. A number of vaccines are now in the final stage of clinical trials and we all hope well have multiple successful candidates that are both safe and effective," reports quoted the WHO as saying.

On Monday, the WHO said that the coronavirus vaccine, once developed, will be first provided to healthcare workers around the world. Then to people over 65 years, and those with comorbidities.

"The office block where he used to sit has been closed for sanitisation work. Other staff members who sat there have also undergone the coronavirus test," Goel said. The office block is separate from the main Delhi BJP office building where the party president and other senior office bearers have their chambers.

The 60-year-old man took the COVID-19 test on Sunday and his report came positive, Delhi BJP's media cell head Ashok Goel said.

A portion of the Delhi BJP's office on Pant Marg here was closed for sanitisation work on Monday after a senior staff member tested positive for COVID-19, a party leader said.

The New York Times on Monday reported that researchers have found "the first confirmed case of coronavirus reinfection, suggesting that immunity in some people might last only a few months."

2,370 of 2,713 cases have recovered, he said, adding that Dharavi now has only 83 active cases.

The cumulative tally of cases in Mumbai's biggest slum colony, once a COVID-19 hotspot, now stands at 2,713, an official said. Earlier, Dharavi had reported just one COVID-19 case on 5 August.

Dharavi slum sprawl in Mumbai on Monday reported just two new COVID-19 cases, which is the second lowest single-day rise so far this month, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation ((BMC) said.

I was tested for Novel Corona Virus today. My test report has returned positive. I appeal to all colleagues and associates who came in my contact over the last week to get themselves tested. I request my close contacts to move into strict quarantine immediately.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said he had tested positive for coronavirus, days after he had tested negative for the infection after Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was found to be COVID-19 positive.

Madhya Pradesh on Monday reported 1,292 new COVID-19 cases, with which the tally rose to 54,421. The number of active cases stands at 11,944. As many as 17 patients died of the illness on the day, taking the State-wide death toll to 1,246.

Metro services were suspended in late March to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 31 lakh people in the country so far.

States will, however, take the final call on reopening the rapid transport networks depending on the coronavirus situation there.

Metro rail services may be allowed from September 1 when the 'Unlock 4' phase in the graded reopening from the coronavirus-induced lockdown will begin, an official said.

Bars, which are so far not allowed to reopen, may be permitted to sell liquor over the counter for takeaway.

The Centre is likely to allow resumption of Metro train services in the 'Unlock 4' phase beginning 1 September, but schools and colleges may not reopen anytime soon, officials said on Monday.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said he had tested positive for coronavirus, days after he had tested negative for the infection after Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was found to be COVID-19 positive.

Indias coronavirus tally rises to 31,06,348 cases after the country reports 61,408 new infections in 24 hours. The countrys toll climbs up by 836 to 57,542.

'This product may be effective in treating COVID-19 and... the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product,' reads the FDAs statement

The number of coronavirus positive cases reported so far in the country crossed 30 lakh on Sunday, just 16 days after it crossed 20 lakh. The toll rose to 56,706 with 912 fatalities reported in 24 hours, said the health ministry in its morning update.

COVID-19 cases in the country jumped from 10 lakh to 20 lakh in 21 days, while it had taken 59 days for the cases to cross 10 lakh.

It took 110 days for COVID-19 cases in the country to reach one lakh.

However, the number of recoveries also surged to 22,80,566 with 57,989 patients recuperating from COVID-19 in a day, the data updated at 8 am showed. The country now has 7,07,668 active cases, which comprise 23.24 percent of India's total caseload, the ministry said.

The recovery rate among coronavirus patients neared 75 percent, while the case fatality rate dipped to 1.86 percent, which is among the lowest in the world, the ministry claimed.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar announced standard operating procedures (SOPs) for resuming shooting of films and TV programmes. The new guidelines include measures such as social distancing and mandatory use of face cover or masks for cast and crew, except for actors in front of camera.

In Madhya Pradesh, health minister Prabhuram Choudhary said he has tested coronavirus positive. Choudhary is the seventh minister in the state, besides Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to have tested positive for the viral infection. Meanwhile, Delhi reported its highest single-day spike in August with 1,450 new cases.

Recovery rate touches 74.90%, says health ministry

The Union health ministry on Sunday said the average daily number of recoveries is on a "constant upward move", even as the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country climbed to 30,44,940 after a spike of 69,239 fresh infections.

The average daily recoveries have steadily increased from 15,018 between1 and 7 July to 60,557 between 13 and 19 August, the health ministry said. The total recoveries exceed the active cases by nearly 16 lakh (1,572,898) and the national recovery rate has gone up to 74.90 percent, it said in a statement.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR), a cumulative total of 3,52,92,220 samples have been tested up to 22 August, with 8,01,147 samples being tested on Saturday.

With over eight lakh tests being conducted for the eighth consecutive day, the average daily positivity rate has come down from 9.67 percent during 3-9 August to 7.67 percent over the last week. the ministry said.

Centre announces SOPs for film shoots

The Centre on Sunday announced SOPs for resuming shooting of films and TV programmes to contain the spread of COVID-19. Union minister Prakash Javadekar asserted that the guidelines will facilitate resumption of shooting and provide employment to scores of people in the film industry who were affected in the wake of the pandemic.

Sharing details of the SOPs, Javadekar said barring those who are in front of cameras, all others will have to wear masks.

The I&B ministry's SOPs state that physical distancing of at least six feet to be followed as far as feasible at all locations at all times, while sitting, standing in queues, among others. These include places such as shoot locations, sound recording studios and editing rooms.

Aspects such as scenes, sequences, set-ups, camera locations, positions of various crew members, seating arrangements, food and catering arrangements, staggered meal timings should be planned while giving due consideration to physical distancing norms, according to the document.

Measures should be taken by the production team to involve a minimum number of cast and crew members during the shoot, the SOPs said.

Visitors and audiences should not be allowed on sets and for outdoor shooting, necessary coordination with local authorities should be ensured to minimise and manage the spectators, they said.

Resting or stay-over facilities should be planned while adhering to physical distancing guidelines, according to the document.

Staggered call and pack-up timings for different production units should be ensured by studios having multiple sets, the SOPs added. "There shall be designated entry and exit points for all shoot locations and other workplaces," the document said.

Common locations such as sets, cafeteria, make-up rooms, edit rooms, vanity vans, washrooms should be sanitised regularly, it said.

Sanitisation, to the extent possible, before and after the shoot should be done, the SOPs said.

Shooting of films and TV serials can be resumed using these SOPs, Javadekar said.

India may get vaccine by year-end if everything goes well, says Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has said that if everything goes well, India would get a vaccine against COVID-19 by the end of this year.

Three COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including two indigenous ones, are in different phases of development in India. The phase-one human clinical trials of the two indigenous COVID-19 vaccine candidates, one developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and the other by Zydus Cadila Ltd, have been completed and the trials have moved to phase-two, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava had said recently.

The Serum Institute of India, which has partnered with AstraZeneca for manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by the University of Oxford, is likely to begin phase two and three human clinical trials next week.

West Bengal, Odisha register record spike in cases

Meanwhile, several states added new cases and fatalities to their tallies. Delhi registered 1,450 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, the city's highest single-day spike in August, taking the total cases to over 1.61 lakh while the toll mounted to 4,300. The positivity rate stands at 7.74 percent, while the recovery rate is 90.04 percent.

The COVID-19 caseload of West Bengal went up to 1,38,870 after with 3,274 new infections, the highest in a day, the health department said. The toll due to the disease also rose to 2,794 with 57 more people succumbing to the viral infection, the department said in a bulletin. Since Saturday, 3,048 patients have recovered from the disease and the number of active cases is now 28,069, it said.

Odisha too registered its highest single-day surge of 2,993 COVID-19 cases and 10 more deaths due to the infection. With this, the state's toll has mounted to 409 and the infection count reached 78,530, a health official told PTI. Fifty-three other coronavirus patients have also died, but the cause of their deaths was attributed to some other reasons, the official said.

Maharashtra reported 10,441 new coronavirus positive cases, which pushed the cumulative total in the state to 6,82,383. With the death of 258 patients during the day, the toll climbed to 22,253.

Madhya Pradesh health minister tests positive

In Madhya Pradesh, Health Minister Prabhuram Choudhary tweeted that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

"My COVID-19 test report came out positive. I request those who had come in my contact to undergo a coronavirus test. Those in close contact should quarantine themselves," he tweeted. "With your prayers and blessings, I will return amidst you soon to serve the people," he said.

                    ,                                    Dr. Prabhuram Choudhary (@DrPRChoudhary) August 23, 2020

In the last week of July, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had tested positive and recovered after treatment. Besides, Public Works Department Minister Gopal Bhargava, Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang, state Cooperatives Minister Arvind Bhadoriya, Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat, Higher Education Minister Mohan Yadav and Minister of State (Independent charge) for Backward Class and Minority Welfare Ramkhelawan Patel had also tested coronavirus for the infection.

With inputs from PTI
Canadians may not know much about Erin OToole, but they should know this much: Dont underestimate the Ontario MP who has emerged as the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

OToole was seen by political insiders and media pundits as a dark horse in the leadership race, which many considered to be a coronation for the more high-profile candidate, Peter MacKay.

However, OTooles team ran a solid, nearly error-free campaign. That and the surprising strength of social conservative candidate Leslyn Lewis, who ultimately threw her support behind OToole, sealed the victory. Without that support, he probably would not have easily defeated MacKay.

Now, OToole faces a raft of challenges. To start with, who is he and what sort of party is he leading?

When he ran for the leadership last time against Andrew Scheer, OToole portrayed himself as a centrist, moderate candidate. That didnt go particularly well given he finished behind Scheer and the libertarian Max Bernier.

So OToole borrowed a page from Berniers book, and this time portrayed himself much further to the right, which allowed him to hammer away at MacKay as being too soft, too moderate, too Liberal lite. He campaigned much more aggressively and wasnt above gutter fighting  referring to MacKay as a liar during the French language debate.

But which OToole is leading the party  the more moderate version or the hard-right conservative version? And how will he explain himself to the party and to Canadians, since he cannot be both things?

Then there is his party. From a membership and fundraising perspective, it is in good shape. From a shared vision perspective, things are not so clear. There was general recognition during and after the last election that the party needed to broaden its base of support, particularly in Ontario and Quebec. The CPC may be No. 1 with a bullet in Alberta and Saskatchewan, but that doesnt mean it will be able to defeat the Liberals and form a government.

Growing its support in Ontario and Quebec means the partys personality and platform must better reflect the views of citizens. But we know there is broad support for strong environmental policies among those citizens, and OToole, as well as other candidates, has said he will kill any carbon tax.

We also know that Ontarians and Quebecers tend to hold more socially progressive views  they dont want to spend time debating matters of gender and reproductive rights. But OToole owes his victory to not one but two social conservative candidates  the aforementioned Lewis and Derek Sloan  who would place restrictions on a womans right to choose abortion if she wants one. How will that translate in the minds of central Canadian citizens?

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is another leader who owes his party leadership to social conservatives. His way of dealing with this paradox was decidedly Ford-like: He wooed social conservatives when he needed them and then avoided them like the plague once elected leader. The same approach could work for OToole, but the national stage is not the same as the Ontario stage. If the new leader doesnt offer some payback, it will not play well in Western Canada where social conservatism is stronger.

Literally the same day as his victory, so-cons were knocking on OTooles door. The pro-life lobby group We Need a Law issued a statement congratulating him and reminding him to include the pro-life agenda in his platform.

Party personality. His own leadership style. Building a platform that appeals in Ontario and Quebec. OTooles to-do list is daunting. And with a Throne speech coming next month, time is of the essence.
A day after being dissed at a stormy Congress Working Committee meeting over their letter seeking urgent organisational reforms, several members of the 'group of 23' said on Tuesday they are "not

dissenters" but "proponents of revival". Many of them also backed Sonia Gandhi remaining at the helm.

The letter was not a challenge to the leadership but a parchment of action to strengthen the party, Congress MP Vivek Tankha said. Former Union minister Mukul Wasnik said those who saw the letter as an "offence" will also soon realise that the issues raised are worth consideration.

Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily said it is an "admitted fact" that the organisation is not in a position to take forward 'the Congress philosophy and protect democracy'. He also asserted that Sonia Gandhi's leadership is always required.

The former union minister further said the intention of the letter was to keep the party ready for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as also for assembly and local bodies elections in the country.



Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, another signatory to the letter, posted a cryptic tweet, saying: "It's not about a post. It's about my country which matters most."

Tankha took to Twitter to address the controversy surrounding their letter which led to high drama at the CWC meet where many leaders, including former party chief Rahul Gandhi, lashed out at the letter writers.



The CWC unanimously urged Sonia Gandhi to continue as its interim chief till an AICC session can be convened to start the process of electing a full-time president and authorised her to effect necessary organisational changes to deal with the challenges facing the party.



Sonia Gandhi was made interim chief a year ago after Rahul Gandhi resigned from the position taking moral responsibility for the party's disastrous performance in the Lok Sabha elections.



"Friends, we are not dissenters but proponents of revival. The letter was not a challenge to leadership but a parchment of action to strengthen the party. Universally, truth is best defence whether it be Court or Public Affairs. History acknowledges the brave & not the timid (sic)," Tankha said in a tweet.



Replying to Tankha, Wasnik tweeted, "Well said. Sooner than later those who saw the letter as an offence will also realise that the issues raised are worth consideration."



Senior party leader Anand Sharma also tagged Tankha's tweet and said, "The letter was written with the best interest of the party in our hearts and conveying shared concerns over the present environment in the country and sustained assault on the foundational values of the constitution."



Another Congress leader, belonging to the group which wrote the letter, said they were satisfied with the outcome of the CWC meet.



Some leaders who signed the letter were present at the CWC meeting and agreed to the proposals, said the leader, who wished not to be named.



"We have never expressed any doubts on the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and whatever decisions Sonia ji will take, will be acceptable to us," the leader said.



"We are working to strengthen the party, not working against anyone," the leader said.



Stating that the Gandhi family is always known for patriotism and sacrifice, Moily said Sonia Gandhi's leadership is always required and her consent to continue as president is the "most welcome step".



He said Sonia Gandhi is a "motherly figure" for the Congress and always inspired the rank and file of the party.



"At any time of crisis, both at the national and state level, I always stood by the national leadership of the Congress party to preserve the unity and integrity of the party," Moily said, underlining that he has been in the Congress since the last 50 years having joined under the leadership of Indira Gandhi.



Many members from the 'group of 23' refused to comment on the matter officially, while some of them referred to the CWC resolution for the inner-party issues being raised only within the party and not in media or public fora "in the interest of propriety and discipline".



After the seven-hour meeting of the party's top decision-making body, the CWC made it clear that no one will be permitted to undermine or weaken the party and its leadership.



Some senior Congress leaders, including Sibal, Wasnik, Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari, had met at their senior colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad's house here on Monday evening soon after the CWC debated their letter.



Having a "full time, active and visible" leadership, devolution of powers to state units and revamping the CWC in line with the party constitution are some of the key suggestions made by the 23 senior Congress leaders in the letter to Sonia Gandhi to revive the organisation.



Sibal, who is not a part of the CWC, had hit out at Rahul Gandhi on Twitter on Monday for a purported remark slamming the letter writers. He withdrew his tweet a little later after being "informed by Rahul Gandhi personally that he never said what was attributed to him".



The Congress also officially denied that Rahul Gandhi had accused any party leader of "colluding with the BJP".

In addition to Azad, Moily, Sibal, Sharma, Tewari, Tharoor, Wasnik and Tankha, the signatories to the letter included P J Kurian, Renuka Chaudhary, Milind Deora, Ajay Singh, and Jitin Prasada.



The 'group of 23' also included former chief ministers Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Rajender Kaur Bhattal and Prithviraj Chavan; former PCC chiefs Raj Babbar (UP), Arvinder Singh Lovely (Delhi) and Kaul Singh Thakur (Himachal); current Bihar campaign chief Akhilesh Singh, former Haryana Speaker Kuldeep Sharma; former Delhi Speaker Yoganand Shastri and former MP Sandeep Dixit.
The Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, says the Akufo-Addo government has made the biggest investment in the Northern Region since independence by initiating the Pwalugu multipurpose dam project.

According to him, the NPP government cares about the ordinary Ghanaian and it will continue to undertake such live-transforming projects to make Ghanaians better off.

The most important irrigation project that we have put in place is the Pwalugu dam. This is the one that is almost a billion dollars and it is going to provide irrigation to at least 24,000 hectares [of farm land]. Currently, Ghana has a public irrigable land of 13,000 hectares. So Pwalugu is going to double what we have in addition to the flood control and electricity. It is the biggest investment that any government has done in Northern Region since independence.

Dr. Bawumia made these remarks on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, during an interview on Accra-based Peace FM.

The opposition National Democratic Congress had criticised the government over the project insisting that it is a total rip-off and must be reviewed by Parliament.

The party also went on further to criticize governments one village one dam initiative.

Dr. Bawumia during the interview rejected the criticisms.

The one village one dam initiative has been very helpful to Northerners. It has been very useful to them. It has ended communal fights over water because the fight of water is very high in the North during the dry season. So these dams are providing water to them. One village one dam has helped farmers very much and other people who need water for other uses in the North during the dry season. If you sit in Accra, you may not be able to appreciate the impact of these dams. About the dam

President Nana Akufo-Addo cut the sod for the construction of the Pwalugu Multipurpose project on November 29, 2019.

The project, which cost US$993 million is expected to be completed within 50 months.

The project will consist of three main components, namely the construction of a hydropower plant; the construction of a solar farm; and the establishment of an irrigation scheme covering an area of some twenty-five thousand (25,000) hectares.

The Pwalugu reservoir can accommodate up to 120,000 cages of 25 square metres each of fish, with an average yield of two tons per cage, making possible the continuous development of the country's aquaculture and fisheries sector.

The project is set to be the single, largest investment ever made by any Government in the Northern sector of the country.

The entire project is being executed by a Chinese construction firm, Power China International and supervised by the Volta River Authority.

The irrigation component of the project will cost $474,042,141.85.

The tax component of the project is $69,284,727.79 and there is also a cadastral survey cost of $800,000.00.

The electricity component of the project will consist of $366 million. It will also have a 60MW hydropower and a $55.4 million 50MW solar power while resettlement, survey and project management will cost the country an amount to $98 million.

 citinewsroom
Pre-pandemic seating in the window at Steak 48, Broad and Spruce Streets. The restaurant has scheduled its premiere for Sept. 15. Read more

If coronavirus trends hold, restaurants in Philadelphia will be permitted to serve patrons inside their dining rooms on Sept. 8, nearly six months after officials shut them down in a move designed to stem the diseases spread.

But in Philadelphias suburbs, where indoor dining was restored nearly two months ago  first at 50%, then to 25% after Gov. Wolf cited patrons not following social-distancing guidelines  restaurateurs report that it has not helped the bottom line. They are still focused on outdoor dining and takeout, albeit a fraction of their pre-pandemic business.

What is happening in the suburbs could be an example for the hundreds of Philadelphias restaurateurs who are deciding whether to open inside.

That 25% capacity is not sustainable for bars or restaurants, according to both John Longstreet, president of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association, and Chuck Moran of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association. The battered industry believes that it is being punished for the actions of sloppy patrons and careless owners. Restaurants always must adhere to health codes, and responsible operators take safety seriously, they said.

It makes things less terrible

With the green light for 25% occupancy two weeks away, it appears that the more spacious restaurants, such as Parc on Rittenhouse Square, are planning to open indoors. Many smaller restaurants, though, will not offer indoor seating, at least initially, among them Fond and Le Virtu in South Philadelphia, Wood Street Pizza in North Philadelphia, Bloomsday in Society Hill, Chloe BYOB in Old City, and ElMerkury in Rittenhouse.

Capacity considerations aside, restaurateurs have found that some staffers and most patrons dont want to work or eat indoors.

I dont plan to let anyone in until we dont have to worry about arguing with guests over masks, said Ringo Roseman, owner of the Bagel Place in the citys Queen Village neighborhood.

 READ MORE: Outdoor dining can resume in Philadelphia on Sept. 8

For some its a matter of comfort. With all the media attention, I would say 99% of our customers would rather eat outside, said Heather Murray, who with her husband, Ed, owns Vinces Pizzeria & Taproom in Newtown, Bucks County. She said they seat only two or three tables indoors on a weekend night, and one or two on a weeknight. Like many suburban restaurants, the Murrays had room for outdoor dining, where they set up 23 tables.

Twenty-five percent, which is really 20% with the spacing, makes things less terrible, but its still not good, said Brian Pieri, who owns Cerdo, Bar Lucca, and The StoneRose in Conshohocken. Its better than not having anything.

Michael DiDomenico at 30 Main in Berwyn, who now can seat 100 people outside, said the restaurant will seat patrons inside by request only. Its not worth staffing indoor and outdoor, he said. Without the bar [open for guests], it is not worth it.

Besides 6-foot spacing between tables, masking, and 25% occupancy  standard practice statewide  Philadelphias guidelines call for servers to also wear face shields and for tables to be limited to four people. Last call for indoor orders will be 11 p.m. with closing at midnight. Employees must be screened and sent away if they show symptoms.

If a mask and shield are both necessary, doesnt that mean its not safe for anyone to be eating inside? asked Katie Chase, a manager at The Love, near Rittenhouse Square.

Id feel better if diners wore masks the whole time and we wouldnt approach [the table] unless everyone wears a mask, said Thaddeus Dynakowski, an unemployed waiter. This is such a difficult situation for our industry because we are more or less programmed to put the guests [experience] above our own and when a server advocates for themselves with guests, its considered bad service.

 READ MORE: COVID-19 has shut hundreds of the Philly-areas small businesses, Yelp says. And thats just for starters.

Wait and see?

Chef Marc Vetri, who has been vocal about the need to reopen restaurants, declined over the weekend to divulge his plans for his two Philly establishments: Fiorella, his snug spot in the Italian Market, and Vetri Cucina, his destination restaurant in Center City.

Those that expect to open Sept. 8 include Square 1682, Red Owl Tavern, and Urban Farmer  all located inside Center City hotels; Dim Sum House in Rittenhouse and University City; Evil Genius Beer Co. in Fishtown; Tradesmans and Bru in Washington Square West; Blume and a.kitchen in Rittenhouse; Jerrys Bar in Northern Liberties; Fork in Old City; The Post and Walnut Street Cafe in University City; and the Bourse food hall across from Independence Mall. Forsythia, a bistro in Old City, plans to offer a few tables. McGillins Olde Ale House in Washington Square West, which dates to 1860 and survived Prohibition by serving tea from a side window, plans to seat 60 people on its two floors.

Steak 48, a massive steakhouse that has been ready to open since the early summer, will open Sept. 15 after serving test meals.

Other restaurateurs are taking a wait-and-see approach, such as Ed Crochet and Justine MacNeil at Fiore Fine Foods in the citys Queen Village neighborhood. We dont want to be the first people to do anything, Crochet said, adding that they are consulting with their staff, who may be uneasy about it.

 HELP US REPORT: Are you a health care worker, medical provider, government worker, patient, frontline worker or other expert? We want to hear from you.

Others, such as Tony Rim, who owns 1225Raw in Washington Square West, gave an emphatic no when asked if he would open indoors. Its not worth it, he said. Ill just keep doing the courtyard and sidewalk, plus we have the street closure from Thursday to Sunday.

Rim, comfortable with current health practices, scoffed at the Mayors Offices call for mandated mask and face shields: They might as well cover the entire body with surgical gear.
SellYourMac Team Very exciting for our company to reach the Inc 5000 3x times in the last 5 years! We are honored to have such deep support from our team and customers! -Brian Burke, Chief Mac Man at SellYourMac.com

Inc. magazine revealed that SELLYOURMAC.COM is No. 2263 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.

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.

Link to SellYourMac.coms ranking can be found at Inc here:

https://www.inc.com/profile/sellyourmaccom.

SellYourMac.com (SYM) is the worlds most trusted and highest independently rated Apple trade-in company. SYM buys and sells the complete lineup of Apple devices, delighting our customers with a fast, safe, and easy trade-in service.

CONTACT:

Website: SellYourMac.com

Facebook: facebook.com/sellyourmac

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sellyourmac/

SellYourMac LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sellyourmac.com

Brian Burke LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/brianburke4

address: 11101 Kenwood Rd, Blue Ash, OH 45242

contact name: Brian Burke

phone number: 844-SELL-MAC
OTTAWA - A new poll suggests Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be well placed to fight an election this fall, seen as the leader best able to care for Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic and to get the economy back on its feet.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 25/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA - A new poll suggests Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be well placed to fight an election this fall, seen as the leader best able to care for Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic and to get the economy back on its feet.

Respondents to the poll, conducted by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies, were split about the prospect of a confidence vote triggering a federal election this fall, with 42 per cent opposed to an election and 38 per cent in favour.

But if there were an election today, 38 per cent of decided voters said they'd support Trudeau's Liberals, compared to 30 per cent for the Conservatives, 18 per cent for the NDP and six per cent for the Greens.

The Bloc Quebecois were at 33 per cent in Quebec, statistically tied with the Liberals in that province at 32 per cent, with the Conservatives well behind at 16 per cent, the NDP at 12 per cent and the Greens at four per cent.

When asked specifically which party would earn their vote should Erin O'Toole be at the helm of the Conservatives, Liberal support actually bumped up one point while Conservative support dropped to 27 per cent.

However, the poll suggests O'Toole  who was crowned Conservative leader in the wee hours of Monday morning, one day after the survey was completed  is an unknown quantity for a majority of Canadians.

Asked if they'd be more or less likely to vote Conservative if O'Toole was at the helm, fully 51 per cent said they didn't know. Another 37 per cent said they'd be less likely while just 13 per cent said they'd be more likely.

While Conservative fortunes could improve as voters get to know O'Toole, the poll suggests he will need time to make a dent in their largely positive impression of Trudeau.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to a question as he speaks with media following an announcement in Brockville, Ont., Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Respondents rated Trudeau by a significant margin as the most decisive, intelligent, and charismatic leader and the best communicator. He was also deemed the most caring and compassionate, although on that score NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was rated a relatively close second.

Singh got top marks on honesty and integrity, with 24 per cent saying he best shows those qualities, compared to 16 per cent for Trudeau, who has been mired for months in the WE Charity scandal, and 12 per cent for O'Toole.

In Quebec, Bloc Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet was rated the most honest, decisive and intelligent and the best communicator.

On the issues that would likely dominate an election campaign in the fall, Trudeau enjoyed a substantial lead over rival leaders. (The Greens, who are in the midst of a leadership contest were not included in these questions).

He was seen as the leader who'd do the best job getting Canada's pandemic-ravaged economy back on track by 30 per cent, compared to 20 per cent for O'Toole, 11 per cent for Singh and just three per cent for Blanchet.

He was rated the best leader to manage the federal deficit, projected to hit almost $350 billion this year due to the pandemic (27 per cent to O'Toole's 23 per cent, Singh's nine per cent and Blanchet's three per cent).

He was also rated the leader who'd do the best job caring for Canadians hurt by the pandemic (35 per cent to O'Toole's 13 per cent, Singh's 19 per cent and Blanchet's four per cent)

And he was seen by far as the leader who would best keep Canadians safe from a second wave of the deadly coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (39 per cent to O'Toole's 13 per cent, Singh's 12 per cent and Blanchet's three per cent).

Trudeau last week prorogued Parliament until Sept. 23, when he intends to introduce a throne speech laying out a post-pandemic recovery plan for the country. Trudeau has all but dared opposition parties to bring his government down over the throne speech, which will be put to a confidence vote.

Leger executive vice-president Christian Bourque said Liberal support has rebounded since the WE Charity affair exploded in late June. But it could dip again if there are new revelations or when the federal ethics watchdog releases the findings of his investigation into possible conflict of interest violations by Trudeau and his former finance minister, Bill Morneau.

If it weren't for that ethical cloud hanging over the government, Bourque said the poll suggests a fall election "would be great timing for Mr. Trudeau"  while O'Toole is still unknown.

"I think the Conservatives need time," Bourque said in an interview, adding that Blanchet is the only leader for whom there appears to be no potential downside to a fall election.

The online survey of 1,516 adult Canadians was conducted Aug. 21-23. It cannot be assigned a margin of error because internet-based polls are not considered random samples.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

The poll also gauged Canadians' views on the pandemic and its impact on the economy.

Forty-three per cent of respondents said they fear the economic crisis, already the deepest since the Great Depression, will get worse in the next 12 months; only 21 per cent believe it will get better while 25 per cent think it will stay the same.

Fully 77 per cent predicted there'll be a second wave of the pandemic. And 58 per cent said they think it is likely that over the next three months the country will be plunged back into lockdown, with businesses closed and citizens ordered once again to stay at home.

Despite those fears, 68 per cent said they would not take a free dose of the untested vaccine Russia has produced to immunize against COVID-19; only 14 per cent said they would take it, 18 per cent said they didn't know.

Seventy-six per cent said they remain very or somewhat satisfied with the measures the federal Liberal government has taken to deal with the pandemic; 77 per cent said the same of their provincial governments.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2020.
Tiny terrors

Predatory bacteria were discovered by accident. Scientists stumbled upon them more than a half-century ago while hunting for another type of murderous microbe called a bacteriophage, or phage, a virus that can infect and kill bacteria. Before then, Dr. Williams said, it was not known that a bacterium would prey on other bacteria in this fashion.

That predatory bacteria eluded detection for so long is somewhat surprising. Many dozens of species teem in the seas and in clods of dirt. They are thought to be hardy enough to weather animal guts, including our own, and seem to persist everywhere from raw sewage to the gills of crabs.

My students have isolated them from soil, from snails in freshwater streams, from the drain in a custodial closet down the hall from our lab, said Laura Williams, who studies predatory bacteria at Providence College in R.I. Anywhere there are bacteria, there are probably predatory bacteria trying to eat them. And scientists are identifying more of these predators each year  a striking parallel to the worlds diversity of phages.

But phages and predatory bacteria are very different beasts. Phages tend to target a narrow range of hosts, whereas many predatory bacteria are far less finicky. Some predatory bacteria are amenable to eating dozens, if not hundreds, of bacterial species, enabling them to thrive in most habitats. And whereas phages work quickly, massacring entire populations within hours, predatory bacteria are plodding, sometimes taking weeks to grow in the lab.

And while other microbes are content to feast on nutrient-rich broth, predatory bacteria demand a steady supply of live prey.

Its a pain in the  said Julia Johnke, a microbiologist studying predatory bacteria at the University of Kiel in Germany.
When Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, he was the 16th of 17 people running for the presidency. So he was my 16th choice. The only person who came in after him spoke at the Democratic Convention, John Kasich, the former governor of Ohio. Hes not a Republican. Hes a disgruntled, Trump-hating, Trump delusion syndrome victim by being a Republican and running his party up a creek. Donald Trump has turned out to be one of the best presidents thats ever going to have served in the office for conservatives. And John Kasich is going to be thrown into the trash dump of so-called elites who shows his stupidity every time he opens his mouth. If President Trump loses Ohio and John Kasich is the reason, he will be hated by half the country for the rest of his life for being the traitor that he is.


MOU signed with Supagas for Nangwarry CO2

Melbourne, Aug 25, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The PEL 155 onshore Otway Basin joint venture (Vintage Energy Ltd ( ASX:VEN ) 50%, Lakes Oil NL ("Lakes") 50% and operator) is pleased to advise that a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") has been signed with Supagas Pty Ltd ("Supagas"), an Australian based distributor of gases for domestic, industrial, medical and other applications.Under the MOU, Supagas will fund work associated with the preliminary design and costing of facilities for processing Nangwarry CO2, which will allow for the production and delivery of food grade standard CO2. In return, the joint venture will give Supagas the opportunity to submit a formal proposal to develop and/or purchase gas from the Nangwarry resource.Design work is currently underway for an extended production test of the Nangwarry-1 well, which is being targeted for late 2020 (COVID-19 permitting). The MOU signed with Supagas supports the development, production and purchase of Nangwarry CO2, and is a reflection of the confidence the joint venture has in the Nangwarry discovery.Neil Gibbins, Vintage Managing Director, said "The MOU with Supagas shows a clear interest by all parties involved to move the Nangwarry CO2 discovery to the next phases of testing and production. We have undertaken a broad range of work relating to the CO2 market and are confident that a strong market exists for a stable and consistent supply of food grade standard CO2. With the depletion and abandonment of the phenomenally successful Caroline-1 well in 2017, we are hopeful that Nangwarry-1 will be able to fill the supply gap left by Caroline-1."Nangwarry-1 detailsThe Nangwarry-1 well, onshore Otway Basin, reached a TD of 4,300 metres MD in the Pretty Hill Formation. Gas shows were observed in the top Pretty Hill Sandstone and mid Pretty Hill Sandstone. Laboratory-based analyses of samples identified CO2 content in excess of 90%. These results and evaluation of wireline log data indicate a CO2 column that is potentially well in excess of 65 metres in the Top Pretty Hill Sandstone. The well has been cased and suspended for further evaluation, including the mid Pretty Hill Sandstone, which could not be fully evaluated at the time.Caroline-1 detailsCommercial amounts of CO2 were first discovered in the onshore Otway Basin in the Caroline-1 petroleum exploration well in 1967, which was on production from 1968 until 2017. CO2 is a versatile gas used in a range of processes in the food and beverage industry, as well as in applications in the chemical, refrigeration and laser industries. Caroline-1 was a very successful commercial operation producing 810,842 tonnes of CO2 in its almost 50 years of production.About SupagasSupagas is a leading supplier of LPG, industrial, medical, specialty and helium gases in Australia. Backed by Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (TNSC), the 4th largest gas supplier in the world, Supagas is rapidly building a reputation for growth and success based on and their customer service offering and quality products that are focused on highly competitive markets. Supagas has state-of-the-art facilities that allows them to: offer multiple gas types and gas products; and run specialised laboratories to mix and test specialty gas, helping to service customers' needs and requirements.About Vintage Energy Ltd

Vintage Energy Ltd (ASX:VEN) has been established to acquire, explore and develop energy assets principally within, but not limited to, Australia, to take advantage of a generally favourable energy pricing outlook.
25 August 2020

Notice of H1 2020 IFRS Results

Acron (LSE: AKRN) will release its IFRS financial results for H1 2020 on Friday, 28 August 2020 at 11.00 am (Moscow time).

Mediacontacts:

Sergey Dorofeev

Anastasiya Gromova

Tatiana Smirnova

Public Relations

Phone: +7 (495) 777-08-65 (ext. 5196)

Investor contacts:

Ilya Popov

Investor Relations

Phone: +7 (495) 745-77-45 (ext. 5252)

Background Information

Acron Group is a leading vertically integrated mineral fertiliser producer in Russia and globally, with chemical production facilities in Veliky Novgorod (Acron) and the Smolensk region (Dorogobuzh). The Group owns and operates a phosphate mine in Murmansk region (North-Western Phosphorous Company, NWPC) and is implementing a potash development project in Perm Krai (Verkhnekamsk Potash Company, VPC). It has a wholly owned transportation and logistics infrastructure, including three Baltic seaport terminals and distribution networks in Russia and China. Acron's subsidiary, North Atlantic Potash Inc. (NAP), holds mining leases and an exploration permit for ten parcels of the potassium salt deposit at Prairie Evaporite, Saskatchewan, Canada. Acron also holds a minority stake (19.8%) in Polish Grupa Azoty S.A., one of the largest chemical producers in Europe.

In 2019, the Group sold 7.6 million tonnes of main products to 78 countries, with Russia, Brazil, Europe and the United States as key markets.

In 2019, the Group posted consolidated IFRS revenue of RUB 114,835 million (USD 1,774 million) and net profit of RUB 24,786 million (USD 383 million). Acron's shares are on the Level 1 quotation list of the Moscow Exchange and its global depositary receipts are traded at the London Stock Exchange (ticker AKRN). Acron employs around 11,000 people.
(TNS)  Marin, Calif., students and teachers pivoted to alternative online platforms after a widespread outage at the video conferencing company Zoom early Monday.The outage at the San Jose-based company spread across the state and nation just as distance learning is getting underway in Marin school districts.Most schools in the state are starting the fall term in distance learning mode due to the coronavirus pandemic. Marin is still on the state virus watch list, meaning that schools are under public health orders to stay in distance learning until the virus case numbers begin declining below certain key metrics.I got a message from the (San Rafael City Schools) district IT at 6:58 a.m. letting us know that Zoom was out, said Cecilia Perez, principal of Bahia Vista Elementary School in San Rafael. I reached out to our (grade level) reps to let them know to tell all our teachers to switch any Zoom meetings to Google Meet.Zoom deployed a fix at about 8:05 a.m., according to information posted via social media. Service was fully restored an hour or two later, according to Eric Yuan, the CEO.We had a service disruption that affected many of our customers, Yuan said via Twitter. We know the responsibility we have to keep your meetings, classrooms & important events running. Im personally very sorry & we will all do our best to prevent this from happening in the future.Perez said the switch to Google Meet on Monday was easily completed and there were no other issues with Zoom the rest of the day. Other than a few glitches with students having trouble logging into their classes, attendance was up 75% from Thursdays first day of classes, when 57 students failed to log in, Perez said.Only 16 students out of 570 didnt log in Monday, she said.We did tons of outreach between Thursday and Monday to families where kids didnt log in, Perez said. Some were just waiting for the Wi-Fi to go online at the Canal area in San Rafael.Tech specialists reported only one Wi-Fi connectivity issue Monday with a teacher at Coleman Elementary School, according to spokesperson Christina Perrino. The district had Wi-Fi outages at San Rafael and Madrone high schools on Aug. 17 and 18 after the PG&E rolling blackout earlier this month caused damage to the system, she said.The internet was restored by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, before the first day of school, Perrino said.At present, San Rafaels IT department team is offering free drop-in tech support from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays this week and next week at San Rafael High School.If they didnt get a Chromebook last week, they can also pick one up there, Perrino said.While San Rafael schools started classes last Thursday, Lagunitas School District was one of several Marin districts to begin classes on Monday, said Anita Collison, a fifth-grade teacher at Lagunitas School.The first day went pretty well, said Collison, who taught a full attendance roster of 24 students via Google Classroom and Zoom. It was a challenge for us, just getting back, and having everyone being awake and present.She said she didnt have any technical issues, except dealing with spots of weak Wi-Fi bandwidth that are common in the San Geronimo Valley.When I call on certain kids, they sound like robots, she said. Wi-Fi is definitely challenging in the valley. Now that we have all these kids online, it makes it more challenging.She said families in Woodacre and Forest Knolls appear to have the most difficulties with connectivity.Collison said the Marin County Free Library has loaned hotspots to some families, which has helped quite a bit. She added that all her students appeared in class upright and fully clothed Monday  in contrast to distance learning during the spring shelter-in-place, when some kids looked like they just got out of bed.I sent out an email to the families before classes started, Collison said. No PJs; kids have got to be dressed for class.Lagunitas schools are expected to remain in distance learning until Oct. 1, when the district will reevaluate the public health and virus situation, Collison said. If they deem it is safe to have some students come back to classrooms, that decision will go before the board of trustees in mid-October.If approved by the board, the district schools would go to a hybrid model on Nov. 2 of no more than 12 students per class, and only half the student population on campus at a time, she said.The district is definitely being really thoughtful about safety, Collison said.In Novato, teacher Mariah Fisher said there were no major technical issues, but that teachers in general were booked solid with full classes of students. In some cases, that included combo classes where students of more than one grade are combined.We definitely have a lot of combos, more than normal, which is unfortunate, Fisher said. But the teachers seem to be tackling it with full force. It is such a hard time for everyone.Kris Cosca, Novato Unified School District superintendent, said both Novato Federation of Teachers and the district agreed to a memorandum of understanding on distance learning that included class sizes and combination classes. The MOU was ratified by the teachers union earlier this month, he said.We are asking a lot of our NUSD family, Cosca said. This includes all of the employees in our system, our students and our parents.The two sides have not agreed yet on terms for a hybrid model  should that become available under public health orders. Additional talks on the hybrid are expected later, Cosca said.Things are not going perfectly, but as problems arise, we work to address them, together, Cosca added. I personally appreciate all of the sacrifices being made to support the learning of our students.
Associated Press

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan took the stage at the Republican National Convention and delivered a speech full of misinformation and falsehoods.

He also accused Democratic lawmakers of letting "crime, violence, and mob rule" run rampant.

"Democrats refuse to denounce the mob and their response to the chaos? Defund the police, defund border patrol, and defund our military. And while they're doing all this, they're also trying to take away your guns," he said.

Jordan also accused the Obama administration of masterminding the Russia investigation to sabotage Trump and suggested Democrats hyped up the coronavirus pandemic to hurt Trump's reelection chances.

Jordan is one of President Donald Trump's biggest attack dogs on Capitol Hill and often makes headlines for hijacking congressional hearings to spread conspiracy theories.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Ohio congressman Jim Jordan took the stage at the Republican National Convention on Monday and delivered a speech filled with falsehoods, accusing Democratic lawmakers of letting "crime, violence, and mob rule" run rampant.

"Look at what's happening in American cities. Cities all run by Democrats. Crime, violence, and mob rule," Jordan said. "Democrats refuse to denounce the mob and their response to the chaos? Defund the police, defund border patrol, and defund our military. And while they're doing all this, they're also trying to take away your guns."

Although several left-wing activists and progressive lawmakers have supported calls to "defund the police," top Democrats and establishment figures like Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer have rejected the proposal. Vox also recently examined Biden's criminal justice policy and found that his plan would "actually increase the number of police officers in Black and brown communities."

Story continues

"Look at the positions they've taken in the past few months," Jordan said on Monday. "Democrats won't let you go to church, but they'll let you protest. Democrats won't let you go to work, but they'll let you riot. Democrats won't let you go to school, but they'll let you loot."

He also accused "the swamp" of masterminding the "Russia hoax" and the Mueller investigation to sabotage Trump.

"In spite of this unbelievable opposition, this president has said what he would do," Jordan said.

Jordan, Trump, and other prominent Republicans have repeatedly accused the previous administration and senior officials at the FBI and DOJ of launching the Russia probe to undermine Trump's candidacy during the 2016 election; of illegally "unmasking" the name of former national security adviser Michael Flynn in US intelligence reports; and of improperly spying on the Trump campaign, which the president and his allies dubbed "Spygate."

A Washington Post report in May blew the "Obamagate" conspiracy to pieces when it revealed that Flynn's name was never "masked" in the first place.

An internal investigation into the origins of the Russia probe by the DOJ's watchdog Michael Horowitz uncovered no evidence that the bureau illegally surveilled the Trump campaign. Horowitz also concluded that the FBI had sufficient basis to launch the investigation and that it was not politically motivated.

The internal probe did, however, fault the FBI for making significant mistakes and errors in judgment in its application for a surveillance warrant to monitor the communications of former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. And it criticized the bureau for partially relying on the unverified Steele dossier to support its warrant application.

Jordan is one of President Donald Trump's biggest attack dogs on Capitol Hill and often makes headlines for hijacking congressional oversight hearings to push misinformation.

At one House antitrust hearing late last month, Jordan suggested Google was secretly manipulating its search features to give the 2020 Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, an edge over Trump ahead of the November election. After Jordan was done with his questioning, Democratic Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania said, "I'd like to redirect your attention to antitrust law rather than fringe conspiracy theories."

Jordan erupted at his colleague, saying, "We have the email," presumably referring to an email that was leaked to Fox News in which Google's former head of multicultural market expressed support for increasing Latinx voter turnout.

The Ohio congressman has also joined Trump in downplaying the severity of the coronavirus outbreak and suggested Democrats are intentionally overhyping the pandemic to harm Trump's political prospects.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of today's cancer treatment. About half of all people suffering from cancer with a so-called radiotherapy. For this, patients are usually irradiated daily for several weeks. Although this therapy contributes to healing in many people, others hardly benefit from it at all. The precise causes for these differences are unclear.

Using genetic testing methods, a team led by Prof. Sven Rottenberg from the University of Bern and in close cooperation with the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam has now identified genes that play an important role in this process.

"For many cancer patients, their relatives and treating physicians, it is incredibly frustrating when there is no success after a painstaking radiotherapy that takes weeks," said Rottenberg. "We hope that our findings contribute to better predicting the chance of therapy success." The findings can also be used to develop new drugs that could improve the efficacy of radiotherapy. The results of the study have been published in the Cell Reports journal.

Key genes for therapeutic success

The aim of radiation therapy is to damage the DNA of the cancer cells, i.e. their blueprint. This contains mutations that cause uncontrolled growth. The tumor growth is to be stopped by destroying the cancer cells' DNA. But like all cells in our body, cancer cells also have the tools to repair this DNA damage. There are fundamental differences between individual cancer patients' tumors as to which tools are available. These are related to the genes that encrypt the information for these tools. Rottenberg's researchers used genetic screening to investigate the cancer cells' self-repair. In the process, they encountered crucial weaknesses: If certain repair genes are missing in cancer cells, they are unable to repair themselves after irradiation. The researchers were able to prove this in an animal model as well as in human cells. If these genes are missing, there is therefore a good chance that the radiotherapy will be successful. "Our findings show the importance of personalized cancer therapy that takes the genetic predisposition of the people affected into account," said Rottenberg.

###

Internationally networked research supported by the EU

The University of Bern founded the Center for Precision Medicine in 2019 with the aim of strengthening research into such personalized therapies. It should contribute to the development of tailor-made therapies for cancer patients. To research radiotherapy, Prof. Rottenberg's group is not only collaborating with the Netherlands Cancer Institute but also with research groups at the University of Zurich, Oxford University and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

The research by Sven Rottenberg is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), the Swiss Krebsliga, the Novartis Foundation for Medical-Biological Research and the Wilhelm Sander Foundation. It also receives support from the European Research Council (ERC), which funds excellent research within the framework of Horizon 2020.

Bern Center for Precision Medicine (BCPM)

The Bern Center for Precision Medicine (BCPM) was founded in 2019 on the initiative and with the support of the Canton, the University of Bern and Inselspital, Bern University Hospital. The BCPM is active in research, networking and training.

The center is dedicated to promoting approaches in precision medicine by supporting research and development of medical diagnoses and therapeutic methods. It offers an interdisciplinary network for researchers and clinicians from various fields and faculties and unites more than 50 members. The BCPM will also provide the best possible education through graduate schools for the next generation of nurses and researchers. As a result, it is securing the long-term benefits that precision medicine brings to healthcare.

https://www.bcpm.unibe.ch/
AUBURN, Ala., Aug. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only southern inspired, fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today it will be expanding in Kentucky with its newest restaurant in Owensboro. Following the brand's first-to-market opening in Lexington in 2018, the Owensboro location marks the state's second Chicken Salad Chick, with an additional Kentucky restaurant slated to open in Crestview Hills early next year. The Owensboro restaurant, which is located at 2596 Calumet Trace, will celebrate its grand opening on September 1 and will offer free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests. Those awarded will be properly distanced and will receive a designated return time upon arrival to spread out the number of guests at the restaurant throughout the day.

Chicken Salad Chick is closely following Kentucky's state and local guidelines for COVID-19 procedures and will open the Owensboro restaurant at limited capacity with social distancing measures in place. All employees will be wearing masks and gloves, as well as practicing proper handwashing and food safety protocol, and all guests will be required to wear masks until seated for dining. The Owensboro restaurant also features patio seating and a drive-thru for added convenience.

During grand opening week, guests will experience the southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, with modified giveaways and specials that include:

Tuesday, September 1  Free Chicken Salad for a Year  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Any guest not part of the first 100 in line can make an in-store purchase and enter for a chance to win free chicken salad for a year.**

 Free Chicken Salad for a Year  The first 100 guests will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for an entire year, with one of those lucky guests randomly selected to win one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week.* Any guest not part of the first 100 in line can make an in-store purchase and enter for a chance to win free chicken salad for a year.** Wednesday, September 2  The first 100 guests to purchase the Chick will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on the next visit.

The first 100 guests to purchase the Chick will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on the next visit. Thursday, September 3  The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler.

The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler. Friday, September 4  The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tote.

The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tote. Saturday, September 5  The first 50 guests to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a free large Chick cooler.

The Owensboro restaurant is owned and operated by first-time Chicken Salad Chick franchise owners Danny, Sara and Matthew Duggar, and Hannah Witherspoon of Ems Chick, LLC. Danny and Sara bring more than 30 years of small business experience to the brand, while children Matthew and Hannah have worked as an optometrist and dental hygienist, respectively, for more than a decade. The family first experienced Chicken Salad Chick's made-from-scratch chicken salad while on vacation in Destin, Florida and after learning about the growth opportunities in their home state of Kentucky, decided to open a location of their own. The Owensboro restaurant will mark the group's first Chicken Salad Chick, with plans to open two additional locations in Evansville, Indiana and Bowling Green, Kentucky over the next couple years.

"Gathering around the dinner table or sharing a booth at a restaurant has always been a special experience for my family, as it gives us the chance to break away from life's everyday stresses and enjoy each other's company," said Sara Duggar. "Chicken Salad Chick's family-oriented atmosphere is a perfect backdrop for these types of memorable dining experiences and the fresh chicken salads are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. From savory and sweet to spicy and nutty, it will be hard to choose just one favorite, but a debate over which is the best flavor definitely makes for a fun lunchtime conversation. We can't wait to serve the Owensboro community and are thrilled to finally be opening a Chicken Salad Chick of our own."

Chicken Salad Chick in Owensboro will be open Monday  Saturday from 10a.m.  8p.m. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

*Guests should arrive between 7-10am to get checked in, while maintaining social distancing. The first 100 guests will be assigned a number and designated return time between 9:45-11:15am. Upon return, guests will make a purchase of "The Chick" or anything of greater value and scan the code '1st 100 Spot' on the CravingCredits app to officially secure your spot. If you are late, or miss return time, your spot will be awarded to next in-line. Guests much be 16 years or older, redemption begins 9/7.

**Eligible winners must be 16 years or older and are required to download the Craving Credits app. 10 winners will be drawn at the end of the day. Redemption will start 9/7.

For more information on giveaways and specials, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickOwensboroKY/.

About Chicken Salad Chick

Founded by Stacy Brown in Auburn, Alabama, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand has more than 165 restaurants in 17 states and is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in Franchise Times' Fast & Serious and Fast Casual.com's top Movers and Shakers for the third consecutive year, QSR's Best Franchise Deals for the second consecutive year and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

Contact:

Nikki Rode

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick

Related Links

http://www.chickensaladchick.com


Austria, Russia Expel Diplomats In 'Economic Spying' Case

August 24, 2020

Austria has announced the expulsion of a Russian diplomat reported to be involved in economic espionage.

Russia hit back, announcing that a diplomat with the Austrian Embassy in Moscow had been declared persona non grata.

The Austrian Foreign Ministry said a diplomat at the Russian Embassy in Vienna was being ordered to leave because of behavior that was not compatible with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The ministry did not provide further details, but the Austrian daily newspaper Kronen Zeitung reported the Russian diplomat had spied with the help of an Austrian citizen at a technology company for years.

The Russian Embassy to Vienna said on its website that it was "appalled by the unfounded decision of the Austrian authorities, which is damaging to constructive Russian-Austrian relations."

The Russian Foreign Ministry later announced the expulsion of an Austrian diplomat, saying the decision was "based on the principle of reciprocity."

In 2018, Austria declined to join the majority of EU countries that expelled Russian envoys over the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/austria-russia-expel-diplomats- in-economic-spying-case/30800167.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






New Delhi, Aug 26 : A drug smuggler, who was trying to pass himself off as a Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable, was arrested from the New Delhi Railway Station and 72.5 kg ganja seized from him, police said on Tuesday.

Rohit Kumar, 26, had brought the drug from Visakhapatnam and was arrested as he was leaving the station after alighting from the Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express.

According to police, a patrol team at the railway station on Monday noticed a huge black trunk being carried by a coolie, with the man accompanying having two bags. It seemed he was from the security forces as army, or paramilitary personnel usually carry their belongings in such trunks.

However, the team grew a bit suspicious as there was no inscription on the trunk, though the name and other details are usually painted for easy identification during movement in groups, and stopped him to enquire about his credentials.

At this, the man produced a RPF identity card, issued in UP's Prayagraj, showing him to be constable Rohit Kumar.

But not satisfied with this, the police questioned him about his journey and he replied that he was going to Gwalior on transfer. However, the train ticket showed his journey from Hijli (Kharagpur, West Bengal), raising doubts in their mind. He was told to open the luggage but was reluctant.

The police then detained him and opened his trunks and bags to find 35 packets of ganja stashed inside. He was then taken into custody and identified as Rohit Kumar, a resident of UP's Mathura. Another fake ID issued at Hazarat Nizamuddin Railway Station was also recovered from him.

"Because of his physical demeanour, built and distinct short haircut, he could easily disguise himself as a member of the force. In 2018, he worked as a train attendant with VIBGYOR company and served in Andhra Express, Jammu Rajdhani and Dibrugarh Rajdhani. During this time, he came in contact with a trafficker, was attracted due to the easy money and started working as a drug handler," DCP, Railways, Harender Singh said.

His experience in railways and interaction with RPF personnel helped him in minutely observing their activities and in impersonating them, the DCP added.
A slew of activities were organized across China as people celebrated the Qixi Festival on Tuesday.

The Qixi Festival, which is also referred to as Chinese Valentine's Day, falls on every 7th day of the 7th month according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It celebrates the legend of the annual meeting between the mythological figures of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

In Beijing, eight museums have extended their opening hours into the night, with some deciding to hold nighttime cultural activities to welcome the public. More than 50 cultural events are being held in museums across the Chinese capital city, with about 20 being conducted online.

While opening the museums at night, authorities have taken strict anti-epidemic measures to ensure that the public can enjoy a safe and smooth celebration, said Li Yang, with the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage.

In Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, local authorities have come up with a unique way to celebrate Qixi: traffic lights.

On the eve of Qixi, many netizens expressed their gratitude for local traffic police in Changsha in anticipation of massive traffic jams during the festival. In return, the police temporarily changed the traffic lights along a bustling commercial street in the city into the shape of hearts. They also urged people to follow traffic rules to ensure a safe Qixi Festival.

The heart-shaped traffic lights started operating at midnight Monday and soon went viral on social media, with the public lauding the police for their creativity.

"Through the heart-shaped traffic lights, we intend to promote traditional Chinese culture, while asking the public to abide by traffic rules," Changsha's traffic police said in a statement.

In celebrations of the festival, online dating site Baihejiayuan released a report on marriage and dating, highlighting topics such as finance, when to give birth, naming babies, and whether couples should live with their parents.

The report was based on about 13,000 respondents surveyed online.

"The variety of Qixi celebration activities allow people to delve into traditional Chinese culture and history, and give new meaning to the festival," said Yan Haiming, with the Chinese Committee for the International Council on Monuments and Sites.


NEW YORK: Steve Bannon wont have to come to a Manhattan courthouse next week for a hearing on charges that he defrauded donors to a fund promoted to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres said President Donald Trumps former chief strategist can appear in her court along with three co-defendants on a video screen because of the health threat posed by the coronavirus.

Bannon, 66, has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he siphoned a million dollars from the $25 million fund to pay personal expenses and a salary for a co-defendant.

Prosecutors say thousands of investors contributed to the fund after they were promised that all of the money would be spent on the wall and no organizers would be compensated.

After Bannons arrest Thursday, a magistrate judge freed him on $5 million bail. As he left court, a smiling Bannon referenced the criminal case, saying the entire fiasco is to stop people who want to build the wall.

Next Mondays hearing will be the first before the judge who will preside over the case. It is likely that Bannon will be arraigned again and lawyers will discuss how the case will proceed.

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
Working with their colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, researchers at the University of Kentucky have found that they can differentiate between subtypes of dementia inducing brain disease.

For the first time we created criteria that could differentiate between frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and a common Alzheimer's 'mimic' called LATE disease." Dr. Peter Nelson, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky

He says they validated the criteria rigorously. The study was recently published in BRAIN: A Journal of Neurology. The first author of the paper was John L. Robinson from University of Pennsylvania and the corresponding author was Dr. Nelson.

This work comes in the wake of a large group effort organized and funded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), that helped define LATE, by an international team of experts including a strong contingent from U. Kentucky. LATE stands for "limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy". LATE is a disease with symptoms like Alzheimer's disease, those symptoms are referred to as "dementia", but is caused by different underlying processes in the brain.

LATE is important because it affects millions of people, approximately 40% of people over the age of 85. How was it recognized? Researchers around the world noticed that a large number of people who died in advanced age had symptoms of dementia without the telltale features of Alzheimer's disease ("plaques and tangles") in their brains at autopsy. Emerging research indicated that the protein TDP-43 contributed to that phenomenon.

"Dozens of different viruses and bacteria can cause pneumonia," explained Dr. Nelson. "So why would we think there is just one cause of dementia?"

With that question in mind, Nelson and colleagues set out to define diagnostic criteria and other guidelines for advancing future research into this newly-named dementia.

"We used to think that aging-related memory and thinking decline meant one thing: a disease called Alzheimer's disease. Now we know that the disease we were calling Alzheimer's disease is actually many different conditions, often in combination. This raises some questions: is it important to classify and differentiate those conditions? And, if so, how do we go about that? Cancer gives us inspiration, because in some ways that field of research is decades ahead of dementia research. In cancer, they found that different cancers are very different and respond differently to therapies, so it's worthwhile figuring out the complexity. We are now focusing likewise on the different diseases that cause dementia. A type of protein deposits in the brain, called TDP-43, is very harmful to the brain and contributes to a dementia syndrome with memory loss and thinking problems," said Nelson.

As researchers stated in this recent study, "There is a general agreement that millions of persons worldwide are affected by age-related TDP-43 proteinopathy." However, they say there are some serious gaps in the classification guidelines for the specific neurodegenerative disorders. That is why they wanted to closely compare frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and the mimic disease LATE. Ultimately, they found that the two do in fact have differentiating pathologic features.

"Until you can define a disease it's very hard to look for a cure. Now we have a better basis to help work toward a therapy," said Nelson.

With these findings now established Dr. Nelson is looking forward to working on the first clinical trial of LATE with his colleague at UK Dr. Greg Jicha. "This is a very exciting opportunity to test a medicine that could stop the disease in its tracks, and to treat our research volunteers here at U. Kentucky," explained Nelson.

Those working on the study say they are extremely grateful to the research volunteers, their families, and clinicians, as well as the other researchers that made this work possible. As well as the taxpayer/NIH support that made the work possible.
Invisalign clear aligner and Porcelain Veneer, two of the most advanced dental procedures in the world, are now available in Vietnam.

Compared to traditional orthodontic metal braces or dental crowns, these cutting-edge techniques have certain advantages in terms of esthetics, maintenance, and safety.

However, there might be questions and doubts from customers who are still unfamiliar with these recently introduced methods.

Dr. Ho Le Bao An, veneer specialist and certified Invisalign Diamond Provider

Dr. Ho Le Bao An, chief medical officer at Dr. Tony Dental Center in Ho Chi Minh City, a veneer specialist and certified Invisalign Diamond Provider, answered many frequently asked questions about these two innovative techniques.

Refer to the following information that addresses the most basic concerns about Invisalign and Veneer.

Invisalign treatment procedure

1. What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a high-tech orthodontic treatment, using clear and removable aligners to help move and straighten teeth for a beautiful smile.

Invisalign is a technology developed by Align Technology Group, the U.S., and is leading in the field of clear aligners.

Patients are required to wear the designated aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily and self-change the aligner every one to two weeks.

High-quality clear aligners provided by Dr. Tony Dental Center for Invisalign treatment

2. What are the advantages of Invisalign?

 Invisibility: Invisalign clear aligners are virtually invisible, helping patients keep their beautiful smiles and confidence during the treatment process.

 Comfort: Invisalign aligners are less painful and do not irritate the gums. Patients can still eat normally and easily, clean their teeth to avoid diseases like gingivitis and tooth decay.

 Fewer check-ups: Invisalign treatment usually requires fewer doctor visits than traditional braces due to less frequent emergencies such as dislodged braces.

 Predictability: The Invisalign method allows patients to see the final outcome and how their teeth will move by each stage during the treatment course in advance.

High-tech 3D scans allow patients to see the outcome and teeth movement by each stage in advance.

3. What can Invisalign fix?

After many innovations and technological advancements, Invisalign treatment makes it possible to fix nearly all common misaligned teeth and bite issues, from simple to complex.

Treatable cases include gap teeth, crowded teeth, crossbite, overbite/protrusion, deep bite, open bite, and underbite/crossbite.

Virtually invisible aligners help patients keep their beautiful smiles and confidence during the treatment process.

4. How long does Invisalign treatment take?

The Invisalign treatment period is about 25-30 percent shorter than that of traditional braces.

According to Dr. An's experience, Invisalign is very effective in vertical control and crown tipping movement.

Treatment time can last from three to 24 months, depending on how complex the case is.

Porcelain Veneer procedure

1. Dental restoration with Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneer is an advanced and minimally invasive method of dental prostheses, making teeth appear more brilliant and brighter for a better smile without affecting the teeth structure while minimizing enamel reduction and conserving vitality of pulp tissues.

Therefore, this procedure is becoming more and more popular compared to traditional dental full crown.

Veneers of only 0.2-0.5 millimeters in thickness preserve the original teeth structure and provide a natural look.

In this method, tooth preparation will be done by removing a small amount of enamel on the outer surface of teeth to accommodate the veneer.

Glass-ceramic material of about 0.2-0.5 millimeters in thickness will then be custom-made to bond effectively to the teeth surface, improving the teeth color and preserving the original structure as much as possible.

2. What are the advantages of Porcelain Veneers?

 Esthetics: Veneers will dramatically improve the teeth color and shape for a more beautiful smile. The color is bright, white, radiant and natural. The shape of the teeth can be adjusted according to the preferences of the patient. Besides, veneers can also close the tooth gap and give them a straight, aligned appearance.

 Durability: Customers can comfortably chew without pain or discomfort, frequently brush and use dental floss as normal.

 Preservation of natural teeth: Porcelain Veneer technology helps minimize invasive treatment, with no teeth damage and no root canal treatment needed.

Veneers improve teeth appearance and give customers a more radiant smile.

3. Who is a good candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

If you have stained or discolored teeth, chipped or cracked teeth or tooth enamel erosion without exposed dentin, gaps between teeth, or slightly malaligned teeth, you might be interested in Porcelain Veneers as they will cover up your existing teeth.

They are also a popular treatment for a smile makeover.

If you have severe crooked or crowded teeth, overbite, underbite, or open bite, its not wise to simply cover them up with veneers. You should consider Invisalign treatment first.

4. How long do dental veneer treatment last?

The treatment time for a veneer prosthodontic case is about three to seven days.

Mandatory steps include smile design, making veneer impressions of the teeth, and finally veneer-teeth bonding.

The veneers do not require special care other than regular brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist. Yearly exams are also highly recommended.

These two dental procedures demand high levels of expertise in every stage, from planning to treatment, because they involve advanced technologies in the contemporary dental industry.

According to Dr. Ho Le Bao An, when choosing a dental clinic, patients need to consider whether the doctors have the required levels of training and experience in their desired type of treatment and whether the clinic equipment conforms to international standards, among other aspects.

Modern equipment in a sterile environment is essential for successful dental treatment.

Dr. Tony Dental  Veneer and Invisalign Dental Center

Address: No. 10, Street 8, Ha Do Centrosa, Ba Thang Hai Street, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

Hotline: 090 999 4126  093 888 9513

Website: https://www.drtonydental.com

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/drholebaoan/

Dr. Tony Dental Center proudly has Invisalign Diamond accredited orthodontists. We also provide intensive treatment of Emax or Lisi porcelain veneers.

Equipment at the center includes an Invisalign iTero 3D scanner, Planmeca dental chairs, a Beyond Polus teeth whitening accelerator system, a Durr dental compressor, Bluephase curing lights, and others.
Pottsville, PA (17901)

Today

Snow showers this morning. Becoming partly cloudy later. Some sleet may mix in. Morning high of 38F with temps falling to near 20. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 11F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
A new album by a Toronto chamber group is shedding light on the fascinating life and music of Walter Kaufmann, the first conductor of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new album by a Toronto chamber group is shedding light on the fascinating life and music of Walter Kaufmann, the first conductor of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Kaufmann was the WSOs maestro for eight years, starting with its inaugural concert on Dec. 16, 1948, at the Civic Auditorium, where two of his compositions were performed.

"Youre always looking for a composer with a distinctive voice, and Kaufmann certainly has that," says Simon Wynberg, the artistic director of the ARC Ensemble. ARC stands for Artists of the Royal Conservatory, and the group specializes in recovering suppressed music and has earned three Grammy nominations for previous recordings by composers whose lives were affected by the Holocaust.

Chamber Works by Walter Kaufmann, which will be released Friday, focuses on works he wrote as a Jewish refugee in India during the 1930s and 40s, prior to his arrival in Winnipeg.

NATION WONG The Artists of the Royal Conservatory ensemble. The group specializes in recovering suppressed music and has earned three Grammy nominations for previous recordings by composers whose lives were affected by the Holocaust.

Kaufmanns journey to Winnipeg begins when he was born in 1907 in what is now the spa town of Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, which back then was known as Karlsbad, part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

His family moved to Prague, where he first went to university, rented a flat from the mother of literary giant Franz Kafka, according to the CDs liner notes, and met his first wife, Gerty Hermann, Kafkas niece.

He would continue his musical studies in Berlin in the late 1920s and early 30s, where he focused on musicology and composing. It was then when the Nazis took over the government and began taking control of most aspects of German life.

Kaufmann decided instead of finishing his degree under a department run by a Nazi, it was time to leave the country altogether, despite the protests of his father, Julius.

SUPPLIED PHOTO Walter Kaufman decided instead of finishing his degree under a department run by a Nazi, it was time to leave the country altogether, despite the protests of his father, Julius.

"This was pretty early on (during the Nazi rule). That was back in 1933, when the threat was looming," Wynberg says. "Kaufmann saw all sorts of signs that this was going to be a lot more serious than his father thought."

He was able to obtain a visa to sail to India, where he got a job with Air India Radio in Mumbai and set about composing. Meanwhile, much of his family, including his father, were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust.

"He definitely wanted to go to India because he was already interested in Indian music. There were some records of Indian music that were available in the 1920s that he had access to and he was absolutely fascinated by the sound of India," Wynberg says.

The albums liner notes delve into Kaufmanns introduction to Indian music.

"When I heard the music on the gramophone for the first time, I found it alien and incomprehensible," the composer is quoted as saying. "However, I knew that since this music was created by people with heart and intellect, one had to assume that many, in fact millions, had to appreciate or actually love it. I decided that the fault was entirely my own, and that the right way to understand it would be to undertake a study tour of the place of its origin."

Both before and after their time in India, the Kaufmanns tried to move to the United States, and even enlisted a famous reference to get a job, but no luck. Kaufmann had become friends with Albert Einstein at university in Berlin but even a good word from one of humanitys most famous scientists failed to open any doors stateside.

It was there he composed chamber and orchestral works, including the two string quartets, a sonata, a sonatina and a septet that make up Chamber Works of Walter Kaufmann.

"All of the pieces that were recorded on this album date from that time in India when he was experimenting with a hybridization of his traditional training," Wynberg says, "and he was fusing that with all the knowledge he had picked up both before his arrival in India and while he was there."

Both before and after their time in India, the Kaufmanns tried to move to the United States, and even enlisted a famous reference to get a job, but no luck.

He had become friends with Albert Einstein at university in Berlin, Wynberg says, but even a good word from one of humanitys most famous scientists failed to open any doors stateside.

"Einstein had for years been trying to get him a job in the United States and hed never managed to get that," Wynberg says. "There was definitely a strong relationship there that lasted until Einsteins death in 1955."

So dreams of composing on Broadway were put on hold. After a stop in Halifax, Kaufmann finally got his break  conductor of the fledgling WSO.

"He jumped at it, and he had an experience with all sorts of orchestral playing. He had a long career and he had been well trained," Wynberg says. "I think he saw this as an important stepping stone.

"He probably wasnt expecting the change in weather going from (Mumbai) to Winnipeg, but he was certainly geared up for it."

His marriage ended in Winnipeg, but it was here where he met Freda Trepel, a Winnipeg concert pianist who toured the world in the 1940s and 50s.

SUPPLIED PHOTO Kaufmann and daughter Katherine in India.

She was notable enough to perform at New Yorks Town Hall during a North American tour and be reviewed by the New York Times, and Kaufmann wrote pieces specifically for her to perform. They married in 1951.

The WSO built up its subscription base with Kaufmann at the podium, but he left the organization and the city in 1956 after taking a job as a professor of musicology at Indiana University. He had a long career there, and continued composing music, Wynberg says.

He died in 1984, and while many of his works were performed throughout the years by a number of musical organizations, including the WSO and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the sheet music was left in his archives at Indiana University, along with decades worth of teaching materials and notes.

Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Wynberg and the ARC Ensemble were tipped off to the archive by Brett Werb, the musicologist of the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.

"Basically, no one had looked at it. Few people had investigated his biography," Wynberg says. "Until the ARC Ensemble read through his works and put this recording together, there was no commercial recording of his music."

Kaufmann himself might be the big reason his music has remained unplayed and unheard for so long. Self-promotion was not in his DNA, Wynberg says.

"He would write a piece, it would be performed and he would move on," Wynberg says. "He would be the last person ever to be on social media. It would have not attracted him at all."

alan.small@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter:@AlanDSmall

If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more.

Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project.
MINSK -- Authorities in Belarus handed down jail sentences against opposition leaders and tightened their clampdown against weeks of unprecedented protests on August 25, but demonstrations continued and the exiled challenger in this month's disputed election vowed that the country's pro-democracy movement "will not be broken."

Around 5,000 people gathered on Independence Square in Minsk for an evening rally in the capital to mark the country's 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union -- a former Belarusian holiday that was abolished by five-term President Alyaksandr Lukashenka after he came to power 26 years ago.

Many shouted "Freedom for political prisoners!" and "Lukashenka, resign!" while others waved banned red-and-white flags that have long been a symbol of opposition to his regime. After the protest dispersed, police in paddy wagons detained several people off the streets, apparently for showing red-and-white symbols.

Presidential challenger Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya told European lawmakers via video link earlier on August 25 that Belarusians will continue their pursuit of democracy.

"Belarusians have shown over the past two weeks that they will not give up" despite repression, intimidation by physical force, and threats of imprisonment, Tsikhanouskaya told the European Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee.

She was speaking from Lithuania, where she fled following the August 9 presidential election amid reports that she and her family were threatened.

Later on August 25, Belarus's Supreme Court rejected Tsikhanouskaya's challenge against the official results of the vote, which showed 80 percent support for a sixth term for Lukashenka.

The 65-year-old Belarusian leader, who has ruled the country since 1994, has shown his determination to stay in power despite more than two weeks of demonstrations against his officially declared reelection and increasing international condemnation.

Two members of Tsikhanouskaya's Coordination Council presidium were sentenced to 10-day jail terms on August 25 after their arrests the previous day for organizing unsanctioned protests.

Syarhey Dyleuski, a strike organizer and a member of the councils presidium, was sentenced for organizing an unauthorized protest rally at the Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ).

Volha Kovalkova, Tsikhanouskaya's main representative in Belarus, was later sentenced on a similar charge.

Lukashenka has said the Coordination Council, set up last week with the stated aim of opening negotiations with the government, is an illegal attempt to seize power.

Authorities have stepped up detentions and prosecutions of prominent members of the council since a criminal case was launched against it on August 21.

Another council member, theater director and former Culture Minister Paval Latushka, was questioned by the Investigative Committee on August 25 but not detained. He vowed to continue his work for the opposition council, which he said was doing nothing illegal.

"They are sending [a message of] demotivation," Latushka told reporters. "They don't want us to be active in our line to have dialogue between society and the government and authorities. It's demotivation."

A small crowd of opposition supporters gathered outside the Investigative Committee offices.

"Many of our rights and freedoms are violated," said Tamara Svetogor, one of those in the crowd. "If we disagree with something in our opinions, criminal cases are opened against us. We have also violence in our country. That's why I believe that the Coordination Council is totally legitimate. The criminal case that was opened has no foundations."

Seventy-two-year-old ailing Nobel Prize-winning writer Svetlana Alexievich, who was said to be participating in the council's activities remotely, has been summoned for questioning on August 26.

Hundreds of people also gathered outside the Education Ministry earlier on August 25 in a picket in support of schoolteachers threatened with dismissal over their criticism of the government. The peaceful protest occurred as lines of military vehicles drove in front of the teachers in an apparent bid to intimidate them.

Proclaiming that at least six Belarusian protesters have been killed in the crackdown and that dozens have gone missing in police custody, Tsikhanouskaya in her comments to European lawmakers demanded "respect of our political rights," the freeing of "all political prisoners" in Belarus, and an end to "violence and intimidation" by Belarusian authorities.

"Belarus has woken up. We are not the opposition anymore. We are the majority now," Tsikhanouskaya said, declaring that more than 200,000 people took to the streets of Minsk on August 23 for the largest protest there yet.

She also reiterated the readiness of her movement to enter into dialogue with authorities in Minsk to resolve the political crisis over the country's disputed August 9 presidential election results.

Tsikhanouskaya also called on "all of the countries of the world" to support the quest of the Belarusian people to achieve a "free and fair" election result, while also respecting "Belarusian sovereignty" and "territorial integrity."

"The will of the people will not be broken," she said. "I declare our intention to achieve free and fair elections through dialogue."

Tsikhanouskaya also rejected claims by the Belarusian authorities that anti-government protesters had been violent.

"A peaceful revolution has taken place," she said, stressing that demonstrations across the country were not a "geopolitical revolution."

"It is neither a pro-Russian nor an anti-Russian revolution. It is neither an anti-European Union nor a pro-European Union revolution. It is a democratic revolution -- the striving of the people to freely and fairly elect" their own leaders for their own destiny, she said.

Lukashenka has ordered the Belarusian military into full combat readiness, raising the prospect that the army may unleash a much-feared bloody crackdown to suppress the unprecedented wave of street protests across the country.

He has also expressed confidence that the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization would support him in any confrontation that he has with protest organizers in Belarus.

The chief of the Belarusian Armed Forces General Staff, Alyaksandr Volfovich, said on August 25 that the country's military was prepared to ensure the security of "the state, society, and every citizen who wants to live and work peacefully in Belarus."

The United States and the European Union have dismissed the Belarusian election as neither free nor fair and urged the countrys authorities to engage in dialogue with Tsikhanouskaya's team.

An unnamed senior EU official told AFP that the bloc's foreign ministers will look to target "between 15 and 20" individuals with asset freezes and travel bans over the Belarusian crackdown when they meet in Berlin for informal talks on August 26.

Neighboring Russia, a historical ally that wields some influence over Minsk through financial and political levers, on August 25 warned the European Union and the United States against imposing sanctions on Belarus or interfering in Belarusian affairs.

In Moscow, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Washington condemns "the use of violence against the Belarusian people."

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow says Biegun "expressed support for Belarus sovereignty and the peoples right to self-determination during his talks with Lavrov.

With reporting by Current Time, Reuters, AP, TASS, Interfax, dpa, and AFP
Donald Trump's former campaign manager has complained that he had to tune into CNN to watch the 2020 Republican National Convention after Fox News cut away from the event moments into opening remarks.

Brad Parscale, who served as the president's digital media director in 2016 and campaign manager in 2020, said on Twitter: "Can't believe I have to watch the convention on @CNN. Unbelievable. @FoxNews"

CNN and MSNBC, which the president has frequently targeted in his attacks against "fake news", are airing the convention.

Fox News' Tucker Carlson pulled out of the event during opening remarks from right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, to air an interview with Louisiana senator John Kennedy.

Neither Fox nor CNN ran following remarks by Florida lawmaker and Trump ally Matt Gaetz. MSNBC aired his remarks.

The president has often grown frustrated with Fox News, favouring instead One America News  which has been invited by the White House to attend press briefings  while criticising the much-larger network despite making routine appearances on its programmes and highlighting its ratings.

Mr Parscale shifted into an advisory role following disappointing attendance at a Tulsa, Oklahoma rally intended to kick-start the 2020 campaign.

Fox News, which carried the rally, counted 7.7m viewers.

The president claimed that nearly 1m tickets were reserved for the event at an arena with a 19,000-seat capacity. An outdoor overflow area was dismantled moments before exterior events were scheduled, and Tulsa's fire department counted roughly 6,200 people in attendance.
With international travel still mostly at a standstill, 2020 is proving to be the year of the road trip. According to a recent survey by leading luxury travel network Virtuoso, 87% of respondents want to take road trips and 70% are traveling less than 1,500 miles from home. The decision of whether or not to travel at all right now is a very personal one, and you might want to consult your doctor before straying far from home, but if you are itching to travel, a road trip presents fewer risks than flying or taking the train. Just in time for late summer and fall travel, Relais & Chateauxwhich worked with top doctors and Bureau Veritas to give stringent health and safety guidelines to its North American member hotelsis debuting three new celebrity-designed routes du bonheur. AD gets an exclusive look.

Route 1: Westchester County & New England by Richard Gere

Photo:  Michael Weschler Photography / Courtesy of Bedford Post Inn

This eight-hour road trip through bucolic Westchester County and north to Vermont starts at the Bedford Post Inn, which has been run by actor Richard Gere and his partners since 2007. For a small town, Bedford, New York, has more than its fair share of famous residents: Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Martha Stewartjust to name a fewlive in and around Bedford. From there, Gere suggests driving up to Winvian Farm in Connecticut, which comprises 18 chalets and one suite, designed by 15 different architects. The quirky accommodations include a treehouse, a lighthouse in the woods, and a log cabin.

Photo: Courtesy of Twin Farms

After a night or two there, head east to Newport, Rhode Island, for a taste of the Gilded Age lifestyle with a stay at the historic Castle Hill Inn. Built as the summer home of naturalist and marine biologist Alexander Agassiz, it became a hotel after WWII and hosted Grace Kelly in the 50s. The final stop is Twin Farms in Barnard, Vermont, a sprawling country retreat once owned by author Sinclair Lewis and his wife, Dorothy Thompson. With 300 acres of grounds and standalone cottages, theres plenty of space for social distancing.

Story continues

I grew up in the Northeast, and to me, theres no more beautiful place anywhere, Gere tells AD. Get in your car now and visit these wonderful Relais & Chateaux inns.

Route 2: Upstate New York & the Berkshires by Daniel Boulud

Photo: Kim Sargent / Courtesy of Glenmere

Famed French chef Daniel Boulud designed this road trip with romance in mind, calling it ideal for empty nesters or a young couple. It begins at a hotel that holds a special place in his heart: Glenmere Mansion in Chester, New York, where he married his wife. What I love most about Glenmere Mansion is the true genuine hospitality that Relais & Chateaux properties is known for and the fine attention to detail in each room, Boulud tells AD. The estate, set on top of a hill, makes you feel as though you are transported to Tuscany, blending very well with the bounty of the Hudson Valley.

The next stop is Blantyre, a Scottish-inspired estate in the Berkshires. While Boulud waits to reopen his New York restaurants, hes transferred some of his team to this western Massachusetts enclave for a pop-up of Cafe Boulud at Blantyre so guests of the hotel and locals from the surrounding area can enjoy his French cuisine with a focus on local ingredients and ethnic flavors. Finally, he suggests continuing north to the Adirondacks to stay at The Point, the quintessential cabin by the lake, built by the Rockefellers. This property is a wonderland for grown-ups, Boulud remarks. As you retreat to your room, the wonderful smell of the wooden cabin is soothing, making you forget the electronic ball and chain.

Photo: Courtesy of The Point

Boulud asserts that during leaf-peeping season, this is one of the most scenic routes in the northeast. And he can assure you that art lovers will have plenty to do in the region. He recommends visiting the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Gilded Age Museum, and the Clark Institute, as well as the Freylinghusen Morris House & Studio and Chesterwood, home of Daniel Chester French, sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial.

Route 3: Pacific Northwest by Tim Zagat

Photo: Michael Becker / Courtesy of the Wickaninnish Inn

Vancouver yields various cultural activities and a great thriving food scene, Tim Zagat, co-founder of the Zagat Survey, tells AD. The route is designed for those who are looking to immerse in the best of British Columbia with amazing dining and cultural experiences, which these properties provide.

He suggests starting at the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa in downtown Vancouver, which is home to the award-winning Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge. Vancouver is a lovely city with many wonderful restaurants inspired by different culturesmany of which Ive experienced. Aside from the food, theres lots of things to see along the waterside, Zagat says. He then suggests taking the ferry over to Salt Spring Island, which is known as an artists haven, for a stay at the Hastings House Country House Hotel. From there, a four-and-a-half-hour drive will take you to the other side of Vancouver Island to experience the Wickaninnish Inn. Wickaninnish Inn is gorgeousits right on the water and really feels like youre in the wilderness, Zagat recalls. When I went many years ago, we went salmon fishing, which should definitely be on the list of activities to do while youre there.

Photo: Courtesy of Hastings House

This trip is perfect for aesthetes with a sense of adventure and nature lovers looking for a socially distanced break in the great outdoors. Its also the ideal road trip for foodies. The restaurants are in a great position, as the surrounding areas have wonderful ingredients to harvest, and amazing local produce, Zagat concludes. And if youre going to a Relais & Chateaux, you know youre going to eat well.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
On August 27, 2020, the Eighth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial Meeting will be held via video conference. As a representative of Japan, Mr. Kajiyama Hiroshi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, will attend the meeting. At the meeting, in light of the Joint Leaders Statement issued in November 2019, participating ministers will confirm the current status of negotiations on remaining issues and discuss the way forward of the negotiation, amongst others.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed wide-area economic partnership under negotiations among ten ASEAN member states and six countries (Japan, China, The Republic of Korea (ROK), Australia, New Zealand, and India; hereinafter referred to as the FTA partner countries).

In November 2012, at the ceremony to launch negotiations for the RCEP which was held during the ASEAN-related Summit Meetings, the leaders of the ASEAN member states and FTA partner countries announced the launch of RCEP negotiations. In May 2013, the first negotiation round was held in Brunei Darussalam. As of August 25, 20 ministerial meetings and 31 negotiation rounds have been held.

In November 2018, the second RCEP summit meeting was held. As an outcome, the leaders issued the Joint Leaders Statement, welcomed the substantial progress in the RCEP negotiations in 2018, and presented a resolution to conclude the RCEP negotiations in 2019.

In November 2019, the third RCEP summit meeting was held. In the Joint Leaders Statement issued at the meeting, the leaders stated that they noted that 15 RCEP Participating Countries have concluded text-based negotiations for all 20 chapters and essentially all their market access issues and tasked legal scrubbing by them to commence for signing in 2020, and they also confirmed that all RCEP Participating Countries will work together to resolve Indias outstanding issues in a mutually satisfactory way.

In June 2020, the Tenth RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting was held. In the Joint Statement, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to sign the RCEP Agreement in 2020 and that RCEP remains open for India.
White nationalist Richard Spencer says hes voting for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the 2020 election, four years after being a prominent supporter for President Donald Trump.

"I plan to vote for Biden and a straight democratic ticket," Spencer tweeted on Sunday. "It's not based on 'accelerationism' or anything like that; the liberals are clearly more competent people."

Bidens campaign swiftly disavowed Spencers endorsement.

When Joe Biden says we are in a battle for the soul of our nation against vile forces of hate who have come crawling out from under rocks, you are the epitome of what he means, wrote Andrew Bates, the rapid-response director for the Biden campaign, on Twitter. What you stand for is absolutely repugnant. Your support is 10,000% percent unwelcome here.

When Joe Biden says we are in a battle for the soul of our nation against vile forces of hate who have come crawling out from under rocks, you are the epitome of what he means. What you stand for is absolutely repugnant. Your support is 10,000% percent unwelcome here. https://t.co/86reJEoTCd  Andrew Bates (@AndrewBatesNC) August 24, 2020

Spencer, who popularized the phrase alt-right, famously shouted hail Trump at a Washington event for the think tank National Policy Institute, drawing Nazi salutes reminiscent of heil Hitler. Led by Spencer, the group describes itself as an independent organization dedicated to the heritage, identity, and future of people of European descent in the United States, and around the world.

Spencer was a keynote speaker at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, where white supremacists, neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members carried tiki torches and shouted anti-Semitic phrases like Jews will not divide us.

Trump said there were very fine people on both sides of the Charlottesville rally, which turned violent when a man drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters and killed 32-year-old Heather Heyer.

Biden recently slammed Trump on the anniversary of the controversial statement for having the audacity to assign moral equivalence between those spreading hate and those who stood against it.

I knew then that we were in a battle for the soul of this nation. And I knew then that I could not stand by and let Donald Trump destroy the core values of this nation, Biden said. Now, three years later, we can see even more clearly that everything that has made America, America, is at stake.

Newsweek reports Spencer said earlier this year that he regrets voting for Trump, criticizing the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani for bringing the U.S. to the brink of war with Iran.

The MAGA/Alt-Right moment is over. I made mistakes; Trump is an obvious disaster; but mainly the paradigm contained flaws that we now are able to perceive. And it needs to end, Spencer wrote on Twitter. So be patient. Well have another day in the sun. We need to recover and return in a new form.
P arents should not linger to gossip at the school gates because of the risk of passing coronavirus between families, Gavin Williamson said today.

The Education Secretary spoke out while visiting a London school to see the innovations that heads and teachers have put in place to prevent Covid-19 spreading inside the classrooms.

Mr Williamson spent over an hour touring the classrooms and corridors at Harris Primary Academy, south London, where new hand-washing stations, one-way systems and rigorous cleaning regimes have been set up over the summer.

The minister said the school was a shining example of the huge effort being made to get every pupil back into full-time lessons. But he said parents would have to resist the temptation to hang around for a chat after dropping off their offspring.

Were asking all parents to show understanding and consideration to the whole school community, he said. Most schools have put in place staggered starts to make sure that theres a swift and good flow-through of parents, and we just ask people to be respectful of the systems that are being put into place.

Wed ask parents just to be really considerate, make sure theyre able to drop their children off and then get on with all the tasks of their day.

At the Harris Primary, in Penge, the school layout has been transformed over the summer. Gone are desks spaced two metres apart, the pattern used during lockdown. Now the 423 pupils sit in pairs and facing the teacher standing at the front.

Covid protection kits at Harris Primary Academy / Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures Ltd

On each desk is a clear plastic wallet containing pens, pencils, glue stick, exercise books and teaching materials. Each pupil has an identical pack so there is no need to share equipment.

'Tech solutions to save Christmas nativity plays' Joe Murphy Christmas nativity plays will be saved from being axed due to coronavirus, the Education Secretary vowed today. Gavin Williamson said the tradition of infants dressing up as Mary and Joseph as well as shepherds, angels and animals should carry on using technology to allow mums and dads to watch. I know how special and important it is to go along to see your children performing in a nativity play, the father of two told the Evening Standard. Weve got to look at ways how we can ensure, maybe using technology, that this staple institution of every school right across the United Kingdom is able to go ahead. Mr Williamson said he was working with schools on ideas for how the tradition could continue. Whats key is how we master technology to make sure parents can enjoy a nativity which is such an important part of every school year.

Before entering the school, children will wash at new stainless steel sinks placed in the playground. Arrival times are staggered, with each year spaced 15 minutes apart.

In class, they will use hand sanitiser stations before sitting down. All pupils and parents have received videos explaining strict new social distancing rules. Teachers will only sit close to children for brief periods. If a child needs one-to-one support then full PPE will be worn.

At break time, each year group will be separated, sticking to designated equipment in the playground. Lunches and breaks are staggered and desks will be cleaned three times a day.

The Cabinet minister, who faced calls to quit after last weeks U-turn on exams, would not comment on reports that he offered his resignation to Boris Johnson during the crisis.

Loading....

He conceded that there may not be a full turnout of children next week, saying his goal was to see children coming back over the next few weeks.
Expats in the UAE have over 100 Canadian immigration options to choose from.

How to immigrate to Canada from the U.A.E.

How to immigrate to Canada from the U.A.E. Expats in the UAE have over 100 Canadian immigration options to choose from.

How to immigrate to Canada from the U.A.E. Expats in the UAE have over 100 Canadian immigration options to choose from.

How to immigrate to Canada from the U.A.E. Expats in the UAE have over 100 Canadian immigration options to choose from. Mohanad Moetaz Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

Every year, thousands of expatriates living in the United Arab Emirates apply to immigrate to Canada.

In fact, the Emirates is the fifth most popular country of residence of successful Express Entry candidates, after Canada, India, the U.S. and Nigeria.

Many of those who immigrate from the Emirates are expatriates. When it comes to applying for immigration from the Emirates, both Emirati citizens and foreign expats are equally considered.

Even though the Emirates boasts a high quality of life, many people choose to immigrate to Canada for a number of reasons.

These include a pathway to citizenship, universal health care, high quality education, job opportunities, as well as a plethora of nature and wildlife.

The most popular way for expats living in the Emirates and Emirati citizens to immigrate to Canada is as skilled workers.

Canada is looking to welcome over one million new immigrants by the end of 2022, as per the Immigration Levels Plan 2020-2022.

Find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration

Although the coronavirus pandemic has slowed down immigration, Canada continues to process skilled workers applications.

Skilled workers are evaluated based on a number of factors including age, work experience, education level and language proficiency. The majority of immigrants from the Emirates have a strong grasp of the English language. It is for that reason that they have an advantage when applying for permanent residence.

Express Entry

The system that the federal government uses to manage permanent residence applications is called Express Entry.

Through this system, skilled workers are able to submit their interest in immigrating to Canada.

Interested candidates should be eligible for one of three immigration programs: the Foreign Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Foreign Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

If you have not lived in Canada before, your best chance to be eligible for Express Entry will likely be under the FSWP.

Those who are eligible are able to create their Express Entry profile.

You will be required to take a recognized language proficiency test in English or in French. You will also be required to get your foreign educational credentials assessed.

However, creating an Express Entry profile is free.

You are given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on your Express Entry profile.

Every two weeks, the Canadian government invites the highest ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.Even with the travel restrictions in place, Canada continues to issue invitations to individuals living abroad. This is because Canada recognizes the importance of immigration to economic recovery post-pandemic.

Find out if you are eligible for Express Entry

PNP

Another option for people immigrating from the Emirates is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The PNP gives provinces and territories the ability to nominate foreign skilled workers to meet their economic needs.

Candidates are able to apply for a specific PNP stream directly. In addition, creating an Express Entry profile gives you more options. Once you are in the Express Entry pool, you may receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence, or you may receive an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination, if the province or territory is interested in your profile.

100+ options

In all, Emirati citizens and foreign expats have over 100 skilled worker options to choose from. Beyond Express Entry and the PNP, Canada operates many other skilled worker immigration programs that those from the Emirates can benefit from in pursuit of their Canadian immigration goals.

Get a free Canada immigration eligibility assessment

 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved
Vietnam is aiming to build a transparent and legal wood industry to support exports of timber products and bolster the domestic timber manufacturing industry.

Workers of Binh Dinh-based Tai Phuoc Co. Ltd. polish wooden chairs (Photo: VNA)

The need emerges as Vietnam becomes one of the worlds largest exporters of wood and wooden products, putting it under scrutiny from major trading partners.

In June, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) initiated an investigation into tax evasion for plywood products imported from Vietnam and suspected use of Chinese materials.

Other major importers of Vietnamese timber products including the European Union (EU), China, Japan and the Republic of Korea are also eyeing stricter traceability regulations to ensure legal timber origins.

To facilitate exports of this key product, Vietnam is trying to build the Vietnam Timber Legality Assurance (VNTLAS) system along with the early issuance of EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licence for exports of wood products to the EU market.

Joining the EU in implementing the FLTGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/FLEGT) will not only promote exports of Vietnamese wood products to the EU but also increase prestige and open doors to other markets.

The agreement is in line with Vietnams Law on Forestry, both prohibiting the import, export, exploitation, processing and trading of illegal timber.

Boarding the VPA/FLEGT ship with the EU would take the domestic timber manufacturing industry to another level, said Ngo Sy Hoai, Vice President, Secretary-General of Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (VIFORES).

Beneficiaries would include more than 3,000 processing and exporting enterprises, 340 craft villages and approximately 1.4 million forest farmer households.

According to Hoai, most Vietnamese firms processing and exporting timber to the EU can meet these standards.

This action would only systematise what the industry has been doing, now placing everything under a legal framework for transparent enforcement, he said.

To fully implement VPA/FLEGT, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has completed a draft decree for implementing the Vietnam Timber Legality Assurance to submit to the Government for promulgation.

VNTLAS is a national system to ensure compliance with legal timber legislation at each stage of the supply chain, including harvesting, importing, purchasing, selling, transporting, processing and exporting.

The decree also requires the classification of enterprises into two groups: Group I and Group II. Group I features firms fully complying with legal timber regulations and are not subject to examination and origin verification when filling to export.

VNTLAS works on the basis of enterprises self-declaration and self-responsibility through the network of the Enterprise Classification Information System and authoritys verification. This will decrease administrative work for firms while still allowing authorities to keep the origins of timber products in check and encourage enterprises responsibility in law enforcement, according to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan.

Enterprises that do not meet the classification criteria will be subject to the inspection and certification of origin before being granted export licences to the EU.

According to a quick survey conducted by MARD, more than 90 percent of processing and exporting firms in Vietnam belong to Group I. Vietnam aims to have all firms in the wood industry to be classified as Group I.

However, deputy director-general of the Department of Science and Technology and International Cooperation Nguyen Tuong Van has warned that the most difficult time still lies ahead.

When the decree comes into effect, but without FLEGT licences, enterprises still have to prove their product origin to be eligible for export.

Issuance of FLEGT certification for wood exporters to the EU needs to be done as soon as possible," she added

Besides, the classification of enterprises can only be carried out six months after the implementation of VPA/FLEGT.

If VNTLAS can be operated at the beginning of 2021, the first FLEGT can only be issued at the end of 2021 or early 2022," Van said./.VNS

Vietnam takes action to prevent Chinese from counterfeiting woodwork origin The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has affirmed that it is investigating and handling strictly ' enterprises that wash Chinese origin and counterfeit Vietnamese origin of products for export to the US.
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Goetz Fitzpatrick LLP (https://goetzfitz.com) announced a major victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for its client, Mighty Mug, Inc. (https://themightymug.com/). The Court upheld the exclusion order issued by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) against all Chinese imports that infringed Mighty Mug's patent on self-anchoring beverage containers, U.S. Patent No. 8,028,850 ('850 patent). Goetz Fitzpatrick attorney Donald R. Dinan represented Mighty Mug before the ITC in the case, obtaining the exclusion order, as well as in the post-investigation challenge filed by the producers who tried to get the order rescinded.

Mighty Mug

"We are incredibly happy to see justice prevailing and are excited for the infringing items to be removed from the marketplace immediately. Don Dinan and the rest of the team at Goetz Fitzpatrick did an incredible job, ensuring that knockoffs were removed from the marketplace in the most cost-effective manner," said Jayme Smaldone, the CEO of Mighty Mug. "As a small company that has put our blood, sweat, and tears into our IP, nothing makes us happier than knowing that the full force of the United States government is on our side in the fight against infringers. We celebrate each notice from Customs and Border Patrol when infringing items have been confiscated and are en route for destruction."

Mighty Mug is the manufacturer of the highly popular drinkware line, which has been featured in Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, and Wired magazines. The Mighty Mug contains the patented feature that keeps the mug from being accidentally knocked over, putting an end to damaging spills over electronics and upholstery.

As soon as Mighty Mug became a success, companies based in China began shipping knockoffs into the United States. Numerous Chinese companies began to flood the market with inferiorly made products, which often tipped over, and sold them at drastically reduced prices. At one point, in an attempt to siphon off Mighty Mug's sales, many infringers sold their knockoff mugs - shipping all the way from China - for less than what Mighty Mug was charged by the USPS to ship their goods within the U.S. These companies worked under fictitious names with false or non-existent addresses.

Mighty Mug brought a Complaint before the ITC under section 337 (19 U.S.A 1337), which prohibits unfair acts and unfair methods of competition, including patent infringement, in the importation of goods into the United States. Mr. Dinan, a former director of unfair import investigations at the ITC, after proving that the accused articles infringed on the '850 patent, argued that a general exclusion order (GEO) was the only appropriate remedy. Mr. Dinan urged the ITC to grant a GEO because it was difficult to gain information about the companies selling the infringing beverage containers and numerous entities were importing the containers, making it nearly impossible to identify the sources of the products. The ITC agreed and issued the GEO. A GEO is an in rem order, which runs against the goods and bars importation, regardless of source, manufacturer, importer, or country of origin, into the United States. In this way, the order is designed to prevent circumvention by infringing importers.

Subsequent to the issuance of the GEO, Mayborn Group, Ltd, and Mayborn USA, Inc., (Mayborn), a British corporation recently acquired by a large Chinese state conglomerate, filed a petition to rescind the GEO because the conditions which led to the exclusion from entry no longer existed. Mayborn is a major producer of children's products and the manufacturer of a "sippy cup" called Tommee Tippee that directly copied the technology covered by the '850 patent. Mayborn asserted that the claims of the '850 patent were invalid based on newly discovered prior art, which made the invention anticipated or obvious under 35 U.S.C. 102, 103.

In the Rescission Proceeding, Mr. Dinan argued that under section 337 law, the asserted discovery of invalidating prior art after the issuance of a GEO was not a changed circumstance under the statute and thus not grounds for rescission. Mr. Dinan further argued that because the alleged new prior art was not a changed circumstance, the ITC lacked authority to consider the substance of Mayborn's petition. The ITC agreed and summarily dismissed Mayborn's Petition for Rescission. Mayborn appealed.

In a unanimous decision, the Court of Appeals upheld the ITC's decision. It ruled that a patent claim is only extinguished upon a final judgment of invalidity or unpatentability by a federal court and that the ITC's interpretation of section 337, that the rescission of an exclusion order only occurs upon such subsequent action by a federal court, was correct.

"The legal status of the '850 patent is unaffected by Mayborn's wish to present an invalidity challenge," stated the Court. The Court concluded by quoting its famous dictum in the Roper case, "A patent is born valid. It remains valid until a challenge proves its invalidity."

"This ruling by the Federal Circuit is a major decision upholding the ITC's power to exclude infringing imports and prohibit unfair trade practices in the United States," shared Mr. Dinan.

About Goetz Fitzpatrick LLP

Goetz Fitzpatrick was founded in 1967 and has grown to be a powerhouse in commercial litigation and business law. The firm's clients include individuals, families, and businesses of all sizes across a variety of industries. With more than 20 attorneys, they serve both domestic and international clients from their offices in New York City, White Plains, New York, and Roseland, New Jersey. Their practices include Construction Litigation, Arbitration, and Mediation; Construction Contracts and Transactions; Commercial Litigation; Bankruptcy and Business Reorganization; Business Law & Transactions; Intellectual Property, Media, and Technology; Real Estate; Trusts and Estates; and International Trade. Regarded as subject matter experts in their respective fields, Goetz Fitzpatrick attorneys frequently publish articles relating to law and litigation. For more information, visit www.goetzfitz.com.

Contact: Allison Price

303-800-6364

SOURCE Goetz Fitzpatrick

Related Links

https://goetzfitz.com/


Qatar's foreign minister met with top Lebanese officials in Beirut on Tuesday, marking the latest in a flurry of diplomatic visits to Lebanon to offer assistance after the colossal blast earlier in August.

Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani met Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe.

He said his country's position was "firm" in supporting the Lebanese people.

Support from Gulf and world countries poured into Lebanon after the incident that flattened large parts of the capital, killing more than 180 people and leaving thousands homeless.

Qatar was among the first responders with the country flying field hospitals and medical aid to Beirut, to ease pressure on Lebanon's strained medical system after the explosion.

The Aug. 4 blast was the worst single explosion to strike Lebanon, a country whose history is filled with destruction  from a 1975-1990 civil war, conflicts with Israel and periodic terrorist attacks.
The average income per month for unskilled workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) nearly doubled to around Rs 1,000 during the first four months of the current fiscal, when countrywide lockdown was imposed to combat the coronavirus outbreak. The average income per person per month under the flagship rural jobs scheme stood at Rs 509 in fiscal 2020, according to a CRISIL report.

"The April-July period typically sees 25% greater work execution (in terms of person-days) under the scheme compared with the rest of the fiscal, thereby aiding rural income," Crisil said in its report.

However, the April-July period of the current fiscal witnessed 46 per cent growth in work execution (in terms of person-days) under the scheme. Adding to it, the average per day wage increased by 12 per cent during the period under review.

As per the report, the primary reason for the government's thrust on MGNREGA was the COVID-19 pandemic, which has pushed migrant workers back into their villages. The push to the scheme has been higher in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and Gujarat, where work allocation increased more than 50 per cent on-year in the first four months.

The government has allocated Rs 61,500 crore for this scheme under Union Budget 2020-21, and later increased the allocation by Rs 40,000 crore amid the pandemic to support the rural economy. Of the Rs 101,500 crore, Rs 11,500 crore has to be spent on clearing pending dues of fiscal 2020, thus leaving Rs 90,000 crore for the current fiscal.

Even after considering the revised allocation, more than 50 per cent of the funds have been spent in first four months of the fiscal, the report said.

MGNREGA has the mandate of providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work, and has been a key mechanism of providing employment to the rural labour force.

Also Read: Lockdown 2.0: MGNREGA works to resume; workers must maintain social distance, wear masks

Also Read: Coronavirus lockdown: 30 lakh received work through MGNREGA in April
The invaders are recruiting "volunteers" for deployment in Belarus.

In the Russian-occupied Donbas, local draft offices and the "Prizrak" (Ghost] Brigade are recruiting "volunteers" to be sent to Belarus, a rights watchdog reports.

Male recruits aged 18 to 55 are offered 30,000 rubles or $400 plus daily expenses during the deployment, according to the Eastern Human Rights Group.

At least three buses carrying recruits have already set off for the Russian-Belarusian border after bringing militants from the occupied Donbas to Russia via the sectors of border beyond Ukrainian government control, the NGO wrote on Facebook.

"Two buses crossed out through the Izvarino checkpoint, the third left the city of Antratsit and headed through the city of Novoshakhtinsk, [Russia's] Rostov region ... When asked how the contingent will be transferred to Belarus, recruits say there is a single economic space between the Russian Federation and Belarus [implying no border control]," reads the report.

In a comment to RFE/RL's Ukrainian service, Ombudsperson's representative Pavlo Lysiansky said that the activists confirmed the report and clarified that the group had spotted trucks carrying men, driving toward the border.

"These were trucks carrying people. At one of the stops, at a gas station, they said they were going to Belarus. What for? You remember the main slogan of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and all Russian diplomacy: 'We are not there'," he said ...

Belarus protests: Russia's "support" for Lukashenko, reports of meddling

On August 15, following phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lukashenko said Russia had promised full-fledged assistance to ensure the country's security. Earlier Lukashenko has repeatedly claimed external forces are trying to destabilize Belarus.

Read alsoUkraine strengthens control on Belarus borderOn August 16, Lukashenko press service announced following another conversation between Lukashenko and Putin that the two leaders intend to react jointly "in the event of an escalation in terms of external threats."

Eyewitnesses spotted convoys of Russian Guard trucks moving toward the border of Belarus.

Earlier, several aircraft of the Belarus air force flew to Russian military bases.

European diplomats and U.S. legislators have expressed concern about Russia's interference in Belarus' affairs. Some political experts believe the "Crimea scenario" is unfolding.

In late July, a group of Russian mercenaries believed to be with the Wagner Private Military Company was detained outside Minsk for what Belarusian law enforcers said was plotting to destabilize the country amid the election campaign.

Despite Ukraine's appeal to Belarus to extradite most of the mercenaries for the crimes they had earlier committed in the Donbas warzone, Belarus decided to hand the group back to Russia, which sparked a diplomatic row with Ukraine.
 Flash

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's remarks on China and the Communist Party of China (CPC) were just absurd lies driven by Cold-War mentality and zero-sum game mindset, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Tuesday.

During his trip to Israel, Pompeo mentioned the so-called "challenge that the Chinese Communist Party presents to the entire world." In response, Zhao said that for some time, the U.S. politician had slandered and smeared China out of ideological prejudice and self-interest.

"But China will never allow him to confuse the public," Zhao said at a news briefing.

He said Chinese media outlets had released a fact-check article in which abundant facts proved Pompeo's remarks on China are lies that misrepresent history and the reality.

Just because China adheres to the path of independence and peaceful development and does not follow the path "designed by the United States," certain U.S. politicians regard the CPC and the Chinese government as "infidels" and attempt to launch ideological crusades, Zhao said.

"These people must be reminded by the fact that the leadership of the CPC is the choice of history and the people. No one can turn a blind eye to the fact that the CPC is supported by the Chinese people, and any attempt to change or contain China is doomed to failure," the spokesperson said.

He said the "China threat" had become the mantras of certain U.S. politicians. However, the Constitution of the CPC and the Constitution of the People's Republic of China have made it clear that China follows a path of peaceful development and opposes hegemony.

In contrast, the United States has never made such a policy announcement, he said, adding that none of today's regional and global hot-button issues were caused by China.

"These people must recognize and accept the reality that for the international community, including the United States, China is a positive force and an opportunity for global peace and prosperity, rather than a negative factor or a threat," he said.


We are extremely impressed with the Woodland Park Zoos health protocols to date and our solution, DeCurtis Shield will now create additional value, efficiency and enhance their current processes, said Camille Olivere, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, DeCurtis Corporation.

DeCurtis Corporation, the premier provider of location and proximity enabled solutions in complex, indoor environments with a focus on health, safety and security, operational enhancement and experience evolution announces the launch of DeCurtis Shield at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington in a pilot effort to enhance the health, safety and security of participating employees and special event visitors.

The nonprofit Woodland Park Zoo offers a safe, 92-acre urban forest retreat to Northwest communities, and now operates under enhanced safety protocols including guest and staff face coverings, social distancing and frequent cleaning.

As a local destination, not only do we have our guests and staff to keep safe, but also the nearly 1,000 animals that call this place home, says Michele Smith, Chief Financial Officer at Woodland Park Zoo. Were excited to see how this pilot can add layers of protection and peace of mind in a place that has become a true community oasis.

DeCurtis Shield will launch as a pilot for guest services employees and special event group visitors. DeCurtis Shield Kiosks will assess temperature using smart thermography cameras at the thermal brain tunnel with patent-pending methodology to provide the fastest and most accurate body temperature. Shield Kiosks can be used at any security entry or exit point in the zoo or event venues on property to seamlessly screen for elevated body temperature.

We are extremely impressed with the Woodland Park Zoos health protocols to date and our solution, DeCurtis Shield will now create additional value, efficiency and enhance their current processes, said Camille Olivere, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, DeCurtis Corporation. Not only will employees and visitors have additional confidence, we see many implications to leverage our technology to achieve the zoos objective to further enhance operational efficiency and visitor experience in the future.

The program launches August 25 and will run for sixty days. If successful, the zoo may expand the effort to a wider scale for employees and select guests.

About DeCurtis Corporation

DeCurtis Corporation is the premier provider of location and proximity enabled solutions in complex indoor environments with a focus on health, safety and security, operational enhancement and experience evolution. Creator of Mobile Assembly Suite (MAS), the DeCurtis Experience Platform (DXP), and DeCurtis Shield, DeCurtis Corporation is the leader in providing transformational experience technology based on decades of deep industry knowledge in the cruise space that is applicable to other sectors. With a vast range of experience working with some of the worlds best, most-recognized brands, DeCurtis Corporation transforms the guest experience to be safer, secure and more efficient through the creative application of the latest technology. For more information on DeCurtis Corporation, please visit http://www.decurtis.com.

About Woodland Park Zoo

Founded in 1899, Woodland Park Zoo engages more than a million visitors of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and walks of life in extraordinary experiences with animals, inspiring them to make conservation a priority in their lives. The zoo is helping to save animals and their habitats in the wild through more than 35 wildlife conservation projects in the Pacific Northwest and around the world. Woodland Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and certified by the rigorous American Humane Conservation program. The Humane Certified seal of approval is another important validation of the zoos long-standing tradition of meeting the highest standards in animal welfare. Visit http://www.zoo.org and follow the zoo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
[Exclusive] Xis Leadership Threatened; Uyghur Women Force to Marry Chinese Men For Gene Washing

TikTok is suing the Trump administration over the recent executive order to ban the apps American operations unless its sold to a US company by mid-September. The executive order was introduced over concerns that TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company Bytedance, could share users data with Chinese authorities.

Meanwhile, China and Russia are looking to create a financial alliance to get rid of their reliance on the US dollar. This is in the context of both countries facing US sanctions, and China preparing to launch a new digital currency.

Chinas Ministry of Commerce is planning to launch the new currency in 28 urban areas of China, covering around 400 million people. It can promote the currency as a way for other countries to get around US sanctions, but its digital nature will also give local authorities power to monitor transactions beyond the extent of the US dollar.

These stories and more in this episode of Crossroads.

Crossroads is an Epoch Times show available on Facebook and YouTube.

Join Patreon to Support Crossroads: https://www.patreon.com/Crossroads_Josh
OTTAWA  New federal Conservative Leader Erin OToole attracted lukewarm support among Winnipeg party members, suggesting hell have to soften his right-leaning platform to gain urban support.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/8/2020 (513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  New federal Conservative Leader Erin OToole attracted lukewarm support among Winnipeg party members, suggesting hell have to soften his right-leaning platform to gain urban support.

All but two of Manitobas 14 ridings ultimately supported OToole in the final round, but the new Tory leader was the first choice of nearly 25 per cent fewer Winnipeggers than Peter MacKay.

"I think O'Toole's strategy is now to move to the centre, now that he's captured the centre-right of the party," said longtime University of Manitoba political scientist Christopher Adams.

"The party does have to appeal more strongly to suburban and urban voters."

The Tories elected their leader in the wee hours Monday morning using a ranked-ballot system that weighs ridings equally. That system favours candidates with widespread popularity, even if theyre often a second choice for voters.

The ranked ballot led to three rounds of elimination, at which point OToole triumphed. He was buoyed by ridings in Quebec and second-place support in areas with large pockets of social conservatives.

But looking at his first-round support in Manitoba shows how much support OToole might garner in a national election.

He ran on a "true blue" platform that includes curtailing CBC funding, ending the carbon tax and giving provinces control over immigration numbers. His pledge to "take back Canada" echoes the British governments Brexit slogan.

Those policy planks would be a hard sell in the urban ridings the Tories failed to take from the Liberals last fall, said Adams, who is rector of St. Paul's College.

"Urban voters in Winnipeg are quite different to voters in Calgary on issues like climate change," He said.

CP Conservative Party of Canada Leader Erin O'Toole fist bumps former leader Andrew Scheer after O'Toole's win at the 2020 Leadership Election in Ottawa. (Patrick Doyle / Canadian Press)

He noted that Andrew Scheer resigned the party leadership after failing to attract urban support, having instead increased the vote share in ridings that already tend to vote for Tories.

Adams noted that MacKays first-round support in Manitoba was strongest in wealthier areas, suggesting he was the candidate of business people in neighbourhoods such as Tuxedo.

OToole, meanwhile, had a strong showing in Westman, the province's North and in Kildonan-St. Paul.

In ridings that include Winnipeg city limits, MacKay got 1,071 votes in the first round, compared with 835 for O'Toole. The results in most ridings aligned with local MP endorsements.

Leslyn Lewis, a social conservative who was widely unknown just months ago, swept the ridings of Portage-Lisgar and Provencher.

Most of her voters did not carry through to the third round of voting. That suggests a push by evangelical voters who chose not to support either OToole or MacKay as second-choice candidates, Adams said.

Lewis also took the city riding of Elmwood-Transcona, in which OToole placed fourth, ranking last and behind far-right candidate Derek Sloan. She also ranked second in areas that included Kildonan, Brandon and Dauphin.

Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

In the final ballot round against MacKay, OToole took support in every Manitoba riding except for Winnipeg South Centre and Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman.

In Mondays tabulation, Winnipeg ridings weighed just as much in the race as rural ones, despite some city ridings having one-fifth as many Conservatives casting a ballot as rural ones.

In the partys last leadership race in 2017, Maxime Bernier took six of Winnipegs eight ridings, with Scheer gaining only the northeast in the 13th round, but ultimately winning the partys crown.

Adams said women remain a key demographic for conservative parties, both federally and provincially, as they regularly vote but tend to favour left-leaning parties.

"OToole's challenge winning urban voters in Winnipeg will be to get those swing women voters who voted for (former Tory leader Stephen) Harper, in part because he had some strong women candidates in the local area."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Kirti Kulhari opened up about how her marriage had a positive impact on her career as an actor. Kirti, who got married to Saahil Sehgal in 2016, shared that her husband and her in-laws supported her in her career decisions while the Hindi film industry was parallel going through a reformation in terms of female artists.

Speaking to Times of India, Kirti explained how a woman's career does not come to a standstill after marriage. She said, "I did not set out to become that woman but I think my marriage kind of coincided with Bollywood going through that change in mindset in the society. It is like you can be 30 and above and still be acting. You can be married, have kids, and still be acting. The industry was going through the transformation and I just joined the bandwagon."

Coincidentally, it is after her marriage that some of Kirti's most successful films have been delivered, be it Pink, Uri: The Surgical Strike or Mission Mangal.

Talking about how her marriage helped her grow immensely on the career front, she said, "My marriage has affected my career in the best possible way. I have a husband who knows much more than me about films. I have learnt so much from him. We watch a movie and discuss things. I grew so much as a person and as an actor and all the apprehensions I had before my marriage, were all broken by him. He has supported me in the most amazing way and helped me reach where I am today. Even my in-laws supported me blindly which means a lot to me."

Kirti will next be seen in The Girl On The Train, starring alongside Parineeti Chopra and Aditi Rao Hydari. The film is a remake of the 2016 Hollywood film of the same name, and has been directed by Ribhu Dasgupta.

ALSO READ:
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / Kontrol Energy Corp. (CSE:KNR)(OTCQB:KNRLF)(FSE:1K8) ("Kontrol" or "Company") today announced that CEO Paul Ghezzi will present to investors attending the LD 500 investor conference on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 10:40am PST / 1:40pm EST. Mr. Ghezzi will also host one-on-one investor meetings on September 2 and September 4.

"Kontrol Energy is addressing a $100 billion annual problem of commercial building energy waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality monitoring," said Mr. Ghezzi. "As COVID began to impact the operations of our customers, we heard concerns around the aerosolization of the virus and its potential ability to spread indoors. Given our background in monitoring for volatile organic compounds for blue-chip companies across North America, we started to consider a potential solution for detecting COVID in the air. Since March of 2020 we have developed our BioCloud technology prototype, secured government funding that is accelerating the development of BioCloud, and had our first positive lab results. We look forward to discussing these developments and more with investors attending the LD 500 conference."

View Mr. Ghezzi's video presentation here: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2019/36650

To book a meeting, register here: https://ld-micro-conference.events.issuerdirect.com/

"We have been waiting for this moment all year long. Due to COVID, it has been nearly impossible for physical conferences to even take place. I want to show the world that you can still learn, have a great time, and see some of the most unique companies in the capital markets today. All without having to step foot outside. For the first time, LD Micro is accessible to everyone, and we are honored to welcome you to one of the most trusted platforms in the space," said Chris Lahiji, Founder of LD.

The LD 500 will take place on September 1st through the 4th.

View Kontrol Energy's profile here: https://www.ldmicro.com/profile/KNR.CN

Profiles powered by LD Micro - News Compliments of Accesswire

About LD Micro

Back in 2006, LD Micro began with the sole purpose of being an independent resource to the microcap world.

What started as a newsletter highlighting unique companies, has transformed into the pre-eminent event platform in the space.

The upcoming "500" in September is the Company's most ambitious project yet, and the first event that is accessible to everyone.

For those interested in attending, please contact David Scher at david@ldmicro.com or visit www.ldmicro.com for more information.

About Kontrol Energy

Kontrol Energy Corp. (CSE:KNR)(OTCQB:KNRLF)(FSE:1K8) is a leader in the energy efficiency sector through IoT, Cloud and SaaS technology. With a disciplined mergers and acquisition strategy, combined with organic growth, Kontrol Energy Corp. provides market-based energy solutions to our customers designed to reduce their overall cost of energy while providing a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Kontrol Energy is one of Canada's fastest growing companies in 2018 and 2019 as ranked by Canadian Business and Maclean's.

Additional information about Kontrol Energy Corp. can be found on its website at www.kontrolenergy.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

For further information, contact:

Paul Ghezzi, Chief Executive Officer

paul@kontrolenergy.com or admin@kontrolenergy.com

Kontrol Energy Corp.,

180 Jardin Drive, Unit 9, Vaughan, ON L4K 1X8

Tel: 905.766.0400, Toll free: 1.844.566.8123

Neither IIROC nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "likely", "should", "would", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "proposed", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy.

Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation, that sufficient capital will be available to the Company and that technology will be as effective as anticipated.

However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, that sufficient capital and financing cannot be obtained on reasonable terms, or at all, that technologies will not prove as effective as expected, that customers and potential customers will not be as accepting of the Company's product and service offering as expected, and government and regulatory factors impacting the energy conservation industry. In particular, successful development and commercialization of the Kontrol BioCloud Analyzer are subject to the risk that the Kontrol BioCloud Analyzer may not prove to be successful in detecting the virus that causes COVID-19 effectively or at all, uncertainty of timing or availability of any regulatory approvals and Kontrol's lack of track record in developing products for medical applications.

Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations, and opinions of management on such date. Kontrol does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements or any forward-looking statements contained in any other documents whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required under applicable securities law. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties, and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Kontrol Energy Corp. via LD Micro

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/603018/Kontrol-Energy-Presenting-at-The-LD-500-Virtual-Investor-Conference
By Laman Ismayilova

The Russian Information and Cultural Center in Baku has displayed a virtual exhibition of talented artist Natalya Shevchenko.

The virtual exhibition includes a series of art works calling for world without nuclear weapon.

Some of the works are inspired by famous quotes of Soviet scientist Vladimir Vernadsky, who is considered one of the founders of geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and radiogeology. The exhibition left no one indifferent.

Earlier, the Center showcased the artist's paintings dedicated to prominent art figures. In 2019, the exhibition "Faces of Art" was successfully held at Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts in Baku.

The artist's paintings have been displayed in over 30 countries. Some art works are kept in private collections in Russia and other countries.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
W ildfires continue to rage across California after incendiary lightning strikes sparked hundreds of blazes last week.

Firefighting crews are stretched to their limits after the wildfires, including the second- and third-largest on record in California, remained out of control, with some 240,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings across the state.

Rebecca Pledger, 64, a retired nurse in the Lake County community of Middletown about 90 miles north of San Francisco, said she and her husband chose to disregard evacuation orders for the time being, hoping their home would be spared as they stayed put to attend to their chickens, horse and dogs.

On Wednesday night, the northeastern edge of a gigantic blaze dubbed the LNU Lightning Complex fire had burned to within three miles of their property.

Chula Vista firefighter Rudy Diaz monitors the LNU Lightning Complex Fire as it engulfs brush in Lake County, California / REUTERS

"We'll leave when we see the flames coming down the hill," she said, adding that the couple had packed up their pickup truck and were ready to flee at a moment's notice.

Much of northern California, from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Pacific Coast, remained under a "red flag" alert for extreme fire hazards on Monday.

Close to 300 lightning strikes sparked 10 blazes Sunday night into Monday morning, and more "sleeper fires" were likely smoldering as yet undiscovered in areas shrouded by dense smoke, Governor Gavin Newsom said.

A helicopter and crew release water to extinguish a section of the LNU Lightning Complex Fire in Lake County, California / REUTERS

"We are in a different climate and we are dealing with different climate conditions that are precipitating fires the likes of which we have not seen in modern recorded history," Mr Newsom told a news briefing on Monday.

Wildfires ignited by more than 13,000 lightning strikes all across northern and central California since August 15 have killed at least seven people and destroyed over 1,200 homes and other structures. Collectively, the blazes have charred more than 1.2 million acres (485,620 hectares), a landscape more than triple the size of Los Angeles.

"We are essentially living in a megafire era," said CalFire Santa Clara Unit Chief Jake Hess told reporters, noting that the state has endured four of the five largest wildfires in its history during the past three years.

Ventura County firefighter Tommy Minadeo mops up the LNU Lightning Complex Fire in Pope Valley, California / REUTERS

"Nothing's left, but we're safe," said one man, who did not give his name in an online video showing everything but his patio furniture destroyed at his house near Vacaville.

The LNU Lightning Complex Fire engulfs a ridge line near Aetna Springs, California / REUTERS

Smoke from fires created unhealthy air quality for a large swath of northern California and drifted as far away as Kansas.

More than 14,000 firefighters, some who have been forced to work gruelling 72-hour shifts, were assigned to the wildfires, with 91 fire crews travelling from seven states and National Guard troops arriving from four states, Mr Newsom said.
Donald Trump Jr. and girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle are pictured above on October 10. Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News personality who is currently dating Donald Trump Jr., gave a heated speech at the RNC urging Americans to reelect President Donald Trump, warning that "presidential leadership is not guaranteed."

"Biden, Harris, and the rest of the socialists will fundamentally change this nation," Guilfoyle said in a speech that largely featured exaggerated claims and dystopian conspiracies.

"They want open borders, closed schools, dangerous amnesty, and will selfishly send your jobs back to China while they get rich. They will defund, dismantle, and destroy America's law enforcement," she said. "When you are in trouble and need police, don't count on the Democrats."

Guilfoyle's voice grew louder near the end of her speech, and she raised some eyebrows with her gestures, at one point drawing comparisons to a speech that the character Dwight Schrute gave on NBC's "The Office," in which he quoted lines from notorious dictators like Benito Mussolini.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News personality who is currently dating Donald Trump Jr., urged Americans to reelect President Donald Trump in a speech at the Republican National Convention that was riddled with exaggerated claims and dystopian conspiracies.

"He is the president who delivers for America," Guilfoyle said of Trump, and added, falsely, "He built the greatest economy the world has ever known for the strivers, the working class, and middle class."

Guilfoyle has become a staple in the Trump family's inner circle in recent months and is a frequent surrogate for the president on the campaign trail. She tested positive for COVID-19 in July after attending two Trump rallies in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Phoenix, Arizona. Neither rally featured masks and had little social distancing.

On Monday, Guilfoyle took aim at the Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

Story continues

"Now, presidential leadership is not guaranteed, it is a choice. Biden, Harris, and the rest of the socialists will fundamentally change this nation," Guilfoyle said. "They want open borders, closed schools, dangerous amnesty, and will selfishly send your jobs back to China while they get rich. They will defund, dismantle and destroy America's law enforcement. When you are in trouble and need police, don't count on the Democrats."

The claim that Democrats want to "defund" the police and dismantle the law enforcement system was a central theme of the first night of the RNC.

Although several left-wing activists and progressive lawmakers have supported calls to "defund the police," top Democrats and establishment figures like Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer have rejected the proposal. Vox also recently examined Biden's criminal justice policy and found that his plan would "actually increase the number of police officers in Black and brown communities."

"This election is a battle for the soul of America. Your choice is clear," Guilfoyle warned at the RNC. "Do you support the cancel culture, the cosmopolitan elites of Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden, who blame America first? Do you think America is to blame?"

As Guilfoyle continued speaking, her voice grew louder and she raised some eyebrows with her gestures, at one point drawing comparisons to a speech that the character Dwight Schrute gave on NBC's "The Office," in which he quoted lines from notorious dictators like Italy's Benito Mussolini.

"President Trump is the leader who will rebuild the promise of America and ensure that every citizen can realize their American dream!" Guilfoyle shouted as she pumped her fists in the air. "Ladies and gentlemen, leaders and fighters for freedom and liberty and the American dream, the best is yet to come!"

Watch the full video of Guilfoyle's speech below:

Read the original article on Business Insider
Secretary Michael R. Pompeo And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu After Their Meeting

Remarks to the Press

Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Prime Minister's Office

Jerusalem, Israel

August 24, 2020



PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Secretary Pompeo, our wonderful friend Mike, it's good to see you back in Jerusalem. I counted and I think we've  this is our 12th meeting since you became Secretary of State. This doesn't include dozens and dozens of telephone calls. We have met here in Jerusalem and in Washington and in so many places in between, but every meeting was characterized by that same powerful alliance of values that has informed your activity and the activity of the Trump administration that cements even further the historic American-Israeli alliance. I want to thank you, I want to thank the President, for all that you've done for Israel's security and everything you're doing to solidify this friendship.

There are two things, two great things that have happened since our last meeting. The first is that you have stood up to Iran's aggression and triggered the snapback sanctions. I want to commend you for doing so. I think people should realize that the Iran deal failed just as we predicted. Not only did it not mollify Iran's aggression, it fueled it, it increased it. And we've seen Iran, since the JCPOA was concluded, emerging from its cage and devouring one country after another, targeting countries with rockets, with terrorism, with pillage and plunder and murder  murder  all over the Middle East and even beyond the Middle East, including into your hemisphere.

And in fact, to see the Security Council not only not join the American snapback sanctions but resist it or stand on the sidelines and allow this embargo on Iranian arms shipments  shipments to Iran  to agree to it I think is outrageous. That means that this regime will get tanks and aircraft and missiles and anti-aircraft defenses to continue its campaign of aggression throughout the region and the world. It's just absurd. So I want to congratulate you for standing there. We stand with you.

I have to say that quite a few years ago I had to stand sometimes alone in publicly rejecting the JCPOA and alerting the world on Iran's aggression. That obviously changed with the inauguration of President Trump and everything that you have done since, but I think it's important to point out that today we hear Gulf countries, countries in the Gulf, speak out as forcefully as I'm doing now. And I think that I would suggest to our friends, especially our European friends, this point: that when Arabs and Israelis agree on something, it makes sense to pay attention. So congratulations on the stand on the snapback and on the  your overall opposition to Iran's aggression and its quest for nuclear weapons.

The second thing that has happened is equally historic, and that is the achievement of the Israeli-Emirati peace agreement, the creation of full normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. This has been brokered by President Trump with your assistance, and it has been a boon to peace and to regional stability. I think it heralds a new era where we could have other nations join. We discussed this and I hope we'll have good news in the future, maybe in the near future. I think it makes sense. We have two of the most advanced economies in the world brimming with innovation, Israel and the UAE. It's a natural fit. And the support of the United States makes this, I think, something with international ramifications.

This is the alliance of the moderates against the radicals, against the  those who use violence and aggression to further their aims against those who believe that we can offer a better people  a better future for our people through cooperation. It's  I think it spells a change in the Middle East. It's the first time in a quarter of a century that we have a peace agreement, and I want to thank again the President and you and your administration for helping bring it about. I have to say simply that this deal did not include Israel's acceptance of any arms deal and I don't know of any arms deal that has been agreed upon. It may be contemplated; our position hasn't changed.

But I also learned from Secretary Pompeo  heard again a very, very strong commitment that under all circumstances, the United States will ensure Israel's qualitative edge. That has been prove to be true over four decades of peace with Egypt, two and a half decades of peace with Jordan. The United States stood by that commitment, and I know  have no doubt that it will continue to do so. So Mike, I want to thank you for your friendship and for your support in the quest for peace and security, which we're actually achieving. Thank you, and welcome.

SECRETARY POMPEO: Amen, amen. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Thank you for the warm welcome. It is great to be back again. As you said, this  I'm a frequent visitor here, and each time we build on the relationship, both our military relationship that gets focused on our security relationship, but also our economic relationship too, building out opportunities. We talked about chances for our countries to work together as the whole world tries to push back against this virus that came from Wuhan, China, and I'm confident there are places which our medical systems and pharmaceutical companies will build out a good solution to keep Israelis, Americans, and people all across the world safer and healthier in the weeks and months ahead.

I appreciate your support. President Trump's made clear: Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. And we are determined to use every tool that we have to ensure that they can't get access to high-end weapon systems, air defense systems, the ones that the prime minister spoke of. We think it's in the best interest of the whole world  many of these leaders tell me so privately. It's time to stand up. It's time to publicly account for the fact that Iran is on the cusp on October 18th of having access to those weapons and the money that will come from their sale of those weapons that will be used to inflict real harm, not only in the Middle East but in Europe as well. And so I'm confident that we'll achieve that and I welcome Israeli and Gulf state support for our effort. The people most impacted by Iran having weapon systems are all in favor of this arms embargo being extended. The rest of the world should join us.

We had a chance to  I wanted to come here today in part to congratulate the prime minister. I'll travel to the Emirates to meet with them and congratulate them too. What's taken place here is deeply consistent with what President Trump set out to do: create a more stable, more prosperous Middle East. This is a really good step in that direction  economic relationships between the Emirates, opportunities for innovation and science. Travel between these two places will now be open and that's important. That's important to create, between Israel and this Arab state, this opportunity.

The prime minister spoke to the security commitments that were made. The United States has a legal requirement with respect to qualitative military edge. We will continue to honor that. But we have a 20-plus year security relationship with the United Arab Emirates as well, where we have provided them with technical assistance and military assistance. We will now continue to review that process to continue to make sure that we're delivering them with the equipment that they need to secure and defend their own people from this same threat, from the Islamic Republic of Iran as well. We are deeply committed to doing that, to achieving that, and we'll do it in a way that preserves our commitment to Israel as well. I'm confident that both of these objectives can be achieved.

And I've watched, I've watched over these last days as there have been the first inklings of the benefits  you were telling a story about a young person playing piano  I think we'll see stories like this as I travel through the rest of this trip. I'm very hopeful that we will see other Arab nations join in this. The opportunity for them to work alongside  to recognize the state of Israel and to work alongside them will not only increase Middle East stability, but it will improve the lives in each of the  for the people of their own countries as well.

We talked a little bit about the challenge that the Chinese Communist Party presents to the entire world. I think the world is now seeing this. And then lastly, President Trump told me I would be remiss if I didn't once again say thank you for all that you have done to work alongside us to keep this security, to keep this relationship built. We've done our part in moving the embassy here, by recognizing the reality of what the Golan Heights is, by acknowledging that these settlements are not per se unlawful. These are the kinds of things that nations can do together to work to increase this security and stability for our two countries and for the region as well. It has been a great relationship, it will continue to be a great relationship, and it was an honor for me to be with you here again today, Mr. Prime Minister.

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Thank you. You came on a day when the mask on Theodor Herzl's statue has been 

SECRETARY POMPEO: (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: It's right behind you there  has been removed. But Secretary spoke about cooperation and COVID. We just had an interesting discussion about that. The United States obviously is leading the world in this effort; Israel is making its own effort. We are exploring now the possibility of combining our efforts, joining in ways to find both a vaccine and other ways to alleviate this horrible disease. In this, as in any other field, we have no better friends than the United States of America. Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Thank you.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






(TNS)  A malware attack two weeks ago continues to stifle the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) and has left some employees exasperated while they search for answers with little communication from the authority.An attack on its servers halted SEPTAs ability to give riders real-time travel information from Aug. 10 until Monday afternoon, sending them back to an era when all they had was an educated guess on when a train would come.The effect behind the scenes left employees scrambling to find colleagues phone numbers and resorting to personal email accounts as many work remotely. Lack of access to SEPTA servers where files and projects are stored also has made their jobs harder.The workers are balancing the logistics, but unsure when access will be restored, or whether their personal information has been compromised. The lack of communication about the outage is the straw that broke the camels back for some SEPTA supervisory, administrative, and management  or SAM  employees, already overwhelmed as they navigate challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic , according to several sources who asked that their names not be used because they feared losing their jobs.Morale is really, really low, one SAM employee told The Inquirer. Its been low for a long time, and I think this is just kind of the thing that pushed people over the edge.A majority of SAM employees are not unionized, and those who spoke with The Inquirer described a culture of fear and reprisals at the organization. SEPTA has about 9,300 total employees, about 2,040 of which are SAM employees.I think about quitting every day, one source said.The FBI and outside information technology experts are assisting SEPTA in its investigation of the attack, the authority said. There is no timeline for full restoration.Everything that were doing, its a process, and what we dont want to do is say the wrong thing, be wrong about something, guess at something, said Fran Kelly, SEPTA assistant general manager for public and government affairs. Theres no guessing here.The severity of SEPTAs malware attack seems pretty high as its been the cause of so much disruption, said Michael Levy, former chief of computer crimes at the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The attack caused SEPTA to shut down access to payroll and remote timekeeping, and theres no internet at SEPTA headquarters at 12th and Market Streets. SEPTA has found a way for most employees to regain email access through a cloud-based system.The length of time that systems have stayed down suggests malware may have infected a whole lot of things or hasnt been seen before, Levy said. SEPTA does not know how much has been infected, the spokesmen said.Authorities investigating such cyberattacks often look for log files, such as emails that came in and the IP addresses they came from, as potential leads, Levy said.Attackers often access computer systems with phishing emails that dupe employees into handing over user credentials or clicking links that download malware. SEPTA does not know whether issues arose from a phishing attempt. Its continuing to look at whether personal information has been compromised.Officials can say that SEPTA Key card information wasnt comprised . There also has been no disruption to SEPTAs operations, the authority said.The malware issue does seem to have involved Customized Community Transportation Connect, referred to as CCT, said Kellie Flanagan, a social worker who recently attempted to schedule a ride for a client to get to a doctors appointment and was told its computer systems are down.I was frustrated on behalf of the client, but I was also frustrated with the lack of information, Flanagan said.I feel that its discrimination because we feel that if an able-bodied person had this problem or a similar problem, SEPTA would have taken care of it faster, said CCT rider Colleen Marinelli, 59. Its like saying that because youre disabled, where you have to go isnt important.The malware attack forced SEPTA to pause CCTs routine scheduling abilities, but SEPTA shifted operations in the interim to make sure riders are still getting where they need to go, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said. CCT has been communicated as a priority to get restored, Kelly said.In no way are we trying to discriminate against riders with disabilities and others who use CCT, Busch said. Were in a situation where we have to make these temporary workarounds to keep the system moving.Real-time data for riders  meaning the next-to-arrive feature on its app and automated announcements at stations  were restored late Monday afternoon.Valerie Johnson, a SEPTA rider, called the prolonged period without information an annoyance. Riders have been posing questions about the app to SEPTAs social media account.The app was not always a thing, said Johnson, 33. So we used to fly blind all the time and got used to not flying blind, and now were back to flying blind again.Its not SEPTAs first run-in with public-facing tech problems. Last year, cybertheft prompted SEPTA to shutter an online store that sold tickets and merchandise. A slow rollout of the SEPTA Key card has been subject to much criticism The things that the public talks about with us are the same things that many employees talk about, one SAM employee said, and that can be not timely communication of problems, not timely communication of solutions to problems.Employees who spoke with The Inquirer describe SEPTA as an archaic institution, slow to adapt to innovation.The authority is this like, lumbering, gasping, dinosaur, and if people dont wake up and pay attention, theres not going to be an authority in 18 months, an employee said, referring to SEPTAs funding challenges SEPTA earns about $481 million in passenger revenue, and the loss of riders during the pandemic has been costly. SEPTA received about $644 million in federal CARES Act funding, but General Manager Leslie Richards has joined leaders of other large transit agencies to lobby for billions more in federal support Officials plan for an after-action to better coordinate a response to any future cyberattacks.Definitely, well come out of this with lessons learned, Busch said. Were always preparing for kind of worst-case scenarios, but well come out of this certainly better prepared if something like this comes along in the future.
5 p.m.: "The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), with the assistance of the Texas Department of Transportation, will close the Rainbow and Veterans Bridges when sustained wind speeds reach 44 mph.

Access points to both bridges will be closed due to safety concerns for motorists and first responders. During hurricane conditions, roads, bridges and elevated structures are impacted and can make driving hazardous.

Both bridges will remain closed to traffic until state emergency officials determine that travel across the bridges is safe for the motoring public."

Source: TxDOT

12:35 p.m.: All Southeast Texas counties have now ordered mandatory evacuations of their residents. Newton County was the final of the five to issue an order, which goes into effect 5 p.m. today.

12:25 p.m.: Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel has now extended his county's mandatory evacuation order for all residents, effective 2 p.m. today. The county will be contacting residents who had previously registered with 211.

"Anyone who decides to stay may do so, but must be able to be self-sufficient without any support of emergency/governmental services for a minimum of 72 hours, possibly longer," he said in a Facebook post. "Power and water utilities will be disrupted and it will take days or weeks to restore those services."

11:05 a.m.: Jasper County residents will be under a mandatory evacuation beginning 1 p.m. today.

10:25 a.m.: After a 10 a.m. briefing with the National Weather Service, Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel said the decision to issue a mandatory evacuation for low-lying parts of the county is easy. After a regularly-scheduled meeting of the commissioner's court, he plans to put that order in writing with further details on what parts of the county specifically are included.

He said a meeting with mayors and other elected officials across the county later today will be when a decision is made regarding potentially evacuating the rest of the county.

10 a.m.: The city of Beaumont has established a phone line for residents with disabilities or functional needs. The number is 409-785-4700. The city also is calling residents preregistered with 211.

9:50 a.m.: Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel has ordered a voluntary evacuation to be effective at noon. According to an order issued by McDaniel, the decision was made as a result of the potential for long-term power and utility outages as well as the loss of emergency services for an extended period.

9:35 a.m.: Port Arthur is taking residents who need to evacuate, regardless of their coronavirus case status. The city is providing medical transport buses for those who have a fever or have tested positive for coronavirus. Before transport, those individuals also are being immediately quarantined.

8:20 a.m.: With mandatory evacuations now in full swing across Jefferson and Orange counties, more local government are releasing information for individuals who cannot get themselves out of the area.

The city of Beaumont asked residents to find "other forms of transportation such as friends, family or church members." But city buses are picking up individuals along their routes and bringing them to assembly locations at West Brook High School. At the same time, Beaumont ISD buses will move people from pre-determined assembly sites to the high school.

From the high school, evacuees will be taken to an out-of-town shelter. Individuals are allowed one bag per person and any pets will need to have accompanying shot records, food, a carrier or crate and a leash.

"Prepare for a long ride," the city said in a morning update.

Assembly sites for transportation to West Brook High School:

1. Beaumont United High School, 3443 Fannett Rd.

2. MLK Middle School, 1400 Avenue A

3. Smith Middle School, 4415 Concord

4. Charlton Pollard, 825 Jackson

5. Guess Elementary, 8055 Old Voth Rd.

6. Jones-Clark Elementary, 3525 Cleveland,

7. Lucas, 1750 E. Lucas

8. Martin Elementary, 3500 Pine

9. Pietzch-Macarthur Elementary Schools, 4301 Highland

Embarkation Hub

1. West Brook High School, 8750 Phelan

In Port Arthur, residents who may need transportation must call 409-983-8767 or 409-548-3316 to arrange for pickup to be moved to a safe location.

Requirements for Port Arthur's service are:

- Evacuees' temperatures will be taken upon entry at the Civic Center

- All evacuees must have face coverings

- Evacuees are limited to one bag each

- Pets are allowed in crates or carriers

Individuals who can drive themselves to the embarkation location -- Bob Bowers Civic Center, 3401 Cultural Center Dr. -- will be allowed to leave their vehicles on-site. The city also reminds individuals to remember medications and "valuable paperwork."

Orange County is coordinating evacuations for all of its residents.

Evacuation launch sites starting at 9 a.m. today:

Lamar State College Orange: 410 Front St., Orange

Vidor Elementary School: 400 Old U.S. 90 East, Vidor

If you cant get to one of the transportation sites, starting at 6 a.m. today, call:

Orange County residents: 409-745-9794 or 409-745-9765

City of Orange residents: 409-883-1050

City of West Orange residents: 409-883-7574
We are proud of Lauras continuous dedication to NCSEA and the wealth of child support knowledge that she brings to this important organization, says Tim Lenning, CSGs Child Support Practice Director. Her experience, passion, and innovative thinking will serve NCSEA and its members well.

CSG Government Solutions, a national leader in government program modernization, today announced that Laura Galindo was elected to serve as a Director on the National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA) Board of Directors. The newly elected Directors will serve a three-year term beginning September 1, 2020.

NCSEA serves child support professionals, state agencies, and partners worldwide through professional development, communications, public awareness, and advocacy to enhance the financial, medical, and emotional support that parents provide for their children. The Board of Directors provides governance for the Associations business and affairs, including supporting its strategic plan, vision, and goals. CSG has been a NCSEA corporate sponsor since 2013.

Ms. Galindo is a leader in CSGs Child Support Practice and has more than 25 years of experience in state child and income support programs. Prior to joining CSG, Laura served as the IV-D Director for the State of New Mexicos Child Support Program. She also previously served on the NCSEA Research Subcommittee, Emerging Issues & Best Practices Committee, Child Support CommuniQue Committee, and Legislative and Education Subcommittee.

We are proud of Lauras continuous dedication to NCSEA and the wealth of child support knowledge that she brings to this important organization, says Tim Lenning, CSGs Child Support Practice Director. Her experience, passion, and innovative thinking will serve NCSEA and its members well.

CSG Government Solutions deploys highly experienced teams and innovative methods, knowledge, and tools to help governments modernize complex programs. CSG clients include 44 state governments, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Labor, and large municipal governments.

Contact:

Tim Lenning

Director, Child Support Practice

CSG Government Solutions

180 N. Stetson Ave

Suite 3200

Chicago, IL 60601

312.444.2760 Fax: 312.938.2191

tlenning@csgdelivers.com

About CSG Government Solutions:

CSG Government Solutions is a leading government operations consulting firm focused on helping states modernize critical programs. Our highly experienced teams and industry-leading Centers of Excellence help governments leverage innovative technology and processes to meet the challenges of administering complex programs. Founded in 1997, CSG has established itself as a trusted adviser to government agencies across the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.csgdelivers.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Epic Games has failed to convince the court to order Apple to restore Fornite on the App Store, but it successfully secured a temporary order to stop the tech giant from pulling its developer tools. If youll recall, Apple told the video game developer that its terminating all its developer accounts and cutting Epic off from iOS and Mac development tools on August 28th shortly after the Fortnite debacle started. That would prevent Epic from distributing Unreal Engine to other developers, which use the software suite to build 3D games and other programs.

Ruling came down tonight! As expected, the TRO is granted with respect to any affiliate of Epic Games (in other words, Unreal Engine) but not granted with respect to Fortnite. pic.twitter.com/dy7IgKc2Ck  sarah jeong (@sarahjeong) August 25, 2020

During the hearing, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said Apples move against the Unreal Engine seems like an overreach. She noted that Apples contract for Unreal Engine is under Epic Games International, S.a r.l., and that the contract that was breached when the developer offered discounts for those who bypass App Store purchases is under Epic Games.

As journalist and lawyer Sarah Jeong explained, Apple believes that the SARL entity is a shell corporation. It wants the court to treat Epic Games and the SARL entity as a single company. Epic, however, insists that theyre not, and that Apples move to block Unreal Engine is a retaliatory action for offering direct Fortnite purchases.

The Unreal Engine will be destroyed ...app developers need the ability for their app to be deployed on multiple platforms, Epics lawyer Katherine B. Forrest said to illustrate what would happen if the court doesnt grant a temporary order. If Epic cannot offer that with the Unreal Engine, the Unreal Engine will cease to exist... Developers are fleeing the Unreal Engine now."

Apples lawyer Richard Doren countered that by saying that all Epic needs to do is to put a compliant version of Fortnite back on the App Store. When the judge asked him whether the revocation of the engine will negatively impact third parties, he tried to get out of giving a definitive answer. But upon being pressed to answer yes or no, he responded with: That's why Epic should cure its breach, yes."

While Judge Rogers was inclined to grant a temporary order with respect to Unreal Engine from the start, she wasnt very sympathetic with Epic when it came to Fortnite. She told Forrest that Epic created the situation: Your client does not come to this action with clean hands, she said, ...in my view, you cannot have irreparable harm when you create the harm yourself.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has long been a critic of Apples and Googles app store policies, particularly the one that gives them the right to take a 30 percent cut from in-app purchases. Then, earlier this month, the company offered players discounted Fortnite in-game purchases if they take the direct payment option instead of paying through the App Store or Google Play. The companies obviously didnt like that, and both pulled Fortnite from their platforms on the same day. Epic sued both Apple and Google over their policies as a response, though it had to file a second lawsuit against the former after it notified the company that its pulling access to its developer tools.
A junior at Texas State University lost his jobs as a bartender and a barista when the pandemic started. Now he sells instant ramen and CBD-infused baked goods that he makes in his kitchen.

A senior at Vassar College had some income from an internship, but it wasnt enough to keep her or her family financially secure. So she started an online tarot-reading business.

A senior at Stanford University used to work at his campus library until it shut down. Now he has a job with a storage marketplace startup modeled after Airbnb.

Working through college is nothing new for college students. About 70% have some type of job, a Georgetown University analysis found. When the pandemic hit in the spring semester, about one-third of students lost their jobs, according to Temple Universitys Hope Center for College, Community and Justice.

Many of them have had to get creative, taking advantage of a digital economy that grew up around them while college was still a far-off dream.

YouTube and the Art of Homemade Ramen

Carrots, celery, onions and garlic, tossed in a white miso paste and then roasted in the oven, give Raymond Cabreras instant ramen more flavor, he said as he chopped vegetables in the kitchen of his small San Marcos, Texas, apartment during an interview over video.

After losing his jobs in March, he filled his days with a lot of thinking  and, of course, YouTube videos.

Thats kind of where I got that idea for the ramen, said Cabrera, 23, a junior and recent transfer to Texas State University.

He credits a video from Bon Appetits popular Gourmet Makes YouTube series as the inspiration to make and sell instant ramen, something he had daydreamed about doing.

Cabrera now sells his instant ramen to an Austin, Texas, coffee shop, hoping to one day branch out to selling at farmers markets.

His packaging is simple: plastic containers that hold his homemade broth, pulverized with added spices and uncooked store-bought noodles. The coffee shop pays $1 per container, and he usually makes about 50 containers at a time and will make more batches at the shops request, he said. The Texas cottage food law allows residents to sell certain foods they make at home without a license or state inspections.

The pandemic further spurred Cabrera to start making cookies and brownies infused with CBD, a cannabis derivative believed to have health benefits. He sells them to relatives and friends for about $5 to $10 each.

The limited counter space in his compact apartment kitchen is laden with small appliances  a dehydrator, a blender and an herbal oil infusion machine.

Im one of those people that needs to work because I have a lot of passion, Cabrera said.

Sara Cochran, a professor in the department of management and entrepreneurship at Indiana Universitys Kelley School of Business, said the ingenuity students are showing during the pandemic demonstrates why this generation has been called the most entrepreneurial generation yet.

She said tough times in history had often benefited those with a mindset to see opportunities where others are seeing the chaos and the confusion.

Reading Fortunes, With Help From TikTok

Sabrina Surgil, a senior at Vassar College, had been reading tarot cards for herself, relatives and friends for about three years. It wasnt until this summer, however, that she was inspired to use her hobby to deal with financial troubles.

I have to pay bills and help support my family, too, and help pay my fees and tuition, and its just  money comes first, not my education, she said. Which is frustrating, but just the situation as a low-income student.

Surgil, 21, is a senior with a double major in history and French.

Through her Etsy shop  the Sun, the Star, and the Moon Tarot Readings  she offers appointments with social distancing included. Customers can opt for a taped reading or a live one online. They ask to know about life, love and past lives.

Tarot reading is a tool to reflect back deep truths about yourself that we already know, Surgil said. She spreads the word on Instagram and TikTok.

A TikTok user from Georgia contacted Surgil and ended up getting all of her friends to ask for readings.

I dont quite understand TikTok or its algorithm, Surgil said, but some videos will get a lot of views and then direct people to my Etsy.

Making Candles, With an Eye on Etsy

Courtney Brunson, 20, had been planning to work as a resident adviser on campus at Clemson University over the summer, but soon after she went home early to Florence, South Carolina, in March, she learned that the job had gone away.

I really dont want to be out and about working around people, and the numbers are not going down at all, she said.

She is a junior majoring in management.

Her parents pushed her to be innovative, so she settled on making scented candles. She hopes to set up an Etsy shop. She has given up on being an RA but has not seen many other opportunities around campus. I thought I was just going to be able to get another job on campus, she said, but thats become harder, too.

Neil Burton, executive director of Clemson Universitys Center for Career and Professional Development, said the career center was trying to direct students to more campus-specific opportunities, such as internships, as more traditional off-campus jobs become scarce.

Thats going to be a challenge working in a small town where you have a lot of one- to two-people businesses, restaurants and T-shirt shops and stuff like that, he said. Its going to be a tough fall.

Landing a Job at an Online Startup

Theo Charusi, a 22-year-old senior majoring in science and technology at Stanford University, said he experiences probably more pressure than the average student.

Nothings open, or things are barely open, and nobodys hiring, Charusi said, so you have to get creative to find ways to make money.

When his campus library job went away, Charusi went to work for online platform Stache, which he calls an Airbnb for storage, which was started a few years ago by a friend of a friend.

The platform connects people looking for affordable storage with others who rent out parts of their homes or garages for storage space. Since his mother lost her job in food services, he has been sending $800 a month back home, where she cares for his two siblings, who are ages 4 and 8.

Its stressful, he said, but I feel like a lot of people are in even worse positions, so Im lucky in the sense that I got the opportunity I have.

c.2020 The New York Times Company
A small group of principled Republicans who cant bear President Trump announced Monday that they have formed a coalition, Republicans for Biden, to help end this national nightmare.

As it happens, two former New Jersey governors are playing a special role in this competition for the partys soul. Christie Whitman was among the first big-name Republicans to reject Trump in 2016, and she did it with flair by noting the common ground Trump shares with Adolf Hitler in his disdain for democracy and the rule of law.

Chris Christie, on the other extreme, is using his perch on ABC News to act as the palace guard for his personal friend, the president, snarling at those who dare to dissent. Its not a pretty thing to watch. During the Democratic convention last week, Christie abandoned all sense of fair play in his attacks on John Kasich, the former Ohio governor, who had endorsed Biden in a convention speech.

Hes a backstabber and hes an untruthful guy, Christie said.

Almost immediately, he got a pat on the head from the boss: Good Job by Chris C in exposing yet another loser! Trump tweeted.

John Kasich served two terms as governor of Ohio, winning re-election by 30 points in 2014, a larger margin even than Christies 22 points in 2013. Kasich finished second in the New Hampshire presidential primary in 2016, winning twice as many votes as Christie. In Congress, he was a leader of the bipartisan coalition that actually created budget surpluses for three years running in the 1990s. Loser misses the mark by quite a bit.

Christie offered zero backing for his charge that Kasich is a backstabber and a liar. Like any smear, this one is designed to create doubts, not to endure scrutiny. For the record, Kasichs history includes no scandals to match Bridgegate. And has Christie earned the right to be the arbiter off truthfulness? (Is he really friends with the King of Jordan?)

For Republican leaders, this is the last call, the final chance to file for divorce from a president who has degraded the office, provoked hatred and division, and led the nation to this avoidable calamity. The latest Gallup poll puts Trumps support among Republicans at 90 percent, so the dissidents like Kasich, and Republicans for Biden, cant pretend to have much of a following.

But they are not a crazy fringe either. Former President George W. Bush has told colleagues that he will not vote for Trump, and Sen. Mitt Romney, the partys 2012 nominee, has announced it publicly. Whitman and Kasich will both vote for Biden. More than two dozen former members of Congress formed the group Republicans for Biden that was announced Monday.

For Republicans like Christie, the self-interest in sticking with Trump is clear. He knows that even if Trump loses in November, Trumps followers will still dominate the party, and may still take cues from him as they look for a new leader. Most Republicans of ambition will make the same calculation. It is what it is, as Trump says.

But its gratifying to see that the resistance lives, that there is a line many Republicans will not cross, a standard of decency that is worth defending even if it puts a political career at risk. These Republicans want low taxes and conservative judges, but not if it means they have to embrace a man who has spent four years fanning hatred and racism, undermining the rule of law, endangering our election, ignoring the climate catastrophe, and answering the Covid crisis with quackery and willful negligence.

Christies political calculation could be correct. But in defending Trump, hes degrading his own reputation as a sensible centrist, and showing again that his ambition knows no restraint. History will have better things to say about Republicans like Whitman and Kasich.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
A woman accused of coughing on staff in a Melbourne cafe after being refused service for not wearing a mask will need one if she's to be released from custody.

Mandy Crerar, 58, has spent two weeks in prison isolation since her arrest for allegedly assaulting police.

She was denied bail shortly after her arrest, but magistrate Tim Gattuso has offered her a second chance.

Crerar wasn't brought to court for a hearing on Tuesday morning, where her lawyer argued she should be allowed to apply for bail again because of delays in her case and the fact that her partner, who relies on her around home, could offer a surety.

Mandy Crerar, 58, is accused of coughing on staff in a Melbourne cafe after being refused service for not wearing a mask will need one if she's to be released from custody. Pictured: Police wearing masks in Melbourne on August 9

Crerar had a second chance at bail on Tuesday but didn't appear in court, with prison authorities saying Crerar had refused to wear a mask. Pictured: Women walking in Southbank on August 9

There was confusion about her non-appearance, with prison authorities saying Crerar had refused to wear a mask.

Her lawyer Christopher Terry denied that was the case.

'She has expressed a preference to not wear a mask, but has not told prison authorities she won't wear a mask,' he said.

Mr Terry said Crerar had said she would abide by proposed bail conditions, including that she would follow lawful directions of the Chief Health Officer - meaning she will wear a mask when out in public, unless exempt.

But Mr Gattuso noted that the condition applied even before she was arrested, and that she had allegedly failed to follow it.

He said prosecutors allege she claims to be a 'sovereign citizen' and that state and commonwealth laws aren't valid and don't apply to her.

'Somewhat perverse given she's going to be relying on the Bail Act for her release,' he added.

Mr Terry also foreshadowed a potential exemption application from Crerar, noting that while she doesn't have a 'current exemption', she is entitled to seek one.

Her lawyer Christopher Terry denied that was the case. 'She has expressed a preference to not wear a mask, but has not told prison authorities she won't wear a mask,' he said. Pictured: Couple walking their dog in Melbourne while wearing masks

He added that Crerar's partner was struggling without her at home, and that her partner could offer a $5000 surety if she was to be released on bail.

Andrew Lane was upset as he explained Crerar cooked, mowed lawns and was his 'financier'. They're also required to move out of their home by October and a back injury means he would be unlikely to meet that deadline without her.

Her bail application will be heard on Thursday.

Mr Gattuso said Crerar should appear by videolink for that hearing.

'If she's saying she's prepared to wear a mask in the community I want to see that she's prepared to do it for a court hearing,' he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 17:16:46|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TASHKENT, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan's Public Education Ministry has proposed the government opening schools both online and in class from Sept. 14, depending on the coronavirus threat at each regional level, Minister Sherzod Shermatov said Tuesday.

Uzbekistan has earlier considered three scenarios for school reopenings: a traditional format, online and a hybrid of both traditional and online teaching.

Shermatov said that 70 percent of parents opted for online schooling, according to a poll held by the ministry, making a hybrid scenario the most optimal option to open schools which have been closed since March.

Parents are allowed to send their children to schools in COVID-19 free zones, and the government will start testing from Sept. 7, he said.

So far, Uzbekistan has registered 39,506 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 282 deaths and 35,551 recoveries. Enditem
To the chagrin (and the occasional cease-and-desist legal threat) of The Rolling Stones, President Donald Trump likes to play the Stones 1968 classic You Cant Always Get What You Want at campaign rallies.

Its the last lines of the chorus, though, that likely bring a South Jersey congressman to prominence at the Republican National Convention: But if you try sometimes, well, you might find, You get what you need.

What Trump tried to find was a name-brand Democrat to put on display to suggest that his administration can attract respectable elected officials with a D next to their names.

Well, as the song goes, you cant aways get what you want. When you cant, a turncoat Democrat who switched parties is what you need.

In a nutshell, thats why U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., will get a chance to speak on Thursday night, the same high-visibility evening when Trump will give his acceptance speech.

Van Drew, running for a second term, now as a Republican, no doubt will recount how his former party left him when South Jersey Democrat leaders all but guaranteed him a party-backed primary challenge for voting against Trumps impeachment last year. The narrative is basically true, though maybe not to the degree that the congressman and, perhaps the president himself, will try to milk it.

The region should always be proud to have a local congressman as a featured speaker at a national political convention.

However compelling a highlight Van Drew might deliver, it does belong in context next to what the Democrats served at their convention last week: a slew of GOP ex-officeholders or candidates declaring support for Democrat Joe Biden. Starting with former New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman, speakers included former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Mike Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor who, like Van Drew, is a party-switcher. Top it off with retired Gen. Colin Powell, who served as secretary of state under President George W. Bush.

And, before the GOP convention kicked off Monday, news outlets such as CNN and The Hill issued shopping-list-sized tallies of prominent Republicans so repulsed by Trump that theyre backing Biden. One list, led by former (and conservative) former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, also includes former New Jersey U.S. Rep. Dick Zimmer, and two ex-congressmen who used to represent the outskirts of Philadelphias Pennsylvania suburbs.

Shall we wait for Trumps equally large list of supportive high-wattage Democrats? Dont hold your breath.

So, its left mainly to Van Drew to convince former fellow Democrat travelers that their party has become too left-wing for them to support Biden. That the president has such confidence in the congressman could benefit him and his district, but consider that Trump doesnt have many offers to choose from.

Itll be highly interesting to see the verbal tightrope that Van Drew walks with his remarks. His House race this year with Democrat Amy Kennedy is now in tossup mode, and the congressman may be hearing footsteps inching up. How else to explain Van Drews vote this weekend for the House Democrats $25 billion bill to support the U.S. Postal Service, legislation that the president has vowed to veto?

Earlier in Trumps presidency, Van Drews impertinent post-office vote surely would have removed him from the presidents featured-speaker list. At least, it would have earned from Trump a tweet with an unforgettably nasty nickname and rebuke of Van Drews perceived disloyalty.

Instead, Van Drew gets a presidential attaboy in the form of a big-deal speaking slot right before Mitch McConnell, Rudy Giuliani and Ivanka Trump. It shows you where the presidential race is right now.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
Viceroy Washington DC practices all Viceroy Promise of Cleanliness protocols, including physical distancing and mask requirements, hand sanitation stations, and guest rooms disinfected with hospital grade products, plus thoughtful amenities such as in-room touchless, voice-controlled Google NestHubs virtual concierges.

"It's been an incredibly difficult year for the hospitality industry and opening Viceroy Washington DC despite the challenging circumstances is a proud milestone for our brand," said Bill Walshe, CEO, Viceroy Hotels & Resorts. "We've taken time to reflect on how to deliver an experience both Washintonians and travelers are seeking right now. Opening our doors to host the neighborhood provides a safe gathering place and warm welcome when it's needed most."

Sizeable Outdoor Spaces with Room to Breathe

A striking mural on the building's facade by Brandon Hill, local muralist and co-founder of No Kings Collective, greets guests and neighbors as a beacon of positivity, while BPM Coffee & Wine, home to the largest outdoor patio off of 14th Street, is the newest hidden gem in Logan Circle. Surrounded by greenery and complimented with mindfully-placed plush seating nooks and fire pits, the expansive space is designed for small, safe get-togethers and can be enjoyed year-round. Artisanal coffee, gourmet tea, and house-baked goods are served for breakfast and lunch while a menu of wine, beer, cocktails and light bites are available as the sun sets.

The hotel's stylish rooftop offers a second open air sanctuary with incredible views, the ideal ambiance for work, relaxation, or an intimate wedding. Throughout the indoor public spaces, open enclaves  including a large custom-made communal table adjacent to the lobby  were curated to inspire creativity and offer flexible places to safely gather.

Spacious, Comfortable Guestrooms

Whether arriving for a leisurely staycation or traveling in from out of town, overnight guests will make one of 178 spacious rooms and suites  some of the largest in all of Washington DC  their private retreat. Calming, neutral color palettes are complemented by whimsical art and custom jazz playlists inspired by the neighborhood's creative history. Oversized desks offer a comfortable set up for remote workers seeking office space outside the home, and the new "Work From Hotel" rates offer flexible long-term options.

Other notable guestroom features include SONIFI on the TV to allow for personal device streaming, well-appointed marble bathrooms with walk-in glass showers, and voice-controlled Google NestHubs that act as a virtual concierge. A generous pet policy means all family members can be included in the hotel's luxury stay experience.

Socially Distant Meetings, Weddings and Events

With more than 5,000 square feet of newly renovated meeting and event space, including a 1,695 square foot ballroom, Viceroy Washington DC has flexibility to accommodate an array of socially distant configurations to meet evolving needs. The expansive outdoor patio and airy rooftop can be arranged to accommodate everything from couples seeking an intimate wedding to businesses needing a creative environment for employees to come together safely.

Designed to Celebrate the District

Staying true to the design-driven ethos Viceroy Hotels & Resorts is known for, the brand tapped EDG Interior Architecture + Design to concept Viceroy Washington DC's warm and vibrant aesthetic representing the rich layered culture of Washington DC. The Gallery features notable art pieces including a cardboard collage of DC-native Marvin Gaye and a llama print wearing the iconic rim glasses of former president Theodore Roosevelt, while the Salon is a refined gathering place perfect for catching up with friends or fellow guests. BPM is the neighborhood's go-to spot with a spacious outdoor patio that provides the perfect setting for every occasion  coffee dates, working lunches, and evening happy hours tucked alongside one of the many cozy fire pits.

More to Come

Coming soon will be two additional highlights for the property: Dovetail, Viceroy's contemporary bar and restaurant will feature shared plates and local spirits, while Hush, a seasonal rooftop bar, will offer exceptional cocktails in an exclusive setting. Bringing the vibrancy of the District to life, the property's Gallery space will soon become home to a rotating art exhibit curated by local galleries.

Later this year, Hotel Zena will join Viceroy Washington DC as the second Viceroy property to open in the District.

To learn more about Viceroy Washington DC, please visit: www.viceroydc.com.

About Viceroy Washington DC

Situated alongside the District's vibrant 14th Street corridor, Viceroy Washington DC is a modern luxury lifestyle hotel with rich history and whimsical art. A gallery featuring local artists' works, dining concepts that pay homage to the neighborhood's jazz heritage and design elements meant to encourage comradery offer a peaceful respite from the power and politics of the nation's capital and embody the neighborhood of Logan Circle's most distinctive qualities. A hub for community, artistic discovery and culture, all spaces are thoughtfully curated to inspire creativity and cultivate conversation. The hotel features an all-season outdoor patio restaurant and bar, seasonal rooftop bar and pool, grab-and-go indoor-outdoor coffee bar and more than 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Viceroy Washington DC diligently practices Viceroy's Promise of Cleanliness including physical distancing requirements, hand sanitation stations, guest rooms disinfected with hospital grade products, and more. Guests will also find thoughtful amenities such as in-room touchless, voice-controlled Google NestHubs virtual concierges. Viceroy Washington DC is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) DISCOVERY, a unique loyalty program offering exclusive benefits and experiences to its members at over 570 hotels around the world. For more information, visit www.viceroydc.com and follow us on Instagram at @viceroydc.

About Viceroy Hotels & Resorts

Viceroy Hotels & Resorts inspires travelers with one-of-a-kind authentic lifestyle experiences that bring together provocative design and intuitive service in sought-after locations. A leader in modern luxury, Viceroy's vibe-led hospitality is guided by the brand promise "Remember to Live," an affirmation to create lifelong memories for each and every guest. Viceroy destinations are segmented into three distinct portfolio tiers to help travelers find exactly the kind of experience they're looking for. The Viceroy Icon Collection properties include epic hotels and resorts in Los Cabos, Chicago, Beverly Hills, Riviera Maya, Snowmass, and St. Lucia, with forthcoming openings in Serbia, Algarve and Panama. The Viceroy Lifestyle Series hotels and resorts are found in attitude-led destinations such as Santa Monica and Washington DC. The Viceroy Urban Retreats in San Francisco and Washington D.C. have an independent spirit and bold, eccentric personalities. Viceroy Hotels & Resorts is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) DISCOVERY, a unique loyalty program offering exclusive benefits and experiences to its members at over 570 hotels around the world. For more information, visit www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com. Follow Viceroy Hotels & Resorts at facebook.com/viceroyhotelsandresorts and on Instagram and Twitter @viceroyhotels.

About Pebblebook Hotel Trust

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust ("REIT") and the largest owner of urban and resort lifestyle hotels in the United States. The Company owns 53 hotels, totaling approximately 13,200 guestrooms across 14 urban and resort markets, with a focus on the west coast gateway cities. For more information, visit www.pebblebrookhotels.com and follow us at @PebblebrookPEB.

About EDG Design

Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with offices in Dallas and Singapore, EDG has developed dynamic design solutions in the restaurant and hospitality industry for over 30 years. With expertise in branding, strategy and design, EDG presents authentic stories with the power to transform spaces while creating value for owners and operators. EDG is currently engaged with independent hotels, resorts, and destination restaurants around the world.

Media Contact:

Quinn PR

[email protected]

SOURCE Viceroy Hotels & Resorts

Related Links

https://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com


By Andrei Makhovsky

MINSK (Reuters) - Belarus jailed two opposition leaders for 10 days on Tuesday as the government pursued a crackdown on the few figures still at large, while schoolteachers led a new protest of thousands against President Alexander Lukashenko.

Despite most major opposition figures being in jail or exile, Lukashenko has so far failed to put down protests against his 26-year-old rule, more than two weeks after an election his opponents say was rigged.

Olga Kovalkova and Siarhei Dyleuski were brought to separate courts where they were each jailed for 10 days. Kovalkova is the main representative still in Belarus of opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Dyleuski has led strikes at Minsk's flagship tractor factory.

Both are senior figures in an opposition Coordination Council, set up last week with the self-described aim of negotiating with the authorities. They were arrested on Monday.

Lukashenko has accused the new council of attempting to seize power, and prosecutors have launched a criminal case.

In the latest protest, thousands gathered at the ministry of education to demonstrate against a threat by Lukashenko to fire schoolteachers who do not support his government. Rallies have typically attracted thousands during the week, swelling to tens of thousands on weekends.

"I have come so that teachers are not afraid, so that their voice can be heard, so that they can work even if they have a different view from the authorities," said a literature teacher who gave her name as Svetlana.

Lukashenko has denied election cheating. He has called the protesters "rats" and says they are funded from abroad.

His posturing has grown steadily more confrontational: in recent days he has been pictured on state television with a Kalashnikov rifle and tactical vest. Yet so far, a long-standing threat of a decisive police operation to clear the streets has yet to materialise.

Another opposition council member, Pavel Latushko, a former culture minister and head of the main state drama theatre, was questioned by investigators on Tuesday but not arrested. He emerged saying he would go back to work and the council's activities were not illegal.

Story continues

The council includes dozens of figures representing broad swathes of society. Nobel Prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich has been summoned for questioning on Wednesday.

"The intimidation will not work. We will not relent," candidate Tsikhanouskaya said in a video link with the European Parliament. "We demand all political prisoners freed. We demand to stop the violence and intimidation by the authorities."

The Belarus Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Tsikhanouskaya's appeal to annul the election results.

OPPOSITION

Tsikhanouskaya, 37, fled to Lithuania after the election her supporters say she won. A political novice, she emerged as the consensus opposition candidate after better-known figures were barred from standing, including her jailed activist husband.

Belarus is the closest ally to Russia of all former Soviet republics, and Lukashenko's fate is widely seen as in the hands of the Kremlin, which must decide whether to stick with him as his authority has ebbed.

Despite being seen in Moscow as a truculent and erratic ally, Lukashenko still seems to have the backing of Russia which sent journalists to staff Belarus state TV after employees quit in protest against what they described as orders to broadcast propaganda.

On Tuesday, Russia said that during talks between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, it had stressed there should be no attempt by the United States and European Union to "pressure" Belarus, including via sanctions.

Biegun was in Moscow after meeting Tsikhanouskaya on Monday in Lithuania.

The West has had to balance its sympathy for a nascent Belarusian pro-democracy movement with its concern that strong support would trigger a Russian-backed crackdown.

Meanwhile the crisis is threatening the finances of a country as foreign currency reserves shrink and the currency weakens. The Belarusian rouble is at a record low against the euro and is approaching an all-time trough versus the dollar as Belarusians queue at exchange points to buy hard currency.

(Additional reporting by Robin Emmott in Brussels and Reuters Moscow office; Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Giles Elgood, Angus MacSwan, William Maclean)
TDT | Manama

Bharathi Association officials held a meeting with new Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava. They honoured the ambassador in a traditional way with a shawl and welcomed him on behalf of the Tamil community.

Among those present were former president Abdul Qaiyum, founder and COVID-19 relief committee chief coordinator Mohamed Hussain Malim, president Balasubraminain Saravanan and secretary Govindan Periyasamy.

The officials discussed several issues with the ambassador, including bringing back stranded Indian nationals, particularly from Chennai, who hold valid Resident Permits and who are desperate to return to their jobs in the Kingdom. It was also brought to the ambassadors concern the grievances faced by students in India, who hold visit visas and desire to join their parents residing in Bahrain.

The ambassador said he is aware of these issues and they are among his first priorities. The ambassador further discussed the ongoing progress about an air bubble pact between Bahrain and India. He said it will be coming into effect with certain restrictions and that Indias Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri is currently in talks with 13 more countries to establish an air bubble arrangement.The ambassador praised the role and service undertaken by all Indian associations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and thanked Bharathi Association for its ongoing social services.
At least 16 children were hospitalised at a school in Germany yesterday when a swarm of wasps attacked them at break time.

Several students at the Adolf Reichwein secondary school in the western city of Ludenscheid, around an hour's drive northeast of Cologne, complained of wasp stings after recess at around 10.45am local time (09.45GMT) yesterday.

Thirteen of the stung children were rushed to hospitals across the city with 11 of them needing emergency treatment.

'I have never seen such a violent occurrence of such a large number of people being attacked by wasps,' fire department spokesman Jorg Weber said yesterday.

At least 16 children have been hospitalised at a school in Germany after a swarm of wasps attacked them at break time (Pictured: File photo of a wasp nest)

Most of the children, who were said to have been between the ages of 12 and 15, were being treated for minor injuries and have now been sent home, a hospital spokeswoman said.

One child remained under observation due to a known wasp allergy.

The spokeswoman asked parents not to come to the hospital.

The students will also be required to undergo Covid-19 tests while at the medical facilities.

According to Deutsche Welle, there was a nest in the playground and the recess area was closed for exterminators to remove it.

Headmaster Frank Bisterfeld told local news site come-on.de that he heard a 'sharp scream' from a young boy coming from the schoolyard, who had been stung on the back of his knee.

Shortly after, he said he was told that a school girl had been stung on her neck and was breathing poorly, showing early signs of having had an allergic reactions.

This was what prompted him to call emergency services.

While it's unknown why the wasps stung the children, the creatures usually only attack when they feel threatened or annoyed.

If a female wasp feels her home is under attack, she and the rest of the colony will use their stingers to protect the nest.

While it's unknown why the wasps stung the children, the creatures usually only attack when they feel threatened or annoyed (File photo)

However, pest controller Sascha Pick, who was part of the extermination team, told come-on.de: 'What happened in Ludenscheid is not normal behaviour by wasps.

'I have never seen so many children get stung in such a short time.'

He added that they can feel threatened by small vibrations felt in the ground, like those emitted when children play, or by changes in the weather.

The school sent all of its 1200 students home after the incident.
The high-powered law firm tasked with advising the WA government on its anti-Clive Palmer law was instructed to ignore an issue that could leave the Commonwealth carrying the can in the multi-billion dollar legal stoush with the Queensland businessman.

The federal government could be exposed to claims under Australia's free-trade agreement with Singapore, where Mr Palmer's companies are based, if they could prove the law breaches its "investment protection" provisions.

Emergency legislation passed in WA might mean that Queensland businessman Clive Palmer can pursue the Commonwealth for compensation under Australia's free-trade agreements. Credit:Andrew Meares

But legal advice from Clayton Utz to WA's state solicitor seen by WAtoday reveals the law firm was told "not to consider potential issues arising in respect of claims that may be brought under ... free-trade agreements".

Lawyers have raised concerns the legislation, which was rushed through Parliament in two days, could put the federal government on the hook for billions in compensation.
Branch stacking is one of the most unedifying, if not sordid, features of Australian politics. It is a fundamental tool of the factions evident in both Labor and the LNP. Labor has been at it longer, and is better at it. Indeed, Labor factions are more structured, disciplined and effective  LNP factions are more amateurish and aspirational.

You can be sure the practice is more widespread than just the major scandals that come to light from time to time, usually exposed on a get-even basis by another faction. You can also guarantee a degree of hypocrisy in those that openly condemn the practice while having benefited.

Prominent Liberals Michael Sukkar and Marcus Bastiaan have become embroiled in claims of branch stacking. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen/Jesse Marlow

The leadership of both parties has a record of ignoring the issue and/or denying it, reacting only, and only for as long as they have to, under the embarrassment and pressure of public disclosure. Their responses may deal, at the time, with the issue that has come to light, but will certainly not stop it into the future.

The end game of branch stacking is simply power and influence for the individuals who drive it, and the factions they seek to build. Mostly, they aim to control the preselections of both members and senators, to control their voting, or to inordinately influence policy of the party. It is certainly not about ensuring better service to constituents, or necessarily good government.
An English-language news app connected to major Western media sources routinely censored references to Tibet, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, and other key words deemed politically sensitive by the apps Chinese owners, sources say.



News Republic, a news aggregating program founded in France but owned by Chinas TikTok social media company, had partnered with news organizations like the BBG, USA Today, and the Guardian and Telegraph newspapers, an article in the Telegraph said on Aug. 24.



News Republic filtered tens of thousands of news stories every day, removing any mention of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, or freedom of the press, the Telegraph said, adding that the news app is now shuttered in U.S. markets.



Regarded by Chinese leaders as a separatist, the present Dalai Lama fled Tibet into exile in India in the midst of a failed 1959 Tibetan national uprising against rule by China, which marched into the formerly independent Himalayan country in 1950.



Chinas government has already been censoring politically sensitive words on TikTok, WeChat, and other social media platforms for years, Wangden Kyab, a senior researcher at the Dharamsala, India-based human rights group Tibet Watch.



I have been communicating with many Tibetans in Tibet, and most of them have told me that restrictions and censorship have become extremely severe, Kyab said.



There are many online police monitoring the content on these digital platforms, and news items related to Tibet and Xinjiang are specifically censored, he said.



U.S. President Donald Trump on Aug. 6 issued a ban on U.S. transactions with the Chinese firms ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of video-sharing app TikTok, and Tencent, owner of WeChat, citing a security threat posed by the transfer of data belonging to U.S. citizens to China.



"The spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in the Peoples Republic of China (China) continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States," Trump said in the order targeting TikTok, noting that the app has been downloaded more than 175 million times in the U.S.



The order also highlighted reports that the app censors content China deems politically sensitive, including protests over issues of autonomy in Hong Kong and Tibet and Beijings abuses of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), and said it could be used to spread disinformation to benefit the CCP.



Reported and translated by Tenzin Dickyi for RFAs Tibetan Service. Written in English by Richard Finney.
A draconian national security law imposed on Hong Kong by the ruling Chinese Communist Party at the beginning of July has ushered in an ever-widening crackdown on peaceful dissent, and a new wave of human rights violations, according to a report from an overseas-based rights group.



Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have deployed the law to step up violations of local people's human rights and to undermine the city's rule of law, the Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) network said in a report published on its website.



"The crackdown ... has involved arbitrary arrests of peaceful protesters and pro-independence advocates, media censorship, interference in the democratic election process, and intimidation against overseas activists who fled the city out of fear for retaliation," the report said. "The National Security Law has been used to legitimize the violation of human rights."



Beijing's imposition of the new law on Hong Kong, bypassing the city's Legislative Council (LegCo), also mandated China's feared state security police to set up a headquarters in a Hong Kong hotel and empowered Beijing to supervise directly cases considered to be "serious" violations of the law.



The law also provided for separate national security courts, with judges hand-picked by chief executive Carrie Lam, which lawyers slammed at the time as a serious blow to judicial independence in the city.



"The Hong Kong government is obligated to guarantee freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and other civil political rights," CHRD said, citing international rights covenants and the city's own Basic Law.



It called for the immediate release of anyone arrested under the law for exercising their civil and political rights.



Slew of arrests



Hong Kong police arrested 10 people on the day the law took effect for displaying leaflets and banners referring to calls for independence for the city.



Five days later, eight people were arrested in Kwun Tong for holding up blank placards in a silent protest. The government warned that a popular slogan of last year's protest movement"Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now!"was now illegal.



On July 29, four members of the pro-independence student group Studentlocalism, which was disbanded before the law came into effect, were arrested on suspicion of inciting secession.



This was followed up with the arrest of pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai and a raid by the newly formed national security police on the offices of his newspaper, the Apple Daily.



Three pro-democracy activistsAgnes Chow, Wilson Li, and Andy Liwere detained on the same day.



Days after the law was implemented, public libraries removed books from the shelves including those written by prominent student activist Joshua Wong and pro-democracy legislator Tanya Chan, while Occupy Central movement initiator and law professor Benny Tai lost his job at the University of Hong Kong, the report said.



Hong Kong police have also issued arrest warrants for six pro-democracy activists currently overseas under the new law, including former lawmaker Nathan Law, pro-independence activists Wayne Chan and Honcques Laus, and former U.K. consular official Simon Cheng, who was detained and tortured after being arrested in Hong Kong by Chinese police.



"The National Security Law has had a profound chilling effect in the short nearly two months of its implementation in Hong Kong," CHRD's report found. "The law is particularly potent in suffocating the free expression characteristic of Hong Kongs vibrant civil society."



Protesting despite law



A protester who gave only a nickname David said he had already seen police violence at close hand during last year's protests, but that he plans to continue his activism in spite of the draconian new law.



"I have seen countless demonstrators being violently dealt with by the Hong Kong government and the police, which I hate to see," David told RFA in a recent interview. "As a student, I think it is time to speak out."



"I think we have to speak out, and not let the government and the police hurt our citizens ... the more they monitor and try to intimidate me, the more I have to keep coming out [in protest]," he said.



The law bans secessionist, subversive, and terrorist words and deeds, as well as collusion with foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong's internal affairs, charges which carry a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life.



Charges of "collusion with foreign powers" appeared in the law after repeated claims from Beijing that last year's anti-government and pro-democracy protest movement was instigated by "hostile overseas forces."



The law has been criticized by foreign governments as being in breach of Beijing's promise to maintain the city's freedom and autonomy.



Rights groups say the vaguely worded offenses, which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and cover speech or actions anywhere in the world, will enable the authorities to continue to crack down on any form of peaceful criticism, active dissent, or political opposition.



Reported by Man Hoi-tsan for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Two Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care locations became centers for asymptomatic coronavirus testing earlier this month, offering quick-turnaround tests with results available in 15 minutes.

But with testing resources limited, not just anyone can get a test.

Due to shortages in testing supplies, COVID-19 diagnostic testing is prioritized for patients with COVID-19 symptoms and high-risk individuals, said Natalie Younger, a Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care communications team member. However, we wanted to offer limited testing to asymptomatic patients who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 as well, subject to our constraints on testing supplies.

The tests are available to any patients without symptoms who believes they have been exposed to COVID-19.

Legacy was unable to provide a number of tests available due to supply shifts, Younger said.

Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care is currently scheduling as many patients as we can depending on availability of the Rapid COVID-19 Test, she said, and said the best way to find up-to-date availability is to visit gohealthuc.com/northwest.

To find out if you qualify for a test, you will first need to receive an evaluation from a healthcare provider -- walk-in patients will not be seen.

Sherwood and Raleigh Hills Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care centers have transformed to offer only asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, Younger said, adding that the company has plans to expand testing to other Portland areas and Vancouver when testing supplies increase.

The Oregon Health Authority suggests that providers limit asymptomatic testing to people who have been possibly exposed and certain high-risk groups.

The guidance doesnt prevent testing anyone, Kate Yeiser, a spokesperson for Multnomah County said Monday.

Yeiser said Multnomah County strongly supports expanded access to community testing for people who dont have insurance or a primary care provider or who may not be able to pay for testing, as well as for people of color and Black, Indigenous communities and people who speak a language other than English at home.

For people who know they have had close and prolonged contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19, getting tested can be an important way to slow the spread of the virus, Yeiser said. If they test positive, their close contacts can then stay away from others.

But, she added, a negative test isnt always enough to clear a person from quarantine.

The most important thing for individuals and clinicians to remember is that someone with a significant exposure to the virus who tests negative must still stay home for 14 days since their last contact, Yeiser said.

Legacy is using Abbott ID NOW Rapid COVID-19 test. The test takes a swab from a patients nose and returns results in 15 minutes.

And make sure to check with your insurance provider before getting a test. OHA warns that COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic individuals may not be covered by insurance.

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Dozens of families have had to flee their homes after heavy downpours and high winds brought by Storm Francis left parts of Newcastle in Co Down resembling "a disaster zone".

And while Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon praised the multi-agency response to the flooding, the Department has been accused of being unprepared for the scale of the storm and damage caused to property.

Rescue crews from RNLI and the NI Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) had to move residents from their homes to safety after the River Shimna burst its banks, with the flood water submerging homes in three feet of water within 15 minutes.

Read More

Up to 300 homes are thought to have been affected and while he thanked the rescue services for their efforts in helping the victims of the flooding, South Down MP Chris Hazzard said there was growing anger amongst residents.

"My heart goes out to those who now find themselves - through no fault of their own - having to pick up the pieces after such widespread destructive flooding," he said.

"However, there is growing anger that authorities appeared to be so unprepared. Given the fact the Department of Infrastructure knew this storm was coming, why weren't they prepared in advance?

"Why were sandbags and other emergency equipment not on location yesterday? Instead, families were left scrambling when it was too late."

Expand Close Emergency services attend flooding near the Shimna River and at Bryansford Avenue, Newcastle / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Emergency services attend flooding near the Shimna River and at Bryansford Avenue, Newcastle

Calling on the Department to support families, Mr Hazzard added: "I have asked the Minister to urgently review the existing Flood Alleviation measures in the town in light of two severe flooding incidents in the space of 12 years."

Ms Mallon visited Newcastle on Tuesday and praised the partnership working on the ground, adding a 6m flood alleviation scheme due to begin in summer 2021 will now be brought forward.

"Staff from my Department alongside other agencies remain on the ground distributing sandbags and providing assistance to property owners. They are ready to respond as necessary," she said.

"I have seen first-hand the hardship facing these families and while there's been a swift effort in partnership - sandbags have been delivered and we are working to help get things resolved - I recognise a longer term solution is required.

"That is why I am giving my commitment and assurance that the flood alleviation scheme will be delivered for this area as quickly as possible. My officials advise that we hope to have the scheme on the ground by summer 2021 but I am asking for that to be escalated to explore any options to get work brought forward."

Expand Close Emergency services attend flooding near the Shimna River and at Bryansford Avenue, Newcastle / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Emergency services attend flooding near the Shimna River and at Bryansford Avenue, Newcastle

Homeowners affected by the flooding will be able to quickly access an emergency payment of 1,000.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath, who spent the day assisting residents, said the area looked like "a disaster zone".

"A number of streets are submerged under about three or four feet of water, there were cars abandoned and people who have had to be rescued from their homes," said Mr McGrath.

Newry and Mourne Council chairperson Laura Devlin said an emergency plan was in place to help those who will have to spend the night away from their homes.

"We have a rest centre set up in the Newcastle Centre for those who have had to vacate their homes," she said. "It was pretty scary throughout the morning, with the Bryansford Road and Marguerite Park areas very badly affected.

"The RNLI have done a great job in getting people to safety, coupled with the wonderful efforts of the other emergency services," she said. "The scenes were crazy."

Expand Close Emergency services attend flooding near the Shimna River and at Bryansford Avenue, Newcastle / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Emergency services attend flooding near the Shimna River and at Bryansford Avenue, Newcastle

In a day of disruption across the country, NIFRS said it had responded to 49 flooding related calls between midnight and 5pm.

"NIFRS attended 28 flooding incidents across the Newcastle, Maghera, Draperstown and Cookstown areas," a spokesperson added,

"Working in challenging conditions, firefighters, with the support of other agencies, rescued 37 people from flood water. This included nine people from a house on the River Road in Draperstown, along with four people outside the property who were trying to provide assistance before the arrival of firefighters."

Expand Close Flooding at Blacks Road on the outskirts of Belfast Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Flooding at Blacks Road on the outskirts of Belfast

On Strangford Lough, Portaferry RNLI came to the aid of two sailors whose yacht got into difficulty.

There was also significant flooding in Newry where the Fairy Glen river burst its banks.

"A lot of locals are saying it is the highest they have ever seen it," said independent councillor Mark Gibbons.

And a major clean up operation is also underway following a massive landside in the Slieveanorra area between Ballymoney and the Antrim Coast. Hundreds of tonnes of peat and soil came off the mountain and blocked the road.

A yellow weather warning brought in at midnight on Monday was due to end at 6am on Wednesday.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 21:21:05|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

JERUSALEM, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israel and South Korea have launched a plan for funding joint projects of companies from both countries in the field of bio-convergence, the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) said Tuesday.

Bio-convergence integrates biology with additional disciplines from engineering such as electronics, artificial intelligence (AI), physics, computer science, nanotechnology, material science, and advanced genetic engineering.

According to the IIA, bio-convergence is one of the most significant emerging growth engines for Israeli hi-tech.

The funding, at a total of about 4 million U.S. dollars, will be done through the bi-national foundation Korea-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (KORIL-RDF), owned and financed jointly by both governments.

As part of the plan, groundbreaking ventures in several bio-convergence areas will be funded, including nano robotics for bio-advanced engineered drug delivery and diagnostics systems, therapeutics discovery systems, tissue engineering, and bioelectronics. Enditem
Under fire for an alleged sex scandal, the embattled Jerry Falwell Jr. has submitted his resignation as head of Liberty University, school officials said Tuesday  less than 24 hours after Falwell denied he was leaving the evangelical institution.

Liberty's board of trustees accepted his resignation Tuesday, effective immediately, the university said in a statement, after receiving a resignation letter from Falwell late Monday night.

His resignation marks an ignominious end to his 13-year run as Liberty president that began when his televangelist father who founded the university, The Rev. Jerry Falwell, Sr., died in 2007. Falwell also resigned from Liberty's board of directors.

I am so encouraged by the unity of Christ that I saw exemplified by our Board today," Liberty's Acting Board Chairman Dr. Allen McFarland said. "Liberty Universitys future is very bright and in capable hands of leaders who are committed to being good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted!

More: Is Jerry Falwell Jr. out as president of Liberty University? Report: A daylong back-and-forth ends with him again saying he has resigned.

His departure came after a dramatic public zig-zag on Monday between Liberty's board of trustees and Falwell, an ardent and early supporter of President Donald Trump. It began when Reuters published an interview Monday with a man who said he had a yearslong sexual relationship with the evangelical leader's wife, Becki Falwell, with her husband's consent and encouragement.

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell speaks before a Liberty convocation in Lynchburg, Va. on Nov. 28, 2018.

Following that story, Falwell initially agreed to resign as president on Monday, then changed his mind after seeing media reports, the university said. He then told the Wall Street Journal late Monday that he had resigned after all.

Falwell told the newspaper he decided to resign because he wants "whats best for the university, and I dont want to harm the future of the university.

Falwell called his resignation a relief in an interview with the Lynchburg-based newspaper The News and Advance on Tuesday, adding, The quote that keeps going through my mind this morning is Martin Luther Ling Jr: free at last, free at last, thank God almighty Im free at last.

Story continues

I see a role in other areas, I dont know what it is yet but Im not done, he said. This happened for a reason.

Liberty's executive committee and board of trustees met Tuesday morning. Falwell will receive severance compensation dictated by the terms of his contract, the university said. School officials did not disclose the amount. Falwell told the Washington Post he will receive $2.5 million over two years and then $8 million in retirement.

Our students are ready to be world changers as Champions for Christ," said Jerry Prevo, who will stay on as acting president. "Their spirit is strong as they look to the future. I intend to do all I can to nurture their spiritual side as they grow academically and enjoy all our campus has to offer.

Giancarlo Granda told Reuters he met Jerry and Becki Falwell while working as a pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in March 2012. Starting that month and continuing into 2018, Granda told Reuters, the relationship involved him having sex with Becki Falwell while Jerry Falwell watched.

Becki and I developed an intimate relationship and Jerry enjoyed watching from the corner of the room, Granda told Reuters. He said his relationship with the Falwells began when he was 20 and their sexual encounters occurred multiple times per year at hotels and at the Falwells home in Virginia.

Falwell's attorney, Michael Bowe, told Reuters that the evangelical leader "categorically denies" the allegations made by Granda.

But before Reuters published its story, Falwell released a statement to the Washington Examiner, a conservative newspaper, acknowledging his wife's extramarital affair.

"During a vacation over eight years ago, Becki and I met an ambitious young man who was working at our hotel and was saving up his money to go to school," Falwell said in the statement.

Falwell did not name the man in his statement, but his description of their relationship seems to track with Granda's. Falwell mentioned they had inked a real estate deal with him and "became close with him," though he denied consenting to or participating in a relationship with him.

"Shortly thereafter, Becki had an inappropriate personal relationship with this person, something in which I was not involved," Falwell's statement continues. He said he was extremely distressed by the affair, but he and Becki forgave each other.

More: Liberty Universitys Jerry Falwell Jr. taking leave of absence after photo with pants unzipped

Granda went into business with Jerry Fallwell in 2013, according to Buzzfeed News, when they bought a Miami beach youth hostel together.

Falwell had been on leave from Liberty University since Aug. 7, after he posted (and later deleted) a controversial photo of himself with his arm around a pregnant woman, both of their stomachs exposed and their pants unzipped.

Founded in 1971 in Lynchburg, Virginia, by Falwell's pastor father, Liberty has a student body of more than 15,000 on campus and more than 100,000 when counting its online courses. Known for its conservative politics, Liberty's honor code states, "Sexual relations outside of a biblically-ordained marriage between a natural-born man and a natural-born woman are not permissible at Liberty University."

President Donald Trump and Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. during commencement proceedings on May 13, 2017.

Falwell was among the earliest Christian conservatives to endorse Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and has routinely been in the spotlight since then for a series of controversies in both his role at Liberty and his personal life.

Becki Falwell, known as the "first lady of Liberty University," served as an advisory board member for the Trump campaign's Women for Trump group. She appeared on an online campaign video last year hosted by the president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to discuss "teaching traditional American values."

Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jerry Falwell Jr. resigns from Liberty University, school confirms
NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces it has first filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Anaplan Inc. (NYSE: PLAN) between November 21, 2019 and February 26, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for Anaplan investors under the federal securities laws.

To join the Anaplan class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-1935.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

NO CLASS HAS YET BEEN CERTIFIED IN THE ABOVE ACTION. UNTIL A CLASS IS CERTIFIED, YOU ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL UNLESS YOU RETAIN ONE. YOU MAY RETAIN COUNSEL OF YOUR CHOICE. YOU MAY ALSO REMAIN AN ABSENT CLASS MEMBER AND DO NOTHING AT THIS POINT. AN INVESTOR'S ABILITY TO SHARE IN ANY POTENTIAL FUTURE RECOVERY IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON SERVING AS LEAD PLAINTIFF.

According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the Company was undergoing sales organization and execution challenges; (2) these organizational challenges were causing the Company to miss on closing very important large deals; and (3) as a result, Anaplan's financial guidance for "calculated billings growth" was baseless and unattainable. Further, while in possession of this material non-public information, Anaplan insiders dumped approximately $30 million worth of Anaplan stock at artificially inflated prices.

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 23, 2020. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. If you wish to join the litigation, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-1935.html or to discuss your rights or interests regarding this class action, please contact Phillip Kim, Esq. of Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected].

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 3 each year since 2013. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm's attorneys are ranked and recognized by numerous independent and respected sources. Rosen Law Firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

Related Links

www.rosenlegal.com


Fifteen people have appeared in court in Paris accused of theft, vandalism and violence during clashes which followed Paris Saint-Germain's loss to Bayern Munich in Sunday night's Champions League final. A further 80 people are being investigated for their involvement in the looting of luxury shops in the French capital.

French authorities are picking up the pieces after yet more scenes of chaos on the Champs-Elysees as gangs went on a rampage following the defeat of Paris Saint-Germain to Bayern Munich in the final of the Champions League on Sunday night.

Fifteen people appeared in a Paris court on Tuesday, arrested for violence, theft and vandalism, while two investigations are underway into the looting of luxury shops.

Dozens more people have been remanded in custody.

'Not real supporters'

France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said those responsible were "thugs who have nothing in common with real supporters".

"These are unacceptable acts," he said, adding that 16 police officers had been injured in the clashes, 12 shops had been damaged and 15 cars set on fire.

Police also fined over 400 people for not wearing a mask, as per the new restrictions in place for public spaces in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Security forces were on high alert throughout Sunday night, as hundreds of people gathered on the world-famous avenue which had been closed off to traffic to allow space for pedestrians.

The atmosphere quickly soured when PSG lost to Bayern Munich 1-0, at a closed door match in Lisbon.

French riot police (CRS) were forced to use tear gas to evacuate the Champs Elysees, Trocadero and the PSG stadium Parc des Princes after the match.

Groups of young men converged on Paris' wealthy 8th district, taking advantage of the tense post-match atmosphere, looting luxury shops, damaging street furniture and assaulting police officers.

Witnesses said flares and fireworks were thrown at the police and several cars were set on fire.

Story continues

Out of the 158 people arrested on Sunday evening, 24 of them remain in custody, some were referred to a district attorney and around 40 were let off with a warning.

Forty-nine of the arrested were minors and will appear in a juvenile court in their department of residence.

Luxury stores targeted

The Paris court has also launched two inquiries into looting, the first involving jewellery store Christofle, on rue Francois 1er, where authorities said windows had been smashed and 50,000 euros worth of merchandise had been stolen.

The second inquiry concerns the nearby Nina Ricci store, on avenue Montaigne, where items such as a computer, cash box, clothing and perfume worth 150,000 euros were taken.

Around 80 people are believed to be involved in the two robberies.

Police presence had been increased in and around the Champs-Elysees in anticipation of violent scenes mirroring the chaos of last Tuesday's match, in which PSG won the semi-final against Leipzig.
Further complicating things is the fact that some diseases, like COVID-19, can lead to death weeks after someone is initially diagnosed.

Ultimately deaths connected to reportable conditions, not just COVID-19, are reported to the state through two different systems that ideally result in parallel sources of information, but inconsistencies can develop over time between the two data sets because of different reporting procedures.

Cleaning up the data and making sure it's consistent between the two offices is a normal procedure, she said. If a difference is found between the data sets, staff then investigate, contact local health officials, and figure out how to get the most accurate numbers updated and reported.

The two offices, communicable disease control and prevention and vital statistics, have been working together weekly to make sure the deaths reported through the communicable disease bureau's system are consistent with the death certificates reported to vital statistics, according to Anderson.
An airplane flies over caribou from the Porcupine Caribou Herd on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska, in an undated file photo. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP)

17 Environmental Groups Sue Trump Administration Over Alaska Refuge Oil Plan

Groups join forces to oppose development of Alaska's oil-rich Coastal Plain

Two lawsuits were filed against the Trump administration in a district court in Alaska on Monday, as a raft of environmental organizations challenged the Bureau of Land Managements (BLM) plan to open the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil and gas exploration.

In keeping with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law by President Trump in 2017, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt signed a decision approving the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program (pdf) in the ANWR on Aug. 17. The decision determines where any leases can be granted and under what conditions on the 1.56 million-acre Coastal Plain, which makes up just over 8 percent of the total area of the 19.3 million-acre wildlife refuge.

Map of northern Alaska and nearby parts of Canada showing locations of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the 1002 area, and the National Petroleum ReserveAlaska (NPRA). (USGS)

However, representatives of the local Gwichin tribe say that they consider the land to be sacred, and that the coastal plain is a calving ground for the herds of caribou that they rely on.

BLMs decision to violate lands sacred to my people and essential to the health of the Porcupine caribou herd is an attack on our rights, our culture, and our way of life, said Gwichin Steering Committee director Bernadette Demientieff in a statement. We have lived and thrived in the Arctic for thousands of years. We have listened and learned from our elders, and we know we must stand united to protect future generations, and that means going to court to protect the caribou herd and sacred lands.

Thirteen environmental groups including the local Gwichin Steering Committee, the Sierra Club, and The Wilderness Society submitted one lawsuit, while the National Defense Council, the National Audubon Society, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Friends of the Earth joined forces to file a second (pdf).

The groups claim that the Trump administrations plan would cause significant and perhaps irreparable damage to a sensitive ecosystem far to the north of the Arctic Circle. They say that oil and gas industry development will degrade a pristine permafrost environment that is home to polar bears, caribou, and over 150 species of birds.

Map of the ANWR 1002 area. (USGS)

Alaska Governor Michael Dunleavy sees the development as a step in the right direction, however. He says that responsible development in Alaskas 1002 area could result in the recovery of up to 11.8 million barrels of oil, and that his state plays a critical role in American energy independence.

The vision of Secretary Bernhardt and President Donald J. Trump will lead to the responsible development of Alaskas abundant resources, create new jobs, support economic growth and prosperity, and most importantly, retain well into the future Alaskas critical role in our Nations energy policy, Dunleavy said in a statement.

Opposition to Oil and Gas

Environmental groups said they will continue to oppose the development.

Drilling in the Arctic will irreparably scar one of the last remaining wild places on earth. Polar bears, porcupine caribou, musk oxen, and millions of migratory birds depend on this pristine habitat for their survival, said president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, Collin OMara, in a statement. By flagrantly disregarding the advice of the federal governments top wildlife biologists and failing to follow numerous laws, the Trump administration has left us no choice but to file this lawsuit in solidarity with the Gwichin Nation to stop this reckless plan to drill in the crown jewel of wildlife refuges.

This landscape is protected for a reason: for the Gwichin people who depend on this land for life, for the tremendous biodiversity and wildlife that call the refuge home, and for all the Americans who do not live nearby, but cherish and value this iconic and pristine land and everything it offers us all,  said Geoffrey Haskett, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should be left untouched. This place is wild and remote and valuable beyond measure, and we cannot bear the risk of drilling there.

Petroleum Industry Welcomes Plan

According to a statement from the American Petroleum Institute (API), which welcomed the decision approving the leasing program, oil and gas activity in the state provided almost 104,000 jobs in 2019, or almost one-third of the Alaskan workforce. According to the API, the industry has also contributed over $150 billion to Alaska in taxes and royalties.

Our industry will continue to build on its long track record of partnering with wildlife organizations & communities to implement strong environmental protections while leveraging new technology to safely & responsibly develop our energy resources. #ANWR https://t.co/jXyXt0tl6d pic.twitter.com/CAsd00BVd9  American Petroleum Institute (@APIenergy) August 17, 2020

This is a capstone moment in our decades-long push to allow for the responsible development of a small part of Alaskas 1002 Area, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

New opportunity in the 1002 Area is needed both now, as Alaskans navigate incredibly challenging times, and well into the future as we seek a lasting economic foundation for our state, she said in a statement. Through this program, we will build on our already-strong record of an increasingly minimal footprint for responsible resource development.

A spokesperson for the Interior Department, Conner Swanson, reiterated that the program was mandated by Congress. According to Swanson, the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program leaves ninety-two percent of the refuge completely off limits to development. The Departments decision regarding where and when development can take place includes extensive protections for wildlife, including caribou and polar bears.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Authorities in Mozambique should conduct a quick and thorough investigation into the arson attack on Canal de Mocambique, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

At about 8 p.m. yesterday, in the capital, Maputo, unidentified individuals broke into the office used by the independent weekly investigative newspaper and its daily digital publication CanalMoz, poured gasoline on the furniture and equipment, and set it ablaze, according to news reports.

The fire destroyed the newsroom, furniture, and all the equipment used for content production, as well as the papers archive, according to a statement by the Mozambican chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, a regional press rights group, which CPJ reviewed.

The attack on Canal de Mocambiques office is the latest chapter in an ever-worsening environment for the independent press in Mozambique and a blatant assault on democracy and the publics right to know, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. We urge Mozambiques authorities to speedily and credibly investigate the attack and ensure that it does not become yet another example of the impunity that is becoming the norm with attacks on the press in Mozambique.

In a statement on his official Facebook page, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi said he strongly condemned the attack, and said he had instructed authorities to investigate.

Matias Guente, the papers executive editor, told CPJ via messaging app that the attackers are trying just to shut down the paper, because they know how relevant we are to democracy.

He called the attack terrorism against freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

The Center for Democracy in Mozambique, a local human rights group, said in a statement reviewed by CPJ that the attack could be linked to a Canal de Mocambique investigation into alleged corruption among top officials involved with the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, which was published last week. The ministry suspended a fuel marketing deal following that investigation, according to that statement.

READ ALSO:

Police spokesman Orlando Mudumane did not reply to a request for comment via messaging app.

Guente and Canal de Mocambique have faced official harassment and intimidation in recent years, the journalist told CPJ.

On December 31, 2019, unidentified assailants beat Guente and attempted to kidnap him, according to news reports from the time. In June 2020, the attorney generals office questioned him for allegedly contravening state secrets for publishing information about a security contract between the government and a multinational oil consortium in the Cabo Delgado province, according to reports and Guente.

Guente told CPJ today that he believed the incidents were related, including his attempted kidnapping, adding that the police had yet to report back on its investigation more than nine months later.

Meanwhile, police have yet to credibly investigate and report back on the disappearance of radio journalist Ibraimo Mbaruco, who went missing on April 7 in Cabo Delgado, after he sent a text message to a colleague that he was surrounded by soldiers, as CPJ documented at the time.
By Akbar Mammadov

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has begun negotiations on Armenian saboteur Senior Lieutenant Gurgen Alaverdyan who was captured by the Azerbaijan forces in the line of contact on August 23.

Head of the Public Relations Department of the ICRC Office in Azerbaijan Ilaha Huseynova told Trend news agecny on August 25 that the ICRC is in contact with the relevant authorities of both countries on this issue.

According to the mandate of the committee, it visits detainees as a result of the conflict, monitors their treatment and conditions of detention, and also helps them to contact their families," she noted.

It should be noted that Gurgen Alaverdayn was the commander of Armenian sabotage and reconnaissance group that sought to stage a provocation in the direction of Azerbaijans Goranboy district at about 05:45 on August 23.

During the battle, Gurgin Alberyan was taken prisoner, while the Armenian group retreated, suffering losses as a result of measures taken by the units of the Azerbaijani Army.

Earlier, on August 24, Azerbaijans Defence Ministry revealed to the public the military items seized from Gurgen Alaverdyan during his capture.

The ministry reiterated that the military-political leadership of Armenia bears all responsibility for the aggravation of the situation on the line of contact and along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

It should be noted that Armenia has stepped up its military provocation recently, staging sabotage both on the border and on the line of contact. On July 12, Armenian forces shelled Azerbaijan's positions in Tovuz, Azerbaijan's strategically-important district on the border. The Armenian attack killed 12 Azerbaijani servicemen, including an army general, as well as a 76-year-old civilian. Armenian forces retreated after suffering losses in Azerbaijan's retaliation.

Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in a conflict over Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh breakaway region, which along with seven adjacent regions was occupied by Armenian forces in a war in the early 1990s. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and around one million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

---

Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Fashion heiress Talita von Furstenberg has unveiled her chic new summer range - but admits she doesn't discuss her design ideas with her famous grandmother Diane.

The 21-year-old, who is currently residing in Malibu with her parents after an idyllic European break, is at the helm of a diffusion line - TVF for DVF - which is now in its third season.

It's her first venture into the wholesale market, having partnered with online luxury fashion retailer Net-a-Porter, and Talita said she relies heavily on 73-year-old Diane's advice when it comes to business and distribution.

But Talita revealed she does not seek out her opinion when designing her own dresses - choosing to keep a distance due to their differing tastes.

Fashion heiress Talita von Furstenberg has unveiled her chic new summer range - but admits she doesn't discuss her design ideas with her famous grandmother Diane. Pictured modelling a playsuit from her new range

'We try to be separate when I'm designing, just because I obviously value her opinion so much, but she designs for an older client and has a different taste to me, and I would hate for her opinion to alter the shape of the collection because ultimately the collection is supposed to reflect my more youthful taste,' she told FEMAIL.

'Every time she sees [my dresses] in the studio she's like, "Urgh what is this?" I'm like, "Just trust me. You'll like it at the end, people will like it".

'She always ends up liking it when I wear it, but when she sees it on the rack she's like, "Oh this is horrible".'

Talita added: 'In everything else besides the design aspect, I rely on her opinion so much  she's literally the best, most wise person to ask, so I really value her opinion on TVF branding, and on distribution now I'm going into the wholesale market.'

This line is Talita's first venture into the wholesale market, having partnered with online luxury fashion retailer Net-a-Porter, and she said she relies heavily on her grandmother's advice when it comes to business and distribution

Talita von Furstenberg (left), daughter of Prince Alexander von Furstenberg and granddaughter of fashion designer Diane (right together), previous said she avoided using her royal title growing up in Los Angeles because she didn't want people to 'freak out'

TVF's latest capsule collection consists of 12 pieces, featuring colourful versatile dresses, patterned playsuits and playful tops.

Talita said it was designed with summer in mind, with the items named after her favourite desserts because 'everyone likes something sweet'.

'They're the clothes you want to pull out of the closet to make memories in no matter where or who you're with,' she explained.

'Most of the dresses - I love the Sundae as well as the Cupcake and Souffle - they're really versatile, you can throw them over a bikini and you can also wear them at night.'

Talita revealed she does not seek out DVF's opinion when designing her own dresses - choosing to keep a distance due to their differing tastes

TVF's latest capsule collection consists of 12 pieces, featuring colourful versatile dresses, patterned playsuits and playful tops

Her Belgian grandmother is best known for her iconic wrap dress, and Talita said she too is striving to create effortless frocks 'that you can rely on'.

'As my grandmother said, [it's] a girl's best friend in her closet,' she explained. 'Something you can always pull out and feel good and strong in, you feel confident and can rock it however you want to style it, a bunch of different ways, and have it for a while.

'TVF is for the same type of woman as DVF, the strong, confident woman on the go, but she's younger and she's going to different places, so it's dressing for a younger age.'

Talita was born Princess Talita, the eldest daughter of interior designer Alexandra (nee Miller) and her ex-husband Prince Alexander von Furstenberg, son of Diane and her ex-husband Prince Egon von Furstenberg.

Talita said the collection was designed with summer in mind, with the items named after her favourite desserts because 'everyone likes something sweet'

Her royal heritage comes from her grandfather, German aristocrat Prince Egon, who was married to Diane for 14 years. The fashion designer and the royal, who passed away in 2004, had two children during their marriage: Prince Alexander von Furstenberg, Talita's father, and Princess Tatiana von Furstenberg. Diane has been married to businessman Barry Diller, 77, since 2001.

After inheriting her grandmother's love of fashion, the rising style star is now following in the designer's footsteps; she is being groomed to one day take over the Diane von Furstenberg business, with the designer calling her granddaughter her new 'muse'.

Talita told FEMAIL doing so would be a real honour. 'It's a really special, strong DNA brand,' she said. 'I'm still learning and don't want to take that position until I fully think I'm confident enough to do it, and I'm learning, that's what TVF is.

'Hopefully one day I can [take over] because DVF is a pretty extraordinary brand that's one dress for so long and it's still selling, so it's a pretty crazy business model when you look into it.

Talita, pictured on a recent European holiday, told FEMAIL it would be a real honour to take over the Diane von Furstenberg brand one day

'All the DNA and history of the brand is really, it's a really special brand. When I go into the archives and see all the dresses, I could pull out a dress and it could still be worn today, almost every single one of them.'

Having been raised in Los Angeles, Talita relocated to the East Coast in 2017, when she started attending Georgetown alongside her cousin, fellow royal Prince Alexios of Greece.

She and boyfriend Rocco Brignone, 19, were living in New York, where Talita is set to begin her final year at NYU, at the onset of the pandemic, and moved back to Malibu to stay with her parents.

The couple recently enjoyed a romantic getaway in Europe, travelling to the south of France before driving down to Portofino.

Talita said being together 24-7 in lockdown has been 'challenging', but has also made them stronger.

Talita and boyfriend Rocco Brignone, 19, recently enjoyed a romantic getaway in Europe, travelling to the south of France before driving down to Portofino (pictured)

'It's been fun for us, it's definitely made us a lot closer and a lot more serious since we've literally been 24-7 together,' she said - adding that wedding bells are 'in the very distant future' for the young couple.

She added that she's essentially been in quarantine since returning to the States, observing that the threat of Covid-19 seems 'a lot more serious' in LA than it did in Europe.

'I don't go out in public really ever,' she admitted. 'But there's a lot more cases in LA right now, and I'm also living with parents so have to take that into account, whereas when I was in Europe I wasn't with an older person.'

Talita is often seen gracing the front rows of fashion shows or at society parties, and is often seen on exotic trips with her cousin and close friend, fellow glamorous royal socialite Princess Olympia of Greece.

When not hard at work, Talita is often seen gracing the front rows of fashion shows or at society parties. Pictured at Paris Fashion Week in February (left and right)

But she told FEMAIL she's been enjoying a slower pace of life during lockdown, and has become 'obsessed' with meditation and daily yoga.

'I've been really lucky, I've had a lot of outside space so it's been really nice to be connected to nature and I think honestly I've decided to focus a lot more on self-growth,' she said.

'I've been meditating and doing yoga every day. I'm obsessed with meditation, I can't start my day without it, it's so great.

'I try to meditate in the morning for 15 minutes and for five minutes before I go to bed, but sometimes it'll be longer and sometimes it'll be less, it depends.

'I've had a lot of self-reflection which has been great. This slowing down for everyone has in some way for me helped me a lot grow as an adult and as a person.'

The 21-year-old, who has been keeping a low profile in Malibu during lockdown, recently shared a host of pictures from her luxurious holiday. She told FEMAIL she's been enjoying a slower pace of life during lockdown, and has become 'obsessed' with meditation and daily yoga

Talita acknowledged it's been a 'really challenging time' for DVF, but hopes the brand will come out of the pandemic stronger. Pictured on holiday in Europe

Like many fashion brands, the pandemic has hit DVF hard; in June it was reported that Diane von Furstenberg laid off more than three quarters of her staff and is shuttering all but one of her stores as she moves to an almost exclusively online retail model.

Most of the company's layoffs, which reduced a staff of 400 by 75 per cent, happened over Zoom in May, followed by layoffs of most of executive team the following month.

Talita acknowledged it's been a 'really challenging time'; she said: 'We've been having to take a break to figure out what are the best steps for the future for DVF, and that means TVF as well.

'We need to scale back and focus back on the core of the brand, the core dresses, and that's really where the value of the brand is, what our customers want, going back to that is really important.'

But she hopes the brand will come out stronger, adding: 'With a smaller team I think everyone can be on the same page a lot better.'
The Delhi assemblys Committee on Peace and Harmony will seek an investigation into Facebook to determine whether the way the social media company polices content is biased, if it threatens Indias democratic processes, and if its alleged inaction on purported hate speech contributed to the communal violence in the Capital earlier this year, its members said on Tuesday.

The decision was taken following a meeting in which multiple experts and journalists who have looked at the issue offered their assessment. The matter is being examined after the panel, according to its members, received multiple complaints accusing the US-based company of acting in a partisan manner and not doing enough to remove hateful content.

On August 14, the Wall Street Journal reported that some Facebook executives purportedly bent rules to shield individuals from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who made posts qualifying as hate speech. The company denied the allegations.

After the detailed examination of the witnesses, the committee has been posed with extremely useful and significant insights on the issue at hand which must be delved into meticulously The witnesses also affirmed that a free and fair investigation must be conducted by independent investigating agencies to painstakingly investigate the alleged inaction of the Facebook in curbing the hateful content and palpably inflammatory content, with a view to ascertain if there was any complicity of Facebook officials in the alleged deliberate inaction, said a statement by the committee chaired by Aam Aadmi Party MLA Raghav Chadha.

According to one of the members of the committee, the panel could seek a probe into three specific aspects: if Facebook content had a role in the Delhi riots and whether it acted in time to remove these; if there was any collusion between Facebook India officials and members of the BJP; and if Facebook poses a threat to free and fair elections in the country.

The leader of opposition in Delhi assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri denied there was collusion between the BJP and Facebook. Facebook has never supported the BJP. The Aam Aadmi Party leaders have no business here. They have a majority in the assembly. They are taking advantage of it through the peace committee and they are making a political issue out of nothing just to hide their own failures in governance and Covid-19 management, he said.

As far as hate speeches are concerned, no BJP leader has indulged in hate speech. When it comes to the Delhi riots, the Delhi Police is investigating the matter. Interestingly, a leader of the AAP (Tahir Hussain) is among the accused. The party should rather cooperate in the ongoing probe instead of indulging in gimmicks, said Bidhuri, the BJP MLA from Badarpur.

The WSJ report stated that Facebook officials, especially its top public policy executive in India, Ankhi Das, allegedly cited business imperatives while choosing not to apply hate speech rules to at least four individuals and groups linked with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India, despite them being internally flagged for promoting or participating in violence.

The two expert witnesses present in Tuesdays meeting of the committee were Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, a journalist who has co-authored a book titled The Real Face of Facebook in India and Nikhil Pahwa, a journalist with Medianama.

Eventually, the committee will submit the report of the legislative enquiry to Speaker Ram Niwas Goel. The speaker can forward the report to the police for a case to be filed or send it to the Election Commission, Chadha added.

The statement issued earlier reiterated the assembly will summon Facebook officials. Hence, the committee will soon issue notices to top officials of Facebook with a view to examine them on record. The committee aims at redressing the issue at the earliest, therefore, the proceedings shall be expedited in order to put this issue to its logical conclusion.

The company did not respond to emails from HT seeking a comment on the committees position. Facebook India head Ajit Mohan on Friday issued a statement saying the company is an open, transparent and non-partisan platform.

The BJP has rejected the allegations and said that social media companies such as Facebook crack down harder on right wing content. The partys IT cell head said the company removed 700 pages last year and has not reinstated them since.
China's Dajia Insurance Group knew there were questions about the ownership of some US luxury hotels they put up for sale last year but did not tell more than a dozen first-round bidders, a lawyer testified in the trial over whether Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. can get out of the deal.

Stephen Glover, one of the attorneys hired by Dajia to oversee the auction of a portfolio of famed hotels such as the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco and the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, said in the Delaware Chancery Court trial his team wanted to "get their arms around" the problem of phoney deeds filed to the properties before they disclosed them.

"We wanted to squash this as quickly and effectively as possible," Glover told Judge Travis Laster Monday at the start of the trial over the busted-deal case. "It does not make sense to talk with buyers about the problem until you have" a plan to deal with it, the attorney added.

Dajia informed the two final bidders, including Mirae, in August 2019, Glover added. Mirae, which bought the portfolio for US$5.8 billion the following month, cancelled the deal in May, arguing Dajia violated the agreement by withholding information about the alleged deed scam as part of a cover up designed to ram the deal through.

Dajia, which assumed most of the assets of struggling Chinese insurer Anbang Insurance Group, says it satisfied all terms of the sale and that it should have closed in April as scheduled.

The buyout is among nearly 20 transactions that have fallen apart so far this year, many of which cite the Covid-19 pandemic as one of the causes. Mirae also points to the coronavirus' decimation of the hotel industry as another reason to pull out.

"I think fundamentally, they got cold feet," Glover said. "They were very nervous about this transaction in an environment where hotel business was suffering generally and financing had become more expensive," he added.

Story continues

According to Glover, Dajia contacted 55 prospective buyers about the hotel portfolio, 17 of which actually submitted bids. Dajia winnowed that to a final group including Mirae. Glover said Mirae executives determined "it shouldn't be an issue" after being notified about concerns over phoney title transfers. Mirae instead agreed to a "litigation plan" that succeeded in getting the phoney California deeds thrown out before the deal's closing date.

A picture of Dajia Insurance office in Beijing. Photo: Weixin

The hotel portfolio was assembled by Wu Xiaohui, ex-CEO of Anbang, as part of an US$18 billion buying binge starting in 2014. Wu, an ex-car dealer whose third wife was the granddaughter of former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, was sentenced four years later to 18 years in prison for fraud and embezzlement of more than US$12 billion. Wu also had assets worth 10.5 billion yuan (US$1.65 billion) confiscated, including four villas.

The Chinese government took over Anbang and injected 60.8 billion yuan to insure its solvency. Before his jailing, Wu signed an agreement empowering four Delaware shell companies to sue on his behalf if the hotels were expropriated by the government. Dajia contends the agreement is fictitious.

Zhongyuan Li, a Dajia executive involved in the hotel sale, testified Monday that the agreement wasn't stamped by with the company's official chop and said one person who signed it claiming to be a current director actually left the board in 2015.

Dajia contends a group of "fraudsters" used a 26-year-old Uber driver to file phoney title transfers for the California hotels, then set up arbitration panels under a Delaware law that issued awards to the shell companies totalling US$936 billion over the hotel seizures. Laster later threw those awards out.

On cross-examination, Mirae lawyer Andrew Rossman pointed out that, while Dajia officials alerted Mirae about the California title transfers, it never mentioned other details of the alleged scam. Dajia also did not say the Delaware companies were still trying to enforce the arbitration awards at the time, Rossman said. Mirae only learned that from lawyers at Goldman Sachs, one of the financial advisers on the deal.

Dajia did not mention the Delaware litigation because it "was a sideshow," Glover said. "It was another difficult-to-explain element to the fraudulent effort."

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Russia Declares Austrian Diplomat Persona Non Grata in Response to Vienna's Earlier Decision

Sputnik News

13:04 GMT 24.08.2020(updated 13:50 GMT 24.08.2020)

Earlier in the day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow will respond in kind to Austria's expulsion of a Russian diplomat.

Russia has declared an Austrian diplomat persona non grata in response to Vienna's earlier decision to expel a Russian diplomat, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Moscow declared an Austrian diplomat persona non grata in a reciprocal response, according to the press release.

Earlier, Austrian Ambassador to Russia was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"On August 24, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Austrian Ambassador to Russia Johannes Eigner. The ambassador was handed a strong protest with regard to Austria's unfounded decision to revoke the accreditation of a Russian diplomat and demand that they leave the Austrian territory," the ministry said.

Previously, Austria declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata over espionage suspicions. According to a report by the Krone Zeitung, the diplomat has until 1 September to leave the country. The newspaper suggested that he was involved in industrial espionage with the help of an Austrian citizen.

Also in August, Slovakia expelled three Russian diplomats from the country on suspicion of espionage. In June, two employees of the Russian embassy were expelled from Prague, the Czech Republic. In each case, Russia provided a reciprocal response to the expulsions.

A Sputnik

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






916 S Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, Fla. The home is stunning down to every last detail, in a location no one can beat.

Engel & Volkers today announced Carol Sollak, License Partner and Private Office Advisor of Engel & Volkers Palm Beach has obtained the listing of 916 S Ocean Blvd in Palm Beach. Listed at $59,000,000, the one-of-a-kind waterfront estate is the latest project developed by Stock Custom homes.

Im so excited to finally bring this project to the market, said Sollak. This is an amazing opportunity to develop one of the most exclusive properties on Palm Beach Island.

Curated by architects Roger Janssen and Patrick Mayfield of Dailey Janssen Architects, the 12,427 sq. ft. residence offers eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms and three half-bathrooms. The ground level features sprawling ocean views from both the living room and library, while the second level presents a sitting room and spectacular waterfront views from the veranda. The lower level of the estate has a bar, lounge, wine cellar, theater, exercise room, powder bath, laundry facilities and additional storage. The upper level includes a guest apartment.

We called in the industry's absolute best to create a powerhouse team. Stock Homes, Marc Michaels, and my team have put 110-percent of our energy into creating this masterpiece that will be beyond anyone's expectations. The home is stunning down to every last detail, in a location no one can beat. I will personally be reaching out to all the top agents in the area, as well as Engel & Volkers global network; but I have a feeling, the way that this project is being put together, it will sell itself.

The 36,529 sq. ft. lot, with 130 ft. of water frontage, makes way for an extravagant outdoor living space including front and rear loggias, center courtyard, expansive pool deck and pool. Direct beach access is provided via an underground tunnel leading to an ocean cabana with a kitchenette, full bathroom, family room and its own private pool.

Stock Custom Homes is proud to partner with Carol Sollak of Engel & Volkers, said Matt Sellick. Our relationship over the past several years has proven very valuable as we continue to grow in the marketplace. Carolss knowledge of the local market and international exposure with Engel & Volkers is a winning team in our efforts to showcase our Custom Estate Home at 916 South Ocean to the most discerning buyers.

Having nearly two decades of experience, Sollak is one of the top realtors in Palm Beach County, Florida and the industry nationwide. Selling luxury estates in the Palm Beach Polo & Country Club, the Equestrian Club, Grand Prix Village, and elsewhere throughout Wellington are among her specialties. Sollak ranks among the highest producing agents in the country and currently has an inventory of $159,960,000.

Award-winning architect Roger Patton Janssen, from Dailey Janssen Architects, designed the stunning estate home; luxury interior design firm, Marc-Michaels Interior Design Inc. was responsible for the decor, and Keith Williams of Nievera Williams Design, a leading landscape architecture company, oversaw the design of the luscious grounds.

Palm Beach, known for its extravagant estates and sandy beaches, is located in east-central Palm Beach County and is separated from the mainland by the Lake Worth Lagoon. Palm Beach home values have gone up over one-percent over the last year. This property is the only available oceanfront, new construction estate on Palm Beach with a direct access, underground tunnel to the home's private beachside cabana. In the last 12 months, 9 homes on Palm Beach Island have sold for over $40 million, the highest sale going for $105 million in November of 2019.

Press contact:

Linzee Werkmeister, Director, Public Relations & Franchise Support

Email: Linzee.Werkmeister(at)evrealestate.com

Tel: (239) 348-9000

About Engel & Volkers:

Engel & Volkers is a global luxury real estate brand. Founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1977, Engel & Volkers draws on its rich European history to deliver a fresh approach to luxury real estate in the Americas with a focus on creating a bespoke, white-glove concierge client experience at every stage of the home buying or selling process for todays savvy homeowner. Engel & Volkers currently operates approximately 175 shop locations with more than 4,000 real estate advisors in the Americas, contributing to the brands global network of over 12,000 real estate professionals in more than 30 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services, including real estate, yachting and aviation. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and platforms; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. For more information, visit evrealestate.com.

About Engel & Volkers Florida:

Engel & Volkers Florida is the Master License Partner of the global luxury real estate brand Engel & Volkers in the state of Florida. Recognized for uniquely recruiting, training and equipping some of the top professionals in the real estate industry, Engel & Volkers Floridas exclusive franchise model positions its license partners at the top of the premium market to gain market share and support their bottom line. The company represents franchise locations in: 30A Beaches, Belleair, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs-Estero, Cape Coral, Clermont, Delray Beach, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers Downtown, Gainesville, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Jupiter, Leesburg, Madeira Beach, Marco Island, Melbourne Beachside, Melbourne Central, Melbourne Downtown, Miami Coconut Grove, Olde Naples, Orlando Downtown, Orlando-Winter Park, Palm Beach, Palm Coast, St. Augustine, St. Pete, Stuart, Wellington, and Windermere.

Engel & Volkers Florida is continuing to strategically strengthen and expand its presence in premium real estate markets across the state of Florida. If you would like to know more about the Engel & Volkers brand or how to join its global network, which is known for demonstrating competence, exclusivity and passion, feel free to call our corporate office, located at 633 Tamiami Trl N, Suite 201, Naples, FL 34102 USA. Tel: +1 239-348-9000.

For more information about Engel & Volkers Florida, please visit florida.evrealestate.com
Montgomery County officials continue to urge residents to prepare for Tropical Storm Laura while taking precautions due to COVID-19.

With Montgomery County still in the forecast track of the storm, officials from the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management continue to monitor its progress and want residents to be prepared.

The trajectory of the storm  which is expected to make landfall Wednesday night into Thursday morning as a Category 2 hurricane with 105-mph winds  remains uncertain, said National Weather Service forecasters.

Laura kind of keeps bouncing back and forth, said Meghan Ballad Arthur, information officer for the county office of emergency management. Weve been told that its going to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane, but were not quite sure what those wind speeds are going to look like or what Montgomery County is going to get.

Ballard Arthur suggests that residents cut down branches on their property that could cause damage if they fall, move patio furniture and other items inside where they wont be blown away, and stock up an emergency preparedness kit that includes water for seven days, food, and necessary items for pets. Storm preparation tips are available at gov.texas.gov/hurricane.

For residents who live in an area prone to flooding, Ballard Arthur urges them to come up with a plan in case they cannot stay in their homes. With the coronavirus still present in the county, she recommended that residents avoid packed shelters if possible, and stay stocked up on masks and hand sanitizer. Grocery pickup or delivery for children is another way to remain socially distanced.

Just because theres a hurricane coming we dont need to forget the protocols we put in place to keep us safe from the coronavirus, she said.

Last year, when Montgomery County was hit by Tropical Storm Imelda, the majority of the damage from the storm was on the east side of the county. At this time, Ballard Arthur said, its still too early to know what part of the county could be affected.

The office of emergency management is on the phone with the National Weather Service every few hours trying to get a tentative count on expected rainfall, which will be what affects the east side of the county most.

Laura, at this time, is moving rather quickly, so were not going to see a Harvey that just sits on us and rains for days and days, its going to be a little bit more of a wind storm like we saw with (Hurricane) Ike, Ballard Arthur said. Its hard to say what part of the county to be more worried about than the other, just because when youre looking at the track its still very uncertain where in the cone Laura is going to come.

When planning for storms, San Jacinto River Authority General Manager Jace Houston said they prepare for the worst and hope for the best. With the incoming storms, even as things are changing rapidly, Houston said current forecasts do not anticipate so much rainfall that the lake level will have to be lowered.

Lake Conroe, right now, is almost 15 inches below its normal level (of 201 feet), so we have a lot of space to catch rainfall before we would even have to have a release of the reservoir, Houston said. So were in a good position going into this storm.

The latest predictions that Houston had seen were anticipating 4 inches of rain at the most. He encouraged people to monitor the storms to be prepared to leave, if necessary, and to stay as safe as possible. Residents can monitor rainfall levels around the lake at sanjacinto.onerain.com.

On Sunday, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration in ahead of Tropical Storm Marco and Tropical Storm Laura, to authorize the use of all available resources of state government and of political subdivisions that are reasonably necessary to cope with this disaster.

The order applies to 23 counties, but does not include Montgomery.

Tropical Storm Marco has prompted storm surge and storm warnings in Louisiana and Mississippi. The storm is expected to dissipate and weaken on Monday and Tuesday, so Texas and Montgomery County should feel very little impact from Marco.

On Monday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted an emergency declaration request ahead of the storms.

jamie.swinnerton@chron.com
In this screenshot from the RNCs livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, U.S. Rep. Vernon Jones (D-GA) addresses the virtual convention on Aug. 24, 2020. (Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

Lifelong Democrat and Elected Georgia Lawmaker Backs Trump at Republican Convention

A lifelong Democrat and an elected Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention on Aug. 24 in support of President Donald Trumps reelection.

The Democratic party does not want black people to leave their mental plantation. Weve been forced to be there for decades and generations. But I have news for Joe Biden: We are free. We are free people with free minds, Georgia State Rep. Vernon Jones (D) said.

And Im part of a large and growing segment of the black community who are independent thinkers and we believe that Donald Trump is the president that America needs to lead us forward.

Similar to the format of the Democratic National Convention the week before, Jones and other speakers delivered their remarks before an empty hall in Washington due to concerns for the spread of COVID-19.

Jones was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2016 and announced his support for Trump earlier this year. He faced a backlash from his party and briefly considered resigning.

Jones pointed to the long political career of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, arguing that the former vice president has been all talk but no action.

Jones recalled growing up in a home his parents built with their own hands from cinder blocks with no indoor plumbing. He said that despite having a limited education, his parents instilled in their children a strong work ethic, which paved the way for his rise to an elected position in the Georgia general assembly.

Jones attended North Carolina Central University, a historically black college. He praised Trump for delivering unprecedented funding to universities like his.

When President Trump took office, he changed everything. He delivered historic funding to HBCUs. And he guaranteed it for 10 years. That gave our HBCUs stabilitythe chance to grow and produce the next generation of black leaders, Jones said.

The Democratic National Convention, held the week prior, featured several prominent Republicans who spoke in support of Joe Biden, including former Gov. John Kasich of Ohio.

Jones also lauded Trump for pushing for school choice, firing up the economy, and creating tax incentive-rich opportunity zones in struggling areas. The unemployment rate for black Americans fell to a historic low before the job losses related to the lockdowns amid the pandemic.

He put the interests of American workers, and especially black workers, first, Jones said. Thats right, Donald Trump did that.
FLINT, MI -- A Family Dollar employee testified Tuesday that he chased after the person who shot and killed 43-year-old security guard Calvin J. Munerlyn following an argument between Munerlyn and a woman over wearing a face mask.

Testimony began Tuesday, Aug. 25 in Genesee District Court Judge Christoper R. Odettes courtroom as part of a preliminary exam for four people -- Ramonyea T. Bishop, Larry E. Teague Jr., Brya S. Bishop, and Sharmel L. Teague -- in the May 1 shooting death of Munerlyn.

Artrell Wesley testified he is an assistant manager at the store off Fifth Avenue.

He entered the store shortly before 2 p.m. May 1 and spoke with Munerlyn about an altercation earlier in the day with a woman.

Wesley testified thats when a person came into the store and began yelling, asking where the person was that put their hands on his wife.

Family Dollar employee Anthony McLemore testified Munerlyn and a woman got into an altercation earlier in the day.

I came out the office. I heard her talking loud but everybody talks loud, he testified. He told another customer that they cant come into the store without a mask and she started talking louder. Told her she had to leave. She started insulting him or whatever, whatnot. Kept telling her to leave.

Prosecutors allege Sharmel Teague argued with Munerlyn after he told Teagues daughter, Brya Bishop, that she could not come into the store without a mask on.

As the woman began to walk out of the store, McLemore testified the woman spit in Munerlyns face.

Thats when everything just went haywire from there, testified McLemore. He kind of chased her down and hit her. We just pretty much went back into the store after that.

Sharmel Teague left in a red GMC Envoy, but Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton alleges she returned 20 minutes later with her husband. Ramonyea Bishop also arrived at the store, prosecutors contend.

Wesley testified he and Munerlyn walked up to the front of the store.

Munerlyn was trying to calm him down, to talk man-to-man, testified Wesley.

He identified Larry Teague, Sharmel Teagues husband, as the man Munerlyn was talking to at the time.

Wesley testified he saw color coming from the corner of his peripheral vision.

He testified the next few moments moved in slow motion as a younger man put a gun up to Munerlyns head and shot him.

My mind is thinking thats a customer coming around (the corner), said Wesley, identifying Ramonyea Bishop as the shooter. It wasnt.

He followed Ramonyea Bishop to a nearby apartment complex but lost his whereabouts and returned to the store to speak with police.

I was just shocked like everybody else, testified Wesley, with employees grabbing towels to try and stop the bleeding.

Munerlyn was taken to Hurley Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.

The preliminary exam on Tuesday is scheduled to continue next week with additional witnesses.

Larry Teague, who was arrested in Houston, Texas five days after the homicide, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder and four felony firearm charges.

Ramonyea Bishop, who was found May 8 in a three-unit house in Bay City, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, felony firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.

Sharmel Teague is charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm charges.

Brya Bishop is charged with tampering with evidence, lying to police investigating a violent crime, and accessory after the fact to a felony.

All four suspects remain in custody at the Genesee County Jail.

More on MLive:

Gov. Whitmer offers condolences to family of Flint security guard killed over mask dispute

U.S. Marshals offer $5k reward for tips leading to arrest of suspects in Flint security guard shooting

Alleged gunman arraigned in fatal Flint security guard shooting over coronavirus mask rule

Sister of man accused of fatally shooting Flint security guards arraigned on charges

Woman arraigned in fatal shooting of Flint security guard over face mask

3 charged in fatal shooting of guard enforcing mask use at Flint store

Flint Family Dollar security guard remembered as a gift to life at visitation

Slain Family Dollar security guard mourned at candlelight vigil

Police investigating if security guard at Flint store was killed for requiring mask

Security guard dies after shooting at Family Dollar in Flint

Police investigate shooting at Family Dollar in Flint
Taliban insurgents set off a truck bomb, on Tuesday, in an attack on Afghan army commandos, killing three people and wounding 41, the Defence Ministry said.

This is despite steps towards peace talks with the U.S.-backed government.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast in the northern province of Balkh, saying on Twitter they had attacked the commandos.

The defence ministry said two members of the commando force were killed and six wounded, while the rest of the casualties were civilians.

The blast came as a Taliban delegation visited the Pakistani capital to discuss a peace process underpinned by an agreement between the Taliban and the United States on the withdrawal of U.S. forces in exchange for Taliban security guarantees and a promise to open power-sharing talks with the government.

But despite what many Afghans see as the best hope for peace since the latest phase of Afghanistans war began in 2001, the level of violence has remained high.

Diplomats and officials say the violence is sapping the trust needed for talks.

The government has asked repeatedly for a ceasefire before negotiations start in Qatars capital of Doha, a request the Taliban have refused.

Diplomats say Pakistan, which has long had influence over different Afghan factions, including the Taliban, has in recent months been pushing for a reduction in violence.

It was not immediately clear what issues would be discussed in the talks between the Taliban and the Pakistanis in Islamabad.

(Reuters/NAN)
Kimsi will underpin our adjusting expertise across class to include CAT capability in Mexico, Central America, and Puerto Rico.

Adjusteck LLC, a loss adjusting and claims management business dedicated to helping insurers manage loss worldwide, announces its newly-formed partnership with Kimsi and Associates. The affiliate partnership bolsters Adjustecks capabilities in Mexico, Central America, and Puerto Rico and, importantly, enables swift and specific response to catastrophic events within these key regions.

Kimsi and Associates is led by Managing Director, Eduardo Kimsi Palacios. The company is based in Mexico City and is highlighted by its expertise in the handling and administration of major complex losses and claims arising from the occurrence of catastrophes.

David Bosley, managing director of Adjusteck, remarks, I would like to welcome Kimsi and Associates loss adjusters as an Adjusteck affiliated network partner. Kimsi will underpin our adjusting expertise across class to include CAT capability in Mexico, Central America, and Puerto Rico.

Adjusteck is a technology-oriented loss adjusting and claims management firm, serving the global insurance and reinsurance markets with services backed by industry experts.

Alongside deep subject-matter expertise, Adjusteck applies cutting-edge technology solutions, including geospatial and aerial surveys, virtual claims handling, and advanced claims management software to resolve claims with greater efficiency.

The companys services include remote and field-based claims review and oversight in Casualty, Construction, Energy, Engineering, Cyber, Financial, Natural Resources, Property, and Specie.

To learn more about Adjusteck, visit adjusteck.com.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has asked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to explain the whereabouts of three helicopters belonging to the state government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the matter was raised during plenary on Monday sequel to the matter of urgent public importance moved by the Chief Whip of the House, Mojisola Miranda.

The House, therefore, summoned some key government officials to explain to the Assembly the agreement between the state and Caverton Helicopters, the managers of the helicopters.

The state officials summoned were Chief of Staff to the governor, Tayo Ayinde; Commissioners for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube; Special Duties, Seye Oladejo and management of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF)

Recall that in 2007, Lagos House of Assembly passed a bill for the establishment of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) for the state government to equip and strengthen the security agencies in the state.

Three helicopters were bought to strengthen security in the state. But, the helicopters are nowhere to be found now.

I will want us to look at it and get the concerned parties to tell the House the location of the three helicopters to see if they are just lying fallow.

If the state government has entered into an agreement with an entity on the equipment, lets see to what extent the agreement has been working, Miranda said.

The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, noted that the helicopters were meant for dual purposes  for security and for commercial purposes.

Mr Obasa emphasised that the House should know the amount that had accrued to the state from the helicopters so far.

What we have said so far has nothing to do with the image of the state or the assembly.

What the Chief Whip has done is not too much. We need to know what has happened to the helicopters, he said.

In his contribution, Rotimi Olowo (Shomolu I), said that the House had approved the purchase of two helicopters during the era of former Governor Babatunde Fashola.

READ ALSO:

Mr Olowo said the House learnt that the state had an agreement with Caverton Nigeria Limited to partially commercialize operations of the helicopters on behalf of the state government.

He added that it was important to know how the three helicopters had been managed so far.

Also speaking, Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju Lekki I) said the assets were purchased for security purposes and to generate money for the state government.

Mr Mojeed said the House needed to know what had happened to the helicopters and urged that a committee should be set up to look into the matter.

Corroborating, Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) said the helicopters should be at the reach of the state for security, probity and accountability.

However, Rotimi Abiru (Shomolu II) cautioned that the assembly ought to have approached the office of the Chief of Staff over the helicopters before bringing it to plenary.

Another lawmaker, Olawale Olayiwola (Mushin II) noted that it was important to call the attention of the state government to the matter.

Mr Olawale said the House needed to know the whereabouts of the helicopters, adding that many vehicles that were donated for security purposes in the state were also not functioning well.

(NAN)
A quiet square in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province is seen in this Aug. 20 photo. Despite the large number of surrounding IT firms, the streets are almost empty at lunchtime as companies are increasingly adopting work-from-home policies due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. / Yonhap



By Baek Byung-yeul



While chances are increasing that the country will adopt Level 3 social distancing measures due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, conglomerates fear that their business operations could be negatively impacted by the implementation of stricter measures, industry officials said Tuesday.



They said Level 3 social distancing measures could deal a harder blow to companies that mainly generate profits from manufacturing, as the stricter measures could delay their production schedule, which will consequently cause setbacks in exports.



On Aug. 19, the government announced Level 2 social distancing measures for the greater Seoul area would be adopted due to the rising number of infections. The measure was extended nationwide starting Aug. 23. However, the health authorities have warned that Korea may have to implement the highest level of social distancing  Level 3  if the rate of transmission does not slow down.






U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, tapped to answer the speeches at the Republican National Convention, went after President Donald Trump on his perceived strength this fall: His stewardship of the economy.

Booker joined Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as Tuesdays official Democratic responders to the GOP and blamed the current economic downturn on Trumps handling of the coronavirus.

We know that people all across New Jersey are hurting, Booker said. Theyre needing relief and theyre not getting this from this president, a president who called himself a deal maker but not has not only failed to make deals but has failed to address one of the biggest economic downturns in the last century.

Booker had a similar role four years ago at the Republican convention in Cleveland and addressed the economy at last weeks Democratic National Convention.

An August CNN poll gave Trump a 53% to 45% edge over Joe Biden on which candidate was better able to handle the economy.

Who better to lead us out of these times than the president who already built the strongest economy our country has ever seen? House Republican Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana told the Republicans Monday. Donald Trump did it before. Donald Trump will deliver for us again.

And Trump accepted his renomination in Charlotte by touting his earlier economic successes.

We were going in a direction like we had never seen, the most successful economy in the history of our country, Trump said.

Whitmer contended Trump took over an economy and a country in the midst of a historic recovery, the longest streak of job growth in history.

The fact-checking site Politifact backed that up, saying, The notion that the economy turned on a dime from bad to good under Trump is not supported by the facts.

Economic data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis showed 6.6 million jobs created during the first three years of the Trump administration, and 8.1 million during the last three years under President Barack Obama.

Trump campaign spokesman Chris Walker said the president deserved credit for an economy coming back from the pandemic.

If Cory Booker and the Democrats got their way, basement Biden would still have the economy closed and millions of New Jerseyan livelihoods would be suffering, Walker said. However, thanks to President Trumps leadership and pro-growth policies, Americans are benefiting from the Great American Comeback.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com.
Updated at 11:40 a.m. ET on 2020-08-26

Rohingya Muslim refugees on Tuesday quietly marked the third anniversary of a military crackdown that drove hundreds of thousands of them from Myanmar into Bangladesh, with no prospects of repatriation or accountability on the horizon.

A Rohingya leader at the largest refugee settlement in the world, Kutupalong camp in southeastern Bangladesh, said coronavirus contagion fears had prevented the community from gathering to mark the date.

This year we silently observed Aug. 25 [as] Rohingya genocide day. We have not held any meeting or rally due to the coronavirus. But we are adamant about realizing our demand  restoration of our civil rights, freedom and the trial of the people who killed us and tortured us, Kutupalong camp leader Mohammad Nur told BenarNews.

Bangladesh is not our country. Myanmar is our country. We faced huge torture in our country. Despite the risk of being tortured, we want to go back to our country. But we will go with our rights as citizens, he said.

More than 740,000 members of the minority group sought shelter across the border in southeastern Bangladesh as they fled from the crackdown that began in late August 2017. Myanmars military launched its brutal offensive in the wake of deadly attacks carried out on police and army posts by Rohingya insurgents.

On Tuesday, a senior Bangladesh official urged the international community to remain invested in solving the crisis, saying the South Asian country could not definitely bear the burden of hosting the hundreds of thousands of refugees.

This crisis has been negatively affecting our environment, ecology, tourism and economy, Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the ruling Awami League party, told journalists in Dhaka.

How can Bangladesh bear the burden of an additional 1.1 million people? I urge the attention of the U.N. and the international community in this regard, he said.

Rakhine state repatriation efforts

In 2019, some 200,000 Rohingya gathered at the Kutupalong camp for a special prayer seeking peace in Rakhine state so they could return. One year later, repatriation efforts remain stalled. More than 1 million Rohingya live in refugee camps in Coxs Bazar and neighboring Bandarban district.

Foreign Minister Abdul Momen said Bangladesh officials were willing to help the Rohingya leave the overcrowded Bangladesh camps, but their counterparts in Myanmar needed to step up.

We tried twice to start the repatriation, but the Rohingya did not agree to leave because they did not think the situation in Rakhine was favorable for their return. So Myanmar must create an enabling atmosphere in Rakhine where they can feel secure, he told BenarNews.

Meanwhile, Momen said 2020 had brought new delays.

The discussion on Rohingya repatriation was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Momen said. Now they (Myanmar officials) want to delay the negotiation until after their upcoming general elections in November.

A Myanmar official agreed that the pandemic has slowed the process.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have some limitations in our efforts, but the relevant government departments keep working on what they have to do, said Thurein Tun, deputy director general of the Relief and Resettlement Department.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government has repeatedly voiced its intent to move about 100,000 refugees to a flood-prone island hours from the mainland, to reduce crowding in the camps, but the controversial plan has never been carried out.

In May, authorities towed a boat carrying about 300 Rohingya to the island, known as Bhashan Char. The boat was adrift after being denied entry to Malaysia. To date, those Rohingya are the only residents of the island; some rights groups say they are essentially prisoners there.

Global support for Rohingya

The anniversary this year drew words of support for the refugees in Bangladesh and around the world.

We have been giving the Rohingya support to allow them to stay here peacefully, but our ultimate goal is their sustainable return, Mahbub Alam Talukder, refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, told BenarNews.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) blamed the Myanmar government for its failure to ensure the Rohingyas safe return while noting that Bangladesh authorities had tightened restrictions against the refugees.

Myanmars government should recognize that the terrible suffering it has caused the Rohingya wont disappear even amid a global pandemic, said Brad Adams, HRWs Asia director. Myanmar needs to accept an international solution that provides for the safe, voluntary return of Rohingya refugees, while an understandably stretched Bangladesh should not make conditions inhospitable for refugees who have nowhere to go.

In the United States, a bipartisan group of senators called on the Trump administration to support the Rohingya as well as declare the crimes committed against them genocide.

We urge you and President Trump to speak out forcefully and publicly about these atrocities, acknowledging the gravity of the crimes with a determination of crimes against humanity and genocide, Sens. Jeff Merkley, Marco Rubio, Edward J. Markey, Todd Young, Dick Durbin, Susan Collins, Elizabeth Warren, Ben Cardin and Ron Wyden said in a Tuesday letter to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.

A genocide determination would properly recognize the scale and severity of atrocities committed against the Rohingya, open the door to additional actions to hold Burmese leadership responsible for their inexcusable behavior, help to prevent further atrocities in an environment of ongoing high risk, and galvanize international aid and attention at a time of donor fatigue, their joint statement said.

Speaking at a webinar in Dhaka on Monday, U.S. Ambassador Earl M. Miller, pointed out that the U.S. was the worlds leading contributor to humanitarian aid for the Rohingya, providing more than $951 million over the last three years.

When you visit the Rohingya camps, one can be heartbroken by the inhumanity in Burma that caused this crisis. But one can also be inspired by Bangladeshs response and the nations that support you, Miller said, referring to Myanmar by its old name.

The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, called on Myanmar to address the barriers keeping the Rohingya from their homes, and praised Bangladesh for its commitment to the refugees.

Three years on from the latest exodus of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar and sought sanctuary in Bangladesh from August 2017 onward, challenges persist and continue to evolve, the UNHCR said in a statement on Aug. 21.

Rohingya women and children stand outside their homes in the Baharchara refugee camp in Teknaf in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, Aug. 16, 2020. [Sunil Barua/BenarNews]

Favorable court actions

Earlier this year, two international courts took action in favor of the Rohingya and against the Myanmar government.

In February, the International Criminal Court prosecutors office, based at The Hague, announced it was gathering evidence against people suspected of committing crimes against Rohingya in Myanmar.

Yes, it is three years since the crimes were committed, but justice will be done. It may take a year, it may take two years, it may take three years, senior prosecutor Phakiso Mochochoko told reporters in Dhaka in February. The beauty of our international criminal court is it is a permanent international institution.

The announcement came just weeks after the U.N.s International Court of Justice in January issued a binding order that Myanmar must prevent the killing or serious injury of Rohingya; ensure that the military does not harm them or conspire to commit genocide; preserve evidence related to allegations; and report on its compliance with the measures until the ICJ issues a final decision on the case.

Addressing the court in December, Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi said the genocide case against her country was based on an incomplete and misleading grasp of the situation and should be rejected.

Can there be genocidal intent on the part of a state that actively investigates, prosecutes and punishes soldiers and officers that are accused of wrongdoing? she said, referring to two cases in which Myanmar investigated atrocities by soldiers.

Another U.N. body  the United Nations Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar  issued a statement on Tuesday to offer its support for Rohingya as they seek justice.

We are aware that for each day that passes without justice or accountability, the suffering continues for those displaced from their homes and for those who lost loved ones or were themselves victimized, said Nicholas Koumjian, who leads the Myanmar Mechanism. Justice for international crimes is a complex and often slow process and we do not want to raise expectations that it will be easily or quickly achieved.

Koumjian said his organization was working to save evidence against those responsible for crimes so they will be held accountable.

We have heard the voices of many victims and survivors expressing how important justice is to them and we are aware that for most, any real justice would include the ability to return to and live safely and peacefully in their homes.

This updated version adds information and comment from the Myanmar government.
The sit-in movement spread and is credited with spurring radical changes for people of color throughout the South.

Henderson, who showed up at Woolworth on the second day of the sit-ins, says that his life wasn't immune to racism before that event  or after.

While in the Army, he recalled flyers that showed up at the Alabama military installation where he was assigned. At the time, former Alabama Gov. George Wallace, an avowed segregationist, was running for president.

"(The flyers) said: 'Put a white man in the White House and not that 'n-lover' Lyndon Baines Johnson," Henderson said.

He says those who see Trump as racist are wrong.

As evidence, critics of Trump would point to 2017 and a white supremacist and neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Va., that turned violent and led to the death of a counter-protester. Trump would infamously say afterwards that there were "very fine people" on both sides.

But Henderson said critics need to get the full context of what Trump meant. He wasn't condoning their actions.

"I know what racism is," Henderson said. "I know it every time I see it."
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Prime Minister of Czech Republic Andrej Babis address the media during a press conference as part of a meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, on Aug. 12, 2020. (Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

House Committee Investigating Whether Pompeos RNC Speech Violated Law

Secretary of State Mike Pompeos pending speech at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday night will be investigated by a House committee, according to the chairman of the panel.

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs panels subcommittee on oversight and investigations, wrote that he is now conducting an investigation into Pompeos prerecorded speech, raising concerns that it is a breach of State Department regulations and the Hatch Act.

Pompeo is facing criticism for taking time during diplomatic travel to deliver a speech at the convention.

The Hatch Act prohibits federal officials from taking part in political activity while they are on duty. But the State Department has said that Pompeo, a former representative from Kansas, is speaking at the convention in his personal capacity.

The Trump administration and Secretary Pompeo have shown a gross disregard not only of basic ethics, but also a blatant willingness to violate federal law for political gain, he alleged. Congress has a responsibility to stand up for the rule of law and hold them accountable for this corrupt behavior.

He said that it is absolutely unacceptable that a Secretary of State would use official taxpayer-funded business to participate in a political party convention, particularly after the State Department published guidance that explicitly prohibits such activity.

The State Department has not responded to a request for comment.

Castro went on to say that Pompeos remarks are part of a pattern of politicization of certain offices in the Trump administration.

Top Democrats such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and presidential nominee Joe Biden offered critical words for Pompeos anticipated speech. They and other Democrats said that his predecessors at the State Department eschewed speaking at the Democratic National Convention while they served.

Pelosi said in an interview on Tuesday that he violated the rules.

The image is something thats going to say, look at us, were here in Israel making a speech to the Republican National Convention, violating our values in terms of the bipartisanship and our support for Israel, violating in many ways what he told his own employees, she remarked.

A spokesperson for the State Department told Fox News that no State Department resources will be used.Staff are not involved in preparing the remarks or in the arrangements for Secretary Pompeos appearance. The State Department will not bear any costs in conjunction with this appearance.

Pompeo is slated to appear in the prerecorded video that will be broadcast during the RNC. According to The Associated Press, it was recorded in Jerusalem, Israel.

Looking forward to sharing with you how my family is more SAFE and more SECURE because of President Trump, Pompeo wrote on Twitter after the RNC announced his appearance.
The Interpol on Tuesday issued a red notice against the wife of fugitive Indian businessman Nirav Modi. The notice was issued on the request of Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Modis wife Ami is being investigated by ED in connection with laundering of money. The diamantaire, meanwhile, is in prison in London in connection with the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

Ami had left India with Nirav Modi and other family members in first week of January, 2018, just before agencies started investigations in the PNB scam. It is alleged that she had gone to the US.

What is a red notice?

Interpol defines red notice as a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

The global body further says that a red notice contains information to identify the wanted person, such as their name, date of birth, nationality, hair and eye colour, photographs and fingerprints if available. It also information related to the crime they are wanted for.

It is issued at the request of member country. The Interpol clarifies that a red notice is an international wanted person notice, but not an arrest warrant.

The checks to be performed before issuing a red notice

Every red notice request is checked by a specialised task force of the Interpol. This review takes into account information available at the time of publication.

How will a red notice affect Ami Modi?

A red notice allows 192 member countries to locate a person wanted by the country which has made the request. This means that Ami Modis free movement will be affected now.

After a red notice against her, Amis name will be now in Interpol database at all the ports and airports across the world.

Ami was director in few companies which were allegedly used by Nirav Modi for laundering money. The ED had named Ami as an accused in the PNB money-laundering case for the first time in March last year.

Who are the subjects of red notices?

The Interpol website says that red notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

When a person is sought for prosecution, they have not been convicted and should be considered innocent until proven guilty. A person sought to serve a sentence means they have been found guilty by a court in the issuing country, it futher says.

Can a red notice lead to arrest?

Interpol says that it cannot force the law enforcement authorities in any country to arrest someone who is the subject of a red notice.

Each member country decides what legal value it gives to a red notice and the authority of their law enforcement officers to make arrests, according to Interpol website.
A Ugandan refugee mother in her 30s has been found dead beside her malnourished baby in a flat in Glasgow.

Mercy Baguma was found by police in Govan on Saturday, after friends, who had not seen her since Tuesday, raised the alarm.

The baby boy, who was found crying and weakened from starvation beside his mother's body, is now being cared for by his father, who is understood to be an asylum seeker, in another part of the city.

Mercy, who was in her 30s, lost her job after her limited leave to remain expired and she was no longer allowed to work.

She was living in extreme poverty when she claimed asylum and was relying on food from friends and charitable organisations.

Mercy was discovered by policy on August 22, and was last heard from four days earlier, when she spoke to friends.

A week earlier, on August 11, she got in touch with charity Positive Action for Housing, to seek help and would have been deemed high priority for support.

No cause of death has yet been established.

Mercy Baguma, from Uganda, was found dead by Glasgow police on Saturday, next to her malnourished son

Robina Qureshi, Director of Positive Action in Housing said: 'This is the third tragedy to affect the city's refugee population in as many months.

'Mercy contacted our charity on August 11 and said she was not getting any financial support yet had made an application to MigrantHelp.

'Had she lived she would have been a high priority for a crisis payment from our Emergency Relief Fund like hundreds of others left functionally destitute by the asylum system.

'The question remains, why are mothers and babies being left to go hungry in this city, why is it being left to charities and volunteers to pick up the pieces? Does society have anything to say about that other than call them a drain on society?

'The fact is there is no safety net if you're a refugee or migrant.

'You are left destitute and without resources. And you're left silenced by far right rhetoric for being forced to ask for help.

She was living in extreme poverty when she claimed asylum and was relying on food from friends and charitable organisations

'Would this mother be alive if she was not forced out of her job by this cruel system that stops you from working and paying your way because a piece of paper says your leave to remain has expired?

'I'm sure Mercy's son will want to ask this and other questions once he is old enough.'

MPs from Glasgow are demanding action after a series of tragedies during lockdown involving asylum seekers, including a mass stabbing at a hotel, Park Inn, where knifeman Badreddin Abdalla Adam attacked six people before being shot dead by police.

The attack was thought to have been terror-related and triggered a massive response by police.

Authorities had been warned he was suffering from severe mental health problems and asylum seekers had protested about living conditions at the hotel.

Asylum seeker Adnan Walid Elbii was also found dead in a hotel room during the lockdown.

It comes after the family of a migrant who tragically drowned while crossing the Channel blamed French authorities for his death - after they rejected his asylum claim.

Abdulfatah Hamdallah, who relatives say was 22, only made the desperate attempt to cross the Channel to Britain because he was turned down by France.

He died after the 3ft dinghy he and a friend were in was punctured by the shovels they were using as oars.

His friend somehow survived. But Mr Hamdallah, from Sudan, could not swim and his body was later found washed up on a beach at Sangatte.

Hamdallah's second cousin, Al-Noor Mohammed said: 'We grew up together in Sudan, and he only took this boat because of the French authorities who didn't believe him.

'The last time I saw him was on Tuesday night. He was on a bicycle and told me that he may not be able to see me again. I didn't believe him, but he said: 'I will see you at the other side' which is the UK.'
There has never been a time like this in American education. During a month normally devoted to back to school shopping and family vacations, August 2020 finds parents agonizing over modified options for in-person or online education, amid seemingly daily K-12 educational strategy updates.

The long-term effects of COVID-19 on the educational, psychological and physiological well-being of children is on the mind of every parent across the country, as they choose between sending kids to school or keeping them at home.

For many, remote learning is not a decision, but a reality. As of early August, 17 of the nations 20 largest school districts (home to more than 4 million students) chose to offer remote learning as their only fall instructional model.

But how will employed parents keep children engaged and learning at home? How will they meet their childrens educational needs for unfamiliar course content like new math? What about their childrens social and emotional needs?

Enter the formation of pandemic pods, in which several families band together so their children are able to learn together, sometimes rotating home locations to help parents continue working. The small groups afford children much-needed social engagement, while their educational needs are guided by common Zutors (tutors on Zoom).

Pods can be subject specific, with Zutors offering personalized cognitive, social, emotional and content-driven guidance. Other Zutors aid students with broader study skills, literacy and multiple-subject homework help.

In pockets around the country, families are using social media to self-organize pods. But what about parents who dont have a group of families with which to band together? And how do pods connect with worthy Zutors without stressing school systems?

Times of crisis call for innovative solutions, utilizing community resources.

Luckily, Berks County has a viable resource in our local college students. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence shows significant social and academic performance improvements of students who work with college-age mentors in tutoring or mentoring programs.

Unsurprisingly, this connection doesnt just benefit mentees. Studies also show increases in self-esteem, problem-solving skills, civic action and more for college students follow tutoring/mentoring experiences with community youth.

Recognizing the benefits to both K-12 and college-age students, Albright College has formed the Albright TutorDen.

The Albright TutorDen allows parents to enroll their students in personalized tutoring services, or create pods up to a maximum of five students. Certified by the international College Reading and Learning Association, Albright student-tutors are able to provide educational, cognitive and emotional support while gaining real-world education leadership and effectiveness experience.

Of course, tutoring can be expensive, furthering the divide of educational equity. In Pennsylvania, the average cost of personalized tutoring services is $40-$80 per hour for a tutor with an undergraduate degree, and can be upwards of $100 per hour for a certified teacher.

TutorDen is designed to help families overcome monetary barriers by allowing groups of students to split costs. And families registered as low-income through their school districts (designated by the National School Lunch program) can apply for grants to cover registration fees. Fundraising efforts are already underway to provide enrollment fees for low-income families.

But online education isnt new. Scores of students take part in it each year. So even though the Albright TutorDen was born as a solution to pandemic issues, its likely to become a long-standing curricular bridge for students navigating the complexities of online education.

And whether learning online or in-person, high school students will benefit from Advanced Placement and college-prep course help with younger adult role models who have successfully navigated such programs and can more-easily connect with todays youth.

It is so energizing to be knee-deep in the planning of innovative programming like the Albright TutorDen and the Science Research Institute at Albright. Im proud to live, learn, work, and play in Greater Reading and call Berks County my home.

Adelle Schade is director and founder of the Albright College Science Research Institute and dean of pre-college and summer programs.
A proposed $1.78 billion budget for fiscal 2021, similar in size to the current spending plan, was presented to Bexar County commissioners Tuesday as a means of keeping most county employees on staff, while providing more support in community workforce development and domestic violence prevention during the pandemic.

County officials, hearing the first presentation on the proposed budget, set for final action Sept. 15, said theyll need to keep a close eye on property tax revenues.

They hoped to know by mid-spring whether they can consider moving forward on new capital projects. Although 66 percent of the countys property tax base is residential, another wave of COVID-19 could affect homeowners ability to make scheduled payments, officials said.

County Manager David Smith said most county departments have rowed in the same direction, starting in April, to help us be financially on a sound footing as we go into this budget process.

Through freezing of vacant positions, through deferring discretionary expenditures and through the early retirement incentive program, we were fortunate enough to be able to budget savings next year that largely offset the revenue loss that the auditor is projecting, Smith told commissioners. Ive been here 23 years, and very rarely have I seen everyone pull together  all the elected officials, all the department heads, all the appointed officials  to try and help each other out.

On ExpressNews.com: Wolff warns of fast and furious coronavirus

The budget includes $678 million in operating expenses; $662.4 million for roads, flood control and other capital projects; $152.2 million for debt service payments; $9.2 million in contingencies; and $279.4 million in reserves and carry-forward fund balance.

Compared to last year, the county has seen a nearly 6 percent increase in total property values, due partly to about $4.5 billion in new construction. Certified values overall rose by $10.3 billion to $182.6 billion.

But the county auditors office projects a 94 percent collection rate on payments during 2021, below the historic rate on collections of about 98 percent. The county staff is proposing that commissioners adopt the existing tax rate of 30.1 cents per $100 valuation.

Smith said hell have a better idea how well the county is doing financially when the first big wave of property tax payments arrive in January, and when preliminary estimates of next years value are released in April. That will help the county gauge the economic impact on property values from this unprecedented shutdown due to COVID-19, Smith predicted.

He asked commissioners to delay the start of new capital projects until the spring.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said hes concerned about plummeting commercial property values tied to tourism.

We know theres absolutely no way that these high-end hotels downtown are not going to get depreciated in some form or fashion. You cant get a 90 percent occupancy and go down to 35 (percent), and expect those values to remain, Wolff said.

In a related matter, commissioners approved a transfer of $11.7 million from reserves to the countys Coronavirus Relief Fund budget, related to commitments for small business grants, rental assistance, protective equipment and other costs connected with the pandemic. Since the countys share of $79.6 million in federal aid has to be spent by Dec. 30, the transfer allows the county to spend from its general fund to support workforce stipends, job training and development of an urban farm in 2021.

On ExpressNews.com: Bexar County bracing for COVID-19s fiscal impact

Noting an 18 percent increase in domestic violence calls to the San Antonio Police Department from March 2019 to March 2020 and a rise in domestic homicides, Assistant County Manager Tina Smith-Dean proposed adding three positions at a cost of $173,000, to help to process online protective orders.

In light of a reported 15 percent decreased workload in county constables offices, the budget proposes cutting 38 of the 69 deputy constable positions, a savings of $2.7 million. It also would eliminate 23 vacant law enforcement Sheriffs Office positions, saving $1.34 million. Because of a reduced need for courtroom security during the pandemic, elimination of nine vacant court-services deputy positions and funding for part-time, temporary security is proposed, a combined savings of nearly $1.2 million.

As interest rates on municipal bonds reached historic lows in the pandemic, the county issued bonds to re-fund its debt, saving about $3 million annually, Smith said.

Budget work sessions are set for Sept. 3 and Sept. 10.

Scott Huddleston covers Bexar County government and the Alamo for the San Antonio Express-News. To read more from Scott, become a subscriber. shuddleston@express-news.net | Twitter: @shuddlestonSA
On Thursday, the 8th Edition of Big BFSI Future Tech Show provided a comprehensive digital platform for hundreds of pre-qualified C-level Decision Makers and fintech enthusiasts to discuss Indias next big step in exploiting future technologies. The conference was hosted on the recently launched virtual events platform, vmeets that featured powerful keynotes, exciting panel discussions, technology use-cases, product showcases and other insightful sessions from key players in the BFSI sector.

The agenda of the conference covered the impact of AI, ML, IoT & Big Data Analytics in the BFSI & NBFC sector; concerns of data security and compliances involved in the process of moving to cloud platforms; cyber threat intelligence and risks for the BFSI Sector in India (BCP); to name a few.

The event was an outstanding example of how digital innovation can open the doors to financial inclusion in a post-Covid world.

Excerpts from Big BFSI Future Tech Show

The conference opened with a government keynote from Pawan Kumar, Director, Investment and Digital Economy for the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Pawan who works with various departments of the government and regulators to facilitate innovation and investments in the FinTech Sector, gave an overview of India's BFSI landscape. He said We have laid a robust digital foundation over a period of two years with the help of progressive regulators like RBI and different government departments. The agenda for this year is to achieve digital financial inclusion for everyone including women, SMEs and the youth of the country.



Dr Anand Shrivastav, Member of RBI's Financial Inclusion Advisory Committee and speaker on the government panel discussion, outlined Indias progress in terms of the overall regulation architecture for financial inclusion under The National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2019-2024.

Other insightful sessions included a government keynote from Rajagopal Devara, Principal Secretary, Financial Reforms for Government of Maharashtra on reviving the economy and creating the new normal.

A tech talk on Security and Compliance in a Hyper-Distributed Era from Rahul Arora, Country Manager - Strategic Sales for SonicWall

A panel discussion on data analytics backed by AI and ML to transform the BFSI & NBFC sector that featured speakers from top companies such as Amit Saxena, Deputy CTO of SBI; Anish Agarwal, Director of Data & Analytics at NatWest Group; Ayaskant Mohapatra, CIO, BOB Financial Solutions Limited; Ashish Ojha, VP  IT for Aye Finance and Dr Mukesh Mehta, CTO at Batlivala & Karani Securities Ltd.

Big BFSI Future Tech Show took place in an immersive online setting where attendees engaged with speakers in Q&A sessions and networked with solution providers in private consultation rooms and private networking rooms.

The 8th edition of Big BFSI Future Tech Show was officially sponsored by Gold Sponsors - SonicWall and Eastvantage and Exhibitor - NeoSOFT Technologies.
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has suggested lawmakers subpoena US Postal Service postmaster general Louis DeJoy for his calendars, an effort that could potentially expose conflicts of interest between the agency Donald Trump appointed him to lead and his former business.

Mr DeJoy, who entered the role in June, appeared to dismiss the congresswoman's request for his calendars, saying: "I don't know. I'll check with counsel. ... I don't want to set a precedent for my calendar to be submitted every two months."

The congresswoman reminded him that the calendars are public record before she suggested to New York Congresswoman and House Oversight Committee chair Carolyn Maloney that lawmakers consider a subpoena for the documents.

"The details of this calendar are extraordinarily important to the committee's investigations," she said. "If we cannot receive them voluntarily, I would recommend consideration of a subpoena for these details."

Monday's hearing followed a House of Representatives vote on Saturday approving a $24bn boost for the agency and to suspend cost-cutting measures. The proposal is likely to be blocked by Senate Republicans; the White House has signalled that it would veto it.

During the four-hour hearing, Mr DeJoy  scrutinised for sweeping cuts to the agency as the president undermines vote-by-mail efforts ahead of crucial November elections  said he would not reverse cost-cutting measures that have caused significant nationwide slowdowns. He denied that he was responsible for several of the operational changes that outside observers believe caused the mail delays, saying those changes had been implemented before he took over the USPS.

Mr DeJoy previously was an executive XPO Logistics, which has a contract with the USPS. XPO had purchased New Breed Logistics, where Mr DeJoy served as its CEO.

"I have a significant investment in XPO Logistics which I vetted with the ethics department of the Postal Service, and I was given specific types of guidelines that I needed to adhere to," Mr DeJoy told the committee.

Story continues

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez also asked Mr DeJoy whether his staff had deleted anything from his calendar since he took office and whether any ethics officers were reviewing his calendar.

"Have you taken any meetings with XPO logistics since becoming postmaster general?" she asked. "Have you emailed, texted, called or communicated with XPO logistics?"

He said he "probably would have spoken" with his former colleagues.

The USPS denied request from ethics watchdog American Oversight for Mr DeJoy's calendars, which USPS claimed are not considered "agency records".

Read more

Postmaster General DeJoy faces grilling from enraged Democrats

US House agrees $25bn for US Postal Service

Head of USPS says he will not reverse changes which caused delays

Exclusive: Carter Centre to launch first-ever US election initiative
Four held in Gujarat, days after 6 workers died due to inhalation of chemical fumes leaked from tanker

Gujarat: 9 die in heavy rains, NDRF rescues 30

India

oi-Briti Roy Barman

New Delhi, Aug 25: As many as 9 people were killed and nearly 1,900 people were shifted to a safer place following heavy rainfall in Gujarat.

On Monday, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team rescued 30 people stranded in Chikhli. According to the reports, Gujarat received more than 102 per cent of the annual average rainfall till Monday morning.

Heavy rains likely in north India; Orange alert issued in 3 states: IMD

The Met department said Gujarat is very likely to receive an "active wet spell" during August 24 and August 25.

It predicted heavy to very heavy rains in isolated places in Gujarat region on Tuesday and issued an advisory for fishermen in north and south Gujarat coasts till Tuesday.

Usain Bolt tests Covid-19 positive, Chris Gayle was at his party | Oneindia News

The rainfall has mainly affected the low-lying areas especially the Saurashtra region, disrupting normal life.

Several parts of Gujarat have been receiving incessant rainfall in the past few days.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had on Monday predicted isolated extremely heavy rainfall over southwest Rajasthan and Gujarat.

"The low-pressure area lies over central parts of south Rajasthan and neighbourhood. It is very likely to move nearly westwards across west Rajasthan during next 2 days and become less marked thereafter. However, the associated cyclonic circulation is likely to meander over south Rajasthan neighbourhood region for subsequent 2-3 days. The monsoon is likely to remain active during next 2-3 days," the IMD said.
F und manager Nicola Horlicks lending platform Money&Co lost 400,000 in the last financial year as potential investors ducked taking out its ISAs amid the Covid crisis.

Horlick, once dubbed the City Superwoman, set up Money&Co and its holding company Denmark Square in 2013 as a peer-to-peer lender but has since changed the business model so it only lends on secured assets, primarily in music publishing and litigation finance.

She said: We would have made a profit but hardly anybody bought ISAs in the key March-April time. Literally, it was something like 5% of the business on 2019 levels.

However, she predicted the business would make a profit over time this year.

Peer-to-peer lenders have come under huge pressure due to the shortage of investors willing to lend and fears of defaults.

Ratesetter was recently sold to Metro Bank for an initial 2.6 million despite analysts earlier claims that it could be worth 50 million.

The loss was narrower than the previous years 547,000, she said.

Horlick said she had switched from unsecured peer-to-peer lending after becoming concerned about the economy after the Brexit referendum.

Covid had made her ever more convinced of the risks, as a large amount of money had simply been lost for businesses for ever.

Just because you didnt have a haircut for six months because of lockdown doesnt mean youre going to have three haircuts now, she said. That business for the hairdresser has gone.

She said the government Covid lending schemes, while welcome, had made the situation even riskier as most deserving businesses had already raised money, leaving only the riskiest ones still seeking loans.

She said it was likely many borrowers would struggle to repay the loans to the government, recommending the Chancellor consider setting up an agency to convert them to equity instead of demanding impossible repayments.
New research , from Keith Gandal , professor of English in the Division of Humanities and the Arts at The City College of New York, and his brother Neil Gandal, professor of economics at Tel Aviv University , examine the surprising fact that the New York City death rates from COVID-19 have been four times that of Mumbai, India.

According to their research, the difference is not due, as some have speculated, to Mumbai undercounting its COVID-19 fatalities, an especially weak strain of the virus that is only in Southeast Asia, or some unique genetic factors among Indian slum dwellers. Instead, they suggest that socio-economic factors have played a strong role.

In New York City, becoming ill with COVID-19 was a crisis. It meant a radical shift in behavior, involving quarantine and a dramatic adjustment of family and often work life. In the Mumbai slums, where whole families live in one small room, social distancing was impossible, and the lockdown threatened residents with starvation. They couldn't worry too much about getting or being sick, as they couldn't stop trying to work or search for food assistance.

The stresses in each city were different. In New York Citybut not the Mumbai slumsmany sick people understandably experienced what might be called "illness panic."

Doctors know that many COVID-related deaths are due to immune-system overreaction, including "cytokine storms," but they don't know what causes such overreaction. There is meanwhile a rich medical literature linking stress to immunological dysfunction.

These two bodies of medical knowledge have not yet been linked, but adverse psychoneuroimmunological reactionsor interactions between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems of the human bodymay explain many COVID-related deaths.

Media Contact: Jay Mwamba, [email protected], 212.650.7580

SOURCE City College of New York, Office of Institutional Advancement and Communications
DENVER, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- EdgeMicro, a leading edge colocation company, announced today five new micro data centers (MDCs) across the United States. The additional five sites include Cleveland, Indianapolis, Memphis, Houston, and Pittsburgh. The construction process has already begun with the sites slated to be online beginning in Q4 2020.

EdgeMicro strategically selected these underserved markets due to their strong population base and input from their growing client base. The launch of the new sites augments EdgeMicro's already operational sites in Austin, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Tampa, Florida.

"Success of our initial locations has accelerated our deployment to the edge," said Mike Hagan, Founder & CEO of EdgeMicro. "Our portfolio of eight strategically positioned MDCs offer businesses the chance to connect to users and fully demonstrates our ability to scale in a rapidly growing edge market. By offering infrastructure closer to the end user, we lower latency and positively impact the bandwidth challenges that have been created by increasingly important work-from-home demands related to the COVID-19 pandemic."

According to a report by Global Market Insights , the edge data center market was expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 20.5% between 2019-2025. Edge data centers direct internet traffic away from primary internet hubs to edge internet hubs, which increasing speed for providing a better user experience.

Nationally renowned internet companies and content providers are anchor tenants in EdgeMicro's facilities in Austin, Tampa, and Raleigh, with plans to expand their footprint to the new locations.

"Due to our expanding portfolio we are experiencing heightened leasing activity," said Jason Bourg, Vice President of Revenue at EdgeMicro. "EdgeMicro's ability to deliver reliable, repeatable, colocation and connectivity is paying off for both our business partners and the mutual customers we serve."

Visit www.edgemicro.com to learn more about the company's edge colocation services.

About EdgeMicro

EdgeMicro is an edge colocation company launched in 2017 dedicated to delivering on the promise of edge computing. Founded by an elite team with telecommunications and data center expertise with a simple yet innovative solution, EdgeMicro is deploying hundreds of network-neutral, modular data centers that deliver the scale and flexibility required at the edge. For more information visit www.edgemicro.com and Follow on Twitter and LinkedIn .

SOURCE EdgeMicro
University students across Canada are not returning to their campuses next month. Rather, most university courses will be taught online with face-to-face instruction for only a few students who require hands-on labs and studio work.

This is a shame, and greatly impoverishes the lives and learning of students. Looking at a talking head on Zoom is not the same as being in a room with a professor and classmates. Scrolling on a screen is not the equivalent of walking along the shelves of a library. Talking with classmates after a lecture is not the same as a social media chat. Hanging out in the school gym, cafeteria or student club is far more enriching and stimulating than staring at a screen.

Students come to university because they want to change: to become something or someone they are not yet. This transformation involves looking at the world in a new way and interacting with people who have a variety of world views and experiences. This is so much harder to accomplish virtually than face-to-face.

Online education is effective for a small set of students: those who are highly motivated, mature, and who already possess considerable experience learning online. Most undergraduates do not fall into this category.

There are reasons why classrooms  not bedrooms, basements and coffee shops  have remained the primary location for learning for millennia. Of course, online resources are important in teaching and learning at universities, but they dont replace the physical classroom for the majority of students.

In the same way, Parliament continues to meet in person rather than virtually. This is because debate, deliberation and political exchange are richer and more effective in a live and face-to-face forum. Democracy would be diminished dramatically if all politicians were to merely submit recorded videos and statements of their views from now on.

Many universities see online education as an appealing growth market in that students located anywhere in the country and around the world can now complete a degree. Online education is also a cost-effective way to teach large numbers of students. After all, a set of lectures once recorded can be posted over and over to new cohorts of students.

At the moment, most universities charge the same tuition for a course offered on-campus as one taught virtually. On student transcripts there is no indication if a course or degree was completed online or in a face-to-face classroom. This will change.

In the not-too-distant future, post-secondary students and their parents will have to make a difficult choice: study fully online for a degree and pay lower tuition, or study face-to-face  and get all the benefits of doing so  while paying significantly higher tuition.

Given the dramatic and unexpected expansion of online learning, university students and taxpayers will be well served if governments and universities begin now to plan for the nature of postsecondary education in the decades to come.

Thomas Klassen is a professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration at York University, Toronto.
New Delhi, Aug 25 : A day after the tumultuous Congress Working Committee (CWC)meeting, the dissenters are miffed because in the din the contents of the letter were not discussed at all.

As tables 'turned' on the dissenters over the so called "letter bomb" on Monday during the CWC, the majority of the members focussed on the timing of the letter connecting it with the loyalty factor. And, in all this, the contents of the letter were not discussed in the sever-hour long meeting as the four signatories, who were part of the CWC meeting, were cornered by the loyalists.

In the dramatic events which unfolded on Monday the dissenters thought that the contents of the letter would be discussed in detail. This did not happen as the deliberation went on the timing and purpose of such a letter.

During the CWC, some leaders asked the letter signatories why the questions were not raised in the internal party meetings, the signatories replied that there were no meetings held. On this reply, the General Secretary Organization gave a detailed list of meetings which took place during the year.

The content of the letter was not discussed in the meeting except the paras referred by Sonia Gandhi in her statement which was read by K. C.Venugopal at the onset of the Monday meeting.

While the signatories maintained that the matter ended after it was taken up by the Congress working committee meeting, but after the meeting on Monday the signatories assembled at Ghulam Nabi Azad's residence to discuss future strategy. This has not been disclosed, but sources say that discontent is not yet over and they are waiting for a moment and timing again.

Former Union Ministers Manish Tewari, Shashi Tharoor, Mukul Wasnik, Anand Sharma and Kapil Sibal reached Azad's residence on Monday evening and met for more than an hour, but it was not clear what transpired there.

In the Congress Working Committee meeting, Sharma, Azad and Wasnik were cornered by Gandhi loyalists, with even former Union Minister Ambika Soni targetting Azad, and demanded action, saying 'that he has not been without power for decades, so what problem does he have now', sources said.

The dissenters, meanwhile, maintained that the letter was not against the Gandhis but for reforms within party, and it was not to question the leadership of Gandhis. But some of the signatories are saying that the letter should not have been leaked to media. They say that there was only one copy of the letter, thus casting aspersions on the other side for leaking the letter.

One of the strongest advocates of the party reforms, Sanjay Jha said in early morning Tuesday tweet: "This is just the end of the beginning." Meanwhile, the Congress is likely to appoint a panel of senior leaders to assist interim chief Sonia Gandhi till she is at the helm of affairs, say sources. Though the party maintains all is well but the discontent, evinced by a letter seeking a leadership change, may not have been fully doused.

Sources say that the party may appoint a panel of four persons to take important decisions.

The Congress working Committee, the party's highest decision making committee, which met on Monday, in the wake of the letter seeking change, has authorised the Congress President to affect "necessary organisational changes" that she may deem appropriate to take on the challenges.

"In the light of the above deliberations and conclusions, the CWC unanimously requests Sonia Gandhi to continue to lead the Congress until such time as circumstances will permit an AICC session to be convened," party General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal said, after the key meeting.

But after the events, Sonia Gandhi has emerged more stronger as the dissenters did not find wide support which they had anticipated.
Last week, FICCI organised a webinar to look at cargo corridor potential between India and the Central Asian republics. Since the republics became independent in 1991 after the fall of Soviet Union, every government in the country has tried to have an outreach with the five stans.

While some of the ambitious projects like TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline havent taken off, trade and lately tourism has zoomed upwards. In this context, comments by the chief strategy and revenue officer of IndiGo were also widely reported with the hope that Indias largest airline could potentially explore flights to Central Asia when things normalize.

While India has direct connectivity to all five republicsKazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstanit is a shame that it is all driven by carriers from those countries. Indian carriers have been reluctant to venture into any of these countries.

The recent repatriation flights shed light on what they have been missing. Air India, SpiceJet and IndiGo, which fly to some points in these countries, raised eyebrows when a large number of students, workers and white-collar workers were repatriated from places beyond the capital cities.

Current Connectivity

Kazakh airline Air Astana started operations to India in 2004 and has come a long way investing in the network over the years. In the early days, Air Astana, Uzbekistan Airways and Turkmenistan Airlines were looked at cheaper flight options from North India in general and Punjab in particular. Tajikistan-based Somon Air launched non-stop flights between capital Dushanbe and New Delhi in December 2019 while Avia Traffic Company operated flights between Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and New Delhi.

Air Astana announced services to Mumbai while Uzbekistan Airways had already launched services until COVID-19 struck the aviation market. The last two years have not been particularly great for the connectivity since 2019 saw disruption due to airspace closure by Pakistan. Indian carriers currently operate charters and few flights under Vande Bharat Mission and Air Astana and Uzbekistan Airways are operating cargo-only flights to India.

Pre-COVID-19, Uzbekistan Airways and Air Astana had become carriers of choice for students, business traffic and tourists to Central Asian as well as travellers to parts of Russia and the erstwhile USSR due to its extensive network.

Not just transit!

Starting with a popular and cheaper transit point, growing trade and tourism have seen an increase in flight frequencies as well as capacity on the routesprimarily to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The trade template remains the same though. Pharma, textiles, spices, tea, coffee and machinery are exported. But pharmaceutical products are the mainstay. The significant imports are mineral oil, pearls and Silk. In addition to this, the traffic between some of these cities and New Delhi is fuelled by medical tourism.

A significant number of Indian students and Indian community is present in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

The Central Asian republics were considered too restrictive for comfort. As Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan opened up for tourism, it coincided with Indians becoming more adventurous and having a sizable disposal income. This led to a considerable increase in tourism. While the numbers were still small as compared to other places, the growth was rapid. Pristine and unique destinations closer home at affordable rates became attractive. The cherry on the top was transit holidays which Air Astana launched. Not only did it help the airline grow over 25 percent year-on-year it also increased frequencies, added capacity and connected another destination!

What will it take for Indian carriers and where could they go?

The biggest advantage for any carrier which would fly to the Central Asian republics is cargo specifically pharma exports. With all five countries landlocked, there is little scope for alternative transport and thus air cargo has higher opportunity than other geographies. The mountainous regions across these countries or unstable countries at its border also make air cargo the only option in most cases.

An effective hub at New Delhi to carry passengers and cargo onwards to South East Asia and Maldives, which is a large market for perishable produce, will further the cause of any carrier willing to start the service.

While Turkmenistan is the weakest link, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are the strongest. Data indicates that Indian LCCs can sustain operations to Almaty and Tashkent.

Who would be the first mover? With 250+ aircraft in the fleet, will IndiGo take the lead or will it be SpiceJet with its penchant for Blue Oceans strategy?
Tension is brewing at Obom Domeabra in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region after some irate youth in the area clashed with soldiers over a disputed parcel of land.

This incident is said to have occurred when three armed men in military uniform opened fire on a group of unarmed men who had massed up and were heading toward the disputed land, thus, injuring several of them.

The Member of Parliament for Obom Domeabra, Sophia Karen Edem Ackuaku, told Class News in an interview that: On my rounds, I heard the youth agitating and complaining that some people are taking over their land and they mentioned one Mponuahene of Apedwa.

Later on, a complaint came to me that the Apedwahene says from Fankyiriko, the beginning of my constituency around Adoagyiri, all the way down to Kasoa belongs to him; which means that the whole constituency belongs to himHe has started grading most of the villagesso, the people started complaining but I didnt say anything because this is not political.

Last week, the chiefs approached me and they said they sent a petition to the presidency, the first lady, sent a petition to the Interior Minister, National Security, police headquarters, military but nobody seems to be minding them.

So, I told them that if they had told me earlier, I would have made a statement on it so that we can petition the Speaker.

So, they brought a petition on Friday but parliament was already rising, so, I couldnt do a statement on the floor.

The lawmaker explained further that the community organised a press conference today and I went and after the press conference, they wanted to walk to the site so the pressmen will see what they are talking about.

So, we all moved to the site. When we got there, I noticed some soldiers had surrounded the place, so, I asked the chiefs and community to wait while I go there with the pressmen and seek permission from the Apedwahene so that the people can come and make their story and take pictures of the place.

According to Ms Ackuaku, she met the Apedwahene surrounded by guards with guns sitting in a farm on the site but when he [Apedwahene] saw the youth of the community clad in red attires, he commanded the soldiers to fire warning shots but the soldiers were firing into the crowd.

He himself got up from the chair and ordered for his pump action gun and he joined in the shooting. So, I sat in my car and left, the MP said.

--classfmonline
NASA's terra satellite catches the demise of post-tropical cyclone Marco

NASA's Terra satellite passed over the Gulf of Mexico early on Aug. 25 and found a very small area of convection from post-tropical cyclone Marco, northeast of its center. All watches and warnings have been dropped as the storm continues to weaken toward dissipation.

Visible imagery and surface observations indicated that Marco made landfall around 7 p.m. EDT on Aug. 24 near the mouth of the Mississippi River. The center continued to move west and moved offshore and south of Louisiana by Aug. 25.

NASA's Terra Satellite Reveals Effects of Wind Shear

NASA's Terra satellite uses infrared light to analyze the strength of storms by providing temperature information about the system's clouds. The strongest thunderstorms that reach high into the atmosphere have the coldest cloud top temperatures.

On Aug. 25 at 12:30 a.m. EDT (0430 UTC), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA's Terra satellite observed Marco in infrared light and found a small area of storms where cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 45.5 Celsius) over the western Florida Panhandle and coastal Alabama. Those storms were being pushed northeast of Marco's center from southwesterly wind shear. Satellite imagery also shows the low-level circulation center was a swirl of clouds south of Louisiana, over the Gulf of Mexico.

In the Aug. 25, Marco discussion at 5 a.m. EDT, NHC Senior Hurricane Specialist Stacy Stewart noted, "Marco has been devoid of any significant convection for at least 12 hours. [NOAA's Advanced Scatterometer] ASCAT scatterometer surface wind data around 0239Z (10:39 p.m. EDT on Aug. 24) suggested that Marco might have degenerated in a north-to-south elongated trough (elongated area of low pressure). Based on this information, Marco has been downgraded to post-tropical remnant low [pressure area]."

About Wind Shear

The shape of a tropical cyclone provides forecasters with an idea of its organization and strength. When outside winds batter a storm, it can change the storm's shape and push much of the associated clouds and rain to one side of it. That is what wind shear does.

In general, wind shear is a measure of how the speed and direction of winds change with altitude. Tropical cyclones are like rotating cylinders of winds. Each level needs to be stacked on top each other vertically in order for the storm to maintain strength or intensify. Wind shear occurs when winds at different levels of the atmosphere push against the rotating cylinder of winds, weakening the rotation by pushing it apart at different levels.

Marco's Final Status

At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) on Aug. 25, NOAA's National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Marco was located near latitude 28.8 degrees north and longitude 91.2 degrees west. That is about 60 miles (100 km) south of Morgan City, La. and 110 miles (175 km) south-southeast of Lafayette, La. The post-tropical cyclone was moving toward the west near 10 mph (17 kph), and this general motion is expected to continue for the next day or so. Maximum sustained winds were near 30 mph (45 kph) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure was 1008.

Marco Nears its End

Brisk southwesterly vertical wind shear of 30 knots is forecast to increase to near 35 knots in 24 hours, which should prevent the redevelopment of deep convection near the center. On the forecast track, Marco should continue moving westward just offshore the coast of Louisiana until the system dissipates.

NASA Researches Tropical Cyclones

Hurricanes/tropical cyclones are the most powerful weather events on Earth. NASA's expertise in space and scientific exploration contributes to essential services provided to the American people by other federal agencies, such as hurricane weather forecasting.

For more than five decades, NASA has used the vantage point of space to understand and explore our home planet, improve lives and safeguard our future. NASA brings together technology, science, and unique global Earth observations to provide societal benefits and strengthen our nation. Advancing knowledge of our home planet contributes directly to America's leadership in space and scientific exploration.

###

For updated forecasts. visit: http://www. nhc. noaa. gov

By Rob Gutro

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

This story has been published on: 2020-08-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A group of central New York residents want to offer a public charter school that would serve as an alternative to public schools without the financial barrier of a private institution.

Maureen Angotti and others have been working on establishing the Finger Lakes Classical Academy. But starting a charter school with public funds is a long and arduous process even under normal circumstances, let alone during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Finger Lakes Classical Academy is looking toward a 2022 opening.

Angotti, a member of the academy's board, said the idea behind pursuing a public charter school was to make an alternative to traditional public school more accessible to families who may not be able to afford the tuition of a private school. With public funds, the school wouldn't require tuition.

"Auburn and Cayuga County in general is a very middle-class area, and tuition is out of reach for so many families," Angotti said.

She said the public charter model is more sustainable than a private school. She said she appreciates the efforts and dedication of those who work at private institutions, but "it's really, really difficult at a private level to maintain and to find the kind of education that you want because of fundraising needs."

The academy's curriculum would focus on "classical, traditional learning," Angotti said, based on American educator E.D. Hirsch Jr.'s Core Knowledge curriculum. It features methods of teaching phonics and math that Angotti feels are particularly effective, and includes history, geography, natural sciences, arts and civic duty. She added that it also involves students starting a second language in elementary school and starting Latin by third grade.

"There's just so many things about it that are, in my opinion, the best way to educate a child," she continued.

Angotti said she found the curriculum a couple years ago and was greatly impressed. She had also had a lot of conversations with people who wanted to explore possibilities outside of public schools but didn't feel they were financially able to do so. She said the work to get this idea off the ground has been a group effort, adding that one board member studied Hirsch's methodology in college.

The board started getting involved in public events last year to get the word out about the school. The state's charter application process asks for documentation showing there has been public outreach.

The pandemic has made that effort more difficult, Angotti said, along the process of submitting an application to an authorizing entity, which she said for upstate New York is primarily either the state Board of Regents or SUNY. The most recent window of opportunity to apply was supposed to be in July but it was canceled. The next opportunity, Angotti continued, is during this upcoming winter. However, that is OK, she said, since it gives the board more time for public outreach.

The authorizer would decide how many grades the academy would have. The board hopes to open the school in Auburn, but that hasn't been determined, Angotti said, because it will depend on the authorizer and finding a building. A 2021 opening is possible but not likely at this point, she said, due to the July application period being cancelled. The board is looking at 2022 as its likely opening.

Seeing so many people work toward making this school a reality has been encouraging despite the circumstances and setbacks, Angotti said.

"I'm amazed at people's perseverance, which speaks to the recognition that there is a need in this community to have some school choice that isn't a financial burden on families," she said.

Public charter schools are funded through money per pupil from the state. Advocates for traditional public schools  which also rely on state funding  have long argued such charter institutions sap public schools of money, resources and students. Charter proponents argue these facilities have more autonomy since they are independently operated but still have to live up to to the standards in their individual charters and have a lot of positive aspects for students.

Joseph Sheppard, president of the Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education, said he had not heard that a charter school could potentially be coming to the district. He said there are possible benefits to charters such as a ability to experiment and teachers not contending with state testing.

There also can be problems, he said.

"There's no real accountability measures for their practices lots of times. Some charter schools have been great, some have been like a degree factory, where it's like, 'Give me your money and we'll get you through,' and the students don't really get much benefit out of it."

The major downside to charter schools for public institutions, Sheppard said, is that they can siphon off staff and enrollment numbers.

"With enrollment numbers going down, the school district loses even more state funding because it's going off to the charter school," he said.

On the other hand, Sheppard said, "competition leads to innovation."

"Competition can be a good thing. It can cause the public schools to have to raise their game to keep their enrollment up to compete against the charter schools," he said. "But at the same time, losing resources and trying to innovate to keep some of those resources could hurt."

Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.

Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
The claim: Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., started factories for a company in China while the company shut down plants and slashed jobs in the United States.

A video posted to Facebook by the page Steve Daines: China's Cheerleader  whose confirmed owner is the Montana Democratic Party, according to page transparency information provided by Facebook  questions the time Daines worked in China.

"Where was Steve Daines when companies were slashing thousands of jobs in the 1990s?" text on the video reads. "He was in China, starting factories for a multinational corporation  while that same corporation eliminated thousands of jobs back home."

The caption of the video also claims the corporation "shut down plants in America, eliminated jobs, and raked in record profits."

"No wonder hes been called 'Chinas ambassador in Congress,'" the caption also reads.

Daines is running for reelection. He is facing Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock in a race that has been labeled a "toss up" by the Cook Political Report.

Contacted by USA TODAY, the Montana Democratic Party stood by the video. "Public records show Steve Daines worked for Procter and Gamble in China helping start Chinese factories while the company eliminated American jobs, said party spokesperson Christina Wilkes.

Daines worked in management for Procter & Gamble from 1984-97  a total of 13 years, the final six of which he spent in Hong Kong and China.

While in China from 1991-97, Daines helped start factories and worked in "production, marketing and sales," according to the Missoulian.

In 1993, P&G announced it would close 30 plants  including four in the United States  and eliminate 13,000 jobs worldwide in a major corporate restructuring, according to CNN Money. At the time, the company also said 60% of cuts to administrative jobs, equivalent to 4,000 positions, would be in the United States, per the Los Angeles Times.

Julia Doyle, the communications director for Daines' reelection campaign, told USA TODAY the claims in the video about the nature of his work in China are "false."

"Steve was growing an American company, selling American products to compete against Chinese companies  and he won," she wrote in an emailed statement.

In an interview with Roll Call in 2013, Daines said the role was "not to outsource in any way," but "to take an American company and market it to China."

Doyle also wrote that Daines has a "proven record of being a job creator."

Similar attacks were launched against Daines in 2014, when he first ran for Senate.

At the time, FactCheck.org investigated the claims.

Officials from P&G told FactCheck.org that Daines was not making corporate-level decisions about the companys strategic worldwide operations when he worked there.

Jeff LeRoy, senior manager of corporate communications for P&G, wrote in an email to FactCheck.org that, "Mr. Daines was employed in China but his duties did not involve the siting or strategic operations of any manufacturing center in China or elsewhere."

FactCheck.org also concluded that the claim the company's operations in China came at the expense of jobs in America was unsupported.

The company, in fact, has repeatedly said the opposite.

During his time in China, all products made in China were for that domestic market. None of the investment made in China has come at the expense of American jobs," LeRoy wrote. "To the contrary, China and our other international businesses support many high skilled jobs in the US in engineering, R&D, marketing, finance and logistics.

In 2010, former P&G CEO Robert McDonald wrote in Business Insider that one in five of the company's 40,000 U.S.-based employees "supports businesses outside the U.S."

"The simple fact is that success in fast-developing markets like China leads to secure, high-wage jobs here at home," McDonald wrote.

Daines has, however, partnered with China multiple times since he joined the Senate in 2015.

In 2017, he brokered a deal to lift a 14-year ban on imports of American beef into China, and secured an agreement with a major Chinese retailer to purchase $200 million in Montana-sourced beef, per a press release at the time.

Cui TianKai, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, called Daines "China's ambassador in Congress" on a trip to Montana, according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

He has been criticized  including in an opinion piece in the Washington Post, "How China got a U.S. senator to do its political bidding"  for returning "favors" for the Chinese government.

For example, Daines hosted a delegation of Chinese Communist Party officials who oversee Tibet at a dinner at the Chinese Embassy just a day before the exiled president of Tibet visited Washington, D.C., according to the Post.

He also openly discussed his opposition to a bill that would rename the street in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington after Liu Xiaobo, the human rights activist who died in Chinese custody, also according to the Post.

At the time, a spokesperson said Daines has long fought for human rights in China but believed the renaming was the "wrong strategy." She added that Daines avoids criticizing China in public because "focus is on making change with tact and wisdom, not flashy headlines."

Our ruling: Partly false

Based on our research, the claims in the video about Daines are PARTLY FALSE. It's true that Daines worked for Procter & Gamble in Hong Kong and China in the 1990s and that the company slashed American jobs during that time. But there's no evidence that P&G's expansion into China was linked to cuts in the United States, and Daines was not part of the corporate decision-making process that led to the cuts.

It's also true that the Daines has been called "China's ambassador in Congress"  one time, in 2017, by the Chinese ambassador to the U.S. But that stems from his work as a senator and is unrelated to his work for P&G in China in the 1990s, as the video's caption presents.

USA Today's fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1
Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - Health ministers and representatives from African countries will Tuesday meet virtually here for the Seventieth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, an official source said here Monday
Armenias government is working on a wide-ranging plan to help ethnic Armenian citizens of Lebanon immigrate to their ancestral homeland, according to a senior official in Yerevan.

According to various estimates, there are between 80,000 and 120,000 Armenians living in Lebanon at present. The vast majority of them are descendants of survivors of the 1915 Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey.

The once thriving community has shrunk dramatically since the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975. Many of its remaining members have also been gravely affected by Lebanons ongoing economic woes aggravated by the August 4 massive explosion in Beirut. At least 13 Lebanese Armenians were among 181 people killed by the blast.

The Armenian government sent three planeloads of humanitarian aid to Lebanon in the wake of the blast. It faced growing calls from opposition and public figures in Armenia to facilitate the repatriation of Lebanese Armenians.

Zareh Sinanyan, the governments high commissioner for Diaspora affairs, said on Monday that his office is already working on a relevant package of government measures.

We are putting together a social, economic, educational and healthcare package for those people who do not want to stay in Lebanon, who plan to emigrate and would like to come to Armenia, Sinanyan told RFE/RLs Armenian service.

We want to bring them to Armenia, he said. We do not want them to move to another country. I hope our compatriots will be a little patient. I believe that this package will be ready soon.

Sinanyan was among several Armenian officials who flew to Beirut on August 9 on board a plane carrying medicines, food and other relief supplies. They met with Lebanese officials and leaders of the local Armenian community.

According to Sinanyans office, as many as 25,000 residents of Lebanon already have Armenian passports or residency permits. More than 100 of them were flown to Yerevan just days after the Beirut blast.

Sinanyan said ahead of his trip to Lebanon that many other community members want to relocate to Armenia in the medium or long term. They cannot do that now because they want to solve issues connected with their properties affected by the explosion, he explained.

Thousands of ethnic Armenians from Lebanons neighbor Syria have fled to Armenia during the bloody conflict in the Arab state. Many of them have struggled to find decent jobs in a country that has long suffered from high unemployment.

Sinanyan, who himself is a U.S. citizen born and raised in Yerevan, cited Armenias limited resources when he commented on a possible mass immigration of Lebanese Armenians on August 14.

We would have very much liked to provide all immigrants with free housing, work and the best economic, social and healthcare packages, the official told a news conference. But Armenia is not the United States or Switzerland. At any rate, we are ready to do our best.
Launch expands Citi's proprietary custody network to cover all Nordic countries and to become the only international bank to offer a pan-Nordic service.

Citi will begin offering Direct Custody Clearing (DCC) services in Finland, starting in August. This new offering expands Citi's proprietary DCC network to cover the whole Nordic region, making Citi the only international bank to offer a pan-Nordic service.

Citi DCC plays an integral role in the capital markets by providing clearing and settlement services for the trading and investing activities of broker dealers as well as offering local market sub-custody services to banks and global custodians in more than 60 markets around the world.

"We are committed to the Nordic region and during a period of intense change to the capital markets, we are very pleased to offer a pan-Nordic service that gives clients the benefit of harmonised global access with on-the-ground market expertise at market leading cut-off times," said Ola Mjorud, Nordic Head of Securities Services at Citi.

Citi will become a member of Euroclear Finland, the central securities depositary in Finland and will access their system directly via its Dublin Head Office, facilitating the use of Citi's Single Legal Vehicle (SLV) platform in Europe. SLV offers clients unparalleled direct access to key European locations, including the major TARGET2-Securities ("T2S") markets, via one single access point.

"We welcome Citi as a participant in our market and look forward to having a global bank as a direct member," said Hanna Vainio from Euroclear Finland. "Finland is a market that is presently undergoing various important infrastructure changes, such as upcoming entry into T2S. Attracting clients such as Citi to the Finnish capital market helps to reinforce our message of commitment to the industry."

"Citi has been present in Finland for over four decades and we are pleased to add DCC to the existing wide range of services we deliver on the ground," said Karolina Burmeister, Country Head for Citi in Finland. "We look forward to leveraging our global network to facilitate investor access to Finland and generate new growth opportunities for our local and international clients."

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Citi has been in the Nordic countries since the 1970s, with offices in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm.

Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com Twitter: @Citi YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi Blog: http://new.citi.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005470/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Anneli Sundstrom

Head of Communications and Public Affairs Nordic Region

070-250 35 91

anneli.sundstrom@citi.com

Rekha Jogia-Soni

Markets Securities Services

rekha.jogiasoni@citi.com
Los Angeles: Movie director Roman Polanski on Tuesday lost a court bid to be reinstated to membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Los Angeles City News Service reported.

Polanski, 87, who won an Oscar in 2003, was expelled by the Academy in May 2018 because of a long-standing criminal case involving unlawful sex with a minor in 1977.

The director of Chinatown and Rosemary's Baby had argued that he was denied due process by the Academy when it decided to expel him under a new code of conduct drawn up in response to sexual misconduct allegations against dozens of men in the entertainment industry.

Director Roman Polanski. Credit:AP

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mary H. Strobel wrote in a ruling on Tuesday that Polanski was "given the opportunity to present any evidence he deemed relevant" to the Academy, including a lengthy brief from his attorney and a video statement, City News reported.
Alaska's Attorney General has resigned just hours after it emerged publicly that he had sent hundreds of text messages to a young female employee who he had asked to come to his home more than a dozen times.

Attorney General Kevin Clarkson, 61, sent his resignation letter to Governor Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday after it was revealed he had sent a junior state employee 558 text messages back in March.

The Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica published screenshots of the text messages earlier on Tuesday.

Clarkson had been on an unexplained leave of absence since the beginning of the month while an investigation was carried out.

The female employee had raised concerns about the text messages she had received on her personal phone from Clarkson back in March, according to records obtained by the local outlet.

The records show Clarkson sent her 558 texts over a 27-day period and that he asked her to come to his home on 18 different occasions.

Attorney General Kevin Clarkson, 61, (speaking into the microphone) sent his resignation letter to Governor Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday after it was revealed he had sent a junior state employee 558 text messages back in March

His messages often included a kiss emoji and comments about her beauty.

Clarkson texted until the woman told him in April that he needed to respect workplace boundaries and that she doesn't take late-night calls on her personal phone.

'You're beautiful... sweet dreams. Sorry to bother you,' one text from Clarkson read, while another said: 'So what are you doing sweet lady?'

'Always nice to see you beautiful lady... You have to find a way to say yes and come over and let me cook for you,' another said.

Soon after news of the texts emerged, Clarkson resigned and issued a statement in which he apologized to the female staffer for placing her in an 'uncomfortable environment' in the workplace.

Clarkson, who is married to a Colombian woman named Johanna Ferrer Zarache de Clarkson, admitted to sending the woman text messages, which he said were 'g-rated'.

'The topics of these texts ranged from food, to movies, to books, to family, and all were conversational and positive, were reciprocal, and were, I believed, mutual,' he said.

'I sent her pictures of food that I cooked from time to time. These texts included invitations for this person and her children to come to my home to share a meal, which she politely declined.

'All of these texts were 'G' rated. In our texts we exchanged mutual endearments in words and emojis. On several occasions, this person initiated a friendly hug when I came to her work place and I reflexively gave her a peck on top of her head.

After receiving Clarkson's resignation letter, Gov Dunleavy (above) issued a statement saying: 'This administration has and always will expect the highest level of professional conduct in the workplace'. Alaska is one of the few states where an AG is not elected but is instead appointed by the Governor

'In short, I believed we had a positive friendship borne of mutual respect and interests. What I failed to recognize is the impact that these interactions had on this person, due to the disparity in our workplace rank.

'Of course, I should have recognized this from the start, and should have maintained a more distanced and professional relationship.

'I am deeply sorry for the discomfort I caused this person, and only wish her well. When this person eventually expressed her discomfort to me, I immediately respected her wishes and ceased communicating with her by text.

'She appropriately reported this situation to her supervisor, and I immediately and fully cooperated in the ensuing process, and have accepted the finding that my actions, however unintentionally, created an uncomfortable workplace environment for this employee.

'I have accepted and am completing a period of unpaid leave as a consequence for my error in judgment, which I recognize was wholly and only mine.'

Clarkson went on to say that a person familiar with the situation had since leaked the texts to a 'political operative' and a member of the press.

The Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica said in their report that they had submitted a records request for the text messages from the Department of Law back in June but were told they had no such records.

The messages were eventually obtained from another undisclosed source.

The outlets said the woman did not provide copies of the texts and did not want to be involved with the article.

After receiving Clarkson's resignation letter, Gov Dunleavy issued a statement saying: 'This administration has and always will expect the highest level of professional conduct in the workplace.

'There is nothing more important than the protection of our state employees, and that includes feeling safe when an employee is at work.

'Kevin Clarkson has admitted to conduct in the workplace that did not live up to our high expectations, and this is deeply disappointing. This morning he took responsibility for the unintentional consequences of his actions and tendered his resignation to me. I have accepted it.'

Clarkson had been Attorney General since 2018. Alaska is one of the few states where an AG is not elected but is instead appointed by the Governor.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Gov Dunleavy had sent an official request to President Donald Trump asking for help obtaining a visa for his Colombian wife's six-year-old son to live in the US.

Clarkson said at the time that his wife Johanna Ferrer Zarache de Clarkson had obtained a green card in 2018 but they were unexpectedly unable to obtain a visa for her son.
Uttar Pradesh may witness a mini-assembly election of sorts in the coming months if the Election Commission (EC) decides to hold bypolls to eight vacant seats in the state assembly along with the Bihar elections.

Five of these eight seats fell vacant after the death of sitting members.

The Election Commission of India has to take a call about holding by-polls to the eight assembly seats. As of now, we have no information about the possible timing of the bypolls, said a senior officer.

A bypoll to a vacant seat in the state assembly is generally held within six months from the date of vacancy. However, EC has not yet given any indication about holding these bypolls. For seats, where the six-month time period is complete, EC has given a certificate, saying a decision about holding the bypoll there will be taken later, said the officer.

Legal expert CB Pandey, a former advisor to the governor, said, Yes, EC should ideally hold an election to a vacant seat in six months. The poll panel can defer the elections in special circumstances like Covid-19 or any other reasons. These vacancies have no impact on the state assembly.

The Uttar Pradesh assembly has a strength of 403 members.

The five members who died include two ministers Kamal Rani Varun, who held the Ghatampur seat in Kanpur Nagar district, and Chetan Chauhan, who represented Amrohas Naugawan Sadat assembly constituency.

While Varun died on August 2 after contracting Covid-19, Chetan Chauhan succumbed to the disease on August 16.

BJPs Janmejaya Singh (Deoria Sadar) died on August 21 and Veerendra Singh Sirohi (Bulandshahr) passed away on March 2. Samajwadi Partys Paras Nath Yadav, who represented Malhani in Jaunpur, died on June 12.

The other seats declared vacant include the one that had been held by BJP member Kuldeep Singh Sengar (Bangarmau, Unnao) who was disqualified following the life sentence awarded to him in a rape case. His seat has been declared vacant with effect from December 20, 2019.

The Swar seat was declared vacant with effect from December 16, 2019 after the Allahabad high court declared the election of Samajwadi Partys Mohammad Abdullah Azam invalid.

Earlier, the Tundla assembly seat of Firozabad was declared vacant on June 4 following the resignation of former UP minister SP Singh Baghel when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Agra.

The Election Commission also will have to take a call about holding the biennial election to 11 seats of the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Parishad. The term of 11 MLCs from graduate and teachers constituency of the state legislative council ended on May 6. Another seat fell vacant in the council following disqualification of former Bahujan Samaj Party leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui, who had switched loyalties to the Congress.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The verbal attack on a Daily Trust reporter by a former minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has been condemned by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Mr Fani-Kayode was captured in a viral video pouring invectives on the reporter, Eyo Charles, whom he said asked him an insulting question.

The incident happened at a press briefing on Thursday in Calabar, Cross River State, where Mr Fani-Kayode wanted to talk to reporters about his tour of projects in the state.

The former minister got angry and told the reporter he was foolish for asking him who bankrolled his tour to Cross River and other states.

What type of insulting question is that? Which bankroll? To do what? Who can give me money for anything? Who do you think you are talking to? Bankroll what? Go and report yourself to your publisher, Mr Fani-Kayode said to the reporter.

I could see from your face before you got here, how stupid you are. Dont ever talk to me like that, Mr Fani-Kayode kept yelling at the reporter who was still standing and apologising  I am sorry, sir.

Dont judge me by your own standards, the former minister kept saying.

I have been in politics since 1990. I am not one of those politicians that you think will just come. I was taken, I have been locked up how many times by this government. I have been prosecuted, unlike most of these politicians you follow for brown envelopes!

Dont ever judge me by that standard. I spend, I dont take and I am not a poor man, I have never been and will never be.

Appalling

The NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo, said in a statement, Tuesday, that Mr Fani-Kayodes attack against Mr Charles was gangster-like.

Mr Isiguzo said the reporter was only asking a simple question.

For him to have embarked on assessment of projects in some states, even though we are yet to be told under what platform, he is doing so, it is proper for the media to hold him to account for his actions and decisions, Mr Isiguzo said.

Mr Isiguzo said the former ministers reaction to the reporters question was against simple decorum and civility and, therefore, unacceptable, dishonourable and reprehensible.

He demanded a retraction from him.

By delving into politics and holding political office, Fani Kayode is very conversant with the watchdog role of the media.

We are more shocked that the same Kayode who had in recent times, used his social media handles to call leaders to account is at the same time attacking a journalist for a simple demand for him to unmask those behind his nationwide tour.

He had already visited six states. This is indeed, terribly disappointing, the NUJ president said.

By denigrating the journalist, Fani Kayode has exposed himself the more as an intolerant and unstable person who will not want his activities closely scrutinised by the media.

Media Trust, the employer of the reporter, is yet to react to the development.
The story of how Netflixs ambitious new series, The Eddy (2020), came to be is every bit as beguiling as the eight-part series itself. It all began in 2014 with veteran Mississippi-born musician Glen Ballard, who co-wrote and produced Alanis Morissettes 1995 Grammy Award-winning album, Jagged Little Pill, and whose eclectic list of collaborators makes up something of a Whos Who of recent popular music (the Pointer Sisters, Annie Lennox, Michael Jackson, Katy Perry, and many more). A scene from the Paris-based, jazz-themed series The Eddy. Credit:Lou Faulon Drawing on a soulful song hed written called The Eddy, about a sanctuary where musicians could come together with an appreciative audience, he approached producer Alan Poul (Six Feet Under, MotherFatherSon) with the idea of developing it into a series. He and Poul (who ended up directing two episodes) then turned to composer-pianist Randy Kerber, who has contributed to hundreds of films (including The Color Purple and La La Land) and who ended up playing Randy in the series. Kerber and Ballard quickly got together to write more than 40 songs that might find a suitably intimate setting. Maybe somewhere in Paris, they thought. A place called The Eddy. With Poul pitching the project to Netflix Europe, which by happy coincidence was in the market for a multi-lingual co-production, the next step was to find a writer. Enter Englishman Jack Thorne (Dirt Music, the recent stage adaptation of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and The Accident, on ABC iView). Thorne listened to the songs, took on board the ideas, and went away and wrote the outline for an eight-part series centred on a jazz club in Paris 13th arrondissement and dealing with the daily struggles of the people who come together there.

Its an area that stands apart from the postcard Paris, and the series evokes it brilliantly, a place where wanderers from Eastern Europe rub shoulders with emigres from North Africa, the walls are plastered with bold graffiti and torn posters, and the sounds of construction are all around. A new world in the making for those who can survive the bedlam. Theres also a murder in the first episode. Serbian gangsters lurk. Alan Poul and Andre Holland on the set of The Eddy. Credit:Lou Faulon Next on board was Damien Chazelle, the French-American director of Whiplash (2014) and La La Land (2016), whod spent several years living in the 13th arrondissement. Chazelle cites his chief reference points for the series as Louis Malles Lift to the Scaffold (1958), with its Miles Davis score, Jean-Luc Godards Breathless (1960), and Jacques Demys melancholy musicals with Michel Legrand (most notably The Umbrellas of Cherbourg). And he was more than open to the idea of bringing the gritty home-made stylistics of the early French New Wave films to a contemporary subject. He happily took on the direction of the first two episodes, laying the foundations for the series free-wheeling, hand-held approach, before passing the baton on to Poul and two female directors with Moroccan connections, Laila Marrakchi (Marseille) and Houda Benyamina, for the remaining six. Amandla Stenberg and Andre Holland in The Eddy. Credit:Lou Faulon The cast assembled for The Eddy came from all over. Andre Holland (The Knick) plays the famous jazz pianist whos left the US to find a new way in Paris. Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games) is the troubled teenage daughter who arrives on his doorstep, having fled what she describes as WASP-town USA. Expatriate Australian Melissa George is her LA-based mother. Joanna Kulig (Cold War), the bands vocalist, has left her home in Poland to build a career; Leila Bekhti is the wife of the clubs business manager (played by her real-life husband, Tahar Rahim); and the band members are all played by accomplished musicians (Kerber, trumpeteer Ludovic Louis, bass player Damian Nueva Cortes, drummer Lada Obradovic, and saxophonist Jowee Omicil). None of them is a professional actor, but they perform live, and often.
Dan Andrews' year-long State of Emergency would grant sweeping powers for authorities to search Victorians' homes without a warrant, confine residents inside and even require people to 'destroy' their possessions - all for 'public health' reasons.

The Victorian Premier has ignited a furore by asking State Parliament to change the law which only allows State of Emergency powers to be in place for six months.

Mr Andrews fueled criticism he is acting like 'Dictator Dan' by seeking to extend the limit of the powers to 18 months - another year on the emergency declaration made in March.

The Premier said the change to the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 is an 'insurance policy' he hopes not to have to use, but one of his predecessors Jeff Kennett described the move as 'diabolical' and a 'power grab'.

'This is the act of a megalomaniac,' Mr Kennett fumed.

'Are we all going to be locked up at the whim of the Premier? Without any checks and balances?'

So what exactly do these powers - never used prior to the coronavirus crisis - allow Mr Andrews' government to do?

Victoria Police speak to a man on Melbourne's Chapel Street this week as the city reaches the final weeks of its Stage Four lockdown

Walkers and joggers take to Melbourne's The Tan (left and right) during the state's Stage Four lockdown this week

The State of Emergency law already underpins many of the state's harsh Stage Four lockdown measures - from its mask mandate to isolation rules.

The law allows the government to impinge on people's liberties by executive fiat, rather than passing legislation through Parliament each time they want to tweak the rules.

The law hands Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton two sets of sweeping powers to make legally enforceable public health directions.

The first set allows him to have any person in an emergency area detained for as long as necessary, restrict their movements in that area and prevent people from entering an emergency zone. It also empowers him to 'give any other direction ... reasonably necessary to protect public health'.

The second set of powers allows Dr Sutton and health officials to do the following in order to 'investigate, eliminate or reduce a risk to public health':

Without a warrant, entering any premises and to search for or seize anything 'that is necessary'

Inspecting or closing any premises for a period of time to investigate a possible public health threat

Requiring a person to provide their name and personal information to health officials under threat of legal penalty

Requiring a premises be cleaned or disinfected or any thing be destroyed or disposed of to 'eliminate or reduce the risk to public health'

Directing a person or group of persons to enter, not to enter, to remain at, or to leave, any particular premises for the period of time

The most stark demonstration of the law's use was the 'hard lockdowns' of Melbourne's public housing towers in July.

During the tower lockdowns, residents were banned from leaving their homes, with the government shipping in food packages and police manning the entrances.

COVID enforcement officers are now a familiar sight on the streets of Melbourne and may be well into the future if a state of emergency is extended

The most vivid use of the state of emergency laws was the lockdown of public housing towers in Melbourne in July

Michael Danby, a former Labor MP from Melbourne, said the prospect of a year-long state of emergency had sent a 'collective groan' across Victoria.

'I'm not willing to say he's power mad but I do think he and the government have got themselves with failures in hotel quarantine where the public is beyond frustrated,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'There is a collective groan that went all across Victoria  you could be shut in your homes and you'd still hear it. There's a lot of angst in the public.'

Daniel Andrews issued a note on Facebook explaining the changes last night

Mr Danby said Daniel Andrews was even muzzling criticism of him from within the Victorian ALP.

'Why would people give any feedback when all of their rights have been taken away?,' he said.

Mr Andrews posted an explanation of his proposed law changes to Facebook last night, claiming they were 'a bit technical, so bear with me'.

'At the moment, the rules we rely on to keep Victoria safe  things like face coverings, requiring workplaces to have a COVIDSafe plan, and mandatory isolation for people who have tested positive to coronavirus  are only possible when a State of Emergency has been declared,' he said.

But the Premier did not go into a point-by-point explanation of why each provision of the state of emergency was still necessary - for instance, warrantless searches of homes for public health reasons.

Instead, Mr Andrews argued almost every other state can extend their state of emergency rules indefinitely and described Victoria's regime as 'conservative'.

The law as it is wasn't designed for a 'prolonged and infectious' pandemic like this, he said.

'This doesn't mean we will be in lockdown for another 12 months - or that we're forced to remain in a State of Emergency for that long either.

'It just means it is there if the health experts tell us it's needed.'

He added on Tuesday that the State of Emergency would only be extended for periods of four weeks at a time.

The Opposition has signaled it will fight the extension, with Liberal leader Michael O'Brien saying it is 'outrageous' and an 'attack on the rights of Victorians'.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton is handed a suite of sweeping powers under the law

The pandemic has seen the Army on the streets of Melbourne for the first time in living memory

VICTORIA IS ALREADY IN A 'STATE OF DISASTER' TOO Victoria is also operating under a separate 'state of disaster' declaration which expires at 6pm on September 2. That declaration allows includes further draconian measures, including allowing the government to take possession of property to respond to a disaster. The state of disaster lets the government suspend parts of legislation that would 'inhibit the response or recovery to a disaster'. Advertisement

Housing spokesman Tim Smith said: 'Andrews is out of control. He's attempting to make himself a dictator, giving himself more power than any modern head of government has ever had. This is genuinely scary.'

His colleague Matthew Guy added: 'Daniel Andrews is totally out of control and loving authoritarian power a bit too much.'

James Newbury MP told Daily Mail Australia he was concerned by how much power the proposed law-change would hand Mr Andrews.

'Total power should not be unaccountable. Victorians want to do the right thing but that shouldn't allow any politician to have permanent power,' he said.

Parliamentary numbers mean the decision on whether the legislation passes or not appears to rest with the 12 members of the Upper House crossbench.

The feedback from the crossbench hasn't been positive so far.

Reason Party MP Fiona Patten told 3AW: 'If there was some compromise, if there was some reworking of this, if there was an idea or some surety that there was a plan ahead, then I think you might bring the crossbenchers to the table,' Reason Party MP Fiona Patten told 3AW.

'But at the moment they are not there.'

Former federal senator Derryn Hinch also confirmed two crossbenchers from his Justice Party will not support the bill.

'We will vote against 12 months,' he told the same radio station.

'You can't give any government an open check for 12 months, that's not on and we won't support it.'

Liberal Democrats MPs David Limbrick and Tim Quilty, Transport Matters MP Rod Barton and Sustainable Australia MP Clifford Hayes have also indicated they will block the current proposal

Shooters and Fishers MP Jeff Bourman, said that the government had failed to convince him: 'People have had enough.

'(The government) need to be able to bring it back to Parliament on a regular basis so we can have a look, and if we think it's OK and it's justified we can pass it.

'As it is now, it will be completely up to the government and I don't think it's right, not for this length of time.'
KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - In 2013, Ryan Stokes was shot and killed in the Power and Light District by Kansas City police. "We learned that if there had been a camera, a video of any sort then we would have been in a better position to provide facts to the public," President of the Southern Christian Leadership Council Vernon Howard said.
The Department of Energy is opening up an investigation into white male privilege workshops on the taxpayers dime, author and researcher Christopher Rufom has alleged on Twitter, citing a series of leaked documents.

The workshops were reportedly organized by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), a national nuclear security research and development lab in the United States that provides scientific support to national security programsincluding ensuring stable energy supply to the nation under the leadership of National Nuclear Security Administration and ultimately the DoE.

The workshops were for white men, and linked white men with white privilege with MAGA hats, the KKK, and white supremacists.

The workshop documents also discussed male privilege and heterosexual privilege.

After exposing the roots of white male culture, which include a can-do attitude and hard workwhich is, according to the workshop trainers, detrimental to women, gays and lesbians, and people of colorthe white male (and apparently heterosexual) attendees were asked to write an apology to white women and people of color for their privilege.

The Department of Energy, according to Sputnik, did not have any knowledge of the use of, nor did it authorize, taxpayer funds for the workshops at SNL or anywhere else.

The Department of Energy has asked the National Nuclear Security Administration and its inspector general to investigate the matter.

While Sandia is not an official branch of the government, it does receive most of its funding from government grants, implying that perhaps some of these grants, courtesy of the taxpayers, funded these seminars at least in part.

While the workshops took place last year, the investigation comes at a precarious time as racial tensions in the United States continue to drive a wedge between groups.

Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
A 1-year-old boy is dead after he was struck by a bullet fired outside of his Pittsburgh home.

Pittsburgh police got a call of multiple shots fired around 6 p.m. Monday on the 100 block of Rhine Place in the citys Spring Hill neighborhood, WPXI is reporting.

Police found the baby had been shot in the head and rushed him to the hospital. A police sergeant drove as two officers held the boy and tried to control the bleeding, WTAE reports.

The investigation revealed that the bullet was fired outside of the boys home, then traveled through a window and two walls before hitting him, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Early Tuesday morning, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said on Twitter, Senseless gun violence must end. Another innocent life has been stolen. We will work endlessly to find the actor and hold them accountable for this horrific crime.

Senseless gun violence must end. Another innocent life has been stolen. We will work endlessly to find the actor and hold them accountable for this horrific crime. https://t.co/6TyQdh0Wjc  bill peduto (@billpeduto) August 25, 2020

Police are investigating. No arrests have been made.

The 1-year-olds name has not yet been released.

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
A student who punched a hole in a 20 million Picasso painting at the Tate Modern in a bid for his five minutes of fame has been jailed for 18 months.

Shakeel Ryan Massey, 20, armed himself with metal padlocks and wrapped his hands in scarves to smash through protective glass and damage the 'Bust Of A Woman' masterpiece on 28 December last year.

Shocked art lovers fled as Massey pulled the painting from the wall of the gallery and threw in on to the floor, telling a security guard he was carrying out an art performance.

Masseys barrister, Glenn Harris, told Inner London crown court the Spanish architecture student was immature and has not offered a full reason for the attack.

He did what he did foolishly for five minutes of fame, and he has brought shame on the family, he said. He was an immature artist making a point of who knows what. Its really unjustifiable.

Jailing Massey, Judge Jeremy Donne QC said he must serve a spell behind bars to deter others from carrying out similar acts of vandalism.

It is difficult to conclude anything other than this offence was committed for the purpose of notoriety, he said.

Apart from the fact you are just 20, I have no evidence before me that you were particularly naive or particularly immature.

There is nothing to suggest you were anything other than a 20-year-old seeking fame.

Prosecutor Ben Edwards told the court Massey entered the gallery just before 1pm and spent around three minutes looking at the Picasso before launching the attack.

The portrait, created by Pablo Picasso in Paris in 1944, depicts his famous muse and photographer Dora Maar in a semi-abstract style.

Bust Of A Woman was created in 1944 / Steve Vidler/Alamy

Mr Edwards told the court: He dropped his coat on the floor and rushed towards the painting, punching the artwork and causing the protective glass to smash and ripping the painting in the middle.

Massey, living in Willesden Green at the time, threw the padlocks on to the ground and tore the painting from the wall, before being detained by security and arrested.

The gallery said the painting is now undergoing 18 months of restoration, at a cost of up to 350,000, but the effect of the damage on its 20 million valuation is not yet known.

Massey had with him a handwritten note, calculating the amount of prison time he might face for the incident as well as details of his student finances.

The note also indicated that Massey was aware of a previous bout of criminal damage at the Tate Modern, when a man was jailed for two years for defacing a 50m Mark Rothko work in a supposed act of artistic performance.

Mr Harris said Massey has since given up his architecture degree in Spain, and may have been affected at the time of the offence by the 2016 death of his brother.

Sending him to prison and refusing to suspended the sentence, Judge Donne told Massey to reflect on the pain he has caused his family.

I have concluded without hesitation the impact upon the public and the gravity of this offence, together with the need to deter others from this form of conduct requires the imposition of an immediate custodial sentence, he said.

Loading....

Massey, wearing a vibrantly coloured floral shirt, blew a kiss to his family as he was led away. He pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal damage
The overwhelming majority of Victorians healthcare workers infected with coronavirus caught the deadly disease at work, new research has revealed.

The Victorian government paid tribute to its tireless frontline health workers when the latest analysis was unveiled at Tuesday's daily briefing.

Around 2,692 Victoria healthcare workers have contracted the virus with '70 to 80 per cent' of recent infections caught at work.

More than half of infected healthcare workers were in aged care while in hospitals, 70 per cent were nurses.

Most healthcare infections occurred during the state's ongoing second wave.

Around 2,692 Victoria healthcare workers have contracted the virus. Pictured is a healthcare worker at a testing clinic in Melbourne

During the first wave, just 20 per cent of healthcare employees were infected at work settings in the first outbreak earlier this year.

The rest were returned travellers or contacts of returned travellers.

Wave two revealed a vastly different pattern where most healthcare workers caught the virus at work.

'At the time, that was the data, that was the information that we had ... it was based largely on wave one,' Chief Medical Officer Professor Andrew Wilson told reporters.

'As we all know ... this has been very quick, this [second] wave. It's happened over a few weeks. It takes more than a few days to untangle the cases because they're happening at the same time, but that's what the huge effort has been in the last week or so.

The majority of Victorians healthcare workers infected with COVID-19 contracted the virus at work. Pictured is a Melbourne healthcare worker conducting tests

'Poor infection practice' and staff moving between facilities was the biggest issue in aged care facilities, which are now being addressed to prevent any further infections.

In hospitals, the main outbreaks among workers are wards where patients have been kept together.

'So we what we would describe as cohorting of patients together. And in that environment, the infections have spread throughout groups of people,' Professor Wilson said.

There have also been outbreaks related to how staff take off personal protection equipment.
El Jefe himself actually doesnt appear much in Feuers police procedural, except for what we see of him through the electronic eyes and ears of his pursuers, and what we see is already known: The monster is an affectless personality, a vain and paranoid narcissist, stunningly ignorant and yet, paradoxically, also a loving family man, devoted to his children, wives and mistresses. His pursuers in the F.B.I., C.I.A., D.E.A., H.S.I. and other agencies monitor his intimate (and unimaginative) conversations with his underlings and girlfriends, and they understand that all that their electronic gizmos are showing is a reflection of a reflection in a hall of mirrors, but its the chase that counts. (For a chilling fictionalized portrait of Guzmans world, see the 2011 Mexican film Miss Bala.)

Two F.B.I. agents make contact with Guzmans genius 21-year-old Colombian communications encrypter and turn him. Over at the D.E.A., Ray Donovan, an agent in special ops, understands that obsessive nerds throughout United States law-enforcement agencies are gathering bits and pieces of surveillance information about Guzman, and brings the men (theyre all men) together into a fractious coalition. Guzman dreams of being the subject of a Hollywood movie and also of becoming intimate with the Mexican soap opera star Kate del Castillo. Little does he know that his messages with her have been monitored from the start, and its a painful moment when the coalition agents decide that, with the actor Sean Penn tagging along on del Castillos trip to Sinaloa to meet her admirer, thus creating a security risk, they have to pass up an otherwise perfect opportunity to bring in the giant whale.

Feuer tells a brisk, compact tale, but he could have used a few pages more to take us to the other side of the wall of mirrors. He could have told, for example, how in the late 1970s, under intense pressure from the United States, the Mexican Army launched Operacion Condor in the thickly forested Sinaloa mountains, where many of todays most important traffickers were born. The brutality was overwhelming to impoverished peasants who had found a way out of raw hunger and into peaceful poverty by cultivating marijuana and poppy. Condor was a full American-style operation, complete with herbicide-spraying planes, armed helicopters and heavily armored soldiers who marched into the villages brutalizing the local men, dragging them onto trucks, terrorizing the women. The Sinaloa historian Froylan Enciso found legal records of a typical incident from an earlier operation, in 1974, in which women from a settlement just uphill from La Tuna, the village where Guzman was born, were stripped naked and assaulted by Mexican troops, their money stolen.
Although the McCloskeys said the protesters threatened to invade their property, a video from one participant shows the startled couple brandishing their guns and yelling as the marchers passed by the palazzo en route to the mayors nearby house. Nobody wants to hurt you, one person is heard yelling, but the McCloskeys were spooked by violence elsewhere in the city and the breach of a nearby gated barrier, next to a historic guard tower, on privately owned Portland Place. Whether the protest happened to the McCloskeys or vice versa is a matter of debate; the couple viewed the march as a threat to their safety and property, and the marchers seemed to view the couple as reckless instigators.
The governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, has assured of his administrations commitment to provide support for successful and hitch-free Christian pilgrimage exercises.

The governor stated this on Monday in a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) Yakubu Pam, who paid him a courtesy visit in Gombe.

He said in spite of the over N250 million unsettled claims left by the previous government for the State Pilgrims Welfare Board, his government is committed to providing Christians in the State the opportunity and needed support to undertake their spiritual journey.

This Government inherited a liability of about 120 billion in a state that is just about 3.2 million, so spread it per capita on the citizens and you can imagine what it is.

And that is just for the liabilities that were booked and recorded. Issues to do with unsettled liabilities of pilgrimage of close to 250 million Naira were not part of our assessment.

He said despite the challenges, his government will make sure it continues to fulfil its obligations to provide support to those who wish to perform their pilgrimage.

The governor appreciated the leadership of the NCPC for their choice of Gombe to host the North East Zonal meeting and to also flag-off the next pilgrimage to Jerusalem, noting that this would not have been possible without the peace and tranquillity the State enjoys, as well as its centrality and neutrality.

He said in spite of the cosmopolitan nature of Gombe, the state remains peaceful, attributing the feat to the governments proactiveness and the understanding of the people.

I can beat my chest to say that peace doesnt bring itself, we worked for it and God answered our prayers and gave us peace, so we shall continue to work assiduously to guard and protect the peace and the human resources of the State for the benefit of our people.

The governor, who decried the setback caused by COVID-19 pandemic to the global economy, said the novel Coronavirus is a wakeup call for Nigeria and Nigerians to do the right thing.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State receives NCPC Management (PHOTO CREDIT: Gombe State Government Media Office)

He said it may take some years for Nigeria and the world to fully recover from the economic effects of the pandemic and as a result, he said his administration has made budgetary provisions to stimulate the economy and mitigate the impact especially on women and the youths in the post COVID-19 era.

Governor Yahaya said the security challenges confronting the North can be attributed to years of neglect of the ways and means human beings have been managed over time.

Neglecting an endeavor that can take a people to the doorsteps of economic prosperity can be detrimental to the present and future generations. Before now, the economy of the north used to hinge on agriculture but the discovery of oil relegated the Agric and the mining sectors to the background.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State receives NCPC Management (PHOTO CREDIT: Gombe State Government Media Office)

But I am confident with wise counsel from people like you, the North can once again regain its pride of place in the country.

Speaking earlier, the NCPC Executive Secretary said they were in Gombe for a zonal meeting aimed at building synergy between the NCPC and the state pilgrims welfare boards for successful and hitch-free Christian pilgrimages.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State receives NCPC Management (PHOTO CREDIT: Gombe State Government Media Office)

He commended the governor for his efforts in road construction, youth empowerment and the ambitious Gombe Goes Green (3G) project which seeks to regenerate the environment.

The executive secretary equally thanked the governor for the cordial relationship that exists between his administration and the State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN as well as the Christian community in general.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State receives NCPC Management (PHOTO CREDIT: Gombe State Government Media Office)

Mr Pam, who doubles as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Northern region, described the governor as a God-sent leader who is working tirelessly for the betterment of the masses and the entire citizenry.
A Malaysian coroner began an inquest yesterday into the death of a French-Irish teen, a year after her naked body was found near a nature resort where she mysteriously vanished while on holiday.

Nora Anne Quoirin's disappearance from her family's cottage at the Dusun eco-resort in southern Negeri Sembilan state on August 4 last year, a day after her family arrived for their holiday, sparked a massive search operation.

Her naked body was discovered on August 13 beside a stream in a palm oil estate about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) from the resort.

Her funeral took place at St Brigid's Church in south Belfast, where she was baptised.

Coroner Maimoonah Aid said the inquest is aimed at determining when Nora died, the cause of her death, how she came to her death, and if anyone was criminally involved.

Negeri Sembilan police chief Mohamad Mat Yusop, the first witness, said the investigation showed no criminal element. He said there was no indication Nora was abducted and no ransom demand.

Police believe Nora climbed out of a window on her own, and the post-mortem showed she succumbed to intestinal bleeding due to starvation and stress, he said.

Expand Close Nora Quoirin who died in Malaysia / Facebook

Twitter

Email

Whatsapp Nora Quoirin who died in Malaysia

Her Belfast-born mother and French father, Meabh and Sebastien Quoirin, say Nora was kidnapped because she had mental and physical disabilities and could not have wandered off on her own.

Resort owner Haanim Bamadhaj, who gave evidence via video conference, said Nora's parents had told her the teenager only had on her underwear when she went missing and that she would hide when she was frightened.

Recalling the night, Ms Haanim, whose house faces the Quoirin's cottage, said it was peaceful and that her dog, who would bark if there were outsiders, was also quiet.

She acknowledged that a window of the cottage that was found ajar the morning Nora disappeared was faulty and could be opened from the outside.

But she said there have never been any criminal break-ins in her property since it opened for business 11 years ago.

A recording of the girl's mother calling "Nora darling, Nora, Nora, mummy here" that was used during the search was played to the court.

The coroner earlier this month visited the resort and the place where the body was found. The inquest, which is set to run until September 4, is to involve 64 witnesses.

The Quoirin family lawyer, S Sakhty Vell, said Nora's parents could not attend the inquest due to the coronavirus pandemic but will give evidence via video conference.

A British doctor who conducted a second post-mortem on Nora's body will also give evidence remotely, he said.

The Quoirin family has sued the resort owner for alleged negligence.

They said in their lawsuit that there was no security at the resort and that a cottage window was found ajar with a broken latch on the morning Nora disappeared.

Nora had poor motor skills and needed help to walk and her mental age was about five or six years old, her parents said in the lawsuit.

Gurdial Singh Nijar, the lawyer representing the resort, told reporters after the first day of the inquest that the incident was unfortunate but "there was no culpability" on the part of the resort owner.

Nora's parents have welcomed Malaysia's decision to hold the inquest after police classified the case as "no further action".

They said the inquest will be "crucial in determining the fullest possible picture of what happened to Nora and how her case was dealt with".
The department realizes the strain this decision placed on its community partners and their staff members and is extremely appreciative of their cooperation; but the department also strongly believes this decision has played a significant role in limiting the spread of COVID-19 within Montanas prisons and jails, Bright said, in an emailed statement.

Sheriffs in the state have long complained about DOC holds, citing both cost and crowding. In Yellowstone County, the jail spends $96 per day to hold a person. The state pays a flat reimbursement rate of $69.63 per inmate, per day.

In June, the Montana Supreme Court ruled against a Cascade County judge in a dispute over state inmates held in that countys crowded jail.

Considering the number of inmates statewide who may be subject to a transfer order at any given time and the protocols in place to minimize the threat of COVID-19 within the correctional system, this Court declines to dictate the speed at which such transports must occur in a particular case, the 5-0 order read.

Jail population
As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi began his first European post-pandemic tour in Italy on Tuesday, he made one key message clear: Do not get dragged into whatever new Cold War the US tries to promote.

But Wang also began his trip in Rome with a stern warning about Hong Kong from his Italian counterpart, Luigi Di Maio, who said that China ought to respect its speech freedoms  signalling the European Unions continued disapproval of the national security law Beijing imposed on the city.

Wangs attempt at a charm offensive comes while Europe grows wary of China after the coronavirus and Beijings moves on Hong Kong. It also follows three recent European trips during the pandemic by high-level US officials  two by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and one by National Security Adviser Robert OBrien  who tried to build a transatlantic alliance against China.

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

On the so-called new Cold War  China has no intention in launching any new Cold War. We are resolutely opposed to any promotion of a new Cold War, Wang said.

Without mentioning the United States by name, he added, This is for ones self-interest. This is to hold all countries in the world hostage.

Italy is a strategic choice to start Wangs trip. Not only was it the first European country to suffer a large coronavirus outbreak, but it is also the only Group of Seven nation to have signed a memorandum of agreement to support Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

Indeed, at a news conference in Rome, Wang told his host, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, to work closely with Beijing on belt and road projects, as Italy tries to revive its pandemic-ravaged economy.

This shows the significance of Italy in Chinas diplomatic relations, Wang said. This also shows our high degree of attention on China-Europe relations.

Story continues

The Covid-19 pandemic first broke out in China, and Wang recounted Chinas help to Italy when the virus was at its peak there earlier this year.

The ministers said they had discussed many issues, among them trade, agriculture, energy as well as Hong Kong.

On one point, the silence was deafening. Neither Wang nor Di Maio mentioned 5G networks, or Italys actions concerning Huawei Technologies, the Chinese telecoms giant, to develop its system. Rome is stuck between the need for good business ties with Beijing and the strategic concerns of the US, which has leaned hard on its allies not to use Huawei for security reasons.

Italy has not banned Huawei, but its biggest telecoms operator, TIM, has ruled out using Huawei in its core, most sensitive operations. Beijing is trying to avoid a total ban of Huawei, which Washington has asked Rome to impose.

Standing next to Di Maio under the roof of the 16th-century Villa Madama, Wang said: We believe that no countries would take part in [a new Cold War]. And we believe they will collectively oppose anyone who wants to pull the world back to the rule of jungle.

Di Maio said Italy was in a unique strategic position of maintaining ties both to China as well as to its long-standing allies  a reference to the US.

In June, Di Maio reaffirmed his countrys affinity for US values, while China was a commercial partner.

The United States is our main ally. We share a great deal with the United States, both in terms of trade and values, he said then. The [Belt and Road] can offer new business opportunities to the Made in Italy.

Hong Kong democracy activist Nathan Law (centre) protesting outside the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. Photo: Stuart Lau

Hong Kong seemed the only point of contention between the two sides, with Di Maio raising the topic in his opening remarks: It is essential to preserve the high degree of autonomy and freedom. We will closely follow the implications of the new national security law.

I stressed that Italy and other EU member states together support Hong Kongs stability and prosperity on the basis of one country, two systems.

Wang, for his part, reiterated Chinas position, saying that the law was needed since Hong Kong had lacked any way to address the growing calls for independence.

Earlier on Tuesday, the activist Nathan Law Kwun-chung  who has left Hong Kong and relocated to Europe because of the security law  was protesting outside the foreign ministrys office, flanked by the former Italian foreign minister Giulio Terzi di SantAgata and Senator Lucio Malan.

Law said: My arrival and the message I'm bringing here is very clear: We need to address the human rights violations to China even if we're engaged with them  and we have to be very aware of the infiltration and their authoritarian expansionist nature.

Wang stressed Chinas respect for European unity, but he will not be visiting Brussels on this trip. Instead he will continue to three EU countries  the Netherlands, France and Germany  as well as Norway.

Lucrezia Poggetti, an expert on Italian-Chinese relations at the Mercator Institute for China Studies, said many Italians were disappointed since joining the Belt and Road Initiative.

Wang knows that since the signature of the belt and road memorandum of understanding in March 2019, the mood about China in Italy has changed: rather than opening up economic opportunities for Italian businesses, the trade imbalance has widened in Chinas favour, Poggetti said.

Wang and Di Maio during the joint news conference following their meeting on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Wang's visit saw the signing of an agreement between Italian gas pipeline operator Snam and PipeChina  allowing the Italian company to provide its Chinese counterpart with technical support for the construction, management and maintenance of natural gas transportation, regasification and storage infrastructures.

Snam will also be able to carry out joint research and development activities in the energy transition in China as well as experiments in the hydrogen sector with PipeChina.

In vowing to uphold multilateralism against forces with a Cold War mentality that work to undermine EU-China relations, Wang was trying to fend off the US narrative in Europe, Poggetti said, adding: It confirmed that competition with the US is a key aspect of this visit to Europe.

At a time when China finds itself more internationally isolated than in the recent past, Wang was eager for a note of solidarity. Toward the end of the press conference in Rome, when Di Maio gestured to show Wang the way out, he turned to Di Maio and the two men bumped elbows for the photographers.

More from South China Morning Post:

This article Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi tells European Union not to get caught up in new Cold War first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020.
Planned Parenthood doctors admit under oath to altering abortion methods for intact organs

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

New video testimony released Monday shows Planned Parenthood doctors admitting under oath to altering abortions to obtain intact fetal organs.

The new video is the latest released by the Center for Medical Progress, the pro-life nonprofit that has produced several undercover videos revealing Planned Parenthood officials discussing the procurement and harvesting of aborted body parts.

The latest clip features several Planned Parenthood employees, like Dr. Deborah Nucatola, giving testimony in connection with Planned Parenthoods lawsuit against the Center for Medical Progress in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California.

Nucatola appeared in the first CMP undercover video when it was released in the summer of 2015 speaking cavalierly about how she would avoid crushing certain parts of the baby to harvest their organs more effectively.

The newest CMP video shows Nucatola being deposed in April 2019.

In testimony, the former Planned Parenthood Federation of America senior director of medical services admitted that she would sometimes indeed alter her approach to a procedure that she was performing to avoid crushing organs if she knew the abortion was a "donation case."

A donation case is where the woman undergoing the abortion has agreed beforehand that the fetal tissue from the abortion could be donated for research purposes.

In the first CMP video from 2015, Nucatola was seen on camera eating a salad while speaking with a CMP undercover investigator.

Laws are up to interpretation, she said, thinking she was speaking to like-minded colleagues about the federal partial-birth abortion ban. [T]here are people who interpret it as intent.

So if I say on Day 1 I do not intend to do this, what ultimately happens doesnt matter. Because I didnt intend to do this on Day 1 so Im complying with the law.

In her testimony last April, Nucatola claimed her previous words were related to how some attorneys interpret the relevant statutes.

Dr. Mary Gatter, who was infamously captured in another 2015 undercover video speaking about needing a "less crunchy" technique to harvest intact organs during an abortion, distinguished in her April 2019 deposition the difference between the words procedure, method, and technique.

Gatter explained: Sometimes there was a lively discussion about whether it was permitted or not permitted to change the technique, and we were still debating that in Los Angeles when I left.

But by the time I met [CMP founder David Daleiden] and his associates, I had evolved in my thinking to changing the technique to get better tissue was allowed.

To agree to tissue donation, Planned Parenthood's consent form states that the patient understands that "there will be no changes to how or when my abortion is done in order to get my blood or the tissue.

Altering an abortion procedure to harvest desired organs and tissues is against federal law.

Daleiden, the founder of CMP, said that the abortion giant's public messaging is markedly different from when they are forced to answer questions in sworn testimony.

Defenders of Planned Parenthood have maintained since the videos were first released that they were deceptively edited.

Planned Parenthood reflexively proclaims innocence to the public and to a compliant establishment press, but when Planned Parenthood abortion leadership is placed under oath, they testify to crimes against women and infants, Daleiden said in a statement.

Criminality in the national taxpayer-funded abortion industry will continue to spread unless federal authorities hold them accountable once and for all.

In May, CMP released videos showing the sworn depositions of clinic directors who were responding to questions about payments and contracts affiliates received for the distribution of fetal specimens to biotech companies.

Federal law bans abortion clinics and biotech companies from profiting off aborted fetal tissue.

Though a federal investigation has taken place, no formal charges have been filed against the abortion giant.

Twenty-eight Republican lawmakers signed onto a letter earlier this month to FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General William Barr asking for an update on their investigations into Planned Parenthood's practices.

As a result of an ongoing lawsuit brought by the abortion giant against him, Daleiden is currently facing the possibility of Planned Parenthood seizing his assets unless he can pay a $600,000 appeal bond in less than two weeks.
The World Health Organization on Monday was cautious about endorsing the use of recovered COVID-19 patients' plasma to treat those who are ill, saying evidence it works remains "low quality" even as the United States issued emergency authorization for such therapies.

So-called convalescent plasma, which has long been used to treat diseases, has emerged as the latest political flashpoint in the race to find therapies for COVID-19. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on Sunday authorized its use after President Donald Trump blamed the agency for impeding the roll-out of vaccines and therapeutics for political reasons.

Also read: COVID-19 in US: Donald Trump approves plasma treatment, calls it 'breakthrough' move

The technique involves taking antibody-rich plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and giving it to those who are suffering from severe active infections in hopes they will recover more quickly. Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist, said only a few clinical trials of convalescent plasma have produced results, and the evidence, at least so far, has not been convincing enough to endorse it beyond use as an experimental therapy. While a few trials have showed some benefit, she said, they have been small and their data, so far, inconclusive.

"At the moment, it's still very low-quality evidence," Swaminathan told a news conference. "So we recommend that convalescent plasma is still an experimental therapy, it should continue to be evaluated in well-designed randomised clinical trials." Evidence is conflicting: One Chinese study showed plasma from people who have recovered from coronavirus failed to make a difference in hospitalized patients, while another, pooled analysis showed it can lower the risk of death.

Also read: India's first plasma bank opens in Delhi for coronavirus treatment; here's how it works

One challenge, Swaminathan added, was plasma's variability, since it is drawn from many different people, producing a product that is less-standardized than monoclonal antibodies crafted in the lab. World Health Organization senior adviser Bruce Aylward added that beyond plasma's efficacy, there were also potential safety risks that must be vetted.

"There are a number of side effects," Aylward said, ranging from mild fevers to severe lung injuries or circulatory overload. "For that reason, the clinical trial results are extremely important." The U.S. National Institutes of Health this month announced it was giving several million dollars toward a mid-stage convalescent plasma trial.

Also read: Delhi gets first plasma bank: How to donate plasma; check out eligibility, procedure
On Sunday evening, President Donald Trump and two of his top health officials touted a promising therapy for COVID-19 patients: blood plasma from people who had recovered from the virus.

Trump, speaking at a news conference, said: It has proven to reduce mortality by 35%. Thats a tremendous number. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn made similar remarks touting the 35% benefit.

What that means is  and if the data continue to pan out  100 people who are sick with COVID-19, 35 would have been saved because of the administration of plasma, Hahn said.

But the data dont actually show that.

That was not the way that I would have worded it, said one of the doctors who led the study, Arturo Casadevall, chair of the department of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. I hope they will issue a clarification.

What the data do show is that a higher dose of blood plasma is better than a lower one. And while there are promising signals that it will lead to a real benefit when compared to a placebo, thats not known yet.

Until we have a randomized, controlled trial, we dont know definitively, Casadevall said.

Spokespeople for Hahn, Azar and Trump didnt immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.

The administrations misrepresentation of the data may raise fears about how Hahn and the rest of the administration will treat data on a vaccine for the virus. Trump has said he expects one to be ready in time for his potential re-election, and on Saturday accused unnamed members of the deep state at the FDA of slowing work to hurt him politically. The deep state is a term used by Trump to describe employees of government agencies that he believes are manipulating policy to work against his interests. There is no evidence this is happening at the FDA.

The 35% statistic also has several fatal flaws. Since everyone in the program received blood plasma, its not known what would have happened compared to patients who didnt get the therapy. And scores of variables, like how sick the patients were and when they were treated  that could have skewed the results.

Robert Califf, the FDA commissioner under President Barack Obama, said that he thought Hahn had misspoken. It would be good for Steve to publish a correction, Califf said on Twitter.

Azar and Hahn both have extensive experience with drugs and therapies. Azar is a former pharmaceutical executive, and Hahn has spent several decades treating patients and researching cancer. Before joining the FDA, he was the chief medical executive of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, a leading oncology treatment and research hospital.

Blood plasma from recovered patients is being used around the world, with the hope that its infection-fighting antibodies can help combat the virus. It doesnt appear to pose a major safety risk, and on Sunday the Trump administration announced an emergency FDA measure to make it more widely available. Several studies have shown promising signs of efficacy.

Based on the data we have today, its very likely that plasma is reducing mortality, Casadevall said. The one thing we are missing is a randomized controlled trial, the gold-standard test that will tell researchers and regulators if blood plasma is a breakthrough, an incremental help or something in between.

To understand the confusion over the 35% figure, its important to look at two concepts: relative risk and absolute risk.

Imagine a clinical trial to test an experimental drug, with 2,000 patients split into two groups. The first 1,000 patients dont get the drug, and in that group 10 people die. The other group of 1,000 patients gets the drug, and five people in that group die.

Using relative risk, thats a 50% improvement  a tremendous number. But using absolute risk, the imaginary drug only decreases the likelihood of death by 0.5%. That means 5 more of those 1,000 people treated with the drug would live, not the 500 implied if you mistakenly use the 50% relative risk number.

The claim of a 35% mortality benefit made by Trump, Azar and Hahn uses the first measure  relative risk. But because clinical trials of plasma therapy havent been completed, how many lives it actually saves  the absolute risk improvement  still isnt known.

Doctors and patients rely on the FDA to put out authoritative information about the safety and efficacy of drugs, vaccines, medical devices and other products, guiding their use not just in the U.S. but around the world. The agency has historically carefully guarded its reputation and scientific independence,

Hahns comments about 35 out of 100 people being saved were still posted to the FDAs official twitter account as of Monday afternoon.

Hahns new FDA spokeswoman, Emily Miller, repeated the error in a tweet after the press conference, saying convalescent plasma has shown to be beneficial for 35% of patients. While she clarified the error in a follow-up message about an hour later, the FDAs main twitter account still carries Hahns misstatement.

Alyssa Farrah, a White House spokeswoman made a similarly misleading tweet, saying that the therapy cuts mortality by 30% to 50%. And Michael Caputo, Azars chief spokesman at HHS, made a similar claim: If youre one of the 35 people out of a hundred who survive severe COVID symptoms because of convalescent plasma, youre damn right this is a BREAKTHROUGH.

Farrah didnt immediately respond to emails requesting comment. Caputo and Miller didnt have an immediate comment.

Hahns predecessor Scott Gottlieb, who served as FDA commissioner under Trump from 2017 to 2019, said he thought the FDA was right to allow convalescent blood plasma for emergency use. But he suggested the press conference hadnt given the correct picture of what health regulators actually know from the data.

When we overstate findings it erodes confidence in science and undermines public trust in regulatory decisions. The right message was this may provide a benefit, it could be meaningful for some patients, but we need more evidence to prove it, Gottlieb said in a tweet.

The way the public part was handled will erode precious public confidence, he said. You earn public confidence in small drops and you lose it in buckets.



Drew Armstrong and Michelle Fay Cortez of Bloomberg News wrote this story.

2020 Bloomberg News

Visit Bloomberg News at www.bloomberg.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
DUBUQUE, Iowa, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Eagle Point Software Corporation has announced the introduction of a full learning path covering Global BIM (Building Information Modeling) ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 19650 Standards, through the company's latest release of its Pinnacle Series e-learning platform.

Created in partnership with Digital Node, Eagle Point is one of the first companies in the world to introduce a comprehensive Global BIM Standards course and provide up-to-date content around the ISO 19650 series.

BIM is a 3D model-based process that architects, engineers and construction (AEC) professionals utilize to plan and manage building projects. BIM standards have now become a mandate in many places.

Eagle Point's experts have developed materials for AEC professionals seeking to apply Global BIM Standards to their projects. The digitization of this information through Eagle Point's e-learning platform provide a ground-breaking tool, as AEC professionals can now obtain virtually all their training from Pinnacle Series.

"BIM standards have revolutionized the construction process, from design through to construction and ongoing maintenance," shared John Biver, President and CEO of Eagle Point Software, "And we expect their usage to grow wider over time. There was a recognized need to develop an intuitive and user-friendly BIM resource for all professionals who touch the construction process to learn the updated details around these new standards. And importantly, this tool not only is a self-guided class, it also serves as an ongoing reference where standards and guidelines can quickly and easily be accessed."

Eagle Point customers with access to the Autodesk library will receive the Global BIM Standards content at no additional cost.

About Eagle Point Software

Since 1983, Eagle Point Software has focused on developing e-learning software solutions for AEC and manufacturing companies worldwide. Based in Dubuque, Iowa, the team is comprised of engineers and architects with hundreds of years of combined experience who offer the leading Autodesk learning and productivity platform. Eagle Point's flagship platform, Pinnacle Series, has more than 200,000 global registered users and assists AEC and manufacturing companies in accessing on-demand software learning content created by industry professionals, capturing and sharing knowledge, and ultimately increasing efficiency, profitability, and employee and client satisfaction.

Eagle Point Software, 600 Star Brewery Drive, Suite 200, Dubuque, IA 52001. https://www.eaglepoint.com/; (800) 678-6565. Follow Eagle Point on LinkedIn; Twitter; Facebook; YouTube.

SOURCE Eagle Point Software

Related Links

eaglepoint.com/


Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 11:27:34|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's education ministry said Tuesday that offline classes will be banned in Seoul and its surrounding area amid the COVID-19 resurgence in the Seoul metropolitan area.

All preschools, primary and secondary schools in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi province as well as Incheon, west of Seoul, will switch to a full remote learning from Aug. 26 to Sept. 11, according to the Ministry of Education and the education offices of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi province.

High school seniors will be excluded from the restriction as they are required to take a college entrance exam later this year.

It came amid the recent surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases especially in the metropolitan area.

In the latest tally, the country reported 280 more cases of the COVID-19 for the past 24 hours, raising the combined number to 17,945.

The number of confirmed cases for the past 12 days reached 3,175 due to infections in the metropolitan area linked to church services and a massive rally in central Seoul in mid-August.

Among the total, 150 students as well as 43 teachers and other school staff were infected with the virus in Seoul and its surrounding area. Enditem
At least three people died, and more than 90 people were critically injured, including dozens of children, after Taliban gunmen launched an attack on a government building in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Deadly blast

The Taliban detonated a massive car bomb during the morning rush-hour before they left the building and opening fire on security forces. The gunbattle lasted for seven hours, and it ended with all five insurgents killed, according to a report by US News.

The Taliban stated that it had targeted a facility of the defence ministry. The attack at the capital came two days after a US special envoy began the seventh round of talks with the militant group in Qatar, as they are aiming to end the war that is in its 18th year.

Also Read: President Trump's Senior White House Adviser Kellyanne Conway Announces Resignation

The blast on August 25 sent a massive plume of smoke over the Puli Mahmood Khan district. Special forces cordoned off the area, and sporadic gunfire and explosions could be heard, according to witnesses. Helicopter gunships also flew overhead.

Even though three people were confirmed to have died in the blast, the officials warned that the death toll could increase. Around 50 children who were in two schools nearby are among the wounded, as reported by Newsbreak.

Spokeswoman Nooria Nazhat said that the children were in the classrooms when the blast shattered the glass windows. An employee at the nearby culture ministry, Zaher Usman, said that when the car bomb exploded, the world "turned upside down."

Usman told AFP news agency that when he opened his eyes, the office was filled with smoke and dust and everything was broken. He also heard his colleagues screaming.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said that by attacking civilians, the Taliban was guilty of a crime against humanity.

Back in May, the Taliban attacked the Kabul office of a US aid group. The attack resulted in five deaths and 24 wounded people, as reported by BBC.

Peace talks

The Taliban have been negotiating directly with US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad since October 2019. A potential deal has emerged, and the deal would see foreign troops withdraw in return for insurgents guaranteeing that Afghan territory would not be used as a base by foreign militants.

However, there are fears about the deal, including among Afghan women, that the Taliban could see the militants sweep back into power and strip away their rights and their freedom that they have gained since they were toppled back in 2001. The Taliban has rejected any talks with the Afghan government, which calls it the "US puppet."

In July, the Taliban called for a three-day cease-fire to observe the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. As the Afghan government push for peace talks with the Taliban, they have stopped releasing Taliban prisoners.

Last week, the Afghan government released a final 400 Taliban prisoners. Since then, the Afghan administration halted its release program. The Taliban prisoners were released in exchange for the Afghan security personnel that were held by the militants.

The prisoner swap was agreed earlier this year as a gestured ahead of the peace talks arranged by the US. However, according to the National Security Council, the prisoner swap is being placed on hold until after the peace talk happens.

Related Article: Pompeo Encourages Arab States to Follow UAE and Make Peace with Israel

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Jerry Falwell Jr. has resigned as the leader of Liberty University, the Christian school confirmed in a statement Tuesday, ending a day of confusion over Falwells fate amid new allegations of an extramarital affair.

The universitys board of trustees accepted Falwells resignation from Liberty, following claims about a long-term sexual relationship involving himself, his wife and a Miami pool attendant turned business partner. Falwell's attorney sent a resignation letter to board members late Monday evening, according to a statement from the university, which he has led since 2007.

Falwells departure from the school will be immediate, according to the statement, though the university did not disclose the precise terms of his exit. Falwells severance compensation was dictated by the terms of his pre-existing employment agreement without any adjustment by the University or its Board, the statement said.

Falwell is one of President Donald Trumps most vocal evangelical supporters, and his wife, Becki, serves on the advisory board of Women for Trump. Over the past decade, Falwell has grown Liberty into one of the nations largest universities, with a robust online presence and endowment worth more than $1.5 billion.

But his downfall from the university follows a series of controversies over the past several years.

Speculation has already begun about who will lead the powerhouse evangelical school.

Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.), the vice chair of the House Republican Conference who is retiring from Congress this year, told POLITICO that he has spoken with a Liberty board member about the possibility of taking the helm of the university.

I have been contacted about it by a few students, alumni and church leaders, Walker said. Its not something I have considered, but Liberty University is too important to go without strong leadership.

Rep. Mark Walker.

Walker was among the most prominent conservative voices to call for Falwell to step down earlier this month, saying Falwells ongoing behavior is appalling.

Story continues

I have talked with a board member but my focus is for the Liberty University family to find healing while continuing its mission of developing Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge and skills essential to impact the world, Walker said.

The North Carolina congressman is a pastor and previously served on a faculty advisory committee at Liberty University. He is also considered a possible future Senate candidate to run for the open seat that will be vacated by Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who has said he wont run for reelection when his term ends.

The official confirmation of Falwells resignation from the school on Tuesday follows a public back-and-forth on Monday between Falwell and other university officials.

After the executive committee of the universitys board of trustees met on Monday, Falwell agreed to resign immediately, only to backtrack later and instruct his attorneys not to tender his letter of resignation, according to a university statement.

Falwell initially denied the media reports of his ouster on Monday, telling POLITICO, I have not resigned. I will be on indefinite leave. But late on Monday Falwell told some news organizations that he had indeed submitted his resignation.

The universitys board on Tuesday accepted Falwells resignation on Tuesday confirmed Falwells resignation in a statement.

I am so encouraged by the unity of Christ that I saw exemplified by our Board today, Allen McFarland, the acting board chair said in a statement. Liberty Universitys future is very bright and in capable hands of leaders who are committed to being good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted!

Reports circulated in recent days that Falwell and his wife had engaged in an ongoing relationship with Giancarlo Granda, a former pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. Granda publicly spoke out about his alleged affair with the Falwells, which began in 2012 and lasted through 2019, Granda told POLITICO.

On Sunday, prior to a report by Reuters about the affair between Granda and the Falwells, Falwell released his own statement that claimed Granda had an affair with Becki Falwell without his involvement. Granda denied that statement.

Earlier this month, Falwell was placed on an indefinite leave of absence from the university after he posted, then removed, a photo of himself vacationing on a yacht with his pants unzipped and his arm around his wifes assistant. Falwell apologized for the photo, saying it was just in good fun and that he told his family that Im gonna try to be a good boy from here on out.

In June, Falwell apologized for tweeting an image of a face mask that was decorated with a racist photo from Gov. Ralph Northams yearbook showing a person in Ku Klux Klan robes and another person in blackface.

In 2019, POLITICO reported on photos of Falwell visiting a Miami Beach nightclub with his family in 2014. Falwell claimed that any such images were photo-shopped. Current and former Liberty University officials described a culture of fear at the university and concerns about Falwells behavior in another 2019 POLITICO investigation.

Some members of Libertys board were also disturbed by Falwells oversight of university funds, sources told POLITICO. That includes Falwells repeated trips on a yacht belonging to NASCAR owner Rick Hendrick, who owns a racing team that Liberty University spends roughly $6 million a year to sponsor, POLITICO reported.

Jerry Prevo, a retired Alaska pastor and previous chair of Libertys board of trustees, has been serving as the schools acting president since earlier this month when Falwell was placed on an indefinite leave of absence. He will remain in that role, the university said on Tuesday.

Our students are ready to be world changers as Champions for Christ," Prevo said in a statement. "Their spirit is strong as they look to the future. I intend to do all I can to nurture their spiritual side as they grow academically and enjoy all our campus has to offer.

The university board plans to schedule a meeting in Lynchburg, Va., where classes started on campus Monday, to select a committee to conduct a search for its next president.

Melanie Zanona contributed to this report.
Iran's foreign minister said that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cannot become more secure through a recent normalization deal with Israel, Press TV reported.

"The has turned to to buy security, while is unable to keep even itself secure," Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"You cannot be secure if your neighbours are not secure," Zarif said, adding that the security of the region should be achieved through close work of the regional states.

Cooperation among regional players would lay a suitable ground for enhanced trade ties and political interaction in the region, which can then be expanded to relations with countries outside the region, he pointed out.

has strongly condemned recent agreement between and the to normalize ties.

On August 13, Israel and the reached an agreement, brokered by the US, to work towards a "full normalization of relations."

--IANS

rt/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapakse has intensified steps towards dictatorial rule after the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) won nearly a two-thirds majority in the August 5 general election. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) calls on the working class to prepare to defend their democratic and social rights by fighting for a workers and peasants government to implement socialist policies.

The president formed a government on August 12 in which he and his brother, former president Mahinda Rajapakse, hold many of the key levers of power. Gotabhaya Rajapakse has appointed himself as defence minister, in direct violation of the constitution that bars the president from holding a ministerial post. He is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces. His brother has been installed as prime minister as well as finance minister and two other ministerial posts.

Gotabhaya Rajapakse has retained retired Major General Kamal Gunaratne as the secretary to the defence ministry, which now has been put in charge of the internal security ministry controlling the police and associated institutions previously considered civilian affairs. Jayanath Colambage, a retired admiral, and a director from a pro-US think tank, the Pathfinder Foundation, has been appointed as the secretary to the ministry of foreign affairs.

Rajapakse, himself a military man, has key ministries and institutions under in-service and retired senior military officers associated with him during the bloody civil war that ended in May 2009 with the defeat of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). These moves are to consolidate the military as the principal base of support for his presidential dictatorship.

Rajapakse is rapidly seeking to make constitutional changes. During the election, his Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) called for the abolition of the 19th Constitutional Amendment that limited some of the presidents powers. Last week the cabinet approved a proposal to replace it with a new 20th Amendment.

Rajapakse, however, is planning to go far further. In his policy statement to the new parliament last Thursday, he declared: After that [abolishing the 19th amendment], all of us will get together to formulate a new constitution suitable for the country. In this, the priority will be given to the concept of one country, one law for all the people.

While he did not explain the content of his proposed new constitution, it will vastly increase the executive powers of the president. His reference to one country, one law is the communal slogan of the SLPP and its Sinhala supremacist allies to oppose any concessions to the democratic rights of the islands Tamil and Muslim communities. It is a reactionary campaign aimed at dividing and weakening the working class.

Taking all these steps together, the Rajapakse government is preparing for a ruthless class war under conditions of a worsening crisis of the entire Colombo establishment.

Despite the presidents bogus claims of victory over COVID-19, the pandemic, as in every other country, has impacted heavily on the economy, hit working people hard, and has exacerbated political and social tensions.

Sri Lankas gross domestic product (GDP) is to contract by 1.3 percent this year, its worst performance in 18 years. On average, the government has to find $US4 billion a year until 2024 to pay back huge foreign debts. The treasury has estimated the fiscal deficit will hit 7.5 percent of GDP this year and 8.3 percent in 2021, but is drawing up austerity plans to slash the figure to 5 to 4.5 percent of GDP next year.

Big business, with the backing of the government, has already imposed massive job and wage cuts while increasing workloads over the past three months. More than 400,000 workers have lost jobs in the manufacturing sector alone. Workers are being forced back to work under unsafe conditions. Schools are being reopened exposing teachers and students to the danger of the coronavirus. The rural poor face enormous hardships.

Rajapakse won the presidency last November on a wave of strikes and protests by workers and peasants that began in 2018 against the harsh austerity policies of the previous government of national unity led by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The SLPP won the general election this month on the same basis. Such is the widespread disgust with all the establishment parties that nearly one-third of people registered to vote did not do so or spoilt their ballot papers.

Now that the elections are out of the way and the SLPP government has a solid majority, its phony election promises will be rapidly abandoned, setting the stage for a confrontation with the working class.

Even before the general election, opposition was emerging to Rajapakse and his minority SLPP government. Some 20,000 workers sacked by his regime in February have been involved in ongoing protests. Also in February, 200,000 teachers held a three-day strike. Numerous struggles have erupted among plantation and health workers.

Just three days before the August 5 elections, 10,000 workers downed tools for two days in Colombo port in protest against privatisation. Two days after the election, hundreds of Colombo Port City workers took part in three days of demonstrations to oppose wage and pay cuts imposed on the pretext of the pandemic. All these struggles united workers across, ethnic lines despite the racist campaign of the ruling party, opposition parties and chauvinist groups to divide them.

The resurgence of the class struggle has accelerated the decay and disintegration of the countrys main two political partiesthe Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and United National Party (UNP)on which bourgeois rule has rested since formal independence in 1948. Both have split and exist in name only as rump organisations. The parties that succeeded the SLFP and UNPRajapakses SLPP and the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) respectivelyare highly unstable formations.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and pseudo-left groups are deeply compromised by their support for the previous Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government and its attacks on the social conditions or working people.

The crisis of the political establishment is being heightened by the US drive to war against China, Russia and Iran which Washington regards as threats to its global dominance. Throughout the region, the US has been engaged in bullying and intrigues to ensure that governments line up against China. Sri Lanka has already been drawn into the geo-political maelstrom with the ousting of Mahinda Rajapakse in 2015 in a US-engineered regime change operation because he was regarded as too close to Beijing.

Fearful of the impending class struggle, the bourgeois parties have increasingly come together to prop up bourgeois rule. The UNP, SJB, TNA, JVP, Muslim parties and plantation unions all attended the all-party meetings called by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse in April. All of them promised to back the presidents anti-working class policies that were supposed to fight the pandemic.

On top of this, the opposition parties in parliament last Friday indicated their support for the Rajapakse regimes anti-democratic agenda, by allowing the presidents policy statement to be passed without a vote.

In line with the Colombo political establishment, the various pseudo-left groups have also shifted to the right. The Nava Sama Samaja Party (NSSP) has aligned itself with the UNP to contest the national elections and cynically whitewashed this right-wing partys long record of attacks on the democratic and social rights of the working class.

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) wrote to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse twice in April expressing their support despite differences for the governments efforts to combat the pandemic. After the election, FSP leaders Pubudu Jayagoda declared: We are ready to work with various political parties and movements left, petty-bourgeois and progressive sections of the right-wing parties on common issues.

The essential political role of the pseudo-left groups is to keep the working class tied to one or other faction of the ruling class and to block the development of an independent movement of the working class based on a revolutionary socialist program. Militant struggles of workers have been repeatedly dissipated and betrayed by the trade unions with the support of pseudo-lefts.

The Socialist Equality Party warns workers and youth that they face real dangers as the Rajapakse government prepares an all-out offensive against the social and democratic rights of working people. It will not hesitate to use brute force and police-state measures to crush any opposition.

The working class must prepare to fight against this danger with its own independent class strategy.

The first step is a fundamental political break with all the parties of the ruling class, including the pseudo-lefts and the trade unions. The SEP advocates the building of independent action committees in workplaces, plantations and neighbourhoods to fight the threat to posed by the pandemic as well as wage and job cuts and increasing workloads.

These action committees should turn to other sections of workers in Sri Lanka and internationally and seek to rally rural poor, the oppressed and youth against the attacks of the government and big business in the fight for a workers and peasants government and socialist policies.

The SEP alone fights for this revolutionary perspective based on socialist internationalism, as part of the struggle for socialism throughout South Asia and internationally. We oppose all forms of nationalism and chauvinism and fight to unite the working class across ethnic lines.

We urge workers and youth, including all those who cast a class-conscious vote for us in the election, to join and build this party as the necessary revolutionary leadership for the struggles that lie immediately ahead.
25.08.2020 LISTEN

World Vision Ghana has organized a 4 - day training workshop for Citizens Voice and Action(CVA) groups in the Asutifi North District, Ahafo Region, to help communities have improved water and sanitation from authorities.

The training workshop as part of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme which is been rolled out in the District to achieve Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) 6 was held in the capital, Kenyasi.

In an interview with the National Coordinator for Local Level Advocacy for World Vision Ghana, Richard Ananga, for WASH programme to be successfully implemented in the District as planned, communities must be empowered with its information which consists of policies and standards.

According to Richard Ananga who facilitated the training workshop, once the people are abreast with the policies and standards it will help them do critical assessment of their water facilities(boreholes) to know if what they have been provided by duty bearers are in line with the said policies and standards.

He explained that having adequate knowledge of the policies and standards when it comes to water and sanitation matters will assist communities to clearly indicate their challenges and channel them to the appropriate quarters for improvement.

In addition, he revealed that what World Vision Ghana intend doing is to position communities to demand what is due them from duty bearers with documented evidence because the policies and standards of the WASH programme are now clearly known to them per the training workshop.

"Henceforth communities must use evidence and dialogue to get standard facilities " Richard Ananga stated.

He sighted an example that there is a policy which entreats community to have access to portable water so if a certain community can not boost of one, the people have the right to engage authorities. Another policy says 30 people are entitled to a borehole so if it is not happening, residents can demand for additional ones.

The Facilitator further said the exercise has disclosed to participants that in order to have portable water and good sanitation as WASH programme demands they have a role to play of which one is to empower them with the policies and standards.

Some of the participants thanked World Vision Ghana and the Asutifi North District Assembly for such workshop to build their capacity under the WASH initiative. According to them, a lot have been pumped into their brains to help have improved water and sanitation issues.

They appealed to World Vision Ghana and the Assembly to mount such exercise more often to upgrade their knowledge on water and sanitation.
A car burns on the rail tracks at Antrim Road during disturbances in Lurgan on Sunday night

A partially constructed, improvised heavy duty weapon was found in Lurgan as part of the PSNIs investigations into violent dissident republicanism.

The discovery was made in Lord Lurgan Park on Sunday by the PSNIs Terrorism Investigation Unit.

The weapon was one of a number of items taken for forensic examination.

Police carried out the searches in the area after a suspicious device was discovered in Tarry Drive that morning. It was later declared an elaborate hoax.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rowland said that using a public park to store such items was irresponsible and demonstrated a complete disregard for the community, including families and young children.

The discovery came amid a number of disturbances which took place in Lurgan over the weekend.

Four vehicles were hijacked, three of which were set on fire, in the Kilwilkie area on Sunday evening and in the early hours of Monday.

A Tesco delivery van was set on fire on the railway line at Lake Street late on Sunday night before a car was torched at a nearby roundabout.

A second car was also hijacked and set alight on the rail tracks on Antrim Road at around 1am on Monday.

This followed earlier security alerts in the same area on Sunday, including the hoax device.

Petrol bombs were thrown at PSNI officers during the subsequent searches in an area of wasteland along Victoria Street.

On Monday afternoon local residents went about their daily routines as the rail line reopened and parents picked their children up from a school close to where the violence occurred.

Meanwhile, the railway barriers at Bells Row level crossing on Antrim Road were closed for a period last night as work to repair damage was carried out by officials.

Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart said that the disturbances were not representative of Lurgan and expressed her concern over the young people involved in the violence.

A lot of these young people werent even born during the Troubles but yet theyre being coerced to getting involved in criminality, she added.

We need to decommission that mindset and actually let young people see that theyre ruining their lives.

SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly added that the local community was angry and upset following the disturbances.

Its inexplicable because the only damage thats being done is to the local community and to people going about their daily lives, she said.

I would say to parents to be very careful that none of your children or our young people are getting caught up in this.

People need to be wary of that because it does ruin future life chances.

Sinn Fein MLA John ODowd said that those involved in the violence were void of logic, support and strategic vision.

Those involved in orchestrating and participating in trouble in Lurgan over the course of the weekend have absolutely nothing to offer our community or society as a whole, he said.

Their actions only serve to hinder the quality of life of local residents and diminish our communitys image.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) through its programme "Aquaculture for Food and Jobs", has expanded the countrys fish ponds from 3,915 in 2015 to 4,925 in 2019.



Similarly, the Ministry has also increased the country's cages from 7,607 in 2015 to 10,102 in 2019.



This was made known by the Coordinator of the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs, Mr David Aidoo at a day's workshop for media practitioners on aquaculture in Accra on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.



The workshop was aimed at enhancing media practitioners' knowledge on aquaculture to enable them report accurately on the sector.



Mr Aidoo said the project has therefore increased the countrys production capacity of the aquaculture's contribution to the country's fish needs from 46,610.00 metric tonnes in 2015 to 52,350.00 metric tonnes in 2019.



He explained that although the 2019 production capacity fell below that of 2018, which was about 82,000 metric tonnes due to the disease that affected some ponds along the Volta Lake, the ministry had taken measures to contain the disease and avert future occurrence.



He said currently, there were 1,852 small-scale operators of ponds, 14 medium-scale pond operators and 11 large scale pond operators in the country.



The sector Minister, Mrs. Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, said the country was endowed with the requisite resources such as wetlands, rivers, water bodies and human resources for an extensive aquaculture.



She noted that "with the challenges being faced in the marine sub-sector, aquaculture presents an important alternative to augment fish production, reduce fish imports and provide additional job opportunities for unemployed youth particularly in rural communities."



She added that government vision, as enshrined in the President's Coordinated Medium Programme for Economic and Social Policies, "...is therefore to transform the structure of the fisheries sector from being marine over-dependent to ensure the sustainable management of the marine fisheries resources."



Mrs Afoley Quaye said when the aquaculture sector is transformed, the sector's productivity will increase domestic fish production, hence reduce fish imports.



The Deputy Minister of MoFAD, Mr Francis Ato Cudjoe encouraged media practitioners to prioritise aquaculture reporting as well as disseminate the right information to stakeholders and players in the aquaculture industry.







Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
YEREVAN, 25 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 25 August, USD exchange rate up by 0.46 drams to 485.71 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.30 drams to 574.50 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.04 drams to 6.50 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 636.96 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 334.53 drams to 30356.6 drams. Silver price up by 0.94 drams to 419.83 drams. Platinum price up by 481.79 drams to 14522.82 drams.
Chinese dissidents overseas have called on the head of a China-backed cultural institute at the University of Western Australia (UniWA) to allow them to speak about their experiences of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre that ended weeks of student-led protests around the country.



Jiang Ying, head of the Confucius Institute at UniWA, told Australia's ABC broadcaster's Chinese network in a Aug. 19 discussion panel that she would welcome dissident cartoonist Badiucao and others to speak on politically sensitive topics like the People's Liberation Army (PLA)'s armed suppression of 1989 protesters at the institute, which is ultimately controlled by China's State Council.



Badiucao, along with 1989 student leader Zhou Fengsuo, massacre survivor Fang Zheng and Hao Jian, the cousin of Hao Zhijing who died in the crackdown, said in an open letter to Jiang that they welcomed her comments.



"We welcome Jiang Ying's agreement to host events about the Tiananmen Massacre," the letter said. "We would like to help to organize and participate in the events and we believe it will help to ensure the nature of the events is objective and balanced."



It said that while an understanding of the events of the spring and early summer of 1989 is crucial to an understanding of contemporary Chinese history, severe government censorship has left many Chinese students with scant knowledge of that chapter in the ruling Chinese Communist Party's recent history.



"Events about the history of Tiananmen Massacre will not only benefit Australia's local students, as well as help many Chinese students in UniWA to open their mind and vision on one of the most censored topics in China," the letter said.



It pointed to global concerns over Confucius Institutes as centers for Beijing's propaganda, that are embedded on university campuses around the world, spreading official censorship on sensitive topics like Tiananmen, Tibet, Taiwan, and the mass incarceration of ethnic minority Uyghurs in Xinjiang far beyond the country's borders.



"Director Jiang and CI at UniWA must not become tools for inserting Beijing's censorship and propaganda in[to] Australia," the letter said.



An employee who answered the phone at the UniWA Confucius Institute declined to comment, saying they weren't familiar with the issue.



Repeated attempts to contact Jiang directly were unsuccessful at the time of writing.



Badiucao said the activists wanted to hold her responsible for the pledge she made in public.



"She should fulfill a promise made on ABC, an Australian broadcaster," he said, adding that he had contacted Zhou and Fang and drafted the petition with their help.



"[The letter] was sent to the Confucius Institute and the University of Western Australia yesterday," he told RFA. "Almost a day has passed since then, and I still havent received any response."



Role of institutes



The official website of the UniWA Confucius Institute describes it as forming a "bridge" between China and Australia.



But Badiucao said the institutes play more of a restrictive role, extending Chinese censorship onto overseas college campuses.



"The Confucius Institute's boasts are very hypocritical," he said. "That metaphor is so wrong; it's much more like an extension of China's Great Firewall."



"The Confucius Institutes have implanted a lot of pro-CCP and pro-Chinese government content overseas," he said. "Many students who have been to their classes have said that there are three topics that can't be touched on: Tiananmen, Taiwan and Tibet."



Fang Zheng, president of Chinese Democracy Education Foundation, who lost both legs under a PLA tank in June 1989, said he would take any opportunity to counter Chinese propaganda overseas.



"We need to take any chance we get to tell the truth, because the CCP has been concealing it from its own people," Fang said.



"Now, it's exporting that ideology via foreign propaganda, the United Front Work Department, and the Confucius Institutes."



The UniWA Confucius Institute was established in 2005 and was the first Confucius Institute to be set up in Australia.



The relatives of people killed in Beijing when Chinese leaders deployed PLA tanks and machine guns to end several weeks of student-led protests on Tiananmen Square in 1989 this year called on the Chinese government to make public its secret archives on the massacre.



The Tiananmen Mothers' victims group has called on the administration of CCP general secretary Xi Jinping to make public government records from that time, and explain the chain of events that led to the deaths of their loved ones.



The group, in an annual open letter to China's leaders, takes aim at the official silence surrounding the events of June 4 and the immediate aftermath, when hundreds, possibly thousands, died or were injured in the crackdown.



Reported by Ng Yik-tung and Sing Man for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Three months after some officers of the Nigerian Airforce accosted a Port Harcourt-based doctor during the state-wide COVID-19 lockdown, justice is yet to be served.

Avwebo Otoide told this newspaper in May she was en route to work as an essential worker when a Hilux van and a luxury bus, both light blue, of the Nigerian Airforce, closed in on her.

As she turned to look, an officer disembarked from the Hilux van, brandishing his gun, and specifically pointed the barrel at her face.

Stop there, she recalled the officer ordering her. I stopped and looked at him. I told him you dont need to point your weapon at me, just ask me who I am.

Who are you? she was asked, to which she said she was a medical doctor, pulling out her ID card. What followed was a heavy slap on her left cheek, Mrs Otoide told PREMIUM TIMES after the incident.

I was dazed for a moment. I heard him say Are you the first doctor?

In the course of the exchanges, her phone was also smashed, and she would later be detained at an isolation centre along Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a punishment meted out on defaulters of the states lockdown directive.

But this happened May 18, a Monday, at about 5:10 p.m. along Ohiamini-Psychiatric Road, off Rumuola, Port Harcourt, the senior registrar at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, said.

At the time, Rivers State daily curfew was between 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

After the encounter, Mrs Otoide petitioned the Nigerian Air Force through the state branch of the Nigerian Medical Association.

Following public outrage, the Nigerian Air Force publicist, Ibikunle Daramola, decried the incident, saying the force had identified the accused airmen, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken to the extent of their culpability.

About five weeks later, the air commodore identified the culpable personnel as FS Bass MO and ACM Ibrahim SA.

He said they have been charged for conduct prejudicial to good order & service discipline will be tried summarily in accordance with Armed Forces Act CAP A20, as amended.

Under section 104(1) of the act, if convicted by a court-martial, both men are liable to not more than two years imprisonment or any less punishment provided by this act.

Mr Daramola added that the initial non-appearance of Mrs Otoide before the board of inquiry set up to look into the petition delayed the BOI, which did not conclude work until 18 June.

Its been over two months since the said conclusion, but no one has been brought to book.

Meanwhile, Mrs Otoide told PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday that the Air Force has made advances to fix her phone even though a judgement has not been passed. She declined the request.

They asked (me) to bring my phone for them to repair. I asked them to officially respond to my petition before they begin (to) address things haphazardly. That was June 29th, she said over the phone.

She shared an audio of her phone conversation with an official who said he was from Air Force base and the chairman investigating the matter.

PREMIUM TIMES could not, however, independently verify the audio.

Mr Daramola said on Sunday that after the panel concluded its findings, the accused officers were scheduled for trial and Mrs Otoide was invited but she did not show up.

The trial of the 2 personnel was subsequently fixed for 1 July 2020; however, Dr Otoide has failed to turn up for the trial which the Unit has continued to reschedule to accommodate her availability, Mr Daramola said.

READ ALSO:

But Mrs Otoide said she has never been invited. She said the last she heard from anyone was when an official identified simply as Yurkursi LF called asking to repair her phone.

Advertisements



Told this, Mr Daramola stood by what he earlier said. He assured that the trial would be held this week and the case closed this week.

About an hour later, Mrs Otoide called to inform this reporter she was called by an official named Bimbo Elumade and invited for the hearing later in the week.

Your calls are so effective, someone just called to invite me to testify at the court-martial hearing this week, the doctor said. Tentatively Friday, he says he would send an official notice tomorrow.
Ibinabo Fiberesima has shared her mental state of health with City People Magazine, revealing how she collapsed TWICE in England during the pandemic.

She also said her state of health might have gone worse due to the pressure of the pandemic and losing some close friends to covid-19. She told the magazine;

I went to England before the whole pandemic started, I had health challenges. I had to do a surgery. I was here (in England) trying to recuperate to get my health back. So, I have been in England. And it has not been easy because, with my health challenges and the pressure of the pandemic, I started feeling somehow, and I collapsed twice during this pandemic.

It was quite scary and the ambulance came, rushed me to the hospital. They were trying to check if it was Covid-19 or not. They later discovered that it was not Covid-19, just my mental state. Everything crashed at a point, but thank God, I started with the Miss Earth event again and started picking up myself. I started looking forward to something.

I wasnt panicking anymore. I lost quite a few persons close to me here in England to the Covid-19, and that really broke me and then again, my friends in Nigeria, I lost a few, not to Covid-19 this time round, but other things and they were close to me.

So, I think all that badly affected me. But thank God I am picking up again, preparing the new queen for her journey because the Miss Earth is virtual again for the global. So, there is so much work to do now. I am busy again preparing that.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-26 03:26:26|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

CAIRO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Egypt reiterated on Tuesday the necessity of reaching a tripartite agreement with Ethiopia and Sudan over the rules of filling and operating the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) built on their shared Nile River, said the Egyptian foreign ministry.

Egypt's Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs, Hamdi Sanad Loza, reiterated his country's position in a meeting with African ambassadors in Cairo to update them with the developments of the recent tripartite negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on the GERD, said the ministry's statement.

"The deputy foreign minister stressed the importance of reaching a fair and balanced agreement on filling and operating the GERD that fulfills the interests of the three countries and promotes regional integration between them," the Egyptian foreign ministry said.

The Egyptian diplomat expressed appreciation for the role played by South Africa, the current chair of the African Union, to sponsor renewed talks between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan regarding the GERD.

The meeting came a day after Loza held a similar discussion with European ambassadors in Cairo to renew Egypt's keenness on reaching an agreement over the dam.

Over the past few years, tripartite talks on the rules of filling and operating Ethiopia's dam have been fruitless, amid Egyptian concerns that the GERD would affect Egypt's 55.5-billion-cubic-meter annual share of Nile water.

The two downstream countries Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly warned upstream Ethiopia against filling the reservoir without a prior tripartite agreement.

The 4-billion-dollar GERD is expected to produce over 6,000 megawatts of electricity and become Africa's largest hydropower dam upon completion.

Filling the reservoir, whose total capacity is 74 billion cubic meters, may take several years. Egypt seeks to prolong the period of the filling process to avoid the possible impacts of water shortage, which is a main point of their talks. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-25 17:10:57|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

URUMQI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Post-2000s Mukadas Ali received a special coming-of-age gift -- the unforgettable experience of being involved in volunteer services in her local community amid the COVID-19 resurgence.

Encouraged by her mother who is also a volunteer, 18-year-old Mukadas Ali has been delivering groceries, dumping trash and taking care of solitary seniors since July 24 in Lengku community in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

After the city reported new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since mid-July, about 4 million residents had to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities to reduce possible cross-infections.

"In normal times, people can get what they need anywhere and at anytime, but this has become a tough task under closed-off management of residential communities," said Sheng Xiaoyu, a community Party secretary of the high-risk Tianshan District.

Sheng has to ensure that some 5,000 people in the community get their daily necessities.

Community workers in Urumqi faced unprecedented pressure and workloads. Fortunately, more than 210,000 volunteers across the city like Mukadas Ali joined in the anti-epidemic fight, delivering fresh vegetables and fruits from 491 grocery stores to community residents across the city every day.

Sheng said that the volunteers were well aware of the risk they might face, yet the risk did not hold them back in offering their services.

"Fighting against the epidemic requires everyone's efforts, and no one is a bystander," said Mukadas Ali who kept serving others though feeling exhausted every day. "Only in this way can our life return to normal as soon as possible."

Volunteers' caring and warm-hearted services went far beyond this. Communities in Urumqi also provided free commuting services for residents in urgent need, according to Liu Jun, an official with the municipal government.

Their selfless devotion has received a groundswell of support and trust amid the epidemic, Liu added.

The epidemic situation in Urumqi has been getting better. From July 15 to Monday, a total of 666 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery in the region, and 189 asymptomatic cases were released from medical observation.

Wang Zhiguo, a voluntary commuter vehicle driver, was lauded by netizens after lending his cell phone to a stranger without hesitation at the Urumqi airport. The man was about to fly to Chengdu, some 3,000 km away, to see his father who was severely ill.

"My phone suddenly turned off and didn't work. Without a phone I am unable to provide my health QR code to board the plane. I never thought he would lend it to me." said Peng Xuting, the anxious stranger.

"I would definitely regret it if I couldn't make to see my father one last time. Fortunately, I met Wang; he is such a kind man," Peng said.

Encouraged by a sense of achievement, Mukadas Ali ignored his exhaustion and became more motivated. "I hope people around me can feel the warmth. We will be closer and more united as we see each other again when the epidemic is over," she said. Enditem
Dawson's Creek alum Katie Holmes wore a grey tank top, light blue jeans, and Birkenstock sandals for a solo stroll through Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon.

The Ohio-born 41-year-old made sure to protect herself and others from the coronavirus by wearing a black mask, which New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made mandatory for public outings way back on April 15.

As of Tuesday, there have been over 232K confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York City leading to 23,666 deaths - according to Johns Hopkins University.

Casually clad: Dawson's Creek alum Katie Holmes took a solo stroll through Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon

Mandatory in public: The Ohio-born 41-year-old made sure to protect herself and others from the coronavirus by wearing a black mask

That same day, Katie - who boasts 2.1M Instagram followers - shared a slow-motion video of the brimming top of a fountain on a sunny, blue sky summer day captioned: 'Watercolor.'

Meanwhile, Holmes' ex-husband Tom Cruise - who's in London shooting Mission: Impossible 7 - shared a video of himself masking up to catch a private screening of Christopher Nolan's sci-fi epic Tenet.

'Great to be back in a movie theater, everybody!' the 58-year-old Oscar nominee yelled inside the packed cinema afterwards.

'I loved [the movie]. I loved it.'

Out and about: Katie was dressed in a grey tank top, light blue jeans, and Birkenstock sandals

Changed her mind: Holmes swapped out her black bag from earlier with a larger pink purse while in the Tribeca neighborhood

Beating the heat: The Joe Biden supporter wore dark sunglasses and scraped her brunette locks into a tidy ponytail

'Watercolor': That same day, Katie - who boasts 2.1M Instagram followers - shared a slow-motion video of the brimming top of a fountain on a sunny, blue sky summer day

Warner Bros. releases the critically-acclaimed spy film 'only in theaters' starting Wednesday in the UK and September 3 in the States.

Tom and the Coda actress had 14-year-old daughter Suri from their six-year marriage, which ended in divorce in 2012.

Worryingly, Cruise hasn't been pictured with his youngest child in seven years, even though his custody arrangement allots '10 days a month of visitation' - according to Us Weekly.

Some speculate Tom's alleged estrangement has to do with Suri and Holmes 'disavowing the Church of Scientology' and devotees don't associate with SPs (suppressive people).

'Big movie. Big screen. Loved it': Meanwhile, Holmes' ex-husband Tom Cruise - who's in London shooting MI7 - shared a video of himself masking up to catch a private screening of Christopher Nolan's sci-fi epic Tenet

Afterwards, the 58-year-old Oscar nominee yelled inside the packed cinema: 'Great to be back in a movie theater, everybody! I loved [the movie]. I loved it.'

Mind-twisting movie: Warner Bros. releases the critically-acclaimed spy film 'only in theaters' starting Wednesday in the UK and September 3 in the States

'I like to keep [Suri] out of my interviews, but I will say that this time of quarantine has been such a lesson,' the Boy II star told The Daily Telegraph this month.

'Just really looking at everything you have and celebrating the simplicity of making dinner and [spending] that time together.'

Katie currently plays widowed mother-of-three Miranda Wells in Andy Tennant's dismally-reviewed film The Secret: Dare to Dream, which is now streaming via VOD.

The Louisiana-set romantic drama - based on Rhonda Byrne's 2006 self-help book - also features Josh Lucas, Jerry O'Connell, and Celia Weston.

You can watch Dawson's Creek on Stan in Australia.

Their legacy: Tom and the Coda actress had 14-year-old daughter Suri from their six-year marriage, which ended in divorce in 2012 (pictured July 31)
Share this article Whatsapp

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin Alistair Smout and Sarah Young (Reuters) London, United Kingdom  Tue, August 25, 2020 17:15 513 e22cd4161040e111d73a5626c4060d56 2 World Oxford,AstraZeneca,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-vaccines,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free

Trial data for the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca's possible coronavirus vaccine could be given to regulators this year but corners cannot be cut to speed up approval for emergency use, a scientist leading the trials said on Tuesday.

The Oxford vaccine produced an immune response in its first human trials, underlining its position as one of the leading candidates in the race to combat a virus that has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths and crippled the global economy.

"It is just possible that if the cases accrue rapidly in the clinical trials, that we could have that data before regulators this year," Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, told BBC Radio of progress in larger, late-stage trials.

"Then there would be a process that they go through in order to make a full assessment of the data."

The trials hit the headlines earlier this week when the Financial Times reported the Trump administration was considering fast-tracking the vaccine for use in the United States ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election.

One option being explored would involve the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awarding "emergency use authorization" in October to the potential vaccine, the newspaper said.

Pollard said the process for emergency use authorization was well established. "But it still involves having carefully conducted data ... and evidence that it actually works," he said.

The Financial Times reported that Washington was considering basing emergency approval of the vaccine on just a small UK study of around 10,000 people.

Pollard, the chief investigator of the global clinical trials of the vaccine candidate, said AstraZeneca would take the data to regulators once the scientists were satisfied with it.

He said Oxford had enrolled about 20,000 people in trials across Britain, Brazil and South Africa, with AstraZeneca leading a US trial of 30,000 people.

"The size of the trials still isn't the issue here, what you need is to have enough cases accruing during the time of observation in the trials," Pollard said.
(Natural News) A stampede at a nightclub in Lima, Peru left at least 13 dead and six injured, as partygoers attempted to escape a police raid on the venue. Police were called to the Thomas Restobar in the capital city on Saturday, Aug. 22, to enforce social distancing and curfew rules in place following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents in Los Olivos district of Perus capital city alerted police of the illegal party, believed to have more than 120 people in attendance. The party was thrown into chaos as officers arrived to break up the illegal assembly, with partygoers trampling on one another as they tried to flee through a single exit from the second-floor venue. The 13 victims were 11 men and two women, all between the ages of 20 to 30. Officials said that the cause of death was either asphyxiation or being crushed to death.

In response, Interior Minister Jorge Montoya extended his condolences to the victims.

The Minister of the Interior deeply regrets the death of thirteen people as a result of the criminal irresponsibility of an unscrupulous businessman, read his statement.

A follow-up statement stressed that the police did not use any firearms or tear gas and strictly followed the lawful process of dispersal. A total of 23 people were detained after the raid, while police picked up the clubs owners  a married couple  on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra echoed a similar sentiment during a public event as he urged the public to reflect, so no more lives will be lost due to negligence.

I have sorrow and I have sadness for the people and relatives of the people who have died, but I also have anger and indignation for those who were irresponsible by organizing this type of event, added Vizcarra.

Stampede latest in Perus fight against coronavirus

The tragic stampede is the latest development in Perus ongoing fight to head off new coronavirus cases. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, Perus coronavirus caseload is now at 600,438  the second-highest in Latin America and sixth-highest number of total cases worldwide. In addition, the country has 27,813 deaths, as of Tuesday morning. (Related: Latin America the new epicenter of coronavirus pandemic.)

In response, the government has placed strict measures in an effort to curb the spread of the virus. This includes the closure of bars and nightclubs, a ban on extended family gatherings, physical distancing rules and a 10 p.m. curfew. Despite these rules, the owners of Thomas Restobar continued to organize weekly Saturday parties, according to Alejandro Ruiz, a security guard assigned near the area, in an interview with local media outlet RPP.

In addition, 15 of the 23 individuals picked up during the raid tested positive for COVID-19, with 13 branded as actively contagious. A minor was among the 15 people who tested positive for the coronavirus. The public prosecutors office in Lima also noted that 11 of the 13 victims also tested positive for COVID-19. All 60 police officers who participated in the tragic raid at Los Olivos had also been tested for the coronavirus.

Visit Pandemic.news to see how countries around the world are addressing the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.

Sources include:

NPR.org

News.Sky.org

Gob.pe 1

Gob.pe 2

ZeroHedge.com

Reuters.com

Coronavirus.JHU.edu

RPP.pe
On the Recommendation for Martial Law following the Sulu Twin Bombings

More at: https://pinglacson.net/2020/08/25/on-the-recommendation-for-martial-law-following-the-sulu-twin-bombings/

We have passed a strong Anti-Terrorism Law for our security forces to better address terrorism in Mindanao and the rest of the country. Unfortunately, amidst the numerous petitions against the measure, the agencies tasked to craft the implementing rules and regulations of the law have not yet issued the same which could have given our law enforcement agencies and the AFP the impetus to fully implement the law with efficacy and confidence, even proactively as we have included even "inchoate offenses" punishable for even at the stage of planning and preparation.

With all that said, another declaration of martial law in Mindanao or Sulu may not be necessary.
Bengaluru, Aug 25 : Seeking the state government's support in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic, IAS officers in Karnataka objected to the FIR filed against former Mysuru Zilla Parishad CEO P.K. Mishra for allegedly abetting the death of a doctor by suicide last week, an official said on Tuesday.

"Lodging an FIR on August 20 against Mishra for the death of Nanjungud health official S.R. Nagendra on August 19 has brought down the morale of field officers and such acts will deteriorate the administrative efficiency," Karnataka IAS Officers' Association secretary Pankaj Kumar Pandey said in a statement here.

Pandey is the state Health Commissioner, who is leading the battle against the pandemic since mid-March.

"Holding Mishra, a 2014 batch IAS officer, responsible for the doctor's suicide is unjust, as he was only implementing the state government's guidelines to contain the Covid pandemic," asserted Pandey.

Terming Nagendra's death as very unfortunate, Pandey said that no one knows what prompted the doctor to end his life.

"But to blame an (IAS) officer for doing his duty is not the right approach. The insinuations about one's character and media trial cause irreparable damage," Pandey said.

The state government had on August 22 transferred Mishra from the executive post without further posting, pending inquiry into the doctor's tragic death.

The doctor's family and health officials in the district alleged that Nagendra committed suicide due to alleged harassment by Mishra and work pressure to ramp up testing and meet "unreasonable" targets.

"The state government should support the hard work of all the officials at the field level. IAS officers on Covid duty have been working 24x7 without a break. A pragmatic and sensitive approach is warranted," added Pandey.

Nanjungud is about 160 km southwest of Bengaluru.

As the state is fighting the war against the deadly disease with combined efforts of all the stakeholders, the state government has entrusted every department with Covid work to assist the health department in containing the virus spread.

Though the state managed to contain the infection till the lockdown was extended up to May 31, unlocking since June 1 has led to dramatic rise in the number of Covid cases, taking the state's tally to a whopping 2,91,826 till Tuesday, including 82,410 active cases, while 4,958 have succumbed to the virus so far.

Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Abhiram Shankar is holding the CEO's post as an additional charge till further order.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa had on August 20 ordered an inquiry into Nagendra's death and the alleged role of Mishra in driving the doctor to commit suicide.

Yediyurappa also announced Rs 50 lakh compensation to the bereaved family and assured its members to give a government job to the doctor's widow.

The doctor was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his home Alanahalli on August 19. The police, however, did not find any suicide note in the house.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sirnaomics, Inc. , a leading biopharmaceutical company in discovery and development of RNAi therapeutics for treatment of cancer and fibrotic diseases, announced today that it has published data from a preclinical discovery effort using a novel siRNA-gemcitabine conjugate construct to enhance therapeutic efficacy of the active pharmaceutical ingredient potentially for treatment of multiple types of cancer. The findings appeared in a manuscript entitled "A novel siRNAgemcitabine construct as a potential therapeutic for treatment of pancreatic cancer" in the journal Nucleic Acid Research, Cancer. 2020, Vol. 2, No. 3 1.

SiRNAs are Short Interfering RNA oligos that induce silencing effect of specific targeted genes. Gemcitabine is a nucleotide-based small molecule chemo drug that has been used in the treatment of cancers such as pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, NSCLC, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, cholangiocarcinoma and others. Gemcitabine replaces the nucleic acid cytidine during DNA replication and can inhibit tumor growth since new nucleosides cannot be attached to this nucleoside mimic, resulting in apoptosis of the cells. While Gemcitabine is the "gold standard" therapeutic for treatment of pancreatic cancer currently, the benefit of gemcitabine treatment in patients with stage IV pancreatic cancer is marginal.

Targeted therapies have been actively sought to potentiate the efficacy of gemcitabine in killing tumor cells and therefore allow a reduction of the dose required for therapeutic efficacy. The publication describes the ability to attach gemcitabine moieties directly to a siRNA and examines the efficacy and potency improvements associated with inserting gemcitabine at various locations throughout the siRNA sequence. By modifying an siRNA against targets that augment the activity of gemcitabine (CHK1 or RAD17), Sirnaomics believes that it has demonstrated synergism in reducing cell viability across a number of pancreatic tumor cells upon transfection of the siRNAs into the cells. This synergism resulted in a product that can kill pancreatic tumor cells at a 5-100 fold lower dose than gemcitabine alone.

In the optimal construct, the gemcitabine is attached to the Sense strand of the siRNA. When administered to tumor cells, the antisense strand is separated from the sense strand as it binds to the RISC complex. The antisense strand induces silencing of the targeted gene while the sense strand is degraded in the cytoplasm  releasing the gemcitabine moieties to augment the activity from the reduction in gene expression. This siRNA-Chemo-Oligo Nucleotide (SICON) construct provides a novel therapeutic modality for advancing RNAi Cancer Therapeutics.

David Evans, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Sirnaomics and the senior author of the publication, stated, "Sirnaomics can deliver this SICON construct into tumor cells and tumor microenvironment, using our proprietary polypeptide nanoparticle formulation (PNP) that protects the siRNA in the plasma and minimizes toxicity of gemcitabine outside tumor tissue. The SICON construct is a single agent that provides a dual mechanism of action  making it easier for regulatory approval than using 2 separate agents. The construct will also alleviate the requirement to infuse free gemcitabine into patients at a high dose required to get delivery to the tumor tissue. Silencing the right gene target associated with gemcitabine drug resistance and tumorigenicity can further enhance the potency of our RNAi cancer drug candidates."

Patrick Lu, PhD, President and CEO of Sirnaomics, added, "This publication illustrates the Company's continuing effort to enhance our RNAi cancer therapeutic platform, in addition to advancing our delivery technologies, large scale CMC process and clinical studies to treat various types of cancer. With advancements of our local and systemic delivery formulations, plus this unique SICON drug modality, we envision expanding the potential of RNAi cancer therapeutics."

About Sirnaomics

Sirnaomics, Inc., a leading privately held biopharmaceutical company for discovery and development of RNAi therapeutics, is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, with subsidiaries in Suzhou and Guangzhou, China. The company's mission is to develop novel therapeutics to alleviate human suffering and advance patient care in areas of high unmet medical need. The guiding principles of the company are: Innovation, Global Vision with a Patient Centered focus. Members of the senior management team have a great deal of combined experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, financial, clinical and business management in both the USA and China. The company is supported by funding from institutional investors and corporate partnerships. Sirnaomics has developed a strong portfolio of intellectual property with an enriched product pipeline. The therapeutic areas of focus include oncology and anti-fibrotic therapeutics. Learn more at www.sirnaomics.com.

CONTACT:

Sirnaomics, Inc.

David Evans, PhD, CSO

[email protected]

Westwicke, an ICR Company

Investors:

Stephanie Carrington

Tel: +1 646 277 1282

Email: [email protected]



Media:

Mark Corbae

Tel: +1 203 682 8288

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Sirnaomics, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.sirnaomics.com


The Orissa High Court has allowed a 24-year-old woman to live with her same-sex partner after the latters family members reportedly tried to get her married to a boy against her wish.

Hearing a habeas corpus petition, a division bench of Justice SK Mishra and Justice Savitri Ratho directed the police to provide security to the partner of the woman so that she could start living with her. Though the order was passed on Monday, it was uploaded on the high court portal on Tuesday.

Petitioner Chinmayee Jena alias Sonu Krishna Jena had filed a habeas corpus application under Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution seeking production of her woman partner, alleging that she was being kept away by her mother and uncle. The petitioner told the court that her partners mother and uncle were now trying to marry her off.

Jena, who produced a certification of Gender Dysphoria for Trans man from a psychiatrist, had claimed that he and his partner had fallen in love with each other in 2011 and had been enjoying a consensual relationship since 2017. The two were studying in the same school and later in the same college. After completing their respective studies, Jena got a private job at Bhubaneswar and was staying on rent in the city.

Jena claimed that while she was staying in a live-in relationship with her partner, in April this year, the latters mother and uncle came to her and forcibly took her away against her will. It was done against her will even though both of them had become majors. She also cited the provisions of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, which acknowledged live-in relationships.

Citing the orders of Supreme Court in Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India case in which the apex court held that section 377 of the Indian Penal Code transgressed Article 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India, the High Court bench said that the petitioner has the right of self-determination of sex/gender and also has the right to have a live-in relationship with a person of choice even though such person may belong to the same gender as the petitioner.

During the hearing through virtual mode, the petitioner womans partner told the HC that she wants to join the company of the petitioner without further delay.

The HC also ordered that the petitioner would have to allow the mother and sister of her partner to be in touch with her and that her partner would have all the rights of a woman as enshrined under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 561 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, raising the statewide total to 130,035.

Across Pennsylvania, 7,605 deaths have been tied to COVID-19, including 26 newly reported fatalities Tuesday. More than two-thirds of the states coronavirus cases have occurred in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.

The number of new cases has been dropping in August after a steady rise in late June and throughout July. The state hasnt reported 1,000 new cases in a single day since July 28. The state topped 1,000 cases several times last month and regularly passed that mark during the peak of infections in April.

Over the last seven days, the state has reported, on average, 636 new cases per day; the seven-day average is the lowest since the beginning of July.

Statewide, Gov. Tom Wolfs administration said 3.4% of those tested for the coronavirus last week were positive, down from 4 percent the previous week. The states rate of positive COVID-19 tests has dropped over the past four weeks.

Still, the Wolf administration has identified 9 counties as areas of concern because more than 5% of those tested were positive for the virus. Some of those counties are in central Pennsylvania.

The nine counties identified as areas of concern are: Perry (9.1%), Huntingdon (7.8%), Northumberland (7.3%), Indiana (7.1%), Union (5.9%), Susquehanna (5.7%), York (5.5%), Beaver (5.3%), and Blair (5.0%).

On Tuesday, Wolf introduced a host of proposals to help the state bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic. He is asking lawmakers to approve sales of recreational marijuana to help generate revenue for grant programs to support small businesses.

Wolf has also proposed expanded access to child care and is urging lawmakers to approve paid family leave. He also is calling for hundreds of millions of dollars in grants and loans to help small businesses.

A closer look

There were 20,852 coronavirus test results reported to the department through 10 p.m. Monday. The state has administered 157,763 tests between Aug. 18-24, the health department said.

More than 1.4 million Pennsylvanians have tested negative for the coronavirus.

The health department estimates 81% of those who have been infected have recovered. The department considers patients to have recovered when they are 30 days past the onset of symptoms or the date of infection.

The health department reports 543 coronavirus patients are being treated in hospitals. In July, well over 600 were hospitalized. At the peak in the spring, about 2,800 COVID-19 patients were in hospitals.

Trends in new cases

Heres a look at the trend in new cases since the beginning of July.

July 1-7: 4,693 new cases, an average of 670 per day

July 8-14: 5,372 new cases, an average of 767 per day

July 15-21: 6,094 new cases, an average of 870 per day

July 22-28: 6,619 new cases, an average of 945 per day

July 29-Aug. 4: 5,625 new cases, an average of 803 per day

Aug. 5-11: 5,272 new cases, an average of 753 per day

Aug. 12-18: 5,298 new cases, an average of 756 per day

Aug. 19-25: 4,456 new cases, an average of 636 per day

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.

More from PennLive

Inside Pennsylvanias struggle to trace the spread of coronavirus

Restaurants opening soon in the Harrisburg area, despite the pandemic

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, heres what schools will do and what parents should know